The Buzz of Northwest Georgia
Inaugural Gran Fondo Rome to draw 500-plus cyclists Oct. 23
(Media release) Rome is set to host the first Gran Fondo ride in the South on Oct. 23. Gran Fondos are a new type of mass participation ride that combine the best of racing and casual rides. The ride offers multiple options to challenge different abilities and includes a great social atmosphere.
Gran Fondo Rome also will feature professional riders such as Ivan Dominguez and Frank Travesio. The ride will showcase the stunning scenery of Northwest Georgia while bringing awareness to a new local cause, the Magnolia Foundation.
Bella Roma Grill will host the start and finish of Gran Fondo Rome. The bike ride is open to riders of all abilities, but will have a great challenge for experienced riders who want to test themselves. The route options include a 40-mile ride, 60-mile and the 100-mile Gran Fondo which traverses Fouche Gap, Sand Mountain and Horn Mountain.
Everyone starts together and will have the opportunity to meet several professional riders, including Ivan Dominguez, winner of stages in Tour de Georgia and Tour of California, and Frank Travesio. More pro riders will be announced in the coming days.
The Rome Gran Fondo is anticipating more than 500 riders to ride in this year’s event. Lunch at Bella Roma Grill is included for all participants and we are hoping to increase our economic impact to Rome by encouraging overnight stays at local hotels.
Local and national sponsors include: Bella Roma Grill, Coosa Valley Cycling Association, The Harbin Clinic, The Claremont House, Creative Worksite Solutions, Hammer Nutrition, Spincycle, & Road ID. Gran Fondo Rome is a USA Cycling Gran Fondo event. All event information is available on www.southeasterngranfondoseries.com.
Premier Revolution Marketing LLC is a sports experience marketing and production company based in Rome Georgia & Raleigh North Carolina. PRM LLC specializes on creating and managing unique events for endurance athletes of all abilities.
A better season for ticket sales for the Rome Braves
Nearly 4,900 people packed State Mutual Stadium to see Saturday night's home season finale vs. Greensboro. They helped boost the number of tickets sold for the 2010 season to 193,061, up nearly 10,000 from 2009. Photo by Mills Fitzner. More photos from the finale and 2010 season. Click Gallery.
The bad news about the 2010 Rome Braves' season is that it is one to forget in terms of playoffs. With a week's worth of games left to play -- all on the road -- Rome needs to put together a winning streak to avoid being the cellar dweller of the 14-team South Atlantic League (latest standings).
But in the ticket sales category, 2010 will go down as a winner. The Braves sold 193,061 tickets over 68 home games (two rainouts this year) or 2,839 tickets per home game. The 2008 total was 183,750 tickets or 2,826 per game. That's an increase of more than 5 percent.
But there are caveats: The Braves hosted 65 games in 2009, three less than this year. In 2008, Rome averaged 3,366 tickets sold for each of its 66 home games, or a total of 222,168.
The major slide has occurred with season ticket sales, which is a big source of income for Floyd County as per the contract with the Atlanta baseball organization. A share of naming rights and an escalating annual fee paid by the ball club complete the supplement.
Also hurting this year: a blistering hot summer. There were 7 p.m. games where the field temperature was still 100 degrees; afternoon games were warmer.
But the Braves countered in 2010 with a new social media marketing campaign; more ticket specials; game promotions from fireworks to kid-friendly acts; and increased outreach to a broader North Georgia market.
Rome probably will finish in seventh or eighth place in the SAL in terms of attendance this year--which demands another caveat. Rome/Floyd County is the smallest market in the league that includes Charleston, Savannah, Lexington and the others.
As for 2011: Opening night is April 7 and season ticket sales are under way. Click
Three-Dot Buzz . . . :
-Latest McDo-over is in Rockmart: The latest local McDonald's to be leveled only to be replaced by a new building is the Mickey D's on U.S. 278 in Rockmart. Look for the grand reopening within a few weeks. Shops in Calhoun and West Rome have been erased and replaced in recent years . . .
-Drive-by gas pricing -- in more ways than one: Our travels Saturday took us through Rockmart and later Acworth. At the RaceWay on U.S. 278, unleaded was $2.44 a gallon. At the Home Depot on U.S. 41 in Acworth, unleaded was $2.37. The privilege of buying gas in Greater Rome cost you $2.58 a gallon on Saturday; $2.48 in Bartow County (we paid $2.50 at QuikTrip in Adairsville Friday); and $2.53 in Gordon County (source: MSN Autos) . . .
-Barbecue time again: Labor Day means barbecue in Greater Rome courtesy of the Saint Mary's Knights of Columbus. This year's barbecue is from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Monday or until sold out (usually 12:30-1 p.m.) at the Rome Civic Center. Tickets are $8 per person. Proceeds are used by the Knights to help charitable causes in Rome/Floyd County. You can dine in or get it to go. The menu includes: a plate for $8; pound of pork, $8; pound of beef, $8.50; half chicken, $4; sandwich, $3; quart of Brunswick stew, $8; full rack of ribs, $16. A bake sale will be held in conjunction with the barbecue . . .
