Outstanding Citizens of Dawson 2015

OUTSTANDING

Citizens of

DAWSON a publication of

Peytan Porter

Donnie Adams

Brian Burke

Stan Harrison

Ed Holton

Leslie Kupkowski

David Jordan

Nicole Stewart

Gordon Brand

Seanie Zappendorf

JANUARY 2015

Library volunteer a national traveler

By David Renner

Leslie Kupkowski and her husband Roy enjoy the French beaches during a vacation. Below, Kupkowski works on putting returned books back on their proper shelves at the Dawson County library.

drenner@dawsonnews.com

I

f you have visited Dawson County library on a Monday or Friday, chances are you’ve seen volunteer Leslie Kupkowski restocking the books or chatting about her favorite novel.

Kupkowski, 59, has been volunteering at the library since 2008.

“My husband, Roy, and I had lived on a boat for three years and one of the things we would do when we would come in to towns from intercostal waters was find the library,” she said.

“When we got back to Dawsonville, I thought that I would do something to get involved in the community and asked if the library needed volunteers.”

Kupkowski, originally from Philadelphia, moved to Georgia with her husband and eventually found a house in Dawsonville in 1996.

After retiring, they spent the winters in Florida and then spent the remainder of the year traveling on inland waterways for three years.

“We went through the inland waterways, through the Hudson River on up into Canada through the lakes and canals,” she said.

“Then we came down the center of the country on the Mississippi River, Ohio River and Tombigbee Waterway and the Tenn-Tom Waterway.”

While the trip took her away for long periods of time, she said it was definitely worth the experience.

“We saw the United States and Canada in ways you couldn’t see in any other way,” she said.

Following her nautical trip, the couple both “knew it was time to come home.”

“We kept our house while we were away and we had always planned to come back. We knew that the boating wouldn’t be forever,” she said. “It was a 34-foot

2 Citizens of Dawson

For the Dawson Community News

Leslie Kupkowski boat, so that’s pretty small for two large personalities to live 24/7. We were ready for more space back in our lives.”

After returning, Kupkowksi sang in several choirs and worked at Wild Birds Unlimited in Alpharetta but wanted something closer to home.

“When we moved back from the boat, I thought ‘I really want to put down roots here,’” she said. “Everything I was doing before was away from Dawson County. That’s why I volunteer at the library and sing with the community chorale.”

A s a t r a i n e d s i n g e r, Kupkowski is a member and p r e s i d e n t o f t h e D aw s o n Community Chorale.

As for her library work, Ku p kow s k i s a i d t h a t s h e couldn’t be happier.

“I just love it here. I love shelving books. I get to handle all of the books and flip through them,” she said. “The staff is just so awesome and so welcoming. It’s just so much fun. I love it.”

She has also served on the library’s board of trustees, even spending time as their chairperson.

“I started out as a volunteer and it morphed into getting invited on the board and then being elected as the chair. One of the things I really felt strongly about was increasing the board members’ actual involvement in the library,” she said. “A lot of board members, at that time, came to the board meetings and cared about the library,

January 2015

but I wanted to increase their volunteerism.”

Kupkowski said that this volunteering, in turn, allowed her to get an idea for future library leaders.

“When I needed new board members, some of the volunteers who weren’t board members, I could see people that obviously cared about the library and spent time here.”

Following her term as the chair of the local library, Kupkowski also spent some time as the chair of the regional board, which covers both the Dawson and Lumpkin libraries.

“Leslie is a very dedicated volunteer who comes in every Monday and Friday. She was also a fantastic chairman of the board when she served in that role,” said Dawson County Library Branch Manager Stacey Leonhardt. “I just can’t say enough about how great of a person she is. She’s really a gogetter. She gets involved in a lot of organizations and just runs with it. She doesn’t just show up and let things happen around her.”

While she has no children of her own, Kupkowski said that she is “happy to share” her husband’s two children, whose lives she is glad to be a part of.

Index Leslie Kupkowski...................................................Page 2 Stan Harrison..........................................................Page 3 Nicole Stewart.........................................................Page 4 David Jordan..........................................................Page 6 Ed Holton................................................................Page 7 Peytan Porter..........................................................Page 8 Brian Burke.........................................................Page 10 Seanie Zappendorf................................................Page11 Donnie Adams......................................................Page 12 Gordon Brand.......................................................Page 14

Officer is role model, mentor to students

By Michele Hester

mhester@dawsonnews.com

W

hen Stan Harrison joined the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office in 2004, he never saw himself as a school resource officer.

