SIGNATURE STRUCTURE: This is an artist’s concept of the Lawrenceville Performing Art Center. The building will be at the intersection of North Clayton and East Pike Street, and will connect to the Parking Garage on Crogan Street. Groundbreaking for the new facility will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 13. The architects are Stevens and Wilkinson of Atlanta.
TODAY’S FOCUS: Matters Still Complicated and Up in the Air Concerning Brexit
EEB PERSPECTIVE: Rural Broadband Shows Another Way That There Are Two Georgias
ANOTHER VIEW: Today with Trump and Senate Is a “Borrow and Spend” Government
SPOTLIGHT: Hayes Family Automotive Group
FEEDBACK: Recalls That His Father Had Signed for Deuce-and-a-Half Truck
UPCOMING: Peachtree Corners To Dedicate Veteran’s Memorial on June 15
NOTABLE: Peachtree Ridge Graduate Wins Perdue Appointment to West Point
RECOMMENDED: The Red Garden by Alice Hoffman
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Thomas Hardwick as Governor Introduces First Sales Tax on Gasoline
MYSTERY PHOTO: Two Bridges May Provide the Clues for this Mystery Photo
LAGNIAPPE: Central Gwinnett Students Design, Built Architect Temporary Facade
CALENDAR: Fishing Derby at OneStop Centerville on June 15
Matters still complicated and up in the air concerning Brexit
By Darryl McDonald, UK Correspondent
LONDON, England | The prime minister, Theresa May, went back to the European Union (EU) and asked for a further Brexit extension until May 3, because of the deadlock in Parliament and continuing talks with the Labour Party.
The EU agreed to an extension until October 31 to allow more time for a resolution; however, it would mean that the United Kingdom (UK) would have to have elections to select members for the new European Parliament on June 1. After six weeks of talks with Labour ended with no agreement, the PM decided to soften her existing deal and go back to Parliament for another try. However it was obvious this would also fail so she was persuaded against it by her own party, who then asked her to consider tendering her resignation with a planned leaving date. You may recall in an earlier report I did state that Ms. May would probably be gone by June!
In the meantime two new parties have emerged to contest the European Parliamentary Elections. Two small breakaway groups from the main parties of 11 MP’s have come together under the “Change UK Party,” campaigning for remaining in the EU and the return of Nigel Farage, a confidant of Donald Trump, during his campaign, to set up the Brexit Party. Farage, the former leader of UKIP, retired after the Brexit result saying “my job is done.”
However disenchanted by the government’s effort on Brexit so far, he has come back to lead the new Brexit Party. After only six weeks since it started, the Brexit Party took the largest share with 29 of the 70 seats available for the UK in the new European Parliament, with the two main parties trailing well behind, meaning a major protest vote against them both!
The Conservatives, although expecting the protest vote, were shocked at how bad it was. So they called for the head of Ms. May, and duly agreed to stand down so that a new pro Brexit leader could be chosen to take over the final negotiations. Ms. May officially resigned on June 7, the day after the three day state visit of the president of the USA.
There are currently 13 candidates who have put themselves forward to succeed May. It’s going to be a long leadership battle without a decision till the end of July! Ex-Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson appears to be the front runner, as endorsed by Donald Trump during his visit Surely, he’s bound to win now!
Talking of Donald Trump, you may be surprised to hear that his state visit went down very well here, with not too many protestors. However, the Opposition Leader and the Mayor of London refused to attend the State Banquet given by The Queen, but that did not bother Mr. Trump in the slightest! He has put the UK at the front of the queue for a major trade deal if our nation leaves the EU, whereas Obama put us at the back after the referendum to leave!
It may be awhile before you hear from me again. After all, Brexit will take a back seat until the new leader is voted in. Who knows what will happen then?
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Rural broadband shows another way that there are two Georgias
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
JUNE 11, 2019 | Back in the 70s, Gov. Joe Frank Harris’ claiming that there were “two Georgias” astounded some for a while. Then people began realizing that indeed, Atlanta was different, and had far more opportunities, than communities in other parts of the state.
