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Alaska to Key West on a motorcycle
was enormous trek
By
Butch Conway
Sheriff of Gwinnett County
Special
to GwinnettForum.com
(Editor's Note: When we heard that Gwinnett
Sheriff Butch Conway was part of a 7,000 mile motorcycle ride
from Alaska to Key West, we wanted to know more about the trip,
and thought our readers would, too. Here's his account. ---eeb)
DACULA, Ga., July 17, 2007 -- Over the last few days, I've been
asked to reflect back on our 7,000+ mile motorcycle ride to raise
money for Special Olympics. I've been asked, "What was my favorite
part of the trip? What was my favorite city?" (For the record,
my favorite city is the place I call home - Dacula.)
Sheriff Butch Conway and Mike Powell prepare for another day
of cycling on their Alaska to Key West fund raiser for Special
Olympics. |
Maj. Mike Powell and I were part of a group of 39 motorcycle riders
who embarked on a trek from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska to Key West, Florida.
The ride took us three weeks and raised $160,000 for Special Olympics.
More than $50,000 was raised by the Gwinnett Sheriff's Department.
To be honest, it was a once in a lifetime trip. We saw incredible
sights. It was a journey I'm so glad I took, but would never want
to take again - at least not on a motorcycle. We began our ride
in Fairbanks, Alaska and that is where the story begins.
The gravel road was brutal for the first 900 miles of the trip.
I think we lost eight bikes the first day and had several injuries.
We had to drive in the truck ruts on the road because the gravel
was so deep. Some of the gravel on the road was the size of baseballs,
and it was the most intense ride on a motorcycle I've ever had.
While we were in Alaska, the sun was up 24 hours a day so we didn't
get to sleep much and never knew what time of day it was. Once we
reached Canada, it would get dusk at 10 or 11 p.m.
The biggest hurdle we faced besides the long days was keeping gas
in our tanks, especially in remote areas. When we finally reached
the Alaska-Canadian border, we learned it was closed. We didn't
account for the time difference and I had to call my wife so she
could get online and find us a place to stay for the night.
But, despite the physical exhaustion, the sights we saw…well,
words can't do them justice.
Motorcyclists on the Alaska to Florida fund-raiser are halted
in Wyoming as a cattle drive takes precedence. |
In Wyoming, we topped a hill to find about 100 head of cattle being
herded across the road by a group of cowboys. In another area of
the country, we saw buffalo and deer, and at one point we had to
brake hard to miss a bear crossing the road. The support from the
communities we went through, and especially the support from the
Special Olympics athletes, kept us pushing on toward our goal.
I would have to say the people we met along the way were my favorite
part of the trip. We made many good friends, including John Willings
in Canada, who gave me a $100 Canadian bill to donate to the Special
Olympics athletes.
One of the more moving scenes was in Great Falls, Mont. We passed
an old rancher who was standing beside his truck clapping his hands
overhead as we went by. You had to be there, but for me that was
one of the best parts of the trip.
To do this once was crazy, but to do it twice would be stupid. But,
it was well worth the ride!
Be sure to hear Ferrol Sams when he visits
Gwinnett Aug. 11
By
Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com
JULY 17, 2007 -- Gwinnett residents use their libraries extensively.
For instance, in the library system's 1990 year, Gwinnettians checked
out 2,135,061 items. By the 2006 fiscal year, that number had grown
to 6.02 million items. And in 2006, the number of times people came
through the library doors was 3.4 million!
Brack |
One reason the Gwinnett library has such impressive statistics
is that it constantly improves its offerings. One of the innovative
programs it now offers is "Gwinnett Reads", whereby the
library encourages the entire community to concentrate on a single
book, then brings the book's author in for a speaking engagement.
This program was begun in 2003.
In past years, the Gwinnett Reads the book have included To
Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee; and Walking Across Egypt
by Clyde Edgerton. The whole idea is for Gwinnett citizens to be
reading the same book, plus hear lectures, discussions and in-depth
consideration of that particular book.
 This
year the library system has chosen a blockbuster of an author, Georgia's
own Dr. Ferrol Sams, who has a new book out, Down Town. Dr.
Sams will speak in Gwinnett on August 11 in an appearance that should
mean a sell-out crowd. He is a Fayette County physician who did
not start writing until past 50 years of age, He gets up about 5
a.m. to write his stories in long-hand on Blue Horse notebook paper.
His first book (one of a trilogy) of a young boy growing up in rural
Georgia, Run with the Horseman, was released in 1984. Altogether,
he's written eight books, though Down Town is his first in six years.
Last week we attended the first public appearance by Dr. Sams since
the publication of Down Town. It was held at the Margaret
Mitchell House of the Atlanta History Center, with the place packed
well in advance of Dr. Sams' appearance.
