West Georgia Woman Magazine January 2022 by West Georgia Woman Magazine/Angel Media, LLC

January 2022

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Yanique Hall

A Love of History with Strings Attached

Can We Talk? Carrollton High School Junior Wrestler Amariah Marenco Rises to the Top 15 in the Nation

Learn How to Communicate With the Ones You Love 1

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UWG Alumna Yanique Hall Turns Her Childhood Fascination Into a Puppetry Career Page 10 Photo by Zachary Dailey

What’s inside...

10 A Love of History with Strings Attached

20 Kicking the Habit for Good

23 Save Your Skin

30 Girl Power 42 Talking it Out

In Every Issue:

26 29

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Local Happenings Kids Korner

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Great Things Ahead! Well, we made it through another year and with two more COVID variants to boot. Although 2021 didn't seem half as bad as 2020, we still haven't quite reached the level of normalcy (whatever that means anymore) that I'd like to see. As I began thinking this month about my goals and resolutions for 2022, I came to the realization that I should be more like our new German shepherd puppy, Sadie. She lives in the moment, focusing all her energy on the great things she has, like those awesome squeaky toys that Mom and Dad are obsessed with buying her, good belly rubs, play-fighting with our older dog, Scotch, yummy dog treats and her delicious puppy food. What a life! Although we humans have a few more responsibilities, problems and anxieties than our canine friends do, I've definitely learned some valuable lessons from Sadie. This year, I'm going to resolve to make every single day count, share more love and time with the people I care about and try not to worry too much about things that may or may not happen. We cannot control what happens in the world around us, we can only control how we respond. And my response when I wake up each morning is going to be, "I'm thankful I have another day, so I'm going to make it the best day possible!"

In This Issue Our feature this month is Yanique Hall. When she Photo by Zachary Dailey was only 12 years old, she knew she wanted to be a historian after watching the Walt Disney movie, National Treasure. The University of West Georgia alumna has since built a career as a historian and collections manager at the Atlanta Center for Puppetry Arts. Learn more about Yanique and how she's helping keep history alive for generations to come on page 10. I have to give a big shout-out to my son, Zachary. Our cover photo this month is amazing! He is truly such a talented photographer. Are you ready to quit smoking? There's no better time to start than in the New Year. On page 20, Sandra Bolan shares some tried-and-true tips to help you kick the habit once and for all. Carrollton High School junior Amariah Marenco has been wrestling competitively for four years. Both her brothers were wrestlers, so it was only natural that Amariah follow in their footsteps. Typically a nontraditional sport for girls, wrestling is on the rise. In fact, Amariah had to wrestle boys competitively before the GHSA made girls’ wrestling a sanctioned sport in the state of Georgia. This year, after an undefeated state champion season as a sophomore, this Lady Trojan powerhouse is ranked No. 15 in the nation in the 200-pound division. On page 30, Corey Cusick tells us more about this trailblazer for girls’ wrestling and her goals for the future. There's much more inside! Thank you for reading West Georgia Woman. Please continue to do business with our advertising partners included in our publication. Without them, we could not provide you with this beautiful magazine each month. I hope you and yours have a wonderful and blessed New Year. See you next year!

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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!

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

Volume 7 • Issue 3 January 2022

Publisher/Editor

Angela Dailey angela@westgeorgiawoman.com

Copy Editor Editorial Contributor

Shala Hainer shala@westgeorgiawoman.com

Photographer for cover Zachary Dailey

Editorial Contributors

Sandra Bolan, Corey Cusick, Jordan Dailey, Rose Isaacs and Amanda Thomas

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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 2022. West Georgia Woman magazine, its logo and “Finding our voice. Knowing our value. Making a difference.” are trademarks of Angel Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. 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.

By Amanda Thomas 10 by Zachary Dailey Photos

A Love of History

with Strings Attached UWG Alumna Turns Childhood Fascination Into Puppetry Career

he year is 2004. Walt Disney Pictures has just released National Treasure, the first in a series of films featuring the character Benjamin Franklin Gates, an amateur cryptographer and historian. The plot involves the discovery of a hidden map on the back of the U.S. Declaration of Independence and the search for the “national treasure” it leads to. While the movie stars Nicholas Cage, his co-star Diane Kruger is the one who caught the attention of a 12-year-old girl from Sylvester, Ga. Kruger played the character of Dr. Abigail Chase, an archivist at the National Archives who helps Benjamin find the mythical treasure. Seeing Diane in the film sparked something inside the girl that would fuel her passion for history. That little girl was Yanique Hall, a University of West Georgia alumna who is now 29 years old. She remembers how she felt after seeing the archivist in National Treasure. “When I saw all the things she did and all the knowledge she had, I was like, ‘Wow, I want to do that when I grow up,'” she recalls. Yanique has since built a career as a historian and collections manager at the Atlanta Center for Puppetry Arts.

Small Town Girl with Big Dreams Yanique grew up in Sylvester with her mom, dad and two brothers – one, seven years younger and the other, two years older. Yanique and her brothers enjoyed a typical childhood – riding bikes together and jumping on their trampoline. It was in middle school when Yanique realized her passion for history. “As a child, I was interested in history,” she says. “I really got interested in history in middle school during a U.S. history class. How the teacher taught the course and just learning about history itself was the trigger that pulled me in.” Her parents were supportive and encouraged her to pursue it – despite other family members and friends insisting she become a doctor or lawyer instead. “My mom said, ‘Do what makes you happy,’” she recalls. “She didn’t want me to get into something I didn’t like.” Still in high school, Yanique met someone just as passionate about history as she was. His name was Braxton, the man who would become her future husband.

