West Georgia Woman Magazine November 2022

Rita Worthy was

a

after battling COVID.

Photo: Zachary Dailey

Ralph E. Fleck, Jr., M.D. Jubal R. Watts, M.D. Gregory S. Slappey, M.D. Anthony W. Colpini, M.D. Brad G. Prybis, M.D. Kevin M. Charron, M.D. Jeffry A. Dressander, M.D. Taylor B. Cates, M.D. E. Franklin Pence, M.D. Ki-Hon Lin, M.D. Shomari A. Ruffn,M.D. David A. Scruggs, P.A.-C Michael C. Gravett, P.A.-C Andrea Maxwell, F.N.P. Alisha Schuchman, N.P.-C Britni Lockwood, P.A.-C

Ralph E. Fleck, Jr., M.D. Gregory S. Slappey, M.D. Anthony W. Colpini, M.D. Brad G. Prybis, M.D. Kevin M. Charron, M.D. Taylor B. Cates, M.D. E. Franklin Pence, M.D. Ki-Hon Lin, M.D. Shomari A. Ruffin, M.D. Daniel L. Maxwell, M.D. Bryan Kirby, M.D. Adam M. Sunderland, M.D. Richard A. Herman, M.D. David A. Scruggs, P.A.-C Michael C. Gravett, P.A.-C Andrea Maxwell, F.N.P. Alisha Schuchman, N.P.-C Britni Lockwood, P.A.-C Sonia M. Davis, N.P.-C Matt Henderson, N.P.-C www.carrolltonortho.com

We've Come a Long Way

How has West Georgia Woman magazine been in existence seven years already? It seems like only yesterday we were publishing our very first issue.

When I started my business and WGW in Nov. 2015, I never dreamed we would be where we are today. We've grown from publishing only one monthly magazine to adding our special Bridal and Holiday issues, our Football Preview and other sports to the lineup (see what I did there?), to partnering with Tanner Health System for our Healthy Woman magazine, with West Georgia Technical College for our annual Women's Extravaganza, and with Carroll County, Ga. to publish their annual report to the community.

I also have a little surprise to share with you – and you are the first to know. Last month, we received notification that the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce accepted our bid to publish, print and distribute their Community Newcomer's Guide. I couldn't be more thrilled to partner with this wonderful organization!

From the bottom of my heart, I sincerely thank you for reading West Georgia Woman magazine. I am so humbled and deeply grateful that you choose to bring our beautiful magazine into your homes each month.

I'd like to extend thanks to all our staff, our editorial contributors and everyone who helps produce West Georgia Woman

And to our community advertising partners who have invested in our publication over the last seven years, I can't thank you enough. You have truly made a difference in my life, and the lives of many throughout West Georgia and East Alabama.

Thank you so much. We couldn't have done this without you.

In This Issue

Our feature this month is Rita Worthy. The retired police investigator was diagnosed with COVID in November 2020. What she thought was a simple sinus infection turned out to be a life changing and neardeath situation. Her condition worsened through November and December, until doctors told her brother Allan she was brain-dead and there was nothing more they could do for her. Allan resisted her doctors' advice, and decided to wait two weeks before reevaluating removing Rita from life support. Rita woke up on Dec. 27, 2020, and she has spent the last two years recovering from her harrowing ordeal.

On page 8, learn more about Rita and how she was given a second chance at life, thanks to friends and family who made it their mission to be her strongest advocates during her medical treatment.

On page 22, Sandra Bolan shares ways you can teach your children to be thankful on more than just Thanksgiving Day, and on page 24, we share how to help your pets deal with holiday guests.

Relentless soaring prices for even basic necessities amid record, ongoing inflation is pushing more Americans into living paycheck-to-paycheck. If you're one of those Americans (60 percent of us are), now is the time to take control of your finances to help you meet your longterm goals. Learn more about what you can do to reach financial freedom on page 27.

There's much more inside! I hope you will continue to do business with our community advertising partners as much as possible. It is only through their partnership that we are able to give you this beautiful magazine each month. Please be sure to tell them we sent you!

Be sure to check out our annual Holiday Guide at www.westgeorgiawoman.com and shop with local businesses for the upcoming holidays as much as you can. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Thankful for you,

Photo by Keith May

Finding our voice. Knowing our value.

Making a difference.

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 pos sible without the inclusion of our ad vertisers. 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!

Please be sure to tell them we sent you!

Inspiring women wanted.

Do you know an interesting woman who should be on the cover of West Georgia Woman? Is there a special project or organization you would like us to feature in our magazine? Let us know! Email your suggestions to features@westgeorgiawoman.com.

Share your special events.

Send your upcoming events to: calendar@westgeorgiawoman.com

Need to advertise? Email: Sales@westgeorgiawoman.com Call 404.502.0251

The views, opinions, positions or strat egies expressed by the contributing authors are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, positions or strategies of Angel Media, LLC., West Georgia Woman magazine or any employee thereof.

