West Georgia Woman Magazine February 2022

Woman

Complimentary

February 2022

West Georgia

TM

Lesa Sheffield A Change of Heart

Top 10 Dangerous Health Conditions for Women

How to Ask (and Get) What You Want From Him

Basketball Standout Jordan Kierbow is Flying High with the Mount Zion Lady Eagles

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Lesa Sheffield Opens Her Heart to Life After Open Heart Surgery.

Page 10 Photo by Zachary Dailey

What’s inside...

10 24 29

A Change of Heart

How to Ask (and Get) What You Want From Him Valentine's Day Myths, Busted

32 34

Top Ten Dangerous Health Conditions for Women Jordan Kierbow is Flying High with Lady Eagles

44

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Valentine's Day is a Mixed Bag

Ask people what they think of Valentine's Day, and you'll most likely get a myriad of responses from sheer loathing to wistful excitement and everything in between.

Remember those days in elementary school when we were all required to bring those little paper valentines and share them with everyone in the class?

The great part was that everyone was included and received their own special valentines.

Fast forward to adulthood. Real life can be cruel and lonely. And sometimes, holidays like Valentine's Day can bring that loneliness front and center. Not everyone has a significant other who will shower them with love and affection.

Fortunately, there are things you can do to counteract those feelings on V-Day. Being kind to others, sharing a laugh or a smile with a random stranger or tipping the worker at the drive-thru can do wonders for your psyche when you're feeling unloved.

Valentine's Day isn't about the commercialism – the greeting cards, flowers and gifts – although those things are nice to receive on occasion. It's more about sharing love and appreciation for those who matter most, no matter if it is Photo by Zachary Dailey a significant other, family member, pet or friend.

The best thing you can do is show yourself some tender love and kindness, because you deserve that and more! Speaking of love, I would really love it if you would sign up for your digital issue at www.westgeorgiawoman.com. Subscribe today and you'll receive our monthly issue along with all of our special issues in your inbox absolutely free!

In This Issue Our feature this month is Lesa Sheffield. On Feb. 5, 2021, which also happens to be the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Day, Lesa underwent open heart surgery after suffering a heart attack Jan. 31. Go Red for Women is a movement encouraging people to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease – the number one killer of women in the U.S. On page 10, learn more about Lesa and her commitment to help spread awareness about the warning signs of this silent killer of women.

Romantic relationships can be challenging to navigate. But there are ways to communicate your wants and needs with your partner without causing a larger rift in the relationship. On page 24, Sandra Bolan shares with you how to ask – and get – what you want from your partner.

Last year, people spent roughly $21 billion on Valentine’s Day. That equates to about $200 per person.

Learn more about the common myths surrounding Valentine's Day and its surprising origins on page 29.

Most of us know that heart disease and cancer are top killers of women, but do you know about the other, dangerous medical conditions that affect women? Read our article on page 32 to learn about the top 10 dangerous health conditions for women and how many of these diseases are preventable.

Jordan Kierbow, a Mount Zion High School senior and star basketball player, recorded her 1,000th career point last season. This year, she has her sights set on the team reaching number one in the playoffs. On page 34, Corey Cusick tells us more about Jordan and how she's flying high with the Mount Zion Lady Eagles.

On page 40, I'm excited to share with you that my dear friend, Jay Gill, received a special promotion to senior vice president of member and external relations with Carroll EMC. I am so happy for my friend! This promotion is well-deserved! Please join me in congratulating Jay for this major milestone in his career.

Thank you for reading West Georgia Woman magazine! There's much more inside!

Please do business with our community advertising partners as much as you can. It is only through their partnership that we are able to give you this beautiful magazine each month.

See you next month!

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Publisher

Finding our voice. Knowing our value.

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West Georgia Woman is a voice for and about the women who live and work in West Georgia.

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This magazine would not be possible without the inclusion of our advertisers. Please be sure to show your support by doing business with these VIP’s (very important partners) so we will be able to continue to share with you our stories about amazing West Georgia women!

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Need a copy? Get yours from our racks at Kroger, Publix, Smith Brothers Supply Company, Southern Home and Ranch Center, Food Depot, Neva Lomason Library and 4 a.m. Coffee Roasters (Maple Street) and the Tanner Health System Medical Pavilion in Carrollton; Piggly Wiggly in Bowdon, Franklin and Tallapoosa; Thriftown in Bremen; Kroger in Cedartown; The Little Giant Grocery in Sargent; Inspiring women wanted.

Fabiano’s Pizzaria, Leaf and Bean Coffee, Food Outlet (Temple Ave.) and Kroger Do you know an interesting woman (Bullsboro Drive and Newnan Crossings who should be on the cover of West Blvd. locations in Newnan;Tanner Health Georgia Woman? Is there a special System's Villa Med and Villa West Office project or organization you would Buildings in Villa Rica; Kroger on Fairburn like us to feature in our magazine?

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West Georgia Woman Magazine P.O. Box 2782 Carrollton, GA 30112

This publication is dedicated in loving memory of Tristan Alexander Brooks May 15, 1993 – September 17, 2015

Volume 7 • Issue 4 February 2022

Publisher/Editor

Angela Dailey angela@westgeorgiawoman.com

Copy Editor Editorial Contributor

Shala Hainer shala@westgeorgiawoman.com

Photographer for cover Zachary Dailey

Editorial Contributors

Sandra Bolan, Corey Cusick, Jordan Dailey, Rose Isaacs and Amanda Thomas

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Sales@westgeorgiawoman.com West Georgia Woman is a monthly publication of Angel Media, LLC. All contents of this issue are copyright 2022. West Georgia Woman magazine, its logo and “Finding our voice.

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By Amanda Thomas 10 Photos by Zachary Dailey

A Change of Heart

Carrollton Woman Opens Her Heart to Life After Open Heart Surgery

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T

he past three years have been difficult for Lesa Sheffield.

In 2019, her mother and father passed away within five weeks from each other. Later that year, she developed a kidney infection that required surgery.

And if that wasn’t enough, at the end of the year, she hit a deer and totaled her car.

Despite all this, Lesa entered 2020 optimistic about the future. Then the COVID-19 pandemic came around and quickly dashed any hopes for a better year.

When 2021 arrived, she entered the new year with a lot of caution but still a little hope. Unfortunately, that hope was short-lived when she had a heart attack in January.

Thankfully, she survived, but the experience changed her life.

While she has a family history of heart disease, the 53-year-old Carrollton hairdresser at Cuttin-Up Hair Salon admits she hadn’t taken care of herself as she should have over the years.

“My mother had heart disease, and I have genetic heart disease that went unnoticed,” she says. “I also developed diabetes with my second pregnancy in 1999, which never went away and was left untreated for two and a half years, so I had several strikes against me.”

While the past few years have been tough, they have shaped her into who she is today – a woman taking control of her health and encouraging other women to do the same.

that much faith, and he taught her.”

