Woman
Complimentary
February 2019
West Georgia
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Michelle Hill Sharing Modern Medicine with WGTC Students
Big e c n a m o R on a
Small Budget
Improve Your Love Life With Laughter 1
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What’s inside ... 10
Modern Medicine
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Exercise And Your Heart
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Make Me Laugh!
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Valentine's Day Romance On A Budget
Sealed With A Kiss
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Local Happenings
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2019 Bridal Guide
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That's Amore
Love is in the air this month, and so is the arctic cold, it seems! I suppose it makes sense that Valentine's Day is celebrated in one of the coldest months of the year, as everyone is yearning for a touch of warmth to ward off this cold weather. I've never been a fan of winter, and have always dreamed of living somewhere that is always sunny and warm. How are you handling the cold weather? I'll take hot and sunny over cold and blustery any day of the week! Whatever you're doing this month, stay warm. In This Issue Our cover feature this month is West Georgia Technical College Pharmacy Technology Program Director Michelle Hill. Michelle is a dedicated wife, mother and teacher who has a gift for bringing out the best in her students. Read about Michelle, who was recently named Teacher of the Year, and how the pharmacy technology program is helping WGTC students create better lives for themselves on page 10. Do you find yourself feeling more angry than loving toward your partner? Is it hard to find joy in your relationship? Is the heaviness of adult life weighing you down? Learn how you can use humor to improve your relationship on page 22. Each year hundreds of thousands of valentines are sent to volunteers in Loveland, Colo., to be hand stamped with the city's special seal. The valentines are then remailed to the senders' loved ones. Millions of valentines from all 50 states and over 120 countries have been remailed from Loveland since 1947. Find out more about this heartfelt program, and learn how you can send your own valentines from Loveland on page 25. Every 80 seconds, a woman dies from cardiovascular disease, according to the American Heart Association. In fact, heart disease kills approximately the same number of women as diabetes, chronic lower respiratory disease and all forms of cancer combined. Did you know that regular exercise can reduce your risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke? We share the benefits of exercise on your heart beginning on page 30. Is your wallet still stinging from overindulging during the holiday season two months ago? If you want to show some love on Valentine's Day but have little cash to shell out for the big day, read our ideas on page 40 and learn how you can create some big romance on a small budget. Since love is in the air this month, I believe it's appropriate to let you know we will be publishing our first bridal guide in print and digital format on March 1. We're so excited to bring you the bridal guide this year, and even more thrilled that our very talented Shala Hainer wrote all of the articles for the publication. Pick up your copy of the West Georgia Woman bridal guide in retail stores and medical locations beginning March 1, or visit us on publish day online at www.westgeorgiawoman.com to view the free digital version. Thank you for reading! Please do business with our valuable advertisers included in this publication, and please be sure to tell them you saw their advertisements in West Georgia Woman magazine. With love,
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Photo by Keith May
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This publication is dedicated in loving memory of Tristan Alexander Brooks May 15, 1993 – September 17, 2015
West Georgia
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Volume 4 • Issue 4 February 2019
Publisher/Editor
Angela Dailey angela@westgeorgiawoman.com
Copy Editor Editorial Contributor
Shala Hainer shala@westgeorgiawoman.com
Photographer for cover Mark Steffey
Editorial Contributors
Charlene Brooks and Rose Isaacs
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Zachary@westgeorgiawoman.com Angela Brooks Dailey, owner and publisher of West Georgia Woman magazine, has lived in West Georgia most of her life and has a deep love and appreciation for the area. She received her B.B.A in management from The University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Ga., and is a Civil and Domestic Relations mediator and arbitrator registered with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution. She lives in Carrollton, and has two wonderful children, Zachary and Sydney Dailey. Angela enjoys reading, spending time with her children and extended family and loves to watch Sydney play soccer.
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Photos by Mark Steffey
Modern Medicine West Georgia Technical College Teacher of the Year Michelle Hill offers her pharmacy technology students a new and exceptional course of study.
By Angela Dailey 11
M
ichelle Hill, pharmacy technology program director at West Georgia Technical College, has come a long way since graduating high school in 2000. Immediately after graduation, her future seemed bright. She began college at Clayton State University, with dreams of becoming a nurse. During her freshman year, 18-year-old Michelle excelled socially; she participated in various clubs and student organizations, began dating a young man who belonged to a popular fraternity and was a member of the homecoming court. There was just one problem: although she was on campus every day, she didn’t attend class or complete her assignments. She failed every class except for one: Critical Thinking. “I should have put those critical thinking skills to use,” says the now 36-year-old. “I had fun. In retrospect, I was too involved in the wrong activities. Academics were not my top priority. Because of my repeated failures and lack of academic progress, I was eventually placed on academic suspension. I was young and made
dumb decisions. My immaturity blinded me to the value of the opportunity I had. Sometimes you don’t realize the value of opportunities until you no longer have them.” Young Michelle had no idea she would later achieve much more than she had originally hoped to accomplish.
California Girl Born to parents Jimmie and Debra White, Michelle grew up in San Diego, Calif., in a family brimming with love and support. Michelle and her oldest brother, Jimmie, were athletes and her younger brother, Stephen, was a musician. Her parents met as Marines while serving at Camp Pendleton in North San Diego County in California. “My parents' military background and Christian beliefs had a great impact on me,” she shares. “They taught me hard work, with a strong emphasis on integrity and to never give up. I was always encouraged and allowed try new things. I have always enjoyed pursing new and unique opportunities. If it was hard, challenging or interesting I wanted to try it.” Michelle experienced an idyllic childhood, and some of her favorite memories are of family vacations at the Hoover Dam, Disneyland, Las Vegas and playing in the snow in the North California mountains. She says her dad was the adventurous one in the family, who would take them to carnivals and amusement parks. She was in the gifted program, and attended the Zamorano fine arts academy in elementary school. Her elementary school teacher instilled a love of learning in Michelle and gave her opportunities to try new and interesting things. She has fond memories of growing her own sunflowers, then picking and eating the seeds, as well as making homemade beef jerky - a treat she still loves today.
