V3 June 2016

NWGA's Premier Feature Magazine June 2016

HOW SWEET IT IS! Celebrating

10 YEARS of ads, art and the people who make it possible.

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It’s time to buy. No hustle, just Heritage.

706-622-3783 965 Veterans Memorial Hwy NE Rome, GA 30161 www.heritageromehonda.com

706-622-3783 965 Veterans Memorial Hwy NE Rome, GA 30161 www.gmcrome.com

706-291-1981 1500 Veterans Memorial Hwy NE Rome, GA 30161 www.romenissan.com

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In a world full of smart technology, J. BRYANT STEELE questions if it's needed as much as the Atlanta Braves need a new home.

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Some celebrate anniversaries with extravagant trips or expensive gifts, but HOLLY LYNCH says simple plans can sometimes do the trick.

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Ricky Wright and the personal trainers at WRIGHT ATHLETIC DEVELOPMENT explain the core beliefs behind helping others to reach their fitness goals.

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V3 MAGAZINE REFLECTS ON 10 YEARS of celebrating the folks who make this corner of Georgia a home.

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Northwest Georgia rock fanatics TIR ASLEEN find their inspiration from the people and never hesitate to put the rubber to the road.

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HARDY REALTY offers the chance to be a part of a history, rich with Roman family memories.

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“My husband has Alzheimers and we moved to Renaissance Marquis because of the wonderful memory care.

Before I knew it 2 months had turned into 2 years. The staff provides us with everything we need, and the people who live here have made this place my home.�

- Jean Fricks

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3126 Cedartown Hwy SW, Rome, GA 30161-4314

www.RenaissanceMarquis.com v3 magazine

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OWNER & CEO Ian Griffin

MAG ART & DESIGN Ellie Borromeo

EDITORIAL MANAGER Ian Griffin OWNER+CEO

publisher's note This time of year is certainly ripe with celebrations. Graduations, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and the endless string of May babies in my personal life make for a busy couple of months.

It was honestly by accident that my June baby, V3 Magazine, arrived when it did 10 long, but seemingly short, years ago. Good thing I happen to enjoy parties, so I can’t argue with another reason to celebrate.

Birthdays and anniversaries are more than just a reason to party, though; they are a reason to reflect on your achievements as a person, a couple or a business. Through this decade of V3, I have gotten married, welcomed a daughter and two sons into my life, lost a good deal of my hair, purchased my first home, lost more of my hair, seen some dear friends and family members leave this world, and worked/still work with some of the finest people I could have ever hoped to know.

There has been a lot of change, but making sure this little publication comes out each month has been an absolute constant through it all. That process and the pieces of the machine that drive it have been evolving since the very first issue, but the rush to press date and the anticipation of opening the box and putting my hands on the hard copies is just as exciting as that very first issue.

While it is easy to look back, this milestone has pushed my thoughts towards the future.

When we started, all I knew is that I wanted this business to work. I never envisioned it being a job I would keep for the rest of my life because my partners and I were just fighting to make sure it was a job we had the next week. We adapted, grew the book, added extra revenue streams that were natural extensions of what we were already doing, and 10 years later, it’s hard to see myself doing anything other than producing V3.

A good friend of mine once told me that in business you adapt or die. If you aren’t thinking ahead, constantly plotting what you can do differently or how you can grow, you can wake up one day and realize the world has passed your services by. So while there is no way I can fully wrap my head around where V3 will be in another 10 years, I can say with certainty that as long as we are around, we will be pushing ourselves to stay ahead of the game.

This magazine spawned a business built around creativity, and thanks to a wonderful staff with endless amounts of it, we have barely scratched the surface of what we have to offer.

Ian Griffin, Owner

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Oliver Robbins

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Tannika Wester

WRITERS J. Bryant Steele, Oliver Robbins, Erin deMesquita, Holly Lynch Corinna Underwood, Tripp Durden, Greg Howard

EXECUTIVE PHOTOGRAPHER Derek Bell, MFA 706.936.0407

PHOTOGRAPHERS Cameron Flaisch Christian David Turner

AD SALES & CLIENT RELATIONS Chris Forino

AD DESIGN Ellie Borromeo Laura Allshouse

PUBLISHER V3 Publications, LLC

CONTACT One West Fourth Avenue Rome, Ga. 30161 Office Phone 706.235.0748 v3publications@gmail.com

CREATOR Neal Howard

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Success Tomorrow Begins With Planning Today!

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Cents& Sensibility with J. Bryant Steele ome days it seems when journalists tire of everything else, we get stories about the advent of driverless cars. Apparently, those national journalists don’t drive in West Rome (neither do I, if I can help it), or they would know driverless cars are already amongst us.

But why not cars without drivers? Already, our cars speak directions and remind us to fasten our seat belts or to check under the hood.

We need every nonsentient thing to assist us these days, so that we can think less – or use our minds for more important matters, like explaining existentialism. So, when we forget to close the refrigerator door, that’s OK because the appliance will remind us with a Vivaldi-like melody.

Smart phones remind us of important events like birthdays and past-due bills, tell us we have new email, or tell us when and where our favorite band is playing. (Sometimes, we even use our phones to call friends to say “hello.”)

It is no longer sufficient for a microwave to emit a “ding” when the timer has finished its job.

We must have it say, “Your pizza with extra cheese

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is ready. Be careful, it’s hot because I generate 1,200 watts of heat, lest you forget.”

Primitive writing was chiseled onto tablets.

Contemporary writing is tapped onto tablets, ones with brand names and a hefty price tag.

