chamber chronicle december 2013

16
By Michele Hester [email protected] Luke Holmes may just be seven, but he already understands the sacrifices servicemen and women make for his country. “I wanted to tell the veterans that we love them,” he said on Nov. 11 as he held a hand drawn banner say- ing the same. “They protect our coun- try and I wanted to tell them thank you.” Holmes was among hundreds lining the downtown streets waving flags and holding up signs of gratitude as veterans all ages and from each branch of military shared the spotlight during Dawsonville’s annual Veterans Day celebration. In its ninth year, the ceremonies began with a formal tribute to veter- ans at Dawson County Middle School, followed by a parade through downtown Dawsonville, one of just two places in Georgia desig- nated as a 2013 Veterans Day Regional Site by the Veterans Day National Committee. The other is Atlanta. The Member Newsletter of the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce Edition Highlights: December 2013 Post Office Box 299 292 Hwy. 400, North Dawsonville, GA 30534 (706) 265-6278 Lanier Tech opens salon at Dawson campus Abba House opens new thrift store Elliott named to racing hall of fame Chamber holds business after hours Service, parade celebrates veterans Hill Our local chamber is what we make it As I pen this last article for the Chamber Chronicle, I can’t help but look back at this year. This was the first full year with the new management team in place and I think it is one of the best decisions our board of direc- tors has made. Recently, Christie Haynes gave the board of commissioners a year end update on the accomplish- ments of the chamber and the office of tourism development. No matter how many times I hear her report, I am amazed at everything the chamber does. Our organization reaches more than 3 million people every year with our advertising and outreach. The list of accomplishments goes on and on and it is truly impres- sive. However, one of the most pre- cious things for me this past year has been the relationships that we have built through the chamber. After all, we are a membership organization and are defined in many ways by our membership. Knowing that the chamber is one of the biggest and most influential advocates for small business has always been a huge attraction for us. These are exactly the kinds of people and businesses we want to be around. For me, the best legacy is proper leadership succession. See CHAMBER | 2 See VETERANS | 3 Veterans from sev- eral wars, ranging from World War II, Korea, Vietnam and the last two decades of Middle Eastern conflicts showed up for the parade downtown. David Renner Dawson Community News MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

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Page 1: Chamber Chronicle December 2013

By Michele Hester [email protected]

Luke Holmes may just be seven, but he already understands the sacrifices servicemen and women make for his country.

“I wanted to tell the veterans that we love them,” he said on Nov. 11 as he held a hand drawn banner say-ing the same. “They protect our coun-try and I wanted to tell them thank you.”

Holmes was among hundreds lining the downtown streets waving flags and holding up signs of gratitude as

veterans all ages and from each branch of military shared the spotlight during Dawsonville’s annual Veterans Day celebration.

In its ninth year, the ceremonies began with a formal tribute to veter-ans at Dawson County Middle School, followed by a parade through downtown Dawsonville, one of just two places in Georgia desig-nated as a 2013 Veterans Day Regional Site by the Veterans Day National Committee. The other is Atlanta.

The Member Newsletter of the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce

Edition Highlights:

December 2013Post Office Box 299292 Hwy. 400, North

Dawsonville, GA 30534(706) 265-6278

Lanier Tech opens salon at Dawson campus

Abba House opens new thrift store

Elliott named to racing hall of fame

Chamber holds business after hours

Service, parade celebrates veterans

Hill

Our local chamber is what we make itAs I pen this last article for the

Chamber Chronicle, I can’t help but look back at this year.

This was the first full year with the new management team in place and I think it is one of the best decisions our board of direc-tors has made.

Recently, Christie Haynes gave the board of commissioners a year

end update on the accomplish-ments of the chamber and the office of tourism development. No matter how many times I hear her report, I am amazed at everything the chamber does.

Our organization reaches more than 3 million people every year with our advertising and outreach. The list of accomplishments goes

on and on and it is truly impres-sive.

However, one of the most pre-cious things for me this past year has been the relationships that we have built through the chamber. After all, we are a membership organization and are defined in many ways by our membership.

Knowing that the chamber is one

of the biggest and most influential advocates for small business has always been a huge attraction for us. These are exactly the kinds of people and businesses we want to be around.

For me, the best legacy is proper leadership succession.

See CHAMBER | 2

See VETERANS | 3

Veterans from sev-eral wars, ranging from World War II, Korea, Vietnam and the last two decades of Middle Eastern conflicts showed up for the parade downtown.

David Renner Dawson Community News

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

Page 2: Chamber Chronicle December 2013

What a joyous season we’re in. It’s hard to believe that Christmas is already upon us, but I so enjoy this time of year.

I am always interested to hear about the Christmas traditions of those around me. This year, I started

a new tradition and visited Bradley’s Christmas Trees to pick out the perfect live tree. To me, there is nothing like the smell of a fresh Fraser Fir to make your home ready for the holiday season.

Another tradition I have observed since I was a small child was attending the late service on Christmas Eve. What a blessing to be surrounded by family and friends as you light candles, sing carols and celebrate the reason for the season.

What traditions does your family observe? Picking a tree, having breakfast with Santa and family shopping trips provide lasting memo-ries of this special time of year.

One of the wonderful things about our community is that all of these memories can be made right here in Dawson County. I hope y’all will share some of your traditions with us on social media or by email at [email protected].

Looking forward to 2014 causes me to pause and reflect on the year we’ve had in 2013.

I am so thankful for all of our mem-

bers, partners, volunteers and local leaders who have made this year such a success.

To help us celebrate that success, please mark your calendars for Jan. 10, as we will be holding our Annual Chamber Gala at the Racing Hall of Fame. The gala this year is themed “Stars of the Chamber” and is focused on cele-brating all of the amazing business-es and organizations we have in our community.

As we move throughout this sea-

son into the new year, please do not hesitate to call on us if we can be of assistance. We look forward to con-tinuing to further our mission of “culti-vating a successful economic envi-ronment and desirable quality of life for our businesses and community” in the coming year. We wish you a relaxing and blessed holiday season and new year.

Christie HaynesPresident

2 | DAWSON CHAMBER CHRONICLE | dawsonnews.com DECEMBER 2013

Brooke AndersonEtowah Water and Sewer Authority

Pat AndersonAnderson Family Mediciine

James AskewUnited Community Bank-Dawsonville

Charlie AuvermannDevelopment Authority of Dawson County

Jennifer BakerUnited Community Bank-Dawsonville

Mike BergDawson County Board of Commissioners

Carla BoutinState Farm Insurance

Kathy C. FullerKC Fuller & Associates

Chris GainesTaylor, Turner & Hartsfield

James GroganCity of Dawsonville

Christie HaynesDawson County Chamber of Commerce, tourism development

Peter Hill Hill Design Associates Architects, Inc.

