HARRY POTTER is influencing students at the Georgia Campus of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Suwanee. These students are raising money with a new wrinkle, by putting on a Quidditch tournament, benefitting the For a Day Foundation for children battling cancer. Ga-PCOM students from left are Hiro Takeda, Laura Feder, Danielle Ballard, Jessica Biller, Shawn Callahan, Sarah Coyle, Gopi Patel, Carolyn Falk-Tran, Giselle Pineiro, Daniel Kim, Amanda Michelle Romeu and Christine Farmer.
IN THIS EDITION
IN THIS EDITION
TODAY’S FOCUS: Remembering Former Gwinnett Newswoman Pat Johnson
EEB PERSPECTIVE: We Don’t Need Additional Gambling in Georgia
ANOTHER VIEW: Three Examples of Questionable Divide and Conquer
FEEDBACK: Photo of Dumpster with Trump Sign; Comment on Stone Mountain Proposal
UPCOMING: City of Lilburn To Erect New Police Station on U.S. Highway 29
NOTABLE: Aurora Theatre Launches New Ticketing Program Aimed at Younger Set
RECOMMENDED RESTAURANT: Matthews’ Cafeteria, Tucker
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Key Worchester Case Tests Cherokee Nation’s Time in Georgia
TODAY’S QUOTE: Why So Little Is Known of the Canadian Country
MYSTERY PHOTO: Two People Recognized Town Doing Duty as Second Time Around
LAGNIAPPE: One Happy Duck at Rhodes Jordan Park
TODAY’S FOCUSBaughman remembers former newswoman Pat Johnson
(Editor’s Note: A person who was well known in the Gwinnett community and associated with the former Gwinnett Daily News, reporter and photographer Pat Johnson, died recently. Former County Extension Agent Bill Baughman remembers her fondly. –eeb)
By Bill Baughman
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga., Oct. 16, 2015 | Patsy Jane “Pat” Livingston Johnson, age 89, of Bushnell, Fla., and formerly of Lawrenceville and Gainesville, Ga., passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sunday morning, Aug. 9, 2015.
Baughman
The preceding was in an obituary I found in the newspaper. I wonder how many local folks remember this person who had lived and worked in Gwinnett for many years. I had to do a double take to see if this was the person I knew. Was it the journalist I remembered fondly who worked at the Gwinnett Daily News? Sadly, it was.
If you were active in the business and community affairs in the 1970s and 1980s, you would have known someone she wrote a feature about, or snapped their photograph. This was Pat Johnson.
She was a graduate in Journalism at Louisiana State University. I wish I had known that, as we could have compared our Tigers — LSU and Auburn. Further, I discovered she became the first female sportswriter at The Atlanta Constitution in 1947.
Aside from journalism, Pat had an avid interest in horticulture. One only had to visit her small farm on James Road in the Bethesda community to know that. And, as a horticulturist myself, I had a lot to share with her.
Her work at the newspaper kept her busy. I’ve been the subject of some of her articles. She came to the Extension Service office in the basement of the Lawrenceville Post Office about 1968 to take a photo of my wife, Connie and our first child, Cathy. Later, she came to my house in Snellville to do a story about my wife and four children. And, when the adult and youth high point exhibit winners at the Gwinnett County Fair were named, she was there to capture the moment on film.
One guy remembers Pat “lugging that big Speed Graflix camera around.” She took great photos with it, and the sharpness from the large format film was what the newspaper wanted.
I have heard her explain more than once, when posing someone for their photo, to turn their face, or lift their shoulder one way or another, explaining, “It won’t feel natural, but it will come out all right.” And, it did.
After her retirement about 1991, she attended Gwinnett Tech at age 68, and received an associate’s degree in environmental horticulture. She is said to have been the oldest graduate of Gwinnett Tech in 1994.
Soon after, she moved to Gainesville when we lost touch with one another. She continued learning as she attended Brenau University’s Learning and Leisure Institute. And, at home, she enjoyed putting all she learned about plants to good use.
Pat is survived by her children: Daniel Harris Johnson, Guy Livingston Johnson, and Jody Johnson Watson, several grand and great grandchildren, and other family.
Her ashes are to be scattered in Louisiana where it is said she learned to fish with her father on Lake Lafourche.
Pat Johnson: We sadly miss you.
EEB PERSPECTIVEWe agree with Nathan Deal: We don’t need more gambling here
By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher
OCT. 16, 2015 | For years now, the gambling business has had its eye on Georgia. It recognizes Georgia as a state with a growing population, and therefore, one they see as a target. They aim at establishing gambling in Georgia, to enrich, of course, their own coffers, while promoting that it will bring in more state revenue.
