V3 December 2020

NWGA'S PREMIER FEATURE MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2020

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DECEMBER2020 COLUMNS 10

The past comes flooding in as Tammy Bar ron experiences a new approach to the holidays in this COVID-19 world. What role does nostalgia play in our ever-changing lives and in our healing?

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Despite seemingly endless surprises and heartbreaking losses, Jim Alred is thankful to have sports as a respite from the eventfulness of this year.

FEATURES 18

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This holiday season, Hardy Realty is giving back to three local charities.

V3 MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020 | READV3.COM

FEATURES 29

World of Illumination has brought pure magic and whimsy to the Atlanta area with their newest candy-themed lighted attraction at Six Flags White Water.

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The staff of Open Door Children’s Home share how they work to make the holidays a joyful and memorable time for their residents.

40

Defying tradition, The Canoe House creates a masterpiece of cohesion through all the key products that cross over gender and age preconceptions.

45

Take a look at the stunning creations of several local businesses who participated in our first ever Gingerbread House Contest.

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Merry Christmas from the Family and Staff of Henderson & Sons Funeral Homes and Rome Memorial Park

- Isaiah 9:6

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be on His shoulder. And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

Publisher's Note OWNER & CEO Ian Griffin MANAGING PARTNER Chris Forino MAG DESIGN Elizabeth Childers WRITERS

O W N E R & C E O Ian Griffin What a difference a year makes. For me, the holidays are always a time to reflect not only on the current year, but on life in general. Some years, that’s a more complicated undertaking than others, and for me, through all of the madness of 2020, this year will be a little simpler than 2019. The pandemic, ensuing shutdown and polarizing election really forced us all to evaluate our stations in life…in real-time.

I’ve experienced it personally and watched friends, loved ones and co-workers make life-altering changes this year for a multitude of reasons. These decisions may have been made regardless of the pandemic, but I believe with certainty it played its role in most of those instances. That’s not a necessarily a bad thing, but sudden change took place in bunches this year, and when that happens you have no choice but to address it. Everyone does that differently, but for me it takes some of the pressure off of the holidays.

Last year, my dear friend Oliver Robbins and I were jotting down verses for our charttopping hit (I kid) Christmas in the R-Town, a catchy tune we created to celebrate the season with a little local flair. Music has been a constant in my life, so I gave that a listen the other day and it transported me back to that moment. Two friends creating a purposely cheesy/ PG rap track that was born from my lack of ideas to write about in the 2019 Christmas issue.

It was a fun project and if nobody else liked it, at least my kids thought it was good.

The message was like most Christmas songs: enjoy your family and all the little things that come with the season. I think it’s safe to say that none of us will take those things for granted this year.

So, whatever your traditions are and however they might be altered this year, try to enjoy them. Who knows where we will all be a year from now?

Merry Christmas.

READV3.COM ReadV3.com: Where you can find all the print content from this issue, our archives and exclusive ReadV3 digital features.

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Jim Alred, Tammy Barron, DeMarcus Daniel, Ian Griffin, Cassie LaJeunesse, Nina Lovel PHOTOGRAPHERS Andy Calvert AD DESIGN Elizabeth Childers PUBLISHER V3 Publications, LLC CONTACT 417 Broad Street Rome Ga, 30161 Office Phone 706.235.0748 v3publications@gmail.com CREATOR Neal Howard V3MAGAZINE.COM

706.295.0014 • 3126 Cedartown Hwy SW, Rome, GA 30161-4314 • www.RenaissanceMarquis.com READV3.COM | DECEMBER 2020 V3 MAGAZINE

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g l a t s o N n o i s u l l I The brass band swells around the silky voice reminiscent of my Christmases at home.

NAT KING COLE’S SOULFUL SERENADE seemed to usher in the season of yuletide joy every December of my youth. This December feels quite different as it marks the end of a year seeped in historic changes to our habits and routines. This year brought fear, doubt, frustration, and joy intensified to near breaking points. There have been many times I felt as if I were living in some emo dystopian landscape. As 10

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the holidays grow near, the feelings of uncertainty continue as family plans, parties, and travel are cancelled. My Christmas will look a lot different; it’s been a full year since I’ve seen my parents.

Until a vaccine is available, we have no plans in the works to see each other and reunite them with their grandchildren. COVID-19 is steady in keeping us on hold. I find that memories of earlier times are flooding into my mind, more bittersweet than usual. The smell of cinnamon and pine and the taste of sugar cookies keep nagging at my subconscious. What good is this nostalgia when life looks so different now? While it may bring substance and texture to my memories, my nostalgia also carries the reminder that those times are lost, and our present is as delicate and fleeting as ever.

The term “nostalgia” derives from the Greek words nostos (homecoming) and algos (pain). The

literal translation of the word, then, is the suffering evoked by the desire to return to one’s place of origin. The phrase nostalgia was first coined in the 17th century by Swiss physician Johannes Hofer. At that time, many physicians considered nostalgia a mental disorder caused by the unremitting clanging of cowbells in the Alps, which caused brain damage. This is hilarious to me. Obviously, our interpretation of nostalgia is much different these days, but the triggers for a yearning for the past can be equally absurd: broken trinkets and worn photographs. Interesting, however, is that the theme of painful longing for what is lost can be found in writings throughout history around the world. Ancient Greeks, Biblical proverbs, and modern-day writers often visit this phenomenon. It seems to be a universal time portal to help us remember that our lives are rooted in a narrative that gives meaning to our experiences. The

c i g s n opened doors

By Tammy Barron

smell of rain-saturated leaves evokes an immediate lightness of being as I am whisked through time to find myself playing in the woods with my brother.

My current surrounding fades as I step in time to once again feel the damp chill on my cheeks and remember the vivid colors of the ground darkened and shiny from the rain. My ears hear his laughter mingling with the rustle of fallen leaves beneath our feet; I feel jarred when I blink and see that in fact I am still here, nestled heavily in adulthood, thousands of miles away from those childhood playing grounds.

