V3 February 2026

NWGA'S PREMIER FEATURE MAGAZINE / FEBRUARY 2026

Paradise Waits

American Auctioneers is offering you the opportunity to bid on your own not so little slice of heaven.

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Care for Everything Your Heart Holds Your heart keeps the beat for your life, work and family. AdventHealth’s Level 1 Cardiac Care Center provides the highest level of care, close to home. Supported by the most extensive heart care network in Northwest Georgia, our services include advanced diagnostics and treatments for arrythmia, minimally invasive procedures in the cath lab, cardiac rehab and a dedicated heart failure clinic.

AdventHealth Redmond is recognized

by U.S. News & World Report as one of America’s best hospitals in 12 types of care.

GeorgiaHeartExperts.com

Auction 710± 710 ± 400± 400 ±

25-GA-1788099807-Cardiac-Campaign-Print-Ad-V3-11.125x8.625_F1.indd 1

ACRES ACRES SELLING ABSOLUTE

2/3/26 11:51

Keith Baldwin CAI AUNR 002860

Saturday March 28 at 10:00 AM EST

Call For More Information at: 256-927-5263 Or Visit: www.American-Auctioneers.com In conjunction with:

Offered in Tracts, Combinations , and as a Whole

1039 Livingston Rd SW, Rome, GA 30161

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CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL:

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NWGA JAZZ SOCIETY

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Complimentary Design Consultation Archadeck.com 706-967-8032 READV3.COM | FEBRUARY 2026 V3 MAGAZINE

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FEBRUARY 2026 COLUMNS 10

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Humor author Mark Suroviec, M.Ed., interviews himself about his new book FUN Lies [Again] and answers the question, “Why did NASA choose to broadcast the words of his book as a message of peace to sentient alien species across the galaxy?”

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FEATURES 14

American Auctioneers invites everyone to bid in a rare name-your-price open auction of 700+ acres of premium farmland.

Your Community Bank We invite you to become part of the FIRST NATIONAL COMMUNITY BANK FAMILY As your locally-owned community bank, we are here for you every step of your financial journey.

Personal Checking Accounts (including FREE Checking!)

Business Checking Accounts

Same Day Debit Card Online Banking Mobile App/Mobile Banking

Business Loans CDs/IRAs/Money Market (Personal & Business) Mortgages Savings Accounts (Personal & Business)

Bill Pay Treasury Management Services And More eBANK Always Open at www.fncbank.com

DOWNTOWN ROME 501 Broad Street 706.378.5300

WEST ROME 2211 Shorter Avenue 706.378.5305

ARMUCHEE 2950 Martha Berry Blvd. 706.314.0560

Ne r S p Pa ing

Lo N es READV3.COM | FEBRUARY 2026 V3 MAGAZINE

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Publisher's Note OWNER & CEO

February is upon us and for this middle-aged man, it means another trip around the sun has been completed. 46 years of life down and who knows how many more to go. This June will mark 20 years of V3 Magazine and being here from the start means most of my adult life I’ve been part of this monthly publication. I’ve picked up writing the publishers note from Neal Howard in 2010 so with the exception of a guest note here and there, I’ve pinned this little letter for 16 years.

My youngest son, Carter, a 4th grade student at East Central Elementary, told me he wanted to take something off my plate for my birthday this year, so I jokingly said, you can write my O W N E R & C E O Ian Griffin publishers note...to my surprise, he said yes. So, without further ado I’ll turn it over to Carter for his analysis on what his dad does for a living.

My impression of my dad’s numerous jobs is distinctively impressive and slightly goofy. When I was a little kid, I thought my dad was the author of books. I didn’t know how to read at the time which makes total sense because I was still in kindergarten. I had a lot to learn, but I’ve grown up a lot since then and eventually figured out that he worked for a magazine, which is a lot like writing books but kind of different at the same time.

And when this thing they call a brain figured out he had more jobs, I thought he might have been testing flying cars or something like that. But then I figured out his other job was a football reporter and I’m not gonna lie, I was kinda sad he wasn’t testing flying cars.

And when my noggin figured out he was in a band, I thought “I’m getting free Metallica tickets for the rest of my life!” The first time I heard his band was coming over, I thought I was going to meet Metallica, but when I saw his band I said, “okay nice seeing you guys, bye” and ran back to my room. I was curious though so I listened and their music was really good.

