march_april connection 2011

Chamber of Commerce & Development Authority

Polkwww.polkgeorgia.com

ConnectionThe

Showcasing the best of Polk CountyMarch / April 2011

2 THE CONNECTION March/April 2011

The Whole World Is In Their Hands.

We want to help make the world a brighter place for our children. That’s why we are continuously focusing our resources towards numerous educational programs. Our employees donate their time to one-on-one mentoring programs throughout Georgia. After all, there is nothing more important to us than our future generation.

Jagdeep Singh, M.D.

118 East Girard • Suite 104Cedartown, Georgia 30125

(770) 749-1005Monday-Thursday

8am-5 pmFriday 8 am - 12 Noon

Redmond Physician Network

Redmond Family Careat Cedartown

David Gandy, D.D.S.Dr. Charles Bobo, D.M.D.

109 East AvenueCedartown, GA 30125

Office:

770-748-7736fax: 770-748-4015

C O O S AD E N T A L

A S S O C I A T E S

Come In & Get

Your Smile Back!

March/April 2011 THE CONNECTION 3

Welcome to Polk County

Welcome To Polk County................................................3Events Calendar..............................................................4Proud of Polk.................................................................. 6Silver Comet Trail..........................................................12School Zone..................................................................14Places to Go,Things To Do, .........................................16

Table of Contents

The most important attribute of great communities is people. Polk County is blessed to have great people who are involved, active, caring, sharing and most im-portantly willing to give of their time and knowledge to make Polk County the great place it is today.

When a prospective industry looks at our community the first question asked after a suitable site is found is “tell me about your people, can they learn, will they work, can I count on them to do the job I ask?” The answer they find out every time is YES!

My challenge to the people of Polk County is, can we continue to work toward a common goal? Can we continue to give of ourselves, our time and our knowledge to keep Polk County great? Today, I think the answer we will find is the same as the prospective industry, YES.

Get involved with your community, church, civic group, school, club, chamber. Find your passion and continue to give back. Together we can continue to answer the question, YES, Polk County is great people.

Eric McDonaldPresident, Development Authority of Polk County

Eric McDonald


Event CalendarMarch 11Big Band Theatrical Swing Revue“In the Mood,” a celebration of American music in the 1940s, begins at 7:30 PM in the Cedartown Performing Arts Center. See page 11 For more information.

March 10-12“Cinderella”Rockmart High School Thespians present Rogers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderel-la” at 7:30 pm in The Arts Center Theatre, 116 E. Elm St. Tickets are $5.00 for students, $6.00 in advance for adults, and $8.00 at the door. Advance tickets are available at Rockmart High School. For further information call 770-684-5454.

March 12-13Tough MudderThis Obstacle/Endurance Event will be held in Cedartown's Highland Park & KTM World. All Tough Mudder sponsorship proceeds go to the Wounded Warrior Project. For details see page 15.

March 12-April 2Youth Art ExhibitThe Rockmart Cultural Arts Center Visual Arts Gallery features the “2011 Youth Art Exhibit.” The Center is located at 316 N. Piedmont Ave., Bldg. 300. An artists' reception is March 12. Gallery hours are 10 am-4 pm Fridays and Saturdays. For further information call 770-684-5454.

March 18 Lorrie MorganCountry music star Lorrie Morgan appears in concert at the Cedartown Per-forming Arts Center. Show time is 7:30 pm. See page 11 for details.

April 9-June 4Art ExhibitAAR “Tist,” an art exhibition featuring the works of artists 65 and up, is on display in the Visual Arts Gallery of the Rockmart Cultural Arts Center. Gallery hours are 10 am-4 pm Fridays and Saturdays. An artists' reception is April 10 from 1 pm-3 pm in the Gallery. For more information call 770-684-5454.


Event Calendar

About The Cover ...... Enjoy a springtime walk among azaleas and dogwoods in Cedartown's Peek Park.

April 10-16National Library WeekThis week, sponsored by the American Library Association, is an annual cel-ebration of the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians. For details on special activities at Cedartown Library call 770-748-5644 and at Rockmart Library, 770-684-3022.

April 27Industry Appreciation Golf TournamentFor details on this annual Polk County Chamber of Commerce event call 770-684-8760.

AprIl 30-May 1Cedar Valley Arts FestivalSponsored by the Cedartown Junior Service League, this annual festival is from 10 am-6 pm, April 29 and noon-5 pm, May 25 in Cedartown's Peek Park. For more information see page 14.

