• Custom Fiberglass Pools and Spas (with lifetime structural and osmosis warranty) Unlike the other guys
• Excavation and Grading
• Custom Outdoor Living
• Custom Fire Pits and Patios
• Decretive Steps and Walkway’s
• Pavers (concrete, porcelain tiles, travertine)
• Custom Pool Decking
• Pergolas
• Water Features (water falls, spill over ledges, tanning ledges ect.)
• Erosion Control that coincides with the Hardscape and Landscape Design
• Creative Drainage Solutions
• Christmas Light Installation
Thank you to our community for always supporting us and voting us the best heating and air company eight years in a row. As a lifelong resident of Dawson County, this recognition is such an honor. We look forward to continuing to serve you. ~ Tim & Lindsay White
PUBLISHER
Stephanie Woody
MANAGING EDITOR
Erica Jones
SALES MANAGER
Paul Flannigan
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Meghan Hernandez
Alex Henry
Stacy Clark
Jenna Wellborn
EVENT MANAGER
Grace Reed
DIGITAL DIRECTOR
Jim Dean
CREATIVE SERVICES
Chelsea Sunshine
April Seymour
Courtney Smith
Carmen Rivera
706-265-3384
30 Shoal Creek Road Dawsonville, GA
Congratulations to all of the winners of the Best of Dawson 2025!
The winners you’ll see in this magazine represent the best of the best in their respective fields. Their hard work and dedication to their professions have pushed them to the very top, and this is evidenced through their clients, customers and community members voting for each of them to win.
One of the things that I believe makes the Dawson County community such an amazing one is that the members of this community are always willing to show up for and support one another. Throughout my time working with the Dawson County News and getting to tell the stories of the community, I’ve gotten the honor of witnessing time and time again how the people here show their love and support to local businesses and to one another, and that’s one of the things I love most about Dawson County.
This year as with every year, this community love and support was demonstrated once again during the Best of Dawson contest, as community members took the time to cast thousands of votes for their favorite businesses and individuals. The Best of Dawson contest couldn’t be what it is without this community participation, and we at the Dawson County News are beyond grateful for everyone who took the time to nominate or vote in this year’s contest.
Thank you to all of our sponsors and to every business and individual represented in this magazine, and congratulations to everyone who has been named a 2025 Best of Dawson winner!
AUTO AND MARINE WINNERS
AUTO BODY SHOP
Disharoon Automotive
AUTO GLASS REPAIR/REPLACEMENT
Southern Auto Glass
AUTO PARTS STORE
Advance Auto Parts
BOAT SERVICE OR REPAIR
AAA Boat & Dock Repair Services
CAR WASH
Bamboo Car Wash
DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT
John Megel Chevrolet
GOLF CART SALES & SERVICE
North Atlanta Golf Carts
INDEPENDENT AUTO REPAIR SHOP
Silver City Tire & Automotive
NEW VEHICLE DEALERSHIP
John Megel Chevrolet
OIL CHANGE-INDEPENDENT
Grease Monkey
SMALL ENGINE REPAIR/SALES
Silver City Tire & Automotive
TIRE STORE
Silver City Tire & Automotive
TOWING SERVICE
K&K Towing of Dawsonville
USED CARS-DEALERSHIP
John Megel Chevrolet
USED CARS-INDEPENDENT
Primary Auto Group
SPONSOR
JOHN MEGEL CHEVROLET PRESENTING
Best Dealership Service Department, Best New Vehicle Dealership and Best Used Cars-Dealership
John Megel Chevrolet is committed to excellence and outstanding customer service.
Their consistent recognition as Dawson County’s preferred dealership attests to this commitment. Winning the Best of Dawson award for the tenth consecutive year in three categories demonstrates their dedication to providing exceptional service to the community.
Located just off HWY 400, John Megel Chevrolet serves a broad audience. When you enter the dealership, you are greeted by familiar faces of long-time employees eager to assist you. Their strong involvement in the community sets them apart from other businesses; they actively participate in local school systems, and the chamber of commerce, and host various events at their dealership. From anniversary cookouts and Halloween trunk-or-treats to special visits from Santa in December, John Megel Chevrolet prides itself on being a valuable resource for the community.
The success of John Megel Chevrolet is built on the dedication of its employees. The dealership fosters a culture of excellence by prioritizing the well-being and satisfaction of its team members, which in turn enhances the customer experience.
