V3 July 2021

NWGA'S PREMIER FEATURE MAGAZINE / JULY 2021

WHERE BBQ MEATS CHARACTER For those on the hunt for some righteous Q, Character's Famous BBQ in Adairsville is a hot spot for wowed taste buds and full bellies

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Perpetual Care.

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Chances are, the birth of your baby will be a happy, healthy experience. Still, peace of mind is priceless, and it’s good to know that Floyd stands ready 24/7 with the advanced care necessary should your baby need intensive care following birth. As the area’s only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, our expert team of doctors, nurses and respiratory therapists provides high tech care with a compassionate touch for the tiniest newborns.

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JULY2021 COLUMNS 10

Tammy Barron explores the power of imagination, its roots in child development and important place in our adult lives. All possibilities are born from what we first conceive in our minds.

FEATURES 15

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North Georgia developed a notorious history of liquor running and mayhem in the whiskey wars during Prohibition. Hear a few locals tell their stories best shared over a pint.

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FEATURES 24

Sugar Valley Alpacas, of Cartersville, allows the public to get a close-up look at alpacas through farm tours, outdoor yoga, and other activities.

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Hardy Realty’s latest Hardy Home offers a bluff-side beauty on Rome’s Mt. Alto; it’s a retreat from it all, but only minutes from town.

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In a culinary field crowded with BBQ joints, Character’s Famous BBQ, of Adairsville, stands out with simple, tasty food and the charisma of its owner, Michael Character.

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Publisher's Note Being an Atlanta sports fan has never been easy, and I was raised to love them all. My first Falcons, Braves and Hawks games were blowout losses to the 49er’s, Astros and Knicks, and at each game my dad welcomed me to the brotherhood of pain that is rooting for all teams ATL. I’ll focus on those three since those are our longtime franchises. Atlanta United delivered a championship almost immediately and the way the city has supported them is a beautiful thing. The Flames and Thrashers aren’t in the conversation because hockey just didn’t stick in Atlanta, and honestly that’s another column completely. So, O W N E R & C E O Ian Griffin while I’m glad the five-stripes have broken the trend, there is a long way to go to restore balance to the force and maybe that starts with letting go of all the pain. That sounds like the Jedi way at least. So here we go…

When it comes to those three teams, there have been glorious moments along the way, but mostly pain and suffering. The 1995 World Series was the pinnacle without a doubt, but as good as the Braves were for well over a decade, they only have one championship to show for it. They look to be entering another golden age, but last year’s meltdown against the Dodgers in the NLCS was just a harsh reminder that even when the stars seem to be aligning, things can and will go wrong.

Speaking of that, it’s hard to even discuss the Falcons high’s after Superbowl LI (51). Morton Anderson’s game-winning field goal at Minnesota and the domination of Aaron Rogers’ Packers were amazing moments, but were followed with the Eugene Robinson scandal and a blowout loss to the Broncos, and we all know what happened against the Patriots. I’m going to walk away from my computer now and take a moment to compose myself.

Then there are the Hawks, who are the latest of the three to give us hope. While they did reach the conference finals back in 2015 only to get swept by the Cavs, I still think the best team they ever put on the court was the 87/88 bunch that pushed the top seeded Larry Bird-led Boston Celtics to 7 games in the conference semi-finals. After losing games 1 and 2 they reeled off 3 straight, giving them a chance to win the series in Atlanta at the Omni. They lost 102-100 and then went back to the Boston Garden for Game 7. Dominique Wilkins scored 47 points in the game, but Larry Bird scored 24 in the 4th quarter alone in a 118-116 Celtics win. It still hurts 35 years later.

With a new ownership group and management team that have been building a young group led by superstar Trae Young, there have been reasons to be optimistic. This season started rough, so rough they fired head coach Lloyd Pierce after a 14-21 start. Nate McMillan took over and the Hawks caught fire. They beat the Knicks 4-1 and had a chance to clinch an upset series win over the #1 seeded Philadelphia 76ers at State Farm Arena. They let it slip away and it was a here we go again moment. They travelled back to Philly for game 7 and gutted out the first game 7 road win in franchise history. It was glorious. I watched it in the same room I watched the aforementioned Celtics game with my father, and on this Father’s Day, we watched our Hawks get the job done.

While my hopes were high for them to go further, the road ended in game 6 against the Bucks in the conference finals. Both Trae Young and Giannis Antetokounmpo missed games in the series, but the glass slipper was eventually broken.

I know what you’re thinking…it’s just the conference finals. No trophies were lifted. What are you so excited about?

I get that sentiment, but if there is anything I’ve learned from all these years of suffering, it’s to enjoy these moments. Yes, we are in the familiar position of being disappointed, but with this team there is so much reason for optimism. They fought hard and fell short of ultimate glory, but what happened in Philly on Father’s Day 2021 will always be shining moment for Atlanta sports and it’s ok to allow ourselves to celebrate it.

From here I’ll continue to expect the worst and hope for the best. Go Hawks and go ATL!