Lesa’s mother became so good at sewing that she started making wedding dresses. Her faith was so strong that she also started making prayer cloths that gave comfort and spiritual strength to people in the community who were sick or experiencing hardship.

Some of Lesa’s clients who were diagnosed with cancer received her mother’s cloths. After Margie died, over 2,000 people came to pay their respects at her visitation and funeral.

As they stood in line, one of Lesa’s clients told her, “It doesn't matter if you’re rich or poor. The one common denominator that everyone here had with your mother was that she prayed for them.”

“She was just a prayer warrior,” Lesa says. “She let God lead her life and was so special.”

She begins to cry as she remembers how much she misses her.

“You didn’t just love her. You liked her,” she says.

“She was just a good woman.”

A Year of Loss Lesa’s mom, Margie, was her heart, so it was devastating when she passed away.

“2019 was an awful year for me,” she recalls.

“My mama died on April 15, and to say it broke me would be an understatement.”

Margie was 81 and passed away 15 days before her 82nd birthday, which was April 30.

Lesa’s father left when she was a year old, leaving her mom to take care of Lesa, her 9-year-old brother, Ricky, and her 11-year-old sister, Cindy.

Despite being dealt a hard hand in life, her mother, who was severely disabled because of a rare form of scoliosis that affected her back, never complained. When she saw an opportunity, she went after it with no hesitation.

“She went and applied for a job at a sewing factory, and they said, ‘Can you sew?’ She said, ‘Not yet, but the Lord is going to teach me.’ She had just

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53-year-old Lesa Sheffield suffered a heart attack in January 2021. She underwent open heart surgery on Feb. 5, 2021 – the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Day. Go Red for Women is a movement encouraging people to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease. Since the heart attack, Lesa has taken control of her health and is encouraging other women to do the same.

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week period,” she says.

Then at the end of the year, Lesa hit a deer that came out of nowhere, and totaled her car.

“Thank God my husband, Matt, and I weren’t hurt,” she says. “I kept saying, ‘I can’t wait for 2020,' and we all know how that turned out.”

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When COVID-19 arrived, it became the unwanted gift that kept on giving. For many people, most of 2020 was spent socially distancing, working from home and trying to replenish low stocks of disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer or toilet paper.

“We had to shut our hair salon down during the quarantine,” Lesa recalls.

She couldn’t get unemployment because she was self-employed and considered a “freelance artist.”

“No pay was scary,” she says. “But God always takes care of me, and so many of my wonderful clients sent me money for their missed appointments.”

They also had her husband’s salary to fall back on. But with the financial struggles also came the emotional ones.

“There were just so many sick folks and sadness,” she says. “So, once again, I said 2021 would be my year. And once again, I was wrong.”

Five weeks after laying her mother to rest, Lesa’s father, Roger, died. Even though years had passed since he had left, the pain from that day never completely went away.

“It was heavy, but he asked for forgiveness from God and us,” Lesa recalls. “We gave him grace because our mama – no matter what others did to her – taught us that to receive grace, you must give it.”

Later that year, Lesa developed sepsis caused by a kidney stone. Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency that develops when the body’s response to an infection causes extensive tissue damage.

In March 2020, the hair salon where Lesa works had to shut down during the quarantine, and Lesa “I ended up having was unable to receive unemployment benefits. She is grateful for her wonderful clients who sent three surgeries in a fiveher money for their missed appointments during that time.

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An Unexpected Diagnosis Jan. 31, 2021, was just like any other Sunday. Lesa woke up and got ready for church.

“I felt OK other than this awful burning in my chest,” she remembers. “I chalked it up to my acid reflux being extremely flared up.”

But in the back of her mind, she wondered if it could be something else. At 9 a.m., Lesa told her husband she would call their doctor’s office to get a referral to a cardiologist because their parents had heart disease.

“He agreed that was a good idea,” she says.

That evening, she felt the burning in her chest spread all over her body a few times. But as soon as it came, it left.

When she returned home from church later that evening, Lesa’s daughter, Ivie, told her she had heated some food for Lesa to eat.

“I was so nauseous I told her I didn’t want anything,” Lesa says. “I could feel my breathing was labored, but to be honest, I was just blowing it off.”

Ivie, a certified nursing assistant (CNA) who is in nursing school, became concerned when she noticed her mother’s coloring was off.

Lesa’s husband, who turned in for the night at 9

p.m. like clockwork, had gone to bed a few minutes early.

“I decided to put my PJs on and thought, ‘Something isn’t right,’ but I just decided I’d lay down and try to sleep whatever it was off,” she recalls.

Soon after, Ivie called Lesa into her room.

“She said, ‘Mom, I would really like to take you to the ER,’” Lesa recalls. “I said, ‘No, I’m just going to lay down.’”

So she went back to the master bedroom, sat down, then leaned her head and shoulder on her pillow.

“The minute my head hit the pillow, I started instantly struggling to breathe,” she says.

Ivie quickly ran into the bedroom and turned on the light.

“She said, ‘Daddy, something is wrong with Mama, and something told me to come in here,’” Lesa remembers.

Ivie rushed her to the hospital. While in the car, Lesa struggled to breathe, but it didn’t hurt in the way heart attacks are portrayed on TV. “I felt like I was drowning,” she says. “We came from Highway 113, and when we got to the point of Highway 27 across from Dairy Queen, I remember

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Lesa, with her daughter, Ivie. Thanks to the quick action of Ivie, a CNA currently in nursing school, the Tanner Health System emergency department staff, the Tanner cardiac doctors and her cardiac surgeon, Lesa will be able to attend Ivie's wedding in September. Photo provided by Lesa Sheffield.

asking God, ‘Please don’t let me die in the car. I know you are taking me, but don’t let me die on my daughter in this car.’ At that point, I was truly scared.”

Thankfully, she arrived at the hospital, where she got an electrocardiogram (EKG).

“I knew after my EKG that it must be bad because things went very fast,” she says.

Then she got the news.

“To hear the words, ‘You have suffered a heart attack’ at any age is hard, but at 52 and clueless as to any heart issues, it’s overwhelming,” she recalls. “I was in shock, and most days still feel the shock.”

She is grateful for the Tanner Medical Center/ Carrollton emergency department staff who helped her that day.

“Tanner was wonderful to me,” she says.

Olusegun Sheyin, MD, FACC, was on call that evening.

“His kindness and bedside manner was Godsent

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to us when he came in,” she says.

Dr. Sheyin was her cardiologist while Shazib Khawaja, MD, FACC, FSCAI, performed her heart catheterization that night.

“Lying still for four hours after that procedure was hard, especially after hearing my problem would require open-heart surgery,” she says.

A stent wasn’t an option because of the shape of her artery.

“The stent would be fatal to me,” she explains.

Because Tanner didn’t have an open-heart surgery program at the time, her options were to have the procedure performed at Redmond Regional Medical Center in Rome, Emory University Hospital in Atlanta or Piedmont Atlanta Hospital.

