Best of Dawson 2022

thank all our customers who have supported us for these 2 years of service, without we would not be who we are now, “ orite Mexican Restaurant.”

Thanks to everyone for their hard work and dedication.

We would like to start by expressing the great emotion and satisfaction we feel for receiving this award which has been achieved thanks to all of you.

I want to start by thanking God for health, strength and leading us on the right path. I also want to thank all our customers who have supported us for these 2 years of service, without your support or vote, we would not be who we are now, “ your favorite Mexican Restaurant.”

And finally I would like to thank our coworkers, thanks to the great team we have achieved starting with kitchen staff, chefs, food runners, chip takers, busboys , hostesses, bartenders and managers. Thanks to everyone for their hard work and dedication. www.SenorFiesta.com

by expressing the great emotion and satisfaction achieved thanks to all of you. thanking God for health, strength and leading us on who have supported us for these 2 years of service, we are now, “ to thank our coworkers, thanks to the great team food runners, chip takers, busboys , hostesses, their hard work and dedication.

And finally I would like to thank our coworkers, thanks to the great team we have with kitchen staff, chefs, food runners, chip takers, busboys , hostesses, bartenders

Come see us in Gainesville or

Come see us in Gainesville

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Congratulations to each and every winner of the Best of Dawson 2022! The winners you’ll see in this magazine represent the best of the best in what they do, from restaurants to professionals and everything in between.

For the second year in a row, the Best of Dawson awards gala is made possible by presenting sponsor John Megel Chevrolet and hosted at Lilly Creek Farm. The Gordon Pirkle Heart of Dawson Award will be given out for its second time ever to a community member who, like Pirkle himself, exhibits a true love and passion for the Dawson County community.

A new award will also be unveiled this year in honor of the late Roger Slaton, whose drive and support of the Dawson County community helped shape it into what it is today. Everyone who knew Slaton described him as a servant leader, visionary and selfless pillar of the community. The new award, titled the Roger Slaton Servant Leadership Award, will be presented this year to Slaton’s family on his behalf and will be awarded each following year to an individual who embodies

those same characteristics that Slaton did.

We couldn’t have done all of this without you, the readers, who nominated and voted for your favorite businesses in each category, showing your support for your favorite community group, store, volunteer and much more. The votes and support shown to each of these winners is proof of the way that members of the Dawson County community rally around one another and help each other survive and thrive, even in the midst of a year unlike any other.

Thank you to our sponsors, to every business represented in this magazine and to every reader who nominated and voted for their favorite business in this year’s contest. The Best of Dawson contest wouldn’t be what it is without you, and we’re grateful for the honor of hosting it.

Congratulations to every business and individual that has been named a Best of Dawson 2022 winner!

Thanks for reading, Erica Jones, Editor

Thank You to our Sponsors

John Megel Chevrolet Presenting Sponsor

Elite Heating and Air Gold Sponsor

The Steel Buffalo Butchery Gold Sponsor

Aqua Pool Design Silver Sponsor

AUTO & TRANSPORTATION

2022 BEST OF DAWSON WINNERS

Auto Body Shop

Disharoon Automotive

Auto Glass Repair/Replacement

Southern Auto Glass

Auto Parts Store

AutoZone

Independent Auto Repair Shop

Silver City Tire & Automotive

New Vehicle Dealership

John Megel Chevrolet

Oil Change

Grease Monkey

Small Engine Repair/Sales

Silver City Tire & Automotive

Tire Store

Silver City Tire & Automotive

Towing Service

K&K Towing of Dawsonville

Used Car Dealership

John Megel Chevrolet

BUSINESS

Accessories Store

Sweet Sassafras Boutique

Accounting/Tax Prep

Christine Hinton CPA

Antique Store

Soul Sisters Antiques

Assisted Living Community

North Georgia Assisted Living and Memory Care

Bail Bond Company

Liberty Bail Bonds

Bank/Credit Union

United Community Bank

Banquet/Event Facility

Lilly Creek Farm

Barber Shop

Dawsonville Barber Shop

Beauty and Hair Salon

Sage Hair Studio

Boat Services

Lund Marine

Boutique

Sweet Sassafras

Car Wash

North Georgia Premium Car Wash

Carpet Cleaning

KG Cleaning Service Inc.

