September 2026

Gò0dNews September 2026

Complimentary

Christian Magazine

®

14

ROME

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Your One-Stop Shop For Insurance Ben McWhorter

601 E 1st St. Rome, GA 30161-3143 (706) 234-8686 BMcWhorter@alfains.com

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goodnewscm.com // September 2026

Here for what helps you feel whole.

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You’re only as old as you feel. And Barbara? She feels like she could go for another game of catch in the backyard. Playing with her great-grandkids is precious and invigorating. Barbara proves that we get to decide how much life is in our years. Each new day is a gift — another chance to live fully and feel whole.

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About Us WRITERS

Bill Silvers Brittany Crabtree Carl Corser Charles Norris Dorothy Teague Eric Golden Garrett Nudd Hayden Lanier Jona Kuykendall Kristen West Pastor Detrick Redding Paula Burgner Sharon Eldridge Sue Lavigne Terrie Long

SALES

Matthew Ruckman goodnewstn@gmail.com 423-503-1410 Andrew Ruckman goodnewsmarketing1@gmail.com 423-432-3406

DESIGNER

Riley Evans art.goodnews@gmail.com

PHOTOGRAPHER Kate Walton kate@studio-kate.com

EDITOR/ARTICLE COORDINATOR Sandra Gilmore articles.goodnews@gmail.com

PUBLISHER

Matthew and Bethany Ruckman goodnewstn@gmail.com 423-503-1410

Hello Friends, We want to take a moment to tell you who we are and what we are about. Our names are Matt and Bethany Ruckman and we have six beautiful children, Brendon, Kailey, Andrew, Leah Jean, Emma, and Cooper. We live in Cleveland, Tennessee, and love what this town has to offer! We have started GoodNews Christian Magazine because we feel that when God, family, and community are combined, lives will be changed.

GoodNews Christian Magazine is a complimentary, Christian lifestyle publication. You can find us throughout the community in retail establishments, churches, restaurants, and more. Our magazine opens the door for Christians to work together to grow and strengthen our community through relevant editorial and effective advertising.

GoodNews Christian Magazine is written by men and women in the community who love and serve the Lord. Our hearts are open and willing to be used by God to reach out to the community to spread the GoodNews!

OFFICE

423-790-5378

WEBSITE

goodnewscm.com issuu.com/goodnewsrome

SOCIAL MEDIA GoodNews Rome 4

Disclaimer All of the content in the GoodNews Christian Magazine is for general information and/or use. Such contents does not constitute advice and should not be relied upon in making (or refraining from making) a decision. Any specific advice or replies to queries in any part of the magazine is the personal opinion of such experts/ consultants/persons and is not subscribed to by GoodNews Christian Magazine.

The information in GoodNews Christian Magazine is provided on an “AS IS” basis, and all warranties, expressed or implied of any kind, regarding any matter pertaining to any information, advice or replies are disclaimed and excluded. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement or article we deem inappropriate.

goodnewscm.com // September 2026

Contents

SEPTEMBER 2026

from the Pastor's Desk 06 GoodNews The Power of Our Freedom

By Pastor Detrick Redding

for Everyone 08 AGoodNews Life of Consistency

By Hayden Lanier

Money Matters 10 GoodNews Annual Shake & Bake 2026

By Hughes Retirement Group

GoodNews for Men 12 Divine Appointments in Desert Places

By Eric Golden

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GoodNews for Women 14 Today I Sat with My Betrayer

GoodNews for Athletes 28 Running With Him

By Terrie Long

By Bill Silvers

for Artists 18 GoodNews A Life-Long Artist

GoodNews for your Taste Buds 30 Cast Iron Apple Fritters

By Carl Corser

for the Discouraged 20 GoodNews Up, Up, and Away

By Sharon Eldridge

GoodNews Poetry 32 It's a New Day

By Kristen West

for Prayer Warriors 22 GoodNews Pray Without Ceasing

for Discovering More 34 AGoodNews Picture’s Worth MORE THAN a Thousand Words

By Garrett Nudd

By Paula Burgner Cover Story 24 GoodNews Coosa Valley Fair 2026: Fall's Finest

Business Spotlight 36 GoodNews Back to the Life She Loves: How

for Kids 26 GoodNews In All Seasons

for Seniors 38 GoodNews Casting Shadows

Festival Returns to Rome

Shift Therapy & Wellness Helped Melissa Find Her Way Back

By Dorothy Teague

By Brittany Crabtree

for Everyone 40 GoodNews Fingerprints

By Jona Kuykendall

44

for Our Nation 44 GoodNews Honoring 9/11 and Healing

18

from Loss

By Sue Lavigne

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Gò0dNews from the Pastor's Desk

The Power of Our Freedom

by Pastor Detrick Redding

We have been granted a new spiritual life in Christ, a life that is Spirit-led and Spirit-defined. The Spirit of the living God quickens our mortal bodies. Even while living here on the earth, we are still spiritual beings.

This is essential for the believer to embrace. But let’s face it. The enemy is still out there trying to trick us into territory that is forbidden and even trying to connect us to the memory of the forbidden journey before Christ, trying to plague our minds and our hearts.

Then look at verse 2: “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me (us) free from the law of sin and death.” The law of the Spirit works in our corner to free us from condemnation because condemnation comes from the law of sin and death. Even Paul said it this way in Romans 7:17 AMPC, “…it is no longer I who do the deed, but the sin (principle) which is at home in me and has possession of me.” He exposed the sin nature and didn’t take the blame on himself.

This is a problem that needs to be addressed. So many are trapped in the game of blame and condemnation.

I’ve seen many believers lose their peace. Some believers have committed suicide because of guilt. Guilt is the ammunition of the enemy. He uses it to steal what we have in Christ. He tries to convince us that we have no worth. He knows that we have access to God and to all that God has for us. He knows that we are in right standing with God because of Calvary. Remember, we are new creations in Christ. We must embrace this truth.

In Christ, it’s safe to say the blame is to be on the devil. The devil has been influencing people ever since the beginning. Remember, it started in the Garden of Eden. He tricked Eve to disobey God. Then Adam followed suit. God came to them in the Garden and they said, “We hid ourselves because we were naked.”

He immediately knew that they had disobeyed, but remember God’s response? “Who told you that you were naked?” As I read that, I hear God saying, “Who is the culprit for this mess?” Adam blamed Eve, which wasn’t accurate, but Eve identified the snake as the enemy. This was true. The serpent, being used by the devil, was the influencer of disobedience. He persuaded Eve, yes, through the lust of flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life. However, this was not what she was created for. Listen back to what Paul said in Romans 7 TPT: “…it’s not my true identity doing it…”

Glory to God! Now that’s freedom!

Now, how do I deal with this guilt practically? Good question. Human nature wants to have a point of blame, a point of reasoning. So, let’s give one. John 10:10 says, “The thief comes to kill, steal, and destroy…” Who is the thief? None other than the devil, our adversary. His whole objective is to do these things to us.

Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” We are to walk after the Spirit, not the flesh. The flesh wants to have a pity party and even a blame party. However, the Spirit knows who the blame is. The Spirit has been dealing with the “accuser of the brethren” for years.

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Detrick Redding, born and raised in Rome, Georgia, is a husband to Toris and father to 4 children. Called to pastor at an early age, he currently pastors at Rally Up International Ministries in Rome, Georgia. Detrick has a deep passion for not only seeing people born again, but knowing their true identity and what is made available to all in Jesus Christ.

goodnewscm.com // September 2026

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Gò0dNews for Everyone "The Ploughman" by Peter Morgan

A Life of Consistency

by Hayden Lanier

When I think about the kind of life I want to live, there is one word that could be used to describe it. I want to live a life of consistency. The men and women who inspire me, the individuals I look up to, are people who lead consistent lives.

By definition, consistency means “firmness of constitution or character; persistency” (MerriamWebster). Those who lead lives of consistency live in such a way that their character, their attitude, and their behavior are unwavering.

They devote themselves to the Lord; they attend church regularly, serve in the ways they have been called to, read the Bible, pray, and seek to know Christ more. They go to work every day, work hard, persevere through issues, and do their best at their job, glorifying God in the way they do so. They love their family, sacrificing for their spouse and loving their children, always thinking about how they can better lead them.

They are dependable; you know that you can always count on them in a time of need and that they will be a helpful presence.

To actually live the life God has called us to as His people requires consistency. It is far easier to make a public declaration for Jesus and say that you are going to change than to actually live a life of obedience surrendered to God. The Bible describes the kind of life we should live as “a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the 8

knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:2-4 ESV). A consistent life is marked by peace and quiet, but also Godliness and dignity. The Bible says here that leading such a life is good and pleases God, who desires all people to be saved. A life marked by consistency glorifies God and points those who are far from Him to the truth.

