Momentum March 2013
G R E AT E R R O M E C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E
The
Green Edition:
How the community that works together stays together PERIODICALS
* ServiceMaster by Twins Named Small Business of the Year * Missy Armstrong Named Ambassador of the Year
POSTAGE PAID Rome, GA 30161
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Momentum March 2013
G R E AT E R R O M E C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E
Published by:
Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce 1 Riverside Parkway Rome, Georgia 30161 Momentum (USPS 395-030) Published monthly by the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce, 1 Riverside Parkway, Rome, GA 30161. Periodical Postage Paid - Rome, GA 30161. Subscription Rate $25 per year in U.S.A. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to MOMENTUM, 1 Riverside Parkway, Rome, GA 30161
All content by: Blake Buford Communications Coordinator For Advertising and Editorial Information: 706-291-7663
On the Cover:
Table of Contents In this Issue... Letter from the Chairman.................................................... 4 Upcoming Community Events.......................................... 4
Feature:
Rome/Floyd Recycling Center......................................6-7
Manufacturing Spotlight:
Marglen Industries............................................................8-9
Small Business Spotlight:
La Marie’s/Swift & Finch......................................... 10-11
Feature:
Floyd Medical Center.............................................. 12-13
Membership Report:
The four leaves of the clover are said to represent faith, hope, love and luck. We wish all the best to our Chamber Member Businesses in this spring season!
New Members and Renewals........................................ 17 Launches/Relaunches....................................................... 18 Advertiser’s Index/Chamber Events............................. 19 A Survivor’s Story/Relay For Life......................... 20-21 Chamber Happenings...................................................... 22 Visitor’s Guide........................................................................ 23 March 2013 3
LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN Dear Reader, Exciting things are happening in Rome and Floyd County! 2013 will be a great year and we are delighted to share our community with you. The Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce takes great pride in providing this publication to introduce you to our membership, manufacturers, small businesses and community. This issue features the Rome/Floyd Recycling Center, Marglen Industries, La Marie’s at Magretta Hall, Swift & Finch Coffee Roasting Company and Cafe, and a spotlight on Floyd Medical Center. This edition also features this month’s New Members and Renewals. Don’t forget to take a look at the Community Calendar and experience the vibrancy of Rome and Floyd County for yourself. As Chairman of the Chamber’s 2013 Board of Directors, I would like to extend an invitation for you to visit the Chamber of Commerce located at 1 Riverside Parkway and meet the Chamber staff. You will find an incredible group that is truly committed to the future of Rome and Floyd County. Sincerely, Doc Kibler State Mutual Insurance Company 2013 Chairman of the Board Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce
Community Events March 2013 5
16
Event Description: Join fellow young professionals for light hors d’oeuvres & beverages at the upstairs gallery in City Hall Auditorium.
Event Description: Join family and friends for a high energy, all request, sing-a-long, clapa-long, rock n’ roll comedy show where the audience is just as much a part of the show as the entertainers! Free giveaways! Perfect for birthdays, bachelorette, and office parties!
Young Professionals of Rome hosted by the Rome Area Council for the Arts Location: City Hall Auditorium, 601 Broad Street Time: 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
7
Moe’s Southwest Grill presents: “Open Mic Night” Location: 110 Shorter Avenue, NW Time: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Event Description: Every Thursday for Five Weeks! Sign-up will start at 6:00 p.m. for all participating artists. All artists are welcome to perform! Solo Acts, Duos, Ensembles, Bands! It is a great way to get noticed and have fun in an alcohol free environment! Family-friendly music only!! 1st Place: $30 in Jr. Burrito Cards, 2nd Place: $20 in Jr. Burrito Cards, and 3rd Place: $10 in Jr. Burrito Cards.
333 on Broad presents: “Dueling Pianos Comedy Show” Location: 333 Broad Street Time: 9:00 p.m.
18
Shorter University presents: “Juried Student Art Exhibit” Location: 315 Shorter Avenue Time: 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Event Description: An Exhibition of Artwork by Shorter University Art Majors and Minors, featuring artwork of a variety of media completed during coursework and selected for the exhibition by a Guest Art Professional.
