GwinnettForum | Number 22.57 | Aug. 8, 2023
BOOK BAGS WERE READY for pick up for last week’s opening of school. Scenes like this were found in many locations around Gwinnett, as first one group then another bought and stuffed school supplies in book bags for many Gwinnett students. This was the scene at Christ Episcopal Church in Norcross.
TODAY’S FOCUS: Wishing the broadcast “Fairness Doctrine “ was around
EEB PERSPECTIVE: Tidbits including USA in World Cup, and $15 minimum wage
SPOTLIGHT: Law Office of J. Michael Levengood, LLC
FEEDBACK: What’s the best way to elect the state’s judges?
UPCOMING: New directors named to EMC Foundation board
NOTABLE: Peach State FCU creates new “first generation” scholarship
OBITUARY: Ruth Joan Norman Ekong
RECOMMENDED: Elektra, by Jennifer Saint
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Ellijay known for its apples and second homes
MYSTERY PHOTO: Hills, rock and water are clues for this Mystery Photo
LAGNIAPPE: Norcross Gallery announces fall art class schedule
CALENDAR: Light Up the Corners race to be Aug. 11-12
Wishing the broadcast “Fairness Doctrine “ was around
“Brainwashed by the military; Brainwashed under duress.
Brainwashed by the media; You’re brainwashed by the press.
Brainwashed by computer; Brainwashed by mobile phones.
Brainwashed by the satellite; Brainwashed to the bone.”
– song by George Harrison.
By Jack Bernard, contributing columnist
PEACHTREE CITY, Ga. | We have a divided nation, more so than any time since the Civil War. But George Harrison wrote his song Brainwashed many years ago.
At the time, we were spending more and more money on our military. We are spending much more now. We had biased media; it is clearly worse now. Certainly, what we read on computers and our cell phones is more targeted and biased than ever before. We are in trouble with no obvious way out.
I had a political conversation recently with a very close friend, a kind, compassionate and giving man. I have known him for years and like him tremendously. But, he supports Donald Trump, 100 percent, no questions asked. ,
He is a retired truck driver, a conservative, blue collar Maga guy. He also is on welfare, getting various services like housekeeping and meals on wheels. He barely makes ends meet.
When he drove his truck, I often rode with him. He would listen to right wing radio for hours on end. He would laugh when liberal callers would call in and the conservative host would hang up on them without answering their very relevant on point questions.
The right-wing radio entertainer did not really desire to have a serious conversation. He just wanted to insult people and make money playing to the brainwashed rubes in his audience. My friend knew this to be true, but it still influenced his attitudes toward political and social issues.
My buddy no longer drives a truck. But he still gets his fill of right ring propaganda by listening to Fox, OAN and Newsmax. So, the result is clear and nothing less than further brainwashing.
People like my friend do not believe facts as detailed on mainstream media. Instead, they believe in “alternate facts” as broadcasted by commentators on right wing outlets like Fox. These entertainers are not reporters. They are there to boost ratings, feeding the audience what it wants to hear, not seeking to provide the truth. They are unabashedly subjective in their statements and approach.
They have talking points which they repeat over and over… things like “woke,” “open borders,” “socialism” and “defund the police.” They have their own unique definition of these terms, stating that all progressives believe radical solutions must be jammed down the throats of Americans.
In their world, there are no nuances. Medicare is socialized health coverage for seniors, a primary audience for these people, but that is never mentioned. Neither is the fact that hardly any liberals want to just do away with police departments. Progressives desire better training and a rethinking of policing practices, not simply removing police presence in crime ridden areas.
Way back when, we had a federal “fairness doctrine” for broadcast media. President Reagan did away with it. Given that the GOP is employing the right wing media to boost alternate facts, I have little hope that our media will become truly fair and balanced (to use a term conservatives should understand) again.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Tidbits including USA in World Cup and $15 minimum wage
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
AUG. 8, 2023 | Often you get tidbits of news that doesn’t fit in about any place. But these short items are interesting, and sometimes vital. Let’s visit some today.
Gwinnett County’s school budget for this coming fiscal will now include a $3,500 salary increase for teachers, a minimum 4.5% cost-of-living increase for classified staff. And in a major step, the school system’s minimum wage will increase to $15/hour across the board, which includes, bus drivers, school nutrition employees and custodians. The starting salary for a new GCPS teacher with a bachelor’s degree is now $55,146.