Carpet/Flooring store

Sovereign Flooring LLC

Catering

Dawsonville Pool Room

Child Care Center

White Oak Learning Academy-

Dawsonville Locations

Children’s Clothing Store

2022 BEST OF DAWSON WINNERS

Fancy flea

Cleaning Company

ATD Cleaning Services LLC

Commercial Real Estate Company

The Welch Team - Keller Williams

Realty, Community Partners

Computer Repair/Services

AML Computer Services, LLC

Dance Studio

Cumming Dance Academy -

Dawsonville

Dry Cleaners

Top Cleaners

Electrical Contractor

Carl Pruitt Electrical

Family/Childrens Activities

Launch Trampoline Park

Feed & Seed Store

Brooksher Feed & Farm Supply

Financial Planner

Alexandria Williams, Modern

Woodmen of America

Fitness Center/Gym

Planet Fitness

Floral Arrangement

Dawsonville Florist

Furniture Store

Soul Sisters Antiques

Garbage/Waste Removal

Evans Garbage Services

Grading & Hauling

Bolton Grading

Grocery Store

Ingles

Gun Store

Dawsonville Gun & Pawn

Gutter Service

Sheffield Gutters

Hardware Store

C & W Hardware True Value

Health & Beauty Retail Store

A Touch of Hope

Health Insurance Agency

Krumm Agency, LLC

Heating/Air Service

Elite Heating & Air

Home Decor/Furniture

Soul Sisters Antiques

Home Repair/Handyman

Freedom Painting and Handyman Services

Hotel/Lodging

Amicalola State Park Lodge

Framing Store/Framing Supplies

Hobby Lobby

“Thank you for making us Best of Dawson for four years in a row. We are known for the quality of our service and the high standards we set for ourselves. Our primary goal is to help our clients make informed financial decisions.”

- Christine Hinton

• Tax Preparation and Planning

• Small Business Accounting

• Payroll

• Part-Time CFO Services

• Personal Financial Planning

2022 BEST OF DAWSON WINNERS

Insurance Company (not individual agents)

Ryan Scott - State Farm Insurance Agency

Jewelry Store

Tripp and Company Jewelers

Junk Removal

400 Waste and Scrap LLC

Kitchen/Bath Remodel

Brandon Nahlik Construction

Landscape and design company

Nature’s Color, LLC

Lawn Care/Weed Control

Daniel J Pritchett Landscaping

Locksmith

North Georgia Key Works

Men’s Clothing Store

Brooks Brothers

Nail Salon

Moon Nails & Tan

Nursery/Greenery

Abbott Creek Nursery

Outdoor Specialty Store

Wild Birds Unlimited

Paint Store

Sherwin Williams

Painting Company

Freedom Painting and Handyman Services

Pawn Shop

Dawsonville Gun & Pawn

Pest Control Company

Duncan Exterminating

Pet Boarding

Country Home Kennels

Pet Care

Whitmire Animal Hospital

Place to Work

Mandy’s Pet Spa

Pressure Washing

Rex Pressure Washing

Printing & Graphics Company

400 Ink - Signs & Graphics

Propane Company

Amicalola Propane

Real Estate Group or Firm

The Welch Team - Keller Williams

Realty, Community Partners

Roofer Hopewell Roofing

Self Storage Facility

Byrd’s Mini Storage, Highway 53,

Dawsonville, GA, United States

Septic Services

Banks Septic

Shoe Store

Famous Footwear

Spa Services

2022 BEST OF DAWSON WINNERS

A Touch of Hope

Specialty Retailer

Fancy Flea

Sporting Goods Retail

Appalachian Armory, Inc.

Swimming Pool/Spa Design/ Service

Aqua Design Pool and Spa

Tanning Services

A Touch of Hope

Tattoo Shop

Gold City Tattoo Company

Thrift Store

The Place of Dawson at RIC-Rack

Travel Agency

Radiant Travel Dream Vacations

Tree Service

Superior Arbor Management (SAM)

Vape Shop

The Vaperz Den

Vitamin Store

Nature’s Health Store

Water/Fire Damage/Mold

Remediatioin

Water Removal Services LLC

Wedding Venue

Lilly Creek Farm Events

Wild Bird Supplies

Wild Birds Unlimited

Window Tinting

TopLine Tint, LLC

Women’s Clothing Store

Sweet Sassafras Boutique

COMMUNITY

Art Gallery/Studio

Outside the Lines! Art Studio

Church

Soul filling station

Civic Club

K.A.R.E For Kids

Non-profit Organization

Love Kaleb Inc.

