V3 October 2020

NWGA'S PREMIER FEATURE MAGAZINE / OCTOBER 2020

Trick or Treat This Halloween, we've consulted the experts to show us the ropes of trick or treating done right

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OCTOBER2020 COLUMNS 10

Tammy Bar ron ponders how the choices we make change the trajectory of our lives, and poses the question of whether we make choices, or choices make us?

FEATURES 14 4

This Hardy Home boasts ten acres, Oostanaula River frontage, masterful craftsmanship, and endless space for a growing family

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FEATURES 21

While many fall traditions might look different this year, a trip to Frank fur t Dรถner & Meats for their life changing sandwich is a perfect addition to your weekend

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Gather your courage and light your jack-o-lanterns, because the costumes in this Trick or Treater Confidential are spine-chillingly adorable.

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For those craving both adventure and reconnection with family, Higher Ground is a breath of fresh air

GRAND COLUMNS 44

Nina Lov el shares all about how her desire to pass along beloved family recipes led to an utterly unique publication.

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Renaissance Marquis recognizes some of the heroes who walk among us

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Rome Health and Rehab reminds us of the importance of routine checkups to keep us living our best lives

FEATURES 52

Milton Slack shares his experience growing up during integration, and how that influenced his time serving as Rome City Commissioner.

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

O W N E R & C E O Ian Griffin School is back in session, football has finally arrived and the holidays are upon us. In the year of the strange, at least a few things feel close to normal.

One thing I’ve wondered about as this pandemic has stretched on and into the fall, is how our holiday traditions will be altered in a world of social distancing. With Halloween being the first in line, it will be interesting to see how people proceed. I’m sure it will be divided, as just about everything seems to be these days, but from my basic understanding of this virus trick or treating can be done safely.

Large groups seem to be the issue when it comes to spreading the virus, so the usual hayrides and packing into pick-up trucks seems to be a bad idea. It may be a little more cumbersome, but walking the neighborhood with your kids and maybe just your kids might be the way to go this year. It feels like the more we embrace that the better off we will be.

We can engage in the things we enjoy, but it may be a little different. That’s a whole lot better than not doing it at all if you ask me.

At this point in the game its really left up to the individual to make these decisions. It won’t be enforced by anyone, so don’t be surprised when the trailer full of avengers, witches, ghosts and goblins comes pulling up to your door. Everyone is entitled to go about this their own way, but try to keep in mind your knocking on peoples doors and some of those people may very well be at risk. If there are fewer lights on this year, don’t be surprised and be respectful of those choosing not to participate.

For younger kids it’s about the thrill of dressing up and knocking on stranger’s doors more than the candy and for the older kids, drop an extra $20 on a bag of their favorite candies so that if the going is slow, they still come home to a sugar coma. Any semblance of a normal Halloween is a win in 2020.

I’m not sure how trunk or treats or city planned events will go on as usual, but maybe those organizations can find a way to do it safely. I would think that to be a daunting task considering the large concentration of people in those spaces. Leave it to this pandemic to make something done to create a safer trick or treating experience unsafe right?

It’s been a year, and the holidays are a celebratory section of our annual calendar. I think we have come to appreciate all the little things a little bit more over the course of 2020, so keep that in mind if things aren’t exactly perfect over the next three months. Take what you can get and make the best of it with the people you love the most. That doesn’t sound so bad does it?

Happy Halloween.

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

Independent Living | Personal Care | Memory Care 706.295.0014 • 3126 Cedartown Hwy SW, Rome, GA 30161-4314 • www.RenaissanceMarquis.com READV3.COM | OCTOBER 2020 V3 MAGAZINE

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The fifth futile trip down the hill left me in tears and the cows still thirsty.

IT HAD BEEN A PARTICULARLY HOT SEPTEMBER and our wind-powered water pump led to a water tank bone dry. This left me with no other alternative than to haul a dozen five-gallon buckets up to the house to fill with the hose. Upon my return, the steep and unpaved drive would leave me with a meager amount of water in each bucket in which to fill the trough for the animals. How did I get here? “I have two college degrees, and I’m living on a homestead with technology near that of ‘Little House on the Prairie’ for hell’s sake!” I mutter bitterly to myself as I note the absolute inefficacy of the last two hours spent. This is not the first time I asked myself this 10

V3 MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2020 | READV3.COM

question. How did I get here? What series of choices led me down a path that has me standing in my shoes right now? It happens more often than I should admit, but country living is not what I had planned for myself. To be perfectly honest, I always had big city dreams. It is always at some awkward farm or uniquely southern experience that I trace each choice over the years as it framed my life and relationships – and sure enough – now I have a lifestyle in which I says things like, “I have to give the lamb an enema,” or “Sorry, the barn rats ate it,” and more often than not I have manure on my shoes. I wonder about the power of choice and its summation of our character.

Just as the fabled pearly gates at which our life’s work will be accounted: what do our choices say about us, do they dictate our value, and do they, alone, solidify our identity?

Our choices have a tendency to speak for us. The choice to put a “Party or Die” tattoo on your neck tells a specific story to future employers, whereas

the choice to arrive early for an interview institutes the impression that you are responsible, prepared, and most likely to show up on Monday mornings.

These are simply external perceptions the choice set in motion. An obvious complication, of course, is in our perception of others we see only a small fraction of a person’s life. The phrase ‘walk a mile in her shoes’ comes to mind. How, then, can a choice speak the whole story about who we are? Take the case of Russel Legreid, M.D., a dedicated ENT doctor in his 60s who for his entire career sought to care for and ease the pain of others. A man of service and a community helper faces four felony charges related to drunk driving and will be judged on his choice that ended the life of a two-month-old infant. Will his punishment weigh his selfish negligent choice to drive while intoxicated, or might there be leniency for good deeds done? Alternatively, I consider what weight does choice play for a young man with a complicated past? Do previous run-ins with the justice

The Choice is Yours opened doors

By Tammy Barron

system speak loud enough to warrant brutality and denial of judge and jury? For some, choices made long ago echo and reverberate throughout their lives, drowning out anything that comes thereafter.

Will Dr. Legreid be remembered as the healer or negligent murderer?

Most assuredly our daily choices carry value.

They take on a number and are plugged into an algorithm, then set with a price tag to be sold. These choices of ours are collected by data brokers and sold to other companies as tightly wrapped profiles of us as consumers, voters, and potential borrowers.

According to Emilee Rader, associate professor of media information at Michigan State University, these brokers use algorithms within your browsing, shopping, and social media history in order to predict things like your spending patterns, political party affiliation, or sexual orientation. “The kinds of data they collect include your name, age, Social Security Number, purchase transaction history, web

browsing activity, voter registration information, whether you have children living with you or speak a foreign language, the photos you have posted to social media, the listing price of your home, whether you’ve recently had a life event like getting married, your credit score, what kind of car you drive, how much you spend on groceries, how much credit card debt you have and the location history from your mobile phone,” Rader says. (msutoday.com, 2019). These companies are using our cell phone data to put a net worth to our choices. Do you think a GPS blip from your phone or “like” on Facebook determines your value?