What this gambling group may not recognize is that Georgia is basically made up of solid, conservative, faith-based families who cast an askance glance at such sins as gambling.
Not only that, but Georgia already has enough, if not too much, gambling here, with our own Lotto (Georgia Lottery), aimed at funding more basic education through the Hope Scholarship. Though the Georgia Lottery seeks to raise more revenue through professional gambling, Georgians should not fall for that hoax.
Historically, earlier efforts at gambling have been aiming to get the Georgia Legislature to adopt legislation to allow horse-racing within our state. This goes back at least to the 1960-70s era. One reason promoted to allow wagering on horse races was that the horse industry was well-established in our state, so why not go to the next logical step and allowing betting on it? This referred to Hawkinsville being the center in Georgia for winter pasturing of horses involved in harness racing. So, the thinking went, if Georgia is already benefitting from having horses wintered here, why not extend that and allow betting on regular horse racing, too?
The reality is that the wintering of harness racing horses is a relatively small industry in our state. Also note that the horse owners came to Georgia on their own, without anyone handing out incentives to be here. They came for the mild winter weather, and that it would not be as costly to winter horses here than in other places.
Meanwhile, other states around Georgia allow gambling in various forms, so why not offer it to Georgians, especially aiming at the bulk of the population in Atlanta. A site in Gwinnett was at one time proposed for a big gambling arena. And the already-failed Underground Atlanta venue has constantly been proposed for some upstart facility, including a gambling hall.
Recently the gambling (not gaming) industry has suggested that Georgia is an ideal spot (for them) for a big-time casino, such as in Las Vegas, Biloxi or Atlantic City. After all, they reason, Atlanta is a big convention facility, and it would be a “natural” and relatively sure way to success.
But it would also invite people to the gambling parlors whom many Georgians would not welcome. Is it worth it?
We think not. So let’s give a big “Hip-Hip-Hooray” to Gov. Nathan Deal for his comment last week about gambling. He said, happily, “Don’t bet on it.” We agree.
He added: “This is not something I view as positive. I do not think it improves the quality of life for our citizens. And in my opinion it has very little redeeming value.”
That’s what we feel a big majority of the people also do not want. It’s just not the way many Georgians think and act.
It started with allowing horse racing, and now has moved to bring in a full time casino, all in the name of enhancing state revenues. Georgia does not need that type of money, nor the people associated with it.
ANOTHER VIEWHere are three examples of “divide and conquer” techniques
By Debra Houston
OCT. 16, 2015 | The old “divide and conquer” maneuver has been around since the dawn of primordial politics, but I prefer candidates who unite instead of ignite. I wonder if “we the people” will ever be “we the people” again.
Some call the technique cultural warfare. By definition it pits one group against another. The latest charge comes from DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz who claims Republicans want to kick women out of the country.
It’s the old “war on women” sham. Schultz pits Republicans (conservative white males in her book) against feminists. I’m a woman and a Republican and would know if the men had declared war on me. So far I’ve encountered no battle wounds.
To be fair, both parties are guilty of divide and conquer. Donald Trump has pitted so many groups against each other that he should be in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Here are some other groups that candidates pit against. Note the dehumanizing spin assigned to each. Warning: It ain’t pretty.
Unions and Walmart: Closet socialists vs. greedy capitalists. That one doesn’t shock as much since Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump announced their candidacies.
PETA and Chick-fil-A: Vegetarians vs. carnivores. That is downright absurd, except vegans carried protest signs outside New York City’s first Chick-fil-A restaurant earlier this month.
Confederate flag opponents and Civil War buffs: Caricaturists of Southern white males vs. sentimental celebrators of slavery. Someone should apologize.
Sounds silly, doesn’t it? Almost as silly as saying Republicans will kick women out of the country.
IN THE SPOTLIGHTGwinnett Medical Center
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Trump picture on Dumpster raises questions about current campaign
Editor, the Forum:
I spotted this dumpster’s sign on the way to a meeting off of Cheshire Bridge Road. It seemed to say to me, “Take my picture.” But, beyond getting a chuckle from this clever sign placement, what does it really say?
Maybe “A vote for Trump is a waste, possibly even garbage?” Maybe something stronger, like “People who would support Donald Trump for president are society’s refuse?” But I must ask, “What does it say to you?”