Place to volunteer

Good Shepard Clinic of Dawson

County

Tourist Attraction

Burt’s Pumpkin Farm

Volunteer

Gordon Pirkle

EDUCATION

Assistant Principal

Mandy Smith-Black’s Mill Elementary

Principal

Brody Hughes, Dawson County High

School

Private School

Lighthouse Christian Academy

“Thank

Out mission at Love Kaleb Inc. is to give families in the community a helping hand with empathy, understanding and thoughtfulness.

We are better together than we are alone. In memory of Kaleb Duckworth.

Our motto is “It’ll be A”ight”, Kaleb always believed no problem was too big that it couldn’t be fixed and he would always say this phrase. Once a year we plan on giving a scholarship in Kalebs name to a student graduating from the school Kaleb attended. We also want to have free/ low cost community events a couple

times a year to get our teens involved and also give the little ones and families something to do. If Kaleb taught us anything it is to live life to the fullest, never judge someone based on how they look, try to always put a smile on someone’s face, if you see someone in need just help them and always try to do good.

Public School

2022 BEST OF DAWSON WINNERS

Black’s Mill Elementary School

Teacher

Will Anglin

Tutoring

Mathnasium Coal Mountain

FOOD & BEVERAGE

American Food

Papa’s Place

Appetizer

LongHorn Steakhouse

Asian Restaurant

Kani House

Bagels

Panera Bread

Bar

Miller’s Ale House

Barbeque

Mutt and Jeff’s Smokehouse

Best Beer Selection

Premium Package Outlet

Best Wine Selection

Premium Package Outlet

Breakfast

Big Red’s Biscuits & Deli

Business Lunch

LongHorn Steakhouse

Butcher/Meat Processor

The Steel Buffalo Butchery

Coffee

Because Coffee

Delivery Restaurant

Domino’s Pizza

Dessert

Da Vinci’s Donuts

Dinner

LongHorn Steakhouse

Donut Shop

Da Vinci Donuts

Family Restaurant

Papa’s Place

Fast Food

Chick-fil-A

Fine Dining

The Blue Bicycle A Bistro

French Fries

Chick-fil-A

Fun Atmosphere

Burt’s Pumpkin Farm

Hamburger

Dawsonville Pool Room

Happy Hour

Miller’s Ale House

Health Food

City Produce

Ice Cream

Dairy Queen

“WE

Italian Restaurant

2022 BEST OF DAWSON WINNERS

Ruby’s Recipes

Liquor Store

Premium Package Outlet

Lunch

Chick-fil-A

Margarita

Senor Fiesta

Martini

LongHorn Steakhouse

Mexican Restaurant

Senor Fiesta

Pizza MOD Pizza

Place to Celebrate Special

Occasion

Longhorn Steakhouse

Romantic Restaurant (date night)

Blue Bicycle Salad

Zaxby’s

Sandwiches

Firehouse Subs Dawsonville

Seafood

Kajun Seafood - Dawsonville

Soup

Panera Bread

Southern Cooking

Papas Place

Sports Bar

Miller’s Ale House

Steak

LongHorn Steakhouse

Sushi

Kani House

Sweet Tea

Mutt & Jeff’s Smokehouse

Takeout

Ruby’s Recipes

Wings

Old Dad’s Wings

MEDICAL

Audiology/Hearing Aids

North Atlanta ENT and Allergy

Cardiology

The Heart Center of NGMC-

Dawsonville

CBD Store

Your CBD Store

Children’s Dentist

Bright Smiles

Chiropractor

Nature’s Way Chiropractic

Cosmetic Dentistry

Dawsonville Distinctive Dentistry

our friendships that we have made through the last 25 years with so many.

The Brooksher Family at Brooksher Feed & Farm Supply would like to Thank our awesome customers for voting us Best of 2022! Your amazing support for 22 years means the world to us. We appreciate your business and will work hard to give you the service you deserve.

