GwinnettForum | Number 25.79 | Oct. 10, 2025
LANDMARK BRIDGE: Georgia has at least 16 historic covered bridges, although this number can vary slightly based on how “covered bridges” are defined and counted. While there were once over 250 covered bridges in the state, now only a small fraction remain, with some still functional and even open to vehicle traffic. This covered bridge is today’s Mystery Photo, see below.
TODAY’S FOCUS: Four ways that make Great Days of Service
EEB PERSPECTIVE: Lots of unusual imagining going on in Norcross
SPOTLIGHT: Gateway85 Community Improvement District
FEEDBACK: Feels that this too will pass and we survive Trump
UPCOMING: ARTober celebrates the Gwinnett’s arts community all month
NOTABLE: County honors firemen, medics who saved a life
RECOMMENDED: The Demon in the Freezer, by Richard Preston
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Salvation Army traces its history in Atlanta area to 1890
MYSTERY PHOTO: Here’s a covered bridge in Georgia. Where is it?
LAGNIAPPE: Check out how many voters in Gwinnett by jurisdictions
CALENDAR: 53rd annual Lilburn Daze is Saturday
Four ways that make Great Days of Service
By Kasey Boling
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. | Each year, Gwinnett County hosts a community-wide volunteer initiative called Gwinnett Great Days of Service (GDOS). Every fall, volunteers from corporations, schools, civic organizations, and nonprofits unite for a powerful weekend of community building, connection, and positive impact. While that may be all the convincing you need to determine that this endeavor truly is great, your friends at Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful have crafted a list of four things that we believe put the “GREAT” in Gwinnett Great Days of Service.
Its history runs deep: Taking place over the course of a weekend each Fall, Gwinnett Great Days of Service got its start in 2000. Launched by the Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services – a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing the health and human service needs of everyone in Gwinnett County, it is now powered by Volunteer Gwinnett. Through its creation and expansion, this cooperative and community-focused initiative has fostered a new era of engagement and volunteerism in Gwinnett County. This year, Gwinnett Great Days of Service will take place from October 17 to 19.
It’s among the Southeast’s largest community initiatives: Growing each year, GDOS involves hundreds of projects that address Gwinnett’s most pressing needs. After a wide variety of projects have been submitted for consideration during an application period, Volunteer Gwinnett engages and mobilizes thousands of volunteers to support a weekend of hands-on service projects across the county.
Projects are most often hosted by:
- 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations;
- Civic and neighborhood associations;
- Youth and alumni associations;
- Faith-based organizations;
- Historical societies and cultural organizations;
- Schools, PTAs and university-affiliated clubs or departments;
- Colleges, universities and student organizations;
- Community-based service organizations; and
- Government-affiliated programs and advisory boards.
It is not open to project submissions from private individuals, for-profit entities, political or lobbying groups, or projects focused on direct fundraising, candidate endorsements or proselytizing.
Take your pick of projects: Helen Keller perhaps said it best, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” Representing a broad range of community-focused projects to address specific needs and issues throughout Gwinnett County, Great Days of Service offers something for everyone who hopes to serve. More than that, it provides an avenue for you to support causes you care about—hunger relief, education, the environment, and more. And while serving, you can:
- Connect with neighbors, friends, and fellow changemakers;
- Earn service hours for school, work, or leadership programs;
- Make an impact in your community; and
- Reap the rewards that come from giving back.
Register for our next Adopt-A-Stream workshop: It’s a double-header! In this free Adopt-A-Stream training workshop, we will focus on both Bacterial and Chemical parameters of water quality, learning how to test the dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH and conductivity of the water, as well as monitoring E. coli levels. To adopt your own stream, go to: https://gwinnettcb.org/programs/adopt-a-stream/.
Shout out to these Adopt-A-Road partners: Adopt-A-Road is a program that enlists partners to engage volunteers to help keep our community clean and beautiful by conducting road cleanups! It’s ideal for companies, organizations, churches, schools, and neighborhoods. Special thanks to the Greater Atlanta Vedic Temple, Truth and Union Lodge, Highland Ridge, the Rotary Club of Duluth, CHA Consulting, and Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC for conducting cleanups in July, August and September. To adopt a road, go to: https://gwinnettcb.org/programs/adopt-a-road/.