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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 PHOTOGRAPHERS Andy Calvert AD DESIGN Elizabeth Childers PUBLISHER V3 Publications, LLC CONTACT 417 Broad Street Rome Ga, 30161 Office Phone 706.235.0748 v3publications@gmail.com CREATOR Neal Howard V3MAGAZINE.COM

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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Gone seem the hours spent fighting mythical dragons and dancing lead for royalty in packed arenas; CHASING GOLD AT THE END OF RAINBOWS and of course, digging epic tunnels through the center of the Earth to China. Childhood itself was an adventure only limited by imagination. Fantasy trophies, defeated adversaries, supreme feats of strength and prowess: these are the foundations of our initial search for understanding of the world and our role in it. Imagination has deep roots in psychology and philosophy—yet as adults we don’t 10

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throw ourselves into these daydreams and fantasy role play as we once did, perhaps to our own detriment.

I often question what happens in our lives that causes us to lose our wonder? Can it be pinpointed to a certain heartbreak in our youth: a singular moment when life tore apart our belief of possibility from our perception of reality? Immediately I think of Santa Claus, for many the debunking of this myth is their first jarring experience of the loss of magic. I remember the years I agonizingly held to the desire to believe in Santa. Pragmatically I knew the truth, but to relinquish the hope for mystical kindness and love for all the children of the world ripped my heart out. I rode the fence longer than anyone should admit. However, for me this was not the event that caused me to stop daydreaming. Perhaps, it was a culmination of failures that taught me to aim lower than the stars, or worse yet—those years in college when I thought being cynical made me appear

complicated and mature. Who knows? Regardless, losing our commitment to our imagination is a journey that most of us stumble through at some point of our adulthood.

This is not to say imagination is dead. Quite the opposite. I catch myself daydreaming all the time, providing temporary happiness in the thick of difficult tasks or tedious chores. Our imagination strengthens our creative abilities, which can encompass anything from interior design, playing music, planning a trip, or preparing for a business meeting. In fact, imagination plays a crucial role in achievement of success in any field. In his book, “Hypersanity, Thinking Beyond Thinking” Dr. Neal Burton describes imagination as the highest form of thought and almost divine in its reach, “It can open up the realms of the abstract, the figurative, the possible, the hypothetical, and the paradigmatic and universal.” (2019). The issue as we get on in

What If

it were possible? opened doors

By Tammy Barron

years is that the divide between imagination and belief becomes too wide to cross in our narrowing perspectives. Fiction and reality should inform and enrich the other, opening our minds to the powerful phrase of what if.

It is this phrase, what if, that exalted us as heroes in our childhood storylines. What if I could jump high enough to touch a cloud, to fly? Pure joy thrummed through my limbs as I would chase what if and swing ever higher to defy gravity on the swing set. Every day I would return home the exhausted champion who conquered what others deemed impossible. I could talk to animals, find hidden treasures, become invisible, or dig a tunnel to China all because of what if. I truly believed that if anyone could do these things, it was me.

Fast forward 20 years in the timeline of my life, what if appeared again when I realized I was in love.

What if he was the one? What if we had amazing

adventures together and made a happy home?

What if the child I carried would carry the perfect combination of our best traits, grew up healthy, and bold enough to chase their own happiness? Even now, what if I live a life worthy? It brings a smile to my lips just saying it. The possibilities ignite a fire within me.

Most importantly, our imagination—playing out scenarios and extending ourselves beyond our limited experiences—allows us to look at any situation from a different point of view. Our imagination is the core of our empathy and sympathy for others, and in this seemingly polarized society we live in, paramount. To imagine ourselves carrying the weight of our neighbors’ burdens makes it easier to see why they fight for certain rights or value cherished luxuries. All life’s glory is in the eye of the beholder, to imagine the view from another’s perspective is a practice in compassion and humanity. It’s difficult

to judge a person blindly when you see them with an open heart. Republican or Democrat, religious or atheist, wealthy or poor; these are labels which squash our creative ability to see each other clearly.

The power of imagination opens up alternatives and possibilities that guide our decisions. Greatness achieved and blundered stems originally from our mind’s initial conception. From the Eiffel Tower to peanut butter, innovative cancer treatments and reconciled relationships; we have always and will always only be limited by what possibilities we can conceive.

*The views expressed in this column are those of the writer, and do not represent the opinions of V3 Magazine READV3.COM | JULY 2021 V3 MAGAZINE

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OF

XXX

THE

• Text : Tammy Barron • Photo : Andy Calvert •

Hidden stills in the woods and late-night liquor running, prohibition in the foothills of the Appalachia was anything but dry.

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SKULL CRACKER, TANGLELEG, ROTGUT, STAGGER SOUP: Any way you say it, good oldfashioned moonshine is bound to leave you feeling its effects.

For centuries family secrets lay entwined in recipes, best methods, and tucked away hidey-holes. Firewater has a special way of passing through the generations in stories shared on the back porch: tales almost always too fantastic to believe. Sit a spell and take a sip.

Technically Speaking While moonshine can mean different things depending on who is speaking, in technical terms it is any alcohol distilled illegally, wine, beer, and liquors alike. However, us southerners rarely attribute the term to illegal gin, vodka, or rum, but save the phrase moonshine to mean grain whiskey or fruit fermented brandy.

Essential Ingredients 1) Sugar-yielding organic material: grains (corn or barley) for whiskeys, fruits for brandies, and/or refined sugar or molasses.

2) Water 3) Yeast 4) Malt (if making grain whiskey) In its earliest days, American moonshine was pure corn whiskey made from maize. During the colonial era, just about every native grain and fruit could be found distilled in the belly of a still. Nowadays, traditionalist home distillers are most likely to make moonshine purely from corn, water, yeast, and malt; with only wholesome grains and fresh fruit as they are more likely to drink their own white lightning than sell it.

