West Georgia Woman Magazine Issue December 2023 by West Georgia Woman Magazine/Angel Media, LLC

Complimentary

December 2023

West Georgia

Jill Pierce Putting Down Roots

EPIC Christmas Party Ideas

HOLIDAY TIPPING Who and How Much?

BEAUTY and the BEAST Befriending What We Fear

Going Above and Beyond

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Jill Pierce proves making time to give back builds a better community Page 10 Photo by Zachary Dailey

What’s inside... 10 Putting Down Roots

20 Beauty and the Beast 24 Mingle All the Way

31 Holiday Tipping

42 Thinking Outside the Gift Box

In Every Issue:

26 Daily Fare

36 Local Happenings

44 Kids Korner

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Giving the Gift of Time It's already difficult to juggle everything we have on our plates throughout the year, and the holidays definitely can add more stress to a family. Holiday parties, decorating, wrapping, visiting out-of-town family members ... the list goes on and on. We're so busy, we don't even have time to enjoy the most wonderful season of all! This year, I'm going to make a concentrated effort to just chill out and spend more quality time with the ones I love. Although I'm a perfectionist at heart, I understand that everything doesn't have to be perfect this time of year. In fact, a little imperfection can actually make for some fun storytelling in the future! Please remember how important it is to shop locally as much as you can. Independently owned local businesses need your support to keep this community the amazing place it is! In This Issue Our feature this month is State Farm agent Jill Pierce. She currently serves as the Chair of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce and a board member for Circles of West Georgia, and she has given back to the community in numerous ways over the last 21 years. A lifelong animal lover, Jill also puts time and effort into Full Circle Rescue, a nonprofit that raises funds to meet the needs of the animal shelter that Photo by Keith May don’t fall within the county’s budget. Did I mention she's also an extremely kind and caring human being? On page 10, learn more about Jill, her new business endeavor, "Garden," and her unwavering dedication to the community she loves. I am thrilled to share that my dear friends, Drs. Fred and Anne Richards, have written a special article for you this month. On page 20, Fred and Anne show us how to face and befriend our fears to become the confident and fully alive person we all have the potential to be. It's that time of year – time for holiday parties galore. On page 24, Sandra Bolan shares some ideas on how to have the most epic Christmas party ever. The holidays are typically the time we reflect on those people who make our lives easier throughout the year and consider the many ways we can show our gratitude, which includes tipping. On page 31, learn more about who to tip at Christmas and how much. Tired of giving the same old gifts to friends and loved ones every year? On page 42, Shala Hainer shares some creative out-of-the-gift-box ideas for bringing your holiday gifts to the next level. Thank you for reading! There's so much more inside! Please do business with our community partners whose advertisements are included in West Georgia Woman. It is only through their partnership that we are able to give you this beautiful magazine each month. Have a very merry Christmas! Peace and joy,

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We welcome your comments West Georgia Woman is a voice for and about the women who live and and suggestions. Contact us: work in West Georgia. Our mission is to engage, inspire, (404) 502-0251 and cultivate a cohesive community Online: www.westgeorgiawoman.com for all women in West Georgia by Follow us! @WestGaWoman sharing our hopes, our dreams and our lives. This magazine would not be possible without the inclusion of our community advertising partners. Please be sure to show your support Need a copy? We mail thousands of copies each month to households by doing business with these VIPs through Direct Mail or get yours from (very important partners) so we will our racks at Kroger, Smith Brothers Supbe able to continue to share with you our stories about amazing West ply Company, Southern Home and Ranch Center, Food Depot, Neva Lomason LiGeorgia women! brary and the Tanner Health System MedPlease be sure to tell them we sent ical Pavilion in Carrollton; Piggly Wiggly you! in Bowdon, Buchanan, Franklin and Tallapoosa; Thriftown in Bremen; The Inspiring women wanted. Do you know an interesting woman Little Giant Grocery in Sargent; Leaf and who should be on the cover of West Bean Coffee, Crook's Grocery (Temple Ave.) and Lee King pharmacy in Newnan; Georgia Woman? Is there a special Tanner Health System's Villa Med and Villa project or organization you would West Office Buildings in Villa Rica; Kroger like us to feature in our magazine? (Chapel Hill Rd. and Highway 5) and Food Let us know! Email your suggestions Depot on Hiram Douglasville Hwy and to features@westgeorgiawoman.com. Highway 5 in Douglasville; Food Depot and Brickhouse Grille in LaGrange; Food Share your special events. Depot (Villa Rica Hwy) in Dallas; Kroger Send your upcoming events to: on Ridge Rd. in Hiram; WM Grocery and calendar@westgeorgiawoman.com Chuckwagon restaurant in Roanoke, Ala; Tanner Health System and WM Grocery in Need to advertise? Email: Wedowee, Ala. We have them in larger quantities at Publix (Bullsborough Drive), Sales@westgeorgiawoman.com Lee-King and Thompson pharmacies Call 404.502.0251 in Newnan, the Apothecary Shoppe in The views, opinions, positions or strat- Douglasville, Publix at Mirror Lake and egies expressed by the contributing New Georgia, CVS in Bowdon as well authors are theirs alone, and do not as hundreds of other retail locations and necessarily reflect the views, opinions, medical offices in 18 cities in eight counpositions or strategies of Angel Media, ties in West Georgia and East Alabama. LLC., West Georgia Woman magazine or any employee thereof.

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

Volume 9 • Issue 2 December 2023

Publisher/Editor

Angela Dailey angela@westgeorgiawoman.com

Copy Editor Editorial Contributor

Shala Hainer shala@westgeorgiawoman.com

Photographer for cover/ Graphic Design Zachary Dailey

Editorial Contributors

Sandra Bolan, Jordan Dailey and Rose Isaacs

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Sales@westgeorgiawoman.com West Georgia Woman is a monthly publication of Angel Media, LLC. All contents of this issue are copyright 2023. West Georgia Woman magazine, its logo and “Finding our voice. Knowing our value. Making a difference.” are trademarks of Angel Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Print or online reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. All submissions will be included as space is available. West Georgia Woman reserves the right to reject or edit any submissions that are not in compliance with our editorial policy. If you wish to have your submission returned, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope along with your submission.

