Full issues

NEW for 4/17: On inland port, WWII trucks, Porchfest

GwinnettForum  |   Number 26.27 |  April 17, 2026

NEW LOCATION: Gwinnett County’s annual Earth Day recycling event will be held April 18 from 9 a.m. to noon in a new location, the former Macy’s parking lot at Gwinnett Place Mall in Duluth. Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful Executive Director Schelly Marlatt has issued a call for volunteers. See full story in Upcoming below.

IN THIS EDITION

TODAY’S FOCUS: Port Authority’s Gainesville inland port opens May 4
EEB PERSPECTIVE:  During WWII, GIs built trucks for Russians in Iran
SPOTLIGHT: Sugarloaf Community Improvement District
ANOTHER VIEW: Norcross Porchfest debuts on May 2
FEEDBACK: Emory was in Division III championship game
UPCOMING: Georgia Power exec to be GGC commencement speaker
NOTABLE: Gateway85 CID launches “Jimmy,” an AI chatbot
RECOMMENDED: Family of Spies, by Christine Kuehn
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Berckmans Nursery is now home of the Masters
MYSTERY PHOTO: Can you spot this clock tower?
CALENDAR: Cowan speaks to master gardeners April 20

TODAY’S FOCUS

Inland Port in Gainesville to open on May 4

Gainesville’s inland port

SAVANNAH, Ga.  |  Georgia Ports Authority’s (GPA) new inland port in Gainesville will open May 4, 2026, a development that GPA says will strengthen Northeast Georgia’s attractiveness and business competitiveness. With a direct rail connection to Savannah’s 40 ships per week global ocean carrier network, local manufacturers — including poultry, heavy equipment, and forest product companies — can reach international markets more efficiently. 

Direct rail with five day a week service between Northeast Georgia and Savannah gives shippers an alternative to a 600-mile roundtrip truck route.  That will reduce trucks on Georgia’s highways and in the Atlanta region.

Georgia Ports President and CEO Griff Lynch says: “Our new inland rail facility in Gainesville will significantly offset truck traffic congestion in Atlanta and improve air quality by replacing an estimated 26,000 truck roundtrips in the first year alone. We’re already seeing positive customer engagement. Norfolk Southern will bring an excellent level of service working together with GPA.”

At full build-out, the $134 million Gainesville Inland Port (formerly known as the Blue Ridge Connector) will have an annual capacity of 200,000 containers.

To reduce the new railyard’s traffic impact on local communities in Gainesville, GPA funded $4.8 million in Hall County projects, eliminating an at-grade rail crossing, rerouting White Sulphur Road and surfacing Cagle Road. The new White Sulphur route south of the inland terminal ensures free access for emergency vehicles and avoids traffic disruption from trains. Equally important, the resurfacing of Cagle Road offers an improved alternative for residents. Both projects were completed in late summer 2025.

GPA is carrying out a nearly $5 billion infrastructure investment plan over the next decade to expand berths, yards, gates, inland ports and rail capacity. GPA Board Chairman Alec Poitevin of Bainbridge says: “New infrastructure assets take planning and time to build. We believe in a steady investment that delivers port capacity ahead of our customers’ future needs. This enables our customers to plan long-term for the future and have confidence their supply chain keeps pace with growth.”

Meanwhile, GPA’s $1.6 billion renovation of Ocean Terminal in Savannah is progressing. Phase one will open in July 2027. Phase two opens in December 2028. The dock will stretch nearly 2,700 feet, allowing two large ships to dock simultaneously. Ocean Terminal’s renovated container yard will open in phases starting in July 2027 through December 2028. A new gate complex at Ocean Terminal with 12 inbound and six outbound lanes will open by November 2026, while a new GPA-funded $29 million overpass is open now, enabling trucks to enter straight onto the I-16 corridor, keeping traffic off neighborhood streets. 

EEB PERSPECTIVE

During WWII, GIs built trucks for Russians in Iran

By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum

APRIL 17, 2026  |  By reading in a wide and diverse manner, we tried to stay reasonably informed. But you can never tell where you may find a new gem.  We learned something we never heard of recently from the April issue of the Snellville Historical Society newsletter.  

