JULY 2016
Fashion
magazine tm
EVENTS Summer Activities
Cover Story
Gina Harper
Jamie McConnell
ALSO INSIDE FORWARD THINKER: Ron Lucas Working Woman of the Month
Pouring into Others
DIY Fourth of July Pinwheels STEEPLECHASE: A Family Affair
2 • hr magazine
Editor’sLETTER
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SARA DOUGLASS | EDITOR | HER MAGAZINE SDOUGLASS@LEDGER-ENQUIRER.COM
Dear her readers, Last weekend, I was laughing with a good friend talking about coming out of ‘the fog’. The fog being in reference to three months post-pregnancy. She told me it’s about that time where you’re entering society again and life starts to look normal. I don’t know what normal looks like, but I’m enjoying life with my family of four— the newest member has made it especially easy! I can really appreciate all the family and friends who have been there for my family these past few months. As we grow up, we realize it is less important to have lots of friends and more important to have real ones. As for this issue, it’s filled with goodness and poise. Read about Gina Harper and how she and daughter, Jamie McConnell, give back to the community that’s given so much to them via the Miss Phenix City Pageant. They have set a precedent for empowering women and tear down the beauty pageant stereotype. After all, empowered women, empower women. Also take a closer look at reigning Miss Phenix City, KeLeigh Edwards, and her platform Give Me Five, where she asks children to complete five hours
PUBLISHER Rodney Mahone EXECUTIVE EDITOR Sara Douglass GRAPHIC ARTIST Sandra Petee PHOTOGRAPHER Joe Paull
VICE PRESIDENT // ADVERTISING Ross McDuffie LOCAL ADVERTISING MANAGER Evelyn Colvin MARKETING MANAGER Sara Douglass AD OPERATIONS MANAGER Christi Smith
of community service in the hope of instilling the importance of serving their community, but also showing how rewarding it can be.
New to this issue! Forward Thinker featuring builder and designer Ron Lucas. A man of many layers, you’ll discover how he stands out over the competition and is
ADVERTISING TEAM Crystal Baxley, Tyler Braun, Kayla Lippert, Heather Marshall, Debbie Paley, Dana Price, Bill Wall, Allen Webb, Jason Williams LOCAL AD OPERATIONS SPECIALIST Catherine Morales
someone you want to build the place you call home. Eliza Brewer shares with us her fond memories of family with Steeplechase and gets us excited about the 2017 races; Ashley Saylor, longtime competitive cheerleader turned coach, leading her team of hopefuls to a consecutive championship; and our fashion gal, Samantha Curtis, hits a little too close to home with points in Closet Clean Out. Let’s just say it will give you insight to what I’ll be doing very soon.
CONTRIBUTORS Samantha Curtis // Fashion + Beauty Chelcey Adami // Writer Roxanne Hyatt // Fitness Theresa Garcia Robertson // Writer LeAnn Sims // Home
Plus this month’s Do-It-Yourself with LeAnn Sims of The Modest Homestead will give you patriotic inspiration to get your Fourth of July table décor headed in the right direction with red and blue pinwheels. Happy July!
Sara Douglass
HER MAGAZINE
In honor of my birthday month, here is a throwback to my favorite birthday - albeit, my 30th, but my hubby made sure it was extra special!
If you know of an amazing woman that should be featured, let us know! Like us on Facebook
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is published monthly by The McClatchy Company. Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose without the express written permission of The McClatchy Company. The opinions, advice and concerns stated in the stories herein are those of their authors and not those of Her Magazine staff or of the Ledger-Enquirer. No warranty is made as to the accuracy of the statemnets within.
