Community
Has COVID-19 Changed Our Friendship Groups? What It Looks Like a Year Later
By Matt Bruce
Photos By George Hunter
Sanctuary is an oasis of refuge. A fortress of equanimity nestled upon resilient timbers sturdy enough endure turbulent sea changes.
Many look for sanctuary in the traditional realms of church pews and scripture. Others find it in work or hobbies while some turn to yoga mats and nature trails to find their place of solace.
But a local group of hoops lovers found theirs in sport. Three times a week, they crawled out of bed before dawn and convened at the Robert D. Fowler Family YMCA on Jones Bridge Road for early morning pickup basketball games.
Theirs was a refuge that existed between the black lines of the hardwood court. Saggy-eyed engineers and insurance salesmen filtered in for shoot arounds at 6 a.m. Minutes later, the kinetic pace of full-court runs energized the gymnasium.
For two hours, the chorus of sneakers squeaking against the synthetic wood floors mixed with the snap of the roundball swishing through the net. Afterward, each of the men went their separate ways for an honest day’s work.
It was a ritual that held true for decades at the Peachtree Corners Y. Dozens of recreational ballplayers, hungry for good pickup games, cycled through the gym on different days. As many as 75 players were signed up on an email distribution list for the 6 a.m. runs.
But COVID forced statewide shutdowns of Georgia’s gyms last spring, stripping the local hoopers of their beloved sanctuary. Gov. Brian Kemp issued a shelter-in-place order April 2, 2020, officially closing all gyms, hair salons, barbershops and many other businesses across Georgia. That executive order came two weeks after all of Metro Atlanta’s YMCA facilities temporarily closed.
Thirteen months later, many of the shutdowns have lifted. However, the morning ballers had yet to return to their haven on the court.
“I feel like I’m missing something,” Terry Hogan said during a recent interview. “It’s just another loss for me. It’s like the whole world’s been rocked and this is a piece that I miss and hate that it was taken away.”
COVID-19’s devastation has extended to all aspects of life, affecting everything from work and school to the ways we shop, vote, congregate and worship.
One of its overlooked impacts is the toll the pandemic has had on casual friendships. Researchers say those relationships add depth to people’s lives and help eliminate the feelings of isolation that have crept into many households over the past 14 months.
Before the pandemic-forced closures, Hogan, a 56-year-old engineer, had been playing basketball at the Y since 1998. He and three of the other group’s mainstays sat down with Peachtree Corners Magazine last month to discuss life sans their pre-dawn basketball rendezvous.
“It feels good because it’s a sense of normalcy,” Hogan said of seeing some of his old buddies for the first time in more than a year. “Normalcy’s about to return, that’s how I view it.”
‘It’s Sort of Like Family’
For this group, normalcy meant starting their day with a workout. They met at the Peachtree Y around 6 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The majority of them are working professionals so the early starts gave them enough time to muster a handful of pickup games before cleaning up and heading to the office.
“It jumpstarts your day,” Jesse Mills said. “The thing about it, once you get into a routine, your body adapts.”
Mills, a 39-year-old tech analyst, was recruited to play about 12 years ago. He’s a part-time referee and was officiating a rec league in which Hogan played at the time. Mills said he was about 300 pounds when he first started waking up for the morning scrimmages. He’s slimmed down to about 200 pounds and now brings an explosive style to the pickup games, capable of slashing to the bucket and knocking down 3-point shots.
The ensemble includes a mixture of ballplayers from across the Atlanta metro region. Some drove from as far away as Cherokee County — over an hour away — to get in on the action. The players ranged in age from early 20s to mid-50s. Some of the regulars were women.
Between 12 and 15 players showed up each morning. The crowd swelled to over 20 during the summer months, when college students were home from school and local teachers joined the fray.
“All the basketball personalities are there at different times,” said Karl Barham, a regular of the past 20 years. “You dread it, but you can’t beat it. Every morning, I get up with the same feeling of ‘I don’t want to go, I want to sleep.’ But on those days, the second I get on the court and get that first game in, that feeling’s gone. And I never regret it. I never feel like I should have stayed home. It’s the days that you don’t go that you regret not going.”
Barham, a 48-year-old New York City native, plays a physical style patterned after the Patrick Ewing-led Knicks of the 1990s. Without real options to play basketball over the past year, he said he’s struggled to stay in shape. He’s tried alternatives like the Peloton and running outdoors.