When I feel consumed with the ushered loneliness of faded friendships and miles removed over the years, I turn to the memories captured in old pictures. I hold to them as if it were possible to reach through and relive those times again. This reflective journey makes me keenly aware of how

fleeting the moments are that comprise our days, and I instinctively want to clutch at time and hold it close to slow the growth of my children. I heard a friend say while watching her 14-year-old son play from afar, “If I had known that moment, years ago, when my son held me that it was the last time, I never would have let go.� My heart shattered with her words and that inevitable loss shared by all mothers. For all of the unknowing lasts captured by these photos, they are but shadows of those beautiful relationships. My reflection turns more inward as I acknowledge the permanent influence these people have on my values and expectation of this world.

It seems the longing eases with the realization that I when I act accordingly to these values and expectations, I am the breathing collection of it all.

Sometimes these nostalgic time travels feel less like an act of reflection, and I feel the push to

reconstruct the way things were in the past, as if the act of reliving these moments will relieve the haunting of time gone by. If I play my old Nat King Cole albums, will I miss my family less, or will the pain of our separation become more palpable?

Maybe within the act of recreating our family traditions, new memories of the holidays take hold and bind the wounds of heartache and loss, fostering a joyful anticipation of times to come. This idea strengthens me. There is a balm knowing we have today. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, and may your traditions bring healing and joy for all that share your heart.

*The views expressed in this column are those of the writer, and do not represent the opinions of V3 Magazine

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Good Times, Bad Times FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME

With Jim Alred

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A WHILE BACK I PENNED A COLUMN ABOUT TIGER WOODS' TRIUMPHANT RETURN TO THE MASTERS GOLF TOURNAMENT. A couple of weeks ago, I witnessed (or let’s be honest, I saw it later all over social media) Woods giving a phenomenal impression of my golf game or lack thereof.

On Augusta’s famed No. 12, Woods managed to the hit green a few times. Unfortunately for him, three of those times the ball spun or sprinted or just did a head-first dive into Rae’s Creek. When the smoke cleared, or in this case the fourth ball was brought out from Tiger’s bag and finally, mercifully deposited in the cup, good old Eldrick had managed to card an eye-popping, septuple bogey 10 on the par-3 hole.

Oh 2020, what have you done to all of us?

Woods had never recorded a septuple bogey in any PGA Event during his career. And after a not-so-bad opening round at this year’s Masters, played in November nonetheless, the cold, stark reality and bogey man that is 2020, pun not intended, showed up to skewer even Tiger Woods.

In a typical year, I would have lambasted the Atlanta Braves for taking a 3-1 National League Championship Series lead on the heavily-favored Los Angeles Dodgers and then allowing said Dodgers to roll over them for three straight games and ride into the World Series. A series that the Dodgers won and that looked ever so winnable for the hometown Braves. Of course, to win the World Series, the Braves would have to finish the deal and reach the series.

Then again, I can’t be too mad at the Braves. They just continue their now four-decade-long obsession with getting to the brink of championship status before finding one way or another to let us all down yet again. Of course, at least the Braves do it in the playoffs, while the Falcons managed to bungle leads and what looked like unlosable games at least two or three times in the regular season, ushering head coach Dan Quinn, who will be forever remembered as the coach who almost won the Super Bowl, out the door.

And what a cruel year, COVID-19 turns everything upside down. Numerous colleges and their athletic programs spoke about the major financial hardships they were facing.

Then South Carolina decides to jettison head coach Will Muschamp a few games into the season, owing him a crap ton of money while numerous college employees are suffering through furloughs.

What? I guess it’s not important enough to pay the employees their full salary, but they can certainly pay millions of dollars to not have a football coach with a less than stellar record.

This was almost as bad as the NFL deciding to make a point with the Denver Broncos. The quarterbacks of the Broncos apparently decided to not wear masks, one of them got the vid (short for COVID-19 in case you’re wondering) and the others all had to go into quarantine. Problem was, Denver didn’t have another quarterback. The Broncos had to trot a wide receiver from the practice squad who had played quarterback at Wake Forest back in college. In the ensuing game, the Broncos’ offense looked almost as good as Tiger Woods floundering on Hole 12 in November.

I could also jump on Atlanta United for being able to go from the heights of the MLS Championship to the level of practically every other Atlanta professional sports team not named the Braves in less than two seasons. United’s brass made a terrible coaching hire and some not-so-smart personnel decisions, thus proving a point I made in a long ago V3 column that Atlanta pro sports franchises live to ensure all of their fans are disappointed for life.

And before you go and call me a cry baby, I’ll tell you that I’ve loved every minute of it. Because for several months I, like many others, thought the chances of us being able to watch sports were slim to none. My daughter’s travel soccer team managed to get a full season without any COVID-19, although more than half the team and myself spent time in quarantine due to contact tracing.

So while I do complain about the Braves, Falcons and United, I’m glad I’m able to complain. I’ll take the typical Braves and Falcons let downs along with United’s new status in stride. Hey, at least I still have my beloved Tigers… oh wait, without Nick Saban coaching (thanks vid) the Tide rolled over them, making me wonder if Auburn could have even beaten Bama’s second string if their entire first had gotten sick.

So give me Tiger’s record-setting-for-all-the-wrongreasons Hole 12, a good and almost great Braves team and whatever you want to call the Falcons, United and Auburn, because in a year when we could all use as many distractions as possible, sports stepped up and provided us at least some respite from the craziness.

*The views expressed in this column are those of the writer, and do not represent the opinions of V3 Magazine

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Season of Giving text CASSIE LAJEUNESSE

photos ANDY CALVERT

T

his holiday season, Hardy Realty is giving back to three local charities.

On December 2, they hosted a small gathering to honor The Salvation Army of Rome, The Davies Shelter, and The Open Door Children’s Home.

At the gathering, they presented each organization with a $10,000 donation.

“We believe kindness can change the world,” Chris Kerr, a Hardy agent, says.

“2020 taught us how to pull together, lean on one another and reminded us kindness will prevail.” Each of these organizations works to help the Rome community, and their directors agree that these donations will go a long way toward fulfilling that mission.

The Davies Shelter

The Davies Shelter has operated in Rome for 18 years, providing shelter to members of the community who are otherwise unsheltered. Though it started as a program for unsheltered men, the organization now operates two shelters in town: The Davies Shelter for men and The Ruth and Naomi House for women and children. They offer residents a 90-day stay, during which time they work with a case manager to develop a plan. “There’s an intentionality to what we do so that when they go, we don’t anticipate seeing them come back to us,” Executive Director Devon Smyth says.