The staff’s commitment to customer satisfaction gives John Megel Chevrolet a competitive edge. Their hard work translates into the best possible experience for everyone who walks through the dealership doors.
This cycle of care and attention to employees and customers distinguishes John Megel Chevrolet from its competitors. Their focus on nurturing relationships— within the organization and with clients—ensures that each customer receives the highest level of service when purchasing a new or used vehicle.
Ultimately, John Megel Chevrolet’s success goes beyond selling cars; it’s about building meaningful connections and providing exceptional service that leaves a lasting
impression. As the county grows, so does the potential for business at John Megel Chevrolet. Their slogan, “Where Price Sells Cars and Service Keeps Customers,” reflects their mission. While they anticipate increased business from this growth, their priority remains on serving individuals and families with unmatched service. This dedication extends beyond mere transactions; it fosters positive experiences and lasting relationships with every customer.
John Megel Chevrolet aims to be more than just a dealership; it aspires to be a trusted partner in the community. Whether customers are purchasing a new or used vehicle or seeking maintenance services, they can expect personalized attention that exceeds their expectations.
John Megel Chevrolet’s goal is not only to meet but to exceed customer needs, ensuring their impact on the community reaches far beyond the showroom floor. The dealership looks forward to continued growth while fulfilling its mission of serving others with dedication and integrity.
BUSINESS WINNERS
ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY
Manor Lake Dawsonville
BAIL BOND COMPANY
Liberty Bonding
BANK/CREDIT UNION
United Community Bank
BANQUET/EVENT FACILITY
Lilly Creek Farm
BARBER SHOP
J&C Legacy Salon
BOUNCE HOUSE RENTAL
Jump N Jacks Moonwalks of Dawsonville
CARPET CLEANING
KG Carpet Solutions
CHILD CARE CENTER
White Oak Learning AcademyDawsonville Locations
CLEANING COMPANY
Oopsy Daisy Cleaning LLC
CONSTRUCTION OR UTILITY EQUIPMENT
REPAIR
CC Forklift
DANCE STUDIO
Cumming Dance AcademyDawsonville
DRY CLEANERS
Top Cleaners
ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR
Carl Pruitt Electrical
ELECTRONIC DEVICE REPAIR
CPR Cellphone Repair
FAMILY/CHILDRENS ACTIVITIES
Rock Creek Park & Recreation
FENCING CONTRACTOR
North Georgia Fence and Stain
FITNESS CENTER/GYM
HIIT Fitness Plus
GARBAGE/WASTE REMOVAL
Evans Garbage Services
GRADING & HAULING
Joe Mele Trucking & Construction
GUTTER SERVICE/INSTALLATION
Sheffield Gutters
HAIR SALON
Live Fast Dye Pretty - Dawson
HARDSCAPES AND EROSION CONTROL
Out The Mud Erosion and Land Development
HEALTH INSURANCE AGENCY
The Brock Agency
HOME RENOVATION/REMODELING
Fusion Construction
HOME REPAIR/HANDYMAN
Freedom Painting and Handyman Services
INSURANCE COMPANY
VanKeith Insurance Agency of Dawsonville
JUNK REMOVAL
400 Waste and Scrap LLC
KITCHEN/BATH REMODEL
Lanier Home Restoration
LANDSCAPE AND DESIGN COMPANY
Nature’s Color, LLC
LAWN CARE/WEED CONTROL
ALF Lawn and Pest Solutions
LOCKSMITH
North Georgia Key Works
MORTGAGE COMPANY
United Community Bank Home
Mortgage Lending
NAIL SALON
Moon Nails & Tan
NURSERY/GREENERY
Abbott Creek Nursery
OTHER HOME SERVICES
Precision Glass LLC
PAINTING COMPANY
Freedom Painting and Handyman Services
BUSINESS WINNERS
PEST CONTROL COMPANY
ALF Lawn & Pest Solutions
PET BOARDING
Country Home Kennels
PLACE TO WORK
Black’s Mill Elementary School
PRESSURE WASHING
North Georgia Exterior Cleaning
PRINTING & GRAPHICS COMPANY
400 Ink - Signs & Graphics
PROPANE COMPANY
Amicalola Propane
REAL ESTATE COMPANY-COMMERCIAL
The Welch Team - Keller Williams Realty, Community Partners
REAL ESTATE GROUP OR FIRM
The Welch Team - Keller Williams Realty, Community Partners
ROOFING CONTRACTOR
Edge Roofing
SELF STORAGE FACILITY
Byrd’s Mini Storage
SEPTIC SERVICES
Bigfoot Septic Pumping LLC
SPA SERVICES A Touch of Hope
STRETCH/YOGA
Stretch Zone Dawsonville
SWIMMING POOL/SPA DESIGN/SERVICE
All Star Pool Pros
TATTOO SHOP
Blind Faith Tattoo Company
TRAVEL AGENCY
Kingdom Destinations, Alycia Wazny
TREE SERVICE
Superior Arbor Management (SAM)
VAPE SHOP
The Vaperz Den
WATER WELL AND PUMP SERVICE
Bolton Well and Pump Service
WATER/FIRE DAMAGE/MOLD
REMEDIATIOIN
Lanier Home Restoration
WEDDING VENUE
Lilly Creek Farm Events
WINDOW TINTING
TopLine Tint, LLC
SPECIAL AWARD WINNER
Clarence Denard honored with 2025 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 Clarence Denard, whose lifetime commitment to and love of Dawson County have helped build a legacy in the community. Denard moved to Dawson County when he was in sixth grade and has lived in the county ever since. He graduated from Dawson County High School in 1950 and attended Young Harris College and the University of Georgia before beginning his career in education.
