GwinnettForum | Number 21.16| Mar. 4, 2022
HERE’S A FEATURED DISH among those to be served at The Kitchen at Summit Chase of Snellville when it opens as a public restaurant. This is a creation of Chef Alex Friedman called Pork Belly Nigiri, with ingredients of pork belly bruleé, tatsoi slaw, smoked soy, mirin, cilantro, and coriander. See more details at Today’s Focus below.
TODAY’S FOCUS: Summit Chase converts to scratch-based restaurant March 9
EEB PERSPECTIVE: Webb office was postgraduate training for young lawyers
SPOTLIGHT: Howard Brothers Outdoor Power Equipment and Hardware
FEEDBACK: If a teacher is ineffective, should administrators be blamed?
UPCOMING: Wreaths Across America exhibit comes to Gwinnett March 9
NOTABLE: New Technology allows traffic signals to connect to vehicles
RECOMMENDED: Washington’s End by Jonathan Horn
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Birdsong remains a showcase of a fire-dependent ecology
MYSTERY PHOTO: After a week off, see if you can solve this new mystery
CALENDAR: GGC’s first of two Preview Day is March 5
Summit Chase converts to scratch-based restaurant March 9
By Nicole Newsom
SNELLVILLE, Ga. | Summit Chase Country Club, a longtime Gwinnett staple since its establishment in the 1970s, will move away from the traditional country club concept and will soon open its doors as a scratch-based kitchen, featuring farm-to-table food. It will be named The Kitchen at Summit Chase, and open to the public on Wednesday, March 9.
Friedman
It has hired an up-and-coming executive chef, Alex Friedman, who has a resume featuring experience at some of the South’s best restaurants.
Vice President and General Manager Don Britt explains the name behind The Kitchen by sharing a personal connection: “In our home, our family’s always gotten together for family dinners, and where do we end up? We end up in the kitchen. And what do we do in the kitchen? We gather. We talk. We enjoy one another. We make memories. We spend time together in the kitchen, quality time. So we look forward for people to come out, with friends and families, and come to The Kitchen. And make memories that are homemade and seasoned [with] love!”
While Summit Chase will retain private membership programs and amenities, the golf course has been sold.
Chef Alex, 43, grew up in Indianapolis, Ind. He is a graduate of Johnson and Wales Culinary School in Charleston, S.C. He and his wife have two children and live in Loganville.
He comes with an impressive resume, including Asheville’s Biltmore Estate, Roswell’s Pastis Restaurant and Bar, Atlanta’s Anis Café and Bistro, Old Fourth Ward’s P’cheen International Bistro & Pub, and, most recently, Winder’s Bistro Off Broad. He entered the international La Chaine des Rotisseurs Young Chef Competition and placed first in the Southeast and second in the nation (where he was the youngest competitor), and later competed on the Food Network’s CHOPPED in 2012 (season 12).
Moreover, in 2020, Chef Alex was honored by Georgia Grown and the Georgia Department of Agriculture by being named one of six Georgia Grown Chefs of 2020.
With a distinct culinary vision for creating seasonally influenced cuisine, Chef Alex believes in sourcing beautiful local products from the many hard-working and talented farmers that are the backbone of Georgia’s agricultural and farming industry and has built many relationships with local farmers and culinary artisans over the years. Now, as the new executive chef of The Kitchen at Summit Chase, Chef Alex will bring his creative and inspirational farm-to-table cuisine to the Gwinnett community and beyond, as Summit Chase becomes a destination for gastronomes.
The club’s bar has been remodeled and named The Pub at Summit Chase, an extension of the restaurant but also an experience all its own.
The property will also be expanding its special events, with improved venue offerings as well as new activities and experiences for all to enjoy. Summit Chase is currently available for booking private events with a capacity of up to 250, but will also soon enter Phases II and III of its renovations. The first of these new spaces is anticipated to be The Barn at Summit Chase.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Webb firm was postgraduate training for young lawyers
Webb on horseback. Photo by Wayne Hill.
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
MARCH 4, 2022 | What a tremendous life Jones Webb of Lawrenceville lived! He was a community builder, led numerous civic organizations, was an accomplished attorney, had been a veteran of three services (the Army, the Marines and the Navy) and he thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of the great outdoors.
