West Georgia Woman Magazine 5th Anniversary Issue November 2020 by West Georgia Woman Magazine/Angel Media, LLC

Woman

Complimentary

November 2020

West Georgia TM

Courtney Tierra Cook Worthy of Love

It's Our Anniversary! We're Celebrating 5 Years in West Georgia!

Surviving Thanksgiving with a Dysfunctional Family 1

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Courtney Tierra Cook helps kids of all ages feel worthy. Page 10

Photo by Zachary Dailey

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inside... 10

Worthy of Love

Celebrate Their Success

We're Celebrating Five Years

Surviving Thanksgiving

Health Vs. Weight

In Every Issue:

Daily Fare

Local Happenings

Womentality

Kids Korner

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A Bittersweet Anniversary As I was working on our fifth anniversary issue and our annual Holiday Guide last month, I lost my best friend on Oct. 19. My sweet, beautiful girl, Dixie, was our family dog. She was my faithful companion. No matter where we were, she always wanted to be right there with us. As I've worked on all 61 issues of West Georgia Woman magazine and our five special issues over the last five years, Dixie has been right there with me, usually lying at my feet. She was 19 years old, and she lived longer than most dogs, but that still doesn't make it any easier when you lose such a large part of your heart. I loved her so much and I'll miss my sweet baby girl. I'm so thankful for her unconditional and everlasting love. I hope she's playing with Tristan right now. In This Issue Our feature this month is Courtney Tierra Cook. As a child, Courtney was given the nickname "Ugly," by her parent, which resulted in Courtney growing up with low self-worth and no self-esteem. She recently wrote a children's book, Worthy! A book for kids of all ages. Learn more about Courtney and how she's helping kids learn about their worth on page 10. It's hard to believe West Georgia Woman magazine has been around five years! It seems as if it were only yesterday that we published our first issue on Nov. 1, 2015. Read our special thank you note to our readers and advertising partners on page 20. Does your child have body image issues? It's no wonder with the prevalence of social media these days. Did you know that teaching body positivity starts at home? Learn how you can help your child feel better about her body on page 22. Lynne Sammon had a vivid dream one night that she was the owner of a bridal salon. Because of that dream, she and her partner, Amy Kent, took the leap into business ownership and created DownTown Gowns, a premier full-service bridal store in Carrollton, Ga. DownTown Gowns celebrated their three-year anniversary on October 31. Learn more about Amy and Lynne, how they said "yes" to the business of their dreams and celebrate their success on page 30. Are you dreading the upcoming holidays? Is your obligatory Thanksgiving gettogether more like a WWE wrestling match instead of a time for joy, love and laughter? Sandra Bolan gives you some tips on how to survive Thankgsiving with your dysfunctional family on page 42. Thank you for being a very special part of our lives for the past five years! We wouldn't be here without your support. 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 Thanksgiving. Happy Thanksgiving!

Publisher

Photo by Zachary Dailey

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!

We welcome your comments and suggestions. Contact us: (404) 502-0251 Online: www.westgeorgiawoman.com

Volume 6 • Issue 1 November 2020

Publisher/Editor Need a copy?

Get yours from our racks at Kroger, Publix, Southern Home and Ranch and Food Depot (Maple Street) in Carrollton. We have them at Lee-King and Lee-Goodrum pharmacy locations in Newnan, the Inspiring women wanted. Apothecary Shoppe in Douglasville and Do you know an interesting woman the Vitamin Shoppe in Hiram. Publix at who should be on the cover of West Mirror Lake, in our rack at Piggly Wiggly in Bowdon and Kroger in Cedartown. Georgia Woman? Is there a special CVS in Bowdon and Piggly Wiggly in project or organization you would Tallapoosa and our racks at WM Grocery like us to feature in our magazine? Let us know! Email your suggestions in Roanoke and Wedowee, Al., as well to features@westgeorgiawoman.com. as hundreds of other retail locations and medical offices in West Georgia and Share your special events. East Alabama! Send your upcoming events to: calendar@westgeorgiawoman.com

Angela Dailey angela@westgeorgiawoman.com

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Shala Hainer shala@westgeorgiawoman.com

Photographer for cover Zachary Dailey

Editorial Contributors

Sandra Bolan, Jordan Coffman, and Rose Isaacs

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The views, opinions, positions or strategies expressed by the contributing authors are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, positions or strategies of Angel Media, LLC., West Georgia Woman magazine or any employee thereof. Angel Media, LLC. makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, correctness, suitability, or validity of any information in this publication and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use.

Mail correspondence to:

West Georgia Woman Magazine P.O. Box 2782 Carrollton, GA 30112

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

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. West Georgia Woman is a monthly publication of Angel Media, LLC. All contents of this issue are copyright 2020. 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.

By Angela Dailey Photos by Zachary Dailey 10

Worthy of

Love

UWG Alumna Courtney Tierra Cook Helps Kids of All Ages Feel Worthy 11

hen 38-year-old Courtney Tierra Cook was a little girl, the parent who raised her gave her the nickname, "Ugly." She later found out in her teens that the nickname was given to her because, although she was a pretty little girl who was complimented often on her appearance, her parent didn't want her to become conceited. "I found out years later that it was meant to be a compliment of sorts," Courtney shares. "But by the time this was disclosed, the damage had already been done." She hated the nickname, and thought that if the person who created her could give her such a name, then it most certainly must be true. Courtney struggled for years with self-worth and body image issues. "I moved around the world believing that, not only was I tragically unattractive, but I also felt unloved and unworthy," she says. "One parent wanted absolutely nothing to do with me, and the other one never called me smart or beautiful or any other positive words that parents heap on their children on a regular basis."

A Lonely Childhood Raised in a single-parent military home, Courtney was born in Germany and moved multiple times in

Courtney Tierra Cook grew up 12 unloved and unwanted. feeling

her youth. She was an only child, shy and quiet, and often had to rely on herself for entertainment. She would invent solo games to play by herself and she became an avid reader. "Fear Street, Goosebumps, Babysitters Club and Sweet Valley High were some of my staples as a child," she says. "Making friends was not easy, as I was shy, but since I moved every two years I became adept at fitting in new groups."Â By the time she reached 7th grade, Courtney had lived in several states and attended eight schools. The family finally settled in Marietta, Ga., and the last four of her school years were spent at Marietta High School.

