West Georgia Woman Magazine Issue March 2023

Photo by Zachary Dailey

A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES TO MEET YOUR NEEDS AT EVERY STAGE OF LIFE

MonaLisa Touch — $200 Per Session

Bladder and Bowel Control Implants (Axonics or Interstim)

ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS FOR UROLOGICAL CARE

West Georgia Urology is the regional expert in managing and preventing urinary tract infections in West Georgia and East Alabama. Our patient specific approach involves more than just providing antibiotics at the time you develop symptoms. We will work with you to establish a program of prevention, timely evaluation and treatment when necessary.

We Work With Kids, Too!

West Georgia Urology doctors see children one year and older, performing examinations and administering treatments when needed. We strive to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere that puts any childhood fears of the doctor at ease.

Spring Has Sprung

I'm super excited for spring to arrive. With all the beautiful, warm weather we experienced last month, I'm afraid it's going to get really hot pretty soon!

There's just something about springtime that's so uplifting. All the colors of the flowers, the lovely spring breeze and the smell of freshly cut grass in the air really brightens my spirits.

I can't wait to take my little grandbaby out for some nice, after-dinner walks this month!

In This Issue

Our feature this month is 23-year-old Abby Richards. She is such a sweet and remarkable young lady! Not only has Abby learned to live without the gift of sight, but she's also learned to survive and thrive through other disabilities and difficult circumstances.

Abby was born with Fraser syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. The most common symptom is fused eyelids, where the opening fails to form, and skin connects the forehead to the cheeks, covering the orbital cavity.

On page 10, learn more about Abby, her goals for the future and how it's going to take a village to help her realize her dream of having a home of her own.

Are you a negative Nelly or a positive Penny? How we think really does have an effect on our lives. On page 22, learn more about channeling the power of positivity so you can live your best life.

Are you planning on getting married this year? How well do you know your partner?

On page 24, Sandra Bolan shares the things you should discuss before you tie the knot.

Have you ever wanted to write your own memoir? Are you a poet? Or have you always wanted to write fiction? You'll be able to learn how to put those words on the page during the Carrollton BookFest on March 25 at the Carrollton Center for the Arts from 9 am to 5 pm. Admission is free.

On page 26, learn about the work of the Carrollton Writers Guild and how its bringing its first ever BookFest to the community.

Thank you for reading! There's more inside.

Please do business with our valuable community partners included in each issue. Without them, there would be no West Georgia Woman magazine!

See you next month!

Photo by Keith May

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.

Our mission is to engage, inspire, and cultivate a cohesive community for all women in West Georgia by sharing our hopes, our dreams and our lives.

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

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Publisher/Editor

Angela Dailey

5 March 2023

angela@westgeorgiawoman.com

Copy Editor Editorial Contributor

Shala Hainer

shala@westgeorgiawoman.com

Photographer for Cover/ Graphic Design

Zachary Dailey

Editorial Contributors

Sandra Bolan, Jordan Dailey and Rose Isaacs

Advertising Sales

Sharon Givens

Sharon@westgeorgiawoman.com 470.925.0200

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.

West Georgia Woman reserves the right to reject or edit any submissions that are not in compliance with our editorial policy. If you wish to have your submission returned, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope along with your submission.

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

By Shala Hainer

Photos by Zachary Dailey

Seeing a Brighter Future

She’s learned to live without the gift of sight. She has overcome dozens of surgeries. She has figured out how to survive, thrive and be successful in spite of additional disabilities. But what she can’t do on her own is gain the independence that comes with living in a house of her own – that’s going to take a village.

Abby Richards, now 23, has beaten the odds. She was born with Fraser syndrome, a rare genetic disorder affecting less than 5,000 people in the U.S. currently, estimates the Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center. While people tend to be familiar with genetic disorders such as Down syndrome, most have never heard of Fraser syndrome.

Fraser syndrome shows up early in fetal development, and it equally affects males and females. It usually becomes apparent in an ultrasound early in the pregnancy. The disorder comes with a multitude of symptoms that vary for each person affected. The most common symptom is fused eyelids, where the opening fails to form, and skin connects the forehead to the cheeks, covering the orbital cavity.

Other symptoms include fingers or toes that are fused together; kidney abnormalities that range from mild to the most severe symptom of missing one or both kidneys; reproductive tract deformities; middle ear problems; deformed tongue; and dental crowding or a malformed dental arch.

