Oct. 11-12: Cartersville plans 'Sample Your City.'

Media release: Cartersville Downtown Development Authority is pleased to announce Sample Your City. This two-day event will allow members of the community and surrounding areas not only the opportunity to sample the great food and beverages served in downtown Cartersville, but also to take advantage of some special promotions and additional incentives being offered to cardholders during the event. Sample Your City will be held on Thursday, October 11, from 2:00-8:00 p.m., and on Friday, October 12, from 2:00-7:00 p.m.

"This is about the time of year most people may be accustomed to attending Taste of Cartersville, but this year, we wanted to encourage "tasters" to not only sample all the great offerings of our downtown businesses, but also physically visit the wonderful shops and restaurants we are so privileged to have in our historic districts," said Cartersville DDA Manager Tara Currier. "It always surprises me to hear from someone who lives in this community that he has yet to dine at a particular downtown establishment. Sample Your City will allow these people – as well as frequent diners – an opportunity to truly experience our downtown eateries through each of the five senses."

There are 13 participating venues in this year's event including: Agan's Bakery, Appalachian Grill/Culinaria at Appalachian Grill, Coconuts, E Street Tavern, Findley's Butcher Shop, Jefferson's, Johnny Mitchell's Smokehouse Express, Meg Pie, Moore's Gourmet Market, Quiznos, Swheat Market Deli, Tacos n Subs, and The City Cellar. In addition to giving samples from their menu, many participating businesses will also have specials for Sample Your City cardholders including discounted meal or drink purchases, or a special gift.

Tickets for Sample Your City are $10 per person, and cash only is accepted. To purchase a ticket, visit the Downtown Cartersville Welcome Center, located in the old train depot, at 1 Friendship Plaza beginning Friday, September 28. The Welcome Center is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM, and on Saturday from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM. Ticket holders will present their Sample Your City ticket at each of the participating locations anytime on Thursday, October 11, from 2:00-8:00 p.m., or Friday, October 12, from 2:00-7:00 p.m. The ticket is good for one sample at each location, and may range from one item up to as many as five items, depending on location. For a full list of all participating restaurants and their sample offerings, visit www.downtowncartersville.org and click on 'Events.'

Anniversary of 1928 Deputy Killed

The Bartow County Sheriff's Office remembers Deputy William Jasper Vaughan on the anniversary of his line of duty death September 20, 1928.

There are numerous media reports from 1928 recounting the events leading to the first known line of duty death for the Bartow County Sheriff's Office.  It began when two men entered Sodie Collum's store located south of Emerson between 8pm and 9pm. That day was a Thursday. The two men wanted to purchase items and presented Collum with a $20 bill, which Collum immediately recognized as counterfeit. Getting "the draw" on the two by pulling out his own gun, Collum sent a family member to Acworth, which was the nearest phone station at the time to call the Bartow County Sheriff George W. Gaddis. A little less than an hour later, Sheriff Gaddis and Deputy Vaughan arrived. At their arrival, a scuffle inside the store broke out as the two offenders disarmed Collum. Deputy Vaughan was reported to have entered the store first, and upon doing so, one of the offenders fired six shots hitting him with at least one fatally.

Sheriff Gaddis returned fire and believed he hit one of the offenders as they fled in a vehicle. Sheriff Gaddis called for doctors and Tanner Lowry and Sam Howell responded, but Vaughan could not be saved. A Sheriff's Posse was organized and evidence was found including the get-away car about 2 miles North of the scene. Evidence was recovered that would later aid the Sheriff in his investigation. The next day, two men were arrested in Dalton who matched the description of the two offenders. Sheriff Gaddis and Mr. Collum went to Dalton and identified the men as the offenders. These two men, brothers Harless and Hartsell Grant were taken to Fulton County to be held.

But, the story was not as clear as it seemed. Sheriff Gaddis and Solicitor General J.M. Neel Jr. continued the investigation and determined that the Grant brothers were not the offenders. The investigation revealed that Reese and Raymond Fisher were the two offenders and witnesses were interviewed who had direct knowledge of the crimes. A lookout was issued in Atlanta in October 1928 by Sheriff Gaddis describing the Fishers and offering a reward for their capture.

