Helping Seniors Find Purpose
Christmas Tree Alternatives
Teaching Kids to Be Grateful Sticking to a Holiday Budget
Rusty Church Stands Strong in Spite of Need for Prosthetic Leg
Spider
Leg
Tired,
Restless
Leg
SKIN CARE SERVICES | COSMETIC INJECTABLES | LASER TREATMENTS | WEIGHT LOSS | HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY | MASSAGE THERAPY + MORE
I'll admit it. I'm a perfectionist through and through. Most of my perfectionism stems from past wounds and a deep-rooted anxiety that tells me I'm not good enough unless I'm coming through for everyone, in spite of how that affects my own physical and mental health.
I struggle with perfectionism every single day of my life – particularly when it comes to West Georgia Woman magazine. I want WGW to be perfect for you and our valued community advertising partners every month! I suppose being a perfectionist is not always a bad thing in certain situations; I think it's always good to strive for greatness, even if I fall short. But I have learned to make peace with the fact that I will never be perfect all the time – although I don't like it one bit.
We women typically place a ton of unnecessary stress and anxiety on ourselves year-round, and with the added stress of the holidays, it's a wonder we all don't wind up institutionalized during the most wonderful time of the year. But fear not! I bring you good tidings of great joy: You do not have to be perfect. You will make mistakes, and you are loved anyway. I hope you'll try to remember that this holiday season, and cut yourself some slack when you're not measuring up to your own standards of perfection.
Our feature this month is Sandra Stillwell. She retired in September after devoting the last 16 years as director of the Temple Senior Center. Under her leadership, the Senior Center grew immensely, offering day trips and international travel, low-cost daily meals and numerous activities for seniors. On page 10, learn more about Sandra and her dedication to helping senior citizens live purposeful lives.
As I was scrolling through Facebook last month, I happened to see a post that was shared by a friend of mine, Ashley Smith Hendrix. She shared a photo and the GoFundMe page of a young Roopville man who is in need of a prosthetic leg replacement.
During the downpours of Hurricane Helene, Rusty Church was helping someone with plumbing issues when his prosthetic leg broke. The cost of a new prosthetic is a minimum of $15,000, and one that can withstand the type of work Rusty does could be as much as $30,000.
Rusty didn't let the loss of his prosthetic slow him down. So he could continue to work to support his family, Rusty made his own prosthetic out of PVC pipe and plumbing supplies.
We're sharing his story with the community to try and help Rusty get the prosthetic leg he needs so he can be comfortable while he continues to work and support his family. We're certainly hoping for a Christmas miracle for Rusty!
As you flip through the pages of this issue, you'll learn about the REAL Theatre's 2025 schedule of events, spicing up your holiday décor with simple throw pillows, teaching your kids to be grateful, Christmas tree alternatives and much more, including Chef Rose Isaacs' delicious recipes.
Thank you for reading! Please shop locally as much as you can and continue to do business with our wonderful community partners whose advertisements are included in this issue. We couldn't do this without them! Have a wonderful and peaceful holiday season.
Merry Christmas!
West Georgia Woman is a voice for and about the women who live and work in West Georgia.
Our mission is to engage, inspire, and cultivate a cohesive community for all women in West Georgia by sharing our hopes, our dreams and our lives.
This magazine would not be possible without the inclusion of our community advertising partners.
Please be sure to show your support by doing business with these VIPs (very important partners) so we will be able to continue to share with you our stories about amazing West Georgia women!
Please be sure to tell them we sent you!
wanted.
Do you know an interesting woman who should be on the cover of West Georgia Woman? Is there a special project or organization you would like us to feature in our magazine? Let us know! Email your suggestions to features@westgeorgiawoman.com.
Share your special events.
Send your upcoming events to: calendar@westgeorgiawoman.com
Need to advertise? Email:
Andrew@westgeorgiawoman.com
Call 404.984.1353
The views, opinions, positions or strategies expressed by the contributing authors are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, positions or strategies of Angel Media, LLC., West Georgia Woman magazine or any employee thereof.
Angel Media, LLC. makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, correctness, suitability or validity of any information in this publication and will not be liable for any errors, omissions or delays in this information or any losses, injuries or damages arising from its display or use.
Mail correspondence to:
West Georgia Woman Magazine
P.O. Box 2782
Carrollton, GA 30112
We welcome your comments and suggestions. Contact us: (404) 502-0251
Online: www.westgeorgiawoman.com Follow us! @WestGaWoman
Need a copy? We mail thousands of copies each month to households through direct mail or get yours from our racks at Smith Brothers Supply Company, Southern Home and Ranch Center, Food Depot, Neva Lomason Library, Professional Park Medical Building, Physicians Care Group of West Georgia and Tanner Health System Medical Pavilion in Carrollton; Piggly Wiggly and CVS in Bowdon, Buchanan, Franklin and Tallapoosa; Higgins General Hospital and Thriftown in Bremen; The Little Giant Grocery in Sargent; Piedmont Hospital, Leaf and Bean Coffee, Crook's Grocery (Temple Ave.) and Lee King pharmacy in Newnan; Tanner Health System's Villa Med and Villa West Office Buildings in Villa Rica; Tanner Primary Care Building at Mirror Lake; Kroger (Highway 5) and Food Depot on Hiram Douglasville Hwy and Highway 5 in Douglasville; Food Depot and Brickhouse Grille in LaGrange; Food Depot (Villa Rica Hwy) in Dallas; Kroger on Ridge Rd. in Hiram; WM Grocery in Roanoke, Ala; Tanner Health System and WM Grocery in Wedowee, Ala. We have them in larger quantities at Publix (Bullsborough Drive), and Thompson pharmacy in Newnan, the Apothecary Shoppe in Douglasville, Publix in New Georgia as well as hundreds of other retail locations and medical offices covering 18 cities in eight counties in West Georgia and East Alabama.
Publisher/Editor
Angela Dailey
angela@westgeorgiawoman.com
Copy Editor
Editorial Contributor
Shala Hainer
shala@westgeorgiawoman.com
Photographer for cover/ Graphic Design
Zachary Dailey
Editorial Contributors
Sandra Bolan, Jordan Dailey, and Rose Isaacs
Advertising Sales
Andrew@westgeorgiawoman.com
West Georgia Woman is a monthly publication of Angel Media, LLC. All contents of this issue are copyright 2024. West Georgia Woman magazine, its logo and “Finding our voice. Knowing our value. Making a difference.” are trademarks of Angel Media, LLC. All rights reserved.
