West Georgia Woman Magazine July 2022

Woman

Complimentary

July 2022

West Georgia

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Monica Webb Going for the Gold at the 2022 World Games

Heat Stroke Symptoms You Should Watch Out For The Best Girls' Night Out Ideas Carrollton High’s Gretchen Ellerbee Conquers a New Form of Art

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Billiards champion and business owner Monica Webb represents the USA at the 2022 World Games Page 10 Photo by Zachary Dailey

What’s inside...

10 21 28

Behind the Eight Ball WGW Receives 13 GPA Better Newspaper Contest Awards It's Hot Out There!

In Every Issue: 4

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Daily Fare

30 35 36

Dancing to Her Own Beat Make It a Girls' Night Out

Kids Korner

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Don't Get Too Comfortable Since the COVID pandemic, most of us have tried to put those few years of wearing masks, staying 6 feet apart, quarantining and avoiding events behind us. It's kind of amazing to me that most of us just went back to normal – as if COVID was never a part of our lives.

As I write this, I've been caring for my daughter, Sydney, who tested positive for COVID earlier this week. And I just tested positive today. This is our first time having COVID. I find it amusing that the last few years Sydney has been a college student and soccer player, yet she never got the illness, even during the worst part of the pandemic. Then, she came home for the summer, and now we both have it.

She has been feeling extremely bad the last several days, but is doing OK otherwise. I haven't felt terrible, just have a headache that won't go away, along with a little congestion. I was always worried about how we would react to the illness if we got it, since we'd never had it before. So it's kind of a relief to finally have it so we'll know what to expect.

In This Issue Our feature this month is billiards champion and business owner Monica Webb. Monica, a WBPA (Women's Professional Billiard Association) national champion, will represent the USA at the 2022 World Games this month.

She is also the successful owner of STYX, a sports bar and poolroom located in Villa Rica, Ga. On page 10, learn more about Monica and the obstacles she's overcome to take on the world stage.

Photo by Zachary Dailey We're proud to announce West Georgia Woman magazine received 13 awards for writing and photography, including Best Magazine, Original Writing and Best Magazine, Human Interest Feature, from the Georgia Press Association at its 135th annual convention last month. Zachary, our photographer, won best overall photo portfolio in the entire state, as well as many other awards for his photography. Learn more about our awards on page 21.

It's been extremely hot this summer, reaching over 100 degrees already on some days. Are you aware of the signs and symptoms of heat stroke? Heat stroke is extremely serious and life threatening if not treated immediately. On page 28, Sandra Bolan shares how you can stay safe in the heat this summer.

On page 30, Corey Cusick tells us more about Carrollton High School sophomore, Gretchen Ellerbee, who, as a freshman, stepped out of her comfort zone to become the winner of a highly competitive speech and writing contest.

Some of my favorite outings are with my girlfriends. When I'm with them, I can forget about all the challenges I'm facing in my life, and just soak in all the good vibes of being with the people I trust completely. Catching up on our lives and sharing our innermost secrets with one another is something I look forward to the few times a year we can all get together. On page 35, learn how to elevate your girls' night out with these super fun ideas.

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.

Have a safe and happy 4th!

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Publisher

Finding our voice. Knowing our value.

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

Volume 7 • Issue 9 July 2022

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

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Behind the Eight Ball

By Amanda Thomas

10Photos by Zachary Dailey

Villa Rica Pool Champion Overcomes Obstacles to Take on the World Stage 11

Behind the eight ball: A term from the game of pool, meaning in a highly disadvantageous position. – MerriamWebster Dictionary

B

ehind the eight ball has been used for many years to describe a person in a tight spot or uncomfortable position.

And this is a position 45-year-old Monica Webb of Villa Rica has found herself in many times over the years. From being forced to come out as a lesbian in her teens to struggling with mental health issues exacerbated by the social isolation that came with training to be a champion pool player, Monica is no stranger to being placed in difficult situations.

And this doesn’t include the discrimination she’s faced as a woman in a sport dominated by men.

But despite the challenges, there have been many triumphs.

Monica has worked her way to becoming a pool player extraordinaire (she’ll be representing the USA at The World Games this month in Birmingham, Ala.). She has also become a successful business owner.

Before celebrating how far she’s come, it’s important to go back to where it all started – in her dad’s poolroom.

The Prodigy When Monica discovered pool, it wasn’t by accident.

Playing pool was always a part of her life while growing up in Villa Rica. Her father had a poolroom in Villa Rica called Johnny’s, and that’s where she spent most of her time.

She remembers working closely with her mother and father, doing chores around the poolroom. She picked up her first cue when she was 8 years old.

“I fell in love with it immediately and completely got addicted to the game,” she recalls. “I’d play for 10 to 12 hours. I was just absolutely obsessed with it. It’s all I did.”

One thing that attracted her to the game was that it wasn’t a team sport, and she could play by herself.

“I don’t know if it made me a loner, or maybe I was attracted to pool because I was a loner,” she says.

Her father initially took her brother (who was six years older) under his wing to teach him how to play.

