|
Gwinnett mother and daughter take in
sights of New York
By
Greta Loeber
Special to GwinnettForum.com
(Editor's Note: Greta Loeber of Norcross is a
math specialist with Gwinnett County Public Schools, and working
toward her EdD degree from Walden University. She visited New
York City recently. We asked for her impression, and got this
reply. -eeb.)
NORCROSS, July 6, 2007 -- I arrived in New York City on a Tuesday
at what we refer to as rush hour in Atlanta, though on hindsight
every hour appears to be rush hour in downtown Manhattan.
Since my daughter, Mandy, was working when I arrived, I armed myself
with a guide book and a map, paid close attention to the direction
I traveled (dropping bread crumbs along the way came to my mind),
and hit the streets in search of dinner. As I ambled down 44th Street,
I began to wonder why all these people were taking pictures in the
street. Yes, it was Times Square, and the spot was where the crystal
ball drops on New Year's Eve.
Navigating the streets on foot I found to be extremely easy and
quite safe, "the safest large city." The next two days
I did the hop on, hop off tour in a double-decker bus, all for a
mere $49. This sounds very touristy, but what a great way to learn
some history and pick and choose your experiences.
On day one, I chose the downtown tour loop that wandered through
Greenwich Village, Soho, Chinatown, Little Italy, Ground Zero, TriBeCa,
and then through midtown to visit St. Patrick's Cathedral and the
Museum of Modern Art.
One can get off to shop or experience a museum along the way, and
a choice I made was Ground Zero at the southern end of Manhattan.
The visit to St. Paul's Chapel across the street was very poignant
with memorabilia from young and old around the world. (It is an
Episcopal church, and the oldest public building in Manhattan in
continuous use.)
Day two of the tour was through the theater district, around Central
Park (over 800 acres), Harlem, the museum mile, and back to midtown.
Exploring the Metropolitan Museum of Art could take at least three
weeks, but alas I had only a few hours to spend here. I did relax
amid sculpture on the rooftop garden and enjoy a ham and brie sandwich.
My first subway ride came in the evening as my daughter and I met
friends in TriBeCa for dinner. Our dinner companions asked did you
see this or that. I was able to say yes, and smile smugly as I added
did you know this or that?
This information came from the tour guides, who had lots of trivia
to share about buildings, people, and the city. Things like: the
Statue of Liberty (minus the base, lying on her side) would fit
in the Cathedral of St. John the Divine! That's a big church-actually
the largest cathedral in the world!
View from the "Top of the Rock" |
Mandy and I continued the New York experience, shopping in Soho,
eating from the street vendors, enjoying a street fair, and browsing
the finer shops on Fifth Avenue. Late Saturday, we decided to experience
"Top of the Rock", 70 floors to the top of Rockefeller
Center. What a beautiful site! One can see the entire island via
the 360 degree view, look the entire length of Central Park, and
just admire the beauty of this diverse city. I wished we had found
time to experience the free, outdoor movie (actually chairs set
up) at Rockefeller Center. It looked like fun!
Next visit, I'll take more time to walk the neighborhoods, explore
Central Park, visit more museums, and enjoy more ethnic food..and
people. They were extremely helpful and friendly to this southern,
elementary teacher. Go visit the Big Apple!
Special July Fourth treat: Hearing Jimmy Carter
about Plains
By
Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com
JULY 6, 2007 -- For the second time this week, a distinguished
politician was attending a function which we also attended during
Patriot Week. And the second time this week, it wasn't a political
event and it was a surprise for us.
Brack |
Friends Carolyn and Don Carter invited us to their home on the
Georgia coast for a Fourth of July party, and we were glad to attend.
Don is a retired Knight-Ridder newspaper executive we've known for
years. At one time he was the publisher of The Macon Telegraph
before being named the top news executive of the newspaper chain.
(Last Sunday when we attended a patriotic concert in Dahlonega,
also present were both Sen. Johnny Isakson and Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle.)
At Carolyn and Don's function Wednesday, to our surprise, Rosalynn
and Jimmy
Carter, who is Don's only remaining first cousin, were present.
About 250 people were gathered under tents for the mid-day Fourth
of July celebration, mostly decked out in red-white-and-blue outfits.
The breeze was blowing off the marsh, while the sun was mostly behind
the clouds, and the weather was amazingly cool for July 4.
After the socializing and tasty barbecue (both pork and chicken),
Don asked the former president to give a few remarks. However, Don
limited his cousin's subject, asking him not to talk about his recent
travels to Israel or Ireland, or talk about another recent trip
to Africa, or his 22 books, but wanted him to talk of "more
important" matters...their common hometown of Plains.
Jimmy Carter |
So the former president told us of his growing town of 635 persons,
up from about 500 when he and Don were children there. He told of
the 11 Plains churches, and the way the entire town voted to be
a historic district, now administered by the National Park Service,
to remain a period town in the 1937 era. He told how, when growing
up, among his closest friends were blacks in that predominately
black community in those segregated days, and how they had influenced
him. He also spoke of how one of his teachers, Miss Judy Coleman,
had a vast impact on his life, quoting her in, among other times,
when he accepted the Nobel Prize: "We must adjust to changing
times but still hold to unchanging principles."