If our phones and our appliances are smarter than us, why not our cars? Besides, think of the efficiency of driverless cars for cheating spouses.

Of course, the motel industry would take a hit.

But that’s just the basic precept of innovation and consequence. It was the automobile, after all, that put the horse-drawn carriage out of business.

I am concerned, though, for American storytelling. From John Steinbeck to Jack Kerouac, from W.C. Fields to The Beverly Hillbillies, our drama and our comedy is filled with tales of driving. And every common man or woman can tell a story about taking the first driver’s license test.

I would like to hear Wayne Lumsden, a former classmate, tell his story.

I don’t know what a driver’s license test is like these days, but when I was in high school it was easier than having to memorize world capitals.

We all passed the driver’s exam easily, except for poor Wayne. We all got to senior year as experienced drivers, which was really important for dating, which is what high school is for, after all.

But Wayne failed the written portion of the driver’s test a few times and wasn’t allowed to try again for a long time.

But then, on a fall afternoon with senior year under way, Wayne passed the written test. That was followed by the actual driving test with an officious State Patrol officer in the passenger seat.

The driving test consisted of keeping your mouth shut, following directions, and remembering to use your turn signals for a total of four blocks, roundtrip back to the courthouse.

Easy as spitting. So Wayne made it, except for the last part. You know where you pull into a parking space and apply the brakes? Wayne angled the car in all right, but instead of applying the brake pedal he stomped the accelerator. The car jumped the curb, flew across the sidewalk and went halfway up the courthouse steps. I have always doubted that last part of the story because, applying the laws of acceleration and mass, gravitational pull and traction times incline (which I studied during senior year but have mostly forgotten), the car probably only went a third of the way up the courthouse steps.

No one was injured; no government property was damaged, so Wayne’s parents were able to fetch him in a little while.

Wayne finished high school without a driver’s license. Or a date.

Recalling that story now, I have changed my mind about driverless cars. Because somewhere out there there’s another Wayne who’s too stupid to drive, but if the car drove itself, he could get a date and he could procreate. That’s a vicious cycle we don’t need.

Biz Bits

If you play the stock market and you have invested in Krispy Kreme, you are very happy right now. Not so much if you hold shares in the Atlanta Braves, and I’m not talking about the baseball team that’s off to a lousy start this season and fired its very capable manager.

A Swiss holding company, JAB, is purchasing the doughnut maker for $1.35 billion and plans to take it private. So, celebrate your windfall.

Have a doughnut.

Liberty Media, absentee owner of the Braves,

Age Against the machine is also singing a happy tune. In its quarterly report to stockholders, the bean counters downplayed a plunge in the trading value of Braves’ stock, instead referring to the Braves as a valuable “real estate holding.” That’s an obvious reference to the Braves’ move next year to a taxpayer-built stadium in Cobb County.

Here’s a memo to Liberty Media from a former Atlantan who once attended several games each summer at the former two downtown ballparks: • The Braves’ hard-core fan base has always been in town, not outside the city limits.

• The shine of the suburban ball park will wear off, like a new car after its first oil change. It’s still 90 feet between the bases; still 60 feet, 6 inches between the pitching

rubber and home plate. You still have to play the game.

• The Braves, as currently constituted, can’t play the game.

The new “real estate holding” won’t sustain attendance, will lose money, and Braves stock will be a laughingstock until you commit to loosening the purse strings for player salaries.

An even sadder note: Morley Safer has passed on. He is remembered by most as the probing yet polite journalist on the long-running “60 Minutes” news program. But some of us remember how he bravely covered the Vietnam War, not always to our government’s liking. Obituary writers recalled the time President Lyndon Johnson roused CBS's CEO from bed and alleged Safer

was a Communist. That was after Safer and his Vietnamese cameraman broke the Cam Ne story of a village set afire though the enemy had left weeks before.

Hard to imagine today’s coiffed camera journalists doing that type of dirty work. V VV

J. Bryant Steele has won awards for business reporting, feature writing and opinion columns, and is based in Rome. *The views expressed in this column are those of the writer, and do not represent the opinions of V3 Magazine

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H

appy anniversary! Today is a day to celebrate. A year has gone by since you previously marked this occasion, and here you are again. Time sure does fly by!

Traditionally, an anniversary celebration applied specifically to a married couple. The occasion was marked by a gift, indicated by the year of the anniversary. Years ago, when I was in college, I worked for a Hallmark store. It was a corporately owned store and featured every Hallmark product you could imagine. From greeting cards to framed art, the store sold it all. While there, part of my training included learning the anniversary gift suggestions by year. I’ve forgotten most of them now, but I do remember there was a traditional and modern list. I do remember that the first anniversary is paper, the 25th silver, 40th is ruby, 50th is gold, and 60th is diamond. Who wants to wait 60 years for a diamond? And what exactly does paper mean for an anniversary gift?

As far as a gift for your anniversary goes, if you are thrilled by paper or pottery (year nine), go for a gift. But for me, I think an anniversary should be an experience.

I'm writing this column on the eve of my ninth wedding anniversary (yep, late for my editor’s deadline again!). My husband and I have

Trends& Traditions with Holly Lynch a tradition for our anniversary I think is worth sharing. Each year, we alternate who is in charge of the anniversary plans. The non-responsible party only needs to show up with a greeting card.

Some years, we take a quick getaway trip (always a

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surprise for the non-planner). Some years we stay home and go "tech-free" for the day. No matter what, one of us is always pleasantly surprised by whatever the other has planned.