“But you don’t get the cardio, you don’t get the exercise you get with running on the basketball court,” Barham said. “Even just getting up in the morning, keeping that routine.”
Trash talk was an integral part of the players’ bond. Barry Blount, an automotive engineer, moved to the area from Michigan in 2012 and quickly stumbled upon the morning rec runs. He said the boastful banter begins with text messages long before they hit the court. And the smack talk continues right after the runs are over for the day. It’s all borne out of the spirit of competition that draws the ballers to the gym.
“It’s sort of like family because even when we argue, we all know what the limits are and it never really lasts that long,” Blount said. “We have the games and everybody loves it. It’s the kind of group that would hang out outside of work.”
While Mills may be effective on the court, he catches flack for the volume of fouls he calls during the games. It’s become a running joke in the group over the years, with his comrades wisecracking that he should leave his whistle at home. Mills shrugs it off.
“I’m a ref, so anytime I call something, they’re always yelling ‘bad call,’” he acknowledged with a wry grin. “But it’s a pretty good group of guys that we’ve got on a normal basis.”
The Love of the Game
Jiles Parham, who turned 77 in May, played morning basketball for more than 30 years in Albany, Georgia before moving to Conyers in 2012.
Parham has a special bond with the game. Basketball is credited with saving his life. During a morning run at the Albany Y in 1995, Parham collapsed on the court. He came up to Atlanta to have five heart bypasses at the Emory University Hospital.
“The doc that did the surgery said, ‘Keep playing, keep doing what you’re doing,’” Parham recalled. “They said it was the reason I survived, because I was in good shape. But I say it’s because the Lord saved my life.”
When he moved to the Atlanta suburbs, Parham said he first tried out a gym in south DeKalb. But it only offered recreational games once a week on Monday nights.
“So I called around, and this was the only Y that had 6 o’clock basketball. That’s why I started coming up here,” Parham said.
Before the early pickup games at Peachtree Y were suspended last year, Parham woke up at 4:20 each morning in time to travel from Conyers and hit the court by 6 a.m. “If you love basketball, you’ll do it,” he said.
“If the world could live like we play basketball, we’d be a lot better place. That’s for sure,” Parham added later. “If we have disagreements, we take turns on a ball. But if you have a bad call, we’ll shoot the three for it. And whoever makes or misses it, we keep playing.”
Shaking Off the Rust
All of the members of the group said they miss the fellowship. Blount said a few tried to arrange times to catch up around Christmas, but those plans eventually fell through because of scheduling conflicts.
“I love the basketball,” he explained. “But I also love the fact that I found a group of guys who all kind of have the same mindset as I do. They’re all family guys…And a lot of us are not from here, so we don’t have family here. So it gives me, like, a group that I can affiliate myself with.”
The bug to get back on the court started to set in around late March when the winter weather dissipated. Several people started texting each other about going back to the gym.
“At least get the guys sparked back up to start playing again,” Blount said. “Everybody wants to get back in the gym, to get in shape and just kind of see each other. Get that camaraderie going again.”
Mills said he’d already started back at different gyms throughout the area, but his game wasn’t the same as before the pandemic. He’d heard whispers of other local courts that were set to open.
Hogan reflected on losing his connection with the group. He was itching to get back on the court but had some apprehensiveness after being away for a whole year.
“I’m worried about my age,” he said. “It’s hard at this age to stop and start back up.” Despite those concerns, he began making plans to get the word out and round the gang back up.
“This is perfect timing,” he told Mills, Parham and Barham as they sat at Towns Center plotting a return to the courts. “This is like going to be the restart. It’s like we’re close to restarting, and talking to us now is the perfect reason to restart.”
Simpson Elementary School celebrated Exceptional Children’s Week (ECW) last month with five days of special activities to recognize their special needs population and all of their exceptional students.
April 14–18 is set aside each year to celebrate children with disabilities, gifts and talents. This year’s ECW theme was Bridging Gaps and Building Futures, and the school was happy to take part.
They highlighted each day of the week on the morning news with fun facts about notable people in society — and throughout history — who have overcome challenges with their disabilities, including actor Daniel Radcliffe (who has lived with dyspraxia for his entire life), Tom Cruise, Whoopi Goldberg, Frida Kahlo and Helen Keller.