He came to Georgia after graduating from the University of Tennessee, attended the University of Georgia law school, and shortly afterwards married the Lawrenceville newspaper editor, Marion Allison.
What a handsome and involved couple they were! Her father, Marvin Allison, was the publisher of the newspaper. Jones joined the firm of Allison and Pittard in 1953.
After Mr. Allison’s death in 1959, Jones and his childhood friend, Howard Fowler, formed Webb and Fowler. Later Bill Tanner would become a partner in the firm, which was a prestigious one.
Jones Webb gave time to so many organizations, among them, heading the Gwinnett Chamber in 1972; was a director of Jackson EMC and the Lake Lanier Regional Library; and first chairman of the Gwinnett Airport Authority. He was a Salvation Army board member and co-chaired raising $4.3 million for the Army’s Gwinnett division headquarters on Sugarloaf Parkway. The Salvation Army honored him with its prestigious William Booth Award. He had numerous other memberships, including the Gwinnett Rotary Club and the Experimental Aircraft Association.
From their early years with the Webb firm, many young attorneys later formed their own successful partnerships in Gwinnett. Webb, Fowler and Tanner was something like a post graduate fellowship for these new lawyers.
Mike Tennant, now of Duluth, was the first young attorney to join the firm in 1973. Larry Edmondson came in 1974. Ronald Reagan put him on the 11th Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals in 1986 when he was practicing as Tennant, Andersen, Davidson and Edmondson. Among those at Webb Fowler and Tanner included Tom Andersen, Mike McGarrity, Billy Rowe, Tony Powell, Jack Wilson and others.
Webb
Tennant says: “As my best mentor, Jones taught me how to practice law and enjoy it while balancing a young family. He loved practicing law more than anyone I ever knew-no matter what the type of case…nasty divorce, child custody, eminent domain, contract dispute or defending a pro bono criminal defendant.”
Gwinnett Superior Court Judge Tracey Mason was a young intern at the firm. She says: “Jones Webb had come out of the hills of Tennessee to marry Marion Allison Webb and made Gwinnett his home—riding horses, flying planes, lawyering from under those bushy brows for generations of folks around here, all grateful to have his wise, strong counsel. For this wide-eyed Snellville girl, he inspired a dream and lit a pathway to the bench. Thank you, ‘good and faithful servant,’ for allowing Gwinnett to benefit from all you were, for choosing to spend most of your 94 years here among us. Gwinnett is better for it.”
Gerald Davidson of Peachtree Corners remembers: “I started looking up to and admiring Mr. Webb when I was a baby lawyer 46 years ago. When he and Ms. Marion lived on Hurricane Shoals Road with plenty of fenced in pasture and horses, on many a Saturday in the 80s I would go over and trail ride with Mr. Webb. We would head out through the pasture/woods behind their house and travel across land that is now Georgia Highway 316 and Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road and up to what is now Jackson Elementary School, mostly dirt roads. Being with Mr. Webb, especially in a setting like that, was a delight. A great fellow!”
Jones Webb: 1928-2022: may you rest in peace.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Howard Brothers
The public spiritedness of our underwriters allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Today’s sponsor is Howard Brothers Outdoor Power Equipment and Hardware. John and Doug Howard are the “brothers” in Howard Brothers. This family-owned business was started by their dad, and now John and Doug’s children are helping to lead in the business. Howard Brothers has locations in Alpharetta, Athens, Doraville, Duluth, Lula and Oakwood. They specialize in hardware, outdoor power equipment and parts and service. Howard Brothers are authorized dealers of STIHL, Exmark, Honda, Echo, and other well known brands in the green industry. Howard Brothers is also an authorized Big Green Egg dealer, and is one of the only Platinum Traeger Grill dealers in the state of Georgia.
- Visit their web site www.howardbrothers.com.
- For a list of other sponsors of this forum, click here.
If a teacher is ineffective, should administrators be blamed?
Editor, the Forum:
Let me totally agree with the article in GwinnettForum on teacher tenure. I would add that a certified teacher in the State of Georgia has been evaluated and judged competent in his/her field of study only after three successful years. Only then is tenure awarded.
However, teachers are human beings. Humans have bad stretches. The first whine in the documentary, “Waiting for Superman,” was from principals complaining that to fire a teacher they must first serve them at least three times and suggest specific remediation for them.
Remember teachers aren’t hired off the street. They have been through college, student teaching, and taught successfully for at least three years before tenure. They have proven they can do the job.
