7/08 - nnews - suwanee

VOL. 3 NO. 7 FREE JULY 2008VOL. 3 NO. 7 FREE JULY 2008

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JULY 2008 PAGE 3NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS - SUWANEE - SUGAR HILL - DULUTH - BUFORD


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NEIGHBORHOOD NEWSPublished month ly

Mailing Address: P. O. Box 746, Dacula, Ga. 30019 Advertising: (770)-277-1899 Fax: (770) 277-6196

WEB: www.E-NeighborhoodNews.comNOW READ ALL 3 EDITIONS ONLINE

Distributed in three zones by Direct Mail and in select business outlets

Deadlines:In addition to other features, the Neighborhood News publishes articles pertaining to

local civic groups, church groups, rec re ation al activities or other news. All editorial and ad copy must be in to the Neighborhood News by the

18th of the month for publication the fi rst week of the next month.E-mail the Neighborhood News

Advertising: [email protected] News and information: [email protected]

Editor: Glenn MatlockMarketing: Renee Matlock

Copyright Neighborhood News 2008All rights are reserved including those to reproduce this print ing or parts thereof

in any form without permission in writ ing from Neighborhood News. Established in July 2002, the Neigh bor hood News published by Neighborhood Publications Inc., is a monthly pub li ca tion.

The Neighborhood News assumes no liability for damages resulting from the use of information contained in this publication or the reply to

any advertisement. The Publisher will not be liable for any error in advertising to greater extent than the cost of space occupied by the error and

will only be made for a single publication date. The Publisher reserves the right to reject any ad or articles submitted for publication that may not

be in good taste for a free publication.

Today, we live in our comfort zone

unwilling to venture into the

unknown. Independence? Thanks, I’ll take

some if it’s free.

As our founding fathers have told us, our

independence, our rights and our freedoms

are gifts from God. However, they

understood there is a cost to keep the gift

safe. We’ve been careless and allowed it to

slowly slip away.

Somewhere along the way, we lost our

Golden Compass - that divine connection

mankind was meant to have with the

Intelligent Designer.

On the front this month, is a photo of the

late Pvt. John Galione, a World War II

soldier who followed the leading of God

- not an Ipod. His couragous heart saved

thousands of lives and altered the course of

this nation’s history.

Connected to the divine, he walked

wounded for fi ve days and nights to stop

history’s largest mass murder and in the

process established the destiny of a nation.

Born to struggling immigrant Italian

farmers, John Galione worked in the fi elds

from the time he was able to walk.

Pvt. Galione’s miraculous story could

have come straight from the pages of the

Old Testament. It’s the story of a 20th

century David - the little shepherd boy who

defi ed the Philistine giant Goliath and like

David, Galione was a lone soldier who

took action that forever changed history

and made the United States a superpower.

The front page photo of Galione came

from the cover of a book about his life,

“The Journey of Private of Galione”. The

book was written by his beloved daughter,

Mary Nahas.

The grainy black and white picture,

which shows Galione holding his camera,

was taken in 1945 in one of the Nazi death

camps he discovered and liberated in

opposition to the U.S. military objective at

the time - to push the Nazis back to Berlin

and fi nd Hitler.

It would be 50 years after the war before

Galione was willing to tell the full story.

We are grateful for the opportunity to

present John Galione’s incredible story.

Glenn Matlock, Editor


You might win $50 or $100To win the $100 fi rst prize, or one of two $50 prizes three entries are drawn at random. The fi rst entry drawn wins the $100 prize - $50 for the remaining two. To win complete the form below with your name, address and telephone number and mail it to the address listed below. Employees, contractors and family members connected to the Neighborhood News are not eligible to win. A drawing from the validated entries will be held on July 15. The winner will be notifi ed and paid in cash or check. Please feel free to share any comments you may have about the contest or the paper in general. The Neighborhood News promises not to sell your name and address to any third party.

Note: Be sure you name the fake ad and page on which it is found in the entry form below.

You do not have to clip out the fake ad.

ENTRY DEADLINE! July 15

Mail Entry to:NNEWS Drawing

PO Box 40Dacula, GA 30019

Name Street City Telephone NumberName the Fake Ad:

Comments:

Find the FAKE Ad

The winner will be posted on our Web site • www.e-neighborhoodnews.com • July 16

Limit one entry per person

Zone 3

The $100 winner of the June Fake Ad Contest is Mike Ryan of Flowery Branch.

The June Fake ad “Home Drillco - Backyard Oil Rig and Refi nery” is currently posted on our Web site at: www.e-neighborhoodnews.com

Congratulations to Mike on being selected as our $100 cash prize winner.

Congratulations also go out to our two $50 cash prize winners: Jennifer Brank of Suwanee and Shelia Moore of Dacula.

Mike moved from Fort Lauderdale in south Florida to the Gainesville area about 10 years ago.

So, what does he plan to do with all that prize money? Considering that he’s an economics professor at Gainesville State College, Mike intends to take plenty of time exploring his options. He wants to be wise about investing his winnings.

Telling his wife Michaela that he had won the contest was his fi rst mistake, he said.

Mike entered the contest about three or four times before hitting the jackpot. However, he almost forgot to put the page number the fake ad was found on. The instructions require the page number for entries to be valid.

Since he had tossed the paper out, Mike had to go online to fi nd it.

“I almost didn’t do it, but I’ve told students how important it is to be thorough when fi lling out documents and resumes.”

Mike Ryan of Flowery Branch is our $100 cash winner for June.

We also liked Mike’s comment about our ad touting the benefi ts of owning a backyard oil drillng rig.

“We’ll take two,” he wrote. “Please put them on the side of the house near our neighbors who play loud music and like the Florida Gators.”

Loud music combined with rowdy Florida Gator fans! What’s the chance of that happening, Mike?

We discovered that Mike is a big University of Miami fan, but with a great deal of pain he admitted attending Flordia State University for graduate studies. Be gentle if you see him. It’s not something he likes to talk about.

As one of our monthly winners, Mike is

eligible for our annual $500 Grand Prize

drawing to be held in August.

That means there is only one more

month for one of you to win the $100 prize

and get in on the big drawing.

As for our suggestion to put an oil rig and refi nery in every backyard, we had a lot of takers. Out of hundreds of entries, only one sourpuss said, “no way.”

OK be that way buddy, but buy a horse while the prices are still low, I say.

Bravo Betty from Buford! She saw an underlying benefi t to owning a refi nery quite separate from merely producing fuel for her automobile. She wrote: “I am crude and try to refi ne myself every day. So, I won’t comment on the gas!”

No comment needed, Betty, but should you happen to see us from afar, just wave - a lot!

Some of you appear to have embraced the search for oil right in your own backyard like Carol from Dacula, who wrote: “The gas prices have already driven me (pardon the pun) to begin drilling for oil in my backyard. I considered the front yard, but ruled that out due to neighborhood covenants. Unfortunately, it’s a slow process because I’m using my hand mixer ... , but I’m sure I will strike oil if I persist.”

