V3 May 2026

River City Bank celebrates 20-years of serving Rome and Floyd County.

20 strongyears

Nurturing Independence, Promoting individuality and Enrigching the Lives of Our

Residents

MAY 2026

COLUMNS FEATURES

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Our hero escapes the clutches of an inhuman Waffle fiend. But is this dimension Earth 1? A fictional story inspired by genuine congressional hearings; Brought to you by Mark Suroviec, M.ed.

AdventHealth is once again partnering with the City of Rome and TRED to highlight whole-person-focused care with the Mt. Berry Trailhead Playground.

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Owner of Cecil T's Mercantile, Monica Sheppard has long had her finger on the pulse of NWGA’s thriving arts community. V3 had the chance to chat with her about all things Cecil T’s in our latest Q&A.

River City Bank’s 20th anniversary is a thank you to their community, the people who developed their business into what it is today.

What sets us apart? Our staff. See what our customers have to say*:

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“The follow-up after the funeral continues. They offered a lot of resources, grief support, and numerous phone calls to check in. I really felt love in the entire process.”

Did you know: Henderson & Sons Funeral Homes has one of the largest staffs of licensed funeral directors in Northwest Georgia, so families can be certain they are receiving the most knowledgeable, professional, and supportive funeral and cremation care.

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Publisher's Note

In March, just about midway through her 100th year , my maternal grandmother passed away. Her wishes were to be cremated and to have her ashes spread by her loved ones at Lake Panasoffkee, Florida in the inlet where she grew up. My uncle bought that property before I was born, and has hosted just about every Thanksgiving, birthday party or special occasion for our extended family throughout my 46 years.

It’s a special place for so many reasons and one that embodies the spirit of my grandmother. She lived such a full life, giving birth to five children, who all had children of their own, who now have children of their own as well. I marveled at all the lives she helped create many times over the years and could tell how much she loved every grandchild, great-grandchild and great, great grandchild.

While my uncles and one of my aunts remained in Florida to raise their families, my mother ended up in Atlanta, where she met my father, while her youngest sister resides in Columbia, South Carolina. 400 miles creates a lot of distance, but my grandmother never let that get in the way of her relationships with any of my cousins, my sister or myself.

We spent weeks at her home in Wildwood, Florida every summer where she would bravely take her rambunctious grands on adventures to Sea World, Weeki Wachee, Silver Springs and too many other Florida staples to mention. She never missed an important occasion, driving to Georgia and South Carolina well into her late eighties to make weddings, graduations and birthdays.

She was an adventurous soul who loved to travel. She loved her church, family, bowling, and watching her Florida Gators, though sometimes they made her so nervous she would get up and vacuum if the games were too close.

We gathered the day before Mother's Day at the lake where she was raised to share stories and honor her memory. Of the many stories told, my Aunt Amy spoke of a phone call she had with her near the end of her life. As she was hanging up, she told her how much she loved her, that she would talk to her soon and not put things off.

That struck a chord with me. My grandfather had Alzheimer's and Parkinson's and left us in 1998. My grandmother cared for him until the end, and I’m sure there were many trips and experiences they dreamed of that never came to pass. Eventually she remarried and went on many adventures. She was a woman of action, who managed to be an ever-present mother and grandmother while chasing and achieving her dreams.

So, that big trip you’ve always wanted to take, the band you’ve always wanted to see, the home renovation you’ve been putting off. Find a way to make it happen.

Don’t put things off. Rest in peace Grandma...you were the best of the best.

CREATIVE

Katelyn

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Ivan Felipe, Andy Calvert

PUBLISHER

V3 Publications, LLC

CONTACT

hello@v3collective.com

CREATOR

Neal Howard

Tales from the Waffle House Teleporter — Volume 2

The thrilling finale of our hero’s journey, in the genre of choosing a path to adventure, but not to be confused with the trademarked Choose Your Own Adventure, which has venture capital-backed ownership aggressively protecting its intellectual property.

“Before you run out of G’s,” he said a third time aloud, suddenly realizing the danger he was in. Would he be trapped on this terrible version of Earth with no sweet tea or Southern hospitality?

He did the only thing that made logical sense in this twisted alternate universe. Gre stole a pen from the cook and wrote in the missing G’s on his emergency card.

The card pulsed in his hand, growing, transforming. A sudden flash of light, the color a strange mix between elegant gold and gas station burrito diarrhea, and he screamed.