He figured his son would be the one to play pool, not his daughters. Monica has a sister who is seven years older.

“So, my brother got his own stick first and was

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playing with my dad,” she says. “But my dad saw the interest that I had and, of course, playing 10 hours a day or longer sometimes, you’re going to get pretty good fast.”

It wasn’t long before he realized his daughter had a real knack for the game and got her a cue. Over the years, he helped Monica hone her skills.

“What he offered best was mental training,” she recalls. “It was always a teaching moment when we were together.”

Her dad often taught her life lessons through the game of pool, advising her on how to cope with certain situations and be a better person.

By the time Monica was 10, she could beat her father without him letting her win. While some fathers might have been upset by this, her father was proud and excited to have a daughter who could hold her own in the male-dominated world of pool.

Not only was she able to beat her dad, but also pretty much everybody else who dared to challenge her.

“I got good rather quickly, and I started placing wagers with the guys in my dad’s pool room,” she recalls. “He would encourage that. It was always friendly, of course. I never hustled anyone. People automatically underestimate a woman and especially

a small child.”

At this point, she was playing pool for money (about $2 a rack), and when she turned 12, she began placing higher bets ($5 or $10 a rack).

“I would make pretty good money through the week just doing it consistently,” she says.

Over the years, she’s found that when it comes to playing pool, you never stop learning.

“It’s extremely challenging,” she says. “I consider it sacred geometry. The knowledge can be expanded forever, and you’ll never stop learning in this game no matter how old you get playing it.”

The Fighter While Monica excelled as a pool player, it didn’t shield her from bullies in elementary school.

“I was picked on in school,” she recalls. “It even came into the household. They got my phone number and would prank call me at home.”

She suspects she was bullied because she was a loner. She was also assertive, confident and outspoken, which she suspects made her even more of a target.

Monica’s mom often went to the school to talk to the principal to try to stop the bullying, but it continued. Although she had no friends to stand up for her, Monica had no problem standing up for herself.

“I would talk back,” she says. “If I could ignore it and move to another part of the line, I would. But I would talk back.”

“When I was in the 4th and 5th grade, it was really, really bad,” she says.

It got so bad that she ended up doing more than using her words.

“My brother taught me to defend myself,” she says. “He said, 'You’re probably going to have to fight these girls, Monica, or they’re never going to

leave you alone.'”

She ended up fighting about five girls individually during elementary school.

“That’s when it stopped,” she says.

The Loner 2.0 When Monica became a teenager and started attending Lithia Springs High School, she went from being a loner to a member of the popular crowd.

“I was still a loner, but I had a lot of friends,” she recalls.

She joined the drama class and even participated in dance competitions.

“I loved to dance,” she says. “We had these monthly dances at school where the kids would get in a circle, and you’d go in the middle of that circle and do your stuff. We’d practice our routines, choreograph stuff together and do all kinds of crazy stuff. We just tore it up every month.”

And her dance of choice?

Street, which includes breakdancing, popping and locking (or anything in fashion at the time). She and her dance partner even did the famous Kid ‘n Play dance from the ‘90s movie “House Party.”

“We took second in the talent show in high school,” she recalls. “We incorporated a really cool dance that we choreographed, and the high school just exploded with applause and cheers.”

While she embraced being in the spotlight, there were some things she wanted to keep in the dark.

Like the female swimming instructor who she was obsessed with when she was 5 years old. Or the teachers she had crushes on in elementary school.

And not to mention being in love with her best friends in middle school.

“I dated a guy in middle school once – just a platonic thing – because I felt like that was what I was supposed to do,” she says.

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She even kept it from her sister, who confronted her about it while they were getting ice cream at Dairy Queen.

“I remember I was sitting there, and I asked her, ‘Would you love me anyway if I was?’” Monica recalls.

She would later learn that after asking that one question, her sister immediately knew she was a lesbian.

She mostly kept these feelings to herself but shared them with a guy friend who was also gay. It was actually some notes they’d written to each other that led to them being outed when she was 16.

The notes were discovered by her friend’s dad, who shared them with Monica’s parents while she, her best friend and her siblings were vacationing in Florida.

“I was not thinking about coming out at the time,” she says. “It was different back then. I didn’t know how my family would handle it.”

While she was unaware of what happened while she was away, she could tell her parents knew.

“No one had to say a word,” she says.

Her parents were scared at first but didn’t abandon her. In fact, they did the complete opposite.

Not only did they come to accept her identity as

14

a lesbian, but they also attended PFLAG meetings to help them get a better understanding of how to handle the situation. PFLAG is the first and largest organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people.

During the meetings, there would be people there to discuss why someone may have a hard time accepting a family member who has come out. For some, it’s for religious reasons and for others – like Monica’s parents – it’s because they’re afraid of how society will treat them.

“They were scared for me,” she says. “They were terrified that I’d have a hard life.”

Monica joked that her dad liked that she was a lesbian because he didn’t have to worry about her running off with some random guy.

“I’m thankful for that because my friend did not have it that easy,” she says.