Joe Frank’s idea was basically an economic one. Yet today we have a far greater problem for the rural areas of Georgia: broadband access. Many parts of rural Georgia do not have credible computer services, essentially denying people in these areas such items as:
- Students not being able to complete homework assignments online.
- Work-at-home entrepreneurs not being on a comparable level with other businesses.
- Health professionals in rural areas cannot send documents to other medical experts to study.
- Farmers cannot compete effectively with those who have internet access.
- Students in colleges in rural areas cannot gain the Internet with reliable speed to do research.
- And on and on.
It is a vast limitation, largely unseen, but very present.
Note these two accompanying tables. One shows that we in Gwinnett cities have nearly complete access with a variety of multiple broadband suppliers. But also notice the table showing the cities in Georgia who have less than a 75 percent connection to multiple broadband service.
What does this mean?
In Georgia there are 693,000 individuals without access to a wired connection capable of 25 megabyte download speed. In many cities, you wait and wait for a slow connection, if you have one at all.
Another 1.3 million Georgians have access to only one wired provider of broadband. In most cases, that means that they pay far more for basic service, since they have no option to switch to a cheaper (and maybe faster) service.
Some 303,000 don’t have any wired Internet provider at all where they live.
This broadband service can be elusive. Take Dublin, Ga., a fairly progressive city, with 87.2 percent access to multiple broadband connectivity. Yet merely across the Oconee River, in East Dublin, also part of Laurens County, only 42.8 percent of homes have such a connection.
While this scenery is the case in Georgia, it’s similar across the nation, particularly in unbuilt-up areas of the West. It also has a built-in disparity on cost of internet service. In Zip Codes in the bottom 10 percent of population density, people pay 37 percent more on average for residential wired broadband than those in the top 10 percent. So this cannot only attack you in service, but in your pocketbook, too. It’s estimated that 146 million Americans do not have access to a low-price plan for residential broadband service.
These figures come from the web site, broadbandow.com, based on data from the Federal Communications Commission.
In Georgia, there is some hope, though it may come slowly. The Electric Membership Cooperatives (EMSs) are being given new opportunities by the Legislature to serve rural areas with broadband. However, in many EMC areas, a slow-to-move governing board may not appreciate the need for this additional service, holding back their areas. These EMC areas would have to get wired for this service, an additional cost.
There is also the possibility that low earth satellites in orbit could provide a comparable speed to wired connections. This would be faster and cheaper than wiring our country, and could ramp up within a couple of years. SPACE-x and Amazon are both working on this. They could be the hope for rural America in its future for broadband.
Rural Georgia can take a step away from the “two Georgias” with better broadband service.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Today with Trump and Senate is a “Borrow and Spend” government
By Mike Wood
PEACHTREE CORNERS, Ga. | The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) enacted in 2017 had its first tax-cut effects in 2018. The cuts reduced my 2018 federal income taxes about 10 percent compared to what they would have amounted to under the prior tax law.
The White House and congressional Republicans touted the TCJA as a growth engine for the U.S. economy and asserted that the economic growth would more than pay for the $1.5 trillion of tax cuts over its ten-year projection period. Maybe this growth will occur and will achieve the favorable projections in years to come. However, it apparently has not paid for itself in 2018.
For the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018, the national debt increased $1.2 trillion, hitting $21.5 trillion on that date. Since September 2018, the national debt has increased almost another trillion, hitting $22 trillion in early 2019.
The government and news reports that I found did not quantify the portion of these national debt increases arising from the TCJA tax cuts. Certainly, much of these increases came from federal government spending; but, it seems likely that a meaningful portion came from the tax cuts.
In an interview with The Washington Post in 2016, then presidential candidate Donald Trump vowed that his policies would eliminate the national debt “over a period of eight years.” Perhaps the GOP has backed up in 2018 to get a running start on reducing the national debt in 2019. I doubt it. In fact, I expect to see over one trillion dollars added to the national debt in 2019.
