Dawson Living July/August 2021 by The Times

The Summer Issue

READS Local Dawson County authors.

FACES

Meet DNR Game Warden Savannah Walker

FUN Cool off in the community

July/August 2021

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CONTENTS

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Dawson Faces Check out these local authors for your summer read.

Dawson Spaces Splish Splash! Water adventures in Dawson County.

Dawson Reads Meet Savannah Walker, Department of Natural Resources Game Warden.

Fountain Food Adventures Best places to eat along Lake Lanier.

When I think about what makes a great summer day, a few key things come to mind — nice warm weather, the great outdoors and some free time to sit back, unwind and just relax. But with the summer weather in North Georgia trending more towards flaming hot, rather than just warm, whenever I’m planning a summer day out the pool, lake, beach or really anywhere with water is destination one on my list.

Alexander Popp | Editor Dawson County News /dawsonnews @dawsoncountynews @dawsonnews

Manuscripts, artwork, photography, inquiries and submitted materials are welcome. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by an information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Metro Market Media Inc. Although every precaution is taken to ensure accuracy of published materials, Metro Market Media cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors. Dawson Living reserves the right to refuse advertisements for any reason. Acceptance of advertising does not mean or imply the services or product is endorsed or recommended by Dawson Living.

For this issue of Dawson Living we at the Dawson County News want to highlight some of the best places to cool off and relax this summer. Take a dip at one of the many local waterholes in the Dawson County area, then meet the DNR Game Warden keeping Lake Lanier safe, and round out the summer experience by making yourself a refreshing watermelon Popsicle to enjoy while sitting poolside. Thanks for reading, Alexander Popp

EDITOR Alexander Popp

PHOTOGRAPHY Ben Hendren, Unsplash

PUBLISHER Stephanie Woody

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Erica Schmidt, Jacob Smith, David Fountain

DIRECTOR OF REVENUE Leah Nelson ADVERTISING SALES Tim Anderson CREATIVE SERVICES Chelsea Sunshine, April Seymour, Claudette Keeley

DAWSON LIVING A Division of Dawson County News Dawsonville, GA A Metro Market Media Inc. property www.dawsonnews.com

July/August 2021

“Swiss Army Knife of Law Enforcement”

Savannah Miller, Department of Natural Resources Game Warden, talks to boaters on a jet ski during a patrol in June. Photo by Ben Hendren

Meet Savannah Miller DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES GAME WARDEN

By Jacob Smith jsmith@dawsonnews.com There are few workdays that feel like the one before for Savannah Miller. As a Game Warden for the Department of Natural Resources, every day comes with a new adventure for Miller. During the summer, she spends her workday on a DNR boat,

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patrolling Lake Lanier. “It’s different every day,” Miller said. “You meet a lot of great people out here. We work closely with the sheriff ’s office and the fire department. You get a lot of cool connections. Plus, you’re out on the water all day.” The DNR is known as the “Swiss Army Knife of Law Enforcement” because of all the different

responsibilities expected of them. Not only do the officers go through six months of academy training but are required at least two years of college. Game Wardens have special Boat EVOC training to learn how to stop their boat on a dime. Miller graduated from Kennesaw State with a degree in Criminal Justice. For the last three years, she has worked

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with the DNR, a dream she’s held from a young age. “Ever since I was a little girl, I always wanted to go into law enforcement,” Miller said. “I love the outdoors and decided that there was no better career path for me than law enforcement outside, so DNR was the one for me.” A day on the water could be exactly what you think a day would look like. Stopping kids with jet skis, checking fishing licenses and making sure life jackets are being worn. But, disaster can strike at any moment. On Lake Lanier, Miller and fellow game wardens deal with drownings on a regular basis. Miller was even on the water during a boat explosion in early June. But through all the danger and turmoil, Miller said her team of officers always have each other’s backs. “We definitely support each other no matter what,” Miller said. “We check on each other and mesh together really well. Our end goal is giving that family closure. We can’t focus on anything else right now. We just want to make it as easy of a transition as possible.” Miller works in the field, but the DNR has multiple

different teams working throughout the state, including a repelling team, K-9 unit, investigative teams and undercover teams. “We get calls out here for a lot of crazy things,” Miller said. “We also do our routine stops. We like to say that we’re the state troopers of the lake. We stop a lot of boats just like they stop cars on the highway. We do safety checks to make sure everybody has the proper equipment.” Outside of the summer, Miller spends most of her time in the woods monitoring the different hunting seasons. In the Fall, deer season takes precedent and Springtime is all about the turkeys, followed by duck season. “The job changes with every season,” Miller said. “You pretty much make your own hours, which is very nice. There’s so many opportunities and things you can get into. Whatever you find is your cup of tea, we have something for.” As the days change for Miller, one constant remains: she is living out her dream job every day. “I love the job,” Miller said. “I can’t imagine doing anything else.”

