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11/30: Aunt submits
winning entry without Daculan knowing it
Thanks to all of you who viewed and voted for Geoffrey's picture
in the AJC Travel Photo Contest. Shhhhh, don't tell anyone, but
we received word his photo won the Readers' Choice Award which will
be published this Sunday, Dec. 2. The smiling dog named Camille
belongs to his Aunt Beth who recently moved back to Atlanta from
Paris.
Beth entered the photo unbeknownst to Geoffrey who had taken it
during a recent visit. He arrived in Paris on September 4 before
beginning his Furman Fall Term in England study experience. He then
flew to Shannon on September 11 where he anticipated meeting the
rest of the college group. Needless to say plans changed.
Despite parental misgivings and uncertainties Geoffrey expeditiously
found two fellow students also waiting for the rest of the group,
and the three toured Ireland on their own. Once the Furman group
could travel abroad, the trip continued as planned throughout the
British Isles, with a Shakespeare course in Stratford, a British
culture class, and virtually the whole season of plays for a drama
course in London.
During Geoffrey's academic adventures, his dad and I sensed that
he was dreadfully homesick and upset by current events. This deduction
stemmed from a request for a picture of Mom and Dad. So I dutifully
packed a few of my things amongst his list of necessary items, such
as Peter Pan Peanut Butter, York Peppermint Patties, Skittles, fly
fishing rod (?), etc.
Then I rather shakily embarked on a flight to London. Once reunited
with Geoffrey, I realized that perhaps it was Mom and Dad who were
homesick because he was fine.
Fortunately, I found the students to be remarkably at ease with
the world situation, unlike many of the folks at home. Despite taking
reasonable precautions, they exhibited the usual invincibility one
observes in college students and declared that nothing would interrupt
their taking full advantage of this unique experience.
Despite their fabulous opportunities, the Furman students dreaded
a lonely Thanksgiving. So when Geoffrey called on Thanksgiving Day,
we felt his sadness and he ours. He told how the group ate turkey
at a Mexican restaurant in London. Although we related the fun news
of the Readers' Choice Photo Award, somehow our Thanksgiving was
incomplete.
We all look forward to his return December.
-- Carole Boyce, Dacula
11/20:Won't
allow these times to stop her from traveling
Editor, the Forum:
I was in flight Friday, landing in Atlanta at 5:30 am on a "red-eye"
from San Francisco. Now, I'm not about to stop flying because I'll
not allow FEAR to rob me of my FAVORITE past time: travel! travel!
and MORE travel!...but I am "enlightened" enough to know
that it could've just as easily been MY plane that was in yesterday's
news!!!
Well, I have no "sermon-ette" today, but I am reminded
that all of us probably know someone we need to have a little talk
with or show a little more love to...maybe there's someone we've
been much less than honest with or we're hanging around people we've
long "outgrown". The "reality check" is just
a reminder that we all need to clear the "clutter" in
our hearts AND our minds!
Hmmmmm...I think I'll clear some "clutter" before I board
the plane for Hong Kong next month.
- - Stephanie M. Twitty, Decatur
11/9: Lots of Gwinettians
wanting shade trees
Editor, the Forum:
Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful has been overwhelmed by the community's
support for NeighborWoods! It seems everyone wants to plant these
trees to benefit their homes and neighborhoods. Though we gave away
all 750 trees we ordered for the November 3 delivery, we have another
750 trees coming in on January 26, 2001.
These will again be Red Maples, Shuard Oaks and Willow Oaks. There
is a waiting list of neighborhoods wanting to be considered for
the January 26 delivery. We are gratified that so many people recognize
the environmental and economic benefit of trees.
Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful will continue this program as long
as we can get the funding to buy the trees. We hope to create more
street tree canopy and cool Gwinnett's neighborhoods, while reducing
storm water runoff, increasing the value of homes and improving
air quality. Funds for the three came through grant from the state
of Georgia and Gov. Roy Barnes.
- - Heather Leo, GC&B, Lawrenceville.
11/6: Gwinnett librarian
reveals her top five books
(Editor's Note: Gwinnett Librarians Jo Ann Pinder
responded to our call for listing of a person's best five books.
Enjoy her list.-- EEB)
Editor, the Forum:
Having just finished listening to "Look Homeward Angel"
by Thomas Wolfe and not having a new book on tape, my driving time
has been spent thinking about the five best books list. It does
not include "Look Homeward Angel!"
But today it includes:
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
- she never writes the same book and gets better with every one.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott - the
first 'grown-up' book I remember
reading.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- because 'the rich really are
different from you and me' and this book tells that tale well.
Summons to Memphis by Peter Taylor - the
best read of my Southern Literature Book Group according to several
of us.
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand - how it made
me think and isn't that what
defines the pleasure of reading?
If I could cheat and have six, anything by John O'Hara because
he is a fellow
Pennsylvanian and his fictional town of Gibbsville is worth a visit
on
occasion.
Sitting on the nightstand for the future:
John Adams by David McCullough - which was
to be the summer presidential biography, but summer got away from
me.
The Wild Blue by Steven Ambrose - my dad
flew B-24's during the war and
hearing Mr. Ambrose read from this novel on C-Span really whetted
my
interest.
Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood - this
won the 2000 Booker Prize given for the best full length novel in
the British Commonwealth.
The Fourth Hand by John Irving - My understanding
is that no bear appears in this one, a first for him.
Bee Season by Myla Goldberg - who can resist
the cover which looks like a
tattered Merriam Webster dictionary?
- - Jo Ann Pinder, director, Gwinnett County
Public Library
WHAT'S YOUR PET PEEVE? Send your peeve Gwinnett
Forum for future publication.
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