Angel Media, LLC. makes no represen tations as to accuracy, completeness, correctness, suitability or validity of any information in this publication and will not be liable for any errors, omissions or delays in this information or any losses, injuries or damages arising from its display or use. Mail correspondence to: West Georgia Woman Magazine P.O. Box 2782 Carrollton, GA 30112

TM

We welcome your comments and suggestions. Contact us: (404) 502-0251

Online: www.westgeorgiawoman.com Follow us! @WestGaWoman

Need a copy? We mail thousands of copies each month to households through Direct Mail or get yours from our racks at Kroger, Publix, Smith Brothers Supply Com pany, Southern Home and Ranch Center, Food Depot, Neva Lomason Library and 4 a.m. Coffee Roasters (Maple Street) and the Tanner Health System Medical Pavilion in Carrollton; Piggly Wiggly in Bowdon, Franklin and Tallapoosa; Thriftown in Bre men; The Little Giant Grocery in Sargent; Fabiano’s Pizzaria, Leaf and Bean Coffee, Crook's Grocery (Temple Ave.), Kroger (Bullsboro Drive and Newnan Crossings Blvd.) and Piedmont Hospital in Newnan; Tanner Health System's Villa Med and Villa West Office Buildings in Villa Rica; Kroger (Chapel Hill Rd. and Highway 5) and Food Depot on Hiram Douglasville Hwy and Highway 5 in Douglasville; Food Depot and Brickhouse Grille in LaGrange; Food Depot (Villa Rica Hwy) in Dallas; Kroger on Ridge Rd. in Hiram; WM Grocery and Chuckwagon restaurant in Roanoke, Al. and WM Grocery in Wedowee, Al. We have them in larger quantities at Pub lix (Bullsborough Drive), Lee-King and Thompson pharmacies in Newnan, the Apothecary Shoppe in Douglasville, Publix at Mirror Lake and New Georgia, CVS in Bowdon as well as hundreds of other retail locations and medical offices in 18 cities in eight counties in West Georgia and East Alabama

West Georgia Woman is a monthly publication of Angel Media, LLC. All contents of this issue are copyright 2022. West Georgia Woman magazine, its logo and “Finding our voice. Knowing our value. Making a differ ence.” 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

policy. If you wish to have your submission returned, please include a

Family Matters

After

Gives

With COVID

Woman a

By Amanda Thomas

Photos by Zachary Dailey

While growing up just outside of Buchanan, Ga., Rita Worthy and her older brother, Allan, lived so far away from town that the nearest paved road was seven miles away and the bus ride to school was an hour long.

“We were the first ones picked up, and the last ones dropped off,” recalls Allan Worthy, who is now 71 and lives in Alpharetta. Rita, now 66 and a Carrollton resident, described her brother as “the smart one.”

“He went to Georgia Tech and went into electrical engineering,” she says. “I always had to study to get a C. He never had to study.”

Even though the siblings were born five years apart, they were close.

“We had to be because we were out in the middle of nowhere,” Allan says.

When Allan was old enough, he babysat Rita during the summer and after school. Little did they know, Allan would return to West Georgia decades later to look after his sister again. But this time, the stakes were higher, and he would have to make a decision that no brother should have to make.

To Protect and Serve

While her brother pursued a career in engineering, Rita took a job as an administrative clerk at the Carrollton Police Department in 1977.

“They sent me to school to be an ID technician and work crime scenes,” she recalls.

In 1985, Rita attended the police academy.

“They wanted a female on the rape cases to work with the male investigators,” she says.

She would eventually take on the role of an investigator, working on child molestation, abuse and rape cases.

“It would never happen today, but I never worked the street (on patrol duty),” she says. “I

can’t say enough about the police department. If you go to work there, they become family. And if you want to advance, the door is open for you.”

Family at Work

While Allan is her only sibling, Rita has friends who have become family, including Sasha Smith.

When Sasha was promoted and joined the criminal investigations division at the Carrollton Police Department in December 2004, Rita took the young investigator under her wing.

“Our offices were side-by-side,” Rita recalls.

Since Sasha worked on domestic violence cases and Rita worked on cases involving sex crimes, they often found themselves working together. When they interviewed people, Sasha was usually the good cop to Rita’s bad cop.

“Sometimes I was too soft,” Sasha recalls. “I was very naive, and I couldn’t be blunt. But now I’m more like her.”

The two women quickly developed a close bond and would often have lunch together, where they would catch up on life outside of work.

“We had a great relationship working cases together,” Sasha says. “We became friends instantly, and she became a part of my family. She’s like my mama.”

Retirement and Beyond

After 40 years of service, Rita retired from the Carrollton Police Department in 2017.

Rita, left, and her former coworker, Sasha Smith, right, developed a close bond as criminal investigators. They would often have lunch together, where they would catch up on life outside of work.

She enjoyed traveling and went on several trips over the next three years.

