Here Magazine September 2025 Issue

Dalton, GA

September & October 2025 | Volume 1

Be seen. Be known. Be here.

Reach a hyper-local audience of 5,000+ with every issue, and showcase your brand with the narratives of this place we love.

Here Local Media

@behere.dalton

herelocalmedia.com

CLARITY is the most underrated growth strategy.

Strategy First.

Words Second. erikabmarketing.com Erika B. Marketing Agency @erikabmarketing

September & October 2025

FEATU EAT & DRINK HERE

NOURISH & SAVOR

FESTIVAL SEASON

pg. 13

pg. 14-15

pg. 24-31

ON THE COVER Commemorating Dia de Los Muertes at Rocky Face Ridge Park with the Loa Family.

Photography by The Snells

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Here.Dalton

URED IN EVERY ISSUE

LOCAL TASTE

LOCAL LENS

6 From the Editor 7 Contributors 8 Dalton Events 11 Near Here Events 12 Seen & Heard 38 Here.Kids 44 There & Then

13 Eat, Drink & Be Here 14 Nourish & Savor 42 Dining Guide

18 Faces of Here 24 Festival Season 35 What To Plant Now 37 Designing Dalton 39 Two Days Here

SPONSORED CONTENT 22 Call Your Neighbor The Mcamy Law Firm

32 The Gift Plays On The Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia

5

Letter from the editor Subscription Info Subscriptions are $32 for one year.

To start a new subscription, renew an existing subscription, or change your address, scan the QR code above or email hello@herelocalmedia.com!

Calendar Items, Community Updates, & Dining Guide Email hello@herelocalmedia.com all information NO LATER than 8 weeks prior to the magazine cover date.

Details may be edited for space.

Advertising

Have you ever been so giddy about something you couldn’t sleep?

Mind racing, thoughts flying, ideas swirling.

The anticipation of greatness.

A new experience. A just-opened restaurant. A fresh itinerary with someone fun.

That’s how the months leading up to this issue have landed with me (and co-founder Lauren).

Dalton is a completely different place than 11 years ago when we changed our address and became Daltonians (although, if you’re not born in Dalton, are you ever truly considered a Daltonian?).

Take advantage of Here.Dalton’s prime advertising space. Email hello@herelocalmedia.com, or visit www.herelocalmedia.com/advertise.

I was slightly shell-shocked upon arrival. Is there such a thing as city-lag? There were no coffee shops except Starbucks. I tried to work remotely one day and failed to find anywhere with Wi-Fi. No Wi-Fi? Where the heck am I?

Here Local Media, LLC

Little did I know, an engaged group of civic leaders and industry professionals had a vision post-2009 that has led us all here, to this point in time, with a vibrant town we love. I am a Daltonconvert, as are many others who lived elsewhere and chose to settle here.

is the home of Here. Magazine, @behere.dalton, and the “The Love of Here” podcast. We exist to shift narratives, spotlight what’s working, and build hometown pride through beautifully crafted, deeply local content. Whether it’s a restaurant opening, a small business breakthrough, or a community tradition worth celebrating, we help people love where they live—because you don’t need a bigger city. You just need a better lens.

Pride of place has deep and variegated roots: for some it’s neighbors, for others it’s civic engagement, third places, churches, schools, and the natural topography. For me, it’s Celina at Garmony House who knows my favorite order and always hands me water (this magazine is thanks to her keeping me hydrated).

It’s business lunches at the Oakwood, walking meetings at the Mill Line trail, inspired writing in the sun-drenched upstairs of Native Kitchen, fresh cinnamon rolls from Highline Bake Shop, cresting I-75 and beholding the Blue Ridge foothills.

Here, I rarely have a day where I don’t see friends and acquaintances while out and about. Dalton is just small enough to be seen, known, and home while also hosting $11 billion in industry and opportunity.

That’s why we named our magazine Here. Loving where you live shapes who you are and who you are becoming. These pages are a celebration of being here, where our feet are, so we can love this place and leave it better than we found it.

Thanks for being here for it.

6 6

#Finis

h BOL

DLY

Editor Erika Mosteller

Assistant Editor Lauren Sneary

Photographer Ashlea Snell

Contributing Writers Ashley Broadrick Harlan Broadlume Sam Brown Erika Mosteller Lauren Sneary Rachel Wright

Ready for a BOLD future?

Dalton State College is one of the country’s most affordable 4-year institutions and prepares you with the skills and knowledge to work in a global economy.

With a commitment to academic excellence, our programs in Dalton and Ellijay and online provide you with resume-building experiences for career success.

TOP 10%

IN THE NATION FOR

Explore our programs!

Student Experience

Contributing Photographers David Aft Amanda Lovelace Mayra Meraz Kevin Tanenbaum Outlive Creative

Contributing Artists Audrey Batts

Graphic Design

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

McKenzie Bergenback

America’s Best College’s 2025

Tiffany Hargis

Operations Dayana Jaclan Carin Watts

DALTONSTATE.EDU

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Here.Dalton September 11, 10am-1pm Info at daltonchamber.org

ACT Jr. presents Junie B. Jones Jr. September 19-21, September 26-27 Tickets at artisticcivictheatre.com

DEO Clinic Hope, Health, and Healing Run September 13, 9-11am Haig Mill Lake Park

Off the Rails Concert Series at Burr Park September 5 - Music City Stones, ZZ Top Notch September 12 - Descendencia Texana September 19 - Rubiks Groove

Greater Dalton Chamber D.C. Fly-In

The Creative Arts Guild Arts Fest September 19-21

Dalton Fall Home Show September 19-21 Friday: 12pm-6pm | Saturday: 10am-5pm | Sunday: 11am-4pm Dalton Convention Center

Friendship House Music Festival September 20, 5-10pm Burr Park

ACT presents Musical Miscast Cabaret September 25-27 Tickets at artisticcivictheatre.com

Northwest High School Homecoming Game September 26

September 16–18 in Washington, D.C. Info at daltonchamber.org

Night Time Tunnel Tour

United Way of Northwest Georgia 2025 Campaign Kick-Off

September 27, 6-10pm at the Clisby Austin House Tickets required: 706-876-2526

September 18, 6-8pm Burr Park

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SEPTEMBER

SEPTEMBER

Greater Dalton Chamber’s Business Expo 2025

Dalton High School Homecoming September 19

Dalton State College Guest Artist Series ft. the Duo Beaux Arts September 22, 7:30 p.m.

Goodroe Auditorium in Gignilliat Hall

Events September & October Tuesdays & Saturdays, 8am-1pm Dalton Green

Hispanic Heritage Month Community Cultural Celebration September 25, 5-7 p.m.

Intramural Field at Dalton State College

ACT presents Death of a Salesman October 3-5 Tickets at artisticcivictheatre.com

Christian Heritage Homecoming October 3

Southeast High School Homecoming October 10

Prater’s Mill Country Fair October 11-12 Info at pratersmill.org

Dalton High School Hall of Fame Game

OCTOBER +

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER

Downtown Dalton Farmers Market

for a full list of local & regional festivals, see p. 26

Fall Family Festival at Dalton State College Oct. 23, 5-9 p.m.