JULY 2016
CONTENTS
14
10
26
30 06 Ruling the Sidelines
20 Pouring into Others
10 Her Fashion
25 Parents Corner
14 Her Health
28 Steeplechase
Glenwood High Cheer Squad By Sara Douglass
Closet Cleanout By Samantha Curtis
Avoid Workout Sabatoge By Roxanne Hyatt
Giving Back Through Miss Phenix City By Chelcey Adami
What a day at Fort Benning taught my son By Carrie Beth Wallace
A Family Affair By Theresa Garcia Robertson
31 EVENTS
What’s happening in July
4 • hr magazine
OFFER EXPIRES OFFER EXPIRES7/31/16 3/1/16
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Ruling the Sidelines BY SARA DOUGLASS
T
hese days Ashley Saylor is counting every song she listens to and visualizing routines before she falls asleep at night. Its summer, but an off-season doesn’t exist for her. The countless hours spent practicing stunts in the Glenwood High gym with 17 ambitious cheerleaders are about to pay off. She’s going on her second year coaching in Phenix City and at the end of the day, all the hard work comes down to four days at camp. 6 • hr magazine
The Glenwood High Cheer Squad has been practicing overtime since Saylor joined the team as Head Coach of the Varsity and JV teams and led them to their first State Championship in the history of the school. A Georgia native from Thomaston, Saylor attended Columbus State University for their competitive cheer program and performed on a talented Small Coed team. In her first year, her team captured the Universal Cheer Association’s Division II National Championship in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, a
Glenwood High cheerleaders practic for camp.
2015-2016 Glenwood High School cheer squad.
consecutive win for CSU in 2005. Saylor’s squad was very competitive and continued to place in the top three among other groups nationwide. Currently, she keeps her talent local and trains her girls with sincere dedication. Unfamiliar to Glenwood, Saylor was excited to start fresh and build up the program. She came with years of experience coaching competitive cheerleading and didn’t waste any time getting familiar with the team’s strengths as well as their areas for improvement. The girls practice twice as much now than ever before and were strongly encouraged to get involved in tumbling. Initially, she noticed they could tumble only a little, and arranged for them to take private tumbling classes once a week. The opportunity she created ultimately improved their performance and she continues to challenge them with each practice. Ashley is deeply connected to her goal of building the program. Cheerleading has taken a backseat to other sports; with one win underneath her, she plans to take advantage of the upcoming state championship, build the interest level and get more students involved in cheerleading to make it a top program at Glenwood. Working with the girls has been challenging and rewarding. “They work hard – in practice and competition,” says Saylor, and for anyone who thinks being a cheerleader is effortless, it’s a tough sport. You have to be well rounded, sharp and move with
absolute precision. “You can bench a baseball player, but you can’t hide anyone in cheerleading”. Ashley explains the anxiety right now is the home pom. It’s the first item at the competition, and although elective, it’s the only thing they bring from their school and is a must if they want to win. “The team has to be synchronized and quick.” The second and third day of camp, they learn the dance portion of their extreme routine which consists of tumbling and stunts, among other cheers. On the final day, they rehash it all collectively. Of the impending championship Saylor says they have high expectations, she knows the girls don’t want to disappoint her. The event will take place in July at the AISA Universal Cheerleaders Association Summer Camp at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama. They will be judged the duration of the four-day camp over what they have learned in addition to their creativity with what they have brought. “It’s a lot of hard work, the girls are on their feet most of the day but they enjoy the time spent there,” says Saylor. Ashley has a natural affinity for the girls and the feeling is reciprocal. They have become accustomed to her coaching style and respect her a great deal. Glenwood is determined to bring home a second title and from here on out, it’s all about working hard and having fun. hr magazine • 7
Area Entertainment Ah, yes. “Summertime and the living is easy”; there isn’t a more lovely ode to the season than the elegant Ella Fitzgerald singing George and Ira Gershwin’s “Summertime.” I wonder if they had children. The sentiment is lovely; the reality, not so lovely. Below are a few ideas that are local-ish to the Columbus area. Plan ahead or pick up and go! Whatever your speed, there’s sure to be something that the kids – even mom and dad – can enjoy.