Dermatology

2022 BEST OF DAWSON WINNERS

Cleaver Medical Group

Drug and Alcohol Treatment

(substance Abuse

Alpha Hope Counseling Inc

Ear, Nose and Throat

Specialists

North Atlanta ENT and Allergy

Family Practice

Chestatee Emergent Medical Care

General Dentistry

Bright Smiles

Home Healthcare

Visiting Angels Hospital Presence

Northeast Georgia Health System

Imaging Service

Imaging Center of Northeast Georgia

Medical Center

Massage Therapy

A Touch of Hope

OB/GYN practice

NGPG OB/GYN Dawsonville

Optometry Practice

Dawson Eye Group

Orthodontics

Smile Doctors of Dawsonville

Orthopedics

NGPG Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine

Dawsonville

Outpatient/Ambulatory Surgery

North Atlanta Ear, Nose and Throat

Surgical Center

Pain Management

Cleaver Medical Group

Pediatrics Practice

Ivy Ridge Pediatrics

Pharmacy

Dawson Pharmacy

Podiatry

Dr. Gruen, Gruen Podiatry

Therapy-Physical

BenchMark Physical Therapy

Urgent Care

Chestatee Emergent Medical Care

PROFESSIONALS

Accountanting Professional

Christine Hinton, CPA

Auto Mechanic

Chris McBrayer

Bank Teller

Pamela Pilcher

Barber

Khalid Amid

Civil Attorney

Weaver Law Firm

Contractor/Construction

John Sullivan - North Ga Creations, LLC

Counselor

2022 BEST OF DAWSON WINNERS

Kyle Ramsey, Black’s Mill Elementary School

Criminal Attorney

Fox Chandler Homans, Hicks & McKinnon LLP

Estate Planning/Attorney

Shelly Townley Martin

Esthetician (Skin Care Specialist)

Shelby Freeman at A Touch of Hope

Hair Colorist

Danielle Westbrook

Hair Stylist

Morgan Shea

Home Inspector

Mike Phillips- 4 Seasons Home Inspection

Insurance Agent

Alexandria Williams, Modern Woodmen of America

Massage Therapist

Hope Chism, A Touch of Hope

Nail Technician

Natalie at Moon Nails

Non-MD

PA, etc.)

Amberly Hedden, Chestatee

Emergent Medical

Pediatrician

Renee Waters, Ivy Ridge Pediatrics

Personal Injury Attorney

Steven Leibel, Leibel Law

Personal Trainer

Emmi Voss-The Gym Dawsonville

Pet Groomer

Michelle Ingram, Mandy’s Pet Spa

Photographer

Sole Photography by Paige Sweany

Plumber

Manning Plumbing

Real Estate Agent

Kristen Gee- Bohanan & Gee Elite

Realty

Tattoo Artist

JC Welch

Veterinary Services/ Veterinarian

Whitmire Animal Hospital

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you Serve. Colossians 3:23-24

It has been a couple of challenging years for everyone, but Bethany and I want you to know how much we appreciate the support of us and other small businesses from the entire Dawson community. We have always said that Providing SERVICE and HAPPINESS to our Customers and Community is our mission statement. We started that idea and foundation of Service nearly 7 years ago, as we took a leap of faith to follow our all-American Dream, starting out of our garage, and working very to provide ol’ fashioned Customer Service!

Anyone can do a job cheap, but we strive to earn customers for life with a name you can always count on and trust. We have grown over the years but have stayed true to our commitment to Serve our community and give back. The community understands this commitment and that’s way they have voted us Best of Dawson 7 years in a row. As we enter 2022, we will stay true to our commitment of “Helping Keep Dawsonville Clean” by still volunteering with various projects, helping keep roads Clean, and Fogging for COVID for many small churches and businesses. We pray and know that 2022 will be a brighter year for everyone and are here to Serve you to the Highest Level just as we always have because the KG Team is a name you can always count on and trust!

Thank you again for blessing us with the business and support. May God bless you and your Home always!

-

Ken

And Bethany Goines

(KG

Cleaning Service) We are the leading provider of eye and vision care in North Georgia. Doctors Kelley and Michael Dasinger specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide array of ocular diseases and conditions for all ages.