The Activist When Monica returned to school, she found her classmates to be very accepting. She and another girl who had already come out formed an LGBTQ+ group that met after school to discuss the challenges they were facing.

Within a week after the group formed, eight

people in her school came out. The group also did some activism work when the Olympics came to Georgia, attending rallies in Cobb County to protest against anti-gay policies.

The leap from being a loner who preferred playing individual sports, like pool, to an activist wasn’t a far one for Monica, who always saw herself as a leader.

“I’ve always had my own voice,” she recalls. “I wasn’t afraid to speak out.”

But this was the first time she took those leadership skills and used them as an LGBTQ+ rights activist.

Monica also looked out for the little guy – literally.

When she was 16, she worked at the dollar theater in Douglasville.

“There were a lot of underprivileged kids that lived near the dollar theater, and I couldn’t take their money,” she says. “I just let the little kids come in for free.”

She and her friend, who also worked there, would also give them small popcorn samples.

“We would give them all these drinks and popcorn, and I loved it,” she says. “To this day, I loved the look on those kids’ faces.”

Unfortunately, the owners didn’t appreciate her generosity, and she lost her job when they found out two years later.

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The Amateur While Monica took the time to get the most out of her high school experience, she continued playing pool as an amateur.

She entered her first professional tournament at 16 after the Women’s Professional Billiard Association (WPBA) invited her to play.

But a serious auto accident during Monica’s senior year of high school took her away from pool for a while. During the wreck, her face went through the windshield.

She eventually recovered from her injuries.

But instead of spending hours in the poolroom perfecting her game, she spent her nights partying and drinking alcohol.

“We did experiment and had a lot of fun,” she admits.

She graduated from Lithia Springs High School in 1994, and her partying days were over by the time she was 20.

“I started young, and it only lasted until I picked up my cue again,” she says. “I started playing again when I was 19, but I got serious when I was 20 and moved to California.”

But she wasn’t alone. Monica and other top pool players lived in Long Beach together and studied

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Let’s Play!

And by that time in her career, Monica had read a lot of mental training books for athletes she believed helped her accomplish her goals as a professional pool player. Her favorite book is “Thinking Body, Dancing Mind” by Chungliang Al Huang.

“I love that book,” she says. “I carry it with me everywhere.”

But the books she leaned on to improve her game may have brought a false sense of security in dealing with other life problems that had nothing to do with pool.

A lesson she would learn the hard way.

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“That’s all I did every day, all day,” Monica says.

“I never went to clubs. I never partied. I never did anything but pool. And again, that was a bit unbalanced, and I paid for it later in life mentally.”

The Assassin Monica was 24 when she played her first televised match.

“You had to make it to the final four to get on TV,” she says.

An ESPN commentator actually coined her nickname, “The Assassin.”

Monica suspects she got that name because she was a previously unknown player who seemingly came out of nowhere.

“Once I came on the scene, I started beating a lot of top names,” she recalls.

By the time she celebrated her 26th birthday, Monica was back on track, doing what she loved and at the same level that she was before the accident.

While she was making a name for herself, winning a WPBA title remained out of reach for a long time.

“The most coveted thing to get was a WPBA title, and I could not get it,” she says.

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Monica always knew she was going to open a poolroom.

“I knew exactly what I was going to do,” she recalls. “I was going to be a professional pool player, and I was going to open my own poolroom. I never entertained the idea of doing anything else ever in my life, so that’s what I did.”

But the road to opening her business began five years earlier when she began keeping a file and asking questions.

“I started talking to poolroom owners,” she says.

“I would ask for a tour of their place and ask them, ‘What did you do that was wrong? What did you do that was right?’ I tried to learn as much as I could.”

And this goal came with a sense of urgency when her father, who had diabetes, became ill.

She wanted to accomplish her goals before she lost him.

“Everything in my life "I knew exactly revolved what I was going around the to do. I was pool and going to be a professional pool my father,” player, and I was she says. “I going to open my wanted my own poolroom. dad to see I never enterI was OK tained the idea because he of doing anyknew I wasn’t thing else ever in my life, so that’s going to get what I did." married and

have a traditional life. I wanted the challenges thrown her way. my dad to see I was going to But nothing could compare fulfill his dream.” to what she had to face over Opening her business the next few years, which wasn’t a road without brought a lot of heartbreak obstacles. At one point during and pain. the process, she was broke.

Like when Monica learned “I had put all of my money her father passed away in into the business, and it 2012. Then just a few months wasn’t open yet,” she says. later, her brother-in-law died.

“My credit line was tapped “I went into a very dark, out, and I was penniless. The depressed state for years, and business was ready to open, I feel like I went into a shell but I didn’t have the food and lost time,” she says. “I and bar stocked, so there was wanted time to stop. When nothing to sell.” my father died, I didn’t listen It was also around this time to music for a year. I didn’t that she started having anxiety Monica, with her WPBA Championship Award. She want to hear a clock ticking. was able to open her poolroom, STIX, with the attacks.

Depression hit me like a $15,000 in winnings.