WILD ANIMAL SAFARI PARK Take a drive on the wild side and experience a Serengeti adventure just a few miles north of town in Pine Mountain, Georgia. The 3.5 mile Drive-Thru Animal Park sits on 250 acres and will bring you face to face with all kinds of exotic animals. Drive your own vehicle, join a bus tour or rent a Zebra van. This is your chance to touch a giraffe, feed a camel and more all while experiencing the animals in their natural environment. After the drive, stop off at the Animal Park for a traditional zoo experience with small animals like lemurs and peacocks – you may even get to hand feed an alpaca, just don’t make eye contact! The park is open from 10:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. all month long. Tickets must be purchased 24 prior to your arrival at the park.
PHOTO BY MIKE HASKEY
CALLAWAY GARDENS There is no shortage of outdoor activities at Callaway Gardens. Explore the area on a series of nature trails on two feet or two wheels. The area boasts 7 miles of walking trails and a 10-mile Discovery Bicycle Trail. For a little more excitement, sign up for a treetop adventure and experience nature in a whole new way soaring through an in-air obstacle course with 10 zip lines ranging from 44 to 700 feet long. The course can take up to 3 hours to complete –grab a group of friends and make a day out of it! Before you leave check out Robin Lake Beach, home to the world renowned Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament. Water sports fans of all skill levels make themselves at home on the 65-acre body of water. You can rent boats, skis, tubes and everything else you need for a day at the lake. Guests must be 3 years old to participate.
FREENOTES HARMONY PARK IN UPTOWN COLUMBUS Pack some towels and head to Uptown Columbus for the newest development on Bay Avenue. Construction is complete on Freenotes Harmony Park along the riverfront where children can play musical instruments, run around, swing and then cool off at the Splash Pad a few feet away. While you’re there, you can get a glimpse of zip liners coasting over the Chattahoochee or a paddleboard yoga class taking place on the river. If interested, just walk across the street to White Water Express for info. 8 • hr magazine
LAUNCH TRAMPOLINE PARK Rainy day blues? Not inside Launch! Bounce off the walls at the indoor trampoline park’s 13,000 square feet of wall-to-wall trampolines. The former Front Porch of the South space is now a great spot for combining fitness and fun for the whole family. Not to mention a special time just for toddlers from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturdays.
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• Private Dodgeball Games • Party Favors • Food Email info@launchcolumbus.com for more information
WWW.LAUNCHCOLUMBUS.COM 7607 VETERANS PARKWAY COLUMBUS, GA 31909
hr magazine • 9
T E S O CL T U O N A E L C
BY SAMANTHA CURTIS PHOTOS BY AMY HESS PHOTOGRAPHY
A
good closet clean does wonders for the soul. Decluttering, getting rid of things you don’t wear or finally letting go of that pair of pants that no longer fits. Despite keeping them for years in hopes that you’ll fit into them again, you need to let them go. A wise person once told me that if you haven’t worn it in 6 months, it needs to go. Classic pieces are worth keeping but if you haven’t worn it in 6 months, LET IT GO! You’re not going to wear it. But what do you do with all of the clothes you collect during your clean out? Well you have a few different options. And I’ve pretty much tried all of them; some have worked better than others and there are definitely pros and cons to each of them. Donate: This isn’t going to make you money but is obviously one of the best things you can do. I’ve always donated 10 • hr magazine
to Goodwill because of the convenience of the drop-off locations but if you can find a Women’s Shelter that’s in need, I think that would be a great option as well. Apps: Two of my favorite apps to sell, buy and swap are Vinted and Poshmark. These apps allow you to list all of your items and interact with other users. Whether you’re looking to sell, buy, or swap, these are a great place to go. They stand behind their items and offer protection so you know you won’t get scammed or receive junk. I’ve personally had an issue on Poshmark where I received an item that was not authentic and they immediately refunded me the money. Facebook groups: Local Facebook groups can be an easy way to sell your items as well. Garage sale/yard sale