Putting Down Roots

Jill Pierce proves making time to give back builds a better community By Shala Hainer

10Photos by Zachary Dailey

or many, small-town life isn’t just about a place to live – it becomes a part of who you are, and Carrollton State Farm Agent Jill Pierce is no exception. Born and raised in Alexander City, Ala., Jill learned to appreciate the many aspects of her childhood that only a small town provides. “Until I was 8 years old, we lived out in the country and had just a few cattle,” she recalls. “I remember riding in the back of the pickup truck while my dad, granddad and uncles picked up all the bailed hay, and I remember it was hot, itchy work. I was very glad I was too young to help!” She found growing up in the country to be an unforgettable experience. Jill and her brother spent many hours outside, enjoying the swing hanging from a huge oak tree. “It was one of my most favorite things to do,” she says. When Jill was 9 years old, the family left the farm and moved into a neighborhood. “There were lots of kids and a whole new kind of fun. I am glad I got to experience both growing up,” she shares. As far back as she can remember, she says her family was close-knit and hard-working, and she attributes her success and her desire to consistently look for new ways to give back and make a difference to the example her family set from the very beginning. “I believe my close family was a huge help in being successful,” she says. “My mom taught school, and my dad worked with my grandparents

at their poultry business. They all worked hard but found time to enjoy each other and do the things they loved.” Her grandmother shared her love of gardening with the kids. “My grandparents taught us to appreciate the outdoors and the wonders God created for us to enjoy out there, but also to respect nature,” Jill recalls. Her father also loved nature and was an avid hunter and fisherman until his death from pancreatic cancer in 2019. “He was so funny, a great storyteller and had so many stories to share,” she remembers. “He was always into something and was one of those people who seemed to have an adventure almost everywhere he went.” Jill credits her mother with showing her the power and strength found in a kind heart. “My mom is probably the sweetest person I know,” she says. “So kind and strong. She and my dad had a wonderful marriage and were a great example of how to truly love. My family’s love for nature, commitment to family and hard work are the examples I had growing up, and they have certainly had an impact on who I am.”

The Road to Sucess Jill got her first job while still in high school, sewing sweatshirts at Russell Mills. She then transitioned more into retail and sales at Sears and

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a clothing store. After she left for college at Auburn University, she spent her summers and Christmas breaks at home working in a gift shop. “I loved working as a teenager,” she recalls. “I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do when I grew up, but I did love working in retail and sales.” When she graduated from Auburn, she started looking for a more permanent career. “I was looking for a job after graduation, and like they say, it isn’t what you know, but who you know,” she shares. “A family member knew the person who ran the Birmingham State Farm office. I interviewed and was hired.” She began working in operations at the State Farm office in Birmingham, Ala., where she stayed for five years before transferring to work in operations for State Farm in Atlanta. While she was there, a State Farm agency manager asked if she would consider being an agent. Taking the leap to become an insurance agent isn’t an easy decision. It meant Jill would basically be her own boss, becoming responsible for not just her own income, but that of the people she hired to work for her. It meant learning how to navigate the ups and downs as markets shifted, constantly educating herself on new and changing product

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offerings, and continuously growing her marketing plan to keep her business profitable. It’s a difficult field to break into – as many as 80% of insurance agents fail within their first year, according to the Insurance Journal. But Jill knew she was ready for the challenge. “I was missing small-town life, a sense of community and seeing people I knew in the grocery store. I also thought it was perfect timing for my daughter, Katy. She was 4 years old, so a perfect age for her to move as she was beginning pre-K.” Jill completed the State Farm agency training, and she started looking for the ideal small town where she could put down new roots and rebuild the sense of community she grew up with but couldn’t find in a big city like Atlanta. “I chose Carrollton for several reasons: the school system choices, Tanner Health System, the University of West Georgia, a great recreation department, Center for the Arts, the small-town feel, and it was closer to my family in Alexander City,” she relates. “It was the perfect choice, and still is.” Her family’s influence helped her have the confidence she needed to take on the new challenge. “My grandmother always said she thought I was going to be the first person to

make a million dollars in one year,” she recalls. “It hasn’t happened yet, but her saying it was great encouragement that she had faith I could.” She knew owning a business would have its share of obstacles, but Jill is grateful for the journey. “Most people say that the biggest challenge in owning a business is finding and keeping good employees,” she shares. “Over the past 21 years, there have been some challenges, but I have been so very fortunate in having at least one, and most of the time two, tenured employees who care about our customers, our business and each other.” As for the future of her State Farm Agency, Jill says she doesn’t expect big changes anytime soon. “We will continue to take care of our customers to the best of our ability and continue to make a positive impact in this great community.”

Building Community Jill realized it would be a challenge to run her own business while raising a family, but both were very important to her. “There are many examples of successful people running a business while also enjoying being a parent,” she shares. Jill has proven to be one of those examples. Her

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daughter, Katy, graduated from Carrollton High School, then moved to Auburn to enjoy four years on the Plains. “Katy graduated from Auburn and spent almost a year in China with a mission organization from Auburn but had to come home early due to COVID,” Jill says proudly. “She married the perfect person for her last November, and now she and Jake live in Birmingham and are really enjoying it.” Jill says one of her biggest struggles when she started her business is one she still works on daily: balancing work, family, personal time and civic duties. But she wouldn’t have it any other way. “If I had to choose a challenge, it would be juggling all that is important to me,” she says. “As I mentioned before, in Atlanta, I missed that sense of community. Here in West Georgia, there is plenty of community and opportunity to be involved. Giving back and supporting local are important to me. Being involved in Rotary, church, non-profits, whether serving on a board or helping with fundraising, parent-teacher-volunteer organizations or other opportunities with local schools, and involvement with the Chamber of Commerce are only some of the ways people can be involved here.” She currently serves as Chair of the Chamber of Commerce, but she has also been involved in many other community organizations such as the Carroll County Workforce Education Task Force, Carroll Tomorrow, the Rotary Club and the Carrollton Center for the Arts. “Being an active part of a community is important to me,” she emphasizes. “Our community is as amazing as it is because for decades, people have been involved, seen something that needed improving or even needed to be created to make our community better, and took action. Our Chamber of Commerce is active in supporting local business and industry. Nonprofits help out where there are needs, and civic organizations like Rotary help with networking as well as making a difference in communities. I have been involved in an array of organizations because I felt they took care of a need to help people’s or animal’s lives be better. “I currently am the Chair of the Chamber, and it has been so rewarding and fulfilling. I have been on the Chamber board for many years and involved in many aspects of the Chamber. Being Chair is such an honor. It has been a wonderful year, and it is hard to believe it is almost over. I have learned so much more about our great community. We have amazing industry here as well as incredible business leaders

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and owners who care about our community and want to be a positive impact.” Jill encourages businesses who are not members of the Chamber of Commerce to consider joining as a way to network with other business leaders and grow personally and professionally. She says it’s a gateway to learn more about the community. “We are lucky to have an amazing health system, a wonderful technical college, an impressive university, great school choices, over 300 churches, many amenities, state parks, and the list goes on,” she relates. “Many of these amenities are available because of economic impact and growth due to our many local businesses and industries, so our Chamber and Carroll Tomorrow are vital to our continued success as a place people want to work, grow, live and play!” She shares that supporting a skilled and growing workforce is essential to the community’s success, so there are several related committees within the Chamber. “We want our children to have the skills needed for the workforce of the future. This takes schools and industry working together to understand needs so what is being taught will prepare them for jobs available. I got involved with the workforce committee about 10 years ago. It has been great to see the evolution and impact that the relationships and focus have made. Our K-12 schools partner with UWG and West Georgia Technical College regarding programs and classes to make sure students have every opportunity to be successful. UWG and WGTC partner not only with each other but also industry to meet the needs in our community.” In addition to being involved in the Chamber of Commerce, she currently serves on the board for Circles of West Georgia, which is a chapter of the national organization Circles USA. Circles of West Georgia is a community-driven way to affect poverty and promote prosperity through long-term education and social support.