The alternative is a life of inconsistency.

This means that you have no steady anchor, no sure and firm foundation.

Your life is a tumultuous sea of changes, an unceasing spinning of revolving doors. Your ideas and beliefs about the world change with the times. Your loyalty to your friends and family depends on your emotions. An inconsistent life is unpredictable, and it yields an unreliable person. However, most tragically, such inconsistency means we are disobedient to the Lord and unpleasing to Him with our lives.

This is not the kind of person I want to be, and I pray it is not who you want to be, because God has called us to a greater life.

I’d like to close this devotional with a few Bible verses that speak of perseverance and consistency in your walk with the Lord. May they encourage us to live in such a manner.

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV).

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9 ESV).

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23 ESV).

See www.setyourmindabove.com for more from Hayden Lanier.

Hayden Lanier is a follower of Jesus, a graduate of Shorter University, and he works as an elementary school teacher.

goodnewscm.com // September 2026

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As a transitional housing program, our mission is to empower, equip, and enrich the lives of men through the love of Jesus Christ.

The men in our program live at our facility, work full-time, and attend night classes/meetings that will help them on their path of reentry and stable living in society. Often they are are in recovery from addiction and many come from rehabs, prisons, jails, and other rehabilative programs. brothersplace.org 706-509-9020 "It has saved my life. When I was out there on the streets, I didn't have structure. I was only focused on my addiction. It (Brothers Place) has helped me gain structure by being around positive men and improving my relationship with God" -Isaac Sellers

Sponsor A Brother Today Your donations will help offset the costs the men need to pay to stay here, which will help them as they save money and work to a financially independent state.

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Huges Retirement Group Presents:

ANNUAL SHAKE & BAKE 2026 IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN! Join us for the Hughes Retirement Group Annual Medicare Shake & Bake event on Thursday, October 1st. This year’s event will be held at Westwood Baptist Church with class time options of 10:00 am, 12:30 pm, and 2:00 pm.

What is the Medicare Shake & Bake event, you might ask? It is a free, educational event that shakes up the A, B, C’s of Medicare. During this event we will discuss plan changes for the upcoming year that will be crucial to the evaluation of your Medicare needs and current coverage. The timing of the event is just before the Annual Enrollment Period, which runs from October 15th – December 7th. It is during this time that individuals can make changes to their current supplemental and drug plans.

The event is geared towards providing much information that individuals will need to enter AEP confidently.

After class, we welcome attendees to let all the information provided bake in while they visit the many senior focused services that will have booths set up to help continue this educational experience for our community. These vendors are all directly related to the needs of seniors and are also vendors that Hughes Retirement Group and their employees have worked with.

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The following vendors will be set up to answer any questions you may have about their services: Ace Hardware Handy Man Services AccentCare Home Health Ahlberg Audiology Award Realty – Marica Botts Bradley County Trustee Office Brittany Mowery Photography Burns, Henry & Kirksey Channel 12 Companion Funeral Homes Garden Plaza HHM CPAs – Adam Osborne Louver Shop McCartney Family Chiropractic Medical Equipment – James

We understand that there are a ton of choices and a lot of information geared towards seniors during this time of the year regarding Medicare. Our hope is to offer sound education to our community about their options, while also providing them the opportunity to connect with businesses in our community that value helping them live the best life they can.

Kerminsky Misty Mountain Florist Nana’s Books & Bears Pinnacle Financial Partners Project Free 2 Fly Rachel’s Home Management Renew Exteriors Southeast Charcuterie State Farm – Mark Riden Terra Running Company The Roaming Cup 3 Rivers Radio Group Walkup Pool Services Westwood Baptist Church

If you would like to attend our Annual Medicare Shake & Bake Event, please text the word SHAKE to 423-212-5698. We look forward to seeing you there.

(423) 664-4203 HughesRetirementGroup.com

Insurance products are offered through the insurance business Hughes Retirement Group. Hughes Retirement Group is also an Investment Advisory practice that offers products and services through Impact Partnership Wealth, LLC (IPW), a Registered Investment Adviser. IPW does not offer insurance products. The insurance products offered by Hughes Retirement Group are not subject to Investment Advisor requirements. Any and all other services related to Medicare are an outside business activity and are not offered through or supervised by Impact Partnership Wealth, (“IPW”) LLC. Hughes Retirement Group is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or any governmental agency.

Neither the firm nor its agents or representatives may give tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult with a qualified professional for guidance before making any purchasing decisions.

goodnewscm.com // September 2026

SafeHaven RANCH A Home Where Kids Can Grow And Excel In A Christian Environment.

Jude 1:22

There’s a dusty dirt road off in some fields that looks like

have no place to call home. Safe Haven Ranch is dedicated

any other road of its kind in the South. But, it’s truly not

to demonstrating Christ's love by creating a nurturing

the same. It’s not the length or the condition or the age of

environment for children who have known great

this road that makes the difference, it’s the destination.

suffering. Our mission is to address both the physical and

This road leads to hope. There’s hope along that dusty dirt

spiritual needs of these children, providing them with the

road because Safe Haven Ranch for Boys is waiting at the

tools to overcome emotional and mental health challenges

end of it.

while sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Jason Slaughter of Community Share Ministries

“We aim to inspire and instill hope in the children

describes the road building, “We are building roads to

we serve, empowering them to grow and heal despite

make room for what God’s got coming. We don’t know

their difficult circumstances. Our organization believes

just who or just when but we know the children are

in building a strong sense of community and providing a

coming. We know God’s got something He’s working on

safe haven for children in need. Through our efforts, we

and we’re making room for it.”

strive to make a positive change in the lives of the children

The Safe Haven Boys Ranch is nestled in the

and families we serve, embodying the love of Christ in all

former Corn family farm. The Corn family never raised

that we do.”

children there. They raised animals and vegetables

Making a Difference

and eventually, they’ve raised hopes. The Corn family bestowed the farm into the care of Jason and Ginger Slaughter of Community Share Ministries who saw a vision for helping boys on a working farm throughout their childhood by providing a caring environment, a sound education both academic and practical, and a sense of true belonging in a community through a family both at home and a welcoming church family.

Jason continues, “We have been called by God to take care of the children who have known great suffering and

The Safe Haven Boys Ranch has plans to provide a long-term home to more than 70 children over its course, not including nine children who have already found their forever homes.

What Role Do You Play in Making a Difference?

Are you ready to make room, make a way, and make a difference? When you take the journey down the dusty dirt road to Safe Haven Boys Ranch you are immediately impacting children and nurturing not only the lives of these young people but the life of the community as well.

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Gò0dNews for Men

Photo by Joseph Corl on Unsplash

Divine Appointments in Desert Places

by Eric Golden

Since the beginning of time, God has been aligning people at certain times and in certain places to accomplish His will in their lives. From Abraham and Melchizedek, to Joseph and the cupbearer, to Moses and the burning bush, every significant person in the Bible began their ministry because of one divine appointment. These appointments were sometimes on the heels of great victory, but were often in times of great distress. Sometimes they were by rivers of water, but other times in desert places. Such was the case with Philip and the Ethiopian.

Philip had been ministering in Samaria. It was a place full of activity. People were bustling all around. Life was exciting. The ministry was exciting. People were hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and responding with excitement. Healings and miracles were breaking forth. I am sure that Philip was feeling pretty good about his situation. Then God spoke to him and said, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza” (Acts 8:26 ESV).

Scripture indicates that this is a desert place. Philip could have disobeyed. Success in Samaria could have kept him anchored there, but he would have been anchored in the wrong place. God had a plan. He had set a divine appointment in the desert place between Philip and an Ethiopian eunuch who had the ear of a queen. Had Philip said, “I have more important things to do,” or “I don’t even like the desert place,” or “I am fine right here in my successful ministry,” he would have missed the opportunity of a lifetime. He would have missed the opportunity to change a heart that would go on to (potentially) change a nation.

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Maybe you can relate to Philip. Maybe things are going really well for you right now, but God is calling you to something different that does not make as much sense. Maybe you relate better to the Ethiopian eunuch, traveling through the desert, trying to understand God’s Word. The truth is that, in our lives, we can often feel like we are in a desert place. Whether it be our emotions, our health, our relationships, or our finances, life has a way of making us feel dry and thirsty. It is in the desert places where our prayer life feels useless, study feels daunting, and worship feels worthless. It is in the desert places that we often want to give up and throw in the towel. These are the places we try to avoid.