“That’s one of the reasons I retired,” she says. “I love to go to national parks.”

She has traveled out west three times and up the east coast.

“I think Rita would live in an RV if she could,” Allan jokes.

She also loves to dance. She discovered her love for dancing in 1993 when she attended an event where she saw people doing the Electric Slide, a popular line dance created in 1976 and a favorite at weddings.

“I was like, ‘Oh, I've got to learn this,’" she recalls.

She started line dancing at the recreation department in Carrollton and did that for years. Eventually, she started driving to Atlanta to meet with friends who shared her love of dancing.

"I do line dancing, and I'm big into country music," she says.

In July 2020, her mother, Evelyn, who lived in Buchanan, began having health issues and could no longer live alone. Rita moved her mother, who is now 89, into her Carrollton home to care for her.

"COVID was just starting, and I was trying to be very cautious because of her age, and I knew that she didn't need to get it," Rita recalls.

Despite all her precautions, Rita began developing symptoms about four months later.

Somebody to Lean On

When Rita started getting sick, she thought it was just another sinus infection.

It started with her feeling short of breath and getting a headache.

“I remember it was a different headache,” she recalls. “I remember it hurting on the top of my head. I just felt bad. I texted friends who told me later that I texted them and said, ‘I feel worse than I ever have in my life.’”

On Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, Rita went to Tanner Urgent Care in Carrollton, where she was diagnosed with COVID.

There were no vaccines at the time, and treatment options were limited. So she was advised to go home and monitor her symptoms, which included shortness of breath and a headache.

"I went home thinking I'd ride it out," she recalls.

When Sasha found out Rita had COVID, she checked in on her. On the morning of Nov. 23, which was a Monday, she talked to Rita, who sounded OK.

But when she called Rita to check in on her later

Phil and Freddy the Rabbit Show!

Subscribe Today!

“Happiness: Becoming the adult I wish I had known when I was a child.” – Fred Richards

that afternoon, her friend sounded like she could barely breathe. After hanging up, Sasha – who was at the police department at the time – expressed her concern to Lt. Dan Keever.

She called again so he could hear how she sounded.

“We were like, ‘We have to take her to the emergency department,” she recalls.

Sasha and Dan drove separate cars to Rita’s house.

“I picked her up, and Dan stayed with her mom while I took her to the ED,” she says.

Sasha drove Rita to Tanner Medical Center/ Carrollton in the hope that she would be able to get some relief from her symptoms. Given the severity of Rita’s condition, Sasha decided to call Allan to update him on what was happening.

"I remember Sasha saying, 'I'm going to call your brother,' and I'm like, 'No, don't call,'" Rita says.

But Sasha didn't listen and called. When she couldn't reach Allan, she reached out to Dan, who was able to get in touch with him.

An officer went to Allan’s house in Alpharetta to tell him his sister was in the hospital. As soon as he heard the news, Allan said goodbye to his wife, Gail, jumped in his car, and drove to West Georgia to be by his sister's side.

“We go to bed early, and I was just about in bed when all of this happened,” he recalls.

821 Dixie Street Carrollton, GA 30117 770.832.7076

Drive Thru Service • Gifts • Free Delivery

After being evaluated, the doctor prescribed Rita several medications to help alleviate her symptoms and released her. When her condition worsened on Wednesday, Nov. 25, she returned to the ED.

"That's when they admitted me," she recalls.

While in the hospital, they put her on a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine to get more oxygen into her lungs. When her blood oxygen level dropped to about 80, they started treating her with Remdesivir.

On Dec. 1, Rita was transferred to the ICU in case they needed to put her on a ventilator. They were having difficulty keeping her blood oxygen level above 95%.

Two days later, she seemed to get a little better. She walked around and began doing some physical therapy to help her recover.

"Then, all of a sudden, it just flipped and went bad," Allan says.

On Dec. 8, 2020, they put her on a ventilator and administered paralytic and sedation drugs. At 5:25 p.m. on Dec. 14, she had to undergo emergency surgery to stop some internal bleeding. At 7:24 p.m., Allan received a call from vascular surgeon Thomas "Rett" Reeve IV, who told him the surgery was successful and that they found a ruptured vein in her arm right above the elbow.

A Difficult Decision

Then, a cascade of events happened that would test Allan's faith. On Dec. 16, 2020, Rita started temporary dialysis after her kidneys began to fail.

On Dec. 17, Allan learned Rita’s

“Carrollton’s Prescription Headquarters”

Rita, with her brother, Allan. Photo provided by Rita Worthy.

blood pressure had plunged, and they gave her medication to keep her alive. But if her blood pressure didn't stabilize, she'd die.

"They called me and said you should probably come to see her because we have given her everything that we could give her," he recalls.

So, he went to the hospital around 8 p.m. to see his sister and say goodbye. He told her he loved her and that he should have been a better brother.

"You start thinking about the times you missed being together," he recalls. "You start thinking about the things you regret. You don't think about the positive things. You think about all the things you could have done better."