We decided early on that the wedding anniversary celebration is not solely the responsibility of the husband. I see people posting (both positively and negatively) about what a husband did for his wife for their anniversary. It seems to me that both spouses should equally participate in celebrating their marriage. Some anniversaries, it’s a celebration of surviving another year. For other years, it’s marking a really exciting and happy period of time.

There are some other traditions I have heard from my recently married couples. At some weddings now, we have a “letter box” where the bride and groom write each other letters on the eve of their wedding day, and lock them in the box during the ceremony. At the first anniversary, they remove the letters and exchange them, and write another one to lock away until year two. I think this is such a great way to chronicle your marriage. Some years, I can image, the letter will be something like, “This was a great year – we bought a house!” and other years, “I’m nine months pregnant with twins and I can’t see my feet”. What a gift those letters will be to yourself in your senior years! Some couples even add a bottle of wine to the box, to share on the anniversary.

A new bottle of wine goes in the box every year with a new set of letters.

While the anniversary celebration has evolved to include career milestones and non-marital relationships, the joy of recognizing the passage of time together is unfazed. In June, we celebrate

Ways to Remember the first anniversary in our new building. I’m not sure we’ll mark the occasion in any public way, but I know as the summer heats up, I will remember the long days renovating the space into something wonderful. Each year that goes by, I know I will remember the fear, excitement, and ultimate satisfaction that came from purchasing and renovating our new work home. A relationship that connected deserves a little recognition each year – a small nod to the place we began.

And so our sweet magazine approaches an incredible milestone. 10 years of publication – 10 years of recognizing the special parts of our

community and highlighting people, businesses and events that define us. I’m proud to celebrate with V3. I remember advertising early on (my business is nine years old) and having a very, shall we say, “Amateurish advertisement.” I like to think that my business has grown up with V3, and I’m grateful for their leadership in this community.

If I were a gift-giving person, the traditional gift is either tin or aluminum. Since I have no idea what that might be, I will instead extend my heartiest congratulations on 10 amazing years.

Let’s celebrate! V VV

Holly Lynch is the owner of The Season Events, a full service catering, event planning and design company located at 300 Glenn Milner Blvd. in Rome. *The views expressed in this column are those of the writer, and do not represent the opinions of V3 Magazine.

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TRAINING DAY If getting motivated to hit the gym has been a problem in the past, this group of exercise experts have the road map to a life of health and wellness. text GREG HOWARD photography CAMERON FLAISCH and CHRISTIAN DAVID TURNER

iet and exercise trends change so often, it sometimes feels like trying to keep up with Usain Bolt while tethered to a dump truck. However, no matter what the latest research reports, some things remain constant. Eating healthy foods, staying active and being educated on what works for your physical and chemical make-up are guaranteed methods in keeping your body in good working order. Also, the help of professionals to guide your steps is a surefire way to achieve your goals and develop a plan for long term success. At Wright Athletic Development, owner Ricky Wright has put together a team of trainers who have the know-how to keep their clients on track and moving in the Wright direction.

Inside, you are greeted by the view of a large patch of artificial turf, medicine balls, treadmills and a training sled. The scene is that of a personal trainer’s laboratory stocked with all the equipment necessary for a calorie-incinerating workout. But this gym is not just for those who want to lose a few inches or impress the public with a toned figure. At Wright Athletic Development, the goal of each trainer is to form healthy habits and implement real-world exercises that help with performance and injury prevention.

Romans as young as seven and as old as 80 years of age enter the doors of this unconventional gym daily. They push sleds, run agility courses, hang from rings attached to the ceiling and go a round or two with the heavy bag. These goal-centered workouts are designed with purpose and guarantee results.

Studies show that over two-thirds of U.S adults are overweight and one out of every three Americans are obese. Since the 1970s, the number of calories the average U.S. citizen consumes per day has risen by 25 percent to a gut-busting 2,500. The increase of processed foods and the ease of a quick meal from the drive-through have played their due part in the equation.

It seems that in some regards, the American lifestyle made us softer than we once were.

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“ While you can have a passion for working out in your own life, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have that same passion for improving the fitness of others.”

But why settle on being just another victim of statistics? Instead, why not work to become the nation known for healthy habits and teach our children the benefits of eating right and staying active?

Ricky Wright, a native of Rome, developed his passion for training as a college student at Samford University in Birmingham, Ala. He applied to be a personal trainer at a local gym where he discovered a passion for fitness, and an equal love for the teaching elements associated with being a personal trainer. He would then go on to become a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, an American Council of Exercise Personal Trainer and receive an ACL Sports Metrics certification.

After studying the most effective practices with an already established trainer in Rome, Wright opened the doors to his first location, Wright Personal Fitness, in East Rome. After 11 years, he and his fellow trainers, Gail Cothran and Shields Harris, found that they had outgrown their humble studio due to a growing clientele. So, Wright decided to move to a much larger facility on the outskirts of downtown Rome. Now, with bigger and better space to work, Wright Athletic Development has doubled its staff as well, proudly hosting seven personal trainers at the new location at 215 North 5th Avenue.

According to a recent study, the personal 20

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training industry has grown exponentially and will only continue to rise. It is forecasted that by 2020, the U.S. economy will support the jobs of over 300,000 personal trainers.

And these personal trainers are not courting the same “big-gains” seekers who desire to train as bodybuilders. Instead, they are offering programs to suit all ages.

“We want to physically grow all ages and aspects of our community and really focus on their individual needs and goals,” Wright explains.