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Whiskey Grades

Bootlegger Legacy

Regardless of region or recipe, there is a universal code by which all illegal whiskey is graded.

The most dangerous part of moonshining was the trippers.

Country boys who knew backroads, dirt roads, and side roads sped, swerved and maneuvered heavily modified cars ladened with liquor to stay ahead of federal agents and local police during their night runs. These “runners” needed sharp driving skills.

Even before the end of prohibition in 1933, racing these “soupedup” cars became a popular pastime. Trippers raced each other’s car on makeshift dirt tracks, leading to the bootleggers’ roots of the stock car, and the eventual birth of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) in 1947.

Sippin’ whiskey: a fine artisan spirit, subtle yet strong. Made of the finest ingredients with the utmost care; it is best enjoyed neat or with a splash of water.

Sellin’ whiskey: it’s terrible stuff that the distiller themselves

likely won’t risk a taste. Full of second-grade ingredients and likely contamination; it is sold out of town so the moonshiner doesn’t risk looking their customers in the eye.

Spittin’ whiskey: spoiled and apt to make you blind; it is good

for spitting into a bonfire for entertainment purposes only. Possibly it can also be used as a good paint removing solvent.

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Knife in the Road - Esom Hill, GA

“People used to call moonshiners lazy. There was nothing lazy bout a man who had to tote all the sugar in and tote all the whiskey out.

They never could go the same way, and risk making a trail. My people they would lay a knife down in the road, toward the still. If you went and saw the knife was gone, that meant you had to go and hit the road, we were being watched.”

Paint it Black - Rome, Georgia

“I had a beautiful ‘55 Ford my daddy bought for me. It was green and white—and fast. I was running some liquor up on past Darlington Way, when [the police] come up behind me. My daddy told my mama that morning on his way to work at the cotton mill that I’d be in jail before dark… (chuckling) and I made it. It was ole J.W. Scott. He was a cop here in Rome—who became warden down at the prison—well he pulled up behind me. I thought, ‘Well there ain’t no way they can catch this car.’ They wouldn’t have if they hadn’t blocked the road on Highway 27. I went to jail. My daddy came and paid the fine, got me out. I think he was madder about me bringing attention to the car than me running liquor. So that’s when I got me a black ‘55.”

Ask for More - Rome, GA

“There was a time, when there were no whiskey stores in Rome.

Well, my youngest son had a doctor’s appointment in Atlanta.

Before I walked out the door my husband calls out, ‘Don’t forget the whiskey!’ They had a two-bottle maximum in those days, and it never occurred to me to ask for more. So, I went to the whiskey store, and got two bottles. Then I went to another, for two bottles.

As I returned to the car from the third store, and my six-year-old son says, ‘Mama, if you stop at another whiskey store, I’m gonna throw myself out on the street!’ I laughed about it all the way home, and even now sixty plus years later.”

Smoke in the Hills - Floyd County, Georgia

“A long time ago, I worked with a young man at the old Coca-Cola plant. He would brag that he could run liquor better than anyone in Rome. See, they had a system. If he was planning a run in eastern Floyd County, his people would send someone to go light some fires in western Floyd County so all the revenuers (federal agents who sought to enforce liquor law) would see the smoke and run over there, looking for stills. Then he could run their whiskey on the east side of town without a care.”

Codename Remus - Rome, GA

Rule number one, you have to soak your barrels, so the wood doesn’t drink up all your whiskey.

Not Old Enough - W.F. Barron Jr., Rome, GA A Panther in the Woods Cleburne County, Alabama

“My uncle on my mama’s side was a big kingpin—ended up in jail— before he got right with God. I remember being about 13 years old and happenin' on the still sites and seein’ big pots sittin’ on each side of the creek. They didn’t use the good copper pots you’d find over there in Esom Hill, or the aluminum with the radiator wire. Just old oak barrels with a flue running up the middle, and a thumper you could hear through the thick. My dad would take us up to my uncle’s every two weeks, but they told us boys—no matter what—to stay out of the woods, because there’s a panther down there. But we knew what was in the woods.”

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During prohibition, teenagers had to be more creative to get a drink than they do now. I remember, when we wanted to have a good time, we would go see a man on Iron Street. You would drive up into his yard, turn your lights out, and wait in your car. After a bit, this man—I won’t give away his name—would come out and ask what you were looking for. We said, we wanted some whiskey. He looked me straight in the eye and said, ‘Well you’re not old enough to be a police officer—I don’t know if you look old enough to drink.’

After a little persuading he guessed he didn’t really care, and we left with what we came for.”

WHETHER YOU CALL IT: SHINE, MOUNTAIN DEW, SKULL POP, OR REDEYE, ITS REBELLIOUS HISTORY AND ARTISAN REVIVAL MAKES A HELLUVA DRINK.

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EMPOWERMENT THROUGH EDUCATION: BREAKING THE CYCLE OF POVERTY AND ABUSE It was painful for 22-year-old Caitlin* to watch her newborn son grow up in shelters.

Despite her recent pregnancy, Caitlin and her son were alone—transitioning from couch to shelter and back, never staying in one place for long. In January 2020, Caitlin learned about Advocates for Children’s RISE program, and the little family was placed in permanent housing within 30 days of entering the program. With stability and security once again in her life, Caitlin was able to improve her situation tremendously.