Print or online reproduction without explicit permission is strictly prohibited. All submissions will be included as space is available.
West Georgia Woman reserves the right to reject or edit any submissions that are not in compliance with our editorial policy. If you wish to have your submission returned, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope along with your submission.
By Shala Hainer
Temple Senior Center Director retires after 16 years of helping seniors find purpose
Sometimes, the day seems too social. People are flooded with meetings or customers at work, then they go home to a flurry of kids activities or church functions – all filled with other people. In most stages of life, people are surrounded by other people most of the day, and many crave quiet time alone.
In the later stages of life, however, the opposite is often true. Kids are grown and may have moved away. Retirement means there’s no job to head off to every morning. Friends and loved ones, even siblings and spouses, may have passed away, or some friends might have moved away to have the support of family living in other states.
Seniors in this stage of life need a place where they can build a community – somewhere they can look forward to going, and somewhere to interact with other people in the same stage of life.
Sandra Stillwell recognized this need in her own life after she retired from her job with Southern Bell, which was BellSouth by the time she retired. In 2008,
she started spending time at the Senior Center in her hometown of Temple, Ga. Not long after, she was hired as director of the Center, with a vision to grow her own community as well as that of other seniors in the area. After 16 years as director, she retired from the position in September 2024, but not before leaving a lasting legacy by growing the program and services.
“After I retired from the telephone company, I seemed busier than ever, and I didn’t seem to be getting anything done at home. So I decided to go back to work,” Sandra relates. “I loved it at the Senior Center. When I started, we were open three days. And then we went to four days, then finally five days.”
Open since 2001, the Temple Senior Center offers activities, games, meals, exercise, parties and trips – day trips, national and international trips – to people age 50 and over in the Temple area. The City funds the program, so membership fees stay low. Currently, people with a Temple mailing address pay an annual fee of $12, while people outside of the Temple mailing area pay $24 per year.
“We have so many activities,” Sandra explains. “We do day trips, we go out to eat, we play card games. We also have three pool tables. People come in and sing, and we love that. Two nights a month, we have game night. The Senior Center furnishes all the food for the first one, and for the second one, we furnish the meats and drinks, and the people bring their specialties. We love that because we’ve got a lot of good cooks here. They get to have a night out. It’s only $2, and they get to eat, then we play games until they get too tired, sometimes 9 or 10 at night. It gives them something to do, and they love to get together. The best thing about the Center is the people. The best people in the world come there, and we have the best food.”
It’s no surprise Sandra wanted to go back to work after retiring from the phone company. From an early age, she wasn’t a stranger to hard work.
A lifelong Temple resident, Sandra was
the first person in her family to be born in a hospital. Her mother worked at Sewell’s for years, and her father started out working at Stevens, a small manufacturing company in Temple.
“Then he became the lone policeman in Temple because at the time, they only had one police officer,” Sandra shares. “Next, he was a policeman in Villa Rica, then Carrollton, then he went back to Villa Rica as the chief. He stayed there until he went to work at a custom-built cabinet shop. He retired three different times from there.”
She says they had a wonderful life growing up, even though it was hard work. She and her siblings – three sisters and one brother – lived on a farm with her parents. “We had a lot of chores to do. Most people can't wait to get out of school, but we couldn't wait to go back to school because we worked so hard in the summer – we had large gardens, and we would start in the spring when we planted. We had to pick it and put it up for the winter.”
Sandra remembers having no indoor plumbing as a child and having to help wash clothes with a hand-cranked wringer washing machine. “We had two #3 wash tubs to rinse clothes out in – that was mine and my sister Cora's job. My mom was afraid we would get our arms hung in the machine, so we were the rinsers. I learned to cook on a wood stove. We all worked hard, and that became our habit. We were taught to be self-sufficient and take care of ourselves.”
Her Uncle Fletcher worked for the telephone company – back then, Southern Bell. He took Sandra
into the Southern Bell headquarters at 51 Ivy Street in Atlanta, Ga., during spring break of her senior year at Temple High School, and they hired her to work at the Atlanta office, starting two weeks after her graduation.
“I was there for 40 years and five months – a long time,” she says. “I retired when I was 59. I think I did everything at the telephone company except climb poles.”
She worked in Atlanta for several years until she got married and had children. “Atlanta is a long ride from Temple, so I wanted to work in Carrollton, and the only job there at that time was an operator,” she remembers. “When I was there, you had to manually connect Temple to Bremen – you could only dial numbers in your own town. To call towns like Bremen, Bowdon or Carrollton, you had to call the operator to connect you. It was all long distance. When they came out with the ability to dial ‘1’ for long distance, I got to go out to the local businesses and explain how much better it would be for them to dial direct than it would be for them to use the operator, so that was interesting.
“I loved that job, but the hours were not good for a mom. I had two little kids, was working crazy hours and my husband traveled for work a lot, so I bid on
a job in the business office, and was chosen.”
Certain positions were still male-dominated. While she was working in the business office, a bid opened for a local test desk position. “That’s about the time women started doing ‘men’ jobs. One came up in our local test desk, where you test the troubles and dispatch men to clear them. That was the ‘man’ job, and I thought I could do that. It was a whole lot more money. Of course, I didn’t get it because I was not the male. I was part of the CWA (Communication Workers of America) Union, and we filed a grievance, and I won. They hired me, but they kept the other guy there, too. So we both had the job. But it was fun, and I eventually moved to Bremen as a switchman – they changed the title later to electronic switching technician. The telephone company was good to me – I spent a lot of time there.”
Sandra doesn’t see herself as a trailblazer for women’s rights, but filing that grievance made a difference. Because of Sandra and women like her who refused to accept that men were better qualified, our country is on the path toward gender equality in the workplace. That battle is still being fought – women in the U.S. earn 84% of what men
Bremen • Carrollton • Douglasville
770.537.2375 • 770.836.1466 • 770.489.2818 www.hightowerfamilyfuneralhomes.com
earn, according to a Pew Research Center study from 2020. But as women continue to push back and demand equal opportunities, like Sandra did, that gender gap is slowly closing.
Although she fought for the same opportunities available to men and won, she sometimes encountered good-natured pushback. “When I went to Bremen, there were people there who didn’t think women should be working in certain jobs, so I would walk through the office singing ‘I am Woman, Hear me Roar’ – that song was popular,” she laughs. “But we all got along just fine. There was no animosity or anything like that.”
