GwinnettForum | Number 25.70 | Sept. 9, 2025
THIS WATERCOLOR of Shiloh Baptist Church on Spalding Drive in Peachtree Corners was done by Peachtree Corners artist Jim Feeney. His son, Ken, who lives in Miami, contributed this short bit of history about the church: “The church started meeting here in 1868, 17 years before members borrowed the $800 it took to build this building,” he explains, pointing to the quaint structure with rich stained-glass windows gracing its walls. “The site on which the church building is situated is where Washington Academy stood, the first school to be built in the Pinckneyville area. Shortly after the Civil War ended, Washington Academy was abandoned. On August 11, 1868, six men and women met in the old Academy building, and Shiloh Baptist Church was established.”
TODAY’S FOCUS: Rainbow Village plans expansion to double in size
EEB PERSPECTIVE: What fundamental characteristics lead to success?
SPOTLIGHT: PCOM Georgia
FEEDBACK: All these unkept promises, and then a beautiful bill
UPCOMING: Chamber plans workshop on growth and success
NOTABLE: Same story again: GGC continues to grow
RECOMMENDED: How To Go On After the Loss of Your Mother
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Where the derogatory term “cracker” comes from
MYSTERY PHOTO: See if these spires lead to solving this mystery
LAGNIAPPE: Police Building in Duluth named for former chief
CALENDAR: Three mayors at the SW Gwinnett Chamber on Sept. 11
Rainbow Village plans expansion to double in size
By Kasie Bolling
DULUTH, Ga. | Rainbow Village will expand its facilities and scope. When completed, the nonprofit’s “Building Homes, Building Hope” Capital Campaign will generate funds to expand its Duluth campus, more than doubling the number of families it can serve.
The new building will face Georgia Highway 120, and is between the current Rainbow Village family service building and The District apartments. The site is 0.75 acres.
After acquiring land adjacent to its existing campus late last year, Rainbow Village announces that, following a public bid process, that Lubin Enterprises of Memphis, Tenn. will lead construction on two new apartment buildings. They will provide safe and secure housing for up to 36 additional families in crisis.
Project partners also include the architects at Axis Companies of Roswell and the project managers at Collaborative Housing Solutions of Decatur. A groundbreaking is set for September 29, 2025 at 10 a.m..
Melanie Conner, CEO of Rainbow Village, says: “We are incredibly grateful to Lubin Enterprises, Axis Companies, Collaborative Housing Solutions, and everyone else who have embarked on this journey with us as we seek to transform the lives of families in need. We are so proud of what we’ve accomplished together to date, and we’re excited about the impact yet to come.
“Before we even break ground on this expansion, we’re already well on our way, having tapped our contractor and project partners. In addition to donations and the amazing support from Gwinnett County and our board of directors, we’ve been awarded several foundation grants, including an endowment from the Schoen Foundation. We’re at 73 percent of our goal, but there’s still much to do.”
Estimated to take roughly a year to complete the expansion of the nonprofit’s campus, Conner added, “While Lubin Enterprises tackles the building, Rainbow Village will focus on the ‘Building Hope’ element of the equation. My team and I will continue to raise funds to ensure that every family housed in our new apartments receives dedicated resident support services, mental health counseling, life skills development, and free access to Rainbow Village Academy. Beyond the cost of construction, a portion of the campaign funds has been earmarked for staffing, programming, family services, and ongoing maintenance of the entire campus to ensure a safe and healthy living and working environment.”
Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, Lubin Enterprises has managed projects throughout the Southeast. It has been a leader in the construction management field for the last 35 years.
Beyond the groundbreaking, Rainbow Village will host its Tailgate to Tackle Homelessness Benefit Gala at Formetco in Duluth on Saturday, October 4.
- For more information about Rainbow Village and its all-important mission to end homelessness – one family at a time, visit https://rainbowvillage.org/. Contributions to the “Building Homes, Building Hope” Capital Campaign can be made here.
- Have a comment? Click here to send an email.
What fundamental characteristics lead to success?
By Elliott Brack
Editor and publisher, GwinnettForum
SEPT. 9, 2025 | What fundamental characteristics lead to success?
What matters most in how we develop as human beings?
Are there characteristics that are common in our development?
Are there similarities in the development of people from other cultures?
An article by David Brooks in The New York Times last week got us to thinking. (To read the entire article, go here.)
Academics love questions like above. They relish studying them, since they are simple yet important questions about mankind that have been asked for generations.
We’re not referring to financial success. We’re dwelling on being a success as a human being.
Our American government attempts to solve problems in mainly one way: throw money at any problem. That will work, right?