Is a person simply a summation of choices, a series of paths chosen from birth to death weaving the pattern of our identities? Surely, I take responsibility for my actions. I know exactly when my life took a sharp left turn and brought me to my wonderfully unpredictable, albeit dirty, country life. My plans to work on stage in New York were

dashed that moment I saw him ride by on that loud red motorcycle, arms taut and hair wild – I knew that I would follow him anywhere, and it wouldn’t be to the city. My southern infatuation inspired all my choices that brought me east, changed my career, made me a wife and then, gloriously, a mother; but do these choices really create my identity? They come tremendously shallow from the mark. Just as I optimistically and fervently hope not to see another person’s life end in a split decision to run away or pull a gun, or witness communities divide on the politicization of wearing masks, I hope we will consider who we are, our values, and our identity as a beautiful and intricate complexity. It is impossible to sum up ourselves and each other in such basic terms of choice. *The views expressed in this column are those of the writer, and do not represent the opinions of V3 Magazine

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Nature's Getaway Ten acres of natural woods and the flowing water of the Oostanaula River create a perfect paradise to raise a family text TAMMY BARRON

F

photos KEITH BEAUCHAMP

ollow the winding drive into a hidden treasure. A majestic custom-built family home is perched on top of the hill that kisses the lazy Oostanaula River. Nestled amongst the mature maple and evergreen trees, the wellmanicured grounds of lush grass and beautiful collections of flowering shrubs perfectly frame the dramatic exterior of this expansive home. Stone masonry and dark-stained cedar shake give the classic white pillars a stage all their own, rendering a sense of unparalleled elegance even before entering through the large welcoming double doors.

The first steps into the home are awe-striking: as your feet grace upon the beautiful black and white patterned marble and granite foyer, your eyes sweep immediately to the elegant floor to ceiling windows that brighten the twenty-four-foot vaulted ceiling of the formal living space. The tree line adds an unforgettable charm to the grandeur of first impressions.

A hallway leading to the left brings you to a masterfully designed kitchen worthy of the most inspired of home chefs. A Jenn-air cooktop is cradled in beautiful masonry details of stone and tile. The expansive storage and cabinetry also host a wall-mounted double oven, 36-inch Viking refrigerator, under-counter icemaker, and wine chiller. Smart switches illuminate the pantry for hands-free convenience. The true elegance of the kitchen is in the details. Custom-carved wood corbels support the honed granite countertops. The kitchen is equally

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HARDY REALTY | HOME FEATURE | 17

spacious, functional, and welcoming, a perfect gathering space for family meal preparation and entertaining as it opens to a dome-vaulted breakfast nook surrounded by bay windows with a poolside view, as well as common living space.

The living space maintains the grandeur of the rest of the home while also creating a sense of comfort. Large wooden bookcases flank the black granite fireplace. Nine-foot-high ceilings take advantage of the surrounding casement windows and double French doors that lead to a covered outdoor patio and pool area to create an abundance of natural light to the room. Opposite the living space is a hallway that leads to the three-car garage, powder room, laundry, and a guest bedroom.

The guest bedroom suite is all comfort and elegance with large windows, walk-in closet, and private bathroom. Tumbled tile and quartz countertops compliment the contemporary brushed nickel finishes adorning the glass surround tub and shower.

Adjacent to the dining room is a large functional laundry with utility sink and plenty of cabinetry for storage. Further down the hall, just opposite the kitchen hallway, lies the formal dining room, complete with a large garden-view window and elegant three-foot wainscoting.

18 | HARDY REALTY | HOME FEATURE

To the right of the entryway is the path toward the master suite, an ode to master carpentry itself. Natural light filters into the space, highlighting the magnificent domed ceiling and illuminating the subtle blue hues painted onto the incredible crown details. An enormous custom built-in armoire/entertainment nook balances the room. Doors lead from the room to a private covered patio, as well as to an executive office space with built-in wooden bookshelves and expansive garden and poolside views. “Dramatic luxury� are the only words to describe the master bathroom.

An L-shaped double sink vanity topped with black granite countertops is paired artfully with the black-finished jetted garden tub by the travertine and black granite patterned tile floor. The shower, large and fitted with a built-in bench, is incased in three panes of glass, allowing for ample light from the windows and fixtures to envelop the room in a bright airiness.

Through the bathroom is an exquisite walk-in, custom-built his and hers closet. Drawers, shelves, and hanging rods serve as a functional backdrop to the center island complete with private drawers and shelving.

A wood and iron banister leads up the stairs from the foyer to the three bedrooms. One bedroom features a private bathroom of tumbled tile and new finishes. The other two bedrooms have large closets and connect with a jack-and-jill bathroom. All three upstairs bedrooms have ample storage, large windows that overlook the private woods, and charming details in the dormers and slanted ceilings.

The upstairs hallway is open to the great formal living room below, enhancing the open concept design of the upstairs. Down the hall is a large

HARDY REALTY | HOME FEATURE | 19

library with floor-to-ceiling custom built wood bookcases. Inside one of these cases is a hidden latch that swings a panel to reveal a one-of-a-kind hidden room large enough to elicit the envy of any man-cave seeker.

Behind the home is an abundance of entertaining space, both covered and open, that overlooks the pristine cerulean pool and inground hot tub. Perpendicular to the home is an elegant pool house with covered porch. The tile floor and tall vaulted ceilings allow for the focal point of the fifteen-foot wet bar to stand at attention. Carved wooden corbels brace the granite countertop. There is a full bathroom and cable hookups, and double French doors and double hung windows keep the space open to host the best of pool-time fun. The yard beyond the pool is gently sloped toward a path that winds easily through the private woods to the grassy bank of the Oostanaula River.

Ten private wooded acres and the soothing waters of the river give this family home a sense of true seclusion. Located just off Highway 140, this property is surprisingly less than 15 minutes from I-75. A perfect place to raise a family and host memories for years to come, this home is a must see.

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

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Meat me in Ball Ground

Text: Ian Griffin | Photos: Andy Calvert

Just in time for Oktoberfest, an adventure in the form of a life-changing sandwich is only a short drive away READV3.COM | OCTOBER 2020 V3 MAGAZINE

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AS THE LEAVES START TO CHANGE COLORS AND COOLER WEATHER ANNOUNCES ITSELF TO THE SOUTH, MANY PEOPLE TAKE TO THE OPEN ROAD TO ENJOY THE CHANGE IN THE SCENERY. 22

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IN A YEAR THAT HAS LIMITED OUR TRAVELS AND INTERACTIONS WITH OTHERS, OPPORTUNITIES TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE AND SEEK THE EXPERIENCES THAT MAKE US WHOLE ARE ALL THE MORE COVETED. Like it or not, things have to be done a little bit differently to achieve that, but hopping in the car with your friends or loved ones to experience a “life-changing sandwich” at Frankfurt Döner & Meats shouldn’t push your comfort level too much… just your waistline.

