West Georgia Woman Magazine June 2016

Woman

June 2016

Complimentary

West Georgia TM

A Day In The Life Of A Female Farmer

Rosie Holley Spreading Hope Throughout West Georgia

Show Dad Some Father's Day 1

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This publication is dedicated in loving memory of

Tristan Alexander Brooks

May 15, 1993 - September 1 7, 2015

He will remain forever in our hearts ...

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Clinical Management of Obesity Lindsey B. Roenigk M.D. Board Certifications in Pulmonary Medicine Critical Care Medicine Internal Medicine

Shawna Berg NP-C Member Obesity Medicine Association and Obesity Action Coalition

100 PROFESSIONAL PARK, STE. 204, CARROLLTON 4

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What’s inside...

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Journey Of A Lifetime

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Does Your Child Need Glasses?

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Show Dad Some Love

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Routines: Are They Really Important?

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Home Improvements

54

Keeping Fathers Engaged In Your Wedding

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HIV: A Growing Epidemic

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Keep Your Pets Safe In The Heat

In Every Issue:

24 36 40 44 6

She’s Got Game Daily Fare Local Happenings Celebrate Her Success

50 51 56

Ever After

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Kidz Korner

Womentality

Resources for Women

TECHNICALLY, THE BEST!

Apply now for Fall Semester!

Fall Semester classes begin August 16 FINANCIAL AID/ADMISSIONS PRIORITY DEADLINE JUNE 23

855.887.9482 admissions@westgatech.edu

www.westgatech.edu

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Celebrate Dads

Because this magazine is dedicated to sharing the lives of women in West Georgia, we don't often talk about the men in our lives who are making a difference daily. I am very lucky to have some very wonderful and supportive men in my life, who I love dearly, and I'm sure you can think of a few in your lives as well. Father's Day is June 19th, so don't forget to let those special men know how much you love them.

My father, Kin Brooks, has been so supportive of me and the magazine. He's such a good man, kind and outgoing, and always has a friendly word to say to others. My dad is the kind of man who will offer help to anyone who needs it. He and my mom Charlene also work as our magazine distributors, so if you happen to see them delivering West Georgia Woman around town, tell them hello – my dad will probably say hello to you first!

My brother William and I are very close. William is my nephew Tristan's father, and this will be his first Father's Day without Tristan since he passed away last September. Please say a prayer for my brother as he goes through this difficult time this month.

Another very important man in my life is Dr. Fred Richards. Fred has selflessly given me, and so many others in the community, so much support over the years, and he has been especially supportive during my journey with West Georgia Woman. He is truly an authentic and wonderful man, and is like a father to me. I know you're reading this Fred, and I'm sure I speak for all of your other "surrogate children" when I wish you a very happy Father's Day. Of course, I can't leave out my fiancé, Dan Keever. Dan has also been very supportive during my journey with West Georgia Woman. He was there for me from the beginning, offering encouragement and advice during those days when I wondered if anyone would bother reading this magazine, much less love it. I love you, Danny, and I'm so glad you are a part of my life.

In This Issue This month, we have Rosie Holley on our cover. After losing her mother to breast cancer and fighting her own battle with this devastating illness, Rosie created a special nonprofit organization that offers support, encouragement and hope for other women who are living with a breast cancer diagnosis. Rosie is such an amazing, courageous and beautiful woman. Please take the time to read about her on page 10. We've also included farm owner Terra Currie Feather in “Celebrate Her Success” on page 44. Through farming, Terra is making an impact in the community as well as on the environment. I hope you enjoy reading about what it's like to own a farm in West Georgia.

We truly enjoy getting your feedback daily, and we are so happy you love reading West Georgia Woman magazine. Please remember, without our valuable advertisers we would not be able to bring you these amazing stories about the women of West Georgia! Please do business with our advertisers and let them know you read about them in West Georgia Woman!

I hope all of you have a wonderful Father’s Day with the men you love.

Blessings,

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Publisher

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

TM

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

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

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

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Woman

Contact us: Angela@westgeorgiawoman.com (404) 502-0251 Online: www.westgeorgiawoman.com Follow us!

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Do you know an interesting woman Instagram.com/westgawoman who should be on the cover of West Georgia Woman? Is there a special project or organization you would Pinterest.com/westgawoman like us to feature in our magazine?

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Get yours at Kroger, Publix, Southern Email your suggestions to: Home and Ranch, Food Depot (Maple features@westgeorgiawoman.com Street), Palladino’s Pizza and A+ ConShare your special events. signment in Carrollton. Publix at Mirror Lake and Piggly Wiggly in Bowdon as Are you part of an organization well as over 500 grocery stores, conthat meets on a regular basis?

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West Georgia Woman is a monthly publication of Angel Media, LLC. All contents of this issue are copyright 2016. West Georgia Woman magazine, its logo and “Finding our voice. Knowing our value. Making a difference.” are trademarks of Angel Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited.

West Georgia

TM

Volume 1 • Issue 8 June 2016

Publisher/Editor

Angela Dailey angela@westgeorgiawoman.com

Copy Editor Editorial Contributor

Shala Hainer shala@westgeorgiawoman.com

Photographer for Cover and Pages 2,3 & 8 Rachel Dobson

Editorial Contributors

Sara Anderson, L.P.C., Charlene Brooks, Julie Culpepper and Cheryl A. Francis, L.P.C.

Angela Brooks Dailey, Publisher of West Georgia Woman, 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, Georgia and is also a Civil and Domestic Relations mediator and arbitrator registered with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution. She lives in Carrollton, Georgia and has two wonderful children, Zachary and Sydney Dailey. She is engaged to Dan Keever, also a Carrollton resident. Angela enjoys reading, spending time with her children and extended family and loves to watch her daughter play soccer.

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Photos by Rachel Dobson

Journey Of A Lifetime

One Courageous Woman's Battle Provides Hope For Others

M

ost people strive to do what they love, but not many put that into practice. Rosie Holley of Carrollton, Ga., loves walking beside women in their breast cancer battles through her nonprofit, Hope for the Journey.

But Hope for the Journey isn’t just about doing what she loves. For Rosie, it’s more of a calling. Her family has been plagued with breast cancer: her mom died from the disease, and Rosie and her sister are both breast cancer survivors.

“I was diagnosed in December 2003,” Rosie remembers. “I had a routine mammogram in January of that year, and I got a good report from the test. But later, I noticed a lump growing in my breast.”

At the time, Rosie worked as a certified nurse’s aid specializing in in-home care, and she had worked with many people in their last stages of cancer. She had also cared for her mother during her fatal fight, and she knew she was in the high-

By Shala Hainer

risk category.

At the age of 43, Rosie received the news that she was about to begin a personal battle. “I could tell by the look in my doctor’s eyes that she didn’t want to say anything,” Rosie says. “I braced myself for what they were going to tell me, and the doctor confirmed it was cancer. I think I went into a state of shock in that moment, but I simply asked what were the next steps, and I scheduled my surgery.”

Even though Rosie thought she was prepared for the worst news from the doctor, like most cancer patients, the diagnosis came with a rush of emotion and questions. “I got in the car after I left the doctor’s office and I called my husband. That’s when I broke down. He was very comforting and helped me get it together.”

Unlike some women, Rosie had a strong support team surrounding her, including her husband of 36 years, Bruce, her family and her church family. “My husband was 11

Rosie and her husband Bruce. Bruce was a huge source of support during her battle with breast cancer.

my support system,” she says. “He took family leave off work when he needed to and was there for me the whole time. People from his work even brought us food.”

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Their three sons were in their late teens and early 20s when Rosie was diagnosed. “They went through the journey with me, “she recalls. “They supported me and seemed sure I was going to be OK.”

Doctors performed a right lumpectomy and removed 21 lymph nodes during Rosie’s surgery. She endured four months of chemotherapy treatment and radiation for seven weeks. “I was never bedridden or had to stay in the hospital, but I had some dark days,” she says. “I lost weight, my skin changed and I lost my hair.”

After her cancer treatment was over, her battle continued. Rosie experienced additional health problems, including benign tumors that began to appear throughout her body. Although not cancerous, she was in and out of the hospital for more than a year. “I had different surgeries, and I got so tired from going from one doctor to the next,” she remembers. “It weighs on your body and your mind.”

It weighed even more heavily because Rosie still suffers with lymphedema. This condition, often appearing after lymph nodes are removed, causes excess fluid buildup beneath the skin in various areas of the body. It can be so severe that it causes scar tissue to form, exacerbating the problem by keeping the fluid from draining. It increases Rosie’s chances of infection in those areas and can delay wound healing if she ever gets hurt. People with lymphedema experience periodic swelling, redness and pain, and they must constantly be on guard against infection, even after something as simple as a bug bite.

Rosie tries not to let it slow her down. “This is the ball that’s been handed to me. I’m going to run with it.”

The Unspoken Cancer Side Effect

Carrollton

the emotional strain of fighting for your life. “The doctor explained I was coming back from the battle, and I had all the emotional baggage from such a long fight,” Rosie says. “I had to deal with all these emotions I had pushed to the side. I had anxiety and depression and had to go on medication for a while, but I got through all of it.”

Women who survive breast cancer treatment are up to 14 percent more likely to suffer from depression and 29 percent more likely to experience anxiety than women who have never experienced cancer, according to a 2013 study published in The Lancet Oncology. Many doctors consider it a type of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Rosie’s oncologist recommended she see a counselor to help her with the emotional struggle, and she continues to see the counselor regularly, although she no longer requires anxiety or depression medication.

“Now I’m back,” she proudly says. “Out of that whole experience, out of all the hurt and pain of breast cancer, Hope for the Journey was born.”

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When Rosie finally began to feel healthy again, another problem arose. It’s a common, but not often discussed, issue with cancer patients – recovering from

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Upcoming Event 2016 Luncheon In The Pink: From Scars To Stars!

Oct. 1, 2016 12:30-3:30 p.m.

Mill Town Music Hall in Bremen, Ga. Tickets: $30 Visit the Events tab at www.hopeforthejourneywestga.org to purchase your tickets.

Be Inspired And Encouraged

It’s going to be wonderful. Invite a friend, share with your church or civic group and let’s come together to celebrate survivors, share information so that we can make better choices and support one another as we continue to build a community around our West Georgia families fighting breast cancer.