“Before the RISE program, my car broke down. I wasn’t in school. I didn’t have a place to stay, and I didn’t have nearly the resources I have now. Now, I have a brand-new car. I have a place to stay. I have a parent teacher [from Hope in Your Home] that I’m in contact with on a weekly basis. We also do sessions with other moms, so I’m able to interact with other people and listen to their stories. We collaborate on, ‘how do I do this for my kid?’ Which I think is important to learn how to deal with your kid during hard times. It just feels good to have a group of people around you who support you and know what you’re going through.

And I have a better job than I did before the RISE program and I’m going to school. So, I think that’s a win-win.”

Caitlin graduated from RISE in January 2021 and has continued to maintain permanent housing, keep her son in daycare, and pursue higher education.

As our students prepare for the start of a new school year, we are reminded that not all children are afforded the same opportunities as others. From the youngest baby, to our young adults emerging in the world, to parents learning how to be the best caregiver they can be, everyone deserves the chance to learn and grow. In 2020, our children faced many challenges, both academically and socially. Many children fell behind during this time, but perhaps none more so than children experiencing poverty and abuse. At Advocates for Children, we seek to end that cycle through advocacy, education, and prevention programs.

With eight different programs that serve children of all ages, a donation to Advocates for Children is the best way to maximize your impact and help our children reach their educational goals for a better future. * Client names and associated images have been changed to protect their identity.

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

TO DONATE VISIT ADVOCHILD.ORG

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Zen Li

the

Alpac

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ife of

cas

Text: Paul Moses Photos: Andy Calvert

Stuart and Doneen Mills of Sugar Valley Alpacas, invite the public to roll out their yoga mats and get to know their alpacas up-close and personal.

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L-r: Lil Bit, BeeBee, Bodhi and Quinn

IT ALL STARTED WITH A PUPPY

A visitor could be forgiven for staring.

AFTER ALL, IT IS AN UNUSUAL SIGHT in the

outlying areas of Cartersville, Georgia: a group of people sitting in the middle of a farm pasture, holding serene yoga poses, while a herd of wooly alpacas mill about and crane their long necks to see what is going on. This is Sugar Valley Alpacas, owned by Stuart and Doneen Mills. Alpaca yoga is one of the farm’s regular events, led by Mariah Bridges Varner of Mariah Sunshine Yoga. With Varner’s creative background in fine arts, dancing, and singing, something as eclectic as alpaca yoga does not seem like such a stretch (pun intended).

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Before moving to Cartersville, the Mills lived busy lives in Atlanta. When several personal tragedies hit their family in quick succession, they began to rethink their priorities. Doneen began having increasing difficulties concentrating on her PhD studies, and she spent a lot of time staring at the wall, thinking, grieving.

Then they wound up with a puppy, a Labrador Retriever/Staffordshire Terrier mix named Karma, who triggered a chain of events that changed everything. Doneen says, “Karma made me get out of bed. She helped me laugh again. I started getting exercise by taking her outside to play and walk.” Soon after, a friend gave the Mills a German Shepherd puppy, whom they named Khal Doggo (yes, that is a wordplay on a name from Game of Thrones). It was immediately apparent that the home’s postage stamp yard would not suffice for two rambunctious young

dogs, so the Mills started looking beyond Atlanta’s city limits for a place with some elbow room. After finding the farm where they now live, they were disappointed to find someone else had beat them to it, so they continued their search elsewhere.

Then, to their surprise and delight, the wouldbe buyers of the farm backed out of the purchase.

The Mills made an offer, and the farm was theirs.

Stuart got a new job so he would not have to travel so much, Doneen put her PhD studies on hold, and they moved to the farm. Karma and Khal Doggo now had ample room to romp, and the Mills had the opportunity to invent a new life for themselves. After the move, other animals followed: two more dogs, Nashee and Kahlua, chickens, and a prowling clowder of barn cats.

WHy alpacas?

These days, the alpaca herd numbers five, with breeding plans for more. There are also upcoming plans that include goats, and maybe a llama.

The property’s previous owners lovingly designed and built the farm as a place to keep a few horses and entertain friends and family.

When the Mills purchased the place, they wanted to do more with it, but at first they weren’t sure what. Doneen, who had spent the early years of her childhood on a farm in New Jersey, was accustomed to being around animals and was

Stuart and Doneen Mills

hoping to find something unique for their farm.

After she saw alpaca videos on the internet, she fell in love with the creatures. They knew others would too. The Mills purchased their alpacas from Good Karma Ranch, in North Carolina, who have continued as a source of help and encouragement, mentoring the couple through the challenging process of raising and caring for their herd.

Often, when farmers acquire alpacas, agritourism follows naturally. It’s a good fit. The Mills saw that no other farms were doing this anywhere close, so they jumped in. That is how they got involved in alpaca yoga, too; other farms were doing it, but none around Cartersville.

of Stuart’s ongoing duties is fixing various things that get damaged around the farm, fences and such. On top of all that, there are the errands, picking up hay, feed, and other supplies. The alpacas also need monthly vaccinations, which the herd does not like but cannot do without. It is no wonder that Doneen looks forward to her coveted afternoon nap; she could not finish out the day without it. It’s a lot of work, and there are no days off. However, the Mills do have a high school student, Jaylee, who works with them on the farm. Doneen says, “I don’t know what I’m going to do when Jaylee goes off to college. She’s such a huge help!”

