march 2010 chamber chronicle

The Member Newsletter of the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce

March 2010

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 expo

brings more than

30 vendors

Harlem Ambassadors entertain locals

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

Underwood

Chamber events bring opportunity to laugh

By Michele [email protected]

There was never any realreason to believe theDawsonville Shooting Starswere going to win the gameagainst the Harlem Amb-assadors.

But give the Shooting Starscredit, because they gave ittheir all Feb. 26 in the gamethat benefitted the DawsonCounty Chamber of Com-merce.

“We were all out of our ele-ments and they picked on us alittle,” said Shooting Star Mike

Underwood. “We knew wewere going to lose going in toit, but it was fun to be a partof.”

The Harlem Ambassadors, acomedic professional basket-ball show team that travels theglobe for fundraising events,entertained a gymnasium ofmore than 300 at DawsonCounty High School.

Based in Colorado, theAmbassadors offer a uniqueblend of family fun basketballfeaturing high flying slam-dunks, dazzling ball-handlingtricks and hilarious comedy

routines.After watching the exhibi-

tion team for about 30 minutesbefore the game, players onthe Shooting Stars questionedwhy they agreed to play.

“Oh, they’re going to killus,” and “Man, that guy’s tall,”were a few comments made asthe Harlem Ambassadors tookto the court.

In the end, even with a 50point head start, theAmbassadors still came outahead.

“They gave us a lot ofpoints, but we think they gavethemselves a few extra points

Shooting Stars ‘out of element’

Michele Hester Dawson Community News

Mike Underwood was out of his element Feb. 26 when hewas fouled several times by Harlem Ambassador Lade Majicas a part of a charity basketball game.See ENTERTAIN | 5

Your Dawson CountyChamber of Commercehosted a basketball eventrecently that brought theHarlem Ambassadors to ourcounty.

If you do not know aboutthe Harlem Ambassadors;their mission statement

includes the following:“Our show is designed to

be fun for customers of allages and in addition to hav-ing a wholesome familyentertainment product, weare also good citizens andwilling role models foryouth, promoting the values

of staying in school, stayingoff drugs and fosteringracial harmony.”

The chamber’s task forthis event was to givewholesome family enter-tainment, have fun and,hopefully, bring a littlelaughter to the audience.

It truly was wholesomefamily entertainment, espe-cially if you were watchingfrom the stands.

However, from inside thelines on the court, fun is arelative term. It could befun throwing the other teamdown to the ground and sit-

ting on them until they sayuncle ... if you’re not the“other team.”

Also, it could be fun tak-ing a local celebrity whowill remain nameless, (Iwill give you a hint, he is a

See LAUGH| 13

From staff reports

While the current econo-my has forced govern-ments to cut back on budg-ets, several counties havebeen pressed to prioritizecommunity programs.

Dawson County recog-nizes the needs of its seniorpopulation as a priority andcontinues to seek opportu-nities to not only keep thesenior programs on track,but to enhance them when-ever possible.

Committed to providingand improving senior serv-ices in Dawson County, theDawson County Board ofCommissioners subsidizes

substantial portions of thetransit program, home-delivered meals and diningand activities held at theDawson County SeniorCenter.

In February, 2,134 mealswere delivered to seniorsand 631 meals were servedat the center.

Dawson County seniorsmay also participate in avariety of classes and activ-ities including exercise, taichi, line dancing, Wii andpainting.

The center also offersnurse services, income taxassistance and transit serv-ices allowing seniors toseek and acquire medical

care, visit the grocery store,pharmacy, post office orthe beauty shop.

To ensure the continua-tion of these vital pro-grams, Dawson Countyapplies yearly for threegrants on a competitive

basis, two of which requirecounty subsidy, accordingto Dawson County SeniorAccountant Kaye Molden.

“Because of the econom-ical downturn, much of ouroutside funding has beenreduced,” Molden said.

One of the most impor-tant steps in making a busi-ness plan is to interviewand select your accountant.

You are in business tomake a profit, so you needa professional to work withyou on your road to suc-cess.

We are in the midst oftax season, which meanstax returns are on every-one’s mind, both businessand personal.

Yes, you can certainlydo a tax return yourself,but chances are excellentthat you will miss a deduc-tion opportunity or notrealize the laws havechanged.

For example, the 2009American Recovery andReinvestment Act providessome benefits that mayapply to you or your com-

pany.Yourtax pre-parer isup todate ontheseandotherlawsand will

insure that you and yourcompany have every bene-fit you are entitled to.

If you still think you cando it yourself, you can findall of your answers atwww.irs.gov.

However, the Web site ishuge and will take thelayperson hours and per-haps days to find theanswer, which is all themore reason to use a localprofessional.

Did you know that our

chamber has nine mem-bers in the accountant andtax preparer category? Ifyou do not already have aprofessional selected toguide you with your com-pany’s finances or yourpersonal finances, I urgeyou to go to the chamberWeb site today and set upan appointment with oneof our members.

Our chamber is set up asa 501c6 organization, thuswe are not charitable, butyour membership duesinvestment would be con-sidered a business expense.

If you sponsored a 2009chamber event, check withyour accountant as a por-tion of your sponsorshipmay be considered a busi-ness or advertisingexpense. (For a list of the2010 chamber event spon-

sor opportunities, just con-tact the chamber office.)

Since I mentioned thebusiness directory on ourWeb site, this is a goodtime to remind everyonethat the Dawson magazinealso has the business direc-tory and is our local quali-ty of life publication forthe community.

This publication has ashelf life of at least a yearand the next edition isbeing developed now. Wewill print 10,000 copiesand we will also print1,000 copies of the busi-ness directory as a stand-alone publication.