Just a short drive from just about anywhere in our corner of the state, FD&M resides in downtown Ball Ground, Georgia, where they have built a loyal base of customers who have had their lives changed by their signature menu item: the Döner. This sandwich consists of shaved angus beef served in a Persian flatbread with

house made tzatziki sauce and a choice of fresh toppings that, if ordered all the way, include lettuce, tomato, onion, feta cheese, red cabbage, cucumber salad and sliced cucumber.

“Most people can’t pronounce Döner,” said owner operator Elke Werner. “We had so many people come in and tell us that sandwich changed their lives that we just decided that’s what we should call it. So now we encourage everyone to try a lifechanging sandwich.”

This two-handed sandwich is a mammoth to behold and a delight to the taste buds, but it’s far from the only thing on the menu. In fact, what you can buy to prepare back at the homestead might be just as life-changing.

When you first enter the restaurant, is the meat display draws you in like a moth to the flame. House-made bratwurst, frankfurters, burgers and more are prepped and ready for your grilling delight. It isn’t until you are done salivating over the selection that your eyes wander to the menu that consists of the aforementioned Döner, a few other classic sandwiches like the Reuben, Italian and chicken salad, fresh grilled brats and frankfurters, as well as salads, soup, sides and desserts.

Everything is made in-house, and with brats and sausages that range from “cheesy explosion” to “Georgia Peach”, the flavors are anything but ordinary. Anything in the case can be prepared for you to enjoy on-site or packaged for you to cook at home. For those enjoying them at the café tables, fresh sauerkraut, grilled onions and a wide variety of condiments are available and served

on a fresh-baked bun that ties the bow on an authentic German experience.

Elke Werner and her husband, Herr Detlev Werner, started the business 10 years ago with a mission to deliver authentic German meats and cuisine to their friends and neighbors. Herr went through rigorous training to obtain his Meisterbreif (Master Craftsmen) Certificate as a butcher, and his expertise set the bar for the meats served to FD&M customers today.

With Oktoberfest upon us, there couldn’t be a better time or a safer way to get out and enjoy the day. Ball Ground’s downtown is bubbling with green spaces where you can enjoy your meal at a safe social distance, and there is absolutely no shame in heading over to enjoy your lunch and leaving with your dinner packed up in a cooler.

“We enjoy what we do, and I think our customers can taste that in our food,” says Werner. “We see the same faces all the time, but more and more new faces keep coming and we are happy to have them.”

If the impromptu trip isn’t your cup of tea, the team at FD&M is always happy to prepare bulk call-in orders, so you could plan your trip to pick up your brats and sausages for the big game. Just make sure to grab a Döner while you’re there…it’s not every day you get eat a life-changing sandwich.

SAFECLOSECARE

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Goulish Getups 26

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Enter, if you dare Photos: Andy Calvert

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Name: Stella Goya Costume: Erie from Descendants Favorite Treat: Hershey Bar Favorite thing about Halloween: Haunted Houses

Name: Finster Atkinson Costume: Bulldozer Favorite Treat: Popsicles Favorite thing about Halloween: It’s spooky

Name: Mia Goya Costume: Snow White Favorite Treat: Kit-Kat Favorite thing about Halloween: Getting dressed up

Name: Caroline Bierkamp Costume: Mal From Descendants 3 Favorite Treat: Milk Duds Favorite thing about Halloween: Trick or treating with my cousins

Name: Darby McDowell Costume: Ghostbuster Favorite Treat: Kit-Kat Favorite thing about Halloween: Decorating and scaring people

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V3 MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2020 | READV3.COM

Name: Olivia McGlaughlin Costume: Unicorn Princess Favorite Treat: Suckers Favorite thing about Halloween: Trick or Treating

Name: Olivia Atkinson Costume: Fairy Princess Favorite Treat: Tootsie Rolls Favorite thing about Halloween: Going trick or treating

Name: William Barber Costume: Woody Favorite Treat: Anything Chocolate Favorite thing about Halloween: Being Woody

Name: Lucille Barber Costume: Jessie Favorite Treat: Blueberries Favorite thing about Halloween: Dressing up with her brother

Name: Sam Mcglaughlin Costume: Red Power Ranger Favorite Treat: Gum Favorite thing about Halloween: All the candy

Name: Adeline Mcglaughlin Costume: Bat Favorite Treat: Candy Pumpkins Favorite thing about Halloween: Costumes READV3.COM | OCTOBER 2020 V3 MAGAZINE

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Name: Carter Griffin Costume: Venom Favorite Treat: Tie between Milky Way & Starburst Favorite thing about Halloween: Scary decorations like cake with spiders on them

Name: Chloe Pitts Costume: Princess Jasmine Favorite Treat: Kit-Kat Favorite thing about Halloween: Dressing Up

Name: Unknown Costume: The Mandolorian Favorite Treat: This is the milky way Favorite Thing about Halloween: Masks

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Name: Declan Brown Costume: Fireman Favorite Treat: Donuts Favorite thing about Halloween: Eating sweets

Name: Liam Robbins Costume: Frankenstein Favorite Treat: Goldfish and Bananas Favorite thing about Halloween: Trick or Treating with his sisters Ally & Alivia and walking like Frankenstein to scare his parents.

GENERAL SURGERY ENCOMPASSES A WIDE RANGE OF EXPERTISE that a

surgeon must master, and Dr. Paul Brock has spent 34 years perfecting his skills. Some of the medical conditions and diseases that Dr. Brock encounters include lung surgery for cancer, breast cancer surgery, any type of intestinal cancers like stomach, GI tract, colon, sarcomas, and any malignancies short of GYN and brain. In addition, he can operate on diseased organ systems, an infected gallbladder or appendix, and things that malfunction like hernias.

“We were classically trained to be very good at lots of different things,” says Dr. Brock. “My focus is on a holistic approach, and through that general surgeons have a very wide skill set to draw from.”

In addition to this array of topics in training, the years that Dr. Brock has spent caring for patients has further sharpened his expertise. “When you get to be my age as a surgeon, this is when you're at the top of our game. You have experience, you have knowledge, you’ve seen a lot of patients, you can adapt to whatever changes arise, and you bring that to the table every time you sit and talk to a patient,” he says.

Part of caring completely for patients involves knowing when surgery is the best approach, and knowing when another option is the better choice. “When there are two equal options, one being a non-operative approach and the other being operative, I want to talk about the non-operative approach first because it’s less risky. Every surgery has potential risk associated with it so if you can minimize those risks with another alternative, that’s what we’ll do,” says Dr. Brock.

