Through the Light Up initiative, every individual, family, local neighborhood and organization are being encouraged from Dec. 1 - 24 to be more intentional in performing acts of kindness culminating with the Dec. 24 Building Together the Pathway Lit by Kindness as part of the Light Up Georgia With Kindness effort.

Pickett wanted to create an inspiring visual to represent people’s Light Up efforts. She thought about growing up in Georgia and one of her favorite childhood traditions of driving through neighborhoods on Dec. 24 to see streets lit with white bags to create a pathway for Santa’s sleigh. Replicating that memory, she feels the Light Up bags are an easy and inspiring way to show the thousands of acts of kindness performed during the 24-day period.

Starting at 5 p.m. on Dec. 24 and through the morning, each participant is being asked to help create a special luminary pathway with white paper lunch bags, lit with two small electric candles and weighted with sand. The Light Up bags would be placed two feet apart across the front of driveways, lawns and businesses near the street. Those who are traveling hopefully can ask a neighbor to facilitate their bags so the luminated pathway remains unbroken.

Residents are encouraged to stroll or drive through neighborhoods to see the beautiful Building Together the Pathway Lit by Kindness that connects neighbor-to-neighbor along with local organizations. She is looking for volunteers to become Light Up Leaders for their neighborhood and organization with sign-up info at www.LightUpGeorgiaWithKindness.com/, which also will provide a ideas around the initiative. She hopes participants will post their experiences on social platforms to inspire and help provide ideas for others.

The Bicentennial torch will on display at Duluth City Hall from December 10 through December 15.

The Bicentennial torch will be relayed by cross country and track teams from Gwinnett Public High School serving as torchbearers in this yearlong torch relay that will cover approximately 200 miles. Runners will carry the torch to historic sites, public facilities, and cities in Gwinnett throughout 2018, the bicentennial celebration year. A traveling Gwinnett County history exhibit will accompany the torch to many of these locations.

The Gwinnett County Bicentennial Torch Relay represents goodwill, the connection between communities, and Gwinnett County’s journey from 1818 to today, where it transformed from a largely agrarian community to one of the fastest growing, most diverse counties in the Southeast.

Gwinnett County’s bicentennial torch made its debut on December 15, 2017, at the bicentennial celebration’s first official event, A Frontier Affair: Prelude to Gwinnett’s Bicentennial, held at the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse. On December 19, 2017, the torch made its second appearance at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center for a special presentation during a meeting of the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners. The torch relay will culminate at the County’s 200th Birthday Celebration on December 15, 2018, at Gwinnett’s Infinite Energy Center.

The torch will depart from Duluth City Hall at approximately 6:15pm on December 15 on its way to its final location, Gwinnett Infinite Energy Center (arrival time approximately 7:15pm) for Gwinnett’s 200^th Birthday Celebration event.

Visit www.Gwinnett200.com for more information on Gwinnett’s Bicentennial and to follow the torch route.

Location: Duluth City Hall, 3167 Main Street, Duluth

Charlotte was born January 27, 1916, in the family home on Level Creek Road (Sugar Hill, Gwinnett County). Living a full and adventurous life, she ventured from Gwinnett County in the midst of The Great Depression to Detroit, Michigan. There she found

employment and sent money home to assist her family. At the advent of World War II, she joined the Women’s Army Corps and served her country as a supply officer on several bases across the U.S. Married in 1946 in San Antonio, Texas, Charlotte and her husband were actively involved in the National Campers and Hiker’s Association for over 20 years. Here they served as state and national directors. It was during this time that Charlotte developed her skills as a painter. Her last years were devoted to creating three books about her life in “The House on Level Creek Road”, describing her life throughout the gold mining days, depression, and the war. It also describes her family life lived in the home on Level Creek Road and the family’s role in Gwinnett County.

Location: Bethesda Park Senior Center, 225 Bethesda Church Road, Lawrenceville    

Free! Students and families will learn the ways in which traditional knowledge of Native American communities and cutting–edge science are being applied to improve our world and provide solutions to the ecological and health challenges of today. Through the voices of elders and youth, hands–on interactives and clever video games, visitors gather resources, examine data, and take part in the growing movement towards sustainability and reclamation of age–old practices.This exhibit is on display at the GEHC from September 22, 2018 until January 2, 2019.