Searching for Acceptance By the time Courtney hit puberty, she began looking for validation and love in the wrong places. She became "boy crazy," and says anytime a boy was nice to her, she would do everything in her power to make him believe she was exactly what he wanted and needed in his life. This approach usually didn't work for Courtney, so she tried something different: she began to have sex. "In my teenage mind, sex and love were the same thing. I was hoping against hope, that if I did

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this ultimate act, that he, and I mean, any 'he' would began to make plans to attend the University of West Georgia (UWG) in the fall. She chose UWG have no choice but to love me," she shares. "I because one of her favorite high school teachers, suffered many a broken heart." In December of her senior year of high school, Mr. Pritchard, went to UWG. "I admired him and knew he was super smart, so I wanted to go there, Courtney came to the startling realization that she too," she explains. "It also helped that since it was was pregnant. She reached out to the father of her an in-state school, I would qualify for the HOPE child and told him the news. He quickly changed scholarship, which paid for the tuition for students his phone number and moved from the area. "That with a high enough GPA." lonely feeling I'd always felt was just multiplied by a trillion," she relates. Because she was afraid her parent would make A Worthy Family her have an abortion, she hid her pregnancy from everyone except a very close friend. "I went to the During her pregnancy, Courtney made the doctor appointments alone," she says. "I went to decision that adoption would be the best option ultrasounds and heard the heartbeat – all alone. At for her baby. "I just knew I would be worthless as about six and a half months, I couldn't hide my belly a mother. My parents didn't like me, boys used anymore, so I told my parent." me and the baby's father was absent," she relates. An abortion was immediately "How was I, with the ink on my scheduled, and she was taken to high school diploma still wet, the clinic to begin the process, I just knew I would be going to be a good parent?" worthless as a mother. but Courtney says she was too far She went to an adoption My parents didn't like me, along in her pregnancy and they agency and found an amazing boys used me and the baby's turned her away, much to her couple who would be her child's father was absent. How was relief. parents. "They were worthy," she I, with the ink on my high Courtney graduated high shares. "They were smart and fun school diploma still wet, school in June 2000, and she and gorgeous, and they loved going to be a good parent?

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each other. That was the type of household that my child deserved." Courtney gave birth to her son on a bright and sunny Tuesday afternoon in August. "Two days later, I left the hospital in one direction, and my son was carried out in another direction," she says. Three days later, on Sunday, the 18-year-old moved into UWG. As she tried to focus on her freshman year of college, she had little time to process her grief over the loss of her baby. "It was a whole host of emotions," she shares. "It’s a loss. It’s not a death, but it’s a loss nonetheless. The grief was kind of pushed to the back burner because I tried to focus on what to do in West Georgia. It took a while to deal with the emotions. The college health fee included therapy – and I started therapy my second semester of college." The adoption was a semi-open adoption. Courtney's agreement with the parents was that she could send her son letters and cards throughout the year, and they would send her one letter with photos each year. All correspondence was to be sent through the adoption agency. "On his 18th birthday, his adopted mom had a great conversation with him, and she gave him his own box to keep the letters I sent him," she explains. "I was very intentional about sending cards. I would send a birthday card to him and an update about what was going on in my life. I would send a Mother’s Day and Father’s Day card to his parents and a holiday card to the family." Things are a bit easier now as Courtney uses social media, email and text to communicate with the adoptive parents. They also agreed that when her son was 18, he could decide if he wanted to meet her. Her son is now 20 years old and she has yet to receive that phone call, but she doesn't allow the lack of response to discourage her. "I feel fine about it. I made a decision about his

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life before he was born, and he's allowed to make decisions about his life now that he's a grown human being. That’s part of the risk of the adoption. I would love to meet him, but when he’s ready – on his terms. I have never once regretted the adoption. He and his family are thriving, and it's the best decision I've ever made in my life."

A Worthy Reminder After the adoption, Courtney traveled down her path of higher education, first graduating in 2004 with a bachelor's degree in psychology. She obtained her master's of education in school counseling from UWG in 2007. She is divorced, and has no other children besides the son she placed for adoption. As the education director of a local nonprofit organization, Courtney facilitates and organizes classes for pregnant women. The classes include decision-making, parenting, stress management, relationship building and more. While she was teaching a class on self-esteem a couple of years ago, Courtney made a startling discovery about the majority of the adult students in her class.

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PROCEEDS BENEFITING WWW.CARROLLCASA.ORG/TURKEY - TROT "I asked my students if they knew that they were worthy," she says. "If anyone had ever told them that they were worthy? The overwhelming response was 'no.' From that point forward, I began to tell my students at the end of every class that I loved them and that they were worthy."

A Lifelong Dream It was after this class that Courtney began to realize that telling her students "You are worthy," seemed to have a profound impact on them. "I began to have students come up to me and thank me for sharing their worth and how much it meant to them," she says. "If my students were so moved by these simple words, then who else could be moved by them? I knew that some of the unhelpful decisions I had made over my life were due to lack of self-worth. I began to ponder – when would

knowing my worth have possibly changed the trajectory of my life?" Since Courtney was a young girl, she's dreamed of becoming an author. After her experience with her adult students in the self-esteem class, she knew she needed to write a children's book to remind kids of all ages that they are worthy of love and acceptance. "That's when the idea of creating a children's book came to be," she explains. "Worthy! A book for kids of all ages," was written and published during the COVID-19 lockdown." Courtney self-published her book through BookBaby Publishing and used the design website Canva for her illustrations. Because she always signs letters and cards to friends and family with just her first and middle names, she decided to use Courtney Tierra as her author name.

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At the age of 38 , Courtney is finally comfortable in her own skin.

Her book is available for sale online through most retailers including Barnes & Noble, Amazon and Wal-Mart. You can also purchase a copy of her book through her website, www.courtneytierra.com. "My goal is to share the concept of worth to the world," she says. "So many people journey through

life thinking, 'Once I do this ... then, or when I look like this ... then, or after I complete this ... then.' I want everyone to know that they are worthy now. Regardless of money, or looks, or grades or weight – that their worth is not based on anything external. I want them to know they are worthy just because they exist." Courtney initially wrote the book for parents to read to their children and, although the book is simple, she believes it can still resonate with people at any point in their lives. "Hence, the portion of the title that reads, A book for kids of all ages," she explains. "I've had adult women reach out to me, stating that the book made them cry, and they wished they knew their worth when they were younger."

