[PHOTOSTORY 4: STRUGGLE] Time & Sacrifice

 By: Merrick Payne

[ PHOT0STORY 4] The Things We Keep, The Things We Lose

 By: Megan Wright

Rome, Georgia unfolds from the top of Clocktower Hill, its rooftops stretching into the evening haze. The view is peaceful, but it only tells part of the story.

Downtown Rome is a patchwork of old brick buildings and new developments. The past and future sit right beside each other, not always in agreement.

The historic towers of Rome’s First Presbyterian Church rise over the rooftops, casting a shadow older than most of the streets below. Built in the late 1800s, the stonework still tells stories of a town built to last.

Wanda Whitten leans forward with quiet pride inside the Rome Little Theatre. “I’ve lived here my whole life,” she says. “And some of the places I loved most are just sitting there, rotting.”

Ellen Axson Wilson stands forever at her easel, cast in bronze along Town Green. Rome remembers her as the First Lady who designed the White House Rose Garden.

A nearby plaque tells the story of her life, her art, and her impact on the country. It’s a clear example of history that’s been carefully protected.

Fresh roses bloom beneath her statue, planted with care and intention. Someone made sure this piece of her story was remembered.

Ellen Wilson’s statue looks out with quiet poise, surrounded by flowers and framed by care. But walk a little farther, and you’ll find that not every piece of Rome’s past is given the same kind of attention.

A historic home in one of Rome’s neighborhoods sits sealed shut, its windows covered in plywood. Nature has started to reclaim it.

The front porch is lined with flaking columns and moss-covered steps. It feels like the kind of place that once hosted weddings and rocking chairs, now only quiet.

The red doors at 318 Broad Street are locked, with dust and debris left behind in the window. Whatever was once planned here never got the chance to finish.

A scratched lockbox clings to the handle, its numbers long unread. Time hasn’t been kind to this corner of Broad Street.

Inside, a broken dining table and tools sit in the display window. It’s a glimpse into something that was paused and forgotten.

The Partridge Restaurant sign still hangs downtown, its neon letters barely holding on. It once lit up the sidewalk for families coming in for fried chicken and pie

Today, the bulbs are missing and the tubes are dusty. Its charm remains, but the light is gone.

A yellow newspaper box leans sun-faded and dented. The Rome News-Tribune inside hasn’t changed in weeks, as if the stories stopped being told.

This splintered wooden cabinet was left outside an antique shop after foreclosure, now sinking into the overgrowth like a forgotten relic. Once displayed with pride, it's now just another reminder of what gets left behind.

The same white house, now splitting at its seams, holds one final surprise—green sprouting through its broken gutter. It’s a quiet reminder that even when history cracks, something living might still grow from it.

Back where the story started, the clock tower still watches over the town. But after everything seen below, it’s clear that not all of Rome’s history is being watched over in return.

[ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAIT 2] McKinley Chada

 

McKinley Chada: "I was so happy you asked to take my picture, it made my day."

[PHOTOSTORY 3: ADITL] Teacher Enjoying Summer Break

 By: Merrick Payne

Sheri MacArthur laughs with her friend, Lisa, while they are out to dinner at a Mexican restaurant with Sheri's family and their friends. Sheri is a Special Education teacher at a high school in Dalton and is currently on summer break.

Keith MacArthur smiles as he engages in conversation with his wife, Sheri. Keith and Sheri have been married for 29 years and enjoy spending time together, often going out for dinner and drinks.

Sheri's daughter, McCall, and Sheri's son, Mac, joke around and playfully tease one another at the dinner table. Mac is the youngest of four siblings, having three older sisters.

Sheri's and Lisa's margarita glasses rest empty on the table and covered in condensation. Tijuana's, the Mexican restaurant, is one of Sheri's go-to hang out spots, especially during summer break.

Sheri reacts with disbelief as her daughter, Mali, recounts to her a conversation she had while browsing a car lot today. Sheri spent the first part of her day at the car dealership because she needs to buy a new one; however, she did not find one she liked.

Sheri's kids and their friends walk towards Burr Park from Tijuana's, eager to get to the concert downtown. The MacArthurs like to attend the live music events that Burr Park in downtown Dalton hosts every Friday during the summertime.

The band performs a rendition of Creedence Clearwater Revival's song, "Have You Ever Seen the Rain." Sheri was particularly excited to attend this event because her one of her favorite genres of music is Yacht Rock.

Sheri enjoys the event while chatting with her daughter's boyfriend, Waylon. One of Sheri's "greatest joys in life" is spending time with her children and all the people that they love. 

Sheri is surprised by a friend she hasn't seen in a while, and they embrace one another. Sheri has already gotten to catch up with a lot of old friends today, as it's common to run into people you know at big events in downtown Dalton.

As it begins to rain, some people use pieces of cardboard as a shield to keep themselves from getting wet while others continue to play with a volleyball and soak in the rain as it comes. There are a lot of kids at this show, as it is a fun opportunity for families to enjoy time outside during the summer. 

Sheri, her daughters, and her daughter's friends take cover under the concession stand awning during the rainfall. Sheri jokes that the Creedence Clearwater Revival cover jinxed the weather.

Sheri enjoys the music from afar as she relaxes against the side of the building next to Mali. "Mal, I love this song," Sheri remarks.

After the rain lets up, Sheri heads back to the chairs, napkins in hand, in hopes of drying up some of the water so her and the kids can sit more comfortably. The heavier rainfall lasted for approximately 10 minutes.

Sheri encourages her daughter, Mali, to go with her up to the stage to dance. Sheri and her kids often have impromptu dance time at their house where they jam out to 80s music.

Sheri lifts her hands in enjoyment as herself, her kids, and the friends, all gather near the stage to take in the music up-close. Sheri told me that she loves to spend time with her kids and their friends because she was raised in a household where her parents often enjoyed being around her and her friends.

Members of the band kick in synchronicity as they perform a lively song. The band remarked during their set that the Dalton crowd had been one of the favorites to perform in front of. 

Sheri and Keith dance together as the band performs the song "Africa" by Toto. This song has long been their family's favorite song to listen to together.

McCall and Mali observe other event-goers as it gets later into the night. Sheri's daughters shared with me that they appreciate that their mom's job allows her to have a long break during the summer because it gives them opportunities to spend more time together.

Sheri, her friend Donny, and McCall congregate with others by the stage and encourage the band to perform an encore. The band comes back on to perform one last song, "Footloose."

After the concert is over, Sheri and her family head to find their cars along with the rest of the concertgoers. Sheri tells me that her family, friends, and music are all she needs to have the perfect day.