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Showcasing the best of Polk County JANUARY 2017 Happy New Year! 2017 is geared up to be a prodigious year of achievement and appreciation. As we come to the end of 2016, 2017 is before us offering our Polk County Chamber members and community numerous opportunities for growth and prosperity! The 2017 board of directors for the Polk County Chamber have already met to plan for the new year. When the end of 2017 arrives and our plans have come to fruition, we anticipate that local business will look upon 2017 as a year to be proud of their membership in the chamber! Here are some of the initiatives YOUR Chamber of Commerce are working towards this year: *Establish a Polk County Chamber Foundation to support local business and community initiatives *Establish new multi-generational Polk Leadership Program(s) *Work with the community to establish a Polk Tourism Committee *Strengthen existing partnerships with *Downtown Cedartown Association *Rockmart Business Alliance With a renewed effort, we as your Polk County Chamber Board are daring to dream and be strong enough to persevere to see it through. We know the importance of being that voice and vehicle for Polk County Business and we take it very seriously. We want you to join us in 2017 as a member. We ask that you join us and celebrate our local accomplishments together with the hashtag #PolkProud on social media. YOUR Chamber of Commerce is working together to make an impact in our local businesses and community. The Polk County Chamber of Commerce and I look forward to joining you in celebrating our 2017 successes and being Polk Proud. Sincerely, Britt Madden Jr., Chairperson Polk County Chamber of Commerce
POLK COUNTY “JANUARY” EVENTS SCHEDULE The Cedartown Performing Arts Center The Cedartown Performing Arts Center would like to thank you for your continued support. The venue as a whole will be switching to a new ticketing system in 2017 to better position ourselves as we offer full seasons complete with membership packages to allow most grateful donations from you, the people and businesses who keep our doors open through attendance and contributions. To stay up to date please visit http://www.cedartownshows.com. January 28- James Gregory- The Funniest Man in America Tickets are on sale now to see world class comedian, James Gregory. His show has taken him across the country for 25 years, playing to sold out crowds. Billed as both “The Funniest Man in America” and the most successful comedian you’ve never heard of, James stays in-demand and on-the-road 48 weekends a year. James has always been a crowd pleaser and this will undoubtedly be another great performance! Group rates are available to those ordering 10 or more tickets. Events at the Rockmart Cultural Arts Center 316 North Piedmont Avenue, Building 300, Rockmart, GA 30153 rcac@rockmart-ga.gov/ 770-684-2707 / www.rockmart-ga.gov/rcac January 13- February 25- “Romance” in 2017 View original art work from local artists depicting their views on love, passion and all things romantic. An artist’s reception will be held at the Art Gallery on January 22 from 1- 3 PM. Everyone is invited. Questions about RCAC Art Gallery or in joining the Visual Arts Committee? Contact: Visual Arts Chair Laura Robinson – 770-684-7578 / lrobinson1301@bellsouth.net . The Art Gallery is open on Fridays and Saturdays, 10 AM – 4 PM. Art Lessons for Kids & Teens! January 7- Saturday Paint- Along! (10 – 11:30 AM) Canvas painting of a Winter Landscape! $15 per person, materials included. January 14- Saturday Sew- Along! (10 -11:30 AM) Learn to sew while creating an adorable penguin plush. $15 per person, materials included. January 21- Saturday Craft- Along! (10 -11:30 AM) Learn to craft a duct tape wallet! Please bring along your own duct tape in your favorite color or pattern! Questions about these classes? Contact Mrs. Margaret Bearden / margaretbearden@gmail.com or by phone 770-500-4207. You can register for these classes when you arrive. Open Studio Pottery Learn to use the pottery wheel and other techniques with instructor Paul Craighead. Open Studio Pottery is open to ALL ages and classes are held year round with the exception of holidays and summer camps. Classes are held Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 6:30 – 8:30 PM ($15) and on Thursdays, 10:00 – 11:30 AM ($12). Fee includes instruction, materials, equipment, glazing, firing, and fun! Register when you arrive. Questions? Contact Paul Craighead at 770-843-5302.