An Inspiring Future Courtney plans to write at least two more books within the next five years, with one of those specifically sharing her experience of being a birth

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WWW.WESTGEORGIAWOMAN.COM mom and her adoption journey. She remains hopeful that the son she placed for adoption so many years ago will reach out to her one day. "My son is now 20 years old," she shares. "And while I know that adoption is one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life, there is also a piece of me that wonders what it could have been like had I just realized back then what I know now. Then, maybe things could have been different. You see, I now know just how worthy I am. How worthy I have always been. And just maybe, that knowledge could have been enough all those years ago." Courtney enjoys reading her extensive collection of books, volunteering and public speaking – she says she's been a storyteller her entire life. Her public speaking topics include self-esteem, adoption, perseverence and more. "I want to continue inspiring myself and others," she says. "Whether it's through educating others, public speaking, writing books or another outlet in the future. I want to make up for the lost time during my younger years when I didn't know my awesomeness and creativity." She is also a self-proclaimed ice cream connoisseur and loves to chat with others about worthiness, adoption and ice cream.

At the age of 38, Courtney is finally comfortable in her own skin and, as each year passes, that hurtful childhood nickname, "Ugly," fades a little further into the background of her life. "I honestly didn't believe I was pretty until my early 30s," she shares. "It was severely damaging to my self-esteem. It is important for me to share worth with others because I know personally how not knowing your worth can stifle your life. The way you treat others, the way you allow others to treat you, the opportunities you take or don't take – these decisions and more are shaped based on the way that you feel about yourself. Everyone deserves to know – truly and undoubtedly know – that they are special, unique and worthy. As I tell my students at the end of every class, I love you and you're worthy!" WGW

To learn more about Courtney Tierra Cook or to purchase her book, email worthy@courtneytierra.com Follow her on Instagram and Twitter @TheWorthyReminders or visit the website at www.courtneytierra.com. 19

It's Our Anniversary!

We're Celebrating Five Years in West Georgia!

By Angela Dailey

never would have believed when we published our first issue five years ago that West Georgia Woman magazine would have such an impact on the communities in West Georgia and East Alabama. Since Nov. 1, 2015, we have shared numerous stories of hope, inspiration, survival, success and philanthropy. And we have featured so many amazing West Georgia women! I want to thank everyone who has supported the magazine and those who have been directly involved in helping make WGW successful — there are way too many people to list. But I am beyond grateful for ALL those who have helped build West Georgia Woman from the ground up. I have to thank the people who are directly involved in creating the magazine each month: Shala Hainer, copy editor and writer; Zachary Dailey, photographer; Charlene Brooks, editorial contributor and magazine distributor; Gary Burton, magazine distributor; Chef Rose Isaacs; editorial contributor; Jordan Coffman, editorial contributor; Janet Flanigan, writer, and Sandra Bolan, writer. The magazine wouldn't be possible without your valued contributions. Thank you for working so hard every month to help create and distribute each issue. I also want to thank my dear friends and mentors, Drs. Fred and Anne Richards who have been champions for me, personally, and for West Georgia Woman magazine since its inception. Also, my children, Zachary and Sydney, my mom, Charlene, and my boyfriend, Dan Keever, for being steadfast supporters of my work with WGW. We are so grateful for our charter advertisers who believed in our vision to create a magazine for women five years ago and advertised in our first issues in November or December 2015, or both: • • • • • • • • • •

Drs. Fred and Anne Richards Mr. Mark Foster – Walker Cadillac, Buick, GMC Mr. Jay Gill and Ms. Kelly Hester – Carroll EMC Mr. Rodney Smith and physicians – Physicians Care Group of West Georgia Ms. Kelly Meigs and Ms. Meri Whitlock-Wade – Tanner Health System Dr. Dawn Harvey – M. Dawn Harvey D.M.D. Family Dentistry Mr. Ben Chambers – West Georgia Technical College Mr. Ben Butler and Mr. Jim Rowe – Carrollton Orthopaedic Clinic, P.C. Dr. Howard Seeman – West Georgia Gastroenterology Associates Mr. Steve Adams and Ms. Sharon Stanford – West Georgia Ambulance, Inc.

Dr. Fred Richards, left, and Angela Dailey with the inaugeral issue of West Georgia Woman magazine. Nov. 1, 2015. Photo by Dr. Anne Richards.

• Mr. Tim Oliver and Mrs. Susan Oliver – Haney’s Drug Corner • Ms. Shala Hainer, Realtor • Mr. Randy Turner – Turner Pharmacy • Mr. Frank Cuda – Southern Home & Ranch Center • Drs. Clyde Navarro and Gwyn Goodwin – Integrative Body Health • Mr. Gary Tallent – Ashbrook Village Assisted Living and Memory Care • Mr. John Carollo, Realtor • Ms. Ellen Wynn McBrayer – Jones-Wynn Funeral Home • Ms. Kathy Yates – Georgia Power I want to extend my very special thanks to all of our wonderful advertising partners who have come on board since the first issue. We have so many fabulous community partners who I consider my dear friends, and their partnership means so much to us. There are too many to list, but many of their advertisements are in this issue! I also want to offer my sincere thanks to you, our readers, who wrapped your arms around our publication and continue to welcome us into your homes in West Georgia and East Alabama every month. In our anniversary month, and every month, we celebrate you and we look forward to being a part of your lives for many years to come. I’m so excited to see what the future holds for West Georgia Woman magazine. Thank you. WGW

Health Vs. Weight

your muffin top, flabby arms and saggy bottom, or make self-deprecating remarks about what you perceive to be wrong about yourself, know that your kids soak up that information. When they look in the mirror, they may very well say the same things about themselves. Instead of being negative about your own body, talk about all the things it can do – run, swim, bike, climb, lift heavy weights and chase after the kids. Yes, there will be times when that one favorite outfit that shows off all the right stuff and feels just amazing reveals what you want hidden and feels horribly uncomfortable. Avoid the negative language of “this makes me look fat.” Instead, find another outfit that feels better for the day. Don’t compare yourself or your children to people on TV and magazine covers. Those images are unattainable and achieved with the assistance of make-up artists, lighting crews, professional photographers and photo editing software and children need to understand this reality.

Foster a Healthy Relationship with Food Nutritional experts always tells us, “Everything in moderation.” So, when it comes to how we talk

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Teaching Children Body Positivity

n an era where we spend 20 minutes ensuring that in-the-moment selfie has the right lighting, shows off our best side and camouflages our belly bulges, it’s no wonder that kids today are struggling with body image. Children as young as 2 to 4 years old worry about their weight, size or appearance, according to the Child Development Institute. Children at that age should only be worrying about, well, nothing. They should be playing and discovering the world around them.