“SCHRNRFFF!”

Ggreggg awoke seated in a compact cubicle, his battered body feeling like he waterskied a shark robot in lake of fire wearing only tightie-whities. On the imitation Ikea desk was a touchscreen displaying voting options. He forgot his interdimensional woes for a moment and mumbled out loud. “Seriously, didn’t we just have an election two weeks ago? And a month before that?”

Mark Suroviec, M.Ed., is the Chief Ambassador of Fun at WorkPlay Solutions, the author of Forever Sisters, and the Vice President of the Children’s Museum of Rome. He hopes you pity laugh at his humor and satire stories, especially the ones that aren’t funny.

The polling volunteer shushed him with the kind of shush that would make every school librarian throughout history proud.

“SSSHHHHHHHHHUUUUSSSSSHHHHHHH. Yes, sir, we DID vote those other days. But today is the last day of early-bird voting for the mandatory follow-up measure of the non-binding, party-primary commission vote for the special election, runoff selection, write-in absentee ballot chartering the constitutional amendment. This is not to be confused with the emergency special election runoff charter commission rebinding of the...” Greggg nodded and let the remaining word salad flow past him. “So, not Earth 1, but one fairly close. Earth 4 or 5?” He mused. But why was everyone in the voting center wearing headbands of furry wolf ears, like the entire city spent last weekend at the Great Wolf Lodge?

It wasn’t Gregg’s earth, so he studied the candidates on the screen and made a peculiar discovery. Why were the names on the ballot missing? Where the candidates and party affiliations should be was an objective list of qualifications for each candidate.

“First time voting?” The poll volunteer glanced at his lack of wolf ears and answered Greg’s unspoken question. “We may have to vote 340 days a year, but don’t tolerate lies from politicians. Everyone submits their life before the Great Wolf Spirit, and their character is revealed.

With renewed interest, he scanned the actual descriptions of each candidate on the alternate-universe ballot. Some were very positive:

• Leader

• Trustworthy

• Service-Oriented

• Community Builder

While other potential officials had more damning monikers:

• Still Believes AI Datacenter Companies Are Telling the Truth.

• Hasn’t Embezzled, Yet.

• Will Say One Thing To Your Face, But Then Say Another Thing to A Different Face That Isn’t Your Face, And If a Third Face Is Involved, All Bets Are Off.

One of the descriptors made him lol, like in olden times, when physically laughing out loud was a thing. The descriptor for one of the most popular candidates simply said one word.

• Jawline

He clicked the information button on the screen, and it revealed further details. Candidate “Blue Steel” Has the Perfectly Sculpted Jawline of a Greek Demigod or Derek Zoolander. Men Fear Him, Women Swoon. Amazed at the trivial qualifications, Gre almost missed the warning hum of his teleporter card as it ran out of juice.

WHAT SHOULD OUR HERO DO NEXT?

A) Forget the previous Earths, cast his vote. Perhaps Blue Steel Earth is the place to end his travels?

B) Seek out the Great Wolf Spirit to reveal the true descriptions of his own character? It’s been a while since he went on a holy pilgrimage to the mascot of an indoor waterpark.

C) Return to the previous earth and take his chances with the inhuman Waffle House lady? That should end well. #sarcasm

D) Publish Ian’s personal email address for annoyed readers to send their hate mail?

The end.*

Disclaimer: This story was written by Mark Suroviec, M.Ed. All people and quotations are fictional, invented by the limited imagination of the author, and do not reflect the opinions of the author, editors, Waffle House, Dominion Voting Machines, or V3 Magazine. *Or is it?

THE MINDS BEHIND THE MT. BERRY TRAILHEAD PLAYGROUND

Bettering Rome one project at a time, AdventHealth, the City of Rome, and TRED are constructing new spaces dedicated to health, community, and improved quality of life. The latest of these projects is the Mt. Berry Trailhead Playground, the perfect place for families to relax and explore nature.

It’s official. The Mt. Berry Trailhead Playground is open to the public!

Continuing their previous efforts in the ECO Greenway, the City of Rome and TRED have collaborated with AdventHealth Redmond to provide a fun, accessible way for Romans to exercise.

The Mt. Berry Playground is the newest addition to The AdventHealth Redmond ECO Greenway, a series of trails leading through 11 miles of beautiful Rome scenery.