Savannah Miller is the Department of Natural Resources Game Warden tasked with keeping outdoor activities on Lake Lanier safe for everyone. Photo by Ben Hendren.

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Local Authors to Try This Summer By Erica Schmidt eschmidt@dawsonnews.com

and read. Hill hopes to sell copies at the Amicalola Regional Farmers Market throughout the summer.

This summer, you might be looking for a new book or two to read. But you don’t need go to the best-sellers list to find something great. Not with the roster of Dawson County authors who recently released books over the last few years. Here are five local authors to try out this summer.

“Killing My Cuba” by Lou and Lilli Meier

“They Inspired Me: My Life Journey from Gardi to Tomahawk Mountain” by Jimmy L. Hill Jimmy Hill had always wanted to write an autobiography as a keepsake for his children and grandchildren, but he’d always been too busy to sit down and start writing. But one day he realized that if he was going to write the book, he was going to have to make the time to work on it. So, he sat down and started researching and remembering. Now, nearly two years later, the Dawson County man has published “They Inspired Me: My Life Journey from Gardi to Tomahawk Mountain.” Hill’s autobiography follows the story of his childhood in rural Georgia all the way to his retirement in the Dawson County mountains. Throughout the book, Hill tells story after story from his life, from living in a tar paper shack to meeting and marrying his wife, his mother starting successful frozen dumpling company Mary Hill Dumplings and the tragic loss of his young brother. In addition to the stories, Hill believes that the collection of photos he included throughout the book make it especially unique. “I put 242 pictures in the book and that’s something that’s not normally done,” Hill said. “I went through all my parents’ pictures and pictures I had and was able to pull all of those together, so there’s a lot of old pictures that are in there.” For those interested in reading Hill’s book, “They Inspired Me” is available for purchase on his website at https://jimmy-hill.com. Hill also donated two copies of the book to the Dawson County Public Library for community members to check out

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“Killing My Cuba” is a historical fiction book by local woman Lilli Meier, based on her experience growing up in Cuba under a repressive government. Meier, who lived in Havana from 1949 to 1961, published the book with the help of her husband Lou, based on the first part of her life in Cuba. Meier, who lives in North Forsyth, said that she always wanted to return to Cuba where she grew up but didn’t have a chance to do so until she was in her 50s. “As the years went by, I was raising a family and lived in Atlanta, but I thought that by the time I was 40 I could return back to a free Cuba,” Meier said. “Years went by, and I turned 50 and I did get to go back in my 50s, but I went back to a country that was practically destroyed.” After returning to visit Cuba, Meier said that she wanted to write a book to remember past events. Meier based her novel on her own memories and those of her father, who was a doctor in Havana, with added fictional elements. Meier took two and a half years to write “Killing My Cuba” and said that the process was therapeutic for her. “It brought me a certain amount of remembering both the sad memories and the fond memories,” Meier said. “If you ask people what they remember about their first 10 or 11 years a lot of people would say it was nothing exciting, but I had a really exciting childhood.” With the book, she hopes to reach a new generation with her story. “I want to reach the young generation with this too, because this happened and the unfortunate thing is that the communist regime is still pretty much in force down there,” Meier said. “A lot of people will say ‘I’ve been on cruises, and I’ve seen Havana’ but you haven’t seen what I’ve seen; I’ve seen some things that would just break your heart.” Killing My Cuba is available to order on Amazon. For more information on the book and its authors, go to https://www. killingmycuba.com/.

