SEPTEMBER NEWS LETTER

The cicadas are singing out their last hymns of the summer. The reds and purples seep across the sky a little earlier in the evening. Homework is spread across the dinner table again. Football games are scratched on calendars in bold black Sharpie. The vestiges of a long hot summer are blowing towards the Atlantic as the crisp air of the Blue Ridge Mountains seems to reach all the way to Gainesville. We watched our brave high school graduates head out to fill their hearts and minds with the wonders of life and now we turn to see everyone else comfortably step up onto the next step. The cycle of life is a wonderful and mysterious journey. Although melancholy at times, the excitement of what lies ahead always jerks my head around. The shinny object around the corner grabs my attention and I can't help but move ahead to see what it is.

One of the things I love about owning a restaurant is watching the cycles. Sometimes up and sometimes down. It's never a boring ride. All of us long timers at 2 Dog have learned to hold on for the ride. There have been so many sad goodbyes only to lead to a new beginning. Through the doors of this very special place, I have made life time friends; customers and staff for which I am so grateful. I have enjoyed so many moments with some of the funniest and committed people one could ever meet. I am exactly where I am supposed to be. In the middle of the hustle of 2 Dog. Tim and the kitchen slinging out unbelievable food at unbelievable speeds, the servers tending to unbelievable requests and Dean and Melissa taking care of it all. This is a restaurant in Gainesville, Ga. and we make it happen everyday.

One night when it was unbearably hot and our loyal customers were eating here anyways wearing tank tops and sandals. I went around the dining room to try and make everyone as comfortable as I could during a Gainesville, Ga. summer in a 100 year old house converted into a restaurant and can you believe it...they didn't care about the heat. They were laughing and enjoying themselves. Like a family crammed into a dining room of an un-airconditioned cabin after a day on the lake, they were eating good food and enjoying good company and loving every minute of it. That night as I hauled a stack of plates from the bar, I turned to Rebecca (a long time 2 Dog server) who was about to die from heat stroke and said, "I'm so proud to work here." To which she replied,"You know, so am I." That meant the world to me.

Come welcome another season with us here at 2 Dog. The crispy air lends an atmosphere for good eats and with it new dishes from Tim. Of course your guess is as good as mine as to what they are. So come fine out what he decides. Like I said, never a dull moment.

Sincerely,

email: 2dogrestaurant@bellsouth.net           2 Dog Phone: 770.287.8384           Catering Phone: 678.316.8074