SPRING BEING SPRUNG: The warmer weather of the first day of spring brought out lots of us last week, including this family of turtles at Rhodes Jordan Park’s lake. Roving Photographer Frank Sharp caught these reptiles enjoying the sun. Weather forecast for this week shows many areas will get more rain, and could curtail the sunny days.
TODAY’S FOCUS: Morning Commute Time in Atlanta: Strange Driving Is Normal
EEB PERSPECTIVE: Major Widespread Shutdowns Create Another World for Most of Us
ANOTHER VIEW: You Might Be Surprised at the Ages of Founding Fathers
SPOTLIGHT: Howard Brothers
FEEDBACK: Had a Relative Who Died in Philadelphia of Spanish Flu
UPCOMING: County Parks Limit Hours and Close Certain Areas During Virus
NOTABLE: Community Foundation Well on Way To Raising Fund for COVID-19
RECOMMENDED: Blue Flowers by Carola Saavedra
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Present Georgia State Capitol Opens amid Celebration in 1889
MYSTERY PHOTO: Unique Images are in This Edition’s Mystery Photo
CALENDAR: Go Bird Walking with Southern Wings on March 28
Morning commute in Atlanta: Strange driving is normal
By Jim Freeman
LILBURN, Ga. | Retirement brings with it a multitude of changes in our lives, most of which are positive and welcomed. One thing I miss the least…and best…is not having to negotiate Metro Atlanta, rush hour traffic.
Freeman
There is a certain residual trauma that remains with you into your retirement. If I had missed this experience, then I would have missed the opportunity to relate the following events to you at this time. These are some of the most intriguing and unexpected things that could happen in a moving motor vehicle.
First, I will say, I am not an inexperienced driver. I formerly drove for five years on the NASCAR circuit and in my more senior years competed on the Sports Car Club of America circuit for another six years. So, I have seen my share of what can and cannot be accomplished with an automobile. However, this pales in comparison with what I saw while commuting in Atlanta traffic, especially early mornings.
When in traffic, your view is pretty much confined to the vehicle directly in front of you, where you should remain focused. No one wants to file a “rear-ender” with their insurance company.
One cold winter morning as I followed a lady, I became very interested in her movements while driving. She adjusted her rear view mirror, taking my vehicle completely out of her view. Then I realized she was styling her hair as she drove, a process that lasted for over 25 minutes drive time. When her work was completed, she examined what she had accomplished, readjusted her rear view mirror, smiled into it and then gave me a friendly wave. My shock was greater than my response.
Most of my rush hour driving experience occurred during the time when paper computer read-outs were being utilized. A driver in the car beside me began to intently study one of his sheets. He proceeded to unroll it across the top of his steering wheel and onto the dashboard. Each time traffic stopped, he had to do a panic stop with his vehicle, as he was devoting more attention to the computer sheets than to his driving. Finally, his inaction caught up with him and he crashed into the rear of the car he was following.
One of NASCAR’s greatest drivers, Dale Earnhardt, admonished his pit crew, “Don’t communicate with me when I am on the wheel,” which was used by other race drivers when in this close competition. You cannot drive and talk effectively at 200 mph.
Finally, most parents have, at one time or another, dropped off children at school or daycare on the way to work. This was probably the case of the vehicle I was following early one morning. It required a couple of miles for me to realize the driver was not alone, but it appeared that she had a small child on the seat beside her. This was before children’s car seats became mandatory in Georgia.
Her movements were hasty and sometimes rather frantic and she performed some task. Then I realized she was changing a diaper on a small child as she drove! She drove with skill and proficiency, which further amazed me. As she finished, she appeared not to know what to do with the diaper she had just removed.
The lady threw the diaper against the inside, rear window of her car, as if she were disposing it into a dumpster. She displayed too much driving skill to not have accomplished this same task on previous days….in rush hour traffic.
Many of us were found behind the wheel in the dreaded Metro Atlanta early morning rush hour traffic, seeing all sorts of awkward driving. If you missed having this commute time, really, feel good that you didn’t miss anything vital at all.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Major widespread shutdowns create another world for most
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
MARCH 24, 2020 | In my lifetime, never has the United States experienced the widespread impact that the coronavirus is causing. Essentially much of our nation is at a near standstill as we seek to distance ourselves from one another.
Can you remember when major “emergency situations” have been instituted by local governments? Seldom. It’s happened in specific times, such as in the Katrina days in New Orleans, or the devastation in Haiti from hurricanes, or in other areas where weather conditions caused local officials to close schools and businesses. But widespread conditions across the entire country and governments suspending all activities? Not in my lifetime.
