A P R I L L B R A N D O N | P I C T U R E T H I S ! | FA S H I O N MARCH/APRIL 2016
COVER STORY
F.L.Y.
FIRST LOVE YOURSELF
ALSO INSIDE
a passion for
COMPASSION girlfriends' guide to
EATING HEALTHY IN LONGVIEW
Mendy Rabicoff & his wife, Natalie Beating heart quintuple bypass
“My heart belongs to my dear Natalie – and Longview Regional.” When Mendy began feeling exhausted after normal activities, he had a heart test that showed major blockage. In fact, he needed a quintuple bypass. “I’m so fortunate that I was able to get minimally invasive beating heart surgery,” explained Mendy. “Even with five bypasses, the incision is just a few inches long. I never even needed pain pills. I feel blessed to have Longview Regional and their unbelievable doctors right here.”
To learn more or find a cardiologist, visit LongviewRegional.com/Heart.
If you experience a medical emergency, call 911.
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2/9/16 3:41
MARCH/APRIL 2016
s t n e t n o C Health: Girlfriends’ Guide To Eating Healthy In Longview
Fashion: Rain or Shine
19
10
Features 15
Cover Story: F.L.Y. First Love Yourself
22
One Step At A Time
26
A Passion For Compassion
31
Aprill Brandon: I am Semi-Naked! Hear Me Roar!
Feature: One Step At A Time
Fashion 19
Girlfriends’ Guide To Eating Healthy In Longview
13
Polish At Long Last
4 CHARM | M A R C H / A P R I L
22
26
On the Cover
Rain or Shine
School 29
Understanding A Woman’s Most Essential Fitness Accessory: THE SPORTS BRA
Health & Beauty 10
Feature: A Passion For Compassion
In Every Issue 33
Picture This!
Kaliegh, Madison (known as Madi to her friends) and Erica come from different backgrounds but each lives a healthy lifestyle and trains for bodybuilding competitions. pg. 15
Spot the Charm Our January/February Spot the Charm winner was Kim Cassin and she has chosen a $100 Visa gift card. She spotted the charm on page 10 in our last issue! We invite you to spot a special Charm logo in this edition. If you locate it, sign on to mycharmonline.com and click the Spot the Charm link on the homepage.
charm march/april 2016 Publisher Stephen McHaney editor Ric Brack • 903.237.7759 • rbrack@news-journal.com Publication director April Harlow • 903.232.7206 • aharlow@news-journal.com Managing editor Christina Lane • 903.237.7724 • clane@news-journal.com art director Katie Case • 903.237.7715 • kcase@news-journal.com PhotograPher Chris Lozano • 903.237.7246 • clozano@news-journal.com designer Rebecca McCallum illustrator Michelle Laverell contributing writers Ashley Anderson • Aprill Brandon • Annie Davis Ellen Goodcare • Christina Lane • Amy McHaney advertising director Larry Jobe • 903.237.7727 • ljobe@news-journal.com account executives Thomas Bonner • 361.574.1249 • tbonner@vicad.com Sarah Brown • 903.232.7287 • sbrown@news-journal.com Chris Dean • 903.237.7719 • cdean@news-journal.com John Habinc • 903.232.7221 • jhabinc@news-journal.com Trisha Hall • 903.237.7776 • thall@news-journal.com Autumn Lively • 903.237.7716 • alively@news-journal.com Logan Peppers • 903.232.7283 • lpeppers@news-journal.com Stephanie Smith • 903.237.7726 • ssmith@news-journal.com Donna Spencer • 903.237.7721 • dspencer@news-journal.com Amanda Taylor • 903.232.7276 • ataylor@news-journal.com circulation Josh Hart • 903.237.7765 • jhart@news-journal.com
mycharmonline.com
6 Charm | M a r c h / a P r i l
Ronald G. Morton
Md, FAAO/HNS
East Texas Sinus and dizziness Center, Longview, TX Ronald G. Morton, MD, FAAO/HNS is certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology and a Fellow of the American Academy of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery. He has been in practice in East Texas for 25 years and has specialized in the treatment of sinus disease and disorders of equilibrium for several years, having founded the only clinic fully dedicated to the treatment of dizziness and imbalance in 2009. Most recently, Dr. Morton and the East Texas Sinus and Dizziness Center were recognized as a National Center of Excellence in the treatment of sinusitis. He has been invited to speak to many groups of physicians and has been selected as an honored guest at a symposium at his specialty’s annual meeting in Dallas, Texas recognizing leaders in his field in September, 2015. Physicians from around the country travel to East Texas to receive instruction from Dr. Morton in the treatment of sinusitis, and in particular, the performance of Balloon Sinus Dilation procedures, which he performs in both of his Longview and Mt. Pleasant office utilizing the most advanced technology available. The East Texas Sinus and Dizziness Center is equipped with its own CAT scanner for the evaluation of sinus and inner ear disorders, procedure facilities, audiology and vestibular (inner ear) services, hearing aid dispensing, and beginning in September, full allergy evaluation and treatment.
RONALd G. MORTON, Md FAAO/HNS
EAST TEXAS SINUS ANd dIzzINESS CENTER HEARING LOSS • alLERgy • GENERAL ENT 901 PEGUES PLACE • LONGVIEW, TX • 903-212-4399 | 105 WEST 20TH STREET • MT. PLEASANT, TX • 903-717-8765
- easttexassinus.com -
LETTER
Wow! Where do we go from here? When thinking of the women featured in this issue, I can add one more: determined. These ladies are fully focused on healthful living and being their best, healthiest selves every day. I find their stories truly remarkable, and once again I’ve been blown away by the articles as they’ve come across my desk. Now don’t get me wrong. I haven’t decided to turn over a new leaf yet. If you’ve read my letters before, you probably know I’m not a huge fan of even the thought of working out. I work with a person that has more than likely exercised for two hours before I’ve even crawled out of bed every day. And that’s okay with me. Kind of. I must admit I’ve had to resist the urge to try to compete with her. (But, let’s face it. She’s got a two-hour jump on me each day and I’m not a morning person, so it appears we’re at an impasse.) While I might not decide to push myself to run a hundred miles, that doesn’t mean I can’t admire the fact that Carmela Davis has accomplished this feat. And I wouldn’t really get a kick out of lifting beer kegs (I prefer the 12-ounce size), but I’m really impressed with women who do this on purpose in order to train their bodies for competitions. I guess what I’m really trying to say is that I may not always be able to relate to Dear Readers,
the women we feature, but I always admire the things they are
Believe it or not, every time I write these letters I try not to
doing in their lives. They see something they want to do and even
be repetitive. That can be a tall order when you’re addressing
though it may seem insurmountable, they find ways to do it …
the readers of a magazine that always celebrates women. So with
whatever “it” may be. I think that’s worth applauding.
originality in mind, I reread some previous letters with an eye for
So I’m finally willing to overlook my dislike of repetition and
avoiding repetitious adjectives. How do I normally describe our
tell you what I think about the women we’ve featured in this issue
subjects? Here are the words that I found.
of Charm. They’re exceptional. Spirited. Persistent. Inspirational.
Exceptional. Spirited. Persistent. Inspirational.
And determined. I hope you enjoy their stories. I did.
