|
Insert your email for free automatic
delivery |
|
|
|
Issue 9.83 | Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010 |
Forward to your friends!  |
|
|
FEEDBACK UPCOMING NOTABLE ALSO INSIDE _:: IN THE
SPOTLIGHT: Meet a sponsor
|
ABOUT US GwinnettForum.com is a twice-weekly online community commentary for exploring pragmatic and sensible social, political and economic approaches to improve life in Gwinnett County, Ga. USA. Contact us today. SEARCH GWINNETT FORUM |
|
TODAY'S FOCUS NORCROSS, Ga., Jan. 26, 2010 -- Moving a cathedral-like, historic, 98 year old church 900 miles is a monumental undertaking, but that’s what members of Mary Our Queen Catholic Church in Norcross/Peachtree Corners are anticipating. They conceive moving St. Gerard’s Church from Buffalo, N.Y. to the present church location on 15 acres in Peachtree Corners.
The reason for the move is the shifting of populations from North to South. When I began to explore the idea of moving St. Gerard, I scoured the internet for photos and was astonished at the beauty of the architecture, the stained glass windows, the interior craftsmanship, the sheer splendor of a church that would be cost-prohibitive to build in today’s economy. The structure is matched only by cathedrals in major cities worldwide. When a dwindling parish membership forced the Diocese of Buffalo to close the church in January 2008, St. Gerard’s was left to fend for itself near the shore of Lake Erie. “Preservation through relocation” of the magnificent basilica-style structure has received wide support from the outside, including the Archbishop of Atlanta, the Bishop of Buffalo, the Archbishop of New York, local and national preservationists, architects, builders, former St. Gerard’s parishioners and present parishioners of Mary Our Queen. Opened
as a mission of All Saints Catholic Church in Dunwoody, in November 1994,
the parish of Mary Our Queen started life humbly in an office building
on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard.
Initially,
there were 70 registered families. The church had 750 families in 2009.
Today, a 15,000-square-foot temporary church and a 6,000-square-foot educational
facility sit on a 15-acre site at the intersection of The Corners Parkway
and Crooked Creek Road in the Peachtree Corners area. The sanctuary seats
600. To accommodate
a growing church membership, Mary Our Queen launched a capital campaign
for the construction of a new church. (The present building will become
the parish hall.) During
this same time, Father David M. Dye came forward with an idea: buy and
move a more significant classic church than the parish could ever build. To begin
the pilgrimage of St. Gerard’s to Atlanta, the Norcross parish which
had raised $3 million for the construction of a new church, committed
those funds to the relocation. Duplicating this richness and beauty from the ground up would cost an estimated $40 million or more. Relocating the 98-year-old church from Buffalo will cost an estimated $15 million. The St.
Gerard project will be the first large structure relocated entirely within
the United States, the first moved from North to South (reflecting the
Catholic population shift from the Northeast and Midwest to the Southeast
and Southwest in the last 30 years), and the first to employ advanced
scanning techniques in architecture and construction. It will also be
the first “Catholic-to-Catholic” transfer. The structure is ready for disassembly, transfer and re-establishment on a new, stronger superstructure in Atlanta. Without the help of a grant and generous donors, the church will sit vacant at the corner of Bailey and East Delavan in a “fading neighborhood which Catholic residents have largely departed. The church’s almost certain fate there, amid the harsh elements, is deterioration, decline and, eventually, destruction.” I do believe
we can move mountains or at least one of America’s great architectural
treasures. To get further information and photos, go to www.movedbygrace.com.
EEB PERSPECTIVE JAN. 26, 2010 -- It’s good to hear some positive news. We don’t get enough of that, or at least, bad news is so prevalent that it forces aside some of the good news.