She raised two children while working there. After divorcing her first husband Russell Cummings, she married Larry Carnes. After he passed away, she married John Stillwell, and they were married 35 years before he also passed away. That’s when she met Harold Miles, who she says is the love of her life.
“I met Harold on Facebook,” she remembers. “He would write daily posts on Facebook, and I would read them and make comments. He started commenting back, and then he called me. We talked on the phone I guess for over a month, and sometimes it would be like 4 in the morning – we just didn't realize the time. It was a great relationship.”
Sandra and Harold were together for two years and two months before he passed away in 2019.
Sandra has two children of her own, as well as four grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She has two stepchildren, and five stepgrandchildren. She also has three bonus children from her relationship with Harold, as well as four bonus grandchildren and nine bonus great-grandchildren.
After her children were grown and she retired from the phone company, she was looking for something to keep her occupied. “I went to the Senior Center, and every once in a while, they needed somebody to help in the kitchen, and I would do that,” she recalls. “The director was Shirley Veitch – she was only the third director of the Center. She was going to retire, so I expressed my desire for the job to Mayor Rick Ford, and I got it.”
When people of any age are socially connected, they build a support network. This is especially important for senior citizens, who are more likely than their younger peers to be facing health issues, the loss of loved ones, loss of independence or memory issues, like dementia.
Lee Stringfellow, M.D.
William Berard, M.D.
Kevin Webster, M.D.
Andrew Rho, D.O.
Simone Berard, M.D.
Joanne Gaw, M.D.
Schuyler Cook, D.O.
Jessi Stockham, FNP-C
Seniors who stay connected socially tend to make better health decisions and feel happier. A study by the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center in Chicago found the rate of cognitive decline in people with frequent social interactions was 70 percent less than those who experienced few social interactions on a regular basis.
Seniors often stay more active when they have a group to exercise with – it helps motivate them to get moving, or even just to get out of the house. Simply knowing they have a place to go with planned meals and activities daily helps seniors combat loneliness and creates a positive impact on their physical and mental well-being.
Sandra recognized this need, and during her 16 years as director, she made building a community her priority. Under her direction, the Center went from being open three days a week to five days. She increased the number of activities and trips as well, and she fostered collaborations with groups like the Carroll County/West Georgia Council on Aging to plan large holiday events that often bring in up to 800 people.
“We work with the Atlanta Food Bank, and we are now providing 43 food boxes a month for seniors who qualify. Bread Cookies and Cakes brings in
can use your help. Here are some ways she suggests to get involved:
• Volunteer at your local senior center (this requires an application)
• Take time to visit local seniors, either at the Senior Center, their homes, in nursing homes or assisted living centers. At the Temple Senior Center, non-members can eat for $3, and community members are always welcome to come visit with the members.
• Donate money to local senior centers to help pay for dues, food and transportation for the seniors on fixed incomes
• Drive seniors to appointments, such as doctor appointments and trips to the pharmacy.
• Help seniors with projects around their home, even something as simple as changing light bulbs or mowing the lawn. Sandra says West Georgia
treats twice a week for our seniors, too. Twice a month, we get fresh vegetables. We put them out for the seniors to pick up and get what they want. Bread, cookies and vegetables sometimes go out on the route to be delivered with meals, too.”
She was part of the City’s steering committee in 2014 when they developed their Comprehensive Plan, and she made sure that the Senior Center and senior activities were included.
“Nobody needs to spend their life at home by themselves,” she explains. “It's not good for you mentally or physically. People need to be around other people. It helps keep you mentally fit and physically fit – we have the Silver Sneakers in the gym right behind us. When you’re around people, you live longer. You have a better life.
“We’ve had people come to the Center who have dementia. As long as they are coming, the people at the Center help them play games and such. They may not know exactly what they are doing all the time, but the people there help them. As long as you’re interacting with people, it helps your mind. It seems to me it slows down the dementia.”
Sandra also put an emphasis on feeding the members. Every day they are open, the Center
offers lunch for $1 to members. The Center even delivers meals to members who are homebound.
“For some of them, it’s the only meal they get. We have between 40 and 80 people come to the Center every day for a meal. It’s only $1, no matter if we deliver it or not. There are people who help pay for meals for those who can’t pay. We don’t get government money – the city of Temple pays for everything. They shell out a lot.”
She says the Center delivers 50 to 75 meals most days. “Sometimes that person who is delivering the meal every day is the only person they see all week,” she says. “We have a couple of volunteers that help, but the City of Temple gave us a car, so an employee delivers most of the meals.”
In addition to daily meals, the Center offers monthly birthday parties to celebrate. J. Collins Funeral Home donates cake and ice cream, but there’s also a full meal as part of the celebration.
The Center offers Bingo on Wednesday, Bible study on Monday, dances every second and fourth Saturday of the month, daily card games, pool, painting classes, educational classes and more. Once a month, the seniors meet for game night at Jones BBQ in Temple. The owner furnishes a buffet style, all-you-can-eat meal for $12 per person, including tip.
“The Senior Center is just a big, friendly place,” Sandra relates. “The members love Bingo, and they love playing cards. A lot of them get there at 8:30 in the morning and start playing different kinds of games, like Phase 10, Rummikub, Chicken Foot and Hand and Foot, and the men play pool.”
During her time as director, she used her passion for travel to help organize many trips. Some were day trips, some were overnight trips, while some went to other countries.
“We started taking international trips, which was never done before at the Temple Senior Center,”
she relates. “Our first trip was to Israel. We've been to Ireland twice, and we've been to Italy twice. We went to Whales, England, French Riviera, Egypt, Jordan and Scotland. Some were history-focused trips, like one to Greece where we followed the footsteps of Paul the Apostle. That was a beautiful place. We’ve been to South America and up to Nova Scotia on cruises. I didn’t get to join them on the trips to Spain, Portugal and the most recent trip to Croatia, but they came back to tell me how great the trips were.”
The Temple City Council recognized Sandra for her significant contributions to the City and the Senior Center by honoring her with an official proclamation in 2018. In the proclamation, Mayor Pro Tem Richard Bracknell read that the City of Temple was naming Sandra as the Grand Marshal of the 2018 Founder’s Day Parade.
“That was a shock, to be named the Grand Marshal of the parade that year for Founder’s Day,” she remembers. “It was quite an honor.”
