let’splant a tree
Avoid planting within 20 ft. of power lines. If planting is unavoidable, only plant shrubs and small trees that reach a mature height of 15 ft. or less.
Plant medium trees (under 40 ft. when mature) at least 25 ft. away from power lines.
Plant large trees (over 40 ft. when mature) at least 50 ft. away from power lines.
Photo by Zachary Dailey
A Difficult Year
I can't believe it's been one year ago this month that our community lost a dear friend, father figure, mentor, town character, community servant and all around amazing human being. March 27 marks Dr. Fred Richards' one-year "Angelversary." (If anyone has angel wings, it's undoubtably Fred. I just hope he's not running around with just his wings on and getting in trouble up there.)
I think about dear, sweet Fred every day and talk with him several times a week. I tell him how much I miss him, how much I love him and how much I wish I could get one of his hugs. I desperately miss sitting with him and talking with him. I miss his constant love and encouragement – even when I felt I was messing everything up in my personal life and in my business. Fred always had a way of lifting me up and showing me my worth – not only as a business owner, but as a human being. Sometimes I forget how worthy I am of love and kindness if I don't have anyone to remind me to not be so hard on myself.
Honestly, I've felt pretty lost without Fred here to help steer me in the right direction. Fortunately, I have many years under my belt as a recipient of Fred's wisdom and advice, so I hold onto his words and his spirit as much as possible. And I keep going, continuing to work hard toward the goal I've always had – to make him proud.
I love you, and I miss you, Fred. To use your words when anyone would call and get your answering machine, "Whatever you're doing out there, take care of yourself."
In This Issue
I know Easter isn't until next month, but it's close enough. I'm sure many of you have pictures of Fred in his Easter Bunny suit (or one of his other costumes). If you'd like to share them with us for possible inclusion in a future issue, you can email them to admin@westgeorgiawoman.com.
Our feature this month is Neva Lomason Memorial Library Children's Specialist, Kay Brook. Kay struggled with dyslexia as a child and wasn't diagnosed until after she graduated high school. Once she learned the tools to help herself, she was able to overcome those challenges. In spite of her struggles, Kay became an avid reader and decided to turn her love of reading into a career.
In September 2015, Kay started the Baby Storytime program at Neva Lomason. The library now offers two free Baby Storytime programs on Tuesday mornings and a free Preschool Storyhour on Wednesday mornings. I can attest to the fact that these programs are phenomenal, and the babies and preschoolers love them! I've attended with my grandchildren, and they love spending the morning with Miss Kay.
On page 10, learn more about Kay, the library's children's programs and other programs it offers to the community, and Kay's unwavering dedication to child literacy.
In this issue, you'll learn how how to protect yourself from colon cancer through proper preparation and screening (an enlightening article written by Dr. Watcoun-Nchinda E. Pisoh with West Georgia Gastroenterology and Associates, P.C.), how to foster a love of reading in your own children and Sandy Bolan shares statistics about homelessness in West Georgia and the country. Also included is Patrick Yuran's second article in our cancer support series and Chef Rose Isaacs' delicious recipes.
Thank you for reading! Please continue to shop locally as much as you can and continue to do business with our wonderful community partners whose advertisements are included in this issue. We couldn't provide West Georgia Woman for you without them.
See you next month,
Finding our voice. Knowing our value.
Making a difference. TM
West Georgia Woman is a voice for and about the women who live and work in West Georgia.
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Making Reading Fun damental
By Shala Rathke
Photos by Zachary Dailey, Dailey Life Photography.
Kay Brook brings parents and children together through literacy
Getting lost in a book lets readers experience other cultures, or even other worlds. It sparks creativity, improves skills like vocabulary and comprehension, and it keeps people informed about what’s going on in the world around them. Reading even helps keep people safe, such as being able to read a warning label or a road sign, for example.
But there’s an epidemic in this country. Not a disease this time – instead, it’s an epidemic of people who don’t read well, or at all.
Carrollton resident Kay Brook is a warrior on the front lines of the reading battle. As a children’s specialist at the Neva Lomason Memorial Library, Kay works every day to encourage children to read and parents to read to their young children, focusing on the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program.
The State of Reading
Literacy is more than sounding out words – it engages the brain using critical thinking and problem-solving skills, strengthening memory as well as communication skills. People who can’t read, or who read at such a low proficiency that they can’t understand most of what they read, tend to be less successful than people who read well.
Many people believe reading is a problem only in school, but low literacy skills are linked to lifelong issues including unemployment and underemployment, low income and poor health. In 2024, up to 28 percent of U.S. adults ranked at the lowest literacy levels, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, part of the Department of Education. In 2017, that number was 19 percent.
In the U.S., about one in four children grow up not knowing how to read, reports Literacy, Inc. When those children become adults, their chances of living below the poverty level increase exponentially: 43% of adults with Level I literacy skills struggle
with poverty, compared with only 4% of adults who read at Level V, with the levels based on the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies.
Other statistics include:
• 75% of people receiving food stamps read at the two lowest literacy levels.
• 46% of American adults aren’t able to understand their prescription labels.
• Half of the adults in this country read below an 8th-grade level.
Ready to Read
Kay understood the importance of reading at a young age. Born in Selma, Ala., but raised in Montgomery, Ala., she met many military children from Maxwell Air Force Base. “I was amazed at the places that they had lived,” she recalls. “Reading was a way to learn about those places. I loved reading books, and I made good use of the many books in my parents’ house.”
With her parents’ encouragement, Kay became an avid reader, in spite of an incredible hurdle that wasn’t very well understood at the time: Kay lived with dyslexia.