Maybe, I have a solution for you Carol. I’m designing a deep-hole drilling rig that looks like a river birch.

Actually, we were quite surprised at the number of readers who were ready to drill for oil in the United States if they had to drill through the head of a baby seal to get it.

Other readers like Peg from Hoschton seemed to be less interested in striking oil, but did inquire about the availability of the 75 man installation crew.

When we ask for reader comments we generally expect it to be in relation to the paper or the Fake Ad Contest not something like this sent in by Wendy of Dacula She wrote: I won last June right after I quit teaching. Believe it or not my $100 is gone! I need to win again.”

Your living expenses for an entire year

is only $100. You must be a real tightwad Wendy - like Judy from Dacula.

Judy wrote: “I really enjoy reading Neighborhood News and cutting out the coupons.”

So, Judy! Shopping with our advertisers is saving you money for gas? Well, what are the rest of you waiting for? Go fi nd that fake ad. Earn some gas money.

Glenn Matlock, Editor


The Curse Behind the HolocaustGuest Commentary

Glenn MatlockEditor-Publisher

Greetings to all the

wandering hordes

searching for alternative

energy. Let me know when you

come up with something. I’m

exhausted!

And why shouldn’t I be? I

just crawled out of bed and

walked down two fl ights of

stairs to my offi ce. How can I

possibly muster up the strength

to sit in front of a computer all

day? I have no idea!

To make matters worse, I

keep the cable news channels

on all day. That’s not helping.

Hearing about all the turmoil

and suffering in the world and

how everyone’s upset about

high gas prices really takes it

out of me – I’d take a nap, but

then I’d have to climb back

upstairs. Then, I’d be too upset

to sleep.

For that matter, what’s with

all these stairs in houses?

Shouldn’t home designers be

thinking more about energy

conservation?

If I’d wanted a stair-stepper

in my house I can buy one on

the Internet. UPS brings it right

to your door.

It’s great, but they won’t set it

up for you. That’s irritatating!

It doesn’t really matter. If I

had a stair-stepper, I’d be too

tired to use it - especially, if

it’s upstairs in the bedroom -

that’s why the home theater is

downstairs.

A perfect day for me would

be watching “Kung Fu Hustle”

on Blue Ray – but even that

wears me out. After a few

hours I get so tired, I can

barely click the remotes – and

I have fi ve that need clicking

constantly.

It seems like I used to have

more energy. I’m not sure, but

then that’s what happens when

you run out of energy. You’re

weak as a kitten, your mind

starts to go and pretty soon

someone’s hosing you down in

the shower.

The good news for America

is, we know where the energy

is. We just can’t get it. There’s

some silly law – you’re

required to adopt a family of

polar bears fi rst.

If I felt a little more peppy,

I’d write my congressman

a letter. I know! I should

probably be more worried

about the cost of oil, but you

see my blood type is hype-

O-apathetic with a touch of

complacency.

There’s a pill for it, but the

side effects sound unpleasant:

irritation, followed by military-

style aggression toward

environmentalists.

Speaking for myself, I’m not

nearly charged up enough yet to

start fi ghting about drilling for

oil in Anwar - but then I still

have cable. Start messing with

that and I could go nuclear.

While working on our

feature article about the late

John Galione this month, I

wondered ... what would I be

willing to fi ght and die for?

Would I have the nerve to stand

up when people are threatened?

We’ve heard it said ‘there

are no more heroes,’ but John

Galoine is everything a man

should aspire to be - a loving

son, who became a loving

father and husband, a man who

gave of himself to help others,

a tenderhearted, but courageous

soldier in battle. A man who

stands his ground against evil.

He respects authority, but does

not allow his conscience to be

swayed when authority comes

down on the wrong side.

Pvt. Galione’s story is a

reminder of the miraculous

things a man fi lled with

courage, love and compassion

can accomplish.

What does it take to motivate the complacent?

© July 2008 Neighborhood Publications Inc.

Editor’s Note: Mary Nahas is the daughter of the late John Galione, the subject of our cover feature this month. She is also the author of “The Journey of Private Galione” that details her father’s miraculous story.By Mary Nahas

Although my father’s war effort changed world history, he grieved for many years over those who suffered and died making the fi rst

[Nazi V-2] rockets. To add to their suffering, people said that God wanted Jews to suffer and die in the camps due to their rejection of Christ; others said He needed the ultimate sacrifi ce for sin. Over a lifetime of pondering the events, my father drew the conclusion that the Holocaust was born of evil:

My father told me: “What I saw in Germany made a believer out of me that God has an adversary who hates the Jews. Even though there were many other people besides Jews who suffered in the war, the purpose of the war was all about eliminating the Jews. That’s how it all started. The hate the Nazis had for the Jews was not even a normal hate, like when you hate somebody. It was evil. They didn’t just want them dead; they wanted them to suffer in the most horrible ways. I could believe the Jews are God’s people after seeing how much hate there was for them and the evil things done to them, and for no reason.”

In my quest to identify this “adversary” I searched the Tanakh and a motive for premeditated murder emerged that reveals the mastermind behind anti-Semitism and the demise of countless Jews throughout the ages. While the Scriptures say Abraham was God’s friend and the Jews are the apple of His eye, it has gone unnoticed that Lucifer was the apple of God’s eye well before Abraham:

“Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering ..Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so” (Ezekiel 28:12-15; Isaiah 41:8; Zec. 2:8). Then, Lucifer betrayed God: “I will exalt my throne above the stars of God ... I will be like the most High” (Isaiah 14:13-14).

Incredibly, the motive behind Lucifer’s hatred for Abraham and the Jews is found in the comparison of God’s reaction to their sin: The Scriptures say the Lucifer (light-bearer) was stripped of his rank and referred to as “Adversary”; he was cast away, his seed destroyed, cursed to humiliation, brought to ashes, tormented, never to be anymore, brought down to hell to the sides of the pit, and cast in the lake of fi re (Ezekiel. 28:16-19, Revelation 12:10; Genesis 6; Isaiah 14:15; Revelation 20:10).

However, God called Abraham “my friend,” renamed him “father of a multitude” and said “I have chosen thee and not cast thee away . . . make thy seed as the sand of the sea . . . make thy name great . . . they shall be My people and I will be their God. . . prosper . . . be a blessing . . . bring them to a land fl owing with milk and honey . . . all families of the earth would be blessed through Abraham’s seed, the Messiah!” (Isaiah 41:8; Genesis 32:12; Gensis 12: 2; Gensis 17:8; Exodus 3:8; Gensis 12:3; Galatians 3:8, 14-18).

In this light, one can see that the Adversary worked to place his curse onto the children of Israel. In the holocaust, Jews were “cast away, seed destroyed, brought to humiliation, brought to ashes, tormented, thrown in the fi re, and never to be anymore.” He is furious that he was doomed to burn in the lake of fi re and given no hope of redemption; yet, Abraham and the Jewish people were given the opportunity to reunite with God through burnt sacrifi ce. Then later, through the Messiah: “And when the dragon [Satan] saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman [Israel] which brought forth the male child” (Yeshua the Messiah; Revelation 12:13-14).