Thankfully, her blood pressure stabilized. But she was also fighting a bacterial blood infection (sepsis), COVID pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

On Dec. 19, they took her off sedation and the paralytic medication. But by Dec. 22, she still had not woken up from her drug-induced coma.

All of this culminated on Christmas Day when he got the results of his sister's brain scan, which showed she had acute encephalitis (brain inflammation).

"They tell me that, in their opinion, she's braindead, and I should pull the plug," he says.

After hearing the news, a lot went through his head. Hearing that his sister was brain-dead was devastating, but he decided not to take her off life support. He remembers reading articles about people diagnosed with COVID who were put in drug-induced comas. "Normally, when they take you off the paralytic drugs, within hours, you wake up," he says. "But people with COVID would go days or weeks before waking up. The encephalitis in the brain and everything would make it appear like they had no brain activity and were brain-dead."

He decided to

wait two weeks before reevaluating his decision.

Before the two weeks were over, on Dec. 27, he received the sign he was looking for. Rita blinked.

Seeing Signs

Dec. 28, 2020

I got to see Rita. She opened her eyes. When Tiffany, her nurse there, yelled her name and Rita opened her eyes, you would have thought the Lord came back. It made me so happy, and I just started talking to her. She was looking at me and blinked several times.

– From Sasha’s notes documenting Rita's progress

When Rita began showing signs of movement, her family and friends weren't the only ones thrilled. Two of her nurses, Tiffany Downing and Paula Norton, were also invested in her recovery.

"I dealt with many nurses, but those two took a real personal interest in Rita," Allan recalls. "I always loved it when Paula or Tiffany worked, and they would call me twice a day. They would proactively call me in the morning and the afternoon."

Sasha agrees.

"They would give her spa treatments," she says. "They would put this lotion on her hands and

her feet. They took such good care of her."

As the days went by, Rita got better physically. Her journey to recover mentally took a little bit longer.

On Jan. 25, she was transferred to Noland Hospital RMC-Anniston, a long-term acute care hospital (LTACH) in Alabama. Unfortunately, no visitors were allowed at the facility, so she spent her birthday (Jan. 27) without her family and friends by her side.

But Allan did send her flowers.

Her family and friends also recorded a party they hosted for her at The Lazy Donkey in Carrollton.

Rita got off the ventilator on Jan. 28, and the tracheostomy was removed on Feb. 28.

On Feb. 12, she was transferred to Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Gadsden in Alabama.

While there, she was taken off some of the moodaltering medication Allan and Sasha suspected was affecting her mental health.They noticed Rita was not acting like herself.

Sometimes, she was argumentative and did not always cooperate with the medical staff.

“She wanted to get home so badly; it was negatively affecting her mental state,” Allan recalls.

When she stopped taking some of the medication, her mental health drastically improved. One day, Allan decided to visit the facility and see firsthand the care his sister was receiving. During speech therapy, the therapist

asked Rita 10 questions to test her mental fitness. Rita scored a 9 out of 10.

"I got 7 out of 10," Allan recalls. "I finally felt like OK; she is back mentally."

After seeing an improvement in Rita’s mental and physical health, he decided to take her home where they could bring in people so she could continue her therapy sessions.

“I felt she would be much happier at home and recover faster,” he says. “It was only after I got her home and got her off all mood-altering drugs that she really started being her old self. A lot of the mental issues we thought Rita had were caused by the drugs she was given.”

He also believed in-home therapy would provide a more personalized path forward.

“Also, it allowed me to see the therapy Rita was being given and monitor her progress,” he says.

One of the biggest lessons he learned while taking care of his mother and his sister is the importance of having an advocate.

“I’ve always heard this phrase, ‘Everybody needs an advocate in a medical situation,’” he says. “I learned that ‘advocate’ is a very important word. You need an advocate, and the more informed of an advocate you can have, the better.” He then recalled something his doctor once told him.

“My doctor says he’s an M-D, not a G-O-D,” he says. “You can’t take every doctor’s word. You need to do your own thinking too.”

One person who helped him become a better advocate was Tawanda Austin, chief nursing officer at Emory University Hospital Midtown in Atlanta. Her

L to r: Sasha, Rita and Allan. Allan and Sasha were advocates for Rita when she couldn't speak for herself. Photo by Dan Keever.

sister, Vonda Thomas, works at the Carrollton Police Department and also worked with Rita when she was at the department.

Tawanda told him what he needed to do, who he needed to talk to and how to get answers.

“I couldn’t have done it without her,” Allan says. Another person he would like to thank is his wife, Gail. From Nov. 20, 2020, until April 1, 2021, he had only spent three nights at home with her.

“I lived at Rita’s house during that time, taking care of our mother and Rita,” he says. “My wife was alone and never complained. She loves Rita and told me she fully supported me in doing what I had to do. Gail took care of the house. It wasn’t easy, but she did it.”