Living with a disorder like Fraser syndrome comes with a variety of challenges, including isolation because you don’t fit in with social norms, the lifelong need for caregivers, adjusting to specific activities, and the biggest challenge, which is financial difficulties. Although Abby works, it’s unlikely she’ll ever be able to make enough to afford a home of her own. But she’s not giving up.

Beating the Odds

Born with a permanent set of disabilities, it would be easy for Abby to give up and not live a full life. She made a different choice.

When she was born, not only was she blind, but she was nearly deaf as well. “She really couldn’t hear,” explains her father, Joel Richards, who is the Carrollton chief of police. “We didn’t realize how bad her hearing was.

23-year-old Abby Richards, was born with Fraser Syndrome, a genetic disorder that caused her to be blind and nearly deaf, with some of her fingers and toes fused together. Abby has endured over 90 surgical procedures in her lifetime. Abby's baby photos provided by Joel Richards.

A Special Resting Place

For Natural Burials and Ashes Among Towering Trees, Rolling Streams, Hills and Meadows

She's had over 90 surgical procedures during her lifetime – she doesn’t remember most of them. We tried opening one eye and gave her seven cornea transplants over a period of two to three years, but they all were rejected. She didn’t really hear until 2007 when she got her hearing aids implanted.”

None of that stopped her. “She just always crawled around and found her friends,” he says.

In middle school, she played trumpet in the band. “I did play in high school for a little bit, but I didn’t feel comfortable marching because I can’t see, so it would be hard to walk in different directions with a trumpet in my hand,” she shares.

Her journey inspired some of her friends to create a device to help her. The Carrollton Junior High School First Lego League designed a harness they called the BEAT, which stands for Band for Everyone Accessibility Tool. It helps hold instruments so the player can have one hand free to allow a guide to direct her around the field. The device received interest from the band directors at Louisiana State and Ohio State universities. Ultimately, Abby decided against marching in the band to focus on what she loves: acting.

She stays busy with her hobbies – she has her own YouTube channel, where she uploads regularly. “I also love going to the movies with my family, my boyfriend and sometimes my friends, if they have time to go. I like all kinds – animated, kids, family, Disney, horror films, drama, you name it.”

Work keeps her busy, too. She started working in high school through Project Search, where Carrollton High School partners with the University of West Georgia. “Her last year of high school, she worked there for free in areas like the mail room, the dining hall and Chick-fil-A, so they could get an idea of some of her skills,” Joel explains.

“I work at the UWG bookstore now,” Abby adds. “I work there four days a week from 10 am to 3 pm. My main duty is to greet people when they walk in the door. I help label prices sometimes, too, and I’ve answered the phone.”

Abby says her favorite part of her job is greeting people. “But when it’s not busy, I’ll talk to some of my co-worker friends,” she shares.

She says she had to interview for the position, and she got the job about a year ago. The positive side of working is that she interacts with new people every day and has a feeling of accomplishment and independence. The downside is that every penny she makes negatively affects how much she receives in Social Security disability, which was only a tiny amount to start with.

"It's really been cut since she started working," Joel states, adding the amount she receives is less than what most people spend on a car payment. “We fax in her pay stubs, and based on what she makes, they’ll cut the amount again next month. I don’t see how people with disabilities can live on that if they don’t have a family to help.”

Making Dreams a Reality

Abby has big dreams. She dreamed of having friends, of having a boyfriend – she has both, including her best friend Raine and her boyfriend of 5 years, Caleb.

“We met in elementary school, although I don’t remember because I was so little. My parents told me the story,” Abby says. “But we met again in high school, my second year. I thought, ‘Hmmm. I have a feeling I like this boy.’”

When she turned 18, she and Caleb made it official. “And we’re boyfriend and girlfriend now,” she shares.

She dreamed of being an actress from a very young age, and she’s performed in several productions. “I started acting in 5th grade,” she says. “It was a little different than real acting because

we were in a singing club. It was a musical. We did it in 9th grade too, but I didn’t have a singing part because I was a dancer. And in 10th grade. I was supposed to be in a Cinderella play in 2020, but COVID came around, and it got canceled.”

Abby is currently working on another play offered through the Carrollton Center for the Arts. “I’m actually starring in a play – ‘Cheaper by the Dozen,’” she explains. “I auditioned and got one of the parts. We’re practicing until the performances on May 5 and 6.”

There are a few of dreams she hasn’t achieved, but she hasn’t given up on them, either. One is meeting Tyler Perry. “I love Tyler Perry,” she laughs. “I would love to meet him one day and be in one of his movies – you know, ‘Madea?’”

