december 2009 chamber chronicle

The chamber board metlast week to map out plansfor next year. The board hada productive, meaningfulsession.

Plans were put forth fornext year that streamlinethe chamber’s activities to

support business in DawsonCounty.

Now, I started with thiscomment so that I can comeback to it.

Needless to say mylearning curve ramped wayup this year. Going in I

thought I knew a lot aboutwhat the chamber does andwhat its role and responsi-bilities are in DawsonCounty.

A year later, I walkaway with so much more.

First the staff ... I have

talked a lot about what yourchamber staff does for youand I. But there is more.

I do not know anyonewith more diligence andprofessionalism than LindaWilliams. She is a greatexample to all of us in how

to run their business andcarry themselves day byday.

And then there is Marty

The Member Newsletter of the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce

December 2009

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

Post Office Box 299“Old Jail”west of the square

Dawsonville, GA 30534(706) 265-6278

Home designerworks on any budget

Jay Walker

Thank you for a great year with the chamber

See YEAR, Page 3

Chamber golf tourney brings a crowdBy Frank [email protected]

Golfers spent a sunny day onthe links last month at the annualDawson County Chamber ofCommerce golf tournament.

Chamber President LindaWilliams said the 56 players whoparticipated “had a wonderfultime. The weather was perfect.It’s what we call a chamber ofcommerce kind of day,”Williams said.

One of several fundraisers forthe chamber of commerce, theNov. 16 tournament netted$5,000 for the organization thisyear. “We appreciate all the sup-port from our sponsors, team

players and our many volun-teers,” she said. “We could notput on such an event without themanpower of all our volunteers.”

Williams said the tourna-ment, which has been held formore than 10 years, is “a chanceto spend the day with businessassociates and friends and sup-port the chamber in the mean-time.”

She added that the event,which was at Chestatee GolfClub, is popular because “peopleenjoy the competitiveness of it.”

First place gross went to thePremier Landscape team: Taylor

From left, golfersAl Brown, HerbBurnsed and TomDarr plot out thenext move Nov.16 during theDawson CountyChamber ofCommerceAnnual GolfTournament atChestatee GolfCourse.

Photo/Frank Reddy See TOURNEY | 5

As we draw to theend of 2009, I thinkback on the accomplish-ments our organizationhas made, and theopportunities that stilllie before us.

I want you to knowthat discussions at boardmeetings all during theyear have centered onthe needs of our mem-bership and what rolethe chamber can play inserving those needs.

Your chairman, JayWalker, and the board ofdirectors have concen-trated their efforts onfilling as many of thoseneeds as we can.

The confidentialonline survey that manyof you filled out lastyear was used to createour plan of action for2009.

The current survey isnow available. You mayaccess it through a linkin one of our ConstantContact e-mails, or goto it directly athttp://survey.9gs.organd paste in the code:cg3vhq.

I commend Jay andthe board for their atten-tiveness to your needs.Your 2010 chairman,Mike Underwood, andthe incoming board arecommitted to your suc-cess as well.

Please take thisopportunity to give usyour confidential inputon the survey.

To change subjects, Iknow we are all prepar-ing budgets for nextyear and we all need toidentify where we cancut costs.

Please give yourtelephone provider, bothat home and work, a calland ask an accountrepresentative toreview your currentplan.

Ask the representa-tive to recommendways you can reduceyour expenses.Bundles and packageshave been added andenhanced and if youhave not had your planreviewed in the lastfew months, chancesare very good that anew plan will saveyou money.

As an example, oneof our members justcalled her telephoneprovider and asked fora review of her busi-ness plan for threetelephone lines andDSL. She learned that anew plan would notonly be of more benefitbut would also save $29each month for a totalof $348 annually.

She also learned thatthe company could electto get 100 minutes ofnationwide calling foran additional $5 permonth. Her last review

of the plan had been just18 month ago.

So give your

provider a call rightaway and make sure youare signed up for thebest plan for your homeor business.

This exercise shouldbe performed for allagreements, policies andcontracts with othertypes of providers aswell.

At this time of year,whether you celebrateChristmas, Hanukah, orany other special occa-sion, I send all goodwishes for a wonderfulholiday season.

For me, I will be cel-ebrating Christmas withmy family.

I look forward toseeing you at a chamberevent soon.

Won’t you join us?

• Dawson Chamber Chronicle • December 2009

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Dawson Chamber Chronicle • December 2009 •

C H A M B E R M E M B E R SChamber events

December

Dec. 10: Happy 150thBirthday to the city ofDawsonville.

Dec. 10: Business AfterHours, 5-7 p.m. at UnitedCommunity Bank, 6372Hwy. 53 East. There willbe wine tasting and horsd’oeuvres. For moreinformation, call (706)265-3232. The cashdrawing is up to $3,300.Sponsors of the drawingare AFLAC-SharonReagan, AndersonFamily Medicine-Dr.Larry Anderson, TheNorton Agency-KristieMyers, R&D CaulkingInc.-Mike Downs, UnitedCommunity Bank-JamesAskew, Van KeithInsurance Agency ofDawsonville-Ann Grizzleand Denny InsuranceGroup-Denny Putlak.Remember, you must bepresent to win.