Now that she’s officially retired, Sandra hopes to continue to travel with her friends and helping others in need. “And I'm definitely going to get my closets cleaned out,” she laughs.
She says she ready to turn the reins of the Center over to Cathlene Dowdell, Sandra’s former assistant. “I’m 81 years old, so I think it’s time to go home,” she says. “They need somebody younger with more energy. But I’ll always be grateful for my time there –working at the Senior Center did me more good than it did them.”
By Shala Hainer
Well-known for his handy skills, Russell “Rusty” Church of Roopville, Ga., never expected to use those skills to make himself a leg. But as the saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention.
Born with a birth defect, Rusty’s leg was amputated when he was a baby. He only had four toes when he was born, no knee cap or shin bone in that leg, a dislocated hip and leg muscle deformities. The doctors said removing the deformed leg was Rusty’s best chance to be able to walk and have a normal life. He began using a prosthetic leg as a small child, and he has never let it slow him down.
During the September 2024 hurricane, Rusty set out to help people in need. In spite of the wind and rain, Rusty tried to make sure that the people in his community were taken care of. Unfortunately, his prosthetic leg broke as he worked.
“I was working on a customer’s plumbing issues in the downpours during Hurricane Helene when my prosthetic snapped on me,” Rusty relates. “Being the provider of my little family, I had to come up with something to be able to continue to work.”
Rusty is known as a hardworking man whose main goal is supporting his family: wife Racheal and daughters Crimson and Victoria. He knew he couldn’t miss
work while he waited for a replacement prosthetic, so he made his own out of a PVC pipe.
“A few days passed, and I was using crutches to get around to jobs,” he recalls. “Then I had the idea that I could makeshift a prosthetic that would be easier than walking on crutches. So I gathered some 4-inch PVC piping, some electrical tape, as well as some other plumbing items I had handy. And then I brainstormed.
“I did some cutting and DIY and came up with this to be able to continue working.”
He refuses to miss work, in spite of the pain caused by the makeshift leg. Without a proper fit, not only does he deal with constant discomfort, but he also lives with the risk of injury from falls. Prosthetics are typically custom fit, built specifically for the person who needs them. While the makeshift PVC prosthetic has enabled him to work and support his family for the moment, it is far from a long-term solution.
Most people don’t realize how much a replacement prosthetic might cost. With a basic replacement topping $15,000, the physical nature of his job means he needs a type of prosthetic that allows for full ranges of movement, and those often cost $30,000 or more.
Not only does medical insurance often cover little or none of the cost of prosthetics, but damage isn’t usually covered by other coverage people have, such as homeowner’s insurance. When a prosthetic breaks, it’s not uncommon for them to cost tens of thousands of dollars to replace.
After breaking his prosthetic while he worked to help the community during a natural disaster, Rusty and his family need help from that community to replace his prosthetic and allow him to continue his hard-working lifestyle, supporting his family. He has everything in place, including the prescription necessary to order the device.
If you have the ability and desire to help Rusty and his family, please consider a donation to his GoFundMe account. He didn’t know a GoFundMe was being set up, but he’s grateful for the incredible support from the community.
“Another local person saw me out working on my truck and stopped by,” he says. “I was asked if I could take a few pictures of my makeshift leg, so I did. Little did I know that a GoFundMe would be set up and my story would be told in multiple places. Since then, we have had donations to the GoFundMe."
770.462.5005
Roopville residents Jenna Bell and her husband were the ones who rode past Rusty that day while he was working on his truck. "As we passed by, my husband said to me, 'What's wrong with Rusty's leg,' Jenna says. "I said, 'I don't know, but let's turn around and go talk to him.'"
They turned around and Rusty explained what happened to his prosthetic. He told them he made the makeshift one so he could continue working to support his family. Jenna was floored by Rusty's story and wanted to help however she could. The first thing she did was set up the GoFundMe for Rusty.
"He didn't even ask me to set this up," Jenna shares. "It breaks my heart. I know it's uncomfortable for him because the makeshift prosthetic rubs up against the part of his leg he has left, but the man is still getting up every day and going to work. If that doesn't tell you this man is trying, then I don't know what would."
Jenna has done more than set up the GoFundMe. She also wrote a very long letter to Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and reached out to multiple television news channels, including Fox 5 Atlanta, to try and get the word out, but she hasn't had much luck so far.
She also set up an account for Rusty at
Carrollton's Bank of America for donations. Once all the funds have been raised, the bank will make out a cashier's check directly to the prosthetic company. If you'd like to make a direct donation by cash or check to the bank account for Rusty, please call Jenna Bell at 678-876-5584.
“We have exhausted many resources trying to get a reasonable price for a new prosthetic with no luck," Rusty says. "The minimum amount needed for a replacement is $15,000 and that’s probably going to only cover half of what a decent one will cost being I’m very active and make a lot of twists and turns at work, and I do stay pretty busy even outside of work.
“We are asking for help (which I never do) as well as prayers so we can get me a new prosthetic.” WGW
Rusty needs a Christmas miracle. To support Rusty’s purchase of a new prosthetic leg, please scan the code to the right, visit www.gofundme.com/f/3qurd2-helprusty-get-a-new-prosthetic-leg or call Jenna Bell at 678-876-5584.
The REAL Theatre, Inc., a not-for-profit professional regional theater organization, is thrilled to announce the launch of its second season, dedicated to bringing meaningful, impactful, and live theater experiences to the community. Committed to fostering a genuine connection through the performing arts, The REAL Theatre provides opportunities for artistic engagement and education that empower, inspire, and uplift audiences.
After a successful inaugural season featuring Broadway luminaries Cicily Daniels and Vincent Michael, along with a celebrated concert series and compelling theatrical performances, The REAL Theatre is excited to bring audiences an expanded 2025 season. This season continues to elevate the community’s access to high-quality theater and offer opportunities for personal and collective growth through the arts.
According to Artistic Director and co-founder Patrick Yuran, “The REAL Theatre is founded on the values of being Raw, Elemental, Artistic and Live. Our productions are designed to bring these values to the forefront, immersing audiences in an authentic and transformative theatrical experience.”
As part of the Professional Guest Artist Series, Broadway star Vishal Vaidya, known for his roles on Broadway and beyond, kicks off the season with a masterclass in April 2025 focused on conquering negative self-talk and achieving goals in the interview and audition process. He will also
participate in a one-night-only Broadway Sing-Along Concert, sharing insights and stories from his own journey in the theater world.