If you have been consid-ering joining the chamber,now is the perfect time andyou will be included in thebusiness directory section.

Chamber members who

wish to have a bigger pres-ence in the magazine maypurchase an advertisementin the next edition. HeidiWatts of Great SouthernPublishers is our advertis-ing representative for theDawson magazine. Youmay call Heidi at (678)575-9526 to make anappointment to discussyour advertising options.

In the meantime, I hopeyou have seen the Shop

Local signs at the intersec-tion of Hwy. 53 and Ga.400. Your board of direc-tors and I urge you to con-tinue to shop and do busi-ness locally. I hope to seeyou at a chamber eventsoon.

Won’t you join us?

2 | DAWSON CHAMBER CHRONICLE | dawsonnews.com MARCH 2010

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dawsonnews.com | DAWSON CHAMBER CHRONICLE | 3MARCH 2010

MarchMarch 11: Join the chamberat noon at the LakeviewCenter, 2057 Dawson ForestRoad, for a very specialluncheon as Teachers of theYear for Dawson County arerecognized. Vicki Carlisle,Robinson Elementary;Teresa Conowal, KiloughElementary & SystemWinner; Paula Cox, DawsonCounty Middle; Chris Gore,Dawson County HighSchool; Pat Harris,Riverview Middle and LisaRobin, Black's MillElementary. TwoSponsorships are still avail-able at $100. Call Pam at thechamber if you are interest-ed in being a sponsor, at(706) 265-6278. Specialthanks to Kroger and CocaCola of Gainesville for host-ing the luncheon and a spe-cial thanks goes toAppalachian CommunityBank as a $100 sponsor forthe luncheon.

March 17: Happy St.Patrick's Day! AmicalolaFalls will have a traditionalSt Patty's Day lunch withcorned beef, cabbage andsuch for lunch and the priceis $8.49.

March 18 and 25: 2-PartSeries QuickBooks SeriesTime: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.Location: SunTrust Bank,6602 Hwy. 53 SE,Dawsonville, GA 30534.Series Cost: $199.00. Pre-registration required/seat-ing limited.QuickBooks is an indispen-sable accounting tool forthe small business owner.This 2-part workshop pro-vides participants withhands-on experience in theQuickBooks environment,including case studies thatallow you to heighten yourcomputer-assisted account-

ing skills through practicalexercises. Appropriate fornewcomers and experi-enced users of the software.The series consists of two,all day classes. For moreinformation, call (770) 531-5681. Contact the SBDCoffice at 999 ChestnutStreet, Gainesville, GA30501. Funded in partthrough a cooperativeagreement with the U.S.Small BusinessAdministration

March 23: Business AfterHours will be held from 5-7p.m. Location has yet to bedetermined. Special thanksto our cash drawing spon-sors AFLAC-SharonReagan, Anderson FamilyMedicine-Dr. LarryAnderson, The NortonAgency- Kristie Myers,United Community Bank-James Askew, Van KeithInsurance Agency ofDawsonville LLC- AnnGrizzle and Healthy Eatingon the Run, BarbaraRoberts. You must be pres-ent to win if your name iscalled.

AprilApril 4: Happy Easter! Checkout www.forresthillsresort-.com, and www.amicalo-lafalls.com for their lunchspecials.

April 8: Lunch with thechamber will be held atnoon at the LakeviewCenter, 2057 Dawson ForestRoad, Dawsonville.AdministrativeProfessionals will be recog-nized. Call Pam Hamalainenand let her know if you willbe bringing your adminis-trative assistant to theluncheon. Members andvisitors -register online by 5p.m. on Monday, March 8.Go to www.dawson.org,

click on "Chamber ofCommerce," then "Events& Registration." The EarlyBird Special for lunch is$12.50 if you R.S.V.P. beforeApril 5. Lunch will be $15after the drop date. Visitorsare welcome to attend andpay $18 for lunch.

April 17: United CommunityBank Junior Board'sfundraiser for Relay for Life.This year the junior boardof director's is hosting a carshow to raise money forRelay for Life. The car showis called the Relay Rod Run.It will be held in the bank'sparking lot on Ga. 400. Theshow will take place fromnoon until 4 p.m. The cost is$15 per car for pre-registra-tion, and $20 for day of reg-istration. Cumming'sJunior Board of Directors istaking part in the car showas well. Hot dogs, drinks,chips and dessert will be forsale. For more information,contact Kara Hewatt, busi-ness development officer,United Community Bank, at(706) 265-3232, ext. 1126 ore-mail [email protected].

April 27: Join us at TheDawson County HumaneSociety as they host thismonth's Business afterHours from 5-7 p.m. Specialthanks to our cash drawingsponsors: AFLAC-SharonReagan, Anderson Family Medicine-Dr. LarryAnderson, The NortonAgency- Kristie Myers,United Community Bank-James Askew, Van KeithInsurance Agency ofDawsonville, LLC- AnnGrizzle and Healthy Eatingon the Run - BarbaraRoberts. You must be pres-ent to win if your name iscalled. For more informa-tion, call Kay Harris at (706)265-9160.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

ATLANTA — Gov. SonnyPerdue and Georgia Chamberof Commerce President andCEO George M. Israel IIIrecently announced the launchof Hire Work Ready, a newinitiative designed to providefunding to small businessesthat hire Work Ready certifiedemployees.

“Our state’s small business-es are the engine that drivesour economy,” said Perdue.“To ensure our state’s long-term prosperity, it is impera-tive that we give them thetools necessary to not onlyweather the economic down-turn, but emerge stronger andready for growth.”

Companies employing 50 orfewer people are eligible toreceive $250 per certifiedWork Ready individual hired,up to $1,250 total, to assistwith hiring and training costs.The funding for Hire WorkReady comes from theAmerican Recovery andReinvestment Act.