A Difficult Transition When Michelle was 10 years old, her world as she knew it abruptly changed. Her parents were called to serve in ministry at a church they would help establish in Riverdale, Ga., and Michelle, her mother and her two brothers moved West Georgia Technical College Pharmacy Technology Chair Michelle Hill has 12 you can achieve success through hard work and determination. proven
to a middle-class neighborhood in Fayetteville, Ga. Her father stayed behind to work in California until her mom could secure employment. “I remember being in culture shock moving from southern California to the 'South,’ she relates. “Southern Georgia is very different from southern California. I grew up in a melting pot of ethnicities. My neighbors were Filipino, black, white, Mexican and bi-racial, just to name a few. I have always grown up in an interracial neighborhood, which taught me to value diversity." Some of her new neighbors in Georgia, sadly, had not had the same exposure to diversity. “I was in middle school, and I went swimming at the neighborhood pool,” she recalls. “I saw a group of girls playing and I wanted to join them. I went over and asked could I play, and one little girl spoke up and said 'no,' because she said there were no black mermaids. I don’t remember my response, but that moment was one of the defining moments when I realized that some people did not have as much positive exposure to diversity as myself.” A few years later, while working a part-time job at a clothing store in the customer service department, Michelle had another hurtful experience she still remembers today. "One day, my manager asked me to do something, and I gave a rebuttal. His response was, ‘That is why I don’t like to hire pretty girls, they are lazy.’ I was appalled at his comments. No one had ever called me lazy, and he implied it was because I was a ‘pretty girl.’ His disrespectful comments that revealed a hiring bias was hurtful. In spite of his chauvinistic remarks, I still worked hard and gave my best. Even when I experienced prejudice, I was encouraged to be the change that I wanted to see.” Due to the expensive move across country and the delay in her mother finding work, Michelle and her brothers weren’t able to participate in many of the extracurricular sports activities and camps they were accustomed to in California, but they were deeply involved in the church and other religious activities – which always came first in the family. After eight months, her mom found work, her dad came home to Georgia and the family settled into their new life in the South.
Lessons Learned When Michelle was in high school, she participated in various extracurricular activities and worked part-time. She was a member of Fayette County High School’s first inaugural step team, the
mock trial team, participated in the church youth group and was a member of the church choir. She also co-led a Girl Scout troup and was a mentor for young girls. It was while running track for the first time in the 4-by-100 relay that she says she learned one of her greatest life lessons. “I was running with the baton, and I was about to pass it off to the next person,” she recalls. “I was in a special area on the track where you're required to hand off the baton to the next runner known as the ‘changeover box.’ The next person took off too fast – or I was too slow – and I dropped the stick. When I returned to school the next day, as I walked through the hallways, people randomly yelled out ‘stick.’ I had to live with that humiliation for a few days. "That experience taught me how to bounce back from mistakes. I didn’t become the next track star, but I learned how to stick with something despite low moments. I am glad I stuck with track – one of the highlights was when I was pictured in the school newspaper running. I still have that newspaper.”
A Pivotal Moment One of Michelle’s part-time jobs in high school would eventually determine her career path, but
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the job came with its own set of difficulties. While working for Eckerd Drugs, she was intrigued by the pharmacy and wanted to train and work to become a pharmacy technician. While her store manager was supportive, the pharmacy manager was not. “He was very demeaning toward me,” she shares. “He lied about me and refused to train me. He told me I would never be a certified pharmacy technician.” Determined to pursue a career as a pharmacy technician, Michelle left Eckerd and was hired by Kroger to work in their pharmacy. “There, I met Beau Zimmerman, who was one of the best pharmacists I have ever worked with,” she relates. “Beau trained me, and helped me study for, and pass, the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam. I am so glad I did not listen to the prior pharmacy manager. While his words were hurtful, they lit a fire in me and I was determined to prove him wrong. Even today, people still tell me what can’t be done and what I cannot do. If I am passionate about something and
believe in it, I will succeed. I have found that in life, you must be your biggest cheerleader. There are times when people don’t or won’t believe in you. It doesn’t always come from a bad place, sometimes your loved ones don’t believe in you simply because they have no idea what you are talking about or are not familiar with the details or the process of how to achieve your dream. I realized that I had to take ownership of whatever it was that I wanted and pursue it relentlessly.”
Perseverance Pays Off In 2006, Michelle married her husband, L.V., a former athlete from Waycross, Ga. Known as Coach Hill, he is a middle school teacher and basketball coach. After her marriage, Michelle had a desire to finish what she started and began working toward obtaining her associates degree in applied science in 2007. She became pregnant with her first child, Jason, now 10, while working full-time and attending
“I try to coach students to success by sharing my expectations and finding out their expectations of me. I use active learning strategies to engage learners, and I am always looking for creative ways to shake things up, in and outside of the classroom.” 15
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cheryl@heartmatterswellness.com school part-time at a two-year community college, Atlanta Metropolitan State College. “When I finally graduated in 2010, I felt like I got the proverbial monkey off my back,” she shares. However, Michelle wasn’t finished with her educational goals. She wanted better opportunities for herself, and knew she would need to obtain a bachelors degree to land a higher paying job that was more family friendly. She began attending Herzing University in Atlanta and obtained a bachelor of science in business administration in 2012 while pregnant with her second child, Leah, now 7.
Opportunity Knocks In 2014, Michelle was working as a teacher for a for-profit, proprietary post-secondary school. Sensing that the school would be closing down soon, she searched for another teaching job and was hired as an adjunct professor at West Georgia Technical College (WGTC). This would prove to be the best decision of her life. After teaching for five years and only one year of working as an adjunct with WGTC, the pharmacy technology program chair moved on to another opportunity, leaving the position open. “In short ... it had to be God’s
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perfect timing and hard work,” she says. “I have a canvas in my office that says, ‘When you do what you love, everything falls into place.’ I feel like that quote describes my journey. On my five-year plan that I had at my desk, one of my goals was to be a program chair. By the grace of God I achieved that goal in 2015 when I was hired as the pharmacy technology program chair at WGTC. Determined to further her education, Michelle began pursuing a masters degree in May 2015. “I wanted a graduate degree because I saw that it opened doors and gave credibility to my work,” she shares. “I took the GRE (Graduate Record Examination), and applied to Augusta University’s School of Public Health. After my interview, I had to write a letter explaining my academic suspension from Clayton State University and pleading my case as to why I should be accepted into the masters program. "My stomach was in knots as I anxiously awaited a decision. Finally I got the email that I was accepted, and I cried. I was so proud of the progress I made and realized the value in this opportunity to further my education and provide a better future for me and my family. I went on to earn my masters of public health with a concentration in health informatics.” Keeping up with her trend of being pregnant while
attending school, Michelle actually gave birth to her youngest son, Jonas, now 8 months old, two days before taking her final exams. “It was very difficult being a wife, mother and a student at the same time for so many years,” she relates. “Having a support system was critical to my success. My parents and my friend, Florence, and her family were the key players on my team. Of course, my husband helped during the week as well. He was a team player during my long nights and early mornings. I found that if I let him know in advance what times of day I wanted to work on my school work, he could adjust his schedule and anticipate taking on more of the household responsibilities.”