In addition to their shelters, the organization also recently added a farm and mobile farmer’s market to provide fresh produce at a lower price, hoping to combat food insecurity. The City of Rome donated the two-acre farm, and Berry College’s Hackberry Lab helped to turn a small school bus into the mobile farmer’s market.

This year has proved a challenge for the shelters in many ways, especially because unsheltered populations are often health-compromised and at a higher risk for illnesses like COVID-19. In March, with the help of other community organizations, The Davies Shelter was able to set up an emergency shelter to house 42 people during the shelter-in-place order. According to Smyth, funding challenges this year led to questions of how to continue to faithfully serve the community. “The last thing we want to do is close our doors and turn

20 | HARDY REALTY | HOME FEATURE

people away,” she says. “Hardy Realty’s generosity this year will make a considerable difference.”

The Davies Shelter has several options for other community members looking to help their organization. Smyth says that they are always in need of meals and necessities such as underwear and socks. Their website, daviesshelter.com, also has a donate button for those who wish to make a monetary donation. Additionally, three local shops are selling Christmas items such as candles, ornaments, and art donated by local artists. All proceeds from the sale of these items will benefit the shelters. Find them for sale at Do Good, Yellow Door Antiques, and Over the Moon Antiques.

Open Door Children’s Home

The Open Door Children’s Homes are care facilities that offer long-term or short-term stays for children and youth who have experienced child abuse and neglect. The boys’ and girls’ homes can house up to 20 youth each. The goal of Open Door is to provide these children with a safe place to call home and a caring environment in which to recover from trauma and work toward a more stable life. While staying in the home, youth work with staff to set short-term and long-term goals, develop independent living skills and complete their education. Residents help prepare meals in the home, attend regular counseling and participate in group activities such as field trips and holiday celebrations.

Expenses for the home have increased this year due to the pandemic, according to Executive Director Tracie Ball. Food and staffing costs increased because the residents were home every day when schools closed. “ Ball says that the donation will benefit the children directly. “I would like to have something specific for the kids,” she says. “It could also go toward any Christmas presents that were not purchased by the community.” Here she is referencing the home’s holiday Amazon wish list. Available on their Facebook page, this list is a compilation of presents that the youth have requested and necessities for the home such as sheets and towels. Anyone interested in helping the Open Door Home can use this wish list to provide a gift for a resident, or they can donate hygiene products or other home needs to the organization. For more information, visit opendoorhome.org.

The Salvation Army

Since 1887, the Salvation Army has served Rome and the surrounding counties, providing shelter to those who need it, community meals, social services and more. The Salvation Army also functions as a church, offering Sunday school, worship services and bible studies.

The organization’s mission, according to Lieutenant Paula Blevins, is “to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in his name without discrimination.”

Though many people associate the Salvation Army with Christmastime, red kettles and bell-ringing, they use that fundraiser to support their year-round programs. “We have a good presence here in Rome, but there’s always room for improvement and helping educate people more about what the Salvation Army does,” Blevins says. The organization runs a shelter for men and women, and they also provide social services such as rent and utility assistance, clothing vouchers, winter coats and other items, and a food pantry. Blevins says that they especially saw an increase in food distribution, with some volunteers in Rome even making food deliveries to community members during stay-at-home and shelter-inplace orders. This year, they also modified their daily 5 p.m. community meal to a to-go format so that people can safely get the meals they need.

A popular holiday program through the Salvation Army is the Angel Tree, which allows families to sign up to provide Christmas gifts for children in need. Community members can pick up an Angel Tree tag from the Salvation Army, shop for the gifts on the child’s wish list, and deliver the wrapped gifts to the Salvation Army for distribution. Those looking to help the Salvation Army year-round can make donations at The Family Store, donate to the online red kettle, or call the office about volunteering. For more information, visit salvationarmygeorgia.org/ rome or call (706) 291-4746.

Blevins says that they have seen increased need for their services in 2020, so they are very thankful for volunteers and for Hardy Realty’s donation. “This donation will go a very long way to help fund so many of these programs… throughout the coming year that help the homeless to have shelter, to help hungry have food, and to help… the most vulnerable people that we have in our communities, whatever their needs are.”

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BACK ACHES, KNEE PAIN, AND ARTHRITIS: sounds like the

shopping list of old age. At Harbin Clinic Chiropractic & Physical Therapy, three skilled chiropractic physicians focus and treat many disorders of the musculoskeletal system for the young and old alike. “We help navigate young athletes through sports-related injuries as well as treat our aging patients’ chronic conditions —through spinal and joint manipulation— to improve mobility and overall health,” Dr. Mack Burt says. What makes Harbin Clinic Chiropractic & Physical Therapy unique is the combination of services from chiropractic physicians, certified physical therapists and technicians, as well as licensed massage therapists who together create a holistic approach to patient care.

It is obvious that doctors Mack Burt, William Hunter, and Chris Nelson work well together and enjoy what they do.

Dr. Chris Nelson

Dr. Mack Burt

When asked how they found themselves practicing chiropractic medicine, the friendly rips and jabs begin. Teasing each other from across the table, they each detail their similar yet personal stories of back injuries that ultimately led them into a chiropractor’s office. Burt, Hunter, and Nelson share the same experience of a miraculous recovery and lasting impressions of the benefits of chiropractic care. Nelson recalls, “My dad was a physical therapist. I often saw people go to their family doctor and receive pain medication for their problems but saw there was never a lot of work done for functionality after an injury. Later in life when I sought help with my own injury, I saw how chiropractors help with a person’s mobility and function.

I knew then this was cool and something I wanted to be a part of.”

The field of chiropractic medicine has made many advances in the last twenty years. “Most people associate chiropractors with the snap-crackle-popadjustments for bad backs,” Hunter says. In truth, a chiropractor treats many disorders of the musculoskeletal and the nervous systems and the effects of these disorders on general health. Back pain, neck pain, pain of the joints of the arms and legs, and certain headaches are common ailments

Dr. William Hunter

seen at the clinic. “We work to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal dysfunction of the spine and extremities, to unlock and mobilize the joints, and to rehabilitate and retrain the soft tissue: muscles, ligaments, and tendons to function in a more normal pattern,” Nelson explains.

