Note to readers: Our next publication will be November 8, with following edition published November 15. We will resume normal publication on November 18. Thank you for your understanding..--eeb

TODAY'S ISSUE
Foster Children's Foundation needs to find new home
By Suzanne Geske
Executive Director
Foster Children's Foundation Inc.
Special to GwinnettForum.com

(Editor's Note: Suzanne Geske of Duluth is a Gwinnett marketing company
owner, a graduate of Richland College(1982), and recently completed the Leadership Gwinnett program. She has served as chairman of the Gwinnett Family and Children's Services board, and serves on the Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services. She is the founder and executive director of the Foster Children's Foundation, and shares her story with civic groups and other business leaders.-eeb)

DULUTH, Ga., Nov. 1, 2005 -- At age seven, I had a life changing experience. I was in the unfortunate position of spending time in an orphanage along with my three younger brothers. At the time, my mother was financially unable to afford to keep our family together. Since the four of us were different ages, we were housed in separate facilities.

Geske

The only time during our stay that I was able to see my brothers and know that they were all right, was at an annual event where all the children at the orphanage got together. As the oldest child, I felt a sense of responsibility for my brothers, but was unable to even see them. This is not an uncommon experience for foster children.

During the time I was there, the children at the orphanage became my new family. I knew their stories. I knew that many were there because no one loved or wanted them. I remember hearing children cry themselves to sleep at night or pray that someone would adopt them, love them, or give them a home so they could be a part of a family again.

The only thing that gave my brothers and myself hope was the knowledge that our mother did love us and would do anything to get us back together. Unlike many of the children there, we at least had the hope that we would not be there forever and that someday our mother would get on her feet financially and take us home where we would be a loving family again.

It feels like just yesterday when my mother picked us up to go home. It was a day filled with emotions. I felt great joy for my brothers and myself. I will never forget, though, the pain and sadness I felt we were leaving behind. I would have given anything to take every child home with us. That day, I promised myself that someday I would do something in my lifetime to help even just one foster child.

I am honored today to be the proud founder and executive director of the Foster Children's Foundation (FCF), an organization who has been identifying and providing for the needs of local foster children for the last six years. The FCF is a 501-C-3 registered non-profit and has grown and continued to help children in areas where there was no hope before. It is our dream to make a major difference in the lives of foster children, and to give these foster children hope.

It has been proven that the Foster Children's Foundation, through many projects, programs and services, is critical for these children.

We need your help. We need a home.

The Foundation needs a permanent facility in Gwinnett County to be able to continue the work to help these children and provide for their needs. We are looking for at least two acres that can be donated on which we can build a resource and community center to not only provide material needs, but also hold mentoring and tutoring classes. If anyone knows of a possibility, please contact us.

For additional information, please contact me at 770-623-6135 or email me at info@fosterchildrensfoundation.org.

ELLIOTT BRACK
Five years later, we miss the "anonymous contributor"
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com

NOV. 1, 2005 -- He was a cheerful giver, and we miss him.

He was the late Scott Hudgens, know best as a private businessman who succeeded in several fields, construction, finance and insurance, and who later developed more malls in Georgia than any other person. October 29 marks the fifth anniversary of his death at age 77.

Two of his biggest malls were built in Gwinnett County, giving the county its first major mall, Gwinnett Place in 1984, and in 1998, the largest mall in the state, the Mall of Georgia. He built the first covered mall in Georgia, then known as North DeKalb Mall. His other malls included Oglethorpe Mall in Savannah, and malls in Union City, Valdosta, Brunswick, Avondale Estates, Greenbrier Mall in Atlanta and Town Centre in Cobb County. He also refurbished a mall in Gainesville.

Mr. Hudgens once told me: "Making money is a whole lot easier than giving it away." He succeeded in business, but he and his wife gave millions away, and in most instances, he gave it away virtually anonymously, and always cheerfully.

One account sticks in my mind. Returning home from being in the middle of many battles in Europe in a tank recovery company during World War II, he got a job at the lumber yard near his home of Union Point. The economy took off that year and as Scott said, "We sold a lot of lumber," as people built homes. At Christmas, the lumber yard gave its workers a substantial bonus.

