Home Care in Dahlonega, GA

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Whataburger is officially open for business and serving up orders in Dahlonega. Just ask Steve Smith. The University of North Georgia Psychological Science professor was the first customer to enjoy the historic first burger at the new Morrison Moore Parkway fast food eatery. And, from the sound of it, it tasted just like home. “I grew up in Texas,” he said. “So Whataburger has been a part of my life as long as I can remember.” With this in mind, Smith declared that he was going to spend the night in the parking lot of the new restaurant so he’d be the first in line for the big June 3 opening. “I announced that I was going to be camping out,” he said with a laugh “so I could guarantee that I would be customer number one.” Turns out he didn’t have to. Even though he turned up with a tent at the ready on Sunday night, his UNG colleagues were able to meet up with management and arrange a surprise party of sorts. Smith said he started to suspect something was cooking when he decided to show up even earlier that evening, just to ensure a spot at the front of the building. “I got a little bit suspicious when my son said ‘You can’t go now!’” he said.

SERVING UP A SURPRISE

Instead of having to set up his tent, or sleep in his car, Smith was welcomed into the restaurant where friends, colleagues and fresh Whataburgers awaited. “The managers said you don’t have to stay here overnight,” he said. Smith then placed his order, put his cash on the counter and was served up a classic Whataburger with cheese. And so, did it live up to his lofty expectations? Smith gave a definite thumbs up. “It’s just better,” he said. “All I can tell you is they make better burgers.” Smith’s burger was only the beginning though. Since the official opening at 11 a.m. on Monday, business has been bustling on the corner of Morrison Moore Parkway and Riley Road. “Oh yeah,” said Matt Sanders with a laugh, when asked if the first day had been busy. Still he added that it will be about a month before the doors are open completely. “From here on out we’ll be open 24 hours,” said Sanders. “But for the first month it will be drive-thru only.” For Smith, that 24 hours of availability is key. In fact, on Monday afternoon he was already ready for a Whataburger breakfast, served from 11 p.m. to 11 a.m. “If I wake up in the middle of the night and I’m hungry,” he said, “I’ll just make a snack run.”

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Water slides. A lazy river. All in Lumpkin County. This long awaited goal became a reality last weekend when the Pinetree Recreation Center opened its doors to the public. A large crowd of local citizens of all ages showed up to celebrate the occasion—some getting their first look inside of the expansive $12.9 million facility. Although at first the weather didn’t cooperate with those who were ready to swim Saturday morning, the sun eventually warmed the afternoon and folks jumped right in. Pinetree Recreation Center Manager Jared Ray said that enthusiasm is high for the opening of the new aquatic facilities. “We have heard from the kids that they are especially excited about the water slides,” Ray told The Nugget. “Families are happy to have this center to bring children to.” A steady stream of visitors enjoyed the new facility during the Memorial Day weekend, as 1,198 people visit the water park from Saturday through Monday, according to Ray. County Manager Alan Ours observed that the rain on Saturday and Monday may have affected the numbers. “Although the weather may have kept a few away,” Ours said, “the turnout was very good for the first weekend.” Ours added that lifeguards are being hired right now, with starting pay at $14 per hour. Anyone interested can visit the website at lumpkincounty.gov and go to the bottom and click on “Jobs.” Greg Trammell, Assistant Superintendent of Operations for Lumpkin County Schools, told The Nugget this new pool and recreation center was an idea which originated alongside the start of the new Cottrell Elementary School plan. “This was one design from the very beginning,” he said. Trammell said he has served as a go-between to help the school system and the Board of Commissioners work together. “In 2017 we started with the idea for this, but COVID slowed us down a bit,” Trammell added. Once the [inside] aquatic center idea fell through—because the cost would have been too high—they switched gears to include the gym and the pickleball courts, he added.

