Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Which standout businesses were honored at Duluth’s big awards gathering?

Be sure to catch Christmas Cantata on the Duluth Patch calendar

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Saturday December 13th Patch AM
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Cheers Duluth! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Which standout businesses were honored at Duluth’s big awards gathering?
  • Will Duluth’s state senator sway Kemp on Medicaid expansion?
  • How a Duluth man ended up with a suitcase of stolen mail

Also on today's calendar: Christmas Cantata and 9 more events.

Find out what's happening in Duluthfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did the boat dock say when it was arrested? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Duluthfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 64 and low of 38 degrees.
  • Sunday: Breezy and much colder, temps: high: 43, low: 20.
  • Monday: Chilly with plenty of sun, with a high of 43 and low of 27 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Gwinnett Chamber Announces 2025 Business Excellence Award Winners (metroatlantaceo.com) — Duluth played host this morning as the Gwinnett Chamber’s 2025 Business Excellence Awards took over the John Maxwell Leadership Center, spotlighting standout companies and entrepreneurs. Local leaders heard a keynote on trust and growth from speaker Darryll Stinson while ten award categories recognized businesses driving innovation and economic strength across Gwinnett and metro Atlanta.
   

2. Duluth State Senator pens letter to Kemp asking for Medicaid expansion (accesswdun.com) — Duluth-based State Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes is urging Gov. Brian Kemp to call a special legislative session so Georgia can use expiring federal incentives to expand Medicaid and blunt looming insurance premium hikes. She warns that many residents in her district and across the state could lose affordable coverage when enhanced ACA subsidies end in early 2026.
   

3. ‘He cleaned out everything': Accused mail thief arrested with suitcase full of stolen identities (wsbtv.com) — A Duluth man has been arrested after police say he stole hundreds of pieces of mail from the Woodmere Trace Apartments mail center on Pleasant Hill Road. Officers found IDs, credit cards, Social Security cards, and a suitcase packed with residents’ mail, and federal postal inspectors are now reviewing the case for possible additional charges.
   

4. Interview: Kabir Gandhi of ELF THE MUSICAL at The Fox Theatre (broadwayworld.com) — A Duluth native is returning home as part of the national tour of ELF THE MUSICAL, playing Atlanta’s Fox Theatre Dec. 16–21. Kabir Gandhi shares how growing up in Duluth shaped his theater journey, what makes this production special, and why performing for friends, family, and former teachers from the area will be an emotional full-circle moment.
   

5. Holiday lessons from a drill weekend (odessarecord.com) — If you’re looking for a meaningful way to support troops this Christmas, you can mail cards to the Hugs for Soldiers program at Duluth First United Methodist Church on Duluth Highway 120. The writer reflects on Pearl Harbor-era sacrifice, her stepgrandfather’s World War II POW story, and how today’s Guard members still rely on community kindness during the holidays.
   

📸 Around Duluth

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Duluth

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

    Sunday December 14
  • Christmas Cantata
    McKendree United Methodist Church, 1570 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Rd, Lawrenceville
    9:30 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Duluth Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Duluth PatchAM possible:

  • SEW Nursing LLC — (470) 231-5059
    Concierge Nursing for Seniors | Preventive Care

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Graze Craze Opens Its First Location Serving Tacoma —Destiny Powers Read on Patch
  • This sweet girl is at the Berkeley Landing Apartments my neighbor says he’s been seeing her out for a couple days.
    She is very friendly has distinctive markings on her back and has a pink velvet collar with a golden bell. I know she is someone’s baby! I am going… (Nextdoor Berkeley Woods)
  • Please share & repost to help reunite this lost cat!
    Psalms was LOST on December 9, 2025 in Gwinnett County, GA 30093 near Mac dr Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact the… (Nextdoor Pleasant Hill Rd)
  • Costco Wholesale Corporation posted a job opening for Bakery Wrapper / Clean Up in Duluth. Apply here.
  • Connections Academy posted a job opening for Computer Science Teacher – Georgia Connections Acade in Duluth. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Duluth here.

Ok Duluth! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I demand a jury of my piers.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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