Edition Highlights: Moonshine Festival is this month Recycling facilities added at schools Fashion show supports woman’s club Movie films scenes in Dawson County
October 2013
The Member Newsletter of the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce
Post Office Box 299 292 Hwy. 400, North Dawsonville, GA 30534 (706) 265-6278
Expo showcases health, business By David Renner drenner@dawsonnews.com
For 12 years, the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce has held a yearly Business Expo. This year, attendees also saw health booths. The Expo was held Oct. 1 at the Rock Creek Sports Complex. In the past, the expo had been held at the Lakeview Center.
“We like it much better. It’s roomier and the space is much better,” said local State Farm agent and Board of Education member Roger Slaton. “Although Lakeview is big, this just seems like it’s much more open.” The location wasn’t the only thing new this year. The time was also moved. “We’ve moved it from 3 to 7 p.m. after receiving some feedback about how people wanted to come by right
after work, instead of going home and then waiting to come back,” said Christie Haynes, Dawson County Chamber of Commerce president. Visitors to this free event were able to check out booths from businesses ranging from local printing, to newspapers, to health organizations. “We’ve noticed health
State Farm agent Roger Slaton and staff give away free State Farm merchandise and apples to those who came to their table during the Health and Business Expo on Oct. 1. David Renner Dawson Community News
See EXPO | 3
news
Website part of chamber’s rebranding From staff reports
The Dawson County Chamber of Commerce announced Sept. 23 that its new website has been launched. The launching of the site is part of the chamber’s efforts to rebrand, innovate and better serve its members. The website includes a landing page that is reached at www.dawson.org,
which directs visitors to the chamber, tourism, community and government, and economic development pages. The landing page is geared to meet the informational needs of any local resident, business leader, out of town guest or family looking to relocate to Dawson County. The chamber website can be directly visited at www.dawsonchamber.org.
The website includes new features such as a chamber business of the week highlighted on the front page, a business resources section, easy access to all chamber information, links to the chamber’s Facebook and Twitter pages, and much more. The website provides continued private access to chamber members so they can manage their chamber
accounts, contact information and business profiles. It also allows members to directly post events to the community calendar which is easily accessible from the landing page, chamber and tourism websites. Chamber members also have the ability to post available job opportunities See WEBSITE | 2
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Get outside your comfort zone Since the last time I’ve written to y’all, I’ve been blessed with multiple experiences that have forced me outside of my comfort zone. I know we are all often guilty of falling into our routines of driving the same way to work, speaking to the same people at church and community functions and volunteering for the same events. This makes perfect sense — we’re all creatures of habit. I am a participant in the 2013-14 Leadership Dawson class which has already offered two unique experiences. The first of which was spending the night at the Len Foote Hike Inn. What a treasure this getaway is to have in Dawson County. The view of the sunrise was spectacular. Getting to spend two days with leaders from across our community, some of which have known each other for years and some who met for the first time, in a place where cell phones are off limits and entertainment includes board games and deep conversations was quite the treat. It also took most of us, creatures of habit, outside of our comfort zones. If you have never been to the Hike Inn, I highly suggest adding it to your list of places to explore in
Haynes
Dawson County. I promise you will not be disappointed. My second adventure that took me out of my routine was spending an evening riding along with a deputy with the Dawson County
Sheriff’s Office. This certainly was an eye opening experience about many of the issues our community faces, but it also gave me an even deeper appreciation for what the men and women that work for our sheriff’s office do for our community every day. The men and women that I had the pleasure of meeting that evening were all facing difficult situations but they did it with the utmost grace and respect. Many of y’all know that I have worked in multiple communities and I must say that the culture of our sheriff’s office, of working to not only protect residents but of truly being a partner with the community to help enhance the quality of life in Dawson County is one of which we should all be grateful and proud. I may sound like a broken record sometimes but I hope that y’all will take some time this fall to step out-
‘I may sound like a broken record sometimes but I hope that y’all will take some time this fall to step outside of your comfort zone in our community.’
Chamber of Commerce 2013 Board of Directors Brooke Anderson
Etowah Water and Sewer Authority
Pat Anderson
Anderson Family Mediciine
James Askew
United Community Bank-Dawsonville
Charlie Auvermann
Development Authority of Dawson County
Jennifer Baker
United Community Bank-Dawsonville
Mike Berg
Dawson County Board of Commissioners
Carla Boutin
State Farm Insurance
side of your comfort zone in our community. Whether that means taking a hike on a new trail, sitting with someone different at church, attending a chamber event for the first time or volunteering for a new community organization, I guarantee these experiences will only serve to enrich your life as these recent experiences have enriched mine. Christie Haynes President
Kathy C. Fuller
KC Fuller & Associates
Chris Gaines
Taylor, Turner & Hartsfield
James Grogan
City of Dawsonville
Christie Haynes
Dawson County Chamber of Commerce, tourism development
Peter Hill
Hill Design Associates Architects, Inc.
Andrew Leavitt
University of North Georgia
Steve Melching
Big Canoe Homeowners Association
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Website directly to the website, as well as, post hot deals which can be accessed by local residents and out of town visitors alike. A main feature of the newly launched website is that the chamber’s business directory is easily accessible throughout the landing page, chamber website, and tourism website so that chamber members are constantly being promoted
to all website visitors. “We are very excited about the launch of our new website. We hope that our community uses it as an informational resource,” said Christie Haynes, president of the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce. “We believe the website will bring an even greater value to our member’s investment in the chamber as it becomes more highly trafficked, continues to be a resource to not only the community but visitors as well, and presents Dawson County as the unique, scenic, engaged
community that we are.” In addition to the launching of www.dawson.org and www.dawsonchamber.org, a website specifically geared towards tourism and out of town visitors has been launched. Individuals looking to plan a trip can now visit www.destinationdawsonville.org to find all the information they need to create their own adventure in Dawsonville and Dawson County.