For More Information Please Contact Hope for the Journey P.O. Box 1343 Carrollton, GA 30112 770.214.1491 christstaff@yahoo.com

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www.hopeforthejourneywestga.org

Hope for the Journey After her life experiences with breast cancer, Rosie was moved to reach out to other women and help support them during their own fights with the disease. She wanted other women to know they were not alone, and that someone understood what they were going through. While she helps other women, she finds her work helps her heal as well.

“It has been good for me because I’ve met other people who are going through the same things I went through, and I can talk to them about it and tell them they can make it through,” she relates. “God gave me the vision for Hope for the Journey. Life is a journey. Everything comes along on this journey with you. You have to have hope. I find my hope in Christ, but it’s also been a service to help other women, hearing what they are going through, seeing them smile and helping them through it.”

Hope for the Journey offers many services to women facing breast cancer.

The women can attend a monthly support group, which sometimes evolves into more social time, such as a girls’ day out. The nonprofit provides education, outreach and financial assistance with medical bills when necessary.

“Our belief that no woman should have to face breast cancer alone,” Rosie explains. “That’s not a good place to be, doing everything alone with no support. We offer education, outreach, financial assistance, our support group, counseling – we have a counselor who works with me for when the ladies get to that point. Cancer is an emotional battle also.”

Rosie believes in addressing the entire spectrum of what’s affected by cancer. “We talk about nutrition and teach women how cancer affects the whole body – how to eat right and how to deal

with it emotionally. Some have little children, and it’s a lot to deal with. Sometimes whole families need counseling to get through it. We know what it’s like to go through it.”

She still relies on family support to help her business. Her husband, now a chaplain, talks to the families of the cancer patients to show them they have support through Hope for the Journey as well.

“He can talk to them through his eyes, watching someone he loves go through cancer treatment and how to deal with it,” Rosie says. “When you’re diagnosed with cancer, everyone in your circle is affected by it. A lot of people don’t think about that.”

Not every cancer story has a happy ending, and Rosie said she had to come to terms with that to keep offering her services. “I’ve stood by a lot of women’s sides who lost the battle,” she says. “I’m holding their hands, and they know they are dying. That’s hard. She’s leaving kids behind, husband behind, but that’s part of the work I do – I’ll be there for her and her family.

“I have survived cancer. You never go into that journey and come out the same person. I believe in living – I like to do different things with the ladies. We go do things together, even take trips. We become friends in the support group – we are nonprofit and we have to raise funds – it takes money to sustain the organization.

But I know I’m serving someone else. Seeing the ladies with joy in their eyes means everything.”

Rosie doesn’t just rely on the support groups to help the women get through the struggle. She takes a personal interest in the ladies she works with through Hope for the

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Journey. She might take them back and forth to doctor’s appointments if they need it, or she might go sit with them while they have their chemo treatments, which can be scary and overwhelming for them, especially at first. “We help ladies out with their medical bills also,” she says.

“It’s definitely a journey. I enjoy what I do.

This is why God left me here on this Earth.

That’s my belief.”

Hope for the Journey has helped more than 300 women and their families so far.

Remembering Rosie’s Mom Rosie’s mom, also named Rosie, came from that age where women just didn’t talk about issues they considered private.

Although she knew about a lump in her breast, she didn’t have insurance so was unable to get the proper treatment. While she was waiting to become eligible for Medicare, the lump burst one day while she was gardening.

“My mom went to the doctor, and they knew it was cancer,” Rosie says. “It had already spread.” The doctors performed surgery on Rosie’s mother and gave her some medication to hopefully help stall the disease, but it had already taken hold of her body.

Her mother lived for a few short years after her diagnosis, dying at the age of 68. Rosie remembers her with great pride, recalling how much her mother loved Rosie and her siblings, as well as all the grandchildren. “She was a fighter. She was a Christian woman who loved God,” Rosie says. “She fought until the end. She The Hope For The Journey support group meets the third Thursday of every month at traveled and did the things she wanted 6:30 pm in the Board Room at the Stallings Center in Carrollton. after she had surgery until the cancer got to the point where she couldn’t do anything else. I got to enjoy those years with her.

She stayed in my home, and my husband and I took care of her through her last days. It was a blessing to Even when you have a strong support system, the me. help is only good if you take it. When you’re going “Her experience is one thing that inspired me to through cancer, Rosie says take all the help you can. start Hope for the Journey. If she had the means to “When someone offers you help, take it. If they get to the doctor earlier, she might have survived. By offer you food and you can’t eat, take it anyway the time she got there and they did the surgery, the and tell them it was good. Share it with your family cancer had already spread.” instead, even if you can’t eat that day.”

Rosie’s Advice

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She says she learned from going through her battle that if you need something, ask for it. “If you don’t feel like answering the phone that day, ask a friend or family member to do it,” she suggests. “Sometimes you might just want someone to sit and talk to. Maybe all you can eat is soup, and you need someone to bring you some. Ask for it.”

Rosie is happy to be that someone to the ladies in her support group. “I can tell them I understand, I’ve been there.”

Although fighting cancer isn’t easy, Rosie says you must never give up.

“There is hope,” she encourages. “You have to fight. And you have to continue to fight, not just for yourself, but for the generations to come. Fight for your daughter, your granddaughter, your sons. Think about the young woman being diagnosed. Someone needs to hear your story to encourage them. My sister diagnosed in her 30s, and she’s in her 60s now. In the support group, when someone says she is a 25-year survivor, we just say, ‘Yes, yes, yes!’ It helps the people going through it now to hear how others have survived.” WGW

Things You Might Not Know About Breast Cancer And Its Treatment.

• Although family history is a risk factor for breast cancer, a whopping 85 percent of the women diagnosed have relatives who have fought the disease. As women age, their chance of getting breast cancer increases, regardless of family history.

Exposure to ionizing radiation, having no children or children later in life and lack of exercise are examples of other risk factors, according to the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester.

• Not all breast cancer is the same. They have different makeups, making some tiny lumps extremely deadly, while some large, fast-growing tumors are ones that would never become life-threatening. Always check with your doctor immediately if you think you might have a lump, because there is no way to tell the difference yourself.

• Chemotherapy changes many things in your body. The Emirates Cancer Foundation recommends you avoid your favorite foods during chemo. The treatment often changes the way you taste food, and you might never like your favorite foods again after eating them while undergoing chemo.

• A woman’s battle with breast cancer doesn’t end when the treatment does. When the chemotherapy and radiation are finished, your body may continue to change for years. The treatment might cause you to enter menopause early or lead to fertility problems, for example. You might have trouble sleeping or experience extreme fatigue long after treatment ends. Some women experience “chemo-brain,” or a change in cognitive function where they have memory issues or trouble concentrating.

• Women aren’t the only people who get breast cancer. About 1 in 1,000 men are diagnosed with breast cancer (compared with 1 in 8 women), so this Father’s Day season, make sure that special man in your life knows to pay attention to any changes to the tissue around his chest.

• Depending on the type of chemotherapy used, a breast cancer patient’s hair could take anywhere from one month to six months to start growing back. Even then, it could be different in texture or color than her original hair, although it usually changes back to normal over time as the hair follicles recover from the chemo.

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Show Dad Some

Love

F

or Father's Day this month, try something new to show that special man in your life just how important he is to you. Although it should be enough for him that, in spite of not knowing how on Earth this amazing event happened, he got lucky and found a fabulous partner (you!), and has some really great kids to come home to every day, it's still nice to give Dad a little extra TLC every once in a while, especially on Father's Day. 1. Give him a back rub. Touch is a great way to connect with the one you love, so get that oil out and slather it on those sore spots. Once you're finished, he won't even mind that your kids left the lights on in every room.

2. Have his car washed and detailed. A man's love for his car often goes above and beyond anything women view as semi-normal, but still, Dad's ride can be an obsession with him. He will love it that you want to treat his "baby" with such tenderness and affection.

3. Let him sleep in. He works hard. Probably not as hard as you do, but that's beside the point.

Instead of asking him get up at the crack of dawn to check on the kids or mow the lawn,

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make the sacrifice and let him sleep as long as he wants.

4. Treat him to a round of golf. Many men love golf, and they will go to great lengths to get out of the house on the weekends to play. Buy him a round and try not to complain about him leaving you with the housework and the kids.

That kind of defeats the purpose of the gift.

5. Let him control the remote. Father's Day is the one day Dad should be allowed complete access to the television to watch his favorite shows. Even if you have seen that same episode of Gas Monkey Garage or American Pickers a dozen times already, cut him some slack and go read a book.

6. Write him a letter. He might not always seem like the most sentimental guy in the world, but take a chance and write a letter to him listing all of the wonderful things that you love about him. You might even catch him shedding a couple of man tears because of your efforts.

7. Take charge of the grill. Men are usually the ones in charge of the grill when it's time for that barbecue. Treat him to a nice surprise and throw those steaks on there yourself while he relaxes on the couch. Once you've finished cooking the meal, go that extra step and fix his plate for him.

8. Make him breakfast in bed. This is a fun event for you and the kids to do together for Dad. Make him his favorite breakfast of bacon, eggs, pancakes, or whatever he loves to eat. Place his food on a decorative tray, have your kids make him a homemade card and grab his favorite magazine for him to read while he's eating.

Whatever you decide do for that special Dad this year, do it with grace and love. He deserves to be celebrated for being the wonderful husband and father that you were lucky enough to land. WGW

Father’s Day June 19th GIFTS DAD WILL LOVE Memberships, guns, ammo, accessories, clothing and gift cards.

Complimentary gift wrapping always included.

970 Hays Mill Rd. Carrollton, Georgia 678.664.0610 19

Home Improvements: T

Which Offer The Biggest Return?

he homes that typically sell the fastest are the ones that are move-in ready, have tons of upgrades and are priced competitively.

But before you start adding upgrades to your home, consider which ones provide the biggest bang for your buck when it comes to resale. Not all improvements change the price of your home – even improvements that might increase your home’s value often do so only at a fraction of what you spent.

When you consider making home improvements and upgrades, think about your goal: Do you want granite countertops because you love the durability and modern look, or are you wanting to make your home more attractive to buyers? If you are making upgrades for your own enjoyment, it’s likely worth the money. If you’re getting your home ready to sell, many upgrades become unnecessary, at least where price is concerned.

