Built to last
Todd and Carrie Fannin returned home to Northwest Georgia to craft your next deck or outdoor addition to your home with Archadeck.
Funerals help us:
Understand and acknowledge a person we love has died.
Acknowledge the full range of feelings we have as a result of the death.
"Free up" energy that is bound to the lost person, so that we might re-invest that energy and move beyond our loss.
Give an opportunity for the community to share memories.
Help us search for meaning in the life and death of the person we lost.
Show physical and emotional support for one another.
MARCH 2026
COLUMNS FEATURES
8
Humor author Mark Suroviec, M.Ed., reveals his ultimate DO’s and DO NOT’s guide to April Fools’ Day just in time to celebrate.
Hardy Home is heading to the mountains to explore 2077 Big Texas Valley.
AdventHealth Redmond is helping women live life to the fullest by recognizing women’s heart health.
Floyd County’s Archadeck of Northwest Georgia, goes beyond standard building to create projects that feel like a part of your home.
Keep calm and understand online security; Brought to you by Nina Lovel.
Publisher's Note
I grew up a city school kid right here in Rome, attending East Central, then Rome Middle and finally Rome High School, graduating in 1998.
I was part of the first class to go from 7th-12th grade at the then brand-new middle and high school facilities. Throughout those six years I feel like we all became wolves while letting go of our Gladiator and Chieftain roots...which all of you old enough to remember, ran deep.
Many years have passed and the traditions at Rome are now entrenched through decades of alumni and have been strengthened by honouring the graduates of both East and West Rome under the Rome banner.
I’m proud to be a Rome High graduate and am always pulling for the wolves, but I’m also a journalist and broadcaster who grew up in this community and has covered every school in Floyd County. I grew up with friends at the surrounding schools through youth sports, summer camps and church functions.
OWNER & CEO Ian Griffin
The consolidation of East and West Rome limited my opportunities to compete against the other local schools in athletics because we were in a higher classification, but we still felt like rivals and when those chances did come, there was always an extra desire to win.
For the time spent competing, friends became foes and winning meant everything while losing left a mark that lasts a lifetime.
When I returned to Rome as an adult and began covering sports, I had the good fortune of getting to know a lot about the communities around all 7 of our local schools for coverage in V3, 95.7 The Ridge fm and WLAQ am.
At the heart of each are people who care deeply about their respective schools. Teachers, coaches and administrators who give everything they've got to help young people succeed in the classroom, on the playing field and the game of life.
So while I’ll always be a wolf, I pull for Blue Devils, Dragons, Eagles, Indians, Lions and Tigers to succeed in everything they do.
Up until March 11th 2026, it had been 35 years since a high school basketball team located in Floyd County had won a GHSA State Championship, the East Rome boys did it in 1991, which was their 2nd title in 3 years.
I went to both those championship games when I was 9 and 11 years old and still have vivid memories of those experiences. I was also at both the final four win and championship game loss from Rome High in 1998.
My dear friend and broadcasting partner, Matt Davis was on the call for the Model Lady Blue Devils championship game appearance in 2009 and his father Randy called their 1997 title game. Randy also called the 89 and 91 East Rome Championships with Matt in tow.
Between the three of us we had attended the last five GHSA State Championships that any teams from Floyd County had played for. So, when we had the privilege to return to The Macon Coliseum to broadcast the Darlington Tigers play for all the marbles, it just felt like destiny.
From tip to buzzer it was a classic game, full of twists and turns that made the drama in the arena thick enough to cut with a knife. When the buzzer sounded, it was the Tigers left standing, winning 53-50 thanks to an outstanding performance by Junior Point Guard DJ Hall and a team-wide defensive effort that could be used in a coaching master class.
Matt and I, Pepperell and Rome High School alums respectively, were left nearly speechless and were both overjoyed by the victory. Happy for Coach Nathan West, his players, assistants and support staff, the Darlington students and community and for all of Floyd County. Because I don’t care what colours you bleed, this was a win for us all.