In a continuing series Thomas H. Ewing writes about “Snellville’s Greatest Generation,” telling of wartime activities of local people. He recently wrote of his uncle, John Tyler Ewing Jr., the son of the late John and Effie Tyler Sr., who raised nine children on a family farm in the Killian Hill area. John Jr. was born in 1909. Later the family bought a 100 acre farm on Webb Gin House Road near what is now Ronald Reagan Parkway.

During the Depression, John Jr. joined the Army and served for two years, mostly in the Canal Zone in Panama, getting out in 1936.  Then in 1942, John Jr. enlisted in the Army again, and began writing a detailed diary of his military life, where Thomas Ewing got this information. 

John Tyler Ewing Jr.

At some point, Ewing was assigned to an Ordinance Median Aut0motive Maintenance Company.  His company was soon on the way to the West Coast, where they boarded a Dutch Ship, the Nieuw Amsterdam, and sailed first for Wellington, New Zealand, then Freemantle, Australia, then Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), where they debarked this ship.

Shortly, the company boarded the British ship Santhia Lundon, sailing on June 9, 1943, first stopping at Bombay, India, before arriving in the country of Iran, through the Straits of Hormuz, after 54 days at sea. Their travel was not over, for they were driven 175 miles by military truck to Andimeshk, Iran, arriving June 28, 1943. On arrival, Sergeant Ewing’s diary said their barracks were “mud huts.”

Why was this company of 175 men (seven officers and 168 men) there?  This is where the story gets interesting. As Ewing says: “Surprisingly, to take over and operate a General Motors Truck Assembly Plant, a part of the (American) Lend Lease program to supply Russia with trucks through the Persian Gulf Corridor…part of Roosevelt and Churchill’s seldom mentioned program.”

Wow!  We knew of Lend Lease, but never knew Americans built trucks in Iran for Russia. Eventually, Ewing’s unit employed 1,700 Iranians in operating this plant. Altogether, the American Army operated four truck assembly plants in Iran for the Russians. The Soviets would send men to drive the trucks back overland to the Russian front. 

Ewing at 1973 reunion

Assembling the trucks was under difficult circumstances. Temperatures often exceed 100 degrees. Sand storms were frequent. Rain turned sand into mud. And there were earthquakes. But production continued. Altogether, Ewing’s plant at Andimeshk produced 79,370 vehicles in the 18 months it was operating. Together with the three other plants, a total of 184,000 vehicles, including gun carriers and Jeeps, were built, in plants supplied by Ford, Studebaker and Mack trucks.  One of the plants was transferred to the Russians, and the last plant closed on November 30, 1944.

As the war progressed, Russia moved its Army to meet the Germans often in a truck built by American companies, overseen by American soldiers in Iran.  How interesting!

Meanwhile, Sergeant Ewing’s Army unit departed overseas on April 10, 1945, and later was in Camp Hood, Texas, where he was discharged on Oct. 23, 1945, after three years of service, including nearly two years in Iran. 

John Tyler Ewing Jr. returned home, farmed for a while, and worked in Atlanta. He died on Dec. 29, 2002, at age 93, another of our “greatest generation.”

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Sugarloaf CID

The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. The Sugarloaf Community Improvement District was formed in 2016 to ensure the long-term success of Gwinnett County’s premier business and entertainment district. The CID is made up of 115 commercial property owners that pay an additional property tax to advance transportation, security, and placemaking projects within the district. The CID then leverages these funds to enhance the value and quality of life for investors, businesses, residents, and visitors. Sugarloaf CID is home to the Gas South District, Sugarloaf Mills, and a thriving business community. The CID has 7% of Gwinnett County’s jobs, including 1,278 companies representing 26,669 employees. The Sugarloaf district has a $15.6 billion annual economic impact on Georgia’s economy. 

Since its formation, the CID has leveraged over $28 million in funding for transportation improvements in the CID, advanced projects to help make the district connected, safe, and attractive, and expanded the CID to more than six times its initial value.

ANOTHER VIEW

Norcross Porchfest makes debut on May 2

By Kristen Corley

NORCROSS, Ga.  |  A new community music festival is coming to Historic Norcross this spring, designed to feel less like a traditional event and more like a neighborhood gathering.

