The Connection by Tamaka Hudson

Connection The

Showcasing the best of Polk County March / April 2010

Keep Polk Beautiful

Polk

Chamber of Commerce & Development Authority

www.polkgeorgia.com

Redmond Family Care at Cedartown

Brown’s Pharmacy

Jagdeep Singh, M.D. 118 East Girard • Suite 104 Cedartown, Georgia 30125

(770) 749-1005 Monday-Thursday 8am-5 pm Friday 8 am - 12 Noon

Redmond Physician Network

546 N. Main St. P.O. Box B Cedartown Ga. 770-748-1902 Wilburn Brown Pharmacist • Owner

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.

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March/April 2010

Welcome to Polk County Keep Polk Beautiful This issue of The Connection highlights Keep Polk Beautiful (KPB), a volunteer organization that focuses on litter, recycling, and public education. Keep Polk Beautiful cannot achieve success without YOU! Whether you are a long-time resident, newcomer or visitor, help put litter in its place! Tommy Engram

Polk County is one of the most beautiful areas in Georgia, but like other communities across the country, we have our “broken windows.” Back in 1982, James Wilson and George Kelling published the results of their research on police tactics in The Atlantic Monthly. This marked the birth of the “Broken Windows Theory.” Wilson and Kelling observed that when broken windows in a building are not promptly repaired, vandalism increases. Soon, it spills over to the surrounding neighborhood. Graffiti mars structures, litter accumulates in public places, houses fall into disrepair, and community residents grow fearful. Old businesses find better locations and vacant stores deteriorate. Litter costs communities jobs, opportunities, and tax dollars. Efforts of individuals, businesses, civic organizations, schools, churches and other groups are vital to the work of Keep Polk Beautiful. From the Great American Cleanup and “Rivers Alive” to Arbor Day and other projects, there are many opportunities to help improve the quality of life in our county. Planting trees and flowers, maintaining yards, not being a “litterbug,” and teaching our children to appreciate the environment are some of the ways we can each make a difference. Let’s all do our part to Keep Polk Beautiful and lend a hand whenever we can. According to Wilson and Kelling, our community has a lot riding on the outcome. Tommy Engram, Director of Redevelopment Cedartown Downtown Development Authority Member, Board of Directors, Keep Polk Beautiful

Table of Contents

Welcome To Polk County.................................................3 Events Calendar...............................................................4 Proud of Polk................................................................... 6 School Zone....................................................................14 Places to Go,Things To Do, ...........................................16 March/April 2010 THE CONNECTION

Event Calendar March 4-6 “GREASE” The Rockmart High School Thespians bring this classic favorite to the stage of the Rockmart Arts Center Theatre. Curtain time is 7:30 pm, March 4, 5, and 6. For more information see page 16. March 6-27 Annual Youth Art Show The Rockmart Arts Center Gallery presents the “Annual Youth Art Show” open Saturdays, 10 am-4 pm. A reception is March 6 from 1 pm-3 pm. See page 16. March 11 and April 18 Genealogy Classes on "Searching for Ancestors on the Internet" will be offered by the Rockmart Library at 1:00 pm. Call 770-684-3022 to sign up. March 20 Sandi Patty Grammy Hall of Fame Christian singer Sandy Patti will perform at 2 pm and 7:30 pm in the Cedartown Performing Arts Center. See page 17 . March 25 and April 15 Puppet Show The Children's Department of the Sarah Hightower Library in Rome presents a Puppet Show at the Rockmart Library. Time is 11 am. For more information call 770684-3022. April 9-10 Cedartown High School Variety Show The Drama Department of Cedartown High School entertains audiences with their annual talent show at 7 pm, April 9-10, at the Cedartown Performing Arts Center. April 10-June 19 “Layers Exhibition” The Rockmart Arts Center Gallery features the “Layers Exhibition” April 10-June 19. Gallery hours are Saturdays 10 am – 4 pm. A reception will be held Sunday, April 11, from 1 pm-3pm. See page 16. April 12 - 16 National Library Week For details on special activities at Cedartown Library call 770-748-5644 and at Rockmart Library, 770-684-3022.