Research from 2018 shows that the top one percent of all families in the U.S. take home 21 percent of all the income in the U.S., making 26.3 times more than the bottom 99 percent, whose average income is slightly more than $50,000 a year. This comes from the Economic Policy Institute, an independent, nonprofit think tank. You would need an annual income of slightly more than $420,000 to be a member of that top one percent! That fodder to show income disparity is big, big, big.
Quoting Tom Baxter from the August 1 Saporta Report, on the Almanac of American Politics for 2024:
“Today, Georgia is 33 percent Black, 10.2 percent Hispanic and 4.6 percent Asian. That’s the third-highest African-American percentage of any state (behind Mississippi and Louisiana) and the second-lowest percentage of whites east of the Mississippi River (after Maryland). Projections from the Atlanta Regional Commission find that the Atlanta area’s white population is set to fall from 47.5 percent in 2015 to 31 percent in 2050. More than one of every 10 Georgians is foreign-born, up from 2.7 percent in 1990.”
Were you wide awake at 5 a.m. Sunday watching the women’s soccer tournament from Down Under? We were. While we seldom watch soccer routinely, for some reason we thought history might be on tap in that match-up, and made ourselves get out of bed.
We were rewarded by the American women’s team playing its best game of the FIFA tournament in Melbourne, against Sweden. If you didn’t realize the results, the game ended in a 0-0 tie, forcing two 15 minute overtime periods. Neither team scored in the overtime, forcing penalty kicks.
That shootout itself ended tied 4-4, resulting in additional shots. Finally, Sweden won, 5-4, when the American goalie stopped the ball, but it trickled barely past the goal line to send Sweden into the round of eight, and forcing the USA team out of the tournament, its earliest exit in World Cup play. The game was so sharp that I never fell back to sleep during the game.
Tattoos. You may have one, I don’t. And won’t. Happily, I do not remember seeing a tattoo on a member of the American’s women soccer team. Why would you want to disfigure your body?
Suwanee residents will be pleased to hear that their city’s ad valorem tax rate will remain the same as it has for 11 years: 4.93 mills. However, with growth, their budget will increase to $17.9 million, an eight percent increase compared to last year’s budget. Attaway, Mayor Jimmy Burnette and Council.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Law Office of J. Michael Levengood, LLC
The public spiritedness of our underwriters allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Today’s underwriter is the Law Office of J. Michael Levengood, LLC. Before relocating his general civil practice nine years ago to Lawrenceville, Mike Levengood practiced law as a partner in an Atlanta firm for almost 34 years, handling a wide variety of commercial and litigation matters for business clients. Mike is a community leader in Gwinnett County where he serves on several non-profit boards. In 2023, he received the Justice Robert Benham Lifetime Achievement Award for Community Service from the Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism.
- Visit this supporter’s web site at https://www.levengoodlaw.com
- For a list of other sponsors of this forum, click here.
What’s the best way to elect the state’s judges?
Editor, the Forum:
Concerning GwinnettForum’s calling for election of judges during the General Election: As far as judges go, I think it’s a timing issue.
If an attorney has an existing practice (often thriving if they are a worthy candidate), and is elected, they must be ready to hear cases in court on January 2 of the following year. It takes months to close out cases in an existing legal practice without leaving existing clients in the lurch. If judges are elected in the general election in November and there is a runoff, I don’t see how there could be a run-off in time to shut a practice down and then be ready to hear cases as a sitting judge on January 2.
As a matter of ethics, for most judgeships it is required that a sitting judge not handle private cases at all because of conflicts of interest and because there just is not enough time to do both well. If a judicial candidate holds a government position, this would not be quite as onerous but still somewhat of an issue. Changing the date of the election for judges could eliminate a lot of qualified lawyers as candidates or result in their clients not getting the services they deserve, abruptly losing representation when faced with some of the most devastating issues of their lives
– Tracey D. Mason, Gwinnett Superior Court member
Dear Tracey: Fifty years ago, I was introduced by the Georgia Bar Association to the Missouri plan for electing judges. I have always thought that it is better than the current election method in Georgia.