There is another health scare that I remember: the polio epidemic in the middle of last century. Since some experts thought that this devastating sickness was spread possibly by water, when I was a child, the public swimming pools were closed. We lived about three blocks from Washington Park in Macon, which had a series of waterfalls circling the park, eventually flowing into a 50-foot children’s pool, no more than four feet deep. At least one hot summer that pool was closed. Similar closings took place in pools across our country.
An entire country had enormous difficulties in 1940-41 during the bombing of lots of areas in England by the Germans Luftwaffe. The London Blitz lasted for 57 days, starting on September 7. Many of Britain’s other cities were bombed, too. Somehow the British people came through that bravely, though in London 32,000 people were killed, 87,000 injured and many of the city’s buildings devastated. But the Brits maintained their stiff upper lip, and survived.
A BIG TEST for most of us not going to our jobs, or even being able to assemble at church or other gatherings, is the sheer boredom of our days. Luckily, last week the spring-like weather arrived, and people were able to get out of their houses…..but separately, not in groups.
One guy, out walking with his children, aged 5 and 2, said: “This is our third walk today,” during mid-afternoon, indicating the inside-the-house boredom. Even the onset of pollen didn’t deter some from being outdoors.
The great weather may not continue, as rain is predicted for the area much of the week. Perhaps it will be spotty, and still give us stretches to unwind in the outdoors.
GREETING when you bump elbows: “Corona!”
THREE TIMES IN ONE DAY, we had acquaintances and neighbors checking in on us “….just to see if all is well,” and offering to help us in any way, such as shopping. “Nope, we’re OK,” was our response. “We just made a run to the grocery store, and are stocked up.”
Yet to have three different people offer help in one day was quite gratifying. We all need to look out more for each other, making it a better world.
ISN’T IT GREAT that many restaurants are open, via drive-in or delivery services, to offer us more choice of food during this respite from work? We were amazed at the speed going through one drive-in, even with about a dozen cars in line. We made it through from order to pick-up in less than five minutes. And some of those placing orders were large orders, too. Of course, one reason the restaurants can make pick-up speed is since they are not also serving walk-in customers, with the entire crew focusing only on drive-by and delivery customers.
Keep your own stiff upper lip…and social distance, to help us all.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
You might be surprised at the ages of Founding Fathers
By George Wilson, contributing columnist
STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. | During the impeachment activities and hearings, we heard a substantial amount about the founding fathers; Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, James Monroe and, of course, numerous references to the Federalist paper written by Alexander Hamilton and James Madison.
Simultaneously, at the time of the hearings, opponents of the Democratic candidate, Pete Buttigieg, said his young age of 38 disqualified him from seeking the presidency. Nevertheless, Buttigieg’s ability to put together intelligent, coherent, policy thoughts and sentences was impressive. This is as opposed to the septuagenarian occupying the White House, and those on the debate stage.
That made me start to wonder what the ages of our founding fathers were at the start of the republic. America’s Founding Fathers, including George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, James Monroe and Benjamin Franklin, together with several other key players of their time, structured the democratic government of the United States and left a legacy that has shaped the world.
As it turns out, many Founding Fathers were less than 40 years old in 1776 with several qualifying as teens. According to the Journal of the American Revolution, the average age of the signers of the Declaration of Independence was 44, and more than a dozen of them were 35 or younger!
How old were the founding fathers when the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776?
Some were older, like Thomas Jefferson, 33, John Hancock, 39, or Benjamin Franklin, at 70.Some were extremely young such as: James Monroe, 18, James Madison, 25, and Alexander Hamilton, 21.
Maybe youth has something to offer, especially with new problems that may not be fully appreciated by an older generation. The gig economy, automation, AI intelligence; cyber security; global health pandemics; and urban vs. rural problems, are just a few examples.
Finally, this younger generation, especially the millennials, (born 1981 to 1996) needs to make its power known by at least voting before it is too late for this still young republic.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Howard Brothers
Today’s sponsor is Howard Brothers, which has retail stores in Alpharetta, Doraville, Duluth, Oakwood and Athens. John and Doug Howard are the “brothers” in Howard Brothers. This family-owned business was started by their dad, and continues to specialize in hardware, outdoor power equipment and parts and service. Howard Brothers are authorized dealers of STIHL, Exmark, Honda, Echo outdoor power equipment and Benjamin Moore paint. Howard Brothers is also an authorized Big Green Egg, Traeger Grill and YETI Cooler dealer.
- Visit their web site www.howardbrothers.com.
- For a list of other sponsors of this forum, click here.