George Parson
Cartridge on Wheels of North Georgia
Keith Porter
Dawson County Board of Education
Denny Putlak
Denny Insurance Group
Carol Tyger Individual
Mike Underwood
First Citizens Bank of Georgia
Gloria Wyatt, Northside Hospital-Forsyth Scott Yochum, Yochum Financial Group
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OCTOBER 2013
calendar of events • Uncle Shuck’s Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch is now open for its 12th fall season of operation. Offering hay rides, evening bonfires, kid’s soybean maze, climbing goats and of course the mega maze, Uncle Shuck’s Corn Maze is now open weekends in September. The complex will be open daily in October, and weekends in November through the 24th. Tickets are $10 for the corn maze and $5 for the hay ride; maze admission is free for children four and under. • The Chamber of Commerce will be holding its monthly lunch at noon on Oct. 10 at Peach Brandy Cottage. This is a great opportunity to network and hear from speakers on issues that impact your business and our community. This month’s speakers will be Senator Steve Gooch and Representative Kevin Tanner. Members that register online no later than 5 p.m. Oct. 8 will pay an early bird price of $12.50. The price after the cutoff date will be $15. Visitors are invited to attend and pay a visitor fee of $15.00. Visit www.dawson.org to register or call (706) 265-6278. • NOA’s Monster Dash 5K Walk/Run & Kids Fun Run Kick Start will be from 4 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at Yahoola Creek Park in Dahlonega. NOA will also be holding its Eighth Annual Chili Cook-Off from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 26 at Hancock Park in Dahlonega. All proceeds benefit the NOA Domestic Violence Shelter and Programs. For more information on either event, contact Andrea Shoemaker at (706) 8641306, Ext. 3 or email noaevents@yahoo. com. • Five Start NTP will host its Booker’s Run & Ride 5K & Duathlon at 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 12 at the Dawson County Library on Allen St. Visit www.fivestarntp.com for more information or to register. • The 46th Annual Mountain Moonshine Festival will be on Oct. 26 and 27 in downtown Dawsonville. There will be concerts, a car show, cruise in, swap meet, vendors, food and fun for all. Visit www. kareforkids.us for more information.
Insurance a ‘family affair’ By David Renner
drenner@dawsonnews.com
Insurance is something that everybody needs, but no one wants to ever have to use. However, like their corporate commercial and jingles, State Farm agent Carla Boutin wants everyone to know that she wants to be your neighbor. From any of the company’s wide array of coverage, from home insurance, life insurance or event auto bank loans through State Farm bank, Boutin wants to give her customers the best service. “Our customers can expect the best customer service possible,” she said. “They can expect that we will treat them like we would treat our family and we will be there when they need us.” Opening in the area in January of 2003, Boutin will celebrate her 11th year in Dawson County this coming January. “I like to be involved in the community and make our presence known,” she said. “I like for us to be able to give back to the community. I encourage all of our employees to be active.” Boutin works alongside her employees Sharon Smith and Connie Baker to be what she calls a “risk manager” or insurance advisor for Dawson County. Boutin also extended the State Farm
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Expo partners move into the county and establishing offices and becoming bigger players in the county,” Haynes said. Haynes said the purpose of adding health booths is to make visitors aware of the local healthcare choices in the county. “We understand healthcare is
David Renner Dawson Community News
State Farm agent Carla Boutin sits in her 1972 Chevrolet Custom truck. Beside her are employees, Sharon Smith and Connie Baker, and husband, Charles Boutin.
office family with her own actual family in August. Her latest employee is her husband, Charles. Every agent in Boutin’s office is a licensed professional. With her husband at work with her, Boutin treats her office as a second home, welcoming anyone to come in and visit at any time. “We would like to invite everybody to just give us a call or come in just to see us,” she said. We’ll see what we can do to save them some money and provide them with the kind of service they expect.” And, like home, her employees said the office is often filled with the smell of
fresh baked goods. “Carla is baking all of the time. She’s always got us some kind of treat,” Baker said. “She’s a wonderful baker. She shares that with the whole community.” Boutin said she prefers to think of each of her clients as family, not a business relationship. “We like to be a part of our customers’ life and have that kind of relationship with them — and not just with insurance,” she said. “If you have a claim, you don’t have to call a corporate number. You can just call us and we’ll be here to help you through that whole process.”
such a vital part in our community, but a lot of the citizens don’t know what’s actually offered in Dawson County,” she said. “Part of the goal of this Expo was to have representatives from health organizations come in and talk about what they offer.” In the past, Dawson County put on an annual Health Expo, but has stopped in recent times. “The county used to have a Health Expo,” Haynes said. “They don’t do that anymore, to our knowledge, so we thought we could help support
them in that. We decided to take that on for them.” Haynes said that she hoped the new expo would become another tradition upheld by the chamber. “Our expo continues to be an excellent opportunity for businesses to network with one another and the community,” she said. “We are proud of the partnership with Dawson County Parks and Recreation that allowed us to hold our annual event at their facility.”
