West Georgia Woman Magazine July 2018

Woman

Complimentary

July 2018

West Georgia

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Cynthia Langley Giving Kids a Helping Hand

What to Do When Your Child Leaves the Nest

Eileen Burton Clothes Children with Optimism

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Angela Pham, M.D. is our community's only Board Certified Rheumatologist and is uniquely qualified to answer the question:

What is Inflammatory Arthritis?

Arthritis is the general term for a disease that affects the joints. Inflammatory arthritis is a type of arthritis where the immune system turns against the body and causes pain, stiffness, and swelling. This includes rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, lupus, gout and more. These conditions are chronic meaning they will persist, likely for a person's entire life.

There is no cure for inflammatory arthritis but the good news is that it can be effectively treated to prevent long-term damage and disability. Medications play a large role in therapy but there are other steps a person should take that are equally as important like diet and exercise.

There are specific nutrients found in foods that help reduce inflammation and there are foods that cause inflammation in the body. Treatment of inflammatory arthritis is tailored to the specific disease with medications along with self-management techniques like making healthy lifestyle choices through exercise and nutrition. Self-management encompasses choices made each day to live well and to stay healthy.

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with an inflammatory arthritis and you need a local rheumatologist, contact our office today to schedule your appointment.

You can expect an individualized care plan that addresses medications, nutrition and weight loss.

Angela Pham, MD and Cristal Rush, NP-Certified

Primary Care, Rheumatology, Lung and Sleep Medicine 2

100 Professional Park, Suite 204 Carrollton, Ga. 30117 Phone: 770.834.3351

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What’s inside...

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Life Interrupted

29

Think Before You Shoot: Fireworks Safety

10

A Helping Hand

31

The Sunny Side Of Life

25

The Empty Nest

43

What To Get When You're Expecting

In Every Issue:

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38

Daily Fare

49

Local Happenings

48

Womentality

52

Kidz Korner

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Life Interrupted

I

'm sure most of us heard the disheartening news last month regarding the deaths of Kate Spade on June 5 and Anthony Bourdain on June 8 by suicide. Each time I hear of someone who has completed suicide, my heart breaks for the victim, and for their loved ones.

I know what it feels like to experience those first few hours, days, weeks and months after hearing the devastating news that your loved one has died by suicide. For us, it will be three years in September since we lost Tristan.

I cannot adequately convey to you how devastating losing someone you love to suicide is for those who are left behind. It is truly a hell like no other. Those who make the decision to take their own lives leave behind a sea of broken hearts and tremendous devastation.

Kate Spade's family released a statement that her 89-year-old father, already in poor health, was so heartbroken at the news of her death that he passed away on June 21, only 16 days after his daughter.

Her 13-year-old daughter Frances Beatrix was so upset, she could not attend her mother's funeral.

Anthony Bourdain also left a young daughter

Tristan Alexander Brooks May 15, 1993 – September 17, 2015

behind, 11-year-old Ariane.

At the time of her death, Kate Spade's net worth was estimated at $200 million. Anthony Bourdain's net worth was estimated at $16 million. These two people seemed to have everything they ever wanted, yet, they were still in pain.

Suicide affects all races, all genders and all social classes.

Please, talk with your loved ones about suicide and encourage those with anxiety or depression to seek help.

If you are personally having a hard time right now – it may be a bad day, a bad week, month or even a bad year. Please don't give up. Keep fighting, and things will get better.

Please don't let your beautiful story end here. You are loved more than you will ever know and your life matters to so many people.

– Angela Dailey

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Barking up the Wrong Tree As I write this letter to you, my family and I have just returned from a much needed vacation. We really enjoyed our time at the beach, and even took our dogs with us! Even dogs need some beach therapy once in a while, right?

This vacation was the first time my old girl, Dixie, a black Labrador mix, had ever seen the ocean. She loved running into the water and biting the waves. It was so much fun to watch.

My younger dog, Scotch, a male Golden Retriever mix, didn't want any part of the beach – especially the water. He refused to get near it. I honestly thought he would be the one who loved the water, and, I thought Dixie would probably hate it. Go figure.

I tried several times to get Scotch to go to the water but he refused to budge each time we would get about 10 feet from the ocean. I just knew if he could get to the water and feel it, then he would love it. The last time I attempted to bring him to the water, he dug his paws in the sand and slipped right out of his collar. Defeated, I finally left him alone.

Life is like that sometimes, isn't it? We may have these pre-conceived notions and beliefs about someone or something, and then we're proven wrong. But, we still don't want to believe the truth that is right in front of us.

In This Issue Our cover feature this month is Mrs. Cynthia Langley. With a natural servant's heart, Cynthia has been an advocate for troubled youth her entire life. As executive director for Carroll County and Carrollton City Communities in Schools, Cynthia, along with some very special site coordinators and community partners is sharing love, kindness, empathy and hope with kids in many of our local schools.

Read about Cynthia on page 10 as she shares her story of extending a helping hand to empower these atrisk children to claim their right to a better life.

The Carrollton Optimist club reached out to me last year about possibly featuring one of their members who is deeply involved in helping foster children through the club's "Clothing for the Growing" project. When we began working on the article, imagine my surprise when I found out the woman the club told me about was one of my dearest friends, Eileen Burton.

I had no idea she was the woman involved with the project, but, I must say how excited and honored I am to have the opportunity to feature my friend of 20 years!

Eileen is such a beautiful person, inside and out.

She is a friend that I can confide in about everything because I know she loves me, regardless. I am truly so fortunate to have Eileen in my life. I know you'll enjoy reading about Eileen and her work with the Optimist Club on page 31.

Is your child moving away to college or tying the knot? Cheryl Francis shares some tips on how to ease the pain during this transition on page 25.

I hope you're having a wonderful summer so far and thank you for reading West Georgia Woman!

Have a safe and happy Independence Day!

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Publisher

Photo by Keith May

Finding our voice. Knowing our value. Making a difference.

TM

West Georgia Woman is a voice for and about the women who live and work in West Georgia.

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

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

Please be sure to tell them we sent you!

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We welcome your local event and wedding photos.

Email your photos (300 dpi) to: photos@westgeorgiawoman.com The views, opinions, positions or strategies 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 representations 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 P.O. Box 2782 Carrollton, GA 30112

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Volume 3 • Issue 9 July 2018

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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, Janet Flanigan, Cheryl A. Francis, L.P.C., 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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A Helping Photos by Mark Steffey

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Hand

Cynthia Langley and Communities in Schools Brings Needed Support for At-risk Students

By Janet Flanigan 11

S

ome people accept jobs or even develop careers solely to pay the bills. Some embrace professions based on particular talents or desires. And there are others, like Carrollton resident Cynthia Langley, who choose a path that – while it is a paid job – is more accurately life in service to others.

As executive director for Communities in Schools (CIS) for Carrollton City and Carroll County Schools, Cynthia sees daily how her work and that of her team helps students in positive and impactful ways.

Texas To The Old Homeplace

Farm Life “I grew up on a small farm in the country with my paternal grandparents living next door to us,” Cynthia shares. It was a great life filled with family closeness, riding horses and bikes, raising steers for 4-H and a big summer garden. “I found very inventive excuses for how to avoid helping in the garden,” she laughs. “But mom and my grandfather were good at staying one step ahead of my excuses!”