Picking Up the Pieces

Rita doesn't remember much from when she was admitted into Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton through January 2021.

"I remember nothing about Anniston," she says. "I remember some at Carrollton, and then I remember being in the room at Gadsden. It was strange when I got home. I was like, 'I missed Christmas, Thanksgiving, my birthday.'"

In preparation for her return home, Allan worked

to set up the house for Rita, who was in a wheelchair. He was able to do this with the help of the Carrollton Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), which installed a ramp. The Carrollton FOP also brought over food.

"They just helped me tremendously," Rita says. "They had a fundraiser for me last November to help me with my medical bills."

She appreciates everything the Carrollton Police Department and the city of Carrollton have done for her over the past 40 years.

"It's like family," she says.

She also wants to thank everyone who helped her during and after her recovery.

“There are too many to mention that helped me, but you know who you are,” she says. “I love you and am so appreciative of what you did for me.”

Getting Back on Her Feet

As Rita began daily therapy at home, she went into it expecting a difficult road ahead.

"Everybody said, 'They'll kill you with the physical therapy,' and I'm thinking, 'Wow, they're going to be rough,'" she recalls.

Her therapy team included speech pathologist Jessica Krish, M.Ed CCC-SLP, and Mitch

Carrollton Police Chief Joel Richards gives Rita a check on be half of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP). The FOP installed a ramp at her home while she was in a wheelchair, brought her food and held a fundraiser for her to help with her medi cal bills. Photo provided by Rita Worthy.

to

Miller, a physical therapist. She got her first win quicker than expected when Mitch helped her stand up a week later. He took her to the kitchen and pulled the wheelchair up to the sink.

"I got on at the kitchen sink, and he lifted me up," she says. "That's the first time I'd stood up in three months, and that's the first day he came over."

The milestone was caught on video. While she was excited to see herself stand for the first time, something else caught her eye.

"That's when I saw I had no hair in the back of my head," she says. "It fell out, and that's why I eventually just got it cut off.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, temporary hair loss is normal after a fever or illness.

After recovering from COVID, Rita asked her primary care physician, Joanne Gaw, MD, about her opinion on the vaccine.

"She's like, 'Well, you know you can get COVID again,' and I'm like, 'Oh my God, no,'" she says. "I don't know why I got as sick as I did, so I didn't want to take any chances."

When Rita got the vaccine, she experienced some side effects on the second day.

Sasha and Rita, during Rita's early recovery. Photo provided by Rita Worthy.

"I was sick, throwing up, felt achy, and that's it," she says. Rita is thankful her brother decided to keep her on life support and give her a fighting chance. Now, Rita feels like she's 95% recovered and she's back doing what she loves – dancing.

"I knew that one day, I was going to get back to dancing," she says. "When I started back, that helped me a lot with my balance and all."

She is also playing catch-up when it comes to traveling.

"I have two years to catch up – a year that nobody could do anything or go anywhere and then a year to recover," she says.

In May, she went on a road trip with a friend in their RV and her truck. And it turns out her brother was right about her living in an RV if she could. In October, Rita purchased an RV, a 31-feet travel trailer, which was a longtime dream.

“I hopefully will take trips close to home first to get some experience,” she says. “I want to plan a trip with friends to Lake Martin.”

A road trip down the Pacific Coast Highway and back to Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming is on her bucket list.

Moving Forward

When Rita was first diagnosed with COVID, her friends and family did everything they could to help her. Friends like Sasha, who drove her to the ER when she started having trouble breathing, and family like

FAST AND FRIENDLY SERVICE FREE CITY-WIDE DELIVERY

WE ACCEPT MEDICAID AND MOST INSURANCE WE HAVE CANDLES,

GIFTS INCLUDING

CARDS

– CARROLLTON, GA

funeral.”

Sasha also believes Rita was able to bounce back because of her independent nature.

"That's who she is – so independent and strong,” she says. “You can't tell her, 'No.' She's going to

Rita's story is a reminder that no one is invincible and that there are some things out of your control. It's also a reminder about the importance of advocating for the health of yourself and your loved

Because no matter the odds stacked against you, WGW

LIVING UNDER COVID FEAR

By Lida Hill

Sitting silently searching for the rising sun I realize what I do not want to know –

I must say "No!" "No" to doing things which feed my soul, things which help my lungs and brain, things which help me live into challenges which will come this day, things which help me love even the someones I do not like.

I ask, "Why?" Why must I choose this letting go, Knowing –Because I want a better day.

I want a tomorrow free, Free for me to be the one I am here to be –The laughing, listening, The loving Lida.

But today, Today is where I am with choices difficult to choose, Staying away from other seeking souls Hoping to stay well, Hoping the air we breathe will be clean and will come to us

So another day we may Sing and laugh and love and Grow together Rejoicing and searching to see Another rising sun. WGW

Teaching Children Thankfulness

By Sandra Bolan

Thanksgiving is about more than football and food. It’s about being grateful for everything you have – from the home you live in and its big screen TV you watch football on, to all of that food on the dining room table.

