Connection The
Showcasing the best of Polk County
Official Publication of
THE CHAMBER
Georgia www.polkgeorgia.com
MAY / JUNE 2016
Polk Promoting Prosperity “Bringing us all together Piece by Piece”
Table of Contents
Welcome News: Events Calendar: Connection News:
Page 2 Page 3 Page 4
Connection News Connection News Connection News:
Page 5 Page 7 Page 8
“Polk Promoting Prosperity” “Bringing us all together Piece by Piece” The sounds of summer are all around us….. Can you hear the children’s laughter as they play tag at the park? Listen as proud mom’s and dad’s cheer on their children at baseball games. Hear the sounds of families gathering around the charcoal grills for their summer reunions. These are all the wonderful sounds of summer that bring us all together. Polk County is fortunate to have so many great resources to bring us together as a community and a family. Having such amazing organizations working to improve the quality of life here is also one of the priceless possessions of our community. From Special Olympics to Relay for Life; Keep Polk Beautiful to Polk County Exchange Club, and so many more wonderful organizations that are all tirelessly working to meet each of our lifestyle needs, we thank you. As we enjoy the beginnings of summer and the beginning of family reunions, baseball games and long afternoons spent outside, let us all remember to take time to reflect on what we have here in our own backyard. Be a part of the quality of life you want in your community by volunteering with one of these great organizations and civic groups or by just taking part in enjoying the parks and trails. YOU are what makes our Community great! Visit our website for upcoming events and more community information www.polkgeorgia.com.
Events Calendar May 5 Opening Day of the Rockmart Farmers Market Located downtown Rockmart beside the Silver Comet Trailhead every Thursday 2 – 6 PM. May 6 - July 2 “Repurpose” Art Exhibit Inspiration comes from everywhere! Artists share treasures they repurposed into art. Rockmart Cultural Arts Center - Art Gallery, 316 N. Piedmont Ave., Blgd. 300, Rockmart Fridays & Saturdays (10 AM - 4 PM) or by appointment 770-684-2707. May 7 “Classic Country Music & Comedy Night in MAYBERRY USA”! Rockmart Cultural Arts Center and Bill J. Brooks Music Productions present “Classic Country Music & Comedy Night in MAYBERRY USA”! Starring Bill J. Brooks performing great classic country music from stars like Marty Robbins, Conway Twitty, Johnny Cash, Ray Price, Don Williams, Jim Reeves, and more. Co-Starring Gary Crain as “Gomer and Friends”. Also featuring Teresa Crain as “Patsy Cline”. Plan for a fun filled evening for the entire family. Don’t miss the show of the year! The Rockmart Theatre * 116 East Elm Street *Rockmart. General Admission $12.00 May 14 The Rock and Comet 12K / 5K Located at The Beautiful Rock Campground, RV & Music Park and at the Sliver Comet Trail at 8 AM. For more information, visit www. greateratlantaathletes.com. May 14- 15 Rockmart Community Chorus- Spring Concert - “Hits from the 60’s and 70’s” RCAC’s Director Debbie Miller and Rockmart Community Chorus present their Spring Concert, “Hits from the 60’s and 70’s”. Enjoy hits such as Fun, Fun, Fun; Will You Love Me Tomorrow?; Proud Mary; Fire and Rain; Under the Boardwalk; and You’ve Got a Friend to name a few. Saturday, May 14 at 7 PM and Sunday, May 15 at 2 PM. General admission $6, children 12 and under are FREE. The Rockmart Theatre * 116 East Elm Street *Rockmart. May 19 Lightroom 5 Need help with your photo editing? Instructor Carla Redding of RCAC is offering classes from 6 – 8 PM. The class will meet each Thursday at the same time for four weeks in the Rockmart Cultural Arts Center. Tuition for the class is $90.00, pre-registration is required. Email rcac@rockmart-ga.gov or call 770-684-2707. May 22 Artists Reception Come and meet the artists of the “Repurpose” Art Exhibit and Discover the ART in RockmART! 1-3 PM Casual Attire, and everyone is invited to attend. Rockmart Cultural Arts Center - Art Gallery, 316 N. Piedmont Ave., Blvd. 300, Rockmart, GA. Ongoing Art Classes at The Rockmart Cultural Arts Center Classes are located in the Rockmart Cultural Arts Center, 316 N. Piedmont Ave., Bldg. 300, Rockmart. Call or email for list of classes- rcac@rockmart-ga. gov or call 770-684-2707. May 27 Fourth Friday Summer Concert Series Downtown Cedartown 7- 9 PM. A Car Cruise will be at 5 PM and live music begins at 7 PM. May 31 Polk County Historical Society Meeting Speaker, David Archer, will present program “Civil War Deprivation in Polk County & Unionest’ Claims for Reparation at 7 PM. The public is welcome to attend. June 17 “Alice in Wonderland” Summer Theatre Camp performs “Alice in Wonderland” - 6:30 PM The Arts Center Theatre, 116 East Elm Street, Rockmart, GA 30153