A huge benefit to having the garden was learning how to enjoy and prepare food, and cooking has been a lifelong passion for Cynthia. “Cooking was my favorite thing to do, and this passion has seen me through to adulthood," she relates. "I especially like to prepare new and unique foods."

Cynthia joined 4-H in the fourth grade and was an enthusiastic member throughout high school.

“My participation with 4-H laid the foundation for the career I chose,” she says. “I was involved in all aspects of 4-H, from public speaking to showing steers to leadership roles.”

While involved with 4-H, Cynthia and her peers performed an abundance of community service work and volunteerism. “Outside of my dad, my

Born in Gatesville, Texas, to Bill and Joyce Hammond, Cynthia, her parents and siblings moved back to her folks’ East Alabama and West Georgia roots while she was still very small.

From ages 1 through 5, Cynthia lived in Douglasville, Bowdon and Temple. Before Cynthia turned 6 years old, her parents decided to raise their family on her dad’s old homeplace in Randolph County, Ala. The family settled there for the duration of Cynthia’s childhood years and her sister now lives on the property.

Her father was a proud Auburn graduate and he enjoyed a 25-year career with Southwire, while Joyce was a stay-at-home mom. Cynthia is the middle child, with an older sister and a younger brother who lives in Fayetteville, Ga. Cynthia sees her father as one of the strongest guiding forces in her life. “My dad served in many community leadership roles, including service on the Randolph County Board of Education; PTA president; Booster Club president; Little League president; Cattlemen Association president; and participated with various other organizations and committees,” she says.

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4-H leader Tom Burnside was my first major role model and mentor," she explains. "He had such an enthusiasm that really rubbed off on us kids."

Empathy Came Early In school, Cynthia had great compassion for her classmates, particularly those that seemed to endure hardship or struggle. “As a middle child, I had learned very early on to be quiet and observe the world around me," she relates. "Through my experience with 4-H and other activities, I became very attuned to the needs of others. I was always concerned about fellow students who tended to get in trouble in school for their behavioral problems. As I reflect now, I realize some students probably acted out to deflect attention away from possible learning deficits.”

She has a particular memory dating to seventhgrade science class, when the teacher required students to take turns reading aloud from a textbook. Cynthia had befriended one young man in the class who was several years older than her. He had repeated grades three times over the course of his education. “When it was his turn to read, I could tell by the look on his face it would not end well,” she recalls. “I kept telling him, ‘Don’t do it, I’ll help

you later,’ but the situation ended up as an all-out fight between him and the teacher.” The student was sent from the classroom and he never returned to class. “The confrontation and scene made a huge and everlasting impact on me,” she relates.

Cynthia, with her empathetic heart for troubled kids, felt they were just misunderstood. When adults would ask her about her interest in teaching during this time, Cynthia would usually respond with, "Only if all of the bad students are in my classroom!"

Her Career Path After graduating from Woodland High School, Cynthia first attended Southern Union Community College, then followed in her father’s footsteps by completing her bachelor's degree at Auburn. “My choice to get a degree in social work seemed the logical choice for someone who wanted to serve others,” she explains.

She did follow her sentiment and wanted to learn how to help those students who were suffering with a variety of situations, from learning difficulties to stressful home lives. While studying social work, Cynthia was offered real world experience including volunteering at a battered women’s shelter in Auburn, and placement experiences with individuals

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She also completed a full-time internship at a women’s shelter in Waco, Texas. “These experiences gave me the opportunity to be on call, the chance to work in crisis situations, learn how to develop community partnerships and how to provide play therapy to children," she shares.

The variety of work-study opportunities provided a realistic set-up for the field of social work but naturally, when dealing with people in different circumstances, she learned you have to find unique and creative ways to address those challenges.

After the experience gained at Auburn, Cynthia was ready to tackle her first job.

The Real World Shortly after graduation, Cynthia was hired as a status offender worker in the Carroll County justice system. As a fresh-faced, rather innocent 21-yearold, Cynthia’s case load was chock-full of truants, unruly kids and runaway youth. “Some of my most interesting cases from that time were with the

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truants," she recalls. "These kids often came from large families of five or more children and I often found not one of the children was enrolled in school.

Many times these families did not place any value in education."

She says it is very difficult to make an impact on truancy or, effect change when a child is continually told she doesn't need an education. She was also shocked at the level of poverty that some people live in every day. In fact, Cynthia says it seems as bad today as it ever was.

“Poverty has always been here, of course, but as our population has increased, so has the poverty rate," she explains. "Poverty is a bigger issue in our schools than the average citizen even understands.

We have students who receive their only meal of the day at school and, if school is out, they are not fed.”

Schools can be safe havens for students because they will be fed, kept safe and warm. But with so many issues facing many kids today, it can seem overwhelming for some to even make it to school in the first place.

“We have grandparents raising grandchildren, parents in jail and parents on drugs," she shares.

"Sometimes, kids are just sofa-hopping and living from friend-to-friend and no permanent residence.

Many times kids enter the school building each morning with a huge burden on their shoulders, and they feel they don’t have anyone to share their problems with. So, that burden can make an appearance as bad behavior, sleeping in class, a lack of attendance, poor grades and a detached demeanor.”

Personal Involvement Since Cynthia first began working in social services, there have been changes to the ways assistance is provided and restrictions on things social workers can and cannot do. For example, she remembers one young boy she worked with to help improve his truancy. “I often had to go to his home in the morning, go up into his bedroom and make him get up and get dressed," she recalls. "I would then take him in my car and drive him to school. I never even considered I might be putting myself in harms way!”

Cynthia concedes things were different back then and might be handled differently today.

“That 21-year-old girl has learned a lot in the last 34 years,” she says. But it is clear her passion and commitment to caring for others has not wavered.

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Professional And Personal Growth “My first supervisor in the Carroll County Juvenile Justice System had a very strong influence on me and helped prepare me for career growth,” Cynthia says. Gwen Skinner was in a rare leadership role for women and, she was a huge influence on Cynthia’s work and career. Cynthia says Gwen demonstrated that women can be in a leadership position and still be caring and compassionate to their clients.

Gwen was married to a man who worked in the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department, and another coworker of theirs was dating a deputy. So, Gwen set a personal goal to also set Cynthia up with a deputy.

Ultimately, Gwen arranged for a shift sergeant in the sheriff’s department to drive Cynthia around his patrol area so she could become familiar with her work territory.

Cynthia, with her husband, Terry.

“I met the deputy at the beginning of his shift, and I was expecting to ride along for a couple of hours," she shares. "Eight hours later, we finally ended up back at the station, after traveling from one end of the county to the other!”

Not only did Cynthia observe how this deputy handled his calls and demonstrated his ability to drive in the snow, she also observed that they really got on well.

In fact, that ride-along eventually ended with a trip to the altar – they were married one year later.

That deputy who drove her around in February 1984 is now known as Carroll County Sheriff Terry Langley.

Marriage, Kids And Case Work After the wedding, Cynthia continued to work in the juvenile justice system, rising next to a senior court service worker over the Intensive Supervision Division. While holding down this position, Cynthia and Terry began their family. They had two girls, Hannah and Billie.

