August 5, 2011
Susan Larson
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LARSON: Renaissance family excels at just about everything
We've all heard of Renaissance men and Renaissance women, but the Petersons of Lilburn all six of them are a Renaissance family.
LARSON: Lending advice from lessons learned
My advice is, if you plan to convert your old videos, either do it soon enough so everything is still distinguishable or wait long enough that you don't even remember what you're missing.
LARSON: No foolin', April 'full' of activities
A look back at all that happened in April, a month that passed by quickly.
LARSON: Let's be more exact about Easter
Let's start with the word Easter, itself. The word comes from the Greek "Eos" and Latin "Aurora," both meaning dawn, and according to some authorities are also root words for "estrogen." From that, Anglo-Saxon pagans derived the name Eostre for their goddess of spring, honored with fertility symbols of rabbits and eggs. Not sure what any of that had to do with Jesus.
LARSON: Pope chooses winner in name game
The Prayer of St. Francis is proof the new pope picked a great name.
LARSON: Clothes can keep folks in the pink
I'm not suggesting going back to the '50s look with matching turquoise tuxedos and black satin lapels. But if people are asked to pay $25 and dress for the occasion, is it asking too much for the performers to get in on the act as well and not wear clothes so cruddy they would be tossed in the Dumpster at even the lowest end thrift store?
LARSON: Library offers altered way of turning pages
If you're feeling unsure of what possibilities your book can open up to you, the library and Hudgens will be offering free workshops to introduce altered book art techniques at the Hudgens on Saturday, March 9.
LARSON: Truth sometimes lies through the numbers
They say numbers don't lie. But I'm here to tell ya', the truth only lies in who's doing the telling.
LARSON: Volunteer retirees bring cheer to schools
Letter to the editor sparks memories of volunteers at schools.
LARSON: Year of the snake nothing to whine about
When it comes to subjects, for some reason I'm drawn to snakes. Who knew I could combine them with wine.
LARSON: A bird brain idea to bring fame home to roost
Gwinnett is great at getting behind a project. But can we make this one about bird counting fly?
LARSON: Bonding to old ways sometimes best
No matter how many lists and charts and calendar items I enter into my computer, I still have to log into it every time I want to keep up with my list. But there is nothing like an old fashioned stack of neon pink, orange and green index cards on the kitchen counter "in my face" telling me what I need to do.
LARSON: For Super Bowl tickets try The Next Stop
Whether or not a free trip to the Super Bowl is the next stop in your social life, your contribution will help many young people transition to their "next stop."
LARSON: Musical presence more memorable than material presents
The older I get the more I enjoy intangible gifts, with music topping the list.
LARSON: Let us rejoice for Jewish holiday
Growing up in a culturally diverse area, I've always had an appreciation for different cultures, including the Jewish holidays.
LARSON: Churches promote human relativity during Christmas season
For those who enjoy human interaction, local churches have some great programs leading up to Christmas.
LARSON: Reaching out to veterans with ArtReach
ArtReach is always looking for new venues for their workshops. If you would like to open your doors or help in other ways, visit www.ArtReachFoundation.org
LARSON: Thoughts from a wondering mind
I admit it, when my thoughts start to wander, there are all sorts of things that come to mind. What are yours?
LARSON: Cherishing time to Chair-ish the Arts
My friend Jeanne Pescitelli and I have been known to spend hours strolling through fabric warehouses stroking silks, eyeballing buttons and braids, and imagining all the things we could create with them. So when I wanted to see all the chairs on display for the Gwinnett Library's Chair-ish the Arts Contest, I knew it would be a lot more fun with Jeanne, not only for opining about the chairs, but for the long ride between all the branches.
LARSON: Light and Shadow strike harmony for peace
Lilburn gongmaster Yogiray Kessler 'bathing" people in sonic ways as a way to cleanse negative energy.
LARSON: Community connections grow at local farmers markets
The local market is a good place to catch up with old friends.
LARSON: Artists get folksy at Slotin Folk Art Fest
Great art by great people on display at local event.
LARSON: Lilburn legend spins his wheels in retirement
Larry Lutz didn't set out to be a legend in the tire business. He'd earned a degree in Industrial Management from Georgia Tech, but after some restaurant and sales jobs that didn't seem to suit him, he was looking for another way to earn a living.