Not so fast. Yes, money helps, but it turns out that study after study shows that money is usually not the main way to solve problems of society.
The government seems to think that to solve the problem of poverty, you give a family in poverty cash money to pay their way out of poverty and find happiness. Yet recent studies, and those from years ago, again and again find that families in poverty are not very good at becoming self-sufficient and staying above the poverty line, no matter how much money you throw at them.
A short result might make you realize: “People are slow to change.”
“Since some people rise above their heritage, and though they come from families with strong and long ties to poverty, how did they succeed?”
Look around and you’ll find answers in some successful people who never had it easy when growing up.
It’s the fundamental elements of family life learned when a child makes the difference. And it doesn’t happen in every family in poverty, but in enough poor families to give us hope.
It may be non-material forces that drive this question.
What forces?
These little forces matter. They can be defined in a few words and phrases, such as personal responsibility, religious ideals, traditions, moral norms, culture, honesty and community cohesion. As long as there is in this family history of discipline and duty, concerns, understood obligations, restraint, reliability and trustworthiness…then there is hope for the family, and for their offsprings.
You can see this as true in families with long histories of financial stability, yet it is also true from families who have for long years had to face poverty. Good can prevail if there is continued effort to raise your head above the waters, with a solid broader family watching your back.
Note that governments find it difficult to throw money at these family considerations. For instance, how could a government at any level try to fund trustworthiness? It’s not in the same ballpark.
Is this true in all countries? We do not know, but anthropologists might be able to address that. We suspect it is true everywhere.
So, what are we to do to make the world better?
Do all you can to keep your family close, and support one another, so its members can succeed as human beings. Today many don’t always live near loved-ones. Support one another in all ways you can. Burn the telephone wires and keep up with one another. You’ll be doing your part to help make the world better through successful members of your family.
- Have a comment? Click here to send an email.
PCOM Georgia
The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Established in 2005, PCOM Georgia is a private, not-for-profit, accredited institute of higher education dedicated to the healthcare professions. The Suwanee, Ga., campus is affiliated with Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, a premier osteopathic medical school with a storied history. Doctoral degrees in Pharmacy (PharmD), Physical Therapy (DPT) and Osteopathic Medicine (DO) are offered at PCOM Georgia. Graduate degrees at the master’s level can be earned in Biomedical Sciences, Medical Laboratory Science and Physician Assistant (PA) Studies. Emphasizing a “whole person approach to care,” PCOM Georgia focuses on educational excellence, interprofessional education and service to the wider community. To learn more about how PCOM Georgia is shaping the future of health, visit www.pcom.edu or call 678-225-7500.
- For a list of other sponsors of this forum, click here.
All these unkept promises, and then a beautiful bill
Editor, the Forum:
In 2024, Donald Trump promised to release the Epstein files. He campaigned to bring living costs down. He has done neither. These instances of self-contradiction should make other Republicans and him vulnerable in 2026 and 2028.
The Big Beautiful Bill was supposed to cut taxes and help working-class and middle-class families. It helped the super-rich. However, it failed to extend the tax credits for purchasing health care insurance in the government marketplace. By not extending those tax credits, the bill makes health insurance less affordable for millions of Americans.
Will these hollow promises ever happen:
- Release the Epstein files,
- Bring prices down,
- Help over-taxed Americans?
(Actually, the last two went the other way with the beautiful bill and cost Americans.)
One hopes the Democratic and Forward parties will hammer home these messages leading up to the midterm elections. Maybe then the promises will solidify.
– Mike Wood, Peachtree Corners
George Washington Carver is true American hero
Editor, the Forum:
The annual Gwinnett County Fair is great, but times are changing in Gwinnett, as it gets more urban.
Each fall, here in Dothan, Ala., we have the National Peanut Festival. When the cotton crops failed in the early 1900’s because of the boll weevil infestation, George Washington Carver, a black scientist from the lower Alabama Wiregrass area, saved the agricultural economy down here by introducing peanuts and proper crop rotation.
He is a major local hero, but also a national one, a Black man and in very south Alabama from the early 20th century. He was the guest speaker in the first National Peanut Festival in 1938. Think about that again here in lower Alabama during that troubled time.
Last fall we had over 200,000 people come to the festival. There are lots of places in the area today honoring him down here. Here is a little overview:
George Washington Carver discovered over 300 uses for the peanut, transforming it from a struggling crop into a valuable resource for both food and industry.
Carver’s research led to over 100 recipes and products for human consumption, including peanut butter, peanut brittle, soups and breads, salads and desserts, candies and ice cream, peanut oil. He created many products for personal care and the home, such as: cosmetics: shaving cream, face powder, shampoo, and hand lotion, plus household items like laundry soap, wood stains, glue and linoleum.