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An Education In History

History Center. After graduating, she saw a job post for collections manager at the Center for Puppetry Arts. After graduating from Worth County High School “I have these skills,” she remembers thinking to in 2010, Yanique attended Georgia Southwestern herself. “I can do these things. Let’s see what this is State University in Americus for one year. about.” She then transferred to Clayton State University Much to her surprise, she got the job. One month in Morrow, where she and Braxton recieved their after graduating from UWG, she started working at bachelor’s degrees in history in 2014. the center. “It’s funny because when you’re in the After one of her professors advised her to go museum field, you always hear it’s going to be super to the University of West Georgia (UWG) to study public history, she headed to Carrollton and enrolled hard to find a job,” she says. “I really lucked out.” Fastforward a few years, and Braxton is a high that fall. school history teacher passionate about European “When I first started the West Georgia program, I history, while was interested Yanique is a in the archival collections aspect, so manager who collection prefers the management folklore and wasn’t even on preservation my radar at all,” aspects. she recalls. “But “We’re two we had a course history people at the Atlanta that just went History Center different routes for collections in a way but still management.” have a love for She history,” she remembers says. thinking Although collections they have management their passion sounded Yanique, collections manager for the Center for Puppetry Arts, documents the for history condition of the Thai shadow puppet, Suvannamaccha (pronounced, Sovann Maccha). pretty cool, Suvannamaccha is a daughter of Tosakanth appearing in the Thai and other Southeast in common, so she got an Asian versions of Ramayana, a popular epic, or series of events, that is told and retold Yanique admits internship at the orally, through plays, movies and literature. Suvannamaccha is a mermaid princess who center to work tries to spoil Hanuman's plans to build a bridge to Lanka but falls in love with him instead. that Braxton closely with The figure of Suvannamaccha is popular in Thai folklore and is represented on small cloth didn’t really the collections streamers or framed pictures that are hung as luck-bringing charms in shops and houses know what she did as a manager there. throughout Thailand. During her internship, she learned about what it took collections manager on a day-to-day basis. “When the pandemic happened, he and I were to be a collections manager and how much of the doing a lot of work from home,” she says. “He saw work involved preserving objects instead of paper me doing some work, and he was like, ‘So, what do materials like the Declaration of Independence. you do exactly?’” She also recalls handling the center’s rifle After giving him an inside look, he realized just collection. how hard his wife works to preserve the center’s “Being able to handle that history was very puppet collection. powerful for me, so I was like, ‘OK, I like archives and all, but I want to go this route,’” she says. “Never in a million years had I pictured that taking The World of Puppetry me to the Center for Puppetry Arts.” Learning how to preserve puppets was definitely a In 2018, she received her master’s in public history. She also earned a museum studies certificate learning curve for Yanique. While she had experience doing collections through a partnership with UWG and the Atlanta

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“It’s not as simple as I thought it was going to be. With a puppet, the body may be wood, but what’s inside of it? How do I take care of that part?”

management as part of a graduate assistantship at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park in Atlanta – a partnership with UWG and the National Park Service, her new role at the Center was a completely different ballgame. The difference is in the material she was working with at the Center. Instead of handling an object that was simply made of wood, the puppets were made of a variety of materials. She consulted with puppet builders and other people who worked with puppets to figure out what they were As collections manager, Yanique is responsible for taking care of more than 3,500 items at the Center. She also manages the Nancy Staub Research Library that contains archival materials made of. and books that document the history and art of puppetry. Her job also includes environmental “It looks like wood, but monitoring, conditional reporting, rehousing and securing loans, which involves going to different this other person is telling me institutions or organizations to see if they’ll loan the Center items to use in their exhibits. it’s plastic,” she says. “It’s not as simple as I thought it was It was her first major project with the center. going to be. With a puppet, the body may be wood, “The Center has a great relationship with the but what’s inside of it? How do I take care of that Jim Henson Company and the Henson family,” part?” she explains. “The Center also has a permanent As collections manager, she takes care of more exhibition that includes the Jim Henson Gallery. It than 3,500 items at the Center. She also manages goes through his life and works chronologically.” the Nancy Staub Research Library that contains The Dark Crystal exhibit started in 2018 and archival materials and books that document the was supposed to be on display for a year, but the history and art of puppetry. COVID-19 pandemic happened. Her job also includes It ran until 2020 after having to environmental monitoring, shut down for some time. conditional reporting, rehousing Yanique enjoyed working in and securing loans, which Thra, the fantasy world Henson involves going to different created – a world completely institutions or organizations to different from Sesame Street see if they’ll loan the Center and the Muppet Show. items to use in their exhibits. Instead of Oscar the Grouch yelling from his trash can or Kermit singing The Rainbow A Time to Shine: Jim Connection in the swamp, you Henson’s The Dark had woodland creatures on a quest to restore balance in the Crystal Exhibit universe. The exhibit gave visitors a Soon after Yanique started behind-the-scenes look at the working for the Center of characters and their world. Puppetry Arts, the staff were Yanique’s responsibility was to getting ready to open the Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal: World of Myth make sure all the items stayed exhibit, Jim Henson’s The Dark & Magic was Yanique's first major project with in prime condition. Crystal: World of Myth & Magic. the Center.

A second Jim Henson exhibit opened in June and closed in October. That exhibit featured puppets from the 2019 Netflix series, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. While some people may be scared of them, Yanique isn’t afraid of puppets. But she is afraid of ventriloquist dummies. Her fear stems Wayland Flowers created the raunchy from watching and outrageous ventriloquist dummy, Slappy the "Madame," who appeared on 1980s Dummy, the television shows such as Laugh-In and Hollywood Squares. main antagonist of the Goosebumps franchise, come to life. “I steer clear of all the ventriloquist dummies we have in the collection,” she laughs.

Childhood Memories and the Next Generation While visiting the ventriloquist dummy exhibit isn’t on her bucket list, there is one puppet that is near and dear to her heart. “We have the Elmo puppet from Sesame Street,” she says. “He was a major part of my childhood.”

The “Tickle me Elmo” craze was in 1996, but she still has fond memories of the character 25 years later. “When I saw him, I was just like, ‘Oh, my goodness. How do I stop myself from getting him, putting him in my car, and just leaving,’” she jokes. “If he goes missing, and I go missing, just put two and two together.” Elmo holds a special place in her heart, and now that love has passed on to the next generation. Yanique and her husband welcomed a baby girl into the world in January 2021. “Her name is Gaia, and she has taken over our lives,” she says. “She’s just everything to us.” Gaia was introduced to Elmo through the book Elmo Says. “She just loves the character of Elmo,” Yanique says. “It’s fun to see her grow. We did take her to the Center just to let her see the puppets, and she’s a character on her own. It was just a lot of, ‘What is this?’ from her. It was pretty fun.” One burning question is whether Gaia will develop a love for history like her parents. “We don’t know if that’s going to rub off on the baby,” Yanique says.