With the Republicans controlling the presidency and the Senate we don’t have a “tax and spend” federal government; but we do have a “borrow and spend” government.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Hayes Family Automotive Group
The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Today’s sponsor is Hayes Family Automotive Group with Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, and GMC. Mike, Tim and Ted Hayes of Lawrenceville and Gainesville with Terry Hayes of Baldwin invite you into their showrooms to look over their line-up of automobiles and trucks. Hayes has been in the automotive business for over 40 years, and is North Georgia’s oldest family-owned dealerships. The family is the winner of the 2002 Georgia Family Business of the Year Award. We know that you have high expectations, and as a car dealer we enjoy the challenge of meeting and exceeding those standards each and every time. Allow us to demonstrate our commitment to excellence!
- Check the web sites at: www.hayeschrysler.com or www.hayeschevrolet.com or www.hayesgmcars.com.
- For a list of other sponsors of this forum, click here.
Recalls that his father had signed for deuce-and-a-half truck
Editor, the Forum:
My father served as an Army artillery officer with the 101 Airborne Division in Korea as the war was winding down. The officer ranks were dwindling through casualties and lack of replacements after the Armistice was signed, requiring the officers in his battalion to have to serve multiple functions, including roles above their customary grade. While only a lieutenant, he was placed in charge of the motor pool (a Transportation Corp post) and, like you, was handed a stack of forms to sign accepting responsibility for vehicles.
It was more than 10 years later, during the Vietnam War, that he received two notices from the Army. The first was a notice that he was being recalled to active duty and the second, was that they wanted him to account for a “missing “deuce and a half ton” truck , that appeared on a schedule he signed!
While his employment for a defense contractor and four children kept him from being recalled, I remember the great amount of paperwork he had to submit regarding the truck.
— David C. Will, Lawrenceville
Finds character assassination is one approach for attacking presidency
Editor, the Forum:
I assume Jack Bernard knows that his “bomb throwing” column about President Trump is full of half truths and outright falsehood. I guess I wonder what good he expects to come from this type of writing. I understand that there has developed a win-at-all-cost approach to politics, and maybe it was always there. It is sad to me that character assassination is the only approach that the anti-Trump faction can come up with to combat what is being accomplished by this imperfect man that we have elected.
— Emil Powella, Lilburn
Compares message with Stalinist regimes of the last century
Editor, the Forum:
This is addressed to Jack Bernard: I’m going to accept your challenge to root out bigotry wherever it takes hold. Your bigotry towards the duly elected President of the United States is as plain as the nose on your face.
Your method here is just like those employed by the Stalinist regimes of the last century. Isolate the target by making outrageous claims against them, so that any correct-thinking individual will be dissuaded from defending them. Expand on those claims by attributing nefarious motives to every aspect of the target’s behavior. Whip the less-informed populace into a frenzy with unsupported allegations of evil-doing, and let mass hysteria do the rest!
Every claim you have made is refutable, or at worst contextual and open to interpretation. Your obvious dislike of President Trump is not based on his policy positions but on his style and personality. If you have concrete objections to specific policies, feel free to give us some details. If you don’t like the guy, don’t vote for him next year!
— Rick Hammond, Lawrenceville
Loves Bernard’s presentation of facts, which are hard to dispute
Editor, the Forum:
Loved Jack Bernard’s recent column where he lays out his case about the racist in The White House with a long list of facts. Facts: something hard to dispute.
But, Jack…what’s harder to understand is why millions still think he’s “their guy.” Will never get the appeal of someone who has a track record with so many ugly chapters, from the 3,000 lawsuits filed against him (many by blue collar construction workers who were never paid), to those previously and currently around him, who he belittles in a hateful and juvenile way. All the way to Ted Cruz, Jeff Sessions, Mitch McConnell and on and on.
— Howard Hoffman, Berkeley Lake
Appreciates article about republic; Voters need to understand this
Editor, the Forum:
A hats-off to Raleigh Perry for articulating that we do, in fact, live in a Republic, not a Democracy. This is such a critical, and very misunderstood, distinction. As Ben Franklin said, “…..if we can keep it”. I just wish there were a way to teach this consistently, so voters of every age and persuasion understood this.