Simpson Elementary’s technology team also pre-recorded various special needs classes reciting the Pledge of Allegiance every day of the week.
Guest speaker
To end their ECW with a bang, they invited former Simpson Elementary parent, State Representative Scott Hilton, to come in and speak to their K-2 classes about raising his son, Chase (who is autistic and now a student at Norcross High School), and how being different is okay.
“Showing kindness and being inclusive is the best version of humanity,” said Dr. Taffeta Connery, Simpson Elementary School principal, in a statement about the event.
“Simpson Elementary has a special needs population of 214 (23%) of 946 students. [And] … we strive to ensure that our students are valued, recognized and instilled with high expectations for all.”
For more about Simpson Elementary, visit simpsones.gcpsk12.org.
Motherhood comes with a lot of moving parts. For these Peachtree Corners moms, it also means leading teams, building careers and keeping the family schedule running. Most days, all at once.
This Mother’s Day, we’re spotlighting seven women in our community who are doing just that. They’re professionals in full-time leadership roles, showing up to strategy meetings by day and soccer games by night. They’re problem-solvers, planners, caregivers and coaches.
What connects them most isn’t just what they do, it’s how they do it. With intention. With humor. With support from partners, parents, friends and neighbors. And with a deep appreciation for the community they’ve built in Peachtree Corners.
Through their stories, we celebrate more than titles and to-do lists. We honor the quiet, constant work of showing up.
Tracy Lee
Tracy Lee leads with heart and vision as CEO of This Dot Labs, a software consultancy focused on helping businesses solve complex challenges through technology. Her engineering leaders collaborate with major clients like Stripe, DocuSign, Google, Wikipedia and Roblox. She’s passionate about her work.
“I love the mix of problem-solving and people leadership and knowing the work we do can make a real-world impact,” she said.
Tracy brings that same intentionality to her life at home, where she and her husband, Elliott Fouts, are raising three young children: William, 3, and twins Angelina and Marcus, who are 1.5. Despite the busy pace, Tracy is committed to being present in every role she plays.
“I have three full-time nannies and two part-time nannies, as well as girls around the neighborhood who are mama’s helpers to manage the chaos! With the help, we are able to do more and enjoy more time with our kids,” she said. “I try to be fully present, whether I’m in a meeting or building block towers in the living room. It’s never perfect, but we focus on what matters most in the moment.”
Tracy credits her support system for making it all possible. “I have an incredible partner and a strong support system between our nannies, friends and local community,” she said. “We have a local moms group for Asian moms called Georgia Asian Moms, and there are so many moms just in our neighborhood. It’s really great.”
Peachtree Corners has become a meaningful home base for the family. “We absolutely love it here,” she said. “There’s amazing programming for kids at The Forum every Tuesday in the spring and summer. It’s such a gem for young families.”
Weekends often include time outside and community adventures. “Sometimes the best hack is just piling everyone in the wagon and heading out for fresh air!” she said.
Tracy leans on a strong partner, a tight-knit group of friends and a local moms network. “It really takes a village,” she shared. “And I feel lucky to have one.”
Melissa Nicholson
Melissa Nicholson knows what it means to lead with heart and precision. As division vice president of program management & international solutions at Aya Healthcare, she helps internationally educated healthcare professionals enter the U.S. workforce.
“What I enjoy most is the opportunity to support these professionals in achieving their American dream,” she said. “While also contributing to improved patient outcomes across the country.”
Melissa and her husband Greg recently celebrated 15 years of marriage. Their 12-year-old son, Luke, and a cat named Charlie bring a fun, loving dynamic of their own into the family. After relocating from East Atlanta a decade ago, they quickly embraced the Peachtree Corners community.
“It’s the people who make this community so special,” she said. “We’re truly grateful to count our neighbors as friends.”
Balancing an executive role with family life takes clarity and commitment. “I have to be very intentional with my time,” Melissa shared. She sets boundaries at work and makes sure her team knows when she’s off the clock for important family moments.
Wellness is a key part of her rhythm. “I recently started working out at Orangetheory Fitness,” she said. “I’ve noticed a significant boost in both energy and focus.” Sundays are for church and reflection.
When she travels for work, Greg holds it down at home. “We rely on each other to keep life running smoothly,” she said. “I’m grateful every day for that kind of partnership.”