Location: Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center, 2020 Clean Water Boulevard, Buford

Kudzu Art Zone serves the artist community and promotes the importance of the visual arts to individual growth, cultural heritage, and economic growth. Kudzu Art Zone presents exhibitions by local, regional, national and international artists. It demonstrates proactive local leadership by educating artists of all ages; cultivating and growing audiences; and encouraging collaboration among diverse artists, institutions, communities and supporters. A group of artists shared a vision of a thriving artist community and in June 2006 Kudzu Art Zone became a non-profit corporation. In late 2006, the City of Norcross donated a 3,200sq ft. building, Kudzu Art Zone’s current home at 116 Carlyle St. The building features a gallery, artist’s studios and ample space for professional and artistic development opportunities. With over 100 artist members, the Kudzu Art Zone has become a place to thrive, of community support and fellowship.

Location: George Pierce Park Community Recreation Center, 55 Buford Highway, Suwaneeway, Suwanee    

Free! Like getting lost in a good read? Join Beth from Gwinnett County Public Library to share your book experiences and learn about what others are reading. Each meeting will feature a different genre. Refreshments will be served. Seniors ages 50 and up permitted. Call 678.277.0910 for more information.

Get involved in this fun and unique scavenger hunt! Stop by the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse front office and pick up a list specific historical items located throughout the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse and the grounds surrounding the courthouse. Using the list as your guide, spend time getting to know the history of Gwinnett County while locating all items on the list. Bring your completed list back to the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse front desk to receive your bicentennial prize and have your name inscribed on a “Sovereign Scavenger” certificate to be displayed for all to see. Cost: Free.

Location: Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, 185 W. Crogan Street, Lawrenceville

The 4th Annual Festival of Trees will be showcased with decorated trees as well as a 12-foot tree adorned with bubble lights, antiques, and other historical visual surprises that highlight Gwinnett’s 200 year history. Festival of Trees is located inside the Southeastern Railway Museum and the Historic Train Depot. An 18-foot decorated tree will showcase the various Gwinnett cities’ attractions and what makes each a great tourist attraction.

Born and raised in Georgia, Peggy has been a Lilburn resident since 1965. While enjoying painting a variety of subjects, her true passion is painting on canvas. Peggy prefers the versatility of oils to create realistic pictures in a traditional realistic manner. Whether

capturing unique still life, landscape, flowers, or nostalgic scenes, she also seeks out historical subject matter to remind us of our heritage. With a desire to preserve beauty and accuracy in her paintings, her goal is to capture the essence of her subject in a way

that will evoke a feeling of emotion from the viewer. Peggy teaches adult and children’s art classes and has won many awards for her paintings. A series of her work entitled “A Moment in Time”, is a collection of historic and nostalgic scenes of Lilburn. One of Peggy’s portraits, Lilburn Trigg Myers, hangs in the new Lilburn City Hall.

Location: Pinckneyville Park Community Recreation Center, 4650 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Berkeley Lake 

Location: George Pierce Park Community Recreation Center, 55 Buford Hwy NE, Suwanee

The Bicentennial torch will on display at Duluth City Hall from December 10 through December 15.

The Bicentennial torch will be relayed by cross country and track teams from Gwinnett Public High School serving as torchbearers in this yearlong torch relay that will cover approximately 200 miles. Runners will carry the torch to historic sites, public facilities, and cities in Gwinnett throughout 2018, the bicentennial celebration year. A traveling Gwinnett County history exhibit will accompany the torch to many of these locations.

The Gwinnett County Bicentennial Torch Relay represents goodwill, the connection between communities, and Gwinnett County’s journey from 1818 to today, where it transformed from a largely agrarian community to one of the fastest growing, most diverse counties in the Southeast.

Gwinnett County’s bicentennial torch made its debut on December 15, 2017, at the bicentennial celebration’s first official event, A Frontier Affair: Prelude to Gwinnett’s Bicentennial, held at the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse. On December 19, 2017, the torch made its second appearance at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center for a special presentation during a meeting of the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners. The torch relay will culminate at the County’s 200th Birthday Celebration on December 15, 2018, at Gwinnett’s Infinite Energy Center.