She chose Redmond Regional Medical Center, where Dhru S. Girard, MD, would perform the procedure.

“It was kind of surreal because my mother-inlaw had undergone open-heart valve replacement

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in 2013, and she died during her surgery. Same surgeon, same hospital, but I had peace and knew that was who I wanted to take care of me and where I wanted to go.”

On Tuesday, Feb. 2, she was transported by “Carrollton’s Prescription Headquarters” ambulance from Tanner to Redmond. Her openheart surgery was scheduled for Friday, Feb. 5.

821 Dixie Street That date was fitting because it was also Carrollton, GA 30117 the American Heart Association’s Go Red for 770.832.7076 Women Day. Go Red for Women is a movement encouraging people to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease.

Drive Thru Service • Gifts • Free Delivery “I have always supported Go Red for Women Day,” Lesa says. “I actually had the pin with the little my husband was alone, in the very place he had lost red dress that I wore for many years.” his mom. I think how hard that must have been.”

She spent Wednesday and Thursday taking The plan was to do the least invasive open-heart several tests and listening as her health care team surgery. But it quickly turned into the most invasive told her what was to procedure. come.

The surgical team “In a perfect world, retracted two veins from they like to have a few Lesa’s left leg to repair weeks or months to get her heart. Then they had you ready for opento saw open her chest. heart surgery,” she says.

“They used wire to “Unfortunately, I didn’t fuse my chest back have that time.” together – pretty strange During this time, Lesa’s to see all of that on X-ray son, Will, was attending film,” she says. graduate school in After the surgery, Lesa Kentucky. He desperately was put on a ventilator wanted to fly out to and stayed in the ICU for Georgia to see her. one night. She was then But because of moved to the cardiac COVID-19 restrictions rehab floor. that limited visitations at the hospital, she made A Long the executive decision for him not to come. Will was Recovery heartbroken about not being able to see her, but While going through he obeyed his mother. rehab, she soon On the day of her experienced her first surgery, the hospital recovery win. allowed Ivie and her “I got right up and boyfriend to see Lesa walked farther than they before the procedure. asked me to,” she says.

Lesa’s husband was This achievement put allowed to stay with her The surgical team's plan was to do the least invasive open-heart her on the “rockstar the night before. board,” which inspired surgery. But it quickly turned into the most invasive procedure.

They retracted two veins from Lesa’s left leg to repair her heart.

“My other family all her to keep going.

Then they had to saw open her chest. They used wire to fuse her FaceTimed me,” she “One of the things chest back together. After the surgery, Lesa was put on a ventilasays. “Thanks to COVID they told me about was tor and stayed in the ICU for one night. She was then moved to and all the restrictions, my heart bear that I the cardiac rehab floor. Photo provided by Lesa Sheffield.

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discomfort and struggles that came from openheart surgery recovery, but she also had economic struggles.

“I was in the hospital eight days and missed work for about five months,” she says.

But her support network helped keep Lesa and her family afloat. One of Lesa’s friends started a meal train, and people signed up to deliver meals.

She also received coloring books, gift cards and monetary gifts.

“I don’t think we fed ourselves for the whole five months I was out of work,” she says. “My goodness, folks were so kind. My husband, daughter, aunt and sister were my babysitters – as I called them – along with with a few special friends because I couldn’t be left alone for four weeks.”

She also received support from two women she worked with at the salon – Jessica and Patti.

Between the three of them, they had a tough year of loss and illness. But through it all, they took care of each other.

And although they’d known each other for over 30 years, they became even closer.

“We’ve grown up together, and they were really good to me,” Lesa says.

Having the support of family and friends helped Lesa with her heart bear. The heart bear is a stuffed animal given to recovering open-heart surgery patients. After having surgery, patients need to forcefully cough to remove phlegm and open the air sacs at the bottom of their lungs. But coughing, laughing and sneezing can be painful. Many patients find relief by pressing a pillow against their stitches. Lesa’s heart bear was her pillow and provided comfort while she recovered. She named her bear Margie, in honor of her mom. Photo provided by Lesa Sheffield.

would receive,” she says.

The heart bear is a stuffed animal given to recovering open-heart surgery patients.

After having surgery, patients need to forcefully cough to remove phlegm and open the air sacs at the bottom of their lungs.

But coughing, laughing and sneezing can be painful. Many patients find relief by pressing a pillow against their stitches.

Lesa’s heart bear would be her pillow and provide comfort while she recovered.

“They kept saying, ‘It will be your best friend,’ and they weren’t lying,” she says. “I was asked to name it, so I named her Margie in honor of my mom.

Everywhere I went, Margie went, every cough, every sneeze – that bear was with me.”

Not only did she have to deal with the physical

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make the recovery process a little easier. But little did she know, she’d be facing yet another health crisis in the coming months.

Six months after her open-heart surgery, Lesa had surgery again to remove two large kidney stones.

“I was sick for a full week after that and felt like it caused me a little bit of a setback,” she says.

Now that she has recovered from both surgeries, Lesa feels better about the future but admits “whatif” thoughts

Along with family and friends, Lesa also received support from two women she worked with at the salon – Patti (left) and Jessica (right). Between the three of them, they had a tough year of loss and illness. But through it all, they took care of each other. And although they’d known each other for over 30 years, they became even closer.

sometimes creep into her mind.

Before her heart attack and openheart surgery, she felt more carefree.

Now she is constantly wondering when she will have another heart episode.

“Some days I just feel like I am in a low valley, and others I am on top of the mountain,” she says. “But they are still days I get to live, while some don’t have that luxury. So I thank God for each day, which is a blessing.”

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Every Minute Counts

A Year of Hope Given all she has been through, you’d think Lesa would be less than optimistic about 2022.

But you’d be wrong.

In fact, she started the year with some good news.

On Jan. 3, she received an email from the publisher of the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series, saying they’d accepted her submission.

Her story, “Kindness Never Goes Out of Style,” will be a part of the “Kindness Matters” series and is about her early days as a hairstylist cutting hair.

The book will be released on March 22 and is available for preorder on Amazon.

Now that she can cross off “published author” on her bucket list, Lesa sees 2022 as an opportunity to grow even more.

“I’m really good at taking care of others, but not myself,” she says. “My goals include putting myself and my health at the forefront in 2022. Looking back now, I remember saying, ‘I’m not breathing right.’

I blew it off because I knew I needed to lose some weight.”

She remembers having episodes of feeling dizzy.

She also had times when she felt like someone was punching her in the middle of the back.

“I now know the blockage in my heart caused those things,” she says. "I would also recommend every woman and man get a calcium-score test. I was told if I'd gotten my calcium-score, then I would probably have been admitted to the hospital, then."