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pages seem to be the most popular but there may even be mommy swap pages where you can swap or sell items as well. Be careful when using these types of internet tactics and always meet in a public place. Ebay/Craigslist: These are still around but they’re definitely not as popular as they once were. More people are using apps or Instagram or things that make it easier and quicker. But they’re worth a try if you’re not succeeding with other options. Instagram: This one may sound crazy but with the power of Instagram and hashtags, this is a great way to find the right people. 12 • hr magazine
By using hashtags such as #shopmycloset, #closetsale, #instasale, etc you will be visible to anyone looking for these types of accounts. This will only work if your account is public so if you don’t want to make your account public, make a secondary account just for selling your items. I actually recommend the latter anyways! ThredUP: I love ThredUp and mostly because of the convenience. They are a website where you can sell and shop gently worn items. They’re the largest online consignment shop and thrift store and they always have new arrivals. But one of my favorite parts about them is the ability to sell your items to them through their Clean Out Kit. You can request one on their website and they’ll
send you a kit, which includes a bag with a pre-paid shipping label. They take what they want and then offer you a payout. You can receive store credit, money through PayPal or donate to a cause. If you would like the items they don’t choose to keep sent back to you, there is an extra cost. If you choose to forego that, your items will not be sent back and will be donated. You can get $10 towards your first purchase by visiting this link! http://www.thredup. com/r/MZK6MT Resale shops: Places like Plato’s Closet, Clothes Mentor, and local resale or consignment shops can be hit or mess. They are VERY picky about the items they take and it can sometimes be frustrating. The last time I took a box full of things I received $15 for 5 items. And they were practically new, name brand items. Was I disappointed? Yes. But at that point I had already exhausted all of my other options and $15 was better than nothing. THERE CAN BE A LOT OF WORK INVOLVED IN SELLING YOUR ITEMS BUT HERE ARE SOME TIPS TO MAKE IT EASIER: Make sure all of your items are stain-free, clean and folded or hung nicely. Take clean, bright and clear pictures so the buyers know exactly what they’re receiving. When calculating the price, make sure you’re charging enough for shipping or let the buyers know the shipping cost. If selling online, ask your buyers for feedback after receiving their items. This will help you gain the trust of other buyers. Don’t get discouraged. I’ve been turned down time and time again by stores and have piles of clothes sitting in my closet. It’s super fun to try and sell everything in the beginning but after a certain point, I just want it gone. Don’t hoard it forever; that defeats the purpose of cleaning out your closet!
Ooh La-La! Meet Leighton, an attractive sofa with petite rolled arms and decorative turned legs. You’ll love the style and the comfort, plus the optional nail head trim gives it just enough edge. Customize yours online any time or stop by our showroom for an introduction. Need help decorating? We have a complimentary In-Home Design program!
White top/floral skirt/ yellow jacket/ Kate Spade backpack - Purchased on ThredUP Camo pants - Purchased on Instagram
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Avoid workout
E G A T O B A S BY ROXANNE HYATT
I
t can happen at any moment and most times it occurs when you least expect it. You’ve been working out for weeks and seeing major results…and then you hit that dreaded plateau. If you know anything about this alarming word, it can be your greatest fitness enemy leading to personal, mental and physical regression. What if you’re the cause? Find out the biggest culprit to the sabotage of your workout. Are you doing the same thing day in and day out? Consistency is key, but a no-thrill, monotonous workout routine is wasting your time. Doing what worked in the past to 14 • hr magazine
reach your weight loss goals can be great for your overall fitness, but after a while your body and metabolism get into the grove of a repetitive program. Most of us feel this way at some point during our fitness journey. I checked in with prior Division 1 collegiate athlete and now fitness momma of two, Amanda Reagan. She says she’s all about changing up her workouts; whether it’s a long run, a sprint, swimming, traditional weights or cross fit. “It’s easy to just do what feels comfortable, but you won’t get results that way.” It’s imperative to change it up. Progress and improvement happen when you step out of your comfort zone.