Body Positivity Starts at Home "The first time a parent feeds their newborn can set the tone for that child’s attitude toward food later in life," according to Aviva Braun, LCSW. "A parent who is anxious while feeding her newborn and doesn’t pay attention to hunger cues can set the stage for problems with food later in childhood." When you look in the mirror and complain about

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Remember to Change Your Batteries in All Smoke Alarms in Your Home. Dedicated Healthcare When You Need It Most • 770.832.9689 about food, be careful of your verbiage. Avoid categorizing food as “good,” “bad,” “healthy,” or “unhealthy.” Don’t bother banning foods outright from the house. You know the kids will just eat it when they’re over at their friend’s place. But do stow the junk food away in the cabinets – out of sight, out of mind – where it can be eaten in moderation. Always offer your children healthier options as snacks such as carrot sticks, other sliced veggies, apples, grapes and bananas, and place them on the kitchen counter or on an easily accessible shelf in the refrigerator so they will reach for those foods first. If you allow your kids to drink soft drinks, only buy one or two bottles when you're at the store for the week, and when they are gone, they're gone. Beginning at an early age, encourage your children to drink water, which is the best and healthiest option to keep them hydrated. Don't forget to set a good example and drink plenty of water yourself.

Change Your Attitude About Physical Activity Our motivation for hitting the gym is typically to drop pounds or work off that cake we feel guilty

about eating. Instead, think of being active as just another part of your lifestyle. You hike because you want to explore nature; you run because you enjoy the sense of accomplishment that comes with knocking off the miles or finishing a race; you play soccer, basketball or football because you like the camaraderie of a team sport or just because it’s fun. It’s also important to remember that we are all individuals and that your kids, and even your spouse, are going to have different interests, and that’s OK. It may take your child trying just about every sport out there before she finds the one activity that gets her excited. Offer support and encouragement when she does find it, and keep her motivated by playing or practicing with her.

We're All Unique Annual check-ups with the pediatrician often include a review of a child’s weight and height, which is then compared to a growth chart. If the child falls on the larger size of the chart, this is not the time to panic, pull into a Weight Watchers meeting or train for a marathon. We all come in different shapes and sizes. There are people who are taller than others, while some

are leaner or rounder. All sizes are the perfect size, and children need to know the human population is not created with a cookie cutter.

Boys Can Get Eating Disorders A poor body image can lead to an eating disorder such as anorexia, bulimia or binge-eating. Roughly 40 to 60 percent of girls 6 to 12 years of age worry about getting too fat or gaining weight, according to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA). We often associate eating disorders with girls, however, boys can also develop them. Approximately 10 percent of people treated for eating disorders are male, according to NEDA. Eating disorders present themselves differently for boys than girls. Girls typically focus on weight loss, whereas the “perfect” male image is one that is big, strong and muscular. This is known as muscle dysmorphia. A 2019 study by the International Journal of Eating found 22 percent of young male adults reported disordered eating habits focused on muscle gain. These behaviors included eating more or different foods than before and taking dietary supplements or anabolic steroids, according to Healthline, an online health and wellness website ran by physicians and other health experts. Typically, male athletes – especially those who play sports that put a high value on being bigger and more muscular, such as football – are at an increased risk for an eating disorder. So are boys who participate in sports that require they meet a specific weight – wrestling or martial arts – for example.

• • • • • • •

counting calories Constantly weighing oneself or looking in the mirror Avoiding social gatherings involving food, including family meals or eating at restaurants Stressing out over missing a workout Exercising even when injured Using anabolic steroids, growth hormones or over the counter weight-loss drugs Feeling weak or tired Preoccupation with size, weight or appearance in a way that worsens quality of life

If you suspect your child has an eating disorder, contact your pediatrician or a registered dietician who specializes in children with eating disorders. Instead of using the words "fat" and "thin," encourage your children to focus on eating healthy foods and remaining physically active. Offer encouragement and reassurance if they are feeling badly about themselves. Tell them all the things you like about them and ask them what they like about themselves, too. Knowing they have your love, respect and acceptance can help your children build a positive body image and increase their self-esteem. WGW

Eating Disorder Warning Signs • Excessive focus on time spent exercising, particularly if using exercise to compensate for food they’ve eaten • Changes in attitude around foods they used to enjoy • Elimination of certain food groups from diet • Eating larger amounts of food than usual • Increased preoccupation with cooking shows, recipes, or a need to prepare their own meals • Going to the bathroom in the middle of meals, or right after. This may be a sign of purging • Obsessively reading nutrition information or

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What is a Colonoscopy? A colonoscopy is a medical procedure that examines the large bowel. A colonoscopy can be used to look for colon polyps or bowel cancer and to help diagnose several GI disorders. Is a Colonoscopy painful? No. Our highly skilled providers and staff ensure that the patient is as comfortable as possible during the entire procedure. Who is a candidate for a Colonoscopy? People over the age of 50, a family history of colon cancer or patients who are experiencing any of the following symptoms: Diarrhea, constipation, bleeding and incontinence. How do I fInd out more information regarding colon screenings and treatments for GI disorders? Call our office at 770.214.2800 Visit us online

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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.

This makes a perfect fall night dinner. The squash can cook while the filling comes together.

Stuffed Acorn Squash Ingredients 3 acorn squash

1 tablespoon olive oil plus 1 teaspoon olive oil 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 pound ground sausage

1 small onion, diced small (about 1/2 cup)

2 stalks celery, diced small (about 3/4 cup) 1 Granny Smith apple, chopped

2 cups cooked wild rice, brown rice or quinoa 1/2 cup dried cranberries 1/4 teaspoon dried sage

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, extra for topping if desired

Preparation Preheat oven to 400Â°F. Line a baking sheet with foil. Carefully trim a tiny bit off the top and bottom of each squash to create a flat surface, then cut each squash in half. Remove the seeds and rub inside and cut edges of squash with a tablespoon of olive oil. Sprinkle salt and pepper inside of squash. Place cavity side down on prepared baking sheets. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until fork tender. While the squash roasts, heat the teaspoon of olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. When the oil is simmering and hot, add the sausage, onion and celery. Cook until sausage is cooked through, breaking the sausage into crumbles as it cooks. Stir in rice or quinoa, apples, cranberries, sage and garlic powder. Cook until the apple softens and the rest of the mixture has heated through. Stir in cheddar cheese. When squash is tender, remove from oven and carefully flip each half over. Fill with sausage mixture and sprinkle with cheese. Return to oven for 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serves 6.

Harvest Beans

These beans are the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving dinner or any night of the week. For some extra heat, add half a diced jalapeño.