Why History – and Representation – Matters

George Santayana said, “Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it." Yanique admits it may sound cliche, but it’s true. “It’s important to know what’s happened in the past, learn from it, and do better,” she says. She also notes the importance of capturing different moments and preserving The Elmo puppet (far left) from Sesame Street is near and dear to her heart, as he was a major them. part of Yanique's childhood.

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diversity. “People remember Big Bird from their “There are different museums that have stories childhood,” she says. “But in my profession, I get to tell involving African Americans and African to be that person with gloved hands that preserves American history,” she him for future generations. says. “But you don’t When you say ‘history,’ have the representation people think about events of the African American like wars. They don’t think professional in the about material objects, museum field to tell that but that’s a part of history, story or ensure that the too.” story is told correctly.” And when preserving She hasn’t had an history, representation opportunity to bring an matters. U.S. museums are exhibit featuring black facing pressure to address puppetry to the center, the lack of diversity in but she and the staff are their workforces and working on it. “We’re audiences. A 2018 study gearing up and trying found that only 28 percent to get the spotlight on of employees at U.S. art contemporary African museums are black. American artists,” she says. Yanique is one of the few black people in the The three puppets above from the production Porgy & Bess are the only ones that survived a fire at the New England museum field. While she A Dream Exhibit Marionette Opera (NEMO). NEMO was the United States' hasn’t seen a lot of black only opera company performed entirely with marionettes. people in the industry, she NEMO modeled all of their marionettes after famous African Yanique would also stresses the importance of Americans such as Sammy Davis Jr. (far right). love to see an exhibit at

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the center “I would on film and love to television. She have an explains that exhibition to many people showcase, know about give people the puppets a behindon Sesame the-scenes Street and The look and Muppet Show, get them but few people thinking of know about puppetry other shows differently,” featuring she says. puppets “It’s not like Cousin just for Skeeter, an kids. It’s for American everybody.” children’s sitcom, which Words aired on of Nickelodeon from 1998 to Advice 2001. Yanique plays with the interactive shadow puppet exhibit at the Center for Puppetry Arts. Movies like Yanique Inset: Almost anything can be made into a puppet. One of Yanique's favorite "found object" The Terminator puppets is Trixie la Brique. Trixie was created by David Powell of the Puppetmongers Theatre has some and Jurassic advice for in 1981. Trixie performed as a trapeze artist in The Brick Brothers' Circus. Park also used anyone puppetry along with computer-generated imagery interested in getting into the history and museum (CGI). field. She admits that getting into the museum world can be difficult since everyone is competing for a small number of available positions. “I just want to say, don’t give up on your dream,” she says. “Go out and do internships or do a parttime gig at a museum to get your foot in the door.” And to the people who have a history degree and think they can only be a teacher, she has this to say: “That’s not true, because I am a teacher of history, just in a different way. I’m teaching people about history through objects and exhibitions.” WGW

The Center for Puppetry Arts offers the public much more than puppet shows. It's Worlds of Puppetry museum features the Jim Henson Gallery – the largest collection of Jim Henson puppets in the world, and the Global Gallery – one of the largest global puppet collections in the U.S. that showcases puppets made from all types of materials from all over the world. Some of the Center's puppets date back to the 18th century. Museum only tickets are $15. All inclusive options include a puppet show, museum entry and the Create-A-Puppet Workshop. Check with the Center for pricing.

To purchase museum or puppet show tickets at The Center for Puppetry Arts, call 404.873.3089 or email info@puppet.org Follow the center: Facebook @CenterforPuppetryArts Instagram @ctr_puppetry_arts Twitter @CtrPuppetryArts Visit the website at www.puppetry.org 19

Kicking the Habit for Good

Tips to help you quit smoking in the New Year

By Sandra Bolan

mokers, on average, die 10 years earlier than non-smokers, according to the CDC. Another consequence of smoking is that it damages every organ in your body. Smokers are also at an increased risk for all sorts of ailments. Almost 500,000 Americans die annually from smoking, according to the Centres for Disease Control. The good news is that 68 percent of smokers say they want to quit and more than half of them have actually tried. Sadly, less than 1 in 10 have been successful, reports the CDC.

Just because others have failed, doesn’t mean you can’t be successful and kick the habit. The most important thing you can do before you smoke your last cigarette is figure out why you want to quit. Is it to protect your family from secondhand smoke? Do you want to lower your chance of contracting lung cancer or heart disease? How about looking and feeling younger, or do you want to save money? Other questions you may ask yourself include what you dislike about smoking, what you're missing out on when you go take a smoke and how your

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life will be better once you quit. Knowing your "why" will go a long way in keeping you on track when you want to have just one more puff.

Prepare to Quit If your plan is to go cold turkey, you may want to rethink that. Smoking is an addiction, and without any help, whether it be from smoking cessation aids, counseling or medications, it’s going to be that much tougher. Below are some other ways to help you quit. •

•

The Short- and Long-term Benefits of Quitting Smoking The minute you quit smoking, your body feels the benefits. After 20 minutes, your heart rate goes back to normal. Within one day, your body’s blood carbon monoxide levels fall back to their normal range.

milestones – 1 month, 60 days, 90 days or more – reward yourself. There are online calculators to help you quantify how much you actually spend on smoking. Take the money you didn’t spend on cigarettes and buy yourself something special.