“I’ve always had an anxiety truck.” disorder, and the pressure was so immense that I In 2019, Monica learned that her longtime think I had a small nervous breakdown,” she says. friend, third-ranked Swedish pro Helena “The “I couldn’t speak for about a month, and everybody Sledgehammer” Thornfeldt passed away on Aug. 20, around me who was helping me open the business 2019. saw that I wasn’t OK.” She was also going through a separation from her Monica went to the doctor to get some partner of 10 years that same week. Then only a few medication. If the doctor asked her a question, she’d months later, the pandemic hit, and her business was only give one-sentence answers. shut down.

But little did she know, there would be a light “I feel like if mental illness and depression doesn’t at the end of the tunnel because she had a big get you through the front door, it gets you through tournament coming up. the side door,” she says.

“Three months later, I had to go play this Monica has been going to a therapist for years to tournament, and I needed $15,000 to finish buying help her through difficult times like these. She also what I needed to open that business,” she says. learned how to focus more on herself more – guilt“That was the first time I made it to a final.” free.

And after 10 years of being known as the best “I got back to nature – removed myself from the player to have never taken home a WPBA title, she grid a bit – and started working on myself for once,” finally won the big one in 2008 by beating Kelly she says.

Fisher – the number one player in the world.

That included taking some things off her plate.

“I won exactly $15,000, and I came home, and I “If I wasn’t feeling mentally up to something, I opened immediately,” she says. knew that’s when I need to take a break and build up She had reached her goal, and her dad was able more energy,” she says. to celebrate the opening of Stix Billiards and Sports Monica also changed her diet and incorporated Bar in Villa Rica with her. The sports bar features meditation into her life. And now that things are Diamond Professional pool tables, steel tips darts better since the pandemic began and her business is and a scratch kitchen that sells popular menu items open again, she uses these tools to stay grounded. like 8-Ball Nachos.

“It’s the only way I can live my best life,” she says.

The bar also hosts weekly events, including acoustic night, pool leagues and poker.

The World Champion?

The Overcomer Over the years, Monica has persevered despite

Monica has come a long way since her humble beginnings as an 8-year-old pool player learning the game.

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Looking back, she reflects on the obstacles she’s had to overcome, including being a female pool player and business owner in a world that doesn’t take you seriously.

“You have to hit the world with a big bang,” she says. “You have to come out swinging and do things better just to be seen. The biggest hurdle for me and what I put the bulk of my energy into is to give people – mostly men – confidence to do business with me.”

At the same time, she learned to use the discrimination she faced to her advantage.

“It’s not as bad today, but women were extremely underestimated and taken advantage of,” she says.

“I’d say most of the money I’ve made has been from men who underestimated me.”

In fact, some of the men she beat in pool were also the ones she ended up making money for in the future because they saw her ability to capitalize on being underestimated as an asset.

“You have to make good choices on and off the table in order for people to have the confidence to take a chance on you,” she says.

Monica’s accomplishments led to her signing with N’ the Zone Sportswear in 2021. The clothing brand collaborated with her to design the Assassin collection, which is available to purchase on their online store.

Now she’s setting her sights on the World Games in Birmingham July 7-17.

This won’t be Monica’s first trip to Birmingham.

She’s the House Pro at Iron City Billiards, the practice facility for the upcoming games.

“They helped me come out of my isolation mode and start enjoying life,” she says. “The owner also supports me financially so I can achieve my dreams and reach my goals.”

Only time will tell if she reaches her goal of bringing home the gold.

But for now, she has a few words of advice for women who may be spending too much time devoted to just one thing, like their business or career.

“Have balance,” she says. "Don’t isolate yourself and only do that one thing. You have got to have other interests in your life. You’ve got to take care of those friendships and build bonds."

And despite all the struggles she’s had with mental health over the years, her future looks bright.

Today, she’s playing the best pool in her life.

“I would never have dreamed four years ago, when I was in the thick of my depression, I could obtain happiness again,” she says, “It goes to show that your life could change in six months or be completely different in two years. The important thing is that you show up.” WGW

Because a HOME is much more than a house.

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West Georgia Woman Magazine Awarded First Place in State for Original Writing Three Years in a Row, First Place for Human Interest Feature.

Receives 13 Georgia Press Awards for Writing and Photography

W

est Georgia Woman Magazine received Savannah Morning News, Gwinnett Daily Post, Rome first place in the state for the third year in News Tribune, The Telegraph Macon and more. a row Judging was in the category of independently “Best Magazine: carried out by Original Writing,” members of the in its division at Louisiana Press the Georgia Press Association.

Association's The contest (GPA) 2021 Better included subNewspaper missions from Contest Awards. newspapers Entries were and magazines judged in seven throughout divisions based Georgia. on circulation.

Award winners Because West were announced Georgia Woman June 3, 2022, at magazine has the GPA's 135th the highest annual convention print circulation in Jekyll Island, among members Ga. of the Georgia Established Press Association West Georgia Woman Magazine Photographer Zachary Dailey at the GPA Better in 2015, West Newspaper Contest Awards Ceremony. Zachary won first place out of all entries in the West statewide – regardless of division – for Best Photo Portfolio and swept the Division Georgia Woman Georgia area, magazine A Best Magazine, Single Photo category winning first, second and third place.