Info at daltonstate.edu

ACT presents Murder on the Nile October 24-26, Oct. 31-November 2 Tickets at artisticcivictheatre.com

Civitan Club Fall Festival October 25, 4-9pm Burr Park

The Winter Market at Fiddle Farms Saturdays starting Oct. 25, 10am-2pm FiddleHeads Garden Center

Dalton Little Theatre presents Ripcord October 31, November 1,2,7,8 Tickets at daltonlittletheatre.com

Dia de los Muertos at The Creative Arts Guild

October 17, 7:30pm Harmon Field

November 1, 6-10pm Info at creativeartsguild.org

Moonlight & Moonshine in Tunnel Hill

Downtown Dalton Holiday Open House

October 18, 6pm-9pm Tickets at civilwarrailroadtunnel.com

November 1-3

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Near Here Events World of Bluegrass September 16-20 Chattanooga, TN Tickets at worldofbluegrass.org

Blue & Gray Barbeque 9am-5pm, September 20 Gordon Lee Mansion in Chickamauga 217 Cove Rd, Chickamauga, GA

Ringgold’s Rabbit Valley Farmers Market Saturdays through September 27 96 Depot St, Ringgold, GA

Helen, Georgia Oktoberfest September 25-November 2 Details at helenchamber.org

Photo Credit: Rabbit Valley Farmers Market

Decatur Book Festival Oct. 3-4, 2025 Downtown Decatur details at decaturbookfestival.com

Chattanooga Oktoberfest October 11, 10am-8pm October 12, 11am-5pm 1801 Reggie White Boulevard Chattanooga, TN

Cohutta Song Fest October 17-18 Downtown Cohutta

Wings Over North Georgia October 17-19 Richard B Russell Regional Airport 304 Russell Field Rd NE, Rome, GA Tickets at wingsovernorthgeorgia.com

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Seen & Heard On Third Places where we feel at home in Dalton Third Place (n.): A little local pocket of the world that’s neither home (first place) nor work (second place), but where life still happens—sometimes even more fully than anywhere else!

Here are a few from our readers!

“Rockbridge Community

“My front porch! The Gallant

Church feels like my third

Goat, the Waggle, and Julie

space! Also, Baja Coop.”

Kittle are my 3rds.”

- Ashley Goble

- Julie Locke

On the importance of being here.

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On missing Pops in Burr Park due to storms:

“

Coming back with a Bi-Quincentennial like no-one’s ever seen before!! Can’t wait for 2026!!!

- Sydney Sellers

Special shout out to the Greater Dalton Chamber for giving so many of our staff, volunteers, and musicians a place to seek shelter!!

- Sarah Murry

“

“The pace and anxiety of our 21 st century lives tends to keep us cluttered: full to the brim and yet unable to access valuable and worthwhile information and experiences. What would it mean to tidy up the storage areas in our day-to-day lives and the Rubbermaid bins in our brains? Maybe it would sound something like the title of this magazine: Be Here. Here: the space that you occupy on this earth physically, mentally, emotionally every day. Your present reality. Slowing down is easier said than done, but real attending is a skill that’s worthy of the time it takes to develop. Let’s start in Dalton.

Attend something. Show up for the places and people you pass by every day. Find the business, restaurant, civic duty, church, or hobby that you have been too “busy” to deal with fully, and uncover the joy of presence and pride in your space, your time, and your city. You may discover that peace of mind is the buried treasure in your own backyard.” - Rachel Cobb, Local Daltonian and High School Counselor with Dalton Public Schools

Have something to share?

Email hello@herelocalmedia.com to share thoughts on living in Dalton, Georgia.

Greater Dalton has so many great local options for food and drink.

Here are a few of our staff favorites:

1.

2.

3.

Eat, Drink, & Be Here

4.

6.

Find a full listing of local dining by category in our Dalton Dining Guide beginning on p. 42

5.

1. Healthy and Fresh Native Kitchen Cobb Salad with Dill dressing

2. Lunch Spots Cafe Ostro & Sol de Mayo

Photos courtesy of businesses

3. Elevated Dinner Cyra’s Simple Goodness

4. Apps & Wine The Spinning Room

5. Fresh Coffee & Espresso Cortado from Garmony House or latte from Life Grounds

6. Classic Drink The Gallant Goat Old Fashioned or Espresso Martini

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e th r o v a S eason S Late summer in the South offers a peak opportunity to savor the season of locally grown produce. Colorful produce abounds at our downtown Dalton Farmers Market, and it’s the perfect time to choose local, eat with intention and maximize nutrition.

Eating healthy can feel overwhelming, especially with so many options on the market today. Here are some helpful guidelines for choosing local and fueling your body with foods for energy and health.

•

Choose colorful, in-season produce like tomatoes, peaches, melons, and summer squash and zucchini, which are packed with vitamins and antioxidants.

•

Hydrate with foods such as watermelon and cucumbers, which add electrolytes, water balance and digestion. Real Food Company has a great selection of electrolytes.

•

Support local farmers by shopping at farmers' markets or joining a local farm share. This is the best way to ensure optimal freshness while strengthening the regional food system. Go local with Downtown Dalton’s Saturday market, Rise N Shine Farm CSA (local pickup: Wren’s Nest) and (coming soon) Fiddleheads Fiddle Farm.

•

Build meals mindfully with the Plate method. Fill half your plate with fresh fruits and non-starchy vegetables, a quarter with whole grains or starchy vegetables, and a quarter with protein. Great proteins to include are lentils, nuts, beans, whole grains, lean meats and fish. Go local with grassfed/finished beef from Lowe Cattle Co. or 41 Feed & Garden Center’s Bramlett Beef, or grab chicken salad from Real Food Co.

•

Make healthy options convenient so you can eat with intention. Choose fresh, nutritious snacks like fresh fruit paired with yogurt or raw veggies and hummus instead of processed options. Less pantry, more fridge!

Highline Bakery’s D-town sourdough makes a great base for avocado toast, or a summer classic tomato sandwich!

•

Ditch the drive-thru and opt for a minimal prep, easy seasonal sheet pan meal, like the recipe on the next page.

Don’t miss out on these last sweet bites of summer. Linger in your markets and support your farmers. The hustle and bustle of holiday meals and soup season will be here soon enough!

Ashley Broadrick, RD/LDN (Registered Dietitian)

rooted

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Follow Ashley on Instagram @berootedandwell, or visit her website rootednutritionwellness.com to work with her.

rooted

Local Picks for Seasonal Produce Rise N Shine farms: Farm-share box with local pick up at Wren’s nest, one stop shop with farm fresh organic produce and local sundries including coffee, milk, eggs and more. risenshinefarm.com.

Real Food Co: Not only can you trust the goodness of ingredients and find the best chicken salad, the freezer is stocked with Lowe Cattle Co. beef and broths.

Highline Bakery & Small Batch Bakery: These local sourdough options pack a nutrition punch and are a great staple for your kitchen.

Downtown Dalton Farmers Market: Local farmers line the Green with in-season fruits, veggies and sundries. Tuesdays & Saturdays 8am-1pm at Dalton Green park through October.

Fiddleheads Fiddle Farms: Check out their Winter Saturday markets + Fresh Produce Subscription boxes coming soon!

Cheesy Zucchini Sausage Sheet Pan Meal Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients 2 medium zucchini, cut into thick half-moon slices 2 medium yellow summer squash, cut into thick half-moon slices 2 T olive oil Salt and fresh-ground black pepper to taste 12 oz. Riverview farms pre-cooked sausage or brand of choice 1 cup coarsely grated Parmesan cheese (more or less to taste)

Instructions •

Preheat oven to 450F.

