West Georgia Woman Magazine October 2019 by West Georgia Woman Magazine/Angel Media, LLC

Woman

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October 2019

West Georgia

Sandy Kaecher The Power of Positivity

Living a Meaningful Life

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The Best Medicine

Living A Meaningful Life

When I Think Beauty

Celebrate Her Success

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West Georgia Woman Named 2019 Start-up Business of the Year What an honor! On August 22, we were named the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce Start-up Business of the Year. We have you, our valuable advertising partners, our incredible staff and the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce to thank for this honor. Thank you so much for welcoming us into your homes each month and for the tremendous support you have given us over the last four years. We love providing a beautiful and complimentary magazine for you every month, but did you know that we couldn't do this without the support of our advertising partners? Please give our advertisers your business and please tell them "thank you" for helping provide West Georgia Woman magazine to you each month. In This Issue Our cover feature this month Photos by Zachary Dailey is Dallas, Ga., resident, Sandy Kaecher. Not only did Sandy set a precedent in 2018 by becoming the first female commissioner elected in Paulding County, she was also diagnosed with breast cancer, underwent a double mastectomy and had three other surgeries related to her breast cancer during her run for office. She is a remarkable woman with a strength and determination that surpasses most, and is a bright and shining example of joyful positivity. Read more about Sandy and how she believes that sharing joy with others is the best medicine on page 10. Do you feel as if you are living a meaningful life? Cheryl Francis explores this topic and gives some tips on what you can do to find meaning in this, sometimes, crazy world on page 27. Thirteen years ago, Diane and Omar Daniel left their hometown in New York with dreams of owning a cleaning business in Douglasville, Ga. The couple started out with only the two of them working days, nights and weekends. Today, they have 11 employees. Celebrate Diane's success with us as you learn about Enjoy Life Cleaning Services, LLC, and find out more about how her business is touching the lives of cancer patients in West Georgia on page 37. Thank you for reading! Have a safe and happy Halloween. See you next month,

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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.

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Volume 4 • Issue 12 October 2019

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West Georgia

This publication is dedicated in loving memory of Tristan Alexander Brooks May 15, 1993 – September 17, 2015

Publisher/Editor

Angela Dailey angela@westgeorgiawoman.com

Copy Editor Editorial Contributor

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Photographer for cover Zachary Dailey

Editorial Contributors

Charlene Brooks, Janet Flanigan, Cheryl Francis, LPC, CPCS, Rose Isaacs and Gil 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.

By Janet Flanigan 10 by Zachary Dailey Photos

The Best Medicine

Paulding County's First Female Commissioner Sandy Kaecher Shares Joy and Positivity with Others

ome people are just born with a sunny disposition. They radiate kindness, joy and love in their daily interactions. Dallas, Ga., resident Sandy Kaecher has relied on this valuable trait time and time again when confronting many serious challenges in her life. “I go to bed praying, and when I put my feet on the floor in the morning, I get up singing,” she exclaims. “I have always been that way. I really have found starting my day with singing helps me face tough days with the right attitude.” Most recently, she has used this daily dose of happiness to fight a rare form of breast cancer and has found it to be as good a medicine as any the doctor could order.

Sand and Sun Sandy and her identical twin sister, Sally, were born in the Tampa, Fla., area, and had two brothers, Charlie and Ray. “We were beach babies all of our lives, and you could not keep us out of the water,” she says. The whole family loved the outdoors and enjoyed fishing, water skiing, target practice and nature. While growing up playing in Tampa’s crystalline waters and running free in the woods with her siblings may sound ideal, Sandy and her brothers had a challenging upbringing. “My father died from lung cancer and never smoked a day in his life," she shares. "Sally and I were only 3 months old. My mother had four children, including twin infants, to raise all by herself. I really see my mother as a role model. She just got on with her life and raised four happy, successful children.” Sadly, her brother, Charlie, also passed away from cancer at age 54 in 2004. While these circumstances were sorrowful for Sandy, she has always chosen to honor her lost loved ones by keeping a positive attitude and living her life to the fullest.

Identical but Independent “I was born one minute before Sally, and I always felt like the older sister," she explains. "I always had to be the one to try things first. As close as we are, we are also very independent." When their mother was pregnant, she was not aware she was having twins until the moment Sally was born. As twins often do, the sisters enjoyed a close relationship growing up, usually sharing a room. "Even if we were mad at each other, we

each had to at least have one foot touching the other's foot in order to go to sleep,” she laughs. Several years ago, the sisters started a business together that was a rather unique Sandy, right, with her identical twin, enterprise. They Sally. Photo: Facebook owned a bullet business, casting lead bullets and lubing them for reloading. “We had an absolute blast, so to speak,” she laughs.

An Exciting Adventure In 2006, Sandy met and married her husband, Steve. They were enjoying their life in Florida as newlyweds, Sandy was in business with her sister and life was good. Then, in 2008, Steve was offered an excellent job opportunity with his company that would require a transfer from Florida to West Georgia.

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“Since I am an adventurous person, I saw it as an opportunity to try something new, and I was especially excited to move to a four-season climate,” she relates. “My brother, Ray, and his wife, Sandi, and my aunt, Aletha, lived in Ellijay, Ga., so we started our home search radiating out from Ellijay." She recalls driving into downtown Dallas from the east, seeing the lovely historic homes and beautiful courthouse and feeling like it was home. When we drove into Dallas for the first time, I knew instantly that 'this is it!' We have absolutely loved it from the beginning,” she shares. After Sandy moved to Georgia, Sally kept the bullet business Sandy, with her husband, Steve. Photo: going for a Facebook

while, but it was no longer the same going alone, and she eventually closed the business. Sally and her husband now have a small farm where they raise heritage hogs and enjoy a country lifestyle.

A New Venture After taking about two years to set up their house and become acclimated to her new town, Sandy decided to rejoin the workforce. She had heard about opportunities with the insurance provider AFLAC, as her brother- and sister-in-law, Jay and Kathy, work as independent AFLAC agents in Tampa. “I was thinking about the opportunity, but wasn’t sure about selling something," she relates. "But then, I spoke with my nephew who told me that AFLAC literally saved his home and his marriage when he was not able to work due to illness. When I heard his story, I knew I could sell the heck out of the product. I am a caretaker of people and this product helps care for people.” As part of her business, and as a component of her outgoing nature, Sandy became very active in the Paulding County community. “I was involved in the Chamber of Commerce

promoting excellence in education in the Paulding County School District; a volunteer with the Golf Fore Hope Charity Tournament benefitting the Bullock Hope House, a privately owned home that provides lodging for medical patients and their caregivers traveling to area local hospitals for treatments; and a past board member with the Paulding County Chamber of Commerce and the Kiwanis Club of Paulding County.

