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TODAY'S ISSUE
Some say Gwinnett Philharmonic is
best-kept secret in Gwinnett County
By Cathy Grogan
Director of Operations
Gwinnett Philharmonic
Special to GwinnettForum.com

SEPT. 24, 2002 --Several concertgoers call the Gwinnett Philharmonic "Gwinnett County's best kept secret."

While I appreciate the compliment, it really shouldn't be a secret! This professional orchestra has been playing great music throughout Gwinnett County for over seven years.

Our season concerts are all presented in the Performing Arts Center at the Gwinnett Civic and Cultural Center. The arrangement in the Performing Arts Center is well suited for the Gwinnett Philharmonic's music and results in a wonderful listening experience. The acoustics are especially good.

If you haven't heard the Gwinnett Philharmonic yet, this season would be a wonderful time to enjoy one of our concerts. The season begins on October 8 with works by Haydn, Glinka and Tchaikovsky.

First-time concertgoers often remark "I wish I had found them sooner!" Once you hear the performances, I am sure you will enjoy your experience as much as our very supportive patrons already do.

In fact, in response to community support and requests for more concerts, we have expanded our season to include a Philharmonic Presents series.

The Philharmonic Plays Series is the orchestra as we've come to know it. The new series, The Philharmonic Presents consists of non-orchestral concerts that you will not want to miss. With the new concert series and our regular Philharmonic Plays Series, we have an exciting mix of musicians and types of music this season and now offer different performances on six nights for the season.

New concertgoers and those who already regularly attend the Gwinnett Philharmonic's concerts will both enjoy our season opening concert on October 8th, 2002 at 8 p.m. The program will include Kevin Lyons in a dazzling performance of the Haydn Trumpet Concerto. In addition, the orchestra will perform Glinka's Overture to Russlan & Ludmilla and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 2 "Little Russian".

Other programs are set for December 17, January 28, February 14, March 25 and April 25.

Thanks to corporate and community support, the Philharmonic is able to offer an attractive ticketing structure. It also offers season ticket discounts for members. If you come and enjoy the Gwinnett Philharmonic on October 8th and join the Gwinnett Philharmonic as a "Friend of the Philharmonic" you can take advantage of the season ticket prices and enjoy great music for the entire season!

I hope to see you at a concert this season - we don't want to be a secret anymore! back to top

ELLIOTT BRACK
Republicans will win when we least expect it
By Elliott Brack
editor and publisher
GwinnettForum.com

SEPT. 24, 2002 -- Some Georgians remember back to 1964. That was the year that Barry Goldwater charmed a lot of people into thinking that the Republicans could take the White House.

Many of these were newcomers to politics, and were dead sure that the Arizona Republican would win. After all, these newcomers had no background in the art of politics, and could not see otherwise. Of course, they were flabbergasted that Goldwater lost. But it ignited a spark among them in the political process, and these newcomers formed the nucleus of much of the Bo Callaway campaign for governor two years later.

Though Mr. Callaway won the popular vote, lo and behold, here was Lester Maddox eventually sitting as the duly elected (by the Legislature) governor. Again the new Republicans were outraged, and on the losing side.

The first time we saw lots of local Republicans win was in 1984 in Gwinnett. The county had elected a scattering of Republicans in the last few years. But in 1984, 17 Republican candidates qualified for the 18 local offices on the ballot. (Probate Judge Alton Tucker did not have opposition.)

Lo and behold, that year the Republicans snuck up on everyone. Few Gwinnett Republicans went to the polls thinking that many of their party had a chance of winning.

Win they did, all 17. It was a complete sweep, and since then, Gwinnett has been counted in the Republican column in every election. Year 1984 came as a complete surprise as a Republican victory in Gwinnett.

We add all this as prelude to this year's governor's race: some day, when it is least expected, the majority of the entire state of Georgia is going to "vote Republican." It could be 2002, though we doubt it will take place this year. But again, it's going to take place when everyone least expects it.

Most give the Republican Party about 40 per cent of the electorate in any given race today in Georgia. Most of the rest are Democratic, though a few swing voters in the election have usually sided in the past with Democrats.

In this year's election, we have a sitting governor who has done a remarkable job of stabilizing the state during bad economic times. He has shown political courage in changing the flag, perhaps the only way it could have been done, by ram-rodding it through the Legislature.

Our governor Roy Barnes is intelligent, hard working, a veteran of the process, and deserves in many ways to be re-elected.

Yet this year the Republicans have no silk-stocking millionaire like Guy Milner, nor even a young Turk on the move, like Mitch Skandalakis. Instead they have a re-tread from the Democratic Party, going by the name of "Sonny" (Perdue). At least it's not "Bubba."

