GwinnettForum | Number 25.20 | March 11, 2025
SOME GEORGIA GWINNETT COLLEGE students “give back” during Spring Break. Gaby Sifuentes and Andrew Beltran are shown planting a cypress tree at Bayou Sauvage for Common Ground Relief in New Orleans during alternative spring break. Learn what other students did at Notable below.
TODAY’S FOCUS: 10th annual Burger Week coming March 17-23
EEB PERSPECTIVE: Weather and months of “R’” mean oyster roast time
SPOTLIGHT: Sugarloaf Community Improvement District
ANOTHER VIEW: Musk should cut the NASA budget first thing
FEEDBACK: Perhaps some of what was anticipated coming true
UPCOMING: Archer High’s Cabreja is youth tour delegate
NOTABLE: GGC students “give back” at three spring break sites
RECOMMENDED: Hello Beautiful, by Ann Napolitano
OBITUARY: Richard Lee Sikes
GEORGIA TIDBIT: Georgia has 4,700 waiting on the transplant lists
MYSTERY PHOTO: While Gwinnett warms, snow still covers some grounds
CALENDAR: Raffensberger speaks on March 13 in Peachtree Corners
10th annual Burger Week coming March 17-23
By Cameron Trice
DULUTH, Ga. | The 10th annual Burger Week is on the horizon for Gwinnett County. Sponsored by Explore Gwinnett, it will be March 17-23 this year, inviting burger lovers to enjoy exclusive, chef-crafted creations for just $10 at 23 locally owned restaurants across the county.
Lisa Anders, chief operating officer of Explore Gwinnett, explains: “We are proud to celebrate a decade of Gwinnett Burger Week and the incredible talent of some of our very best local chefs. What started as a way to highlight locally owned eateries has grown into a great tradition, and we cannot wait for the community to see what we have in store for them this year!”
Throughout the week, each of 23 participating restaurants will feature an exclusive, off-menu burger. A few highlights include:
- “That’s My Jam” at Old Fountain Tavern, a juicy patty piled high with creamy Fontina and Gruyère cheeses, crispy bacon, balsamic onion jam, fresh arugula, and finished with sun-dried tomato mayo on a toasted brioche bun.
- “The GW Feature Burger” at Good Word Brewing and Public House, a four-ounce beef patty topped with horseradish cheddar cheese, house-cured bacon bits, crispy jalapeños, sliced sweet onion and boiled peanut mayo on an Alon’s Bakery bun.
- “Birria Crunch Smash Burger” at Jose’s Birria and Burgers, one smashed burger patty with provolone cheese, topped with tallow onions, a crunchy corn tortilla, beef birria and a cilantro chimichurri mayo on a brioche bun.
Back for its second year, the Gwinnett Burger Week Digital Pass encourages diners to check in at participating restaurants and earn points throughout the week, which are redeemable for prizes. Each check-in is worth one point. Points can be redeemed for exclusive Gwinnett Burger Week merchandise from Explore Gwinnett, including restaurant gift cards, T-shirts, totes, sticker packs and a special edition 10th-anniversary burger sticker designed by Lawrenceville-based artist Max Eve in celebration of this milestone. Diners can also vote for their favorite burger by uploading an image of their receipt to the Gwinnett Burger Week website.
Participants who track their dining experience at 10 or more restaurants throughout the week will be inducted into the Gwinnett Burger Week Wall of Fame with their photo published on Explore Gwinnett’s website.
“Our 10th anniversary milestone reflects the passion and creativity of Gwinnett County’s culinary community and the enthusiasm of all those who make this event a success year after year,” said Anders. “We can’t wait to indulge in the exclusive $10 burger creations ourselves, as we toast to 10 years of one of our favorite events!”
To sign up for the Gwinnett Burger Week Pass, visit ExploreGwinnett.org/Gwinnett-Burger-Week/Burger-Week-Prize-Pass to provide the participant’s name, e-mail address and mobile phone number. A link will be sent to the participant’s phone, allowing them to access the pass and add the pass icon to their home screen.