Dec. 24 and 25: Thechamber will be closedfor Christmas.

Dec. 31: Ring in the NewYear at Amicalola FallsState Park and Lodge.For more information,call (800) 573-9656.

Dec. 31: Forrest HillsMountain Resort invitesall to come and join their21st annual New YearsParty. Have a great time,stay safe and bring inthe New Year at Forrest

Hills Mountain Resort!Your night will start outwith a delicious prime ribdinner buffet and will befollowed by a danceparty in our RoseGarden Dining Roomcomplete with DJ andcomplimentary toast atmidnight. Cocktail attiresuggested. This party isavailable to overnightguests only. For reserva-tions, call (800) 654-6313.

January

Jan. 1: Dawson CountyChamber of Commerce willbe closed. A happy andprosperous 2010 to all.

Jan. 14: Lunch with theChamber at noon at theLakeview Center, 2057Dawson Forest Road.Sam Olens, chairman ofthe Atlanta RegionalCommission will be theguest speaker. Membersand visitors are encour-aged to register online by5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 11.Go to www.dawson.org,click on “Chamber ofCommerce,” then “EventRegistration.” For moreinformation, call (706)265-6278.

Jan. 22: The Chamber of Commerce AnnualBanquet and Auction.The theme: “It’s aWonderful Night.” Ablack and white galaevent.

By Michele [email protected]

The weak economy mayset a more successful stagefor local builders now thatDawson and Lumpkin coun-ties’ home builders associa-tions have joined forces.

“This is a positive stepfor both associations,” saidRory Cunningham, presidentof the Dawson County asso-ciation.

Statewide, homebuilder’sassociations have seen adecrease in memberships byabout 40 percent in the lastyear.

While Dawson County’sassociation has seen a steady

increase, Lumpkin County’sassociation has been hit andwas down to about 25 mem-bers, Cunningham said.

“We approached them tosee if there was a way wecould work this out and tryto get through the toughtimes together,” Cunning-ham said.

“That way, when theeconomy is better, we’ll be astronger organization all theway around.”

The official collaborationtook place Nov. 18 when thetwo associations gathered atRyans Steakhouse inDawsonville for the firstcombined meeting.

Builders Larry Stouffer

and Bob Clark, who servedas president and vice presi-dent of the Lumpkin Countyassociation, have joined theDawson board of directorsto complete the new board.

“We’re certainly joiningwith a strong organization,”Stouffer said.

The Dawson/LumpkinHomebuilders Associationmeets the third Wednesdayof each month at Ryans inDawsonville. Breakfastbegins at 7:30 a.m., fol-lowed by the monthly busi-ness meeting at 8 a.m.

For more information,call (866) 522-4055, (561)254-4494 or [email protected].

Homebuilders join forces

YEAR from 1

Will iams. Marty’s hardwork over and above his jobtitle is incredible. This team“lives and breathes”Dawson County. I don’tknow of many people whothink of one without theother.

And le t us not forgetPam Hamalainen. Pambrings a level of integrity tothe chamber that all of uswould be proud to have inour own company.

Robin Smith and BarbaraFulmer, though they servepart time, work and repre-sent the chamber as if i twere their own business.

Secondly, if I start nam-ing off individual volun-teers I will get in troubleand leave someone out.

Besides , you need tocome to the gala in Januaryto see these folks properly

recognized. Having said that , this

group was great and just gotbetter this year.

Finally, there are severalI would like to mention inrelation to their guidancethey have given me, not justthis past year, but duringmy nine years in business inDawson County.

Thanks to Mike Berg forhis comments of direction.

Once again a true markof professionalism. It wouldtake a separate article to listall of the things Mike hasdone for Dawson County.

Then there is JamesAskew. Good mentor to meand great leader for DawsonCounty.

And, my “thank yous”would not be completewithout mentioning KristieMyers.

Kristie is the true rolemodel chamber memberthat pract ices what shepreaches in participationand networking and offer-ing sound direction for thechamber.

This leads me back tomy opening comment fromlast week’s meeting. As Ilooked around the room andlisten to the thoughts sharedby the board, the plans theymade, and the willingnessshowed to step up and help. . . I was reminded that Ihave served with a tremen-dous group of friends thatcare greatly about the futureof Dawson County.

With that said, thanks toyou all ... Merry Christmas,Happy Holidays.

Jay Walker2009 Chair


Who better to pay forthe things DawsonCounty needs than thethousands of visitorsshopping at NorthGeorgia Premium Outletsthis holiday season.

That’s the questionLinda Williams, presidentof the Dawson CountyChamber of Commerce,asked last week.

Williams was refer-ring to the thousands ofvisitors that shopped theNorth Georgia PremiumOutlets the days afterThanksgiving during themall’s annual holidayshopping kickoff celebra-tion.

“Shoppers at the out-let mall feed our own taxcoffers, but we also needto do our part to add tothat by shopping localand not taking our taxessomewhere else,” shesaid.

Matthew Grizzle ofDawsonville waitedalmost six hours to beabout first in line to buy a

$198 laptop computer atWal-Mart in Dawsonvillethe day after Thanks-giving.

