Town Information:

You'll find Cordele is a friendly city, with just about all the amenities you need for a nice stay. The local people and the Chamber of Commerce look forward to our coming, and will go out of their way to help.

Cordele is located at Exits 101 and 102 (same as mile markers) on Interstate 75, about 150 miles south of Atlanta. Exit 102. GA Hwy 257, is an easy way to get to the airport from southbound I-75. Exit 101, US 280, 16th Avenue, is where all the motels and restaurants are. Many contest people stay at the Colonial Inn, which is just west of I-75, turning it into a little glider pilots' colony. The Colonial Inn provides free breakfast.

To get to the airport from I-75 Exit 102, turn west and go about a mile until you see the National Guard Armory and some baseball fields on the left. Turn right at the convenience store (2nd Street) and go until it ends at the airport. (cont'd)

To get to the airport from I-75 Exit 101, turn west and go to the traffic light at Pecan Street. Turn right, cross two sets of railroad tracks; turn left at 8th Avenue (GA 257) next to the funeral home. Go until you see the National Guard Armory and some baseball fields on the left. Turn right at the convenience store (2nd Street) and go until it ends at the airport.

Occasionally trains may block the two crossings for long periods of time. Remember, you can always go out to the interstate and go from Exit 101 to 102, or vice versa. There is also an overpass on 5th Street, closer to downtown.

There is a nice Laundromat in town that has drop-off service: you bring them dirty clothes and tell them how you like them washed, then go back a couple of hours later and you have clean clothes! They charge by the pound, dirty, so knock off the bigger clumps of mud first. It's located at 203 East 14th Avenue, near 6th Street. From the airport, turn right at second stop sign (8th Avenue). Turn left at 5th Street and go over railroad overpass. Turn right on 14th Avenue. Laundromat is about a ½ block on right.

The post office is at the corner of 6th Street and 11th Avenue. Most banks have offices with ATMs along 16th Avenue. The Chamber of Commerce office is also on 16th, near downtown.

Things you should know about South Georgia:

Fire ants are common. They build large mounds in the grass and they will swarm all over you if you disturb them. Their stings will set you on fire! If you are allergic to bee stings, be extra careful of fire ants.

Although Cordele is below the famous "Gnat Line", they are not usually bad early in the summer. Just get one of those watermelon-shaped fans from the Chamber of Commerce and wave it in front of your face.

Heat and humidity can really sap your strength. Be sure to stay in the shade whenever possible, wear a hat and sunglasses, and drink plenty of water and other liquids. Fortunately, the Golden Corral restaurant sends some girls out to the launch line every day with free iced tea. You should know that in the South, tea comes in two varieties, "sweet" and "un". If you're expecting "un", the "sweet" will really knock your socks off.

Where to eat:

We can all recommend the following from experience:

Moderate:

• Golden Corral

• Smokey's Bar-B-Q

• Edna's Down Home Cooking

• Los Compadres (Mexican)

• El Girasol Mexicana ( Excellent, "Downtown")

• Cracker Barrel

• Whitney's Seafood

• Pasquale's El Portal (next to the theater)

• New Hong Kong Buffet (next to the theater)

• Ramada Inn Restaurant (across the freeway)

• El Metate (next to theater)

• China Buffet (in Belk's shopping center)

• Charles Seafood (next to Ramada)

Elegant and Sophisticated:

• Daphne Lodge (seafood) - A contest favorite

• The Olde Inn (seafood) - Less known, but very good

• Cordelias (Italian) in Veterans Park - New and highly reputed

• The Miller House - opening soon

Fast Food:

• Wendy's
• Hardee's
• Subway
• McDonalds
• Burger King
• Hardy's (next to Colonial Inn)
• Taco Bell
• Pizza Hut
• Zaxby's
• Quizno's
• Krystal
• Arby's

Unique

• Mennonite restaurant in Montezuma,
• Great BBQ ribs from Tifton (Ask Dub for directions)
• A Real Southern BBQ place in Vienna (Ask contest staff or Dub & Cecile) Award winning!!!

Delivery

• Pizza Hut
• Dominoes

For necessities, there is a 24-hour Super Wal-Mart with groceries. Two other grocery chains are there, Winn-Dixie and Piggly Wiggly.

For technical issues, the Ace Hardware is very well-stocked, and there is a Radio Shack nearby. There is also a Home Depot right behind the Cracker Barrel restaurant.

If you are golfer and have opportunity, don't miss the Georgia Memorial Veterans Park's golf course, it is a beautiful and challenging course. Some of us will go out there for sure... provided there is a rest day or weather doesn't cooperate... for flying that is!...

Have a great contest!