Deputy Vaughan was laid to rest after a funeral service held at White United Methodist Church where it was reported that more than 2,000 people were in attendance. Deputy Vaughan had a large family, and many of his descendants still call this area home.

More research is being conducted to determine the fate of the Grant brothers and the Fisher brothers. The Bartow County Sheriff's Office is planning to honor Deputy Vaughan with a permanent memorial later this year and is eternally thankful to him for his sacrifice to our great community. He will not be forgotten.

Traction at LakePoint? Closer look at Mount Berry Square's new owners. LISTEN now 'official' at Berry. Sunny, upper 70s.

For these and today's other latest headlines, please see www.bartowheadlines.com:

 

Some signs of groundbreaking at LakePoint?

-15 months ago, we were told about the coming development. Things have been moving but mostly behind-the-scenes.

 

What next for Mount Berry Square?

-Based on a Wall Street Journal report, look for a lot of changes at Mount Berry Square thanks to pending new ownership.

 

LISTEN gets official nod at Berry.

-President officially recognizes group for gay, lesbian, bisexual and trandsgendered students after a decade, according to student newspaper, email.

Tuesday's public health restaurant scores.

 

Today's Bartow County Jail reports. 

 

Weather: Forecast: No rain for the next seven days

-Wednesday: Sunny, high of 76, low of 56.

-Thursday: Sunny, high of 80, low of 55.

 

Shorter Hawks tied for first place in latest NCCAA standings.  

 

Calhoun's Lamb, Cedartown's Chubb ranked third, fourth in Player of the Year ratings.   

 

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition, WRGA 1470 AM 

-7 to 9 a.m. weekdays. Listen live online

-Please join our guests including:

-Charlie Schroeder and Barbara Monday on the DIGs project and what they can should then win the big prize.

-Rome City Commissioner Buzz Wachsteter on possible changes to Alcohol Control Commission.

-Layla Shipman, Floyd County GOP, on Saturday's joint meeting with Young Republicans.

 

Nearly half an inch of rain so far, more on the way. Funnel cloud in Varnell. Latest restaurant news, scores. John McClellan's high school picks.

For more on these stories and today's latest updates, please go to http://www.bartowheadlines.com:

 

100% rain chance; three-quarters of an inch due
-About four-tenths of an inch at the airport since Monday; just over a half-inch at the ag station.
-Flood watch until 2 p.m. for Walker, Whitfield, Dade, Catoosa, Murray.
-Funnel cloud spotted near Varnell. 
-Tuesday: 100% rain chance, high of 77, low of 55. 

Local retailers changing layaway plans to get Christmas shoppers in stores starting now: Natalie Simms takes a look at how major players in the holiday season shopping battles have tweaked layaway plans to draw consumers to their stores months before 'Black Friday.'

John McClellan's High School picks: Calhoun, Cartersville to cruise Friday; Unity too close to call. Cedartown wins by a point. 

 Restaurant updates:

-Magnolia Restaurant due late this month.
-Brewhouse shoots for 3 p.m. Thursday opening: Several soft openings are continuing at 325 Broad St. as Brewhouse Music & Grill prepares to open for afternoons and evenings. 
-Curlee's adds new lunch menu: The fish house and oyster bar on Broad Street has added Curlee's tartare, shrimp bruschetta, crackalacka vegetarian sandwich 
-Final oysters at Paul's soon: The oyster bar and microbrewery will end regular hours as of Oct. 1 but remain open for special events. The landmark is for sale.
-Monday's public health restaurant report. 

 

Latest Bartow County Jail reports.  

 

Latest updates from Bartow County.

 

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition, WRGA 1470 AM 

-7 to 9 a.m. weekdays. Listen live online

-Please join our guests Tuesday including:

-Stephen and Pat Patton on the Exchange Club Family Resource Center and the Tee Off Against Child Abuse Golf Tournament.
-Howie Lowden and David Harvey on the Admiral John H. Towers Plaza at City Hall.
-Mike Pennington, executive director of the Georgia Economic Developers Association, on Northwest Georgia's recent development honors.