And his magazines are a whole different story. They’re fun to read for adults but I'm only saying that because I'm an ADHD kid. And while I was writing this story, my dad told me about cool things the magazine let him do, like crush cars with tanks, meet famous athletes, travel to cool places, and more. And I was like why didn’t you tell me this sooner dad? And that is why my dad is cool.

So, there’s what I do in the words of my 10-year-old son. Usually, he tells me I’m lame like my dad jokes, so I’ll take “cool” for my birthday anytime! Happy February.

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Ian Griffin MANAGING PARTNER Chris Forino CREATIVE DIRECTOR Katelyn Roman WRITERS Ian Griffin, Nina Lovel, Mark Suroviec, Lauren Bachman, Curry Teems PHOTOGRAPHERS Ivan Felipe, Andy Calvert PUBLISHER V3 Publications, LLC CONTACT hello@v3collective.com CREATOR Neal Howard

READV3.COM ReadV3.com: Where you can find all the print content from this issue, our archives and exclusive ReadV3 digital features.

Why are funeral celebrations important?

TRANSCENDANCE F u n e r a l s r e m i n d u s t o l i v e d e e p l y, w i t h j o y a n d l o v e .

MEANING Funerals give us a moment to reflect on the questions in our hearts and seek answers that bring peace.

EXPRESSION The funeral is a time for mourning--expressing grief outwardly-so that we may begin to heal.

SUPPORT Funerals are in remembrance of those who died, but are for the living to come together in community and support one another in their grief.

RECALL Funerals allow us to share memories and see how the person’s life touched others.

REALITY The funeral helps us acknowledge and accept the realty in that the person we love is no longer here with us.

H www.hendersonandsons.comREADV3.COM | FEBRUARY 2026 V3 MAGAZINE 7

Th a n k Y ou

2 0 Y E A R S O F L O C A L B A N K I N G

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL SALES P RO P ERT Y M A NAG EM EN T

|

hardyrealty.com

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LEASING

fun

WHERE IS NEVER FAR FROM HOME. Five years of extraordinary senior living.

There’s no shortage of energy and excitement when you live at The Spires at Berry College — whether hiking around our scenic lakeside location, raising a glass at our pub for happy hour or exploring Rome’s charming attractions with friends. While immersed in Berry’s lively campus culture, residents have countless opportunities to attend university athletic events, arts performances and even lectures — not to mention form meaningful relationships with students. At the heart of it all, you’ll find the spirit of togetherness that makes our community one of a kind.

See why The Spires is not just a place to live — but a better way to live. Call 706-607-5322 or visit RetireAtBerry.com to schedule a personal tour.

600 Eagle Lake Trail | Rome, GA 30165 Independent Living • Assisted Living • Memory Care • Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation READV3.COM | FEBRUARY 2026 V3 MAGAZINE

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Unbiased Review of the Fourth Greatest Book in the History of the World When Ian Griffin asked me to interview myself about my new humor and satire book, I was honored, and a wee bit surprised. The homemade voodoo doll I found behind a dumpster at the West Rome Walmart worked way better than intended.

IAN: [struggling to overcome the magical paralysis] “Yeeeessssssss… pleaaaase return control of my hands and feeeeeeettttt.”

if you boil holy water first, it’s twice as deadly to vampires?”

— Abraham Lincoln | Guy wearing sunglasses on the cover of FUN Lies [Again]

MARK: “The following are excerpts from an interview with and by humorist Mark Suroviec, M.Ed. Mark is the author of FUN Lies [Again]: The Ambassador’s Unauthorized Sequel No One Asked For. In 2025, he was voted Runner-up for Best Local Author 2025 by the Rome News Tribune.1 Strap in for a wild mixed-metaphor ride on the Pony Express train to Book Town—population: 150 billion.

WHAT IS FUN LIES [AGAIN]?

FUN Lies [Again] is volume two of the FUN Lies Collection.

It is an anthology of humor and satire stories, beamed directly from the author’s brain into written chunks of shenanigans and tomfoolery.

Many stories are entirely fictional, but others are genuine incidents from the author’s life, embellished with a creative twist. But the stories are told by an unreliable narrator who playfully uses truth as a sliding scale. The reader should suspect even the footnotes and hunt for easter eggs.

DRAMATIC INTRODUCTION The crowd held its collective breath as Abraham Lincoln stood among the gravestones of Gettysburg. Top hat slightly ajar, his voice echoed an address to be remembered throughout the annals of history.

LIKE WATCHING THE DAILY SHOW, OR READING THE ONION, OR THE BABYLON BEE? Yes, but it’s the Temu version.