A calcium-score screening heart test (coronary calcium scan) uses computerized tomography (CT) to detect calcium deposits in the coronary arteries of the heart. A higher coronary calcium-score typically

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suggests a higher chance of narrowing in the coronary arteries and a higher risk of a future heart attack.

Lesa realized from her own experience that heart disease and heart attacks kill so many women because it’s a silent killer.

That’s why she’s raising her voice to help spread awareness about the warning signs.

She hopes hearing her story will encourage others to start taking care of themselves now, so they don’t have to suffer later.

“Being faced with your own mortality is not easy to face,” she says, “But with God’s grace and lots of love from my family, I am a survivor, and I have thrived.” WGW

“Some days I just feel like I am in a low valley, and others, I am on top of the mountain. But they are still days I get to live, while some don’t have that luxury. So I thank God for each day, which is a blessing.”

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By Sandra Bolan

A

nytime a partner says, “we need to talk,” it’s typically never a good thing to hear, as it’s often followed with a lot of tears and a break up. But talking things out can actually be about

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How to Ask (and Get) What You Want From Him finding ways to stay together, not breaking up. And the more you learn to communicate effectively, the better your relationship will be in the long-run.

People and relationships are constantly evolving, but not always in the same direction or at the same rate. That’s why, whether they know they’re doing it or not, partners need to continually adapt to each others’ needs. Trouble typically ensues when one person evolves and the other doesn’t.

The first step in getting what you want from your partner and your relationship is knowing exactly what you want and need.

Wants are flexible, versus needs, which are nonnegotiable.

Relationship needs include such things as affection and appreciation. Wants are more like hoping your partner won’t leave his clothes all over

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the floor or take the trash out without being asked.

Sometimes we don’t know how to explain our emotional needs. All we know is there’s something missing. That’s why, when it comes to asking a partner to fulfill those needs and wants, a lot of selfreflection has to take place first.

Ask yourself these questions: Are the needs realistic? Are the expectations too high? Even though you’re in a relationship, each person has to be able to make themselves happy.

Expecting a partner to be responsible for your happiness is unrealistic. A partner is supposed to add to and increase your happiness, not be the sole provider of it.

♥ Home Heart IS WHERE THE

IS

How to Ask for What You Want How a person expresses their wants and needs is crucial and can turn what should have been a calm conversation into a monumental blow-out.

Start the conversation on a positive note by telling your partner how much you love, appreciate and value them.

Utilize feeling statements. “I feel sad when” but bypass “I feel like you don’t care.” Never make the issue your partner’s fault. Until now, they had no idea there was a problem.

Use "I" messages. Avoid telling your partner “you don’t” or "you never" as that is heard as a complaint. Instead, opt to get your point across by stating: “I want/need/would love it if you ... / would really appreciate it if you ... ,” as it’s more constructive. This makes the conversation less abrasive, less about blame and more geared toward finding solutions to the problem.

Explain exactly why you need or want these shifts from your partner. He won't know unless you tell him. Remember to ask him what he needs from you and how you can be a better partner for him, as well.

Avoid ultimatum language. If that’s where the conversation goes, the relationship has a variety of problems beyond one partner wanting to have a sitdown. Brow-beating or threatening your partner to get what you want or need is bullying and controlling behavior,

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not to mention unproductive. You and your partner should treat one another with the utmost love and respect.

Take a break if things get heated. While you may be calm and speak lovingly to and about your partner, he may still become defensive. If the conversation goes sideways and becomes combative, take a time out and revisit the conversation when both of you have had time to think over the issues.

Having “the talk” shouldn’t be about breaking up, but about working on improving your relationship together.

When asking your partner to assist in meeting some of your needs, don’t expect him to completely change who he is for you. He is not your puppet.

And remember, it's not all about you. Your partner has relationship needs and wants that you need to work toward meeting, too. WGW

"I" messages can be game changers in relationships.

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Daily Fare With

e s o R f e h C

Photos by Zachary Dailey

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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. After graduation, she began her career as a chef at the Carrollton Kroger Marketplace where she works in the bistro.

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.

Shrimp Scampi

" Ingredients 1/2 pound angel hair pasta 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined 4 cloves garlic 1 lemon, juiced and zested 1/2 cup dry white wine 5 tablespoons butter 1/4 cup chopped parsley

Preparation In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta about 3 to 5 minutes or until al dente. Reserve some pasta water for the scampi sauce.

Heat a large 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat.

This dish is sure to impress your loved one on Valentine’s Day! Try adding scallops or mussels.

Add the olive oil.

Once hot, add the shrimp and sauté until just cooked through, about 2 to 3 minutes.

Remove to a plate and reserve.

Add garlic to the skillet, and sauté until the garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute.

Add lemon juice and white wine, and raise the heat to high.

Let the liquid reduce for 2 to 3 minutes.

Whisk in butter, add a ladleful of the pasta cooking water and return the shrimp.

Remove from heat.

Drain pasta in a colander, add it to the skillet along with the chopped parsley and toss.

Add lemon zest, and add salt and pepper, to taste.

Transfer to a serving platter and serve immediately.

Serves 4 to 6.

"

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Tiramisu For Two

" Ingredients 4 ounces full fat mascarpone cheese 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup whipping cream, chilled 1/4 cup coffee liquor

1/4 cup brewed coffee, chilled 2 tablespoons instant coffee

1 tablespoon granulated sugar Cocoa powder for dusting

About 12 ladyfinger biscuits

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Alcohol can be omitted and substituted with an equal amount of water.

Preparation

"

Add mascarpone cheese and 2 tablespoons sugar in a bowl.

Whisk until fluffy, using a handheld whisk.

Add in vanilla extract and whipping cream.

Continue whisking until a thick stiff cream forms – being cautious to not over-mix. Set aside.

Mix coffee liquor, instant coffee and 1 tablespoon sugar in a wide flat container until sugar is dissolved. Set aside.

Soak ladyfingers in the coffee mixture for a few seconds and arrange at the bottom of 2 glasses, breaking in half if needed.

Dust with cocoa powder.

Spoon and divide half of mascarpone mixture into the glasses.

Repeat with more ladyfingers and the rest of the cream.

Serves 2. WGW

Valentine's Day Myths, Busted

By Sandra Bolan

V

alentine’s Day is filled with unrealistic expectations that make many crumble under the pressure of trying to get it perfect. After all, it’s supposed to be the most romantic day for couples. But is it worth all the hype and expense?

The trifecta of red roses, chocolate and a fancy dinner is no guarantee the two of you will end the evening spooning. This is especially true if your relationship is going through a rough patch. In reality, a day of forced grand gestures probably

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Last year, people spent roughly $21 billion on Valentine’s Day. That equates to about $200 per person. But does everyone want to be lavished with gifts that come with an unspoken expectation of sexy time?

Sixty-three percent of surveyed people, especially men, said they would prefer to show, and be shown, how much they’re loved and appreciated in more creative ways than flowers and chocolate.