At a young age, children are taught to say “Please,” when they want something and “Thank you,” when they receive it. Saying "Thank you" is technically being thankful, but the reality is it’s become more of a script for good manners than a genuine emotion of thankfulness.

Being thankful comes from children having an actual appreciation for what they have. And teaching this life lesson should take place more than just one day a year.

Create a "Thankful" jar. Place it somewhere that is easily accessible, such as the kitchen, with a

pad of paper and pen beside it. Whenever a family member feels like it, they can write down what they’re thankful for and put it in the jar. During the weekly family dinner these thankful notes can be read aloud.

Teach them to write "Thank you" notes. Thank you notes for birthday or Christmas gifts may seem old fashioned, but they’re still one of the best ways to tell someone you appreciate the effort they put forth in choosing the gift specifically for them. Let children write the notes themselves and put them in the mailbox. Teach them to describe the item they received and tell the gift giver how much they have enjoyed the gift. If your child was given money, have her tell the giver what she spent the money on.

Make them wait. In the era of Amazon, where with the click of a button anything you want can be

Let’s

delivered to your front door, it’s easy for children to have a sense of entitlement. Making a child wait for something they claim they “have to have right now,” teaches them patience and a greater appreciation for the item when they receive it.

Being thankful is about more than going around the dinner table on Thanksgiving and talking about what we're thankful for.

It’s about having genuine and sincere gratitude for the big and small things in our lives. WGW

Friends of Carrollton Committee to Support Carrollton Redevelopment Powers Referendum on November 8 Election

The Friends of Carrollton Committee has been formed to support the Carrollton Redevelopment Powers Referendum on the November 8 General Election ballot. Chaired by Kirby Butler and James (“Jay”) Gill, Friends of Carrollton will educate voters and encourage them to vote “YES” on the ballot question to authorize the City of Carrollton to exercise redevelopment tools under the Redevelopment Powers Law, including the creation of Tax Allocation Districts (TADs). Committee Members also include: Brian Dill, John Jackson and Karen Handel.

Butler said, “This initiative is about the future of Carrollton. We have an exceptional quality of life here, and we want to protect that and make it even better. Think about a reimagined Maple Street with more appealing utility poles and fewer wires hanging overhead, more sidewalks and improvements to Oil Park like wifi hotspots and community gathering areas. Imagine Adamson Square with high-end living and more restaurants and shops. How about Bankhead Highway with greenspace and more inviting shopping centers? With tools like TADs, we can make this a reality – without raising taxes.”

Gill added, “TADs are temporary finance mechanisms that have been used for decades to help cities pay for much-needed improvements and enhancements in certain defined areas – without raising taxes. The downtowns of Rome and Gainesville have been transformed in recent years, and TADs were instrumental in these redevelopments. Here in Carrollton, TADs will help make our city more attractive to the private investors that will bring the nice restaurants and family attractions that we’re all looking for.

Butler continued, “We urge the voters of Carrollton to vote ‘YES’ for the Redevelopment Powers. It’s for the future of Carrollton.”

Voters can find more information at www.friendsofcarrollton.org or email info@friendsofcarrollton.org if they have specific questions.

Intruder Alert!

Helping Your Pets Deal with Holiday Guests

By Sandra Bolan and Angela Dailey

Pets like routine. When you’re late with their dinner or you skip out on their morning walk, they will let you know about it.

We all love holiday traditions that allow us to spend meaningful time with family and friends, but the smells, sights and sounds of the holidays can make some pets extremely uncomfortable.

Visitors can be a disruption and depending on your pet’s disposition, their reaction can be quite embarrassing and destructive.

If you have a relatively calm home, the doorbell can set off even the most well-behaved dog who will welcome your guests with barking, jumping or piddling on the floor out of pure excitement. So if you plan to host a party or two during the holiday season, come up with a positive pet plan now.

Training

Train the behavior you want from your dog. This means ignoring the doorbell, sitting politely for guests and no barking. Do this with high-value treats (snacks they never otherwise get).

Start by ringing the bell and walking through the door. Reward the polite sit and ignore the barking and jumping. If possible, recruit some friends to help

“We knew my

had

very special, a

Kyle found

certainly would find it here

Whispering

Freeman, sister of Kyle Czarnonycz

with the training.

Prior to your guests’ arrival, take your dog for a long walk or run in the park to help burn off some of their energy.

On party day, have a bag of treats available to your guests so when they walk in, they can reward your dog for the polite greeting.

Your dog may be part of your family, but not everyone likes dogs, and some people are afraid of them. Keep this in mind when hosting a party.

Medication

Sometimes exercise and training aren’t going to be enough to calm a nervous or fearful pet. Medication may help. Certain over the counter medications such as Benadryl can effectively calm dogs, and prescription drugs such as Xanax and Trazodone can help with depression and anxiety. Talk to your vet about whether this is a good solution before giving your pet any medications.