CUTTING THE RIBBON

Chris Dockery, the Lumpkin County BOC Chairman, began the proceedings by thanking his fellow Commissioners who were present, including Tucker Greene, Jeff Moran, and Dr. Bobby Mayfield (Rhett Stringer was unable to attend). I say it with all sincerity—this Board of Commissioners is amazing,” Dockery said. He also thanked Trammell, Carroll Daniel Construction, and Lumpkin County Special Projects Director Ashley Peck for their contributions. Dockery told the crowd that Alan Ours and Rebecca Shirley were both instrumental for pushing the project forward. He then asked people in the crowd to raise their hands if they were there to play pickleball. This request was immediately met with an enthusiastic cheer from dozens of attendees. Dockery thanked local pickleball ambassador Deede Formica, who he called “very persistent,” and added that, “that’s a good thing.” “And for our new lifeguards, I’m asking all of us to give these kids the respect they deserve,” he told everyone, “because without them there would be no swimming.” Lastly, Dockery thanked State Senator Steve Gooch and reminded everyone that the Georgia General Assembly Majority Leader used to be Lumpkin’s Sole Commissioner. “He has a heart for Lumpkin County,” Dockery said. “He does so much to help our community.”

READY TO SPLASH

The center includes a double-size gym that can be used for basketball, volleyball, or pickleball, meeting rooms, and six outdoor pickleball courts. Water facilities include an eight-lane competition pool, a splash pad water play area, two water slides and a lazy river. The new pools are open every day of the week. Generally, the competition pool will be open 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. for lap swimming, and swim lessons Monday through Saturday. Ray said this could also include water exercises in the future. Monday through Thursday, between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., there is open swimming in the water park, lazy river, water slides and competition pool. This is extended to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The Parks & Rec swimming team has practice Monday through Thursday, between 6 and 8 p.m. On Sunday, there is open swimming in the water park, lazy river, water slides and competition pool between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Ray said that anyone looking for information about the new recreation center should visit the County’s website at lumpkincounty.gov and look under the “Government” tab at the top, then under “Departments” and “Pinetree Recreation Center.” For more information call the County at 706-864-8080.

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The DiVine Village, a 188-site luxury RV resort that has been in the works since 2021, is nearing the end of the planning stages. Florida entrepreneur and developer Tom Petrillo stopped by The Nugget office last week to discuss exactly where the Town Creek Church Road project currently stands, and what the public can expect from the complicated process going forward. Petrillo said he is better prepared to discuss the details of the plan now than when he last talked to The Nugget by phone in January. “When you and I spoke early on, that was more of a Q&A,” Petrillo explained. “You had questions, and I wanted to provide as much transparency as possible. But my intent was never to go out and talk about something until we understood exactly what we can do, what’s feasible.” Now Petrillo says he knows exactly what’s going onto the property. The latest plan aligns most closely to the original design submitted by Petrillo all the way back in September of 2021. It does not include additional “casita” RV sites that had been referenced in Petrillo’s subsequent Georgia Environmental Protection Division application, and reduces the total number of cabins on the property from eight down to two. County Chairman Chris Dockery said that adhering to the parameters of the previously-approved plan is a requirement for Petrillo’s project to be vested, or “grandfathered in,” under the pre-2022 land use code. “When you’re grandfathered in, you can’t be grandfathered in on a concept. You have to be grandfathered in on a plan,” Dockery indicated. So far, Petrillo has successfully obtained one land disturbance permit and two demolition permits from the County to remove select trees and abandoned buildings from the property. Petrillo has also already registered the campground with the local Chamber of Commerce. However, he said construction will not begin until he gets approval of a Land Application System (LAS) application currently pending with the GA EPD. “Everything hinges on this EPD approval. I’m not going to build until I have it,” he said.