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Relay for Life kicks off 2014 campaign
Dolford Payne, Chris Averitt, Jack Conner and Fred Reed of Team Northside Forsyth paid the extra cash to dress in drag in order to tee from the women’s area.
By David Renner
drenner@dawsonnews.com
David Renner Dawson Community News
Business leaders gather for chamber golf tourney By David Renner
drenner@dawsonnews.com
The sky was blue and the weather fine on Sept. 23 as business leaders from across the county gathered for the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce annual golf tournament at Crystal Falls Golf Course. The chamber held its annual golf tournament at the scenic golf course and lake. Sixteen teams comprised of more than 60 people teed off at 9:30 a.m. to see who could get the lowest score. “We had a good number of new players this year,” said Christie Haynes, chamber of commerce president. “It’s always fun to see new faces.” Haynes said the tournament gives business leaders in the community a chance to get together in a less rigorous environment. “It’s definitely a fundraiser, but it’s also great networking for the people of the community,” she said. “It’s one of the few times they get to relax and just spend some time on the course without having to worry about being in a more enclosed atmosphere.” Groups come in different sizes, with some preferring long-standing teams while others take a gamble at their partners. “Some people register together, but we also take individual players and group them up to put teams together,”
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Haynes said. “A lot of people will play with the same people for years and then some like to mix it up.” One example was County Attorney Joey Homans’ team. “We had a couple of guys that had to drop out, but we picked up two more, so we got to make some new friends,” he said. Prizes were given for lowest net score, lowest gross score, the closest to hole putting contest and the longest drive. Taking first place in overall gross points was Carla Boutin’s State Farm team. First place net was Northside Hospital-Forsyth’s team. Awards for individuals went to Bruce Howerton for closest to the pin, Todd Buckner for longest drive and Zach Moore for the putting contest. “My favorite hole is the ‘Dress in Drag’ hole. Our men pay extra to put on women’s clothes,” Haynes said. “Then they can take their shot from the ladies’ tee. Since its closer, it actually is a pretty big benefit.” Overall, the participants enjoyed golfing in the fall weather. “It was great. We had a lot of fun,” Homans said “I’ve played in this one every year. I think we’re in the middle of the pack this year. We always are.”
The 2014 Relay for Life campaign is up and running in Dawson County. The local arm of the American Cancer Society held its kick-off dinner Sept. 19 at the Dawson County Board of Education Professional Development Center. “This is a life-changing event that helps communities across the country celebrate the lives of people with cancer, remember loved ones who have lost the battle and help the ones who are still fighting,” said Beth Covington, 2014 Relay for Life chair for Dawson County. This year’s theme will be “A Carnival of Hope.” Plans call for carnival style games, food, clowns, balloons and other sights one might see at a carnival. Last year, Dawson County raised more than $51,000 for the American Cancer Society. “By helping with Relay for Life, you are helping the American Cancer Society save lives and helping people get well, stay well and find the cure for cancer,” Covington said. “We are all fighting a battle because there is so much work to be
‘By helping with Relay for Life, you are helping the American Cancer Society save lives and helping people get well, stay well and find the cure for cancer.’ Beth Covington
Chair, 2014 Relay for Life done. We’ve all been touched by cancer and many of us have lost someone we love to this disease.” Covington says she has big plans for this year’s Relay and the events leading up to it. “This year, we still have all the supplies we need to help fundraising, but this year we’re focusing on only using what we need.” One of the goals for this year is to keep costs low and supply waste down. All teams are encouraged to register online this year. For the month of September, teams who register online are
Office: 706-216-4806 Fax: 706-216-4807 kfuller@alltel.net
given a half-price rate of $5 per person instead of the usual $10. When registering online, teams must type in the code “relay” for the discounted price. Also, as part of the waste and cost reduction effort, only teams that raise at least $100 per person will receive a T-shirt this year. The 2014 Relay for Life event will be April 25, at Veterans Memorial Park. As of the kickoff event, a goal for 2014 had not been set. For more information, call Covington at (706) 974-9771 or visit www. dawsoncountyrelay.org.
P.O Box 1096 137 Prominence Court Suite 240 Dawsonville, GA 30534
OCTOBER 2013
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Retail giant team takes home prize By Michele Hester
mhester@dawsonnews.com
Ask anyone in attendance at the Sept. 26 elementary education contest if they are without a doubt “Smarter than a 10-year-old” and only the Dawsonville Walmart team can answer “yes, we are.” “It was a team effort,” said Mike Bradbury, comanager at the superstore, who competed in the Reading Education Association of Dawson County fundraiser along with retail associates Steve Wilkinson and Luca Isandora. “Walmart likes to take part in community events. I begged these two guys to join the team because of their wit and their wisdom. We all had different expertise. They couldn’t have gotten the megabytes question and I couldn’t have got the presidents question, so it all worked out.” The team from Northeast Georgia Medical Plaza also made it to the 1,000,000 point question Sept. 26 at Dawson County Middle School but failed to answer the final question correctly: Which U.S. state has the longest non freshwater shoreline? A retired Marine, Wilkinson knew the answer was Alaska, while Jo Brewer for the medical team chose California. Mike Ziegenbalg, president of the R.E.A.D. board, called the seventh annual event a great success. “On behalf of R.E.A.D., I’d like to thank everybody that helped support our organization this year. It surely makes a difference to Dawson County,” he said. “We had a great turnout and I think everybody had a great time.” Set up much like Jeff Foxworthy’s popular TV game show, the event poses questions taught at the elementary school level. Fifth-graders from each of the county’s elementary schools are on hand to help if the queries prove too difficult. Dawsonville Gun and Pawn, Lanier Technical College, the City of Dawsonville, Rotary Club of Dawson County, Lions Club and the Dawson County Woman’s Club also had teams competing. A portion of the event’s proceeds go toward a scholarship for a graduating Dawson County High School senior in the spring. R.E.A.D. will sponsor the scholarship in the name of the Mark Heard Fuel, which was selected from among about two dozen local businesses and individuals that helped sponsor the event by purchasing letters in an alphabet raffle.
