V3 January 2022

NWGA'S PREMIER FEATURE MAGAZINE / JANUARY 2022

Stompin' Savoy AT THE

Avid and casual fans of classic cars can all find something easy on the eyes while taking a cruise down memory lane at the Savoy Auto Museum.

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JANUARY2022 COLUMNS 10

Communities still battle to find themselves on the other side of the pandemic; wrought with the social and economic turmoil left in its wake. Tammy Barron explores purpose-driven healing as the key to surviving the New Year.

FEATURES 16

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FEATURES 24

LaFayette High School’s Andrew Lemons wins the Congressional App Challenge for the 14th congressional district.

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The Savoy Automobile Museum, of Cartersville, Georgia, celebrates the history and ingenuity of the automotive industry and preserves its treasures for future generations.

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Rebecca and Corey Lance of Bake and Bloom increase the public visibility of their business with a relocation to historic Broad Street in Rome, Georgia.

There is a new gym in town. Located in the new East Bend Shopping center, Orange Theory Fitness is in the heart of what’s up-and-coming in Rome.

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Publisher's Note OWNER & CEO Ian Griffin MANAGING PARTNER Chris Forino CREATIVE DIRECTOR Elizabeth Childers WRITERS Jim Alred, Tammy Barron, DeMarcus Daniel, Ian Griffin, Nina Lovel, Paul Moses

O W N E R & C E O Ian Griffin Another year has come and gone and I’m hoping 2022 is the year that I can convince my son that he doesn’t hate all pop music. I say convince, because winning an argument with a 14-year-old is impossible since they already know everything. I’ve written before about my appreciation for his appreciation of music. It’s been a lot of fun watching the progression through artists and seeing what calls to him. But the recurring theme in his description of his taste is that he hates pop music.

I try to explain that pop music isn’t limited to a genre and is ever-evolving. There have been periods of time when I’ve absolutely loathed the songs polluting mainstream culture. The boyband, Brittany Spears era of TRL (Total Request Live) on MTV being one of those puke-worthy eras. So I get what he is saying, but the generalization contradicts his taste.

Grady is an avid Beatles fan. He loves 80’s music. He loves classic rock, Petty, The Stones, Zeppelin, and more. He throws on Weezer and the Red Hot Chili Peppers every other time he DJ’s in my car.

The music of every artist above was on the pop charts during their time in the sun.

While he also loves Arcade Fire, Phish, LCD Soundsystem, and plenty of other bands that didn’t depend on music videos and radio airplay to be successful, the roots of his love for music are planted in pop. He will give me that to a degree, and then turn around and say he hates all pop.

So I try to sneak songs in that I think he will like from modern artists, which, in turn, opens my eyes to music I may not have otherwise given a shot. All of this effort just to prove a point might seem like a waste of time, but it’s actually a lot of fun. The fact that my kid opens his ears and listens to music I love and at least gives it a shot, is a connection I truly appreciate.

It’s rubbing off on my youngest son as well. I caught him singing There’s No Easy Way Out, from our Rocky soundtrack sessions just the other day and had one of those, you’re raising him right moments.

Growing up, my family bonded over music. My parents introduced me to artists that opened the doors to others, and I’ve returned the favor of doing the same for them. To continue that tradition with my kids is pretty awesome.

2022 promises to be a great year for music as artists start to release the work they started during the pandemic. Perhaps someone will usher in a stylistic shift in the pop landscape and I’ll have a modern-day example to back my argument with my son. Perhaps the debate will never end…either way, the music never stops.

Happy New Year!

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PHOTOGRAPHER Rob Smith AD DESIGN Elizabeth Childers PUBLISHER V3 Publications, LLC CONTACT 417 Broad Street Rome Ga, 30161 Office Phone 706.235.0748 hello@v3collective.com CREATOR Neal Howard

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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Stronger opened doors

By Tammy Barron

Here we are at a new beginning.

AS 2021 CAME TO AN END, I feel like we are just leaping from one burning building to another. We continue to bear the weight of burden from the pandemic, economic strain, and civil unrest that has dominated our headlines for two years. How can we expect to find renewal and fresh perspectives when we are not given a reprieve from the turmoil that is modern times? What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. If 2021 was like eating dirt, and we survive the intestinal anguish our constitutions will be steelier afterward, and we will be able to stomach 2022.

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“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” is a broad maxim, often spoken in sympathy during hardship as an effort to rally those struggling and inspire hope that something good will come of suffering in the end. I don’t like the implication that merely surviving the difficulties improves our overall outlook and condition, this is substantially lacking. It is not our having survived trauma in our lives that is the most formative, but how we handled ourselves during the crisis that counts. We are more than bystanders to our life in this mortal veil, what we do, say, and how we act is the fiber of our being.

It is this ownership of our circumstances that make us stronger and gives purpose to the struggle.

Today, I see people gathering not in the churches or town squares but in the isolated fringes of our society; observing in the shadows how our social, political, and economic systems are breaking down.

Unblinkingly watching our screens with morbid curiosity as the world crumbles; we are voyeurs to our own suffering, chanting “What doesn’t kill us…” I’m not wanting to be grim, especially since the New Year is always a time to be optimistic; however, I do want to call attention to the hard work that is going to be required of us all to come out of these turbulent times ahead and unified in the end. When our tough circumstances call to question our character, priorities, and values will we fight to make exemplars or martyrs of ourselves?