He is a true American inventor and hero, and we here in South Alabama are proud of him.
– Stewart Ogilvie, Rehobeth, Ala.
- 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: ebrack2@gmail.com.
Chamber plans workshop on growth and success
The Gwinnett Chamber Foundation will host Grow. Thrive. Repeat: Your Growth Blueprint from First Win to Repeat Success. This workshop, led by Jennifer Salazar founder of J. Salazar Consulting, will host legacy leaders in Gwinnett and provide small business owners and entrepreneurs with actionable tools to scale their business beyond the first big milestone.
It will be Wednesday September 10 from 8:30 a.m. until noon at the Gwinnett Chamber building, 6500 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth.
Guest speakers include:
- Terri Jondahl, CEO – Cab Worldwide;
- Wayne Mason, Mason Family Companies;
- Sunny K. Park, Global Sun Investments; and
- Bill Russell, Russell Landscape.
Small business owners, entrepreneurs, and community influencers seeking strategic growth solutions are invited.
Same story again: GGC continues to grow
When a college offers the right mix of academic programs, affordability, and campus life, students notice. That’s exactly what’s happening at Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC).
This fall, GGC continues to grow for the 10th consecutive semester. With a preliminary enrollment number of more than 12,777 students, GGC boasts the second highest fall enrollment number in the college’s history.
Kimberly Jordan, interim vice president of enrollment management services and executive director of Financial Aid, says: “More students are choosing GGC for a variety of reasons. Our affordability is attractive, and small class sizes mean students receive personalized attention from our dedicated faculty and staff. Students benefit from a high-quality education along with a vibrant campus life.”
That combination of value and experience is drawing students from across Georgia, across the nation, and around the world. This fall’s freshman class alone includes more than 2,100 new Grizzlies. On a global scale, international enrollment has increased, with a 7.5 percent jump in students representing countries from nearly every continent.
Within GGC’s five schools, enrollment trends show students are gravitating toward fields that lead directly to careers. The School of Health Sciences saw the largest increase of nearly 18 percent as demand for healthcare professionals continues to rise. The School of Education followed with an 11 percent increase, reflecting the need for teachers across the state. The School of Business grew by nearly six percent, while the School of Liberal Arts saw a 5.5 percent boost. The School of Science and Technology remains the largest school overall, with more than 3,500 students enrolled.
Even as enrollment grows, GGC continues to expand opportunities for students to specialize in their studies. While the number of bachelor’s degrees offered remains at 21, students can now choose from four new minors, theater, nutrition, exercise science, and statistics, and two new concentrations in biomedical and laboratory sciences and ecology and field biology. These additions reflect both student interest and workforce needs, giving graduates an edge in today’s competitive job market.
The numbers tell an impressive story, but behind every statistic is a student making the choice to pursue their education at GGC. Some are first-generation college students breaking new ground for their families. Others are returning students balancing work, family and classes to earn their degree. Many are drawn by the supportive environment, where professors know students by name and advisors are invested in their success.
Jordan said that sense of belonging is one of GGC’s strongest assets.
“Students don’t just attend GGC, they become part of a community. They’re supported academically and socially, and they find opportunities to lead, serve and grow. That’s why we’re seeing more students choose GGC year after year.”
As GGC celebrates its 20th anniversary, this milestone enrollment is a reminder of how far the college has come. From just 118 students in its first year to more than 12,777 today, GGC has record numbers of students in its classroom, walking its halls and green spaces this fall.
How To Go On After the Loss of Your Mother, by Melanie Aniston
From Karen J. Harris, Stone Mountain: This book is a step-by-step analysis of the grieving process of possibly the most impactful relationship in life. The book states that we don’t move on from grief but move forward with it. The stages of grief include The Loss, Resolving Family conflict after loss, The Funeral, The Will, The Turmoil of Emotions, Gender Differences in the grieving process, How to deal with Regrets, and for me, How Losing Your Mother Impacts Your Brain, Adjusting to the New Normal and other very meaningful chapters. The chapter about brain changes explains how this death alters the functioning of the anterior cingulate, which is the regulator of emotions, the amygdala, which regulates sleep patterns, and the hippocampus, which regulates stress hormones and memory. Chapters say what not to say to a person who is grieving. A meaningful statement that is presented: Death is the only universal process that turns everyone into beginners.
- 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. Click here to send an email.
Where the derogatory term “cracker” comes from
The epithet cracker has been applied in a derogatory way, like redneck, to rural, non-elite white southerners, more specifically to those of south Georgia and north Florida. Folk etymology claims the term originated either from their cracking, or pounding, of corn (rather than taking it to mill), or from their use of whips to drive cattle. The latter explanation makes sense, because in piney-woods Georgia and Florida pastoral yeomen did use bullwhips with “cracker” tips to herd cattle.