Dyslexia is a learning disorder in which people have a problem with language processing – it can affect reading, spelling, writing and math. Difficulties vary in degree among people with dyslexia, so it doesn’t look the same for everyone. Because it often makes reading so hard, undiagnosed children might feel like they are not as smart as other kids. But once the issue is diagnosed, there are tools and supports designed to help the children improve their reading skills so they can grow into well-read adults.
“When I was a child, reading was a struggle for me, especially reading out loud,” she explains. “I was diagnosed with dyslexia after high school, and it was the best day of my life because
As a children’s specialist at the Neva Lomason Memorial Library, Kay Brook works every day to encourage children to read and parents to read to their young children, focusing on the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program.
Direct-access Colonoscopies Available
Some people can save the time – and cost – of pre-procedure appointments with Tanner’s directaccess colonoscopy service. When you call the direct-access colonoscopy helpline, you’ll reach a clinician who will ask you a series of questions about your personal health history. Those questions will help determine if you would be best served by meeting with a gastroenterologist before your screening or if you can go ahead and make a colonoscopy appointment.
You may skip a pre-procedure appointment if you:
• Are 45 or older
• Are in good health
• Have no family history of colorectal cancer
• Have no chronic conditions that increase your risk (such as inflammatory intestinal conditions like Crohn’s disease)
Call 770.812.9097 to see if you qualify for a direct-access colonoscopy.
learning new methods to deal with dyslexia helped me overcome those difficulties.”
Kay married her husband of 42 years, Donald, and had two boys, Eric and Steven. Donald served in the Air Force, and Kay was excited to get to see things she had only read about. “During his career, I got to go to places that I had heard about as I was growing up,” she says.
When Donald was stationed at Patrick Air Force Base in Florida, Kay went to Eastern Florida State College, earning an Associate of Arts degree in history, political science and social studies.
When they moved to Virginia, she decided to turn her love of reading into a career. She wanted to share her joy of books with others, especially with young children, to help them develop a love for reading from an early age.
“My first library job was in the Children’s Department at the York County, Va., library system,” Kay relates. “Looking back at myself as a young child, and reading those books on my parents’ bookshelves, I realized I had a wide range of interests, so working in a library was a really great fit. While there, I worked with two wonderful women who mentored me to help them with library programming for children. After a couple of
sessions, I was presenting Preschool Storyhours for children ages 2.5 through 5 years, and Book Clubs for school-aged children. I worked at the library in Virginia for 12 years.”
When she and Donald moved to Carrollton in 2012, Kay knew she could continue making a difference encouraging and improving literacy for children not just by hosting story times, but by modeling for parents how to read to their children, and offering incentives to push parents to read to their children daily.
“I started working at Neva Lomason Memorial Library in April of 2013,” she remembers. “I started in the Circulation department. In 2015, I moved into the Children’s Department, when Teresa Jones left the Children’s Specialist position at Neva Lomason Memorial Library to become the Children’s Coordinator for the West Georgia Regional Library System. A short time later, I took the role of the Children's Specialist, where I started the Baby Storytime program in September of 2015. While initially it started with just four children, it has grown over the years to nearly 30 children. Neva Lomason now offers two programs on Tuesday morning at 10:15 and 11:15. I also present the Preschool Storyhour at 11:15 a.m. on Wednesdays.”
Please Help Us Build a Memorial Bench for Dr. Fred Richards
Sculptor Kevin Shunn will be creating a bronze memorial statue of Fred with a bench.
The Carrollton Fraternal Order of Police is collecting donations through its Barry Carroll Foundation for this project.
If you wish to donate to Fred's legacy project, please make your check payable to the Barry Carroll Foundation, with "Fred Richards Memorial Bench" in the memo line.
Checks can be dropped off at the City of Carrollton Police Department or mailed to:
Barry Carroll Foundation c/o Chief Joel Richards, 115 W. Center St., Carrollton, Ga. 30117.
Or, you may donate through PayPal or Venmo using the QR codes on the left. Please reference the "Fred Richards Memorial Bench" in the "for" section.
1000 Books Before Kindergarten
One of the ways Kay promotes childhood literacy is through the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program. The program was created by a volunteerled nonprofit that provides guidance, resources, printable tracking sheets and a handy tracking app so parents can track the books their children read even when on the go.
The organization offers tips for parents, information about phonics and ideas to keep kids reading through their teen years. The program’s goals include promoting reading to young children and helping parents develop a stronger bond with their children by reading to them. They recognize that reading evokes emotions, from joy to sadness to empathy, and that sharing these emotional experiences by reading together helps parents and children connect on a deeper emotional level.
Literacy, Inc. shares that illiteracy is often passed down through generations – if the parents don’t read well, they are unlikely to read to their children, and those children often have low literacy rates.
Literacy matters. Two in three students who don’t read at a 4th-grade level will end up in jail or on welfare. About 85% of children facing trial in
juvenile court are functionally illiterate, as are nearly two-thirds of adult inmates. Low literacy costs the American healthcare industry an estimated $17 million per year. But parents can give their children a head start by reading to them daily, even for just a few minutes.
“The 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program is designed to encourage parents to read to their children and keep track of the number of books with a paper tracker and stickers,” Kay explains.
“Through the process of reading to a child, parents help build early literacy skills that will help children be successful when they start school. It also helps to instill a love of books and reading, and it fosters a strong bond between parents and children.”
She says that it doesn’t take much time for parents – the most important thing is to be intentional, and find a time every day that works. Bedtime is a popular time, but parents can choose bath time or meal time, if those are more convenient. “The biggest challenge parents face is time,” Kay shares. “Time to read to your child must be set aside and be done.
