Connection The
Showcasing the best of Polk County May / June 2010
Polk
Chamber of Commerce & Development Authority
www.polkgeorgia.com
Brown’s Pharmacy
Redmond Family Care at Cedartown
Jagdeep Singh, M.D. 118 East Girard • Suite 104 Cedartown, Georgia 30125
546 N. Main St. P.O. Box B Cedartown Ga. 770-748-1902 Wilburn Brown Pharmacist • Owner
(770) 749-1005 Monday-Thursday 8am-5 pm Friday 8 am - 12 Noon
Redmond Physician Network
SNIFF OUT SAVINGS
EarthCents programs from Georgia Power benefit the environment.
Dogs come to our rescue all the time. That’s why it only makes sense to have them help us search for energy savings. Clyde knows that ENERGY STAR® qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) use three-quarters less electricity, generate 75% less heat, and last up to 10 times longer than incandescent lighting. Find more ways to sniff out savings at GeorgiaPower.com.
©2009 Georgia Power.
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May / June 2010
Welcome to Polk County This issue of the Connection is devoted to the second largest industry in the State of Georgia – tourism! The Tourism Committee works with the Polk County Chamber of Commerce and is a unique organization devoted to bringing revenue to this county. Visitors from all over Georgia, the surrounding states and as far away as Germany, Australia, China and others come to ride the Jean Laltrello Silver Comet trail or take advantage of other attractions throughout the county. They eat at our restaurants, stay at our overnight facilities, and enjoy our great community, thereby contributing to our local tax structure. Our county is a wonderful playground of year- round entertainment, activities, and events. Polk County has it all: From horseback riding and biking or walking the Silver Comet trail to annual events including the big barbecue in Aragon, the world-class 5K wheelchair road race in Cedartown, and the Homespun Festival in Rockmart. There are car shows and parades; hayrides, parks, and arts festivals; historical sites, murals, and museums; art shows, theatre productions, and a smorgasbord of music events such as bluegrass festivals, community chorus, gospel groups, the Atlanta Symphony and internationally known entertainers. Our committee is made up of unpaid volunteers whose mission is to promote these leisure activities by marketing them and many other events through traditional avenues and sponsoring a web site: www.polkonpurpose.com. If your organization or group is planning a general interest public event contact thudson@polkgeorgia.com or call 770-684-8760 extension 2. You may be able to take advantage of a free calendar listing and brief description of your activity. The Tourism Committee wants everyone to see the opportunities for fun and relaxation in Polk County. Before planning your next outing, please check our web site for all of the convenient, economical, exciting things to do here at home.
Jean Laltrello Chairwoman, Polk Country Tourism Committee
Table of Contents
Welcome To Polk County.................................................3 Events Calendar...............................................................4 Proud of Polk................................................................... 5 School Zone....................................................................14 Places to Go,Things To Do, ...........................................16 May / June 2010 THE CONNECTION
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Event Calendar May 15-16 Rockmart Community Chorus “Love is in the Air,” the Rockmart Community Chorus Spring Concert, will be performed in the Rockmart Arts Center Theatre, May 15, 7 pm and May 16, 2 pm. For further information call 770-684-5454 or visit www.rockmart-ga.gov. May 26-30 Rockmart Bluegrass Festival Musicians from throughout the Southeast entertain at The Rock, Old Atlanta Rd and 130 Forsyth Lake Rd., Rockmart. Sponsored by the Southeastern Bluegrass Association, this Festival is great entertainment for the Memorial Day Weekend. See page 15 for details. May through June 19 “Layers Exhibition” The Rockmart Arts Center Gallery features the “Layers Exhibition” on Saturdays from 10 am-4 pm. For more information call 770-684-5454. June 4 Sandi Patty Grammy Hall of Fame Christian singer Sandy Patty will appear in concert at 2 pm and 7:30 pm in the Cedartown Performing Arts Center. For further information call 770-748-4168. June 26 Aragon Barbecue An all-day fun event for the family beginning at 10 am and ending with a fireworks finale, this is a great summer outing. For more information see page 15. June 30 Cedartown 5K Road Race This annual international event starts at 6:10 pm from Cedartown's Peek Park. See page 5.
