OUR TOWN DEKALB (MAY 2021) by Our Town Dekalb

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Our Town DeKalb

4 COVER STORY: Business is A-Buzz in Tucker 8 Age Friendly Tucker: Getting Old Can Earn You a Free Ride – and More! 16 Surrogacy: Celebrating the Gift of Motherhood 20 A Happy Ending for A Wellroot Foster Story

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Our Town DeKalb

OurTown NE DeKalb Community and Family Magazine

A Shiny Inc Publication Editor Lizbeth A. Dison Shinycomm.com ldison@shinycomm.com Our Town DeKalb is published and direct mailed to

select homes in the Tucker / Northeast DeKalb area. Opinions expressed by the writers and staff are their Creative Director own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Jay Adcock the publisher. Our Town DeKalb reserves the right jay@adcockcreativegroup.com to edit or reject any editorial or advertising content. Our Town DeKalb is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the cost of the space or for the Writers validity of claims made by advertisers.

Cindy E. Farrar Lauren Hise Doug Reynics Lois Ricci Sanah Sayani Karl Schwartz Stacy Slocum Art Wood

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Distribution Coordinator Emma Dison Brantley

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4426 Hugh Howell Road, Suite 307B Tucker, Georgia 30084 770.621.9041 | info@ourtowndekalb.com

IN THIS ISSUE

4 Business is A-Buzz in Tucker 6 The Bits in Between: Becoming Mom 7 Wellness In-Sight: The Lightness of Being 8 Age Friendly Tucker: Getting Old Can Earn You a Free Ride – and More! 9 Common Sen$e: Thriving in the Post-Pandemic Workplace 10 Food for Thought: KARV Kitchen is a Mix of Fun Tastes and Colors 11 Back Talk: Keeping Mom Happy and Healthy 12 Beauty Byline with Sanah: The Palliative Power of Scent (Part II) 14 Rotary Club of Tucker Raises $10,000 for Local and Global Education 16 Surrogacy: Celebrating the Gift of Motherhood 18 Tucker High School Teacher Named Rotary Teacher of the Year 20 A Happy Ending for A Wellroot Foster Story ON THE COVER: Sneaky Bee Backyard Honey co-founder Ellen Ausley inspects honeycomb construction with her five-year-old son, Ben.

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On The Cover:

Business is

A-Buzz in Tucker

Andrew Ausley inspects comb production.

Couple turns beekeeping hobby into a backyard business Ellen and Andrew Ausley and their two children moved to Tucker in 2016, to a quiet neighborhood off Henderson Road. Andrew works as a software engineer and Ellen keeps a busy schedule homeschooling two small children. One day, soon after they moved to Tucker, Ellen asked Andrew if he knew that DeKalb County allowed backyard beehives, or apiaries, in residential areas. He did not. And that’s when the couple decided to become apiculturists, commonly referred to as beekeepers. Andrew still isn’t quite sure how they got such a bee in their bonnet. “We had a rescue greyhound, a new house, a one-year-old and a newborn.” Despite a hectic life as a full-time mother, in January 2017, Ellen decided to take the Metro Atlanta Beekeeping Association one-day short course. At the same time, Andrew, an avid reader, immersed himself in books and the Internet to research the topic. The couple then decided to dive in and set up their first apiaries in their backyard, even though, as they both will admit, “We felt like we had no idea what we were doing!” As novice beekeepers, the two literally learned as they went along. “We didn’t

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even have professional gear,” said Andrew. “It seemed like there was always a bee that made it up your sleeve, or pants leg, or clung to your back to make it inside uninvited.” That inspired the name of “Sneaky Bee Backyard Honey.” “If you go on our Facebook page, you can find a video where Ellen didn’t close the veil quite all the way last spring and got a sting on her upper lip. She looked like she received an aggressive collagen injection.” American honey bees are all different varieties of the species apis mellifera: Italian, Carniolan, the infamously aggressive African, and Russian are just some of the breeds within the species. The Ausleys started out with a variety branded as “New World Carniolan” but through their own selective breeding, they developed their “mutts” more adapted to the local Tucker environment. The Ausleys have now been beekeeping for about four years, but it was only a couple of years ago that they began producing enough honey to sell.

