V3 Grand Fall 2019

Quarterly Senior Living Magazine by V3 Publications

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Fall 2019

Lead Me To The Crosswalk School Crossing Guard, Emma Brown, spends each and every day making sure her students get to school safely.

Grasp

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NINA LOVEL

life

with both

hands When our daily routines are interrupted by hand injuries, life stops in its tracks. But at Harbin Clinic, Orthopedic Hand Surgeons Dr. Stephen Klasson and Dr. Jarrad Barber use cutting edge, fellowship-trained medicine to accelerate healing for hands, wrists and elbows. We care completely about helping you gain back control of all you hold dear.

That way, you can continue to seize the day and live your healthiest life.

Serving patients in both Rome and Cartersville, the Hand Center at Harbin Clinic Orthopedics will help you get back in motion.

Drs. Stephen Klasson & Jarrad Barber ORTHOPEDIC HAND SURGEONS

ORTHOPEDICS HARBIN CLINIC

762.235.2690

harbinclinic.com 2

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Perpetual Care.

It’s not just important, it’s our Promise!

NINA LOVEL

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ISSUE 12

Published in Fall 2019

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OWNE R + C EO Ian Griffin

W HERE THE HEART IS

Mary Wilbanks, Food Service Director at Renaissance Marquis, knows that food and family go together like biscuits and gravy.

M AG A Z INE D E S IGN Elizabeth Childers Ellie Borromeo

H ERE AND NOW

For every first time there is a last time, and according to Nina Lovel, this is not always a bad thing. Because the future cannot be known, our best lives are made by recognizing windows of opportunity as they open and living with gratitude in the needs of today.

EXECU TIV E P H OTO GRA PHE R Cameron Flaisch C O NTRIBU TING P H OTO GRA PHE RS Jason Huynh

G ROWING GRAY IN GEORGIA

We know it can be difficult to talk to loved ones about in-home care, but ComForCare Home Care offers solutions that will help make these future conversations a little bit easier.

E D I TO RIA L MA NAGE R McKenzie Todd

W HERE AMAZING THINGS HAPPEN

C ON T R IBU TING E D ITO R Oliver Robbins, Jr.

Stepping inside a medical facility can give you the best idea of how well it works for those people it serves, and this volunteer has seen the light on the path of getting and staying well at Rome Health and Rehab.

W RITE RS Ashlee Bagnell DeMarcus Daniel Nina Lovel McKenzie Todd

Feature 18

A D S A LE S Chris Forino

S ENIOR PROFILE

Charles Wimpee, an 85-years young retiree, found a new passion for art during his time at Affinity Living Group’s the Gardens of Rome.

A D D E S IGN Elizabeth Childers Ellie Borromeo

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P U BLIS HE R V3 Publications, LLC

V ETERAN PROFILE

Jim Sturwold, an “Indianhead” who served during World War II, recalls incredible moments during his three years deployed and how those moments made him who he is today, a great American hero.

CO NTACT 417 Broad Street Rome, Georgia 30161 706-235-0748 v3publications@gmail.com

H OT WHEELS

Howard Irvin, a retired veteran and police officer, has been buying and selling Chevy Bel Airs all his life, but his most recent purchase of a red 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air has him holding on to this hot rod of a car for good.

CALENDAR Fall 2019

R EA DV3.CO M

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LIFE IS GRAND

Elm Street Elementary School’s Crossing Guard, Emma Brown, helps students who walk to school cross safely and has for over 21 years.

Want to be featured in Life is Grand or recommend someone for a senior profile?

Please contact us!

We're looking for suggestions and participants from our senior community.

Email v3publications@gmail.com

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It's All In Our Name...

nissan • gmc • buick • honda HeritageRome.com • RomeNissan.com • HeritageRomeHonda.com R E A D V 3 . C O M FA L L 2 0 1 9 706.291.2277

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NINA LOVEL MARQUIS RENAISSANCE

A Seat at the Table Where The Heart Is with Renaissance Marquis

AS THE DIRECTOR OF FOOD SERVICES, Mary Wilbanks knows the importance of healthy and nutritious meals for the residents at Renaissance Marquis. She also recognizes the benefits of a good home-cooked southern meal and what that can mean to the people she feeds every day. Wilbanks and her team work tirelessly to bring, not only delicious food, but a sense of family to each and every meal.

Wilbanks starts her day at five in the morning to check-in on the breakfast staff and ensure that they have everything they need before she begins her favorite part of her job: talking with the residents.

