dawson chamber chronicle march 2014

By David [email protected]

With all the talk of ice and snow finally melting away, the obvious thing to do next is go swimming, which is what Dawson County resi-

dents gathered to do last month.The fourth annual Leap for Literacy

was held Feb. 22 at War Hill Park. The event benefits Dawson County WEE Books, a program developed to put age-appropriate books in the hands of preschool children.

The program is made possible by a partnership with the Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy and the WEE Books Community Action Team. There are 70 teams across the state with more than 1,000 volunteers working toward mail-ing 25,000 Georgia children books

The Member Newsletter of the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce

Edition Highlights:

March 2014Post Office Box 29944 Commerce Drive

Dawsonville, GA 30534(706) 265-6278

Real estate expert on future of local economy

Arbor Day celebrated

Leadership team visits state Capitol

County applies for grant to improve Ga. 400

Leap for Literacy a success

See LEAP | 3

Dawson County Commissioner Gary Pichon takes a run-ning leap into Lake Lanier on Feb. 22 as part of the fourth annual Leap for Literacy.

Photos by David Renner Dawson Community News

Event raises about $6K for WEE Books

Ramp-runners “Team USA” didn’t need Sochi, Russia, beaches to wade into cold water during the annual Leap for Literacy event. Left, The Kinsey Farms “Green Giants,” sponsored by the Dawsonville Red Hatters, tug-of-war with the other half of their team, the “Muscle Crew” to see who had to jump in the lake first.

While the weather seems to be on a roller coaster recently, we have experienced some beauti-ful days. These days have offered the chance to get out and enjoy the many opportunities we have for outdoor recreation.

One of my personal favorites is the trail next to the Edge of the World. It is an absolutely beautiful area to walk, run, hike, fish etc., and it is easily accessible.

As the coming days get warmer, I hope you will pick a new place to try, including the River Park Canoe Launch or hiking Amicalola Falls.

If you do, please share your stories on the Visit Dawson County, GA

Facebook page or email them to us at [email protected].

The com-ing of spring and warmer

weather is also a great time to renew focus on your business.

At the chamber, we believe that being in busi-ness means that you are constantly learning to grow and adapt to the changing world and economic cli-mate. We know that whether you have owned your business for 25 years or have just opened your doors — there is always more to learn.

In order to help our busi-nesses, we have partnered with the Gainesville Small Business Development Center to offer an exciting opportunity. For five con-secutive Tuesdays, begin-ning March 25, we will be hosting Maximum Marketing classes from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the cham-ber.

These classes will focus on target-market selection, promotion, advertising and much more. The out-come for participants will be developing a market-ing strategy that addresses market trends and brand position. This class is per-fect for businesses of all sizes. The space in the class is limited so contact the chamber at (706)

265-6278 for more infor-mation.

We have also begun a program called YP Dawson. This program is to connect young profes-sionals throughout our community for networking, community engagement, and fun. The program is open to any young profes-sional who is interested in attending. More informa-tion can be found by visit-ing www.facebook.com/ypdawson.

We hope to see y’all at a chamber event soon. As always, if we can ever be of service to our communi-ty, do not hesitate to con-tact us.

Christie HaynesPresident

2 | DAWSON CHAMBER CHRONICLE | dawsonnews.com MARCH 2014

Brooke AndersonEtowah Water and Sewer Authority

James AskewUnited Community Bank-Dawsonville

Charlie AuvermannDevelopment Authority of Dawson County

Jennifer BakerUnited Community Bank-Dawsonville

James BeardenBearden Funeral Home

Mike BergDawson County Board of Commissioners

Carla BoutinState Farm Insurance

Calvin ByrdByrd’s Mini Storage-Dawson 400

Jeb ChathamChatham and Rea, Attorneys at Law PC

Chris GainesTaylor, Turner & Hartsfield

James GroganCity of Dawsonville

Christie HaynesDawson County Chamber of Commerce, tourism development

Peter Hill Hill Design Associates Architects, Inc.

Steve MelchingBig Canoe Homeowners Association

Keith PorterDawson County Board of Education

Mandy PowerBB&T

Denny PutlakDenny Insurance Group

Libby SmithSleeveCo Inc.

Carol TygerIndividual

Mike UnderwoodFirst Citizens Bank of Georgia

Gloria Wyatt, Northside Hospital-Forsyth

Seanie ZappendorfDiscovery Parts Inc.

CHAMBer of CoMMerCe 2014 BoArD of DireCTorSPlenty to do in Dawson County

Haynes

Steps to maximize profitabilityBy Randy Donaldson For the Dawson Community News

Your business is begin-ning to lose money each month, cash is starting to dry up and you’re having trouble paying the bills.

You are gradually dig-ging a big hole. You need to “put down your shovel and stop digging.”

Here are some tips to help you get back on the track to profitability:

• Collect your customer accounts. Do you give cred-it terms to customers, for instance, net 30 days? Make sure they pay you on time. Run an accounts receivable aging report to make sure you know which customers are past due. Send them reminders and

call them to arrange pay-ment. Remember, past due accounts represent your money in their pockets.

• Focus on cash flow. Work up a cash flow bud-get for at least the next six months. This will highlight your periods of negative cash flow, and allow you to plan accordingly.

• Do a SWOT analysis. This is the first step for devel-oping a marketing strategy. Simply list your company’s Strengths (internal), Weaknesses (internal), Opportunities (external) and Threats (external). Strengths can be your experience, location, management or anything that gives you a competitive advantage.

Examples of weaknesses

may be financials, cash flow, poor reputation, etc.

Opportunities can be innovation, technology, new markets, etc. Finally, threats could be political, environ-mental, market demand, loss of key staff, etc.

Next, prioritize in order of importance and focus on ways to exploit your strengths and correct your weaknesses.

• Know your breakeven point. That is the sales vol-ume needed to just cover your fixed costs. The next dollar of sales over your breakeven point results in a profit. Amazingly, few busi-ness owners know what their breakeven point is, but knowing this critical metric will enable you to make

mid-month corrections to stay on a profitable path.

