Arts & Literature

Local Makers Find Success in Peachtree Corners, Part 3: “Continuing A Legacy — Geneva’s Goodness”

Published

1 year ago

December 13, 2021

Isadora Pennington

Susan holding her handmade white chocolate covered pretzels. Photos by Isadora Pennington.

Sometimes it takes the unexpected to shake things up and inspire us to pursue our dreams. Whether it’s our children growing up and needing less attention, a sudden job change or a desire to transform grief into growth, there are many reasons why individuals might seek out a career that sparks their passion and gives their life new meaning.

Certainly, the past two years of living through a global pandemic have presented unprecedented challenges and ample opportunities to reconsider the ‘why’ behind our daily lives. So what does it take for an individual to embrace their dreams and not only survive a pandemic, but also to thrive?

I’d like to introduce you to three such makers who have devoted themselves to their crafts, finding joy and meaning through transforming their ideas into products, and hobbies into livelihoods.

Continuing A Legacy — Geneva’s Goodness

Faith, Family and Food. That’s the motto that Susan and Jeff Moore have infused in their
newly minted business, Geneva’s Goodness. Named after Susan’s mother, Geneva, who passed away in 2014, the idea was sparked from a desire to continue her legacy. The beloved matriarch of the family, Geneva was known for crafting extravagant meals and desserts as her way of showering her family with love and warmth. Jeff, who has been married to Susan for 28 years, recalls those dinners he experienced at Geneva’s table.

“I can remember the very first time I had Thanksgiving with Susan’s family; it was a major event. It’s an event that’s designed for family to come together and eat and discuss and have a really good time, and usually the central focus is the food,” said Jeff. “This was an event for Miss Geneva. It was a spectacle. She would never say that, but I’ll say it. This was her thing; she didn’t really want anyone to help, she just wanted to do her thing.”

Even as Geneva’s age made preparing those lavish dinners harder, she was never one to sit on the sidelines. In fact, she was known for making each guest their own dedicated pie in their personal favorite flavor. As Jeff puts it, these gatherings were not just a day, but often turned into a week-long celebration of food as they polished off the leftovers after the event. It was a tradition that not only fed the bellies of her loved ones, but also reminded everyone of the value of family and the strength of their faith.

Her mom was a pastor, so her faith was a central focus,” explained Jeff. “She loved her family so much. And then there was the food. For her, it all connected; it wasn’t like you could take one out – all three were woven into the fabric of who she was.” Preparing food was Geneva’s love language. And boy, did she love deeply.

In the wake of her mother’s passing and as the grief of her mother’s absence truly settled in at the communal meal following the funeral, Susan felt not only saddened but also inspired. “I just remember thinking that I want to be a better person because of her, and I want to do something for her, somehow. I just had that overwhelming feeling that because of her I wanted to be better.”

Susan’s journey with baked goods started back when she and Jeff first got together and he asked if she might try to make a 7-UP lemon pound cake that his own mother used to make for him when he was a child. She tried, and her initial attempts left room for improvement. In the years since, she has further developed her skills in the kitchen, mastering not only that beloved 7-UP lemon pound cake, but also a great number of other baked goods.

The Moores officially filed for a business license for Geneva’s Goodness in September of 2021, following only a few months of discussion. “This happened really quickly,” said Susan, who is grateful to have found a way to honor her mother and keep the tradition of cooking alive for both her family and her community. The duo has participated in one festival in Peachtree Corners already and at the time of our interview, they were gearing up for the Johns Creek Holiday Festival.

Geneva’s Goodness offers an array of delectable treats including cream cheese, peanut butter, lemon 7-UP, coconut cream, and pineapple cream pound cakes, rum cake, shortbread cookies with rum icing, lemon iced cookies, granola, white chocolate covered pretzels, banana nut bread, pumpkin bread and Geneva’s famous peanut butter haystacks. The original recipe for the haystacks, written in Geneva’s own handwriting, is still pinned to Susan’s fridge, serving as a constant reminder of why she is devoted to carrying on her mother’s baking tradition.

“It’s just continuing her legacy, really,” said Susan. “I never felt like I could make the food as good as she could, but to carry on her legacy is important. And it’s important for our family — our kids and grandkids — to show them this is what family is all about, and faith, too.”

Follow Geneva’s Goodness

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Isadora Pennington

Isadora is a writer, photographer, and designer living in Avondale Estates, GA. She has worked in print for the past decade and has been published in the Atlanta INtown, Oz Magazine, Atlanta Senior Life, and the Reporter Newspapers.

Arts & Literature

Sometimes It’s the Small Things- Photo Gallery

Published

1 month ago

December 14, 2022

Peachtree Corners Magazine staff

Especially at this time of year, we can be consumed by the busyness in our lives and fulfilling the expectations of others. As we rush around, we can miss the beauty all around us in Peachtree Corners. As you take a moment to slow down and look closely at the small things in our environment, you will see amazing things that inspire and delight. So pause. Breathe deeply. Observe. And take photos of the small things you see!

Top left, Junco, David Dunagan. Bottom left- Traveling Santas waiting for the Trains, Eric Richter. Right- Monarch caterpillar, Vipul Singh.