June 20-24 S.O.A.R. - Summer of Arts in Rockmart Teen Art Camp (Ages 14-17) (Youth Art Camp - ages 7-13 is scheduled for July 11-15) Rockmart Cultural Arts Center, 316 N. Piedmont Ave., Blgd. 300, Rockmart. Call or email for registration form to be sent to you. rcac@rockmart-ga.gov or call 770-684-2707. June 30 Photography Have you always wanted to learn how to use your digital camera? Register today for Carla Redding’s next “Photo Convo One” class scheduled for 4 Thursdays 6- 7:30 PM. Tuition for the class is $75.00 and pre-registration is required. Email rcac@rockmart-ga.gov or call 770-684-2707. Keep Polk Beautiful KPB will be sponsoring a county wide electronic recycling project in Rockmart and Cedartown during May. Look for locations and dates in your local paper. KPB’s Rivers Alive water cleanup has been rescheduled for early summer. KPB is participating in Crown’s city wide graffiti paint over on May 21. The paint over is sponsored by the City of Cedartown’s government and law enforcement offices. June 28 Polk County Historical Society Meeting Guest, Dr. Joe Meeler, will present program to be announced. The public is invited to attend. June 4 Read Around the World Sponsored by Polk Family Connection and Get Georgia Reading Initiative Read Around the World is a Multicultural Literacy Fair for ALL children! Tentative location: Peek’s Park, Cedartown from 10 – 3 PM. Mill Town Music Hall is committed to providing West Georgia with a quality wholesome entertainment. It is the largest facility of its kind in West Georgia and comfortably seats 1,000 people. Boasting a state-of-the-art audio and visual system, the venue hosts numerous Country, Contemporary Christian, Southern Gospel and Bluegrass concerts, along with other family-friendly events. Conveniently located off I-20 Mill Town Music Hall is in Bremen, GA on 1031 Alabama Avenue. For more information or to purchase tickets go to www.milltownmusichall.com or call the box office at 770-537-6455. Upcoming Events Thursday, May 12- James Gregory, 7:30 pm- Tickets- $35 Premium Reserved, $30 Reserved Saturday, May 21- Eddy Raven and Lorraine Jordan Country Grass Show, 7:30 pm- Tickets- $30 Premium Reserved, $25 Reserved Saturday, June 18- T. Graham Brown and Jimmy Fortune, 7:30 pm- Tickets$35 Premium Reserved, $30 Reserved June 24 Fourth Friday Summer Concert Series Downtown Cedartown 7 – 9 PM. A Car Cruise will be at 5 PM and live music will begin at 7 PM. June 24 – 26 Cedartown Performing Arts Center Summer Show for Ages 14 and up! The show is titled “How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying.” Chris Reaves will be the Director of the show and we are very excited to put it on. For more information, call 770-748-4168 or visit www.cedartownshows.com. June 25 Unveiling of the Walk of Fame Statues In front of the Polk County Courthouse at 11 AM June 25 Grand Opening of Cedartown Museum of Coca- Cola Memorabilia
Connection News: Polk County Special Olympics is a non-profit organization that strives to promote understanding and acceptance among people with and without disabilities throughout our community. On May 6, 2016 under the direction of co-chairs Amber Fuqua and Tonya Plant, Polk County Special Olympics will hold their 13th annual athletic event. The annual event is held at Nathan Dean Park with the assistance of the Rockmart Recreation Authority and Polk School District. The event provides individuals with disabilities the opportunity to discover their fullest potential, develop physical fitness, experience joy and friendship, and demonstrate courage. The awesome day is provided for parents, students, and adults in the community to come together and celebrate who we are. A participant once stated, “Special Olympics gives us that may feel we live in a world where we don’t fit in the opportunity to be in an environment where we are just like everyone else�. Throughout the day, participants compete in athletic events and parents have the opportunity to mingle and learn from other parents that maybe faced with their same day to day challenges. Each participant is provided with an event T-shirt, snow cones, popcorn, food, drinks, framed picture keepsake, and a medal for athletes to treasure for years to come. This is provided at no cost to the participants, which is made possible by the generous donations we receive from local businesses and members throughout the community.