Why have principals if not to support teachers? Alton Crews used to copy an old Esso commercial. He would say that teachers “are where the rubber meets the road.” He went on to say that every administrator in the schools and the county office were only there to facilitate teachers.
A worthy goal.
Maybe when instruction is perceived as lacking in a school, we should first understand how effective the administrators are in remediating tenured teachers. If ineffective, maybe we should fire the administrators first.
– Michael Blackwood, Duluth
Feels school board continues to be discriminating
Editor, the Forum:
GCPS concludes Black History Month with a sober reminder that discrimination against Black children still persists within its walls, according to a recent story in the Atlanta daily newspaper. Yet on a positive note, we are encouraged that Superintendent Dr. Calvin Watts used the word “disproportionality” in his comments.
However, other than continuing to look at data , there appears to be no concrete plan of ACTION to address discrimination in student discipline. So I say GCPS does not have a “policy” problem; it has a “people”problem. Policies don’t suspend children, people do.
– James Taylor, Sugar Hill
After Ukraine invasion, Russian rubles are worthless
Editor, the Forum:
Recently I said that Russia would not invade Ukraine. I was wrong. They did. However, who won on the world stage? Ukraine.
Russia’s rubles are worthless. They cannot get to most of their money. They are isolated in this world. American, Canadian and British citizens are going there to fight. So who knows the outcome in the end? Their oligarchs are all leaving.
Pat Robertson has said that Putin wants Ukraine as a jumping off point to invade Israel. I have never considered Putin too bright, but if he could only get farther away from Israel than Ukraine, there is always Iceland.
– Raleigh Perry, Buford
Send us your thoughts: We encourage you to send us your letters and thoughts on issues raised in GwinnettForum. Please limit comments to 300 words, and include your hometown. The views of letters are the opinion of the contributor. We reserve the right to edit for clarity and length. Send feedback and letters to: elliott@brack.net.
Wreaths Across America exhibit comes to Gwinnett March 9
The Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit is on the road in 2022 and will be making a stop in Lawrenceville on Wednesday, March 9. This museum-on-wheels will be open to the public from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Entrance is free of charge. It will be located at East Shadowlawn Memorial Gardens, 87 Scenic Highway, Lawrenceville.
This visit will be hosted by the Philadelphia Winn Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).
This one-of-a-kind exhibit brings to heart the purpose of the Wreaths across America organization, by bringing local communities and our military together to share stories of patriotism and love of country, to help (1) teach the next generation about service and sacrifice, and to (2) honor and (3) remember veterans who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Inside the 48-foot trailer, visitors will have an opportunity to explore, honor our fallen veterans and learn more about Wreaths Across America.
Wreaths Across America takes great pride in its mission to Remember, Honor, and Teach. The mobile Education Exhibit will help to Teach, not only the next generations but all local community members about the services and sacrifices of our nation’s military.
Gwinnett Young Professionals seeks applicants age 21-35
Gwinnett Young Professionals (GYP) is seeking applicants between the ages of 21-35 who are living and/or working in Gwinnett County for its Journey Leadership Institute cohort. Applicants should have a strong desire to sharpen their personal leadership skills, increase their community influence, and improve their professional skill sets.
Jasmine Billings, GYP board chair, says: says: “We are a community championing young professionals to further engage, enhance, and develop as they embark on their professional journey. It is powerful to see young professionals from diverse backgrounds use Journey as a resource to not only grow internally but work with others as Journey Alumni members and crew leaders.”
The Journey Leadership Institute is a nine-month business leadership initiative that combines the expertise of Gwinnett’s top leaders and development organizations into one cohesive program. Participants are led through a series of workshops to grow and cultivate their current skills and knowledge. The program begins each year in August and concludes in April.
- Those interested in Journey must apply online. Visit https://www.gwinnettyoungprofessionals.com/journey/.
New technology allows traffic signals to connect to vehicles
The City of Peachtree Corners has announced that T-Mobile, Applied Information and Temple, Inc. are introducing 5G-connected vehicle technology that enables traffic signals to communicate with any vehicle on the road via a revolutionary mobile app.