C h e c k t h e co m m u n i t y c a l e n d a r a t w w w. r o m e g a . co m fo r e ve n t d e t a i l s.
GREENE’S Jewelers,
inc.
328 BROAD ST. • Phone 706-291-7236 Rome’s Oldest Jeweler Family Owned For Over 60 Years
The weather’s cold.... The market’s HOT!! Buying or Selling I’ll work for you! Cindy Green (706) 409-1793 cindy@callromehome.com
HONORING GOD with excellence!
unity christian school Dual accreDitation www.acsi.org
WE MAKE
IT WORK
LOGICAL SYSTEMS IS HERE FOR ALL OF YOUR TECHNOLOGY NEEDS. AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE.
www.sacs.org
•Pre-K 3 through 12th grades •College Preparatory •Biblical Worldview •Athletic Program
• Computer Support • IT Consulting • Voice and Data Networks • Network Security • Wireless Computing • Custom Multi-Media • Off-Site Backups
(706) 234-9896 www.logsysinc.com
2960 New Calhoun Hwy NE • Rome, GA www.unitychristianschool.org • (706) 292-0700
March 2013 5
The Rome/ Floyd Recycling Center How One Man’s Trash Can1 Become a Community’s Treasure
March 2013 6
“Re Re”, the Rome/Floyd Recycling Center mascot, is used as an educational tool for children.
Tom Benefield, the assistant manager and corrections officer, pauses near one of the plastic piles.
In 1992 the Rome/Floyd Recycling Center opened, funded by the SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax). An eagerly awaited addition to Rome, for 11 years the recycling center has offered a free option for community members to keep their materials out of landfills, rivers and streams and recycle them instead! Mark Skeggs, director of the Rome/Floyd Recycling Center, praised the success of the SPLOST and the necessity for recycling in every community. “It’s so important for all of us to be kind to the earth. One recycled aluminum can saves enough energy to power the average TV for three hours!” Skeggs noted that around 20% of Rome citizens recycle, a number he would like to see increase, but that increase would also require some changes for the center. “Right now we are almost at the max of what we can carry; we will eventually need to add a second shift, more space, more equipment and additional upgrades.” Currently the center has eight employees, five corrections officers, two route Mark Skeggs, the director of truck drivers, one administrative assistant and the Rome/Floyd Recycling around 40 Floyd County Prison inmates who Center, smiles for the camera. work at the center. “We are truly proud of the inmates who work here. They don’t earn a salary but they earn valuable skills.” Skeggs said their assistance also saves the center thousands of dollars. “Multiply 40 hours a week by minimum wage to understand the substantial amount of money saved.” Inmates must pass security criteria that are determined by a classification committee. The criteria include offenses — past and current — and their current job skills. The committee then has to unanimously decide if an inmate can work outside of the prison. Assistant Manager and Corrections Officer Tom Benefield said, “People would be surprised by the everyday trash they can recycle. We take everything from books to x-ray film, televisions to refrigerators,” said Benefield. “One thing we are very happy about is being able to work with Marglen Industries. When we put our plastics up for bid, 9 out of 10 times they are the ones to buy them.” Once the recycling center has enough material to sell, they look at the buying/ selling rates for the particular material and decide whether to sell. They then place the material for “auction” allowing different companies to bid. Find out more information on the Rome/Floyd Recycling Center in the Chamber’s business directory located at www.romega.com.