Brian Lovering, a former YMCA coach turned personal trainer, has become a favorite among some of the gym’s youngest athletes. “To be a trainer, you need to be a mentor,” Lovering says. “I can honestly say that God has put me where I need to be to better kids’ lives.”

The trainers at Wright Athletic Development keep the body guessing by mixing

different styles of training. “We not only work on the major lifts, but also more functional movements,” Lovering explains.

“I really try to focus on agility and game-like situations.”

Their mission is not to focus on the maximum weight lifted on the bench or the amount of push-ups one can rep out.

Instead, the goal is to build a total athlete and avoid sports-related injuries.

“The focus of a good personal trainer should not be to simply tell you what to do, but to educate you about why you are doing it,” adds Lovering.

The benefits of working out do not stop at improving your athleticism. According to Crystal Stewart, an International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) and Certified Functional Strength Coach (CFSC)-certified trainer at Wright Athletic Development, the benefits exceed feeling better physically.

“Developing a consistent training schedule also reduces stress,” she explains. “It only makes sense that when the body feels better, so does the mind. According to the ADAA (Anxiety and Depression Association of America), exercise and other physical activities produce endorphins, chemicals in the brain that act as natural painkillers which also help the body to properly sleep.”

Stewart offers programs from boot-camp style and barre classes to functional strength training, and specializes in helping ladies achieve their personal fitness goals. Having previously worked at other more conventional gyms, she easily pinpoints the things that make Wright Athletic Development unique.

“It is common to see up to 75 percent of new gym members without personal trainers only last a few months,” says Stewart, “because people start out with the best intentions and life gets in the way. We want to implement healthy lifestyle changes that our clients practice outside of the gym and help them stay the course. One of my clients lost 95 pounds over the course of a

year. But, that’s not how I judge success. She now runs half marathons, plays tennis and has improved her overall quality of life. She seems really happy about the new things she can enjoy in her life.”

However, the trainers at Wright Athletic Development offer a source of accountability that is much more personalized. “All of us who staff the gym have a specific reason for everything we do. This is a direct result of the personal fitness goals of the client,” she says with a smile. “If my client wants to be able to do a pull up, then we’re going to find many ways to work on all of the required muscles. We can achieve that.”

Though the job of a personal trainer is certainly a fulfilling career, it is not an easy one if done correctly. Corey Pitts, a former fire fighter who is now offering his own training services he’s coined as “Corey Micheal Pitts or CMP Training,” is a true example of the devotion a career as a trainer requires.

“I start at 5 a.m. every morning and end at 7 p.m. in the evening,” Pitts says. “I know that getting motivated can be hard and a personal trainer serves as an accountability partner.” With his personal philosophy – “Your performance will tell” – Pitts has helped clients ranging in age from 7 to 92 achieve their personal fitness goals.

Pitts has a personality and smile that will light up the room. His light-hearted demeanor brings a sense of fun and energy to his workouts. Major Pitts, as some of his clients have nicknamed him, is known for taking

From left to right Gail Cothran, Shields Harris, Ricky Wright, Tommie Norton, Brian Lovering, Corey Pitts, Crystal Stewart

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to social media to show off the hard work during his classes. But don’t let the smooth taste fool you. Just as sure as you’ll see your reflection in the pool of sweat on the floor during his “resting” plank position, you will feel the burn and see the results.

According to Pitts, one of the most fulfilling aspects of working as a personal trainer is seeing clients far exceed their own goals. He has helped those who have rarely worked out to run their first 5K or hold a plank for over a minute. He has also trained local stand-outs like Mike Dean, Jermaine Spivey and Marcus Dixon.

Pitts was instrumental in helping Dixon excel before he played for the several teams in the NFL, including the Tennessee Titans and Dallas Cowboys. Pitts believes that fitness is in direct correlation with performance. “Many people call themselves trainers, but here we strive to be great,” Pitts says. “When I say, ‘Your performance will tell’, this is exactly what I mean. We work hard at getting the results you set out to achieve. It’s never too late to think about

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getting healthy and many of my clients are surprised at how far they come when they push past their comfort zones.”

“You must first and foremost have a passion for others,” Wright says. “While you can have a passion for working out in your own life, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have that same passion for improving the fitness of others and continued education is huge.”

He adds that every four to five years there is always a new trend. “Looking over the past 25 years, it is amazing to see what we used to do and what we are doing now,” he says.

Where once machines were all the rage, now personal training heavily uses body weight due to the more practical and everyday benefits it delivers.

Wright, who has a special certification in ACL Injury Protection, is a strong promoter of strengthening his clients using methods that will help prevent injuries outside the gym from occurring. “Research shows that even a simple warmup alone can reduce injuries up to 70 percent,” he says.

He tells the story of a 16-year-old girl

who has injured her knee twice while playing soccer. He works with her to reduce the risk of re-injury. “I will communicate with the physical therapists to provide the best training regimen and get the athlete ready to return to play,” Wright explains. “Even if clients come to me wanting to alleviate lower back pain, we can help them by using proper core training techniques. Many of my older clients have expressed improvements in their quality of life which motivates them to continue to take a more active role in maintaining their overall health.”

Even the simplest goals are not too small to tackle for Wright and his dedicated crew.

Whether you want to rid yourself of bothersome aches and pains, lose six inches off your waist or charge the net to return a drop shot on the tennis court, there is a qualified professional at Wright Athletic Development who is ready and waiting to help you achieve your goal. So if fate, or your own personal desire to get in shape, leads you down North 5th Avenue, be prepared to work hard. If you are going to train, do it the Wright way. VVV For more information about classes and membership, call 770-546-0596 Find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ Wright-Athletic-Development.