Lucifer was livid that God not only gave the Jewish people a way of redemption, but He referred to the burnt sacrifi ces of the children of Israel as “a sweet smelling savor.” That’s when I realized that the crematoriums, with their stacks smoking day and night toward the nostrils of God, were born of the spiteful mind of His jealous enemy to mock the sweet smelling savor of the burnt sacrifi ce and pierce the heart of God with an agonizing reminder that he was not offered redemption like the children of Israel!

After the war, my father wanted survivors to know that He was behind their rescue, that He loved them and never wanted them to suffer and die in the camps.


Dr. James Merritt

NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH

AGE 8 NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS SUWANEE SUGAR HILL DULUTH BUFORD

There is an old story about a man who went to a doctor complaining of amnesia. He said, “Doc, what do you think I should do about my problem?”

The doctor calmly replied: “Go home and forget about it.” Live long enough and you will eventually complain about a faulty memory; is there anything more aggravating then when the spark plugs of your mind misfi re and you can’t remember that name or number? Do you ever fi nd yourself wishing you had a better memory?

Well, consider this: What would you say if you had the opposite problem? What if your memory was too good? Such is the case with Jill Price who has written what may be one of the strangest books that will be published this year. The book entitled “The Woman Who Can’t Forget” is the account of a 42-year-old woman from California who has a unique gift (or perhaps curse). She has the uncanny ability to recall almost every day of her life since early childhood.

According to a recent Newsweek article (“Unable to forget,” May 19, 2008) Ms.

Price has a memory which is “shockingly complete” beginning around 1974 when she was 8, and then so “near perfect” from the time she was 14 that it comes across like a mental diary.

A professor of neurobiology who spent fi ve years testing Price psychologically, neurologically, and physiologically, invented a term for her condition - “hyperthymestic syndrome” or in layman’s terms, overdeveloped memory.

Don’t forget to remember to live to the glory of GodAsk Ms. Price about a certain date

and she will give you the day of the week and can even recite things she did or things that happened to her on that day in meticulous detail. When I realize most people who came to church to hear me preach this past Sunday can’t even remember what I preached about just days ago, her talent truly is remarkable!

But there is one little observation I left out about her memory which also puts not just her life but yours and mine in perspective. According to the author of this article, “the sobering thing about Price’s book is how banal most of her memories are. The days go by, lunch follows breakfast, 10th grade turns inexorably into 11th, and a lot of the time ... you just hang out.”

Wow! Just exactly what a King named Solomon said about life in an ancient but still up-to-date book written a little over 3,000 years ago titled “Ecclesiastes” when he said about life in general: “Vanity of

vanity, all is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 1: 2). Stop reading for a moment, take stock of your life take a trip down memory lane and ask yourself this question: What have I done that really matters?”

Someone has well said, “Don’t squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of.” Ms. Price should remind us all that life is brief, time is precious, life is a treasure and we should make the most of every opportunity

to make this life count for the God who created it and gave it to us.

One other thought: God has a perfect memory and is indeed recording every thought, word and deed that passes through our lives each day. If we forget to remember He won’t. So don’t forget to remember to live each day for the honor and glory of the one who gives us each day to enjoy and that is nothing but the truth.

Dr. James Merritt is pastor of Cross Pointe in Duluth. The Web site is: www.crosspointechurchonline.com

Candice Felice

Dear Candice:For the past year, I’ve been seri-

ously dating one man exclusively.

Although our relationship was very

exciting at the onset, he now seems

to take me for granted. He doesn’t

seem to want to spend as much time

together. He also tends to ignore me

when we are in public. This realization

is causing me great pain and count-

less sleepless nights. But the thought

of leaving him makes the pain even

greater. How can I break-off the rela-

tionship without regretting it later?

Signed, Nothing but Heartache

Dear Heartache:When dating, most people will focus

on building trust and love between one

another. Scripture tells us, “Love suf-

fers long and is kind, does not behave

rudely, does not seek its own, is not

provoked, thinks no evil, but rejoices in

the truth, believes all things, hopes all

things, endures all things. Love never

fails.” (I Corinthians 13:4-8NKJV)

If this is not happening and your rela-

tionship is distressing, it may be time for

you to make an honest evaluation of any

future hopes with this man. And if you

think there may be underlying issues, it

may be wise to bring them to the surface.

This is due to the fact that more often

Dating relationship goes south; co-worker’s appearance changing

than not, hurting people - hurt others.

If you give him permission to continu-

ally hurt you – he will. Remember, true

love gives life; it doesn’t destroy it.

“But I am like an olive tree, thriving in

the house of God. I will always trust in

God’s unfailing love.” (Psalm 52:8NLT)

Dear Candice:Can a spiritual issue in a person’s

life manifest itself in a physical way?

Over the last six months, I’ve noticed

a good friend and co-worker’s appear-

ance changing. He is usually the fi rst

person everyone goes to for advice on

spiritual matters and I’ve never seen

him without his Bible on his desk. But

lately, he’s been coming into work late,

not eating, letting himself go and I never

see him reading scripture anymore.

I know something is defi nitely

troubling him and I want to help, but

I don’t know how to approach the

subject without appearing judgmen-

tal. How can I reach out to him with-

out overstepping his boundaries?

Signed, Caring Friend

Dear Friend:In many instances, the circumstances

of life may affect a person’s attitude.

Medical studies have found correla-

tions between the complex interaction

with the mental, emotional, spiritual and

physical aspects of life. Body language,

facial expressions, tone of voice, and

other means of nonverbal communica-

tion can convey to others what words

alone cannot express. Scripture also

addresses this saying: “A merry heart

does good like medicine … but a broken

spirit dries the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22)

Oftentimes, when life needs are not

met in appropriate and effective ways,

mental anguish occurs. This can result in

serious disruptions in a person’s life and

damaged relationships can occur. If you

are concerned that this could become a

life-threatening situation for your friend,

share your heartfelt concerns with him.

In a confi dential setting, give him

words of encouragement and healing.

If your friend does not feel comfortable

in sharing what is causing these distur-

bances in his life, encourage him to fi nd

professional help. Christian counseling

is a great source for assistance in deal-

ing with life’s diffi cult circumstances

and provides a way for the individual

to appropriate God’s healing, bal-

ance and wholeness through a variety

of methods marked by one’s reliance

upon the Lord as the Great Physician.

Through His word, Jesus assures

every believer that although “we see in

a mirror dimly” (I Corinthians 13:12),

through the indwelling presence of

the Holy Spirit, He gives counsel and

power to be not only an overcomer, but

a victor as well! Therefore, by walk-

ing in the power of the Holy Spirit

a believer’s faith and conduct is bal-

anced, and his joy is complete.

“Eye has not see, nor ear heard, nor

have entered in the heart of man, the

things which God has prepared for those

who love Him.” (I Corinthians 2:9)

Live long enough you will eventually

complain abouta faulty memory


BY PENELOPE LENORE

Dear Penelope: We’re only three weeks into the

summer and the kids are already driving me crazy. How can I fi ll their days with more than video games and mindless television?