Making Time for What's Important Jill already wears many hats, but two endeavors are close to her heart – her new gift shop and helping unhomed pets. The gift shop has been several years in the making, and it has been a labor of love for Jill and Katy. Named simply “Garden,” the shop is located at 150 Maple Street Crossing, Suite 103, in Carrollton, and it’s open Tuesday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“My daughter and I love finding interesting and unique things,” Jill explains. “Back in 2015, while she was still in Carrollton, we thought how much fun it would be to have a small sandwich shop in a really cool older home that could be used for luncheons, bridal showers and parties – small, quaint, and all the decor was for sale. “Well, we had fun collecting items, and then she went to Auburn and 2020 hit, and I kept collecting and collecting … loving every minute, but my house was getting full. So, Garden is now open, and it is a gift/garden shop. There’s no sandwich shop, and it’s not in an older home, but it’s still full of fun and eclectic items – some vintage and one-of-a kind, some staples we will continue to carry as long as they sell. We want the experience to be fun and different every time you walk in.” A lifelong animal lover, Jill also puts time and effort into Full Circle Rescue. “Its name is a little deceiving since we don’t physically rescue animals,” she shares. “We are a nonprofit charged with raising funds to meet the needs of the shelter that don’t fall within the county’s budget.” For example, the organization just bought 16 dog houses and beds for the animal shelter. They also try to get the word out about the shelter’s needs and programs they offer, such as Send Rover Over,

that opportunity! I have always loved animals and had a variety of pets my entire life.” As if work, family and volunteering didn’t keep her busy enough, Jill added building a new relationship to her list of endeavors. In February 2022, she met her future husband, Randy. “We had lots of mutual friends who kept suggesting that we go out,” she recalls. “It was getting a little uncomfortable because we were running into each other at different things, but we didn’t really know each other well – really just enough to say, ‘Hi.’ One night at a party, one of my Jill speaks with a customer at her new gift shop, "Garden." The gift shop has dearest friends said, ‘He is in the other been several years in the making, and it has been a labor of love for Jill and her room. Just go talk to him.’ So, we daughter, Katy. both walked over to the group he was the foster care program or the feral cat spay/neuter talking with and joined in. About 30 program. seconds later, Randy said it was time for him to be Send Rover Over is a way for people to take a going, and he left. And I looked at my friend and dog home to see if it is a good fit for their life and jokingly said, ‘That went well.’” if they are ready to make a lifetime commitment by Jill felt the awkwardness from people suggesting adopting. they go out was becoming uncomfortable, so she “Just like shelters everywhere, our shelter is asked a friend for his number and gave him a call over capacity and always needs help from foster few days later. “My intent was to discuss our mutual families,” Jill says. “They have nursing moms with friends and their persistence, but we decided they puppies brought in, abandoned puppies and litters were brilliant friends and have been together since. of kittens who are not weaned. These animals do We got married at Alice’s Park on a beautiful day this much better in a foster situation than at the shelter, May.” where it is noisy and busy.” She says that running a business, being involved With the feral cat spay/ and finding time for family neuter program, people and friends can be a can safely catch feral cats struggle, but keeping that – who often have many wheel balanced and giving unwanted litters during each facet equal amounts their lifetimes – and take of time can help keep that them into the animal balance. shelter. They will be “One day, I told someone spayed or neutered and that I didn’t have time to get released. The shelter clips something done, and she their ears so they are easily said, ‘You do have the time – identified as cats who have you chose to do something already been fixed. else with it.’ So prioritizing Jill has three dogs of her and balancing are important. own who go into the office Don’t lose sight of what is with her each day. “They truly important in the long love riding in the car,” she run, which I feel are family, explains. “So many of our friends and trying to make local businesses give treats sure the impact you have when in the drive thru, and each day leaves the world a my guys never want to miss Jill and Randy on their wedding day. little better.” WGW

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Beauty and the Beast BEFRIENDING WHAT WE FEAR

By Fred Richards and Anne C. Richards

he fairy tales that entertained and sometimes frightened us during childhood dealt with conflicts and characters offering insight into the promise and peril of growing up and becoming an adult. The multiplicity of characters – the dwarf, the trickster, the witch, the prince and princess, the healer and warrior, the innocent child and the crone – live within us. “We know them instinctively,” writes Jon Kabat-Zinn, “as aspects of our own psyche ... groping toward fulfillment.” They exist in us as dynamic energies we must befriend and work with “to grow and develop our true potential as full human beings, whether men or women.” We’ve chosen the fairy tale “Beauty and the Beast” (the original version, not the movie version) as one way of understanding the transformation of a self-sacrificing, self-effacing young woman into a risk-taking, confident, passionately alive adult. Beauty undergoes the passage into womanhood when finding the courage to integrate the opposites in her personality. She discovers and develops the capacity to remain open and accepting when

confronting the painful, fearful, darker realities of life. She leaves home, finds her voice, learns to love without sacrificing her true self, and awakens more fully to the sensual, instinctual parts of her being. Beauty’s growing acceptance of life as it is, is not a matter of passive approval or resignation. Acceptance is attentive openness, choosing more and more to be present, to acknowledge, take in, receive what issues from without and within. Beauty is the most beautiful, sweet child in her family. Unlike her self-indulgent and vain sisters, she is innocent and humble. Devoted to her father who has fallen on hard times, Beauty has no interest in leaving home and discovering a larger world. It’s fair to say, she’s reclusive and isolated, still a fragment of the woman she has the potential to become. When her father decides to shop for gifts for the children, Beauty wants only a single rose. Searching for gifts, the father, lost and cold, seeks shelter and falls asleep in a grand house. Waking up, he discovers someone has replaced his torn garments with fine, new clothes. When he enters

the home’s garden and picks roses for Beauty, he’s confronted by Beast who tells him he will soon die unless he agrees to bring one of his daughters to take his place. Though frightening and ugly, Beast kindly gives the father money to buy gifts for his family. Beauty, learning of her father’s predicament, is willing to go to the Beast and, if necessary, sacrifice herself to save her father. At this point, she’s a young woman for whom loving means sacrificing her life to take care of or rescue a man, a tragic omen of the relationships she may gravitate to in the future. Living with Beast, Beauty begins to look upon him as not just ugly, but also kind. Eventually, Beast proposes marriage, but Beauty declines. Having grown more fond of him and looking forward to his company, she also, missing her family, wants to visit her home. Beast is supportive, but tells her he knows he will die from sadness if she doesn’t return. Returning to be with the Beast, Beauty finds him in the garden near death. She cries out that she loves him, and he, rising to his feet, is transformed into a tall, handsome prince. “Where is the Beast I learned to accept and love?” Beauty asks. “I am he,” Beast replies, telling her he was turned into an ugly Beast by a wicked witch who forbade him to reveal his true identity until a beautiful lady would love and agree to marry him. Unconditionally accepting Beast’s ugliness and seeing into his heart, Beauty breaks the witch’s spell and sets him free to be himself. Psychologist Sheldon Kopp writes that Beauty’s acceptance of the Beast’s “ugly animal nature brings her beyond her own too-good-to-be-true, virginal ever-readiness to sacrifice her own longings. Coming to terms with the primitive, untamed being of the Beast is equivalent to Beauty’s coming to terms with the powerful instinctual forces within herself. The result is she emerges as a flesh-and-blood woman …” Beauty is no longer just Daddy’s innocent “sweet, little girl.” She is becoming a woman empowered to take her place in the adult world. Her ability to face and love what she first found to be frightening and painful – embracing Beast and the stirrings of her passion and sexuality

