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Welcome
to our community
Whether you are a long time resident or a newcomer to the area like me, Dawson County has something for you. From our continuous growth to our rich history, there is something here for everyone. Residents and visitors alike will find people in the community to be friendly, warm and welcoming. Spend some time downtown at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame, the moonshine distillery and historic courthouse or plan to spend the day at the Amicalola State Park
and Lodge. Nature’s beautiful surroundings make Dawson irresistibly inviting for those who enjoy outdoor recreation. Whether you enjoy hiking, spending time on the water or taking in a festival or two, you are sure to find a reason to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. And there is so much to look forward to! Future plans are for the 18-acre Main Street Park project, new farmers market, expansion of the senior center and the development of the Russell Creek Reservoir. At the Dawson County News we are committed to bringing you news
and information that is relevant and important to you. Included in this guide you will find local contact information, a calendar of annual events and happenings throughout the upcoming year, information about area schools, the arts, local government officials and more. Whether you call Dawson home or plan to visit, shop, explore or play, we invite you to venture out and embrace what makes our community “Awesome Dawson”! You will be glad you did! Brenda Bohn General Manager Dawson County News
Table of contents History.....................................5 City Government.....................6 County Government...............8 Outdoor Attractions.............18 Parks......................................20 Get Involved..........................22 Important Numbers..............23 Arts and Activities.................24 School Leaders and Info.......26 Public Safety.........................28 Annual Events.......................30 4
Awesome Dawson | August 29, 2018
ABOUT THE COVER A young boy shouts in delight as he is hit in the face by water from a sprinkler at the Rotary Island Splash Pad. Located at Rock Creek Park, the splash pad is an interactive water park that features five above ground water features and six ground level sprinklers. Rotary Island opened in August of 2014 and was the Rotary Club of Dawson County’s biggest project since the club formed in 1992, costing over $54,000. Water is donatJessica Brown ed by the Etowah Water and Sewer Authority. The splash pad is open May through September of each year. Admission is always free.
Dawson County, your home With a culture steeped in racing history, an economy based on tourism and agriculture and a community built on the backbones of faith, Dawson County is a treasure nestled in the foothills of north Georgia. At first glance, Dawson County just seems like a place to pass through on the way to Dahlonega or Helen, a retail and restaurantbased economy on the sides of Ga. 400 North. But look closer and you’ll find so much more. Established in 1857 out of parts of Lumpkin, Gilmer, Pickens and Forsyth counties, Dawson County was created on the backs of a gold rush that started in Lumpkin County in the 1830s. Originally settled by Cherokee Indians, Dawson County was a mainly agricultural economy due to a lack of railroads or highways in the area. In the 1920s, prohibition sparked a revolution in Dawson County known as bootlegging. The county was a significant source of ‘moonshine,’ or illegal corn whiskey, for Atlanta and surrounding areas through the 1940s. During this time, bootleggers would modify their cars
for better speed to evade police while they traveled to drop off their cargo. Eventually, the modified cars were raced for entertainment and profit, leading to the birth of modern stock car racing and NASCAR. Bill Elliott, one of NASCAR’s most successful and prominent drivers in his time, was born in the county seat of Dawsonville. Today, the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame and Moonshine Distillery in downtown Dawsonville pay homage to the county’s illicit and racing past. Since the 1950s, the county has seen unprecedented changes. In 1957, the Appalachian Trail was rerouted to include an area about 8 miles north of Amicalola Falls State Park, bringing hikers and campers to the area in droves to see the highest waterfall in the Southeast. It was in the 1950s too that Lake Lanier was completed, created by a dam on the Chattahoochee River that flooded 39,000 acres, partially located in Dawson County. In the early 1970s, the state purchased 10,000 acres from Lockheed Martin to create
the Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area, which is now managed by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources along with an additional 15,500 acres within the county for hunting, fishing and other recreational uses. Construction of Hwy. 400 to Atlanta was finished in the 1980s and signaled the end of a purely rural life in Dawson County, ushering in development of the North Georgia Premium Outlets in 1996 and subsequent growth. Dawson County’s population has steadily grown. In 2010 the U.S. Census declared the population was 22,300 and recent estimates put the county at 24,379 people. Recent studies at the county level project 50,000 people will call Dawson home by 2040. Braced for that growth and with an ear to the past, Dawson County’s leaders are working to preserve the beautiful natural resources that make the county the greatest place to live while still maintaining services and standards that residents have come to expect. Welcome to Dawson County.
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Meet your elected officials:
Dawsonville City Government
City of Dawsonville, Georgia Dawsonville Municipal Complex 415 Hwy. 53 E Suite 100 (706) 265-3256
The city council holds its Jason Power (current term meetings at 7 p.m. Mondays ends Dec. 31, in the G.L. “Pete� Gilleland 2019) Council Chambers at City (770) 815-1589 Hall. Visit www.dawsonvillejason.power@ ga.gov for a schedule of meetdawsonville-ga.gov ing dates.
The mayor and four council members are elected by city Mayor: Mike Eason (current Mike French (current term residents and serve four year term ends Dec. terms. The mayor and council ends Dec. 31, 31, 2019) are currently elected at-large. 2021) The city has recently created (770) 540-222 (706) 429-8859 a voting district map that has mike.eason@ mike.french@ yet to be approved through dawsonville-ga.gov dawsonville-ga.gov the legislature. With the adoption of new districts, the election would still be at-large Council members: Stephen Tolson (current term and voters would vote for the Caleb Phillips (current term ends Dec. 31, candidate of their choice in ends Dec. 31, 2021) each district, but the candi2019) (706) 748-8005 date must reside in the geo(706) 968-3142 stephen.tolson@ graphic area of the district caleb.phillips@ dawsonville-ga.gov post they are running for. The dawsonville-ga.gov Mayor would reside in any district. The council appoints a city manager.