Andrew LeavittUniversity of North Georgia

Steve MelchingBig Canoe Homeowners Association

George ParsonCartridge on Wheels of North Georgia

Keith PorterDawson County Board of Education

Denny PutlakDenny Insurance Group

Carol TygerIndividual

Mike UnderwoodFirst Citizens Bank of Georgia

Gloria Wyatt, Northside Hospital-Forsyth

Scott Yochum, Yochum Financial Group

CHAMBer oF CoMMerCe 2013 BoArD oF DireCTorSTraditions alive in Dawson

Haynes

Getting Christie, Kara [Hewatt]and Brenda [Mason] in place last year has secured the future of our chamber.

Along with that came a new cul-

ture of transparency, creativity and connection with our community and our members.

As we plan our board retreat for the incoming board of directors, Christie has prepared a strategic planning session in order to define our course over the next several years.

We have created considerable

momentum in the organization but still have many mountains to climb.

I look forward to the next year with Gloria Wyatt as our new chair-woman, and the direction the cham-ber is going.

This is a very exciting time.

Peter HillChairman

FroM 1

Chamber

For the Dawson Community News

Page 3: Chamber Chronicle December 2013

dawsonnews.com | DAWSON CHAMBER CHRONICLE | 3DECEMBER 2013

Dec. 12: Business After

Hours will be from 5 to 7

p.m. at United Community

Bank. Come and network

with your fellow chamber

members. There will be food

and plenty of fellowship to

enjoy. Special thanks to our

sponsor, United Community

Bank, and to our cash draw-

ing sponsors, Dr. Larry

Anderson, Anderson Family

Medicine, Kristie Myers, The

Norton Agency and

Northside Hospital- Forsyth.

Dec. 13: Join us for a rib-

bon cutting at Dawson

Forest Apartments at noon.

They are located at 100

Green Forest Drive.

Dec. 14: The fourth annual

Reindeer Run 5K/10K &

Rudolph Ride Duathlon will

be at 8:30 a.m. at the

Georgia Racing Hall of

Fame. To register, visit

www.fivestarntp.com.

Jan. 6: H&R Block will be

holding a Ribbon Cutting at

2 p.m. at their new 425 Quill

Drive, Suite 110 location in

off of Hwy. 400.

Jan. 10: Save the date for

the chamber’s annual gala at

the Georgia Racing Hall of

Fame. Call the Chamber

today to reserve your seats.

calenDar of events

Eulene Disharoon said she was proud to be a part of the celebration.

“It’s wonderful to do some-thing for the people who served now and before us. Kids need to learn about the veterans,” she said. “My father-in-law was in World War II and other members of my family served. With the way it is now, we all need to be up here thanking these people.”

Sponsored by the local vet-erans affairs group, the cere-mony annually pays tribute to veterans who continue their mantra of service in their com-munities.

Serving as emcee, Veterans Affairs of Dawson County President Don Brown present-

ed the 2013 Veteran of the Year award to Bert Lawson of Dawsonville.

“He is a veteran of the Vietnam War, having served 3 tours as an F-4 Phantom pilot with 167 combat mis-sions and over 7,000 hours including air to air combat with a MIG-21,” Brown said. “He left the Air Force after 14 years and entered the Air National Guard where he served until retiring as a Colonel. He holds the Silver Star, Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, four Air Medals and the Vietnam Service Medal among others.”

Lawson, who served three tours in Vietnam, where he was shot down and wounded twice, currently serves as a board member and treasurer of the Georgia Mountain

Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America, an advocate for a strong national defense that represents the interests of mili-tary officers and their families at every stage of their careers.

“Vietnam was a tough part of American history. Whether we agreed or not, we did what we were ordered to

do,” he said. “But the real heroes are the ones that didn’t make it home. You feel guilty that you’re being recog-nized and the people that need to be recognized are the ones who you don’t know their names.”

DCN staff writer David Renner contributed to this story.

froM 1

Veterans

Luke Holmes, from left, Abby Holmes, Serenity Sacco and Kileigh Holmes wave and hold signs of gratitude dur-ing the Veterans Day parade in downtown Dawsonville.

Michele Hester Dawson Community News

David Renner Dawson Community News

The Veteran’s Affairs of Dawson County float was all smiles and waves to the crowd gathered on both sides of the parade route.

Page 4: Chamber Chronicle December 2013

From staff reports

With more than 160 chambers in the state of Georgia, seven cham-bers of commerce includ-ing Dawson, were rec-ognized as Georgia Certified Chambers dur-ing the opening luncheon of the 2013 GACCE Volunteer Leader Conference on Nov. 7 at the Savannah Marriott Riverfron.

The chambers received a prestigious honor that distinguishes the high quality, expertise and strong leadership dis-played by accredited chambers. These seven chambers join 34 other chamber members who were recognized with this distinction in the past two years.

The quality of leader-ship, programs and ser-vices that define the more than 160 cham-bers statewide continues to increase. Many cham-bers have risen to the challenge during these tough economic times to

provide unparalleled leadership and direction, helping their members and communities thrive. This type of performance is a reflection of the solid organizational infrastruc-ture built through much hard work and dili-gence.

In 2011, the GACCE Board of Directors sought a way to recognize chambers in the state that have focused internally on their operations to assess strengths, weak-nesses and opportunities to create efficient, effec-tive organizations posi-tioned to deliver great value. Thus the Georgia Certified Chamber pro-

gram was created.The program is mod-

eled after the U.S. Chamber’s accreditation program. The purpose of the program is to facili-tate continuing excel-lence in the chamber industry and to foster a pro-business environment across the state of Georgia.

Chambers must meet standards in organiza-tion, service intent and capacity, professional administration, financial management, communi-cations and advocacy in order to achieve the Georgia Certified Chamber designation.

4 | DAWSON CHAMBER CHRONICLE | dawsonnews.com DECEMBER 2013

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

P.O Box 1096137 Prominence Court

Suite 240Dawsonville, GA 30534

By David [email protected]

In their ongoing commitment to pre-pare their students for careers, Lanier Technical College has opened a spa in Dawsonville.

Currently, the salon and spa is open to the public from 8 a.m. to noon, Tuesday through Thursday. Beginning Jan. 13, the salon will also be open in the evening from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday.

“The students get real life experi-ence by operating all aspects of a full service salon,” said Angelia Brown, cosmetology instructor at the Dawsonville campus.

Students learn skills such as greeting the guest, client consultation, perform-ing services with the most current equipment available and using state of the art software to check the client out at the end of the service.