Also in April 2025, The REAL Theatre’s production
company will present a bold, modern interpretation of Tennessee Williams’s Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Known for its powerful exploration of human relationships and social issues, this classic play is reimagined with a fresh perspective, allowing audiences to experience the universal themes of desire, control and honesty in a contemporary context.
With a production of Dreamgirls: The Musical set to open in November 2025, The REAL Theatre will dazzle local audiences by telling the electrifying story of a young female singing group rising to fame in the 1960s and 1970s. With its timeless themes of ambition, loyalty and the complexities of success, Dreamgirls promises to captivate audiences with its powerhouse musical numbers and compelling story.
The season culminates in December 2025 by welcoming back Jared and Lindsay Bradshaw for a unique masterclass on career-building in the performing arts, alongside a Disney Christmas SingAlong Concert. The Bradshaws, known for their celebrated performances in Jersey Boys, Wicked, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, will share their professional experiences, offering inspiration and encouragement to aspiring artists in the community. Building on its commitment to nurturing new talent, The REAL Theatre is also developing a writer’s workshop, which debuts
We’re so grateful to be part of your community— and we’re wishing you a happy holiday season with the people you love.
Merry Christmas from your team at United Community!
Our banking centers will be closed on Wednesday, December 25, and Wednesday, January 1.
Member FDIC. © 2024 United Community Bank | ucbi.com
in the 2026 season. This initiative is designed to support and empower emerging voices, allowing them to create original works that reflect diverse perspectives and celebrate the human experience. Through its second season, The REAL Theatre remains committed to creating opportunities for artistic engagement that enrich and connect the community. By blending professional artistry with community involvement, the organization continues to create a space where all are welcome to experience the transformative power of theater. Join this company for a season of unforgettable performances and opportunities that bring the REAL elements of theater to life!
For more information about the second season, including show dates, ticketing and educational programs, visit therealtheatre.com. WGW
Chef Rose Isaacs is a native of Carroll County and lives in Carrollton with her husband, Shawn and their son, Sebastian. She graduated from West Georgia Technical College in 2013 with a degree in Culinary Arts.
She is a personal chef who offers cooking lessons, baby food prep, date night dinners for two and more. Learn more about Chef Rose at www.chefrosecooks.com.
Chef Rose photos by Zachary Dailey, Dailey Life Photography, daileylifephotography@gmail.com
Recipe photos by Andrew Agresta, Agresta Photography, www.agrestaphotography.com
For the dough:
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup whole milk, warmed to 110º-115ºF
1/4 cup water, warmed to 110º-115ºF
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg
For the topping (bottom layer in pan):
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup maple syrup
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup pecan halves or chopped pecans
For the filling:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Prepare the dough:
In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of the flour, granulated sugar, yeast and salt.
Add the warm milk, water, melted butter and egg to the flour mixture.
Stir until combined.
Gradually add the remaining 1 1/4 cups of flour, kneading until a soft, elastic dough forms (about 5 to 7 minutes by hand or using a stand mixer with a dough hook).
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
Prepare the topping:
Grease a 9-inch-by-13-inch baking dish.
In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, maple syrup and brown sugar until smooth.
Pour this mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Sprinkle the pecans over the butter and sugar mixture.
Prepare the filling:
In another bowl, mix together the softened butter, brown sugar and cinnamon until smooth.
Roll and fill the dough:
After the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface into a 12-inch-by-18-inch rectangle.
Spread the filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
Starting from one of the long sides, tightly roll up the dough into a log. Pinch the seam to seal.
Slice and arrange the buns:
Cut the log into 12 equal slices.
Place the buns cut side up in the baking dish on top of the pecan topping layer.
Cover with a towel and allow to rise for about 30 minutes, or until puffy.
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Bake the sticky buns for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
Let the buns cool in the pan for about 5 minutes.
Carefully place a large serving platter or baking sheet over the top of the baking dish and quickly invert the pan so the sticky buns are turned upside down onto the platter.
Makes 12 sticky buns.
4 eggs, separated
1/3 cup granulated sugar, plus 1 tablespoon
2 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup dark rum (optional)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg plus more for garnish
In a medium bowl, whisk egg yolks with 1/3 cup sugar until smooth and creamy.
In a large saucepan combine the milk, heavy cream and vanilla extract.
Heat over medium heat until just steaming (do not boil)
Slowly pour the hot milk into the egg yolks, whisking constantly to prevent curdling. Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly for about 5 to 7 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat and add alcohol if using. Stir in nutmeg. Allow to cool, then refrigerate.
In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites with the remaining tablespoon of sugar until soft peaks form.
Fold into the chilled eggnog mixture for extra fluffiness.
Serve in glasses with additional freshly grated nutmeg on top.
Note: This recipe uses raw egg whites. For those concerned about consuming raw eggs, use pasteurized eggs or omit egg whites altogether.
Serves 4 to 6. WGW
“ Make this a day ahead to let flavors meld. ”
By Sandra Bolan
Do you need to be one of the very first to have the latest, greatest and newest version of luxury vehicle or cell phone, although the ones you have work and look perfectly fine? If this sounds like you, don’t be surprised if your children follow suit, clamoring for the newest and trendiest toys, clothes and electronics. Over time, your kids may hold material items in higher regard than people and relationships and live by the credo “money buys happiness.”
How do you instill in your kids that people are more valuable than things? First, kids don’t innately understand that relationships are more important than possessions, so it’s up to you, the parent, to show them it’s OK not to have the latest versions of everything when the one you have works perfectly fine.
Teach quality over quantity and subscribe to fixing versus toss-and-replace. No matter how limited your skills are, this not only saves you a lot of money, but it also reduces your carbon footprint by buying less. And who knows? You may find you’re good at small item repair and like tinkering around under the hood of your vehicle. There’s also a certain amount of pride that comes with being able to fix something yourself.
When it comes to clothes, towels and blankets, you can realistically only mend them so many times
before they become held together by the repairs. With some creativity, you can transform old fabrics into other useful items such as quilts, hand towels, placemats, napkins or patchwork quilts.
Some people may call this being “cheap” or “frugal,” while others applaud you for spending money responsibly and living within your means. Being materialistic comes with a hefty price tag, one you may not be able to afford. This is where learning the difference between need and want comes in. You need food to survive, but you want that $200 pair of shoes because they’re cute.
