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You Voted. We Tallied. Presenting the Winners of the 2023 Best of Polk Contest
Best of Polk County & Your Best Financial Friend
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FamilySavingsCU.com 770.684.8601 101 Felton Drive • Rockmart, GA 30153 2 ♦ Wednesday, January 3, 2024 ♦ The Polk CounTy sTandard Journal
YOU VOTED, WE TALLIED. Now the results are in, and are available to the public. Inside this special section you will find the winners of the 9th annual Best of Polk contest. We at The Polk County Standard Journal newspaper are very thankful for all of the members of the community who participated in this contest. We have worked very diligently to put together a special section that is worthy of all the special winners of the 2023 Best of Polk. We hope you new enjoy getting to know some of the best businesses, and people in Polk County. We know that we did! - The Standard Journal staff
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Would like to congratulate all the Winners in the 2023 Best of Polk Contest! 4 ♦ Wednesday, January 3, 2024 ♦ The Polk CounTy sTandard Journal
McEntire’s
TOWING & SERVICE , W O T A D E E N U IF YO
CALL JOE ! 4 9 6 3 8 4 7 0 7 7
The Polk CounTy STandard Journal ♦ WedneSday, January 3, 2024 ♦ 11
WINNER!
In the Woods | 770-634-3216 www.inthewoodsevents.com
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When it comes to selecting a location in Polk County to get married, In the Woods ranks right up there with any place around. That is why the voters in the Best of Polk 2023 contest have selected them as the Best Wedding Venue. In the Woods is a seven-year-old business owned by Catherine Castleberry. The venue employs five people and is located at 2173 Cartersville Highway, Rockmart. In the Woods is a state of the art, fully inclusive wedding and event venue, located in the middle of a family-owned secluded property off of Highway 113 in Rockmart. It spans 250 acres, and features a 3,200-square-foot modern-rustic ceremony pavilion by a lake and a 5,200-square-foot reception hall, sitting up to 250 people. They host 65 weddings per year. For more information visit them online at www.inthewoodsevents.com, email them at catherine@inthewoodsevents.com or call 770-634-3216.
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In The Woods is a state of the art wedding and event facility specializing in weddings. We offer all inclusive style wedding packages to fulfill all of the bride and groom’s every need. In The Woods has fantastic in house vendors such as caterers, florist, DJ and more. Thank you for voting us Best Wedding Venue in Polk County!
2173 Cartersville Highway Rockmart,GA 30153 • 770-634-3216 The Polk CounTy STandard Journal ♦ WedneSday, January 3, 2024 ♦ 13
WINNER!
BEST LAW FIRM PARKER AND LUNDY
When issues are serious and results matter, Parker and Lundy is the law firm that people in Polk County and the surrounding areas turn to. That is why the voters in the Best of Polk contest have voted them the best law firm in Polk County for 2023. Located on Main Street in historic downtown Cedartown, the Parker and Lundy law firm practice area reflects the most important legal needs of the people of their community. Parker and Lundy respresent injured workers in workers’ compensation claims, personal injury and wrongful death claims for those who have been injured or lost a loved one due to the careless and negligent action of others. The firm also works in family law, social security disability claims, and other areas. Parker and Lundy formed in 1985 when William (Bill) Lundy, Jr. returned to his hometown to practice law, joining forces with the late Senator James I. Parker, a past President of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association. William (Bill) L. Lundy, Jr., Richard (Rick) J. Lundy, Charles E. (Chuck) Morris, Jr., and Othel Doyle (Trey) Kelley, III are the attorneys at Parker and Lundy and they are joined on staff by Catharine W. Lundy, Wanda Ridgeway, Blanca Martinez, Shelli Barclay, and receptionist Carol Aaron.
Parker and Lundy | 770-749-7030 parkerandlundy.com
14 ♦ Wednesday, January 3, 2024 ♦ The Polk CounTy sTandard Journal
Thank You for Voting Us Best Law Firm in Polk County during Best of Polk 2023 Contest!