With Change Comes Opportunity Michelle recently completed a $250,000 grant project for the pharmacy technology program, which allowed for renovations of three rooms that were transformed into new classrooms and
labs. “The project was a great undertaking and learning experience, she shares. “Via World Class Lab funding from TCSG (Technical College System of Georgia) we were able to create a learning environment with equipment that simulates the clinical pharmacy experience.” Originally offering only a certificate program, WGTC has now begun offering a pharmacy technology AAS degree, and a pharmacy technology diploma for traditional students, and will continue offering a pharmacy assistant certificate program for dual-enrolled students. The new program offerings for students began last month. “I am so excited about the new pharmacy technology degree and diploma additions,” she says. “It’s really exciting to plan more for students. Prior to these awards, we were the only school within the TCSG to only offer a certificate. With the roles of pharmacy technicians expanding, it is critical that we expand our program offerings to meet industry needs. “Most people are only familiar with the pharmacy technicians at retail locations, but there are many
Michelle works with a WGTC student in one of the pharmacy technology program's newly renovated labs. Funding for the new classrooms and labs was provided by World Class Lab funding from the Technical College System of Georgia. After Michelle completed the $250,000 grant project, WGTC was able to create a learning environment with equipment that simulates the clinical pharmacy experience.
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technicians who work behind the scenes. If you have ever had an IV infusion, most likely there was a pharmacy technician – oftentimes in the basement of a hospital, preparing the infusion and the IV lines. "Pharmacy technicians also work in closed-door long-term care pharmacies, nuclear pharmacies and oncology pharmacies. The role and duties of pharmacy technicians are still growing. In Iowa, certified pharmacy technicians can now administer vaccinations. Our degree and diploma programs prepare pharmacy technicians for advanced roles and opportunities.”
Teacher of the Year Not only has Michelle had the honor of expanding the pharmacy technology program recently, she was also honored to be named Teacher of the Year for WGTC last year. The process is quite lengthy: One teacher from each department within the college is nominated by the faculty of each department. Then, each of the nominees go through an interview process that requires letters of recommendation, completing a questionnaire, submission of a resume and an interview and speaking presentation in front of a
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panel of judges. Once the nominee is chosen as the institutional winner, she moves on to a regional and a state competition. Michelle is taking the process all in stride. “It is hard work teaching and being the program chair, but it is even more arduous being Teacher of the Year,” she explains. “There are speeches, appearances, meetings, conferences, interviews and more. In spite of duties and obligations, I am taking it all in and relishing this moment, knowing that opportunities like this come once in a lifetime. I am looking forward to the regional and state competition. "Whether I win or not, I look forward to celebrating this journey with my family. It is an honor to be chosen as Teacher of the Year. I am amazed that out of roughly 150 full-time faculty, I was chosen to represent WGTC.” Michelle teaches at the Douglasville campus of WGTC, which is currently the only campus that offers the pharmacy technology program. Along with other pharmacy technology faculty and adjunct instructors, she teaches Pharmaceutical Calculations, Fundamentals of Pharmacy Technology, Principles of Dispensing Medications, Pharmacology, Principles of Sterile Medication Prep and she manages the students’ clinical experience.
For Michelle, the students mean everything. "When it comes to being an educator, it is all about the students," she relates. "Without students, I would not be teaching, and the students make everything worthwhile. As an educator, my favorite moment is when I have taught a subject and I see the students' eyes light up because suddenly it all makes sense." Perhaps the most important lesson she teaches her students is one that doesn't come with a degree: how to respond when life becomes challenging. "I have found that students have the intellectual capacity to succeed, but some of them lack coping skills or grit," she explains. "Life happens, but what makes a student successful is how they respond to life’s circumstances." Her teaching style reflects that of collaboration and teamwork, which allows her students to learn from each other, as well as from their instructors. She also asks her students to share their experiences during or after an assignment to foster critical thinking. "Everyone may not have the same viewpoint and methodologies when it comes to problem solving," she shares. "But active learning strategies expose those differences, then encourage students to embrace them through collaboration."
Michelle's proudest moments are when her students complete their programs and gain employment in their desired field or pursue an advanced degree. "I have seen students hired in every field of pharmacy," she says. "One student in particular was a dual enrollment student (a high school student taking college courses for high school and college credit). The student successfully completed the certificate program and was hired at a retail pharmacy in her local community." Michelle was delighted when that student recently shared the news that she has been accepted into the Xavier University of Louisiana College of Pharmacy.
Balancing Work and Motherhood With a family of five and full-time work, Michelle has to manage her time wisely. She's proud that she was able to nurse all three of her children while working, which isn't easy and comes with its own set of pressures such as having enough milk, timing her breast pump sessions, trying to make sure Jonas is hungry when she is ready to feed him and cleaning the equipment several times a day. "Being a nursing mom while working has been especially challenging," she shares. "It takes
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preparation and patience. Using a breast pump to pump my milk so I can nurse my babies longer helps me feel more connected and mitigates the 'mom guilt.' Despite all the inconveniences, it is worth it, and I am blessed that I was able to nurse all three babies." She tries to include her family in her work milestones and accomplishments so they understand the impact of educational attainment. "Who I am and the success I have is because of them," she shares. "I don’t want to look up one day and have met all of my career goals, but lost my family. It is important for my children and husband to know why I have sacrificed and worked long days; to make a difference in students' lives and in the WGTC community." Michelle is fortunate to have a strong support system to lean on when the need arises. Her parents are only a short drive away, volunteer often at the children's school and attend their extracurricular activities: Leah participates in gymnastics, soccer and basketball, and Jason plays basketball, soccer and football.
