2014 Fall Magnolia

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FREE

Celebrating the Lives of Local Women

Portraits

Recipes for Friendship

Brava

Porch Swing Editor says farewell

Artistic Foursome

FALL 2014

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Editor Charlotte Atkins Design and Layout Heather Koon Photographers and Contributing Writers Charlotte Atkins, Severo Avila, Carolyn Grindrod, Ann Hortman, Tracy Page, Kathy Patrick, Alan Riquelmy, Doug Walker, Kristina Wilder Advertising Director Cecilia Crow

Advertising Sales Mandy Welborn Jennifer Futch Mary Edwards Diane Durham Creative Services/ Advertising Design Tona Deaton, manager Lee Field Allison Morris Sharon Chastain Circulation and Distribution R.J. Driskill Printing Rob Broadway

Special thanks to the following people who helped with this edition: All the women who shared their stories of friendship; Harvest Moon Cafe for letting us shoot several of our photos at the restaurant; Brewhouse Music & Grill for letting us shoot a friends portrait there; Leigh Callan for allowing us to use the veranda of her Between the Rivers home for our cover photo; Ann Hortman for writing about author and her friend Ann Cornelison; Kathy Patrick of Meals on Heels for once again writing our Cheers and Bon Appetit, Y’all features; and Tracy Page of Babycake Studios who once again photographed all of the showcase portraits for this edition.

Table of Contents From the Porch Swing — Editor’s Message

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She Said questions

When you are happy and want to celebrate, what is your favorite go-to food? If you could pal around with a famous woman from the past or present, who would it be and why? What do you consider the key ingredients for a meaningful and lasting friendship? What do you wish you had known as a younger woman that you know or understand now?

Page 6 Page 10 Page 17 Page 20

Magnolia Portraits Karen and Dana Holly and Company Sandy and Friends Jill and Carla Bridget and Avery

Page 7 Page 11 Page 19 Page 21 Page 23

Bon Appetit Y’all

Friendship and food give value to life

Cheers!

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Girls’ Night in means mix of friends, refreshments

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Friends on Friends

Melanie Morris and Mimi Weed Ruthann Sargent, Sallie Metcalfe, Robyn Bailey and Kathy Bennett Scharla Battle, Julie Brown, Lena Crooker, Angela James and Denise Powers Charlotte Atkins and Tracy Page Judy Peal Williams and Christine Dodd Puckett Page 9 Cover photo: Best friend Avery Callan Hammonds touches Bridget Gray’s belly to see if she can feel her namesake kick. Bridget is expecting her second daughter on Christmas Day, whom she plans to name after Avery. Our cover photo was taken on the front veranda of Avery’s mother Leigh Callan’s Between the Rivers home. That porch holds special memories galore, from Avery’s prewedding party and “Footloose” dance practice to Bridget’s bridal shower, her bridal photos and later her baby shower. Other times it was just sitting on the porch for girl talk, laughs and giggles or tears. “If those porch rockers could only talk,” says Bridget. (The cover photo is by Tracy Page.) To advertise in the next edition of Magnolia, email advertising@NPCo.com or call 706-290-5213. To contact us about Magnolia features, email magnoliaeditor@gmail.com. News Publishing Co. 305 E. Sixth Ave. Rome, GA 30161 President: Burgett H. Mooney III Vice President of Production: Doug Crow Vice President of Community Relations (and Magnolia head cheerleader): Mary Sib Banks New Media Director: Jim Alred Magnolia is published seasonally by News Publishing Co. and is distributed free at more than 80 locations in the Greater Rome Area. ©2014.

Brava

Art creates foundation for foursome

Magnolia of the Past Ann Cornelison

Home Sweet Home

Best friends make college a home away from home

Minding Their Own Business Family, friends, food key to Two Can Do’s success

Magnolia Moms

At home or hospital: Mothers-to-be have options for their births

For the Health of It

TRX Suspension: A new swing on strength training

50-Plus & Fabulous

Bonds from childhood keep trio close

Ellen Axson Wilson gala

First Lady Sandra Deal touts value of women’s friendships

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EDITOR’S MESSAGE

From the Porch Swing What an amazing seven years it has been since we started our Magnolia connection! We saw a need for a special publication that celebrates our lives as women, and over the years we have included thousands of ladies from Greater Rome and Northwest Georgia on these pages. I have loved every minute of it, from poring over all of the She Said responses to the fun, touching and sometimes outrageous photo shoots we’ve done. I remember our very first cover shot with Tammy Foubert where I cajoled coworkers into baking hundreds of cupcakes so that we could photograph her in repose in a sea of colorful cupcakes. That’s when I realized women would be playful and let us capture their true spirit if only we asked. Like when we had Jan Fergerson zip lining in an Easter bunny costume or then Rome Mayor Evie McNiece perched atop goal posts or Georgia Power VP Anne Kaiser frolicking in a waterfall. What fun we’ve had! My goal in every edition has been to show a side of local women that most do not see. We tend to put people in boxes within certain context when the truth is we are multifaceted complex beings and shouldn’t be confined to a job title or singular

role or claim to fame. So I have loved ferreting out little tidbits about local gals that have readers going, “Wow, I didn’t know that about her!� Men, too, love reading the magazine because they not only learn about some fabulous local ladies but likely get schooled in how we think and what we value. Smart fellows! The greatest gift over the years has been all the friendships that have resulted from Magnolia connections. I have met some incredible women whose paths I might never have crossed otherwise. That’s why it is so fitting that this – my final edition of Magnolia – celebrates the importance of friendship among women. In case you haven’t heard, I am relocating about 85 miles due east to Gainesville to become the publisher of The Times newspaper and publishing company there. But I’ll be close enough to zip back and forth across the state, and I will be returning to visit. My circles of friends here are so important to me. Many are now my family. Like my dear Mermaids, a group of friends who scuba dive and travel to tropical destinations to explore the undersea world and to connect as friends. We have been through so much together these past years. Our core group of four has grown to add new Mermaids – and even a few Mermen. I have my church

friends, my community friends and fellow business women. My Irreverent Book Club friends fall into almost all of those groups. There are those friends I hit the tennis courts with and those I take to the rivers with in kayaks. In all of those circumstances, food is often part of the celebration of these friendships. This is the South after all! So that’s why this edition celebrates Recipes for Friendship and how food intermingles in our relationships. It’s also why we are releasing this edition at the Rome News-Tribune’s Taste of Home Cooking School. That event is always packed with groups of women friends out for a girls’ night out for some camaraderie and to glean some cooking tips. I think that’s a good combination as we have learned over the years of connecting through Magnolia. People have asked if Magnolia will continue after I leave since I started the Magazine. My answer is, “Certainly!� Magnolia has thrived because we have smart, loyal advertisers who realize the value of having a targeted product that reaches thousands of women in this area. We have readers who love the celebratory spirit of our features and learning about fascinating women in our communities. Our readers not only read but also participate in being a part of the interactivity of the magazine. As long as readers and advertisers support it and embrace it, it will be here. Magnolia is about community spirit, especially among women. Magnolia is not me. Magnolia is YOU. Charlotte Atkins, Editor

Let us know what you think about Magnolia magazine. Email your comments to magnoliaeditor@gmail.com.