“Four score and seven years ago, our forefathers brought forth on this continent…[important speech bits]…and did you know

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

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“It’s like Where’s Waldo — if Waldo was on every page and also cured colon cancer.”

— Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. | Brand Ambassador, Spray-Tan Villa, LLC “FUN Lies [Again] will teach you to speak French fluently — in Dutch.”

— Duolingo Cartoon Owl “9 out of 10 dentists agree, FUN Lies [Again] is better for your gum health than flossing.” 3 — Dr. Leigh Weldon, DMD | The 10th dentist WHO SHOULD BUY THIS BOOK? I firmly believe there are only two types of people in this world: those who should buy this book and those who should buy and read this book.

HOW DO I KNOW WHICH CATEGORY I BELONG TO? The front cover has a helpful test embedded in the headline, “Over 150 Billion Copies Sold.” If you shrug and say, “Wow, this book is surprisingly popular,” then please purchase FUN Lies [Again] and leave it unread on the coffee table. You will hate it.

WHERE CAN I BUY THIS BOOK? FUN Lies [Again] is available at Amazon and the trunk of the author’s Subaru Outback.

SERIOUSLY? YOUR TRUNK? Yes. The author has been known to shamelessly disrupt church Sunday School classes until parents pay the ransom—er, purchase a book.

GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF ONE OF THE EASTER EGGS IN THE BOOK. The first letter of every chapter title spells out a secret message from the author. 2 WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION FOR WRITING THIS BOOK? Money.

But independent authors make diddly-squat on royalties, I’ll settle for bringing joy and laughter to people who need a good giggle.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE CHAPTERS? • The Fun Dad’s Return to Redneck Slide-o-Rama • Bacon Bacon Bacon and Other Gourmet Halloween Costumes • My New Year’s Resolution Is to Gain 400 Pounds • Is It Pinkeye, or Are You Demonspawn?

• 13 Reasons You’re Writing Ain’t Good WHAT ARE FAMOUS PEOPLE SAYING ABOUT THIS BOOK? “FUN Lies [Again] is the missing right hand to The Left Hand of Darkness

by Ursala LeGuin.”

— Nate “Nepo Baby” LeGuin | Talentless grandson of author, Ursula LeGuin “This book is like if the Holy Bible and the Magna Carta had a baby — and that baby wasn’t kept behind hermetically sealed glass in the tower of London.”

— Winston Churchill | British guy who did some stuff “For less than the price of discounted alpaca feed, you too can own the fourth-greatest book in the history of the world.”

— Little Sebastian | Celebrity Horse

HOW MUCH DOES THIS BOOK COST? On a balmy night in 1455, Johannes Gutenberg accomplished the crowning achievement of the Renaissance. Lying atop the printing press was the first copy of the Gutenberg Bible, crafted by a machine instead of a monk’s hand.

That night, he was struck by a fever dream of the future.

“What if in the twenty-first century, my invention is used primarily to publish novels about horny werewolves and dragon erotica?”

He arose from his bed, ready to dismantle the printing press before it could be tainted by unending acres of smutty romantasy paperbacks. As he raised the axe to his life’s work, he heard a still small voice staying his hand.

“Johannes, the future is not lost. 571 years from now, your descendants can purchase FUN Lies [Again] for only $14.99 + tax.”

Johannes Gutenberg dropped the axe and slept soundly.

FINAL THOUGHTS? “FUN Lies [Again] is 15% less funny than the original FUN Lies — guaranteed!

But it’s new, so you should buy it!”

FOOTNOTES AND CORRECTIONS: 1 I was surprised too.

2 The hidden message is, “Thank you for buying this book. NO REFUNDS.” 3 Floss, the dance. Not the string-flavored breath mint.

Disclaimer: This story was written by Mark Suroviec, M.Ed. All people and quotations are fictional, invented by the limited imagination of the author, and do not reflect the opinions of the author, editors, or V3 Magazine.

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FINANCIAL

INSIGHTS BEYOND THE NUMBERS WORKING WITH CLIENTS IN ROME FOR OVER 20 YEARS

BRENT PULLEN, CPA

Call: 762.235.9167 Email: info@plat3.com Visit: www.plat3.com

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INCOME TAX PAREPARATION YEAR-ROUND TAX PLANNING IRS AUDIT ASSISTANCE BOOKKEEPING PAYROLL SOLUTIONS FINANCIAL FORECASTING AND BUDGETING EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE SERVING HIGH-INCOME TAXPAYERS AND PRIVATELY OWNED BUSINESSES

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A BETTER COMMUNITY,

TOGETHER

Gentle and caring dentistry for the whole family!

