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Kim Dollar Turning Heartbreak into Hope
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The Dollar Family Turns Their Heartbreak into Hope for Children Battling Cancer Page 10 Photo by Zachary Dailey
What’s inside... 10 Still Battling for Braxton 26 Take Your Life Back
28 Mother Earth
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42 Precious Memories
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Some Positive News
As COVID-19 begins to rear its ugly head again, we've all experienced some fear and anxiety as we hear the heartbreaking news time and time again about someone else in our community who has passed away from this terrible illness. My daughter, Sydney, just sent me a message today sharing the news that one of her friends just lost his mother to COVID. He is only 19 years old. If you haven't already, I would encourage you to make an appointment to get the COVID-19 vaccine to help protect yourself and your family members. The vaccine is free to anyone, and the Pfizer vaccine was fully approved by the FDA Aug. 23. On a much happier note, I'd like you to meet my first grandchild in the photo to the right! Baby Dailey is scheduled to arrive March 8, and I am ecstatic over the news! My son, Zachary, and his wife, Jordan, are incredibly excited, and the entire family can't wait to welcome this precious baby into our lives. Zach and Jordan are going to be wonderful parents! In This Issue As many of you may know, our September issue is typically reserved for suicide awareness and prevention. I lost my precious nephew, Tristan, to suicide in Sept. 2015. Since losing Tristan, I made it my mission to share all I could about the devastating effects of suicide on Photo by Zachary Dailey families, to hopefully prevent more deaths by suicide. This year, I made the difficult decision to not publish a suicide awareness issue, and focus instead on another subject – childhood cancer. The month of September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, in addition to National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Although I struggled with the decision, I am happy I chose to publish this issue. Although Braxton's story is tragic and heartbreaking, my hope is that it will help many children and parents in West Georgia and East Alabama. I also believe Tristan would whole-heartedly approve. Our feature this month is Kim Dollar. She and her husband, Jeff, experienced something no parents should ever have to experience; they lost their beautiful 6-year-old son, Braxton, to a rare form of cancer – DIPG. Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma is a highly aggressive, cancerous brain tumor found in the brainstem – the part of the brain just above the back of the neck and connected to the spine. There is no cure for DIPG, and the survival rate is less than 1 percent. Nine to 12 months is the average survival rate for a child with DIPG. Braxton fought bravely for over 16 months, but on June 3, 2018, he succumbed to his illness, leaving the Dollar family shattered and heartbroken. Jeff and Kim have made it their mission to remind other parents who have children with cancer that they are not alone. In 2018, the Dollars founded the Braxton Dollar Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, to help support children fighting pediatric brain cancer and their families. Their goal is to support families physically, financially and emotionally – wherever they are in their cancer fight. On page 10, learn more about Braxton and the Dollar family, and how they are continuing what Braxton started by helping other parents with children who are battling cancer. There is so much more to read inside. Be sure to check out page 37 and read about the awards we received in July from the Georgia Press Association! Thank you for reading West Georgia Woman magazine. Please continue to do business with our community advertising partners included in this issue. Without them, there would be no West Georgia Woman! See you next month,
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Mail correspondence to: West Georgia Woman Magazine P.O. Box 2782 Carrollton, GA 30112 Retraction: In the Aug. 2021 issue, we mistakenly listed the owners of Smith Brothers Supply Company incorrectly on page 36 of the "Celebrate His Success" article. The owners of Smith Brothers Supply Company are Ronald R. Smith Testamentary Trust (75%) and Ray H. Smith (25%). We strive to provide complete and factual information in our articles, but this time we missed the mark. We deeply apologize to the owners for any inconvenience this may have caused. You may view the corrected Aug. 2021 issue on our website at www.westgeorgiawoman.com.
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This publication is dedicated in loving memory of Tristan Alexander Brooks May 15, 1993 – September 17, 2015
Volume 6 • Issue 11 September 2021
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Jeff and Kim Dollar, with their son Braxton's remains.
By Amanda Thomas 10 by Zachary Dailey Photos
Still Battling for Braxton
Carrollton Family Turns Heartbreak Into Hope11
Note: This article contains excerpts from the notes and messages the Dollars wrote during their son Braxton’s battle with pediatric cancer.
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his is a special month for Jeff and Kim Dollar, the owners of Dollar Heating & Air, LLC. Not because this month marks the beginning of fall or the start of football season, but because it’s National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This month, the Carrollton couple are bringing awareness to pediatric cancer, which is the leading cause of death by disease for kids under 14 years of age, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They are raising awareness because they are parents who lived through the heartbreak and struggles of having a child diagnosed with cancer at the age of 4. But let’s start at the beginning.
loved his family and had his own special bond with each of them. He was a daddy’s boy, but he wanted his mommy when he wasn’t feeling well. He looked up to his big brothers, Riley, Austin and Carson, and couldn’t wait to be as big as they were, so he could do all the fun stuff they did. Unfortunately, he never got the chance.
Unexpected News
In late December 2016 and through Christmas break, the Dollars noticed that Braxton’s overall behavior and demeanor were different. He began to experience daily headaches and weekly nightmares. He became easily irritated by small things he usually would not have been bothered by and even began misbehaving some. They recall that Brax wasn’t his “happy and sweet self.” A few days after Christmas, his left eye began to turn inward. The headaches and nightmares also increased. “He was so tired in the afternoons he would climb up in my lap daily and fall asleep,” Kim says. A Welcome At the beginning of January 2017, Addition she took him to his local pediatrician’s Braxton Levi office to be Dollar was born on evaluated. During Feb. 20, 2012, in the visit, the Carrollton. pediatrician tested The youngest his hearing, vision of four boys, his and reflexes. parents described The pediatrician him as “the couldn’t find sweetest and anything wrong, happiest little so she referred boy,” who was them to a pediatric always smiling. Braxton Dollar. Kim says Braxton’s necklace (above) and Jeff’s matching bracelet ophthalmologist Braxton loved were reminders to them that no matter what, through it all, God is with us, or playing and being God's got this, His promise to us is real and once this life is over, heaven awaits us. (eye doctor) in Carrollton for an outdoors. He also Photo by Lauren Luberto.