LARSON: United Methodist’s event more than Health and Wellness Expo
McKendree United Methodist Church is calling its upcoming July 28 event a Health and Wellness Expo, but there's much more to it than that.
LARSON: Welcoming new ways to welcome newcomers
I'm sure many of you have favorite spots to take newcomers that you could add to my list. Please share.
LARSON: Goals get Gwinnettians going global
Depending on what your pursuits are -- running a marathon on every continent, to name one -- they will take you some interesting places.
LARSON: Readers share memories of Gwinnett before growth
As usual, I can depend on my readers to come through with stories more interesting than my own. Two weeks ago, when I asked readers to share their Gwinnett memories, natives and newcomers alike had stories to share.
LARSON: Helping your library is not just for Dummies
I felt honored to be included in the celebration of the arrival of the more than 1,600 “Dummies” books the Gwinnett County Public Library won in a nationwide contest. The deal was that the library that tallied up the most “likes” on Facebook won the whole series.
LARSON: Canoe enthusiast brings water safety to mainstream
For David Bolton, when it came to canoeing, one thing just seemed to flow into another.
LARSON: Friend knows how to live every day to the fullest
I love field trips. When my kids were in school I was always the first to volunteer to chaperone. Friends still tease me about the way I used to pile all the kids in the cul-de-sac into my mini-van and haul them off on some local adventure.
LARSON: Readers' responses are always a good read
It’s always fun writing a mailbag column where I get to share what my readers have to say. The last few weeks have brought in some of the best.
LARSON: Learn about what's happening in classical style
My husband loves reading the free classics on his Kindle. But what he seems to enjoy the most is reading passages to me from books like “Crime and Punishment,” written by Fyodor Dostoyevsky in 1866 that sound like they could have been posted on the Internet yesterday.
LARSON: To keep money in the community, just do the math
I love the math. I love math, period, but the philosophy behind the 3/50 Project really gets me excited. The 3/50 Project, whose mission is to “save the brick and mortar our nation is built on,” is simply one way to keep money in the local community.
LARSON: Library books community for summer reading
Today is the day. The kickoff for the 2011 Summer Reading Program at the Gwinnett library. Every library in the county is signing kids up for their big summer reading event. (If you can’t make it to the party, you can sign up online at www.gwinnettpl.org).
LARSON: Gwinnett Toastmasters has something big to talk about
Gwinnett Toastmasters really have something to talk about. Yes, I know what you’re thinking. They always have something to talk about. That’s why they join Toastmasters, so they can get up in front of an audience to talk.
LARSON: Woman walking in faith wants community to 'Bloom'
Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him.
LARSON: Using the Internet to check facts reveals deficit in memory bank
For what it’s worth, I’ve been blessed with this amazing long-term memory. I can’t remember where I put my glasses, but I can recall incidents as far back as when I was 18 months old, as verified with shock by my mother.
LARSON: Celebrate the Irish holiday with harps, hawks and hockey
I don’t have a smart phone to keep everyone aware of my whereabouts, so I’ll just have to use my column to let my readers know that next weekend I’ll be vacationing in the Gulf. But while I’m having fun in the sun, I don’t want you to feel like you’ve been left behind. All kinds of cool things will be happening while I’m away.
LARSON: Hare's to a Happy Chinese New Year
Of all the animals in the Chinese zodiac, the rabbit is considered to be one of the most lovable. Maybe that’s why there are so many books about them.
LARSON: Looking back gives reason to look forward
It’s still 2010 and I already have about a dozen columns lined up for 2011. But before I look to the future, I’d like to take one more look at some of my columns past. Besides, with all pessimism about the economy, I love highlighting how many of “my people,” as I think of them, have flourished.
LARSON: Main Street Symphony Orchestra keeps everyone in the loop
It wasn’t your physics professor’s string theory. For Dixie Huthmaker, it was the belief that she could create an adult amateur orchestra for the many musicians she saw on a daily basis in her family-run violin shop in Duluth. If only she could find the time and space.
LARSON: Book a luncheon with Norcross Woman's Club
American Education Week has come and gone. This week, observed since 1921, spotlights the importance of community support for public education. And a lot of programs like Principal for a Day which gave more than 120 county leaders a chance to see how they can help support public education, took place around the county.