Cessation Aids

Gone are the days when all you had to help you quit was your willpower. Today, there are a multitude of smoking cessation aids, Over the long-term, you reduce your risk some of which you can use of getting lung cancer or suffering from together. heart disease. Medications. Set a date. Prior to Medications help people that day, get all of manage withdrawal your stop smoking aids and tell your friends symptoms and can assist in maintaining motivation. your plan so they can provide support. Prescription medications can block nicotine Clean the house. Get rid of everything receptors within the brain, which reduces cravings associated with smoking, such as lighters and withdrawal effects. and ashtrays. You’ll also want to steam clean Chantix, for example, triggers the release of the carpets, launder the drapes and sanitize dopamine, which is the body’s feel-good chemical. Nicotine does the same thing, but the effects don’t upholstered furniture. Wash all of your clothes. You likely can’t last all that long, which is why people reach for another cigarette shortly after finishing one. tell, but your clothes, and the clothes of the people you live with, probably smell like Another medication available from your doctor is Zyban. This is an antidepressant that may help smoke. Be prepared for withdrawals. You may get reduce irritability. It also lessens the dopamine headaches, have mood swings or suffer from shortfall in the body associated with nicotine depression. You might even lack energy withdrawal. and have problems concentrating. This is all Nicotine Replacement Therapy. Nicotine replacement therapy includes over the counter normal. gums, lozenges and patches. Find new ways to unwind. Take up a new The patch slowly releases nicotine into the skin. hobby or join the gym. For a lot of people, smoking helps them relax. In the first couple Over a number of weeks, the hope is you’ll be able of weeks, do whatever you can to avoid to switch to lower dose patches and eventually no stressful situations. patch. Change your habits. Many people smoke Lozenges and gum work fast and are good for when they drink, either alcohol or coffee, or reducing intense cravings. Talk with your primary after eating. In the early days, you may want care physician to see which cessation aids are right to avoid alcohol, as it lowers our inhibitions. for you. You might also want to switch from coffee Quitting won’t be easy. Create a plan and stick to tea or water. If you typically smoke after to it. You may fail. That’s OK. Try again – as many eating, do something else, like work out or times as you need to. One day you will be able to walk the dog. call yourself a former smoker and leave the doctor’s Reward yourself. As you hit smoke-free office with a clean bill of health. WGW

In two to three weeks, your chances of having a heart attack start to decrease.

Save Your Skin By Sandra Bolan

The cold weather survival kit you can't do without.

old weather can wreak havoc on your skin. With hot air inside and cold air outside, itchy and dry skin is inevitable. The dry, winter air can especially be bad for people who suffer from psoriasis or eczema. There is probably a pile of half empty lotions buried at the back of your bathroom vanity from last winter’s attempt to calm and brighten your dull, grey flaky skin. Check the ingredients and expiration dates. If they're expired, throw them out. If they contain any of the following, they’re doing more harm than good during the winter months: sodium laurylsulfate, salicylic acid, alpha-hydroxy acid and glycolic acid – these exfoliate and dry out your skin. Use these products sparingly, at a lower concentration. Other treatments your skin needs a break from over the winter include retinoids, Vitamin C serums and exfoliating acids. There are products you can keep in your winter arsenal to help your skin look and feel its best, even in the harshest conditions. Replace your cleanser with a cream-based one. It will still take the day’s make-up and dirt off, but it won’t strip your skin. You want to be sure your cleanser adds moisture to your skin instead of stripping the moisture out. Look for products that say "moisturizing" and "gentle" on the labels. Apply toners and astringents sparingly because they contain alcohol, which dries your skin out. Moisturize and continue using sunscreen. It’s not 100 degrees outside, but the sun can still cause

serious damage. You should be wearing sunscreen with at least an SPF of 30 year-round on body parts that aren't covered by your clothing, such as your hands, face, ears and neck. Use sunsreen products

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that are creams instead of sprays or lotions. You should apply moisturizer, then apply sunscreen on top of that. Apply lip balm with SPF regularly. Your body wash and moisturizer need to be switched seasonally. Use a gentle, fragrance-free soap. Note, unscented and fragrance-free are not the same thing. The wrong soap will worsen dry, itchy skin. Moisturize as soon as you step out of the shower with a water-based body butter. This will lock in your body’s moisture. Don’t forget your feet. They need moisturizer too. Use products that contain hyaluronic acid, which absorbs 1,000 times its weight in water. Other products that work to alleviate dry skin include mineral oil, shea butter, petrolatum, glycerin and lanolin. Keep showers short – no more than 10 minutes, which shouldn’t be difficult since it’s recommended the water be lukewarm, not scalding hot. Same goes for hand-washing – wash in lukewarm water and moisturize immediately.

Clothes A lot of sweaters look comfy and cozy, but some fabrics actually irritate the skin such as wool, acrylic,

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rayon and nylon. Wear layers with the softest, most breathable fabrics directly against your skin. Change out sweaty/wet clothes immediately after working out – don’t drive home in them. The sweaty fabric and winter temperatures may cause skin irritation. Protect your skin from the sun by wearing fashionable accessories such as gloves, sunglasses and hats.

Nutrition Even though we’re not sweating like we did in mid-July, continue to drink plenty of water each day. Dehydration can drain the skin of its moisture, cause it to produce more wrinkles and make you look much older than you did just a few months ago. We all want to warm up with a hot cup of coffee or cocoa. Try adding green tea to the rotation as it contains anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce skin irritations, redness and swelling. Alcohol dehydrates skin and can worsen some skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea and psoriasis. Other ways to soothe the skin from the inside out includes consuming foods and supplements with Omega 3 or 6, such as fish and flaxseed oil.

The Home Use a humidifier, because it adds moisture to the dry, indoor air. The thermostat likely also needs an adjustment downwards. The skin’s happy temperature is between 68 and 72 degrees. If nothing else soothes your itchy, dry skin, try a 1% hydrocortisone cream, that can be bought over the counter. If all else fails, go old school and use what your grandparents and great-grandparents used, before all those fancy creams hit the shelves – petroleum jelly or coconut oil. WGW

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Daily Fare With

e s o R f e h C

Photos by Zachary Dailey

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. After graduation, she began her career as a chef at the Carrollton Kroger Marketplace where she works in the bistro.

White Bean Stew on Toast

This spicy stew-like mix of beans is a quick and easy lunch or dinner for a cold winter day.

Ingredients 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 1 red onion, diced 3 garlic cloves, minced 2 tablespoons harissa paste or a tandoori marinade 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes 2 teaspoons smoked paprika or harissa seasoning blend 1 teaspoon ground coriander Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, as needed 28-ounce can white beans, drained 6 slices sourdough bread 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley 1/2 cup finely sliced scallions 6 eggs, cooked sunny side up

Preparation In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium-heat. Add the onion and sauté until translucent and tender, about 5 minutes.

Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute more. Stir in the harissa paste or tandoori marinade and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add the tomatoes, stir again and bring to a simmer. Add the harissa seasoning or paprika and coriander. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer until the mixture thickens slightly, 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in the white beans, and continue to simmer over low heat until the mixture is thick and stew-like. Keep warm while you prepare the toast. Heat a large skillet over medium-heat. Place the bread on a work surface and drizzle olive oil evenly over both sides. When the skillet is hot, add the bread to the pan and toast until lightly charred on both sides, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer each piece of toasted bread to a serving plate. Remove the bean mixture from the heat and stir in the parsley and scallions. To serve, spoon some of the bean mixture over each slice of toast. Top with sunny side up egg. Serves 6.

Healthier Banana Split

Try using a sugar substitute and sugar free ice cream to make this recipe work as a diabetic friendly dessert.

Ingredients

Preparation

2 bananas

Mix brown sugar with cinnamon and salt. Halve 4 bananas lengthwise. Brush banana halves with butter and sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar mixture. Wrap bananas in foil and broil until golden, about 3 minutes. Top with frozen yogurt, toasted almonds and raspberries. Serves 2. WGW

1 tablespoon brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon Pinch of salt

1 tablespoon butter, melted

1/4 cup frozen yogurt of choice

2 tablespoons toasted almond slices 1/4 28 cup fresh raspberries

Womentality

Inspiring quotes by extraordinary women “What a heavy net it is, indeed, carrying as it does all the births, deaths, tragedies, wars, love stories, inventions, transformations, and calamities that are destined for all of us this coming year.” – Elizabeth Gilbert By Erik Charlton from Menlo Park, USA - Eat, Pray, Love, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/ index.php?curid=8026339

“Midnight on New Year's Eve is a unique kind of magic where, just for a moment, the past and the future exist at once in the present. Whether we're aware of it or not, as we countdown together to it, we're sharing the burden of our history and committing to the promise of tomorrow.” – Hillary DePiano

“What a wonderf ul thought it is that some of the best days of our lives haven't even happened yet.” – Anne Frank

“Past and Present I know well; each is a friend and sometimes an enemy to me. But it is the quiet, beckoning Future, an absolute stranger, with whom I have fallen madly in love.” – Richelle E. Goodrich

“Each new year, we have before us a brand new book containing 365 blank pages. Let us fill them with all the forgotten things from last year – the words we forgot to say, the love we forgot to show, and the charity we forgot to offer.” – Peggy Toney Horton

GIRL POWER

Carrollton High junior juggernaut Amariah Marenco rising as one of the top female wrestlers in the nation By Corey Cusick

30Photos provided by Allen Newton. Edited by Zachary Dailey

s the sport of wrestling continues to grow for girls in the Peach State, one local talent has already emerged as a rising star on the mat. On the heels of an undefeated state champion season as a sophomore in 2020-21, Carrollton High School junior juggernaut Amariah Marenco is back on the grind in pursuit of securing consecutive GHSA crowns come February at the Macon Centreplex. But the Lady Trojan powerhouse has proven she’s not just one of the best in the business in Georgia – it’s across the entire country for this Black and Gold grappler. Amariah opened the 2021-22 season ranked No. 24 in the nation for her weight class by USA Wrestling and has since climbed to No. 15 in the 200-pound division, as of the latest release of the rankings. She has already set the bar high for future Carrollton girls’ grapplers as the program’s first state champion and nationally ranked wrestler. And Lady Trojan head coach Allen Newton believes this is just the tip of the iceberg for his star performer, who is still relatively young to the sport. “I want her to learn and figure out how good she can really be,” he says. “I don’t think it’s quite hit her yet when it comes to how good she can be. We’ve talked a little bit, and if she wants to compete at the next level, the opportunity is there. She’s going to have to train a little bit differently and do some things in the offseason. It’s not just working for a state title. We’re looking for some bigger things out of her, if that’s what she wants.” Amariah was excited to return to competition following her undefeated run last winter. The drive to the title made her even hungrier to achieve bigger and better things in the sport she’s grown to love through the years. Amariah is in her fourth year of wrestling

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competitively. “All three of my brothers used to wrestle," she explains. "I watched them wrestle and it really got me into it because I'm the only girl.” Having three older brothers – all accomplished athletes in their own right – certainly helped mold her into the spirited champion she is today, adding how they never took it easy on their little sister. “Oh, no,” she laughs. “They toughened me up a lot and helped me get through a lot of things.” Before the GHSA made girls’ wrestling a sanctioned sport in the state of Georgia, Amariah had to wrestle against the boys. Upon finding out about the new opportunity, she knew it would potentially open many doors for her and her peers. “I used to have to wrestle with the boys," she says. "So when they said that the girls were going to have their own team, I got so excited." Along with being a state champion on the mat, Amariah has also served as an ambassador for Lady Trojan wrestling in recruiting more girls to come out and compete. Newton noted how she’s exactly what you want in a leader – on and off the mat. “We had five or six girls wrestling last year, and this year we’ve got 22," he says. "She’s a huge part

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of that. She’s not the only one, obviously. We had a lot of help from those other five girls who are returning. But she welcomes the new girls and takes them aside to work on stuff. When we’re drilling, she goes hard. But she also realizes some of them are new and she helps them to get better and learn more. She doesn’t go in and beat everybody’s face in. She’s worried about all of her teammates and not just herself.” But there’s no denying who the Alpha female is in the room, day-in and day-out. When Amariah steps onto the mat, she simply shifts into a completely

different gear than her opponent, proving to be more than they can handle. “When she’s wrestling in a match, she's on a different level,” Newton says. “She’s got a switch. When she’s in a match, it’s tough to compete with her. She’s special. She doesn’t need any type of pumpup speech. When it’s time to wrestle, it’s time to wrestle, and she goes out and does her thing. It’s fun to watch.” Riding an already impressive resume, Amariah isn’t just resting on her laurels in anticipation of state title No. 2 being a guarantee this winter. Her humble disposition keeps