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appointment the next day. At that appointment, Braxton was given the most thorough exam Kim had ever experienced. They were in the exam room for over two hours. At one point, the ophthalmologist asked Kim if she could look through the photos on her phone to see pictures of Braxton over the last several months. “I handed her my phone, and she looked at and zoomed in on pictures of his face for over 10 minutes,” Kim says. “She then wrote orders for us to go across the street to Tanner Medical Center and have a CT scan of the head done.” The opthalmologist told her Braxton had perfect 2020 vision, so she wanted to have the scan done to make sure there was nothing behind his eyes causing pressure and making the eye turn and causing headaches. “I took him over to Tanner then to McDonald’s to get a Happy Meal and play before picking his brothers up from school,” Kim says. The next morning, the ophthalmologist called to say the scan was clear. Kim remembers the doctor pausing for a moment before saying she put in a referral to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s radiology department. “Just as a precaution, the opthalmologist wanted to have an MRI of the shoulders-up done,” she says. Later that day, Kim received a call from the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta radiology department with an appointment scheduled for the morning of Jan. 20, 2017. “This appointment was eight days away, so we did our best to go about our regular schedule within what Braxton was able or willing to do with how he was feeling each day,” she says. The morning of Jan. 20, the Dollars arrived at the CHOA radiology building at 7 a.m. with Braxton still in his pajamas. “They took us back, took his vitals, had us sign paperwork, explained the procedure, prepped Braxton, then I walked him back to the MRI machine and held his little hand until he fell asleep,” Kim says. At that point, neither of them had a clue what they were about to be told about their youngest son. After waiting patiently in the room for 45 minutes, they received the news no parent expects to hear. Braxton hadn’t made it out of the MRI room before the radiologist knocked on the door, came into the room and closed the door. Immediately, they could tell in her face that she was visibly upset. She explained that usually, this isn’t part of her
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not a cure. The treatment option most often recommended by doctors is a combination of anti-inflammatory steroids and radiation. This treatment approach will help manage some symptoms by reducing swelling. Some families choose to enroll their children Braxton (third from left) loved playing and being outdoors. He also loved his family in clinical trials and had his own special bond with each of them. He was a daddy’s boy, but he while undergoing A Rare wanted his mommy when he wasn’t feeling well. He looked up to his big brothers, Riley (left), Austin (right) and Carson (second from left), and couldn’t wait to be as big radiation Find and steroid as they were, so he could do all the fun stuff they did. Photo by Megan Cook. treatments, and Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) is a rare, the Dollars decided to do just that. highly aggressive, cancerous brain tumor found in According to the ACCO, pharmaceutical the brainstem – the part of the brain just above the companies only allocate 1 percent of their research back of the neck and connected to the spine. and development budget for childhood cancer The brainstem controls breathing, heart rate treatments. and the nerves and muscles that help us see, hear, walk, talk and eat. Every year, 200 to 400 children Braxton’s Journey: The Beginning in the United States will be diagnosed with DIPG, according to Children’s Cancer Cause. Jan. 20, 2017: The survival rate for DIPG is less than 1 percent. Braxton needed brain mapping and mask fitting. Nine to 12 months is the average survival rate for a This needs to be done immediately. He then would child with DIPG. undergo six weeks of Monday through Friday Because DIPG brain tumors are usually fastradiation at Emory, followed up with another MRI. growing, symptoms can arise suddenly, according He will start an oral chemotherapy on his first day to the American Childhood Cancer Organization of radiation to continue until MRI results show it (ACCO). Symptoms can include: is no longer working. He will also start a low-dose steroid on the first day of radiation to help with the • Difficulty speaking, chewing and swallowing swelling. Once radiation is finished, he can then be • Eyelid or face drooping, especially on one side • Nausea and vomiting • Persistent headaches, especially in the morning • Walking or balance problems, especially on one side of the body “Carrollton’s Prescription Headquarters” • Vision problems 821 Dixie Street DIPG is considered a terminal diagnosis, and Carrollton, GA 30117 treatment options are limited because of the 770.832.7076 tumor’s location in the brain stem. It’s impossible to surgically remove a brain tumor because the healthy tissue surrounding it is critical to survival. Drive Thru Service • Gifts • Free Delivery Radiation therapy can shrink the tumor, but it’s job, but she was the only one there to give them the news: Your son has a terminal brain tumor located in the brain stem. It’s called DIPG, and we are doing additional scans. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta oncology department will be contacting you soon.
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weaned off of the steroid. He is being prescribed nausea medication that he will most likely need daily during radiation. Looking back, the days following Braxton’s diagnosis are a blur for the Dollars. As word spread, their cell phones were ringing nonstop to the point they could not use them. They had friends set up a Facebook page, “Battling for Braxton,” to update their family and friends on his condition. Braxton was diagnosed on a Friday morning, and Kim spent the entire weekend contacting every hospital in the United States she could to discuss his diagnosis. On Saturday, Jeff returned to the imaging center to pick up copies of Braxton’s scans. They then mailed them out to several hospitals for review. After receiving the scans, every oncology department at every pediatric hospital gave them the same diagnosis, treatment plan and tragic outcome. They were told there was no need to travel for treatment. After his diagnosis, Braxton completed six weeks of radiation treatment and started an oral chemotherapy clinical trial.
They took the doctor’s advice and did just that over the next several months. They went more places and did more things than they could list, and they did them until Braxton could not go anymore. He and his family loved every minute of it.
A Hard Road Ahead
In late August 2017, an MRI scan revealed that Braxton's tumor had begun to grow. At that time, Braxton was removed from the clinical trial in which he was participating. In midSeptember 2017, he started a new clinical trial in hopes that the medications would help slow the tumor’s progression. But by mid-December 2017, Braxton's MRI results yet again showed growth in the tumor. He was again removed from the clinical trial he was participating in. Braxton then started taking a high dose of steroids each day and began 14 sessions of reradiation treatments in hopes of re-shrinking the tumor like it did back when he was diagnosed. On Feb. 25, 2018, the Dollars met with Braxton's pediatric oncologist at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and talked about his MRI results. The report showed that the tumor shrank some due to re-radiation. The Honeymoon Phase This was the good news they expected to hear since they had seen improvement in Braxton’s Braxton then entered what oncology doctors physical abilities called the the last few honeymoon weeks. phase. But the tumor This is a short was still larger period where patients feel than it was in April 2017 after good and healthy his first round again – almost as if they’re back to of radiation their usual selves. treatment. During that Braxton's vital time, doctors told signs looked the Dollars they great, and he had a few months had lost three to squeeze in pounds since his a lifetime of last visit, thanks experiences, to him tapering memories and fun off of the The Dollar family from left to right: Riley, Jeff, Braxton, Carson, Kim and Austin. before Braxton steroids he was The Dollars only had a few months to squeeze in a lifetime of experiences, would be unable memories and fun before Braxton would be unable to participate in those things. given after his to participate in last re-radiation They went more places and did more things than they could list, and they did those things. treatment in them until Braxton could not go anymore. Photo by Lauren Luberto.
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January 2018. His doctor told them they could continue tapering off the steroids as long as he continued to do well. The question now is, what do we do next? Brax has completed re-radiation and made it to the 12-month mark. So what is the plan now? Unfortunately, his doctor was unable to answer that question for us. Braxton has now surpassed the "standard of care" for DIPG. He was only given 9-12 months to live 13 months ago … Children's Healthcare of Atlanta oncologists have done all that they know to do for him. He does not have another appointment scheduled or need to come back for a check-up unless we feel it's needed! Normally this would be great news, except Braxton is not done. He is not healed. The tumor is not gone, and this is not right! Before leaving the appointment today, we signed a record release form to continue the process of having Braxton's records looked at by other institutions. We are not quitting, and we will not give up on our little man!! #battlingforbraxton #morethanfour #dollarstrong #fightdipg A few weeks later, the Dollars would face another difficult decision due to Braxton’s continued decline.
A Heartbreaking Decison March 30, 2018: Well, we did something no parent should ever have to do; we met back with the hospice nurse and signed all of the papers. Our 6-year-old child is officially on hospice … For now, she will come just once a week, check on Braxton and report back to his doctors. During this time, we are still actively looking for other options, researching, and continuously praying. #battlingforbraxton #dollarstrong #dipg #dipgwarrior #hospiceisnoplaceforachild The Dollars had to up Braxton’s steroid dose because of returning symptoms. Each day for him was becoming increasingly difficult, which was incredibly hard for his parents to watch. They remember him being healthy and full of life, running and playing as little boys do. There were already so many things about Braxton they missed – his big personality, smile and being too smart for his own good. After the last radiation treatment, they remember how wonderful it was to hear his “perfect little voice” again, the way it had always sounded. But
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sadly, that too had yet again faded. Braxton’s words were slightly slurred, and his eyes didn’t shine the way they always had. His face was so swollen that the cute little freckles on his nose just didn’t look the same. Whatever happened next, the Dollars vowed to continue to love him and fight alongside him for as long as God would allow.