LONG DAYS AT THE HOMEPLACE

EVERY ALPACA IS AN INDIVIDUAL

The universal tradition of every farm is the same: work, work, and more work. It is no different at Sugar Valley Alpacas. The Mills share the duties, though Stuart’s work in radar systems sometimes carries him far afield, to places such as Japan. A typical workday begins at 6 A.M. and ends at 9 P.M. (or later). There are seven acres of grass to keep mowed. The animals’ water in the barn has to be changed three or four times per day.

Chickens must be fed, as do the dogs and the alpacas and the fish in the pond. Then there are the daily barn chores, three hours of them. One

Alpacas are known for their sweet, quirky dispositions. Their temperaments are different from their llama cousins. Doneen laughs when she says, “A llama is a 400-pound animal that carries a knife in its fur!” (That’s just a joke, she’s quick to point out.)

According to the Mills, their alpacas each have a unique personality. Quinn is the herd’s bossy matriarch who keeps the others in line.

Doneen swears that Quinn exudes a judgmental attitude when she looks at her owners. Pearl is the farm’s official greeter, always the first to trot

up to arriving guests. She’s the star of the show, the most affectionate of the herd and insatiably curious. Pearl loves watermelon, and she has a goofy running style (called pronking). Sweet and shy, BeeBee is a bit of a teacher’s pet, attached at the hip to Quinn. BeeBee wants to do whatever the leader is doing. Lil Bit is new to the herd, but she’s settling in well and is still nursing her young cria (alpaca-speak for baby), named Bodie.

Woefully outnumbered, young Bodie, who is a comic little clown, is the herd’s only male.

ALPACA ODDITIES Those who work in the alpaca community have no shortage of funny stories and odd facts to share about these unusual animals. For instance, there is the Spit Test. This is how alpaca ranchers know if a female of their herd is pregnant or not. According to the Mills, after a pair of alpacas mate, they are separated for a week and then brought back to together. “If the female spits at the male,” Doneen says, “that means she is pregnant.” Just to be sure, the pair is separated for another week, and then the test is done again. “If she spits at him again, it’s for sure.” Since alpacas have the peculiar ability to ovulate on demand and can become pregnant as soon as two days after giving birth, a new mother is always isolated from the herd’s male population immediately after having her little cria.

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Also, one thing the Mills did not know when they first bought their herd was the animals’ habit of making a particular humming sound. Early on, as Stuart and Doneen worked in and around the barn, they heard the alpacas going 'Hmmm'. The Mills thought it was hilarious, so they hummed back, which made the herd 'Hmmm' all the more.

This responsive humming went on for a couple of weeks. They soon discovered, to their chagrin, that alpacas make that sound when they are anxious, so the Mills stopped humming back. It was all part of the farmers’ learning curve.

One thing that Doneen stresses about alpacas is that they are highly social creatures. “No one should ever own just one of them,” she says.

“They need others of their own kind; humans and dogs are not suitable substitutes.” She goes on to explain that they can suffer from berserk llama syndrome, a condition caused by being raised alone with humans. BLS can cause alpacas to become aggressive, dangerous to people. Isolation from a herd can also give them deadly stomach ulcers. Doneen says, “They can literally die from loneliness. They have separation anxieties. They always need a herd.”

HANG AROUND & SEE FOR YOURSELF The best way for a visitor to truly soak in the atmosphere at Sugar Valley Alpacas is to hang around and relax. The farm has a beautiful, cozy guest cottage that is used for vacation rentals.

The cottage overlooks a fishpond and is the perfect place to escape life’s stress. The farm’s website sugarvalleyalpacas.com says, “Nearby Lake Allatoona and Red Top Mountain Park offer boating, kayaking, river tubing, swimming, and hiking.” And of course, a visitor can always check the events schedule and maybe give alpaca yoga a try.

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As summer approaches, farm tours (by appointment, see website) will be limited to six people per group, and only at feeding time. The alpacas are not fans of the sweltering Northwest Georgia heat and prefer the cool of the barn.

A WORTHY CAUSE Visitors to Sugar Valley Alpacas can feel good about spending their money there. 10% of all profits go to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. According to the AFSP’s website, they “fund research to improve intervention, train clinicians in suicide prevention, and advocate for policy that will save lives.” Having experienced the tragedy of such a loss themselves, the Mills work to shed light on this issue.

THE JOY OF THE HERD “Alpacas make people happy, they just do,” Doneen says. “When visitors arrive and see the alpacas for the first time, I can tell which people are going to squeal. Or scream.” Sometimes Doneen has to

intercept visitors and ask them to be calm and quiet, lest they startle the alpacas. “They make people smile,” she says. “There’s something really peaceful about watching then graze. It makes people’s dopamine and serotonin levels rise, putting them in a better mood.” This makes the animals the ideal companions for outdoor yoga.

They’re a very Zen species.

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HARBIN CLINIC PEDIATRICS DRAWS ITS HEALTHCARE EXPERTISE FROM NEAR AND FAR. Dr. Preston Leonard grew up in Floyd County, and Dr. Henaro Sabino hails from the Pacific Island of Saipan. Before attending medical school, Leonard spent a decade as a soldier in the army, stationed in Korea and Texas, and Sabino taught algebra, biology, chemistry, and physical science at a community college on Saipan.