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“Those Days in January: The Abduction and Murder of Meredith Hope Emerson” by John Cagle If you’re interested in a gripping, behind-the-scenes look into one of Georgia’s most shocking murders, then John Cagle’s book “Those Days in January: The Abduction and Murder of Meredith Hope Emerson” is the book for you. Cagle, supervising agent in the investigation of Meredith Emerson’s kidnapping and murder on the Appalachian Trail, published his tell-all book over a decade after the case ended, offering a new perspective into the case. The investigation took place in January 2008 when 24-year-old Meredith Emerson went missing from the Byron Herbert Reece Memorial Trailhead in Union County, where she had gone hiking with her dog Ella. Authorities found and arrested 61-year-old Gary Hilton a few days after Emerson’s disappearance and later charged him for kidnapping, murdering and decapitating Emerson. According to Cagle, Emerson’s murder is one that always stuck with him and the other investigators who worked the case. One of the reasons it affected him so much personally was because much of the search took place in Dawson Forest, where he had worked back in high school. “I grew up in Pickens County, and when I graduated from high school, Dawson Forest had just been decommissioned and I worked a summer job out there shoveling radioactive dirt,” Cagle said. “I would kind of explore out there after I’d get off and it was spooky.

So, I kind of described that experience, and then 36 years later I’m out there one night looking for a body.” Cagle said that one of the main reasons he decided to write the book was as a way for himself and other officers to work through the case, and to hopefully put it behind them. “Some people are hesitant to talk about it, and that might have been one of the reasons I waited so long to write it,” Cagle said. “I’ve struggled with this case since then, as a lot of investigators have, and I thought it might be kind of therapeutic to write about it – and so far so good. And I’m getting a good response from folks; a lot of officers and some of my former agents have called me and said they felt the same way.” Those interested in reading “Those Days in January” can find it on Amazon.

“Uncorked and Off the Chain” by Jameson Gregg If you’re in the mood for a laugh, then local man Jameson Gregg’s book “Uncorked and Off the Chain” is the choice for you. Gregg’s book consists of 175 sections covering a variety of topics, from sports and gambling to marriage and short anecdotal stories, all aimed at giving readers a laugh. According to Gregg, his aim with “Uncorked and Off the Chain” is to help end the “laughter drought” in the United States by giving readers a reason to laugh. “Everybody loves to laugh,” Gregg said in a press release. “It provides instant gratification and an endorphin burst. Some pieces will resonate with

every reader in a long-lasting and personal way — writings that they will not soon forget.” “Uncorked and Off the Chain” is available for purchase on Amazon and jamesongregg.com.

“A Taste of Chestatee” Cookbook by residents of the Chestatee Neighborhood If you’re interested in a different kind of summer reading and want to add some new recipes to your cooking repertoire, “A Taste of Chestatee” cookbook, written and published by Dawson County residents, is the book for you. The cookbook, which was assembled and published by a group of women from Chestatee neighborhood in Dawson County, was a project aimed at raising money for the Backpack Buddies charity. The book showcases recipes from five local chefs, which was a selling point for it, according to El Morris, one of the book’s creators. “We ended up with five chefs who each gave us one of their recipes which was really cool,” Morris said. “We had a professional photographer come in and take pictures of them and put them in the book on the divider pages, so it has the chef ’s picture and the name of the restaurant on the front and then on the back is his recipe.” The five restaurants included in the cookbook include four from Dahlonega, as well as Dawson’s own Blue Bicycle restaurant. For more information on the Chestatee cookbook and how to get one for yourself, email chestateecookbook@gmail.com.

July/August 2021

‘Splish Splash!’ WATER ADVENTURES IN DAWSON COUNTY

Young men explore the banks of Amicalola Creek and do the Devil’s Elbow jump in June. Photo by Ben Hendren.

By Jacob Smith jsmith@dawsonnews.com There are only a handful of things that scream ‘Summertime’ better than getting friends and family together and getting in the water. Whether you’re going to a body of water or just shooting water guns in the front yard, there is something about it that no good summer is complete without. After an exceptionally tough year, take time to unwind this summer and enjoy all the fun watery adventures that Dawson County has to offer.

Dawson Forest Canoe & Kayaking Take Out 5693 Kelly Bridge Road, Dawsonville Located right off the Etowah River,

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kayakers or canoers drop off at this ninemile stretch of river to enjoy beautiful spots all along the way. Within the borders of the Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area, this frequently paddled portion of the Etowah is covered in shady spots with several shoals to explore, all rated Class 1. If kayaking is not your thing, there is a covered pavilion and several swings facing the river to watch others and hear the rush of the water against the rocky banks.

Splash Pad at Rock Creek Park 445 Martin Road, Dawsonville The Rotary Island Splash Pad located inside Rock Creek Park is a great public place for families to come and play in the water with their little ones. The Splash Pad is an interactive water park with five separate above ground features and six sprinklers. “It’s nice having somewhere close by to come and bring out kids to play and have a fun day,” Brad Miller of Cumming said. “If the plan is to stay the whole day and we’ve left something at home, it’s not too far to go back and grab it.” Drop your stuff under the covered pavilion and enjoy a sunny day in the water at Rock Creek Park.