Corley

Norcross Porchfest will take place on Saturday, May 2, from noon to 6 p.m., transforming porches, sidewalks and shared spaces around downtown into stages for live music, storytelling and community connection.

Inspired by porchfest events held in neighborhoods across the country, Norcross Porchfest invites people to slow down, walk the streets, and experience the city in a more personal way. Instead of one central stage, performances will take place across multiple porches throughout the festival footprint, creating a relaxed, come-and-go atmosphere that encourages wandering and discovery.

The festival will feature a mix of musicians and spoken word performers, with sets happening throughout the afternoon. The steps of the Historic Norcross Woman’s Club will serve as a storytelling and spoken word space, adding another layer to the day’s programming.

Organizers say the goal is not just to create a music event, but to highlight what makes Norcross feel special.

There’s something really meaningful about hearing live music in a neighborhood setting. You’re not just attending a show. You’re walking under the trees, seeing neighbors on front porches, running into friends, and experiencing the heart of the community in a different way.

The lineup includes a variety of local and regional talent, including Hunter Callahan, Brett Ryder, Tripp’n, The Epics, and Cailíní: The American Celtic Woman Experience, along with additional hometown performers throughout the day.

Norcross Porchfest is designed to be free, family-friendly and walkable, with Thrasher Park serving as a central gathering point. Families can enjoy the park’s train-themed playground, while visitors of all ages can explore performances, food and downtown businesses at their own pace.

Food trucks will be part of the festival, and nearby restaurants and shops in downtown Norcross will remain open throughout the day. Festivalgoers can also expect a few fun extras woven into the experience, including community vendors and neighborhood touches that make the event feel distinctly local.

Free parking will be available at One Heart Church, Christ Church Episcopal, and Norcross City Hall. Portions of North Peachtree Street, Thrasher Street, and South Peachtree Street will be closed during the event to help create a safer, more walkable festival footprint.

For organizers, Porchfest is also about celebrating the people who make Norcross what it is.

This event really reflects the spirit of the community. It’s creative, welcoming, a little unexpected, and built around people showing up for each other. More information, including the full performer lineup, can be found at norcrossporchfest.com.

FEEDBACK

Emory Univ. was in Division III championship game

Editor, the Forum:

Just wanted to say “congratulations” to Emory University in Atlanta for making it to the Final Four in Division III, NCAA Basketball.  The Eagles made it to the championship game and faced the Mary Washington University team from Virginia, which is close to me.  It was a hard-fought game and Mary Washington came out on top by two points.  One of your regular contributors to the Forum, Susan McBrayer, has done some work at Emory.

– George Graf, Palmyra, Va.

New standard: golfers at Masters are warned of behavior

Editor, the Forum: 

Isn’t it amazing that golfers are warned about their behavior at the Masters, and the President of the United States is not warned about his???

Mickey Merkel, Berkeley Lake

Watch credit card advertisements for a basketball in it

Editor, the Forum:

The injury lawyers, in particular, are doing nothing more than target marketing. Of course, they will take any callers, but they are seeking mainly one group.  

The same is true with those credit card companies that push their cards on older teens and young adults. They are expecting those clients to max out their card and enter into the world of very high interest rates. If you see a basketball in a credit card advertisement, that gives you a glance of what their market really is.  Credit card companies like people who buy more than they can pay for.

Watching YouTube I heard the best advice on personal finance: “You can have money if you don’t buy things that you don’t need.”  I owe virtually nothing.  

– Raleigh Perry, Buford

  • 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

Georgia Power exec to be GGC commencement speaker

The energy won’t be measured in kilowatts, but enthusiasm when Kelley Balkcom, the metro north region executive at Georgia Power Company, delivers the keynote address during Georgia Gwinnett College’s (GGC) Spring 2026 commencement ceremony. It will be held on May 15, with ceremonies at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Convocation Center on campus. 

Balkcom manages external affairs for the Gwinnett, DeKalb, North Fulton and Forsyth areas. Prior to her current role, Balkcom led the company’s Regulatory Affairs team, where she developed and implemented regulatory strategies and built relationships with key external stakeholders influencing Georgia’s energy policy decisions. 

