West Georgia Woman Magazine Issue February 2023

Bella Potts Thinks Outside the Box

10 Ways to Rekindle the Romance

Keep Your Kids Busy During Winter Break

Carrollton High School girls’ wrestling program becomes first-ever dual state champion crowned in Georgia

Photo by Zachary Dailey

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

This month will mark one year that my beautiful granddaughter, Chelsie, has been a part of our family. I can't believe she will be a year old!

Over the years, so many people have told me, 'Just wait until you have grandbabies. You are going to be so happy!' I never really understood that until little Chelsie came along. This baby girl is truly the love of my life!

My favorite thing to do now is to come over to Zach and Jordan's house and play with Chelsie. This "Grangie" is so smitten! Hope you enjoy this picture of her!

In This Issue

Our feature this month is 10-year-old Bella Potts. Bella is officially the youngest little lady we have featured in our main article.

In 2019, Bella decided she wanted to start a nonprofit that provides care packages to local kids in need. Her idea to help others eventually grew into Bella's Boxes. To date, Bella has distributed over 1,000 boxes to people in her community.

On page 10, learn more about Bella and her work to help others.

Are you stuck in a boring relationship? Are you and your partner tired of doing the same things every day? On page 20, learn how you can rekindle the romance and get that spark back again.

How honest is your partner with you? Do you catch him lying often? On page 24, learn why he lies to you and what you can do to stop it.

Last month, the Carrollton High School Lady Trojans wrestling team just became the first-ever girls' state champions in the history of Georgia and at Carrollton High School. On page 27, Corey Cusick tells us more about this young team's remarkable accomplishments.

Winter break will be here soon. On page 33, Sandra Bolan gives us plenty of ideas to help keep the kids' winter break boredom at bay.

Thank you for reading West Georgia Woman magazine. Please do business with our community advertising partners inside. We would not be able to provide you with our beautiful magazine at no cost each month without them! Happy Valentine's Day!

See you next month!

Photo by Zachary Dailey

Finding our voice. Knowing our value.

Making a difference. TM

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

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Publisher/Editor

Angela Dailey

February 2023

angela@westgeorgiawoman.com

Copy Editor

Editorial Contributor

Shala Hainer

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Photographer for Cover/ Graphic Design

Zachary Dailey

Editorial Contributors

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

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Sharon Givens

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West Georgia Woman is a monthly publication of Angel Media, LLC. All contents of this issue are copyright 2023. 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 permission is strictly prohibited. All submissions will be included as space is available.

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

By Amanda Thomas

Photos by Zachary Dailey

Bella’s Boxes

10-Year-Old Bella Potts Thinks Outside the Box and Opens the Community’s Heart

From a very young age, 10-year-old Bella Potts of Carrollton loved helping people.

In pre-K, she became involved with Seek. Accept. Love. Transform. (SALT) Outreach and volunteered with them at a nursing home. One month they handed out roses on Valentine’s Day, and once they made non-slip socks to give to the residents.

In kindergarten, Bella joined the Girl Scouts (Troop 50014), which fostered her passion for community service. One year, they collected donations to fill Christmas stockings for the cats and dogs at the animal shelter.

“We went to the animal shelter and gave the stockings to them,” Bella recalls. “It was fun.”

When she was 7, Bella left a $20 tip for a server at Olive Garden who was working three jobs to support his family. She had received the $20 earlier that morning as a gift from a couple she and her mom –Amaris Potts – met at Waffle House.

But Bella thought the server needed it more. As the years passed, Bella’s interest in helping others grew, and she wanted to do more. So, in 2019, the bright and determined Central Elementary School student came up with an idea.

She wanted to start a nonprofit that provides care packages to local kids in need. That idea eventually blossomed into Bella’s Boxes.

Curated With Care

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

– Hebrews 13:16 NIV

To turn her idea into reality, she and her mom got to work.

In 2020, they came up with a name, and Amaris hired a designer to create a logo.

“The designer drew three or four logo options,” she recalls. “I printed them out, and Bella picked the one she liked best.”

Another thing Bella wanted to do was create shirts she could give to her friends to help get the word out about Bella’s Boxes. Brandi Cobb of Make It Personal in Carrollton makes all the shirts for the nonprofit.

In December 2020, Bella picked five friends to receive the shirts as Christmas gifts.