The torch will depart from Duluth City Hall at approximately 6:15pm on December 15 on its way to its final location, Gwinnett Infinite Energy Center (arrival time approximately 7:15pm) for Gwinnett’s 200^th Birthday Celebration event.

Visit www.Gwinnett200.com for more information on Gwinnett’s Bicentennial and to follow the torch route.

Location: Duluth City Hall, 3167 Main Street, Duluth

Charlotte was born January 27, 1916, in the family home on Level Creek Road (Sugar Hill, Gwinnett County). Living a full and adventurous life, she ventured from Gwinnett County in the midst of The Great Depression to Detroit, Michigan. There she found

employment and sent money home to assist her family. At the advent of World War II, she joined the Women’s Army Corps and served her country as a supply officer on several bases across the U.S. Married in 1946 in San Antonio, Texas, Charlotte and her husband were actively involved in the National Campers and Hiker’s Association for over 20 years. Here they served as state and national directors. It was during this time that Charlotte developed her skills as a painter. Her last years were devoted to creating three books about her life in “The House on Level Creek Road”, describing her life throughout the gold mining days, depression, and the war. It also describes her family life lived in the home on Level Creek Road and the family’s role in Gwinnett County.

Location: Bethesda Park Senior Center, 225 Bethesda Church Road, Lawrenceville    

Kudzu Art Zone serves the artist community and promotes the importance of the visual arts to individual growth, cultural heritage, and economic growth. Kudzu Art Zone presents exhibitions by local, regional, national and international artists. It demonstrates proactive local leadership by educating artists of all ages; cultivating and growing audiences; and encouraging collaboration among diverse artists, institutions, communities and supporters. A group of artists shared a vision of a thriving artist community and in June 2006 Kudzu Art Zone became a non-profit corporation. In late 2006, the City of Norcross donated a 3,200sq ft. building, Kudzu Art Zone’s current home at 116 Carlyle St. The building features a gallery, artist’s studios and ample space for professional and artistic development opportunities. With over 100 artist members, the Kudzu Art Zone has become a place to thrive, of community support and fellowship.

Location: George Pierce Park Community Recreation Center, 55 Buford Highway, Suwaneeway, Suwanee    

Free! Students and families will learn the ways in which traditional knowledge of Native American communities and cutting–edge science are being applied to improve our world and provide solutions to the ecological and health challenges of today. Through the voices of elders and youth, hands–on interactives and clever video games, visitors gather resources, examine data, and take part in the growing movement towards sustainability and reclamation of age–old practices.This exhibit is on display at the GEHC from September 22, 2018 until January 2, 2019.

Location: Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center, 2020 Clean Water Boulevard, Buford

Free! Like getting lost in a good read? Join Beth from Gwinnett County Public Library to share your book experiences and learn about what others are reading. Each meeting will feature a different genre. Refreshments will be served. Seniors ages 50 and up permitted. Call 678.277.0910 for more information.

Get involved in this fun and unique scavenger hunt! Stop by the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse front office and pick up a list specific historical items located throughout the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse and the grounds surrounding the courthouse. Using the list as your guide, spend time getting to know the history of Gwinnett County while locating all items on the list. Bring your completed list back to the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse front desk to receive your bicentennial prize and have your name inscribed on a “Sovereign Scavenger” certificate to be displayed for all to see. Cost: Free.

Location: Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, 185 W. Crogan Street, Lawrenceville

The 4th Annual Festival of Trees will be showcased with decorated trees as well as a 12-foot tree adorned with bubble lights, antiques, and other historical visual surprises that highlight Gwinnett’s 200 year history. Festival of Trees is located inside the Southeastern Railway Museum and the Historic Train Depot. An 18-foot decorated tree will showcase the various Gwinnett cities’ attractions and what makes each a great tourist attraction.