Like the fabled phoenix rising from the ashes, I am deeply inspired by individuals who break free from the sidelines and rewrite their stories. Shirley Raines incredibly is one of these people. Last month Raines accepted the CNN Hero of the Year award for her non-profit’s Beauty to the Streetz’ dedication to the homeless community in Los Angeles; specifically,

her work on Skid Row, a neighborhood known for the country’s largest stable homeless population.

According to the 2020 Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority’s census, more than 66,000 people are living in the city who are homeless, with an average of two hundred people becoming displaced every day. These numbers are estimated to have doubled since the pandemic-economy crisis, however, because the annual homeless count was canceled in 2021 due to the pandemic current numbers are not available.

Raines struggled with anxiety and panic disorder for decades after the loss of her young son, living her adult life in financial insecurity and feeling labeled by society. In 2017, when on a church group feeding mission to Skid Row, something clicked inside Raines as a scene from the Walking Dead unfolded before her eyes. “All the resources stopped. People were

starving. Some were using old socks tied around their face and noses for make-shift masks.” Raines describes. She finally found a purpose for her pain and worked tirelessly to supply not only food and health and hygiene supplies to the people on the streets but also haircuts and facials- a physical touch that made them feel human and of value. At the CNN Hero of the Year award ceremony, she emotionally shared, “I stand before you a very broken woman.

I am a mother without a son and there are a lot of people in the streets without a mother- I feel like it is a fair exchange.” She stated how important it is to know that broken people can be useful.

The question I want to pose to you even as I ask myself, “What exactly will we—what will I— contribute to make our community and our country stronger?” Is it my will and can I put forth an effort to find compromise and common ground with

my political neighbors? Is it important to me to combat the incitement of violence in our schools and neighborhoods? What choices can I make in my daily life that will be the example I wish to inspire my children for a peaceful and fulfilling life?

Our roles in this world are more than peripheral, and we are more than mere witnesses within our society. There are so many ways to get involved, make real connections, and find common ground and support in people who have been written off as allies. Look for local events, volunteer, shop locally, join a class or group, and donate your resources; we have 365 opportunities to rise to the challenge to make each day of 2022 better; because unity is what makes us stronger. *The views expressed in this column are those of the writer, and do not represent the opinions of V3 Magazine READV3.COM | JANUARY 2022 V3 MAGAZINE

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Under

THE

Orange Lights Text: Tammy Barron | Photos: Rob Smith

This gym is anything but the ordinary; hip and vibrant, its programming is steeped in science with cutting-edge technology translating into cutting-edge results. Elevate your heart rate and keep those fitness goals in sight this year.

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QA &

with Orange Theory Fitness

Orange Theory Fitness manager Jess Frank and fitness coach Kipp Buford discuss the innovative and science-based approach to training their members to listen to their bodies and discover overall fitness and heart wellness at Rome’s newest gym.

Q: What is the meaning behind the name Orange Theory?

Buford: Our program is heart-rate-based interval training. There are

five different heart rate zones: resting, easy, a little harder, difficult, and

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V3 MAGAZINE JANUARY 2022 | READV3.COM

maximum effort. Each of those zones is shown in the different colors you see on the monitors. We have these monitors on all our machines and on the screen. The purpose of tracking your heart rate is to take full advantage of your workout, helping you know when to push harder and when you need to take a break and recover. Our goal is to spend between twelve and twenty minutes in the orange and red zones to experience the EPOC effect. Every minute spent in these zones is considered a splat point. It’s the sound of fat cells exploding, that’s the logo for the gym, and sums up what we are about here.

Q: Twelve minutes sounds really specific and your approach is very data-driven. What exactly is the EPOC effect, why is it important, and how do you achieve it in your group sessions?

Frank: EPOC stands for excess post-exercise oxygen consumption. Basically,

after accumulating twelve minutes in the orange zone, which is 84%-91% of maximum heart rate, your body has expended its reserved energy and it has to work to repay the energy. This is what we call an oxygen debt, and your body will work hard to repay this oxygen debt for 24 to 36 hours after your workout. The more energy you use during your workout the more calories you will burn during your recovery. That being said, we don’t aim to work in the orange and red zones for the entire class, this would be too exhausting and a risk for overtraining. Essentially there are two types of training: steadystate and HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training). With steady-state training it is very difficult for your body to hit that oxygen debt; whereas with a HIIT

workout when we give our bodies time to recover then we can grab a little more energy, and then recover again, and so on. Think of it this way: steadystate is a thirty-minute jog in which your body never achieves a high level of intensity, and HIIT is a thirty-second dead sprint followed by immediate recovery, then again with the sprint, you can hit that burst for another 30 seconds then again recovery on the other side. Your metabolism is revved for hours after you leave the gym, helping you burn calories well after you have left Orange Theory. I know it is a lot of science, but that is exactly why people see such amazing results.

Q: Can anyone take part in your programming regardless of fitness level?