Welcome New Members
Register now for Photography January 5- Photography class begins with instructor Carla Redding of C. Redding Photography. (6 -7:30 PM). Learn the concepts of digital photography and allow yourself to become a better photographer. Four sessions will help you get familiar with your digital camera. Sessions are held on January 5, January 12, January 19 and January 26. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Tuition is only $75. Questions regarding this class? Contact Carla at 770-546-3943. To register, please email rcac@rockmart-ga.gov. Other Art Classes offered at RCAC Art Lessons for Kids & Teens – Margaret Bearden Calligraphy & Lettering Art- Latasha King Drawing- James Hill Lightroom 5: Photo Editing – Carla Redding Oil Painting- James Hill Piano- Joy Wooddell Photography- Carla Redding Pottery- Paul Craighead Whittling- Alvin Mallicoat To register or request more information, please email rcac@rockmart-ga.gov with the name of the class(es) which interest you listed in the “Subject” line. Please include your name, address, phone number(s), and name of potential student with date of birth listed. Your information will be forwarded to the art instructor to contact you regarding your art interest(s). Rockmart Community Chorus Director Debbie Miller and Rockmart Community Chorus members begin rehearsing in January for their Spring Concert. Want to know more? Please contact Debbie Miller at 404-219-9572. Mill Town Music Hall Where the Stars Shine Bright on a Georgia Night For more information or to purchase tickets go to www.milltownmusichall.com or call the box office at 770-537-6455. Upcoming Events Saturday, January 14th – Mandy Barnett – Time: 7:30 pm – Tickets: $33 Premium Reserved and $28 Reserved Saturday, January 21st – Wynonna and the Big Noise – Time: 7:30 – Tickets: $73 Premium Reserved and $68 Reserved January 26- Special Rise & Shine / Chamber Annual Report Breakfast The Polk County Chamber will hold its Annual Special Rise & Shine Breakfast at 7:00 AM at the Rockmart Community Center. The Chamber l Report for 2016 will be given along with the 2016 Chairperson’s Award presentation and Outgoing Board Members Award presentation. Chamber Chairman Britt Madden Jr. will present the vision for the 2017 Chamber year and give updates on the Chamber’s programs of work and Committee Structure. The cost is $10.00 per member and $15.00 per non- member. For more information please call 770-684-8760 or visit www.polkgeorgia.com.
HOLMES CLOTHING established 1895
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DAVID GANDY, D.D.S.
To find out more information about the Chamber or join, call us at 770-684-8760, or you can visit www.polkgeorgia.com or email us at: mmallicoat@polkgeorgia.com.
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Look Sharp All Year With A New Outfit, Business or Casual
235 MAIN ST. DOWNTOWN CEDARTOWN 770-748-1455
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D E N TA L
A S S O C I A T E S
OFFICE:
770-748-7736
FAX: 770-748-4015
109 E. Ave. • Cedartown, GA 30125
“Move On When Ready” is Georgia’s dual enrollment program that is expanding the opportunities for Polk School District students to earn college credit while enrolled in high school. Currently, twenty-two college courses are offered to sophomores, juniors, and seniors on both of our high school campuses. These transfer courses have been afforded to our students through our partnerships with Georgia Northwestern Technical College and Georgia Highlands College. The 2016-2017 school year will be the first year students have the opportunity to graduate with an Associate’s Degree. Students have the opportunity to graduate high school with one/two years of college complete at absolutely no cost to the student/parent! What is Move On When Ready (MOWR)? MOWR allows students the opportunity to take college courses while still in high school and remain on the high school campus. An agreement between the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) and the University System of Georgia (USG) make it possible for students to take any of the approved courses at a TCSG institution and those courses will transfer to any USG institution in the state of Georgia. 2016-2017 School Year - Polk County College & Career Academy Cedartown Campus Enrollment Seniors - 131 Juniors - 76 Sophomores - 52 Total - 259 students enrolled Over the course of the 2016-2017 school year students are expected to earn 4,743 college credit hours — for free!!
Leisure Life in Polk County CEDARTOWN • ROCKMART/ARAGON CEDARTOWN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER The pride of the City of Cedartown, The Cedartown Performing Arts Center located at the Cedartown Auditorium, presents a wealth of premium entertainment each year from the Atlanta Symphony to touring Broadway plays. The Performing Arts Center also sponsors enrichment programs for children in Polk and surrounding 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 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 craft as do the children of Cedartown whose works are displayed throughout Peek Park, the site of the festival. 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. NATHAN DEAN SPORTS COMPLEX Rockmart’s primary recreational park for softball and baseball. The park also contains a track and a playground area. Pavilions are also located through the park. PLEASANT VALLEY COURSE Nine hole, public golf course. 770-684-5961. 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
WELSHfest- March 17 & 18, 2017 Join us in downtown Rockmart for the only Welsh-centered festival in Georgia. There will be great Welsh and local entertainment, fun and educational events, a great vendor’s village and great fun for the whole family. Events included in this year are the Keeping up with the Jones Fun Run and The Big Welsh Bike Ride, The Welsh Tea Room, The Welsh Long Bow demonstration, Lessons in Welsh cooking, language and more, Honey show, Bus Tour to the Historic Van Wert Chapel, Lectures and Tours and don’t forget about the annual Welsh Hymn Singing at Historic Van Wert Church on Friday night. Visit www.welshfest.vpweb.com for more information.
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. 770-684-8760. 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. TOM PITTMAN FIELD AND JAKE BELK PARK Aragon’s two city parks both have recreational and picnic facilities. 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.