Hudgens

Scott, shopping for relatives and friends, found that he had money left over. Going out the door, and hearing the Salvation Army kettle bell ringing, Scott rolled up a bill, and dropped it in the kettle. No doubt in 1946 a Salvation Army worker was shocked to find a $100 bill in the kettle. Scott told me: "It made me feel good," to have given $100 anonymously. That set off a career of deliberate, quiet and often anonymous giving.

On another occasion, he sent a friend to South Atlanta's tech school to determine its needs. He didn't want to make a gift to repair the roof, or paint a classroom, but to help people. His quiet gift to Atlanta Tech helped send teachers back for additional training in modern teaching techniques, and provided scholarships for "C" students. "The A and B students get all the scholarships they need," Scott reasoned. "I want to help those who normally don't get help, and need it."

Another time, he asked several acquaintances to figure out independently what Gwinnett County needed in the way of facilities. Amazingly, he got the same answers from more than one person: more for the young, and for the aged. Out of this, led by major gifts from Mr. Hudgens, grew the Gwinnett Children's Shelter and the Peachtree Christian Hospice. Today these two institutions are thriving, thanks to Scott's up-front generosity.

Yet more than anything else, I miss the slow, casual way of hearing Scott talk, exploring first one idea, then another, or recalling times past. He had an enormously full life, was able to think well into the future into people's shopping patterns and, from these projections, was an amazing financial success. Yet through it all, he remained the same Scott Hudgens, who made money, then found creative ways to give it away.

The world needs more people like Scott Hudgens, to help make it an ever better place.

Dallas Scott Hudgens, (1923-2000), thanks for helping so many. We miss you.

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 Hayes Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep of Lawrenceville and Gainesville, and just opened, a new Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep of Baldwin. Terry Hayes is the General Manager of the new Baldwin dealership. The location is adjacent to the Hayes Chevrolet dealership on Georgia Highway 365 in Habersham County. General Manager Mike Hayes of Lawrenceville and General Manager Tim Hayes of Gainesville invite you into their showrooms to look over their line-up of automobiles and trucks. 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.. Check out their web site at: http://www.hayeschrysler.com.

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

McLEMORE'S WORLD
11/1: 2000 and counting ...

Another great cartoon from Bill McLemore:

UPCOMING
National author to address Button Gwinnett Society

The Button Gwinnett Society will meet at 6 p.m. on November 9, 2005 at the 1818 Club atop the Gwinnett chamber Building on Sugarloaf Parkway.

Gillespie with Jay Leno in 2004.

Featured speaker is Hollis Gillespie. While Ms. Gillespie is the author of two books -- Bleachy Haired Honky Bitch and Confessions of a Recovering Slut: and other love stories -- she also is a commentator for National Public Radio's All Things Considered, writes a column for Creative Loafing and is an accomplished photographer.

Named Writer's Digest's Breakout writer in 2004, Ms. Gillespie will discuss her works and answer questions from the audience. For more information about the Button Gwinnett Society and to make reservations for the November meeting, contact Jo Ann Pinder at jap@gwinnettpl.org or 770-822-5321.

* * * * *

What is the Button Gwinnett Society?

The focus of the Button Gwinnett Society is to gain exposure to a new person or idea or fact, to learn in a relaxed setting, get to know new people and have a good time. This organization, named after the County's namesake, is not a secret society. In fact, it would love to have more people "in the know" who become members. It meets quarterly on the second Wednesday of February, May, August and November at the 1818 Club and is currently accepting new members. Dues are $100 a year.

Five Forks Library to host author Paul Hemphill soon

Legendary Georgia author and former Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Paul Hemphill will speak on Thursday, November 17, at the Five Forks branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library. The meeting will be at 7 p.m.

Hemphill

Hemphill is known for his finely-drawn portraits of the Southern working class, the "good old boys," whether they're at work or at play or up to no good. His legacy is being the son of a dashing long-distance trucker out of Birmingham. He has written about Nashville, NASCAR, baseball and growing up in 1960s Birmingham.

His latest book is Lovesick Blues: The Life Of Hank Williams.

Mr. Hemphill will talk about his work and take audience questions. Books will be available for purchase and signing.

Walton EMC presents three holiday shows in November

Make plans to attend Walton Electric Membership Corporation's annual Holiday Programs in November with the return of a community favorite, Gloria Berry. She will entertain while giving simple how-to instructions on creating holiday masterpieces even the novice crafter can replicate at home. She shares easy tips for spicing up holiday recipes on the go.