Primary care physicians also play a key role in helping prepare a patient to be healthy enough for a needed surgery. “There’s always the opportunity to operate, but it’s

a harder decision to decide not to operate, and that’s the doctor you want, the one who knows enough to say, ‘this is a better option for you.’”

The best course of action that a person can take for improved overall wellbeing, and to help prevent some of these conditions aside from living a healthy lifestyle, is to see your primary care doctor regularly, Dr. Brock stresses. “They are set up to be preventative health doctors; they’re your best colleague and your best asset in terms of making sure you find diseases before they’re a problem,” he says. Establishing a great relationship with your primary care doctor allows them to do everything possible to reduce your risks.

“They’ll be looking for signs of lung cancer if you’re a smoker, looking for colon cancer, or prostate cancer, or breast cancer, all the while helping you to prevent these diseases as well.”

For General Surgery, cooperation between medical facilities is of the utmost importance, not only with other specialties and physicians at Harbin Clinic, but also with other hospitals in town. “We have a very collegial relationship with all of the physicians in town, and all of the hospitals in town. It is incumbent upon all of us to make sure that all of these facilities are not only healthy but are also offering high quality care,” says Dr. Brock. “We have patients who are coming from a hundred miles away to get high level care, so it is important that all of us work well together.”

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, Harbin Clinic has adapted to safely care for patients.

“At the beginning, elective surgeries were shut down and we were only working on emergent things like appendicitis, perforations, etc,” says Dr. Brock. “Our schedule is slowly getting back to normal but what we’re seeing now are patients who were

afraid to come into the office, and they’ve stayed at home when they shouldn’t have.

These patients should have had a diagnosis made two months ago, who are now coming in and getting treated later.” To those patients, Dr. Brock would like to communicate that Harbin Clinic offers a myriad of options to ensure safety. “We have telemedicine where you can video chat with a doctor without ever leaving your home,” he says. “In addition, all of our offices are doing everything to follow COVID-19 safety precautions and ensure the health of our patients. We’re asking everybody to wear masks, providers and patients alike, and to this day, this office hasn’t seen a single COVID-19 case.” When it comes to Dr. Brock’s approach to patient care, transparency is key. “I think you have to be blatantly honest with a patient with good news and with bad news,” he says. “If a patient gets a hint at any point that you’re not telling them everything or that you’re delaying information, you’ve lost their trust and I find that very problematic. With my patients, they know that what you see is what you get. In addition to that, I look at every patient who comes through the door as if they were one of my loved ones, and that’s how I approach their care.”

For more information about Harbin Clinic’s General Surgery options, visit harbinclinic.com/general-surgery.

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ADVOCATES FOR CHILDREN HAS REVITALIZED THEIR FUNDRAISING INITIATIVE ONCE AGAIN AND WILL BE HOSTING TWO EVENTS OVER THE UPCOMING MONTHS. These events include the Advocates for Children Drive-In Movie Night sponsored by Harbin Clinic and a community favorite, the Annual Cookie Competition.

The first event is the Drive-In Movie Night, which will take place Friday, November 13 and is graciously sponsored by Harbin Clinic. Advocates will be showing the PG-13 edited version of the film Instant Family, staring Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne. Parking opens at 5:30 p.m. at LakePoint Champions Center. A brief presentation from the sponsor and Advocates for Children’s CEO/President Rachel Castillo will take place shortly before the feature presentation at 7:00 p.m. This event is free to attend; a suggested donation of $10 per car would, however, be greatly appreciated. Additionally, the Champions Center will be open to the public so they may use the restroom or buy concessions. LakePoint Champions Center has graciously promised to donate 15 percent of their concession revenue to Advocates for Children.

The purpose of this event is not only to raise money for Advocates for Children, but to also raise awareness of youth homelessness and adoption. November is both National Adoption Month and National Runaway Prevention Month for Youth. “These causes are obviously near and dear to our hearts,” says Renee Shields, Development Director. “Our flagship program, the Flowering Branch Children’s Shelter, is a place where we house youth who, unfortunately, have no place to go. Not only do these children come to us via recommendations, but we also house youth who have run away from home because of poor conditions or other issues, concerns, etc.

As much as we love the children who stay with us, we would love to reduce the need for the shelter through preventative measures, such as our Hope in Your Home program, which screens families for potential abuse indicators and provides preventative parenting classes that are free to our community.”

Following the Drive-In Movie Night, Advocates for Children is also planning their Annual Cookie Competition. For this event, the organization recruits local chefs and other community partners to pair with a child who is currently staying at the Flowering Branch Children’s Shelter.

Together the chef and child team design and bake a holiday cookie. The cookies are then featured in the community partners’ restaurants, shops, and boutiques throughout the city.

Community members can then vote for their favorite cookie starting November 2 by donating on the team’s dedicated page. For every dollar that a person donates, the team gets one vote.

On December 3, preceding the Cartersville Christmas Parade, a panel of judges will taste the cookie submissions. Their critiques make up 50 percent of the scoring in the final process.

Castillo states, “This event is so much fun for the children. We strive so hard to give these kids a sense of normalcy, and the holidays are an especially difficult time to make this happen.

We are so grateful to the community for helping lift these kids’ spirit and give them hope.”

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

TO DONATE VISIT ADVOCHILD.ORG

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13TH More info at advochild.org/drivein

M

O

V

I

E

PRESENTED BY

Get CREATIVE this Fall with our Upcoming Events!

October Halloween Theme Artsi Saturday October 10th 10am-12pm

Fun Pet Portrait Saturday, October 17th

Halloween Theme Sip n' Paint Thursday, October 20th 7pm

ART i SATURDAY

November Holiday Shopping Open House Saturday Nov 7th 10am-4pm

Artsi Saturday Saturday Nov 14th 10am-12pm

Sip n' Paint Thursday Nov 19th 7pm

Abstract Painting Workshop Saturday, Nov 21st 10am-3pm

We love hosting private paint parties!

Contact Siri to schedule

December Sip n' Paint Thursday, December 3rd 7pm @ The Brewhouse

Christmas Artsi Saturday Saturday, December 12th 10am-12pm

Christmas Sip n' Paint Thursday, December 17th 7pm

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

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Ain't No Mountain High Enough

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Get to know the non-profit that specializes in transformative adventures in the wilderness Text: Tammy Barron | Photos: Andy Calvert

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“Of course it’s scary; you are leaning over a mountain.

Can you feel the rope support you?”