While home improvements might not change the house price considerably, they can drive more traffic to your house when you list it for sale, helping it sell faster and easier than comparable homes with no upgrades. Talk to a Realtor before you begin your home renovation to get an opinion of how much your home is worth without the upgrades, and what it might be worth after the upgrades are complete. Your home might benefit from easy and fast improvements, such as new carpet and neutral paint.

When making changes specifically to get your home ready to sell, a few improvements stand out

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as providing the best return on your investment.

Improvements to Make • Repairs. Many buyers know they can remodel a home over time to turn it into their own showpiece, but they get scared away when expensive necessities need replacement. Big items that are nearing the end of their lives, such as the roof or air conditioning units, should be replaced before you list your home if you want to sell your home for the highest price possible. As an alternative, you might offer a one-year home warranty as part of the sale. A warranty repairs major systems such as HVAC and plumbing, and it will replace the

components if necessary for a relatively small deductible – often less than $100 – paid by the buyer. This offers a bit of piece of mind to the buyer, and it usually costs the seller between $350 and $650 at closing.

• Minor kitchen and bath renovations. If you spend $50,000 overhauling your entire kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances, imported tile backsplashes and high-end cabinets, prepare for disappointment – your home’s value doesn’t increase by $50,000 just because you spent that much on the upgrades. Instead, choose selectively, suggests Remodeling Magazine. If your cabinets are structurally sound but look dated, hire a professional to paint them and give them new life.

Countertops can make a difference, but shop for the best value of solid-surface countertops – they don’t necessarily need to be granite. Even the smallest changes, such as new faucets, can provide a quick facelift. Inexpensive adhesive backsplashes often add a powerful pop to the kitchen that

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attracts buyers without breaking the bank.

Keep the selections as neutral as possible, in colors such as gray, tan and white. Picking other colors that appeal to you personally might turn off potential buyers, lowering the demand, and the cost, for your home. As an example, if you spend $30,000 on a kitchen remodel, you can likely expect a 67 percent return on that investment, according to the 2015 Remodeling Impact Report. With a $15,000 kitchen improvement, you could get as much as 92 percent of a return on the investment.

• Changing dated items. If your home has a popcorn ceiling or wood paneling, a change could net you a big return. For paneling, sometimes a fresh coat of neutral paint is all you need to update the room – you don’t always have to spring for new drywall. Smooth ceilings make rooms feel instantly modern, but scraping the ceiling yourself is tedious and extremely messy.

Sinking a few thousand dollars into a professional ceiling update can be worth every penny when it comes to resale value.

• Curb appeal. It’s true that if buyers drive by and don’t like the look of the house

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While some buyers look specifically for pools, there are more buyers who prefer to avoid homes with pools because they don’t want the trouble or expense of maintaining a pool, or they might have small children and are concerned about the safety hazard.

from the street, many don’t bother seeing the inside. Updating the landscaping so it’s weedfree, uncluttered and colorful, if possible, makes the home instantly more appealing.

Just like kitchen and bathroom renovations, keep the updates simple and economical.

Try to work with what you have – trimming mature bushes and trees so they look neat and well-kept can often work better than tearing them out and replacing them with tiny, young versions. Buying a new front door, or at least giving your existing one a fresh coat of paint, welcomes buyers from the moment they arrive. New siding, while a relatively expensive fix, is a project most likely to give you a positive return. This update can give you a return of up to 93 percent on the investment if you make the change right before you sell, according to Remodeling magazine. If siding replacement isn’t in your budget, paint your siding if necessary, or pressure wash it if it’s vinyl so it looks shiny and new.

Improvements to Avoid • Pools. While a pool might be worth the money to you because you want your family to enjoy it, don’t count on it yielding a high return when you sell your home. Pools almost never give you a big return on the investment. In fact, they often limit the number of interested buyers.

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• Sunroom additions.

If you’re considering turning your patio into a sunroom to increase your home’s value, perhaps reconsider. If you add 200 more square feet to your home, you are likely to increase the home’s value by 6 percent, reports the National Association of Realtors. For a $200,000 house, that’s an increase of $12,000. You could spend twice or three times that amount building the sunroom, depending on the size and materials you choose.

• Garage Conversions. Some homeowners opt to close in part or all of their garages to turn them into additional living space. While this might offer more room for the family to spread out, it can also cause problems when you’re ready to sell. A buyer getting a FHA loan, for example, might not be able to buy your home unless you can provide proof that you had the proper building permits and inspections during the conversion. Also, if the garage is in the basement, the converted space might not count toward your overall square footage – at least, not officially.

Planning strategically to improve your home starts the day you buy it. Even if you’re not planning to sell for years, calculate how much return you might get on your investment before you start a renovation project. You might decide to move forward with the upgrade because of your personal preference, such as knowing your family will have years of enjoyment from a swimming pool, but set your expectations realistically knowing those improvements might not increase your home’s value just because you spent a big chunk of money on them. WGW

IT’S NOT A HOME.

IT’S A LIFESTYLE.

Put your trust in a Realtor who listens to ensure you find the house that fits you today and grows with you into the future.

Shala Hainer, Realtor Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers Office: 404.843.2500 Direct: 770.842.8500 www.metrobrokers.com Better Homes and Gardens® is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation licensed to Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC. Equal Opportunity Company. Each Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate Franchise is Independently Owned and Operated. If your property is currently listed with a real estate broker, please disregard. It is not our intention to solicit the offerings of other real estate brokers.

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SHE’S GOT GAME

Leader Of The 24

Pack

Villa Rica High School Track Star Runs For Her Home Country – And Her New Home any students who move to a new school often face the challenges of meeting new friends and learning their way around, but Villa Rica High School junior Oneillia Fuller has had a slightly more difficult challenge in the last two years – moving from an entirely different country to the United States, and then moving again in December 2015 from Texas to Villa Rica, Ga. Seventeen years old and 6 feet tall, Oneillia was born in Clarendon, Jamaica, where she lived with her mother, Ann-Marie Bloomfield, and her older brother, Jermaine Wright, for 15 years.

From an early age, Oneillia has been an athlete. In her home country of Jamaica, her sport was netball, a popular sport in Commonwealth nations derived from early versions of basketball. Since moving to the U.S., Oneillia has embraced the challenge of learning three different sports, all as a junior.

At the beginning of her junior year she attended the Texas A&M Consolidated high school where she tried volleyball for the first time. Although new to the sport, Oneillia was awarded with the most improved player award at the end of the season.

She also participated in basketball for the first time at her Texas high school, but then had to move to Villa Rica before finishing the season.

"Upon entering Villa Rica High

M

School, Oneillia decided to participate in track and field," says Coach Chad Frazier, Athletic Director at Villa Rica High School. "Although it was her first time participating in the sport, she achieved great success and displayed an instant impact on her new-found teammates. She is always excited to see her teammates achieve success, but also works very hard for her own success. While enduring these life-changes (moving from Jamaica to Texas, then moving to Villa Rica), she has maintained an all A and B average in school and was voted a track and field team captain by her teammates. She has been an excellent addition to VRHS and the track and field team."

Oneillia often reaches out to the parents and children in her community by babysitting for her neighbors and making sure the children in her neighborhood get on the bus safely when their parents have to go to work early in the mornings.

In addition to her older brother Jermaine, Oneillia has a younger brother, Tyree Fuller, and a younger sister, O'neicia Fuller. She lives in Villa Rica with her father O'neil, stepmother Marcia, sister O'neicia and her niece Faith Ragbeer. In her limited down time, she enjoys singing, dancing and listening to music.

West Georgia Woman: What track and field events do you compete in?

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Oneillia Fuller: I compete in the long jump, 400 meter, 200 meter, 4-by-1-meter relay and the 4-by-4meter relay.

WGW: Tell me what you love about running.

OF: I love running because it gives me an opportunity to compete and I love the adrenaline associated with it.

WGW: What did it take to get to this point in your life as a runner?

OF: This is actually my first time ever running track, and I fell in love with the sport.

WGW: Who has invested in you emotionally as an athlete?

OF: My coaches, coach Trey Rowe and coach Robbie Ridley, have definitely invested in me emotionally as an athlete. They always have encouraging words to keep me motivated, and they have always been understanding and supportive.

WGW: What keeps you motivated?

OF: Knowing that I have an opportunity to be successful and take care of the people who took care of me keeps me motivated.

WGW: What is your training regimen?

OF: I go to practice with a positive attitude, and I execute whatever workouts my coaches have planned for the team. I practice six days a week and I do workouts at home.

WGW: How do you prepare the day of a track meet mentally and physically?

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OF: Mentally, my step-mother, Marcia Fuller, prays for me before I leave the house. At the meet, I listen to music and think about how I am going to run my race. Physically, I do my warm-up routine after which I rehydrate and try to keep my muscles warm.

WGW: What do you like most about competing?

OF: I enjoy the rush that comes with competing.

I never know what the other girls are capable of, and good competition allows me to see what areas I need to improve in.

WGW: What do you like least about competing?

OF: I can't say I dislike anything about competing because I'm a very competitive person and competing allows me to improve in my weak areas.

WGW: Who has had the most influence in your life at school?

OF: My coaches and teammates have been the most influential people in my life at school, simply because they keep me motivated and I see them as my 'second family.'

WGW: Who has had the most influence in your personal life?

OF: My mother has had the most influence in my personal life. I've seen her overcome the struggles in her life, and she has always been there for me. She always tells me the truth even when I don't want to hear it. She has always told me to stay humble, and she reminds me that I have to work hard to achieve my goals, and she reminds me to never give up. She's the best mother in the world, I appreciate her and I love her with all my heart.

WGW: Tell me what goes through your mind

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when you're out there competing.

What do you think about? How does running make you feel physically and mentally?

OF: The only thing that goes through my mind while running is to finish strong. Running makes me feel mentally strong but it is very physically demanding.

WGW: Tell me about your success stories academically and in sports.

Oneillia and her biggest fan, little sister O'neicia.