Photos by Michele Hester Dawson Community News
Rotary team member Scott Yochum takes a “peek” at Shyla Shffield and Diane Frazier’s answer to see if they know the capital of Michigan. Reading Education Association of Dawson County executive director Sandy Lipkowitz presents Steve Wilkinson, Luca Isandora and Mike Bradbury of the Dawsonville Walmart team with the winning plaque at the 7th annual “Are You smarter than a 10-year old” competition.
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Kiwanis inducts new leaders By David Renner drenner@dawsonnews.com
The Dawson County Kiwanis Club’s new leaders have officially been sworn into office and will be settling into their new roles in the coming weeks. During the Sept. 24 meeting, Kiwanis Lt. Gov. Joel Williams, along with Kiwanis’ Past President Kristie Myers, administered the oath and swore in the new leaders. The club, in its own words, is a “global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time.” Members of every age attend regular meetings, experience fellowship, raise funds for various causes and participate in service projects that
help their communities. “This is great group. I happily turn over the gavel,” Myers said. “Your commitment to this club has made this year special to me, to have a small group of people who are dedicated to Kiwanis and are dedicated to the children of our community.” Myers, immediate past president, acts as an advisor to the year’s current president. This year, that role was bestowed upon Dawson County Sheriff Billy Carlisle. “It’s all about helping the kids in the county,” Carlisle said. “It’s an honor they would even consider selecting me. I just hope I can fill Kristie’s shoes. She did an excellent job.” “I can’t imagine being sheriff and president of this club, as
well,” Williams said. “This is the highest office we have and it’s a great honor with great responsibility. The success of this club depends on you.” Other officials sworn in this year include Secretary Meredith Starr and Treasurer Regina Varnado. The 20142015 president has also been chosen as Angela Holloway. Directors sworn in this year are Joey Homans, Dan Pichon, Becky Holbrook and Cheryl Waldrip. The Kiwanis Club meets at 11:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at Ryan’s at the intersection of Hwys. 400 and 53. For more information, visit www.dawsoncountykiwanis. org.
David Renner Dawson Community News
Kiwanis Lt. Gov. Joel Williams congratulates Dawson County Sheriff Billy Carlisle on his presidency.
Literacy group donates thesauruses Riverview Middle School eighth graders Jordyn Gentry and Cameron Baker look up words in thesauruses given to them recently by volunteers with Reading Education Association of Dawson County.
Michele Hester Dawson Community News
Bulletin board • Improve your skills … take an online class. For more information, visit www.dawson.org. • Past issues of the Dawson County Chamber Chronicle can be found on the chamber’s Web site, www.dawson.org. Please let the chamber know when you have a special event.
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Sawnee EMC announces rate decrease From staff reports
Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation recently announced that the corporation’s board of directors approved a reduction in the Wholesale Power Cost Adjustment factor, a component by which most of the cooperative’s electric bills are calculated. The rate reduction will affect the vast majority of Sawnee EMC members and could not come at a better time. The rate change, which goes into effect on Oct. 1, will reduce monthly Sawnee EMC bills by $7.50 per 1,500 kWh used. Those members who use more electricity will see an even bigger savings,
while those that use less, will see lower savings. “This is very good news and we are pleased to be able to deliver this much needed break for our members,” said Blake House, vice president of member services. “We know that many families continue to experience personal financial challenges and we are proud to be able to help in any way we can.” The WPCA factor is an adjustment component that is used within Sawnee’s retail rates to address various operating costs that are not being recovered through the standard rates. The action will lower the electricity rate for about 136,000 Sawnee EMC mem-
bers on the energy bills processed in October, November and December of 2013. It is estimated that the rate reduction, in total, will save Sawnee members more than $2.9 million dollars in lower energy bills during the three month period. “Sawnee EMC is committed to the principles that make this organization great; keeping our costs and our member’s rates as low as possible, while at the same time delivering world-class customer service,” said Michael Goodroe, president and CEO. “We know that energy cost increases are on our horizon due to federal environmental regulations, fuel cost swings and other factors, but for now, we are proud to
see our members’ rates lowered for the rest of this year.” Also, to further its mission of providing exceptional service and value to its members, Sawnee EMC has deployed a number of cutting edge mobile and web based tools and applications to help members save money by monitoring their monthly, daily and even hourly energy usage; the most significant is the completion of its new Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system, which began installation in 2009. The AMI system allows members access to the presentment of their energy usage data online, as well as on their smart phone or tablet. Sawnee EMC has also recently deployed its new inno-
vative “Billing Alert Program.” Participating members can receive up to three e-mail messages about how their energy bill is progressing towards their maximum bill threshold that they have entered. This new program makes “high bill shock” a thing of the past. “We are committed to keeping our members informed and involved; making sure that the amount of electricity they are using each month is very transparent,” House said. “We want them to use energy wisely and pay less, whenever possible.” To learn more about how Sawnee EMC members can reduce their energy bills visit Sawnee online at www. sawnee.com.