Known as BlackFriday, the shoppingoccasion has traditionally

helped businesses movefrom red ink shortfalls toblack ink profits.

“I got here at 11:30 lastnight,” the Dawsonvilleman said while waitingwith thousands of othershoppers to check out thatmorning. “And there werealready 16 other peopleahead of me.”

Retailers believe morethan 195 million peoplenationwide braved thecrowds in search of bar-gain holiday gifts on theday after Thanksgiving,the biggest shopping dayof the year.

Early estimates by theNational Retail Feder-ation indicate Americansspent more than $41 bil-

lion over the holidayweekend.

Judy Dockery ofDawsonville never wentto bed Thursday nightafter spending Thanks-giving with her family.

“We start off at theoutlet mall and then wrapthe morning up at Wal-Mart,” she said.

The specials at NorthGeorgia Premium Outletsdraw Tom Griffin and hiswife each year.

“The deals we find atthe outlets are insanity,”said Griffin, who lives inChattanooga, Tenn.

Heather Halpern, gen-eral manager of the outletmall, said the crowdswere steady throughout

the weekend, with thelargest arriving earlyThursday for the mid-night madness shoppingevent.

“Traffic was strongfrom Thanksgiving Dayuntil Sunday evening, andthe feedback from ourstores and our shoppers

has been very encourag-ing,” Halpern said.

“Our stores did a won-derful job providing greatdeals for our shoppers,and our shoppers cameprepared. They knewwhere they wanted to goand what they wanted tobuy.”


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

P.O Box 1096137 Prominence Court

Suite 240Dawsonville, GA 30534

C H A M B E R M E M B E R S

Shopping pays dividends for countyHundreds of

shoppers waitto check out

Nov. 27 at theDawsonville

Wal-Mart.Many arrived

hours ahead oftime to get the

best deals.

Photo/StephanieGriffin

Photo/Michele Hester

The wait was 90 minutes to enter the CoachFactory Outlet on Nov. 27.

By Frank [email protected]

A little relaxation goes a longway, if you ask Barbara Roberts.

The Anidawehi Spa contractoris in the business of helping peoplerelax with massage, hot stones,body wraps and exfoliation.

Located at the Forrest HillsMountain Resort and ConferenceCenter in Dahlonega, the spa issub-contracted by Roberts andpartner, Brian Fraser.

Roberts said the business,which has been open nearly sevenyears, is a chance for her “to seethe results of what I do. I’m not acog in a wheel of some corpora-tion,” she said. “We truly enjoywhat we do, and we can see that

through people’s happiness.”The key to doing good business

is “caring about the people,” sheadded. “That’s what’s led to oursuccess. Giving impeccable serv-ice and caring about the clients.”

Many of the clients come forbirthdays or for anniversaries.“Things like that, where it’s asplurge, and they’re doing some-thing special for themselves,”

she said.The success of the spa lies part-

ly in its design, Roberts said. “Wehave created a healing space in thespa,” she said.

“Everyone that comes in says,‘Oh, it just feels wonderful inhere,’ and they can’t figure outwhy. It’s the energy we’ve createdthere.

“We’ve specifically chosen col-ors and designs that are restful andrelaxing,” she added. “People pickup on that even though they maynot know exactly why.”

Forrest Hills Mountain Resortand Conference Center is locatedat 135 Forrest Hills Road inDahlonega.

For more information, visitwww.forresthillsresort.com.



Wallace, Chris Gaines,Dwayne Jones and BlakePalmer. Second placegross was First CitizensBank of Georgia: CharlesBuckner, Allan Depoe,Bryan Hendricks andTodd Buckner.

First place net waswon by Northside

Hospital-Forsyth: AndyBrown, PatriciaRandolph, Freda Hardageand David Vandyke.Second place went to theChestatee State Bankteam: Henry Hamilton,Larry Minogue, JasonDeJiacomo and JarodTrammel.

TOURNEY from 1

Photo/Submitted

A couples massage room is a part of the Forrest Hills Mountain Resort, where Anidawehi Spacontractor Barbara Roberts works.

Photo/Frank Reddy

Dawson County resident Al Brown prepares totee off Nov. 16 at the Dawson County Chamberof Commerce Annual Golf Tournament, whichwas held at Chestatee Golf Course.

Spa aims to help people relax

❞

❞

We’ve specifically chosencolors and designs that arerestful and relaxing.

- Barbara Roberts, spa owner



‘No job too big...too small’ for decorator


Interior designerKathy Becknell says thatin tough economictimes, her line of work issometimes considered aluxury.

Becknell said thedecoration and restora-tion of one’s home,though, should not betaken for granted.

“Even with the econ-omy affecting us, i t’sstill important to loveyour home,” saidBecknell, owner of BellaHome Creations. “Yourhome should always be arestful, peaceful, relax-ing haven for you, and itdoesn’t have to cost afortune for that.”

Becknell opened thebusiness with assistantJoy Thompson five yearsago. The two travel allover North Georgia, ren-ovating and decoratinghomes, rooms andnooks.