According to Brown, all services are provided by senior level students and the work is closely monitored by the cosmetology instructors.

“You learn a lot. You touch on all of the areas of spa work,” said student

Chris Ahrendt. “One thing it’s made me want to do is go back to school and get my aesthetician’s license. I enjoy it.”

The salon area offers haircuts start-ing at $5, color beginning at $28 and foils starting at $35.

The spa area of the salon will offer manicures, pedicures and facials.

“All pedicure stations have plastic liners for sanitation safety,” Brown said. “Specialty facials such as micro-dermabrasion and oxygen therapy facials are offered as well.”

Waxing services and lash and brow tint is also offered.

Finally, spray tanning is also avail-able to the public, with students being certified to do the work on-site.

“It’s the best around,” said student Wanda Garrish. “I drive a long way to get here, all the way from Maysville. It’s worth every mile.”

For more information about the spa and salon services on the Dawson campus, call (706) 216-5461.

David Renner Dawson Community News

Manicurist Samantha Sexton, right, works on Donna Jackson’s nails at the Lanier Tech Salon and Spa.

Lanier Tech spa opensDawson County Chamber of Commerce President Christie Haynes, cen-ter right, accepts a plaque desig-nating Dawson as one of the 2013 Georgia Certified Chambers.

For the Dawson Community News

Local chamber recognized

Page 5: Chamber Chronicle December 2013

dawsonnews.com | DAWSON CHAMBER CHRONICLE | 5DECEMBER 2013

By David [email protected]

Two major art galleries in Dawson County took part in the second annual North Georgia Art Ramble.

The ramble offered the opportunity to visit more than 40 working studios, galleries and artists with a variety of forms and media. The Dec. 7 and 8 event took visitors across the north Georgia mountains.

The locations on the tour included Canton, Ball Ground, Cumming, Marble Hill, Dawsonville, Buford, Duluth, Johns Creek, Roswell, Woodstock, Cartersville, Calhoun and Jasper.

“This tour encompasses eight coun-ties, 44 stops and artist studios, art centers and galleries,” said Tracey Burnette, local curator and art teacher. “It’ll bring a lot more people to

Dawson County to shop, eat and look at art.”

The main hub for Dawson County will be the Bowen Center for the Arts.

The county’s other stop on the ram-ble bill was folk art gallery Around Back at Rocky’s Place.

“They were putting it together and we figured why not join in,” Burnette said. “It’s good advertising for the county. Mostly, only the serious collec-tors come to this. We’re the only folk art gallery on the tour, too.”

The Bowen Center for the Arts as the Dawson County Arts Council, showcased Blackberry Creek artists as well as other local artists. Rocky’s showcased artists Dorothy Gorham, Bluejay, Bird, Billy Roper and John “Cornbread” Anderson.

David Renner Dawson Community News

Folk Art jugs and pieces by local artist John “Cornbread” Anderson were just a few of the pieces seen during the North Georgia Art Ramble.

Dawson galleries part of art ramble

By David [email protected]

This year, instead of waiting until the first minutes of Black Friday to begin at midnight, retailers opened their stores Thanksgiving night to give shoppers the deals they had been waiting on.

Walmart began its sales at 6 p.m. Nov. 28 with small items such as DVDs, Blu-ray movies and video games. They continued at 8 p.m. with larger electron-ic items such as HDTVs and computer monitors.

The North Georgia Premium Outlets opened select stores at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving and continued opening stores hourly until midnight.

According to a survey conducted by the National Retail Federation, some 140 million people in the U.S. hit stores at some point over the Thanksgiving weekend, with nearly one-quarter of those surveyed shop-ping on Thanksgiving Day.

For Dawson County, it would seem the majority of stores saw sales on Thanksgiving Day.

Lee Ann Frix said she and her hus-band started their Christmas shopping

Thanksgiving night, up into the early morning hours before finishing off lists Friday morning.

“We started early yesterday with the sales and got home at 2 this morning,” she said. “Then we got up again to shop today at 4:30.”

Walmart continued its sales Nov. 29 with smartphones of various makes and models for sale with a contract at their mobile phone center.

“We only got up about 6:30 this morning,” said Walmart shopper Jen Scott. “I’m only here for [the phones] this morning.”

Despite shoppers turning out less on Friday than in the past, retailers are still getting profits, even if through other means, whether it be on Thanksgiving Day or online.

Scott said she planned to take it easy with Black Friday sales this year, instead preferring to do her shopping in other ways.

“We’re going light this year on Friday shopping,” she said. “I did more shopping online and yester-day than in the previous years. Last year, I did a lot more shopping in stores.”

David Renner Dawson Community News

Crowds were scarce Nov. 29 as many stores opened on Thanksgiving this year.

Thanksgiving Day sales take precedence

Page 6: Chamber Chronicle December 2013

6 | DAWSON CHAMBER CHRONICLE | dawsonnews.com DECEMBER 2013

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

• Remember to shop local this holiday season.• Past issues of the Dawson County Chamber

Chronicle can be found on the chamber’s Web site, www.dawson.org.

Please let the chamber know when you have a special event.

Bulletin board

Dawson County Chapter 970 Vietnam Veterans of America

The chapter is a non-profit veterans service organization that assists their member-ship with the claims process within the Veterans Administration System, as well as helping any and all vet-erans who need assis-tance. They also give back to the community by supporting other nonprofits where possi-

ble, with the crown jewel being two $1,000 scholarships that the vet-erans provide each year to high school seniors.

For more information, visit www.vva970.com.

Brooks BrothersBrooks Brothers has

been in business for 195 years.

The company began as a small business and even though it has grown to a global pres-ence, it says it still “tailors

each store to the needs of our customers in the towns that we do busi-ness.”

Brooks Brothers has a local store in the North Georgia Premium Outlet.

For more information, call (706) 216-2865 or visit www.brooksbrothers.com.

Best Western In business for more

than 10 years, Best Western Hotel in Dawsonville has the

highest guest satisfaction score among the north Georgia properties and offer many amenities, such as flat panel televi-sions, free Wi-Fi, Jacuzzi rooms, suites and a heated indoor pool and spa.

For more informa-tion, call (706) 216-4410 or visit www.bwdaw-sonville.com.

Duncan Exterminating

Duncan Exterminating is a full service pest control business with locations in Dawsonville and Gainesville. In addition to service for normal household pests such as ants, cockroaches and spiders, they also offer service for termites and wildlife (such as squir-rels, snakes, bats, etc.).

For more informa-tion, call (706) 216-1906 or visit www.duncanext.com.

Bennett Landscape Inc.