Her career began at Georgia Power Company in 2003.  In addition to her various marketing and sales, Balkcom worked in Customer Service Operations Financial Support as a financial comptroller supporting statewide operations.

Born and raised in Gwinnett, Balkcom graduated from Parkview High School in 1999 and earned a B.B.A. in finance from the University of Georgia in 2003. She received her M.B.A. from Mercer University in 2009. She participated in the inaugural Georgia Chamber High Potentials program in 2018 and was a member of Leadership Georgia’s Class of 2020-2021. 

Balkcom currently serves on several community leadership boards including Georgia Gwinnett College Foundation’s Board of Trustees, the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Public Policy Advisory Committee, Brookhaven Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Gwinnett Technical College Foundation’s Board of Trustees and the Gwinnett County Public School Foundation Board. She is also a member of the Atlanta Women’s Foundation’s 2025 Inspire Class.

Earth Day recycling site moved to Gwinnett Place Mall 

Gwinnett County’s annual Earth Day recycling event will be held April 18 from 9 a.m. to noon in a new location, the former Macy’s parking lot at Gwinnett Place Mall in Duluth. Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful Executive Director Schelly Marlatt has issued a call for volunteers.

She says: “Observed globally, Earth Day is a time when people of all backgrounds and generations are called to stand shoulder to shoulder in defense of the only home we share. What better way to do that locally than through an act of volunteerism? We’re expecting thousands of cars that day, so we’ll need hundreds of volunteers on hand to ensure a smooth experience for our participants.”

Items that will be accepted for recycling at the event include:

  • Paper for shredding – limited to five copier paper boxes.
  • Electronics – many items are recycled for free except for TVs, monitors, and printers. There will be a $35 cash fee for projectors/console TVs; a $15 cash fee per monitor or regular TV; and a $5 cash fee per printer. 
  • Paint – both oil-based and latex paint will be accepted, but is limited to 10 gallons per vehicle. Cans must contain 25 percent wet paint to be recycled. No rusted cans will be accepted.
  • Tires – limited to eight tires per vehicle; no dealer tires; tires must be free of rims, water, and mud.

Participants should pack smaller recyclables in disposable boxes and containers, understanding that they will NOT be returned.

NOTABLE

Gateway85 CID launches “Jimmy,” an AI chatbot

Gateway85 Community Improvement District (CID) has launched “Jimmy,” an AI-powered chatbot that makes it easier for property owners, community businesses and area stakeholders to access services, submit requests and connect with the CID at any time and in any language.

With the launch of “Jimmy,” Gateway85 is among the first CIDs in Georgia to implement Citibot’s AI-powered platform, and the first CID in Gwinnett County, strengthening communication, improving access and supporting the property owners and businesses that drive one of the county’s most active economic corridors.

Developed with Citibot, a leader in AI-powered tools for local government and community organizations, “Jimmy” is available 24/7 on the Gateway85 website and is designed to provide users with immediate answers or allow them to report issues and request services such as landscaping maintenance and graffiti removal in real time.

“Stakeholder engagement is a core pillar for Gateway85, and that starts with making sure our property and business owners can easily reach us and get what they need in a compressed timeframe,” said Robert Michener, executive director of Gateway85 CID.

Users can access “Jimmy” by visiting www.gateway85.com and clicking the chat icon on any page.

Ossoff announces $334,000 fund for Gwinnett library 

Gwinnett County’s public library is among five libraries in Georgia getting federal grants for small business training programs across the state.  The Gwinnett County Public Library Foundation is to get $334,000 to expand access to resources and detailed support for  small businesses and entrepreneurs in Gwinnett County. The announcement of the funding came from the office of Sen. John Ossoff of Georgia.

Ossoff

Gwinnett Library’s Executive Director Charles Pace responds by saying: “This funding will allow us to continue and expand two of our highly successful entrepreneurship programs that empower and equip adults and teens to pursue their own business ideas. 