Denard first began teaching in Braselton, where he also coached boys basketball. He then spent nine years teaching and coaching in Forsyth County before starting a job as the principal of Dawson
County’s elementary school in 1965.
In 1968, Denard was elected to be the superintendent of Dawson County Schools, serving two terms in 1968 and 1972. He then served as the principal of Cumming Elementary School for four years before returning to Dawson County Schools, where he served in several different roles and then retired after 32 years in education.
Even after retiring from education, Denard was far from idle. He got his real estate license and built and sold houses in the area. He was also one of the founders of Dawson County’s First Community Bank, which is now Truist. At age 67, he started playing golf and managed to get five holes in one. He also owned and operated a poultry and cattle farm, both during his education career and after. Denard and his sweetheart Laura Jean, who also worked in the
SPECIAL AWARD WINNER
education field for 31 years, married in 1954 after graduating high school together in 1950, and they had four children that they raised in Dawson County. The family has always been very involved in their church, Bethel Methodist Church, attending the Lumpkin Camp Meeting each year.
Much of Denard’s life has revolved around education and sports, both of which are incredibly important to him.
He played basketball back when he was in high school, and he reminisced about how Dawson County didn’t have an inside gym for most of his high school career so it was very exciting when one was finally installed at the very end of his senior year.
“One thing that I’ll never forget is my senior year they were building a gymnasium, the first one in the county,” he said. “The season was nearly over and we were getting ready to play our first home game in the new gymnasium; all it lacked before our first game was for the goals to be hung. But as luck would have it, the two guys that were supposed to come to hang the goals stopped at one of the jukejoints, the Three Gables, on the way over and did some drinking so they couldn’t come hang the goals — talk about some disappointed boys and girls.”
But the pair ended up coming through the next day, he said, making it back to the new gym to finally hang the goals.
“The next day they bypassed the Three Gables and came and hung those goals so Friday
night of that week we finally got to play inside,” he said. “The last two or three games of the season we got to play there.”
In college, Denard played basketball and baseball, playing shortstop on the baseball team that Zell Miller played second base for. Miller later went on to become a U.S. Senator and the 79th governor of Georgia, and Denard reminisced that until the day Miller died they would refer to each other as “my shortstop” and “my second baseman”.
“Zell was a native of Young Harris; he finished in the spring of ’51 and I went there in the fall of ’51,” Denard said. “Being a mountain boy he was back there every weekend and the community had a baseball team, so my claim to fame is I played baseball with him.”
This love for sports was one that carried into Denard’s career in education, as he was always involved in some sort of coaching too. In 1966, he started and coached Dawson County High School’s first-ever baseball team, coming to be affectionately known as “Coach”. He also helped to start the Dawson County Booster Club, which is now Dawson County Parks and Recreation.
Over the years, Denard said, he’s seen Dawson County change considerably. He remembers when Lake Lanier was first built, making the trip from Dawson County to his teaching job in Braselton more time-consuming. He recounted stories about how, when he was young, all of Dawson County had just one phone booth.
“When we moved here in ’43 there was one telephone in the county; just a little telephone booth downtown,” he said. “A little later on they came up with party line phones and we went on a party line with four other people.”
