Rant: The pandemic, patriotism and a different type of Independence Day. Plus today's headlines.

Today's first headlines:

• Rome musician Lee Shealy joins legendary Atlanta Rhythm Section. ‘We all get along great. It’s just neat to listen to all their stories from years together.’
• Business: As first half of 2020 ends, some big minuses but also hundreds of millions of dollars in new investment across Northwest Georgia despite the pandemic.
• State-record 2,226 new COVID-19 cases since Saturday; Georgia sees 11,282 additional positive tests in 7 days, a 17.1% surge. 
• Reports: Woman dead, man shot Sunday evening near Crump Road in Cartersville.
• Business: Second downtown Rome studio on the way as Playa Azul Media moves in above Jamwich.

Rant of the Day: A different way to celebrate the red, white and blue.

So how do we celebrate Independence Day this year? The spirit certainly is willing but the options for what helps make it all magical -- the time spent with family, friends and neighbors, from parades to fireworks to picnics and trips to the lakes and rivers -- are limited.

Ridge Ferry Park will not be the base for the community celebration we're used to although Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation and sponsor Redmond Regional Medical Center promise to light up the sky for a good 20 minutes that night. (One of the best seats in the past? Atop the parking deck by Town Green).

The day-long celebration in Cartersville is on hold this year as is Calhoun's star-spangled extravaganza.

The Rockwell-like community parade in Cave Spring is a go, with social distancing precautions and all, but will people turn out to march or watch? And will the homemade ice cream be served? A three-hour event is planned in downtown Rome -- including prayer, songs and a citizens parade --  but who will show up, especially in 90-plus degree heat and a thunderstorm threat?

Will everyone be wearing masks? Will we social distance? And, if not, will we pay a price with more positive test results in mid-July?

On the day we celebrate our freedom, we're likewise supposed to be observing vital health restrictions to limit the spread of coronavirus. Perhaps America in 2020 has to learn about new types of sacrifice.  

But that doesn't mean we can't come up with new ways to celebrate as well. After all, look what a Cave Spring parent did to both educate and entertain her young sons 35 years ago. Today, it is perhaps the most nostalgic thing we do in Northwest Georgia.

It doesn't matter how you celebrate; just remember what we're celebrating.