"I am so appreciative of my parents being active in my children's lives," she smiles. "Sometimes my father will ask me what I would like for Christmas, or my birthday, and I often respond, 'Just love and support.' Their continuous love and support for me and my family has benefited us in ways money cannot. My Mom and I are especially close. I speak to her almost daily on the phone." L.V. is very hands on with the kids, and, although he doesn't do things exactly the way she would when it comes to household tasks or changing diapers, she says he still does a great job. "My husband is a great partner," she shares. Michelle and L.V. don't hire a sitter often – that is usually reserved for special events, such as weddings – instead, they prefer to spend quality time with their children when they can. They attend sporting events together as a family, or go to the park to play volleyball or basketball and walk the trails together. Above all, they both want their children to learn the importance of being a good person. "We hope to teach our children to put God first, other people second and themselves third," she explains.
"I hope we meet and exceed student expectations. Our students are not looking for just an education or a job, but a career and better life."
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Learn more at www.spinepains.com "We hope to teach them servant leadership, while keeping ethics and integrity at the forefront. We often tell our children to do what’s right, no matter what others are doing. I hope our children see our work ethic and know that if they believe in themselves and work hard, anything is possible." Carving out time for herself is also important to Michelle. She loves planning, planning stickers and working in her Happy Planner® – a customizable planner system. "When I work in my Happy Planner®, it centers and calms me because I am a planner," she explains. "As a wife and mom of three, I must be intentional about taking time for myself. I carve out time for celebrations with friends and family, ladies nights and girls trips – for the most part, my extended family has always lived far away so, I grew up around people who felt like family. I have several close friends I have known for 20-plus years. I am at my best when I make time for self-care."
A Bright Future Michelle doesn't want to rule out pursuing a terminal-level degree in the future, but jokes that if she goes back to school, she may wind up having
L i fe . Star ts . He re . another baby. For now, she is happy and content with her lot in life. "I am still a student of the educational field, aspiring to learn and grow everyday," she shares. "At the moment, I am enjoying focusing on my current career and my family. One thing I have learned is that Iife is made up of hills and valleys, but through it all, you must be consistent and believe in yourself and your abilities." For the future of her pharmacy technology students at West Georgia Technical College, Michelle is dedicated to improving the experiences of those participating in the program, hopes to expand the college's clinical sites to include more institutional pharmacies and wants to continuously improve the quality of the program for her students. By adding the diploma and degree awards, she says the Pharmacy Technology program will be eligible for accreditation by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP), which accredits Pharmacy Technician programs. "There is always room for improvement," she explains. "I hope we meet and exceed student expectations. Our students are not looking for just an education or a job, but a career and better life." WGW
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Make Me Laugh!
Using Humor to Improve Your Love Life
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Defuse Conflict with Humor Disagreements and conflicts are a natural part of all relationships. How you deal with them is what makes the difference. Rather than locking horns with your spouse, you can integrate friendly humor and playfulness in the talk. According to a research study of 98 dating couples from a large Texas University, couples who introduced shared humor in conflict resolution were more satisfied in their relationship and felt closer to their partner than those who used more aggressive humor during conflict resolution. It is crucial to remain tactful and to refrain from sarcastic remarks as the situation could quickly escalate from playfulness to anger. Change the gears subtly to interrupt the power struggle, reframe the
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emember when you first began your relationship? Everything looked brighter, the grass seemed greener, the whole world seemed ... amazing. You couldn't stand to be away from your partner for more than a few minutes, and you were always smiling. You had so much fun together. Then, reality kicked in. After a few years of being together, you both settled into a relationship routine that consisted of work, kids, household chores and some serious responsibilities. Nothing seemed fun anymore. Laughter can nurture bonding, improve connections and foster closeness in relationships, according to the Mayo Clinic. Studies have shown that incorporating humor into everyday activities helps people enjoy a more pleasant experience while engaging in positive activities, such as having dinner out or going to a movie, as well as during negative activities, such as standing in line or going to the dentist. If you want to improve your relationship, try incorporating more laughs in your love life.
conflict and enhance intimacy.
Develop Your Own Sense of Playfulness Creating joy and humor starts with you. An excellent way to incorporate playfulness is setting aside dedicated time for play. This can be difficult for adults who often feel as if they have the weight of the world on their shoulders. Try singing silly songs in the shower, turn up your favorite song and dance like crazy or, on a rainy day jump in a puddle in your rainboots. Playing with little children is always a great way to bring out the kid in you. Developing your own sense of playfulness will help you learn to create more joyful experiences with your partner.
Be Spontaneous Some of the best fun moments are typically a result of spontaneity. Breaking away from your old routine can seem challenging at first, but it is a remarkable way to introduce more laughter into your relationship. Try taking an unplanned trip or saying yes to unanticipated opportunities. Try new foods or activities together. Whether you find yourself in ridiculous positions during your first yoga lesson or find yourselves in one of those small towns with a weird roadside attraction, you are guaranteed to create some intriguing memories you can relive for a lifetime.
Create Some Inside Jokes An inside joke is something only you and your partner understands. With time, it can be reduced to a short phrase, word or gesture that will instantly remind you of a funny incident and create a moment of shared affection. Having an inside joke is like
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having a secret language – something romantic and sweet only the two of you share. Moreover, it can create intimacy and draw the two of you closer.
A Good Old Fashioned Gag Gift Although usually neglected, this tactic can be quite powerful. You probably remember the beautiful flowers or thoughtful trinkets that your partner has given you in the past; they were certainly sweet and kind gestures. But, have you ever tried bringing each other an incredible gag gift? From matching couple’s pillowcases, an ugly sweater made for two or a Lionel Richie cutting board (Hello? Is it me you're cooking for?), a great gag gift is sure to bring some much needed fun and excitement to your relationship.