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her from becoming overconfident or cocky, but she definitely has a drive that fuels her desire to want and expect even more out of herself. She got a taste of what to expect should she take

her talents to the next level upon traveling to the Super 32 in North Carolina prior to the start of the school season. She placed sixth in her weight class, which proved to be an eye-opening experience for her first national showcase. “I had never wrestled girls where it was actually a challenge,” she relates. “I mean, I have. But these girls were really, really good.” With a forecast for additional national forays on the horizon, she is currently focused on the current task at hand, which is back-to-back state championships representing Carrollton High School. “I want to win state again, and I want to get ranked higher nationally than I am right now,” she says. As a trailblazer for girls’ wrestling in the state of Georgia, Amariah is making sure that the future is bright for the sport and that this is just the beginning for girls who have the drive and ambition that she carries to her craft everyday. “It’s huge for them," Newton says. "They come out here and work their butts off, just like the guys do. Now they’re getting that recognition. Now that we have the girls’ tournament, the sport is growing. Not just in Carrollton. It’s growing everywhere. It’s good for the sport, and it’s great for the girls that they get their own thing and get recognized. Amariah is definitely a special one in building the sport into something big for up-and-coming female wrestlers.” WGW

“I want to win state again, and I want to get ranked higher nationally than I am right now.”

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.

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.

Carroll EMC Shares State of Co-op at Power Breakfast

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. Effective Jan. 6, 2022, the group will meet the first Thursday of each 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.

President and CEO for Carroll EMC, Tim Martin, addressed a crowd of more than 70 stakeholders including electric co-op representatives, elected officials, local educators, chamber & economic development professionals, and business leaders.

Leaders of Carroll Electric Membership Cooperative (EMC) and its statewide association, Georgia EMC, presented industry insights at the annual Power Breakfast Tuesday, Dec. 7. Main items addressed included local and statewide broadband and solar initiatives as well as supply chain challenges. Even before the pandemic hastened the push for broadband, Carroll EMC and cooperatives across the state of Georgia have been working to resolve the digital divide and find means to provide highspeed internet services to nearly 4.4 million rural Members. As of today, 19 EMCs have entered the broadband business as affiliate providers or through partnership agreements like that between Carroll EMC and SyncGlobal Telecom. “EMCs are very eager to be a part of the solution,” said Vice President of Government Relations for Georgia EMC, Jason Bragg. “We’re really proud of the work that’s been done since our legislature and Governor gave us the opportunity.” When Senate Bill 2 passed in 2019, the local cooperative and telecommunications provider saw the possibility of serving the underserved and have since started construction for Phase I of fiber deployment that will reach nearly 10,000 Members in Carroll, Haralson and Heard counties. More recently, SyncGlobal Telecom announced its residential brand, Crossbeam Fiber, that will be the point of contact for Members interested in service. Not only will the fiber buildout benefit Carroll EMC’s

Members with a feasible internet option, but it will also allow for better electric service with smarter technology. “We talk to our smart devices using cellular right now, but we will be able to talk to these devices with fiber when the project is complete,” said President and CEO for Carroll EMC, Tim Martin. “We will be building out a private, secure communication network that will allow us to connect all of our devices and meters in the field.” Bragg and Martin also addressed the increased interest in solar energy. In Georgia, a portion of all Members’ power comes from solar facilities powered by Green Power EMC, the state’s first renewable-electric utility with 35 solar facilities. For 2022, Carroll EMC’s generation mix is projected to include 5% of renewables allowing Members to reap the benefits of clean energy without the long-term investment. “Our Members are looking at solar to power their homes and businesses,” said Bragg. “We want to help them find a way to do that and provide them with information to make the soundest decision. We’re not looking to talk them into it or out of it but provide them with the data they need to make the most educated decision as a consumer.” “We are certainly pro-solar,” said Martin. “Solar is something that is an important part of our portfolio, and it’s becoming more important with batteries being a key component. We’d like to eventually utilize solar and battery devices to keep Members lights on even when there is a disruption in the system.” Closing remarks confirmed the cooperative is in good health despite the supply chain issues faced by businesses and consumers alike. From increased costs of natural gas to limited availability of material items, Carroll EMC and sister cooperatives have contingency plans to make sure they can meet the needs of their Members. “We’re supporting each other and working together just like we would during a storm,” said Martin. “We’re doing everything we can to have the needed materials for maintenance, new builders and potential storms.” Carroll EMC is a Member-owned cooperative providing electricity to approximately 52,000 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.

WGTC Announces 2022 GOAL and RPA Winners West Georgia Technical College has named Iveta Kral, an engineering technology student from Sharpsburg, as its 2022 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership winner and Murphy Campus Clinical Laboratory Technology instructor Dr. Phyllis Ingham as its 2022 Rick Perkins Award winner. Winners were named November 30 at a banquet honoring finalists for both awards. GOAL is a statewide program of the Technical College System of Georgia, which honors excellence in academics and leadership among the state’s technical college students. The Rick Perkins Award is designed to recognize and honor technical college instructors who make significant contributions to technical education through innovation and leadership in their fields. Both Kral and Ingham will compete against winners from other Georgia technical colleges in a regional competition in February before participating in the state competition, held in Atlanta in April. “I am so proud of Iveta and Phyllis for their selection as West Georgia Technical College’s representatives in the GOAL and Rick Perkins Award competitions,” West Georgia Technical College President Dr. Julie Post said. “They represent the very best of the outstanding educators and amazing students at West Georgia Tech. On behalf of our students, staff and stakeholders, I offer best wishes for our two winners in the next phase of the competitions.” Kral was nominated by speech instructor Beverly Kirk. In her nomination, Kirk wrote, “Iveta excels in her own coursework and expresses empathy towards her classmates. Often she sought out her quieter more reserved classmates to draw them into the conversation and help them gain self-confidence.” GOAL coordinator and Dean of Students Melinda Hofius said, “Iveta is a perfect ambassador for technical education, and I know her story will inspire women just like her to enroll in STEM programs. I’m so excited she’ll be representing us at the Regional and State competitions this year!” The other three finalists for the WGTC GOAL award were Early Childhood Care & Education student Amber Cotton, Clinical Laboratory Technology student Joshua Mize and Early Childhood Care & Education student Tenee Terry. Ingham was nominated for the Rick Perkins Award by Nikki Gilbert, Dean of Health Sciences. In her