•

Wash and slice zucchini & squash lengthwise down the center; then slice into 3/4 inch thick slices.

•

Toss with olive oil, Redmond salt (found at Real Food Co), garlic powder and pepper.

•

Spread zucchini & squash on the sheet pan, flat sides down.

•

Slice sausage into 3/4 inch thick slices and add to the sheet pan.

•

Roast zucchini, squash and sausage for 15 minutes.

•

After 15 minutes cooking time, sprinkle zucchini, squash and sausage with coarsely grated Parmesan cheese.

•

Roast an additional 10 minutes until cheese is melted.

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ten Minutes To A Trailhead.

Five To A Park.

That’s Why I Chose Dalton.

Deanna Hudson and her family moved to Dalton three years ago for outdoor opportunities, proximity to bigger cities, and all the perks of small town life.

“

I love how active this city is. I always see someone I know when I’m walking here. I head to the Dalton State College trails with Josie and feel so peaceful, even though I’m in the middle of the city.

“

Living in such a friendly, beautiful, & active place makes me appreciate life.

Now, You Can Discover Dalton’s Green Spaces With One Tap.

Choose from 19 different trails with Believe Greater Dalton’s Hike & Bike Pass on the new Discover Dalton app.

More passes coming soon! www.believegreaterdalton.org

Deanna with pup Josie

Scan to get the pass!

Faces of Here

Soal Running Club

By Erika Mosteller

A bead of sweat trickled down my spine. It was Summer in Dalton, and the humidity hit like a sauna.

But the heat didn’t faze the crew from Soal Running Club. By 7 a.m. Saturday, runners had already gathered outside Casa del Café—some knocking out a six-miler, others joining in later for a threemiler. There were long-timers who’ve been here since the club began in 2023, and first-timers like me, all greeted with the same warm nods and easy smiles.

It didn’t take long to see why the group had grown.

Their mission was palpable: create space for people to show up, move their bodies, and feel better in both body and “soal.”

Local founders Geovanni Villa and Jorge Hurtado (Geo and Jorgie) were soccer teammates before they were runners. The club’s roots go back to a spontaneous Instagram Live run in 2023, where they answered questions and invited others into the journey. Two years later, the momentum is real, as nearly 40 people gather each Saturday, celebrating everything from birthdays to job changes, race finishes to health milestones.

Geo explained, “people come here to feel like part of something, especially after Covid. We have people come just to walk, then move into a jogwalk, then into full blown running. Our goal is to spread positive health habits in this community.”

Geo’s wife runs with him most days, and his parents have joined too. Healthy habits are contagious here.

Runner Ben Morales put it plainly while sipping his Yerba Mate: “Community is key. I like running, sure—but it’s the hangout after that I love.” He glanced at fellow runner Luis Guerrero and grinned.

“This club changes lives.”

Photos courtesy of Mayra Meraz

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Luis smiles and admits that his one-year running anniversary is this month. “This club has changed

my health like a 180. I didn’t like running, but now I love it. This group is like a family, cheering me on to keep bettering myself.”

Many runners shared the “I hate running” sentiment before joining the club, but as newcomer Marlen explained after her first morning with the club, “running used to be a punishment for me in soccer.

If we messed up, we had to run. Now, I recognize that running is about finding my flow and balance. I did 6 miles this morning because I took it slow and paced myself with the group.”

This group embodies their motto of “Suffer Well.” As Jorgie explained, “We all remind each other to suffer well, that in life and running you sometimes get to a point where you can’t continue. But then you remember that optimism, that belief to do things ‘well,’ and it brings you outcomes you didn’t expect.”

Coach Jorgie explained the group’s mission as connection, inspiration, and commitment. “Geo designed our logo with deep intention. Soal has three meanings: soul, sole (like shoes), and sol (Spanish for Sun). We added in the ‘a’ to make it ‘soal’ and the philosophy of ‘Seeking Out Authentic Living.’”

Coach Jorgie and Coach Geo design track workouts for Wednesdays and running routes on Saturdays, depending on the race cycle. This Fall, Saturday runs will start at 6am to allow for halfmarathon training. Morales explained, “We aim for 80% easy run and 20% hard run, balancing the work we do on our body.

We have some seasoned runners who help coach us to follow our heart rate and ensure we set ourselves up for success.”

He laughed with some fellow runners about his new slogan, “I don’t follow my pace, I follow my heart.” Jokes flew about trademarking it, making it his new Insta bio, or using it for merch—the conversation visible proof of the connection many runners keep mentioning.

Follow Soal Running Club on Facebook & Instagram @ soalrunningclub for schedule and run locations!

About that moment, the three milers finished their run, returning back to their close-knit community with fist bumps, clapping, and “nice run!”

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Faces of Here

Dalton Brewing Trivia Night

By Rachel Wright

It’s Wednesday night at Dalton Brewing Company (DBC). Customers spill out onto the sidewalk and neighboring alley while the taproom buzzes with conversation, clinking glasses and the rustle of answer sheets. Behind the bar, Andy anticipates drink orders and hands out juice boxes to kids, making sure no one runs on empty.

The trivia host calls for wagers for “final jeopardy,” and our team, The Longshots, looks at one another knowingly, already planning to go “all in.” Because we’re always all in — on Dalton, on DBC and each other.

As a former journalist, it feels important to disclose that my husband has worked for DBC since August 2022. The opportunity coincided perfectly with a career transition and allowed him to pursue a passion for brewing. Personally, I was thrilled to find out we wouldn’t have bubbling buckets of home-brew in the back bedroom.

The first few times we experienced DBC trivia, we played as a team of two. But you don’t have to work at DBC to make friends quickly. Communal toys, board games and a supply of dog treats make sure everyone in the family feels included. After a few Wednesdays of friendly exchanges with a competing team, we found ourselves sitting at the picnic tables outside as proud members of The Longshots.

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Trivia officially starts at 6 p.m. each Wednesday, but players begin trickling in after the brewery opens at 4 p.m. Small groups gather around shared snacks, and competing teams co-mingle, catching up on the previous week’s events. It’s not uncommon to see a pickup truck parked

out front with people sitting on the tailgate or using the bed to hold a cold beer. Others bring camping chairs to create more seating while outdoor speakers keep them connected to what’s happening inside.

After every question, the host plays a song that provides a clue to the answer. Clues can be associated with the artist’s name, the song title or its lyrics. Whether teams know the answer immediately or need to confer with their resident music expert, the song breaks keep the energy high.

It’s these in-between moments where dogs’ bellies are scratched, jokes are told and teams playfully argue over disputed answers. It’s the time for drink refills and dance breaks. It’s when we catch up or compare scores with competitors who have become friends. There’s nothing inherently magical about these moments, but they’re the ones people remember. The most die-hard trivia players among us may have initially come for the game, but they keep coming back for the community.

Photography by Kevin Tanenbaum

Over countless pints and rounds of questions, trivia has become much more than a way to pass a Wednesday night, and The Longshots much more than just a team. We go to concerts together, host cookouts for each other’s families and celebrate some of our biggest milestones together. Just ask the couple whose wedding a team member officiated last summer. Or the couple who announced they were expecting their first baby on a cookie cake when it was their turn to bring snacks.

The Longshots, June 2025

Our experience is special, but it isn’t unique. Others have their own version of this story, because community can be found any day of the week at DBC.