Thanks again for keeping Gwinnett and the rest of the world in the loop with The Forum.
— Randy Brunson, 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. We reserve the right to edit for clarity and length. Send feedback and letters to: elliott@brack.net
Peachtree Corners to dedicate Veteran’s Monument on June 15
Dedication of the Peachtree Corners Veteran’s Monument on Saturday, June 15 at 10 a.m. The program includes music by the 116th Army Band Georgia Army National Guard. Main speaker will be retired Army Maj. Gen. Ronald L. Johnson.
Johnson is currently a Professor at the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology. General Johnson received his Master of Science in Operations Research and Systems Analysis from Georgia Tech in 1985. He received his Bachelor of Science at the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1976. His military career included Deputy Commanding General and Deputy Chief of Engineers, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 2005–2008 and Commanding General/Director U.S. Army IMA 2004–2005.
The Veterans Monument is located on the city’s new Town Center Green. The Monument has been designed to be a serene and dignified place where individuals may come and reflect – and where veterans, schools and civic organizations may hold ceremonies and educational opportunities.
The Monument is a 2,500 square-foot plaza that features a central pillar with an eagle atop the globe which represents the presence of the U.S. Armed forces across the world, and six sculptures representing each of the Armed Forces and the Federal Military Reserve components.
The monument honors all military veterans past, present and future for their service to the United States of America and its citizens and to the preservation of freedom throughout the world.
Hudgens Art Center offers multiple opportunities during summer
Here’s some of the food you can expect at the Hudgens Center for the Arts during its “Summer Solstice Jazz in the Gardens” on June 21. Also: the Gift Shop, shown in the background, will be open during its summer activities. It’s a great place to find distinctive, artist-produced gifts!
Jazz in the garden. Family art projects. Musical Thursday evenings. A civic dinner. All this will take place this summer at The Hudgens Center for Art and Learning, welcoming the summer with multiple events for all ages.
Every Thursday evening throughout June and July (except for July Fourth), The Hudgens will host “Summer Nights in the Garden” from 6-8 p.m. These weekly nights will include refreshments and live music from the Atlanta Institute of Music and Media. All galleries will be open for guests to experience the current exhibits. Admission is free, though The Hudgens will be accepting donations for their children’s art education programs.
On Thursday, June 13, from 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., join The Hudgens for a Civic Dinner on Arts and Culture. The Hudgens galleries will be open before and after dinner so visitors will have opportunities to experience the current exhibitions. RSVP at thehudgens.org
On June 15, 2019, The Hudgens will also host another Family Day with interactive art activities designed for all ages. Hands-on activities and story times will take place between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. that day.
Activities at The Hudgens Family Day event will be inspired by the latest exhibits on display. Feel the season in bloom and create a floral artwork inspired by the paintings of Se-Ja Shin. Create a unique ceramic tile piece after viewing Layers: Drawing on Clay. Participate in a collaborative painting honoring The Third National Juried and Invitational Exhibition of Cups. Bring the whole family and enjoy art together. All Family Day activities, including admission to the galleries, are free of charge.
Then, on June 21, eat, drink, and dance the night away at The Hudgens during their “Summer Solstice Jazz in the Garden” event! From 6 – 10 p.m., The Hudgens will be hosting live jazz by Shameia Crawford and catered food by Proof of the Pudding. Proceeds will benefit The Hudgens Healing Art Program. Admission is $40 per person ($30 per person for Hudgens members). Purchase tickets online at thehudgens.org.
Peachtree Ridge graduate wins Perdue appointment to West Point
A graduate of Peachtree Ridge High School has won an appointment from Sen. David Perdue to the U.S. Military Academy. Perdue announces that Edwin Jang of Duluth has been nominated to the West Point academy for the class of 2023.
Jang is the son of Inho and Heyone Jang. At Peachtree Ridge High School he was the president of the National Honor Society and the team founder for the Mock Trial team. While maintaining a 4.0 GPA, Edwin also interned at the Atlanta Police Department and was a member of Suwanee Youth Leaders. He was both a member of the varsity soccer team and the varsity swimming team. He also works part time at Chick-fil-A.