Breakfast is Wilbanks’s favorite because she has the opportunity to connect with her favorite people before they begin their funfilled day at Renaissance Marquis. After breakfast, preparations 6

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immediately begin for lunch, and due to the volume of residents, there are three different rotations for lunch. In order to keep everyone satisfied, Wilbanks rotates menus and makes sure that she listens to the residents about what they want to eat. Right now, all residents are loving her homemade Brunswick stew.

But it’s not just about food for Wilbanks.

Family mealtime is all about connecting and strengthening relationships. Wilbanks has a large family herself, so she knows first-hand how vital it is to have that family setting even when living apart from your own. Her heart for the people at Renaissance Marquis has always been for them to feel as at home as possible. She may watch the sodium every now and then and she does cater to those residents with special food

RENAISSANCE MARQUIS NINA LOVEL

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requirements, but this home-cook knows that all you need for a family meal is delicious comfort food and good conversation.

By investing time with the residents during meals and treating them like their own family, Wilbanks and the staff know how to make every meal feel and taste like home.

Are you ready for a family meal? The team at Renaissance Marquis is ready to assist you whenever we can. Call us at (706) 295-0014 or visit our website (www.renaissancemarquis.com) for more information.

the Roseberry

Independent Living | Personal Care | Memory Care

Emily Leffew, Executive Director Ben Baker, Marketing Director

510 Broad Street, Rome, GA • 706.314.9544 GetJamwiched.com • Mon 11am-3pm, Tues to Sat 8am-3pm

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NINA LOVEL

Here We Are At Last Here and Now with Nina Lovel

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NINA LOVEL

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU DID SOMETHING FOR THE LAST TIME? In my last column, I challenged you to try something for the first time, and I have loved hearing from some of you who took it to heart. New adventures were shared and my challenge goal was met!

Leading by example, I presented my friend Kristie with the opportunity to join me for a Coosa River Basin Initiative (CRBI) guided trip on a river she’d never

paddled before. Kristie started paddling a year ago and has taken to it well. She had done about six trips on our local Etowah stretches, so I considered her ready to try a favorite six-mile stretch of “Georgia’s Other Chattooga River”—the one that flows through Chattooga County on its way to Weiss Lake.

Gena Agnew introduced me to the Chattooga some decades back and I have spent countless unforgettable days there with Gena and friends. Perhaps my fondness for the river caused me to oversell it to Kristie a little bit.

Because it is so small, the Chattooga is a different paddling experience from our urban Etowah. It is much smaller, with frequent shallow spots and shoals. Trees that fall from the bank will reach all the way across it. While beautiful, this is not a river you can relax on. Shallows must be scooted over, obstacles paddled around, and attention paid at all times.

About twenty minutes into the trip, Kristie was not a happy paddler. Negotiating a kayak around a fallen tree was a skill I had neglected to teach her. She found the shallow spots disconcerting and the twists, turns and trees, terrifying. From a couple of boat-lengths ahead of me she called out, “Hey Nina, you know how you wrote about first times? Well, this is a LAST TIME!” I was so mad at myself ! I hate for anyone to have a bad experience on a river, especially when I’m the one who caused it. Kristie’s apprehension was making me uneasy; the whole day was headed south in a handbasket.

To her credit, Kristie learned quickly and gained confidence, and the day ended with the best possible outcome: she actually mentioned doing it again, “…but not until next year.” This last time was averted, but it was a very close call.

Last times are a mixed bag. They can be happily anticipated, like the last time you hit “send” on a company email, shut down your workstation and head happily into a well-planned retirement. Or they can be heartbreaking moments, holding the hand of a loved one when you know

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their time is short. Many last times are bittersweet, with poignant memories that briefly gather before rolling into a hopeful future. Graduations are of this stripe, generating “happy-tears” over changing relationships tempered with hope for the future.

Like a kid looking for hidden Christmas presents (which I may or may not have ever done), I long for a peek at things to come.

There’s an imaginary window that opens to my future, and sometimes I stand on my tiptoes and peer through it, hoping to glimpse at what lies ahead. I can see some sunshine, but my future first and last times are just out there in the fog.

What’s to be done?

This question is well asked (and answered below) by my most favorite of all writers, Frederick Buechner:

“It is the first day because it has never been before and the last day because it will never be again. Be alive if you can all through this day today of your life. What's to be done?”

- The Alphabet of Grace One thing to do is know that there are many life windows that we can see through.