It is the superior approach to comprehensive care that sets Harbin Clinic Chiropractic & Physical Therapy apart in north Georgia. “There is no onesize-fits-all approach to our practice. We incorporate physical therapy, massage therapy, and rehab with the chiropractic,” Burt says. Having access to state-of-theart imaging services and a multitude of expert physicians across many disciplines, providers at Harbin Clinic can diagnose patients quickly and accurately, providing faster treatment plans and saving both time and money for the patient. Hunter elaborates, “We can do multiple modalities in one treatment. Someone may come in with back pain and in our evaluation, we discover the patient has a weak core, ‘here are some helpful exercises.’ Then we may discover they have a tight neck, ‘let’s get you over to our massage therapist.”

Adding to Hunter’s comments, “The consistent success in our treatments relies largely in the scope of medical resources

and equipment at our disposal, as well as the expertise of our doctors, technicians, and specialists. We offer a variety of treatments to get joints moving again and retraining muscles through stretching exercises and/or strength building exercises; because what works for me may not necessarily work for you,�

Burt says.

Whether you are a young athlete in the height of your training season or you have been living with joint pain and limited mobility for years, the chiropractic team at Harbin Clinic Chiropractic & Physical Therapy can help improve your movement patterns and pain management through holistic adjustments and therapies.

For more information, visit HarbinClinic.com.

Q: DOES A CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENT HURT?

A: No. Everything we do is designed to help you feel better and alleviate the pain you are currently suffering with.

Q: DOES MY INSURANCE COVER TREATMENT? A: Yes, most insurance companies cover our services and treatments.

Q: DO I NEED A REFERRAL?

A: This is a common misconception. No doctor referral is needed for chiropractic visits.

Q: WHAT DOES A TYPICAL TREATMENT PLAN LOOK LIKE?

A: We begin with an initial evaluation and a two-week treatment plan. This is an appropriate time frame to assess the progress of healing. If a patient shows one hundred percent improvement in that two weeks, then we suggest they revisit on an as-needed basis. For someone who perhaps has seen about an eighty percent or less improvement rate, we would consider continuing treatment for another week or two until we can get them where they need and want to be. There are some conditions that will take longer than two weeks, a disc herniation, for example, may require a longer treatment plan or even a referral to a neurosurgeon to get a second opinion.

READV3.COM | DECEMBER 2020 V3 MAGAZINE

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SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING – REPORTING ABUSE MATTERS In the state of Georgia alone, 1 in 100 children sustain incidents of child abuse every year.

The Children’s Advocacy Center, or CAC, is a site for children such as these. The CAC conducts forensic interviews for children who have made allegations of sexual or severe physical abuse, and it is one of the many programs Advocates for Children has under its umbrella of services.

The reporting process implemented by the CAC is designed to be a single event overseen and followed up by a multidisciplinary team that includes trained forensic interviewers, law enforcement, medical personnel, and child protective services. Forensic interviews conducted by the CAC are documented in such a way to reduce the need for a child who has witnessed or experienced traumatic events to tell his or her story repeatedly. However, the ultimate goal is to provide safety, comfort, and love to children and families who are in dangerous situations.

Sadly, many cases of child abuse go unreported. The truth of the situation is that children who experience abuse or neglect must be seen or heard by someone who can report their abuse in order to receive the help they desperately need.

Isolation is one of the key risk factors for abuse because it provides abusers more opportunities to abuse without being discovered. In September 2020, the CAC of Bartow County conducted 61 forensic interviews—double their average amount. Montana Wilson, trained forensic interviewer at the CAC, believes that the spike in cases is due to the return to school after the closure and self-isolation period caused by COVID-19. Teachers are the number one reporters of child abuse, and Montana explained that “School is a safe place for many kids.

There they are seen every day. For months they were not seen—they were not able to report things happening in their houses...child abuse never decreased, we simply didn’t know it was happening.”

The influx of new cases pouring into the CAC has definitely taken a toll on the staff. It is extremely difficult to bear witness to a child’s pain, but the dedicated interviewers at the CAC carry on regardless. Montana has worked at the CAC for 3 years and has conducted over 500 forensic interviews in her time there. In her experience, the number one thing that community members can do to support the center is to report suspected child abuse. “Without a report or referral, there isn’t much we can do for a child or family. That’s why we need community members, coaches of sports teams, youth leaders, to be aware of the signs and to not be afraid to report.”

If you want to make your community safer, contact Amanda Tant at advochild.org about the Darkness to Light training workshop. Darkness to Light is a child abuse prevention training course where anyone can learn about the signs of child abuse. Learn more about reporting child abuse today and help a child in need.

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Advocates for Children is a non-profit organization that is committed to the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect. Founded as a children’s shelter in 1983, Advocates for Children has since expanded and now includes eight different programs across eleven counties. The mission of the organization is “To strengthen our community of families by offering safety, comfort and hope to children and preventing child abuse in all its forms.” If you would like to learn more about Advocates for Children or how to get involved in these upcoming events, contact Renee Shields, Development Director, at renee@advochild.org.

TO DONATE VISIT ADVOCHILD.ORG

Merry & Bright

The world’s largest mile-long drive-through light show features millions of lights and hundreds of animated displays fully synchronized to contemporary holiday music. This year, families discover the Christmas spirit in a safe, distanced way.

Text: Tammy Barron | Photos: Andy Calvert

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A TRIO OF FORTY-FOOT-TALL CANDY CANES STANDS CENTER STAGE, surrounded by singing milkshakes and dancing sugar plum fairies in Candy Rush, the world’s largest drive-through animated light show. With lights as far the eyes can see, World of Illumination has brought pure magic and whimsy to the Atlanta area with their newest candy-themed attraction at Six Flags White Water, featuring millions of lights and hundreds of animated displays fully synchronized to contemporary holiday music. This year, families discover the Christmas spirit in a safe, distanced way. From the safety of their own cars, they travel through the 500-foot illuminated magic portal to Santa’s gingerbread village. 3D lights dance and snow flutters around as you get to wave and greet Santa in this truly unique attraction.

We are excited to provide the kind of escape that people are needing this year, and we firmly believe we can help end 2020 on

a much brighter note.

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Online reservations are required to ensure that the experience is completely contact free and socially safe while also ensuring controlled traffic and reduced wait times. “All of us at World of Illumination have been working hard for many months to provide safe and much-needed family entertainment to the community,” says Simon Kreisberger, World of Illumination co-founder.

