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TODAY'S
ISSUE
British Crown Jewels
replica exhibit to open in Norcross
By J. Keith Fenton
Norcross
Special to GwinnettForum.com
AUG. 15, 2003 -- The British Crown Jewels (in replica) will be
on exhibit in Historic Norcross, Sept. 13-28. Norcross will be the
first city of the United States to host this collection.
 The
British heritage Exhibit will be the largest of its kind ever presented
in the United States. The collection contains replicas of the existing
historic crown jewels and regalia, the originals of which, according
to a 600 year old law, must never leave England. They can only be
seen at the Tower of London. (The Scottish Crown Jewels are kept
at Edinburgh Castle, while the Welsh are in Cardiff.)
The more than 70 replica pieces from the royal treasure also contain
the regalia used during coronations and on state occasions. The
hand-made replicas represent some of the most historic and priceless
treasures in the world, and feature crowns, orbs, scepters, rings,
bracelets etc. all stunningly set with sparkling jewels.
These pieces form only a small part of this wide-ranging exhibition
that includes rare original items of various kinds to record and
illustrate the history of the British monarchy.
In addition, this colorful exhibition highlights Scotland's Royal
History. Presented with a wealth of pictures, photographs and information,
the exhibition features the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots, complete
with wax figures of Queen Mary and the executioner.
It also contains original documents, a Scottish piper and a drummer,
complete with kilts, pipes and drum, and a gallery of pictures and
prints, and hand-made tartan shields. One of the highlights of the
exhibition is a superb display of replicas of the Scottish Crown
Jewels (Known as 'The Honours of Scotland') including an original
antique royal banner, and a display of Scottish heritage items.
Famed German-born artist, Nicolaus Peter Findeisen and his English
wife, started making the Crown Jewels in 1977, Jubilee year. They
started first with the St. Edward's Crown, and then built the range
piece by piece into the collection they have today. Museum restorers,
goldsmiths, jewelers and craftsmen worked to ensure that each object
was entirely handmade and finished using traditional techniques.
Great care was given to preserve their intricate detail and beauty.
The collection contains among other things:
- Original robes and coronets of a Peer and a Peeress worn at
Her Majesty's coronation in 1953
- A selection of original Guard Regiment uniforms.
- Original uniforms (both day wear and ceremonial) of the Yeoman
Warders ("Beefeater") and the Jewels House Wardens from
HM Tower of London
- Documents, portraits, rare prints, original newspapers
- Medals, coins, orders, personal items, coronation souvenirs
- A gallery of the 40 kings and queens
- A pictorial record of the stages of the coronation ceremony
Under the leadership of Norcross business owner Edna Berkshire,
Cultural Arts of Norcross, Inc. was founded to preserve, promote,
and develop the arts while celebrating and serving the diverse cultures
of the Norcross community.
Ms. Berkshire says: "This delightful exhibition gives us a
wonderful glimpse of the beauty and splendor of the famous crowns
and regalia which represent the Treasures of the Realm and which
are so full of historical significance."
The exhibit will be held in Thrasher Park in downtown Norcross.
Advance admission will be $7.50 for adults ($8.50 at the door),
and $4 for children over 7, with those under 7 free. Group discount
rates are available. Tickets may be purchased by calling 678-966-0167.
ELLIOTT
BRACK
Busbee
Center to become host for many Gwinnett events
By Elliott Brack
editor and publisher
GwinnettForum.com
AUG. 15, 2003 -- Gwinnett is used to big events and grand openings,
whether a new business park, monster retail store or as seen this
week, eight new schools.
Yet last week's dedication of the George Busbee International Center
for Workforce Development was the first big bash Gwinnett has seen
in recent memory, and it was an event extremely well done.
It was great to see an array of people, from the governors present
and past, to elected officials, people who made the Center happen,
and other smiling faces of movers and shakers in the audience of
about 300. It seemed like older days when Gwinnett was hosting such
events with regularity, before the recent economic turndown.
The Center, named for former Governor George Busbee of Duluth,
formerly of Albany, is stunning. Perhaps some of us didn't understand
the concept, but the Busbee Center will become one of the premier
sites for key events in Gwinnett, whether for a corporate training
and leadership gathering, smaller trade shows, or high-tech seminars.
Sitting on the campus of Gwinnett Technical College, it is a compliment
to the educational institution, giving the College additional prestige.