“That’s how we introduced Bella’s Boxes to everybody – with the help of a few of her

Bella Potts, creator of the nonprofit, Bella's Boxes, builds each box around a theme. For example, the theme for this month’s box (inset) is "Sweets and Treats," which includes some of Bella’s favorite Valentine’s Day treats. Past themes included "Cans for a Cause" boxes for local food pantries and "Back-to-School" boxes filled with school supplies for students at Central Elementary.

Photo location courtesy of Walt and Charlene D'Ambrosio.

friends,” Amaris recalls.

Bella and her mom developed a process for putting the boxes together and distributing them, which included reaching out to people to solicit donations. They sent the first box in December 2020.

“We adopted a child for Christmas,” Bella recalls.

The box included clothes, toys and other items the child had on her wish list.

“We put them all in one big box,” Bella says. “My mom wrapped every present inside it and the big box around it.”

After that first box, she started sending boxes monthly. In January 2021, she donated boxes filled with her favorite snacks to Little Free Pantry locations in Carrollton.

She builds each box around a theme. For example, the theme for this month’s box is "Sweets and Treats," which includes some of Bella’s favorite Valentine’s Day treats. Past themes included "Cans for a Cause" boxes for local food pantries and "Back-to-School" boxes filled with school supplies for students at Central Elementary.

“We also did dental hygiene boxes in March,” Bella recalls. “We gave them to the Carrollton Police Department, and they helped us distribute them to kids who needed them.”

Most people hear about Bella’s Boxes through word of mouth, and the response has been incredible.

Since its launch, the nonprofit has had a significant impact in West Georgia, distributing at least 1,000 boxes to date.

The Gift of Giving

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

– Gandhi

The recipients of the boxes aren’t the only ones benefiting from Bella’s Boxes Bella is learning valuable lessons about community service.

This past December, she sent another Christmas box – this time to a foster child. When she delivered the box to the workers at Carroll County CourtAppointed Special Advocates (CASA), she learned about the foster care system.

“They told her a little about kids being in foster care and the needs they have,” Amaris recalls. “I

Bella fills a Little Free Pantry with her boxes.

like the connections to the community that she’s making.”

It was one of these connections that sparked an idea for one box. When the student council visited Open Hands United Christian Ministry in Carrollton, Bella met executive director Sue McGukin and learned that the nonprofit needed toiletries to distribute to the people using their services.

Bella returned home excited to tell her mom that she wanted to make boxes for the ministry.

“That was a really good experience for her to branch out and meet an organization that needed help, and then come and bring it to me,” Amaris says.

During this time, Danielle Black, career manager of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers in Villa Rica, met one of Bella’s grandmothers in a nail salon, and they started talking about Bella’s Boxes

“Danielle found us on social media and reached out to find out how she could help,” Amaris recalls.

The real estate company ended up helping collect donations for Open Hands.

One of Bella’s most memorable experiences was when she delivered craft boxes to the Boys and Girls Club.

“Knowing it was going to help a lot of kids made me so happy,” she recalls.

Bella also met program director Kimberly Thomas, took a tour of the facility and saw the artwork the kids helped create.

It Takes a Village

“So, continue encouraging each other and building each other up, just like you are doing already.”

– 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Having the unwavering support of her family helps keep Bella motivated.

She has three brothers, 16-year-old Omereo, Jr., 5-year-old Israel and 1-year-old Justice. Her brother Omereo helps her deliver boxes to local pantries.

Her dad – Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputy Omereo Potts, Sr. – also supports her.

“I remember with my 'Summer Fun' boxes, he talked to his boss and got the OK for me to pass out the boxes there,” she says.

For that summer’s box, AGW Ice Cream in Carrollton donated free ice cream coupons.

“Every kid was able to get a free ice cream,” Amaris recalls.

They also provided boxes to the Carrollton Police Department and Carroll County Sheriff’s Office to distribute to children in the community. And, of course, her mom is a big part of the equation.

“If it wasn’t for my mom, Bella’s Boxes would not be possible,” Bella says. “She handles everything. She’s great at it and makes sure everything gets done.”

But it’s not just family members: Bella also gets help from local businesses like Anchor Fitness.

“The gym my mom goes to helps a lot,” Bella says. “For 'Cans for a Cause,' they put up a poster in their gym and collected hundreds of cans.”

