April 2012 Chamber Chronicle

By Michele [email protected]

For a week in March, Hollywood legend Clint Eastwood gave the com-munity a glimpse at Tinseltown as he filmed scenes for a major motion pic-ture at a motel in downtown Dawsonville.

Set to be released this fall, the Warner Brothers’ production “Trouble with the Curve” stars Eastwood as an aging baseball scout who travels to

Atlanta with his daughter to see a hot prospect.

“It’s Clint Eastwood – it’s a big deal for the town. It’s a buzz for the peo-ple,” said Sean Sears, who drove from Dahlonega to see the star.

The movie also features Amy Adams and Justin Timberlake.

Georgia has been one of the coun-try’s leading locations for Hollywood film production for a couple of years

“Knowledge is power” – Sir Francis Bacon.

We’ve all heard the saying, and I don’t think I need to argue its truth.

Think of all the simple things we could not do today without the knowledge of how to do them – read a book, drive a

car, vote. Yes, I said vote. While plenty of people

(sadly) do vote without any knowledge behind their deci-sions, true power comes from understanding what you are doing. It’s one thing to have a general idea of how to drive a car; it’s another to actually drive one.

With the Georgia legislature wrapping up their 2012 legis-lative session and several key issues going to voters within the next seven months, we are being flooded with “knowl-edge” about these topics.

I am learning that the real power, however, comes from the ability to decipher the

“knowledge” that is presented to us as voters.

The upcoming transportation referendum is a perfect exam-ple of this. There are plenty of hard and fast facts pertaining to this referendum, and plenty of opinions and conjecture to go with it. At the end of the day, it is our responsibility to

read through all the facts and try to deci-pher the true knowledge contained with-in.

Another item being put to

The Member Newsletter of the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce

Edition Highlights:

April 2012Post Office Box 299292 Hwy. 400, North

Dawsonville, GA 30534(706) 265-6278

Cox honored at council meeting

Wee Books plans barn dance

Time campsule dedicated

Spring fling on the horizon

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR JENNIFER BAkER

Chamber encourages residents to vote

See VOTE | 2

Film impacts local economy

See FILM | 3

Baker

Chelsea Thomas Dawson Community News

Clint Eastwood works on a scene in “Trouble with the Curve” that filmed at Amicalola Lodge just west of downtown Dawsonville the last month.

It’s a Wrap!The Warner Brothers

cast and crew was in Dawsonville from March 20-27 for filming of “Trouble with the Curve”. The storyline goes like this. An aging baseball scout, played by Clint Eastwood, is losing his eyesight and his daugh-ter, played by Amy Adams, comes to assist him in his search for the next upcoming baseball talent. Justin Timberlake is also in the movie.

Although they were here a mere eight days, I predict having Hollywood visit us will change the way the world sees Dawsonville. We were already “on the map” so to speak because of “Awesome Bill from Dawsonville”, our deep ties to the auto-

mobile racing industry, the gold rush era and of course moon-shine. Now

movie buffs will want to come and visit our town and see the motel where some of the film was shot. No doubt people will request to stay in the same room where the filming occurred, which by the way was renovat-ed by the movie produc-tion company. What a plus for Amicalola Lodge, which was known as the Grey Squirrel Motel during the filming process.

Although we haven’t been able to get actual

dollar numbers, we do know that the crew mem-bers each receive a per diem that is traditionally spent in the local commu-nity. Lucky shoppers at North Georgia Premium Outlets spotted Amy Adams making a pur-chases at J. Crew, Lucky Brand and Bath & Body Works. The crew mem-bers particularly like Murrell shoes. We didn’t receive any reports of Clint Eastwood shop-ping, so maybe he did it incognito.

I did get on the proper-ty one day of filming. We were immediately told to talk in a whisper, even though we were an acre away from the cam-era as the equipment is extremely sensitive to sound. If you were incon-venienced in traffic, I

thank you for your patience. The traffic was stopped for a few min-utes each time the camer-as were rolling. This had to be done to insure that no road noise would be picked up during filming.

Regretfully, I did not meet any of the actors, but I did see them during their dinner hour. The production company’s own chefs travel with the cast and crew and I understand lobster, steak and elegant fish entrees are the norm.

Even though the cast and crew has moved to the next location, our Dawson County Chamber of Commerce office continues to receive calls through Georgia’s Camera Ready program about other productions.

Marty Williams, your vice president of tourism responds to those calls when we have a site that matches their needs. He has also posted hun-dreds of local photos on a site that movie scouts use when searching for locations to shoot film.

I wonder who will make a movie here next?

Well, I hope to see you at a chamber event soon. If you are not a member already, won’t you join us?

2 | DAWSON CHAMBER CHRONICLE | dawsonnews.com APRIL 2012

president’s message linda williams

Williams

James AskewUnited Community Bank

Brooke Anderson (ex-officio)Etowah Water and Sewer Authority

Charlie Auvermann (ex-officio)Development Authority of Dawson County, exec-utive director

Jennifer Baker (2012 chair)United Community Bank

Mike Berg (ex-officio)Dawson County Board of Commissioners

Carla BoutinState Farm Insurance

Doris CookEtowah Water and Sewer Authority

James Grogan (ex-officio)Dawsonville City Council

Kathy Fuller K.C. Fuller and Associates Peter Hill (2014 chair)Hill Design Associates Architects

Gwen KellarChick-fil-A

Andrew J. Leavitt, PhDNorth Georgia College & State University

Stephanie Mathis (2011 chair)Bank of the Ozarks

Kristie MyersThe Norton Agency

Keith Porter (ex-officio)Dawson County schools

Denny PutlakDenny Insurance Group

Vernon SmithLakeview Center of Dawson County

Carol TygerAmbassador representative

Mike Underwood (2010 chairman)First Citizens Bank of Georgia

Linda Williams (ex-officio)Dawson County Chamber of Commerce

Gloria Wyatt (2013 chair-elect)Northside Hospital-Forsyth

dawson County Chamber of CommerCe

2012 board of direCtors

Filming of movie helps Dawson stand out

voters this year is HR1162— the constitutional amendment pertain-ing to charter schools.