– transforms both of them. Kopp suggests Beast represents the denied “dark side” of Beauty, aspects of the personality her candy-sweet, goody-goodness exiles to the “not-me-self,” the threatening parts the ego experiences as too painful to bring into the light. These dark, repressed sides of us, Kopp insists, are not essentially bad or evil; what makes them beneficial or destructive is a consequence of the ego’s relationship to them. In other words, we’re more likely to become our authentic selves when we turn toward the experiences that cause us pain, when we face the truth that we are not as good or right or honest or as bad or wrong or fake as we may believe we are. Everything, however, has its shadow – every tree, every stone, every one of us. Even Jesus, it is written, goes into the wilderness to encounter his own Shadow prior to beginning his ministry. The emergence of our true self begins when we meet our shadow self. We encounter the shadow when our conscious self is disrupted, thrown off balance by great confusion, doubt, loss, illness, failure, and all forms of disease. Beauty works to find the ego strength to uncover and harness the healing energies in the unconscious. Those who seek to save

their own life (think the defended, contracted ego), will lose it (Matthew 16:35). Clinging to our smallminded, small-hearted self, we lose the greater self we can become. John Wellwood’s thoughts on “the healing power of unconditional presence” focus on how our addiction to avoiding the experiences that cause us pain, arrest our development and trap us in the amber of disease and fear. Unconditional presence “means being present to what is, facing it as it is, without relying on any view or concept about it.” We betray our natural capacity to move toward wholeness and a fuller life by avoiding what scares us: our anger, grief, desire for love, vulnerability, sexuality, and so on. Learning in an abusive childhood that “love” is abandonment, betrayal, neglect or injury, we fear the intimacy we lack and long for. We contract and shut down to avoid the pain we were unable to heal when young. Consequently, Wellwood writes, we establish an identity based on our learned desire to avoid much of life. We identify primarily with what makes us feel comfortable, safe and secure, with what validates the small, defended reality we live in. Like Beauty who feels no desire to leave the safety of home, we become a fraction of the person we have the potential to become. Most of who we are is stuffed out of sight in the long black bag poet Robert Bly encourages us to open. Bly uses “the long bag we drag behind us“ as a metaphor for parts of our personality we learned early to exile to the unconscious. We arrive in the

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world a radiant globe of energy; by the time we’re 20, we are a mere slice of the persons we once were. Two persons, each fragments of a whole self, fall in love and together they don’t make one complete person! If most of who we are remains in the bag, we become a diminished version of who we have the potential to be; we begin to come alive when we open the bag and recover the lost aspects of ourselves. “We spend our life,” writes Bly, “until we’re 20 deciding what parts of ourself to put into the bag, and we spend the rest of our lives trying to get them out again.” Beauty, having encountered the Beast, is challenged to open the long bag she drags behind and retrieve the missing parts of who she is and can become. Once determined to run away from the world she feared, she is set free to run toward love and the fullness of life. Wellwood’s good news is that our willingness to experience our pain, our psychological discomfort and disease, means we are not entirely locked up in our fear-driven identity. “Thus,” says Wellwood, “in our pain is our healing.” Young women (and the rest of us as well), can’t think the way to wholeness, to feeling truly real and alive. They must wake up to what’s right here within and around them, befriend the aspects of themselves they are inclined to fear, love the “Beast” or wild, liberated woman within. In “The Guest House” (translated by Coleman Barks), Persian poet Jalaluddin Rumi tells us that we are “a guest house.” Every morning, every moment, unexpected visitors arrive: a sorrow, a joy, a desire, a terror, a depression. Put out the welcome mat. Invite them in. Entertain them all! Even if pain and sorrow sweep your home empty, “treat each guest honorably.” He or she may be opening you up for some new insight, “some new delight.” Whoever arrives – the pain, the shame, the malice, the meanness, the fear – greet them laughing. They are guides arriving to help us become more human, more whole, more alive. As poet and psychologist Mark Kunkel tells us, “we cannot be anything until we are everything.” We are, it appears, saved by what is Other, by welcoming, as vital aspects of who we are, what we are inclined to reject and ignore. Afraid of the world she imagines lies beyond

Introducing “The REAL Theatre,” a vibrant addition to the Carrollton community’s cultural landscape. REAL, signifying Raw, Elemental, Artistic, and Live, encapsulates the essence of our company. We are a passionate, forwardthinking theater company dedicated to delivering captivating and genuine theatrical experiences.

Love Letters

featuring: March 1st - 7:00 pm - Jay Gill & Meredith Warner March 2nd - 2:00 pm - Bill Hearnburg & Bunny Godard March 2nd - 7:00 pm - Joe Garrett & Terri Ducker March 3rd - 2:00 pm - Doug Chanselle-Hary & Michelle Morgan

SEASON 2024

Conversations with... Cicily Daniels & Vincent Michael

The professional guest artist series provides exceptional artistic experiences that enrich, inspire, and transform the community by presenting a diverse range of guest artists and performances. Through these opportunities, we seek to foster a greater appreciation of the arts, encourage creative expression, and build connections between people.

The Broadway Bradshaws April 12th - 7:00 pm - Popular Broadway Hits April 13th - 2:00 pm - Disney On Broadway April 13th - 7:00 pm - The Golden Age of Hollywood April 14th - 2:00 pm - Popular Broadway Hits “Evita” is a musical that tells the story of Eva Perón, the charismatic and controversial First Lady of Argentina. It follows her rise from poverty to power, her marriage to President Juan Perón, and her transformation into an iconic figure, all set to a captivating score by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.

with... EVITA Masterclass Doug Chanselle-Hary & Patrick J. Yuran

Directed By: Patrick J. Yuran

September 3-8, 2024

This 3-day Masterclass in Directing provides exceptional training and performance opportunities that empower participants to discover their creative potential, develop new skills, expand personal perspectives, and connect with others who share their passion for stage directing.