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Editor Dison is “hands-on” during her visit. Last year’s harvest was the first one large enough to supply a significant number of customers. This year, they began offering a “beekeeping experience,” where visitors can suit up and actually interact with the bees while learning about the insects’ vital role in the ecosystem. The personalized event ends with a round of honey tasting which includes not just a sample of their own honey but product from other locations, to show how different environments affect the taste, color and even texture of honey. The Ausleys also have started researching apitherapy, and Sneaky Bee recently provided bees to a doctor for this bee sting therapy. “While we’ve been on the receiving end of some unexpected apitherapy a few times, we don’t know much about the medical practice,” explained Andrew. “That’s the great part of beekeeping…there is always more to learn!” Because DeKalb County restricts the number of active hives per acre, the Ausleys have expanded their operation by setting up hives in other backyards in the community. Sneaky Bee now monitors ten to fifteen hives in three locations, totaling up to 200,000 bees, with plans for further expansions. While the couple believes that American honeybees do face some serious environmental challenges, they don’t think the demise of bees is as dire as portrayed in some media reports. “While honeybee colonies do die, thanks to their money-making potential, there are many people dedicated to their reproduction,” explained Ellen. “There are also many species of native pollinators that have no large-scale producers or protectors, like moths and other insects – they just aren’t as ‘sexy’ in pop culture as the honey bee is.” For those concerned about protecting the bee population, the most effective effort is to cease using pesticides, particularly mosquito spraying. Also, planting native plants that bloom during the summer time is a great way to provide a food source when nectar is scarce. CONTINUED on page 22

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The Bits in Between:

Becoming Mom

Merriam-Webster defines mother as “a female parent,” or “a woman in authority.” (We’ll tackle that second definition in a later column.) The dictionary also notes that mother can mean “a source, or origin.” As we honor mothers this month, think about what being a mother really means to you. Our cover story features a pretty impressive mother in the natural world – the queen bee. Our advertisers this month are offering myriad ways to celebrate motherhood, from gifts of jewelry, sweets and flowers, to traditional holiday cookouts and restaurant gettogethers, to more personal experiences like wellness checks and therapeutic massages. But what makes a person a mother? Is it just biology or something broader, more cosmic, something that connects you more deeply and more intensely than DNA? Our May cover story deals with the “super mom” of the animal kingdom – the queen bee. Our writers represent the many paths to motherhood. Some took a more traditional route through their own birthing experience. Guest writer Lauren Hise gave birth to two beautiful children, then gave the gift of motherhood to another by offering herself as a surrogate. Leanne Galligan (featured in April’s cover story) with her husband Billy served as foster parents for a few years, and then earlier this year finalized the adoption of three siblings they were fostering. My own path led me through the international adoption system and three years of incredibly laborious paperwork to finally end in a small civil office in Nanjing where a tiny toddler girl was placed in my arms. All different roads to motherhood – all mothers just the same. But a mother isn’t just a female parent. She can be a close friend who inspires you, mentors you, helps you hone your “self” to be the most you can be. She can be someone who steps in to fill that maternal void, whether she is a relative like an aunt, cousin or grandmother, or a family friend. My daughter has several friends who have two moms, either through a same sex parental couple or a blended family where both divorced parents have remarried. “As God could not be present everywhere, so he made a mother.” Mothers are the first guides, philosophers, mentors and first friends of every individual in this world. No matter whom you view as the mother in your life, or how she fills that role, she is deserving of celebration. To those mothers who have left our lives, remember them and share their story with all the love they gave you. No matter the kind of gift you give your mother on her special day, whether it’s a simple bouquet of flowers or an exquisite piece of jewelry, remember the best gift you can give her is reflective of that most precious gift she gave you.

Lizbeth A. Dison Publisher and Editor

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Wellness In-Sight: The Lightness of Being Cindy E. Farrar We are about one third of our way through our 2021 “road trip.” One hundred and nineteen days - it is a good time to pause and check “under the hood.” How are we holding up? Are our resources still in good order? Are we keeping our focus on the present and that which is within our control? Last month, we considered the implications and realities of living in the bardo, that “in-between” space of what was and what could be. The saying “April showers bring May flowers” is to make us feel better about the rainy days, switching our attention to brighter days. It also places our attention on the expectation of the flowers, some of which we might have personally planted. What happens while waiting? Also, what do we do if the flowers take longer to bloom or do not bloom at all? On a few occasions this last year, I have been asked, “How do you remain so Zen?” My response is consistently, “I am definitely a work in progress that takes ongoing mindful practice.” Heavy emphasis on the word “practice,” particularly that of “non-attachment,” has made the difference. It literally is not being attached - to expectations, to outcomes, or any of life’s trappings. That is not to say it is about being detached, disengaged or indifferent. It is anything but those things. It is an unencumbered level of presence that places us in a position of acute awareness and life flow. Those who have had any regular interaction with me have experienced and know it is a process. My personality can be driven, goal oriented and deeply sensitive. It definitely has been “be careful what you wish for.” The intention to live in a state of non-attachment does not mean I was suddenly dropped into that state of being. Rather, it is situation after most often challenging situation presented to me to remain present and to let go of being overly invested in the eventualities of life.