Georgia small businessesmay apply for the reimburse-ment by visiting the WorkReady Web site(www.gaworkready.org) andfollowing the Hire WorkReady link under theEmployers tab to complete ashort application. To be eligi-ble, firms must participate in aWork Ready information ses-sion and be in good financialstanding with the state.

“Georgia Work Ready isone of our state’s strongesteconomic development tools

because it ensures we have thebest possible workforce,” saidIsrael. “By hiring Work Readycertified individuals, ourstate’s small businesses canenjoy all the benefits largeremployers enjoy — great pro-ductivity, lower training costsand higher morale.”

The Governor’s Office ofWorkforce Development,which oversees Georgia WorkReady, estimates Hire WorkReady will encourage the hir-ing of 2,000 certified WorkReady people by more than400 small businesses through-out the state.

Georgia Work Ready isbased on a skills assessment,certification and skills gaptraining for job seekers and ajob profiling system for busi-nesses.

By identifying both theneeds of business and theavailable skills of Georgia’sworkforce, the state can moreeffectively generate the righttalent for the right jobs.

For more information, visitwww.gaworkready.org.

Georgia launchesHire Work Readyfor small businessSmall businesses eligible forhiring, training reimbursement

‘...Our state’s small businessescan enjoy all the benefits largeremployers enjoy...’George M. Israel IIIGeorgia Chamber ofCommerce president

From staff reports

Dawson County FBLAstudents attended theRegion 9 FBLA competi-tion at Woodland HighSchool on Jan. 26.

The following studentscompeted in a variety ofbusiness subject areas,where they put their skillsand knowledge to workearning them the opportu-nity to represent DawsonCounty High School at thestate FBLA conference.

The state conferencewill be held in March inAtlanta.

Business Communica-tions - first place Brittney

MacDonaldBusiness Math - first

place Grant Shope, secondplace Chris Bywaltz andthird place Clay Glover

Computer Applications -third place Megan WelchDesktop Publishing Team- second place team LoganPorter and BrittneyMacDonald

Introduction toTechnology - fourth PlaceChloe Beacham

Personal Finance - fifthplace Lyric Baty

Spreadsheet Design -second Place - Lyric Baty

Word Processing II -third place Audra Vaugh-ters

Job Interview - thirdPlace Audra Vaughters

Public Speaking I - sec-ond place Cody Hall

Public Speaking II - firstplace Kayse Redmon

Future Business Leader

- second place LoganPorter

Monopoly Team Finalist(moving on to state fromfall competition) - Team ofLyric Baty, Erin Pruitt andKris Sewell.


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

P.O Box 1096137 Prominence Court

Suite 240Dawsonville, GA 30534

Shop local campaign kicks offBy Frank [email protected]

The Dawson CountyChamber of Commercehas announced a cam-paign to encourage coun-ty residents to keep con-sumer dollars in the cityand county.

According to chamberambassador co-chairCarol Tyger, ambassadorswill visit chamber mem-bers and give the businessa window decal to displayprominently in their win-dows. The decal promotesthe campaign.

Added Tyger:“Chamber members willbenefit by encouragingDawson County residentsto shop local. It will alsolet visitors from out ofour county know that weare committed to keeping

business in the county,especially during thesehard economic times.”

Chamber board ofdirectors MikeUnderwood said it’s atimely measure.

“We are very concernedthat many of our localbusinesses are hurting andneed help. Our organiza-tion needs to do whateverwe can to supply thathelp,” said Underwood.

The discussions led to arenewed “Shop Local”campaign.

Shop Local was origi-nally kicked off in 2008,but Linda Williams, presi-dent of the chamber,agreed that the programneeded to be refreshed toaddress the current situa-tion.

Williams noted that thegreatest contribution citi-

zens can make duringthese difficult times is tomaximize their spendingat county businesses.

The shop local decals

display the “DawsonSays” logo with tag lines,‘Shop local-find it here!Spend it here! and Buy ithere!’

Decals are availablefrom any chamber ambas-sador or by visiting thechamber office.

The chamber boardbelieves a considerableamount of spending stillgoes outside the county.Many citizens do not givemuch thought to the con-sequences for local busi-nesses by not shoppinglocally.

Williams referred to astudy by the SmallBusiness Blog called the“3/50 Project” that foundfor every $100 spent atlocal businesses, $68returns to the communityin taxes, payrolls andother local expenditures.

For spending at nationalchains, $43 returns to thelocal community.

If the $100 is spentonline nothing comes

back home.The chamber will step

up efforts to convincelocal residents and visi-tors to spend their moneyin Dawson County, as afirst choice.

The effort will supportand increase retail sales,business services andbus iness - to -bus inessspending. The programwill help both chambermembers and non-mem-bers.

“When non memberssee what we’re trying todo and how it might bene-fit them, they will consid-er joining our organiza-tion to help promote allDawson County business-es. A rising tide lifts allboats. That’s what weneed to have happen withlocal spending,” saidWilliams.

Frank Reddy Dawson Community News

Lori Lewis, left, and Carol Tyger display one ofthe shop local decals.

Dawson FBLA wins at region competition

For the Dawson Community News

Dawson County’s Logan Porter, far right, servedas a Region 9 Officer this year. As part of hisduties, he assisted in conducting training work-shops and the awards program with his team ofregion officers.


also,” joked Shooting Star Coach WillWade.

Lade Majic, coach for the HarlemAmbassadors, kept both the spectators andher opponents laughing at her team’s anticsduring the game, which was put on by theDawson County Chamber of Commerce.

“We all had a lot of fun,” said Wade. “Wegot to laugh at ourselves and laugh a lot ateach other.”