“No job is too big ortoo small ,” Becknellsaid. “If someone has aroom that they just hateand don’t know why, Ican figure it out. A lot ofthe time it’s because thefurniture’s in the wrongplace, or it’s too much ortoo little. Or maybe theroom is the wrongcolor.”

As a decorator, Beck-

nell said she likes to goabout her work a littledifferently.

“I had a bad experi-ence with a decorator,”Becknell said. “I don’tlike being charged bythe hour, because theycan never tell you howmuch it’s going to be orhow long it will take ...instead, I charge a flatfee. People l ike that ,and it feels more honestto me.”

Charging a flat feefor services allows her to“pass savings along tothe customer ... if I get agreat deal on a rug, thenthe customer gets a greatdeal too,” she said. “I tryto be a good steward ofthe money that’s givento me for shopping anddecorating.”

Becknell said herphilosophy on decorat-ing is “to use what peo-

ple already have, justuse it in a different way,do something differentwith it.”

Much of her busi-ness, she said, comesfrom decorating secondhomes.

“I’ve done a lot ofsecond homes for peo-ple: beach houses, lakehouses, cabins, so I trav-el and I don’t gougepeople for travel,” shesaid.

“Anybody can have abeautiful home,” Beck-nell added. “I’ll work onany budget. I’ve doneeverything from lowbudgets to high-end mil-lion dollar budgets.”

For more informa-tion, call (404) 702-6292or visit www.bellahome-creations.com.

Local home designerworks on any budget

❞

❞

If someone has a room that

they just hate anddon’t know why,

I can figure it out.

- Kathy Becknell,interior designer

Photos/Submitted

Pictured are examples of the interior designs created by Kathy Becknellof Bella Home Creations. Becknell does business all over NorthGeorgia.

Dawson Chamber Chronicle • December 2009•



Friends started phoning HollyJones as soon as her name was chosenas the Dawson County Chamber ofCommerce cash prize winner Nov. 24.

And if she had been in attendanceat the chamber’s monthly businessafter hours affair at Nature’s WayChiropractic, she would have left over$3,000 wealthier.

Instead, the cash pot grows for thechamber’s Dec. 10 event to be held atthe Ga. 400 branch of UnitedCommunity Bank.

Dr. Kara Zajac, who owns Nature’sWay Chiropractic, welcomed mem-bers of the chamber to her office forthe November after hours event.

Located near the intersection ofGa. 400 and Hwy. 53 East, Nature’sWay Chiropractic specializes in pro-viding effective chiropractic care in arelaxed, healing environment.

United Community Bank alsohopes to create a relaxed and invitingatmosphere for the December afterhours event when the bank opens itsdoors to some of North Georgia’spremier wineries.

The event and wine tasting will beheld from 5-7 p.m. and will featurelocal wines Frogtown Cellars,Crimson and Scarletts, Wolf MountainVineyards and Blackstock Vineyards.

Frogtown Cellars will also caterthe event with heavy hors d’oeuvres.

The monthly cash prize drawinggrows to $3,300. But remember, youmust be present to win.

The chamber would like to thankthe following members for contribut-ing to the cash prize drawing: Sharon

Reagan with AFLAC, Larry Andersonwith Anderson Family Practice,Denny Putlak with Denny InsuranceGroup, Kristie Myers of the NortonAgency, Mike Downs with RDCaulking, James Askew at UnitedCommunity Bank, and Ann Grizzlewith Van Keith Insurance.

The chamber would also like tothank the following members fordonating door prizes for last month’sevent: Painted Lady Enterprises,Chestatee Gold Club, Ashlyn’s Attic,Citrus Solution, Bella Sol Salon andRelax Massage.

For more information on the winetasting, call (706) 265-3232.

BAH cash prizegrows to $3,300Wine tasting atDecember event

Photo/Michele Hester

Chiropractor Kara Zajac adjustsSharon Reagan’s back at lastmonth’s business after hoursevent held at Nature’s WayChiropractor.

Secretary of Statespeaks to chamberBy Michele [email protected]

Georgia’s Secretary ofState Karen Handel madea stop in Dawson CountyNov. 12 as she continuesher campaign for governor.

Handel, a FultonCounty republican, is thethird candidate for gover-nor speaking to theDawson County Chamberof Commerce in the lastfew months.

John Oxendine, insur-ance and safety fire com-

missioner,and U.S.R e p -resentativeN a t h a nDeal alsor e c e n t l yaddressedthe cham-ber mem-

bership. Both haveannounced their intentionsto run for governor nextyear.

Handel praisedDawson County for itsleadership on the local

level and representationaround the state.

The former chair of theNorth Fulton Chamber ofCommerce, Handel gavean overview of her dutiesas secretary of state. Aposition she has held since2007, and concluded theluncheon with a questionand answer segment.

Questions from thechamber membershipfocused on Handel’s viewof Georgia’s transporta-tion problems and waterissues.

Handel

Temporary workers neededfor 2010 U.S. Census countBy Frank [email protected]

The 2010 U.S. Censusis coming up, and all resi-dents must be counted nextyear by answering ques-tionnaires regarding house-hold socioeconomic status.