She hopes to someday work as a special needs teacher’s assistant. She also wants to tutor children on how to read braille – a service she performed in high school, but she had to stop during COVID. Another dream is growing her acting career.

“One of my goals is to be an actress – on TV, in the

Abby has her own YouTube channel @abbyrichards5726, where she uploads regularly. She is currently working on a role in the play, Cheaper by the Dozen, a production offered through the Carrollton Center for the Arts, scheduled for May 5 and 6. Her goal is to become an actress, and she dreams of meeting Tyler Perry one day and acting in one of his movies.

movies, Netflix, Disney, Nickelodeon, horror, drama, everything!”

She also dreams of having her own house – a space she can truly call her own. “I need my own house so I can just hang out with my friends, and my boyfriend can come over,” she shares. “We could watch movies. I could have my own bathroom that I don’t have to share with anybody.”

A Space of Her Own

Most adults understand the desire for independence, and to have a space that’s only yours. Abby longs for the same thing. She currently lives with her dad and stepmother, but sometimes there are other people there – specifically her young nieces and nephews, who are preschool age and often come to visit.

“Sometimes it can be calm, but sometimes it can be wild,” she says. “Sometimes they pick everything up. One time my niece left my doll in my floor, so I put it away. I helped!” Abby shares.

When a person is blind, it’s imperative that everything stays put away and in place where it’s supposed to go. When items like toys are left in the floor, Abby could easily trip on them and potentially

get seriously hurt.

As an adult, she’d also enjoy quiet time with her friends and boyfriend. Caleb is autistic, and loud noises – like children screaming while they play or crying – can be challenging for him. “Loud noises can bother Caleb – the only loud noises he likes are the movies we watch,” Abby explains. “That noise doesn’t bother him. But when the kids are in the house, he will get a little overwhelmed. It would be nice to have a quiet place to hang out.”

She’s looking forward to having friends over, ordering pizza that comes straight to her door, and watching movies with friends. And, of course, having her own bathroom – the house will have two bathrooms, one on each floor.

Joel and Abby began working on a plan to build a small home for her on his existing property. “It’s a ¾ acre lot, and I got the property rezoned to build a small accessory-type structure – it should be 20x30 feet,” Joel shares.

“The City really wants to protect the property owners in the area – they want to make sure we don’t come in and build some nasty looking building. It has to look similar to my structure. It has to be so many feet off the property line. They zoned it so it has to be owner occupied – it can’t be used as a rental property.”

They’ve received

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“Carrollton’s Prescription Headquarters”

Abby stands in her dad's backyard – the site of her future home. She’s looking forward to having more independence, having a quiet place to hang out, ordering pizza that comes straight to her door, and watching movies with friends. And, of course, having her own bathroom.

Presented By:

strong support from the community, with several companies donating their time and expertise. Scott Cunningham, owner of Deep South Construction Group, LLC, is the contractor/project manager, and Zac Bell with Bell and Associates Architects in Carrollton designed Abby's house plans at no charge. Other companies donating their services are Heath’s Electrical Service, Abbott Plumbing, Reese Service Heating and Cooling, and Kenny Williams Carpentry.

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Tickets: $50 Per Person

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TO PURCHASE TICKETS CALL EDDIE LEBLANC AT 770.318.5618

The house will be 922 square feet total – 640 square feet on the main level, and 282 square feet on the second floor, which houses Abby’s bedroom.

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The house has a few features just for Abby. “I asked them for a smart house,” she jokes. The thoughtful floor plan is open and has features such as a laundry room upstairs in her bedroom closet so she doesn’t have to carry clothes throughout the

JACKPOT UP TO $1,500 PAYOUT

Joel has to ensure the house remains Abby’s when he’s no longer around. “I worked with a local attorney and had a special needs trust fund set up so when I die, there’s an insurance policy that will pay off my house, and it all goes to Abby’s trust fund,” he explains. “That way, she’ll be able to live

CALL EDDIE

www.facebook.com/carrolltonfop

Abby's tentative house plans (above) may change slightly, depending on the cost of the project. Zac Bell with Bell and Associates Architects in Carrollton designed the plans for her at no charge. Scott Cunningham, owner of Deep South Construction Group, LLC, is donating his work as the contractor/project manager. Other companies donating their services are Heath’s Electrical Service, Abbott Plumbing, Reese Service Heating and Cooling, and Kenny Williams Carpentry.

here. When I’m dead and gone, and my wife, her stepmother, is dead and gone, she’ll have a place here that if she wanted to move into this house, she could, or use this house for a caregiver to stay to help take care of her.”