Two local items in particular got our attention recently: the announcement that the Norcross and Five Forks Branch Libraries would be renovated, plus the hope that the OlympicsTennis Stadium near Stone Mountain Park may be saved, not razed. In the last few months, most of the library news has been negative in one way or another. Coupled with the problems of the economy, hopes for improving the library system were fading. But now we hear that the older branches in Norcross and at Five Forks may possibly be renovated. Both branches are 20 years old, and seriously in need of upgrading. Compared to the more recently built branches, the Norcross and Five Forks units are both too small, too crowded, in need of repair, and desperately in need of assistance. The library system plans to seek state grants, plus has allocated funds from 2009 and 2010 for these library improvements. Gwinnettians take their libraries seriously, and use them about as much as any libraries in the state. To pay attention to aging libraries is certainly a step in the right direction. When it comes to the Olympic Tennis Stadium, what particularly appeals to us is that this tremendous facility, once considered a white elephant, now appears to be getting more attention for its possibilities. In stepped the Evermore CID, with an idea about how it can upgrade the facility so that it can be more useful. That’s a smart move by the CID. The Stone Mountain Memorial Association owns the facility, but has never found a path to market its uses. Luckily, Gwinnett County was available to take a 50 year lease on it last year. Now the Evermore CID realizes what a tremendous facility the stadium could become for that part of the county, and seeks to help the facility. The CID could possibly move its own offices to the Stadium area, a much more visible area. Among ideas: besides tennis, possibly a music or meeting facility. Its location should give it even greater appeal to many groups. The CID will undertake a study on the possibilities. We’re anticipating that such a venue could give this area of the county an even greater appeal. * * * * Then this weekend we learned of a project that promises even more of an impact: the possibility that one local church would forestall erecting a new building, but instead seeks to move a massive historic 98 year old church out of Buffalo, N.Y. to Peachtree Corners. (See Today’s Issue, above.) This idea really excited us, for should the Peachtree Corners Catholic congregation become successful in raising the money for moving the church, Gwinnett would gain an immediate handsome landmark structure, one that comes with its own history! The migration of people from the North to the South has been massive, as the South has progressed with its abundant sunshine and modern industrialization. Now comes the possibility of moving a storied church to the area. That’s exciting. We join in many other Gwinnttians who wish the people of Mary Our Queen Catholic Church great success in raising the funds to move this historic structure to our county. Three positive stories in one week. That’s exciting! 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 First National Insurance, located at 1689 Duluth Highway, Lawrenceville. The firm, with roots going back to its founding in 1995, offers multi-lines in insurance and financial services, including auto, home, recreational, commercial and group benefits programs. It is the representative of several old-line insurance companies, including Travelers, Hartford, Auto-owners, Allied, Blue Cross-Blue Shield and Zurich firms. Call First National Insurance at 770 513-2264. Check out our web site at www.fnins.net.
FEEDBACK Editor, the Forum: Thanks for printing the article about giving politicians a pat on the back. It made me think that I need to spend more time meeting my local politicians and less time criticizing them. These days we would do well to cultivate a spirit of cooperation in order to make any progress in our lives.
UPCOMING The North Gwinnett Kiwanis Club is continuing a new tradition by hosting its second annual Father/Daughter Valentine Dance at the Legacy Lodge and Conference Center at Lake Lanier Islands Resort on Saturday, February 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. This event is open to daughters of all ages, from toddler to adult. Last year, nearly 200 attendees were from Gwinnett, Hall, Cherokee, Barrow, and Forsyth counties, ranging in age from six months to 24 years old. Fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, uncles, and anyone who is a significant father-like figure is invited to bring their daughters, stepdaughters, and nieces. Tickets, at $40 per couple and $10 for each additional daughter, can be purchased online at www.northgwinnettkiwanis.com or from any club member. The Lake Lanier Island gate admission is included with the couple’s ticket. Dress is “Sunday Attire.” Light refreshments will be served, and professional photography will be available For more information, visit www.northgwinnettkiwanis.com or call 404 386-4782. NOTABLE Applications are now being accepted for Jackson Electric Membership Corporation’s 2010 Youth Citizenship Award (YCA). Applicants should be a high school junior or senior, and be involved in community or school volunteer organizations whose chief objective is improving the community. Leadership positions and high GPAs are considered, but are not a necessity for this award. Applicants should explain why they volunteer, how much time they devote to their activities and what they’re doing to improve their communities. The winner of this award will earn a $2,000 college scholarship; a $1,000 grant to distribute to a school or civic organization of choice; and an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. for the Washington Youth Tour Application forms are available from high school counselors or on the cooperative’s website at www.jacksonemc.com/citizenship. More than one student from a school may apply. Students do not have to be Jackson EMC customers to participate but must attend a high school in Jackson EMC’s service territory. Applicants must submit a form and send at least one professional letter of recommendation from a sponsor of a group/organization where they volunteer. The application deadline is February 26, 2010. Gwinnett Federal CU funds educational scholarship Gwinnett
Federal Credit Union has established an annual scholarship fund for Georgia
Gwinnett College students majoring in early childhood education, special
education or another major leading to teacher certification. Marshall
Boutwell, president and chief executive officer of Gwinnett Federal Credit
Union, says: “Gwinnett Federal has a long standing commitment to
supporting education. We currently fund $58,500 in student and adult career
scholarships in support of local school systems. With the addition of
Georgia Gwinnett College to the local landscape, it was the logical and
right thing for us to do.” RECOMMENDED “Green Tomatoes Buffet knows how to prepare and serve you veggies at Gwinnett Drive and Scenic Highway in Lawrenceville! Whether you want them raw from the salad bar or cooked from the hot bar, you'll find many different ones available. On most days you'll have a choice of chicken prepared at least three different ways; fried chicken is always available. Other meats, such as meat loaf or fish, vary from day to day. The pineapple cobbler is the newest ‘hit.’ You can find watermelon year round and other excellent fresh fruits . And, if you have any room left at the end of your meal, the ice cream is yummy! This restaurant is owned by Ann and Moon Kim and is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner. The staff will keep your glass filled with good tea---which is free with meals to seniors 60 and older!”