Had a relative who died in Philadelphia of Spanish flu
Editor, the Forum:
We found your column today (about the 1918 Spanish flu) of great personal interest. In October 1918 Molly’s grandmother, Ethel Toal, died of the Spanish flu in the suburbs of Philadelphia. She was 28 and had given birth to Molly’s father the previous February.
On a related note our senior apartment building (The Mansions in Sandy Springs) has asked all residents to stay in their apartments through March 31. Our meals are delivered and all common areas have been shut down to prevent group activity. We have approximately 130 folks practicing enforced “social distancing.”
— John Titus, Peachtree Corners
Enjoyed article on single payer health system
Editor, the Forum:
Thank you for Joe Briggs’ cogent and thoughtful article on a single pay health system. I hope many will read and consider what he has to say.
–Mary Beth Twining, Buford
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
County parks limit hours, close certain areas during virus
Newly enacted, Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation park hours are sunrise to sunset and certain areas within parks will be closed in the interest of public health. While parks will remain open to allow residents to enjoy the outdoors during this unprecedented time, it has become evident that restricting access to certain areas of parks is necessary to enforce social distancing guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
To be closed will be basketball courts, tennis courts, volleyball courts, dog parks, ball fields, playgrounds, pavilions, sand volleyball courts and skate areas, which are among the amenity areas within County parks.
Gwinnett County officials ask residents to comply with the closures by obeying posted signage and avoiding locked or cordoned-off areas. In addition, anyone who continues to visit the trails or other open areas in County parks should practice social distancing.
Parks and Recreation staff will be communicating with residents who have upcoming reservations at pavilions or other facilities. Anyone who has booked a rental at a county facility can contact the facility to learn their options for rescheduling or receiving a refund.
Dacula conducting special election today despite emergency
In spite of a local emergency posting, the City of Dacula has a special election scheduled for March 24, 2020 (today) to fill a vacant City Council seat. Vying for the seat are three candidates, Adrienne Johnson, Dave Slotter and Sean Williams.
The sample ballot is posted on the city website at www.daculaga.gov.
Community Foundation on way to raising fund for COVID-19
Last weekend the Community Foundation of Northeast Georgia (CFNG) launched a Coronavirus Relief Fund with a goal to raise $300,000 in one week and then grant it the next week to the nonprofits on the ground leading the fight. Through Monday, the CFNG donations hit $281,962. As a result, the Foundation now has a new goal of $500,000.
Key contributors were the Scott Hudgens Family Foundation ($100,000) and Primerica Foundation ($50,000).
Randy Redner of CFNG says: “We already have food co-ops with empty shelves trying to feed their regular clients, plus some are seeing a 30 percent increase in clients. If we don’t act now, the situation will get much worse. Just watch this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLld7UPtfvc&feature=youtu.be) that the director of Fundholder Experience Britt Ramroop shot recently with Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry’s Director Laura Drake, and see the bare shelves and hear the needs.”
- Need help making a grant from your fund? Contact Britt Ramroop bramroop@cfneg.org or 770-353-9760.
Use kiosks, drop boxes for transactions with tax office
In-person services are temporarily suspended at all Gwinnett Tax Commissioner Offices as an additional precaution to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Most tax and tag business can be conducted online, at kiosks or by utilizing drop boxes.
Other e-Services are accessible from www.GwinnettTaxCommissioner.com, and include homestead exemption applications, tag renewals, change of address, insurance fine payments, tag cancellations and more.
Same day decal services are available at six kiosks in Gwinnett County:
- North Gwinnett Tag Office, 2735 Mall of Georgia Blvd., Buford 30519 – 24/7
- Kroger, 2121 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Rd., Suwanee 30024 – 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. daily
- Lawrenceville Tag Office, 750 S. Perry St., Lawrenceville 30046 – 7 a.m.-7 p.m. weekdays
- Kroger, 505 Dacula Rd., Dacula 30019 – 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. daily
- Kroger, 3093 Steve Reynolds Blvd., Duluth 30096 – 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. daily
- Kroger,1227 Rockbridge Rd., Stone Mountain 30087 – 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. daily
Drop boxes are accessible 24/7at every Gwinnett Tag Office and may be utilized for property tax payments, homestead exemption applications and tag renewals.