Ready to be here? Join a trivia team on Wednesday, run with the club on Thursdays or stop in for live music on Fridays. To learn more about other events like Open Mic Night, Improv on Tap and Mac’s monthly book club, follow DBC on social media or pick up a copy of the free monthly newsletter in the tap room. We’d love you to come be “all in” with us!

At Dalton Utilities/OptiLink, we understand that every flicker of light, every drop of water, every warm home, every phone call, and every internet connection matters. That's why we're more than just a utility and telecommunications provider – we're here to reliably empower every aspect of your daily life. We are committed to ensuring your world runs smoothly, efficiently, and sustainably.

With a dedication to excellence and a focus on customer care, Dalton Utilities/Optilink is here to serve you, today and tomorrow.

WATER • ELECTRICITY • NATURAL GAS • WASTEWATER PHONE • INTERNET • VIDEO STREAMING

EVERY NEED MET WITH CARE DUTIL.COM | OPTILINK.US

@DALTONUTILITIES | @OPTILINKGA

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@DALTON_UTILITIES | @OPTILINKGA

Skip the billboard.

Call your neighbor.

How to find a trusted lawyer when things go sideways.

SPONSORED If you’ve ever taken a leisurely drive up I-75—or really, driven anywhere— you’ve seen them. The Strong Arm. The Bulldog. The Hammer. (Still waiting on “The Ice Pick,” but you get the point.)

Billboard lawyers have cheesy nicknames, big fonts, and even bigger promises. What’s a well-meaning consumer to make of it all after an auto accident?

Here’s what those ads won’t tell you: personal injury law is big business, and the root of this big business is something called a contingency fee.

Instead of billing you by the hour, lawyers can take a percentage of whatever money they recover for you.

One-third is standard. Some go up to 50% if the case is complex or risky.

While this model provides legal access to all without breaking the piggy bank, it also creates business incentives that may cloud your ability to find the best representation.

In a contingency-based world, finding cases is everything, and fast, easy cases are gold. When these lawyers are churning through a high volume of calls from a billboard campaign, the name of

CONTENT the game becomes ease: take the easy and valuable cases and decline or farm out the tough ones (sometimes to a lawyer you’ve never even heard of).

While not everyone follows this model, and it doesn’t always cause problems, it can mean your case gets less attention than it deserves, particularly if your case is complex.

So, what’s to be done, short of throwing a dart at the nearest highway ad and hoping for the best?

Simple: Skip the billboard. Call your neighbor.

Find a local lawyer you trust enough to call when things go sideways.

(Same goes for doctors and accountants, by the way.) Your lawyer doesn’t even need to specialize in personal injury, but they’ll know who does—and who does it well.

If you’re reading this and realizing you don’t have a trusted lawyer, we’d be honored to make your acquaintance.

If our team of experienced attorneys can’t help, we’ll point you to an expert we know and trust—one not likely to be found on a billboard.

N AT H A N L O C K Personal Injury Lawyer, McCamy Law Firm (No billboard, but still considering a cheesy nickname)

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THE DALTON HOUSING AUTHORIT Y IS NOW WELL HOUSED DALTON .

Same People. Same Heart.

A Stronger Vision For Building What Dalton Needs Next.

For over 75 years, the Dalton Housing Authority has served our community with commitment, compassion, and care. Today, we’re stepping boldly into the future with a name that better reflects our purpose: We are now Well Housed Dalton.

Stay informed, get involved, and learn more about our mission and new developments: wearewellhoused.org

@wellhouseddalton

Investing in People and Housing since 1949.

F

Apple Picking images (Credit Outlive Creative Courtesy of Gilmer Chamber)

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Festival Season T

By Erika Mosteller

here’s a shift in the air. The light’s

September still sweats like it’s July, but

getting lazier. Shadows stretch

Dalton doesn’t wait for cooler weather

longer. A slow burn of red and

to start celebrating—and neither do our

gold dots the ridgelines.

neighbors. It’s not Festival Season in the South if you’re not sweating through your

Fall is coming. And it’s spectacular in

pumpkin patch visit.

Northwest Georgia.

Fall is families piling into hayrides and Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge

choosing their most sincere pumpkin.

Mountains, the Valley and Ridge region

It’s mariachi bands and craft fairs, Friday

contains Dalton, Calhoun, Ringgold, and

night lights, homecoming parades, and

Chatsworth. Our mountains put on a show

pumpkin spice everything. It’s settling

every season. But fall is the headliner. It’s

around the fire pit. Enjoying a cool

a riot of color. After a long, hot summer,

morning run. Heading to Children’s Hill at

locals welcome the crunch of fresh

the Guild. Savoring the final concerts at

apples and leaves underfoot; funnel cakes

Burr Park.

and live music; haunted houses, corn mazes, and trick-or-treating.

So go ahead and declare it early. Fall is here. Almost. The anticipation alone

The local liturgy turns to Festival Season

is glorious.

each September. Around here, we relish in our seasons. Festival season in Northwest

We listed local fall traditions conveniently

Georgia is how we mark time, celebrate

here, so plan for your season, and maybe

our cultures, our roots, and our

add in something new.

hometown rhythms.

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Fall Festival S Festival

Off The Rails Concert Series

Ultimate Fall Fest

Date

Location

Details

Fridays, June 6 – September 19

Burr Park, 101 S Hamilton St, Dalton, GA

Free summer-to-fall outdoor concert series: live music, food trucks + local vendors.

Family & pet-friendly.

September 13 10am-4pm

The Colonnade, 264 Catoosa Circle, Ringgold, GA

Fall kickoff with artisan booths, music, food trucks, and games.

Parade: Downtown Dalton, 4pm-5pm

Dalton High School Homecoming Parade, Game

September 19

Friendship House Music Festival

September 20 5-10pm

Burr Park, 101 S Hamilton St, Dalton, GA

Free concert benfitting Dalton kids & families ft. headliner Olivia Barnes

Creative Arts Guild Arts Fest

September 20-21

Creative Arts Guild, 520 W Waugh St, Dalton, GA

Visual arts, dance, live music, food vendors, and interactive art experiences.

Game: Harmon Field, 7:30pm

Parade, pep rally, and Friday night football game.

Hispanic Heritage Month Community Cultural Celebration

September 25 5-7pm

Dalton State College Intramural Field

Family-friendly event to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, with food trucks, DJ, dancers, musicians, and children’s activities.

Festival Del Sabor Latin TasteFestival

October 11 12-6pm

Burr Park 101 S Hamilton St, Dalton, GA

Cuisine from 19+ countries, plus live music and dancing from across Latin America!

Prater’s Mill Country Fair

October 11-12 9am–5pm

Prater’s Mill Historic Site, 5845 GA-2, Dalton, GA

Historic fair with bluegrass, Southern food, craft booths, and mill tours.

Season Dates Photo Courtesy of Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce

Festival

Georgia Apple Festival

Date

Location

Details

October 11–12 and 18–19

Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds 1729 South Main St. Ellijay, GA

A North Georgia tradition with crafts, apple treats, local goods, and entertainment.

Cohutta Song Fest

October 17-18

Wolfe St. / Downtown Cohutta, GA

Live local music from 30+ songwriters across 4 stages, workshops & songwriting competitions, local arts & craft vendors and more!

Moonlight and Moonshine in Tunnel Hill

October 18 6-9pm

Historic Tunnel Hill, 215 Clisby Austin Dr, Tunnel Hill, GA

Evening market and celebration of Appalachian food, crafts, and music.