The questionnaires,which will be mailed outin March 2010, arerequired every 10 years bythe U.S. Constitution inorder to show state popula-tion counts and determinehow many seats each statewill have in the U.S.House of Representatives.

Census data also helpsdecide the allocation ofmore than $300 billion in

federal funding to statesand communities. Ac-cording to the U.S.Department of Commerce,“increased participation inthe census will result inmore accurate data thatmedia outlets can trust andshare with the public inarticles and reports.”

In addition, data col-lected helps determinelocations for schools,roads, hospitals, job train-ing, child-care and seniorcitizen centers.

The census question-naire contains 10 questionsand takes about 10 minutesto complete, according tothe department of com-merce.

The U.S. Census Bur-

eau is recruiting tempo-rary, part-time censustakers to work in theirown communities.Thousands of census tak-ers are needed nationwideto help locate householdsand conduct brief person-al interviews with resi-dents.

Most positions requirea valid driver’s license anduse of a vehicle. However,use of public transporta-tion may be authorized incertain areas. The short-term jobs offer flexiblehours, paid training andreimbursement for work-related expenses.

For more information,visit www.2010cen-susjobs.gov.Time


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

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

The Chamber will keep the community informed about ribbon cuttings, business expansions, chamber functionsand events, community events and the benefits ofChamber membership through ChamberChronicle.

The Chronicle is mailed to all subscribers of theDawson Community News, plus all Chambermembers. Additional copies are available at theChamber office.

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Deadline: MondayOne Week Prior to Publication Call Jennifer Lyness at 770-887-3126 for rates

EXTEND YOUR ADVERTISING MARKETin our

Dawson Community NewsA Community Newspaper Serving Community Needs


Dr.Timothy A.Annis66 South 400 Center Lane,Suite 105Dawsonville,GA 30534 (706) 216-4875

Timothy A.Annis,D.C.Jeremy Elzey

Elzey Exterminating Co., Inc.(Residential & Commercial)

Free Termite inspections

1992 Dr. Bramblett Rd.Cumming, GA 30040

Office # 678-455-9200Cell # 678-887-0038


November totals Walk-in:

328

Telephone referrals:1,986


Less than six hoursbefore volunteers withKARE for Kids met topurchase toys and cloth-ing for local children inneed, Wal-Mart presentedthe service organizationwith a check for $1,000.

“This will go a longway,” said Calvin Byrd,president of KARE forKids, an organization thatplans to provide holidaycheer for between 550and 600 children this sea-son.

Wal-Mart also donat-ed $1,000 to the DawsonCounty Woman’s Club onNov. 19.

Byrd said the continu-ing economic drop cou-pled with the number ofpeople out of work haspresented a real chore forthe volunteer organiza-tion this year.

“We’ve had severalregistration days so far

this hol iday season.We’re thinking we’regoing to be as busy thisyear as we were las tyear,” he said.

Last year, KARE forKids helped 305 fami-lies and 617 children.

Each child receives atleast one toy from theirwish list, clothing, shoes,underwear and a jacket.

RIC Rack, a localfood pantry, provides eli-gible families with aChristmas turkey andmeal to add to the holiday

cheer.Additionally, anyone

who signed up to receiveassistance before Thanks-giving were also given afree turkey.

“We gave out 110tukeys in 15 minutes andabout 220 turkeys in all

on Saturday,” Byrd said.KARE for Kids pres-

ents the MountainMoonshine Festival eachfall to support initiativeslike the Christmas presentproject.

This year’s festivalnetted about $65,000.

“We also give awayabout $31,000 to about15 other organizationsthat helped us throughoutthe year,” Byrd said. “Sonot only does it help us,it helps several otherorganizations in the com-munity.”

Families interestedin receiving assistancemus t show d r ive r ’slicense, proof of resi-dency and p roof o fincome.

For more informa-t ion , ca l l (706) 216-KARE.

Local Wal-Mart helps out thisholiday season

Photo/Submitted

Wal-Mart representatives Cecil Bennett, from left, and Thinh Troung, present a $1,000 check toCalvin Byrd to benefit KARE for Kids, a local agency that provides Christmas to Dawson Countychildren in need.

❞

❞

We also give awayabout $31,000 to

about 15 otherorganizations thathelped us through-

out the year.-Calvin Byrd, president of

KARE for kids


Thank YouChamber Building Fund

Sponsors

PropertyInvestmentAssociates

New membersRenee Stevens REMAX Greater Atlanta Inc.Renee Stevens(770) 983-37521100 Turner RoadCumming, GA [email protected]: Real Estate

Kani HouseLeon Parker(706) 344-1494500 Hwy. 400 SouthDawsonville, GA [email protected]: Japanese Restaurant


This year’s annualDawson CountyChamber of Commercegala is scheduled forJan. 22 at LakeviewCenter and features thetheme, “It’s a WonderfulNight — a Black andWhite Ball.”

The gala gives gueststhe opportunity to sporttheir “Sunday best orbetter,” according toLinda Williams, cham-ber president.

Those invited to thisyear’s event, which willbe held at the LakeviewCenter, will get invita-tions from the Chamberof Commerce within thenext couple of weeks.