Turning "trash" into clean sustainable fiber and resin Ben McElrath, President of Marglen Industries
March 2013 8
Trivia. What’s 57 acres, has two buildings over 550,000 square feet, employs approximately 180 people and turns your trash into clean sustainable fiber and resin? If you said Marglen Industries you would be correct. Marglen Industries, 1748 Ward Mountain Road, has become a leader in recycling post-consumer soda bottles and using environmentally friendly and economically stable solutions for manufacturing since 1991. It was in ’91 when Marglen Industries installed their first polyester extrusion line that used ground up recycled plastic bottles as raw material. Marglen gets their recycled plastic from all over the world including the Rome/Floyd Recycling Center. President of Marglen, Ben McElrath, said the plastic they purchase from the center is great but there needs to be way more recycling in the community. “If more people recycled, the Rome/Floyd Recycling Center would have more recycled goods to sell to us which would allow us to produce more fiber products and ultimately expand/hire more people.” Marglen takes the recycled plastic and runs it through several machines that remove the labels from the bottles, clean and sanitize the bottle before it is sent to another machine to be ground up and melted/or spun into whatever they need. Since 2009 Marglen has been taking the recycled plastic bottles and sending them through a decontamination process, producing a 100% recycled food grade pellet that can then be used to produce a new bottle or other PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) food package. Originally focusing on carpet, Marglen now creates fiber used in fiber fill, stuffing, furniture filling and other non woven products. In 2010 Marglen installed solar panels to the roof of its recycling building. Georgia Power helps by buying the electricity that Marglen generates at a higher rate than they charge the plant for the power it consumes. With all the good Marglen is doing, what is president Ben McElrath most proud of? “We have some of the best employees in the region, and have very low turnover. We have workers regularly celebrating 15+ years.” The Marglen plant runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week and uses about 2.5 billion PET recycled bottles each year. Find out more information on Marglen Industries in the Chamber’s business directory located at www.romega.com.
March 2013 9
Formerly a bank in the late 1800’s and most of the 1900’s, 201 Broad Street is now the home of Marie Brinson’s restaurant La Marie’s. In December 2011, Ms. Brinson opened the doors with a hope of bringing a fine dining establishment to the area. “The atmosphere and quality of food is so important but we’ve loosened our ties a bit from inception and serve everything from wings to wellington,” said Brinson. “We have a full bistro, we serve lamb, duck, the best filet in town, we have a baker on staff who makes amazing desserts and a specialty drink we call the ‘Board of Directors’. We really wanted to pay homage to the great history of this building while giving the community a great dining experience.” Something La Marie’s also serves is coffee and what’s their best selling brand? The roast made by Broad Street’s own Swift & Finch! “Our barista Mark McLucas is an amazing young and talented guy. The basement was full of treasure when we acquired the building and Mark dusted off this vintage double-pump Astoria Fiore espresso machine from Italy. Mark refurbished it and tried a couple different brands with the machine. None tasted as good as a bag he got from Swift & Finch. We have been using their coffee ever since and it has been a restaurant favorite.” Born in Rome, Brinson’s lifelong dream was to own a business on Broad Street. “I truly think Broad Street is the most amazing downtown in Georgia. There really is no place like home! I am so blessed to be the owner/operator of La Marie’s and The Vault!” Find out more information on La Marie’s in the Chamber’s business directory located at www.romega.com. March 2013 10
Co-owner of Swift & Finch, Ellie Mahon’s passion for coffee can be felt from a mile away. A recent transplant to Rome, Mahon wanted to create a “third place” for downtown Rome with co-owner Abby Broadrick. “A third place is that spot that isn’t your home and it isn’t your work; it’s a place you can go to get inspiration and new ideas.” Creating that atmosphere required an almost complete remodel. “We basically gutted the place! We kept the metal walls, stripped the tile and then focused on lighting and creating the mood.” Mahon said she was really happy with how the bar turned out upon completion. “The bar is a great area where our employees can interact with customers, learn names, learn orders and facilitate conversation. We’re also thankful for the parking lot we have. Space is so important downtown and our parking lot allows people to stay for a while.” Swift & Finch gets their green unroasted coffee beans from coffee farms and then roasts the beans in-house which creates the deep brown coffee bean most consumers have come to know. “Our coffee ranges from Colombia, Brazil, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania to New Guinea. We find out what the customers love and work to make them love it even more!” said Mahon. To pair with the drinks, Swift & Finch sells an assortment of pastries. “We bake scones, muffins, cookies, pies, bagels and even have a trail mix bar.” Mahon likes the assortment currently available and plans to expand the dessert and breakfast menu. “We would love it if people would eat lunch/dinner at one of the great Chamber Member restaurants and then come to Swift & Finch to get their coffee and sweets!” Find out more information on Swift & Finch in the Chamber’s business directory located at www.romega.com. March 2013 11