In the Missouri Plan, the governor appoints a judge from several candidates picked by an independent board. But after two years in office, the judge then faces the voters with the question: “Should Judge Mason remain in office?” Note that the candidate does not run against another person, but runs against her two year record. If she is retained by the voters, she then gets a seven year term, after which if she wants to continue on the bench, the same question comes again “Should Judge Mason remain in office?”
Seems to me better than directly pitting attorneys against one another in an open election. Better chance of getting a true solid candidate for the judgeship.–eeb
Thrilled that school board elections are non-partisan
Editor, the Forum
About GwinnettForum support of non-partisan elections for the school board. I am thrilled to see that the school board election is non-partisan. Only the truly engaged voter will cast their votes for the best candidates. The last few years in Gwinnett County Public Schools have been tumultuous and we need less politics and more sanity.
Keep up the good work!
– Cathy Lowe, Peachtree Corners
The Ten Commandments are really a God-given plumbline
Editor, the Forum:
Too often we get trapped into saying “everybody” or the other guy does it when it comes to the Ten Commandments. That’s besides the point; these are not recommendations, but commandments that the Lord God Jehovah made to us. They are commandments to make our conduct match His measure; a plumbline so to speak.
– John Moore, Duluth
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.
New directors named to EMC Foundation board
Two new members have been appointed to serve on the Jackson EMC Foundation Board of Directors. Dee Anderson, of Gwinnett County, and Towanna Johnson, of Barrow County, have been appointed to serve a three-year term by the Jackson EMC Board of Directors.
The 11-member volunteer board of directors meets to review and select grant applications for worthwhile, charitable purposes that will improve lives and respond to immediate needs.
Since Operation Round Up’s beginning more than 18 years ago, the Foundation has awarded more than $19 million through 1,853 grants to organizations and 423 grants to individuals.
Anderson
Dee Anderson is a 22-year resident of Gwinnett County, and the director of human resources for TranSouth Logistics in Braselton, with more than 25 years of experience. She is a long-time member of the Society for Human Resources Management and has been certified as an HR Professional.
Anderson is active in the community. She has served on the Jackson County Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors for five years, where she previously served as chairperson. She is a graduate of South Carolina State University and holds a master’s degree from St. Thomas University.
Johnson
Towanna Johnson is a lifelong resident of Barrow County and graduate of Barrow County High School. She is a vice president and director of customer experience at Georgia Banking Company. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance and Banking from Georgia Southern University and is a Forrester CX certified professional.
Johnson is Board Chair of Spirit of Sharing, a nonprofit organization in Winder providing food security, holiday outreach and positive youth development. She is a member of White Oak Baptist Church. Johnson and her husband, Dimitric, have one daughter.
Gwinnett to expand microtransit in two areas
Gwinnett is expanding its Ride Gwinnett service to include microtransit, an on-demand service beginning August 28. Riders will be able to request a shared-ride vehicle — typically a small van or shuttle — to travel to their destination within Snellville and Lawrenceville. This area includes the Centerville area to the Shoppes at Webb Gin and Northside Hospital to Sugarloaf Parkway.
The service will provide additional mobility options and allow for better connectivity and accessibility to medical resources, education, and points of interest. It will also provide brand new connections to areas of the county that are not currently served by transit, which opens the service to new customers and increases the transit destination options for residents by 41 percent. To learn more, visit RideGwinnett.com.
Gwinnett offers $6 million in Covid relief for businesses
Gwinnett commissioners have allocated $6 million to help small business owners. This is part of the $181 million the county got from the American Rescue Plan Act. The county is launching a Gwinnett Small Business Grant program to provide financial assistance to small businesses impacted by COVID-19.
A business is eligible if it experienced income loss or increased costs while continuing business during the pandemic. Estimated funds ranging from $3,000 to $15,000 will be awarded based on factors such as the number of employees, gross revenue, total applicant COVID impact, available funds and the number of applications received.
Applicants will be able to apply through an online application portal available in 68 languages. Applicants must present verification of business license and payroll records, as well as documentation of COVID-19’s impact on their business. A session to learn more about the Gwinnett Small Business Grant and apply for eligibility pre-screening at GwinnettCounty.com/SmallBusinessGrant. Applications for the grant officially open Tuesday, Sept. 5.
Peach State FCU creates new “first generation” scholarship
A new scholarship at Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) will help first-generation college students reduce the cost of their education. Generally, first generation students are defined as those whose parents did not complete a four-year college or university degree.