“We will also use some of the money to purchase new entrepreneurial books and digital resources for our customers. Workplace development and economic opportunity are two of our main focuses at Gwinnett County Public Library. These funds will allow more individuals to achieve their dreams of starting their own business and potentially freeing them from dependency on government assistance or other charitable resources.”

Other libraries in Georgia included in this cycle of funding include two libraries in Athens (at UGA and the regional library), and Jonesboro and Augusta.

RECOMMENDED

Family of Spies by Christine Kuehn

From Sara Douglas Burns, Duluth:  Imagine you are a suburban housewife in America, raising your young family, going about your business. In 1994, you receive a letter from a screenwriter, asking about your grandparents’ involvement with the Nazis, specifically, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. What? Even that combination of sentences made no sense. Thus started the author’s quest about what her German heritage meant, her father’s secrecy, and a shocking denouement as she discovers that not only her grandparents, but her aunt, as well, were indeed active and committed Nazis, hired by the Japanese to live in Hawaii to report on military movement there for five years before the infamous attack in December of 1941. Kuehn had no idea how responsible her family was in its destruction. Her amazing search through archives and FBI files, and her discovery of cousins still living in Berlin, where her father was raised add to the story. 

  • 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

Berckmans Nursery is now home of the Masters 

Berckmans Nursery, also known as Fruitland, was the first large-scale horticultural nursery in the southeastern United States. Founded in 1858 in Augusta by Louis Mathieu Edouard Berckmans and his son, Prosper Jules Alphonse Berckmans, the grounds later became the site of the Augusta National Golf Club.

Louis Berckmans, a trained physician, had a great interest in horticulture, which he passed along to Prosper, a university-trained horticulturist who received his education in France. Both were natives of Belgium and immigrated to the United States during the 1850s.

The family operated Fruitland Nurseries from 1858 to 1918. During this period the Berckmans family introduced a great variety of plants, shrubs, and trees to the Southeast.

Prosper Berckmans became famous for introducing new fruit varieties that were more suitable for growing in southern climates. He also developed or improved many types of peaches and eventually became known as the “Father of Peach Culture” across the South. Among his varieties were the South Chinese, or Honey, peach and the Chinese Cling. From the Chinese Cling, Prosper eventually bred the Elberta, Belle, and Thurber peaches, which became Georgia’s primary commercial varieties. His Thurber peach was the leading variety until it was replaced by the Elberta peach, which was later improved by Samuel Rumph.

The Berckmans were also responsible for introducing many other varieties of fruits and ornamental plants to the South, including the Kelsey plum, the Japanese persimmon, the hardy lemon, the kumquat, the sand pear and its hybrids, and the Citrus trifoliata, or hardy Japanese lemon hedge, which is an important stock for orange growing. 

In addition, the vast stock of azaleas and camellias at the Berckmans’ nurseries greatly contributed to the early and continued popularity of those flowers throughout the South.

Many varieties of trees and shrubs were grown at Fruitland. 

These included the Darlington oak, the Chinese pine, the Chinese holly, the holly-leaved tea olive, and the Spanish cork oak. In 1860 Prosper introduced the amur privet hedge (Ligustrum amurense) from France. Called the “Mother Hedge,” these original ten plants were the progenitors of all the privet hedges now found across the Southeast. 

Prosper also introduced such evergreens as the golden arborvitae (Thuja orientalis ‘conspicua’) and dwarf golden arborvitae (Thuja orientalis ‘nana’), both narrow-leaf evergreens used for formal garden planting.

Today the Augusta National Golf Club, home of the Masters Tournament, occupies the former property of Fruitland Nurseries. In 1931, when golf champion Bobby Jones and his business partners created the club and golf course, two sons of Prosper Berckmans, Prosper J. A. Berckmans Jr. and Louis A. Berckmans, assisted in the landscape design of the course. In addition, the Berckmans’ home, Fruitland Manor, became the Augusta National Clubhouse. Many of the plant varieties developed and improved by the Berckmans family still grow at Augusta National as part of its designed landscape.

MYSTERY PHOTO

Can you spot this clock tower?

Check out this clock tower in a downtown area. See if you can recognize it. Send your idea to ebrack2@gmail.com and include your hometown.