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Awesome Dawson | August 29, 2018
Dawsonville City Government Departments
City Manager: Bob Bolz citymanager@dawsonville-ga.gov
City Clerk: Beverly Bannister clerk@dawsonville-ga.gov
Accounts Payable: Sara Beacham sara.beacham@dawsonville-ga.gov Public Works Operations Manager: Trampas Hansard trampas.hansard@dawsonville-ga.gov Finance Administrator: Hayden Wiggins hayden.wiggins@dawsonville-ga.gov Planning Director: Robbie Irvin robbie.irvin@dawsonville-ga.gov Utilities Director: Gary Barr gary.barr@dawsonville-ga.gov
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Meet your elected officials:
Dawson County Government
Dawson County, Georgia Dawson County Government Center 25 Justice Way (706) 344-3501 Dawson County has a five-member board with four district commissioners and a chairman who are all elected at large but must live in the district they represent. Commissioners serve four-year terms. The board appoints a county manager. The Board of Commissioners holds two voting sessions at 6 p.m. the first and third Thursday of each month. Work sessions are held at 4 p.m. the second and fourth Thursday of each month. Meetings are held in the second floor assembly room of the Dawson County Government Center. Chairman: Billy Thurmond (current term ends Dec. 31, 2020) chairman@dawsoncounty.org
Commissioners Sharon Fausett, District 1 (current term ends Dec. 31, 2018) district1@dawsoncounty.org
Chris Gaines, District 2 (current term ends Dec. 31, 2020) district2@dawsoncounty.org
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Awesome Dawson | August 29, 2018
Jimmy Hamby, District 3 (current term ends Dec. 31, 2018) district3@dawsoncounty.org
Julie Hughes Nix, District 4 (current term ends Dec. 31, 2020) district4@dawsoncounty.org
Departments County Manager: David Headley (706) 344-3501 dheadley@dawsoncounty.org
County Clerk: Kristen Cloud (706) 344-3501 kcloud@ dawsoncounty.org
Dawson County Government Animal Control: (706) 265-7387
Tax Commissioner: (706) 344-3520
Department of Family and Children Services: (706) 265-6598
Transit: (706) 344-3603
Elections and Voter Registration: (706) 344-3640 Extension Office: (706) 265-2442 Health Department: (706) 265-2611
Clerk of Courts: (706) 344-3501 Superior Court: (706) 344-3513 Magistrate Court: (706) 344-3730 Probate Court: (706) 344-3580
Licenses and Permits: (706) 344-3500
August 29, 2018 | Awesome Dawson
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Dirt moving on phase one of Main Street Park project By Allie Dean
adean@dawsonnews.com
Four years after the Downtown Development Authority signed a lease purchasing 18 acres behind the Food Lion and Dawsonville City Hall, dirt has finally begun moving on the Main Street Park project. Elected officials and city staff celebrated the occasion with a groundbreaking ceremony June 18 and tractors began moving dirt and grading the ground shortly after. The city council voted in early June to award a $1,454,169.54 contract to TW Phillips Grading for phase one construction of the park. TW Phillips Grading was one of two bids received and was the low bid by about $6,000. The council voted 3-0 to approve the bid, with council member Caleb Phillips abstaining from any discussion or vote as he is related to the proprietor of the company that will be performing the work. The funds for phase one of the project will come from SPLOST VI and the construction timeline is 120 days. This phase will consist of installing a road that runs through the park as well as grading and grassing the land. The current site plan for the park shows that it will contain public restrooms, a playground, a splash pad, walking trails, picnic areas, open fields and an amphitheater, as well as potentially volleyball or bocce ball courts. Phase 2 will include construction of the playground, which will be accessible for various ages and abilities, as well as construction of the restrooms, picnic areas and picnic pavilions along the walking trails. The amphitheater will also be staged at that point. Phase 3 construction will
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Allie Dean Dawson County News
Pictured from left are Public Works Operations Manager Trampas Hansard, councilmen Mike French, Stephen Tolson and Caleb Phillips, City Manager Bob Bolz, Mayor Pro Tem Jason Power and contractor T.W. Phillips.
‘If the bids come in more conservative than we’re estimating, we may go ahead and do phase 2 projects...’ Bob Bolz
City Manager include the splash pad, exercise machines along the nature trail as well as construction of the amphitheater. The Downtown Development Authority closed on a loan to buy the 18 acres for the park on July 25, 2014. The loan was for $550,000, with an agreement that the city pay a monthly installment of $3,729.78 to the DDA for five years. Once the loan is paid off, the city can purchase the lease agreement from the DDA for $10. At about $34,000 an acre, the purchase included a credit to the
Awesome Dawson | August 29, 2018
city for $68,000 for road repairs surrounding the complex. The city has projected to spend $2 million of SPLOST VI revenue on the park. The city also received a $100,000 grant from the state’s Recreational Trail Grants program to build walking trails at the park. City Manager Bob Bolz said that the city will try to get as much done on the park as possible with the $2.1 million. “We’re confident we’ll have more than enough for phase 1,” he said. “If the bids come in more conservative than we’re
estimating, we may go ahead and do phase 2 projects like the playground before we’re finished with phase 1.” Bolz said that the firm that created the original site plan estimated the park would cost $7 million, but Bolz said that is a worst-case scenario estimate, and that actual figures should be more conservative. “We’ll build as much as we can and then for everything else we’ll have to sit back and wait until there is another SPLOST or another source of funding,” Bolz said.
Plans for Main Street Park show walking trails, playgrounds and an outdoor amphitheater.
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More than just books
Dawson County Library offers classes, activities, fun By Jessica Brown
jbrown@dawsonnews.com
The Dawson County Library, a branch of the Chestatee Regional Library System, does more than just lend books to avid readers. It’s a community gathering place that hosts fun activities and classes for all ages. Whether you’re into pajama story times, board game nights or crafting clubs, there is sure to be something for all ages at the library and satellite library. Dawson County Library Hours • Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. • Tuesday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. • Friday-Saturday: 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. 342 Allen St. Dawsonville, GA 30534 706-344-3690 dawson@chestateelibrary.org Mondays: Tai Chi classes for beginners are hosted every Monday 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Though originally developed for self-defense, tai chi has evolved into a form of exercise used to reduce stress and is often described as meditation in motion.