“I had both children while working as court service worker and it was a new program at that time," she relates. "Our office was one of the pilot sites for the program. It was very stressful learning about and creating a new unit and being a brandnew parent."

During this time, Terry was an investigator with the sheriff’s department, which required him to be on-call much of the time, including nights. Cynthia’s own job demanded nighttime curfew checks. “I’d leave the house and often had the babies in the back seat of the van while I drove house-to-house checking on the kids," she says. "Luckily, the kids under supervision loved our babies and would run to my car to see them and talk to them!”

While working as a court service worker and

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raising a family, Cynthia also worked toward and received her masters degree in public administration from the University of West Georgia. “I worked for Juvenile Justice for 18 years, and I received my masters during that time," she shares. "In fact, the day I received my diploma I also gave birth to our second child, Billie.”

She chose to get her advanced degree in public administration because she wanted to move into a leadership role and she knew that degree would provide an excellent platform for that journey.

Cynthia admits it was a struggle to balance fulltime work, earning a master’s degree, maintaining a happy marriage and caring for two babies. “I could never have done it without the support of Terry," she smiles. "He encouraged me to go back to school and he worked part-time jobs to pay the tuition.”

Terry took care of Hannah when Cynthia was in class, and relatives helped out when he was on call. “I often had a great deal of guilt thinking I was leaving someone out, but the support of other moms in the class helped me get through,” she relates.

Eventually, Cynthia’s hard work and experience was rewarded by her being named juvenile program manager for the Carroll County office.

Another Direction When Hannah was beginning middle school and Billie was entering fourth grade, Terry was elected Sheriff of Carroll County. “After Terry was elected, we made the decision that I would stay home for a while and work as a full-time mom,” she says. She found time to work part-time as a parent educator with the JumpStart Program, which was designed as a prevention program for juvenile court.

She also worked with a group of other citizens

Cynthia, third from left, during a Communities in Schools board meeting.

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to begin the Live Oaks children’s shelter, which provides a home for children who require shortterm placement before being assigned to a foster family. Live Oaks allowed children to remain in their community and in their schools.

Eventually, Cynthia rejoined the workforce fulltime as the coordinator of the Juvenile Wellness Court under the direction of Judge Dan Camp. “I thought the world of Judge Camp and respected his leadership greatly,” she shares. She worked in this position for five years before another challenge presented itself: the Communities in Schools Program.

Communities In Schools Communities in Schools was founded in the 1970s by Bill Milliken for the New York City school system. The basic idea behind CIS is to bring community resources into the public schools, where they can be coordinated, accessible and accountable to helping kids succeed in their education.

Cynthia was hired as executive director for Communities in Schools for Carrollton City and Carroll County schools when the program became affiliated with the national program in 2012. “Our local affiliate was incorporated in 2012 after a local task force looked at the graduation rate in our county as a whole – cumulative of both systems," she explains. "The task force was familiar with the CIS model, believed it to be a credible program and decided to affiliate."

Carrollton City schools utilized the Performance Learning Center model – the CIS model program – and Carroll County Schools chose Villa Rica high school as the initial site for their first site coordinator.

Cynthia was brought on board in May 2012 to complete the incorporation process, develop the organization as a non-profit and to hire staff.

Cynthia says a great tag line for CIS is “We are in schools to keep kids in schools.” Carroll County CIS currently has site coordinators in primarily senior high schools and provides one-on-one support with mentoring, tutoring, obtaining clothing, food, housing, mental health needs, medical needs and anything else that may be a barrier to keeping the student in school. There are hopes to obtain funds to add CIS to middle and elementary schools in the future, although some guidance and initiatives are being brought to the middle schools already.

Ninety-six percent of the kids they worked with last year graduated from high school, and

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graduation rates have steadily increased over the last six years.

Each school has its own on-site coordinator and the lead site coordinator, Temekia Cheely, is based at Villa Rica High School. Corrine Hindman is site coordinator at Central High; Kevin Pace at Temple Middle and High; Kristin Fretwell at Carrollton High; and Hannah Langley Yates is at Bowdon and Mt. Zion high schools.

Roshonda Powers is a mobile site coordinator who was contracted with the program this year.

“We contracted with Roshonda this year to provide bullying and suicide prevention services and direction," she says.

Carroll County Schools used Title IV federal dollars to hire Roshonda to travel to the middle schools throughout the county to provide guidance lessons on bullying prevention. Students are taught how to recognize bullying behavior, what to do if it is observed and if they are victimized.

A major task of Roshonda’s is to help students who have attempted suicide and have threatened and made a plan of action. They create an individual plan of action to help students with difficult or crisis issues. Roshonda’s pilot program has been very successful, and the schools would like to have Roshonda full-time at their campuses. Funds only covered 25 hours per week, and Cynthia and CIS are seeking additional funding for this very important and serious program.

Next year, CIS will work toward school-wide recognition of suicidal behavior, teach students how to have a willingness to seek help and where to go for that help.

Central High School site coordinator, Corinne Hindman, with a Central High student. Photo provided by Cynthia Langley.

How CIS Works

Teachers are already so stretched in their capacities it can be difficult for them to provide an intensive, one-on-one support system for students.

A major goal for CIS is to help struggling students develop a relationship with a caring adult. This relationship can provide support, stability and the encouragement students need, not only to stay in school, but to thrive.

Site coordinators have unique relationships with students and are able help the kids outside of traditional classroom assistance, and the relationship is different from that between teacher and student.

“Students sometimes don’t believe a teacher is sincere in their concern because they might believe the teacher is mostly concerned with testing scores,” she explains.

First, students are referred to the site coordinator for participation in the program. Parental permission must be obtained, and this can be an obstacle in itself. “If a parent is disengaged, it can be a challenge to get them to sign the form," she says. "We have tried every method in the book to get their signatures and have even offered to meet at McDonald’s for a meal on us.”

She says the CIS staff try their best to keep parents involved in the case management and recalls one site coordinator helped a parent get a driver’s license, then got her a mental health evaluation and necessary hospitalization treatment. Another site Villa Rica High School site coordinator, Temekia Cheely, left and mentor Richelle coordinator helped a parent get into a women’s shelter.

Carter, right, with a VRHS student, center. Photo provided by Cynthia Langley.

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Cynthia, and her daughter Hannah Yates, CIS site coordinator at Bowdon and Mt. Zion High Schools, sort through donations received from community partners.

The site coordinators help provide clothing, food, It Takes A Village toiletries, assistance with housing and utility bills – all The CIS program requires a significant amount of areas that can affect a student’s ability to attend and funds to succeed and much of its budget is funded stay in school. through community donations. Site coordinators One of Cynthia’s favorite success stories is from reach out to the community – individuals and this past school year. “This young man had been companies – for donations of money, clothing, behind in his school work and was referred to his foodstuffs, school supplies and much more. site coordinator," she shares. "The site coordinator CIS needs monetary support for expansion into began working with him to help keep him focused, the middle to attend school regularly, to bring up schools, the high his grades and set some goals. school kids need "He became interested in the school supplies, military and decided to go into the snacks and fresh National Guard. She kept him on track fruit for the for the remainder of the year and if he school pantries. didn’t show up, she’d go get him at his "For many of house and bring him to school. the high school At the nationwide signing day students in the for enlistment, he asked the site program the only coordinator and a school administrator significant meals to accompany him. The administrator they get are at even helped him tie his tie. All of school," she says. them were proud of his dedication.

