NOTICE: The Holiday Publication Schedule calls for GwinnettForum to be posted on December 21, 28 and January 4. There will be no publication on December 24 or 31. ---eeb.

TODAY'S ISSUE
You're lucky to have known a person such as John O'Connor
By Deb Roberts
Area Director, United Way in Gwinnett
Special to GwinnettForum.com

DEC. 17, 2004 -- If you're really lucky, at least once in your life, you will have the ultimate pleasure of knowing a person as wonderful as John O'Connor. When John passed away December 8 from complications of leukemia, this world lost an incredible spirit. John would have celebrated his 87th birthday on December 23rd.

O'Connor

People like John are truly rare. Since his passing, I have been struck by how many people knew and loved John, and how they each treasure their unique relationship with him.

Pat Hart, office manager at United Way in Gwinnett, was incredibly close to John, who, for her, filled many important roles. She says he was "like a father, a brother, a faithful friend, a confidant, and, on the lighter side, even a flirtatious pursuer, being the 'ladies man' that he was." John's cheery way of saying "Good Morning" always put a smile on your face! His sense of humor stood out the most to Pat, who says, "I will miss that wonderful man terribly."

John developed such meaningful connections with so many people. It was John's gift. He truly cared about people, from his dear friends to those that needed help in the community.

John was passionate about United Way in the community. He was a year-round loaned executive with United Way in Gwinnett for 17 years! In 1994, United Way named him Loaned Executive of the Year. Prior to that, John worked at The Coca-Cola Company, and was always proud to announce that he was a "graduate" (retired) from Coke. Only through the generosity of Coca-Cola did we have the pleasure of John's enthusiasm, expertise and commitment at United Way. Ingrid Saunders Jones of Coke says she will "always treasure the many years we worked together, especially on and for United Way."

Alan Golden, with Georgia Power, knew John when he was a United Way board member and campaign chair. He shared a phrase from Rotary Clubs that typifies John: "Service Above Self." Alan says: "John O'Connor lived that slogan more than anyone I've ever known. He had passion, determination and a 'can-do' attitude that I always envied. I'll miss him but will never forget his spirit!!!"

John was a fighter and survivor of many illnesses and surgeries. Even with his many medical challenges, he always saw the positive in things, and was always grateful for his own health and blessings. Phylecia Wilson shared with me "What a dear, dear man. We are all richer for having known him. John and I had been e-mailing a lot lately and he was planning for a group of us to 'go on the road' next year talking to potential donors about survivorship. I didn't know he was terminal, but what is better than planning for the future when told you won't live past Christmas!"

A unique relationship that I shared with John was our faith. John had an incredibly strong faith. John has been one of the dearest, sincerest and most important spiritual guides and confidants that any one could pray for. John recently shared with me "Whatever happens in our lives, we must own up to the situation at hand, face it, and then resolve, through faith, that in one fashion or another a conclusion will be reached, on our own or with the help of others."

He added: "We simply cannot or must not give up on anything which occurs in our lives. We must, somehow, play with the cards dealt to us."

Listen to a poem that John shared with me in one of our last e-mails:

"When you come to the edge of all the light you know,
and are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown,
faith is knowing one of two things will happen: there will be something solid to stand on…
or you will be taught how to fly."

John's positive spirit, love and compassion can be carried on by each of us. Let us use the example of his life as our guiding light to make this world a better place.

ELLIOTT BRACK
Consider Animal Control if you wish to adopt an animal
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com

DEC. 17, 2004 -- If you're in the market for saving money, and you're thinking about getting a dog or cat, consider the Gwinnett Animal Control unit of your county government.

You can adopt an animal there for the $30 fee, often getting the exact breed you want. At the same time, you will have a good feeling in your heart for having rescued a dog or cat from destruction.

Visiting the animal pound the other day, we marveled at how many of the animals there were large, from German shepherds, to retrievers, to even great danes. But it was striking how many of the animals had retriever characteristics in them.

My theory is that a family often takes in such dogs, realizing that they make good pets. But these animals must have lots of love and attention, and need to be exercised often. They eventually realize that they don't have time for their pet, so these dogs show up often at the pound.

For sure, there were few smaller dogs there. Manager S.E. Jeanes of the Gwinnett Animal Control unit tells me that the smaller dogs get adopted the fastest. "There is a big demand for smaller dogs. The most popular breeds are the chihuahuas, English pugs, and dachshunds, especially the miniature dachshunds. Lots of homeowner insurance policies discourage people having larger, more aggressive, dogs at home, and that comes into play about the popularity of smaller dogs."

Jeanes

Persons wanting to adopt animals get advice from Sandra Towler, the rescue officer, Jeanes say. "Most people have an idea of the type of animal they want. She tells they the advantages and disadvantages of the different breeds, in order to place the right dog with them. A person might think they want a larger dog to jog with, for instance, where the dog might pull them over. A little smaller dog, such as a lab, might be right for them."

Jeanes on Chihuahuas. "They are small, cute, work well in the house, and bond quickly with a family. And they don't need a back yard to be fenced in." His family has seven dogs, including two chihuahuas, a border collie, rottweiler, great dane-shepherd mixed, and two labs. That's only the beginning: he also has four horses and three cats. All the dogs been dumped out and abandoned near his house. "We keep the feed stores in business," he says. He lives in Bostwick, on 25 acres.