However, it is in that desert place that we can experience more of what God wants to do in our lives. For Philip, it was simple obedience to leave the success of Samaria and do what God said. For the Ethiopian eunuch traveling through the desert, searching for meaning in God's Word, it was a divine appointment with Philip that changed everything.

What Acts 8:26-31 teaches us is that even in our desert places, God can set up divine appointments that can change hearts and nations. Will you take the time today to evaluate your desert place in light of God’s goodness and ask, “What next?”

Eric Golden and his wife, Laken, pastor Lakeview Community Church in Cleveland, TN.

goodnewscm.com // September 2026

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Gò0dNews for Women

Photo by Kris Tian on Unsplash

Today I Sat with My Betrayer

by Terrie Long “But I say unto you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44 KJV).

Today I sat with my betrayer. I had so much to say, but God said, “Not today,” and shifted my focus and emotional posture away from my betrayer and my agency to set the record straight. My focus went to enabling me to hear what He had to say.

He reminded me of His own betrayals and how His Father’s mission and the power of the Holy Spirit empowered Him to remain focused on the big picture, which was to show others, even His betrayers, love, kindness, and forgiveness. As a result of daily prayer and a strong connection with His Father, Jesus was able to walk with restraint, humility, and quietness, speaking only when necessary and speaking words from above. Amid betrayal, denial, and murder, He remained the epitome of Agape love, a love that keeps on loving, a relentless and unfailing love!

Could it be that in this season of betrayal, whether you are the recipient or extender, that God is using this experience to reveal, protect, and transform you? No matter the road that led to the betrayal, it hurts us all, but if we allow Him, God can come into the fragmented aftermath of our disappointed expectations and penetrating hurt, and He can transform us! He can renew us, restore us, and yes, He can reconcile us through the power of Agape love.

My brothers and sisters, we CAN experience the ministry of reconciliation.

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As I reflected on Jesus’ courage and desire to love at all costs, my heart began to fill with a renewed desire to please Him and to reflect His character as I faced my betrayer. I could literally feel my heart changing and being transformed as He reminded me to be careful how I treated my betrayer, because I’ve been a betrayer too. It is in my DNA to run, hide, self-preserve, even if unconsciously so. I, too, have let others down, so He gently nudged me toward the seat, and He lovingly whispered in my ear to extend grace and to speak of Him, not the acts of my betrayer, and to be like Him. So, as I entered the space where my betrayer sat, all the rehearsed words were now gone, and I felt this strange, but exhilarating, desire to love and forgive! To my utter amazement, I felt a freedom and a joy that caused me to speak only of God’s goodness. I began to praise His name, and as I did, the past seemed to fade in the shadows of the cross.

Today, I sat with my betrayer and testified of God’s goodness! I bragged on God, and as I did, even my betrayer smiled. And when I left my seat, I left with a heart restored and no longer with a betrayer, but with a fellow sojourner.

Who is your betrayer? Consider forgiving them, and if given the opportunity, share with them what God has done for you.

Terrie Long is a public speaker, soloist and inspirational author. She is an active member of the Orchard Park SDA Church in Chattanooga. Terrie can be contacted at Terrie.Ruff@lpnt.net.

goodnewscm.com // September 2026

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Rome Church Directory

African Methodist Episcopal Bethel AME Church 22 Nichols Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-295-0019 St. James AME Zion Church 3 Maxwell Lane Rome, GA 30165 404-307-7396 Summer Hill AME Church 1981 Kingston Hwy NE Rome, Ga 30161 706-235-7113

Anglican

St. Andrew’s Anglican Church 42 Ash Street Rome, Ga 30161

Apostolic

First Apostolic Church of Rome 3213 Cave Spring Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-235-9551

Assembly of God

Redemption Church 105 Broadus Road NE Rome, Ga 30161 706-232-0277

Baptist

Antioch Baptist Church 4526 Big Texas Valley Rome, Ga 30165 706-232-7248 Armuchee Baptist Church 6648 Big Texas Valley Rd NW Rome, Ga 30165 706-235-3169 Berean Baptist Church 8 Skyline Dr Rome, Ga 30161 706-295-9832 Blue Pond Baptist Church 1291 Morrison Campground Rome, Ga 30161 706-235-3296 Bryant Chapel Baptist Church 24 Shady Lane Rome, Ga 30161 706-235-9768 Bush Arbor Baptist Church 3290 Black Bluff Rd Rome, Ga. 30161 770-885-0779 Calhoun Avenue Baptist Church 1021 Calhoun Ave Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-4431 Calvary Baptist Church 101 Broadus Rd NE Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-1461 Cedar Creek Baptist Church 3219 Fosters Mill Rd SW Rome, GA 30161 Cedar Valley Baptist Church 3024 Cedartown Hwy SW Rome, Ga 30161 706-295-0978 Community Chapel Baptist Church 3733 Black Bluff Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-232-4070 Desoto Park Baptist Church 1107 Cave Spring Rd. Rome, Ga 30161 706-232-6207 Dykes Creek Baptist Church 3181 Kingston Hwy NE Rome Ga, 30161 706-291-7790 16

East Rome Baptist Church 601 Cedar Ave Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-8553 East View Baptist Church 901 Kingston Ave Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-8250 Eden Valley Baptist Church 348 Eden Valley Rd Rome, Ga 30161 770-608-8168 Emmanuel Baptist Church 1414 Old Dalton Rd Rome, Ga 30165 706-232-3939 Enon Baptist Church 3105 Turkey Mountain Rome, Ga 30161 706-295-5052 Fairview Baptist Church 2348 Old Cedartown Hwy SE Lindale, Ga 30147 Fellowship Rome Baptist Church 314 Burnett Ferry Rd Rome, Ga 30165 706-234-9416 First Baptist Church 100 E 4th Ave Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-6850 Flatrock Baptist Church 848 Cunningham Rd SW Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-9976 Flint Hill Baptist Church 3578 Wax Rd SE, Aragon, GA 30104 706-232-8121 Friendship Baptist Church 2283 Calhoun Rd NE Rome, Ga 30161 706-295-4803 Garden Lakes Baptist Church 2200 Redmond Cir Rome, Ga 30165 706-234-6615 Greater Mount Calvary Baptist 445 East 14th St Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-5047 Hill Crest Baptist Church 2202 N Broad St Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-8806 Hollywood Baptist Church 112 Lombardy Way Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-6642 In Focus Baptist Church 12 N Hughes Rome, Ga 30165 706-234-8963 Lakeview Baptist Church 80 Salem Dr Rome, Ga 30165 706-235-2149 Lovejoy Baptist Church 436 Branham Ave Rome, Ga 30171 706-232-1917 McFall Baptist Church 3011 Rockmart Rd SE Rome, Ga 30161 706-235-5673 Mount Alto Church 1915 Huffaker Rd NW Rome, Ga 30165 706-232-6222 Mount Carmel Baptist Church E 20th St Rome, Ga 30161 706-232-8777 Mount Olive Baptist Church

17 E Pennington Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-6413 New Antioch Baptist Church 4553 Calhoun Rd NE Rome, Ga 30161 706-295-2248 New Bethel Baptist Church Weathington Dr Rome, Ga 30161 706, 291-8939 New Canaan Baptist Church 3 Excelsior St Rome, Ga 30165 706-291-1984 New Hope Baptist Church Hwy 156 Rome, Ga 706-235-0250 New Hope Baptist Church 399 Moran Lake Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-290-0507 North Broad Baptist Church 1309 N Broad St Rome, Ga 30161 706-295-2100 Northwood Missionary Baptist 4076 Calhoun Rd NE Rome, Ga 30161 Park Ave Baptist Church 531 Park Ave SE Lindale, GA 30147 Parkview Baptist Church 4 Wesley Drive Rome, Ga 30165 706-232-4431 PisGah Baptist Church Alabama Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-232-4431 Pleasant Hope Baptist Church 5935 Rockmart Road SE Silver Creek, Ga 706-235-2800 Pleasant Grove Baptist Church 500 N Division St Rome, Ga 30165 706-235-0731 Pleasant Valley North Baptist 735 Old Summerville Road NW Rome, GA 30165 706-232-6426 Pleasant Valley South Baptist 702 Pleasant Valley Rd SE Silver Creek, Ga 30173 706-234-1841 Providence Baptist Church 17 Burnett Ferry Road SW Rome, Ga 30165 706-291-0689 Riverside Baptist Church 48 Ash Street Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-8114 State Line Baptist Church 8536 Black Bluff Road Cave Spring, Ga 30124 678-988-0339 Saint Paul Baptist Church Pleasant Valley Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-235-5037 Second Avenue Baptist 823 E 2nd Ave Rome, Ga 30161 706-232-3663 Shannon First Baptist Church 400 Fourth Street, PO Box 997, Shannon, GA 30172 Sherwood Forest Baptist Church 1 Goodman Rd Rome, Ga 30161

