Page 15 - Catoosa Community Guide

Culture and The Arts Faith
An array of leisure options makes family The faith community in Catoosa County is active and welcoming.
and personal time a delight in Catoosa Houses of worship are cornerstones in the lives of many citizens, and
County. From the outdoors to the a heritage of faith extends from generation to generation. While the
theater and the quiet of the local library,
Christian tradition is pervasive in Catoosa County’s religious landscape,
LIFESTYLE choices abound. followers of other faiths practice their beliefs as well.
“The latest demographics we have been looking at suggest that over 50
The Catoosa County Library, just off
Battlefield Parkway at Benton Place
campus in Ringgold, offers books, 16 percent of the people in our area claim to have some spiritual connection,”
related Jason Thomas, lead pastor of First Baptist Church of Fort Oglethorpe.
computers, 10 iPads and more than Weekly Library Programs While heritage, family, and tradition make
12,000 items to patrons who hold cards, • crafts for kids, tweens, the faith community such an integral part
which are issued with identification such as teens, and adults of living in Catoosa County, Thomas sees
a valid driver’s license, paycheck, or school • knit and crochet clubs a changing charge for the church today.
ID. “We’re on track to check out more than • games and movies for “The first thing is the focus on the church
a quarter million items this year,” related tweens and teens being the people, not the location, and our
director Richard Groves. “We have the fastest • tech advice family rubs shoulders with the community
wifi network possible, and combined with • story time every day. They should be out in the
1-gig service to the library, you’ll never • Lego club community shining a light in their individual
have any problems getting online.”
lives as to how they live and influence others.
Church is who they are and not just a place.
We also come together in special ministries
for the community, partnering and helping
with physical needs.”

“We have
a strong
arts
community
in our
county.” Your Friends
– Raye Brooks
Gallery Owner Your Community
Your Faith Family

Raye Brooks is the owner of Located on Catoosa Circle in
Ringgold Art & Frame Gallery Ringgold, the Colonnade
in the downtown area and hosts Theater produces numerous
several art shows each year for local artists performances annually, offering an evening
and art groups. “We are a fine art gallery of entertainment or a matinée option. Recent We Gather & Grow every Sunday morning to Go & Engage the world!
and frame shop,” she commented. “I have performances include Godspell, James and
been in Ringgold since 2001, and we the Giant Peach, and Beauty and the Beast.
have a strong arts community in our county Lora Ogden serves as the director. “I coordinate The community theater program currently
and in our city. The Colonnade has great with production companies for potential has five production companies doing shows.
plays and concerts, the library features an shows,” she said, “and the Colonnade also We offer a variety of productions from
artist each month, and our amphitheater produces a couple of shows in house children’s theater to contemporary plays 2645 LaFayette Road • Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 • (706) 866-0232 • fbcfo.org
also hosts some great concerts.” each year. and musicals.”

12 I CA T OO S A CHAMBEROFC OMMERCE. C OM A THRIVING LIFES TYLE I 13