David Nelson remembers when he and his Brookwood High School teammates arrived at Parkview Stadium before the Broncos’ 1987 playoff game with Clarke Central. Looking out of the window as the team bus pulled up, they saw a big bronco painted at midfield, declaring the pitch as Bronco turf. Brookwood had shared the Panthers’ stadium as its home field since beginning a football program in 1982, but the décor had always been decidedly Parkview orange-and-blue, no matter who the home team was. Nelson, who played strong safety in ’87, his senior year, said the Brookwood booster club must have …

The NFL game between the Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons has created at least one divided house in metro Atlanta. I have lived in Atlanta for more than half of my life (we won’t go into how many years that is). I am an Atlanta Falcons fan, with one exception: When the Dirty Birds play the Green Bay Packers — like they do this Sunday night — I see only green-and-gold. Yep, I’m a Cheesehead. That’s not a big deal, with one exception: My 14-year-old son is partial to the red-and-black of the Falcons.  He’s a big fan, with more Falcons gear than most of his friends. Yep, I failed miserably …

It’s the eve of the Father’s Day weekend and you still want to get ‘ol Pops something nice for the big day. Take it from this Dad, it’s not too late, and you don’t have to sweat it out on what to get. Here are some last-minute, easy-to-get, gift ideas that are better than a necktie and will be appreciated by nearly every father — well, by many of them, anyway, including (hint) me. 1. Time: No-brainer here. There’s nothing better than making time with Dad. How about a simple picnic and nature walk? The Camp Creek Greenway Trail is perfect for this. Grill out in City Park, then hit the paved/…

If you didn't already know — how could you have missed it? — a couple of rather famous British people were married this morning with two billion watching the festivities on TV. The wedding of Prince William and the now former Kate Middleton was all over the TV this morning as people were getting ready for school and work. It even received play on the Weather Channel. I have to admit, I rolled my eyes over the whole thing. I like having a news program on in the morning (and even the kids are alright about that), so I couldn't embrace the significance of what the TV commentators were trying to …

As you may remember from a column I wrote in November, I live in a divided house over NFL football. I’m a diehard Green Bay Packers fan; my 13-year-old son, Kris, is a Falcons fan. So, here we are for the second time this season, facing off against each other in the world of fandom. The Falcons played, and beat, the Packers on Nov. 28. The NFC Divisional playoff game between the two teams in the Georgia Dome will be the center of attention in the house on Saturday. Without further set-up, here are our top 10 reasons why our teams will win and advance to the NFC Championship. Kris’ Top 10 …

It may not be Georgia-Georgia Tech, Alabama-Auburn or even Parkview-Brookwood, but there's a definite football split in my Lilburn home this weekend. You see, I'm a Green Bay Packers fan. I can't help it. I was born that way. My 13-year-old son, Kris, is an Atlanta Falcons fan. He can't help it either. He was born that way. When my Packers play his Falcons today in an important NFL game in the Georgia Dome, I'll be wearing green-and-gold and cheering for the visiting team. He'll wear his red-and-black Matt Ryan jersey and cheer for the other guys. I don't know where I went wrong with the boy…

I'm a proud Lilburn resident and have been for more than 10 years. I have to admit, however, that I could be a better resident. But that's changing with my new gig as local editor for Lilburn Patch, which launched last Friday, Nov. 19. In the weeks leading up to launch, I visited parks, libraries, businesses and schools. I attended meetings held by the Lilburn City Council, Lilburn Business Association, Lilburn Community Improvement District and Lilburn Woman's Club. I attended a political forum at Parkview High School, which included questions written by students and answered by the …