Despite their differences in background, these two gifted doctors share a passion to care for the health and wellness of the children of Northwest Georgia.

As for Leonard, he found inspiration closer to home. He grew up in a large extended family, constantly surrounded by children. While working his way through medical school, those childhood experiences influenced his path. “I always enjoyed working with kids,” he says. “It just clicked.”

SUMMERTIME CARE

Leonard and Sabino offer a few commonsense tips for keeping children safe and healthy during the summer.

Protection against the sun is paramount; use sunscreen, SPF 30-50 or higher.

Reapply every 1 ½ - 2 hours, more often if the children are in the water. Sabino suggests umbrellas and sunhats for

WHY PEDIATRICS?

Does a doctor choose the specialty or does the specialty choose the doctor? For these two pediatricians, it seems to have been a decision that came naturally. “Simply put,” Sabino says, “I love children.” While in college, Sabino worked for a summer in a YMCA camp. “I had three jobs,” he says, “but regardless of how tired I was, I always found more energy when spending time with the kids. I knew I’d have to find a career working with children.”

Dr. Preston Leonard

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Dr. Henaro Sabino

babies, who do not keep sunblock on well. Leonard says, “Parents should be extra diligent around water. Drowning is a leading cause of death for children one to four years old.” Children should always be supervised by an adult around any body of water. Pools, bathtubs, and even toilets can be hazardous. Guarding against insects is vital as well. The doctors recommend a bug spray that contains 10%-30% DEET. Also, Leonard warns against letting children play on trampolines. “They’re a lot of fun,” he says, “but they’re not safe.”

STAYING ACTIVE, STAYING SHARP

The doctors suggest parents make physical activities fun. Sabino says, “If they like TikTok dancing, that’s just as good as jogging.” Leonard says, “Get outside. Take walks together, identify bugs, trees, and plants.”

To keep children mentally active during the summer, the doctors recommend parents limit their children’s screen time.

More reading, less gaming. Sabino says, “Try to grab their interest so that they will read, read, read & do it for fun… even if it means reading “Halo”- stories expanded

from the video game.” Leonard agrees: “Get them to read at least 15-20 minutes per day. Most libraries offer excellent summer reading programs.” Also, as the return to school approaches, the doctors recommend children experience a gradual return to a school-year sleep schedule.

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A Retreat in the Sky This lovely woodland home built of cedar, Alabama bluestone and brick sits high on a bluff with the world at its feet.

photos KEITH BEAUCHAMP text PAUL MOSES

T

he view: that’s the thing. When people visit Ken and Sue Bingham’s bluff-side home, they come away in awe of the vista stretching across the forested valley below. The tranquility of the natural setting is another big selling point for this lovely home. Set on 1 ¾ wooded acres high atop Mt. Alto, the home gives the impression of being isolated from the bustle of the world, though it is a short drive to downtown Rome, Georgia.

“We’re only five minutes from town,” Ken says, “but we feel like we’re way out in the country, like we’re in a lodge in the Smokies.” A soothing silence pervades this property. “The best thing about living here,” Ken says, “is it’s so amazingly quiet.

We can open the windows and hear nothing but the birds and the swimming pool’s waterfall. It couldn’t be more peaceful.”

On the lookout for a lookout

More than two decades ago, when the Binghams planned to move to the Rome area for Ken’s new job, they shopped around for an existing home on Mt. Alto, hoping to share in the other mountain residents’ stunning view. Unfortunately, nothing to their liking was available. However, their Hardy Realty agent, Joyce Landrum, pointed out two undeveloped lots on the bluff. “The land was full of

34 | HARDY REALTY | HOME FEATURE

bushes and trees,” Ken says, “so you couldn’t tell anything about it.” The Binghams were disappointed to discover the twin lots were not for sale, but Landrum stepped in, did her realtor magic, and struck a deal with the owners. The lots now belonged to Ken and Sue. Ken wanted to be integrally involved in the design of their new clifftop home. “I designed our home in San Diego, California,” Kens says, “and I learned a lot from that.” Then he adds in a self-deprecating way, “Especially from my mistakes.” (Sue counters with: “Ken is brilliant at designing homes!”) The Binghams hired an Atlanta-based architect and worked with him. Ken took those plans and modified them to suit his own vision. He had in mind something reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright: deep eaves, tall windows, and a harmony of wood, brick, and stone, a home that settled into its natural landscape rather than fought against it.

When the Binghams were finally satisfied with their plans, they hired William Burk Builders to do the job. During 1999/2000, the house went up. “William did such a good job,” Ken says. “He made great suggestions and was so easy to work with.”

A vision come to life, and then some

Without question, the Binghams wound up with what they originally wanted, and more. This two-story, 5,222 square feet home has five bedrooms and five and a half bathrooms (with an additional bathroom in the pool house). The living room is the central focus of the home’s design, with its 24’ ceiling, a beautiful brick wall with a fireplace, and a soaring bank of windows that frame the sky and valley beyond. A mezzanine walkway above the living room features a large built-in bookshelf that adds character to the space. There is a spacious eat-in kitchen and stylish dining room. The leaded glass doors and windows throughout the house, handmade by an Alabama-based artist, have a Frank Lloyd Wright vibe.

The front porch feels like an outdoor room: deep, shady, with a floor made of Alabama bluestone and loads of room to lounge about in rocking chairs. “The front porch is the quietest getaway you could imagine,” Ken says, “a great place to sit during the rain.”

