Full issues

NEW for 4/28: New GGC dean, nonpartisan endorsements; railroads

GwinnettForum  |   Number 26.30 |  April 28, 2026

ANTICIPATING AN OPENING IN THE SUMMER, the Lawrence Hotel in Lawrenceville, will host three career fairs during the month of May. The hotel invites Georgia residents, current hospitality professionals, and those who wish to enter the hospitality space to apply for several front of house and back of house positions. For more details, see Upcoming below.

IN THIS EDITION

TODAY’S FOCUS: New GGC liberal arts dean is Taiwan native
BRACK: Our endorsements in the nonpartisan primary
SPOTLIGHT: Heaven and Alvarez, LLC 
ANOTHER VIEW: Not your grandfather’s rail station platform
FEEDBACK: Send us your thoughts
UPCOMING: The Lawrence will hold career fair in May
NOTABLE: GC&B, 4 breweries to host ReBREWable Energy
RECOMMENDED: A Sky Full of Elephants, by Cebo Campbell
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Disciples of Christ date to 1803 in Pennsylvania
MYSTERY PHOTO: You may have seen this magnificent scene
CALENDAR: Cinco de Mayo celebration is May 2 in Lilburn

TODAY’S FOCUS

New GGC liberal arts dean is native of Taiwan

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga.  |  Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) has appointed Dr. Michael Chen as dean of its School of Liberal Arts, effective July 1, 2026, announced Dr. Chavonda Mills, senior vice president for Academic and Student Affairs and provost.

Chen

She says: “Dr. Chen brings both deep experience and a genuine commitment to student success. His leadership will help shape the next chapter of the School of Liberal Arts in meaningful and innovative ways.”

A first-generation college graduate and immigrant, Chen credits his personal journey with shaping his approach to higher education. “I have experienced firsthand the transformative power of education. GGC’s mission and its diverse student population strongly resonate with me.”

Chen joins GGC from Kennesaw State University, where he serves as associate dean for student success and engagement in the Norman J. Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences. He previously chaired the Department of Psychology at Eastern Kentucky University and earned a doctorate in experimental psychology from the University of Kentucky.

An accomplished teacher-scholar, Chen has earned multiple honors, including the 2025 Outstanding Teaching Award from KSU’s Department of Psychological Science and the 2021 Outstanding Undergraduate Mentor Award from the Kentucky Psychological Foundation. His research focuses on teaching and learning, with publications in leading academic journals.

Born in Taiwan, Chen’s early years exposed him to a range of cultures and languages. He later moved to Belize, where he experienced a blend of Spanish, African, Mayan and British influences, before eventually settling in Kentucky. “Moving across cultures and continents taught me to be flexible, adaptable and empathetic,” he said.

Chen initially pursued a degree in biology with plans to attend dental school. Financial barriers led him in a different direction. After returning to Taiwan to complete mandatory military service, he was assigned to teach English at a remote elementary school. That experience proved pivotal. “I discovered a passion for teaching,” he said. “I began incorporating motivational and cognitive strategies into my lessons, which sparked my interest in psychology.” He later pursued a doctorate in the field.

Chen said GGC’s commitment to access and student success aligns closely with his own values and experiences. “The opportunity to support first-generation and diverse students is especially meaningful to me,” he says.

He plans to begin his tenure by engaging with the campus community through listening sessions to better understand opportunities and challenges. From there, he will focus on strategies that support student retention and academic success.

Outside of work, Chen enjoys spending time with his family. He and his wife of 20 years have three children. “When I am not at work, you can find me at a swimming pool or on a soccer field, cheering for my children,” he says.

EEB PERSPECTIVE

Our endorsements in the nonpartisan primary

By Elliott Brack
Editor and publisher, GwinnettForum

APRIL 28, 2026  |  Ever since GwinnettForum has been published, dating back to 2001 (that’s 26 years), the publication has endorsed candidates in every political race in Gwinnett, and in statewide races. 

This year, with 179 candidates for the 59 offices on the Gwinnett ballot, we will endorse again in nonpartisan races.  Because of the many candidates, and so little time between when candidates qualify, and the start of early voting, we will today endorse only in nonpartisan elections. We’ll allow Gwinnett voters to determine nominees for the party’s General Election. GwinnettForum will endorse in all of the General Election races before early voting starts in late October.