A Good Day June 2, 2018: Braxton had a really good day in comparison to the weeks past. So much so that it was exciting and very scary at the same time. My hope was that his body was getting stronger, but in my heart, I feared the worst was here. Braxton woke up early and happy. He ate a lot better and more often that day. He wanted to get out of bed. Braxton, his mother and brother watched a movie. They sat on the porch and listened to the birds, frogs and squirrels. He giggled and played with his daddy. Kim remembers holding him while he napped in her arms and Piggy – his little, six-pound therapy dog – snuggled with him. He played with Piggy, and at the end of the day, he even had enough energy left to use the potty, take a shower, brush his teeth and comb his hair before going to bed. Kim fought back tears while lying in bed with him that night after reading a new superhero book. She was afraid this was the high before the low – the last of his strength before going home. When Braxton finished his prayers, he whispered, “Good night, Mommy, sweet dreams,” something he said to her nearly every night. It was the last time she would ever hear his voice.
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Kim fought back tears while lying in bed with him that night after reading a new superhero book. She was afraid this was the high before the low – the last of his strength before going home. The Journey Home June 3, 2018: At 2 a.m., Braxton woke up struggling to breathe and unable to talk. We communicated through blinking. When I would ask him a question, blinking was yes and staring at me (like I was crazy) was no. I did everything I knew to do before calling the nurse. Braxton was scared, and so was I. You could see it in his eyes. There was fluid in Braxton’s lungs – more than he had ever had before. Kim called the nurse, who told her to get the hospice comfort kit from her refrigerator and that he may be in his last days or even hours. She was terrified but did as she was told. At that moment, she knew she had to help Braxton by getting his breathing under control, holding him, kissing him and comforting him. And she did. By 3 a.m., Braxton was back asleep, and Kim recalls feeling exhausted. She held his hand, and they slept until a few minutes after 7 a.m., when it happened again. He woke up unable to talk, swallow or breathe well with the oxygen on. Kim did what the nurse told her to do during the
night, but it didn’t work this time. She called the nurse, who gave her a different set of instructions that worked only for short periods. The nurse was on her way, but she knew in her heart what was happening. Jeff picked Braxton up and walked him for over an hour because it was the only way to give him relief. Every few minutes, Braxton would fall asleep on his dad’s shoulder but then wake up suddenly. This happened over and over. The look in Braxton’s eyes screamed, “Help me, I’m scared, and it hurts,” all at the same time. The Dollars kept telling their son it was OK, that they were doing everything they could, and that the nurse was on her way to help him. He would nod his head as if he understood and then stare as if he was waiting for the nurse to get here. He never cried, but his parents could see the uncertainty he felt. When the nurse arrived and checked him, she told them they needed to sedate him to calm his breathing and keep him comfortable. To know they may never see his eyes open again was heartbreaking. After giving him the medication, Jeff continued to hold him until he fell asleep. At this point, it was a little after noon. Kim sat down and settled in so she could hold Braxton and
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rock him while he slept. He never opened his eyes again but he knew they were with him. For the next nine hours, the Dollar family held him, rocked him, talked to him, kissed him and stroked his thick brown hair. Several close friends and family members visited during that time. Each of his brothers and grandparents – Ray Carver, Sr., and Ron and Gail Dollar – were also by his side, loving on him, talking to him, praying and crying over him. The harder Kim prayed, the more she could hear it was time. Jeff and Kim told their son they were proud of the way he had fought so hard and been so brave through his illness, but that his fight was ending – that Jesus was there to take him home, and it was OK to go. They told him they would “miss him bunches,” but Jesus and Grandma [Diana] Carver were waiting for him in heaven. She also told him they would watch over him and keep him safe until one day when they all get to heaven. They reminded him that in heaven, he could be their little Braxton again. They meant everything they said but didn’t want to let him go. And they felt like Braxton knew it because moments before he passed, she saw tears around his eyes – something they had not seen from him at all
that day. When Kim saw those tears, her heart sank even more because she knew at that point, he not only heard them but was ready or willing to go. As they said their final goodbyes, he quietly slipped away right there in her arms. Their little Braxton, at only 6 years and 3 months old, was gone from this life. Our hearts are completely shattered! Braxton left his broken body and went to heaven to be with Jesus this evening at 9:25 pm. He passed in a peaceful sleep while surrounded by family. #battlingforbraxton #dollarstrong #BraxtonLeviDollar #standingonfaith
Picking Up the Pieces June 2018: January 20, 2017, is a date that will forever be burned into our hearts and minds. It was d-day for our sweet Braxton. The day a precautionary MRI changed our whole world. The day our youngest son was not just diagnosed with brain cancer, but diagnosed with an inoperable, uncurable, unsurvivable type of brain cancer called DIPG. He was just 4 years old that day. A pre-K student.
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Local Resources for Families Battling Childhood Cancer There are many organizations out there to support parents with children who are battling cancer. Here is a list of local organizations offering support.
Braxton Dollar Foundation
www.facebook.com/BraxtonDollarFoundation
Bert’s Big Adventure
www.bertsbigadventure.org
Chase the Victory
www.chasethevictory.com
CURE Childhood Cancer www.curechildhoodcancer.org
Hunting for the Cure
www.huntingforthecure.org
Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the United States, Inc. www.curethekids.org
Rally Foundation
www.rallyfoundation.org A little boy full of life. It’s still hard to find the words to describe that day or that feeling. Those words, the look on the radiologist’s face, the disbelief, the fear, the confusion, the heartbreak, the helplessness. All of it at once. Now on this date each year, we remember that moment like it was yesterday. January 20th became the first of many dates on the calendar that would forever change our lives. That day was the beginning of a long, hard, scary journey. For Brax, that journey has ended. He is done. But for us, it continues. It continues even without him here, and it is still hard. But we are simply taking each day, each milestone, one at a time. #LivingforBraxton Braxton bravely fought DIPG for over 16 months, and the heartbreak the Dollars experienced after losing a child to cancer was devastating. How did they make it through such a tragic time? Looking back through pictures, it’s clear to Kim that the support they received helped keep them going day after day. “The support we received from our community during and after Braxton’s battle was heaven-
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sent,” she says. “There are really no words for what all people did for us, the way they provided for us, the way they loved each of us, and the thousands of prayers. It’s almost overwhelming and truly unbelievable looking back at everything and everyone. And we needed every bit of it all!” The love and support the Dollars received inspired them to pay it forward and create the Braxton Dollar Foundation, Inc.