BUNCO is usually held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on second Monday of each month unless it interferes with a holiday then will be pushed back to the third Monday of the month. BUNCO is a dice game that is easy to learn and fun to play with large groups. Registration is not required to join BUNCO at the library and it is free. The library also encourages you to bring a friend. Tuesdays: T h e C h e s s C l u b a n d Board Game
Extravaganza happens once a month from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Ages five and up can learn the basics of chess or enjoy a wide range of board games, all provided by the library.
skills are required, but registration is. Those interested in signing up can call the library at (706)344-3690. All supplies for the crafting activities will be provided by the library.
READ Dogs visit the library every third Tuesday of the month from 5:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. and is open to children in first grade and older. Reading to certified therapy dogs helps children build their self confidence in their reading ability in a nonjudgmental environment. It is free but registration is required to reserve your 15 minute time slot.
Wednesdays: The Knitting Club meets every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and is for ages 18 and up. Whether you’re new to knitting or a seasoned pro, the club is open to all. There is no cost to attend but those who wish to join are asked to bring their own yarn and needles.
Adult Craft Night is held on the last Tuesday of each month from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. No artistic
Thursdays: Floor Yoga is instructed by Ly n n e C a m p b e l l e v e r y Thursday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and is open for ages 18 and
Photos by Jessica Brown 12
Awesome Dawson | August 29, 2018
up. The class is completely free but those wishing to join are asked to bring their own yoga mat. Chair Yoga is instructed by Lynne Campbell every Thursday from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. and is open for ages 18 and up. The class is completely free but those wishing to join are asked to bring their own yoga mat. The Pageturners Book Club meets the first Thursday of each 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. to discuss books of various genres. Those interested in joining the club can call the library at (706)344-3690 to find out the month’s book selection. Fridays: Crochet Club meets every Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Beginners and pros that are ages 18 and older are welcome to the free class. The library asks that those interested bring their own yarn and hook. Summer Reading Program Every Wednesday throughout the summer, the Dawson County Library hosts special youth activities for kids and teens. Activities for the 2018 summer reading program included Wildlife Wonders from the North Georgia Zoo, Literary Cupcake Wars for teens, a water gun battle, jugglers, musicians, puppetry, tie-dying and a virtual reality obstacle course. Registration is required to participate in the summer reading program and can be done online at the chestateelibrary.org or by stopping by the library. Registration begins the first week of June.
Satellite library Dawson County also has a satellite library that is open on Mondays and Thursdays. One Thursday every month, the satellite library hosts a ‘crafternoon’ session that is free for children and adults. Past ‘crafternoon’ activities included building kaleidoscopes, making origami and constructing paper crane mobiles. Anyone interested can stop by between 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The satellite library is located next to Fire Station No. 2 on 145 Liberty Drive. Satellite Library Hours Mondays 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursdays: 1 p.m.- 5 p.m.
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Water authority plans for future Russell Creek reservoir to help county with supply By Allie Dean
adean@dawsonnews.com
Based on future population estimates, the amount of water that the Etowah Water and Sewer Authority can pull from the Etowah River will cap out within the next 10 to 12 years. The authority, the county’s only water provider, currently has a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to draw water from the Etowah River, but the amount that is permitted will not be enough to sustain growth or see the county through a drought. The authority is planning to construct a bigger dam on Russell Creek, a tributary to the Etowah River, in order to create a more permanent water supply. According to Etowah Water and Sewer Authority General Manager Brooke Anderson, the authority is now working with design group Golder Associates to engineer Russell Creek Reservoir, which will be capable of producing 17.3 million gallons per day, compared to the authority’s current usage of 5.5 million gallons a day. The authority is building the dam and reservoir based on a growth projection that goes out to the year 2057, and estimates the Dawson County population at 126,000. The current population rests around 24,000. “This reservoir will allow a lot of room for growth. The authority is a service provider,” Anderson said. “Whatever this county wants to be when it grows up, it needs to have the water resources available to be whatever that is, that is not our decision. Our decision is to make sure the resources are there to support the businesses and the county.” In July 2017, the authority received a 404 permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to build the reservoir. The permit is required when the corps controls a body of water, such as they do with the Etowah River, and took the authority 13 years to obtain. In November, the board of directors for the authority started the process of searching for a firm to design the earthen dam that will be necessary to create and main-
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Awesome Dawson | August 29, 2018
Allie Dean Dawson County News
Head Lake, which is located off Seed Tick Road, will be drained so that the new reservoir can be built.
tain the reservoir. The authority met with the firm in early August for the first design meeting. The process will include taking an existing 11-acre lake off Etowah River Road and converting it to a 137-acre reservoir. “Back in the 50s and 60s, the Soil Conservation Service built hundreds upon hundreds of watershed protection lakes that were built for flood control and sediment storage, primarily to protect farmland,” Anderson said. Head Lake is one of them, and it is located between Seed Tick and New Bethel Church roads. In order to expand the lake, it will have to be drained and the old dam taken out before the new one can be built. No homes will have to be moved, and trees located within full pool will be timbered in the winter of 2019. Construction will start in 2020, and will be completed by 2023. Based on the schedule for filling the reservoir, it will be completely full in 2024. The new earthen dam will be 700 feet wide, 700 feet long and 110 feet tall, making the Russell Creek Reservoir a big project compared to other dams in the country. “A 100 foot dam is a threshold in the industry,” Anderson said. “Of all the hundreds of dams in Georgia, less than one percent are 100 feet or taller. In the U.S.,
there are over 90,000 dams, and less than five percent are 100 feet or taller. So this is a big dam and a big deal for Dawson County.” Anderson said the dam is going to be built to extraordinary lengths, and be able to withstand a 3,000 year storm. “This dam will be designed to hold and carry what’s called Probable Maximum Precipitation. It’s the maximum amount of water that the atmosphere can hold in a given moment,” he said. “If it were to happen, you would have trouble breathing because the air would be completely saturated. If it happens, find your ark.” In the meantime, the reservoir is expected to last the county 50 years, at a cool price tag of $40 million for design, construction and management of the project. The authority has invested $10 million in the project so far, after being issued a $10 million loan from the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority in 2014. Anderson hopes that GEFA can grant the authority an additional loan of $20 million. Though both are technically reservoirs, the operation and uses of Russell Creek Reservoir will be very different from Lake Lanier. The corps of engineers will not control the level of the lake, so the authority plans to keep it full all the time. Gas powered boats will not be allowed on the reservoir,
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w
nor will swimming. Fishing in kayaks or canoes will be allowed with proper permits. The land around the reservoir is private property, so engaging the public in a controlled manner will be a challenge, Anderson said. “The state regulates a lot, we’re going to have to regulate it more,” Anderson said. “It’s going to be a $40 million public asset virtually in the middle of the county, so we have to figure that out over the next few years. We make water, we clean up wastewater pretty well, we don’t do parks so well. “At the end of the day, it is a water supply lake, and the quality of the water directly impacts our ability to treat it and get it to our customers. That’s $40 million and we’re not really enamored about messing it up.”
