West Georgia Woman Magazine June 2017

Woman Complimentary

June 2017

West Georgia TM

Michelle M. Lewis Salt of the Earth

Eat Your Veggies!

Healthy Snacks for Kids

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What’s inside...

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Salt of the Earth

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Fun Foods for Healthy Kids

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A Trait Not Often Found One on One: The Benefits of Spending Time Together

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Spreading Their Wings

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Making Yours and Mine Ours

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Local Happenings

In Every Issue:

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Daily Fare

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Womentality

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Celebrate Her Success

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Kidz Korner

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Celebrating Summer

Summer is here, and my daughter Sydney is officially a senior in high school. How time has flown. For those of you who have small children, cherish those moments when they are young because the time slips away so quickly, and so do your children, in ways you don't even realize until it happens.

One minute you're tying their shoes for them and holding their hand as you cross the street, and in the blink of an eye, you helplessly watch your heart as it walks around outside of your body, then drives down that same street to hang out with people who have become so much more interesting than you. You hope and pray it will come back soon, safe from harm.

Letting your children mature and gain their independence is a necessary and healthy part of life, but it's not easy, is it?

In This Issue

Our cover feature this month is Michelle M. Lewis.

I met Michelle over a year ago – in front of the West Georgia Woman magazine rack at our local Publix in Carrollton. My daughter Sydney was with me and I was down on my hands and knees refilling the magazine rack when Michelle walked over to us.

Although we had corresponded by email before – Michelle was actually one of the first people who offered up her thanks and congratulations to me for bringing West Georgia Woman magazine to the community – I had never met her in person.

She introduced herself, and I was thrilled beyond measure to finally meet her. Michelle is truly a wonderful asset to the Carrollton community. She is a master gardener, an amazing cook, mother and volunteer throughout Carroll County, a member of the local chapter of the NAACP and spends much of her time helping others who are less fortunate. Please read about Michelle and her servant's heart beginning on page 10.

This month we celebrate the success of one of our valued supporters, Megan Rogers, owner of Fever Performing Arts located in Carrollton, Ga. Megan is celebrating 10 years as a business owner in Carroll County, and has quite a success story to tell. In fact, Megan was only 20 years old when she started her thriving performing arts studio. Megan's fabulous story about her business and the wonderful work she does for her students begins on page 42.

Michael Stone, owner of Milestone Investment Management LLC., is another valuable supporter of West Georgia Woman magazine – his advertisement is on page 12 in this issue. Michael was recently presented the Honorary Alumnus Award from the University of West Georgia for his deep involvement and philanthropic support of the university and the arts. Michael does so much more for the community besides supporting our magazine! Please read about his accomplishments on page 56.

I am proud to announce that Kelly Hanson with Southwire is leaving Carrollton to take over the reigns as president of Southwire Canada. Kelly, her husband Conrad and their four beautiful children are dear friends of ours and we will miss them terribly. But we celebrate with Kelly as she continues on her journey with Southwire. Please read about Kelly's hard-earned and well-deserved success on page 58.

For all of our male readers out there, thank you for reading! I wish you a wonderful Father's Day full of joy and happiness.

See you soon!

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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!

Please be sure to tell them we sent you!

Inspiring women wanted.

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

Let us know!

Email your suggestions to: features@westgeorgiawoman.com Share your special events.

Send your upcoming events to: calendar@westgeorgiawoman.com Send us your photos!

We welcome your local event and wedding photos.

We welcome your comments and suggestions.

Woman

TM

Volume 2 • Issue 8 June 2017

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

Facebook.com/@WestGaWoman

Publisher/Editor

Angela Dailey angela@westgeorgiawoman.com

Copy Editor Editorial Contributor

@WestGAWoman

Shala Hainer shala@westgeorgiawoman.com

Instagram.com/westgawoman

Photographer for cover and Page 8

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Get yours at Kroger, Publix, Southern Home and Ranch, Food Depot (Maple Street) and A+ Consignment in Carrollton. Publix at Mirror Lake, Piggly Wiggly and CVS in Bowdon and Piggly Wiggly in Tallapoosa as well as over 700 other retail locations and medical offices in West Georgia!

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West Georgia Woman is a monthly publicaegies expressed by the contributing tion of Angel Media, LLC. All contents of this authors are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, issue are copyright 2017. West Georgia Wompositions or strategies of Angel Media, an magazine, its logo and “Finding our voice.

LLC., West Georgia Woman magazine Knowing our value. Making a difference.” are or any employee thereof. Angel Media, trademarks of Angel Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is LLC. makes no representations as to strictly prohibited.

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West Georgia

Mail correspondence to: West Georgia Woman P.O. Box 2782 Carrollton, GA 30112

Keith May

Editorial Contributors

Sara Anderson, L.P.C., Charlene Brooks, Julie Culpepper, Janet Flanigan, Cheryl A. Francis, L.P.C. and G.S. Royal.

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Zachary@westgeorgiawoman.com Angela Brooks Dailey, owner and publisher of West Georgia Woman magazine, has lived in West Georgia most of her life and has a deep love and appreciation for the area. She received her B.B.A in management from The University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Ga., and is a Civil and Domestic Relations mediator and arbitrator registered with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution. She lives in Carrollton, and has two wonderful children, Zachary and Sydney Dailey.

Angela enjoys reading, spending time with her children and extended family and loves to watch Sydney play soccer.

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Photos by Keith May 10

Salt of the Earth

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Jennifer, Andrea and Michael

Local Master Gardener Shares Her Heart With Those Less Fortunate

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here are people who have servant hearts.

They are always thinking about how to better the lives of others. Villa Rica’s Michelle Lewis is one of those people. “It’s what I do. I serve people,” explains Michelle.

Constantly busy, Michelle answers to many titles: wife, mother, teacher, friend, county extension program assistant, master gardener, cook, volunteer and cancer survivor. Yet even the sum of all of these descriptors only scratches the surface of the real Michelle Lewis.

Born in New Haven, Conn., in the late 1950s, Michelle was still living there and working as a cook at the Sheraton Park Plaza Hotel when she crossed paths with her future husband, Michael. Michael, originally from Memphis Tn., was also working in foodservice at the Sheraton. They immediately

By Janet Flanigan

formed a close friendship, and she eventually told him whoever he married would become her best friend. “I guess I am my own best friend!” she laughs. After getting married, the couple added four children to their family. Eventually, they made the decision to move to Villa Rica, Ga. Michelle’s mother's husband was originally from Georgia, and he wanted to move back to be closer to his own mother. They decided to move to an independent senior living community nearby in 2012. After a few happy years of living near Michelle, her mother passed away in 2015.

Giving Back to Children Always a go-getter, Michelle decided in the late 1990s she wanted to work with children and

Michelle's life path has led her to work with children for over 25 years.

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became a para professional. In 1997, she began running the Success Center at Carrollton Elementary.

The Success Center was created to aid students in the remedial learning program, providing them with tools to succeed in the regular classroom environment.

“I worked with children from kindergarten through second grade, and each had different needs from reading, writing and even speech difficulties, such as how to speak clearly and pronounce words correctly,” she says. “But to me, the most important part of my program was what we called ‘Miss Lewis’ Fridays.’ Those Fridays were special.”

On Miss Lewis’ Fridays, Michelle made sure the

kids saw learning as fun. She had games, a treasure box, art projects and other fun activities. “The kids just loved Fridays, and they looked forward to them,” she reminisces. Her program was created to help students who were lagging behind get back on grade level and fully participate in regular classwork.

But in 2001, the Board of Education looked at standardized test scores and decided more teaching emphasis was needed on reading and comprehension. They introduced a new reading program that took place … on Fridays. Suddenly, Miss Lewis’ Fridays were out.

“I understood the need for the program, but the kids were so devastated.” Two families felt the Friday program had been so beneficial to their children that they pulled their kids out of the school after the Friday program was canceled. These families began homeschooling their children to continue using traditional and non-traditional learning methods to educate them.

Giving Back in New Ways Michelle was distressed at the loss of the Friday program and started thinking maybe there was some other way she could be of service to others.

She decided to see what job opportunities might be available outside of the school system. She searched for a way to find employment that would not just be a job. Her desire was strong that she be able to positively impact others while getting the job done.

"I had an interview at the 911 center for a dispatch position and was facing the AG building," she shares. "I did a little prayer asking if the 911 was for me, please let me know in some way."

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She knew local government had many different programs that were designed to help the citizens of Carroll County.

“I heard about all the exciting work the county was doing and I asked around about how to get on with them. They weren’t hiring at that moment, but I was persistent and kept in touch.” Her determination paid off, when a secretarial position became available at the Carroll County AgricultureEducation Center in 2004. "I didn’t realize I would be working at the AG Center instead of 911," she says as she recalls that prayer outside the 911 building.

Michelle was not particularly focused on developing a secretarial career, but she saw an opportunity to learn and hoped to find a way to work her way into finding a career path that provided assistance to the public. She says a big coup with the secretarial position was that she was assigned to work under then-Extension Agent and Coordinator Bill Hodge. “I didn’t know anything about what the county extension office does,” she laughs. “Bill asked what I knew about 4-H and I told him I knew their logo was a four-leaf clover but that was it!”

Hodge was a natural leader and enjoyed helping

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others reach their potential. He recognized Michelle wanted to be out in the field working directly with people, and he took the opportunity to mentor her.

“He involved me in so many things and showed me how the programs worked, how they benefited our citizens and how to get things done. His leadership meant a lot.” Hodge’s nurturing paid off as Michelle began to envision her career path through the University of Georgia Extension Office, and in 2008 she became a UGA extension agent.

As a newly hired extension agent, job possibilities were slim, especially at her home office in Carrollton.

But a job did open up in Carroll County. “I was flabbergasted when I got that job," she shares. "I really didn’t think I would get it.”

To help others, Michelle knew she had to understand their needs so she took every course available through the extension. This helped her meet local citizens and see the program from their side. She took classes in everything from canning fruits and vegetables to how to run a childcare operation to how to manage a fiscally responsible household and earned her distinction as a Master Gardener. Eventually she would be the one managing and teaching many of those courses, as well as creating some new ones of her own.