Continuing the Battle February 2019: It is amazing how one little boy has been able to touch so many lives through the fight of his life and beyond. Braxton leaves behind a legacy through his love for others. Today in Honor of Braxton and for his 1st Heavenly birthday, 105 pediatric oncology patients at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta each received a reusable lunchbox stuffed full of love! ... We also delivered the last 10 collapsible wagons to Emory Winship Radiation Oncology Department and Proton Center today ... We saw a lot of people today that we haven’t seen in over a year. We also met several new people today that we were able to share Braxton’s journey with. Each one of them
Memorial Nature Preserve & Natural Green Cemetery 3550 Mooty Bridge Road LaGrange, GA 30240 706-884-7435 www.whisperinghillspreserve.com info@whisperinghillspreserve.com SAT 10AM-5PM SUN 1PM-5PM MON-FRI Call for Appointment Whispering Hills Memorial Nature Preserve is nestled upon the gently rolling hills of West Georgia. The preserve contains a Natural Green Cemetery and provides sites for interment of cremated remains, scattering of cremated remains, and “green” burials. Elizabeth Fournier, author of The Green Burial Guidebook, descries green burials as, “a way of caring for our deceased with the least possible environmental impact.” In a green burial, embalming is not permitted. Only biodegradable shrouds or containers are allowed, and there are no vaults or grave liners. Free guided tours for individuals and groups are provided for first time visitors. After the initial tour, you may register as a guest and visit on your own.
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ORDER ONLINE, ANY TIME | NGTurf.com | 770-431-1340 is a reminder that parents and children fighting this horrible disease are not alone in their fight. We know Braxton would be proud of all that was done in his name today, and that brings a big smile to our faces along with a few tears to our eyes. We love you, Braxton Levi Dollar, and we promise to continue what you started. #dollarstrong #battlingforbraxton #livingforbraxton In 2018, the Dollars founded the Braxton Dollar Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, to help support children fighting pediatric brain cancer and their families. Their goal is to support families physically, financially and emotionally. The foundation has donated nearly 200 collapsible cloth wagons and over 500 reusable cloth lunch boxes so far. It has also helped multiple families financially with mortgage payments, vehicle payments, utility bills,
*See Website for Details
school supplies and more. A huge part of pediatric cancer is the financial struggles that parents go through – the missed work, being let go from their jobs for missing work, the lack of pay, worrying about having money to buy groceries because the bills need to be paid. These are all things the Dollars went through and what they see other cancer parents go through each day. That is one of the reasons they started the foundation. “We try to help parents with those financial burdens during their child’s battle,” Kim says. “Because being worried about helping your child fight cancer is hard enough without having to worry about your mortgage, your power bill, or where your next meal is going to come from. We meet parents where they are in their child’s journey because no one fights alone.” She explains that the goal of the foundation is to
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share Braxton’s love treatments, a for others. wagon is an “During Braxton’s important item to battle, we saw own. When a child many other parents undergoes radiation and children in therapy, the child treatment,” Jeff is required to have says. anywhere from Not only did they one to six weeks see parents struggle of treatments, with getting the five days a week. things they needed Pediatric patients for their children are treated from 7 like bags, blankets to 11 a.m., Monday and medicine, but through Friday. they also saw kids "The wagons too sick to play and Braxton's room holds his most prized possessions, including his first (right) come in handy, smile and just bored and second (left) deer, his gun mount made of the second deer's hooves, his because the hunting rifle and one of his favorite hats (hanging on his first deer's antler). Inset: from being in bed radiation all day for months. Braxton's memorial cabinet holds a place of honor in the Dollar home. The department is in the cabinet displays treasured photos and mementos, including his cross necklace So during basement – which is and Jeff's matching bracelet, Braxton's boots, belt and his favorite hat. Braxton’s treatment, a long walk from the the Dollars helped a few parents and kids with little front door," Kim says. "It’s early, and those children things. are generally sedated for treatment, making them “And it made them smile,” Kim says. “It helped groggy when it’s time to leave. They generally have make things a little easier. It also reminded them medication in hand, as well as a drink and snack for they are not alone. In some small way, giving to after treatment. In short, the wagon is a great way to them also did those things for us, and Braxton transport your child and all of their belongings that enjoyed it.” are needed at those appointments every morning. For children who are going through radiation It’s also great because you do not have to worry
Left photo and inset: The Braxton Dollar Foundation has donated nearly 200 collapsible cloth wagons and over 500 reusable cloth lunch boxes so far. It has also helped multiple families financially with mortgage payments, vehicle payments, utility bills, school supplies and more. Center photo: Braxton, in his wagon with some of his favorite stuffed animals – including his most favorite, Froggy (photos provided by the Dollar family). Right photo: Braxton's older brother, Carson, with Froggy. When Braxton passed away, Carson took Froggy under his wing so he could care for him. Carson sleeps with Froggy every night and takes him on every family trip and vacation (photo by Zachary Dailey).
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“And it made them smile. It helped make things a little easier. It also reminded them they are not alone. In some small way, giving to them also did those things for us, and Braxton enjoyed it.”
of foundations available to help others in their time of need. They also want to remind parents to take care of themselves, even if it's a few minutes here and there. Something as simple as taking a nap, a short walk or a shower can help immensely.
A Message of Hope
about germs, because it is their personal wagon. Being that they collapse, the wagons can fit in any vehicle whether it’s an SUV or small car." Pediatric oncology patients typically have multiple appointments each week or month, so the wagon makes life easier for the parents and the child during the long treks from the parking decks to the elevators, walking through the medical office buildings and while sitting in waiting rooms. The foundation's annual wagon drive is scheduled for Sept. 1-30. The cost for a wagon is $50 (see sidebar on this page for information on donating to the wagon drive). The foundation also holds an annual lunchbox drive the first of each year and delivers the donated lunchboxes in February, in honor of Braxton's birthday. The cost for a lunchbox is $25. The lunchboxes are filled with fun items such as balloons, bouncy balls, glow sticks, noisemakers, small wooden or cardboard airplanes, snacks, small coloring books and crayons, invisible ink pens, silly sunglasses, Slinkys®, stickers, tattoos, bubbles, silly straws, finger flashlights and more.
Helping Others The Dollars have some advice they’d like to give to parents who have a child diagnosed with cancer. The journey is hard, so it’s important to let others help. They want parents to remember they’re not alone and can’t do it alone. The Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta has a team of social workers, and there are a variety of foundations available to help support families during their child’s battle (see sidebar on page 22 for resources for parents and families). The Dollars understand it’s hard to ask for help but encourage parents to utilize the resources that are there for them. They are proud to be on the list
The story of Braxton's life is a testimony of hope, faith and strength. His journey is a reminder that no day is guaranteed, and we must follow his example to work to live each day to the fullest. He got to experience more fun and adventure when he was feeling well than many people do in a lifetime – which means his brothers and parents were able to experience those things as well, and made memories to last a lifetime. Braxton's life teaches us we should make our bucket list, and start making it a priority to check items off as we can. His legacy teaches us to be kind to others – offering even small tokens of assistance can change the course of someone's struggle. The Dollars have been living this out for a long time now. They have learned to persevere, and they will not stop sharing Braxton's message of hope and his love for others. WGW To learn more about Jeff and Kim Dollar or the Braxton Dollar Foundation, call 770.834.6001 or email braxfoundation@gmail.com. Follow the foundation on Facebook @BraxtonDollarFoundation and Instagram @braxton_dollar_foundation To donate through Paypal (Be sure to select friends and family when making a Donation): http://paypal.me/Braxfoundation?locale.x=en_US Support the Braxton Dollar Foundation while you shop at Amazon Smile Mail monetary donations to: Braxton Dollar Foundation 110 SweetBriar Ln. Carrollton, Ga. 30117 or, donations can be made at any local Synovus Bank branch.