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She Said:

When you are happy and want to celebrate, what is your favorite go-to food? Salted Caramel Ice Cream anytime! Elaine Abercrombie

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My favorite happy food is mama’s home cooking. One bite of chicken casserole and I can’t help but smile. And it’s actually the same for a sad day too. Jamie Driskill Spinach dip or corn dip with proper drinks! Happy or sad ... Angela James Big celebrations call for cake from Honeymoon Bakery. Small celebrations involve warm brownie bites and Talenti Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Gelato. Sad calls for anything salty I can find in the pantry. Therefore, I rarely buy chips anymore. A hard day can result in mass consumption! Monica Sheppard

Are you kidding? Ice cream and ice cream. Dianne Stansberry

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Karen and Dana

Photograph by Tracy Page / Babycake Studios

There are few really special people who come into your life who make your life what it is, was and will be. In 1975 I met Dana Bryant Czekalla when we started Radiology School at Floyd Hospital. I never imagined what that pretty red-haired girl would mean to me 38 years later. She is still the person who knows what I am thinking before I even approach the subject. We never knew each other before those days in good ‘ole X-ray school. But immediately, we became the best of friends. We have been through a few men before finally finding the right ones, a few girls we had to defend each other from annihilating, and raising our children. Oh, our children ... without each other we would never have made it through those times when our kids were growing up. We made it though, through thick and thin. If I had a dollar for every tear we have cried and every joy we have shared, I would be a wealthy girl. The most wonderful thing is I am wealthy. I am rich because I have Dana as a friend. She and I are blood friends. I am sure that the Good LORD had a plan for us to meet. We would never have made it to today without one another. I am sure that she will always be with me to the end and I with her. It is rare to have a friend that you can depend on, but I trust my life with her. My secrets are her secrets and hers mine. I am so thankful that God’s plan for me involved her and her family. Have you seen the plaque that says, “We will be friends forever, we know too much”? Well, it’s true! If the shoe fits ... There is a Bible verse that describes our relationship, Proverbs 18:24. It says, “The man that has friends must show himself to be a friend, and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.” Dana is my sister. We fight, forgive and go right on loving each other. In order to love someone like that, they must be like family. She is my family. She’s my sister in life. Karen Jordan

Dana Bryant Czekalla and Karen Jordan have been friends for almost 40 years. They went to X-ray school and raised their kids together. 7

Friends at work and play Here’s our recipe for friendship that allows us to be able to work together and play together. We recently celebrated our 17th year in business at Mel & Mimi at 203 E. Eighth St. Any long-term relationship evolves over time, and ours began as teenagers growing up in Rome. Even though our lives started out taking different directions, as young women we came together with similar interests. Our relationship is now a balance of business as well as friendship. Our common interest in fashion, art,

theater, music and food helped us form a direction to build our business. Over the years we have shared the ups and downs of our lives that have only made our bond stronger. Some are often surprised to see us together outside of Mel&Mimi, whether it be a community event, book club or celebrating and supporting important events in each other’s lives. ... With our similarities, we also appreciate the differences that we both bring to our business and friendship. When it comes to Mel&Mimi, having two sets of opinions can bring a balance

in creating fresh ideas and bring energy into our buying, merchandising and special events. When the work day is done these girls want to have fun, so that’s where the common interests come into play. For example, celebrating a birthday with a Jason Mraz concert at the Fox Theater and recently enjoying a local RIFF movie and dining out in downtown Rome. So the following is our recipe for friendship: 2 to 4 cups of common interest; 1 cup of loyalty; ½ cup of adventure mixed with a ½ cup of trust; 2 tablespoons of laughter; 1 teaspoon each of

College roommates still friends 45 years later Four 17-year-olds met in the freshman dorm at Reinhardt College in September 1969. We were roommates for two years. We graduated from Reinhardt and went on to four-year colleges. We were bridesmaids in each other’s weddings, and shared our joy each time a new baby was born. We are all grandmothers now with 15 grandchildren and two more on the way!

Magnolia collaboration turns into friendship

and produced lots of great photography. One by one they went on to others things. At one point, I wanted to do studio sessions and sweet talked local portrait photographer Tracy Page into shooting the showcase portraits for one edition. She was making her mark as an entertainment headshot photographer at the time. We had known each other professionally for years and were neighbors who both live down the hill from Rome’s famed clock tower. Tracy did those studio shots, and we had such a fabulous time with our creative collaboration that she has photographed almost all of the showcase portraits for Magnolia ever since. It’s been fun to capture

As editor of Magnolia, I have always said the key to a women’s magazine is strong photography. I once told my staff of three twentysomething male photographers when we first started the magazine, “This is a women’s magazine. If the women don’t look good in your photos, women will not want to be in our magazine. You have to be extra careful of angles and lighting. We care how our necks and arms look, and we don’t want the lines of our faces or our bulges accented!”They listened and learned

Co-workers’ favorite recipe is lunch We are more than coworkers and a team; we are friends. Over the years, our all-woman work group has evolved into a tight-knit circle of friends. For the gals who make up the team at Cancer Navigators, friendship and food are our lifelines as we help navigate cancer patients on their journeys. We have bonded through the inspiration and heartbreak that’s a daily part of our work. We have also bonded over food. Lunchtime

Music key ingredient for this duo My friendship with Christine Dodd Puckett began in the fall of 1966. We were both freshmen at Berry College. At the time, I was a day student; she was a dorm student. We met in our music classes at Berry where we were working on a Music Education degrees. We became best friends struggling in our classes, sharing a special bond that has lasted almost 50 years. We married and had children within a few months of each other. Christine stayed in Rome, taught music, and became principal of Glenwood school and Berry Elementary. I followed

the following ingredients ... respect, caring, smiles and tears. Blend all ingredients together for a long successful friendship! Melanie Morris and Mimi Weed