Now, he can’t see himself doing anything else.

“I love what I do, being in the school with the kids and being there for them. It’s just a rewarding job for me,” he said.

Kim Bennett, assistant principal at Robinson Elementary where he is assigned, agrees that Harrison is exactly where he needs to be.

“Robinson Elementary School is blessed to have

Stan Harrison a man of Officer Stan’s caliber working with the staff and students here.

He truly cares about each and every person in the bu i l d i n g ,” s h e s a i d .

“Officer Stan goes above and beyond to build relationships and invest in the lives of all students at RES. He helps to create an environment at RES that is positive, encourag-

ing and supportive.”

The key to being a successful and respected school resource officer is getting on the level with the students, according to Harrison.

“I made that connection early on with the kids,” he said.

During his first year at the school, Harrison was asked to consider being a mentor to some students in need of a little extra attention or guidance.

Before long, he and his wife Brenda teamed up to become mentors for two fourth grade boys.

“It was a good fit, especially for me, because I was at the school. I could spend more time with See OFFICER | 4

File Photo

School Resource Officer Stan Harrison calculates how much Trinity Hyde, from left, and Merik Wilkins can buy with the $100 gift cards each of the boys received during last year’s Shop with a Cop event.

STAN HARRISON Congratulations to

Mr. Stan from your

Robinson Elementary School Family!!

“Stan the Man”

WE’RE PROUD OF YOU!!

Your friends at the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office Citizens of Dawson January 2015

3

Banker advocates to end cancer, promotes arts

By David Renner

drenner@dawsonnews.com

B

y day, Nicole Stewart is a personal banker at SunTrust Bank. In her off time, however, Stewart volunteers in a number of organizations around Dawson County.

“I feel like if you have free time, you should volunteer to help improve things,” she said.

One of the organizations that hits closest to home is the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

“The first time I did Relay for Life was in high school. I was a cheerleader and we did a team and that’s how I found out about it,” she said. “My friend Beth Covington’s mom passed away from cancer when we were in high school, so that’s how I really got involved, helping their family.”

Stewart, 31, said that she works with Relay for Life because of the possibilities for a future that it represents.

“My mom also had cancer when I was younger, but luckily she is fine now,” she said.

“Cancer runs so much in my family, unfortunately, so I might as well, while I’m young and healthy, try to do things and see if we can find a cure – if not for me or my sister’s generation, but just because there needs to be one.”

D a w s o n C o u n t y ’s American Cancer Society representative Brooke VanBuskirk said that Stewart was invaluable for the group’s work in

4

Nicole Stewart Dawson County.

“Nicole has been a blessing. She is absolutely amazing and her passion for Relay is incredible,” she said. “She knows so many people in the community and has such good relationships with people that when she asks anybody to help out with relay, they always say yes. Cancer has affected her family, so it’s a major driving force for her.”

Stewart is also a member of the Dawson County Arts Council board.

“I go to all the Arts Council shows, so I know most of the board anyway, because when I was in high school I did art shows myself,” she said.

“After going to several shows, they asked me to be involved.”

A member of the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce Ambassador program, Stewart visits various businesses around the county on behalf of the chamber.

“I like the Ambassador program because I feel like a lot of times you get stuck and you only know the people around you, but there are a lot of new businesses here that I

Citizens of Dawson January 2015

don’t know about,” she said. “With the Ambassador program, I get to go out and meet new people in businesses I didn’t even know we had here.”

During her work with the chamber in its Leadership Dawson program, Stewart found yet another organization to be a part of.

“When I was in L e a d e r s h i p D aw s o n , [Reading Education Association of Dawson County Executive Director] Sandy Lipkowitz did a presentation on R.E.A.D. during one of the sessions. I, honestly, didn’t even know we had something like that at the time,” she said.

“It’s an awesome program for people that, unfortunately, don’t finish school. It’s nice that there’s an organization there to support them and help them finish and encourage kids to finish.

Education is very important.”

While heavily involved a r o u n d t h e c o u n t y, Stewart said that she enjoys every group that she works with.

“I’m a people person, so all of the stuff that I’m involved in, all of the people on the committees and boards I’m on, I like them all,” she said. “I enjoy it and have a good time while doing good things.”