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Take Your Life Back
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How to Rise Up When You Feel Like Your Life is Falling Apart By Sandra Bolan
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our life is spiraling out of control in the complete opposite direction of where you meticulously plotted out it would go. And it seems like no matter what you do, you’re going down. First things first: you’re not your circumstances, even if the situation you’re in is your fault. Blaming and judging yourself for your predicament is counterproductive. When you made those decisions, they were based on information you had at the time. Now that you’ve hit rock bottom, it’s time to pull yourself up by the proverbial bootstraps, stop focusing on the chaos that is your life and set your sights on greener pastures.
Make a Plan You may have already done this a time or two – or three – but this time, you have to stick to it. The plan also has to be realistic. Wanting to be a millionaire by age 30 is unrealistic for 99 percent of us. So, set your sites on more tangible goals, such as being debt-free or a homeowner. To keep you accountable, find a buddy who will hold your feet to the fire. For example, if your rock bottom was seeing a particular number on the scale, get a workout buddy or hire a personal trainer. Whoever you choose, she needs to be someone who will call you out for cheating on your diet or bailing on workouts. You can also utilize Facebook. The social media platform has support groups for everything imaginable. Join one and post your goals. Group members are often more than happy to offer support and encouragement.
Let Go of What You Can't Control When our life implodes, all we want to do is fix it, which means taking control of everything. But that won’t work. We can’t control other people or what’s happening in the world. What you can control is how you react to the situation. Instead of burying yourself under the blankets and wishing it away, dust yourself off and move on. Focus your time and energy on things you can control.
Be Grateful You may not think there is anything in your life to be grateful for, but there is. Take a minute, stop, think and write down everything you’re grateful for, no matter how insignificant you may think it is. Sometimes, extinguishing the dumpster fire that is your life takes time. Be patient, and don’t stop taking baby steps forward. Change is a normal part of life and it signals it’s time to move on, whether you realize it or not. Make the most of your situation, get out there and begin creating an even better life for yourself. WGW
Feel the Feels Typically, when life is out of control, so are your emotions, and that’s OK. Take that emotional rollercoaster ride, because the only way to get off is to go through it. You have to feel all those feelings – happiness, sadness, anger and disappointment.
Reframe Your Thoughts Examine where you are, and reframe your thinking. Instead of feeling sorry for yourself, find out what opportunities are available to you now that weren’t before. For example, you lost what you thought was your dream job. What other companies do you admire that you'd like to work for? Or, perhaps you've considered taking the leap and becoming your own boss.
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Mother Earth
By Sandra Bolan
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Teaching Children to Care for the Environment
ver the past year, air pollution diminished and water quality improved – all because entire countries shut down for weeks and months at a time, because of COVID-19. While carbon emissions dropped, the amount of waste humans produced increased exponentially. The main culprits are cardboard, thanks to all of those Amazon deliveries and single-use plastic, which not only end up in the landfills, but in our oceans, contributing to the death of many forms of marine life as they mistake the floating bits of plastic for prey. And it’s estimated that 90 percent of seabirds are thought to have pieces of plastic in their stomachs. Before COVID, it was estimated that our oceans had 8 million metric tons of plastic annually dumped into them. That’s the equivalent of one truckload of plastic going into the ocean every minute.
It's Never Too Late to Start It’s not too late to help turn things around so there’s a planet for your children and grandchildren to inhabit. Getting kids involved today will also create long-lasting effects for tomorrow. Children love the outdoors. There’s so much to discover and, sadly, kids are also the ones who find the trash in the sandbox. Hold an annual neighborhood clean up. This includes your area park, yards and gutters. By involving kids, you're teaching them to be good stewards of the planet and to respect it. It also gives them a better perspective about their own actions.
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Kids spend much of their lives indoors, and for them to gain an appreciation and respect for the environment, they need to be immersed in it on a regular basis. Yes, trips here and there to a state park is fun, but to really hammer home environmental education, kids need to have it as part of their daily life. Playing in the local park or the backyard will do it. Environmental education should be about curiosity and discovery, not being lectured to in a classroom. Kids also learn by example, so parents need to step up and show more respect for the environment. The first thing adults need to do is reduce, preferably totally eliminate, the amount of single-use plastic. One way to do this is when you get take-out, ask the staff to hold the plastic cutlery and use your own utensils at home. Stop buying water in plastic bottles. Open your kitchen sink tap, pour the water into a reusable water bottle and refill it throughout the day. Not only will this remove plastic from our landfills, but you’ll save yourself a lot of money. That reusable water bottle will pay for itself in no time. Instead of buying boxes of pre-packaged fruit snacks, chips and other lunchbox staples, buy those snacks in bulk and portion them out into reusable containers. You can make filling the snack containers a fun game for kids – how fast can they fill each container? Another way to cut down on waste is to bring your own reusable shopping bags to the store. Shoppers use a plastic bag for roughly 12 minutes, but it takes
at least 500 years for it to decompose. However, plastic bags don’t actually ever fully decompose. Instead, they transform into microplastics, which absorbs toxins and contributes to environmental pollution. As much as some people try, it’s impossible to buy all your food without packaging. Recycle as much of it as you can and reuse whatever else possible. Turn your glass jam jars into small flower vases, pen holders or even piggy banks. Let the kids get crafty with the scraps.
Around the House It’s the little things that add up and make a difference – both good and bad. How many times do you leave a room and forget to turn the lights off? Go back and turn them off. Don’t go straight from heating your home to cranking up the air conditioning. Take advantage of those nice, breezy days as well as cooler nights and mornings to get some fresh air circulating throughout the house. Before you go to the fridge looking for something to snack on, think about what you want. The contents of the fridge haven't changed over the past few hours, so there’s no need to stand there with
the door wide open looking for something to eat. It just makes the fridge work harder to cool itself back down once you close it. Turn the water off while you brush your teeth. If you have the space, start a garden. Showing your kids where their food comes from gives them a greater appreciation for it. Kids can also help with the weeding and harvesting. Americans love their vehicles. But kids love – and need – to be active. So, as long as it's safe, let your kids ride their bikes to their friends’ place instead of driving them. Kids are famous for spending months begging for new toys, which are mostly made of plastic. But when they finally get them, they break within hours or days, or they get bored with it. Why not buy an experience instead? It doesn't have to be extravagant. Make it an outing to a restaurant you rarely visit, the zoo, aquarium or an amusement park. It can even be lessons – music, dance, martial arts or cooking classes. We often ask ourselves, what are we leaving behind for our kids? In our society, the answer typically has to do with money. However, the real questions adults need to ask themselves is what kind of planet are we leaving behind and what kind of children are we leaving behind for our planet? WGW
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Find us on 29
Daily Fare With
e s o R f e h C
Photos by Zachary Dailey
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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.
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These tots are a delicious side dish that kids and adults will love. Serve with ranch dressing, ketchup or hot sauce.
Broccoli Tots Ingredients
Preparation
12 ounces broccoli 2 cloves garlic, minced 2/3 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded 1 egg, beaten 2/3 cup panko breadcrumbs Salt and pepper, as needed
Fill a medium sauce pan about halfway with water and bring to a boil. Season with 2 tablespoons salt. Blanch broccoli for 2 minutes. Drain broccoli well and chop finely. In a mixing bowl, combine broccoli and remainder of ingredients. Chill well for 15 minutes in the refrigerator. Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray. Shape the mixture into tot shapes and spread evenly on the pan. Bake for 8 to 9 minutes, flip and bake for an additional 8 to 9 minutes or until golden brown. Serves 4.