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OF: In the sixth grade I received one of the best scores on my grade six achievement test (GSAT). This is the test that determines which high school you will attend in Jamaica. I scored a 100 on my social studies and science test and I was placed in the best high school in my parish – Glenmuir High School. This is when I started my journey in sports. I played netball up until the ninth grade and then I moved

to America. I did not play any sports in 10th grade because I just wanted to focus on my academics. I finished my sophomore year with all A's and I was awarded the 10th grade Honors English award. I've won six medals so far in my first year running track.

I placed sixth overall in my region for the 400 meter race, fifth in my region for the 4-by-1 relays and sixth in my region for the 4-by-4 relays.

WGW: Will you be attending college and where?

OF: I will be attending college after high school, but I'm not sure where I'll be going yet.

WGW: What do you do to help other girls on the team who are younger than you?

Dad if I need him, and he's also very supportive. My mom, cousins, stepsisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, church family are all very supportive and I love and appreciate them all. It truly takes a village to raise a child, and I would not be where I am today without them.

WGW: If you could give a freshman just starting advice what would you tell her?

OF: Take care of your body by eating healthy, and drink a lot of water. You also need to get adequate rest. Listen to your coaches, never doubt yourself, stay focused, never fear your opponents and most importantly, have fun.

OF: I encourage the younger girls on my team and I try to give them helpful advice as it relates to track. I also encourage them to work hard and to never quit.

WGW: How old were you when you started competing? What was that first competition experience like for you?

OF: I was 17 when I first started competing in track. I knew I wanted to pursue track by the end of my first race.

WGW: How do you balance track and field and your other activities along with your schoolwork?

OF: Balancing track and other sports along with my schoolwork can be challenging at times but with the help of God, my family, coaches and teachers, I am able to balance it all. I am currently taking three honors classes while balancing track. I know what my priorities are, and I try to stay focused so I can achieve my goals.

WGW: Who is your biggest fan?

OF: My biggest fan is my litter sister, O'neicia.

WGW: Tell me about your support network at home. What do they do for you to help you succeed?

OF: I have a great support network at home. My stepmother has always been supportive. We have a good relationship, she has always encouraged me to do what makes me happy and she is always praying for our family. I know I can always talk to my

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"I enjoy the rush that comes with competing. I never know what the other girls are capable of and good competition allows me to see what areas I need to improve in."

WGW: What is the significance of the arm band you wear during track meets?

OF: My arm band is a symbol of where I'm from.

I've always been patriotic in regards to my country, and it just makes me feel like I'm representing my country when I run. I wear my arm band to every meet. Sometimes I'm not allowed to run in it. When

that occurs, I put it on after I jump or after my race.

WGW: Do you see yourself running the rest of your life?

OF: I don't know what the future holds, but if it's God's will, then that's what I'll do.

WGW: If you could do one thing differently in high school what would you do?

OF: I would have started track earlier.

WGW: How are the cultural experiences different in Georgia from where you were born? What challenges have you had to endure or overcome from this?

OF: The major cultural difference that I've experienced was the way children dress in school. I was accustomed to children wearing uniforms. Makeup, jewelry, hair extensions, cellphones, etc. were not allowed in the school I attended, so it was new to me.

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WGW: If you had the chance to meet one professional athlete, who would you meet and why?

OF: If I had the chance to meet one professional athlete, it would be Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. In my opinion, she is one of the best female athletes in history, and she is the face of track and field for women in Jamaica.

WGW: What do you want to do for a career after high school?

OF: My dream is to become an OB-GYN or a midwife. WGW

Do you know an outstanding athlete, dancer, cheerleader, marching band member or coach in your school or community? Tell us about her!

Email us at

features@westgeorgiawoman.com

West Georgia Ambulance Encourages all WOMEN to INVEST IN YOURSELVES! For the greatest return on your time and money, invest in yourself.

• • • • • • •

Check your blood pressure at the local drugstore.

Scan the paper for free health screenings in your area.

Get your yearly check up and mammogram.

Add drinking water to your daily routine.

Park farther out from the store and walk.

Incorporate a meatless Monday and eat your veggies!

No one is worth more than you. When you are at your best, then you can be better for those around you.

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A Growing Epidemic Among Women Who Is Telling Our Story?

R

ecently, in completing my application for a master's degree in addiction counseling, I had to complete continuing education credits in HIV. As I read the varied courses, I recognized a trend – not much is being said about HIV in women.

I decided to do some quick research and realized from my browsing that articles addressing HIV had minimal information on HIV in women. Most of the information was about HIV in women as a tag along, but not much depth was provided. As I continued, I realized that like most, I was very aware of the prevalence of HIV in intravenous drug users and gay men, but had limited awareness of the impact of HIV in women.

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What is HIV?

HIV is the abbreviation for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. This is a virus that kills or impairs the cells of the immune system and gradually destroys the body’s capabilities to protect itself. As the virus worsens, an individual with a compromised immune system may become vulnerable to illnesses and develop Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), which is an advanced stage of HIV. Everyone who has AIDS is infected with HIV, but it is possible to be HIV infected without having AIDS. Since 1983 when HIV was shown to cause AIDS, the United States has seen an increase in the report of AIDS cases. HIV is not spread by casual contact.

Transmission is through bodily fluids or is passed through the blood stream. Bodily fluids that are considered waste matter, such as sweat, urine and

tears are not capable of transmitting HIV due to the enzymes they contain unless there is blood involved.

Once an individual becomes infected, there is a possibility they will always be infectious.

In many societies, women are socially and economically dependent upon men. This cultural norm contributes to women being at risk, as women often have multiple roles, including being caretakers.

A diagnosis of HIV means that women incur an additional burden in taking care of themselves while managing this illness. Women, especially those of color, are becoming infected with HIV at a higher rate than any other group.

The Nursing Clinics of North America Journal states that HIV/AIDS is the ninth leading cause of death in women 35 to 44 years of age in the United States, and is the fourth leading cause of death in African American women in the same age group. The statistics on HIV cases worldwide in 2014 attribute nearly half of reported HIV cases are women, according to the World Health Organization. HIV affects both younger and older women.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that of these cases, in the United States alone, 19 percent are women 13 and older. There was an estimated 284,500 women living with HIV at the end of 2012, representing 23 percent of all Americans living with the virus. It is estimated that of all the women living with HIV, around 11 percent do not know they are infected. The CDC goes on to report that among all women diagnosed with HIV in 2014, an estimated 62 percent were African American, 18 percent were white, and 16 percent were Hispanics or Latinas.

There is some good news with these statistics, as new HIV diagnoses declined 40 percent among American women from 2005 to 2014. The diagnosis in women declined 42 percent among African Americans, 35 percent among Latinas, and 30 percent among whites, says the CDC.

Risk Factors In Women Women have a higher risk of becoming infected than men. The vagina has a larger area that can be exposed to HIV-infected semen and the virus is found to be greater in concentration in semen than in vaginal fluids. The longer semen is left in the vaginal area, the more exposure there is for the virus to incubate. If a woman has a sexually transmitted disease, there is a higher likelihood of becoming infected with HIV. Women usually become infected

from a partner who either used intravenous drugs, or has had infected sexual partners. Many of these women who become infected did not know, nor did they confirm whether their relationship was monogamous or whether their partner had an IV drug history. Many women are not asking questions of their partners due to being involved in domestic violence situations. Fear of violent responses prevents women from asking their partner to use protective measures during sex. Older women, because they are no longer of child-bearing age, are less likely to use protection during sexual intercourse. Transmission, though rare, may occur through contaminated needles in healthcare settings and from mother-to-fetus during delivery. HIV can be transmitted via oral sex if one partner is infected and has cuts and or lesions on the genitals, has bleeding gums and or other sexually transmitted diseases.

Symptoms of HIV Symptoms of HIV are similar to other viral illnesses, and at times, women may tend to diminish the thought of being ill, believe the symptoms will go away or believe they can manage this as they did other illnesses in the past. Many women

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in a household, they may not care for themselves while infected, as they may be caring for other family members simultaneously. Women are known to push through illnesses to serve others while ignoring their own symptoms.

There are many psychological factors associated with being diagnosed with HIV. The increase of psychological problems occurs at a much higher rate in women with HIV than that of men with the HIV virus. First and foremost, there is the stigma associated with having HIV. Many perceive the diagnosis as an immediate death sentence.

Assumptions of how a female may have contracted the disease help to solidify the stigma. Many people know that the disease is transmitted sexually, or is transmitted through intravenous drug use. There is a mindset that woman who contract HIV were engaging in an illicit lifestyle and should be shunned, and shame ensues as a result of the diagnosis.

Public ignorance of the HIV disease, how it is may experience flu-like symptoms, swollen lymph transmitted and societal responses are other factors nodes, sore and swollen throat, and skin rashes contributing to the stigma. The diagnosis of HIV as well as muscle aches and pain. Rapid weight brings on immediate confusion, especially if a woman loss and or gain especially in the waist or breast has been faithful. As the reality of the disease sinks area may also indicate the presence of the virus. in, anger, low self-esteem, guilt, rage and numbness Night sweats, diarrhea, reoccurring yeast infections increases. These emotions diminish the woman’s and pneumonia are also symptoms. Abnormal or ability to cope with the pain and sadness she is elimination of the monthly menstrual cycle may also experiencing, while she continues to be the primary be a symptom of the illness. caregiver in the household, and self-care diminishes.

Without appropriate counseling, hopelessness, Get Tested helplessness, withdrawal and isolation increases, and other mood and emotional disorders may be evident The only way to rule out HIV is to be tested. or increased.

There are screening tests available for HIV. The tests It is important for women who have been do not identify recent infection of HIV, as antibodies diagnosed with HIV to take charge of their healthcare most likely have not yet developed. In most people by seeking a competent and compassionate it takes between two and 12 weeks to develop healthcare provider for treatment as soon as possible. antibodies to the virus.

HIV doesn’t have to be a death sentence. With Screening is available for free at most community proper health care and treatment, women can greatly centers, and many primary care doctors are increase their chances of living a much longer and now asking about HIV in their preventative care healthier life. WGW questionnaire. If your physician is not asking, take Cheryl A. Francis, Licensed Professional Counselor, is the charge of your health and ask her, especially if you owner of The Heart Matters Wellness Services LLC, a fullare sexually active and have been with more than service counseling agency. She is certified as a Mental Health one partner in a 10-year period.