Born and raised in Georgia, Peggy has been a Lilburn resident since 1965. While enjoying painting a variety of subjects, her true passion is painting on canvas. Peggy prefers the versatility of oils to create realistic pictures in a traditional realistic manner. Whether

capturing unique still life, landscape, flowers, or nostalgic scenes, she also seeks out historical subject matter to remind us of our heritage. With a desire to preserve beauty and accuracy in her paintings, her goal is to capture the essence of her subject in a way

that will evoke a feeling of emotion from the viewer. Peggy teaches adult and children’s art classes and has won many awards for her paintings. A series of her work entitled “A Moment in Time”, is a collection of historic and nostalgic scenes of Lilburn. One of Peggy’s portraits, Lilburn Trigg Myers, hangs in the new Lilburn City Hall.

Location: Pinckneyville Park Community Recreation Center, 4650 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Berkeley Lake 

Location: George Pierce Park Community Recreation Center, 55 Buford Hwy NE, Suwanee

The Bicentennial torch will on display at Duluth City Hall from December 10 through December 15.

The Bicentennial torch will be relayed by cross country and track teams from Gwinnett Public High School serving as torchbearers in this yearlong torch relay that will cover approximately 200 miles. Runners will carry the torch to historic sites, public facilities, and cities in Gwinnett throughout 2018, the bicentennial celebration year. A traveling Gwinnett County history exhibit will accompany the torch to many of these locations.

The Gwinnett County Bicentennial Torch Relay represents goodwill, the connection between communities, and Gwinnett County’s journey from 1818 to today, where it transformed from a largely agrarian community to one of the fastest growing, most diverse counties in the Southeast.

Gwinnett County’s bicentennial torch made its debut on December 15, 2017, at the bicentennial celebration’s first official event, A Frontier Affair: Prelude to Gwinnett’s Bicentennial, held at the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse. On December 19, 2017, the torch made its second appearance at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center for a special presentation during a meeting of the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners. The torch relay will culminate at the County’s 200th Birthday Celebration on December 15, 2018, at Gwinnett’s Infinite Energy Center.

The torch will depart from Duluth City Hall at approximately 6:15pm on December 15 on its way to its final location, Gwinnett Infinite Energy Center (arrival time approximately 7:15pm) for Gwinnett’s 200^th Birthday Celebration event.

Visit www.Gwinnett200.com for more information on Gwinnett’s Bicentennial and to follow the torch route.

Location: Duluth City Hall, 3167 Main Street, Duluth

Charlotte was born January 27, 1916, in the family home on Level Creek Road (Sugar Hill, Gwinnett County). Living a full and adventurous life, she ventured from Gwinnett County in the midst of The Great Depression to Detroit, Michigan. There she found

employment and sent money home to assist her family. At the advent of World War II, she joined the Women’s Army Corps and served her country as a supply officer on several bases across the U.S. Married in 1946 in San Antonio, Texas, Charlotte and her husband were actively involved in the National Campers and Hiker’s Association for over 20 years. Here they served as state and national directors. It was during this time that Charlotte developed her skills as a painter. Her last years were devoted to creating three books about her life in “The House on Level Creek Road”, describing her life throughout the gold mining days, depression, and the war. It also describes her family life lived in the home on Level Creek Road and the family’s role in Gwinnett County.

Location: Bethesda Park Senior Center, 225 Bethesda Church Road, Lawrenceville    

Preschool STEM activities will keep your little ones busy and teach them the basics of STEM. Your preschooler might just be the next best engineer, astronaut, or scientist! Parent or guardian required. An additional fee of $5 is due to the instructor on the first day of class.

Kudzu Art Zone serves the artist community and promotes the importance of the visual arts to individual growth, cultural heritage, and economic growth. Kudzu Art Zone presents exhibitions by local, regional, national and international artists. It demonstrates proactive local leadership by educating artists of all ages; cultivating and growing audiences; and encouraging collaboration among diverse artists, institutions, communities and supporters. A group of artists shared a vision of a thriving artist community and in June 2006 Kudzu Art Zone became a non-profit corporation. In late 2006, the City of Norcross donated a 3,200sq ft. building, Kudzu Art Zone’s current home at 116 Carlyle St. The building features a gallery, artist’s studios and ample space for professional and artistic development opportunities. With over 100 artist members, the Kudzu Art Zone has become a place to thrive, of community support and fellowship.