nomination, Gilbert wrote, “Dr. Ingham is wellrespected among her peers and in industry due to her dedicated involvement in field. She is a great ambassador for the college and for technical education!” Ingham was selected out of a field which included six other WGTC instructors – registered nursing instructor Tara Alsobrook, precision manufacturing instructor John Callaway, mathematics Instructor TaTanisha Jackson, computer information systems instructor Tara Shackleford, English instructor Kyle Taylor and nurse aide instructor Sara Worsley. First launched in 1971, GOAL focuses on student excellence in technical education by focusing on academic excellence and personal achievement. A panel of judges selects one student as the state GOAL winner, which is announced at the state competition in April. The 2021 state GOAL winner is West Georgia Tech’s own Elizabeth Rodriguez. She received a new Kia K5 courtesy of and Kia Georgia, Inc. and has been touring the state as an official ambassador of technical education. The Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction honors technical education’s most outstanding instructors. Formerly known as the Commissioner’s Award of Excellence, the Rick Perkins Award was renamed in memory and honor of Thomas “Rick” Perkins, an instructor of the former West Central Technical College, who received the Commissioner’s Award of Excellence prior to his untimely death.

WGTC Awarded American Welding Society Grant The American Welding Society Foundation has awarded West Georgia Technical College an AWS Foundation Welding Workforce Grant for $13,374.55 to purchase new equipment for the LaGrange Campus Welding Program. The grant builds on a $300,000 renovation of the restrooms, locker room and breakroom in the welding facility this year and will outfit additional welding booths to allow more students in the program. “We are extremely grateful for the support and recognition of the American Welding Society,” WGTC President Dr. Julie Post said. “Employers in our area need welders, and we are working hard to increase our capacity so we can meet their needs with well-trained and career-ready graduates.” The LaGrange welding lab currently runs three classes per day in its 17 welding booths. The grant will outfit two additional welding booths, allowing the program to take six additional students per semester. “West Georgia Technical College is committed to providing excellent facilities designed for stateof-the-art instruction in Welding and Joining Technology,” Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Kristen Douglas said. “This grant allows us to add two additional welding booths to our lab, expanding capacity and helping us meet the needs of area industry for additional highly skilled employees.”

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 140 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 www.westgatech.edu.

Southwire Announces Acquisition of Topaz Lighting Corporation West Georgia Technical College has named engineering technology student Iveta Kral (left) its 2022 GOAL winner and Clinical Laboratory Technology instructor Dr. Phyllis Ingham (right) its Rick Perkins Award winner for 2022. West Georgia Tech President Dr. Julie Post (center) congratulated the winners at a banquet honoring all those nominated for the awards.

Supporting the company’s growth strategy and building toward its goal to remain a generationally sustainable, diversified electrical company, Southwire is pleased to announce the acquisition of Topaz Lighting Corporation (Topaz) of Medford, N.Y. Serving the construction, industrial and OEM markets for more than 35 years, Topaz is a leading

provider of quality electrical fittings, components, and lighting products. Through this acquisition, Southwire will welcome employees from Topaz and will integrate their distribution network to enhance Southwire’s distribution footprint. Topaz’s existing product line will also be combined with Southwire’s rapidly expanding Components Solutions and Lighting platforms. “We’re very excited about the addition of Topaz and are pleased to welcome their employees to the Southwire team, specifically to our Tools, Components and Assembled Solutions business,” said Rich Stinson, Southwire’s president and CEO. “We want to provide our customers with solutions for every phase of the job. The acquisition of Topaz helps us further bolster our components offering and expand our portfolio of Lighting products and solutions.” Southwire will now be able to leverage Topaz’s robust product offering of electrical components, commercial/industrial LED indoor & outdoor luminaires, LED lamps and traditional lighting to further enhance their ever-growing product line of electrical solutions focused on the professional. “Our acquisition strategy puts our channel partners and end users at the center of our focus," stated Brandon Moss, Southwire's president of tools, components, and assembled solutions. "By being the one source for tools, components, and lighting, our partners and customers will be able to enjoy numerous advantages through our expanded product portfolio.”

For more information on Topaz Lighting Corp., visit www.topaz-usa.com. A leader in technology and innovation, Southwire Company, LLC is one of North America’s largest wire and cable producers and an emerging influence in the industrial electrical space. Southwire and its subsidiaries manufacture building wire and cable, metal-clad cable, portable and electronic cord products, OEM wire products and engineered products. In addition, Southwire supplies assembled products, contractor equipment and hand tools. For more on Southwire’s products, its community involvement and its vision of sustainability, visit www.southwire.com.

Ellen Wynn McBrayer Receives Honor Ellen Wynn McBrayer of Jones-Wynn Funeral Homes and Crematory was chosen as one of the top five funeral directors in the country and as runner up

for the 2021 National Funeral Director of the Year by American Funeral Director Magazine. “It is such a huge honor, not so much just for me, but for everyone at the Jones-Wynn family," shared McBrayer. "The last two years have been such a challenge for everyone in all walks of life. At Jones-Wynn, we’ve always endeavored to honor the mission of my grandparents, Clyde and Shirley Jones, ‘meeting a family where they need it most, in their brokenness.’ Attention to detail, an open and caring heart and a true spirit of being called to serve have helped us shepherd others through the pain of their losses, a pain that we have also recently endured." McBrayer serves as a representative on the National Funeral Directors Association National Spokesperson Committee. She was also named to the Georgia Cemetery Association Board of Directors. She maintains that Jones-Wynn Funeral Homes are committed to their involvement in numerous community programs. “Our involvement in the community isn’t about business. It’s just natural. It’s who we are. In 71 years in the funeral home business, I truly believe we have the best, most dedicated staff we have ever had. The pandemic has been hard, but it has brought a sense of focusing on every little thing that is important. I am honored to be a runner up for Funeral Director of the Year. My mom and mentor, Dana Jones Wynn, was a runner up in 2014. It is such a joy to know that we are building a legacy that earns positive attention. It all grows from the simple ideas that we follow a calling, lead with our hearts, slow down and attend to details that meet the needs of our community and families, and serve with compassion.”

Ellen Wynn McBrayer CFSP, CPC, President and CFO of JonesWynn Funeral Homes and Crematory, was chosen as one of the top five funeral directors in the country and as runner up for the 2021 National Funeral Director of the Year by American Funeral Director Magazine.