The REAL Theatre, Inc is a 501 c(3) not-for-profit corporation F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n c a l l 47 0 -7 2 9 - 0 9 1 6 o r v i s i t u s a t w w w. t h e r e a l t h e a t r e . c o m the walls of her childhood home, beyond the fearbased identity she clings to, Beauty, like the Beast, is herself “cursed.” She’s cursed by her addiction to her thinking, by the fear confining her to a life of child-like innocence and powerlessness. What saves her for the living of a full life is, paradoxically,

We arrive in the world a radiant globe of energy; by the time we’re 20, we are a mere slice of the persons we once were. Two persons, each fragments of a whole self, fall in love and together they don’t make one complete person!

her neurosis; it is Beauty’s unhealthy willingness to sacrifice her present unlived life to save her father that actually propels her to leave home. Psychologist C.G. Jung brilliantly observed that, to become whole or well, we cannot bypass or go around our suffering. The path to our psychological wholeness leads in and through our neurosis, our struggle with the opposites in our psyche or soul. Such is the paradox at the heart of our lives. It is the mysterious truth out of which fairy tales arise. It is the deep, natural urge toward self-realization or wholeness at the center of our human nature, what some theologians and mystics for centuries have experienced as the divine energy, the unconditional, inclusive love that uses our brokenness, our own fear and despair, to lead us toward what psychology calls wholeness and what religion calls holiness. Young women, and all of us, would do well to look to Beauty to see what we need to access and nurture in ourselves: the courage, vulnerability and humility to accept who we are, to welcome into consciousness the multiplicity of selves and energies that dwell within us, to go in search of the Self, to wake up and discover that the love and true self we long to discover is who we’ve always had the potential to be. WGW

Mingle All the Way

Epic Christmas Party Ideas By Sandra Bolan

is the season for more holiday party invites than you can attend, and if you’re a host, your party needs to be so amazing it becomes the annual “can’t miss” event. Ensure your party is the talk of the season by coming up with a planned theme that's easy to execute and fun for all the guests.

Create a Theme As Christmas is in the midst of winter, why not throw a summer-themed holiday party such as a Hawaiian luau? Guests wear their most flamboyant Hawaiian attire and flip-flops. Instead of sitting down to a southern Christmas meal, guests are served traditional luau dishes such as Kalua Pig (shredded pork), Laulau (stuffed leaves), Molokai Sweet Potatoes and Haupia (custard). Pass out flower leis as party favors. Another party theme is How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Everyone comes dressed as one of the characters while the movie plays on a loop in the background. Food might include Roast Beast, Who

Hash, Grinch Greens, Who Pudding and Grinch Bread. Or, you could have a general Christmas costume party, where guests dress as characters from their favorite holiday movies. Think of it as Halloween at Christmas. Who said pajama parties are only for pre-teen girls? Adults like wearing onesies, too. Combine an adult pajama party with a Christmas movie marathon. This can also be a great family friendly I even help those on the naughty list still find their dream home!

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event. Kid-appropriate movies can be screened in one room and more adult-themed ones, such as A Bad Moms Christmas or Bad Santa, in another room – or after the kids have fallen asleep. The menu for this party is much easier than a traditional Christmas dinner – serve movie snacks and pizza. Have a "Santa's Elves" party where you set up an ornament decorating or snowflake making station. Ask your guests to dress up as their favorite Christmas movie elf. Incorporating Christmas-themed card and board games, as well as Christmas trivia, can also liven up the party.

Foodie Fun If your circle of friends includes amateur chefs, host a recipe showdown. Each chef brings a dish they’re most known for, and the other guests vote on their favorite dish. You can also divide a traditional Christmas meal among the chefs, but they have to put a unique twist on their dishes. Another food competition is gingerbread house building. Teams of two build and decorate a house within a specified amount of time. The winner can take home their sweet treat or leave it for the host to use as Christmas décor. Some of your friends may have grown up with holiday dinner traditions that are different from yours. For example, Italy celebrates the Feast of the Seven Fishes, Mexico serves tamales and Germans eat potato dumplings with red cabbage on Christmas. Have all of your guests contribute one of their traditional dishes for a Christmas Around the World party. For a 12 Tastes of Christmas party, ask each of your guests to bring an appetizer, dessert, drink or entree for 12 different tastes. Create a signup sheet so no one brings the same dish. Other food-themed parties can include a Christmas cookie, pie or cake swap.

Traditional Twist Parents spend much of December going to their kids’ Christmas concerts and dance recitals. Why can’t adults also take to the stage? They can, when

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you host an adults-only talent show. A similar themed party is Carol-oke, which is a night of karaoke Christmas songs. For people who like to stick with very classic themes, consider a tree decorating or Victorian Tea Party. You can up the ante with the tea party by requesting guests dress in traditional Victorian attire.

Decor Whichever theme you choose, ensure your party decorations match the theme. Consider setting up a photo backdrop or photobooth with props for extra special snapshots of your guests. Every holiday season comes with a multitude of holiday party invites, many of which have very similar guest lists, so when looking back, they all blend together. But if you throw a party with an unexpected and exciting theme, your party guests will be talking about it for years to come. WGW

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e s o R f e Ch Chef Rose Isaacs is a native of Carroll County and lives in Carrollton with her husband, Shawn and their son, Sebastian. She graduated from West Georgia Technical College in 2013 with a degree in Culinary Arts. She is a personal chef who offers cooking lessons, baby food prep, date night dinners for two and more. Learn more about Chef Rose at www.chefrosecooks.com. Chef Rose photos by Zachary Dailey, Dailey Life Photography daileylifephotography@gmail.com Recipe photos by Agresta Photography www.agrestaphotography.com

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Cranberry Orange Quick Bread

This is a great bread for Christmas morning that can also be poured into a muffin pan for individual servings. Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup granulated sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened 2 large eggs

3/4 cup orange juice

1 tablespoon orange zest

1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries (if using frozen, do not thaw)

For the glaze (optional)

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1-2 tablespoons orange juice

Preparation Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9-inch-by-5-inch loaf pan.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a separate mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated. Mix in the orange juice and orange zest until well combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; it’s okay if the batter is slightly lumpy. Gently fold in the cranberries until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 60 to 90 minutes, or until a toothpick or cake tester inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean. Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. To make the optional glaze, slowly add in the orange juice into the powdered sugar until it becomes slightly runny. Drizzle over the top of the cooled bread. Serves 8

Caramelized Onion Gruyère Dip "

Great for sharing with friends and family at holiday parties. parties.