“People will have achance to dress up andhave a special eveningtogether with fr iendsand associates, and thenwe will have an awardsceremony,” Will iamssaid.

The gathering givesthe chamber a chance to

honor members in thecategories of businessleader, volunteer andentrepreneur of the year.Staff will also presentthe chairman’s award.

Ceremonies begin at6 p.m. with live music,and guests can minglefor about 30 minutesbefore dinner is served.Williams said that din-ner reservations comewith two complimentarydrink tickets.

A silent auction willalso be held at the event.“We will ask membersthat would like to show-case either their productor service or just want toget their name out there,they can donate items,”

Williams said.Proceeds from sales

of the items will go intothe chamber’s generaloperat ing budget .Williams said the gala isthe organizat ion’sbiggest fundraiser of theyear.

“It’s through the gen-erosity of our membersthat it’s successful,” shesaid. “We hope to haveanother wonderful eventthis year.”

Members can buy asingle-seating ticket for$75 or a table for eightfor $550.

For more informa-t ion, cal l (706) 265-6278 or visit www.daw-son.org.

Annual gala set for next month

❞

❞

People will have a chance to dress up and have a special eveningtogether with friends and associates.

- Linda Williams, chamber president


Each month a different business ororganization sponsors the DawsonCounty Chamber of CommerceAmbassador’s Breakfast, held atRyan’s in Dawsonville the fourthWednesday of the month.

Pro Therapy, a local outpatientrehabilitation company whose pur-pose is to provide high quality healthservices for the communities served,sponsored last month’s ambassadorbreakfast.

Pro Therapy’s progressive treat-ment plans are designed to aid inadapting to permanent changes oflifestyle as patients are provided withsafe and effective treatments in a fun,friendly atmosphere.

Physical therapy servicesinclude post-op rehab, generalorthopedics and sports injuries,neck and back pain, sciatica, carpaltunnel syndrome, TMJ and adult

neurological rehab. Justin Shurley is the clinic direc-

tor at the Dawson location and hasbeen a physical therapist for the pastfour years.

Certified in mechanical diagno-sis and therapy of the spine throughthe McKenzie Institute and a certi-fied strength and conditioning spe-cialist, Shurley holds a bachelor’sdegree from North Georgia College& State University in exercise sci-ence and a master’s degree in physi-cal therapy from the MedicalCollege of Georgia.

Breakfast sponsorships, at a rea-sonable cost, are now available forambassador breakfasts in 2010.

The sponsorship is a great wayfor businesses to spread the word

about themselves and/or their com-panies.

The sponsorship provides thebreakfast for the monthly meeting,gives sponsors 10-15 minutes tobriefly speak on their business and

includes a short profile in theChamber Chronicle.

To register to sponsor an ambas-sador breakfast or for more informa-tion about the program, call (706)216-1750.



Ambassador SpotlightAmbassador SpotlightPro Therapy’s Justin Shurley

Combs is Ambassador of the MonthBy Michele [email protected]

The Dawson County Chamberof Commerce named Ed Combs,a representative of Re/Max 400North, as Ambassador of theMonth for November.

A Georgia-native, Combsserved in the military during theVietnam War era and is heavilyinvolved in the local Vietnamveterans Association.

He also attends FirstRedeemer Church in Cumming

and serves as a counselor forThere’s Hope for the Hungryministry.

“We help by feeding and

serving those in economic dis-tress in the North Georgia area,”Combs said.

A member of the NationalAssociation of Realtors, GeorgiaBoard of Realtors, 400 NorthBoard of Realtors, Founder —Dawson Small Business Net-working Group, Combs is proudof his work in real estate andbases his business philosophy onthe principles of servant-leader-ship, a concept found in theBible.

According to Combs, the

Bible has instilled in him thepractice of putting other’s bestinterests above his own.

He has a long background inmortgages, banking and realestate. He specializes in residen-tial property, land/farms andlight commercial properties.

Re/Max 400 North is locatedat 391 Quill Drive Suite 100,Dawsonville.

For more information, con-tact Ed Combs at (404) 641-8102 or visit, www.jecproper-ties.com.

Combs

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We help by feedingand serving those in

economic distress in theNorth Georgia area.

- Ed Combs, Re/Max representative

File photo




The last year has not been the best for thereal estate industry, but local realtor KristieMyers, with the Norton Agency, said it isstarting to pick up.

“Things have started to pick up again, andhopefully we will see a stabilization in themarket soon,” she said.

An associate broker who moved to TheNorton Agency this year, Myers is a bigbeliever in local business.

“I like to know that I am with a companythat is as invested in the community as I havebeen. The Norton Agency has deep roots inNorth Georgia,” she said.

Myers said succeeding in the real estateindustry takes thinking outside the box.

“When you have local authority to makethose calls, it makes surviving in this realestate enviroment possible. Real Estate islocal. What Frank Norton Jr. provides with hiscontinual statistics updates provides me withan extra tool to be the best agent I can be.”

Myers began her career in real estate in2004 and was named Rookie of the Year bythe local board of realtors.