Champions are remembered forever and on March 11th 2026, The Darlington Tigers etched their name in the history books. Congrats Tiger Nation and while I know not everyone will agree, I think I speak for most when I say we were all Tigers that day.
The Roman Guide to April Fools'
For as long as I can remember, April 1st is my favorite day of the year. Though it’s not as holy as Christmas, sugary as Halloween, or as swashbucklingly delightful as International Talk Like a Pirate Day (Sept 19), it holds a special place in my heart right next to the talking parrot and eye-patch.
“You couldn’t fool your mom on the foolingest day of the year, even if you had an electrified fooling machine.” — Homer Simpson
It’s the Super Bowl of practical jokes and shenanigans. The creme of the creme of tomfoolery. It’s the one day of the year when people thank you for lying to them.
But many of you have never danced with Loki on a midsummer night's dream, or focus too much on the practicality of practical jokes.
Never fear, humorless soul, the Ambassador of Fun, whose books on pranks and lies have sold a combined 154.2 billion copies, will help you with the Do’s and Do Nots of April McFoolery. And you get to read this expert advice while it’s still March!
THE ROMAN GUIDE TO APRIL FOOLS'
DO NOT post a grainy image of a fetal ultrasound on Facebook with the text, “Guess who’s expecting???” This gag seems harmless until you realize there are millions of couples struggling with infertility who won’t appreciate the joke , because Millennials only use Instagram.
DO remember that night you and your friend Nicholas drank so much tequila that you woke up the next day half-drowned in the Town Green Fountain, dressed like Temu leprechauns. Send the fake ultrasound picture to Nick with the one-word text, “Yours?” Works even better if both of you are male.
DO NOT hide bubble wrap under the welcome mat of local restaurants like La Scala or Schroder's New Deli and wait for people to leap in surprise from the unexpected crackle of
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.
invisible firecrackers. The cost of living is way too high for customers who may inadvertently drop their takeout orders and waste food.
DO the hidden bubble wrap prank in a more appropriate location, with less potential for negative consequences. For example, spread out Project Hidden Bubble Thunder on the Life Flight helicopter pad at Atrium Health Floyd. If I know anything about life-saving emergency medicine, there is always time for giggles.
DO NOT make an unbelievable social media post like, “Jeff Bezos of Amazon.com appeared last night on Broad Street wearing a yellow string bikini, personally tattooing QR codes on the foreheads of delivery drivers against their will.”
DO make the April Fool’s post more believable at first glance. “Jeff Bezos of Amazon.com had his personal assistant appear last night on Broad Street wearing a polo shirt and khakis, tattooing QR codes on the foreheads of delivery drivers against their will.”
DO NOT make April Fools’ Jokes about the war in Iran. These are in bad taste, insulting to veterans, and confusing to the elderly.
DO subtly update the location tag of your spring break picture album to the Straight of Hormuz and see if anyone notices.
If you are a manager or business owner, DO NOT pretend to fire your
employees on April 1st. While it may seem funny to you, the action causes long-term disintegration of trust and psychological safety in the workplace.
Instead, DO fire at least one employee for real. Maybe the guy who called in sick after sleeping in a fountain. Bonus points if it’s a family business and you give your sibling the axe.
DO NOT spray an aerosol air freshener directly into a fire alarm until it goes off again.*
DO make an expensive, non-refundable purchase on the company credit card, like the deed to the Roman Holiday or three-fifths of the Claremont House. Accounts Payable are ALWAYS up for a hilarious spreadsheet goof.
DO NOT publish, “Rome is finally getting a Target at the Mount Berry Mall,” in your magazine or newspaper. Someone makes this same April Fools’ claim every year.