Another thing just as exciting as the addition of more phones to the county was the introduction of the first television, which Denard and his friends used to watch baseball.
“My friend Dan Anderson — he finished high school with me and my wife — his daddy was the first one around Dawsonville, maybe in the county, to get a little black-and-white TV,” Denard said. “On Sunday afternoons we’d all meet over at Dan’s daddy’s house to watch the Atlanta Crackers play baseball.”
And the school system has come a long way since his childhood and even since he served as superintendent, he said. His graduating class was made up of a total of 38 classmates, and when he participated in agricultural classes in high school those took place in the building which is now the Bowen Center for the Arts.
“That building was the agricultural center and the home economics building back when I was in high school,” he reminisced.
While Denard is too humble to brag about many of his own accomplishments, he said that he’s loved the life that he’s lived and the county that he’s lived it in.
“If we keep on talking I’m going to get a big head,” he said. “I’ve had a — I guess you’d say a varied life — and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”
The Gordon Pirkle Heart of Dawson award was created by the Dawson County News in 2021 in honor of local pillar of the community Gordon Pirkle, whose heart for his hometown and love of the community is evident in all that he does.
Each year, the award will be presented at the Best of Dawson event to a community member who embodies the giving spirit and love for Dawson County that Pirkle does.
Pirkle and his family are the ones who selected Clarence Denard as this year’s award recipient, describing how Gordon and Clarence have known each other their whole lives and grew up together in Dawson County. According to the Pirkle family, Denard is a deserving recipient of the award because of his lifelong love for Dawson County and the legacy he’s worked so hard to build.
COMMUNITY & EDUCATION
CHURCH
Soul Filling Station
CIVIC CLUB
Rotary Club of Dawson County
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
Dawson Community Food Bank & Thrift Store
PLACE TO VOLUNTEER
Dawson Community Food Bank & Thrift Store
SPORTS LEAGUE/INSTRUCTION
Swim Warriors
TOURIST ATTRACTION
Amicalola Falls State Park
VOLUNTEER
Gordon Pirkle
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Emily Dean, Black’s Mill Elementary School
BUS DRIVER
Brenda Daniel
PRINCIPAL
Cindy Kinney, Black’s Mill Elementary School
PRIVATE SCHOOL
Lighthouse Christian Academy
PUBLIC SCHOOL
Black’s Mill Elementary School
SCHOOL COUNSELOR
Kyle Ramsey, Black’s Mill Elementary School
TEACHER
Will Anglin
Club of Dawson County
FOOD & BEVERAGE WINNERS
AMERICAN FOOD
Papa’s Place
APPETIZER
LongHorn Steakhouse
ASIAN RESTAURANT
Little Peking
BAGELS
Igy6 coffee
BAR
Miller’s Ale House
BEER SELECTION
Taco Mac
BREAKFAST
Papa’s Place
BUSINESS LUNCH
LongHorn Steakhouse
CATERING
Events By Dezine
COFFEE
IGY6 Coffee
DESSERT/ICE CREAM
Jeremiah’s Ice Cream
DINNER
LongHorn Steakhouse
DONUT SHOP
Da Vinci Donuts
FAMILY RESTAURANT
Señor Fiesta
FINE DINING
The Blue Bicycle A Bistro
FRENCH FRIES
Chick-fil-A
FUN ATMOSPHERE
Dawsonville Pool Room
HAMBURGER
Dawsonville Pool Room
HAPPY HOUR
Miller’s Ale House
ITALIAN RESTAURANT
Brooklyn Joe’s Pizza Pasta
LUNCH
Senor Fiesta
MARGARITA
Señor Fiesta
MEXICAN RESTAURANT
Señor Fiesta
FO0D & BEVERAGE
PIZZA-DINE IN Brooklyn Joe’s Pizza Pasta
PLACE TO CELEBRATE SPECIAL OCCASION LongHorn Steakhouse
PRODUCE STAND OR STORE City Produce
ROMANTIC RESTAURANT (DATE NIGHT) Blue Bicycle
SANDWICHES Firehouse
SEAFOOD Moms Cooking Seafood
SOUTHERN COOKING Papa’s Place
SPORTS BAR Miller’s Ale House
STEAK LongHorn Steakhouse
SUSHI Kani House