Nicole Stewart, Santa and his helpers ring in the Christmas spirit at the Margie Weaver Senior Center last year. Inset, Stewart and American Cancer Society representative Brooke VanBuskirk work as part of last year’s Carnival of Hope Relay for Life event in Dawson County.

For the Dawson Community News

FROM 1A

Officer

him, just being there with him,” he said.

Now that the boys are in high school, Harrison said he continues to maintain positive relationships with the young men.

While he won’t take any credit for their successes, he says seeing how they’ve grown and how proud they are of their accomplishments is heartwarming.

“Being a sheriff’s deputy, they will see me and speak to me and talk to me. It’s rewarding to know that they are not afraid to have that relationship with someone

Michele Hester Dawson Community News

Dawson County Sheriff’s Deputy Stan Harrison calls his career as a school resource officer at Robinson Elementary the most rewarding job he could ask for.

with a badge and a gun,” he said. “That’s what I like to see with the kids.”

At 58 and with one successful career already behind him, he retired from a 29-year career with a security systems

business before he was hired by Dawson County, Harrison said he’s not ready to turn in his badge or turn away from the kids.

“It turned out to be a perfect fit,” he said.

Citizens of Dawson January 2015

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Minister watches over flock, volunteers

By David Renner

drenner@dawsonnews.com

G

race Presbyterian Church Pastor David Jordan is so active in the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce’s Ambassador Program that he’s been voted as Ambassador of the Month not once, but twice, during his first year of involvement with the organization.

Jordan is entering his second year as a part of the program.

“As an ambassador, you get to meet people that you wouldn’t otherwise,” he said. “Already I have come across people that were actually more interested that I was the pastor of a church rather than an ambassador for the chamber. I didn’t anticipate that.”

Jordan said that he enjoys working with the chamber because it lets him get to know his community – and potential church members – better.

“One of the reasons that I participated in the chamber in the first place was to be involved in the community in some fashion. As a pastor, you have constant exposure to the people that come to you, but it’s not always easy to know how to get involved in the life of those who don’t,” he said. “The chamber has really opened an opportunity to interact with a demographic that I would have never had the opportunity to interact with otherwise.”

He said that he hopes this allows people to get a better perception of what a “professional Christian,” as he puts it, is like.

“If you’ve never been exposed to a minister, you might not really have a real notion of what one is like, especially if you’re only

6 Citizens of Dawson

David Jordan getting your ideas of a religious leader only from media sources,” he said.

“What I am hoping people see from this is people might see a helpful religious person instead of the sensationalist. People might say ‘Wait a minute, I actually know a pastor and that’s not how he sounds.’”

It’s a perception that others in the chamber have definitely noticed.

“David’s care and concern for our community and all of our citizens is truly inspiring,” said Dawson County Chamber of Commerce President Christie Haynes. “Through his work and participation in Leadership Dawson and the Chamber Ambassador program, we have come to know David as a leader who always has a positive attitude and an encouraging word to share. David has a way of making everyone around him feel valued and appreciated.”

On top of being a twotime Ambassador of the Month winner, he is also a 2014 Dawson County Leadership graduate. It’s an experience he said was interesting overall, even if some of the lessons didn’t entirely apply for the church.

“I am a better informed citizen of the community just for having participated

January 2015

in the program, which can’t help but make me a more valuable member of the community going forward,” he said.

Jordan said that, by becoming so active in the community, he’s felt like he’s become the chamber’s chaplain.

“I feel like I’ve almost become the community chaplain, in a way, simply because I am present at so many chamber events,” he said. “I’ve had a few people come up to me to want to talk about things simply because I’m there at everything.”

Jordan is also the chairman of the Alliance of Churches for Dawson County.

“I’m mostly the chair just because you need one.

I don’t really set the tone or determine the vision more than I’m just a focal point for any needs or questions,” he said. “The alliance is fairly democratic in their approach. They all share ideas about what they think is best for the religious community here – and doing them fairly well.”

It’s a role that he said he can’t take any sort of credit for, but rather he’s just a figurehead.

“We say that what we’re doing is marshalling the resources that the different faith groups have and then channeling those to the ones who need it most. I’m just the guy who starts the meetings,” he said. “I can’t take any credit for that at all. That group was going long before I got here and, if I were to ever leave, it would keep going.”