Black Bear Festival

October 19-20

Murray Co. Chamber 745 Chestnut St. Chatsworth, GA

Community festival with local music, crafts, food trucks, and family activities.

Fall Family Festival at Dalton State College

October 23 5-9pm

Pope Student Center

Family-friendly event for the community to gather and enjoy children’s activities, crafts, food trucks, and more.

Día de Los Muertos Festival

Saturday, November 1

Creative Arts Guild 520 W Waugh St. Dalton, GA

Cultural celebration with altars, food, music, crafts, and family fun.

27 Photo Credit: Outlive Creative

Pumpkin Patches & Apple Picking Location

Activities

Open Dates

3379 Tails Creek Rd Ellijay, GA

Apple & pumpkin U‑pick, hayrides, farm fun

Apples: late Aug–Oct Pumpkins: late Sept–Oct

B.J. Reece Orchards

9131 Hwy 52 E Ellijay, GA

Apple U‑pick, corn maze, bakery, farm market, seasonal activities

Aug 23–Oct 31, 2025 Monday - Saturday: 9am to 6pm Sunday: 1 to 6pm

R & A Orchards

5505 Hwy 52 E Ellijay, GA

Apple U‑pick, U-cut flowers, pumpkins, tractor tours

Weekends in Sept–Oct 7 days a week 8:30am to 6pm

8660 Blue Ridge Dr Blue Ridge, GA

Apple/berry/pumpkin U‑pick, bakery, hard cider

August-October.

Monday - Thursday: 9am to 5pm Friday - Sunday: 8am to 5:30pm

Ellijay, GA

Apple picking, farm market

September & October: 9am to 6pm November: 9am to 5pm

Freedom Farms

2363 Ballground Rd Chatsworth, GA

Apple & peach U‑pick

Weekends by appointment: (404) 563-9289

Copper Creek Farm

1514 Reeves Station Rd Calhoun, GA

Pumpkin patch, corn maze, hayrides, gem mining, family fun

Fall 2025 (see coppercreekfarm.com for full calendar)

Burt’s Pumpkin Farm

5 Burt’s Pumpkin Farm Rd Dawsonville, GA

Pumpkin patch, hayrides, gift shop

Fall 2025 (check burtspumpkinfarmgeorgia. com for schedule)

Uncle Shuck’s Pumpkin Patch

125 Bannister Rd Dawsonville, GA

Pumpkin patch, corn maze, petting zoo

Sept. 20th - Nov. 9th (uncleshucks.com for hours)

Pettit Creek Farms

337 Cassville Rd Cartersville, GA

Pumpkin fest, hayrides, petting zoo, animal encounters

September 20-21 & 27-28 (Weekends Only) October 1st – 31st (Tuesday – Sunday)

Yahoo Farm

4729 Waleska Hwy Jasper, GA

Pumpkin farm, hayrides, pony rides, corn maze

Starts Sept. 20

Red Apple Barn

Mercier Orchards

Hillcrest Orchards

Photo Credit: Outlive Creative

Address

FLOORING THAT PUTS PEOPLE FIRST

Shaw is proud to be here in Dalton, the home of our global headquarters and so many of our associates.

Our people are creating a better future for our community!

shawinc.com

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The Beauty of Life’s Cycles:

Celebrating Día de los Muertos in Dalton

By Erika Mosteller

A

s festival season sweeps through Northwest Georgia, many in Dalton celebrate a Mexican tradition rooted in the belief that our loved ones never truly leave us.

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is honored from November 1–2 and brings a wave of color, joy, and reverence. Originating thousands of years ago with the Aztec, Toltec, and Nahua peoples, the tradition has become one of the most meaningful in Mexican culture. For many Dalton families, it’s now a treasured part of fall.

“I’m proud to be Mexican-American. I love this celebration that honors family who’ve passed and brings closer the ones who are still here.”

Monique Loa Monique Loa, a recent Dalton high school graduate headed to culinary school this fall, describes the day as “creating a museum for your family members.” Her younger brother Emilano adds, “it’s all about family and remembering.”

In Dalton, the Creative Arts Guild has hosted an annual celebration for years, and it’s become a joyful tradition. Monique’s family joins in every fall, donning costumes, bringing their horses, and gathering with neighbors beneath fluttering papel picado. Calavera skulls are painted in bright detail. Children dress as La Catrina, the elegant skeleton symbolizing the beauty of life and death.

Though deeply Mexican, the meaning resonates across cultures.

Tied to Christian All Saints Day, the holiday reminds us that remembering is part of living well.

This November 1, stop by the Creative Arts Guild. Ask your neighbor about their ofrenda.

Light a candle, and celebrate life. Honoring those who came before us helps all of us feel a little more at home.

Far from somber, Día de los Muertos is vibrant and life-affirming. In Mexican culture, death isn’t the end; it’s part of a greater cycle. Mourning gives way to memory; grief becomes gratitude. Families build ofrendas, which are altars adorned with marigolds, candles, sugar skulls, and favorite foods of lost loved ones.

The message is simple: You are remembered. You are still with us.

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For details about the Creative Arts Guild celebration, follow them on social media:

@creativeartsguild

creativeartsguild

Hispanic Culture at the Heart of

Festival Season

H

By Erika Mosteller

ispanic Heritage Month, celebrated nationally from September 15 to October 15, is a vivid reflection of who we are in Northwest Georgia, where more than half the city identifies as Hispanic or Latino.

Across the U.S., the month honors the cultures and contributions of Americans with roots in Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. In Dalton, it comes to life through vibrant local traditions like CLILA’s (Coalición De Líderes Latinos) Festival del Sabor and Dalton State College’s Community Cultural Celebration. Dalton State became Georgia’s first federally designated HispanicServing Institution in 2018, and today, 38% of students identify as Hispanic or Latino. In partnership with CLILA, the college continues to expand programming that reflects and celebrates that diversity, including the Hispanic Heritage Celebration.

At Festival del Sabor, Burr Park transforms into a global village, with over 100 booths showcasing traditional foods and crafts from Latino countries and Mexican regions. All day long, the stage comes alive with mariachi music and traditional dances from across Latin America. This celebration is one of the most dynamic reflections of Dalton’s community spirit.

Photo credit: Paige Brundrett

Book Picks That Belong on Your Shelf Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month through stories that shape, reflect, and inspire with this curated list by Daltonian Sanjuana Carrillo Rodriguez, Professor of Literacy Education and co-director of the Academy for Language and Literacy at Kennesaw State University. Dr. Rodriguez is a national committee member of the Tomás Rivera Book Award, honoring authors and illustrators who illuminate the Mexican-American experience.

For Young Readers: Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal A father tells his daughter the story of her name and how she is connected by name to many people in her family.

For Older Readers: A Seed in the Sun

by Aida Salazar A historical fiction novel written in verse about Lula, a girl who comes from a family of migrant farm workers, set in the 1960’s. The book details the hardships and the ways in which Lula learns to find her voice.

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The Gift That Plays On How One Woman’s Generosity Gave Rise To A Community Tradition.

G

reater Dalton’s outdoor concert tradition was born from one woman’s belief that living and giving charitably can transform a community.

Today, over 50,000 visitors gather in Burr Park annually to hear live music, support local causes, and jam with neighbors under the stars (or fireworks at Pops in Burr Park).

When 91-year-old Jeanne Burr visited the Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia with her son Jeff, she had one heartfelt goal: “To make a real difference and bring Dalton’s diverse community together around music, theater, and dance.” That spark lit the stage.