May 21-22Rockmart Community Chorus“Music from Broadway to Hollywood” is performed by the Rockmart Chorus at 7 pm, May 21 and at 2 pm, May 22. Tickets are $6.00 for adults (under 12 free ), and may be purchased from any chorus member, the Rockmart Florist, or the city.

Coming June 2, 3, 4, 2011ROCKMART BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL At The Rock

130 Forsyth Lake Rd., Rockmart, GA Featuring Musicians from Throughout the Southeast

Sponsored by the Southeastern Bluegrass Associationrockmartfestivals.com 770-684-8519


Proud of PolkLet's Keep Polk Beautiful

By Sharon Coffman, Executive Director, Keep Polk Beautiful

The spring brings lots of opportunities for Keep Polk Beautiful activities! The Great American Cleanup is the biggest and activities vary from litter cleanups to recycling or beautification projects. This year KPB has chosen to assist Eastside Elementary School with restoring their outdoor classroom and nature walk area on May 7. Join children and adults of all ages for a rewarding morning of digging and planting to turn a devastated storm sight into an outdoor area for reading, math, science and learning of all kinds! All groups and individuals are encouraged to register with Keep Polk Beautiful as lunch will be provided.

Another KPB annual project for the Great American Cleanup is our Wartville Wizard 3rd grade education program. We send volunteers into all the 3rd grade classrooms in the county for a 45 minute DVD presentation about a small town with a litter problem and how they solved it. The students complete a booklet and they get to take it home to share with their families. Our volunteers rave about how much fun this is! We are accepting new volunteers, so contact KPB right away for a brief training!

During the Great American Cleanup last year, volunteers helped convert a barren area

between buildings of Van Wert Elementary School into an outdoor classroom


Event CalendarProud of Polk

Other Great American Cleanup projects will take place throughout the county as different groups make their plans. Watch for local media announcements of these! Examples could be a litter or graffiti cleanup on the Silver Comet Trail; school campus cleanups; neighborhood cleanups; recycling drives; small beautification projects. The Rockmart High School Kappa Pi Beta club is sponsored by Keep Polk Beautiful and participates in these projects and always appreciates your support.

Keep Polk Beautiful is an organization that encourages our community to take a greater responsibility for improvement through litter prevention, recycling, and beautification projects. Dedicated groups such as businesses, schools, churches, and civic groups, as well interested individuals, work together throughout the year. Striving to keep the litter off our roadways and to improve the county’s appearance makes Polk County a more appealing place to live, work, and play, and improves property values. A neat, attractive environment says, “We care! This is a great place to live!”

The Rockmart High School Kappa Pi Beta Environmental Club took on the project of removing graffitti and trash along the Silver Comet Trail.

Westside Elementary and the Cedartown Exchange Club worked together on a Keep Polk Beautiful project.



Keep Polk Beautiful encourages tree planting on Arbor Day, to not only enhance the appearance, but to add shade, natural cooling, prevent erosion, filter air and water, and more. Many schools throughout the county participate in Arbor Day in various ways from reading poems and doing skits to planting trees along the beautiful Silver Comet Trail. This year a tree was planted at Northside Elementary to commemorate a former teacher who was slain.

The fall brings opportunities for participation in Rivers Alive! This past year KPB saw over 200 volunteers turn out to help cleanup the Euharlee Creek in Rockmart, pulling out over 70 tires, a huge pile of metal, and yards of plastic! With the help of canoes from Cedar Creek Park we were able to reach many items never removed before. This fall we will target Big Cedar in Cedartown. Watch for news with the date and time to be announced. This will be a huge opportunity to make a difference in your community! Children and adults are encouraged to participate.

Volunteers in canoes look for litter in and along the Euharlee Creek in Rockmart.

Trees are planted on Arbor Day and during other Keep Polk Beautiful events.

KPB has some ongoing activities as well, such as the school plastic bottle recycling. As of last year, with help from Waste Industries, all schools in Polk County were recycling their plastic bottles. They are well on their way to recycling paper and cardboard, as well, with help from Dranik Recycling and Paper Recovery of Georgia! KPB also offers a Green Business Award to any business “greening” their business, and interested in recycling and participating in one of our KPB activities. Contact KPB for more info. A Green Business of the Year Award is chosen annually from all applicants. This year the HON Company won the award!