“Ideally, parents need to spend 20-30 minutes every day reading to their children,” Kay explains. “For infants and toddlers, reading strengthens the parent/child relationship and nurtures a love of
reading. For preschoolers, it builds the literacy skills they will need to be successful in school.”
She encourages parents of young children to visit their local library – library cards are free, so it costs nothing for the parents to bring their children to reading times if they can, or if they can’t, to bring their kids to check out books without the expense of buying 1,000 of them.
“The Children’s staff will talk with and listen to parents about choosing books,” she relates. “And we can offer advice, but in the end, it is up to the parents, because after all, parents know their child better than anyone else. But what is most important is to READ to your child.”
Parents can check with their local public libraries for reading programs like 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, and any incentive programs the libraries might offer. The Neva Lomason Memorial Library in Carrollton offers the Baby Storytime and Preschool Storyhour to help parents hit the 1,000 book goal, and they offer prizes for certain benchmarks. “We also offer a set of five prize books for the 500th read and five more books and a certificate when they have completed reading 1,000 books,” Kay explains.
What parents read to their children doesn’t matter as much as simply taking the time to read. Any book helps teach children vocabulary and sentence structure, as well as the cognitive ability to follow and understand a story. However, age-appropriate books help the children learn more about the world around them in a way they can easily understand.
West Georgia Regional Library System Offers the Public More than Books
• It partners with Zoo Atlanta to give passes for up to four people to receive free admission to the zoo for a day once a year
• Library patrons can check out State Park Passes to receive free park passes and historic site passes to visit state parks and historic sites around the state
• The library system has several digital libraries for patrons of all ages to use. These digital libraries can be downloaded to multiple devices so patrons can watch movies, listen to music, read e-books and listen to audio books.
770.462.5005
and comprehension skills, which are invaluable tools as they grow into older students and into adulthood.
“We’ve received very positive feedback,” Kays shares. “Early on, most parents do not realize how easy and enjoyable it is. Once parents begin, they are excited to mark the trackers and see the progress their children are making toward the goal of 1000 Books Before Kindergarten.”
As children grow in age and literacy, they can start reading the books out loud to their parents instead of the other way around. However, some children balk at reading out loud for various reasons, including dyslexia, like Kay lives with. Libraries and schools often offer programs specifically designed to encourage these children to practice reading.
The Neva Lomason Memorial Library offers two programs for children who are reluctant to read out loud or struggling readers, and they pull in special guests the kids can’t resist: dogs. These programs bring specially trained dogs, such as therapy dogs, into the library. Children can sign up to read to the dogs, which helps build their literacy self-esteem. Dogs offer unconditional love and acceptance, and children often find it easier to read to the dogs knowing they won’t be judged for their reading skill.
RESCUE MAIDS
“Big
I am
“These programs are ’The CAREing Paws’ and ’Reading with Major’ programs.” Kay shares. “A reader can register for a reading time at the Children’s Desk and bring a book or select one from our shelves and read to these K-9 listeners.”
The Caring Paws is based out of Newnan, Ga., and takes trained therapy dogs to spread joy at various locations such as nursing homes, courthouses, hospitals, schools and libraries. “CARE” stands for Canines Assisting Rehabilitation and Education. In addition, Major is a local service dog who comes into the library once a month to enjoy listening to children read to him.
Also, the Library partners with area preschools to encourage early literacy. “The library has an outreach program with preschools in the area. The preschools can call the library to set up an outreach. Some of the preschools come to the library for a tour and a story time, or I visit their facility and do a story time there,” Kay explains.
Kay encourages people to volunteer to read to children by coming into the library and filling out an application. This is open to parents, grandparents, teachers and others interested in promoting children’s literacy. To people who have children in their lives – parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and
even older siblings – Kay shares the reminder that early literacy statistically leads to more successful adults, so it’s worth the time spent creating that love of reading in youngsters. “Take the time to read to children. Children also love to be read to, and children’s books are so much fun to read.”
In addition to children's programs, Kay explains the library system has so much more to offer its patrons. "As a public servant of the West Georgia Regional Library System, I want the citizens of West Georgia to know how valuable libraries are to the communities they serve. Our libraries are more than just books. They offer partnerships with Zoo Atlanta for passes for up to four people to receive free admission to the zoo for a day once a year. Library patrons can check out State Park Passes to receive
free park passes and historic site passes to visit state parks and historic sites around the state.
"The West Georgia Regional Library System has several digital libraries for patrons of all ages to use, and some of them are Libby, Hoopla, Mango Languages, Boundless Books and Kanopy. These digital libraries can be downloaded to multiple devices so patrons can watch movies, listen to music, read e-books and listen to audio books. All the staff in the libraries of West Georgia are eager to help patrons find what they want when they visit the library, whether it is the latest best seller, a classic title or a Switch game. So if it has been a while since you have been in the library, come in for a visit and see what it has to offer." WGW
Honoring the Customs and Traditions of the Communities Where We Live and Serve
Holding On and Letting Go:
A Story of Love, Life and Loss
Lesson #2: Find a New Purpose
Several months after Marie’s diagnosis of noncurable metastatic stage-four breast cancer, she woke up one morning with a spark of clarity and determination in her eyes that I hadn’t seen in quite a while.