Summer Programs for Children and Teens Cedartown and Rockmart Public Libraries For more information 770-748-5644 in Cedartown and 770-684-3022 in Rockmart About The Cover......Tatyana McFadden from Clarksville, MD participated in the 2009 5K Road Race in Cedartown. This year’s race is set for June 29, starting at 6:10 pm from Peek Park. See page 5 for more information. Photo by Rita Mull
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Proud of Polk / Tourism In Cedartown
International Wheelchair 5K Race and Athlete Training Camp Many of the finest wheelchair racers from around the globe will participate in the 2010 Wheelchair Athlete Training Camp and 5K Road Race in Cedartown, June 27 - July 1. This year marks the 11th anniversary of the internationally recognized event. The four days of activities include training, racing and building bonds of friendship that will last a lifetime. Athletes from Australia, Canada, Denmark, England, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland have all participated in the camp since 2000. The 5K race, starting at Peek Park in Cedartown, is set for Tuesday, June 29. The Women’s Open and Men's Quad races start at 6:10 pm followed by the Men’s Open division. After the race there will be a cookout in Peek Park hosted by the City of Cedartown. Arrive early to enjoy watching local kids 10 years and under participate in a short celebration fun run to encourage exercise and sportsmanship. The warmth and hospitality of Cedartown and Polk County welcomes race spectators from Georgia, the United States and other countries. The Cedartown 5K is considered to be one of the most elite wheelchair road races in the world and holds the fastest times for a certified 5K road race in every major wheelchair racing category. For more information please contact Dave Grove at 770-7490052 or cedartown5k@aol.com.
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Event Calendar
Proud of Polk
Homespun Festival Summer Fun Whether you're from Polk County or visiting, don't miss the annual Homespun Festival July 16-17 in downtown Rockmart. Lovers of fine crafts and art will find nearly 50 top regional artisans displaying and selling their unique creations in pottery, glass, jewelry, fashion, home dĂŠcor, furniture, and home accessories. There will lots of fun for all ages! Enjoy the street parade with classic cars; games and rides for the kids; sumptuous food booths; lots of non-profit vendor displays; a 5K run on the Silver Comet Trail; Kiwanis Classic Car Show; Rotary Duck Race; live entertainment; and the spectacular annual fireworks display. For more information call the Polk County Chamber of Commerce at 770-684-8760.
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Event Calendar
Proud of Polk
Geocaching – High-tech “Treasure Hunting” By Greg Orebaugh
As a kid, you would spend your days counting off paces- three steps to the right of the crooked dogwood tree, nine steps to the left of the yellow striped lounge chair- and so forth, until you reached your destination, x marks the spot. The metaphorical “X” became the weathered tree stump where some fictitious pirate of your creation had buried all of his booty he had pilfered along the Caribbean waters of yore. Those childhood days prancing carefree in your backyard, woods, through the neighborhood, or wherever your imagination would lead, may be but only a memory, but the adventures don’t have to stop. The latest craze of treasure hunting is upon Polk County. Geocaching is the modern-day equivalent of those childhood adventures. In this high-tech treasure hunting game participants use GPS devices to track down hidden containers called geocaches outdoors and then are encouraged to record their find on paper found in the geocache container.
Luke Orebaugh, Drew Mulcay and Alex Orebaugh with their find in Taylorsville, Georgia Greg Orebaugh searches for cache in Cedartown May / June 2010 THE CONNECTION
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Event Calendar
Proud of Polk
A typical cache is a small waterproof container (usually a tupperware, film canister or ammo box) containing a logbook. Larger containers can also contain items for trading, usually toys or trinkets of little value. Geocachers are free to take objects (except the logbook, pencil, or stamp) from the cache in exchange for leaving something of similar or higher value. Geocaching is enjoyed by all age groups. This activity is a family event, encouraging all participants to seek the great outdoors on those sunny mild spring afternoons in Georgia. Upon returning from an adventure, geocachers can share their experience with others by visiting geocaching.com. There are ultimately over a million geocaches scattered throughout the world, according to the geocaching website. So, whether you are a resident or visitor to Polk County, come explore the beauty of the area in this unique, fun and adventurous sport. Be the first to log online FTF (acronym for “First to Find”geocaching lingo). TFTH! - Thanks for the Hunt.
The Cedartown Civic Complex officially opened its doors on Saturday, May 1, 1976. The day was filled with tours of the new complex and the first show in the auditorium, “To Cedartown With Love.” The show featured three former Cedartown residents who made names for themselves in show business, Sterling Holloway, Ruth Kent & Wallace Buice. Today, better known as the Cedartown Performing Arts Center, the auditorium continues to pursue the goals established over 30 years ago, to nurture the art of live theater and provide the best quality programming available to Polk County and all of Northwest Georgia. Future events include Sandi Patty on June 4, 2010, and we are also beginning Summer Movie Night, TBA.