What it really says to me is that some people in American society are disgusted when their fellow Americans gravitate toward a showman who attracts attention with bluster and manufactured anger as he seeks to attain our country’s highest elected office. I expect Donald Trump is not really interested in governing our country. Instead, he is building his showman’s brand. He will get him notoriety whether or not he gets nominated as the Republican candidate for president, much less if he gets elected.
I would like to hear more, much more, from the Republican candidates about what they would do as president. I would like to hear what they are for and not what they are against. I gag each time I hear another one talk about repealing Obamacare. What a lackluster, “Go nowhere” policy platform plank!
We deserve a better dialog from the candidates who would be our next president.
— Michael L. Wood, Peachtree Corners
Dear Michael: Good eye on the photograph! The GOP race this year seems much more show business than government, for sure. People often refer to the Founding Fathers. Bet they are twirling in their graves if they see the candidates on the heavenly channel these days. Yep, we deserve more from our candidates, and perhaps a better presentation by the media. –eeb
Will not visit Stone Mountain if association raises King memorial
Editor, the Forum:
Once again you have let your left-wing bias control your thought process. What about this suggestion: at the same time as they put up a memorial to Dr. King at Stone Mountain, what about erecting a statue in honor of Robert E. Lee at the King Center?
Both ideas are ludicrous and would be adamantly opposed by anyone with a brain stem. Stone Mountain is designated a Confederate memorial, get that, as in “confederate?’
Martin Luther King Jr. was a great hero (to myself as well as many other people), but to erect something to honor him at Stone Mountain? If that truly happens, as you seem to intimate, then I will no longer be a visitor to Stone Mountain (and I am sure there are many folks who feel the same way as I do).
The Civil War was a bloody, horrible time in our nation’s history. Gallant people died on both sides of that conflict. Stone Mountain, and especially the carving, while not glorifying that cause, does pay tribute to it. Next thing you will want is a carving of Barack Obama on it. Leave it alone.
— Dave Robertson, Lawrenceville
Dear Dave: Glad we give you a forum to vent.–eeb
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Lilburn to build new police station on U.S. Highway 29
The Lilburn Police Department will relocate to Lawrenceville Highway (U.S. Highway 29). On October 12, the Lilburn City Council approved the purchase of property for a new police station and municipal court facility. The move will increase police presence on the city’s major thoroughfare and open up opportunities for the existing facility in Old Town.
The 9.73-acre location at 4572 Lawrenceville Highway is next to Lilburn Commons office complex, about 0.3 mile north of Indian Trail Road. It is across from Providence Christian Academy. The vacant site was chosen because it is already developed, all utilities are in place, and it is centrally located on the busy Lawrenceville Highway City Corridor.
Manager Bill Johnsa says: “Relocation of the Lilburn Police Department and Municipal Court to the central business corridor will add public safety visibility, as well as accessibility for our citizens, visitors and business owners.”
The property purchase price of $1,000,000 and closing costs will be funded by the 2014 Public Safety SPLOST, the one-percent sales tax approved by voters for special projects. A facility to house the police department and municipal court eventually will be constructed on the site, but no other details have been determined at this point.
Police Chief Bruce Hedley says: “Our current headquarters building is too small and in need of constant repair. The department needs a larger and up-to-date facility so we can better serve our citizens and visitors. I am excited to see a plan for a new police headquarters building coming together. I am grateful for the support given to us by our City Manager, Mayor, and Council.”
The police department and city staff currently share the Calvin Fitchett Municipal Complex next to Lilburn City Park. Construction is under way on a new city hall and Gwinnett County library on Main Street near Lawrenceville Highway. With the relocation of the police department and city staff, the old City Hall will be open to new possibilities.
Johnsa adds: “As an additional benefit, the current Lilburn police and courts complex in Old Town Lilburn can be repurposed as a community-based facility, adding to the vibrancy of Old Town and the surrounding area.”
Meanwhile, the City of Lilburn is presently constructing a new combined City Hall and Library, which is expected to open in 2016.
Ga-PCOM students plan Quidditch tournament on Oct. 28
While planning one of their service events, students from the Georgia Campus – Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (Ga-PCOM) chapter of Sigma Sigma Phi, a national honorary osteopathic service fraternity, searched for a unique way to make a difference. In a world where magic is usually limited to books, television and film, these muggles (i.e. non-magical people) found a way to put a little magic into the lives of children coping with illness.
The students will host a Quidditch tournament where every cent of the event proceeds will go to the For a Day Foundation. The tournament is set for Wednesday, October 28 at 4 p.m. on the Ga-PCOM campus. Registration will take place October 12 to 14 from noon to 1 p.m. in the college’s Atrium and costs $5.