For me, tai chi qi gong, meditation and even providing massage therapy require me to be present without any attachment or preconceived agenda. In addition, writing is an ideal practice. This column typically begins with a thought or two that has dropped into my mind. From there it is trusting the muse to lead the column where it needs to go. It is the same with writing poetry, especially freeform. A word or a phrase turns on the stream that makes its path to its destination. When allowed, the creative process itself is the very exercise of nonattachment. On this journey, seek out practices that resonate with you to help build the nonattachment “muscle memory.” Appreciate the showers with or without the promise of flowers. Cindy E. Farrar, LMT, BCTMB, CLC is a licensed massage therapist, certified life coach and the owner of Massage Associates of Atlanta, LLC (Lavista Road in Tucker). In addition, she is a certified Qi Gong instructor and a nationally approved continuing education provider for massage therapy and bodywork. Cindy enjoys sharing insights on wellness and personal and community development as a speaker and writer.

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Age Friendly Tucker: Getting Old Can Earn You a Free Ride – and More! Dr. Lois Ricci

Many times, you hear that “Lifelong” and “Age Friendly” are terms for all ages. They are, but aging does have advantages and you should know about them, maybe because you have older relatives or because one day, you’ll want to know more about what is available for you. Before the 1930s, support for older people was a matter for local, state and family rather than a federal concern (except for veterans’ pensions). Poverty caused by the Depression brought change. On August 15, 1935, President Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law. Prior to this, many older adults faced the prospect of poverty upon retirement. The Social Security Act provides for old age security through federal aid to states, enabling them to give more adequate aid to at-risk seniors (Title I), and through a system of federal old-age pension benefits which assure a worker a life income, or social security (Title II). The Older Americans Act, passed in 1965, authorizes a wide range of service programs through a national network of state agencies on aging, including training, research and activities in the field of aging. Even though more programs are now available than ever before, nine out of ten older adults do not claim them. For Dekalb County residents sixty years and older, these free programs include transportation, housing, food and nutrition, and community health and social programs. Anyone sixty or over who cannot care for themself, has a medical condition and is homebound qualifies for Meals on Wheels; visit mowatl. org or call 404.351.3889 for more information or to sign up. Nutrition and wellness education programs are also offered regularly. If you are a senior or someone with disabilities and can’t get out to get a COVID shot, call the Georgia Department of Health at 770.322.2950 and a health care worker will come to your home. The DeKalb County Transportation Voucher Program provides free rides via vouchers for residents sixty and older; visit dekalbcountyga.gov/seniorservices/voucher-programs or call 770.322.2967 for details or to order

transportation vouchers. I CARE (Interfaith Companion and Ride Express) offers free transportation to medical appointments, provided by volunteer drivers. Visit icareseniors.org or call 404.377.2273 for more information. The Georgia Department of Human Services Division of Aging Services (DAS) coordinates with other aging organizations to provide services to appropriately sustain older Georgians in their homes and communities; DeKalb residents are covered by the Atlanta Regional Commission Aging Division. These services include the Adult Day Respite Voucher Program which provides caregivers and families in the DeKalb community with vouchers to assist with the cost of day care and respite services for their eligible family member. For more information, visit aging.georgia.gov/ programs-and-services or call 770.322.2950. The Kinship Care Portal (dhs. georgia.gov/kinship-care-portal or 404.651.6316) offers grandparents and other relatives raising children support services including care management, respite, like including camps and childcare, and legal assistance. There are many other services and programs available for seniors, even free college classes. For more information on all the free services available to seniors and their caregivers, visit dekalbcountyga.gov/senior-services/officeaging or call the Dekalb Senior Link Line at 770. 322.2950. Use them, or we’ll lose them! Dr. Lois Ricci is a longtime resident of Tucker, where she chairs the Tucker Civic Association Lifelong Community Committee. She serves as an adjunct faculty member at both Kennesaw State University and Clayton State University, where she teaches gerontology courses and the Professional Development in Gerontology Certificate Class. Ricci also serves as an official representative for American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).