DO publish a realistic news article, “Guess who’s coming to the Mount Berry Mall?” with a picture of Santa Claus. But he’s wearing an oversized sombrero and combat fatigues. And his reindeer are dressed in ugly cat sweaters. And his sleigh is a 1999 Jeep Wrangler. And inside his magic sack is a diorama of melting icebergs. Did I mention he has an ironic hipster mustache? In his right hand is a machete, and in his left is a dolphin made of papier-mâché and stuffed with roasted cabbage?
Lastly, dear Roman, DO take this sage advice from the wisest man I’ve ever personally met.
“Imagine how different the world might be if we viewed all social media with the same skepticism we do on April Fools’ Day.”
Abraham Lincoln
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. *Some people live their lives as a shining example of what choices the rest of the world should avoid, like 19-year-old Mark in his college dorm room.
WHERE THE HEART IS
Dr. Rachel Harris M.D. from AdventHealth Redmond provides an extensive guide on how women can prevent, detect, and seek treatment for heart conditions. With more research on women’s heart health available now than ever, she refutes common myths and encourages women to live life to the fullest.
Before Women’s History Month, we had Women’s History Week. Beginning in Santa Rosa, California, it was a dedicated time for the people of this single town in California—in the words of the National Women’s History Museum—“to honor women’s contributions in American history.”
In 1980, a collective of women and historians campaigned for the presidential endorsement of March as Women’s History Month. What had begun as one town’s appreciation of women was now a national month-long celebration of their achievements, labors, and presence.
In recognition of Women’s History Month, AdventHealth is highlighting the medical developments in women’s heart health.
Medical history, stress levels, and diet all factor into our health, but biological traits, such as gender, are equally important. And women’s health is still a point of study for modern researchers. In the past, it was commonly assumed that men and women shared the same medical symptoms and experiences. More recent studies indicate to determine the differences between the two, and many have been found in the field of cardiology.
Dr. Rachel Harris
However, outdated information and myths remain common knowledge, lowering the average woman’s chance of correctly identifying issues in her health.
Dr. Rachel Harris, from AdventHealth Medical Group Cardiology at Rome, provides a detailed overview of women's heart health information, including risk factors, methods of detection and prevention, and what treatment looks like at AdventHealth.
Dr. Harris notes that signs of an unhealthy heart are usually connected to other conditions such as:
• Obesity
• Hypertension
• Stroke
• Autoimmune disorders
• Metabolic disorders (PCOS)
These conditions can lead to poor heart health, especially when multiple conditions are present. As a result, there’s a higher chance of developing heart disease and other heart conditions.
It’s also important to consider general activity. Regular tobacco use, physical inactivity, and an unbalanced diet make it harder for the heart to regulate the bloodstream, leading to and worsening existing heart conditions.
Dr. Harris notes that symptoms of a heart condition may deviate based on gender. Past research believed these
symptoms to be consistent between men and women. However, many women experience several unique symptoms that are less commonly discussed:
• Chest pain (Details of pain often vary between patients. Chest pain indicating poor heart health may be any combination of sharp, dull, pressured, or shooting sensation.)
• Unusual fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Pain in neck, shoulders, and abdomen
• Pain in either the left arm, the right arm, or both
• Dizziness
• Cold sweats
These symptoms vary between patients, and women should monitor their symptoms' frequency and and (ab)normality. If patients have no known reason for these symptoms and they are a regular occurrence, it’s best to consult a primary care physician.
It’s also common for women to experience an abnormal sense of anxiety or dread when developing heart issues. In her experience, Dr. Harris finds that female patients tend to be more sensitive to their medical needs. As such, she encourages women to trust their instincts and contact a care provider if concerns arise.
You know yourself and you know your health. It’s equally important to have a trusted primary care physician who does, too. Their knowledge of your medical history and your numbers will help them determine the optimal resources and specialists specific to you, along with the best prevention and treatment methods.
Establishing a consistent relationship with your PCP is beneficial to every aspect of heart health. They take into account everything from your family’s medical history to your lifestyle, making them a key figure in your health, especially when you need extra care from specialists.
While you are your own advocate, their experience with you can still play a vital role in assuring that you receive the full extent of the care you deserve.