Jang told GwinnettForum through an email: “As I learned more about American history and its functions today, I fell in love with the country. I believe that this nation was founded on the greatest idea of democracy, which has kept our country free for centuries. There has been a long line of people who have fought and died for the continuation of the principles of freedom, which is why I want to be a part of the Long Gray Line. Although democracy may be a common theme in different countries, I believe the culture and diversity that America upholds is like no other. And for that, I do plan on making the military a career. It’s my form of service to the country, my family, and my friends.”
Northeast Community Foundation awards 24 grants totaling $425,000
The Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia recently awarded 24 grants to area non-profits at their annual grant awards celebration. Twenty-four grants were awarded, totaling a record $425,000. That number included a $200,000 challenge grant for Aurora Theatre’s capital campaign, from the Mary Kistner Fund. Including non-profits who received challenge grants, the total impact being funneled into area non-profits is $1,057,000. The main focus of this year’s grant awards were food insufficiency and early education.
The Community Foundation’s Good2Give Community Fund provides the funding for the grants, along with the help of the Community Foundation’s fundholders. Randy Redner, president and CEO of the Community Foundation, says: “ “Including this year’s grants, the Community Foundation has now donated over $86 million to worthy charities since 1985.”
2019 grant winners
- Asian American Resource Center $5,000
- Aurora Theatre $200,000
- Corners Outreach $20,000
- FCA Soccer ATL $7,000
- Girls Scouts of Greater Atlanta $5,000
- Gwinnett County Public Schools $20,000
- HoPe (Hispanic Organization Promoting Education) $15,000
- The Hudgens Center $25,000
- Interlocking Communities $5,000
- LDAC $5,000
- Literacy Forsyth $3,000
- Nana Grants $5,000
- Path Project $15,000
- Paul Duke STEM High School PTSA $5,000
- Rainbow Village $10,000
- Sheltering Arms Early Education – Family Center $5,000
- Single Parent Alliance Resource Center $5,000
- Fill Ministries $5,000
- Hands of Christ Duluth Cooperative Ministry $5,000
- Lawrenceville Cooperative Ministry $15,000
- Norcross Cooperative Ministry $5,000
- North Gwinnett Co-Op $25,000
- Nothing but the Truth, Inc. $10,000
- Sustainable Norcross $5,000
Jackson EMC crewmen helping out with power restoration in Texas
Jackson EMC Tuesday released 56 contractors to assist with power restoration efforts at Oncor Electric Delivery in Dallas, Texas. Severe thunderstorms on Sunday produced golf ball-sized hail, intense cloud-to-ground lightning, strong rain and high winds in excess of 80 mph, according to Oncor’s Vice President of Distribution Services, Keith Hull.
As of Monday morning, Oncor reported more than 270,000 homes and businesses without power in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area due to the tropical storm-style high winds that downed power lines and damaged distribution equipment.
These contractors will join utility partners from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Mississippi and Missouri to work alongside Oncor Electric line crews to safely restore power to the area.
The Red Garden by Alice Hoffman
From Karen Harris, Stone Mountain: The Red Garden, where all things that grow are red, is mysteriously birthed in a small town of Blackwell, Mass., formerly Bearsville, in 1786. It is there that the Bradys, the Mott, the Partridges and the Starrs build their small community which grew vastly over generations. The stories of the struggles and triumphs are captivating and carry along with them the growth of the nation in beauty and complexity. Both a novel and short story diary of the events in the lives of different characters, this novel has a supernatural quality that pulls the reader into the time and place of the unfolding tapestry. Compelling chapter titles include Sin, Eight Nights of Love, The Fisherman’s Wife and The Year There was No Summer. Alice Hoffman’s gift in literature makes this a must read for historical fiction readers, family saga lovers and those who enjoy adventure stories with a hint of romance.