The Polk County Relay For Life is an annual community fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Participants form teams, host different fundraisers throughout the year, all culminating in one big event every year in the spring. In 2016, it will be held on April 30th at the Polk County Fairgrounds, located near the intersection of Highways 278 and 27. All Survivors of cancer (a Survivor is defined as a person who has heard the words “you have cancer�) and their caregiver(s) are invited to a free dinner to celebrate survival and to fellowship with other cancer Survivors. This dinner starts at 4:30PM in the Exhibit Hall at the Fairgrounds. After their dinner, the Survivors move down to the track, where teams have set up tents to do more fundraising (offering food, games, facepainting, etc.). The Survivors then, en masse, take the first lap around the track as honored guests . This is a special tribute to what the Survivors have been through and to HOPE. Caregivers
take the next honorary lap, after which the event goes into full swing. There are music, entertainment, games, a woman-less beauty pageant, a Luminaria service, and fellowship until the event ends at midnight. Funds raised at this event go toward many different programs offered by the American Cancer Society (i.e., free transportation by volunteers to treatments, a 24/7 toll-free call center, Hope Lodges which offer free lodging to patients and caregivers in treatment far from home, Look Good-Feel Better sessions offering free skin and hair care by volunteer cosmetologists, just to name a few). Funds also go to research for treatments, early detection, and a cure. Many new treatments and early detection tests have resulted from doctors and scientists who were funded by the American Cancer Society. The entire community of Polk County is invited to join this fight against cancer. Go to www.relayforlife.org/ polkga for more information.
The Wartville Wizard Keep Polk Beautiful has been presenting to Polk County 3rd graders “The Wartville Wizard” program. To explain a little about “The Wartville Wizard” program, it is a video that was produced from Keep Orlando Beautiful Inc. In the video the wizard is angry that the town is littered with trash. So, he casts a spell on anyone that throws trash out and whatever they have thrown out will stick to them. The town is upset because they have all this trash stuck to them. The trash is stuck to their head, bottoms and face! The town is in disarray they can’t sleep or eat! The doctor can’t do anything about it and they figure out the wizard has cast a spell. The wizard goes on to tell them they are slobs and he then tells them if they would not litter anymore he will undo the spell. The people come to an agreement to help keep the town clean and beautiful. The high school students ask the 3rd graders questions about littering and how they can recycle.The high school students ask the 3rd graders questions about littering and how they can recycle.
Welcome New Members! Zaxby’s in Rockmart 1945 Nathan Dean Pkwy. *Rockmart AVON Company Tiara Ferrell 706-853-0166 AT&T Authorized Retailer Store 1561 Rome Hwy. *Cedartown 770-749-9715 Wings - A Love Tale Sandra Shonkwiler 770-696-7635 FERST Foundation of Polk County Debbie Ross 770-546-0222
TS Family, Inc. Jamieson Palmer 706-237-0725 100 Black Men of Rome - Northwest Georgia, Inc. Rayford Horne 678-592-9886
In the Woods Catherine Castleberry 2173 Cartersville Hwy. *Rockmart 770-634-3216
Benny’s Eatery, LLC Aymen Shatt 642 Goodyear Ave. *Rockmart 678-883-9202 Pizza Hut - Cedartown 530 Main St. *Cedartown 770-748-8555
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FAX: 770-748-4015
109 E. Ave. • Cedartown, GA 30125
Silver Comet Trail
The Silver Comet Trail is located 13 miles northwest of Atlanta, Georgia. It's free of charge, and travels west through Cobb, Paulding, and Polk counties. This quiet, non-motorized trail is for walkers, hikers, bicyclists, rollerbladers, horses, dog walkers, and is wheelchair accessible. Parking & Trail Access
Mile Marker
Elevation (Ft)
South Cobb Dr.