Meeting with your PCP at regular intervals allows them to consider risk factors for heart health that you may not. Not only is your medical history a notable point of concern. The environment you live in and, for women, pregnancy can also increase risk of poor heart health.
Some lesser known risk factors include:
• Prior pregnancy
• Air pollution
• Poor sleep and sleep apnea
• Poor dental health
• Physical inactivity
• Chronic inflammation
• Chronic stress
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Lupus
Taking care of your heart means taking care of your whole self. While certain risks are best addressed with a physician, what you do every day can be just as beneficial. Implementing small changes into your life is a great way to prevent further stress on your heart: avoiding tobacco use, exercising regularly, and trying a more plant-based, high-fiber diet are some of the best methods.
These steps are known to lessen higher risk symptoms, as well. They decrease stress, manage blood pressure, and aid in weight loss, all of which help your body and mind. Most of these risks may seem less specific to women. And
while it is true that everyone should take care to address these factors, there are additional reasons for women to take extra precautions.
Several of women’s biological characteristics, specifically those to do with hormones, make them more prone to heart issues.
The most notable of these are puberty, pregnancy, menopause, and in many cases, general anxiety. These phenomena put stress on the body, and each has unique properties that call for better care of the body and mind.
Menopause carries additional risks of its own related to heart disease. Estrogen reduces inflammation and allows the body to maintain better cholesterol. After twelve months without a menstrual cycle, though, estrogen levels are reduced and muscle and bone loss occur. Many women also experience night sweats during menopause, leading to increased risk of hypertension.
Additionally, research has found that women are almost twice as likely to have or develop depression. Paired with high stress phenomena, as previously stated, women are more prone to develop heart disease and other heart conditions.
To combat these stressors, it’s best to regulate your mind and body in other ways. The previously mentioned methods of exercising, avoiding tobacco, and eating a balanced diet are equally useful in easing the stress of these phenomena. Adding therapy as you’re able is also recommended as an extra stress manager.
Women take on hundreds of roles every day. Laborers, educators, athletes, entertainers, caregivers, and more.
It’s important to set aside time to take care of yourself, though. Dr. Harris frames the process of implementing care strategies into your everyday life as “looking at life in a different way.” It’s not something to be taken lightly, but the result of living a happier, healthier life is worth it.
Starting with things that bring you joy is a great way to ease yourself into this new version of life. It can be planting your own vegetables and fruits or taking a walk around your neighborhood every afternoon. It can be meeting with a therapist you trust or going to the sauna a few times a month.
You don’t have to do it alone either. As Dr. Harris puts it, “We’re wired to be part of a community.” Exploring these new avenues can just as easily be a great way to bond with your spouse, your friends, or your children.
AdventHealth Redmond is always seeking ways to combat heart conditions, inside and outside the hospital. They offer the full spectrum of cardiology care, with a large team of physicians and specialists dedicated to helping each patient live a full life. Along with direct medical care, they also offer several informative support groups for those interested in learning more about heart health and a variety of other complex medical conditions.
If you’re concerned about your heart health, AdventHealth Redmond is there every step of the way.
To learn more, visit the website below: georgiaheartexperts.com
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.
Hanging Out on the Dark Web
How is Nina Lovel coping with the news that her Social Security Number is out on the Dark Web?
Lovel
How many times has your personal information been stolen in a data breach? I've lost count of mine; the notifications go back for years. My first alert was back in the 2000s from my phone company, but there have been dozens since then. This past December, my security software notified me that my name, birthdate, social security number, mother’s maiden name, and a whole lot of passwords were found on the dark web. I felt a chill.