Among its features:
… An auditorium seating 350, which comes "fully wired."
There's a 10x22 foot stage with wireless microphones, a 16x12 foot
rear-projection screen, laptop connectivity all throughout, and
much more. It can do wireless audience polling, tabulation and display.
Gwinnett has Scientific-Atlanta to thank for funding the auditorium,
and all its high tech splendor. It is the most up-to-date such facility
in Georgia.
… An Advanced Technology Center, including five Internet-connected
classrooms, 14 general purpose computer labs with 15-26 computers
in each, and cutting edge security. It may be the most wired area
in Gwinnett!
… An Exhibit Hall of 12,800 square feet, with a 16 foot tall
ceiling with electrical hook-ups from above, and 12 foot drive-up
access. It's sure to be the site of many smaller trade shows and
exhibits.
… A Banquet Hall, with seating for 350, able to be divided
into three smaller halls. Besides the modern commercial kitchen
facilities, the Hall has ceiling-mounted TV's, and a gizmo of sound
and video features, plus a portable stage. It is funded by Siemans
Dematic.
Meanwhile, the amenities are numerous, including lots of parking,
landscaping and ties to Gwinnett Tech. It's a marvelous facility,
and already in use even before the dedication.
Altogether, it cost $12 million, with more than half of it coming
from local SPLOST taxes, plus state funds and lots of locally-generated
private donors. Among them besides Scientific-Atlanta and Siemans
Dematic., other major donors include the late Scott Hudgens, Sally
and Bradley Currey, Sonny Deavours, EMS Technologies Inc., Georgia
Power Company, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Local 613 and Rock Tenn Corp.
Last week's opening harkened back to earlier openings and dedications
in Gwinnett, giving rise to a trip in nostalgia. We'll see more
such dedications in the future, no doubt, but this one came at a
good time, when the business life of the county is somewhat slowed,
and needing this new punch of energy that the Busbee Center provides.
Not only was it a welcomed dedication, but Gwinnett picked up a
jewel of a Center, one which embellishes the county's image as a
center for modern, high tech, on-the-cusp county. We'll enjoy seeing
people gather at the Busbee Center for years.
* * * * *
THIS JUST IN: Former Snellville Mayor Emmett Clower will
announce soon his intentions to seek to recapture his former office
in this fall's election. Already announced for the post is City
Councilman Jerry Oberholtzer, which means a "hoss race"
between the "New Crowd" around current Mayor Brett Harrell
and the "Old Crowd" of Clower. It'll make for an interesting
fall!
McLEMORE'S
WORLD
ABOUT
OUR SPONSORS
 The
public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com
to you at no cost to readers. Today's sponsor is E.R.
Snell, Contractor, Inc. of Snellville, a company founded
in the 1920s. The firm was built on Christian beliefs with honesty
and integrity leading the way. Its goal is to build a safe and
modern highway system while preserving our natural environment.
Through quality production and high safety standards, it strives
to be the best contractor possible, while continuing to be a
positive influence on its employees and the community. Internet
access is at www.ersnell.com.
FEEDBACK
8/15: Concerning
misreporting on schools and hypocrisy
Editor, the Forum:
Wasn't it the Georgia Department of Education raking Gwinnett
over the coals for misreporting? Hypocrisy waits patiently for
the righteous!
-- Brian Luders, Duluth
UPCOMING
Labor commissioner
sets talk in Duluth on Aug. 21
Georgia Labor Commissioner Michael L. Thurmond will be the featured
speaker at a luncheon August 21 at the Civic Center. He will
speak at the 2003 Expo and Job Fair General Membership lunch.
It will be held in the Hughes Ballroom at the Gwinnett Civic
Center on Sugarloaf Parkway, starting at 11:30 a.m.
Mr. Thurmond is a native of Clarke County and 1975 graduate
of Paine College. He holds a law degree from the University
of South Carolina, and has completed the political executives
program at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard
University. He was elected state labor commissioner in 1998.
For more information about the Big Expo & Job Fair General
Membership Luncheon, please contact Meghan Beard at 770-232-8816
or
meghan@gwinnettchamber.org.
THOUGHT
OF THE DAY
About nostalgia and
childone from someone who knows
"People who get nostalgic about childhood were obviously
never children."
-- Bill Watterson (1958 - ), Calvin and Hobbes.
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