KPB is looking forward to making a greater impact on the community as we hope to partner more with law enforcement and businesses to control the impact of litter on our highways.

Invest in our community! Join in the fight against litter in Polk County!


Cherokee Elementary School participated in the plastic bottle recycling project.




Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting

Bob Culver, Culver Insurance Agency, is the recipient of the Polk County Chamber of Commerce 2010 Small Business of the Year Award. Presented during the Chamber's annual meeting, this prestigious award recognizes Culver for his outstanding contributions to the community andexcellent service to his customers.

Small Business of the Year

Bob Culver shares honor with wife Joy,and son, Lucas

2011 Chamber Board Chairman

Bryan Griffin, outgoing board chairman of the Polk County Chamber of Commerce, turns the gavel over to incoming chairman Rick Hall during the annual Chamber meeting.

Photo by Agnes Hagin, The Rockmart Journal


Places to Go, Things to DoCedartown Performing Arts Center

Swing Musical Revue“In the Mood” brings the sounds of the swing era to the stage of the Cedartown Performing Arts Center March 11 at 7:30 pm.

Performed by the In The Mood Singers and Danc-ers with the sensational String of Pearls Big Band Orchestra, the revue celebrates American music of the 1940s. This was a time when America was listening and dancing to the music of Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Harry James, Erskine Hawkins, The Andrews Sisters, Frank Sinatra, and other greats of the 1940’s. Their repertoire of great songs did much to sustain

national morale during World War II.

Touring since 1994,”In the Mood's”national and international performances continue to portray the spirit of the music that moved the nation.

Lorrie Morgan

One of America's premiere country singers, Lorrie Morgan takes to the stage at the Cedartown Performing Arts Center, March 18 at 7:30 pm.

Lorrie was barely a teenager when she made her first major appearance in 1975 singing Paper Roses with her daddy, country music star George Morgan, on the Grand Ole Opry. In 1984 she made history when at age 25 she was the youngest person ever to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Timeless standards like “Five Minutes,” Something in Red,” “Watch M” and “What Part of No” established Lorrie as a bona fide country star.


Trail Access with Parking

Silver Comet Trail

Paved

Traveling the Trail in Polk County


Horses OKMap 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.


Cedar Valley Arts Festival

Celebrate spring at the annual Cedar Valley Arts Festival April 30-May 1 in Ce-dartown's Peek Park. Sponsored by the Cedartown Junior Service League, the two-day event is great for the entire family.

A 5K Road Race kicks off the weekend at 8 am, April 30. There is also a 1 mile Fun Run immediately fol-lowing the 5K Race. For race details, contact Tina Harrell at [email protected].

Handmade arts and crafts, children's activities, entertainment, food and other concessions are all part of the weekend festivities. The festival also features artwork of Polk County students. Hours

are 10 am to 6 pm on Saturday and noon-5 pm on Sunday. The annual Dog Show, benefiting the Murphy Harpst Children's Centers is 4 pm on Saturday. A family friendly Moonlight Movie in the Park is scheduled for Saturday at 8:45 p.m. Food vendors will be open. For more information contact Molly Jordan at 770-324-3670 or [email protected].

Rockmart Cultural Arts Center

Classes in Pottery, Whittling, Decorative Paint-ing, and Art are being offered in the Rockmart Cultural Arts Center, 316 N. Piedmont Ave, Bldg. 300.

Pottery spring session classes are March 23-May 11, 5 pm-6:30 pm, for ages 7-12; March 24-May 12, 6:30 pm-8:30 pm, for ages 13 and up (Seniors receive a discount); and Saturday spring session classes, March 26-May 21, 10:30 am-12:30 pm, for ages 16 and up (Seniors receive a discount).

Pottery year-round “Open Pottery Tuesdays” is open to all ages. All pottery classes are taught by Paul Craighead.

Event CalendarPlacers to Go, Things to Do

Jordan Wall in Open Studio Class


Event CalendarPlacers to Go, Things to Do

Alvin Maillicoat instructs whittling classes on Mondays, March 21-April 11 from 6:30 pm-8:30 pm.

“Introduction to Decorative Painting” is taught by Leanne Ferguson. Instruction includes everything from surface prep to techniques. Students also learn practi-cal applications of several decorative finishes including stencil, trim and furniture finishing, metal leafing (gilding), and other techniques.

Art Instructor Candace McManus teaches Drawing 101, Oil Painting for Begin-ners, Intermediate Painting Studio Classes, and American Masters Art Explora-tion for Youth.