Location: George Pierce Park Community Recreation Center, 55 Buford Highway, Suwaneeway, Suwanee    

Free! Students and families will learn the ways in which traditional knowledge of Native American communities and cutting–edge science are being applied to improve our world and provide solutions to the ecological and health challenges of today. Through the voices of elders and youth, hands–on interactives and clever video games, visitors gather resources, examine data, and take part in the growing movement towards sustainability and reclamation of age–old practices.This exhibit is on display at the GEHC from September 22, 2018 until January 2, 2019.

Location: Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center, 2020 Clean Water Boulevard, Buford

Born and raised in Georgia, Peggy has been a Lilburn resident since 1965. While enjoying painting a variety of subjects, her true passion is painting on canvas. Peggy prefers the versatility of oils to create realistic pictures in a traditional realistic manner. Whether

capturing unique still life, landscape, flowers, or nostalgic scenes, she also seeks out historical subject matter to remind us of our heritage. With a desire to preserve beauty and accuracy in her paintings, her goal is to capture the essence of her subject in a way

that will evoke a feeling of emotion from the viewer. Peggy teaches adult and children’s art classes and has won many awards for her paintings. A series of her work entitled “A Moment in Time”, is a collection of historic and nostalgic scenes of Lilburn. One of Peggy’s portraits, Lilburn Trigg Myers, hangs in the new Lilburn City Hall.

Location: Pinckneyville Park Community Recreation Center, 4650 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Berkeley Lake 

Get involved in this fun and unique scavenger hunt! Stop by the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse front office and pick up a list specific historical items located throughout the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse and the grounds surrounding the courthouse. Using the list as your guide, spend time getting to know the history of Gwinnett County while locating all items on the list. Bring your completed list back to the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse front desk to receive your bicentennial prize and have your name inscribed on a “Sovereign Scavenger” certificate to be displayed for all to see. Cost: Free.

Location: Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, 185 W. Crogan Street, Lawrenceville

The 4th Annual Festival of Trees will be showcased with decorated trees as well as a 12-foot tree adorned with bubble lights, antiques, and other historical visual surprises that highlight Gwinnett’s 200 year history. Festival of Trees is located inside the Southeastern Railway Museum and the Historic Train Depot. An 18-foot decorated tree will showcase the various Gwinnett cities’ attractions and what makes each a great tourist attraction.

Location: George Pierce Park Community Recreation Center, 55 Buford Hwy NE, Suwanee

Location: 70 S. Clayton Street, Lawrenceville

New! Lets welcome Christmas and bring our cheer to all Who’s far and near. Enoy an evening of
crafts, a pizza dinner and hot chocolate bar before watching How The Grinch Stole Chritmas on our
big screen! Ages 2-up; $7/person, must pre-register by 12/11 online with code: RJP41603.

Through the Light Up initiative, every individual, family, local neighborhood and organization are being encouraged from Dec. 1 - 24 to be more intentional in performing acts of kindness culminating with the Dec. 24 Building Together the Pathway Lit by Kindness as part of the Light Up Georgia With Kindness effort.

Pickett wanted to create an inspiring visual to represent people’s Light Up efforts. She thought about growing up in Georgia and one of her favorite childhood traditions of driving through neighborhoods on Dec. 24 to see streets lit with white bags to create a pathway for Santa’s sleigh. Replicating that memory, she feels the Light Up bags are an easy and inspiring way to show the thousands of acts of kindness performed during the 24-day period.

Starting at 5 p.m. on Dec. 24 and through the morning, each participant is being asked to help create a special luminary pathway with white paper lunch bags, lit with two small electric candles and weighted with sand. The Light Up bags would be placed two feet apart across the front of driveways, lawns and businesses near the street. Those who are traveling hopefully can ask a neighbor to facilitate their bags so the luminated pathway remains unbroken.

Residents are encouraged to stroll or drive through neighborhoods to see the beautiful Building Together the Pathway Lit by Kindness that connects neighbor-to-neighbor along with local organizations. She is looking for volunteers to become Light Up Leaders for their neighborhood and organization with sign-up info at www.LightUpGeorgiaWithKindness.com/, which also will provide a ideas around the initiative. She hopes participants will post their experiences on social platforms to inspire and help provide ideas for others.