Your food: Friend or Foe? Measuring, weighing, portioning and planning— oh my! All of this can take so much time and effort ultimately leading to you disrupting your fitness and weight loss journey. Food is your fuel not an enemy. If you’re eating the right kinds of food, the right amounts, and thinking more about what your body needs rather than craves, you’ll see a profound difference. Nutrition is critical for weight loss, maintenance, performance and recovery. Amanda says, “Diet plays a huge role in getting your desired results.” Understand you will naturally crave the good and bad foods as you burn more calories and throughout weight loss. When your body plateaus and the scale stops, your body is telling you to stop sabotaging your meals and try something new. Are you doing too much to compensate? Getting into a workout routine is hard, but once you’re in it be consistent. It will get easier if you stick with it. Keep a steady pace; doing too much before you’re ready can lead to exhaustion or injury. You don’t want to end up at a major stand still. If you’re hurting, rest or find a healthy alternative. Taking care of your body can only promote a healthier, stronger and more courageous you.
Are you letting the scale define your fitness? Setting an “ideal weight” or unrealistic goals can bring your mojo to a screeching halt. If you’re allowing a number on the scale define your success, you are mentally sabotaging your workout. On any given day, your body can fluctuate 3-5 pounds depending on water intake among other factors. “I base [my success] off how my body feels and how I feel while changing up my workouts,” says Reagan. If your goal is to lose weight, don’t become obsessed with a number but rather how you feel during your workout and in your clothes. Sometimes your target weight isn’t an ideal number. Everyone is different. Are you stuck in comparison land? First- STOP! Don’t destroy your version of success and strength. It’s human nature to want what others have, but when it’s affecting your appreciation for your own personal goals there is a problem. The longer you allow someone else’s progress and perceived perfections to shape your idea of success, the longer you’ll be waiting to hit your own milestones.
If you have any questions or want to share a healthy recipe, let’s get connected on instagram @tribalancegirl, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TriBalanceGirl/ or email me at tribalancegirl.com. I look forward to hearing from you!
hr magazine • 15
FORWARD THINKER
Ron Lucas CHATTAHOOCHEE VALLEY’S GO-TO GUY WHEN IT COMES TO CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN BY SARA DOUGLASS
16 • hr magazine
R
on Lucas is known throughout the Valley for his long established construction and design business located in Midtown Columbus. I sat down with him at his office on 13th Street where we chatted about projects and ideas before we even got started on the interview. He passes off great ideas like candy. For the better half of the morning, I was scribbling like a mad woman. With a background in sales and marketing, an eye for design and the ability to turn driftwood into dining sets, women flock (insert smiley-face emoji here) to the business man for his unique taste and perspective on quality and functionality. He is exactly 180 degrees opposite from anything cookie cutter. It’s just not in his DNA. In 1999, he and his wife were both in medical sales and living in Lake Bottom. Lucas had not yet discovered his passion – or the passion others had for his work in design. Ron grew up working under his dad in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning industry before going into sales and on to construction. Then they started flipping houses “before flipping was flipping.” When Ron and his wife would show houses they flipped, the clients would turn to his wife and ask about colors or where she picked tiles. And every time she would tell them it was all chosen by Ron. “I liked what I was doing, but I started to realize other people liked it too,” said Ron.
he does not touch. He’s dedicated and opinionated, but you’ll thank him for it. Ron says that ultimately you will get what you want, “but I don’t want mistakes. Some contractors will just do what you ask them to do, and when it doesn’t turn out, they’ll fix it but it will cost you.” He does this day in and day out; if something doesn’t sound like a good idea, he’s going to make his clients aware and understand why.