Grace Presbyterian Church Pastor David Jordan presided over this year’s Dawsonville Christmas Parade as the Mayor of Whoville. Above, Jordan and his wife Christie pose for a photo during a past Chamber of Commerce event.

Rotary Club of Dawson County is proud to have five Rotarians named Outstanding Citizens of Dawson.

Congratulations

Gordon Brand, Brian Burke, Ed Holton, David Jordan & Nicole Stewart

Veterinarian finds giving back rewarding

By Michele Hester

mhester@dawsonnews.com

M

ore than 15 years has gone by since Ed Holton delivered food to his first meals on wheels family.

“It started as a Rotary project and just continued on,” he said. “And it’s still very rewarding. I don’t have any plans to stop doing it.”

Holton delivers meals to local residents on the first and third Thursday of each month through the Margie Weaver Senior Center.

“Typically, I deliver to the same families each time, so I get to know these people,” he said.

Ed Holton “Overall, I look at this as a positive thing, but there’s also some bad with it, because when you’re delivering to senior citizens over the course of 15 years, there’s been a lot that I’ve lost as friends.”

Over the years, he’s enlisted his twin sons, his wife and even employees

at his veterinary practice to help with the deliveries.

“It’s just different than what I do every day and it gives me the opportunity to get out and meet a lot of people that I may not have met otherwise,” he said.

On the other hand, Holton’s career choice plays a central role in yet another volunteer endeavor within the community.

In addition to serving as vice president of the Dawson County Humane Society’s board of directors, Holton spends time each week serving as the animal shelter’s veterinarian.

“Right now, we don’t See VETERINARIAN | 8

For the Dawson Community News

Ed Holton and his sons, Matthew and James, share a passion for animals.

Congratulations DR. HOLTON!

Your fellow board members at the Dawson County Humane Society want to thank you for all you do for the animals and the community.

The Holton Family can be measured in deed and always score at the very top. You and Patti have done a wonderful job of teaching your sons, by example, of what it means to give back to neighbors and community.

Just as you give so unselfishly to our organization, we know you also pitch in and help other service organizations.

On behalf of all our staff, volunteers and the animals . . .

Thank You.

Citizens of Dawson January 2015

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FROM 7

Veterinarian have a veterinarian out there, so I’m the veterinarian for the shelter. I take one of my technicians, and we donate that time to the humane society basically one morning a week, doing spay and neuters, treating animals and doing other surgeries if t h e y ’r e n e e d e d ,” h e said.

Holton said he is proud to be a part of the organization, whose mission is to find forever homes for the county’s homeless pet population.

“We got a long ways to go with the humane society, but there’s a good team of people that are working hard to try to get to where we

need to be,” he said.

“There’s a lot of homeless animals in this c o u n t y … w h a t w e ’r e trying to do at the humane society is to try to get those animals spayed, neutered and adopted.”

Carolyn Bowen, humane society president, said Holton’s contributions are vital to the shelter’s success.

“Dr. Holton consistently brings critical thinking, clinical knowledge and business experience to our board deliberations, and we are so grateful for his d evo t i o n t o t h e a n imals,” she said.

Holton’s sons Matthew and James are following in their dad’s footsteps, both as future veterinarians and as community volunteers.

“That makes me so

proud, because there are a lot of folks that are professionals and their kids don’t want to follow in their footsteps,” he said.

Like father, like son, Holton is a member of the Rotary Club of Dawson County, while the teens are active in t h e i r h i g h s c h o o l ’s Interact Club, a youth o rg a n i z a t i o n t h a t i s sponsored by and works in conjunction with Rotary on community projects.

“I’ve been in Rotary since 1997. I love Rotary. I can’t think of any other civic organization that I’d want to be involved in, not to take anything away from the others, of course,” Holton said.

“But Rotary is what I like doing. I wish I had more time to devote to it than I do.”

Young singer excited to see what future holds

By Michele Hester

mhester@dawsonnews.com

L

ooking back, Peytan Porter remembers herself as a shy 12-yearold hesitant to sing a solo at church camp.

“I’ve always sang, but I never really saw singing as something I would pursue,” said the Dawsonville teen.

N ow 1 7 , P o r t e r ’s c a re e r a s a c o unt r y music singer has kicked off, with her recently released selftitled debut demo CD featuring the original single “ Yo u r Boyfriend.”

The song continues

Peyton Porter to top the Backyard Country charts on 94.9 the Bull.