Restaurants participating in Burger Week include 1910 Public House; Marlow’s Tavern (Duluth and Peachtree Corners); Local Republic; McCray’s Tavern; Parma Tavern; LR Burger; Parkside District; Craft Burger by Shane; B and W Burgers Buns and Brew; Diesel Tap House; Over the Top Burger; Old Fountain Tavern; Good Word Brewing and Public House; Local on North; Village Burger; Firebirds Wood Fired Grill; Universal Joint; Anego; LOL Burger Bar; Jose Birria and Burgers; BurgerFi; and Stage Kitchen and Bar.
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Weather and months of “R” mean oyster roast time
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
MARCH 11, 2025 | The flowering trees are blooming, the weather’s getting warmer, and March has an “R” in it. It’s a great time for an oyster roast.
The succulent mollusk from the sea is enjoyed raw by some, while others enjoy its stew. But we prefer the roasted oyster, complete with cocktail sauce with plenty of horseradish and a squirt of lemon, soda crackers, and Rolling Rock beer. Mighty tasty!
An oyster roast is not a passive activity. You have to work to open the oysters when they are raw. Once a person has popped the shell open, you pry open the shell to get to the meat.
When in south Georgia, we attended our first oyster roast given by the men of an Episcopal church at the Georgia Forestry Services grounds on a ten degree night in December. Oysters won’t spoil in weather like that. Our first roast in Gwinnett was back in 1975, and we’ve been to an oyster roast here every year since.
An oyster roast is fairly simple to put on. All you need is a sheet of metal, eight cement blocks, three bags of charcoal, and plenty of wood to keep a hot fire going. Add to it croaker (feed) sacks, a couple of flat shovels, a five gallon bucket and a water hose to spray the oysters. You are set to begin. Hint: be sure to have arranged the cooking area so that the water runs off the hot metal sloping away from you.
We’ve used a 4×8 foot sheet of quarter-inch steel to spread the oysters for cooking. But you can use a smaller sheet, or even a piece of old tin. Place the blocks where the corners of the metal will sit. Out the charcoal bags between the blocks, slice open the bags, spray on the lighter fluid, and set the fire. Do this about 1.5 hours before the roast is to begin. You want the coals to be thoroughly gray before you start cooking.
About 15 minutes before cooking, put the cold metal sheet above the fire. But first, throw plenty of firewood on the gray charcoal and get a hot fire going quickly.
Now is the time to take a bushel of oysters, dump them onto the hot metal, and spread them out. Have your croaker sacks already dripping with water and seal them over the oysters. Immediately start spraying the croaker sacks to keep from burning. Meanwhile, the oysters steam themselves under the cover of the sacks. Keep spraying the sack to keep them wet.
After 12 minutes, use a shovel to uncover one sack and check the oysters. If most of them have popped open slightly, they are done. If not, cover and cook two minutes more before checking again. The cooking time primarily depends on how hot the fire is, and if the wind is blowing.
Once done, lift the sacks, scoop oysters into five-gallon buckets and rush to the tables where guests are waiting. Then load more oysters and cook more, until the guests have had enough.
Tell all coming to wear older clothes, for opening oysters can be sloppy.
- WARNING: Suggest each guest bring an old leather left-handed glove (unless they are right-handed, etc., the opposite). That’s to protect the hand when handling and opening the oysters. We saw one former Gwinnett police chief put a sharp knife through his unprotected left hand once!
Keep cooking, slurping and enjoying nature’ s most difficult item to enjoy from the ocean. Thank goodness for the months with “R’s.”
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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.
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Musk should cut the NASA budget first thing
Kennedy Space Center, via Unsplash.
“It’s like being in a room full of targets. Like you could close your eyes, and you can’t miss.” – Elon Musk (on Fox Business)
By Jack Bernard, contributing columnist
PEACHTREE CITY, Ga. | Elon Musk was referring to the Trump created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). And what would he tackle first? Musk is a true showman, wanting center stage. His comments reflect that fact. But I question whether he really believes what he stated.
