SCHOLARSHIPS: Walton EMC is providing scholarships at Gwinnett Tech for adult education students seeking to earn their GED credential. From left are Jennifer Hendrickson, director of institutional advancement, GTC; Dr. Victoria Seals, vice president of academic affairs, GTC; and from Walton EMC: Amanda Christian, personnel specialist; Connie Bentley, financial analyst; Jim Bottone, director of regulatory affairs; and Marsha Shumate. For more details, see Notable below.
Issue 15.01 | April 3, 2015
IN THIS EDITION
TODAY’S FOCUS: Norcross High Foundation To Honor Three Individuals
EEB PERSPECTIVE: “Thank God for Indiana”
ANOTHER VIEW: Looking at Life from Perspective of Age 103
UPCOMING: Special Needs Carnival Coming Soon; Norcross Concept Plan
NOTABLE: Redner To Community Foundation; Walton EMC Gwinnett Tech Scholarships
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Walter Griffin, a Poet and Teacher, Founds Atlanta Poets Workshop
TODAY’S QUOTE: Basketball Is a Game of Two Rhythms
MYSTERY PHOTO: Time To Put On Your Lighthouse-Thinking Cap
TODAY’S FOCUS
Foundation to name three to Norcross High Hall of Fame
By Wendy Willis
NORCROSS, Ga., April 3, 2015 — Three people will be inducted into the Norcross High School Foundation Hall of Fame at its 10th annual gala on April 17 at 7 p.m. at the Carlyle House in downtown Norcross. The inductees are Nathan Ballantine, the late Bill Bryant and Maria Chininis.
The gala gives the Norcross community an opportunity to celebrate the successes of the school while also honoring those who have contributed to this success.
The NHS Foundation for Excellence supports the school with financial backing to fill the gaps between what federal, state, and county funds provide, and what the teachers and students actually need to achieve excellence. For over a decade, the Foundation has raised funds to invest in the classrooms and facilities at NHS and create opportunities for students and teachers to reach their highest capabilities in all areas.
The public is invited to attend the 2015 Gala. Entertainment will be by the Mark Tucker Jazz Trio Tickets are $50 per person and are available by contacting Lori Pace, at 770-447-2669, or lorri_pace@gwinnett.k12.ga.us. During the Gala, there will be a live auction and other fund-raising offerings.
About the nominees:
Ballentine
Nathan Ballantine taught science for five years, serving as department chair for one year and coaching girls’ soccer for four years. Nathan orchestrated the move of the school from Beaver Ruin Road. to its current location on Spalding Drive. His peers named him Teacher of the Year in 2003. After receiving his master’s degree, he became an Assistant Principal in 2005, giving focus to testing, discipline and the math department. He became director of Summer School for all of Gwinnett County. Nathan received his Specialist degree in Educational Leadership in 2010 and became Principal at North Gwinnett High School in November, 2013.
Bryant
Bill Bryant is being honored posthumously. In the days before computers and even calculators, NHS coaches found in Bill a quick and accurate statistician. He kept baseball statistics for three years and scouted boys’ basketball games. After college, Bill returned to Norcross and kept records for boys’ and girls’ basketball for over 14 years, serving as football statistician for 33 years, attending over 800 games. Bill attended both Summerour Middle and Norcross High School, graduating in 1969. Bill pursued a law degree and opened a general law practice in Norcross where he worked for 15 years. He then served as a Gwinnett County prosecutor for 10 years. A community advocate, Bill willingly served on the Norcross City Council for six years and also served as Mayor of the city. He died earlier this year at age 63.
Chininis
Maria Chininis made a lasting impression on hundreds of students and their families during her eight years at Norcross High School, where she served as an assistant principal, giving focus to the International Baccalaureate program and the Language Arts department. Opening doors for children and helping them navigate a future was her heart’s desire. Maria received her college degree in Early Childhood Education and taught K-4th grade for seven years. She received her master’s degree in Administration and taught in both DeKalb and Gwinnett County schools, before becoming an assistant principal. She received her Specialist degree in School Administration and served as assistant principal at Berkeley Lake Elementary for 12 years, prior to coming to Norcross. Maria currently works as the education coordinator for the Concussion Institute at Gwinnett Medical Center.
- For more information about the NHS Foundation for Excellence, visit http://www.norcrosshighfoundation.org.
EEB PERSPECTIVE
A new thought has come into being: “Thank God for Indiana”
By Elliott Brack, editor and publisher, GwinnettForum.com
APRIL 3, 2015 — For years, you have heard people in the South say: “Thank God for Mississippi!”