-First & goal for indoor football: With a Sept. 2 media briefing set, Rome indeed is returning as an indoor football city starting in March. The venue: The Forum. The name of the team: you'll get a chance to suggest the monicker. Our hope: Something clever that goes beyond the normal urge to tie it to ancient Rome. We have good memories of the Rome Renegades and hope this team can build on that solid foundation . . .
Today's Focus
WinShape adds 'The Hub' to help with summer camps, year-round needs at Berry's Mountain Campus. More changes on the way
By Natalie Simms
nsimmshh@att.net
Within several weeks, The WinShape Foundation will begin construction on an activities center for its expanding summer camp programs. Appropriately, it is named “The Hub.”
“With this new building, we will be able to have all of our campers come together at once for special performances and closing ceremony events,” says Bob Skelton, WinShape Senior Director. “We’ve always used the auditorium at the Retreat Center but it is not large enough for all of our campers to meet together at one time.”
Summer camps are just one of seven programs under the WinShape Foundation, which was created in 1984 by Truett and Jeannette Cathy, founder of Chick-Fil-A restaurants. WinShape is a non-profit organization and charitable foundation with one goal: “to help shape winners.”
The Hub, funded by WinShape, will be used year-round by both WinShape campers and as part of Berry College’s Mountain Campus. It will include a college-size basketball court, indoor rock-climbing wall, exercise and conditioning rooms, a stunts and tumbling area, outdoor jumping pillow, locker rooms and a performance stage.
 “Behind the performance stage will be a roll-up wall that will allow the stage to convert to an outdoor amphitheater … it will be a multifunctional area with a sound and lighting system,” says Skelton, right. “During the summer, it will mainly be used by our girls’ camps. Right now, they have to share facilities, which isn’t very functional. This gives us a second facility where we can offer indoor climbing, basketball and volleyball for boys and girls at the same time.”
The Hub will be behind Inez Henry Hall, home of WinShape’s administrative offices; between the Hall and Kimbrell Cottage, one of the WinShape’s foster homes. A walking path will connect The Hub to rest of the retreat area.
The final architectural drawings on The Hub are expected this week and should go to bid around mid-September. Skelton says the project will need to be completed by May 1, prior to the upcoming summer camp season.
WinShape also is renovating Inez Henry Hall to add office space. The building, which was constructed in the 1930s as a mule barn for Berry and later housed the Berry Academy Middle School until 1982, has been the administrative center for WinShape since it began.
“We are renovating the space for more personnel and to bring all of our programming offices together,” Skelton says. “We have seven different programs under the WinShape umbrella with about 80 employees here at Berry.”
WinShape also is adding central heat and air-conditioning to the former Berry Academy Gymnasium. The building has never had air-conditioning, only heat through steam units. The HVAC will be all electrical. That renovation should be completed by the end of the year.
“Our camps are really growing,” Skelton says. “We are adding a number of off-site one-week girls’ camps this year. We will be doing eight sessions of one-week camps for girls who have completed first grade up through sixth grade. All details will be announced Oct. 10, 2010.”
For more information about the WinShape Foundation and summer camps, visit www.winshape.org. (Images courtesy of the WinShape websites).
Previously Buzzed
Lauren Sklar named 2010-11 chair of Heart of the Community Foundation
 (Media release) Lauren Sklar has been appointed Chairman of the Heart of the Community Foundation Board of Governors for 2010-2011. The “Heart of the Community Awards” recognition program is sponsored by Redmond Regional Medical Center and the Heart of the Community Foundation Inc. to honor local citizens for their volunteer service in the Rome and Floyd County community.
Recipients of the award are honored at a black tie gala, “An Affair of the Heart.” The 25th annual event will be held on Saturday, February 12, 2011 at the Forum.
Proceeds from the event will be designated for heart education and safety programs in the Rome and Floyd County community. Previously funded projects have included the Heart House for families of critically ill patients on the Redmond campus, AED units in public facilities in Rome, a fitness course at Ridge Ferry Park and a serenity garden at Redmond Regional Medical Center.
Lauren is a native of Rome having graduated from West Rome High School. She later completed her college work at Converse College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Masters of Education from the University of West Georgia. She is currently serving her fifth year on the board of the Heart of the Community Foundation. She also serves as a Deacon at First Baptist Church and the Chairwoman of the Women of the Church.
She is president of the Darlington Lower School of Tiger Pride Parents Organization and a member of the Rome Symphony Debutante Ball Steering Committee. Her other community activities have included Junior Service League, Leadership Rome, Garden Study Garden Club, Rome Symphony Board Member and the United Way Allocations Committee.
