Gwinnett Forum.com -- Gwinnett County's community forum and idea exchange

Meadowcreek grad helps in Georgia Gwinnett recruiting
By Jeff Corbin
Special to GwinnettForum.com

DEC. 1, 2006 -- When Meadowcreek high school seniors came to Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) for the first time, Dr. Holly Haynes was eagerly awaiting their visit.

The seniors quickly found that Haynes easily understood their perspectives. In fact, one senior mistook the psychology professor for one of the college's students.

Dr. Haynes, who helped coordinate the seniors' open house visit, says: "When they came off the bus, they all just stood at the front of the atrium. They seemed a little afraid. But before they left, I could tell that they didn't want to get back on the bus; they had a lot more questions for us."

The seniors were treated to one-on-one visits with faculty, staff and students. They enjoyed a pizza luncheon and were able to hear from GGC President Daniel Kaufman and Foundation Board member Jose Perez.

For Haynes, making the Meadowcreek visit a reality was a labor of love and a method to give back to her former high school. The long-time Gwinnett resident is a 1993 Meadowcreek graduate with a special place in her heart for students.

Leaving Meadowcreek started Haynes' learning and career path that began with prestigious Harvard University.

"I think our class was a little unique in that the top 20 graduates went to some of the best schools in the country," she says. "I think I was the first Meadowcreek grad to go to Harvard. The year after me, another student went to Harvard ---we are good friends."

At Harvard, Haynes combined her love of history and science while pursing her eventual doctorate. She entered an honors-only program covering the history of science, focusing on North American medicine with an emphasis on psychiatry.

She continued to narrow her studies as she worked to earn three Harvard degrees, including a doctorate in Human Development and Psychology.

The prospect of continuing her research work after Harvard convinced Haynes that her career would remain academic. She also went on to teach in higher education settings in Georgia, California and Massachusetts.

But Gwinnett's great schools prompted her to come back to raise her two young children. It would be some time before she could teach at the first new college to join the Georgia university system in 35 years.

"It's been such a long wait for many county residents that we really do want to make it a great, unique place," she says. "We want to be the school that draws people from around the country and eventually international students. We're definitely excited about the possibilities that exist."

In addition to teaching abnormal psychology to a class of about 20, Haynes is leading student outreach programs centered on service in the surrounding community. She is also assisting in GGC recruiting efforts, and next semester will teach more psychology classes to more students.

"I absolutely love what I do; I have my dream job," Haynes says. "You can actually help move a person further ahead in life. Yes, you can be a medical doctor and save lives, but we are saving lives in our own way."

Since opening in 2000, Peachtree Hospice served 3,347 people
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com

DEC. 1, 2006 -- It was a small ceremony. Only about two dozen people were in attendance, but it was a significant time.

A person was making a contribution to honor a friend in the dedicating a room in his honor. Jim Cowart, a major force in the development of subdivisions in Gwinnett and surrounding counties, wanted to honor his friend, the late Scott Hudgens. All this was taking place at the Peachtree Christian Hospice in Duluth, a facility Mr. Hudgens originated and funded.

Since the time it opened in October of 2000, the hospice has been fully-utilized. Built as a 12-bed facility, because of the demand, it has converted four rooms to semi-private status, so that 16 persons can now get care at its facility. Since opening, it has served 3,347 patients from more than 50 counties throughout Georgia. Now Cowart was making a contribution to outfit of one of the patient rooms. Cowart and Hudgens had been friends for years.

Cowart says: "Scott Hudgens' dad and my dad were good friends. I was raised in the Ben Hill community of Atlanta, near present day Camp Creek Parkway, and Scott was born and raised about five miles further down the road from where I was born. I didn't know Scott until after I got in business in 1958.

"Dealing with him, he was always the most congenial, straight-forward guy I have ever met."

Cowart credits Hudgens with tutoring him in one of his first big ventures, when Cowart was eyeing the raw land around where Perimeter Mall is now located.

"Scott and I were riding down Ashford Dunwoody Road, and I asked Scott what that land was good for. He told me: 'It's the best site for a regional shopping center in town.' "

Cowart later gained control of the land with a partner, and realized he needed an attorney. Cowart asked his accountant for names of three potential attorneys, which Cowart ran by Hudgens, asking who his attorney was. It was one of them: Gene Branch. Cowart hired Branch, Jones and Byrd (the Bobby Jones law firm) as his legal firm, too.

Still later, after getting land around what would become Perimeter Mall zoned, Cowart told Hudgens of his position there, asking what price he should put on the land. Hudgens replied that one department store "will scream like a pig, but will pay $20,000 an acre."

So, over the course of several months, Cowart says that Hudgens "told me what the best use of the land would be, selected my attorney, and priced the land. Those are not insignificant in any way. I had a confidence level in Scott, and knew he was advising me correctly."

Cowart adds: "Several years later, when we were raising money for different good causes, when you went to Scott, he didn't take but five minutes to say he would do this or that, and then tell you if you needed more money, come back. Peachtree Christian Hospice would not be there if it were not for Scott. Few people come anywhere close to do what he had done, and done it in such a graceful manner."

