normans news - spring issue 2013
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Normans News SPRING 2013 Edition PAGE 1
Normans News
Social Activities To End?
As families of original organizers of
social activities in the neighborhood grew
up, and the Women’s Club disbanded, the
HOA focused on getting younger families
involved in taking over activities. They’ve
had only a little success. Last year only a
fraction of the adults and children attended
the activities that were offered, so one can’t
help but wonder if it is really worth the ex-
pense and effort involved to continue offer-
ing social events in Norman Downes? Per-
haps, with the availability and close
proximity of the surrounding parks and
Duluth Towne Green we may no longer
need or want to sponsor special activi-
ties just for Norman Downes residents.
HOA board members can not take on
the job of directing social activities in addi-
tion to the important jobs they are already
doing for the community. It has been sug-gested that a young women’s club form to
continue at least the children’s activities.
Sadly, no one seems to want the responsi-
bility of organizing this group.
This year the board members have
voted to sponsor three social events. They
chose the events most attended (cont. on p.5)
“FOR AND BY OUR RESIDENTS OF NORMAN DOWNES” Individual Garage Sale Permits for April 27th
Now Required by the City of Duluth (see page 5 )
ND Activities 5 The President’s Corner 4-8-9
“ Sam’s Story” 2-3-4 Announcements 6-7-9
New Guideline for Y.O.M. 7
The President’s Corner
Project Updates:
Street Signs and Front Signs — We
are preparing to repair and rejuve-
nate the remaining street signs,
posts, and front entrance sign
plaques. They will remain the same
basic shape and design but will be
made to look new again. We hope
to get this done with the coming
summer months.
T ennis Driveway Gate and Boundary
Fence —To keep the tennis and lake
access areas exclusive to Norman
Downes residents (continued on p. 4)
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Normans News SPRING 2013 PAGE 2
“Sam’s Story” Sometimes, we take for granted what we have....
One day last winter, during one of my visits to V-Nails in Suwanee, I asked
the proprietor, whose name is Sam, how he came to live in this particular part of the country. With broken English, gestures and pictures, Sam shared his
courageous story of how and why he entered the United States, and how he
came to reside in Georgia.
Actually hearing Sam’s story firsthand, instead of reading an article or
watching a news program about the trials of people coming to our country, made
it very real and personal. It renewed me with a sense of gratefulness for having
the good fortune of being born in this wonderful country. I asked Sam if he wouldallow me to share his story with all of you in hopes that you might want to support
his business with your patronage at some time in the future. Sam is a very
honorable man, an asset to his community and a very deserving individual.
Some members of his family sacrificed their lives for the sake of their freedom.
When North Vietnam invaded South Vietnam, life became pure hell for
those who could not get out of their path. The South Vietnamese, who until then
had been protected and helped by the Americans and others, were overnight
forced out of schools, jobs, and homes. Food became scarce and life very brutal.The only sure way to survive was by paying off the North Vietnamese police. And
even that was no guarantee! Those who paid off the police to board boats out of
the country were often stopped once out to sea, by yet more police in gun boats.
Those with the ‘wrong paperwork’ and no more money were beaten and sent
back to shore and jailed. Those who protested were shot on the spot and tossed
overboard. Sam related that the larger the payment, the bigger the boat you were
allowed passage on. Many boats sunk from the sheer weight of the overcrowded
passengers and others perished from huge waves that would overcome the boatsin huge storms at sea.
Sam’s family managed to scrape together enough money to get one of
Sam’s older brothers out of the country by boat. Sam showed me how his brother
had to stay crouched down in one spot due to the number of bodies around him.
He survived on only a few sips of water and almost no food until the boat was(continued next page)
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Normans News SPRING 2013 PAGE 3
rescued almost seven days later! Many on board with him became sick and died.
He saw one entire family that he had knew and grew up with, washed overboard by
a massive wave in a terrible storm.
As for the rest of Sam’s family, the police eventually invaded and took over the fam-
ily home. Both of Sam’s parents protested. His father was shot immediately and
both his mother and a younger sibling later died from the beatings they receivedduring the encounter. The young daughter was beaten for simply trying to shield
the mother screaming over her husband’s death. The family was loaded into a
truck with other South Vietnamese families and only the clothes on their backs.
They were driven far into the countryside and dropped off with no food or water to
survive as best they could.
Sam’s brother had been helped to enter the United States by the CCA, a Christian
Coalition of organizations who aided refugees at that time. Sam is very proud of his
brother who is now a US citizen and a practicing, licensed accountant. Once
established, his brother sent money to Hong Chong to be smuggled into the country
to negotiate with police for Sam to leave. Three different times Sam left by boat
and was forced back by the gun boat police, even though he had a valid exit visa,
which they claimed was forged. Three times he was beaten and jailed for several
months before release. Sam’s brother appealed through the CCA to the United
Nations in Hong Kong to intervene and negotiate on Sam’s behalf. He sent money
again. The United Nations was successful this time in getting Sam released and he
was moved to China and then Korea. After interviewing many refugees, a Christian
Relief organization agreed to sponsor and pay Sam’s airfare to New York. In New
York he was given the choice of being educated or given a job. Sam, then 19,
wanted to work. He was sent to Atlanta, where he worked in a chicken factory, pull-
ing wings from chickens. Sam was also given temporary housing with three other
refugees, and a small stipend to buy clothing. When he arrived , it was snowing. A
bus delivered the refugees to and from work each day.