It Takes a Village

While the designs and plans are ready, there is one major piece still missing: the ability to pay for the home. Her disability funds and income from work are minimal, and because of the restrictions on the disability income, she cannot receive money directly without risking losing those funds. But there are ways to help her achieve her dream of having her own home.

The Carrollton Fraternal Order of Police has made Abby’s house build an official project for the organization. Eddie LeBlanc, president of the FOP, is handling the build and donations.

An account for donations has been set up at United Community Bank in Carrollton, under the title Abby’s House Benefit Fund. Venmo and PayPal payments to the FOP are accepted as well as checks and cash.

“Eddie is the brain behind this – this was his idea,” Joel says. “He came to me – sometimes my

How You Can Help the FOP Help Abby

Donations accepted through:

• Venmo: (Carrollton-fop)

• PayPal: (Carrollton FOP)

• Checks: Payable to Barry Carroll Foundation F.O.P. Lodge 35, Inc. Reference: Abby Richards Home Build (donations payable to the foundation are tax deductible) Mail checks to: 115 West Center St. Carrollton, Ga., 30117 Attn: Eddie LeBlanc

• Cash

• An account for donations has been set up at United Community Bank in Carrollton, Ga., under the title Abby’s House Benefit Fund (donations to this account are not tax deductible).

• The FOP is holding a sponsor appreciation dinner March 4 featuring a live concert by Christian Country star Shellem Cline, and the proceeds from the live and silent auctions will go to Abby’s House Benefit Fund.

For more information on donating to the fund or the live and silent auctions, please call Eddie LeBlanc at 770.318.5618 or email eleblanc@carrollton-ga.gov.

The Barry Carroll Foundation F.O.P. Lodge 35, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3). All donations made directly to this foundation on Abby's behalf are tax deductible.

Built on service, focused on community.

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pride gets in the way, but he said just step out of the way and let him do this.”

The FOP is holding a sponsor appreciation dinner on March 4 featuring a live concert by Christian Country star Shellem Cline, and the proceeds from the live and silent auctions will go to Abby’s House Benefit Fund

For more information on donating to the fund or the live and silent auctions, please call Eddie LeBlanc at 770.318.5618.

“We’re excited about it for Abby, and she’s excited to have her own place,” Joel says. "We’re looking forward to it for her.”

Abby adds her own sincere gratitude to the generous people who are helping her achieve her dream. “Thank you for donating money to build my house!” WGW

MARCH 30 - APRIL 27

DEPOT ON BRADLEY I CARROLLTON, GA

For a limited time, come and experience DaVinci’s Last Supper. The interactive exhibit is comprised of individual installations and a full-size reproduction of the High Renaissance classic, The Last Supper. The exhibit includes an audio accompaniment, in both English and Spanish, that walks through the creative choices that gave rise to DaVinci’s poignant recreation of Christ’s final meal with his apostles and the announcement of his betrayal.

Tickets are $20 for adults with reduced pricing for youth and large groups . carrolltonarts.com/thelastsupper

Power of Positivity

Change Your Life By Changing the Way You Think

By Sandra Bolan

Think good thoughts and good things will come your way. That’s what the super successful tell the not-so-successful. Sounds easy enough. But it takes a lot of hard work to silence Negative Nelly so Positive Penny can be heard.

It’s actually normal to be a Negative Nelly because our brains are wired with a “negative ego,” which deals with everything that goes wrong in life, but not in a positive way. This negative ego, when allowed to take over, can lead to anxiety and depression.

Self-talk

How do you talk to yourself? In the midst of mayhem, do you tell yourself you can’t do anything right and the situation is hopeless (negative)? Do you think there has to be a better way out (positive)?

If you’re a negative self talker, whenever you hear yourself say “I can’t,” rephrase it to “Just try it.” Depending on the situation, you still might fail, and that’s OK. Just pick yourself up and try again.

Positive self-talk is not about lying to yourself or about being narcissistic. It's about giving yourself some compassionate, loving care and understanding during difficult situations in your life.

Thinking positively switches our internal narrative into thoughts such as, "Next time, I'll do better," or "I choose to not be held back by my mistakes. Instead, I will learn from them."

Mind/Body Connection

“I treat my body like a temple/You treat yours like a tent.” – Fruitcakes by Jimmy Buffett

How we treat our bodies is often a sign of how we think of ourselves – we may slouch, eat junk and have toxic habits such as smoking or excessive drinking. These bad habits all say, "I don't like myself and my place in the world."