Early voting for the primary races in Gwinnett County began yesterday, with the General Primary scheduled to be held on May 19.  Nonpartisan candidates on the Gwinnett ballot include only one Superior Court race and for two Gwinnett school Board seats. 

Now on to the races to be decided on May 19. Candidates with no opposition are not listed.

You can view what the actual ballot looks like by clicking to the sample ballots:  

During 2026, the Gwinnett School Board has seen two major changes. 

First, because of federal immigration emphasis, and the turmoil created by U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement, Gwinnett County’s school population has dropped from 188,000 to 179,000 students.

The other major change in the school board recently came as it has hired a new superintendent of schools. Dr. Alexandra Estrella will begin in her new position in July 2026. We have high expectations that she can provide the school board with solid leadership and move the board out of the morass that has developed in recent years, to make sure Gwinnett remains among the top school boards in the nation.

Now to GwinnettForum’s nonpartisan endorsements for 2026’s primary:

Gwinnett County Board of Education District 2 (nonpartisan)

Knudsen

Our endorsement of the candidate best to fill this position is currently a member of the board, having served eight years. He is Steve Knudsen, 62, of Sugar Hill. He has four children who are products of the Gwinnett system.  His long time experience brings stability and solid background to the board. Together with Mr. Knudsen’s leadership, he serves as an experienced board member who can guide other members in working on this board. His professional background has years of management experience. He is a representative of Ohio Grating of Canton, Ohio, a firm which works with municipalities and utilities across the country. We heartily endorse his candidacy to continue as a school board member.

Gwinnett County Board of Education District 4 (nonpartisan)

Christopher

Our choice for this position is Camille Christopher, who brings vast experience in construction service and as a long time substitute teacher. Mrs. Christopher, 68, was born and raised in Altus, Okla., and grew up as a pastor’s daughter, living in Tennessee and Texas. She is a graduate of Texas A&M University. She and her husband moved to Lilburn in 1985, and have two daughters who graduated from Gwinnett schools, and one new grandbaby. Her detailed eye from the construction industry as a project manager makes her an ideal candidate for the school board. 

Gwinnett Superior Court Judge — Hutchinson (nonpartisan)

Matthews

This judicial seat became open as the senior Superior Court judge, George F. Hutchinson III, announced he would retire after this term.  

Our choice to fill this position is Regina Matthews, a magistrate judge since 2020. A native of Nashville, Tenn., Judge Matthews, 47, grew up in Chicago, got her undergraduate degree at the University of South Carolina, and her law degree from Emory University, and has practiced law since 2005.  She and her husband, a Gwinnett school teacher, have two boys, one now in college. She is eminently qualified to assume the Superior Court bench, and we happily endorse her candidacy.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Heaven and Alvarez, LLC 

The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Heaven and Alvarez, LLC is a certified public accounting firm working with their client to provide solutions for success. They are located at 4720 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Suite 201, Berkeley Lake, Georgia. They work in partnership with their clients to address the financial and accounting needs of their businesses, develop tax strategies, and develop plans for their clients regarding estate planning, business succession planning, and benefit and retirement planning. They can be reached at 770-849-0078.  

  • For a list of other sponsors of this forum, click here.

ANOTHER VIEW

Not your grandfather’s rail station platform

By Robert H. Hanson

LOGANVILLE, Ga.  |  The photo and caption in the April 14 edition of GwinnettForum set me to thinking about the new train observation platforms that have sprung up around the country in the last decade or so.

Georgia has nine such facilities (to my knowledge) and they are located as follows

           City                  Railroad(s)         Traffic Volume (Trains per day – est.)

  • Cordele………….CSX/NS/HOG…..45-50
  • Dalton…………..CSX/NS ……………40-45
  • Duluth ………….NS ……………………25-30 (includes two Amtrak)
  • Folkston …………CSX ………………….40-45 (includes six Amtrak)
  • Jesup ……………CSX/NS ……………40 +/- (includes six Amtrak)
  • Locust GroveNS ……………………25 +/-
  • Manchester ……CSX ………………….30+/-
  • Ringgold ……….CSX ………………….20 +/-
  • Toccoa …………..NS …………………….25-30

(Key to Railroads:  CSX – CSX Transportation; NS – Norfolk Southern Railway; HOG – Heart of Georgia Railroad.)