If you have been reading the papers, you know this has been a widely discussed topic that has both sides of the argument attempting to educate the reader about what it (HR 1162) really means. This is just one more example of a critically impor-tant matter that is surrounded by both information and mis-information.

I can’t tell you which side of the argument is right… well, maybe I could but that isn’t the point.

As a voter, and a resident of the county and state that I vote in, it is

my responsibility to seek out and decipher fact from fiction so that I can make a knowledgeable deci-sion come voting time.

“With great power comes great responsibility”— Voltaire.

Voting truly is a both a great power and a great responsibility. Our fore-fathers risked their lives to establish the democracy we enjoy today, and countless American’s have risked, and given, theirs to protect this right. As we move towards election season, start pre-paring now.

There is no shortage of informa-tion — both good and bad — to sift through, and no vote should be made carelessly.

To help with that, your Chamber will continue to provide you with opportunities to learn

more about the issues that affect all of us as voters.

Our next luncheon April 12 will feature a panel of local leaders and officials who will share their views on current topics pertaining to our county.

In May, Commissioner Berg will be touching on several legislative topics in his annual “State of the County” address.

We have a candidate’s debate coming on June 4 for all of the local and state-level candidates that we’ll have an opportunity to vote on.

And in July, our membership lun-cheon will focus on the transporta-tion referendum and what it means to us in Dawson County.

Jennifer Baker Chamber chairwoman

from 1

Vote

dawsonnews.com | DAWSON CHAMBER CHRONICLE | 3APRIL 2012

AprilApril 12: The chamber luncheon will be at noon at the

Lakeview Center on Dawson Forest Road. Administrative professionals will be recognized. Guest speakers will be a panelist of local officials. For more information or to register, visit www.dawson.org.

April 14: Racing Toward Literacy Dinner and Dance hosted by Reading Education Association of Dawson County bene-fitting READ and its literacy projects. The event will be held at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame/Dawsonville Municipal Complex, 415 Highway 53 East. Music will be provided by The BC Boys. The event will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. A donation of $30 per person will be accepted for admission. For more information, contact Sandy Lipkowitz at (706) 579-1771, [email protected] or call Fran Brodman at (407) 744-4229.

April 16: Earth Day 2012. The public is invited to the Dawson County Woman’s Club Earth Day event at the Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden at Rock Creek Park at 11:30 a.m. Earth Day is a day that is intended to inspire awareness and appreci-ation for the Earth’s natural environment. There will be door prizes, information on how to best attract hummingbirds to your yard, plant giveaway, refreshments, hummingbird tat-toos for the kids and information about efforts to ensure a safe and clean planet for future generations.

April 19: Forsyth Dental Group, 2390 Thompson Road (in the same building as Bradley Maple, CPA and beside Chestatee Emergent Medical Care), will have a ribbon cutting at 12:30 p.m.

April 21: The Dawson Community Chorale announces that “Music Down in My Soul,” will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Dawsonville. Tickets may be purchased from any chorale member or at the door. General admission will be $10, Dawson County Arts Council members and students will pay $8 and children 10 and under are free.

April 24: Business members get to cohost Business After Hours and present their products from 5-7 p.m. at Peach Brandy Cottage. For more information, call the chamber at (706) 265-6278.

April 27: All Travel by Dee Knight will have a ribbon cutting ceremony at 2:30 p.m. at the chamber of commerce. Come and check out some of her trips.

April 28: The 5th annual WEE Books Barn Dance will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Kinsey Family Farm, 7170 Jot Em Down Road. In support of WEE Books’ goal to bring an age appropriate book to every Dawson County preschool child each month. Tickets are $30 per person. For more information, call (706) 216-0173 or e-mail [email protected].

MayMay 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30: Maximum Money presented by the

Gainesville SBDC and Dawson County Chamber of Commerce from 9 to 11 a.m. Special thanks to location spon-sor Best Western of Dawsonville, 76 North Georgia Avenue, Dawsonville. For more information or to register, call Linda Williams at (706) 265-6278 or [email protected]. The fee will be $50 for all five sessions and breakfast is includ-ed.

calendar of events

now, thanks to the tax breaks and incentives the state offers.

Passed in 2008, the Georgia Entertainment Industry Act gives production companies a 20 percent tax credit if the company spends a minimum of $500,000 on production and post-production in the state.

While it is still unclear how much Warner Brothers spent to film the scenes in Dawsonville, officials said the movie has lit a spark in the local economy.

Dozens of off-duty officers were hired to direct traffic near the set and work security throughout the week, and film crews were spotted buying construction supplies at a local home improvement center.

“Crew members were also buying gas locally and visiting restaurants, so that had an impact on our economy, too,” said Marty Williams, vice president of travel and tourism for the chamber of commerce and the county’s Camera Ready liaison.

The Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Office launched the Camera Ready Communities program in 2010 to train and certify Georgia counties to work effective-ly with production companies and provide local, one-on-one assistance in every aspect of production.

Williams said the incentive program has been a boon for Georgia and he expects Dawson County to reap similar rewards.

“We’ve had several short films and TV series, a lot about moonshine and cars, film

here, but this is our first major motion picture. Hopefully, this will open the door for future motion pictures to be filmed in Dawson County,” said Williams.

Williams said the film’s true economic impact will come when the movie is released and the words “Filmed on location in Dawsonville, Ga.” are seen on movie screens across the country.

