One of the first writers on this site was Jason Brooks, back when the Sun was known as Snellville Local News.  Jason ran Grayson Local News, and both were intended to be, well, local news.  But as Jason says,  "I suck at being a news reporter. I have too much life getting in the way to stay on top of things like a hard news reporter should."

So both sites became community blogs, and Jason is publisher of what's now Grayson Local.  He's also author of four books, including the newly-released Just Pretend You're Dead (And Other Parenting Insights).   His writing is both funny and honest -- Just Pretend holds nothing back.  I'll be reviewing it for you here soon but today I  just want you to meet one of our co-founders.  Jason worked ridiculous hours to build this site and bring readers like you here. Thank him by buying one or all of his books.

Snellville Somebodies is a regular feature designed to introduce you to every person in Snellville, because around here, everybody's somebody.  

You may know them from conference appearances, their YouTube channel, or from high school. Tripp Crosby and Tyler Stanton grew up around here and apparently that gave them years of great material. Like the internet classic Things You Can't Do When You're not in a Pool which led to an entire series of "Things You Can't Do When"  videos for NickMom.

Now they have a book coming out called Stuff You Should Know About Stuff: How to Properly Behave in Certain Situations. Preorders are being taken for its November 4 release.  We'll be reviewing the book here and telling you way more than you want to know about the guys.  If you have questions for Tripp and/or Tyler, let us know here or on the contact page.  

For now I'll just tell you yes, that is the actual cover and the book trailers below are G.I. Joe-style cartoons.

You're welcome.

She'd once told a friend, "I would do anything to help my family," including a list of tough jobs like retail or cleaning houses.  Amy Wilson was a stay-at-home mom, working only 30 hours a week outside the home.

Eventually she was laid off.  She searched for work but found nothing, and with unemployment running out, made her declaration to a friend.  A few months later, this faithful friend heard of someone looking for a housekeeper and a business was born.

"I never ever saw myself as a business owner," says Amy.  It took her over a year to establish a steady list of clients.  But now she has enough work to require another person to clean.

Amy loves the flexibility of creating her own schedule which allows her to be available for her kids.  And it gives her a chance to do activities she loves, like showing horses.  Amy adds, "I love the relationship with my clients.  Many are friends and acquaintances.  One I've known since third grade.  Another for ten years," though most of her clients are from referrals.  One fun part of running your own business is bartering.  "Administration is my least favorite part so I barter with a bookkeeper," Amy says and adds with a smile, "and my hairdresser!"

You can hire Amy's Housecleaning on the business's Facebook page.


Snellville Somebodies is a regular feature designed to introduce you to every person in Snellville, because around here, everybody's somebody.  

I was at Snellville City Hall one day last spring when I looked across the street and saw a crowd outside Snellville United Methodist. Cars were beeping as they passed, so I went to see what was going on.  It was a team of people offering Drive-Thru Prayer.  I enjoyed it so much I wrote a story about it.

Leading the crew that day was Ann Wright, dressed in a pink plastic hard hat and doting on her adorable dog Mitzi between visitors.  Ann told me about her passion for prayer and about some upcoming events at the church.  She also prayed for me.  I was just starting out with the Sun, which was known then as Snellville Local News.  I asked for prayer about that.  She prayed kind, insightful words, but one phrase stuck with me: "If you can't make it a blessing, don't make it news."

That was difficult then, when the site contained more hard news, but now as a community site, I want the Snellville Sun to live up to Ann's prayer.  I hope we can honor all residents of Snellville, no matter their background or beliefs, and find what is fascinating about each one.  That's what the Somebodies feature is all about, so it seems fitting to introduce you to Ann.

You can submit prayer requests to the team at Snellville United Methodist through their prayer page.


Snellville Somebodies is a regular feature designed to introduce you to every person in Snellville, because around here, everybody's somebody.  

We all know our old town motto, "Snellville: Where Everybody's Somebody".  The official version now reads, "Where Everybody is Proud to be Somebody".  Either way, we think each individual here is important, that each has a story.  So we've made a place to feature every one of you, one at a time.

It's our Somebodies section, and we're going to start filling it today.  

You can nominate a Somebody through our contact page, or just tell us your own story there.

They’re serious.  The prayer team from Snellville United Methodist Church is balancing this day of pranks with some time for prayer.  Just drive up to the front door this afternoon between 4:30 and 6pm, and a team member will pray for your needs.  Even if you don’t know what to say.

Project leader Ann Wright knows, “Sometimes people don’t have the words because they’re so close to a situation.  They need somebody to share their burdens, to stand in the gap for them.  We’ve all needed that at one time or another.  So maybe today we can be the tongue for them.”

Wright’s team already had one session this morning, and prayed with several people.  Common themes were health and financial needs, but they heard the entire spectrum of human need.

“I haven’t always been a praying person,” Wright says, but learned its importance early on.  “I began going to a Bible study when I was 20,” she says, “a small group of about 7 or 8, and these people were prayer warriors.  They knew how to pray.  I felt it and I knew.”

Now, Wright knows it’s the one act of service she can always do.  “I don’t have a lot of money or possessions to offer, but I can always pray.”

Drive-Thru prayer was a regular ministry at Snellville UMC long ago, but the minister who started it got a church appointment in Marietta and the unusual outreach has been dormant until today.

On May 1st, the National Day of prayer, the prayer team will welcome the community for prayer again, this time in the chapel of Snellville UMC.  The chapel is being restored to its 1940’s beauty and will be open May first for prayer.

The prayer drive-thru is open today between 4:30 and 6 pm.  Snellville UMC is near the intersection of 124 on Highway 78 at 2428 Main Street East, Snellville 30078.