Zachary won three first place awards for photography and one first place award it was included received a total for magazine cover design. He also received one second place award and two in the "Division of 13 GPA awards third place awards for photography. West Georgia Woman magazine received a A," magazine for writing and total of 13 GPA awards for writing and photography, including Best Magazine, competition, photography.

Original Writing and Best Magazine, Human Interest Feature. competing "Teaming Up against considerably larger media companies such to Bridge the Gap," written by Angela Dailey, was as the Marietta Daily Journal, Brunswick News, included in the May 2021 issue and won first place

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in the state of Georgia for Best Magazine: Original Writing, Division A. "Still Battling for Braxton," written by Amanda Thomas, was included in the September 2021 issue and won first place in the state of Georgia for Best Magazine: Human Interest Feature, Division A. Amanda also won third place in the same category for her human interest feature titled, "Inner Beauty, Outer Courage" in the December 2021 issue.

Awards Received: First place, Photo Porfolio (chosen from all daily newspaper entries statewide, regardless of division): Photographer Zachary Dailey Division A awards: First place, Best Magazine: Original Writing, author Angela Dailey First and third place, Best Magazine: Human Interest Feature, author Amanda Thomas First place, Best Magazine Cover Design: July 2021 issue, Designer Zachary Dailey First, second and third place, Best Magazine Single Photo: Photographer Zachary Dailey

First and third place, Best Magazine In-House Photography: Photographer Zachary Dailey Second and Third place, Best Magazine Themed Issue Third place, Special Sections

Woman

Complimentary

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Monica Webb Shooting for the Gold at the 2022 World Games

Heat Stroke Symptoms You Should Watch Out For The Best Girls' Night Out Ideas Carrollton High’s Gretchen Ellerbee Conquers a New Form of Art

Subscribe to our free digital issue and

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West have it sent to your inbox each month.

Georgia www.westgeorgiawoman.com Woman magazine also submitted advertising for consideration in the contest.

The GPA will announce its advertising award winners later this year.

Very special thanks to Copy Editor Shala Spruell Hainer for editing the authors' written work.

Visit www.westgeorgiawoman.com to read our award winning articles. WGW

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July 2022

West Georgia

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Daily Fare With

e s o R f e Ch

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.

Lobster MushroomRoll Asparagus and BLT Ham Omelet

"

Make use of leftover ham and asparagus from Easter by making this tasty omelet.

Ingredients

"

Ingredients 3 large eggs 1 tablespoon butter 1 cup fresh mushrooms, chopped 1/2 pounds cooked lobster meat 3 asparagus stalks, cut in 3-inch pieces 1/4 cup mayonnaise 2 slices ham, cut into strips Juice of cheddar one lemon 1/4 cup cheese, grated 2 basil leaves, 1 fresh tablespoon chives finely chopped Salt Salt and and pepper pepper to to taste taste 1/2 pound cooked bacon Preparation

4 leaves romaine lettuce 1 tomato, sliced 1/4-inch thick In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs with salt and pepper.

4 potato rolls In a medium skillet, melt butter on medium high.

2 tablespoons butter, softened

"

These lobster rolls are perfect for a Fourth of July picnic.

The lobster mixture can be made up to a day in advance.

Heat until foamy.

Add the mushrooms and cook for about 1 Preparation minute.

Add the asparagus and ham and cook until Place lobster meat, mayonnaise, lemon juice, asparagus turns bright green, about 1 minute.

Add the eggs. chives and salt and pepper in a bowl.

Use a silicone spatula to carefully fold the Stir gently to combine. edges of the omelet while tilting the pan, Spread butter on the inside of each potato allowing the eggs to cover the entire surroll and cook on a griddle or pan for 2 to 3 face of the pan. minutes golden brown.

Once eggs or areuntil nearly cooked, add cheese and Divide the lobster mixture among the buns, basil.

Gently slidebacon, omeletlettuce onto plate, folding into a top with and tomato. half moon Garnish with shape. additional chives.

Serves 1.

Serves 4.

"

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Grilled Zucchini and Tomato Bruschetta

"

This is a perfect light and refreshing appetizer for a hot July picnic.

Ingredients

"

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing

Half loaf country bread sliced 3/4-inches thick 1 medium zucchini or summer squash, halved 1/2 large red onion, cut into 4 wedges Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper 1 clove garlic, minced

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

4 cups diced tomatoes of choice

1/2 cup packed fresh basil leaves, torn into bite-size pieces Balsamic glaze, for drizzling

Preparation Heat grill to medium-high and oil the grates.

Brush bread, zucchini and onion all over with oil and season with salt and pepper.

Grill bread until lightly charred and toasted – 30 seconds to 1 minute per side.

Grill vegetables until zucchini and onion are lightly charred and crisp-tender – 3 minutes per side.

Transfer grilled bread, zucchini and onion to a work surface.

Rub garlic on both cut sides of the bread, then allow everything to cool slightly.