"Being a county commissioner is a daily responsibility."

Uncharted Territory

Through her volunteerism with Dave Carmichael’s successful campaign for commission chairman, a fellow volunteer Sandy, with Paulding County Commission Chairman, Dave Carmichael. observed Sandy’s desire to help others and it’s community activities," she says. "I also and took note of her natural abilities. participated in Dave Carmichael’s campaign for In late 2017, this person suggested Sandy run Paulding County Commission Chairman. Volunin the upcoming election for Paulding’s Post II teering has always been a huge hobby of mine." Commissioner. “I said ‘Are you crazy?' I could never Sandy is a board member of the Family Alliance do that!” she exclaims. of Paulding, a non-profit promoting happy families That evening, when Sandy got home, she jokingly living in drug-free homes; a councilmember of told Steve what the volunteer had suggested. But the Paulding Education Foundation, a 501(c)(3) instead of shrugging it off, Steve said, “Why not run?

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678.583.0717 www.sacredjourneyhospice.com You can do anything you want!” Sandy thought about the idea for about a month and decided to go for it. “When I first considered the opportunity, I was told that commissioners only had to attend two meetings a month and that it wasn’t that big of an obligation,” she laughs. “Of course, I have come to know being a county commissioner is a daily responsibility.” But she says it is a job and responsibility she gladly undertakes. “I had such a great team of people who helped me," she shares. "My neighbor, Jennifer Farrell, was so supportive, and I really do think she did everything I asked of her. She probably came to dread the phone ringing!” On the outside, things were looking very bright for Sandy – her AFLAC business was growing, she was active in the community and had hopes of setting a precedent as the first female elected to Paulding’s Commission – but on the inside, Sandy had a nagging feeling that something was wrong with her body.

Searching for Answers “In 2017, I noticed something did not seem right with my left breast,” she says. She first visited her

general practitioner, who did not find anything alarming, but referred her for a mammogram and screening. “The mammogram did not reveal anything, and the doctor told me I was fine," she explains. In March 2018, Sandy noticed a slight dimpling in the side of her breast. Her nipple became inverted and almost disappeared. “Clearly, something was going on, but even with multiple ultrasounds and mammograms, the doctors could not find anything," she relates. "But, I just knew something was wrong. So, when I was finally diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma, I was not surprised at all.” Sandy had initially qualified for the election campaign for county commission in January 2018. It was while in the midst of campaigning that she received her breast cancer diagnosis on April 17. Once again, her dear friend and neighbor, Jennifer, was at her side, providing much needed support when she received the news. “Of course, my diagnosis was not great news, but I truly never cried or felt sorry for myself," she shares. "Jennifer is the one who cried when I was diagnosed. I was hugging her and the nurses and telling them it was going to be all right. But I was just ready to get on with things.”

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Treatment and Set-Backs The doctors first thought Sandy’s cancer could be treated with a lumpectomy. But with what was to become a common theme over the next year, her doctors had to revise her treatment plan. “While invasive lobular carcinoma is not a rare type of cancer, the way mine grew was very rare,” she explains. An MRI revealed that the tumor had wrapped in and around the breast tissue and it was determined that she would need a mastectomy. During this time, she qualified for a runoff election on May 22. Once again, her treatment plan was revised, this time to include a double mastectomy that would take place on June 8. It would be natural that most people would choose to give up on a campaign for public office when suddenly facing cancer, a double mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation treatments. But Sandy is certainly not most people. In fact, she was very excited to get to work on behalf of her constituents. “I had so much support I just can’t tell you," she shares. "Not everyone is so blessed. But it also makes me want to do as much for others as I can." Ultimately, she would be prescribed six rounds of chemotherapy, then 35 individual radiation treatments five days a week for seven weeks. Most people have heard of the grueling effects of chemotherapy, and it was draining for Sandy. Like most chemotherapy patients, Sandy had extreme fatigue and muscle aches but, fortunately, she did not experience a great deal of nausea. However, it was the unexpected reactions and infections that took the greatest toll on her. “The doctor prescribed intravenous steroids to help deal with the side effects of chemotherapy. I just happen to be one of those people with a severe reaction to steroids," she explains. "I would go three days without sleeping and feel like I was crawling out of my skin. The feeling was absolutely awful. Eventually, my doctor prescribed a medication to combat the effects of the steroids but, because of insurance hold-ups, by the time I received it I only had two rounds of chemotherapy left.” While fighting her cancer, one of the biggest frustrations for Sandy has been dealing with insurance delays, especially regarding her doctor’s recommendations. As someone who helps people through selling insurance, her personal dealings with insurance were doubly trying. One such delay was regarding her related pain from the infections and chemotherapy. Medication for her related pain was initially withheld pending an

“Of course, my diagnosis was not great news, but I truly never cried or felt sorry for myself. Jennifer is the one who cried when I was diagnosed. I was hugging her and the nurses and telling them it was going to be all right. But I was just ready to get on with things.”

insurance issue. “I have a very high pain tolerance and took very little pain medication but, in this case, I was screaming in agony. It was terrible,” she relates. Sandy says there were also other unexpected challenges during her treatment. “Due to a previous hysterectomy, I had already gone through menopause, but the medications I have to take to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back brought those lovely menopausal symptoms back to me,” she laughs. Some of her largest setbacks came from a series of terrifying infections. After her mastectomy, she was hospitalized three times, having to undergo more surgeries to clean out the infection each time. Because of the repeated infections, Sandy’s doctors forbade swimming over the last two years. For this water lover, following doctors' orders was torture, as she loves nothing so much as swimming in the ocean. During the week of July 4, 2018, her doctors had finally given her the O.K. to swim. She

definitely provided a lift to her spirits and gave her something to focus on besides fighting for her life while battling breast cancer. She officially began working as Paulding County's first female commissioner on Jan. 1, 2019. She finds her duties as Post II Commissioner run the gamut from visiting property owners and discussing construction run-off issues to reviewing proposals to increase local business in Paulding County and much more. Sandy is very excited about many of the initiatives the Commission is currently exploring. She is particularly excited about the the Richland Creek Reservoir (RCR) that is part of the Richland Creek Reservoir Water Supply Program. The RCR is a new, 305-acre reservoir that, once completed, will store over 3 billion gallons of drinking water to supply