Civic clubs and religious organizations are also welcome. At each program, the group with the most members present will receive $100 to be used toward the group's charitable programs.

Berry will appear in Monroe on Tuesday, November 1 at Carver Middle School, in Watkinsville on Tuesday, November 8 at the Oconee County Civic Center, and in Snellville on Monday, November 21 at Brookwood High School.

She says: "This year's theme is 'Go from seasonal madness to seasonal gladness. I've got exciting ideas and tips to share on holiday gift-giving, entertaining and adding homemade flair to your holiday decor."

All programs begin at 7 p.m. and there is no charge to attend. Register at the door. Attendees will receive a small gift. For more information or directions, please call 770/266-2572 or email kwoodall@waltonemc.com.

Walton EMC is a customer-owned electric cooperative, serving 110,000 accounts in 10 Northeast Georgia counties. Its subsidiary, Walton EMC Natural Gas, serves customers statewide.

RECOMMENDATION
From Bill Shipp, Acworth

"I have just finished The Last True Story I'll Ever Tell: An Accidental Soldier's Account of the War In Iraq by John Crawford. This book is as a good as it gets in giving a lonely Florida National Guardsman's ground-level view of the war. When I put down The Last True Story, I wondered, 'What the hell is this war all about anyway?'

"I am finishing Attack the Messenger: How Politicians Turn You Against the Mediaby Craig Crawford, (no kin to the above author), former editor of the Hotline and an MSNBC contributor. He may be preaching to the choir as far as journalists are concerned. Democrats and Republicans (Clintons and Bushes) try to use the press, but, deep down, they hate it for what it often does -- which is exposing charlatans. I am amazed at the number of examples he has cited on how the press took the fall for miscreant politicians.

Next my to-read list is E. L. Doctorow's novel, The March, -- and you know what that's about."

• An invitation: What Web sites, books or restaurants have you enjoyed? Send us your best recent visit to a restaurant or most recent book you have read along with a short paragraph as to why you liked it, plus what book you plan to read next. --eeb
  
  
  

GEORGIA TIDBIT
Georgia native Walter Brown was pioneer broadcaster

Walter J. Brown was a journalist and a pioneer broadcaster. After managing his own news bureau in Washington, D.C., through the 1930s, Brown worked in the offices of economic stabilization and war mobilization in U.S. president Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration. He also worked in the secretary of state's office under U.S. President Harry S. Truman.

Brown

He was born in Bowman on July 25, 1903. Brown's father was elected Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture for five consecutive terms (1917-27).

Brown graduated from Tech High School in Atlanta and discovered a flair for writing while subsequently attending the Henry Grady School of Journalism at the University of Georgia. After marrying Georgia Watson Lee, Brown moved to Washington, D.C., in 1929 to report for James S. Vance's Fellowship Forum and to edit Vance's National Farm News. In 1930, Brown established his own news bureau, reporting primarily for daily newspapers in North Carolina and South Carolina.

Brown handled press relations for former SC Senator James F. Byrnes through his appointments as the head of the office of economic stabilization, director of the office of war mobilization, and under President Truman, secretary of state. Brown was a member of the American delegation to the peace conferences at Potsdam and to the Council of Ministers in London.

Brown returned to Spartanburg, South Carolina, permanently in 1945 to resume in earnest his broadcasting career. In 1956, WSPA-TV signed on the air, culminating years of litigation that ended successfully by moving Channel 7 from the Columbia, S.C. television market to Spartanburg. With WSPA-AM-FM-TV as lead stations, Brown guided Spartan Radiocasting Company into the television era. Eventually his company, as Spartan Communications, Inc., would include 13 television properties in the Southeast and Midwest, including Georgia television stations WJBF (Augusta), WNEG (Toccoa), and WRBL (Columbus).

Brown never forgot his heritage. In 1947, he purchased Thomas E. Watson's last home, Hickory Hill, in Thomson, ensuring its preservation. In 1970, Brown created the Watson-Brown Foundation, primarily to provide scholarships for college students from Georgia and South Carolina. Today it is one of the largest private foundations in Georgia.

Brown's broadcasting-related manuscript collection is housed at the University of South Carolina; his political papers are at Clemson University in South Carolina. The Walter J. Brown Media Archives is housed at the University of Georgia Libraries.

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

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
One generation works to help those who follow

"Posterity -- you will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it."

-- Former President John Quincy Adams.

• 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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