The dark web is a parallel Internet where stolen information (and much more) goes to be bought and sold. Nefarious actors hang out there, shop with crypto, and do it all anonymously. I have never been there myself; but my personal info and old passwords hang out there, draped in “For Sale” signs. My security software tells me it got there through any of thirty-five recent data breaches. THIRTY-FIVE??! Before you think you’re safe because you’re not online as much as I am, know this: being online is not the cause of data breaches. My information was stolen from the very same things that you do; things like seeing doctors, buying insurance, traveling, shopping, paying bills; just normal daily activities. It was stolen from my service providers. *Their* servers housing *my* information were breached.
Why do the bad guys do this? Maybe they just want to read the notes from your doctor’s visits, or browse your power of attorney documents, or let a marketer know that you’re into sports memorabilia, but most likely they want to pretend like they’re you and open some new accounts or drain some existing ones. This is identity theft, and it’s a nightmare to untangle. You seriously don’t want it to happen.
To be sure, there are other ways bad actors get your info; do tell me that by now you know not to click on email links or open attachments unless you’re positive you know the sender and they are who they say they are. And you know not to call any phone numbers that act like they’re from your bank; your bank doesn’t send emails like that. If you’re worried about something at your bank, go to their website and log in; that is how banks talk to you.
So, how do you find out you’ve been in a breach? The company will tell you, in a letter or an email, or both. Trust me, they’ll tell you, because they really do try hard to keep our stuff secure. They’re forthcoming so you’ll forgive them, and to make it up to you, they’ll offer to provide you with two years of identity theft monitoring: take them up on it! I’ve had so many breaches that I have staggering spans of identity theft monitoring and fraud alerts that overlap and outlast one another, and I say the more, the merrier. Helping you watch your financial activity is the least they can do in recompense, and you need to let them do it, every time.
Okay, so your info was in a data breach; what do you do next? If you have an online account with that company, go straight to their website and change your password. Do not pass Go, do not collect $200.00, and hope that you’re one step ahead of the bad guys. It may be that nothing bad ever comes from that breach; this is often the case. But you’ll find out for sure if you ever get the message, “Your information has been found on the dark web.”
Who gives you that notice? If you have security (fka ‘antivirus’) software on your devices (and you’d better!), those apps monitor the dark web and tell you if they find you there. Or, you may go to https://haveibeenpwned.com/ (use the exact spelling; I know it looks funny) and enter your email address to find out. But you’d still better have security software. Think Norton, McAfee, etc.
If you find out your Social Security Number is on the market (as have I), immediately create a fraud alert to each of the three credit reporting agencies (as have I). It’s free, it lasts for a year, and it will help prevent new accounts from being opened in your name. Cheat sheet: experian.com, equifax.com, transunion.com. I also change the passwords to all my financial providers regularly. Speaking of…
PASSWORDS
Now, here’s a touchy subject. Don’t you just hate it when something has a “password requirement”? What a pain to use both upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols, and to use at least fourteen of them! And then, THEN, it’s not even sufficient that you remember THIS complex password; every time you log on, they want to send you a text message with more numbers to enter, just to prove you’re you. Hey, don’t complain; it’s all for your own good.
Have you ever used the same password for several different websites? Don’t answer that; I already know. In the olden days I used the same password for years, until the “time to change your password and make it fourteen characters” era arrived. It was about the same time I got a smartphone. Hoo boy, did life get complicated. I went from knowing my one password, to having a little password notebook by my computer, to dragging that notebook along whenever I left the house.
For a while, every breach letter sent me diving for my password-notebook, and I would patiently change every password to every website I had in that blame notebook. The word “patiently” is doing some heavy lifting here. This task was so tedious that I always abandoned the mission before I was halfway through the book. I wonder if the bad guys ever noticed that websites starting with “L” and after were more likely to use exposed passwords than those in the front of the book.
Then, a password manager changed my life! It is a little app on my phone that also serves my computer, and besides being a secure repository for all of my passwords, it is happy to create complex passwords when needed, and on top of that, it remembers those passwords, so I never have to. All I have to remember is one password to open the app itself, and from there on it will automatically populate my login credentials. Kinda like the olden days.