John Megel Chevrolet continues to build legacy of customer service and trust in community

By Erica Jones ejones@dawsonnews.com

Photos by Jeremy Coleman

John Megel Chevrolet in Dawson County has had a busy year, continuing to build the Dawson location, as well as opening John Megel Ford in Cleveland, Georgia. Amidst all of the growth, John Megel Chevrolet has continued to uphold and strengthen the business’s reputation of customer service that the community can trust.

John Megel Chevrolet Owner Jonathan Megel is a third-generation car dealer. His grandfather owned a Ford dealership in Buckhead and his father started a small Chevrolet dealership in Dahlonega in 1998 before outgrowing that space and building John Megel Chevrolet in Dawson. Since John Megel Chevrolet opened, Dawson County has continued to grow and develop into what it is today and the dealership has remained a long-time part of the community.

Year after year, the dealership has won awards for its service, trustworthiness and dedication to the community. As the business has expanded, the Megel family and the dealership’s employees have continued to keep that dedication to loyalty and trust at the center of all they do.

Most recently, Megel expanded on the family business by purchasing Jacky Jones Ford in December of last year. In a recent Dawson Living magazine article about the expansion, Shawn Boyd, executive manager for John Megel Chevrolet and John Megel Ford, told the Dawson County News that the goal in purchasing the dealership from Jones was to keep much of the dealership’s culture as it already was.

“The appeal of Jacky’s store was because it’s the same kind of thing we have going on at our dealership in Dawsonville,” Boyd said. “They have a lot of repeat and referral customers, loyal customers, and most of the employees have been here between 15-30 years. It’s like family there, and that’s how we like to do business too.”

The dealership’s family-like atmosphere and customer-first attitude are big parts of why so many people in the community have gone to John Megel Chevrolet and continue to go back as repeat customers. Employees at John Megel Chevrolet strive to not just sell a car to a customer, but to truly help them through every step of the process.

“Something that Jonathan says all the time is that it takes a couple of hours to buy a car, but it takes 5-6 years to own one,” Boyd said. “We want to focus on helping people through the entire process of owning it, not just selling it to them. When they have a problem, we want to be there for them.”

This year, John Megel Chevrolet has once again won two categories in the Best of Dawson contest: Best New Vehicle Dealership and Best Used Car Dealership.

According to Boyd, being voted as the best for yet another year is proof that the dealership is doing its job.

“It’s awesome; it’s a testament to our employees, the way they treat our customers that come in, and how loyal our customers are to us,” Boyd said. “It’s a huge honor, and hopefully we can continue to serve Dawson County the way they want to be taken care of.”

To learn more about John Megel Chevrolet, go to megelchevy.com. To read the recent Dawson Living article about John Megel Ford, go to https://issuu.com/ thetimes/docs/01_dawson_living_0223.

Jennifer Colosimo contributed to this story.

When you want to shop with a car dealer that cares about customer satisfaction, you should find your way to us. Over time, we have served the automotive needs of many customers who were looking to find a car dealership they could trust to offer a full-service experience.

At John Megel Chevrolet, we have an excellent selection of pre-owned vehicles. You can also enjoy the current financing specials and lease offers we have on all of the most popular Chevy models in the lineup. We pride ourselves in being the used car dealer that has options for almost every kind of driver and budget.

The Steel Buffalo Butchery wins Best Butcher/Meat Processor for second year in a row

By Erica Jones ejones@dawsonnews.com

For the second year in a row, The Steel Buffalo Butchery has won the Best of Dawson award for Best Butcher/Meat Processor.

The Steel Buffalo Butchery is a family owned and operated meat market and butchery that offers livestock processing and wild game processing. It is a USDA processing facility for livestock including cow, pig, sheep, goat and lamb, as well as a processor for wild game including deer, wild hog, elk and bear.

In addition to processing, The Steel Buffalo Butchery has a retail meat market offering several options for cuts of beef and pork as well as specialty jerky.

The butchery has been in operation since 2015, when owner Joe Green opened his business as a deer processing facility in a building that used to be an Abattoir for local farmers in the Dawsonville community. Since then, the business has expanded into what it is today.