Film companies receive an additional 10 percent tax credit if the Georgia promotion-al logo appears in the credits of the finished product.

“We’re hoping people will want to come to Dawsonville and visit ‘The Grey Squirrel,’ the name they chose for Amicalola Lodge in the movie,” Williams said.

Williams said the producers and location scouts will remember the hospitality they received in Dawson County.

“The city and county officials have been so accommodating and so very coopera-tive. Warner Brothers just loves Dawson County and Dawsonville, because they made this week so seamless. Producers don’t always find that in a community,” he said. “The way they were treated goes a long way.”

Williams said he has been in contact with filmmakers interested in using Dawson County as the backdrop for a gold mining movie about a local family that struck it rich in Colorado and were some of the first men to discover gold locally.

“It’s really too early to tell if that will pan out, because they’re just getting started,” he said. “But they are interested and the focus, which was originally on Colorado, has turned to Dawson County,” he said.

froM 1

Film

Crews change the signs out-side Dawsonville Distinctive Dentistry for the movie.

Michele Hester Dawson Community News

By Michele Hester [email protected]

Kroger in Dawsonville was honored last month as the top contributor to United Way for Dawson County’s fundraising cam-paign for the sixth consec-utive year.

Dawsonville Kroger employees donated more than $17,000 to not only lead the local campaign, but also rank sixth out of 218 stores in the Atlanta market for their collections.

General manager Ed Loy said he is proud of his employees’ commitment to Dawson County.

“We have an amazing group of associates at the Dawsonville Kroger. They understand there is a need in our community and each year have chosen to contribute generously to the United Way to better our community,” he said.

The announcement was made March 7 at a lun-cheon to recognize top donors and celebrate the local organization’s 2012 fundraising effort.

“Although we fell a little short of meeting our goal of $105,000 goal this year,” said Sue Seldomridge, “we did raise $95,730 for the citi-zens of Dawson County.”

Dawson County school system employees increased their giving by 8 percent to be named the second place finisher

with $7,732 in collec-tions, while Northside Hospital-Forsyth pulled in a close third by raising $6,857.

Dawson County govern-ment edged out PCL Industrial Construction Co. by just $100 to take home a fourth place honor.

With a mission to improve lives by mobiliz-ing the caring power and spirit of residents, United Way for Dawson County provides monetary support to 14 area service agen-cies.

Partner agencies, such as the American Red Cross, Boy and Girl

scouts, Dawson County Wee Books and St. Vincent DePaul, among others, say the support is much needed and appre-ciated.


Office: 706-216-4806Fax: [email protected]

P.O Box 1096137 Prominence Court

Suite 240Dawsonville, GA 30534

By Chelsea Thomas [email protected]

Early next month many county resi-dents and visitors will swarm the Dawson County Arts Council’s Art in the Garden Spring Fling festival.

Last year the weather was close to perfect for the event and organiz-ers are hoping for plenty of sun-shine.

Held at the Bowen Center for the Arts, the two-day spring fling on May 5 and 6 will feature dozens of vendors and artists from across the southeast. Booths and tables will offer arts and crafts and a large selection of gardening supplies.

There will also be food, music and rides.

“The event is a great show if you are looking for gardening plants, great yard ideas and craft inspira-tions,” said Marcia Chelf, executive director for the center.

“There is great music and festivities for people throughout the weekend too. There is really something for everyone,” she said.

Organizers are expecting an even greater turn out for this year’s event.

It will all kick-off at 7 p.m. May 4 with a street dance featuring the Remember When Band, playing rock hits from the ’50s, ’60s and ‘70s.

Jeanne Tompkins, arts council pres-ident, encourages the community to bring a picnic and enjoy the eve-ning of live music at the center’s amphitheater.

“We have a few tables, but they can bring a blanket and a basket and have a fun evening with their family,” she said.

The street dance will be followed by activities such as a bike ride, motorcycle rally, children’s games and seminars for the entire family from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Tompkins believes it’s a time for making family memories and tradi-tions.

“Last year was wonderful because I took my granddaughter who was almost 4 years old. She got to ride a horse and do all types of things. She still talks about it,” Tompkins said.

The event raises money for the Dawson County Arts Council and its community initiatives.

Annual spring fling set for next month

Donna Chester

transforms Tanner

Keylon into a tiger at the face painting booth at last

year’s Spring Fling in

Dawsonville.

File photo

Kroger named as top contributor for 6th year

Top 10 contributors1. The Kroger Company2. Dawson County School System3. Northside Hospital-Forsyth4. Dawson County Government5. PCL Industrial Construction6. Nordson Corporation7. Publix Super Markets8. First Citizens Bank of Georgia9. Walmart10. Cummings and Kelley

united way

United Way for Dawson County Board Member Chris Gaines, right, presents Associate Superintendent Rick Brown with a plaque to celebrate the system as the second top contrib-utor.



By Chelsea [email protected]

Even with early morning rain, motorcycles began rolling into downtown on March 17 for KARE for Kids Fourth Annual Motorcycle Poker Run.

Riders dressed in leather gear and festive green accessories for St. Patrick’s Day departed at 10 a.m. for a slick ride around Dawson County.

Along with the motorcycle run, KARE for Kids has been busy

planning its prom dress collection and Easter egg hunt, which was last Saturday.

The prom dress collection aims to “provide assistance for stu-dents that would like to attend prom but do not have the finan-cial resources to do so,” accord-ing to a press release.

Robin Smith, a volunteer with KARE for Kids, thinks the organi-zation’s goal of providing stu-dents prom attire is great.

“Every girl dreams of going to their prom. I don’t want to deny

any young girl from being able to attend,” Smith said.

Smith said the collection is still looking for donations of prom dresses and for sponsorships, which are $50 and pay for students prom fees.

All attire goes to providing dresses and jewelry to students in need.

