The Buzz of Northwest Georgia 

March 20 'Egg Stand' to honor founder Sherrie Lanier Bacon

(Media release) The 2010 spring equinox egg balance will honor founder Sherrie Lanier Bacon. Begun as an experiment in 1985, the annual event called "Standing Ovation" will occur at noon on Saturday, March 20. Participants are invited to bring
eggs to balance on the steps of Rome's Clock Tower Hill.
 
Sherrie Lanier Bacon was director of the Rome Area Council for the Arts in
1985 when she and a group of Rome artists decided to celebrate the first day
of spring in an unusual way. In an effort to defy gravity by balancing eggs,
artists Susan Harvey, Tommy Mew, Bambi Berry, and Rena Patton organized what
has become a Rome tradition. Eggstanders often wear costumes or spring hats.
 
According to a Rome News-Tribune report of March 21, 1985: "³Ms. Bacon, dressed for the occasion in a black cape with red lining, her attire topped with a black Dolly Madison designer hat, directed the Equinox Egg Event under the painted gaze of a giant green papier-maché dragon. Susan Harvey came to the event wearing a black bowler hat bedecked with white-feathered wings."
 
Susan Harvey has served as permanent chair of the standing committee since
1985, missing only two eggstands. The year 1989 saw Harvey's performance
character, the Lunatic Moth, appear on the Clocktower balcony before giving
birth to baby Lunatic Mothettes. Other characters have been The Dotty Birds
and Miss Verna Equinox.
 
Sherrie Bacon was director of the Creative Playhouse Children's Theatre
Company until her death in May 2009. Friends and students are invited to
come stand an egg in memory of "Miss Sherrie."

A mother's pensive, final wait for her homecoming son

Family and friends prepare to greet Spc. Justin Evans on Broad Street Tuesday.

By Natalie Simms

natsimms76@gmail.com

My family and I have been waiting for months to see the return of our friend, Spc. Justin Evans, from his tour in Afghanistan with the 108th Calvary, Company A of the U.S. Army National Guard. We finally got to see his smiling face as his troop was welcomed back to Rome on Tuesday.

We stood next to Justin’s family and saw the great pride of his mother, Cindy Kelley. Her face just beamed with excitement as we waited for the processional to make its way to Broad Street. In today’s age of technology, she was keeping up with Justin via cell phone and would relay their location (Cindy, left)(.

Justin told his mom that they weren’t coming up Dean Avenue as originally planned and were heading all the way up Turner McCall. Cindy was a little frustrated because she knew a lot of people who were going to be on Dean Avenue. “I hope they don’t skip Broad Street,” she joked with a little seriousness.

So, we stood waiting in front of El Zarape when we got another call from Justin moments later. They were coming past McDonald’s and would be here soon. He also said he was on the left side of the Army vehicle, so we had to move to the median on Broad Street to see him. (front, standing)

“Here they come, here they come,” everyone was shouting as they turned onto Broad Street. In came the police escorts and finally the soldiers on the Army personnel carriers.

Justin was up front with a big ole smile … his dimples just lighting up his face. “Justin, Justin,” everyone shouted as they passed. We all were furiously waving our signs, flags and screaming. I was just trying to soak in the moment myself. I am so humbled that these young men put their life on hold to serve our country, to protect my freedoms. It was the least I could do to be there to thank them for it.

“You just can’t describe this feeling … so much pride. I am so proud of him,” Cindy told me. “This is just awesome.”

And it was awesome, a true moment of pride for Rome to have so many come out to support these troops. I know Cindy and her family appreciated it and from the looks on the soldiers' faces, they did, too.

Justin and Cindy after the caravan arrived at the Armory Tuesday afternoon.

More coverage:

-Greeting the returning heroes in downtown Rome> Downtown Headlines

-Some video of the return from Broad Street> Click

-Additional photos from Broad courtesy of Natalie Simms> Click

-Also, new photos from Armuchee's Joel Lieberman> Click

Coosa Valley Credit Union donates $1,500 to United Way

(Media release) Coosa Valley Credit Union made a donation of $1500 to the 2010 United Way Campaign during its 56th Annual Meeting held Feb. 27. Each year during Coosa Valley’s annual meeting, the attendees usually receive a gift in appreciation for their membership. This year, because of the need of many local charitable organizations, the membership of Coosa Valley Credit Union chose to forgo that gift and make a donation to the United Way of Rome and Floyd County which serves more than 15 agencies in Rome and Floyd County. It is estimated that three out of every four families in Rome & Floyd County are touched by United Way supported agencies in some way. “The Credit Union was founded on the principle of people helping people and I think this is a wonderful testament to the type of people that Coosa Valley and Credit Unions in general have as members.” stated Ron Tomlinson, President/CEO of Coosa Valley. The Coosa Valley Federal Credit Union is a community credit union offering a full range of financial services to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in the 10-county Coosa Valley region. Branch locations include Cartersville, Cedartown and Rome. For a full list of services and more information, please visit www.mycvcu.org.

