Area News

As a thank you to local fire departments that assisted with last fall’s wildfires, the Georgia Forestry Commission gifted equipment to ten north Georgia counties. Representatives from GFC presented the equipment to representatives from Dade’s fire departments on July 22. The equipment (wildland fire helmets, shirts, and gloves, fire rakes, and commercial blowers) was funded…

By LYDIA BERGLAR News Editor Hope House Cafe customers now have a wider range of drinks to choose from, thanks to the recent addition of an espresso machine and two baristas. Along with a comfy new corner of the cafe, Hope House added Saturday morning hours, which began on July 27. The espresso drink options…

On the evening of July 25, Reese and Jayne Griffin held an open house for their new Airbnb, The Hideaway at Whisperhills, during which Alliance for Dade did a ribbon cutting and Will and Amy Garrett led a blessing of the home. It was built next to the Griffin’s home by Jayne’s mother at the…

By LYDIA BERGLAR News Editor Regulars at local attractions, eateries, and events around the county might recognize the familiar face and distinctive New Orleans accent of Lloyd “The Cajun” Kenney III. While Cajun’s smile is now often seen around town (sometimes with a camera in hand), there was a time when he’d never heard of…

By LYDIA BERGLAR News Editor Just across the state line on AL-71 heading toward Bryant, Ala., a small group of industrious people are creating a homestead called Harmony Woods Ecovillage. Falling under the two broad categories of “intentional communities” and “ecovillages,” Harmony Woods holds five values: Personal Freedom, Communication, Land Stewardship, Personal Integrity, and Natural…

By LYDIA BERGLAR News Editor Having grown up around her grandparents’ trout farm, Cheryl Daffron is no stranger to fishhooks, trout streams, cleaning fish, and chatting with visitors who quickly become friends. This summer, Daffron and her husband, Drew, were delighted to reopen the family business after it closed about 15 years ago. Daffron’s grandparents,…

By LYDIA BERGLAR News Editor Corner Coffee first opened in mid-July 2019, becoming Dade County’s only coffee shop at the time. The owners, Keel and Tammy Irvin, saw that Artzy Cafe and then Big Woods Bakery had closed, leaving a gap for a breakfast/lunch spot that served quality coffee. In order to serve quality coffee…

By LYDIA BERGLAR News Editor As readers may recall, Liz Simmons has spent the last few years working to get the Judge Hale house in Rising Fawn on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1884, the home is a striking white Victorian gingerbread across from Rising Fawn Hardware and Supply. Simmons’ vision is…