Quidditch began as a fictional, broomstick-flying sport played by witches and wizards in J.K Rowling’s Harry Potter books. Because of the popularity of the book and film series, more practical versions of the game gained momentum across college campuses and it is now played by muggles all over. For the Ga-PCOM tournament, participants will be sorted into teams to play a type of Quidditch created from a combination of ultimate Frisbee, dodgeball, and hide and seek, and based off of the same version of the game innovated at the University of Georgia in Athens.
The For a Day Foundation is committed to creating unforgettable and emotionally therapeutic experiences for children battling cancer and other chronic illnesses. “Pretty magical,” comments osteopathic medicine student Christine Farmer who is helping coordinate the event. “That’s why we thought [the Quidditch tournament] would be a good fit.”
While the champions of the Quidditch tournament will not come away with a “Quidditch World Cup” like they do in Rowling’s novels, they will be rewarded with the knowledge that a child with illness will get a magical day of their own.
As Albus Dumbledore famously says: “Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” The light will shine brightly at Ga-PCOM that day.
Snellville Police Explorers Post plans “Jogging Dead” run Oct. 31
The Snellville Police Department Explorers Post 805 is hosting a charity run “The Jogging Dead.” The event will take place at First Baptist Church Snellville, 2400 Main Street at 8 a.m. on October 31, that is, Halloween.
Program adviser Jasmina Hodzic says that “The theme, ‘The Jogging Dead,’ is inspired because the race is being held on Halloween.” The name is a take-off on the popular TV show, “The Walking Dead.”
The Explorer program focuses on helping teens and young adults explore their interest in law enforcement. There are 46 Explorers currently enrolled in the program. Those interested in the program can visit the Snellville Police Department on Wisteria Drive any Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m.
Funds raised or donated for the event will be used to help Explorers get new uniforms and help with the cost of travel and hotel for competitions. The major regional competition is held in Gatlinburg, Tenn. in February where Explorers compete with numerous other Explorers from different agencies.
Cost for the run is $28 through October 24, $30 the week of the race, $35 the day of the race and $15 for the Fun Run. For more information, visit www.joggingdead5k.com, or contact Sarah Glynn at 678-469-2221.
Seminar for small business owners coming Oct. 21 in Suwanee
Being a small-business owner or entrepreneur can sometimes feel like an overwhelming proposition. The Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce wants area entrepreneurs to know that there are many resources available to assist them. To that end, the chamber is hosting a Small Business Essentials seminar at Suwanee City Hall from 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, October 21.
The free seminar will cover business and marketing plans, finances and lending assistance, licensing and taxes, minority certification and disadvantaged business assistance, training and mentorship programs, growth, and doing business with the City of Suwanee. Representatives from the University of Georgia’s Small Business Development Center, SCORE Association, Gwinnett Chamber, City of Suwanee, and Gwinnett County will be part of the panel of experts on hand.
- While the seminar is free, advanced registration is required. Register on the Events page at org.
Gwinnett groups get $22,962 from Jackson EMC Foundation
The Jackson EMC Foundation board of directors awarded a total $67,972 in grants during their September meeting, including $22,962 to agencies serving Gwinnett County residents. They include:
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A $10,462 Jackson EMC Foundation grant will help students taking English as a second language classes offered by Interlocking Communities become more productive citizens. From left are Jackson EMC Foundation chair Beauty Baldwin, Interlocking Communities Executive Director Louise Radloff and Jackson EMC Commercial/Industrial Marketing Representative Todd Evans.
$10,462 to Interlocking Communities, a grassroots community service organization in Lawrenceville, to upgrade computers, purchase equipment and materials, and employ an instructor for English as a second language classes that enable students to better communicate with their children’s teachers, sustain employment and become more productive citizens.
- $7,500 to Angel House of Georgia, a Gainesville recovery residence for women with alcohol and/or drug addiction which serves Barrow, Clarke, Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson and Lumpkin counties, to cover program fees that will enable indigent women to participate in the twelve-month program.
- $5,000 to the Partnership for Gynecological Cancer, an all-volunteer Hall County nonprofit serving Banks, Barrow, Clarke, Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson, and Lumpkin counties that provides direct assistance to women experiencing financial difficulties during their treatment for gynecological cancer, for assistance with gas and groceries.
The Jackson EMC Foundation is funded by Operation Round Up, which rounds up the more than 180,000 participating cooperative members’ monthly electric bills to the next dollar amount. This “spare change” has funded 1,012 grants to organizations and 319 grants to individuals, putting more than $10.2 million back into local communities since the program began in 2005.