“Fresh fruit is But would he have made it to that day a commodity – without her help, interest and concern? Temple High School site coordinator, Kevin Pace, with a THS student. Photo provided by Cynthia Langley. when someone Probably not.”

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Carrollton High School site coordinator, Kristin Fretwell, with a CHS student. Photo provided by Cynthia Langley.

donates fruit, it is gone in a blink of an eye – kids love fruit.” They also need bottled water and personal hygiene items, as many of the kids are homeless and move from place to place. "We try to provide them with items like toothbrushes and toiletries," she says.

Naturally, it is hard to list every individual and business who has supported CIS, but corporate donors have helped the organization tremendously.

“We have an incredible board of directors who are very active in the fundraising arm of our organization," she explains. "We are so fortunate to have the Carrollton City Schools and Carroll County School Systems who are the largest funders for CIS. The Carrollton City Schools acts as the fiscal agent for CIS. We could not do it without the school systems and are so proud of the fact that we have a great relationship. It is a joy to work with them.”

Some sponsors and donors include: SMI; RA-LIN; Southwire; Tanner Health Systems; Carroll County Commission; Carrollton City; Carroll County Sheriff’s Department; Jules and James and West Georgia Electric. CIS has also received support from the Community Foundation of West Georgia and the Carroll EMC foundation. West Georgia Technical College generously donates office space for Cynthia at their Adamson Square location in Carrollton.

“Donors have helped with prom fees, eyeglasses, graduation and testing fees, medical exams, academic support, school supplies, hygiene items, recreation department fees, sports fees, food, electric bills, housing help and much more," she says. "Our donors recognize what an impact CIS is making and want to give back.”

While CIS occasionally holds fundraising events, most local fundraising comes from the relationships that site coordinators and board members have in the community.

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Individual and corporate donations, grants, services, community support, resources and volunteers are all managed by the site coordinators.

In addition to funds, they also depend on volunteers to help staff special events, help with projects and they have a great need for volunteer mentors.

The CIS program in Carroll County provided case management for 300 students during the last school year and approximately 10 percent were provided with mentorship. “We have a long way to go in the recruitment of mentors because we have a lot of needy kids,” she says.

The challenge is to find adults who can come to the school during class hours to provide mentorship.

CIS only requires a one hour per week commitment from mentors, but, even that can be difficult. Plus, some adults feel they can’t communicate well with teenagers, and Cynthia admits that can be challenging. However, Mentoring Village provides all the training and background checks for mentors so they are well-equipped when they arrive to help.

Mentoring Village, located in Carroll County, is a non-profit that provides credentialing services for mentoring programs and their volunteers.

The same difficulties exist for CIS in finding qualified tutors – finding tutors to come to the school during classroom hours and receiving assistance with math and science tutoring is particularly tough.

"Reading comprehension may be the biggest obstacle," she shares. "If you can’t read, you can’t do well in any subject. One of our successes is we can cut through some of the bureaucratic and policy nonsense and focus solely on the needs of the students.”

Bowdon and Mt. Zion High School site coordinator, Hannah Yates, with a Bowdon High student. Photo provided by Cynthia Langley.

Outside of Work With Cynthia and Terry both enjoying careers in service to the community, it is admittedly hard to leave their work at the office. Their professional careers have been entwined for the duration of their marriage, but that is okay with them.

“We have never been successful at not talking about work but, to tell the truth, we have been each other’s greatest sounding board," she relates. "He lets me know when I am getting in too deep, and I am always the devil’s advocate for him. So much of our lives intermingle, and we truly understand each other."

To balance out the stress of life, they each cherish some alone time; for Cynthia this means time for reading her precious books and for Terry, he enjoys trips with friends. They also enjoy traveling on road trips together, with Terry taking the wheel and Cynthia reading to her heart’s content.

They also enjoy spending time with their girls.

Earlier years found them spending lots of time at the softball fields, watching travel softball and, later, college ball for Hannah. Hannah graduated from Bowdon High School and went to Southern

Ruby Hightower, Certified Therapy Dog and Grief Counselor.

The CIS Model Communities in Schools model is to place a site coordinator in the school setting. The Services provided are three tiered: Tier one – services provided to the entire student body such as a food and clothing pantry and specialized programs: safe dating, peer pressure and mock interviews are some of the programs offered to students.

Tier Two – Services are provided to a specialized population of students such as peer mentoring and girl’s empowerment groups.

Tier Three – Services provide individualized case management for the most at-risk students. These students are identified by administration, school counselors, social workers, parents and even fellow students.

Services provided (but are not limited to): tutoring; mentoring; health services; mental health services; housing assistance; conflict mediation skills and college and career readiness activities.

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Union Community College on a softball scholarship.

She then transferred to Auburn where she received her degree in psychology.

She had originally intended to work in the substance abuse area but, when a site coordinator position with CIS opened, she was so happy to work in the same area as her mom. She loves working with kids and being in the county where she grew up.

Younger daughter Billie is also a graduate of Bowdon High and she, too, attended Southern Union before finishing her psychology degree with an emphasis on child development from Troy University.

She had always thought she would enter the teaching profession, but after working at a daycare center while enrolled in college, she decided the classroom wasn’t for her. She now works in Birmingham as a full-time nanny for the twin children of a pair of local doctors.

Cynthia and Terry count their two fur babies as full-fledged family members as well. They have two Shih Tzu mix dogs, Petey and Mikie.

"Mikie is a great, big goofball and Petey thinks he is a Doberman.” she exclaims. "They add so much character to our lives and entertain us greatly. They love Terry more than me because he lets them do whatever they want!”

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Behind The Success of CIS Cynthia is quick to deflect any recognition given to her regarding the success of the CIS program.

“The success for CIS comes from the dedication our site coordinators have for their students and their schools,” she relates. “Working for a non-profit is not going to make you rich, so you find fulfillment in helping others. Non-profits are set up to have two feet on the ground and provide direct services to our consumers, which is why they are so important to a community.

"I can’t say enough about our site coordinators.

They are the most enthusiastic people I have ever come across in my years of working with kids.”

Based on Cynthia's dedication and love for the Communities in Schools program, it is probably safe to say they would return the compliment. WGW

To learn more about Cynthia Langley and Communities in

Schools or to make a donation call 678.664.0536, email clangley@ciscarroll.org or visit CIS on Facebook @ciscarroll

The Empty

By Cheryl Francis

Nest

By Cheryl Francis 25

N

othing about parenting prepares us for the reality of the last child leaving home. We've read the self-help and psychology books, but none of those prepare us for how we will feel when we see our children moving on with their lives without our everyday involvement.

We call it the empty nest syndrome. It is not a diagnosis nor a disorder, but it can be one of the most challenging transitions for any parent. Whether it is the last child going off to college or getting married, it weaves a pattern of colorful mixed emotions in a parent’s life. Both mother and father experience this loss, though each may manifest different symptoms.

When our children move out, it leaves us feeling mixed emotions that may include a sense of disorientation, anxiety, excitement, elation, grief, loneliness and sometimes depression.

The excitement surrounds your child being ready to leave home and you getting to experience this huge milestone. Grief and all of the other negative emotions stem from you recognizing that – although you know he or she is well prepared for this task – there is a part of you that believes your child still needs you.