The Extension Office has three divisions that offer instruction and information to county citizens: Agriculture and Natural Resources, 4-H and Family and Consumer Sciences. The Agriculture and Natural Resources division handles soil and water sampling; pesticides and hazardous waste handling/ disposal; livestock programs; fruits, vegetables and home gardening, including the master gardener and youth master gardener programs; poultry; pest management; pond management; weather and more.

The 4-H division was originally created to help farm youth when the U.S. had a more agriculturalbased lifestyle. Today, in addition to animal husbandry and farming skills, the program focuses on leadership, citizenship, public speaking and practical life skills. The Family and Consumer Sciences division teaches food preparation and preservation, healthy eating, parenting skills and financial planning.

Over time, Michelle built her experience and reputation, and she is now the program assistant for the Family and Consumer Sciences program and the Agriculture and Natural Resources program.

Her previous kitchen experience served as a basis for building current programs like Nutrition and Food Safety; Home Safety (radon awareness); Home Gardening and Canning; Monthly newsletters highlighting family health and safety; Exercise programs and more.

The sum of the classes available in the Family and Consumer Sciences department aim at helping citizens live healthy, financially responsible and happy lives.

“It is so important to me when I really feel like the work is making a difference,” she says. Michelle has seen young people share nutrition

information or a mother and daughter take her cooking classes together. “It makes me happy because they are the ones that are going to be taking over,” she relates.

Michelle knew there were other ways she could use her work to effect positive change, and the opportunity presented itself in 2012 through the Department of Juvenile Justice.

Empowering with Education Michelle particularly seeks to help those who the Bible might call “the least of these.” She yearns to help young people who have had a tough start and

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to earn their Department of Juvenile Justice court-assigned community service hours.

Fulbright had suggested the kids could be of service around the grounds, which would get them outside and fulfill their service hours obligation. “The original plan was for the kids to pull weeds and pick up trash,” Michelle says. "But I thought there must be a better way to help the kids and they could learn something positive."

She came up with the idea for the Youth Garden, and the concept was immediately supported by Family Connection.

Michelle received a grant from the Master Gardener’s program and was given a small 12-footby-12-foot garden space on the land housing the Agricultural Center. The youth gardeners, none of whom are felons, work off community service hours for minor offenses and are assigned through Juvenile Justice.

“These are not bad kids.

They are just kids who made some bad choices, and they deserve a chance,” she shares.

The kids design and build their own garden plots, and they plan out four 4-foot-by-4-foot beds within the individual beds.

Instructors teach them to use unfamiliar tools, including folding rules, tape measures and other measuring implements. The Michelle showing a young man how to plant a garden for the Youth Garden Project. She young gardeners help pick what works with the Department of Juvenile Justice Court to help young people earn community they want to grow and nurture service hours for minor offenses. Inset: One of the many plants Michelle uses to teach these the plants from seed to harvest. young people about gardening from seed to harvest.

For the inaugural Youth Garden, Michelle chose the few breaks. One way she has extended this service is vegetables the kids would grow themselves. The through the development of a pilot program called week before the crops were harvested, Michelle told the Youth Garden Project as part of the Department the kids they would make their own healthy personal of Juvenile Justice. pizzas with the tomatoes, herbs and vegetables they Michelle was contacted by Vickie Fulbright, coordinator of the Carroll County Family Connection had grown.

“The kids are not always exposed to new or – part of the Carroll County Juvenile Wellness healthy vegetables,” Michelle says. "One girl said Court, to see if there was a program in which she didn’t want to eat a radish because it had dirt on young people, ages 12 to 17, could positively work

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it, but when she washed it and tried it, she ate the whole thing!”

The young people are taught how to properly cook the vegetables they grow, so they learn cooking and nutrition as well. Each year, the kids can choose what they want to grow so they enjoy the rewards of their labor at the program’s end.

The size of the program varies, depending on the number of children, but requires a minimum of three kids to take place. Volunteers from the Carroll County Master Gardeners program and interns from the University of West Georgia help with the Youth Garden initiative. In addition to the gardening, Michelle arranges to take the children on field trips to local farms and agricultural businesses.

One such field trip has been to the Capra Gia Cheese Company near Carrollton, where they make cheeses from goat’s milk. “These kids have probably never tasted or heard of goat’s cheese. It is exciting to see them try new things” Michelle explains.

“Often, when the kids arrive they think, ‘This is a stupid program and I hate it,’” she relates. “But so often they grow to love it. I even had a young person who had completed her community hours but asked if she could come back and volunteer.

That was great."

Michelle also lends her experience and time to the Cooking Matters program, with classes offered through Tanner Health System’s Get Healthy, Live Well initiative. Access to healthy, affordable food is a noteworthy problem for many low-income families in West Georgia. Cooking Matters teaches residents how to improve their health and nutrition

Michelle and her students during the Cooking Matters program sponsored by Tanner Health System. This program teaches residents from low-income families shopping, healthy food choices and meal preparation skills. Photo by Tanner Health System.

through classes on shopping and healthy home food preparation.

“I had a mother and daughter come and take the classes together. The mother was showing the daughter she could learn too and they would be able to cook healthy recipes together at home,” she says. “People don’t think you can cook healthy on a limited budget but you can.” Michelle finds that people who take the classes are sometimes scared to try new foods because unfamiliar things can be frightening. The classes take the fear out and replace it with excitement to try new recipes.

Free classes run for six weeks, and participants are taught hands-on techniques for food preparation. “I really enjoy teaching people how to cook delicious, healthy food, and I eventually want to get my certification as a nutritionist,” she says.

Michelle currently has a Go Fund Me page in the hopes to gain enough donations to fund her nutrition classes.

While Michelle seeks to improve the lives of others through her outreach programs, her servant’s heart is first and foremost turned

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623 DIXIE STREET – CARROLLTON, GA toward her family. “My husband and kids mean everything to me,” she shares. Happily married to Michael for 36 years and together for 40, they have four grown children with whom they enjoy spending time when possible. Because she considers herself blessed to be part of a supportive and loving family, Michelle has made her work a mission to provide tools to others so they may, too, have successful personal lives – especially those who may have had some early difficulties.

Fairness and Equality for All In addition to working with programs that help families and young people, Michelle has been actively engaged in working with the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Branch 5179. She began as a board member in 2008 as Youth Advisor, and

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in 2010, was elected First Vice President. The next year, she was 2nd Vice President and in 2012, she was back to 1st VP. In the Vice President’s role, she helped run meetings, plan speakers and stood in for the President when necessary. She decided to take a step back from her official duties with the organization after her 2012 office expired, but she still happily heads up the annual NAACP banquet.

With her foodservice background, she helps plan the meal for the annual banquet and works with guest speakers. Michelle is particularly proud of the 2012 banquet that hosted Shirley Sherrod, who is the former Georgia State Director of Rural Development for the Department of Agriculture and a well-known political activist.

The interesting thing about the NAACP, according to Michelle, is “People think it is only for black people. The NAACP was founded by a white, Jewish man, and it is for all people who would like to see everyone treated fairly and equally.” She says the Carroll County chapter has members of different races, and all are welcome. The Carroll County chapter focuses much of its time and energy on scholarships and classes to help citizens live fulfilled lives, whether through financial planning, literacy programs and emphasis on historical legacy, such as the work of Dr. Martin Luther King. The branch also sponsors the annual Martin Luther King Day parade held in January.

Refusing to Quit

While she was working as 1st VP for the NAACP in 2012, Michelle noticed something unusual. “I had been noticing a strange feeling in my breast, a sort of electrical tingling. But there was no lump or anything, and I didn’t do anything about it,” Michelle confides.

But suddenly, there was a lump under the tingling, and it grew quickly. “I don’t really like going to regular doctors,” she says, so she visited a female African nutrition doctor. “She told me I had to go for a mammogram right away, but she also gave me some Michelle continues to be involved with the local NAACP and was the banquet organizer in 2012. prescriptions for a bunch of Michelle and her husband Michael are in the photo supplements, which were in the upper left corner. The 2012 banquet featured to build up my strength and nationally recognized political activist Shirley Sherrod health.” as guest speaker.

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Her mammogram revealed she had Stage 2-B cancer. Michelle admits she had not had a mammogram for several years and recommends other women not put it off as she did. “When the doctor first told me, I was upset and angry. But I let myself be upset for a little bit, and then I said ‘That’s it. Let’s get on with it’ and I tried to be positive.”

She underwent a lumpectomy and eight weeks of chemotherapy, with treatments every 21 days followed by radiation.

Michelle credits her supplements recommended by the nutrition doctor for helping her get through the chemotherapy more easily than most. “I did lose my hair and that was hard. I remember the day I was in the shower and when I washed my hair, it just rubbed off in big clumps. So I got Michael to take it off that day,” Michelle states matter-of-factly. “I am

not a wig person, so I went out and got a bunch of head scarves and wraps, and that’s what I did.”

She also took advantage of her health and nutrition training as part of her treatment program.

“While I was in treatment, I cut out everything that might be bad," she relates. "ALL sugar (including honey and other natural sweeteners), gluten, dairy and more.” She truly believes this strict dietary regimen and the supplements helped her continue to feel quite good during chemotherapy, while she saw other patients really suffering. “I’m not saying it wasn’t hard; it was difficult and scary. But I didn’t want to be the lady with cancer. I just wanted to get on with my life.” She continues to make healthy diet choices, but has eased up a little bit on the extremity of her food selection.

Teaching Respect While dealing with her health issues, Michelle never stopped working or volunteering. Rather than stepping back, she added another activity to her busy schedule. In 2013, she became involved with God’s Farm and the D.A.N.N.Y. Center (Developing and Nurturing Needy Youth).