• Manage inventory lev-els. The last thing your busi-ness needs is to have much-needed cash tied up in inventory that won’t sell. You must continually monitor inventory levels.

• Benchmark your operat-ing expenses. Obtain indus-try reports that list other companies of similar size in the industry and review the level of their operating expenses as a percentage of sales.

Randy Donaldson is a busi-ness consultant in The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center’s Gainesville office. He can be reached at (770) 531-5681 or [email protected].

dawsonnews.com | DAWSON CHAMBER CHRONICLE | 3MARCH 2014

each month.“By the time the chil-

dren finish the program, graduate preschool and start kindergarten, they are ready to learn,” said Ferst Foundation President Betsy Wagenhauser. “This program has been shown to increase rate of success after high school gradua-tion by about 80 per-cent.”

Wagenhauser said that the program is growing.

“Everyone who donates helps a child have a successful life,” she said. “Next year, we hope to have up to 50,000 children enrolled across the state.”

According to the local chapter of WEE Books, 50 percent of the eligible kids in the county are in the pro-gram, but the target is 80 to 100 percent involvement.

This year, the event raised about $6,000 for children’s literacy, almost $2,000 more than last year.

While the water wasn’t warm by any stretch of the imagina-tion, those that jumped in were eager to do it for a good cause.

“They originally wanted me to come out and just do a toe tap and I said ‘I’m not just going to do a toe tap, if I’m going, I’m going all the way in,’” said Jim King. “Boy, was it cold. It was unbelievable.”

Judges Mike Berg, chairman of the Dawson County Commission, Jan Whetstone, owner of Jan’s Family Daycare and Lanier Swafford, chief of Dawson County Emergency Services, awarded certificates for classifi-cations such as Best Leaper, Most Creative Team and Most Creative Leaper.

“We had a bigger participation this year,” said WEE

Books President Lionel Graves. “We had a broader spectrum of jumpers this year and certainly more money and more people. This event just grows every year, so we are expecting to be big-ger and better next year.”

With this year’s event over, the organi-zation isn’t sitting back to rest.

“As soon as this one is over, they are already starting to plan for next year,” said event emcee Warren King. “It’s a big deal. And it gets bigger every year.”

But for now, WEE Books is thankful for this year’s leapers and spec-tators.

“We want to thank everyone that participat-ed and spectated,” said WEE Books volunteer Jane Graves. “Without you, it wouldn’t be half the fun that it is. We will do this again next year, so please come back and support us.”

By Michele [email protected]

County Commissioner Gary Pichon has much to say about improvements he’d like to see made along Ga. 400.

In addition to planting shrubs and greenery in an attempt to lure developers looking to relocate business, he’d also like to see the

area named to reflect the community.

“It’s our main street, but it’s not Main Street, and it would be nice to be able to tell people who ask for directions a name instead of ‘out at 400, near the out-lets,’” he said.

Pichon said implementing the “Main Street Project” has been a top priority of his for several years.

The commission voted unanimously Feb. 20 to apply for a transportation grant that would be used to spruce up a section of greenspace near Carlisle Road.

The transportation enhancement grant funds projects up to $50,000 and requires no matching money from the county. The county would be responsible for the

upkeep. “What we need is to pick

up the trash, keep it clean, keep it mowed with good grass coverage and then some low line shrubbery that’s easy to take care of, that’s native, that makes the place look tended,” he said.

“What I’m hoping is we can take this grant, develop a plantings plan, go to the state and then begin to exe-

cute a planting and mainte-nance plan for our main street.”

The push to name the area would be an extension of the project, and Pichon is interested in hearing sugges-tions from the public.

“[Ga.] 400 is a pretty big piece of commercialization and it needs an identity,” he said. “It needs a name. What’s its name?”

County applies for grant to improve Ga. 400

FROM 1

Leap

David Renner Dawson Community News

The Dawson County High School Juniorettes take to the water like ducks during the annual Leap for Literacy.


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

P.O Box 1096137 Prominence Court

Suite 240Dawsonville, GA 30534

calendar of events

March Through March 29 — A

reception for the new exhibit at the Bowen Center for the Arts, “Inspirations,” will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.dawsonarts.org.

March 13 – The monthly Chamber Membership Luncheon will be at noon at Peach Brandy Cottage.This month’s speaker will be rep-resentatives from the Gainesvil le SBDC. Learn about services available to our businesses of all sizes. Visitors are invited to attend. The price is $15. Visit www.dawson.org to register or call (706)265-6278 to make your reservations by phone.

March 13 – A Dawson County Relay for Life Team Captain Rally will be held at 5:30 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park. We will be selecting campsites as well as onsite activities. All are welcome. For more informa-tion or to sign up, visit www.relayforlife.org/dawsoncoun-tyga.

March 14 – Fuse Hair Studios will be holding a Ribbon Cutting at 4 p.m. Join us to welcome and celebrate our new member, Fuse Hair Studios, located at 6625 Hwy. 53 Dawsonville. For more information, call (706) 216-6115 or visit www.fuse-hairstudios.com

March 14-16 – 2014 Outside World Outfit ters Paddle Expo. Movie night on the lawn will be at 6:30 p.m. on March 15. This is the weekend event to meet representatives from dif ferent kayaking companies, watch whitewater demonstrations in

the indoor pool, ask the fish-ing team those questions that never seem to get answered, scout out the sweet deals on kayaks, paddles, and all the needed (or wanted) accesso-ries. There will be discounts, kayak packages and give-aways all weekend. For more information, visit www.theout-sideworld.net or call (706) 265-4500.

March 25 – Business After Hours will be from 5 to 7 p.m. at NOA’s new Dawsonville of fice, located at 189 Hwy. 53 West Suite 205/206. Come and net-work with your fellow cham-ber members. There will be food and beverages to enjoy. There will also be a ribbon cutting at 5:30 p.m. during the event. Special thanks to our host, NOA. We would also like to thank our cash drawing sponsors, Mills Fuel Service, Anderson Family Medicine, The Norton Agency, Kristie Myers and John Drew, and Northside Hospital Forsyth.