“We are so excited to provide the kind of escape that people are needing this year, and we firmly believe we can help end 2020 on a much brighter note.”

Ticket prices start at $35.00 per car and are available for purchase online at http://tickets. worldofillumination.com. In true Christmas spirit, a portion of all proceeds benefits the Make-A-Wish Georgia Foundation. Christmas is looking cheerier, so take the kids to enjoy the mile-long animated attraction and -safely- ring in the season merry and bright.

A Paint Party is the best party!

Get creative this holiday season and book a paint party for your office!

WWW.STUDIOSIRI.COM |1205 DEAN AVE. ROME, GA • 706.409.3022 READV3.COM | DECEMBER 2020 V3 MAGAZINE

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A NEW YOU MAY BE ON THE HORIZON. Dr. Marc Wetherington has created a comprehensive, fully integrated laser facility in his plastic surgery practice and is providing consistent results to Rome and North Georgia.

His ‘state-of-the-art’ laser technology, beautiful facility, and excellent staff make Horizons Plastic Surgery a refreshing destination for patients seeking both surgical and ‘non-invasive’ technologies for facial rejuvenation and body contouring.

Rarely can one find such a sophisticated array of treatments in one practice. Dr. Wetherington, in practice over thirty years in Rome, understands the diverse needs of his patients and is dedicated to bringing them unparalleled experiences in beauty and comfort.

“For the last two years, I’ve invested in developing the ultimate beauty oasis with innovative, non-invasive laser and radio frequency technologies that make possible the joys of more youthful, rejuvenated skin, and without lengthy recovery times,” Dr. Wetherington says.

So, what is new in skin rejuvenation? “This is a fantastic time for patients seeking facial rejuvenation with lasting results and minimal downtime,” Dr. Wetherington explains. “The key to improving our facial appearance is the removal of age spots and wrinkles by targeting unwanted dark spots and stimulating the growth of collagen.”

Intense pulse light (IPL) and the advanced laser technology known as PicoSure, combined with the recently developed Radio-Frequency Micro-needling system called Potenza, are all part of his comprehensive approach to restoring the face, neck, chest and hands to a more youthful appearance. A variety of treatments comprise the Emerald Package, which consists of eight treatments performed over the course of four to five short months. These treatments are designed to cater to the individual patient’s needs to yield unbelievable, long-lasting results that give their skin a healthy appearance and reduce wrinkles while tightening the skin.

Reliable body shaping and contouring treatments can now be performed with non-invasive technologies such as SculpSure (laser fat removal) and the radio-frequency face and body shaping device called TempSure. “These non-invasive technologies, along with the minimally invasive SmartLipo platform (laser assisted liposuction), I now have both surgical and non-surgical tools to use in the management of unwanted fatty tissue,” Dr. Wetherington says.

Emphasizing this new facet of his practice, Dr. Wetherington continues, “These new technologies allow Horizons Plastic Surgery to offer a multitude of new services not routinely available in other practices.”

“The versatility of the CynoSure Icon makes it an important tool in my practice,” he elaborates. “Using Intense Pulse Light (IPL), it delivers a powerful blend of light to the skin, targeting dark spots and capillaries; its Erbium fractional laser is effective on surgical and acne scars, stretch mark treatment and wrinkle reduction. Furthermore, we can perform permanent hair removal anywhere on the face and body.”

Dr. Wetherington describes several more technologies and how he uses them: The PicoSure laser delivers a trillion pulses of laser light every second to tighten and improve skin texture and reduce wrinkles. It is the superior system for laser tattoo removal.

PicoSure creates pressure waves, rather than heat, which minimizes potential damage to the skin.

The Radio Frequency Micro-needling system, Potenza, is a major advancement in skin tightening and wrinkle reduction. It stimulates your body’s collagen and elastin levels to treat the advanced signs of aging. Skin looks younger and firmer with smoothed and improved texture. Get rid of old smoking lines and other facial wrinkles. RF Micro-needling provides more noticeable results than traditional microneedling treatments performed in a salon.

Cynosure’s TempSure Envi technology heats deep into the skin to regenerate collagen and reduce the appearance of forehead wrinkles, frown lines, crow’s feet, and smile lines. Other indications include tightening the skin of the neck, arms, tummy, and thighs.

SculpSure laser fat removal can help you achieve the figure you have always wanted. SculpSure is the best proven noninvasive fat body contouring treatment; it kills fat cells and tightens skin in targeted areas without the complications of shelving and neuropathy. “This is a great technology for the smaller areas of fat of the flanks, thighs and brarolls,” Wetherington explains. “The patient is made comfortable and for thirty minutes they catch up on Facebook while the fat melts away.”

“The CynoSure Smart Lipo platform takes liposuction to a new level of sophistication,” he explains. “A fiber inserted into the treatment area passes laser energy directly into the fat cells, disrupting them for easier removal using gentle suction. Additional energy pulses are used to warm the skin from the inside, thus tightening the skin envelope.

This is great for the neck, arms, thighs and abdomen.”

What is new at Horizons Plastic Surgery?

Dr. Wetherington welcomes medical aesthetician Kelsey Hart to the practice. “We have big plans to make Horizons the ultimate pampering oasis,” Hart says. A full menu of cosmetic treatments and product line are in the works. Dr. Wetherington adds, “Together, as a team, we are creating a special destination in Rome for both men and women interested in looking and feeling their best.”

If you are looking to minimize the appearance of aging, hyperpigmentation, scarring, sun damage, the effects of father time, or are interested in minimally invasive body sculpting, Dr. Wetherington, medical aesthetician Kelsey Hart, and the amazing staff at Horizons Plastic Surgery will help you.

Now is the perfect time to schedule your consultation. Be ready for warmer weather by looking your very best. Want to give that special someone a holiday gift? Emerald Packages purchased before December 31, 2020 include a complimentary Dysport/Botox treatment.

This year, ask Santa for an Emerald!

For more information, visit www.horizonsplasticsurgery.com or call 706-235-5119

Home to the most comprehensive cosmetic laser practice in Northwest Georgia.

VISIT OUR FACILITY TO HAVE YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED! “Can you tighten my neck skin without surgery?”