Bennett Landscape is a full service landscape company offering resi-dential and commercial services in Dawsonville, Cumming, Alpharetta, Hall and Lumpkin coun-ties, such as landscape design, installation and maintenance.

For more informa-tion, call (706) 216-1784 or visit www.bennett-landscapeinc.com.

Forsyth Dental Partners

Forsyth Dental Partners has been in Dawsonville since April 2012 and in Cumming since April 1993. Forsyth

Dental Partners enjoys serving all aspects of dental needs in the community.

For more informa-tion, call (706) 265-1399 or visit www.forsyth-dentalpartners.com.

Alexander, Almand & Bangs LLP

Alexander, Almand & Bangs is CPA firm pro-viding a full array of financial services such as accounting, audit, financial business con-sulting and tax. The firm provides service to a variety of entities which include government, non-profit, nation and international business entities, estates and trusts and individuals.

For more information, call (770) 536-0511 or visit www.alexanderal-mandandbangs.com.

BusInEssEs oF thE month

Each week, the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce randomly selects a chamber member business, as the “Business of the Week”. the business is spotlighted for one business week and will receives an announcement every monday on the chamber’s Facebook and twitter pages is placed on the front page of the chamber website as well as being highlighted in the Chamber Chatter e-newsletter that is sent to the entire membership every tuesday.

the “Business of the Week” program is an opportunity to show the cham-ber’s appreciation to its members for supporting the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce and investing in the community.

Businesses of the Week for october and november are:

By Michele [email protected]

Tourism in Dawson County accounts for an estimated $100,000 a day in direct spending locally.

“That’s huge for a community of our size,” said Christie Haynes, president of the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce and office of tourism development.

Additionally, the impact of tourism in the coun-ty is 410 jobs, she said.

Haynes was the guest speaker at the cham-ber’s monthly luncheon Nov. 14 at Peach Brandy Cottage.

She highlighted nearly four dozen tourism-gen-erating attractions and businesses in Dawson, as well as several festivals and fairs her office pro-motes.

“These are events [and] are organizations that without the support of an office of tourism devel-opment ... truly wouldn’t have the resources that

they need to be successful,” she said. “That’s really what our goal has been this year, to be that partner.

“Our goal is to be a partner in bringing in rev-enue to this county, because that money that is generated ... by any of the other festivals and fairs that we partner with comes directly back to the county.”

The chamber will not have a lunch meeting during December.

Chamber president highlights tourism‘Our goal is to be a partner in bringing in revenue to this county, because that money that is generated ... by any of the other festivals and fairs that we partner with comes directly back to the county.’

Christie HaynesPresident, chamber of commerce

Page 7: Chamber Chronicle December 2013

dawsonnews.com | DAWSON CHAMBER CHRONICLE | 7DECEMBER 2013

THE #1 SOLUTION TO UNDERAGE DRINKING: P A R E N T S .

P PPOWER OF PARENTS

[ Be the Key]

Be Open. As the kids prepare to head back to classes, understanding the peer pressure they face at school allows you to provide the support system they need at home. Simply letting your kids know you’re there to listen can help to prevent underage drinking. For useful tips and

resources, visit capa-ga.org or call us at 706-265-1981.

POWER OF PARENTS

By Carly SharecDCN regional staff

Different programs of interest may be in the future for Lanier Technical College.

“None of these are chis-eled in stone by any means,” President Ray Perren said. “These are things we’re looking at.”

Under consideration are programs such as marine engine technology, culinary arts, hospitality manage-ment and automotive tech-nology.

“We’ve got this big,

beautiful lake here,” Perren said, referring to Lake Lanier. “We want to be sure we’ve got programs in place that support the econ-omy around the lake.”

The college may also add a new two-year degree for nursing, filling a void as other colleges move to bachelor-degree nursing programs, Perren said.

“All the statistics and sur-veys point out that there’s going to be a great short-age of technical and skilled workers as we grow

(as a region),” Chamber President Kit Dunlap said. “The two that we hear from in this area that we need (are) industrial mainte-nance, and welding and machinery.”

According to Perren, Lanier Tech has all three of those programs.

“The challenges we have, particularly with the welding and machine tools, is the lack of physi-cal space,” he said. “Our welding shop is in what was originally the mainte-nance building. We’ve got

15 welding stations out there. We could fill it if we had 45 welding sta-tions (and) every gradu-ate would get a job.”

“One of the things I ask the community to support, as we build in the future, is to build a welding lab that really meets the needs of our area - the same thing for (the) industrial systems (course),” he added, “We’ve got about 80 stu-dents in there right now. If we had the space, we could easily enroll twice

that number.”Lanier Tech, which serves

seven area counties includ-ing Dawson, served 18,211 students in 2013 in various programs, includ-ing adult education and continuing education.

According to Perren, of adults 25 and older in the region, 17 percent do not have a high school educa-tion or a GED.

“That’s an issue that we’ve got to address, when one out of five (adults) do not have a high school edu-cation,” he said. “That makes it difficult sometimes to attract new businesses.”

Lanier Tech may add more programsPerren would like to create lake-centered classes

Perren

Page 8: Chamber Chronicle December 2013

8 | DAWSON CHAMBER CHRONICLE | dawsonnews.com DECEMBER 2013

(706) 974-9161 • www.balletetc.org • 258 Beartooth Pkwy. Ste. 170, Dawsonville

Dawsonville’s Dance StudioREGISTER NOW! Starting at Age 3

Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Modern, Lyrical, Pilates

balletEtcDawsnChamberOct2013

From staff reports

Tavarez Holston recently started as the new Vice President for Academic Affairs at Lanier Technical College.

“I am honored to join Lanier Technical College as its vice president for aca-demic affairs,” he said. “The college has remark-able leadership, faculty and staff, and I look forward to working closely with them as we prepare students for Georgia’s workforce.”

Holston has more than 13 years of experience in high-er education, including more than a decade as an administrator.

Holston formerly served at

Moultrie Technical College as vice presi-dent for insti-tutional effec-tiveness and the acting vice presi-dent for aca-

demic affairs. While at MTC, he pro-

vided leadership for aca-demic planning, strategic planning, distance learn-ing, assessment, and initial accreditation with SACSCOC.

He started his career at MTC as an adjunct busi-ness office technology instructor and has since

served the college in vari-ous roles including campus administrator, director of online instruction and director of institutional effectiveness.

Holston earned his bach-elor of business administra-tion degree from what is now the University of North Georgia, masters of science in management in Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness from Troy University, and expects to complete his doctor of edu-cation degree in higher education leadership at Valdosta State University in spring 2014.

“There are few experi-

ences that compare to assisting students arrive at ‘aha’ moments,” he said. “I believe that helping oth-ers learn is one of the greatest joys in life. It is a high calling.”