“I currently have five friends that are undergoing treatment for cancer. One of them is my amazing radiology nurse. I want to be there for them as they have been for me.” and Jennifer went to her friend, Linda Verscharon's, house and Sandy was able to swim all day in her pool. “We then scheduled a trip to Treasure Island Beach, Fla.," she says. "But, before we left, I had another infection and suddenly, the water was out.” Over the July 4 holiday, Steve and Sandy traveled to Florida where she was able to quickly dip in the Gulf water for the first time in two years. She couldn’t yet play and swim as she normally would, but even that short dip did wonders for her happiness. They also did plenty of people watching and seafood dining while there. “I think I ate grouper every night,” she exclaims. Sandy knew from the beginning she would have breast reconstruction when her treatment was done. “I may be 60 years old, but I still want to look like a lady,” she laughs. Because of the repeated infections, doctors feared her body would reject breast implants. So, they decided to use her own belly fat to rebuild her breasts. Originally, the doctors thought she would be done with her treatment and reconstruction by November 2018, but due to her repeated infections and other side effects, she will be completing her reconstructive surgery this October.

Planning for Paulding Sandy’s easy smile and bright attitude belie the fact that she has had a couple of very rough years. But she aims to seek only the positive in everything she does. Happily, Sandy was announced the winner of the election on July 24, 2018, and her victory

Sandy, after she was named Paulding County's Post II Commissioner. Inset: Sandy, with Steve by her side, as she's sworn in as commissioner. Photos: Facebook

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and light industrial – to to existing and future gh ou en it say ot nn ca I locate in Paulding County. populations in Paulding ort pp County, according to the su tic tas fan that a RCR Water website. A Light for Others system is everything. Sandy says this reservoir Please let others do will allow the county to draw “I cannot say it enough m the ll Te water from the Etowah River. u. yo that a fantastic support for This will be the first time in system is everything,” what you need. Your its history that Paulding has Sandy shares. She says while friends will be relieved not had to purchase water women readily offer help d an lp, he to le ab outside of the county. be to to others, accepting help Another program Sandy ul. tef can be difficult. “Please let gra be ll you wi supports is a new Airport others do for you," she says. Aviation Maintenance School "Tell them what you need. through Chattahoochee Your friends will be relieved to be able to help, and Technical College. Former Governor Nathan Deal you will be grateful.” announced last year that the state of Georgia will Steve was a constant source of support, and invest $35 million to build a new Aviation Academy her sister and sisters-in-law came and helped when at the Silver Comet Field Airport near Dallas. they could, but Sandy says she could not have gone The acadamy will train aircraft maintenance through this difficult ordeal without her Georgia workers, and students are expected to come from all friends. Jennifer was always there for her, as was over the region to train in aviation maintenance and Carol McLeod, who had also served on Sandy's mechanics at the new academy. campaign, and the incredible nurses at the hospital Her other pet projects include making – especially when she was receiving chemotherapy improvements to county infrastructure and and radiation. encouraging new businesses – including industrial Now that Sandy is on the homestretch of her treatment, she is finding ways to give back to others. “I currently have five friends who are undergoing treatment for cancer," she shares. "One of them is my amazing radiology nurse. I want to be there for them as they have been for me.” A positive outlook is important to overall health, and some studies have shown that a good attitude could potentially help patients who are undergoing cancer treatments. A constructive approach may help with anxiety and depression, and possibly even reduce hospital readmissions and stays. Commissioner Sandy Kaecher believes without a doubt that her positive outlook aided her during her own cancer treatments, and she joyfully shares her PERSONALIZED, FAST AND FRIENDLY SERVICE knowledge and positive attitude with others. That FREE CITY-WIDE DELIVERY may be the best medicine of all. WGW WE ACCEPT MEDICAID AND MOST INSURANCE AND GIFTS INCLUDING

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To learn more about Sandy Kaecher, call 770.443.7550 ext. 4007, email her at Sandykaecher@aol.com, write to her at 240 Constitution Boulevard Dallas, GA 30132 or visit the Paulding County website at www.pauldingcounty.gov

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When I Think Beauty

The surgery had left her questioning Could he still see her as a woman ... whole? Her eyes, her smile, her touch said everything As wordlessly she probed his very soul. He questioned, too, but in a different way – Would she believe that she was somehow less A woman in her own eyes from this day? Afraid that all he'd see was ugliness? He knew that he would reaffirm his love, But would she learn to love herself again? He prayed for strength, for wisdom from above, For anything he thought might help; and then That one day she would say with certainty: "When I think beauty, sometimes I think ... me!" G.S. Royal ©2012

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Daily Fare With

e s o R f e Ch

Chef photos by Keith May.

Rose Isaacs is a native of Carroll County and lives in Carrollton with her husband Shawn. She graduated from West Georgia Technical College in 2013 with a degree in Culinary Arts. After graduation, she began her career as a chef at the Carrollton Kroger Marketplace where she works in the bistro.

24Recipe photos by Zachary Dailey.

Pumpkin Hummus

” Using fresh pumpkin really

elevates this recipe and will truly impress your guests. Use the leftover pumpkin purée next month for a Thanksgiving pie.”

Ingredients 1 15-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

3/4 cup pumpkin purée, fresh or canned 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons tahini 2 tablespoons maple syrup 1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon salt Roasted pumpkin seeds for garnish Crackers, pita chips or graham crackers for serving

Preparation Using a food processor or blender

combine first 8 ingredients and blend until smooth, scraping down sides with a spatula as needed. Transfer hummus to a small serving bowl and garnish with roasted pumpkin seeds. To prepare fresh pumpkin purée: Use 1 small pie or sugar pumpkin. Quarter the pumpkin and remove seeds and pulp. Place in a baking dish, skin side up, with 1/2 cup of water. Cover with aluminum foil and bake in a 350-degree oven for about 45 minutes to an hour, or until a fork passes through smoothly. Scoop flesh from the skin of the pumpkin and purée in a food processor until smooth, adding a few tablespoons of water if needed. Leftover pumpkin purée can be frozen up to 12 months for later use. Serves 6. 25

Zombie Meatloaf "The whole family will enjoy this spooky meatloaf on Halloween or any night of the week." Ingredients 2 1/2 pounds ground beef

2 teaspoons garlic powder

2 teaspoons onion powder

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning 1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 package onion soup mix 2 eggs