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At the Law Firm of Parker and Lundy, we are proud to have served Polk County since 1949. Everyone in our firm lives, works and raise our families right here in Polk County. This is our home. Your vote for Parker and Lundy as the number one law firm of Polk County is appreciated, gratifying and humbling. We will always do our very best to continue to earn the respect of our community. If you need our help, we are a phone call, email or personal visit away. Your initial consultation is always at no charge. We have established a tradition of excellence recognized all over Northwest Georgia and Northeast Alabama for 73 years. We do not have billboards or fancy television commercials. We earn your trust and respect the old-fashioned way: One satisfied client at a time. To all of Cedartown, Rockmart, Aragon, Van Wert, Prior Station, Fish Creek, Esom Hill, Antioch, Wimberly Hill, Booger Hollow, Portland, Lake Creek and all of Polk County..........and from Bill Lundy, Rick Lundy, Chuck Morris, State Representative Trey Kelley, Laura Lundy Wheale, Catherine Lundy, Carol Aaron, Blanca Martinez, Shelli Barclay, Wanda Ridgeway, and Aly Pineda (not pictured)...........
THANK YOU FOR NAMING US THE NUMBER ONE LAW FIRM OF POLK COUNTY
Parker and Lundy -Lawyers212 Main Street • Cedartown, GA 30125 • parklun@aol.com • P: 770-748-5643 The Polk CounTy STandard Journal ♦ WedneSday, January 3, 2024 ♦ 15
WINNER!
BEST INSURANCE AGENCY LEDBETTER INSURANCE AGENCY BEST INSURANCE AGENT CHAD LEDBETTER
A fixture in Polk County since 1973, Ledbetter Insurance was started by Everett Ledbetter, who at age 95 still works there today. The family-owned agency in Cedartown has been run by Chad Ledbetter, Everett’s grandson, for the past 18 years. The company’s purpose is to provide Polk County and surrounding areas with the best home and auto insurance coverage at a fair price, Chad Ledbetter said. Both Ledbetters proudly served their country—Everett is a Navy veteran and Chad is an Air Force veteran—and now show the same steadfast commitment in serving their community. Because of this dedication, the voters in the Best of Polk contest named Ledbetter Insurance the best insurance agency and Chad Ledbetter the best insurance agent for 2023. Chad, who is also the president of Cedartown Gridiron Club, thanked the voters and added: “Go Dawgs!” Ledbetter Insurance is located at 106 East Avenue in Cedartown and is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information or to set up an appointment, call 770-748-3191 or email ChadLedbetter@whiteagencies.com.
Ledbetter Insurance Agency | (770) 748-3191 ledbetterinsuranceagency.business.site
www.polkstandardjournal.com
22 ♦ Wednesday, January 3, 2024 ♦ The Polk CounTy sTandard Journal
2023 BEST OF POLK Winners & Runner-Up
AUTO & RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AUTO BODY SHOP Barber Performance and Body City Body Works Inc AUTO DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT Peach State Ford DJ’s Truck Sales AUTO DETAIL/CLEANING Hooks Detailing AUTO REPAIRS Barber Performance and Body Peach State Ford AUTO-NEW CAR DEALERSHIP Peach State Ford Knight’s Car Store AUTO-USED CAR DEALERSHIP Peach State Ford Days Pre-Owned Rockmart CAR SALESMAN Brian Reed Carrie Cole - Peach State Ford CAR WASH Hooks Detailing OIL CHANGE Peach State Ford McNabb Tire & Wheel TIRE CENTER Peach State Ford McNabb Tire & Wheel TOWING SERVICE McEntire’s Towing Lee Brown Towing