THE TEN Y EAR OL D NODS NER V OUSLY and meets Nathan Hicks’ gaze as his calm voice encourages her to lean a bit further off the ledge, ever closer to the 60-foot drop to the group waiting below. Hicks, co-founder of Higher Ground, belays 36

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while his steady words coax the little girl’s confidence to emerge, empowering her to trust in the strength and capability of her hands and balance as she makes her way down the vertical cliff. Soon, her breath evens out and a smile broadens across her face as she marks the progress she makes. The look of personal achievement shines bright in her eyes as she touches ground and lets out a “Whoop!” that is echoed by everyone that moves in to congratulate her. This is a scene replayed throughout the morning, each member of the group experiencing the thrill and success in their personal but universal journey.

Rappelling is just one of many activities offered

by Higher Ground, a company forged to transform lives by providing adventure-based experiences that honor Jesus Christ. Nathan and Tanya Hicks started with a dream, a passion for outdoor adventure, and a love for the Creator when they started Higher Ground in 2007. With a network of talented mentors and field instructors they

successfully built something grander than a simple outfitting operation. They support corporations, schools, churches, and families as they achieve personal growth, team building experiences, and transformation.

Executive Director Nathan Hicks describes the inspiration for Higher Ground: “I was just a boy, perhaps ten or so, when my father first introduced me to backpacking. He took me to Cheaha, Alabama, and I was hooked. I can’t say if it was the intrinsic nature of being outdoors and its calling for self- discovery or if it was the time spent alone with my dad that made such an impact.” As a young man, Nathan planned to go into seminary for youth ministry. After a five month thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail, at age 22, Nathan decided to switch his focus to outreach work in an outdoor setting. It was at a seminary school in Fort Worth, Texas, that he met Tanya, who was studying to become a missionary. Tanya too recalls childhood

experiences in nature being formative in her spiritual development. “My first memories in which I felt a strong connection with Him was while shadowing my grandmother in her garden,” she says. “We spent so much time outside talking. She taught me how to see everything that was growing and how that mattered. Later when I was a teenager, I went on a near-disastrous backpacking trip. I got hypothermia after crossing a swift river and getting completely soaked. The experience took me back to the lessons learned in Grandmother’s garden. Nature is amazing, and it can be mighty.

Nature is a reflection of Him. It should be revered.”

Nathan and Tanya’s shared passion for theology and the outdoors led to an immediate connection.

Unknowingly at the time, the footwork for Higher Ground began to take shape as the two teamed up, married, and welcomed a family.

Ten years later, the business launched with the help of many friends and colleagues. “We began with 12 trips that first year.” Nathan says. “Growing slow and steady, we were able to comfortably facilitate over 80 trips in 2019.” Activities such as backpacking, climbing, rappelling, and caving are a very small part of what Higher Ground offers. “Each one of these activities really is only a gateway into something much bigger, much more profound,” Tanya explains.

“These experiences can push individuals beyond

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their perceived limits. They can teach you what it means to trust and what it means to be a good leader or partner. Adventure has consistently been a catalyst for growth, a place for reflection, and a vehicle to get to know God.” As mentioned before, the mission of Higher Ground is to transform lives by providing adventure-based experiences that honor Jesus Christ. The most common transformation that trip leaders describe on these excursions is an individual’s discovery of their amazing capabilities while deepening their relationships with each other and God. Kelli Duncan, program director, recalls a lasting impression from a recent trip. “There’s the picture of sitting around a dimming campfire as I listen to a dad vulnerably sharing his struggles and failures and great joys of attempting to be the father he knew he needed to be…and then watching his adult daughter embrace him with full forgiveness and love. All of this after spending five days backpacking together alongside two additional close family members,” she says. This kind of transformation is exactly what Higher Ground offers.

Ava Belle Holcombe, 14, participated in one of this year’s Adventure Day Camps. She offers this: “They gave me courage to try new things. Particularly Kelli Duncan, who was inspiring because of her strength, her warmth, and her positivity. I want to feel strong and Kelli encouraged me that I really am.”

For couples entrenched in the bustle of day-to-day, work, kids, and household responsibilities can create a chaotic weight on their shoulders. Higher Ground’s retreats give a unique gift for couples, allowing them to unplug from all of the stress and pressure. “I’ve been on at least three of these adventures,” says Jeff Holloway of Rome. “Through these trips, my wife, Allison, and I have really discovered how much we need the calmness and disconnect from the life we live. The trips are always a reminder that clarity and connection in any terms (personal relationships and a spiritual relationship) comes through slowing down; stilling the heart and stilling the mind. Wilderness fosters that.”

Looking ahead, Higher Ground continues to support current partnerships with schools, churches, and camps. “I am excited to see us find new and creative ways to serve both our local and global communities through wilderness-based 38

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adventures,” Duncan says. “The kind of adventures where your phone is an afterthought, and it doesn’t have service anyway; where life is boiled down to its simplest terms and we are able to be challenged, and grow deeply because of it; where kids can be kids and adults can take a deep breath.”

As the afternoon wraps up on a brilliant day of rappelling and rock climbing, members of the group say farewell as good friends. Friends, who only a few hours ago were strangers embarking on an adventure, created memories together through a unique shared experience.

Higher Ground is offering a variety of open enrollment trips this fall.

Be sure to check social media for their fall calendar of open enrollment trips. To book your next transformative adventure, contact Higher Ground at 706-409-2014 or email info@hgusa.org.

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For Becky Finnell, licensed esthetician and owner of Glo Skin and Body Spa in Rome, spa treatments are about helping people feel as beautiful as they are.

At

Glo Skin and Body Spa, Becky offers a variety of facials, masks, and other skin treatments, as well as full-body massages. She says that it’s her goal to help people relax and feel good about themselves, especially now. “It’s nice to pamper people, especially this year because everybody’s so stressed out,” she says. “It’s been nice to take care of people and help them see their beauty. I know it’s my job, but if I can give anything back to people right now, then I want to do that. If I can even give them an hour of relaxation where they’re not thinking about anything, then that’s incredible.”

In order to help people take better care of themselves and feel better, Becky uses an all-natural line of skincare products in her spa treatments. The brand, called Repechage, uses seaweed in its products, which Becky says are friendly to everybody’s skin. “So far my clients have loved it,” she says. “It’s really made a huge difference in people’s skin.”

Glo Skin and Body Spa is located in the Hawthorn Suites, which Becky describes as a beautiful and peaceful space to work – the perfect location to unwind with a spa treatment or massage. A full list of Glo Skin and Body Spa’s available treatments is available on Facebook @gloskinandbodysparome and Instagram @ glospa.rome. She also shares discounts on these pages. Becky says that one of the most popular treatments she offers is a classic European facial that deeply cleanses skin and includes a massage to hydrate and purify skin, leaving the recipient feeling cleansed, toned and moisturized.

Becky has been passionate about skincare since she was diagnosed with melanoma at age 20. “I’ve always kind of been a nut about taking 40

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care of skin,” she says. It’s the largest organ of your body, so why not take care of your skin?”

While studying to be an esthetician at the Health and Style Institute in Kennesaw, Becky began toying with the idea of starting her own business.