706-291-6174 Shorter Avenue Baptist Church 1410 Shorter Ave Rome, Ga 30165 706-234-8266 South Broad Baptist Church 508 South Broad St Rome, Ga 30161 Spring Creek Baptist Church 2636 Chulio Rd SE Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-1220 Springfield Baptist Church 113 Smith St Rome, Ga 30161 706-295-7217 Thankful Baptist Church 935 Spider Webb Dr Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-8132 Three Rivers Church 2960 New Calhoun Highway NE Rome, Ga 706-766-0942 Trinity Baptist Church 1728 Calhoun Rd NE Rome, Ga 30161 706-295-3368 Turner Chapel Baptist Church 756 Turner Chapel Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-235-8682 Unity Baptist Church 2261 Pleasant Valley Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-232-2184 West End Baptist Church 107 Mississippi Dr Rome, Ga 30165 706-235-1971 West Rome Baptist Church 914 Shorter Ave Rome, Ga 30165 706-232-9722 Wilkerson Road Baptist Church Wilkerson Rd Rome, Ga 30161 Woodlawn Baptist Church 1649 Cartersville Hwy SE Rome, Ga 30161 706-232-4171 Word & Way Baptist Church New Rocketmart Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-8729

Catholic

Saint Mary Catholic Church 911 N Broad St Rome, Ga 30161 706-295-7014

Christian & Missionary Alliance

Missionary Alliance 306 Coker Dr Rome, Ga 20165 706-235-9190

Church of Christ

Church of Christ 108 E Callahan St Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-0675 Lindale Church of Christ 3035 Maple Road Lindale, Ga 30147 706-234-3027 Oak Hill Church of Christ 1500 Martha Berry Hwy Rome, Ga 20165 706-291-0351 Rome Church of Christ 121 Primrose Road

goodnewscm.com // September 2026

Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-4444

Church of God

Armuchee Church of God 4974 Martha Berry Hwy Rome, Ga 30165 706-232-4414 Church of God of Prophecy 94 Huffaker Rd. Rome, GA 30165 706-528-4225 Lindale Church of God 585 Park Ave Lindale, Ga 30147 706-232-5676 New Life Church of God 210 E 18th St Rome, Ga 30161 706-232-0704 New Hope Overcoming Church of God 200 Nixon Ave Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-4695 North Rome Church of God 1929 N Broad St Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-6687 Rome AOH Church of God 504 Decatur St Rome, Ga 30165 706-295-2999 West Rome Church of God UA 2827 Alabama Hwy Rome, Ga 30165 706-880-6895

Church of God in Christ

Great Joy Church of God in Christ 60 Shorter Industrial Blvd Rome, Ga 30161 706-766-6148

Disciples of Christ

First Christian Church 209 E. Second Ave, Rome, Ga 30161

Episcopal

Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church 101 E 4th Ave Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-9111

Foursquare

Rome Foursquare Church 308 Reservoir St NE Rome, Ga 30161

Full Gospel

Christ Gospel Church 619 Chulio Rd SE Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-7744

Independent Bible

Grace Bible Church 614 Dalton Rd NE Rome, Ga 30165

Interdenominational

Cornerstone Church 324 Mathis Dr Rome, Ga 30165

Ministerios El Vino Nuevo 4216 Alabama Hwy NW Rome, Ga 30165 706-291-0500 Renovation Church 13 Redmond Ct. Rome, Ga 30165 706-314-9084

Latter-day Saints

Rome, Ga 30165 706-291-0033 Wesley Chapel UMC 9 College Park Dr SW Rome, Ga 30161 West Rome UMC 1003 Shorter Ave PO Box 2247 Rome, GA 30164 706-234-6214

Messianic

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 3300 Garden Lakes Pkwy Rome, Ga 30165 706-235-2281

Congregation Hallelu HaShem 1869 Floyd Springs Rd NE, Armuchee, GA 3105 706-936-6711

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church 3000 Garden Lakes Blvd Rome, Ga 30165 706-232-7257

Rome First Church of the Nazarene 20 Glenda Dr Rome, Ga 30165 706-234-5023

Beech Creek Methodist 2972 Alabama Hwy, Rome, Ga 30165 706-506-8980 GracePoint Rome 43 Chateau Court Rome, Ga 30161 Holsey Sinai CME Church 1233 Martin L King Rome, Ga 30161 706-295-7265 Lindsay Chapel UMC 9 College Park Dr SW Rome, Ga 30161 Metropolitan UMC 700 Broad St Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-8660 Mt Pleasant Church 4782 Alabama Hwy Rome, Ga 30165 706-232-4350 New Bethel Methodist Church Reeceburg Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-235-9700 Oostanaula UMC 74 Battey Farm Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-292-0084 Rome First UMC 202 E 3rd Ave Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-8590 Rush Chapel UMC 1225 Rush Chapel Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-7986 Scott Chapel UMC 3 Chambers St NE Rome, Ga 30161 Second Avenue UMC 801 E Second Ave SW Rome, GA 30161 Silver Creek UMC 36 Reeceburg Rd SE Silver Creek, GA 30173 706-234-2518 Trinity By The River, Global Methodist 606 Turner McCall Blvd SW

Access Church 1905 Calhoun Rd Rome, Ga 30161 705-584-7497 Christian Church at Rome 2417 Shorter Ave Rome, GA 30165 706-235-0501 Glorious New Jerusalem Church 537 W 12th St Rome, Ga 30165 706-295-2045 Glory Tabernacle Church 300 Watson St Rome, Ga 30165 706-235-0888 Gospel Harvester Church 1246 Cartersville Hwy SE Rome, Ga 30161 706-290-9858 Greater Refuge Ministries 1604 North Broad St Rome, GA 30161 706-622-2448 Legacy Church 524 Avenue A SW Rome, GA 30165 LIFE Church of Rome 19 John Davenport Drive Rome GA 30165 706-728-3166 Lighthouse Church of Rome Lighthouse Dr SE Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-0864 New and Living Way Bible Church 59 Dykes Creek Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-233-9200 Northside Church 75 N. Floyd Park Rd. Rome, Ga 30165 706-233-9896 Rally Up International Ministries 2460 Shorter Avenue Rome, Ga 30165 706-235-8561 Shannon Community Church 600 First Street Shannon, GA 30172

Live Oak Baptist Church 5506 GA-100 Cave Spring, GA 30124 706-777-8566 The Empty Tomb 5630 Fosters Mill Rd SW Cave Spring, GA 30124 Rehoboth Missionary Baptist

6 Rehoboth Rd SW Cave Spring, GA 30124 706-777-3313 First Baptist Church 4 Old Cedartown Rd. Cave Spring, GA 30124 706-777-3566 Cave Spring UMC

Lutheran

Methodist

Nazarene

Non-Denominational

706-491-7112 Solid Holy Rock Deliverance Tabernacle 700 Kingston Ave Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-8948 The Church at Rome 1649 Cartersville Hwy SE Rome, Ga 30161 706-346-2733 Trinity United Christian Church 6 Deer Run Trail Rome, Ga 30165 706-204-8270 We The Church 1818 Kingston Hwy Rome, Ga 30161 Wilderness Church Rome 2730 Martha Berry Highway NE Rome, Ga 30165 706-237-6395 Words of Faith Tabernacle 3134 Rockmart Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-314-9158

Orthodox

All Saints Church 615 Cleveland Ave Rome, Ga 30165 706-378-4474

Pentecostal

Cannon Temple Holiness Church 308 Porter St Rome, Ga 20161 706-233-9001 Christ Temple Holiness Church 1321 Martin L King Rome, Ga 30161 706-235-3787 Victory Temple Of Joy 118 Williamson St. Rome, Ga 30165 706-766-3865

Presbyterian

First Presbyterian Church EPC 101 E 3rd Ave Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-6033 Seven Hills Fellowship 530 Broad Street Rome, GA 30161 706-530-1630 Silver Creek Presbyterian Church 6 Old Rockmart Road Silver Creek, Ga 30173 706-234-6862 Westminster Presbyterian Church 1941 Shorter Ave Rome, Ga 30165 706-235-8561

Seventh-Day Adventist

Rome Bethany Seventh-Day Adventist Church 307 E 14th St SW Rome, Ga 30161 706-292-0067 Seventh-Day Adventist Church 2526 Cedartown Hwy SW Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-4117

Cave Spring Church Directory

Cave Spring Church of God 19 Mill Street Cave Spring, GA 30124 706-777-8348 Grace Fellowship Baptist Church 6635 Blacks Bluff Rd SW Cave Spring Ga 30124 706-346-9786

30 Alabama Street Cave Spring, GA 30124 706-777-8624 Jackson Chapel UMC 301 Jackson Chapel Rd Cave Spring, GA 30125 706-777-3750

17

Gò0dNews for Artists

"Charing Cross Bridge, London" by Camille Pissaro

A Life-Long Artist

by Carl Corser

My life is a canvas upon which I have the opportunity to craft a beautiful rendering of my life. God provides the brushes and the paint. At the time that I come to the age of accountability, I am responsible for every brushstroke and paint color, which is added daily to my life’s canvas. When I’ve made wise, life-building choices, my paint colors are bright and glowing with unique brush strokes. When I’ve made foolish and life-destructive choices, I have ceased to be creative with my brush strokes and have begun choosing dark paint colors to apply to my life’s canvas.

shoulders as we progress through life’s decisions, choices, and abilities. At the end of life, will our decisions reflect how well we encountered critique and criticism?