Thompson Creek Park 570 Thompson Creek Park, Dawsonville Catch a glimpse of the sun shining off beautiful Lake Lanier at Thompson Creek Park. People from all over come to Thompson Creek Park in Dawson County to launch their boats and enjoy a day on the lake, but the park has shaded areas for families to hold barbecues or picnics under. Patrons of Thompson Creek Park

If you’re looking for adventure, look no further than the rope swings at the Devil’s Elbow in Dawson County. But be careful of the strong undercurrent. Photo by Ben Hendren

Another local spot, the Etowah River Water Trail is a great place to drop in canoes and kayaks. Photo by Ben Hendren

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also bring their fishing gear early in the morning to stay and fish the day away. The park is also at the start of the Laurel Creek Hiking Trail, a 3.5 mile loop known for stunning views of Lake Lanier and the Chattahoochee River. Campgrounds are available all around the lake for those wanting to spend multiple days.

Devil’s Elbow

Thompson Creek Park in Dawson County is brimming with color and serenity, both on the lake and along the shore. Photos by Ben Hendren.

Steele Bridge Road, Dawsonville Given the name Devil’s Elbow, this spot isn’t for the faint of heart. Named for the intense undertow at the water’s bend, Devil’s Elbow can be very dangerous and should be treated with caution. But when visited responsibly, this swimming hole can be one of Dawson County’s most beautiful hidden gems. The water flows away, so visitors can splash around in the shallow end and enjoy a day in the wilderness. Makeshift ropes and ladders have been put up around to jump into the deeper parts of the water. “As long as everybody’s smart about it and a good swimmer, there’s no reason not to visit,” Robert Bloome said while visiting the swimming hole. “It’s a fun time to pile into the truck and come hang around.”

Veteran’s Memorial Park Pool 186 Recreation Rd, Dawsonville Opening on the Saturday before Memorial Day every year, Veterans Memorial Park Pool is public for anyone to spend a day by the water. Surrounded by playgrounds, Veterans Memorial has lifeguards keeping everyone safe while swimming. The pool is open Monday through Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Daily admission is $3 and season passes can be purchased at Rock Creek Park or online.

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Lanier’s Lakeside Locations By David Fountain of Fountain’s Food Adventures As the summer sun only continues to heat Gainesville, we find ourselves heading over to Lake Lanier to cool down and have some fun. This month, David wanted to highlight our community’s best lakeside locations that you can reach by either boat or car. His goal is to provide you, our readers, with a new favorite spot while also helping these restaurants regain some of the business they may have lost during the pandemic. The Twisted Oar Lanier Islands Pkwy/Buford Located in the beautiful Holiday Marina, The Twisted Oar is a wonderful spot for lakeside views and tasty food. This restaurant sits off the water and offers outdoor seating that gives you a beautiful view of the marina. David arrived with Caroline and Jennifer, and they chose to sit outside to enjoy the nice lake breeze. Offering everything from fresh seafood to wings, the group was excited for what this location had to offer. They began with the loaded potato skins, and that was a wonderful choice to start with. Filled with cheese, bacon, and chives, this appetizer got them all excited for the rest of their meal. The server promptly let David know that they had just begun offering pizza again, and being a pizza fan, David knew he needed to try it. He ordered the Buffalo Shrimp Pizza, which was topped with blue cheese sauce, grilled shrimp, mozzarella, and a drizzle of buffalo sauce. The pizza was well cooked, and the tang of the bleu cheese perfectly complemented the buffalo sauce. Caroline decided to order the Fish Sandwich, which included grilled fish, lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion, and tartar sauce on a hoagie. With onion rings as her side, Caroline highly enjoyed this meal. She said the fish was cooked to perfection and tasted very fresh. Jen opted for the shrimp tacos. Topped with lettuce, cheddar jack cheese, and Pico de Gallo, Jen said they sure hit the spot. The Twisted Oar is a pet friendly restaurant to ensure that your entire family, even the furry ones, can have a great time. Each week they offer a variety of specials, such as 10oz Ribeye and Blackened Red Snapper, so make sure to look it up before you visit. This eatery creates a fun and lively environment welcome to everyone by boat or car, and offers wonderful food, handcrafted drinks, and live music for your enjoyment.