Sam worked
and saved to
buy a used car
and his own
place to live.
He is extremely
proud of the fact(continued on p.4)
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(continued from p.3 — Sam’s Story) that through hard
work and saving money, he repaid his
sponsors in record time. He was told that
the money he paid back would help sponsor
others going forward and that “he was a very
good man.”
His brother enrolled Sam in a training and
certification program for body massage and
nail art. Then Sam worked in a salon in
Marietta. Sam continued to “pay it forward”
by sponsoring five others to enter the United
States through proper immigration, including
his wife, who now works with him in their
very own salon. The couple has a youngson and Sam is proud of all that he has
accomplished.
Sam’s salon gives very personalized
attention to his clients, ― working with them
from start to finish without interruption. He
strives to give the best service he can and
considers it is “a matter of honor” to do so.
If you would enjoy a relaxing manicure, pedi-
cure or massage, please consider Sam’s
nail salon, “V-Nails” in Suwanee on Peach-
tree Industrial Blvd., just north of Sugarloaf.
It is in the second shopping park on the right
just past the Fresh Market Grocery. By
patronizing this salon, you will be supporting
a good business and a very deserving fam-ily.
So, remember Sam’s story! Let’s all
appreciate and relish the freedoms and
opportunities that we enjoy
and make the most of them!
-by Cheryl Smith
Normans News SPRING 2013 PAGE 4
(continued from p.1—President’s Corner) we are
planning a key pad type driveway
gate at the top of the driveway.
The code will be periodically
changed, with plenty of notice to
everyone. The Duluth Police and
Fire departments will have the
codes updated with their dispatch-
ers. Maybe it will be a slight incon-
venience, but restricting outside
vehicles will make the area much
more secure – and in the long run – more desirable for our residents.
The proposed boundary fence will
help to define our property line and
will allow us to use ‘posted’ signs.
The Duluth Police department can
then more regularly and ‘officially’patrol that area.
Lake Rules and Boat Registration —
We will be posting lake safety rules
in the access area and publish
those rules on the Norman Downes
web site www.normandownes.net
soon. They will refer to the re-
quirement for life preservers and
life jackets for those 18 and under.
The boat area is littered with old,
abandoned boats, along (cont. page 8)
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Normans News SPRING 2013 PAGE 5
(continued from p.1— social activities to end?)
— the Spring Garage Sale, to be held
on Apr.27th, the Summer BBQ at the
pool on July 4th, and the Children’s
Halloween Party at the tennis courts on
Oct. 26th. Interested community mem-
bers are needed to help with these
events to make them successful, espe-
cially the last one. Some traditional ND
events that are not on the HOA’s list
are….
Pizza parties at the pool,
Children’s bike parade on July 4th,
An adult party in the fall,
A neighborhood adult Christmas party.
Unless parents and/or other members of
the community decide to help organize,
these socials/events will not happen. If
you feel you would like to get involved,
please contact a board member, sign up
on the Norman Downes website, drop anote in one of the suggestion/ballot
boxes or email ndhaboard@gmail.com.
And thanks to all those who have given
their time and supported these events in
the past!
F.Y. I. !!!
The City of Duluth requires each home
obtain their own complimentary permit at
least five days prior to the sale. Permits
are available at Duluth City Hall. Police
officers can check to see if a permit is
displayed at the time of the sale. Fines
can run up to $1000 according to the
City Code. Helium filled balloons are no
longer allowed due to environmental
concerns. Regular air filled balloons are
fine; one sign per yard may be posted.
Save the date! The Duluth Fine Arts
League will be presenting a special
ART WALK in Downtown Duluth Friday,
April 9th from 6-8 PM featuring artists,
live music, and door prizes in the shops.
Several new shops are opening and we
have a brand new art gallery! Come and
enjoy what our town has to offer!
Attention Carpenters & Handy Persons!
We need help with a few projects around
the neighborhood. One of them is to help
build a couple of nice canoe/
boat storage racks for the
lake. If you can help, please
contact Rob Welsh, rob.welch@charter.net
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Dear Neighbors,
Keeping our neighborhood strong is essential these days. Having strong localschools impacts the strength of our community.
Mason Elementary would appreciate your help in a few ways and it won’t cost youa penny. Here are a few ways that you can help:
1. When you shop at Publix, have them scan a Mason card. The card is free andyour name and identity are not associated with it. The card simply shows Publixhow many Mason supporters shop there. Publix then gives the school a checkbased upon total receipts. If you would like a Mason Publix card, email me atJeanne _ Kosmala@gwinnett.k12.ga.us and I will drop one in your mailbox.
2. Clip the Box tops for Education coupons from participating products. When you
have collected some, please pass the baggie to a Mason student, teacher or my-self. Mason collects $.10 per logo turned in. This money is used to buy PE and artequipment and supplies.