Her family had a video recorder set up to document Porter’s reaction the first time she heard her song play on the countdown that is measured by listener votes.

“It was just a surreal feeling. It had been on the radio before but for it to be on the radio for p e o p l e a l l ove r t h e state can hear it,” she said. “We have a four minute video of my song playing and me just sitting there crying.”

The next week, the song hit number one.

“It’s been really exciting,” she said.

It was a friend and m e n t o r t h a t e n c o u raged Porter to follow her talent as a singer.

“I enjoyed singing, and I thought I was OK at it, until Kevin Woody forced me to sing at See SINGER | 9

Congratulations to

PEYTAN PORTER

for being chosen as one of Dawson’s Outstanding Citizens!

“I appreciate your interest and your music spreading the word of Jesus Christ.”

- Roger Slaton

40 Hightower Parkway • Dawsonville, GA www.rogerslaton.com

706-216-8700 “Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®

8 Citizens of Dawson

January 2015

FROM 8

Singer church camp.

Once we got home, he kept on me, and I realized that was what I really wanted to do and what made me happy,” she said.

Woody said Porter blew his mind the first time he heard her sing.

“The first time I heard Peytan sing was at a church camp talent show. I’ve known her my whole life and had no idea she could sing at the time,” he said. “When she began to sing, I know that my jaw hit the ground. I knew that God had a plan for her life in music, and I hoped that I could simply encourage her to use those talents to their fullest.”

Woody believes Porter’s talent will take her far.

“Peytan is eager to learn, works hard and has the talent to go along with it. That combination is bullet proof,” he said. “Peytan is the perfect example of how God-given talent and a humble heart can produce success.

“I’m beyond proud of her accomplishments, but even more proud of the person she is and what she stands for.”

With family roots that go back many generations in Dawson County, the singer said she is honored that her career is allowing her

to be an ambassador for her hometown.

“I don’t take it lightly. It means a lot to me growing up here and knowing all the people,” she said. “I definitely respect that people think of me as someone to look to in representing the county. I’m proud of my town.”

She’s also thankful for the support she has received from the community.

“I’m really blessed with a lot of support and a lot of great people to keep me grounded and a lot of people to point me in the right direction,” she said.

Her parents, Tanya and Kirk Porter, said her determination and sheer will to succeed continues to amaze them.

“She’s come such a long way from the shy young girl singing in the background at church camp to the talented and confident performer she is today,” her mom said. “I know that God has big plans for her. My prayer is that she’ll stay humble, obedient, patient and in the light of His will for her life.”

A junior at Dawson County High School where she plays basketball, the teen is excited to see what the future holds for her.

“We’re now working on getting a lot more live performances this year,” she said after taking a few months off following the CD release for her voice to mature and to gain more confidence on the stage.

“So now this year, we’re really looking to get out more and get my name out there more,” she said.

Peytan Porter got her start as a country music singer by playing local events like last year’s Mountain Moonshine Festival in downtown Dawsonville.

For the Dawson Community News

For the Dawson Community News

Several friends attended the Christmas tree lighting at the Dawsonville Municipal Complex last month to support Peytan Porter who entertained the crowds.

Congratulations to Dawson County’s Outstanding Citizens

Thank you for all you do for our community!

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Citizens of Dawson January 2015

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Optometrist wants to open eyes to literacy

By David Renner

drenner@dawsonnews.com

E

ach year, Dawson County WEE Books holds its annual Leap for Literacy, an event where sponsors pay for individuals or groups to leap into a frigid Lake Lanier in February.

Local optometrist, Dr. Brian Burke is always up for the challenge.

“The first year that [WEE Books board members Jane and Lionel Graves] ran the Leap for Literacy, it was something new so they were getting people to come out and participate. I got my kids and my girlfriend to jump in that year and they said they would never do that again,” Burke, 53, said, laughing. “Now they come out and watch me do it every year.”

WEE Books, whose mission is to put age-appropriate books into the hands of children each month, is run by a group of volunteers, including board member Jane Graves.

Burke has jumped into the lake five years and he said he doesn’t plan to stop any time soon.

“I knew it would be a good family thing and it was pretty small the first year,” he said. “Last year we went out, the parking went around the park.”

Literacy is something Burke is passionate about, saying it was engrained in him at a young age.