Keeping an Open Mind It’s imperative to have an open dialogue up front because no customer is the same. “I’m picky, but people trust me. I challenge my clients to what is possible.” By possible, he is referring to functionality, lighting and beautification in general; it’s the details. “No job is the same, no kitchen is the same and no two clients living in the same house are the same.” He’s going to ask clients if they have pets, use a mixer or have children and if they like the same family-sized box of Fruit Loops that he does. Because if they do, those boxes are 14 inches high and you need a drawer that gives proper clearance. “It’s not about the profit for me; it’s about the quality of the job that I am going to give you.” A lot of the things he does won’t cost a dime, but it may make the home function better.
On Quality Giving People What They Want Lucas’ first professional client, a local OBGYN here in Columbus, piled the pressure on when she hired him and half jokingly warned she wouldn’t pay if it didn’t look good. If you know Ron at all, you know that he delivered. When people contract R Lucas Construction, they are buying Ron Lucas, and that comes with certain expectations. That’s why on any job there is very little
Lucas talks admiringly about his mentor, Hal Averitt, one of the best known builders in Columbus. Hal told him, “Never cut your quality on the job even if the client asks you to; if you decide to cut your price, take it out of your profit not out of the cost of the job.” Lucas refers to this as some of the best advice he had ever received and carries that with him on every job. If he decides to do something at a lower price, it’s because he wants to. He won’t build cheaper quality hr magazine • 17
to lower the price. “I may make less money, but my quality and my product are going to be the same,” says Lucas. On that same note, he is wholly apart of every project. “There’s not one job where my fingerprints aren’t found from start to finish.” Jason Haley, an active duty sergeant, serves as an intern at the company. While we watched Ron work with his clients Jason told me what sets Ron apart is that he expects excellence from his contractors. “Not only that, but he’s not just a construction guy. His creativity and innovation for design cannot be measured.” While he is with his clients, I hear him say that he reviews everything himself. Sometimes that slows the process down, but he feels the obligation to double and triple check on their behalf.
On Women It’s no secret that most women are the decision makers when it comes to designing the interior of their home. Lucas relates well with them and cares 18 • hr magazine
about women’s issues. Although he works 10-12 hour days, he still finds time to work with and donate to local charities; breast cancer awareness being dear to his heart. He tells me about a close friend and previous colleague, Phillipa Brown, who was diagnosed with breast cancer more that 15 years ago. Lucas describes her as being one of the strongest women he had ever met. “Not much impresses me, but a mother and wife who lives with cancer and knows she is terminal that impresses me.” You couldn’t see cancer when you looked at Phillipa, she always had a caring smile. You would never know it was killing her. Everyone thought she had kicked cancer, but it aggressively came back and she lost the battle last year. For the last five years, Lucas has held a ‘Cupcakes for Cancer’ fundraiser in her honor. Ron Lucas has a lot of layers to him and I enjoyed peeling them back. While some may say he is opinionated, even a little rough around the edges, he is a philanthropist and an honest business man at his core. Being more concerned about the clients than himself, his driving force is that he wants to be known as someone who did the right thing.
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BY CHELCEY ADAMI
Pouring J G into P CM others IVING BACK THOUGH ISS HENIX ITY
20 • hr magazine
ust as the past Miss America winner excitedly crowns the new Miss America each year, Gina Harper passes down her value of giving back to others. “A lot of people poured a lot of energy into me, motivating and mentoring me to give back and be the best I could be,” she said. “All my life, I had people do that for me so why don’t I turn around and do that for others?” The director of the Miss Phenix City Scholarship Pageant first became involved with pageants after her niece decided she wanted to participate in one and earn scholarship money. The Miss Phenix City Scholarship Pageant is a nonprofit and local preliminary of the Miss America Organization, the nation’s largest provider of scholarships to young women.