Ingredients Ingredients: 2 large onions, thinly sliced 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 tsp salt 1 tsp sugar 1 tsp dried thyme 2 cup grated Gruyère cheese 8 oz cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup mayonnaise Chopped fresh chives (optional, for garnish)

Preparation Preheat oven to 350º F and grease a small baking dish. Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the butter and olive oil to the skillet. Once the butter has melted, add the thinly sliced onions. Cook the onions for 3 minutes, then add salt, sugar and thyme. In a mixing bowl, whip together cream cheese and mayonnaise until smooth. Fold onions and Gruyère into the cream cheese and sour cream mixture, and stir until evenly distributed. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until the dip is hot and bubbly and the top is lightly browned. Optionally, garnish with chopped fresh chives for a pop of color and flavor. Serve the caramelized onion and Gruyère dip warm with your choice of dippers, such as bread, crackers or vegetable sticks. Serves 4 WGW. 28

Merry Christmas

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Holiday Tipping Who to tip and how much By Sandra Bolan

o matter how industrious, independent and self-sufficient you think you are, it actually takes a few, or many, other people to help you make your life function without chaos ensuing. It’s typically during the holiday season when we take stock of our helping hands and think of ways to show our gratitude. For the most part, we tip those who assist us on a regular basis, but the annual quandary is how much we should give. There are no hard-and-fast rules about who should get how much, but there are a couple of guidelines. First, tips are for people who regularly provide you a service. Second, you should tip what you can afford and include a heart-felt handwritten note. If you think you can’t afford a holiday tip, etiquette experts contend that if you can afford the service – which is likely a luxury – you can afford the tip.

Who to Tip Take inventory of every person you do business with on a regular basis, which may include babysitters/nannies, baristas, delivery drivers, dog walker/groomer/sitter, hairstylist, handyman, housekeeper and landscaper. Typically, these are the people you see regularly

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but with whom you don’t necessarily have a close relationship. A tip is not a gift. Gifts, whether they be storebought or homemade, are appropriate for coworkers, bosses, teachers, long-term care workers, school support staff, as well as anyone you have a personal relationship with. Then, there are some professionals who you just don’t tip no matter how often you see them – the dentist, doctor and veterinarian.

How Much

You Need Assistance DoDo You Need Assistance Caring a Loved One? Caring ForFor a Loved One? Services Our Our Services

Tip what you can afford. Never feel obligated to Safety Supervision/Transportation Safety Supervision/Transportation go above your budget. However, if your budget is Dressing/Bathing Assistance Dressing/Bathing Assistance really tight, choose one or two people who make the Medication Reminders Medication Reminders biggest impact on your life to give a cash tip. For Meal Preparation Meal Preparation everyone else, a card with a personal note of thanks can go a long way in showing your appreciation. Hospice Support Hospice Support The Emily Post Institute provides this rule for figuring out how much to tip. It’s the “up to” rule, 1-800-381-9165 1-800-381-9165 which means you can safely tip up to the following lreaves@nwga-rightathome.com lreaves@nwga-rightathome.com jdeville@nwga-rightathome.com suggested values. Tip more and you’re over tipping. jdeville@nwga-rightathome.com •

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Babysitter: The cost of one evening of babysitting and a small gift from your children

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Daycare provider: $25 to $70 for each person who works with your kids and a small gift from your children Barista: $20, for someone you see regularly Live-in help, such as a nanny, cook or housekeeper: One week to one month of pay and a gift from you or, if it's for the nanny, a gift from your children Handyman: $15 to $40 Dog walker/sitter: Between one visit to one week Housekeeper: Up to one week's pay Barber/Hair Stylist: Up to the cost of one haircut. Tutor: One session of tutoring and a small gift from your children Trash/Recycling Collector: $10 to $30 Landscaper/Yard Worker: $20 to $50

When it comes to school bus drivers and teacher’s aids, a small-value gift card or a nominal present from the child is the norm. As for your children’s activity leader (dance teacher, Brownie leader), coaches and academic teachers, etiquette experts note group gifts may be more appropriate, otherwise gifts from individual families could be

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at no more than $75. They cannot accept cash, checks or gift cards. UPS drivers are able to receive small gifts and gratuities with a value of no more than $20, although accepting cash is discouraged by the corporation.

When to Tip

unnecessarily competitive and be viewed as trying to get preferential treatment for the child. Thanks to Amazon, the one service person you may see the most is your delivery driver. Depending who they work for, they may or may not be able to accept gifts. United States Postal Service workers, for example, can receive a gift valued at no more than $20. They cannot accept cash, checks or gift cards. FedEx drivers can accept presents but valued

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For those who are a part of your daily life, try to tip before Christmas so they can use that money to pay for the gifts they need to buy. Give all tips in an envelope with a handwritten card of thanks. However, if you regularly pay someone via Venmo or CashApp, then it’s quite acceptable to tip the same way. Just ensure you add a note in the “memo” portion of the payment app. The holidays present the opportunity for sharing goodwill toward all, and that includes tipping. If it's within your budget, remember to show your gratitude and appreciation toward workers in the service industry who make your life a little easier throughout the year. WGW

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Local Happenings Nursing From The Heart Breastfeeding Support Group

This group meets the third Thursday of each month from 11:00 to noon at the Villa Rica Library located at 869 Dallas Highway, Villa Rica, Ga. These events are free to pregnant women and moms looking for breastfeeding support. Weight checks for your baby will be available at no cost. Come and share your breastfeeding journey with us. Please check our website for meeting and event updates at www.nursingfromtheheart.com.

Domestic Violence Support Group There is Hope is a support group for women survivors who have dealt with, or are currently dealing with, domestic violence. This is a private group where women survivors come together and share their personal stories of experience, strength and hope. This group meets on the first Thursday of every month from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at a private location. A ZOOM option is available. There will be guidance for help and resources available as needed. At times there will also be guest speakers.

Contact hopefulone807@gmail.com for more information and to obtain the privacy contract with the physical address or ZOOM meeting ID and passcode.

Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Groups Has your life been impacted by the loss of a friend or loved one to suicide? You are not alone. These groups offer peer support for anyone who has been affected by suicide loss. There is no cost to attend. Group meetings in Carrollton are the third Tuesday of each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at 306A Bradley Street. For more information, contact Ivey Rollins at iveyrollins@gmail.com or call 470.729.0909. Group meetings in Douglasville are the second Tuesday of each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church at 6167 Priestley Mill Rd., Room 226. For more information, contact Terri Johnson at chose2live@aol.com or 770.765.2181. Group meetings in Newnan are the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at Crossroads Church, 2564 Hwy 154. For more information, contact Lynn Bradley at 770.301.4890 or email nbll.bradley170@gmail.com, or contact Nancy Bradley at 770.251.6216.

PFLAG Carrollton Support Group PFLAG Carrollton provides a free monthly peer facilitated support group for adult members (ages 18+) of the LGBTQ+ community, as well as their family, friends and allies, as a resource for families struggling with acceptance of their LGBTQ+ loved ones. The goal is to meet people where they are and lead with love. PFLAG’s mission of support, education and advocacy from a place of love can help struggling families, as well as the community at large. Support group meetings (for adults 18+) are led by a PFLAG trained facilitator and held on the second Thursday of each month from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at Grace Lutheran Church, 101 Somerset Place in Carrollton. Confidentiality and safety are top priorities. Contact Julia Houser, pflagcarrollton@gmail.com for more information.

