NGV News

Month: May 2018

  • Serving Coffee While Giving Back

    By Alicia Couch Payne

    World class coffee, delicious baked goods, scrumptious sandwiches and true “Southern” hospitality, has found it’s way into our little corner of the world.

    I first encountered the owners of The Bean Tap, Heather and Jennifer at a Buford Business Alliance (BBA) meeting.  They are genuine, good natured women who decided to combine their love of good coffee, good food, and a heartfelt desire to help their community by forming a coffee house, they named, The Bean Tap.   

    The creation began when both Heather and Jennifer were dissatisfied with their career paths involving corporate chains and not being able to provide the type of atmosphere and menu they wanted.

    “We wanted to open a place that felt like a home away from home.”

    — Heather and Jennifer, Co-Owners

    The owners quickly learn your name and they encourage their customers to give their feedback on what they would like to see on the menu. They strive to provide the atmosphere and service you just cannot find at a corporate chain.

    The backbone of their business is of course coffee drinks. They get their coffee roasted fresh every week from Rev Coffee Roasters in Smyrna, Georgia and have a large selection of coffee related beverages. They also have smoothies, Italian sodas, bubble teas, frappes, and bottled sodas.

    “The Bean Tap will be celebrating their two year anniversary on May 26th from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at their shop.  Stop by and enjoy 10% off all food and drinks purchased on the 26th. They will be offering free hot dogs from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. while supplies last.  Drawings will be held throughout the day for special prizes. Starting at 1 p.m. musical guests will be performing until 3 p.m. Those musical guests are Regan Kulig and main act, Sara Greer.  Both acts are local recording artists. So stop by The Bean Tap Coffee House located at 3421 Ridge Rd, Ste C-107, Buford GA 30519 to help them celebrate turning two!”

    The Bean Tap serves more than just beverages.  They hand make a variety of baked goods every morning, including muffins, scones, little lemon cakes, cake pops, cupcakes, and their version of a doughnut called a monut.  Monuts are little fluffy mounds of pure heaven. Moist and flavorful on the inside with a dusting of cinnamon sugar on the outside.

    All of the products that they serve are made in the USA and some are even made locally.  

    The Bean Tap is a vendor at Atlanta Havoc home games at the Buford Arena.  Photo credit:  Alicia Couch Payne
    The Bean Tap is a vendor at Atlanta Havoc home games at the Buford Arena.  Photo credit:  Alicia Couch Payne

    Heather and Jennifer use The Bean Tap to help their true passion, volunteering and giving back to the community.  During their opening weekend, all tips collected were donated to Fur Kids Animal Rescue. Their first holiday season the Bean Tap collected over $1k in pet supplies which were also donated to Fur Kids.  For their one year anniversary they raised money for “Canes for Heroes”. They hand make and give out free canes to Veterans in need. Last year when Hurricane Harvey hit Texas, the generosity of the Bean Tap and their customers netted over $2k in money and supplies which went to two animal rescues there. Most recently, they started helping a non profit called Hands Across Atlanta by volunteering once a month giving out free coffee, food, and clothes to the homeless around Atlanta.  The Bean Tap has also raised and donated $1k to Hands Across Atlanta.

    They sponsor local sports teams as well as partnering with Ivy Creek Elementary as a business sponsor.  The Bean Tap holds Spirit Days for Ivy Creek in which 15% of sales are donated to the school. They plan on expanding this to other schools in the future.  

    For more information about The Bean Tap Coffee House, visit www.thebeantap.com.

  • Small Nonprofit Making a Big Impact

    By Katie McKinstry

    Hands Across Atlanta is a self-funded nonprofit organization that works to provide food and clothes to those in need, as well as other services. One of the services includes providing dental care, in particular dentures, to homeless veterans in need.  Hands Across Atlanta was started around five years ago by Marcus Acosta. Marcus is passionate about helping people who cannot afford to feed themselves and their families. Acosta grew up with little money, which fuels his passion to help.

    Hands Across Atlanta runs off the generosity from the people across the metro Atlanta area in terms of donations and volunteers.  These volunteers help Hands Across Atlanta distribute donated clothing, toiletries and more monthly at locations in and around Atlanta.  The volunteers also help serve those in need a good meal.

    Once people are homeless, it becomes difficult for them to assimilate back into society. The negative narrative around homeless people is something that Hands Across Atlanta is determined to change.  Access to health care and dental care being a major problem. A decent smile, something the average American takes for granted can be a major problem for the homeless and can hold them back from obtaining a job.