The proposed site of the Russell Creek reservoir, which will supply drinking water to Dawson County, is comprised of 137 acres off Etowah River and Seed Tick roads.
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Get out and explore Dawson County offers variety of outdoor adventures Whether native to Dawson County or not, the natural amenities (and not-so-natural ones) offer an array of activities to residents and visitors throughout the year. From waterholes to corn mazes, there is a plethora of ways to immerse yourself in all that is north Georgia. The following spots are sure to provide inexpensive options for family-friendly fun all year round. Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area A prime space for hunting, fishing, biking, camping and horseback riding, a large portion of the county is preserved in the Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area, which is managed by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division. A 25,500-acre property, the Dawson Forest WMA is divided into five tracts: Wildcat Creek, Goethe, Burnt Mountain, Amicalola and the city of Atlanta. The WMA provides multiple opportunities for hunting and fishing, with ample trails and camping sites. Horseback riding and bike trails are closed during firearms deer hunts and before 10 a.m. during archery and turkey seasons. Trail permits are required for horse and bicycle use. The city of Altanta tract is comprised of 10,000 acres and can be accessed at the end of Dawson Forest Road. A land pass is required for recreational use at all WMA’s. The pass is $30 annually, or is included with a hunting or fishing license. For more information or to purchase online, visit: http://georgiawildlife. com/dawson-forest-wma. For questions about licenses, lands passes or hours, call the region office at (770) 5355700. Edge of the World A local favorite, the Edge of the World, offers Dawson County residents and visitors an opportunity to slide down rock faces and raft over the swiftly moving water of the Amicalola River Trail. For those that prefer a less adventurous turn in the water, there is a swimming hole and a spot for picnics. The river is accessible just past Tinsley Chapel Road on Hwy. 53 W toward Jasper.
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Awesome Dawson | August 29, 2018
File photo
Views of the north Georgia Mountains are breathtaking at the Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge.
To utilize the parking and river access, a lands pass must be purchased (see above). Passes should be printed and left on the dashboard of the vehicle before
venturing out. Amicalola Creek Devil’s Elbow put-in A stop off not far before the Edge of the
Allie Dean Dawson County News
Tubing, sunbathing and fishing are popular activities at the Edge of the World, a popular swimming hole on the Amicalola River.
World, Devil’s Elbow earned its name for a reason. The lovely swimming spot under significant shade from the amazing canopy of trees has an undertow that can be dangerous as well as the favored rope swing and high dive spots. There is a large, shallow spot with cool running water that is more manageable for thoseDawsonville just wanting to dip their toes. ardware Like the Edge of the World, it is off Hwy. 53 W and Steele Bridge Road and is part of the Dawson Wildlife Management Area and requires a lands pass.
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Jessica Brown Dawson County News
Views from the Len Foote Hike Inn.
Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge Hiking and fantastic scenery are the (706) 265-4703 or go online to http://www. trademarks of the Amicalola Falls State gastateparks.org/AmicalolaFalls. Park and Lodge, but those are just the beginning of the offerings. Len Foote Hike Inn Guests can ride zip lines, participate in a A gateway to the Appalachian Trail, the Dawsonville three-dimensional archeryC&W class, Hardware climb Len Foote Hike Inn is a backcountry inn stairs to the top of the Southeast’s tallest focused on conservation, education and waterfall, participate in campfire and story basking in the natural beauty of the north time or even a snake demonstration. Georgia mountains. For the avid hiker, the 8.5 mile trail leads Accessible only via a five-mile hike from from the park to Springer Mountain—the the top of Amicalola Falls, the inn offers 20 southern end ofOPENING the 2,715 mileSaturday, Appalachian URING OUR GRAND May private 5 Onlyguest rooms with hot showers and Trail. home cooked Get a FREE 5-Gallon Bucketmeals for everyone from the ET IN ON ALL THE FUN! The onsite lodge offers hotel rooms, cot- thru-hiker to the family vacationers. and receive From solar panels to composting toilets LON, tages and campground options. LON To explore all the options, call the park at to vermiculture (where worms compost
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Uncle Shuck’s Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch Every year the corn maze off Hwy. 53 boasts a new design and a challenging adventure for families from mid-September through November. The maze is cut out of a 12-acre field of corn that has close to four miles of trails. Sometimes explorers will come to a dead end and occasionally they will find a way out. Each year the maze will have checkpoints so visitors can gauge their progress and be sure they are on the right path. People work together as teams or individually to try and hit all of the checkpoints. On Friday and Saturday nights in October brave visitors can find their way through The Dark Rows, a haunted version of the traditional corn maze. To find out about this year’s maze, operating hours and admission prices, call (888) OSHUCKS or (770) 772-6223. The maze is located at 4520 Highway 53 E.
No purchase necessary. See store for details.
