GwinnettForum | Number 22.42 | June 9, 2023
FROM SNELLVILLE, Marlene Ratledge Buchanan sent us this photo, saying: “This is our little deer who lost her mother. We fed her in the yard, but didn’t impose ourselves on her. She did learn her name and when she would come to eat we’d say ‘Fiona.’She came by Monday night for a snack. She still knows her name. In our area, we have a herd of five deer, including a young male, who roam through our neighborhood. Fiona doesn’t seem to be part of that pack. She is still small, but then she was once so tiny and frail.”
TODAY’S FOCUS: Juvenile Court names seven new special advocates
EEB PERSPECTIVE: Camping in Scandinavia, but seeking hotels after all
SPOTLIGHT: Peach State Federal Credit Union
FEEDBACK: Above ground graves reasonable in Viet Nam
UPCOMING: Rabid cat found so be on lookout for animals acting strange
NOTABLE: Lawrenceville wins $80,000 Living Centers grant
RECOMMENDED: The Optimist’s Daughter by Eudora Welty
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Hayes inducted to Georgia Music Hall of Fame
MYSTERY PHOTO: Unusual photo may be difficult to recognize
LAGNIAPPE: Writers Guild pickets film studio in Norcross
CALENDAR: Dispose of hazardous waste in Norcross on June 10
Juvenile Court names 7 new special advocates
By Tanya Moore
NORCROSS, Ga. | In the Gwinnett County Juvenile Court system, sometimes it takes someone separate from parents, guardians, foster parents, attorneys, and Department of Family and Children’s Service workers to advocate truly for a child.
Ruthy Paul and Judge Rob Waller
This is exactly the purpose of a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). These volunteers, now 29 of them in Gwinnett County, are regular citizens who give of their time to support children in the midst of abuse, neglect or custody proceedings. Although within the Juvenile Court system, children served are not those involved in criminal cases. The bulk of the children served are under 18 years old ,unless in the foster system, where they are eligible up to the age of 21.
Seven new CASAs were sworn in last month by the Juvenile Court’s Judge Robert Waller. “CASAs may be volunteers,” he says, “But they do their work with a compassion and professionalism that is unique. They are a tremendous asset to the Court and a Godsend to the children they represent.”
The new advocates’ reasons for volunteering as well as their backgrounds are as varied as the cases to which they will be assigned. Last week’s new group came from law, nursing, education, architecture and law enforcement.
One of these new members is Norcross resident Ruthy Lachman Paul, an immigrant from Israel who gained her U.S. citizenship in 2021. When asked her reason for applying to the intensive five-week program, she responded “It’s to make a difference in the life of children. I see that children need to thrive all the time. …we have a child inside of us, and we care about that child”
The Gwinnett CASA program, established in 2002, is headed by program Director Ericka McLam and Coordinator Elaine Cannick. They take requests from the court for a CASA advocate who can be assigned one or two cases at a time. In 2022 (with 22 advocates) 62 children were served. CASAs, once assigned to a child, may interview a variety of adults involved with the child; teachers, parents, Scout leaders, relatives, faith leaders, neighbors. Their resulting report is considered by the judge when making a decision that will be in the best interest of the child.
City of Norcross Mayor Craig Newton says of the program: “One of the most consistent people in the life of a child or youth in foster care is a Court Appointed Special Advocate. CASAs are volunteers appointed to be a voice for a child, teen, or sibling group in court. While caseworkers, judges and even foster families might change, a CASA can be a consistent friend for a child or teen in foster care. It is a relationship that can last a lifetime. The appointment of Ruthy Paul, Norcross’ community representative, is a testament to the selection process of choosing the best of our local citizens as CASA participants.”
Six other Gwinnett citizens were also sworn in by Judge Waller. They include Tammy Kronenberger,Patrick Shiflett, Debra Oliver, Michelle Nguyen, Aviance Jenkins and Reagan Kaempf.
It truly takes a village and we are happy to have villagers such as Ruthy and the other Gwinnett County CASAs in ours.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Camping in Scandinavia, but seeking hotels after all
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
JUNE 9, 2023 | It was to be a two-week camping trip to Scandinavia in the summer of 1959. My mother in law had arrived in Germany, where my wife and I were stationed in the military.
We packed a ’57 black Volkswagen Bug to the gills, with the camping gear and luggage taking up the front boot and every bit of the back seat that my mother in law didn’t occupy.
We drove north out of Germany to our first night’s camp just across the border in Denmark. We found a beautiful campground, set up the tent, and had a nice meal which we cooked over an open fire. Then pulling out our sleeping bags for the night, the sleep was perfect in the slightly-cool fresh air.