Relive Funny Moments Remembering fun or outrageous times together brings more relationship satisfaction because laughter and fun times create memories that add a punch. Each time you think about those moments, you'll enjoy a laugh together again. Revisiting places and reenacting the events of your childhood or when you were an adolescent can be an excellent
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way to tap into your funny bone. Remember when you snuck out of the house that one time just to go swing at the park? Sneak off to a park nearby and swing together under the moonlight. Start a food fight at dinner time, or revisit that familiar place on lovers' lane where you used to, um, talk.
Pair Humor with Respect Using aggressive humor in your love relationship can hurt, rather than repair. Laughter should never be used at the expense of your partner, and it goes without saying that using humor that pokes fun of your spouse or touches on sensitive issues such as their family, health or work should be avoided. Approaching humor with a healthy amount of respect for your partner allows you to be free to interact with one another safely so you can enjoy more good times and laughter. Finding humor in every situation not only improves your mood but is also an essential part of a healthy relationship. Sharing fun and laughter brings you closer together and improves the quality of your lives. Begin bringing back the fun in your relationship so both of you can relish in the pleasure that comes with sharing a good belly laugh. WGW
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Sealed with a Kiss
ince 1947, the Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Post Office in Loveland, Colo., have sponsored the Loveland Valentine Remailing Program. Each year hundreds of thousands of valentines are packaged in larger envelopes and sent to volunteers in Loveland to be hand stamped with the city's cachet – a special mark or seal. The valentines are then remailed to the senders' loved ones. Millions of valentines from all 50 states and over 120 countries have been remailed from Loveland since 1947. The Chamber and Visitor's Center becomes an official U.S. Postal Service substation during the remailing program. Known as "The Valentine Station," the substation has a resident postmaster during the entire remailing program. Every year, the Chamber of Commerce holds a contest for local residents for the winning verse and design. The winners are chosen from all of the entries, and the verse and design are combined to create the "Official Chamber of Commerce Loveland Valentine."
The city's 2019 Valentine cachet design features the mascot, Dan Cupid, carrying his valentines to the post office. The message reads: The heart of Loveland Is joyfully sent to you. Let love be remembered In all that you do.
To have your valentines sent from Loveland, send your pre-addressed, stamped valentines enclosed in a larger first-class envelope to: Postmaster Attn: Valentine Re-mailing 446 E. 29th St. Loveland, CO 80538-9998
Valentines should each have 55-cent postage affixed and extra postage should be added for heavier or oddly-shaped valentines. Valentines must be received in Loveland by Feb. 7 for U.S. delivery. For questions about the remailing program, call the Loveland Chamber at 970.667.6311. WGW
Love is in the Air
Model: Rachel Brown Photographer: Kimberly Carden
970 Hays Mill Road Carrollton, Georgia 678.664.0610 Monday 10 AM - 6 PM Tuesday - Saturday 10 AM - 7 PM Sunday 1 - 6 PM 25
Daily Fare With
e s o R f e Ch
Chef photos by Keith May.
Rose Isaacs is a native of Carroll County and lives in Carrollton with her husband Shawn. 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.
26Recipe photos by Mark Steffey.
Buffalo Chicken Dip
"
This is a great dip to prepare for Super Bowl Sunday. Mix this recipe up by using a variety of different cheeses; try feta, pepper jack or mozzarella.
Ingredients
Preparation
16 ounces softened cream cheese
In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, ranch, 1/4 cup blue cheese, chicken, buffalo sauce and 1 cup of cheddar cheese. Stir to combine well. Lightly spray a 3-quart slow-cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Transfer dip to slow-cooker and top with remaining cheddar cheese. Cover and cook on low for 2 to 3 hours, or until hot and bubbly. Sprinkle with remaining blue cheese, green onions and parsley. Serve hot with tortilla chips and celery sticks. Serves 10.
1/2 cup ranch dressing
1/3 cup blue cheese crumbles, divided
2 cups cooked and shredded chicken 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
3 green onions, sliced for garnish
Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
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� This delicious soup is perfect for a 28 romantic Valentine's Day dinner.�
Chicken Alfredo Tortellini Soup
Ingredients
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 medium yellow onion, diced 4 ounces carrots, diced 2 cloves garlic
1/4 cup all purpose flour
4 cups chicken broth or stock 1 cup half and half 1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
16 ounces pulled rotisserie chicken meat 9 ounces cheese tortellini, fresh or frozen 2 cups freshly shredded parmesan cheese 2 ounces fresh baby spinach, chopped
Preparation
Warm a large pot or dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add butter and allow to melt. Add onion and carrots and cook until the onions are translucent, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds. Add all purpose flour and stir to coat all of the vegetables. Stir continuously for 1 to 2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste. Add chicken stock or broth, half and half, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes and pulled chicken. Continue cooking until the soup thickens, about 10 minutes. Add tortellini to the pot and cook 5 to 7 minutes. When tortellini is al dente, slowly add parmesan cheese – a handful at a time to allow even melting. When all the cheese has melted into the soup, add chopped spinach. Serves 8. WGW
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Excercise and Your Heart E
ach year, 400,000 women die as a result of heart disease in the United States, according to the American Heart Association. This means one death every 80 seconds is a result of heart disease. The statistics become more alarming when age and race are considered. 48 percent of AfricanAmerican women are affected by cardiovascular disease versus 35 percent of Caucasian women. Also alarming, 64 percent of women who die suddenly as a result of heart disease, do so without having any previous symptoms. Factors that lead to heart attacks and heart disease may include: • • • • • • •
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Poor food choices Excessive alcohol consumption Smoking Contraceptive use Lack of physical activity Obesity Diabetes
The good news is that you can eliminate your risk of coronary heart disease by simply engaging in regular exercise. Exercising regularly may help you to maintain an ideal weight and reduce the possibility of you developing other conditions that might affect your heart, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Benefits of Exercise on the Heart • Lowers bad cholesterol. Cholesterol is produced by the liver to power different functions in the body. They include the production of hormones, production of Vitamin D and digestion, among others. There are certain individuals who are genetically predisposed to high cholesterol. Such individuals are in danger of heart attacks if they don't change their lifestyle. When you combine poor food choices – especially foods rich in saturated fat and a sedentary lifestyle – it increases bad cholesterol or Low-density
Tanner Heart Care presents
A celebration of women’s heart health Education • Giveaways • Luncheon • Screenings A Morning That’s Good for Your Heart Cardiovascular disease claims a woman’s life every 80 seconds. During American Heart Month this February, take advantage of a unique opportunity to learn how you can take a stand against the leading cause of death among American women. Tanner Heart Care’s Red for a Reason, a celebration of women’s heart health, will feature: • Free cholesterol and blood pressure screenings • A luncheon and special presentation from a board-certified cardiac specialist • Heart-healthy demonstrations and giveaways • Special door prizes from community partners • Tours of Tanner Heart and Vascular Center
Saturday
Feb. 23 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton
705 Dixie Street
Take a moment for yourself. Get your girlfriends together and register for Tanner’s Red for a Reason — an exclusive women’s-only event dedicated to heart health.