Just five years ago, those crowds would have looked elsewhere. Now, they come here for Friday night tradition, civic pride, and shared joy.

“I promised we would build a park - and we did!

It has exceeded my wildest imagination.”

Philanthropist and Daltonian, Jeanne Burr

B

uilt in true community spirit, Burr Park rose from a vacant lot in 2017 to a state-of-the-art performance space by 2018 with an expansion in 2022.

This vibrant cultural and community hub happened thanks to true public-private partnership and a legendary belief that Dalton deserved a third space to celebrate music and art.

A Lyndhurst Foundation community development grant initiative sparked the park’s idea from David Aft, President of the Community Foundation. When Dalton native Deanna Mathis had the original vision to build the park in central Downtown Dalton, support from the City of Dalton and Dalton Utilities turned the once vacant lot into a community hub.

Vision from the Greater Dalton Chamber, Downtown Dalton Development Authority, and local volunteers brought the project from conception to reality with the help of Dalton architects Lowell and Nathan Kirkman.

And the gift keeps on giving. Every season, civic groups unveil the Off The Rails concert lineup, nonprofits raise funds through music festivals, kids sled down grassy hills on cardboard after shows, and Gratefull transforms the park into one long table of togetherness in November.

Jeanne Burr’s legacy lives on as a centerpiece of downtown Dalton’s quality of life. The Gift Plays On.

Charitable Giving Is The Foundation Of Thriving Communities.

We’re proud to help Northwest Georgians live and give charitably.

33 SPONSORED CONTENT

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5 Plants to Get in the Ground This Fall From Sam Brown, Owner of Fiddleheads Garden Center

1. Tulips (and Other Spring Bulbs That Work While You Wait) These are your early risers. You plant them now, and come late winter or early spring, they’ll be the first to say hello. Make sure you dig deep—about 6–8 inches—and amend that red clay with some compost and bulb food while you’re at it. We’ve got a great Fall Bulb Collection in stock, including allium, ranunculus, and Rubra fritillaria if you want to mix it up.

Insider trick: tuck tulip bulbs under your pansies.

The pansies bloom now, and the tulips pop through in spring like a magic trick.

2. Pansies Every fall, folks ask what will survive the winter and still look good doing it. This is the answer. Pansies are tough. They’ll bloom straight through frost, even snow, and carry you right into spring. We’ve got varieties that are perfect for beds, boxes, and planters. Just don’t forget—Dalton’s clay holds water, so plant them in well-drained soil or raised containers to avoid soggy roots.

3. Oakleaf Hydrangea If you want one plant that brings it in every season, this is it. Creamy white blooms in summer, deep red and bronze leaves in fall, and peeling bark for winter interest. Fall is hands-down the best time to get it in the ground—gives the roots time to get comfy before next year’s heat sets in. They do well here with a little shade and some help breaking up that heavy soil.

Fall might feel like the time to shut it down, but in the gardening world? It’s go time. Cooler air, fewer bugs, and warm soil make it the best season for setting up your landscape for success. And here in Northwest Georgia— where we’ve got heavy red clay and a Zone 7 climate— you’ll be glad you didn’t wait until spring to get a jump on a beautiful, blooming yard next year.

4. Forest Pansy Redbud This native tree is a showstopper. Spring hits and it’s covered in electric pink blooms, followed by heart-shaped purple leaves that fade to gold in fall. It does great in our zone and doesn’t outgrow smaller yards. I’ve got a few planted at home, and every year they stop people in their tracks. Fall planting helps it get established so it’s ready to take off next spring.

5. Coneflower (Echinacea) If you’re after lowmaintenance color that keeps the bees and butterflies happy, this is your plant. Echinacea thrives in Dalton’s full sun and doesn’t mind dry spells once it’s established.

Blooms through summer, holds its shape through winter, and adds texture to your beds year-round. It’s a hard working, good-looking perennial—and who doesn’t need more of that?

Bottom line from your local plant guy: Fall planting is like giving your garden a head start while everyone else is still in hibernation. Get a few of these in the ground now, and come spring, your neighbors will be asking how you got it all looking so good so fast.

Need help? Swing by Fiddleheads. We’ve got the plants, the dirt knowledge, and the crew to help you dig in the right direction.

— Sam Brown Owner, Fiddleheads Garden Center – Dalton, GA

Fiddleheads Garden Center is located at 1237 W. Walnut Ave in Dalton, Georgia.

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.

Designing Dalton Local Architecture & Interior Design Firm Montgomery & Peeples is here to help us update our porch or patio for the fall season with plush cushions, new seating, and thoughtful decorative elements.

Visit their website for more inspo! montgomeryandpeeples.com

POTTERY BARN’S handcrafted pumpkins add a natural and organic touch. Available through potterybarn.com

GRANDIN ROAD’S handcrafted rocking chairs paired with BIRCH LANE’S pillow cover offer a classic and welcoming approach to a front porch.

TERRAIN’S modern steel fireplace is a cozy addition to any outdoor space. Available through shopterrain.com

TERRAIN’S fall wreath brings natural textures and warm tones to a front door. Available through shopterrain.com

GRANDIN ROAD’S lanterns light the night in style.

Grouping varying sizes together gives a dramatic look. Available through grandinroad.com

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Hi Dalton kids! We’re so proud you’re part of our community.

Our friend Audrey made you something fun to work on!

How many of the hidden pictures shown at the bottom of the page can you find in her beautiful drawing?

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Original illustration by Audrey Batts Jones. Hidden picture answers on p. 41

a

Two Days in Dalton

Low Cost

High Vibes

Weekend

By Lauren Sneary

We have family- and budget-friendly options for entertainment & activities all over town. Here’s our laid back but fun-packed itinerary for an easy weekend in Dalton.

Picture this: it’s a Friday evening after work and school and you’re ready to have some fun.

The family is asking for pizza, so you head out to Cherokee Brewing + Pizza to grab a bite.

Most Fridays they have great local live music, much like Dalton Brewing Company, which is where you go next, to enjoy a few post-dinner small-batch local brews.

The kids are adamant about dessert – frozen yogurt and endless toppings at The Sweet Spot sound good, or you could walk over to The Churro Company Food Truck parked on North Hamilton street and sample some local favorites.

The next morning, you’re in the mood for some low-cost family fun after your night out. So you start out early at the Dalton Farmers’ Market, looking over the beautiful local produce and cool handmade wares.

There’s a playground right next door to the market, so you spend some time on the swings before noticing a disc golf basket. That’s right, there’s a 1-mile, 8-hole disc golf course that meanders all through downtown Dalton, starting at the Old Freight Depot (which has a cool museum to check out while you’re there). If the kids get really into discing, there is also a plethora of full 18-hole disc golf courses in Dalton, including ones at Edwards Park, Westside Park and the Heritage Sports Complex!

But let’s say you decide to stay downtown. As you work your way through the disc golf course, you notice all the peacocks statues, a cool public art project. You make a scavenger hunt out of it, taking group pics at each one you find. There are also several free events on the schedule at the Dalton-Whitfield Library,

39

After lunch, it seems the kids didn’t get quite enough playtime. You could check out one of the many other awesome (and big!) new playgrounds, from Civitan Park to Dalton Civic Park; the fully accessible play area at Westside Park to the beautiful Haig Mill Lake Park. Which, now that we mention it, has kayak and paddle board rentals! But the weather is cooler now, so you’ll keep it in mind for later.

so you make a quick stop there, too.