Underwood, who serves as chairman ofthe chamber’s board of directors, was one ofseveral volunteer players who became targetsof laughter during the game.

Underwood, Associate Magistrate JudgeTony Tarnacki and Dawsonville CityCouncilman Calvin Byrd were awarded bestAttitude honors by Wade for “being suchgreat sports.”

“I don’t know how many times I gotfouled, but they were on me, for sure,” saidUnderwood.

Karen Spencer, Stephanie Sosebee, Billy

Thurmond, Jason Knight and TJ Day werethe Shooting Stars’high scorers.

“It was just a great show,” said MartyWilliams, vice president of the chamber.“We had a lot of great volunteers that made itsuch a success and I think everyone got theirmoney’s worth and went home happy.”

FROM 1

Entertain: Benefits chamber

By Frank [email protected]

More than half ofDawson County’s resi-dents now hold a librarycard.

I t s tems from a 10percent increase inlibrary visits from 2008-09, said StaceyLeonhardt , DawsonCounty branch manager.

In addition, Internetuse at the library is up24 percent , and chil-dren’s programs are see-

ing gradual increasedattendance as well.

Leonhardt credits leaneconomic times for thesurge of patrons.

“We’re hearing moreand more that people arenot purchasing books asmuch as they used to,because they’re trying tocut their budgets every-where they can,”Leonhardt said.

She attributed the risein free Internet use atthe library to residents“gett ing r id of theirhome Internet service,because they’re cuttingcosts.”

Added Leonhardt:

“People will also checkout lots of DVDs recent-ly as a form of visualentertainment.”

Children’s programsare seeing increasednumbers too. “Peopleare trying to find freethings they can do withtheir kids,” she said.

For more informationabout the DawsonCounty Library, cal l(706) 344-3690, or visitwww.chestateelibrary.-org.

The next DawsonCounty Library Boardmeeting is scheduled for5 p.m. April 19 at theDawson County Library.

Library use surgesin Dawson CountyLocals seekfree media

Lade Majic


Organizers call lastmonth’s inaugural NorthGeorgia Home Expo ahuge success.

The expo featuredmore than 30 local ven-dors from the residentialbuilding industry whoshowcased a variety ofnew construction andremodeling exhibits Feb.27 and 28 at theLakeview Center inDawsonville.

Sponsored by theDawson Lumpkin Home-builders Association, theexpo is expected to beheld each year around thesame time due to the suc-cess of the first event.

“We may have hadmore people come out onSunday, and we were realhappy with the number of

people we had onSaturday,” said JimHamilton, a member ofthe association that vol-unteered throughout theweekend.

Display booths rangedfrom vinyl siding andwindows, to landscapingand roofing possibilities.

Developers andbuilders also showcasedresidential neighborhoodsavailable in the area,while home improvementstores offered ideas forspring renovations.

Rory Cunningham,president of the buildersassociation, said he waspleased with the turnoutand happy to be a part ofshowcasing local busi-nesses to the community.


Rory Cunningham, president of the Dawson Lumpkin HomebuildersAssociation, talks to a visitor at the North Georgia Home Expo Feb. 28.The event was presented by the association to show what building andimprovement companies are available locally.

Home expo a successMore than 30 vendors set up booths

‘...We were realhappy with thenumber of peoplewe had...’

Jim HamiltonHomebuilders association member


• Shop chamber members first.• Shopping local keeps sales tax dollars working for you.• Are you certified Work Ready? To learn more, call (706) 265-6278.• Funding for Dawson County and Georgia is in ourhands. The U.S. Census is only 10 short questions. Be sureto mail it back and be counted.

Please let the Chamber know when you have a special event


Dawson County offi-cials wanted to give some-thing back to a longtimedaycare director, who for30 years oversaw opera-tions at a building nowbeing used as the electionoffice.

To honor LeilaChappell, they named thebuilding after her.

Nearly 50 people gath-ered Feb. 19 outside thenew elections office ascounty officials removed atarp from the front of thebuilding to reveal its newname.

It was a shock toChappell.

“I was very surprised,and I was honored,” shesaid Feb. 22. “I can leavethis world now feeling mygrandchildren can go bythere and know that their

grandmama worked therefor 30 years.”

County officials con-gratulated Chappell forthe honor and welcomedher to take part in the rib-bon cutting.

Kevin Tanner, countymanager, gave the Feb. 19crowd a brief glimpse atChappell’s work historywith the county.

“Mrs. Chappell is leg-endary among the youngpeople in DawsonCounty,” Tanner said.Chappell worked forseven years as a kinder-garten teacher with HeadStart. She later becamedirector of the county-rundaycare center, a positionshe held for 32 years.

The daycare building,which was renamed forChappell, was secured bya grant pioneered by JoeLane Cox, who wasDawson County’s Sole

Commissioner at the time.“Many people in

Dawson County came upthrough their youngergrades with Mrs.

Chappell,” Tanner said.“She touched a lot of liveshere and a lot of peopleare better people becauseof the work she did.”

Chappell said Feb. 22the work was always apleasure.

“Those were the happi-est days of my life,” she

said. “I’ve always lovedchildren, and I enjoyedworking with them. Theywere my babies.”

Her 30-plus years in thebuilding that is now theelection office were well-spent, she said. “I’ve got alot of memories there, andI’m glad the board of elec-tions inherited a goodbuilding.”

Mike Berg, DawsonCounty Commissionchairman, said Feb. 19that the building is “a finefacility...and it’s a credit tothe folks who worked onit to improve it so that theelections board could getin there and serve the citi-zens.”

The former electionoffice on Memory Lanewas vacated in Januaryafter the U.S. Departmentof Justice approved thecounty’s request to com-bine precincts.