This technology enables two-way communication on T-Mobile’s nationwide 5G network between the traffic signal and devices such as smartphones, tablets and vehicles equipped with on-board-units. The TravelSafely smartphone app provides audible warnings about potential red light running and alerts to get ready for green. Communications from the vehicle to the traffic signal can enable normal calls for a green light or green light preemption – or even priority in special cases, such as public safety.
In addition to English, the app provides the warnings and alerts in Spanish, Korean, Hindi, Simplified Chinese, French and German – depending on the phone settings of the user.
As further reflection of the city street of the future coming to life, four autonomous shuttles operated by mobility-as-a-service leader, Beep Inc., integrate Applied Information’s C-V2X technology into their fleet for safe and precise navigation, as well as real-world data collection. Multi-modal interoperability at intersections, as well as testing signal prioritization for the autonomous shuttle fleet, are just a few examples of critical situations. As transit operations and the need to safely test autonomous platforms while efficiently moving people around cities continues to grow, these real-world applications and tests help drive society forward.
Data collected from this deployment will help roadway operators and traffic technology developers better understand the performance of the 5G network to deliver safety messages to drivers and directly to equipped vehicles.
The collaboration is part of a partnership between the Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners and the Infrastructure Automotive Technology Laboratory (iATL) to accelerate the development and deployment of connected vehicle safety applications and transportation infrastructure technologies.
The two organizations, along with development partners such as T-Mobile, will share assets and facilities on projects involving automakers and technology innovators to develop and rapidly mainstream new safety systems for mobility. The partners will also promote the region as a hub for connected vehicle innovation and work to attract future development and early deployment to the area.
- For more information or to schedule a briefing with city government officials or T-Mobile/iATL executives, contact Peachtree@GoDRIVEN360.com.
Gwinnett Records Management Center getting new location
Gwinnett’s Board of Commissioners have approved several measures at their March 1 meeting. Here are two highlights:
The Records Management Center will be relocated from its current location on Grayson Highway. A contract to renovate a former Ingles grocery store on Grayson Highway in Lawrenceville has been given the green light. The renovated 87,000 square-foot facility will house county government records, emergency management equipment plus office and workspaces. The contract was awarded to Hogan Construction Group, LLC for $6 million and will come from the County’s construction services budget.
The board also voted to change the current county ordinance to allow deliveries of wine and beer from licensed businesses, mixed drink sales with takeout orders from restaurants and extended alcohol sales on Sunday. New hours for beer and wine sales on Sunday have been extended two hours. Now residents can purchase alcohol beginning at 11 a.m. until midnight. The updated ordinance follows on the heels of updates to state law.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Washington’s End by Jonathan Horn
From John Titus, Peachtree Corners: This book begins with George Washington leaving the presidency after two terms in 1797. He envisions spending the remainder of his life in ‘rural amusements’ at Mount Vernon. Rather than the idyllic retirement he hoped for in his final years he would face challenges in both his personal life and the life of the country. There would be the further development of the two political parties, the protection of his personal reputation, a quasi-war with France resulting in his resuming his position as Commander-in-Chief of the Army, family issues with two grandchildren, and slavery. Jonathan Horn presents a clear picture of these years and an intimate portrait of the man.
- An invitation: what books, restaurants, movies or web sites have you enjoyed recently? Send us your recent selection, along with a short paragraph (150 words) as to why you liked this, plus what you plan to visit or read next. Send to: elliott@brack.net
Birdsong remains a showcase of a fire-dependent ecology
Birdsong Nature Center is a model of biodiversity and environmental stewardship in the red hills of southwest Georgia. Located between Thomasville and Tallahassee, Fla., Birdsong offers 565 acres of varied ecological habitats, including twelve miles of maintained trails for birding and hiking
Birdsong is the living legacy of Ed and Betty Komarek, who purchased the plantation in 1938. In 1934 Herbert L. Stoddard, the famed wildlife manager, hired Ed Komarek, who was then a biology student at the University of Illinois, to aid him in his study of the declining quail population in the red hills. Stoddard’s plantation, Sherwood, adjoined Birdsong Plantation.
With the help of his wife and his brother, Roy, Ed Komarek introduced sound management practices at Birdsong, both by transforming cut-over and depleted land and by devoting acreage to an economically viable cattle farm. Stoddard and the Komareks also hosted many scientists interested in their practices of prescribed burns and wildlife management. Birdsong Nature Center continues the practice of annual prescribed burns over portions of its acreage.