Prior to beginning his higher education career, Holston worked as an eco-nomic developer at the Moultrie-Colquitt County Development Authority. As a college undergrad, he worked his way through college as a retail manag-er for various outlet stores at the North Georgia Premium Outlets in Dawsonville and Tanger Outlets in Commerce.

Tavarez and his wife of

17 years, Leigh, have three children. The Holstons regularly lead humanitarian aid teams to the war torn Uganda, Africa to assist and encourage lead-ers, widows and orphans.

The new VPAA officially began his duties at Lanier Technical College on Nov. 18.

Linda Barrow, former VPAA, has assumed the role of Vice President of Adult Education. Barrow will focus on increas-ing the number of GED gradu-ates and English as Second Language program students in the college’s seven county ser-vice area.

College hires vice president for academic affairs

Holston

Page 9: Chamber Chronicle December 2013

dawsonnews.com | DAWSON CHAMBER CHRONICLE | 9DECEMBER 2013

Chamber Chronicle is the monthly newsletter of the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce.

The editorial content includes Chamber News and goals of interest to the business and residential community.

The Chamber will keep the community informed about ribbon cuttings, business expansions, chamber functions and events, community events and the benefits of Chamber membership through Chamber Chronicle.

The Chronicle is mailed to all subscribers of the Dawson Community News, plus all Chamber members. Additional copies are available at the Chamber office.

D A W S O N C O U N T Y

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Advertising offered only to Chamber members.

Delivery...Dawson Community News

Subscribers, Plus All Dawson County Chamber Members

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Frequency...Monthly2nd Wednesday of Every Month

Deadline: MondayOne Week Prior to Publication Call Jennifer Lyness at 770-205-8962 for rates

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Page 10: Chamber Chronicle December 2013

10 | DAWSON CHAMBER CHRONICLE | dawsonnews.com DECEMBER 2013

Dawsonville: arounD the square

By David [email protected]

It may have been cold, but that didn’t stop motorcyclists from arriving by the hundreds to the Dawsonville Municipal Complex on Nov. 24 for the 22nd annual Buck Jones Memorial Toy Run.

The event, organized by Bikers Dream of Atlanta, collected toys from across a three-county area, with riders starting at the Cumming Fairgrounds, stopping first in Dawsonville for lunch and continuing on to Lumpkin County High School.

The donated toys help K.A.R.E. for Kids, which serves underprivileged chil-dren in Dawson County provide Christmas presents for children in need.

“We just want to thank everyone who donated to K.A.R.E. for Kids this year,” said Calvin Byrd, president the organiza-tion. “This is going to help so many kids and make them happy for Christmas.”

Last year, more than 300 bikers showed up for the ride.

“We had about 240 or so leave Cumming with us, but we picked some up along the way,” said Don Parkinson, owner of Biker’s Dream of Atlanta. “I think it was a very successful run.”

According to Parkinson, the ride ended with 230 cycles in total, with more than 320 riders and passengers. As each rider brought a toy or gift card, K.A.R.E. for Kids received more than 320 gifts for local families.

Jones, a former Cumming police chief who also worked for the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office, started the toy drive after seeing a lack of charities helping families with presents at Christmas.

According to his wife, Treva Neal Jones, the ride’s continued success is par-tially due to Parkinson taking the event over after her husband’s death.

“When Buck got sick, Don was always helping. He asked Don and he said yes,” she said. “Buck’s been gone three years now, but Don has just an excellent job. It’s wonderful to see such a good crowd of bikers.”

Jones died in 2010 at age 70, but the toy runs continues in his memory, growing bigger each year, according to organizers.

“I got started with the group that I ride with,” Betsy Barnes, a rider from Gainesville. “I think it’s a great group. It’s a fun ride for a great cause.

Toy run a success

David Renner Dawson Community News

Santa Claus Don Parkinson heads up the 22nd annual Buck Jones Memorial Toy Ride.

By Michele [email protected]

Work to redesign the road around the town square in down-town Dawsonville is complete.

State transportation crews rerout-ed traffic at Hwys. 53 and 9 to transform the intersection into a true roundabout last month.

Intended to improve the flow of traffic through the area and increase safety, the change includes slowing motorists at yield markers as they enter the flow of traffic at the roundabout.

Dawson County Sheriff’s Capt. Ray Goodie encourages drivers to use caution maneuvering through the newly redesigned intersection.

“Since it is a recent traffic change, everyone should remain alert in the area and cautious in order to avoid incident,” he said.

According to DOT District Engineer Bayne Smith, the recent study of 23 intersections convert-ed to roundabouts showed a “decrease in total crashes by 39 percent, a decrease in injury crashes of 76 percent and a dra-matic 89 percent decrease in fatal crashes.”

“A roundabout is simple to navi-gate, just be cautious and do what the signs and pavement markings tell you to do,” he said.

Dawsonville Mayor James Grogan said restructuring the roundabout is one of the first steps in the city’s downtown revi-talization plan. The redesign will also allow the installation of addi-tional sidewalks in the city.

“Drivers will have to yield to enter the roundabout, so traffic will be slowed down,” he said.

Work complete on downtown roundabout

David Renner Dawson Community News

Work on the updated roundabout is complete in the Dawsonville town square.

Page 11: Chamber Chronicle December 2013

dawsonnews.com | DAWSON CHAMBER CHRONICLE | 11DECEMBER 2013

Walk-in visitors: 130 Referrals: 85 Newcomer packages: 27

monthly totals

dawsonChamber091113_ChamberChronicle

new members

Georgia Department of Labor100 Colony Park Drive, Suite 204Dawsonville, GA 30534(770) 535-5484(770) 535-5728 TTYFax: (770) 531-5699

Chandler Insurance Group121 Old Dawson Village Road

Building 100, Suite 210Dawsonville, GA 30534(678) 267-3242Fax: (855) 312-0380

Dawson Forest Apartments100 Green Forest DriveDawsonville, GA 30534(706) 216-4292Fax: (706) 216-7163

By David [email protected]

For November’s Business After Hours, the Chamber of Commerce took a more “at home” approach, choosing to hold the Nov. 19 event at its office near Ga. 400.

The social and net-working meeting was co-sponsored by Mike Ziegenbalg with Cruise One Vacations.

Chamber President Christie Haynes reminded everyone to let the cham-ber continue to help busi-nesses by actively promot-ing them.

“If your cards and infor-mation isn’t on our card wall yet, please get them here. It’s a free way to get your information out there,” she said. “If you think that people don’t come by here and pick them up,

you are welcome to come sit on the couch for a day and hang out with us. You’ll be surprised at how many people walk through this door every day.”