“It makes you feel good to help students feel pretty,” Smith said. “We had one girl last year that got to go shop-ping for her dress and she

had the biggest smile the whole time.”

Residents looking to donate gently-used prom dresses, accessories and even tuxedos can drop off items at Creative Vision Salon, J Thomas Salon, city hall, Keating Family Medicine, Bodyplex or Julia’s Neighborhood Deli through the end of April.

The Dawson County High School Prom is set for May 5 at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame.

Also, as of last Wednesday, KARE for Kids announced the Grand Marshall for the 44th Annual Mountain Moonshine Festival in October will be Bud Moore, famed NASCAR affili-ate. The Grand Marshall par-ticipates in the banquet, the parade and numerous other festivities throughout the week-end.

For more information on fun-draisers and upcoming events call KARE for Kids at (706) 216-5273.

KARE keeps busy with poker run, prom collection


Located in Marble Hill, Wildwood Christian Academy seeks to provide students the academic edge to becoming tomorrow’s leaders.

Priding themselves on their low student-teacher ratios and family atmosphere, they will be celebrating their 10 year anniversary next year.

“We feel like we have been very blessed,” said Pamela Ruff, co-founder and director of business and finance.

“We started in 2003 with 12 students and over the past nine years we’ve grown at a nice steady pace, which has allowed us to expand various offerings in a respon-sible manner. What has been nice is that we’ve seen the reputation of the school and the academic soundness of the school expand beyond the counties.”

Students come from six sur-rounding counties and about 30 percent from Dawson

County. “We have a great constitu-

ency from Dawson and we are very excited that we’re getting our name more out there. The fact that we can offer this as an option to other people is ideal because we are only a hop, skip and jump from Dawsonville,” Ruff said.

The school offers pre-K through eighth grade and hopes to begin offering high school classes in the next few years.

“We feel we’ve done exactly what we wanted to do, which is set out for high academic standards in a Christian environment. Now going forward we are hoping that we are going to fulfill a long-term vision of going to 12th grade,” Ruff said.

Wildwood Christian Academy is accredited through SAIS-SACS, the pre-mier dual accreditation for private schools in the south-east. According to officials, the school has consistently

scored above the 95th per-centile on the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills.

According to Director of Development Darlaine Ward, the academy focuses on art more than athletics. Spirituality is a defining fac-tor as well. The students par-take in chapel services weekly.

“One great thing about a

small school is you can real-ly tie all the curriculum together,” she said.

The students often bring their science, art, language arts and math skills together for projects.

The children also practice Spanish language skills beginning in pre-school. By eight grade they have Spanish instruction four times

per week. Their curriculum also

includes music, computer technology and physical education. After-school pro-grams have included swim-ming, piano, chess, drama, golf and tennis.

Last year three teams of students participated in Odyssey of the Mind, an international creative prob-lem-solving competition, in a Maryland competition featur-ing students from more than 50 countries. Two teams placed second and fourth.

While touring the facility last week, Dawson County Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Donna Blocker said she was impressed.

“The school must offer kids such better one-on-one atten-tion with only a few other students in their class versus 25 other students with only one teacher,” she said.

For more information on Wildwood Christian Academy call (770) 893-3300 or visit www.wild-woodchristianacademy.com.

Wildwood Christian Academy prepares leaders


Students at Wildwood Christian Academy reads in the great outdoors last week.


• Improve your skills … take an online class. For more information, visit www.dawson.org.

• Are you certified Work Ready? For more informa-tion, visit www.gaworkready.org.

• Past issues of the Dawson County Chamber Chronicle can be found on the chamber’s Web site, www.dawson.org.

• Remember to shop local.

Please let the chamber know when you have a special event. Chelsea Thomas Dawson Community News

Joe Fulmer, right, serves pancakes,

bacon and sausage patties at the

Veterans Affairs of Dawson County

pancake breakfast fundraiser last

month. Fulmer is on the organiza-

tion’s board. The event raised

money for the organization.

Breakfast benefits veterans


The Dawson County Chamber of Commerce hon-ored late Dawsonville Mayor Joe Lane Cox last week by presenting a proclamation to his family and the city council.

Jennifer Baker, 2012 cham-ber chairwoman, read the proclamation of appreciation for outstanding civic service.

“He was a servant leader who had the courage to stand by his convictions regarding what he deemed the best out-come for the community,” she said.

The proclamation listed Cox’s numerous contributions to the community, including his service as mayor, probate judge, sole county commission-er and chairman of the 13 county Georgia Mountains Regional Commission.

Linda Williams, chamber president, described Cox as “a visionary, very supportive of quality business.”

“I always admired him for his ability to stand up for his convictions,” she said. “He knew the best outcome would be for the county at large and the city at large. We appreci-ate a great leader.”

Mayor Pro Tem James Grogan, who was appointed as acting mayor during the meeting, addressed the Cox family.

“I would like to thank the family for being here,” he said. “I know it is a very diffi-cult thing when you are in your grieving process to come and stand before all of us. I think that shows something of the strength and character of this family.”

Daughter Joy Harben expressed gratitude for the

words spoken in honor of her father.

“As a family, we’re just so honored that they included us in the presentation,” she said. “The chamber could have presented the proclama-tion to the city, but they included us and allowed us to be there to stand there for Daddy.

“We are so proud of him, and we don’t want people to forget him. If you look around the city and the county, there are so many buildings and roads that he played a role in starting.”

The council also voted Monday to name the meeting area adjacent to the council chambers the “Joe Lane Cox Community Room.”

Harben said it is a fitting tribute.

“I know he was real proud of getting that building, and

he did catch a lot of flak about it,” she said.

“It’s good to know that he touched so many people’s

lives.”

Staff writer Michele Hester con-tributed to this story.