AprilApril 7 – The Dawson

County Humane Society’s 12th Annual Dogleg Charity Golf Tournament at Crystal Falls Golf Club. Registration begins at 10 a.m. with a shotgun start at noon. Awards, dinner and a silent auction will follow. Individual golfer fee is $110 and includes green fees, cart, lunch, awards dinner, prizes, and goodie bag. All pro-ceeds benefit the Dawson County Humane Society. Even if you are not a golfer, stop by the Clubhouse and bid on an incredible array of silent auction items. For more infor-mation, visit the website at

www.dawsoncountyhumane-society.org. Or contact Terri Tragesser at (706) 216-2763, or [email protected] for sponsorship information, registration or additional information.

April 8 – The University of North Georgia Inspirational Leaders Luncheon will be from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Lanier Tech’s Forsyth Conference Center. During the event, two awards from the college will be presented: the North Georgia Inspiration in Business award and Inspiration in Community award. Nominations are open for any individual in the north Georgia community now through March 15 and indi-viduals can be nominated on the Center for the Future of North Georgia Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/UNGCFNG/app_599788450050788). The keynote is Kat Cole, pres-ident of Cinnabon, who has been widely featured as a participant on CBS’ Undercover Boss. Tickets are $35 for the luncheon and $500 for a table. These can be purchases from the Center for the Future of North Georgia website at www.ung.edu/cfng. Businesses may also choose to sponsor students to attend as well.

April 12 – The Redneck Race 5K and Doo-athlon wil l begin at 8 a.m. at Silver City Baptist Church. Registration fees star t at $25. For more information or to register, visit www.five-starntp.com.


Representatives with several local churches have taken the initial steps in establishing a faith-based organization intended to help homeless families get back on their feet.

While still in the planning stages, the local group elected Donna Weaver to serve as its chairwoman.

“It is a unique program in that families are not separated. A lot of times in shelters, men and boys are separated from women and girls,” said Donna Weaver. “This is an attempt to hold the family together and empower them.”

Gary Pichon said the initiative is much needed in the community.

“We have homeless here. They’re out of sight and out of mind, just ask the school system,” said Pichon, who is a member of Grace Presbyterian Church, which spearheaded the effort. “We have a lot of kids that have no home. They’re living in cars, in tents, living with family.”

With support from the national organization of the same name, Family Promise would provide families in need temporary housing and job training while they search for more permanent housing arrange-ments.

“The way it works is you collect a bunch of con-gregations that then commit to housing a family, up to 14 people, in their churches at night,” Pichon said. “During the day, the families go to a day cen-ter where they can wash clothes, take showers, go to counseling, make applications for jobs and have an address…where people can reply to them.”

Locally, neighboring Hall County has a successful program, as does White County, according to Grace Presbyterian Pastor David Jordan.

Group elects chair to oversee homeless initiative



Every Thursday, Tina Ferreyra drives from Lawrenceville to an equine therapy facility in north Forsyth for 5-year-old son David Flores to ride horses, a treatment that has worked wonders for the youngster.

Diagnosed with autism, ADHD and bipolar disorder, David thrives with the therapy he receives at Saddle Buddies, a nonprofit organization that offers equine assisted therapy as a therapeutic tool by occu-pational, physical and speech therapists.

“Usually he doesn’t work well with animals, but he does real-ly well with the horses,” Ferreyra said. “He’s a lot calm-er. I think it’s worth it … to get an outcome like this.”

Established in 2006, this organization is dedicated to providing safe, caring and local access to hippotherapy, equine assisted therapy for people with special needs.

Nicole Walker operates Saddle Buddies, along with a local board of directors and the help of volunteers, from Walker Therapy at 7985 Knight Road in Gainesville.

“It’s just amazing to see the reactions and responses that the kids have. Some parents have said their kids who were completely nonverbal had first words [spoken] on the horse, to tell the horse to go or to say mom,” Walker said.

“It’s really exciting. The kids sometimes look at therapy as work. The kids always look at this as fun and exciting. It also gives them the opportunity to have something to do that their peers or siblings are not able to do.”

While hippotherapy is an effective treatment tool for ther-apists, running the program is costly, according to Walker.

Even when insurance reim-burses for these services, the reimbursement rate isn’t the same for hippotherapy as it is for tradi-tional, clinic-based therapy how-ever the cost to provide these ser-

vices are vastly different, she said. The organization, which offers

sponsorship to those who can-not afford therapy, depends on donations and fundraisers to operate.

For every session of hippo-therapy there must be an expe-rienced horse handler to lead to horse, a sidewalker to ensure safety and the therapist.

Volunteers are also needed

to assist with therapy and horse care. Training will be provided if needed.

For more information, call (770) 781-4899.

Equine therapy center helps kids

Michele Hester Dawson Community News

David Flores, 5, thrives with the therapy he receives at Saddle Buddies, a nonprofit organi-zation that offers equine assisted therapy in North Forsyth.


Last month’s Business After Hours drew a large crowd to the John Megel Chevrolet dealership.

The Feb. 25 event, co-sponsored event by Megel and Chick-fil-A, saw a wide variety of business leaders gather to socialize and dis-cuss Dawson County.

“John Megel Chevrolet and Chick-fil-A were excel-

lent hosts for our February Business After Hours,” said Dawson County Chamber of Commerce President Christie Haynes. “They both provide examples of how to make customers and guests always feel wel-come, as well as, continue to remain 100 percent committed to our communi-ty.”

This month’s cash prize drawing was sponsored by Mills Fuel Service,

Anderson Family Medicine, The Norton Agency - Kristie Myers and John Drew, and Northside Hospital-Forsyth. As the winner was not pres-ent for the drawing, next month’s cash prize goes up once again.