You can understand the concept of a password manager if you let Google remember passwords; that’s how they work. I prefer keeping my passwords
in a separate vault where they are audited and encrypted. It bothers me that Google wants to snarf up my passwords like they’re caramel popcorn; it’s just a little too eager to do that. I use NordPass instead. There are several reputable password managers, including RoboForm, Nord Pass, 1Password, LastPass, Keeper, and more. Compare their features here: https://www. security.org/password-manager/best/, but don’t get bogged down; just pick one out and use it!
PASSKEYS
Passwords are fast getting upstaged by a much stronger security tool: passkeys. Jointly developed by Apple, Google, Microsoft and others, passkeys use public encryption with two keys: one that lives on your devices and one that lives on the site you are logging in to.
To use a passkey, you must first be logged on to one of your devices using a password or biometric confirmation (face, fingerprint, etc.) Because your biometric login remains on your own device and is never used to log on to anything else, it is of no use to a bad guy, because the passkey is also on your device alone; it must be matched to its decrypting partner on the website you’re visiting in order to work. So. Stinkin’. Easy!
They are rapidly being adopted, but not all websites have passkeys yet. If you log on to a site and it offers you a passkey, the right answer is, “Yes, please!” When you have a passkey, the site will see it when you visit, and will ask if you want to use your passkey. When you click “yes”, poof–you’re in! Nothing to remember; nothing to worry about! Highest security there is, so far.
SHORE IT ALL UP
I hope I’ve given you something helpful here; let’s wrap this thing up:
• Take advantage of credit monitoring offered when your info has been breached.
• Make sure you have security software on all your devices, and keep it up to date.
• Keep your phone and computers up to date too. I get how annoying it is when an overnight update slows down your iPhone, but there are security patches in every update and you sure don’t want to get behind on them.
• Conquer your fear of complex passwords by using a password manager.
• Just say “yes” to passkeys.
• Do not allow a shopping or payment website to “store your card info for future convenience”; that just puts it one more place to get snatched. Check out as a guest, and for *real* convenience, memorize your card info, yourself.
• Make life hard for a bad guy who tries to open an account using your stolen info. Freeze your accounts on each of the three credit reporting bureaus: (see fraud alert cheat sheet above). It costs nothing to freeze your credit, and you can visit each website and “temporarily lift a freeze” if you need to open a new account. I’ve had mine frozen for years, and it brings some peace of mind that I have to lift the freezes to even use the reports, myself.
• While you’re at it, check your credit report at all three of the above agencies periodically and take action if something is awry.
I wish you safe and happy scrolling/shopping/reading/watching/listening/ creating, and please stay careful out there!
Mountainside Mosaic
2077 Big Texas Valley is a dream getaway for nature lovers. Located on the scenic Simms Mountain, it combines the privacy of a mountain retreat with the convenience of an easy commute to the city.
text LAUREN BACHMAN | photos KEITH BEAUCHAMP
Driving through Big Texas Valley, it doesn’t seem like the city is only minutes away. The busy streets and never-ending noise fade into quiet roads encompassed by vibrant forests.
The mountains sweep into the air, and the trees grow taller as the road goes on. As you wind through the mountains, the idea of living here feels like nothing short of paradise.
2077 Big Texas Valley offers a serenity like no other. Nestled in the forest of Simms Mountain, this mountainside getaway rests on 168 acres with a scenic landscape and a short drive to historic downtown Rome, the Rocky Mountain Park, Atlanta, and Chattanooga.
Every day is spent in nature here. Large windows allow for stunning views from near every angle of the house. Outside, the home owners can relax in nature from the comfort of the screenedin veranda or explore it themselves on the owner-established trails, the perfect setup for stargazing, hunting, ATV riding, and more.
This location offers the perfect blend of privacy and community, as well. With neighbors just at the bottom of the driveway and a peaceful
getaway to retreat to, life can be shaped to your desire.