When we waste energy gazing into the foggy future, we neglect the ones we have today. Our very best lives can only be lived by embracing the windows of today. Here’s the story of my perfect summer window.

My summer vacation was perfect this year because the window of time was right for it to happen just the way it did.

When the Lovel kids were young, we enjoyed cruise vacations with family friends Randy, Sandy, Matthew and Beth Davis.

Happy memories still abound, to the extent that my daughter Jessica promised my precious granddaughter Maddie that we would take her on a family cruise as soon as R E A D V 3 . C O M FA L L 2 0 1 9 G R A N D

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NINA LOVEL

she outgrew summer camp. It’s amazing how quickly an elevenyear-old can mature when presented with that kind of option; we booked the cruise in March. My son Jedd and his family-to-be agreed to come along, and in July, this matriarch boarded the Carnival Fantasy accompanied by the most beloved people in my life: three young adults and two little girls, ages 7 and 11.

The timing was perfect. The girls got along famously, as did the rest of us, and we relaxed into five days of deck pools, beaches, stingray excursions and, of course, food. The youngest was a trooper, hanging in for all the activities and responsibly handling the modicum of freedom that children may enjoy on a boat. We all agreed that a child younger than seven would have required more maintenance, and we talked of taking another cruise someday.

Then, along came Tropical Storm Barry.

To the captain’s credit, we were steered away from most of the wind and rain, but Barry had the whole Gulf of Mexico in a tizzy. Our last day at sea was spent plowing through three-foot whitecap swells; many shipmates retired to their rooms. The bistros and pools were no longer crowded. Thanks to being “medically prepared,” we were among the ones still standing, but we (along with our remaining ambulatory shipmates) walked like we’d spent the whole day at the Red Frog Rum Bar. Late that night, the captain announced that we would not be able to dock as planned; the Port of Mobile had closed due to the storm surge.

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After we enjoyed thirty extra hours of circling in the frisky Gulf, the port reopened, the boat docked, we strode happily onto terra firma and the Lovel Family Cruise Window slammed shut for the next seven years. It was our last time as the family that had started the cruise, but not for any sad reason. It’s because (drum roll) …we’re expecting little Baby Boy Lovel in December! By the time BBL reaches the agreed-upon-cruise-maturity age of seven, these little girls will be in high school and college! We’ll never be the same family. Life marches on. Babies are born. Children grow up. Tomorrow is not promised, and we’ll never see into that fog.

I am grateful for this summer’s window. I am grateful for the love and health of my family, and for the anticipation of new life. I am grateful that I may share these thoughts with you as a reminder to watch for our windows and fling them open when we can.

What’s to be done? Continued from above, Buechner answers his own question:

“Follow your feet. Put on the coffee.

Start the orange juice, the bacon, the toast.

Then go wake up your children and your wife. Think about the work of your hands.

Live in the needs of the day.

—Frederick Buechner

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519 BROAD ST. SUITE 101/103 Rome, Ga • 706.584.7816 amanda@farrellsframeanddesign.com www.FarrellsFrameAndDesign.com

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Get to know us at aarp.org/ga.

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@AARPGA

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COMFORCARE

Handle with Care Growing Gray in Georgia

with ComForCare Home Care TALKING ABOUT IN-HOME CARE You’ve noticed signs that your parent or other family member needs assistance at home, but the thought of discussing it with them is upsetting and distressing.

When is the best time to talk about home care assistance?

How do you talk about it without hurting them? Is it even possible to have a positive discussion about it?

PROACTIVE CONVERSATION

While it can be difficult to talk to loved ones about home care, putting off the conversation could mean risking an emergency situation such as an accident or illness. It’s important to have the discussion before an incident occurs. Start the conversation with your loved one in a casual way, opening them up to sharing their needs and their desires regarding home care and their future.

HOME CARE ADVANTAGE

In many cases, your older loved one knows that they need help with home care tasks but may be uncomfortable asking for assistance. He or she may feel that asking would be an imposition or may be concerned that the recommended course of action would mean losing their home and moving into a nursing home or assisted living facility. Suggesting home care assistance may actually be a welcome relief.

HOME CARE DISCUSSION TIPS

Here are some tips for talking with loved ones to make these conversations easier:

1.

Start talking with your loved one now. You will have more time, more options and a better chance of helping them to stay at home if you address issues before they become serious problems. Your loved one may also avoid pain, limitations and hospital admissions by getting home care help now.