For people interested in adopting, Jeanes will suggest that they get two dogs, especially if a person is not at home all day. "Two dogs are so much better, easier to train, keep each other company, and are happier. They can be like brother and sister, sometimes arguing over a bone, or playing tug of war. But when there are two dogs around, they don't tear up the carpet or dig up a back yard. They are company to one another."

Persons thinking of pets for Christmas might consider paying for a gift certificate from the Animal Control office. "That way, the person getting the animal can come by here and pick out the exact pet they want, or not use the certificate if they do not want a pet."

Jeanes adds: "Sometimes people think others should have a pet, to replace another pet, or to have as company after a loved one has passed away. But these people might not be ready for a pet yet, or feel the pet could be a burden. After all, owning a pet often limits a persons' travel."

That's good advice as we approach the gift-giving time.

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McLEMORE'S WORLD
12/17: New product needs safeguarding

The latest cartoon from the creative Bill McLemore:

NEWS
Scholarships awarded at Environmental groundbreaking

Groundbreaking for the new Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center on Tuesday featured the awarding of college scholarships to local high school students.

The educational center, which will be built near the County's F. Wayne Hill Water Resources Center, will contain exhibits and classrooms for learning about Gwinnett's environment, history, and the importance of water. It is a joint project of the county's Board of Commissioners, Board of Education, and the University of Georgia.

The 200-acre site will feature a greenway, a wetlands area and nature trails with geologic and historic interpretive markers.

Two scholarships for $2,500 and one for $1,000 were awarded to three Gwinnett students who plan to pursue environmental or agricultural studies in college. The winners are Megan Sulpy, a senior at Buford High; Toby Whiting, a senior at North Gwinnett High; and Sean Bright, a senior at Collins Hill High.

Helping present the awards was Harry Volande, executive vice president and CFO of Siemens Energy and Automation, which funded two of the scholarships as part of a national environmental award presented to Board of Commissioners Chairman F. Wayne Hill last summer. The third was sponsored by the Georgia Farm Bureau Federation.

Hill said he is "excited to see construction getting under way after months of planning and citizen input. The scholarship presentations symbolize the importance of environmental considerations, which are the primary theme of the center itself."

Development of the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center is envisioned as a long-term project with construction to be completed in phases. Funding comes from the 2001 and 2005 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax. The projected completion for the building is August 2006.

BOOK RECOMMENDATION

• 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
12/17: Major Ridge key individual among the Cherokee Nation

The Cherokee leader Major Ridge (ca. 1771-1839) is primarily known for signing the Treaty of New Echota (1835), which led to the Trail of Tears. Before this tragic period in Cherokee history, however, he was one of the most prominent leaders of the Cherokee nation.

Major Ridge was born in the early 1770s in Tennessee. Englishmen called him "The Ridge." He was brought up as a traditional hunter and warrior, resisting white encroachment on Cherokee lands. With his military experience and brilliant command of the Cherokee language, The Ridge soon became a successful politician.

When the War of 1812 began, The Ridge joined General Andrew Jackson's forces in fighting the Creeks and the British in Alabama. For his heroic leadership at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, The Ridge received the title of major, which he subsequently used as his first name.

After the war, the Ridge family established a plantation on the Oostanaula River in present-day Rome. With his friend and neighbor John Ross, Ridge helped establish a Cherokee Nation with three branches of government in 1827. He served as counselor, and Ross became principal chief, the equivalent of president.

Believing that they had succeeded in the "civilization" process by establishing a government on a U.S. model, Cherokees like the Ridges were shocked when the U.S. Congress passed the Indian Removal Bill of 1830 and Georgia implemented a lottery to dispense Cherokee lands shortly thereafter. As Georgians began to move illegally into the Cherokees' houses, businesses, and plantations, often by force, Ridge became convinced that either warfare or negotiation with the U.S. government must proceed. He became a leader of the Treaty Party, which favored removal to Indian Territory west of the Mississippi River (in present-day Oklahoma), in exchange for financial compensation of $5 million to the Cherokees. He and a minority of Cherokees signed the Treaty of New Echota in December 1835 without authorization from Ross or the Cherokee government. The illegal treaty was then signed by President Jackson and passed by one vote in the U.S. Senate.

The Ridge family and others voluntarily moved west, but Principal Chief Ross and opponents of the treaty fought its implementation. They failed, and Cherokee removal was forced by the military. Because of harsh weather conditions, more than 4,000 Cherokees died during the 1838-39 winter on the "trail where they cried," commonly known as the Trail of Tears. On June 22, 1839, in retaliation for Ridge's part in this tragedy, some of Ross's supporters ambushed and killed Ridge on his way into town from his plantation on Honey Creek in Indian Territory. His assailants were never officially identified or prosecuted.

• To access the Georgia Encyclopedia, go to http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
  

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
A reminder that we are approaching the Christmas season

"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it."

-- Zig Ziglar, quoting one of his favorite mentors, William Arthur Ward, via Cindy Evans, Duluth.

• Another invitation: What's your favorite saying? Share with others through GwinnettForum. Send to elliott@gwinnettforum.com.
  

MORE: Contact Gwinnett Forum at: elliott@gwinnettforum.com

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