Thank you to the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce Members for your support on making our Business After Hours a success!
We Proudly SuPPort our Community North Georgia’s Largest Selection of Firearms
706.216.1468 • dawsonvillegunandpawn.com
File: dawsonGunAndPawn100913_DawsonChamber
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OCTOBER 2013
New recycling facilities added at local schools By Michele Hester
mhester@dawsonnews.com
Keep Dawson County Beautiful has embarked on a new project intended to increase recycling efforts at area schools and across the community. The volunteer group has outlined plans to purchase two custom-made Dumpsters to place at Riverview Elementary and Dawson County Middle schools. In addition to offering the schools a facility to recycle items such as plastic, metal cans and cardboard used in the cafeteria and across the campus, the recycling containers will be available for the community to utilize as a recy-
cling resource. “We’ve had several requests for additional recycling facilities in the county,” said Kristi Hudson, director of Keep Dawson County Beautiful. “These containers are open to the parents of the students and could give them a more convenient location for recycling.” Keep Dawson County Beautiful announced the partnership with the Dawson County School System last week during the group’s 10th anniversary celebration. Established in 2003, Keep Dawson County Beautiful was based on the very successful Gwinnett County Clean and Beautiful campaign. With a focus on bringing meaningful change to our envi-
ronment through quality of life services, Keep Dawson County Beautiful’s initiatives include litter prevention, solid waste planning and coordination, environmental education, beautification and conservation. County Commission chair Mike Berg praised the group for their work in the community. “It’s hard to believe that it’s been 10 years, and over the years, there have been some good programs that have come from Keep Dawson County Beautiful,” he said. Areas of service volunteers coordinate include Adopt-aRoad, Christmas tree recycling, electronic recycling, community clean-ups, old tire recycling and classroom pre-
sentations. “The program with the school is very positive,” Berg said. School Superintendent Keith Porter said the system is proud of the partnership. At Riverview Elementary, staff has developed lesson plans that incorporate recycling education and will roll out that initiative in connection with the new recycling container at the school. “It is our desire to provide opportunities for our students to develop skills that will lead to them becoming good citizens,” Porter said. “By acting responsibly regarding the manner in which they deal with recyclable materials, we hope
that they will develop habits that will last them throughout their lives. I am so glad that Riverview Elementary School has piloted a recycling program this year, and I hope that it can be replicated in other places in the future.” Hudson said the group’s long-term plan is to have a recycling container at each of the county schools. Keep Dawson County Beautiful meets at 5 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month at Fire Station 2. The public is invited to attend the meetings, and volunteers are always needed for various community projects. For more information, call Kristi Hudson at (706) 3443501.
Dawsonville’s Dance Studio
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OCTOBER 2013
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OCTOBER 2013
Dawsonville: around the square
Festival celebrates moonshine history
Streets have new names
By Michele Hester
mhester@dawsonnews.com
The lore of Dawsonville’s unique moonshining history will have the community seeing stars come October when moonshiners from Discovery Channel’s hit cable series of the same name will be in town to serve as grand marshals for the 46th annual Mountain Moonshine Festival. “We’re excited to be coming to Dawsonville for the Moonshine Festival,” said Jeff Waldroup, who along with his sidekick Mark will be at the festival in downtown Dawsonville on Oct. 26-27. Like his character on this show, the ever illusive Mark, who signs his name with only “X Mark,” requested that his last name not be revealed due to the nature of their illegal liquor business. Typically, the festival brings an estimated 100,000 people to the area, but organizers are already saying that having the moonshiners around this year is going to mean much larger crowds. The festival pays tribute to the community’s unique moonshine heritage and celebrates Dawsonville as the birthplace of NASCAR, which got its start with moonshiners racing south on Hwy. 9 to escape revenuers charged with shutting down the illegal trade. “This is exciting. This is about the best thing we can have at the festival. They’re going to bring people from all over that watch the show and want to meet the moonshiners,” said Gordon Pirkle, a volunteer with K.A.R.E. for Kids, who organizes the festival each year. Calvin Byrd, president of the nonprofit that uses funds from the festival for local children in need, said he sees having the television stars as grand marshals as a plus for the organization. “It’s a great opportunity for K.A.R.E. for Kids to gain some more exposure and reach out to a bigger audience,” he said.
File photo
The 46th annual Mountain Moonshine Festi val will be in downtown Dawsonville on Oct. 26-27.
Averaging nearly 3 million viewers for each episode, ‘Moonshiners’ first aired on Discovery Channel in December 2011. The show, filmed in the woods of North Carolina, Virginia and South Carolina, dramatizes the life of several moonshiners as they produce illegal liquor and avoid the revenuers hoping to shut down their stills. Bud Thomas, a former moonshiner from Cumming who manufactures replica copper stills, said he was thrilled at the chance to meet the ‘Moonshiners’ stars. “I’m a big fan. I really like the show,” he said. As far as the truth of moonshine being portrayed on the series, Thomas said the moonshiners “know what they’re doing.” “They sometimes do things that aren’t exactly right, but that’s just TV. They got to keep it exciting for us to keep us interested,” he said. The weekend festivities also include more than 500 vendors from across the Southeast, live entertainment on twho stages and one of the biggest displays of hot rods and racecars at any festival across the country. Proceeds from the festival support K.A.R.E. for Kids’ efforts to provide Christmas and other necessities to Dawson County children in need.