BEAUTY
ESTHETICIAN Lauren Hardin Destinys Hair Lounge Salon HAIR SALON Destinys Hair Lounge Salon Iconic Beauty Bar HAIR STYLIST/COSMETOLOGIST Destiny Whatley Jonathan Godinez MAKEUP ARTIST Jonathan Godinez Destinys Hair Lounge Salon NAIL SALON Iconic Beauty Bar Destinys Hair Lounge Salon TANNING SALON Spray Tans by Angie Guice Spray Tans by Erin
ENTERTAINMENT & RECREATION FESTIVAL / EVENT Sipping W/A Twirl of Paint Homespun Festival GOLF COURSE Cherokee Golf & Country Club Meadow Lakes Golf Course LOCAL BAND The Sensationals of Cedartown Them Mixon Boys MUSEUM Polk County Historical Society Museum Rockmart Historical Society, Rockmart
PARK Peeks Park Nathan Dean Park
FOOD & DRINKS APPETIZER Pizza Farm Restaurant - Rockmart Zorba’s ASIAN RESTAURANT Kazuna Steak House Hibachi Express BAKERY Mac’s Bakery Sugarless Sweets BAR-B-QUE Smoking Grizzly BBQ Bar-L-Bar-B-Que BISCUITS Bojangles Chick-fil-A BREAKFAST Linda’s Place Restaurant Waffle House BRUNCH Huddle House Linda’s Place Restaurant BUFFET Sidekicks BURGER Smoking Grizzly BBQ Sidekicks CATERING Smoking Grizzly BBQ The Steak House CHICKEN SANDWICH Chick-fil-A Zorba’s COFFEE Sanity Coffee Co. Ellianos Coffee Co DELI Pirkle’s Deli & Catering Soli’s Soups, Salads & Sandwiches DESSERT Chick N Scratch Mac’s Bakery DONUTS Mac’s Bakery Sugarless Sweets FAJITAS El Coyote Mexican Restaurant The Border Mexican Restaurant FRENCH FRIES Smoking Grizzly BBQ Chick-fil-A FRIED CHICKEN Triangle Foods The Avenue Home Cooking Café HAPPY HOUR Cedar & Smoke Cigar El Coyote Mexican Restaurant HOME COOKING The Avenue Home Cooking Café Linda’s Place Restaurant HOT DOG Smoking Grizzly BBQ Moore’s Soda Fountain - Remix at Moores
24 ♦ Wednesday, January 3, 2024 ♦ The Polk CounTy sTandard Journal
HOT WINGS Smoking Grizzly BBQ Hometown Pizza ICE CREAM Moore’s Soda Fountain - Remix at Moores Dairy Queen Grill & Chill ITALIAN RESTAURANT Zorba’s Petro’s Pizza Restaurant MAC & CHEESE Smoking Grizzly BBQ Chick-fil-A Cedartown MARGARITA El Coyote Mexican Restaurant The Border Mexican Restaurant MEDITERRANEAN Petros Zorba’s MEXICAN RESTAURANT El Coyote Mexican Restaurant Rudy’s Est. 2020 LLC The Border Mexican Restaurant MILK SHAKE Chick-fil-A Moore’s Soda Fountain - Remix at Moores PIZZA Pizza Farm Restaurant - Rockmart Petro’s Pizza Restaurant RESTAURANT Smoking Grizzly BBQ Pizza Farm Restaurant - Rockmart RIBS Smoking Grizzly Bar-L-Bar-B-Que SALAD Pizza Farm Restaurant - Rockmart Sidekicks SANDWICH Pirkle’s Deli & Catering Smoking Grizzly BBQ SEAFOOD Petro’s Pizza Restaurant Zorba’s SMOKED BRISKET Smoking Grizzly BBQ Bar-L-Bar-B-Que SOUP Soli’s Soups, Salads & Sandwiches Pirkle’s Deli STEAK The Steak House Pizza Farm Restaurant - Rockmart SWEET TEA Smoking Grizzly BBQ Zaxby’s Chicken Fingers & Buffalo Wings
HEALTH & WELLNESS CHIROPRACTOR Mitchell Chiropractic & Wellness Morgan Chiropractic Office DENTIST Coosa Dental Associates Kirby L. Brown, DMD, PC FAMILY DOCTOR Pamela D. Hearn, MD Dr. Heather A. Pryor, MD
2023 BEST OF POLK Winners & Runner-Up
