GDP Script/ Top Stories for November 13th Publish Date: November 13th PRE-ROLL: SUGAR HILL ICE SKATING From the BG AD Group Studio Welcome to the Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast. Today is Thursday, November 13th and Happy birthday to Steve Zahn I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by KIA Mall of Georgia. Fernbank celebrates holidays with 'Winter Wonderland' exhibit Salvation Army to kick off Red Kettle Campaign on Friday Atlanta awarded NWSL franchise that may call Marietta home Plus, Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on pesticides All of this and more is coming up on the Gwinnett Daily Post podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen daily and subscribe! Break 1: STRAND THEATRE STORY 1: Fernbank celebrates holidays with 'Winter Wonderland' exhibit Fernbank’s “Winter Wonderland” is back, running Nov. 22, through Jan. 11—and honestly, it’s kind of magical. Picture this: two floors packed with dazzling trees and displays, each one telling a story about how different cultures celebrate the season. Japan, Kenya, Scotland, Guatemala—just a few of the countries featured. It’s not just pretty lights, either. There’s a scavenger hunt (yes, for adults too) where you can hunt for ornaments and hidden treasures. Oh, and if you’re into nighttime vibes, check out WildWoods: AGLOW. Tickets? $25.95 for adults, cheaper for kids. Go online to snag them early—prices jump at the door. STORY 2: Salvation Army to kick off Red Kettle Campaign on Friday Starting this Friday, the Salvation Army of Gwinnett County kicks off its Red Kettle Campaign—you know, those little red kettles and the cheerful bell ringers? They’ll be at 49 spots around the county, raising money to help folks in need. The goal this year? $150,000 by Christmas Eve. And it’s not just about the holidays. Last year, they served over 6,000 meals, gave 2,700+ nights of shelter, and helped hundreds of families with rent, utilities, and gifts for their kids. Want to help? Ring a bell or start a virtual kettle. Every penny stays local. Details at salvationarmygwinnett.org. STORY 3: Atlanta awarded NWSL franchise that may call Marietta home Arthur Blank’s bringing pro women’s soccer to Atlanta—finally. On Tuesday, he announced he’s snagged the rights for an NWSL expansion team, shelling out a record $165 million. The team kicks off in 2028, playing home games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Blank’s already talking about a “world-class” training facility, and Marietta’s making its pitch hard. Mayor Steve Tumlin’s ready to pull out all the stops, even eyeing shovel-ready land near Atlanta United’s training ground. Atlanta’s soccer scene is booming—United, the U.S. Soccer Training Center, and now this. Blank’s betting big, and honestly? It feels like a win. We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.874.3200 for more info. We’ll be right back Break 2: 07.14.22 KIA MOG STORY 4: Gwinnett honors service members during Veterans Day Ceremony Veterans Day isn’t about sales or shopping sprees—at least, it shouldn’t be. Retired Army Sgt. Maj. Kerry Dyer reminded everyone of that during Gwinnett County’s ceremony this week. “It’s a day for gratitude,” he said, standing before a crowd of veterans spanning generations, from Korea to the Gulf. “Not just for battles fought, but for lives lived in service.” Gwinnett, home to over 30,000 veterans, pulled out all the stops—marches, music, and heartfelt speeches. Judge Shawn Bratton called the turnout “unspeakably touching.” And with new veteran resource centers on the way, the county’s commitment feels real. Two words: thank you. STORY 5: Georgia Gwinnett College students dive into environmental science during inaugural Gwinnett River Rendezvous event Georgia Gwinnett College just pulled off something pretty cool—the first-ever Gwinnett River Rendezvous. Picture this: students, faculty, and volunteers fanning out across the county, collecting water samples from rivers and streams, then testing them back on campus for things like bacteria and turbidity. It wasn’t just science—it was hands-on, messy, real-world learning. For sophomore Andreas Forbes, it was a first. “I’m an environmental science major, but I hadn’t done anything like this before,” he said. “It felt real.” The data? It’s going straight to Gwinnett Water Resources to help track contamination. And GGC? They’re already planning next year’s rendezvous. We’ll be right back. Break 3: THE SUGAR HILL HOLIDAY And now here is Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on pesticides Break 4: We’ll have closing comments after this Break 5: Ingles Markets 5 Signoff – Thanks again f