MAY 4 — MAY 6
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706-344-1GAS August 29, 2018 | Awesome Dawson
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Go for a walk in the park Parks and Rec system provides residents places to play outside With a new director and new athletic coordinator, Dawson County Parks and Recreation is looking toward a future of more fitness and fun in a county that is bracing itself for growth. The county operates four parks with indoor facilities including basketball courts and function rooms as well as outdoor facilities such as playgrounds and fields for various sports and activities. Veterans Memorial Park is located at 186 Recreation Road and features an Olympicsized swimming pool and newly renovated pool house. The pool is open May through September each year for a small daily fee. The park was recently repaved and a renovation is planned for the gymnasium. Also located at Veterans Memorial Park is the Margie Weaver Senior Center, which is looking forward to a new addition in the coming years. Rock Creek Park is located at 445 Martin Road. Beyond the Rotary Island splash pad, Rock Creek offers baseball fields, softball fields, t-ball fields, soccer fields, tennis courts, a paved walking trail, indoor meeting rooms, gymnasiums, outdoor basketball courts and covered pavilions. The playground at Rock Creek also offers inclusive equipment for special needs visitors. The county also manages two parks on water: War Hill Park on Lake Lanier and the River Park canoe launch on the Etowah River. War Hill Park is located at 4081 War Hill Park Road. Boating, camping and beach fun are easily accessible at War Hill Park. Located on the northwest portion of Lake
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Allie Dean Dawson County News
Outdoorsmen and adventurers love launching a kayak or canoe into the Etowah River from Dawson County’s River Park.
Lanier, the park offers a number of amenities including a campground, boat ramps, pier, picnic area and beach. There are 14 campsites that include a bath house with restrooms and showers as well as a day use area. There is no electricity at the campsites and water is a short walk away. Campsites are open March through October each year and registration is available online only. The River Park is located near Rock Creek Park on Hwy. 9 S. The park is free to use and features a pavilion as well as a walkway down to the Etowah. The river runs through the Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area to the Kelly Bridge Road take-out, a distance of around 10 miles. There is no fee to put in at the launch, but the Kelly Bridge Road take-out is private prop-
Awesome Dawson | August 29, 2018
erty with a $3 fee per person. Along with parks the department also facilitates numerous athletic programs including travel teams, sports camps and fitness and wellness classes. You can view an online activity guide with all of the
schedules and events at the parks for the upcoming season at dawsoncounty.org/departments/recreation/. Call (706) 344-3646 or email recreation@dawsoncounty.org for more information.
Jessica Brown Dawson County News
A beach area at War Hill Park is popular among families.
Photos by Jessica Brown Dawson County News
Left, even the tiniest of visitors can enjoy cooling off at the Rotary Island splash pad at Rock Creek Park. The water feature is open all summer and free to the public. Right, Coach Sean Clifford demonstrates a ball handling technique for the kids at the United Futbol Academy camp June 11.
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August 29, 2018 | Awesome Dawson
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Get involved in the community There are numerous groups and organizations in Dawson County to get involved with. From service clubs to veterans organizations to groups that help promote literacy, healthcare and domestic violence awareness, if you have an interest, Dawson County has a place for you. Community Emergency Response Team (706) 344-3666 emergencyservices@dawsoncounty.org Dawson County 4-H Club (706) 265-2442 Chesley Davis Dawson County Adult Education Center (678) 513-5205 Sharon Clark Bowen Center for the Arts (706) 216-2787 Ginny Greenwood
Jessica Brown Dawson County News
Dawson County Chamber of Commerce (706) 265-6278 Melissa Mayton
Dawson County Family Connection hosts an annual Celebrity Waiter Breakfast during which members of the community from elected officials and business leaders to volunteers don aprons to serve breakfast to residents who offer a donation in exchange for a meal.
Dawson County Family Connection (706) 265-1981 Nancy Stites
Dawson County Senior Center (706) 344-3700 Dawn Pruett
No One Alone (NOA) (706) 344-3853 Dr. Mark Helvie
Dawson Historical & Genealogical Society (706) 265-3985 Jackie Anderson
Dawsonville Lions Club (404) 323-9683 Marty Horne
Dawson County Humane Society (706) 265-9160 Jason Hutcherson
Georgia Racing Hall of Fame (706) 216-7223 Faye Abercrombie
Reading Education Association of Dawson County, Inc. (770) 883-0118 Christine Becnel
Dawson County Kiwanis Club Kiwanisclub.dawsoncounty@gmail.com Melissa Mayton
Good Shepherd Clinic of Dawson County (706) 429-9914 Kay Parrish
Dawson County Library (706) 344-3690 Stacey Leonhardt
Hall-Dawson CASA (770) 531-1964 Janet Walden
Dawson County Woman’s Club Georgeann Schmalz georgannschmalz@windstream.net
KARE for Kids (706) 216-5273 Tiffany Buchan
RIC Rack Food Bank and Thrift Store (706) 265-1371 Angie McKenzie
Keep Dawson County Beautiful (706) 344-3501 Kara Wilkins
Rotary Club of Dawson County (478) 538-4905 Bob Alman
Ninth District Opportunity (706) 265-3744 Sharon Fox
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Awesome Dawson | August 29, 2018
Relay for Life of Dawson County (770) 297-1220 Cameron Lopez United Way for Dawson County (770) 781-4110 Lindsay Bohannon Veterans Affairs of Dawson County (678) 414-3008 Don Brown Vietnam Veterans of America, Dawson County Chapter #970 (706) 809-2573 Bill Martin Wee Books (706) 216-0173 Sue Poynter
Important Numbers Dawson County Chamber of Commerce www.dawson.org
(706) 265-6278 Post Office (706) 265-2677 Auto tag office www.dawsoncountytax.com
(706) 344-3520
Driver’s license www.dds.ga.gov
Water and Sewer • City of Dawsonville
Water and Sewer (706) 265-3256 • Etowah Water and Sewer Authority (706) 216-8474 Natural Gas Atlanta Gas Light Company www.aglc.com
Electricity • Georgia Power (888) 660-5890 • Sawnee EMC (800) 635-9131 • Amicalola EMC (800) 992-6471
Propane Gas • Amicalola Propane (706) 344-1427 • Ferrellgas (706) 864-6151 • Mark Heard Fuel Co. (770) 887-2333 • Mills Fuel Service (706) 265-3394 • Folger Gas (706) 632-7606 Phone/TV/internet • Windstream (866) 961-9463 • North Georgia Network (706) 754-5323
Trash pickup • City of Dawsonville (706) 265-3256 • Evans Garbage (706) 216-4232 • G&G Sanitation (770) 887-6063 • AAA Sanitation (770) 864-4860 • Dawson County Transfer and Recycling Center (706) 344-3645 • Wallace 400 Waste Disposal (706) 216-1485
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August 29, 2018 | Awesome Dawson
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Additional senior center planned By Allie Dean
adean@dawsonnews.com
Margie Weaver Senior Center Director Dawn Pruett likes to spoil her clients: Group exercise, parties on every holiday, hot meals and art classes are just the tip of the iceberg of the programs she offers to Dawson County’s over-60 crowd. Participants are offered assistance with Medicare, Medicaid and Foodstamps; provided with transportation to and from the center to doctor appointments and errands; taken on day trips and weekly trips to Wal-Mart; utilize a library area with books, magazines and a computer; take art classes and jewelry making classes; and participate in exercise classes and in daily activities and games. The center is also home to Dawson County’s transit, four buses that are operated from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. most days and is available for all ages to use, not just seniors. One of the most important services the center provides is a hot meal served once daily at 11 a.m. at the center. Homebound seniors receive the meals through the center’s Meals on Wheels program. In fact, seniors love the fellowship and community at the center so much that they are quickly outgrowing the current facility. With a large population of baby boomers now entering their 60s, the 25-year-old building inside Veteran’s Memorial Park is bursting at the seams with active seniors. Anticipating more growth, and thanks to a donation from the Pauline S. Ivey Trust and a potential block grant, Pruett is in the process of building a new senior center next to the current one. The concept plan shows a new 4,800 square foot expansion to the right of the existing
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Allie Dean Dawson County News
Dawson County Senior Center art teacher Carole Kinzie gives a student tips on how to work with oil pastels. The center holds art classes weekly at no charge to seniors who wish to participate.