Her husband is in the military, so she wanted to be able to be her own boss in order to make time to visit him. “I decided that in order to put my family first, I really needed to take that leap of faith and open my own business,” Becky explains.

After graduating esthetician school in August of 2019, Becky started the process of opening Glo Skin and Body Spa. She found her space in the Hawthorn Suites and was almost ready to open when everything shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic, but Becky hasn’t let any obstacles stop her. “I just want to keep trying to stick it out because I love doing this so much,” she says. The spa opened officially on June 1, and Becky says business has been a roller coaster since then. Word of her business has traveled through social media and by word of mouth, and she has been playing to her strengths when it comes to marketing. “I’m a people person; I love to talk,” Becky says. “I haven’t been shy about handing out business cards and promoting myself.”

As business picks up, Becky is more and more diligent about keeping her clients safe and making them feel comfortable at her spa. “I just want to pamper them and help them focus on themselves a little bit more,” she says. “I’ll go above and beyond the sanitation measures to help people feel comfortable coming to my spa, and that won’t stop when COVID-19 goes away.” She implements a variety of precautions in order to keep her spa clean. She wears a mask while working, takes clients’ temperatures when

they arrive, and spaces out clients so that she has ample time to clean in between treatments.

“Even without COVID-19, there are all these sterilizations and disinfection procedures,” she says. “It takes me about an hour between each client to deep clean.”

Opening a business is no easy feat, and Becky says that the process has taught her a lot about herself. Though she has struggled with her self-esteem in the past, she says that opening the spa has taught her how much she is capable of doing. “It’s helped me feel better about myself,” she says. Her goal is to continue her education on skincare and massage therapy in order to grow her business and offer more to her clients. “I’m so new in this game, so I have a lot to learn,” she says. “I’ll never stop learning, though. There’s always something new to learn about skincare and massage therapy.”

Becky’s passion for her clients translates into her scheduling as well. She likes to work around her clients’ schedules, a flexibility that is another perk of owning her own business. “As a new business owner, I am grateful for anyone who walks through that door, she says. “If I need to see someone at 6 or 7 at night, then hey, I’m all about it.”

More information about Glo Skin and Body Spa is available on Facebook and Instagram.

Becky wants potential clients to know that if they come to her for treatments, it will be a time dedicated to helping them take care of themselves, relax and feel better. “Meeting new people and getting to take care of them has been a comfort to me,” she says. “It’s blessed my soul so much.” @glospa.rome

@gloskinandbodysparome

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Please join us for an evening of fellowship as we host our first

OR

Popcorn

Raffle

Snowcones

Fun & Games

Saturday, October 31st 5-7pm 3002 Maple Road, Rome GA 30161

Free Admission! Costumes encouraged!

Event will be held outside, and don’t forget your mask! www.hendersonandsons.com 42

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"I represent everybody" Milton Slack reflects on a lifetime of history and service to the town he loves.

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GRAND COLUMN

NINA LOVEL

Two Lifetimes Table AT THE

Here and Now with Nina Lovel

Do you ever play tricks on yourself on purpose?

LIKE (IN THE OLDEN DAYS WHEN WE USED TO DO THIS) inviting friends over so you’ll clean up the house, or telling the world you’ve signed up for a 5K so you’ll be too embarrassed to back out?

Well, I’m up to something like that right now, and I’m counting on you, dear readers, to hold me accountable!

If you’ve read any of my past columns in GRAND, you should know me pretty well. You’ll know that I am passionate about rivers, that I have a new baby grandson (who is now crawling, thanks for asking), and that I treasure my grown children, my grands, and my friendships. You’ll know that I completed my first triathlon at 58 and that I’m still active and grateful for my health.

You’ll know that every spring (except this last one, darn it), I go to the FLAME Festival to celebrate the flow arts (especially those involving fire) and that I dye my hair purple for the occasion.

You’ll know that I have even done a fire-walk of my own.

Yep, I can generate a righteous storm of hashtags with all the things I love to do, but there’s one that would not make the 44

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short list: #cook. Mind you, I can hold my own in the kitchen; it’s just not a top gig for me. But here’s what I’m doing: I’m writing a cookbook.

This will actually be the second edition of the cookbook that my lifelong friend Marsha and I published back in 2012 for a target market of four: our out-of-the-nested children. I say “published” because we did no writing in the first edition. In fact, it was so easy to do that I’ll tell you how below; you’ll be able to make one of your own in time for Christmas gift-giving!

Marsha and I met in the newborn nursery at McCall Hospital.

As we clinked our glass Evenflo bottles across our bassinets, we cooed a toast to our future, then slugged down that Pet Milk/Karo Syrup nectar and embarked on a life journey of friendship that is still going strong. That was the first meal we shared; hundreds more have ensued, the most recent being just last week.

NINA LOVEL

Because our parents were friends, we grew up together. On summer Friday nights while our parents ate aspic and other hoity dishes over bridge games, we would feast on the Longboy Burgers her dad had prepared for us and then go play hours of Spotlight with neighborhood friends in her backyard (barefoot, btw!). She spent some weekends with me at our Lake Allatoona cabin, and we munched on my dad’s grilled chicken that smelled almost better than it tasted. Our families took turns hosting dinner after church every Christmas Eve, and we all enjoyed countless Sunday lunches at The Partridge and The Forrest Hotel. We went to Furman and put on the Freshman Fifteen together; we began our careers together and left our nests, but Moms and Dads were still there to heft up the holidays. As they aged and passed on, we realized the family traditions were now our own to keep, so we kept many and created some new ones of our own. We grew our families together and are proud of our four young adults who live full lives on their own terms.

As they grew up and fledged, Marsha and I began to get the occasional urgent text request for a recipe they remembered fondly: “I’m invited to a party and need to bring a dish; how do you make that hot artichoke dip we always had at Christmas?”

“What goes in that spinach and strawberry salad we always had at Easter?” Etc.

Have you ever tried to text a recipe?

Don’t even. It will wear out your eyes, your fingers and your patience. We soon learned to hack that process by taking a picture of the recipe with our phone and texting that to them instead of pecking the whole thing out.

Then came epiphany: let’s compile our family recipes into a cookbook for the kiddos! Not only would that preserve their fond memories in one place, but it would head off that eventual issue of who got which of Mama’s recipes when we were gone.

They would love it! It could be a Christmas present! We needed to hurry; it was mid-November.

Selecting the recipes came first and was accomplished in four sessions at Marsha’s kitchen table with dozens of beautifully well-worn, food-splashed cards and notes, many written by our mothers’ hands. The memories and stories flowed. Gazing at her mother-in-law’s directions for cooking squash the “right way”, Marsha recalled the several attempts before it finally passed the husband-muster. It’s now a specialty of her own. I looked at my mother’s spaghetti recipe and still couldn’t understand why it never tasted like hers when made in my kitchen.