Office: (770) 748‐4168 8 THE CONNECTION
May / June 2010
Event Calendar
Proud of Polk
THE ARTS IN ROCKMART
By Paul Craighead, Chair of the Rockmart Arts Center Gallery and Visual Art Committee The Rockmart Arts Center is the cultural heart of Rockmart housing such activities as theater, community chorus, art gallery, arts education, and community outreach. The motto of the Arts Center is “Embrace the Arts.” The citizens of Rockmart and Polk County, as well as visitors to our community, are encouraged to enjoy the many events held throughout the year at the Arts Center, 118 Elm Street.
THEATER The 454 seat theater has been recently renovated. A scene shop, green room, and dressing rooms have been added with the intention of attracting professional companies from other areas to perform here. The theater is home to the Rockmart High School theater program, under the direction of Margaret Jacobs. The students produce several well-received musicals a year; recently “Grease” and “Chicago”. The theater also hosts the RCAC Community Chorus under the direction of Debbie Miller. The chorus puts on a spring and a Christmas program. Local organizations rent the theater for dance recitals, music concerts, and more.
GALLERY The Art Gallery is located next to the theater. The 900 square foot gallery presents mainly the work of local artists with additional exhibitions of professional artists from other areas such as Atlanta and as far away as England. The gallery produces half a dozen exhibitions each year. Among the regular exhibitions is the youth exhibit in the spring, which showcases art from Rockmart’s public schools. During the summer months there is always the “Community Artist Exhibit.” The theme this year is “Rockmart Revealed.” Every fall there is a crafts exhibit. Other exhibits feature individual artists or focus on a specific theme. Gallery hours are Saturdays from 10-4. Volunteers often open the gallery during theater events. For further information visit Rockmart Civic Arts Commission at www.rockmartga.gov or call 770-684-5454.
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Time Traveler Big Spring
Dating back before the middle of the 16th century, Creek Indians controlled almost all of Northwest Georgia including the area that is now Polk County. The Cherokee Indians came South from the Great Lakes Region and by 1650 were throughout much of the Appalachian Mountain area. It is said the two Indian tribes engaged in a ballgame (others called it a battle) for control of all land north of the Chattahoochee River. The Cherokees won. Their village was on Cedar Creek west of Big Spring (pictured at top) near what is today Main Street in Cedartown. The site of a Cherokee ceremonial ground and ball field, this is a Trail of Tears National Historic Site. A removal camp was built here in 1838 for Cherokees awaiting transfer to Tennessee and later to Oklahoma.
Van Wert In the early 1800's settlers started moving into the area of what is now Van Wert (then a part of Paulding County). A mail route and post office were established in the village of “Clean Town.� In 1838 the town was renamed Van Wert and it became the county seat of Paulding. By 1842 Van 10 THE CONNECTION
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Event Calendar
Time Traveler
Wert had rapidly grown and included one church, doctors, an academy, a courthouse, lawyers, and a hotel. In 1851 Polk County was created from portions of Paulding and Floyd counties. Van Wert became a part of Polk. The Van Wert Methodist Church was built in 1846. Sam P. Jones, one of the most celebrated ministers of his time, received the Van Wert Circuit in 1872. After the early 1900s, the church was not regularly used. It was the "home" of seven churches that met there, then moved to new buildings following their organization. As time went by, ithe Van Wert Church fell into disrepair. The cemetery was overrun with weeds and headstones began to turn over and crumble. During the past several years the Euharlee Valley Historical Society, along with assistance from businesses and individuals in the community, has restored the church and grounds. The Van Wert Church is on the National Register of Historic Places. Other historical sites throughout Polk County chronicle events and places of the past. For more information visit www.polkonpurpose.com; polkcountyhistoricalsociety.com; and www.euharleevalleyhistoricalsociety.org. May / June 2010 THE CONNECTION
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Silver Comet Trail
Trail Access with Parking
Paved
Traveling the Trail in Polk County
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Horses OK
Map and information courtesy of TrailExpress.com and may not be reproduced in any manner without express consent of TrailExpress.com. TrailExpress is a registered trademark of Southeastern Path Services, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Silver Comet Trail
Tstretches he Silver Comet Trail from Smyrna, GA to the Alabama state line where it connects with the Chief Ladiga Trail. At 95.5 miles, the combined trails make up the longest continuous paved bike path in the country. Nearly 30 miles run through Polk County where scenic beauty is all around. The landscape is a corridor through the countryside and small towns. Rock outcroppings, forests, pastureland, creeks, waterfalls, rolling hills, seasonal foliage, rabbits, wild turkeys, deer and
more make traveling the trail a pleasure anytime of the year. Cyclists, walkers, rollerbladers and runners all enjoy the Trail where a railway once carried the Silver Comet passenger train toward its destination. 14 THE CONNECTION