She also served as chairman of theDawson County Chamber of Commerce in2008 and is a long time mentor in the DawsonCounty School System.

She has two daughters, Katie, a senior atThe Savannah College of Art and Design, andShelby, a sophomore at Dawson County HighSchool.

“If you are interested in buying or listing,give me a call and we can set up an interviewand see if we are a fit. It takes a local agent tobuy and sell locally,’ Myers said.

For more information, call (706) 429-6800.

Realtor believes in local business

John Megel Ranks in top 10From staff reports

John Megel Chevrolet,which serves the Georgianew and used car markets,is ranked in the Top 10Chevrolet Dealerships intheir southeast district.

The dealership ach-ieved this ranking by lead-ing competitors in sales,

service and customer satis-faction over seven of thelast 10 months.

The company has beenin business for more than19 years providingChevrolet products toGeorgia customers.

John Megel Chevroletspecial izes in GMCertified used vehicles

that have been through a117-point inspection thatensures the vehicle is inexcellent condition andwill provide the buyerreliable transportation.

General ManagerShawn Streib said the“team at John Megel isclearly the best inGeorgia. We have people

who really care about ourcustomers and strive togive them a great car buy-ing and ownership experi-ence.”

John Megel Chevroletis located at 1392 Hwy.400 South, Dawsonville.They can be reached at(800) 917-5837 or (706)265-5400.


The Archbishop andArchdiocese of Atlanta were part ofa procession Nov. 30 that wel-comed a new president at SouthernCatholic College in Dawsonville.

Rev. Shawn Aaron, who hasserved in the capacity for the lastfew months, was officially installedas the college’s second president ina formal ceremony at the college.

He replaced Jeremiah Ashcroft,who retired as president of the col-lege earlier this year.

A California native and the old-est of four children, Aaron made hisdecision to enter the priesthoodduring his college years in the mid-west.

He told those in at tendanceMonday the priesthood was thegreatest gift he had ever received.

“A gif t I could never havedreamed could be so perfect,” hesaid, thanking God, his family andthe church.

Ordained in 2002 in Rome, Italy

Aaron has bachelor’s degrees intheology and philosophy and hasdeveloped activities for the Legionof Christ , of which the collegebecame a member earlier this year.

Following Aaron’s profession offaith and oath of fidelity, WiltonGregory, archbishop of Atlanta,presented him with a cross and wel-comed him.

College installs new presidentCeremony includes Atlanta Archbishop

Photo/Submitted

Father Shawn Aaron, left, was officially installed as the second pres-ident of Southern Catholic College in Dawsonville Nov. 30, replacingJeremiah Ashcroft, who retired as president of the college earlierthis year.



Counselinggroup helpschildrenBy Frank [email protected]

Dr. Amanda Slaughter of Family CounselingAssociates of North Georgia says the businessprides itself on putting children first.

“We take our time with the family, and wereally work hard at helping the child recover andheal, process and understand whatever it is theyneed, and give them strategies and techniques tobe able to go out intothe world and face it,”said Slaughter, whospecializes in counsel-ing children ages 3-12.

Family CounselingAssociates of NorthGeorgia has two loca-t ions, in Cummingand Dawsonville, andhas four counselors ateach location whospecialize in workingwith children andtheir families.

Slaughter, of Dah-lonega, said the staff’s“passion for children” drives them to succeed inthe business. “I love children. That’s my passion,my motivation. I absolutely adore them,” shesaid.

Slaughter said staff were “handpicked specif-ically because they have that same passion forchildren as well. They have a strong desire to seekids heal and recover from divorce, abuse, trau-ma and grief.”

The business is located at 137 ProminenceCourt Suite 120, Dawsonville.

For more information, call (706) 265-8224,or visit www.familycounseling4ng.com.

Staff aims to ‘see kids heal’

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We take our time with the

family, and wereally work hard at helping the

child recover andheal, process and

understand...

Lava unveils new boutique By Michele [email protected]

Exotic jewelry, eclectic gifts and famous labelclothing are now available at the new LavaBoutique, located in Lava Hair Studio onLumpkin Campground Road.

Sandra Ossie with Blooming Angels Events,whose talents range from staging holiday partiesto homes and retail shops, set up the boutique.

Karen Covington, owner of the upscale salonand boutique, says Ossie has a natural flair forbringing a room to life in a unique, harmoniousand inviting way.

Lava held a Holiday Blowout celebration Dec.1 and invited the community to see the new bou-tique.

Staff also gave hair styling demonstrationsand offered 20 percent off all products in thesalon.

The boutique opened in early November.Both are located at 671 Lumpkin Campground

Road, Suite 1, between North Georgia PremiumOutlets and the Blue Bicycle restaurant.

For more information, visit the Web sitewww.lavahairstudio.com, or call (706) 429-0001.

VanessaMcBrayer,manager atLava HairStudio,arranges jew-elry at thesalon’s newboutique,which offersa variety ofeclectic gifts,accessoriesand clothing.

Photos/MicheleHester

Lava Hair Salon staff welcomed the community tothe salon Dec. 1 when they debuted a new clothing,accessory and gift boutique at the salon onLumpkin Campground Road.