The next Business After Hours will be held on Dec. 12 at United Community Bank’s Hwy. 400 branch.

As the winner of the cash drawing for November was not in attendance, December’s drawing is up to $500.

The cash drawing is spon-sored by Larry Anderson, Anderson Family Medicine, Kristie Myers, The Norton Agency and Northside Hospital-Forsyth.

Remember, you must be present to claim the cash prize.

For more information about Business After Hours, contact the chamber at (706) 265-6278 or visit www.dawson.org.

Business After Hours held at the chamber

David Renner Dawson Community News

Chamber members were all smiles during November’s Business After Hours at the chamber offices.

Page 12: Chamber Chronicle December 2013

12 | DAWSON CHAMBER CHRONICLE | dawsonnews.com DECEMBER 2013

ambassador spotlight

File photo

The Dawson County Chamber of Commerce Ambassador program would like to thank Comfort Inn for hosting the group’s November breakfast. The local hotel has top of the line amenities, such as a redesigned conference center, eatery and patio. Comfort Inn offers its guests a non-smoking, pet-friendly facility, close proximi-ty to parks and lakes, an exercise room, seasonal pool and a free continental breakfast. Contact Comfort Inn at (706) 216-1900 to reserve your room today.

hotel welcomes ambassadors From staff reports

Rotary Club of Dawson County’s November Student of the Month was Shyla Sheffield, a fifth grader at Kilough Elementary School.

According to Assistant Principal Adam Koskovich, she is eager to learn and always strives to do her best.

“Shyla is a diligent and responsible student. If she is having difficulty with a skill, she is quick to ask for help and completes additional work to master skills,” he said. “Shyla is a team player and works well with her peers.”

Rotary Club President Vernon Smith presented Sheffield with movie tickets and a variety of sweet treats for her award-winning attitude.

“The Rotary Club of Dawson

County believes the future of our community lies with the elementary students of Dawson County,” Smith said. “We

have developed this program to encourage and promote outstanding fifth-grade students in each elementary school.”

sheffield named rotary student of the month

For the Dawson Community News

Shyla Sheffield, a fifth grader at Kilough Elementary School, was recently named Rotary Student of the Month. Club President Vernon Smith, left, along with Assistant Principal Adam Koskovich, presented her with movie tickets and a vari-ety of sweet treats for her award-winning attitude.

By Michele [email protected]

A local steel fabricator is in talks with Dawson County offi-cials about possible tax incen-tives for an upcoming project.

Karl Baysden, director of sales and marketing with Impulse Manufacturing, said earlier this month that the company has plans to expand manufacturing operations next year, though it hasn’t decided whether to enlarge the local plant near Ga. 400 or set up a new operation in Athens or Charlotte, N.C.

The 150,000-square-foot plant sits on nearly 18 acres off G.W. Taffer Road and employs more than 200 workers over three shifts. It produces parts for several small excavator models,

including a new Caterpillar pro-duction facility in Athens.

“We know … we’re going to run into some capacity issues specifically on the paint line,” Baysden said. “By 2015, we’re going to hit that capacity. Absolutely, we’re going to need to expand that paint line. The question now is, ‘Where do we put it?’”

The $7.5 million proposed expansion calls for an additional 50,000 square feet of space to house a new paint line and more than $5 million in equip-ment. Officials estimate the expansion would create 75-100 new jobs within 18 months.

“If we chose one of the other two areas, there would be a slight reduction in the work force in Dawson because some of

those would move to the new area,” said Baysden, noting the rest of the operation likely would stay put.

County Commission Chairman Mike Berg confirmed there have been talks about possible incen-tives, though he said none of the commissioners have been in direct contact with Impulse repre-sentatives.

“We’re going to depend on … the development authority to analyze what Impulse is doing and respond to the commission on the different scenarios,” he said. “The board of commission-ers would then have the option on what they’d like to do.”

Charlie Auvermann, executive director of the Development Authority of Dawson County, said in a statement Monday that

Impulse made a formal request for potential tax incentives in November.

“Any tax abatement is strictly in the hands of the commissioners,” Auvermann said. “Our role is to provide an unbiased financial and technical review of the request. That review is then passed to the commissioners. The authority does not make a decision in such matters.”

The authority, in conjunction with the county, created a gen-eral incentives policy in 2007, according to Auvermann.

“Most companies want to have various tax incentives,” he said. “The role … is to evaluate the financial gains from the firm’s presence versus the impacts to the county and the citizens when providing services such as

fire, sheriff’s patrols and the increased costs to schools.”

Auvermann noted that while some tax incentives do generate long-term benefit to communi-ties, other Georgia counties have “had trouble when they offered too many incentives.”

“Incentives come with obliga-tions,” he said. “They are not considered a handout and as such they come with expecta-tions, which are placed into any agreement made by the com-missioners.”

Working with a group from Georgia Tech, the authority expects to have the review, which would also include impact on the city of Dawsonville and the local school system, complete within a few weeks.

Local company would like to expand here

Page 13: Chamber Chronicle December 2013

dawsonnews.com | DAWSON CHAMBER CHRONICLE | 13DECEMBER 2013

Abba House moves thrift store to Ga. 400By Michele [email protected]

An area residential facility for women battling addiction and mental health issues recently moved its popular store into the former Outdoor Traditions building at Ga. 400 and Hwy. 136 in Dawsonville.

Abba House Inc. held a grand opening celebration in November to introduce the ministry to the community and its official ribbon cutting on Dec. 2.

“Miracles happen here every day. That’s one thing I want everyone to know about Abba House,” said Heather James, a resident and mother of three young girls.

“Everyone could use Abba House. You don’t have to be an alcoholic or an addict to come to Abba House. You just have to be broken and that’s pretty much all of us.”

Currently in its 13th year of operation in the area, Abba House has proved quite success-ful, with 93.8 percent of women avoiding a relapse and 100 percent remaining out of jail.

The 15-month program focus-es on helping the women make life changes by overcoming the obstacles that brought them to Abba House. It was the sudden death of her husband that set James’ downward spiral into alcohol abuse.

“He was kind of my modera-tor. We’d just drink beers togeth-er for fun and only us. Then when he died, I didn’t have that accountability,” she said. “Then I had an excuse to drink and everybody kind of validated it. I had three kids, five and under, to raise by myself and run a com-

pany by myself and do every-thing, and I was quickly over-whelmed with that and drank a lot.”

Within months, the business was failing and her mother-in-law had filed suit for temporary custo-dy of the girls.

Abba House became her ref-uge.