Bartow County Shop With A Cop

(Media Release) Bartow County Shop With A Cop has announced the kickoff of our cell phone fundraising program.  The proceeds from this collection program will benefit Bartow County under privileged children by providing money to spend while shopping with a law enforcement officer on December 15, 2012 at Walmart in Cartersville.   Our program will earn up to $30 per cell phone, up to $100 per smartphone, and will earn funds for every phone collected, regardless of age or condition.

"Donating a used, unwanted cell phone allows community members to donate to an important cause without reaching into their wallets," stated Sheriff Clark Millsap, "With the hundreds of thousands of used cell phones sitting idly in our community, the fundraising potential is almost limitless."

Bartow County Shop With A Cop has partnered with GRC Wireless Recycling (www.grcrecycling.com), the largest grassroots cell phone recycler in the United States.   GRC currently works with over 6000 organizations in 50 states and has contributed over $8,000,000 to participating organizations. 

Cell phone collection "drop boxes" are currently established at the following locations in the community (with more to be added):

Bartow County Sheriff's Office         104 Zena Drive, Cartersville.

Cartersville Police Department           178 West Main Street, Cartersville.

Emerson Police Department               700 Georgia Highway 293, Emerson.

Bartow County Shop With A Cop requests and appreciates that the public bring their used, unwanted cell phones with battery to these locations during working hours.

Our program is additionally soliciting local businesses to initiate collection campaigns with its employees, customers and vendors.   We encourage businesses of all types to participate in this program.  Please contact us at the number below.

About Bartow County Shop With A Cop:
Bartow County Shop With A Cop offers a chance for our county's less privileged kids to do some Christmas shopping side by side with a local law enforcement officer. The funds are provided by our program and the children are required to spend at least 75% of their funds on clothing for themselves. The remaining 25% can be spent on other merchandise of their choosing. This year's program takes place December 15, 2012 and starts with a catered breakfast for all participants at the Clarence Brown Center before taking a police escorted motor coach ride through Cartersville – ending at Walmart.

Contact:  Hollie McKamey at 770-382-5050 extension 6034

 

2 inches of rain likely today, Tuesday; Wednesday's low: 47. Awards from Arts Festival at Rose Lawn. Peaks & Valleys. Gas down 4 cents a gallon.

For these and today's latest headlines, please see www.bartowheadlines.com:

-Plus: Continuing weather updates all day, evening.

 

The Buzz of Northwest Georgia. Click Buzz
-The West Side Story: While other parts of our region command more attention, West Rome quietly goes about growth and restoration on a different level. 
-Cider time again -- but with a hard turn: With apple season here, more of us are heading to Ellijay and Blue Ridge for fruit and cider. There's a new, adult twist on apple cider this year at Mercier Orchards.
-Peaks & Valleys: Statewide honors again, including the chamber's Al Hodge. Third World traffic. Your best career choice.

Gas prices drop slightly
-Local regional prices: Rome's lowest price on Sunday was $3.77 a gallon. At Kmart, it was $3.78 (photo, right). Around the region: $3.64 in Cartersville; $3.73 in Cahoun; and $3.70 in Cedartown. Georgia Gas Prices

 -Statewide average falls four cents a gallon. 

2 inches of rain today due; 48 Wednesday night

-An incoming cold front will bring plenty of rain starting this morning and continuing into the evening. 
-Monday: 80-100% rain chance, high of 79, low of 67.   

Bartow County Jail reports later this morning.

 

Who won the big awards at Arts Festival at Rose Lawn.

 

What's ahead in Bartow County  

 

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition, WRGA 1470 AM 

-7 to 9 a.m. weekdays. Listen live online

-Please join our guests Monday including:

-Marla Baker on the Sept. 29 drug drop off at the Floyd Corporate Center.

-Dr. Keith Rott on the first Rome Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis set for Dec. 15.

-Britt Madden with a final look at the Northwest Georgia Shorter University Career Expo on Sept. 20.

 

Hospitality Heroes Awards and People's Choice Awards history

 

Media release: The Annual Hospitality Heroes Awards and People's Choice Awards were first presented by the Cartersville-Bartow County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) in 2005.  The CVB felt the need to say 'Thank You' to some of the key people who had contributed to the local tourism industry's growth throughout the past decade.