    Every month, Hands Across Atlanta provides a full dental procedure to a veteran who needs them.  The veterans receive the procedures free of charge thanks to a partnership with Cruz Dental Design. Hands Across Atlanta and Cruz Dental offers these procedures to show appreciation for the troops that have given so much to our country.

    Similarly, Hands Across Atlanta also hosts public events. One of the reoccurring public events that Hands Across Atlanta puts on is feeding the homeless in the park. Every month, Hands Across Atlanta meets in the GSU Hurt Park to feed the homeless. The Feeding the Homeless days are family-friendly events, that feature live music and a potluck. The next Feeding the Homeless event will be held Sunday, May 25th at 1 p.m.

    In the past, Hands Across Atlanta have hosted other similar events. The prohibition party was located at PBR Atlanta, which was a roaring twenties themed event to help raise money and awareness for the nonprofit. Hands Across Atlanta has also hosted hurricane relief benefits and costume walks to raise money for other various causes.

    During Hands Across Atlanta’s last Feeding the Homeless event was able to help 25,000 veterans and an additional 12,500 people, and was made possible by a workforce of  300 volunteers. The mission of the event was to provide clothes, food, and healthcare to homeless veterans and struggling families.

    Hands Across Atlanta also has several partners that work with the nonprofit. Some of their partners include: Mellow Mushroom, The Wing and Tap Café, Southern Data Solutions, Bright Mill, The Bean Tap Coffee House, and Shepard’s Loft.

    If you are interested in donating, you can go to Hands Across Atlanta’s website at https://handsacrossatlanta.org/donate/. To apply to volunteer or help out in other ways, please contact: info@handsacrossatlanta.org by email, or call (678)-926-8329. You can also start a fundraiser for Hands Across Atlanta on Facebook.

  • Buford Concert Takes Me Back

    By 

    By Lyndsey Britt

    I was feeling excited as I headed out to the Drivin n Cryin show at the Buford Community Center last Saturday night. This was my second time seeing Drivin n Cryin live. The band was actually one of the first concerts I ever attended. It was this band, that I snuck out of my parent’s house to go see as a teen, at a little dive in Winder, Georgia.

    I wondered as I arrived if the show would be as amazing as it had been many years ago, or if after over 30 years together, the band had lost its luster. The lawn at the community center was full upon my arrival and through the sea of people, I saw the stage. That was my target. Get as close to the stage as possible.

    The moment the band began to play, and lead singer Kevin Kinney delivered the same amazing vocals he had in the past, I knew at that moment that this show was going to take me back to that little bar in a small town.

    Kevin Kinney, lead singer and guitar player energized the crowd in Buford with a stage performance the band is known for.   Photo Credit: Heather Pace
    Kevin Kinney, lead singer and guitar player energized the crowd in Buford with a stage performance the band is known for.   Photo Credit: Heather Pace

    The guys in the band stilled jived as well as they had the last time I saw them live, 20 plus years prior. The show included many of their big hits such as “Straight To Hell”, “Fly Me Courageous” and “Honeysuckle Blue”, as well as a few from later albums that were new to me. The tunes carried energy to the crowd which became more and more pumped as the show continued. I am pretty sure I even saw a few in what appeared to be a small moshpit. Yes, in Buford.

    This is only the first of several free concerts scheduled in this year’s lineup at the Buford Community Center. If the crowd continues to produce the energy felt at Saturday’s show, I can safely say this is going to be a great summer of events in Buford.

  • The Life of a Broadway Star

    By Hayden Wiggs

    The 26th annual Buford High School Variety Show took place at the Buford Fine Arts Center May 3rd through the 5th. Directed by Dr. Chris Fowler, this year’s show took place in New York City, detailing the lives of several up-and-coming Broadway stars. Filled with high-energy group numbers to show-stopping solos from students—including Jesse Hanks, Jonathan Ingram, Karrie Bryson, Quinn Conrath, and Hope Fowler—this year’s show was one to remember.

    Sophomore Jesse Hanks opened the show with a strong number from SMASH entitled “Broadway Here I Come”, while Hope Fowler belted out “Defying Gravity” from Wicked at the closing. Jonathan Ingram performed in two incredible numbers, the first a duet with brother, Jake, “Every Rose Has Its Thorns”, and his solo “Goodbye” from Catch Me If You Can, and Karrie Bryson’s incredible rendition of “Don’t Rain On My Parade” from Funny Girl was easily one of the night’s showstoppers. The show also included the Boys’ Quartet (Trevor Dodge, Quinn Conrath, Jonathan Ingram, and Jesse Hanks, and alternates Chris Meier and Nick Warren) and the Girls’ Trio (Keighly Brown, Hope Fowler, Hannah Hopper, and alternate Karrie Bryson).