Messer Hardware in Bowdon donated hats for

the "Hats and Gloves" boxes distributed in October.

“They gave us some really cool hats,” Bella says. “We did a 'Hats and Gloves' box because temperatures dropped, and it got really cold. So, I’m happy that we passed out the boxes and got the donation.”

Life Outside the Box

Of course, Bella’s life isn’t all about boxes. She’s involved in multiple extracurricular activities that keep her busy. Besides running Bella’s Boxes and being a Girl Scout, Bella is involved in several other activities.

She’s vice president of the Junior Beta Club and

Bella's brother, 16-year-old Omereo, Jr. (left), helps Bella deliver her boxes to the community. Bella's mom, Amaris (right), helps Bella with the day-to-day details of running the nonprofit.

a member of the sewing club and student council. She also attends No Walls Now What? led by Pastor Leigh McMurty in Winston.

The church, where Bella serves as an usher on Sundays, is a big supporter of Bella’s Boxes

“This church loves Bella and her boxes,” Amaris says. “They also gave her a very large financial donation to help with boxes, and many of the members have been in her life since birth.”

But that’s not all. Bella enjoys dancing at the Carrollton Academy of Dance and playing the electric drums.

“I love music,” she says. “When I was 8, I started beating on my notebook with a pencil at school.”

When she told her mom about her newfound fascination with drums, Amaris had another instrument in mind for Bella to play.

“I suggested piano,” she recalls. “I wanted her to be like Alicia Keys, but she said, ‘No.’ She wanted drums.”

Concerned that adding another activity to Bella’s schedule would be too much, Amaris initially told her no. Not one to give up easily, Bella continued to ask her mother for drums.

“Our schedule freed up a little bit, so that’s when I said, ‘Yes, you can try drums,” Amaris recalls.

So, she signed Bella up to take lessons at Pippin Music Academy in Carrollton.

“Everybody there is very kind to her – very supportive,” Amaris says. “It’s been a really good experience.”

So how does Bella juggle these activities while still finding time to run her own nonprofit?

“The most I do in one day is three activities, so they’re evenly spread out, and that helps,” she says. “My mom makes sure I have everything I need for everything I do.”

If you thought Bella was finished adding things to her to-do list, think again. She also decided to write a book, God Heal My Mom’s Heart. It’s written from a child’s point of view and is a companion to Amaris’ book, Mistakes and Heartbreaks: Who Knew God’s Favorite Would Be Unfaithful?

Both books are available for purchase on Amazon, and proceeds from the book sales are going to Bella’s Boxes.

Bella has more books in the works, including a Bella World series centered on some of her favorite activities, like Girl Scouts and playing the drums.

Dreams for the Future

To me, having Bella’s Boxes is fun and inspirational because I love helping people. It makes me feel good in my soul, and the face of joy I see is amazing.

– Bella Potts

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When her friends ask Bella how much money she makes, she reminds them that she has a nonprofit, not a business.

“Knowing that I helped somebody is payment enough, and it’s great to just help your community,” she says. “You shouldn’t have to be paid to help.”

Bella has accomplished more at 10 than some adults do in their lifetime. That’s part of what makes her story so remarkable.

One takeaway that Bella would like everyone to remember is that it’s never too early to make a difference.

“You’re never too young to help,” she says.

And with Bella’s Boxes, she’s doing precisely that.

“I think I tell her every other day that I’m really proud of her,” Amaris says. “She’s the reason I feel like I’m a better giver because I’ve seen it from her.”

She encourages parents to let their children take

initiative and support what they’re passionate about.

“If your child has a dream or a goal, listen to them,” she says. “I think as parents, sometimes we get busy with our lives and all the things that we have to do that we don’t put the energy into them. Take the time to talk to them and help them in the best way that you can.”

Seeing her vision brought to life is a dream come true for Bella, but she has even bigger plans.

So, what lies ahead for Bella’s Boxes?

Since they currently store all donations in her family’s garage, Bella wants to get a warehouse or office space for the nonprofit. “The house is pretty packed, so I want to get a building for those boxes where people can volunteer to help,” she says.

Through her remarkable efforts, Bella gives hope and comfort to children who need it most – and she’s not stopping there. She wants to have an even bigger reach and deliver Bella's Boxes worldwide.