Registration is required. Register today at www.tanner.org/RedForAReason
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lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). In the body, bad cholesterol can lead to hardening of the blood vessels and clogging. When you exercise, your body burns fat efficiently and eliminates chances of clogging, hardening of blood vessels and the build up of bad cholesterol. Strengthens the heart muscles. The heart is an organ tasked with the function of pumping blood to various organs and muscles. As you probably know, the heart is made up of four chambers. You have the left and right atria plus the left and right ventricles. The left ventricle has a very important function – pumping oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body. This replenishes the muscles and other organs with nutrients and oxygen. Doctors have discovered that when you engage in exercise even for 30 minutes, it helps to increase the size of the left ventricle. Increases the presence of good cholesterol. Unlike LDL-C, HDL cholesterol is good cholesterol. It promotes a healthy heart, lowers the risk of heart disease and prevents clogging of the arteries. When you exercise for 30 minutes a day, good cholesterol increases, which promotes better health. Reduces the occurrence of heart arrhythmia. In a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers discovered that weight loss, exercise and diet decreased atrial fibrillation and heart disease. From the study, researchers recommended that if people would engage in high-intensity interval training, it would cut the risk of heart arrhythmia by half. Lowers blood pressure. Engaging in exercise may help maintain blood pressure at an optimum level and help lower your risk of heart disease. Apart from that, lower blood pressure plays a role in stress reduction, good mood and lower anxiety levels. Reduces the chances of a second heart attack. A vast majority of American women survive the first heart attack, according to the University of Rochester Medical Center. What most women don’t know is that not taking any action to change their lifestyle places them at risk of a second heart attack that they may not survive.
Depending on how fit you are, a mix of aerobic workouts that include swimming, cycling, walking,
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623 DIXIE STREET – CARROLLTON, GA hiking, running and other exercise that gets your heart pumping, and resistance and weight training are some of the best ways to reduce your risk. Eating a healthy diet, quitting smoking and reducing your amount of alcohol consumption are other ways to reduce your risk of heart disease. Although exercise is a great way to reduce the risk of heart disease, you should always ask for guidance from your primary care physician before beginning any workout routine. She will be able to design an appropriate exercise plan for you based on your level of fitness. Working together with your doctor, you can take charge of your health today to reduce your risk of heart disease in the future. WGW If you would like to learn more about heart disease, the number one killer of women, our advertising partner, Tanner Health System, will be hosting an exclusive women's-only free heart health event on Saturday, Feb. 23 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event includes a complimentary lunch with a presentation, free cholesterol and blood pressure screenings and much more. You must register in advance for this free event. To register, visit www.tanner.org/RedForAReason. See Tanner Health System's advertisement on page 31 for more details.
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Womentality
Inspiring quotes by extraordinary women “All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” – Helen Keller
“Each time you love, love as deeply as if it were forever.” – Audre Lorde
“A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.” – Mignon McLaughlin
“In real love you want the other person's good. In romantic love you want the other person.” – Margaret Anderson
“Valentine's Day is precisely what the spirit needs. It is hot chocolate for the soul. It is a bright splash of color on a stark white canvas. The day reminds us to reaffirm our love, or perhaps to give voice to that which has remained unsaid.” – Dorothy Denneen Volo 34
Local Happenings
West Georgia Mental Health Professionals Wellness Meetup Group
This group meets the last Saturday of every month in Douglasville or Austell. For more information, contact Cheryl at theheartmatters@gmail.com or 678.754.5840. Learn more at www.heartmatterswellness.com.
Hope For The Journey This group meets the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the board room at the Tracy Stallings Community Center at 118 South White St. in Carrollton. These events are free to breast cancer survivors or those currently battling breast cancer. Learn more at www.hopeforthejourneywestga.org, email execdirector@hopeforthejourneywestga.org or call 770.214.1491.
Rare Pearls Mentoring and Leadership Program
Rare Pearls mission is to enrich and empower the lives of young girls and women. This group meets the third Saturday of each month at WellStar Douglas Hospital, 8954 Hospital Dr. in Douglasville, in the Sycamore Room from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. This program is open to all girls ages 10 to 17. For more information call 770.947.8210, email rarepearls2015@gmail.com or visit the website at www.rarepearlsmentoringandleadership.org.
Nursing From The Heart Breastfeeding Support Group This group meets the third Monday of each month from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at 500 Old Bremen Road in Carrollton. These events are free to pregnant women and moms looking for breastfeeding support. Free
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weight checks for your baby will be available. Come and share your breastfeeding journey with us. Please check our website for meeting and event updates at www.nursingfromtheheart.com.
Gertrude's House Breast Cancer Support Group This group meets the third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at Lithia Springs Family Chiropractic at 1758 Lee Rd in Lithia Springs. This group is open to all survivors, caregivers, supporters, friends, family and those fighting breast cancer. Visit their Facebook page @GertrudesHouse or email them at GertrudesHouse@yahoo.com.
GriefShare at Tabernacle Baptist Church Utilizing a video seminar, support group and workbook, each of the 13 weekly GriefShare meetings center around a topic important to the grief recovery process. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m., and the meetings run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. each evening. Meetings are held at 150 Tabernacle Drive, Room 256, Carrollton, Ga. Classes are free. Participation workbooks are $15. For more information on GriefShare, call or text John Pearson at 404.368.2746.