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Lots of unusual imagining going on in Norcross
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
OCT. 10, 2025 | All of a sudden, there’s a lot of contention and squabbling within the City of Norcross, primarily brought on by the antics of its city council.
With two seats open in this November’s election, it may be an unsettling time for two councilmen to seek re-election.
A recent city action is already in place, the erection of three dining parklets built by the city in front of three restaurants on Jones Street. While some city residents like these outdoor eating areas, others were appalled at their being built on heavily-traveled Jones Street.
The restaurants did not propose them, and once built, the city had the gall to require the restaurants to sign a contract and charge these three restaurants to use them! So far, we have seen few people dining in these eye sores.
Then the city began charging other South Peachtree eateries for their tables on the sidewalk, for which they had never been charged before.
A new development came up in City Council Monday night. The city has its regular meeting on the first Monday in each month, at which time it can vote on all matters, including charges to its ordinances. Then on the third Monday, the city has a work session, where they can discuss issues, but no binding voting is allowed until the next regular meeting on the first Monday.
The wording in the ordinance reads:
Norcross rules for meeting 2-36(b)(2): Regular Mayor and Council meeting. The final meeting of the cycle is the regular Mayor and Council meeting which is held in the courtroom downstairs at City Hall at 7:00 p.m. on the first Monday of each month. This meeting is the only meeting (other than a special called meeting) that official actions are taken.
Monday some Council members had on the agenda a change in the city ordinance. The change would allow bringing new issues to this work session, but also would also allow voting on that issue on the same night. That would mean that there would be no public input between the proposed idea and voting on it at the same time.
This certainly smacks of less transparency by the council, and absolutely no prior public knowledge of what the council would bring up at the work session! It essentially kills open government, and raises vital concerns of what the ordinary citizen would think of its council.
It would be an unwise change in local ordinances, with no way the ordinary citizen can have input with councilmen before the meeting since any new suggestion had never been heard before.
In another matter, for years, the Norcross council has often discussed ways to provide more public parking for its businesses, particularly at night when its eight downtown restaurants are busy. Read Lynn Ward’s letter in today’s GwinnettForum.
The city wants to open parts of two lots on Wingo Street for parking. While at the same time, the city is building a new police station at the former library site on Buford Highway. Removing the police car parking from the City Hall will allow 18 more spaces for those visiting downtown Norcross to park.
You might wonder how so many more parking places Wingo Street would provide, when the City Hall, without police cars, would provide lots of more parking spaces.
Norcross likes to describe itself as “a place to imagine.” The council is going overboard in imagining these days.
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Gateway85 CID
The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Gateway85 Community Improvement District is a self-taxing district that includes just over 800 commercial property owners with a property value of over $1.7 billion. Gateway85 includes the southwestern part of Gwinnett County including properties along Jimmy Carter Boulevard, Buford Highway, Indian Trail Road and Beaver Ruin Road.
Gateway85 is one of five CIDs to be created in Gwinnett County and is one of the largest CIDs in the state. The community is an economic powerhouse that helps fuel the regional economy. More than 3,000 businesses employing roughly 47,400 people call Gateway85 home. The jobs in the district account for almost 16 percent of Gwinnett County’s total employment. Gateway85 provides $27.5 billion in economic output for the County and $36.4 billion economic output for Georgia.
Gateway85’s mission is to improve property values through increased security, decreased traffic congestion, and general improvements to the curb appeal and infrastructure of the area. Gateway85 CID’s office is located at 6305 Crescent Drive, Norcross, Ga. 30071. For more information visit https://www.gateway85.com/, or call Robert Michener at 770 798 4700 or email him at info@gateway85.com.
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Feels that this too will pass and we survive Trump
Editor, the Forum:
Concerning President Trump: This too shall pass.
I fully believe that our nation is strong enough to endure Trump without being permanently damaged. After all, we’ve survived McCarthyism, the Communist threats of the last century, and a civil war. Endure this for a couple more years and it will all be history. We Americans are unbelievably resilient and common sense eventually prevails.