19A John Maddox Dr • (706) 235-5899 Find us on Facebook @KentCEllingtonDMDPC

JOIN • GIVE • VOLUNTEER YMCA OF ROME AND FLOYD COUNTY 810 E 2nd Ave, Rome, GA 30161 706-232-2468 WWW.YMCAROME.ORG

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Rome, GA • 706.584.7816 amanda@farrellsframeanddesign.com www.FarrellsFrameAndDesign.com

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A Promising Paradise

1039 Livingston Road pairs prime farmland,

timberland, and pastureland with easy access to the Atlanta, Birmingham, and Chattanooga area.

On March 28, American Auctioneers will hold an open-to-all auction of this promising paradise.

Written by: Lauren Bachman

Photographer: Kelly Alred

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American Auctioneers

, The South’s premier auction company, is proud to announce 700+/- acres with 400+/- selling at absolute auction, no minimums, no reserves, located on 1039 Livingston Road, Rome, GA. This 700+ acre property offers 39 tracts of Floyd County’s best farmland, timberland, and pastureland.

Located in the heart of the ABC triangle, it comes with an easy commute to Atlanta, Birmingham, and Chattanooga and is only minutes from downtown Rome.

American Auctioneers welcomes all to register to bid on this once-in-a-lifetime property, in conjunction with Hardy Realty. On March 28th, at 10am EDT, they’ll hold an on-site auction of the property open to everyone. This auction offers the rare chance for buyers to bid and buy homes, individual tracts, combinations, or as a whole, with 400 +/- acres selling absolute, no minimums, no reserves.

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And with a scenic landscape and an array of natural amenities, “Buyers have the freedom to shape the property to match their vision—whether a private estate, working farm, recreational retreat,” or for development.

Interested parties will have the opportunity to view the property on March 14 from 10am EDT to 6pm EDT, March 21 from 10am EDT to 6pm EDT, March 23-27 from 8am EDT to 6pm EDT with staff on site, or by appointment.

This property is full of possibilities, with prime farmland, timberland, and pastureland. It has three houses and three barns, perfect for “residential, agricultural, recreational,” or developmental use.

This property boasts 2 miles of continuous road frontage, allowing for great visibility of the land and an added convenience for agriculture and business.

Over 292 acres of fertile soil come “leased for cotton production,” and over 200 acres worth of planted pine offer “future timber value.”

The landscape boasts vibrant natural and planted forestry and an array of water features, all teeming with wildlife.

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Trails have been laid into the forest for recreational use and ease of access between different sections of the property. Home to white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and more, it’s a prime spot for everything from a scenic hike to trophy hunting.

The property’s panoply of waterways feature an even more diverse wildlife, including waterfowl.

Across the property are two creeks, a duck swamp, and 1.2 miles of the Coosa Valley riverfront. Buyers can fish any of these waterfronts at their leisure.

Not only are they the perfect setting for a relaxing afternoon: they are also ideal for watering crops and several areas are prepared for lake development.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime rare opportunity to bid on 700 +/- continuous acres with 400 +/- acres selling at absolute auction, no minimums, no reserves. The 39 tracts will be offered individually, in combinations, or as a whole.

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Registration begins at 9am EDT, and the auction at 10am EDT. All interested parties are required to bring personal checks or business checks and a driver's license to register to bid.

For more information or to schedule a tour: Call (866)789-5169 or visit American Auctioneers at american-auctioneers.com Call Cole Allen with Hardy Realty at: (706)252-5196 or email cole@hardyrealty.com

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PERSONAL TRAINING THAT MEETS YOUR GOALS

THE ONLINE EXTENSION OF V3: All current issue content, archives and exclusive Read V3 digital features Personal Trainer, AFFA and Certified Nutrition Coach

cmptrainingrome.com 770.324.9695 | 110 East 8th Avenue

524 Broad Street Unit C , Rome, Georgia | 706-584-7887 22

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Nurturing Independence, Promoting Individuality and Enriching the Lives of Our Residents

With over 78 combined years of senior living experience, you will be delighted to see how fast our team will help you feel right at home!

Independent Living | Personal Care | Memory Care 3126 Cedartown Hwy | Rome, GA 30161 | 706-295-0014 | renaissancemarquis.com 24

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