The inaugural award recipients were also bestowed the lasting legacy of having subsequent awards named in their honor.  "In the years to come we will always remember the contributions of these fine honorees," explains CVB Executive Director Ellen Archer.

            Categories presently awarded include:

The Entwisle Award for Lifetime Service in Tourism

The Bentley Award for Economic Development in Tourism

The Kordecki Award for Contribution to the Arts

The Grant Award for Community Service with a Smile

            Additional award categories are the Distinguished Volunteer Award, the Hotelier of the Year Award and the Shining Star Award.  The inaugural award recipients were chosen by the CVB Board of Directors. With award criteria in place, the CVB called for nominations from community leaders in 2006.  "Obviously, the Cultural Arts Alliance is the appropriate body to designate the recipient of the Kordecki Award for Contribution to the Arts; the Economic Development Authority is best suited to designate the Economic Development in Tourism Award, and the local government officials are logical choices to nominate the Community Service with a Smile recipient, so those entities are who we called on for nominations," Archer said.  The Lifetime Service and Shining Star awards recipients were chosen by the CVB Board of Directors.

            The People's Choice Awards were conceived to honor the opinions of local residents and visitors that know the best that the Bartow County community has to offer.  The Best Restaurant, Best Shoppe and Best Attraction are chosen annually by online voting at www.VisitCartersvilleGA.org. 

 

AWARD CRITERIA

The Entwisle Award for Lifetime Service is Tourism is presented by the CVB Board of Directors to honor a resident for their efforts to foster the development and environment for tourism in Bartow County.  Likewise, the Distinguished Volunteer Award is presented by the CVB Board of Directors to honor those who volunteer their time in support of tourism on an annual basis.

The Bentley Award for Economic Development in Tourism is nominated by the Joint Economic Development Authority. Criteria established by the CVB demands that the recipient will have had a laudable influence on job creation, capital investment and increased tourism expenditures in Bartow County through the development of tourism product. The recipient could be anyone who has developed or expanded a restaurant, shop, attraction, hotel, etc., or has had a demonstrable influence on the development thereof.

Nominations for The Kordecki Award for Contribution to the Arts are solicited from the Cultural Arts Alliance to honor a recipient whose works and passion have fostered a sustained support for, and public access to, the performing and/or visual arts in Bartow County, Georgia.

The Grant Award for Community Service with a Smile is intended to honor an employee of any municipality in Bartow County, or of Bartow County Government, who exemplifies "service with a smile," in his or her dealings with the public.  The interactions of governmental nominees with the public must exemplify the utmost in customer service and congeniality, thus casting a favorable impression of Bartow County on visitors and residents alike.

Formerly known as the Hotelier of the Year Award given to hotel owners or general managers, the scope of this honor changed in 2012 with a shift to recognize successful lodging properties within Bartow County and its municipalities.  Criteria for this award chosen by the CVB Board of Directors includes occupancy rates, increases in revenue, industry recognition, and many other factors.

The Shining Star Award recipient may be a Bartow County resident or organization whose excellence in a positive endeavor has earned national recognition, thus generating a favorable light on Bartow County, Georgia.  This honor is also chosen by the CVB Board of Directors.

Finally, the People's Choice Awards for Best Restaurant, Best Shoppe and Best Attraction are chosen annually by online voting at www.VisitCartersvilleGA.org.  To be eligible for voting, restaurants and shoppes must be local, non-franchised businesses within the limits of Bartow County and its municipalities.  The same geographical criteria applies to Best Attraction.

 

INAUGURAL HONOREES

 

• The Entwisle Award for Lifetime Service in Tourism – Named in honor of Frank Entwisle who dedicated almost 20 years as a constant force guiding the tourism industry in Cartersville. Entwisle served was first named to the Cartersville Tourism and Industry Council on January 3, 1985 by Mayor John Dent, and continued to serve the Board when this organization restructured forming the Cartersville Tourism Council.  In 1990, Entwisle was instrumental in the formation of the joint City-County Cartersville-Bartow County Tourism Council, known today as the Cartersville-Bartow CVB.  Entwisle served as Treasurer of the CVB from January 1991 to January 2004.  The CVB's sustained growth is credited greatly to Entwisle's sound financial stewardship.  His legacy of leadership and financial responsibility continues to strengthen the CVB's mission of fostering economic growth through visitor spending.