“I was the first one in my family to graduate from college. My father attended college but never finished, so he put a big emphasis on the kids to get an education,” he said. “I actually went into the army right out of high school to save to get into college, so I took the long route and it wasn’t an easy one, but it certainly made it worthwhile, because I appreciate it a little more because I had to work a little harder for it.”

Burke spent three years in the army as an infantry medic. He said that, over time, he began to devote more and more of his time into spreading literacy.

“As I’ve gotten older and I’ve traveled around and met people and seen the emphasis on education in other areas, I’ve grown to appreciate the fact that I was educated well when I was young,” he said.

10 Citizens of Dawson

January 2015

Brian Burke Burke opened his Dawson County office 11 years ago, having moved the practice from Cumming. He has also been involved with the Rotary Club since moving his practice, which was where he met Graves.

“Brian has been one of WEE Books most valued and consistent supporters from our first Leap for Literacy into Lake Lanier in February 2011 and almost every year since,” Graves said.

“As a fellow Rotarian, his example has encouraged other club members to jump in the Lake, too. Wee Books looks forward to his next outstanding performance at this year’s Leap.”

Burke said that he is more than happy to help, citing the visible impact that reading at a young age has on children.

“The WEE Book program is great because they’ve done studies that show if you read to children at a young age, as my mom used to do with us, they tend to do better in school and go further in school,” he said. “It carries on all the way through their school career.”

It was at Rotary that he and Graves set up another way for the literacy advocacy group to raise money.

“Jane knew I had an interest making sure WEE Books was successful and, knowing I had done a LondonEdinburgh-London ride, she approached me and asked if I was doing anymore,” Burke said. “We brainstormed and put it together with the Colorado ride and we raised a little over $2,200, which is more than a month’s worth of WEE books for the county in their budget.”

When not working at his practice or raising money for WEE Books, Burke

For the Dawson Community News

Brian Burke is a staple at Dawson County WEE Book’s annual Leap for Literacy. Center, Burke is an avid cyclist, even riding across Colorado to raise money for Dawson County literacy. Bottom left, Burke and his girlfriend Lisa Barwick and daughters Carrie, 21, and Brenna, 17, catch a ball game.

provides vision exams for the Good Shepherd Clinic, a local non-profit clinic that provides free medical, dental and vision work for those in need that qualify for their services.

“Doug [Powell] had approached me about doing eye exams, so every other month they set up the clinic and I do eye exams for the people that can’t afford to have them done normally,” he said. “I’ve done two clinics now and six more on schedule for this year. The need is there, so I’m going to continue doing them.”

Burke said that he does what he does not for any sort of recognition, but for the people that it impacts, as well as making it easier for others to do good in the county.

“To me, that’s the most important thing,” he said. “This county is small, but there some really good people that care about the citizens of the county and to have the opportunity to work with them has been great. Knowing that, it makes it easier to do what I do, knowing they are making a difference.”

DDA member helps city shine

By David Renner

drenner@dawsonnews.com

I

f you’ve attended an event or worked with the city regarding a business, chances are you’ve seen, or at least experienced, something Seanie Zappendorf has a hand in around Dawsonville.

While she has only been in Dawsonville for two years, the owner and chief financial officer of Discovery Parts, located at Atlanta Motorsports Park, Zappendorf has been on more committees and volunteered more hours than most people do in a decade.

“Seanie is an active, vibrant, project-seeking doer for the city. She is always there for any func-

Seani Zappendorf tion related to the city,” said Dawsonville Mayor James Grogan. “She was a part of the process to seek new ways of funding our city, allowing us to save several million dollars over the next years, helped with the purchase of the Main Street Park Project, and is continuing to seek out new businesses for our city.”

Zappendorf said she dove into volunteering for the Dawson community as soon as she got settled in town.

“I volunteered and did charity work as long as I can remember as a child.

I don’t think I had a reason,” she said. “I was just raised that way and wired to do for others. Once I had children, there were reasons for volunteering.”

Zappendorf and her husband, Ron, began by setting up a home for their sons Jack, now 15, and Max, 13.

“There were three important things when moving to Dawson, and they were for my boys God, school and scouts,” she said. “As soon as

We congratulate

Seanie Zappendorf

for being chosen as one of Dawson County’s 2015 Outstanding Citizens.

We appreciate all the hard work & dedication that you have shown to Dawsonville.

Thank you Seanie!