Buford: When someone joins our program, the first thing we do is introduce

them to their coach, the gym, and the heart rate monitoring equipment. It can all seem a little overwhelming at first when you walk in and you see the rows of treadmills and row machines, but it’s new to everyone. We just opened up a couple of months ago, and we are here to make everyone feel

Kipp Buford & Jess Frank

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comfortable. Our programming is developed in a way that meets individuals where they are in their fitness level. This is a judge-free zone, which seems to resonate with everyone. We have seen a real community develop within the classes. Friendships are being made and people are breaking through their personal limitations.

Q: How can Orange Theory Fitness help people stick to their New Year’s resolutions of getting in better shape?

Frank: At first glance, you walk in and see the cardio equipment and the

weights, you think that this is just like any other gym. What makes us unique is the heart rate monitors and the tools to self-assess your progress. People can see—in real time—how they are improving. They track their data and see that they can work harder, longer, smarter. These gains aren’t just muscle development or body mass changes, but it is heart health. Our members see greater endurance, energy, and strength that translates into all areas of their daily living. That is the best indicator that someone will stick to their goals when they see that it is making a genuine improvement in their lives. The second reason Orange Theory Fitness can help people stick to their goals goes back to our sense of community. There is natural accountability when people are looking to see their workout buddy joining them in their class.

You don’t want to let them down, and you don’t want to miss out on the fun.

Q: Personally, what do you consider has been the greatest motivator in your personal fitness goals?

Buford: I recognize as a trainer that everyone has different motivators.

Personally, for me, fitness has always been a part of my life, even as a kid I saw it as an escape and a way to deal with stress. When I was younger sports played a big part in my life, as an adult, I joined the fire department and looked at my fitness as a way to be ready to help someone when they are having their worst day. So, I push each day to be that much better or that much more prepared to help someone in need. Everyone looks to fulfill their purpose, you know?

Frank: For me, I watched so many members of my family struggle with health problems. My mom has heart issues, and my dad also has heart problems with high cholesterol. Fitness was never really a part of their lives.

I realize that I have to take care of my body, I need to be healthy so that I don’t have the same issues. For me, fitness is not so much about losing weight; it’s really about staying healthy as I get older.

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Coding for a

<New> Generation

High school senior Andrew Lemons creates a practical solution to a fundraising problem and wins the Congressional Apps Challenge.

Text: Paul Moses | Photos: Rob Smith

ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14TH, ANDREW LEMONS stood in his Congressional

Representative’s office in Rome and received a certificate for winning the Congressional App Challenge for Georgia’s 14th congressional district.

There were lots of handshakes, smiling family members, various laudatory remarks, and a photographer snapping pictures. That is pretty heady stuff for a high school senior, but Andrew Lemons is not exactly the average high schooler. He’s that uncommon combination of intellect, leadership skills, creativity, musical talent, and tech savvy. The kind of kid parents brag about on their bumper stickers. Lemons is a member of both the Beta Club and the National Honor Society, and he is his high school’s band captain (playing both percussion and keyboards). He is also a self-taught computer programmer and valedictorian for his graduating class at LaFayette High School.

Investing in tomorrow’s programmers

Each year, Members of the U.S. House of Representatives host a competition in their districts to encourage middle school and high school students to learn how to code. This is the Congressional App Challenge (or CAC). One of the purposes of this initiative is to inspire young people to consider careers in the various fields of computer science. The CAC is initiated annually by the Congressional Internet Caucus; supplemental staffing and support are provided by the Internet Education Foundation. Tens of thousands of students in almost every state have participated in the CAC since it was proposed in a bill by Representative Candice Miller of Michigan’s 10th congressional district. To spotlight the CAC (and as a point of pride for the winners and their families) every winning app can be put on display in the U.S. Capitol Building for one year.

Andrew Lemons first became aware of the contest three years ago when his U.S. government teacher brought it to his attention, telling Lemons, “I know you’re interested in technology. Maybe this would be something you’d be interested in.” Lemons wasn’t sure about it at first, but he gave it some thought and decided to give it a try. And he won. “That was in 2019,” says Lemons, “but nothing came of it because of COVID-19.” He entered the CAC

again in 2021 and won for the second time. Lemons explains, “The first time I won, in 2019, it was for designing an iPhone app; this year’s entry was more of a product that provided a practical service.”

Propelling fundraising into the future

Lemons’ idea for his Congressional App Challenge submission came from a dilemma. He says, “My sister, Erin, was on a volleyball team, and they were doing a fundraiser. It was online, so I looked at it and thought, ‘This is not what online fundraising should be.’ So, I took it and completely built my own system.” As Lemons worked on the project, it grew and improved beyond his original expectations. He says, “It evolved and became something I was proud of because it worked so well.” The system he created to help his sister’s volleyball team gave birth to Lemons’ CAC project. He called it Propulsion.

“Propulsion is an online fundraising platform for school organizations,” says Lemons. “Because it’s a website, anyone can use it. You could do it from anywhere. Your aunt all the way out in California could go in and use it. It’s made to be used over and over again. You can use it multiple times per year for multiple years.” Propulsion’s users can create an account, manage their fundraiser, read information, and donate right on the website. The system is secure, set up to protect the fundraiser’s information against illegal activity and scammers. Lemons made sure Propulsion was user-friendly for social media platforms. He says, “You should be able to share your fundraiser very easily on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter.”