 

• The Bentley Award for Economic Development Through Tourism – Honoring Bob Bentley, former Executive Director of the Etowah Education Foundation.  Under Bentley's direction, the foundation advanced from administering scholarships to open the first Georgia Youth Science and Technology Center (GYSTC), create the Teacher Resource Center, and establish a partnership with Floyd College that led to the Cartersville Campus of Georgia Highlands College.  In addition, Bentley conceived and initiated the Scholarship Sharing Program growing the local grant pool awarded by the foundation from $49,500 to almost $150,000 in 2005. The Foundation's cultural contributions include starting the Bartow History Center, acquiring and renovating the Grand Theatre, and acquiring and enhancing the Weinman Mineral Museum.  Thus, Bentley's stewardship of the Etowah Education Foundation fostered the evolution of the family of attractions known today as Georgia Museums Inc., also the parent organization of the Booth Western Art Museum.

 

• The Kordecki Award for Contribution to the Arts – Named in honor of Don Kordecki.  Technical Director of the Grand Theatre and lovingly known as "the father of theatre in Cartersville."  He organized "The Dramateurs Community Theatre" here in 1963, followed by "The Red Top Mountain Players," and, with the help of his wife Ollene, "The Pumphouse Players" in 1975.  Kordecki has been in more than 100 productions since he first took the stage in 1948 in a high school production of The Mikado in his native Chicago.  An actor, director, producer, voice talent, set designer, lighting and technical director and more, Kordecki has been active on Marietta and Canton stages, as well as Cartersville.  He is a Past President of the Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Bartow County; Past Chairman of the Cartersville Downtown Development Authority, and presiding Chairman of the Cartersville-Bartow County Convention Center and the Cultural Arts Alliance.  Kordecki served on the advisory board for the Council of the Arts under Governor Carl Sanders and the Georgia Film and Video Advisory Board under Governor Joe Frank Harris, and is a Past President of the Georgia Citizens for the Arts.

 

• The Grant Award for Community Service with a Smile – Honoring Jimmy Grant, a member of the public works department for the City of Cartersville for 21 years.  Those who know Jimmy recall his wonderful smile as he goes about his job of keeping our beautiful city clean.  Co-workers often say "Have a Jimmy Grant Day" to wish each other a great day.  Grant is also a valued member of Cartersville's Wal-Mart team and personally assists "Santa Claus" in his work each year.  He is a vital part of the tourism team in Cartersville.

 

RECIPIENTS

The Entwisle Award for Lifetime Service in Tourism

            2005 – Frank Entwisle

            2006 – Marion Lacey

            2007 – Sam Smith

            2008 – Gwen "Granny" Marler

            2009 – Ken Akins, former Superintendent Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site

            2010 – Not awarded

            2011 – Not awarded

            2012 – David G. Archer, Sr.

The Bentley Award for Economic Development through Tourism

            2005 – Bob Bentley

            2006 – Carmike Cinemas

            2007 – Barnsley Gardens Resort – Julian Saul and Michael Meadows

            2008 – Samir Shah, Hampton Inn and Hilton Garden Inn

            2009 – Georgia Museums, Inc. – Tellus Science Museum

            2010 – Not awarded

            2011 – Bartow County Government and municipalities City of Cartersville, City of Adairsville, City of Kingston, City of White, City of Emerson and City of Euharlee for SPLOST investment in creating the Clarence Brown Conference Center

            2012 – Seth Hopkins

The Kordecki Award for Contribution to the Arts

            2005 – Don Kordecki

            2006 – Margaret Mines

            2007 – Rose and Lucky O'Lague

            2008 – Mina Harper

            2009 – Louis Tonsmeire, Sr.