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Talking it Out

By Sandra Bolan

Tips for improving communication in your relationship

ommunication is defined as: “the importing or exchanging of information or news.” That’s a bit clinical, especially since communication is the foundation of any relationship – be it with a friend, romantic partner or family member. Another way to think about communication is this: expressing oneself in a healthy way and being equally good at talking and listening. Being a good communicator is a learned skill. So if you grew up in a family where dad was the stereotypically strong and silent type, whose grunts meant yes, no, hello, good, OK and just about everything else, then your ability to use words effectively has likely been stunted.

Ask the Right Questions One way to get more than grunts and yes or no answers out of people is to ask open-ended questions. These questions start with ‘why,’ ‘how,’ and ‘what if,’ and they force people to actually think about what you’re asking and their subsequent response. But don’t pepper people with question after question – they might feel like they’re being interrogated and may shut down.

Non-verbal Communication Communicating entails a lot more than talking. Facial expressions, gestures, posture and tone of voice say a lot without you having to utter a single word. Sometimes what you say and your non-verbal

cues can contradict each other. Facial expressions. Facial expressions are universal and can quickly let people know if you’re happy, sad, angry, confused, surprised or frightened. Body language. The way you stand or how you hold your arms can inform someone about whether or not it’s safe to approach or if they should keep on walking. Arms crossed over the chest typically means the person feels like she needs to be on the defensive and likely disagrees with what the other person is saying. On the other hand, if the person is leaning in, rubbing her hands together or has her palms open and facing upwards, she wants to hear what you have to say. Eye contact. Locking eyes with someone shows you’re confident. But too much eye contact can be creepy. It’s OK to briefly look away from the person who’s speaking. Nodding your head also shows interest and that you’re paying attention. If someone avoids direct eye contact with you, it could be because they’re lying, feel ashamed or exposed, is avoiding connecting with you or they may have low self-esteem.

He's Not a Mind Reader Just because you’ve been with your partner for decades doesn’t mean you know what he's thinking. You also can’t assume your partner knows what’s bugging you, especially when it comes to something he did that set you off. Use your words when you want him to know

something. If you don't ask for what you want, you may not get it. If you don't tell your partner what he has done to make you angry or sad, he won't be able to correct the behavior, causing more anger and bitterness.

Talk and Listen When you talk, listen to yourself. How many times do you say I/me/we/you? If you primarily talk about only yourself, without inviting others to share things about themselves, that’s not good. Everything is not about you, and no one wants to be around someone who constantly talks about herself. Conversations should be more “we” focused. Hearing and listening are also two different things. Hearing is the act of your ears perceiving sound. Listening is paying attention to the words being said. Really listen to what the other person has to say. Some people are so busy thinking about what they are going to say next, they don't even comprehend what the other person is saying. Both people need to feel equally heard.

Tone of Voice

Dailey Life Photography Zachary Dailey, Photographer for West Georgia Woman Magazine

Call us today for your photography needs!

404.444.9072 daileylifephotography@gmail.com @DaileyLifePhoto

@DaileyLifePhotography

www.daileylifephoto.wordpress.com

An overly high-pitched voice can infer defensiveness. Sometimes when we get excited, we get loud. We also raise our voices to be heard over another person, typically while fighting. A shouting competition never ends well. Stop. Take a breath and resume the conversation in a normal tone.

To Fight or Not to Fight Some couples who have been married for decades will claim the secret to their longevity is they’ve never had a fight. For anyone who’s been in a relationship, you know that’s usually impossible. Some relationship experts even suggest that not fighting may indicate a communication problem, much in the same way as a couple who fights all the time is indicative of a problematic relationship. It’s perfectly fine to disagree with someone, the key is how you voice that disagreement. You don’t want to put the person on the defensive and start a fight over nothing. Communicating is not easy. Sometimes we mean well but the words come out all wrong. When that happens, take a deep breath and start over. Follow the old adage, “Think before you speak,” and you really can’t go wrong. WGW

Kids Korner

Simple Snowman

Materials Rectangular block of wood about 3 to 4 inches long Hot glue gun Hot glue sticks Paintbrush White, red, black and orange paint Small red pompom Pipe stem, any color

By Jordan Dailey Photos by Zachary Dailey

Instructions Paint three quarters of the block of wood with the white paint. Paint the other quarter of the wood with the red paint. Paint the eyes and mouth with the black paint. Paint the carrot nose with the orange paint. Cut a 3-inch piece off of the pipe stem. Glue the piece of pipe stem around the wooden block and twist together to make the snowman's scarf. Glue the red pompom to the top of the block.

Resolution Rocks

Instructions Glue the googly eyes to the rock. Write your New Year resolutions or goals on the rock. Use your resolution rocks as paperweights or carry them around as pet rocks to remind yourself of your goals for the New Year. WGW

Materials Smooth rocks Hot glue gun and glue sticks Googly eyes Silver permanent marker

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Ruby Hightower, Certified Therapy Dog and Grief Counselor. Upon request, Ruby visits with a family during an arrangement conference, visitation or funeral service. ruby is also certified to visit retirement homes, nursing homes and schools. 45

Word Bank

Cheers Dancing Father Time Kiss January Midnight Resolutions Festivities Champagne Calendar Auld Lang Syne Bubbly Celebration Decorations Tradition Firecrackers Confetti Party Countdown Happy New Year

Word search created at puzzle-maker.com

Creating Beautiful Smiles for Over 18 Years!

Family and Cosmetic Dentistry Complete Facial Esthetics

Dr. Harvey, bottom right, with her staff.

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It ’s not about

cancer,

it ’s about

you.

You’re more than your cancer. At some cancer treatment programs, it’s easy to forget that there’s a person behind the diagnosis. Someone’s parent. Someone’s daughter. Someone who’s scared, uncertain and full of questions. So at Tanner Cancer Care, the first thing we do is get to know you — and answer your questions. Your cancer navigator works with you every step of the way. Making appointments. Arranging transportation. Answering questions about your financial concerns. Opening the door to all the resources of a regional health system. Meanwhile, your clinical team studies your case, evaluates treatments and trials, and presents the best, evidence-based care plan to move you past cancer and on with life. And they do it in 3 days. Wait less. Worry less. Begin treatment faster.

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