Chamber honors late mayor during meeting


Judy Cox and her daughters Jill Reeves, Joy Harben and Julie Self were in attendance at April 2 Dawsonville City Council meeting when Dawson County Chamber of Commerce chair Jennifer Baker presented a proclamation recognizing the work of late Dawsonville Mayor Joe Lane Cox.


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that Northside performs more surgeries and diagnoses and treats more breast and gynecologic cancer than any other hospital in

Georgia. While people chooseNorthside for our expertise, they also know us for our exceptional compassionate care.

Visit us online at www.northside.com


From staff reportsThe Dawson County Chamber of Commerce has

partnered with the Small Business Development Center to offer a series of seminars designed to pro-pel your business to the next level.

Learn how to develop financial strategies with Maximum Money, an interactive course that meets for 10 hours over a five week period.

Modules include: Money 101: Where Do You Stand?; Understanding Financial Statements; Improving Cash Flow and Boosting Profits; Managing by the Numbers; and Developing a Strategic Financial Focus.

During these sessions, participants will learn to effectively manage processes that lead to a better understanding of their company’s finances.

The peer learning atmosphere will also provide valuable feedback and insight into the challenges other business owners face.

The cost is $50 per person. Class meets from 9-11 a.m. each Wednesday in May at Best Western at 79 North Georgia Avenue, Dawsonville.

For more information, call Linda Williams at (706) 265-6278 or Morgan Blakley at (706) 531-5681.


RaceTrac Petroleum had a grand opening for their gas sta-tion and 6,000-square-foot con-venience store at Ga. 400 South and Whitmire Road two weeks ago. Dawson County Chamber of Commerce officials convened to welcome them to the area.

“RaceTrac is one of the major few convenience store chains remaining that has such an excellent reputation. For them to choose our county is a real plus for us,” said Chamber President Linda Williams.

“We look forward to growing with them in a quality manner. They bring quality services and products and we are a quality community, so I think we are a great fit.”

At the ribbon cutting Director of Communications Sherry Scott expressed her thanks to the Dawson County High School choir for singing the national anthem and for the local govern-ment officials for coming out.

“I think this grand opening is a really great example of the partnership RaceTrac has with the local community,” she said afterward. “Having the high school choir out here was fan-tastic. Having the mayor, the council members and people from the chamber was great because we really want RaceTrac to be seen as a neigh-borhood store.”

As only the third convenience store nationwide to be 6,000-square-feet, RaceTrac also offers more than 4,000 items.

“What this has that other RaceTracs throughout the whole

country don’t have, except two others, is 24-hour frozen yogurt, 14 different teas on tap and an amazing beer cooler. We also have fresh food. You can really get a great meal here for under $4, like fresh sandwiches and salads,” Scott said.

In the first two hours the store was open on March 29, the 22 fueling bays sold more than 3,000 gallons of gas, accord-ing to store manager James Bailey. Their regular gas price was 30 cents cheaper than nearby competitors.

“We always seek to offer competitive prices. I think that’s one of the main things RaceTrac is known for, competitive value,” Scott said.

Bailey looks forward to get-ting to know Dawson County residents who regularly visit the store.

“The layout itself is very con-

ducive to guest interaction. That’s great because we want to be part of the community and not just a store in the communi-ty,” he said.

Building began on the gas station and convenience store last September. Initial permits were issued in late August 2011.

“The goal of this entire store is to make life simply enjoyable for the people of Dawson and of course, the people who come to check out the outlet malls,” Scott said.

Until April 14 RaceTrac is offering a grand opening give-away raffle. Customers can sign up in store for a chance to win $2,500 in RaceTrac gift cards. Another 25 first place winners get a free frozen yogurt every week for a year and 50 second place winners get a free coffee every day for a year.

New station aims to be a community one-stop-shop

Financial seminar offered


County dediCates CapsuleDavida Simpson, Dawson County purchasing director, places items in the 30-year time capsule prior to the April 5 dedication at the new Dawson County Government Center.


RaceTrac Petroleum opened a gas station and convenience store at Ga. 400 South and Whitmire Road on March 29. At more than 6,000 square feet, the store is one of the company’s three biggest in the nation, according to store officials.


Walk-in visitors: 427 Telephone referrals: 2,341 Newcomers: 22

MARCH MeMbeR RenewAls

MontHly totAls

Thank YouChamber Building Fund

Sponsors

PropertyInvestmentAssociates

new MeMbeRsAll Travel by Dee KnightDee Knight(706) 531-4791310 Marvin Styles RoadDawsonville, GA [email protected]: Travel Agency

Kevin Ellison(770) 539-0323P.O. Box 1383Dawsonville, GA [email protected]: Individual Member

Paper Moon TooSandy Alexander(706) 531-1506P.O. Box 1722Dawsonville, GA [email protected]: Antiques

Evolution 1 RecyclingNakia Wood(706) 531-6107163 Auraria Road

Dawsonville, GA [email protected]: Recycling

Edward JonesMatt McGrath(706) 265-2358278 Hwy. 400 N., Ste 1190Dawsonville, GA [email protected]: Investments/Brokerage Firm

RaceTrac PetroleumKristi McLinskey(404) 274-59351554 Hwy. 400 SDawsonville, GA [email protected]: Convenience Store

Lookout Dumpsters Inc.Lee Ann Frix(770) 315-31502894 Kelly Bridge RoadDawsonville, GA [email protected]: Dumpster Rental

Alexander, Almand & Associates, LLPAmicalola Propane Inc.Atlanta Gear WorksJim and Phyllis BastubaBig Canoe Chapel Terraces

AmphitheaterBodyplex- Dawsonville, GASteve and Marge Carey Chestatee Emergent Medical CareChestatee Regional HospitalChildren’s Healthcare of Atlanta at