For DOGE to have credibility, and succeed in a narrowly split political scene, it must address budget cutting in a targeted, bipartisan, rational way. And, so far, it clearly has not. It is just slashing away with a chainsaw versus a scalpel. This disruptive lack of prioritization has shown negative public reaction in the polls.
The key to DOGE being successful…which we should all hope for…is prioritizing. Musk must stop the random slashing based on his whims. He must choose an easy target which shows that he is serious and selfless, a tough issue for both Musk and his self-centered, narcissistic boss.
It is a fact that much of Musk’s wealth comes from two firms, Tesla and SpaceX, both of which rely on money coming from the federal government, directly or indirectly. So, what should DOGE examine as its priority, “numero uno” on the hit list? If Musk is serious, it should be NASA.
The federal funding for Space X, amounts to $210 billion and Musk owns 40 percent of it, is coming from NASA. which we fund. Since 2008, SpaceX has gotten $20 billion in U.S. tax dollars, including nearly $4 billion last year. Cutting funding would reverse public opinion and give Musk immediate credibility across the aisle and with the American public.
Here is what NASA says regarding its benefits to taxpayers “Dollars spent for space exploration create jobs, jumpstart businesses, and grow the economy. Our innovations improve daily life, advance medical research, support disaster response, and more.” Let’s examine their vague, idealistic statement in more detail.
Our NASA budget totals over $25 billion of our federal tax dollars. Yes, billions, not millions. That figure includes nearly $8 billion for moon exploration (Artemis), over $4 billion for items related to the International Space Station, over $1 billion for space technology (Moon to Mars), nearly $8 billion for general space exploration, and over $2 billion for research related to earth science and climate control.
What would be the negative effect of cutting NASA funding in half? NASA would say that it would cut job creation, business profits and negatively impact the economy. Undoubtedly, that is true. But it is also true for any federal cost cutting measures. And slashing NASA will have few real negative effects on our daily lives. Certainly, less than the cuts in such agencies as the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Institute of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that Musk is pushing.
Since resistance by GOP leadership, raising taxes on corporations and the wealthy (like Trump and Musk) is not politically feasible. Therefore, balancing the budget means spending less.
So, a rational DOGE, versus what we have now, is one way to achieve long-term U.S. deficit reduction. Deficit reduction will inevitably cause a slowdown in our economy, no matter what is cut. But NASA provides taxpayers less benefits than items like healthcare and air traffic control.
Perhaps some of what was anticipated coming true
Editor, the Forum:
It appears that we are perhaps seeing some of what you are calling for in your Perspective column. (February 11, 2025: “Federal judiciary is our hope in halting Trump madness”).
We know that individuals, states, and other organizations are challenging the Trump Administration policies and actions in court. Now we have a Federal judge issuing an order to the Administration to dispense the funds that Congress has authorized saying that he has put himself above Congress in violation of our system of Government. And even the Supreme Court ordered a ruling against Trump policies. It is important that the leaders of Congress support the judge’s opinion by demanding that Trump treat Congress as a co-equal branch of our government. Let’s hope that happens.
– John Titus, Peachtree Corners
Here are several ways to respond to robocalls
Editor, the Forum:
About Robocalls: I usually get them from folks wanting to give me money. It seems loan companies have decided I need lots of money at enormous interest rates with a long-term payment plan to pay it back.
If there is no name to the number from the caller, I let my answering machine take the calls and later delete any useless messages. Usually, they are too chicken to leave a message. (I also love those who keep saying my name over and over thinking I will pick up.)
Anyway, lately I have been toying with the idea of telling whoever is on the other end of the phone if they will join me in a prayer for their soul, or a song, sung off-key, or something obnoxious to mess with them.
I once answered a call and started making weird sounds for the person who again wanted me to sign up for a loan, they hung up on me. If I do answer a call and they ask for me, I pretend I’m not home and will take a message or number for me to call them back, which of course I never do. I’m curious how others deal with Robocalls.