Connect to trainers at: crystalestewart@gmail.com, cmptrainingrome.com, brian_lovering@yahoo.com, ggcmuscle@comcast.net and harrisshields@gmail.com

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ASmashin’ GoodTime

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Ian Griffin Owner & CEO

text IAN GRIFFIN photography CAMERON FLAISCH, DEREK BELL, KELLY MOORE, SABRINA WILSON, TRACEY PAGE, CHRISTIAN DAVID TURNER In the beginning there were three … hence the whole “V3” thing. We wrote the features, took the pictures, sold the ads, took out the trash and dropped copies all over Northwest Georgia in hopes that our publication would stick.

It was a labor of love, and while we learned through trial and error, we promised ourselves we would never compromise the quality of the magazine to save a buck. We wanted to be unique – not a regional version of Southern Living – and so we set out to make a book with that was visually appealing without coloring between the lines, if you will.

While there are so many feature stories that I hold dear, thumbing through a decade of back issues really tells the story of V3 without reading a word. From Kelly Moore to Derek Bell and Brittany Howes to Ellie Borromeo, we have had some of the best photographers and graphic designers I’ve ever known. From the beginning, we wanted use a strong visual appeal to grab people’s attention, and while I think we are still getting better with every issue, there are a lot of gems from the beginning to present day.

So for our 10th anniversary, we would like to share some of our favorite visuals from V3’s past with the promise that we will continue to raise the bar going forward. Enjoy!

Erin DeMesquita, Greg Howard, Louis Spivak Writers Oliver Robbins Writer/Editorial Manager

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Chris Forino Ad Sales and Client Relations and Ian Griffin

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What else we're doing!

V3 Creative encapsulates all professional creative and printing services that we provide to clients, including but not limited to: graphic design, photography, marketing, advertising, public relations and printing. Our graphic capabilities cover anything from logo design to branding, entire visual identity application, advertising campaigns, web graphics, print materials and more. We craft conceptual and unique solutions to fit the needs of any company. We also offer clients the service of handling all communication with vendors to ensure final quality in both print and web products.

Ellie Borromeo Senior Graphic Designer, Mag Designer Laura Allshouse Graphic Designer, Advertisement Design

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Cameron Flaisch Photographer

Lookin’ back GREATER ROME’S PREMIER FEATURE MAGAZINE / JUNE 2006

Anthony Barba Founder

The First Issue of V3 June 2006

v3 Howard magazine 29 Ian Griffin and Neal Founders

Harbin Clinic History

Old Harbin Hospital, February 09

Lookin’ back Harbin Clinic History

Coach Mark Richt, UGA, June 09

SweetWater Brewery

some good'ns

Feature articles to remember...

SweetWater Brewery, Jan 11

Paul Johnson, August 08

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v3 magazine Maya Angelou, November 07

James Worthy, December 10

Little Country Giants, Jan 07

SweetWater Founder Freddy Bensch, Jan 11

Bonaroo

Neal Boortz, April 08

Kevin Gillespie, Chef, March 07

Phish at Bonaroo 09

Kelley Moore, January 07

Sheriff Burkhalter, March 07

Bruce Springsteen at Bonaroo, August 09

Woodcreek Faction October 08

Keep Rome Beautiful, January 2008

Wedding Compendium 09

September 06

Vince Dooley, May 07

Will Muschamp, August 12

September 06

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Rome High Basketball, Tony Woods Jr., December 07

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Throwin' it down

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Covers: Then to Now

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THE PROCESS

Thank you Honeymoon!

The beautiful cake featured on our cover, table of contents and in our cake smashing photo shoot was crafted by Honeymoon Bakery. Whether you're looking for an elaborate three-tier decorative cake or a work of art to splatter to high heavens, Honeymoon has you covered. Then, you can watch your imagination come to life. head baker TANYA BRYAN lead decorator MELISSA KROEGER decorating manager KATE WHITE 228 Broad St, Downtown Rome, GA 706.232.0611

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QUEST to ROCk text OLIVER ROBBINS photography CAMERON FLAISCH and CHRISTIAN DAVID TURNER

These local musicians hope to connect those who want to free themselves through music by using a style of the recent past to set the knot.

ew things have the ability to influence us as much as music. Whether cranking the volume of a rock-and-roll classic in the car as the wind rushes through open windows, or hearing the jazz tune played while you danced with the love of your life for the first time, strong emotions cling to the notes on a staff. As for the musicians who bring us these moments of remembrance, well, they too often tell the story of how deeply they are invested in the songs they pen. Love and pain, bliss and torment, or confusion and moments of clarity can lead to the most insightful play between lyric, rhythm and melody.

For Northwest Georgia-based band Tir Asleen, the drive to reach their fans keeps them rocking hard and on the road.

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Bret Williams, Jesse Hicks, Micheal Floyd, Cameron Flaisch, Dallas Gallimore

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Jesse Hicks (vocals), Micheal Floyd (guitar), Dallas Gallimore (guitar), Bret Williams (bass) and Cameron Flaisch (drums) are six-years buddies and bandmates who found common ground around a love for the post hardcore genre of music. All but one of these musicians were in the same circle of bands, and turmoil within the separate groups led to parting ways and searching for a new place to create.

“Bret and I played with another guy who left to go play with another band,” Floyd recalls, “but we still continued to play together from time to time. Bret then introduced me to Dallas. Funny thing is, Dallas auditioned for the band who we lost our last member to, but he didn’t get in.”