The Steel Buffalo Butchery earned its name from Joe’s hometown, a small town outside of Buffalo, NY that is prominently known for the steel industry.

Joe said that he is excited and thankful to have won the 2022 Best of Dawson award for Best Butcher/Meat Processor.

“We are humbled and honored to be chosen Best Butchery two years in a row,” Joe said. “We thank everyone for buying local, so that we can continue to support local farmers and families.”

Learn more about The Steel Buffalo Butchery at www.thesteelbuffalobutchery.com/

Rhonda Evans honored with Gordon Pirkle Heart of Dawson award

By Erica Jones ejones@dawsonnews.com

This year’s recipient of the Gordon Pirkle Heart of Dawson award is Rhonda Evans, who will be honored for her hard work and dedication with local nonprofit K.A.R.E. for Kids.

Evans is the president of K.A.R.E. for Kids, which strives to care for the children in the county by providing necessities like winter coats, shoes, clothing and other resources. Each year, the organization hosts the community’s Easter egg hunt event and puts on the annual Mountain Moonshine Festival to raise money for its Christmas program, which provides presents for Christmas to hundreds of children in the county.

Evans was one of the original founders of the organization, which originally began as a way to take the annual Mountain Moonshine Festival over from the local Jaycees group and continue bringing Christmas to local children in need.

“My ex-husband was a Jaycee, and in ‘92, the last year the Jaycees did the Moonshine Festival, it was me and very few other people who helped,” Evans said. “There was a lady here at the time that worked for DFCS (Division of Family and Children Services) that was helpful and like seven of us that met and talked about it, and our goal was then to start an organization that could coordinate different organizations to let them share the task of the festival.”

Evans and several other people, including Dawson County legend Gordon Pirkle, began what was at that time called the Starbright Foundation and was renamed K.A.R.E. for Kids around 1999. Since the beginning of the organization, Evans has always served as either president or vice president.

“At the beginning, Gordon said, ‘We can’t let the Christmas efforts die,’ so that’s been the fire under me a lot of times,” Evans said. “Really Gordon and I are the last active board members that were the founders also — I give him credit and he gives me credit because he’s always kept me going and we’ve really always worked together.”

Pirkle said that because the friendship between Evans and himself goes so far back, he’s gotten to work on not only K.A.R.E. for Kids but many other projects with her over the years.

“We’ve worked on so many projects together over the years,” Pirkle said. “She understands the community about as good as anybody I know, and she’s been around here a long time and can answer the questions.”

Evans has lived in the Dawson County community since 1975, when her father was appointed as the preacher at Mckee’s Chapel and her whole family moved into the parsonage. She graduated from Dawson County High School, went to college at Reinhardt University and moved back to the county when she graduated college and got married.

Before K.A.R.E. for Kids, Evans served on the board for United Way as well as the board for RIC-Rack. Her children and grandchildren have grown up in Dawson, and she said that raising children with a mindset of community is an important aspect of keeping the community going.

“I believe in raising our children to become community minded as well; that is important in keeping our community’s

Photos courtesy of Rhonda Evans

solid foundation in place,” Evans said.

Over the years, Evans said that she’s seen the community grow and change, but that everyone pulling together to help each other has always remained at the heart of the community.

“Back in the day basically there was DFCS, K.A.R.E. for Kids, RIC Rack and United Way and that was pretty much it… it is amazing how many resources are available now and each one can kind of focus in on what they do and I think it’s cool that we can work on people’s strengths and weaknesses,” Evans said. “I never had a need where we (as a whole) couldn’t do something to help them, and that’s how I know what strong community is.”

In addition to other nonprofits and organizations that have banded together, Evans added that she’s also seen individuals in Dawson County pitch in to carry each other in times of need.

“I was thinking about how our county has changed with new roads, new buildings and everything and it’s all great but I’m glad that our community heart is still the same,” Evans said. “A lot of new people come in and it takes a little bit, but they have added to the community and a lot of them have jumped in and helped and it’s just a great place to live because of that.”

The Gordon Pirkle Heart of Dawson award was created by the Dawson County News in 2021, and will be presented each year at the Dawson County News Best of Dawson Gala to a community member who embodies the giving spirit and love for Dawson County that Pirkle shows.