ForsythChocolate MooseWilma ColemanDawson County Republican PartyDawson County Woman’s ClubDawson Family PhysiciansDawson Insurance AgencyDawson VisionDawsonville Hardware Co., Inc.Discovery Point #50Dress BarnDuncan Exterminating Co.First Baptist Church of DawsonvilleFORESTAR GROUP, Inc.Forrest Hills Mountain ResortFrank and Mary Bob FoxGainesville State CollegeGainesville Welding & Rendering

EquipmentGoodson’s PharmacyGrace Presbyterian ChurchDendy and Judy HarmonJoseph HirschImageItEverywhereJER Group, Inc.John and Jane JohJTC Jerry Townley ConstructionKaleidoscope Window DesignsLakeview Center of Dawson County, LLCLakeview Publishing.comLava Hair StudioMarketing IncentivesCliff and Arlene McClure McGarity’s Business ProductsMill Creek Environmental Services, Inc.MSE Hospitality - Dawsonville, Inc.Kenneth and Jo Ann NewellNGM PropertiesNorthside Hospital ForsythNorthview Orthopaedics and Open MRIPower Realty PartnersBill and Fran SalingFred and Dru StowersSuperior Arbor Management, Inc.The Outside WorldVictory Custom Homes, Inc.


ambassador of the month

By Michele [email protected]

The spotlight was on small business during the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours affair in March.

Sponsors of the event set up booths to showcase product lines and gave out door prizes.

Co-sponsors included America’s Business Benefit Association, AML Printing Services, Cartridges on Wheels, CitruSolution, DNH, Georgia Promotional Products, NuSkin, Visiting Angels of Lanier and Weddings & Wellness.

As the event came to a close, the chamber had its monthly cash drawing. Since the winner was not

in attendance, the pot con-tinues to grow for the April meeting. Remember, you must be present to win.

Business members will also have the opportunity to showcase their product lines at the chamber’s next Business After Hours event that will be held from 5-7 p.m. April 24 at Peach Brandy Cottage in down-town Dawsonville.

Pam Hamalainen, mem-bership director, said sev-eral businesses have already registered to co-host the mini-expo, which gives members an arena to not only showcase their products but also sell them.

Space is limited. The cost is $50 to co-host with an option for a premium table at $100.

For more information, call (706) 265-6278.

The Dawson County Chamber of Commerce wants to congratulate George Parson who was named Ambassador of the Month at the group’s March breakfast meeting.

Chosen for his participation and involvement in various chamber activities during the previous month, Parson has been involved in the Ambassador Program nearly two years.

“Joining the chamber has truly benefited us as we’ve gotten to know our small and medium businesses. It has enabled us personally to bene-fit from our local resources,” he said

A native of Florida, Parson has lived in Dawson County about four years.

He and wife Kerri have three children: Jordan, Cara and Paige.

“I think what I have found as a Dawson resi-dent and chamber member is that when we sup-port local businesses, there are often expenses that are offset as a result,” he said. “Value comes when you give and receive back.”

The ambassadors are an informed, select group of motivated, enthusiastic and articulate businessmen and women who serve as liaisons to the chamber’s membership and represent the chamber at many civic and social events.

Ambassadors accumulate points for the con-

tacts they make and for documenting the work they do in the community on behalf of the cham-ber.

Parson owns Cartridge On Wheels-N.GA, a mobile print management solutions provider that provides long-term strategies for businesses and organizations in the area.

He can reached at (706) 974-4448.

— Michele Hester

Dawson County Chamber of Commerce Ambassador George Parson recently experi-enced a success story he wanted to share with the chamber’s membership.

Parson was planning to celebrate his 16th wedding anniversary with wife Kerri when he decided to have flowers delivered to their table over dinner.

“As a chamber member I was seeking local flowers for my beloved,” he said.

He rushed to Kroger to pick out an arrange-ment that signified his love, but learned the gro-cer does not offer flower delivery.

However, Kroger does strive for excellent cus-tomer service.

That evening, while dining at a local Japanese restaurant, a Kroger associate named Katie

walked into the dining area with a beautiful bou-quet of flowers for the occasion.

“She really contributed to that night. It set up the perfect night for my wife and me,” he said.

— Michele Hester

Kroger makes night special

Parson gets involved

‘It set up the perfect night for my wife and me.’George ParsonAmbassador

Stephanie Griffin Dawson Community News

George Parson was named Ambassador of the Month at the chamber’s March breakfast meeting.

BAH puts spotlight on local businesses

Big D’s BBQ sponsors breakfastBig D’s BBQ sponsored the Dawson County Chamber of

Commerce Ambassador breakfast in March.The restaurant, located at 6566 Hwy 53 East,

Dawsonville, is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Established in 2008, Big D’s BBQ was built around the

family traditions and ingredients for BBQ dry rub.The restaurant comfortably seats 50 in the split dining

room and currently employees about 15 hard working locals that have become part of the Big D’s family.

For more information, call (706) 216-6706.



Dawson County ended 2011 with a 7.6 percent unemploy-ment rate, its lowest since December 2008.

January’s rate increased slightly to 8 percent, but still signifi-cantly below the level of the last few years.

Charlie Auvermann, executive director for the Development Authority of Dawson County, said the numbers are an encouraging indication the economy may be picking up locally.

Auvermann began tracking the county’s employment rates in mid-2007. That November, it was at 3.5 percent.

“Technically, everybody that really wanted to work was probably working then,” Auvermann said. “That was across the board.

“You had a lot of construction. You had a lot of business. You had a lot of sells. The restaurants, the outlet mall, Home Depot [were] the best as far as employment was concerned.”

The county’s jobless rate started to rise a few months into 2008 as the recession hit the area, reaching nearly 8 percent by the end of that year.