center. The single-level building will be connected to the existing center with a covered breezeway. Planned for the new facility are a multipurpose room for lunch and special events, a game room with computers, a
Awesome Dawson | August 29, 2018
movie room, a commercial kitchen, lots of storage space, a conference room and an Alzheimer’s respite care room. “Family members can bring their mother or father or someone that they’re looking after to spend a couple of hours daily to give the caregivers a
break, help with memory and get the Alzheimer’s patients out of the house,” Pruett said. “We get a lot of questions from citizens coming in wondering if we have Alzheimer’s respite care and we do not, so that was the big thing we wanted to focus on in this new building.” The current Margie Weaver Center will contain all of the recreational activities for the seniors, including art, jewelry making and exercise classes. The senior center is located at 201 Recreation Road in Dawsonville and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Citizens must be 60 years of age or older and live within the county to receive the services of the center. For more information, visit http://dawsoncounty.org/departments/ senior-center/ or call (706) 344-3700.
Bowen is center for Dawson arts By Allie Dean
adean@dawsonnews.com
The Bowen Center for the Arts is a hidden gem in Dawson County. The premier space in north Georgia for artists to exhibit and for patrons to view amazing work and performances, the Bowen seeks to create a canvas for creating, appreciating and participating in the arts. Named for local patrons of the arts and dedicated community stewards Ralph and Ludy Bowen, the Bowen Center for the Arts’ first exhibit opened Oct. 1, 2010. The center grew out of a community effort to restore what locals refer to as “the old rock school.” Built in the 1930s, the 5,000 square foot building was for many years part of the Dawson County School System. When the school board determined the building was nearing the end of its usefulness, a group of volunteers got together to lease it. Then called the Dawson County Arts Council, the group presented a proposal to take responsibility of the building
The Bowen Center for the Arts is the premier space in north Georgia for artists to exhibit.
in October of 1999. With support from local banks, volunteers and civic groups like Rotary and the Dawson County Woman’s Club, the renovation was complete and the center dedicated on Sept. 7, 2000. What has followed marked the beginning of events for the community designed to enrich the cultural and artistic spirit of the county. Along with art shows exhibiting work
from artists all over the state and country, card parties, tastings, gift bazaars, children’s crafts, art workshops, luncheons and receptions are just a few of the many events that make up the heart of the Bowen. Crowd favorites each year include the annual quilt exhibit and quilt raffle in September and October and the annual Christmas luncheon in November, which features tables decorated in a different Christmas theme. The board of directors for the Bowen put on several fundraisers throughout the year, including a Monet Ladies Charity Golf Classic and the Artful Cork wine tasting. The Bowen offers memberships to keep investors in the loop on events as well as to continue to expand programs and events. Learn more about the Bowen and how to become a member online at www.bowenarts.org or call (706) 216-2787. The Bowen is located at 334 Hwy. 9 N in Dawsonville, next to Lanier Tech. Admission is free and hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays.
Our Mission: FEED THE HUNGRY OF DAWSON COUNTY RIC-Rack is a Dawson County food bank and thrift store dedicated to meeting the needs of those in need in our county. We have a thrift store open to the public with a large selection of clothing, shoes and home furnishings at discounted prices. Our food bank offers a variety of food items on a monthly basis to those who qualify under our guidelines. Please come by and shop and if you are interested in the food bank program, ask a staff member if you qualify. We Accept Donations At The Store And Will Pick-Up Furniture Items At Your Home. Food Bank Hours: M-W-F noon-3pm Thrift Store Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10am-5pm 829 Hwy. 9N, Dawsonville, GA 30534 Thrift Store: 706-265-1371 • Food Bank: 706-265-1045
ric-rack.org August 29, 2018 | Awesome Dawson
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Meet your school officials:
Board of Education
Dawson County Board of Education 28 Main Street (706) 265-3246 Dawson County is divided into five districts for representation on the Board of Education. Members must live in the district they represent but are elected by the county at large. Members serve 4-year staggered terms with three members elected during one election and two during the next. The board meets in regular session at 6 p.m. on the second Monday night of each
month (with the exception of April when the meeting is held the third Monday). The Tuesday night preceding the second Monday is the board work session. Meetings are held at the central office, located at 28 Main Street in Dawsonville. Doris Cook, District 1 Elaine Wilson, District 2 Karen Armstrong, Chairperson, District 3 Roger Slaton, Vice Chairperson, District 4 Will Wade, at large Superintendent: Damon Gibbs
From left, Superintendent Damon Gibbs, Elaine Wilson (District 2), Karen Armstrong (District 3, chairperson), Will Wade (at large), Doris Cook (District 1), Roger Slaton (District 1, vice chairperson).