The custom-built log cabin has three bedrooms, two and a half baths, and a loft that doubles as a sitting area and bedroom. Two floors and a spacious exterior offer ample room for guests, or extra recreational space.
The property itself is divided between Floyd and Chattooga county land, with natural forestry surrounding the cabin and a section of newly-
growing trees nearby. A paved driveway makes T he mountain drive easy, ending at a large, multi-car parking area.
The view of the cabin and the surrounding forest sets the tone for the rest of the property: a serene sanctuary. One of the owners lovingly refers to it as a “throwback to a simpler time.”
Its eastern white pine walls lend a natural splendor to the home. As a bonus, it’s a great insulator. The house has built-in air conditioning
and heating, but the pine walls help reduce the need for both.
Inside, it features a “warm, rustic interior” with “vaulted wood ceilings, abundant natural light, maple hardwood floors,” and a flagstone fireplace.
The main floor consists of an open concept kitchen and living area, the master bedroom and bath, a half-bath, and two access points to
the veranda. Upstairs is the loft with a sitting area, two bedrooms, and a full bath.
For those who enjoy the outdoors, the cabin’s exterior has plenty to offer. The owners spent years developing the exterior to make it relaxing and easily navigable.
Just outside the backdoor is a rock garden, constructed with stones gathered from the property, and a wooden staircase leading to
one of the trails.
These trails lead to several exciting outdoor amenities. One of the favored is a covered three-sided hunting structure at the highest point of the land. Wild turkey and white-tailed deer are abundant in this mountain forest, and the distance from busier hunting areas offers quality peace and privacy.
Naturally, the forest is home to diverse flora and fauna. For those interested in bird watching, it’s home to hummingbirds, herons, eagles, and more.
Outside of observing the wildlife, the trails are also fit for stargazing, ATV riding, and exploration. The paths branch off to a firepit, a picnic area, two storage sheds, and a nearby ceremonial site—there’s no shortage of things to do here.
The cabin is only twenty years old, but its owners’ care has kept it looking like new. Its design was inspired by an old family home in Subligna, GA.
One of the owners recalled the dogtrot, a breezeway between sections of the house, as a place where the family dogs would go to cool off. When designing their cabin, she led with the idea of it being the perfect place for their family and their dogs.
As such, the cabin is uniquely designed for pet owners. The screened-in veranda acts as a modern version of the dogtrot, where pets can enjoy the breeze without concerns of their dogs getting lost. And for those whose pets have higher energy, the trails allow for scenic walks around the property.
During its construction, the owners also ensured the land was treated with as much care as possible. All of the cut timber was sent
to the local sawmill and pulpmill, where it was repurposed into furniture and useful products. They’ve also used some of the leftover timber from the build to create two terraces for planting. The soil has already produced several lush blueberry bushes; gardeners will have an abundance of options with these terraces, along with certain sections of the front and backyard.
One of the owners even made a hobby of woodworking. The standout among the group is an 11 foot southern pine table with accompanying benches able to seat 12 people. This piece, along with several others, capture the warmth and natural splendor of the home so well that they will be staying with the home.
Every bit of work that’s gone into this property is inspired by the land it rests on. 2077 Big Texas Valley is a mountainside mosaic of sprawling forests, skyscraping trees, and simple serenity.
To learn more, visit Hardy Realty’s listing at: https://hardyrealty.com/listing/GA/ Rome/2077-Big-Texas-Valley-30165/222450413
To view the property, you can watch Keith Beacham’s video tour: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hWqDqeloy4vzxp5lW5y9-vu71Z0Qdh9/view?usp=sharing
To tour the property, contact realtors Rozanne Collins or Ben Powell: Rozanne Collins
Call: (770)-773-0527
Email: rozannecollins@hardyrealty.com
Ben Powell
Call: (706)-525-0588
Email: bpowell@hardyrealty.com
Listing courtesy of Hardy Realty & Development Company 706-291-4321 office.