“I’ve outgrown my tattoo, can you remove it?”

“Do your lasers help scars?”

“I would love for my facial skin to be smoother again. Can you improve the texture of my skin?”

Marc Wetherington M.D

706-766-0480 • 406 East Second Ave., Rome www.HorizonsPlasticSurgery.com

1009 N Tennessee St B, Cartersville, GA 30120 • 770-382-3588 • www.allaroundroofingandgutters.com 34

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Open Door

Home for the

Holidayys With fun traditions, support and coping skills, the Open Door staff try to meet every resident’s needs during the holiday season.

Text: Cassie LaJeunesse

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THE OPEN DOOR CHILDREN’S HOME FIRST OPENED IN ROME IN 1927 as an orphanage. Though it has evolved over the years, its mission has remained constant: to care for the needs of children and youth who have been subject to child abuse and neglect. Despite the challenges of 2020, the staff at the Open Door Home are still working tirelessly to uphold this mission.

Open Door operates two facilities in Rome, one for boys and one for girls. According to Executive Director Tracie Ball, 10 boys and 10 girls are currently living in the homes. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the youth’s school schedules have been hectic, with quarantines and digital learning meaning that they have had to adjust to being in the home more often. “[Because of quarantines,] I think maybe I can count one day where we’ve had all of our kids actually in the school building,” Ball says. “The kids are pretty resilient, but I think they’re getting tired, too.”

In order to combat some of the 2020 fatigue, the Open Door Home staff try to get the youth out of the house as much as possible, taking them on fun group outings. One outing in particular kicked off the home’s holiday celebrations. Over Halloween weekend, the youth visited Copper Creek Farm for festive fall activities such as a pumpkin patch and corn maze.

On Thanksgiving each year, the Open Door Home hosts a big Thanksgiving meal for those youth who are not away on family visits. After Thanksgiving, they start decorating the home for Christmas. “Christmas is always huge,” Ball says. “We always have a tree and the kids are involved in decorating it.”

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Ball says that although the holidays are always a big deal at Open Door, they can bring challenges for the residents. Whitney Gates, Open Door’s clinical administrator, says that starting in October, she spends time helping the youth prepare for the holidays and learn to cope with any difficult emotions that might arise. “I think a lot of our kids come to the realization that they’re not going to be home for the holidays. It’s always bittersweet for them,” she says. “A lot of them maybe don’t have happy memories over the holidays. Some of them come from families that may not have been able to provide, so the adults were stressed and the kids picked up on that. It can be like a first-time Christmas for them.”

To Gates, it’s important for the youth to recognize and normalize these feelings and develop coping skills. “We talk about gifts, because a lot of times the kids are worried about their families,” she says. “We make time for them… to buy gifts for their family or to make cards so that they feel like they have made that connection and that they’ve had the opportunity to give.”

One Open Door resident says that being away from her family is hard, especially during the holidays. However, she uses some of her favorite activities to cope. “I play Just Dance, I try to paint, draw, sing in my room,” she says. “I try to get my mind off stuff by doing things I enjoy.”

In order to make sure that each resident feels comfortable and included during the holidays, Gates says that they try to incorporate some of each child’s traditions into the Open Door celebrations. “We try to talk to each individual child and try to bring a little of what they would like to see happen,” she says.

This could come in the form of a holiday baking day, a particular Christmas carol, opening a few presents on Christmas Eve, or going out on Christmas Day. “Some just want a break from Christmas, so we can do normal things, something that’s not very Christmassy. Maybe we just go for a hike so that they can have a little bit of an escape from the holidays. I work a lot through the holidays to make sure that kids are supported.”

The holiday season is often considered a season of giving, and Open Door is grateful for the generosity of the Rome community at Christmastime. In years past, church groups and other organizations have sponsored meals, cookie decorating and other activities for the residents. Due to COVID-19, Ball says they are being very cautious about how many visitors are allowed inside the facilities, but they are taking small steps towards allowing groups to bring food or activities on a monthly basis.

This year, some things may look a bit different, but not everything has changed. The best way to give to the Open Door Home this holiday season is through their Amazon wish list. In preparation for the holiday season each year, the youth make wish lists of their needs and wants. Items range from tennis shoes and hoodies to electronics or room décor. At the beginning of November each year, Open Door posts an Amazon wish list of these items on their social media. This is a fun and simple way for community members to sponsor a Christmas gift for an Open Door resident. “We hope that the community is able to be as good to us as they have been in the past,” Ball says.

“I don’t know that there’s been a year that we haven’t received everything the kids have asked for.”

Above all, community is an important part of the holidays and of Open Door in general. Gates says that she encourages the youth to lean on each other and on staff. “Open Door really cares about the kids,” she says. “Having worked a lot of different places, I think it’s so special that they’re willing to take each individual kid and meet that individual kid’s needs.”

Though she says that building relationships with people she didn’t know has been a double-edged sword at times, one resident has found community at Open Door. “I grew up in this place,” she says. “There have been some hardships, but I know the people here love me and I love them too.”

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TREE REMOVAL - IRRIGATION SOD - LAND CLEARING GRADING - BOBCAT WORK 706-676-0193

Call Trent Wade www.TonysLandscapeAndTree.com

SPECIALTY OUTDOOR GEAR • LIFESTYLE APPAREL • UNIQUE GIFTS 608 Broad Street, Rome • Tue-Sat 10am-6pm • 706-237-7720 • thecanoehouserome.com

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EVER WILD • FOREVER FREE

Shop Locally

EVER WILD • FOREVER FREE

Join in on the fun & savings with our 12 Days of Christmas!

Sunday, December 13th - December 24th

@SHOPEVERJEAN @BLUESKYOUTFITTER

1 09 BROAD ST, R O ME 1 8 & 1 6 W MAIN ST, CARTE RSVILLE W WW.EV ER J EAN.COM W WW.B LUESKYO UTFITTER .C O M READV3.COM | DECEMBER 2020 V3 MAGAZINE

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Committed to quality American brands and unique shopping experiences, The Canoe House caters beyond outdoor enthusiasts by offering the unexpected and essentials for the whole family.