“So, we got Dallas!” Hicks says with a chuckle. As a barrage of pokes start flying, it becomes clear that they never miss as opportunity to jab their pal and gently bruise his ego.

“How’s it feel to be runner up?” adds Flaisch.

“Hey, I’ll take a silver medal,” Gallimore laughs as he takes it on the chin like a champ.

With three of the five pieces in place, Hicks joined the group by way of a road trip to see a band they all loved. “Bret, Micheal and I were all going to Dalton State around six years ago. This band

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called Fear Before the March of Flames was playing their last set of shows and the next to last show was in Ohio,” Hicks recalls. “They wanted to drive up and go see the show and they knew that I was into that kind of music. They asked me to ride along, I said yes and we became such good buds during that trip.”

After the show, hosted in a small Ohio watering hole for around 30 people, the spark ignited in them all to create music that would rally others around a road trip to see them play. “That music was so special. It was so unique,” Hicks says. “We were really disappointed to see that style of music going out the door and this was their next to last show. We were all so stoked after the trip, that we decided to find a drummer and officially get to work.”

“I met these guys through a mutual friend named Lance who knew Micheal,” Flaisch adds when remembering his connecting to his bandmates. “Lance gave them my number when he heard that they needed a new drummer, and Jesse sent me this video on Facebook of one of their performances. I remember watching the video with my brother and laughing hysterically. I was like, ‘No way would I ever join this group!’ Jesse was right in front of the camera making the mic cord wiggle like a snake! I watched it four or five times because I thought it was hilarious. So initially, I respectfully declined.”

I keep a steady pace behind your ghost, with burning calves and frozen lungs that still try to say your name—lyrics from “Keeping Time” Flaisch loved indie music and had a musical background in jazz. However, even after the invitation to join had been declined, Floyd contacted Flaisch again in hopes of getting a drummer to fill in for the group member they had just parted ways with. The draw for Flaisch was that he’d get to open for a band who called themselves From First to Last, a band who he’d always admired. After a few jam sessions to learn the music, a few tweaks to the composition of the songs and playing for one of the best crowds he’d seen in a while, Flaisch was hooked. Together, they freed Tir Asleen.

What started as a joke surrounding one of Floyd’s favorite films, the 1988 production

by George Lucas titled “Willow,” has become the philosophical direction of the band. The plot of the movie surrounds a tiny magician whose job holds the fate of his world in its completion. A seemingly powerless hero must reach a castle called Tir Asleen with a package to free its inhabitants. Tir Asleen is a place where free thought and life redefined

creates balance with the forces of evil and oppression. As every epic tale usually ends, the good guy wins and the universe is set free, all due to the heart of an unsuspected hero and his band of mates.

The guys of Tir Asleen have watched a genre of music they love become less and less exposed to the ears of the mainstream music scene. Being compared to bands like Mission to Burma, Fugazi and Drive Like Jehu gives them a sense of accomplishing their goal of shedding light on the music that inspires them most.

“Hardcore music kind of started with this punk rock movement that was really angry and really fast,” Floyd explains, “sort of like the band Black Flag.”

As a product of the late ’70s and early ’80s, the music began to morph into grunge and more pop-influenced versions of hardcore rock. And just like with all change, the resistance still pushed on. Post hardcore fans and musicians formed their own following, one that continues to pay respect to the pioneers of the music.

“During the early ’90s, there were still remnants of people who loved that first wave of hardcore,” Hicks says.

“Grunge was cool but it did not have the same energy as the music we were listening to at shows where we would pile on top of each other in the early ’80s.”

“We wanted to maintain the intensity of that style of music, while being more complex musically and lyrically,” adds Floyd.

Just as one might think, their writing process usually starts with a screaming guitar riff fashioned by one of the six-stringplayers in the band. “Many of the songs we write come from us just hanging out and jamming,” Gallimore says. “Micheal and I will have a part that we will bring to the group and we start there. We just allow the music to speak to us, and from there we can hash out a song.”

Hicks and Floyd pen the lyrics with Hicks carrying much of the load as

the lead vocalist. Together, they have managed to put together four bodies of work over the past six years. Those projects are “Running Strong” (2010), “Oregon Trail” (2011), “Sand Through an Asphalt Hourglass” (2013) and “PSST!” (2014). Currently, their catalogue consist of projects they have worked on in collaboration with other bands and EPs. They are now in the process of writing, recording and pressing their first full-length album.

Perhaps the most profound element of the group is their willingness to hit the open road. Over the past six years, these five friends have loaded up their van – affectionately referred to as “Van Burgundy” – with amps, PA, and instruments, touring 31 states and playing over 500 shows. The connections they have established with fans across the country allow them to put together two-week runs across the country, delivering their music to like-minded rockers.

“Everyone has their reasons for loving this type of music, so everyone has their own way to relate to the world around them,” Flaisch says. “Most of the people who listen to us are younger, and we also get a few listeners who remember the hardcore stuff.”

“We really connect with kids who struggle to find their place,” Floyd adds. “We try to

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bring something positive into their lives; something that lets them know they can be whoever they want and do whatever they want. The sky is the limit for them and we want to drive that feeling home inside of kids who may be dealing with difficult circumstances in their lives.”

Hicks would like the people who come out to hear Tir Asleen to feel the spirit of honesty in what they do. “We aren’t trying to capitalize on something that looks cool or sounds cool,” he says. “We want an audience to know that all of the songs they play and I sing are actual things we have gone through, and be empowered by knowing they are not alone.”