Enjoy a delicious breakfast with Santa in the beautifully decorated Superior Court Ballroom. Make a craft and hear a story by Santa or one of his helpers. Bring your camera to take photos with St. Nick. All ages welcome. Admission is $15 per person. Register online with activity code GHC48721 or call 770.822.5450.

Free! Students and families will learn the ways in which traditional knowledge of Native American communities and cutting–edge science are being applied to improve our world and provide solutions to the ecological and health challenges of today. Through the voices of elders and youth, hands–on interactives and clever video games, visitors gather resources, examine data, and take part in the growing movement towards sustainability and reclamation of age–old practices.This exhibit is on display at the GEHC from September 22, 2018 until January 2, 2019.

Location: Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center, 2020 Clean Water Boulevard, Buford

Free! Explore the origin of many of our American holiday traditions and walk the grounds of the historic Chesser-Williams house with docent to discover some of the home’s unique architectural features and history. Crafts created from recycled and natural elements will be offered. Spotlight tour is at 11:00am and 2:00pm and the Blue Planet Sensory Theater is shown at 12:00pm, 1:00pm, and 3:00pm (when available).This program is offered on Saturdays in December (9:00am-4:00pm).

Born and raised in Georgia, Peggy has been a Lilburn resident since 1965. While enjoying painting a variety of subjects, her true passion is painting on canvas. Peggy prefers the versatility of oils to create realistic pictures in a traditional realistic manner. Whether

capturing unique still life, landscape, flowers, or nostalgic scenes, she also seeks out historical subject matter to remind us of our heritage. With a desire to preserve beauty and accuracy in her paintings, her goal is to capture the essence of her subject in a way

that will evoke a feeling of emotion from the viewer. Peggy teaches adult and children’s art classes and has won many awards for her paintings. A series of her work entitled “A Moment in Time”, is a collection of historic and nostalgic scenes of Lilburn. One of Peggy’s portraits, Lilburn Trigg Myers, hangs in the new Lilburn City Hall.

Location: Pinckneyville Park Community Recreation Center, 4650 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Berkeley Lake 

Free! Go back in time as you casually stroll through the historic town of Lawrenceville guided by historical interpreters, telling the story of Gwinnett's rich history. Perfect for the whole family, these tours can be customized to fit your group. Pre-register online or call to learn more about customized walking tours.

Free! Be a part of history and travel the globe to see what makes Gwinnett a vibrant community at this FREE event!

December 15, 2018, is Gwinnett County's 200th birthday. Join us to celebrate with crafts, birthday cupcakes, storytelling, s'mores, ice sculpting demonstrations, cultural performances, food trucks, and more!

For more information, visit www.Gwinnett200.com.

Location: Infinite Energy Center – Hudgens Center for Art and Learning, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth

Get involved in this fun and unique scavenger hunt! Stop by the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse front office and pick up a list specific historical items located throughout the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse and the grounds surrounding the courthouse. Using the list as your guide, spend time getting to know the history of Gwinnett County while locating all items on the list. Bring your completed list back to the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse front desk to receive your bicentennial prize and have your name inscribed on a “Sovereign Scavenger” certificate to be displayed for all to see. Cost: Free.

Location: Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, 185 W. Crogan Street, Lawrenceville

The 4th Annual Festival of Trees will be showcased with decorated trees as well as a 12-foot tree adorned with bubble lights, antiques, and other historical visual surprises that highlight Gwinnett’s 200 year history. Festival of Trees is located inside the Southeastern Railway Museum and the Historic Train Depot. An 18-foot decorated tree will showcase the various Gwinnett cities’ attractions and what makes each a great tourist attraction.

Kudzu Art Zone serves the artist community and promotes the importance of the visual arts to individual growth, cultural heritage, and economic growth. Kudzu Art Zone presents exhibitions by local, regional, national and international artists. It demonstrates proactive local leadership by educating artists of all ages; cultivating and growing audiences; and encouraging collaboration among diverse artists, institutions, communities and supporters. A group of artists shared a vision of a thriving artist community and in June 2006 Kudzu Art Zone became a non-profit corporation. In late 2006, the City of Norcross donated a 3,200sq ft. building, Kudzu Art Zone’s current home at 116 Carlyle St. The building features a gallery, artist’s studios and ample space for professional and artistic development opportunities. With over 100 artist members, the Kudzu Art Zone has become a place to thrive, of community support and fellowship.