Schools and Principals Dawson County Schools enroll more than 3,500 students across eight sites, consisting of four elementary schools, one middle school, one junior high school and one high school, along with a non-traditional academy campus. Black’s Mill Elementary School 1860 Dawson Forest Road E (706) 216-3300 Principal Cindy Kinney ckinney@dawson.k12. ga.us
Kilough Elementary School 1063 Kilough Church Road (706) 216-8595 Principal Teresa Conowal tconowal@dawson.k12. ga.us
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Awesome Dawson | August 29, 2018
Riverview Elementary School 370 Dawson Forest Road E (706) 216-5812 Principal Julia Mashburn jmashburn@dawson.k12. ga.us
Robinson Elementary School 1150 Perimeter Road (706) 265-6544 Principal Page Arnette parnette@dawson.k12. ga.us
Dawson County Middle School 5126 Hwy. 9 S (706) 216-4849 Principal Randi Sagona rsagona@dawson.k12. ga.us
Dawson County Junior High School 109 Allen Street (706) 216-5801 Principal Connie Stovall cstovall@dawson.k12. ga.us
Dawson County High School 1665 Perimeter Road (706) 265-6555 Principal Brody Hughes bhughes@dawson.k12. ga.us
Hightower Academy 175 Tiger Circle (706) 265-1244
$7M career academy to open August 2019 By Jessica Brown
jbrown@dawsonnews.com
The practice field on the corner of Hwy. 53 and Perimeter Road next to Dawson County High School is well on its way to becoming the new College and Career Academy campus, set to open for students in August 2019. The fence surrounding the property, previously used for warm up drills for various sports, came down in July and a sign was placed announcing the field will be the home of a new 35,000 square foot, two-story facility that will house the school’s career, technical and agricultural education labs. “We were looking at the possibility of revamping our current labs in our building and as we looked at the future of our district – five, 10, 15 years down the road – we had to determine if the
For the Dawson County News
A 3D rendering of the new career academy designed by architectural firm Robertson Loia Roof.
space we had in the building for our regular academic courses would be enough,” said Superintendent Damon Gibbs. “Realistically the amount of money we would put into renovation we can build the building. Obviously it’s more because it’s a new building but we can renovate the existing space for additional academic classrooms for the future.” Due to the nature of the site’s terrain, the amount of site work is minimal as the ground is
already very level. Soil samples were taken at the site in spring of 2018, but dirt won’t begin to move until Sept. 1 due to state funding requirements, according to Gibbs. “This is a unique building for us. It’s not going down. It’s actually going from the ground up… as far as difficulty of construction it’s not real high,” Gibbs said. The new $7 million career academy is just another way the Dawson County Schools System is trying to better serve the career
tech students. It’s the hope that the building will help to eliminate the issue of transportation that has been a problem for many dual enrollment students. “It’s going to really transform the way we serve those students with 21st century lab space and really give those programs really just the recognition and the service that they deserve,” Gibbs said. The career academy will contain labs for early childhood education, culinary arts, construction and engineering and technology on the first floor as well as outdoor work areas, classrooms and a seminar room. The second floor will house two multiuse business and computer science labs, a science lab, a healthcare science lab, classrooms and a broadcast and video production lab and studio. See Academy | Page 30
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August 29, 2018 | Awesome Dawson
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Prevention Director Chris Archer helps a fire cadet aim the firehose during a game of water tugof-war June 21.
Photos by Jessica Brown Dawson County News
A safe home for all By Jessica Brown
jbrown@dawsonnews.com
E
very year the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office holds several Citizens Firearms Range Days that are free of charge for Dawson County citizens who wish to gain firearm experience from trained experts. “The reality is that there’s plenty of places to go buy guns but there’s not that many places to go obtain training. This is just a benefit that we feel is needed,” said Sheriff Jeff Johnson. “We’ve always operated under the belief of empowering our people or the principle of empowering our people. I think this is just one of the ways that we do it.” The course is comprised of two portions: a classroom session where participants learn the basics of safe pistol handling, the fundamentals of shooting and proper operations of revolvers and semi-automatic pistols; and a range day where officers work with citi-
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zens on their stance, trigger pull and grip as they learn to shoot a variety of guns from .22 caliber revolvers to 9mm and .40 caliber semi-automatic pistols as well as AR style rifles and larger rifles. “We always have a great turnout. Every class that we do there’s always a strong turnout from experienced to unexperienced shooters,” said Lt. Zach Stewart, who always lends a hand during the range days. “You have those who have been shooting their whole life and just want a little extra practice and you have those, mostly ladies, that have never shot a gun before and are deathly afraid of a gun and this is a great introduction for them.” The demand for the free classroom and range sessions is always high, and it’s something the officers look forward to sharing with their community. “We love it. The officers are excited about it. Plus the community building I think is just great to build those bonds,”
Awesome Dawson | August 29, 2018
Public safety agencies active in community
Johnson said. Those who wish to participate in upcoming range days must attend one of the classroom sessions held at the sheriff’s office training room. For more information, email Ann Martin at annmartin@dawsoncountysheriff.org or call (706) 344-3535. Updates on the next Citizens Firearms Range Days can be found on the DCSO Facebook page. Citizen Law Enforcement Academy The Dawson County Sheriff’s Office has been holding the Citizen Law Enforcement Academy for the past 18 years. The academy is designed to give citizens an inside look at how local law enforcement operates, with opportunities for participants to dig deeper into the field with several hands-on components, firearm safety and crime scene investigations. The course runs several weeks and includes an insider’s
Dawson County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Center 19 Tucker Avenue (706) 344-3535 Sheriff Jeff Johnson
Dawson County Emergency Services Fire Station 1 393 Memory Lane (706) 344-3666 Chief Danny Thompson, Emergency Services Director
look at the K-9 unit, emergency communications, and detention as well as an opportunity to ride along with a patrol officer. For more information and for dates of the next session, contact Ann Martin (see above). Junior Fire and Law Academies Both the Dawson County
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Sheriff’s Office and Dawson County Emergency Services hold week long junior academies for children in the community that are completely free and open for rising and current middle schoolers. “The kids had a blast. They’re getting lots of learning along with some fun,” Prevention Officer Chris Archer said about the 2018 Junior Fire Academy. “Not only do we get to reach out and show them how we act as firefighters and teach them some of the skills we have, but we also got to incorporate some life safety messages and keep them safer as well.” During the Junior Fire Academy, kids had the opportunity to tour one of the county’s fire stations as well as the firetrucks and ambulances, learn about CPR and Stop the Bleed Training, create home escape plans and play fun team games with the firehoses to cool down in the summer. The Dawson County Sheriff’s Office also hosts a Junior Law Enforcement Academy in the summer, which gives kids an opportunity to learn more about many aspects of public safety. “Getting to work with the kids and getting them to know who we are and seeing that we have a fun side too,” said Sgt. Stephen Swofford about his favorite part of the JLEA. Throughout the week the kids learn lessons on public safety and participate in fun activities like simulating a crime scene investigation, watching the K9 unit and SWAT team conduct demonstrations, shooting paintball guns and touring the various emergency vehicles such as a Department of Natural Resources boat and a Georgia State Patrol Helicopter. “It gives them a chance to learn about us on a personal level,” Sheriff Jeff Johnson said. “I think it builds trust. And who knows, we may just see one of these young adults in law enforcement one day.”