HARDY REALTY | HOME FEATURE | 35

An in-law suite features a living room, bedroom, kitchen, a double-sided brick fireplace, high cedar ceiling, its own entrance, and is easily accessible from to the rest of the house through a connecting door. The suite has large windows, making it bright and homey.

As for the outdoor space, it gives the impression that nature was not disturbed when the home was built. “There’s not a blade of grass here,” Ken says. “We kept the landscaping as natural as possible.” Alabama bluestone pavers lead to a swimming pool, which has an infinity edge that gives the illusion of pouring off the bluff.

With considerable understatement, Ken says, “It’s a very comfortable home.”

Solid as a rock

With all the cedar and Alabama bluestone used in and around the Bingham’s home, it is a remarkably sturdy structure. To add to this strength, the home sits on an immovable bedrock of granite. During construction, some of this granite was used to create a fountain that sits just outside the home, paying homage to the material.

The brick wall in the living room has its own story to tell, a historical one. When the home was in its early stages of development, Ken drove by the demolition site of Rome’s Rooster Manufacturing Company, an old spinning mill that made blankets for the Confederacy. Ken stopped to look at the mountain of discarded bricks and was told they were all handmade, predating the Civil War. After further questioning, Ken was invited to take all the bricks he wanted. Free! He did, and that is where the impressive brick wall in the living room came from.

An eye on the future

Sue and Ken have a deep love for their home and the time spent within its walls. “For me, the things I like best here are the memories we’ve collected over the years,” says Sue. These memories will follow them in their next adventure to be nearer to a new grandbaby, while the home is ready for new owners to come, build their own lasting memories, and, of course, enjoy the view.

For additional information about the property or to schedule a showing, please contact Hardy Realty at 706-291-4321.

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Does Your

BBQ have

Character?

Text: Paul Moses | Photos: Andy Calvert

Like its owner, Michael Character, Character’s Famous BBQ makes its mark with sincerity, simplicity, and a hospitable welcome-home attitude.

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The dining room at Character’s Famous BBQ, Adairsville, Georgia, He cooks the meals, makes the plates, serves the tables. And all of this looks peaceful enough: and comes after he has done all the prepCUSTOMERS SITTING AT TABLES, CHATTING OVER THEIR LUNCHES OF STEAMING, AROMATIC BBQ or

eating while watching sports on TV. Most of the clientele is of the salt-of-the-earth variety, lots of baseball caps and work clothes. Everything feels laid-back. Behind those kitchen doors, however, it’s another matter. Restaurant owner Michael Character is a whirl of frenetic energy. He knows that good things don’t come to those who wait but to those who work. And this man knows how to put in the work. Except for his good friend who takes the orders and handles the money (cash only, please), Character is a one-man operation.

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work, cooking the BBQ. He says, “When you hire employees you add another whole layer of trouble, so I just do it myself.”

Character was drawn to cooking from an early age, growing up watching and helping his mother and grandmother in the kitchen. By late elementary school, he could cook for himself, and by the time he was a teenager, he was cooking meat on the grill. Spending summers in New Orleans with his father gave him a new appreciation for a wider variety of foods. Character says, “This restaurant helps me keep a tradition that reminds me of home.”

Before becoming a restaurateur, Michael Character was in the Marine Corps, and later, a truck driver. Traveling around in his truck, he saw that everywhere he went BBQ places were doing well. “BBQ is a universal favorite,” he says.

“Everyone loves it.” In 2007 Character decided to become part of that world and opened Character’s Famous BBQ. “Thanks to word-of-mouth, the business started growing. It was slow but sure.”

Simple offerings, simply good One thing a customer will not find at Character’s Famous BBQ is a pretentious, confusing menu.

The offerings are basic, the whole menu fitting neatly on one side of a sheet of typing paper. “I do it my way,” Character says. His way means four

meats: pork, chicken, beef, and ribs. The sides are traditional fare: baked beans, cole slaw, potato salad, and chips. Plate meals come with a drink, two slices of bread, and a wedge of frosted pound cake.

Character uses only one BBQ sauce, his own recipe, believing that many restaurants compensate for the inferior quality of their meat by smothering it with a wide selection of sauces.

To emphasize his point, he insists: “If you’re doing it good, you don’t even need BBQ sauce.”

He works hard to please his customers, to keep them coming back, but he knows people are very particular about their BBQ and tastes vary.

He says, “Pleasing ten out of ten is like finding a unicorn.” Still, he has his fans, both customers and competitors. He has gotten calls from as far away as Fiji and Australia. Character is generous about helping other cooks with tips about the restaurant business, but he becomes cagey when asked about his recipe. He explains, “A lot of cats know me and call for advice. I help them all I can, but I don’t give out my recipe.”

The restaurant hours are simple too.

Wednesday through Friday, 11 AM to 2 PM; Saturday, 11 AM to 4 PM. However, regular

customers know better than to wait too close to closing time to show up, lest what they want to eat is sold out.

A focus on food Like the proverbial book that should not be judged by its cover, Character’s Famous BBQ’s food should not be judged by its building, inside or out. With its unassuming facade, this long, low-slung structure might easily be missed by a first-time customer (as it was by this writer, twice). Tables sit in a row beneath a porch roof.