We were moving through our normal morning routine preparing for another workday, but this morning was different in a familiar kind of way. I knew what that look in her eye meant – and I knew something was brewing – but I was not sure what was to come. Finally, as we were just about to walk out the door, she turned to me and said something
Photo: On Jan. 7, 2025 representatives from the Tanner Foundation, Marie Yuran's doctors, nurses, friends and West Georgia Woman magazine were in attendance as her husband, Patrick, and the Tanner Foundation surprised Marie with a framed copy of her January issue cover photo and the news that Patrick had established The Marie Yuran Endowment for Cancer Patient Supportive Care housed within the Tanner Foundation.
that took me completely by surprise. Filled with emotion, the words “I think I know why I have cancer” filled the room. I must have looked startled, because she immediately repeated the statement with a steady voice.
Her words kept running through my head on repeat. I looked at her with complete amazement at how she could possibly know the answer to this question, and I was a little unsure of what she even meant. But then, what she shared next quickly allowed her clarity to become my clarity and her determination to become my determination.
That is where the journey with this lesson began.
As Marie grabbed her many work bags, she dropped a goodbye kiss on my cheek and she darted out the door with a quirky smile on her face saying, “I have cancer because, together, we are supposed to help people. That’s what we do and who we are … this is just another way we are supposed to do it. So, you make a few calls today and figure out what some of our options are, and we will talk more tonight when you get home. Love you!” And just like that, she was out the door ready to conquer another day with a spark of clarity and renewed determination. She had found a new purpose, and we were about to start an amazing adventure together.
By Patrick Yuran
Throughout the coming weeks and months, I couldn't help but feel a variety of emotions ranging from extreme awe of her ability to rise above the sheer devastation of this diagnosis to absolute fear of the pressure to help others when I was not sure how to help ourselves. However, with Marie as our
guiding light, we began to explore what this new purpose could mean for us. It became clear that this journey wasn’t just about surviving, but about thriving in a new way.
In our conversations, we reminded one another of who we are as people and what our purpose is in life. We know what we do – at our core we are educators; and it was time to revisit why we do what we do – we are mentors and motivators. That was the key to unlocking how we were going to find the purpose of this diagnosis and begin a new adventure together.
As the months progressed and we began the collaborative process of finding a path forward, we realized that purpose isn’t something you find, but something you create. We have learned through Marie’s diagnosis and this process that purpose evolves with each phase of life. Marie’s cancer diagnosis could have easily crushed any sense of meaning or direction for us. Instead, she realized that finding purpose is a choice we make in the face of adversity and, even in the smallest moments, by choosing to help, share and connect with others, there is purpose.
One of the most freeing realizations we discovered is that there’s never a perfect time to pursue what truly matters. We used to think that we had all the time in the world to check off our bucket list items. But cancer put that illusion to rest. We were forced to confront the idea that life is unpredictable, and the “right” time is always now. With Marie’s diagnosis, we realized that if we didn’t begin living with intention, we might never get the chance. Whether it is talking to civic organizations about our journey, making goodie bags for patients receiving treatment on Christmas Eve or volunteering our time to meet with others on a similar path, we realize that each day is an opportunity to mentor and motivate.
This is why we have partnered with Tanner Health on a cancer patient supportive care program and established The Marie Yuran Endowment for Cancer Patient Supportive Care housed within the Tanner Foundation. This endowment supports the nurturing and uplifting of cancer patients –especially those with a new diagnosis – and their loved ones by providing wraparound services that include educational resources, patient navigation support, exercise and nutrition classes, mediation, peer support, community connection and mental health support, allowing for the care of the whole patient through the Roy Richards, Sr. Cancer Center at Tanner Health.
At first, focusing on helping others seemed counterintuitive when we were facing our own struggles. But the truth is, helping others through their journey brought a sense of healing and comfort for us that we never expected. By sharing our story, listening to others and offering support, we found solace in knowing our pain has a greater purpose and brings a light into someone else’s darkness. The biggest lesson we’ve learned is that every day, no matter the circumstances, is a chance to make a difference with our purpose. In the face of cancer, it can be easy to feel helpless or lost. But Marie’s decision to embrace this challenge as an opportunity to give back reminded me that we always have the ability to impact those around us in a positive way. Whether it’s through a kind word, a helping hand, or simply offering someone a space to be heard, the ability to make a difference exists in each of us.
As we continue this journey, I’m reminded daily that life may not always go as planned, but we can always choose how we respond. Purpose isn’t something that is handed to us, but rather something we create. For us, cancer has reshaped our view of the world and given us clarity to see that purpose is defined by the love we give and the difference we make – not the hardships we face.
So, as you face your own challenges, ask yourself this question, “What is my purpose today?” WGW
Patrick Yuran is an educator, artist and entrepreneur. He currently serves as the Head of School at Oak Mountain Academy, is the founder and Artistic Director of The REAL Theatre and is the President of PJY Consulting.
Photo: Patrick with his wife, Marie, by Zachary Dailey, Dailey Life Photography.
The Missed Chance that Changed Everything
Colon Cancer Screening Awareness
By Watcoun-Nchinda E. Pisoh, M.D.
I've seen too many lives changed forever by "the missed chance."
Like watching rain clouds gather but forgetting to bring in the clothes from the line, sometimes the simplest oversights have the most significant consequences. Few things break my heart more than discovering a cancer that a thorough screening could have prevented.
Stick with me here – I'm about to tell you a brief story.
Meet James, a hardworking man from Alabama who was in good health but had lost a brother to colon cancer. Like many of us, he wasn't exactly thrilled about getting a colonoscopy. I mean, who is? It’s about as fun as watching paint dry while standing on your head.