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Places to Go, Things to Do Bluegrass Festival at The Rock Bluegrass musicians from around the Southeast will gather for a Memorial Day Weekend Bluegrass Festival May 27-29 at The Rock RV Park and Campground, 130 Forsyth Lake Rd. in Rockmart, next to the Silver Comet Trail. Rolling hills, winding creeks and wide open spaces create the perfect spot for a weekend of Bluegrass. For those who want to spend one or more nights at The Rock, there are camping facilities, bathrooms, electrical and water hookups, picnic tables, and more. For additional information call 770-684-8519 or visit www.therockrvpark.com
Family Fun in Aragon Children’s Day is set for June 5 from 10 am 4 pm at the Aragon Mill Pond. Kids under 16 will enjoy games including three-legged races, a running relay, sack races, and egg relays. There’s also a Fishing Rodeo. Kid safe games such as plastic horseshoes and a ball throw will delight those four and under. The day is sponsored by the City of Aragon and Davitte Lodge 515. The 36th annual Aragon Barbecue June 26 at Tom Pittman Field is a terrific place for families to spend the day. Festivities get underway at 10 am. Delicious barbecue, arts and crafts, a softball tournament, good music, and fireworks make for good old-fashioned fun and entertainment. The City of Aragon and the Aragon Fire Department are sponsors of the event. For more information call 770-684-6563. May / June 2010 THE CONNECTION
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School Zone Linking Learning at RMS By Debbie Freeman, Career Technology Specialist, Polk School District Rockmart Middle School students have many opportunities to link learning to life with hands-on experiences and activities. Math and science classes have been involved in applying their learning. Mrs. Carol Austin’s 7th grade Life Science classes have been having a great time studying the Interdependence of Life on the study of populations by completing a mark-and-recapture lab. Each group went “fishing” in “Lake Austin”, through the use of lunch bags, with goldfish crackers representing their fish populations and goldfish pretzel crackers representing their marked fish. They were able to use and observe direct observation, sampling, estimation and proportions in collecting and analyzing their data. The students used critical thinking skills to answer questions about ecological changes that might take place in their fish habitats. Math students aren’t relying on traditional methods for learning math. Students have been shopping, going out to eat, and even navigating an airplane and a submarine. No, these students aren’t going on elaborate field trips—they are learning about math! The teachers are providing these scenarios that connect mathematics to questions that touch the world of the middle school student. From buying a new cell phone to descending in a 747 jet airplane, these students know exactly how math applies to the world around them. Remembering a math rule without any real world context doesn’t promote true learning. The students at Rockmart Middle School get to see numbers at work in the world they live in, if only to answer their persistent question: “Why do I have to learn this?” 16 THE CONNECTION
May / June 2010
Thank You H H Homespun Platinum Sponsors 2010 H
H
H
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Floyd EMS Georgia Power Company Mary Miller, State Farm Insurance Redmond EMS Sherman Ross. State Farm Insurance
H
H H
The HON Company
NORTHWEST GEORGIA’S PREMIER
COLLEGE FOR WORKFORCE Development
Georgia Northwestern Technical College • Is the largest college in Northwest Georgia • Features over 200 programs of study in the areas of business, health, industrial and public service technologies • Is one of the largest health occupations education providers in the state of Georgia • Benefits 3,200 students annually through Adult Education programs • Is building the future of the automotive workforce for the tri-state area as a part of Georgia’s Auto Alley • Works with Georgia Quick Start® to provide customized training to area businesses
www.GNTC.edu • 1.866.983.GNTC (4682) GNTC is a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia and an Equal Opportunity Institution.
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Attractions Guide Landmarks and Historic Areas Cedartown
POLK COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY/MUSEUM Formerly Hawkes Children’s Library, the muse um 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 on the Redmond Chair Caning Building on Main Street, home of The Little Theatre on Main. 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 wellknown structures in Cedartown including many historic sites such as Hawkes Children’s Library, the train depot 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. It is now an attorney’s office. Located across the street from the Hawkes Children’s Library.
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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. WEST THEATER Built in 1941 on West Avenue, this structure was designed in the Art Deco Style and has been maintained in its original design. It is one of the finest examples of Art Deco style in Northwest Georgia. 770-748-3090. 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 con verted 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.
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
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."
THE ROUND HOUSE
In Aragon, the oldest church still in use in the County.