April Harlow aharlow@news-journal.com
8 CHARM | M A R C H / A P R I L
HealtH & beauty
D
on’t let a nutrition challenge or new Year’s resolution to eat healthier get in the way of having a lunch date. it is possible to eat out in the “view” and still follow
the chosen diet du jour. in fact, longview has options for just about any diet: paleo, vegetarian, vegan, raw or gluten-free. i asked several girlfriends about their favorite places to eat lunch, and their answers are below. i also consulted integrative health and wellness coach, Kathy mcCommon, about how to successfully eat out without regretting what goes in. What most of my healthy girlfriends share, no matter their diet, is a desire to eat “clean.” now eating “clean” varies from person to person, but for the most part it means eating more single-ingredient foods, fewer chemicals and preservatives and no refined sugar. Kathy mcCommon advises readers about how to eat clean around town: 1. Be choosy about your restaurant. Stay away from places where the food can be picked up through a drive-in widow. Remember you are nourishing the most important vehicle you own, your body. 2. Keep your selections simple. Order the healthy light entrée. More restaurants are offering heart-friendly menu selections. Avoid dairy, gluten and fried menu items. Ask for dressing on the side for your salad and apply it to your salad with a fork. Be sure to look at the menu description and avoid words like creamy, breaded, crisp, sauced, stuffed, buttery, au lait, a’ la mode or au fromage. 3. Be willing to ask for your meal prepared your way. You can ask for your food to be prepared without salt, oil, butter, MSG etc. More and more of us are taking control of our food by requesting healthy preparation.
girlfriends' guide to eating healthy in longview Words by Annie dAvis | Photos by Chris lozAno
4. skip all drinks except water and lemon. Actually, it is healthiest not to drink liquids with your meals.
some of my healthy-eating friends navigate restaurant choices and menus with ease. not surprisingly, their answers to my questions mirrored many of Kathy’s guidelines. Favorite restaurant choices among this group of healthy eaters include local eateries Tomboni’s Bistro, Jack’s natural Foods, pho saigon, The summit Club, and Carlito’s mexican restaurant. Cajun steamer, Fuji and newk’s eatery also made the cut. my friend Claire, vegetarian, suggests four restaurants that make it easy to eat healthy. Tomboni’s Bistro’s salads and their portabella entrée, she says, are great options for vegetarians (and can accommodate for vegans). At Jack’s natural Foods, she eats eden’s Best sandwich. This item can also be altered to be made gluten-free or vegan. When she’s in the mood for sushi, she likes
10 Charm | m A r C h / A p r i l
LEFT: Vegan Portabella Mushroom, Artichokes, White Beans & Spinach w/Tomato Sauce; RIGHT: Caponata Salad, Quinoa Salad & Sweet Potato Salad - tomboni's bistro
D'Lite Salad w/Greek Vinaigrette Dressing - Downtown D'Lites
the sweet potato tempura roll or the asparagus and avocado roll at Fuji. Finally, she likes to eat at Pho Saigon on a cold day and orders their vegetable pho (a broth-based soup filled with rice noodles and vegetables). Claire’s choices reflect her desire to eat more plant-based foods. Nikki, yoga instructor and healthy-eating fan, tells me she tries to eat clean, whole foods with as little processing as possible.
Sorry Charlie Sandwich - Jack's naturaL FooDs
home. It is all organic and can be fit to any diet preference. Coach Kathy has a few things to say about lunch spots around town. She writes: Probably the most common question I am asked is, “Where are your go to restaurants?” I am mostly a raw foodie and vegetarian, especially when I am eating out. But here is a list of my favorite places to dine:
For lunch spots she likes Jack’s Natural Foods for the earthquake
• Newk’s Eatery, “Newk’s favorite Salad” cut the meat.
salad. She chooses a salad at Newk’s Eatery too, either the buildyour-own or the Signature (leave out the cranberries and order
• Jason‘s Deli is always a good choice. They offer organic, GMO-free produce and organic vegetable soup.
the dressing on the side). She eats very little dressing (cue Kathy’s
• Olive Garden’s minestrone soup.
No. 2 rule). She also likes Cajun Steamer, and has either the
• Carlito’s, a small locally owned Mexican food restaurant. I like the atmosphere the most. I adore the owner, Carlos and enjoy a couple of different salads. I love to splurge on their wonderful chips. I have been a patron for over 35 years.
steamed crab legs with no potatoes or butter or the grilled shrimp salad with just vinegar, salt and pepper as her dressing. My girlfriend Julie, who eats gluten-free, likes to have the chicken lettuce wraps, shrimp quinoa salad or the pecan chicken salad at Tomboni’s Bistro. Her next suggestion is The Summit Club because you can eat clean. Finally, she points out that GreenChef.com is a new favorite option that you can cook in your
• BJ’s Brewhouse, Longview’s newest restaurant, has a delightful menu and is a fun healthy choice for a long leisurely meal with that special someone or friends. The roasted salmon quinoa bowl is a nice healthy choice. mycharmonline.com 11
From the lists above, one can see that healthy eaters continue to find and make healthy choices. Local eateries are taking an initiative to make clean eating more doable here in the “View,” and we are grateful for them. Just two thoughts I had to share with readers about eating around town. One restaurant I would suggest is Lil’ Thai House. I love that ingredients are fresh and dishes are prepared when they are ordered. I love their green curry strify (no rice) because I choose to eat a paleo diet. And secondly, I cannot wait to try Downtown D’lites in Kilgore. Owner Debbie VanDoren says she applies all her knowledge of healthy eating choices for her family in preparing food for her
Sandwich on Whole Weat Bread, Grilled Chicken, Pepper Jack, Spinach & Tomato - Downtown D'Lites
customers. She uses all natural ingredients (no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives) and whole foods. I’m looking forward to trying their breads made in-house (they even grind their own wheat!). They also make their own gluten-free breads! All of their sandwich meat is preservative-free. In addition to salads and sandwiches, they serve baked potatoes. “The Mike” is one I can’t wait to try. It was created for a customer taking the Whole 30 Challenge. In my opinion, this potato is an example of why local is often the best: customers get the personalized care they can’t get anywhere else. Happy eating, everyone! C
Paleo Dish - Green Curry w/Beef - LiL thai house
Fresh Ingredient Dish - Chicken w/Mixed Veggies - LiL thai house
303 W. Loop 281 Ste 105 Longview TX • 903-663-1515 12 Charm | M A r C H / A p r I L
HEALTH & BEAUTY
I read blogger’s opinions and researched reviews on Amazon, Ulta and Sephora and finally settled on three brands to try.
"The color I gravitate toward for my fingernails is pale pink that goes on as a nude. I prefer this hue in order to minimize the appearance of chips and wear – I am extremely hard on my fingernails. I might not have been as happy with the wear of these polishes had I tried them in a screaming red – the wear at tips may have been too tacky to go eight days. Had I used a stronger color I would have definitely taken the time to reapply a top coat every few days, which I did not do during this experiment."