Myth #1: Valentine’s Day is only for romantic couples. Some people believe that on February 14, single people bury themselves under a pile of blankets, eating pints of ice cream while watching romantic comedies and wishing their lives were just like the main characters.

The reality is single people aren’t necessarily lonely, nor do they feel sorry for themselves. In recent years, Valentine’s Day has become a day for single people to honor their friendships.

For example, Galentine’s Day recognizes female friendships. There’s also Singles Appreciation Day, or Singles Awareness Day, which is observed on February 15 each year.

There’s even International Quirkyalone Day that is celebrated on February 14, a day created in 2003 to encourage people to celebrate themselves regardless of whether they are in a relationship. "A quirkyalone is a person who enjoys being single (but is not opposed to being in a relationship) and prefers being single to dating for the sake of dating," says Sasha Cagen, the author who created the term. "Quirkyalone is not anti-Valentine's Day. It just happens to fall on the same day ... Quirkyalone is not anti-love. It is pro-love. It is not anti-dating. It is anti-compulsory dating."

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Myth #2: Valentine's Day was created by greeting card companies. Some historians believe that the Romans, not Hallmark, got things started with Lupercalia, a pagan festival celebrated on February 15. The purpose of Lupercalia was to purify the city, warding off evil spirits and infertility. The violent, bloody and highly sexual festival consisted of multiple animal sacrifices, in which the hides of sacrificial goats were used to hit women, with hopes that it would increase their fertility.

There was also random match-making during Lupercalia. The men would randomly choose a woman’s name from a jar to be coupled with them for the duration of the festival. Typically, they would stay together until the next year's festival.

The celebration was eventually denounced in the 5th century, but the spirit of the day continued and morphed into today’s Valentine’s Day. Part of today’s traditions can also find their roots in the Victorian era, when people exchanged tokens, notes and handmade cards on February 14.

In the mid-19th Century, with an improved postal service, romantic notes became more affordable to mail and led to many people anonymously proclaiming their love to another. It wasn’t until 1849 when the greeting card companies jumped on board mass producing Valentine’s Day cards.

Hallmark entered the fray in 1913.

You can blame Cadbury for the over-priced, heartshaped boxes of chocolates, as they were the first candy company to put their fancy confections in boxes designed especially for February 14.

Myth #3: St. Valentine created Valentine's Day. Yes, there was a St. Valentine, who was the patron saint of lovers. He was known for performing illegal weddings, which landed him in jail. Before his death, he supposedly sent a note to a woman signed, "Your Valentine."

The Catholic Church recognizes at least three saints named Valentine, or Valentinus, all of whom were killed, with at least one of them being decapitated on February 14.

Some scholars claim it was actually the poet, Geoffrey Chaucer, who is responsible for associating February 14 as a day of love in the middle ages.

Some time between the 1370s and 1380s, he wrote a poem called "Parliament of Fowls" that contains the line, “For this was on Saint Valentine’s Day, when every bird comes there to choose his mate.” In the 1400s, men inspired by Chaucer began sending poems called “valentines” to their love interests.

Regardless of how this universal day of love came to be, showing you love and care is something that can be done every day through simple gestures, such as telling your partner how much you appreciate having him in your life. WGW

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Top Ten Dangerous Health Conditions for Women

By Sandra Bolan

W

hen we think of health concerns for women, breast cancer typically comes to top of mind. However, it’s not the number one killer of American women.

1. Heart Disease. Heart disease is the number one killer of American women. Examples of heart disease are abnormal heart rhythms, coronary artery disease and pericardial disease. Heart disease claims a life almost every minute, and women who smoke or take birth control pills are most at risk. Those two factors increase a woman’s chance for heart disease by 20 percent.

2. Cancer. Roughly 270,000 women die annually from cancer, with lung cancer accounting for about 70,000 of those deaths. Breast cancer is the secondleading cause of cancer death in women, at roughly 42,000 annually. Smoking is a contributing factor in 40 percent of all cancers in women.

3. Stroke. Strokes make up approximately 8 percent of all female deaths. It’s also the leading cause of long-term disability. Symptoms of a stroke include: numbness or weakness in the arms/legs/ face; slurred speech; sudden confusion or the inability to understand speech; blurred vision and spontaneously severe headaches.

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4. COPD. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of airway and lung diseases, with bronchitis and emphysema being the most prevalent ailments. COPD accounts for about 5 percent of all women’s deaths annually. Smoking is the number one risk factor. While the number of annual deaths is much less than heart disease or cancer, people living with COPD have a diminished quality of life due to the inability to breathe properly, which makes it challenging to do anything requiring movement.

5. Alzheimer's Disease. Alzheimer’s is a progressively degenerative brain disorder effecting a person’s behavior, thought process and memory. It’s the most common cause of dementia. Over half of the 4.5 million Americans suffering from Alzheimer’s are women, and it makes up 4 percent of American female deaths annually. There are currently no definitive preventive measures, but there are things women can do to reduce their risk, such as keeping the mind active by reading, taking language classes or learning something new.

6. Unintentional Injuries. Accidents, such as falling down, result in roughly 3 percent, or 37,000, of annual American female deaths. Other unintentional incidents resulting in death include car

accidents, burns and poisonings.

Drug overdoses are included in poisonings.

Research indicates women may be at higher risk for overdoses because they’re traditionally more likely to suffer long-term pain, for which they’re prescribed medications.

Studies show about one-third of accidents are traffic-related, with many of the injured parties not wearing a seatbelt. Almost half of all auto accidents occur within five miles of home.

7. Diabetes. Diabetes affects roughly 26 million Americans, with 12.6 million of them being women over the age of 20. Diabetes accounts for about 3 percent of all American female deaths annually.

Black women are at higher risk versus white women. Both black and white women’s risk for diabetes also increases when they experience hormonal changes related to pregnancy and menopause.

8. Flu and Pneumonia. Flu and pneumonia combined account for 3 percent of all women’s deaths. Pneumonia is bacterial, while the flu is viral.

Flu complications include asthma attacks and dehydration, and can lead to pneumonia. The flu can also push chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, into crisis mode.

9. Kidney Disease. Kidneys filter blood, as well

as collect waste and toxins, which are then expelled from the body via urine.

Chronic kidney disease is the most common form of the disease, but it also manifests as kidney stones, glomerulonephritis and urinary tract disease. Kidney disease can lead to spikes in blood pressure, deadly heart rhythms as well as fluid build-up in the lungs.

Kidney disease accounts for 2 percent of all female deaths.

Contributing factors to contracting kidney disease include diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, as well as a family history of kidney disease, obesity and smoking.

10. Blood Poisoning. Blood poisoning, or septicaemia, occurs when an infection within the body moves from a contained area, such as the lungs or a traumatic wound, and moves into the bloodstream.

Septicaemia can easily reach other organs and progress to sepsis, which leads to widespread inflammation, multiple organ failure and even death.

Blood poisoning accounts for about 1.5 percent of American female deaths annually.