On Lemons’ YouTube entry video for the CAC, he explains that he created Propulsion in two parts: the front-end (a website) and back-end (the server). He says, “Andrew immediately struck me as a “The front-end was created using a JavaScript framework for creating simple, single page, young person on a clear path to the reactive websites. The back-end was created with future,” Charles Howell says. “As a high Prisma and Fastify.”

For Lemons, participation in the CAC is school senior, he has already become an a way to leave something useful behind when accomplished software developer and has he graduates high school this spring. He says, “Propulsion is completely functional, and I plan on a bright vision for his future as an giving it to LaFayette High School before I leave.”

electrical engineer.”

Getting an early start

“I’ve always enjoyed creating things,” Lemons says.

“In middle school, I discovered a website called Scratch. It was super simple. I used it throughout middle school. Scratch is a way for kids to explore their interest in programming. It’s an easy way to express creativity through programming. It’s not a way to create things; it’s more of a playground.”

According to Scratch’s website, “Scratch is the world’s largest coding community for children and a coding language with a simple visual interface that allows young people to create digital stories, games, and animations. Scratch promotes computational thinking and problemsolving skills, creative teaching and learning, selfexpression and collaboration.” It is produced by a nonprofit foundation, it’s free, and it’s available in more than 70 languages.

Lemons is living proof that platforms like Scratch work, igniting the imaginations of their young users. It wasn’t long before his growing skills and interests drove him to move up to a different level. “About halfway through middle

school, I started creating actual programming that created things,” Lemons says. “From then on, I kept it up, kept building and learning. I just enjoyed it so much.”

Congratulations from Congress

Due to a last-minute vote on the House floor, Marjorie Taylor Greene, US Representative for Georgia’s 14th congressional district, could not be at her Rome office to present the winner’s certificate to Lemons. However, she recorded a congratulatory message at the airport, en route to Washington, and sent it to the awards ceremony, where it was played for Lemons and the other attendees.

Congresswoman Greene said, “Andrew Lemons, I want to congratulate you on winning the Congressional App Challenge. Your app was fantastic. I can tell you put a lot of hard work into it, and I’m so glad to award you the certificate for winning the challenge. I’m sad I can’t be there for the ceremony today. I was looking forward to meeting you in person, but I’ll still get to do that because you’ll be invited to come up to Washington for an award ceremony in the spring.

I look forward to seeing you then, Andrew. And again, a big congratulations to you!”

Not resting on his laurels

It would be easy to assume that after winning the Congressional App Challenge, Lemons would naturally pursue an education in computer programming, but he has other plans. He says, “I’ve been accepted to Georgia Tech, where I plan on studying electrical engineering. I want to have a career in electrical engineering, but I also want to work in computer programming as a hobby, where I can build projects and market them.”

That said, Lemons is not waiting to graduate college before getting working experience in the tech field. He has already landed his first paying programming project. His talent and work ethic caught the eye of one of the CAC’s judges, businessman Charles Howell, a retired IT professional who is building a second career by developing software to address business needs he encountered in his IT management life. Howell’s business is called OpsTempo Software, and Apps Collective and RACI Connect are the two software applications he is presently developing.

“Andrew immediately struck me as a young person on a clear path to the future,” Howell says. “As a high school senior, he has already become an accomplished software developer and has a bright vision for his future as an electrical engineer. He is articulate well beyond his age.” Howell adds, “Accomplished software developers are hard to find. That’s been the problem for me in building my business. Upon watching Andrew’s YouTube demo of his Propulsion app, it was immediately obvious he has mature skills and is good enough for me to engage him in my business. I have a small programming project that would be perfect for him. I am excited to give him some real-world coding experience. If he does well, I may have additional

Andrew Lemons

opportunities for him. Working with Andrew begins to satisfy one of my business objectives of getting young people into my business.”

Charles Howell is sure to be only the first of many business owners to take a keen interest in Andrew Lemons. By the time Lemons is finished with his studies at Georgia Tech, there’s no telling how his interests will have evolved, perhaps reaching into areas he has not yet even considered. Universities like Georgia Tech are famous for opening the possibilities of whole new worlds to bright minds like his. In years to come, whether Lemons builds a career in electrical engineering or computer programming or some yet-to-bediscovered field, it will surprise no one when he succeeds at it. One thing is certain, whatever field Andrew Lemons chooses, he won’t leave it like he found it. As he did with his sister’s volleyball fundraiser, he’ll have to change things for the better. That’s what he does.

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All

for the

Love

of the

Automobile 32

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Cartersville’s Savoy Automobile Museum shines a spotlight on the beauty, history, and innovation of the automotive industry.

Text: Paul Moses | Photos: Rob Smith & Provided by Savoy Automobile Museum READV3.COM | JANUARY 2022 V3 MAGAZINE

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Cartersville is quickly gaining a reputation as Northwest Georgia’s museum town.

THIS IS LARGELY DUE TO THE WORK OF GEORGIA MUSEUMS, INC., a nonprofit foundation that is

the brainchild of an anonymous family/donor.

