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TODAY'S
ISSUE
How did you spend the
summer? This lady wrote a mystery!
By
Holley Calmes
Special to GwinnettForum.com
(Editor's note; Holley Calmes, formerly of Gwinnett,
was associated with the Hudgens Children's Museum at the Gwinnett
Arts Center, and has recently ventured into a new field. She and
her husband live near Hiawasseee, Ga. -eeb)
AUG. 20, 2004 -- Late one night in May I finished reading a mystery
novel. It had been a pleasant read, quick, but not exactly a mental
challenge. "I could write something better than that!"
I snorted to myself.
Then that little inner voice that gets me into so much trouble
whispered, "Well, Holley, if you think you're so smart, why
don't you just write your own mystery novel? Show 'em what you can
do!"
I certainly have the time. I just entered one of those treasured
periods where I am not working, a summer sabbatical. I have time
to give to such an effort.
So I took the plunge. I would write that murder mystery. It didn't
sound like such a huge task that evening when the little voice whispered
in my ear. Now, over two months later, the project has taken over
my life.
The first thing I did was something unique. I traveled to Nova
Scotia to attend a writer's workshop. OK, I really went for the
scenery, but I did make a big discovery. All of my fellow attendees
were so serious! They were attempting to write "literature."
I honestly can't aspire to such a height - I just want to entertain
people.
I did learn one very valuable tip. Write the first draft fast.
Then go back and rewrite second or third drafts. Don't worry about
making it perfect on the first go-round. That's a huge relief!
And of course there's the old advice to "write what you know."
So, I have concocted a lady sleuth, someone about my age, only I've
made her single. (It's going to be fun to have fictitious romances!)
I also made her a volunteer for the arts, since I have worked in
the arts most of my life.
My heroine, Cass, is currently trying to sort out two murders occurring
at an arts center in a fictional suburban county near Atlanta. The
fact that I spent the last ten years working for the Hudgens Center
for the Arts offers me a wealth of incidents and personalities.
Of course, my characters are all amalgams of people I have known
over the years, not the actual folks themselves. (Although, insiders
might catch a glimpse of someone familiar.)
First I wrote out the plot. I made lists of characters and their
personalities. Then I just jumped right in and started writing.
And I continue to read and study other writers, trying to soak
up what's good. The balance between plot and action versus character
and dialogue is a delicate one. For example, Dan Brown's "Da
Vinci Code" reads like a breathless movie treatment. Marian
Keyes' delightful "chick-lit" books are short on plot
but fantastic with characterization. And David Sedaris' books I
hold above all for their humor and economy of language.
Finally, I know that writing is the "easy" part. Getting
published is the real trick. One Herculean endeavor after another!
Maybe I should tell my inner voice to take a hike. Seriously, I'm
not sorry I launched out on this adventure. Who knows where I'll
wind up?
ELLIOTT
BRACK
Some
say "Ho-Hum" to return of Olympic games
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com
AUG. 20, 2004 -- Eight years ago, all of us in Atlanta were ga-ga
over the Olympics. Now it seems to us to be more "Ho-hum."
Yet some events can get exciting.
 Of
course, this doesn't include the USA basketball team. This bunch
of somewhat overpaid professionals are finding the going difficult
against amateurs from other nations. Makes you wonder if the USA
is wise in sending professional athletes to compete in what most
consider amateur events.
The Times in Gainesville headlined the other day: "If
rich pros can't embrace Olympics, let's send amateurs."Of course,
others argue that with the way some countries subsidize athletes,
this is only meeting competition head on.
Your view?
* * * * *
Hurrah for the Animals: those looking at the primates at the Lincoln
Park Zoo in Chicago should be careful when watching these large
animals. You see, the primates now are armed, so to speak.
Though behind bars, if you upset the Lincoln Park primates, they
can retaliate. Make a face at them, get too close, etc……and
the primates can touch a hidden trigger and hit you with a puff
of air. It's not like a dog biting you, but no doubt it would really
scare a person! I say hurray for the primates!
* * * * *
Three recent polls should make Bulldog fans pleased. The magazine,
SI on Campus, wanted to now what makes a great college sports
town, then listed them. Athens, Ga. came out Number Two, behind
Madison, Wis.
The others in order were Austin, Tex., Gainesville, Fla., Boulder,
Colo., Bloomington, Ind., Eugene, Ore., Knoxville, Tenn., College
Station, Tex., and Syracuse, N.Y.
