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Ramblers learn local history
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By Sharon Hall

CNI Regional newspapers

The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation held its Fall Ramble in Dawson, Lumpkin and White counties last weekend, bringing about 225 people to tour the areas historic buildings and sites. Joining the Ramblers were many local and regional residents who took the rare opportunity to tour historic private homes as well as historic shops on the Dahlonega Public Square, North Georgia College & State University historic buildings and their first stopLumpkin Campground, a Methodist church camp founded in 1830 that was, when built, in Lumpkin County. It is now in Dawson County since the county line was shifted. The original building is still in use and still has a hard-packed red clay floor.

The Trust holds two Rambles each year, and it is quite an honor to be chosen as a destination, said Downtown Development Authority Executive Director Joel Cordle. Cordle, who helped coordinate the Ramble with the help of the city council, Historic Preservation Commission, Lumpkin County Historical Society and North Georgia College & State University, as well as many individuals.

The main thing was the property owners themselves, who graciously opened their homes to the tour, he said.

One Trust member enjoyed the McAfee-Davis house on Dahlonegas Choice Street, built in the 1880s and now the home of Ken and Bonnie Richmond. One reason, she said, was that the house looked lived in.

And that it was. Bonnie was totally unprepared for the crowd. She had marked the event on the wrong date on the calendar.

I realized it when I had gone to the store and came home and there were cars all over the place, Bonnie said. I just told them they were going to see a lived-in house. The bed wasnt made and things were out of place in the work room. But they wanted to see the old part of the house, and hear about my grandparents, who used what is now my front room as their bedroom.

Bill and Mary Scotts home on Church Street in Dahlonegawas another popular stop.

People from all over came in a steady stream all afternoon, Bill said. They were so inquisitive and asked all kinds of questions about the house, about Dahlonega and its history, the college, gold panning.

Mary Arrington from Rome was most impressed with the 1915 Sara White house build by Fred Jones. White purchased the home in 2002 and renovated it with its origins in mind. She was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation for her efforts at preserving the residence by the Lumpkin County Historical Society.

Arrington found the home charming, and very intimate.

This was not Arringtons first time on a Ramble to Dahlonega. She was also on a Ramble here in the 1980s. She was astounded at the growth of North Georgia College, she said, but was glad to see Price Memorial still remainedanother stop on the tour.

One of the favorite stops for Trust members was Seven Oaks, the home of Thomas and Tommye Scanlin. Scanlin estimated he had about 250 visitors.

The home is the former residence of Col. William P. Price, founder of North Georgia College. Built in 1871, the house is filled with antiques and art from the Scanlins eclectic art collection.

Im hoarse from all the questions and answers, he said. Everybody talked about different things, but they talked about the folk art as much as anything.

Ginger Duke and Helen Tapp, two visitors from nearby who joined the Ramble, were particularly interested in the houses gingerbread, the ornate trim dating from the Victorian era used on the roof of the porch.

Scanlin provided lunch on the lawn, a chance to meet folk artist Billy Roper and to pan for gold, as well as a ride to Mt. Hope Cemetery and backin a 1934 Rolls Royce limo one way and a modern one for the return trip. Dr. Pamela Sachant, the universitys fine arts department head, acted as docent for the historic site.

Community Events
6 variances approved by board
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BOC

The Dawson County Board of Commissioners Thursday said yes to six of seven variances that will bring Dawson Marketplace one step closer to reality.

"Dawson Marketplace wants to vary from the stipulations given to them by the Board of Commissioners in 2007," Rachel Burton, director of planning and zoning for Dawson County said.

Documents indicate Dawson Marketplace approved variances include:

varying the minimum setback from the right-of-way for Georgia 400 to 90 feet from 100 feet; vary the building facade composition from 80 percent to 50 percent; varying the maximum number of off-street parking spaces to one per 50 square feet of gross floor space; varying the number of monument signs from one to five; varying signage for multi-tenant buildings from two to one and allowing for minor signs, and varying the screening of mechanical equipment from the street for only rear facades facing Lumpkin Campground Road.

The board denied the variance for wall signage with the stipulation that it could be addressed at a later date.

Separately, the board approved two agenda items pertaining to the Margie Weaver Senior Center: a request to hold a raffle and an addendum to the FY 2016 Legacy Link contract.

"Dawson County contracts with Legacy Link each year for our meal service for our seniors," Senior Centor Director Dawn Pruett said. "They are our facilitator for funding for state and federal grants. We are in a district with Hall, Lumpkin, Forsyth and a few others. This is an addendum to the contract that was originally approved months ago."

In other county business, the following requests passed by unanimous vote:

Dawson County Emergency Services Director Billy Thurmond was granted approval of the Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Grant. Each county in Georgia is required to update their hazard mitigation plan and have it approved by GEMA and FEMA. By doing so, Dawson would be eligible for federal and state funding in the event of a disaster declaration. The total amount is $24,000 ($18,000 federal, $2,400 state, $3,600 county in-kind).

"The grant allows us to be eligible for funding in the event of an emergency like we had last February with the ice," Thurmond said.

Lori VanSickle and Duane Wallace were appointed to the Dawson County Library Board by the commissioners, replacing Kay Black and Eydie Stegall, respectively. VanSickle brings twenty years of leadership and management experience to the board. Wallace has been a licensed counselor for nearly fifteen years both professionally and in a volunteer capacity.

October has been proclaimed 'Clean Water Month' and Dawson County citizens are encouraged to participate in "Imagine A Day Without Water" Oct. 6-8. Other observances include River Clean-up Oct. 14 and Shore Sweep for Lake Lanier Oct. 27, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at War Hill Park.

Separately, the issue of a new fire station was addressed on behalf of Sandra Bryan, a resident of Rainbow Lake Dr. Bryan's residence received a fire rating of 10 due to its considerable distance from a fire station. The implication for those who receive a rating of 10 is higher insurance costs.

Anybody that is beyond five road miles from any of Dawson County's eight fire stations is classified as a ten, according to Thurmond.

"When and if we build a fire station at the Etowah water tank on Elliott Family Parkway, Ms. Bryan would be within the limits," Thurmond said. "We have property, but we don't have funds."

The Board will meet next on Thursday, Sept. 24 in the Assembly Room of the Dawson Government Center, 25 Justice Way at 4 p.m.