“It was pretty dramatic,” Auvermann said. “You can see the last part of 2008, in October and November when the finan-cial crisis was going, it really started to climb.”

That climb continued for a couple of years, through January 2011, when the county hit a record high at 11.2 percent.

Auvermann said industries in health and medicine, as well as sales and management, have begun to rebound, while construction continues to lag.

“Construction and blue-collar type jobs are industries that tend to pick up once the economy picks up,” Auvermann said.

“When you look at the businesses that have come in 2011 — Varsity, the motorsports park, the RaceTrac gas station, the refurbished Burger King - those create those construction jobs.”

Available inventory for new business in the area is also limited.

“I think you’ll see in the next few years the construction side of it begin to come back as well,” he said. “But no one’s going to build those buildings unless they are very con-fident they are going to have tenants, so that’s got to hap-pen first.”

While the county’s overall jobless rate has fallen, unem-ployment among teenagers and people without high school diplomas remains as high as 14 to 15 percent, Auvermann said.

“Those jobs are being taken by people who are willing to accept jobs even though they are qualified for higher level positions,” he said.

Rate hits lowest since 2008


A bill that would allow tasting at distill-eries across the state has made its way through the Georgia General Assembly and awaits the governor’s signature.

Proponents of the bill, including master distiller Dwight Bearden, who will oversee operations at a local distillery in downtown Dawsonville, say the measure will drive economic development.

“We hope this passes, because we think it’s going to be good for us and good for Dawsonvil le,” Bearden said.

Sponsored by Rep. Rusty Kidd, an Independent from Mil ledgevil le, the bil l would allow visi tors to sample up to a half ounce of spiri ts per person, per day when touring a dist i l ler y in Georgia.

The bil l passed in the Senate by a vote of 34-14 last month and over-whelmingly cleared the House of Representatives in February.

Gov. Nathan Deal has 40 days after the session ends to sign, veto or allow the bill to become law without his signature.

Last year, Cheryl Wood leased an area inside the Dawsonville Municipal Complex, which is also home to the Georgia Racing

Hall of Fame, to open a distillery. “We’re definitely hoping it passes,”

Wood has said. Gordon Pirkle, hall of fame president,

said visitors are excited and curious about the distillery.

“They want to see it open, and I think it will bring more people into the museum, too,” he said.

Wood and Bearden are waiting on inspections before opening.

“The inspection will be at their discre-tion, when they have time to come out,” Bearden said earlier this year. “When we get approval from the state and the feder-al and the fire marshal signs off, we should be ready to go.”

Initially, Bearden said he plans to make a family recipe of corn liquor and in sum-mer months likely will also offer brandy.

Georgia is one of just seven states that prohibits distilled spirits tastings at on- or off-site establishments.

Last year, Tennessee law changed to allow wine and liquor stores to give taste tests.

An amendment to Georgia’s HB 514 stalled last month that would have allowed wine tastings at package stores.

There are currently distilleries operating in Richland, Milledgeville and Americus.

Tasting bill awaits governor’s signature

From staff reports

A new networking group has formed and is geared toward growing your busi-ness.

Dawson Network of North Georgia meets weekly at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday at the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce. The group’s first

meeting was April 10. Organizer Vickie Hood

said the group will be serious about networking and real qualified referrals, in a relaxed atmosphere.

With a purpose to assist all members in getting busi-ness referrals that will expand business success, Dawson Network is dedicat-

ed to maximizing the use of your time and resources to get better qualified business referrals.

Dawson Network is a non- competitive group focusing on increasing business and sells for members in the group.

For more info call Jay and Vickie Hood at (678) 231-2090.

Networking group forms

unemployment



COMPANY HAS RIBBON CUTTINGDawson County Chamber of Commerce members and ambassadors con-gratulated AML Computer Services’ owner Rick Eubanks as he cut the rib-bon at the new facility last month. AML Computer Services, located at Hwy. 53 East, offers computer repairs, network installations, upgrades, wireless solutions and virus, spam and software removal. AML recently bought Wilco Printing of Dawsonville and now offers printing products and services.


Independent travel agent Dee Knight believes seeing other parts of the world is fun, adventurous and informative.

“Traveling offers people different experiences,” she said. “I love to travel and visit different cultures to learn more. Whenever you travel outside your comfort zone you are educated.”

Knight works with All-Travel, a travel management company spe-cializing in business, entertainment and leisure travel planning. She

offers regular monthly specials to Hawaii, Alaska, France, London, Spain and Disney World.

For a limited time she is also offering a special to Costa Rica, “a natural paradise for 10 days of fun and adventure.” The trip leaves Nov. 9 and the deadline to sign up is Aug. 1.

Knight encourages anyone inter-ested in traveling to call her.

“If you are looking for something for the entire family or just for you, please let me help,” she said.

For more information call (770) 531-4791 or email her at [email protected].

Travel agent offers Dawson the world


A local literacy advocacy group has an evening of dancing and din-ing planned this Saturday to raise funds for its ongoing efforts.

The Reading Education Association of Dawson County, or READ, encour-ages residents to come out April 14 to Racing Toward Literacy, an event at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame.

“This is an event where you can enjoy a delicious dinner, listen and dance to great tunes played by a band made up of Big Canoe resi-dents,” said READ Executive Director Sandy Lipkowitz.

“[You can also] visit with wonderful friends and neighbors, including our local political leaders, from all over Dawson County and help a worthy cause all at the same time,” she said.

The event will feature a silent auc-tion as well as a live auction of home-made cakes, lovely jewelry and golf outings for four.

Attendees can also appreciate area racing history since they will be sur-rounded by exhibits at the racing hall of fame at Dawsonville Municipal Complex.

Proceeds benefit the organization’s efforts, including providing summer reading books to school children and paying GED test fees for those who do not have the financial means.