LUXURY CAMPING

Petrillo said that RV camping can take one of three different forms: campgrounds, entertainment centers and luxury resorts. He said his operation will definitely fall into the latter category, as he will be marketing primarily to owners of RV’s valued at between $250,000 and $2.5 million dollars. “Primarily, we will host motorcoaches and fifth wheels. And it’s not to say there won’t be others in there, but it is to say that’s our primary target audience, and the nightly fees will be representative of that, as well,” Petrillo said. He described DiVine Village as a “Four Seasons-level resort” that will include amenities like a welcome center, a large clubhouse with outdoor swimming pool and pickleball courts, a laundry/bath house and maintenance building, in addition to 188 RV campsites and two cabins. Petrillo said he anticipates a second phase of development on the ridge line of the property that would tentatively include 50 additional premium RV sites, which would push the total number to 238. However, he would have to petition the County before beginning construction on a second phase. When asked about whether those premium RV sites might include casitas, or permanent structures with moveable walls that connect to an RV, Petrillo could not provide a definitive answer. “I didn’t say that I’m not doing it. That’s not what’s in for review right now,” he said.

MAKING ACCOMODATIONS

“At the end of the day, we want to be good citizens and neighbors,” Petrillo declared. He said he has already been in communication with the closest neighbor to the property. “When we submitted our first drawing, it included some 'glamping' tents, and it also included an amphitheater,” recalled Petrillo. He said the neighbor reached out immediately with concerns about noise pollution coming from those particular sources. “The way that I view this stuff is how would I want to be treated? So I said, ‘Those are gone.’ And this is before anything really got escalated,” Petrillo added. He indicated his belief that any negativity regarding the development has come from respect for the existing community, coupled with an understandable fear of the unknown. “I get that, and I respect that,” he said, noting that the closest RV site would also be a full 600 feet away from the neighbor’s house. Petrillo says he is taking environmental concerns on the property seriously, as well. “The density requirements that we had originally looked at and were going to abide by allowed for over 500 RV sites. Now we are way below that. Why? Because it makes sense for the environmental impact on the property and the beauty of the property.” Petrillo said that while he is still awaiting the GA EPD’s final decision, he is confident that they will ultimately approve his LAS application for wastewater management. “The good news is that all the comments are in,” he said. “And, in reviewing the comments that were made, there’s nothing in there that hadn’t already been thought through, fortunately.”

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION

Petrillo said he views himself as less of a competitor to other local businesses, and more of a partner instead. “One of the things we’ve made a conscious decision to do is also involve the community in the project. So yes, it’s for our visitors, but we’ll also be offering them opportunities to come in for community events,” he said. Locals will be able to purchase a day pass during the off-season that will allow them to participate in the five to six planned activities on site each day. Petrillo does not expect to pursue a liquor license himself, but plans to invite local wineries to come and offer wine tastings in the clubhouse. “They’ll also be able, if their license allows it, to sell wines to our guests,” he added. The clubhouse will also contain a 3,000 square foot multi-purpose room, which he said could be reserved for gatherings by local organizations. Petrillo said the resort would not be hosting weddings. “Why? Because our local community is already doing plenty of weddings.” He said the park could serve as another source of local accommodations for weddings and other events, even for those who don’t own their own RV. “They can call groups like Outdoorsy or RV Resort, and they can have an RV brought in for the weekend. They can rent it from them, and then they take it right out,” Petrillo explained. He is also looking at collaborating to bring local wine tours and food trucks onto the property, as well. “It’s a great opportunity for us to promote the local community, because the majority of the people that are coming will be coming from other communities. Specifically, our biggest target is the Atlanta metro.”

LOCAL IMPACT

Petrillo said he had an independent organization called Strategic Performance Group conduct an economic feasibility study on the project at the request of his bank. “By year three, we believe that we’re going to attract over 10,000 unique visitors to Lumpkin County and Dahlonega,” Petrillo said. He said those guests would spend an average of $435 per visit outside the park. “On 10,000 people, that’s worth about $175,000. Then you look at the lodging tax: that’ll be over $650,000. Our contribution through this project is over a million dollars worth of tax revenue to the County on an annualized basis,” he added.