Next month’s Business After Hours will be from 5 to 7 p.m. March 25 at No One Alone’s new Dawsonville office, 189 Hwy. 53 West Suite 205/206.

Pepper Pettit of Abacus Group

chats with County Commission

Chairman Mike Berg at the

February Business After Hours at John

Megel Chevrolet.


John Megel Chevrolet holds Business After Hours


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

• Remember to shop local.• 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

Discovery Parts,

an automo-tive store in the Atlanta

Motorsports Park, joined

the chamber by cutting the ribbon on its new

shop.


Rising lake levels have played a role in the area’s economic upturn, according to a local real estate expert.

“We actually even sold a few lake houses in Lumpkin County and that’s really hard to do,” said Frank Norton Jr., president of the Gainesville-based Norton Agency real estate and insurance firm.

“We have had the stron-gest sales [on the] lake, when the lake went up … over full pool … what hap-pens is we have a 35 per-cent increase in sales on Lake Lanier.”

Norton counted down a list of “things to know about Dawson County” when he spoke to the local Rotary Club on Feb. 20.

The meeting was a collab-

oration of the local chamber of commerce, development authority, Kiwanis club and Dawsonville Lions Club.

Like the surrounding coun-ties and into metro-Atlanta, Norton said Dawson County is experiencing a housing shortage, especial-ly in the $150,000 market.

Replenishing that stock should be one of the first goals to further improve the economy, he said.

“When I look at house prices under $150,000, which is where the market is, there are 6,000 single-family houses available for sale in metro-Atlanta. In that market, [banks] would have been loaning all kinds of money to builders in 2006 to build product,” he said.

“We’ve got to figure out how the shackles that we’ve placed as a country on the

banking industry can be loosened so that the banks can go back and do what they are supposed to be doing.”

“Until you can get financ-ing, we’re not going to start that business back the way it’s supposed to be. We’ve got to get that engine start-ed.”

If the housing industry is in a state of recovery, Norton said retail is the next boon.

As in years past, he shined a spotlight on Dawson County’s retail cen-ter, again calling North Georgia Premium Outlets a “mecca for value priced retail.”

“You should live and breathe as a county, retail, especially for a county that is building an infrastructure on somebody else’s money.

When 28 percent of the shoppers in your mall here come from … across coun-ties to this, that’s a sign of strong growth,” he said. “We’re going to see major retail activity in the next 12 months, and we’re going to see it right here.”

Chamber President Christie Haynes said it is encouraged by the county’s economic

potential.“We have really seen a

turn around with [the busi-nesses] that we work with and the number of people that are now coming in, requesting information about businesses and residences,” she said. “We’re excited in 2014 to continue to partner so that we can continue that prosperity trend.”

Lake, retail touted as area’s economic engine

Discovery Parts joins the chamber

For the Dawson Community News

‘We’re going to see major retail activity in the next 12 months, and we’re going to see it right here.’

Frank Norton Jr.President of the Gainesville-based Norton Agency real estate and insurance firm


File: XXX_X_dawsonGun031214_Chamber

WE PROUDLY SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY:

706.216.1468 • dawsonvillegunandpawn.com

WE PROUDLY SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY:Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Campaign for Relay kicks offBy David [email protected]

The 2014 Relay for Life campaign has offi-cially begun in Dawson County.

The local arm of the American Cancer Society held its “Purple Passion Party” kickoff event Feb. 25 at the Dawson County Board of Education Professional Development Center.

Relay for Life gives cancer survivors and sup-porters a chance to unite as a community to honor survivors, raise aware-ness of reducing cancer risks and collect funds to help the American Cancer Society.

“Relay is your event.

You are the heart and soul of this event, as a community,” said Brooke VanBuskirk, a staff part-ner with the organiza-tion. “This is your event to rally around survivors and community members to show that you care and to try to make sure that, hopefully soon, that we won’t have to hear the word cancer any-more.”

This year’s theme will be “A Carnival of Hope.”

Plans call for carnival style games, food, clowns, balloons and other sights one might see at a carnival.

“It’s unfortunate that we have to have an event like this, but to see so

much support from the community is great,” VanBuskirk said. “This is an amazing community and I know it will contin-ue to do an amazing thing.”

Last year, Dawson County raised more than $51,000 for the American Cancer Society. As of Tuesday, 15 teams had registered and raised nearly

$9,500, according to the county’s Relay site.

The 2014 Relay for Life event is set for 6

p.m. April 25 at Veterans Memorial Park.

For more information, visit www.dawsoncoun-tyrelay.org.


Board of Education Chairman Roger Slaton committed to “Purple Passion” during the Feb. 25 Relay for Life kickoff event.

The following events are planned to support the Dawson County Relay for Life:

Committee Meeting - United Community Bank• April 10: 5:30 p.m.

Team Rally Meeting – Veterans Memorial Park•March 13: 5:30 p.m.

Survivor Dinner – Dawson County High School•April 17: 6 to 8 p.m.

Bank Night – United Community Bank• April 21: 5 to 7 p.m.


Discover Dawson Forest Apartments, where you will find a convenient and comfortable lifestyle seldom found in an apartment community. Whether you’re relocating to the area or searching for the perfect place to call “HOME,” Dawson Forest is the place for you.

As you relax in our swimming pool or “sweat it out” in our fitness center you will realize why Dawson Forest is the right choice. You will also love the location as we are seconds from the Georgia 400 and the North Georgia Premium Outlets

Prices range from $699 to $11001, 2, and 3 bedroom apartment homes

Community Amenities:

www.dawsonforestapts.comwww.facebook.com/dawsonforestapartmenthomes

706-216-4292 • 100 Green Forest Dr, Dawsonville, GA 30534

• Large Living Spaces• Washer/Dryer Connections• F ully-Equipped Kitchens• Garden Tubs with Tile Accents• 24/7 Fitness Center• Gated Community

• Resort style Swimming Pool• 24/7 Cyber Café• Playground• Lighted Tennis Court• Car Care Center• Garage and Storage Units

Shop Local


Dawson County may soon be getting not one but two locations geared toward senior citizens.