First Aid Adult trainer and regularly provides seminars and No effective cure currently exists for HIV. But with trainings to the community on proper medical care, HIV can be controlled. The various mental health issues. She currently works as a school-based widely known treatment for HIV currently is called mental health counselor, and antiretroviral therapy or ART. If a woman takes ART has partnered with the Georgia properly, it can dramatically extend her life, keep her Center for Child Advocacy to healthy and reduce the risk of passing on the virus. train individuals in the prevention

After Diagnosis

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As women are mainly the primary caretakers

of childhood sexual abuse. Visit heartmatterswellness.com for more information about Cheryl and her work.

Does Your Child Need

Glasses?

J

une is Child Vision Awareness Month, and now that school is out, it's the perfect time to schedule an appointment with your child's vision care provider for a complete assessment.

Undiagnosed vision problems can have damaging, long-term affects on children. Vision problems affect how the brain uses the eyes to see, and over time, the brain will try to accommodate for vision impairment.

It is vital to identify any issues early because vision develops over time, and having good vision is important in helping a child develop fully and interact with their surroundings.

Children often don't realize they have a problem, especially younger children. They may believe that everyone sees the world the way they do and their brains will try to adapt, which could have negative effects if they aren't properly treated for vision impairment.

Our vision changes frequently during the ages of 4 to 18 years old, but mild vision changes may still continue to occur into adulthood. Undetected vision problems can have the same symptoms and behaviors normally associated with learning disabilities such as Attention

Deficit Disorder or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and can affect a child's enjoyment and performance at school. Children may want to avoid reading, they may squint or strain to see the chalkboard or complete their work at a lower level.

Common symptoms that may indicate a vision problem: • • • • • • •

Frequent blinking Rubbing their eyes Tilting head to one side Straining to see or squinting eyes Frequent headaches Covering one eye Holding reading materials close to the face

If you notice these or other vision-related problems, contact your child's eye care provider to schedule an exam. It is important to take them for regular eye exams to detect vision problems early. WGW

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Daily Fare ”Adapt these recipes to your tastes and your lifestyle. That’s what I want you to feel the freedom to do with my recipes. You are more talented and creative than you give yourself credit for!”

Julie Culpepper Julie Culpepper is a Georgia native living in Carrollton for the past 26 years with her husband Alan and their adult children. She became a personal chef after graduating culinary school in 2012 and loves working with two companies that she incorporates into her style of cooking- Branch and Vine in Newnan and Doterra, an online source for essential oils located in Utah. For further information about contacting Julie or these companies, please feel free to contact her at : jculpep4@gmail.com or culpepperoilsolutions@mydoterra.org

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or go online to: branchandvineonline.org

A Delicious BBQ Idea And A Super Quick Weekday Dish Grilling isn’t my favorite thing to do while cooking because I don’t like babysitting the grill while I have so many other tasks to accomplish in preparation for a meal.

I think that’s why men like taking charge of the grill – they can focus on one task and be left alone to enjoy doing one thing. With Father’s Day in mind, I picked a fairly easy meat to grill that’s quick to cook and will not burn easily unless you have the temperature too high or walk away and forget about it (resist the temptation to multi-task while the meat is cooking).

Everyone loves a really good hot dog in the summertime, and Dad will appreciate all the effort you made to serve him something good to eat. These Grilled Brats with bacon and tangy slaw have a wonderful combination of textures and flavors that meld together for a hard-to-beat treat.

This Ham and Broccoli Strata can be a great way to use some leftovers from your fridge if you want to change up or add to the ingredients I’ve listed. Just about anything would blend well in strata. It is a quick and easy way to show some love to family by enjoying a home-cooked meal together.

Photos by Michelle Horsley

Grilled Brats with Bacon and Tangy Slaw Ingredients

1 12-ounce bottle dark beer or 1 ½ cups beef broth

1 tablespoon onion powder 1 tablespoon garlic powder

3 tablespoons bottled steak sauce

1 ½ teaspoons smoked or sweet paprika 5 bratwurst links of your choice 5 slices uncooked bacon

5 bratwurst or hoagie buns split Tangy Slaw (recipe following)

Instructions In a gallon sealable bag, combine beer,

onion and garlic powder, steak sauce and

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paprika. Mix well.

Instructions

add to the bag and seal. Place in a shallow con-

Mix all ingredients in a medium bowl.

Pierce each brat several times with a fork then tainer and put in the refrigerator for 6 to 12 hours before grilling.

When you are ready to grill: In a large skillet, cook bacon until browned but not crispy. Drain on paper towels. Wrap the

warm bacon pieces around each bratwurst and

secure with toothpicks. Heat your grill on medi-

um and place on the grill. Discard the marinade.

Serves 5

Ham and Broccoli Strata Ingredients

Cook for about 10 to 12 minutes until browned,

1 cup steamed broccoli florets, or frozen

are finished cooking. Remove the toothpicks,

3 to 4 slices leftover bread, cubed

Enjoy with chips or fries.

style is very good in this)

turning often. Grill the buns just before the brats place into the warm buns and top with the slaw.

For the slaw:

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broccoli pieces, thawed

1 14-ounce can of diced tomatoes (the Italian 8 slices of deli honey ham, cut into bite-sized pieces

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 1/3 cup mayonnaise 4 large eggs 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar ¾ cup heavy whipping cream 1 tablespoon deli-style mustard 1 teaspoon each of onion and garlic powder ½ teaspoon celery seed powder Salt and pepper to taste 2 tablespoons French’s Twangy BBQ Mustard Sauce Instructions Salt and pepper to taste 1 16-ounce bag of shredded bagged coleslaw Preheat oven to 375 degrees and grease a 9-inch mix casserole dish. In a large bowl combine all the dry ingredients together, saving out ½ cup of cheese. In a separate bowl mix all the wet ingredients together. Pour into the large bowl and combine evenly. Pour mixture into the casserole dish and top with remaining cheese. Bake until the eggs are just set in the middle, about 35 minutes. Allow to cool about 5 minutes before serving.

Enjoy with a green salad.

Serves 4

Tips from Julie: If you have never tried to make some of your pantry staples at home, maybe you should! Many times they are more nutritious and less expensive, taste fresher and do not contain all the preservatives found in items that can survive on shelves for months or even years.

Just do a quick internet search to find different recipe ideas. Pick the one that intrigues you the most and have fun trying something new. Make small batches that will be used quickly (usually within a month) because remember, you are not adding chemicals that will preserve them forever in time – or in your body!

• Condiments: Like ketchup and mayonnaise. There’s even an easy mayo version that can be quickly accomplished using an immersion blender.

• Nut Butters: Made with a sturdy food processor. Just when you think you’ve failed, something magical happens (after about five minutes) and you get silky smooth delicious nut butter. Try peanuts, almonds, cashews, or even hazelnuts for the “nutella” version!

• Stocks: Such as chicken, beef, vegetable, fish, and mushroom.

These contain much less sodium and can be frozen in small bags to pull out and use whenever you need them • Vanilla Extract: People are always amazed upon learning I make my own, and I’m amazed that anyone would pay the astronomical price at the store when it is so simple to make. All you need is a good neutral vodka and one or two fresh vanilla beans.

• Whipped Cream: This can be done with an energetic arm or a mixer.

Real heavy whipping cream, sugar, and some of your homemade vanilla extract is all you need. Homemade whipped cream totally blows away the store-bought versions that are mostly made with oil.

These are just the beginning of ideas for you to try. The new and exciting discoveries are there waiting for you to try and enjoy!

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At Edward Jones, we stop to ask you the question: “What’s Important to you?”

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Contact your Edward Jones financial advisor for a one-on-one appointment to discuss what’s really important: your goals.

Fred O’Neal, AAMS® Financial Advisor 410 College Street Carrollton, GA 30117

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Local Happenings

Healers and Helpers Wellness Group

This group meets the last Saturday of every month in Douglasville. For more information, contact Cheryl at theheartmatters@gmail.com or learn more at www.heartmatterswellness.com.

Need It Most – Mommy’s Day Out June Event: Ice Cream Social, Thursday, June 2, at 500 Old Bremen Road In Carrollton.

New moms join us for ice cream, fellowship with other mothers and enjoy time for yourself!

Each Mommy’s Day Out event is from 6 to 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month. Locations vary. Please contact Jwyanda at 678.739.1740 or Jwyanda@icloud.com for more information. These are free events for new mothers, mothers with children 0-12 months and mothers suffering from postpartum depression. www.needitmost.wordpress.com

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West Haralson Elementary School Career Day Tallapoosa, Ga

West Georgia Woman donated 120 copies of our January 2016 issue to give to each fifth grader at West Haralson Elementary School for Career Day on March 23, 2016. Ms. Jennifer Pennington, the school guidance counselor, loved the January cover featuring female first responders and wanted to share the magazine with the fifth graders on this special day, as well as have the students use them for a class collage project. The students had a great time learning about different careers, but of course, their favorite part of Career Day was taking a break to read about those amazing female first responders in West Georgia Woman magazine!

W.H.E.S Career Day

Mentoring Village would like to thank the sponsors of the 2016 Spring Sling Disc Golf Tournament fundraiser held at the Carrollton Disc Golf Course at Hobbs Farm on Saturday, May 7, 2016.

PLATINUM LEVEL: $1,000 KorKat, Inc. GOLD LEVEL: $500 The Campaign to Re-elect Sheriff Terry Langley, Carrollton City Schools BOE, Star News SILVER LEVEL: $250 Carrollton Kiwanis Club, Edward Jones Investments: Derick Newton, Ozier Apparel HOLE SPONSORS: $100 • American Sign Depot • Indulge Salon and Day • Drs. Fred and Anne Richards Spa • Carroll EMC (3) • Morgan Oil • Carroll Realty and Insurance• Sit ‘n Sleep Company • Last Shall Be First Ministries DONORS AND OTHER SUPPORTERS: • Keep Carroll Beautiful • American Pie Pizzeria • Carroll County Sheriff’s • Buffalo Rock Office • Chick-fil-A • Carrollton Parks, Recreation,• Flowers Foods and Cultural Arts Department Finally, thank you to the Carrollton Disc Golf Club, John and Dee Houck, and the 86 Disc Golfers who participated in the tournament!

We truly appreciate your support.

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Routines: Are They Really Important?