At 54, he scheduled his first colonoscopy but found the bowel prep (you know, that fun drink that makes you best friends with your bathroom) too cumbersome, and he fumbled the process. The doctor couldn't get a clear view and recommended a repeat in a year. Frustrated, James opted for a stool test instead. It came back negative, and he moved on, believing he was safe.
Fast forward four years. James started noticing some concerning changes in the bathroom department: shifts in his bowel habits and occasional blood in his stool. He dismissed it as hemorrhoids, until his wife (bless her heart) practically pushed him through the doctor’s office door. This time, he followed the bowel prep instructions correctly – like they were the secret recipe to his grandma’s famous pie.
The colonoscopy revealed a mass that could have been caught years earlier. A challenging year of surgery and chemotherapy followed. Thankfully, James survived, but it was a battle he should never have had to fight.
Colon Cancer: Preventable, but Deadly
Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. But here’s the thing –it’s also one of the most preventable cancers. Precancerous polyps can be removed before they turn deadly, and even early stage cancer is far more treatable. The key? Proper screening. There are several screening options:
• Stool-based tests (like Cologuard and FIT) detect blood or DNA markers but don’t allow for immediate action. This is not ideal for people with a family history or prior history of polyps.
• CT colonography provides imaging but requires a follow-up colonoscopy if anything abnormal appears.
• Colonoscopy is the gold standard – it lets doctors play “spot and remove” with potentially dangerous polyps right then and there.
Bowel Prep: The Step You Can't Skip
A colonoscopy is only as effective as the bowel preparation. If the colon isn’t clean, crucial details may be missed.
There are different prep options:
• Large-volume preps (polyethylene glycol solutions): More liquid to drink, but highly effective.
• Small-volume preps (sodium sulfate solutions): Easier to tolerate but not ideal for everyone.
• Tablet preps: A solid option for those who struggle with liquid preps.
Adjusting your diet beforehand, like following a low-residue diet, can improve results.
Those with constipation may need a longer prep process.
Let’s Win this Fight Together
Colon cancer prevention is a community effort. As a community, let's look out for one another –spreading awareness, supporting screenings and encouraging proper preparation.
James' story isn’t unique, but it doesn’t have to happen again. Talk to your loved ones.
Follow through with screenings. And when your doctor tells you to prepare, do it right – it could save your life.
Let's win this fight together. WGW
A physician with West Georgia Gastroenterology Associates, P.C., Dr. Pisoh earned his medical degree from the University of Benin in Benin City, Nigeria. He completed his residency at the SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, Ill., and his fellowship at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Peoria, Ill.
Cathye Dowda Cota
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.
She is a personal chef who offers cooking lessons, baby food prep, date night dinners for two and more. Learn more about Chef Rose at www.chefrosecooks.com.
Chef Rose photos by Zachary Dailey, Dailey Life Photography, daileylifephotography@gmail.com
Recipe photos by Andrew Agresta, Agresta Photography, www.agrestaphotography.com
Cottage Pie with Beef with Beef
Ingredients
For the filling:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, finely diced
2 medium carrots, finely diced
2 celery stalks, finely diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 pound ground beef
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup beef stock or broth
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried)
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 cup frozen peas
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
½ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
For the mashed potato topping:
2 pounds Yukon gold or russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
½ cup whole milk (or cream for richer potatoes)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Preparation
Place the prepared potatoes in a pot of salted water.
Bring the water to a boil and cook until forktender, about 15 to 20 minutes.
Drain the potatoes, and return them to the pot.
“ For a traditional sheperd's pie, substitute ground lamb for the beef ”
Mash them, then stir in the butter, milk (or cream), salt and pepper.
Set aside.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-heat for the filling.
Add the onion, carrots, celery and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Next, add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and no longer pink. If necessary, drain any excess fat from the pan.
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
Pour in the beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, paprika, salt and pepper.
Bring the mixture to a simmer, and cook for 10 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
Stir in the frozen peas and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until heated through.
Remove the filling from heat.
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spread the beef mixture evenly in a 9-inch baking dish.
Spoon the mashed potatoes over the filling, spreading them out evenly to cover the beef mixture completely.
Place the assembled pie in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the potatoes are golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
Let the pie cool slightly before serving.
Serves 6 to 8.
Golden Milk Latte
“ A soothing addition to breakfast or a nice afternoon treat.”
Ingredients
1 cup milk (or dairy-free alternative like almond or coconut milk)
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
A pinch of ground cardamom (optional for extra flavor)
Preparation
In a small saucepan, combine the milk, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, black pepper and cardamom (if using).
Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until it’s warm but not boiling.
Once it’s heated through, remove the saucepan from the heat, and stir in the honey and vanilla extract.
Pour the golden milk into a mug, and stir again to combine.
Optional: Top with a sprinkle of cinnamon or a dash of turmeric for garnish.
Serves 1. WGW
The Truth About Homelessness
By Sandra Bolan
Aplace to call their own. Maybe a car that runs, a regular job and never again having to beg for money from strangers to pay for life-saving medication. These seem like basic wants, but when you’re homeless, they’re the equivalent of a pipe dream.
A handful of Carrollton’s homeless recently participated in a roundtable discussion about homelessness and how the community can better serve them. It was part of the Community Foundation of West Georgia’s On The Table series,
which was created “to gather people together and discuss the community we live in … what we do well, what needs improvement and how we can help,” according to its website.
“Your life experience matters, and so we want to learn from that,” Kathy Parsons, CEO of Impact West Georgia, told the handful of homeless in attendance.
“I’m a working man, and it’s crippling to have to rely on resources because you can’t really gauge the resources coming to you,” says Robert.*
“I hold up a sign, and it’s embarrassing. People say mean things,” admits Hillary as she holds back tears.