3/4 cup breadcrumbs or oatmeal 1/2 cup beef broth or water 2 medium onions

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 1/2 cup ketchup

Preparation

into a skull shape, creating indentations for the eyes, nose and mouth. To keep mixture from sticking to your hands, run them under water Preheat oven to 350 degrees. before smoothing out the shape. Small-dice one of the onions and set aside. Place onion rings in the eye sockets, and use Cut second onion into rings to use as the zombieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eyes and cut large-diced pieces for zombie some larger diced onion for teeth. Cover meatloaf and cook for 45 minutes. teeth. Reserve for decoration. Remove cover and cook for an additional 10 In a large bowl lightly beat eggs. to 15 minutes or until meatloaf is brown and Add garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seathe internal temperature in the thickest part soning, onion soup mix, broth, Worcestershire, small-diced onion, breadcrumbs, salt and pepper. reaches 165 degrees. Using a spatula, spread ketchup over the Mix well. Add ground beef and stir to combine. surface of the meatloaf. Lightly grease a large baking dish with vegeServes 4 to 6. WGW table spray. Place meatloaf in center, and shape 26

Living a Meaningful Life

wiss psychoanalyst Carl Jung said, "The lack of meaning in life is a soul-sickness whose full extent and import our age has not yet begun to comprehend.” In some ways, we all want to find meaning in our lives. Meaning for some translates to having a sense of significance, a sense of purpose or a sense of accomplishment. Truly, living a meaningful life is a matter of perception. Your life already has meaning, just by your existence. You are important to someone in even the tiniest of ways. To live a meaningful life, we must first decide what gives us meaning. What is it that arouses our passions? That thing we value most in life. Is it family? Career? Spirituality? Is being connected to others that gives you that natural high? Perhaps philanthropy, or something else? What makes you come alive? Life is a compilation of moments! We make choices daily based on those moments. We either chose to lean in and accept each one, or we allow the cares of this world to distract us and cause us to miss the awesomeness of those moments. Today, many question the purpose of life. When they grapple with this question and are unable to find answers, a sense of hopelessness seems to prevail. But the reality is people feel more fulfilled, more aware, when they believe their lives have meaning. Often, the things that give us meaning are the things we do repeatedly, without thought. They come naturally. It is like a firefighter who runs into a burning building with no hesitation to save its occupants – a natural response for someone in this career. Another way to view the meaning of life is to reflect on what those who care about you would say. How would they define your presence in their life? What do you do that makes them hunger for your presence? That, my friend, brings meaning to life.

Focus on What is Meaningful There are those who are confident in what makes them come alive. Then, there are those who continue to question their purpose and the meaning of life. The difference between the two, I have found, is that one is more focused than the other. One of the greatest characteristics of living a meaningful life is to be focused. In our fast-paced world, many things come at us all at once. If we are not able to cope, we shut down and want out.

Those who cope have found a way to focus on what they can control. They focus on what really matters to them! They prioritize importance by generating all of their energies on those priorities. They decided that to move on, some things will need to be secondary; not dismissed, just secondary. The thing that has more value to them is given more attention. They create a structured response, whether mentally or physically, to stay focused and motivated about what matters. They focus on what they have, not what they lack. These individuals also find things to do that empower them. Take a step and begin. It is in the doing that the answers come. Take a risk and try something new. Spend time doing something you may have attempted before and gained some enjoyment. The thing that empowers you may not necessarily give you total happiness. Happiness is a choice, and as a result, is temporary. As you begin to do these things, you will become aware of what makes you come alive. Awareness brings change, and as you continue, you will find meaning in what you enjoy and find purpose. Be intentional and honest with yourself. When something is no longer working, it is okay to let it go. Many of us stay stuck in a rut because we are afraid. As we go through life, we need to have intentions about the reasons we do what we do. We may do something because we were told this is the best option. However, as the journey continues, the reality of what fits will become clear. It may be lucrative, but it does just that provide financial stability only. It is perspective and intentions. We can either stay Women’s Auto Clinic. with this thing, or let it go. We can stay with it Women’s Concierge Service. because it does solve a financial problem, but like Tyler Perry, we 770.832.9465 can use the vehicle of financial stability and be intentional about putting 134 Bankhead Ave., Carrollton smiles and happy tears www.lamberttirecompany.com on people’s faces.

Create Something Meaningful We find meaning through creativity. Think of a time you were given either a blank canvas or a black and white drawing and asked to paint or color. When you finished, what was that moment like? You may have laughed because to you it looked weird, or you may have mentally patted yourself on the back because the finished product was worthy to be hung in a museum. Either way, you created something. You gave birth to an idea and left your mark. So it can be with anything we decide to create. A business, a hangout for teens to feel safe or to come share their story or a garden. What do you want for yourself? Build it, create it and they will come.

Develop Satisfying Relationships I believe we were created to be in relationships. They do not all have to be intimate. The relationships may simply be created by opening a space for others to connect. Think about seeing someone smile. What does that do to you? It causes you to give a smile back or places a smile on your face. A smile is the start of a relationship, and a

smile changes the atmosphere in any room. If you can do that for someone, is that meaningful? I think so. Life is truly awesome. There is no need to sit on the sidelines and question the meaning of life. Jump in. Take time, get involved, create what you want it to be and see your purpose awaken as you do. Living a meaningful life leads to a healthier you, a healthier family atmosphere and will change your world. WGW Cheryl A. Francis, Licensed Professional Counselor, is the owner of The Heart Matters Wellness Services LLC, a full-service counseling agency. She is certified as a Mental Health First Aid Adult trainer and regularly provides seminars and trainings to the community on various mental health issues. She has partnered with the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy to train individuals in the prevention of childhood sexual abuse. Visit heartmatterswellness.com for more information about Cheryl and her work.

Womentality

Inspiring quotes by extraordinary women “My cancer scare changed my life. I’m grateful for every new, healthy day I have. It has helped me prioritize my life.” Photo by Leahshia Gaston/https://commons.wikimedia. org/wiki/File:Olivia_Newton-John_Sydney_2008.jpg

– Olivia Newton John

“There is no chance, no destiny, no fate, that can hinder or control the firm resolve of a determined soul.” – Ella Wheeler Wilcox

“It's about focusing on the fight and not the fright.” – Robin Roberts

“Cancer is a journey, but you walk the road alone. There are many places to stop along the way and get nourishment – you just have to be willing to take it.” – Emily Hollenberg

“Don't get hung up on the hard times, the challenges. Tell your story by highlighting the victories. Because it's your victories that will inspire, motivate, encourage other people to live their stories in grander ways.” – Iyanla Vanzant 30

Local Happenings

West Georgia Mental Health Professionals Wellness Meetup Group

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

Hope For The Journey This group meets the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the board room at the Tracy Stallings Community Center at 118 South White St. in Carrollton. These events are free to breast cancer survivors or those currently battling breast cancer. Learn more at www.hopeforthejourneywestga.org, email execdirector@hopeforthejourneywestga.org or call 770.214.1491.