The next morning, two happenings. First, we purchased wonderful Danish fresh pastries at the campground store for breakfast. I can nearly taste them now. Boy! were they just-made-fresh and delicious!
Then my mother in law announced in no uncertain terms: “This is my last night camping!” She didn’t like the sleeping bag, air mattress, communal bath house and primitive way of grooming.
In Copenhagen the next night, finding a room in a hotel was no problem. But when we crossed the Baltic Sea into Sweden, we were in the countryside as another night approached. I got on a coin telephone seeking a room for the night for my mother in law. Finally there was a room, but the Swedish proprietor spoke no English. Somehow in stammering German, we worked out an agreement for the room.
For the next few days, as we drove through Sweden and to Stockholm, each afternoon my order of business was to find a hotel for the lady who didn’t like sleeping outdoors.
Eventually leaving Stockholm, we headed west to Oslo. It was a long drive. As we neared Oslo, it was obvious that a weather front was moving in, with heavy clouds to the west. It was getting late, and darker and darker, and rain was headed our way soon.
Finally, we found a campground, as the clouds rolled in. Time we nailed the spikes securely into the ground and pitched the tent, a heavy rain pounded us in the tent, as we weathered the storm. After about an hour or less, the rain passed, we built a campfire and warmed two cans of Dinty Moore’s beef stew for our meal. It was by then rather late, maybe 9 p.m., and man alive! That was the best beef stew that I have ever had!
After Oslo for a few nights, and renting more rooms, it was time to return to Germany. That last night was to be on a ferry across the strait to Denmark. My wife and I, as well as my mother in law, had overnight cabins on the ferry that last night out. The next day we returned to our duty station in Giessen, Germany.
That ferry trip was the last of 14 nights away. I rented a room for my mother in law on all but three nights, the second night, that night as the rains came in Oslo and the last night on the ship. But what a great vacation it was, seeing three of the Scandinavian countries…..up close, at least, for those of us tenting. I still vividly remember those details after all these years.
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Above ground graves reasonable in Vietnam
Editor, the Forum:
Vietnam would be the right place for above the ground entombment, as the photo from Bill Durrence recently showed. With monsoons and other major storms that can happen at almost any time in Vietnam, graves dug into the ground may well find their coffins floating.
If you remember several years ago in South Georgia there was a flooding that brought coffins to the surface. And, of course, many are “buried” above ground in New Orleans because the water table is so high.
– Raleigh Perry, Buford
St. Simons is a favorite
Editor, the Forum:
Enjoyed your comments on Georgia’s coastline. I agree that St. Simons Island is tops for a vacation stay. It has been for our family. This July will mark our 49th consecutive visit to SSI. During our week, we always enjoy at least one meal at Halyards Restaurant. The food is wonderful and the service top-notch.
– Billy Chism, Toccoa
Dear Billy: Food can be a delight on the coast. While Halyards is good, we also find Georgia Sea Grill right on Mallory Street on St. Simons is great. And we can’t usually drive by Jinright’s on U.S. Highway 17 in Brunswick without stopping for their always-good fried shrimp. Oooooh, boy!.–eeb
- Send us your thoughts: We encourage you to send us your letters and thoughts on issues raised in GwinnettForum. Please limit comments to 300 words, and include your hometown. The views of letters are the opinion of the contributor. We reserve the right to edit for clarity and length. Send feedback and letters to: elliott@brack.net.
Rabid cat found so be on lookout for animals acting strange
A rabid cat attacked an individual on May 30 at 2800 block of Luke Edwards Road in Dacula. Gwinnett Animal Welfare and Enforcement promptly collected the cat, which was then taken to the shelter for testing.
Gwinnett County Animal Welfare and Enforcement and the Gwinnett County Health Department advise residents to use caution and avoid animals behaving in unusual ways after a cat tested positive for the rabies virus. Diseases like rabies can be transmitted to humans and pets through bites or scratches from wild animals such as foxes and raccoons.
- To report the animal you have seen acting strange to have it picked up, call the Gwinnett Animal Welfare and Enforcement Bite Office at 770-339-3200 ext. 5576; for after-hours assistance, contact non-emergency Dispatch at 770-513-5700.
Lawrenceville wins $80,000 Living Centers grant
The city of Lawrenceville is among 10 winners that have been awarded $1.6 million in Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) grants from The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC). The grants are to help communities reimagine their downtowns, create vibrant transit corridors, and promote live-work-play environments. Upon completion of the studies, the grant recipients will be eligible to apply for federal transportation funding projects, such as corridor improvements and bike-ped infrastructure, to bring their visions to life.