Within the state of Georgia, there are roughly 10,000 homeless people, according to The World Population Review’s 2024 report on homelessness, and Georgia ranked 10th in the country. But getting an exact count is virtually impossible, because many of the homeless live hidden away, buried deep among the trees, or are always on the move because they’re shunned by society and told to keep moving.
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act defines homelessness as “an individual or family who lacks a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence.”
*Names have been changed.
Every year, on a specific night in January, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development conducts a Point-in-Time Count of unsheltered people. The 2023 count revealed 653,104 people within Georgia were homeless, which was a record high number as well as a 12% increase from 2022, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness.
After years of providing mobile warming shelters for Carrollton’s homeless during the coldest of winter nights, the Impact Community Shelter – a permanent emergency warming shelter – opened its doors in February 2024. It’s located on North Park Street and has 20 permanent beds, showers, laundry, and a full kitchen and is run entirely by volunteers. The shelter opens its doors to the homeless when the overnight temperatures drop below 32F. Between late December 2024 and January 2025, the shelter was opened for 41 nights, with an average of 23 occupants. During February’s two-week cold snap, they had as many as 28 occupants. “We would put cots down in the hallways and any space we had,” recalls Kathy, who spoke to WGW following the roundtable.
“I’ve done this for several years now, and I’ve
never seen it that cold that long. There would have been some major issues with some of our clients had they not had a place to be,” says Kathy, adding the demand was so great a local church opened their doors for a couple of nights to house those who could not be accommodated at the shelter.
The shelter not only brought men, women, and children – as well as a dog or two – in from the cold, but they also served about 3,000 meals, which consisted of hot dinners, breakfasts as well as sack lunches, which were all provided by community volunteers.
From Employed to Homeless
If you asked 100 of Carrollton’s homeless where they came from, 99 of them would tell you they were born and raised right here, according to Kathy. They may have left for a brief period but returned because they have family here. Yet, some of those family members the now homeless came back for haven’t been welcoming with open arms. “My brain
can’t wrap itself around not helping my brother or sister. But you don’t know what they’ve had to put up with,” Kathy admits.
In an anonymous survey at the roundtable, Kathy asked the homeless in attendance about their family situation, and the answers surprised her – none of them was ever in the foster care system, nor abused as a child – two common reasons for resorting to life on the streets.
So, what leads a person to homelessness? Every situation is unique, but many of the reasons include divorce, the death of a spouse, crippling medical bills, incarceration and mental health issues.
Another reason why people live in tents and cars, according to Kathy, is because of the high cost of housing. “You can’t afford to live here, but you also can’t afford to leave. Housing here is off the scale. You cannot find housing here, but that’s not just in Carrollton or West Georgia.”
It costs anywhere from $1,200 to $5,000 per month to rent a two-bedroom home in Carrollton, according to Zillow. Apartments are as low as $795
MADNESS MARCH
for a one-bedroom but average around $1,200 per month for a two-bedroom. Unless you find a private rental, you have to pay a non-refundable application fee, which can run upwards of $75. However, to be eligible to apply, you have to be making three times the rent.
“Even though they’re saving their money, they’re reaching their financial goals, it doesn’t matter,” notes Kathy.
A Hand Up, Not Out
“I know this sounds kind of almost cliché, but what we need is a large-scale change of heart toward the homeless,” admits Kathy. “I know that people who have come and volunteered for us … have come to us and said, ‘I had no idea.’ They see the homeless in a different light. We’re a faith-based organization, and so every one of those people is a human being created in the likeness of Christ and the likeness of God, and they deserve respect just for that, just because they are human beings.”
For many of the homeless, panhandling is the only way they can earn a living. But Kathy doesn’t want people to hand over cash. Instead, if they’re holding up a sign that says “will work for food,” give them a
job. Many of the homeless strategically panhandle near fast-food restaurants and grocery stores. Kathy suggests you buy them a meal; ask them what groceries they need and buy them for them. If they require money for medication, go with them to the local pharmacy, get it filled, and directly pay the pharmacy. “It’s not convenient. It takes a bit of time out of our lives, but it’s helpful,” she explains. “Some people don’t know what they’re talking about when they say 'pull yourself up by your bootstraps.' It’s hard to do if you don’t have any bootstraps – you don’t have any boots.” WGW
We are your LOCAL plumbing, electrical, heating and appliance store.
Read to Me
Help your child fall in love with reading
By Sandra Bolan
Author of the Harry Potter series J.K. Rowling said, "If you don’t like to read, you haven’t found the right book.” Reading is a life skill that affects the trajectory of a person’s entire life. Literacy not only influences a person’s educational and intellectual journey but also their ability to effectively communicate – verbally and in writing.
Literacy is also the gateway to the C-suite or entrepreneurship, which translates into financial security. However, roughly 40% of students can’t read at a basic level, and if by the time they enter fourth grade, they aren’t reading at the fourthgrade level, they’re statistically more likely to remain illiterate throughout life.
Literacy and fostering a love of reading starts at an early age, even before birth. Some moms-tobe read to their unborn children to de-stress, but studies show that in the third trimester, babies can hear what’s being said, or read, to them. They’re capable of picking out speech patterns, and once they’re born, they’re able to recognize words they first heard while in the womb. So, if you don’t want your child’s first word to be of the four-letter variety, you might want to curb your cursing, even while pregnant.
Developing a love of reading in children takes more than reading to them before birth and then occasionally once they’re born. Most kids won’t start reading on their own because they don’t have the tools to read, and they won’t learn by picking up a book and magically knowing all the words. That’s where parents come in. You must show them how to read by first reading aloud to them for, ideally, 20 minutes a day.