Although it’s not always possible, don’t shop with your children. But when you have to bring them along, and when they inevitably start asking you to buy them this or that, just say "no," and mean it. When the tears and temper tantrums start, leave the store – without the item they wanted.
To afford all the latest and greatest things, as well as wanting to provide a quality of life that is superior to the ones they had growing up, some parents often resort to expressing their love by buying their children things – big, expensive things. Some parents believe the bigger and more expensive the item, the greater the love. But sadly, children soon
learn to equate love with expensive presents. When it comes to birthday parties, bar mitzvahs and other milestone celebrations, children want the memories, not over-the-top parties you orchestrate for them. Typically, when asked what they want, children tell you they just want to hang out with their friends, play some games and eat lots of pizza, chips and ice cream. They don’t care if Duff Goldman or Duncan Hines makes the cake.
Donating isn’t showing off how much excess you have when it’s done to help someone else out, but it’s also not the reason to free up space in your home so you can go out and buy more stuff. By explaining to children why you’re donating the clothes and toys they’ve outgrown – so other people can have a turn loving them as much as they did –you help children understand there are people out
there who are less fortunate than them.
Teaching kids to donate, or even volunteer their time for a worthy cause, has the positive side effect of kids learning to be being grateful for what they have.
When you're grateful for what you have, you're more satisfied with your life. Instead of placing a high value on achieving wealth and gaining possessions, fame and notoriety, you value personal growth, which creates connections with other people and a greater likelihood of community advocacy.
To help instill gratitude at any age, start with a gratitude journal. At the end of each day, write down three to five things for which you’re grateful – no matter how simple. Examples include enjoying your favorite lunch, playing with the dog or going for a walk with your family.
Alternatively, have dinner together as a family each evening (or as much as you can each week) and share your gratitude verbally. We live in a world of being overscheduled, which has forced many families to replace the sit-down dinner with grabbing takeout and eating it as fast as possible in the car while going from one child’s extracurricular activity to another.
Sitting around the dining room table isn't just about eating a homecooked meal; it's the one time of day the whole family can come together and reflect on the day, as well as talk to each other. Try to get back to that family time, even if it’s a couple of times a week.
It's OK to give your children nice things, but when they begin to expect only the latest, greatest things or the biggest and the best of everything, then that could be a problem. Teaching children to appreciate what they already have versus seeking external validation by wanting more isn't always easy –especially in the materialistic world we live in today. When you lead by example, your children learn that despite living in a capitalistic world, money or things won't make us happy, but our relationships with family and friends will. WGW
By Sandra Bolan
Every January, when the Christmas bills start coming in, we always ask ourselves “how did I spend so much?” Americans rack up an average of $1,000 in holiday debt, with more than half of us going over-budget. Depending on your credit card’s interest rate and how long you take to pay that debt down, those Christmas gifts can end up costing double the original price. Controlling your holiday spending comes down to budgeting, being creative with your money and saying “no.”
Make a list of every holiday expense you’re going to incur: gifts, travel, holiday food, gift wrapping supplies, shipping costs, cards and postage, party
outfits, baking supplies, décor and charitable donations. Next, make a shopping list for each category. For example, travel expenses include gas, airfare, hotels, restaurant meals, while wrapping supplies are tape, tissue paper, gift wrap as well as ribbon and bows. Now, go through each list and cross out items you already have (wrapping paper) and what you can do without, (a new party dress for each holiday soiree). Set a spending limit for each category, keep track of every single item purchased and subtract it’s amount from the total. Everyone can make a budget; the challenge is sticking to it.
The gift list likely is your largest expense and the toughest to keep within budget. What did you spend last year? Can you manage the same amount, or do you need to reign it in? We’ve become a
cashless society, which makes it easy to keep spending. One way to control the holiday budget is to pay cash. Once the money is gone, the spending is done. Impulse buying is part of why the holiday spending budget goes out the window. If you know you have no impulse control, shop online. This ensures the cart is full of only items you intend to buy. Online shopping is also the most efficient way to find deals. When comparing web prices, look for free shipping. The item may be deeply discounted, but the hefty shipping fee negates the savings. Utilize digital coupons and apps that give you
reward points or cash back on purchases (Ebates) and ones that find the best deals for you (Krazy Coupon Lady).
Prioritize
No matter how crafty you get with shopping the deals, reusing gift bags and re-wearing outfits, you might still be over budget. Go through your gift list and be ruthless – why are you still giving presents to people you barely speak with during the year and only see at Christmas, if at all? Consider sending them a card instead. Kids are notorious for giving Santa long Christmas lists. Go through it and prioritize what you can realistically afford with what you know the child will love the most.
“The REAL Theatre” is a vibrant staple to the Carrollton community’s cultural landscape. REAL, signifying Raw, Elemental, Artistic, and Live, encapsulates the essence of our company. We are a passionate, forwardthinking theater company dedicated to delivering captivating and genuine theatrical experiences.
A CELEBRATION OF BROADWAY: MUSICAL REVIEW
February 27th: 7:00 PM
February 28th: 7:00 PM
March 1st: 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM
VISHAL VAIDYA: BROADWAY COMES TO CARROLLTON
- Masterclass with Vishal Vaidya
- Conversations with Vishal Vaidya
- A Concert with Vishal Vaidya
A BROADWAY SING-A-LONG
April 2nd: 7:00 PM
CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF
By Tennessee Williams
April 24th: 7:00 PM | April 25th: 7:00 PM April 26th: 2:00 PM | April 26th: 7:00 PM
THE ROTARY CLUB OF CARROLLTON: 4TH ANNUAL ROTARY’S WEST GA TALENT COMPETITION
October 23rd: 7:00 PM
DREAMGIRLS: THE MUSICAL
By Henry Krieger and Tom Eyen
November 13th: 7:00 PM
November 14th: 7:00 PM
Nov. 15th: 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM
THE BROADWAY BRADSHAWS: BROADWAY COMES TO CARROLLTON
- Masterclass with The Broadway Bradshaws
- Conversations with The Broadway Bradshaws
- A Concert with The Broadway Bradshaws A DISNEY CHRISTMAS SING-A-LONG WITH THE BROADWAY BRADSHAWS
December 10th: 7:00 PM
THE REAL THEATRE, INC. IS A 501(C)(3) NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION | For more information call 470-729-0916 or visit us at www.there
The holidays are supposed to be about spending time with friends and family, not competing for who spent the most on gifts. Over the years, some holiday traditions have likely expanded and become more extravagant. Consider going back to the less expensive traditions – skip the Disney trip and opt for Six Flags or Dollywood. If you host a huge gathering every year and have provided everything from appetizers to desserts and alcohol, along with gifts, consider a pot-luck or scaling back the guest
list. If you participate in gift exchanges, ensure there’s a budget that you can afford.