Both Whitley Engineering Inc. and TBG Residential are looking at locations, one in the city and the other in the county.

North Georgia Assisted Living center is planned as a 26,000-square-foot complex to be built on 3.6 acres in downtown Dawsonville.

When finished, the gated complex would have 26 rooms with space for 44 occupants, according to Whitley Engineering.

A wing is also planned for dementia patients, monitored for the residents’ safety.

“This is going to be inde-pendent. It’s not going to be government subsidized,” said Mike Ford, owner of the property. “Our entrances will be gated, but we will have stores and salons locat-ed on premises for our resi-dents. Of course, they can also come and go as they please.”

The proposed location would be on Memory Lane, near Fire Station No. 1 and the Dawson County Library.

Ford presented the plans for consideration during the Feb. 17 Dawsonville City Planning meeting. They will

be brought before the city council during its March 17 work session.

A second community is being planned by a residen-tial company already pres-ent in Dawson County.

Farmington Creek has been billed as a 55 and older apartment complex on nearly 10 acres at 7142 Hwy. 53 East, across from Tractor Supply Co. near Ga. 400.

“We don’t really have much to say right now, but it’s coming along,” said Brad Smith, senior vice pres-ident of TBG Residential, the company that owns the Farmington properties. “Currently, we are looking at

about 50 units for an active adult community.”

According to county zon-ing records, the age and income restrictive develop-ment would offer one and two-bedroom options, with amenities such as a club-house, workout facilities and covered pavilion.

TBG Residential also owns Farmington Woods, an apartment complex that recently finished construction of its 15-acre, 72-unit com-plex off of Perimeter Road in Dawsonville.

Smith said the company hopes to break ground sometime in the fall.

Developers looking to build senior facilities‘Our entrances will be gated, but we will have stores and salons located on prem-ises for our residents. Of course, they can also come and go as they please.’

Mike FordProperty owner


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

QUICK TAKESREASONABLE RATES

Advertising offered only to Chamber members.

Delivery...Dawson Community News

Subscribers, Plus All Dawson County Chamber Members

Size...10” X 9.5”

Frequency...Monthly2nd Wednesday of Every Month

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

EXTEND YOUR ADVERTISING MARKET

in our monthly


Dawsonville: arounD the square


Dawsonville continues to be a hotbed for NASCAR activity with the recent announcement that J.J. Yeley’s race team has decided to bring its operations to town.

“A new race team out of New York is coming down here,” said Dawsonville Mayor James Grogan. “They’ve bought [Ernie Elliott’s] facility and rented half of [Bill Elliott’s] garage.”

Xxxtreme Motorsport owner John Cohen said that it was Dawsonville’s racing support and heritage that drew his rac-ing team. The three X’s stand for exceed, excel and excite.

“When I saw how big into racing Dawsonville was, I wanted to be here,” he said. “I like the history of this town. If I can be part of the history of Dawsonville, it’s something I

want to do.”Cohen, a nightclub entrepre-

neur who owns the M2 Ultra Lounge in New York City, said that he had been eyeing the location for a while and spent some time talking with Ernie Elliott, the shop’s former owner and racing engine builder.

“After we took over Ernie’s engine shop, I figured we would bring the whole racing team down here,” Cohen said.

Cohen sponsored vehicles under the Xxxtreme Motorsport banner for drivers Josh Wise and Chase Austin in the 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series.

Currently, the shop has more than 10 employees, but Cohen said he wants to expand.

“The sky’s the limit here,” he said.“I want to go from 10 to 40 to 500 employees. I’ve been told that when you win Daytona, you get a street -- when you win a championship, you get recog-nized here. I love that

Dawsonville offers that.”Driving for Xxxtreme this sea-

son is Yeley in the No. 44 Chevy.

Yeley, who won the USAC Triple Crown in 2003, has two top-five finishes in the Sprint Cup series. He finished 10th in the 2013 Daytona 500 and 32nd in the point standings.

“We’re going for a Sprint Cup championship this year,” Cohen said. “J.J. said he’s never won a Sprint Cup, and he wants one of those, so we’re going for it.”

This season marks a return for Yeley, who, in 2009 broke three vertebrae during a crash in a USAC race and was forced to take time off.

“If we get going good, we might get to sound the siren [at the Dawsonville Poolroom] downtown more than once, with two guys now from the area racing,” Grogan said.

NASCAR legend Bill Elliott’s

son Chase made his Nationwide racing debut two weeks ago in Daytona. He’s finished with two top-10 runs so far this season.

Grogan sees a bright future for having Xxxtreme

Motorsport in Dawsonville.“We, as the city, are proud

to have John and his company here,” he said. “We are expecting great things from them and expect to have a long and lasting relationship.”


A new right turn lane has opened at Hwys. 9 and 53.

Dawsonville Mayor James Grogan said he’s pleased with the change, which is intended to improve the flow of traffic at the busy crossing.

“I spent some time observing it … and it seems to be working properly,” he said. “I … feel it will move the traffic through town much better.”

At a cost of $45,970, the project was completed by the Georgia Department of Transportation through its “quick response” program, which

allows low-cost, operational improve-ments to be made to the state route sys-tem.

According to transportation officials, the program projects are identified by DOT engineers or local government staff and then managed through the state’s office of local grants.

“Small changes can make a big change in your commute,” said Emily Dunn, who sits on the state transporta-tion board. “The quick response pro-gram is a tool specifically for work cost-ing less than $200,000.”

The new lane is 150 feet long with a yield sign for drivers turning right on to Hwy. 53 East from Hwy. 9 North.

“It gives people driving from down-town towards the outlet center and [Ga.] 400 an area to wait while yield-ing to make the turn,” Dunn said in a statement. “This right turn lane improves the overall operation and efficiency of the intersection. I believe it will make a big difference to the people who use the roadway daily.”

Grogan views the effort as another step for Dawsonville’s long-term make-over.