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March/April 2010

Event Calendar

Events Calendar

April 24-25 Cedar Valley Arts Festival Sponsored by the Cedartown Junior Service League, this annual festival will be held in Peek Park from 10 am-6pm, April 24, and noon-5 pm, April 25. See page 16. April 26 Industry Appreciation Golf Tournament For information on this annual Polk County Chamber of Commerce event visit www. polkgeorgia.com or call 770-684-8760, 770-749-1652.

Coming May 28-30, 2010

ROCKMART BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL At The Rock 130 Forsyth Lake Rd., Rockmart, GA, Featuring Musicians from Throughout the Southeast Sponsored by the SouthEastern Bluegrass Association rockmartfestival@aol.com About the Cover... A springtime view from the Rockmart Depot looking toward the Silver Comet Trail.

Polk County Chamber of Commerce 770-684-8760 www.polkgeorgia.com

Be Local Think Local Buy Local

March/April 2010 THE CONNECTION

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March/April 2010

Proud of Polk Let's All Help Keep Polk Beautiful by Sharon Coffman, Executive Director, Keep Polk Beautiful

he 2010 Great American Cleanup sponsored by Keep America Beautiful is underway now through May. Keep Polk Beautiful (KPB) is coordinating several projects to improve and enhance our environment. Everyone, from the youngest to the oldest, is encouraged to participate, either on their own or join in with KPB. If you don’t already have a location or project, contact us! We can also assist with getting groups together! It’s always loads of fun! Clean out a creek or pick up the area around your church yard. Paint the home of an elderly person, or Members of the Rockmart High School Kappa Pi Beta rake leaves for someone Environmental Club pick up litter along the Silver Comet Trail. who’s disabled. Target a road, park, or a trail like the Silver Comet....clean up litter and graffiti. Coordinate a recycling project. Need ideas? Give us a call! Teach your children that keeping a clean and attractive community is important for many reasons, not the least of which is safety and economic value! Volunteers pull debris from creeks and streams. March/April 2010 THE CONNECTION

Event Calendar

Proud of Polk

Each year KPB presents the Wartville Wizard educational program throughout the 3rd grade in Polk County, usually in the spring. We love to have volunteers, and it’s so easy! Volunteers show a short DVD story to each classroom about a town called Wartville that has a litter problem, and what they learn about it. Then they go over a booklet with the children that they take home to share with their families. It’s that easy! We just need more volunteers willing to give about 45 minutes! For this year’s Great American Cleanup, Keep Polk Beautiful will assist the recently built Van Wert Elementary School with the development of an outdoor classroom. Mrs. Kristi Hunt and the gifted students had asked for our assistance. We are requesting any and all volunteers to come out on May 1 to help with shoveling, planting, hauling, organization, or just keeping everyone else fed and watered! This outdoor classroom promises to be a special place where the students of Van Wert can come outside the traditional walls of the classroom to observe life at its fullest through butterfly bushes, bird feeders, and more. 8 THE CONNECTION

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Event Calendar

Proud of Polk

The area will be constructed where it can be enjoyed from the hallways even on rainy days, and will be easily accessible to all grades. It will be teacher and kid-friendly, with places to sit and to interact. Keep Polk Beautiful former board member, Bill Byrne, donated the landscape design he drew after interviewing the students and Mrs. Hunt. This is a community effort and any contributions either by volunteer efforts or donations will help make this a lasting impact on our community for many years to come. Keep Polk Beautiful projects are sponsored all during the year. Arbor Day celebrations are in February throughout the county. This is a time to plant trees, big and small! Trees help with erosion, temperature control, water filtration, and more! “Bring One for the Chipper,” Georgia's Christmas tree recycling project is each year in January. Residents who recycle are rewarded with a gift from KPB. This year they received crape myrtle seedlings. In October there is “Make a Difference Day.” The past two years “Rivers Alive” events were in Cedartown on Big Spring Branch and Cedar Creek, and on the Euharlee Creek in Rockmart. Volunteers “cleaned up” the waterways.