With her drive and ambition, it may only be a matter of time before she makes it happen.

Want to help Bella’s Boxes? Here’s how

“Knowing that I helped somebody is payment enough, and it’s great to just help your community. You shouldn’t have to be paid to help.”

10 Ways to Rekindle the Romance

By Sandra Bolan

Conversations about who took out the garbage and who’s in charge of the kids’ carpool aren’t very romantic. However, for many couples, this becomes the focus of their relationship and those early days of passion are nothing but a distant memory.

For relationships to go the distance, there has to be more than just "to-do" list conversations. A strong relationship needs physical contact and a deep, emotional connection.

Why the Passion Dies

In long-term relationships, sexual intimacy often becomes a rarity because couples let life get in the way. Often, it happens so gradually that neither partner notices until it's already become commonplace.

Other reasons for the lack of sexual spark could be that one or both of you have let the kids, hobbies

and work take precedence over your partner, sex has become boring or a chore, one or both of you have let yourselves go, there’s been a few too many squabbles that have led to grudges and resentment or perhaps you live under one roof but live separate lives.

How to Rekindle the Romance

1.

2.

home with a book from the author he loves, something to help with his favorite hobby or his favorite indulgent dessert from the bakery? How about doing some of the household chores he dislikes the most, without being asked? Taking over dinner or kid duties? No matter how small the gesture, these intentional acts of kindness go a long way toward letting your partner know you care about him.

7. Date night. All couples need time away from the kids, household chores and thoughts of work. Schedule a regular date night, even if it’s only once a month. No matter what, date night can’t be canceled, and it doesn’t have to be a pull-out-all-the-stops romantic evening. It can be as simple as a movie or going to a local pub or restaurant for trivia night.

8. Try new things together. Neither of you are the same as when you first got together. Both of you have evolved emotionally, intellectually, spiritually and physically, and some of the things that interested you no longer do. Try new activities together. Even if it’s something you’re confident you won’t enjoy, but is something your partner loves (cooking lessons, running, fishing, shopping), give it a go anyway. You might actually like it, or it may be an experience that goes laughably wrong, but it will give the two of you something to talk about for years to come. Make sure to alternate who picks the activity so one partner isn’t always doing what the other one wants.

9. Hit the gym. After a break up, the partner who let himself/herself go often hits the gym with a vengeance and comes out with the revenge body. For there to be a sexual spark, there needs to be a physical attraction. Hit the gym well before the relationship ends. Your partner will appreciate your efforts.

10. Be adventurous. Sex between people who

have been together forever can become boring. Mix it up. Act out fantasies, safely, and with permission from both partners, of course. Roleplay, change positions and locations. It might be exactly what is needed to go from pals to partners.

Rekindling the romance isn’t about grand gestures one night every six months. It’s about the small things you do for each other – just like when you first met one another – talking, listening, holding hands, snuggling, doing favorite activities together and letting your partner know how much you love and appreciate them every day. WGW

Why He Lies

By Sandra Bolan

Every day we tell friends, co-workers and significant others little white lies – "Yes, that outfit looks great," "I’m having a super day," "That dinner you cooked for me was amazing" and "Yes, I loved that movie." What’s the harm? After all, you’re saying it because you don’t want to hurt the other person’s feelings.

In reality, a lie, no matter how small, can hurt more than the truth. And one day, when you forget you told that little lie and instead blurt out the truth, the person could become confused and perhaps distrustful of you.

Telling a lie is also a cop out because you just don’t want to face the consequences of telling someone the truth. Lying is often more about protecting the liar than the other person.

Why He Lies

• He doesn't like certain things about himself. This could include everything from his job to his eating habits.

• He is hiding an addiction. Despite promising to quit drinking, smoking, using drugs or pornography – he doesn’t. Then, he lies about it because he’s either ashamed or doesn’t believe he’s addicted. He also lies because

he doesn’t like what he’s doing and knows you wouldn’t like it either. Which leads to the another reason he would lie: he doesn’t want to anger you. No one likes conflict, so the best way to avoid it is to lie – or so the liar believes.

• Out of habit. Some men lie because as children they were punished for telling the truth. No one wants be to a “tattle tale." This is also the case when a child suffers a traumatic event such as abuse and bullying and adults didn't believe him. The child is now conditioned to lie versus tell the truth.

