Gwinnett Attorney J. Michel Levengood is the Gwinnett Chambers 2026 Citizen of the Year. He and others will be recognized for honors at the Chamber’s 78th annual dinner on February 6 at the Gas South Arena.
Levengood has contributed to the civic life of Gwinnett in many ways. He was a partner in an Atlanta law firm for 33 years, and has been in general civil practice for 11 years with an office in Lawrenceville. He is a past chair of the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia. Levengood now serves on the board of Northside Hospital and he is the chair of the Gwinnett Hospital Authority. Mike is the past chair of the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia and is the past president of Northeast Georgia Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He has also served for many years on the Executive Committee of the Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation Fund. He is an emeritus member of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce board. He and his wife Peggy have three children and six grandchildren.
- For a list of the previous Gwinnett Citizens of the years, click here.
Others to be recognized at the Chamber dinner include:
- Public Service winners: Jim Brooks of Evermore Community Improvement District; House Rep. Chuck Efstration; T. Lanier Levett of Gregory B. Levett and Son Funeral Home; Joy M. Mitchell, Office Creations; and Ginger Powell, Gwinnett Hospital System Foundation.
- D. Scott Hudgens Humanitarian award: Street Grace.
- James J. Marin International Award: Price Industries.
- R. Wayne Shackelford Legacy awards, given posthumously to former Lawrenceville City Manager Bob Baroni; former Suwanee Councilman Dick Goodman; and Randall W. Dixon of Precision Planning.
- Ambassador of the Year: Lisa Thompson of Thompson Hydrotherapy.
Kiwanis father-daughter dance coming up soon
What began as a boardroom idea has now developed into the Best Father Daughter Dance in the region! The Kiwanis Club of North Gwinnett will host their 17th annual Father Daughter Dance on February 6-7. With attendees travelling from multiple counties (and some from other states) the dances have proven to be an evening of fun, lifetime memories, and strengthened bonds with dads and daughters!
Beginning with 188 attendees in 2009 to over a 1,000 attendees 16 years later, this special event continues to operate close to capacity. Three dances will be held this year at the Braselton Civic Center. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.northgwinnettkiwanis.com. Proceeds are reinvested back into the community to support youth related causes! For more information, please call David E. Williams at 404 386-4782.
Note that because of limited ballroom capacity and insurance coverage, only ticket paying guests may attend!
Centerpiece of Snellville’s The Grove plans opening
The centerpiece of Snellville’s $140 million downtown redevelopment, The Grove at Towne Center, is officially ready to pour. Crooked Can Brewing Company, in partnership with the Towne Center Market, will have its Grand Opening celebration of the 13,000 square foot facility on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 4 p.m.
Founder Andrew Sheeter and Managing Partner Alan Delahunt emphasized that the synergy between the brewery and the food hall is the key to creating a truly inclusive environment. “Our goal from the beginning has been to create a vibrant, multi-generational space where everyone feels welcome,” said Andrew Sheeter. “By combining the craft culture of Crooked Can with the diverse offerings of the Towne Center Market, we’ve built a unique venue that brings people of all ages together to share a meal, a drink, and a great experience.”
Snellville Mayor Barbara Bender adds: “The City of Snellville is thrilled to have the Towne Center Market and Crooked Can opening to provide a central place for the community to come together to socialize and hang out. It is awesome to have The Grove at Towne Center dream become a reality.”