What influences guide my canvas application choices?

Who influences the canvas application choices? When do the results of those canvas application choices begin to appear upon my life’s canvas?

Oh, what a challenge we have before us to seek wisdom in our life’s choices. Life’s wisdom is much more precious than gold and rubies. Oh my, how beautiful our life’s canvas can become, more beautiful than these beauties mentioned in Scripture.

There are many influences that we face daily. We must choose how we allow them to shape our present life, which affects our future. These influences will be either positive or negative in nature. No matter their nature of content, we are solely responsible for our reactions to them with choices by brushstrokes and paint color. These choices will be presented to us multiple times daily. Upon their encounter, we must accept or reject one of the influences, whether it be the positive or the negative option. Life will not allow us to choose both. Our choice will directly affect the beauty or the ugliness that is displayed upon our life’s canvas.

This is the key factor to us having a beautiful or an ugly canvas. God gave us a free will and the ability to choose whether we want our life’s canvas to be a beautiful or an ugly display of our life’s choices.

Didn’t God create us and then say that we were beautiful in His eyes? I wonder how God feels when we make ugly choices with Him knowing what the finished painting of our life’s canvas looks like?

We begin life with a blank canvas to begin applying colors to it. That accountability rests upon our 18

Scripture is full of instructions that will guide us in the right choices in our life’s canvas painting process.

Those verses will instruct us to choose wisely, seek uplifting relationships, not to fear man's influence, and to seek God first on every choice that we encounter in life.

Beautiful paint colors and correct brushes, in the right hands, will create a beautiful life’s canvas. May we prayerfully consider our choices and decisions which will enable us to become very successful, having the privilege of being those right hands painting our life’s canvas. May our life’s canvas be such a beautiful testimony of the glory of God working in our lives.

My friend, you will never be left alone, having the full responsibility of painting your life’s canvas and the painting technique choices if you seek God’s wisdom daily. His guidance will be sufficient in your making your choices as to the right brushes and right paint colors to create a beautiful life’s canvas. It will be a great pleasure to present it to your Creator when your life is finished upon this earth. You’ll be hearing the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful artist.”

Carl Corser is an ordained bishop, author of a devotion book, "Living Past Sunday," business owner, farmer, author of a devotion website, carlcorser.com.

Carl has pastored several churches.

goodnewscm.com // September 2026

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19

Gò0dNews for the Discouraged

Up, Up, and Away

by Sharon Eldridge Have you ever had the opportunity to chase a hot air balloon? As a kid, I remember the excitement of watching hot air balloons in the evening skies with my dad. On one occasion, a hot air balloon landed in the pasture just behind our house.

A parade of trucks came rolling up the driveway following it to our property. The crew worked quickly, as they grabbed ropes and pulled it down to the ground. They removed any remaining air from the material and folded it all into a neat stack before packing everything in the trucks, leaving just as quickly as they came.

There is a big difference between hot air balloons and balloons filled with plain, old hot air. I don’t remember who taught me how to blow up balloons or how to tie the ends to keep all that hot air trapped inside.

But I do know, if the end was not tied, the balloon would go sailing across the room as the air whooshed out of it.

Occasionally life becomes very busy and very tiresome. The long days and early mornings can leave me feeling completely worn out and weary. I honestly feel like a balloon that has been filled with a bunch of hot air, but no one tied the end, and it sends me flying in all directions as the air whooshes out, leaving me on the floor, empty and deflated. Have you ever been there? It feels like there’s no chance of moving unless someone picks you up and fills you back up again.

Sometimes another person picks us up, and they breathe their own hot air into us – and even tie the end! But we just end up being bounced back and forth between our obligations.

Every now and then we bounce into something sharp or someone rubs us the wrong way, and POP! It might cause people to avoid us because 20

they are afraid that we might pop under pressure, while others think it’s fun to hear us squeak.

The words and actions of people who love us can give us a “lighter than air” feeling. Like being filled with helium. We feel as if we can float above all our circumstances; however, those same people hold on to us tightly, keeping us tethered to the earth.

But God allows us to be beautiful, uniquely-designed hot air balloons.

The fire of the Holy Spirit creates a lift that is perfectly controlled. His basket attached to us can be full of people who need to see things from His perspective. He controls the winds as we shift into the flow of His assignments. He never takes His eyes off of us as we float along, touching the clouds. He knows when we need to land, and He will send a team of people to help us land safely. He never abandons us or leaves it to chance for us to be found. He pursues us and is ready to quickly assist us if the winds become too harsh. Instead of being bounced around, we are able to relax and enjoy the view as He directs our flight. Up, up, and away!

“This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you... For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up in honor.

Rise up, My darling! Come away with Me, My fair one!”

(1 Timothy 1:6a, 7; James 4:10; Song of Songs 2:13b)

Sharon Eldridge is a newly published writer, excited to see where the Lord leads as she develops a new blog.

goodnewscm.com // September 2026

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Gò0dNews for Prayer Warriors

Pray without Ceasing

by Paula Burgner

At some point in our life, we all have those thoughts of “That's never going to happen,” or “That’s impossible.” And we all speak those words too often. However, we never stop and think, “Nope, I am not going to think this way or I am not going to speak that way.” We usually will get what we speak as our words and thoughts we speak come from the heart.

The Bible tells us this in Matthew 12:34 KJV: “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”

Sometimes things in life can seem so impossible until we see that it has come to pass. Often, we find ourselves lost as to what to say when we are trying to find the right words to pray, when all we have to do is believe when we pray.

The Bible tells us this in Matthew 21:22 KJV: “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”

Prayer doesn’t have to be perfect; it just needs to come from the heart. When you pray, it is better to have a heart without words than to have words without a heart.

We must always pray and never give up. Just as the Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV: “Pray without ceasing.”

Don’t ever think that anything is too hard for God as it is not. The Bible tells us this in Jeremiah 32:17 KJV: “Nothing is too hard for thee.”

A lot of times right after you get done praying for something, you let the doubt set in, and this causes your thoughts to wander back and forth.

This is why when we pray, we must ask in faith.

Just as the Bible tells us in James 1:6-8 KJV: “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.”

When we ask God for some things in prayer, we must believe that we will have them.

22

The Bible tells us this in Mark 11:24 KJV: “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”

You know those times in life when you’re listening to a song and you get that shaky feeling deep inside you? It’s as if something is trying to pull you up out of your seat and the tears just start to fall and you’re not even trying to cry.

Well, this is the moment that you know when God has laid something on your heart.

When something is on your heart you can take it to Him in prayer, no matter how impossible things may seem at the moment, just remember to ask knowing that He will hear you.

The Bible tells us that God hears our prayers in 1 John 5:14 KJV: “And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us.”

Paula Burgner is a strong-willed, outgoing girl who loves spending time with her husband and working out. She believes in her heart that you can do anything you put your mind to. Paula is the author of the book, Grounded by God’s Grace.

goodnewscm.com // September 2026

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Coosa Valley Fair 2026:

Fall's Finest Festival Returns to Rome ROME, GA – As the leaves begin to change and autumn settles across Northwest Georgia, one of the region's most cherished traditions will once again bring families, friends, and neighbors together. The Coosa Valley Fair returns to Rome, Georgia, October 6-10, 2026, promising five exciting days filled with entertainment, community spirit, competition, and unforgettable memories.

Rooted in a long-standing tradition of celebrating agriculture, arts, education, and family fun, the 2026 Coosa Valley Fair is shaping up to be one of the most exciting events in its history.

Since its founding in 1949, the Coosa Valley Fair has served as a cornerstone of the Rome and Floyd County community, creating generations of memories while supporting local organizations and providing a place where people can gather to celebrate the very best of Northwest Georgia.

24

Photo by Kate Walton

goodnewscm.com // September 2026

The fair continues to honor its rich heritage while introducing new attractions and experiences that keep visitors returning year after year.