• A need to seem "better" or improve his self image. If anyone has been on a dating app, this is where a lot of people stretch the truth. Some men claim to have a great job with tons of money and fancy cars, but the reality may be that he has a low-level job, there’s no money in the bank and that car was in the parking lot, and he decided to take a selfie with it. Someone else may claim to be a chef but is really the fry guy at a fast food joint.

• Lying by omission. "I didn't lie, I just didn't tell you everything." Hmmmm. We've all heard that one before. Some men are masters at lying by omission. And guess what: that's still lying. Typically, a man will lie by omission

because he's guilty (he has guilt over the event or activity that made him feel like he needed to lie), ashamed (he doesn't want to ruin his reputation or doesn't want to tell the whole story in case he is perceived in a negative light) or afraid (he fears being on the receiving end of punishment, anger or hurt due to his actions). Even if there is no immediate damage from the omitted information, that information usually has a tendency to come to the surface later.

How Can You Tell?

Although some people are very adept at lying, Diana Raab, MFA, Ph.D. says there are seven specific behaviors that may tip you off he could be lying to you:

1. Unusual fidgeting or blinking.

2. A change in vocal pitch.

3. Shifty eyes, or difficulty making eye contact.

4. Using self-soothing techniques such as mouth covering, ear tugging, collar pulling or neck touching.

5. A decreased tendency to use emotional

words, such as "hurt" or "angry."

6. Inconsistent gestures or facial expressions that contrast with message content.

7. The use of fewer first-person words such as “I."

How to Handle the Lies

No matter the lie, when you first discover the truth, you may want to lash out, throw things, yell and say things you can't take back.

Instead, and this will be hard, take a deep breath and let him explain himself.

While listening, try to get him to explain the “why.” We all lie for a reason, but a reason doesn’t justify the lie. However, it at least puts the lie into perspective for you.

If the lie wasn’t a relationship ender, calmly let him know in the future that any lie won’t be tolerated, and it will end the relationship if it happens again –even lying by omission.

Being honest demonstrates a deep level of compassion, maturity and understanding. When we own our mistakes and actions, and don't try to cover them up, it shows how strong we really are – even in the presence of our vulnerability. WGW

For Lady Trojans

Carrollton High girls’ wrestling program becomes first-ever dual state champion crowned in Georgia

By Corey Cusick

There is school history. Then there is pure pugilistic Peach State prominence. And this past month, the Carrollton High School girls’ wrestling program delivered an unprecedented display of epic proportions upon its monumental mat performance in the first-ever GHSA Girls Team Duals Wrestling State Championships on Jan. 20 at Buford High School.

In just their fourth year as a program, the Lady Trojans began their quest for the crown by hosting the area duals – also a first since the inception of girls’ wrestling at the GHSA level in 2019 – where the pins and wins piled up en route to a trip to the elite eight.

Seeded fifth among the eight state finalists, Carrollton entered the arena with a bit of a chip on its shoulder.

But rather than allowing how outsiders viewed the expectations, the Lady Trojans let their talents do the talking.

After thumping fourth-seeded Woodward Academy in a 54-21 quarterfinal clash, Carrollton upended top-seeded Chestatee in a 41-40 bout

that featured nine lead changes to set up a state championship showdown with Jordan.

Trailing 30-12 midway through the title tilt with their big guns anxiously awaiting to take the mat, the Lady Trojans rattled off a run for the ages with six pins in the final seven bouts to secure an incredible 48-36 decision, and set the wheels in motion for a long-awaited celebration for third-year Carrollton head coach Allen Newton and crew.

“They’ve earned the right to say they’re the firstever girls state champs in the history of Georgia, and the first-ever state champs at Carrollton. That’s not something to take lightly. Carrollton has a rich tradition in sports,” Allen said. “So to be the first to do anything, that’s a big honor. They took on the challenge, and they accepted it. They represented their school, their families and their community well.”

Carrollton established its girls’ wrestling program just four years ago, and this marked the first year the GHSA provided an opportunity for girls’ teams to compete for a state title in the dual format.

Setting their sights on becoming the inaugural

Photos provided by Coach Allen Newton.

champion in the state of Georgia is something the Lady Trojans rallied around even before it proved to be a possibility.

