Gilmer Animal Shelter goes all out in preparations of the holidays

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GILMER COUNTY, Ga. – Gilmer County’s Animal Shelter (GCAS) and its Director, Daniel Laukka, have plenty to be thankful for this weekend after the Thanksgiving holiday. Between donations allowing for the planning of the coming expansion and upgrades to the animal shelter and donations in early November during their successful Pet Palooza event, they have seen great support from the Gilmer community.

AnimalBut these workers and their director didn’t just accept gifts and rest on their laurels. Instead of focusing only on what they were thankful for, they have also moved into the giving side of the holiday. GCAS didn’t just offer their current residents with the daily kibble. Instead, a Thanksgiving meal was prepared to specially commemorate the holiday for a few animals who haven’t yet met the family they will be celebrating holidays with.

Making special note that no harmful ingredients were used, the Shelter prepared and served the meals and then posted photos of the dogs excitedly consuming them.

GCAS stated, “We are so very thankful for all of our volunteers and supporters, we wouldn’t be where we are without you! GCAS is so very blessed to have such an awesome support system.”

Yet, it doesn’t stop there. The shelter is also unveiled its special “Nightmare Before Christmas” themed tree for the Gilmer County Library’s Festival of Trees and the Holiday Open House event. Supporting their own animals, other county endeavors, and still maintaining their usual services for community through daily work and offering extra advice for pet owners who already have their companions like winter and cold weather preparations and tips.

These efforts also have no indication of stopping as plans continue for the shelter moving into 2022 and continue with partnerships in other states alongside the plans for expanded space in Gilmer County.

But getting there still has needs. While volunteers and staff continue to put in efforts to better the facility and provide special treats like Thanskgiving dinner for the animals, they still have their own Christmas Wish List moving into December to provide better care now as they wait for those upgrades to come in the latter half of 2022. Citizens can pour their Christmas support into the shelter through their wish list or through volunteer services both this Christmas season and in the coming year.

Ellijay celebrates downtown for Independence Day

Community, News

ELLIJAY, Ga. – Celebrations of Independence Day were in full swing this weekend with vendors, parades, and fireworks in Downtown Ellijay as the Downtown Ellijay Business and Community Association (DEBCA) hosted their 4th of July events.

Independence Day

Winner of the commercial category float contest, Moo-Bears Ice Cream is pictured here with the classic Pink Cadillac and trailer.

The celebration went all afternoon and evening as music flooded the streets, both live and recorded. On River Street, the Band Raven played during the day’s celebrations, the parade came down River Street, around the square, and along North Main just after 6 p.m. Other celebrations not connected to DEBCA or the city went on like live music at Mr. P’s Takeout where Rich Mountain Ramblers started playing just after the parade.

With police out in support of the celebration, the Ellijay Police Department offered help and guidance in the events and traffic control all day while also starring with their own representatives in the parade alongside Ellijay’s Fire Department and Gilmer Fire and Rescue. When asked just after the parade, local police said the day had gone very well with no real incidents or issues during the celebrations.

Independence Day

Georgia Speaker of the House, David Ralston joined in Ellijay’s Independence Day parade.

The parade was lead by cadets of Gilmer’s 507th Civil Air Patrol.

A huge turnout saw the mass of crowds returning to Downtown Ellijay that it hasn’t really seen since Christmas of 2019 as many events were cancelled or diminished after the COVID-19 outbreak in March of 2020.

The parade saw floats ranging from an antique GMC pickup for highlighting Shelter Dogs for Veterans to the Ellijay Jeepers to an appearance from Georgia House Speaker David Ralston.

Independence Day

Winner of the non-commercial category, Friends of Gilmer Animal Shelter is pictured here with their “decked-out” patriotic Jeep.

Winners from the parade competition included Moo-Bears Ice Cream for the commercial category and Friends of Gilmer Animal Shelter for the non-commercial category.

The city of Ellijay hosted their fireworks display just after dark in downtown Ellijay launching their show from behind the Ellijay Elementary School on McCutchen Street. Many people set up early in Harrison Park and along McCutchen Street along with more all over the Downtown area to view the display that saw some locals launching fireworks right up to and just after the city’s show.

To see more photos of the parade, the float contest winners, and fireworks from the Independence Day celebrations check out FYN’s Facebook Album.

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