When we stand up straight, we feel proud and strong. The more "good for us" food we eat, the more energy we have and the more mentally alert

we become, which enables us to have the strength to shut down Negative Nelly. If you think this is a bunch of nonsense, pay attention to how you feel after eating nothing but processed or fast food. Do the same thing after eating a meal of good-for-you grains and real food. You’ll find happiness is tougher to tap into when you feel physically and mentally ill from the junk.

Count Your Blessings

You don’t need to be rich and have a lot of stuff to be happy. Focus on what you have, not what you don’t have. Being grateful will turn what you have into “enough.” This doesn’t mean you can’t aspire to have nice things and financial freedom. However, if you’re not where you want to be according to your life’s plan, don’t let that stop you from getting there.

Wallowing in failure and making that your focus won’t get you a fancy car or money in the bank.

Conquer Your Fears

You want to go on a trip, but no one will go with you, so you don’t go. What are you afraid of? That’s the negative ego taking hold, keeping you stuck

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

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in your comfort zone. Yes, traveling alone can be daunting, but just look around you, there’s many other people wandering around the museum alone or sitting at a table for one and having a great time.

Getting out of your comfort zone builds self confidence and helps shift your thoughts from “I can’t,” to “I think I can,” to “I’ve got this.”

No Excuses

You want to do something, but your brain keeps telling you: “I’m too busy/it’s too expensive/time consuming.” What would your life be like if those road blocks weren’t there?

When you make excuses, remember, you have the power to change your reaction, which can affect the outcome.

Many people go through life reacting to the world around them and not considering the role they play in creating the situation. Stop dwelling on the problems and seek out solutions.

By altering your mindset, your behavior can change, which can lead to self confidence, shutting down Negative Nelly and letting Positive Penny lead the way. WGW

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Emergency? Call 911. For non-emergency transport, call 770-832-9689.

Wedded Bliss?

Things You Should Discuss Before Tying the Knot

By Sandra Bolan

There’s more to marriage than picking out rings, the perfect dress and deciding how many bridesmaids you'll have. But for many women, that’s immediately where their mind goes even before the groom-to-be can finish asking, “Will you marry me?”

How well do you know your partner? Marriage is a lifelong commitment to another person, and if you go in not knowing exactly who you’re marrying, the odds of the union lasting a lifetime may not be in your favor.

We all think we know our partner inside and out. But do we, really? The only way you’re going to find out is by having an honest and open conversation before you tie the knot.

Children. Don’t assume everyone wants children, so this is a conversation that needs to be had early on, as it could possibly make or break your relationship. Although children may be just a thought at this point in your life, it’s important to talk about how they will be raised – especially if you and your partner were brought up differently. Hash out everything from school (private or public), who will care for her (daycare or stay-at-home parent), at what age will technology be allowed, will she participate in extracurricular activities, what role will religion play in her upbringing and how you will pay for her college education. These are things you need to know beforehand, because discussing these situations in the moment could potentially cause conflict.

Lifestyle. If you’re not living together before marriage, where will you live once you're married –your place, his or somewhere else? If you’re going to move into a new place, where is it going to be – suburban, urban, close to your office or his, will it be an apartment, condo or house? Once you’re cohabitating, chores typically get done by the person who likes doing them. However, if you’re both slobs or neither of you cook, something is

going to have to change, and you’ll have to figure out who does what. With all of this newfound postwedding togetherness, sometimes things can get a little tense, especially if one of you enjoys alone time. If your partner goes into another room to read or listen to music, or heads out for a walk, don’t be offended. A little time apart is OK and not a sign he is already bored or angry with you.

Money. What impacts your lifestyle together the most is finances. Are you both spenders or savers? If one spends and the other saves, how will you manage getting the bills paid on time and putting money away for the future? How much debt are you bringing into the partnership? If only one of you has debt, will the other person help pay it off? Will you have separate bank accounts or a joint account? Will you discuss any large purchases first before one of you buys that big-ticket item?

The In-laws. When you get married, you not only gain a spouse, but a whole other family – for better or worse. From the beginning, each partner has to figure out how to balance the three families. If you’ve always had Sunday dinner with your parents, will that continue? Will your spouse be invited? If not, how will you handle that? The holidays are always tricky, as both sets of parents, and maybe even you and your partner, want to hang on to those traditions. But how will you keep those traditions intact, while creating new ones with your spouse?