We have leaned on each other as some of us have divorced and remarried. Our strong friendships have sustained us as we have grieved over the deaths of parents and siblings. Over the years we have taken New York trips, beach trips, mountain trips and stay in each other’s home trips. Some 45 years later, we still get together several times a year to love and laugh and remember... Ruthann Sargent (left), Sallie Metcalfe, Robyn Bailey and Kathy Bennett

the spirit and beauty of area women together. We have roamed all over Greater Rome and the neighboring countryside for just the right photos. Our adventures have ranged from Tracy getting spit in the eye by an alpaca to convincing a subject to run through the Town Green fountains. We started as creative cohorts and have now become dear friends. That is especially important as we are now each leaving to begin new chapters of our lives in two other Georgia cities. But we will cherish our Magnolia photo shoots ... and the girl talk on the porch sipping wine as we look out at our beloved clock tower. Charlotte Atkins (left) and Tracy Page

is our therapy! It’s a time to laugh and let go of the emotions that bubble up as cancer patients pour their hearts out to us ... or sometimes to talk through our feelings. Heck, sometimes it’s just about the food itself as we decide whether to go for Mexican or Italian or our favorite lunchtime place, Harvest Moon Cafe. This year, several of us have been on weight-loss journeys and the food choices have gotten much healthier, so more times than not we can be found camped around the kitchen table at work instead of going out. It

doesn’t really matter where we are. If there’s time to connect as both friends and coworkers and to talk about our kids, our spouses and our lives outside of work in addition to the work we love, that’s really what matters. Lunch is more than just eating. It is our getaway, our time to relax, our stress reliever, our social time and a much-needed break. So our basic recipe for friendship is pretty simple – listening, laughter and lunch. Scharla Battle, Julie Brown, Lena Crooker, Angela James and Denise Powers

my husband to Polk County to teach for my 31-year career. Over the years we have drifted back and forth spending time together, then allowing our lives to become too busy for us to be together. When we did get back after a separation, it was like we were only away for a day or two. We are now both retired, enjoying our grandchildren and still married to our other best friends. We also are still enjoying our music together in the 3 River Singers every week, which is a special treat for both of us. Music has been the ingredient that has bonded us together over the years. It has brought us together with love for life and all good things in it. Judy Peal Williams and Christine Dodd Puckett

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She Said:

If you could pal around with a famous woman from the past or present, who would it be and why?

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Holly and Company

Photograph by Tracy Page / Babycake Studios

Here’s my recipe for friendship: Take three former bosses, add one small business and mix with 16-hour wedding days. Some 20 years ago, I began my “working” career in events and marketing. In most of my jobs, I’ve had the privilege of working for some really incredible women who have been bosses, mentors and friends. I don’t know how many other people are as lucky as me to have women they once worked for come and work for their former employee. Somehow, by the grace of God, three women that I once called boss now give up some of their time off to help grow my business — The Season Events — and I’m so grateful for them. Alice Stevens was my first boss at Berry College. Cheryl Huffman was president of Northwest Georgia Credit Union while I was their marketing director, and when I first began my business, I worked parttime for Chrystial Prater at her store, Sincerely Yours. All three ladies have since joined up with me at The Season Events to help brides and even pitch in at the Broad Street office sometimes. When I am going insane over something, they all know either how to calm me down or when to simply walk away. That’s true friendship. Of course, because of the business we’re in, wedding cake and champagne are what keep us going! That’s our joke — that we’re in this for the cake and wine. But the real reward is definitely the friendship. True friends can surpass the “who’s the boss” question to simply support each other! Holly D. Lynch

Their mantra is “We’re in this for the cake and wine,” say Holly Lynch (left), Alice Stevens, Cheryl Huffman and Chrystial Prater. 11

Brava

ABOVE: Stephanie Kipfer shows off a few pieces of jewelry she created. LEFT: Mindy Hubenthal has her hands full with seven kids, but she and her husband also own The Hook and Hammer, a company and website where they sell her works of crochet and jewelry as well as his woodwork.

RIGHT: April Ingram is the photographer in the group, shooting artistic, wedding and portrait photography.

ABOVE: Lisa Ingram creates unique and beautiful pottery. 12

Art creates foundation for foursome

By Severo Avila Features Editor

Though they are busy with their own families and their work, social schedules and anything else life throws at them, four creative Rome women still find time to support and encourage each other as much as they can. Lisa creates beautiful works of pottery. April captures local people and places in her wedding and portrait photography. Mindy crochets and creates jewelry, while Stephanie also creates jewelry as well as acrylic paintings. They have a special bond, these four. Lisa Ingram, Stephanie Kipfer, Mindy Hubenthal and April Ingram are all artists. And although their pieces span the artistic spectrum, it also brings them closer together. “What really brought us together as a group was the Starving Artist Expo,” said Lisa, referring to the annual art show put together and showcasing a handful of local artists. “We knew each other outside of that, but that was sort of the basis of this tight-knit group.” It’s a little tough to keep up with the web-like threads that hold their relationships together. Lisa and April are sisters-in-law, married to two brothers. April and Mindy knew each other socially. Stephanie and Lisa went to Berry College together. All this spanned years, and as social groups go in a small city, there was always some overlap. But art and common interests slowly brought the four together, and they now are close friends who try their best to spend time together while juggling family, careers and, of course, their passion for art. They spend time together by visiting one another at home or going out to eat. Their kids’ play dates are also reasons to come together, and they say Facebook is a great way to stay connected. “Even though we’re all artists and we go to some of the same shows or events, there’s absolutely no competition,” said Stephanie, whose colorful jewelry can be seen and purchased at Elysium on Broad Street in downtown Rome. “We all know sort of what the other is doing, and we keep up with the others’ work and are very supportive.”

Mindy, for example, is happy to share her ideas on materials or techniques. She and her husband run an online blog — thehookandhammer.blogspot.com — where they display her art and his woodwork. “These girls give me a much needed break from all the stuff I do,” she said. “I have seven kids and homeschool, so art is my passion and my escape, and these women share that passion with me. They’re talented and work hard. I respect them so much.” Though weddings and portraits keep her busy throughout the year, April is still considering participating in next year’s Starving Artist Expo. The other women will, and it’s an event that brings them even closer together. She’s not too busy, however, to offer photography tips to Lisa who needs to shoot lots and lots of photos of pottery. “I have a studio and a website, potterybylisa. com,” she said. “So I am always taking photos of my work to put on Facebook or on the site. Thankfully April knows a thing or two about photography and gives me some pointers.” So between couples nights, lunches and dinners, pottery classes for the kids, art shows, visits to Elysium (where both Stephanie and Mindy work) and family get-togethers, the women somehow find time to reconnect often. “Art really sort of brought us all together and keeps us connected,” Stephanie said. “We get excited for each other and just being friends with a potter and someone who crochets and someone who’s a photographer is a great networking opportunity. If anyone I know needs a photographer or some pottery or jewelry, then I know exactly who to refer them to. And they do the same for me.”