POLISH AT LONG LAST Words by AMY MCHANEY | Photos by CHRIS LOZANO
M
CND VINYLUX Sticky Anchoring Base Coat CND VINYLUX Weekly Polish in Negligee CND VINYLUX Air Dry Top Coat
Favorite Review: “LOVE IT. Surprised it actually lasts a week.” – Ashley in Huntsville, AL | ulta.com
y beauty quest this month deals with a long-time frustration of mine – manicure longevity. I have
The first brand I tried was CND Vinylux and unfortunately,
absolutely no problem keeping polish on my toes
I hated it the first time I used it – just like every other manicure
for weeks at a time, but my fingernails are a completely different
I’ve ever had, polish was peeling off within a day. Boo. When I
story. A manicure scarcely lasts a day on my fingers, so I rarely treat myself to that indulgence. I do know that gel manicures like Shellac could be the answer to my manicure conundrum, but honestly, I’m not all that excited about having my nails “done” on a regular basis, then having to go back to a salon to have the Shellac un-done – soaked off. This brought me to this issue’s topic – long-wear nail polish. As with other beauty products I’ve reviewed, there is a wide array of choices in the long-wear nail polish market, with most
made my initial purchase, I only bought the nail polish itself – the employee who was assisting me advised that it wasn’t necessary to use the CND base coat, which I had intended to buy had it been in stock. After the polish peeled, I looked up the reviews I’d read before buying – had I completely lost my marbles and misremembered the glowing reviews? Nope. When I went back to the beauty store to purchase other brands of polish for my test, the CND base coat was back in stock. Using the base coat made a
promising to last seven days. It’s worth noting that the long wear
world of difference; my second try with CND yielded shiny, pretty
polishes I researched all required acetone nail polish remover.
nails that lasted a week. By day eight there was noticeable wear at
Polish remover with acetone is supposed to be more drying, but
the tips of my nails and I’d had enough growth that it was time to
honestly, I can’t tell much of a difference – my hands are dry all
remove the polish. Overall, I was very satisfied with CND Vinylux
the time anyway.
and thought it lived up to the promise of being a weekly polish. mycharmonline.com 13
OPI INFINITE SHINE Primer
ZOYA’s claim to fame – aside from longevity – is the fact that
OPI INFINITE SHINE Lacquer in Pretty in Pink Perserveres
they create toxin-free nail polish and have a huge number of
OPI INFINITE SHINE Gloss Top Coat
colors to choose from. The nude pink I chose – Madison – was perfect for me. All three ZOYA products were easily applied in thin coats. The result was perfectly smooth nails – my nails looked like those sample wheels of fake nails in a nail salon they were so glassy smooth. And trust me, I do not have the steadiest hand, so to achieve that look outside of a salon visit was quite a feat for me. The shine and color lasted a full eight days. As with the other two brands, by day eight my nails showed some wear at the tips, but
Favorite Review: “The finish is such a gorgeous looks like a professional gel job!” – aelee1988 in Jackson, MS | ulta.com OPI Infinite Shine ended up being my least favorite of the three brands I tried, primarily because the Pretty Pink Perseveres lacquer went on really gloppy and OPAQUE. I own a number of OPI nude polishes and Pretty Pink Perseveres looked as if it would be similar. Yuck. Not at all what I was hoping for – it was
the biggest problem was growth. ZOYA was my favorite of the three brands I tested. C
RODAN+FIELDS
UPDATE
almost like I was painting liquid paper on my nails and was even
I wrote in my last column that I would be testing out
a little streaky. I forged ahead and wore it for eight days anyway
Rodan+Fields skincare line over the course of 2016 and as
and from a longevity perspective, the polish lasted as described.
of this writing, I am one month into that experiment. You
By day eight – just as with the CND product, the tips of my nails
may recall that I am trying out the Redefine line which
had noticeable wear (but no chipping) and the growth was enough to warrant taking it off. Wear was good, but color coverage and application were bad.
is intended to target the appearance of lines, pores and loss of firmness – just what I need. So far the regimen has been easy to follow with a cleansing mask, toning and moisturizing for both day and night. My favorite part of
ZOYA Naked Base ZOYA Professional Lacquer in Madison ZOYA Naked Top Coat
the program is the micro-exfoliation roller – a small roller with teeny tiny needles that barely prick the surface of your skin to allow the Night Renewing Serum to do its work more effectively. My only complaint so far is that I feel like I could use more moisture. I’ve written before about my extremely dry skin, and the dry winter air does me no favors. I am trying to be conscious of the amount of water I drink every day, which definitely helps my skin look better. I don’t think the Rodan + Fields is drying – I think I just haven’t
Favorite Review: “If you had talked to me December 31, 2013, I would have ranted about hating nail polish and never wearing it in 35 years for more than a handful of times in my life. Yes I do have polishes for my feet when I get a pedicure. BUT. NO, none for my nails. UNTIL ZOYA … I fell in love.” – J.Miller | amazon.com
14 CHARM | M A R C H / A P R I L
been drinking enough water. I’ll have pictures to show you in the next issue – a comparison of December 2015, just before I started, to compare to three months of use. Prepare yourself – I’m completely makeup free in the before shots and will do the same for my three month pics as well.
f. l.y.
COVER STORY
Words by CHRISTINA LANE Photos by CHRIS LOZANO
continued on pg. 16
mycharmonline.com 15
here was a time in Kaliegh Benoit’s life when she struggled with her self-image, just like many women do. An athlete much of her life, Kaliegh has participated in
Kaliegh took bodybuilding posing lessons, got hooked up with a coach (TJ Clark at the gym, “destination Dallas”), and got the itch to do another show.
bodybuilding competitions as an adult, including modeling in
She competed in the Phil Health Classic in March 2014 and
a bikini on stage. Even then, Kaliegh would struggle with self-
did the Ronnie Coleman Classic that same year. She also started
image, wishing she could look just a little better or that she had a
working at Nutrition Station in Longview, which helped introduce
tinier frame.
her to even more people in the fitness community.
But Kaliegh has learned, and her friends and fellow
“The thing is, whenever I was prepping for shows, I would eat
bodybuilders Madison Cooper and Erica Griffin also attest, the
right, but as soon as a show was over … My diet would just go up
key to making a transformation to a healthier lifestyle starts with
and down,” she said. “It’s like I had to be doing a show in order to
loving yourself.
stay in shape and eat healthy foods.”
“I have shoulders; I have legs. I used to think I wanted to look like someone else, but I started loving my body for who I am and I’m really enjoying watching myself progress,” Kaliegh said. “You have to love your body; you can’t just want to look like someone else because the thing is, at the end of the day, you can’t look like anyone else. You can only look like your best self.” Kaliegh, Madison (known as Madi to her friends) and Erica come from different backgrounds but each lives a healthy lifestyle and trains for bodybuilding competitions. These girls spend hours in the gym, work with personal trainers and try to put only the most nutritious foods into their bodies so they can be their healthiest, happiest selves.
KALIEGH BENOIT Kaliegh grew up playing soccer, softball, volleyball, running track and cheering in Kilgore but said she never ate the right kinds of foods. “I was the girl who could go to McDonald’s and eat a Big Mac with a large fry and a large Coke,” she said. In the spring of 2013, during her last semester at Kilgore College, Kaliegh’s cheer instructor made each girl work with a trainer; she also enrolled in a gym. It was then Kaliegh started learning about meal prepping and began following fitness gurus on social media. At the time, Kaliegh was working as a cheer instructor at Tumble and Cheer in Henderson, and loved her job so much she didn’t plan to leave East Texas after college. The last month of the semester, Kaliegh’s coach was prepping for a competition and suggested Kaliegh do it with her. She hadn’t thought about bodybuilding before, she said, but knew she wanted something to help keep her in shape after graduation. She competed in the Branch Warren Classic that July. “It taught me a lot about myself,” she said. “After that show, I thought I could go back to eating like a normal person, but you can’t.” 16 CHARM | M A R C H / A P R I L
“You have to love your body; you can’t just want to look like someone else because the thing is, at the end of the day, you can’t look like anyone else. You can only look like your best self.”