The first three of GMI’s programs were the Booth Western Art Museum, the Tellus Science Museum (with its Bentley Planetarium), and the Bartow History Museum. And these are no rinky-dink affairs either. They are world-class institutions with all the bells and whistles one might expect to find in Chicago or New York City or London.

GMI’s final (for now) offering to the public is the newly opened Savoy Automobile Museum.

Style, history, and beauty on display Entering the Savoy Automobile Museum’s Great Hall is a jaw-dropping experience. The combination of stunning architecture and the presence of rare, sparkling automobiles can stop visitors in their tracks. Whether people are car enthusiasts or not, there is plenty to hold their attention. They may want to spend a couple of hours looking around or while away the entire day, studying every detail of what the museum has to offer.

The Savoy is divided into several different displays. First, there’s the Savoy Collection. These are classic cars of a wide variety of makes, models, and eras. It’s a semi-permanent collection, meaning some of the automobiles reside full-time at the museum and others rotate in and out of the display for the sake of variety.

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American Racing is a collection that showcases race cars, some on loan, some donated.

Presently, there’s a drag racer, a Bonneville Salt Flat car, an Indy car, and a 2018 NASCAR (#66), which was driven by Cartersville resident Mark Thompson, who at age 66 was the oldest driver to ever compete at the Daytona 500. A stand-out in this area is one-of-a-kind: Richard Petty’s 1970 Plymouth Superbird.

The Great American Classics collection displays the grand cars from the 20th century’s golden age of automobile design and manufacturing. These cars are long, heavy, ornamented, and audacious. They are cars with attitude, like Auburn Speedster, Packard, Stutz, and Duesenberg.

Sure to become a favorite for visitors are the Woodies: glossy, wood-accented beauties

that epitomize a Norman Rockwell image of the American family. These charming station wagons speak of a time when interstate freeways were new, and people set out to explore on long crosscountry adventures.

Then there are the Orphans, a collection that is both fascinating and bittersweet. These cars are a reminder of a time when the big fish gobbled up the small fish. Detroit’s Big Three dominated the automobile market to the point that they put many upstart manufacturers out of business.

Thanks to the Savoy, however, examples of these car companies’ work are still available for the public to see and appreciate. On display are cars from such defunct companies as Nash, Hudson, Frazer, and Kaiser. There is even a Davis Divan three-wheeler.

Tom Shinall

“This is a world-class automotive museum,” says Tom Shinall, director of development for the Savoy. “We’re not just a collection; we’re much more than that. We have membership programs, sponsorship opportunities—things that go far beyond just showcasing cars.” Shinall goes on to explain that Savoy seeks to connect people with the memories and cultural influences they can share with automobiles.

Cars are not the only collection at the Savoy; there’s also an impressive display of paintings of automobiles hanging on the walls throughout the museum. Shinall says, “Many museums do automobilia for their interior décor. Metal signage, nostalgic items, etc. Many do that extremely well. Since we have an art museum as a sister museum, we know a lot of artists, so we decided to use those connections to gather our

own art collection of automotive art.”

The planners and managers of Savoy are grateful to many in Cartersville and Bartow County for their help and encouragement in getting the museum off the ground. Macra Adair, Savoy’s executive director, says, “The community has gone above and beyond in support of all our museums, and the support for the Savoy has been overwhelming.”

A shining symbol The approach to the entrance of the Savoy is dominated by a sparkling beauty: a huge polished stainless-steel sculpture called Spirit of Speed.

The impression this work of art gives is that of a massive hood ornament. The sculpture, which stands some 26 feet in the air and is 40 feet long, is the work of Irish sculptor Linda

Brunkner (now based in Spain). As the work’s name suggests, it was designed to evoke the impression of speed. Brunkner, whose work is known for its combination of gracefulness and grand scale (Spirit of Speed weighs 7 ½ tons), has an international appeal, showing in such diverse places as Ireland, California, and China.

Georgia Museums, Inc. has an established tradition of using large-scale art and objects outdoors to express the essence of what visitors will find indoors. For instance, the Booth Western Art Museum displays oversized bronze sculptures of men on horseback, and the Tellus Science Museum features heavy machinery and equipment that tie into the mining history of the area. Brunkner’s Spirit of Speed serves the same purpose for the Savoy, telling people they can expect a high-quality experience from their visit.

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“When we were planning the museum,” Shinall says, “we knew we needed a statement piece, beyond the building itself. Spirit of Speed shows accents of different classic hood ornaments; she’s Brunkner’s rendition of a mascot for the Savoy.”

What’s in a name?

When it came to naming the new automotive museum, the original idea was to ask the public to submit their suggestions, making it a community contest of sorts. Then in 2018, as workers toiled through the arduous task of clearing parts of the thirty-seven acres of land to build the museum, they came across a surprising (and serendipitous) discovery: the rusted shell of a 1954 Plymouth Savoy. The car had been there so long it was half-buried in the earth. It had trees growing through it and was choked with vines and brush.

The workers removed the foliage, cut out the trees, and literally pulled the ruined car from the ground. Though derelict, the car was seen as a kind of buried treasure, a sign too obvious to ignore. In its honor, the museum was given the name Savoy.