2. Ask questions and listen. Share what you have observed

and ask questions about what they think is causing problems 12

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and what they suggest for solutions. Listening is important, as older loved ones often feel cornered in these conversations and may become defensive if their opinions are ignored.

3.

Talk as you would to any other adult. Do not patronize or speak to them like they’re children. Approach them as equals, with respect and consideration, and you will get a much better response. You need your parents to work with you to find solutions.

4. Emphasize your desire to help your loved one stay

independent. What older adults fear most is losing their independence. If they know you want to help them maintain their independence, they will be more likely to participate in finding a solution.

5. Provide reassurance and speak with compassion. Let

your loved one know that you will still be around, and that seeking home care assistance is not an attempt to replace your relationship. Home care assistance can ease the pressure on the whole family, which could help make it easier to enjoy one another’s time, rather than worrying over home chores and safety concerns.

For more information about Home Care services, please give us a call today at 706-622-3065. We answer our phones 24/7 in order to provide our clients with the highest level of support possible. We would love to come to you or your loved one and discuss our services during our free sofa visit. Learn more at www.ComForCare.com.

COMFORCARE

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Remembrance Village Where everyday is meaningful

Senior Living

Remembrance Village

Premiere Memory Care Community

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ROME HEALTH AND REHAB

Cheers for Volunteers Where Amazing Things Happen with Rome Health and Rehab Text Sydney Champagne

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ROME HEALTH AND REHAB

AS A VOLUNTEER at Rome Health and Rehab, I was provided the opportunity to witness and be a part of the facility on an intimate level. From the exceptional nursing and dietary care to the therapy and activities programs, Rome Health and Rehab encompasses the elements that make an inspiring and skilled nursing facility, creating a positive experience for both patients and family members.

One of the most notable aspects of Rome Health and Rehab is the nursing care, where treatment extends well beyond standard medical needs. In addition to the nurses providing timely and professional medical assistance, the resident care specialists compliment those efforts with special touches of their own, such as the administration of manicures, hair trims and makeup applications to name a few. This special touch further illustrates the unique nature of the facility by placing emphasis on patient wellbeing medically, as well as personally and emotionally.

In addition to the nursing care, the dietary program of the facility is a second stand out. As a volunteer, I sat alongside the patients during numerous meals that were noticeably prepared with individual needs in mind. Each meal featured different foods with lit tle repetition throughout the week, allowing patients to enjoy a diverse and healthy menu.

Moreover, family members who came to visit patients at the facility were awarded the same treatment, as they were encouraged to enjoy an equally delicious meal alongside their loved ones.

Accompanying the positive experience from the dietary department, Rome Health and Rehab excels in its activity programs. In an effort to keep patients engaged, entertained and witty, the facility incorporates a myriad of games and events including art projects, music classes and most notably, Bingo! Not only does Rome Health and Rehab pull from inside help to create engaging activities, but art volunteers from the

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Rome community are welcomed to spend time with patients as well, creating even more diversity and outside engagement for the patients.

Finally, assisting the nurses, cooks and activities directors, the therapy department uniquely aids in the synergistic efforts to reestablish health for the Rome Health and Rehab patients.

As with any physical therapy program, the physical therapists at Rome Health and Rehab work enthusiastically to bring patients back to their previous state of function, if not better. Beyond that, however, the therapists operated in such a way that allowed each patient to feel optimistically concerning their progressing health as well as educated in how to sustain this new level of wellbeing.

After completing my time as a volunteer, I can firmly say that each department of the facility offers its own unique approach to uplift each patient both physically and emotionally. If you want a chance to feel inspired about your health and that of others, I highly suggest awarding yourself the same opportunity I did and volunteer at the truly inspiring nursing facility that is Rome Health and Rehab.

Denise Champagne, Jennifer Haislip-Lynn, Lisa Thomas

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NINA LOVEL VETERAN PROFILE

Greatest American Hero: Jim Sturwold Veteran Profile Photography Jason Huynh

Text McKenzie Todd

“I ESCAPED DEATH MANY TIMES. But I wouldn’t change a thing about my time in the United States Army because it molded my life in ways that I wouldn’t have thought of,” says Jim Sturwold as he recounts the three strenuous years that he served the U.S. during World War II. Jim Sturwold is currently a resident at Renaissance Marquis who has quite a war story—one that he loves narrating.