For fees, class times (where not listed) and other information call 770-684-5454 or visit www.rockmart-ga.gov.

Tough Mudder

“Probably the toughest event on the planet,” is coming to Georgia Highland Park & KTM World in Cedartown March 12 and 13, according to Tough Mudder organizers. Obstacle courses designed by British Special Forces test all around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie.

What is Tough Mudder? Tough Mudder was founded by Englishmen Will Dean and Guy Livingstone. Dean came up with the idea while at Harvard. It began as a semifinalist in the Harvard Business School's annual Business Plan Contest in 2009, according to an article by John Branch in the New York Times, April 28, 2010. “A British student named Will Dean thought he could attract 500 people to run a grueling race through mud and man-made obstacles. Professors gener-ally considered the plan too optimistic.” However, success came beginning in 2010. The Brooklyn based Tough Mudder attracted 4,500 people to a seven-mile obstacle course of muddy hills, cold water and flaming bales of straw at a ski resort near Allentown, Pa.

This year there are more than 15 competitions in the United States with several more venues to be added. Plans for 2011 and 2012 also include events in other countries. For general information on Tough Mudder and the Cedartown chal-lenge, visit toughmudder.com.


School ZoneTwo Courtney’s Making a Difference!

By Debbie Freeman, Polk School District

Courtney Winfrey and Courtney Hammock teach at Rockmart High School. Ms. Winfrey teaches Literature and Mr. Hammock is an instructor of Public Safety in the CTAE Department. Recently the two teachers completed a collaborative project with their students.

Ms. Winfrey’s students had a mythology project to complete. The students were divided into small groups and given myths from Greek culture to study and teach to the rest of the class. One of the groups selected the Trojan War and chose to build a model of the city of Troy. Through the planning process, a student suggested burning the model as a representation of the fall of Troy at the end of the war. Enter, the second Courtney, instructor of Public Safety.

The popsicle stick buildings sat on poster board covered in actual dirt to represent the grounds. A temple, a theatre and park benches were among the architecture represented. On the day for the “fall of Troy”, students from both classes assembled in the parking lot. The students in Ms. Winfrey’s English class explained what happened in the war to all students.


Event CalendarSchool Zone

Once the “burning of Troy “was started, the Public Safety students came to the rescue—just as the last of Troy crumbled into soot. Students in both classes benefited from this collaborative effort—learning about the fall of Troy and about fire safety. Another great example of “linking learning” in the classroom!

Main Office967 North Main StreetCedartown, GA 30125

770-748-1750

Downtown Office117 West Avenue

Cedartown, GA 30125770-748-1750

Rockmart Office131 West Elm StreetRockmart, GA 30153

770-684-7872

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Landmarks and Historic AreasCedartown

POLK COUNTY HISTORICALSOCIETY/MUSEUM Formerly Hawkes Children’s Library, the mu se-um contains the history of Polk Coun ty. The building was designed by J. Neel Reid, famous Geor gia 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 origi-nally 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 proj-ect was designed and completed by local artists and volunteers from The Art Lover’s League of Cedar Valley. The mural is a collage of well-known structures in Cedartown including many historic sites such as Hawkes Children’s Library, the train depot and County Courthouse #2.

CONFEDERATE MEMORIALOutside Courthouse #2 is a Confederate monu-ment erected in 1906 by United Daughters of the Confederacy to honor Confederate veter-ans.

ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCHBuilt 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 HOTELThis structure was built in the 1800s and oper-ated as a hotel in the 1890s. It is now an attor-ney’s office. Located across the street from the Hawkes Children’s Library.

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 THEATERBuilt 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 CEDARTOWNIn 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 down town area includ-ing second floor residential availability, new businesses and remodelings. 770-748-2090.

HIGHTOWER FALLS

Originally the site of a wooden grist mill pur-chased by Elias Hightower in 1846 and con-vert ed 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 struc-ture 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.

Attractions Guide


Landmarks and Historic AreasRockmart/Aragon

VAN WERTCreated 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 CHURCHBuilt 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 struc-ture.

ARAGON-EUHARLEE PRIMITIVE BAPTIST CHURCHIn Aragon, the oldest church still in use in the County.

ROCKMART MURALThe mural was created in 1997 and painted on the side of Morgan Hardware on Marble Street. The mural was created by 180 volunteers over a three week period and was part of a celebration of Rockmart's 125th anniversary.