SWEET TEA
Chick-fil-A
TAKEOUT/DELIVERY
Dawsonville Pool Room
WINE SELECTION Dawson Fine Wine & Spirits
WINGS Old Dad’s Wings
BUTCHER/MEAT PROCESSOR The Steel Buffalo Butchery Hours:
MEDICAL WINNERS
AUDIOLOGY/HEARING AIDS
North Atlanta ENT and Allergy
CARDIOLOGY
Georgia Heart Institute
Dawsonville
CBD STORE
CBD Farmacy of Dawsonville
CHILDREN’S DENTIST
Dentistry for Children -
Dawsonville
CHIROPRACTIC
The Joint Chiropractic
COSMETIC DENTISTRY
Dawsonville Distinctive
Dentistry
DERMATOLOGY
Cleaver Medical Group
EAR, NOSE AND THROAT
SPECIALISTS
North Atlanta ENT and Allergy
FAMILY PRACTICE
Keith Family Medicine
GENERAL DENTISTRY
Dawsonville Distinctive
Dentistry
HOME HEALTHCARE
Caritas Hospice
HOSPITAL PRESENCE
Mike’s Vitamin Infusions
MASSAGE THERAPY A Touch of Hope
MEDSPA
Salt MedSpa of Dawsonville
Northeast Georgia Health System
IMAGING SERVICE
Imaging Center of Northeast Georgia Medical Center
OB/GYN PRACTICE
NGPG OB/GYN Dawsonville
OPTOMETRY PRACTICE
Dawson Eye Group
MEDICAL WINNERS
ORTHODONTICS
Lanier Orthodontics
ORTHOPEDICS
Specialty OrthopaedicsDawsonville
OUTPATIENT/AMBULATORY SURGERY
North Atlanta Ear, Nose and Throat Surgical Center
PAIN MANAGEMENT
Northeast Georgia Physicians Group Interventional Pain Medicine
PEDIATRICIAN
Dr. George Petro- NGHS
PEDIATRICS PRACTICE
Dawson Pediatrics
PHARMACY
Dawson Pharmacy
PODIATRY
Ankle and Foot Centers of North Georgia-Dawsonville
THERAPY-MENTAL HEALTH
Joe Stapp, MA, LPC - Blue Ridge Counseling
THERAPY-PEDIATRIC
Prosper Therapy Services
THERAPY-PHYSICAL
Atlanta Rehabilitation Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine
URGENT CARE
NGPG Urgent Care
At Ankle & Foot Centers of North Georgia, we are dedicated to providing the communities throughout North Georgia and Greater Atlanta with the highest standard of foot and ankle care. Our board-certified physician, Dr. Eric Kron, is an expert in foot and ankle reconstructive surgery, and utilizes the latest in minimally-invasive surgery and conservative care to return you to a high functional level. We offer specialized services for degenerative arthritis, sports medicine, injuries and fractures, and develop unique, patient-centered treatment plans to fit your specific needs and lifestyle. Dr. Kron takes pride in the well-being of his patients, and seeks to educate and open a healthy dialogue to make you an active participant in your care.
Dawsonville
(706) 265-6600
Hours: Monday: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
Wednesday: 7:30 - to 4:00 pm Thursday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES WINNERS
ACCOUNTING/TAX PREP
Christine Hinton CPA
ATTORNEY-CIVIL
Patterson Moore Butler LLC
ATTORNEY-CRIMINAL
Patterson Moore Butler LLC
ATTORNEY-DIVORCE
Patterson Moore Butler LLC
ATTORNEY-ESTATE PLANNING
Law Office of Shelly Townley Martin, LLC
ATTORNEY-FAMILY LAW
Patterson Moore Butler LLC
ATTORNEY-PERSONAL INJURY
Steven Leibel
AUTO MECHANIC
Chris McBrayer
BANK TELLER
Pamela Pilcher
BARBER
Jarod Strickland
CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT (CPA)
Christine Hinton CPA
CONTRACTOR/CONSTRUCTION
Fusion Construction Group
ESTHETICIAN (SKIN CARE SPECIALIST)
Olivia Pain, OG AESTHETICS
EVENT SERVICES
Events By Dezine
FINANCIAL PLANNER
Alexandria Williams, The Piedmont Group
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Helenly Design Co
HAIR COLORIST
Morgan Shea, Live Fast Dye
Pretty
HAIR STYLIST
Morgan Shea, Live Fast Dye
Pretty
HEATING/AIR SERVICE
Elite Heating & Air
HOME INSPECTOR
Mike Phillips, 4 Seasons Home Inspection
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES WINNERS
INSURANCE AGENT
Mandy Davis, VanKeith
Insurance
LOAN OFFICER
Kendra Charles
MASSAGE THERAPIST
Hope Chism
NAIL TECHNICIAN
Rachell at The Hairbnb Lounge
NON-MD MEDICAL PRO (RN LPN PA, ETC.)