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Orange Cream Soda
" Ingredients 1/2 cup fresh squeezed orange juice 1/4 cup ice
1/4 to 1/3 cup cream soda
Whipped cream and orange slices for garnish
Preparation Add ice to a cocktail shaker. Top with a generous serving of whipped cream. Add orange juice. Shake vigorously, then strain into a glass with ice. Top with cream soda until glass is filled. Garnish with more whipped cream and orange slices. To make as an adult cocktail, add 1.5 ounces of whipped cream vodka with the orange juice. Serves 1. 32
This cream soda is a cool and refreshing drink that's perfect for end of summer days.
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Womentality
Inspiring quotes by extraordinary women “Grief is in two parts. The first is loss. The second is the remaking of life.” – Anne Roiphe By Jewish Women's Archive - https://www.flickr.com/photos/jewishwomensarchive/6860869664/, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=65772152
“Memories saturate my heart and the story of you spills from my eyes.”
– Grace Andren
“For no soul can ever be replaced, and death claims a beauty and a magnif icence that will always be missed.” – Jocelyn Soriano
“Only through the significant loss of my loved ones have I truly begun to live. When their eyes closed, mine were opened.” – Angie Corbett-Kuiper
“My arms are empty without you! My heart cries out, lonely in the darkness, but you are not here. No tears shall bring you back into my arms again. My mothers' love was not strong enough to keep you, but it is strong enough to follow and find you, though all the mists of Eternity should try to come between!”
– Joan Walsh Anglund
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Soul Food
By Sandra Bolan
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When You Should Seek Out a Therapist
henever we feel sick or suffer from a chronic medical condition, most of us never think twice about going to the doctor. Nor do we have a problem telling people about issues with our physical health. But when it comes to our mental health and seeking treatment, it becomes that thing nobody talks about. However, seeking help from a mental health professional is nothing to be ashamed of. It should actually be thought of as a moment of strength because, 1. you realize you have mental health issues that require professional treatment and 2. you went out there and sought help.
start. A therapist can objectively help guide you into becoming the best version of yourself. Unlike medication, which can be effective almost immediately, therapy takes time and effort on your part. Medication and therapy can also work in tandem as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. The medication helps reduce the symptoms, while therapy teaches you how to emotionally and intellectually handle those symptoms so, perhaps, one day, you can be medication-free.
Do You Need Therapy? Therapy may be of use if you have trouble regulating your emotions, have severe depression, if you struggle to build or maintain relationships, experienced a past or present trauma or when your emotions affect your daily life in a negative way. Therapy can also be useful if you want to improve your life but just can’t seem to figure out where to
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Abigail Whorton, Chief Operating Officer
Therapy will only work if you want it to. People who are forced into therapy by others are typically resistant to treatment.
Types of Therapy
~ Celebrating 60 years ~
Open Enrollment with Limited Space
There are a variety of therapies, and some work better than others, based on the individual's needs. The same goes for therapists. For therapy to work, you need a therapist you trust and connect with. The best place to start your search for a therapist is with people you know. Ask what they like about their therapist. If that’s not an option, go to the American Psychology Association and search for someone in your area who treats your condition. When you call the therapist's office for more information, such as her hours and fees, this may serve as a mini interview to see if you two may be able to work together. Don't be afraid to seek out other therapists if the first one doesn't work out or if you don't connect.
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Common Misconceptions Some people believe therapy is an hour of griping and moaning to a person who has to listen to you. Yes, venting can be part of a therapy session, but the goal is to figure yourself out. Such as, why do you react or feel the way you do in certain situations? A therapist will guide you down your emotional rabbit hole, which can get unpleasant at times, but this process will usually provide you with the answer to why you do the things you do or behave in a certain way. Other common misconceptions about therapy include: • It’s a waste of money. Someone who opts to see a therapist is no different than someone who has a personal trainer. Both people are utilizing an expert in their field to help better themselves. • People go to therapy because they have no friends. Therapy is not a replacement for friendships. Instead, you work out your issues in a judgement-free zone with the assistance of a trained and objective third party. A therapist will make you go emotionally where most friends won't take you. And that’s a good thing. • Therapists tell you what to do with your life. Going to therapy is not like joining a cult, where you lose your individualism and ability
to think for yourself. If anything, your therapist will probably help you learn how to think for yourself even more. • You need to have an emotional breakdown to seek therapy. It's true that many people who seek therapy have suffered a life-altering incident or some type of trauma. But many people haven’t. Trauma or a meltdown is not required. When you find out a friend or loved one goes to therapy, don’t feel sorry for them. Nor should you treat them differently. Don’t call them crazy. That’s never an acceptable way to refer to anyone. Instead, be supportive. This admission may put a lot of things into perspective for you when it comes to your relationship. Therapists guide people through some of the most traumatic and personal experiences of their lives, helping them learn how to live with the loss of a friend or loved one, teaching them how to stop self-destructive behaviors, helping them overcome depression and anxiety and more. Seeking out therapy should never be seen as a sign of weakness. Rather, it should be seen as taking a strong and important step toward helping you live your best life – the one you deserve. WGW
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CARROLLTON/BREMEN/WEDOWEE villa rica
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
www.westgagastro.com 36
West Georgia Woman Magazine Awarded First and Second Place in State for Original Writing Two Years in a Row. Receives 20 Awards in Writing, Advertising and Photography Categories
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est Georgia Woman Magazine received first and second place in the state for the second year in a row in the category of “Best Magazine: Original Writing,” in its division at the Georgia Press Association's (GPA) 2021 Better Newspaper Contest Awards. Because West Georgia Woman magazine has the highest print circulation among members of the Georgia Press Association in the West Georgia area, it was included in the "Division A," magazine and advertising competitions, competing against considerably larger media companies such as the Marietta Daily Journal, Brunswick News, Savannah Morning News, Gwinnett Daily Post, Rome News Tribune, The Telegraph Macon and more. Judging was independently carried out by members of the South Carolina Press Association. The contest included submissions from 49 newspapers and magazines from across the state of Georgia. Award winners were announced July 30, 2021 at the GPA's 134th annual convention in Jekyll Island, Ga. Established in 2015, this was West Georgia Woman Magazine's second year submitting articles, and its first year submitting advertising for consideration. West Georgia Woman magazine received a total of 20 GPA awards for writing, photography and advertising this year. "A Warrior for Lupus," written by Angela Dailey, was included in the May 2020 issue and won first place in the state of Georgia for Best Magazine: Original Writing, Division A. "Hope for the Future," written by Angela Dailey, was included in the June 2020 issue and won second place in the state of Georgia for Best Magazine: Original Writing, Division A. Very special thanks to Copy Editor Shala Spruell Hainer for editing the author's written work. Visit www.westgeorgiawoman.com to read our award winning articles. Awards for all newspaper entries statewide regardless of division: First and third place, Best Magazine Themed Issue: Sept. 2020 Suicide Awareness and Prevention Issue and the Aug. 2020 "Man Issue" Third place, Best Magazine Single Photo: February 2020 Cover, Photographer Zachary Dailey
Division A awards:
First and second place, Best Magazine: Original Writing Second place, Overall Best Magazine Product Second and third place, Best Magazine Cover Design: 2020 Bridal Guide and 2020 Holiday Guide Third place, Best Magazine In-house Photography: June 2020 issue, Photographer Zachary Dailey Division A advertising awards: First place, Advertising Campaign: Hightower Family Funeral Homes "Ruby" ad campaign First place, Apparel, Jewelry and Accessories: Sweet Pea's Holiday Guide ad First and third place, Service/Institutional Ad: The Castle at Wildwood Gardens Bridal ad and the Fraternal Order of Police Barney Fife Event ad First and second place, Small Page Ad: Mountain Oak Florist Holiday Guide ad and Value Care Brokerage Holiday Guide ad First and third place, Full Color Ad: West Georgia Woman Magazine Publisher CASA ad and Angela Dailey at the GPA Better Newspaper the Fraternal Contest Advertising Awards Luncheon. The Order of Police magazine won six first place, two second place and three third place advertising awards Bingo ad in its division. West Georgia Woman swept First, the Newspaper Promotion Ad category winsecond and ning first, second and third place. This was the magazine's first year submitting advertising third place, entries. Photo by Dan Keever. Newspaper Promotion Ad: "Match Made in Heaven" Bridal Guide ad, Maggie Kilgore Digital Subscriber ad, June 2020 and the West Georgia Woman Magazine "Advertise and Get Noticed" ad. WGW
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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
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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 survivors who have dealt with, or are currently dealing with, domestic violence. This is a private Facebook group where women survivors come together and share their personal stories of experience, strength and hope. For more information, please contact hopefulone807@gmail.com.