DivorceCare at Tabernacle Baptist Church Utilizing a video seminar, support group, and workbook, each of the 13 weekly DivorceCare meetings center around a topic important to your recovery process. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m., and the meetings run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. each evening. Meetings are held at 150 Tabernacle Drive, Room 260, Carrollton, Ga. Classes are free. Participation workbooks are $15. For more information on DivorceCare, call or text John Pearson at 404.368.2746.
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Carroll EMC Accepting Applications for Washington Youth Tour Carroll Electric Membership Cooperative is accepting applications from area high school students, who will be 16 by June 2019, to compete for an all-expense-paid spot on the 2019 Washington Youth Tour. The week-long once-ina-lifetime leadership trip offers participants the opportunity to experience U.S. government and U.S. history up-close while having fun, making new friends, and gaining leadership skills. If chosen, the students will become one of the three delegates sponsored by Carroll EMC and join more than 110 teens from other EMCs across Georgia to represent the state during the 2019 Washington Youth Tour to be held June 13-20, 2019. The fast-paced, high-energy program is designed to give students a taste of democracy in action, expose them to the nation’s rich history through visits to national monuments and museums, and encourage students to become politically aware citizens. “The Washington Youth Tour not only taught me more about the exceptional individuals who have helped to shape the history of my nation, it allowed me to meet and form bonds with exceptional individuals in my community, who I know will become the great leaders and history-makers of our nation’s future,” said last year’s delegate, Anna Handley. That sentiment, expressed by many former delegates, underscores the significance of the program – to participate in an unforgettable weeklong journey in the nation’s capital that includes face-to-face meetings with state and national leaders, leadership training, and discussions on important issues with students from other states. The tour begins in Georgia where students get to know each other before boarding an airplane and flying to Washington, D.C., where they connect with more than 1,800 students from across the country. Plans are in the works to cruise down the Potomac River; lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery; meet with Georgia’s U.S. senators and representatives; take photos outside the White House and tour the U.S. Supreme Court, the United States Capitol, Mount Vernon and the National Cathedral.
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FIGHTING FOR EVERY MOM & BABY. Every baby deserves the best possible start. We are fighting for the health of moms and babies because it makes the future brighter for us all.
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© 2018 March of Dimes
MARCHOFDIMES.ORG
Students will visit memorials honoring Presidents Franklin Roosevelt, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and George Washington; Martin Luther King Jr.; World War II; the Korean and Vietnam Veterans memorials; and watch the U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps and the Silent Drill Platoon perform at the Marine Memorial (Iwo Jima statue) as well as spend time at the Smithsonian, Newseum and Holocaust Museums. Applications can be found on the website, www.carrollemc.com, from Nov. 1 to Feb.15.
Carroll EMC Announces Promotion of Tommy Cook
Carroll EMC Welcomes New Director Lynn Joyner
Lynn Joyner has been appointed to the Carroll EMC board of directors to represent the Members of District 3. He will complete the unexpired term of W.S. Harman who passed away earlier this year. “It is such an honor and privilege to be appointed to Carroll EMC’s board of directors,” said Joyner. “Carroll EMC is one of the finest organizations in the West Georgia area, and to be part of that team is a real privilege. I look forward to a great learning experience and a great opportunity.” Joyner is the president of J&R Construction and Development, Inc., which he formed with his brother in 1986. He is also a member of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce, Carroll Tomorrow, Carroll County Farm Bureau, Carroll County Cattlemen Association, Georgia Cattlemen Association and the Heard County Chamber of Commerce. Joyner and his wife, Lucy, live in Carrollton with their son, Justin and his wife Megan and their children. They attend Tyus Baptist Church.
Tommy Cook has been promoted to Vice President of Operations, effective Jan. 1, 2019. Tommy began his career at Carroll EMC in 1983 in the vehicle shop. In 1985, he was selected for the Apprentice Lineman Program and was promoted to Journeyman Lineman in 1993. He has since held the positions of line foreman and construction manager. Tommy’s proven leadership exemplifies the core values of Carroll EMC and sets an outstanding example for all leaders in the organization. Most notably, his persistence and passion for improving safety have been invaluable to achieving a strong safety culture at Carroll EMC. Tommy lives in Franklin with his wife, Debra. He is the proud father of Thomas Cook and Marie Taylor, and he attends Bethesda Baptist Church.
Carroll EMC is a Member-owned cooperative providing electricity to approximately 50,000 homes and businesses. The co-op serves Members in Carroll, Haralson, Heard, Paulding, Polk and Troup counties. This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. For more information visit the cooperative’s website at carrollemc.com or follow Carroll EMC on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram and LinkedIn. Carroll EMC: Community Built. Community Builder.