Location: George Pierce Park Community Recreation Center, 55 Buford Highway, Suwaneeway, Suwanee    

Visit Santa to drop off your wish list, bring your camera for photos and enjoy crafts in the Elf Lodge! Admission is $10 per person. Call 770.822.5450 for more information

• Free rabies shots for first 200 pets in celebration of Gwinnett’s 200^th birthday
• $10 vaccines (leptospirosis, Bordetella, DAPPv, and FVRCP)  
• $25 microchips  

Cash only. While supplies last. Pets must be on fixed leads or in carriers except in designated areas. Dogs and cats must have proof of age-appropriate immunizations (unless purchased at event). All services performed by trained veterinary professionals. Staff reserve the right to deny services. Alcoholic beverages prohibited in Gwinnett County parks.

Celebrate our County’s rich history and pay tribute to our vibrant community. Enjoy a fun evening celebrating the diverse cultures that now make up Gwinnett, with memorable presentations to honor our County on this historic event.

Visit www.Gwinnett200.com for more information. Tickets: $125/person. Cocktail attire.

Location: Gwinnett Infinite Energy Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy., Duluth

Enjoy a delicious supper with Santa in the beautifully decorated Superior Court Ballroom. Make crafts and listen to a story read by Santa or one of his helpers. Bring your camera to take photos with St. Nick. All ages are welcome. Admission is $15 per person. Register online or call 770.822.540 for more information.

Visit Santa to drop off your wish list, bring your camera for photos and enjoy crafts in the Elf Lodge! Admission is $10 per person. Call 770.822.5450 for more information

Through the Light Up initiative, every individual, family, local neighborhood and organization are being encouraged from Dec. 1 - 24 to be more intentional in performing acts of kindness culminating with the Dec. 24 Building Together the Pathway Lit by Kindness as part of the Light Up Georgia With Kindness effort.

Pickett wanted to create an inspiring visual to represent people’s Light Up efforts. She thought about growing up in Georgia and one of her favorite childhood traditions of driving through neighborhoods on Dec. 24 to see streets lit with white bags to create a pathway for Santa’s sleigh. Replicating that memory, she feels the Light Up bags are an easy and inspiring way to show the thousands of acts of kindness performed during the 24-day period.

Starting at 5 p.m. on Dec. 24 and through the morning, each participant is being asked to help create a special luminary pathway with white paper lunch bags, lit with two small electric candles and weighted with sand. The Light Up bags would be placed two feet apart across the front of driveways, lawns and businesses near the street. Those who are traveling hopefully can ask a neighbor to facilitate their bags so the luminated pathway remains unbroken.

Residents are encouraged to stroll or drive through neighborhoods to see the beautiful Building Together the Pathway Lit by Kindness that connects neighbor-to-neighbor along with local organizations. She is looking for volunteers to become Light Up Leaders for their neighborhood and organization with sign-up info at www.LightUpGeorgiaWithKindness.com/, which also will provide a ideas around the initiative. She hopes participants will post their experiences on social platforms to inspire and help provide ideas for others.

Charlotte was born January 27, 1916, in the family home on Level Creek Road (Sugar Hill, Gwinnett County). Living a full and adventurous life, she ventured from Gwinnett County in the midst of The Great Depression to Detroit, Michigan. There she found

employment and sent money home to assist her family. At the advent of World War II, she joined the Women’s Army Corps and served her country as a supply officer on several bases across the U.S. Married in 1946 in San Antonio, Texas, Charlotte and her husband were actively involved in the National Campers and Hiker’s Association for over 20 years. Here they served as state and national directors. It was during this time that Charlotte developed her skills as a painter. Her last years were devoted to creating three books about her life in “The House on Level Creek Road”, describing her life throughout the gold mining days, depression, and the war. It also describes her family life lived in the home on Level Creek Road and the family’s role in Gwinnett County.

