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TODAY'S ISSUE
Many find "Simpsonwood Experience" marvelous
By Dr. Thomas Green
Executive Director
Simpsonville Conference Center, Norcross
Special to GwinnettForum.com

MARCH 18, 2003 -- Turn off Jones Bridge Circle at 4511 and point your car down Simpsonwood's lovely lane for a marvelous experience, in Peachtree Corners.

"It just keeps getting better and better", a visitor recently said, relaxing in front of the fireplace in the Rollins Center, as her husband enjoyed a freshly brewed cup of coffee. "The service is always top quality. We see a lot of the same staff when we come back...it's almost like home!"

Simpsonwood is located on 227 acres of beautiful forest and is bordered by the Chattahoochee River. Not surprisingly, one of the images most associated with Simpsonwood is the row of rocking chairs lined across the veranda of the Rollins Center. Retreat and relaxation are encouraged, but there are plenty of other ways to breathe in the fresh air and recharge.

Hiking trails are throughout this wondrous property. You can take an easy trek along the main lane to the pristine chapel or, if you're up to a easy to moderate hike, follow one of several trails that feature creeks, wildlife and even once housed "moonshine stills".

Linda of Dalton, visiting for the third time, says "I must admit that I have fallen for Simpsonwood's charms. This is truly one of God's garden spots of paradise."

Simpsonwood is also a conference center featuring 24 state-of-the-art meeting rooms, 166 overnight rooms with a maximum capacity of 350 guests in one meeting room. In the dining room, 300 guests can be seated. Soon our dining room expansion will increase seating capacity to over 400. Guests come from all over the world. Often in the dining room, you can hear a variety of languages and dialects.

"Our user-friendly web site provides our full array of opportunities", says Nanci Hicks, director of Outreach. "The web address is simpsonwood.org and my telephone number is (770)409-7622. I will gladly show you how you can have the Simpsonwood experience".

I have heard the conference and retreat center referred to with a variety of sentiments.

Even something as simple as Simpsonwood's homemade cookies that are presented everyday at 2 p.m., become a part of warm memories. How could they not be remembered as favorites when they include chocolate chip, peanut butter, macadamia nuts, oatmeal raisin, pecan macaroon, and dark chocolate with white chocolate chips? All are served freshly baked and steaming with flavor.

Over 75,000 guests walk through the Christ doors at Simpsonwood annually. The most difficult part of their Simpsonwood experience is to leave. I watch as our guests reluctantly turn down the driveway and look toward Jones Bridge Circle. We know they will be back and we also know the world is a better place because they have been with us. We like to call it..."The Simpsonwood Experience."

ELLIOTT BRACK
Tucker serves with determination, diligence, distinction
By Elliott Brack
editor and publisher
GwinnettForum.com

MARCH 18, 2003 -- How many times in our country has someone stepped up to the plate, and simply, in dramatic fashion, won the game?

There's no better example in Gwinnett than what one guy did in directing the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce over the past few years.

Richard Tucker found the Chamber sloughing along, and took charge. Moving quickly, he built a strong Chamber board, got the membership on track, and began thinking larger. In short time, the Chamber was much stronger, the membership was growing, there was cash in the bank, and plans were underway for a substantial improvement in the facilities of the Chamber. Since he became president, the Chamber has moved from 1,600 to 2,500 members and its budget has grown from $1 million to $2.5 million.

In effect, he took a storied organization that needed leadership and provided just that. Under his guidance, the Chamber has become an even more effective tool for economic development in Gwinnett, while seeking to ensure that the movement of many of the new firms into Gwinnett has been of exceptional high quality.

Then in 2000, the Chamber culminated its recent efforts by openings a new three-story, 60,000 square foot building on Sugarloaf Parkway. The facility has dazzled local citizens and other Chamber and state officials as a state-of-the-art facility. It not only serves as the offices of the Chamber, but of several key non-profit agencies in Gwinnett, as well as houses Gwinnett's prestigious 1818 Club.

It was the hand of Richard Tucker that was guiding all this movement, not only of the Chamber, but also of the establishment of the 1818 Club. He also spearheaded private sector efforts for the successful passage of two special purpose local sales taxes, measures which ensures that Gwinnett has funds for its always expanding infrastructure. Though sometimes faced with obstacles, like successful people everywhere, he found ways around them. He "got the job done."

And Richard has done it with a nice touch, moving with many circles of people throughout Gwinnett, currying friends for the Chamber and the business community.

He also established a strong link to the various governments in Gwinnett. Note today that one representative of the county commission and one from the Gwinnett Municipal Association sit on the Chamber board.