Magnolia of the Past Author Ann Cornelison By Ann Hortman Guest Writer

My first impression of Ann Cornelison was simply — Wow! She had arrived at my in-laws’ home for a party — brandishing a red leather HarleyDavidson backpack — and asked for a scotch. She was one of the most fascinating ladies I had ever met; her life story was like a dream. I didn’t meet Ann until the early ‘90s when she moved to Rome — Georgia that is. She had spent most of her adult life living in Italy — Naples, Tuscany, Cortona and their Rome. In reading the books she wrote, you would learn she could take a car apart on the side of the road and put it back together in a heartbeat. She was quite the character. Ann Cornelison was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1926. She was educated at the Girls Latin School of Chicago, the Baldwin School in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Vassar College in 1948. In 1954 she went to Florence, Italy, intending to study archaeology. Instead she spent 10 years with the Save the Children Fund, setting up nurseries in the mountainous, impoverished villages of southern Italy.

Ann was my neighbor. I lived on Sherwood Road, and her house backed up to mine on Bass Avenue. Ann referred herself and neighbor (and dear friend) Mabel Milner as the “vigilantes of Bass Avenue.� They kept watch over us all. In the time I knew her, she had two beloved boxers — first Blitz and then Max (Maximilian Schell) and was often seen walking the neighborhood with her boxer and a walking stick. Ann was a very private person. I didn’t realize until after her death that she had served for years on the board of Floyd Medical Center and was very instrumental in helping develop long-term care. It is said that when she made her annual trip from Italy to New York to visit her publisher that she stayed in the same hotel, where the bellhops and staff always greeted her by name. I have my in-laws’ wonderful collection of her books — all first editions and each one lovingly inscribed. My favorite is “Any Four Women Could Rob the Bank of Italy.� Little known fact: We’ve all read Frances Mayes’ book “Under the Tuscan Sun,� yes? It was dedicated to Ann Cornelison. Although Ann was not born in Rome, it was her home, and she is fittingly buried at our famed Myrtle Hill Cemetery.

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Best friends make college a HOME AWAY FROM HOME By Kristina Wilder Staff Writer

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Making a college seem like home can be kind of difficult, especially in the first year, but finding a best friend can make the transition a lot easier. For four young women who attend college in Rome, finding their best friend made a huge difference for them. The starts of their friendships are quite different, but their stories all mesh in one aspect: the amount of support they offer each other. At Berry College three years ago, two freshmen met at orientation, started working together in student activities and weren’t sure what to think of each other. “I’m quiet, reserved and won’t tell you anything you don’t want to hear,” laughed Emma Wells. “Mackenzie tells it like it is. When I first met her, I remember thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, she’s really honest!’” Mackenzie Ross remembers their first meeting as well. “We didn’t know each other at all, but we were working in the same office,” Ross said, smiling. “She was wearing this horrendous hat. I didn’t think we’d become friends, but we started talking and became work friends, then we started hanging out and became best friends.” While their personalities are quite different, the two friends do share some things. They both come from smaller towns, with Wells from Ellijay and Ross from a small town in Illinois. They both love to watch movies and do Zumba and paint their nails together and enjoy nice dinners. “I teach Zumba three days a week and Mackenzie started coming and now she’s my assistant so we teach together,” said Wells. Ross agreed with her friend and praised her Zumba skills. “She is the bomb diggity at that,” laughed Ross. “We both love it now.” However, one type of activity doesn’t always work out. While Ross tries to share her friend’s enthusiasm for the great outdoors, it doesn’t always happen. “She is really outdoorsy,” said Ross. “She likes to hike. I’m more of an indoors person. I’ll be good with hiking sometimes, but then other times I’m like ‘Aw, I’ll just catch you later’ and watch a movie.” They agree that their differences work out. “We understand our differences, and we don’t penalize each other for them,” said Ross. “We grew up very differently. I tell it like it is and I think she thought I was mean at first, but I always thought I was being honest. Now, it works.” Wells appreciates Ross’ honesty, she said. “Before I knew her and she’d say something, I’d think ‘I can’t believe she said that.’ But now that we’ve been friends for so long, I know she says things because she cares enough not to sugarcoat it,” said Wells. “A lot of people will tell you what they think you want to hear, but Mackenzie doesn’t do that. She provides honesty in my life and you need that.” The two are convinced they will always stay friends.

Photograph by Kristina Wilder

Ashley Poole (left) and Lauren Daniel have known each other since high school. The two are suite mates and music majors at Shorter.

Photograph by Kristina Wilder

Mackenzie Ross (left) and Emma Wells met through Berry’s student work program. Both work in the Student Activities Office.

“It doesn’t matter if we end up on the opposite sides of the world,” said Ross. “When we’re apart during the summer, we always call to catch up with each other and then it is like we never were apart.” However, sharing a home is not in the cards, they agree. “She’s not messy but she’s not OCD like me about cleaning,” laughed Wells. “We love each other, but we can’t live together. At Shorter University, two best friends do share a suite in the college dorms and their suite is quite the show place. “They will often use our suite to show during tours of the school,” said Ashley Poole, as both women laugh. “We did it with the help of our parents. It wasn’t all us.” Decorating the suite, which is basically a small apartment shared by the Poole and her best friend Lauren Daniel and another roommate, got interesting when it came to color choices. “Lauren loves pink,” said Poole. “We had swatches and were trying to pick colors. We wanted to stay neutral, so we went with green.” The school has become a home away from home for both, they said. “I used to be really sad when I left home,” she said. “We wanted to make it feel like home and now we really are like family. The friendships I have made here, my friendship with Lauren and just the school overall have made it like a home away from home. I get sad when I leave here now.” The two have known each other for a while, coming from the same high school in Kennesaw. Both were in the chorus and knew each other and were friends, but not best friends as they are now. “We knew each other and both decided on Shorter and we decided we would be suitemates,” explained Daniel. “We are both in the music program here. We became best friends and we probably wouldn’t have made it without each other because the music program here is really hard.” While Daniel knew what she wanted to do in high school, Poole wasn’t always set, she said. “I didn’t have a plan really,” Poole said. “I’d always wanted to own a bakery, but I’d enjoyed chorus and music and then one day out of the blue during my senior year I decided I wanted to teach music. Lauren always knew what she wanted to do. While we weren’t super close in high school . We were still friends and when we started being suitemates, we realized how similar we are.” Both now plan to teach music, mainly chorus. The two students teach together at Armuchee High School two mornings a week. Their tastes are similar enough that they even pack their lunches in one box together and carry a portable blender so they can make smoothies. “It is very funny to see us together,” said Poole. “We are both very organized to a fault and are both a little type A.” They admit that others at Shorter often get them confused. While they don’t look alike, they are often together for classes and activities and they share clothes. “People will say Lauren, Ashley, Ashley, Lauren, until they get us straight,” laughed Daniel.