The Secret to Success is a Focus on People Since first opening its doors in 1942, Floyd Medical Center has grown steadily to become a highly respected Regional Referral Center, Floyd County’s largest employer, destination medical center, Level II Trauma Center, Level III Neonatal Intensive Care provider, and community health care provider. President and CEO Kurt Stuenkel, who has led Floyd since 1996, says the hospital’s successes are built around a strategy that focuses on people-patients, but also their families, physicians, and the 2,700 employees who work at Floyd. “We try to create an environment where caregivers are allowed to do what they were called to do. Creating that positive environment is how we create a great patient-staff relationship,” said Stuenkel. “We mean what we say when we talk about having patient and employee satisfaction. When a patient walks in the door, they are greeted with a smile. We train our staff to escort people instead of just pointing. We strive to improve more and more each day.” The hospital’s friendly and relaxing physical environment reflects the organization’s commitment to patientcentered excellence. Everything from the landscape to the lobbies, to the paintings and fountains are designed with creating a comfortable, easily accessible patient experience, he said. Stuenkel has personally witnessed the commitment, dedication and effort that have helped Floyd to become a leading health care provider. A Rome native, he came to Floyd in 1981, working his way up from Projects Officer to his current role. Under his leadership, Floyd has been recognized twice as Georgia’s Large Hospital of the Year, a Modern Healthcare Great Place to Work, and routinely is ranked as the top hospital in the state for employee satisfaction. In the past year Floyd received the Quality and Patient Safety Award from the Partnership for Health and Accountability, recognition by The Joint Commission’s Center for Transforming Healthcare, VHA recognition for its diabetes program and partnered with Presbyterian Hospital in Jeon Ju, South Korea to replicate the hospital’s renown breast health program. Stuenkel, who, in February, was installed as Chairman of the Georgia Hospital The Floyd Medical Center Lobby Association, said he loves watching the Floyd team excel. “It can be like a coach watching his players on the field as they win a game. Every time a project comes to completion or I see a patient leave happy it’s tremendously rewarding.” Find out more information on Floyd Medical Center in the Chamber’s business directory located at www.romega.com. March 2013 12
“When a patient
walks in the door they are greeted with a smile. Customer service should always be a top priority.� - Kurt Stuenkel, President and CEO of Floyd Medical Center March 2013 13
ServiceMaster by Twins Named Small Business of the Year! Congratulations to ServiceMaster by Twins! The company was awarded the Small Business of the Year award at the 2013 Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting. Scoring was based on a variety of criteria including growth and success, community involvement, impact on the economy, obstacles overcome, Chamber involvement and creative approach to business. Larry Alford, co-owner of ServiceMaster by Twins, said he felt overwhelmed when he heard his company’s name announced. “I truly think the Small Business of the Year award is one of the most prestigious awards in Rome/Floyd County, we couldn’t help but to feel really excited to receive that honor.” Larry Alford, who previously worked as an EMT, and Barry Alford, who worked in shipping/ receiving, made a weekend decision to purchase Larry and Barry Alford accept the Small Business of the Year ServiceMaster years ago. The company has been an active Chamber Member since 1993, award from Lamante Attaud and Doc Kibler. something Larry Alford said happens organically for them. “We’ve always participated in the different Chamber expos and tried to attend the Business Before/ After Hours. So many of our referrals have come through Chamber involvement. We also think it’s important to help others. We love to meet with small businesses and offer advice when we can. ServiceMaster has rapidly expanded over the past few years now operating in seven additional locations outside of Rome. They have 35 Rome employees and 67 across multiple states. Find out more information on ServiceMaster by Twins in the Chamber’s business directory located at www.romega.com.