You realize their choices will no longer be

dependent upon your approval or disapproval. It is the reality of knowing your control of their existence will be oh, so limited.

Time To Let Go We all live for the moment when our young adult is ready to fly the coop. We accept it as a normal part of parenting. However, when the reality hits, the aftermath leaves a trail of shattered emotions.

For years, this child has been dependent on you, the parent, at every stage of life. Now your role must change.

No longer will you be the center of your child’s world, but your child will always be in yours. Daily routines, a car ride or even a gas fill-up will now be entirely different.

You will reminisce about the last time you spent doing something with your child. You will question your true responsibilities. Who will you take where and to what? Who will be home asking things of you when you're home, or when you get home? The room will be quiet as usual, but now there will be no one in there texting away on the phone.

Sure, it will be awesome not having to make dinners that cater to specialized taste buds or going out to eat after a long day’s work. Recalling those routine habits will hurt when life becomes centered around you only. The irony will be all too real when you finally must focus on who you are without your child.

Easing The Pain Of Transition Recognize that just like you, your child is experiencing this change as well. Like you, they are terrified of the unknown. Your ability to cope and ensure a smooth transition will be beneficial to both you and your child.

Remind yourself that you have given her the best you knew how. For years, you have invested in her and prepared her for this season and, you have provided her with the skills she needs to leave home and experience life on her own terms.

Now is the time to prepare yourself for this shift. Although this may be a time of loss, it is an opportunity to reinvent yourself. Your identity will change. You will now be called by your given name, not just someone's mother.

• Be kind to yourself. You have done a great job parenting. Childhood is over and your child is ready to begin “adulting.” You have

26

Dr. Howard Seeman

Dr. Thelma Lucas

Dr. John Arledge

Dr. Prashant Sharma

Dr. Peter Ojuro

given her the tools to be safe, and in your absence she will demonstrate the awesome job you have done. You did it. Be proud of this moment.

• Make the most of the time you have left.

Do things you want to do with your child now. Include siblings, extended families and friends. Use the last year, months and days to just be together and enjoy each moment.

If the relationship is estranged, choose to forgive quickly, repair what you can control and choose your battles. There can be opportunities, even with an estranged relationship, to enjoy certain moments and live life with minimal regrets.

• Nurture your dreams. Many parents have put their aspirations on hold to invest in and prepare their child for this day. It is okay to dust off those dreams and start again. You are never too old to begin again.

• Sleep in. If you work outside the home, take some extra time for yourself in the

Susan Prescott, NP

Corie Price, NP

mornings. Set the alarm clock for you. If you stay or work at home, this applies to you as well. Create an agenda for you and the lifestyle you want to recreate. Begin this process before your child leaves home.

• Continue volunteering. Your previous volunteer activities were centered around how they related to your child and her activities.

Now you can focus your servanthood activities around things that truly matter to you. What are your passions? What changes do you want to make in society? What mark do you want to

Embrace the absence of your child.

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When our children move out it leaves us feeling mixed emotions that may include a sense of disorientation, anxiety, excitement, elation, grief, loneliness and sometimes depression.

leave on the world? Start now!

• Embrace the absence of your child. Give your child the capacity to grow by not calling every moment you think of her. When she needs you, she will call you.

• Respect her space. It is best never to surprise visit your child, especially if they are at college. Be courteous and let her know of your plans before you visit. And, if marriage created the empty nest, “I was just in the neighborhood,” is never a good excuse.

Discuss any concerns about boundaries before the child leaves so each person will know what is expected.

• Acknowledge your feelings about the transition. It is okay to hurt. Know that you will not fall apart. If you're experiencing sadness, anxiety or depression, let someone know how you are feeling. You may be relieved to know others have been there or are experiencing the same angst as you are. Shared burdens are much lighter and easier to manage.

Recognize that as your child changes, so will you.

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Time has a way of helping us become acclimated to this new phase in life called the empty nest.

If the symptoms that come with this season of life seem too difficult and you are unable to experience any relief, professional help is available. Take care of yourself, pay attention to the signs and symptoms and be okay with allowing others to help you make it through this difficult time in your life. WGW Cheryl A. Francis, Licensed Professional Counselor, is the owner of The Heart Matters Wellness Services LLC, a full-service counseling agency. She is certified as a Mental Health First Aid Adult trainer and regularly provides seminars and trainings to the community on various mental health issues. She has partnered with the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy to train individuals in the prevention of childhood sexual abuse. Visit heartmatterswellness.com for more information about Cheryl and her work.

Think Before You Shoot!

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T

he 4th of July is an exciting time full of fun, food and, usually, fireworks. These holidays create warm memories with friends and family, but, thousands of children, teens and young adults under the age of 25 are injured each year on Independence Day by using consumer purchased fireworks.

Males are injured three times more often than females, and the injury rate is the highest among boys who are between the ages of 10 and 14 years old, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The most common injuries from fireworks occur on the eyes, hands, face and legs, and are more severe among people who are active participants, rather than bystanders. A larger percentage of fireworks injuries are surprisingly caused by sparklers.

Many people believe that simple sparklers are harmless and readily give their small children access to these. The fact is sparklers can reach a temperature of 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt certain types of metals, says Patty Davis, a spokesperson for the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission.

Children often hold sparklers too close to themselves or other people, and clothing can go up in flames very quickly causing severe burns. Up to 20 percent of fireworks injuries were caused by sparklers in 2014, according to the CPSC.

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• Never allow children under the age of 5 to ignite or play with fireworks.

• Closely monitor older children while igniting or playing with fireworks • Keep a bucket of water and a water hose close by in case of accidental fire • Do not use fireworks while under the influence of alcohol or drugs • Dispose of all used fireworks in a bucket of water

Sparklers can reach a temperature of 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt certain types of metals.

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The easiest way to keep your family safe is to not purchase and use consumer fireworks, but if you must use them, use sound judgement and closely monitor and supervise your children at all times.

Alternatively, you could opt to attend a professionally run, public fireworks exhibition in your area where the risk to you and your family's safety may be lower than experiencing the "rockets' red glare" in your own backyard.

This 4th of July, make fireworks safety a priority so you can enjoy that cold watermelon or blueberry pie afterward, instead of taking an unexpected trip to your local emergency room. WGW

The Sunny Side of Life Local Community Leader, Eileen Burton, Clothes Children Through Civic Organization Photos by Sydney Dailey

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H

elen Keller said, "Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement," and Eileen Burton embodies this belief in every aspect of her life. From her steadfast religious faith, her love of family and friends, her dedication to her clients and her devotion to children through her work with the Carrollton Optimist Club, this Villa Rica resident walks the walk of an optimist each and every day.

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www.lamberttireco.com • 770.832.9465 In April 1961 she was born in Jacksonville, Fla., 134 Bankhead Ave. • Carrollton to parents Donald and Eleanor Ginnity. She was the family makes it a point to have "family day" every third child in a growing family of six children – three Sunday when they spend quality time together in the boys, Timothy, Kevin and Peter, and two other girls, afternoon and then have dinner in the evening. "I Donna and Kathleen.