“Our enthusiasm for the downtown revitalization is stronger than ever as we see these improvements take shape,” he said. “Remember, it’s all a process and we are in the beginning phase.”

Racing team moving headquarters here


Owner John Cohen stands next to the Xxxtreme Racing trailer in Ernie Elliott’s former racing shop. Cohen plans to operate his racing venture in the space, which he bought from Elliott last month.


A new right turn lane was com-pleted last week at Hwys. 9 and 53. The new lane is intended to improve the flow of traffic at the busy crossing.

Turn lane improves flow at Hwys. 9, 53


Walk-in visitors: 135 Referrals: 90 Newcomer packages: 13

monthly totals

new members

Fuse hair studios78 Dawson Village Way NorthSuite 130Dawsonville, GA 30534(706) 216-6115www.fusehairstudios.com/

american home mortgage3750 Stone Creek CircleCumming, GA 30041(770) 855-9221Fax: (404) 843-6800

Jungle Paradise929 Mill Creek Drive Dawsonville, GA 30534

(678) 410-6830www.jungleparadisedaylilies.com/

hometown real estate Group258 Mill Creek DriveDawsonville, GA 30534(770) 561-3593Fax: (706) 265-2424www.elaineblack.com/2769/dsp_agent_page.php/10136

southeastern mortgage52 Toto Creek DriveDawsonville, GA 30534(404) 667-2966www.semtgsolutions.com/

J.A.B. Painting & Pressure CleaningMcEver Signs and GraphicsFox, Frank & Mary BobLiberty Tax ServiceMAM Counseling Inc.Scrubs-N-ThingsBig D’s BBQ No. 2Blackburn, Al and BobbieBlue Cross Blue Shield Healthcare GADawson Eye GroupDawsonville Gun & PawnHealth Plan SelectLookout Dumpsters IncMSE Hospitality - Dawsonville, Inc.North Georgia Premium RV & Boat StorageNorth Georgia Zoo/Wildlife WondersR & D Caulking Inc.Trend StorageAFLACHarder, BettyThe Norton Agency/Kristie MyersAtlanta Gear WorksBB&TBrooks BrothersDenny Insurance GroupJames A. Hamilton, Attorney at LawAround Back At Rocky’s PlaceCarter’s Childrens OutletDawsonville Lions Charities IncEtowah Sporting Clays & Game

PreserveKeating Family MedicineKenneth H. Kurtz, CPAMetal Roofing Sales Inc.Cartridges on Wheels North GeorgiaSawnee Electric Membership CorporationBank of the OzarksChestatee Golf ClubCommunity & Southern BankDawson Family PhysiciansCash BasisGordon, AliceKeep Dawson County BeautifulLava Hair StudioRomancing The Range LLCSleeveCo Inc.Southern Comfort Heating & Air ConditioningChestatee Regional HospitalForestar Group IncBank of the OzarksNorthstar BicycleRacer’s Retreat B & BTownley Construction Company Inc.Tanner, Kevin and StacieNortheast Georgia Health SystemsState Farm Insurance Company, R.S.Amicalola Propane Inc.Power Realty Partners

member renewalsspecial thanks to the following members for renewing in February


From staff reports

A new internal medicine practice recently opened in Dawsonville to provide qual-ity care to patients in the region. J. Taylor Henson, MD, an established and trust-ed internal medicine physi-cian from Gainesville, is join-ing Northeast Georgia Physicians Group and will see patients at this new loca-tion.

The new practice, NGPG Dawsonville Internal Medicine, is inside Medical Plaza 400, allowing patients conve-

nient access to on-site special-ty services and a coordinated, enhanced patient experience.

Henson received his medical

degree from Medical College of Georgia and completed his residency and internship in internal medicine at Charlotte Memorial Hospital in North Carolina. He is board certi-fied in internal medicine and a member of the American College of Physicians and Hall County Medical Society.

“After several years of prac-ticing medicine in the Gainesville community, I have been amazed by the growth

and impact of Northeast Georgia Health System,” Henson said. “I am proud to be a part of the award win-ning organization, and to be able to extend care to patients in the Dawsonville area.”

NGPG Dawsonville Internal Medicine is already scheduling patients ages 17 and older with Henson and Dawn M. Sosebee, MSN, RN, FNP-BC for routine and

preventive health evaluations, immunizations, physicals, EKG, X-ray and laboratory services.

To schedule an appoint-ment, call (706)344-6952, Monday through Friday. Same-day appointments are available.

The office is located in Suite 200 of Medical Plaza 400 at 108 Prominence Court in Dawsonville.

New medical practice opens in Dawsonville

Henson


The Leadership Dawson team spent the day at the Georgia State Capitol on Feb. 24. The team toured the building as well as getting a resolution on the House Floor and meeting with Gov. Nathan Deal.

leadersHip dawson visits capitol


A longtime lender is opening the doors on a local branch in Dawson County.

“American Home Mortgage has been operating for 30 years consecutively under the same name,” said Matthew Pesce, loan originator with American Home Mortgage. “We’ve had the same owners for this full time.”

Pesce said that it was his almost 20 years of experience in the real estate business that lead him to work in the lend-ing field.

“I have 18 years of experience as a real estate agent,” he said. “I worked with an awful lot or mortgages and I knew what things were needed to do the job, so I am building off my experi-ence as a realtor.”

He said that his com-pany is looking to close deals, not delay or

ignore them.“We are a lender, not a

broker. One of the owners is also the underwriter. He’s my mentor. I’ve got direct access to him any time I need it, over the phone or in person,” Pesce said. “That is a major piece of the mort-gage business. We are able to address what is unique about the client. I can bring my files in and talk to him and we can make these deals work.”

Dawson County Chamber of Commerce President Christie Haynes

said that she was excited to see the company moved in and knows per-sonally what it is like to get a mortgage in Dawson County.

“We are excited to wel-come Matthew and American Home Mortgage into our cham-ber family,” she said. “I bought a house this year, so I know what the mort-gage process can be like. We’ve really seen a turn-around in Dawson County when it comes to real estate and I know that is only going to improve.”