David Renner Dawson Community News
New street signs for roads named for drivers of Dawsonville’s racing history went up Sept. 30. Among those celebrated are Ted Chester, Bill Elliott, Roy Hall, Bernard Long, Harry Melling, Raymond Parks, Lloyd Seay and Gober Sosebee.
Community clean-up planned By Michele Hester mhester@dawsonnews.com
Volunteers are needed to help clean downtown Dawsonville in anticipation of the 46th annual Mountain Moonshine Festival. Keep Dawson County Beautiful invites the community to meet at 8 a.m. Oct. 19 at Dawson County Middle School for the Great Dawson Clean-up event. Trash bags and reflective vests will be available to pick up at this time. Clean-up volunteers will be asked to sign a liability waiver. Volunteers are then asked to scour downtown Dawsonville to
clear debris from the streets, roadways and public areas. “Dawsonville is expecting several thousand visitors the weekend of the Moonshine Festival, and we want to make sure the streets in downtown Dawsonville look beautiful for all our guests,” said Karen Armstrong, president of the volunteer organization. The festival, which reportedly brings an estimated 100,000 people to the area each fall, will be held the following weekend. For more information or to register your clean-up crew, call Kristi Hudson at (706) 344-3501.
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new members Dawson County Kiwanis 109 Highway 53 West Dawsonville, GA 30534 (706) 531-1022 Georgia Communications Cooperative 6135 State Highway 115, Suite 1-A Clarkesville, GA 30523 (706) 770-2022 North Georgia Vein Institute 6002 Highway 53 E, Ste 100 Dawsonville, GA 30534 (678) 513-1600
member renewals Special thanks to the following members for renewing in September Bergen, Richard S. Jr John Megel Chevrolet Dawson County WEE Books Program Inc Home Depot North Georgia Premium Car Wash Bethel United Methodist Church United Community Bank - Gail Morris Southern Select Properties, LLC Hinderliter, David and Carolyn McDonald’s
monthly totals Walk-in visitors: 90
Referrals: 75 Newcomer packages: 40
dawsonChamber091113_ChamberChronicle
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ambassador of the month
Power promotes chamber The Dawson County Chamber of Commerce would like to congratulate Mandy Power, who was named Ambassador of the Month for September. Power was selected as Ambassador of the Month for her commitment to promoting the chamber and its many programs. Giving back is part of the mission at BB&T, where she is branch manager at the Dawsonville location. “I wanted to get involved in my community...and was looking for an organization that I could help fulfill BB&T’s mission to make our communities in which we work and live better places to be. The chamber Ambassador Program was a great fit for me,” Power said. She also recently volunteered to as the chamber’s Ambassador representative in the Dawson County Woman’s Club’s Racing Goes Glam fashion show and fundraiser. Her husband James also modeled with her in the fashion show. “I’ve never done anything like this before, but I wanted to be able to give back to my community. Part of BB&T’s mission is to give back. We had lots of fun,” she said. The Ambassadors are an elite group of volunteer chamber members who act as liaisons between the business community and the organization. Ambassadors attend ribbon cutting ceremonies, grand opening celebrations and volunteer at chamFile photo ber functions to promote the chamber. Mandy Power and husband James representFor more information on the Ambassador ed the chamber ambassadors in the Dawson Program, call (706) 265-6278. County Woman’s Club’s fashion show last month. — Michele Hester
Dawsonville Gun and Pawn holds after hours event By David Renner drenner@dawsonnews.com
The showroom was packed will chatting people and catered food during the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event at Dawsonville Gun and Pawn. “We are thrilled that the turnout at the chamber’s Business After Hours continues to grow,” said Christie Haynes, Dawson County Chamber of Commerce president. “We love seeing familiar and new faces at our monthly networking events.” Haynes complimented the store for not only supporting the chamber but also being involved in the community. “We are so grateful to Dawsonville Gun and Pawn for being such an ardent supporter of not only the chamber but also of our community as a whole,” she said. “They are truly a destination business that visitors travel from all around to visit and we are proud to have them as a member and as a business in Dawson County.” The chamber would like to thank the individuals and businesses that donated door prizes and congratulate the winners. The next Business After Hours will from 5 to 7 p.m. at Big Canoe. Special thanks to Larry Anderson, Anderson Family Medicine and Kristie Myers, The Norton Agency for sponsoring the chamber’s monthly cash drawing, which is at $300 for the October event. Remember, you must be present to claim the cash prize if your name is drawn.
ambassador spotlight The Dawson County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors went karting at AMP’s tracks on Sept. 27.
For the Dawson Community News
Motorsports park offers fun for all ages From staff reports
The Dawson County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors would like to thank the Atlanta Motorsports Park for hosting them for a fun afternoon of karting.
AMP offers fun for the whole family with worldclass driving courses, family-friendly atmosphere and country club style facilities and amenities. The park also offers charity events and open course days in the eve-
ning for walking on the course or riding bicycles. They also offer track rentals for corporate events. The chamber would also like to thank AMP’s Emily Stubbs for speaking at the September luncheon.