Stumped in Suwanee

Dear Stumped:I look forward to the summer issue

when I get to research fun activities to keep the kids busy. I do understand it is a daunting task as I attempt to fi ll my own curriculum-free days. My favorite is always reading. Take the kids to your local public library and sign them up for all available programs. I was amazed at all the free activities they have lined up and torn on how I felt about the noise and activity level at my local library. I had to resist the urge to “shush” others as I was studying and then laughed at myself. It was wonderful to see the excitement. Reading will help bridge the learning gap over the summer, too. It will help retain and reinforce comprehension and vocabulary skills.

Even with the heat your children need to be outside. They need a daily dose of Vitamin D that the sun’s rays provide freely. Have them build a fort or pitch a tent in the backyard. Growing up we had bushes that surrounded our pool and they provided a labyrinth of trails under the canopy of leaves. It was cooler out of the direct sun and our imaginations went wild under there. I went and surveyed my present backyard and was pleased to see I could fi nd similar spots. So, go have them check it out.

You can also create a treasure map and hide things in the backyard. Provide recycled items and have them create boats, castles, mazes, etc. With a little duct tape, you’ll be surprised at what they can make. They can look at cloud formations and identify the different shapes they see. Using cotton balls, glue and a little paint they can recreate what they see. Work together with neighbors to share the load, too. You can take turns watching each other’s children.

There are plenty of free activities that can help offset the fuel prices. Check out

the local walking and bike trails at our beautiful county parks. Many city parks show movies at night. Simply go on the Internet and type in the closest location to your house. I received an e-mail this week that reminded me that some restaurants let children eat free or at a discounted rate. Contact your favorites and see what is available and on what days of the week. Best of Luck.

Dear Penelope:My friend takes total credit for your

change of heart this past month. You fi nally came to your senses and realized clothes don’t make the person. She was the “Gothic Mom” who called you on the carpet for being too hard on a kid wanting to dress in black. I didn’t think you were attacking the Goth lifestyle, but she did. This last letter really showed that you were OK being wrong or at least rethinking what you said. That’s a big problem today because people just won’t say they messed up. That is what we like about this newspaper, different thinking is OK. Your editor allows for our letters to get answered no matter how different we are. There is good information in this newspaper. Maybe some more coupons would be good. We’re all trying to save some money these days. Thanks again.

Applauding in Auburn

Dear Applauding:Thanks for reading the newspaper,

enjoying it and acknowledging what we do. My editors are very hard working and deserve the credit. I do see that the older I get things just don’t look the same in the big picture of life. We need to face each day with gratitude and relish in our differences. Best of Luck.

Penelope Lenore is a Professionally Recognized Special Educator from the Council For Exceptional Children. She has more than 19 years of teaching experience and over 25 years experience in dealing with children with special needs and behavioral and emotional disorders. Send any questions or comments to: [email protected]

Only 3 weeks into vacation:Kids already driving me crazy!

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(Editor’s Note: Comments attributed to the late John Galione and most material contained in this article were taken from the book “The Journey of Private Galione” written by Galione’s daughter, Mary Nahas. Many thanks go out to her for allowing us to tell her father’s story here.)

By Glenn Matlock, Editor

There are war stories and then there is the story of Pvt. John Michael

Galione. It is, perhaps, the most important story of World War II.

As the United States struggles with its role as a world superpower and the American people lose sight of what we once were, his is a story worth telling and a life worthy of emulation.

Born to a struggling family of immigrant Italian farmers on Long Island in 1919, young John loved and deeply respected his mother and father.

Growing up in the 1920’s, it was the time of the Great Depression. John began working in the fi elds at the age of 5 and quit school in the eighth grade to work on the farm fulltime. Being from a family of farmers no matter how poor was a blessing. Many Italian immigrants who came to America for a better life actually starved to death. John would never forget it.

As the years passed, seven of his 11 brothers and sisters died and as a youngster John himself was nearly lost when he fell through river ice. Although he was swept away by the current with no way to escape, he suddenly found himself on land without any explanation. He later came to believe, God saved him because his life had a purpose. God had a plan to fulfi ll.

Life on the farm was diffi cult and the days were long. The responsibility of raising a large family was a heavy burden on his father Raffael, who often took harsh measures to get by. When the farm dogs had too many pups, it was John’s responsibility to bury them alive. John obeyed because he loved and feared his father, but he was always ashamed and came to believe he could have saved the pups if he had been more forceful in the negotiating. John made an oath that he would never again out of blind obedience or fear allow an innocent creature to suffer or die if he had within him the ability to seek an alternative, no matter the cost to himself.

Despite the tragic circumstances, this time of his life would form the very core of John Galione’s being, while in the heavens, God was setting the stage for a mighty miracle.

From Boy to ManWorld War II came along bringing with

it danger and terror. Galione joined the Army in 1944. During his time on the battlefi eld, he became a true warrior being decorated for valor during a number of skirmishes, but his most important mission still lay ahead.

One early morning between April 4 to 5, 1945, it was apparent the war was drawing to an end. As the men discussed their future plans, Galione smelled a horrible odor he believed was coming from a labor camp where the Nazis had been keeping prisoners. He asked for permission to locate the camp, but was denied. His immediate superior, Sgt. Leonard Puryear, of the 104th Infantry Division, considered it too dangerous. Puryear told Galione the Allies were focused on driving the Germans back to Berlin and fi nding Hitler, not locating prison camps.

Although he tried to ignore it and despite his sergeant’s warning, Galione would not let it go. It would later become apparent the mysterious odor that was driving Galione could not have been coming from the camps. The closest camp was more than 100 miles away.

This was not the best time to be putting your life on the line. The war was winding down and Galione had a daughter to return home to. He was tired, but still had a gut feeling something horrible had happened. Galione and a friend pondered a solution.

“If only we could fi nd out how the Nazis are bringing the prisoners in we could intercept them, hold them at gunpoint, and force them to bring us to their camp,” he said. “We asked ourselves, ‘What would be the best way for the Nazis to sneak large numbers of people through the neighborhoods and into the camp without being seen?’”

The answer seemed apparent. Something had been nagging him all that day - to “go follow the trains.” His plan was to leave at 9:30 p.m. and return before roll call the next morning with the information.

The Journey BeginsHe walked all night. His legs were tired

and weak. His boot kept digging into his wound rubbing his leg raw. Since he’d not seen any trains all night, he began to question his feelings. But when he began to think about turning around, something overpowering came over him.

“I don’t know what it was,” he said. “My legs just kept walking. It was like somebody was pushing me from behind. It was strong. I turned around to see who pushed me, but nobody was there. I thought it was my buddy. I thought he had changed his mind and decided to go with me.

“I knew it wasn’t a German soldier. A German soldier wouldn’t have pushed me fi rst; he would have just shot me from behind. It was like somebody had shoved me, grabbed me at the elbows and pushed me forward. I don’t even know where my energy was coming from. My legs were tired, but something was making me walk, telling me to keep following the trains and somehow it gave me the strength to keep going.”