The old relic was beyond restoration, but the planners decided that instead of discarding it they would display it proudly. And there it is today, a ghost from the past, sitting just outside the museum for all to see. Presently, an investigation is underway to uncover the car’s history, a search for old photographs and documents. “We are part of that car’s story,” Shinall says, “and we intend to find out what that story is.” Meanwhile, the old Plymouth Savoy serves as a curiosity, an inspiration, and a reminder of the tenuous nature of automotive history.

An architectural legacy The visionary designer behind the Savoy was Frank Bergman. He was also the principal architect of the Booth Western Art Museum and the Tellus Science Museum, as well as various major projects worldwide. Bergman traveled

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across the US and internationally looking for inspiration for his Savoy designs. (In fact, he visited so many automotive museums that he began putting together a coffee table book on the subject.) “There are a lot of automotive museums around the world, each unique in its own right,” Shinall says, “Some are glorified garages, others are ground-up builds or warehouses. Frank took note of what worked well in these museums and what did not. He borrowed the sleek, modern styling of American museums and combined it with the more traditional elements and natural textures used in Europe.”

Sadly, Frank Bergman did not live to see the fruition of his work on the Savoy. He passed away in January 2021, but, as Shinall puts it, “Frank’s legacy is embedded in every wall, every nail that went into this place. It’s truly a testament to his vision and genius.”

Looking down the road The museum’s offerings will continue to evolve and expand as time goes on. The presentation

theater, for instance, is a multi-use venue, perfect for any number of events: lectures, workshops, auctions; there’s even a wedding planned there for this January. The theater features stadium seating and a huge curved digital screen, the largest in the Southeast. “We can use this space to host monthly lectures series,” Shinall says, “bringing in experts from around the country to talk about the cars on display and automotive history.” The museum also has other spaces they can rent out for private events.

Bruce Patton, Savoy’s director of curatorial services, says, “We’ll have rotating exhibits, some borrowed, some donated, and, of course, more of Savoy’s own collection as it grows. We want to change things up about every four months.” And that’s just indoors. Savoy has plans of using its ample outdoor acreage as well. Patton adds, “We look forward to parking cars in the grass on the property and hosting cars shows.” Shinall agrees, saying, “We don’t want to become stagnant. We want to always be changing, growing, keeping it fresh.”

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ROME, GEORGIA IS WELLKNOWN AS A MEDICAL HUB,

a community where people can be confident that their health needs will be met with a high level of expertise. Harbin Clinic Women’s Center remains at the forefront of providing the women of Northwest Georgia with the best possible care, from their first gynecological visit, through their child-bearing years, to menopause and post-menopause. Dr. Raymond Jarvis and Dr. Marc Dean, both physicians of obstetrics-gynecology at Harbin Clinic’s Women’s Center in Rome, work with their fellow physicians and other medical professionals to uphold Harbin Clinic’s long-standing tradition of excellence and to prove their motto right: “We care completely.”

IT’S A TEAM, IT’S A FAMILY

For this ob-gyn team, coming to work every day is all about the relationships. Dr. Dean says, “We work together, we struggle together, sometimes we cry together.

That’s what the partners are building here; it’s a team and a family.”

In discussing what he likes about his job, Dr. Jarvis says, “Ob-gyn is a relatively happy specialty. We can become a real integral part of a woman’s life at some of her most important moments.

And I like the variety of the work here, too: the surgical component, the office component.” For these doctors, it comes down to the friendships built over the years. Dr. Jarvis adds, “Over the last twenty-three years I’ve formed some really wonderful relationships with patients.

That’s something I truly enjoy, getting to know people beyond just the medical perspective. I like learning who they are, who their families are. I get to see a lot 38

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of their families grow up.” When asked if he has ever delivered the babies of the babies he’s delivered, he says, “Yes! That happened for the first time just two years ago! It was a really special and meaningful delivery.”

And, of course, some of those times are not so happy, and that’s when the professionals at Harbin Clinic Women’s Center are more important than ever.

Serving in women’s healthcare allows the physicians and staff to share in both the joys and sorrows of their patients’ lives.

Speaking to this emotional aspect of their work, Dr. Dean says, “We have the highs that are really high, but sometimes there are low times, too; that’s when we really get to minister to people, walking with them through a tough journey, whether that’s a cancer diagnosis, a difficult pregnancy, or the loss of a pregnancy.”

PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. Of course, Harbin Clinic Women’s Center does not wait until January to do its part in battling this disease. They work with their patients all year long to help educate them about cervical cancer and a host of other health issues. Dr. Dean points out that he and his fellow medical professionals would far rather prevent disease than treat it. He says, “We deal with a lot of disorders of varying severity, but in the long run, if we don’t have to operate, that’s better. If we can treat something with diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes then that’s what we want to do.”

As for cervical cancer, Dr. Dean points out that it is one of those cancers which is preventable. “The number one risk factor,” he says, “is HPV, the human papilloma virus. There are many HPV types, and there

Back row (left to right): Dr. Marc Dean, Dr. Raymond Jarvis Front row (left to right): Dr. Diana Vallecilla, Dr. Barry Brass, Dr. Margaret Marion

are vaccines that are very effective against high-risk HPV types.” As he explains, the usual form of cervical cancer takes about ten to twelve years to develop, so that is why the doctors at the Women’s Center want to see their patients on a yearly basis.