Rare Pearls Mentoring and Leadership Program

Rare Pearls mission is to enrich and empower the lives of young girls and women. This group meets the third Saturday of each month at Heritage Baptist Church in Douglasville, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. This program is open to all girls ages 7 to 17. For more information call 770.947.8210, email rarepearls2015@gmail.com or visit the website at www.rarepearlsmentoringandleadership.org.

Nursing From The Heart Breastfeeding Support Group This group meets the third Monday of each month from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at 500 Old Bremen Road in Carrollton. These events are free to pregnant women and moms looking for breastfeeding support. Free

weight checks for your baby will be available. Come and share your breastfeeding journey with us. Please check our website for meeting and event updates at www.nursingfromtheheart.com.

Kiwanis Club of LaGrange Funds Endowment at WGTC

Gertrude's House Breast Cancer Support Group This group meets the third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at Lithia Springs Family Chiropractic at 1758 Lee Rd in Lithia Springs. This group is open to all survivors, caregivers, supporters, friends, family and those fighting breast cancer. Visit their Facebook page @GertrudesHouse or email them at GertrudesHouse@yahoo.com.

Cancer Support Group at Tabernacle Baptist Church Has your life been impacted by cancer – whether your own or someone you know? Tabernacle Baptist Church hosts a faith-based cancer support group providing spiritual and emotional support to those diagnosed, currently undergoing treatment, those in remission and caregivers. Meetings run from 6 to 7:15 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month. Meetings are held at 150 Tabernacle Drive, Carrollton, Ga. For more information, call 770.832.7063 or visit the website at tabernacle.org.

Newnan Literary Dinner Theater Southern Crescent Literature and Libations meets quarterly on the first Friday of the month at the Leaf and Bean, 2051 22 W. Ct. Square A in Newnan, Ga. Authors will entertain guests as they describe their books or their journeys in publishing. This event is free, but you may purchase dinner or light fare, beer, wine and soft drinks. Books by the authors will be available for sale and there will be free raffle give-aways. For more information, contact Lee St. John at 678.994.3558.

The Kiwanis Club of LaGrange has committed to fund a $25,000 endowment supporting students at West Georgia Technical College. Club President George Elkins joined fundraising co-chairs Charlie Frear and Jerry Johnson in presenting a check to WGTC President Scott Rule (center) and WGTC Foundation Trustees Dr. Bob Patterson and Murray Bradley (right).

The Kiwanis Club of LaGrange has committed to a $25,000 endowment that will support students at West Georgia Technical College. This endowment – known as The Kiwanis Johnson-Frear Endowment – is named for two Kiwanians who funded the effort through the club’s annual clay shoot tournament. “We are so grateful to have the Kiwanis Club of LaGrange’s investment add to our gap funding program and its ability to retain more WGTC students than ever before,” Foundation Executive Director Kelsey A. Jones said. “Since its inception in 2018, the gap funding program has helped over 470 students remain enrolled in classes who otherwise would have been released due to nonpayment. This program not only helps the College to retain and graduate a more skilled workforce, but also changes individual student lives as they are given the ‘gift of time’ when paying for their educational expenses,” she said. The WGTC Foundation’s Gap Funding Program fills financial “gaps” in a student’s ability to pay his or her tuition or fees owed to WGTC. Students who receive gap funding are expected to repay the funding, and the WGTC Foundation has seen a return rate of between 91 and 98 percent. Before the program was created, students had been released from classes for balances as low as $10. Students who are released WGTC are less likely to return later and complete their education. “Our WGTC Foundation Board of Trustees is to

be commended for its leadership in envisioning and executing the Gap Funding Program. Students benefit not only monetarily, but also in knowing that there are people in their own community who want to see them succeed,” WGTC President Dr. Scott Rule said. “I am so grateful to the Kiwanis Club of LaGrange for seeing the two-fold value of this program and becoming an early and important investor, ensuring its long-term sustainability. Many thanks to the entire club under the leadership of President George Elkins, and a special thank you to the club’s fundraising co-chairs Charlie Frear and Jerry Johnson for their efforts making this a reality,” he said. To learn more about the gap funding program at WGTC Foundation, please contact WGTC Foundation Executive Director Kelsey A. Jones at Kelsey.Jones@westgatech.edu. West Georgia Technical College, with campuses in Carroll, Coweta, Douglas, Haralson and Troup counties and class sites in Heard and Meriwether counties, offers more than 120 associate degree, diploma and technical certificate programs of study. A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, West Georgia Tech is one of the largest of the state’s 22 technical colleges. For more information, please visit westgatech.edu.

Would you like to expand your network and meet other like-minded entrepreneurs? Learn about all of the resources available to small business owners at this Rural Entrepreneurial Workshop sponsored by Resource Exchange Consulting Group. When: Thursday, October 17, 2019 Where: City Station at 2115 Maple St. Carrollton, Ga. Cost: $30 – lunch is included. Bring your products and business ideas for introductions. You must register and purchase tickets in advance. For more information, contact resourceexchangeconsulting@gmail.com or call 770.328.9967.

Horizon Award Renamed the James A. Gill Volunteer of the Year Award

The Blake House Golf Tournament The Blake House annual golf tournament will take place on Friday, Oct. 11 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Frog Golf Club, 2699 Georgian Pkwy., Villa Rica, Ga. The Blake House is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and the annual golf tournament is one of the organization's premier fundraising events. Win a Big Green Egg with accessories, an RTIC 65 cooler or a golf package that includes clubs and accessories in the big ticket raffle. Raffle tickets are $20 each. The drawing will be held on the day of the tournament. Golf teams are sold out, but sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information, call Shane Sauls at 770.537.1221 or email shane.sauls@theblakehouse.net

Rural Entrepreneurial Workshop Have you ever wanted to start your own business? Do you have an existing business and want to take it to the next level?