As usual, the grey-haired but very much spry physician did not
disappoint, bringing up stories, that many in the audience could
relate to, of life in rural Georgia before World War II. Dr. Sams
credits one of his professors at Mercer University for setting him
on a course of writing…..though it took place nearly 40 years
after the encouragement from the professor. "My professor,
Dr. Fred Jones, after I had done well in his class, asked me what
I wanted to do in life. I told him I wanted to study medicine, and
he said that he thought that I had a gift as a writer. It's something
that I did not much think of until much later in life."
People all across the nation are pleased that Ferrol Sams eventually
took the time to jot down what he could recall from his growing-up
days, often hilarious stories that send readers into stitches in
laughter. After one incident, (no doubt biographical), in which
the young boy causes quite a consternation, his father told the
person who had witnessed the recent incident: "He's not a bad
boy. But I can't think of enough things to tell him not to do."
For a treat, make plans now to hear Ferrol Sams when he comes to
Gwinnett on August 11 as the 2007 summer Gwinnett Reads' author.
And be sure to get a copy of his new book, Down Town, and
devour it prior to his appearance out here. If you haven't had time
by August 11 to read Dr. Sams' new book, come anyway and get hooked
on this gifted Georgia writer.
 The
public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com
to you at no cost to readers. Today's sponsor is the Aurora Theatre,
Gwinnett County's first choice for professional theatrical entertainment.
Celebrating their 12th year and inaugural season in Gwinnett's crown
jewel for the performing arts located on the square in Downtown
Lawrenceville, Aurora Theatre is committed to producing quality,
professional theatre for all of North Georgia. The 2007-2008 Season
will open with Annie Get Your Gun on August 9. The season
includes the regional premiere of Bach at Leipzig, Christmas
Canteen 2007, Dial M for Murder, The Dinosaur Musical &
Noises Off. Aurora Theatre also welcomes from off-Broadway,
The Gospel of John and Atlanta Shakespeare Tavern's production
of Taming of the Shrew. For young children ask about the
Saturday Children's Playhouse on the second, third and fourth Saturday
morning of every production. To purchase individual tickets, season
tickets or for more information, visit their revamped NEW website
at www.auroratheatre.com
or call 678-407-6690.
Town
of Braselton to screen movie on critters July 20
The Town of Braselton will celebrate National Small Cities and
Towns Day by hosting a "family movie night" in the Braselton
Park on Friday, July 20.
Over the Hedge is the feature presentation, a computer-animated
film featuring a woodland critters' cast who awake from hibernation
to find a tall hedge has appeared and half their forest is gone.
There is little food supply left, so the critters must act. The
film is produced by DreamWorks.
Family movie night is a free presentation, including snow cones,
popcorn, candy, a moon bounce and inflated slide. Entertainment
begins at 7 p.m. in the town's downtown park one block west of Georgia
Highway 53. The movie begins at dusk on a 24 foot screen. Patrons
are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets.
Snellville unveils
Quality of Life Unit on July 18
The City of Snellville plans to unveil its Police Department Quality
of Life Unit on Wednesday, July 18, at 5:30 p.m. Snellville will
kick off the "Mayor's Night In" with a ribbon cutting
ceremony for its Quality of Life Unit.
The Quality of Life Unit will be headquartered in the Snellville
City Hall. It will be staffed by Lt. Angela Mitchell and Sgt. Rob
Pendleton. They will be primarily responsible for property and quality
of life Code Enforcement and act as liaison between the Snellville
Municipal Court and the Police Department.
Courthouse concert
series to hear Shawn Mullins on July 27
July's concert brings Grammy-nominated singer/ songwriter Shawn
Mullins to the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse lawn on July 27 at 8
p.m.
Atlanta-based artist Shawn Mullins is a multi-instrumentalist who
plays over 200 performances a year. His music isn't defined by a
singular genre, but is a unique blend of folk, blues, country and
rock. His well-known song "Lullaby" reached #1 on the
national pop chart and more recently his song "Beautiful Wreck"
has reached number one on both the AAA and Americana Radio.
The concerts and lawn seating are free to the public. Tables for
six can be rented by contacting the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse
offices at 770-822-5450.
For series information and band listings visit www.visitlawrenceville.com.
New
Lawrenceville parking deck open ... and free
Lawrenceville's new downtown parking deck is now open, adding additional
convenient parking for the downtown retail and events district.
The deck has two entrances. One is at 153 Crogan Street and the
other off Chestnut Street, adjacent to the Post Office.
The deck is adjacent to the new Aurora Theatre building, which
you enter directly from the deck. Near the new parking facility
within walking-distance is dining and shopping. There is no charge
for parking at the deck.
Four from Gwinnett
named to state Bar Advertising Task Force
Appointment of four Gwinnettians has been announced by State Bar
of Georgia President Gerald Edenfield to the new Lawyer Advertising
Task Force. The four are: Gary Martin Hays of Duluth and Brook Atkinson
Davidson, Judy C. King and Lawrence Lewis of Lawrenceville.