With their founding of Tall Timbers Research Station in 1958, Stoddard and Ed Komarek helped to define the relatively new science of fire ecology. Indeed, many consider Komarek to be the father of fire ecology. Birdsong remains a showcase of a fire-dependent ecology, including viable stands of longleaf pine, wiregrass, and associated wildflowers and wildlife. The center also exemplifies good management of wetlands and of the ecotones that lie between uplands and viable wetlands.
A trained educator, botanist, and manager of prescribed burns, Betty Komarek established Birdsong as an educational training center for teachers and students in natural history and natural sciences. In 1986 Birdsong was incorporated as a nonprofit organization to offer public educational opportunities for the study of its biodiversity and land management. In addition to formal programs on the longleaf-pine ecosystem and informal opportunities for the occasional birder or hiker, Birdsong’s annual fall festival, which often includes music and art, attracts many visitors.
One of Birdsong’s most popular settings for birders is Betty Komarek’s bird window, which overlooks a well-maintained garden. From the old dining area of the Komarek home, visitors might see a variety of migrating and local birds through the large plate-glass window. Throughout the year visitors may see as many as 130 species of birds at the center’s window and on its grounds.
Annually burned, the Gin House Field is one of Birdsong’s premier settings for a variety of seasonal wildflowers, including asters, dog fennel, goldenrod, and sunflowers. A healthy wetland, Big Bay Swamp is home to wood ducks, wood storks, alligators, turtles, snakes, frogs, and various mammals. Visitors may hike to the Listening Place, a screened structure that overlooks Big Bay Swamp and offers a secluded place for viewing wildlife.
- To view the Georgia Encyclopedia article online, go to https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
Today’s photo might be considered a timely one
Though we omitted the Mystery Photo in the last issue, Lou Camerio of Lilburn saw it differently. “The mystery is where is the photo?” he wrote. We apologize. Here is a timely humdinger mystery for this edition. Figure out where this is, and send your answer to elliott@brack.net, to include your hometown!
Preview Days: Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) will give high school and transfer students a glimpse of college life during its in-person Preview Days, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., March 5 and April 16. Members of the GGC family will be on hand to discuss programs of study, admissions, financial aid, student housing and other topics. Participants will be able to tour GGC’s campus and talk to student ambassadors about their experiences at GGC. The party-like atmosphere will include food, music and fun giveaways. For students who apply to GGC in March, application fees will be waived. This fee waiver was created to address students’ financial challenges.
Sundays in Suwanee Series with author Julius Thompson will be Sunday, March 6 at 3 p.m. at the Suwanee Library Branch,361 Main St, Suwanee. Join this national award-winning author as he discusses his newest book, Killer Kudzu, a pre-apocalyptic, semi-horror novel where science has gone terribly wrong. Books will be available for sale and signing.
The Sandwich Generation: Senior Living Options, will be Tuesday, March 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Five Forks Library Branch, 2780 Five Forks Trickum Road, Lawrenceville. Learn signs to watch out for in determining when an older adult may need safer housing and how to choose the best option.
Sixth annual Paddy’s Day Pathfest in Braselton on March 12, from 10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. along Georgia Highway 211. Gather your feather boas, green tutus, four leaf clovers and Paddy’s Day tee-shirts and join in the festival golf cart parade along the LifePath. Teams get four hours to putter around the LifePath completing challenges to finish a Quest. Details: www.BraseltonLifePath.com.
In 2022, Daylight Saving Time begins in the United States on Sunday, March 13, Larry Zani of Kairserslauten, Germany, tells us. In Europe their “Summer Time” begins on Sunday, March 27. During those two weeks, time zone differences between most of the U.S. and Europe will be one hour less than usual. Of note — The European Union voted in 2019 to abolish the practice of seasonal clock changes at a future date. However, because of COVID, arrangements to scrap the clock changes were put on the back burner in most countries, including Germany. Remember for Daylight Saving Time, clocks are turned forward one hour.
Sundays in Suwanee Series with bestselling author Vanessa Riley will take place on Sunday, March 20 at 3 p.m. at the Suwanee Library Branch, 361 Main Street, Suwanee. Join the award-winning author as she discusses her historical novel, Island Queen, based on the true-life story of Dorothy “Doll” Kirwan Thomas, a free Black woman who rose from slavery to become one of the wealthiest and most powerful landowners in the colonial West Indies.
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