Last night, a bunch of people who'd never met sat down together in Downtown Suwanee. By the end of the night, they weren't strangers anymore.

I must be honest, I am so grateful for Jeremy, Pete and Linda! Since the first Dinner Club, they have shown up time after time. Seeing them these past three dinners has been so encouraging to me and that these dinners are doing something right.

So for those who have had the pleasure of sitting at the table with them know what incredible people they are, and the pleasure it is to have them at your table.

So, thank you Pete, Linda, and Jeremy, and for those who have attended more than one dinner. You are what makes Gwinnett the place we love and want it to be.

That said…a week ago I was the new guy at a table in Durham. Last night I got to watch it happen for our neighbors. And I'll be honest: it never gets old.

Watching someone walk in a little nervous and walk out with a new friend's phone number is my favorite thing GwinnettBest gets to do.

To everyone who said yes on a Wednesday: thank you. You made this real.

And to everyone who wanted to come and couldn't: this one's for you. 👇

— Gus

Nine days until Halloween. Here are the five things I'd grab now, while there's still time for them to show up on your porch.

1. Glow stick bracelets (the big bulk pack) The single best safety item for trick-or-treating. Snap one on every kid, so you can spot them from half a block away. Extras make great handouts too. Shop on Amazon →

2. A kid-sized headlamp or mini flashlight Little hands drop flashlights. A headlamp leaves their hands free for the candy bag, and lights up the sidewalk in front of them. Shop on Amazon →

3. Flameless LED tea lights for your jack-o'-lantern All the glow, none of the "is that costume on fire?" panic. Most packs come with a timer, so you set it once. Shop on Amazon →

4. Non-candy treats for your teal pumpkin Stickers, mini slime, glow rings, little toys. Put them in a teal bucket, and kids with food allergies know your house is safe for them. It's a small thing that makes a big night for some families. Shop on Amazon →

5. Reflective tape for costumes and bags Dark costumes plus dark streets is a bad combo. A few strips on the back of a costume and the candy bag, and drivers see your kids. Shop on Amazon →

Heads up: these are affiliate links, so GwinnettBest earns a small commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting local media.

Everything from Tuesday is still on. Here it is in one place.

And one more: five trick-or-treat nights, a car show, a Disney tribute band, and a dog costume contest. Gwinnett does Halloween like nobody else.

If you're out in Buford this weekend, here's a cozy place to start.

Bread & Butter Coffee sits in the lobby of Toast & Jam, a coworking space inside a 140-year-old manufacturing building in downtown Buford. Picture brick walls, big windows, and people working on the thing they've been dreaming about. They serve classic espresso, seasonal specials, fresh pastries, and locally roasted coffee.

What to try: ask what's on the seasonal board this week, and grab a pastry while they're still warm.

Why I love it: there's something special about sipping a latte in a building that's been part of Buford longer than any of us. Old bones, new energy. That's downtown Buford in one cup.

📍 115 E Main St, Buford · Open daily 7 AM–5 PM · Bread & Butter Coffee

🍿 Movie Monday: Casper, Norcross (Great for Grandparents) Mon, Oct. 26 · 1:30 PM & 6:30 PM · Norcross Cultural Arts & Community Center, 10 College St · FREE A free screening of everybody's favorite friendly ghost, with free popcorn. The 1:30 matinee is perfect for grandparents with little ones. Details

🍑 Little Peaches Halloween Bash, Peachtree Corners (For Little Ones) Tue, Oct. 27 · 4–6 PM · The Plaza at The Forum The Forum's monthly playdate goes Halloween, with a costume contest, spooky activities, and photo spots. Details

💀 Día de los Muertos Festival, Norcross (Date Night) Fri, Oct. 30 · 5–9 PM · Thrasher Park, Downtown Norcross An evening of remembrance with dance, live entertainment, and traditional Mexican food and drinks honoring ancestors. Beautiful, colorful, and meaningful. Details

🥕 Suwanee Farmers Market, Final Saturday of the Season (Outdoorsy) Sat, Oct. 31 · 8 AM–12 PM · Town Center on Main, 421 Main St, Suwanee Last call for the summer market. Go early, grab your Thanksgiving squash, then head home for costumes. Details

👻 Monsters and Movie on Main, Lilburn (For Families) Sat, Oct. 31 · 4–8 PM · Old Town Lilburn & Lilburn City Park Trick-or-treat the shops on Main Street, then head to the park for carnival games, food trucks, a costume contest at 6:30 (adults too), and a family movie on a giant screen at 7. Details

⏰ And don't forget: clocks fall back one hour on Sun., Nov. 1.

So far we've done Lawrenceville, Duluth, and Suwanee. Where should we set the table next?

Hit reply with just the number. That's it. If there's a restaurant in that city you think would be perfect for a table of six, tell me that too.

I'll share the winner in a couple of weeks.