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FAMILY, FRIENDS, FOOD keys to Two Can Do Catering’s success those initial events, the two would sporadically cater parties, but the business kept growing and growing. If you walk into the red-tiled commercial kitchen of the “People love to eat, so when you love to eat, you’ve got a Forrest Building in downtown Rome on any given day, two collective audience,” said Triplitt. “And honestly, our goal was to things are sure to hit your senses: the warm smell of golden sort of always, hopefully, provide not only a nice meal that yeast rolls baking up in the ovens in preparation for a banquet looked pretty, but tasted pretty. We wanted people to remember and the sounds of laughter from two Roman businesswomen how it tasted. That was important to us.” adorned in red handkerchiefs. Through the past 22 years of their catering business, the two And if you end up staying around for just a while, you’re sure find said they’ve had their share of stories of mishaps and joys to tell. out exactly how Ellen Keene and Barbara Triplitt of Two Can Do Catering “One of the craziest stories we have is about a man who have made their niche over the past two decades in upscale Southern forgot his 20th anniversary,” said Triplitt. “He had promised to take cooking locally that has been built on a rock-solid foundation of what her to New Orleans, and we were leaving for Branson, Missouri, Triplitt called the “three F’s” — family, food and friendship. that next day, and he begged us to come make breakfast in bed Keene, who was a home economics major from West Rome Junior for her so he could pretend it was Brennan’s in New Orleans. So High, said the two ladies who often get confused for sisters actually we had the works — beignets, eggs Benedict, all set up for two first met nearly 27 years ago, when their children where younger. ... we let him walk in with the trays, and we snuck out the back.” “We met at St. Mary’s,” said Keene. “One of us was the Another story the two shared about their time together is a president of homeschool and the other was outgoing. Our misunderstanding of dates and fried chicken, said Triplitt. children were both there, but since we were both volunteering “We’ve had a lot of funny stories,” said Triplitt. “Ellen had a together, we became friends and would do fun things together.” good friend of hers that she has known for years, who asked if At that time, Keene had a full-time job at the White Rabbit, a we could do a party for them. They wanted a complete Southern former downtown boutique, and she asked Triplitt, who was the meal, fried chicken, homemade mac and cheese and tiny development director at St. Mary’s Catholic School, if she’d not biscuits, homemade ice cream and cobbler. Of course we said only come work at the store on the weekends but to help out yes, so we got the dates down. Well, the night of the party, we with what would become their first catering event together. fried all this chicken and went over to the house. Well, we asked “Ellen called me one day and said ‘Hey Barb, would it be if we could turn on the ovens and the possible if you could help me with my high school reunion hostess asked if we needed to do dinner? Our caterer backed out and we’ve got $10 a person. it 24 hours in advance. I went, Would you do it?,’” said Triplitt. ‘Wait, what?’ she said, ‘Oh, The two ended up catering the event for 175 people. “We bought so much food,” laughed Keene. “We probably had enough food to where we could have fed everyone in Rome, Georgia, but we must have done something right, because somebody who worked at St. Mary’s asked us to do a sit down dinner for their daughter’s wedding a few months later.” Triplitt said that after By Carolyn Grindrod Staff Writer

Ellen Keene adds cornflakes to casseroles while Barbara Triplitt brushes butter on rolls. Photograph by Carolyn Grindrod

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the party is tomorrow. Oh my goodness, I was looking at last year’s dates.’ But it all worked out, and our husbands were so appreciative for all the fried chicken.” And while the two said they’ve had their share of curve balls and close calls, they’ve also gotten to share in poignant joys. “We like to say we feel safe after we’ve done the third daughter’s wedding,” laughed Triplitt. “It’s a small town, and we always wanted to provide a nice service, and I hope after doing this as long as we have we’ve made an impact on some folks’ lives.” “And I feel like we have,” added Keene. “We’ve done so many beautiful weddings, and we love to give back to a lot of causes we believe in — women’s causes and church founders’ days — because if it’s important to them, it’s important to us.” About 11 years ago, the two learned that the kitchen in the Forrest Building was available. “We rented the space and then decided to do the meals togo,” said Triplitt. “We went to Asheville and met this cute girl who had done meals to-go for years and years. We got the idea to bring it back here and started researching our containers and everything else.” Keene said the women first started offering their meals Tuesday through Thursday, but when gas went up to being over $4 a few years back, they polled their clients and decided to start doing three meals to be served up on Wednesdays. Now, the women offer two meal choices as well as a weekly casserole choice. “We actually started the very first dinners to-go in Rome,” said Triplitt. “A lot of people have since picked up on it, and we’re thrilled. Imitation is the best form of flattery. So it’s very nice that they want to share in it. And the people we serve, they are all good friends now. There’s at least 50 dinners going out, maybe more, maybe less, but people come between 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday and stay and chat. It’s almost like a little coffee klatch.” Triplitt and Keene said they try to keep their meals healthy, and try to shop locally for their ingredients. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

Minding Their Own Business

Magnolia Moms

At home or hospital: Mothers-to-be have options for their births By Alan Riquelmy Staff Writer