March 2013 14
Floyd County Schools College and Career Academy has Strong Showing at Robotics Competition! Five years ago the Floyd County College and Career Academy began a robotics program where students designed and engineered robots for class assignments. In 2012, under the leadership of Instructor Greg Smith, the class built two robots for a state-wide competition. “We placed 5th and 6th,” said Greg Smith. “There were 74 robots competing in the Jekyll Island tournament; we were thrilled by our success.” The competition required the students to operate a robot and guide it to pick up as many scattered bean bags in an allotted time frame. Enemy robots are allowed to knock bags out of the opponents trough and place them in their own. Left to Right: Instructor Greg Smith with mechatronic students Smith says that the competitions Shin Casahara and Nick Williams are fun, but he is really proud of what the students take away. “We’ve talked to people from Georgia Power, Kellogg, F & P Georgia and many other manufacturers, and with that we’ve designed a curriculum to help make the students employable. In return the local businesses know what kind of excellence they can expect from our graduates.” Looking to the future, Smith says he hopes to see an even greater level of interaction between the schools and local businesses. “I hope we can build this into a community project where high school students, colleges and local businesses all interlink and work with one another.”
Missy Armstrong, Emergency Dry Clean Restoration, Named Ambassador of the Year! Missy Armstrong, Emergency Dry Clean Restoration, received the 2012 Ambassador of the Year award at the 2012 Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting. Armstrong is an active member of the Chamber and a fixture at Chamber Member ribbon cuttings. Armstrong was the winner of the 2012 membership campaign, an Ambassador Chair and a member of the EXPO committee. “I just love being involved,” said Armstrong. “Working with the Chamber provides a lot of opportunity to network and meet new people.” Armstrong said she was excited to win the award and hopes to continue her involvement with the Chamber. “I’m excited for the new opportunities and Chamber events planned for 2013.” Congratulations, Missy! March 2013 15
The Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce thanks their Partners in Prosperity Major Investors:
March 2013 16
New Members - Welcome! Reese & Associates
MasterStreamTV.com
Mr. Hollis Reese
Mr. James Simmons
401 Broad St., Ste. 304 Rome, GA 30161 (706) 290-1111 www.reeseandassociatesllc.com
8 Westwood Circle, SW Rome, GA 30165 (706) 266-2203 www.MasterStreamTV.com
Conrad Disability Specialists, LLC Mr. Steve Conrad PO Box 876 Rome, GA 30162 (706) 802-9299
Car Store Mr. Jack Knight
1321 Martha Berry Blvd., NW Rome, GA 30165 (706) 291-1002
Renewals A & L Shielding Inc. Advanced Sleep Concepts Alarm Systems, Inc. Allen Murphy Appliance Center, Inc. Aramark - Berry College Auto Collision Co., Inc. Auto Parts Company Barron, W. Frank, Jr. Bekaert Corporation Berry College Brinson, Askew, Berry, Seigler, Richardson & Davis, LLP Caldwell Printing Co. Carroll EMC Charles Williams R.E.I.C. Citizens First Bank City of Rome Conrad Disability Specialists, LLC Cook’s Pest Control, Inc. Coosa Country Club Coosa River Basin Initiative, Inc. Coosa Valley Fair Association Daniel’s Funeral Home Darlington School Days Inn of Rome Dismuke, William F., Jr., DDS, PC Eastland Court Apartments Ehrlich Pest Control First United Methodist Church Floyd County Schools Board of Education Floyd Healthcare Foundation Ford, Gittings & Kane Jewelers Garner & Glover Co. Georgia Highlands College Georgia Northwestern Technical College Georgia Power Georgia Power Northwest Federal Credit Union Georgia Power Plant Hammond