A shining example of this sentiment is a song Hicks wrote called “Keeping Time,” inspired by the untimely death of his best friend Kevin Hunter. The urgency in Hicks’ voice is real as he sings the words of a song that places importance on treasuring the time we all have together.

Whether Tir Asleen plays for a group of 300 or 30, they always bring the same energy.

Because they remember traveling hundreds of miles to vibe with their favorite artists, they are determined to try and give their fans the time of their lives, every time they perform.

“Our time on the road reflects the things we try to covey through our music,” Williams explains. “It is the highest highs and the lowest lows. Traveling the country with these guys has made it possible for me to put my entire life into perspective. If we break even on tour, I come away from the trip with much more than dollars in the bank could ever give me. Through our music, we are connected to the people who make what we do worthwhile.” VVV

For more information about TIR ASLEEN, find them on Facebook or get the music at tirasleen.bandcamp.com.

Also, streaming is available at Spotify.com

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33 Years Locally Owned

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Pastime Paradise If these walls could talk, they would tell the stories of unforgettable family traditions shared a century ago. text TRIPP DURDEN photos CAMERON FLAISCH

T

here is not much that hasn’t changed in the last 144 years. We have had 26 – soon to be 27 – different presidents. We have grown as a country from 37 states to 50. Photos have gone from film to digital, music has gone from phonographs to streaming services and phones have gone from landlines to cellular. Wars have been fought, treaties have been signed and history books grown in thickness. Despite all of these changes, some things have remained the same. One impressive treasure from the past is a home found at 303 Clark Drive, Rome.

Built between 1865 and 1872 by Rueben Grove Clark, this house has proven that it can stand the test of time. It was originally built as a temporary home by Clark for his family to live in while he completed a beautiful old Victorian-style home that would become the Clark family mansion. After moving into the mansion next door, the Clarks continued using the residence as a guest house for family and friends.

Since being sold to the Maddox family in 1927, it has served as a steadfast home for

those who have lived there and, to this day, stands as a monument to the legacy of not only the Clark and Maddox families, but to the City of Rome as a whole.

Brooks Maddox, who spent his first 23 years in the home (1949-1972) and whose family owned the property for over 75 years, offers a wealth of information about the home and surrounding area.

“Growing up there was a real treat, except for when I was asked to mow the lawn on Saturday,” he recalls.

After gazing over the two-acre lot, it’s easy to see why trimming the grass with a push mower might not be the most pleasant of memories. Other than this weekly task, Maddox has no complaints and says the house served as a gathering place for all of the neighborhood children.

“Our yard was perfect for baseball and soccer,” he says. “We would run around barefoot all summer long.”

In 2001, the Maddoxes sold the property to the Goldin family. Dr. George Goldin echoes Maddox saying, “It would be hard to replicate

50 | HARDY REALTY | HOME FEATURE

the warmth and charm of a 140-year-old home.

So many generations of families have enjoyed this home and made it their own. It really was a wonderful place to raise our family and it is such a family-friendly neighborhood.”

The history of this house has not been lost with changes in owners. Kimberly Prusakowski, who currently lives there and is also the listing agent, explains that while it feels like home, living there also makes her feel like a caretaker of Roman history.

“It feels like a piece of history,” she says.

“I feel obligated to protect and preserve it to ensure it will last for another 150 years. Living here feels like you are living in a park, with its rolling landscape scattered with trees that are over 100 years old. According to a local arborist, there is one tree on the property that predates

the Civil War which is hard to even imagine.”

Perhaps this comes from the old-fashioned swings that hang from large trees in the front yard. Two ropes and a wooden board make for a sight any child would love. “At one time there were three of these swings and all three of my daughters would compete to see who could swing the highest,” Prusakowski recalls with a smile. “I loved looking out and seeing my kids and their friends swinging together in these beautiful old trees."

“This was a sentiment that my good friend, Nancy Goldin, expressed about living in this home when she learned we were to be the new owners,” she continues. “Nancy told me that she loved how her kids played in this yard and that her family loved living in this home. She said she knew that we would love it as well.

She was right. It has been a wonderful home for my kids to grow up in.”

The Prusakowskis have found plenty of history hiding within the property’s perimeter.

When exploring the grounds with metal detectors, they have found old utensils, bits of bowls and plates, and even old tools. While planting trees may seem like routine yard maintainence, there was always a surprise waiting just after they broke ground.

“It felt like an archeological dig site!” she says with a laugh, adding that she’s sure there is much more to discover on the property. When a house has been around this long, there is no end to the hidden charms it holds.

Inside, the eye is immediately drawn to the gorgeous hardwood flooring. The heartpine floors evoke a sense of history with their

HARDY REALTY | HOME FEATURE | 51

" I loved looking out and seeing my kids and their friends swinging together in these beautiful old trees."

rugged, old-fashioned look. Imagining what life would have been like living there over a century ago is easy thanks to timeless touches and elegance.

The house seems to speak of simpler times – years gone by in which things were built for function and everyday living. This is true for the layout. Although separated by walls, a familiar design element of houses built in this era, one does not feel closed off from people in the other rooms. The tall ceiling heights, large cased openings between rooms and lots of windows ushering in bright light allows the home to flow well while its occupants feel connected.

“Although the layout consists of four different sitting rooms including a center library, the house does not feel massive,” says Prusa-

kowski. “Positioned all on one level, this home allows you to feel close together at all times while still enjoying separate spaces. It feels much different than many modern houses I have been in. This house encourages you to live as a family.”