Create a Safe Space

If you have a cat, chances are when the first guest arrives it will take cover and not come out until everyone is gone.

Whether you have a cat or a dog, ensure there is a safe, quiet space available for your pet if she needs to retreat. Place water, food, a few toys and her bed in this area so she'll feel comfortable, cozy and safe. Ask your guests to refrain from disturbing her while she's in the safe zone.

Later in the evening, if you feel your dog is calm enough, bring her into the party room – on a leash. A dog just let out of a crate or room will want to run around. Putting the dog on a leash will help keep her from lunging and jumping.

If you have to keep your pet in her crate or room while guests are visiting, be sure to give her extra playtime, treats and cuddles after your guests leave.

With all the stress of the holidays, worrying about your pets and how they'll interact with your guests shouldn't be on your plate.

If these interactions present too many problems for your pet or your guests, consider making reservations for a holiday meal at a restaurant and leave your fur baby safe at home or book a hotel room for out-of-town guests.

Doing everything you can to help prevent your pet from experiencing anxiety and fear during the holidays may not only keep her fears from getting worse, but also keeps her from suffering unnecessary emotional trauma. WGW

Financial

begins

Living on a Shoestring

Breaking the cycle of living paycheck-to-paycheck

By Sandra Bolan

More than three quarters of employed Americans live paycheck-to-paycheck.

That’s a lot of people on the brink of homelessness or not being able to put food on the table. And the relentless soaring prices for even basic necessities amid record, ongoing inflation has most everyone feeling the crunch.

In an effort to get the bills paid, people may “Rob Peter to Pay Paul,” which means using one credit card to pay off a bill or another credit card, which makes getting out of debt seem impossible.

It seems like the most obvious way to get out of debt is to make more money. But when you can’t even manage what money you have, it’s just more money to mismanage.

Create a Budget and Stick to It

We all think we know where every penny goes, but at the end of the month, we still find ourselves asking, “Where did all the money go?”

Start by tracking every purchase and bill you pay for one month. You’ll see how many overpriced coffees you bought and how often you ate out, while you threw spoiled food out from your fridge.

Next, re-prioritize your spending. There are four expense categories that must get paid first: shelter, transportation, food and utilities. Next, make a list of all of your other bills, such as credit cards and school debt, and spending needs in order of importance.

This isn’t going to be easy, but it won’t be forever

either. You may have to say “No” to some outings with friends and family, but if you explain why, they will understand.

If cutting back on everything fun seems too

Right coverage. Right price.

Right here in town.

Here’s the deal. The right insurance should help you feel confident and comfortable. I’m the right good neighbor for that. Call me today.

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®

overwhelming, pick one category each month that you can reduce your spending. For example, in the first month, abstain from eating out completely, or at the very least, eat out only once that month. In month two, cut the streaming service you watch the least. In the third month, slash your

After three months, you will have created new spending habits in three

categories.

For things you feel you just can’t give up, such as clothes shopping, find cheaper alternatives such as consignment stores. When it comes to food, buy generic versus name brand and canned or frozen versus fresh. Love to read? Get a library card and borrow books instead of buying them.

Pay Off Debt

By cutting back on spending, that extra money can be re-directed to paying off debt.

Step one: stop using your credit cards. If you lack the willpower to do so, give them to someone who will not cave into your “But I have to have it,” claim. Or cut the cards up.

If you can’t pay cash for what you want, then you can’t buy it. When it comes to big ticket items you would normally pay for with a credit card, plan ahead by putting a little bit of money away each

week specifically for that item.

There are numerous options when it comes to getting that credit card balance to zero, including paying off the biggest balance first. Or pay off the one with the highest interest rate first. Depending how many entities you owe money to, you may want to consider a debt consolidation loan, which often has a better interest rate than credit cards and allows for one monthly payment versus a bunch of small ones that may get forgotten about.

If you choose to take this route, get rid of all your credit cards you paid off with the loan except for one. Keep the one card in a safe place where you can't get to it easily, such as a safe deposit box at a bank, only to be used in an emergency. Pay that one off in full each month if you have to use it.

Keeping your credit card lines open after you take out a consolidation loan is just asking for trouble. The temptation to use those zero-balance cards may be too much, and before you know it, you will have run up the balances on those cards again, in addition to having to pay the loan.

Create an Emergency Fund

Once spending and debt repayment is under control, think about putting money into an

Thankful for You

Ruby Hightower, Certified Therapy Dog and Grief

family during

conference, visitation

Prayers for Drs. Fred and Anne Richards Needed!

emergency fund. Ideally, you initially want one month of living expenses sitting in the bank. Once your debt is paid off, more of your money can go into the emergency fund. The emergency fund is only for true emergencies such as fixing your car, not for a weekend away with friends. Once your money is under control, you can create a vacation fund.

