AREA CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Polk County Chamber of Commerce is now accepting applications for vendors f or t he 2017 Homespun Festival happening on July 21 and 22 in Rockmart. Costs vary for vendors, but those seeking to bring arts and crafts to Homespun are charged $115 for a vendor fee. The deadline to apply is April 30. Call the Chamber at 770-684-8760 or e- mail homespun@ polkgeorgia.com for more information or to sign up as a vendor.

Clear your calendar for March 18 as Rockmart celebrates their Welsh heritage with the annual WELSHFest taking place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. downtown around the Marble Street area. Check out welshfest.vpweb.com for more information.

The Ferst Foundation of Polk County presents their third annual “An Evening with Authors” on March 7 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Stone Creek I nn in Rockmart. A silent auction of autographed books and cakes will be held during the event. All proceeds go to support the Ferst Foundation of Polk County. The event is free. Call Debbie Ross at 770546-0222 for more information or to make donations.

Oak Grove Baptist Church will be holding their annual homecoming on Sunday, March 19, 2016 at Oak Grove Baptist Church at 1937 Rome Highway, Cedartown. The church is celebrating its 119th anniversary, which was first organized in 1898. Sunday school beings at 9:45 a.m., followed by services at 11 a.m. including a performance by the “Heirborn Quartet” of Rockmart. A covered dish meal will be shared by all following services. Pastor James Paul encourages members, former members and pastors to attend and participate.

The latest show for the Rockmart Art Gallery, “Spring” continues this weekend during the Gallery hours until April 9, with featured artists including Kiki Alexander, Paul Craighead, James Hill, Laura Robinson, Dede Spinks, Charles Collins, Susan Waters, Brenda Carroll, Vonnagale Johnson, Jane Biggers, Jim Carroll and Horton Young. A reception is coming up this weekend on Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. to allow the public to meet the artists. Call 770-684-2707 for more information.

Single Friends is sponsoring a dance from 7 until 10 p.m. at the Charles Parker Center in Rome on Friday. Admission is $7. Married couples are welcome. Music by DJ Ken Hughes. Door prizes and refreshments included. For more information call Sharon at 256-4437426. The dance is held on the second Friday of every month.

The Church of God of the Union Assembly, 32 Prospect Road, Rockmart, is encouraging members of the community to join them for praise and worship each Sunday and Wednesday. Praise and youth services are held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday nights, and services start at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday following Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. Call Pastor Jesse Starnes at 678757-4572 for more information.

The Rockmart Masonic Lodge #97 and the American Red Cross are teaming up for a blood drive in honor of Milan McMillian coming up on Tuesday from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. being held at the Nathan Dean Center in Rockmart. Free barbecue will be served. Schedule an appointment by visiting redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code “rock.”

Cedartown First United Methodist Church and the Cedartown/Polk County Humane Society are teaming up to help raise money for local pets in their 2017 Cruisin’ for Critters: Blessing of the Bikes and Ride, being held on Saturday. Registration starts at 10:30 a.m., with kickstands up at 11:30 a.m. at the Cedartown First United Methodist Church at 201 Wissahickon Ave., Cedartown. $25 per bike, $10 for each additional rider. Includes blessing guardian bell and lunch, and souvenir t- shirts are available. Contact Charlotte Harrison at 706-252-4412 for more information, or Kellie Taylor at 770-6842248.

The next monthly spaghetti dinner at American Legion Post 12 is being held on March 15 at a new time from 5 to 7 p.m., and includes spaghetti, meatballs, garlic toast and salad for $5, and is open to the public. New members are invited to attend the regular meeting and dinner at 7 p.m. each second Tuesday. The Legion Riders gather at 7 p.m. each fourth Tuesday.

Cedartown First United Methodist Church is offering a book study entitled: “Restored - Finding Redemption In Our Mess,” a new book s t udy by Tom Berlin. Cedartown First United Methodist Church is hosting this study for the 40 days of Lent. Join us as we look at the mess in our lives and how God is calling us to live beyond the challenges. Each week, beginning Sunday, March 5, Pastor Mike will share a relevant message related to that weeks topic and then lead a Wednesday night book study and discussion. Cedartown First is located in downtown Cedartown at 201 Wissahickon Avenue and the church website is www.cedartownfumc.org. or phone at 770-748-4731.

The Rockmart Farmers Market continues their winter season every Thursday this month. Check out the website Rockmartfarmersmarket.com for more information on vendors for the coming event. They’re open on Thursdays from 2 to 5 p.m. through the beginning of April.