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Fashion show supports woman’s club By Michele Hester mhester@dawsonnews.com
Fall fashions took the checkered flag on Sept. 21 at the Dawson County Woman’s Club’s Racing Goes Glam event. Held at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame, the fashion show and luncheon was a fundraiser for the club and collected several thousand dollars that will be redistributed back into the local community. Georgann Schmalz, club president, said she was delighted to have so many women in attendance. “The weather was horrible but people still came out to support us ... so they must believe in the things we do, and it’s good to know that,” she said. Local community members took to the catwalk and showcased a collection of fall separates and cocktail attire. Marge Carey, a member of the woman’s club, said she couldn’t have been happier with the men, women and children that volunteered to model in the fashion show. “I think the models were fantastic. They were having a good time. They were relaxed, they were confident and they knew they looked good,” she said. Modeling in his first fashion show, Dawsonville Mayor James Grogan said the fun he was having took his mind off his nerves. “It was just a fun thing. I wouldn’t have done it if it hadn’t been fun,” he said. “I just feel like we as a city, and myself, want to participate in as many of these types of things as we can. I think that everybody wants to see their mayor out, active and participating, and that’s the kind of mayor I want to be.” Proceeds from Racing Goes Glam support the woman’s club’s community commitments, which include high school scholarships, improved literacy efforts, RIC Rack Charity Thrift Store and the Good Shepherd Clinic, among others.
Photos by Michele Hester Dawson Community News
Jennifer Wooten looks radiant in a rockinspired trapeze top, leather jacket and leggings.
Dawson County Manager Cindy Campbell, above, models a black cocktail dress during the Dawson County Woman’s Club Racing Goes Glam fashion show.
Owen Wooten, 5, was among several local models Racing Goes Glam fashion show at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame.
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Blockbuster movie films scenes in Dawson County By Michele Hester
mhester@dawsonnews.com
Film crews from the blockbuster “Hunger Games” franchise were in town last month filming scenes for “Mockingjay,” the third segment in the popular series. Christie Haynes, president of the local chamber of commerce and office of tourism development, said filming a movie of “Hunger Games” magnitude could have a tremendous impact on economic development. “You can look to Covington and Peachtree City as examples of communities in Georgia that now offer film tours to visitors and have brought in many new niche industries since becoming known as destinations for filming,” she said. “Vampire Diaries” and now its spinoff “The Originals” have created a bustling entertainment business in both cities and the small towns nearby with onlookers driving for miles hoping to get a glimpse of their favorite stars. “Visitors want to see where a movie was shot, know who the actors and actresses were, and learn where they stayed,” Haynes said. The crew arrived in town and shot scenes on a large tract of private land off Elliott Family Parkway. They were seen hauling in large lights and industrial strength fans. Then, by the end of the week, everything was packed up and the crew on to the next set. The local set was closed to the public and local off-duty officers working security kept
David Renner Dawson Community News
The “Hunger Games” film crew arrived in town last month and shot scenes on a large tract of private land off Elliott Family Parkway. They were seen hauling in large lights and industrial-strength fans to the set.
away any onlookers, including a couple of paparazzo who heard Academy Award winning actress Jennifer Lawrence might be around. It’s unclear if Lawrence, who stars as “Hunger Games” heroine Katniss Everdeen, was on the set. She was, however, spotted about a year ago at the local Starbuck’s and shopping at the outlet mall when production crews were scouting Dawson County for areas to film scenes for “Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” the second installment in the series. Advanced tickets for “Hunger Games: Catching Fire” was for sale Oct. 1 for a worldwide release Nov. 22. Georgia has been one of the country’s leading locations for Hollywood film production for a couple of years, thanks to the tax breaks and incentives the state offers. Many remember early 2012 when Clint Eastwood, Justin Timberlake and Amy
Adams were in town filming scenes from “Trouble with the Curve” at Amicalola Lodge just west of downtown Dawsonville, but it was long before that when Dawson County was first “discovered” by Hollywood. “It was more than 100 years ago…and everyone always talked about Dawsonville being so primitive, but we were ahead of our time,” said Scott Goswick, a county native. “There wasn’t even electricity here yet, but movie crews were here in the silent era and filmed up at Amicalola Falls.” Goswick said historical documentation credits the silent film’s site as Dahlonega, but he’s sure the crew “just didn’t know where they were at.” “They came to Gainesville on train and then they took them to Dahlonega and then Amicalola Falls — in Dawson County.”
Clinic expands services By Michele Hester
mhester@dawsonnews.com
Good Shepherd Clinic has announced plans for an expansion that will include vision and dental services. The clinic provides free, nonemergency medical care for adults who live, work or go to school in Dawson County and fall at 200 percent or below the federal guidelines for poverty. A general practice facility, the clinic also offers specialty care, ranging from gynecology and surgical consultations to ear, nose and throat exams. Volunteers are excited to offer the new services at the clinic, which is currently seeking additional doctors, nurses and administrative personnel in order to the expand hours of operation. Currently, the plan is to offer eye exams and dental screenings once a month, beginning within the next few weeks. “We’ve already been in the process of coordinating this,” said Doug Powell, who volunteers at the clinic and sits on its board of directors. “We just need to pick the day and schedule it. If we find that the demand is there to do more than one day a month, we’ll do that.” Through a partnership with the Lighthouse Foundation, the clinic will be able to offer eye exams, as well as tests for conditions such as glaucoma, a degenerative and incurable disease that can be treated if diagnosed in its early stages. “There’s very effective treatment that’s readily available that doesn’t cost very much,” Powell said. The Lighthouse Foundation has mobile units that will be brought to the clinic, where a room has been designated for eye exams. The clinic has also developed a referral process with local vision specialists, who will fit the patients for glasses.