God’s Farm was founded by Larry Teem, as an offshoot program of the Atlanta Youth Project. God’s Farm hosts the Atlanta Youth Project summer camp on a 58-acre site in Temple, Ga. Innercity youth, age 5 to 18, enjoy a free opportunity to attend either the day or overnight camping experience. Camps take place for nine weeks during the summer school break, and Michelle is there one day a week for six of the nine weeks.

The summer camp is funded by individuals, corporations and grants.

In addition to a farm environment, the property also houses quarters for campers and has the Rustin Sweeney home place, which contains a certified kitchen where campers learn hands-on cooking.

“Right when the kids step off the bus, I greet them and tell them ‘I will give you respect and you will give it back to me,’ and they do," she says. "These are good kids who have never had an experience like this." It is a whole new

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world for the campers where Michelle teaches them gardening, nutrition and cooking and, again, uses the opportunity to introduce young people to all kinds of new and healthy fruits and vegetables.

Camp is about having fun, and in addition to the gardening activities, campers have the opportunity to participate in swimming, water sports, basketball, tennis, archery, canoeing, fishing and other nature activities. They get to interact with and care for farm animals from miniature horses to alpacas.

This program creates memories to last a lifetime and impacts the campers by giving them positive experiences through trying new activities, sports and rural living.

Helping More Than People In 2010, Michelle was nominated for the “Women’s Business Alliance Woman of the Year Award” from the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce. “I didn’t win, but it was an honor to be nominated,” she says. Other nominees that year were Christy Loper of United Community Bank, Jill Duncan of Jill Duncan State Farm, Kelly Clark of Southwire and the winner was Jacqueline Dost. The Carroll County Women’s Business Alliance exists to

promote the balanced interest and lifestyles of the community’s professional women.

Honors and awards are not Michelle's motivation for serving others. It comes back again to that servant’s heart. But she doesn’t only care about people. “This is the ‘love of my life,’” she says with a laugh as she proudly displays a photo of a lovely, young black German Shepherd dog she and Michael rescued from the local animal shelter. “I knew I wanted a Shepherd, but I always had a more traditional looking one in mind,” she explains. There were a couple of traditional Shepherds at the shelter, but this pure black one just took right to her. “When I brought Michael back to see her at the shelter, she came up like she remembered me right away, and that was it. She was going home with us.”

They named her Nzuri, which is a Swahili word that translates to ‘beautiful,’ ‘good’ or ‘nice,’ and Nzuri is all of those things. “I can’t wait to get home and walk her every day!” Michelle exclaims.

It’s no surprise that Michelle found her dog at the shelter. As a person who devotes her heart, energy and mind to helping others, no one and nothing is a throwaway. Everyone and everything has value, and if you take a little time to look, the beauty, good and niceness comes out to shine on others. WGW

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Fun Foods for Healthy Kids G

reat things can sometimes come in small packages – just take a look at your kids – and snack time is no exception. These delicious and healthy summer snacks are perfect for even the tiniest little mouths.

You will feel great serving these healthy snacks to your little ones and your kids will love these tasty treats so much – they won't even realize these are good for them!

When creating these fabulous summer snacks for your family, encourage your children to take part in the food preparation with you, so you can enjoy some much-needed family time together. The kids will learn some valuable life-lessons too, such as

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cleaning up after themselves and working together as a family unit.

• Fun shaped cheese and fruit kabobs. This child-friendly snack is packed with protein to keep your kids going strong until dinnertime.

Use small cookie cutters and cut fun shapes out of cheese and your child's favorite fruits, then take pretzel sticks – the salt-free kind – and stick them into the fruit and cheese to make kabobs.

• Fruit and vegetable breads. A quick search on the Internet is all it takes to find a plethora of information and recipes for sneaking fruits

and vegetables into bread. A few timetested kid-approved favorites are zucchini muffins, carrot bars and banana bread.

• Fabulous fruit smoothies. Fruit smoothies are a fantastic way to introduce several servings of fiber and fruit into your child's diet, and kids love these tasty, sippable treats that are loaded with the nutrients they need.

Take some non-fat vanilla yogurt, a banana and 100-percent orange juice for the main ingredients, then try experimenting with small pieces of frozen or fresh kiwi, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries or raspberries. Blend together for a satisfying and frosty summer treat.

• A twist on PB&J. Tired of the same 'ole peanut butter and jelly sandwich? Peanut

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butter is a wonderful source of protein, but the PB&J can get boring. Try substituting wholegrain mini-waffles instead of white bread, and your child will get an added boost of vitamins A, B6, B12 and iron. Or spread some peanut butter on a rice cake and top with a low-fat cream cheese and paint a smiley face on top with 100-percent fruit jelly.

• Calcium-rich quesadillas. For added protein and calcium, a cheese quesadilla can't be beat and kids love foods they can roll-up and hold in their hands. Take a whole-wheat tortilla and add some low-fat cheese, then top with your child's choice of beans, chopped vegetables, or leftover proteins – like chicken or beef – from the fridge. Top it off with a delicious and chunky salsa, packed with vegetables. With the salsa they will get additional nutrients from the tomatoes, which contain lycopene, folate from the corn and fiber from the beans. For mornings, scramble an egg and add some low-fat cheese, beans and salsa for a great breakfast on the go.

• Super sweet potato chips. Sweet potatoes are one vegetable most kids love to eat, are loaded with vitamin A, and are a good source of folate, vitamin B6 and vitamin C. Rinse and dry two sweet potatoes completely, then slice them as thin as possible. Toss the chips in two tablespoons of olive oil and sprinkle with about two pinches of sea salt. Place chips in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake on the center rack in the oven at 250 degrees for approximately two hours, flipping the chips after one hour. Remove from the oven once the chips are golden brown and allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving. These simple to

25

make, healthy and tasty chips are a fabulous alternative to the store-bought variety.

• Healthy hummus. Hummus is made with pureed chickpeas, and is a fabulous dip for kids. It has a flavorful nuttiness and is thick enough that your kids won't make a big mess while trying to eat it. It also has valuable nutrients such as iron, folate and vitamin B6. Use salt-free crackers or a variety of vegetables for dipping. You can also use hummus in a pita bread sandwich.

• Cereal and nut snack mix. Mix a healthy combination of whole-grain cereal, nuts,

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banana chips, popcorn and salt-free pretzels for a handy snack your kids can bring with them on the go. Nuts contain much-needed minerals such as iron, magnesium and zinc.

• Remarkable raisins. Raisins have many nutrients your children need such as potassium, vitamins and fiber, and kids love raisins. Make a raisin dip with peanut butter, raisins and low-fat vanilla yogurt, and watch your kids dip and swirl their fruits and vegetables with delight.

• Playful pasta. Pasta is a wonderful source of complex carbohydrates that provide your child energy to get through the day. When you go to the grocery store, have your child pick out their favorite pasta shapes and cook some to keep as a back-up in your refrigerator. During snack time, place a half-cup serving tossed with tomato sauce, chicken and vegetables in the microwave.

• Perfect pears. Pears come in so many different and delicious varieties, and most kids adore these fruits that are rich in fiber. Serve with a small bowl of low-fat cottage cheese or low-fat vanilla yogurt for a healthy snack that will keep them full until dinnertime. WGW

A Trait Not Often Found

Erect and proud, self-confident was she.

She wasn't haughty, not that kind of pride.

An air of calm invincibility Surrounded her. Her face looked ... satisfied With who she was, a trait not often found In one so young. She hasn't seen real life Perhaps, and how this world can beat you down And wear you out, with all its stress and strife.

Yet innocence was not what I perceived But inner strength. The kind that's battle-won, And only through great trial is achieved, As one who's crossed a personal Rubicon.

Which ever one is true ... It matters not ... ... Just wish I had some more of what she's got.

G.S. Royal ©2011

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AGA, LLC and its affiliates are participating providers for Medicare, Medicaid, and most healthcare plans offered in Georgia. We comply with applicable Federal civil rights laws and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. CHÚ Ý: Nếu bạn nói Tiếng Việt, có các dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ miễn phí dành cho bạn.

27

One on One The Benefits of Spending Time Together

By Cheryl Francis

I

n today’s society, it is not unusual to find a home where the head of household in both single and two parent families works outside of the home.

With the desire to have our children be the best at everything and compete strategically in the future market place, we place them in activities where we believe they will succeed and hopefully benefit financially.

We are then faced with the challenge of ensuring we do all we can to maintain this lifestyle, yet all the while, feeling like we have no time. We are always on the go, and although we may all be in the same place at the same time, we may not actually be spending time with each other.

As adults, we no longer take the time to invest in relationships because we have become too busy creating opportunities for ourselves and our children.

Awareness gives us a chance to change.

As summer begins, we have an opportunity to just breathe and be intentional about spending time with each other and our children. We need to seize the moment and use the break from our usual routine to carve out time and connect with others. This is called self-care, familial and societal preservation.

If we are taking care of ourselves, we will have what it takes to give to any relationship. When we take the time to invest in someone else through

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spending time together, the benefits are long lasting and can impact generations to come.

What Does It Mean To Spend Time Together?

After all, don’t we do this on a daily basis? We are all in the same place at the same time; either running errands, dropping off, picking up and maybe even watching television for an hour or two every day. We are spending time together!

No. Spending time with each other means allowing the other person to see they are special to you. You are listening, noticing, hearing and enjoying what they are putting out there. You are giving your undivided attention, placing value on them and connecting. You are being intentional about what you do with the time you have together.

When we spend time with our loved ones, lives change.

The Benefits • You reduce your stress levels when you choose to connect with someone else.

Spending time with someone means taking

time to slow down, get unplugged and connect. Taking 10 to 15 minutes out of your day to listen intentionally, play a game or share some jokes will help lower stress levels.

Stress is increased when you are focused on your performance. When you are focused on someone else in a positive way, you will think less about yourself, and for that period of time your heart rate lowers and you will be relaxed.

• Connecting with your children and your partner helps with emotional development.