Back row, l-r Jim's daughter, Shannon Gill, daughter-in-law, Kristen Durrence Gill and his son, Jay Gill. Front row, l-r Jim and his wife, Cheryl, at the Chamber Annual Membership Barbecue on Aug. 22, 2019.

The Carroll County Chamber of Commerce has renamed the annual award recognizing exemplary volunteer service to honor community leader Jim Gill. At the recent Chamber annual Membership BBQ, Gill was awarded the Horizon Award, now known as the James A. Gill Horizon Award. The award is a special recognition presented to individual Chamber members for outstanding volunteerism who have made significant contributions of time and effort to the local Chamber

and the business community. Beginning in January 2020, that award will be renamed the James A. Gill Volunteer of the Year Award in recognition of his valuable and selfless commitment to so many organizations, including the Carroll Chamber and Carroll Tomorrow. “At the heart of every community are certain volunteers who go above and beyond to make their communities great,” said Daniel Jackson, president, and CEO of the Carroll Chamber and Carroll Tomorrow. “These volunteers improve their communities through an outstanding commitment to service with no expectation of praise or recognition. Jim Gill is just such a person.” Gill moved to Carroll County from Columbus, Georgia in 1984. He enjoyed a 50-year career with Citizen Bank and Trust of West Georgia (CB&T) and Synovus Bank and is part of the Synovus Leadership Hall of Fame. Gill has been an active member with Sertoma International since 1970. His Sertoma service highlights include serving as club president, Georgia governor, international director and Sertoma international president 1982-83, launching eight clubs including the Carroll County Club, and earning the Sertoma Lifetime Service Award. He and his wife Cheryl are life patrons of the Sertoma Foundation. Gill has been active in Tanner Medical Foundation’s Magnolia Ball since its founding in 1990. Jim has volunteered for 25 years and in 2001 he and Cheryl served as the Magnolia Ball Honorees. The Magnolia Ball is a signature fundraiser for the area health system’s foundation and has raised over $10 million to increase access to comprehensive, high-quality healthcare for communities in west Georgia and east Alabama. Jim served as a member of the Tanner Medical Foundation Board of Directors for over 15 years with a term as the Vice-Chair. From 1991 through 2016, Jim was also a member of the Tanner Medical Center, Inc. Board of Directors. Gill has created a strong legacy of giving back to the community. He has served on several boards of directors, including: Tanner Medical and Foundation boards, University of West Georgia Foundation Board of Trustees, Carroll City/County Hospital Authority, Hospice Care of Carroll County, Georgia Bankers Association, Boy Scouts of America, Carrollton Rotary Club, Carroll County Educational Foundation, Carrollton High Athletic Booster Club Hall of Fame, Carroll County Leaders Association, Friends of the Association of Remarkable Citizens, and the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce where he also served as Chairman in 1997 and was honored as Business Person of the Year in 1982 and

Citizen of the Year in 2001. Gill has been an avid supporter and loyal friend to the University of West Georgia. He has served on the UWG Foundation Board of Trustees since 1988 and is a life member as well as served as its chairperson from 1991-94. He is active with A DAY and has chaired several UWG committees. He was instrumental in establishing the Named Presidential Scholar Program. In addition, he was a member of the Stadium Development Committee, has been a member of the UWG Booster Club, served as a member of the Board of Directors and as interim vice president of Alumni and Development, and was named as an Honorary Alumnus for UWG in 1995. Jackson noted that Gill mentored him years ago saying that healthcare, education, government, and the local Chamber of Commerce are the cornerstones to the economic health of any community. “He would tell me if these four cornerstones run well, the community prospers and everyone prospers in the long run,” said Jackson. Gill was one of the original 26 members of the steering committee that created Carroll Tomorrow. Gill currently serves as the treasurer of Carroll Tomorrow, and he serves as Chairman of the Carrollton Payroll Development Authority. Gill received a standing ovation as family, friends, and colleagues recognized him at the 2019 Membership BBQ and Awards Celebration. Jackson, holding an oversized shoe prop at the event, concluded, “Mr. Gill has left a big imprint on the community and future leaders will have big shoes to fill.”

Jim Gill, with West Georgia Woman Magazine Publisher, Angela Dailey, at the Chamber Annual Membership Barbecue on Aug. 22. For part of her career in banking, Angela worked for CB&T of West Georgia, where Jim was CEO. "Jim Gill is the perfect example of a servant leader," she says. "He has always been deeply involved in helping our community thrive. I can think of no one more deserving of this award." Photos by Zachary Dailey.

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Photos by Zachary Dailey

HER SUCCESS 37

magine moving to a new city, leaving your extended family behind and building a new life with just a dream. Diane and Omar Daniel did exactly that in 2005 when they sold their home and moved from Poughkeepsie, N.Y., to Douglasville, Ga., to start their own cleaning business. "We moved to Douglasville with four children under 7 and no jobs," she shares. "We stepped out on faith and never looked back." Omar's grandmother had a cleaning service on Martha's Diane, with her husband, Omar. Vineyard, and he spent his Diane and Omar have been married for 20 years, summers there with his grandparents. He often and they live in and operate their cleaning business spoke with Diane about starting a cleaning service of in Douglasville. Along with their four children, they their own and, in 2006, they purchased a franchise also have two grandsons and a Labrador/Rottweiler that served only commercial clients. mix named Luna. Diane loves to spend time with Their residential maid service began with one her family, especially at the beach. "My family is my referral: a local Realtor contacted Diane and asked 'why,'" she shares. "They have taught me patience, her for an estimate for maid service for a residential understanding, support and showed me what client with a 10,000-square-foot home in Villa Rica, unconditional love looks like." In her free time, she Ga. With that one estimate, Enjoy Life Cleaning loves to laugh with her friends and family, as well as Services, LLC was born. dancing and exercising. "We are still serving that client today â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 13 years later," she says. "We started with myself and my European Roots husband cleaning days, nights and weekends. All of our children have worked in our business over Diane was born in Danbury, Conn. At age 7, her the past 14 years, and we currently have 11 team family moved to Farmingville, N.Y. Her parents members." were born in Portugal, and they each lived in small bordering farm towns in the Caldas Da Rainha area. Her father, Alcides, immigrated to the U.S. when he was a young teenager. "My parents have had the most impact on my personal life," she says. "My dad learned how to speak English by watching Bonanza and John Wayne, and he has been a serial entrepeneur all of his life. He told me to never be afraid to fail. My mom is a 40-year, twotime cancer survivor and her strength, tenacity, work ethic and amazing smile through it all has taught me to always push through." When she was 14 years old, she went to to live with her grandmother in Peniche, Portugal. Her parents Diane and Omar with their children. Back row from left: Omar, Jacqueline and Xavier. stayed in the U.S. with her brother, Front row from left: Diane, Alena and Alexandra.