Text: Tammy Barron | Photos: Andy Calvert

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“Somewhere between fly rods and earrings, that’s where The Canoe House gravitates,” ASHLEY FRICKS BEAMS OVER HER SHOULDER as she turns to greet a customer. Friday afternoon and the traffic in this eclectic adventure retailer is a steady flow; within an hour the shop sells a range of products, from camping equipment to women’s apparel, to a range of customers as varied as their products. The store is a feast for the senses in its décor, layout, and products that lend an experience in and of itself.

The open ceiling highlights charred rafters, remnants from a fire that nearly took the block decades ago. Wall-mounted canoes and kayaks playfully serve as a backdrop to the rustic and modern vibe throughout the store. Antler chandeliers and black modern track lighting draw attention to the rich collection of textures that ebb and flow throughout the displays.

Local art, children’s clothing and toys, women’s apparel and accessories weave perfectly into menswear, adventure gear, fly fishing essentials, and unique gifts in an organic cohesiveness.

More than an Outfitter?

“A common misconception is that we only sell canoes and kayaks,” Brandon Williams says as he gestures to the boats that hang from the walls and rafters. “But in truth, we are so much more than an outfitter. There is a reason we didn’t put outfitter in our name; we didn’t want to narrow ourselves down and be labeled as just ‘a gear shop’ or just ‘a fly shop’ that might not interest everyone. So while we do offer the knowledge and experience on the outdoor side of things, we also have goods that attract a much wider range.” Fricks adds, “We would often go to places like that and I would rather just stay in the car because I knew there would be nothing in there for me.” The Canoe House endeavors to be different.

It aims to bring a unique piece missing from Broad Street, and in doing so has created intrigue that brings customers back again and again.

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The Brand

“Yes, we sell fly rods and backpacking gear, but the key to our success lies really in the crossover brands. We have a unique assortment with a widely varied price point, that literally appeals to every demographic. Most importantly we believe in quality of the goods we sell, we have built relationships with the brands, and that makes us confident to stand behind the products. I mean, these are products that I use,” Williams says. Buying local rings especially true for this business power couple. Featuring many local artisans in their inventory, Fricks and Williams are committed to supporting small town commerce. Soaps

by Terrapin Trading Company, Blake McAlister’s MAC custom knives, and bamboo fly rods by Jay Couch are local names we all recognize. However, the phrase support local business takes on a new meaning at the Canoe House, where the decision for brand support starts at the source. Williams explains, “Last year we featured a denim jacket by Topo Designs. What interested me in this item is that it was hand stitched in Boulder, Colorado, made from denim produced at Mount Vernon Mills in Trion. These are American products supporting American workers and their families. Even the socks we sell, Farm-to-Feet, is a brand that is committed to using USA materials, USA manufacturing, and USA workers. We have big brands and small vendors alike, but ultimately, we have a sense of community. It is a neat experience to walk around our town and hear someone say, ‘Hey, that’s the guy that made my knife.’”

Defying tradition, The Canoe House creates a masterpiece of cohesion through all the key products that cross over gender and age preconceptions.

“I come here all the time. It’s really a one-stop-shop-for-the-whole-family experience; my husband and son are fishermen, my teenage girls love the clothes, and I am a huge SEC fan so this is where I get gifts for my friends,” chuckles customer Wendy Whitley. “What I love the most is the personal touch. It’s a family business, and they really know me.”

The Journey

The store has seen a good deal of success since its opening in 2019. “It was a lot of fun watching the store come together. Finding a cohesion that combined our tastes and interests was at first a little daunting, but quickly it became organic and felt like a perfect mixture,” Fricks says. Then last spring shut their doors as they shuttered out the pandemic. “We were closed for six weeks. I work in e-commerce full-time, so over the course of one weekend I built us a website and had our merchandise featured 42

V3 MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020 | READV3.COM

and available for purchase online. We had spring orders coming in and we knew we would have to keep our inventory moving.”

Immediately, Fricks and Williams took to social media to push their new website and wait for the community to show support. They didn’t wait long.

“Orders started coming in. We offered private stock showings, shipments, and even door deliveries. Our boats and gear were flying out the door. People all of a sudden decided they needed to get outdoors, and we made it through,” Williams says with a look of gratitude. Once businesses began to open back up, they intended to keep the e-commerce, but they missed doing business the old way. Fricks explains, “We want people to come in and experience the store.

It’s amazing to see the reactions on their faces as they discover the unexpected.

This is really such a neat space.”

Holiday

“My biggest hope is that our country stays safe, and we stay open. I really do not want to shut down again,” Williams shares. “We will approach the holidays a little different than we did last year, with the Holiday Open House where we featured a live band on the patio and had food and drinks for everyone. Our priority is for everyone to stay healthy and feel comfortable.” For now, holiday events are on the back burner and the two turn focus toward holiday-themed gifts to appeal to everyone.

Looking Ahead

Since so many of the planned events for this year were cancelled due to COVID-19, The Canoe House hopes to once again set community events in motion when warmer weather returns. “Fly tying nights, Open House Socials, and guided spring river trips are exciting to look forward to,” Williams says.

“We wouldn’t be here without the community, and it’s Rome that makes what we do so special.” It’s in this small town that Williams and Fricks grew up and now serve. They foster lifelong relationships with customers and their families, saying hello by name and putting a charming touch to their ma and pa operation. Seek the unexpected and dare to discover something truly unique at The Canoe House.

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THE DISH

stro

MEDITERRANEAN

bistro

www.getjamwiched.com

www.lascalaromega.com 413 Broad Street Rome, GA 30161

706-238-9000

Hours: Mon - Sat: 6pm - 10pm 400 Block Bar & Lounge: 4pm-1:30am Live music each weekend.

La Scala offers both first-rate service and terrific Italian Cuisine in an upscale casual atmosphere.

50% off cafe menu from 4-6 p.m.

www.schroedersnewdeli.com 406 Broad Street Rome, GA 30161

706-234-4613

Hours: Mon-Thur: 11am-9pm Fri-Sat: 11am-10pm Sun: 11:30am-3pm

Schroeder’s menu includes sandwiches, calzones, soups, salads, potato skins, nachos, wings, and more. And don’t forget our pizza! It’s the best in town... and for a sweet treat, try our Cheesecake Calzone! (Draft and Bottled Beers & Wine also offered) Famous for: Their Roast Beef Relief!

www.hardees.com

1204 Turner McCall Blvd • Rome, GA 30161 2300 Shorter Ave • Rome, GA 30165 3110 Cedartown Hwy • Rome, GA 30161 104 S Tennessee St • Cartersville, GA 30120

We’re known as the place to go for juicy, delicious charbroiled burgers & made from scratch biscuits. Because if you’re gonna eat, you should Eat Like You Mean It!