    The Variety Show is the choral program’s most anticipated show of the season and audiences always show up in droves and fill the house. This performance also marked a final bow for the program’s seniors including soloists Stella Algerian, Juliet Chihaya, and Reanah Wilson.

     

  • Two Performances as Different as Day and Night Wowed Audiences

    By Emily Pruitt Nemec

    The Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble ended their year performing a song about twin sisters that was “full of emotion and musical passion.”  Photo courtesy Emily Pruitt Nemec
    The Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble ended their year performing a song about twin sisters that was “full of emotion and musical passion.”  Photo courtesy Emily Pruitt Nemec

    Buford High School’s band program provided two fantastic end-of-the-year performances this past week at the Fine Arts Center on the Buford Academy campus.  Last week’s performance, by the Percussion Ensemble and Jazz Band, played an upbeat mixture that seemed to include every type of music, most of which were chosen by the students.  The music included many genres; from Michael Jackson and Diana Ross to Bruno Mars and a unique arrangement of Lincoln Park arranged by the Buford Band Director himself, Matt Young.  The Percussion Ensemble entertained and impressed the audience by banging on kitchen stools in a fun and funky song titled “Stool Pigeon” by Julie Davila. The performers enjoyed themselves during this number!  There was also big band, funk with a Latin influence, and just good old fashion soul from the past and present.

    This week’s performance highlighted the many talents of the Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble.  Listening to the musical performances took the audience on an epic journey through many landscapes of past and present.  The Symphonic Band performed “Hadrian’s Wall,” which ominously told of a journey, and filled the room with sounds of purpose, battle, and victory.  The Wind Ensemble continued to carry the audience on a journey as they performed “Raging Machines”, which created rhythmic yet emotional sounds representing machines and city life.  “Foundry” was an unconventional song that lured the audience in with a perfect blend of rhythm and chaos. The final number completed the epic journey in a traditional folklore manner, with a German tale of twin sisters, full of emotion and musical passion.

    These performances capped off a busy and wonderful year for the Buford High School Band Program.  Students in the band program will be honored for their work at the BHS Band Banquet on Wednesday, May 16th at the Buford Community Center.

  • Chicago Played Host to Two North Gwinnett Middle School Quiz Bowl Teams

    By Katiee McKinstry

    On May 11th, Sugar Hill’s North Gwinnett Middle School sent teams to compete in the National Championship Quiz Bowl Tournament. North Gwinnett has qualified for the tournament four years in a row and sent two unique teams to this year’s competition. The 191-team competition was held in Chicago.

    The quiz bowl is a tournament where two teams compete against each other to answer several questions from any knowledge area. For example, some of the knowledge areas include history, literature, pop culture, science and fine arts. The quiz bowl uses the buzzer system, which students can use once they know the answer. The competition features individual talent and teamwork as well. Any school or homeschool group can start a quiz bowl team.

    North Gwinnett sent two teams, Team A and B, to the Quiz Bowl. Sending two teams is considered unique, as most schools only send one. North Gwinnett’s Team A consisting of eight-graders Shobana Santhanam, Albert Doan, Clarissa Reizenson and Naman Tellakula ranked nationally at the 13th spot, and Team B at 124th. Team B was comprised of Thashaan Lulla, Gleb Alikhver, Aaryan Desai, Ariya Desai, Madeline Dodson, Wyatt Moses, Richard Zhou, Siddarth Mehta, Kirk Siegele and Jack Prewitt.

    Team A scored a total of 4,805 points and Team B scored 2,310 points. While Team B did come in behind Team A, they worked hard to get to the quiz bowl. Team B beat three nationally ranked teams in one competition.  Both teams did an excellent job and should be proud of themselves.

    To learn more about the rankings of the quiz bowl teams visit https://www.naqt.com/stats/tournament/standings.jsp?tournament_id=8399.

  • Wonders of Nature

    By: Allie Webb

    Recently I was reminded of the wonders of nature. At my workplace I noticed a strange sight, a wild Canadian goose had decided to build her nest in the middle of the parking lot, in a tiny island of pine straw beneath a lamp post.