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From left to right: Diane's brother, Donny; her mother, Arminda; Diane; and her father, Alcides.

Donny. At first, the transition was difficult for Diane. She experienced a great deal of culture shock transitioning from the U.S. school curriculum she'd always known to the European education system. She had only just finished middle school in the U.S. when she began taking university level classes in Portugal as a ninth-grade student. Her core classes in the ninth grade were philosophy, psychology, anthropology, German, French and Journalism. "Talk about overwhelmed!" she exclaims. "I cried a lot. I didn’t know what the professors were talking about much of the time, but I survived and made it through. Can’t say I ever mastered German. I may have to revisit it again." Diane recalls her first summer job in Portugal was working at a sardine factory. She gutted sardines and placed them in the can as they rolled past on the assembly line. "I smelled like fish guts when I got home every day and I had to undress outside due to the horrid smell," she exclaims. "The best part about it was we had a two-hour lunch/siesta break, and we would go to the beach every day as it was just across the street from the sardine factory. That made it awesome!" Diane completed high school in Portugal, and after graduating she returned to the U.S. to attend Western Connecticut State University for two years.

Enjoy Life Cleaning Services Diane says communication is key to a successful business. "We are great communicators," she says. "We asses our clients’ needs and then create a success plan for them. We follow a proven cleaning

system and have standardization in our processes and automations. We train our employees monthly, which includes performance planning, and we have a lean-in communication system that keeps our clients, team and administrators all in sync." Her favorite part of owning her business is knowing that the services they provide relieve some of the stress on families; mothers have more time to enjoy their families and are happier because they have a clean home; spouses can enjoy each other's company instead of arguing over a dirty house. "One of our clients we serve once every two weeks recently told us that we made him a better husband and he wishes he had hired us sooner," she says. "He says he knows it’s a good day at his house after the 'Maid Fairy' comes – that’s how he refers to us. He and his wife have a date night on cleaning day, and then, they come home to a clean house. He says his wife is so happy on cleaning days and told him that she feels taken care of and doesn’t have to stress when she comes home." Her greatest challenge as a business owner is having enough time to do everything that is required of her, but still have a personal life. Assessing and managing her time, prioritizing tasks and delegating are all daily challenges. "What I like least at times

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is that I can literally be in work mode 24/7," she relates. "I have to be intentional about keeping my time prioritized, but still flexible. When I don’t do that, everything is off balance." Diane says Omar is the backbone of the company and a visionary who is always keeping the business moving forward. "He is perpetually optimistic and has a 'sky is the limit attitude regarding life,'" she smiles. Her team members are another important segment of her business. She says her employees help her grow, communicate and share ideas, serving in excellence out in the community every day. "When my employees reach a milestone on a personal level, I celebrate with them," she relates. "I had a team member in her 50s tell me that she was embarrassed that she had only completed the 8th grade. She expressed to me that she had always wanted to get her GED. So, I went with her the following Monday, and within six months she will be completing her GED and graduating. I will be celebrating with her, and if she plans on continuing her education further, I’ll be there to cheer her on."

Her Advice Owning a small business is no easy task, and most business owners learn through trial and error. If she had to start her business over again, she would have hired a business coach in the beginning. "We don’t know what we don’t know," she explains. "You can fast track your success. Hire a business coach, get plugged into your local Chamber of Commerce and get a mentor or two. I recently sat down with my mentor, and a 30-minute conversation allowed me to make a business decision that saved me over

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$13,000 annually." Diane has four mentors that she reaches out to for advice: her parents, a client and another business owner. She has some close friends who also offer her much-needed support. "They can see with clarity and communicate it back to me when I can’t," she says. Diane believes her business has been successful because they are committed to serving others with love and excellence, investing in people and working hard. "When you just don’t feel like working any more, push through anyway," she says.

Cleaning for a Reason Diane gives back to her community by providing an important service to families in West Georgia. In partnership with Cleaning for a Reason (C4R), a nonprofit organization that serves the U.S. and Canada, her business provides free maid services to men, women and children who are going through cancer treatments. "I love that our cancer patients can be served and have their home cleaned for free when they already have so much to carry," she shares. "I got involved when I realized I could give back during another person's darkest moments – that our services could make a difference in another human's life, and that is powerful." If you are a cancer patient, you can contact C4R and they will connect you with a cleaning service in your area. Enjoy Life Cleaning Services (ELCS) is one of the companies that serves the West Georgia area. You can also contact ELCS directly. A doctor's note is all that is required. Once they receive the doctor's note, they will schedule and provide two, two-hour maid service

Her mother's condition grew steadily worse until she could no longer walk on that leg. Four weeks after the birth, Arminda finally learned she had cancer. "The doctor told her she had cancer and they would need to amputate her leg," Diane shares. "My mom said, 'No. No, you can't. I love to dance and if you do that I can't dance.' Then her doctor asked her if she wanted to see me and my brother grow up. That was one of many traumatic moments of Mom's journey." The days after the diagnosis were overwhelming for Arminda. She spent most of her time in medical offices, prepping for her upcoming surgery, as family members helped prepare for the baptism of the new baby. Arminda became an amputee in October 1979, at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. Chemotherapy Diane and Omar's business, Enjoy Life Cleaning Services, was treatments followed the surgery. She spent four recently named a Douglasville Chamber of Commerce Business of Excellence. weeks in the hospital, but Diane was not allowed to visit due to her age. "Not fully understanding visits for two months at no cost to the patient. ELCS covers the cost of the cleaning supplies and pays the what was going on, I would ask my grandmother when mom was coming home," she relates. "Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll cleaning technicians. never forget the day she left for the hospital. The In April, Mayor Rochelle Robinson gave a proclamation that April 18 through April 24 be named emotions from that moment 40 years ago still stir Cleaning for a Reason week in Douglasville, thanks to me up inside." Arminda had been an amputee and cancer Diane's efforts. Diane asked for the proclamation to survivor for only one year when she received raise awareness regarding the resources her business another horrific diagnosis in November 1980. She provides for the community. was told she had lung cancer and, along with having Providing this service for families who are battling to remove the lower part of her right lung, she was cancer has special meaning for Diane. Forty years given only a 30 percent chance of survival. "She ago, her mother, Arminda, was battling her own never smoked a day in her life," Diane says. "Just cancer diagnosis at the age of 23. a little over a year and the doctor was telling her Pregnant with Diane's little brother, Donny, to get her affairs in order." Diane's family and their Arminda had no idea that an osteosarcoma tumor, the most common type of cancer that starts in the bones, was steadily invading her left knee. She told her doctor about the stiffness she was experiencing in her knee and she was told it was most likely due to her pregnancy. Donny was delivered via C-section, and Arminda's cancer was so advanced that the anesthesia given during the birth was not effective â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Diane says her mom has told her that she felt every aspect of the surgery that day. "My brother was born healthy and strong, and I was so excited to meet him," she recalls. "I was 5 years old at the time, and my mom was 23. I remember Mom coming home with the baby in her arms and limping."