If you’re crafty or a whiz in the kitchen, consider making or baking some of your Christmas gifts. The recipients will appreciate the time you took to make something especially for them.
“Carrollton’s Prescription Headquarters”
As soon as you pack up this year’s holiday décor and the last Christmas cookie has been eaten, start planning for next year. Consider opening a special bank account dedicated to the holidays. How much did you spend this year? Divide that amount by 11 and deposit it into the account each month so when it comes time to shop for the holidays, the money is already there. Buy gift wrap in January as it’s a fraction of the cost, and consider shopping throughout the year for gifts, especially when you find items on sale. Every year there’s pressure to outdo last year’s Christmas gifts and holiday parties, but they come at a cost that may have gotten out of control. Focus more on spending time with your friends and family versus extravagant gifts. No doubt, those are the holidays that become the most memorable. WGW
By Shala Hainer
One of the fastest and easiest ways to freshen up your home for the holidays is to add pops of color with your throw pillows. Toss pillows of different colors, shapes, sizes and textures in your living room, dining room and bedrooms to bring festive dimension to the space. The colors and textures of these pillows create an instant feeling of warmth and coziness.
Pillows tend to work best grouped in sets of two or three. Stick with all solids, or try an easy mix by putting a solid, a stripe and a pattern in each grouping of three. Different fabrics add texture – think flannel, velvet, cotton and faux fur. A sweater-type fabric, whether a color or neutral, brings nostalgic thoughts of cold weather and hot chocolate.
Most pillows fall into the square or rectangle category, but change it up by adding a circle pillow in the front, or consider a cylinder lumbar pillow. While throw pillows are decorative, they are usually meant to be used, so take that into consideration when choosing the fabrics. A beaded or sequined pillow might look pretty, but it’s not comfortable or inviting to touch. Look for fabrics that are soft but structured enough to hold their shape.
To get the most bang for your buck, think about pillow designs that work during more than one season. Red, for example, works near Valentine’s Day, all throughout the fall and during the winter holidays. Instead of only using solid red, mix the
patterns, adding stripes, dots, plaids or paisleys. A red striped pillow looks adorable next to a green plaid pillow for Christmas, but it also pops against a solid pink pillow for Valentine’s Day. That same green plaid works with the pink all through the spring.
To keep throw pillows working between seasons, toss some neutrals in with the seasonal colors. Spring might lean more toward a cream shade, while late summer and fall work well with brown, gold and earth tones. Having neutrals tones down the seasonal colors and means you have fewer pillows to change to keep your space looking fresh and inviting.
Jazz up your neutrals with easy holiday ribbon. Simply tie the colored ribbon around the pillow as if you were wrapping a present, and suddenly you’ve added holiday cheer! Wider ribbon is best, and wirefree ribbon means less chance of scratching people when they sit by the pillow.
While solids and patterns work across seasons, there’s still room for some holiday-specific pillows. Choose some with words like “Merry” or “Joy,” or opt for short, inspirational messages. Ensure the colors of these pillows work with your other solids and patterns, and place these in the front of a grouping.
Making pillows is incredibly easy, and it doesn’t require sewing. If you like to sew, measure your pattern a couple of inches larger than the finished size you want, turn the fabric inside out and sew an
easy square. Ideally, include a zipper on one side to remove the filling or insert when necessary.
If you don’t sew, you can still make pillows. If you want pillows with a little fringe, cut two squares that are 4 inches larger than what you want the finished size to be. Cut lines 2 inches long every inch along all four sides, then lay the fabric on top of each other with both finished sides facing out. Go around the edges tying the two pieces together using the strips you cut. Leave one side open to stuff it with an insert or polyfill, then tie that side together as well.
This even works with nontraditional fabric ideas, like an old flannel shirt. Button the front and cut it out in your desired shape, cutting out the same shape from the back of the shirt. This creates an adorable holidaythemed “boyfriend” pillow once you’ve tied the sides together.
The bags also keep the pillows bug- and moisture-free while stored, which opens storage location options to include non-climate-controlled areas like a garage or attic. These bags slide easily under beds or behind dressers, allowing you to take advantage of unused space. If vacuum storage isn’t your thing, dedicate some space in a trunk, cedar chest or linen closet for the pillows. Another option is zipper storage bags –these don’t offer compression, but they protect the pillows from dust and most pests while keeping them in a contained space. Many of these still slide under the bed or fit in the back corner of a closet, keeping the pillows clean but out of the way.
A quicker option is using an adhesive to make the pillow. This can be hot glue, fabric glue or iron-on hemming tape. Take fabric, which could even be a scarf, old sweater or tablecloth, cut out the size you’d like, then put the adhesive on three edges –make sure it’s the unfinished side of the fabric. Place the other piece of fabric on top and press down or iron to make the two pieces stick together. Turn it right-side out, stuff the pillow, then glue the final side. It’s difficult to hide the final seam after stuffing, so keep that seam on the bottom where it can’t be seen when the pillow is displayed.
The easiest way to store seasonal pillows is to only buy or make removable pillow covers. Pick a standard, easy-to-find size like 16x16 inches, and buy the polyfill or down inserts in that size. Every season, change the covers while reusing the inserts.
In addition to the covers being easier to store, it gives you an opportunity to wash the covers before storing so they are always fresh. If you fold them to store them, be prepared to toss them in the dryer or steam them prior to use the following year. Whether you use covers or buy the pillows already filled, vacuum storage bags are a must. These compress the fabric and the filling to a manageable size. Vacuum bags work best with polyfill pillows –the extreme compression can sometimes break the feathers in down pillows.
When you’re done with your pillows, check with local animal shelters before you throw them away – many accept old pillows to use as beds for the pets while they await adoption. Another option is to salvage the polyfill from old pillows to stuff your newer covers, depending on the age and condition of the old pillow. WGW
By Shala Hainer
For centuries, cultures around the world have used trees to celebrate holidays. Legend has it St. Boniface chopped down an oak tree dedicated to Thor, and this act helped him as he worked to bring Christianity to Germany. An evergreen tree grew in its place, and Catholics started decorating evergreen trees at Christmas. Another legend says the winter solstice brought the pagan Yule festival with its decorated evergreen and holly branches, and Christians eventually adopted the practice of decorating evergreen trees.