About three in 10 women who deliver their child in Floyd County opt for a natural birth. Some have no choice; it’s because they don’t get to the hospital in time. Others have cultural reasons for declining painkillers when delivering. For Renee Kise it was a personal decision. Kise, 37, delivered her five boys without an epidural. Four of them she delivered in her home. No medication. No IV. “Just me and my body working,” Kise said. Kise has nothing against hospitals or doctors. In fact, she visited a North Georgia doctor just before her first birth to ensure having the child at home was safe. Fate intervened, and she had the child the day of her doctor’s visit in a hospital. With proper education and a good birthing coach, a natural birth can go as smoothly as one involving an epidural. It’s also less stressful on the child, Kise said. She pointed to the Bradley Method, comprised of about three months of classes and involving a husband-coached natural childbirth. According to Kise, the method provides an in-depth education on the birthing process and teaches mothers how to handle pain. “You’re not going into a birth blindly,” Kise said. “You’re very educated. Instead of fear taking over because you don’t know what’s going on, you’re informed.” Kise’s husband delivered their second child because the birth occurred suddenly. A midwife assisted with the delivery of her other three children. Kise uses a certified, professional midwife. Georgia law is vague about certification. It states someone may be a certified midwife but provides no process on how to achieve that certification, Kise said. That results in Georgia midwives getting their certification in another state. Mothers develop close relationships with their midwives, resulting in a friend helping the woman give birth. Delivering at home gives Kise the comfort of relaxing in her own house after the birth, she said. Midwives recommend that mothers establish a relationship with a doctor, and Kise noted that in some cases those who home birth must relocate to a hospital when having their child. Some 2,200 to 2,300 women give birth each year at Floyd Medical Center, said Kellie Pearson, the hospital’s director of women and children’s services. Doulas — birthing coaches — are welcome at the hospital. Pearson sees about one a month.

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Photograph by Alan Riquelmy

Renee Kise had all five of her boys by natural birth. Four of them she had at home. Her boys are Timothy (from left), 9; Stephen, 13; John, 5; Nathan, 16 months; and Philip, 12. “They help them with breathing techniques, focusing techniques to help them get through the birth,” she said. The hospital has changed how it handles births over the last few years. Staff would take a newly born child from the mother and keep the baby separated for four hours. Family could see the baby through a window, but four hours would pass before the baby would be returned to the mother. Floyd Medical Center changed that policy in 2011, Pearson said. The trend has changed to keep babies with their mothers immediately after birth, and for hospital staff to avoid interfering. “We really encourage the skin-to-skin contact,” Pearson said. “We call that ‘the magic hour.’” The hospital also encourages mothers to breastfeed their babies. Pearson said breast-feeding wasn’t as popular about 15 years ago, noting the Southeast has the lowest rates in the country. Babies who are breast-fed have lower incidences of obesity and allergies, Pearson added. Additionally, she said there’s no evidence baby formula is best for an infant. Another change hospitals have implemented

in recent years is the elimination of scheduled births. According to Pearson, hospitals in 2006 realized an increase over the past five years in C-sections for late pre-term babies. A trend had developed — people wanted to schedule their births for any number of reasons, including convenience.

“So they would bring them in to do a C-section or an induction,” Pearson said. “It was just incredible how high (the rate) was.” The main thing, say experts, is for expectant mothers to know the difference in natural birth and other options, to get good pre-natal care and to have a plan for emergencies so their babies arrive safely.

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Sandy and Friends

Sandy Davis (second from left) treasures her friends Cathy Rhodes (left), Ann King and Rosa Rickman, and Betty Morgan, who couldn’t make the photo session.

What a blessing to be given the opportunity to talk about the wonderful women who inspire, encourage and hold me up in life. I have been so blessed always with the strong and compassionate women that have traveled this journey with me. My childhood friends, my high school friends, coworkers at various places I have worked, volunteer organizations I have been involved with, my church so on and so on. There are the Ladies of Jerusalem, a name given to my Rosary Group by the late Father Jim Miceli; the AG Girls (Anything Goes Girls) who are my traveling friends, the Magnolias, my dinner and movie friends, the wonderful women of Rome Little Theatre who allowed me into their creative world even though I have not one creative bone in my body — all of them handprints on my heart. But there are four who have made this journey since either the very beginning or early part of my life who I want to mention by name. Betty Morgan, Rosa Rickman, Ann King and Cathy Rhodes. Betty and I are cousins, but have been more like sisters all of our life. Our birthdays are one day apart and each year for one day we are the same age. Every event of my life Betty has been there. Rosa is my sister-in-law and Betty and I are grateful to have this kid in our circle. Then there is Cathy. Our families were friends and I happen to be one month older than she. I have pictures of us as babies playing. Then there is Ann who came into my life when we were teenagers. Cathy, Ann and I meet several times each year for lunch. These lunches last for about four or five hours. We have a lot to catch up! I have always been so grateful for all these women in my life, but after experiencing a pretty terrifying week with the hospitalization of my husband recently, the strength that I felt from the messages from them made me realize how blessed are we to have someone like them in our lives. I cannot fail to mention the “younger” women of my life — my daughter Elizabeth Davis, my daughter- in-law Tonya Davis and my nieces Melanie McCary and Hannah Burnes. These beautiful strong women inspire me as well as nurture me. We celebrate the happy times and hold each other for all the rest. In a song from “Wicked” there is a line about “Handprint on My Heart.” I am so grateful to all the handprints on my heart but cannot possibly mention them all by name. If you are lucky enough to have a handprint, treasure them. Sandy Davis

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She Said:

What do you wish you had known as a younger woman that you know or understand now? It’s OK to push the envelope a little and question authority. I didn’t do that, and I went through a time as an adult that I resented not having done some of the things my friends did when I was in high school and college. Now that I am on the back side of my 50s I know that it is never too late to try new things, go new places, and meet new people, so I try to do as much of that as I can. Gail Johnson The ability to think through “what is the worst that is going to happen� and then know that more than likely it will not happen. Overcoming fear and criticism and taking risks. Janet Byington God’s time isn’t your time; be patient and be fearless. I have learned that I must have patience and that God is working at all times. Just because I don’t notice Him doesn’t mean He isn’t working. Be patient. Then be fearless. I was fearless and pushed boundaries, but that has changed a bit. I understand that fearless isn’t causing strife but using your talents to champion good things and causes. Tasha Toy When I worked so hard for the Equal Rights Amendment, wish I had realized how people had no clue! Women still make less than men! Julia Dent

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Always be nice to your mother no matter how much you disagree with her. She won’t be here forever. Susan Cooley

Want to be part of our next edition’s She Saids? Drop us a line at magnoliaeditor@gmail.com to be added to our email list.