All this activity has made your group pretty hungry. Lucky for you, there are tons of great value options nearby. You could order some super authentic tacos at the walk-up window at Tacos Tu Go. Or you could check out the hip ambiance and cool menu at D Food Collab. Or, try the fresh and healthy fare at places like Cafe Ostro (Mediterranean) or Baja Coop (a California take on Latin American classics). You truly can’t go wrong.

You stop back by the house to grab some supplies and head out for an early picnic dinner on the grass at Burr Park, watching the sunset and the Saturday night downtown crowd passing by. It was a good day. Maybe tomorrow after church you’ll get your steps in on one of the Rocky Face Ridge trails, or even challenge your family to tackle the Disney trail.

It’s a tough one, but, like most things that test you and bring you together, it’s totally worth the view from the top.

For more outdoor adventures, check out the Discover Dalton Hike and Bike pass to see which trails fit your mood! Flip back to p. 17 or visit believegreaterdalton.org to get the link!

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41

Dining Guide

W

hether you live here, work here, or are just passing through, if you’ve spent any time in Dalton lately, you know we have one of the best local food scenes around! From bake shops and little coffee spots to pizza and local brews to fine dining and craft cocktail bars, Dalton has it all!

Not to mention the best, most authentic Mexican and Latin American food you’ll find in North Georgia.

We’ve curated the list – now it’s your turn to put it to the (taste) test!

Cyra’s Simple Goodness COFFEE, BREAKFAST & BAKERIES

CASUAL DINING

Small Batch Bakery

Facebook: @SmallBatchBakery | Instagram: @smallbatch02 | (706) 264-8750 Small Batch Bakery makes the world a better place one loaf at a time!

Run by sisters Deb and Lisa, they have weekly pre-orders for delicious sourdough loaves in multiple flavors, plus brown butter sourdough chocolate chip cookies and other weekly specials! Place orders by noon Wednesday each week for Friday local pickup!

Casa Del Cafe 219 E Morris St (706) 508-2765

Oakwood Cafe 201 W Cuyler St (706) 529-9663

Common Ground Coffee Shop 510 S Tibbs Rd (706) 529-5958

The Perfect Cup 112 W Crawford St, Ste 101 (706) 270-0669

Cowboy Coffee 2410 Cleveland Hwy, Ste 109 (706) 229-3065 Highline Bake Shop 109 N Pentz St (706) 236-7705 Garmony House 109 W Cuyler St (706) 529-6771 La Esperanza Bakery 1702 E Morris St (706) 270-0178 The Lofi Coffee Bar 336 S Hamilton St (706) 529-3534 Native Kitchen 825 Chattanooga Ave (706) 529-8129

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FINE DINING

Cyra’s – Simple Goodness

208 N Pentz St | @cyrasrestaurant (706) 370-7305 | cyrasrestaurant.com Cyra’s is the premiere dining experience in Northwest Georgia, offering delicious and healthy recipes crafted with fresh, high-quality ingredients in unique preparations.

Superb service, intimate indoor seating options and a gorgeous outdoor patio ensure an incomparable, upscale visit whether you’re with family, friends or customers — a fine dining gem right here in Dalton.

Hamilton’s Food & Spirits 243 N Hamilton St. (706) 270-0467

Cold Creek at North Oaks 101 N Oak Dr #1 (706) 229-3484 Cremo Drive-In 125 E Morris St (706) 278-6316 Curt’s Restaurant 332 Northgate Dr. (706) 278-1159 D Food Collab 301 E Morris St (706) 529-8359 Gill’s Grill 1511 Abutment Rd (706) 278-6888 Ice Castle 2514 E Walnut Ave Ste 1 (706) 278-5411 Jefferson’s 200 N Hamilton St (706) 229-9098 Kelly’s Restaurant 1700 S Dixie Hwy (706) 275-6789 Miller Bros Rib Shack 606 E Morris St (706) 278-7365 The Local Restaurant 3001 E Walnut Ave Ste B (706) 529-9096

Small Batch Bakery

CASUAL DINING (cont.)

Longhorn Steakhouse 1315 W Walnut Ave (706) 281-1568 Oakwood Cafe 201 W Cuyler St (706) 529-9663 Parker’s Restaurant 2800 E Walnut Ave (706) 278-4334 The Perfect Cup 112 W Crawford St, Ste 101 (706) 270-0669 The Spiced Apple 443 Gillum Dr (706) 278-6009 The Sauce’D Pig 2955 Cleveland Hwy (706) 529-5755 The Sweet Spot 410 S Hamilton St (706) 529-7768 Trinity Barbecue 825 Chattanooga Ave (706) 313-1883 Yellowstone Steak & Buffet 501 Legion Dr (706) 529-3366 PIZZA & HOTDOGS Cherokee Brewing & Pizza Company 207B W Cuyler St. (706) 529-9478 Gondolier Pizza 1229 N Glenwood Ave (706) 226-3030 Gondolier Pizza – South 904 S Thornton Ave (706) 278-9575 Hamilton’s Pizzeria 243 N Hamilton St. (706) 270-0467 Juan’s Weiners 301 N Hamilton St (706) 529-3647

Marco’s Pizza 785 Shugart Rd. (706) 529-2500

Mariscos El Cuhhhmaron 229 N Hamilton St (706) 529-9274

Tarasco Mexican Restaurant 1704 Abutment Rd (706) 979-2157

The Local Restaurant 3001 E Walnut Ave Ste B (706) 529-9096

El Pablito 933 Market St #14 (706) 275-9320

Tijuana’s Mexican Restaurant 328 S Hamilton St (706) 226-4113

MEXICAN & LATIN AMERICAN

Los Pablos 2204 Chattanooga Rd (706) 226-1411

Yoly’s Tacos 2505 Antioch Rd (706) 260-2739

Alondra’s 101 W Walnut Ave Ste.9 (706) 529-3562 Baja Coop 222 N Hamilton St (706) 529-2667 Buckin’ Burrito 212 N Hamilton St (706) 529-8226 Don Lolo’s Mexican Restaurant 3590 S Dixie Hwy (706) 671-1166 DosBros Fresh Mexican Grill 100 W Walnut Ave (706) 226-2767 Cocina Tulum 904 S Thornton Ave (706) 529-8285 Fiesta Mexicana 1525 Cleveland Hwy (706) 226-9220 Flako’s Mexican Restaurant 2311 Chattanooga Rd (706) 272-0524 La Fogata Fusion Restaurant 801 Walnut Ave (706) 917-8627 Guadalajara 817 S Hamilton St (706) 229-9853 El Maguey Mexican Cuisine 209 W Cuyler St (706) 229-9377 Mariscos Costa Alegre 603 Fleming Street (706)-229-9269

Las Palmas 1331 W Walnut Ave (706) 529-8477 El Pollo Allegre 323 S Grimes St (706) 259-7998 El Ranchito 101 W Walnut Ave (706) 277-9829 Los Reyes Mexican Restaurant 1235 Cleveland Hwy (706) 226-8832 Sol De Mayo Tacos 825 Chattanooga Ave (706) 529-6662 El Sueño Mexican Restaurant 4109 S Dixie Hwy (706) 906-6632 Tacos Beto 1009 Murray Ave (706) 278-4595 Tacos Tu Go 807 N Hamilton St (706) 813-0187 Tacos Y Guisados Mary’s 101 W Walnut Ave (706) 529-9641 Taqueria Paisanos 1113 E Walnut Ave (706) 428-2324 Taqueria La Providencia 632 Frazier Dr (762) 209-6608 Taqueria Villa Juarez 1103 E Morris St (706) 270-9318