-1.00
1015
Mavell Rd. Fontaine Road Concord Road Floyd Road Carter Road Sailor’s Parkway Florence Road Hiram Paulding County Chamber of Commerce Tara Drummond
0.00 1.20 2.60 4.20 8.60 9.40 11.60 14.66 14.66
925 906 887 1021 948 984 946 1001 1001
20.23
1035
Rambo Nursery Coot’s Lake Van Wert Rockmart Riverwalk Nathan Dean Park Don Williams Grady Road Cedartown Depot Martin Trailhead Esom Hill Stateline Gateway
22.22 33.49 36.06 37.66 38.76 44.90 45.80 51.30 52.90 61.20 61.50
941 930 807 749 748 864 904 796 824 923 922
(Note: This is considered part of the Silver Comet Extension)
(previously Dallas Trailhead)
(Georgia-Alabama Line)
Attractions Guide Landmarks and Historic Areas Cedartown
POLK COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY/MUSEUM Formerly Hawkes Children’s Library, the museum contains the history of Polk County. The building was designed by J. Neel Reid, famous Georgia architect, and was built in 1924. The site is on the National Register of Historic Places.
POLK COUNTY COURTHOUSE #2 At 100 Prior Street, this building was designed by Otis Clay Poundston in Neoclassical Revival Style and constructed in 1935. It was originally City Hall, but is now used as a courthouse annex.
CEDARTOWN MURAL Completed in 1999, the mural is located in downtown Cedartown. The project was designed and completed by local artists and volunteers from The Art Lover’s League of Cedar Valley. The mural is a collage of well-known structures in Cedartown including many historic sites such as Hawkes Children’s Library and County Courthouse #2.
CONFEDERATE MEMORIAL
Outside Courthouse #2 is a Confederate monument erected in 1906 by United Daughters of the Confederacy to honor Confederate veterans.
ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH Built on West Avenue in 1883, this is the oldest church still in use in Cedartown. The church has been maintained in its original state except for the outside color. Sterling Holloway grew up in this church.
BOOZ HOTEL This structure was built in the 1800s and operated as a hotel in the 1890s. Located across the street from the Polk County Historical Society.
BIG SPRING Located on Wissahickon Avenue, this was the site of a ballground and ceremonial dance ground of the Cherokee Indian natives until the early 1800s. It is the second largest limestone spring in the South and produces an average of 4 million gallons of water per day.
DOWNTOWN CEDARTOWN In 1988, Cedartown became a “Mainstreet City” and is a registered site in the National Register of Historic Places. The last decade has seen much renovation in the downtown area including second floor residential availability, new businesses and remodelings. 770-748-2090. HIGHTOWER FALLS Originally the site of a wooden grist mill purchased by Elias Hightower in 1846 and converted into a facsimile of the Whitney cotton gin. Mr. Hightower also constructed a three story mill on the site in 1850 using the 60 foot Falls for power. The mill was once a vibrant mercantile center near Cedartown. Sherman’s men ate and slept here on their march through the state, but spared the mill from the fate which befell so many others. Hightower Falls is presently a private group facility available for special occasions. Call (770) 748-8588 for more information.
OLD MILL Located on Hwy. 27 South, this structure was built by slave labor in 1848 for Asa Prior who came to Polk County in 1837. The first miller was a slave named “Old Allen” and the structure was operated as a mill until 1945. It was renovated and operated as a restaurant by Mr. And Mrs. Robert Stephens from 1960-1991. It was purchased by Ann and Jimmy Madden in 1997.