GeoSolve Consulting, Inc. Gerber Collision & Glass Glass Doctor Harbin Clinic L.L.C. Harbor House Hardy Realty & Development Haynes & Moore, LLC Heritage Automotive Group Holloway Credit Bureau Co., LLC International Paper J Supply Company Kellogg Company King & Queen Salon Kiwanis Club of Rome Knight’s Jewelers La Marie’s at Magretta Hall Lamar Advertising Marglen Industries, Inc. Martin’s Real Estate & Development Company MasterStreamTV.com McRae, Stegall, Peek, Harman, Smith & Manning, LLP Melissa Eldridge State Farm Insurance Agency Mike Ford’s Auto Service, Inc. Morgan & Hunt Oil Company My Supplies N.L. Smithworks, Inc. National Alliance on Mental Illness of Rome New Horizons Treatment Center, LLC NIFAST Corporation North Georgia Equipment Co. Northwest Georgia Credit Union Northwestern Mutual Financial Network Open Door Children’s Home Pinson’s, Inc. Pridemore Orthodontics Profile Extrusion Company
Providence Prepatory Academy Redmond Regional Medical Center Reese & Associates Renaissance Marquis River City Bank Rocky Mountain Hydroelectric Plant Roman Chemical Corp. Rome Cleaners Rome Electric Motor Works, Inc. Rome Paper Company Rome/Floyd Parks & Recreation Authority Rome-Floyd Communities In Schools, Inc. S.I. Storey Lumber Co. Shorter University Southeastern Mills St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Starr-Mathews Insurance Agency State Mutual Insurance Stephens & Fisher, PC Suhner Manufacturing, Inc. SunTrust Bank, Northwest Georgia Terry Simmons Insurance Agency The 8th Regiment Band L.T.D. The Car Store The Fairbanks Company The Guest House Apartments The Lewis Chemical Company Three Rivers Specialty Co. Toles, Temple & Wright TSB Loss Control United Community Bank Village Theatres Wal Mart #658 Ware Mechanical, Inc. Williams, Sweitzer & Barnum, Inc. Winthrop Court Woods Brokerage Co.
March 2013 17
Launches/Relaunches Doll
Ms. Jennifer Baxter celebrates the opening of her Doll clothing boutique located at 315 Riverside Pkwy., NE, Ste. 120.
Melissa Eldridge State Farm Agency
Melissa Eldridge cuts the ribbon for her 415 Shorter Avenue, NW location.
March 2013 18
Redmond Regional Medical Center Surgical Services
Redmond Regional Medical Center unveils their surgical services 4th floor remodel at 501 Redmond Rd., NW.
Kroger Store Expansion
Kroger celebrates the successful expansion of their store. The expansion improved the deli/bakery and created a larger produce and natural food section at their 1476 Turner McCall Blvd., SW location.
Advertiser’s Index page 2
Harbin Clinic
Unity Christian School
1825 Martha Berry Highway www.harbinclinic.com 706-295-5331
2960 New Calhoun Highway
page 5
page 16
www.unitychristianschool.org
Greene’s Jewelers
328 Broad Street www.greenesjewelers.com 706-291-7236
706-292-0700
Georgia Northwestern Technical College www.gntc.edu 1 Maurice Culberson Drive, SW 706-295-6963
Logical Systems, Inc. 605 E. First Street www.logsysinc.com 706-234-9896
Cindy Green Toles Temple & Wright
back cover
Ford, Gittings & Kane Jewelers
611 Turner McCall Blvd. www.callromehome.com 706-409-1793
312 Broad Street www.fgkjewelers.com 706-291-8811
Chamber Events
March 2013 5
Special thanks to our advertisers! Find out more information about membership & advertising by visiting the chamber’s website www.romega.com.
12
Young Professionals of Rome First Choice Restoration hosted by the Rome Area Ribbon Cutting for Grand Council for the Arts Opening Location: City Hall Auditorium 601 Broad Street 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Event Description: Join fellow young professionals for light hors d’oeuvres & beverages at the upstairs gallery in City Hall Auditorium.