GEORGIA ENCYCLOPEDIA
One of the most successful coaches in college football history and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Glenn "Pop" Warner received his start at the University of Georgia (UGA) in Athens, where in 1896 he coached the Bulldogs to their first-ever undefeated season. Glenn Scobey Warner was born on April 5, 1871, in Springville, N.Y. He graduated with a law degree from Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., where he captained the football team during his last year of school. The oldest player on the team, he was given the nickname "Pop." After practicing law for four months in Buffalo, N.Y., Warner turned to coaching. In September 1895, UGA, which had only 248 students at the time, hired him to coach its fledgling football program. Although the team lost four of its seven games in Warner's first season, UGA won all four games his second year, marking the school's first undefeated season. Despite his success, Warner was discouraged by the low salary and poor facilities. Homesick, he returned to Cornell to coach in 1897. He moved on in 1899 to coach at the Carlisle Indian School in Carlisle, Pa. In five years he transformed the school into a national power, amassing a record of 11-2-1 in 1903. He coached Jim Thorpe, generally considered the greatest athlete of the first half of the 20th century. In 1915, he took over the University of Pittsburgh (Pa.) program, remaining through the 1923 season. Four of his teams went undefeated. In 1924 he moved to Stanford University in Stanford, Calif., where he coached the team in three Rose Bowl championships and went undefeated in 1926. Warner finished his career at Temple University in Philadelphia, where he coached from 1933 to 1938. His teams had won 313 games when he retired, more than any other coach at the time. During Warner's 44 years as a head coach he introduced many innovations to the game, including the spiral punt; naked bootleg; double reverse; three-point stance; screen pass; single- and double-wing formations; the numbering of players' jerseys; the employment of shoulder pads, thigh pads, lightweight uniforms, and safer helmets; and the use of blocking sleds and tackling dummies at practice. From Warner's viewpoint his most important contribution was the formation, in 1929, of the Pop Warner Youth Football League for children. In 2004 approximately 240,000 football players and 160,000 cheerleaders participated in league programs all over the world. Warner died in Palo Alto, Calif., on September 7, 1954. CREDITS GwinnettForum is provided to you at no charge every Tuesday and Friday. If you would like to serve as an underwriter, click here to learn more. Send
your thoughts, 55-word short stories, pet peeves or comments on any issue
to Gwinnett Forum for future
publication.
UNSUBSCRIBE We hope you'll keep receiving the great news and information from GwinnettForum, but if you need to unsubscribe, click here. © 2010, Gwinnett Forum.com. Gwinnett Forum is an online community commentary for exploring pragmatic and sensible social, political and economic approaches to improve life in Gwinnett County, Ga. USA. |
TODAY'S QUOTE "Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it."
Those interested in the history of Gwinnett need to know that the recently published book: Gwinnett: A Little Above Atlanta, has sold fast, with the first editions about sold out. Get yours before they're gone. Go to http://www.elliottbrack.com/ to order, or buy the book at a local bookstore shown on the site. The books are available at:
MORE RECENT COMMENTARY
FOR CHARITY. You can give "A Gift of Laughter," a great book of cartoons by Bill McLemore, to help raise money for Rainbow Village. At just $20, it's a fun way to help. To order, call 770-497-1888, or email to info@gwinnettforum.com. SISTER PUBLICATIONS We encourage you to check out our sister publications:
© 2001-2010, Gwinnett Forum.com is Gwinnett County's online community forum for commentary that explores pragmatic and sensible social, political and economic approaches to improve life in Gwinnett County, Ga. USA. PHONE: 770.840.1003 |
|