Four people recognized a part of American’s history as the last Mystery Photo. As Allan Peel of San Antonio, Texas, wrote: “Today’s mystery photo is photograph of the Soo Line Ore Dock, located along the south shore of Lake Superior in Ashland, Wis. Constructed between 1916 and 1918, the dock was built to transfer iron ore from rail cars into Great Lakes freighters. Originally 900 feet long, it was expanded in 1925 to nearly 1,800 feet, making it one of the largest concrete ore docks of its kind in the United States. It played a vital role in the iron industry, linking mines in Michigan’s Gogebic Range with steel mills across the Great Lakes.

“Operations ceased in 1965 as regional ore production declined, and after decades of deterioration, most of the structure was demolished between 2011 and 2013. Left behind was the massive concrete base which is accessible via a trail from Bayline Park, a public waterfront space that is popular for walking, fishing, and sightseeing and offers a striking reminder of Ashland’s industrial past.”

Others recognizing it included Stewart Ogilvie of Rehobeth, Ala.; Jay Altman of Columbia, S.C.; and George Graf of Palmyra, Va. 

  • 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

Cowan speaks to master gardeners April 20

The Snellville Historical Society’s spring meeting will be April 19 at 2 p.m. at Snellville City Hall. The speaker will be Kathi Gargiulo, senior supervisor for Snellville Parks and Recreation.

Gwinnett Master Gardeners will meet April 20 at 7 p.m. at the Bethesda Senior Center. Guest speaker will be Michael Cowan, discussing why native plants are so important. He will also cover what he considers the worst non-native invasives in the metro area and suggest some great natives to promote as alternatives.  Cowan is the current Chairman of the Georgia Native Plant Society. He is a Georgia native who earned degrees from Georgia Tech and Emory.

Author Tiffany Crum discusses her thriller/romance novel, This Story Might Save You. Best friends Benny and Joy like to say they’ve been saving each other’s lives since the moment they met. Until the day Joy disappears and Benny is suspected of murder. The talk will be at the Duluth Branch of the Gwinnett County Public library on April 22 at 6:30 p.m.

The Norcross Garden Club’s Spring Plant Sale is back! Shop passalong plants, perennials, natives, veggie starts, trees, shrubs, ferns, ground covers and houseplants, plus a few extra garden finds, all at great prices! It takes place at 33 College Street in Norcross and next door at Heritage Park. The sale runs Thursday, April 23 and Friday, April 24 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Proceeds support horticulture scholarships through the Garden Club of Georgia, along with local youth gardening efforts! Rain or shine, with cash, check, card and PayPal accepted!

George Pierce Park in Suwanee will be hosting a Hop into Spring Festival on Saturday, April 25 from 1-4 p.m. This family-friendly community event brings together local residents to celebrate the arrival of spring with activities, entertainment, and local vendors. It’s always a great opportunity to connect with the community and showcase your business.

The Sugar Hill Choir of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Gwinnett Community Band will present a program called 250 Years of Freedom featuring choral and instrumental performances honoring the spirit, sacrifice and history of our nation. This program is free to the public and will be presented for two nights (April 25 and 26) at 7 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 4833 Suwanee Dam Road, Suwanee. For further information, call 470-822-3107.

Balfour

Dedication of Georgia Gwinnett College’s Health and Science Building in honor of former State Senator Donald K. Balfour II will be Monday, April 27 at 2 p.m. at the building. A reception will follow at 2:45 p.m. in the building atrium. The senator played a pivotal role in the establishment and growth of the college, demonstrating a strong commitment to expanding higher education. He was instrumental in chartering the college and securing critical funds for its development.

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 limited and are $30, benefitting the museum.

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.

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
  • Work with us:  If you would like to learn about how to be an underwriter to support the publication of GwinnettForum as a community resource for news and commentary, please contact us today.

SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE

Subscriptions to GwinnettForum are free.  

  • Click to subscribe.
  • Unsubscribe.  We hope you’ll keep receiving our great news and information from GwinnettForum, but if you need to unsubscribe, go to this page and unsubscribe in the appropriate box.
  • © 2026, Gwinnett Forum.com. 
Share