About The times. (Gainesville, Ga.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (July 9, 2020)
LOCAL The Times, Gainesville, Georgia | gainesvilletimes.com Thursday, July 9, 2020 3A Hollywood by design Award-winning costume designer, Brenau alumna to speak at webinar Photo courtesy Brenau University Janie Bryant, an Emmy Award-winning costume designer, will speak during a Brenau University Zoom webinar on Tuesday, July 14. BY KELSEY PODO kpodo@gainesvilletimes.com Janie Bryant, an Emmy Award-winning costume designer and Brenau Academy alumna, is virtually returning to her old stomping grounds for an online Zoom talk. From 4-5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14, Bryant will share her journey to success, as well as answer questions from students and the general public. The webinar is the second installment of The Women’s College of Brenau University’s GOLD Speaker Series. The talk is a part of the “G” com ponent of the Women’s College’s GOLD Program, which dedicates a school year to gender aware ness. During the fall semester, the program will transition to the “O,” which focuses on ownership of personal responsibility and civic engagement. The ensuing years will encompass leadership and diversity. To join the Zoom webinar, people must register before 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 14, via brenau.edu/ gold-speaker. The talk is free to the public. Debra Dobkins, dean of The Women’s College, said she is excited to virtually welcome Bryant back to Brenau and offer students and community members a glimpse into how she built her career in the arts. “I think it’s important for our audience to see how someone from a small town in the South and women’s college environment can take on the world,” Dobkins said. “She has done just that.” After graduating from Brenau Academy, Bry ant spent a year at The Women’s College. She later studied fashion design at the American College of Applied Arts. Dobkins said Bryant’s career has taken flight in Paris, Hollywood and other fashion-centric cities. “Coming from an institution that puts great value in the arts, it’s always terrific to hear a story from Zoom talk with Janie Bryant What: Free online event hosted by Brenau University When: 4-5 p.m. Tuesday, July 14 To register: brenau.edu/gold-speaker somebody who has succeeded in such a big way,” Dobkins said. “She said that it was only when she was there (Brenau), that she felt like she could really be herself. She talked about it really being fundamental to who she is and where she’s gone in life.” Bryant won an Emmy for her work as costume designer for HBO’s “Deadwood.” She also earned four Emmy nominations for AMC’s “Mad Men.” Other movies and series she has worked on include Stephen King’s “It,” “The Last Tycoon,” “The Romanoffs,” and more recently the dark comedy show, “Why Women Kill.” Bryant recently launched an extended-size lux ury clothing line for curvy women called, JXB. In addition to becoming successful as a fashion designer, Dobkins said Bryant has expanded her reach to helping other women within her field strive for salary equity. Although the profession is female dominated, she said the salaries for women are “far lower than for men.” Bryant has been working with a union in Los Angeles to create an even playing field. When people leave the Zoom talk on July 14, Dobkins said she wants them to feel inspired and understand how “women can lift other women up.” “I hope they feel their creative juices flowing a little bit more,” she said. “And I hope that they see how what looks impossible might actually be possible if a person has enough determination and grit and confidence in herself to make her dreams come true.” For more information, contact Lacey Carpenter at lcarpenterl@brenau.edu. DIXON ■ Continued from 1A recently denied the defense’s motion to change the trial’s venue, and the courthouse has still not allowed any trials/grand juries to proceed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. On Tuesday, retired precinct commander Brad Rounds recalled a memory from two days before Dixon’s death. The retired captain was in his office working on the bud get when Dixon poked his head around the corner of Rounds’ door with a big grin. After a few laughs, Dixon thanked Rounds for giv ing him a chance on patrol, where he found what he loved to do. “Know ing that an entire year has already passed, it’s hard to wrap your mind around it, because it seems like just last month we were dealing with it,” Rounds said. Some days are harder than others, Hewell said of the past year. For the first few months, the sergeant said he felt butterflies in