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Common Sen$e: Thriving in the Post-Pandemic Workplace Art Wood It’s hard to believe that COVID-19 was declared a pandemic more than a year ago. The pandemic has not only changed our personal lives but our work lives as well - regardless of where in the world we work. Even as we seem to be coming back to a sense of normalcy with the number of vaccinations going up, and the number of cases and deaths going down, it seems like the “new normal” will still involve a lot more people working from home, or as we have come to call it since 2020, “working remotely.” As with anything, there are both pros and cons of not having to go in the office every day. Sure, there is no traffic, no real dress code and you have more flexibility, but you also must manage distractions, a lack of motivation and an ubiquitous sense of disconnection. I was thinking about this and came across some suggestions that may help you cope with the challenges of working from home. See how you can incorporate these into your life to overcome the stresses and anxieties that this situation has brought to our professional lives. Set office hours Finding work/life balance when your work and personal life are in the same place is important. Implement office hours by silencing notifications and activating an out-of-office response outside of certain time blocks. This way, no matter if you’re on the road or on the couch, your brain (and your clients and coworkers) know that it’s time for you to relax. Take time off Refresh your clarity and enthusiasm for work by stepping away from it. I had a therapist tell me one time that taking at least one four-day vacation per quarter is vital for our mental health. That was before COVID. How many of us do that? I can tell you that I don’t, but I wish I would. It doesn’t have to be lavish or expensive, but just find some time to unplug and get away from it all. Have a hobby If your family and work are the only things you feel passionate about, maybe it’s time to discover other parts of your personality. Learn a new art, take on some self-study, or even just strengthen your self-care routine with challenging workouts and more creative cooking. Hobbies can bring fun and joy into our lives while sharpening our minds and providing healthy outlets. I know there are many other suggestions that I could list, but this is a start. When we look back at how our world changed post-COVID, it does not all have to be bad. In this instance, hopefully millions on people will have a new freedom to work from anywhere they chose, and can capture all the benefits while managing all the downfalls. Art Wood (NMLS #118234) is the branch manager of Art Wood Mortgage Team of Goldwater Bank, located at 2341 Main Street in downtown Tucker. “Tucker’s Mortgage Guy” for fifteen years, he is a former Tucker Tiger (Class of ’92), and co-founder and organizer of Taste of Tucker. Family guy, community guy, and definitely not your typical mortgage guy - it’s all that he does that makes Art Wood who he is. Contact him at 678.534.5834 or art.wood@goldwaterbank.com.

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Food for Thought: KARV Kitchen is a Mix of Fun Tastes and Colors Doug Reynics KARV Kitchen, located at 5126 Peachtree Boulevard, is spelled with a K because there is no C in the Greek alphabet. KARV was a six-year food journey for the husband-and-wife team of Sandy and Niki Papadopoulos. You may recognize their name as family owners of Decaturbased Athens Pizza. KARV offers signature wraps made with pita imported from Greece, bowls, entrees and family meals. There are vegan and vegetarian options as well. As a foodie, I seek out new restaurants. My first visit to KARV made me feel like I was savoring a Greek grandmother’s all-day cooking mixed with a fun twist of food flavors. The eggplant stew, one of their many sides, is addictive; so well balanced and full of flavor, it might be my favorite thing I’ve tried. They offer many flavor choices to complement your meat or vegetable choice. I ordered the outstanding Greko pork wrap served with the house-made sauce, tangy mustard, tomato, spicy tzatziki, KARV fries, pickled red onion and radish. The zucchini chips are another side worth trying. My wife ordered and loved the collards; she normally doesn’t eat collards but these were so good, she didn’t want to share! The lamb was amazing, perfectly cooked and tender. I tried the Manzo flavor profile for the lamb, which comes with house-made peri-peri sauce, kefalotyri cheese, arugula, pickled red onion and radish seasoning. As you try KARV’s different flavorings, you will realize how much attention to detail has gone into them. They are fresh, different and exactly the flavor profile for the dishes you order. The flavor profiles are enhanced by the colors chosen for the interior décor. “We wanted it to feel warm and inviting while still unique,” said Roger Orlando, one of KARV’s co-owners. “I looked for colors and textures that felt, quite literally, like the process of roasting meat. Wood, fire and the changing colors of meat as it roasts. The result is an intriguing combination. It’s easy for Mediterranean restaurants to go the blue and white route but we wanted to be different.” As we finished our meals, it was time to order Loukoubombs, Greek donuts with Nutella or caramel, thinly sliced bananas, nuts and topped with Yom