3. If you buy Coca-Cola products, save the alphanumeric codes from 12 packboxes or the screw caps from most products. Pass these along as well. Thesenumbers are entered online to benefit PTA programs.
4. If you have children’s books in good condition that you no longer want, pleasedonate them. Teachers use them in the classrooms or give them to students thatdo not have books at home.
Thank you for any help that you can offer!
Jeanne Kosmala— 2636 Chancellor Way
Normans News SPRING 2013 PAGE 6
It’s Easy to Help our Local Schools!
Diane Womble
invites you to view the founda-
tion work and rebuilding of her
back patio and front porch.
at 3303 Leeds Way
Drop by anytime.
Contribute to the
summer issue of
Normans News!
Www.normansnews.com
Ads are $20 per issue.
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Norman Downes Yard of the Month
2013
There will be 5 yard of the month signs awarded on the 1st of
each month starting April 1st-Sept 1st.
New Guidelines:
* Neighbors will nominate neighbors; your front yard or backyard will be
eligible separately. Email your nominations by the 25th of each month to:
helenjones@bellsouth.net or Shermc4@aol.com
* Winners will be selected from the pool of nominations by U.G.A. Master
Gardeners.
* All signs will be placed in the winner’s front yard. Thank you,
Yard of the Month Committee - Helen Jones, Sherry McCann
Thanks Sherry & Helen for taking on Yard of the Month!
Normans News SPRING 2013 PAGE 7
Susan Welsh has been doing a fantastic job with the flowers at thepool for several years, but is now ready to pass the job on.
Please contact Rob Welch rob.welch@charter.net, pool
chairman if you can help and thank you Susan for your
service to the community!
Our sympathies to Valarie Moe and her family on the passing of her Mother and Uncle recently. Valarie,
you are in our thoughts and our prayers!
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(cont. from pg. 4 --Presidents Corner) with infrequently used residents’ boats. We will
be requiring a boat registration and sticker, showing that the boat is the prop-
erty of a Norman Downes resident. All other boats will be removed. Applica-
tions for stickers will be available on the Norman Downes website.
Access cleanup and mosquito control — The access area has been cleared ofpoison ivy, poison oak and other toxic plants, over the past few years. Our
contracted engineering company and the City of Duluth have advised us that
this area is part of our water runoff system, and should be maintained.
A major issue is mosquito control due to the standing water in the area. Resi-
dents along the adjoining streets have voiced many complaints. Also, dead
and dangerous trees have recently been cut. The current unsightly pile of logsis intended to be made into a retaining wall on the opposite side from the
creek to prevent water inflow. Then we can explore a bio-friendly way of
controlling the mosquitoes. The first step is to organize the movement of the
logs (left intentionally long so that passers-by can’t roll them into the creek)
and make sure the existing mulch path is intact. The access area will remain
natural, with no vehicle traffic. Boat racks, benches, tables and other non-
permanent structures will be placed within the appropriate setback in the near future.
Downes-ness — The price we pay for our privileges and freedoms is participa-
tion in one form or another. Keeping our neighborhood looking and working
like it does is no easy task!
Of course we owe many thanks to all who take (and those who have in the
past!) the time and have the initiative to be hands-on. However many of us
can’t be physically active because of health, work, travel, and other commit-
ments - but everyone can help by maintaining basic community awareness.
Those who have the time and opportunity to dig in and help with one
neighborhood project or another – will of course have (continued top of next page)
Normans News SPRING 2013 PAGE 8
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(continued) have the satisfaction of helping all of us and as well as contributing
to Norman Downes’ good quality of life. But even if you can’t physically be
involved for some reason, you should feel no less a part of Norman Downes!
Whether you rent or own within our boundaries, be proud to claim our
neighborhood as your
residence! Let’s
treat Norman Downes
like … we live here!
Normans News SPRING 2013 PAGE 9
Block Captains: When someone new moves into your area, please let us know. It is the only way we can wel-
come new neighbors, deliver a basket, and keep our direc-
tory current.
Ladies Nite Out!
Ladies, our Bunco Group is growing! Won’t you come and play with us?
Come one time or every time!
Don’t know how to play? We will teach you this very simple game of dice.
It’s only $10 to play which includes dinner and beverage
and who knows, you may go home a lucky winner!
We meet the 3rd Thursday of the month, 7-9 PM.
Ages 18 and up are welcome.
Call Carol Vidyasagar to get on the invitation list.
ATTENTION PARENTS
OF GRADUATING HIGH
SCHOOL AND COLLEGE SENIORS:Nan Wilcox and Nancy Hill are coordinat-
ing our congratulatory banner this year.
Please contact Nan or Nancy to include
your graduates’ name!
nanwilcox@att.n - cell 770-823-1766 or
nancymchill @msn.com—cell 770-313-9635
Residents: Please start submitting
your articles, pictures and comments
now for the summer issue of Normans
News. The deadline is June 1st. Useany suggestion box, drop articles by my
house, or email me! My porch door is
always open. -Cheryl Smith
If you are not receiving this newsletter
via email, please send me your email
address. My data is board confidential.
Help save a tree!
normansnews@gmail.com
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