When you spend time with your children, especially, you are sending the message that they are valued, they are loved, they matter and they are important. When your child knows she matters, she is more confident and her esteem flourishes. She is able to interact better socially because she has seen appropriate and positive interactions modeled for her. When your child is socially prepared, it helps her to function well in varied environments. When you take time out for your partner, you are saying that everything else takes second place. You are depositing love into your partner which helps preserve the relationship in tough times.

• Spending time together improves your physical health. Going outdoors or to the park to walk, play on the playground or just people watch, means you are getting out of the car, getting fresh air and moving. A body in motion contributes to improved physical health, weight loss, happiness and good mental health. During the summer spending time together outdoors has a value added benefit: It improves vitamin D levels, elevates the mood and helps everyone become more physically fit.

• Relationship bonding is improved as a result of the togetherness. The time spent together during bonding is usually utilized by answering questions, resolving challenges and talking about fears and potential difficulties.

It is during bonding moments that your child or partner feels supported as they experience you genuinely showing interest in what is happening in their lives. This is where you find out what each person needs and what each of you has in common. Each person is recognizing they contribute something important to the relationship, and will be less likely to participate in an activity which will negatively impact the other individual. This

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improves the chances that risky behaviors will decrease.

• Children whose parents spend quality time with them tend to do better academically.

Children are more likely to graduate from high school as they feel supported throughout the process. Purposes can sometimes be derived from healthy relationships, and individuals tend to push themselves when they have a purpose.

• Any opportunity to teach and provide direction is a great opportunity. Time together allows this. Teenagers in particular look to their peers as their sounding board. If adults are not spending time with them, they are most likely being provided misinformation based on another teenagers’ perception, and adults lose out on providing information based on proven experience and facts. When spending time with teenagers, it is important to do more listening, and allow them to lead.

If possible have them help you provide a response to some of their questions asked. A simple rephrasing and asking, “What do you think about this?” may help. Using statements such as, “If it were me, then I would do ...” instead of “You should do this." When a teenager is approached this way, she feels empowered as if she is the decision maker. She will likely share more with you than if you were to talk more, provide your opinion directly, and attempt to control your time being spent together.

Ways To Spend Quality Time Together • Keep card and board games like checkers easily accessible. These games will initiate conversation, laughter and even opportunities

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•

•

•

• •

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to teach.

Create a craft, project, or do chores such as gardening or cleaning together. Instead of telling your child to clean the bedroom, ask to do it together. You and the child will look at cleaning from a different perspective. Make a decision to just clean and not complain or critique while you help.

Have regular family dinners and provide everyone with a task during the preparation and serving time. You may not want anyone in your kitchen, but someone can be in charge of setting the table, getting the plates and utensils or setting out the drinks. This allows time together and creates lasting memories.

Make an easy meal together. Take time to decide what meal you all would like. Arrive at a consensus and begin creating magic. Putting the ingredients in together will take the focus off everyone and the opportunity for real connectedness and openness will arise.

Go to an event together where there is a break for conversation. A ball game, a museum, a festival or an outdoor concert.

Read and do homework together. One person may read to the entire crew, or each

person may take a paragraph or page to read.

• On a weekly basis, schedule a family night and choose a different activity to do as a family. Sometimes it may not happen, however, if it is penciled in on the calendar, chances are it will.

Don't get discouraged if this takes some time to be consistent. As everyone gets something from the time together, they will begin to look forward to it.

Spending time together has to be fun and enjoyable, and doing this consistently will contribute to better mental health. WGW Cheryl A. Francis, Licensed Professional Counselor, is the owner of The Heart Matters Wellness Services LLC, a fullservice counseling agency. She is certified as a Mental Health First Aid Adult trainer and regularly provides seminars and trainings to the community on various mental health issues. She has partnered with the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy to train individuals in the prevention of childhood sexual abuse. Visit heartmatterswellness.com for more information about Cheryl and her work.

Spreading Their Wings Liberty Eagle Academy

New Montessori School Owners Share Their Unique Approach to Learning

L

in their children being hyper in the evenings, with iberty Eagle Academy is a new Montessori school in Carrollton, Ga., which Drs. Anna and the added sugar in their diets affecting their sleep Brent Harris developed after having a difficult schedules. Still, other daycare centers they tried time finding a suitable childcare center they felt met didn't have enough safety measures in place, such as highchair straps or magnetic locks on their doors the learning needs of their two children, both under to keep the children the age of 2.

The two doctors from straying outside experimented without supervision. with a few daycare centers in the area A Better Way but found the Of Learning children weren't being challenged After Brent found enough, and their young son a structured alone in the parking environment lot of his daycare was almost noncenter one day, existent. A few they decided there of the centers must be a better, provided fried, more structured and sugary foods safer place for their during mealtimes, children, and they which resulted Drs. Brent and Anna Harris with their daughter Rylee.

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kids to be able to celebrate their birthdays, have a 'show and tell' day or even say 'Merry Christmas' at Christmastime without being chastised," she relates. "We wanted to encourage having fun around Valentine's Day, Halloween, Easter, and all of the major holidays."

A Fresh Start Once they decided to start their own Montessori school, Brent and Anna jumped in with both feet and hit the ground running. They emailed a group of parents whose children attended the Montessori, and told their life group at church about their plans. The response All L.E.A. teachers are required to have a college degree in early childhood education and a teaching certificate in Montessori education. they received was overwhelming. The emails and phone calls poured in from parents, current, prior and retired teachers and other people began to explore other options. They finally decided offering support including friends and family. to place them in a Montessori school.

Within weeks of making the decision, Anna had The Montessori method of education was a building ready to be renovated using the state developed in 1907 in a lower-income district in daycare guidelines as a template for the interior Rome, by Dr. Maria Montessori. This method design, a caterer that would create healthy and is an educational approach that is centered on delicious meals for the students and teachers with the child and is based on scientific observations Montessori experience who were eager to begin. of children from birth to adult. The Montessori "My husband and I decided to call it Liberty Eagle method places great value on the human spirit Academy," she shares. "We wanted the teachers and the development of the whole child – socially, cognitively, physically and emotionally, according to and students to have (Liberty) the freedom to think outside the box and not be stuck in a particular the American Montessori Society. assignment or mindset, (Eagle) for the progression After enrolling their children in a Montessori from the egg to soaring eagle with the knowledge school, the doctors believed some things were and wisdom gained and (Academy) with the intent lacking. For example the children weren't allowed to celebrate holidays or birthdays, and they weren't to eventually add age groups through college acceptance." free to be themselves due to a curriculum Anna Anna says a similar school in Fayetteville used this and Brent felt was too rigid. It seemed as if even model through high school, and the response from the teachers weren't free to be themselves in that the community has been wonderful. "Their graduates environment. all end up in prestigious colleges and are "This was when we decided to start quite successful," she shares. our own Montessori," shares Anna.

"Our son, Tybee, thrived on the structure that was provided and The L.E.A. Model loved the activities offered there.

Anna and Brent's vision for Liberty We wanted to have a Montessori Eagle Academy was to develop free school where the teachers thinkers, beginning with infants. The did not feel intimidated and academy is currently enrolling children were given the freedom to from 6 weeks through 6 years. create new projects and The age groups are divided into activities without being infant and early toddler, 6 weeks micromanaged." through 18 months, toddlers 18 It was important to months through 3 years old and Anna that her kids have fun in primary children from 3 to 6 years old. school as well. "We wanted the

32

people jump from one thing to the next whether in action or on television, it is nice to have a place where children can learn to focus and stay on task," she says.

School Days

Photos by Keith May Firemen from the City of Carrollton Fire Department volunteered their time recently to visit L.E.A. to teach the children about fire safety.

"The age dynamic that the child is in during each phase allows them to be the newbie, the familiar one and then the teaching one or mentor," Anna relates.

"It’s a healthy way to learn not only through self, teacher and peer, but also by eventually teaching others. At that point, the competency and selfesteem of the children is improved, as well as their ability to interact with people in a wide age group."

The activities or ‘works’ presented at Montessori range from practical life to music, reading and mathematics. There are different ways to learn through touch, sight and hearing; the children learn through a process that interests them when they select an activity to work on, and each activity has different levels of learning.

Anna says even infants can learn how to focus on an activity as simple as stacking blocks or holding a rattle. The infants will increase focus and time spent on tactile exploration which increases their ability to keep their attention on a particular activity or goal.

"In a world today where everything is fast-paced, and

The Liberty Eagle Academy program consists of a school year, which runs in conjunction with the Carroll County School system, and tuition rates for the 2017-2018 school year are listed on the web page at LibertyEagleAcademy.com. The tuition includes all school days, except for holidays and school breaks, from 8:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. with pick up from 3 to 3:15 p.m. The tuition also includes a catered, healthy lunch.

The academy offers an early and late stay program from 7 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. to 6 p.m., respectively for an additional cost.

As a working professional, Anna knows how important it is to offer childcare during the summer, other school breaks and teacher workdays, something she found frustrating during her own need for childcare when the schools weren't in session.

For spring, summer, fall, winter and other school breaks, childcare at the academy is available for a flat rate of $185 per week, and runs from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. with no additional charge for early or late stay.

During the breaks, a catered lunch is an additional $35 per week, or you may bring a lunch for your child.

There are a few remaining spots available for the summer camp and the 2017-2018 school year.

Everyone is welcome, and parents of future students are encouraged to visit the school to see what the Liberty Eagle Academy Montessori model of learning is all about. WGW

To learn more about Liberty Eagle Academy,

call 770.744.3870

send them an email to Learn@LibertyEagleAcademy.com

or visit their website at LibertyEagleAcademy.com 33

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 who lived in Carrollton for 26 years with her husband Alan and their adult children. She and Alan recently became residents of Wedowee, Ala. Julie 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 :

Photo by Keith May

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jculpep4@gmail.com or culpepperoilsolutions@mydoterra.org or go online to: branchandvineonline.org

A Delicious Father's Day Treat and a Fabulous Seafood Dish

These Lobster Nachos with Chipotle Cream are a great way to make a regular weekday dinner extra special. Lobster pieces can be found in the frozen section of quality markets, and are worth the little extra cost. The chipotle cream is a good alternative to salsa, but feel free to serve salsa or pico de gallo with these nachos as well.