“I’m going to be competing on a team, but bodybuilding is also very individual ... You have to do it for yourself.”
In 2015, Kaliegh went through a rough patch where she wasn’t going to the gym or eating the right foods. Then her coach challenged her to do the “destination Dallas Transformation Challenge.” Through the challenge, Kaliegh said she has taken control of her own diet and does her own workouts; she posts progress pictures of her transformation on social media and said not only does she feel better, but she knows her transformation is helping and inspiring others. Now, she’s studying to get her NASM personal training certificate so she can move into that aspect of the fitness realm. And while she hasn’t participated in a bodybuilding show in a while, she is going to work behind the scenes this year while continuing to hit the gym and eat the right foods. Diet, for her, has become key. “I’ve been through it all. I’ve been small, I’ve been shredded, I’ve been big, I’ve been normal,” she said. “I know the best times in my life are when I’ve felt the best, and healthy foods make you feel so much better.”
MADISON COOPER Madi Cooper also grew up an athlete. She played soccer and ran cross country and track at Carthage High School. In college, she decided not to pursue athletics; she got a gym membership instead, and she’s been training ever since. Madi has always eaten healthfully, though. “Even when I was just a little girl, I always chose healthy things to eat,” Madi said. “I was the little girl who would walk into places and ask ‘what does this have in it? What am I putting into my body?’ ” As an oil field worker, Madi’s schedule of working eight days then having six days off has opened her up to having time to do the training necessary for a bodybuilding show. So, this year, she is embarking on her first. On March 11-12, Madi plans to be competing in the Phil Heath Classic in Dallas as part of Team Ultimate under guidance of her trainer Ray Baker of “destination Dallas.” “For a show, you’re more focused on how the muscles actually look,” she said. “It’s not as much about lifting heavy weights as it is about squeezing and really getting that muscle separation that judges want to see.” For women, Madi said judges really hone in on shoulders, glutes and legs so those are the muscle groups she has been trying to focus on when working out.
Her diet is tailored to her workout, so if she has a day where she’s concentrating on her arms, her diet will be different than the day she’s focused on her legs. “I never looked like this until my diet was right,” Madi said. “I’ve always kind of trained the same way, but it’s maybe a little more concentrated now, but my diet has really helped. My coach, Ray, really put into perspective what my body needs.”
Her diet has also been key. Madi said the meal plans haven’t
In preparation for the competition, Madi also has taken posing
been hard for her because she’s always been a healthful eater,
lessons from Olympian Tawna Eubanks, who’s helped her learn
but her food journey has been about getting the diet just right.
stage presence.
continued on pg. 18 mycharmonline.com 17
“In a bikini competition, you want to stand out. You’re going up
wearing a bikini,” she said. “It was a really big deal for me because
against hundreds of girls; you could have the best physique but if
I hadn’t been skinny in a long time. I hadn’t been comfortable
your posing is crappy, you’re going to get overlooked,” Madi said.
with my body. It was a really big step for me to step out in front of
“I’ve gone from being like a boy, not knowing how to move my hips,
people unashamed.”
to having a really good posing routine that Tawna made just for me.”
The competition taught Erica what she’s capable of as a person.
Madi said she is excited about her first show and already knows
It was hard work, but a huge accomplishment and a humbling
she’ll be doing more. She encourages others to get into bodybuilding for the right reasons and do it for themselves. “I’ve always been competitive, I’ve always liked pushing
experience for her. She encourages women to love themselves, and says that is pivotal in making a fitness transformation.
my body,” she said. “I’m going to be competing on a team,
“I grew up being the chunky kid in my family and for a long time
but bodybuilding is also very individual. ... You have to do it
I never looked at myself in the way God looked at me, the way He
for yourself.”
intended,” she said. “You have to value yourself in order to make a
Erica Griffin
change. It can be a really hard change, and you have to truly love yourself to make it. You have to love yourself.”
Erica grew up playing sports in high school, but says she was heavier at the time. The Longview High School graduate then was eating just about anything and said diet has been the most difficult aspect of her personal fitness journey. “I didn’t grow up in a healthy household; there were six of us so you kind of just ate whatever was available,” she said. After Erica got pregnant and gave birth to her son, she knew she had to make a change. At 250 pounds, it was extremely important to her to change her diet and teach her son the healthful habits she never learned growing up. “I started working out a lot. I was losing weight and lifting weights. I got to 175, then I kind of stayed there,” she said. “Then I met my husband; he helped me and I lost more weight, but then I stayed there again.” The plateaus in her weight loss journey were a bit discouraging, but Erica said women have to stick with it, making small changes and finding what works for them. She decided to challenge herself to prepare for a bikini competition. She worked with a coach who put her on a specific diet. She’d eat six meals a day. For breakfast, she always had eggs. Her other meals were a combination of lean ground turkey and vegetables – broccoli and green beans – with jasmine rice. She also worked out, focusing on a different muscle group each day. Erica, who works at Texas Eastman Chemical Co., goes to the gym six days a week. One day, she’ll target her legs while another day her workout will focus on her shoulders; one day she’ll work on her back and biceps while another she’ll focus on her chest and triceps. She also tries to get in 30-40 minutes of cardio to build stamina. In October, Erica competed at the Alamo Showdown Classic in San Antonio. “It was a mixture of excitement and nerves. I mean, you’re standing on a stage, half-naked in front of a group of people while 18 Charm | M A r C H / A p r I L
“You have to value yourself in order to make a change. It can be a really hard change, and you have to truly love yourself to make it. You have to love yourself.”
FASHION
Photos by CHRIS LOZANO Makeup by FOXY LADIES BY TARA Location and Props by CASA FLORA See more photos on mycharmonline.com
mycharmonline.com 19
HAT: by Fabulous Faux Furs, $219, Dillard's; NECKLACE: $11.25, B.Jaxx of Longview; BOOTS: Corky's $49.50, B.Jaxx of Longview; TOP: Paisley sleeve top, $36.50, B.Jaxx of Longview; PANTS: Skinny Jeans, $19.99, B.Jaxx of Longview.
SHADES: Miracle Body, $6.50, B.Jaxx of Longview
20 CHARM | M A R C H / A P R I L
JACKET: by Daniel Cremieux, $195, Dillard's; PANTS: by Daniel Cremieux $39.75, Dillard's; SHIRT: $79.50, Dillard's.
JACKET: by Daniel Cremieux, $195, Dillard's; SHIRT: by Daniel Cremieux $79.50, Dillard's; PANTS: by Daniel Cremieux, $69, Dillards; $29.75, Dillards. DRESS: by Ivy Muti, $69, Dillards; BOOTS: Military Red , $150, Dillard's; UMBRELLA: Camo Floral Cheetah, $44, Dillards.
mycharmonline.com 21
F EATURE
One Step at a time
Words by CHRISTINA LANE | Photos by CHRIS LOZANO
She struggled to keep warm in the 22-degree chill of a cold night in the Mountain States, but she kept running. She heard howling and wondered what animals were lurking. The world around her was pitch black. It was the dead of night and she could see nothing, but she kept running.