They meant that were it not for that state, their own state might rank 50th out of 50 states in some category. Mississippi has traditionally ranked 50th in educational attainment, family income, education and other indices. These other states of the South were mighty pleased that their own state didn’t rank below Mississippi. Of course, their state might rank close to Mississippi, but not dead last.
But now, we have a new phrase: “Thank God for Indiana.”
Indiana seems to be the poster child for the most divisive legislative bill passed this year, a state that has had its governor sign into law a bill that seeks to promote religious freedom, but many people feel legalizes discrimination.
And it’s caused major corporations and non-profits (think NCAA, located in Indianapolis) to speak out publicly against the bill, asking for scuttling of the measure.
Not only Indiana, but now Arkansas has a similar bill. And not to be outdone, certain legislators in Georgia were working on Thursday (the last day of the 2015 General Assembly) to push through a measure strangely similar to the Indiana and Arkansas bills. Altogether, some 20 states also have passed such bills. Ironically, there is already a national bill, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, signed into law by President Bill Clinton, that guarantees every American these rights. However, apparently the way the state religious freedom bills are worded has caused the uproar about this.
However, up until now, there has not been a hue and cry against state religious freedom bills as has happened first in Indiana, and shortly after in Arkansas. North Carolina’s Legislature is also looking at a similar religious freedom bill.
Something highly coincidental and questionable, nearly smelly, is going on here. How is it that 20 states have adopted similar bills? How do they all contain similar language? Where did the push for these measures come from? We suspect that the ultra conservative American Legislative Exchange Council has something to do with this. This group continually seeks to eat away at individual rights and work for a more limited government, lower taxes, free markets and conservative measures.
What pleases us is that major American companies, from liberal Apple Computer to most-conservative Walmart, have had the upstanding temerity to sound out on religious freedom bills. You seldom see such major companies doing this. We think this is a good sign. We were also pleased that the governments of three states, New York, Connecticut and Washington, have banned governmental travel to Indiana. That’s taking action!
One of the non-profits most directly in the middle of this hullabaloo is the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), as it holds basketball’s Final Four in Indianapolis this week. This group has recognized the problems with Indiana’s Religious Freedom Law, and was not slow in speaking out against it. While the NCAA has other problems, we must applaud their position on this measure.
As an aside, our position in seeking to limit Georgia to having legislative sessions only every other year speaks to this problem. The more often the Legislature will meet, the more possible it is that some yokel of a legislator will introduce insane and unreasonable measures. Limiting the legislature can’t hurt anyone.
By Friday, Georgia could have such a measure. We hope not. But for now, thank God for Indiana.
ANOTHER VIEW
Looking at life from the perspective of age 103
By Debra Houston
APRIL 3, 2015 –In late winter we headed to North Carolina to visit my husband’s aunt, who had recently moved into an assisted living facility. We found Ruby sitting next to a window with a view of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Houston
“Why, Dar-r-lings!” she cried and reached out her hands. “Why the Lord! I didn’t know you young-uns were coming to see me.” Anyone under the age of 65 was a “young one” to her.
After lots of hugs, she held up three fingers. “I’m 103. Wonder what reason God still has me here?”
I told her: “He has his reasons. One thing for sure, he has blessed you with a long life.” I was thinking God was rewarding her for pouring out her love to the world. I wished she’d recognize God’s purpose that seemed so obvious to others.
“I know, Darling, but with every passing day, I’m that much closer to the end.”
“We all are, Aunt Ruby.” I hoped she caught the irony. “But how do you like this place?”
“It’s good.”
We yearned to hear those words. She had moved following her 103rd birthday bash in the apartment where she had lived alone. On that day, the place brimmed with friends and family. With tears streaming down her cheeks, she mistakenly told well-wishers, “I’m going to a nursing home.”
Settled into her new residence, she now gazed out the window. “Reckon how those trees on the edge of that hill are growing with no place to root?”
I couldn’t help but find a metaphor. Though she had only moved across town, I wanted her to take root in her new home.
I asked if preachers come by, and she said yes, “Several do.” Being one of faith, she enjoys spiritual discussions. She often uses the Socratic method of questioning.
“Wonder what heaven is like, Debbie?”
I told her I wasn’t sure, but appreciated her never-ending search for answers. The wise know how little they know. She’s 103.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Gwinnett Village Community Improvement District
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FEEDBACK
Rant, rave and send us your opinion
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UPCOMING
Lilburn stake offers April 18 carnival for special needs children
A carnival for Special Needs Children is scheduled April 18 from 2 until 5 p.m. at the Lilburn Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 1150 Cole Road.
Activities will be held indoor as well as outdoor. The carnival will be held rain or shine.