The true history of the name, however, is more involved and shows a shift in application over time. Linguists now believe the original root to be the Gaelic craic, still used in Ireland (anglicized in spelling to crack) for “entertaining conversation.” The English meaning of cracker as a braggart appears by Elizabethan times, as, for example, in Shakespeare’s King John (1595): “What cracker is this . . . that deafes our ears / With this abundance of superfluous breath?”
By the 1760s the English, both at home and in colonial America, were applying the term to Scots-Irish settlers of the southern backcountry, as in this passage from a letter to the earl of Dartmouth: “I should explain to your Lordship what is meant by Crackers; a name they have got from being great boasters; they are a lawless set of rascalls on the frontiers of Virginia, Maryland, the Carolinas, and Georgia, who often change their places of abode.” The word then came to be associated with the cowboys of Georgia and Florida, many of them descendants of those early frontiersmen.
Among African Americans cracker became a contemptuous term for a white southerner; among some southern whites it has become a label of ethnic and regional pride, boosted by the election of south Georgian Jimmy Carter to the presidency in 1976. This led to the coining of the word crackertude as a not entirely serious answer to negritude.
- To view the Georgia Encyclopedia article online, go to https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
See if these spires leads to solving this mystery
Today’s Mystery Photo might be called “Spires Galore!” That might be the start for you to identify today’s mystery. See if you can, and then send your idea to ebrack2@gmail.com, and be sure to tell us in which town you live.
The most recent lighthouse presented to you to identify was recognized by several people.
Fran Worrall, Lawrenceville, says: “It’s the Port Isabel Lighthouse near South Padre Island, the last Texas lighthouse open to the public. Built in 1852 to reduce the number of shipwrecks occurring off Brazos Island in the Gulf of Mexico, the 72-foot structure was decommissioned around 1905. In 2019, the Texas Historical Commission gained custody of the site and since then has coordinated preservation efforts with the City of Port Isabel to maintain the popular destination’s heritage. In 2022, the lighthouse received a full-scale reproduction of its Fresnel lens, which brought it back to its glory days. Visitors to the area can climb to the top of the structure (via 75 stairs and three short ladders) to take in the sights of the South Padre Island beaches. A reconstructed lighthouse keeper’s cottage nearby serves as a visitor center and museum.” The photo came from Allan Peel of San Antonio, Texas.
Others recognizing it included: Dick LoPresti, Berkeley Lake; Jay Altman, Columbia, S.C.; Stewart Ogilvie, Rehobeth, Ala.; and George Graf, Palmyra, Va.
- SHARE A MYSTERY PHOTO: If you have a photo that you believe will stump readers, send it along (but make sure to tell us what it is because it may stump us too!) Click here to send an email and please mark it as a photo submission. Thanks.
Police building in Duluth named for former chief
The Duluth Police Department building is now known as the R.D. Belcher Public Safety Center, named for Randy Belcher, who was police chief for 38 years.
Chief Belcher retired in July 2022 after 46 years of service with the Duluth Police Department. During his tenure, the department grew from 16 employees in 1984 to a state-accredited agency with 91 members today. In 1984, he became the youngest serving police chief in Georgia and was the first Duluth police chief to graduate from the prestigious FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va.
Under his guidance, the department implemented advanced technologies, including a robust citywide camera monitoring program, and launched several community initiatives such as Citizens on Patrol, the Citizens Police Academy, and the Youth Police Academy. His dedication to building partnerships earned him the Gwinnett Chamber Leadership Award for excellence in community-oriented engagement in 2017.
Three mayors at the SW Gwinnett Chamber on Sept. 11
The Norcross PDC (people drinking coffee) meets each Wednesday at 8:15 a.m. at the 45 South Café in downtown Norcross. Speaker for the September 10 meeting will be David Versal, of the City of Norcross economic development department. The event is free and visitors are welcomed.
Join award-winning author Kosoko Jackson as he discusses his new horror novel, The Macabre, a story about dark art, a family curse, a handsome agent of the British museum, and a painter who can tell the future through his paint. He will speak on September 10 at 7 p.m. at the Duluth Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
Three mayors will speak at the Southwest Gwinnett Chamber’s Thursday Thought Leaders event on September 11 at the Atlanta Hilton Northeast in Peachtree at 11:30 a.m. On the panel will be Mayors Lois Salter of Berkeley Lake, Craig Newton of Norcross and Mike Mason of Peachtree Corners. Register now to reserve your seat. Lunch buffet is included.
