Author: On Common Ground News

Peace Lutheran Church, 1679 Columbia Drive, Decatur, will have its Vacation Bible School on June 20-22, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The free program is open to children ages 5-12. There will be arts and crafts, games and praise songs. Lunch, snacks and dinner will be provided and a closing ceremony and block party will be held on the last day of the program. Peace Lutheran Church is sponsoring the program in partnership with the Korean Central Presbyterian Church in Centerville, Virginia. The registration deadline is June 14. To register a child, call 404-289-1474.

Several churches in South DeKalb will hold a “Community Juneteenth Celebration” for a day of unification, fun and education. The Juneteenth celebration will be held on Saturday, June 11, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Kelley Chapel United Methodist Church, 3411 Kelley Chapel Road in Decatur, where the Rev. Derrick R. Rhodes is senior pastor. Juneteenth is also known as “Freedom Day” of “Emancipation Day.” It is a holiday recognized in 41 U.S. states, including Georgia. It is called Juneteenth because, though the Emancipation Proclamation was signed to be effective Jan. 1, slaves in East Texas were not aware that…

New mothers will receive free resources to help protect their babies from sleep-related infant deaths under a new statewide initiative.  Georgia’s 77 birthing hospitals are participating in the state’s “Safe to Sleep” program and are providing every mother and newborn an infant gown with “This Side Up” messaging to remind them and caregivers that babies sleep safest on their backs. The mothers also will receive a “Safe to Sleep” book reminding them about the importance of safe sleep practices. Travel bassinets will be given to Medicaid and uninsured families for babies who weigh up to 15 pounds or are four to…

Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC) will host the first of two Open House events designed to introduce prospective students to exciting, new courses and industry-leading programs currently being offered by the college.  The first Open House is scheduled Saturday, June 11,  10 a.m. until 2 p.m., on the Newton County campus, 1600 Alcovy Road, Covington. Attendees will have many opportunities to meet directly with admissions personnel to gain information regarding the application process.  They will also receive information regarding the college’s industry-leading programs that are available on the Newton campus.  As a bonus, the Georgia Piedmont Technical…

Rockdale Chairman Richard Oden was among the community leaders who honored veterans from Rockdale County at the Walk of Heroes. More than 300 people attended the Memorial Day program. The Megacamp youth performed the national anthem, led by Bryan Lezama, founder of the Conyers Arts Conservatory – Youth Encouragement of the Arts. ‬

For many, Memorial Day marks the kickoff of summer—a time for backyard barbecues and the NBA playoffs. But there is a more serious side to the national holiday: Memorial Day is the time when we pay homage to America’s soldiers for their sacrifice and protection to this country. The first observance to the nation’s soldiers, May 30, was established as Decoration Day after the end of the Civil War, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website. The website says that in 1971, Memorial Day was officially declared a national holiday and set the last Monday of May. Here’s…

In another key race, former DeKalb Schools Superintendent Michael Thurmond won the Democratic primary for CEO, earning 72 percent of the vote. Former DeKalb Commissioner Connie Stokes, who also served as a state legislator, came in second with 26 percent of the vote. Joe Bembry, a car towing business owner, placed third. Thurmond will now face Republican Jack Lovelace in the November general election. Lovelace, the lone Republican running for the CEO seat, received 7,558 votes in the primary. The winner of the CEO race will oversee a $1.3 billion annual budget and more than 6,000 county employees.

Antioch-Lithonia Missionary Baptist Church recently welcomed maestro Heather Sorenson for a concert that featured her music, Antioch’s James C. Ward Chorale and the Covington/Conyers Choral Guild, Inc. The internationally-known Christian music producer who has appeared at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and Constitution Center brought together the two choral groups after leading a music clinic in Covington. Under Sorenson’s direction, the groups performed as if they had been singing together every Sunday, drawing standing ovations from Antioch’s congregation. “It was an honor to get her. She’s among the top 3 or 4 pianists in the world. It was like having a…

Sherry Boston will become DeKalb County’s next District Attorney when she leaves her current job as Solicitor General and she takes the oath of office in January 2017. Boston, a Democrat, earned a whopping 62 percent of the vote, defeating her sole challenger, Democratic incumbent Robert James, during the May 24 primary elections. There were no Republicans in the race. In her bid for the county’s top prosecutor position, Boston leveraged several key endorsements, which included former DeKalb District Attorneys Bob Wilson and J. Tom Morgan, Congressman Hank Johnson and former U.S. Ambassador Andrew Young. Boston championed restoring trust in…

Candidates in four Rockdale County races are headed for run-offs on July 26. Voters will be going back to the polls to cast ballots for Board of Commissioners Chair; Commissioner, Post, 1; Probate Judge; and Board of Education, Post 4. The runoffs are being held because none of the candidates in those races received over 50 percent of the vote. In the most hotly-contested race, BOC Chairman Richard Oden and Commissioner Oz Nesbitt will face one another for the county’s top position. The Chairman’s race was a nail biter with three Democratic candidates running neck and neck. Oden, however,…