Like any other kids, special-needs children love to have fun, but it can be challenging for parents to find an environment where their children can just be themselves and have a good time. This carnival seeks to provide that environment for at least one afternoon a year.
Game booths, pony rides, a jump house, bunnies, balloon animals, and more will be set up specifically for special-needs children to come and enjoy. Each child will be assigned a youth volunteer as an escort buddy. Parents are welcome to remain with the child, or just sit back and relax. Although adults will be present to supervise and participate, over 100 youth have volunteered for the event.
Anyone with special-needs children is welcome to attend. There is no charge for admission and all games, activities and snacks, which include snow cones and popcorn are free of charge.
Norcross to unveil new concept plan at April 21 meeting
Celebrate Earth Day, join your neighbors and be inspired with plans for a groundbreaking sustainable living and educational park in the heart of downtown Norcross.
Through nature based education outreach programs, city-wide green living classes, community garden plots and events throughout the year, the City is strengthening its sustainability program to have a positive impact on the community.
The concept plan will be presented at a public input meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21 at the Norcross Cultural Arts and Community Center. This is the formal presentation of the concept plan developed by citizens partnering with Norcross Parks and Recreation staff and Sean Murphy with B+C Studios.
See the concept plan, provide feedback, and be inspired to become a little (or a lot) involved with this groundbreaking project.
NOTABLE
Redner to replace Waters at Northeast Community Foundation
Randy Redner is replacing Judy Waters as the executive director of the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia, according to Scott Phelan, president of the Community Foundation.
Waters
Redner
Redner previously was executive director for the American Cancer Society in Duluth from 2005-2010. Most recently he has worked as Vice President of Income Development for the United Methodist Children’s Home in Decatur. Redner is a marketing graduate of Valdosta State University and earned an MBA from Mercer University. He is graduate of Leadership Gwinnett and Leadership North Fulton. He also has completed Harvard Business School’s Leadership Training specifically designed for not-for-profit management.
Waters told the Foundation board late last year of her intent to close out her career in 2015. She is a former city councilwoman from Snellville, served on the Gwinnett Planning Commission for six years and served for two terms as a Gwinnett County Commissioner, and has led the Community Foundation for 11 years.
Redner’s first day on the job will be May 4. Waters will work in a consultative role with Randy through August. Her official farewell to the community will take place on August 22, at the Foundation’s 30th Anniversary Celebration. Waters plans to retire to Lake Martin in Alabama with her husband, Mark.
Walton EMC grants Gwinnett Tech $20,000 for GED scholarships
Walton EMC, through Walton Electric Trust, Inc., has donated $20,000 to Gwinnett Technical College to provide scholarship funds for adult education students seeking to earn their GED credential at Gwinnett Tech. The firm’s GED Scholarship Fund will award up to $160 to as many as 125 students to fund the GED® test fee. Learn more at www.GwinnettTech.edu/scholarships.
Dr. Victoria Seals, vice president of academic affairs, says: “Walton EMC has a long-standing tradition of supporting education and Gwinnett Technical College. We continue to be grateful for their partnership and their commitment to adult education, as it makes a tremendous difference in our community.”
Marsha Shumate, CFO and senior vice president of finance, says: “One of the seven cooperative principles Walton EMC operates by is ‘Concern for Community.’ What better way to show how much we care than by providing support for basic educational opportunities that equip people to go out and improve their lives to benefit themselves, their families and their communities.”
Gwinnett Tech’s Adult Education Division, one of the state’s largest, served more than 3,500 students in FY ’14, offering classes for GED preparation and English as a Second Language in more than ten locations in Gwinnett and North Fulton.
City of Suwanee residents rate the area higher in 8 categories
At the end of 2014, the City of Suwanee participated in its fourth National Citizen Survey, which gathers resident opinions across a range of community issues. As in previous years, residents’ ratings put the City of Suwanee at or near the top in a variety of areas as compared to other communities across the country.
In fact, residents rated Suwanee higher than other participating communities across the nation in eight categories. Across the 127 categories Suwanee residents were requested to rate, Suwanee scored in the top 10 in 27 percent of them.
Mayor Jimmy Burnette says: “The National Citizen Survey remains an important tool for us to gauge citizen satisfaction. We always learn a little something about ourselves as a community through the survey, and it’s good to know that the City of Suwanee continues to be headed in the right direction.”
The City of Suwanee was ranked #1 compared to other benchmarked communities in the following areas:
- City-sponsored events;
- job Suwanee government does welcoming citizen involvement;
- overall built environment;
- availability of affordable quality childcare;
- overall confidence in local government;
- generally acting in the best interest of the community;
- being honest; and
- treating all residents fairly.