FITNESS/HEALTH CLUB/GYM Planet Fitness Cedartown Health Spa NURSE PRACTITIONER Jordan Vaughn Cynthia Singleton PHARMACIST Sondi Vest Kyle Banks (Kroger) PHARMACY Smith Lockwood Drug & Jewelry Kroger Pharmacy PHYSICAL THERAPIST Ally Wilson Jamie Carol Hutcheson PHYSICAL THERAPY CENTER Atrium Health Floyd Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Cedartown Advance Rehabilitation SENIOR ASSISTED LIVING The Cottages At Rockmart Cedar Valley Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
KIDS & EDUCATION CHILDREN’S BOUTIQUE Triple Grace Boutique Berkleigh Mae’s Boutique DANCE STUDIO Second Steps Cedartown Academy of Performing Arts DAY CARE First United Methodist Church Cedars Preschool at Rockmart FAMILY FUN PLACE The West Cinema KID FRIENDLY RESTAURANT El Coyote Mexican Restaurant Chick-fil-A TEACHER Rachel Kelley - Rockmart High Chasity Easterwood First United Methodist Preschool VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL Worldview Baptist Church First United Methodist Church
REAL ESTATE & FINANCE ACCOUNTANT Katrinka Banks (Affordable Tax & Management Services) Britt Madden, Jr. Molly Edwards ACCOUNTING FIRM Liberty Tax Affordable Tax and Management Services APARTMENT COMMUNITY Hummingbird Pointe Evergreen Apartments BANK Century Bank Regions Bank BANKER Carissa Aiken Jamie Gamel CREDIT UNION Family Savings Credit Union Coosa Valley Credit Union
FINANCIAL CONSULTANT Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Steve Kinney Carissa Aiken MORTGAGE LENDER (INDIVIDUAL) Denise Thomas - Homestar, Cedartown Carson McCrary MORTGAGE SERVICES Family Savings Credit Union Century Bank of Georgia REAL ESTATE AGENT Shirley Easterwood Michael Tinney, Main Street Realtors REAL ESTATE COMPANY Hardy Realty Main Street Realtors
SERVICES ALTERATIONS Perfect Fit Alterations Margaret Jacobs Patsy Casey BARBER SHOP Brock’s Barber Shop Smitty’s Barber Shop West Avenue Barber Shop DRY CLEANER Ed’s Cleaners ELECTRICIAN Atkins Dan Moore SDM FLORIST Bussey’s Florist & Gifts Whitehead’s Florist and Gifts FUNERAL HOME Alvis Miller & Son Funeral Home & Crematory Olin L. Gammage & Sons Funeral Home HEATING AND AIR Haynes Heating & Air Conditioning T & C Heat and Air HOTEL The Manor at Becks Lake INSURANCE AGENCY Ledbetter Insurance Agency Alfa Insurance - Juan Sosa Agency Asegura Insurance Services INSURANCE AGENT Chad Ledbetter Alex Segura- Asegura Insurance Services LANDSCAPING SERVICE H-spec Solutions HMJ Lawncare & Services, LLC OVERALL ATTORNEY Trey Kelley Vickey Atkins, PC OVERALL LAW FIRM Parker and Lundy Atkins Law, PC PEST CONTROL COMPANY Haralson Termite & Pest Control Culver’s Exterminating PET BOARDING Precious Paws K 9 Grooming Shack PET GROOMING Precious Paws K 9 Grooming Shack
PHOTOGRAPHY Gail Conner Photography Sara Jo Smith Photography PLUMBING SERVICE Little’s Plumbing Puckett Plumbing PROPANE GAS COMPANY River City Propane LLC Blossman Gas VETERINARIAN Polk Veterinary Care, LLC Cedartown Animal Hospital WASTE / TRASH SERVICE Waste Industries One Tripp Trash WEDDING VENUE In The Woods, LLC Brandywine Farm Events