Made possible by a $250,000 pledge to the Georgia Gwinnett College Foundation from Peach State Federal Credit Union (Peach State), the initiative, called The Peach State Federal Credit Union First-generation Scholars Program, will provide scholarships funded by an endowment. The endowment will allow this scholarship to live in perpetuity.
Once fully funded, The Peach State Federal Credit Union First-generation Scholars Program will provide a $2,500 scholarship to an incoming freshman. The scholarship can be renewed annually for four years, totaling $10,000.
GGC President Jann L. Joseph says: “This will be a very significant program for our students. In many cases, scholarships are the difference between students who drop out of school and those who move on to graduate.” Joseph adds that she’s thankful for the continuing support from Peach State, who have invested in GGC through academic scholarships, student engagement and participation in GGC’s Corporate Affiliates Program.
Peach State President/CEO Marshall Boutwell currently serves on the Board of Visitors in the college’s School of Business. Boutwell believes it is important that all students have the opportunity to better their lives and achieve their goals, and education is the key to that success.”
He adds: “We were founded more than 60 years ago by educators. Staying true to those roots is very important to us as a credit union and something that we strive to support through the work of the Peach State FCU C.A.R.E.S. Foundation. We’re thrilled this endowment will create scholarships for first-generation students. It is our hope that this support will help them achieve their goals, and positively impact their lives and the lives of their families.”
More than 35 percent of GGC students are the first in their families to attend college. Data from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators shows that one in three undergraduates – or nearly five million students – identify themselves as first-generation students. In Georgia, nearly 38 percent of college students are the first in their families to attend college.
Many GGC students find internships rewarding
Grayson Scott was one of 17 students picked nationally for an internship with an office of the U.S. General Services Administration. Photos provided.
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga.—–Most college students take a break from their studies during the summer months, but a good number of proactive Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) students have spent that time learning career-defining skills as interns at a variety of companies and organizations. Following are four of their stories.
Grayson Scott, a Lawrenceville senior, landed an internship at the Atlanta office of the U.S. General Services Administration’s Office of Professional Services and Human Capital. He was one of only 17 students selected for an internship position with the agency nationally, and the only college student from Georgia to do so. A typical internship day for Scott is filled with working on presentations and learning new technology and website software.
Ramos
Karen Ramos, also a senior from Lawrenceville, is a cinema and media arts production student in GGC’s School of Liberal Arts. Ramos is spending the summer as a videography intern at Camp Towanda, a co-ed sleep-away camp for kids in the picturesque Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania. She found the internship through GGC’s Career Services office.
Ramos is responsible for videotaping all the activities the youngsters participate in at the camp, which has provided ample opportunity for her to work on her skills in capturing action on film, something she hopes to apply to a career in event or sports media videography when she graduates.
“I am getting great work experience,” she said. “I’m working with people who have the same interests, which is invaluable. I’ve been used to working by myself on school projects for the most part. I’m also learning a lot from my mentor, Erica, who is a professional editor. That’s something I’m interested in and not many people know how to do.”
Perez
Jezatbeth Perez, a junior from Mexicali, Mexico, studying nursing in GGC’s School of Health Sciences, found a summer internship at Northside Hospital Gwinnett by attending a hiring event.
“We help patients get up and move around, give them their food, and feed them, if necessary,” said Perez. “I’m in the cardiac intensive care unit, where some patients are intubated and right out of cardiac surgery, so every two hours, we turn them so they don’t get pressure sores.”
The internship will last as long as Perez is in school and requires a minimum participation of one day a month. After her first round of clinicals, Perez was awarded the Daisy Award, created to recognize and celebrate nursing students for the above-and-beyond care and compassion shown to patients and their families.
Suazo
Joel Suazo, a junior from Loganville studying biochemistry in the college’s School of Science and Technology, has been interning with Project SEED, an American Chemical Society research program that brings students from underserved backgrounds to college and university campuses for eight-to-ten weeks at host institutions like GGC, where they work alongside faculty to conduct scientific research.
Suazo participated in Project SEED as a high school student and continued his research when he enrolled in GGC. He has been working on a project with Dr. Ajay Mallia, associate professor of chemistry, trying to perfect extracting cyclotides from Australian Violets, which are pharmaceutically active self-healing materials that have huge potential for use as pharmaceutical drugs.