Also noted is the rank Suwanee achieved as well as the number of other participating communities who included that particular category among their survey questions from quality of overall natural environment to economic development to neighborliness.
Suwanee was ranked lower than other benchmarked communities in seven areas, including bus or transit service, use of public transportation, and citizen participation in volunteer opportunities.
Solh joins Ga-PCOM in Physician Assistant Program
Solh
Tia Solh, certified physician assistant (PA), recently joined Georgia Campus of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine as an assistant professor and coordinator of physician assistant didactic studies for the distant campus cohort of the physician assistant (PA) program under development on the Georgia Campus. Solh previously served as an assistant professor for the PA program at the Orlando Campus of Nova Southeastern University in Florida. She earned a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, where she also received a Bachelor of Science degree in Clinical Laboratory Science.
RECOMMENDED READ
Send us a review
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 TIDBIT
Griffin, a poet and teacher, founds Atlanta Poets Workshop
Poet, teacher and founder of the Atlanta Poets Workshop, Walter Griffin has spent his career identifying with and celebrating what he calls “the Blue Glass Charlies”: the transients, the losers, and the outsiders down on their luck whose lives go unnoticed in the boardinghouses, cheap hotels, and bus stations of middle America.
Griffin
Griffin was born on August 1, 1937, in Wilmington, Del., the only child of Nina Blalock and William Samuel Griffin. A year after Griffin was born, his father abandoned the family, and Griffin and his mother relocated to Florida. From 1951 to 1954 he attended Gordon Military College in Barnesville, Ga. His mother remarried, and Griffin spent a year living in Europe with her and his stepfather. To avoid being drafted into the French army, he joined the U.S. Army in Germany in 1955 and served in the infantry for three years. In 1956 Griffin was stationed at Fort Benning, Ga. Married and divorced, Griffin has one son, Paul Anthony, who teaches high school German in Decatur and also writes poetry.
In 1972 Griffin founded the Atlanta Poets Workshop for aspiring and published poets. The group met in various locations around Atlanta until 1998, when health problems caused Griffin to end the workshop.
Although this award-winning poet has more than 400 national and international publications to his credit, Griffin has struggled for wider recognition. His early work was published in numerous small-press quarterlies and journals, and after the 1972 publication of his poetry in Harper’s magazine, Griffin’s work began to appear in such major publications as Atlantic Monthly, Kenyon Review, New England Review, New Yorker, Paris Review, Poetry, Sewanee Review, and Southern Review.
At the same time his poetry was being published in magazines, anthologies, and small-press publications, Griffin taught in the Poetry in the Schools Program, a national program that gives students the opportunity to work with published poets. From 1972 to 1983 he was the visiting writer-in-residence at more than 110 secondary and elementary schools, colleges, and penal institutions in Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
His poetry earned him the Author of the Year Award in 1976 from the Southeastern Regional Council of Authors and Journalists, and in 1978 the Georgia Council for the Arts and Humanities (later the Georgia Council for the Arts) named him master poet-in-residence.
As Griffin told Contemporary Authors, “In my poems, I attempt to deal with middle America and isolation, the inherent loneliness of the human spirit.” He sees himself as an outsider looking in, one who brings to his poetry his own childhood hurts and adolescent rootlessness. The speaker in a Griffin poem often longs to be elsewhere, hidden from the rest of the world, and is aware of his physical self and mortality.
Griffin lives in East Point.
MYSTERY PHOTO
Another lighthouse
CLUE: Here’s another lighthouse for you to determine where it’s located. What is it about lighthouses? They appear in photos everywhere. Now can you tell us where this one is? Send your thoughts to elliott@brack.net and include your hometown.
The most recent Mystery Photo we thought would be difficult for our readers to guess. It was sent in by Donnie Loeber of Norcross. But several people spotted it immediately, the first being Karen Burnette Garner of Dacula, recognizing a subway in Stockholm, Sweden.
Bob Foreman of Grayson wrote: “This is the subway system in Stockholm, Sweden, which is like a large underground art museum, with different modern paintings done directly on the stone walls of the underground system. I have never been to Sweden but I have heard about these unique wall and ceiling paintings in the Stockholm subway.”
Also recognizing the photo were Ida Cobb of Hartwell, and Ruthy Lachman Paul of Norcross. Ruthy wrote: “Where are the rats? This is the most beautiful underground in the world. The blackened walls with soothing murals, the blackened floor and colored stripes adorn the passenger’s waiting areas. Stockholm subway stations have made the world’s longest art exhibition for 55 years, with 68 miles of diversified exhibits.”
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