GwinnettForum | Number 25.07 | Jan. 24, 2025
THE NATIONAL MALL in Washington, D.C., was virtually empty on Inaugural Day, since ceremonies for the new president were indoors. Read one Gwinnettian’s view of the day in Letters to the Editor below.
TODAY’S FOCUS: Economic suggestion for 2025: Stay the course
EEB PERSPECTIVE: 2025 college football season was quite entertaining
SPOTLIGHT: Heaven and Alvarez, LLC
ANOTHER VIEW: Across Georgia, people celebrate King Day
FEEDBACK: Suggests adopting Britain’s Loyal Opposition system
UPCOMING: Sugarloaf CID seeking design for two crosswalks
NOTABLE: County forms opioid abatement committee
RECOMMENDED: We have zero recommendations! Please help!
OBITUARY: The Rev. William Pearman McLemore
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Two key executives created Georgia Power Foundation
MYSTERY PHOTO: Can you identify this place, once a landmark?
LAGNIAPPE: Lanier Islands adds new members to resort staff
CALENDAR: Johns Creek Symphony plans concert Jan. 25
Economic suggestion for 2025: Stay the course
By Randy Brunson
SUWANEE, Ga. | How were the public markets in 2024? Another solid year, with the S&P 500 up 25 percent, its second year in a row with gains of more than 20 percent. The Fed lowered interest rates but the 10-year US Treasury yield moved in the opposite direction.
Brunson
The back-to-back 20 percent plus performance of the S&P 500 was the first time this has happened since 1998-1999. Returns were positive around the world though emerging markets lagged developed markets, with the All Country World Index up 17.5 percent in 2024. The NASDAQ was up almost 30 percent for 2024.
In the fall, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates three times for a full point reduction, to the 4.25-4.5 percent range, the first cuts since March 2020. U.S. bond prices rose for the year but Treasury prices were mixed. Official inflation is in the three percent range, though most households are still experiencing significant strain from the cost of food. The price of groceries is significantly higher than it was five years ago, having an outsized impact on many households. This is the second largest monthly expense for most.
Republicans control the White House and both houses of Congress. We suggest neither giddiness nor despair, depending on your perspective. We subscribe to George Friedman’s observations that a) the American system is designed to move and change slowly, and b) events more often make the president than the other way around.
2025 outlook? Statistically, the public markets should finish in positive territory. The government will continue to run up debt. Treasury bills, notes, and bonds will continue to be weak as a result. Wars will continue. Trump is a master at positioning and theatre. Border security and NAFTA renegotiation will be relatively simple after Trump’s comments regarding Canada and Mexico. And his comments regarding the Panama Canal and Greenland have put both China and Russia on notice that they may want to mind their manners.
But you can find those types of comments in any number of places.
My message today is to avoid both greed and fear. Continue to invest consistently and systematically for long-term wealth building. Don’t allow the fear of (your personal choice of fears) get in your way of a long-term game plan. We firmly believe though, that this isn’t the time to put 50 percent of your total assets into crypto, Nvidia, gold, or any other single position.
The men of Issachar’s era in the Bible were men known for understanding the times. And Solomon offered the counsel to divide what you have seven or eight ways, as we don’t know what may happen. Prudence, awareness, insight, and understanding are dominant themes for the remainder of the decade.
Bubbles and crashes are times when extreme events cause people to lose their objectivity and view the world through highly skewed psychology, either too positive or too negative. So. Just say no to both fear and greed, choose to forgo the Fear of Missing Out, just build cash, and continue to look for opportunity.
Personally, I believe commercial real estate and farmland may offer some outstanding opportunities over the next few years.
Stay the course, don’t worry about the gyrations in markets, politics, talking heads, or the other headlines which compete for your attention.
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College football season was quite entertaining
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
JAN. 24, 2025 | The 2024 college football season, for me, was a blast. It was one of the most lively seasons in recent memory, thanks mainly in part to the new 12-team playoff system.
In the past with only four teams headed for the national championship, we found much more than we had thought we might in the new 12 team system.
What would have been ho-hum conference games that mattered little…..suddenly gained major importance. We’re talking about Syracuse wiping out a chance for Miami to be among the 12 playoff teams when it suffered this upset, giving it two losses. If there had been only one Atlantic Coast Conference team included in the final four, that game would not have amounted to anything.
That game also propelled one conference loss Clemson to take on Southern Methodist, and given a victory here, secured a berth in the 12 teams, even with three losses, since it upset SMU to gain the automatic conference title.