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Pelican Pete’s Port Royale Drive/ Gainesville Known for being the only floating tiki bar & restaurant on Lake Lanier, Pelican Pete’s creates a true ‘on the water’ experience. When pulling into the Port Royale Marina, you do not immediately see the restaurant. It is not until you clear the trees and begin walking onto the dock do you see the lively covered pavilion of Pelican Pete’s. David and fellow foodie, Sandee, were excited to enjoy the nice lake breeze during their meal, and this location provides the perfect dining area to do so. After getting settled, David decided to order the Pete’s Hot Chicken Sandwich. Their Nashville-style hot chicken was topped with bread and butter pickles, shredded lettuce, and mayo, all on a brioche bun. He described the chicken as very tender and provided an enjoyable kick of heat. Sandee opted for the Blackened Salmon Spinach Salad, which was topped with toasted pecans, bleu cheese, Vidalia onion, and warm Georgia peach bacon vinaigrette. She said this is a wonderful choice if you are looking for a healthier option. The blackened salmon was perfectly cooked, and she was happily surprised by their unique, homemade vinaigrette. Described as a ‘one of a kind’ space, Pelican Pete’s creates a fun and lively space to enjoy their many different food varieties. Pelican Pete’s is also pet friendly location, which is perfect for days when you bring fido on the lake. Fish Tales Mitchell Street/Flowery Branch Whether you choose to drive a car, boat, or helicopter to this lakeside restaurant, you are sure to be impressed with the fun atmosphere and tasty food. Located at the Hideaway Bay Marina in Flowery Branch, David arrived with Caroline, Jennifer, and Sandee. David and his fellow foodie friends decided to sit outside, and boy was that a good choice. The weather was perfect, and the refreshing breeze felt wonderful as they overlooked the marina. When deciding what to order, their server was immensely helpful by recommending their most popular dishes, as well as his personal favorites. They decided to start with the Fish Tales, and Tuna Poke Nachos. Everyone enjoyed the fish tales (fried grouper fingers), and it tasted especially wonderful with the homemade dill tartar sauce. The Tuna Poke Nachos were very fresh and was a great appetizer for David and Jennifer. For the main meal, David ordered the

SPONSORED CONTENT Floribbean Grouper, and said that the Caribbean jerked fish was very fresh and well-seasoned. Caroline and Sandee Opted for the Fish Tacos with shrimp, and Mango Mahi Tacos. Both tacos were wonderful, but Sandee recommends the Mango Mahi Tacos if you are looking for something new and exciting. Jen ordered the Spring Summer Salad with shrimp, and said the skewered grilled shrimp tasted wonderful with the fresh mix of lettuce, mangos, pecans, bleu cheese crumbles, grape tomatoes, and Caribbean mango dressing. The group was very satisfied with their meal, and all agreed their seafood was fresh and tasty. Open since 2010, owners Dale and Jessica Ozaki have done a wonderful job of creating a fun lakeside experience. The atmosphere of the restaurant is fun and lively, and allows you to enjoy their tasty food, full bar, and live music. If you have children, Fish Tales has a massive sandbox out front for their enjoyment as well. This family friendly restaurant is certainly one to check out. Pig Tales Lights Ferry Rd/ Flowery Branch Owned by the same people as Fish Tales (Dale & Jessica Ozaki), Pig Tales creates its own wonderful experience of BBQ goodness. Walking up to this location, you are met with a calming lake breeze that wafts the savory scent of barbecue, which immediately left David and Jennifer excited to see what this eatery had to offer. After being seated, the server suggested that they start off with the Pig Tales Nachos. These nachos came completely loaded with pulled pork, queso, crunchy super slaw, and boom boom sauce on top of house made chips. David said that the pork was very tender, and that the ample amount of queso was a bonus. For the main meal, David opted for the Buff Chicken Sandwich- crispy chicken tossed in buffalo sauce with provolone, lettuce, and tomato on Texas Toast and drizzled with buttermilk ranch. He said the chicken was perfectly spicy and crispy, and surely satisfied his appetite. Jennifer decided on the Spinach Avocado Wrap, which was grilled chicken, spinach, fresh tomato, bleu cheese crumbles, and avocado ranch wrapped in a spinach herb tortilla. Being a huge fan of avocado, this dish was perfect for Jennifer. She said that the tomato, bleu cheese, and avocado ranch created a great flavor that left her wanting more. Located at the Aqualand Marina, this location provides beautiful views, tasty drinks, and a lively atmosphere to enjoy their many tasty BBQ varieties. This eatery is pet friendly, and their large outdoor seating creates the perfect environment to relax and have a good time with