“Lighthouse pays most of [the cost of the glasses] and the clinic will pay some,” Powell said. Patients will also be asked to pay a small percentage of the cost of the glasses. “We’re going to ask individuals to pay maybe $5 or $10. We’ve learned from other clinics that do this that the individual has something invested, they’ll take better care of their glasses,” he said. The clinic also has a dedicated dental room and two retired dentist ready to start seeing patients. “They will be operational in November if all goes as planned,” Powell said. “We’ll be doing cleaning and screening, extractions, but if people need more involved services or fillings, we’re not going to be able to do everything. “We will refer them to dentists who want to work with us…and then we’ll pay the bill and do any follow up with them that’s necessary.” The volunteer staff of doctors, nurses, medical technicians and administrative personnel operates the clinic entirely on donations. A fundraiser in support of the free clinic is also planned Oct. 20 at The Chimneys at Big Canoe. The 2nd annual Grits and Granola brunch will be held from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 20. Admission into the event is $38 per person. The clinic, which previously operated from the basement at Grace Presbyterian, moved to its current Dawson Commons location, near the intersection of Hwy. 53 and Lumpkin Campground Road, about four months ago. For more information on the free clinic, call (706) 429-9914. For details on the brunch, call Powell at (770) 329-6268 or Jean Weathers at (404) 6443575.
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Emergency workers receive valor award By Michele Hester
mhester@dawsonnews.com
The dramatic rescue of a hiker who fell nearly 30 feet off Cochran Falls last year earned several local first responders with awards of valor. Dawson County Emergency Services Lt. Todd Hollaway, Paramedic Andrew Wilson and the department’s entire B-Shift received the Life Saving Valor Award that recognizes outstanding firefighters for their heroic efforts during the Georgia State Firefighters Association annual fire service banquet in Albany on Sept. 14. Chief Lanier Swafford, who also serves as the state agency’s current president, said he was proud to see his crew recognized for saving a young man’s life. “Every day we run calls that make a difference in people’s lives and it’s just a few like this that wind up to be the extraordinary,” he said. “I’m proud of the guys, proud of the award and proud of the recognition it
brings to the county, because they see that we do run what I consider to be a top-notch department with the greatest people in the world and can give a cutting-edge service.” The daring, September 2012 rescue began with emergency personnel driving nearly two miles down a narrow mountain road and then hiking another three miles with their gear into the Chattahoochee National Forest, about 4 miles from Amicalola Falls State Park. “It was a tough call because we knew where it was at, and we knew it was a challenging location,” Swafford said. “We’d had three previous falls up there since my tenure with the department, two of which involved fatalities, so we knew the chances of a serious injury or a death was high.” The emergency crew then repelled down the side of an embankment to reach the 22-year-old man, who had been hiking with friends when he fell and suffered several
broken bones in his lower extremities. They were able to stabilize him and treated his injuries on a thin, mountain ledge before he was secured on a basket stretcher, lifted into the air and flown by DNR Aviation at about 40 mph over treetops to emergency workers waiting in a nearby field. The rescue was captured on video and sparked national media attention for the emergency crew’s actions. While the rescue was dramatic, Swafford said it was “no different than what we do every day.” “These are the events we train for. These are the events that we hope that we’re able to respond and deliver that service, whether it be patient care, fire service, whatever, that makes the difference,” Swafford said. “And in this young man’s life it did. It made a difference.” B-Shift Battalion Chief Milton Keller said he could not be more proud of the shift he supervises.
For the Dawson Community News
Dawson County Emergency Services Paramedic Andrew Wilson, from left, Chief Lanier Swafford, Lt. Todd Hollaway and Battalion Chief Milton Keller on behalf of the department’s entire B-Shift received the Life Saving Valor Award during the Georgia State Firefighters Association annual fire service banquet in Albany.
“This is a great example of how standardized training prepares different departments to operate effectively together. [The award] shows the drive and dedication of our local firefighters and emergency personnel,” he said. Hollaway was also involved in a recent rescue of a wheel-
chair bound man from a van fire on Ga. 400 in Forsyth County. Swafford said he was not surprised to hear of the off-duty paramedic’s heroics. “That’s just the caliber of the kind of man he is. I wouldn’t expect anything less from him or anyone in our department,” he said.
Veterans Day celebration set for Nov. 11 From staff reports
Dawson County has once again been named one of only two regional Veterans Day sites in Georgia. This year’s Veterans Day celebrations will be held Nov. 11 at Dawson County Middle School, followed by a parade through downtown Dawsonville. "We are very proud and very happy that we are, once again, selected for the
regional site for the state of Georgia Veterans Affairs for Veterans Day," said Donald Brown, president of the Veterans Affairs Committee of Dawson County. "There is only two in the state, Dawsonville and Atlanta, so that makes us a little more proud of what we've accomplished." For the parade, Brown is hoping for vintage military vehicles and to have several military marching units, which
will include surrounding high school ROTC's, University of North Georgia and possibly the ranger camp in Dahlonega. "We really want to encourage our veterans in Dawsonville and the surrounding area to come out for this program," Brown said. "More than anything, I want the community to stand there and cheer on these men and women who have really
put their lives on the line for this country. "There will be [veterans] there from Vietnam, World War II, Iraq, Afghanistan, Desert Storm, so these people need to know that the community is proud of them, that the community is behind them and [that the community] feels grateful for what they have done," he said. A luncheon will also be held for veterans and their families.
Veteran Affairs is a volunteer organization and relies on volunteers and the community for support. They offer help to veterans, not monetarily, Brown said, because they don't have the funds to do that, but to help direct veterans to get the support that they need. For more information, veterans and potential volunteers can call (706) 265-7613.
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