Tickets for Racing Toward Literacy are $30 each. The event runs from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday. Tables of six and eight are available. There will also be a cash bar.

According to its mission statement, READ’s hope is to “work as a collab-orative organization with community, government, schools and business leaders to coordinate, promote and advocate for families who do not pos-sess the literary skills to achieve their full potential.”

For more information about Racing Toward Literacy, contact Lipkowitz at (706) 579-1771 or e-mail [email protected].

READ hosts annual fundraising dinner

DINNeR BeNefITS RelAY fOR lIfeDoris Cook picks up several din-ners from Lisa Hester last month at United Community Bank’s annu-al spaghetti fundraiser to benefit Relay for Life.




In the last month Gov. Nathan Deal and his wife Sandra have pushed literacy initiatives to the fore-front of their state agendas.

Declaring March “Read Across Georgia” month in honor of his wife’s initiative of the same name, Deal spoke at Amicalola Falls Lodge on March 21 on the importance of literacy at the Certified Literate Community Program (CLCP)State Retreat.

“For all of you who are involved in the literacy programs all across this state, what you do is very important,” Gov. Deal said.

“You are trying to fill a void that we have in Georgia, and that is too many people doing life illit-erate. It is a void that not only affects their life, but the lives of their children and their extended family.”

According to CLCP data, reading abilities play a crucial role in personal and statewide economic development. Research shows 75 percent of unem-ployed adults have reading or writing difficulties. Furthermore, seven in 10 prisoners perform in the lowest two literacy levels.

CLCP regional organizations seek to combat adult illiteracy by sponsoring GED classes, building adult learning centers, addressing transportation and child care needs for participants and by man-aging afterschool homework programs in schools.

Deal thanked the CLCP directors, regional volun-teers and technical college presidents and vice presidents for their work toward mobilizing literacy campaigns.

READ, the Reading Education Association of DawsonCounty,is a registered CLCP organization that was represented at the retreat.

“What you do for the adults who are illiterate couples with what we do at every other level of education,” Gov. Deal said.

“It is a double edged sword that cuts favorably in every direction when you teach a parent to read. I thank you for doing that.”

Deal also invited his wife up to speak on her work with “Read Across Georgia,” her initiative sup-porting his goal of increasing the percentage of children reading at grade level by the completion of third grade.

The first lady, who is visited schools across the

state last month to raise awareness, had visited Kilough Elementary recently.

“The reality of it is that if a child does not have that skill of reading by the end of the third grade we spend a lot of money in remediation all the way up trying to drag them across the graduation line,” Gov. Deal said. “The best way to stop the cost associated with that is to make sure they get it right the first time. We are making a concerted effort on that.”

Other initiatives and educational programs the governor mentioned were the dual enrollment pro-gram, the new program Complete College and Go Build Georgia, an effort to “educate young people and their parents about job opportunities that exist by acquiring craft skills.”

Gov. Deal expressed his appreciation of the extensive work done by CLCP advocates.

“Thank you for what you do every day. You make a difference in the lives of people and that’s the most important thing that any of us can do — to help improve the lives of fellow citizens,” he said.

After his departure, CLCP announced Sandy Lipkowitz, executive director of READ, was named the 2012 Leader of Distinction for raising more than $37,000 last year for literacy efforts. She was awarded a $200 check to be used toward READ initiatives.

Governor speaks on literacy at Amicalola By Chelsea Thomas

[email protected]

Grab your partner and do-si-do at the fifth annual Wee Books Barn Dance for chil-dren’s literacy on April 28.

Sponsored by Dawson County’s Wee Books Community Action Team and the Dawson County Homeowners Civic Association, the dance is to be held at the Kinsey Family Farm beginning at 6:30 p.m.

This Christmas tree farm is located at 7170 Jot Em Down Road in northern Forsyth County.

“We host this event to meet our Wee Books’ goal, to bring an age appropriate book to every Dawson County pre-school child each month,” said Jane Graves, association president and vol-unteer.

Proceeds from the dance benefit the program, which distributes hardback books to children from birth to 5 years old at no cost to the child’s family.

“Wee Books is seeing improvement in the kindergart-ner’s readiness when they first enter school and we want to continue this,” she said.

Before the dancing begins attendees will be met the smells of barbecue cooking.

Returning from last year’s event, the barbecue chef is Mark Lenyk, who lives in Dawsonville and is said to make the “best barbecue in the state.”

The dance starts after din-ner when Bill Agerton, a member of the Metro Atlanta Square Dancers Association,

opens the dance floor. A bon-fire and barbecue will follow.

Ticket prices are $30 each and include dinner, two bev-erages and square dance les-sons.

Since its inception in January 2007, Wee Books has been fighting to combat illiteracy by encouraging chil-dren to love reading at an early age. The action team currently raises funds for 8,000 books to be mailed to 700 preschoolers each year.

According to the organiza-tion’s promotional materials, this is more than 50 percent of the under 5 years old pop-ulation in the county.

Graves hopes the communi-ty comes out to the event to support literacy “and to have some fun.”

“This is the most fun event in Dawson County in the spring,” she said. “Remember, the calories you burn off dancing helps you fit into that swimsuit too.”

To purchase tickets to the barn dance or for more infor-mation on the Wee Books Program, including how to register your child, call (706) 216-0173 or e-mail [email protected].

Barn dance supports children’s literacy

'This is the most fun event in Dawson County in the spring.'

Jane GravesAssociation president and volunteer


Gov. Nathan Deal and his wife Sandra spoke March 21 at Amicalola Falls Lodge on the importance of literacy at the Certified Literate Community Program state retreat.


Thank you Dawson County Chamber Members for choosing us as

Jay and Vickie Hood receiving award at Dawson Co. Chamber

Gala, March 2nd, 2012

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April 2012 Chamber Chronicle

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