Train counts may vary from day to day, and season to season.  Train count is from web sites and in a few instances, estimates provided from rail enthusiasts who’ve visited the sites.

These platforms are a far cry from Grandpa’s bench on the depot platform.  They are designed for observing and photographing the railroad action.  Most are covered, have railings and seats, some have picnic tables for those who want to make a day of train watching, and some have a radio scanner built in so train-watchers can determine what is coming from which direction by listening to the conversations between the crews and the dispatcher.

Most have close access to food, soft drinks, and rest rooms.

The cities who have opted to build these facilities did so to attract rail enthusiasts to come, watch trains, and (hopefully) spend some money while in town.  I have spoken to someone connected with one of these platforms and was told that the city council in that location felt that the funds were well spent.

While I have not visited all these locations, I have visited two (Manchester and Cordele) and can attest to the relative comfort of these facilities.  They sure beat standing out in the sun in some God-forsaken place, camera around your neck, waiting for a train!

These made-for-train-watching structures are a far cry from the benches at the local railroad depot that were used by the town folk to sit and watch trains.

FEEDBACK

Send us your thoughts

We encourage you to send us your letters and thoughts on issues raised in GwinnettForum.  Please limit comments to 300 words, and include your hometown.  The views of letters are the opinion of the contributor. We reserve the right to edit for clarity and length.  Send feedback and letters to:  ebrack2@gmail.com.  

UPCOMING

The Lawrence Hotel will host career fair in May

The Lawrence Hotel, the first upscale, boutique, full-service hotel in downtown Lawrenceville, will host three career fairs during the month of May. Set to officially open its doors in summer of 2026, the hotel invites Georgia residents, current hospitality professionals, and those who wish to enter the hospitality space to apply for several front of house and back of house positions.

Chase Wynn, who will be general manager of The Lawrence, says: “We’re looking for team members and staff who truly embody the core values and elements that will make a stay at The Lawrence distinguishable from that of any other. It’s not just about being able to do the job – whether it’s housekeeping, night auditing, or servicing an event, but mainly and most importantly, delivering a memorable guest experience and award-winning level of service that’s unmatched in standard and defined by kindness and authenticity. We are memory makers, and we carry that responsibility with us in everything we do.”

The Lawrence’s hiring events will take place at the Lawrenceville Arts Theatre, at 125 North Clayton Street, on the following dates and times:

  • Saturday, May 9, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.;
  • Thursday, May 14, Noon – 6 p.m.; and 
  • Wednesday, May 20, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The Lawrence has a variety of open positions available, including banquet captain and servers; bartenders, bell captain, cooks, dishwashers, host and hostesses, room attendants, lobby personnel; night auditors; and others. Attendees should bring printed copies of their resumes, wear business professional attire, and be prepared for interviews highlighting their previous professional experience.

The Lawrence, a Hilton Tapestry property, will feature four stories of room décor and furnishings and serve as an anchor for downtown Lawrenceville’s arts, culture, gathering, and dining scene. The hotel will offer guests two dining options, including signature restaurant Bellfire and beverage-forward Old Nick’s.  It will have more than 6,000 square-feet of indoor and outdoor event and meeting space, a fitness center, and an inviting outdoor courtyard.

NOTABLE

GC&B, 4 breweries to host ReBREWable Energy

For the third year in a row, in a combined celebration of Earth Day, environmental activism, small business, and craft beer, Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful (GC&B) has partnered with several local breweries for a flavorful fundraising initiative. 

Now through May 21, four of Gwinnett’s distinctive breweries will offer their own interpretation of the limited release ReBREWable Energy. From an IPA to a pale ale to an amber lager, each is thoughtfully crafted to benefit Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful with a portion of the proceeds from each pint sold. Those proceeds will be used to further the eco-focused nonprofit’s mission of Connecting People and Resources for a Sustainable Gwinnett

GC&B Executive Director Schelly Marlatt says: “This has become one of our favorite initiatives of the year. The brewmasters at each of the participating breweries are so supportive of our organization, and the breweries take great care to help build awareness of Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful, Earth Day, and the importance of environmental stewardship. We want to pay it forward by encouraging all those beer lovers out there to visit all four breweries and sample their individual interpretations of ReBREWable Energy. Not only will they support Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful with each pint purchased, but they’ll also support four locally owned small businesses. We only ask that everyone please drink responsibly while doing something good for both the environment and their community.”