Despite his Christian faith, it wasn’t until later that Galione came to believe the hand of God was moving him forward.

April 10, 1945, after walking on a wounded leg for fi ve days and nights, Galione came upon a train car fi lled with dead bodies. On down the track, he saw a hidden tunnel bored into the mountainside. Obviously, the Nazis were hiding something big.

While trying to fi nd some identifi cation underneath the bodies – anything that identifi ed the bodies as Russian, German, or American soldiers, Galione was spotted by a German guard who appeared to be leaving. The soldier came running. Bullets whizzed past Galione’s ear as he scrambled for cover up the hillside. After exchanging shots briefl y, the German decided to leave.

Standing at a large iron gate locked tight, people he believed to be prisoners watched from a distance. Galione realized he needed to get help before breaking the lock and entering the camp. If he could fi nd a jeep and another soldier to go along, the prisoners could be saved.

Another MiracleAlong the way, Galione spotted two

soldiers from another unit with a broken down jeep on the roadside. He agreed to fi x the jeep, if the soldiers would help him get back to Dora. Oddly enough, the repair was simple, something any soldier would have normally been able to fi x.

“It was as though God had blinded their eyes so the jeep would be sitting there waiting for me,” he said.

Finding the jeep and soldiers on the road sped up the rescue. If he’d had to walk it would have taken another day and all the people at the camp might have died … every second counted.

Breaking Down the Gates of HellOn April 11, three American soldiers,

including Galione, arrived at Dora. They broke open the lock and entered the camp. As they drove through the gates, they weren’t prepared for what they saw. The early morning sunrise slowly revealed a multitude of emaciated corpses, bodies gray in color - nothing more than skeletons wrapped in skin - some so thin their backbones could be seen through their stomach.

In the infi rmary, the Americans found another 100 living skeletons too weak to move and barely breathing. Shocked and bewildered, they drove away only to be struck with a terrifying sight unmatched by anything they had seen in combat – a pile of corpses stacked high in a corner of the camp.

Horrifi ed, the men sped away fearing they might be captured and suffer a similar fate. At the time, they were unaware that the Germans had already abandoned the camp and the prisoners. Galione wanted to bring back more troops.

The trip by jeep back to the 104th base camp was less than four hours - much faster than the fi ve days and nights it took Galione to fi nd Dora on foot. When he arrived at the base, he told Sgt. Puryear

what he had found. Fearing ambush the sergeant was reluctant to go.

Possibly, at that moment, Galione remembered the struggling puppies he was forced to bury alive and his promise to never let it happen again. He was insistent they send help. The prisoners might not survive more than a day or two and they also needed to investigate the bodies in the rail car to determine if they were American soldiers, he told Sgt. Puryear.

The sergeant relented. The next day tanks, medical teams, the Red Cross and the 414th were sent in to rescue the prisoners. Galione was thrilled.

On April 11, 1945, Galione radioed the Third Armored Division to provide the division with directions to Camp Dora. The tanks were called in for fi repower support in the event of an ambush. The tanks would go into the camp ahead of Galione and the Timberwolves.

Since Dora was so well hidden and because the directions were slightly off, the Third Armored missed the entrance. However, the line of tanks discovered yet another tunnel in Nordhausen. Looking back, Galione felt this was another miracle since they found several hundred more dying prisoners to rescue.

In April of 1945, the U.S. eliminate the Nazi war machwhen Pvt. John Galione foun

the Pentagon learned the Gworld’s fi rst ballistic mis

changed to a frantic search fsophisticated mis

July the Fourth 2008 • The Liberator of Nazi death camps including Dora and Nordhausen,

John and Viola G


Nordhausen was worse than Dora. There they found children, the bones of babies and very small children that had been burned. Nordhausen was but one concentration camp among hundreds of others stretched across Germany and Eastern Europe. The largest was Auschwitz, in Poland. Established in 1940, it was really a series of camps, including concentration, extermination, and forced-labor camps.

More than one million people were murdered at Auschwitz, nine out of 10 were Jewish. It was Nazi leader Adolf Hitler’s “Final Solution” to the “Jewish Problem.” Jews and other “undesirables” - Gypsies, homosexuals and anyone who disagreed with Hitler -- were sent there.

Those who could work in the slave labor camps did so until they died. Those who could not work went straight to the gas chambers and were murdered. The four largest gas chambers could each kill 2,000 people at one time, according to the U.S. Department of Defense Web site.

Sgt. Puryear honored Galione by allowing him to lead the rescue taskforce to Camp Dora. As the battle hardened troops entered the compound, they came upon a scene like no other – the dark and

cruel exposed underbelly of humanity – a tidal wave of sight, sound and scent that exceeded even the most gruesome violence the war had to offer.

Gristled American soldiers broke down. They became physically ill and wept openly.

“We could not believe any human being could be so cruel,” Galione said.

In the midst of all the horror, the arrival of the American troops lit a fi re in the tattered throng of surviving prisoners. Like walking dead, those who were able, swarmed about the liberators tugging at the soldier’s clothing, feeling their uniforms between their fi ngers as if they were made of the fi nest velvet.

“They were so happy; they just wanted to touch us,” Galione said. “They were thanking us, hugging us - some putting their hands together and thanking God over and over again.”

Despite the brief elation over their liberation, the prisoners were so weak they had to be carried out. Some died before they made it through the gate. Those who did survive needed food desperately. Galione recalled how his mother lovingly cared for her children when they were sick making them homemade chicken soup, but this was very different. There were hundreds of starving people to feed and nothing to feed them.

Galione recalled passing a farm he had seen during his search for the camp. There were two pigs behind a fence. They would provide plenty of meat for the prisoners. When he returned to the farm, he came upon a wealthy German woman sitting on her horse. Galione indicated he intended to kill the pigs, but the woman refused.

“I pointed my gun at her horse, letting her know that I would kill the horse if she didn’t let me have those pigs,” he said. “Speaking in German, I told her to” ‘do it now, schnell!’”

There were hundreds of people starving to death. Galione was prepared to kill the woman and sacrifi ce her one life in exchange for hundreds if she tried to prevent him from taking the pigs. The woman did not speak English, but she understood the end of a gun. With his rifl e close at hand, Galione butchered the two hogs and wrapped up the meat right in the woman’s kitchen.

After packing some fresh potatoes and as much of the butchered meat he could carry on his back, Galione walked through Nazi backyards praying he would not be killed on his way back to Dora.

On the way, Galione recalled he had seen a cauldron next to a pile of black, rotting potatoes the Nazi’s were feeding the prisoners. Since the prisoners were in such a weakened condition, Galione turned the meat over to the medics. They made a thin soup, which was the fi rst decent meal the starving prisoners had seen in nine months.