Lauren and her husband, Mark live in Rome with their two daughters Abby and Emma.
Additional Heart of the Community Foundation Board members who assist in the event and the mission of the Foundation include: Brenda Bowen, Angie Beard, Harry Brock, Chris Cannon, Tony Daniel, Jordan Knight, Nancy Knight, Holly Lynch, Steven McDowell, Kimberly Moseley, Sammy Rich, Beth Smith, Denise Tillman, Allison Watters, Bruce Watterson, Mark Webb, Mimi Weed, Steve White, and Gretta Wilson.
Saint Mary's Catholic School to celebrate 65 years in September
(Media Release) On September 17th, Saint Mary’s Catholic School will celebrate Founders’ Day, the anniversary of the day that the school first opened its doors in 1945. At that time, the school was staffed by the Sisters of Saint Dominic and was located at 102 W. 8th Avenue in the historic Terrace Hill House. The first year in operation, Saint Mary’s School had 51 students in attendance, with seven graduates.
A lot has changed in 65 years. The school moved to its current location on the Cooper Estate in old East Rome in 1961 with a new building and a growing enrollment of 185 students. The Dominican nuns left Saint Mary’s School in 1969 and were replaced in 1971 by the Daughters of Charity order, who administered the school until 1993. Under their tenure, another wing was added to the building in 1980 to include a library, gymnasium and two additional classrooms.
In 2002, under the leadership of Father James A. Miceli and a group of visionary administrators and parents, the modern facility was built on the school grounds. The new facility was opened in August 2003, and today the school houses 286 students in classes that include SMART Boards and advanced comprehensive reading programs, but still maintain a traditional faith-based curriculum. Says Principal Alex Porto of the milestone year, “We are blessed not only to have 65 years of tradition and excellence behind us, but also a bright future ahead of us as we continue to fulfill the school's mission to provide a quality Catholic education to the children of NW Georgia.” Saint Mary’s continues to push for progress, recently achieving dual accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Southern Association of Independent Schools, as well as offering new scholarship opportunities to help broaden their mission to a more diverse student population.
The school plans to celebrate the anniversary with a Homecoming and Alumni Weekend on September 18th and 19th. On the evening of Sept.18th, the school will host a 7 p.m. adult alumni reception for all 21-and-older former students and teachers. Former students are invited to have a look around the new school and enjoy music and light refreshments. Graduates of SMS will have the opportunity to leave their hand print on the school alumni wall. On Sept.19th the school will host the Homecoming and Alumni Family Picnic, where the entire SMS family--both past and present--can gather for food, music, games and lots of fun. Sunday’s festivities begin at 1 p.m. Assistant Principal Christa Jackson, who has been involved with the school as both a parent and an administrator for 25 years, anticipates that the reunion weekend will be “a great opportunity to walk down memory lane and visit with old friends from Saint Mary’s days gone by. We can’t wait to see everybody!”
For more information about the Saint Mary’s School Founders Day Homecoming and Alumni Weekend, please call the school at (706) 234-4953.
Your opinions due Sept. 1 for Comprehensive Cultural Plan
By Natalie Simms
nsimmshh@att.net
The local arts community is seeking the public’s help to complete surveys for the development of a comprehensive arts and cultural plan for Rome and Floyd County. The surveys will be used to identify community arts and cultural needs and, in turn, used to develop strategies to implement these needs over the next 20 years.
The project is a joint effort of public-private entities, including Floyd County, the cities of Rome and Cave Spring, the Greater Rome Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce’s Rome-Floyd 20/20 Plan.
“Over the past year, we’ve identified about 85 to 90 different arts, cultural and heritage organizations that have been invited to participate in the planning process and make up our cultural roundtable,” says Ashley Ellington, the consultant assisting with the plan development. “We’re now seeking people from the general public to weigh-in on what’s important to them from a cultural standpoint.”
Ellington says her work in the planning process has included compiling a list of existing organizations, facilities, programs and resources. Her initial findings can be viewed in this presentation here.
“We want to get all of these organizations on the same page… that would be really groundbreaking,” she says. “Right now, they all compete for the same donors and there’s little collaboration. We want to get a feel for what people care about. What are our challenges and opportunities?”
Barbara Beninato, president of the Rome Symphony Orchestra, believes this comprehensive plan will help sustain the arts in the community. “It’s very important from a strategic planning perspective for all of us,” she says. “We need to look at ways we can collaborate and how to sustain our efforts for the longevity of all organizations.”
The community has until Sept. 1 to complete the online surveys. They can be found here.
Once all the survey information is gathered, Ellington will work with the Cultural Roundtable organizations to form task forces to work on strategies.
“The plan will seed a vision, and a roadmap of specific steps and responsible parties to get the community to realize that vision,” she says.
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