For the record: the historical data from the Hospice shows that Mr. Hudgens gave $2.9 million to build the hospice, then funded its operation for several years. He also gave the hospice 8.7 acres of land-appraised at $1.015 million.

The Hospice is one of the real success stories of Gwinnett, benefiting from the largess of people like Scott Hudgens and his friend, Jim Cowart.

The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Haven Trust Bank is a supporter of Gwinnettforum. Originally "Horizon Bank," the bank became "Haven Trust Bank" in December of 2005 so not to be confused with an out-of-state bank expanding into Georgia using a similar name. From a single branch in the Duluth/Sugarloaf area of Gwinnett, to a second branch in Decatur, the bank opened a third location in the Johns Creek/Alpharetta area in June, 2006. With assets of over $280 million, Haven Trust Bank is one of the top 10 lenders in Georgia of federal government Small Business Administration (SBA) funds. Charles Yorke, bank president, says: "We have the ability to identify with small businesses. Our personal and responsive attitude toward them has elevated us as a leader in the community. We're different and - we make all our decisions quickly and locally. That enables us to make a real difference in the lives and businesses of our customers." Visit its web site at www.haventrustbank.com.

There is an awesome volunteer opportunity right here in Gwinnett County. Our very own Norcross has one of only six Operation Christmas Child processing centers in the entire country. Immediately south of Jimmy Carter on Best Friend Road, they are working in a huge warehouse facility getting shoeboxes of gifts ready to send out to children in India, who will probably receive this as their only present.

The shoeboxes are filled with candy and toys and socks and dolls and most importantly love, all of which volunteers have put together.

The president and CEO of both Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is Franklin Graham, son of Evangelist Billy Graham. He has also written several best-selling books.

There's opportunity for you. After a quick video and a tiny bit of training, you will get assigned to an area, possibly sorting or inspecting. There were hundreds of people working when my husband and I spent the day there today, Christmas songs filling the air along with the busy hum of servants talking and laughing and making a difference. I was truly touched as I looked around and saw all the labors of love and finally it felt like Christmas! For more information, you can please visit www.samaritanspurse.org.

Gwinnett Village CID is hosting an open house to present recommendations on the corridor studies for Jimmy Carter Boulevard, Indian Trail Road, and Buford Highway. The studies will include five year action plans and initiatives for improvements to these critical corridors in the southwestern part of Gwinnett County. View these recommendations on December 6 at the Gwinnett Village CID office from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. A map to the office can be found at www.gwinnettvillage.com.

Responding to property and business owners' concerns, the Board of Directors for Gwinnett Village has engaged an outside consultant to evaluate crime trends in the area and provide recommendations for improvements. Through efforts of elected officials, proactive policing, and initiatives by the CID, did you know that crime is down in this area by over 12 percent for 2006?

Recommendations are found in the 96-page report located on the website at www.gwinnettvillage.com. Those who would like a hard copy sent via mail, should contact the Gwinnett Village office at 770.449.6515. CID officials are in the process of working out all appropriate details for the Security plan with elected officials. Look for the implementation strategy for security improvements later in December.

The City will celebrate its 25th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting on the lawn at Snellville City Hall. The theme this year is "Silver Bells…Christmas Time in the City."

Mistress of Ceremonies will be Alison Starnes, community and economic development director for Snellville. Featured performers include the Atlanta Youth Choir, Britt Elementary School, Snellville Middle School, Chelsey Bellnier and Jarrett Blankenship. Mayor Jerry Oberholtzer will lead the countdown to the lighting of the tree just prior to Santa's arrival.

Children will have the opportunity to visit Santa. Picture packages will also be available for a fee. The Snellville Keenager Club will be hosting refreshments in the Community Room. Several local businesses will also be on hand offering coupons and samples. Representatives from Toys for Tots will be collecting toys for Christmas..

For more information, contact the Snellville Parks and Recreation Department at 770-985-3535. This is a "rain or shine" event.

The Gwinnett Philharmonic will start off the holiday season with a Merry Christmas, Gwinnett! concert by the Atlanta Symphony Brass Quintet on Tuesday, December 12, 2006 at 8 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at the Gwinnett Arena.

Join the acclaimed Atlanta Symphony Brass Quintet for a joyous beginning to the holiday season as they perform classic holiday favorites live in concert. "Nothing says Christmas like brass," says ASBQ Artistic Director Michael Moore. "Our program will definitely get you into the holiday spirit."

This is the first Christmas with new ASO Principal trumpet Tom Hooten; other members of the Quintet are trumpet Mike Tiscione, Richard Deane on horn, Colin Williams on trombone and Artistic Director Moore on tuba.

According to Monte Nichols, Philharmonic conductor and music director, the level of artistry among the members of this group will amaze the audience, "this will be an evening of the finest of brass music for Christmas and the season."

The Atlanta Symphony Brass Quintet began 37 years ago as the "Ceremonial Troupe" of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, having performed for numerous dignitaries, including HRH Prince Charles.