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brand ice cream. It was the perfect dessert to finish our incredible meal - light, full of flavor and visually spectacular. There is ample indoor seating, and the space shares a patio with the adjoining Five Guys so there is limited outdoor dining. This casual, family friendly restaurant is going to be our new go-to weekend spot. I hope to see you at KARV Kitchen soon! Doug Reynics is a longtime Tucker resident and self-described “foodie.” Many know him as “Doug the Driver,” who provides rides to and from both the domestic and international airport terminals. (To date, his service has provided 1,450 airport rides!) If you have a food story or question you would like to see him write about, email him at dougthedriver1@gmail.com.

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Back Talk: Keeping Mom Happy and Healthy Dr. Karl Schwartz May brings warm weather, and with it the end of the school year, the start of summer break, gardens in full bloom, and lots of outdoor work and play. The kids are still spending more time at home but now with loosening COVID restrictions comes more work for moms. Since this month is also Mother’s Day, instead of focusing on outdoors and sports, let’s talk about the moms and the many reasons we need to be thankful for them. Each parental unit functions differently but I will say in general it is the mom who is the glue that keeps the machine working. Men may be the doers but women are the preppers and planners. More tasks mean more stress. We have bad stress but we also have good stress. This past year, kids and family being home calls for more planning, along with more transporting of kids to parties, friends’ houses and sporting games. Believe it or not, all this extra work in some cases can create good stress. Moms love to be with their families, to see their families spending time together and kids fully participating in social gatherings. In many cases, moms are the sole reason for kids’ increased participation in social events. (Although I will give more credit to dads for sports involvement!) Although it may be more demanding on mom, seeing her kids and family being social does create a good feeling. Socialization is a vital activity for humans, and is necessary for us to not just survive but thrive. All parents and caregivers, but particularly Moms, are taking on more domestic duties now: scheduling, preparing meals and planning additional, spontaneous yet fun activities. More activity may require more time and attention, and this may cause good stress for moms. Good stress is a healthy part of life but it can cause musculoskeletal consequences. Postural decline, tight muscles, imbalanced spines affecting exiting nerves, more stress on upper and lower extremities and perhaps fatigue can result from mom not getting enough quality sleep. In fact, sleep is so important, it is one of the major reasons why I wear a Fitbit. I love to track my steps to see if I am getting enough exercise, but more importantly, it tracks my sleep. During REM sleep, the body heals and rejuvenates so it is extremely important to know if you are getting enough sleep and most importantly the quality of your sleep. Pain can cause a decrease of quality sleep. Let’s hear it for Mom! She keeps the family moving and on track. Instead of just flowers or jewelry, why not give her the gift of health this month? Why not give Mom a spinal adjustment or spinal massage? It would be a wonderful Mother’s Day gift, and help her enjoy more quality time with her family. Dr. Karl Schwartz is a graduate of Life University in Marietta, Georgia; he has been practicing chiropractic in Tucker for twenty-one years and a resident here for fifteen years. His office specializes in preventing sports injuries and maximizing performance by analyzing posture, weight bearing, and gait. If you have a question you would like addressed in a future column, please email karlschwartzdc@ gmail.com. Note “Back Talk” in the subject line.