“The Nazis are the cruelest people that ever lived,” Galione thought. “After seeing what they did to these people, you know

there is a devil!”The sheer numbers needing rescue

quickly overwhelmed the capacity of the division. U.S. commanders went into Nordhausen and ordered the Germans living there to assist in the rescue effort. Many lives were saved that day. As for the thousands of dead prisoners, it took days to bury them – a gruesome task forced on German citizens at gunpoint.

“When it was all over, me and a handful of soldiers stood over their graves crying,” Galione said. “We did that to give them a moment of honor, because we felt so sorry for the way they had died.”

An Incredible Secret RevealedGalione’s one-man mission to liberate

prisoners achieved more than he could ever have imagined. Camp Dora contained the underground factory where prisoners were forced to manufacture the deadly V-1 and V-2 rockets – a little known technology the Nazi’s and their scientists had mastered.

The liquid-fueled V-2 missiles were 47 feet long and could reach an altitude of 50 miles. They could be mounted with a 2,000-pound warhead and carried a range of about 250 miles. Since it was a supersonic weapon, there was no defense against the V-2. The fi rst sign of it coming was the explosion as it hit the target. The Nazis fi red more than 1,000 rockets at England during World War II. The fi rst V-2s hit a Paris suburb and Epping, England, on Sept. 8, 1944. During the course of the German V-2 offensive, 2,754 Britons died and 6,523 were seriously wounded.

Despite the carnage the V-2 wrought on the French and English, more people died building the missile than those who perished from its exploding warhead.

Since Hitler’s treasure trove of ballistic missiles at Dora were found in what was the designated Russian occupation zone, Galione’s timely trek uncovered the very fountain head of Hitler’s destructive, unstoppable new technology and placed the destiny of a superpower in the hands of American GIs.

Upon learning of the fi nd, American commanders quickly realized they had dodged a literal bullet. Fearing an incident with the Russians, the Americans quietly looted the factory and transferred 100 V-2s to White Sands in New Mexico. After Hitler’s suicide and fearing they would forever lose their missile technology, the German scientists behind the creation of the V-2 surrendered to the Americans. Those men included Werner von Braun, who later became an American citizen and eventually a director working for NASA.

The late von Braun, who was considered to be the premiere rocket scientist of the 20th century, never publically apologized for the death camps. However, his role in the U.S. space program would land an American on the moon giving the U.S. a tremendous lead in the race for space.

For more than 50 years, Galione kept his

story buried in his heart. Even today, his role has never been offi cially recognized, nor did he receive any medal of commendation for his actions. In the end, he believed God honored him by giving him seven children born on the liberation dates of the Dora camps.

Galione’s fi rst daughter was born dead on the liberation date of Nordhausen and Buchenwald, but before she was taken to the morgue, Galione insisted the reluctant doctor do something. After 20 minutes the child was revived from the dead. That child eventually gave birth to her fi rst child on the very same day 20 years later – the date Dora was liberated.

Galione’s Final ChapterMany of the freed Dora prisoners spent

years searching for the soldier who liberated Dora. Many were angry with God for allowing so many to die. Yet, the prisoners were always close to Galione’s heart. He fi nally broke his silence near the end of his life because he wanted the prisoners to know God loved them and had been setting up their rescue for many years before that fateful day in April.

Before he died Galione asked his daughter Mary Nahas, a freelance journalist, to tell the survivors about the miracles that were ultimately their salvation.

“Tell them my story, Mary,” he said. “It will be the only good they’ll have to think about when the dreadful name of Dora is mentioned.”Galione passed away on June 23, 1999 at the age of 80 from congestive heart failure. As he slipped off into a coma he drifted off with a smile saying, “I see Jesus! Yes, I see Him!”

The number of miracles and unexplained events surrounding Galione and his family are too numerous and staggering to fully explore in this article. His daughter Mary Nahas goes into great detail in her book “The Journey of Private Galione.” For information on how to obtain a copy and to view confi rmation of Galione’s story from eye witnesses accounts including survivors of Dora visit her Web site: johngalione.com. The department of defense also briefl y mentions Galione naming him as one of the liberators of Dora and Nordhausen. Click www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=45049. After the war in 2000, 104th’s retired Sgt. Puryear signed a notarized document giving Galione credit as being the fi rst American solider to discover Mittelbau Dora Concentration Camp in Nordhausen, Germany. The story of Pvt. Galione can also be found written and in video on Sid Roth’s Web site at: sidroth.org. Search for the name Galione. Also this month in the Neighborhood News, read Mary Nahas’s Guest Commentary on page 7: “The Curse Behind the Holocaust: The Spiritual Roots of Anti-Semitism”

military objective was to hine and get Hitler. However, nd the death camp Dora and Germans were making the siles there, the objective

for more prisoner camps and ssile technology.

Journey of Private Galione: he followed the voice of God and made America a superpower

Galione in 1945


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DULUTH - The Duluth Town Green will

be the site of a colorful and entertaining

display of Cherokee Indian song, dance,

and art as the Gwinnett County Public

Library’s Gwinnett Reads kickoff event

gets underway on Saturday, June 28 from

noon until 4 p.m. The Duluth Historical

Society is a library partner and co-sponsor

of this year’s kickoff activities. This event

is free and open to the public.

Other free events include:Tuesday July 1 at 7 p.m.

Suwanee branch of the Gwinnett County

Public Library

Cherokee Memories

Storytelling and historical insights

Donna Delgadillo of The Plainsmen

Drum and Dance Troupe shares unique

stories of the Cherokee people.

Monday July 7 at 7 p.m.Five Forks branch of the Gwinnett

County Public Library

Native American artifacts

Presented by the president of the Georgia

Chapter of the Trail of Tears Association

Learn about the origins and lives of

Native Americans of the Southeast through

cultural artifacts.

Thursday July 10 at 7 p.m.Collins Hill branch of the Gwinnett

County Public Library

Major Ridge and the path to the Trail of

Tears

Presented by the executive director of the

Chieftains Museum / Major Ridge home in

Rome, Georgia

Hear the tragic story of Cherokee leader

Major Ridge and the clash of cultures that

led to the Trail of Tears. Discover how the

government designates Indian tribal status,

and learn about the current Cherokee

controversy in Georgia.

Charles Frazier, bestselling author of

Cold Mountain, is the featured writer at the

Gwinnett Reads grand fi nale on July 12 at

Gwinnett Center. This fi nal Gwinnett

Reads event brings everything together

with Frazier reading from his latest novel

Thirteen Moons, answering questions, and

presenting Cherokee music, singing, and

readings. He will also sign books that are

available at the event in English and Chero-

kee. The fi nale’s $15 admission covers

food and entertainment.

Some of the proceeds will benefi t the

cultural preservation efforts of the Eastern

Band of the Cherokee Nation, which has

honored Frazier for his dedication to

helping preserve their language and

traditions.