6
Transportation Committee Meeting Location: Chamber Boardroom 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
13
Small Business Action Council Committee Meeting Location: Chamber Boardroom
Location: 10 Commerce Court, SE Rome, GA 30161
8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
13
27
11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Washington D.C. Issues and Opportunities Trip Date: 3/13/2013 to 3/15/2013 Event Description: Greater Rome
Executive Committee Meeting
Location: Chamber Boardroom 8:15 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Chamber of Commerce Annual Issues and Opportunities Trip to Washington, DC Dates: March 13-15, 2013
March 2013 19
Find light in the darkness How a local cancer survivor finds strength in family and her community
“I had cancer for the first time in 1997 and had a double mastectomy/radiation in 2011, five months after my little sister passed from breast cancer I found out my cancer had come back. All of my doctors have been so wonderful in helping me cope with the news. Eventually with more treatments the tumors shrank but then came back in my bones and lungs. I will be starting a new treatment soon that I will probably remain on for the rest of my life. I’m just so thankful that I have the greatest support system, my daughter, my family (9 brothers and sister who were all at my house the night I found out I had cancer), my church family and my co-workers at Floyd. I was blessed, I didn’t get sick the entire time I was enduring chemotherapy. I got involved with Relay for Life because of my little sister. She fought cancer twice until the third time it had spread everywhere. With her in prayer we got involved with the relay because we want our daughters, daughters-in-law and granddaughters to not have to worry about breast cancer. Ultimately cancer doesn’t discriminate, so many lives are affected, almost everyone knows someone affected by it. We all have to get involved and help find a cure so our future generations don’t have to deal with this terrible disease.” May 22, 2013, marks the American Cancer Society’s 100th birthday. As the “official sponsor of birthdays,” ACS believes this year provides a unique opportunity for the organization to: 1) increase the public’s knowledge of ACS’s incredible accomplishments and contributions during the past 100 years, 2) to reenergize valued volunteers, staff, and collaborative
March 2013 20
partners across the country who have helped ACS achieve lifesaving progress, and 3) to raise funds to finish the fight moving forward. Finally, ACS believes it provides an especially unique opportunity to rally Relay For Life supporters to make even more progress in achieving our mission to create a world with more birthdays and less cancer. What is Relay For Life? Relay For Life is the largest fundraiser in the world. It began in 1985 by oncologist Dr. Gordy Klatt. It is important to remember that the largest fundraiser in the world was begun by one man, dedicated to finding a better way to raise money for cancer research. Relay For Life supporters are some of the most passionate and giving volunteers around, more than 4 million people worldwide will come together to participate in Relay For Life this year. With Relay generating the majority of funds, ACS is the largest private, not for profit, non-governmental funder of cancer research in the US and has had a hand in nearly every major cancer research breakthrough in recent history. Relay for Life of Floyd County will be held Friday, April 26, 2013 at Ridge Ferry Park. This year’s theme is “Birthday Party.” Bring your friends and family and celebrate with us as we fight to find a cure! There will be games, entertainment, and most importantly the Survivor Walk and Luminaria Service. If there is anyone interested in participating as an honorary chair or in the survivor walk, please contact Stephanie Nichols at nicholss95@ yahoo.com. For general information regarding this year’s Relay event, please contact either Sonya Blankenship or Jennifer Selman at River City Bank in Rome.
From Left to Right: Michelle Baird, Charlee Baird and Alicia Baird. March 2013 21
Chamber Happenings << Steve Devine, Petz Enterprises, listens to a question during a Rome-Floyd 20/20 Steering Committee meeting. >>Daniel Groce (far left) is selected as the GOAL winner for Georgia Northwestern Technical College. << 2013 Chairman of the Board Doc Kibler presents Big Time Products gloves to Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp. >> Holly McHagge, The Claremont House, talks with Ryan Simmons, Brand RED Studios, at Young Professionsals of Rome hosted by River City Antique Mall.
<< Rome City Schools Superintendent Dr. Jeff Bearden listens intently during the education breakout session. >> Confluence Keynote Speaker Chris Anderson signs his book after his presentation. **We would like to give a special thanks to Confluence Committee Chair Tricia Seifert, SAI Digital. Thank you for all your hard work!
