This special section began with a conversation.
Deb Rowe of Shenanigans stopped by The Nugget office with an idea.
She wanted to say thank you.
As the owner of one of Dahlonega’s most popular restaurants she’s seen a lot the last two years.
From the empty bar and booths that came with the early days of the pandemic to the joyous return of customers once quarantine was lifted.
And she wanted a chance to say thanks to the community and her hard working staff for making it possible for Shenanigans to survive those days and later thrive.
That eventually grew to something bigger.
Because we figured more people might feel the same way.
That’s why you’re reading this, Standing Strong: A special thank you to the community.
It’s a look back at the challenges we’ve faced and the chance for our readers, local leaders and business owners to say thank you to those who have helped us overcome them.
Count us among the grateful too.
Because without you, our readers, subscribers and supporters, we wouldn’t be here either.
Of course we don’t want to use this section to declare an end to all our pandemic struggles.
There’s no guarantee of that.
But there is something we can guarantee. Whatever lies ahead, we’ll face it together.
Standing Strong.
And that alone is worth being thankful about.
• Read these stories and much more on the e-edition flip book for subscribers. Subscribe and view the E-Edition of The Dahlonega Nugget
We've also includes a few submissions below:
Our new home community showed us much love
Dear Readers:
We retired to Dahlonega shortly before the pandemic shutdown began.
We were amazed to witness the numerous community outreach efforts by the citizens, the churches, and the businesses.
After all we observed in the 2020 “shutdown,” in the 2021 “keep it going” attitude and in the current 2022 “welcome back” attitude.
We know that we retired to the best North Georgia community there is. So, to Dahlonega we say thank you for showing us the spirit of community exists and flourishes.
We are proud to now be Nuggets!
Sincerely,
Julia Foster and Liz Manspeaker
Healthcare workers, businesses, and schools adapted to face challenges
Dear Readers:
I’d like to recognize three groups of people who made a difference during the early days of the COVID outbreak.
• The nurses and healthcare workers who selflessly put their lives on the line daily by dealing with infected and contagious patients. Even when supplies began running out, hospitals became overwhelmed and their work hours took a toll on their physical and mental abilities, these individuals demonstrated a superhuman effort on a daily basis.
• The mask makers. When the pandemic got serious, almost overnight we witnessed a great local effort by many local women who turned their homes into makeshift sew shops and collected donations of all manner of fabric and elastic to help fill the gap for hospitals and health workers when the N95 mask supply began to dwindle.
• Lastly, the teachers and students of the class of 2020 who also bore the daily brunt of the pandemic. It goes without saying that our education system was challenged to rethink our way of teaching and help the students stay engaged while socially isolated. I was very impressed with how creative the Lumpkin County school system was in helping the class of 2020 still have a meaningful commencement, despite bans on large group gatherings.
Sincerely,
Chris Worick
Historical Society President
Thanks to those who did their part to help the church through pandemic
Dear Readers:
For a week, we were stunned. The thoughts of closing the church were more than we could comprehend. We turned to God in prayer asking Him for guidance and wisdom. How could we continue to preach the Gospel, take care of the sick, and feed the hungry? “Lord, show us the way,” was our cry. And God answered.
We were granted permission to meet in cars as a “Drive-in” church at the Lumpkin County High School parking lot. We owe a tremendous thank you to Lumpkin County HS Principal, Billy Kirk; school Superintendent, Dr. Rob Brown, as well as the LC school board.
As regulations lessened, we were also able to meet camp meeting style outside at Hancock Park. Again, we are thankful for past Dahlonega Mayor, Sam Norton, all those who work and serve in the City of Dahlonega, Chamber, and the Dahlonega City Council.
Our church was also blessed to have many medical professionals and first responders who stepped up to serve as an advisory team to our church and especially our pastors. Their guidance and knowledge helped us to navigate how to worship safely. Because of them, we were able to keep everyone safe during the pandemic.
The staff of Dahlonega UMC were tremendous warriors during the pandemic. They truly stepped up, working extra hours without extra pay: Vanessa Myers, Chris Davis, Angie Mayo, Nathan Dickens, Josh Meeks, Chuck Bell, Chad Edwardson, Deborah Castille, Karen McLain, Brenda Elrod, Sue Zimmerman, Linda Caroll, and Bailey Tam. From children’s ministry kits delivered to the homes of our children, to our youth going door-to-door with “socially distance hugs,” while giving socially distance visits from the lawns of those who are elderly or shut-in, to our building manager who made sure our church was sanitized and people stayed socially distanced at the park.
Technology became especially important, as we were able to revamp our online worship, reaching those who were quarantined or immune compromised. Sound became vital as we were able to broadcast via FM transmitter and reach everyone at the park, inviting the community to worship each Sunday. Even the UNG Wesley Directors jumped in and parked cars or collected offerings.
The music never stopped. Radford Windham, Lynn Lathem, and Tee Smith made sure our Sundays were always filled with worship music. And the people kept coming, and serving, and giving, and finding strength and hope in God. To God be All the Glory!
The Word tells us the God doesn’t cause suffering, but God does work all things together for His Good and His Glory. In the end, our church became an outreach to the community, a place to worship when there was no place. All we had to do was to say, “Yes, Lord, here we are. We will love you and love our neighbors no matter where you send us – parking lot, park, yard, and, yes, even inside the church.”
Sincerely,
Pastors Steve Schofield & Robin Parr
Good karma to those who helped us through the pandemic
Dear Readers:
I’ve always been a believer that what goes around comes around, what you give you shall receive, energy is neither created nor destroyed, however you choose to say it.
I’ve never seen this been more obviously displayed than during the COVID days in Dahlonega.
The way the community rallied around its businesses, most especially restaurants (or at least that’s my experience) was literally a life-force.
Looking back at the events starting in March two years ago, I have nothing but heartfelt gratitude. As Facebook “memories” pop up, reminding me of every gut wrenching decision as we struggled to keep the Pub afloat, I can see so clearly how the community paid attention, hung on every word or every announcement and, no matter how short notice, showed up to spend money in support however they could, for anything we would put out there.
A fine example of Dahlonega’s selfless support is still sitting in the attic at Shenanigans. There are probably four dozen “I helped save the pub” T-shirts…that folks purchased but never picked up.
I hope those folks, and everyone, who truly saved the Pub, Bourbon Street, Spirits…(the list goes on and on as most of Dahlonega’s businesses pulled through, (or got down right pushed through, the pandemic)…get there karma back ten fold!
Oh, and you can totally pick up your T-shirt if you haven’t yet.
Dahlonega truly has a heart of gold.
Sincerely,
Deb Rowe
Shenanigans Irish Pub