March/April 2010 THE CONNECTION

Event Calendar

Proud of Polk

Students in Kappa Pi Beta painted stenciled messages on storm drains including "Dump No Waste. Drains To Stream." The many activities of Keep Polk Beautiful would not be possible without YOU... individuals ; businesses; civic clubs and service organizations; youth groups; senior citizens; historical societies, churches, schools and school organizations. This shows a real sense of community, when volunteers are out striving to improve our community because they know it is worth it; because it makes them feel good; because they enjoy laughing and working with others as they see positive change brought about through their efforts. Come…join us! You won’t get paid. (You may not even get fed.) But we promise you’ll enjoy yourself, and be a better person for it! We are always humbled and honored by those who give up their time to do for others. Their rewards lie not in tangible things, 10 THE CONNECTION

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Event Calendar

Proud of Polk

but in the heart. As Margaret Mead so aptly said, “Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has!”

Habitat for Humanity

Dean Nissen, Rev. Rebecca Holmes, Linda Kelley, Jennifer Lee, Gus Zuker, and Karen Nissen, volunteers for Polk County Habitat for Humanity, paint “house” facades, as part of their “Buy a Brick” fund-raising campaign. Names of purchasers are added to bricks painted on the “houses” which are placed around the community. The first two will be at the Kresge church grounds. “Those interested in helping address the community’s affordable housing needs are encouraged to become involved with the Polk County Habitat Project,” said Karen Nissen, Steering Committee Chair. “Our goal is to raise both awareness and funds in order to form a partnership with Floyd County Habitat for Humanity to build Habitat homes in Polk County.” For more information, contact Karen,770-748-7233, or Rev. Rebecca Holmes, 770-748-4308. March/April 2010 THE CONNECTION

Silver Comet Trail

Trail Access with Parking

Paved

Traveling the Trail in Polk County

all pines, meandering creeks, pastureland, small towns and quiet places promise a pleasurable ride along 29 miles of the Silver Comet Trail in Polk County. More than 60 miles of paved trail stretch from Smyrna, GA to the GA/ AL line in Polk. There the Silver Comet meets the Chief Ladiga for another 33 paved miles ending in Anniston, AL. 12 THE CONNECTION

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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.

March/April 2010 THE CONNECTION

School Zone ARE YOU AS “SMART” AS OUR STUDENTS? By Debbie Freeman We could ask if you are as “smart” as a fifth grader; but, what we really mean is, are you as “smart” as our students in all grade levels. Students who marched into Polk School District classrooms this past autumn found something other than crayons, glue sticks and traditional overhead projectors. Many Polk School District students found large interactive screens affixed to a classroom wall. These screens combine the simplicity of a whiteboard with the power of a computer. You can control computer applications directly from the display, write notes in digital ink and save your work to share later. These screens, known as “SMART Boards” are enhancing student learning in the classroom. SMART Technologies is the industry pioneer and market leader in developing collaborative products for classroom and meeting rooms. Founded 14 THE CONNECTION

March/April 2010

in 1987 by partners David Martin and Nancy Knowlton, SMART began as the Canadian distributor for a U.S. projector company. SMART introduced the first SMART Board interactive whiteboard in 1991. Polk School District has SMART Boards in 193 classrooms in grades kindergarten through high school. They are used for teaching math, poetry, showing PowerPoint presentations, hosting educational games and displaying daily GPS standards for students just to name a few activities. Second grade teacher Becky Wade found the SMART Board to be a great motivator for students as well as a learning tool. “I had a young student who had taken only 20 AR (Accelerated Reading) tests all year until he was able to use the SMART Board. He then took 10 tests in three days, scoring 100% on each test.” This testimony is evidence that SMART technology is meeting the needs of varied learning styles of students.

Event Calendar

School Zone

Carolyn Drummond, ESL teacher also contributed, “Working with students who have English as a second language requires a teacher to provide language experiences that most other students already have—English language. Learners need to see and do in order to learn, even more so than the average student. The SMART Board allows second language learners to experience language.