Ingredients

Preparation

6 slices bacon, chopped

Cook bacon in a skillet until brown. Place bacon on a paper towel-lined plate. Sauté onion in the remaining bacon grease until translucent. Place onion in a large bowl. In the same bowl, add drained bacon and remaining ingredients. Mix well. Place mixture in a large baking dish and cook in 350° oven for one hour, or place in a slow-cooker for 4 to 5 hours on low. If the beans begin to dry out a little, add about 1/2 cup of water. Serves 8 to 10. WGW

1 large onion, diced

20 ounces pinto beans, drained

1 15-ounce can garbanzo beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained 1 15-ounce can lima beans, drained or frozen 1 15-ounce can butter beans, drained 1 bell pepper, chopped

3/4 cup dark brown sugar 1/2 cup ketchup

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1/4 cup red wine vinegar

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Womentality

Inspiring quotes by extraordinary women “Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough.” – Oprah Winfrey Photo: Alan Light / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0) https://commons.wikimedia. org/wiki/File:Oprah_closeup.jpg

“The turkey. The sweet potatoes. The stuffing. The pumpkin pie. Is there anything else we all can agree so vehemently about? I don't think so.” – Nora Ephron

“Give thanks not just on Thanksgiving Day, but every day of your life. Appreciate and never take for granted all that you have.” – Catherine Pulsifer

“We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.” – Cynthia Ozick

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.” – Melody Beattie

Celebrate

Photos by Zachary Dailey Models: Bride, Cierrah Dedman Mother 30 of the Bride, Chasity Dedman

THEIR SUCCESS

Local Entrepreneurs Lynne Sammon and Amy Kent Say "Yes" to the Business of Their Dreams By Sandra Bolan

t was like no dream she had ever had before. The dream was so vivid, it caused Lynne Sammon to sit bolt upright in her bed, in the middle of the night. That dream also ended up changing the course of Lynne's life. In the dream, she was the owner and operator of a bridal shop in the old NAPA building on Carrollton’s Rome Street. “I know it sounds crazy, but that’s the absolute truth,” Lynne, 54, recalls. At that time in 2014, Lynne, who’s a former civil engineer with a degree from Georgia’s Southern Technical Institute, now known as Southern Polytechnic State University, was working in the University of West Georgia’s College of Education Dean’s office. Lynne sat on the idea of opening a bridal shop for six months before she told anyone outside of her immediate family – husband Brian and daughters Ann-Marie, 27, and Meredith, 23. Later that year, Lynne announced to her co-worker Amy Kent that she was leaving the university to pursue her dream –

literally. Lynne had no idea that, for more than two decades, Amy, too, had dreams of opening a bridal shop. But Amy felt too intimidated to jump into selfemployment until Lynne shared her plans with her. Amy, 53, had no idea if Lynne wanted a business partner, but she knew she had to ask. “It took her about five seconds to say yes,” Amy recalls. The pair of Carrollton residents knew they could make it work because they had enjoyed working together for the past three years. “This just fell into my lap, but this is the happiest I’ve ever been,” says Amy, who is married to Bill and has two girls – Kami, 25, and Kati, 21. Lynne admits her knowledge, at the time, of how to run a bridal business didn’t go beyond knowing how to sew, but she was confident in her abilities. She was a former busuness owner; she ran Brilyn Construction with her husband from 1996 to 2011, and she knew she had the business know-how to plan and estimate.

f u n ! T A H OH W

it is to shop local!

Light up your community this holiday season and you could win one of five awesome prize packs! Shop with the participating Carroll County businesses below, email us a picture of your receipt and your raffle slip and you’ll be entered into the drawing to win! Purchase $25 = 1 entry • $50 = 2 entries • $75 = 3 entries • $100 or more = 4 entries Lock City Escape Games • Smith Brothers Supply Company • American Pie • Shuckers Oyster House No Place Like Home Paint & Repair • Sweet Pea’s Boutique • Brushstrokes Mobile Art Studio • Spoon’s Automotive Jill Duncan State Farm • Pelican’s Snoballs • G-Auto Service and Repairs LLC • West Georgia Woman Magazine Michelle’s Academy of Dance By Lindsey • Moe’s Southwest Grill, Villa Rica • Cover Me Southern Sol Sisters Cantina • Merle Norman, Carrollton/Villa Rica Contest is open through December 31, 2020. Prize winners will be drawn at random. Five prize packs consisting of items from each participating business will be given away to five winners. Raffle slips available at the participating business locations.

“You don’t have a dream like that," she explains. "If God didn’t want me to do it, he wouldn’t have given me the skills."

Start Up One of the first dilemmas for any new retailer is finding that perfect location, but for Lynne and Amy, that was the easiest of their problems to solve. It was, without question, going to be located in the former NAPA building at 306 Rome Street in Carrollton. It was a building Lynne was very familiar with from her previous career. The Sammon Development Group, which was owned by Lynne’s husband and his brother, John, bought the 5,500-square-foot building in 2008. Lynne helped fix up the property and the company flipped it. There was something about the property, however, that stuck with Lynne. In 2014 she had the opportunity to buy it back. The intention for the building at the time was to rent the basement out to another business and then figure out what to do with the main floor. Her dream solved that problem.

What's in a Name When Lynne and Amy told their families they were going into the bridal business together, they all jumped on board and gave them 100 percent of their support.

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For Lynne, this was her third business – the first without her husband, Brian, as her partner – but for Amy, this was brand new territory. Among the business decisions the women needed help with was the store’s name. A company name is often a customer’s first impression. Initially, the pair had the words, “wedding” and “dress” in their company name, but they found those words too constraining. Then, one day, Lynne’s daughter, Meredith, just tossed out "DownTown Gowns," and the name stuck. Lynne’s brother-in-law Craig Thacker, created their logo and helped with the appearance of the store.