LARSON: Cemetery tour brings new Norcross partnership to life
Baseball, bootleggers, millionaires and more. Those are just a few topics of Norcross history you can learn about on the inaugural city cemetery tour at the Historic Norcross Harvest Festival next Saturday.
LARSON: This column accounts for what really counts
Like a little kid craning to see the car’s odometer roll over into the next all-zero milestone, I must admit it excites me every time that happens with my column, which today rolls over to 600. I looked back over the past 11 years and thought it might be fun to chronicle all my other big rollover events.
LARSON: Classic Car Show shows classy retirement living
“Over the river and through the woods, to Grandmother’s house we go. The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh…”
LARSON: Local musician does more than just fiddle around
The voice was unmistakable. “One more dollar and I’m goin’ home,” it trilled over the XM radio in our car. My husband and I turned and looked at each other. Can it be? Leah Calvert? The same Leah Calvert who sang on our deck for his 60th birthday party? Well, it had to be because no one else in the world has a voice like that.
LARSON: Photographer focuses on leading others to walk in a park
You never know what path your life will take. Nor how many. A few weeks ago I wrote about Anna Huthmaker of Duluth who just wanted to take a hike with a group without feeling self-conscious about being a bit curvy, as she describes herself. She ended up organizing a hiking club for other curvy women.
LARSON: Melting pot of life literally blends us all together
When I moved to Atlanta in 1973, I was invited to an old-fashioned Southern barbecue.
LARSON: Farmers market helps people buy into community
I’ve always loved buying fresh produce from roadside stands, so I was delighted to see all the weekly farmers markets scheduled for the summer in Suwannee, Norcross, Auburn, Lilburn, Lawrenceville and Snellville. But then, living within walking distance of the International Farmers Market in Lilburn, what could these vendors in their little booths offer that I couldn’t find at the big market every day?
LAWSON: Ham radio still rules airwaves after 100 years
It’s 2010. We can all text and tweet. So, why would anyone still use a method of communication that employs late 19th century technology?
LARSON: Cycling friends peddle goodwill throughout community
Trent Spake, a cycling enthusiast, had been physically working out with friends Brent Taylor and Brian Murphy for several years. Then in 2008, the wheels in their heads started turning.
LARSON: Some folks find deeper meaning for Earth Day
This Earth Day column is about being "really into" the Earth, with its message being grounded in a special tree. This tree, deeply rooted in Gwinnett County history, shades the Interstate 85 entrance ramp at Pleasant Hill Road. Experts estimate its age between 160 to 200 years old. Standing 80 feet tall with a diameter of eight feet, this tree claims fame as the largest southern red oak in North Georgia.
LARSON: Recycling column recycles readers' memories
I never know what kind of response my columns will bring. When I wrote last week about creating a clearinghouse for castoffs, I wondered if I'd get more requests than I could handle. Instead, most readers thanked me for recycling memories of the good old days.
LARSON: Let's recycle the old-fashioned idea of recycling
In 1991, when the Braves made the World Series, I was subbing in a special education class. These kids could read only a few sight words and had practically no math skills.
LARSON: Becoming an Eagle a Boy Scout family tradition
For their 100th anniversary, Boy Scouts of America introduced Generation Connection, an activity to encourage Scouts to dig into their family history for past relatives who'd been involved in Scouting and then share their findings on the BSA Web site.
LARSON: A penny-pincher's paradise in the heart of Lilburn
Melissa Baxter has always known the value of a dollar. When she was 11 years old and her brother Jason was 9, they started their own lawn service. They borrowed the $99 they needed for a push mower from their mother, who made them pay it back with interest.
LARSON: Local engineer makes stellar discovery
"Watch the stars, and from them learn. To the Master's honor all must turn, each in its track, without a sound, forever tracing Newton's ground."
SUSAN LARSON: Christmas season kicks off with plenty of choices
Anyone who's pro-choice about life in general is sure to love the local offerings for the Christmas season. On Friday, the Gwinnett Braves mascot, Chopper leads off at noon in the true spirit of the season with the Salvation Army's Can-a-Thon at Discover Mills. The season kicks off in Duluth that night with a downtown walk themed "The Art of Christmas Windows," with an opportunity to meet the artists.
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