What to Read
Walking into the children’s section of a library or bookstore is overwhelming, especially when there are more than 275,000 published children’s books to choose from.
For your early reader, pick books with large, bright and bold pictures or illustrations, with contrasting backgrounds. Infants enjoy looking at large picture books and pointing at the images. And when they point at a picture, say aloud what it is. It may take you reading the same book 100 times before your child will be able to correctly identify the image you point at.
Let reading become conversational. Once a child’s vocabulary expands, ask them what
they think will happen next, before turning the page.
To make reading even more entertaining for you and your child, give the characters funny voices and sell those sound effects. During the 20th or 30th time through the book, your child might start mimicking the sounds and voices. Once kids are old enough to read aloud, flip it around so they read to you.
Let kids choose the books they want to read. They’ll initially gravitate towards the brightly colored covers or to books with animals, rainbows, stars, bugs and other critters on the cover. Letting them choose what they read is also the best way to get them to fall in love with reading because they’re reading what they want to read, not what you or the teacher told them to read. A child, or adult, doesn’t have to solely read books with wall-to-wall text, either. Comic books, graphic novels, magazines and poetry are all great options.
There are roughly 130 million American adults who can’t read to their own children. In 2022, the National Literacy Institute revealed that 21% of adults are illiterate and 45 million adults are functionally illiterate, reading below a fifth-grade level. Literacy trickles down. Seventy percent of children with somewhat literate parents were found
to likely score extremely low in their grade-level literacy testing.
Your parents may have never tried to instill a love of reading in you, so as an adult, you never think about sitting down with a book and just getting lost. But a fantastic way to get your children interested in reading is if you lead by example. If you take time out of your day to dive into a book – not your Facebook feed on your phone – your children may follow.
Create a cozy area in your home just for reading. It can be a large, fluffy rug with lots of pillows or a big comfy chair. Leave books all around the area so when the urge strikes, kids can just grab a book and read.
As kids get older and read books for school, make sure they continue reading for pleasure. There’s nothing worse than associating reading with only writing book reports.
Once the love of reading is firmly entrenched in your child, it becomes a solitary activity, but there are ways to make it more social such as childrencentric book clubs. Parents, you can also read the same books as your children, and come dinnertime, when there’s that awkward silence, you can talk about the book together. This is also a great way to
discover if your child is comprehending the plot without you asking them for a book report.
If the author of a book your child loves is coming to town for a book signing or other event, take her to the event and get her favorite book autographed.
More and more books are being adapted into movies. Make it a family tradition to read the book before seeing the movie. Afterward, you can all discuss how the book and movie differ and which you each prefer.
Reading enables children to travel the world, jump forward and backward in time, become princesses and princes, astronauts, lawyers, private investigators and adventurers without ever leaving home. Reading can also place your child on an unexpected career path, because she may decide she wants to be just like her favorite book’s lead character. Reading also shows kids that although their world is currently not much larger than the path from school to home, the Earth is vast and filled with so many diverse cultures, religions, foods and traditions. WGW
LocaL Happenings
Domestic Violence Support Group
There is Hope is a support group for women survivors who have dealt with, or are currently dealing with, domestic violence.
This is a private group where women survivors come together and share their personal stories of experience, strength and hope.
This group meets on the first Thursday of every month from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at a private location. A ZOOM option is available.
There will be guidance for help and resources available as needed. At times there will also be guest speakers.
Contact hopefulone807@gmail.com for more information and to obtain the privacy contract with the physical address or ZOOM meeting ID and passcode.
Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Groups
Has your life been impacted by the loss of a friend or loved one to suicide? You are not alone. These groups offer peer support for anyone who has been affected by suicide loss.
There is no cost to attend.
Group meetings in Carrollton are the third
Tuesday of each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at 306A Bradley Street.
For more information, contact Ivey Rollins at iveyrollins@gmail.com or call 470.729.0909.
Group meetings in Douglasville are the second Tuesday of each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church at 6167 Priestley Mill Rd., Room 226.
For more information, contact Terri Johnson at chose2live@aol.com or 770.765.2181.
Group meetings in Newnan are the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at Crossroads Church, 2564 Hwy 154.
For more information, contact Lynn Bradley at 770.301.4890 or email nbll.bradley170@gmail.com, or contact Nancy Bradley at 770.251.6216.
PFLAG Carrollton Support Group
PFLAG Carrollton provides a free monthly peer facilitated support group for adult members (ages 18+) of the LGBTQ+ community, as well as their family, friends and allies, as a resource for families struggling with acceptance of their LGBTQ+ loved ones.
The goal is to meet people where they are and lead with love. PFLAG’s mission of support, education and advocacy from a place of love can
help struggling families, as well as the community at large.
Support group meetings (for adults 18+) are led by a PFLAG trained facilitator and held on the second Thursday of each month from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at Grace Lutheran Church, 101 Somerset Place in Carrollton. Confidentiality and safety are top priorities. Contact Julia Houser, pflagcarrollton@gmail.com for more information.
Carroll EMC Franklin Office Closing/Buchanan Office Hours Changing
Effective April 1, 2025, Carroll EMC’s district office in Franklin will permanently close. The district office in Buchanan will have updated operating hours. The Buchanan office will be open on Mondays and Tuesdays only from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WGTC’S Rebecca Wheeler Selected for TCSG’S Senior Leadership Academy
Rebecca Wheeler, Dean of Adult Education, has been selected to represent West Georgia Technical College (WGTC) in the Technical College System of Georgia’s (TCSG) 2025 Senior Leadership Academy. The year-long program is designed to provide continued professional development initiatives that
are tailored to cultivate career progression within TCSG and its network of 22 affiliated colleges across Georgia.