They can see and manipulate letters, sounds and objects. They learn while playing and they learn from watching and interacting with their peers. Being able to navigate a map using cardinal directions is a skill introduced in kindergarten and taught in first and second grades. I teach a three week unit on maps every year. This year I was able to use the SMART Board and my second language learners mastered the skill in TWO days. Because they could see and help each other navigate the map using the SMART Board, they mastered the skill so much quicker than in the past! My three week unit on maps has now become a one week

unit. I am free to move on to the next skill thanks to the SMART Board.” SMART Technology is working at the secondary level as well. English instructor, Theresa Booth remarks, “A SMART Board increases the interest level of students. Students who might otherwise be complacent to class participation are often the first to interact with an assignment on the SMART Boards.” New tools make math lesson activities easier and more effective.

Therefore, if you find yourself in a classroom and see a ruler or a protractor “moving” you aren’t seeing things; you are just in a SMART classroom seeing new technology making connections for students!

March/April 2010 THE CONNECTION

Places to Go, Things to Do Cedar Valley Arts Festival Springtime fun and entertainment will fill Cedartown's Peek Park April 24-25 during the 46th Annual Cedar Valley Arts Festival sponsored by the Cedartown Junior Service League. A 5K Road Race kicks off the weekend at 8 am, Saturday, April 24. There will also be a 1 mile Fun Run immediately following the 5K race. For race details, contacct Judith Mulcay at jcmulcay@yahoo.com Handmade arts and crafts, children's activities, entertainment, food and other concessions are all part of the weekend festivities. The festival also features the artwork of every student in Polk County. The festival is from 10 am to 6 pm on Saturday on Noon - 5 pm on Sunday. Ann annual Dog Show benefitting the Murphy Harpst Children's Home is at 4 pm on Saturday. A family friendly Moonlight Movie in the Park is scheduled for Saturday night at 8:45 pm. Food vendors will be open. All families are encouraged to come out for a weekend of family fun! For more information, contact LeAnne Shelton at 770-324-5779 or leanne.shelton@att.net.

Rockmart Civic Arts Center Musical “Grease” “Grease,” the hit Broadway musical written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, is on stage March 4-6 at the Rockmart Civic Arts Center Theatre, 116 East Elm St., Rockmart. Presented by the Rockmart High School Thespians, this high-energy musical comedy depicts 1950's high school life in Chicago. Showtime is 7:30 pm. For ticket information call 770-684-5454 or visit Rockmart Civic Arts Commission at www. rockmart-ga.gov.

Art Gallery Shows The RCAC “Annual Youth Art Show” is Saturdays from 10 am-4 pm, March 6-27, in the Arts Center Gallery. An Opening Day Reception is March 6 from 1 pm-3 pm in the Gallery. Featured artists are Rockmart students in grades K -12.

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Event Calendar

Places To Go, Things To Do

The “Layers Exhibition,” is April 10-June 19. Gallery hours are 10 am-4 pm on Saturdays. This exhibition showcases mixed media by featured artists Toni Gunn and Page Ferriss. Pieces by other artists will also be on display. The public is invited to an Artists' Reception, Sunday, April 11 from 1 pm-3 pm in the Gallery. For more information call 770-684-5454.

Cedartown Performing Arts Center Sandi Patty in Concert One of the top performers in contemporary Christian music for nearly three decades, Sandi Patty appears in concert March 20 at the Cedartown Performing Arts Center. Show times are 2 pm and 7:30 pm. A member of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, Sandi has won four Grammy Awards and four Billboard Music Awards. She has three platinum and five gold records. For ticket information call 770-748-4168 or visit www.cedartownshows.com.

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.

March/April 2010 THE CONNECTION

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.

March/April 2010 THE CONNECTION

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. March/April 2010 THE CONNECTION

Advertisers Index: Brown's Pharmacy................................................................ 2 Redmond Family Care...........................................................2 Georgia Northwestern Technical College .......................... 17 Coosa Valley Home Health..................................................23 Paymaster Unlimited, Inc....................................................22 Polk County Water, Sewage and Solid Waste Authority......22 First National Bank of Polk County......................................22 Georgia Power.....................................................................23 Community Bank of Rockmart............................................24

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March/April 2010