S

By Sara Anderson

chool is out for summer, and sleeping late and lazy days are beginning. But for some kids, this can cause trouble.

Losing the routine of the school day with regular bedtimes, regular activities, and regular meal times can mean losing predictability. The routine that these activities provide for many children gives them a sense of structure and security they need to thrive.

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The change to a summer schedule can feel very different. When faced with a new or different experience, a child can become: • Nervous • Emotional • Irritable • Clingy • Quick to meltdown and have temper tantrums Maintaining a familiar schedule helps a child feel safe because he can anticipate what might happen next. Unlike adults, who are able to arrange their time, children have no control over their activities and they are rarely involved in the planning of their time. This can lead to feelings of being out of control, uncertain and nervous. Kids who are naturally anxious, are actively grieving or are struggling with unpredictability may have a harder time during summer break than other children. For many children, regular routine is necessary to help manage feelings of the unknown.

While it may not be possible to keep the same school-time schedule, having a familiar routine can help you reduce power struggles with your child and manage acting-out problems. Routine communicates clear expectations for your child and she can anticipate what may happen next.

Summertime Tips: • Try to keep bedtimes and wake-times similar to school time. Good sleeping habits include a bedtime routine.

• Maintain regular bedtime rituals, such as bath, pajamas, story time and good-night kisses.

• Arrange for meal times close to the same time every day. Kids' bodies are growing so fast and they cannot always tolerate a change in meal times. A child might not know how to recognize feelings of hunger, and she may

become aggressive, demanding and irritable.

• Make a large calendar to hang on the wall that lists the daily events, such as camp times, play dates and other outings. Review the calendar with your child and answer any questions she might have about her day, reinforcing who will pick her up and who she will be with during different activities.

Children do best when routines are regular, predictable and consistent. This summer, incorporate a familiar routine and your child will thrive. WGW Sara Anderson is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Addiction Counselor in the state of Georgia. She is Board Certified as a Registered Play Therapist, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Clinical Supervisor, and Distance Counselor. Sara specializes in helping kids, teens, and adults manage anxiety and stress. As a trained play therapist, trauma specialist, and addiction counselor, Sara uses an integrative, relationally-based approach to help clients move forward successfully. Sara maintains a practice called Spoken Heart Counseling Center in Bremen, Ga. Visit www.spokenheartcounseling.com for more information about Sara and her work.

Proud Supporter and Printer of 925 Pacific Avenue Bremen, Ga. 30110 770.537.4329 www.gatewayprint.com

Woman Magazine West Georgia

TM

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Celebrate

HER SUCCESS Homegrown

Local Farmer Terra Currie Feather Makes A Difference In The Environment And Her Community 44

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ovely, with an engaging smile and a healthy glow that comes from spending days outside in the welcoming arms of nature, Terra Currie Feather is enjoying the career she loves every day as a farmer in Carroll County, Ga. Terra, her husband Paul, and their 2 1/2-year-old daughter Zinnia live and work on the land they originally bought eight years ago. When they first purchased the property, it was nothing but raw, wooded land and had no infrastructure. Terra and her husband are now coowners of Full Life Farm, and have been farming full time for four years.

In addition to farming, Terra manages the farmers’ market in Carrollton, teaches yoga at the Southwire fitness center – which is free to employees and their families – and Atlanta Fitness on Tuesday mornings, and offers private yoga sessions by appointment.

She participates in theater, supports women in childbirth, studies herbal medicine, and enjoys building, fiber crafts and other arts.

The Early Years Terra grew up near Phoenix, Ariz., with her parents, neither of whom are farmers, but they shared their love of the outdoors with her. Her parents showed her how to be resourceful by building things they wanted themselves instead of always hiring an “expert” to complete the job at hand. Terra’s dad would get her to help him with building and landscaping projects around their home, and she became quite adept at working with building supplies and tools.

Her father’s parents raised animals, grew fruit trees and kept a garden. Terra loved visiting her

The "doorbell" visitors encounter upon entering the farm.

grandparents' home, climbing trees to collect the fruit, exploring the land and running with the goats in their field. Even though she had some farm-like experiences at her grandparents' home, being a farmer was never something that crossed Terra’s mind as a child. “Deciding to become a farmer was not a flash of inspiration or something I ever thought about until my early to mid-20s,” shares Terra. “As a youth, I would often come up with practical answers to the common childhood question of ‘what do you want to be when you grow up,’ although deep in my heart, I wanted to act in plays.”

In high school, Terra gained experience in theater and after graduating, she attended the University of Northern Colorado, where she thrived as an acting major. Terra fondly shares her experiences at the university, “I am forever grateful for that experience.

My parents never told me I should choose anything else. They were always supportive and I loved my theatre studies. It was the only major that I knew I loved enough to focus that much of my time and energy on while putting myself through college.”

Terra graduated from the university with a bachelor of arts degree in acting.

An Alternative Lifestyle While working part-time as an actor, Terra made the decision to move to Georgia and join AmeriCorps, which is similar to a domestic Peace Corps, where she met her husband Paul.

While working with AmeriCorps, Terra honed her communication skills and had her first experience at community living. She lived without electricity and One of Terra's farm cats enjoying a nap.

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running water for the first time in her life, and had her first experience of growing a garden.

Terra and Paul then moved to Turtle Island Preserve in Boone, N.C. Turtle Island is a farm education center that offers educational programs and summer camps for adults and children.

While at the Preserve, Paul decided to return to his university studies focusing on renewable energy and appropriate technology.

“We chose to jump into a lifestyle of greater intention and awareness around meeting our basic needs,” she relates.

“I was initially drawn to farming through an interest in land-based communities, and that led me into an evaluation of the food system in our culture. So much of our food is over-processed, unhealthy, and unethically produced, and I wanted to limit my participation in that system.”

Life On The Farm Terra and Paul continue their work in farm-based education through their internship program. They recently had interns from France helping them on their farm. “Paul and I have had a lot of hands help make what we do possible,” she says. “We have had people from all over come to us as interns on our farm. Some interns have found us through www.wwoofusa.org, and others have been students at universities who have been able to gain credit in their studies through internships at

When all women involved with farming are added up – including primary and secondary operators – they are nearly one million strong and account for 30% of U.S. farmers, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.

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Left: Terra demonstrates the broadfork. Right: One of Terra's many gardens on the farm.

our farm. Interns, as well as helping us, get to learn another way of living.”

No machinery is used for the garden bed preparation on the farm, and they use a variety of hand tools, including a broadfork, which aerates the soil deeply without destroying soil structure. A broadfork looks similar to a wide pitchfork that has a handle on each side. To use the broadfork, you place the tines straight up into the ground, step onto the crossbar with both feet, and use your body to push the tines deep into the soil then pull back on the handles to lift and aerate the garden bed.

There is no typical routine for Terra on the farm, as her days are extremely varied. She may spend one day working with Paul or their interns building their house, and on another day, she might gather herbs or help with planting and harvesting. Because she and Paul are committed to keeping their chickens on fresh pasture, Terra spends one day every month moving their fencing around, and when a flock of their chickens are ready, they will spend a few days slaughtering them. Most other days she spends time with Zinnia, a few hours working in their certified kitchen – one devoted exclusively for commercial use – and teaches her yoga classes every week.

Because working on a farm is physically taxing and puts a strain on her body, Terra credits yoga for helping her stay centered and flexible. She explains why yoga is such an important part of her life. “The awareness that I’ve developed in yoga helps me to pay attention to what my body needs to stay healthy. My classes are a mix of strengthening and restorative poses. I focus on body awareness by directing attention to specific muscles and our alignment,” she says. “My style is influenced by the qi gong practice of repetitious movement connected to breath, which I find strengthens our mind awareness of our body.”

In addition to farming and yoga, Terra spends many hours a week preparing for the farmers’ market in her certified kitchen, and communicating with customers and vendors.

Becoming Certified Because Terra prepares food from their farm for direct sale to the public, she is required to have a separate farm kitchen, not for household use, that is certified by the Department of Agriculture.

“To have a certified kitchen where we can take our farm produce and make our value-added products such as frozen soups, pies and soufflés, we first had to enclose the kitchen space and take away direct access to the outside,” she explains. “After that, we needed to have several sinks for keeping the products, people and space sanitary. Having all surfaces easily cleanable and reducing or eliminating hidden spaces is also important.”

Paul took the certified kitchen one step further by taking a better processing school course so Full Life Farm would be able to sell more products legally, such as canned tomato sauces and pickles. The farm is required to pay a $200 registration fee annually, and the Department of Agriculture inspects the kitchen as necessary.

What’s For Dinner Not only does Full Life Farm offer a delicious variety of fresh produce and farm-raised chickens and eggs for sale to the public every weekend, they also had the progressive idea of offering frozen convenience foods, made from their own farm-fresh ingredients for sale to the community.

Through conversations with their community and

Some of Full Life Farm's frozen convenience foods.

observing others’ shopping habits in local supermarkets, Terra and Paul came to the realization that many people aren’t inclined to buy locally grown whole foods because they don’t feel they have time to cook. Their observations in the supermarkets showed that most consumers were leaving with boxed prepared foods. “This led us to approach Farmers’ Fresh CSA about brokering their prepared foods at the farmers’ market, and eventually to building our own certified kitchen so that we could also produce convenience food items from local, chemical free ingredients,” she relates.

Terra offers most of the farm’s frozen convenience foods, as well as their fresh, locally grown foods, through Cotton Mill Farmers’ Market.

The market is held every Saturday morning from 8:00 a.m. to noon at 401 Rome Street in Carrollton, Ga. Terra's products are also available at Farmers Fresh CSA on Adamson Square in Carrollton, and for farm pick up by appointment.

Where The Heart Is In addition to farming, Terra and Paul, quite unconventionally, are building their own home themselves from mud, straw and timber harvested from their farm. Terra shares their motivation behind using materials that are available near their building site. “It might be a more appropriate question to ask other builders why they are using timber from the Pacific Northwest, and fiberglass, concrete, steel or other materials from generally destructive manufacturing processes,” she explains. “We believe that the most important vote we all have every day is cast with every dollar we spend. Everything that all of us buy tells the

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Terra and Paul's well house was built using the same earthbag technique they are currently using to build their new home.

supported by a traditional timber frame with mortise and tenon joinery, where one timber fits inside another, and is secured with a wooden peg or bolt.