Donald worked in sales management for 7-Eleven love spending time with my family and friends," she relates. "Gary and I still have date nights and great and Eleanor was a stay-at-home mom. After conversations about anything on our minds. I have many years of working in Florida, Donald had an some very close friends that I hang out with and take opportunity to move to Villa Rica, Ga., to open his short trips to the beach with, and we have a lot of own convenience store: “Fullerville Open Pantry Inc.,” and the family moved to Villa Rica when Eileen fun."

She also loves to read – a favorite hobby that she was 11 years old. says she's enjoyed as long as she can remember.

"I worked in my father’s store stocking shelves, Laughing, she recalls one instance when she was late filling the cooler, pumping gas and ringing customers up at the cash register from the time I was for school because she stayed up all night finishing a 11 until I graduated high school," she shares. "Once book and overslept the next morning.

I graduated high school, I found my forever love who was working as a manager in a place where I was Her Career seeking a job: McDonalds!"

Raising a family with four children is no easy task, Eileen and her husband, Gary, recently celebrated but remarkably, Eileen managed to work full time 38 wonderful years of marriage on June 14. They while she was busy being a mother. She has worked have four children, Joshua, Michael, Nicholas and Kristina, two daughters-in-law, Dana and Rachel and for 30 years as a community banker – the last 22 as a loyal employee for one son-in-law, Drew. the same company – an Eileen and Gary are accomplishment that is grandparents five times almost unheard of in her over – soon to be six: field. Her current role is Michael and Dana have assistant vice president and one daughter, Makenzie; retail market manager, or Nicholas and Rachel have branch manager, of a local three children, Sophie, bank branch.

Jesse and Penelope; and Eileen's loving and Kristina and Drew have one kind nature, tenacity, child, Eleanor – named after professionalism and her Eileen's mother – and a little talent for relating to people boy on the way who will be from all walks of life has named Noah. "Joshua is served her well throughout our oldest and single for any her impressive and longwomen out there looking for established career in a good man!" she exclaims. banking. She has received All of their children live numerous awards and close by, and the entire Eileen, with her husband, Gary.

Photo courtesy of Eileen Burton

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colleagues in the banking industry.

An Optimistic Approach

Eileen has been a community banker for 30 years.

accolades for her outstanding achievements over the years, has many clients who rely on her for financial guidance and is deeply respected by her

As Eileen's children grew older and needed her less, she discovered she had more time for activities outside of her home. She began researching various local civic organizations and had a keen interest in becoming more involved in her local community. "I wanted to do something meaningful and something I felt would have the most impact on the future for our community," she explains.

Her search came to an end when she learned about the Carrollton Optimist Club. "I looked around for an organization with the most focus on what is important to myself," she shares. "What could be

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That is when I made the decision that the Carrollton Optimist Club was where I wanted to spend my time." Eileen joined the club in April 2007 and has been an active member since.

The Carrollton Optimist Club currently has around

35 members, with a goal of increasing membership to 50 active members serving the community by the time they celebrate the club's 50th anniversary in 2019.

According to Eileen, the primary focus of the club is to serve the communities in Carroll and Haralson County by helping children and families.

They host and implement several projects each year: an oratorical contest that could lead to a $25,000 college scholarship; an annual essay contest that could lead to major scholarships; a respect for law enforcement program; a most improved student program at several local schools; Easter basket preparation; an annual 5K race at Hobbs Farm; and their primary fundraiser each year is their annual golf tournament.

The club also participates at MayFest in Carrollton, setting up a minigolf course for kids, and they offer free Ident-A-Kid® child ID cards to the public. These cards provide parents and law enforcement with important information – a fingerprint, photo, address and other crucial identifying information should a child become lost or missing. The club also helps sponsor the Carrollton Christmas parade, and members of the club donate their time to support Southwire's Project GIFT® annual "Back to School" event that gives free school supplies to children (see page 15 for more details).

The Optimist Club's annual golf tournament raises most of the funds used to support their focus in the community and, each year the club's budget is set based on the proceeds. Those proceeds are used to

The Optimist Creed

Promise Yourself –

To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.

To think only the best, to work for only the best and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

"Our motto as Optimists is 'Bringing out the Best in Kids! ' I absolutely love our Optimist Creed and would love to share it with your readers. If you read it, it has so much meaning, and I personally think it applies to life in general. It is a great guide to follow." – Eileen Burton 34

"I wanted to do something meaningful and something I felt would have the most impact on the future for our community."

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Last month, they held their first ever Music Fest program featuring live bands to help raise money for their projects, and she says each year brings new ideas and programs.

Clothing For The Growing Of all the projects Eileen is involved in with the Optimist Club, the program that is most special to her is the "Clothing for the Growing" project.

This project serves families in Carroll and Haralson County who are hosting foster children. "These children may be from Carroll and Haralson County, but they also may be from throughout Georgia," she explains. "Because of privacy, we are not told where the children are from, but we do know that the host families are local. When I heard about 'Clothing for the Growing,' I knew it was something that I wanted to be a major part of and was excited to work side by side with others on this worthwhile project."

The Optimist Club has been doing this for the last 14 years with Sue Ellen Folk spearheading the

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L i fe . Star ts . He re . project as chair in 2004. "It was originally titled the 'Back to School Clothing Fund,'" she says. "It was held at Goody’s, and in that year we helped to clothe 30 children from ages 5 to 18. We worked in partnership with the Carrollton Housing Authority to locate the children who needed assistance."

Eileen says it was important for the club to be involved in their community, and the members wanted to do more than just be a "checkbook club."

"Our members showed up at Goody’s and helped the parents shop with their children by looking for sizes, adding prices and getting the children’s input on what they liked and didn’t like to wear," she recalls. "We would bag the clothing for them at the checkout lines and, seeing the excitement on the faces of parents and children so grateful for what we had done was the best feeling in the world!"

In 2009, Eileen began to work beside Sue Ellen as co-chair of the program until 2012, when Eileen became the project chair. "In 2012, we began working with the Carroll County Foster Parenting Program and the Carroll County Division of Family and Children Services (DFACS) after the (then) president of the Foster Parent Association, Susan Lester, came to speak to our club," she relates. "We were truly touched by what she had to say in terms

of the financial responsibility of the foster families." The Optimist Club now works directly with Lytisha Florence, Resource Development at DFACS. That year, the club also transitioned from working with Goody's and began working with the Carrollton Kmart store. After the Kmart store closed in 2015, the Carrollton Walmart store graciously stepped in to help out in 2016, and the store has continued to help with the project since. "They do a great job helping us to serve these children and make it even more enjoyable by opening a couple of registers designated for these parents," she shares. "Everyone gets in the spirit and are so excited to see how great they did with the designated amount of funds to spend!"

On average, the "Clothing for the Growing" project has a budget of $3,000 to $4,500 each year to spend on the foster children. This may seem like a good deal of money, but considering the fact that foster families sometimes have four or five children, those funds can be depleted quickly.

"We give assistance to as many children as we can help by spending $100 per child to purchase items such as clothing, school supplies, shoes or whatever the needs are for those children," she explains. "We hold this shopping event usually around 10 days before school starts so we can take advantage of back to school sales!"

This year's "Clothing for the Growing" project will be held on July 17.