By Crystal LedfordDCN regional staff

A Forsyth Countyministry serving womenand children is closer tocompleting its expansionthanks to a large dona-tion from a local busi-ness.

Jim Sharp, director ofAbba House, saidAmerican Proteins andthe company’s owners,the Bagwell family,recently committed toproviding a $150,000matching grant to theorganization.

Abba House, foundedby Sharp and his wifeChris in 1992, is a 12-month residential pro-gram that helps women,some with children,overcome addiction andabuse problems.

The ministry is in theSilver City communityof north Forsyth, nearthe Dawson County line.

Tommy Bagwell saidhis family decided tohelp because AbbaHouse gives women ahand up, rather than ahandout.

“[Abba House] givesthe ladies a chance to

reform and rehabilitatetheir lives,” he said. “Iknow a lot of them gettheir GEDs and gothrough work and train-ing programs.

“The ladies can comeout [of the program]being able to actuallyachieve a level of self-support.”

For nearly two years,Abba House l eade r shave been working toraise about $1.1 mil-lion in order to obtain$1.55 mill ion in loanfunding from the U.S.Depar tmen t o f Agr i -cu l tu re ’s Rura l Dev-elopment.

Abba House appliedfor the low-interestmatching loan in 2004and in July 2007, theministry’s board mem-bers signed necessarydocuments to receive it.

The total funding willbe used to complete thefirst of a two-phasemajor expansion ofAbba House, whichSharp said wil l costabout $2.65 million.

“This [grant] from theBagwells puts us within$300,000 to $400,000 ofreaching our goal and

being able to breakground on the project,”Sharp said. “I’d est i-mate, we should beready to start buildingwithin the next s ixmonths.”

The first phase of theexpansion will include amult i-purpose room,sanctuary, kitchen andcafeteria to feed up to150 people. It also willfeature computer class-rooms, a library, exer-cise rooms and housingfor 25 women and theirchildren.

The second phase willadd another wing of

housing, accommodat-ing 32 women and chil-dren, as well as a chil-dren’s center.

The buildings wil loccupy 22,000 squarefeet on the nearly 10-acre Abba House site on

Dahlonega Highway. A small portion of the

funding for the projectcomes from moneyraised through its thriftstore, though Sharp saidthe majori ty of s toreproceeds go to overheadcosts.

The thrift store nowhas two locations. Oneis on DahlonegaHighway near theDawson County line andthe second is byHammond’s Crossing atHwys. 369 and 306.

Bagwell encouragedsupport of Abba House,saying the matchinggrant is “a challenge”for both its leaders andthe community.

“I t’s a challenge toboth the board and man-agement of Abba Houseto go out and continueto bring in funding andattention [for the pro-gram] . . . and to giveimpetus to have others[potential donors] go outand take a look at theprogram,” he said.

Dawson Chamber Chronicle • December 2009•


Abba House is closer to goalThanks to donation,building may start soon

From staff reports

Good Shepherd Clinic is nowoffering gynecological exams once amonth in downtown Dawsonville.

Women who want to receive serv-ices and exams must live or work inDawson County, have no insurance(either public or private) and earn lessthan 200 percent of the federal pover-

ty guidelines.Eligibility is processed from 2 to 6

p.m. on Thursdays.The clinic is located in the base-

ment of Grace Presbyterian Church, atthe intersection of Hwys. 9 and 53.

Appointments will be made forthose who are eligible.

For more information, call (706)429-9914.

File photo

Jim Sharp looks at the computer lab at Abba House, a residential pro-gram for women in need.

On the NetTo learn more about Abba House and its

programs, go online at www.abbahouse.com.

Clinic expands services


Hwy 53 & GA 400 in Dawsonville,With locations at downtown Dawsonville, Keith Bridge Commons, Cumming and Marble Hill

(706) 216-2265 www.chestateestatebank.com

“Chestatee State Bank took a chance on Conex Recycling in thelate 1990's, and our company's success- many years later- canbe traced back to that moment. During our partnership withthem we have witnessed undyingsupport, from partner buyouts,capital expenditure loans, realestate investment to lines ofcredit, all at great rates, andalways with an air of overall-willingness to see us throughthe peaks and valleys of smallbusiness. We at Conex Recyclingowe a huge debt of gratitude toPhilip Hester, Michelle Leak, theboard members, Connie Smithand a whole host of others.”

Shannon SibbittCONEX RECYCLING

“I have been in business for myself for over 40 years and anyonethat has their own business knows how important their bankingrelationships are. And I do mean “RELATIONSHIPS”, not where you

are just a number, working with abranch manager somewhere thatgets transferred every 6 monthsjust as they get to know yourbusiness……like the BIG BANKSOPERATE.I have had all my business andpersonal banking with CHESTATEESTATE BANK since the bank firstopened in 1998 for two simplereasons, communications and theycare about me. I am talkingabout real down to earth peoplewhere “personal banker” is notjust a made up term to attractlarge deposits. And you knowwhat? I care about them!”

John StanleyPROJECT PLANET

WE’RE LENDING MONEY. HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

december 2009 chamber chronicle

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