He told of when at age five, he pulled up green peanuts, boiled
and packaged them into 20 half pound sacks, then walked the railroad
tracks to Plains and sold his peanuts for a nickel a bag. "That
was a dollar a day for about a half day's work, equivalent to what
a man made working all day in the fields," he said. Continuing
this early self-employment until age 8, the future president eventually
used his daily earnings to buy bales of cotton when it was five
cents a pound, stored it in a warehouse until it was 18 cents a
pounds, and sold it. He used this profit from his cotton to purchase
five houses, which Carter rented until he went to the Naval Academy.
While the ex-president may have told the story before, we had never
heard it. And it showed what an early capitalist the young Jimmy
Carter was! It was a basic lesson in taking what is plentiful around
you, in this case raw peanuts, figuring out what to do with them,
making a profit, and putting this capital to work in a steady investment.
We felt lucky to be in attendance on the Fourth of July, 2007,
to hear the vital-looking 83-year-old president speak extemporaneously
about his life in Plains, hosted by the recently-turned 90-year-old
Don Carter and his gracious wife, Carolyn.
 The
public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com
to you at no cost to readers. Today's sponsor is Walton EMC Natural
Gas, headquartered in Monroe. Walton EMC Natural Gas brings
the same friendly service and caring values to the natural gas market
that its parent, Walton EMC, has delivered to its Gwinnett electric
consumers for 70 years. And month after month, Walton EMC Natural
Gas has been Georgia' low price leader for your natural gas needs,
according to information from the Georgia Public Service Commission.
Call 770/267-2505 or visit www.waltonemcgas.com
to become the next satisfied Walton EMC natural gas customer.
Thousands
will visit Gwinnett because of Lilburn temple
Editor, the Forum:
I have lived in Gwinnett for over 18 years. There is little to
brag about other than the fact that Gwinnett is a great place to
live. I am very proud of that alone.
How about some bragging rights for little ol' Lilburn. I am in
awe at the new Hindu Temple under construction in Lilburn. It is
to be one of the largest Hindu temples in the United States, bigger
than its sister in Chicago, where that one has become one of the
biggest educational and tourist draws in the city.
I am so very surprised that the local Gwinnett news media does
not support the breaking news. Yes there was recently an article
in the AJC, but little else locally.
What a fabulous opportunity to learn international architecture,
cultural diversity, religious education, and even tolerance of others
by having such a marvel in our "sometimes too redneck"
back yard.
Go, Gwinnett!
Tens of thousands of people from all over the world will be coming
to Gwinnett for its grand opening in less than two months. Thousands
more will certainly be coming to see the finished site of worship
thereafter. Thanks for the opportunity to add my "two cents"
on perhaps the missing of a
huge piece of news under our noses.
-- Ross Powell, Lilburn
Dear Ross: Thanks to you for emphasizing just
how important this element in our diverse community will become.
Here's hoping that we both get an invitation to attend the opening
festivities! -eeb
Vandals causing problems
at Vines RR, but still on schedule
Editor, the Forum:
Just a note to keep GwinnettForum readers in the loop. They know
the Vines Garden Railroad is the only garden railroad in Georgia
open to the public and free of charge to visitors.
Vines Garden Railroad |
Sadly, somebody is trying to put us out of business. Vandals have
struck twice in the last couple of weeks. They just love smashing
buildings and stealing locomotives and railroad cars. We will try
to carry on until the expense gets too large.
We ask that you wish us well and appreciate you telling others
about this, and suggesting that they come by and see our railroad.
If anyone would like to visit the Vines Garden Railroad for a school
field day or any other group related outing, they should contact
us at vinesrr@bellsouth.net
or call us at (770) 554-9697 to make an appointment. We will be
happy to work out a day and time to fit in with your schedule.
-- Bob Giselbach, Buford
Liberating
Libby
Another great cartoon from Bill McLemore:
Gwinnett
property tax bills to be mailed on July 15
The Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner will mail 2007 property tax
bills July 15, 2007. Installment dates for 2007 property tax payments
are Sept. 15 and Nov. 15, 2007. Also, more property tax payment
locations are available to customers.
As in the past, only one bill will be mailed. It includes payment
coupons and reply envelopes for both installment payments. First
installment amounts shown on tax bills must be paid by September
15, or taxpayers may pay the entire amount by this date. The second
installment will be due November 15. Installments not paid by the
stated due dates will incur a five percent penalty. In addition,
interest will begin to accrue at the rate of one percent per month
beginning on November 16.
Tax payments may be made over the telephone using banking information
on the Tax Commissioner's TaxTalk 24 line. Also, taxpayers may pay
by credit card over the Internet (convenience fees apply).
For customer assistance or to make payments by telephone, contact
770-822-8800. Customers may also e-mail tax@gwinnettcounty.com.
Visit the Tax Commissioner's web site at www.GwinnettTaxCommissioner.com.
Rep.