Katelyn Goodwin, NGPG
PERSONAL TRAINER
Jennifer Akin, HIIT Fitness
Plus
PET GROOMING (BUSINESS)
Peachy Paws Pet Spa
PHOTOGRAPHER
Paige Sweany, Sole Photography
PLUMBING SERVICE
Manning Plumbing
REAL ESTATE AGENT
(INDIVIDUAL AGENT)
Karmen Pharris Your NGA Team Realty
TATTOO ARTIST
JC Welch
TRAVEL AGENT OR AGENCY
Amanda Guay, Radiant Travel
VETERINARY SERVICES/ VETERINARIAN
Whitmire Animal Hospital
Rotarian and Dawson County Coroner Ted Bearden serves up a holiday dish with a smile during the Rotary Club’s 2018 Thanksgiving community dinner.
Ted Bearden honored with 2025 Roger Slaton Servant Leadership Award
By Erica Jones ejones@dawsonnews.com
This year’s recipient of the Roger Slaton Servant Leadership Award is Ted Bearden, who is honored for his years of hard work and dedication to the county he and his family have called home for generations.
The Bearden family has been a part of the Dawson County community for many generations, first moving to the area in the 1700s.
“The Bearden family is the oldest family in this area that I’m aware of; we came here actually in the 1700s and have been in the area since,” Bearden said. “All of the Beardens that are in the community — we’re not necessarily closely
SPECIAL AWARD WINNER
related but we all came somewhere off the branch of that tree.”
Ted Bearden was born and raised in Dawson County, graduating from Dawson County High School back when the population of the whole county was only about 3,000 people.
After graduating, he lived in Atlanta for about 17 years to attend college and to start working in the funeral business down there. In 1991, he moved back to Dawsonville to buy and take over what is now Bearden Funeral Home in the downtown area.
Also in 1991, he started a position with the coroner’s office, serving as the deputy coroner for a few years before being elected to his first term as coroner in 2000. He’s served six terms in the office and is now in his seventh term.
Today, Bearden and his sons all work in the funeral industry together, a family business which he said is truly unique.
“The work that we do is kind of unlike anything any other family does in this area,” he said. “There are some days that are very, very hard — but it is an honor when a family puts enough trust in you to ask you to help them in a difficult time.”
Throughout his 55 years in the industry, Bearden has been and continues to be a very active member of the Georgia Funeral Directors Association and the Coroners Association, through which he’s earned several awards over the years.
“I still work on the legislative issues for both and I enjoy doing that — anytime something is going on my phone rings off the hook from people all over the state calling me about one thing and another,” he said. “I’ve been honored with some awards throughout the year that I don’t know that I was necessarily deserving of; that’s on a local level and a state level.”
The reason for the respect and the awards that he’s earned over the years, he said, comes back to one princi-
Ted Bearden, owner of Bearden Funeral Home, is congratulated on his way to receiving the Don Gordon Business Leader of the Year award in 2018.
ple he’s lived his whole life by.
“I’ve always tried to work, no matter what I’m doing, back to the philosophy of what my mom and dad instilled in me — they said ‘just do the right thing’ and that’s all I’ve really tried to do,” he said. “I think the only thing that I’ve done to earn that respect is to just do the right thing; it all comes back to that.”
In addition to being a part of these two associations, Bearden is also the longest-serving member of the Rotary Club of Dawson County, a civic group with a mission of “service above self” that’s close to his heart.
“I’ve been in the Rotary Club since it was formed; I did serve as president one year and I still want to be a member and a part of that because Rotary does a lot of good in the community and beyond,” he said.
He also served for a period of time on the Board of Health and is a member of the Local Advisory Board, previously known as the Board of Directors, for United Community Bank.
Over the years, Bearden said, he’s seen a lot of change in the Dawson County community as the area has grown, but there’s no other community he’d rather call home.