THE GOODYEAR MILLIn 1929, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company select-ed Rockmart as the site for one of its clearwater mills. They built a multi-million dollar plant on what is now Goodyear Street and gave Rockmart "the biggest boost it has ever received in its history." Goodyear sold the plant in 1987 and it is now owned and operated by Meggitt Polymers & Composites

GOODYEAR MILL VILLAGEIn the 1930s, Goodyear built a modern village with approximately 180 homes, two tennis courts, a baseball field and a golf course directly across the street from the mill.

CITY HALL The Rockmart Municipal Complex located on N. Piedmont Ave, is now considered "City Hall". The complex includes the Administrative Services Building, Cultural Arts Center,Recreation Department, and Rockmart Police Department. The complex is located on what was originally the site of the Piedmont Institute College, which was replaced later by Rockmart High and Middle Schools which later became known as Rockmart High School.

ROSE HILL CEMETERY/GAZEBO

On Elm Street, the land for the cemetery was donated to the town. The gazebo, constructed in 1891 is now considered one of Rockmart's most recognizable historic landmarks. The cemetery site also offers a spectacular view across Rockmart.

EUHARLEE CREEK/SEABORN JONES PARK

A city park, Seaborn Jones Park sits in the middle of downtown Rockmart along the banks of the Euharlee Creek. The name Euharlee comes from the Cherokee or Creek Indians and means "she laughs as she runs."

DODGE & DAVIS AT PEEK SPRINGS

Near Aragon's City Hall, camping place of General Grenville Dodge's 16th AC of McPherson's Army of Tennessee. Later, Brig. Gen. J.C. Davis' 2nd division, 14th Corps Army of the Cumberland camped here en route from Rome to Dallas, Ga. These troops were part of the right wing of General Sherman’s forces moving to outflank General Johnston’s army at Allatoona Pass. 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.

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CEDARTOWN ROCkmART/ARAgONCedartown Performing Arts CenterThe pride of the City of Cedartown, The Cedartown Performing Arts Center located at the Cedartown Auditorium, presents a wealth of premium entertainment each year from the Atlanta Symphony to touring Broadway plays. The Performing Arts Center also sponsors enrichment programs for children in Polk and surrounding counties through workshops and performances. 770-748-4168.

West TheaterThis 1941 Art Deco style theater hosts first run mov-ies for both children and adults.

Peek ParkOn North College Street, this beautiful city park is located on land donated by Captain J.A. Peek. It con-tains tennis courts, playground and picnic areas.

Bert Wood Youth and Athletic ComplexSoftball and baseball fields, gymnasium, track, cabin, playground, and Senior Center make up this recre-ational facility in Northwest Cedartown. Government sponsored and volunteer activities abound almost year round.

Cherokee Golf and County ClubThis private facility off Cherokee Road contains an 18 hole golf course, four tennis courts, a swimming pool and beautiful clubhouse with dining facility. The club hosts many local fundraising golf and tennis tournaments as well as member-related events. 770-748-2800.

Cedar Valley Arts FestivalAn annual festival is held on the last full weekend in April. This event is sponsored by the Cedartown Junior Service League. Local and regional artists display their craft as do the children of Cedartown whose works are displayed throughout Peek Park, the site of the festival.

Meadow Lakes Golf ClubMeadow 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

Rockmart Civic Arts CommissionPromotes and hosts various arts activities in the city and maintains the city’s Art Center on Elm Street, Rockmart. 770-684-5454.

Seaborn Jones ParkA city park along the banks of Euharlee Creek in downtown Rockmart. Complete with picnic tables and a gazebo.

Nathan Dean Sports ComplexRockmart’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 CourseNine hole, public golf course. 770-684-5961.

Silver Comet TrailThe 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 coun-ty 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.

Polk County Homespun FestivalAn annual event sponsored by the Polk County Chamber of Com merce held on the third weekend in July in Seaborn Jones Park. Local and regional crafters display their wares throughout the park. Continuous entertainment is a highlight of the festival as well as many games and events throughout the park. 770-684-8760.

Aragon BarbequePatriotism 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 ParkAragon’s two city parks both have recreational and picnic facilities.

Leisure Life


LOCATION AND LAND AREAPolk 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.

GOVERNMENTPolk 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 com mis sion 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 pro tec tion of all residents.