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 9 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.
Miss West Georgia Open Competition Who will be the next Miss West Georgia? Miss West Georgia, an official affiliate of Miss Georgia and Miss America is holding an open competition Saturday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. at the Mabry
Center, located at 201 Trojan Drive in Carrollton. Visit www.misswestga.com for the application. Deadline for applications is Oct. 1. For questions or more information, email Director Donna Barr at donnabarr@misswestga.com.
Carroll EMC Offices Closed for Labor Day All Carroll EMC offices will close Monday, Sept. 6, for Labor Day. It will reopen with regular hours on Tuesday, Sept. 7. During this time, make payments at the kiosks, online at www.carrollemc.com, through the automated phone payment system (770.832.3552) or via the free Carroll EMC mobile app. To report a power outage, call 770.832.3552 (Option 1) or report it online or via the mobile app.
Carroll EMC Linemen Recognized for Safe Digging Carroll Electric Membership Cooperative’s underground division was recently recognized with the 811 Day Utility Owner Award for its adherence to state dig laws while performing underground construction. On behalf of the federal and state initiative, 811 Day serves as a reminder to call 8-1-1 before digging, so underground utilities can be flagged. To further promote damage prevention in the local area, the cooperative has co-hosted the annual 811 Day event the past three years on Aug. 11 with internet provider, SyncGlobal Telecom. This year, employees of Carroll EMC and SyncGlobal Telecom alongside members of the West Georgia Utility Coordinating Committee (UCC) and Douglas County UCC nominated utilities, municipalities and contractors who are seen following state dig laws and regulations for special honors. Those awarded included: • Carroll EMC Underground Division, 811 Day Utility Owner Award • Haralson County Water Authority, 811 Day Municipality Award • D&G Boring, Inc., 811 Day Construction Contractor Award The crew recognized for working with care near underground utilities comprised of groundman, William Gordy; groundman, Timothy Gragg; journeyman, Anthony Lea; and journeyman,
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Joe Rogers. Like cooperative Members, staking engineers and linemen crews work together to notify Georgia 811 before beginning underground projects. No matter the size of the project, waiting until utility lines are flagged to start digging or excavating helps keep everyone safe. However, going above and beyond the normal measures to make sure all lines are marked is what earned the linemen special recognition. “Safety is our number one priority at the co-op,” said Tommy Cook, vice president of operations for Carroll EMC. “With underground and overhead construction, our guys are working near utilities that are unseen, and sometimes those go unmarked. It’s important they never cut corners when working with underground utilities because crews do not want to cause unnecessary damage to cable or water lines, but more importantly, they want to make it home to their families. This award shows just how committed they are to safe digging.” 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.
Carroll Electric Membership Cooperative’s underground division was recently recognized with the 811 Day Utility Owner Award for its adherence to state dig laws while performing underground construction.
Five Counties Partner for Federal Grants for Broadband Expansion Carrollton, Ga. – A unanimous 6-0 vote, with one Commissioner absent, by the Board of Commissioners late Tuesday evening added Carroll County to the list of counties in western Georgia that are matching federal grant funds for
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the expansion of fiber-optic networks in unserved communities. In addition to the federal grant funds totaling almost $38 million from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) broadband program, a combined total of more than $4.1 million is being contributed by Carroll, Haralson, Heard, Paulding and Polk counties for the construction of the infrastructure utilized to deliver broadband services. “I am very excited to be a part of five counties that get along together and have a common goal,” said Michelle Morgan, Chairman for Carroll County. “That’s very hard to find in this day and age – it is a service that will enhance our quality of life.” All the Commissioners expressed excitement and optimism that the need for broadband services in rural Georgia are at an all-time high, as District 1 Commissioner Montrell McClendon stated in advance of his favorable vote, “I am happy steps are finally being taken to bring broadband to rural areas of our county. It is a step in the right direction and provides a better way of life for many of citizens.” The Board of Commissioners also agreed that COVID exposed the needs for senior citizens, students and the regional workforce, including county employees, to be able to effectively work remotely from home. “We’re in such a unique time where so many federal programs are funding broadband infrastructure,” said Tim Martin, CEO for Carroll Electric Membership Cooperative (EMC). “If we aren’t proactive now, we may not see opportunities like these again in our lifetimes. A comparable time in our history was during Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, which brought about the Rural Electrification Administration.” The federal grant funds from NTIA will be used for Phase II of Carroll EMC’s and SyncGlobal Telecom’s fiber buildout plan across the co-op’s service territory. The grant area for Phase II is designed to serve nearly 15,000 people in the 5-county territory and builds the foundation (backbone) to serve another 30,000 in future phases. Phase II expands on the existing Phase I that was partially funded by a federal grant from Rural Utility Services, a division of United States Department of Agriculture, and covers a large portion of Heard, southern Carroll and eastern Haralson counties. Construction for Phase I has already begun. District 5 Commissioner Ernie Reynolds, who was very supportive and receptive of the opportunity to provide broadband to his district said in a statement, “After contacting many constituent groups, pastors, school board and teachers, cattlemen, and poultry producers, etc., I found there was unwavering support throughout my district to fund this broadband expansion. I support my constituents’ positive
feedback on this county investment.” Carroll, Haralson, Heard and Polk counties intend to utilize their Development Authorities to file a single joint application with SyncGlobal Telecom designated as the broadband provider. That will allow the participating counties to collectively realize the efficiencies and economies of scale of designing, developing, and implementing a regional contiguous fiber optic network that will enable broadband service to be extended to the greatest number of unserved locations in the fastest and most cost-effective manner. “I can’t think of any other opportunities where a county can invest $2 million and get $22 million inreturn to develop permanent infrastructure that we won’t have to spend money to maintain,” continued Chairman Morgan. “I think we can all agree that broadband is the next public utility. It is becoming more a necessity every day.”