With such deep roots, stepping away from a traditional Christmas tree takes a bit of imagination and courage. This year, more people are taking the leap and leaving large Christmas trees behind.
Christmas trees notoriously take up space. Not everyone has a room with an empty corner or vacant bay window to house a large tree. Many of these people seek smaller, space-conserving options. Money is another hefty motivator. Artificial trees run into the thousands. Real trees are cheaper but more hassle as they drop needles and need to be hauled away after the holidays. Both types can require hundreds of dollars in decorations to make them look full and cheerful.
Sometimes, people want their traditional Christmas tree, but they look for alternatives to place in different rooms around the house to bring cheer to every space. Or, they might be seeking a more eco-friendly alternative to typical Christmas trees.
Other people have pets or toddlers who would like nothing better than to destroy a tree, or the ornaments on the tree. Thankfully, you can keep your tree, pets and children safe while enjoying that festive holiday feel in your home.
No matter how small the space, it’s likely you can find a blank spot on the wall to create the idea of a tree. This can be as simple as removable hooks or
push pins put in the wall in a triangle shape, designed to weave garland, string, lights or ribbon between to create the tree. Using painter’s tape between the hooks and wall helps protect the paint.
These can be simple, with a few pieces of garland strung between the hooks, or more elaborate, with enough hooks to hold a full array of garland dotted with ornaments, ribbon and lights. An even simpler idea is to tape several green streamers together at the top, then fan them out at the bottom so they make a triangle tree shape. You can tape paper decorations for a little added flair.
These wall trees take up no floor space while still enhancing your home’s festive atmosphere.
Grab a few small branches out of the yard to make some amazing twig trees. Wrap the stems together with wire or tape, then place the twigs in a vase. Add lights and small decorations to jazz up the branches.
Or, simply buy a twig tree – many options exist,
and most already have lights built in. These come in different shapes, such as upturned branches like an oak tree, or downturned ones similar to how conifer trees often grow. The twigs come in multiple colors including white and natural brown as well as trendy colors like pink and mint green.
These range in size from a few inches high to several feet, so check the height carefully to ensure it fits in your desired space. Also, choose the style
Sculptor Kevin Shunn will be creating a bronze memorial statue of Fred with a bench.
The Carrollton Fraternal Order of Police is collecting donations through its Barry Carroll Foundation for this project.
If you wish to donate to Fred's legacy project, please make your check payable to the Barry Carroll Foundation, with "Fred Richards Memorial Bench" in the memo line.
Checks can be dropped off at the City of Carrollton Police Department or mailed to:
Barry Carroll Foundation c/o Chief Joel Richards, 115 W. Center St., Carrollton, Ga. 30117.
Or, you may donate through PayPal or Venmo using the QR codes on the left. Please reference the "Fred Richards Memorial Bench" in the "for" section.
for the lights – they might offer warm white, bright white or multicolored lights.
Mix and match different sizes, heights and colors to create a attractive holiday scene on your table or mantel.
Think about materials you have around your house – many options exist to make your own Christmas tree alternative. For example, pick up pinecones from your yard. Glue or wire their bases to a cone-shaped frame, such as one made of Styrofoam. If you have a specific color scheme for your holiday decorations, spray paint the pinecones prior to attaching them, or glue on additional small ornaments to fit your décor.
Using the same type of foam cone, attach ribbons for a colorful, festive look. Try several techniques until you get the look you want – cut pieces a few inches long, fold them over and pin the ends to the foam to create loops, making the pieces smaller as you move up the cone. Another option is to gather the ribbon, pin it to the cone, then continue gathering and pinning every few inches to create texture and dimension.
Instead of ribbon, try securing feathers, pampas grass or holly leaves and berries to the foam cone.
For a more unconventional but whimsical look, try balloons. These might be multicolored, all green to look more like a tree, or a mix of a few colors that match your other holiday decorations. The balloons can be matte or metallic. Blowing up the balloons into different sizes adds some depth to the design. Tape or tie the balloons onto
a frame – a wire tomato cage works well for smaller trees. Turn the cage upside down and secure the legs together at the top to make a cone, then attach the balloons with tape, string or wire.
The beauty of a potted tree is that you’re bringing a piece of nature into your home, and you can continue to enjoy it long after the holiday ends. Many spread a pleasant aroma around your room in addition to a delightful green color. Decide on a size that fits your space – do you want it to sit on a table? Perhaps on the mantel? Maybe you have a tiny space in a corner on the floor you need to fill with something slimmer than a traditional Christmas tree – these options come in sizes ranging from a few inches tall to 6 feet or more, although the pricing tends to increase along with the height.
Options for potted trees include rosemary plants, Norfolk island pines, potted cedar or lemon cypress. Decorate these with fairy lights, lightweight ornaments and ribbon, or opt for brightly colored paper to wrap the pot. Alternatively, wrap a cardboard box with wrapping paper, then place the pot inside for an instant holiday pop. WGW
By
Materials
Brown construction paper
Pipe cleaner
Black marker
Craft glue
Scissors
Red pompom
Instructions
Cut out a face and antlers from the construction paper.
Glue together to create a reindeer shape.
Glue a red pompom to the front for the nose. Twist the pipe cleaner in half and glue to the back of the reindeer.
Decorate the face as desired.
Materials
Orange construction paper
Two paper plates
Craft glue (not shown in photo)
Scissors
Googly eyes
Instructions
Take an upside-down paper plate and use a black marker to fill in around the outer rim.
Cut out the center of the second paper plate and glue to the top of the upside-down paper plate for the penguin's head.
Cut a beak and two feet out of the orange construction paper and glue in place as shown.
Glue the googly eyes above the beak.
Decorate penguin as desired. WGW
Through our Tanner MyChart app, you can see test results, securely message providers, request medication refills, pay bills, request appointments and so much more — for everyone connected to your account.
So you can see how dad’s A1C is doing after his last appointment, schedule your annual wellness visit and mammogram, preregister and hold your place in line at Tanner Urgent Care for your daughter’s fever, ask the provider to send over a refill on mom’s blood pressure medication and so much more — all without making a call.
You’ve got a lot on your plate. Let’s make it easier, faster — and better.
It’s everyone’s care, redefined.