INDUSTRYPolk County boasts a wide array of existing industry and takes pride in its success in new industry recruit-ment in the last decade. The top ten industries employee some 3,700 people and include both manufacturing and service.

CLIMATEA moderate climate with seasonal variation cre-ates an excellent environment for outdoor activity through out most of the year:January averageminimum/maximum . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32/55 degreesJuly averageminimum/maximum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67/83 degreesAverage annual rainfall is 50" based on ten year data. Relative humidity is 69.7%.

POPULATION42,709 people reside in Polk County including 10,021 in Cedartown, 4,242 in Rockmart and 1,039 in Aragon.

TRANSPORTATIONMajor trucking lines and both CSX and the Norfolk Southern Railway system link Polk County to points in all directions. Hartsfield/Jackson International Airport is only one hour away while Cornelius Moore Airport in the middle of the county provides a paved and lighted 4,000 ft. runway. The new $15,000,000 state of the art Paulding Northwest Atlanta Airport is only 8 miles from Polk County. Four lane Highway 278 east links Polk County to Atlanta via I-20. Other main arteries include U.S. Highway 27 and 113.

COMMUNICATIONSTwo 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 na tion al hap pen ings.

EDUCATIONEducational 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 res i dents have easy access to three additional private schools in a neighboring county.

UTILITIESGeorgia 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 pro vides a first-rate tele com mu ni ca tions sys tem and cablevision is provided by Charter Communications.

HEALTHCAREPolk Medical Center is located in Cedartown. Numerous physicians, dentists, chiropractors and other health care proviers are throughout Polk County. Immediate Care facilities are also avail-able.

POLK COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCEThe 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 main tains a Cedartown office in conjunction with the Cedartown Welcome Center at 609 S. Main St.. Cedartown office hours are Mon.-Fri., 8:30 am-5:00 pm. Call the Chamber office at 770-684-8760.

POLK COUNTY AT A GLANCE


Advertisers Index:Brown's Pharmacy................................................................ 2

Coosa Dental ........................................................................2

Georgia Power.......................................................................2

Georgia Northwestern Technical College .......................... 23

Paymaster Unlimited, Inc....................................................19

First National Bank of Polk County......................................17

Community Bank of Rockmart............................................24

To Advertise in The Connection

Contact Jennifer Garrett 770-748-150 [email protected]

LaDonna Mears [email protected]


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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• Is one of the largest health occupationseducation providers in the state of Georgia

• Benefits 3,200 students annually throughAdult Education programs

• Is building the future of the automotiveworkforce for the tri-state area as a part ofGeorgia’s Auto Alley

• Works with Georgia Quick Start® to providecustomized training to area businesses

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

LaDonna Mears at770-684-7811

Editorial Content by: Deanna Strickland

Polk County Chamber of Commerce

770/684-8760

ConnectionThe

Showcasing the best of Polk County

Chamber of Commerce & Development Authority

Polkwww.polkgeorgia.com


The hearT of The CommuniTy!

COMMUNITY DELUXE CHECKING

¨ Interest-Bearing ¨ Minimum balance to open $3,500.00 ¨ Free Debit Card ¨ Free Internet Banking ¨ Free Internet Bill-Pay ¨ Free Checks ¨ 50% Discount on Safe Boxes ¨ Up to 25 basis point increase on Certificates of

Deposit You must maintain a minimum daily balance of $3,500.00 for the monthly statement cycle in order to avoid a $25.00 service charge per statement cycle. Interest rate and annual percentage yield may change at any time and without notice at our discretion. Interest will be compounded daily and will be credited to your account monthly. We use the daily balance method to calculate the interest on your account. This method applies a daily periodic rate to the principal in the account each day. Interest begins to accrue no later than the business day we receive credit for the deposited non-cash items. Free checks are basic checks limited to two orders per year. Safe Box discount excludes 10 x 10 boxes. Certificate of Deposit rate increase excludes specials.

1400 CHATTAHOOCHEE DRIVE ROCKMART, GEORGIA 30153

(770) 684-BANK www.bankcbr.com

1400 Chattahoochee Dr. • Rockmart, Georgia • 770-684-2265 (bank)

www.bankcbr.com

MEMBER

Polk County's Only Community Bank

1400 Chattahoochee Drive

Rockmart, GA

(770) 684-BANK (2265) www.bankcbr.com

Check Out Our Full Line of Banking Services:

1st and 2nd Mortgages

Checking Savings Internet Banking

Certificates of Deposit

FREE

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