Meanwhile, Mr. Tucker was becoming quite a force in the entire region and state, being on numerous state boards and agencies. He has served with distinction, on the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority, the governor's Development Council, the Regional Business Coalition, and on major boards in Gwinnett and the region. He has been recognized by Georgia Trend magazine as one of '100 of the most influential Georgians" for the past four years.

He has brought direction, diligence, determination and distinction to the Chamber and to many board and agencies. He has also brought scholarship and credibility, aiming to set the Chamber as the key source of information about Gwinnett. He has helped Gwinnett win the game time and time again.

Now Richard Tucker has resigned to pursue other interests. We wish him well as he prepares for his next challenge, knowing full well that he will cut a wide path of achievement.

McLEMORE'S WORLD
3/18: French doors

FEEDBACK
3/18: Retired teachers disappointed in school names

Editor, the Forum:

We are disappointed that none of the names submitted and were on the final list from the committees that were chosen by Mr. Alvin Wilbanks. He stated that policy of the Gwinnett County School System would not allow choosing a name of a living person for a school.

There appears to have been a breakdown in communication within the system concerning the information available to the community on the naming policy. From previous experience, our group had been under the understanding that schools would not be named for living persons. However, that policy was not applied when naming a school for former superintendents, Dr. Alton Crews, B. B. Harris and J. W. Benefield; as well as current school board member, Ms. Louise Radloff. This led us to believe that the policy had been changed. We contacted support staff in charge of receiving the submissions for the school names and were informed that there was not a policy that restricted school names to regional/landmark names or to persons that are deceased.

It would be helpful to the community to explain the school naming policy for the Gwinnett County Schools.

The community would certainly be better prepared for the process with full disclosure of the policy.

These are questions that should be answered before the next round of school naming. It is an honor to have one's name pass the committee review and become a finalist in the process. It would be high praise for the educators of Gwinnett County to name a school for a deserving living educator.

Each time we see news of a Van Gogh painting being auctioned for millions of dollars we are saddened to think that a man who never sold a painting in his lifetime would have gone to his grave perhaps thinking that no one appreciated his art. Why must some die before we say how valuable they have been to the community and what a difference they made to our lives and to the world.

-- Ralph Greene, president, Gwinnett County Retired Educators' Association

UPCOMING EVENTS
First come, first served in battle of bands in Norcross

Battle of the Bands is back and better than ever! On April 19, at the Pinckneyville Community Center eight bands will vie in a competitive event. Bands must be comprised of musicians 18 years old and younger. Entry fees for bands is $35. To apply, call 770-417-2200. Applications are on a first come, first serve basis.

Art proposals being accepted in Pinckneyville

Pinckneyville Community Center is now accepting proposals for artists to exhibit at the Centerville Community Center in Snellville; the Pinckneyville Community Center in Norcross; and the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse in Lawrenceville.

Centerville Community Center shares its facility with the Snellville Library and has exhibition space for 20 to 30 works of two-dimensional art, depending on size.

Pinckneyville Community Center is home to Gwinnett County's Cultural Arts programs and has exhibition space for 10 to 30 works of art depending on size and medium, both two and three dimensional

Gwinnett Historic Courthouse houses the Historic Society and is a popular location for events and receptions. Exhibition area is located downstairs and will hold about 20-30 two dimensional works, depending on size.

Interested artists need to submit a short artist statement, a resume/exhibition history, 20 slides or prints of their work, and a self addressed stamped envelope for the return of slides or photos. Group submissions of three or more artists are encouraged; however, the Centers will consider solo exhibitions if the work is strong in both quality and quantity. Please keep in mind that we may not exhibit nudes of any sort or works containing political content. Mail proposals to 75 Langley Dr., Lawrenceville, Ga. 30045 or drop them off at the Pinckneyville location.

Deadline is March 31, 2003. For questions concerning exhibiting at any of the above centers please contact Andy Wallace at 770-417-2200.

5K and 1K runs to benefit Unity Place

An awareness run for the Unity Place Playground located within the future Bay Creek Park will be run April 5 at 8 a.m. in Grayson. The Run for Unity Place is a sanctioned 5K run and 1K fun-run. Proceeds will go towards funding the Unity Place Playground.

Currently under construction, Bay Creek Park is equipped to benefit children both with and without disabilities. A special needs baseball field and playground are planned along with several other ball fields and amenities. The special needs facilities within the park are designed to attract both kids with and without special needs and "unite them in fun and friendship".

To obtain a race entry form, go to the Unity Place home page (www.unityplace.org) and click onto the "News and Events" page.