Social Media. You’re likely both active on social media, but how much of your private life do you want the world to see? Can your spouse post whatever he wants about you – including those unflattering photos – or do you want to put a rule in place in which you check with each other prior to posting?

Pets. You’ve got the house with a great yard, so now you want a dog, which has always been a dream of yours. What do you do if your partner is allergic, scared of them or doesn’t want one? This should be discussed before before you bring home that new puppy.

All marriages will have their ups and downs. For you and your partner to survive the tough stuff, you have to enter into the union really knowing the other person. Many things can get swept under the rug while dating, but if they’re not worked out before the wedding takes place, they have the potential to negatively impact the rest of your lives.

Working through these topics in advance will significantly increase your chances of having true wedded bliss. WGW

A New Chapter

Local Writers Guild Brings First BookFest to Community

By Sandra Bolan

Every day we live a new chapter in our life stories. Some will become New York Times bestsellers, while others will remain infamous among your circle of friends and family. If you have a book or even a poem percolating inside you, the inaugural Carrollton BookFest might be the perfect place to help you get those characters out of your head and onto the page. The theme of this year’s event is “The Power of Story.”

“When you get into a good story, whether you’re a writer or a reader, the story has the power to open doors in your mind to entertain and educate,” says published author and Carrollton resident Elyse Wheeler.

Elyse, along with four other members of the Carrollton Writers Guild (Stephanie Baldi, Ken Boekhaus, Helen Stine and Robert Covel) were instrumental in bringing the festival to Carrollton, which takes place March 25 at the Carrollton Center for the Arts from 9 am to 5 pm. Admission is free.

“We want to highlight the talent that exists in West Georgia and increase literary activities,” says Elyse, regarding the purpose behind the BookFest. “Carrollton has a rich heritage with arts festivals and magnificent theater, but this is the one thing that was missing out of Carrollton’s repertoire.”

The day will be filled with a variety of free panel discussions for readers and informative lectures for writers. "We want to encourage people to get their stories out,” she explains.

The writers’ panels include: The Writer’s Journey, which features three of the six members of Women Who Write Take Flight podcast – Kim Conrey, Gabby Anderson and Kathy Nichols.

Another panel is Graphing a Plot, hosted by Dr. Colin Wheeler, who will provide tools to assist writers to visualize the plot and be able consider various plot twists.

Paths to Publication will be hosted by author George Weinstein, who is the executive director of the Atlanta Writers Club and director of the Atlanta Writers Conference.

Kim Conrey, author, podcaster and vice-president of operations for the Atlanta Writers Club, will host I’ve Published a Book, Now What, which will demystify book marketing.

For readers, there will be a variety of author-led panels, which take a deeper look into specific genres such as historical/contemporary fiction (T.M.

Brown, Helen Stine, Anthony Grooms and Danielle Thorne); romance/ women’s fiction (Susan Sands, Allison Umminger and Gaby Anderson); suspense/thriller (Kathy Nichols, Stephanie Baldi, Chris Swann and Susan Crawford); and fantasy (Ben Meeks, Elyse Wheeler, Mark Wallace Maguire and Robert Gwaltney).

“We may be in West Georgia, but we’re not all writing southern literature,” says Elyse of the wide

The Print Industry is Alive and Well

When Y2K hit, the tech revolution was supposed to obliterate the printed word. Kindles, eReaders, Kobos, iPads and audibles were how we were going to read, if at all. Books were also supposed to die. The publishing industry was going to disappear and libraries were slated for demolition.

Actual books and the publishing industry, which includes the big houses and small presses, are doing just fine, and if all the celebrity book clubs are any indication, the printed book isn’t going anyway anytime soon.

When it comes to which style of book people are reading, hardcovers lead the way, followed by paperback/mass market. Ebooks are third, and sliding, according to markinblog. Audio downloads are also trending downwards.

Americans read roughly 275,232 books annually, which comprises about 30% of the world’s marketshare.

Last year, romance books generated more than $1.44 billion in sales, according to The Writing Room, the country’s oldest and largest urban writers’ colony. Crime/mystery novels ranked second with $728 million in sales, while sci-fi/fantasy garnered $590 million in sales, followed by horror at $79 million. Non-fiction continues to outsell fiction by almost 3-to-2 and within the non-fiction genre, religious and inspirational books top the list.

Book clubs aren’t the only way readers find their next book. Almost half (46%) of people randomly choose their books by perusing the shelves of their local library or bookstore.

range of genres represented at the festival. All of the listed authors, along with many others from the area, will have books available for sale.