Politics

Spicy, local ingredients for Gubernatorial Soup last week:

-The race for the Republican nomination to be Georgia's next governor is already spicy and last week's events resembled something you expect in the final weeks of the primary, not four-plus months out. Consider:

-U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal, who's district includes part of Gordon County, announces he's resigning from Congress to focus on his statewide campaign. Click. The undercurrent: He's also avoiding a congressional ethics probe. Click.

-GOP hopeful and Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine, whose ties to Rome's State Mutual Insurance have kept the AJC's investigative unit in business in recent months, blasts Deal for leaving. Click

-Deal, upon further review and citing an earlier-than-anticipated vote on President Obama's healthcare reform package, changes his exit date to late March. Click

-Karen Handel, former secretary of state and also a GOP gubernatorial hopeful, gets involved in a dust-up over the Northern Arc highway linking interstates 75 and 85, and clumps the 411 Connector into the mix. Click

-Reports surface about Handel accepting campaign contributions from connector opponents. Wonder who leaked this one? Click

-In an e-mail from his campaign staff, Deal questions the 411 Connector ties and says he'll be the first governor to drive on the long-delayed highway linking 411 to I-75.

-U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey, who has championed the 411 Connector, questions Handel's remarks on the highway. Gingrey earlier endorsed Deal--a fellow congressman--in the GOP gubernatorial primary.

-The bottom line: The Democratic challengers have to be loving this. The top three GOP candidates all have ethics issues in the news now, something that will be classic campaign fodder this fall.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House gets a little close to Rome

-The Chastain Road area north of Town Center and Barrett Parkway continues to boom, especially east of the Interstate 75 exit. One of the quiet surprises there is the addition of Ruth's Chris Steak House at Embassy Suites off the northside of Chastain. It is behind Taco Mac and Chick-Fil-A. Ruth's Chris is known for its steaks but also has an excellent selection of select seafood and salads. (Click menu). Likewise, Ruth's Chris is known for its prices. Even the recession hasn't stopped the Oswald/Brooks team from growing; they already had thee other locations in metro Atlanta.

Bartow voters to hear about SPLOST extension

-The Bartow County and city of Cartersville school boards will hold a joint meeting March 15 to announce efforts to extend the current one-cent education SPLOST. A referendum is expected to be placed on the July 20 primary ballot. The current tax--the third passed by voters--started in 2007 and is scheduled to last until 2012. Click History

Events 

Busy weekend ahead in Northwest Georgia:

-In  Rome: 2010 Home & Garden Expo at The Forum, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. $5 for adults; kids under 10,  free. 50-plus vendors> DH

-In Rome: First 2010 downtown merchants sidewalk sale, Saturday.

-In Cartersville: Cowboy Gathering Thursday-Sunday at the Booth. The seventh edition features concerts, exhibits, a chuck wagon cookoff, cowboy church and other events. Booth Western Art Museum. Details: click Booth

2010 Relay for Life has a back-to-the-basics feel as organizers, teams will focus on survivors and fighting cancer's spread

-Gordon Relay for Life on May 7 to feature cancer study details> Click

By Natalie Simms

natsimms76@gmail.com

In just one month, hundreds of cancer survivors and supporters will fill Ridge Ferry Park for this year’s American Cancer Society Relay for Life. While this year’s organizers are no strangers to the event, they are bringing a fresh perspective to invigorate an event that has really been impacted by the economy.

“This year we are looking for a fresh start,” says Felicia Rosenberger, co-chair of Floyd County Relay for Life  (pictured to the right with friend Tammy at last year's relay). “The past couple of years, the economy has been bad, participation has been down and the weather has been a problem. This year is a new start … a revamp to bring it back to a celebration of life for survivors, caregivers and friends.”

The 2009 event originally was planned for April but because of heavy rain, Ridge Ferry Park was flooded and the event was moved to June. The summer date really impacted turnout for the event.

“When we had to move the date, a lot of teams didn’t return,” says Gretchen Barkley, ACS representative. “Our fund-raising goal this year is $190,000 since we raised about $178,000 last year. The economy has definitely been a factor.”

Before the recession, Floyd County’s Relay for Life raised upwards of $250,000 or more.

“We’re definitely bringing it back to the community with a focus on why are we doing it…we’re fighting against cancer,” says Barkley.

Fighting against cancer is exactly what co-chairs Rosenberger and Betty Rochester have been doing themselves. Both cancer survivors, they are putting their passion into organizing this year’s event.

“I really wanted a way to give back to the organization that had done so much for me,” Rosenberger says.

A two-year survivor of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Rosenberger participated in the ACS’s Look Good, Feel Better program as well as received helpful information from their toll-free call center and Web site (www.cancer.org).