The gravel parking lot is full of pickups and work trucks (always a good sign for a restaurant). As for the indoor dining room, it is comfortable, clean, and roomy, but is by no means fancy. The posters on the walls are a catalogue of some of the proprietor’s personal interests: boxing (Holyfield and Tyson), the movie Pulp Fiction, the Atlanta Falcons, Muhammad Ali, BBQ Pit Wars, BBQ Kings, Jimmy Hendrix, Tiger Woods, and Major League Baseball. The tables are a sort of picnicstyle, with wooden benches, and the TV plays ESPN2. Highlighting the owner’s frugality, a sign beside the bathroom door asks patrons to turn the light off when finished.

Big dreams on the small screen Michael Character has become quite wellknown among those familiar with America’s BBQ culture. That all started in 2008, when he entered the Atlanta BBQ Classic. After placing in that competition for two consecutive years and coming in first for the People’s Choice Award, he became interested in what other kinds of BBQ contests were out there. As it turned out, it was a burgeoning industry. Later, he auditioned (via video) for the BBQ Pit Masters TV show. That first year he did not make it onto the show, but in 2014 he was accepted and wound up making it all the way through the semifinals. After that, he did four episodes of BBQ Pit Wars.

As much as Character enjoyed the exposure TV gave him, he had to admit it was tiring, with its own brand of stress, not to mention it took him away from running his restaurant (remember, a one-man operation). Besides all that, he points out that the things he learned on the BBQ contest shows were not necessarily helpful in making better food. “Competition BBQ is fool’s gold,” Character says. “It’s sweet as candy, not something you could ever sell in a restaurant. Here, I do it Character’s way!”

His personality seems tailor-made for television. This high-energy chef is charming, friendly, quick-witted, and outrageously funny.

He is one of those imminently quotable people who makes his listeners want to write down what he says so they can repeat it later. But just because his name is Character does not mean that he was playing a character on television. His clever, chatty banter may sound like it was churned out by a conference table full of comedy writers, but it’s all genuine. His celebrity persona is the real him. He’s not acting. Michael says, “What you see on TV is what you get.”

Well worth the drive If the test of a restaurant’s quality is how far customers will travel to eat there, then Dwayne and Amy Ragland prove without a doubt that Character’s Famous BBQ is worth the drive. Once a year they drive six hours from their home in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, just to eat here. This is the third year in a row they have made the trip, and they have no plans to stop coming.

Dwayne is a consummate fan of BBQ and BBQ TV shows. He records and keeps all the programs he can find. A few years ago, watching BBQ Pit Masters, he decided that Michael Character was his favorite cooking personality. Dwayne says, “Like the slogan says, he’s the baddest man in BBQ!” Amy, inspired by her husband’s enthusiasm, planned a surprise trip to Adairsville so Dwayne could meet his new hero. She contacted Michael READV3.COM | JULY 2021 V3 MAGAZINE

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on Facebook, and before they knew it the Raglands were sitting in the dining room at Character’s Famous BBQ, sampling the food for themselves; they were not disappointed. The food exceeded their expectations. On their drive from Kentucky this year the Raglands stopped at several famous BBQ places to eat, but those restaurants did not compare. Dwayne says, “A lot of places are fancier, they have lots of glitz and glamor, but their food is nothing special. It’s just marginal. Michael’s is the best, hands down!” Amy nods with enthusiasm and adds: “And Michael makes you feel so welcome here, like you’re part of his own family.”

The Raglands should know what they are talking about; as owners of Primetime’s RubO’licious, they make and sell seasoning rubs

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for cooking. Their work has given them a keen sense of what is good and not so good in the food industry. Dwayne says, “Georgia has lots of BBQ places, but he (Michael) is the real deal. He’s real and the food’s real.”

Focusing on the fundamentals of freshness In these days of expanding copycat franchises, with their harried habit of impersonal service, it is refreshing to find a restaurant that still focuses its attention on excellent food and treating customers like friends instead of like numbers. Here, every customer meets the owner; after all, he is serving their tables. Even when in a hurry, he always has a friendly word of greeting and a winning smile for each diner. Also, Character’s customers are in no danger of being served yesterday’s warmed-up leftovers. “I keep it fresh,” he says. “I make a new batch every day.”

The restaurant is sometimes sold out a half an hour (or earlier) before closing time. Popularity has its price. Character recommends coming sooner than later. “Come early,” he says. “If you come late and it’s gone, don’t get mad. Come back tomorrow!”

Sounds like good advice.

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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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770-607-0067 Casual counter serve offering sandwiches, salads & American comfort food

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

Colorful, casual outpost serving Mexican street tacos & fajitas, plus beers & tequila drinks. Join us every Sunday for Brunch from 11-4pm.

24 W Main St Cartersville, GA 30120

770-334-3813

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

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

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

READV3.COM | JULY 2021 V3 MAGAZINE

47

The 72nd Annual

COOSA VALLEY

FAIR

Is back for the year of

Featuring:

Jurassic Kingdom

for Kids Young and Old

Aquatic Acrobatic Show Bickerin’ Blacksmiths

OCT 5 - 9 2021 www.CoosaValleyFair.com Like us on Facebook 48

V3 MAGAZINE JULY 2021 | READV3.COM

EXCHANGE EXCHANGE

EXCHANGE CLUB OF ROME, GA EXCHANGE CLUB OF ROME, GA

SPONSORED BY THE EXCHANGE CLUB OF ROME WADE SHOWS INC. RIDES