Everything about this house seems centered around time with family. The four sitting rooms, the three fire places, the plethora of storage spaces and the kitchen located in center of the home are ideal for a family that loves to spend time together; and the historic details of the home are a constant reminder that you are in a unique and special place.

A recently renovated second bath is equipped with a beautiful double vanity and heated Carrera marble tile floors set in a basket-weave pattern. To one side, a stunning

52 | HARDY REALTY | HOME FEATURE

seamless glass, walk-in shower made of Carrera marble is the highlight of the space. Other renovations and modifications completed over the years include updated electrical, plumbing and HVAC, as well as the addition of a keeping room and large deck on the back of the home.

The kitchen features cabinet-front appliances, Five Star range, and white wooden cabinets that seem even brighter against the gleaming hardwoods. Off the kitchen is a small nook surrounded by windows overlooking the back yard which is a wonderful place to sit and read.

The outdoor amenities are an incredible feature of the property. In addition to its mature trees and old-fashioned swings, the two acres contain a raised-bed flower garden surrounded by a picket fence. A potting shed and a charming gazebo are also included with the property. Additionally, the driveway and detached two-car garage offer more than enough room for parking. There are plenty of options for the family who needs room to spread out a bit with the separate recreation room above the garage.

For more than 140 years, 303 Clark Drive has given families a beautiful place to call

home. Its unique historic charm, sprawling acreage and central location make it one of a kind, and there is no time like the present to become a part of history. VVV Find out more about the property and arrange a private viewing by contacting Hardy Realty’s Kimberly Prusakowski at 770-712-4250.

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The Dish urlee s Fish House & Oyster Bar

Rome, GA Est. 2012

650 Henderson Dr #403 Cartersville, GA

PH: 770-334-3431 www.johnnymitchells.com Open everyday from 11am-9pm Johnny Mitchell’s has hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood selections and authentic barbecue slow-smoked over cherry and hickory wood. Come experience the fusion of Southern hospitality and fine dining.

www.schroedersnewdeli.com

www.lascalaromega.com

406 Broad Street Rome, GA 30161

413 Broad Street Rome, GA 30161

PH: 706-234-4613

PH: 706-238-9000

Hours: Mon-Thur: 11:00am- 9 :00pm

Hours: Mon - Sat: 6:00pm-10:00pm 400 Block Bar & Lounge: 4:00pm-1:30am

Fri-Sat: 11:00am-10:00pm

Sun : 11:30 - 3:00pm Schroeder’s menu includes sandwiches, calzones, soups, salads, potato skins, nachos, wings, and more.

And don’t forget our pizza! It’s the best

Whatever you are in the mood for,

in town...and for a sweet treat, try our

you’ll find a homemade meal at our

Cheesecake Calzone! (Draft & Bottled

Smokehouse that will bring you

Beers & Wine also offered) Famous

back again!

for: Roast Beef Relief!

www.wowcafe.com/rome

www.getjamwiched.com 510 Broad Street Rome, GA 30161

2817 Martha Berry Highway Rome, GA 30165

PH: 706.291.8969

Hours: Mon -Thu: 11:00am- 10:00pm Fri - Sat: 11:00am-11:00pm Sun: 11:00am-9:00pm

WOW strives to serve the highest quality of food with the freshest ingredients. You will leave saying “WOW! What a Place!” Famous for: Wings and over 17 signature sauces to choose from!

PH: 706-314-9544

Like us on FACEBOOK Mon-Fri 11:00am-3:00pm

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.

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 4:00-6:00 p.m.

227 Broad Street Rome, Georgia 30161

PH: (706) 204-8173 www.curlees.com Hours: Mon-Thurs: 11:00am-9:00pm Fri-Sat: 11:00am-10:00pm Curlee’s offers casual dining, fresh seafood, hand-cut steaks, chicken and more! It is located on Broad Street in the center of the city, and it has a family-friendly atmosphere!

Takes Reservations, Walk-Ins Welcome, Good For Kids, Take Out, Catering and Waiter Service

595 Riverside Parkway Rome, GA 30161

PH: 706-233-9960 Hours: Sun -Thu: 11:00am-9:00pm

Fri - Sat: 11:00am-10:00pm

Fuddruckers catering can help you feed just about any size group, anytime, anywhere. Our menu will please the most discerning tastes and meet the high standards you require. We know how to make your event spectacular with the WORLD’S GREATEST CATERING.

3401 Martha Berry Hwy Rome, GA 30165

PH: 706-291-1881 Hours: Sun -Thu: 11:00am-10:00pm

Fri - Sat: 11:00am-11:00pm Dine in, Take out, or delivery...

Authentic Italian is what we do! We have enjoyed great success by providing our guests with a casual, friendly atmosphere and excellent service. In addition to the healthy portions of our food, you will see our entrees range from homemade sandwiches, pizzas and calzones to pastas, chicken, veal and seafood dishes. www.romamiagrill.com

Make it a meal worth remembering. Where to eat in Northwest Georgia. v3 magazine

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POWERING OUR COMMUNITIES

S E L E C T G E O R G I Asm

Rome/Floyd County is our home too. That’s why we’ve partnered with local chambers, development authorities and elected officials across the state to stimulate growth and invest in the future of our communities. And why, for almost 90 years, we’ve helped bring jobs and investment to the state – more than 125,700 jobs and $26.5 billion capital investment over the past decade alone.

ECONDEVGA@SOUTHERNCO.COM I SELECTGEORGIA.COM

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