Learning the Bridal Business With the issue of the location and the name solved, the women had something else they needed to tackle – learning the bridal business. They spent two years researching the bridal industry, which consisted of finding suppliers, designing a welcoming store and learning how to provide the best customer service. They traveled around the country and visited 25 bridal shops. The most important thing they learned, however, was what they didn’t like about the stores they visited. For example, DownTown Gowns prides itself on providing a personalized experience even before the bride-to-be walks in the door, with the creation of a

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bartender and party snacks. The women also extended their appointment times beyond the typical one hour to 2.5 hours. “It’s important to build a relationship," Amy explains. "It’s not just about the dress. It’s about the marriage and the sacrament of marriage." “It’s the most important dress they’re ever going to wear,” adds Lynne. Buying a wedding dress is typically something you only do once, so Lynne and Amy try to make their experience at DownTown Gowns extra special, intimate and not rushed. They also made the decision to not have commissioned staff. “It’s not about the sale,” says Lynne. DownTown Gowns has roughly 150 dresses in stock at all times ranging in sizes 8 to 32, and they lay claim to having the largest selection of plus-sized dresses in West Georgia. DownTown Gowns not only sells bridal DownTown Gowns not only sells bridal dresses, but it also offers jewelry, dresses, but it also offers jewelry, apparel for apparel for flower girls, bridesmaids and mothers of the bride and groom, flower girls, bridesmaids and mothers of the along with bridal party tuxedos for the guys. bride and groom, along with bridal party tuxedos for the guys. personalized dressing room. This was something Once the big day is over, DownTown Gowns will many of the stores they visited just didn’t do. also preserve the wedding dress. Each client is paired with her own personal DownTown Gowns is also expanding its offerings consultant, who assists the bride-tobe every step of the way – from finding the perfect dress, to deciding on a veil and all the other little details to complete her bridal look. For brides who want something a bit extra special when choosing that perfect dress, there is a private party room in the store that the bride-to-be can rent for $125. The room accommodates eight to 10 people and comes with its DownTown Gowns has expanded its offerings to include giftware, such as personalized pillows, bags and wedding presents. own consultant, a

are significantly altered. Today’s brides-to-be are having shorter engagements, surrounding themselves with mostly family on the big day and doing away with the big parties, according to Lynne and Amy. “They're thinking, 'I don’t know what’s going to come tomorrow, so I’m going to do it today,'" Lynne says of the brides’ mental shift. DownTown Gowns closed for a few weeks when they were mandated to do so early on in the pandemic, but that didn’t mean they stopped working. “When something comes, you just adjust,” Lynne explains. Each client is paired with her own personal consultant, who assists the bride-to-be every step of the way – from finding the perfect dress, to deciding on a veil and all the other little details to complete her bridal look.

to include giftware, such as personalized pillows, bags and wedding presents. “When you sit still, you go backwards,” says Lynne of their decision to expand their offerings.

Their Advice

"If you want to be a business owner, you have to be fearless," Lynne says. “Fear will squash you. Just don’t be scared of it, if it’s meant to be, find a way.”

Managed Growth When the store first opened, the staff consisted of Lynne, Amy and one employee. The reason behind only hiring one employee was because they only had three dressing rooms at the time, something the women laugh about today. But it was also part of their master plan – to grow at a steady pace. For any new retailer, no matter the industry, it usually takes around two to three years before there are any profits. But when DownTown Gowns opened in 2017, it was profitable from day one and has remained there ever since. Today, they have four staff members. Lynne and Amy still work in the store full-time but hope to reduce those hours in the future so they can travel more.

Now with TWO locations! 302 A Newnan St Carrollton, GA (678) 390-6580

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Pandemic Changes the Industry Many weddings are being postponed to a time when the world returns to something that resembles our former "normal." But there are couples who are deciding to go ahead with their plans, even if they

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"Research your idea," says Amy. "Because not every idea is good one." There are also a number of resources available specifically for female business owners, such as

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loans, grants, mentoring programs and business support groups. The pair suggests finding these opportunities for growth and utilizing them.

Special Customers While every one of their customers is special to them, there are a couple of women who have tugged at their heartstrings just a little bit more. One such bride was in her in 70s, and she was buying a dress for her second marriage. Her first husband had passed away a decade earlier. “She was just adorable,” recalls Amy, noting their clients are typically in their 20s and 30s. Another woman who made an indelible impression on Lynne and Amy actually wasn’t a bride. She was a woman in her 20s with terminal cancer. She went to DownTown Gowns for a wedding dress she wanted to wear during a celebration of life party she threw for herself. “That was probably the toughest one to get through,” admits Amy. The young woman passed away shortly after her party.

Giving Back Wedding dresses are expensive. But Lynne and Amy bend over backwards to provide local women with whatever they need. This includes giving

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discounts to women who want to get married quickly because their fiancées are being deployed in the military. They also provide financial support to a number of local charities, including Circles of West Georgia. Circles of West Georgia is an innovative, communitydriven way to affect poverty in the local community. DownTown Gowns decorates a room in one of the homes each year for the Circles of West Georgia Designer Show House. During this event, volunteer designers bring their own style and holiday pizazz to help inspire attendees to take their own Christmas decorations to the next level. The funds raised through the show house help Circles to directly assist local families in breaking the grip of poverty in their homes. Sadly, due to COVID-19, the event was cancelled this year.

A Dream Come True What started as a dream has turned into a successful business enterprise. On October 31, DownTown Gowns celebrated its third anniversary in West Georgia. Due to COVID-19, there wasn’t a celebration this year, but Amy and Lynne look forward to celebrating with many more brides in the

For more information: project.gift@southwire.com | 770-832-4729

years to come. DownTown Gowns' service area extends into metro Atlanta and East Alabama. The store is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Walk-ins are accepted, but they prefer appointments so their brides can receive the personalized experience they deserve. "My advice for brides is to not stress over the details," Lynne says. "This is often what brides get hung up on and what hinders them from enjoying their special day. Yes, some things may fall through the cracks or not get done perfectly, but this is not something that should take away from the one special day when you marry the person you love. Slow down, enjoy every moment and don’t fret about the details." WGW

To learn more about Lynne Sammon, Amy Kent and DownTown Gowns, call 770.702.0530 or email downtowngownscton@gmail.com. Follow them on Facebook @dtgowns on Instagram @dtgowns_carrollton Visit the website at www.downtowngowns.us 37

Local Happenings

Due to our country's current health situation, please call or email the organizations included in our local events section to inquire about in-person meetings.

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.

Domestic Abuse Support Group There is Hope is a support group for women dealing with, or who have dealt with, domestic abuse. Through There is Hope, women will come together and share their personal journey, while listening to others share theirs as well. There will be guidance for help and resources available at each meeting. Meetings are free to the public. This group will meet the second Wednesday of every month. Group meetings will be held at Tanner on Robinson, 115 Robinson Ave. in Carrollton from 5 to 6 p.m. Contact hopefulone807@gmail.com for more information.

Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Group Has your life been impacted by the loss of a friend or loved one to suicide? You are not alone. This group offers peer support for anyone who has been affected by suicide loss. There is no cost to attend. Group meetings are the first and third Tuesday of each month from 7 to 9 p.m. at 306A Bradley Street in Carrollton. For more information, contact Ivey Rollins at iveyrollins@gmail.com or call 470.729.0909.

anonymous, third-party survey conducted by Quantum Workplace, a research firm that administers workplace culture assessments on behalf of the Atlanta Business Chronicle. The survey measures employee satisfaction with their employer and engagement within the company. For 2020, 102 companies qualified for a Best Places to Work nomination including 47 small companies, 25 medium companies, 25 large companies and 5 extra-large companies. "We’re honored to be recognized again," says Tim Martin, CEO of Carroll EMC. "It is especially humbling and gratifying to receive this award during this pandemic. Our culture of service, safety and caring helped us to quickly adapt to the changes and challenges of COVID-19. We are truly a family at Carroll EMC, and it has never been clearer than in 2020." A virtual celebration was held Thursday, September 24, to recognize the recipients of the Best Places to Work award.

Carroll EMC is a Member-owned cooperative providing electricity to approximately 50,000 homes and businesses. The co-op serves Members in Carroll, Haralson, Heard, Paulding, Polk, 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, Pinterest, Instagram and LinkedIn. Carroll EMC: Community Built. Community Builder.

Carroll EMC Awards High Schools with GHSA Cooperative Spirit Sportsmanship Award

Carroll EMC Honored as a 2020 Best Places to Work Carroll Electric Membership Cooperative was recently named a 2020 Best Places to Work in Atlanta by the Atlanta Business Chronicle. The honor follows the cooperative’s sixth year as a finalist in the Best Places to Work program and celebrates its ranking as 22 in the large business category for 2020. Carroll EMC employees participated in an

Carroll EMC’s Renae Taylor joined employees from Diverse Power and Coweta-Fayette EMC to present Heard County High School with the GHSA Cooperative Spirit Sportsmanship Award.

Georgia’s high schools and its athletes, especially those within Carroll Electric Membership Cooperative’s service territory, are bright examples

of respectable behaviors both on and off the field. That is one of just a few reasons why Carroll EMC proudly acknowledges the winners of the 2019-2020 Georgia High School Association Cooperative Spirit Sportsmanship Awards: Central High School and Heard County High School. “The young people of our community are the future and one of our greatest investments,” says Taylor Key, Community Relations Specialist for Carroll EMC. “Having high school athletics serve as a vehicle for our student-athletes to both learn how to handle the challenges of life as well as be an example of winning and losing with class are just a couple of reasons we are proud to invest in high school sports and these incredible young adults.” Carroll EMC, along with other EMCs in Georgia, have presented the Cooperative Spirit Sportsmanship Award each year since 2006 to emphasize, encourage and reward positive behavior in athletics. To be considered for recognition, students, athletes, coaches, spectators and anyone else associated with high school activities programs must display respect, fairness, honesty and responsibility before, during and after competition. “Congratulations to all of the region winners of the GHSA Cooperative Spirit Sportsmanship Award for 2019-2020,” says Dr. Robin Hines, GHSA Executive Director. “It is an honor for these member schools to be selected by their regions for this award. The characteristics of good sportsmanship are critical to the development of our young people as they transition into productive adults. The GHSA applauds our schools on this accomplishment and appreciates Georgia’s EMCs for their support of this outstanding recognition program.” The schools honored with this award saw their representatives demonstrate a high-level of honorable behavior across all sports throughout the school year and among many different groups ranging from students, coaches, parents, spectators and officials. With the award serving as a compliment to anyone involved with the school’s athletic events, this is an award not just for the school but for the entire community. Central High School was among eight Georgia high schools in the Class 2A division to be recognized for excellent sportsmanship.

From your first account to your retirement and every milestone in between, our team at United Community Bank is with you every step of the way. We care deeply for the customers we serve—and provide you with the tools you need to achieve the future you’ve always imagined. Visit us today and experience United. CARROLLTON VILLA RICA

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770-459-3100 770-942-5681

Georgia’s EMCs: Protecting our Members’ Investments Guest Op-Ed by Tim Martin, President and CEO, Carroll EMC

ince we were formed as a not-for-profit electric broadband expansion costs. The real reason for the cooperative in 1936, Carroll EMC has been a slow growth of rural broadband in Georgia is the source of growth and stability in West Georgia. lack of population density in rural communities. We deliver reliable and affordable energy and Despite these truths, some have used Georgia’s we support our communities through charitable tragic digital divide, heightened by the COVID-19 programs. Recently, we announced an exciting new pandemic, as an opportunity to create a false partnership with SyncGlobal Telecom that is funded narrative. These national cable companies are now through our investments plus a grant from the arguing that the PSC should mandate a lower rental USDA ReConnect Program. This rate to attach onto EMC utility partnership will result in new or poles. Sure, every business enhanced internet service to would like to score a bargain welcome we While more than 7,000 residents and and lower their infrastructure cable companies to our more than 200 businesses in costs. But why should the notpoles, we need them West Georgia. for-profit EMC member-owners, Although that partnership who have paid for these poles, to pay their fair share is just getting started, a be stuck with the bill to subsidize of the costs of owning, debate is brewing about our cable company profits? maintaining and utility poles that we own and While we keep the lights on, maintain to carry electricity to Carroll EMC has shown our replacing these poles. your home and business. Not commitment to the expansion only do our poles allow us to of broadband through our keep your lights on, they serve as the infrastructure partnership with SyncGlobal Telecom. Also, more for cable companies to bring their services to than 20 other EMCs in Georgia have formed your home. Across the state, instead of building or are exploring similar partnerships. EMCs will their own poles and acquiring their own rights of continue to be a source of growth and stability in way, cable companies pay a rental fee to attach our communities, and we’ll never stop protecting their equipment to the utility poles owned by our member-owners’ financial investment in our cooperatives, like Carroll EMC. The dollars you, our cooperative. WGW member-owners, pay in your monthly electric bill allow us to acquire, install and maintain those poles, for the benefit of the entire community. While we welcome cable companies to our poles, we need them to pay their fair share of the costs of owning, maintaining and replacing these poles. They should not demand a government mandate to lower their infrastructure costs, while millions of Georgia citizens and businesses are forced to absorb the financial loss because cable does not want to pay its fair share. The rental fee that cable companies pay to attach to the utility pole is now the subject of debate at the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC). On behalf of the more than 4 million EMC member-owners across Georgia, EMCs are asking the PSC to reject the national cable companies’ arguments for an unreasonably low pole attachment rate known as the FCC-rate, and set a fair-share rental rate. The cable industry has falsely claimed that the rental rates EMCs charge are a barrier to the expansion of rural broadband. The truth is the pole Tim Martin, President and CEO, Carroll EMC attachment rental rate represents a tiny fraction of

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Surviving Thanksgiving

Taking Charge of Your Dysfunctional Family

ou have an uncle who loves to get into political sparring matches, Aunt Millie can’t hold her liquor and no one likes your sister’s husband. This is your family, and when it comes to the holidays, love them or hate them, you all come together around the table to break bread and give thanks. When it comes to surviving Thanksgiving with your family, you need to find the fun in the dysfunctional. You also need to have a plan.