One of the featured attractions for 2026 will be the spectacular Pirates of the Caribbean Show, a thrilling high-flying trapeze performance that combines daring acrobatics, breathtaking stunts, and swashbuckling adventure.

Back by popular demand, Jurassic World returns as an exciting attraction featuring remarkably lifelike dinosaurs that appear to have stepped straight out of prehistory.

Of course, no visit to the Coosa Valley Fair would be complete without the sights, sounds, and excitement of the midway. Wade Shows will once again bring an impressive lineup of rides, games, and classic fair foods.

The fair also continues its proud tradition of showcasing the talents and accomplishments of local residents through the Arts and Crafts Competition. Entry information and competition details are available on the Coosa Valley Fair website.

Photo by Kate Walton

Entertainment will be found throughout the fairgrounds all week long, including encounters with a strolling magician who will create moments of surprise and laughter around every corner.

Community involvement remains at the heart of the Coosa Valley Fair experience. The fair's popular pageants will once again provide contestants of all ages with the opportunity to participate in one of the fair's most beloved traditions.

Adding even more excitement to the week will be Spirit Night, featuring local cheerleaders who will bring enthusiasm, energy, and hometown pride to the fairgrounds.

Beyond the headline attractions, visitors will find everything that has made the Coosa Valley Fair a regional favorite for decades. Community exhibits, local businesses, agricultural displays, fine arts, photography exhibits, and educational displays all combine to create an experience that celebrates the people, talents, and traditions of Rome and Floyd County.

The 2026 Coosa Valley Fair is more than just an event it is a celebration of community, family, and tradition.

Whether you're returning to relive favorite memories or experiencing the fair for the first time, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

Mark your calendars now for October 6-10, 2026, and make plans to join us in Rome, Georgia, for another unforgettable year of fun, excitement, and hometown pride at the Coosa Valley Fair - Fall's Finest Festival.

Charles Norris , 2026 President Coosa Valley Fair Association

For more information visit:

www.coosavalleyfair.com 25

Gò0dNews for Kids

In All Seasons

by Brittany Crabtree

Fall is a beautiful season! Maybe it is your favorite one! It is a time when we go back to school, start a new routine, see the changing colors in the leaves, and hang out with family and friends around a bonfire or at a football game. There are many things to celebrate and enjoy in the fall, but there can also be many changes. Sometimes when things change, it can be scary! A lot of times, changes can be good, but they can also be challenging.

Have you ever felt nervous about starting a new school year?

Have you ever been afraid to try something new? Does it make you feel anxious when things around you change?

If so, you are not alone! When we go through new seasons and changes in our own lives, it can be overwhelming and make us feel afraid. Sometimes we don’t want things to change even if it is for our good. In these new seasons and in times when we are scared, the Lord is there to comfort us with His presence. Jesus is there to walk with us through new and changing seasons.

Psalm 23:1-3 NIV says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.”

The passage of Psalm 23 reminds us that just as a shepherd cares for his sheep, the Lord cares for each of us. When we go through a hard time or something happens in our life that is scary, the Lord is there to give us just what we need and bring peace into our lives. When we are anxious, He can help us to rest. When we face a challenge, He provides strength.

When we are afraid, He can help us feel calm. In our relationship with Jesus, we can walk through new changes and seasons with confidence!

As you begin a new school year with a new class and teacher, know that Jesus is with you. If you are nervous about trying new things this fall, Jesus can give you strength. If things are changing with your family or your friends, Jesus is there to comfort you and remind you that you are not alone. Luke 15 tells us that Jesus, the Shepherd, leaves the 99 sheep to go find the one that is lost. Jesus is continuing to pursue you because He loves you!

I hope that even in times of change, you can see the beauty all around you, just like the changing of the leaves in the fall, because of Jesus. You can pray to God and share with Him everything that is surrounding you and how you feel. Jesus will be there to comfort you and remind you that God can use all things for His good and His glory. In all seasons, He is our peace and our shepherd.

Brittany Crabtree is the Public Kids Director and women's ministry leader at Public Church in Cleveland, TN. She has a heart for Gospel-centered community and studying the word of God. Brittany enjoys traveling to new places and spending time with family and friends.

26

goodnewscm.com // September 2026

FALL’S FINEST FESTIVAL

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27

Gò0dNews for Athletes

Running With Him

by Bill Silvers

July 2026 is my birthday month. At 88 years old, most people are slowing down. I’m speeding up.

I never considered myself a runner.

I’ll be honest: I don’t even like to walk.

But at 81, God placed something unexpected on my heart. He called me to run.

It didn’t make much sense then, and some days it still doesn’t. I’ve learned that when God calls, the best response isn’t understanding, but obedience.

What started with 5K races has turned into something far greater than I ever imagined. In June 2025, I competed in my first USA Track and Field Masters Championship. I finished fourth in the nation in the 400 meter and fifth in the 200 meter.

I was also blessed to run with an amazing team in the relays, where we brought home the gold in the 4x100m, 4x400m, and 4x800m.

Later at the Kentucky Senior Game, I competed against athletes from 13 states and placed first in the 1500m, 800m, 400m, and 200m. I even won the 50m by just 0.02 seconds!

One of the greatest challenges wasn’t just the competition. It was the pace: five races, two and a half hours, very little recovery time. That day reminded me of something important: if we never push ourselves, we may never see what 28

God is capable of doing through us.

Training for those moments didn’t happen overnight. I committed six days a week to preparation, spending hours at the gym, on the basketball court, and walking through the North Georgia mountains. Those walks became more than exercise; they became encounters with God. Along those quiet paths, my prayer life changed. I had always done most of the talking. When you spend hours alone with God, surrounded by His creation, you begin to listen. And in that listening, I found strength not just for running, but for life.

Running, for me, is no longer just physical. It’s spiritual. The apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 9:24–25 NIV, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize… They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” That Scripture reshaped how I see every race. I’m not just chasing a finish line.

I’m pursuing something eternal.

When the races get hard, I hold on to the promise of Isaiah 40:31 NIV: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary.” I’ve felt that renewal. There have been moments when my body said stop, but God said keep going.

People sometimes look at what I’ve accomplished and focus on the medals. The real victory isn’t in what I’ve won. It’s in what I’ve learned: • It’s never too late to start something new.

• Obedience can lead you places you never planned to go.

• What feels impossible in your own strength becomes possible when you trust God. James 1:12 NIV reminds us, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” That promise keeps me moving forward, both on the track and in life.

At 88, I’m still running. Not because I have to, but because I’m called to.

If there’s one thing I hope others see in my journey, it’s this: you’re never too old, too late, or too unlikely for God to use.

Bill Silvers from Ellijay, Georgia, began running competitively at age 81. He runs to the glory of God!

goodnewscm.com // September 2026

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Gò0dNews for your Taste Buds

A Sweet START TO APPALACHIAN AUTUMN

Cast Iron Apple Fritters

Sweet, spiced, and perfect for the season’s first apples

Ingredients:

September in the Smoky Mountains is a season of in-between. The air is cooler in the mornings, but warm by afternoon. Goldenrod paints the fields, and the green hills begin to blush with hints of red and rust. It’s the month when summer lingers, but fall knocks at the door.

1 cup all-purpose flour

And nothing says September in the mountains quite like apples. All across the region, orchard trees begin to droop with fruit—crisp, tart, red-andgold apples that taste like the turn of the season. In mountain communities, it’s a time of canning and cider-making, of hayrides and festivals, of handing a child a paring knife and letting them help peel apples for pie.

¼ teaspoon nutmeg

But one of the most delightful—and easiest—ways to enjoy those first apples is with a batch of cast-iron apple fritters. Lightly crisped on the outside and soft on the inside, these fritters are laced with cinnamon and dotted with chunks of sweet apple. They’re fried golden-brown in a skillet and finished with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of glaze.

¼ cup sugar 1½ teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon cinnamon ⅓ cup milk 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup peeled and finely chopped apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well) Vegetable oil for frying Optional Glaze: ½ cup powdered sugar 1–2 tablespoons milk Dash of vanilla

If you imagine, you can hear the sound of a grandmother’s voice on a chilly September morning: “Go grab a few apples off the porch basket—we’ll make fritters before the sun hits the hill.” The generations before us didn’t follow a recipe, just used their hands and instinct. With or without a recipe, the spirit is the same: simple, seasonal, and meant to be shared.

Instructions:

Fritters are best served warm, alongside a mug of coffee or spiced cider. Whether you’re feeding your family on a lazy Saturday or sharing with neighbors after Sunday service, this recipe captures the heart of early Appalachian autumn.