All other events are free and open to the

public. The schedule of free community

events and Frazier event tickets are

available at all 14 Gwinnett County Public

Library branches. For more information,

visit www.gwinnettreads.org or call (770)

978-5154. For complete Gwinnett County

Public Library information, visit www.

gwinnettpl.org

Gwinnett County Public Library lays

claim to Georgia’s highest book circulation

numbers and ranks among the largest

systems in the country. With its dynamic

position of growth in the booming Atlanta

region, Gwinnett County Public Library

has been able to attract top authors for

Gwinnett Reads, its popular adult reading

program, since it began in 2003.

For more information, visit www.gwinnettreads.org or call (770) 978-5154.

Gwinnett Reads free event features Cherokee music, dance and crafts

DULUTH - The Gwinnett Place CID is welcoming Gwinnett Technical College’s expansion into the District. Gwinnett Tech plans to offer continuing education courses in new classroom space inside Gwinnett Place Mall.

The Gwinnett Place CID played a facilitating role by bringing together leaders from Gwinnett Tech and Simon Property Group to complete the unique project.

Gwinnett Tech campus to open in Gwinnett Place mallAccording to Gwinnett Tech, “the college

will occupy 32,600 square feet at Simon Property Group’s Gwinnett Place Mall, opening in mid-September with classes starting in early October 2008.”

Gwinnett Tech will use the Gwinnett Place space for such instruction as English as a Second Language (ESL), OSHA training, real estate learning and other trade or skills-based programs. (Source: Gwinnett Place CID)


Biker Brands opens retail location in BufordBUFORD – Starting out as an Internet-

based company in January 2008 selling motorcycle accessories, Biker Brands owner Matthew Dial of Dacula saw customer demand increase so dramatically after attending the February “Great American Motorcycle Show” in Norcross, he felt the time was right to open a retail location.

Matt Dial is married to Jennifer Dial and has three children – Morgan, Makenzie and Kalyn. Matt brings with him a passion for motorcycles and strong background in sales management, marketing and business development within the construction supply industry.

“As we have evolved, our 3,400-square-foot facility now offers motorcycle accessories for virtually all motorcycles from American V Twins and Metric cruisers to Gold Wings, street bikes and

The Biker Brand crew is from left to right: Sutton Crane, Matt Dial, Jim Labarbera, Michael White and Steve Holcomb.

Photo by Glenn Matlock

even dirt bikes,” Dial said. “When you step in our showroom you will fi nd it well stocked and more than likely you will fi nd something for your bike you have never seen before. Our Service Center is equipped to handle all general maintenance from oil and tire changes to complete exhaust system installations.”

Biker Brands Motorcycle Supply Company is community involved and is active in promoting charity events, Dial said.

“You can check out the organizations we support at our Web site www.bikerbrands.com,” Dial said. “We also put on regular events for the motorcycle community.”

Location: 4560 Atwater Court Buford GA, 30518 (Behind Mall of GA Ford). Local Phone: 770-831-0455 Toll free: 877-biker01 • Fax: 678-827-0686

Aamco moves to new Ga. Hwy. 20 locationAamco moves to new Ga Hwy 20 location

OPEN FOR BUSINESS

PAGE 18 JULY 2008NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS - SUWANEE - SUGAR HILL - DULUTH - BUFORD

Aamco moves to new Ga Hwy 20 location

Imperial Gems opens in Suwanee

Winnie Lam, owner of Imperial Gems and Bead Design, left, and shop General Manager Ivy Gonzalez are proud of their new boutique near the Suwanee Town Center on Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road.

SUGAR HILL – To benefi t their customers, AAMCO Transmissions in Sugar Hill recently moved to a more convenient location, said co-owner Tad Fleming.

Originally located on Wages Way, AAMCO has moved to 4730 Nelson Brogdon Blvd. (Georgia Highway 20) just south of Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and Wages Way.

“Our new location will make it easier to fi nd AAMCO for the quality workmanship they want and their car requires,” said Fleming. “Our shop features the best in general repair, as well as our industry–leading transmission expertise. With a staff whose experience in the transmission repair and rebuild spans several decades, we are uniquely qualifi ed to aid anyone who has a transmission concern with their vehicle. We have added a certifi ed general technician to meet the changing needs of our clients. With our easy-to- reach facility, customers can call ahead or drop in with their car or truck for our world- leading service.”

AAMCO Transmissions, the world’s largest transmission chain, has been adding more general repair services, such as brakes, radiator and coolant system repairs, belt replacement, clutches, axle and differential work, C/V joints, EVAP system repairs, and engine oil changes. More services are added monthly, Fleming explained.

“Today’s cars have too many interconnections between the various systems to remain just a transmission specialist. AAMCO had been diagnosing these problems for years, now we can fi x them too,” Fleming added. “Already having developed a loyal following in the Suwanee-Sugar Hill- Buford area, we at AAMCO are eager to aid car owners in the proper diagnosis and repair of their vehicle. Come on in today and let us help you get back on the road quickly and economically,” Fleming concluded. “We’ll be looking for you!”

Location: 4730 Nelson Brogdon Blvd., Sugar Hill 770-271-1032. Hours: 8 a.m. - until 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. until noon on Saturday.

The AAMCO staff left to right are: Technicians Richard Lewin, Jerry Dalton and Jamie Crowell, Manager Craig Clesson and Co-owner Tad Fleming.

Special Photo

SUWANEE – With 20 years experience in the jewelry business, it was only natural for Winnie Lam to choose the road she now travels.

Years of experience, combined with her expertise, prompted Winnie to start a jewelry business in Commerce, Ga. 8 years ago. After studying the jewelry market in Georgia, Winnie began to focus on what she viewed as a more stable market, beads.

Out of her market research, Winnie’s Suwanee bead shop, Imperial Gems, was born fi ve years ago. Due to the growth in Suwanee, and in her business, Winnie believed the time was right to move Imperial Gems to a larger place where she could serve customers better.

In her new studio, located on Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road just off the Suwanee town square, Winnie’s customers can now attend classes given by experienced instructors and have more

room to work on their own jewelry projects, said Ivy Gonzalez, Imperial Gems general manager.

Ivy has worked in all aspects of the business: buying, selling and designing. She is a charismatic, free-lance fashion designer who came aboard Imperial Gems two years ago.

“Ivy brings the balance Imperial Gems needs to function as a full bead and design studio,” Winnie said.

Ivy points out that the larger facility offers them a chance to show off their inventory.

“We now have room to display our gemstones, glass, crystals, wood and fi nished products, such as necklaces, bracelets and earrings,” she said. “We have a designated area for designers to bring their projects and select the high quality gemstones from our inventory. We know our shop will respond to the demanding


customers – wholesalers, designers, hobbyists and students by offering quality products that are unique and affordable in a classy environment.”

Location: 3886 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Rd., Suite 100, Suwanee, Ga. • Phone: 678-482-2888 • Web site: www.imperialgemsonline.com


OPEN FOR BUSINESS


Animal Care Center of Suwanee bounces back after tragic fi re

SUWANEE – After suffering from a tragic fi re that totally destroyed their building in May of last year, the Animal Care Center of Suwanee is up and running with all the latest and greatest equipment.

Owned and operated by Dr. Henry B. Inglesby and his wife Kathleen who is the offi ce manager, the clinic opened in 1989 and has been operating continuously even after the tragic fi re.