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Beauty Byline with Sanah: The Palliative Power of Scent (Part II) Sanah Sayani Update: Smell is not back yet and it stinks. (I actually can’t smell stinky odors so maybe it’s a good thing?) For those of you just joining us, I told my readers in the April issue that I had lost my sense of smell after having COVID-19 earlier this year. The Internet suggested I inhale strong smells like peppermint, eucalyptus and lavender, which got me thinking about oils and their benefits. (You can read my article in the April issue of Our Town DeKalb at ourtowndekalb.com.) Let’s pick up where we left off and start this column with Eucalyptus oil - my favorite scent. I surround myself with it because it relaxes me but it has more benefits than just being a stress reliever. It’s found in a lot of products for good reason. One of its top uses is to clear your sinuses. Drop a couple of drops into water and inhale the steam to clear up congestion. Eucalyptus can also help with cold sores and keep bugs and rodents away. Lavender oil is another popular oil with many benefits. I use it for anxiety and insomnia, but it also helps treat fungal infections, allergies, depression, eczema, nausea and menstrual cramps. Cannabidiol, more popularly known as CBD, is a highly controversial oil popping up everywhere and in everything. One of hundreds of chemical compounds found in the marijuana plant, CBD is not psychoactive and won’t get you “high,” which makes it a good option for those looking for pain relief without the mind-altering effects of pharmaceutical drugs. CBD oil is made by diluting CBD with a carrier oil like coconut or hemp seed. Although more research is needed, many studies show CBD oil can relieve pain and reduce inflammation, reduce anxiety and depression, may alleviate cancer-related symptoms, and could benefit heart health. Applying CBD-based products on your face can also help with excess oil production. Acne, the most common skin condition in humans, is caused when sebocytes create too much sebum or oil. Studies show CBD helps control how much sebum is produced, and the antibacterial and antifungal properties of CBD could prevent acne, and treat the appearance of acne scars. CBD oil can be applied topically or taken orally. It’s not a one-size-fits-all kind of thing so the dosage needs to be formulated to your needs. Although people generally tolerate CBD well, experts list dry mouth, drowsiness, fatigue, diarrhea and changes in appetite and weight as side effects. If you’re thinking of trying out CBD oil for any of the benefits mentioned above, please consult with your doctor especially if you are on any medications. The FDA does not regulate CBD products so make sure you do your research. There are hundreds of oils and thousands of oil combinations to address dozens of issues. From insomnia to pain relief to tummy aches to anxiety, you name it, there’s an oil for it. But before you try any of them, research them properly because essential oils are not FDA approved to treat any conditions. Use everything with caution and when in doubt, ask your doctor. Sanah Sayani is a master cosmetologist and owner of Thread Beauty Spa (4426 Hugh Howell Road in the Tucker Publix shopping center). Her monthly column seeks to answer rreaders’ health and beauty concerns; write to her at threadbeautyspa@gmail.com or drop by the shop to ask her in person!

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Rotary Club of Tucker Golf Classic Raises $10,000 for Local and Global Education Our Town DeKalb Staff

The Rotary Club of Tucker held its 2021 Annual Golf Classic: FOREducation on April 26 at Smoke Rise Country Club. The tournament raised $10,000, which will be used to fund various local and global education initiatives, including REACH Georgia Scholarships for students in Tucker Middle School and Tucker High School; Carolyn’s Giving Closet at Tucker High School which supplies food, clothes and personal care items to homeless students; and the Senegal Teacher Project, which funds one year of salary for a teacher in a remote Senegalese school. The tournament hosted fifty-one players in thirteen teams. The foursome led by Art Wood of Goldwater Bank, with Zac Goss, David McLintock and Daniel Hamrin, placed first in the tournament. This year’s event supporters included Chick-fil-A (Northlake Festival - Tucker Station); Hallford Farms; AAA Parking; PR Productions; Cultivation Norcross; Dick’s Sporting Goods; Edward Jones; Publix; and Kroger.

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Got a story idea?

Our Town DeKalb is always looking for talented writers! Send story suggestions to info@ourtowndekalb.com. Submissions become the property of Our Town DeKalb; all submitted material is subject to review and editing. Acceptance of submitted material does not guarantee publication.

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Surrogacy: Celebrating the Gift of Motherhood Lauren Hise For many, Mother’s Day is a day of celebration. We celebrate mothers and the lives they’ve dedicated to us and for all they’ve done for us. As both a mother with two wonderful children and a daughter with a fantastic mother, this day is full of celebration, gifts, delicious food and quality family time. But this day can feel very different for many. One out of eight women struggle with infertility; they are ready to be mothers but can’t be for various physiological reasons. A person who is struggling to grow their family may feel this day and many others are a reminder of how their body has failed. Luckily, there are currently several alternative ways to start families when the traditional route is not for you. One of the ways gaining popularity is surrogacy. You may have read about celebrities using a surrogate, but it’s becoming more mainstream for everyone now. If you haven’t had to resort to this level of fertility assistance, you may not know much about surrogacy, and there are a lot of misconceptions. A gestational surrogate is when a woman carries someone else’s embryo for them. The surrogate is just the carrier, or the “oven used to bake” the embryo until birth, and is sometimes completely unrelated to the baby. Last year, on August 21, I gave Author Lauren Hise with her mother Paula (left) and children Gabriel and Alexandra. birth to a beautiful 9 lb. 10 oz. baby girl named Elyse. For forty-two weeks and a day I Sometimes people criticize surrogacy. As a carried inside of me a baby that was in no way related mother of two beautiful children, I know what great to me and would not be mine upon birth. This baby joys having children will bring to your life. I feel would be born into her mother’s arms and go home strongly that every woman who wants to experience to Philadelphia the next day. For me, it wasn’t hard motherhood should, and I’ve always empathized not to get her or to see her leave; her birth was one with any person who struggled to make this dream of the most satisfying things I’ve ever done in my come true. I felt a calling to be a surrogate mother life. I helped bring life into this world and make a for several years until it was finally the right time family’s long-awaited dream come true. to dedicate my mind, body and soul to helping Surrogacy can be the chosen route for people for a someone else become a mother. plethora of reasons. The couple for whom I was a Surrogacy is an interesting process on both ends. surrogate has a seven-year-old son but had tragically lost their second son I’ve read books from the intended mother’s perspective and can only imagine shortly after birth. They had experienced the most tragic loss and it was how hard it is to have someone else carrying your unborn child. Even though not safe for mom to carry any more children. The only option for another my journey went smoothly and was as good as it could have been, it was a biological child of their own was surrogacy. learning process for us all. I once congratulated an expecting mother who