Suazo said the most surprising thing about being an intern in the program has been the load of his responsibility. “Working with these high school students made me realize how much professors do for their students,” he said. “There are a lot of people depending on them.”
Ruth Joan Norman Ekong
Ruth Joan Norman Ekong passed away peacefully on August 2, 2023, with all of her children together at her bedside. Ruth Joan Norman Ekong was born on June 26, 1939, in Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. She immigrated to New York City with her parents and siblings, first living in Brooklyn and later in Jamaica, Queens, New York. Ruth had a true Biblical spirit – “whither thou goest, I will go.”
Ekong
Ruth married Dr. Enobong A. Ekong, Sr., her husband of 40 years, and from their first meeting they supported each other in their early medical careers and family life.
No matter the location, she always made every space, no matter the size, feel like home—always with a bit of Irwin Place, her childhood home. Ruth was regarded as a master chef, savvy in all cuisines, techniques, recipes, and flavors. She never met a cooking utensil, gadget, cook book, or cooking show she didn’t like. She had collected them ALL — literally.
A cradle Episcopalian, Ruth was always affiliated with an episcopal church – serving and financially supporting. There were few Sundays that she was not in church, and no matter where she went, she made sure to find a church home.
Ruth devoted her life to public service, first in nursing reaching the highest designation of director of nursing, specializing in critical care and persons with special needs. Most recently, her pride and joy was volunteering at the Christ Church Episcopal Thrift Shop, sharing her retail and shopping expertise to “make the merchandise pop.”
Ruth had several notable accomplishments in her life including, owning an antique shop and creating a signature salad dressing, titled Tantie Ruth, which was slated to be released in Kroger stores.
An avid and locally renowned socialite in her own right especially in Los Angeles, Ruth is credited with helping launch the Paul Dunbar Museum, including the kick off fundraising party being hosted at her home. She enjoyed the company of several celebrities and enjoyed attending special events, and treasured attending events such as the NAACP Image Awards VIP events and the funeral of Johnnie Cochran.
Ruth served in several charitable organizations, including, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., The Links, Incorporated, and National Organization for Republican Women. Ruth was tremendously proud to be a Capitol Regent in the Republican Party, and cherished her visits to the White House. Ruth instilled public service and servant leadership in her children as well and always reminded those around her of proper etiquette, doing things the right way, and speaking your personal truth.
Ruth loved and enjoyed beauty, ranging from fashion, jewelry, handbags, shoes, nature, animals, travel, plants, and all things Louis Vuitton. If she wasn’t gardening or cooking, she was working on some craft project such as jewelry making, decorating wreaths, or decorating the home with seasonal decor.
As a true legacy fashionista, she stayed current with all styles and trends – her fashion muse and kindred spirit was Iris Apfel. Ruth loved her pets and her pets adored her. Ruth loved the water in all forms – being in the ocean, being in the pool, a hot bath, a long shower, and especially cruises.
She was always connected to music in some way– notably playing her baby white grand piano or in the bell choir at church. She was a true St. Thomanian through and through and listened to Soca music daily while lounging on her deck overlooking the lake.
Ruth loved learning, encouraged education, and loved reading and books. She maintained a significant prayer book and bible catalog, and hundreds of cookbooks. She continually collected books and had to have her printed fashion magazines. She regarded herself as a “techie,” and had a deep desire to understand technology.
Ruth had a tremendously adventurous and athletic spirit. She loved to travel. She golfed, played tennis, enjoyed fishing, and even snorkeled. She always had to be connected to the outside, had to have her fresh air, which required a window being open “to let the air in,” no matter the temperature.
Anyone who met Ruth witnessed her truly regal presence and knew she stood proud, and she stood strong. She had an infectious smile, generous heart, and sharp sense of humor. She gave love unconditionally-–which she would always tell you is one of the greatest gifts of all.
Ruth was predeceased by her mother, Ruby Jeanette Maduro Norman; father, Rufus Albert Norman, Sr.; brothers, Gene and Rufus Norman, Jr.; and sister, Nira Todman.
She is survived by her sisters, The Rev. Rosalie McNaney, Ruby Jeanette Brown, and Regina Joy Norman; brother, Roy Norman; daughters, Afiong Ekong, and Ekaette Ekong; son, Eno “Koko” Ekong, Jr.; grandson, Noah James Asukwo Ekong; and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, relatives and friends.