This Father's Day Chicken and Waffles dish may not be very new, but you can do a little something different to make it new and exciting for his special day.

Since it's the month to celebrate dads I chose to add bacon to the batter – a sure crowd-pleaser. I also added a little spinach for color, and just to make me feel a little healthier about the whole thing!

This dish consists of many timeless classics all rolled into one entrée that can be served for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner.

Photos by Michelle Horsley

Lobster Nachos with Chipotle Cream

Ingredients

1 bag tortilla chips

8 ounces shredded Monterey Jack cheese 8 ounces shredded Pepper Jack cheese 1 thinly sliced jalapeño ½ cup corn niblets

½ cup black beans (drained from can is fine) ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro

½ cup chopped fresh tomatoes

12 to 16 ounces thawed lobster pieces (or 2 large tails, chopped) 1 tablespoon butter

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DISCOS & EVENTS for all AGES & OCCASIONS DJ Richard • Carrollton, Ga. 770.688.5649 UK2U@earthlink.net Visit our Facebook page ‘UK2U Discos and Events’ for more details.

1 teaspoon garlic paste

Salt and pepper to taste

½ cup chopped green onion

½ cup chopped sweet red pepper For the chipotle cream ½ cup sour cream

1 chipotle pepper in adobo, minced 1 tablespoon lime juice

Preparation For the lobster nachos In a skillet, melt the butter. Add the lobster pieces, garlic and salt and pepper and sauté until just done, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and place on the nachos.

On a large sheet pan arrange a single layer of nacho chips. Layer with beans, corn, cilantro, tomatoes, red peppers, green onions, jalapeno, lobster pieces and cheese. Prepare the Chipotle Cream while you bake the nachos in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes until cheese is melted and slightly browned.

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Remove from oven and serve immediately.

For the chipotle cream Place all ingredients into a food processor and blend until smooth.

Drizzle over the nachos and enjoy!

Serves 2 to 4.

Father’s Day Chicken and Waffles

Ingredients

For the waffles 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon sugar 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 cup buttermilk 1 egg, slightly beaten ¼ cup melted butter ½ cup cooked crispy bacon, about 4 to 5 slices chopped ½ cup chopped fresh spinach (or substitute 2 tablespoons dried parsley) For the chicken 4 pieces thinly sliced boneless skinless chicken 1 cup buttermilk 1 cup all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper Oil for frying, about 1 cup Additional ingredients 1 egg, fried in remaining oil for each waffle sandwich, cooked to desired doneness Salt and pepper to taste Maple syrup for dipping, about 3 tablespoons for each sandwich

Preparation For the waffles In medium bowl stir to combine all the dry ingredients. In another medium bowl stir to combine all the wet ingredients. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and add the bacon and spinach. Stir to combine. Pour

rounded shapes into a heated waffle maker and cook until browned. Keep warm until service. Make at least 8 rounds to build 4 sandwiches.

For the chicken Place chicken in buttermilk and allow to marinate overnight. Combine the flour, salt, cayenne, and dredge each piece of chicken through the mixture to coat thoroughly. Cook in oil heated on medium-high in a large skillet. Cook until well done, about 5 to 7 minutes, turning to brown each side. Drain on paper towels and keep warm until service.

Build each sandwich and serve immediately while warm.

Serves 4

WGW

37

Making Yours

38

and Mine

Ours

By Sara E. Anderson

O

h! Were there magic in the world! Some secret spell! A few simple words uttered in the moonlight, or, yea, in the dark of the moon, and the sprinkling of dried herbs over a small wood fire! Just something, anything, that'll make her kids like me.

The blended family is common in America, and with divorce showing no signs of slowing and more children being born to single moms, the blended family could outpace the traditional family in a decade.

The blended family, also called the stepfamily, have divorce rates even higher than the that of the traditional family.

Love may conquer a lot of things, but in statistics on stepfamilies, it has a very hard time. Almost half of all marriages end in divorce, but the blended family's divorce rate is two-thirds, or 66 percent. Three-quarters of those who try a third time will also end in divorce. There are more pitfalls for parents of blended families than any of us could imagine. In order to be among that lucky one-third who manage to stick together and navigate the pitfalls, you and your partner will need to be prepared for them and work hard, together, to get around them.

Typically, the blended family is a mother with kids marrying a 39

non-custodial father; his children usually live with his ex-spouse. Because over 40 percent of children are born out of wedlock, this makes for many noncustodial fathers moving into a blended family relationship.

It's also probable that many of these mothers and fathers themselves are children of stepfamilies; studies show there are over 100 million Americans, children and adults, who are. And, unfortunately, as mentioned earlier, two-thirds of these have seen at least one stepfamily end in divorce.

The largest contributing factor to divorce in the blended family is, of course, the kids. Yeah, yeah, yeah, blame the poor little kiddies, you say. But it's true.

It's their relationship between them and the stepparent, and the interaction with the biological parent, that sets up the biggest pitfall to get around.

Sure, at first everyone's happy, the dew is on the daisy, life is good, this new arrangement is the best thing since night baseball. Then, suddenly it's not. Stepdad's kids come for the month, the weekend, whatever; mom's kids are shipped off to Dad's. There are new rules; don't discipline my kid. Interpersonal dynamics occur and will demand attention. And honestly, if your first marriage or cohabitation didn't work out, well, your exes, male or female, may not be completely at fault.

You parents need to know how to parent and deal with the bad times as easily as the good. The only magic is love, but you have to know how to use it, because if you don't, your children and stepchildren have a far greater chance of physical and mental health problems than the larger population. You're going into a complex situation, and trying to make everything and everyone in it conform to some plan or formula won't work. You're not just dealing with

your new partner's children and history, but your history and any children you may have – and quite possibly their stepfamily, too.

The bright lights of romance can cause a "Brady Bunch" idyllic view of your new blended family complete with kids sharing rooms and adventures without a hint of conflict. That is, until it’s Sunday night at 9:00 p.m., bedtime, and little Johnny is screaming that he no longer wants to be at your house and wants to go back to his other parent where he’s allowed to eat all of the Oreos he wants.

Questions loom: "Should I discipline my stepchild?"

"How do I handle the other parent?" "Am I doing any of this right?"

Loving your new stepchild is not an automatic.

It takes time to court, woo and eventually wed your stepchild just as it took time to build the relationship with her parent.

Don’t rush this relationship and don’t expect it to just fall in place. Learn your stepchild’s interests. Schedule oneon-one time for just the two of you, such as going to the movies or playing a board game. Get to know what is important to your stepchild and let her get to know you.

Have a conversation with your new mate about expectations for kids in the home. Decide on some basic guidelines, but know that it’s not really your place to discipline your new stepchild. The only exception would be for a very young child.

Disciplining can be a huge conflict for you and your partner and it can cause confusion and distrust with your stepchild. Your role is to support your partner’s discipline and to be an adult in the home, but stay away from grounding, restricting privileges, or any other disciplines.

If your kids are joining in the mix, it’s important not to play favorites. Sure you’ll feel closer to your

There is no magic formula for making a blended family work.

40

own kids; that’s natural. But try to mask favoritism and work with your partner to create an environment where everyone is welcomed. The last thing you want is resentment breaking up the new family. Hang photos of all family members throughout the house.

If kids have to share rooms or some kids live in the house full-time and others split time between two houses, be sure that their rooms or spaces reflect their interests. Ask what is needed to make sure the house feels like their own. Some children can’t take favorite items between houses, so buy an extra set for your house to be sure your stepchild has it when she is there.

Support your stepchild’s relationship with their other parent. Going back and forth between two homes is no easy task. Having shared time is great for parents, but kids can struggle with the different rules, requirements, chores, and relationships between their two houses. It takes time to adjust between each home, so don’t take short tempers and frustrations personally. Sometimes younger children can actually forget the rules in their different homes. Make a poster together of basic rules, such as bedtimes, mealtimes, and wake times. Post it as a reminder and review it together regularly.

Keep it positive when talking about your stepchild’s parents, even the parent who no longer shows up for birthdays or ball games. No matter your opinion of the other parent, remember your stepchild has every right to love their parent.

Tips on how to make it work: • Don't rush right into a new relationship. Time is needed for you and your children to adjust.

• Remember always that the children, all of them, are more important than you and your new partner.

• Build relationships with your stepchildren by setting aside time during the day and finding common interests – and taking interest in those of your stepchildren.

• Going to Daddy's or Mommy's can be tough on the kids. Their emotions may rule. You don't want things to get out of hand, but just listening can be enough.

• Never, ever, speak ill of the ex in the presence of the children. That's not their world or worry.

• You and your partner must agree on the rules, expectations and standards of behavior in the household, and explain those rules to the children.

Jwyanda Norman Owner Call Today 678.739.1740 • Maintain a united front with your spouse when problems and issues arise, so there will be no question of who is in charge of the household.

Remember, there is no magic formula for making a blended family work. It's hard work, and if you and your partner are thinking of blending families then prepare to do all that's needed to make it work.

Ultimately, your marriage isn't about the two of you, but about the kids. There is no magic formula, but there is magic in love, and with love, respect and hard work, you can be one of the lucky one-third who have finally found happiness. WGW Sara Anderson is a psychotherapy expert who specializes in helping kids & adults find relief from overwhelming trauma, stress, anxiety and much more. You can contact her at Spoken Heart Counseling Center in Bremen, Ga. or visit her website at: www.spokenheartcounseling.com

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Celebrate

HER SUCCESS

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Photos by Keith May

Setting the Stage

Local Dance Studio Owner Teaches Her Students How to Shine

M

egan Shae Rogers wanted to be a star beginning at age 3. Raised in the small town of Temple, Ga., she spent her primary years deeply involved in cheerleading, tumbling and dance, but dance remained the primary focus in her life. She would dress up in different costumes and dance on the furniture, while explaining to the audience (her home video camera), her dreams to become a dancer on the stage.