“My doctor was awesome but when you’re going through it, there are just lots of questions that come up later,” she says. “My doctors helped me survive but couldn’t do much to help me mentally. I was going through all kinds of changes from losing my hair, my eyebrows and my body changes. Look Good, Feel Better had other women that helped me because they had been there.”

Look Good, Feel Better is just one of the many programs funded through ACS. Funds raised during the Relay for Life event are used for local cancer programs, as well as funding research in the fight against cancer.

Participants in this year’s event will gather “Under the Big Top” on Friday, April 9 with the Survivor Dinner at 5 p.m. and first lap at 6 p.m. A special Luminary Ceremony will take place at 10 p.m.

“We’re bringing lots of excitement, lots of color, cheer and activity. That’s why we chose Under the Big Top for our theme,” says Rosenberger.

Teams will decorate their campsites with a circus theme. To date, there are 53 teams registered with a goal of 65 teams. Teams can register online at www.floydrelayforlife.org.

The event will honor cancer survivors who are members of various Floyd County Emergency Response Services such as EMS, police departments, fire department and sheriff’s office. Barkley says they have at least 12 honorees but are still looking for more.

Survivors can register online at www.floydrelayforlife.org or call Betty Rochester at 706-346-3846 for information.

>The next Team Captain’s meeting will be held on March 22 at 6 p.m. at Redmond Regional Medical Center’s Classroom B.

>Bank Day for the event will be April 6 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at River City Bank, Second Avenue and West Third Street in Rome.

Ways you can help:
-Donations can be made directly via credit card to teams or team members online at www.floydrelayforlife.org.
-Purchase a Smoked Boston Butt from the Georgia Power team. Tickets are $25 and the meat will be ready for pick up on Saturday, April 3, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact Kim Moon at 706-296-3444 or e-mail klmoon@southernco.com.

-Come to the Relay for Life on April 9 for lots of fund-raising activities. There will be lots of kids’ activities, plus lots of food for purchase. Different teams will have various on-site fund-raisers going on.
-Heritage First Bank will have a Dunking Tank with dunkees Bill Shiflett, Harry Brock, Larry Martin, Barry Hurley, Ronnie Wallace, Reed Biggers, Ryan Earnest and Josh Walton. Cost will be $5 for 3 chances.

PEAKS & VALLEYS: The highs, lows of Northwest Georgia

Valley to those stalling the critically needed Northern Arc: The gubernatorial race dragged the 411 Connector and Northern Arc into the mud last week. But let's beeline to the real issue here: Which candidates support the Northern Arc? Millions of dollars and hundreds of jobs have been funneled away from our region because of short-sighted transportation planning. An arc of some sort is vital to Northwest Georgia's future. It is time for proponents in the northeast and northwest parts of the state to unite and get this job down. And its time for some politicians to get a "Handel" on economic realities of North Georgia.

Peak to Georgia Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond: It is wonderful to see someone in Atlanta actually get it right. Thurmond continues to point to boosting small business as a way to get us out of the recession via job creation. To which we say amen. We love the Kias and VWs of the world but we also need--as Thurmond says--a united local, state and federal push behind the very heart of economy: small business.

Peak to South 107 and station fans for Country Cares fund-raiser: $20,000-plus was pledged during Friday's all-day radiothon on South 107 to the annual effort to help St. Jude's. That is excellent, especially in these tough times. Randy Owen, founder of Country Cares, will be on the air Monday afternoon with Kevin Daniels.

Kickball tournament to raise funds for Community in Schools March 27

By Natalie Simms

natsimms76@gmail.com

Rome-Floyd Communities in Schools is bringing back a favorite childhood game. The group's first Rome Kickball Tournament is set for March 27.

"The idea came from a friend of mine in Jacksonville, FL whose Rotary group put on a charity kickball tournament.  After hearing of the idea, I did a lot of research on the Internet, and I discovered that kickball tournaments are becoming more and more popular throughout the country,” says David Smith, co-chairman for the event.

The event will be limited to 16 teams of eight to 12 members per team. Each must have a minimum of four male and four female players, all ages 18 or older. Organizers already have eight team slots filled, so expectations are high for a big event turnout at the YMCA Fields at Grizzard Park.

“We do not have a set goal since this is our first year holding the event but we would be very happy raising $5,000 for CIS,” Smith says. “One unique element of the tournament is that teams are playing for a charity or school and the two top teams will earn cash prizes for their respective charities.”

Rome-Floyd CIS is a program adopted by the city and county school systems in partnership with business and community leaders. According to Executive Director Nancy Griffin, “The CIS mission is to improve the high school graduation rate. CIS connects community resources with schools to help young people successfully learn, stay in school, and prepare for life.”
 
The event also will feature various fun competitions such as who can kick the ball the farthest, most creative uniforms and most spirited team. Team registration fee is $200 and deadline is March 23. For more, visit www.cisrome-floyd.org or the event’s Facebook Page.