“To be a mother means lots of things, but when I hear the word mother, I think loving, devoted, selfless, hardworking and committed.”

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was having a girl and she congratulated me back, then my daughter blurted out, “My mom is having a girl, too, but she’s giving it away!” Although I had been fervently explaining the process to my kids along the way, it was not easy for my six-year-old daughter, who dreamed of having a baby sister, to come to terms with us not keeping the baby growing inside of me. When Elyse was born, she got to meet her and hold her before she left. She sat quietly and stared at her. In that moment I believe she made peace that she was not ours to keep, and understood that this baby was making another family as happy as she made us when she came into our lives. Motherhood plays different roles in each of our lives. Each mother has taken a unique path to arrive to and thrive in her role. To be a mother means lots of things, but when I hear the word mother, I think loving, devoted, selfless, hardworking and committed. Whomever you are celebrating on this day, no matter how they came to be a mother, celebrate them and give them all the credit in the world. Motherhood is both the hardest and most rewarding role a woman can ever have. Lauren Hise is a trained doula who, as a mother of two, also gave the gift of motherhood when she served as a surrogate in 2020. She owns and manages Baby Love (2244 Henderson Mill Road by Northlake Mall), offering clothing, accessories and toys for babies.

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Tucker High School Teacher Named Rotary Teacher of the Year The Rotary Club of Tucker has named Allysa McCarthy, culinary arts teacher at Tucker High School, as its 2020-2021 Teacher of the Year. McCarthy was honored as one of nine top DeKalb educators, one from each of the member clubs of the DeKalb Rotary Council. The annual awards were presented during an awards breakfast held held in April at the Dunwoody Country Club. McCarthy has taught culinary arts at Tucker High School since 2015; before that, she worked in nutrition for thirteen years for the DeKalb County School District. She holds a B.S. in restaurant and culinary management from the Art Institute of Atlanta, and is an American Culinary Federation (ACF) certified culinarian. As a Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) Department Chair for the DeKalb County School District, she helps integrate core academic knowledge with technical and occupational skills to prepare students for post-secondary education and the workforce. She is also a Family, Career and Community Leader of America (FCCLA) advisor for the state of Georgia, using family and consumer sciences education to help expand students’ leadership potential and develop their skills for life at home and in the workplace. “Tucker High School is a beautiful mosaic,” said McCarthy. “We have students from all over the world, each bringing unique insights. In addition to teaching my students culinary skills, I encourage them to integrate their cultural experiences to enhance their learning experiences.”

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(Left to right) Husband Greg McCarthy, Tucker High Principal Eric Parker, Chef Alyssa McCarthy, and Rotary Club of Tucker President-Elect Kellianne King at the awards breakfast. Over the past five years, McCarthy has led her students to compete in several culinary competitions, where they have consistently placed in the top two spots. Her students have also catered events for past DeKalb superintendents, Junior ROTC, Central Office Departments, Tucker High School, the Mayor of Tucker, Tucker Foundation, and the Georgia State College Fair. “Culinary arts is an essential service industry. We all have to eat,” continued McCarthy. “There are many work opportunities in this field. However, to become exceptional in what you do, you must have a secret ingredient: gratitude. I teach my students that it is an honor and a privilege to serve someone. When we serve our guests, whether breakfast, lunch or dinner, my scholars always say, ‘Thank you, it has been a pleasure serving you.’” “Chef McCarthy is a phenomenal teacher who is admired by our students and staff and widely respected across the entire school community,” said Dr. Eric Parker, principal at Tucker High School. “As a culinary arts teacher, her talent has taken our program to another level.” “The Tucker Club’s support of education is made easier by educators like Chef McCarthy,” said Johnathan Clark, president of Rotary Club of Tucker. “As an FCCLA advisor, her role is to help prepare her students for adult careers that can support a family – not just making a difference in their lives but also in their communities. We are honored to recognize her with this well-deserved award.”