Jessica Brown Dawson County News
A farmer sells his wares at the Amicalola Regional Farmers Market in May 2018. Construction is now underway for a farmers market at a site in Dawsonville.
City farmers market underway By Allie Dean
adean@dawsonnews.com
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flurry of activity this summer means that the construction of a new farmers market space at the city of Dawsonville will soon be underway. Demolition and clearing of two home sites between the city of Dawsonville municipal complex and Dawson County Junior High School was recently completed after a vote of city council mid-July. In place of the homes, the city is planning a farmers market which will include a 50 foot by 150 foot covered pavilion for vendors to shelter their goods, as well as 34 parking spaces, a picnic and playground area and a restroom. Three companies submitted bids for demolition and clearing of the two adjacent properties at 124 Allen Street and 82 Allen Street, which sit on 1.75 acres. Councilman Caleb Phillips motioned to award Drew Allen Construction both bids for a total of $17,750 as recommended by city staff and Councilman Mark French seconded the motion. It was approved unanimously. According to bid documents, the work will include demolition and removal of two houses, one shed and one driveway as well as clearing trees and undergrowth and sowing grass seed
and hay on the site of the future farmers market. The city council has also rezoned the two properties from residential and planned unit development to an institutional zoning, which was required before the city could start construction. Design of the market is complete and Davis Engineering is engineering the project. A groundbreaking was held July 23. City Manager Bob Bolz said that the farmers market will help tie Main Street Park into downtown Dawsonville. He said that the city is hoping to create something like a farmers market that currently exists in Blairsville. “They have a series of large covered pavilions with concrete floors and bathrooms attached where vendors can set up and sell their wares under the shelter,” he said. “This would also give us one or two shelters available for other functions like the Moonshine Festival or Spring Fling.” The plans will include parking, sidewalks, stairs and ramps and will help connect Allen Street to the Municipal Complex and Main Street Park, he said. The city purchased the property at 82 Allen Street in March for $90,000. The project is funded by SPLOST funds. August 29, 2018 | Awesome Dawson
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Calendar of Events Chamber, Community Events and Festivals Started over 50 years ago, the Mountain Moonshine Festival is the city of Dawsonville’s annual festival that takes place at the end of October.
September 8th: Uncle Shuck’s Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch opens. October 27th and 28th: 51st annual Mountain Moonshine Festival in downtown Dawsonville. 31st: Trunk or Treat at Rock Creek Park, 4 to 7 p.m. November 11th: Veterans Day Parade, downtown Dawsonville, 5 p.m. Allie Dean Dawson County News
December 1st: Annual Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting in downtown Dawsonville, 5 p.m. Tree lighting is held at dusk. 1st: Breakfast with Santa at Rock Creek Park, 8 to 11 a.m. Monthly Reoccurring Events Chamber luncheon: Second Thursday of each month, 30 Main St., Dawsonville, 11:30 a.m. Cruz-In Downtown Dawsonville: Third Friday of the month, 5 p.m. Chamber Business After Hours: Fourth Tuesday of each month, location varies, 5 to 7 p.m. Annual Reoccurring Events Chamber Gala, TBA KARE for Kids Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday before Easter at Veterans Memorial Park. Rotary Day at Rotary Island at Rock Creek Park, each June Sparks in the Motorsports Park, July 4, yearly ‘Shine Pedalers Metric, last Saturday in July
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Academy The only lab that will stay at its current location is the agricultural lab due to its proximity to the greenhouse. Currently, the culinary arts program operates out of an old home economics classroom and before the JROTC program opened its new facility earlier this year, it was operating in space that was never designed to be used for that program.
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Jessica Brown Dawson County News
A fun day out for kids that coincides with the day of the Christmas parade and tree lighting, Breakfast with Santa gives the community a place to get festive for the holidays.
“We’re trying to give appropriate space to the appropriate programs so that they can better serve our kids,” Gibbs said. While there currently aren’t any students to fill the construction and video production labs, Gibbs said they are being built for future growth of the programs as dual enrollment continues to become a more popular route for students. Gibbs hopes that the new facility will help foster the county’s dual enrollment program and strengthen relationships with Lanier Tech and the University
Awesome Dawson | August 29, 2018
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of North Georgia, and he suggested that college students may be able to utilize the facility as well. “I think that’s part of the partnership that has to be worked out and if Lanier Tech or University of North Georgia wants to send their professors we’re more than willing for that to happen… but if they want to use some of our folks because they don’t have enough staff then we want to offer that as well,” Gibbs said. “How that shakes out is really to be determined but we know that two different districts across
the state are using both models so we know that either one of those can be successful. “And we have plenty of time. That’s the good part for us.” In March, the board of education awarded Carroll Daniel Construction a contract to construct the new facility. T h e a r c h i t e c t u r a l fi r m Robertson Loia Roof – which has designed all other Dawson County campuses – provided the design plans for the $7 million facility. The project is funded completely through ESPLOST funds.
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