- Special Acknowledgment:Ruth’s children wish to express their sincere gratitude to all those who, not only provided care to Ruth, but all who loved her and supported us during this time. Most especially the loving fellowship of Christ Church Episcopal, who embraced Ruth, prayed for Ruth and her loved ones, and treasured Ruth up to the very last moment.
Elektra, by Jennifer Saint
From Susan McBrayer, Sugar Hill: The setting is ancient Greece. It was a time when the gods walked among humans and sent them messages through oracles. Even though the book’s title character is Elektra, daughter of Agamemnon, the story is told through the eyes of several women. Filled with hatred, betrayal and vengeance, this tale begins before Elektra was born and relays the drama of an ancient curse on her family. This curse includes deeds such as slitting the throat of a first-born child to appease a god and killing children and serving them to their parents for dinner. It also includes the myth of Elektra’s aunt, Helen, who ran away to Troy causing Elektra’s father to launch a thousand ships to bring her home. The author brings this juicy, tragic tale to life and makes it easy to understand and remember. I kept having to remind myself that, in mythology, everything is fiction. Bummer.
- 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
Ellijay known for its apples and second homes
Ellijay, the seat of Gilmer County, together with its sister city, East Ellijay, is located at the junction of Georgia 515 and 52 and U.S. Highway 76. The combined population in 2020 of these two contiguous but politically and administratively separate communities was 2,512 (Ellijay: 1,862; East Ellijay: 650), according to the U.S. census. Situated 75 miles north of Atlanta, Ellijay lies at the center of one of north Georgia’s most beautiful mountain wilderness areas. The primary industries are poultry and apple processing, and a major employer is Gold Kist.
The origin of the town name excites considerable speculation, but conventional wisdom holds that Ellijay is an Anglicized form of a Cherokee word, perhaps meaning “place of green things” or “many waters.” The latter definition seems sensible because the town of Ellijay, once a large Cherokee trading center, lies near the headwaters of the Coosawattee River at the confluence of the Cartecay and the Ellijay rivers.
Gilmer County was cut from Cherokee County in 1832, and Ellijay became the county seat in 1834. Ellijay existed as a remote mountain community until the Marietta and Northern Georgia Railroad (later the L and N) arrived in 1884. This prompted something of a boom in the timber industry, but the area remained relatively isolated until the Zell Miller Mountain Parkway (Georgia Highway 515; named for Georgia governor and U.S. senator Zell Miller) was completed in 1991.
The new highway provided easy access from metropolitan Atlanta to the surrounding wilderness areas and made Ellijay a popular destination for nature lovers and sportsmen. Sixty-five percent of Gilmer County is public land, and Ellijay lies at the center of an area dominated by the rugged Cohutta Mountains and Rich Mountain Wilderness (both in the vast Chattahoochee National Forest) and Carters Lake, the deepest reservoir east of the Mississippi River.
In recent years Ellijay has become a hub for visitors and for the area’s growing population of second-home owners, who have been drawn to the natural beauty of the surrounding north Georgia mountains.
The picturesque valleys of Gilmer County produce more than 600,000 bushels of apples each year, more than in any other Georgia county, and every fall Ellijay is the site of the annual Georgia Apple Festival. Held during the second and third full weekends in October, the Apple Festival features a juried crafts show of more than 300 vendors, as well as what one old-timer called “every apple product known to mankind.”
- To view the Georgia Encyclopedia article online, go to https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
Hills, rock and water are clues for this Mystery Photo
The clues in this edition’s Mystery Photo are all natural: hills, stone and water. Is that enough for you to identify this distinctive photograph? If so, send your thoughts to elliott@brack.net and be sure to tell us your hometown.
The past mystery was solved by several people. George Graf of Palmyra, Va. wrote: “This is known as the Old Man of Storr on the Trotternish peninsula of the Isle of Skye in Scotland.Local legend states that the rock formation was once a man who was turned to stone as punishment for his wicked deeds.
“Another legend says that the Old Man of Storr was a warrior who was turned to stone by a fairy after he tried to capture her. Despite the many legends and myths surrounding the Old Man of Storr, it is ultimately a natural rock formation that has been shaped and weathered by the elements over time. It’s composed of a large, weathered pinnacle of basalt that rises up from the ground and is surrounded by smaller rocks. It’s that craggy look, though, that surely gave rise to the legends.”