Many of these ailments are preventable with positive lifestyle changes. Keep your weight and blood pressure in check, exercise regularly and eat a clean diet to help reduce your risk factors. WGW

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jordan kierbow is flying high with the lady eagles

Senior star engineering historic run for Mount Zion hoops

By Corey Cusick 34Photos by Zachary Dailey

ne. stems from the leadership and stability of head It’s a number that carries a resounding coach Tyler Wright, a rising star in his own right in source of symbolism for Jordan Kierbow and the coaching world.

Mount Zion High School girls’ basketball these days.

In fact, it was Wright’s first year at the helm when Upon entering the program as a promising MZ battled through that one-win campaign. From freshman in 2018-19, Jordan joined a Lady Eagle there, it’s been a steady ascension toward the top, ballclub that recorded just one win the previous highlighted by a 20-win season in 2020-21. season.

“This world wants instant success, instant You read that right – one. gratification," he says. "We talk about those types Fast-forward to Jordan’s senior campaign in 2021- of things within our program, and that’s not reality.

22 and the Lady Eagles soared into the season They’re a true testament to that. They were working ranked No. 1 across all of Georgia in the Class A hard when the results weren’t coming. And now the Public School Preseason Poll per Sandy’s Spiel, the results have been coming and people have started premier publication to take notice. But for prep hoops in the nothing has changed.

Peach State.

We operate like we Again, you read did three years ago. that right – No. 1 in So that’s the good the state. thing. There hasn’t Needless to been any added say, it’s been quite pressure. We talk the journey and about the things we transformation for can control and how Jordan over the we operate. We don’t course of her Lady care about how other Eagle career, as people operate and she represents the what they say and lone senior on this don’t say.” year’s squad as it And while the Lady treks toward a major Eagles are focused postseason push on everything inthrough February house, they very and, potentially, into much appreciate the early March in pursuit recognition, respect of the Class A state and support they’ve crown. garnered over the The senior star, past few years. who recorded her “I am excited 1,000th career point that more people last season, is quick are taking notice, to credit those who because they came before her, should get behind along with her current this group," says teammates, for coach Wright. "The Jordan Kierbow drills during a recent Mount Zion practice as the Lady playing critical roles community, the Eagles prepare for the upcoming region and state tournaments. toward the program’s school, the county, development. they need to get “Everyone in the program, from those girls who behind girls that play and practice this way and carry won just one game, they’ve impacted what we’ve themselves this way. That’s a credit to them. They’ve done," she says. "They built the program from that, earned it." and we built it from there. They started the legacy At the forefront of it all has been Jordan. and we’re trying to make it better day-by-day.”

Possessed with bona fide offensive firepower, she Another key component to Mount Zion’s growth has averaged over 20 points per game in each of the

O

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“I really think we’re in a good position, especially in our region. We plan on being No. 1, and I don’t think that’s ever been done at Mount Zion before.

To be a part of that is so special, even more so being my senior year.” past two seasons and is on pace to do so again to cap off her senior year.

Even though she makes it look easy at times, nothing has been easy about Jordan’s rise to the Lady Eagle perch.

She missed her entire freshman season following an ACL injury and spent countless hours rehabbing to return to top form.

Following the one-win season, MZ tallied only four wins during her freshman year. Determined to turn Mount Zion basketball into a winner, Jordan and Co. kept clawing and fighting for W’s.

And, sure enough, they’ve been piling up.

Flying high into February, the Lady Eagles have their sights set on a Region 6-A Tournament title with the action slated for Armuchee High School in Rome.

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And then it’s on to the Class A Public state playoffs – tipping off on Feb. 22-23 – where Mount Zion has gone from the hunter to the hunted.

“I really think we’re in a good position, especially in our region. We plan on being No. 1, and I don’t think that’s ever been done at Mount Zion before,” Jordan says. “To be a part of that is so special, even more so being my senior year.”

Wright noted how Jordan serves as a premier pillar to the program, checking all the boxes when it comes to her skills and leadership on and off the court.

“When you’re talking about Jordan, you’ve got to start with her character, how coachable she is, how humble she is and what a great teammate she is,” he says. “The other girls really enjoy playing with her, and she enjoys playing with them.”

And Jordan is hopeful of playing deep into her senior season, carrying MZ into uncharted territory with a playoff run for the ages.

She certainly understands what it means for Mount Zion basketball and how special the playoff environment would be for the school and community.

“To have Mount Zion basketball on the map in the state is a really big thing to me because we just never saw it coming. We’re just so proud of where Mount Zion basketball is today.” WGW

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Local Happenings

Due to our country's current health situation, please call or email the organizations included in our local events section to inquire about in-person meetings.

West Georgia Mental Health Professionals Wellness Meetup Group

This group meets the last Saturday of every month in Douglasville or Austell. For more information, contact Cheryl at theheartmatters@gmail.com or 678.754.5840.

Learn more at www.heartmatterswellness.com.

Hope For The Journey This group meets the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the board room at the Tracy Stallings Community Center at 118 South White St. in Carrollton.

These events are free to breast cancer survivors or those currently battling breast cancer.

Learn more at www.hopeforthejourneywestga.org, email execdirector@hopeforthejourneywestga.org or call 770.214.1491.

Rare Pearls Mentoring and Leadership Program Rare Pearls mission is to enrich and empower the

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lives of young girls and women. This group meets the third Saturday of each month at Heritage Baptist Church in Douglasville, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

This program is open to all girls ages 7 to 17.

For more information, call 770.947.8210, email rarepearls2015@gmail.com or visit the website at www.rarepearlsmentoringandleadership.org.

Nursing From The Heart Breastfeeding Support Group This group meets the third Monday of each month from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at 500 Old Bremen Road in Carrollton.

These events are free to pregnant women and moms looking for breastfeeding support. Free weight checks for your baby will be available. Come and share your breastfeeding journey with us.

Please check our website for meeting and event updates at www.nursingfromtheheart.com.

Gertrude's House Breast Cancer Support Group This group meets the third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at Lithia Springs Family Chiropractic

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at 1758 Lee Rd. in Lithia Springs.

This group is open to all survivors, caregivers, supporters, friends, family and those fighting breast cancer.

Visit their Facebook page @GertrudesHouse or email them at GertrudesHouse@yahoo.com.

Carroll EMC Promotes Jay Gill to Senior Vice President

Domestic Violence Support Group There is Hope is a support group for women survivors who have dealt with, or are currently dealing with, domestic violence.

This is a private group where women survivors come together and share their personal stories of experience, strength and hope.

Effective Jan. 6, 2022, the group will meet the first Thursday of each month from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at a private location. A ZOOM option is available.

There will be guidance for help and resources available as needed. At times there will also be guest speakers.

Contact hopefulone807@gmail.com for more information and to obtain the privacy contract with the physical address or ZOOM meeting ID and passcode.

Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Groups Has your life been impacted by the loss of a friend or loved one to suicide? You are not alone. These groups offer peer support for anyone who has been affected by suicide loss.

There is no cost to attend.

Group meetings in Carrollton are the third Tuesday of each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at 306A Bradley Street. For more information, contact Ivey Rollins at iveyrollins@gmail.com or call 470.729.0909.

Group meetings in Douglasville are the second Tuesday of each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church at 6167 Priestley Mill Rd., Room 226. For more information, contact Terri Johnson at chose2live@aol.com or 770.765.2181.

Group meetings in Newnan are the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at Crossroads Church, 2564 Hwy 154. For more information, contact Lynn Bradley at 770.301.4890 or email nbll.bradley170@gmail.com, or contact Nancy Bradley at 770.251.6216.

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Carroll EMC recently promoted Jay Gill as senior vice president of member and external relations.

Carroll Electric Membership Cooperative (EMC) announces the promotion of Jay Gill as senior vice president of member and external relations.

Formerly vice president of communications and economic development, Gill now leads Member services and community relations – previously led by recent retiree, Susan Lester. In his new role, he will oversee the advancement of Member and community engagement while still managing communications, government affairs, agribusiness and key accounts. Gill’s expertise has served the cooperative since 2010 when he was hired as manager of communications.

“This past year, we’ve experienced a lot of movement as many of our long-time employees retired,” said President and CEO for Carroll EMC, Tim Martin. “Jay is a seasoned leader, and I’m confident in his ability to navigate these changes and guide his team members in the right direction.”

Prior to joining Carroll EMC, Gill was president of River City Bank of West Georgia and an assistant vp for Citizens Bank & Trust, now Synovus Bank.

Gill has studied at the University of West Georgia (UWG) and Penn State University where he received degrees in Business Management and Strategic Communications, and he is a graduate of the University of Georgia Banking School.

Gill is currently the chairman for the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce and the

Development Authority of Carroll County, and he serves on the Government Affairs Council and the UWG Athletic Foundation. He is also a member and past president for the Carrollton Rotary and Carroll County Sertoma clubs.

Gill and his wife, Kristen, reside in Carrollton with their two children, James and Adair. They are members of Southern Hills Christian Church.

Jennings Named Vice President of Human Resources for Carroll EMC

Carroll EMC recently promoted Kim Jennings as vice president of human resources.

Carroll Electric Membership Cooperative (EMC) announces the promotion of Kim Jennings as vice president of human resources.

“Our employees could have no better advocate than Kim,” said President and CEO for Carroll EMC, Tim Martin. “Her skill set and concern for others’ well-being will serve her well in her new role.”

Jennings has served at Carroll EMC since 2014 when she began as an HR administrative assistant.

She was subsequently promoted to Benefits Specialist and Manager of HR prior to earning her senior leadership title. Before joining the cooperative, Jennings’s professional career started at Community & Southern Bank, formerly First National Bank of Georgia. In her 35+ years on the job, she has earned her Georgia Banking diploma, graduated from the Haralson County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Academy, completed 30 hours of Occupational Safety and Health Administration

training and received HR certification. Jennings is also a member of the Carrollton Dawnbreakers Rotary Club and the Society for Human Resources Management.

Jennings lives in Haralson County with her husband, Alan, where they attend Emmanuel Baptist Church. She is a proud mother to two daughters, Kristen King and Taylor Jennings, and grandmother to two grandchildren, Brody and Bella King.

Teachers Receive Carroll EMC Grants for Bright Ideas Area school teachers were recently awarded Bright Ideas grants from Carroll Electric Membership Cooperative’s (EMC) Foundation. Ninety-six local educators submitted online applications and secured funds for their creative and innovative classroom projects for the 2021 cycle.

Representatives of the cooperative visited 36 schools across Carroll, Haralson, Heard and Paulding counties to distribute the nearly $79,200 awarded to teachers through the Bright Ideas program that will enrich the education of hundreds of children.

“The fun happens when we surprise the winning teachers and students in-person with the award,” said Carroll EMC Foundation Trustee, Dr. Karen Curtis. “We appreciate the dedication and hard work of our educators.”

Each year, grants of up to $1,000 are awarded to public teachers teaching pre-K through 12th grade in the cooperative’s service territory. All classroom

Stephanie Norton (center) of Bowdon High School was selected for a Bright Ideas grant for her project, “Fire it Up,” which will help enhance the school’s ceramic program and allow students to experience another form of art. Through pottery building, students will learn not only technical skills but also means of self-expression.

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Holley McCullough (center) of Ephesus Elementary School was one of four teachers to win a Bright Ideas grant in Heard County. Her STEAM project enables students to use their critical and creative thinking to solve challenges presented in a book the class is reading. With art supplies and a design in mind, they create physical applications to solve the character’s dilemma.

subjects are eligible for funding including but not limited to STEAM, language arts and social studies.

Teachers with a bright idea simply submit an online form when applications are open.

“It gets more and more exciting each year when we review the applications and learn of the passion and creativity of our educators,” continued Curtis. “The challenge comes in narrowing down the winners. A well-written application is one that is creative, detailed, error-free and follows instructions.”

Bright Ideas grants are funded through the generous donations of Carroll EMC Members who participate in Operation Round Up®, a program where they elect to “round-up” their electric bills to the nearest dollar. The program is governed by the cooperative’s Foundation Trustees and funds a variety of community service projects including Impact Grants, student scholarships, and many health and human services programs.

To see a complete list of this year’s Bright Ideas recipients, please visit carrollemc.com/bright-ideasgrants. Applications for 2022 will be accepted beginning Aug. 15 and can only be submitted via the cooperative’s website.

Carroll EMC Encourages Students to Apply for Scholarships A selection of scholarship opportunities from Carroll Electric Membership Cooperative (EMC) are available to individuals seeking post-secondary education or training. Eligible candidates may compete for the Walter Harrison, Lineman School

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and Lerlie & Millard Copeland scholarships.

Graduating high school seniors or undergraduate students could be chosen for one of 14 $1,000 Walter Harrison scholarships. Carroll EMC selects one semifinalist from its service area to compete at the state level where applications are judged on financial need and academic ability. This scholarship may be used at any two- or four-year university or technical school in Georgia. The deadline to apply is Jan. 31, 2022.

“We’re proud to offer financial assistance where possible, and the Walter Harrison Scholarship can help families offset the rising cost of college,” said Rolando Benitez, Member Advocate and Community Relations Representative for Carroll EMC. “To be a good community citizen, we have an obligation to help young people. Scholarships are great avenues to use to reach this audience.”

Full-time students attending the University of West Georgia (UWG) are also eligible for the Lerlie & Millard Copeland Scholarship. Qualifying students who submit a general scholarship application through UWG’s Financial Aid website are automatically considered for the $800 award. For more information on this scholarship, visit westga.edu/scholarships.