“It’s been a long time in the making. Last year we had a lot of new girls that worked hard and fell in love with the sport. Everything just clicked. I knew we had something special in the works if we could bring it all together,” recalled Allen.

That’s proven especially true for Carrollton seniors Lilianna McKinley and Katlyn Thomas, who were not only leaders of this year’s squad, but pioneers in getting the program up and running.

Lilianna actually started wrestling in junior high school, while Katlyn joined forces with her as a freshman. It’s a journey that ended in storybook fashion, something the veteran of the program always hoped for but never truly envisioned until it all unfolded this winter.

“To be able to have Katlyn by my side as the two seniors left, it’s a big deal to me,” Lilianna said. “There was a time that I thought I would always be by myself. She helped me start to build this program, and now we have a full team. Having all this come together my senior year, it’s something I will always hold close to my heart.”

Katlyn agreed how this group simply had

something special that she’ll always reflect on with tremendous pride, especially considering where it started with her and Lilianna being relegated to practicing with the boys’ team those first few years.

“It just doesn’t feel real. I mean, me and Lil have gone from wrestling guys to having a few girls to having a whole team. Now we had a chance to compete at a state championship and we won it,” Katlyn said. “To be able to watch this program grow has been the highlight of my high school career. To be able to leave Carrollton High School with a state championship, it’s unreal. Something I’ll never forget.”

All parties, both young and old, will be the first to tell you that the journey to the tourney started in the dog days of summer, where multiple workouts in exhausting temperatures ignited a team chemistry unlike any other.

This group became so united that it wasn’t ready to stop when scheduled workouts were over at the end of June.

“We were here almost every day during the summer for workouts in June. We weren’t going to practice in July, but we went to Coach Newton and said, ‘If we want to win state, we need to practice in July. We want to be state champions,’” said junior Bella Moore.

Sophomore Bailey Moore, Bella’s younger sister, joined her sibling on the squad last season as firsttime wrestlers – crediting cheerleading teammate Katlyn for recruiting them into the sport – something that’s been nothing short of a dream ride up to this point.

“It’s a great honor, especially for the two girls who basically started this program. I’m glad that we were able to win this with them still here,” Bailey said. “I never imagined we’d have a dual state championship for the girls, and for us to win it in the first year is crazy. It’s just been so much fun to do it with this group.”

Two other first-year standouts included sophomore Johana Mejia and freshman Madison Cooley.

As key components to the state championship run, the Lady Trojan underclassmen are soaking up the current success and hopeful of carrying the torch for years to come.

“To have something to bring back to Carrollton and show everybody that we did it, and for them to be excited with us, it just means a lot,” said Madison, who went 3-0 with two pins and a tech fall at the elite eight. “The support that we’ve had is crazy. It’s tremendous. I’m really thankful for our

friends, family and teammates to have such wonderful support from them because during those tough times, we definitely needed it.”

Johana described it as an atmosphere she’s never encountered and one she’ll never forget during those three highly intense matches in the elite eight.

“Everybody was on their toes waiting to see what the outcome would be. But the whole team pushed through. We never stopped. We just kept fighting and good things came in the end because we never stopped fighting,” Johana said.

Some of the individual highlights of the state championship run included a match-sealing pin by Carrollton’s Amazing Ackey in the semifinal round against Chestatee and the stretch of pins where every point mattered versus Jordan upon falling behind 30-12.

That included winning efforts by Bailey Moore, Maggie Dudley, Madison Cooley, Amazing Ackey and Johana Mejia before freshman Hailey Lussier officially sealed the deal with a first-period pin to cap off the historic title run for the Carrollton girls.

Senior captains Katlyn Thomas and Lilianna McKinley finished 2-0 on the day, while freshmen Madison Cooley and Amazing Ackey went 3-0 and Hailey Lussier was 2-1 in the elite eight.

Rounding out the top performers were Bailey Moore at 3-0 and fellow sophomore Cadence

Wilson at 2-1. Juniors Maggie Dudley and Bella Moore both wrapped up the dual season with a 2-1 showing at the state championships.

Now that the standard has been set, Allen is hopeful the recognition this year’s squad has provided will help fuel the pipeline of upcoming talent to keep Carrollton a perennial state championship contender.