Though greatly underfinanced compared to his opponent, Sonny Perdue seems to be making an impact with voters. He has a likable approach, and appears not to get rattled under fire. He seems "like us," as one voter put it.

Could this Middle Georgian, underfinanced, and previously a Democrat, pull it off as a Republican during 2002? We think not.

Yet still, there's something in the Perdue make-up that strikes a chord with many. Remember that Republicans usually have 40 per cent of any race. If enough swing voters, those "independents" go with Perdue, Roy Barnes, though serving ably as governor, might be like Jimmy Carter and the first George Bush, that is, one termers.

After all, Republicans will someday win in a year we think they will not. back to top

NEWS ITEMS
Lilburn to get funs for renovating park

Congressman John Linder (R-Gwinnett) announced last week that the City of Lilburn has been awarded a $77,250 federal grant that will assist the city in renovating Lilburn City Park's sports fields, trails, and gazebo.

The grant was one of four Georgia projects approved by the National Park Service for matching funds from the Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which funds federal acquisition of national parks and recreation and conservation areas, and provides matching funds to state and local governments for outdoor recreation areas and open space acquisition. The LWCF, enacted into law by Congress in 1964, is funded through receipts from oil and gas drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf.

"This matching grant to the City of Lilburn will allow area residents greater opportunity to enjoy our beautiful natural resources," said Linder

Tom Combiths, city manager of Lilburn, said that the main effort is to "re-crown" the park, and put in a storm drain.

"We'll make some improvement in playground equipment, too, but the main effort will be to put in a new storm drain. Over time the land just needed better drainage. We'll also re-sod the area, and it will have a better appearance."

The contract is expected to be let in the winter, but it may be late spring or summer before the work is complete.

Hudgens Center Wine South reception/benefit this weekend

Friday, September 27th, 2002 will be a night to remember for patrons and friends of the Hudgens Center for the Arts. They will be enjoying an evening featuring wine, delicious food, music, and a silent auction. This event will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Jacqueline Casey Hudgens Center for the Arts.

Dubbed the "Harvest of the Grapes," the evening is a vintner's reception for the Wine South weekend at the Gwinnett Civic Center, September 28-29. The reception will benefit the Children's Arts Museum, a component of the Hudgens Center.

The music of the "Adams Duo" will compliment the reception and auction.

Tickets are $95 per person and can be purchased at the door or by calling 770-623-6002. They can also be purchased on the Wine South Internet site at www.winesouth.com.

ABOUT OUR SPONSORS

The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Today we welcome a new sponsor, Hayes Chevrolet of Cornelia. The firm has a complete line of Chevrolet vehicles, including the new Trail Blazer. General Manager Terry Hayes invites you to see the mountain views from their showroom. Hayes has been in the automotive business for over 30 years, and is North Georgia's oldest family-owned auto dealership. The family is the winner of the 2002 Georgia Family Business of the Year Award. Hayes Chevrolet is affiliated with Hayes Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep in Lawrenceville and Gainesville.

For a list of other sponsors of this forum, go to: http://www.gwinnettforum.com/about/sponsors.htm. Back to top

FEEDBACK:
9/24: Berea, Ky., site of recent Habitat for Humanity house

Editor, the Forum:

Just read your article re Southeastern Kentucky. Sandra and I along with Tim Farris are in Berea, Ky. as we write. We came up last Friday to help construct a Habitat for Humanity house the Farris Foundation sponsored with Madison County HfH. We are staying in Berea, home of Berea College, and the woodworking capital of the world it seems. The people are the friendliest and we love it. The weather has been cooler than home; the food, especially the homemade spoon bread and bread pudding is to die for!

We will finish the house Saturday morning and dedicate it at 11:30 a. m. At this ceremony the keys will be turned over to Mildred Cane and her two sons. Her husband passed away last year. Mildred is one of the cooks in a local restaurant, "Sweet Betty's", at the Interstate 75 exit.

You should visit Berea sometime. It is about 40 miles south of Lexington. It has been a good week, we are tired, but feel blessed to help a family improve their lifestyle and give them hope. (I'm sure there are some good hiking trails around also)

I even attended the Berea Rotary meeting at noon last Monday. Although I was sweaty and dirty (work clothes) I felt right at home. Several of the Berea Rotarians have come out and worked on the house. They support Habitat Madison County with Rotary assessments collected at their meeting each week. This club also sings to begin the meeting. How long has it been since you sung "Home on the Range"??

-- Otis Jones, Lawrenceville back to top

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
When one step is better than two

"Don't be afraid to take a big step if one is indicated. You can't cross a chasm in two small jumps."

-- David Lloyd George, (1863-1945), former British Prime Minister back to top

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