Sturwold was an “Indianhead,” which is a nickname for the United States Army’s 2nd Infantry Division who served during World War II. The men who displayed the Indianhead patch, including Sturwold, fought their way through Treviers, Cerisy La Foret and then, in one mighty effort, crushed the powerful Nazi defenses on Hill 192, which was the grassy slope holding up the advance on Saint-Lô.

This is Jim’s story.

“I was born in Connersville, Indiana on March 21, 1921, but I grew up in a Detroit suburb called Lincoln Park,” explains Sturwold when describing his past.

Sturwold enrolled into the service in 1942, starting his basic training at Camp Robinson in Little Rock, Arkansas.

From there he went on to school to become a Corporal so that he could eventually go to Officer Candidate School (OCS).

This is where Sturwold would eventually be trained to gain a commission as an officer in the armed forces.

“I went to Fort Benning for infantry school, completed the courses there and got a commission of 2nd Lieutenant. After bouncing around to different states from camp to camp, I was eventually shipped overseas to Wales where I received more basic training,” he continues. “I joined the second infantry division there as an excess officer—they were building up for the invasion, of course.”

According to Sturwold, the Second Infantry Unit completed their assault training on the beaches of Wales, quite a sight for someone from Detroit.

“When I joined the Second Infantry Division, they had already fought their way up through the hedgerows of 16

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Normandy, up to Saint-Lô to Hill 192, which governed the city of Saint-Lô. This is where my first experience in real combat began,” he explains.

In fact, Sturwold received a Bronze Star for his first attack on Hill 192 at Saint-Lô, an honor that he holds near and dear to his heart.

“Getting back to the battle; we sat there, getting prepared of course, and then we took off in what would be our very first big attack of the breakthrough out of Normandy throughout those hedgerows. We had several close calls to death there; I actually lost about half of my platoon. Fighting through those hedgerows was terrible… it was like fighting in jungles, only worse.

“We continued attacking, day and night, right through Normandy over toward the British lines. By that time, we had trapped a big part of the German army in conjunction with the British army,” Sturwold continues. “From that point on—after a quick pause to recoup— I took our regiment over to Landon Isle, France in Brittany (Bretagne) to capture the city of Brest.

The Germans had their sub-headquarters there. Before we had even got there, however, they had already ruined the port.”

Sturwold and his men then loaded up in box cars and traveled all the way over to Belgium—right at the German line.

According to Sturwold, everyone called this the “quiet sector.”

“Nothing happened when we first got to the quiet sector.

Eisenhower and the rest of the United States thought that we had captured enough of the German army that they were decimated… but they were wrong,” he says.

Sturwold and his men sat at the quiet sector until they were given orders to break through the Siegfried Line and attack, so the Nazis would not flood the dams. “That would have stopped us for months before we could even attempt to get across that much water. But we did break through the Siegfried Line,” says Sturwold.

VETERAN PROFILE

“What the Second Infantry Division has done in the past four days will live on in the history of the United States Army.”

-Lt. General Courtney H. Hodges This quote, among many others, is located within a book “D + 106 to V-E: The Story of the 2nd Division…” compiled by the Public Relation Staff, Headquarters of the 2nd Divison: Lt. Col. Edward W. Wood and Sgt. Raleigh Allsbrook. Struwold carries this book around with him, helping him remember the past that made such an impact on him.

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Of course, Sturwold had to leave a lot of his journeys out; however, one of the moments he remembers most is when the Germans surrendered to his platoon outside of Pilson (Plzeń), Czechoslovakia. The United States had joined forces with the Russians who helped them force what was left of the second army of Germans out of the town, and he remembers discharging some of the German soldiers to go home, as it was farming season and the towns needed their men back to be able to farm for food.

Jim Sturwold was in the service for three years before he traveled back to the United States where he took back his position working for his old company. “I was a salesman in a department store in Detroit; they were waiting on me to get back, which was nice,” says Sturwold.

He eventually changed jobs, which is what led him home to Rome, Georgia where he joined a local carpet company from 1965 until 1983 before retiring to Florida for 30 years with his wife, Mary Sue. The Sturwolds came back to Rome in order to spend time with their children and now grandchildren, which is perhaps what Sturwold loves the most about his story: his family.

Grand is honored to have been able to retell the memories of one of our country’s most precious heroes, and to personally thank Mr. Sturwold for his service.