See SHINE | 12

Mayor James Grogan, City Council and Staff

415 Hwy. 53 East • 706-265-3256 For the Dawson Community News

Ron, from left, Max, 13, Jack, 15, and Seanie Zappendorf attend an awards banquet at Atlanta Motorsports Park last November.

cityhall@dawsonville-ga.gov www.dawsonville-ga.gov

Citizens of Dawson January 2015

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Shine those three things were taken care of, the rest kind of fell in place.”

Zappendorf has served on a number of school-related councils and boards, including acting as a board member for the Dawson County Middle School Governance Council beginning in 2013, president of the Dawson County Middle School PTO in 2013, the vice president of finance for the Dawson County High School PTSO beginning in 2013, and an executive board member and secretary of the Dawson County Board of Education System Governance Council in 2014.

“I wanted to show [my boys] to be caring for their community, make them proud, and fundraise to help with funding needed at the schools,” Zappendorf said. “Once the community recognized what I did for the schools, they started inviting me to community events and to get involved there. I think that’s how everything started to expand after.”

And expand it did.

Zappendorf is now also on the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and on Dawsonville’s Downtown Development Authority, where she acts as the secretary and treasurer.

She is also a member of the Friends of the Dawson County Library, a local charity that helps to raise funds to support the local library branch.

Zappendorf said that, while initially she preferred to stay anonymous in her activitities, it has become more difficult with the more work that she does.

“I make sure I do what I do because I

want to and not what I get back in return, which is something I try to pass on to my children,” she said. “I did most of my work in anonymity in the past, but I have found in recent years that once people recognized me and the work that I’ve done, I lost a little bit of my privacy but I’m making more of a difference when people follow the volunteering spirit to better the community.”

Grogan said that Zappendorf is a constant presence in the city.

“She is constantly posting pictures of these events and encouraging others to get involved,” he said. “She is there even when I don’t expect her to be there.”

Her latest projects for the city include the Dawsonville Christmas Parade and last year’s Sparks in the Motorsports Park, fourth of July fireworks event.

“Sparks in the Motorsports Park was something I wanted to make happen because I wanted to keep the tradition going with the annual fireworks, but make our own history,” she said.

Zappendorf says that the betterment of her community is always the reason behind her work.

“Being involved doesn’t stop with just doing. It’s being able to duplicate yourself and pass on that knowledge,” she said.

To her, it’s all about caring for your community.

“I guess that’s a good thing if I can get people to care and get involved with the community,” she said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re local or from over 8,000 miles away, you just need to care about what’s around you and help make it a better place.”

Youth baseball coach preaches love of the game

By Michele Hester mhester@dawsonnews.com

I

t’s been several years since Donnie Adams coached his two sons in park and recreation baseball.

Now that they’re older and have aged out of youth sports, Adams, 50, could spend his spare time hunting, fishing or relaxing at home.

But he doesn’t.

Instead, the place to find Adams during baseball season is still on the field wearing the word “Coach” on the back of his jersey.

“I just love it,” he said.

“It’s just fun.”

Donnie Adams Even in seasons when he didn’t have his own team, Adams would still help out as an assistant for his coaching buddies. “ We m o v e d i n t o Dawsonville in ’08 from Cumming. I don’t think I even missed one year… because they asked me if I’d come and coach the

All-Stars,” he said.

Adams’ face lights up when he talks about the kids he’s mentored as a coach over the years.

“I try to teach them respect, on and off the field. I let them know t h a t t h ey ’ve g o t t o respect their coach and their parents,” he said.

He tries to instill the idea that playing is a privilege, while also reminding the boys that there is more to life than just baseball.

“I tell them they’ve got to keep their grades up in school,” Adams said. “I just try to help them grow in life, to See COACH | 13

Dawson County Parks and Recreation wishes to congratulate our very own Coach, Mentor and Friend

Donnie ADAms

Chosen a 2015 Dawson Citizen of the Year!

For the Dawson Community News

Zappendorf, along with members of the county government and AMP investors and founding members, break ground on a new conference center last September at the motorsports park.

12 Citizens of Dawson

January 2015

Thanks for your dedication to our kids both on and off the field!

Dawson County Parks & Recreation

Congratulations TO OUR VERY OWN

Ed Holton

for being chosen as one of Dawson County’s 2015 Outstanding Citizens!

For the Dawson Community News

Dawson County Parks and Recreation Coach Donnie Adams and his team bow their heads in prayer after a past game.

FROM 12

Coach teach them what’s important.”