            2010 – Not awarded

            2011 – Jean Belew

            2012 – George & Jonalyn (posthumously) Bew

The Grant Award for Community Service with a Smile

            2005 – Jimmy Grant, City of Cartersville

            2006 – Judy Jones, City of Cartersville

            2007 – Linda Everett, Bartow County

            2008 – Freida Lance, City of Adairsville

            2009 – Not awarded

            2010 – Not awarded

            2011 – Not awarded

            2012 – Richard Osborne, City of Cartersville

Hotel of Excellence (formerly Hotelier of the Year)

2005 – Jay Patel, Days Inn – Cartersville

2006 – Penny Miller, Hampton Inn – Cartersville

2007 – Joe Honeycutt, Holiday Inn – Cartersville 

2008 – Kishor "Kenny" Patel, Quality Inn & Suites, Comfort Inn & Econo Lodge, Cartersville

2009 – Terry & Kim Terrell, America's Best Inn Cartersville

2010 – Not awarded

2011 – Sam Shah, Hilton Garden Inn – Cartersville

2012 – Hilton Garden Inn & Suites – Cartersville

Distinguished Volunteer Award

2005 – Lyn Maret and Dot Myers, Cartersville-Bartow County CVB

2006 – Radell Nalls, Adairsville Welcome Center

2007 – Patty Wallenburg, Friends of Etowah

2008 – Michele Sims, Host City Committee – Miss Georgia USA Pageants

2009 – Damon Kirkpatrick, Friends of Red Top Mountain

2010 – Not awarded

2011 – Monique Vidoli, Cartersville Grand Gardeners

2012 – Jody Grizzle

Shining Star Award

            2005 – Cledus T. Judd, for Musical Accomplishment

2005 – Wayne Knight, for Theatrical Accomplishment

2006 – Ronnie Brown, for Athletic Accomplishment

2007 – Cartersville Senior League World Series Champions

2007 – Braves' Manager Bobby Cox

2008 – Benjamin Walker Davis, for Theatrical Accomplishment

2009 – Not awarded

2010 – Not awarded

2011 – Not awarded

2012 – Justice Robert Benham

People's Choice Awards

Best Restaurant in Bartow County

2005 – D. Morgan's

2006 – Appalachian Grill

2007 – Hearth & Harvest

2008 – D. Morgan's

2009 – Johnny Mitchell's Smokehouse

2010 – Johnny Mitchell's Smokehouse

2011 – Johnny Mitchell's Smokehouse

2012 – Antonino's Italian Grotto

Best Shoppe in Bartow County

2005 – Write on Main

2006 – c.a.n.o.p.y.

2007 – Periwinkle

2008 – Periwinkle

2009 – Periwinkle

2010 – GiGi's Hidden Treasures

2011 – Periwinkle

2012 – Spring Place Pottery & Artists' Gallery

Best Attraction in Bartow County

2005 – Booth Western Art Museum

2006 – Booth Western Art Museum

2007 – Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site

2008 – Red Top Mountain State Park

2009 – Tellus Science Museum

2010 – Tellus Science Museum

2011 – Tellus Science Museum

2012 – Booth Western Art Museum

 

CARTERSVILLE-BARTOW COUNTY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU HISTORY

Local tourism promotion began with the Cartersville Tourism and Industry Council in 1978.  This organization restructured in the early 1980's as the Cartersville Tourism Council.  In 1990, Tourism Director Ellen Archer proposed the formation of the jointly-funded Cartersville-Bartow County Tourism Council, known today as the Cartersville-Bartow County CVB.

Since opening the destination marketing organization offices and Visitor Information Center on Cartersville's Main Street in January 1991, the CVB has fostered a 300% increase in lodging tax revenue within Bartow County.  In 2002, the CVB relocated its Cartersville offices and Visitor Information Center to the 1854 Railroad Depot at Friendship Plaza in downtown Cartersville.  For almost a decade (September 2001-June 2010), the CVB also operated the Adairsville Welcome Center in the restored W&A Railroad Depot in Historic Adairsville.

In September 2010, the CVB vacated both historic depots, consolidated its visitor information centers, and relocated to the new Clarence Brown Conference Center.  The CVB now operates the Clarence Brown Conference Center, as well as the Official Georgia Regional Visitor Information Center located inside the center at 5450 State Route 20 in Cartersville, accessible from I-75 Exit 290. 

The CVB proudly markets Cartersville, Adairsville and all of Bartow County, Georgia to leisure, group, and business travelers.  For information call 770-387-1357, or toll-free 800-733-2280.  Visitors may learn more online at www.VisitCartersvilleGA.org.

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