– Bob Wilkerson, Norcross
Dear Bob: Though it is hard, I, too, agree. Let me also add that we survived Richard Nixon, and some would say Barack Obama.–eeb
“We thought Norcross was a ‘green’ city, not asphalt”
Editor, the Forum:
After talking to a couple of people who took the tour of the city of Norcross, they were appalled that the city wanted to cut down all the old trees and plant basically saplings for more parking. The common response was “We thought Norcross is a Green City not asphalt.”
I explained to them that they should go to council meetings. Unfortunately, nobody takes stock in these meetings, and they say that the council has already decided, and you can’t fight City Hall.
I find it shocking that we really do not have a say as taxpayers as to what goes on in your decisions, especially when we express our desire not to do what you were doing.
I know change is always necessary, but we have had surveys showing that until the police department lot is open, we have adequate parking for anything that is to come into Norcross. As I have stated many times before, the only time there is a parking issue is when there is a concert or jazz festival or an arts and craft show. So you are willing to spend millions of dollars for a few people that scatter in from cities and counties other than here?
It would behoove the city to clean up the south end of town, which is horrible looking. Money should be put there to leave the north alone.
Actually, how many true spaces would be added? There are already 30-40 spaces. When is the work going to be completed on 80 and 94 Wingo Street? Or is the DDA hoping they get condemned?
– Lynn Ward, Norcross
Is this way we want the community to imagine?
Editor, the Forum:
Name-calling. threatening, anonymous text messages. Twisting innocent mistakes into political ammunition. Whisper networks and group chats, encouraging the exclusion of individuals from social interactions. Personal attacks on social media and in public forums. A general lack of consideration for those who live around us.
The Mayberry we’ve come to know and love is slowly turning into a place that no one wants to imagine. Is the above really how we want our community described?
Like it or not, we’re all living here, together. I would encourage every one of us to take a step back and a deep breath before reacting to perceived slights, and maybe consider, instead, what we can all do to be better neighbors to one another.
– Cathy Muth, Norcross
Vote NO so board won’t mismanage money
Editor, the Forum:
I am concerned that if we pass the E-SPLOST (I am voting NO), then the school board will continue to mismanage the money they receive from taxes. It is imperative we send a message, saying we don’t want our money thrown away. Vote NO is the only answer.
– Kathy Pirkle, Snellville
Recent article had board election at wrong time
Editor, the Forum:
Reading your published article where you announced your support for Gwinnett’s E-SPLOST renewal. Though I disagree with your stance and will be voting no on the E-SPLOST renewal question on November 4, 2025, I noticed a factual error in your writing. GCPS school board elections are no longer held in November. They are now held and decided outright in May and June (primary and primary runoffs). The law changed in 2022 when Ga. Senator Clint Dixon introduced legislation to make Gwinnett school board elections non-partisan and decided in the primaries not in the general November elections. FYI.
— Maria Popoivi, Lawrenceville
Dear Maria: You are right, for I momentarily put the election at the wrong time. In reality, holding the election of the School Board at the time of the primary election is awful, in that it comes at the time when fewer people vote. And we have highlighted this among our Continuing Objectives, which ranks at the top, and reads: “Move statewide non-partisan judicial and school board elections to the date of the General Election.” Our county legislators should recognize this bad timing of the school board elections, and move them to November. I have no issue with them being non-partisan, but recognize the timing used as bad legislation.—eeb
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ARTober Gwinnett celebrates the arts all this month
ARTober Gwinnett, a month-long celebration of the county’s arts, culture and community, is now underway, sponsored by Explore Gwinnett. This month-long celebration of the arts will transform into a living gallery as local artists, performers and cultural organizations bring their talents to stages, streets and unexpected spaces across the community. This year’s 31 days of programming includes the return of the award-winning Not Your Mother’s Art Fest in Lawrenceville.