Scotty Hancock, AdventHealth Redmond’s Executive Director of Community Advocacy, expanded on the thoughts behind both projects:

“We wanted to create a space where people want to spend time together. A place where kids can play, families can slow down, and neighbors can get outside and move a little more without even thinking about it.”

Mayor Jim Bojo spoke to the impact that the ECO Greenway and the Mt. Berry Trailhead Playground have on Romans’ quality of life.

“It’s something for everyone.” Caregivers and kids, Rome natives and tourists alike, can enjoy Floyd County nature just minutes away from downtown.

The playground adds a kid-focused element to the Mt. Berry Trail, perfect for families to relax and play while gaining all the health benefits of

exploring the trail. It’s also a part of Rome’s larger expansion. Mayor Bojo is optimistic about the improvements this collaboration will bring about for Rome development and tourism.

The addition of the playground was proposed by AdventHealth Redmond during early sponsorship discussions. According to Julie Smith, Executive Director of TRED, it was “just one of the very unique out-of-the-box ideas that greatly impressed the committee.”

Isaac Sendros, CEO of AdventHealth Georgia and AdventHealth Redmond, said that this playground

represents their mission “to help people feel whole—mind, body, and spirit.”

AdventHealth’s view on wellness extends far beyond physical health alone. The concept behind the ECO Greenway and the playground was to equally support physical, mental, and spiritual wellness for the whole person.

Even something as simple as a change of environment can do wonders for mental health, not to mention the community these spaces are already developing.

Smith added that “I haven't visited the

Mt. Berry Trail without seeing families playing on the playground and the hope is the space continues to build connections, experiences and memories for years to come.”

The playground was designed to accommodate children and caregivers equally. An easy transition to and from the Mt. Berry Trail, it allows the kids to familiarize themselves with nature while their guardians relax.

The play structure has all the childhood favorites— climbing platforms, monkey bars, slides, a swing set, and more—for kids to explore at their comfort

level. Combined with its location on the trail, fun will never be far from nature.

The creation of the Mt. Berry Trailhead Playground is thanks to the collaboration of AdventHealth, TRED, and the City of Rome. Creating an even happier, healthier community is the ultimate goal with each of their projects, and there is still much more to look forward to.

“This isn’t just a one-time investment but part of a larger effort for community wellness,” Sendros says. “When we come together as a community, we can create something beautiful.”

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• Purposeful programming that incorporates art, music and personal interaction

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Q&A

With Monica Sheppard

Owner of Cecil T's Mercantile

Photos

:Courtesty

of Drift Digital Media

Whether you’re a long-time Roman or new to the scene, chances are you’ve crossed paths with Cecil T’s Mercantile owner/operator, Monica Sheppard. Sheppard has long had her finger on the pulse of NWGA’s thriving arts community, and her shop and venue on the historic Cotton Block of Broad Street has become a staple in downtown Rome. V3 had the chance to chat with Sheppard about all things Cecil T’s in our latest Q&A.

V3: To say you have been an active member of the Roman community would be an understatement. Through all your adventures championing our small town, what led you to open Cecil T’s Mercantile?

MS: For me, it is impossible not to celebrate our wonderful community! We are blessed with so much creative talent in our area as well as an incredibly rich history that thrived on celebrating the arts. I love this town and I love creative expression and I wanted to create a place that would feature the artists that I know and love from my time as co-director of the Chiaha Harvest Fair, and provide a place for all to experience art on their own terms. We are building our offering of classes, poetry readings, art exhibits and other opportunities to learn and express, and now that The Screen Door Room is complete, we are thrilled to host some incredible musical artists from outside of our area to give people a very intimate listening room experience with artists they might not have had a chance to hear, otherwise.

V3: Tell us more about that journey and what obstacles you had to overcome to create your vision on Broad Street?

MS: Our biggest obstacle is one that I was fully aware of when I chose our spot, and that is being off of the beaten Broad Street path. I made that choice with eyes wide open, because the Cotton Block is a wonderful keystone of Rome’s development, and I loved the idea of being at the epicenter of the industries of our town. The railroad and the steamboats are no longer around, but I think it is important to remember the high level of trade that occurred there and that fueled much of Rome’s growth. You don’t get to be the city with the oldest symphony in the South, or the first theater designed for talking films in the South, without a thriving economy and a community

that is thirsty for enrichment. But the challenge of choosing that location is that it is hard to get people to cross Second Avenue to see what wonderful things we have to offer on our block!