Increase Your Income

If budget cuts still can’t get the bills paid, now is the time to increase your income. Start by selling stuff you no longer use. If that doesn’t bring in much money, you may need a side hustle. Working more hours may seem like the last thing you want to do, but remember, it’s short-term pain for long-term gain: living debt-free. If you get a side job, don’t use that money for anything other than paying off debt. Just because you have more money doesn’t mean you can spend more.

Many people have million dollar tastes but Dollar Store pay checks. Once you get out of debt, which may take years, it’s easy for old spending habits to creep back in. Don’t let them.

Continue to live below your means so you can enjoy the freedom of doing whatever it is you desire while paying for it with cash. WGW

Fred will check in at Northside Hospital in Atlanta Friday, November 11 at 5:30 a.m. Fred will undergo complete bladder removal surgery that morning due to his recent bladder cancer diagnosis. Please send up your prayers and good vibes for Fred and Anne prior to, during and after his surgery!during

We love you Fred and Anne!

Fare

Chef RoseWith

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.

Photos by Zachary Dailey

Kale and Butternut Squash Salad

Ingredients

2 cup shredded kale

1/2 small lemon, juiced

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided

1/4 cup shredded Brussels sprouts

1/4 cup shredded carrots

2 medium apples, cored and diced

1 1/2 cup candied pecans

4 ounces crumbled goat cheese

1 1/2 cup butternut squash

1/2 cup pomegranate seeds

For the Dressing:

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

4 teaspoons whole grain or Dijon mustard

4 teaspoons pure maple syrup

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

Preparation

To make roasted butternut squash, put the squash on a small baking sheet.

Toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and a pinch or two of sea salt.

Roast at 425ºF until browned and soft, about 15 to 20 minutes.

Allow to cool completely.

Place the shredded kale in a large salad bowl.

Add lemon juice and 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil.

Mix well.

Add the other shredded vegetables/greens to the bowl as well as the chopped apple and pecans.

Make the dressing by combining all of the dressing ingredients in a lidded glass jar or canning jar.

Shake vigorously for 30 seconds, then pour it over the salad. Mix well.

Add the crumbled goat cheese, butternut squash and pomegranate seeds on top.

Pumpkin Pie Martini

2

1

1/4

3

vanilla vodka

oz. aged rum

pumpkin puree

maple syrup

1/4 cup half and half

1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, plus additional for garnish

Handful of ice cubes

Whipped cream for garnish

Preparation

Place 2 martini glasses in the freezer.

In a cocktail shaker combine the vodka, rum, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, half and half, pumpkin pie spice, salt and ice cubes.

Cover and shake vigorously for about 20 sec onds. Strain into the 2 martini glasses.

Top each glass with with whipped cream.

Sprinkle additional pumpkin pie spice and serve immediately. Serves 2

Thank YouA Huge

to All of Our Carroll Tomorrow Investors!

Addison Smith Mechanical

Advantage Office Solutions

Alex Roush Architects Amy Brown, State Farm Insurance Aubrey Silvey Enterprises Bank OZK Bass and Associates

Carroll County Board of Commissioners

CarroII County Board of Education Carroll EMC

Carroll Realty & lnsurance

Carrollton Board of Education

Carrollton Orthopaedic Clinic

City of Carrollton City of Temple City of Villa Rica Development Authority of Carroll County Georgia and West Georgia Power Great Southern Agency GreyStone Power Jill Duncan, State Farm Insurance Mary Covington/ Hardy & Merryl McCaIman Foundation

Jordan Truck Sales Law Office of John B Jackson Metro West Realty Miniat LLC Mullins Mechanical

NG Turf RaLin Construction/Linco SMI Southeastrans/Verida Southwire Company SyncGlobal Synovus

Tanner Medical Center Times-Georgian Tisinger Vance Tributary Real Estate Group United Community Bank University of West Georgia Villa Rica Development Authority West Georgia Electric West Georgia Technical College West Georgia Woman Magazine Z1 Motorsports

K i d s Ko r n e r

Counting Turkey

Instructions

Cut a turkey shape out of a piece of brown construction paper.

On the face, paint an orange beak, a black beard, and a red wattle for detail.

Choose a number to draw on the turkey's belly. Draw two dots for the eyes.

Paint the clothespins and allow to dry.

Clip clothespins to the turkey for the feathers. Use the clothespins to help children with counting numbers.

Scarecrow Puppet

Lay the paper sack on a

Cut the blue construction paper to fit the width of the paper sack. Cut the top of the blue paper

underneath the bottom of the sack, leaving

room for the scarecrow's mouth.

Glue in place.

Cut a hat out of the

paper.

Cut straw hair and a patch out of the yellow construction paper.

Glue the hair first at the top of the bag then, glue the hat on top of the hair.

Glue the patch to the body of the scarecrow. Glue the googly eyes just below the straw hair. Decorate scarecrow as desired. WGW

PRSRT

ECRWSS U.S.POSTAGE

PAID EDDM RETAIL

LOCAL POSTAL CUSTOMER