Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta recently announced the 2018 lineup for its annual “Power of Words” event. D’Kalyn Morris and I’lasia Brown, young poet, and writers from Paulding have been selected and will be performing their works on stage at the prestigious Woodruff Arts Center. Held Tuesday, April 24, hundreds of community supporters are expected to attend.

The first camp - Kinder Art - will be held June 12, 13, and 14 for ages 4, 5 and 6. This camp will invite little artists to explore their creativity. The curriculum will incorporate art, stories, song, and play. The second camp - Magic of the Arts - will be held June 25-29, and is for children ages 7 to 12.

The Invitational Christmas Parade for 2017 was a great success thanks to the participation of our local community, those businesses and individuals who participate, and our co-coordinators. Paulding Rotary Club president John Grant presented a check for $5000 to Vicki Paris and Shirley Smith of Paulding Christmas.

Labor Commissioner of Georgia Mark Butler addressed Paulding business leaders last week at the Chamber of Commerce Luncheon, which was followed by the presentation of this year’s Industry Appreciation Awards.

Grammy-award winning Guitarist Coy Bowles’ next performance won’t be with the Zac Brown Band in one of its usual concert venues, but in small Georgia Pre-K classrooms in Athens and Dallas. Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning.

Here in Georgia young girls, and boys, are being lured via social media (such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Kik, or any other web-based application) into a very dark and sinister trap. Mrs. Crawford explained that this is a parents' worst nightmare and can easily happen right under their noses.

UGA Extension office for Paulding offers a wide variety of opportunities including conservation and management of natural resources, agricultural programs water quality and youth leadership. Their ultimate goal is to produce better citizens through clubs and after-school activities that provide education and a wide variety of meaningful activities in science-based learning programs.

Paulding-West Cobb Lions Club was well represented March 16-18 at beautiful Cohutta Springs Conference Center near Chatsworth, GA. Mark Rice received two distinguished awards: he was inducted into the District 18L Lions Hall of Fame for his many years of dedicated service to the Lions. He also received the Spouses Award for his unfailing support during his wife Teri's year as District Governor.

Cmdr. Moyse was joined by three of his top cadets, Kace Cochran, Jeremiah Smith, and Chichi Ogbuagu. Each cadet took the podium and introduce themselves. All the high school cadets communicated the advantages of participating in the JROTC program. It attributed newfound skills and confidence with which they plan to pursue their future.

A Paulding Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting was held on March 15th for Gyro City Grill Hiram located in the Paulding Commons Shopping Center with Academy Sports. Owners Ted and Rosey Varno are excited and encouraged by the warm welcome they have received from the people of Hiram and Paulding County.