Madison Chucci, senior community development manager of Explore Gwinnett Tourism and Film, says that “ARTober is such a special time for Gwinnett because it gives residents and visitors the chance to experience our community’s creativity in so many unique ways. After a successful inaugural celebration last year, we’re excited for Not Your Mother’s Art Fest to return and once again break the mold of the traditional art festival.”
Named the 2025 Best New Event in the Southeast by the Southeast Festivals and Events Association, Not Your Mother’s Art Fest will take place on Friday, October 10, from 6 to 10 p.m. at Slow Pour Brewing in Lawrenceville. The free, family-friendly festival celebrates nontraditional art styles and unconventional creativity through immersive installations, live performances, street art, hands-on workshops and interactive experiences. From cutting-edge contemporary works to fresh takes on classic forms, the festival spotlights diverse voices and underrepresented artists who are redefining what art can be. Hosted in partnership with the City of Lawrenceville and Slow Pour Brewing, the celebration blends creativity with community spirit, complemented by local craft beer, food and an inclusive atmosphere.
In addition, Gwinnett will feature a lineup of events showcasing the depth and diversity of the county’s creative community. From live theater and poetry slams to music festivals, chalk art, haunted tours and public art, each day offers a new way to connect with creativity. A full list of ARTober events is available here.
Duluth Historical Society to honor Knox
The Duluth Historical Society (DHS) will honor Daniel “Bud” Knox Jr. as its “Historian of the Year” on Monday, October 13 at 6 p.m. at Dreamland Barbecue.
Knox is 94. After his parents separated, he lived for a number of years with his grandparents in the nearly 200-year-old family log cabin believed to be the oldest dovetailed timber frame structure in Duluth; It is now stored disassembled while soliciting funding to restore it on a new site.
After the Knox presentation, guests will be entertained by Jesse McCorvey, a North Carolina storyteller, and Candace Morgan, DHS president.
Daniel Clayton Knox Jr., was born May 18, 1931. When his parents separated, when he was about 10 years old, Bud went to live in a primitive house with Mama and Papa Knox and their family
In Bud’s youth, his chores included milking cows twice a day, and when he got home from school, working in the field, where the family grew cotton and corn. Their cotton went to Jones Gin, next to where the Duluth Rexall Grill is today. With a two-horse wagon driven by mules, they hauled 1,200 pounds of lint cotton to the gin, which would make one 500 pound bale.
He and Katherine Edwards met in high school and were married in 1952. She died in 2022. From that union they had three children, Kathy Knox Johnson, Judy Knox McCorkle, and Dan Knox. All live within 10 minutes of their father.
Bud Knox lived his whole life in Duluth. He retired in 1996 from L.B. Foster Company in Norcross. He is a member of Duluth First United Methodist Church.
Garden Club to hear History Center horticulturist
The Norcross Garden Club will host Horticulturist Sara Carter at the Norcross Cultural Arts and Community Center on Tuesday, October 21 at 7 p.m. Her topic will be “Embracing the New Perennial Movement in the South.”
Since 2011 Carter has been the Olga C. de Goizueta vice president of Goizueta Gardens and Living Collections at the Atlanta History Center. She is responsible for the vision and development of Goizueta Gardens as a public gardens of the Atlanta History Center.
She also serves as the garden designer and curator of living collections. Sarah is a native of Lilburn, and holds a degree in Horticulture from Berry College alongside a professional diploma from Garden Design School in the United Kingdom. She recently received the National Conservation Award from the Daughters of the American Revolution for her work at Goizueta Gardens. For fun, she loves gardening, horseback riding, exploring unspoiled wilderness, traveling, visiting cultural attractions, reading, and piano—but mostly, parenting two lively girls!
The event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited, and registration is requested. To register, visit this link.
County honors firemen, medics who saved a life
County leaders, public safety officials, and community members honored Gwinnett County Sheriff’s deputies and Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services crews recently for their quick and coordinated actions that saved a life this summer.
A man attending an event on July 2 at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center experienced a heart attack. Sheriff’s deputies immediately began CPR, deployed an AED and called 911.
Within four minutes of the call, Fire Station 15 crews arrived and continued advanced care, regaining the patient’s heartbeat while en route to the hospital.