“That way,” Dr. Dean says, “we can pick things up at an early stage before they turn into a problem.”

“With cervical cancer, there’s a progression of the disease,” Dr. Jarvis says. “It starts as mild and progresses to

moderate, to pre-cancerous, to cancer. It takes a long time to do that, so if we can intervene at some point, we can often prevent it from becoming serious.” That’s why these doctors stress the need for regular screenings and other preventive measures such as vaccinations. For these physicians, prevention is the key followed by recognizing and addressing issues as they arise.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Sometimes patients are apprehensive about visiting a doctor’s office, so the staff at Harbin Clinic Women’s Center do everything they can to put them at their ease. Part of that is letting women know what they can expect when they come. Dr. Jarvis explains that a standard visit will include such things as checking blood pressure, perhaps a urinalysis or bloodwork (depending on symptoms), and there may be a breast exam. A gynecological

exam might include a pap smear (for screening cervical cells) and/or a pelvic exam. Dr. Jarvis says, “I think it’s important that we distinguish between the pap smear and the pelvic exam, since some patients are confused about the difference. The pelvic exam is used for evaluation of the pelvic structures, especially the ovaries; while the pap smear is specific to the cervix.”

Dr. Dean emphasizes that at the annual exam it’s important to glean as much information about the patient’s history as possible. The doctors want to know what’s been going on with the patient since her last visit. He says, “We just ask them to tell us what’s been going on with them.”

This speaks to the more personal, human, part of the patient’s relationship with their doctor. It’s all part of Harbin Clinic’s commitment to treating the whole person, a true legacy of caring completely.

Patients can schedule appointments with the providers at Harbin Clinic Women’s Center in both Rome and Cartersville. For more information visit harbinclinic.com/ services/womens-health

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So

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omething

weet on

Broad Street Bake and Bloom makes their big move to Broad Street, giving people one more good reason to say, “Let’s go downtown!”

Text: Paul Moses Photos: Rob Smith

IT’S A NEW DAY FOR BAKE AND BLOOM in Rome, Georgia. A bright,

cheerful entrance welcomes customers to the shop’s new digs at 407-B Broad Street, making it more convenient than ever for people to find colorful handmade treats, delicious cakes, and much more. In the first month of 2022, bakery owners Rebecca and Corey Lance have taken the leap to expand their business by increasing their public visibility. As Corey puts it, “It’s a new spot, a new year, and a new us!” They’re excited about the move, and with plenty of good reasons.

When asked why the Lances moved Bake and Bloom to Broad Street, Corey simply answers: “Foot traffic.” Their original location was fine for a start, but it soon proved too small for a growing business, not to mention difficult to find for some customers. And it wasn’t located in an area conducive to window-shopping. This move to Rome’s historic downtown solves those problems. Corey says, “Around here, when you think of Broad Street, you think of the big leagues.” So, why did they not move to Broad Street sooner? Rebecca explains, “We needed a practice run before doing that.”

Making the move For ten months or so, the Lances actively kept their eyes open for a new location. Corey says, “The other place was cute and quaint, but we always knew we wanted to move downtown.” Rebecca adds, “Really, we had known we wanted to move from the old place from the time we moved in there.” Then one day, they were visiting one of their customers, Billy Newby of Newby Farm & Vineyard (Bake and Bloom provides Newby’s dessert boxes), and they asked him about the unoccupied space next door. “Whenever we happened to be over there,” Rebecca says, “we would look in the window. The place had sat empty forever.” Newby gave them the owner’s contact information, and they called. Two days later they met the owner and talked. After some negotiation, they struck a deal and started the process of relocation.

For the most part, the building’s interior was an empty shell, but the new landlord was cooperative in accommodating the Lances with the structural changes Bake and Bloom needed. A room was added for decorating cakes and other treats. Rebecca says, “What is now the kitchen was just a space with a gravel floor and no ceiling.” The shop’s front door and display windows were moved several feet closer to the sidewalk, allowing more open floor space inside. A bathroom was added. However, hints of the building’s history remain; the tin ceiling from the 1830s was left intact and freshened up with a new coat of paint.

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The Lances have been careful to maintain a certain aesthetic continuity between their previous shop and this new space. For instance, Bake and Bloom’s trademark pink and white color scheme has been repeated here. As she did in their original place, Rebecca broke out her brushes to create original wall art; she hand-painted a tossed pattern of kitchenware, everything from mixers to oven mitts, each object created in a thick-and-thin French style. On another wall, she painted a monochromatic mural (in various shades of pink, of course) of downtown landmarks, featuring Rome’s iconic clocktower.

Thanks to the Lances’ tireless efforts, the whole process happened quickly. They closed their old shop on Christmas Eve and opened their new one on January 4th. Corey says, “That’s usually the week we take off, anyway—Christmas to New Year’s.” Rebecca points out, “It wasn’t a break for us, though. It was for our staff, but not for us.” The Lances were in their new space on December 26th, working, cleaning, painting, renovating.