429 Broad St Rome, GA 30161

706-295-5330

706-314-9544

Hours: Monday: 11am-3pm Tues-Sat: 8am-3pm

Jamwich - Serving distinctive sandwiches, salads, and soups. Sandwiches built with the finest ingredients: Boar’s Head meats and cheeses, Zelma’s Blue Ribbon Jams and Jellies, fresh sourdough bread, premium Boars Head thick cut bacon and farm-to-table produce.

www.moesoriginalbbq.com/rome 101 West 1st Street Rome, GA 30161

706-622-2977

Hours: Sun-Thu: 11am - 10pm Fri- Sat: 11am - 2am

Moe’s Original BBQ is a Southern soul food revival where great food is served in an atmosphere that is relaxed, spontaneous, yet civilized….well, sometimes.

www.swheatmarketdeli.com Hours: Mon-Sat: 5am-10pm Sun: 6am-10pm

706.291.2021

www.elzaraperome.com

510 Broad Street Rome, GA 30161

5 E Main St Cartersville, GA 30120

770-607-0067

Hours: Mon and Tue 11-4 Wed and Thur 11-4 Fri and Sat 11-8 Sun 11-3

Casual counter serve offering sandwiches, salads & American comfort food

www.maineonmain.com Hours: Mon - Thu: 11am-9:30pm Fri - Sat: 11am-10:30pm Sunday: 11am-4pm

Colorful, casual outpost serving Mexican street tacos & fajitas, plus beers & tequila drinks.

24 W Main St Cartersville, GA 30120

770-334-3813

Hours: Mon - Thurs: 11am - 9pm Fri - Sat: 11am - 10pm Sun: 11am - 8pm

At Maine Street Coastal Cuisine, in the heart of historic downtown Cartersville, we pride ourselves on sourcing seafood from sustainable fisheries. Our passion is to provide a restaurant free of artificial flavors and ingredients.

Make it a meal worth remembering. Where to eat in Northwest Georgia.

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Gingerbread House Contest This Christmas, we asked local businesses to take us to the house, gingerbread style. The results are certain to put you in the Christmas spirit with a slight case of the munchies.

Honeymoon Bakery When strategizing on our gingerbread house theme, a global pandemic is usually not part of the discussion. This year certainly has been different, hasn't it? Our general consensus was that everyone could use a boost of traditional holiday cheer. To recreate something both nostalgic and hilarious would be all-around fun for the whole family and put a smile on everyone's face.

While living through months of ups and downs this year, people have experienced different levels of isolation.

"Home Alone in 2020" seemed like a perfect way to bring some humor to a challenging year. We may not all have the Wet Bandits trying to break in, but we can certainly identify with missed vacations!

The theme this year happens to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the movie. "Home Alone" was released in theaters on November 16, 1990, and our house was completed thirty years later, to the day, on November 16, 2020.

It has become a classic Christmas movie to be watched over and over again. If you haven't seen it yet, whether you are home alone or with family, check it out!

This annual project is a group collaboration here at Honeymoon Bakery and it is donated to the Children's Wing at Floyd Hospital on Christmas Eve. It is something we look forward to because we know our customers will enjoy it all month, and then it goes on to brighten the day for kids and their families in tough situations during the holiday season. www.honeymoonbakery.com 706-232-0611 228 Broad St, Rome, GA 30161 Find us on Facebook @honeymoonbakery

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Earthworks Pottery What doesn’t say Christmas like a gingerbread house? Fun, laughter, creativity and familytogetherness, it’s what Christmas is all about.

As a potter, it just seemed natural for the gingerbread house to be of clay. From there, the challenge was on with creative juices flowing. Then, the idea came to poll our audience for a charity to benefit from auctioning this sweetness off. The Open Door Home was chosen, as the gingerbread house has an open door.

Now, we’re thinking of a pottery throwdown of gingerbread houses where participants will choose their own charity and auction all the houses off. Wouldn’t that be cool! Stay tuned!

Find us on Facebook @earthworksrome earthworkspotteryofrome@gmail.com 718 E 2nd Ave SW Rome, GA 30161

CASA The gingerbread house contest represents Home and Children for the Floyd County CASA (court appointed special advocates) Program. All the children CASA works with are abused and neglected. They are removed from their own home. The Floyd County CASA Program provides trained and supervised volunteers to advocate for the best interest of abused and neglected children involved in juvenile court proceedings. CASA volunteers advocate for finding the children safe and permanent homes as soon as possible.

Our little gingerbread house is not fancy and definitely not perfect, but it is what the children we work with need. They don’t need a fancy house or perfect parents.

What they need is love and a safe, permanent home.

Find us on Facebook @floydcountycasa www.floydcasa.org 307 E 1st Ave, Rome, GA 30161 706-235-2272 46

V3 MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020 | READV3.COM

Kittie Watts

Black Kat Creations polymer clay artist My mother-in-law had shown me the V3 post about the contest and I thought it would be fun to enter. I didn't want to do a normal house since most of my clay work involves fantasy. But I also wanted to make it recognizable. The local clocktower seemed to be a good fit.

I have never made a gingerbread house before unless it was a kit, so it was a new challenge for me to tackle. My husband made the base for me from a fallen tree on our property. He comes in handy for my art projects.

I used air-dry terra cotta & white clay, craft moss and rocks to give it a rustic look and feel.

Find us on Facebook @BKCreations35 mbkcreations2017@gmail.com

Bake and Bloom With this being our first ever gingerbread house, we went with a traditional approach, with some flair. We wanted the house to be unique and stylish, although the highlight of the piece was really the greenhouse, housing Christmas trees.

We loved creating all of the little details and adding touches of pink. Our bakery has a lot of pink and chic elements, and we wanted our gingerbread design to reflect that. We had a great time creating it and are so excited to display it in the bakery through the holidays!

Find us on Facebook @bakeandbloomrome 706-622-0116 868 Spider Webb Dr, Rome, GA 30161

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