Lawrenceville won $80,000 for the Honest Alley Activation Project, which aims to determine the feasibility and benefits of improving Honest Alley in Lawrenceville to be pedestrian friendly and include placemaking features. By making the area more welcoming to residents and visitors, the project will spur economic development for properties in the alleyway while also increasing community connectivity within Lawrenceville’s downtown.
The LCI program was created in 1999 by ARC to help the region’s communities envision and build healthy, mixed-use, mixed-income developments that help reduce vehicle miles traveled and improve air quality. The program is recognized as a national best practice for how metropolitan planning organizations can lead efforts to alleviate transportation concerns while improving overall quality of life.
Lawrenceville DAR chapter honors D’Angelo, Paff
Catherine Long and Beverly Paff.
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), with its 132-year mission of historic preservation, honors individuals who have dedicated their time and talent to preserving historic resources.
Two individuals have been honored by the Philadelphia Winn DAR Chapter in Lawrenceville. Committee chair Catherine Long, State Regent Betty Harrah and Chapter Regent Lynn Jacques announced the accomplishments of these two Gwinnett citizens.
D’Angelo
Dr. James D’Angelo was awarded the Historic Preservation Medal Award and certificate. He has worked in the field of archaeology for over 30 years. Over his career, he has assisted in preserving many archaeological sites, written extensive publications and been a passionate teacher. Through his leadership as Site Archaeologist for the Fort Daniel Foundation, he has raised awareness and led the preservation effort of this military site from 1813 in Gwinnett County.
Beverly Paff was awarded the Historic Preservation Recognition Award. She is a past president of the Gwinnett Historical Society and member of the Fort Daniel Foundation. The preservation of the Fort Daniel site and the Elisha Winn House, as well as the creation of the Friends of Fort Daniel, are just a few projects that she has been involved with.
Gwinnett Tech automotive tech program wins accreditation
Gwinnett Technical College’s Automotive Technology program has been approved by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) for a five-year accreditation. This accreditation assures students receive a quality education in automotive technology which is current with emerging technologies and requirements in the construction industry. In addition, the accreditation assures potential employers graduates of the program have completed the program and have the ability and knowledge to make immediate contributions to their organization.
Gwinnett Tech is one of 11 public colleges in Georgia to hold this level of certification. Automotive Technology Program Director Bob Baumann says that “being ASE accredited ensures our students receive the most up-to-date and relevant automotive education. This gives our students the best opportunity to enter the automotive industry and enjoy a long successful career.”
The Optimist’s Daughter by Eudora Welty
From Susan McBrayer, Sugar Hill: In this depressing short novel, we find Laurel, a middle-aged widow, returning home to be with her father who needs eye surgery. Here she confronts her new, insensitive, immature stepmother who is younger than she is. When her father dies, Laurel’s memories are challenged. Over the years, she had built up comforting, idealized memories of both her parents and her now deceased husband. But both the people at her father’s wake plus the letters she finds in her mother’s desk unsettle her picture-perfect version of the truth. Does she make peace with the past? I didn’t particularly like this book while I was reading it, and I’m still not sure why it won the 1973 Pulitzer Prize. For me, its only redeeming feature was that I found it thought provoking because it dealt with the death of illusion and I believe that’s an important thing to come to grips with.
An invitation: what books, restaurants, movies or web sites have you enjoyed recently? Send us your recent selection, along with a short paragraph (150 words) as to why you liked this, plus what you plan to visit or read next. Send to: elliott@brack.net
Hayes inducted to Georgia Music Hall of Fame
(From previous edition)
When touring Europe in October 1923, Roland Hayes was introduced to Countess Bertha Katharina Nadine Colloredo-Mansfeld, a wealthy white woman of Hapsburg ancestry. The two had a passionate and turbulent relationship that spanned several decades. On February 12, 1926, the couple had a daughter, Maria “Maya” Dolores Franzyska Kolowrat-Krakowsky.
The Countess never divorced her white husband, however, and spent most of her life at a chalet in southern France. The romantic relationship between the Countess and Hayes dissolved in the mid-1930s. Nevertheless, he maintained a correspondence with Maya and visited her when in Europe. Later in life, Maya married and had six children, including twin boys Igor and Grichka Bogdanoff, who would become well-known French television personalities and eccentrics.
Back in America, Hayes married Helen Alzada Mann in 1937, and they had a daughter, Afrika. Hayes and his wife maintained residences in Brookline, Mass., and in Curryville, Ga., where they owned a 600-acre farm. Hayes’s mother had been an enslaved laborer on the farm, and Hayes had been born there.