22 CHARM | M A R C H / A P R I L
A
t mile 74, she got in a vehicle to warm up but she
It was just a couple of years later, in 1987, when Carmela ran
realized she would never thaw, so she got out and
her first marathon. She completed the 26.2-mile course in Dallas.
she kept running. At mile 89, she threw up. But she
Since those first steps, she has continued running and to
wasn’t going to let months of cancer treatments stop her from
date has completed 35 marathons, including running the Boston
accomplishing her goal, and she kept running.
Marathon which is considered to be one of the most elite runs in
At mile 96, her legs cramped up and she stopped. A car pulled up next to her and handed her a recording to listen to. It was her granddaughter’s voice saying, “Go, Nana, go!” So she kept running. After 28 hours and 100 miles, Longview CPA Carmela Davis crossed the finish line of the Yellowstone-Teton 100-mile Endurance Run, and she was able to stop running. To top it off, she was first in her age group. Now, she’s gearing up for another 100-mile ultramarathon. “Running makes me feel healthy,” she said. “Running doesn’t mean you’re going to be skinny but it does mean you’ll be fitter
the country. But after a while, Carmela decided to challenge herself even more.
Picking up pace In 2013, Carmela decided to tackle an ultramarathon. Ultramarathons are any race longer than a marathon, or a distance greater than 26.2 miles. Ultramarathons can be 30 miles or they can be 100 miles. For her first ultramarathon, Carmela decided to tackle a 100mile run. The idea came after attending a Spring Hill football game and
and that’s what is important.”
seeing a man in front of her wearing a T-shirt from a 100-mile
First steps
bike ride.
Carmela was born in Nebraska, but grew up mostly in Colorado. She graduated from Garland High School. She then attended the North Texas State University where she received a degree in accounting; she went on to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and landed in East Texas when she was job hunting. She built up a clientele and went out on her own in 1985. Also in 1985, she traveled to Germany where her father was running a marathon. “I ran off and on for a long time but I had never really stuck
“I thought how cool is that! So I started thinking and I started researching,” Carmela said. She read reviews about the Yellowstone-Teton race with many people talking positively about the route, saying the roads were nice and that a support team could follow. The race, which went from Yellowstone, Montana, to Driggs, Utah, had a requirement that runners be able to finish in 32 hours. Carmela decided to try it. She and her family caught an early flight and arrived in Yellowstone ahead of the race so they could chart the course. Her dad made a plan for Carmela to get done in 32 hours.
with it. When my dad was running that marathon, I decided I
At a pre-race party the night before the run, other runners
would run with him for a week. During that week, I realized I
looked at her. They thought she was too old; she was running in
could eat what I wanted and not gain weight, and I thought ‘hey,
the 50-59 age bracket.
this is pretty good,’” Carmela said as she giggled.
One man asked her what was the farthest she had run before.
She decided to stick with it. She was inspired by going to
Carmela answered honestly: a marathon, 26.2 miles. For the
marathons to watch her father and she decided, as long as she was
100-mile run, she would be completing almost four marathons in
going with him she may as well run, too.
terms of distance.
continued on pg. 24
Carmela took her first step on the 100-mile run at about 6 a.m. Oct. 5, 2013, in West Yellowstone, Montana. Left: Carmela runs the 100-mile Yellowstone-Teton race mycharmonline.com 23
“He thought I would be dead last,” she said.
With only four miles to go in the race, her legs were cramping,
What Carmela didn’t tell anyone then – not even many here in East Texas – was that since May 2013 she had been battling cancer and had been having chemotherapy treatments for months. “The thing with chemo is if you let too many people know, then you’ll have too many people tell you, ‘No, you shouldn’t do this.’ Only my family and my closest friends knew,” she said. “I didn’t
she was extremely sore and she felt like she couldn’t continue. “But my granddaughter had sent a cassette that she had made a recording on. She said, ‘Go nana go,’” Carmela said as she began to cry, recalling the memory. “When my husband played it for me, I said, ‘OK, I have to go.’”
want people to tell me you can’t do this.”
She crossed the finish line with her family cheering her on.
100-mile journey
Now, she’s ready to have another go.
Carmela took her first step on the 100-mile run at about 6 a.m. Oct. 5, 2013, in West Yellowstone, Montana.
As soon as she completes radiation treatments, she plans to start preparing for another 100-mile journey.
Her journey took her through snow, up hills, and across the
For Carmela, who is actively involved in Ambucs Longview
Continental Divide which she said was rough to conquer but
Too, mobility has always been important. Carmela was a charter
beautiful to see.
member of Ambucs Too, which works to provide opportunities
At night in the mountains she could see nothing. She had to carry bear spray with her and said she heard howling often and would “hope it was a fox, not a bear.” She bought three battery packs for her phone to keep it charged. At nightfall, she listened to movies, including “Forest
for mobility to those with disabilities. “Through Ambucs, I am able to immediately see where my efforts go. They go right here into our community,” she said. “It’s helped me to see how blessed I am.” Her advice to anyone wanting to start running is to start slow
Gump” and “Top Gun,” on her phone. “Movies where you know every scene so you can vividly picture them in your head,” she said.
and do what they are comfortable with. “I like running because it’s individual. You’re working to finish
Her family stayed near her in a vehicle. Occasionally she would get inside to warm up, but not that often for she wanted to stay focused. Runners need nourishment throughout a long run, but
in a time that you are satisfied with,” she said. “I don’t run to be in the Top 10. That shouldn’t be what we run for. Some people feel pressured to be as good as their buddies, but really you just need
for Carmela, food didn’t stay with her long. She was sick from
to focus on going a little bit farther and getting a little bit faster
chemotherapy treatments, and food would come back up not long
than you were last time.”
after it was consumed.
One step at a time… C
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F EATURE
A Passion For
COMPASSION There are some people who exude a genuine
feeling of kindness and goodwill immediately upon speaking with them. Keeta King is one of those people. At only 39 years old, she has already dedicated much of her life to helping others in her community. “I just want to live a life that’s significant,” Keeta said. That is one goal she has definitely achieved. Words by ASHLEY ANDERSON | Photos by CHRIS LOZANO
26 CHARM | M A R C H / A P R I L
K
eeta said there was nothing too unique or extravagant
girls one usually finds on the cheerleading squad or drill team. They
about her upbringing. She grew up an only child
were a little rough around the edges. To be a part of the organization,
surrounded by people who loved and spoiled her. She
the girls had to have a certain G.P.A which motivated them to do better
graduated from a very small high school in Mount Enterprise, and she was the only African-American female to walk across her graduation stage more than 20 years ago.
in school. “I had to give them an opportunity to be successful. Giving those girls a reason to stay in school, stay out of trouble and make passing grades
“Even then, I knew that was something special and that I was set apart. I just didn’t quite know why and really didn’t have anyone equipped to help me cultivate that epiphany,” Keeta stated.
was one of the most rewarding experiences I had at PTHS,” Keeta said. “To this day, many of them still call me ‘mamma.’ I just love that.” She had another rewarding experience at Pine Tree High School
She went on to graduate from Stephen F. Austin State University in
when she pushed the school board to acknowledge that they had
Nacogdoches with a bachelor’s degree in interpersonal communication
students in their district and on campus who were homeless. Keeta went
and journalism. It was there that Keeta became a member of the first
undercover for one day and night as a homeless woman to one of the
black Greek lettered sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc., which was
local shelters. She had her husband drop her off on U.S. 80 just down
founded in 1908 at Howard University. That is a legacy that she hopes to
from the shelter. She walked there with only her purse and checked
one day pass down to her daughter.
herself in. She was met at the door by a resident with a very gruff voice
After receiving her college degree, Keeta worked as an at-risk coordinator for Pine Tree High School.
who immediately asked her, “What’s your story?” “Power rang through those words and that very question served as
“Working with the youth at Pine Tree High School was by far one of
the cornerstone of my presentation to the PTHS school board. We had
the most rewarding jobs I’ve ever had,” Keeta recalled. “There were so
to know our kids’ stories if we were going to be successful in providing
many positive experiences. Even the negative experiences were in some
them an education,” Keeta recalled.
way positive because I learned so much from them.”