The Art of Outdoor Living
in Northwest Georgia
Todd and Carrie Fannin of Archadeck of Northwest Georgia design outdoor spaces built for gathering, relaxation, and the rhythms of everyday life.
Todd and Carrie Fannin
For Todd and Carrie Fannin, outdoor living isn’t just about decks and patios. It’s about the moments that happen there. The slow start of a Sunday morning with coffee on the porch. The easy laughter that gathers around a fire pit on a cool fall evening. The way a welldesigned space invites people to linger outside just a little longer.
As the owners of Archadeck of Northwest Georgia, the Fannins help homeowners turn ordinary backyards into spaces where moments unfold naturally.
“We aren’t just building structures,” Carrie Fannin said. “We’re creating places to gather and places to shelter. The goal is always the same: a space that feels beautiful, comfortable, and like it truly belongs to the home.”
That philosophy shapes every project they take on. While many contractors approach outdoor construction as a series of measurements and materials, the Fannins begin somewhere else: how people will actually live in the space.
The answer influences everything from the layout of a deck to the placement of a fireplace or the way a screened porch captures a summer breeze.
Many projects combine several elements into a single outdoor living environment. A covered porch anchored by a fireplace might open to a multilevel deck designed for conversation areas. At the same time, a nearby patio becomes home to an outdoor kitchen or fire feature. The goal is cohesion—spaces that feel like a natural extension of the home rather than an afterthought.
Not every homeowner builds the entire vision at once. In many cases, the Fannins help clients master-plan a long-term outdoor living space, designing it for building in thoughtful stages.
Archadeck stands for “better building by design.” That goes for the customer and the craftsman. " "
“One family might start with a covered porch,” Todd Fannin said. “Later, that we consider the homeowner’s full vision from the beginning, each phase works beautifully on its own while preparing for what comes next.”
Planning the overall design can also prevent costly rework later, ensuring that foundations, layouts, and utilities are positioned for future additions.
For homeowners, it means each phase delivers a finished, functional space while quietly building toward the backyard they ultimately envision.
That approach has resonated with homeowners across a broad stretch of Northwest Georgia. Archadeck of Northwest Georgia serves families throughout a 10-county region, from the hills of Chattooga County to Carroll County and from the Alabama state line east toward Cherokee County.
While the homes and landscapes vary— from historic neighborhoods near Rome to rural properties and newer suburban communities—the desire is often the same: a backyard that feels welcoming, intentional, and built to last.
Todd Fannin said many homeowners begin the process with only a general idea of what they want.
“Most people know they want to spend more time outside,” he said. “Our job is to help them imagine what that could really look like.”
The design process often begins with conversation—how a family entertains,where the sun falls across the yard in the afternoon, and whether the space needs to host quiet mornings, lively gatherings, or a bit of both.
From there, the details take shape. A pergola that offers shade without closing off the sky. A screened porch that keeps summer evenings comfortable.
Lighting that allows a patio to glow softly long after sunset.
The Fannins pair that design-first approach with the resources of the national Archadeck Outdoor Living brand, which provides detailed construction standards and one of the industry’s strongest warranty programs.
For homeowners, that structure offers reassurance during a significant home
investment. For Todd and Carrie, it provides a framework to focus on what they enjoy most: helping families transform how they use their outdoor spaces.
In the end, the finished structure is only part of the story.
The real reward comes later, when the space fills with life—neighbors gathered around the fire, kids drifting in and out of the yard, dinner stretching well past sunset on a warm Georgia evening.
“Life moves fast,” Carrie Fannin said. “If we can help create a place where people slow down, spend time together, and enjoy being outside, then we’ve done our job.”
Across Northwest Georgia, that vision is quietly reshaping backyards—and turning them into something far more meaningful than a place behind the house.
For more information or to schedule a consultation, visit their website at: archadeck.com or call (706) 413-8075.
To see more from Archadeck of Northwest Georgia, visit their Facebook (@ArchadeckNorthwestGA) and Instagram (@archadeck_of_northwest_ga).