“It’s a whole life change. It’s not just about getting you sober. It’s that alcohol is not the whole problem. It’s everything else and the drinking is what you do for the problem,” she said.

Today, James is one of 13 women living at Abba House and working at the new thrift store, as well as the ministry’s first thrift store on Hwy. 9 in Silver City near the Dawson-Forsyth County line.

“We’re from all walks of life, we cover the gamut age wise and we cover the gamut in addictions,” she said. “We’re all trying to find a balance and to be made whole.”

Unique to Abba House is the component that allows the wom-en’s children to live with them, according to Jim Sharp, co-founder and executive director.

“That’s extremely important, because if they come into this program, they’ve chosen men, they’ve chosen drugs, they’ve chosen all kinds of things over their children and they live with an enormous amount of shame and guilt,” he said.

James understands that guilt. “The first four months you’re

here, your kids can come visit, but they can’t stay here with you,” she said. “I went through a hard time here about a month after I started. I wanted to leave.”

A conversation with God,

she said, made her realize the alternative.

“I’d be dead, definitely, if I hadn’t come to Abba House,” James said. “Since I’ve been here, everything is different. There are five kids that live at Abba House now and I have three of the five.”

James graduates in January but has chosen to continue with the subsequent nine-month

program designed to help the women ease back into their new lives.

“I’m not planning to jump back in. I’m going to work here at Abba House and spend time with my kids,” she said.

Sharp said everyone involved with Abba House is excited about the expansion of the new store and the potential exposure it could bring to the program.

“The women are trained as cashiers, trained to supervise departments at the store and near the end before they grad-

uate, they are trained as assis-tant managers of the stores. The whole time we are push-ing them to increase their abili-ties as leaders,” he said.

By teaching work place skills, Abba House is providing those in their care a means to gain work experience and training.

“These are women who have lived on the margins of life that have been discarded, that have been abused and battered … but at Abba House, there is hope. We show them there is hope,” Sharp said.

Program aids women in crisis

ContactFor more information about Abba House or to volunteer, contact (678) 208-2000.

Ann Sears and great-grand-daughter Katie Allen shop for a winter jacket during the grand opening for Abba House’s newly relocated thrift store at the intersection of Ga. 400 and Hwy. 136 in Dawson County.

Michele Hester Dawson Community News

Page 14: Chamber Chronicle December 2013

14 | DAWSON CHAMBER CHRONICLE | dawsonnews.com DECEMBER 2013

By Carly SharecDCN regional staff

There are hair stylists, and there are artists.

“I was the kid (who) always used to chase my sisters around to do their hair,” Dennis Stokely said. “I’ve always had a knack for hair. I’ve always loved beautiful women.”

The art and passion for his profession can’t be taught, said Stokely, who styled Paula Abdul’s hair for her final two years on “American Idol.” However, proper skills and technique can.

The 49-year-old celebri-ty hairstylist showed off his skills and techniques at the Oakwood and Dawson campuses of Lanier Technical College Nov. 11 and 12. The Oakwood campus meet-ing was packed with stu-dents not only in the cos-metology department but from across campus, all eager to learn the tricks of the trade. And, of course, to hear a little bit of gossip on the side about the many celebri-ties Stokely has worked with, including Abdul, Carmen Electra and CNN’s Brooke Anderson.

Listening to his life story, it initially seems as if Stokely just fell into his career by working with master stylists since the beginning. But through it all, the South Georgia native maintains hard work and a pleasant per-sonality is what opens doors.

Stokely fell in love with

the entertainment industry after a brief stint in model-ing in New York City in the mid-1980s. He went to “hair school” in his hometown of Savannah. After graduating, he immediately moved back to New York and landed an interview with one of the most famous hair styl-ists in the industry.

“His name was Kenneth, and he was my favorite hair dresser of all time,” Stokely said.

Kenneth Battelle was famous for styling Jacqueline Kennedy’s hair during her time as first lady. He also styled nota-ble celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn and Gloria Vanderbilt.

Stokely interviewed with Battelle at his salon in the Waldorf Astoria New York Hotel.

“I thought that I had a license and I was going to work in this fancy salon doing hair,” he said, recalling the memory. “Kenneth basically said, ‘You’re too young, you’re too inexperienced to do hair for me. You can answer the phones.’”

While he wasn’t near hair, it was his first big break. But after a few months, Stokely left when he learned Battelle was not interested in training a new assistant. He gar-nered a position blow-drying hair at the salon of Frederic Fekkai, the man behind the self-named hair product line found in drug and retail stores.

After two weeks as a junior assistant, Stokely

arrived at work one morn-ing and got his second break. He was going to assist Fekkai, who charged $290 per cut at the time.

Stokely also learned his first major lesson of the industry: Not to let ego get in the way of allow-ing other masters to do their job.

“Frederic was a master cutter,” the Georgia native said. “Frederic didn’t like doing color. Frederic didn’t like to style. But he picked great stylists to style for him and he picked great colorists to do the color. He was a genius at knowing what he didn’t like to do, and he would get great peo-

ple to do those things.”After his stint with

Fekkai, Stokely moved to Florida for family reasons. He landed a style consul-tant position for the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL cheerleading squad.

“I was the only guy with an NFL clearance to be in their locker room,” he said with a laugh.

A few years later, Stokely decided to free-lance as a hair stylist in Los Angeles. Then he got his third break in the industry.

By chance, he walked into a new salon and left his name and number.

The salon belonged to Ken Paves, a celebrity stylist best known for his

work with singer and fashion designer Jessica Simpson. Paves called Stokely for an interview and hired him.

“So I was assisting him on all of these (celebrity) shoots,” Stokely said. “And he came to me and said ‘Dennis, I’m going to do the ALMA Awards,’ which is like the Oscars in the Latin world.”

Stokely’s work on model Carmen Electra was featured on the red carpet.

A short time later, he was booked for a wed-ding, resulting in big break No. 4. He met make-up artist Alexis Vogel who’s worked on celebrities like Pamela Anderson.

“After the wedding was over I turned to Alexis and I thanked her,” he said. “She stopped and she turned to me and she said, ‘Wow, really? Nobody ever thanks me.’

Stokely told the audi-ence the ability to be kind and show genuine interest in clients and col-leagues is the most important aspect of the career and can lead to connections.

Vogel asked for his name and number, and called him a week later with a job opportunity to work with Paula Abdul on a magazine shoot.

“It was my kindness that really opened the door,” Stokely said. “You have to develop the skill. You need to be a good stylist. You need to know

how to cut. But beyond that, be kind. It’s going to open more doors for you than you will ever imagine.”