One of those life lessons involves Adams’ faith.

“I’m a preacher, so I always ask the kids if they want to say a prayer,” he said. “At first no one does, but by the end of the season, they all want to. And I even had teams [opponents] after a ballgame hollering for us to wait, and they’d go out on the field with us.”

Watching the kids grow from lessons they learn is the most rewarding part for him.

At the same time, playing hard and winning is still a thrill for him and his players.

“I’ve got a pretty good record. Every year

I’ve coached, from my boys starting in ’08, my team has won the championship,” he said. “We may have lost some games, but we won the league.”

He jokes with his new team each season that they won’t be spoiling that record.

Lisa Henson, director of Dawson County Parks and Recreation, said the program is lucky to have coaches as dedicated as Adams.

“We are blessed to have Donnie Adams as a long standing baseball coach for Dawson County Parks and Recreation,” she said. “[He] has brought a high level of integrity and knowledge to our programs and has been a mentor to many young men and women over the years.”

Adams is married to Lynn and the couple has two sons, Jordan and Hunter.

639 Auraria Road, Dawsonville 706-216-8387 • allanimalsvetcom Citizens of Dawson January 2015

13

Volunteer strives to preserve Lake Lanier

By Michele Hester

mhester@dawsonnews.com

I

t was the beauty of Lake Lanier and the promise of weekends on his boat that drew Gordon Brand to Dawsonville nearly 26 years ago.

“We just love it here.

We love the lake,” he said.

As an advocate for preserving the lake for future generations, Brand, 73, became involved with the Lake Lanier Association about a decade ago.

With a mission to protect Lake Lanier, the association strives to preserve the quality and quantity of the water for all users who rely on the lake and its watershed to enhance their quality of life.

“My concern is about the beauty of the lake, to ensure that the lake remains beautiful for our children and our grandchildren,” he said.

In recent years, Brand, who also serves as vice president on the association’s board, has taken on a greater role by overseeing the group’s annual Lake Lanier Shore Sweep.

“Lake Lanier is the most visited lake in all the Corps of Engineers’ lakes in the United States, so it’s a big deal to me that it is open and clean for every-

Gordon Brand one to use,” he said.

In its 26th year, Shore Sweep volunteers broke previous records by picking up more than 50 tons of debris cross the entire lake and its 692 miles of shoreline last September.

In Dawson County alone, parts of an abandoned houseboat and two crumbling docks were among the 27,000 pounds of trash collected, enough to fill a large trailer and three dump trucks.

“That’s a lot of material,” he said, adding that more than 1,000 volunteers contributed to the event’s success.

“It’s fun to see so many people, so many young people, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, clubs in the comm u n i t y. Wi t h S h o r e Sweep, there’s a community spirit to keep this lake clean.”

Brand said the goal is to

work throughout the year to keep the lake clean.

“One of the biggest problems is the old Styrofoam from the docks,” he said. “The problem is when you have dilapidated docks and the Styrofoam breaks away.”

An initiative is underway between the Lake Lanier Association and the Corps of Engineers in an attempt to curb the issue.

“We have a pilot program where we’ll identify the dilapidated docks, and then through the [Department of Natural Resources] and the Corps, we’ll get them removed,” he said.

However, Brand said federal funding cuts have potential to dry up the program.

“That’s when people like us, the public, have to go in and step up,” he said.

Brand and his wife Jeanette have lived in Dawson County since 1989, having moved north from the Atlanta area.

“We’ve got the mountains, and we’ve got the lake. The lake, I think, is a huge asset to Dawson County, and we want to keep it that way,” he said.

For the Dawson Community News

As the chairman of the Lake Lanier Shore Sweep, Gordon Brand, center, rallies communities to help preserve the lake.

14 Citizens of Dawson

January 2015

For the Dawson Community News

Gordon Brand helps volunteers pull debris collected during Shore Sweep from the lake. Below, Gordon Brand carries a trash bag full of debris collected on Lake Lanier.

Walmart is proud to be a part of a community where so many citizens are worth celebrating!

Congratulations to each of you.

We admire your selflessness and appreciate you volunteering and supporting our beautiful Dawson County.

SUPERCENTER OF DAWSONVILLE

706-265-8787

Citizens of Dawson January 2015

15

CONGRATULATIONS TO EACH OF OUR CHOSEN DAWSON CITIZENS! Thank you for your selfless contribution to our community.

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