It really is true: There is no need for Dawson County residents to be bored.

Sometimes we fail to take advantage of opportunities available, but those who check local papers and Web sites can usually find something interesting to do.

That fact really hit me as I chatted with the owners of a new business, the second “used book” shop established in our community. When I signed my credit card slip, the lady recognized my name as “the one who writes a column,” and we shared comments about the changes that have taken place in the last decade. Of course, I’ve been around here much longer than that.

She also asked, as many do: “How do you choose what to write about?”  My answer is that some event or remark usually triggers a subject and I often tie several thoughts together.

Even if I had not thought about a subject, I would have hastened to write a column this week because I was so disappointed in the extremely poor turnout for opening night, Dec. 3, of “Steel Magnolias,” Dawson County Arts Council’s first Mainstage Production.

The play was very professionally done; the few of us in the audience found it delightful. I’m hoping that Saturday night brought a larger group. And I am definitely encouraging many of you to go to Dawson County Middle School at 8 p.m. Dec. 10 or 11 and enjoy an evening of good theater. You’re not just supporting the local group — you will have a really good time.

The subject I was contemplating as I chatted with the bookstore owners (before I had seen “Steel Magnolias”) was the contrast in two musical events, which I had just attended. On Thursday night I enjoyed an evening of classical music by the North Georgia Chamber Symphony (at Bowen Center), and Friday morning I tapped toes and clapped hands as the Sunnyside group did their weekly bluegrass and gospel “picking and singing” at McDonald’s. Thus, the subject of variety.

Senior citizens like me are mostly, but not necessarily, passive participants.

Those who keep up with the senior center’s calendar, however, can find numerous ways to participate actively, just as those can who are cognizant of the arts council’s calendar of events.

I must digress here to comment on the beautiful wooden doors that Donald Reeves recently made for the Bowen Center and the documentation of his craftsmanship by John and Mimi Seibel. I had promised John Jordan that I would write about that door replacement, but they did it so much better than I could have. Thanks to all of you.

Church congregations usually find their calendars overfull during Christmas season. And if possible, you should adjust your schedule to include First Baptist’s always-beautiful Christmas program in addition to whatever your own groups are doing.

Every organization has a party and at least one project on tap this month. 

People who don’t belong either to a church or an organization still find that variety abounds in choices of places to eat and even movies to attend. If that is too expensive, try volunteering with one of the many non-profit groups (Humane Society, RIC-Rack, KARE for Kids, etc.) that are probably overwhelmed. And that’s without leaving Dawson County, folks.

Although I admit that I don’t even try to keep up with all the activities at the schools and parks, I am aware that they are numerous and varied. And they are important to the largest segments of our population.

No time, nor space to wish you a Merry Christmas now; hopefully, later. If you are a Dawson Countian, you are probably too busy to listen, anyway.

Helen Taylor’s column appears periodically in the Dawson Community News.