Dawson County officials honor Leila Chappell, center, for her daycare serviceto the county. The new board of elections office on Academy Avenue wasnamed for Chappell Feb. 19 during a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Office honors ‘legendary’ woman

From staff reports

Have a fling in Dawsonvillethis spring. The Dawson CountyArts Council once again plans tothrow a party like no other.

Come enjoy the arts council’sninth annual Spring FlingFestival, May 1 and 2. Eventswill run from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.both days at the Dawson CountyMiddle School complex locatedbetween Hwys. 9 North and 53in downtown Dawsonville.Locals may know the Art Centeras the “Old Rock School.”

The festival will feature gar-dening plants and accessories,juried arts and crafts, children’sfun area, food and entertainment.

The garden themed art in thegarden will feature live plantsfrom many vendors; such as mas-ter gardener Dave Rusk. Ruskwill be returning for his ninthyear at the event. He bringspainted benches, windows, gatesand watering cans, along withsome of his favorite plants.

There will be handmade jew-elry, pottery, woodworking,handmade outdoor furniture andplenty of artists to help you getinto the Spring Fling mood.

There will be an antique andclassic car show for the autobuffs, the Mountain Art BikeRide for bikers, and a fun runfor all runners, all in one fun-filled weekend.

The festival is free, as is park-ing at the event.

The Bowen Center for theArts is housed on the DawsonCounty Middle SchoolComplex grounds. The BowenCenter will be featuring theGeorgia National Water ColorExhibit during the fun-filledweekend.

The Water Color show fea-tures dozens of watercolors byartists from across the countrywith their colorful abstracts,gorgeous portraits and awe-inspiring landscapes.

For more information, visitwww.dawsonarts.org, or call theBowen Center for the Arts at(706) 216-2787.

Spring Fling will be May 1, 2


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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

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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.

February totals Telephone referrals:

1,091Walk-in visitors:

122

From staff reports

Chamber of CommerceAmbassadors have beguna new program to tourlocal businesses duringspring this year.

Ambassador ProgramCo-chair Carol Tygersaid: “Ambassadors are onthe move ... visiting busi-nesses will give them achance to go behind thescenes and discover whatmakes them a special partof our overall businesscommunity.”

Ambassadors plan tovisit RIC Rack during themonth of March as thefirst stop on the spring

business tour.Tyger said those wish-

ing to have their businesson the tour should call thechamber office to sign up.The number is (706) 265-6278.

File photo

Kristopher Killion, 18, cleans up at RIC RackThrift Store last month. The location is the firststop on the Dawson County Chamber ofCommerce Spring Tour of Businesses.

Tour of businessesbegins this month

‘Visiting busi-nesses will givethem a chanceto go behind thescenes...’

Carol TygerAmbassador programco-chair

Tree committee honorscounty facilities staffBy Michele [email protected]

Each Arbor Day, theDawson County TreePreservation Committeerecognizes individuals inthe community who goabove and beyond in theirefforts to preserve trees.

When the DawsonCounty facilities staff plant-ed a Willow Oak Tree atRock Creek Park for theannual Arbor Day celebra-tion Feb. 19, they had noidea the tree they plantedwould be dedicated in theirhonor.

“They take care of ourtrees and make sure theylive and prosper,” saidDave Hinderliter, chairmanof the Dawson CountyTree Preservation Com-mittee, as he addressed acrowd during the ceremo-ny. “It’s been an honor towork with them.”

Other recipients includeJim Kinsey with KinseyFamily farms, whodonates a tree each yearfor the event, the DawsonCounty Woman’s Club,which works throughoutthe year on gardens theycreated at the park, Ben

Overstreet, DawsonCounty Humane Societyand George David.

This year, Hinderlitersaid the committee wantedto honor the facilities stafffor all they do to make thepark so inviting and beau-tiful for the community.

“We thank you for tak-ing care of our trees,”Hinderliter said.


The Dawson County facilities maintenance staff was named TreePreservationist of 2009 by the Dawson County Tree PreservationCommittee on Feb. 19 during the annual Arbor Day celebration at RockCreek Park.

‘They take care of our trees andmake sure they live and prosper.’

Dave HinderliterChairman of the Dawson County Tree Preservation Committee


Thank YouChamber Building Fund

Sponsors

PropertyInvestmentAssociates

Big Canoe Property OwnersAssociation Couch, Inez and BobDawson Community News Dawson County FamilyConnection Dawson Fine Wine andSpiritsNorthside Hospital ForsythSleeveCo, Inc.Southern Professionals Inc.The Blue BicycleBB & TBennett Landscape, Inc.CMIT SolutionsACCARES Wholeness Center State Farm InsuranceCompany, Roger Slaton ANH Collision Specialist LLCBarry, Charles and CarolBrooksher Feed and FarmSupply Comfort KeepersCompton, Robert M.Dawson VisionWanda G. Stephens, PrimeProperty Wild Birds UnlimitedAnna B. WilliamsBlue Cross Blue ShieldHealthcare Plan GA Church of the ApostlesDonald III, Norman H.Etowah Water and SewerAuthority Harder, BettyMark Heard Fuel CompanyNorth Georgia PremiumOutlets The Outside WorldTim Couch PC CPAUnited Community Bank Victory Custom Homes, Inc.Power Realty PartnersMill Creek EnvironmentalServices, Inc. McEver Signs and Graphics.Alden Trace ApartmentsBader & AssociatesK.C. Fuller & Associates LLCWendy'sColeman, WilmaHarmon, Dendy and Judy