Aurora launches new ticketing program aimed at younger set
Aurora Theatre is launching a new program geared toward theatergoers age 16-35 called TIXSTER. It is free to join and there is no obligation to purchase tickets. It’s the perfect entertainment solution for on-the-go people with a limited entertainment budget. Simply register online to receive deeply discounted tickets to both Mainstage and Studio programming. With Aurora Theatre’s 600 annual events, there is a wide variety of options almost every day.
Producing Artistic Director Anthony Rodriguez is excited about the program, “Aurora’s mission clearly states that we offer entertainment that nurtures a love of theatre and develops a new generation of theatergoers. This program does that and helps us build toward the future by making these experiences accessible to everyone.”
- For more information or to join TIXSTER, visit http://www.auroratheatre.com/ticketing/tixster/ or call 678-226-6222.
Matthews’ Cafeteria, Tucker
Recently my wife and I had a wonderful supper in Tucker at Matthews’ Cafeteria. It’s just off Lawrenceville Highway on Main Street. The people there are very friendly. It was hard passing by the strawberry shortcake! My wife had one and found it delicious. Over the years, I have never had a bad meal at Matthews. It always tastes fresh and not greasy, unlike most other cafes around. The food is so good that it is usually packed at lunchtime weekdays.
— Frank Sharp, Lawrenceville
An invitation: what books, restaurants, movies or web sites have you enjoyed recently? Send us your recent selection, along with a short paragraph (100 words) as to why you liked this, plus what you plan to visit or read next. –eeb
GEORGIA ENCYCLOPEDIA TIDBITKey Worcester Case tests Cherokee Nation’s time in Georgia
In the court case Worcester v. Georgia, the U.S. Supreme Court held in 1832 that the Cherokee Indians constituted a nation holding distinct sovereign powers. Although the decision became the foundation of the principle of tribal sovereignty in the 20th century, it did not protect the Cherokees from being removed from their ancestral homeland in the Southeast.
In the 1820s and 1830s Georgia conducted a relentless campaign to remove the Cherokees, who held territory within the borders of Georgia, North Carolina, Alabama, and Tennessee at the time. In 1827 the Cherokees established a constitutional government. The Cherokees were not only restructuring their government but also declaring to the American public that they were a sovereign nation that could not be removed without their consent.
An infuriated Georgia legislature responded by purporting to extend its jurisdiction over the Cherokees living in the state’s declared boundaries. The state annexed the Cherokee lands; abolished their government, courts, and laws; and established a process for seizing Cherokee land and distributing it to the state’s white citizens. In 1830 representatives from Georgia and the other southern states pushed through Congress the Indian Removal Act, which gave U.S. President Andrew Jackson the authority to negotiate removal treaties with the Native American tribes.
The Cherokees, led by their principal chief, John Ross, refused to be removed and instead filed with the U.S. Supreme Court an action challenging the constitutionality of Georgia’s laws. The Cherokees argued that the laws violated their sovereign rights as a nation and illegally intruded into their treaty relationship with the United States. In Cherokee Nation v. Georgia (1831), the court held that it did not have jurisdiction to strike down Georgia’s laws. In dicta that became particularly important in American Indian law, Chief Justice John Marshall wrote that the Cherokees constituted a “domestic, dependent nation” that existed under the guardianship of the United States.
(To be continued)
- To access the Georgia Encyclopedia online, go to http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
Clues for today’s mystery: Trees, flowers, water
Many of you may have seen this mill. See if a thought comes to your mind where this edition’s Mystery Photo was taken. Send your answers to elliott@brack.net and be sure to include the town where you live.
Two people recognized a photo from a town in France that was featured in another GwinnettForum Mystery Photo recently. However, this time it was a far different view. Ruthy Latham Paul of Norcross realized that the photo was from the town of “Honfleur in the Normandy region in France. The town is located on the south bank of the Seine estuary. This is a picturesque harbor town of homes with front sides covered with slate. This town inspired many painters, such as Claude Monet, Gustave Courbet, Eugene Boudin and Johan Jongkind, with their paintings called” Ecole de Honfleur,’ which was a step in the development of the Impressionist movement.” Another person recognizing the town and not being tricked by a second appearance was Susan McBurney of Sugar Hill.” The photo came from Tom Merkel of Berkeley Lake.
CREATURES OF NATURE are all around us, such as this mallard duck floating at Rhodes Jordan Park in Lawrenceville, which Roving Photographer Frank Sharp saw recently. This duck seems mighty at ease floating on the water. Look all around you, and check out Mother Nature in your area, too.
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