“Dawson County has been fortunate in a lot of ways; through the years we have had dedicated people that have built and turned this county into what it is and if it had not been for those good people that came in front of us we could be in a situation that would not make anybody happy,” he said. “You can’t stop the growth — it’s just not going to happen — but the growth is going to be more concentrated in certain areas of county; you can still find plenty of woods to hike in. There’s no place I’d rather live; absolutely nowhere else.”
And the Bearden legacy is one that
SPECIAL AWARD WINNER
will continue on in Dawson County, he added, as he’s raised his own family here and is now getting to see his grandchildren grow up here too.
“I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to come back here in ’91 and be able to raise my family in the same community that I was raised in,” he said. I enjoy the community here, I’ve got grandkids coming along now and it’s nice to be able to put my grandson in the golf cart and just go riding out over the farm. I love it here; it’s just home.”
The Roger Slaton Servant Leadership Award was created by the Dawson County News in 2022 in honor of late Dawson County business leader Roger Slaton. A lifelong resident of Dawson County, Slaton poured himself into serving his community in any way possible, from serving on the Board of Education to his roles with the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce, his business and his church.
Each year, the award will be pre-
sented at the Best of Dawson awards 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.
Slaton’s children were instrumental in choosing Bearden as this year’s award recipient, citing the lifelong love and commitment he has had and continues to have to Dawson County.
Ted Bearden, center, poses for a photo with Larry Banister and Albert Vaughters after purchasing Banister Funeral Home in 1991. Photo originally published in the Dawson County Advertiser on Thursday, June 27, 1991.
From left, Ted Bearden, Wesley Bearden and James Bearden pose for a photo near the Bearden Funeral Home sign on the funeral home’s 30th-anniversary, June 24, 2021.
RETAIL & SHOPPING WINNERS
ANTIQUE STORE
Soul Sisters Antiques & Home
Decor
ART GALLERY/STUDIO
Bowen Center for the Arts
CARPET/FLOORING STORE
Sovereign Flooring LLC
FEED & SEED STORE
Brooksher Feed & Farm Supply
FLORAL ARRANGEMENT
Dawsonville Florist
FURNITURE STORE
No Longer Bound Thrift Store
GUN STORE
Dawsonville Gun & Pawn
HARDWARE STORE
C & W Hardware True Value
HEALTH & BEAUTY RETAIL STORE
A touch of Hope
HOME DECOR/FURNITURE
Days Gone By Vintage Market
JEWELRY STORE
Tripp and Company Jewelers
LIQUOR STORE
Premium Package Outlet
OUTDOOR SPECIALTY STORE
Brooksher Feed & Farm Supply
PAWN SHOP
Dawsonville Gun & Pawn
SPORTING GOODS RETAIL
Appalachian Armory, Inc.
THRIFT STORE
Pathfinders Family Thrift Store
VITAMIN STORE
Nature’s Health Store
WILDLIFE SUPPLIES
Wild Birds Unlimited
WOMENS CLOTHING STORE/BOUTIQUE
Sweet Sassafras
Thank you to our sponsorsThank you to our sponsors
PRESENTING SPONSOR
At Ankle & Foot Centers of North Georgia, we are dedicated to providing the communities throughout North Georgia and Greater Atlanta with the highest standard of foot and ankle care. Our board-certified physician, Dr. Eric Kron, is an expert in foot and ankle reconstructive surgery, and utilizes the latest in minimally-invasive surgery and conservative care to return you to a high functional level. We offer specialized services for degenerative arthritis, sports medicine, injuries and fractures, and develop unique, patient-centered treatment plans to fit your specific needs and lifestyle. Dr. Kron takes pride in the well-being of his patients, and seeks to educate and open a healthy dialogue to make you an active participant in your care.
(706) 265-6600
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Julia Hansen Reporter
Why Metro Market Media?
ENGAGING PORTFOLIO
Full suite of multimedia news assets and digital marketing services
QUALITY AUDIENCE
Access the largest and most desirable audience across North Georgia
STRATEGIC PLANNING
Marketing plans infused with local knowledge and industry expertise
Don’t miss out on other opportunities to partner with us and spread the word about being the best at what you do.
BANK’
10 Years In A Row
Thank you to our loyal customers for naming us Best Bank/ Credit Union, Best Morgage company, and our very own, Pam Pilcher, as Best Teller. We value your continued business and trust, and look forward to serving you and our community for many years to come.
thanking God for health, strength and leading
to thank our coworkers, thanks
food
their
by expressing the great emotion and satisfaction achieved thanks to all of
on who have supported us for these 2 years of service, we are now, “