Veterans Memorial
There are two in Polk County. One in Cedartown at the corner of East Avenue and Greenwood, behind the Library. The other is located in Rockmart on Veterans Plaza. Both were built to HONOR and MEMORIALIZE the Veterans of Polk County. Annual Services are held on Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
CEDARTOWN • ROCKMART/ARAGON
Landmarks and Historic Areas Rockmart/Aragon
VAN WERT
Created in 1832 from the village of Cleantown, Van Wert was made the seat of Paulding County. It was known for slate, iron, gold and fertile farmland and served as the county seat until Polk County was formed from part of Paulding in 1851 and the county seat was moved to Cedartown. Van Wert was awarded a Historic Township of Georgia by the Department of Community Affairs.
VAN WERT METHODIST CHURCH
Built in 1857 by Rev. Wm. Simpson, Van Wert Methodist Church is one of the oldest structures in Polk County. The Van Wert Church Restoration Group, led by Greg Gray, is renovating the structure.
ARAGON-EUHARLEE PRIMITIVE BAPTIST CHURCH In Aragon, the oldest church still in use in the County.
ROCKMART MURAL
The mural was created in 1997 and painted on the side of Morgan Hardware on Marble Street. The mural was created by 180 volunteers over a three week period and was part of a celebration of Rockmart's 125th anniversary.
THE GOODYEAR MILL
In 1929, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company selected Rockmart as the site for one of its clearwater mills. They built a multi-million dollar plant on what is now Goodyear Street and gave Rockmart "the biggest boost it has ever received in its history." Goodyear sold the plant in 1987 and it is now owned and operated by Meggitt Polymers & Composites
GOODYEAR MILL VILLAGE
In the 1930s, Goodyear built a modern village with approximately 180 homes, two tennis courts, a baseball field and a golf course directly across the street from the mill.
CITY HALL
The Rockmart Municipal Complex located on N. Piedmont Ave, is now considered "City Hall". The complex includes the Administrative Services Building, Cultural Arts Center,Recreation Department, and Rockmart Police Department. The complex is located on what was originally the site of the Piedmont Institute College, which was replaced later by Rockmart High and Middle Schools which later became known as Rockmart High School.
ROSE HILL CEMETERY/GAZEBO
On Elm Street, the land for the cemetery was donated to the town. The gazebo, constructed in 1891 is now considered one of Rockmart's most recognizable historic landmarks. The cemetery site also offers a spectacular view across Rockmart.
EUHARLEE CREEK/SEABORN JONES PARK
A city park, Seaborn Jones Park sits in the middle of downtown Rockmart along the banks of the Euharlee Creek. The name Euharlee comes from the Cherokee or Creek Indians and means "she laughs as she runs." ROCKMART HISTORICAL MUSEUM The recently opened Rockmart Historical Museum is a must to see for anyone interested in history. It chronicles the unique history and culture of Rockmart with heirloom contributions of items and photos supplied by members of the community. Of particular interest art the items concerning "Welsh" Rockmart, with its miners and slate industry, chapels and slate roofs. The museum is located in Old City Hall Building at 133 Marble Street, next to Seaborn Jones Park.
DODGE & DAVIS AT PEEK SPRINGS Near Aragon's City Hall, camping place of General Grenville Dodge's 16th AC of McPherson's Army of Tennessee. Later, Brig. Gen. J.C. Davis' 2nd division, 14th Corps Army of the Cumberland camped here en route from Rome to Dallas, Ga. These troops were part of the right wing of General Sherman’s forces moving to outflank General Johnston’s army at Allatoona Pass. This resulted in 10 days of battle at New Hope Church, Dallas and Pickett’s Mill in Paulding County.
Leisure Life in Polk County Cedartown Performing Arts Center
CEDARTOWN • ROCKMART/ARAGON
Nathan Dean Sports Complex
The pride of the City of Cedartown, The Cedartown Performing Arts Center locat- Rockmart’s primary recreational park for softball and baseball. The park also coned at the Cedartown Auditorium, presents a wealth of premium entertainment tains a track and a playground area. Pavilions are also located through the park. each year from the Atlanta Symphony to touring Broadway plays. The Performing Pleasant Valley Course Arts Center also sponsors enrichment programs for children in Polk and surroundNine hole, public golf course. 770-684-5961. ing counties through workshops and performances. 770-748-4168.