New Doors Opening: WGTC, TCSS Celebrate Partnership
LaGrange, Ga. – West Georgia Technical College and Troup County Schools did something today that they’ve never done before – they opened a door. The door – 16 feet wide by 20 feet high – separates West Georgia Tech’s Precision Manufacturing Lab and the Engineering Lab at the thINC Academy, Troup County’s College and Career Academy located on the WGTC LaGrange Campus. “The door you see behind me has never been open for instruction,” WGTC President Dr. Julie Post said. “But today we are changing that. We know that a partnership without pathways does not get us where we want to go, but a partnership with pathways leads to success for our students.” Post, Troup County Schools Superintendent Dr. Brian Shumate and thINC Academy CEO Gerald Wyatt said their brief ceremony to raise a door is symbolic of a renewed collaboration among educators in Troup County. “Today’s event is a very good symbol of the renewed relationship between West Georgia Tech and the Troup County School System,” Shumate said. “West Georgia Tech offers outstanding dual enrollment and technical opportunities that our high school students need to take advantage of. I certainly appreciate Dr. Post’s leadership and willingness to partner and collaborate with us. This is just the beginning of expanded opportunities for young people in Troup County.” Post said the immediate results are that high
school students at thINC Academy now have access to an array of machines and trainers in the WGTC lab, and WGTC students can now access the equipment in the thINC lab. While the labs are similar, she said, much of the equipment is different and this new access will expand hands-on training opportunities for all students. Post said the impact was broader, however. “This may seem like a silly thing to celebrate – raising a door,” she said, “but this is more about our renewed commitment to not just talk about partnership, but to find real, substantive pathways for students that cross barriers and lead to better outcomes. Both sides are committed to finding solutions that work for students.” Post pointed to another initiative, getting Troup County Career Center students into alternative pathways to graduation, as further proof. “The TC3 will be expanding its service model beyond just credit recovery to alternative pathways for high school students to get to graduation using Georgia’s Option B,” she said. “This allows students who earn a college credential to graduate from high school and college at the same time with job-ready skills.” Others on-hand for the ceremony included Georgia state representative Randy Nix, Technical College System of Georgia board member Chunk Newman, Troup County School Board Chair Cathy Hunt and Georgia state board of education member Helen Rice. "Today symbolizes and demonstrates the fact that we are a community of professionals working collaboratively in order to prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s world," Wyatt said. 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, visit www.westgatech.edu.
Students assist WGTC President Dr. Julie Post, Troup County Schools Superintendent Dr. Brian Shumate and thINC Academy CEO Gerald Wyatt as they cut through a banner separating two labs on the West Georgia Technical College LaGrange Campus. Students from thINC Academy and West Georgia Tech will be able to move between labs to access instructional equipment and trainers for their classes. Photo provided by WGTC.
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Precious Memories
By Sandra Bolan
A
Remembering Loved Ones Who Have Died from Cancer
s time marches on, memories of those who have left us fade. Finding ways to preserve those memories not only keeps those who have passed away close to us, but it can also teach people about the life they led. When it comes to people we have lost to cancer, where it often seems we lose the people they were before their bodies actually fade, it's even more important to focus on how they lived, not how they died. • Create a digital memorial. Facebook tribute pages have become an extremely popular way for people to share memories and pay tribute to those no longer with us. • Focus on the good. When a person dies from cancer, it may be hard to focus on the good they did when they were alive, rather than their long and arduous struggle to stay alive. Consider taking their place in organizations they volunteered with, or volunteer with cancer support groups. Sometimes getting involved and sharing your experience helps you heal. • Donate to the cause. Consider financial donations, creating a foundation or a scholarship in their name. • Set up an annual event in their name. This can also be a fundraiser and way to promote
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cancer research, such as a 5K run or walk. • Stay connected to your loved one. Sometimes we feel more connected to those
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who have left us by visiting their gravesite or some of their favorite places, like parks, stores and restaurants. You can even ask to sit in the restaurant booth you last ate in together. • Have experiences they would have enjoyed. If the deceased had a bucket list, or just mentioned things they hope to do one day, do it yourself – in their honor. • Consider a permanent reminder. A very personal and permanent reminder of loved ones is a tattoo. Just make sure it’s something you can live with for the rest of your life. If you're not into tattoos, consider placing a permanent bench or memorial stone at a local park. • Donate your loved one's possessions that you don't need or want with love.
Take solace in knowing someone else will be able to land a great job in your loved one’s suit or will look amazing in that dress. When going through their possessions, there’s nothing wrong with keeping items that hold special memories. Keep a few items and wear them yourself to keep your loved one close to you. • Make a memorial quilt. Turn your loved one's t-shirts into a beautiful quilt. • Display your loved one's photos in your home. A picture truly does say 1,000 words. Don’t be afraid to keep a few special ones on display in your home as a reminder of how much the person means to you. You can also frame and hang greeting cards with an inscription she gave you or a note she wrote to you. Perhaps the best way to honor and remember someone who has passed on is by continuing to live your best life. Remember what that person wanted for you, and let that be your guiding light. WGW
Because a HOME is much more than a house.
Shala Hainer, Realtor Cell: 770.842.8500 Office: 770.240.2004 shalahainer@gmail.com 43
Kids Korner
Apple a Day Craft
Materials Green and red construction paper 2 large popsicle sticks or tongue depressors, cut in half Clear school glue Black marker Scissors Green pipe stem (not pictured), cut in half
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By Jordan Dailey Photos by Zachary Dailey
Instructions Glue three of the popsicle stick halves together side-by-side. Allow to dry. Cut the top and bottom apple shapes out of the red and green construction paper as shown in the photo. Glue the apple shapes to the top and bottom of the popsicle sticks. Glue each half of the pipe stem at the top of each apple. Draw the apples seeds with the black marker.
Soothing Sensory Bottle
Instructions Fill water bottle halfway with water. Add the foam beads, sequins, sparkly stars and glitter to the water. Screw cap on tightly. Shake vigorously for a soothing sensory experience. WGW
Materials 1 empty plastic water bottle (not pictured) Foam beads Sequins Sparkly stars Glitter, any color Tap water
Facts About Childhood Cancer • Cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease for children in America • Approximately 1 in 285 children in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer before their 20th birthday • Each year in the U.S. alone, 15,780 children aged 0 to 19 will be diagnosed with cancer • Approximately 40,000 children in the U.S. are on active treatment at any given time • Globally there are more than 400,000 children diagnosed with cancer each year • 20 percent of children with cancer in the U.S. will not survive it • Only three state legislatures have taken direct action toward childhood cancer research and support • Worldwide, a child is diagnosed with cancer every three minutes
Source: www.acco.org
Dedicated Healthcare When You Need It Most • 770.832.9689 45
Grandparents' Day Word Search Word Bank
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Loving Grandmother Nurturing Papa Comfortable Hugs Spoiled Dependable Bond Patience Nana Confidant Buddy Protective Kindness Grandfather Play Hero Special Family
Word search created at puzzle-maker.com
HAPPY
Grandparents' DAY
Creating Beautiful Smiles for Over 18 Years! Family and Cosmetic Dentistry Complete Facial Esthetics
Dr. Harvey, bottom right, with her staff.
M. Dawn Harvey, DMD, PC 105 Dallas Rd. • Villa Rica 770.459.5778 www.drharveysmiles.com
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PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S.POSTAGE PAID EDDM RETAIL LOCAL POSTAL CUSTOMER
Good Things Are in Store The Tanner Retail Pharmacy offers prescription and over-the-counter medications and an array of gift items — all provided with great personal service! Curbside service is available at the south side of the Tanner Health Pavilion, nearest to the parking deck. We’re here for you!
Learn more at thepharmacy.tanner.org or call 770-812-8222. 48
LOCATED IN TH E
Tanner Health Pavilion 706 Dixie Street, Suite 140 Carrollton, GA 30117 Weekdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Most insurances are accepted.
RETAIL PHARMACY