March 2013 22
2
4
Visitor’s Guide Downtown Rome
Ave
t ee Str t tS 1s E.
t dS 2n E.
3rd Ave
7
7
Ave
11
6 th
d
oa
Br
8 th
5
10
1 Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce 2 Rome and Floyd County Library 3 City Hall 4 Clocktower 5 Historic DeSoto Theatre 6 Old Courthouse 7 Myrtle Hill Cemetery 8 Heritage Park 9 Tennis Complex Barron Stadium 10 The Forum 11 Rome Area History Museum 12 Harbin Clinic Tony E. Warren Cancer Center
US 2
nue Ave 5th
nue Ave 2nd 8
1 3
6
t tS 1s W.
ay rkw e Pa rsid
2
St 9 rd 3 W.
Points of Interest
Rive
12
4th Ave
St 3rd E.
4
Points of Interest
13 Oak Hill & the Martha Berry Museum 14 Chieftain’s Museum 15 Greater Rome Convention & Visitors Bureau and Rome Visitors Center 16 Ridge Ferry Park 17 Shorter University 18 Mt. Berry Square Mall 19 Cave Spring 20 Lock & Dam Park 21 Coosa Valley Fairgrounds 22 Stonebridge Golf Course 23 Berry College 24 Floyd Medical Center 25 Harbin Clinic 26 Redmond Regional Medical Center 27 Darlington Lower School 28 Darlington Upper School 29 Georgia Northwestern Technical College 30 Unity Christian School 31 State Mutual Stadium 32 Saint Mary’s Catholic School 33 Georgia Highlands College 34 Richard B. Russell Regional Airport 35 Georgia School for the Deaf
Floyd County GA -1
GA -156
US 27 34
22
GA-53
18 23
26
GA-20
17
31 13 14 16 15 30
25
27
21
24
GA-293
32
GA-20
29 28
GA-100
20
35 19
411 USUS-27
33
GA-101
March 2013 23
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No, not one r customers. ve re fo ir e th f oo buildings all jeweler and tw gles on the radio, or fancy ally are. This l ca lo a t u o b a re jin This is a story y stores that have catchy ow cheap their diamonds ity and the h n lr u e u w m yo je m ll co te se t o ir a e of th bout th a e kind th s th r re o ecomes a ca y, d tr n n kl a u ic lved in that qu y b t vo si in over the co vi tâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a a r th fo r in le stop jewe is the kind of nd particularly those who a -it in le peop ho had nship. le and a guy w ought rk a sp t lasting relatio a th s g th in d n eye for all th for this girl an ut a girl with a oing. This guy was crazy at this guy knew for o b a ry o st a Wh was d This is might say yes. at he needed idea what he absolutely no her to marry him, she just e best of the best -- and th d th that if he aske as that this girl deserved w , h g sure, thou ho could er that. named Jan, w just to help to give h re o st y lr e w je g e one and settin member of th about a staff ng guy a run-of-the-mill st time out of many days ry o st a is is u e ok Th ly sold this yo t color and th n that, and to have very easi But no, Jan was better tha ith this guy to find the righ for the right w make a dollar. r hours on end -- to work one to put in the right band fo st s t e h g tim ri e e m th of -- so the right clarity right cut and ght girl. -- two for this ri edding bands nership in w price...for the e re th d n a d reflects a part agement ban bout one eng mbol of eternity not only ss relationship will last. a ry o st a is sy ne This customer/busi is guy -- whose girl, one for th lso the extent to which the d this guy a fter this girl an and her marriage but a rs a ye o tw to visit Jan Now, almost ry continues. wn Broad Street and pop in ces to her wish list while o st e th s, ye pie do And with the staff they still stroll dding endless became one, ill browses the displays a catch up on life and love anings are y st e staff. This girl ands back and smiles. The the complimentary ring cl d st n a st -ju e y u nam this g know them by members who e forgotten! our Ford, 11, and this is 0 2 surely not to b , 6 2 h rc a M tory, married d Candace S n a y m m Ji re We a ane story. Gittings and K
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