To enjoy a pint of ReBREWable Energy, individuals 21 years of age and older can visit:

  • CROOKED CAN BREWING COMPANY, 2265 Wisteria Drive in Snellville;
  • INDIO BREWING, 5019 West Broad Street in Sugar Hill;
  • SOCIAL FOX BREWING,- 20 Skin Alley in Norcross; and 
  • STILLFIRE BREWING, 343 U.S. Highway 23 in Suwanee.

Marlatt added that ordering a pint of ReBREWable Energy before the initiative ends on May 21 is just one way to take action for the environment. She also suggested volunteering for an upcoming event – like the June 13 Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day, becoming a part of the Adopt-A-Stream or Adopt-A-Road programs, or taking steps to recycle right at home, school, and work. As for those who elect to raise a glass of ReBREWable Energy, she said, “We appreciate every penny raised in support of our programs. When combined with our environmental cleanup and recycling events, these efforts are devoted to making our little corner of the world a cleaner, greener, more vibrant place to live, work, play, raise a family, and conduct business.”

Snellville native publishes 203-page novel

Snellville native James W. Cofer has published a novel, 2036, the Year China Invades America. The 203-page book is available from Amazon.  Cofer, who now lives in Birmingham, Ala., retired in 2005 as the associate director of the Georgia Tech Research Institute. He had a 42-year career in radar, satellite communications and foreign missile threat analysis.

The book depicts a sudden, comprehensive 2036 invasion of the U.S. by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. It explores a scenario where, following a secretly planned attack and the disabling of U.S. satellites, China successfully takes over, ending the “American Experiment.”

EMC Foundation awards $48,800 to Gwinnett charities

A $4,800 Jackson EMC Foundation check the Georgia Wellness Group will help support its Maternal Health Access and Equity Program to provide free and low-cost mental and behavioral health counseling services to individuals in Barrow, Gwinnett and Jackson counties. At the check presentation were, from left, Kenny Lumpkin, Jackson EMC Foundation representative; Jennifer Fennell, Jackson EMC Gwinnett district manager; Dee Anderson, Jackson EMC Foundation board member; Robin Mauck, chief executive officer of Georgia Wellness Group, Raquel James, licensed professional counselor; and Beauty Baldwin, Jackson EMC Foundation board member.

The Jackson EMC Foundation board of directors awarded a total of $77,065 in grants for organizations during its recent meeting, including $48,800 to organizations serving Gwinnett County. 

  • $9,000 to Acceptance Recovery Center, Inc., Athens, to support low-income individuals in Clarke, Franklin, Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson, Madison and Oglethorpe counties with substance use disorders with access to recovery services.
  • $8,000 to Connectability, Inc., Dahlonega, for its Sidekicks Community Events Program for caregivers and individuals with physical, intellectual and development disabilities in Gwinnett, Hall and Lumpkin counties to participate in inclusive family events.
  • $8,000 to Glory, Hope & Life, Inc., Gainesville, for its For Her Glory program to provide wigs, nutrition supplements and compression garments for cancer patients in need in Banks, Barrow, Hall, Gwinnett, Jackson and Lumpkin counties.
  • $8,000 to Hi-Hope Service Center, Inc., Lawrenceville, for its Community Access Program to support individuals with disabilities in Gwinnett County to participate in community engagement activities.
  • $7,000 to Freedom Path Counseling, Inc., Lawrenceville, for its Counseling Support Program for residents in Barrow, Clarke, Franklin, Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson, Lumpkin and Madison counties seeking counseling. 
  • $4,800 to Georgia Wellness Group, Lawrenceville, for its Maternal Health Access & Equity Program to provide free and low-cost mental and behavioral health counseling services to individuals in Barrow, Gwinnett and Jackson counties.
  • $4,000 to Wellroot Family Service for its Healthy Families North Georgia Program to provide home visiting services designed to prevent abuse and neglect for residents in Gwinnett, Hall and Lumpkin counties. 