COUNTY COMMENTS

Chairman Dockery made it clear that if Petrillo varies from his 2021 plan in any substantive way, he will need to go through either a variance process or a Special Land Use Approval (SLUA). “If he says he wants to do casitas, it’s not within the land use regulation,” Dockery said emphatically, although he added that the developer certainly has the right to submit additional requests. “He can say ’It’s phase 2, and this is what I want to do.’ But until he’s approved by the County, he can’t do it,” Dockery said. The Chairman did note the developer’s willingness to cooperate on other issues. “He’s agreed to doing a vegetative buffer: a blind for surrounding properties," said Dockery. "I’m pretty excited about that. I think it’s the neighborly thing to do.”

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The new Pinetree Recreation Center made a splash last Friday as its doors were finally opened for an informal tour with local leaders. The new $12.9 million facility will hold an official grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony on May 25. Last week members of the Dahlonega City Council, the Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners, representatives from the University of North Georgia and Lumpkin County Sheriff Stacy Jarrard were among those in attendance for the sneak peek tour of the Pinetree Recreation Center. “We wanted to invite a small group of community leaders and partners in this project to have a first glance,” said Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners Chairman Chris Dockery. “We also have some dignitaries from our surrounding counties, White County and Union County, just to brag a little bit.” When one looks at the host of amenities that the new recreation center holds, it's apparent that bragging rights are in order. The recreation center boasts a 26,000 square foot gymnasium with two full-size basketball courts that can double as four inside pickle ball courts or two volleyball courts, six lighted outside pickleball courts, an eight lane competition outdoor swimming pool, an outdoor waterpark with two slides, a lazy river and an aquatic playground and splash pad. The facility also offers a meeting/conference room, two party rooms and will cater to those looking to rent the space for large events.

‘NEW MEMORIES’

Carroll Daniel Construction, located in Gainesville, was praised for its ability to complete the project in a timely and cost-efficient manner. “Carroll Daniel built a building that will last for future generations on time and on budget,” said Lumpkin County manager Alan Ours. “Their team has done phenomenal work.” Carroll Daniel Construction's project executive Brandon Harmon thanked the board of commissioners for giving them the opportunity to build the recreation center project. “We're committed to delivering quality projects that withstand the test of time,” said Harmon. “We certainly appreciate the board of commissioners for putting their faith in us. Their collaboration has been essential to the success of this project.” Ours believes that the center will allow generations of Lumpkin County residents the opportunity to make memories while enjoying all the facility has to offer. “Since I've been in Lumpkin County, I have heard many people share stories of their experience at the old American Legion pool,” Ours said. “The stories I heard were wonderful, and these stories have lasted through generations. These stories made memories. That's our hope with this facility. Our hope is that new memories will be created at Pinetree that will be shared with future generations and that Pinetree will be the cool place to be during the summer and a fun place to be year round.”

ON THE BUDGET

Although the facility lacks an indoor swimming pool, the outdoor pool was specifically designed to allow a pool enclosure to be fitted onto it in the off season, according to County Commissioner Bobby Mayfield. “It was constructed in a way that we can add a pool enclosure to make it an indoor pool area during the winter time,” said Mayfield. “The enclosures are expensive, so it didn't fit in with our budget for the project. But, there is an opportunity for one to be easily installed in the future if and when we can find the funds for it.” Originally slated to be an indoor aquatic center the board of commissioners opted to build a recreation center with water features based on the price tag that would have come with the construction of the original aquatic center design and the belief that a new recreation center would better suit the needs of all Lumpkin County residents. “An aquatic center would have been wonderful,” Ours said. “But, what you have now is a facility that is going to meet the needs of the community more than an aquatic center would have. When you see the facility, I think you'll agree that the board of commissioners got it right.”