Step by step The Lances have come to this new location one careful step at a time: from baking cookies and cakes in their home kitchen, to a small shop in a secluded corner, and now to prime real estate in the heart of their hometown.

For Rebecca, owning a bakery was a dream that came and went and then came back again. As a young married couple, she and Corey lived in a loft apartment in downtown Adairsville, where she tried to start a baking business, following the cottage industry model (that is, baking at home).

Those plans were put on hold when she became pregnant and, suddenly, the smell of baking made her sick.

Being an artist at heart, Rebecca still wanted to do something creative, so she founded Rebecca Marie Photography. “I stumbled into it,” she says, “but that was never the plan.” The Lances worked that business for eight years.

“Then,” Rebecca says, “we ran into a friend at a store, and he mentioned that I had made a cookie cake for him in high school. He said, ‘You need to make me one of those again.’ So random. That week I made a cookie cake and posted it on Facebook.” From that posting, other people asked for cookie cakes, so in August of 2018, the Lances started a new cottage baking business.

Working in a bakery business was not exactly what Corey had in mind for himself, but as Rebecca puts it: “I roped him into it. I was busy doing all the baking and decorating. It became too much, so I taught Corey how to bake.”

He picked it up fast. He often baked until 4 or 5 A.M., then Rebecca would start decorating. Corey says, “We were passing each other in the hallway.” At first, they only made cookie cakes, but soon customers were asking for other things, such as cupcakes, decorative cookies, and wedding cakes.

Corey says, “We were working from home, loading cookie boxes in our car and making deliveries.” Rebecca adds, “Our kitchen and dining room were constantly covered in cakes and bags and boxes.” The Lances did that for two years as the business grew. Finally, they got to the point where they were having to turn customers away because of the workload.

In August of 2020, the Lances opened Bake and Bloom on Spider Webb Drive. Corey says, “We looked at each other and decided this must be something bigger than we thought, so we took the plunge.” One career built on another to give this enterprise a kick-start. “Rebecca’s photography gave her a big following on social media,” Corey says, “and that’s what made this business successful.” It wasn’t long, however, before it became clear that if the business was going to move on to the next level of success it needed to relocate.

Creative solutions to customers’ needs Rebecca’s cakes designs reflect her unique creative flair. Her designs are unexpected, even eccentric, more artistic than some customers might expect.

For instance, when it comes to wedding cakes, Rebecca says, “Of course, I can

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We’re just excited to expand, to get more involved in the Broad Street community, things like block parties and activities on the Town Green.

Corey & Rebecca Lance

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do a plain white cake, but I like to use different textures and colors. We like to do fun stuff. We’re open to unusual requests.”

When preparing for some special event, many customers come to Bake and Bloom unsure of what they want. Rebecca walks them through the options: flavors, fillings, frostings. She makes a variety of cupcakes that reflect the customer’s choices and then hosts a cake tasting. From there, the customer can make an educated decision about what to order.

Some regular customers come in and say, “Here’s our theme. Just let Rebecca do whatever she wants.” They know when they pick up their order it will be a surprise, but a pleasant one.

As wedding photographers, the Lances tasted many wedding cakes made by other bakeries, and sometimes those cakes were stale and dry.

Rebecca says, “All our cakes are fresh and moist. We make them on the day of or the day before our customers’ events.” Quality, taste, and freshness are important to the Lances. Rebecca says, “I love to see people on Facebook say, ‘That cake was so good,’ and I can say, “Hey! That’s my cake!’”

Moving forward The months to come will be a time of experimentation for Bake and Bloom. The Lances are eager to try new things, new recipes, new offerings. Corey says, “We’ll do things like waffle cones for our cookie dough, and maybe offer soft-serve sometime down the road.” Rebecca adds, “We already serve sausage balls and cinnamon rolls, but we want to start doing brunch, with things like sandwiches and quiche.”

Also, they are exploring increasing their store hours. “We’ll watch the foot traffic for a while and decide on the new hours,” Rebecca says. “With the two wineries nearby, business is starting to build up on this end of Broad Street. Most of the restaurants are further down, so we want to offer something here.”

It’s been nine years now since the Lances went into business with Rebecca’s photography work.

That lead, eventually to this. They want to keep moving, evolving. Rebecca says, “We’re just excited to expand, to get more involved in the Broad Street community, things like block parties and activities on the Town Green.” Looking toward future possibilities, Corey says, “Maybe our next step would be to keep this location and open another one, expanding into another city. But one step at a time—slow and steady wins the race.”

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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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FOR THE STRUGGLES. FOR THE CELEBRATIONS.

For everything in life. For the good times and for the hard times. For the routine and for the unexpected. We are here for you and with you every step of the way. For 150 years, Harbin Clinic caregivers have dedicated their lives to healing others. We believe it’s important to honor our past, remember how far we’ve come and celebrate our progress. But we’re not done. We are constantly evolving, innovating, growing – just like you. We believe in moving forward – for our patients, for more accessible care, for stronger communities. Our mission remains the same. In the happiest of moments and when times are tough, Harbin Clinic is here to care completely. For you. With you.

We care completely.

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V3 MAGAZINE JANUARY 2022 | READV3.COM