There were the Thanksgiving sweet potatoes and dressing instructions hastily dashed on the back of prescription pads by my fellow PACU nurses the year I lost my mother. It had never occurred to me to watch her make dressing; there would be plenty of time for that. Until there wasn’t.

November was fading, but we enjoyed these kitchen-table sessions so much that we crammed what should have been finished in two of them into four. I was to compile the book, and as I thumbed through this stack of memories, it just didn’t seem right to relegate them to black and white print on a page. And then it was December.

GRAND COLUMN

I had an idea Remembering the recipe photos we had texted to fulfill the requests from afar, I realized that we could preserve the character of every recipe (and save myself a lot of typing) if we scanned them to image files and arranged the photos in a book. Boom! Five days and sixty scans later, we had a thirty-page Walgreens photo-book with sixty recipes that we sent to print with just one click. The next day, armed with a 50-percent-off coupon, we picked up our six copies at Turner McCall and Martha Berry Boulevard. The Baxter/Barnett/Colwell/Lovel cookbook had published on-time at a twelve-dollar price point, and it was an instant sellout!

It garnered rave reviews. Marsha and I basked in glory as all four kiddos sat among discarded Christmas wrap, flipping back and forth through their books, smiling and saying how glad they were that this or that recipe was in there and how they had forgotten about that one. Stories of their own poured forth. We had done it: our cookbook was their favorite gift!

By the next Christmas some customer feedback was coming in. Like, “Are these recipes in any kind of order?” “Can you please put an Index in the next edition?” (???NEXT EDITION???) In laying out the book, I had made an executive decision to design for style instead of content. I rationalized that when flipping through the book in pursuit of the recipe they sought, they would enjoy seeing all the other ones too. Perhaps they enjoyed that the first five times, but the shine wore off and I was busted.

So here we are, with the second edition under way.

And yes, it’s going to have an index. It will carry forward the most favorites from Edition One, but it will also have fresh new favorites, because we all eat differently now. Gone are the “casserole years” where more than one Thanksgiving side gave homage to mushroom soup and cheddar cheese; we roast and grill our veggies now. These days we make our tomato pies healthy and are adventurous with herbs, veggies and grilling. Some of us don’t even eat turkey any more, but that dressing recipe will make the cut.

Remember how I said I am writing a cookbook? Cookbook II is going to be more than a photo-book: it will be a tribute to two lifetimes of friendship. Recipes will live alongside the stories they forged, such as the year we piled into a van and rode around looking for Santaland before coming home to vegetable soup and cornbread, or the Christmas Eve dinner made special with nineday-old Jessica in tow, when the world turned white outside as we ate. Our children were small and our hopes were huge. Some of us are uneasy about the story contents, but they need not fear.

Nobody will be embarrassed. Not much, anyway. This beloved, well-fed and happily adulted flock we’ve fostered is going to get our very best shot.

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GRAND COLUMN

RENAISSANCE MARQUIS

A note from Renita Carnes, Executive Director Where The Heart Is with Renaissance Marquis

AS WE ALL HAVE LEARNED TOGETHER, these last few months have pushed us and stressed us in ways we never expected. Whether it was the burden of restrictions, the lack of certain resources, or the dependability of services, such as schools and daycares.

Despite these challenges, our brave Hero Team came to work faithfully to serve our wonderful residents. At the onset of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government offered small businesses the opportunity to salvage their losses with a program called the Payroll Protection Program. Once this was granted to us, our senior leadership team agreed unanimously that the best possible use of these funds would be to invest in our

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hero caregivers and resident safety initiatives; and that passion led us to create our Hero Incentive Program.

The Hero Incentive Program has included activities such as fun daily drawings, much deserved additional wages, and a recognition campaign on social media. It was our way to say Thank You every day to our team members who bravely overcame their own fears to keep our residents safe from the silent enemy. It has been no easy feat, and the war is far from over, but many battles have been won thanks to the teamwork we have seen from our very own Renaissance Healthcare Heroes!

Hero: A real person, someone who in the face of danger combats adversity through feats of ingenuity, courage or strength.

One who performs great deeds or selfless acts for the common good instead of the classical goal of wealth, pride or fame.

Renaissance Marquis would like to thank all of our heroes!

Independent Living | Personal Care | Memory Care

Renita Carnes, Executive Director Ben Baker, Marketing Director

REPAIR. REBUILD. REVIVE. HIGH QUALITY BICYCLE REPAIRS & SERVICE 436 BROAD ST (BASEMENT) ROME, 30161 WWW.REVIVECYCLEWORKSROME.COM • 706-204-8429 READV3.COM | OCTOBER 2020 V3 MAGAZINE

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introducing the hyundai palisade

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Proud to partner with Hyundai

nissan • hyundai • honda HeritageRome.com • RomeNissan.com • HeritageRomeHonda.com 706.291.2277

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GRAND COLUMN

ROME HEALTH AND REHAB

Check, 1, 2,

Where Amazing Things Happen with Rome Health and Rehab

Text Cassie LaJeunesse

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ROME HEALTH AND REHAB

FLU SHOTS, CANCER SCREENINGS, COLONOSCOPIES AND MORE – as we age, our list of health maintenance procedures grows longer and longer. At Rome Health and Rehab, we know the importance of following recommended healthcare guidelines and keeping upto-date with our routine health checks. We do our best to maintain the health and well-being of all of our residents, whether they’re here for rehabilitation or for a long-term stay.

So, what are the important steps to maintaining your health as you age?

Immunizations

Flu season is upon us, and this year it is more important than ever to make sure that your immune system is prepared to defend against viral infections. All adults over 50 years old should receive an annual flu vaccine, especially if you have underlying conditions such as diabetes or heart, lung, kidney or immune disease that put you at a higher risk of infection. Anyone over 60 or in a high-risk category should also receive other vaccines, such as those that protect against pneumonia and shingles. You should also make sure that your tetanus vaccines are updated every 10 years.

Screenings for Common Diseases

Certain screenings for common conditions are also an important part of maintaining your health as you age. Routine screenings are available and recommended for the following conditions: • Diabetes – starting at the age of 45, you should have a diabetes screening every three years.

• Cardiac Issues – cholesterol screenings should start as early as age 20, possibly earlier if you are at a higher risk for cardiac issues, and occur at least every five years. Everyone should have annual blood pressure screenings, regardless of age.

• Osteoporosis – women should receive bone-density testing at the age of 65, or earlier if you have additional risk factors. Followup screenings are based on initial test results.

• Breast Cancer – women should begin annual breast cancer screenings at age 40. These include mammograms and breast exams.

• Prostate Cancer – men should begin receiving annual screenings for prostate cancer at age 50.

• Colorectal Cancer – the American Cancer Society now recommends that you have your first colonoscopy at the age of 45 and continue screening every 10 years.