Pirkle himself was instrumental in selecting Evans to receive the award this year, praising her for her dedication to K.A.R.E. for Kids and to serving the children in the community.

“We go way back; she’s been here from the beginning and she has done lots for this county,” Pirkle said. “I think she’s done an excellent job and she

puts a whole lot into it.”

Evans said that the drive to serve others and do all she can to help has always been built into her personality.

“My nature is one that I want to be involved and try to make life better, and I think that’s the drive because when you’re in this position things happen that could so easily defeat you, but if you have a real deep-rooted desire to make things better you have

to just kind of jump over that hurdle,” Evans said.

She said her reward comes from seeing the impact that she can have on other people and how well a community can come together to help each other.

“It makes an impact on me and makes me feel like I’m a better person, not because of anything I did but because of what the community does,” Evans said.

2022 Best of Dawson

Elite Heating & Air wins Best Heating/Air Service for fifth year in a row

By Erica Jones ejones@dawsonnews.com

For the fifth year in a row, Elite Heating & Air has come out on top, winning the 2022 Best of Dawson award for Best Heating/Air Service.

Elite Heating & Air is a family run business with over a decade of experience and is a well-known name in North Georgia for its professional, dependable and trustworthy heating and air services. The company’s reputation is built on its honesty and the pride the owners and employees take in their work.

Elite Heating & Air offers residential and commercial services, new installations, repair services for existing units, equipment sales and duct work, among other services. They are available to service all HVAC installation needs and offer HVAC service plans to help ensure that their customers’ heating and cooling equipment runs smoothly and effectively all year long.

The business provides customers with quality and competitive pricing and all work is guaranteed. Elite Heating & Air is fully

licensed and insured to repair, sell, install and tune up all brands and makes of air conditioners and heating and cooling equipment, including green cooling solutions such as solar and heat pumps.

Elite Heating & Air owner Tim White said that he and his wife Lindsay are excited and honored to have won their fifth Best of Dawson award in a row.

“Thank you Dawson County for once again voting Elite Heating & Air the Best of Dawson,” White said. “As a hometown boy born and raised here, it has been an honor to grow and serve this community. We look forward to many more years of working hard for you.”

For more information about Elite Heating & Air, go to www.eliteheatingandairga.com/

It’s getting hot out here. ..

Thank you to our community for always supporting us and voting us the best heating and air company five years in a row. As a lifelong resident of Dawson County, this recognition is such an honor. We look forward to continuing to serve your.

~ Tim & Lindsay White

706-974-1092

EliteHeatingandAirGA.com

Tim@EliteHeatingandAirGA.com

Roger Slaton honored by DCN for legacy of service, community involvement

By Erica Jones ejones@dawsonnews.com

Roger Slaton spent countless hours serving the Dawson County community through his business, church, roles with the Dawson County Board of Education and Dawson County Chamber of Commerce and many other ways.

A lifelong resident of Dawson County, Slaton poured himself into every task. He stayed involved in every way he could up until his death on June 6, 2021 at the age of 80.

In interviews with the Dawson County News shortly after his death, friends of Slaton described him as a leader, visionary and a selfless man who supported the people of Dawson County with all that he had.

“Roger really was everything we all aspire to be,” Dawson County Chamber of Commerce President Mandy Power told the DCN shortly after his passing. “He was born and raised right here in Dawson County ... he raised his family here, he had a small business here, he served in an elected position for the school board ... I think that’s what we all look up to.”

Slaton graduated from Dawson County High School and the University of Georgia and worked as a State Farm Insurance agent for 40 years. He also served as the chairman of the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce Board in 2005 and 2006 and was one of the chamber’s longest serving members and advocates.

Slaton served on the board of Lanier Technical College, spearheading efforts to improve the college’s offerings in Dawson County. He also served on the Dawson County Board of Education since the 1970s and was truly passionate about serving the children in the county.

“I don’t know of many people that ever made a bigger impact than Roger on this community,” fellow BOE member Elaine Wilson told the DCN following his death. “Roger touched so many different aspects of the community ... whether it was church or school or business or chamber of commerce, Relay for Life, there’s just so much that Roger had a hand in.”

Slaton was also active in his church and in mission work. During his funeral on June 9, 2021, several local pastors recounted memories of Slaton and their time with him, talking about his faith, loyalty and kindness as well as the impact he made on everyone around him.