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Jill and Carla

Photograph by Tracy Page / Babycake Studios

Friendship is a funny thing. When you are young, it is easy to make friends. You meet someone new in class, or on the playground and boom! — you have a new friend. The older you get, the harder it is to seal the friendship deal. Luckily, I ran into this girl — Carla Ivester — at work one day who was as loud, as wild and as spontaneous as I was. (Granted, this was before we had children.) It took about two seconds for us to discover we would be lifelong friends. The fact that we talk at the same time and yet still understand what the other is saying mystifies and terrifies some people. We are definitely two peas in a pod. The only thing we don’t have in common is love of cooking. She is homemade lasagna, and I am frozen, throw-it-in-the-microwave lasagna. She makes things from scratch. I call Dominos. She actually showed up at my door one night with still hot from the oven chocolate chip cookies made from scratch because I had a bad day. She broke her leg when she had two small kids, and I showed up with a stack of Papa John’s pizzas. When she invites me for dinner, I drop everything and clear the calendar. I know it will be the best meal ever. When I invite her for dinner, she knows to ask “Where?” And I know to let her pick. We have been through birthing of babies, divorces, second marriages and countless hours of talking non-stop. We may go weeks, and sometimes months may slip by without us talking, but we pick up right where we left off — laughing and talking and talking and laughing. If I’m lucky, it’s over dinner at her house. Jill Packer

Jill Packer and Carla Ivester love dining together. Carla loves to cook, but if it’s Jill’s night they’re eating out somewhere like the Brewhouse Music & Grill. 21

For the Health of It

: n o i s n e p s u S X TR By Carolyn Grindrod Staff Writer

At the YMCA of Rome, a specialized fitness class is pretty much literally taking the reins as a new form of exercise for a combination of flexibility and strength training. The class called Total Resistance eXercise suspension training — an approach to training that uses a system of ropes and webbing called a “suspension trainer” to allow the user to work using body weight resistance — is creating a new reason for women, and men alike, to strap up for their health. The Y’s Membership Director Amy Patterson and Wellness Director Lange House, tapped their trainers to show us the ropes of how and why more women are being drawn to the innovative fitness craze. Patterson explained that while rope training in some form or another has been around since the 1800s, a former Navy Seal developed the TRX equipment, complete with suspension training

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g n i n i a r t h t g n e r t s n o g n i w s w e An

bodyweight exercises in the 1990s. The training classes then started sweeping the nation in the mid-2000s. “It was really invented by a Navy Seal to help with training in the field,” said Patterson. “That way they could still get the important strength training in areas where there wasn’t a gym. I’ve heard that they even use the form on submarines, because it can be used where ever.” The strappy suspension training develops core body strength, as well as joint and muscular stability, which in turn reduces the chance of injury, said House. “It’s a way to get in strength training and flexibility training at the same time,” said House, who teaches the classes at the Y. “You use your own body weight as resistance. A lot of people compare it to Pilates.” House said the beauty of the suspension training is that anyone at any fitness level can do the exercises. “It’s definitely a progression style exercise,” said House. “All fitness levels can do these exercises, and in the classes you can often times find an experienced athlete working out along side someone who’s just starting out. The

exercises can be modified based on their activity levels.” House added that women are often hesitant about strengthen training classes, because of a fear of “bulking up.” “Women are a lot of time concerned with bulking, and putting on excess muscle, but in truth, that only comes from heavy weight lifting,” said House. “With suspension classes, you’re using your own body weight for resistance so you won’t bulk up, but create strong muscle.” House said that in addition to the class being a great way to get in strength training, the social classes are favorites for women. Classes, she added, are 45 minutes and each workout training hinges on 45-second intervals for specialized workouts including focuses on upper body, lower body and abdominals. Patterson added that the Y offers about 10 classes of TRX suspension each week with classes in the early morning, mid morning and evenings. “We tend to have more women in these style classes,” said House. “Women tend to be more interested in group fitness.” House said the classes at the Y offers a more relaxed approached to class. “It’s kind of a gowith-the-flow class,” said House. “We listen to everything from mashups of newer songs to old classics and participants can work at their pace.” And women who have been attending the

classes feel like they are seeing real results from the ropes. While she works at the Y, Patterson said you could often find her suited up in her gym clothes for the class. “I actually had a shoulder injury,” said Patterson. “And it was recommended to me that I try taking the class because it strengthens not only the muscles but the ligaments as well.” Patterson said her injury would often times leave her sleepless at night. “I could barely raise it,” added Patterson. “I could hardly get dressed, but since I started taking the classes, I’ve seen an amazing difference. There’s no more pain. The classes are totally different because you use muscles you don’t even know you have.” Patterson added that the abs workouts with the TRX suspension ropes are “some of the best she’s ever experienced.” Class attendees also seem to be coming back for the rope training classes. Karen Hovers of Cartersville, who is taking the class on Wednesday evenings, said after her first class, she was hooked. “I was looking for strength training and the appeal of using body weight resistance appealed to me,” said Hovers. “I really like it, because you can adjust the amount of stress you put on your body and modify it to your needs.” Claire Dillard of Rome, who was about to go to her third class, said she picked up on the class for similar reasons. “I prefer cardio classes like Zumba, but I needed muscle training,” said Dillard. “This allows me to get it in and still have fun. Plus, I’m sore afterward so I know it works.”

Photograph by Tracy Page / Babycake Studios

Bridget and Avery

Bridget Gray and Avery Callan Hammonds are the best of friends. Bridget is expecting her second daughter, whom she plans to name after Avery.

I met Avery Callan in 2005. A mutual girlfriend of ours had invited me to join a group of people for dinner at Harvest Moon. Avery was there, wearing a denim jacket as I recall. By the end of the evening (or actually the wee hours of the next morning), she and I were sitting at The Prickly Pear, where she introduced me to White Russians and we’d decided that we were going to be roommates. We’d known each other less than 12 hours, yet I knew she was someone with whom I could be — wanted to be — great friends. We both had our “baggage” of family issues, boy problems and the like. I had decided that I didn’t want another roommate, but when I met Avery there was no hesitation. We would move into my grandmother’s empty house within two months. We were roommates from May 2005 until September 2006, and those months in between were some of the most fun, special times of my life. We were your typical single twenty-somethings, looking for love, success and getting each other through it all. We laughed together and at each other. We cried together and even yelled at each other a few times. But we always, always, made time to dance together! Friday nights typically involved that single girl ritual of “getting ready to go out” for the night, and at our house that meant mixing cocktails, cranking up the ‘80s music (her song was “Walking on Sunshine;” mine was “Uptown Girl”) and we’d dance our way through wardrobe changes till we made it out the door. Another favorite memory has always centered around one location — her mother’s front porch on Fourth Avenue in downtown Rome. If only those rocking chairs could talk! Our roommate days ended, but our friendship has only grown over the years. When Avery began dating her nowhusband Chris Hammonds, we were all dancing at a First Friday concert, and I whispered in her ear, “You’re going to marry him!” She just shrugged me off. I was so honored and proud to stand with her on her wedding day two years later. And the next year, she stood with me on my wedding day. We’re now in the mommy days. When we each found out we were expecting our children, we each called each other before we went public with the news. We’ve made those phone calls multiple times now. This summer, I called Avery to ask her permission to name my second daughter after her. Avery Caroline Gray is due on Christmas Day. It’s our hope that our daughters will one day have a friendship just as special as ours. Bridget Gray

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50-Plus & Fabulous

Photograph by Doug Walker

Emily Hogg Barba (from left), Villa Sulzbacher Hizer and Nancy Griffin have been friends since growing up in the College Heights neighborhood.

