400 Life March 2024

CONTRIBUTORS

Publisher

Stephanie Woody

Group Editor

Nate McCullough

Managing Editor

Michelle Hall

Advertising Sales Manager

Jessica Shirley

Advertising

Stacy Clark

Meghan Hernandez

Adam Schurlknight

Special contributors

Sudie Crouch

Leslie Marinelli

Creative Services

April Seymour

Chelsea Sunshine

This magazine

4 ON THE COVER: Meer Electric

6 400 reads: Forsyth Reads Together

8

400 health: Creating Good Habits That You Stick With

MEER ELECTRIC

Keeping theLights on in North Atlanta SINCE 1984

When Rick and Judy Meer started Meer Electric their goals quickly pivoted from new commercial construction projects to include helping individual families and businesses with their electrical needs. This shift in goals allowed them to showcase their adaptability and commitment to meeting the evolving demands of their clientele. It’s become a true testament to their dedication to being a valuable resource for both large- and small-scale residences and businesses within their communities.

Initially having deep roots in Roswell, Meer Electric now services a broader range of Atlanta area homes and businesses in Milton, Alpharetta, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody and Cumming to name a few. As Rick and Judy Meer have recently retired, their son Peter and his wife Kelly Meer are now the current owners. Peter and Kelly’s daughters Cierra and Anna Marie also work for the company, which is a beautiful continuation of the family tradition. “We are not your average electric company.” says Cierra.

Both generations of Meers have been intricately involved in the local communities with Rick serving as a dedicated member of the Roswell Rotary Club and Judy having held leadership roles in the Canton Street Merchants Association and Roswell Junior Woman’s Club along with contributions to the Roswell Historical Society among many others. Peter Meer retired from the Roswell Fire Department as a Captain in 2013, having over

21 years’ experience as both a firefighter and EMT. His wife Kelly has served the community in different capacities, most notably with the initiation of the Safety Town Program, which educates youngsters about the roles of policemen and firefighters, street safety, stranger danger and more. The Meers truly have a heart for service to others and it is ever more apparent in how they run Meer Electric. Meer is part of the fabric of these communities, with a genuine interest in making a positive impact.

Meer Electric’s range of services helps them to stand out in the electrical industry. From standard installation, maintenance and repair work, to specialized services like weather siren installation, directional drilling, light pole repair and time clock installation, they cover a broad spectrum of electrical needs.

One standout feature is their commitment to providing personalized service. By avoiding commission-based pay and expensive flat-rate pricing, Meer Electric ensures that each customer receives fair treatment tailored to their specific situation. Their approach acknowledges the unique needs of every home and business, fostering trust and satisfaction among clients.

The availability of 24/7 emergency service is another significant advantage offered by Meer Electric. In times of urgent electrical issues, Meer’s customers can rest assured knowing that help is just a phone call away. Their commitment to customer

support underscores Meer Electric’s dedication to prioritizing the safety and satisfaction of their clientele. It’s yet another example of how they go above and beyond to deliver exceptional service and care to the community.

Meer Electric ensures that all their electricians are fully screened, background checked, licensed and bonded. The family doesn’t hire anyone they wouldn’t want to work in their own home or business. As evident from customer testimonials on their website, their electricians are more than consummate professionals in their field. They are also helpful, friendly and especially customer service oriented. They take the time to explain what needs to be done and listen to their customers’ concerns.

“What helps to set us apart is that we are family owned and operated. We have regular customers who comes to us because they know we are honest, reliable and trustworthy, which are the foundations we built our business upon.” Remarked Cierra. Cierra wears a few hats at Meer where you can find her helping to manage the finances, Marketing and HR duties. Cierra and her sister Anna Marie have also been active members of the National Charity League Organization since 2013.

Meer Electric is a versatile and reliable choice for electrical services. Where it’s routine maintenance, specialized installations, or urgent situations, Meer is well-equipped to handle a variety of electrical needs. By becoming a reliable resource, Meer Electric has positioned itself not just as an electrical service provider but as a partner in the growth and well-being of the communities they serve. Their journey from commercial projects to individualized services demonstrates a keen awareness of market dynamics and commitment to meeting the unique demands of their clients. Theirs is a story of adaptability, customer focus, and community engagement that likely contributes significantly to their success.

“We are really excited to be celebrating our 40th anniversary this April and we’d like to offer a coupon to new customers!” shares Cierra. With the coupon offer, new customers have a tangible incentive to experience the quality and professionalism that Meer Electric is known for, as Meer Electric always wants to build relationships with new clients.

Here’s to another 40 years of success and excellence for Meer Electric!

FORSYTH READS TOGETHER:

An Evening with Lisa Wingate

By Leslie Marinelli

When Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate was released in 2017 it was an instant bestseller which remained on the New York Times Bestseller Lists for 110 weeks, selling more than three million copies.

Based on one of America’s most notorious true crime scandals—in which Georgia Tann, director of a Memphis-based adoption organization, kidnapped and sold poor children to wealthy families all over the country—Wingate’s Before We Were Yours is a riveting, wrenching, and ultimately uplifting tale that reviewers call “a captivating, unforgettable read.”