- 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. Send to: elliott@brack.net
Hardwick as governor introduces first sales tax on gasoline
A state legislator, governor, and U.S. congressman, Thomas Hardwick served Georgia over a long political and legal career.
Thomas William Hardwick was born on December 9, 1872, in Thomasville to Zemula Schley Matthews and Robert W. Hardwick. In 1892 he graduated from Mercer University in Macon. A year later he left the University of Georgia‘s Lumpkin Law School with a law degree and was admitted to the Georgia bar. In 1894 he married Maude Perkins, and together they had one daughter, Mary. His wife died in 1937, and the following year Hardwick married Sallie Warren West.
Hardwick
Hardwick ran his own law practice from 1893 to 1895, when he became the Washington County prosecutor. In 1897 he ran for the Georgia House of Representatives and served as a legislator for the next four years, until he won a seat in the U.S. House, where he served his district until 1914.
When U.S. senator Augustus O. Bacon died in office, Hardwick took his seat in a special election in 1914 and stayed for five years in the U.S. Senate, where he became known for his opposition to U.S. President Woodrow Wilson‘s war-preparedness legislation.
William J. Harris subsequently defeated Hardwick in the 1918 Democratic primary.
In 1921 Hardwick rebounded to win the Georgia governor’s office, a position he held until 1923. Although he had led efforts to disenfranchise Georgia blacks at the turn of the 20th century, as governor Hardwick proved to be somewhat more progressive. He opposed the rise of the new Ku Klux Klan and advocated prison reform, issuing an executive order that ended the common practice of flogging inmates.
Hardwick also passed Georgia’s first gas tax to build new roads and pushed for a graduated state income tax, which would not be adopted until 1931. Yet he was most noted for selecting Rebecca Latimer Felton as the first woman to the U.S. Senate.
Motivated partly for selfish reasons, Hardwick made the appointment after Thomas E. Watson died in office. He wanted to run for Watson’s seat and hoped that appointing a woman, who would not even serve in office because of the fact that Congress was out of session, would make his road back to the Senate easier by winning him women’s votes. Instead, Hardwick lost the election to Walter F. George, who waited to take his new seat so that Felton could be sworn in as the first female senator, even though her term lasted only 24 hours.
In the 1922 gubernatorial campaign, Clifford Walker, a supporter of the Ku Klux Klan, defeated Hardwick. Hardwick spent the following year as a special assistant to the U.S. attorney general. In 1924 Hardwick again lost a Senate election, and in 1932 he lost his bid for governor in the Democratic primary. Later, he provided legal representation to the Soviet ambassador to the United States and urged the U.S. government to recognize the Soviet Union.
Hardwick maintained a law practice in Atlanta, Sandersville, and Washington, D.C., until his death from a heart attack on January 31, 1944. He was buried in the Old City Cemetery in Sandersville, where a state historical marker stands in his honor at the courthouse square.
- To view the Georgia Encyclopedia online, go to http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
Two bridges may provide the clues for this Mystery Photo
This night scene may not prove difficult, but again you can never tell. Maybe there’s a clue or two staring you in the face. Send your answer for this edition’s Mystery Photo to Elliott@back.net and be sure to include your hometown.
The last edition Mystery Photo was closer than many thought, being in the Okefenokee Swamp. And the fishing hole it showed was Suwannee Lake, on the north side of the Okefenokee Swamp, in Georgia. But the name is not of a Gwinnett County lake in Suwanee, Ga. The photo came from Brian Brown of Fitzgerald, whose Vanishing South Georgia records an old part of Georgia.
Two experts recognized it. George Graf of Palmyra quickly responded: “It’s not a big fishing hole, but nonetheless revered by fishermen in the know. It’s an oxbow of Suwannee Creek which runs from the west into the swamp. A. S. McQueen noted in his History of Okefenokee Swamp, 1932: [Mizell] is the owner of the beautiful Suwannee Lake, on the north side of the Okefenokee Swamp, one of the most famous fishing places in Georgia. A record was kept of the fish caught in this lake, and one season, 41,618 fish were caught by the hook and line method. During one day 35 fishermen caught 1,471 fish by actual count.”