    Seems like a rather odd choice of location but never the less, our mother goose sat on her eggs for a number of weeks. As I drove by the building each day I would stop and look down the hill into the lower parking level to check on her. The large bird was often standing up, carefully turning her eggs. I felt as though I were peeking into the ‘Maternity Ward.’

    A member of our Facilities Department placed yellow caution tape around the nest. I thought it was such a kind act that I stopped and thanked the man when I saw him. With a small chuckle   he mentioned it was more to protect the people than the nest. Seems our mother goose was quite protective and able to take on anyone who dared to park too close as she defended her space. Hissing and nipping as she flapped her wings, the people didn’t stand a chance.

    Still, I think its human nature to hope for a peek at the new babies. So, as I drove by last Friday before beginning my weekend, I was happy to see the brown and black bird was still calmly sitting on the nest. But when I came in Monday, one of those wonders of nature had taken place in our very own little parking lot – the babies known as ‘Goslings’ had hatched.

    The shells were surprisingly uniform, each one broken in a nice circle near the top where the small beaks had pecked their way out into the world. Baby geese are capable of walking, even swimming, as soon as they hatch. We have a nearby pond where I am sure the goslings are now enjoying a casual swim with mom.

    It’s amazing to think how close we are to wildlife and often don’t even realize it. The patches of woodland are shrinking around us. But the animals still manage to survive. Working on the late shift I come home around midnight.

    I think most everyone has seen deer standing on the side of the road calmly munching on trees and quite often someone’s beloved flower beds. It’s hard to believe such large animals survive right in the middle of town.

    And I also have had the pleasure to see other animals I would never expect to see in such a populated area. A large owl was perched on a sign near my car the other night. Needless to say, I waited for it to leave before I went to my car. With a wing span that looked at least three feet across it was an amazing sight to see it swoop down low and the sound of the wind swoosh as it disappeared into the night.

    Then the red fox that ran across the road in front of me right in the middle of old town Suwanee. What a beautiful sight, we just need to look around. The Wonders of Nature –

  • Growing Up Buford: A Cattle

    By Cindy Wiggins Tapia

    During our courtship, Nabo rented a pitiful little pink thing on Lawson St. behind West Buford Baptist church. The front yard was a napkin. The back sprawled to a chain-link fence hidden inside an overgrown hedge. He loved that house and told it so in my presence long before he ever proclaimed his love for me.

    I got pregnant and moved in. I’d get up and drink my coffee while gazing at the misty morning through the back windows. One morning, I saw a black bear on the other side of that hedge.

    When I told Nabo that afternoon, he goes,  “Tha’s one bull, you. Jajajaja!”

    That spring we planted a garden along the hedge. Nabo dug ditches twelve hours every day on a Benton-Georgia construction site and tended the plants when he got home. The water hose was too short, and we were so in luuuuv our brains were AWOL, I reckon, because neither of us thought to buy one that would reach. So, he would fill a five-gallon paint bucket with water, lug it down, tote it back up, repeat, repeat in weather hot enough to liquefy asphalt, while I watched from the patio, drinking iced tea.

    Come harvest time, I walked down with a basket and discovered a section of pole beans had turned yellow.

    That afternoon, I looked out the bathroom window and there was that bull on my patio. I went digging it outside just as Nabo turned his bicycle into the driveway. Nabo’s bellowed. The Bull vamoosed. Hasta la vista, baby!

    “Want me to call the law?”

    “Noooo!” he spat in affronted machismo and took off after the bull. He caught it. Unfortunately, for his machismo, it nuzzled his shoulder and kissed him, while I cackled.

    “Call la policía, you!” He shouted.

    Using my Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, I called Animal Control.

    “How may I help you?”

    “There’s a bull in my backyard.”

    Pause. “We don’t do bulls.” Click.

    So, I called the law.

    “Gwinnett County Police Department. How may I assist you?”

    “There’s a bull in my backyard.”

    Pause. “A cattle? In the city limits?”

    “Yes, ma’am.”

    “Have you called Animal Control?”

    “Yes, ma’am, but they don’t do bulls.”

    Around twilight, a patrol car pulled up. The officer climbed out. He looked around. No bull. He put his fingers on his gun anyway in case it popped out of nowhere.

    It did.

    It hopped onto the patio and licked that cop’s face. The cop forgot his gun and jumped two feet off the concrete. The bull took off for its life. The cop and Nabo sprinted after it. Somehow they got the bull herded back through the broken fence, which the bull’s keeper promised to repair soonest. Ha.