his stomach when driving by that area near Jesse Jewell Parkway. “To have your brother die in the line of duty is tough, especially as close as that shift was. We collectively have made the decision (to) continue to honor Blane in our work,” Hewell said. Speaking from his three decades of experience in law enforcement, Rounds said officers are faced with having a mindset of being perpetually vigilant. “It’s a tough life to go on every call with that kind of mindset. It’s wearing on you, but you have to because you have to keep yourself alive,” he said. Senate Resolution 844 seeks to dedicate the bridge on Cleveland Highway/U.S. 129 as Deputy Nicolas Blane Dixon Memorial Bridge and to authorize the Georgia Department of Transpor tation to put up signs at the structure. “I think naming this iconic and significant struc ture in Hall County for the late Deputy Dixon is very appropriate,” State Sen. Butch Miller, R-Gainesville previously told The Times. “After all, this bridge is a significant and enduring structure in Hall County, and Deputy Dixon’s service and memory should be as such.” The resolution passed both houses and was sent to Gov. Brian Kemp’s desk June 29. The legislature also passed House Bill 838 regarding “bias motivated intimidation” based on the person’s “actual or per ceived employment as a first responder” — that could be serious bodily Rounds Photos by SCOTT ROGERS I The Times Above left: Jeremy Dixon wipes his eyes Thursday, July 11,2019, while speaking with brother Zack, left, and father Fred Dixon during funeral services for their brother, Hall County Deputy Nicolas Blane Dixon, at Free Chapel in Gainesville. Above right: The body of Deputy Dixon is placed inside a horse drawn caisson as his remains are readied to be carried to Memorial Park Cemetery following funeral services at Free Chapel. Photo courtesy Brandi Roberts Hall County Deputy Nicolas Blane Dixon with wife Stephanie and son Caden. ‘After Blane’s passing, the community has really stepped up. I usually don’t go a single day of working a shift without someone thanking me for what we do.’ Hall County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Charles Hewell harm or damage to that per- son’s property exceeding $500. The penalty for bias moti vated intimidation would be one to five years in prison, a maximum of $5,000 or both. It would also run consecu tive to any other sentence imposed. The bill was sent to Kemp’s desk June 25. “It should have been like that a long time ago, but the public has to understand, too, what we’re up against out here and what we have to deal with on a daily basis. And I think they do, I really do. In our community, I think they understand the challenges that are faced right now,” Rounds said. Hewell said he has felt lucky to be in a community that even before Dixon’s death was appreciative of its law enforcement. “After Blane’s passing, the community has really stepped up. I usually don’t go a single day of working a shift without someone thanking me for what we do, especially (Tuesday),” Hewell said. Dixon and Hewell would often work the same off- duty jobs as ways to provide for their families. Hewell said he has tried to keep in touch with Dixon’s family over the past year. “I did lose a very good friend and a very good part ner, but I did gain another family in the Dixons. And I’m grateful for that that I have been able to be as close as I have to them,” he said. Northeast Georgia DiagnosticCfinic T ^Nort Dia Since 1953 ' A Northside Network Provider Congratulations to our Physicians Named 2020 Top Doctors in Atlanta Magazine Dr. Matthey Harris Endocrinology Dr. Tracy Lovell Rheumatology Every year, Atlanta Magazine publishes a list of the Top Doctors in the Atlanta area. Physicians are nominated by their peers who feel these practitioners are outstanding in their medical specialties. In the July 2020 issue of the magazine, the list of Top Doctors was released for this year. Northeast Georgia Diagnostic Clinic is proud to recognize three of our physicians who have been named to this list. Dr. Matthey Harris, Dr. Tracy Lovell and Dr. Tom Murray were recognized as Top Doctors for the 5th year in a row. Congratulations to these 3 physicians and all of our physicians for their expertise and commitment to quality patient care in our community. Dr. Tom Hurray Pulmonology 1240 Jesse Jewell Pkwy, SE • Ste 500 • Gainesville, GA Highpoint Medical Center 1270 Friendship Rd • Ste 100 • Braselton, GA Oncology and Infusion Services 1485 Jesse Jewell Pkwy, NE • Ste 330 • Gainesville, GA Riverstone Medical Plaza 1255 Friendship Road • Ste 230 • Braselton, GA www.ngdc.com • 770-536-9864