Thinly slice zucchini crosswise, and chop onion.

In a large bowl, whisk together oil and vinegar, then season with salt and pepper.

Add zucchini, onion, tomatoes and basil.

Toss to combine.

Drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving on top of bread slices.

Serves 4 to 6. WGW

27

It's

Hot

Out There!

Heat stroke symptoms you should watch out for

By Sandra Bolan and Angela Dailey

S

outhern summers are infamous for 90-degree days with the humidity close to 100 percent.

Along with applying sunscreen to prevent sunburns, you should take precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses, such as cramps, exhaustion, dehydration and worst of all, heat stroke.

people with chronic illness.

Exertional heat stroke is caused by intense physical activity in hot weather, which leads to an increase in core body temperature.

Anyone who works or exercises in hot weather can

How It Happens Heat stroke occurs when the body is no longer able to control its own temperature, in particular while participating in strenuous activities.

There are two types of heat stroke; nonexertional and exertional.

Nonexertional heat stroke usually occurs after being exposed to hot, humid temperatures for prolonged periods of time, which leads to an increase in core body temperature.

This type occurs most often in older adults and

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get exertional heatstroke, but it typically occurs if you're not used to high temperatures.

Symptoms A person can start to feel the effects of heat stroke within 10 to 15 minutes of being outside.

Fainting may be the first sign of heat stroke.

Other symptoms include: • • • •

• • • •

• •

• •

Vomiting and nausea. You may feel sick to your stomach or vomit.

Dizziness or feeling light-headed.

Cramps or muscle weakness.

High body temperature. A core body temperature of 104 F or higher, obtained with a rectal thermometer, is the main sign of heatstroke, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Rapid breathing. Your breathing may become shallow and rapid.

Flushed skin. As your body temperature rises, your skin may turn red.

Racing heart. Your pulse may increase significantly due to the stress on your heart to help cool your body.

Lack of sweating in spite of the heat. Heat stroke caused by hot weather will make your skin hot and dry to the touch. Heat stroke caused by strenuous exercise may make your skin feel dry or slightly moist.

Throbbing headache.

Altered behavior or mental state. Delirium, confusion, slurred speech, staggering, agitation, irritability, coma and seizures can all be caused by heatstroke.

Unconsciousness.

Seizures.

Treatment As soon as you suspect someone is suffering from heat stroke, call 911 and take immediate action. Get the person to a cool place – shade, inside a building or even into an air conditioned vehicle.

Remove excess clothing so the skin can breathe and start to cool itself. To help drop the body’s temperature quicker, put the person in a cool bath, pool or body of water, or spray them down with a garden hose.

If that isn’t possible, apply ice packs or cold compresses to the person's armpits, groin, head and neck.

Without immediate treatment, heat stroke can

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lead to permanent brain, heart, kidney and muscle damage, or worse – death.

The damage to your body worsens the longer you wait for treatment, increasing your risk of serious complications.

Prevention Seniors and children under the age of 4 are at high risk for heat stroke because their bodies take longer to regulate themselves.

People with certain medical conditions are also at high risk, including the obese and people with heart, kidney or lung disease.

Some medications such as antihistamines, betablockers and stimulants can heighten a person’s risk.

If you want to be outdoors during the hottest parts of the day, wear loose fitting, light-colored clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen that has at least 30 SPF and drink plenty of water.

Depending on your sweat rate, you may also suffer from salt-depletion dehydration. If participating in outdoor activities, drink a lot of water before, during and after the activity and avoid consuming caffeine or alcohol, as they can worsen heat-related illness symptoms. WGW

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Dancing to

Her Own Beat

Carrollton High’s Gretchen Ellerbee unveils fresh form of flair to her artistic arsenal

By Corey Cusick

G

Gretchen Ellerbee with CHS speech and debate coach Richard Bracknell. Photo courtesy of Carrollton City Schools.

retchen Ellerbee has dazzled on the dance stage over the past decade.

A distinguished dynamic and one of the top talents in all of West Georgia, the rising Carrollton High School sophomore has established herself as an elite performer of the art.

Sporting self-assurance and grace beyond her years, Gretchen owns the stage when she’s in her element.

Developing a passion for an array of genres through the years, there are a few that take the forefront as she looks forward to competing on an ever grander stage in the future.

“I do hip-hop, ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary and ballroom,” explains Gretchen, who dances with Dance Academy West out of Douglasville, along with her school team at CHS. “But I love jazz because I love being sassy and giving a lot of emotion. I love the fast movements. I also love contemporary. I just love it.”

Her self-confidence in dance definitely didn’t define Gretchen’s demeanor when it came to other social activities, particularly public speaking.

It reached the point where a simple task such as making eye contact with a server and ordering off a

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menu at a restaurant proved awkward for Gretchen as an adolescent and into her early teen years.

It was night-and-day for someone who showcased the spotlight as a skilled performer on the stage, only to relegate back to a reserved, wide-eyed kid upon coming off it.