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Dining Guide ASIAN & MEDITERRANEAN

CATERING / GRAB & GO

Cafe Ostro 240 N. Hamilton St. (706) 529-7538

Millie’s by Chef Jasa

Chef Lin 100 W Walnut Ave (706) 226-1663 Fuji Japanese Steakhouse 1321 W Walnut Ave (706) 281-1889 Kumo Hibachi & Sushi 1277 N. Glenwood Ave (706) 278-8886 Lin’s Mongolian Grill 1223 Cleveland Hwy (706) 529-9298 Little Tokyo 2150 E Walnut Ave #28A (706) 226-5187 Oki Hibachi Plus 1304 W Walnut Ave (706) 529-2222 Seasons Hibachi & Sushi 785 Shugart Rd (706) 529-9988 Toyo Japan 100 Rhythm Dr (706) 217-1808 SEAFOOD Coastal C Foods 400 N Hamilton St. (706) 529-7356 The Juicy Seafood 819 Walnut Square Blvd (706) 381-8878 Mariscos El Cuhhhmaron 229 N Hamilton St (706) 529-9274 Mariscos Costa Alegre 603 Fleming Street (706)-229-9269

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2604 Old Chattanooga Rd | (706) 459-0454 | @milliesbychefjasa From authentic street eats to elegant French menu pop-ups, Millie’s does it all.

Contact Chef Jasa for catering parties of any size, any style of cuisine, or swing by one of their special menu events (watch their social media for info!). You can even bring the full Millie’s experience to your event by booking their food truck, with street-style tacos and much more!

The Butcher’s Market 3619A Cleveland Hwy (706) 279-9277 Cafe Ostro 240 N. Hamilton St. (706) 529-7538 Cyra’s – Catering & Events 208 N Pentz St (706) 370-7305 Miller Bros Rib Shack 606 E Morris St (706) 278-7365 Real Food Co. 1327 Dug Gap Rd (706) 229-9677 Trinity Barbecue 825 Chattanooga Ave (706) 313-1883 Willie’s Famous Burgers & Fries 301 W Emery St (706) 226-1953 SWEET TREATS & CAKE SHOPS Bruster’s Real Ice Cream 1307 Dug Gap Rd (706) 529-3869 Cheesecake Heaven 420 W Tyler St (706) 529-3949 The Churro Company 327 N Hamilton St Mobile Annex (706) 383-7261 La Esperanza Bakery 1702 E Morris St (706) 270-0178

We’ve worked to curate a list of as many of our great local spots (which means locally-owned and/or locally-managed) as possible! If you see something missing from our list, or if you want to have your business featured here, contact lauren@herelocalmedia.com or scan below:

Highline Bake Shop 109 N Pentz St (706) 236-7705

Dalton Brewing Company 112 W King St (706) 529-5524

Ice Castle 2514 E Walnut Ave Ste 1 (706) 278-5411

Dalton Distillery 109 E. Morris St. (706) 934-7202

Floursack Bakehouse 304 Springdale Rd, Ste 3 (706) 279-3512

Freya’s Lounge 303 E Morris St (706) 229-9052

Paleteria Michoacan 335 Goodwill Dr (706) 229-0037 Paleteria Y Neveria Monarca 901 N Glenwood Ave (706) 529-8957 Peach Cobbler Factory 785 Shugart Rd, Ste 9B (706) 529-8575 La Reyna Paleteria 308 S Grimes St (706) 271-0710 Small Batch Bakery Facebook: @SmallBatchBakery Instagram: @smallbatch02 (706) 264-8750 The Sweet Spot 410 S Hamilton St (706) 529-7768

The Gallant Goat

Hamilton’s Food & Spirits 243 N Hamilton St (706) 270-0467 The Oyster Pub 933 Market St (706) 259-9455 The Spinning Room 825 Chattanooga Ave (706) 529-8203

BARS & TAVERNS

The Gallant Goat

307 S Hamilton St | (706) 529-8597 | @thegallantgoat The Gallant Goat is Dalton’s elevated craft cocktail experience, with signature craft cocktails and endless options for a custom experience — if they have the ingredients, they will make it for you! Aside from the excellent drinks, the upscale ambience, indoor and outdoor seating options and intimate vibes make it the perfect place for a happy hour meet-up, a reunion with old friends or a fancy date night.

Cyra’s Simple Goodness

Cold Creek at North Oaks 101 N Oak Dr #1 (706) 229-3484

Twist Bar & Lounge at The Carpentry 204 W Cuyler St (706) 529-3040

Crescent City Tavern 324 S Depot St (706) 529-0467

The Waggle 825 Chattanooga Ave (706) 529-9244

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The ‘Whitfield’ Way: How a Preacher Who Never Set Foot Here Still Got a County Named After Him

By Harlan Braudlume Folks in Dalton know Whitfield County like they know the smell of fresh-cut carpet. It’s just part of who we are. But if you ever find yourself sitting around a dinner table off Cleveland Highway or grabbing a meat-and-three downtown and someone asks who exactly this “Whitfield” fella was, you might see more forks pause than mouths open. Because here’s the kicker: George Whitefield, the man our county was named for, never once set foot in Northwest Georgia, let alone Dalton.

Whitefield, pronounced Whitfield, like it rhymed with “pit field,” was a fiery English preacher from the 1700s, famous for his booming sermons and openair revivals. Born in Gloucester, England in 1714, he crossed the Atlantic as a young man and spent much of the 1730s and 1740s preaching in the American

colonies. He thundered up and down the Eastern Seaboard, drawing crowds so big you’d think he was giving away free cornbread. He helped ignite the First Great Awakening, a religious revival that had folks weeping in fields and hollering “Amen” in places where, just a few years earlier, a good sermon just meant you didn’t fall asleep.

Whitefield preached often in Savannah, and his name became a fixture in Southern religious history — so much so that by the time Georgia legislators were forming new counties out of former Cherokee territory in the mid-1800s, his name still carried weight. But as far as we know, Whitefield never laid eyes on the Appalachian foothills, never saw the ridgeline above Rocky Face, and certainly never paced the depot streets of Dalton.

And in 1851, when the Georgia General Assembly set out to divide up what was then a sprawling Murray County — which included the land we now know as both Murray and Whitfield — they carved out a new, more manageable county. They called it Whitfield. It marked a fresh chapter for a growing corner of the state: new roads, new schools, new lines on the map.

And yet, the name they chose came from a preacher who had only ever passed through the region in spirit.

Here’s the twist. The county dropped the “e” from his name, not by mistake, but because folks spelled it the way they said it. Whitfield. Simple. Familiar. Ours.

That kind of practical thinking runs deep in Dalton, where we have been turning thread into carpet and grit into progress for generations.

So now we have a county named for a man who never saw it, spelled in a way he never used, and yet somehow it feels just right. Because if there’s one thing Dalton understands, it is how to take something from somewhere else and make it better.

Make it local.

Make it work.

Make it home.

TVFCU is a Place for All of Us, and we’re Sharing the Magic every day!

We’d love a chance to Share the Magic with you.

Become a member today.

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