“This was teamwork at its finest,” said Fire Chief Fred Cephas. “From the deputies who acted immediately to the Fire/EMS crews who carried that care forward, every responder played a critical role. Their actions not only saved a life but also reaffirmed why training, preparation, and compassion are at the heart of public safety in Gwinnett.”
Honorees from the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office:
-
- Assistant Chief James Casey,
- Major Dontae Royal,
- Lieutenant Cynthia Young,
- Lieutenant Anthony Hilliard,
- Lieutenant Joseph Smith,
- Sergeant Alicia Baker,
- Corporal Stephan Santa Maria,
- Deputy Sheriff Master Gregory Coward,
- Deputy Sheriff Senior Reginald Fluker,
- Deputy Sheriff Senior Kimberly Carrol
- Deputy Sheriff Master Albert Booker,
- Deputy Sheriff Master Rosemarie Lewin-Bye,
- Deputy Sheriff Master Kayon Little,
- Deputy Sheriff Master Kevin Fieldgrove,
- Deputy Sheriff Master Garry Fields and,
- Deputy Sheriff Master Lee Harri.
Honorees from Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services:
-
- Lieutenant Alex Armstrong,
- Driver Engineer Joseph Wilson,
- Firemedic Senior Austin Franklin,
- Firemedic Senior Michael Nerroth, and
- Firefighter/EMT Devin Smith.
Kim to be new member of Gwinnett Place CID board
The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners have appointed Alice Kim, financial director of Nam Dae Mun Farmer’s Market in Duluth to serve on the Gwinnett Place CID board of directors. Kim is replacing long-time CID board member and County appointee June Lee, who resigned from her appointment earlier this month. With more than 20 years of experience leading Nam Dae Mun’s financial strategy, Kim has been instrumental in the company’s expansion, with eight Georgia locations. Kim holds a B.A. in Architectural Studies from the University of Illinois at Chicago and has completed coursework at Georgia State University. She and her family are residents of Gwinnett County.
Peachtree Corners wins health wellness grant
The City of Peachtree Corners has once again been awarded the Health Wellness Grant from the GMEBS Life and Health Insurance Fund. This marks the second consecutive year the city has received this recognition and support for its employee wellness initiatives.
For 2025, the city has been awarded $3,000—an increase of $500 from last year’s grant. Half of the award has already been distributed, with the remaining funds to be released in early 2026 following completion of the Mid-Year Wellness Report.
The Health Wellness Grant program supports organizations that go above and beyond in promoting workplace wellness and cultivating a healthy, supportive culture. As part of the grant, the city has designated Jennifer Bonacci as its Health Wellness Champion, tasked with coordinating targeted wellness activities in partnership with the Georgia Municipal Association.
The Demon in the Freezer, by Richard Preston
From Elizabeth Truluck Neace, Dacula: The possibilities presented are terrifying. Accounts beginning in October 2001 with death from anthrax of a man living in Florida and the CDC’s immediate response. A woman working in Senator Daschel’s office opening a letter and a powder falling out. The air-circulation system circulated the powder (found to be anthrax) throughout the building. Flashback to early 1979. A visitor to India became sick, and was days later diagnosed with variola (smallpox); he survived. A nurse who had not attended him contracted smallpox. She did not survive. Officially, variola stocks are in two countries: U.S. (CDC in Atlanta) and Russia; however, the author tells us there are other countries who have stock of diseases. He also tells us about the possibility of genetically engineered variola. The full title is The Demon in the Freezer: A True Story.
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Atlanta Salvation Army dates back to 1890
Known for its uniforms, brass bands, and programs for the poor, the Salvation Army began its work in Georgia on October 19, 1890. Its “grand opening” in the state was a small but significant affair, beginning with an open-air evangelistic service on an Atlanta street corner and proceeding to a meeting in a newly rented assembly room.
The Salvation Army in Atlanta grew slowly, but by the end of January 1891, 30 “soldiers” had enlisted. On April 12, 1891, the second official Georgia corps opened in Augusta. By 1895 the mission was again gaining ground. New corps opened in Columbus (1895), in Rome (1897), in Macon (1899), and in Brunswick and Savannah (1900).