Megan is the owner and creative director of Fever Performing Arts in Carrollton, Ga., a musical theater, acting and dance training studio. Fever has been a staple in the Carrollton community for 10 years – the dance company's tenth season begins this August – and offers a large variety of training methods for children and adults; multiple styles of adult and college level dance classes, musical theater (which includes the vocal side of lessons), acting, dancing, aerial silks, guitar, tumbling, cheerleading, acro dance, zumba, and pilates. "I am so blessed to have had the chance to make a career out of something that I wanted to do since the age of 3," Megan shares.

She met her husband, Dr. Luke Rogers, an associate veterinarian at Carroll County Animal Hospital, when they were both 13 years old at a youth camp in Alabama. They went to different schools and attended different churches, but their youth groups would sometimes join together for different events. But it wasn't love at first sight – it took them another year to become friends, and they eventually began hanging out with one another and finally fell in love.

Megan and Luke have always been animal lovers, even before Luke began his professional career as a veterinarian, and their home is filled with many animals; three dogs, two cats, three goats (with babies on the way), chickens, ducks, horses and cows. They will be married seven years this October, and they are expecting their first child, Stella Kate, this month. Megan says they are excited, very nervous and a tad bit clueless, but they can't wait

to welcome their little girl into the world. She and Luke live in Bowdon, Ga., and plan to make this their final home after several moves during both of their careers.

Stepping Out As she grew up, Megan danced for one studio she would continue to be involved with even after graduating high school. She began working at an early age – babysitting at age 14, and at 16 she was waitressing at a pizza restaurant and student teaching at the dance studio where she trained.

By 19, she began taking on more teaching responsibilities for her studio and was in charge of numerous choreography and teaching projects.

Megan with her husband, Luke. They are expecting their first child this month.

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Young and driven, Megan wanted so badly to do her own thing. She loved having her own classes to teach and creative control over dance pieces.

She attended two different colleges for a short while at Jacksonville State University in Alabama, and the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, with a goal of obtaining a degree in Journalism. But her burning desire to have her own performing arts studio was too great.

"I remember the last day I took a class on campus at the University of West Georgia," she laughs.

"I was sitting in a creative writing class and I just packed all my things up and walked out. I walked directly over to the admissions office and said, 'I need to withdraw from classes. I want to dance.'

I walked out of there with a euphoric feeling like I could run the world. Not long after, I began making plans to step out and do my own thing."

Class Act Megan does much more for the community besides offering a place for children and adults

to explore and expand their singing, dancing and musical talents. She has choreographed many productions over the years, from her own studio's recital and competitive pieces, to plays and performances for schools and churches, to wedding party dances and fun activities for the bride and groom. She has also choreographed two community plays for the Carrollton Community Theater; Mary Poppins and Beauty and the Beast, her most recent project. "Working on Beauty and the Beast was so much fun," she says. "I loved getting to create and bring numbers like 'Be Our Guest' and 'Gaston' to life!"

It takes patience and skill to choreograph the community plays because many of the community theater members don't have much, if any, professional dance experience. "A lot of times I am creating five-to-seven-minute routines for people who have little to no dance experience," she relates.

"But in both of my experiences with community theater in Carrollton, the cast has worked hard to meet my standard for what I want to bring to the stage.

One of Megan's choreography projects. Beauty and the Beast was presented to sold-out crowds at the Carrollton Cultural Arts Center this Spring.

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go to a doctor's appointment or get my massage, it’s there on the table, free of charge! Women of all backgrounds and ages are able to grab a copy and keep up with what other women in their town are doing. It’s encouraging, and women, especially in business, should be encouraging one another!

"I have done a lot of advertising through the years, from my website to local publications – even a billboard – and so far we are most happy with working with West Georgia Woman! I am so thankful they are patient with me too, because half the time I let the deadlines sneak up on me," she laughs.

Special: Only With Maturity Comes Clarity $10 Megan has grown over the last 10 years as a Per Unit business owner, and says her ideas of personal

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"I really think both Mary Poppins and Beauty and the Beast helped me become a stronger choreographer because I had to challenge myself to bring people up to speed on dance in very little time, but also compromise and meet them in the middle – not expecting people to just 'know' and 'get' moves the first time I show them."

Serving the community comes easy for Megan.

She volunteers for her church, and has asked her students to join her in volunteering their time for local fundraising events such as Carroll for a Cause, Alice's House, the Make a Wish Foundation and Relay for Life. "I have such a special place in my heart – especially for any cancer related events that help raise awareness – since my mom is currently battling cancer for the second time and I lost my best friend and grandpa to cancer," she shares.

Megan also supports women in the community through advertising in West Georgia Woman magazine. As a valued supporter, she realizes the effect the magazine has on women's lives in West Georgia, as well as the opportunity it gives her to reach so many readers every month.

"This publication is being made available to all hands in West Georgia," she relates. "Every time I

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success are very different now than when she first started the business. "It’s funny because the first five years in business I would have considered a success story to be a child who goes to college on full scholarship for dance, or a child who is so talented they are offered opportunities to train with well-known names in the area ... which I do have some of those," she shares. "However now, as I am headed into my tenth year of business, I consider my successes to be somewhat different.

"I consider it a major success that within six years of owning my business I managed to pay off a $75,000 loan to the bank for my business start-up costs, on my own without the help of credit cards.

I consider it a success that my studio managed to generate enough to help support my husband through four years of vet schooling in Athens, while I stayed here in Carrollton. We had two houses, two sets of utilities, and countless miles and gas tank fillups over those four years. Through it all, I just stayed on the grind to make Fever fabulous."

Her motivational focus has changed over the years as well. She says when she was 20, her motivation lay solely within being better than all of her competition. As she's grown older and learned lessons along the way, she knows it’s better to be in competition with herself and out-do what her business did the year before by making changes, learning and trying new things because the most important thing is that Fever needs to grow.

Her Students Megan loves to see her students shine and celebrates with them, from the smallest of successes, to the largest. She loves it when a

painfully shy student who will barely speak to her signs up for a class, but at the end of the season is dancing on stage in front of people.

She has students who have trained with the Radio City Rockettes, Joffrey Ballet and the Atlanta Ballet; students who have been awarded scholarships and tuition for intensives and conventions year round, those with national ranking title achievements and offers to perform and travel with convention staffs.

"Some of my favorite success stories though, are the kids who have obstacles to overcome in their personal life," she relates. "They find that dance or performing is their safe haven, and they hold onto that without doubting themselves. To see a kid find their 'home away from home,' that’s a success. I am thankful to have been able to offer some place like this to kids like that."

Her Advice Megan has plenty of advice for other women who may be interested in pursuing a business similar to hers. After 10 years, she's learned a thing or two about operating a business.

She says skill-based businesses are very different than tangible product sales, and many people still don't know her business and three or four other studios exist in the community. She advises studying the demographics and needs of the area first before making the decision to start a dance studio.

She would do a few things differently this time around if she could, such as checking patterns within the region for highest ranking hobbies and aligning herself differently with people who knew the area, the need, and the name of the dance studio game.

She would also have waited until she was a little

Megan posing for a photo with some of her fabulous students.

older before diving into a new startup. "I missed out on a lot of life events with friends and family," she relates. "Looking back, this goes back to the lack of balance one can fall into when having their own business." Being young, and a women in business presents different types of challenges, and she says adding the two together ended up being a lot for her. But, at the same time, she says it made her who

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Teenagers and children should get at least one hour of moderate intensity physical activity – preferably every day of the week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. she is today and she doesn't regret her decision.

"Dance is still very rich in this community! We have so many studios looking for good, dependable, local teachers," she explains. "Before opening something on your own, I would say get connected and involved with the established dance community out here and learn some ropes before making that decision to open. I feel like I did all right for myself by leaping and learning at the school of hard knocks, however, there could have been much to gain along the way if I had followed the advice I'm giving you now."

As a business owner, Megan understands everything comes back to her, including success and failure. "When those ideas don’t always go as you had planned," she says, "all the negative feedback directly falls on you, and you just have to own it. You have to try new things – you can’t always do what the next dance studio to your left is doing. Sometimes things work out and sometimes they don’t. When they don’t, it’s hard to see when others are disappointed in the outcome, because ultimately, you know you are the one who had to make the decision to leap and try new things."

A Balancing Act Megan shares her greatest challenge as a business owner is the balance of God, family and business. She has stepped back a little from the daily operation of the business, allowing her studio manager, Nichole, to take over the reins. She says Nichole has been a huge source of support for her while Megan and Luke have been planning on expanding their family.

"She is my life line. I have had many people try

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to fill the position of manager or even personal assistant through the years, including my own mother," she relates. "But this is a hard position.

Nichole has been a Godsend for sure. Half the time I have to ask her the answers to questions at my own studio now because she has done such an amazing job at the administrative side of the studio so I don’t have to try to juggle that and the creative at the same time."

She knows other small business owners can relate to where she was at in the beginning, when she created the business from scratch. "There was a time in my life that I was every role," she shares. "I taught every style of dance, choreographed, did the costumes, picked music, scheduled things for the entire studio, ran the weekend competition team events and rehearsals, designed and glittered and painted the props, balanced the books, paid people, ran the errands … I mean you name it, I did it!

Nichole has simplified my life."

Megan says it has taken her a little over two years to step back, align some things and focus on prioritizing her family more. It's hard to start a family when you work seven days a week, don't eat, sleep or exercise properly and don't pay attention to those you love. She is happy that Nichole is someone she

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Megan works from home every day on costumes, music, scheduling and budgeting, but she doesn't physically go in the studio every day. "This year, I only taught two nights a week. It’s really been amazing, and I couldn’t do it without the help of a great staff, and mainly, Nichole," she says.

people and even the amount of things you choose to say 'yes' or 'no' to in a day! I really started experiencing a more fulfilled life once I realized how short life was, how blessed I was to have it and how business is just business. No sense in taking everything home and to bed with me. Personal health is a journey."