Enjoy Life Cleaning Services partners with Cleaning for a Reason, a nonprofit organization that provides free house cleaning for cancer patients.

community stepped in to offer love and support, meals and childcare for Diane and Donny as she went through yet another surgery and treatment. Forty years later, Arminda is doing well. After beating cancer twice, she was able to see her children grow up, her grandchildren and now, her great-grandchildren. "My mom is an amazing woman," she says. "She is a two-time, 40-year cancer survivor, she is a warrior and she is my superhero. Mom survived the odds â&#x20AC;&#x201C; she is the definition of a tenacious fighter! She endured and overcame so much. What the doctors said was nothing compared to her strength through the storms. "She told me recently, 'During those trying moments, during all of this it was me and God in it together.' I have many people to thank. The doctors, surgeons, nurses and many more who took care of Mom during those times."

Knocking Out Cancer On Oct. 27, ELCS is hosting the "Knockout Cancer" fundraiser, with a goal of raising $10,000 to fund free cleaning services for cancer patients. "We want to provide free cleaning services to our cancer patients, every week for a whole year," she exclaims. The funds raised will be used to pay the cleaning technicians. ELCS has teamed up with the Vineyard Streetball Classic, a nonprofit organization that serves youth from 8 to 18 years old, in hopes of breaking a Guinness World Record during this event. "We have rented theÂ Arbor Place Mall parking lot and will be attempting to break a record with 702 people playing the basketball game of knockout at once," she says. "We will have music, vendors and shaved ice, and various nonprofits will be showcased during this event." The largest game of knockout basketball consisted of 701 participants and was achieved by Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Texas, on Oct. 4, 2015. The game lasted 27 rounds and more than three hours. The objective of the game of knockout basketball is to make free throws in order to survive, while eliminating other players at the same time.

Big Dreams Diane looks forward to her business' continued growth in serving the West Georgia area and hopes ELCS will one day become a national brand.

Although her dreams are big, her heart is even bigger for people in West Georgia. "I love that I choose to be a thread in the fabric of Douglasville and West Georgia," she smiles. "We are a company that leads in love, cares about people, serves its community and provides free maid services to cancer patients in partnership with Cleaning for a Reason. I love that we serve our citizens and the work we do improves their quality of life. We have a community of amazing leaders working on a daily basis so we can all be better together." WGW

To learn more about Diane Daniel and Enjoy Life Cleaning Services, or if you are a cancer patient in West Georgia who is in need of free cleaning services, call 770.750.4645, or email diane@enjoylifecs.com. Visit them on Facebook @EnjoyLifeCleaningServices, Instagram @enjoylifecleaning, Twitter @enjoylifecs or visit the website at www.enjoylifecs.com 43

Kids Korner

By Charlene Brooks Photos by Zachary Dailey

Mummy Shots

iven up your Halloween party with these delicious and really easy-to-make mummy shots. The flying phantoms can be made with the same ingredients used for the mummies. Just add white chocolate melts and mini chocolate chips. Careful, there's a chance you'll be named Mummy of the Year when you whip up these tasty treats for your little ones!

Instructions

Materials Regular-sized marshmallows Pretzel sticks Fruit rolls Chocolate melts Small shot glass Halloween-themed sprinkles or candy pieces

Insert a pretzel stick into two marshmallows, stacking the marshmallows one on top of the other. Remove the outer package of the fruit rolls but do not unroll. Using scissors, cut rolls into 1/2 inch pieces. Unroll strips and remove plastic. Wrap 2 strips around the marshmallow, leaving a small amount of the top marshmallow uncovered for the face. Place Halloween-themed candy pieces into the shot glass, filling the glass about halfway. Place the mummy into the shot glass. After melting chocolate, dab two dots of chocolate to the empty space for eyes.

Flying Phantoms

Instructions

Materials 2 fruit rolls Pretzel sticks White chocolate melts Mini semisweet chocolate chips Parchment paper Non-stick cooking spray or vegetable oil

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and spray with non-stick cooking spray, or use a small amount of vegetable oil. Unroll fruit roll and cut into 1-inch-wide strips. On the side of each strip cut a 3/4-inch fringe. Cut the fringed rolls into 2-inch pieces. To make the broomstick, wrap a piece of the rolled fringe around one end of the pretzel stick and press to seal. Place the broomsticks onto the parchment paper. Melt the white chocolate melts in the microwave. Drop 1/2 teaspoonful vertically across each pretzel. Shape chocolate to resemble phantoms. Press 3, mini semisweet chocolate chips onto the face of the phantom for the eyes and mouth. Allow to dry. WGW

Safety Tips For A Happy Halloween • Teach children to look to the left, right and then left again before crossing the street, and to always cross the street at corners using the crosswalks and traffic signals. • Decorate costumes and treat bags with reflective tape and choose lighter colors. • Give your child glow sticks or flashlights before going trick-or-treating. • Avoid masks that may obstruct your child’s view whenever possible. Use face paint or makeup instead. • The child’s costume should fit well to avoid stepping on or tripping over it. • Children under the age of 12 should be accompanied by a responsible adult or guardian. If they are mature enough to go by themselves, encourage them to go in groups and stay in familiar and well-lit areas. • Teach children to never run out into the street or cross the street between parked cars. • Popular trick-or-treating hours are between 5:30 - 9:30 p.m. so be especially alert and watch for children during these hours on Halloween night.

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Happy Halloween Word Search

Word Bank

Boo Autumn Costumes Party Howl Sweets Monster Shadows Candy Frankenstein Hayride Ghosts Fear Treats Zombie Prank Moonlight Cackle Doorbell Frightening

Word search created at puzzle-maker.com

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