• Talk to your doctor about these screenings and others that might be recommended based on your health history.

GRAND COLUMN

Mental Health

Mental health is just as important as physical health – in fact, they generally impact each other. Therefore, we should be as vigilant about maintaining our mental health as we are about our physical health. Maintaining social interaction is important to combat loneliness and depression as we age. It is also helpful to find enjoyable activities and keep your mind active through puzzles and games, books or newspapers, or learning new skills.

If you are concerned about your mental health, talk to a trusted caregiver or a health professional.

Nutrition and Exercise

Aside from regular immunizations and screenings, maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise are great ways to prevent health problems as we age. Exercise can reduce the risk of obesity, osteoporosis, mental health disorders and more. You can also decrease your risk of many health problems with a nutrient-rich diet that limits fats and includes a lot of fruits and vegetables.

Talk to your caregivers and doctors if you have health concerns, and be sure to stay up-to-date on your screenings. Being aware of our health risks and prevention options is important in order to maintain a high quality of life as we age.

Denise Champagne, Jennifer Haislip-Lynn, Lisa Thomas

Vision and Hearing

Regular vision and hearing screenings become more important as we age because visual and hearing impairment are common in older people. Cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration are common visual impairments in people over 65 and can lead to partial or total vision loss. Regular screenings and prevention are suggested to decrease the risk of visual impairment. Hearing tests are also important, as our risk of hearing loss increases as we age.

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Make Some

NOISE Text DeMarcus Daniel | Photos Andy Calvert

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A lifetime Roman, MILTON SLACK WAS BORN AND RAISED IN FLOYD COUNTY. He is married to Dr. Clementine Slack, is the father of two children, Michael and Corine, and grandfather to two grandchildren, Tramel and Kaylee. Mr. Slack was educated in the Rome City Schools system during segregated times starting at Mary T. Banks Elementary and graduating from there to Main High School. “Schools were separate but equal, so they say,” Slack says with a chuckle. “You would have to have been a student in one to really know.”“I was a teenager in the early 1960s, some very turbulent times. I saw some of the worst in people in those times and then I saw as Rome began to make progress and advance. Growing up during integration was a rough time, but I met some good folks within it. I worked for a man that probably saw more of my football games than my dad did. But there were societal boundaries that you had to respect though. Like there was another family I worked at a hotel for. We were integrated within their building, but when we went out of the door, things were a little different. You had a place you were supposed to go,” Slack explains. “Young people today don’t know about that, but how else were you to survive back then?”

After high school, Slack went to work to help his mom raise his other four siblings. He was offered a scholarship offer to Wilberforce University, but turned it down to help at home. “All four of my siblings graduated high school and were then college educated,” he says. “I’m enormously proud of that. There’s one promise to myself that I haven’t fulfilled yet, and that is to finish college. “I first went back to college at the age of 60 and I lack two years till completion.”

Slack joined the military reserves and eventually earned an E5 rank. He played some football in high school and then again in adult league flag football. “I also played a lot of softball and baseball,” he recalls. “Our team played baseball in the Josh Gibson READV3.COM | OCTOBER 2020 V3 MAGAZINE

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League, which were a part of the remnants of the professional Negro League, which had somewhat disbanded after integration.

Around 1959 there was a team here that was a part of the Josh Gibson League called the Lindale Dragons. We played the team that Hank Aaron (& a few other major league players) had played on a few times. They provided me the crowning point of my baseball career, beating them at Legion Field 1-0,” he says.

Throughout his 34 years working at Sears, Slack learned the value of keeping a level head, particularly during integration.

“I figured I was like a bridge between the

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people,” he says. “Everything was turbulent back then. You had your militants on one side and your racists on the other and someone had to bridge that gap. That’s what I did. I got to know people and they started trusting me and I happened to move up in the company at the same time.

I actually went from sweeping floors to telling people to sweep to floors,” Slack says in laughter.

Slack’s memories of growing up during the integration period still influence him to this day. “I’m grateful for integration, but we as a race lost a lot with integration,” he says. “We asked to be able to go anywhere,

but we already had places to go. We had and owned most of everything we needed. We as a community looked out for each other.

When I think about it, when we integrated, we went backwards, from supporting each other to running to others. We didn’t bring them to our side [to spend their money].

But don’t get me wrong, not everyone who helped me in life was black. There are people who took special interest in me. You can’t ever throw that out of the window. I took the middle road and made friends.”

Slack was elected to the Rome City Commission in 2008 and served as commissioner for 12 years. He takes great pride in the work he accomplished, and the ways that he worked with other people.

“My Grandma always told me, you need to learn something new every day, even if it’s about yourself,” he says. “Because of that advice, I consider myself as a thinker. I can always understand your side of whatever. I may not like it, but I can understand it. So many problems come to you as a city commissioner and I always had to remember that ‘I represent everybody’. I trained myself to think that way. I actually created a formula to help me do just that.

1) Whatever you are presented with, whether you like it or not, you look at it.

2) Weigh the good against the bad. That includes figuring out who will benefit and also who will be slighted.

3) Consider what can happen down the road.

4) Put all that together, factor in some reality, and then make your decision.

Plus, you always have to know the biggest factors always include people and money,” Slack says. “I always enjoyed the fact that I was playing a part in keeping Rome afloat. I was elected right as the recession hit. When that happened, a lot of the items that we had on the agenda got pushed back. But I can tell you this, Rome has never been close to being bankrupt.”

Through it all, Slack is proud to call Rome his home. “I’ve seen Rome at its best and I’ve seen Rome at its worst. There’s still no other place I’d rather live and raise my grandchildren. And I’d like to think in my 77 years here, if I didn’t make a mark, I made some noise,” he says.

“I’ve always loved Rome and I’ve never wanted to live anywhere else. I’ve lived a good life,” Slack says with a smile on his face.

stro

THE DISH MEDITERRANEAN

bistro

www.getjamwiched.com

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

706-238-9000

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

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

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

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

706-234-4613

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

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

www.hardees.com

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

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

429 Broad St Rome, GA 30161

706-295-5330

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

706-314-9544

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

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

706-622-2977

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

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

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

706.291.2021

www.elzaraperome.com

510 Broad Street Rome, GA 30161

5 E Main St Cartersville, GA 30120

770-607-0067

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

Casual counter serve offering sandwiches, salads & American comfort food

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

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

24 W Main St Cartersville, GA 30120

770-334-3813

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

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

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

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From

discovery to

recovery Harbin Clinic cares completely

for every step of your breast cancer journey

Regular breast exams & screenings with the Women’s Center

Early detection

with 3D imaging & advanced diagnostics

Expert medical and radiation oncology treatment

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Breast care from board-certified surgeons operating in NWGA

A team of physicians working together on your personalized plan

HARBIN CLINIC CANCER CARE