Ladies Night Out Spring Fashion Show Ladies Night Out is a spring fashion show benefiting Communities In Schools Carrollton/ Carroll County. This event will be held on Friday, March 1 at 7 p.m.The event will feature four boutiques, complimentary drinks and hors d'oeuvres with a "Sip and Shop" to follow the fashion show. Tickets are $50 and sponsorships are also available. For more information visit www.ciscarroll.org/ladies-night-out
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Valentine's Day Romance on a Budget
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By Angela Dailey
A
hhh, Valentine's Day. The official day of love, and one of the most expensive days of the year. In fact, consumers spent about $19.6 billion on Valentine's Day last year, according to the National Retail Federation. While this number didn't surpass the record spending of U.S. consumers in 2016 ($19.7 billion), that's still a ton of money spent on an evening out, greeting cards, chocolate and roses, and the average amount an individual spends on Valentine's Day is around $140. While all of this spending is great for the economy, it's not very kind to our wallets that took a big hit only two months ago during the Christmas season, and, if you're still struggling to pay off that holiday debt, you're not alone. For many, it could take several months of payments to make a dent. If you want to show some love but have very little cash to shell out for the big day, here are some ideas to create some big romance on a small budget. • Write a love letter. Author, Oscar Auliq Ice said, "Love can be expressed in a myriad of different methods, but the most timeless and most treasured will always remain the classic love letter." Although this medium was a once standard tradition for the lovestruck among us, it has, sadly, been replaced by heart-eyed emojis sent through electronic and impersonal text messages. If you want to really wow the one you love this Valentine's Day, pour your heart and soul out in a beautiful love letter. To make the gesture even more special, have your letter mailed from Loveland, Colo. (see page 25 for details on their valentine remailing program). • Disconnect from all electronics. For those of you who bring your phone, tablet and laptop everywhere, this task will probably be difficult, but not impossible. Make a pact with your partner to disconnect from your electronic devices completely while spending time together on Valentine's Day. Don't sneak a peek at Facebook, don't post that photo of your delicious Valentine's dinner on Instagram
and don't dare check your work emails. Just relax and enjoy each other's company. You might even be surprised to find that you actually enjoy not being connected to the World Wide Web – at least for a little while. • Make dinner together. Women’s Auto Clinic. Feb. 14 is on a Thursday this Women’s Concierge Service. year, and that means a work night and, if you 770.832.9465 have children, a school night. Preparing a 134 Bankhead Ave., Carrollton delicious and www.lamberttirecompany.com easy meal together as a couple may be just the thing if you don't have the funds to spring for dinner out. To add a little spice to your evening, grab some glasses and a bottle of wine and make Chef Rose Isaacs' simple Chicken Alfredo Tortellini Soup recipe on page 28. • Save room for dessert. If you can't stand the thought of not going out as a couple on Valentine's Day, eat a romantic dinner at
Skip the restaurant and cook a romantic dinner together. 41
Help her see a better future. Contact us to learn more admin@carrollcasa.org 770.838.1964 carrollcasa.org home, then treat yourselves to dessert and coffee at an upscale restaurant. • Organize a scavenger hunt. Remember where you had your first date? So does your
true love. Take a trip down memory lane by leaving riddles your partner must answer to move on to the next clue. At the end of the scavenger hunt, leave his favorite candy or snack along with a love letter for him to find, or, have the scavenger hunt end in your candlelit bedroom, blow the dust off of that bottle of massage oil and pamper him with a massage (hopefully, he'll return the favor!). A word to the wise: Be easy on him with the riddles. There is no way he is going to remember the outfit you were wearing five years ago or what perfume you used in 1990. • Create a romantic playlist and dance the night away. You remember those sweet love songs you would listen to while staring deeply into each other's eyes? Recreate those moments
Love is All You Need.
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with your own romantic playlist that reminds you of those good times together. Some of our favorites are: "In Your Eyes," by Peter Gabriel, "When a Man Loves a Woman," by Percy Sledge, "Crazy for You," by Madonna and "Chances Are," by Martina McBride and Bob Seger. Of course, any love song by Kenny Rogers will do quite nicely. There's a reason why the live version of his song "Lady," has over 36 million views on YouTube (swoon). By the way, "Lady" was written and produced by the one and only Lionel Richie, one of the most talented artists of all time. His songs, "Hello" (over 73 million views), and "Truly" (over 23 million views), are two more swoonworthy favorites of ours. You don't have to organize an extravagant evening or spend a ton of money to show your genuine love for that special someone on Valentine's Day, so try not to get caught up in the commercialism the holiday brings. As long as you're together and sharing what is really important with one another, nothing else matters in the scheme of things. When it comes right down to it, love is all you really need. WGW
His Idea of Valentine Romance on a Budget
W
hen I began writing this, I casually mentioned to Dan the subject matter of the article and asked him if he knew of some low-cost Valentine's Day ideas. His ideas were quite interesting and made me laugh out loud. I have to give him some credit: He came up with these in five minutes, flat. While I don't recommend anyone actually following any of his suggestions, lest they wind up in the doghouse, I thought his ideas were pretty hilarious, so I thought I would share with you his list of low-cost ideas.
1. Go to your local bargain outlet and buy her some discount chocolates that are almost out of date, but not quite. Just make sure you take the sticky orange tag off of the package before you give it to her. 2. Stop in at Goodwill and go to the stuffed animal section. Find the Valentine's Day teddy bears from 2018. You should be able to find a good one for $1 or $2 and, since the bear was most likely never touched again before being brought to Goodwill, it should be in great condition – nice and plush. Remember to remove the 2018 stitching from the bear's foot before giving to your Valentine. 3. Ask your neighbor if you can borrow some firewood so you can build her a romantic fire. 4. Ask your local florist if you can have the scraps from the floor. There's got to be a spray of baby's breath and a stray tulip or rose lying around. You may have to visit two or three florists to get a full bouquet. 5. Purée hot dogs in a food processor, serve with some fancy crackers and tell her it's pâté. 6. Take her out the day after Valentine's Day and shower her with 50 percent off of everything. 43
Kids Korner
By Charlene Brooks Photos by Zachary Dailey
Super Cute Valentine Treat Sacks
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hese valentine treat sacks are a great way to save money if you have a little extra time. We purchased the valentines, stickers and candy from the local dollar store and the cellophane bags from our local discount grocery store. Even the smallest children can create their own valentine treat sacks and they are a snap to make! These valentine pom pom creatures are so cute and very easy to make. Have a family contest to see who can create the whackiest valentine creature.
Assorted candies Assorted valentine stickers Instructions
Materials Valentines Glue Small plastic cellophane bags
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Place a heart-shaped sticker onto the cellophane bag. Fill the bag with candy and glue the bag shut at the opening. Take two valentines that are exactly alike and glue them back to back, leaving enough space at the bottom of the valentines for adhering to the cellophane bag. Place valentines over the top of the cellophane bag and glue together. Allow to dry. Deliver to friends and loved ones.
Valentine Pom Pom Creatures Materials Pipe stems Foam hearts Pom poms Googly Eyes Glue
Instructions Glue the pom pom to the foam heart. Shape the pipe stems into hearts, leaving some length on the pipe stem. Glue the heart-shaped pipe stems to the pom pom. Glue the googly eyes to the front of the pom pom. WGW
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Happy
Valentine's Day Word Search
Word Bank
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Admirer Courtship Valentine Embrace Bouquet Lovebirds Sweetheart February Affection Flowers Heartthrob Enamored Passion Smitten Red Kisses Fourteenth Chocolate Adore Greeting Card
Word search created at puzzle-maker.com
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