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The beginning of a new era kicked off earlier this week for residents of Dahlonega as the long-awaited Northeast Georgia Medical Center Lumpkin opened its doors for the first time. Anyone now needing emergency care in the area should go to the new location on GA-400 just south of the Highway 60 intersection. The new 66,000-square-foot facility replaces the old medical facility on the hill in town, known to residents several years ago as Chestatee Regional. At a well-attended grand opening event on Saturday, local favorite Kurt Thomas and his band waited their turn to entertain the crowd. But first, Carol Burrell, President and CEO of Northeast Georgia Health Systems, stepped to the microphone to welcome everyone and express her excitement for the completion of the new facility. Burrell thanked the elected representatives in attendance, including State Sen. Steve Gooch and State Rep. Will Wade, plus several representatives from the County and City. Speaking to the crowd on a windy but sunny afternoon, Burrell said NGHS has served the area for decades, having opened the hospital in Gainesville about 70 years ago. She said they bought the new property in 2013, hoping that one day NGHS would be part of the Lumpkin community. Between that time and the present day opening of the new location, the COVID pandemic affected the timeline, and the community also saw the temporary closing, then re-opening of the old hospital. Also taking the stage was Kevin Matson, Northeast Georgia Health System’s Vice President of Regional Hospitals. Matson told the large crowd of visitors about many of the important services the new hospital will offer patients. According to information released this week by NGHS, these will include round-the-clock emergency care, inpatient care, lab and pharmacy support, on-site imaging, orthopedic surgery and advanced surgery. While speaking to the assemblage, Sen. Gooch surveyed the new hospital and expressed his appreciation. “We are blessed to have Northeast Georgia Health System in our community,” he said. “They are one of the top hospital organizations in the country.” Gooch pointed out that NGHS has invested $70 million in the new facility. “This industry will bring much economic prosperity to the community,” he said. “Great things will happen to this area because of this hospital.” Gooch also took time to recognize the efforts of first responders. “Quality healthcare doesn’t just start here, he said. “It starts with the local emergency rescue personnel, the sheriff’s office, and others.” Following the ceremony, Gooch told The Nugget he expects the new hospital to have a significant regional impact, as it will serve Lumpkin, White, Dawson and other counties. “With over 50 acres here, this facility is designed to grow outward,” he said. “And the structure is reinforced so that they can build upward as well.”

RURAL HOSPITALS

Standing under the high ceiling of the new hospital’s foyer, Gooch said a hospital is the hub of the community. He pointed out that prospective businesses always ask about certain things, especially the education system, and what kind of healthcare is available in the local community. Gooch said that although Lumpkin is able to celebrate the opening of this new healthcare facility, it is still a challenging time for many rural hospitals in nearby areas. “I grew up in this community and Chestatee Regional Hospital struggled,” he said. Gooch said that when the old hospital closed, he told then-governor Nathan Deal “We’ve got to do something to save it.” He said that’s when key leaders such as the governor, then-UNG president Bonita Jacobs, UNG Senior Vice President for Business and Finance Mac McConnell and many others came together to find a way to re-open the hospital in Dahlonega with the university purchasing the property and NGMC holding a long-term lease.

LOOKING AHEAD

The region is at a tipping point, Gooch said. “For a few decades we tried to get Northeast Georgia Health System to come to Lumpkin,” he said. “People were trying to retire here. So, having quality healthcare is important for attracting quality growth.” He said having a good hospital is an integral part of creating the kind of community people want to live in. “It took us 24 years to get a grocery store," Gooch said. “The new Publix coming here is related to the new hospital. All the pieces are coming together. The City and the County are doing a good job.” But Gooch cautioned that he is careful about the kind of growth that happens here. “I never want Lumpkin County to resemble North Atlanta. That’s why we have proper land use plans. And they have to be updated. This creates good clean industry here so our children don’t have to leave the local community to find work,” he said. “I’d rather see this growth on the GA400 corridor than in downtown Dahlonega.” The new Lumpkin location brings the number of Northeast Georgia Medical Center campuses to five, including Braselton, Winder, Demorest and Gainesville.