Marin hosts British House Speaker at civil rights sites
State Rep. Pedro Marin (D-Duluth) recently hosted the Speaker of
the British House of Commons, Michael Martin, who was traveling
throughout the South to visit various civil right sites.
Rep. Marin, chosen by Speaker Glenn Richardson and Speaker Pro-term
Mark Burkhalter for this diplomatic assignment, provided the top
British parliamentarian a tour of the State Capitol and answered
questions about how the Georgia House of Representatives operates.
For Rep. Marin, "It was an honor and privilege to represent
the Georgia House of Representatives and the State of Georgia in
welcoming Speaker Michael Martin."
The entourage led by Rep. Marin visited the Martin Luther King
National Historic Site, met with U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Atlanta),
and also spoke with Governor Sonny Perdue. The British speaker noted
that as a young man he was inspired by the words of Dr. King to
find the courage to battle injustice and preach tolerance.
Samuel Weintraub is
winner of 2007 Mark Nanney Scholarship
The Mark Nanney Memorial Scholarship winner at Norcross High School
is Samuel Weintraub. He has earned a $1,000 college scholarship
through outstanding musical achievement, dedication and leadership.
He will attend the University of Georgia where he will study music
performance on trumpet.
Weintraub |
In addition to the Mark Nanney Scholarship, Weintraub is also the
recipient of an annual academic scholarship of $1,000 and an annual
music scholarship of $1,000 to attend UGA School of Music.
Throughout high school, Weintraub has been recognized for his outstanding
accomplishments in music. This includes: three years in the All-State
band; six years in the district Honor Band; in the Atlanta Youth
Wind Symphony; a member of the Atlanta Trumpet Ensemble; principal
trumpet of the 2006 Georgia Ambassadors of Music Tour of Europe;
and the principal trumpet for the 2006 UGA Jan-fest. He has also
had leadership roles in the Norcross High Marching Band.
While attending Norcross High, Weintraub has been the "Most
Improved Marching Band Member" as a freshman; "Most Outstanding
Marching Band Member" when a junior; "Most Outstanding
Brass Musician" in the Norcross HS Wind Symphony as a senior;
and was the 2006-2007 recipient of the "John Philip Sousa Award."
The Mark Nanney Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in 1991,
and named after Nanney, who was in his second year as Drum Major
of the Norcross High School Band, when killed by a drunk driver
while en route to a University of Georgia football game in Athens.
Contributions to memorialize Mark poured in from all over the state,
and from that sizeable fund, the Mark Nanney Memorial Scholarship
Fund was established to encourage and financially assist talented
students who plan to go into the music world and a career in Music
Performance or in Music Education. In addition to the main scholarship,
the Mark Nanney Memorial Scholarship Fund also awards $100 scholarships
for Summer Music Studies each year for students to attend music
programs and workshops.
For more information on the Mark Nanney Memorial Scholarship, please
visit the website at: www.marknanney.com.
- 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
Aflac becomes
first U.S. firm to sell insurance in Japan
Aflac,
based in Columbus, is a leading writer of voluntary insurance coverage.
Founded in 1955 by brothers John, Paul, and William Amos and incorporated
as American Family Life Insurance Company, the company grew from
6,426 policyholders in 1956 to more than 40 million policyholders
worldwide in 2003.
Viewed historically, growth followed a number of innovations and
management decisions. Expanding from life insurance, American Family
Life pioneered cancer insurance in 1958. Beginning in 1964 the company
decided to focus sales on worksite settings. The decision to sell
insurance internationally grew from John Amos's 1970 visit to the
Osaka World's Fair in Japan. In 1974 the company became the first
U.S. company to sell insurance in Japan after the Allied occupation
following World War II (1941-45).
In 1989 the holding company adopted a new trade name, Aflac. American
Family Life had been unofficially calling itself Aflac since 1988.
In 2000 the company initiated an advertising campaign featuring
a duck, which has become well known.
From 1992 to 2002 Aflac's net income grew on average more than
20 percent annually, with single-year sales surpassing $1 billion
in 2002. Annual revenues for 2003 exceeded $11.4 billon, and total
assets exceeded $50 billion. By 2003 Aflac had become Japan's leading
life insurance company in terms of individual policies, the largest
foreign insurer when measured by premium income, and the second
most profitable foreign company operating in Japan.
John Amos, one of the original founders, served as president and
chair of the company from 1955 until his death in 1990. After John's
death, his brother Paul Amos became chair, while his brother William
Amos continued as an executive. At the same time, Paul's son Daniel
Amos, whom John had chosen as his successor, assumed the role of
chief executive officer and later became chair upon Paul's retirement
in 2001. He helped to broaden the company's product line and is
responsible for launching the Aflac national advertising program.
Ever wonder what baseball
team coaches are really for?
"Coaches are an integral part of any manager's team, especially
if they are good pinochle players."
-- Retired Baseball Manager Earl Weaver, via Marshall Miller,
Lilburn
Send your thoughts, 55-word short stories, pet peeves
or comments on any issue to Gwinnett
Forum for future publication.
===========================================
MORE: Contact Gwinnett Forum at: elliott@gwinnettforum.com
© 2007, 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.
|