Syracuse?
And then you read that UGA continues to be considered one of the
great party schools in the nation. Perhaps this will give solace
to some UGA grads…..who found that their offsprings could not
get admitted to Georgia.
* * * * *
The other reason for Bulldog fans to be smiling came from the NCAA,
who awards a "Director's Cup" annually to the college
with the best overall athletic excellence with a broad based sports
achievement program. For the 10th year in a row, the winner was
Stanford University.
The rankings: Stanford, followed by 2 Michigan, 3 UCLA, 4 Ohio
State, 5 Georgia, 6 Florida, 7 North Carolina, 8 Washington, 9 California;
and 10 Texas.
Where's Syracuse?
* * * * *
Here's another list, one of the population growth in the top Metropolitan
Statistical Areas of Georgia between 2000 and 2002.The figures are
from the U.S. Census.
It's interesting to note that among MSAs, the fastest growth now
is coming in the Gainesville area. Another interesting growth pattern
is continuing in Warner Robins now Number two in per cent growth
in Georgia!
Area ...........2000 Population......2002 Population .......Percent
change
Atlanta .......4,285,682 ...............4,529,256 ......................5.7
Augusta-
Richmond Co. 332,964 .................337,032 .....................1.2
Savannah ........293,335 ................299,790 .....................2.2
Columbus .......232,477 ................233,718 ......................0.5
Macon ...........222,433 ................225,045 ......................1.2
Athens-
Clarke Co. ......166,783 ...............171,038 ......................2.6
Albany ............157,766 ...............159,920 ......................1.4
Gainesville .......140,957 ...............152,235 .....................8.0
Chattanooga
(in Georgia) ......129,975 ..............133,905 ....................3.0
Dalton .............120,940 ...............125,581 ....................3.8
Valdosta ..........119,672 ...............121,144 ...................1.2
Warner Robins .111,309 ...............116,768 ...................4.9
Brunswick ..........93,269 ................95,246 ....................2.1
Rome .................90,812 ................92,606 ....................2.0
Hinesville-
Fort Stewart ........71,715 ..............72,510 .....................1.1
Note: MSA totals compiled from county data by
the Selig Center for Economic Growth, Terry College of Business,
The University of Georgia, and include Georgia parts of MSAs only.
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Population
Estimates
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McLEMORE'S
WORLD
8/20: Old habits die
hard
Another great cartoon from Bill McLemore:
FEEDBACK
8/20: Concerned about
so much divisiveness in this country
Editor, the Forum:
Our nation is very divided right now, as historically has often
been the case during war. While dissent is both a right and a responsibility,
I simply do not understand why people are working so hard to divide
us. Hatred of George Bush is being encouraged by certain elements
and their willing allies in the media. Most of the media vote the
party line in every election and seem to want to have their way,
no matter how low they must stoop to influence the voters.
The Gwinnett Forum provides useful insight into Gwinnett, unavailable
from any other source. It is a great community forum. You should
keep it out of the divisive national political debate and stick
with covering Gwinnett. If not, you will lose those of us who are
tired of the divisive rhetoric from ALL sides.
-- Bob Foreman, Norcross
Dear Bob: We agree the nation is too divided,
and that many seem intent on making it more so. Yet we find people
on both the right and left trying to divide us. We don't think
it's limited to one side. Thanks for your kind words. --eeb
NEWS
Norcross student going to Yale wins ABWA scholarship
Xu |
Hang 'Julie' Xu of Norcross was named the 2004 scholarship winner
from the North Gwinnett Chapter of American Business Women's Association
(ABWA). Miss Xu was awarded a $2,000 scholarship for her academic
accomplishments, including a 1580 SAT score, a 4.0 grade point average.
In addition to these accomplishments, Hang is an accomplished pianist,
a Governor's Honors Finalist in mathematics, a National Merit Finalist
and an International Baccalaureate diploma candidate. She will be
attending Yale University in the fall to pursue a medical or law
degree, says Cyndi Brower, president of the North Gwinnett Chapter
of ABWA.
CALENDAR
Charities seeking donations
for help in hurricane relief
The American Red Cross is coordinating a massive response effort
on the destructive heels of Hurricane Charley. Initial Red Cross
relief efforts will focus on providing safety, shelter, food, dry
clothing and emotional support to tens of thousands of people.