Matthew Pesce, center, cuts the ribbon on his local branch of American Home Mortgage on March 5.

Mortgage company cuts ribbon


chamber spotlight

Know your chamber member

Superior Arbor Management Inc.Trees are something that everyone

wants to see, but not as many know how to care for. That’s where ISA Certified Arborist and owner of Superior Arbor Management Inc., Tim Costley and his team come in.

Operating in Dawson County since 1999, SAM is a full service tree com-pany offering consultation, diagnosis, treatment, pruning and removal of trees.

“Each day, we strive not only to pro-vide a top notch tree service to our customers, but to educate them as well,” Costley said. “A knowledgeable client is able to make the right choices concerning their tree care needs and to help do their part in helping our community maintain a healthy urban forest for everyone.”

Superior Arbor Management can be reached at (706) 265-6336 or by cell phone at (770) 294-1012.

each week, the Dawson county chamber of commerce randomly selects a chamber member as “business of the week.”

the business is spotlighted for one week and will receive an announce-ment every monday on the chamber’s Facebook and twitter pages and is placed on the front page of the cham-ber website, as well as highlighted in the chamber chatter e-newsletter

that is sent to the entire membership each tuesday.

the “business of the week” pro-gram is an opportunity to show the chamber’s appreciation to its mem-bers for supporting the Dawson county chamber of commerce and investing in the community.

businesses of the week for February are:

businesses oF the weeK

Dawson County Farm BureauWith many insurance companies in

Dawson County, it can be difficult to find the one that’s right for you.

Dawson County Farm Bureau is an agricultural member services and insur-ance company that specializes in “local coverage for local people.”

Dawson County Farm Bureau is also involved in several volunteer community programs, such as Young Farmer, Ag in the Classroom and legislative pro-grams. The company also works with and supports the local FFA.

They also host several elementary and middle school activities each year and are an active supporter of GHSA.

Farm Bureau offers a complete line of Insurance and banking related products. The Dawson County Farm Bureau can be reached at (706) 265-3350.


While the building has been sever-al businesses in the past few years, the historic gas station on the square in downtown Dawsonville is home to Dawsonville Antiques.

A chamber member since Oct. 2013, owner Colleen Simrell and her band of independent antique dealers offer a shop that has been called “one of the more frequented businesses” in that spot by Dawsonville Mayor James Grogan.

“She’s seen a lot of people come through,” he said. “We’re thrilled to have her here and we hope the store just grows and grows.”

Simrell said that she was not expecting the large amount of foot traffic initially, but that she was also not surprised.

“I’ve only been living in Dawsonville for a year and a half and already I

know the potential here,” she said. “I am shocked and amazed at how good the sales have been already. I am very pleased where sales are.”

Simrell also said that she continues to get new visitors and encouraged everyone to stop in.

“Every day, someone new comes in that lives here saying how much they had been meaning to stop in and final-ly have,” she said.

“We’re excited to have them here in town and as members,” said chamber President Christie Haynes. “We’ve heard of all the people that have been through the store already and we’re here to work to make sure that number increases.”

For more information, call the store at (770) 883-1785 or visit its site at www.dawsonvilleantiques.com.


The showrooms are packed full of treasures from times past at Dawsonville Antiques, located in the historic gas station on the down-town square.

Dawsonville Antiquessees success in square


chamber spotlight


As the gateway to the Appalachian Trail, Dawson County and, more spe-cifically, Amicalola Falls State Park sees many people come and go each year. But one visitor left a lasting impression on her way through.

Cyclist Julie Rodriguez arrived in Dawson County in early February on her “Hike-Cycle” adventure to rest up and pick up new gear on her way to the mountain trail to Maine.

One of the stops was at chamber member Northstar Bicycle on Ga. 400, where Rodriguez restocked and prepared for the coming trip.

“She bought a touring bike and left her home in route to the Appalachian Trail to begin her through hike,” said Northstar Bicycle Manager Dustin Heard. “With stops to Texas and Florida, visiting family and friends, she arrived in Dawsonville [in early February] and we dropped her off at Amicalola Falls Lodge for her to begin the trail the next day.”

Rodriguez left on her trip from Connecticut in November 2013. Since then, she has put almost 4,400 miles on her bike before reaching Dawson.

Rodriguez is in and out of touch

while on the trail, but she does keep those following her up to date with social media posts.

“I started from the Amicalola Lodge this morning, hiked down to the Visitor Center to check in, and then back up the falls on the approach trail to the true start of the trail at Springer Mountain,” she said in a post dated Feb. 4, just after leaving the Ga. 400 area. “My pack weighed in at 56 pounds. It felt so light, I could run with it. [Northstar] helped me go through all my stuff and pare down.”

destination dawson

Know your board memberBrooke Anderson

business/organzation: etowah water and sewer authority

A seven-year veteran on the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Brooke Anderson, has many titles around Dawson County, many of which have to do with the quality of water.

Anderson serves as not only the general manager at Etowah Water and Sewer Authority, but also a board member. He is also the small systems committee chairman with the Georgia Association of Water Professionals, the chair-

man of the North Georgia Water Resource Partnership and the President Nominee of the Rotary Club of Dawson County.

He said he first got involved with the chamber in order to “serve as a liai-son between the authority and the business commu-

nity.”“I believe there is a strong link between a

thriving community and a thriving chamber. It is

imperative that we support existing businesses while attracting new businesses,” Anderson said. “The chamber is the entity that does this.”

Anderson said that, as a member of the board for the chamber, it is his duty to hear the needs of local businesses and provide the means for them to grow.

“I believe my role on the board is to listen to the business (existing and future) and provide water and wastewater services necessary for them to succeed,” he said. “Through the cham-ber’s success, the authority will succeed and the community will succeed.”


Cyclist Julie Rodriguez stopped by Northstar Bicycle to restock for her adventure on the Appalachian Trail.

