🌱 How a Dahlonega-raised musician is transforming Long Branch Elementary’s music program

Good morning Dahlonega! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How a Dahlonega-raised musician is transforming Long Branch Elementary’s music program
• How did Dahlonega’s hometown paper win a statewide education award?
• Why Dahlonega’s twinkling square feels straight out of a Hallmark movie

Also on today's calendar: On Tap Trivia and 5 more events.

Today's riddle: What did one tuna say to the other after getting caught stealing files from work? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Mostly cloudy and chilly, with a high of 46 and low of 29 degrees.
• Friday: Sun mixing with clouds, temps: high: 56, low: 36.
• Saturday: Sunshine and a few clouds, with a high of 59 and low of 32 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Teacher of the Year hits all the right notes at Long Branch Elementary (thedahloneganugget.com) — Long Branch Elementary’s Teacher of the Year, music educator Ami Young, is shaping every student’s day with energetic, faith-inspired lessons rooted in her lifelong Dahlonega ties. Raised here in a musical family with a local recording studio, she now blends play, instruments, and “brain power music” to help Lumpkin County kids, especially struggling learners, discover confidence and joy through music.
   

• The Nugget takes home GSBA Beacon Award for public education coverage (thedahloneganugget.com) — Dahlonega’s hometown paper, The Dahlonega Nugget, just earned the 2025 GSBA Beacon Award for its in-depth coverage of Lumpkin County public schools. Staff credit passionate local educators, students, and a supportive school board for making the recognition possible, highlighting how central public education reporting is to the community’s news coverage.
   

• Four Hallmark-worthy main streets with over-the-top holiday decor (news3lv.com) — Dahlonega is spotlighted as a Hallmark-style holiday destination, with the town square glowing under twinkle lights and local treats like Kilwin’s sweets by the square. The piece encourages travelers to explore Dahlonega’s festive downtown and visit the city website for more holiday details.
   

📸 Around Dahlonega

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Dahlonega

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Friday December 12

• Stitch in Time
  Lumpkin County Library, 56 Mechanicsville Rd, Dahlonega
  10:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Friday December 12

• On Tap Trivia
  Gold City Growlers , 10 S Chestatee St , Dahlonega
  8:00 pm

Saturday December 13

• Find your Bargains at the Locally Crafted Market & Dahlonega Baby Boutique
  Locally Crafted Market , 387 N Grove St suite e , Dahlonega
  10:00 am

Sunday December 14

• Christmas Open House
  Dahlonega Gold Museum , 1 Public Square N , Dahlonega
  10:00 am
• Stained Glass For Beginners with Mel D.
  Vickery House , W Main St , Dahlonega
  12:00 pm
• The Lattas - Music Duo: Cavendar Creek Winery
  Cavender Creek Vineyards , 3610 Cavender Creek Rd , Dahlonega
  2:00 pm

Monday December 15

• Pub Theology
  Gold City Growlers , 10 S Chestatee St , Dahlonega
  7:30 pm

Friday December 26

• On Tap Trivia
  Gold City Growlers , 10 S Chestatee St , Dahlonega
  8:00 pm

📣 Dahlonega Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday December 11

• WCMS: Girls Basketball @ Union
  White County Middle School Cleveland, GA 30528
  4:30 pm
• White County Middle vs Union County Middle School
  White County Middle School , 283 Old Blairsville Rd , Cleveland
  4:30 pm
• WCMS: Boy's basketball @ home vs Union
  White County Middle School Cleveland, GA 30528
  4:30 pm
• Wrestling vs Pinecrest Academy & Forsyth Central 5:30PM (Senior Night)
  Dawson County High School , 1665 Perimeter Rd , Dawsonville
  5:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Hey everyone, Just a reminder the food bank at The River church in Murryville,is Thursday this week from 5-7 pm.
  If anyone is in need of food come early for best selection. (Nextdoor Gold Cove)
• NoraLamarsSketchBook.com
  The purpose of Nora Lamar's Sketchbook is to share stories, illustrations, and observations about life, beauty, and truth. (Nextdoor Camp Wahsega)

• University of North Georgia posted a job opening for Associate Dean/Director of Movement Science in Dahlonega. Apply here.
• Golden Pantry Food Stores posted a job opening for Customer Service Associate in Dahlonega. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Dahlonega here.

🗞 Nearby News

Cleveland

• No Reserve: 2,180cc-Powered 1971 Volkswagen Super Beetle (bringatrailer.com)

Gainesville

• Gainesville man arrested for leaving scene of an accident (accesswdun.com)
• NE Georgia Medical Center First to Use UV Light Technology (921wlhr.com)
• Mrs. Virginia Jean Crawford Smith (wnegradio.com)

Ok Dahlonega! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I could get canned for this!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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