Stuckey Speaks at Carroll EMC’s Agribusiness Seminar

Carroll Electric Membership Cooperative (EMC) hosted its second and closing agribusiness seminar for the year on Monday, October 30, with Stephanie Stuckey, former CEO and current Chair of Stuckey’s Corporation, as keynote speaker. The agribusiness seminar, marked by the opportunity it offers local farmers, business leaders and elected officials to connect with one another,

is held each spring and fall with the motivating goal to promote agriculture education among the cooperative’s membership. Centering on the business side of agriculture, Stephanie gave a heartwarming presentation of her efforts to revive her grandfather’s brand, which could only start with bringing the production of its sweet treats, including the famous pecan log roll, back to Georgia. An old household name dating back to 1937, Stuckey’s had humble beginnings as a roadside pecan stand in Eastman, Ga., but quickly rose to prominence as the place to stop on a road trip through the early 70s, in part because of the interstate highway system but mostly because of the leadership of W.S. Stuckey, Sr. However, when he passed away, the company steadily declined until Stephanie came into leadership. “When I bought Stuckey’s in 2019, it was six figures in the red,” said Stephanie. “The candy plant and distribution center my grandfather had were both long gone, and all the candy was being outsourced. “My very first day of buying the company, I got us in the Georgia Grown program,” she continued. “I got a government loan to buy a manufacturing facility in Georgia and started buying 100% from Georgia farmers. I said we’re going to sell products again that we’re making ourselves. We’re going to quit outsourcing, and we’re going to provide jobs and build a community.” Four years later, Stephanie has completely turned the company around. With more than a thousand retailers selling Stuckey's products along with owning and operating a distribution center and a pecan-processing and candy-making plant, her grandfather’s legacy lives on because she adopted his adaptability and concern for community. And much like Stuckey’s, Carroll EMC operates under those same values. “My grandfather wasn’t just building a company, he was building community,” said Stephanie. “And that’s what Carroll EMC does, right? You’re not just in business to provide power. I see every day what EMCs do in rural Georgia because that is where our company is based. We see that you’re a part of the community you’re building.”

Carroll EMC Honored for Workplace Safety After rounding out two consecutive years without an employee missing work due to an injury on-

linemen, wanting to carefully follow the safety precautions that are in place.” Carroll EMC was presented the No Lost Time Award by Georgia EMC during its annual meeting held Nov. 6 in Savannah.

Carroll EMC is a Member-owned cooperative providing electricity to approximately 54,000 homes and businesses. The co-op serves Members in Carroll, Haralson, Heard, Paulding, Polk, Floyd and Troup counties. This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. For more information visit the cooperative’s website at carrollemc. com or follow Carroll EMC on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn. Carroll EMC: Community Built. Community Builder. Wendy Sellers, President of Washington EMC and chairwoman of the Georgia EMC Services Committee, and John Durden, Georgia EMC Training and Safety Instructor, presented the No Lost Time Award to Carroll EMC’s President and CEO, Tim Martin.

the-job, an impressive accomplishment given the complexity and inherent dangers of the electric industry, Carroll Electric Membership Cooperative (EMC) was recognized with a No Lost Time Award by its statewide association, Georgia EMC. “Our business inevitably involves risks from energized wires, working high off the ground and moving heavy items like poles – not to mention being out in storms to restore power,” said Carroll EMC’s Safety and Training Director Matt Young. “We strive every day to minimize these dangers by investing time and attention to safety measures and careful work practices.” Today, electric utility employees, including those with Carroll EMC, work in a much safer environment due to advances in equipment and safety techniques, along with stricter safety regulations and oversight. This leads to a significant reduction in accidents and time away from work for many employees. Still, the nature of the electric business makes it a challenge to avoid an injury no matter how many safety practices are in place. Nationally, electrical linemen suffered 18.6 fatalities for every 100,000 hours worked in 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, compared to just 3.4 fatalities per 100,000 hours for the average American worker making it especially noteworthy when EMCs earn this award. “We all want to return home to our families at the end of each day,” added Young. “I think that makes all the difference in our employees, especially

Youth Girls Soccer Team Brings Home Championship Win

The Georgia Storm G13 girls’ team brought home a championship win after four games in the Panama City Beach Classic super-regional tournament against other Georgia, Alabama and Florida teams.

The Georgia Storm G13 girls’ team (U10) traveled to Panama City, Fla., the first week of November and competed in the Panama City Beach Classic superregional tournament against other Georgia, Alabama and Florida teams. The girls went undefeated Saturday, November 4, and Sunday, November 5, bringing home a championship win after four games. Starting the tournament with a blowout win, Georgia Storm upped their first opponents 8-1 with another winning match of 2-1 to follow which was a sure boost of confidence going into the semi-finals. The semi-final and final games were against equally matched teams, but the Georgia Storm

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girls have been trained to attack and counterattack which disrupted the opponents’ rhythm and ability to create scoring opportunities. Coupled with a fast and skilled set of defenders, the rival team could not find themselves in a scoring position, leading to a 4-0 win. Closing out the tournament, Georgia Storm played against Bayside Rush from Gulf Breeze, Fla. The Georgia Storm pressed the Bayside Rush defense multiple times but could not score until a breakaway led to the offsetting goal, giving them a 2-1 lead. With the Bayside Rush girls pressing to tie the game and little time left, Georgia Storm would score another goal on a beautiful one-two crosser from the right wing that was volleyed into the net. Georgia Storm would cap it off with one more breakaway goal, securing its 4-1 victory for the championship. Georgia Storm is a regional soccer club partnering with Carrollton, Douglasville, Paulding and Villa Rica recreation departments to form competitive youth soccer leagues. Whether a player is looking for traditional recreational, developmental academy, or premiere level opportunities, Georgia Storm is the most comprehensive club system for western Georgia and eastern Alabama, including a professional men’s team. Visit www.georgiastorm.com to learn more, or follow Georgia Storm on social media.

Puppetry Theatre Presents Fresh Take On ‘A Christmas Carol’

The Carrollton Puppetry Theatre invites audiences to experience Charles Dickens’ timeless classic, A Christmas Carol, in a whole new way at the Carrollton Center for the Arts, December 7 – 9. “This year, we developed a series that showcases our puppet program and some of the premiere puppet programs on the east coast,” said Arts Center Manager Tim Chapman. “We wanted to

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create an original holiday show, and A Christmas Carol was the perfect project. This show features puppets, staging and a script created here in Carrollton. Come see how the puppet theatre brings this holiday classic to life.” The Center for the Arts received a grant from the Georgia Council for the Arts to develop this show. The classic story of three spirits who arrive on a single haunted night to teach miserly Ebenezer Scrooge the meaning of Christmas has delighted audiences since it was published in 1843. “I have always enjoyed A Christmas Carol, imagining that it would be a great vehicle for puppetry,” said the show’s director, Scott Foxx. “Puppets, like spirits, are magical and can embody all sorts of characters in infinite styles of design, so I was excited about the chance to make my own vision of the Dickens classic a reality. I hope that it gives the audience the right blend of chills and Christmas spirit.” Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for youth (12 and under) and can be purchased by phone at (770)8381083, online at carrolltonarts.com or at the center’s box office at 251 Alabama Street. For questions concerning the Carrollton Center for the Arts, please call (770) 838-1083.

loved one is an avid gardener, try a photo garden flag. Other ideas include pillows, blankets and socks.