Bonds from childhood keep trio close By Doug Walker Associate Editor

If laughter is the best medicine, when Nancy Griffin, Villa Sulzbacher Hizer and Emily Hogg Barba get together they could write prescriptions that would make anyone forget what ails them. The trio has been friends since grade school days at the old Central Primary, now the Rome city schools central office complex. They followed each other through East Rome Junior High then all went to Thornwood for their high school years. Oh, the stories! Most of which they are more than willing to share, just not in print! Hizer and Griffin lived diagonally across from each other on Rockridge Road in the Shorter Heights subdivision, while Barba grew up just around the corner on Berckman Lane. “Our parents were friends so all three of us were good friends,” Griffin said. “We’ve been friends forever.” Griffin credits family ties to the lasting nature of their friendship. “We’d always be at one another’s home or out with the families,” Griffin said. “We’d all ride out bikes together when we were little girls,” Hizer said. “Then after we got our driver’s license, we’d cruise Horde’s which was the place to cruise back then.” Emily Barba remembers taking the long way to school, all the way out Horseleg Creek Road and then back to Thornwood. One gets the feeling there’s more to that story when Barba said she vividly recalled that trip when her children were teenagers. Hizer said that some of the cruising trips

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Contributed photograph

Nancy Griffin (highlighted, from left), Emily Hogg Barba and Villa Sulzbacher Hizer sit on the steps of the old Central Primary. ended up at Enloe’s Drug Store. “The soda fountain there is where we would meet the boarding students from Darlington when they had their town day,” Hizer said. Hizer recalled the roller skating parties where the girls put a doughnut on the end of their Coke

bottle and the boys put peanuts in their Cokes. Barba said she has such fond memories of birthday and spend-the-night parties through their childhood years. “Nancy’s family had a place at Blue Ridge that we’d all go and have so much fun. They had

bunks downstairs just for the children, and we’d all sleep on those bunks. We’d also sneak out and do things we shouldn’t,” Barba said. “We’ve never been willing to not keep it going,” Barba said. “Villa and I came back to Rome about the same time, and Nancy came back a few years later. We always made it a point to keep getting together.” Hizer and Barba went off to Converse then the University of Georgia together and kept up with Griffin, who went off to Hollins in Virginia, by long distance. “When we talk, we talk for hours,” Hizer said. “We always had fun. Nobody got mad at each other about boyfriends. We just swapped them around back in those days.” Barba remembers her mother not approving of one particular boy so she would get picked up at the house by someone else and then swap out with her beau later. She remembered that when her kids were teenagers too! When Griffin finished graduate work at Georgetown University, she went to work for the public broadcasting system before finally returning to Rome where she has been the coordinator for the Communities in Schools program for years. Hizer and Barba, of course, were married. Hizer and her husband, the late Courtney Hizer, ran the Miller beer distributorship in Rome for many years, while Barba, who has moved to Chattooga County, has just closed on a new retail business that she will own. This is one of those friendships that shows the enduring nature of women’s friendships over the decades.

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RIGHT: Mimi Richards chats with Gov. Nathan Deal at Oak Hill & The Martha Berry Museum before going in to see First Lady Ellen Axson Wilson’s paintings that will be on display there through Nov. 1. BELOW: Georgia First Lady Sandra Deal looks at artwork by First Lady Ellen Axson Wilson during a Rome Area Council for the Arts celebration at Berry College in September honoring America’s first lady with ties to Rome and her artwork. Photos by Charlotte Atkins

ABOVE: Kristie Miller, Pulitzer Prize nominee and author of “Ellen & Edith, Woodrow Wilson’s First Ladies,” is shown with Rep. Katie Dempsey. ABOVE, RIGHT: Nancy Smith (center) is flanked by former Romans Gretchen Kuglar Corbin (left), who is the Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, and Ember Bishop, who is the special assistant to Georgia First Lady Sandra Deal. RIGHT: Mary Sib Banks (left), Sue Anderson and Sue Mann pose at the gala in honor of Ellen Axson Wilson. 26

First Lady Sandra Deal touts value of women’s friendships Georgia’s First Lady Sandra Deal was in Rome recently for the Rome Area Council for the Arts and Berry College’s gala celebrating First Lady Ellen Axson Wilson and her artwork. Since she was coming to town, we asked her for her thoughts on the power of women’s friendships. “Girlfriends have always played an important role in my life as long as I can remember. Probably my earliest friend was my sister. We played and sang together. My friends come from different backgrounds, interests and ages. We enjoy each other’s company. They inspire me, and I am grateful for their friendship,” says the first lady. She says there is value in women supporting each other and networking in business, in our communities and in our lives. “Women share many of the same responsibilities and family issues that carry over into work. Discussions and networking often lead to solutions that are more satisfactory. Women are smart, active and engaged, but they are more productive and happy if home and work are harmonious.” Mrs. Deal says she often sits down over coffee or a meal with friends, but with or without food the connection is always nurturing. “We enjoy each other’s company and conversation at church, sporting events, club meetings, shopping or anytime we come in contact. We really care about each other and show it through joyful celebration or genuine concern. We pray for each other.” The first lady’s key ingredients for a strong friendship? “Joy, respect and admiration. Joy is what I experience when I share time with friends. Even after years of no contact, good memories return and catching up is a pleasure. Circumstances change, but the heart remains. Respect is a key ingredient of friendship. My friends don’t have to agree on everything. I value people who have their own opinions but express themselves in a respectful manner. They broaden my view and add a different perspective. “I especially admire people who cultivate their talents and passions and use them to benefit others. I also look for kindness, thoughtfulness, ethics, dependability and attitude in a friend.” Charlotte Atkins, editor

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