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A New Coa of Paint Photography Jason Huynh Text Ashlee Bagnell

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at

GRAND FEATURE

CHARLES WIMPEE

“WHEN I WAS A KID, a friend of mine lived on

the next street over from me. One day, I was riding my bicycle and stopped to talk to him. For some reason, he drew a picture of Mickey Mouse on my bicycle seat. I got looking at it, and after that, I kept drawing that picture of Mickey Mouse everywhere. In school, I would sit there and draw pictures and then my teachers would get a hold of it and want to brag on it. They definitely got me more interested in drawing,” says Charles Wimpee as he recounts the beginnings of his passion for drawing. He is currently residing at Affinity Living Group’s the Gardens of Rome in Rome, Georgia and wouldn’t have it any other way.

At the Gardens, Wimpee has the opportunity to spend his days drawing and painting for himself, but the other residents definitely reap the benefits of his artistic genes. “While here, I took art on as sort of a past time,” explains Wimpee. “I would paint three or four paintings and lay them on the front table and 20

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put up a little sign that said, ‘free to take one.’ It wouldn’t be two days and they would all be gone.”

Renee Bowen, who works with Affinity Living Group, realized that Wimpee had a true talent and has worked to promote his work by taking him to Finster Fest at Howard Finster’s Paradise Garden in 2018. More recently, she has been instrumental in helping him set up his own gallery at the Harbin Gallery in Maker’s Village this past July. This has opened up a whole new world for Wimpee. With two of his daughters, Dianne and Brenda, by his side, he breaks down where the inspiration for his paintings come from and how, at 85-years-young, he rekindled his creative side.

Wimpee has a very distinct style. His paintings are always busy, full of life and interesting characters. They are often colorful, and it seems that every time you inspect a painting, you find something that you didn’t notice before. He certainly has a niche, though. “I always draw pictures of the outdoors,” he explains. “My favorite

CHARLES WIMPEE

things to draw are lakes, rivers and people fishing. I used to fish all of the time with my son-in-law. I like horses, I like to draw them like they are running.” One of his daughters, Dianne, points out that her father places a dog in every one of his paintings, one way or another. It’s the little details like these that make Wimpee’s paintings extraordinary.

Initially, Wimpee’s only goal was to paint for himself, but soon after, he started receiving feedback from those that he shared his art with, and his perspective changed. “I’m glad I can do something like this for someone who likes it. The more I see that people like my art, the more I want to do it,” smiles Wimpee. He simply wants to spread joy and share his experiences through his paintings, and with 86 years behind him, Wimpee has a great deal of inspiration.

By far, one of the most prominent themes in Wimpee’s paintings is forms of transportation. From trains inspired by his childhood,

GRAND FEATURE

to a traffic jam in downtown Atlanta. Most Georgia natives have experienced the travesty that is Atlanta traffic, but Wimpee lived it for 35 years as a truck driver. His cross-country journeys have led to some of the most visually interesting paintings in his collection. The vehicles in his paintings range from classic cars to tractor trailers much like his own.

“I was born at number four Railroad Street and they called it that because the engines would come in and switch cars every night,” explains Wimpee. His early years were spent in Lindale, Georgia, just outside of Rome. But if you ask him, Wimpee is a Rome native. “We moved to Rome and I worked in the cotton mill for a year until I turned 17. The next day after my 17th birthday, I went and joined the army,” says Wimpee. “I stayed in the army for almost four years, fighting in the Korean war. When I came back from Korea, I had made it up to Staff Sergeant and they put me

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CHARLES WIMPEE

in a training outfit, and I liked that pretty good. Still, it wasn’t anything like home.”

And Rome has indeed been his favorite place. His happiest times have been here, and he can’t imagine a better home.

Wimpee loves telling the story of when he finally returned from Korea. “When I finally made it back from Korea, I went uptown and met with a sailor friend of mine who was home on leave. We went into a little bar and my wife was sitting there, but she wasn’t my wife yet,” Wimpee smiles.

“She was sitting there with a girlfriend and they were just passing time. I told the waitress to take a beer to that girl over there. The waitress came back and said that that girl over there didn’t drink beer.

I decided that I needed to meet this young lady.

“I invited her to go to downtown to get a picture made,” he continues. “We went and got our picture made. That was the third day. I was looking at the picture and said, ‘Well, me and you look pretty good together.’ I had never thought anything about marriage, but I looked at that picture and all of the sudden, it just popped out…

‘Hey do you want to get married?’ She said, ‘That will be alright with me.’ And on the fifth day, we got married.”

Wimpee lived with Ellen for 61 years, raising seven children: two sons and five daughters. “She was a wonderful person.