The rest can be consid-ered history, as after this initial photo shoot Abdul requested him to be her stylist for several red car-pet events and photo shoots, as well as for her position on “American Idol.” Stokely quit his job and was with Abdul every single day for two years, until his tenure with her ended when she left the show.

“Things have calmed down a bit since Abdul left “American Idol.” Stokely has moved back to Savannah to be closer to his mother; at this point in his freelance career, he’s working to develop a line of hair care products. He also speaks at colleges and cosmetology schools, sharing his insight into the industry as he did with Lanier Technical College students.

He also conducted several live demonstra-tions with students, mostly focusing on styles but also cutting one student’s long hair into layers around the face.

“How cool is that?” he asked. “A kid from Ocilla, Ga., from a bro-ken home with no father ... my mom worked hard to raise us, we moved to Savannah and I just loved pretty women and beautiful hair.”

Celebrity stylist recounts life lessons

Shannon Casas DCN regional staff

Celebrity hairstylist Dennis Stokely works on a hairstyle for Lanier Technical College student Alexandra Bright of Cumming. Stokley present-ed a lecture and demonstrations for Lanier Tech students.

Page 15: Chamber Chronicle December 2013

dawsonnews.com | DAWSON CHAMBER CHRONICLE | 15DECEMBER 2013

By David [email protected]

Second generation racer Chase Elliott, 17, has been named the 2013 Georgia Racing Hall of Fame Driver of the Year.

The award honors a current Georgia race driver who has a Hall of Fame worthy season on the track, according Hall of Fame officials.

The Georgia Racing Hall of Fame Driver of the Year award is determined by votes from promi-nent Motorsports journalists, who are asked to choose a racer from the state of Georgia who com-petes on any level in any form of Motorsports whose accomplish-ments over the past year they feel qualifies them for the award.

“It’s something new to us,” said Gordon Pirkle, hall of fame presi-dent. “We started it three years ago and I’m real proud of this because it ties the next generation

in with the old history.”Other drivers in the Hall of

Fame included Unadilla’s David Ragan, Dawsonville’s Donald McIntosh, Senoia’s Bubba Pollard and Fayetteville’s Shane Clanton.

The son of NASCAR champi-on Bill Elliott, he became the youngest superspeedway win-ner in ARCA history with win at Pocono on June 8.

Elliott followed that by becom-ing the youngest (at the time) NASCAR Camping World Truck Series winner with his Sept. 1 win at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park in Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada.

Elliott also saw historical suc-cess on the short tracks.

He became the first driver to win all four Super Late Model majors with a win in the All American 400 at Nashville, on top of previous wins in the World Crown 300 at Gresham Motorsports Park in

2012, the Snowball Derby at 5 Flags Speedway in 2011 and the Winchester 400 at Winchester Speedway in 2010.

Elliott has also scored asphalt late model victories at Gresham Motorsports Park, South Alabama Speedway in Opp, Ala., 5 Flags Speedway, Montgomery Motor Speedway in Montgomery, Ala., Watermelon Capital Speedway in Cordele and Lebanon I-44 Speedway in Lebanon, Mo.

“It’s been a solid year for us as a whole I think,” said Elliott in an email. “We’ve been able to accomplish some awe-some things on a lot of differ-ent types of tracks in many dif-ferent series; with the super-speedway win at Pocono in the ARCA series, our first NASCAR truck win in Canada, and being able to win the All American a

few weeks ago.”He is a former winner of the

famed Snowball Derby, one of the more prominent races for Super Late Models in 2011.

“It’s pretty cool for sure, there are a lot of guys from Georgia that do some great things in the

world of racing and it means a lot to be given this title,” Elliott said.

The 2013 Georgia Racing Hall of Fame Induction banquet will be held at 6 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame, located inside the Dawsonville Municipal Complex.

Elliott named GRHOF 2013 Driver of the Year

For the Dawson Community News

Chase Elliott has been named the 2013 Georgia Racing Hall of Fame Driver of the Year.

University of North Georgia continues to growFrom staff reports

The University of North Georgia continues a two-decade trend of enrollment growth with 15,455 regis-tered students for fall 2013, an increase of 2.5 percent over fall 2012. Meanwhile, most of the state’s public col-leges and universities reported declines in enrollment.

“The enrollment growth we continue to experience repre-sents progress toward our goals of increasing education-al opportunities and comple-tion rates in the region,” said UNG President Bonita C. Jacobs. “At the University of North Georgia, we are creat-

ing a new and rare education-al experience through our focus on excellence, opportu-nities for leadership develop-ment, a broad scope of degree programs, and the unique cultures of our four campuses.”

UNG was created in January 2013 from the con-solidation of Gainesville State and North Georgia College & State University; fall 2012 enrollment was cal-culated by adding the num-bers for the two institutions. Prior to consolidation, fall enrollment at North Georgia increased every year since 1994, except in 1998 when there was no change.

Gainesville State experi-enced substantial growth in that same time frame; slight dips in enrollment in 2011 and 1998 were offset by double-digit increases in many years, including an increase of 26.9 percent in 2003.

In an internal year-to-year comparison of registered stu-dents, UNG experienced a total enrollment increase of about 4.3 percent from fall 2012 to fall 2013, accord-ing to Linda Rowland, UNG’s director of institutional research. While previous enrollment reports had includ-ed both registered and with-drawn students, Rowland

said this year’s does not.Fall 2013 enrollment

across the 31 colleges and universities in the University System of Georgia totaled 309,469 students, a decline of 1.6 percent (or 4,896 fewer students) over fall 2012.

The enrollment numbers were released in the system’s “Fall 2013 Semester Enrollment Report,” which breaks down enrollment by institution; class (freshman, sophomore, etc.); race and ethnicity; in-state, out-of-state and foreign students; and gender and age.

“As we have noted to the Board of Regents and the

institutional presidents, this enrollment decline reflects a national trend in higher edu-cation that has a number of contributing factors, including demographics, the economy and, frankly some price sensi-tivity,” said Chancellor Hank Huckaby. “In addition, here in Georgia, over two years ago the Board adopted high-er admissions requirements related to remedial courses that have affected University System enrollment, primarily at our access colleges.”

USG’s enrollment decline from fall 2012 to fall 2013 follows a similar drop from fall 2011 to fall 2012 of 1.2 per-cent.

Page 16: Chamber Chronicle December 2013

16 | DAWSON CHAMBER CHRONICLE | dawsonnews.com DECEMBER 2013

In an emergency, experience mattersEmergencies happen. And when they do, rest assured that you’ll get the best care close to home. Northside’s board-certified emergency

medicine physicians and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certified nurses are just right up the road.

We hope we don’t have to see you, but if we do, you’ll be in the best possible hands.

Visit us online at www.northside.com.