King, Nancy and WarrenMcClure, Aline Ms.Stelor Handyman ServicesLLCDawsonville Family MedicineLava Hair StudioHillcrest OrchardsAFLACDawson Family PhysiciansRyan'sBest BankLakeview Center of DawsonCounty LLC Dawson Pediatrics, PCGainesville State CollegeHill Design AssociatesArchitects Inc. Crystal Falls Lake & GolfClub Living 400 Floor Covering, Inc.Ballard, PeggyBastuba, Jim & PhyllisLonghorn Steakhouse ofDawsonvilleGraves, Jane & LionelMcClure, Cliff & ArleneCitruSolution of Dawson andLumpkin Co.Bethel United MethodistChurchChestatee Regional HospitalDawson County TaxCommissionerFox, Chandler, Homans,Hicks and McKinnonKeller Williams Realty LegacyGroup-Polman McCubrey, Evand Donna Baling, Bill andFran Stowers, Fred and Dru Mario Hair Studio Infratec Consultants Inc.Painted Lady EnterprisesForrest Hills Mountain ResortKennison PhotographyComfort InnDawsonville DistinctiveDentistryFirst Baptist Church ofDawsonvilleGoodson's PharmacyImpulse Manufacturing Inc.MPH Systems Specialties Inc.Taco Bell of Dawsonville

MEMBER RENEWALS


Three locals have beenselected as DawsonCounty Chamber ofCommerce Ambassadorsof the Month for March.

Their backgrounds arevaried — as well as thework they do. Despitethat, all seem to agreethat being a chamberambassador is “all aboutpromoting and helpingpeople understand whatthe chamber does andhow it can help them.”

Angela Harben, who isan administrative assis-tant and office managerat K.C. Fuller &Associates, said being inthe chamber of com-merce has its perks, butbeing an ambassadormeans “you have tomake it a big priority,

because you’re a repre-sentative of the chamberfor the people youmeet.”

Harben, an Elli jaynative, is married toShannon Harben. Theylive in Juno, and theyattend Juno BaptistChurch.

“One of the things I’vealways wanted to dosince I was a little girl isbe really involved in acommunity, so I’ve beengiven that opportunity asa chamber member andan ambassador,” she said.

Harben said the secretto doing good business is“being a people personand putting your armsaround people and treat-ing them like family.”

Denny Putlak, a fellowambassador of the monthfor March, agreed.

“That’s our slogan,”

Putlak said. “Treat yourcustomer like they’refamily. We live by that. Ifyou treat everybody as ifthey’re a family mem-ber, then you knowyou’re doing the rightthing. Everything elsewil l fal l into placebeyond that.”

Putlak owns DennyInsurance Group, anindependent agency thatsells all lines of insur-ance, personal and com-mercial.

A 20-year insuranceveteran, Putlak has beena member of the chamberof commerce since mov-ing to Dawson County in2006.

“The key to doinggood business in DawsonCounty, or anywhere forthat matter,” Putlak said,“is getting plugged intothe local community, and

the chamber ambassadorprogram gives you thatopportunity.”

The third in the Marchambassador trio, KaraHewatt, echoed thoseremarks.

“The ambassador pro-

gram is a chance to meetmembers of the commu-nity,” Hewatt said. “It’san honor, because thechamber wants people tobe ambassadors who aregoing to represent thechamber well.”

Hewatt, a businessdevelopment officer atUnited CommunityBank, considers herself“a people person.”

“I love being aroundpeople, and that’s whatmy job entails,” she said.

Hewatt grew up inJacksonville, Fla, andmoved to the northGeorgia area about 10years ago. She graduatedfrom North GeorgiaCollege & State Uni-versity, and decided tostick around.

She is married toRussell Hewatt, whoworks at Chestatee StateBank.

“The chamber does somuch for the community,”Hewatt said. “They haveso many distinguishedrepresentatives, and I’mproud to be involved andto give of my time.”


Cedar HillsEnrichment CenterKat Stratton5735 DawsonvilleHwy. Gainesville, GA 30506(770) 887-0051Enrichment [email protected]

Sierra LoggingCompany LLCStephanie Joyce6625 Hwy 53 EastSte 410-188 Dawsonville, GA30534(770) 783-0100Logging

[email protected]

Ink X-ChangeDawn Kimble58 Hwy 9 SouthDawsonville, GA30534(706) 216-8753Ink & [email protected]

K & K Design IncLinda Kiker54 Miners WayDawsonville, GA30534(706) 429-0027Automotive/ Fire

[email protected]

Cindy Sedor, LMTCindy Sedor37 Danyelle DriveDawsonville, GA 30534(770) 757-6240Massage [email protected]

East Edge ClimbingGymDerek Ruffner228 Holly CircleDawsonville, GA30534, (912) 536-6209Retail, [email protected]

NEW MEMBERS

AMBASSADORS CORNER

Trio picked as March ambassadors


From left, Denny Putlak, Kara Hewatt and AngelaHarben were selected as the Dawson CountyChamber of Commerce Ambassadors of theMonth for March.


Dawson County Teachersof the Year will be honoredtomorrow during the cham-ber’s monthly luncheon atthe Lakeview Center.

Each spring, the DawsonCounty Chamber of Com-merce sets aside one lunch-eon to honor the school sys-tem’s teachers of the year.

Teachers to be recognizedare: Vicki Carlisle,Robinson Elementary;Teresa Conowal of KiloughElementary andSystemwide Teacher of theYear; Paula Cox of Dawson

County Middle; Chris Goreof Dawson County HighSchool; Pat Harris ofRiverview Middle and LisaRobin of Black’s MillElementary.

The luncheon begins atnoon. The cost will be $15for chamber members and$18 for visitors.