Cedartown Supper Club every second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 6: 30 pm. Held at 71 Woodall Rd. Seventh-day Adventist Church. Enjoy a vegetarian supper and participate in a lecture on healthy, happy living. Free and for all ages. Each evening provides a different menu and lecture topic. For more information or to RSVP please call 678-901-9184.

Cedartown First United Methodist Church is excited to offer Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University on Sundays at 4 p.m. from Sunday to May 21. No classes on Easter and Mother’s Day. This is a 9 week program that has proven to help people gain control of their finances. It costs $ 99, although $44.50 will be reimbursed to those completing the study and graduating the class. For more questions, call Tanya Woods (706) 331-1223 or signup by visiting the Cedartown First United Methodist Church website at www.cedartownfumc.org.

The Cedartown Performing Arts Center is now taking applications to be a part of their upcoming gala show that will not be judged, but will allow local artists to display and sell their work. This endeavor by the CPAC is part of a plan to recognize local artists and to keep art in the Auditorium Gallery on a full-time basis – either by staging periodic shows, purchase of art pieces from local artists or donations of art pieces from individual artists. There is no cost to register. March 17 is the deadline to register. An opening gala is scheduled for Saturday, March 25 at 7 p.m. Visit Cedartownshows.com to find an entry form to return to the CPAC.

Interested in becoming a Foster or Adoptive Parent? Open your heart to a child in need and find out how you can help. Join others who seek the love of a child every second Tuesday night of each month at 6 p.m. at Polk Co. Department of Family and Children Services office, located at 100 County Loop Rd. in Cedartown. Information Sessions are held to explain what is required to become a foster or adoptive parent in the state of Georgia. For more information please call Robin Forston at 404895-6517 or e-mail robin.forston@dhs.ga.gov or call 1-877-210-KIDS. Visit www.fostergeorgia.com for more information.

A Personal Relationship Seminar is being held in the Activity Hall at 71 Woodall Road continues on Saturday, and upcoming dates include March 25, April 8, April 22 and May 13. Come find freedom from the issues that affect your relationships. Learn how the Bible can equip you with tools needed to strengthen your relationships and find victory over destructive issues. Free materials. Call pastor Jeff Freeman at 706-676-6893 for more info.

Join Paul Craighead at the Rockmart Cultural Arts Center gallery for weekly pottery classes. They are held Tuesday and Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for $15 each, and $12 for a Thursday class from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Materials are included in the cost of the classes. Call Paul Craighead at 770-843-5302 with questions. Registration open at the beginning of classes.

The Cedartown Performing Arts Center will be hosting Georgia’s first daughter Katie Deal on April 8, 2017 as she brings a selection of Patsy Cline classics to the stage in “Today, Tomorrow and Forever: A Tribute to Patsy Cline.” Tickets range from $20 to $25 depending on seating choices. Visit the website to purchase tickets, or call the box office at 770-748-4168.

Celebrate Recovery continues to meet in the First Baptist Church of Rockmart, 311 E. Elm St., Monday nights with dinner at 6 p.m. A large group gathers at 7 p.m. and small share group at 8 p.m.

The Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Group in Polk meets the first Monday of each month at First Baptist Church of Rockmart, 311 E. Elm St. The facilitator is April Williams. For more information call 770-546-5188.

Lutheran Services of Georgia’s Heritage Adoption Program partners with DFCS to find Forever Families for children waiting in Georgia’s foster care system. Information Sessions are held on the 3rd Thursday of every month at 6:00pm at the Rome Office, located at 336 Broad St., Suite 200. Individual sessions may be scheduled to accommodate families, as needed. For more information, contact aweaver@lsga.org or call 706-506-0649.

The Sit N’ Stitch craft group meets each Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p. m. in the Fellowship Hall at Rockmart First United Methodist Church, 135 West Church St., Rockmart. All crafters are welcome to come and work on your own projects or help out with various local mission projects, as they become needed. Bring a sack lunch or just come when you want and leave as you need to. You do not need to be an expert, come and enjoy the fellowship. Contact Madeline Brown at 678435-5032 if you have any questions.

Soup and “Savior”, a local non- profit organization, meets from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays to provide needed items to deserving people. This includes a free meal (soup), clothing and gives other assistance. Meetings are held at Glad Tidings, located at 703 Robert L Parks Blvd in Cedartown. Donations are accepted.