The quickest, most effective way you can help the victims of Hurricane
Charley is by making a financial donation to the American Red Cross
Disaster Relief Fund. Atlanta's Red Cross offers a quick, easy and
secure way to make an online donation to the "American Red
Cross Disaster Relief Fund" on its Web site www.redcrossatlanta.org.
For the Salvation Army donations, persons may call 1-800 725-2769,
or donate via the web at www.salvationarmyusa.org,
clicking on Hurricane.
Purafil to host Congressman
Scott for tour of plant
Purafil, Inc. of Norcross, will host Congressman David Scott for
a plant tour on Wednesday, August 25 at 10 a.m. as part of an effort
to make legislators more aware of both the benefits of manufacturers
to communities and the unprecedented challenges now facing America's
manufacturing sector.
Congressman David Scott will observe the facility's production
of gas-phase air purification technologies and offer brief remarks
to gathering employees.
Purafil, Inc. is located at 2654 Weaver Way, which is off Buford
Highway.
Georgia Family Council presents seminar on marriage soon
On Thursday, August 26, The Georgia Family Council will be presenting
an event promoting marriage for church leaders in Lawrenceville
and Lilburn.
The event will be held at the Busbee Center at Gwinnett Technical
College from 8:30 until 3 p.m. There is a registration fee of $25
per church. Participants will receive three best selling books by
two of today's top marriage leaders, Tom and Beverley Rodgers from
Soul Healing Love. In addition, each church can bring up to three
representatives and guests will receive breakfast and lunch!
Randy Hicks, president of Georgia Family Council, states that,
"The vast majority of Americans want to marry and 81 percent
of Americans believe that marriage is for life. If that's true,
and because the health of one's marriage often determines personal
and community health, we should as a society, do everything we can
to increase the likelihood of marital success. It's clear that it's
not a lack of belief in marriage that undermines our marital unions-
it's our lack of skills to deal with modern marital challenges".
To make a reservation, or for more information, please call Laurie
Boltin at 1-800-FAMILY-1 or e-mail her at laurie@gafam.org.
BOOK
RECOMMENDATION
8/20: From Patsy Rooks
Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce
"Several years ago, and being the only child, I became responsible/caregiver
for my aging parents, and now my husband's parents who are 86 years
old. Because of this I thought it necessary to read as much as I
could to help keep their quality of life the best we could.
"The book I an reading at this time is entitled Unleash
the Inner Healing Power of Foods. The next I will read is entitled
Bottom Line's Health Breakthroughs - 2004.
"Sorry I am so boring with my reading of health issues, but
I do love to read all short stories, etc."
- An invitation: What books have you enjoyed? Send us
your best recent book along with a short paragraph as to why you
liked it, plus what you plan to read next. --eeb
ENCYCLOPEDIA
TIDBIT
8/20: Roy Blount Jr.
tells story of how Brunswick stew began
Brunswick, Georgia, claims to be the place of origin for Brunswick
stew. A twenty-five-gallon iron pot outside that coastal town bears
a plaque declaring it to be the vessel in which this favorite southern
food was first cooked in 1898.
 In
truth, the one-pot meal is credited to a number of places with Brunswick
in their names, but the honor (so far as the name is concerned)
must go to Brunswick County, Virginia. There, according to an entrenched
local tradition supported by a 1988 Virginia General Assembly proclamation,
Jimmy Matthews, an African American hunting-camp cook, concocted
a squirrel stew for his master, Creed Haskins, in 1828, the stew
being named for its home county.
As the Georgia humorist Roy Blount Jr. quipped, "Brunswick
stew is what happens when small mammals carrying ears of corn fall
into barbeque pits." Stews that combine meat and grain probably
originated with ancient agriculturalists, in both the Old and New
Worlds. According to the anthropologist Charles Hudson, Southeastern
Indians made a stew from hominy and groundhog or squirrel, and also
boiled bear and deer meat with fresh corn kernels and squash. Brunswick
stew belongs to a family of southern stews, its closest relative
perhaps being Kentucky burgoo.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Cobb to have doctors
representing them in Congress
"Is there another county like Cobb whose two U.S representatives
are doctors: the 11th District's Dr. Phil Gingrey, an obstetrician,
and the 6th's Dr. Tom Price, an orthopedist? John Linder of the
7th District and Charlie Norwood of the 9th are former dentists,
both of whom who endorsed Price. Maybe if the voters ever get tired
of the four of them, they can start their own HMO."
--Bill Kinney, Marietta Daily Journal.
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