There are also two 90-minute workshops taking place: Characters Who Leap off the Page and The Craft and Art of Poetry

Author and editor Tenesha

L. Curtis will walk participants through what she calls, “The Five Ps of Premise Prep – person, pain, prize, pitfalls and

promise," during the Characters Who Leap Off

The Page workshop.

This session will be of interest to writers who not only want to write fiction, but also those who blog or are interested in writing their memoir. The cost is $20.

The Craft and Art of Poetry is hosted by Dr. Bob Covel, president of the Carrollton Writers Guild and Dr. Cecilia Lee, professor emerita from the University of West Georgia, who will help participants utilize structure, sound and imagery within poems. Both presenters have published volumes of poetry. The workshop fee is $10.

With the exception of the workshops, all activities are free and open to the public. You can register for the workshops at www.carrolltonbookfest.com.

The day concludes with the keynote presentation from author Bren McClain, who’s book One Good Bone earned the Willie Morris Award for southern fiction and the Patricia Winn Award for southern literature.

The Carrollton Writers Guild Inc. was formed in 2004 to help advance authorship within the Carrollton area. In 2017, when Elyse joined the group, there were roughly 25 members. Today, the guild has more than 40 new and published members. The group meets every other month, often with special guest speakers. There are also speciality groups: Just Poetry, Just Prose and the newest group, Just Memoirs

The committee would like to thank T.M. Brown of Newnan’s Hometown Novel Writers Association, as well as George Weinstein for their support.

“We would just love for the literary community to grow,” Elyse says. WGW

For more information on the Carrollton BookFest, visit www.carrolltonbookfest.com.

For more information on the Carrollton Writers Guild, visit the website at www.carrolltonwritersguild.org.

Honoring the Customs and Traditions of the Communities Where We Live and Serve

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.

Delicious Calzone

Ingredients

Cooking spray

1 3/4 lb. pizza dough

All-purpose flour, for surface

1 cup pizza sauce

1 cup ricotta

1/2 cup pepperoni

1 cup shredded mozzarella

Extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing

Kosher salt

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400° and grease two large baking sheets with cooking spray. Divide pizza dough into 4 pieces. On a lightly floured surface, roll one piece of dough out into an 8-inch circle, about ¼-inch thick.

Spoon pizza sauce in middle of dough, then dot with ricotta and top with pepperoni and mozzarella.

Gently fold dough in half, dampen seams with water and pinch together, then crimp edges all around.

Repeat with remaining dough.

Transfer to prepared baking sheets.

Brush tops with oil and sprinkle with salt. Using kitchen scissors or a sharp knife, slit tops in 2 to 3 spots to create steam vents.

Bake until tops are golden and filling is bubbling, about 20 minutes, brushing with more oil halfway through.

Allow to cool 5 minutes.

Serves 4.

"Add your favorite toppings inside to customize and create your perfect calzone."

Colcannon(Irish Mashed Potatoes)

Try these tasty green mashed potatoes for your St. Patrick's Day Dinner.

Ingredients

4 russet potatoes, peeled and chopped Salt, as needed

5 to 6 tablespoons butter

3 cups chopped kale or other leafy green such as collard, spinach, or chard.

3 green onions, minced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup cream

Preparation

Place potatoes in a medium pot and cover with cold water by at least one inch.

Add 2 tablespoons of salt and bring to a boil. Boil for 15 to 20 minutes or until fork tender. Drain in colander.

Return pot to the stove and melt butter over medium-high heat.

Once hot, add kale.

Cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until wilted.

Add green onions and garlic and cook for 1 minute more.

Pour cream into cooked kale mixture and mix well.

Add potatoes and reduce heat to medium.

Mash potatoes with a potato masher while mixing in the greens.

Add salt to taste, and serve hot with a knob of butter in the center.

Serves 6. WGW

Breathing with ease. It’s just something we do without thought.

But for roughly 25 million Americans, breathing, at one point or another during the day can be very challenging, thanks to asthma.

Out of Breath:

enough to fight off asthma.

Is it Asthma? Or Something Else?

By Sandra Bolan

Asthma is also the most chronic condition diagnosed in children, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

When we breathe, we inhale through the nose or mouth, the air makes its way down the throat and airways, and eventually into the lungs.

But if you have asthma and you’re having an “attack,” the lining of the airways are swollen and the muscles around them tighten. Mucus fills the airways, further reducing the amount of air that can get into the lungs.

For non-asthma sufferers, it feels like a panic attack, complete with heart palpitations because your air supply is slowly dwindling.