All season long, we had rooted for a team we know little about, Oregon, as it breezed through the regular season undefeated and looked like a possible national champion. It even knocked off mighty Ohio State (though by one point) and ended the regular season not only undefeated, but ranked first, getting a bye in the first playoff round.
And meantime, Ohio State was startled to lose again to Michigan, apparently losing major hopes of a national championship. Who knew?
Perhaps the favorite game of the year for us was hopeful Georgia Tech taking on the Georgia Bulldogs in their annual grudge match. (Complete disclosure: we’ve always, since high school days, been a Tech fan.) The past season, Tech had been somewhat good, especially upsetting Miami again. So there was hope for Tech against the Bulldogs, though Georgia looked particularly stronger.
The game turned out to be a real rip-snorter, with Tech ahead 17-0 at halftime. Announcers started talking about the last time Tech had a convincing lead against Georgia, but eventually lost. Still, at the end of the third quarter, Tech still prevailed, but now 17-6. Those wearing yellow were smiling, hoping a victory might be possible.
Finally, in the fourth quarter, Georgia came alive, scoring 21 points to Tech’s 10, to tie the game at 27 and force overtime. At the end of two overtimes, still tied 40-40. After four overtimes, still 40-40. After seven overtimes, 42-42, and no one could believe the game was still tied.
Then in the eighth overtime, Georgia got a quick 25 yard touchdown and walked off the field as winners, disappointing the Tech nation, who were mighty pleased that the Jackets had hung in there so long. What a game!
Just look at the score by quarters (and overtime):
GEORGIA TECH (7-5) vs. GEORGIA (10-2)
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia Tech | 3 | 14 | 0 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 42 |
| Georgia | 0 | 0 | 6 | 21 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 44 |
One more aspect to 2024 football: Even my alma mater, Mercer University, had a good regular season at 10-2, beating Furman 49-23 to win the Southern Conference. The Bears then beat Rhode Island 17-10 to go to the quarter finals of the Division One of the football championship, but lost in the semi-finals to the eventual winner, North Dakota State 31-7. Earlier in the season, Mercer again lost to its arch rival, Samford of Birmingham, 55-35. Wait ‘til next year!
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Across Georgia, people celebrate King Day
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere“—The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
By Jack Bernard, contributing columnist
PEACHTREE CITY, Ga. | On Jan. 20, 2025, local NAACP chapters sponsored numerous celebrations throughout Georgia in honor of the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., famed civil rights leader and slain national hero.
Even though it was a very cold day, the parades went on around the state, and were well attended. Local speakers were inspiring, advocating for justice, unity, diversity and continuing civil rights progress.
As an NAACP member, long-time admirer of MLK Jr. and civil rights supporter, I was there for the rally in my home county. The local high school marching band was tremendous, as was the Giwayen Mata African dance group. For someone like me who loves soul and blues, the music by the local “Simply Awesome Band” was… true to their name… simply awesome.
People born in the last few decades do not realize just how life- changing Dr. King’s accomplishments were. His legacy is tremendous for all of us as Americans. As Governor Kemp said:“From his early life, growing up in Atlanta, throughout his travels across the country fighting injustice, he was never content to look the other way when he came to confronting the problems of his days.”
The Supreme Court ruled that public school segregation was unconstitutional (Brown v. Board of Education, 1954). However, Southern states chose to ignore that decision. Over 10 years later, I graduated from a totally segregated high school in Cartersville. Believe me, our schools were separate, but not equal in any way.
Dr. King believed in non-violence. He led many protests leading to the desegregation of that high school and all other public schools in Georgia and the nation. Plus, the bipartisan passage of many laws including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Civil Rights Act of 1968, came about because of the pressure he placed on political leaders, like Lyndon Johnson.
Today more work is still needed to fulfill the promise of equality for all. We cannot forget the past… but it must be remembered accurately.
Confederates attempting to destroy the United States of America in the name of perpetuating slavery is clearly not a part of our Southern heritage of which we should be proud. Many are still fighting that battle.
It took until 2018 for the Atlanta City Council to take the long overdue step of renaming three Atlanta streets that were named after pro-slavery Confederate leaders of the rebellion against the Union.
In the last several decades, we have made tremendous progress in achieving Dr. King’s vision of a truly color-blind society. However, there is clearly more work to be done to reach the full promise of Dr. King’s most-famous 1963 speech: “I have a dream that one day out in the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slaveowners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood……I have a dream……,.”