But that all changed over the course of her first year of high school, with a little nudge from legendary CHS speech and debate coach Richard Bracknell.

After being talked into registering for the class by her older sister, Isabella – who starred in debate as a high-schooler under the state champion coach – Gretchen decided to give it a shot this past year.

It proved to be a game-changer for someone who didn’t understand just how multi-talented she was until being introduced to a completely different form of art.

For its big project of the year in honor of Women’s History Month, the speech and debate class at Carrollton High was presented with the topic: “Should the United States Provide Paid Parental Leave to All Parents?”

“When Coach Bracknell first gave us the assignment, I really didn’t even know anything about paid parental leave. I didn’t even know that parents didn’t get paid when they left,” recalls Gretchen.

“So I did a lot of research, and then when I realized that most parents don’t and most parents have to go back to work, the more I researched I learned there are a lot of complications after birth. That hit me personally because I know my mom had complications after birth.”

With nearly 50 students competing in the contest – from freshmen to seniors – a dark horse suddenly emerged as the front-runner following the writing portion of the competition and then, most important, having to stand up and deliver the speech in front of her peers.

As the nerves eased and she came into her own,

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honored with 2022 Georgia Forensic Coaches Gretchen found herself on a stage she’d never Association Debate Coach of the Year accolades. envisioned – the winner of a highly competitive The debate program’s 12 state titles rank second writing and speech contest. in school history, only trailing the boys’ nationally All of this as an unheralded freshman, no less. acclaimed track and field “It doesn’t matter program at Carrollton if you’re a dancer or High. whatever. To be able Although she hasn’t to communicate, and dabbled in debate just effectively communicate, yet, the experience of is an important skill,” competing in writing says Bracknell. “I thought and speech is something that spending a semester Gretchen has found would give Gretchen an empowering. She noted opportunity to take a look that even though she is at it and see some hidden still an underclassman, skills. Which, now, are not it is something she feels so hidden. She’s a very will hopefully provide talented young lady.” inspiration for those like Bracknell is no stranger her in future years. to unleashing the best out of his students, as the “I was very nervous Carrollton High School sophomore Gretchen Ellerbee at first because I’m not highly decorated coach had plenty of confidence while dancing on stage, but the thought of public speaking kept her on edge before she be- someone who likes talking guided Carrollton to its gan working with speech and debate coach Richard Brackin front of people. But as 12th state championship nell. Last year, as a freshman, she was the winner of a highly in debate this past spring. competitive writing and speech contest. Photo courtesy of the year went on, now I can say that I can do In the process, he was Gretchen Ellerbee.

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that because of this class,” she says. “I learned it’s OK to be nervous. But you’ve got to get up there, and once you do it one time, you’re like, ‘Oh, it wasn’t that bad.’ And then you start to get joy out of it, being in front of all those people and your classmates and even upperclassmen. After you do it once, you want to do it more and more.”

As for the topic of the assignment, Bracknell thought it was timely, given the ongoing impact of the COVID pandemic, as well as other issues families currently face in today’s climate.

He notes how the students were overwhelmingly in favor of paid parental leave, but the main argument was who would foot the bill.

“What was discussed was whether it should be paid by the government, paid by the business or whether it should be with no pay,” he explains.

“The greatest argument for it being a government program was the benefit to the country itself. But also the smaller companies that might not be able to afford both compensation and the person being off work. Across the board, every speech dealt with the fact that there needs to be more than just a small amount of time.”

Following the judgment of her peers and the approval of the CHS English Department on the writing side of the assignment, Gretchen proved to be an underdog story with plenty of conviction as the overall winner.

Now, the question remains just what the future holds for this newly discovered talent.

“I want her to come back. I want her to share our world. I know she’s very dedicated to her dance.

I wouldn’t want to change that for a minute,” Bracknell says. “But I hope that this year has proven that she can benefit from both.”

Gretchen is adamant that she will continue her love for dance. But she has also learned to understand and appreciate the gift of gab and how it potentially serves as the perfect tandem toward her tango for whatever the future has in store.

“When you’re in the real world and you have a job, you’re going to have to talk in front of people,” she says. “So it prepares you in a lot of different areas, and it gives you a lot of self-confidence. I had self-confidence in my dancing, but I never had it when talking in front of people. I discovered that from this experience.

“Last year was tough with school dance practice in the morning, studio in the afternoon and debate, you just try to put it in between. But I think I can do it again. Just like this year. It’s something I never saw coming. But I’ve loved it.” WGW Read Gretchen's award winning speech on page 34.

Dailey Life Photography Zachary Dailey, photographer for West Georgia Woman Magazine

Life is Beautiful, Let’s Capture it.

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daileylifephotography@gmail.com @DaileyLifePhotography

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Gretchen's Award Winning Speech The United States is one of just a few countries in the world with no national paid leave of any kind. In the U.S., around 4 million babies are born each year. After 40 weeks of pregnancy and hours of labor, instead of taking time to heal their bodies and bond with their newborns, women are too often forced back to work. This federal policy failure leaves more than 100 million people – 80 percent of U.S. workers – without paid time off after the birth or adoption of a child.