Harper’s niece was a tomboy and had no idea what she would do for her talent. Harper, who comes from a musical family, stepped in to help her learn a song and even harder, get over her stage fright. Her niece went on to win second runner-up that year, and the seed of giving back through pageants was planted for Harper. After first just sharing her musical talents with contestants, her involvement then progressed to helping find others who could mentor contestants with other abilities. “I saw right away what the organization had to offer for young ladies,” Harper said. “The more I got involved, the more I loved about it and saw that this was more than just a beauty pageant and a way for them to build self-esteem and get scholarships in a way that a lot of women didn’t have a way to do.” As Harper became more and more involved, she joined the Miss Phenix City board of directors in 1994 and later left the board once her daughter began competing. When her daughter aged out of competing, she returned to the board and then became the director about three years ago. Harper’s lifelong involvement in her church ministry provided the foundation of her steadfast belief in the importance of helping others and passing that on through generations. “It’s very disappointing sometimes to see the way that our world is evolving into a world of takers and not givers … I think we need to start at an early age, to teach children to give and how important it is to instill that at a young age. Then they’re much more apt to do that as an adult,” Harper said. Harper’s daughter Jamie McConnell won Miss Phenix City in 2007 and since then, has returned to work alongside
“The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives the passion that she shows. The beauty of a woman grows with the passing years.” Audrey Hepburn
her mother as assistant director of pageant. “It does allow the girls who received so much to stay involved, and most of them do,” Harper said. “After they age out, most of them go out on a board somewhere or consult in some capacity, because they realize how much they gained from the system so many of them still stay involved that way.” McConnell now does everything she can to pass on her expertise and support to Miss Phenix City participants and echoes the value of helping others that she learned from her mother. “I know when I held titles, people poured into me time and energy to helping me develop myself professionally and personally,” she said. “I’m big on being a mentor to others and that’s the least we could do with the organization and for girls coming through now in same way … It’s just been a rewarding experience because you get to keep building up yourself and building up others, which is always a good thing in society.” More so, the participants give back to their communities in an ever widening circle of outreach. For example, one former Miss Phenix City worked to provide free eye exams to area elementary students. “I think it shows that young people are willing to serve … For her to have that and arrange that for all of the children here in our town was just phenomenal,” McConnell said. “I think it shows there are good people here and people want to serve our community and better our community.” The reigning Miss Phenix City, KeLeigh Edwards, has also modeled her platform based on that value. Edwards’ “Give me five” platform asks children to complete five hours of hr magazine • 21
Miss Phenix City, KeLeigh Edwards, Miss Alabama, Meg McGuffin, Gina Harper, and Miss Phenix City’s Outstanding Teen, Merrill Ann Culverhouse at an Autograph Party at Brookwood Mall during Miss Alabama Week. This is where the Top 8 Finalists for the Catherine Crosby Long Community Service Award are announced and KeLeigh Edwards is among the finalists.
community service in the hope of instilling not only the importance of community service, but also showing how rewarding and fun it can be. “She is doing an incredible job in implementing a platform of community service and teaching kids not to walk around with their hands out and learn how to give, instead of taking,” Harper said. As a fourth-grade teacher in Phenix City, Edwards enjoys getting her own students involved in her “Give me five” platform. “I wanted something, especially as a teacher, something I could easily implement into my daily life,” Edwards said. “It’s important for me to live out what I speak … I wanted children to see that they can make a difference with what they do.” The idea of giving, mentorship and serving is “very much the premise of what the Miss America organization teaches these young ladies to do,” Harper said. “It’s very much a service organization. It’s great to be able to watch each one of these young ladies develop strengths and weaknesses and pour into their communities and then go on to serve their state, and then hopefully, their nations.” Little sisters and new daughters 22 • hr magazine