V3: You really focus on finding unique items that are locally sourced. Tell our readers about your vendors and how those relationships are forged?

MS: I used to be an artist, a nature/landscape photographer, and met a lot of talented artists in my time on the art show circuit around the Southeast. My time with Chiaha expanded that network significantly, so I have a large number of friends and artists to draw from in curating the store’s offerings. Our community is so good at supporting our local artists so our store is not the only place you can find them, but I am proud to have recently realized that we are representing over 75 local and regional artists, crafters and makers, and that makes me really happy.

V3: Who are some of your regular vendors and what items keep your customers coming back for more?

MS: Well, there are too many to name them all! I am particularly thrilled to have the only available collection of Lee Staven’s work. Lee was the first head of the art department at Berry College and when he moved on to Agnes Scott in Atlanta he created a serigraph printing process that involved compression rather than the traditional squeegee process, which allowed him to marble and layer colors with very intricate detail, and we have a collection of his prints as well as some really amazing original paintings for sale. We are very close to publishing a collection of his poems as well. He was a very prolific and frequently published poet and I am excited for the release of that collection. Meanwhile, a customer favorite in the store is his daughter Heidi Carpenter’s puppets. She is a professional puppeteer in Atlanta and her pieces are just wonderful! We have numerous jewelers, potters, painters, and photographers. Then there are the many crafters making soaps, candles, wood utensils and clocks, artisanal sourdough bread and delicious pies! I’m really excited about all that we have to share, sprinkled with unique vintage pieces and specially curated additions to round out the experience for all ages.

V3: Sundays seem to be active at Cecil T’s, with some special events and opportunities just to enjoy the shop and conversation with other patrons. Tell us a little more about Sunday's at Cecil T's.

MS: I love our Sunday afternoons at Cecil T’s. We have a pretty abundant flow of tourists through our area these days, and I spend a good bit of time talking with them about our great town and I wish that more places were open on Sunday to increase that experience. We envision many more Sunday afternoon activities such as an open board games group, an afternoon bluegrass jam session, and a letter-writing bar, for starters. But, any Sunday of the week you can come hang out, grab a craft soda from the cooler, sit in the rockers for a good chat, play checkers under the tree, or plink out a tune on the community piano out front. We want people to feel that Cecil T’s is a community as much as a store.

V3: Tell our readers about the new Screen Door Room and how that concept came to fruition.

MS: When we first opened the store, I really wanted the slam of a screen door but there was no way to add that to the front door. I opted instead

to add one to the door to the back of our space, which, at the time, was a dark and musty storage area. The only people who got to experience that screen door were us and visitors to our restroom (she says while giggling.) Having a retail store is hard business and I realized early on that I needed to maximize our income potential by transforming that back area into a usable space, and The Screen Door Room was born. Its name was an obvious choice and that crazy screen door now has a purpose, and I have carried that theme into the space with old screen doors backing the stage area. We now have a warm and funky space that is perfect for musical shows, book signings, poetry readings, art classes and party rentals, and occasional art exhibits. We are currently hosting a quilt exhibit of beautiful pieces by local quilter, Clare Gilliland.

V3: You have already generated a lot of buzz with some of the artists that have performed. Tell us about some of those acts and any upcoming events you'd like to share with our readers?

MS: I have been thrilled about some of the wonderful artists we have already been able to showcase on the Screen Door stage. This concept was born as a sort of continuation of something that Cameron Cook started at the Kingfisher Art Gallery that used to be on Second Avenue. Cameron has incredible Americana connections and would bring touring artists to our area as they made their way between Atlanta, Chattanooga and Birmingham.

With Cameron’s help, we have taken up that idea and begun to create our own relationships with agents and artist that have an interest in sharing their music with Rome. We have hosted such great acts as Larry & Joe, a duo out of North Carolina pairing Venezuelan and Appalachian folk; Abe Partridge, a regional favorite troubadour who drew an audience from Atlanta, Birmingham and Calhoun to our little hometown stage; and Marty O’Reilly, a gifted singer/songwriter from California who gained a national fan base in a stint on The Voice, just to name a few.