West Theater This 1941 Art Deco style theater hosts first run movies for both children and adults.
Peek Park On North College Street, this beautiful city park is located on land donated by Captain J.A. Peek. It contains tennis courts, playground and picnic areas.
Bert Wood Youth and Athletic Complex Softball and baseball fields, gymnasium, track, cabin, playground, and Senior Center make up this recreational facility in Northwest Cedartown. Government sponsored and volunteer activities abound almost year round.
Cherokee Golf and County Club This private facility off Cherokee Road contains an 18 hole golf course, four tennis courts, a swimming pool and beautiful clubhouse with dining facility. The club hosts many local fundraising golf and tennis tournaments as well as member-related events. 770-748-2800.
Cedar Valley Arts Festival
Silver Comet Trail The Silver Comet Trail is a paved, converted rail trail spanning more than 60 miles from Smyrna GA to the GA/AL border in Polk County. Here the trail joins the Chief Ladiga trail for another 33 miles to Anniston, AL. The two trails provide 95.5 continuous paved recreational miles not available to motorized traffic. The longest segment of the Silver Comet in one county is 29 miles through Polk. The Depot in Rockmart provides water and restrooms and is next to Seaborn Jones Park. Snacks and restrooms are available at the Depot in Cedartown which houses several offices including the welcome center and museum of local memorabilia. The first foot of the Silver Comet Trail was poured on July 9, 1998 in Cobb County, GA.
Polk County Homespun Festival An annual event sponsored by the Polk County Chamber of Commerce held on the third weekend in July in Seaborn Jones Park. Local and regional crafters display their wares throughout the park. Continuous entertainment is a highlight of the festival as well as many games and events throughout the park. 770-6848760.
Aragon Barbeque Patriotism at its peak, the annual barbeque is held on the third Saturday in June. Great food, a variety of games and a softball tournament are highlights.
An annual festival is held on the last full weekend in April. This event is sponsored by the Cedartown Junior Service League. Local and regional artists display their Tom Pittman Field and Jake Belk Park craft as do the children of Cedartown whose works are displayed throughout Peek Park, the site of the festival. Aragon’s two city parks both have recreational and picnic facilities.
Meadow Lakes Golf Club Meadow Lakes is a public facility in North Polk County offering 18 holes of championship golf as well as a clubhouse, banquet facility, and swimming pool. The club regularly hosts tournaments and lessons are offered by the PGA Golf Professional. Call for tee times on the weekends. 770-748-4942
The Rock Campground, RV and Music Park located near the Silver Comet Trail on Mile Marker 34. With over 100 RV sites w/ Power & Water, Cabins, Fishing, Entertainment, Silver Comet Trail Access, Creek, Picnic Tables, Showers- Camping and Special Events. This facility is open year round. 130 Forsyth Lake Rd., Rockmart- 770-684-8519.
Rockmart Civic Arts Commission Promotes and hosts various arts activities in the city and maintains the city’s Art Center on Piedmont Avenue, Rockmart. 770-684-5454.
Seaborn Jones Park A city park along the banks of Euharlee Creek in downtown Rockmart. Complete with picnic tables and a gazebo.
Welsh Festival Mae'n dod Gwy! Cmry!/Rockmart hosts the only Welsh festival in Georgia, featuring lively Celtic music, Welsh food and Bar-B-Que, plus tours of the historical Van Wert Church and graveyard where Welsh miners and Civil War soldiers are buried. It is held on the quad (square) next to the Old City Hall Building, 133 Marble St. in the heart of downtown Rockmart. Welshfest is held the 3rd Saturday in March.
Polk County at a Glance LOCATION AND LAND AREA Polk County, consisting of a 312 square mile area, is near the center of the South's three largest industrial centers: Atlanta, 45 miles east; Birmingham, 85 miles west, and Chattanooga, 83 miles north. Surrounded on four corners by mountains, Polk County is a land of dramatic contrasts from the city of Cedartown which lies on a gentle plain to Rockmart with its rocky hills and deep valleys.