One more thing, I answered a call a long time ago and the caller wanted to talk to the person (my mother) who cosigned a loan for a family member. I told them they would have a long wait, or they could go dig her up since she had passed away soon after she co-signed the contract/loan. They never called back.
– Sara Rawlins, Lawrenceville
What are we spending $7 trillion on anyway?
Editor, the Forum:
Having read the EEB Perspective: “Trump People Throw Monkey Wrench into Our System.”
- Maybe Musk and Orange Man should use a scalpel vs. a sledgehammer;
- Why are people complaining that the machine is getting an overhaul?
Seriously?
Point of fact: the U.S. government is grossly bloated and inefficient. Does anyone really believe that it proficiently parses out our $7+ trillion annually? And why not ask “What are we spending $7T on, anyway?” Biden, in the 11th hour of his vacuous administration, sent billions to non-governmental organizations (NGOs). As the saying goes, we don’t have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem.
You can hate Musk but what Musk is uncovering is mind-numbing and, candidly, either thievery or pure money laundering. While USAID probably performed some laudable services at some point, a lot of its money went to Color Revolution stuff that did nothing to bolster other countries but instead was a funnel for projects that are illegal for the CIA to perform.
That said, let’s look at how Biden funneled billions to NGOs under the Inflation Reduction Act. The Green New Deal aspects punted $20B to eight NGOs” to share money with “green” causes. Follow along: many of these NGOs were created in the fall of 2024 just in time to receive the $20B bonus Biden was pitching. These NGOs were issued Account Control Agreements via the EPA and then Financial Agent Agreements via Treasury so money flowing through the NGOs could then go to sub-NGOs, and so on, with little to no oversight by the EPA. You might call that free money to you and your cronies.
How about this: Stacey Abrams’ Power Forward and Rewiring America got $2B after declaring (Form 990) $100 in revenue in 2023. Make that make sense! And why Stacey Abrams? What’re her qualifications?
And don’t get me started on the “grass roots” protests going on right now – e.g. Republicans are having buyer’s remorse.
So our biggest concern is tumult in the federal government? A place rife with corruption, (some) do-nothing jobs, and a power base flooded with other people’s money. Seriously? Isn’t anyone curious?
I wish there was as much concern about the federal government flushing our dollars down the drain as there is about the disruption in a bloated, inefficient, and upside down government. Make it make sense. I’ll wait.
– Jeff Gorke, Suwanee
Dear Jeff: Your thoughts represent exactly what GwinnettForum was founded for: to allow citizens to share their views, no matter which side they come down on. We hope others in the community will spend the time to express their concerns as you have. Thank you. –eeb
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Archer High’s Cabreja is youth tour delegate
Cabreja
Archer High School junior Alexa Cabreja has been selected as a delegate for the 2025 Washington Youth Tour, scheduled June 13-20, by Jackson Electric Membership Corporation. She will join three other delegates chosen for the all-expense paid leadership development experience sponsored by Georgia’s electric cooperatives and organized by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA).
She is the daughter of John Cabreja and Maria Fabian of Dacula. She is an active member of Archer’s Beta Club chapter, Student Council, DECA, and AP Club. She volunteers at The Oaks Senior Center to provide social interaction and conversation for senior residents. She strongly supports and strives to bring awareness to the Arthritis Foundation’s mission to support children experiencing juvenile arthritis. Alexa plans a career in business and healthcare.
The other three Jackson EMC delegates selected were Jo Lundy, junior at Cherokee Bluff High School; Riley Seau, Jr., sophomore at Chestatee High School; and Kinsey Wilder, junior at Jefferson High School.
GGC students “give back” at three spring break sites
Ahh, spring break. For college students, it’s a time to sleep in, relax, take a break from their studies, and for some, hit the beaches at places near and far.
Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) students volunteered to be part of GGC’s Alternative Spring Break program, with three groups of students using their time off to help others in Lawrenceville, Ga., New Orleans, La., and Jacksonville, Fla.