Last month’s guest speak-er was Georgia LaborCommissioner MichaelThurmond. He oversees thestate’s employment servic-es, unemployment insur-ance, workforce develop-ment, rehabilitation servic-es, safety engineering andworkforce information and

analysis.Thurmond, a Democrat,

has said he is considering arun for lieutenant governor.

In January, Cobb CountyCommission Chair SamOlens, who is running forattorney general, was theguest speaker.

Olens was the fourth indi-vidual running for officethis year to speak to thechamber in recent months.

Gubernatorial candidatesNathan Deal, Karen Handeland John Oxendine havealso addressed the group.

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

Chamber to honor teachers



Chamber membersgathered Feb. 23 atNorthside Imaging Centerfor the month’s businessafter hours event.

A name was drawn forthe monthly cash prize,but Christine Wilbankswasn’t present. Themoney pot increases to$500 for next month’sevent.

Northside ImagingCenter MammographerTerry Johnson said thegathering “was a greattime.

“We had a lot of posi-tive response from thepublic, so I was verypleased with the wayeverything went,” Johnsonsaid. “We got a chance toshow off some of thethings we have here.”

Johnson said the office,which is a division ofNorthside Hospital, spe-cializes in digital radiog-raphy, or routine x-rays,and digital mammogra-phy.

Johnson said it was thefirst time the business hashad the opportunity toplay host to the afterhours event.

After hours is advanta-geous, Johnson said,“because you get to meetsome of the other businesspeople in the community.They get to see what youoffer and what you dothere.”

Added Johnson: “It’sgood networking. It’s veryrelaxed. You feel at easetalking with people andgetting to know them.”

Next month’s businessafter hours is scheduledfor 5-7 p.m. March 23. Asof press time, the locationhad not been determined.

For more information,visit www.dawson.org.

February’s afterhours a ‘great time’


Cindy Sedor enjoyshelping others feel bet-ter.

A licensed massagetherapist specializing indeep t i ssue , Swedishand hot stone massage,Sedor said her true pas-sion is a l ight touchtechnique that al lowsthe body to connecti t se l f and come backinto a balanced state.

Craniosacral therapycan help relieve a fullspectrum of pain, dys-funct ion and i l lness ,including migraines and

headaches, chronic neckand back pain , bra inand spinal cord injuries,TMJ syndrome, fibro-myalgia , scol ios is ,ADD/ADHD and manyother conditions.

“I would l ike thecommunity to know thatmy business is unique,as I have a medicalbackground as a respi-ratory therapist prior togoing to massage thera-py school,” Sedor said.

“I love working withpeople to help themachieve their optimalhealth.”

Sedor said servicescould benefi t anyone

seeking stress relief andpain relief, as well asgeneral well being.

“Because the work isso gentle, craniosacraltherapy can be effectivefor all ages, from new-borns to e lders ,” shesaid.

Sedor offers massageand craniosacral thera-py a t PhysiotherapyAssociates, located at6002 Hwy. 53 East ,Suite 100, Dawsonville.

She can be reached at(770) 757-6240 or (706)265-8790, or v is i twww.iahp.com/cindyse-dor

Massage therapist offersunique healing services

local councilman for acity that begins with theletter D), and makinghim look like SteveUrkel showing off his“tidy whities”....if you’renot the “celebrity.”

It might not be asmuch fun if you’re onthe receiving team. Nah,we were the receivingteam and it was definite-ly fun, lots of fun.

It was kind of likebeing in an old“wrestling” match WWEstyle and we were RickySteamboat and theHarlem Ambassadorswere Andre the Giant.We all knew who wouldwin that match. Yet, eventhough the HarlemAmbassadors had thehighest score, we wereall winners.

I was told by someonewho was at the eventthat “it was fun just tolaugh again with every-thing that is going on.”

It was fun to laughagain, and laugh we did.

I have heard it saidthat laughter can addyears to our life span.Now, whether or not thatis true is still debatable.However, one thing isfor sure, laughter maynot add years to yourlife, but it will add life toyour years.

I am learning (that’s astory in itself, because itseems I am alwayslearning), not to takemyself so serious,because the reality is, noone else is.

I might as well lightenup, which is not a bad

idea for all of us.However, some of us arecarrying pretty heavyburdens right now, butlaughter and joy canlighten that load for us.

The writer James putsit this way: “Consider itpure joy, my brothers,whenever you face trialsof many kinds.”

So today, I am goingto try and laugh a littlemore, and who knows,in the process, it mightbring a smile to some-one else.

Well, it’s that timeagain. Dr. Ben-Gay iswaiting for me in thenext room ... can’t belate to pick him up.

See you next time.

Mike UnderwoodChairman


Tom Quintrell and Lade Majic of the Harlem Ambassadors show thereferee he made a bad call in Friday night's game between theAmbassadors and the Dawsonville Shooting Stars.

FROM 1

Laugh: ‘We were all winners’


James Askew

United Community BankP.O. Box 159Dawsonville, GA 30534(706) 265-3232

Brooke Anderson

(ex-officio)Etowah Water & Sewer Authority1162 Hwy. 53 EastDawsonville, GA 30534(706) 216-6168

Charlie Auvermann

(ex-officio)Development Authority of DawsonCountyExecutive DirectorP.O. Box 299Dawsonville, GA 30534(706) 265-8761

Jennifer Baker

United Community BankP.O. Box 159Dawsonville, GA 30534(706) 265-3232

Calvin Byrd

(ex-officio)Byrd's Mini Storage5040A Hwy. 53 EastDawsonville, GA 30534(706) 216-4470

Kathy Fuller - Treasurer

K.C. Fuller & AssociatesP.O. Box 1096Dawsonville, GA 30534(706) 216-4806

Keith Porter (ex-officio)