Heat 1–2 inches of oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium heat. When oil is hot (about 350°F), drop batter by heaping tablespoons into the oil. Do not overcrowd the skillet.

These fritters are more than just a sweet treat.

They’re a reminder that even as seasons change, some things—like warm kitchens, family traditions, and the taste of mountain apples— stay delightfully the same.

30

In a medium bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

In another bowl, beat together milk, egg, and vanilla. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry just until combined. Fold in chopped apples.

Fry 2–3 minutes per side or until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to paper towels to drain.

If desired, mix glaze ingredients and drizzle over warm fritters—or simply dust with powdered sugar. goodnewscm.com // September 2026

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Gò0dNews Poetry

It’s a New Day

by Kristen West

It’s a new day…

Thank You for Your mercies and kindness.

Thank You for Jesus and His unwavering love.

Thank You for never giving up on me.

(Lamentations 3:22-23) It’s a new day…

Help me to pick up my cross and follow You, Not because it’s easy or popular But because it’s good and right.

(Matthew 16:24-26) It’s a new day…

Help me to see people through Your eyes, Respond to people like You would, And love them like You do.

(I John 4:19-21) It’s a new day…

I choose to lay all my cares at Your feet.

Help me not pick them back up.

You are the only One strong enough to carry them.

(I Peter 5:7) It’s a new day…

Use me to encourage someone today; To show them who Jesus really is, And to reflect Your heart in a meaningful way.

(Hebrews 10:24-25) It’s a new day…

Please fill me with Your Spirit; Arm me with Your Word; Surround me with Your favor.

(Galatians 5:22-23; Psalm 5:12) It’s a new day…

I surrender all.

I choose You. I love You. (John 15:5) This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)

Kristen West works at Rock Bridge Community Church with a heart for staff leadership, development, and care. She is a communicator with a passion to inspire, encourage, and challenge others in their daily walk with Christ. She writes and publishes weekly content on her blog at kristen-west.com.

32

goodnewscm.com // September 2026

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Gò0dNews for Discovering More

A Picture’s Worth MORE THAN a Thousand Words

by Garrett Nudd

Laughter filled the gallery.

Congratulations echoed between the exposed brick walls. Well-wishes rolled across the century-old original pine floors. The walls proudly displayed our best work—portraits of perfect families and weddings from around the world. Each one had been carefully curated to showcase our creative vision and commitment to providing quality custom one-of-a-kind artwork unlike anything that was currently available in our community.

It was an eclectic location on Main Street in the heart of Chattanooga’s Southside. The urban area was poised for promise, but it wasn’t going to happen overnight. We were driving the change.

Well, I don’t know if we were technically the drivers per se, but at least we were on the bus. And we had paid dearly for our seats.

It was all quite an investment.

Nevertheless, we were trend setters.

Pioneers. Risk takers. This is what we had worked for, and it felt great!

over the front desk. Our neighbors loved the new sign out front. Several of them commented on it and that made me feel good.

Validation is so important. They were rooting for us. Perhaps our success would impact theirs.

That's one of the beautiful things about community.

In the back of our studio, we had a sign that reminded us of our purpose—an unofficial mission statement that kept us on track.

Our business is photography, but it is no more important than a smile, hug, or kind word.

Our mission, goal, and purpose is to make people feel good about themselves.

That is far more important than the craft of photography.

If we make people feel special, they will like us. And if they like us, our business will take care of itself.

In my time as a photographer, I learned that way too many people, We had a new name: Cobblestone unfortunately, see themselves as Rue. And a new sign. Two signs less than. It was our unwritten actually. Both hand-crafted by a local mission to work and push and use steel artisan. We had paid dearly for our position to influence people for those too. But you gotta have a sign, MORE THAN. That was our MORE right? And if one sign is good, two THAN. We gave more of ourselves signs must be better. One sign hung during those ten years than I over the front door and the other could’ve ever imagined, but the 34

results were absolutely beautiful.

Our clients gave us MORE THAN and they allowed us to give MORE THAN, and – even though we closed the photography studio in exchange for more traditional work that would allow me to be home on the weekends with my family – for that we will always be grateful.

The psalmist wrote, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalms 37:4). I saw that promise as an invitation for MORE THAN and I claimed that promise regularly. I didn’t know what I’d do if God made good on His promise, but I thought it sure would be fun to find out.

What passion or pursuit do you have that is nagging at your heart?

Do you have a project or product or service you would like to unleash to the world?

What steps can you take today to move yourself closer to achieving that exciting goal?

Remember, your MORE THAN dream deserves to be shared, and the world is waiting for you.

This excerpt from Garrett’s book, MORE THAN Discovering How Your Story Reveals God’s Beautiful Truth About You, is adapted to our format and used with permission.

goodnewscm.com // September 2026

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Gò0dNews Business Spotlight

BACK TO THE LIFE SHE LOVES

How Shift Therapy & Wellness Helped Melissa Find Her Way Back A family vacation in Europe was supposed to be about making memories with her kids. Instead, one uneven step leaving a castle changed everything.

Melissa felt a pop in her ankle and went down. She didn't want an injury to take over the trip. "I didn't want to ruin my family's vacation," she says. "For 12 days, I powered through the pain because I didn't want my kids to see how much I was hurting."

Her ankle swelled and turned purple that night. She iced and elevated it, assuming it would heal on its own. It didn't. Back home, the pain continued for six more weeks, and driving, keeping up with her kids, even chores became things she had to plan around.

Then nerve pain appeared in her arm, with numbness and weakness. As a mom, she pushed through both, until she decided she was done waiting. "I wanted to be proactive about getting better," she says, "and most importantly, be active with my kids again."

More Than She Expected From Physical Therapy "I pictured physical therapy as going somewhere,

doing some exercises, and leaving," Melissa says. Her experience at Shift was nothing like that.

From the beginning, she felt truly listened to. Her treatment was one-on-one, built around her goals, not a generic routine. "What really surprised me was how much they listened," she says. "They took the time to understand what I wanted to get back to doing." That mattered even more once she started treatment for her arm. She never felt like just another patient.

Care Built Around Her Life Melissa worked with Clint on her ankle and Matt on her arm, the same two therapists every visit. "They're kind, caring, extremely knowledgeable," she says.

"I always felt like they genuinely cared about my progress." It wasn't about getting through another appointment. It was about people who understood what she wanted back: her family and the everyday moments she'd taken for granted. "I honestly looked forward to coming back to Shift," she says. "I felt like I was working with people who truly cared about helping me get back to the things I love."

Photo by Kate Walton

36

goodnewscm.com // September 2026

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There wasn't one dramatic moment when Melissa knew she was better. She just noticed things getting easier: playing outside with her kids, traveling, keeping up, without thinking about what her pain might stop her from doing. "I felt like myself again," she says, "present with my family, focused on making memories."

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Gò0dNews for Seniors

Casting Shadows

by Dorothy Teague

Today is Labor Day, the last summer holiday. As I sit and watch the boaters, my mind drifts back to the days when I was out there skiing and flying around on my jet ski. Doesn’t seem so long ago, but then I realize how much time has come and gone! Those days passed so quickly! With the end of long sun-drenched days comes crisper, cooler weather and shorter daylight hours.

When summer gives way to fall, I can’t help but think about life and how fleeting it is.

Being a poetry lover, I think about how some of the great poets describe one’s life as a day. The morning is the early part of life and “the setting of the sun” is the closing of life. When I was young, I didn’t stop to think about the hours of my life ticking away. I thought I had “all the time in the world.” But as I’ve gotten older, I am more conscious of my age and the time I possibly have left.

The Bible speaks about the fleeting nature of life. James 4:14 NKJV asks the question, “For what is your life?”

That is a somber question for all of us to ask ourselves.

What does our life consist of? Have we laid up treasures in Heaven through doing good deeds and serving our fellow man? Or do we have selfishness and pride written into the story of our life? The answer James tells us is that “It is even a vapor, that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” Job 8:9 NIV says: “our days on earth are a shadow.” This is a metaphor, comparing how short our lives are to a nonsubstance thing such as a shadow, but it really started me thinking about whether I have made a difference in my life.

In every season and time of our lives, we cast physical shadows. We cast longer shadows when the sun is low in the sky whether it be in the early morning, late afternoon, or early evening. It has to do with the angle of the sun, the time of day, the season, and the distance from the light source. Just as we cast physical shadows on the ground, we also cast our spiritual shadow or influence upon others we walk this life with.

Taking the poet’s analogy a step further, if we start early in life to do good and the will of the Father, we will have a longer time to cast our shadow on this world. But it is interesting to note that one of the factors of a longer shadow is that the closer an object is to a light source, the larger the shadow. So, the closer we are to the “Son,” our light source as Christians, the longer our shadow will be cast upon this world to make a difference.