Don't Discuss Sensitive Topics The first thing everyone needs to agree upon is there may be no discussions regarding politics and religion. Discussing these subjects almost always ends in heated arguments during which people say things they wish they could take back, along with hurt feelings that could linger well beyond dessert. Don’t drop big news while passing the green beans. It’s never a good idea to announce a new engagement, divorce, pregnancy or any other earthaltering news while together with your family – some of whom may be less than pleased with the news. Tell your family ahead of time so they can process their emotions before you all get together for the holidays. If there are other sensitive topics such as a recent

By Sandra Bolan

divorce or miscarriage, tell your folks ahead of time that these topics are not up for discussion, period. If your family insists on delving into topics that make you uncomfortable, experts agree it’s completely acceptable to remove yourself from the situation, either by leaving the room or the dinner altogether.

Create Structure You can’t control how people behave. We all want Uncle Joe to think before he speaks, and it’s everyone's hope that Aunt Millie won’t go face-first into the punch bowl like she did last year, but the reality is that it might just happen. What you can control is how you react to these situations. One way to eliminate potential strife is having a pre-determined seating arrangement. Seat people who rub each other the wrong way at opposite ends of the table. If there is a particular troublemaker, seat him or her right beside you so you can quickly steer an uncomfortable conversation in another direction. Telling everyone when they should arrive, what they can bring and exactly when the meal is being served can help minimize some of the chaos that comes with having a dysfunctional family. But avoid being excessively rigid because that can

add stress to the family as well. Make a plan, but be flexible, when necessary.

Kids are Family, Too Far too often the only consideration kids get is their own table, which is great – no child wants to listen to adult conversations. Make the kids’ table the “fun” table by using a paper table cloth and providing crayons so they can draw while they eat. As much as we want kids to love all the foods we typically indulge in on Thanksgiving, the reality is there are some kids who will eat nothing more than buttered noodles. If there is a child or two like this in your family, make them their favorite foods so you can avoid mealtime meltdowns. Let kids find their way to the green bean casserole on their own time. It’s also important to let children burn off some of their energy before and after dinner. So hide the video games and get them outside.

Don’t Sleep in Your Old Room If you’re coming from out of town, you're not required to stay in your old room or with any of your

family members. Sometimes all of that together time just adds to the stress. Book hotel accomodations and explain to your family that, although you appreciate their generous offer of the guest room, you feel more comfortable being able to return to your own space at the end of the evening. They'll understand. And if they don't, at least you have a place to retreat when the daggers come out.

Focus on Giving Thanks When you have a dysfunctional family, it’s easy to get caught up in what could go wrong and the ensuing drama when everyone gets together. Take the opportunity to focus on the intent of the day – giving thanks for what you have – even for your dysfunctional family. Be helpful however you can. Keeping busy can also remove yourself from some of the drama, but more important, make you feel good about yourself. Mentally prepare yourself before the get-together by making an appointment with your therapist or practicing meditation or deep breathing exercises, which can elevate your mood, reframe your perspective and help you enjoy the day more. WGW

Thankful for You Bremen • Carrollton • Douglasville 770.537.2375 • 770.836.1466 • 770.489.2818

www.hightowerfamilyfuneralhomes.com

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. 43

Kids Korner

By Jordan Coffman Photos by Zachary Dailey

Perfect Pumpkin Pie

Orange construction paper not shown.

he kids will love making this super easy Thanksgiving pumpkin pie. If you have small children and don't want to use a hot glue gun, a glue stick will work just fine. These adorable paper turkeys make great centerpieces for the kids' table on Thanksgiving Day. This craft is just involved enough to keep the kids busy while indoors on a rainy day.

Materials 3 craft sticks 1 sheet orange construction paper Brown and orange paint or markers Paint brush (if using paint) Cotton ball Hot glue gun and glue sticks Scissors Instructions Paint or color two of the craft sticks orange. Paint or color the other craft stick brown. Cut a triangle out of the orange construction paper. Glue the orange crafts sticks to the triangle vertically. Glue the brown craft stick at the top of the orange craft sticks horizontally. Glue the cotton ball in the center of the construction paper.

Paper Turkey Materials Brown, yellow, orange and red construction paper Hot glue gun and glue sticks Googly eyes Scissors

Instructions Cut the turkey's head (similar to the shape of a peanut) from a sheet of brown construction paper. Cut the red, yellow, orange and brown construction paper into 1-inch wide strips. Cut some

of the strips in shorter lengths. For the feathers, loop the strips inside each other, alternating colors, and glue the strips together at the base. After looping, pinch the tops to make feathers more pointed. Create four of these groups of feathers. Glue the turkey head to the feathers. Glue the googly eyes to the head. Cut the turkey's snood out of the red construction paper and the beak out of the yellow construction paper. Glue the snood and the beak to the head. WGW

Dailey Life Photography 404.444.9072

www.daileylifephoto.wordpress.com

@DaileyLifePhoto @DaileyLifePhotography

Photo by Zachary Dailey

Happy Thanksgiving Word Search Word Bank

Cornucopia Gobble Thanksgiving Cranberries Autumn Leftovers Giblets Thursday Cooking Yams Family Dressing Harvest Baking Gratitude Feast America Centerpiece Baste Acorns

Word search created at puzzle-maker.com

Creating Beautiful Smiles for Over 17 Years! Family and Cosmetic Dentistry Complete Facial Esthetics

Dr. Harvey, bottom right, with her staff.

M. Dawn Harvey, DMD, PC 105 Dallas Rd. â&#x20AC;˘ Villa Rica 770.459.5778 www.drharveysmiles.com

Can your blood get where it’s going?

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Your heart and lungs are doing their part — but if your blood vessels can’t keep up, that doesn’t matter. Vascular disease can affect any part of your body, leading to leg pain, slow-healing wounds, organ failure and more. The specialized care you need is nearby. Our experienced vascular specialists offer care for a host of vascular conditions, so your blood can get where it needs to be — and you can, too.

Make an appointment with a vascular specialist by calling 770-812-5902. Appointments available in Carrollton and Villa Rica. 48

tanner.org/vascular-care