Carroll EMC continues to support aspiring linemen by offering the Lineman School Scholarship.

Recipients of the scholarship receive funding for the cost of tuition, textbooks and other related fees for their chosen lineman school. Online applications close March 4, 2022.

For more information regarding eligibility, applications or deadlines, please visit carrollemc. com/scholarships or contact Rolando Benitez at rolando.benitez@cemc.com or 770-830-5721.

Carroll EMC is a Member-owned cooperative providing electricity to approximately 52,000 homes and businesses.

The co-op serves Members in Carroll, Haralson, Heard, Paulding, Polk, Floyd and Troup counties. This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. For more information visit the cooperative’s website at carrollemc. com or follow Carroll EMC on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn. Carroll EMC: Community Built.

Community Builder.

Grant Enables On-campus Police Training West Georgia Technical College Police joined 11 other agencies December 20 for a large-scale training event on the college’s Murphy Campus in Waco. The training was made possible in part through a $23,703 grant from the State of Georgia’s Criminal Justice

Coordinating Council.

West Georgia Tech’s police force serves the college community and works closely with surrounding first responder agencies to each of the college’s seven counties. WGTC officers have primary response to all calls on the college’s five campuses, two instructional sites, an administration building and mixed-use spaces in college and career academies. While the majority of these calls are mundane, the mix also includes medical response calls, domestic violence, fights and the occasional person with a weapon, Chief James Perry said.

“Knowing that we deal with a range of situations on college campuses, we requested funding to help us prepare for a worst-case scenario where our officers need to be able to handle a situation that requires use of force, but one that could be resolved peacefully using de-escalation techniques,” Perry said.

The grant, awarded through the CJCC’s Law Enforcement Training Program, was used to purchase training equipment for these types of large-scale, multi-agency events.

“We strive to make training as realistic as possible, so we utilize force-on-force scenario-based sessions as often as possible,” Perry said. “Tactics and techniques are taught to de-escalate hostile aggressors as much as possible. No better training exists today than placing two human beings in a scenario with each other, who are both mentally capable of out-thinking the other and being free to react off the other person’s action. An officer who understands command presence and utilizes good

West Georgia Technical College Police Chief James Perry obtained a $23,703 grant from the State of Georgia’s Criminal Justice Coordinating Council to purchase equipment used December 20 at a multi-agency training event on the College’s Murphy Campus.

Over 30 first responders from across West Georgia participated in active shooter training at the West Georgia Technical College Murphy Campus December 20.

verbal skills will most often be the one who handles daily calls in a professional and successful manner.”

The training December 20 focused on how to respond to an active shooter and was conducted between semesters so that student learning would not be impacted. Including WGTC police, 12 agencies participated in at least one of the two training sessions.

WGTC police have held similar training events in the past on both the Carroll and Coweta campuses as part of a series of training events WGTC conducts on-campus to help local first responders become more familiar with the campus environment and the unique challenges they could face in responding to emergencies there.

The grant was awarded to the WGTC Foundation, which solicits and receives donations to benefit the College.

“We are so pleased with this partnership that has enabled the West Georgia Tech police force to purchase training equipment,” WGTC Foundation Executive Director Brittney Henderson said. “The Foundation’s role is to enable WGTC to do things outside the scope of regular funding, and this is a perfect example of that.”

West Georgia Technical College, with campuses in Carroll, Coweta, Douglas, Haralson and Troup counties and class sites in Heard and Meriwether counties, offers more than 140 associate degree, diploma and technical certificate programs of study. A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, West Georgia Tech is one of the largest of the state’s 22 technical colleges. For more information, please visit www.westgatech.edu.

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Kids Korner

Jar of Hearts

Materials Large mason jar Pink craft paint Paintbrushes, one large foam, one small brush Length of twine, about 12 inches long

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By Jordan Dailey Photos by Zachary Dailey

Instructions Using the large foam paintbrush, paint the entire mason jar pink, leaving a heart-shaped opening in the middle of the jar.

Use the smaller paintbrush to define the heart shape.

Wrap twine around the neck of the jar and tie or glue in place.

Fill jar with candy, office supplies or decorative items.

Give your jar of hearts to someone special.

Puppy Love Valentine Materials

Red, pink, white and black construction paper Black craft paint and small paintbrush or marker Hot glue gun or school glue stick Scissors

Instructions Cut a large heart-shape out of the pink construction paper.

Cut the pink heart in half for the puppy's ears.

Cut a large heart-shape out of the red

construction paper.

Glue the red heart upside down to the two pink halves.

Cut two small hearts out of the white construction paper for the eyes. Glue those right-side-up to the red heart.

Cut one small heart out of the black construction paper for the nose. Glue heart right-side-up in the center of the red heart.

Cut a tongue-shape out of the leftover pink construction paper for the puppy's tongue.

Paint or draw two dots on the white hearts for the eyes. WGW

Because a HOME is much more than a house.

Shala Hainer, Realtor Cell: 770.842.8500 Office: 770.240.2004 shalahainer@gmail.com 45

Valentine's Day Word Search Word Bank

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Romance Bliss Lovebirds Kisses Puppy Love Dinner Embrace Secret Admirer Unity XOXO Hearts Snuggle Flirty Candy Sweethearts Valentine Card Teddy Bear Friendship Soulmates Together

♥

Word search created at puzzle-maker.com

Creating Beautiful Smiles for Over 18 Years!

Family and Cosmetic Dentistry Complete Facial Esthetics

Dr. Harvey, bottom right, with her staff.

M. Dawn Harvey, DMD, PC 105 Dallas Rd. • Villa Rica 770.459.5778 www.drharveysmiles.com

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During a heart attack, every minute matters.

PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S.POSTAGE PAID EDDM RETAIL LOCAL POSTAL CUSTOMER

Women experience almost half of all heart attacks. As a woman, please be aware that your symptoms may differ from a man’s.

If you experience any of the symptoms listed on the right, call 911.

Tanner’s accredited Chest Pain Centers in Carrollton and Villa Rica provide lifesaving heart care fast — assessing, diagnosing and treating chest pain.

By calling 911, you’ll begin receiving care right away. Tests in the ambulance can ensure that a team of heart specialists are ready when you arrive to expedite your care.

With angioplasty and stenting services at Tanner Medical Center/ Carrollton and Tanner Medical Center/Villa Rica, the lifesaving care once exclusively available in big cities is right here at home.

TannerHeartCare.org

LADIES, DON’T HANG AROUND WITH HEART ATTACK SYMPTOMS.

DON’T WAIT TO CALL 911:

Chest discomfort — including pain, pressure, fullness or squeezing in the center of the chest lasting more than a few minutes Discomfort in the jaw, neck, back, stomach, or one or both arms Shortness of breath (especially in older adults) Nausea, sweating or weakness Lightheadedness Cold sweats Vague pain in the upper abdomen or in different areas of the body at the same time Unexplained fatigue

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