We had a good life together. I guess I’ve had a pretty good life,” says Wimpee. Wimpee and Ellen lived in Rome during most of their lives, but they did try and change scenery a few times before finally deciding that Rome was the only place for them.

Wimpee never expected his life to take this turn, especially at this stage. “After Ellen passed away, I moved to the Gardens,” says Wimpee. “These people are really good to me and I still enjoy life. There have been some things that have really amazed me; things I wasn‘t expecting.” But his story proves that life never stops being interesting and dreams can be realized at any age.

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CHARLES WIMPEE

GRAND FEATURE

Life is an Adventure! Come Join US! If you are 50 years young (or older) come enjoy your free time with us — traveling, dining, touring historic sites and more.

Also, enjoy our fee FREE Checking Account, along with FREE River City Bank checks, a FREE 3 x 5 Safe Deposit Box, and more!

Our River City Ramblers are eligible to participate in our fun-filled luncheons and pre-planned group trips!* Simply pack your bag and hop on the motor coach!

For more information contact: Sue White River City Rambers, Coordinator 706.236.3554 *Some restrictions may apply

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SENIOR LIFESTYLE

HOT WHEELS

1955

BEL AIR

Red Hot Ride

Photography Jason Huynh

H

Text DeMarcus Daniel

oward Irvin is a retired military veteran and police officer who was born and raised right here in Rome, Georgia.

“I’ve been in a uniform for all of my life. Whether its Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, football player, Army and as a police officer,” explains Irvin, who finally retired in 2011 to take up two new hobbies. “My favorite pastimes then became riding my horses and working on my car.”

Irvin’s most prized possession is his 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air; a big, red beauty if you’ve never been fortunate enough to lay your eyes on one. He purchased her two years ago after searching for one for months. “It was about half finished so I had to tie up some loose ends, but I also wanted to re-do the car my way, because I wanted it to be my car, and not someone else’s,” he says.

He installed new felt to the interior of the car, had new red carpet placed in the floor to match the red exterior, and also had the most beautiful red, 1955 original upholstery placed into his ‘baby,’ which he so fittingly named ‘Double Nickel.’

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The motor in this masterpiece of an automobile is a 5.7 LS1. Yes, it is the original motor of the 1955 Chevy Bel Air. The car sounds like a modern muscle car when Irvin cranks it up. With 10-inch chrome wheels on the front of the car and 12-inch wheels in the back, the car itself sends you back to the days of sock hops, milk shakes and drive-in movies.

Irvin says he has been purchasing Bel Airs since he was a teenager. “I purchased my first one at 17 years old and all through the years, I’ve always had them and sold them,” he explains. There’s no thought of repeating that pattern with ‘Double Nickel’ though. “I’m going to keep this one. This here’s my baby,” says Irvin, proudly.

Howard Irvin is member of a local car club called the Old School Cruisers. His club hosts car shows of their own, but as a member, Irvin is ineligible for prize consideration. He plans to enter ‘Double Nickel’ into other car shows and, “I hope I start winning prizes with it, soon.”

It won’t be long before Irvin takes home a trophy.

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David Avalos, Charlie Smith, Emma Brown and Billy Adair

OUT AND ABOUT IN ROME

Life is Grand Her Crosswalk to Bear

Text McKenzie Todd Photography Cameron Flaisch Patrolling the busy Shorter Avenue in the mornings at 94-years young, Ms. Emma Brown helps students who walk to school to attend Elm Street Elementary, cross safely and has for over 21 years.

Growing up, Ms. Emma watched her next-door neighbor, Ms. Johnson, go to work every single day as a crossing guard. She is the reason the dedicated public servant decided to pursue her own career.

“When my mother passed in November of 1997," she says, "I decided to take the opening they had in the police department for a crossing guard. I went up there, applied and they hired me. Ms. Johnson worked the Elm Street area and she asked them if they would replace her with me. And I have been here at Elm Street since.”

To Ms. Emma, however, being a crossing guard isn’t just a job. “The school crossing is my happy place. It really is, and I love the kids. I really do,” she smiles.

On top of working as a crossing guard, Ms. Emma trains selected Elm Street sixth-grade students who demonstrate mature, responsible behavior, to serve in the School Safety Patrol as well.

In true Ms. Emma fashion, she wanted the boys (David Avalos, Billy Adair and Charlie Smith) to be the ones recognized for all of their hard work and dedication to safety. “The boys who do School Safety Patrol deserve more recognition than I do. They are outside with me every day, regardless of the weather. They did not leave their post, not once,” she says.