Local

By Shala Hainer

ost of us are drowning in stuff. Our garages are full. Our attics are full. Our houses are full. And every holiday, they get even fuller, sometimes with items we don’t know what to do with, but don’t really want to toss out or donate. An easy way around this is to ask. If people tell you what they want, you know your gift is exactly what they are looking for, and it will get plenty of use and enjoyment. If you ask your loved one what they want for Christmas and they refuse to give you an answer, though, now the pressure is on to find just the right present. You want them to feel surprised and cared about, but with a gift that they won’t just keep because they feel obligated to – they’ll keep it because they love it. Creative gift giving takes some time and thought, but you’re sure to find something original for everyone on your list.

Photo Gifts While most people have received gifts such as photo books and coffee mugs with photos on them, there’s a slew of other options that can make this present much more unique, allowing you to tailor the gift to the person’s likes and hobbies. How about some playing cards with photos of your girl gang for your friend who loves game night, for example? Many families enjoy doing puzzles together over holiday breaks, so a puzzle made from a family photo or a photo of a beloved pet might be just the thing to make their holiday brighter. If your

If your friends and family live locally, giving items that originate locally helps build their sense of community. If they live far away, it can evoke an immediate feeling of nostalgia for home, or help them appreciate the wonderful things you choose to surround yourself with in your hometown. Either way, locally created gifts are thoughtful and unique. Some can even help with your health – honey made from local bees is said to help you fight seasonal allergies, for instance. For locally made products, small business retailers should be your first stop. They tend to carry items made by local designers or food from local growers, and they have interesting items you just can’t find in big box stores. Some of these items include food, such as jams, jellies and hot sauce; decorations like peach, cotton or magnolia décor; handmade candles or soaps; jewelry such as matching necklaces, earrings and bracelets; or knitted items like blankets and scarves.

Retro What’s old always becomes new again, so whether you're gifting to someone middle age or older, or a teen who thinks vintage is cool, retro gifts work for nearly anyone. Many items are hard to find, at least in good condition, so these gifts are ones most people never think to ask for. Is your best friend a huge Peanuts fan? Start searching now for a genuine 1970s metal lunchbox with the Peanuts crew on the front. Vinyl records thrill friends and loved ones of all ages – even if they don’t have a record player, framed records of favorite artists make fun artwork that doubles as conversation pieces.

Some retro items make a comeback, allowing you to buy new. For example, grab one of the new Polaroid cameras. They are smaller than the originals, but they produce adorable photos. For an added bit of thoughtfulness, decorate the package with an old Polaroid of you and the person you’re giving the camera to, if you have one available. Other options include old-timey box radios (especially ones that have been restored – many still work!), typewriters, 1950s wall phones or toys such as viewfinders and video game sets such as Atari or the original Nintendo.

Themes When you give themed presents, you can come up with themes for every name on your list and make each one personal. Themed baskets lets every recipient feel like they’ve received several gifts, even though they all may be small. For the movie lover, toss in a couple of Fandango gift cards along with popcorn, candy, 3-D glasses and a schedule of when movies you recommend for them are streaming over the next few months. If your friend loves to cook, consider a basket of kitchen gadgets or an indoor herb garden, complete with seeds, soil, containers and a couple of handwritten recipes using the herbs. An inexpensive, but incredibly thoughtful, gift is a jar of inspiration. Buy a large jar or glass container and fill it with words of encouragement written on folded slips of paper. The theme can be slightly different for each person. It could be a “Why I Love You” jar, where every piece of paper gives one reason you love that person. Maybe you prefer to make a jar of motivational quotes, or one with uplifting scriptures. Tell her when she’s emptied the jar, start refilling it again with items she finds motivational, such as daily gratitudes or thank-you notes from friends, family and coworkers.

Saving Memories While most people keep memories in the form of photos and videos, they don’t always think about the best way to preserve them indefinitely. Hard copies, while convenient, are destructible, and when they are gone, they are gone forever. Photos and videos fade quickly when exposed to heat, cold and moisture, which happens frequently where these items are commonly stored – the back of closets, basements, attics and garages. Help your friends and loved ones save their memories by buying them a digitizing package. Several companies will scan your photos and turn your VHS videos into digital versions for you that they send back to you on a thumb drive or CD. Some offer cloud storage as well for perpetual storage so no one has to worry about losing a thumb drive, or you can purchase Google or Apple storage in addition to the digitization.

Local Tourism When is the last time you spent your day acting like a tourist in your own town? Too often, we become complacent where we live and don’t look around to consider what’s new and wonderful in our local area – or what’s been there forever, but we never took the time to explore it. Find some interesting tourist attractions in your area and buy tickets to the attractions for your friends and loved ones. These could be in the West Georgia area, like the Iron P. Homestead Zoo or a show at the Carrollton Center for the Arts, or attractions in nearby cities, like Atlanta or Birmingham. This encourages your friends and family members to try something new right in their backyard, and they’ll have you to thank for the fun experience. WGW

770.462.5005 43

Kids Korner Paint Stirrer Snowman

Materials Orange pompom Black marker White paint (not pictured) and paint brush Red or white yarn Glue Paint stirrer stick

By Jordan Dailey Craft photos by Zachary Dailey

Instructions Paint the stirrer white. Draw eyes and a mouth above the notched part of the stick. Draw buttons below the notch. Glue the orange pompom between the eyes and the mouth for the nose. Tie the red or white yarn around the neck for the scarf.

Sew Sweet Gingerbread Woman Materials Craft cloth Candy canes Embroidery thread Paper Needle

Instructions Draw a pattern for your gingerbread character on the paper and cut out. Using the pattern, trace over the cloth and cut out two of the same shape from the cloth. Thread a needle with the desired thread and sew the mouth and eyes on one side.

Sew the two pieces together to form a complete girgerbread person, leaving holes in the midsection and at the bottom. Loop two candy canes through the gingerbread person as shown in photo to create the arms and legs. WGW

Because a HOME is much more than a house.

Shala Hainer, Realtor Cell: 770.842.8500 Office: 770.240.2004 shalahainer@gmail.com 45

Merry Christmas Word Search Word Bank Christmas Silver Gifts Bethlehem Snow Santa Ornament Chestnut Cocoa Toys Angel Garland Holly Sleigh North Pole Gold

Word search created at puzzle-maker.com

M. Dawn Harvey is now DMD, PC

New Look. New Name. Same Great Patient Care. www.HarveyDentalGroup.com 105 Dallas Rd., Villa Rica • 770.459.5778 47

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