JP Peters, assistant director of Student Outreach and Service says this is the fifth year GGC has offered the Alternative Spring Break program. “This is a chance for our students to use their time off to give back to the community, experience other cultures and get a deeper understanding of community needs and environmental issues.”
GGC students rolled up their sleeves and volunteered with several organizations.
- In Lawrenceville, students worked with Gwinnett County Public Schools students at the Junior Achievement Discovery Center, a business-integrated learning center for middle school students that fosters financial literacy, career readiness and the entrepreneurial spirit. They also volunteered at the Creative Enterprise, which provides employment and life skills training for adults with disabilities, and Streetwise, a food pantry.
- The students in New Orleans spent time volunteering for Common Ground Relief planting trees and making throws out of recycled materials at Grounds Krewe.
- In Jacksonville, students volunteered at the Jacksonville Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, interacting with shelter animals; guiding fourth grade students during the Leaving No Trace relay at the Betz-Tiger Preserve; and making beach cleanup at Surfrider at Jacksonville Beach.
Peters adds: “Because our students spent time working together, it created a new dynamic for them. They’ve built new friendships that I think will last beyond this experience.”
“The first time I went it was so amazing, and this time is just as good,” said GGC student Andrew Beltran, an IT software development major. “It’s about the connections you make, the service you do, and it’s a lot of fun!”
Hello Beautiful, by Ann Napolitano
From Karen J. Harris, Stone Mountain: William Waters grew up in a home with parents who never showed him any affection. When he met Julia Padavano in his first year of college, she introduced him to a riotous and joy-filled family. The four Padavano sisters are inseparable with interconnected lives that beat with one heart. Julia is the goal directed oldest sister; Sylvie the family dreamer, Cecilia is a gifted artist, and Emeline is the family nurturer. William and Julia marry, and everything seems fine though William’s interior distress finally spills over, resulting in a catastrophic family rift that lasts for 25 years. When an unexpected tragedy strikes one of the sisters, is forgiveness possible? This book is a warm and poignant tear-jerker filled with real characters who deal with changes. It is to both embrace and experience.
- An invitation: what books, restaurants, movies or web sites have you visited 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.
Richard Lee Sikes
Richard Lee Sikes, 90, passed away on March 4, 2025, at Dogwood Forest assisted living in Grayson. Born on April 16, 1934, in Auburn, Ga., Richard dedicated his life to his family, faith, and an extraordinary career in banking that spanned nearly seven decades.
Sikes
Richard graduated from Dacula High School in 1951, where he excelled academically and was an athlete on the varsity basketball, baseball, and track teams. His passion for learning continued as he pursued further education at the University of Georgia earning certifications in banking and finance.
Richard’s banking career was deeply rooted in Gwinnett County. He began at First National Bank of Lawrenceville, rising to executive vice president. Over the years, he contributed his expertise to The Peachtree Bank, Colonial Bank, Wachovia Bank and Commercial Bank of Gwinnett, where he was organizer and later served as chairman and CEO. His final role was president of The Piedmont Bank in Lawrenceville. Throughout his career, he played a pivotal role in mergers and start-ups across 13 banks.
His dedication to the financial growth of Gwinnett County extended beyond banking-he worked to secure approval and financing for Gwinnett Medical Center, serving on its Board of Directors for 25 years. Richard was an active member of the business community and a dedicated philanthropist. He was a longtime member of the Lawrenceville Kiwanis Club. He was also treasurer for the Central Gwinnett Booster Club. He took pride in his National Guard service. Faith played a central role in Richard’s life. He worshiped at Lawrenceville First Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and stewardship efforts until recently.
Richard found great joy in traveling and spending time at his North Georgia mountain home. A devoted Georgia Tech sports fan, he enjoyed attending football, basketball and baseball games. His love for antique cars was another cherished passion.