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Finds National Mall almost empty on Inaugural Day
(Editor’s Note: Back in October, Jim Brooks made hotel reservations in Washington, hoping to see Kamala Harris being sworn in as president. Inaugural bookings are non-refundable or transferable. He did the same thing for Hillary Clinton’s “ inaugural” in 2016. In 2024, he went to D.C. anyway, and sent this report.—eeb)
Editor, the Forum:
I walked from my hotel along Pennsylvania Avenue to where it was blocked off, then was directed to Constitution Avenue to proceed. I had heard of President Elect Trump’s dismay over the half mast flag issue, honoring former President Jimmy Carter’s death, and I wanted to check it out.
I was pleasantly surprised that the flag remained at half mast over the White House. To see the Capitol building, I had to cross over to the Mall and proceed from there. As I walked towards the Capitol building, I saw that the flags there were at full mast.
In talking to national mall Park Rangers, I was informed they were instructed to leave flags at full mast for inaugural day, then have them lowered again the next day.
I know President Trump and his minions in Congress have a lot on their minds, trying to bring the country together, but this silliness about the flag is just another reminder of how mean and petty this administration may continue to be.
The crowds along the route were practically non-existent while I was there between 10:30-noon on inaugural day.
– Jim Brooks, Norcross
Suggests adopting Britain’s Loyal Opposition system
Editor, the Forum:
Our two party system is now in crisis. The tension between Democrats and Republicans is not working. It is based on informal understandings built on historical precedents.
I am suggesting that we adapt the British system of the Loyal Opposition. In the United Kingdom there is a structural organization for the minority party to shadow the majority parliament.
There is a shadow Prime Minister .Each ministry has a formal shadow appointed by the minority party. This design emphasizes the role of the opposition by having members of Parliament facing each other. There is a formal period of questioning where the minority members demand answers to their policies.
I am suggesting that we consider rethinking our party system to formalize the role of the minority party.
– Alan Schneiberg, Sugar Hill
Stayed away from television set on Monday
Editor, the Forum:
Nope, I watched nary a bit of the in-OGRE-ration and I try to skip any references to the FOTUS(Felon of the US). But it is impossible not to hear some boast, promise or threat from him daily. Keep reporting…I’ll keep reading.
– Mike Eberlein, 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.
Sugarloaf CID seeking design for two crosswalks
Sugarloaf Community Improvement District, in partnership with The Hudgens Center for Art and Learning and the Gas South District, seeks proposals from artists for the design of two adjacent decorative crosswalks. This Call for Artists is for design only, as the crosswalk material will be installed by professional contractors. Submitting artists/designers must be professional artists (new artists are welcome to apply).
Both decorative crosswalks will extend across Satellite Boulevard at the intersection with Gas South District southern entrance. These are county-owned and maintained roads, and the CID will be responsible for maintaining the decorative portions of the crosswalks.
The competition is open to all Georgia residents. Artists working or living in Gwinnett County are strongly encouraged to apply. Candidates must be professional artists or designers eligible to work in the U.S., age 18 or older. The winner will receive a compensation of $5,000. This includes coordination with the installation contractor to make any necessary changes to the design for production purposes. Artists must be able to travel to the site for a few days during installation (installation dates will be coordinated with artist to ensure availability).
- Deadline for applications is March 1. Installation is expected in the spring of 2025. For a pdf packet of full design project guidelines, email Laura Ballance at lballance@thehudgens.org
Stripers have job fair on Feb. 8 for game-day staff
The Gwinnett Stripers are now accepting applications for gameday staff for the 2025 season. Online applications can be submitted now at GoStripers.com/jobs, and an in-person Job Fair is scheduled for Saturday, February 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Suite Lounge at Coolray Field.
Individuals with a passion for delivering exceptional fan experiences can apply for the following part-time, seasonal gameday positions:
- Amusements Attendants
- Guest Relations
- Hype Squad
- Parking Staff
- Press Box Staff
- Security Staff
- Team Store Associates
- Ticket Sellers
- Turf Staff
- Video Production Staff
- Ushers
Coolray Field’s concessionaire, Professional Sports Catering, will also be at the Job Fair on February 8 interviewing for seasonal gameday positions including:
- Concessions Cooks
- Cashiers
- Suite Servers
For those attending the Job Fair, please bring printed copies of your resume. Parking is free, and entry is through the Main Gate.