Others she turns to for support are some friends who own dance studios. They share ideas and issues and bounce ideas off of one another. Her main Her Support source of inspiration, advice and support though, is Besides Nichole, Megan has many others she turns her Godmother, Barbara Lyle, commonly referred to as Ms. B. to everyone who knows her. to for support and guidance when she needs it. She Megan credits Ms. B. for having the greatest began seeing her therapist, Dr. Ronee Griffith, after impact on her professional life."Not only did she see losing her best friend to a rare form of brain cancer enough potential in me at the age of 20 to co-sign five years ago. She credits Dr. Griffith for having the on a huge start-up loan for me, but she has taught greatest impact on her personal life.

"Yeah, I have a great therapist. I haven’t frequented me a lot about business in general," she relates.

"From budgeting to saving to how to invest and her sessions as much as of late, because ... well ... put back into my business from a financial side, she I don’t believe you are meant to stay in therapy for has truly been a guide for me. I learned the power forever. You have to grow and apply change to your life to become the best version of yourself you can," of eye contact, a firm handshake, how to walk into a room with my head held high and standing my she explains. ground, even if it isn’t the popular decision – all from "She has taught me a lot about the balance of this woman." home and work, personal and even professional She says Ms. B. is also her biggest fan, hands boundaries. You have to set boundaries with yourself,

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“

The Studio The current schedule of Fever Performing Arts consists of Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m. with Wednesday, Friday and Saturday having hours that vary depending on the competition team, private lessons, and casting rehearsals for the June show. Private lessons usually begin around 3:30 p.m. The weekend schedule changes each weekend depending on if they have rehearsal or are offering a class with a master instructor.

For the summer, Fever is offering several fun and exciting camps, which you can view on the

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There have been two times in my personal li fe that I faced a major strugg le ... both of these times I have ha d the support of my Fever fa milies.

It's nice when you can have a business, but also dev elo p some true friendships fr om some of your clients.

“

down. "The woman thinks my ideas are the golden egg the goose laid," she laughs. "She supports me in prop endeavors, costuming craziness and choreography experiments. She truly believes in all the talent God gave me. If my 'Poppy,' my grandfather on my mother’s side, were still alive – I would say he would have given my Godmother a run for her money though!," she smiles. "He told me my entire life that my feet would take me anywhere I wanted to go. He was right."

Her husband, Luke, has been the biggest blessing in her life. She says he is very involved in Fever and will do anything she needs, from helping with props, music and painting to mowing the grass at the studio and attending as many events as he can.

"His least favorite thing to do is stand on stage at the end of the year and help emcee our final show, handing out participation awards," she laughs. "He says he doesn’t do well on the mic. But every year, faithfully, he gets up there for me and calls out names so I can keep the trophies and flowers organized and make sure each kid gets their end of year goodies. He does an amazing job, and he looks smoking hot in a suit I might add!"

She also receives a tremendous amount of support from her Fever Performing Arts family – her students and their parents. "There have been two times in my personal life that I faced a major struggle," she shares. "Five years ago, I lost my best friend to a rare form of brain cancer, and this season, my mother has been battling stage 4 uterine cancer – her second time facing a cancer diagnosis.

"Both of these times I have had the support of my Fever families. It’s nice when you can have a business, but also develop some true friendships from some of your clients."

Facebook page under "Megan Rogers," or the website www.feverperformingarts.com. Speaking of Facebook, Megan shares a funny story that happened to her over 10 years ago.

One night, when she was 20 years old, she was so excited about starting her business she decided to create her business Facebook page before she did anything else. "It was late," she laughs. "You know, like, 'Hey I'm 20 years old and I can stay up all night, eat Waffle House and then function like a normal human,' late ... and in typing my name on Facebook, I misspelled my own business name, 'Fever Preforming Arts.'

"Literally, it took eight and a half years for Facebook to change the name properly for me, after countless online requests. Finally, after giving up on that dream, I was contacted by Facebook informing me that my business page was changing to my personal name and I had no option but to recreate the Fever Facebook brand and page. So now, the Facebook page is under 'Megan Rogers.'"

Megan says most people are surprised when they walk into Fever because of the beautiful and impressive "Pinterest inspired" glittered floors.

She's joking of course, but says they really are quite impressive. "I think the volume surprises people," she smiles. "We have four studio rooms running – full of loud kiddos and music – so when you walk in, it’s like you meet a barrier wall of sound! It still surprises me some days!"

Megan rents the building that houses Fever for now but dreams of purchasing or even building

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her own studio one day. She also hopes to have a business partner in the future who will help divide the responsibilities so she can continue to build her family and maintain the work and life balance that she has worked so hard to find over the last 10 years.

Tough Act To Follow Fever Performing Arts is the only studio in the area that offers a very well-rounded triple-threat training program, says Megan. While dance is the most popular branch of Fever, she is proud of how versatile the kids are who choose to take the vocal and the acting portions of the classes.

She has a lot of kids who are not only involved in triple-threat training at Fever, but are involved in their own school drama departments and community theater.

"We help our kids build resumes, and we love finding and sending kids into auditions of different levels and types," she relates. "We have two shows a year that we script and cast ourselves, and these shows truly showcase the triple-threat training you can receive at The Fever. I have had many patrons in past years tell me how they can’t wait to come to our shows every six months, even though they don’t have a child or grandchild performing. Our shows are geared toward being family-friendly and entertaining for everyone to enjoy, whether involved in Fever or not."

The classes provided at Fever Performing Arts offer valuable life skills for the students and keeps them physically fit. They gain a significant amount of self confidence, creativity and the freedom to let their creative juices flow. The classes teach children the value of teamwork, as well as valuable leadership skills they can use the rest of their lives.

"We try to bring something new to the schedule each season," she says, "in hopes that the need or want in the area will bring people our way."

All The World's A Stage As if managing her business weren't enough, Megan has two other jobs. From August to January, she travels on the weekends working for a dance convention; February to June, she travels on the weekends as a judge for dance competitions.

These opportunities provide her the ability to travel across the country, connecting and engaging with other dance teachers and dancers from all over the U.S. These competitions and conventions are valuable experiences that keep her up to speed on what is popular in the current dance culture.

No matter which job she's taking on, she always gives credit for her success to God. "God almighty has had his hand in my business from day one," she shares. "I have made some dumb mistakes – I mean I opened this studio when I was a kid! I have truly had to live, learn and grow. He has guided my business making sure the budget was met and the classes were filled. He’s a good Father, no matter how often I fail, His love and strength have been, and will always be there for me."

Megan invites you to visit Fever Performing Arts at 3743 US-27 North, in Carrollton, Ga., visit their website www.feverperformingarts.com or their Facebook page "Megan Rogers" for more information. She looks forward to meeting you and your child, and encourages you to explore the unique opportunities Fever Performing Arts has to offer."We are thankful for the opportunity to serve West Georgia, and wish to continue to do so," she says. "We offer recreational and competitive levels of training, and we would love to have you try us out before you make your decision on which studio you or your child will train with." WGW

To learn more about Megan Rogers and Fever Performing Arts, call 770.838.5595 or visit the website at www.feverperformingarts.com 52

Womentality

Inspiring quotes by extraordinary women “You are more powerful than you know; you are beautiful just as you are.”

– Melissa Etheridge "Power to me is the ability to make a change in a positive way.”

– Victoria Justice

Photo by Craig ONeal

“I can’t think of any better representation of beauty than someone who is unafraid to be herself.”

– Emma Stone

"Don’t be the girl who fell. Be the girl who got back up."

– Jenette Stanley

I just want to say to women, 'Be yourself – it's the inner beauty that counts. You are your own best friend, the key to your own happiness, and as soon as you understand that, and it takes a few heartbreaks – you can be happy.'

– Cherie Lunghi 53

Local Happenings Healers and Helpers Wellness Group

Need It Most Mommy’s Day Out

This group meets the last Saturday of every month in Douglasville or Austell. For more information, contact Cheryl at theheartmatters@gmail.com or 678.754.5840. Learn more at www.heartmatterswellness.com.

Each Mommy’s Day Out event is from 6 to 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month. Locations vary.

Contact Jwyanda at 678.739.1740 or Jwyanda@icloud.com for more information.

Hope For The Journey This group meets the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the board room at the Tracy Stallings Community Center at 118 South White St. in Carrollton.

These events are free to breast cancer survivors or those currently battling breast cancer.

No one should have to face breast cancer alone.

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These are free events for new mothers, mothers with children 0-12 months and mothers suffering from postpartum depression. www.needitmost.wordpress.com

Rare Pearls Mentoring and Leadership Program This group meets the 4th Saturday of each month at WellStar - Douglas Hospital from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.

This program is open to all girls from ages 10 -17.

Rare Pearls mission is to enrich and empower the lives of young girls and women.

For more information call 770.947.8210, email rarepearls2015@gmail.com or visit the website at www.rarepearlsmentoringandleadership.org

Nursing From The Heart Breastfeeding Support Group This group meets the third Monday of each month from 5:30 to 6:30pm at 500 Old Bremen Road in Carrollton.

Please contact Anne Lussier at 470.270.9520 or IBCLC@nursingfromtheheart.com for more information.

These events are free to pregnant women and moms looking for breastfeeding support. Free weight checks will be available. Come and share your breastfeeding journey with us. Please check our website for meeting and event updates.

Douglasville Mayor Proclaims Monday, February 20, 2017 as Dorothy (Dot) Padgett Day

Red, White & Blueberry 5K Trail Run & Blueberry Pick 'Em June 24, 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Proceeds Benefit Liberty Eagle Academy: A Modern Montessori Education Scholarship For Fall 2017-18 & School Supplies for Classrooms Muscadine Creek Farm is raising money for the Liberty Eagle Academy Montessori Scholarship Fund with its 3rd annual Red, White & Blueberry 5K Trail Run & Blueberry Pick 'Em. Each racer gets a tshirt and a bucket to pick blueberries following the race. Prizes for first place in each age group. Don't want to run? You can come just for picking blueberries. Bucket prices vary based on size.

