So this happened. I'm writing to you from across the world — I've been on the road in Uganda this week, and let me tell you, the people here have stolen my heart. The warmth, the laughter, the way strangers treat you like family… it's something I won't forget.

But here's the part you're not going to believe. I'm walking along, minding my own business, and I look over and realize I'm standing next to Simon Kaggwa — yes, the man behind one of the most famous memes on the entire internet. You've seen his face a thousand times even if you didn't know his name.

I had to say something. We laughed about the meme together, I told him how much I've loved the people of Uganda, and (of course) I got the photo. (I'll have it in here when I edit — you have to see it.)

Anyway, enough about me being starstruck halfway around the globe. You've got a long Memorial Day weekend ahead, and Gwinnett is showing up big. Let's get into it. 👇

— Gus

Friday, May 22 | 7:00 – 9:30 PM | Suwanee Town Center | FREE

This is the Memorial Day kickoff in our county. Suwanee Town Center fills up with food trucks, a musical salute to our troops and veterans, the Main Street Symphony Orchestra, and a regional bluegrass act. Wear your red, white & blue, bring lawn chairs and a blanket, and stake out a good spot early.

🔗 Event details

🏷️ Great for: Family Outings | Seniors | Free

Friday, May 22 | 7:30 – 9:30 PM | Thrasher Park, Norcross | FREE

The 2026 Norcross Summer Concert Series kicks off with Face 2 Face, a high-energy Billy Joel & Elton John tribute — two performers trading piano hits all night long. Grab a to-go order from a downtown Norcross restaurant, bring a chair or blanket (coolers okay, no glass), and settle into the amphitheater.

🔗 Norcross Summer Concert Series

🏷️ Great for: Date Night | Live Music | Free

Sun, May 24 | First pitch 1:05 PM | Coolray Field, Lawrenceville

(Also home Fri May 22 at 7:05 PM & Sat May 23 at 6:05 PM)

Nothing says holiday weekend like a ballgame. Our hometown Triple-A Braves affiliate is home all weekend against the Charlotte Knights. The Sunday matinee is the easy family pick — affordable seats, ballpark food, and a great excuse to spend an afternoon at the park together.

🔗 Tickets & schedule

🏷️ Great for: Family Outings | Kids | Affordable

Monday, May 25 | 10:00 AM | Thrasher Park, Norcross | FREE

The most meaningful way to close out the weekend. Join your neighbors at Thrasher Park to honor those who served — complimentary hot dogs, words from Veteran and Norcross Police Officer Terry Schaefer, remarks from Mayor Newton, and a powerful performance by the 116th Army Band.

🔗 Memorial Day Remembrance details

🏷️ Great for: Community | All Ages | Free

→ See more around the county at gwinnettbest.com

Every week I find one place in Gwinnett that deserves more love. This week it's…

3131 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Rd, Suite C4, Suwanee, GA 30024 | (678) 541-5201

This one's personal. Caffé Bene was one of the very first coffee shops I frequently visited when I moved here — and I kept going back for two reasons. First, they exclusively pour Stumptown Coffee (the legendary Portland roaster — a serious cup). Second… their waffle. Trust me, get the waffle.

It's a Korean-owned shop and the first Georgia location of the South Korean café brand, so alongside that European-style coffee you'll find authentic Korean pastries and desserts you won't get anywhere else nearby. Cozy, generous hours, free Wi-Fi — easy to lose a slow morning here.

Hours: Daily, 9 AM – 11 PM

🔗 Caffé Bene Suwanee

🏷️ $ | Slow Morning | Korean-Owned | Stumptown Coffee | Hidden Gem

One thing every neighbor should have saved in their phone.

📞 770.822.8850 | ✉️ [email protected]

If you — or a neighbor you know — ever needs a hand, this is the number to keep. Gwinnett County's OneStop 4 Help connects residents with assistance for things like rent, utilities, food, and other critical needs, and points you to the right local resources. Save it now so it's there if a hard week ever shows up.

(For seniors 60+, Senior Information & Assistance is at 678.377.4150. And for anything beyond the county, dial 2-1-1 or text your ZIP to 898-211 for United Way of Greater Atlanta's help line.)

🔗 Gwinnett Community Services

A new spot worth booking — fresh to the newsletter.

2260 Oak Rd SW, Snellville, GA 30078 | (678) 336-9369

Snellville's downtown finally has a date-night anchor, and it's a good one. Parkside sits right in The Grove at Towne Center, with bold, globally-inspired plates over a modern Southern base — sticky ribs, lamb pops, chili-crunch wontons, a fresh raw bar, and inventive sushi rolls. Dimmed lighting, kitchen views, handcrafted cocktails. Park, stroll the Towne Center green, then grab a table.

Hours: Mon–Thu 11 AM – 9 PM | Fri 11 AM – 11 PM | Sat 10 AM – 11 PM | Sun 9 AM – 9 PM

🔗 Reserve a table • Menu

🏷️ $$ | Date Night | Cocktails | Sushi & Raw Bar

Quick reminder while you've got a long weekend: go watch my latest This is Gwinnett episode with Arthur, a Gwinnett backyard beekeeper who turned 80,000 bees into one of the sweetest hidden gems in the county. It's a fun, feel-good sit-down with one of our own — exactly the kind of story we love telling here.

👉 Watch the episode here

🎬 Subscribe to the channel so you never miss one.