“We’ve set a precedent and these girls have set a precedent of hard work, doing the right thing and getting better. That’s the standard. Championships will come with that,” Allen said. “There’s going to be accountability, because these girls have worked hard to build a good name for this program. So I don’t think they’re going to just let anybody run it down. If the kids aren’t doing right, they’re going to let them know.”

It’s a foundation that Lilianna McKinley and Katlyn Thomas have built from the ground up. And these Lady Trojan trail blazers are excited to see how high their grappling roots can grow in the City of Dreams.

“It means the world. It honestly does. There were some girls who were here last year that graduated and weren’t able to compete with us. But I know they were cheering us on, too,” Lilianna said. “With me and Katlyn being able to do this our senior year, I think it meant more to us than it would had it been our junior or freshman year. The fact that this all happened in our very last year, this is definitely the highlight of our time here.” WGW

(L-R): Senior captain Katlyn Thomas, Carrollton Head Coach Allen Newton and senior captain Lilianna McKinley.

Daily Fare Chef Rose With

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. Chef Rose and recipe photos by Zachary Dailey.

Linguine with Red Clam Sauce

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

3 cloves garlic

1 tablespoon anchovy paste

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 (24-ounce) jar tomato pasta sauce

1 cup dry white wine

2 (6.5-ounce) cans chopped clams, drain with juice reserved.

Salt and pepper to taste

1 pound dry linguine or fettuccine

1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Chopped fresh basil leaves or parsley

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper

Preparation

Pour olive oil into cold skillet. Add garlic, anchovy paste and red pepper flakes.

Place over medium-heat and stir for about

5 minutes, taking care not to brown the garlic.

Pour in wine and juice from clams, reserving the clams.

Bring to a simmer and allow to cook for about 5 minutes, then add tomato sauce.

Bring back to a simmer until slightly reduced and thickened – 7 to 9 minutes.

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.

Cook linguine or fettuccini in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until almost al dente – or about 1 minute less than directed on package – and drain.

Stir clams into the sauce.

Add the pasta to the sauce and stir.

Cover the pot to allow it to finish cooking and to allow the pasta to absorb some of the sauce – about 3 minutes.

Stir in Parmesan cheese.

Top with chopped fresh basil or parsley. Serves 4.

"

This dish comes together quickly for a fuss-free Valentine's dinner.

"

Valentine's Red Velvet Truffles

Ingredients

1 box red velvet cake mix, prepared according to box instructions

8 oz cream cheese, softened

16 oz white chocolate chips

Preparation

Prepare red velvet cake according to box instructions.

Allow to cool for 15 minutes.

Crumble red velvet cake in a bowl and mix in cream cheese until smooth.

Roll into 1 to 2 tablespoon-sized balls.

Chill in refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, melt the white chocolate chips in a double boiler.

Roll chilled truffles in chocolate to coat evenly and place on parchment-lined tray.

Decorate with sprinkles, nuts or other topping of choice.

Allow to harden before serving.

Makes 30 truffles. WGW

DURING WINTER BREAK

By Sandra Bolan

I’m bored,” is the last thing any parent wants to hear during winter break, especially when you still have four days to go. That’s why parents need to go into the week with a strategy.

Kids don’t need to be scheduled 24/7, but planning a variety of activities helps keep the boredom at bay.

The Plan

A couple of weeks before the start of winter break, get everyone together to brainstorm ideas. Ensure each child gets to participate in activities they like. If there are leftover ideas, write them down on pieces of paper and put them in a "Boredom Buster" jar.

You can also include other activities in the jar, such as reading a book, playing card games, baking cookies together, cleaning their rooms or taking the dog for a walk.

If planned activities have to change or when someone says, “I’m bored,” pull out a family activity from the jar.

Staycations

Just because you’re not jetting off to the beach for a week doesn’t mean you can’t take a short vacation locally or be a tourist in your own city.

Places to consider include camping in one of our local county parks, such as John Tanner Park, Little Tallapoosa Park or McIntosh Reserve, visiting Banning Mills in Whitesburg, Ga., or Great Wolf Lodge in LaGrange, Ga.

You may choose to stay in an Atlanta hotel and do the touristy things such as visiting the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Center for Puppetry Arts, Children’s Museum of Atlanta, Fernbank Museum

770.462.5005

of Natural History, Georgia Aquarium, Museum of Design Atlanta, Stone Mountain Park and the World of Coca-Cola. Check websites for specific winter break activities and hours.