The exterior walls on the upper level are composed of straw mixed with local clay and compacted into formwork. The entire structure is protected from the elements by roof overhangs, porches and a lime-based plaster on the exterior. “Some of these techniques are quite similar to how ancestors of centuries ago built structures that are still standing today,” she says. “One aspect of earthen building that we love is that it is almost like sculpture, and there are many opportunities to incorporate recycled glass bottles, broken ceramics such as that favorite bowl inherited from grandma that accidently broke, and other elements for artistic touches.”

industries and their practices that we support them.

The Role Model I want my dollars and votes to go toward positive action in my local community rather than destructive It is important for Terra that Zinnia, now, and practices in faraway places. Building our house from later as she grows into a young woman, is full of natural, local materials is one way Paul and I apply confidence and self affirmation. “I want to instill selfthis and minimize our footprint on Earth. We also confidence in my daughter. Even at this young age are demonstrating that a comfortable, beautiful, she is capable of so much,” she says with a gentle inexpensive structure can be produced from local smile. “Every time she says ‘I did it,’ she is speaking natural materials available to everyone.” an affirmation. I also want my daughter to know Terra and Paul experimented with different and evaluate where things come from and know ways of building before deciding on the earthbag how to meet her basic needs directly. I feel that this construction method. They built their own well evaluation will help her make positive and ethical house using earthbag construction and a cob choices in all her years to come, and meeting her toolshed built with cordwood, broken bottles, and own basic needs will foster her independence and other techniques. “Through building that structure, confidence. I think one way I make a difference in we determined that the cob method of building people’s lives is by showing that a woman can be is great for small touches on a larger project, but would probably be too labor intensive for our house,” she explains. “We tend to practice new skills on smaller building projects before undertaking larger projects and in this case, we found that we liked the earthbag construction method.”

The lower floor of their house is made with the earthbag building style. These earthbags consist of woven plastic feed sacks that are recycled from local pig farmers, that are then filled with earth that has been excavated from the building site. The earthbags are stacked like bricks and supported by earthen buttresses. Once the bags cure, they become an earthbrick wall that is then plastered with more earth.

The second floor is framed from lumber cut from trees around the building site that was milled with their own sawmill. The roof of their home is Terra's home is being constructed by hand using the earthbag

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construction method.

“

“

I think one way I

make a difference

in people’s lives is by showing that a

woman can be strong, intelligent, beautiful

and choose to live an

unconventional life.

strong, intelligent, beautiful and choose to live an unconventional life. I also think I inspire women and girls (including my daughter) to feel able to refine our mechanical minds and get our hands muddy."

Terra is not only teaching Zinnia to believe in herself, but she is also teaching her how to be kind to the environment. “I have a highly developed sensitivity to waste, sometimes it borders on neurosis,” she says with laughter. “We feed all our kitchen waste to livestock, and then we compost their manure along with our sawmill waste to add fertility to our gardens.”

“I’ve been known to scavenge clearcuts, which are leftover debris and wood from logging, for building materials. Many of our structures are largely built from construction site waste or old barns we’ve taken down. We have built retaining walls from used tires filled with earth. I enjoy finding a good deal and owning something that had a useful life before it came to me,” she shares. “I trade clothes with friends or shop at thrift stores to stock my wardrobe.

We wash and reuse our plastics bags. We catch rainwater. Some might call this thrifty, I generally think of it as conserving resources.”

Looking Toward The Future Although Terra has very limited down time, she is doing what she enjoys and wouldn’t have it any other way. “I’m happy with what we’ve done and where we are. I don’t really think I would change much of anything,” she relates. “I love that my family is able to spend most of our time outside

and together. Paul and I are so glad to have the opportunity to educate our daughter about where her food comes from, and help her to observe and learn from her natural environment. I also love having fresh food, and eating with the seasons.

Another thing about owning my own farm is that I have a lot of freedom to make my own schedule, and my family spends a lot of time together, rather than being pulled apart by obligations to work elsewhere. I’m never bored,” she laughs.

Terra is thankful to have the support of the Carrollton community and the surrounding areas, and she and Paul are both committed to education, the environment and serving others.

"We see the farm as a resource for the community to learn more about earthen building, off-grid living, sustainable growing practices and reconnecting our culture to the natural world. We use the basic need of food as our greatest medium," she says. "My customers can trust than I am using the most local, healthy, ethical and wholesome practices I can to make quality food available to them."WGW

To purchase any of Full Life Farm's fresh or frozen products, call 770.836.1187 for an appointment for farm pickup, or visit them at the Cotton Mill Farmers' Market Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to Noon.

(We recommend their delicious frozen pizzas – we tried a fabulous 9-by-12 inch rosemary potato pizza with fresh goat cheese for only $10 – or the small chicken pot pie for only $14.

Both were equally delicious.)

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Womentality

Inspiring quotes by extraordinary women “What makes your heart flutter?

What makes your soul soar?

What makes your spirit dance?

Go do those things more.”

- S.C. Lourie

- Adrienne Rich 50

“And that is how change happens.

One gesture. One person.

One moment at a time.”

- Libba Bray “Life is like a suitcase. You can squeeze a lot in.”

- Yoko Ono

Photo by The Peabody Awards

“When someone with the authority of a teacher, say, describes the world and you are not in it, there is a moment of psychic disequilibrium, as if you looked into a mirror and saw nothing. Yet you know you exist ... it takes some strength of soul – and not just individual strength, but collective understanding, to resist this void ... and to stand up, demanding to be seen and heard.”

Ever After “Once upon a time there was a boy who loved a girl, and her laughter was a question he wanted to spend his whole life answering.�

Nicole Krauss

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PHOTOS BY BEBE TRAN, STUDIO TRAN, NEW ORLEANS, LA

DR. & MRS. GREGORY B. FLOYD

CHAUNTIS JENKINS FLOYD & GREGORY BENJAMIN FLOYD Were married December 20, 2015, at Macedonia Church of God in Christ, in New Orleans, LA. The reception was held at Hyatt Regency, New Orleans

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Keeping Fathers Engaged In Your Wedding F athers often get the short end of the stick when it comes to wedding planning. The father of the bride might not enjoy dress shopping or picking out centerpieces, but he’s good for more than a checkbook to pay for the big day.

The father of the groom also has an important role, although both are often overlooked in the flurry of matrimony activity.

Give Dad Duties Whether the father of the bride or groom, dads want to be helpful if they can, but they might feel intimidated by the sheer number of tasks necessary to plan a wedding. Help him out by giving him a short list of tasks you know he’s going to be comfortable with.

Try to cater to his interests when assigning the tasks, and give him clear deadlines so he knows exactly when everything must be finished. You might ask him to go with the groom and groomsmen to pick out tuxedos, for example – most young men don’t have much experience in that area, and a dad can offer strong advice on color and style choices.

Another idea is to ask him to arrange for transportation, either for guests flying in from out of town or a fancy car for the happy couple. He might have some creative ideas on how to get the couple away on their honeymoon in style.

If he’s a music lover, he might be the right person

to preview DJs or bands and narrow the choices for the bride and groom so they don’t have to waste time on ones he knows they won’t like. If he’s the money-oriented type, put him in charge of tracking all expenses and making sure all deposit deadlines are met.

Emotional Tasks While the fathers of the bride and groom might seem like they want to distance themselves from the planning stage, in reality, most have strong feelings about the fact that their little baby is now old enough to get married. Talk to the father early on in the process to let him know what emotional moments he might participate in during the ceremony and reception so he can plan ahead and be well prepared.

For example, the father of the bride might walk her down the aisle, which is not easy for most. Some might even say a few words to the guests or the groom in that moment. Each father might give a toast to the couple at the reception, and encourage them to prepare a short speech and practice it prior to the event. Remind them they are likely to be captured forever on video!

For the father of the bride, there is often a fatherdaughter dance. Ask him to help pick the song – this is his chance to express how he feels about the bride and his pride in her life choices, so it should be a song both he and the bride are comfortable with. The bride might want to practice dancing with him prior to the wedding day to avoid awkward moments on the dance floor. Remind him not to step on her dress on the special day.

Give Him Guidance

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Dads don’t watch their children get married every day, so he might feel very out of his element. Offer advice on what he should wear, what he might want to say and exactly what he should do the day of the event.

For example, in a formal evening

feels as handsome as you know he is.

Go through the wedding agenda with him several times prior to the wedding. People might ask him what time the reception starts or when dinner will be served, and he will feel more confident if he can answer their questions. Also, it ensures he knows where to be when he has an important task, such as giving his toast to the happy couple.

Every Dad is Different

wedding, dads traditionally wear tuxedos similar to those of the wedding party. In a less formal event, he should just wear a classy suit. Help him pick out his outfit well in advance, and have it tailored so he

While there are traditional roles dads typically fall into, it doesn’t have to be that way. Fathers of the bride and groom can be as involved as their personalities and interests allow, so encourage them to share in the planning process if they want to.

Some dads prefer just to show up when someone tells them where to be, and that’s OK, too. Putting pressure on him to help out when it’s not his normal style could create more anxiety and lead to emotional outbursts or the dad separating himself from the group. You know him better than anyone – it’s a special day for him, too, so try to keep it exciting and fun instead of stressful as much as possible. The bride will be feeling enough stress for everyone anyway.

WGW

West Georgia Woman will feature your bridal photo at no charge in “Ever After.” The bride or groom must be from West Georgia.

Please submit one photo

(at least 300 dpi), the bride and groom’s names,

address, wedding date,

venue, photographer’s name and copyright release to:

photos@westgeorgiawoman.com.

Photos will be included as space becomes available.

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Resources for Women

Police Departments Call 911 in an emergency.