Cyclist stops by local businessJennifer Haezebrouck

While a Dawson County Chamber of Commerce Ambassador for about eight months, Community & Southern Bank Manager Jennifer Haezebrouck can regularly be seen at many cham-ber events and functions, representing not only her businesses, but the cham-ber, as well.

“I had just recently relocated to the Dawsonville Branch in early 2013 and was eager to start getting involved with the chamber,” she said. “I love representing not only Community & Southern Bank but the chamber by going out and speaking with the local businesses and meeting people in the community that I nor-mally probably wouldn’t get a chance to meet if I wasn’t a part of this program,” she said.

Haezebrouck is also the co-chair of the ambassador program for 2014.

According to Haezebrouck, she was initially approached for the pro-gram after the bank held one of the chamber’s Business After Hours net-working events.

“[Chamber of Commerce Board Member] Steve Melching had approached me about the benefits of joining the ambassador program when Community & Southern Bank

hosted one of the Business After Hours,” she said. “After speaking with Steve and [Membership Director Kara Hewatt] more about the pro-gram I knew it

would be a great opportunity to get to know other businesses and just people in general in Dawsonville.”

She said that one of her favorite aspects about the program is that it allows her to be a part of the commu-nity and represent her place of busi-ness at the same time.

“This community and its businesses are so great about working together and referring to each other. And the community notices when you give back and what you are doing to ben-efit Dawsonville,” Haezebrouck said.

“The fact that I get to promote Community & Southern Bank and give my time to the community is such a great opportunity and I’m blessed to have been asked to be a part of it.”

Know your ambassadoreditor’s note: starting this month the chamber chronicle will be featur-ing an ambassador introduction section.



One representative of Dawson County commerce joined her peers under the Gold Dome to take part in an honoring of Georgia Tourism.

On Jan. 28, Dawson County Office of Tourism Development President Christie Haynes joined her counterparts from across the state at Tourism, Hospitality and Arts Day at the Georgia Capitol.

Tourism Day centers on giving the opportunity for tourism leaders to meet with

their legislators and discuss issues that directly impact their industry.

The day consisted of sev-eral events, including a cer-emony with Gov. Nathan Deal and Commissioner of Economic Development Chris Carr, whose depart-ment is responsible for tour-ism in Georgia.

During the morning cere-mony, Deal and Carr unveiled the cover of the 2014 Georgia Travel Guide, which features a tribute to “Gone with the Wind” in celebration of the movie’s 75th anniversary.

Carr spoke to the crowd about the economic impact of tourism and the arts in Georgia, citing that nearly $1 billion per week is gen-erated in the state’s economy due to this industry.

After the opening ceremony, members of the Northeast Georgia Travel Association, which represents 16 counties, including Dawson, gathered to deliver baskets with gifts from all represented counties to their legislators, providing an opportunity to update legisla-tors on the tourism impact in their communities.

“It was a privilege to attend

and help further the message that tourism is economic devel-opment,” said Haynes. “We’re very blessed in our community to be represented by Sen.

Steve Gooch, Speaker David Ralston, and Rep. Kevin Tanner- legislators who truly understand the impact of tour-ism on our community.”

Capitol celebrates tourism


For nine years, the Dawson County Tree Preservation Society, along with Keep Dawson County Beautiful, has planted a tree on Arbor Day to commemorate the county’s dedication to preserving green space.

The Dawson County Commissioners formally pro-claimed Feb. 21 as Arbor Day in Dawson County.

The first Arbor Day was cele-brated in Nebraska in 1872. Individual cities and counties across the United States have continued the tradition annual-ly.

“We are thrilled to be a part of this. We’ve been doing this for a couple of years and it’s always a fantastic event,” said

Keep Dawson County Beautiful President Karen Armstrong. “A lot of people think of us as just recycling, but we are also con-servation and beautification.”

The Preservation Society also uses the ceremony to award Dawson County’s Tree Preservationist of the Year.

A tradition since 2006, the award commemorates busi-nesses, groups or individuals who have made concerted efforts to protect and preserve trees when commercial or resi-dential development occurs.

“This is the ninth year we have celebrated Arbor Day,” said David Hinderliter, the society’s president. “Eight years ago, we started a pro-gram to celebrate people who have come in to the county, developed land, and pre-served the trees. And that’s

what we’re interested in — preserving the trees.”

This year’s award went to Farmington Woods, an apart-ment complex that recently fin-ished construction of its 15 acre, 72-unit complex off of Perimeter Road in Dawsonville.

“We’re delighted to pres-ent this award to Farmington Woods,” Hinderliter said. “We think they have done a wonderful job, coming in and preserving and planting trees. It’s a beautiful site and they have done a wonderful job.”

Along with the award, a tree is also planted in honor of the recipient. This year, an eastern weeping redbud tree was donated by Kinsey Family Farms.

“We didn’t know much

about Dawsonville or Dawson County before we decided to build here. I can’t tell you how welcome we have felt every-where we go,” said Brad Smith, senior vice president of TBG Residential, the company that owns Farmington Woods.

“What you guys have here is something to be proud of and we promise to be a good stew-ard of the community here.”

Keep Dawson County Beautiful supplies the memorial marker stones set at the base of trees planted each year.

Arbor DAy celebrAteD

Tree planted to honor preservation


Tourism leaders from across the state gathered at the State Capitol on Jan. 28 for Tourism, Hospitality and Arts Day.

Mike Brandt, left, and Brad Smith plant a redbud tree in honor of the Farmington Woods apartment complex during the Feb. 21 Arbor Day ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park.



Georgia’s most trusted hands behind every surgery

The latest diagnostic services and treatments are only as good as the team performing them. At Northside, our skilled doctors and nurses

perform more surgeries than any other hospital in Georgia. We provide a level of experience, knowledge and compassionate care

you won’t find anywhere else. Visit us online at www.northside.com.

dawson chamber chronicle march 2014

Documents

annual leap

visit dawson county

successsee leap

literacy event

running leap

dawson county residents

childhood literacy

marketing strategy