    The cop left. We went inside to eat dinner. And that was that.

    But it wasn’t.

    The next day, we saw the bull eating kudzu behind the house next door. We looked at each other. We headed to the garden. Sure enough, it had eaten all of our summer squash, tomatoes, and bell peppers. The cucumbers and jalapeños were untouched, but in apparent distaste, it had hosed down the pole beans.

    Sheesh. I didn’t like Nabo’s jalapeño peppers but I didn’t pee on them.

  • Buford Baseball – Slideshow

    Photos of Buford Baseball taken by Alicia Couch Payne

    During the game with Flowery Branch, it was a privilege to capture the post game celebrations.  The players, coaches, and their families all got in on the good times.  Thank you to everyone for allowing me to capture your moments! 

    To the Seniors, best wishes to you guys on your futures.  No doubt they are bright.  Once a Wolf, always a Wolf!

  • On the Road to State: Buford Baseball

    By Mark Blumen

    The Wolves celebrate their win over Flowery Branch and will advance to the State Championship game on Monday.  Photo credit: Alicia Couch Payne
    The Wolves celebrate their win over Flowery Branch and will advance to the State Championship game on Monday.  Photo credit: Alicia Couch Payne

    Ola vs. Buford: Coach Stuart Chester took over for Buford Wolves longtime coach Tony Wolfe this year and knew it was time for change. But one thing remains the same; postseason success. This time playing a little of long ball and a little of small ball. The Wolves swept the Ola Mustangs in the quarterfinals 6-2 and 10-2 on Friday night.

    “It’s a tribute to these guys accepting change,” Chester said. “We haven’t really done anything different, we are carrying on what coach Tony Wolfe has done for 21 years. Just to have the opportunity to be here at this school and in this system, I probably feel like I am the most blessed person in the world. It’s just an awesome place”

    Buford fell behind 2-0 in the top of the first inning when the Mustangs took advantage of errors made by Buford. But Buford starter Ramsey David got out of the jam and he settled down. In the bottom of the second inning Brandon Joliff tied the game with a 2-run blast. Evan Place hit a two-run homer bringing the score 4-2. Place scored on a wild pitch in the fifth inning and Joliff added a run with a solo shot in the sixth. David went 6 1/3 innings with five hits, two walks, one earned run and three strikeouts. C.J. Couch came on and got the final two outs.

    In game two, Sean Adams held Ola to three hits in five innings and Griffin Bonner finished up a 10-2 route with 2 scoreless innings. Buford broke open a 4-2 game with six runs in the sixth inning. Noah Ledford singled in one run in the top of the first. Buford broke a 1-1 tie in the top of the third inning without the benefit of a hit as Austin Turner walked, Griffin Price got on base via an error and Turner scored after a balk and a wild pitch to give the Wolves a 2-1 lead they’d not relinquish. Buford added a run in the fourth and fifth inning before the 6-run outburst. Adams and Bonner were in complete control from there on out.

    “The kids have done a great job of just adjusting to having a new coach,” Chester said. Chester even had his 6’6″ 295-pound DH bunt on numerous occasions. “I knew in that situation Reese is prone to hit into a double play and he could get the runner to third and we could score on a passed ball and it worked and we did (score).” Chester was very proud of Joliff after his two homeruns in game one and outstanding defense in both games. “That’s what we have been waiting for,” Chester said. “He’s a good baseball player and to do what he does in the field and do what he did at the plate that’s awesome.”

    Flowery Branch vs. Buford:  After their route of Ola, Buford’s next opponent on the way to state was on Tuesday against region rival, Flowery Branch.  Once again at home, Buford would not have an easy time this series. The Wolves took the series 3-2 and 1-0.

    Game one saw Ramsey David go 6 ⅓ innings with nine strikeouts, allowing four hits and one run. Game one saw Buford capitalized off of Flowery Branch walking several Wolves.  Evan Place had a RBI double in game one. Buford took this game 3-2.

    Game two was a straight up battle of pitchers. Pitching a full game for the Wolves was senior Sean Adams.  He had a stellar night striking out ten and allowing only one hit. One of his best performances all year. The game remained scoreless all the way until the seventh inning.  Senior Grant James redeemed himself after struggling with his hitting recently by driving in the game winning run with a RBI single.

    The Buford Wolves will take on a familiar foe Loganville in the State Championship game on Monday afternoon at UGA’s Foley Field in Athens.