The Atlanta Symphony Brass Quintet has appeared on numerous occasions on National Public Radio's Performance Today, and in the summer of 1996 was the "house band" for four days of live radio broadcast over NPR to 40 countries. The Quintet's performances are also featured on the "Spirit of '96" NPR CD.

For more information on presentations and concerts by the Gwinnett Philharmonic, visit the Philharmonic website at www.gwinnettphilharmonic.org or call 770-418-1115.

Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful has awarded prizes in marking America Recycles Day. Top individual and group aluminum recycler and newspaper recycler at the Recycling Bank of Gwinnett received $100 cash prizes. America Recycles Day is an annual event celebrated by communities throughout the nation to educate and encourage individuals to recycle and buy recycled products.

In the Individual category, David Lankford of Lawrenceville was the top recycler of aluminum and John Sinclair of Lawrenceville was the top recycler of newspaper.

In the Group category, Cub Scout Pack 552 of Lilburn recycled the most aluminum and Camden Square Homeowners Association of Lawrenceville recycled the most newspaper for the third year in a row. The total amount of newspaper and recyclables increased by nearly 100 percent over last year.

Gwinnett SportsRehab, an affiliate of Gwinnett Medical Center, has opened a new outpatient physical therapy center at Suwanee Sports Academy, at 3640 Burnette Road in Suwanee. The Academy offers sports-specific training and development, leagues and tournaments for some of the most prestigious national and regional events in the country.

In addition to the new location, the Suwanee center opening forges a partnership between Gwinnett SportsRehab and Performance Training, Inc (PTI), a company that specializes in enhancing amateur and professional athletic performance. PTI has been developing better athletes at all levels of competition, from middle school to professional athletes, for more than 10 years.

"This new Gwinnett SportsRehab location will give Gwinnett Medical Center a strong sports medicine environment to provide the highest level of care and resources to our community. The connection to PTI gives our patients access to a full-range of post-rehab services, including personal fitness and sports-specific training," says Jeff Olivo, PT, CSCS, physical therapist with Gwinnett SportsRehab. The Suwanee center is the third branch of Gwinnett SportsRehab, whose other locations include Lawrenceville and Duluth.

GwinnettForum and The Brack Group (Ga.) Inc. have announced the release of their first book, a collection of cartoons from Bill McLemore. He provides the Friday cartoons for GwinnettForum.com.

The book, A Gift of Laugher, is also a fundraiser for Rainbow Village of Norcross, a cooperative ministry of several area churches that addresses the problems of homeless families in Gwinnett County. Stories from Rainbow Village, and an explanation of its program, are sprinkled throughout the cartoons.

McLemore is a retired Episcopal priest, who has used his gift of drawing cartoons throughout his ministry.

The 174-page hardback book is priced at $20. Copies are available at Rainbow Village, 400 Holcomb Bridge Road, or from the offices of GwinnettForum at 40 Technology Parkway, Suite 225, Norcross. Copies may be ordered by mail in time for Christmas with an additional $3 handling and mailing fee. To order, call 770 840 1003, or 770 446 3800, or email to info@gwinnettforum.com

"You are in for a treat if you haven't tried Chick-Fil-A's newest product, a milk shake. We had heard good reports about the milk shake, and after trying it, we say it's superb. Made an "old-fashioned" way, topped with whipped cream and a cherry, it is pricey at $2.79…..but good enough that you may find yourself going back in a few days for another! The shakes come with their own special container, with a rounded plastic top with opening for the whipped cream and cherry! It is a fine addition to their menu!"

By the late 1830s the towns located at the fall line along the Chattahoochee River used the river as an industrial power source for textile mills and gristmills. By the time the Civil War began in 1861, Columbus was known as "the Lowell of the South," after the home of industrial revolution, Lowell, Mass. Its mills were vitally important to the Confederacy, and defense of the river was crucial, because it represented the easiest route to the fall line mills from the Gulf of Mexico, especially after Union naval forces took possession of Apalachicola in April, 1862.

The Confederate government created the Chattahoochee-Flint-Apalachicola military district, commanded by General Howell Cobb, in November, 1862. Cobb directed the obstruction of the river, which was effective in keeping out the enemy by water. However, Union land forces did invade the river valley in 1864, when General William T. Sherman's army crossed over the Chattahoochee just north of Atlanta and sacked the city before moving on toward Savannah in the March to the Sea. As the war was ending in April 1865, General James H. Wilson's forces crossed the Chattahoochee River to destroy the factories and mills of Columbus and West Point.

The golden age of steamboating on the Chattahoochee dawned once the area recovered from the war's destruction. Opulent new passenger boats replaced the workhorse freighters of the antebellum period. Innovations in service made river travel more reliable, and technological breakthroughs made it safer. Freight became more diversified, with lumber products, fertilizer, and honey crowding the ubiquitous cotton bales. Instead of calling on every homestead or business along the river, by 1900 steamboats stopped at only 28 major communities or railroad junctions. Sixteen years later, the steamers made only five stops as the river trade shifted to the lower river (south of Eufaula, Ala.), where navigation was unimpeded by seasonal low water and natural obstructions.

Send your thoughts, 55-word short stories, pet peeves or comments on any issue to Gwinnett Forum for future publication.

===========================================