Eileen says since 2004, the club has remained consistent with helping children each year, and over 420 children of all ages have received help. "I would love to see this project continue," she relates. "With more members, we can touch more of our local businesses to participate in our projects or make donations. With help from more businesses, we can pass on those funds to this project and the many other great programs we sponsor."

The Carrollton Optimist Club meets at noon for lunch and to hear scheduled guest speakers weekly on Thursdays at the American Pie on Maple Street in Carrollton. Volunteer hours typically depend on the various projects in motion, with more hours needed

during major projects and programs.

"I joined to be involved in working with children to make some small difference in their lives," she smiles. "It is my wish to see the club grow to more members so we can remain a strong and active club involved in the community!" WGW

For more information about Eileen Burton, The Optimist Club of Carrollton Inc. and the

"Clothing for the Growing" project or to make a donation call 770.836.6901 or visit the club's Facebook page @OptimistClubofCarrollton 37

Daily Fare With

e s o R f e Ch Chef photos by Kei

th 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.

Photos by Mark Steffey.

38

"This recipe is the perfect way to share your patriotism with others on Independence Day."

Patriotic Brownies

Ingredients 1 cup sugar

4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa 3/4 cup flour 2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup butter, melted 1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup sour cream

Cooking spray, as needed 1 cup fresh blueberries

2 cups sliced strawberries

2 16-ounce containers of white frosting Pastry bag with a large star tip

Preparation Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Prepare a 9-inch-by-5-inch baking dish by

"

These brownies are sure to impress at any 4th of July picnic or party.

"

spraying well with cooking spray and lining with parchment paper. The edges of the parchment paper should come up over the top of the pan for easy removal of the brownies.

Blend sugar and cocoa together until well combined.

Add flour and salt, and stir until well combined. Add eggs, butter, vanilla and sour cream. Blend until well combined.

Pour batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for about 20 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Remove brownies from the oven and allow to cool completely before decorating.

Spread white frosting evenly over the top of the brownies.

Arrange blueberries in a square in the top left corner. Using the sliced strawberries, layer 4 to 5 rows.

Fill a pastry bag with the remainder of the icing. Pipe white stripes in between the rows of strawberries.

Serves 6 to 8.

39

� This recipe is great to feed a

crowd and is perfect for backyard parties in the summer.�

Low Country Boil

Ingredients

Preparation

Crab boil seasoning, about 2 teaspoons per quart

Fill a large stockpot halfway with water.

Add seasonings and salt, then bring to a boil.

Add potatoes, onions, garlic and lemon to the pot. Allow to return to a boil. Cook 10 minutes.

Add sausage and corn and cook about 15 more minutes, or until potatoes are tender and can be pierced with a fork.

Add the shrimp and any of the optional seafood and cook for 3 minutes, or until the shrimp turn pink.

Drain through a colander, discarding the liquid.

Pour on a newspaper-lined table or use a platter and serve family-style with a loaf of crusty french bread.

Serves 6 to 8. WGW

of water

3 to 4 tablespoons of salt

1 to 2 tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning 4 pounds medium red potatoes 2 medium sweet onions

4 to 5 bulbs of garlic, tops cut off 3 lemons, halved

8 ears of corn, cut in half

2 1/2 pounds pork sausage links, spicy or mild, cut into 3-inch pieces

4 pounds of shrimp, shells on

Optional: crawfish, crab legs or other shellfish

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” This low country boil can be

easily halved or doubled to accommodate any crowd.”

41

Hey Hey Crimson and Scarlett Warner Parents — Eva and Kelley Warner

AUGUST

TOURS | GIVEAWAYS

2018

25

SATURDAY |

VENDORS

|

9 a.m. to noon Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton 705 Dixie Street

PHYSICIAN MEET AND GREET |

EDUCATION SESSIONS

Expecting? Thinking about starting — or growing — your family? See what west Georgia and east Alabama have to offer at Tanner’s Hey, Baby! Mom and Baby Fair. Meet local obstetrics, neonatal and pediatrics specialists, collect giveaways and baby-approved door prizes from local merchants, tour the Maternity Center — featuring a new NICU opening this fall — and participate in physician-led educational sessions to help you learn more about what our region has to offer our moms-to-be.

Bring your partner or grab a friend. Free parking available in the Dixie Street Parking Deck adjacent to the hospital.

To learn more or to register, visit tanner.org/heybaby or call 770.214.CARE (2273).

42

What to Get When You're Expecting Pregnancy and Vaccinations 43

Pregnant and in Pain?

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Trained in Webster’s Technique Through ICPA Chiropractic BioPhysics (CBP) technique is one of the most scientifically validated techniques in chiropractic.

770.832.1640

775 S. Park Street, Suite 102 • Carrollton 44

www.integrativebodyhealth.com

W

hen you are pregnant, you and your baby share everything. When you get your vaccinations, this means you are not only protecting yourself from serious diseases, but you're also providing your baby much needed protection.

Normally, vaccines that contain inactivated or killed viruses are considered safe to receive while pregnant and, at minimum, the two vaccines that you should receive during pregnancy are the flu and whooping cough vaccines, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC has recommended guidelines for vaccinations women need before, during and after pregnancy, and some of these vaccines should be given at least one month before you become pregnant. Still, others can be given before, during or after pregnancy.

Pediatric, Hand & Speech Therapy

Recommended Vaccines Before Pregnancy Rubella is an extremely dangerous and contagious disease if you contract the disease while you are pregnant. Rubella can cause devastating birth defects or a miscarriage.

The MMR or, measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, is the best protection against rubella. If you aren't up to date on this vaccine, you need to get an MMR vaccination before you become pregnant. Be sure to get tested pre-pregnancy to see if you are immune to rubella. Most women were vaccinated with the MMR vaccine when they were children, but you should confirm this with your healthcare provider.

If you need to be vaccinated for this disease, you should avoid becoming pregnant until at least one month after receiving the MMR vaccine and, to be safe, avoid becoming pregnant until your immunity is confirmed by a blood test.

Recommended Vaccines During Pregnancy • Whooping cough (pertussis). Whooping cough can be serious for everyone, but it can be life-threatening for your newborn baby.

In the U.S., up to 20 babies die each year because of whooping cough, according to the CDC. Approximately 50 percent of babies younger than a year old who get whooping cough require hospital treatment, and the younger the baby is when she contracts whooping cough, the more likely she will

need hospital treatment. This disease can stop breathing and cause your baby to turn blue.

Many babies don't cough at all, so it may be difficult for you to even know if your baby has whooping cough. • Flu. When you're pregnant, your body goes through many changes. Some of these changes occur in your lungs, immune system and heart functions. These changes during pregnancy can make you more likely to get seriously ill from the flu. Getting the flu may also increase your chances for serious difficulties, including premature labor and delivery. Getting the flu shot during flu season if you are pregnant is the ideal way to protect your baby and yourself from flu-related complications for several months after birth.