“For the last year the staff has struggled practicing out of a rented double-wide trailer that was modifi ed as a veterinary clinic,” Dr. Inglesby said. “During that period boarding was limited, but now with the new hospital we have a brand spanking new state-of-the-art boarding facility."

The boarding facility offers luxury suites with sofas, beds and even TV. There is also an outdoor play area.

The May 16 fi re last year, which killed some of the resident pets in the facility, was caused by a faulty electric outlet, Dr. Inglesby said. The clinic was rebuilt going from 1,800 square feet to 9,000 sq. ft.

“To prevent any recurrence of that fi re happening again we have installed monitors – smoke and heat sensors that alert the fi re department immediately and simultaneously several staff members that live close by,” he said.

Dr. Inglesby is a 1978 graduate of the University of Georgia. He remains active in the business, but is no longer treating his fuzzy clients and due to medical reasons was forced to retire in 1999.

Currently, the clinic’s lead doctor is Dr. Carolyn Winemiller, a graduate of Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine. Her interests are small animal medicine, pocket pets, and birds. Pocket pets include hamsters and guinea pigs.

Location: 750 Peachtree Industrial Blvd, Suwanee, GA 30024 • Phone: 770-271-8222

The staff of the Animal Care Center of Suwanee with their pets in their new facility on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard are on the back row from left to right: Debbie Harrison, Karen Auld, Keri Ross with Squeaker, Paula Rowe, Vet Tech Paula Napier with Ryan, Silvia Andrade, resident kitty Minnie in basket, Carolyn Wienmiller DMV, Heather Cliatt with Coffee, Shannon Hilmo and Denise Rohler. Front row from the left: Selena Adamson, Christopher Sunde, Rosco the resident dog and Chelsea Davis.


By Steve MarrMike and Sandra owned and operated

Horseshoe Lake Restaurant for 15 years. Business was steady and profi table with the summer residents and tourist guests. Then the Sugar Shack restaurant opened up one summer, offering a less-costly menu. One of the differences between the restaurants was that the Sugar Shack didn’t accept reservations, while the Horseshoe did.

Early in the season, only a few cus-tomers defected from the Horseshoe. However, over time, more and more customers went to the Sugar Shack, enjoying the experience and the lower prices. At times, the wait was acceptable at the Horseshoe, and by the end of the season, business was down 50 percent.

Many businesses initially underestimate and dismiss the threat from new competi-tors. The prophet Obadiah wrote, “The arrogance of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock, in the loftiness of your dwelling place, who will bring me down to earth?” (NASB).

Mike drove by the competition when it fi rst opened and saw only a few tables

full. He had only lost a few custom-ers at the time and incorrectly fi gured that he had little to worry about.

Later, when more regulars departed, Mike and Sandra became disheartened and a bit depressed, but they refused to exam-ine the possibility of making any changes in the business. When the loss of customers slowed, they thought the worst was over. They felt reassured … but then panic started to take hold as a 20-percent drop in business became a 35-percent loss and then a 50-percent decline, pushing them to the brink of bankruptcy.

Mike and Sandra could have taken several steps early to protect the busi-ness, but they wouldn’t. King Solomon asked, “How long will you fools fi ght the facts?” (Proverbs 1:22 NLT).

A key responsibility as a business owner is to determine the facts and then to act on those facts. Only a little bit of research would have revealed that the food and service quality was good at the Sugar Shack, and the prices were

lower. While some patrons were will-ing to trade higher prices for reservations on busy weekends, many were not.

If regular customers depart or your mar-ket share falls, you need to become con-cerned before you suffer a dramatic loss of business. Small trends can, and often do, lead to major trends. Consider this good example, “There was a long war between

the house of Saul and the house of David: and David grew steadily stronger, but the house of Saul grew weaker continually” (2 Samuel 3:1 NASB).

You ignore trends at your own peril!Over the winter, when business was

seasonally slow, Mike and Sandra came to the realization that their business would fail if they did not make some changes. So, they took action. They kept the reservation system, believing that it created a competi-tive advantage with some customers, and they kept the quiet high-end atmosphere.

They added several lower-cost dining options, such as pasta dishes and a high quality pizza menu. Furthermore, they

added a separate casual dining area that catered to family groups, while retain-ing the high-end dining experience that was still the heart of the business.

The following spring, old customers returned, along with many new faces. Business picked up dramatically! What could have been the Horseshoe’s last season became a profi table season af-ter the changes were implemented.

When faced with new or strength-ened competition, you have a choice: ignore the facts and hope for the best or take action. The prophet Nahum wrote, “The one who scatters has come up against you. Man the fortress, watch the road; strengthen your back, summon all your strength” (Nahum 2:1 NASB).

Your diligence, with the Lord’s help, will help you overcome competition.

Formerly the CEO of the fourth largest import-export fi rm in the United States, Steve Marr is an author, speaker, radio host, and business consultant, who applies the ancient wisdom of the Bible to avoid common mistakes and the headaches of growing a business • www.stevemarr.org

If regular customers depart ... become concerned before

you suffer a dramatic loss of business.

Ignore trends in business at your own peril


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NORCROSS - Suniva Inc., a leading developer and manufacturer of high-efficiency solar power genera-tion, is moving its facilities and business to Gwinnett County. The relocation and expansion of this home-grown, leading solar technology company will bring to Gwinnett nearly 100 high-wage jobs in the coming year and an initial capital investment of $75 million dollars. This announcement represents another success for Partner-ship Gwinnett, Gwinnett’s economic and community development initiative targeting high tech companies like Suniva Inc.

“We are excited to be the home for one of the world’s leading solar technology companies,” says Nick Masino, Gwinnett Chamber Vice President of Economic Development. “By working with our partners in Gwinnett and at the state level, we were able to craft a package that fits the immediate needs of the company as well as allow them the opportunity to continue their amazing growth.”

Gwinnett County Chairman Charles Bannister joined Governor Purdue and Suniva CEO, John Baumstark, at the Capitol for a press conference on June 5th to announce this great addition to Gwinnett. “We are very excited to have Suniva come to Gwinnett,” commented Gwinnett County Com-mission Chairman Charles Bannister. “Suniva will bring cutting-edge, leading solar technology and many high-wage jobs to the area, signifi-cantly adding to the success of our community-wide economic develop-ment initiative responsible for creating 65,000 new jobs and $5.8 billion in new wealth.”

Gwinnett’s recently developed business incentive programs played an influential role in Suniva’s choice for relocation to Gwinnett. The company’s real property taxes will be phased in over a period of 10 years, and its personal property tax, between five and 15 years.

Suniva got its start within the great state of Georgia and evolved from the work of Professor Ajeet Rohatgi of the Georgia Institute of Technology’s University Center of Excellence in Photovoltaics (UCEP), the nation’s premier silicon PV research center. From there, it has expanded and grown through the Institute’s Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC), and is relocating to Gwinnett to continue momentum for growth and technological advancement.

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