SHOPPING ANTIQUES Now and Then of Rockmart, Inc Rockmart Vintage & Gifts CONVENIENCE STORE RaceWay Gas Station Rockmart Vintage and Gifts The Farmers Store FORMAL WEAR Holmes Clothing & Formalwear Specialists FURNITURE STORE Rockmart Vintage & Gifts Silver Comet Furniture GIFT SHOP Tru Hat Co. Rockmart Vintage & Gifts HARDWARE STORE Morgan Hardware Co. Croker’s Hardware HOME DECOR Rockmart Vintage & Gifts The Perch On Marble JEWELRY STORE The Brave Sparrow Smith Lockwood Drug & Jewelry The Perch On Marble MEN’S CLOTHING Tru Hat Co. Holmes Clothing & Formalwear Specialist’s NURSERY/GARDEN SHOP Barn at the Willow Flower Stop PAWN SHOP Cedartown Pawn THRIFT STORE Our House Thrift Store Second Time Around TRACTOR SUPPLY AND EQUIPMENT Haney Powersports Tractor Supply WOMEN’S BOUTIQUE The Clay Birch Boutique The Brave Sparrow
The Polk CounTy STandard Journal ♦ WedneSday, January 3, 2024 ♦ 25
WINNER!
BEST PHYSICAL THERAPY CENTER ATRIUM HEALTH FLOYD PHYSICAL THERAPY & REHABILITATION CEDARTOWN
BEN TRUETT
HOPE HORNE
Pictured from left to right: Xavier Welch, PT, Jacob Rogers, PT, Ally Wilson, PT and Jada Meadows, PTA
Atrium Health Floyd is a regional leader in providing outpatient and inpatient physical therapy and rehabilitation services in Polk County and the rest of the northwest Georgia. In addition to inpatient services at Atrium Health Floyd Polk Medical Center and Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center, Floyd Physical Therapy & Rehab offers outpatient services in Cedartown, Rockmart, Calhoun, Cartersville, Rome and Summerville. As a comprehensive provider of outpatient rehabilitation, Atrium Health Floyd offers physical, occupational and speech therapy services. Teams provide patients with specialized care in areas such as cardiac, hand therapy, neurological (stroke, brain injury, spinal cord), orthopedic, fall risk and balance, sports medicine and vestibular (inner ear) disorders. Rehabilitation therapists provide care in fully equipped, modern facilities using state-ofthe-art equipment to help individuals recover to their maximum abilities. Our goals for recovery are developed from the patient’s goals for recovery,” said Karen Sablon, director of Atrium Health Floyd Rehabilitation. “We work with them to help them live the best life they possibly can.” Outpatient rehabilitation also helps student athletes in the community. Atrium Health Floyd provides certified athletic trainers for the Polk School District, with Hope Horne serving at Rockmart High School and Ben Truett at Cedartown High School. The Rome location features a Floyd “field of dreams” equipped with an outdoor practice turf for cutting drills, pitching and batting to further assist athletes in their recovery, along with video laser analysis, Cybex weights and a jump trainer. For more information, contact Atrium Health Floyd Physical Therapy & Rehab at 706-509-3400.
Atrium Health Floyd Physical Therapy & Rehab | 706-509-3400 www.floyd.org 26 ♦ Wednesday, January 3, 2024 ♦ The Polk CounTy sTandard Journal Athletic trainer at Cedartown High School
Athletic trainer at Rockmart High School
Thank you Atrium Health Floyd would like to thank everyone in the community for voting for us during the Best of Polk Awards. Atrium Health Floyd Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Best Physical Therapy Center Ally Wilson Best Physical Therapist Pamela D. Hearn, M.D. Best Family Doctor
The Polk CounTy STandard Journal ♦ WedneSday, January 3, 2024 ♦ 27
WINNER!