Allan Peel, San Antonio, Tex. “I will admit that I thought that today’s mystery photo was going to be really tough, and almost didn’t even try since there are very few distinct clues to go by. But, as it turns out, it was easy. It is a picture of Suwannee Lake in Ware County, Georgia, on the north-east edge of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, and just three miles south of the Wat Hathainares Buddhist Meditation Center, that was featured in the Mystery Photo from Gwinnett Forum on May 5.
“Historical records suggest that the Lake, which is fed by the Suwannee Creek, was once owned by William Hamp Mizell (1884-1948), a co-author of the book ‘History of the Okefenokee Swamp’. Mizell was known for his two-mile swamp ‘holler’ during the early 1900’s. Hollering is a kind of outdoor vocalizing common in eastern North Carolina, the Okefenokee Swamp of Georgia, parts of Alabama, and other sections of the South and elsewhere in the world. Hollering is loosely related to long-documented traditions such as urban vendors’ street cries. These typically have melodic phrases with a few words identifying the items for sale and the seller.”
Central Gwinnett students design, build architect’s temporary facade
Students studying Technical Theatre at Central Gwinnett High School recently designed and painted a facade for a downtown Lawrenceville redevelopment project, the office of Architect Chad Smith, located on Perry Street in the former Wilson’s Store (above). The architect asked students to design artwork to be showcased on the facade during construction. Seven students in the second year Technical Theatre class, under the direction of CGHS theatre teacher, Michael Tarver, spent the last two weeks of the school year designing and painting the facade. The students were Amari Davidson, Yahana Goldsby,
Khaleelah Howard, Nguyen Huynh, Alejandra Mejia Brandi, Roya Noori and Alexander Rodriguez-Garcia. Megan Rose-Houchins was the academy coordinator. The students’ inspiration was the progress and redevelopment that can be seen all over downtown Lawrenceville. The class named the piece “Forward Momentum.” What the building will eventually look like is below.
Groundbreaking for the Lawrenceville Performing Arts Center, to be an expansion of the Aurora Theatre, Gwinnett’s only professional theatre group, will be Thursday, June 13 at 11 a.m. at 75 North Clayton Street. The $31 million facility will consist of 55,000 square feet and is expected to attract more than 100,000 people annually.
Water Conservation Workshop: Water Wise Landscaping will be June 13 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at OneStop Buford, 2755 Sawnee Avenue in Buford. Learn how to create and sustain a water-efficient landscape to save money and time on maintenance. Preregister by calling 678-376-7193 for more information.
Picnic in the Park with the Braselton Police will be Saturday, June 18 from 6 to 9 p.m. Meet the department officers, view the police vehicles up close, enjoy hamburgers and hot dogs provided by Braselton’s own Block ‘n Blade and play in the splash pad or on the playground.
Fishing Derby will be June 18 from 9 to 11 a.m. at OneStop Centerville, 3025 Bethany Church Road, Snellville local pond. Reel in intergenerational fun as seniors guide new anglers on fishing techniques for National Go Fishing Day. Parent or guardian participation and signed liability waiver are required. Bring fishing poles. Bait and prizes included. No fishing license required. For ages 3 to 15. Preregister online with code OSC31000 or call 678-277-0228.
Herb Gardening will be June 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the Peachtree Corners Branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library, 5570 Spalding Drive. Many types of herbs can be grown locally including basil, rosemary, sage, and fennel. UGA Extension Gwinnett Agent Timothy Daly will discuss the basics of growing herbs and the best types of herbs to grow in our area. Register by email at events@gwinnettpl.org.
The Southeastern Pastel Society 2019 National Juried Exhibition will run through August 10, at the Quinlan Visual Arts Center at 514 Green Street in Gainesville. Reception and awards will be on June 13 at 5:30 p.m. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and on Saturday from 10a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is Free. This exhibit will feature 76 paintings in a variety of styles painted by artists from nine states. For more information call the Quinlan Visual Arts Center 770-536-2575, or visit quinlanartscenter.org.
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