Above all else, he treasured time spent with his family. He is survived by his wife Jean Archer Sikes; daughters Gloria Sikes Hancock of Alpharetta; Wanda Sikes Cain and her husband Kenneth of Grayson; Marsha Sikes Moon and her husband Mark of Clearwater Beach, Fla.; grandchildren Kendall Len Cain and his wife Caitlin of Social Circle; Michael Frederick Moon of Chicago, Ill.; Matthew Richard Moon of Hermosa Beach, Calif.; sisters Loretta Sikes Waters Virginia Sikes Pruett; sisters-in-law, Hazel Archer, Jackie Archer, and Rose Archer; as well as several nieces and nephew. Richard was preceded in death by his grandparents Earl R. Sikes and Anna Wood Sikes of Auburn, Georgia; Charlie N. Kinsey and Ella Black of Winder; parents Boyd B. Sikes and Jessie Kinsey Sikes of Auburn; and his granddaughter Kinsey Leigh Cain of Grayson.
The service honoring the life of Richard L Sikes was held March 9 at Tom M. Wages Funeral Service Lawrenceville Chapel. Interment was at Gwinnett Memorial Park. Those desiring may make donations to Lawrenceville First Baptist church in memory of Richard L Sikes. Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, Lawrenceville Chapel was entrusted with the arrangements.
Georgia has 4,700 awaiting on the transplant lists
Organ transplantation in Georgia is performed at five transplant centers: Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston Hospital, Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia Health Sciences University in Augusta, Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, and Saint Joseph’s Hospital of Atlanta.
These centers are designated by the National Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, an agency established by federal law for matching donor organs to waiting recipients. This network is operated by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) under contract with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. UNOS, based in Richmond, Virginia, maintains a centralized computer network, available twenty-four hours a day, linking all organ procurement organizations and transplant centers. Currently in Georgia, 4,700 patients are awaiting transplants..
Medical College of Georgia (later Georgia Health Sciences University) established its Transplant Surgery Service in 1968 and performs both kidney and kidney-pancreas transplants. The university’s Tissue Donor Services (TDS) is a hospital-based tissue procurement agency responsible for coordinating procurement of transplantable tissues from hospitals in eastern and southern Georgia and in Aiken County, South Carolina. Any potential organ donor identified by TDS is referred to LifeLink of Georgia.
Generous support for transplantation programs in Georgia has been provided by the Carlos and Marguerite Mason Trust, a private foundation administered by Wells Fargo and Company. Grants from the Mason Trust are awarded to Georgia nonprofit organizations to improve the care of Georgians receiving organ transplants and to improve the process of organ transplantation.
The Georgia Transplant Foundation, founded in 1992 by a Georgia kidney transplant recipient, provides financial and educational assistance for patients undergoing or awaiting transplants. The foundation’s board consists of professionals from the five Georgia transplant centers, community business leaders, transplant recipients, and volunteers working together to improve the quality of life for those affected by transplantation.
Two Ronald McDonald Houses and the Mason House, funded by the Mason Trust, are available to help transplant patients and their families from Emory University Hospital and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
- To view the Georgia Encyclopedia article online, go to https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
Snowed-in harbor still around in some places
Snow is still part of the scenery in many parts of the country. This peaceful, now quiet harbor area looks mighty cold as it’s evident that the snow is still piled up as we enter middle March. See if you can pinpoint where this scene is. Send your idea to ebrack2@gmail.com, and include your home town.
The last mystery photo, a gorgeous photograph of a massive library, was from Bruce Johnson of Lawrenceville, and was of the Rijksmuseum Research Library in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Ruthy Lachman Paul of Norcross recognized the scene: “The Rijksmuseum library in Amsterdam is one of the most beautiful places in the city. It is the national museum of the Netherlands and houses the most important collections of Dutch culture. Accordingly, the library includes the country’s main art book collection. Over the years, changes have been made to the building as wings and rooms have been added, which were built like patches without any overall direction. This lasted 12 years and has only recently been reopened to the public.
The library was first opened to the public in 1885. The renovation meticulously preserved its original character, which was designed in a style that combines Gothic and Renaissance features.”
Also recognizing the library were Jay Altman, Columbia, S.C.; Bill McLees, Norcross; Kay Montgomery, Duluth; George Graf, Palmyra, Va.; Sara Rawlins, Lawrenceville; and Allan Peel, San Antonio, Texas, who added: “It is the only museum in the world with a public cycling tunnel and pathway running right through the middle of it!”