Jackson EMC Foundation grants are made possible by the 226,245 participating cooperative members who have their monthly electric bills rounded to the next dollar amount through the Operation Round Up program.

RECOMMENDED

A Sky Full of Elephants, by Cebo Campbell

From Susan J. Harris, Stone Mountain: This debut novel starts with a shocking event. One day all the white people in America march to the nearest body of water and drown themselves. Charlie Brunton, a black man working at Howard University as a professor, receives a call from a young woman, who says she is his daughter left behind by her white mother and family. She asks him to take her to the Kingdom of Alabama, where she can search for her mother’s family. They begin an odyssey of discovery navigating a new world.  This post-racial world is not recognizable in any way, as is this new relationship which must be built from the ground up wherein truths are discovered along with identity and personal power. A Sky Full of Elephants is a highly imaginative story which will enhance the boundaries of the reader with a full picture of what true community can look like.

  • An invitation: what books, restaurants, movies or web sites have you enjoyed recently? Send us your recent selection, along with a short paragraph (150 words) as to why you liked this, plus what you plan to visit or read next.  Click here to send an email.

GEORGIA ENCYCLOPEDIA

Disciples of Christ date back to 1803 in Pennsylvania

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is a Protestant group that has been active in Georgia since the early nineteenth century. Several of its adherents, known as Disciples, have played prominent roles in the history of the state, and today the church thrives in Georgia with approximately 20,000 members in 69 congregations.

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) grew out of the early-19th-century Restoration Movement. As its name suggests, the church is the result of the union between two separate Protestant groups. In 1803 Presbyterian minister Barton Warren Stone (1772-1844) formed a religious body known as “Christians” in Kentucky after a Presbyterian synod censured him for ministering to non-Presbyterians. Another Presbyterian clergyman, Thomas Campbell (1763-1854), began his “Disciples of Christ” group in southwest Pennsylvania in 1807 because of a similar religious censure. Both leaders shared similar beliefs, especially an emphasis on church unity.

Their geographical proximity and theological affinities led Stone and Campbell to unite their congregations in 1832. This union resulted in the current Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), also known as the Stone-Campbell Movement. The names “Christian Church” and “Disciples of Christ” were used interchangeably until “Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)” was formally adopted in 1968. In 1999 the organization counted more than one million members in more than 3,300 congregations in the United States and Canada.

Traditionally, the Christian Church has not had a formalized set of beliefs, maintaining that such formalizations tend to divide rather than to unite. The church does emphasize such traditional Christian beliefs as the divinity of Jesus Christ, the necessity of salvation, and the authority of the Bible. The Disciples also share various practices with other Christian groups. For example, Christian congregations practice baptism by immersion (as do Baptists), celebrate weekly communion (as do Catholics and Episcopalians), hire their own pastors (as do Baptists and Presbyterians), and stress congregational governance (as do traditional Baptists and United Church of Christ members).

Although Stone apparently visited Georgia as early as 1797, the first group of “Christians” did not arrive in Georgia until 1807, twenty-five years before the union of Stone’s and Campbell’s groups. The first Christian congregation was formed near Scull Shoals in present-day Oconee County. It consisted primarily of Disciples from North Carolina who had split with Methodists in that state and were followers of North Carolina church leader James O’Kelly.

One of the most notable women congregants was Emily Tubman (1794-1885) of Augusta. Tubman contributed money to build or repair Christian meeting places. She also contributed funds that enabled many students to receive a college education, and she started an endowment to build a home for formerly enslaved people who had moved to Liberia, in Africa.

Disciples in Georgia today, in the tradition of these early leaders, are engaged in a variety of ministries, including the Camp Christian retreat center in Gordon; the Atlanta United Divinity for seminary students in Atlanta; and the Campbell Stone Apartments for Atlanta retirees.

MYSTERY PHOTO

You may have seen this magnificent scene

Some of you have seen this majestic scene. Can you pinpoint where you have seen this?  Try your luck, and send your answer to ebrack2@gmail.com, making sure to include your address.