The photograph came from Vicki T. Held of Brevard, N.C., via Susan McBrayer of Sugar Hill.
Liam McGovern, Knoxville, Tenn., told us: “The Old Man of Storr is one of Skye’s most iconic and most popular hikes. It’s no surprise that more than one folk story has grown around this uniquely shaped pinnacle rock. The most popular legend tells us that Skye was once a land of giants.”
Others recognizing the photo were Susan Bacon of Lawrenceville; Alan Peel, San Antonio, Tex.; Stew Ogilvie, Lawrenceville; and Donna Garrison, Town Creek, 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: elliott@brack.net and mark it as a photo submission. Thanks.
Norcross Gallery announces fall art class schedule
Norcross Gallery and Studios is announcing its upcoming fall classes. They will be taught by experienced instructors in the gallery’s spacious, well-lit classroom space and offer many ways to improve your talents and confidence. Contact instructors for supply list. Among the classes:
Beginning to Intermediate Drawing: You can draw better than you think! Instructor is Lucy Brady (lucyart2@yahoo.com): Mondays 10 a.m until noon, four weeks, Sept. 11, 18, 25 and Oct 2.
Alla Prima Still Life Class: Instructors Anne and Larry Hall (annehallstudio@yahoo.com) Wednesday September 20, 10 .m. to 1 p.m. Also September 27, October 4,11, 18 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Beginning Watercolor: Instructor Lucy Brady (lucyart2@yahoo.com). FOUR weeks: Mondays 10 a.m. noon October 16,23,30, November 6.
Beginning to Paint in Oil: Instructor Patty Grewe Mullins (pgrewemullins@gmail.com). Four weeks: Mondays 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Mondays October 16, 23 ,30, November 6.
Abstraction in Acrylics: Instructor Chitra Ramanathan (chitra.fineart@gmail.com). Four weeks: Friday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. October 20, 27, November 3, 10.
Working with Gelli Plates: Anne Labaire (labaireart@gmail.com). September 9,10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Acrylic Grounds and Mediums: Micah Goguen (micahgoguenart@gmail.com). September 23
Plein Air Workshop: Kathy Collins. October tbd.
Ongoing:
- Live model Sketch group: Lynda Ellis, Anne Hall: Tuesdays 1 to 4 p.m.
- Daytime Open Studio: Anne Labaire, Thursdays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Evening Open Studio: Patty Grewe-Mullins, Wednesdays 6 – 9 p.m.
Light Up the Corners race to be Aug. 11-12
The sixth annual Downtown Wine Walk returns to Braselton on August 10. At each sipping station, businesses will welcome walkers with a wine sample paired perfectly with a food bite–some provided by Braselton’s finest restaurants. Sip, stroll, shop and enjoy! Tickets include a souvenir wine glass, punch card with map of locations, a wine tasting and food sample at each sipping station, plus a chance to win a “Buy Local Braselton” e-gift card! The walk begins at 5 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m. Walkers must be at least 21 years of age to participate and will need to show a valid ID at check in. Tickets are $50 per person.
Light Up the Corners in Peachtree Corners will be held two nights, Friday and Saturday, August 11-12. This is a four mile run and twilight trot, to benefit the Robert D. Fowler YMCA. They begin at the Forum, 5145 Peachtree Parkway, at 5:30 p.m. both nights. For more details, visit https://lightupthecorners.com
The Lionheart Theatre Company will support Project Chimps by hosting an evening of entertainment featuring song and dance, comedy, theater, and DRAG QUEENS. Attend its Bananarama II production, This Time It’s for Fun! This will be on August 11-12 at 7:30 p.m. at the Lionheart Theatre, 10 College Street in Norcross. Come out for a night of fun and to support a great cause – learn more at projectchimps.org. Note that this event is appropriate for ages 16+ and is not for kids!
Author Talk: Come hear Terah Shelton Harris speak about her debut novel on Tuesday, August 15, at 7 p.m. a the Lawrenceville Branch of Gwinnett Public Library. She will talk of her book, One Summer in Savannah, a story about motherhood, unconditional love, and forgiveness. Books will be available for sale and signing.
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