County forms opioid abatement committee
Gwinnett County has established an Opioid Abatement Advisory Committee following settlements from federal lawsuits against several pharmaceutical companies.
As a result of these settlements, the state of Georgia has designated Gwinnett County to receive a substantial portion of the funds to support opioid abatement and remediation efforts. The committee will review applications from organizations seeking funding and provide the Gwinnett Board of Commissioners with recommendations on how to allocate funding to maximize their impact on opioid mitigation efforts.
Committee members include:
- Gwinnett County Superior Court Judge Angela D. Duncan, Accountability Court representative;
- Jennifer Hibbard, Executive Member of a Community Services Board representative;
- Tasha Edwards, Lived Experience representative; and
- Dr. James Smith, Gwinnett County Board of Health representative.
Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson remarks: “This is a crucial step forward in addressing the devastating impact of opioid addiction in our community. Through the work of this advisory committee, we aim to be both strategic and compassionate when allocating these resources, ensuring that the funding leads to meaningful outcomes for those most affected.”
We have zero recommendations! Please help!
We are out of recommendations! Please, readers, send what you have experienced in a book or a restaurant, or even where to walk in a peaceful wood, to GwinnettForum, so that others may enjoy what you did. We’ll send back our most gracious thanks for your sharing this with others.
- 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.
The Rev. William Pearman McLemore
The Rev. William “Bill” Pearman McLemore, 87, passed away on Jan. 14, 2025 in Atlanta. He lived, loved and served this world as an Episcopal priest, bringing light, love and acceptance to many people, communities and congregations during his ministry. He touched so many lives; it has been overwhelming to see the number of people who have reached out to express their condolences and how much they will miss him.
McLemore
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 25, at 1 p.m. at St. Bede’s Episcopal Church, 2601 Henderson Mill Road, in Atlanta. The Rev. Chad Vaughn, rector, will officiate.
Bill was born in West Point, N.Y., on October 14, 1937, to Ephraim Hester McLemore and Edith Adeline Pearman McLemore. As the son of an army colonel, the family moved around a lot during his childhood. He spoke fondly of his time spent in Japan as a young boy where they lived in a beautiful home with a Japanese family. He had a younger sister, Ann, and younger brother, Timmy.
Some of his best childhood memories were when they lived at Fort Monroe in Virginia during his high school years. They lived in a two-story brick house, and it was there that he met one of his best friends, Michael Irvine, whose family also lived in nearby officers’ quarters. In June of 1959, Mike would become his brother-in-law when he married Bill’s sister Ann.
Bill’s mother died when he was 14, and in 1952, his father remarried Betty Pfieffer. He gained a stepsister, Barbara, and stepbrother, Butch. In 1954, he gained a half-brother Joseph.
Bill joined the Army right out of high school in 1955. His three-year Army career started in Korea where he was stationed for two years. In 1957, he was stationed in Missouri and worked as a command clerk. Bill was always serious about his religion. He was close to his maternal grandfather and had been interested in his grandfather’s vocation as an Episcopal priest. In Missouri, he became the Episcopal chaplain’s assistant and a licensed lay reader. He began conducting morning prayer services and even preaching sermons. He specifically loved the Episcopal church’s rituals and liturgy. Having the opportunity to help others find God’s love was his calling.
After his discharge, he went to Florida State University, where he met his first wife, Jacqueline Spinks. They married on December 14, 1963. Bill graduated from Virginia Theological seminary in May of 1965 with a Master’s degree in Divinity. He was ordained a deacon in June of that year and ordained a priest in April of 1966 at Christ Church in Cedar Key, Florida.
He briefly served at Christ Church in Pensacola, Fla.; and later at St. Paul’s Church in Jesup, Ga.; at Holy Trinity in Auburn, Ala.; and started St. Stephen’s church in Phenix City. Jackie passed away in 1996 from cancer while Bill was at St. Stephen’s.
Throughout his ministry, Bill was also an avid cartoonist. His cartoons depicted hilarity from the life of a minister and the workings of the church. They were enjoyed in the bulletins of his various churches. He won first place for cartoons from the National Newspaper Association from cartoons appearing in the Wayne County Press in Jesup. In 2007 he published a book of his cartoons to benefit the Rainbow Village organization which helps homeless people in the Atlanta area. His cartoons have appeared in four books from GwinnettForum.