Paid time off is necessary for many reasons.

In addition to giving women and men economic and job security, it can save lives. Studies have found that paid leave can reduce infant mortality by 10% and increase the likelihood of infants getting vaccinations by over 20 percent.

Pregnant and parenting people need time to recover after pregnancy and birth, care for and bond with a newborn (including, for most, to establish breastfeeding), adjust to changing family dynamics, and obtain postpartum and well-child care. Furthermore, the need for paid leave includes people who are recovering from stillbirth, miscarriage, and other pregnancy complications.

According to research, paid parental leave policies have been shown to improve (maternal) physical and mental health by giving women time to recover after childbirth and new parents time to adjust to new caregiving obligations.

Within the first two months after childbirth, around half of women report suffering pain, and many more endure more significant, potentially life-threatening postpartum problems. After childbirth, a large majority of new parents have "baby blues," and roughly one in every five of them develops postpartum depression, with those who are financially unstable being at higher risk. Mothers who take paid family leave are less likely to experience symptoms of postpartum depression and less likely to report parenting stress. Paid parental leave also improves household economic security for families in the year following the birth of a child.

Not only is paid parental leave beneficial for the parents, but it is also beneficial for the child.

The Parent-Child Relationship is one that nurtures the physical, emotional and social development of the child. It is a unique bond that every child and parent can enjoy and nurture. This relationship lays the foundation for the child’s personality, life choices and overall behavior.

It can also affect the strength of their social, physical, mental and emotional health.

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We're Hiring!

Magazine Distributor $20/Hour

Requirements: • • • • • •

Must be able to lift 50 to 75 pounds Must be available the first week of each month Must have a clean driving record Criminal background check required Must have a good personality and be able to interact well with the public Must be willing to take a monthly drug test

This is a part-time, day-shift, 1099 independent contractor position.

No benefits. Distribution experience preferred, but we will train.

Submit qualifications/resume to admin@westgeorgiawoman.com No phone calls, please.

www.westgeorgiawoman.com

A

Make it a

Have I Ever, Sip/Sip/Shot (a/k/a s a young girl, being duck/duck/goose), or the Word invited to a sleepover was game, in which the host chooses a huge deal. a word and when anyone says It meant you were a part of the it throughout the night, that girls’ squad, where secrets were person has to take a drink. shared and lifelong bonds were If drinking games are not formed. for you, but you still want to As adults, a girls’ night indulge a bit, try a wine tasting typically involves getting or a mixology class. together for a couple of hours to celebrate a birthday or Christmas.

Foodie Fun

By Sandra Bolan and Angela Dailey Those few hours together strengthen friendships and help Around the World. Ask you de-stress. each guest to bring a different small bite, appetizer A girls’ night out is about doing things you or dessert from a different region of the world for wouldn’t normally do or make time for, like manieveryone to sample. pedis and getting dressed up. Or, you and your Cook together. Take a cooking class together. This girlfriends could choose to have a girls' night in and can even be taken via Zoom if friends are scattered have fun hanging out in the comfort of someone's across the country. home.

Recipe swap. Ask each guest to bring a favorite It’s also a night to let loose and have fun, while recipe to share with everyone. Bonus points go to the hubby takes care of the kids and manages the those who bring the dish, too! home-front.

A night out with the girls is good for the soul. Even if it’s just hanging out in yoga pants, drinking wine, eating takeout and gabbing all night long. WGW Themed Parties

It doesn’t really matter what you do when you get together, but sometimes it’s extra fun to have a themed girls' night.

Pajama party. Pop some popcorn and invite everyone over. Make sure everyone knows they can really come in their PJs! Enjoy an old-school pillow fight before the night ends.

Iconic movie night. Choose a favorite 80s movie, such as, When Harry Met Sally, The Breakfast Club, or Risky Business and have everyone come over dressed as their favorite character.

Decade-themed night. Like the iconic movie night, have your girlfriends dress up in 70s, 80s, 90s or 2000s attire. Play music from that decade and bust out those old dance moves.

Game night. Enjoy an old-school vibe as you play games like Monopoly, Twister, Life or charades.

Whodunnit party. Check out ideas online on how to host a murder mystery party, or pick up a kit at your local bookstore. Give a murder mystery book as a prize for the one who solves the mystery first.

Drinking Games What’s a girls’ night without a little libation? Why not add a little fun to it with a game or two? Never

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Kids Korner

Fantastic Fireworks

Materials Red, white and blue paint Plastic fork Sheet of white paper or construction paper

36

By Jordan Dailey Photos by Zachary Dailey

Instructions Pour a small amount of the red, white and blue paint onto a paper plate.

Dip fork into the paint.

Create a fireworks pattern using each color.

Jolly Jellyfish

Instructions Glue several pieces of the curling ribbon to the inside of the cupcake wrapper, allowing part of the ribbon to hang outside the wrapper.

Glue the googly eyes to the outside of the cupcake wrapper. WGW

Materials 1 cupcake wrapper Curling ribbon Googly eyes Hot glue gun Glue sticks

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