Dawson County SchoolsP.O. Box 208Dawsonville, GA 30534(706) 265-3246

Mike Berg (ex-officio)

Dawson County Board ofCommissionersChairman78 Howard Avenue EastSuite 100Dawsonville, GA 30534

Peter Hill

Hill Design Associates Architects436 Academy AvenueDawsonville, GA 30534(706) 531-9998

John Jordan

(Individual Member)119 Winterhawk CoveDawsonville, GA 30534(706) 216-2527

Warren King

(Individual Member)1038 Chestatee PointDawsonville, GA 30534(706) 216-4306

Kristie Myers - 2008 Chairman

Norton AgencyGa. 400 and Settendown RoadSettendown Village(706) 429-6800

Denny Putlak

Denny Insurance Group42 Grant Road EastDawsonville, GA 30534(706) 216-1750

Rhonda Tower

Tower Automotive6198 Hwy. 53 EastDawsonville, GA 30534(706) 216-1321

Carol Tyger (Ambassador

representative)

131 Robert Houser DriveDawsonville, GA 30534(706) 265-7006

Mike Underwood (Chairman)

First Citizens Bank of GeorgiaP.O. Box 809Dawsonville, GA 30534(706) 216-5900

Jay Walker - 2009 Chairman

Kroger6625 Hwy. 53 EastDawsonville, GA 30534(706) 216-5500

Linda Williams

(ex-officio)Dawson County Chamber ofCommerceP.O. Box 299Dawsonville, GA 30534(706) 265-6278

Stephanie Womack

2011 Chair-electChestatee State Bank6639 Hwy. 53 EastDawsonville, GA 30534(706) 216-2265

DAWSON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2010 BOARD OF DIRECTORS


Locals tie the knot ... again


It’s the second yearthat Chief MagistrateJudge Lisa Thurmondhas conducted vowrenewals and weddingsas a free Valentine’s Daygift for lovebirds lookingto tie the knot for thefirst or second time.

Couples like Rupertand Catherine Cart-wright showed up for theFeb. 12 vow renewal cer-emony at the historiccourthouse in downtownDawsonville.

The Cartwright Familyrenewed vows alongsidedaughter and son-in-law,Vanessa and Roy Foutswho have been married36 years now. The Foutsalso renewed vows.

“Roy asked me to dothis, because he saw it inthe paper, and when Imentioned it to momma,she asked daddy,”Vanessa Fouts said. “Wefigured we’d make it afamily activity.”

Her father, RupertCartwright, said theyhad been planning torenew their vows for awhile. “We’ve been

wanting to do this forsome time now,” he said.

Wife, Catherine, saidwhen they got married57 years ago the onlyperson there for theoccasion was the justiceof the peace who con-ducted the affair.

Their daughter andson-in-law didn’t have abig ceremony for theirwedding either.

“It was really great tobe able to do this,”Vanessa Fouts said. “Thewhole thing was all veryexciting.”

Thurmond marriedtwo couples and heldseven vow renewals Feb.12.

“It’s something that’sreally a win-win foreveryone,” Thurmondsaid. “I enjoy doing it,

and it’s something spe-cial for the people whocome.”

Cathy Brooks, spokes--person for DawsonCounty, said Thurmondtruly enjoys the ceremo-ny.

“Last year was thefirst t ime we did i t ,”Brooks said. “It wasJudge Thurmond’s firstyear in office, and shewanted to give some-thing back to the com-munity. She wanted to

do a feel-good thing forthe community.”

Catherine Cartwrightfeels pretty good aboutit.

“This will be a verymemorable Valentine’sDay,” she said.

Magistrate courtoffers free services


Chamber members, from left, Barbara and Joe Fulmer, Karl and PamHamalainen and Marcia and Doug Darlow, all renewed the wedding vowsat the historic courthouse in Dawsonville Feb. 12. Magistrate Judge LisaThurmond performed the ceremonies.


Catherine and Rupert Cartwright embrace as Judge Lisa Thurmond con-ducts a vow renewal ceremony Feb. 12 at the historic courthouse.


Main Office, Hwy. 53 & 400 • (706) 216-BANKWith locations in downtown Dawsonville, Keith Bridge Commons-Cumming & Marble Hill

“A very special thanksgoes to Chestatee StateBank. A talentedgroup of truly serviceoriented people who creatively take dreamsand make a fantasticreality possible. Theyhave always helped uspursue our passionwhich is taking care ofyou. With a leader like

Mr. Philip Hester, you know its going to be a win-win situation.”

Dr. Matthew Dunford & Dr. Michelle MorrowDawsonville Distinctive Dentistry

“Chestatee State Bankprovided personal servicefrom their President,Philip Hester, my initialbusiness loans and secondmortgage, reliable bankingservice for business andpersonal accounts andfriendly, prompt service onall occasions. TheirFinancial Advisory servicesand ancillary bankingservices have been handyand useful, their stafffriendly and courteous at

all times. I have used them exclusively for my busi-ness over the past 7 years since our start up.”

Dr. Gary BerlinerChestatee Emergent Care

“We have been banking withChestatee State Bank since 1998.They have truly made bankingmore efficient for us, by provid-ing the most up to date bankingtechnologies, including remotedeposit and a variety of userfriendly online banking inter-faces. Their customer service isjust as extraordinary. They havealways met all of our needs, andmore. It has been a blessing to

have been partnered with Chestatee State Bank for the last 11 years.”

Drs. Craig and Wendy HarrisHarris Family Dentistry

march 2010 chamber chronicle

Documents

tobe fun

fun taking

vendorsharlem ambassadors

theharlem ambassadors

shooting starscredit

harlem ambassadors

dawsoncounty high school

dawson county recognizes