An unfortunate racial incident involving Hayes’s family occurred in Rome, Ga., in July 1942 and made national newspaper headlines. After Hayes’s wife and daughter sat in a whites-only area of a shoe store, they were thrown out of the store. Hayes later confronted the store clerk, and he and his wife were arrested by the local police. Hayes was also beaten. About a week later, in response to the incident, Governor Eugene Talmadge warned Blacks who didn’t agree with segregation “to stay out of Georgia.” Talmadge promised, “We are going to keep the Jim Crow laws and protect them.” Although Hayes claimed that he was not bitter, he and his family left Georgia not long afterward and eventually sold their farm in 1948.
In 1962, Hayes gave a concert at Carnegie Hall to celebrate his 75th birthday and raise funds for the American Missionary Association College Centennials Fund. He spent his later years encouraging young musicians by serving as a mentor, giving freely of his talent, time, and financial resources to help them. He also taught at Boston University and received many honorary doctoral degrees and numerous awards, including the NAACP Spingarn Medal. Hayes gave his final concert in 1973 at the Longy School of Music in Cambridge, Mass. He died on January 1, 1977, in Boston and is buried at Mount Hope Cemetery in Dorchester, Mass.
In 1991 the Georgia Music Hall of Fame inducted Hayes posthumously. In 1995 the Georgia Department of Natural Resources erected an official historic marker in Hayes’s honor in Calhoun. The city of Calhoun chose to place the marker on property adjacent to the Calhoun Civic Auditorium because Hayes had performed in the old auditorium that had once stood there. In 2000 the Roland Hayes Museum opened in the Harris Arts Center in Calhoun, where concerts are held annually in his honor.
- To view the Georgia Encyclopedia article online, go to https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
Unusual photo may be difficult to recognize
Here’s a Mystery Photo that may be one of the most unusual of recent dates, and perhaps also extremely hard to identify.Try you hand at it! Send your thoughts to elliott@brack.net and include your hometown.
Michael Gagnon, Flowery Branch, immediately was able to identify the most recent puzzle. “It’s Seattle. You can see the Space Needle in the left side of the image, and it just looks right for Seattle with the other buildings. I lived in the Puget Sound area some years ago, and the freeway bridges in the foreground look right toward north into the city. A reverse image search on Google also seems to confirm what I initially thought. I know there are other cities with towers similar to the Space Needle, so I thought I’d double check. Google was not conclusive though. I still had to eyeball the photos it found to decide it was indeed Seattle.”
The photograph came from Tim Keith of Sugar Hill.
Other readers also mentioned the Space Needle as helping them identify this photo. Those getting it right included Jay Altman, Columbia, S.C. Al Swint, Tucker; Stewart Ogilvie, Lawrenceville; Jim Savadelis, Duluth; Mickey Merkel, Berkeley Lake; Allan Peel, San Antonio, Tex.; Bo O’Kelley of Peachtree Corners; George Graf, Palmyra, Fa; Gloria James, Lawrenceville; Lou Camerio, Lilburn; and Pam Mott, Tucker.
- SHARE A MYSTERY PHOTO: If you have a photo that you believe will stump readers, send it along (but make sure to tell us what it is because it may stump us too!) Send to: elliott@brack.net and mark it as a photo submission. Thanks.
Film writers are on strike in Gwinnett, too, as the Writers Guild of America has strikers manning the pickets at filming locations in Gwinnett. These two strikers, who would not give their names, were manning the placards at the entrance to OFS Fitel on Crescent Boulevard, hard by Interstate 85, in Norcross, where filming goes on routinely. The strike is now in its sixth week.
Dispose of hazardous waste in Norcross on June 10
Volunteer wanted: To be the theater critic for GwinnettForum. Experience preferable but not necessary. Enjoy contemporary theater in the Atlanta area with this assignment. All volunteer work with no pay, but it will extend your thought process, and give you many good outings. Send your resume to elliott@brack.net, include a picture and examples of your writings.
Household Hazardous Waste Event will be in Norcross Saturday, June 10, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Summerour bus lot, off Mitchell Road and Price Place..Safely dispose of paint, propane tanks, pesticides, auto batteries and more to contribute toward a cleaner and greener world.
Grant workshop: In partnership with Georgia Council for the Arts, the Fox Theatre Institute will host two in-person workshops designed for organizations to learn more about their preservation grant program and application process. One will be on June 13 in Athens at Hotel Indigo, while the other will be on June 14 at the Fox Theatre. The Fox Theatre will again offer 2023/2024 grants in the four categories when the new grant cycle begins in July 2023. The application deadline this year will be August 1, 2023.
Writers’ Workshop with the Atlanta Writers Club will take place on Saturday, June 18, at 12:45 p.m. at the Duluth Branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library. Learn more about writing, network with other writers, and listen to accomplished authors. Daniel Black and Meg Leader will each give presentations and offer tips to improve your writing.
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