The flu season varies from season to season, but the CDC recommends getting vaccinated by the end of October, if you can. This early vaccination may help protect you before any flu activity begins to rise. • Hepatitis B. If you have hepatitis B, your baby is at highest risk for becoming infected with this disease during delivery. Talk to your healthcare provider about getting tested and

45

An Independent PreK-3 through 12th Grade College-Preparatory School

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Experiences in a nurturing environment 222 Cross Plains Road ~ Carrollton, GA 30116 ~ 770-834-6651 ~ www.oakmountain.us Now Accepting Applications for Fall 2018. if she recommends you being vaccinated against hepatitis B. • Travel-related vaccinations. If you are planning international travel and you are pregnant, you should talk to your physician at least four to six weeks before you leave to discuss any vaccines you may need, for example, hepatitis A, hepatitis B or the meningococcal vaccines. Ask your doctor about any other special precautions you may need to take while traveling abroad.

• Other vaccinations. You may need other vaccines before, during or after you become pregnant. For example, if you work in a lab where you may be exposed to meningococcal disease, your doctor may recommend the meningococcal vaccine or, if you have a history of chronic liver disease, she may recommend the hepatitis A vaccine.

Your physician will recommend avoiding all vaccines that contain live viruses while you are pregnant because they pose a theoretical risk. If you're planning on becoming pregnant, talk to your doctor about any vaccines you may need before you get pregnant. Any live vaccines should be given at

46

least one month before conception.

Ask your partner and any other close contacts to get the flu vaccine to reduce your risk of being exposed to the flu. Your partner and other close adults should not need an additional pertussis vaccination as long as they are up to date with their Tdap vaccines.

Vaccines To Avoid • Nasal spray flu vaccine (the flu shot is made from an inactive virus and is considered safe during pregnancy) • Chickenpox (varicella) vaccine • Shingles (varicella-zoster) vaccine • Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine

Vaccinations After Childbirth After you give birth to your baby, your healthcare provider may recommend you receive postpartum vaccinations. These will help protect you from getting sick and, if you plan to breastfeed, you will pass some antibodies on to your baby through your breastmilk.

Getting vaccinated after pregnancy is particularly

vaccines that will protect her after the birth.

Keep Vaccinations Up To Date

important if you did not receive certain vaccines before or during your pregnancy. It is safe for you to receive vaccines right after giving birth, even while you are breastfeeding, according to the CDC. Your baby gets disease immunity or protection from you during pregnancy. This immunity you've given her will protect your baby from some diseases during the first few months of life, but that immunity will decrease over time.

She will also begin her own series of vaccinations to protect against many detrimental childhood diseases. Ask your baby's pediatrician about

Before you become pregnant, keep up to date with all of your vaccines. This will protect you and your unborn child from serious diseases. Using your vaccination record, your healthcare provider can determine which vaccines you will need during your pregnancy.

If you don't have a current record of your vaccinations, ask your parents or other caregivers if they kept your school immunization records and ask them about any previous childhood illnesses you've had because some illnesses during childhood may provide immunity as an adult. For example, adults who had the chicken pox as children have immunity.

Contact previous physicians or clinics where you may have received your vaccinations, for example your workplace clinic, pharmacies or the health department.

Even without your records, your healthcare provider can still protect you and your baby by recommending the appropriate vaccines. You should always discuss each vaccine with your healthcare professional before getting vaccinated. WGW

Celebrate Your Independence From Pelvic Issues.

Let Us Help.

Dr. James Cullison West Georgia’s Only Urologist Board Certified In Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery

Carrollton • Villa Rica • Wedowee

770.834.6988 • WGUrology.com 47

Womentality

Inspiring quotes by extraordinary women “I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.”

– Audre Lorde “You can do anything you want, even if you are being told negative things. Stay strong and find motivation.”

– Misty Copeland

Photo by: K. Kendall

“Women, like men, should try to do the impossible, and when they fail, their failure should be a challenge to others.”

– Amelia Earhart

" I have an independent streak. You know, it's kind of hard to tell a independent woman what to do."

– Betty Ford

"I believe in strong women. I believe in the woman who is able to stand up for herself. I believe in the woman who doesn't need to hide behind her husband's back. I believe that if you have problems, as a woman you deal with them, you don't play victim, you don't make yourself look pitiful, you don't point fingers. You stand and you deal. You face the world with a head held high and you carry the universe in your heart."

– C. Joybell C.

48

Local Happenings Healers and Helpers Wellness 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

Rare Pearls 4th Annual Women's Empowerment Luncheon July 21, from 12 to 3:30 p.m. at the Douglasville Conference Center at 6700 Church St., Douglasville.

49

Food, fun, entertainment, vendors and a fashion show. $30 per adult or $15 per child.

Corporate tables are available for $300.

Proceeds from the luncheon benefit the Rare Pearl's organization.

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 weight checks for your baby will be available. Come and share your breastfeeding journey with us.

For more information, call 470.270.9520 or email Anne Lussier at IBCLC@nursingfromtheheart.com or visit the website at www.nursingfromtheheart.com

GriefShare at Tabernacle Baptist Church Utilizing a video seminar, support group and

50

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.

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 GriefShare or DivorceCare, call or text John Pearson at 404.368.2746.

Your o t n o o S g Comin rhood! o b h ig e N 4 District Friends,

e ahead to se the months you in to or e ic do rv oor-t better se of be to I am going do do ything I can if there’s an mily. fa t or and your governmen out county ab please s r, on te ti at es m any qu pressing a g in rd If you have il.com. ga no n@morga k to me re ail mmorga m need to spea eor 8 9 403-23 call (770) !

See you soon Sincerely,

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a Michelle Morg

No county funds were used to pay for this advertisement.

To all who have supported us in our journey: After six years helping our community in Carrollton, Hands of Hope has decided to close our doors. We can’t fully express our deep gratitude for your support.

Being able to serve the community has been nothing but an absolute pleasure.

Sincerely, Sandy Newell

Carroll EMC Offices Closed for the Fourth of July All Carroll EMC offices will close Wednesday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day. During the closing, make payments at the kiosks, automated phone payment system (770-832-3552), online at carrollemc.com or via the free Carroll EMC mobile app. To report a power outage, call 1-877-9-OUTAGE (1-877-968-8243) or report it online or via the mobile app.

51

Kidz Korner

By Charlene Brooks

Back to School Book Worms

G

o back to school in style with these really easy to make pencil book worms. These can be used to write with or, as bookmarks for your child's favorite book.

Keep all of your important papers in place with these really adorable lady bug paper weights. Both of these crafts are super easy to make and even young children can make these with ease.

Be sure to help your little ones with the hot glue gun as they can be burned if left unattended.

Materials Pipe stem cleaners Googly craft eyes Hot glue gun Hot glue stick Pencils

Instructions Twist the top of a pipe stem cleaner to create the bookworm head.

Using the hot glue gun, glue the googly craft eye to the middle of the head.

Taking a pencil, start wrapping the pipe stem cleaner – beginning at the top – and wrap around the pencil.

52

Ladybug Paper Weights

Materials Stones

Googly craft eyes Paint Paint brush Hot glue gun Hot glue stick

Instructions Paint 3/4 of the stones your choice of color and allow to dry. After drying, paint in spots and allow to dry.

Using the hot glue gun, glue googly craft eyes to the stones. WGW

Have A Safe and Happy Independence Day!

Dedicated Healthcare When You Need It Most • 770.832.9689 53

Happy Independence Day Word Search

Word Bank

54

Fireworks Patriotic Flag July America Stripes Liberty Parade Stars Country Holiday United Pride Valor Freedom Brave Republic Anthem History Allegiance

Word search created at puzzle-maker.com

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