With the help of two other colleagues at that time, Vickie Echols and
During her first year, she developed a girl’s step team
Crista Black, she put together a documentary and gained the attention
that modeled the colors, values and stepping style of her
of the decision makers. The Pine Tree school board was very receptive
college sorority.
and as a result, put things in place that catered to the non-traditional
“I will never forget their first performance at a Pine Tree High School basketball game. They did their step performance in pink heels that night and were so excited!” Keeta said. “I was extremely proud of them that night. I saw a sense of pride in those girls I hadn’t seen before.” Unfortunately, as with anything that kicks against tradition, they were not always well received as they were not your typical polished group of
Keeta King
student – the homeless student. Her biggest challenge while working there was learning to let go. “I had to realize I couldn’t save everybody. I only had my students seven to eight hours a day, and then they went back to their environment. Some simply did not want to capitalize on the opportunities and services I tried to provide,” Keeta said.
continued on pg. 28
talks with Terry Miller on the Partners in Prevention show.
mycharmonline.com 27
After working at Pine Tree High School, Keeta got involved with East Texas Child Advocates, which will always be near and dear to her heart.
At Partners in Prevention, Keeta serves as the program and community outreach coordinator; she is the city liaison to the Unity and Diversity
“To be the voice of a child who doesn’t have one is one of, if not, the most powerful volunteer opportunities one can have,” Keeta exclaimed.
Committee and Youth Action Committee. She also hosts the PIP Show on the municipality channel, CityView.
She served in several roles with the agency, including case worker,
With all of Keeta’s accomplishments and the impact she has made
volunteer supervisor, public relations manager and board member. Any
in this community, I had to ask at what point she realized that she was
time there was an adoption or the biological parent was able to get it together for their children was a great day and worthy of celebration, she said. Keeta is very passionate about youth, particularly young ladies. Her efforts to improve the community began with them in mind. Her goal became and remains to be the person she needed when she was their age. “I wanted an adult female young enough to relate to what I was going through, yet mature and seasoned in life to the point of being able to kick my butt in gear and steer me in the direction of my gifts and talents,” she said. Currently, Keeta works with Partners in Prevention, a city of Longview department made up of various coalitions that take a preventative
destined to help children and others in the Longview area. “To be honest, it wasn’t a decision I consciously made. It just happened. I’ve always been one to follow my heart. Well, it just so happens that God gave me a heart for people. Sometimes I joke and say, ‘It’s my blessing and my curse,’” she replied. It’s very obvious that Keeta loves her community. She believes Longview residents can help improve the community themselves by doing two things: Seizing every opportunity to add value to others regardless of who they are, and by practicing tolerance by acknowledging and honoring their right to be different. Keeta is the kind of woman that all women should strive to be. She is humble and cares about others with all her heart.
approach to issues in the Longview community. “I like to refer to us PIP sisters as the ‘glue’ that brings everybody
“I don’t do any of this to see my name in lights,” she said. “When I’m
with a genuine desire and work ethic to the table to make our community
long gone from this town or even this earth, I want people to say Keeta
better,” she said.
King made a difference in the lives of others.” C
Women In Longview, Inc. Presents
Women In Longview Day Taking Charge of Our Future
Keynote Speaker:
Kathy Garland Author, Motivator
905 East Hawkins Parkway, Longview Texas TICKETS $25 Available at Barron’s & Texas Bank and Trust (downtown) or Online
www.womeninlongview.org 28 CHARM | M A R C H / A P R I L
THURSDAY APRIL 28
Artwork from a painting by Jan Statman
March 24, 2016 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Hilton Garden Inn
Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Center
S CHOOL
In addition to general discomfort, sports bras that aren’t supportive enough can cause back pain and bras that are too tight can cause problems with circulation. After confronting the relative difficulty of finding the perfect sports bra, coupled with their importance, we sought the expertise of personal trainer Katy Bradford and certified bra fitter Carla Worsham to guide us toward sports bra bliss.
CHOICE There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a sports bra, primarily your shape and size. “Sports bras are not all made equal because we are not all made equal; there is no one size,” said Katy, a personal trainer at the Good Shepherd Institute for Healthy Living. “We are all built differently and therefore we all will need different shapes and sizes of sports bras.” That means not gravitating toward the one-size-fits-all stretchy bra or leaving the store without trying on the sports bra you do choose, Katy said. “As much as you hate to do it, you have to try on a sports bra,” she said. “And then when you’re in the dressing room, you have to do 10 jumping jacks if you want to know if it’s going to work.” While doing those jumping jacks, you want to look for any type of discomfort, chafing, spillage, tingly feeling in the arms or tightness. If it isn’t feel comfortable, try something different,
UNDERSTANDING A WOMAN’S MOST ESSENTIAL FITNESS ACCESSORY:
THE SPORTS BRA Words by ELLEN GOODACRE | Photos by CHRIS LOZANO
T
Katy said. The type of sports bra you purchase will also depend on the type of workout you’ll be doing. For sports, such as yoga, walking and other low impact activities, a low impact bra is fine. But for intense workouts, such as running, jogging, cardio or kickboxing, you’ll want to go for that high impact sports bra. “There’s a little tag that says ‘medium support,’” Katy said. “Sports bras nowadays say what they’re for. So when you’re shopping for a sports bra, read the tags, because Nike might have 10 different types of bras. You’ve got to read the tags.” Larger endowed women should also look for sports bras with a higher neckline, thicker shoulder straps and a thicker bottom band
hey can be cute. Just like our everyday bras, they come
to prevent chafing and circulation issues.
in all types of styles with nifty patterns and cool straps.
Carla, lingerie business manager and certified bra fitter at
But choosing a sports bra is not all fun and games. And
Dillard’s, suggested that women seek the assistance of a certified
the bigger the breast, the harder it is to find a quality sports bra to
fitter, noting that many women buy sport bras too large in
keep those bosoms in check.
the band.
“The fit is probably the most difficult thing, because I don’t want to spend a lot of money on,” said Donna Whitaker, 54, during a workout at Stafford Fitness. “It rubs under my arms, they fall out. It does chap under my arms.”
The support of all bras relies heavily on the band and not the straps as is commonly thought, she said. Lastly, if you have followed all these instructions exactly, there’s no need to wear an everyday bra and a sports bra. mycharmonline.com 29
“You should have a sports bra that does everything and gives you full support,” Carla said. “You should only wear one bra when you work out.”