BEST ELECTRICIAN GRANT ATKINS, ATKINS ELECTRIC
When it comes to reliable, professional electrical work, the voters in the Best of Polk 2023 contest say that Grant Atkins is the person to call. The award-winning electrician is the owner of Atkins Electric, located at 2293 Rome Highway in Rockmart. He opened the business 23 years ago. “Our primary purpose is to provide commercial and residential electrical service,” Atkins said. The company, which employs 10 people, is open Mondays through Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 706-506-1178.
Grant Atkins, Atkins Electric | 706-506-1178
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Let’s talk about all the options to get your advertising from here to there. Contact Billy Steele at bsteele@polkstandardjournal.com for more information 38 ♦ Wednesday, January 3, 2024 ♦ The Polk CounTy sTandard Journal
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WINNER!
BEST BANK CENTURY BANK OF GEORGIA
A locally owned, full-service community bank, Century Bank of Georgia was named Best in Polk 2023 by the voters, who also named Branch Manager/Banking Officer Carissa Aiken as the best banker. “Our team is comprised of banking professionals who focus on our clients and giving back to our community,” Aiken said. “We offer the digital banking tools the large, regional banks offer, but with the important difference of having local decision makers you can discuss your personal or business needs with right here – not just on the telephone or by email, but in person at the bank – however you choose.” Century Bank of Georgia was founded in 2000 in Cartersville, and it expanded to Rockmart in 2011. The bank has six employees and is owned by almost 400 individual shareholders living in and around northwest Georgia. “Rockmart and Polk County is a great place to live and work, and my team is proud to be a part of it,” said Aiken. “We were named by S&P Global as one of the 100 top community banks in the U.S.in 2022, and to be named as the Best Bank in Polk County in 2023 is icing on the cake.”
WINNER!
BEST BANKER CARISSA AIKEN
Century Bank of Georgia | 770-684-2265 centurybanknet.com
The Polk CounTy STandard Journal ♦ WedneSday, January 3, 2024 ♦ 45
WINNER!
BEST AUTO DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT BEST NEW CAR DEALERSHIP BEST USED CAR DEALERSHIP BEST OIL CHANGE
Peach State Ford, located at 2076 Rockmart Highway in Cedartown, provides new and used automotive sales and service. They are an affiliate of Peach State Truck Centers, a family-owned Georgia Ford dealer started in 1974, which has expanded into a family of 11 dealerships in Georgia and Alabama. “At Peach State Ford we offer Ford’s dependable line of trucks, cars and SUV’s, along with parts sales and service,” said general manager Arthur Banks. “We provide a vast selection of new and used vehicles, exceptional car care and customer service with a smile.” In addition to being Polk County’s go-to car dealership, Peach State Ford offers outstanding service in a timely manner for everything from oil changes to major repairs. Reviews posted on the company’s website cited the professionalism and courtesy of the staff in the service and parts department. Voters in the 2023 Best of Polk Contest also named Peach State’s Brian Reed the county’s best car salesman. Those interested in purchasing a new or pre-owned vehicle, or scheduling a service appointment, can call 770-748-3673, visit the dealership’s website or just stop by. “We invite everyone to come by, have a cup of coffee and meet the team,” said Banks. “We have a strong and committed sales staff with many years of experience satisfying our customers’ needs, and we look forward to serving you at Peach State Ford.”
Peach State Ford | 770-748-3673 peachstatefordcedartown.com
BEST TIRE CENTER PEACHSTATE FORD WINNER!
BEST CAR SALESMAN BRIAN REED
46 ♦ Wednesday, January 3, 2024 ♦ The Polk CounTy sTandard Journal