Location: Bethesda Park Senior Center, 225 Bethesda Church Road, Lawrenceville    

Free! Students and families will learn the ways in which traditional knowledge of Native American communities and cutting–edge science are being applied to improve our world and provide solutions to the ecological and health challenges of today. Through the voices of elders and youth, hands–on interactives and clever video games, visitors gather resources, examine data, and take part in the growing movement towards sustainability and reclamation of age–old practices.This exhibit is on display at the GEHC from September 22, 2018 until January 2, 2019.

Location: Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center, 2020 Clean Water Boulevard, Buford

The Bicentennial torch will on display at Gwinnett Infinite Energy Center from December 17 through December 21.

The Bicentennial torch was relayed by cross country and track teams from Gwinnett Public High School serving as torchbearers in the yearlong torch relay that covered approximately 200 miles. Runners carried the torch to numerous historic sites, public facilities, and cities in Gwinnett throughout 2018, the bicentennial celebration year. A traveling Gwinnett County history exhibit also accompanied the torch to many of these locations.

The Gwinnett County Bicentennial Torch Relay represents goodwill, the connection between communities, and Gwinnett County’s journey from 1818 to today, where it transformed from a largely agrarian community to one of the fastest growing, most diverse counties in the Southeast.

Gwinnett County’s bicentennial torch made its debut on December 15, 2017, at the bicentennial celebration’s first official event, A Frontier Affair: Prelude to Gwinnett’s Bicentennial, held at the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse. On December 19, 2017, the torch made its second appearance at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center for a special presentation during a meeting of the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners. The torch relay culminated at the County’s 200th Birthday Celebration on December 15, 2018, at the Gwinnett’s Infinite Energy Center.

Location: Gwinnett Infinite Energy Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy., Duluth

Kudzu Art Zone serves the artist community and promotes the importance of the visual arts to individual growth, cultural heritage, and economic growth. Kudzu Art Zone presents exhibitions by local, regional, national and international artists. It demonstrates proactive local leadership by educating artists of all ages; cultivating and growing audiences; and encouraging collaboration among diverse artists, institutions, communities and supporters. A group of artists shared a vision of a thriving artist community and in June 2006 Kudzu Art Zone became a non-profit corporation. In late 2006, the City of Norcross donated a 3,200sq ft. building, Kudzu Art Zone’s current home at 116 Carlyle St. The building features a gallery, artist’s studios and ample space for professional and artistic development opportunities. With over 100 artist members, the Kudzu Art Zone has become a place to thrive, of community support and fellowship.

Location: George Pierce Park Community Recreation Center, 55 Buford Highway, Suwaneeway, Suwanee    

Get involved in this fun and unique scavenger hunt! Stop by the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse front office and pick up a list specific historical items located throughout the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse and the grounds surrounding the courthouse. Using the list as your guide, spend time getting to know the history of Gwinnett County while locating all items on the list. Bring your completed list back to the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse front desk to receive your bicentennial prize and have your name inscribed on a “Sovereign Scavenger” certificate to be displayed for all to see. Cost: Free.

Location: Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, 185 W. Crogan Street, Lawrenceville

Born and raised in Georgia, Peggy has been a Lilburn resident since 1965. While enjoying painting a variety of subjects, her true passion is painting on canvas. Peggy prefers the versatility of oils to create realistic pictures in a traditional realistic manner. Whether

capturing unique still life, landscape, flowers, or nostalgic scenes, she also seeks out historical subject matter to remind us of our heritage. With a desire to preserve beauty and accuracy in her paintings, her goal is to capture the essence of her subject in a way

that will evoke a feeling of emotion from the viewer. Peggy teaches adult and children’s art classes and has won many awards for her paintings. A series of her work entitled “A Moment in Time”, is a collection of historic and nostalgic scenes of Lilburn. One of Peggy’s portraits, Lilburn Trigg Myers, hangs in the new Lilburn City Hall.

Location: Pinckneyville Park Community Recreation Center, 4650 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Berkeley Lake 

Location: George Pierce Park Community Recreation Center, 55 Buford Hwy NE, Suwanee

Bring a friend and enjoy a bargain movie with popcorn and drink included! $2/person must pre-register. Call 678.277.0179 for movie selections and reservations. Seniors ages 50 and up permitted.