Day Camps

During the school year, parents and children get used to having a routine. One way to maintain a schedule is taking your kids to a day camp. These are especially great for kids who love to dance or participate in theater or sports.

Day camps not only let children have an intensivelike experience of their favorite activity, but they also help curb some of the squabbles that can occur with a week of too much togetherness.

On the Cheap

Keeping multiple kids busy for a week can be costly between day camps, day trips, movies and crafts. However, there are many options available to parents that cost little to nothing.

Create a scavenger hunt. This can be done at home with the final prize being a coupon for a special treat such as ice cream, hot chocolate from

the local coffee house or extra playtime at the park. Curate a family time capsule. Have everyone contribute an item. This can be photos, clothing, a letter to the person who opens the time capsule in the future, a family tree or old cellphone.

Once all of the items are in the box, there are a few options for where you can put it.

The traditional location is to bury it in the backyard. It can also be hidden somewhere inside the home or openly displayed with an explicit note on the outside instructing no one to open it until a specific date.

A Day For Each Child

With more than one child comes the likelihood of varying interests. Let each child have a day dedicated to her interests, but where everyone participates. For example, if you have a budding artist, do one day of crafts. If another child loves science, spend another day doing fun at-home science experiments.

This not only ensures kids get to participate in activities they love, but it also enables the other children to learn new skills. Who knows, those who thought they would hate whatever their siblings love may actually end up liking it just as much.

Family Fun Nights

Not all parents can take time off work during winter break. That doesn’t mean there can’t be any family activities. Instead of doing them all during the day, they can take place after dinner, such as playing board games or watching a movie.

When it comes to choosing a movie, everyone writes down one to two movies they want to watch and the

pieces of paper go into a bowl for a random drawing.

Other Activities

Have your kids put together a play. If you have thespians at home, they can spend the week putting together a play they will perform. They write it, create the costumes (from their closets) and props. Have a bedroom makeover. As kids get older, they may outgrow their bedroom décor. Do a bedroom makeover that can be as elaborate as you want (new furniture, new flooring and paint) or very basic – a new paint color, along with rearranging the furniture they already have. Get some exercise. Go for a hike in any of Georgia’s state parks, go for a walk or play ball in your local greenspace, take the kids to the local playground or jump on the trampoline in your back yard.

The winter break is meant to be just that – a break from school and homework. However, just because it’s a break from the norm, it doesn’t mean kids

Here to serve. Here to save.

For more than 45 years, West Georgia Ambulance has been saving lives across Carroll County and west Georgia.

It’s our honor to be there when you need us most. Emergency medical care is a phone call away.

18,700 dispatches per year

12,300 patient transports per year

should spend all their time playing video games and watching Netflix.

Taking the opportunity to do various activities together during winter break, no matter how small, will strengthen your child's self esteem and help her learn important social skills – not to mention strengthen the ties that bind your family. WGW

300+ follow-up visits through Tanner’s Paramedic Home Visit program per year

6 ambulances on call, 365 days a year

K i d sKo r n e r

By Jordan Dailey

Chocolate Kiss Bouquet

Instructions

Cut heart-shapes out of three different colors of pink and red construction paper.

Arrange the hearts to overlap one another. Tape together at the points.

Cut leaf-shapes out of three different colors of green construction paper.

Arrange the leaves on the back of the heart flowers and tape in place.

Tape the chocolate kiss in the center of the flowers. Double up the green pipe cleaner and tape both ends to the back of the bouquet to serve as a handle.

Materials

Three shades of pink, red and green construction paper

Chocolate kisses

Scissors

Tape

Green pipe cleaner

Photos by Zachary Dailey

Cactus Valentine

Materials

Red, pink, light green, dark green foam

Heart stickers

Scissors

Tape

Black pen

MyisPOINT ... you're great!

I'm STUCK on you!

Instructions

Cut cactus shapes out of of the light and dark green foam.

Cut circle shapes for the cactus' cheeks out of the pink foam.

Tape the cactus shapes to the red foam paper. Place the heart stickers on the cactuses. Draw eyes and mouth on the cactuses. WGW

Valentine's Word Search

Love,Beloved, Valentine,Heart, Roses,Red, Cupid,Chocolate

Embrace,Hugs, Kisses,Wine, Romance,Bouquet, Admirer,February

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