The task force was created as part of the State Bar's initiative
to protect the public and the justice system by enforcing disciplinary
rules against lawyer advertising that is found to be false and/or
misleading..
Hays will serve as an at-large member of the statewide task force.
Davidson, King, and Lewis were appointed to the local committee
for Judicial District 9.
The State Bar of Georgia, created by order of the Supreme Court
of Georgia in 1964, is a mandatory organization composed of more
than 38,000 lawyers licensed to practice law in Georgia.
Georgia Perimeter
College makes it easier for seniors
Georgia Perimeter College is now making it easier for high school
seniors to enroll at the institution. GPC recently implemented a
guaranteed admission plan for high school graduates. The offer applies
to students with a college prep diploma who have at least a 2.0
grade point average in the 16 required College Preparatory Curriculum
(CPC) units or who have a vocational/technical diploma with a 2.2
average in the 13 academic units required.
Students will have to provide final high school transcripts, immunization
records and any other required program-specific documents before
registration. This new GPC guaranteed admission process allows high
school graduates to make college plans with certainty, said GPC
President Dr. Anthony Tricoli. "This change will result in
more time for students to prepare for college, attend orientation,
participate in academic advising, and develop their Student Education
Plan, which will become their roadmap to educational success."
Harry
Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
A funny thing besets Harry Potter on the way to Hogwarts this
year. He not only has to battle evil. He has to battle the banality
of evil---and introduces his viewers to a whole new realm of ideas.
Orwell is the real unseen ghost of Harry Potter and the Order
of the Phoenix. Hogwarts becomes ruled by a mindless 1984-like
bureaucracy. A cold war descends graying newly bleak walls with
Stalinist-type propaganda.
Take the magic out of learning and magic? Only J.K. Rowling could
turn such a fiendish feat. Harry studies more spycraft than witchcraft.
The film has the feel of John le Carré, with double and triple
agents aching to come in from the cold, Harry Potter encounters
philosophies of Hegel, Kant, John Stuart Mills, Nietsche, Descartes,
and Feminism. "I think, therefore I can do something to improve
my world."
This is a new delightfully complex Potter. Harry Potter helped
children worldwide to love reading. Now, Rowling's spell over young
readers delivers her most valuable message: "Distrust authority-
all authority."
As Harry Potter himself says: "Let the rebellion begin."
-- Jim Murtagh, M.D.
- 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
Delta Prize
for Understanding awarded by UGA
Delta Prize medallion |
The Delta
Prize for Global Understanding, endowed by Delta Air Lines and
administered by the University of Georgia, is awarded on an annual
basis to individuals who by their own initiative have provided opportunities
for greater understanding among cultures and nations. The inaugural
Delta Prize went to Jimmy Carter, Rosalynn Carter, and the Carter
Center in 1999.
Professors Gary K. Bertsch, director of the Center for International
Trade and Security, and Betty Jean Craige, director of the Center
for Humanities and Arts, both at the University, established the
Delta Prize for Global Understanding in 1997 with an $890,000 endowment
grant from the Delta Air Lines Foundation. As co-directors of the
Delta Prize Program, Bertsch and Craige envision the Delta Prize
honoring a variety of contributions to peace and cooperation, such
as grassroots projects that diminish hostilities in a particular
region of the world, international programs that facilitate communication
or commerce among different peoples, and the leadership of individuals
in the solution of global problems.
The Delta Prize consists of a $10,000 cash award and the Delta
Prize medallion, which Athens artists Barbara Mann and Gary Noffke
designed in 1998. The medallion portrays the earth with the abstracted
continents in low relief.
Recipients of the Delta Prize have been:
1999 -- Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter and the Carter Center
2000 -- Desmond Tutu
2001 -- Mikhail Gorbachev
2002 -- Sadako Ogata
2004 -- Václav Havel
2005 -- Gertrude Ibengwe Mongella
2006 -- Ted Turner
2007 -- Nelson Mandela
The Delta Prize Program, located in the Center for the Humanities
and Arts, accepts nominations at all times of the year. A Student
Selection Committee, composed primarily of University of Georgia
Foundation Fellows, screens nominations in the fall semester of
every academic year and provides a short list to the international
Delta Prize Board, which chooses the Delta Prize recipient at its
annual meeting. The prize is normally bestowed at an award ceremony
held in the spring.
Oh, for the want of
more people like Dr. Franklin
"I resolve to speak ill of no man whatever, not even in a
matter of truth; but rather by some means excuse the faults I hear
charged upon others, and upon proper occasions speak all the good
I know of everybody."
-- Benjamin Franklin, via Cindy Evans, Duluth.
Send your thoughts, 55-word short stories, pet peeves
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Forum for future publication.
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is an online community commentary for exploring pragmatic and sensible
social, political and economic approaches to improve life in Gwinnett
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