GOVERNMENT Polk County is governed by a six member Board of Commissioners elected for four-year staggered terms. The chairman is elected from the board for a one-year term. Cedartown, the county seat, is governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners who elect a commission chairman from amongst board members and appoint a City Manager. The city of Rockmart is governed by an elected mayor and five council members who elect a City Manager. Aragon is governed by a mayor and four council members. Full-time police and fire departments are maintained in all three areas and the county for the protection of all residents.
INDUSTRY Polk County boasts a wide array of existing industry and takes pride in its success in new industry recruitment in the last decade. The top ten industries employ some 3,700 people and include both manufacturing and service.
CLIMATE A moderate climate with seasonal variation creates an excellent environment for outdoor activity throughout most of the year: January average minimum/maximum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32/55 degrees July average minimum/maximum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67/83 degrees Average annual rainfall is 50" based on ten year data. Relative humidity is 69.7%.
POPULATION 42,709 people reside in Polk County including 10,021 in Cedartown, 4,242 in Rockmart and 1,039 in Aragon.
TRANSPORTATION
Major trucking lines and both CSX and the Norfolk Southern Railway system link Polk County to points in all directions. Hartsfield/Jackson International Airport is only one hour away while Cornelius Moore Airport in the middle of the county provides a paved and lighted 4,000 ft. runway. The new $15,000,000 state of the art Paulding Northwest Atlanta Airport is only 8 miles from Polk County. Four lane Highway 278 east links Polk County to Atlanta via I-20. Other main arteries include U.S. Highway 27 and 113.
CEDARTOWN • ROCKMART/ARAGON COMMUNICATIONS Two newspapers, the Cedartown Standard and the Rockmart Journal, and two radio stations, WGAA Cedartown and WZOT Rockmart, keep county residents informed of local, regional and national happenings.
EDUCATION Educational institutions in the county include six elementary schools, two middle schools, two high schools and a regional vocational-technical school. Two private schools are maintained and county residents have easy access to three additional private schools in a neighboring county.
UTILITIES Georgia Power and Carroll EMC service electrical needs in Polk County and gas is distributed by Atlanta Gas Light Company and sold by several suppliers. The cities of Cedartown and Rockmart operate sewage treatment facilities and have their own water supply via a spring-fed gravity system in Cedartown and Euharlee Creek in Rockmart. The county’s water supply originates with three springs and one well. BellSouth provides a first-rate telecommunications system and cablevision is provided by Charter Communications.
HEALTHCARE Polk Medical Center is located in Cedartown. Numerous physicians, dentists, chiropractors and other health care proviers are throughout Polk County. Immediate Care facilities are also available.
POLK COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE The main office of the Polk County Chamber of Commerce is located at 133 South Marble Street in Rockmart. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-5:00 pm. The Chamber also maintains a Cedartown office in conjunction with the Cedartown Welcome Center at 609 S. Main St.. Cedartown office hours are Mon.-Fri., 8:30 am-5:00 pm. Call the Chamber office at 770-684-8760.
Connection The
Advertisers Index:
Showcasing the best of Polk County Official Publication of
THE CHAMBER
Georgia
Published by: News Publishing Company P.O. Box 1633 Rome, GA 30162
www.polkgeorgia.com
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OFFICIAL PUBLICATION
133 South Marble Street Rockmart, GA 30153 770/684-8760 Fax: 678/224-5320 609 S. Main St. Cedartown, GA 30125 www.polkgeorgia.com
For Advertising Information call Todd Britt at 770-748-1520 Editorial Content by: Polk County Chamber of Commerce 770/684-8760
Softball ent Tour nam
& Countr y usic M l e p s Go
42nd Annual Aragon BBQ Friday, June 24th & Saturday, June 25th
Ar t & Crafts
Big Fire w Display or ks 10P Saturda M y
HOMESPUN FESTIVAL July 15th & July 16th, 2016
• • • • •
Handmade Arts & Crafts Attractions Premier Sponsor: Lots of Food Car Show Music
Downtown Rockmart http://www.homespunfestival.com