On January 6, 2000, Bill married his second wife, the Rev. Lori Lowe. He retired from active ministry and began working as a supply priest for various churches. He supported Lori in her ministry at St. Mark’s in LaGrange, Ga.; St. Ann’s in Annapolis, Md.; St. Augustine’s in Wilmette, Ill.; St. Paul’s in McHenry, Il.; and, lastly, Grace Church in Sterling, Il. During his time in McHenry, Bill was a long-term supply priest to Holy Communion in Lake Geneva, Wis.
In 1969, in Jesup, Bill joined the Rotary Club. He was a member of the Rotary Club in every town where he lived for 56 years! Most recently, he was a member and secretary for the Rotary Club of Tucker.
Bill is survived by his sister Barbara of Denham Springs, La., and brothers Butch of Winchester, Va. and Joseph of Front Royal, Va. He is survived by his children Mary Kathryn (Gary) of Alpharetta; Billy (Natalie) of Wetumpka, Ala., and Christopher, Ethridge, Tenn,; his stepchildren Melissa (Stan) of Fort Collins, Colo., David (Brittany) of Atlanta, and Justin (Catherine) of Buford, as well as eleven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his friend, Claiborne.
Bill is predeceased by his first wife, Jacqueline Spinks, his second wife, the Rev. Lori Lowe, his mother and father, Edith and Ephraim, sister Ann, brother-in-law Mike, brother Timmy, and sister-in-law Anne.
Right up until his recent passing, Bill was enjoying himself living on his own in his house in Tucker. As a passionate historian, he worked on clergy biographies for the Diocese of Atlanta, a project he invented on his own, but enlisted many others to help him gather information and photos. He was a power for good while in his earthly life. Now heaven has a new angel.
Key executives created Georgia Power Foundation
Since 1986 the Georgia Power Foundation has given more than $85 million to nonprofit organizations across the state. With assets valued at approximately $118 million, the foundation ranks as the third-largest corporate foundation in Georgia. It contributes to about 350 endeavors each year that enrich the communities Georgia Power serves (the company has customers in all but six of the state’s 159 counties). In 2004 the foundation awarded $5 million in grants in the areas of health, education, the environment, and the promotion of culture and diversity.
The Georgia Power Company discontinued its charitable giving program in the 1970s because of severe financial pressures that nearly forced the company into bankruptcy. To ensure that in the future the company could honor its commitment to be “a citizen wherever we serve,” Warren Jobe, then Georgia Power’s chief financial officer, and his colleague Judy Anderson created the Georgia Power Foundation, an independent legal entity.
Jobe and Anderson designed the foundation to bring greater clarity and strategic focus to the company’s philanthropic activities. The foundation’s funding is not reliant on Georgia Power’s financial success, although Georgia Power has contributed more than $82 million to the foundation since its creation. The company’s efforts resulted in its receipt of a Governor’s Award in the Humanities in 1986.
The Georgia Power Foundation focuses its giving on issues that directly affect Georgia Power’s 2.1 million customers, its employees, its business, and its shareholders. The foundation has identified four areas of focus: promoting health and cancer prevention; improving the quality of education; protecting the environment; and supporting cultural, civic, and diversity efforts.
Those seeking grant support may submit letters of inquiry throughout the year. Grant requests up to $10,000 are evaluated on an ongoing basis. Georgia Power works with leadership teams in its regions and power plants across the state to evaluate grant proposals within their local areas. Tax-exempt organizations may request contributions once per twelve-month period and reapply on an annual basis.
Proposals for board consideration should be submitted by February 15, May 15, August 15, and November 15 for the respective quarterly board meetings. All grant applicants are notified by the end of the month following each board meeting.
● To view the Georgia Encyclopedia article online, go to https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
Can you identify this place, once a landmark?
Not the best photograph, but today’s site was once a landmark. Figure out what this Mystery Photo is about and send your answer to ebrack2@gmail.com, and include your hometown.
Jay Altman of Columbia, S.C. was first in with the answer to the recent mystery: “Berczy Park is named after William Berczy, a German-born architect, surveyor, and writer. Located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The fountain, which opened in 2017, features 27 dog sculptures and one cat around, in, and on the fountain, each spraying water from its mouth.” The photo came from Chuck Cimarik of Peachtree Corners.
Others nailing the photo were George Graf, Palmyra, Va.; Virginia Klaer, Duluth; Kay Montgomery,Duluth; and Allan Peel of San Antonio, Texas, He says: “This whimsical fountain pays tribute to Toronto’s four-legged canines who frequent the park and enjoy romping around (on leashes) as they visit their favorite friends, who are all spouting water and looking upward to the main attraction of the fountain…a large gold-colored bone perched atop the fountain.