Gwinnett County Fair opens September 11 and continues through September 21 at the Fairgrounds in Lawrenceville. This is an annual project of the Gwinnett Fair and Livestock Association, and includes showing of cattle and agricultural projects, plus a lively midway of attractions.
Film Screening: Becoming Jane will take place at the Collins Hill Branch Library on September 12 at 3 p.m. Join the group for an afternoon movie and popcorn, celebrating the 250th birthday anniversary of Jane Austen.
Rock the Park will close out the summer event series in Lilburn. It will be on Saturday, September 13 starting at 7 p.m. Attendees are invited to bring chairs, blankets, coolers and snacks, while food trucks will be nearby. Opening act Little Hopes will take the stage at 7 p.m. to showcase their take on Americana country-rock music.
Lionheart Theatre in Norcross will present Radio TBS, Trailer Park Broadcasting Scandals by Mark Landon Smith from September 12-25. Times are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 and Sunday at 2 p.m. Call for tickets at 404 919 4022.
Gwinnett Ballet Theatre’s Casino Royale: A Night of Jetés and Jackpots is scheduled to be held on Saturday, September 13, at the Gas South District Theatre. The Director’s Gala is where the ballet presents and celebrates the upcoming season, a kickoff party unlike any other in Gwinnett County.
Gwinnett Historical Society will meet at the Hooper-Renwick Library in Lawrenceville on September 15 at 6:15 p.m. Hear from the exhibit’s curator, Cammie Mansfield. The library is located at 56 Neal Boulevard. All are welcome, and the event is free.
Water conservation: Learn practical ways to conserve water while landscaping and gardening. This program will be presented September 16 at 6 p.m. at the Suwanee Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library.
Don your dancing slippers and join us for a dance! Members of Atlanta Historic Dance will perform Regency-era dances, followed by instruction. This will take place on September 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the Norcross Branch of Gwinnett County Public library. This is part of the Gwinnett Reads Jane Austen series.
Returning for its 14th year, the Peachtree Corners Festival will take to the Town Green and surrounding area for a full weekend of entertainment and family fun, September 20 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and September 21 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. The community celebration will offer a dynamic mix of live performances, vendor booths, good food and hands-on activities for all ages — all with free admission and parking.
Gwinnett’s first Literary Arts Festival will take place Saturday, September 20 at the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse. Local authors, artists, and other vendors are being sought for this showcase of talent and artistry! The event will take place outdoors on the Square in downtown Lawrenceville from 3 to 7 p.m. Contact the county at 770-822-5450 if you have any questions or would like more information regarding this event.
Habits for Healing will be presented at the Norcross Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library at 11 a.m. on September 20. Learn practical ways to heal your past, start fresh, and create a life that honors the truth of who you are today.
Ribbon-cutting of the Bryson Park/Hood /Road Roundabout is scheduled for Tuesday, September 23 at 10 a.m. at the park, located at 5075 Lawrenceville Highway in Lilburn. Join city and county officials as they mark this milestone that enhances accessibility, boosts mobility and improves safety for all.
The annual Public Safety Fall Festival is back for a fun-packed day on Saturday, September 27 at Coolray Field. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. meet Gwinnett’s first responders and enjoy food, giveaways, demonstrations, displays, and the Motorcycle Training Challenge with multiple police agencies showcasing the best of motorcycle courses. Kids can also enjoy a touch-a-truck with a SWAT personnel carrier, fire trucks, and other specialized vehicles. For more information, email PDCommunityAffairs@GwinnettCounty.com. Coolray Field is located at 2500 Buford Drive in Lawrenceville.
Alma Mexicana Atlanta will be presented at the Lilburn Branch of Gwinnett Public Library on September 27. Come for a multicultural experience to learn about the folkloric dances and traditions of Mexican culture.
GwinnettForum, which has been published online since 2001, is provided to you at no charge every Tuesday and Friday. The publication offers an online community commentary for exploring pragmatic and sensible social, political and economic approaches to improve life in Gwinnett County, Ga. USA. Learn more:
- Editor and publisher: Elliott Brack, 770-840-1003
- Mailing address: P.O. Box 1365, Norcross, Ga. 30091
- Work with us: If you would like to learn about how to be an underwriter to support the publication of GwinnettForum as a community resource for news and commentary, please contact us today.
Subscriptions to GwinnettForum are free.
- Click to subscribe.
- Unsubscribe. We hope you’ll keep receiving the great news and information from GwinnettForum, but if you need to unsubscribe, go to this page and unsubscribe in the appropriate box.
- © 2025, Gwinnett Forum.com.