Bremen Police: 770.537.4441

Dallas Police: 770.443.8100

Buchanan Police: 770.646.5246

Douglasville Police: 770.920.3010

Carrollton Police: 770.834.4451

Douglas County Sheriff: 770.942.2121

Carroll County Sheriff: 770.830.5888 Cedartown Police: 770.748.4123 Coweta County Sheriff: 770.253.1502

Floyd County Sheriff: 706.291.4111

GSPIN

Suicide prevention, intervention, and aftercare information. www.GSPIN.org

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Heard County Sheriff: 706.675.0444 Hiram Police: 770.943.3087 Newnan Police: 770.254.2355

Franklin Police: 706.675.6624

Paulding County Sheriff: 770.443.3010

Grantville Police: 770.583.2266

Polk County Sheriff: 770.749.2900

Suicide Prevention Services National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800.273.TALK (8255)

Haralson County Sheriff: 770.646.2011

Know the Suicide Warning Signs!* If you or someone you know: • Threatens or talks about hurting themselves • Feels hopeless or like a burden • Increases alcohol or drug use

• Feels rage or uncontrolled anger • Feels trapped, like there is no way out • Engages in reckless behaviors • Withdraws from friends and family

Senoia Police: 770.599.3256 Tallapoosa Police: 770.574.7211 Temple Police: 770.562.3151 University of West Georgia Police: 678.839.6000 Villa Rica Police: 678.785.1100 West Georgia Technical College Police: 855.579.4357 Whitesburg Police: 770.832.1184 • Feels anxious, agitated or unable to sleep • Encounters dramatic mood changes • Sees no reason for living *Warning signs provided by Georgia Suicide Prevention Information Network

Healthcare Resources The following list of contacts assists people with no health insurance or those who can’t afford their medications, based on income or age.

Department of Human Resources, Division of Aging, Georgia Cares Program: (Disabled. 60 years of age and older.)

800.669.8387 dhr.georgia.gov/portal/site/DHS/ RX Outreach: 800.769.3880 www.rxoutreach.com

Partnership for Prescription Assistance: 888.477.2669 (toll free) www.pparx.org/ Pfizer Helpful Answers: 866.706.2400 (toll free) www.pfizerhelpfulanswers.com Lilly Answers: 877.RX.Lilly (1-877-795-4559) (toll free) www.lillymedicareanswers.com Merck Prescription Discount Program: 800.727.5400 www.merck.com Georgia Parent Support Network: (Addictive Disease, Developmental Disabilities, Mental Health Issues.)

404.758.4500 www.gpsn.org

Additional Resources: www.rxhope.com www.rxaminer.com www.medicare.gov www.phrma.org www.rxassist.org www.needymeds.com www.themedicineprogram.com PeachCare for Kids: Provides free or low-cost health insurance for qualifying children in Georgia.

To apply, visit www.peachcare.org or call 877.427.3224 (toll free).

Pregnancy Resource Center: Carroll, Haralson & Heard Counties: Provides free confidential pregnancy tests and counseling.

770.832.0256 www.pregnancyrc.com

Services Georgia Legal Services: 404.206.5175 TDD 800.255.0056

Coweta County Solicitor’s Victim Assistance: 770.254.2701

Exchange Club Family Resource Center, Floyd County: 706.290.0764

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800.799.7233 TTY 800.787.3224

Douglas Task Force on Family Violence: 678.715.1196

Hospitality House for Women, Floyd County: 706.235.4673

Douglas Judicial Victim Assistance: 770.920.7292

Victim Assistance, Haralson County: 770.646.2016

Douglas County Homeless Shelter: 770.949.4911

Heard County Sheriff’s Office Domestic Violence Unit: 706.675.3329

S.H.A.R.E. House Family Violence Crisis Center, Douglas County: 770.489.7513

Paulding County District Attorney Victim Assistance: 770.443.7561

Carroll Co. Emergency Shelter: 770.834.1141 Carroll County Mental Health: 770.836.6678 Carroll County Solicitor Victim Assistance: 770.214.3110 Carroll Rape Crisis Center: 770.834.7273 Community Welcome House, Newnan: 770.304.0966 Coweta Judicial Circuit Victim Assistance: 706.845.4270

Highland Rivers Center, Floyd County: 706.233.9023 Floyd County District Attorney Victim Assistance: 706.291.5210

Shepherds Rest Ministries, Paulding County: 770.443.5213 Polk County Women’s Shelter: 770.748.2300

UWG Health Services: 678.839.6452 (free sexual assault exams completed by sexual assault nurse examiners (SANE)) UWG Patient Advocates: 678.839.0641 (Jill Hendricks) or 678.839.5338 (Corey Hindman) Georgia Crisis & Access Line Help is available 24/7 for problems with mental health, drugs, or alcohol.

800.715.4225 mygcal.com

HomeSafe Georgia: 877.519.4443 www.homesafegeorgia.com HomeSafe Georgia helps by providing “bridge” mortgage assistance to many Georgians who are unemployed or have seen a dramatic decrease in their income due to national economic conditions.

West Georgia Woman magazine makes every effort to make sure the information made available is complete, correct, accurate and up to date. Despite these efforts, inaccuracies can occur. Angel Media, LLC and West Georgia Woman magazine cannot be held liable for direct or indirect damage originating from use of the information on this page. Should you observe inaccuracies in the information made available, please email us at features@westgeorgiawoman.com.

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Keep Your Pets Safe In The

E

veryone knows hot weather can be dangerous. Hyperthermia and heat stroke claim the lives of humans every year. Along with summer comes hotter temperatures, and the hotter the temperatures, the greater the risks for humans and our four-legged friends. The American Veterinary Medical Association suggests taking the following steps to keep your dog safe in the summer.

• Wait until the cooler parts of the day to take your dog for a walk such as early morning or later in the evening. Always bring water with you for your dog if she will not have access to fresh water while walking.

• If your dog has to stay outside, make sure she has access to adequate shade. This goes for her water bowl too. Always make sure the water bowl stays in a shady area, and give your dog plenty of clean and fresh water every day.

• Under no circumstances should you leave your dog in the car for any amount of time in the summer.

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Heat

• If you have to walk your dog during the hotter part of the day, stay away from surfaces that will burn her paws such as hot asphalt.

• If your dog has a thin coat, apply sunscreen to her skin.

• Talk to your veterinarian about clipping or shaving your dog if she has an abundance of fur.

Although backyard birds aren't exactly pets, they still need access to fresh water to survive.

Birds need water for drinking, bathing, removing parasites and cleaning their feathers.

If you keep a dependable supply of fresh water

in a birdbath, you should see many types of birds who may not frequent your bird feeders. Birds prefer a gently sloping birdbath that allows them to wade into the water. Select one with a basin that can be easily cleaned of sediment and algae.

For you feline owners, pay special attention to elderly cats and kittens because they are more vulnerable to heat stroke.

• Always make sure your cat has access to a cool and shady area.

• Try not to play excessively with your cat during the hottest part of the day, unless you can play with her in your air-conditioned home, and always allow your cat to rest after eating before playing with her.

• Give your cat plenty of access to fresh water so she will stay hydrated.

• Brush your cat's coat on a regular basis. A well-groomed and clean coat will protect her from sunburn and help her stay cool.

Be aware of the symptoms of heat stroke in your pets. Heat stroke can cause serious complications or even death. Watch for symptoms including vomiting, fever, breathing distress, vomiting blood, collapse, drooling, drunken gait or movement, and extreme lethargy. If you notice any of these signs in your pet, don't delay. Take your pet to her veterinarian immediately for treatment. WGW

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59

Kidz Korner

By Charlene Brooks

Gone Fishin' Door Hanger

To celebrate Father’s Day this month, what better way to help Dad relax than by making him this Gone Fishin' door hanger. Dad will be able to use this door hanger any time he wants to have a little private time.

Materials 8-by-12-inch foam sheet 1 package self-adhesive ABC foam stickers Yarn for fishing line 1 package assorted fish stickers Glue

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Instructions Cut the foam sheet into a door hanger shape.

Cut out the hole for the doorknob.

Decorate with ABC stickers, string and fish stickers.

Deliciously

Wormy Bait Jar

Materials

1 sheet of construction paper cut in half

1 small mason or jelly jar

1 package self-adhesive ABC foam stickers

Assorted sheets of colored tissue paper

1 package assorted fish stickers

Self-adhesive ABC foam stickers

Yarn

1 wooden skewer

Glue

Thread or yarn for fishing line

Hole Punch

1 fishing float 1 package gummy worms Glue Instructions Glue small assorted strips of tissue paper to the jar.

Allow to dry.

Cut the sharpened tip off of the wooden skewer.

After the glue is dry, take the ABC letters and place on the outside of the jar.

Tie the thread to the float leaving about 2 inches of thread at the bottom, then attach the

Instructions other end of the thread to the wooden skewer.

Fill the jar full of gummy worms.

Take 2 of the cut foam sheets and one of the cut Tie a gummy worm to the thread at the end of the sheets of construction paper. fishing pole.

Place the construction paper in between the two Help Dad eat them! foam sheets. All three sheets should be flush on the left edge.

Take the hole punch and place one hole at the top and bottom of the left of the card.

String a piece of yarn through the holes and tie.

Decorate the outside of the card as desired.

Write a personal message to Dad on the

construction paper inside the card.

Fabulously Fun Father's Day Card

Show Dad how much you care this year by creating a one-of-a-kind homemade Father's Day Card. This card is so easy to make, even the youngest of his little ones will be able to make an adorable and heart-felt creation on Dad's big day.

Materials 8-by-12-inch foam sheet cut in half

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Father's Day Word Search Word Bank Daddy Love Protector Children Strong Father's Day Celebrate Husband Paternal Teacher Appreciated Wise June Devoted

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Word search created at puzzle-maker.com

M. Dawn Harvey, DMD, PC Family Dentistry and Complete Facial Esthetics

Don't you look at your smile and your face as one complete picture?

Well, so do we. Ask us today about our treatment options using injectables for wrinkle reduction, "gummy smiles," and lip and line fillers to enhance that beautiful smile.

Who better than your dentist to enhance your facial features to compliment your smile? Your dentist is an expert on the facial muscles and is also among the most experienced with injection techniques.

Do you suffer from TMJ, headaches, and/or migraines?

Did you know that 80-90% of the time, these problems are muscle related? See how we can use trigger point injections to relieve your pain and improve your quality of life. Often these injections not only relieve your pain, but also enhance your facial features for the better.

We are your total facial esthetics and facial pain treatment dental office.

Give us a call!

105 Dallas Rd, Villa Rica, GA 30180 • 770-459-5778 www.drharveysmiles.com

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WALKER GMC 1492 N Park St (Hwy 27) Carrollton GA 30117 770.832.9602 www.walkergmauto.com

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