Our time on earth is short in the grand scheme of things, so what we do with our time really matters! Do we live it for selfish gain or do we give of ourselves to help others? We should live a life that is pleasing to God, one that honors Him with our actions, time, and gifts. What we spend our time on is where our shadow will fall.

How will YOU cast your shadow for HIM? Dorothy Teague is a Tennessee native, who resides in McMinn County with her husband, Lewis, on their farm. After completing 31.5 years as a teacher in the Bradley County School System, she is active in her church at Eastanallee Baptist Church where she is a member of the choir and praise team.

38

goodnewscm.com // September 2026

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Gò0dNews for Everyone They are everywhere I look: on doors, windows, tables, cabinets, and in stores. I mean, everywhere we go they are there. We all have them and we all leave them everywhere we go, on everything we touch.

Fingerprints

by Jona Kuykendall

Have you ever noticed them? Do they drive you crazy trying to keep them off the refrigerator or light switches? They do me, but let’s stop just for a minute and think about them.

My grandson came to visit me one day when he was about four years old and left me a big one right smack on the front door. But for some reason when I went to clean it up, I just could not bring myself to wipe that one away so quickly.

That one was special.

You know who else has fingerprints? God! He leaves them all over the place.

I have learned to recognize them and I now enjoy finding them in random places.

Fingerprints are small reminders we were there. Someone has gone before you and you are not alone.

Genesis 26:24 tells us that God says, “I am with you and I will bless you.”

Also, Matthew 28:20 tells us that God says, “I am with you always.”

See? Fingerprints are small and easily missed in our day-to-day lives. They are perfectly round and sparkly and so beautiful in the morning sun.

And what about the perfectly paired colors in the sky? The Lord so gently placed them there. He’s just waiting for you to notice them.

Take a moment to say, “I see you, God. I know you are near.”

And how about when you find five dollars in your pocket on the day you need it most? See? That’s so small, yet so big.

The Lord puts His fingerprints there intentionally all around you and me. They remind us that He sees us as small as we are compared to the universe. He sees.

He knows us. He hears us when we talk to Him. The next time you see a flower or even the oh-so pretty colors of the fall, even a little unexpected, tiny, much-needed thing, take time to thank Him for reminding you that He is with you and thank Him for His fingerprints in your life.

Jona is a mother of two girls and has adopted two of her grandchildren. She is a member of Temple church in Cleveland, TN. She enjoys crafts, playing with her children, and writing.

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goodnewscm.com // September 2026

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Gò0dNews for Our Nation

Honoring 9/11 and Healing from Loss

by Sue Lavigne

As we approach the 25th remembrance of that fateful day, September 11th 2001, I would like to share a time of healing for me. My friend’s husband, Robert “Bob” Houtz, lost his daughter, Angela “Angie” Houtz that day at the Pentagon. He wrote a song for her to express his heart and his grief, and several years later I was given the song. With God’s help, I revised it to the words in this article.

Not only did I feel the loss that so many people felt that day, but I also felt a loss that I never expected, the loss of not knowing a father’s love for his daughter. I remember playing this song and weeping as God pulled back the curtain of my emotions to reveal a hurt left by the emptiness of my father’s love for me. The words “Jesus, please hold her till I get there, Please hold my little girl for me,” were expressions of a father’s love for which I had always longed. It meant so much to finally find an expression of a father’s love that I lacked growing up and also knowing that there is a greater love for me in the arms of Jesus.

Maybe there are many of us who have not had the comfort of a father’s love. Maybe there are some of us who have lost a child and have felt the grief of that loss. I pray that this song gives you comfort knowing that those loved ones, in Christ, are truly in the arms of Jesus, our Savior.

42

For Angie byBy Susan Lavigne and Robert Houtz As the smoke filled the air, how could I dare, Even begin to believe That my little girl was gone, my days grew so long Lost in my pain and my grief Then I lifted my eyes, oh Lord I cried Help me, my heart is distressed And Lord, if you please, my sorrow you’d ease If you grant me this one request Chorus: Jesus, please hold her till I get there I don’t know when that will be O’ Jesus, please hold my little girl for me As the years have passed by, we still miss her and cry For she left this world so very young But each time I pray, I get stronger everyday Held in the arms of God’s Love And a peace fills my mind when I dream of the time I’ll take her in my arms once again All the pain will disappear, as I’m holding her near But Lord, until then Jesus, please hold her till I get there I don’t know when that will be O’ Jesus, please hold my little girl Jesus, please hold my little girl O’ Jesus, please hold my little girl for me

I pray that the words of this song and the remembrance of your own heart will help you find peace and comfort in whatever loss you have experienced.

Sue Lavigne is a member of West Rome Baptist Church in Rome, GA, and a Christian speaker and songwriter.

goodnewscm.com // September 2026

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Calling All Wordsmiths!

Interested in writing for GoodNews?

We accept writers of all ages and diciplines!

Guidelines: • Article word count: between 300-500 words • Content: anything! just keep it family friendly with a Christian lens • Submission format: Google Doc or Word • Bio: Tell us about you! 50 word max • Photo: Good quality emailed as a separate file 44

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Email your article, bio, and photo files to Sandra Gilmore at articles.goodnews@gmail.com

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Contact Sandra Gilmore articles.goodnews@gmail.com goodnewscm.com // September 2026

706.232.1086 · ROMEGAS.COM 101 PRIMROSE ROAD SW, ROME, GA 30161

ReStore is a unique thrift store supporting the mission of Habitat for Humanity – Coosa Valley.

Professional Commercial and

RESTORE RECEIVESResidential AND SELLS Propane Gas Services

APPLIANCES FLOORING CABINETS FURNITURE We are a dependable and local family business DOORS HARDWARE that has been serving our community since 2012.

ELECTRICAL HOME DÉCOR We have built a reputable name for ourselves in

HOUSEWARES DÉCOR Offering high-quality SEASONAL propane equipment and services to homes and businesses at reasonable rates since 1989.

LIGHTING TOOLS We are committed to decreasing your energy costs and LUMBER WINDOWS safely powering your property with propane.

PLUMBING AND MORE...

the waste removal community and we are always ready and available when YOU need us.

504 East First Ave Rome, GA 30161 | habitatcoosavalley.org Easy donation drop-off and FREE pick-up of large items.

We offerCall roll-off dumpster today to schedule a and free pick-up of your donations: 706.378.5957 Hours of load Operation: Tuesdayrentals.

- Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm & Saturday 9:00am - 2:00pm front-end dumpster Habitat for Humanity – Coosa Valley

Habitat for Humanity ReStore – Rome GA

@hfhcoosavalley

TRUCK BED LINERS

STEP BARS

VAN & FLEET UPFIT

TONNEAU COVERS

LIFT KITS

TRAILER HITCHES

TOOL BOXES

WHEELS & TIRES

AND MORE

20 ARMUCHEE CONNECTOR, ROME, GA 30161 706.584.7687 45

Rome’s Oldest Family Owned Independent Pharmacy

• Fast, Friendly Service • Drive Thru Window • Delivery Service • Home Medical Equipment

(706) 291-0999 710 North Fifth Avenue Rome, Georgia 30165

SINCE 1972 W E A C C E P T M O S T 3 R D PA R T Y P L A N S 46

goodnewscm.com // September 2026

BURGESS INSURANCE SERVICES 222 N Family-owned 5TH AVE. and Local Fort Oglethorpe • 706.866.8283 ROME,garythackerinsurance.com GA 30165 706-234-5680

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Innovative Therapies, Compassionate Care.

See the DIFFERENCE Memory Care can make.

Memory Care at The Spires at Berry College has been intentionally designed to provide a specialized, secure and supportive environment for those with memory loss. Every day is full of opportunities for a more connected, more purposeful way of life — not to mention expert caregivers and a progressive care curriculum.

Discover the many ways your loved one can benefit from Memory Care at The Spires: • Family-style dining featuring multiple entrée selections with fresh, wholesome ingredients • Dedicated horticulture therapist–led gardening programs with hands-on activities in the courtyard • Emphasis on individualized attention and family involvement • Secure outdoor courtyard featuring winding paths, raised garden beds and inviting seating areas • Purposeful programming that incorporates art, music and personal interaction • Intuitive neighborhood design promoting safety, comfort and easy navigation

600 Eagle Lake Trail | Rome, GA 30165

We welcome you to visit our beautiful, uplifting community to experience it for yourself — call 706-524-0600 or visit RetireAtBerry.com.

Independent Living • Assisted Living • Memory Care • Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation 48

goodnewscm.com // September 2026