CARE Just like our everyday bras, sports bras should be washed on the delicate setting and hung or laid flat to dry. In addition to treating all bras equally, Carla suggested
Fitness in Longview. “I always go to Academy and buy the Nike ones. I just feel like they fit me better.” April works out about four times a week, has about six sports bras and usually spends about $20 to $40 for her workout bras, she said. For those on a budget looking for an affordable, mediumsupport sports bra, Katy suggests Old Navy.
Those medium
switching to a mild detergent for sports bras as harsher detergents
support sports bras range in price from $12 to $16, according to
may eat up the elasticity in the bras.
the Old Navy website. The store also carries high support bras,
“With a sports bra, if you’re really working out and you’re perspiring, you’re going to want to laundry more often,” she said. “But if you’re just walking and you’re not perspiring, you don’t have to laundry every time.”
PRICE Women should buy one sports bra for each day they usually workout, for convenience sake, Katy said. Those who are reluctant to dole out the big bucks on a bra should think of purchasing a high-end sports bra as a reward. “Treat yourself; use it as a treat and a prize,” Katy said. “Like if you start up a new exercise routine in January and you can make it through all of January, go out and buy yourself one of those awesome, expensive ones to keep you going.” Victoria’s Secret offers a sports bra designed for well-endowed women who enjoy high impact work outs, Katy said. The Victoria’s Secret website features several styles of maximum support sports bras in sizes up to triple D, most about $50 in price. For the Victoria’s Secret semi-annual sale in June, some of
ranging in price from $12 to $22, and maximum support sports bras ranging in price from $18 to $28 in sizes as large as 40DD. “But, you get what you pay for,” Katy cautioned. “If you spend the money on a good sports bra, then you’re going to get a good sports bra.” Quality sports bra for a woman with a little more jiggle up top, who enjoys high impact workouts, can cost up to $70, she said. “But those really good sports bras are going to last a lot longer and they’re going to keep you much more comfortable,” Katy said. “If someone’s not comfortable exercising, they’re not going to keep doing it. And their health is No. 1; they’ve got to keep exercising.” Of the wide variety of sports bras available at Dillard’s, Carla said Wacoal sports bras are the store’s bestselling brand. Wacoal sports bras range in price from $21 for a low-impact bra to about $68 for a high-impact bra. The brand carries sizes up to an H-cup in some styles. “They’re only going to make what will support that larger cup,
those bras will be up to 60 percent off, dropping the price to about
in certain bras,” she said. “That’s why the pullover bras are just
$20 or $30 before taxes.
going to be your small, medium and large (sizes), but the more
Both Academy Sports and Outdoors and Racquet and Jog carry affordable, quality sports bra brands, such as Nike, Under Armour and The North Face, Katy said. “I can’t buy the cheap ones because I don’t feel like they support me,” said April Monroe, 33, after a workout at Stafford
30 CHARM | M A R C H / A P R I L
industrial types will be fitted by cup size.” Armed with these tools, you can find and care for the best sports at right price for your budget. With the proper support (and hopefully just a dash of style) workouts will be more enjoyable and reaching those fitness goal will be a little bit easier. C
F EATURE
I am Semi-Naked!
hear me roar! Words by APRILL BRANDON Illustrations by MICHELLE LAVERELL
H
ere’s a fun fact you may not know. When you are in the hospital after having a C-section, you are issued several pairs of giant disposable netted underwear by the hospital.
If you’re having trouble picturing that, let me help you out: It’s like if the oldest, saddest pair of granny panties in your drawer was savagely attacked by an army of really angry moths and then you shoved a giant bag of emotional pudding in them. These things left nothing to the imagination (and trust me, immediately after having a baby, you want most, if not all, things left to the imagination). Now, I’m no doctor, but I’m assuming these things have something to do with the giant gash you recently mycharmonline.com 31
I was exhausted and sore and overwhelmed and screw wearing pants! received on your lower abdomen. And since you did just undergo
Of course, a woman choosing to be naked in the comfort of
major surgery, you are in no position to argue when the doctor
her own hospital room may not seem like a big deal to you, but for
says you have to wear the giant disposable netted underwear.
me, this was not only uncharacteristic, but downright unheard of.
Never being one to defy authority (or at least not the authority
I was one of those women who, like any good girl raised in the
that is steadily supplying me with amazing, industrial-strength
90’s, hated her body. I was never thin enough. Or hairless enough.
painkillers) I obediently followed my doctor’s orders. However,
Or shaped enough like a 12-year-old boy. So to hide my perfectly
I’m pretty sure he probably wished that I hadn’t taken his words
healthy and normal weight body, I mastered the art of changing
quite so literally. I was in the hospital for four days. And for four days I wore those see-through granny panties, and only those see-through granny panties. It didn’t matter what time it was, who was in the room, if the door was open or closed, or what I was doing. I was, for all practical purposes, buck naked. All. The. Time. With my body looking arguably the worst it ever had, I had it on display for all to see. Every stretch mark, every wobbly bit, every deflated and temporarily defeated body part. It wasn’t that I had suddenly turned into an exhibitionist, or that, pffft, I was actually happy with how my body looked. I just had a million other things that required my attention other than clothes, such as:
1.
The amazing human I just created.
2. Getting up from the bed to go to the bathroom
(which was a Herculean task that required six nurses, a crane and three, sometimes four, horse tranquilizers shot directly into me by an orderly with a blow gun standing a safe distance away).
3. Debating what would hurt more, cutting
clothes without flashing any actual skin. I wore overpriced bikini cover-ups to the beach, only taking them off once I was deep enough in the water to not let anything south of my chin show (and then flinging the cover-up back onto the beach). After a shower, I would race to my room while clinging to my towel for dear life (because God forbid I flash someone in my family my apparently offensive upper thighs). I was that woman who, every Jan. 1, would research and plan and empty my pantry full of junk and buy pills and powders and that yoga DVD that went perfectly with the brand new cute yoga outfit I just bought and would write out the daily menu for the next two weeks based on the latest, trendy diet book I also just bought. Because THIS diet actually IS the answer to my weight loss woes! Unlike the 42 others that I tried! However, and here’s the kicker, no matter what diet I was on or what I weighed, I still hid my body like it was a dirty, shameful secret. But now that I’m a mother? Shoot, you’re lucky if you actually catch me with clothes on. Who has time for pants when there are living room forts to be made and dinner theater shows to produce
my breasts off with a dull ax or continuing to breastfeed.
starring dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets and mystery stains in
4. Deciding continuing to breastfeed would
Of course, this doesn’t mean I am now completely comfortable
the hallway to half-heartedly clean up?
probably hurt slightly less and then attempting to feed my son again while 17 lactation specialists hovered around my bed and roughly squished together my boob and my baby’s face.
with my body. I don’t know if that day will ever happen. But it
5. Trying to sleep during the 47 seconds I had
looking the way I want it to. My breasts being perky matter much,
does mean that I have a new appreciation for it. Dare I say, even a new kind of love for it. Because now it has a purpose other than
in between feedings, comforting my crying baby, nurses checking my vitals and eating an unhealthy amount of cheeseburgers from the hospital cafeteria.
much less than the fact they were a food source for my son. My
So, being naked all the time just made everything so much
hips being narrow matter less than me having a convenient perch
easier. I was exhausted and sore and overwhelmed and screw
arms being perfectly toned matter less than them being strong enough to lift him and carry him around for hours on end. My to rest him on.
wearing pants! Die a painful death, stupid bra! Even the hospital
And let me tell you, it is completely freeing.
gown seemed too complicated, what with its two whole ties in
Because, quite frankly, my dear, I (and my floppy stomach) no
the back. 32 CHARM | M A R C H / A P R I L
longer give a damn. C
PICTURE
ABBEY TYSON, HOLLY FORBES, JASON BUTLER, SHELLY BUTLER, JIM TILLEY
This!