Built by Jake Davitte in the early 1900's, the Round House is said to be the first cement house in Georgia. Located on Jones Avenue in Rockmart.
ROCKMART MURAL
DODGE & DAVIS AT PEEK SPRINGS
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.
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. Once Johnston realized Sherman’s plan he began moving troops to block his way. This resulted in 10 days of battle at New Hope Church, Dallas and Pickett’s Mill in Paulding County.
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 Engineered Fabrics Corporation.
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.
To Advertise in
The Connection
Contact Jennifer Garrett 770-748-150 Jgarrett@cedartownstd.com Jeff Glover 770-684-7811 Jglover@rockmartjrl.com
CITY HALL The City Hall, located in the center of downtown Rockmart on Marble Street, was the first Rockmart building designed by Roy Reese. While it was constructed in 1921, other buildings in the downtown area date back to 1885. 770-684-5454.
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Leisure Life CEDARTOWN 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.
Rockmart/Aragon Rockmart Civic Arts Commission Promotes and hosts various arts activities in the city and maintains the city’s Art Gallery on Elm Street, Rockmart. 770-684-5888.
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
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
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. Prospect Valley Course Nine hole, public golf course. 770-684-5961.
Silver Comet Trail
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.
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 a 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.
Cedar Valley Arts Festival
Polk County Homespun Festival
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
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.
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. 770684-8760.
Meadow Lakes Golf Club
Aragon Barbeque
Meadow Lakes is a public facility in North Polk County offering 18 holes of championship golf as well as a brand-new 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
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Patriotism at its peak, the annual barbeque is held on the last 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.
TRANSPORTATION
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 employee 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.
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 County Regional 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.
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. Additionally,
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 firstrate 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 604 Goodyear St. 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/Rockmart at (770) 684-8760 or the Chamber office/Cedartown at (770) 749-1652 for more information. May / June THE CONNECTION
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Advertisers Index: Brown's Pharmacy................................................................ 2 Redmond Family Care...........................................................2 Georgia Power.......................................................................2 Georgia Northwestern Technical College .......................... 17 Paymaster Unlimited, Inc....................................................22 First National Bank of Polk County......................................22 Coosa Valley Home Health..................................................23 Community Bank of Rockmart............................................24
On Site Payroll Check Cashing! Call Today! (706) 965-3501
To Advertise in
The Connection
Serving the Tri-State Area
Contact Jennifer Garrett 770-748-150 Jgarrett@cedartownstd.com Jeff Glover 770-684-7811 Jglover@rockmartjrl.com
We Come To You At No Cost To Your Company • Below Bank Cost To your Employees Available All Shifts • Professional Bonded Drivers • Dependable • Safe • Convenient Licensed and regulated by the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance.
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• Consumer Loans • Commercial Loans • Mortgage Loans • Online Banking • Cash Management • E-Statement
We are here for all your financial needs www.fnbpolk.com
22 THE CONNECTION
Main Office 967 North Main Street Cedartown, GA 30125 770-748-1750
May / June 2010
Downtown Office 117 West Avenue Cedartown, GA 30125 770-748-1750
Rockmart Office 131 West Elm Street Rockmart, GA 30153 770-684-7872
Connection The
Showcasing the best of Polk County
Polk
Chamber of Commerce & Development Authority
www.polkgeorgia.com
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION 604 Goodyear Street Rockmart, GA 30153 770/684-8760 Fax: 770/825-9002 609 S. Main St. Cedartown, GA 30125
www.polkgeorgia.com Published by: News Publishing Company P.O. Box 1633 Rome, GA 30162 For Advertising Information call Jennifer Garrett at 770-748-1520 or Jeff Glover at 770-684-7811 Editorial Content by: Deanna Strickland Polk County Chamber of Commerce 770/684-8760
Cedartown 770-748-9318 401 N. Main Street Cedartown, GA 30125 May / June 2010 THE CONNECTION
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Polk County’s Only Locally Owned Community Bank Polk County's Only Community Bank
Check Out Our Full Line of Banking Services: Check Out Our 1st Full Line of Banking Services: and 2nd Mortgages Checking Savings Internet Banking • 1st and 2nd Mortgages • Checking • Savings Certificates of Deposit • Internet • CertificatesDrive of Deposit 1400Banking Chattahoochee MEMBER
Rockmart, GA
(770) 684-BANK (2265) Chattahoochee Drive
www.bankcbr.com • Rockmart, GA. (770) 684-BANK (2265) www.bankcbr.com
Polk
Chamber of Commerce & Development Authority
www.polkgeorgia.com
FREE
24 THE CONNECTION
May / June 2010