About Dawson County news. (Dawsonville, Georgia) 2015-current | View Entire Issue (July 31, 2019)
8A I DAWSON COUNTY NEWS I dawsonnews.com Wednesday, July 31,2019 FROM 1A Crane Thurmond said. “I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that everything that I have learned about being a man, about being a good employee I learned from him. It’s definitely an honor to stand here and see this building rededicated to him.” Thurmond remembered memories of Crane staying up all night barbecuing hams for the fall festival, all to raise money so every child in the county who wanted to play sports were afforded that opportunity. “Never did he turn anybody away. Everybody got an oppor tunity to play in recreation,” Thurmond said. “If there’s ever been anybody who’s worked for Dawson County that deserves honor, it’s him.” The building looks a little different than when Crane saw its completion. Crane thought back to Veterans Memorial Park before the facility was built when the department relied on the school gymnasi ums so that kids could play. Then one year, some SPLOST funds allowed for the construction of a simple athlet ic building complete with a tile floor. “We thought it was the Taj Mahal when we got it built,” Crane said. “Once we got the building built, we got all kinds of people come in and look at to build one like it. We told them it was real nice and it was at that time, and real, real nice for us.” Now the facility has received upgrades to its exterior, with a new awning and stone columns as part of the ongoing revital ization project at the park. Other projects in the revitaliza tion include the new pool house that opened last year, plans for a multi-use field where field three sits, a new family pavilion and the Pauline Stephens Ivey Senior Center which will be an expansion of the current Margie Weaver Senior Center. Inside, the facility’s floors have been upgraded from the tile with more suitable flooring Photos by Jessica Taylor Dawson County News Lloyd Crane poses with his family who came out to Veterans Memorial Park for the rededication ceremony of the gymnasi um and athletic center. Dawson County Parks and Recreation staff serves slices of The gymnasium and athletic center at Veterans Memorial cake during the rededication ceremony. Park is renamed the Lloyd Crane Center. for an assortment of activities. Parks and Recreation Director Matt Payne said he is so excited to have come into Dawson County to serve the citizens and work with the commissioners and senior staff to upgrade the parks and pro vide for the citizens. “We are very excited to be able to take a building that has served our community for a long time and just give it a nice face lift and it is beautiful,” Payne said. “You couldn’t have named this building after a finer man than Lloyd Crane,” Thurmond said. “He is honest. He is a man of few words, but his actions speak thousands of words.” Through tears, Crane remem bered and thanked the efforts of everyone who has made the park possible including his family, the staff and volunteers. “We struggled to get every thing we’ve got up here,” Crane said. “Although my name is on the building, if it wasn’t for a lot of people ... this park wouldn’t have been here.” SAVANNAH EXCLUSIVE ADVENTURE October 21-23, 2019 3 day/2 night All-Inclusive • Private Walking Tour of Bonaventure Cemetery • Welcome Wine Reception • River Dinner Cruise with Gospel Entertainment • Coastal Heritage Museum Tour • Georgia State Rail Road Museum Tour & Train Ride • Shopping on River Street • Old Town Ghost Tour • 2 Night Accommodation, 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches and 2 Dinners • Luxury Motor Coach • Gratuity Included Limited Space Reserve Today! Payment Deadline $75 Deposit Due: 8/19/2019 Final Payment Due: 9/01/2019 All-inclusive price only: $785-$83Spp double occupancy* $1,111 _$1rftfTT SINGLE OCCUPANCY* For additional details and to reserve your spot: gainesvilletimes.com/savannahtour Or call Lori Maxim at 770-535-6323 *All profits go to fund Journalism* *Must be 21 years of age to participate in the tour, Tour includes many walking events, Alcoholic drinks extra except as noted Metro Market Media The Times | Forsyth County News | Dawson County News Dawsoi A comprehensive guide for all residents of Dawson County, featuring attractions, local resources and more. Awesome Dawson keeps residents new and old up to date with all the changes occurring in our fast growing county. This magazine is inserted in the August 28th Dawson County News, in racks throughout Dawson County including restaurants and attraction sites for a full year. It is also available on dawsonnews.com - With more than 35,000 unique visitors per month Promoted in our social media through emails to our local subscribers and our FB and Twitter followers. DAWSON COUNTY’S ANNUAL NEWCOMER’S GUIDE Ad reservation deadline is Friday, August 2 nd . For more information, CONTACT: 706-265-3384 or email Brenda at bbohn@dawsonnews.com