Blue Flowers by Carola Saavedra
From Karen Harris, Stone Mountain: Marcos is the recipient of letters in blue envelopes signed only with the letter ‘A.’ Each letter describes in vivid detail the slow erosion of a love relationship between A and an unknown man. Marcos is newly divorced and now lives in the apartment where the man once lived. Marcos’ life is in disarray and he is finding it difficult to relate to his ex wife, his daughter, a woman he is dating and his co-workers. Therefore, the letters fill a void in his world that has lost its center. Marcos’ emotional disintegration results in a porous void from which he finds it difficult to determine what is real and what is not. Carola Saavedra’s raw and riveting prose is as beautiful as it is painful to read. This spare, but bracing story will leave the reader slightly haunted fused into two worlds.
- 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
Present Georgia state capitol opens amid celebration in 1889
(Continued from previous edition)
The cornerstone, all interior floors and steps, and many walls of the capitol, however, were constructed of Georgia marble. Along the sides of the walls on the second floor is Etowah marble, noted for its pink hue. In all, the marble used in the interior covered almost one and a half acres, and, ironically, cost $12,000 more than the Indiana limestone used in constructing the entire capitol.
In addition, Georgia granite was used for the foundation of the building, as were some 500,000 bricks salvaged from the 1884 demolition of the old city hall and county courthouse, which had served as the first statehouse in Atlanta.
On November 13, 1884, construction on the new capitol began, although the cornerstone was not laid until September 2, 1885. Estimates of the number present to watch the setting of the marble cornerstone ranged from 6,000 to 10,000 people.
Construction of the capitol took nearly four and a half years, with approximately 250 workmen involved. During this time, large steam-powered derricks, pulleys, and rock-polishing machines were set up. Construction was completed on March 20, 1889, two months later than stipulated by the legislature. The keys to the capitol were then delivered to Governor John B. Gordon.
During construction, the Kimball Opera House had continued to serve as Georgia’s statehouse, but on July 3, 1889, the members of the Georgia General Assembly marched as a body from the Kimball building to the new capitol. On the next day, July 4, the formal dedication of the capitol took place.
Housed in the new capitol were the offices of governor, treasurer, comptroller general, commissioner of agriculture, attorney general, secretary of state, adjutant general, school commissioner, state chemist, state physician, principal keeper of the state penitentiary, the geology department, and the railroad commission.
Also located in the building were the Supreme Court of Georgia, the state library, and the house and senate chambers of the General Assembly. Offices for the Speaker of the House, the clerk of the house, and the president and secretary of the senate were provided, as well as twenty-three committee rooms.
If the capitol was only half filled in 1889, the growth of government was such that the keeper of public buildings, in his 1910 report to the legislature, was calling for the need to build an annex, which he predicted would be “an absolute necessity” within a few years. Indeed, state agencies soon began branching out to offices in downtown Atlanta. During the 1930s and 1940s, the state erected several buildings for use by state agencies, while also purchasing several existing structures for conversion into state office space.
- To view the Georgia Encyclopedia article online, go to http://georgiaencyclopedia.org
Unique images are in this edition’s Mystery Photo
Where, and what is shown by this distinctive Mystery Photo? Figure all this out and send your answer to elliott@brack.net, and include your hometown.
A Texas Courthouse was the last Mystery Photo, which was sent in by Allan Peel of San Antonio, Tex. Susan McBrayer, Sugar Hill recognized it: “This is the Bandera County courthouse about one hour northwest of San Antonio. Bandera County brands itself as ‘the cowboy capital of the world.’ This courthouse was built in 1890 in the Spanish renaissance revival style and was designed by B.F. Trester of San Antonio. Limestone for the building was quarried locally and laid by itinerant Russian stonemason.”
Others recognizing it were Jim Savadelis, Duluth; Virginia Klaer, Duluth; and George Graf, Palmyra, Va. : “The Bandera County, Texas courthouse located in Bandera, Texas.The City of Bandera had a population of 973 as of July 1, 2019. Bandera is the home of Arkey Blue’s Silver Dollar, a famous Hill Country honky-tonk and was included in the 1975 film Race with the Devil.
“On Sunday mornings, Bandera is a popular destination for motorcyclists from San Antonio, known as the Bandera Breakfast Run. Willie Nelson has an instrumental called “Bandera” on his Red Headed Stranger record.”
Get out and see some birds
Go bird walking with the Southern Wings Bird Club on Saturday, March 28, at 8:45 a.m. at George Pierce Park in Suwanee. The walk will be led by Master Birder Chris O’Neal, a statistician for Synovus Bank and a Master Birder. In his free time, he enjoys birding, wildlife photography, and exploring new parks and trails. He is very knowledgeable. Bring your own binoculars, camera, water, snacks, and sunscreen. Meet near the kiosk in the very last parking lot. After you enter the park, follow the park road all the way to the end; don’t turn off the main park road.
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