TOP: Roger Slaton, community leader and Dawson County Board of Education Member, died at the age of 80 on Sunday, June 6, 2021.

MIDDLE: Roger Slaton emotionally accepts the 2013 Don Gordon Business Leader of the Year award.

BOTTOM: Roger Slaton, chairman of Dawson County Board of Education, spends time with Blacks Mill Elementary students during Celebrity Reader Day.

“I never saw a man work harder in the church than Roger Slaton,” Silver City Baptist Church Pastor Russell Burt said during Slaton’s memorial service. “If a revival service was going on, he was gonna be there; if the church needed a piano player, he was gonna be there; when somebody needed something in the community, he was gonna be there; when the girls needed a basketball coach, he was gonna be there; whatever need presented itself, he rose to the challenge and said ‘I will go’.”

Slaton’s life and legacy will be recognized this year at the annual Dawson County News Best of Dawson Gala with the brand new Servant Leadership award, which will henceforth be known as the Roger Slaton Servant Leadership award.

According to Dawson County News leadership, the award, which will be presented this year to Slaton’s family on his behalf, will be presented every year at the Dawson County News Best of Dawson Gala to a community member who embodies Slaton’s servant leadership, heart for the community and selfless spirit for which he will always be remembered.

MIDDLE: Relay for Life Emcee Roger Slaton is pictured with Aline McClure in 2015.

BOTTOM:

TOP: Alena Sewell, 2, prepares to pie BOE member Roger Slaton in the face during the first “Pie in the Face” fundraiser at Relay for Life.

Roger and Loretta Slaton at their 50th wedding anniversary party in June of 2011.

Alpha Hope Counseling, Inc.

The Beginning of Hope

Dawsonville

137 Prominence Court

Suite 220

Dawsonville, Georgia 30534 (706) 216-4735 (Phone) (706) 216-7909 (Fax)

Cumming

Tanyard Oaks Office Park

327 Dahlonega Street, Suite 302-B

Cumming, Georgia 30040 (678) 571-7505 (Phone) (678) 845-6286 (Fax)

alphahopecounseling.com

Apha Hope offers a wide range of counseling services. Our caring and professional staff seeks to provide personalized services designed to meet the needs of each client. Counseling sessions may be scheduled throughout the week between the hours of 9-5 PM, Monday – Friday.

Individual/Couples/Family Counseling

Substance Abuse Therapy

Anger/Violence Therapy

Victim Impact Panel

Sex Addiction Treatment

Employee Assistance Program

Other Services

We provide dry cleaning and laundry services for your clothing articles and other household items. Our team is able to handle the toughest stains, tricky clothing repairs, and more! When you trust us, you’re trusting a team with years of experience that will treat both you and your clothes with the utmost care and respect. TOP

Turning the heart of youth and families to God and each other. Developing our God-given potential in order to win in every area of our lives. Advancing the Kingdom of God, first throughout our circles of includence, then the nations abroad.

Dawson Community Foodbank is a ministry of the church serving 500+ families monthly. Our desire is that no one goes hungry. God has blessed us tremendously and this is one way we can give back to the commmunity. Matthew 25:35 - For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meal: I was thristy, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in.

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“Providing

From opening in November of 2015, integrity has been the driving force that keeps customers coming back for all of their prescription needs. Let’s work together for your health! This pharmacy is outfitted for both retail and compounding pharmaceutical needs which allows us to serve you with any prescription. Compounding needs can include pain creams, hormone replacements, veterinary, and many more.

TO THIS YEAR'S BEST OF DAWSON WINNERS

nghs.com

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Neurofeedback —

Physical

Dr. Kara’s goal is to help patients maintain a natural, healthy lifestyle-and this goes beyond chiropractic adjustments. Dr. Kara hopes to help you balance emotions, remain physically well, be happy spiritually, and help give your body exactly what it needs for long-term health and wellness.

7 Year’s In A Row

Thank you to our loyal customers for naming us Best Bank/Financial Institution and our very own, Pam Pilcher, as Best Teller, and Mike Harrington as Best Financial Planner. We value your continued business and trust, and look forward to serving you and our community for many years to come.