Enjoy these photos taken by the members of the Peachtree Corners Photography Club as they share their detailed view of our world. The monthly meetings of the Club are open to everyone, from beginners to pros. For more information about the Club, go to their website at pcphotoclub.org.

Top left to right- Decoration Pumpkins, Anna Niziol. Snow 013, Rafael Garcia. Bottom left-Angel Musicians, Tracey Rice. Bottom right top-October Pollination, Brian Walton. Bottom right bottom- Milkweed Ready to Fly in PTC Background, Marcia Brandes

Top left to right- Joro Spyder in Web, Alfonso Caycedo. No name, James Skurski. Bottom left to right- Mushroom, David Schilling. Jumping Spider, Jurgen Kohler. Leaf Hopper, Jurgen Kohler

Top left to right- Alone in the woods, Jody Bradham. A Beautiful Demise, Philip Hart. Middle left- Full Woof, Jody Pollack. Middle right top- Late Summer 2013, David Schilling. Middle right bottom- No name, Michael Holbrook. Bottom- Wish List, Jody Bradham

Left row, top to bottom- Dragonfly, Vipul Singh. Cold and wet, no sweat, Tracey Rice. Tiny polinator, Jurgen Kohler. Left top, Turkey dinner in the dollhouse, Eric Richter. Left bottom- Sweetgum tree pod, Alfonso Caycedo.

Top left to right- Allium seeds, Marcia Brandes. Not so itsy bitsy, Jody Pollack. Bottom left to right- Potential, Rafael Garcia. Holiday Pound Cake, Tracey Rice.

Leaf images, left- Warmth. Top right- Autumn. Bottom left, Jones Bridge Orange. Photos by Philip Hart.

Arts & Literature

Six schools from Gwinnett are competing for Shuler Awards

Published

1 month ago

December 13, 2022

Courtesy of Elliott Brack's Gwinnett Forum

ArtsBridge Foundation has announced the statewide list of high schools that will participate in the 15th Annual Georgia High School Musical Theatre Awards for the 2022-23 school year, including six schools from Gwinnett. This year yielded schools from 22 Georgia counties.

The public and private high schools participating in the 2022-23 Shuler Awards include the following Gwinnett high schools: Collins Hill, Grayson, Greater Atlanta Christian, Lanier, Mountain View and Providence Christian Academy.

The Shuler Awards or The Shulers—named for the Marietta-born stage and screen star Shuler Hensley—will be celebrated on April 20 and broadcast live from the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. The evening includes fun purple-carpet arrivals, live performances by nominees, and awards presented in 18 different categories. Scholarship recipients will also be announced.

Elizabeth Lenhart, director of arts education for ArtsBridge Foundation, says: “While about half of the Shuler Awards competitors represent Metro Atlanta high schools, it’s exciting to see participating schools spanning the Peach state, including five counties competing for the first time.”

Since 2009, the Shuler Awards program has engaged over 60,000 students from 142 schools and 38 counties/school systems. Registrations for 50 schools were completed in a record 10 minutes for the 2022-23 season, with two schools also securing competition berths from past COVID-related changes.

In the months ahead, the 70 volunteer adjudicators will fan out across Georgia to attend live performances by hopeful high school theater students and departments that will be judged in 17 categories with nominees announced in March. The April 20 Shuler Awards event replicates the national Tony Awards® ceremony and is broadcast live and statewide via Georgia Public Broadcasting.

This material is presented with permission from Elliott Brack’s GwinnettForum, an online site published Tuesdays and Fridays. To become better informed about Gwinnett, subscribe (at no cost) at GwinnettForum

Arts & Literature

Peachtree Corners Library Branch Calendar Highlights

Published

2 months ago

December 9, 2022

Peachtree Corners Magazine staff

Gwinnett County Public Library — Peachtree Corners Branch Events

5570 Spalding Dr., Peachtree Corners 30092

gwinnettpl.org, 770-978-5154

Evening Edition Appy Hour: Library Digital Resources

Thursday, December 8, 6:30 p.m.

Enjoy a mocktail and check out the library’s new digital resources Kanopy and Fregal, as well as PressReader, right on your tablet or smartphone.

Recycled Engineering: Ski Lift

Sunday, December 11, 2 p.m.

Use your engineering, problem solving and math skills to design a ski lift chair. Supplies are limited.

Photo Retouching and Restoration

Wednesday, December 14, 4 p.m.

Learn how to digitize, restore and preserve old photos.

Holiday Recipe Swap

Saturday, December 17, 1 p.m.

Learn about holiday traditions and customs within the community. Adults are invited to share their favorite holiday recipes and take home a new one to try. Admission is free.

Don’t Break the Chain

Tuesday, January 3, 6 p.m.

Start the new year by building new habits. Learn about the motivational technique called “Don’t break the Chain.”

Green Screen Location Shoot: Student Film Fest

Saturday, January 7, 2 p.m.

Explore techniques for shooting a whole film in front of a green screen.

MLK Day Trivia Challenge

Tuesday, January 17, 4 p.m.

Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. and to learn about the Civil Rights Movement.

Intro to 3D Printing

Wednesday, January 18, 5 p.m.

Discover the basics of 3D printing and how to use the Learning Lab’s printers for personal projects.