family and friends. Skogie’s Lakefront Restaurant Dawsonville Hwy/ Gainesville Skogie’s Lakefront Restaurant is located in the Gainesville Marina and provides plenty of outdoor seating for your lakefront enjoyment. Owned by Tony and wife, Heather, this location has done a wonderful job of creating an inviting atmosphere to enjoy quality food. After being seated and looking over the marina, David and his fellow foodie friend, Ty, started off with Boom Boom Shrimp and Grouper Fingers. David and Ty raved about the shrimp and said that it was one of the best parts of his meal. The freshness of the shrimp, the crunch of the breading, and the spice of the sauce made for an exciting appetizer. The grouper fingers tasted great as well and got the two excited for their main meal. David ordered the Fried Green Tomato BLT and the Caribbean Plate. The BLT seemed to be made with high quality ingredients and made for a very tasty sandwich. David’s Caribbean Plate was the real showstopper of his meal. This jerk seasoned grouper, served with yellow rice, black beans, and plantains, made for a unique and exciting dish for David to enjoy. The fish was seasoned to perfection, and the plantains were perfectly cooked. Ty ordered the Shrimp Po Boy and said that the hand battered, made-to-order shrimp tasted perfect. While dining, David and Ty had the opportunity to hear live music, and this only amplified their experience. Skogie’s Lakefront Restaurant is a fun, family-friendly location to have a good time and enjoy some quality food. Landshark Bar & Grill Lanier Islands Pkwy/ Buford To get to landshark Bar & Grill, you have to either enter Lake Lanier Islands, or arrive by boat. This lakefront restaurant is located inside the waterpark and provides a wonderful view of the lake and the surrounding attractions. David arrived with fellow foodie, Caroline, and were sat outside overlooking the beach access and marina. Their friendly server informed the two that the Buffalo Sriracha Shrimp and the Beach Fries were a big hit for appetizers, so that is what the two decided to order. The Buffalo Sriracha Shrimp had a nice kick and tasted wonderful with the bleu cheese dipping sauce. The Beach Fries were smothered in cheese sauce, mixed cheese, bacon, sour cream, and scallions. This is the perfect appetizer for cheese lovers and was described by David as a deconstructed loaded baked potato. For the main meal, David decided on the Roasted Turkey Club. This triple decker sandwich was piled high with roasted

turkey, smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, Swiss cheese, and signature mayonnaise on country white toast. As a turkey club lover, David highly enjoyed this sandwich, and recommends adding bacon to bring it up a notch. This family friendly spot is perfect to enjoy while the kids play. If you ever find yourself looking for some family fun on Lake Lanier Islands, Landshark is a great place to check out. Smokey Q Bald Ridge Marina Rd/ Cumming Originally started as a catering company in 2005, owners Rudy Conner and Judson Holder have done a stellar job of perfecting their barbecue. Upon arrival, David and fellow foodie Caroline were greeted by Judson and given a rundown on Smokey Q’s craft. Their small batch, dry rubbed meat is hickory smoked using the ‘low and slow’ method, and they pride themselves on their ability to make tender and flavorful meat that does not need the barbecue sauce to taste great. The talk of their methods made David and Caroline excited to try their BBQ varieties, so they made sure to order a little bit of everything. David ordered the smoked chicken wings, pork spare ribs, and the pulled pork sandwich. The chicken wings were David’s favorite, as they were flavorful and juicy all the way through. While not required, their homemade BBQ sauce complimented the tasty chicken very well. Their pork spare ribs were also a hit and feature more meat than a traditional baby back rib. These huge ribs were very satisfying, and the dry rub provided ample flavor. Judson informed us that people travel across the lake for their wings and ribs, and it is clear why. To further spice up his meal, David decided to make his own pulled pork sandwich creation by topping it with their homemade BBQ sauce, mac n’ cheese, and coleslaw. He was happily surprised by how well their sides and entrees meshed and provided an exciting tasting experience. Caroline ordered the chicken taco and was just as pleased with her meal. She decided to not add any BBQ sauce and was very pleased with how flavorful the chicken was on its own. Smokey Q is located at Bald Ridge Marina and provides outdoor seating that overlooks the water. This is a smaller location than the others- but do not be fooled. Their barbecue is very well made and affordable, making Smokey Q is the perfect spot to go for a quick lunch off the water.