Our most recent show featured Jack Fishback, an 18-year-old boogiewoogie piano genius from Kentucky who completely floored the audience when he stopped in on his way to a folk festival in Birmingham. We are building this schedule as the year progresses, but I can assure you that there is much more incredible stuff to come!

V3: Are there any other exciting things on the horizon at Cecil T’s that you would like our readers to know about?

MS: Every day is an adventure and I am so excited at all the possibilities we have in our future in our little corner of the Cotton Block. Our observation beehive that was a fan favorite for a while has proven harder to maintain in its original concept on the window, so we will be working on an alternative plan that will keep the bees happier and healthier in the coming months. And, as we continue to develop our slate of classes and shows, we would love to hear what people would like to see us offer. Feel free to reach out at our Facebook and Instagram pages for Cecil T’s Mercantile or The Screen Door Room and let us know what you would like to see.

A Celebration of C ommunity

Photography: Ivan Felipe

River City Bank began with a focus on what they could do for their community. 20 years later, their person-centered vision has helped them grow into one of the best, fastest-growing banks of North Georgia. To celebrate their 20th anniversary, they’re giving back to the community that brought them here.

In today’s fast-paced world,

there’s something reassuring about doing business with people who know your name, understand your goals, and genuinely care about your success. That’s the foundation River City Bank was built on 20 years ago — and it remains at the heart of the bank today.

Headquartered in Rome, River City Bank was founded in 2006 by a group of local leaders who believed community banking should be personal, and the vision was simple but meaningful: to provide a better banking experience for the people and businesses of North Georgia. One built on relationships, local decision-making, and a commitment to serving others.

“They weren’t just opening a bank,” says Matt Robbins, President and CEO of River City Bank. “They were building relationships and creating a place where customers would be known by name, and service would truly make a difference. Banking is a people business, and 20 years later, that commitment to our customers and communities still drives everything we do.”

In 2022, River City Bank expanded its footprint into the North Georgia mountains with the opening of its full-service Blairsville branch, allowing the bank to bring its relationship-driven approach to customers and businesses in Union County and the surrounding communities.

Over the last two decades, the locally owned community bank has earned a reputation for personalized service, trusted financial guidance, and meaningful community involvement. That dedication has not gone unnoticed. River City Bank has been named Best Bank of Rome 4 of the last 5 years, earned consistent 5-Star ratings from Bauer Financial, and was recently recognized by the Atlanta Business Chronicle as one of Georgia’s fastest-growing banks in both deposit growth and commercial loan growth.

But for the River City Bank team, success is measured by more than awards or growth.

“We believe relationships matter more than transactions,” says Jennifer Selman, Senior Vice President and Director of Marketing. “Our customers aren’t account numbers — they’re our neighbors, friends, local business

owners, and our community partners.”

That philosophy extends far beyond the walls of the bank. Community involvement is woven into River City Bank’s culture, with team members regularly supporting local schools, small businesses, non-profit and civic organizations, and community events throughout North Georgia.

Whether it’s supporting local initiatives, volunteering at events, facilitating financial literacy programs, or partnering with organizations making a difference, River City Bank remains deeply invested in the growth and success of the communities it serves.

While River City Bank remains grounded in hometown values and personalized service, the bank continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of its customers. From personal banking to specialized business solutions, River City Bank offers a full range of financial services, including treasury management, government-guaranteed lending programs, wealth management, and digital banking tools designed to provide both convenience and security.

As River City Bank celebrated its 20th anniversary on May 23, the milestone was marked with gratitude and celebration throughout the month of May. Customers and community members joined in the festivities during the bank’s “Birthday Bash Fridays,” which featured sweet treats, fresh popcorn, giveaways, and other special surprises as a way to thank the community for its support over the past 20 years.

For River City Bank, the celebration is about more than commemorating 20 years in business — it’s about celebrating the relationships, trust, and community support that made those 20 years possible.

From the very beginning, River City Bank has encouraged customers to “Expect More.” Twenty years later, that promise remains stronger than ever.

To learn more about River City Bank, visit: rivercity.bank

I got my second chance.

#1 for Hearts ER

Feeling seen can be transformative. Before her heart attack, Nichole’s physical and mental health hadn’t been her priority. But in the AdventHealth ER, the exceptional care that quickly saved Nichole’s life was delivered with such compassion that it restored her health — and her entire outlook.

“AdventHealth set me free,” says Nichole. “I’m living the life I was always meant to live.”

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