This month you can meet author Lisa Wingate at a

book talk about Before We Were Yours on Tuesday, March 26 at 7:00 p.m. at the Forsyth Conference Center. An Evening with Lisa Wingate is one of several events hosted by the Forsyth County Public Library as part of Forsyth Reads Together, a community reading program sponsored by Forsyth County Public Library, FCPL Friends and Advocates, and the Forsyth County Arts Alliance at the Forsyth County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the North Georgia Community Foundation.

Admission to the event is free, but seating is limited so advance registration on the library’s website is requested. A book signing will be held after the author speaks. Read It Again Bookstore will sell a selection of

Leslie Marinelli has lived in Forsyth County for 20 years with her husband and three children and is the Communications Manager at Forsyth County Public Library.

Wingate’s books at the event.

Launched in 2008 to encourage literacy and foster community togetherness, Forsyth Reads Together has brought many big-name authors to Forsyth County over the years including Rick Bragg, Chitra Divakaruni, Martha Hall Kelly, Dennis Lehane, Gregory Maguire, Jeff Shaara, and Kathryn Stockett.

Lisa Wingate, a resident of North Texas, has penned over thirty novels and co-authored a nonfiction book, Before and After with Judy Christie. Her award-winning works have been selected for state and community One Book reads throughout the country, have been published in over forty languages, and have appeared on bestseller lists worldwide. Booklist summed up her work by saying, “Lisa Wingate is, quite simply, a master storyteller.”

“Lisa Wingate’s novels—all of them—have been extremely popular with our patrons. Before We Were Yours is the favorite, though. When people read it they just can’t believe events like that actually happened. It brings up

many timely topics such as human trafficking, adoption, and how best to support disadvantaged families,” said Kim Ottesen, Programming Manager at Forsyth County Public Library, “We are very pleased to be able to bring such a popular author to Forsyth County.”

Other events in the Forsyth Reads Together series this year include a presentation by the Georgia Department of Human Services about understanding fostering and adoption, tips and tricks on basic genealogy research with experts from FamilySearch, a class on how to write historical fiction from authors Dr. Piper Huguley and Rona Simmons, and more.

For more information or to register to attend An Evening with Lisa Wingate, please visit www.forsythpl.org.

Forsyth County Public Library is open seven days a week. Stop by your nearest library or visit our website for more information or to apply for a library card.

With four branches and a Bookmobile, you’re likely just a short drive to the nearest Forsyth County Public Library. We’re open seven days a week and you don’t need a library card to enjoy our facilities or pro -

grams, but a library card is required to borrow materials, reserve meeting spaces, and use many of our online resources.

Forsyth County Public Library cards are available at no charge to all

Forsyth County residents, property or business owners, government employees, and students and school employees. Anyone not eligible for a free library card may obtain an out-ofcounty library card for $60 per year.

Photo: © Wyatt McSpadden via Penguin Random House

What’s the important habit to focus on first?

by Sudie Crouch Health & Wellness columnist

ASK THE COACH:

I don’t know where to start. I work full time. I have two teenagers who are involved in sports, and that takes up a lot of my time after work, so I have no time to workout. We eat a lot of take out and fast food because we’re seldom home and there’s no time to cook. When I do get home, I am too exhausted to do anything other than crash on the couch and stare mindlessly at my phone. The next day, I do it all over again. I feel like I am stuck and can’t make any changes with my current routine. Where do I even begin?

This is a familiar and common theme among many coaching clients, and the question of where to begin is definitely a great one to ask. It can feel overwhelming and maybe even a bit hopeless, but there is always a path forward towards health, it may just take some time and being open to adjustments.

Having a schedule that is so hectic can make it feel like there is very little room to do things like getting in an exercise routine or even meal planning. But there are a few possibilities here to explore!

One thing that comes to mind is the mention of getting take out or fast food quite frequently. When

we eat out, we don’t have as much control over the ingredients, and may find ourselves tired and battling decision fatigue, so we end up opting for something that may not be the healthiest choice. Finding ways to make quick meals at home can help us and even if we don’t have time to meal prep, we can buy a few things at the store that can make a healthy meal come together quicker. Pre-cooked rotisserie chickens can be added to a salad or even shredded to make homemade fajitas or tacos. A lot of produce can be bought pre-cut to save time. Buying some foods already prepped can be a huge time saver and can help you put together a quick meal.

Having such a hectic schedule can definitely make it challenging to find time to get in a workout. But the good news is, fitting in small blocks of time throughout your day can be just as effective in improving your health. Finding 10 minutes a few times a day to either go for a walk, do some stretches, or even lifting some hand weights in your office can help you get in a full workout.

The biggest concern that comes to mind is how when someone is spread so thin, not only does it impact their health, but their overall well-being. Feeling stressed and overwhelmed can cause us to release more of the stress hormone cortisol, which can affect our blood sugar, blood pressure, and heart. Being able to find some balance and practice some self-care can go a long way.

So to answer the question – the best place to start is with a habit that can be done consistently and one that will give you a successful foundation to build upon. The good news is, once you make one positive shift in one area of your health, it helps create a positive ripple in other areas of your health as well.