STARS OVER LONGVIEW LONGVIEW | MAUDE COBB CONVENTION AND ACTIVITY CENTER | 1/14/2016 Photos by CHRIS LOZANO
About 850 people turned out to support women who have made a difference in the community during Longview Regional Medical Center’s KATHY MENDICELLO, LAUREN AND LISA VAN BURKLEO, PAT WATSON
Stars Over Longview luncheon. The 12 women honored were: Glenda Burt, Dorothy Horne, Kristen Ishihara, Cherika A. Johnson, Dorothy Khoury, Lisa Van Burkleo, Dana Parr, Sandra Skoog, Carolyn Northcutt, Francye Phillips, Laura Laster and Chrissy Berry.
ERIC, SANDRA AND HUNTER SKOOG
CAROLYN, AMY AND MICHAEL NORTHCUTT
DIANE MILLER, DOROTHY KAMP, LYNNE DAVIS, GLADYS CROUCH, SHARON CAMP, BETTY FOWLER, JOANNE WHITESIDE
MARY ANN MILLER, MATT TOOKER
JENNIFER SLADE, DAMIYA PENTECOST, DONNA SHARP
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GO RED FOR WOMEN LUNCHEON
CHARLOTTE DAVIS, TYRONE CURL, DEAN WASKOWIAK, ANGELA HANLEY
LONGVIEW | MAUDE COBB CONVENTION AND ACTIVITY CENTER | 2/5/2016 Photos by CHRIS LOZANO
Hundreds of women gathered in February to raise awareness of heart disease, the No. 1 cause of death in
HUNTER RUSSELL, HOLLY HOWELL, KELE BLALOCK
the United States and the No. 1 killer of women. Proceeds from the Go Red for Women luncheon in Longview will benefit the American Heart Association in its fight against heart disease.
KACEY POWELL, BRANDI RUSSELL, KRISTIN BATES
ROXANNE BROWNING, HEATHER VINYARD, TRINA GRIFFITH
EMILY SHYMKIW, KATIE PARKHURST, SHIVANI NAIK, MARYELLE STEPHENSON
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BECCA CHILDRESS, MADI HARVECK, KALI MORIS, MEG JOHNSON
TRISHA BENEFIELD, PAULA FLORCZYKOWSKI
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EVALONIA BARRETT-BOLTON, M. CHRIS JONES
MLK HUMANITARIAN AWARDS LONGVIEW | RED OAK BAPTIST CHURCH | 1/16/2016 Photos by CHRIS LOZANO
Dozens of East Texans gathered in mid-January to honor the Rev. James E. Webb, who received the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award during Longview’s MLK celebrations. Other festivities to honor King included a parade, community festival, worship service, a march and memorial service.
AMBER JONES, KYLAN PEW
REV. HOMER C. ROCKMORE, EVALONIA BARRETT-BOLTON
VIK VERMA
REV. JAMES E. WEBB, SHARON WEBB
GREG ADAMS, EDDIE WILLIAMS
CARMEN AND DONAVON WEBB
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DADDY DAUGHTER DANCE
JUAN AND ALYSSA ROSALES
LONGVIEW | LONGVIEW EXHIBIT BUILDING | 2/5/2016 Photos by CHRIS LOZANO
Fathers and daughters danced the night away Feb. 5 during a special Daddy-Daughter Dance, sponsored by the city of Longview.
LANEY, JIMMY AND ENA CUTRER
CODY AND CAYLEE LEWIS, KAELIN SANDERS, JUSTIN HAMPTON
LYDIA AND JOHN LOMMEL
AARON AND MATTYE MOORE, JONATHAN AND ABBEY MCFAUL
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AARON AND PARIS CASTILLO
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UNITY HONORS LUNCHEON LONGVIEW | MAUDE COBB CONVENTION AND ACTIVITY CENTER | 2/11/2016 KEETA KING, RICHARD LETOURNEAU
Photos by CHRIS LOZANO
About 380 people gathered at Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Center for the annual Unity Honors Luncheon, giving the Rev. J.D. Palmer and fellow 2016 recipient Dorothy Walker standing ovations for the impact they’ve made to fight prejudice in Longview and East Texas. Junior League of Longview also was honored for its work in the community.
RHONDA LEWIS, MITZI BAXTER, PAT HUNTER, PATSY SNEED, REGINA WAYNE, GEORGIA REDMOND
DANIELLE SMITH, OLIVIA HILL, ROBYN EDWARDS
TARLINE HILLHOUSE, BONNIE HULL, PATRICIA THOMPSON
JAY DEAN, JAMES JOHNSON, DAVID WILLARD, JAMES COGAR
TERRY & DENVER BROWN, LARRY ROSMOND, BRUCE JEFFREY, ANDREW WRIGHT
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GIRLS GO RED LONGVIEW | HILTON GARDEN INN | 2/6/2016 Photos by CHRIS LOZANO
Girls had the opportunity to go red with their moms and meet Miss Texas 2015 Shannon Sanderford during a special brunch at Hilton Garden Inn in Longview. Proceeds from the brunch benefit the American Heart Association.
MARGARET, KATE AND ADALINE LANGSTON
HEATHER AND RAYLEY SIDEL, CAROLINE FADAL, LARKIN SIDEL
ELSI HERNANDEZ, OLIVIA PAYNE, DR. STEPHANIE PAYNE, PHOEBE PAYNE, HOLLY PATTERSON, GABBY AZIOS
GINA DEHOYOS, BRANDI RUSSELL, KACEY POWELL, LIBBY BRYSON, JULIE WOODS
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LORI WILCOX, HEIDIE HEALY
TAYLOR LOR, MISS TEXAS SHANNON SANDERFORD, BRINLEY CAMPBELL
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LONGVIEWWOW
BOURBON & BOWTIES
TAYLOR STRAUDE, DAVID PERKINS
KILGORE | THE LANDING AT JOSHUA FARMS | 2/6/2016 Photos by CHRIS LOZANO
Bourbon was the theme behind a 2016 fundraiser to raise money for Longview World of Wonders, which is working to establish a MAXINE STRUBE, GINA GREEN
children’s museum in the city. Hundreds of people turned out for the annual Bourbon and Bowties fundraiser, which was held this year at The Landing Event Center.
STEVE LAMORE, KAYLEE EDGECOMBE, LOGAN SKINNER
DEBBIE HEAD, JENNIFER AND MIKE BROWN ADRIANNE AND DEREK BAUMGARDNER
CLAY AND JACLYN ABERNATHY, DUSTIN BATES
WILL AND TARYN MCKINTYRE
VICKIE BOGGIO, TYLER LOHR, MALLORY MAZARAKES, SUSAN MAZARAKES-GILL
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