Jay Altman of Columbia, S.C. recognized thisOld Sweet Song” mural located on the amphitheater stage wall at Town Center Park in Suwanee. “The mural was painted in 2006 by artist Sonny Franks along with participants from the Dixie Letterheads.  It depicts a live concert scene celebrating Georgia’s musical heritage. The crowd in the mural includes depictions of 48 legendary members of the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, alongside various community figures. It is part of Suwanee’s permanent public art collection and serves as a backdrop for community events.”  The photo came from the collection of George Graf of Palmyra, Va.

Others recognizing the mural include Kay Montgomery of Duluth; Stewart Woodard of Lawrenceville; Donald Lee of Duluth; Fran Worrall of Lawrenceville; Susan McBrayer of Sugar Hill; and Allan Peel of San Antonio, Texas.

  • 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.

CALENDAR

Cinco de Mayo celebration is May 2 in Lilburn

The Norcross PDC (people drinking coffee) meets each Wednesday at 8:15 a.m. at the 45 South Café in downtown Norcross. The April 29 meeting will feature Jack Murphy of the North Fulton Improvement Network.  The event is free and visitors are welcomed.

Author Tati Richardson discusses her new romcom, Struck Speechless, about a fiery sports agent who mysteriously loses her voice and must rely on her ex and rival agent to help her, forcing them to confront their past and explosive chemistry. This will be presented April 30 at 6:30 p.m. at the Snellville Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library.

Something remarkable has been happening at the Southeastern Railway Museum in Duluth — and it’s almost time to share it with the world.  Celebrate the Restoration of Southern Railroad’s Southern Crescent No. 6901 locomotive on Friday, May 1 from 6 to 9 p.m. It’s 6901’s time to shine and we want you to join us for our special reception as we welcome our beloved Southern Crescent Locomotive back into the spotlight. The evening will include music, Dreamland Barbecue, drinks, preservation stories, park train rides and a silent auction. Tickets are limited and are $30, benefitting the museum.

The first Norcross Porchfest will be May 2 from noon until 6 p.m. Over 30 musical acts will perform across 12 front porch stages in the residential area around downtown Norcross. Food trucks and vendors will also be on-site for a full day of music, creativity and fun. It is free to attend.

The City of Lilburn will hold a Fiesta in the Park, a family-friendly community celebration bringing the energy, color and traditions of Cinco de Mayo right to Lilburn City Park. It will be an afternoon and evening filled with music, movement, delicious food and unforgettable entertainment for all ages. This will be Saturday, May 2, from 4 to 7 p.m. as Lilburn City Park transforms into a lively fiesta. At 6 p.m., Mucha Lucha ATL takes center stage with Lucha Libre Wrestling, a top grassroots sport in Mexico that combines athleticism, theatrical flair and high-flying fun.

Downtown Braselton Cleanup will be Saturday, May 2 between 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Meet at the gazebo on the Town Green, 9924 Davis Street, to pick up litter all around downtown. Teams will be assigned different areas of the historic district. Register for this at this website. 

Gwinnett Symphony Orchestra and Chorus present “Kings and Queens of Pop, Rock and Soul” on Monday, May 4, at 7:30 p.m., at Gas South Theater. This electrifying grand finale pays tribute to the icons who shaped modern music—featuring hits by Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson, Bruno Mars, Taylor Swift, and others. This performance will feature Bohemian Rhapsody with violist Sherry Ellis. Come sing, sway, and celebrate the season’s final bow with a concert that will leave you cheering for more!

Snellville’s Commerce Club meeting will be May 5 at noon at City Hall. At this meeting, the club annually awards two $1,000 scholarships, one each to students from South Gwinnett and Brookwood High Schools. Students are members of the FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) and Distributive Education of America, who compete by writing an essay for judging.

Toast to Braselton will be held on May 8 starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Braselton Civic Center, 27 East Lake Drive.  This dinner and auction is a fundraiser to benefit the Downtown Development Authority and Braselton Main Street program. Cocktail attire with a touch of Vegas flair is encouraged.

The exhibit, Reflections at the Rectory, opens on Saturday, May 10, at 17 College Street in Norcross. Painting, drawing, multimedia, ceramics and photography of art classes at the two Norcross cluster high schools will be shown. 

ABOUT GWINNETT FORUM

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:

  • Editor and publisher:  Elliott Brack, 770-840-1003
  • Mailing address: P.O. Box 1365, Norcross, Ga. 30091
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