On weekends, Melissa prioritizes quality time. Whether that’s a hike, pool day or baking something from scratch. “We’ve learned that if we don’t prioritize those moments, the weekends can quickly get taken over.”
Diva Hicks
For Diva Hicks, work isn’t just a job, it’s personal. As creative senior manager at CURE Childhood Cancer, her mission runs deep.
“At 12 years old, my sister was diagnosed with cancer,” she said. “CURE, in its early days, was a resource for my family.”
Her sister survived and now thrives. That experience shaped Diva’s career and continues to inspire her today. “This is my opportunity to give back to CURE for what it did for my family,” she said. “It’s rare to find a place where your purpose and passions collide.”
CURE also welcomes her whole family into the fold. “I get to bring my kids to events all the time,” she said. “They love feeling like they are a part of my work.”
Diva lives in Peachtree Corners with her husband John, their children Adair, 8, and Tripp, 6, and two golden doodles. “There is a sense of community here that I think is special,” she said.
Balance is a daily effort. “John and I have tackled who helps with homework and on what days,” she said. “I would not be able to be the mom that I am without my village.”
She leads school committees and never misses events. “Is it easy? No,” she said. “But I honestly say, it’s not easy for any parent.”
Diva’s motivation is clear. “I want Adair to look at me and see that she can be a mom and have a career too.”
The family stays grounded with tennis weekends and careful planning. “We live by our calendar,” she said. “The more prepared I am, the easier life is.”
Kate Martin
Kate Martin knows how to bring structure to busy systems. As senior director of financial planning and analysis at Alloy Roofing, she finds energy in collaboration and clear strategy.
“In this role, I work closely with various teams across the business,” she said. “It supports the company’s strategy and performance.”
Kate and her husband, Nathan, are raising two children, 14-year-old Elliot and 10-year-old Evan, in Peachtree Corners. After ten years in the area, she credits the people for making it feel like home. “Life wouldn’t be the same without the relationships we’ve built here,” she said.
Balance starts with planning. “We keep a central Google calendar synced with all the family commitments that we review daily,” she said. “On Sundays we write on the kitchen boards.” Their chalkboard becomes the weekly roadmap, from meals to responsibilities.
“Seeing things laid out visually keeps me from overcommitting,” she added.
The family stays grounded by recognizing progress. “What keeps me motivated is celebrating both the big and small wins together,” she shared. “Sometimes, making it through the week is a victory in itself.”
Kate relies on a strong network. “We are very fortunate to have my parents nearby,” she said. “I also have an amazing network of women here in Peachtree Corners that I rely on.”
Her favorite hack? “An app Nathan created to help manage our calendars,” she said. “He created a solution to integrate these webcal subscriptions into a central subscription hub.” It’s called Skedj, and they’re piloting it now. “If you know this struggle and want to help us pilot the app, check out skedj.co!”
Linda Luna
As vice president at RSUI, Linda Luna manages risk while empowering people. She leads a team of underwriters who handle professional liability and cyber insurance. “I really enjoy my job because of its dynamic nature and the opportunity to help people in meaningful ways,” she said.
Whether she’s mentoring her team or protecting clients’ businesses, Linda finds value in impact. “It’s rewarding to know that my work has a positive impact on both my colleagues and our clients.”
She and her husband, Ruben, are raising their two children, Dawson, 10, and Ava, 6, in Peachtree Corners. Her parents, though not under the same roof, are a constant part of daily life. “They help keep things running smoothly on the home front,” she said.
After nine years in the community, Linda has grown to love its blend of charm and convenience. “There is always something to do,” she said. “Whether it’s grabbing a bite at Ted’s or spending time with friends at Town Center.”
Balance comes from structure. “By establishing a solid schedule and sticking to it, I can ensure that my work commitments are met,” she said. “Being fully present allows me to strengthen my connection with my loved ones.”
When things get busy, she takes a practical approach. “Breaking it down into smaller, manageable tasks makes it much more approachable,” she said. “I remind myself to keep the bigger picture in mind and not sweat the small stuff.”
Linda’s support system is strong. “It truly takes a village, and I’m so grateful for mine,” she said. The family’s favorite tradition? A beach trip to 30A every May. “It’s our way of unwinding, reconnecting and making lasting memories together.”