During her time serving as safety patrol, Ms. Emma says she has had “too many children to count” that she will never forget who have made an impact on her as a person.

When people ask her when she is going to retire, Ms. Emma just laughs and says, “Well I’m not planning on it anytime soon!

You see, I just try and live one day at a time.”

Elm Street faculty and staff are so thankful to Ms. Emma for her dedication to their children’s safety.

“God has really blessed me, and he starts blessing me every morning when I wake up,” Ms. Emma smiles. “Every day is a blessing and I am thankful to work for the best school system, Rome City Schools!”

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NINA LOVEL

Event Calendar MONDAYS Pool Room Open • 9am - 5pm At Parker Center

Sittercise • 9 - 10am

Cyber Seniors • 4 - 5pm

At Parker Center, Activity room

Line Dancing Lessons • 6 - 8pm

At Parker Center, Banquet room *2 per class

At Parker Center, Activity room

Silver Sneakers • 9 - 10am

At Parker Center, Banquet room

Dulcimer Lessons • 10 - 11am At Parker Center, Activity room

Gospel Singing • 10:30am - 12:30pm At Parker Center, Banquet room

Senior Activities • 10am - 2pm

At Gilbreath Center (games, bingo and more)

Pickleball • 10am - 2pm

At Gilbreath Center *$1 to play

Duplicate Bridge Club • 12:30 - 4pm At Parker Center, Activity room

Line Dancing Practice • 2 - 4pm At Parker Center, Banquet room

Line Dancing Lessons • 6 - 8pm

WEDNESDAYS Sittercise • 9 - 10am

At Parker Center, Activity room

GA Mountain Music • 10am - 12pm At Parker Center, Banquet room

Senior Activites • 11am - 1pm At Fielder Center (exercise, bingo, pot luck lunch)

Bingo • 1 - 2pm

At Parker Center, Banquet room

Line Dancing • 2:30 - 4:30pm At Parker Center, Banquet room

THURSDAYS Duplicate Bridge Club • 12:45 - 4pm At Parker Center, Activity room

At Thornton Center *$2 per class

Social Dance Lessons • 6 - 9pm

FRIDAYS

At Parker Center, Banquet room *$5 per class

Sittercise • 9 - 10am

TUESDAYS

Pickleball + Cards • 9:30am - 12pm

S ittercise • 9 - 10am

At Parker Center, Activity room

Silver Sneakers • 9:15 - 10:15am

At Parker Center *$2 per class nonmembers, Banquet room

Line Dancing Lessons • 2 - 4pm At Parker Center

At Parker Center, Activity room At Gilbreath Center *$1 to play

Line Dancing • 10am - 12pm

At Parker Center, Banquet room *$2 per class

Line Dancing • 1 - 3pm

At Parker Center, Banquet room *$2 per class

Bridge Club • 1 - 4pm At Parker Center

Provided by the RFPRA, this event calendar is consistent month to month.

Visit rfpra.com/active-adults or call 706-234-0383 for more information.

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ACW

LANDSCAPES

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Quality of Service & Customer Satisfaction are Our Top Priority.

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The Dish

NINA LOVEL

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istro

MEDITERRANEAN

bistro

www.getjamwiched.com

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

706-238-9000

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

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

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

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

706-234-4613

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

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

www.hardees.com

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

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

www.fuddruckers.com/rome 706-233-9960

706-314-9544

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

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

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

706-622-2977

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

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

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

706.291.2021

595 Riverside Parkway Rome, GA 30161

510 Broad Street Rome, GA 30161

5 E Main St Cartersville, GA 30120

770-607-0067

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

Casual counter serve offering sandwiches, salads & American comfort food

www.maineonmain.com Hours: Sun -Thu: 11am-9pm Fri - Sat: 11am-10pm

Fuddruckers catering can help you feed just about any size group, anytime, anywhere. Our menu will please the most discerning tastes and meet the high standards you require. We know how to make your event spectacular with the WORLD’S GREATEST CATERING.

24 W Main St Cartersville, GA 30120

770-334-3813

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

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

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

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Independent Living | Personal Care | Memory Care 706.295.0014 Hwy SW, Rome, GA 30161-4314 • www.RenaissanceMarquis.com 3 2 G R A N D FA L L 2 0• 1 9 3126 R E A D V 3 .Cedartown COM