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A Happy Ending for A Wellroot Foster Story L.A. Dison

The April Our Town DeKalb cover story spotlighted Wellroot Family Services and its foster program; the accompanying cover photo was of three small children enrolled in the Wellroot foster program in the care of a Tucker couple. Because of legal restrictions protecting children in the foster program, those three children could not have their face shown. But days after the April issue hit mailboxes, the editor received word that these three children had been adopted by their foster family. Meet the Galligan family: parents Billy and Leanne and sons Carter (2) and Calvin (10) and daughter Kaylee (6). Irish native Billy met Leanne on St. Patrick’s Day 2001 in Savannah while playing drums with the Irish Air Corp Pipe & Drum Band. After a long-distance friendship became a long-distance romance, Billy immigrated to the U.S. in 2015 and the two married at the Old Courthouse on the Square in Decatur in December of that year. The two were approved as Wellroot foster parents in April 2018, and after two short-term foster placements, they were approached in 2019 by case workers about a sibling group of three with an infant. The Galligans had entered the foster program with the intention to eventually adopt one child but after a long conversation decided to say yes to opening their home to this placement. On April 12, 2021, Billy and Leanne appeared in the courtroom along with close family friends and some of the children’s extended family for the judge to sign their petition to legally adopt all three children. The new family celebrated with a trip to Florida and a visit to Walt Disney World. Both Calvin and Kaylee play on TYSA soccer teams that Billy coaches.

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Photo by Randy McDow/RanDMC Photography

Kaylee continues to learn Irish dancing with a local dance school and Carter loves watching the trains go by as he is dropped off at daycare. The family is looking forward to their first season attending Atlanta United games and finally being able to share photos of their adventures with their friends and family. Billy and Leanne credit Wellroot with their success as a foster home and the creation of their new family. “The support Wellroot gives to foster families was so important to us and the kids during this whole process, from fostering to adoption,” said Leanne and Billy. “We will always be grateful to them for this happy ending.”

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A-Buzz in Tucker CONTINUED From page 5 What do their neighbors think about having a bee farm right next door? “We are blessed with a larger lot and really cool neighbors,” answered Andrew. “If you are going to keep bees in a populated area, it is important to do everything you can to make sure it doesn’t inconvenience the people around you. Sneaky Bee’s main hives at the Ausley house. A complimentary jar of honey and a thank you note go a long way!” What advice would the beekeeper couple offer to those thinking of setting up their own apiaries? “The best thing to do is to find a bee mentor and dive in while reading and learning as much as you can along the way,” recommended Ellen. “The Metro Atlanta Beekeeping Association was a really good resource for all of that for me.” While there are a number of large operations in Georgia that will literally sell bees by the pound (and you can order queen bees through the mail!), she recommends buying a nucleus hive from another beekeeper situated as close to your house as possible. “Bees adapt very specifically to local environments.” The now experienced apiculturists have realized their new business has brought some benefits to their lifestyle. “We find it is a really good ‘digital detox,’” commented Ellen, “especially for Andrew who in his still-full-time job stares at a computer much of the day. Beekeeping is an immersive sensory experience with an array of sights, sounds, smells, sensations, and tastes. It makes us feel in contact with nature.” Andrew agrees that beekeeping has brought a needed change to a hectic family. “No matter how you try, you can’t speed [beekeeping] up or slow it down. Beekeeping moves in sync with the seasons and in an instant gratification society, it helps our family embrace that patience and pace, and it builds character.” Sneaky Bee Backyard Honey markets its local, raw, unheated, unfiltered, untreated, chemically unadulterated honey through its website and its Facebook and Instagram pages. Inventory is updated on its ecommerce page in late May when the honey is harvested. To order honey or to book a Bee Experience, visit sneakybeebackyardhoney.com.

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Check out the performance mash-up from 2019 and get registration information at www.rockandbluescamp.com ph: 404-202-6044 info@rockandbluescamp.com

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