“The design of the fountain is based on a round, studded dog collar, with 27 dogs looking upwards at a large, golden bone suspended in the center. At ground level, there are six large-breed dogs outside the fountain itself, with a circle of 12 pugs situated inside the fountain’s perimeter. On the two upper levels of the fountain sit the remaining nine smaller dogs, which are usually wearing blue and yellow collar ribbons in support of Ukraine.
However, since the mystery photo was shot during the holiday season, the upper dogs are wearing colorful red and green ribbons instead of the colors of the Ukrainian flag.”
Chuck Cimarik adds: “Did you notice the silver bumps on the fountain? I was told by a friend, who was guiding me, that soon after the installation was complete one of the statues was damaged by skateboarders. So they installed the bumps to keep skateboarders from sliding the boards on the fountain edge.”
- 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!) Click here to send an email and please mark it as a photo submission. Thanks.
Lanier Islands adds new members to resort staff
The newest additions to the Lanier Islands resort staff include (from left), Hakan Hendekli as director of rooms, who is originally from Turkey, and was trained Switzerland; Nishant Chaudhary as food and beverage director, originally from India, whose most recently was with Chateau Elan Resort and Winery; Lisa Jo Meredith, director of human resources, raised in south Florida and most recently at The Hermitage Hotel in Nashville, Tenn.; Stephen Rudomanski, who will be director of finance, who last was with a five star luxury resort in Franklin, Tenn.; and Robert Holsten, who will be the Lake Lanier Islands general manager, who was promoted from being the Lanier Islands director of rooms.
Johns Creek Symphony plans concert Jan. 25
Lionheart Theatre of Norcross will present the Vidalia Theatre Company in Winter Yield, a collection of short plays set in an elevator, on January 24-26 on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday at 3 p.m. The theatre is at 10 College Street in Norcross.
Author Talk with Jennifer Moorman, best selling author, will be January 24 at noon at the Lawrenceville Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library. Moorman will discuss her newest book, The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds. Books will be available for sale and signing.
Happy New Year from Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra. Start the new year with the upcoming concert, featuring Conductor Henry Cheng and Renowned Pianist David Fung! The concert will be held in honor of heroes in our community and aims to recognize first responders, healthcare workers, and everyday heroes. The concert will be January 25 at 7:30 p.m. at the Mount Pisgah Church in Johns Creek.
Learn Yoga: Join yoga instructor, Carly Brown, as she guides you through gentle movements, stretches, and breathing that will offer you the space to connect with your body, release tension, calm your nerves, and practice self-care. This will be held on January 26 at noon at the Lilburn Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library.
Prospective Foster Parent Information Session is scheduled for January 28 at 6:30 p.m. at the Five Forks Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library. Learn how to become a foster parent in Gwinnett County.
Historian, author and public servant Michael L. Thurmond will address the Gwinnett Historical Society at its meeting on January 27, starting with a gathering at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be at the Gwinnett Environmental Center, 2020 Clean Water Drive in Buford. Thurmond, who is chief executive officer of DeKalb County, will speak about his latest book, James Oglethorpe, Father of Georgia: A Founder’s Journey from Slave Trader to Abolitionist, published by the University of Georgia Press. Since Black History Month is approaching, the meeting is co-sponsored by Gwinnett County Government.
Health Literacy Fair: Gwinnett Coalition along with 20+ health-related partners are holding a bilingual Health Literacy Fair for adults on January 29 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Our Lady of the Americas Church, 4603 Lawrenceville Highway, Lilburn. There will be workshops, a food demonstration, vaccines, hygiene kits, a mental health panel discussion, health screenings, and door prizes.” Those wanting to participate must register beforehand at bit.ly/2025HealthLiteracyFair.
Author Talk with Clint Smith: Join history author Clint Smith as he discusses his book The Georgia Air National Guard. Books will be available for sale and signing. This will take place at the Buford Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library on January 31 at noon.
Personal Goals Workshop will be presented on February 1 at 1 p.m. at the Norcross Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library. Learn how a structured approach to personal goal-setting can refine your values, cultivate self-love, and foster acceptance.
Father-Daughter Valentine Dance sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of North Gwinnett will be held February 7 and 8 at the Braselton Civic Center. Cost is $100 a couple. Tickets are still available. To purchase tickets, go to: https://www.bigtickets.com/events/ngkc/fdd2025/.
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