Allison Blasetti
Allison Blasetti holds a national leadership role at Transamerica in the employee benefits division — a position that constantly challenges and motivates her. “What I enjoy most is the opportunity to use my talents to help my team,” she said. “I’m always growing and learning.”
She and her husband, John, are raising daughters Annie Mae, 8, and Olive, 6, in Peachtree Corners, where they’ve built strong ties in the community. “The amenities in our city provide many opportunities to run into friends around town or plan meet-ups,” she said.
Allison works from home and prioritizes clear boundaries. “I turn off my app notifications because it quickly pulls me back in to work,” she said. “I also have a dedicated workspace in my house where I can leave at the end of the workday.”
She’s developed the habit of resetting her mindset, as well. “I quickly recognize [when] I’m mentally ‘at work’ and actively redirect my thoughts back to being in the present moment.”
Allison’s mornings begin at Burn Bootcamp, where she finds motivation and connection. “Spending an hour with my Burn community helps me get grounded for the day,” she said.
To stay organized, she and her husband use a shared family calendar. Her mom steps in often, especially when work travel ramps up. “I really don’t know what we would do without her.”
On weekends, Allison coaches Olive’s soccer team with the Peachtree Corners Football Club. “It brings me so much joy to be outside, see my soccer friends and watch my girls have fun,” she said. “Coaching makes it even better because I get to support the community that means a lot to me.”
Samantha Morgan
Samantha Morgan is a commander in the U.S. Public Health Service, currently assigned to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Over her career, she’s responded to major public health threats, including Ebola, Zika and COVID-19. Today, her work centers on injury prevention, with a focus on issues like suicide, drowning and traumatic brain injury.
“What I enjoy most is being part of CDC’s mission to save lives and protect people,” she said. “I’m proud to contribute to work that makes a tangible difference in communities across the country.”
At home in Peachtree Corners, Samantha and her husband, Brian, are raising two sets of twins. Luke and Elliot are 12-years-old and love baseball, golf, basketball and band. Charlotte and Noelle are 8-years-old and enjoy piano, tumbling and tennis. “Life with four kids is wonderfully busy,” she said. “I often joke that I’m an unpaid Uber driver!”
After more than a decade in the neighborhood, Samantha credits their support system for helping them manage the day-to-day. “Our neighbors and friends — our village — have supported us through the hardest moments and celebrated life’s greatest joys with us,” she said.
Structure is key to keeping things on track. “We live and breathe by our family calendar,” she said. “Shared schedules, group texts and carpooling help us keep things running.”
Her children remain Samantha’s biggest motivators. “They know, ‘mom’s going to work to help make the world a safer place,’” she said.
The family also leans on routines and simple joys. “Checklists are my go-to mom hack,” she shared. One of their favorite traditions is make-your-own-pizza night. “It’s messy, silly and something we all genuinely look forward to.”
The seven women featured here offer a glimpse into the lives of working moms in Peachtree Corners. Each one balances career, family and community with care and intention. They are just a few of the many women — both working and stay-at-home — who nurture, organize and uplift the people around them every day.
Whether leading teams or guiding their children, mothers across this community show up with strength, love and quiet determination.
You’ll find this story in the May/June issue of Peachtree Corners Magazine, available in print and digital edition.
This Saturday, May 10, residents and visitors are invited to experience the debut of Peachtree Corners’ official merchandise collection at the Town Green. The pop-up shop will be open all day, beginning at 8 a.m., located directly behind the former Jinbei restaurant.
This pop-up shop is provided through a pilot program with Vox-pop-uli and the City of Peachtree Corners.
“We’re thrilled to showcase our city’s spirit through this exciting new merchandise line,” said Louis Svehla, City of Peachtree Corners director of communications. “There’s something for everyone, whether you’re a proud local or just visiting. We are excited about testing this pilot program to raise funds for continued improvements at Town Green and events.”
Featured items include:
- brand new concert-themed apparel
- city-branded merchandise
- limited edition collectibles
- perfect Mother’s Day gift selections
With Mother’s Day approaching, shoppers will find unique, locally inspired gifts guaranteed to delight mom with something she doesn’t already own.
Visitors can browse and purchase items throughout the day, with friendly staff available to assist with selections.
Event details
Date: Saturday, May 10
Time: Starting at 8 a.m.
Location: Town Green (behind former Jinbei location)
Payment methods accepted: Cash and credit card accepted
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