What Causes Asthma?

Asthma is one of those medical conditions where often, no one knows the cause. But there are some factors that may contribute to its cause such as genetics, previous viral infections, exposure to second-hand smoke and the hygiene hypothesis. The last cause is based on the theory of babies not being exposed to enough bacteria early in life, therefore, their immune systems aren’t strong

Asthma is tough to diagnose, particularly in small children, and there are many conditions that cause the same symptoms as asthma in children under 5 years old. For adults, wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath are the same symptoms for bronchitis, heart failure and gastroesophagael reflux disease, which are all treated very differently.

There is no cure for asthma. Some children grow out of it. But for most asthma sufferers, it comes down to symptom management.

Symptoms can vary by person from very mild (a bit of shortness of breath), to a full-blown asthma attack (can’t breathe, tight chest and requiring medication).

Common Types of Asthma

Allergic. The most common type of asthma. Often seasonal, allergens can include pet dander, food, mold, pollen and dust.

Non-allergic. Triggers can be second-hand smoke, pollution, extreme weather, perfume or cologne, air fresheners and viral infections.

Exercise-induced. Roughly 90 percent of people with asthma are diagnosed with this form, which typically effects people within minutes of beginning a workout. It can last 10 to 15 minutes post-workout. This is not the same as feeling breathless during a tough workout.

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Aspirin Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (AERD). Most common in adults age 20 to 50, AERD is triggered by taking Aspirin or other NASAIDs such as Naproxen or Ibuprofen. Symptoms typically begin within two minutes of ingestion.

Testing

Although there are now at-home testing kits, such as the peak flow meter, which measures how fast you can force air out of your lungs, asthma requires a medical diagnosis, especially if medication is needed to treat it.

Your doctor may order several tests, but the most common test for people over the age of 5 is a spirometry test. To see how well your lungs are working, you will be asked to forcefully exhale into a tube connected to a spirometer. After taking these measurements, your doctor may give you an asthma drug to open your air passages, and perform the test again.

Doctors typically don't do lung tests on children under 5. Diagnosis is usually based on the child's symptoms, a physical exam and medical history.

If the diagnosis is uncertain, your doctor may prescribe medications or other treatments to see what might help. It may take some time to receive the correct diagnosis.

Treatment

There are two types of medication: long-term and quick relief.

Long-term treatments work to prevent an attack. They are typically inhaled corticosteroids. They treat airway inflammation, which is what leads to asthma symptoms. Other long-term medications include anticholinergics (helps muscles from tightening around the airways); long-acting bronchodilators (used in combination with other anti-inflammatory asthma medications) and biologic therapies (injectable).

Quick relief treatments are better known as rescue inhalers. They contain fast-acting medications, such as albuterol. These are used at the sudden onset of an attack to quickly open the airways to enable easier breathing.

Asthma can feel debilitating while in the throes of an attack, but it’s a chronic illness that usually can be managed easily. If you're having difficulty breathing, or think you may be suffering from asthma, consult with your primary care physician before beginning any type of treatment plan.

WGW

Kids Korner

By Charlene Brooks and Zachary Dailey

Marvelous Mushrooms

Preparation

For larger rocks, take 2 to 3 wine corks and glue them together vertically. For smaller rocks, one cork should be enough for the mushroom base.

Paint the corks whatever color desired (we used white paint).

Paint and decorate the rocks as desired. (We used red, white and pink paint).

Using the hot glue gun, glue the decorated rock on top of the corks.

Materials

Smooth rocks

Paint (any colors)

Wine corks

Paintbrush

Hot glue gun

Hot glue sticks

Photos by Zachary Dailey

St. Patricks's Hat

Materials

Green, brown and yellow construction paper

School glue

Scissors

Round magnets

Black pen or marker

Preparation

Cut the shape of a top hat out of the green construction paper as shown in photo.

Cut a hat band out of the brown construction paper – about 2 inches high and the width of the hat shape.

Glue band to hat as shown.

Cut a 2-inch-by-3-inch buckle out of the yellow construction paper. Decorate as desired.

Glue the buckle to the center of the hat band.

Draw a circle at the top of the hat to give it a 3-dimensional look.

Glue magnets to the back of the hat and display on the refrigerator. WGW

Saint Patrick's Day Word Search

Word Bank

Leprechaun

Gold

Folklore

Shamrock

Horseshoe

Rainbow

Shepherd's pie

Fish and chips

Pub

Celtic Ireland

March

Blarney Stone

Banshee

Dublin Green

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