500 Loblolly Dr., Franklin, Ga. Registration available at runsignup.com or www.blueberryrace. com. Call Anna Harris 770.744.3870 or email Learn@LibertyEagleAcademy.com for more information.

Handcuff Hustle Color Run July 4, 7 a.m.

Proceeds Benefit Programs Sponsored By The Carrollton Fraternal Order Of Police Lodge #35 1 mile color fun run/walk 7 a.m., 5k color fun run/ walk 7:30 a.m. Pre-registration begins at 6:30 a.m. and is strongly encouraged – additional $10 fee on race day. No tshirt guaranteed on race day without pre-registration. The first 100 that pre-register will be entered into a raffle for a $50 gift card from a local restaurant. Largest group entry receives $100 gift certificate to Barnes store.

Dot holding her Proclamation from City of Douglasville Mayor Rochelle Robinson. Dot has been a resident of Douglasville since 1939, and she was featured in the January 2017 issue of West Georgia Woman magazine. The reception for Dot was held at the Douglasville Conference Center.

The Greenbelt at Hobbs Farm, 1147 Rome St. Carrollton, Ga. Call or email Eddie LeBlanc 770.318.5618, eleblanc@carrollton-ga.gov or Chad Wilson 770.298.0492, cwilson@carrollton-ga.gov for more information.

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Michael Stone Presented With Honorary Alumnus Award at The University of West Georgia Annual Awards Gala April 28, 2017

M

ichael Stone is the CEO and founder of Milestone Investment Management LLC, an independent wealth management firm in Carrollton, Ga. He began his financial services career in 1972 working as a bank teller while attending Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, La. After receiving his bachelor of science degree, he graduated from the Graduate School of Banking at LSU. During his 45 year financial services career, he has a legacy of volunteerism in every community he has served. While working in Lafayette, La., Michael was a founding member of the Acadiana Fine Arts Council.

After moving to Atlanta in 1986, he worked closely with the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and was awarded two Lifetime Memberships for outstanding service.

In Carrollton, Ga., Michael has served on the board of directors of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce, Chief Financial Officer of the Carroll Symphony Orchestra and has actively volunteered at Carrollton First Baptist Church serving as chairman

Photo by Xiaojuan Christian

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of the finance committee and as a trustee.

He and his wife, Andrea, established the Michael and Andrea Stone Fine Arts Trust at First Baptist Church for the purpose of establishing an endowed trust to help fund the fine arts programs of the church.

Michael has been a friend to the University of West Georgia through his active involvement with the Richards College of Business and the College of Arts and Humanities. He has been a loyal sponsor of the annual Economic Forecast Breakfast, has participated in the Richards School Mentor program and enjoys each spring semester when economics professor Dr. David Boldt invites him to be a speaker for his Senior Seminar class.

In 2014, the Stones established the Michael and Andrea Stone Visiting Artist Series under the guidance of the School of the Arts. This endowment enables the College of Arts and Humanities to host talented, nationally recognized artists on the UWG campus each semester, rotating among programs in music, art, theater, creative writing and film. Most important, the series provides the local community and UWG students direct access to acclaimed artists.

Michael and Andrea are also major supporters of Live Art at the Townsend Center for the Performing Arts. In March 2016, Michael and Andrea helped organize the Carrollton Main Street Art Takeover in downtown Carrollton. The Art Takeover is a showcase for the incredible artistic talent found in the community, focusing on students and faculty from the School of the Arts and members of the Carrollton Artist Guild.

He has also volunteered with the student financial aid department to help engage students in financial literacy. Michael Stone's career path has been marked by achievements in banking and finance, and his gift for giving has helped create a shared vision for collaboration with business and the arts.

He says he has found a home at the University of West Georgia, where he can engage creatively and pursue innovative ideas to help bridge the business interests of the community with the growing success of the University of West Georgia. WGW

Carroll EMC Awards Lineman School Scholarships

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arroll Electric Membership Cooperative has selected three local students as the first recipients of the Lineman School Scholarship. Blaine Chambers, of Carrollton, Trent Maxwell, of Bowdon and Wade White, of Whitesburg were awarded scholarships to attend the Southeast Lineman Training Center in Trenton, Georgia.

The idea for the scholarship program came from current Carroll EMC linemen. While looking through linemen applications, construction manager Tommy Cook saw a need to help those who were interested in becoming a lineman.

“We had linemen applicants applying to Carroll EMC that needed to go to linemen school but were financially unable to attend,” said Cook. “We saw the need, so we created a scholarship so they could attend.”

The winners were required to submit an essay explaining why they want to be a lineman, two letters of recommendation and interview with the scholarship selection team. The scholarships cover tuition, textbooks and other related fees for the recipients and are available up to 24 months after award date. In addition to the scholarship, the award winners are also paired with a lineman mentor from Carroll EMC. Chambers attended Central High School and wants to be a lineman because it would allow him to help people. Maxwell attended Bowdon High School and has worked at Southwire as an Environmental Engineering Intern. White attended Central High School and worked with Performance Window Tinting as a window tinter and was very involved with the FFA and agriculture programs at school. WGW Carroll EMC is a Member-owned cooperative providing electricity to approximately 50,000 homes and businesses. The co-op serves Members in Carroll, Haralson, Heard, Paulding, Polk and Troup counties. For more information visit the cooperative’s website at carrollemc.com or follow Carroll EMC on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram and LinkedIn. Carroll EMC: Community Built. Community Builder.

Top left: Blaine Chambers Right: Trent Maxwell Bottom left: Wade White Photos by Blaine Chambers, Trent Maxwell and Wade White

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Kelly Hanson to Lead Southwire Canada

S

outhwire is pleased to announce that Kelly Hanson has accepted the role of Senior Vice President and President of Southwire Canada.

In this role, she will manage sales, marketing and support operations, all of which are based at Southwire Canada’s headquarters in Mississauga, Ontario. Axel Schlumberger, who previously led the company’s Canadian-based team, will be assuming new leadership responsibilities within Southwire’s Power Systems & Solutions group.

“I welcome Kelly to the Construction Systems & Solutions team and congratulate her in her new role,” said Norman Adkins, EVP and President of Southwire’s Construction Systems & Solutions

group. “Kelly has the leadership and skills needed to move our business to the next level, and I am tremendously excited to work with her as our new President of Southwire Canada.”

Hanson, who most recently served as Vice President of Marketing for Southwire’s Power Systems & Solutions group, joined the company in 2013. During her time at Southwire, she has been responsible for strategy and execution initiatives, brand positioning, internal and external marketing communications, service-based product innovation and enterprise customer experience programs.

Prior to joining Southwire, Hanson held a number of leadership positions in Marketing, Communications, Business Development and Sales in the Energy and Technology industries.

“I am excited for this opportunity and look forward to joining the Southwire team in Canada,” said Hanson. “As we move ahead, we will continue to focus on providing our customers with the highest quality of service and remain totally committed to developing and offering the innovations to meet the ever-changing needs of the industry.”

Hanson earned a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, and a master of business administration degree (MBA) from the University of Phoenix. WGW

A leader in technology and innovation, Southwire Company, LLC is one of North America’s largest wire and cable producers. Southwire and its subsidiaries manufacture building wire and cable, metal-clad cable, portable and electronic cord products, OEM wire products and engineered products. In addition, Southwire supplies assembled products, contractor equipment and hand tools. For more on Southwire’s products, its community involvement and its vision of sustainability, visit www.southwire.com. © 2017 Southwire Company, LLC.

Photo by Southwire

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Kidz Korner

By Charlene Brooks

Father's Day Paperweight T

his paperweight will be a treasured decoration for Dad's work desk or home office, and these delicious crisped rice marshmallow treat lawnmowers will be an easy dessert your little ones can create for Dad to enjoy on his special day!

Instructions

Materials 1/2 cup small pebbles Baking pan Medium bowl 1/4 cup water 1/2 cup flour 1/4 cup salt Food coloring Toothpicks Parchment paper Acrylic sealer (optional)

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Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Measure flour, salt and water into the medium bowl and mix until dough is pliable. Add a few drops of food color to make the paperweight the color you choose, or leave the natural color. Add a very small amount of water until the right consistency is achieved – similar to pizza dough. Roll a piece of the dough into a ball.

Place the rolled ball on the baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Flatten dough to 1/2 inch thickness. Use pebbles to make any word you like.

Press pebbles softly, but firmly into the dough. Use the toothpick to create decorative design. Bake in 250 degree oven for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, or until dry. Remove from oven and cool completely. For a shinier look, spray paperweight with an acrylic sealer (optional), once the paperweight is cool to the touch.

Really Easy Crisped Rice Marshmallow Treat Lawnmowers

Ingredients

Marshmallow crisped rice treat (store-bought or homemade.

2 mini chocolate sandwich cookies White icing 2 juice box straws Food coloring Scissors

Instructions Cut marshmallow crisped rice treats into squares if homemade, or remove from plastic wrapping if store-bought. Mix food coloring into icing until desired color is obtained. Spread colored icing over top and sides of the marshmallow crisped rice treat.

Take the juice box straws and cut them at an angle to make the lawnmower handle – 2" on lower end and 1/2" on upper end of straws – insert lower ends gently into treat connecting the two upper ends at top. Separate the mini chocolate sandwich cookies from their icing. Using only the chocolate cookie, attach four cookie wheels to the lawnmower using the remaining colored icing as glue. WGW

Wishing a Very Happy Father’s Day to All Dads in West Georgia – Biological, Foster and Adoptive, or Just Filling the Role of a Father.

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Happy Father's Day

Word Search

Word Bank Dad Role Model Love Dear Fun Doting Integrity Gentle Dependable Father's Day Knowledgeable Parent Supportive Courageous

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Word search created at puzzle-maker.com

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A R R I V I N G F A L L O F 2 0 17

WELCOME TO THE ALL-NEW 2018 ENCLAVE Smart, stylish and connected, the all-new Enclave is more for every moment.

WALKER BUICK 1492 N Park St (Hwy 27) Carrollton GA 30117 770.832.9602 www.walkerbuickgmc.com 64