- 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.
Raffensberger speaks on March 13 in Peachtree Corners
PDC In Norcross meets at 8:15-9 a.m. each Wednesday. in Norcross at the 45 South Café. On March 12 the PDC (People Drinking Coffee) will hear John McHenry, city manager of Tucker. All are welcome. There are no attendance nor dues requirements.
Underground Schools That Built the Civil Rights Movement will be held on Thursday, March 13 at 7 p.m. at the Duluth Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library. Acclaimed Author Elaine Weiss will discuss her newest book, Spell Freedom, the story of four activists whose audacious plan to restore voting rights to Black Americans laid the groundwork for the Civil Rights Movement.
Empowering Women-Owned Small Businesses will be the subject on March 13 at 11 a. m. at the Norcross Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library. Celebrate Women’s History Month by starting or expanding your small business.
The Southwest Gwinnett Chamber in Peachtree Corners will host Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensberger at the next Thought Leaders event on March 13 at 8 a.m. Raffensperger will share updates from the Gold Dome and provide information on critical topics, including advancements in election administration, securities enforcement and other key initiatives. Breakfast buffet is included. Advance registration is required and open now.
Hear local author Dan Leonard at the Robert D. Fowler Family YMCA in Peachtree Corners on March 14 at 12:15 p.m. He will have a QandA session and book signing of his memoir.
Day of Play at Lillian Webb Park in Norcross, will be Friday, March 14, from 5-6 p.m. It’s totally free. Run, jump, laugh and play your heart out with fun games and activities for everyone. Just make sure to wear closed-toe shoes, your toes will thank you! Grab your friends, bring your energy and let’s turn the park into the ultimate play zone! For more information, visit aplacetoimagine.com
Hear Author Colleen Oakley at the Duluth Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library in conversation with Mary Kay Andrews. This will be March 15 at 6 p.m., as they discuss Oakley’s newest book, Jane and Dan at the End of the World. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
The Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra will perform From Screen to Stage on March 15 at 7:30 p.m. at Mount Pisgah Church in Johns Creek. Music Director finalist Howard Hsu will conduct this concert, which will feature music from Star Wars, Harry Potter, Mission: Impossible, and others. For audience members who would like to come dressed as their favorite movie character, there will be a costume competition at intermission, with prizes.
Shamrocks, Carts and Clues: join the Paddy’s Day Pathfest, which will be March 15 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. in downtown Braselton. Get ready for the wackiest parade in town! Join the festive lineup of decorated golf carts and strut your stuff along the Braselton LifePath. Spectators, bring your cheers and enjoy the spectacle! After the parade, the quest begins—teams will search for clues and complete challenges for a chance to win prizes. Register early for extra points!
Gwinnett Historical Society will meet Monday, March 17, at 6:30 pm. at Rhodes Jordan Park Community Center. Speaking will be two trailblazing women, former Gwinnett Chairwoman Charlotte Nash and the current chairwoman, Nicole Love Hendrickson. will share their stories about leading Georgia’s most dynamic county. The meeting will also feature a “pop-up” exhibit highlighting a few artifacts from the Lillian Webb collection. Lillian Webb was the first female to lead the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners.
Nutrition for a Healthy Life is to be held on March 19 at 10:30 a.m. at the Suwanee Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library. Another session will be March 25 at the Centerville Branch at 11 a. m. This nutritional program series will help participants enhance knowledge and facilitate healthy behavior change across the lifespan.
Author Talk with Vanessa Miller will be March 20 at the Duluth Branch of Gwinnett County. She will be discussing her latest book, The Filling Station, a story of two sisters during the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
Bloom into Spring by hearing author and garden expert Teresa Speight in conversation with horticulturalist Abra Lee as they discuss Black Flora, which celebrates the vibrant legacy and future of Black floral artists and entrepreneurs. This will be March 22 at 11 a.m. at the Duluth Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library.
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