Participants will have the unique opportunity to engage with key figures in the educational sector, including the Commissioner of TCSG, college presidents, members of the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia, legislators, and various industry partners. These interactions are intended to provide invaluable insights and foster collaborative relationships that are vital for the advancement of TCSG’s strategic objectives.
“The Senior Leadership Academy is a vital investment in the future of technical education in Georgia,” said Greg Dozier, Commissioner of the Technical College System of Georgia. “By developing the skills and leadership capabilities of our rising professionals, we are ensuring that TCSG continues to provide innovative, high-quality education that meets the evolving needs of our students, businesses, and communities.”
Rebecca has been a dedicated member of WGTC’s Adult Education team since 2014, serving in various roles, including GED instructor and Youth Services Career Coach, before stepping into her current leadership position in 2022.
Rebecca Wheeler, Dean of Adult Education, has been selected to represent West Georgia Technical College (WGTC) in the Technical College System of Georgia’s (TCSG) 2025 Senior Leadership Academy. Photo: WGTC.
“Rebecca’s selection for TCSG’s Senior Leadership Academy is a testament to her dedication and passion for adult education, and we are proud to have her represent WGTC at the state level,” said WGTC President Dr. Julie Post. “Her leadership has made a tremendous impact at WGTC, and this opportunity will further enhance her ability to serve our students and community.”
West Georgia Technical College, with campuses in Carroll, Coweta, Douglas, Haralson and Troup counties and class sites in Heard and Meriwether counties, offers more than 120 associate degree, diploma and technical certificate programs of study. A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, West Georgia Tech is one of the largest of the state’s 22 technical colleges. For more information, please visit www.westgatech.edu.
Carrollton
Awarded GMA Safety and Liability Management Grant
The City of Carrollton was awarded a $20,000 Georgia Municipal Association Safety and Liability Grant in January for sidewalk repairs to provide safer travel for citizens and city employees.
GMA’s Risk Management Programs established the Safety and Liability Grant in 2000 to provide a financial incentive to help members improve their
employee safety and general public liability loss control efforts.
Based in Atlanta, GMA is a voluntary, non-profit organization that provides legislative advocacy, education, insurance and employee benefits, financing and consulting services to more than 500 member cities.
For questions concerning this grant, please call (770) 830-2000. WGW
The City of Carrollton was awarded a $20,000 Georgia Municipal Association Safety and Liability Grant in January for sidewalk repairs to provide safer travel for citizens and city employees. L-r: City Manager David Brooks, Assistant Operations Director Robert Moore, Mayor Betty Cason, Human Resources Director Faith Pullen and GMA representative Jan Hoard.
Kids Korner
By Jordan Dailey
Lucky Luminary
Materials
Empty mason jar
Green, white and yellow paint
Paintbrush
Battery-operated tealight candle
Shredded green party paper
Instructions
Paint the entire mason jar with dollops of paint, alternating paint colors throughout. Allow to dry.
Fill the mason jar halfway with the shredded green party paper.
Place tealight candle inside on top of the shredded paper.
Craft photos by Zachary Dailey
Pot O' Gold Banner
Materials
Green and yellow construction paper
Ink pen or marker
Scissors
String or twine for hanging banner (not pictured)
“The REAL Theatre” is a vibrant staple to the Carrollton community’s cultural landscape. REAL, signifying Raw, Elemental, Artistic, and Live, encapsulates the essence of our company. We are a passionate, forwardthinking theater company dedicated to delivering captivating and genuine theatrical experiences.
A CELEBRATION OF BROADWAY: MUSICAL REVIEW
February 27th: 7:00 PM
February 28th: 7:00 PM
March 1st: 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM
VISHAL VAIDYA: BROADWAY COMES TO CARROLLTON
- Masterclass with Vishal Vaidya
- Conversations with Vishal Vaidya
- A Concert with Vishal Vaidya
A BROADWAY SING-A-LONG
April 2nd: 7:00 PM
CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF
By Tennessee Williams
April 24th: 7:00 PM | April 25th: 7:00 PM April 26th: 2:00 PM | April 26th: 7:00 PM
THE ROTARY CLUB OF CARROLLTON: 4TH ANNUAL ROTARY’S WEST GA TALENT COMPETITION
October 23rd: 7:00 PM
DREAMGIRLS: THE MUSICAL
By Henry Krieger and Tom Eyen
November 13th: 7:00 PM
November 14th: 7:00 PM
Nov. 15th: 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM
SEASON 2025
THE BROADWAY BRADSHAWS: BROADWAY COMES TO CARROLLTON
- Masterclass with The Broadway Bradshaws
- Conversations with The Broadway Bradshaws
- A Concert with The Broadway Bradshaws
A DISNEY CHRISTMAS SING-A-LONG WITH THE BROADWAY BRADSHAWS
December 10th: 7:00 PM
Daylight Savings Time Word Search
FAST-TRACK YOUR COLONOSCOPY.
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Check the most important to-do off your list and schedule your colonoscopy! Call 1-833-262-6793 to see if you can skip the pre-visit and go right into the screening. Get more details at tanner.org/fast-track. Your care, redefined.
It’s time to schedule your first colonoscopy. It’s not about cancer — it’s about you. Screening for cancer is about taking care of yourself. If there’s a problem, we’re here with our Tanner Cancer Care Promise, giving you answers, options and a path forward — fast.