About Dawson County news. (Dawsonville, Georgia) 2015-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 4, 2023)
Wednesday, January 4,2023 dawsonnews.com I DAWSON COUNTY NEWS I 5A Julia Hansen Dawson County News Ruby's Recipes moved from its Memory Lane location to the Ga. 53 space downtown in August and opened in September. FROM 1A Favorites Julia Hansen When thinking about what makes Dawsonville unique, my mind goes straight to Main Street business es like Ruby’s Recipes. The Italian restaurant and deli moved from its Memory Lane location to the Ga. 53 space downtown in August and opened in September. Many locals shared in the Cerinetti family’s joy at landing their restau rant’s dream location. The owners have been consistently involved in the community, with people fundraising for chef Allen when he was sick last fall and Ruby’s doing the same for multi ple causes earlier this year. With what this restau rant move meant for the owners and for revital ization in downtown Dawsonville, this story lead wrote itself. Ruby’s story is just one example showing that people will support a small business that also supports the community. Anybody who’s looked at local listings over the past year or heard the phrase “that’s more than my mortgage” knows that the nationwide housing crunch can also be felt in Dawson County. While listening to locals’ comments about residential development, I noticed that housing affordability seemed like an important piece being missed in conversations about area growth. Specifically, I gathered numbers and residents’ stories about local housing affordability into one arti cle, so readers could square that information with their own experienc es. Over the month it took to write this article, I col lected statistics on hous ing costs and worker wages, as well as people’s stories about struggling to find an affordable place to live. The results were hum bling. Throughout the whole process, I learned that it’s crucial to remem ber the human side of development and remem ber that decisions around housing have the potential to shape our local econo my’s future. Erica Jones I grew up in this area, and every fall when I was lit tle my family and I would go and visit Burt’s Pumpkin Farm. I have very distinct memo ries of walking around among what seemed like an endless sea of pump kins, being asked to hold my little siblings’ hands so they would stay still long enough for a photo and the extra-special trips when my grandparents would be in town from Findlay, Ohio so they could come to the farm with us. All of these memories made writing about Burt’s Pumpkin Farm and its 50th anniversary this year even more personal for me. I got the chance to interview several mem bers of the Burt family Hansen Jones Photo courtesy of Jenkins family Freddie Jenkins poses with his pig Tank after win ning first in class at the Georgia National Junior Livestock Show. Julia Hansen Dawson County News Anybody who's looked at local listings over the past year or heard the phrase "that's more than my mortgage" knows that the nationwide hous ing crunch can also be felt in Dawson County. Et : \ 4 /• - Ml 1 Erica Jones Dawson County News All of these memories made writing about Burt's Pumpkin Farm and its 50th anniversary this year even more personal for me. I got the chance to interview several members of the Burt family who recounted their own memories of starting out as a front yard hobby farm and then growing into what they are today: a farm that produces 60 acres, or about 150,000 pumpkins, each year. Erica Jones Dawson County News I especially enjoyed getting to join the Rotary Club of Dawson County in the beginning of December as they caroled at the Dawson County Senior Center. who recounted their own memories of starting out as a front yard hobby farm and then growing into what they are today: a farm that produces 60 acres, or about 150,000 pumpkins, each year. And the icing on the cake was getting to re-visit the farm later in the fall and celebrate together with state and local officials, business owners, commu nity members and all of the Burt family as State Representative Will Wade read a resolution official ly declaring Oct. 18, 2022 as Burt’s Pumpkin Farm Day across the state of Georgia. Christmas is one hun dred percent my favorite time of the year. Giving gifts to others, singing along to Christmas music, serving at my church on Christmas Eve, decorating cookies — you name it, I love it. That’s why I espe cially enjoyed getting to join the Rotary Club of Dawson County in the beginning of December as they caroled at the Dawson County Senior Center. That day was rainy and foggy outside, but inside the center was lit up by the smiles of both the Rotarians and the seniors as they sang classic Christmas carols together. The Rotarians handed out presents to each senior, and they beamed and laughed as they opened them and showed them to one anoth er. I sang along with every carol as I walked around and took photos, and by the time I left the center I was even more in the Christmas mood than I had been before. And I got to see Santa too while I was there — talk about an added perk of the job! Rio White Every local sportswriter in America knows that when the summer months come and there are no school sports to cover, it is espe- c i a 1 1 y important to seek out unique stories. Sometimes, we get lucky enough to have such a story come to us. In early June, a local mother called the DCN to suggest we interview her son, a recent graduate of DCHS. Little did I know that I would soon be talk ing to an FFA chapter president, award-winning pig-shower and all-around bright young man. Admittedly, I knew nothing about the process of raising pigs beforehand, but the industrious Freddie Jenkins was more than eager to fill me in. The passion he had for his pigs — and the countless hours he spent caring for them — was truly admirable. As important as it is to talk to people who have a deep understanding of this community’s history, it is just as important — in my view — to tell the stories of impactful people who are no longer with us. That was the case with longtime DCHS assistant football coach George Moser, who died last May from stomach cancer. In speaking to head coach Sid Maxwell and assistant coach Gary Wilson, I learned that Moser served the Tigers in a volunteer capacity for 17 years, using his energy and wisdom to motivate young men no matter where they fell on the depth chart. Even while undergoing cancer treatment, Moser continued to attend foot ball games and maintain a presence on the sideline. The DCN reported on his final season with the team in the fall of 2021. Paige Sweany/Sole Photography) George Moser speaks to the football team during the 2021 season while undergoing treatment for stomach cancer. Moser passed away on Monday, May 16, after 17 years as a DCHS coach. White Dawson County Humane Society a no kill shelter 706-265-9160 Doggie Spotlight Meet Peck! He is timid, sweet, playful boy who is looking for a place to call his own. Peck loves playing outside with his kennel mates. He came in from a hoarding situation that brought in many unsocialized dogs. As a result of his upbringing he is timid upon first meeting him but with the right family and patience he will become a loyal companion. Come schedule a meet and greet to see if Peck is the perfect fit for your family! Peck For more information contact the 706-265-9160 | 633 Martin Rd, Dawsonville Dawson County Humane Society Adjacent to the Rock Creek Sports Complex Visit our RESALE SHOP & BOUTIQUE All proceeds benefits Wed. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. | 54 S. Lumpkin Campground Rd. the Humane bociety ANH Collision Specialists 706-216-0992 103 Industrial Park Road, Dawsonville Bradley M. Maple CPA, PC 706-216-2362 2390 Thompson Rd • Ste 100 Dawsonville Dawsonville Veterinary Hospital 706-265-8381