By the end of the 20th century, the Salvation Army operated 136 facilities in Georgia. More than 70 officers are based in the state, and almost 400 employees, aided by approximately 24,000 volunteers, carry on the work of the army.
In 1865 a Methodist pastor named William Booth, aided by his wife, Catherine, founded the Christian Mission as a rescue operation in the East End of London. Renamed the Salvation Army in 1878, the organization adopted a military form of church government, which included uniforms and other distinctive features, and set out to “wage war” against sin and poverty. Military terms have been used by the Salvation Army throughout the years to designate ranks of officers and to describe the activities of the organization. Those who became soldiers confessed their sins, accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior from sin, and exhibited a sense of responsibility to win others to the Christian faith.
In 1890 William Booth published In Darkest England, and the Way Out, which set the tone for the army’s increasing emphasis on its social programs. Catherine Booth, known as the “Mother of the Salvation Army,” defended the right of women to preach and fought against the exploitation of women and children. Within the army she consolidated the principle that women have absolute equality with men in privilege, position, and dignity, and she earned the sympathy of the upper classes for the social movement of the organization.
Today an international movement, the Salvation Army operates in 106 countries, where it maintains religious and social service centers, including schools and hospitals. Officers and soldiers preach the Christian gospel in more than 136 languages. The army describes itself as “an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.”
The organization’s ministries in Georgia provide and support basic social services, holiday assistance, summer and day camps, disaster assistance, correctional services, community centers and clubs, activities for senior citizens, and substance-abuse rehabilitation. The Salvation Army in Georgia operates corps community centers, service centers, boys’ and girls’ clubs, service units, and thrift stores around the state. The army has also established in Atlanta a Harbor Light Center (a residential substance-abuse recovery center), a housing complex for senior citizens, and an adult rehabilitation center, as well as a camp in Jasper at the foot of Sharptop Mountain. There are other youth programs through its local Corps Centers and facilities like the Kroc Center in Atlanta, which provides supervised activities for children during the summer months.
- To view the Georgia Encyclopedia article online, go to https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
Here’s a covered bridge in Georgia. Where is it?
Can you identify this week’s mystery of a covered bridge? Send your answer to ebrack2@gmail.com, and tell us where you live.
Jay Altman of Columbia, S.C. recognized this high view as being “Louisiana State Capitol and its surrounding grounds in Baton Rouge, La. This building is the tallest state capitol building in the United States, standing at 450 feet and 34 stories. It was completed in 1932 and is located on a 27-acre tract. The building’s observation deck, located on the 27th floor, is open to the public and offers panoramic views of the city. The grounds feature gardens that were designed to resemble those at the Palace of Versailles in France.” The photo came from Thomas McBrayer of Raleigh, N.C.
Also pinpointing the location was George Graf of Palmyra, Va. and Allan Peel, San Antonio, Texas, who added: “The Louisiana State Capitol is an Art Deco skyscraper designed by Weiss, Dreyfous and Seiferth. It was built between 1930 and 1932. The mystery photo was shot from the observation deck, about 350 feet from ground level on the 27th floor.”
- SHARE A MYSTERY PHOTO: If you have a photo that you believe will stump readers, send it along (but make sure to tell us what it is because it may stump us too!) Click here to send an email and please mark it as a photo submission. Thanks.
Table shows number of voters in several jurisdictions
How many voters are registered in Gwinnett County? After some purging of people who have not voted, as of September 1, 2025, there were 641,799 people registered to vote. And the table shows the number of people in several voting jurisdictions, from Congressional districts to judicial districts. The information comes from the Gwinnett Voter Registration office.
53rd annual Lilburn Daze is Saturday
Bewitching will be presented by Lionheart Theatre in Norcross, now in its 25 season, on October 10-12 at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. This is a collection of chilling short plays for the Halloween season. New scares, new laughs, deadly fun. Hocus-Pocus: witch alert!
Writing Your Memoirs: Learn how your experiences and life lessons can entertain and inspire others in this two-part writing workshop. This will be presented on October 16, and 23 at the Collins Hill Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library.
The 53rd annual Lilburn Daze arts and craft festival will be Saturday, October 11, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 76 Main Street in Lilburn.
The Norcross Arts Splash will be held in downtown’s Thrasher Park on Saturday, October 11, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday, October 12, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. More than 100 artists from across the county will showcase their talents with folk art, ceramics, paintings, photography, mixed media, fiber art, metalwork and jewelry. There will be an interactive Kid’s Zone with face paintings, sand art, plus playground equipment. There will also be lots of festival food and drink. New for 2025 is the addition of the Local Maker’s Market at the historic Norcross Library, which is adjacent to Thrasher Park. Visit this treasure trove of handmade items by local artisans and crafters.
Teen Easy Writing Workshop: Save time and stress by joining high school seniors and parents for practical tips on jump-starting the Common App personal statement (as well as the shorter supplemental essays required by many colleges). The event will be October 11 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Duluth Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library.
Delta Air Lines President Ed Bastian will be the speaker at the October 14 Gas South District Speaker’s Series. He will share his vision for the future of aviation. The main portion of the event will start at 11a.m. with Atlanta journalist Monica Kaufman Pearson leading the conversation. Doors open at 10:00 a.m. on the day of the event with a continental breakfast and networking opportunity. This is a great opportunity for any aviation enthusiasts who want to get the inside scoop on where this industry is headed. There’s still time to get your tickets for this event by heading over to the Gas South District’s website.
The annual Gwinnett Great Days of Service volunteer weekend returns October 17-19, bringing together thousands of individuals, corporations, schools, civic organizations, and communities to lend a hand with critical needs around the county. Register today at VolunteerGwinnett.net. Don’t miss this opportunity to make a meaningful change in our community!
Pedal Norcross: It’s time to “gear up” for this annual event. Attendees of all ages and skills levels get to explore Norcross on a 4.1 mile group ride, all while promoting safe and sustainable biking practices! This year the event will take place on Saturday, October 18 from 3-6 p.m. starting from Norcross City Hall, 65 Lawrenceville St. There will be free bike and helmet rentals, as well as free bike tune ups, if attendees bring their own bike. Check out their site for (free) tickets, volunteer, and donation opportunities!
Gwinnett Master Gardeners will meet October 20 at 7 p.m. at the Bethesda Senior Center, 225 Bethesda Church Road, Lawrenceville. Speaker will be Eric Marlow, an UGA Extension Agent who has recently returned from Morocco, speaking of his time there as it relates to agriculture.
Police meeting: Ever wanted to learn about Gwinnett County police services? This is your chance to get the answers you’ve been looking for directly from the county. Join Chief J.D. McClure and other members of his force for a community meeting in Peachtree Corners on Thursday, October 23, at 6:30 p.m. at Peachtree Corners Baptist Church, 4480 Peachtree Corners Circle. County Police will be there to talk about the wide range of services and units within its department. Visit the event page and let us know you’re coming: GCGA.us/CommunityMeeting.
Braselton’s Antique and Artisan Festival will be October 25 and 26, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The largest antique festival in the series takes over downtown for two days of shopping! Explore 300+ vendors featuring handcrafted goods, repurposed items, home décor, boutique, and local art. Enjoy tasty food, live music, and a pet-friendly scene!
The Gwinnett Stripers are partnering with Dippin’ Dots to host Boo! at the Ballpark, a community Halloween event at Coolray Field on Saturday, October 25. It will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Parking and entry are free, but fans must secure their tickets online in advance. The all-ages event, running from 1-5 p.m., includes trick-or-treating on the main concourse; costume wiffle ball, hay rides, tie dying; and more holiday fun, plus lots of food and drink. For local businesses or organizations that would like to get involved in trick-or-treating, call 678-277-0321.
GwinnettForum, which has been published online since 2001, is provided to you at no charge every Tuesday and Friday. The publication offers an online community commentary for exploring pragmatic and sensible social, political and economic approaches to improve life in Gwinnett County, Ga. USA. Learn more:
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