While recently talking about contestants like Edwards, Harper becomes overwhelmed with emotion, her voice suddenly cracking and tears flowing. “There’s just a lot of time and energy that goes into this so they each become my children,” she explained. Harper remains a rock of positive energy for the contestants, telling them before pageants that while she may not know what is going to happen, she’s proud of them and what they’ve accomplished, and that no matter what happens in the pageant, they can’t lose with what they’ve already done for the community. Watching on the sidelines as they compete on stage, “it’s nauseating. I think I get as crazy as their moms and dads,” Harper said while laughing. “I think in many cases, some of them spend more time with me during that year than some of their families.” It wasn’t unusual over the past year to find Edwards in Harper’s home, going through her groceries and making herself at home just as one of her own children. And after the pageants are over, “we say ‘Once Miss Phenix City, you’re always Miss Phenix City,” Harper said. Harper’s family stays in touch with many of the women as they go through
life’s milestones such as starting their careers, getting married, and having children. McConnell agreed, stating that participants often become like little sisters to her and second daughters to her mom. “I only had a little brother so it’s very fun for me to have them and to be building these relationships with them,” she said. McConnell said the pageant is a “very supportive environment” with strong camaraderie as the women compete alongside others of the same driven mindset. As a participant, McConnell said she bonded with numerous other pageant contestants over the years and even met three of her eventual bridesmaids in the pageant. Becoming ‘that person’ While many might only associate pageants with glittery dresses and flashing pearly whites, Harper said it’s far, far more than that. Competing in pageants includes four phases: the swimsuit phase which showcases a healthy lifestyle; the talent phase which indicates a well-balanced life; an onstage interview phase which reflects whether the contestant is well-informed and well-spoken; and the evening gown
phase which expresses personal taste and poise. The participants are often very driven, passionate and intelligent, Harper said, and it takes tremendous year-round dedication and hard work to prepare. While her daughter was a “girly-girl thanks to my mother, loves silk satin and lace, and all the princess stuff thanks to Disney” growing up, McConnell was painfully shy growing up, Harper said. Participating in the pageants helped her daughter grow her own voice and develop powerful confidence that carries through today. “You always want your child to do the very best they possible can, and it’s amazing,” Harper said. “I have a great sense of pride in knowing there were a lot of things in life I wouldn’t have ever been able to teach Jamie.” Since leaving pageants, her daughter has never even had to look for a job as opportunities regularly came her way, Harper said incredulously and proudly. “It taught me how to relate to people and how to achieve in life … It taught me to be that person,” McConnell said. And the scholarships can give the
women a unique boost in today’s world. The Miss America Organization has awarded millions of dollars annually in cash awards and in-kind tuition waivers. With the scholarships that Edwards has earned through pageants, she has even received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees completely debt-free. Small but mighty Phenix City McConnell said her mother is dedicated, loyal and “very passionate about what she does and how she feels, and she turns those passions into action. She’s an action person. She’s definitely going to do what she says.” While there have been situations that have thrown her mother for a loop over the years, Harper always handled potentially rocky situations in a diplomatic fashion, McConnell said. One of the biggest things that Harper wanted to do when she stepped into the director’s role was expand the borders of where contestants could come from in order to help strengthen pageant involvement. Phenix City is a very athletic community with a lot of girls active in softball, Harper explained, but few of
the girls were involved in music, dance or other talents that translate well to the pageant stage and the number of pageant participants had dwindled over the years. So the board expanded the area from where contestants could come from, and soon, more began participating with majority of them students from Auburn University just 30 minutes up the road, Harper said. More importantly, Miss Phenix City’s reputation and status at the state level also grew. Last year’s Miss Phenix City, Meg McGuffin, was an Auburn University student who grew up in Ozark, and she went on to place fourth in Miss America, putting Phenix City on the map. “As director, I have wanted to grow the pageant so people would know who Phenix City is and where it is, and that yes, we may be small, but we are mighty,” Harper said. “She’s just very passionate about the Miss America program and very passionate about our local area in Phenix City, Alabama as well,” McConnell said. “She puts the two together to serve the community in a very unique way.”
Do you know a woman in or from the Chattahoochee Valley that should be featured in her magazine? Contact Sara Douglass at 706-320-4410 or sdouglass@ledger-enquirer.com.
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hr magazine • 23
Working Woman of the Month
Gaylene Heileman Co-Owner/General Manager Treadstone Climbing Gym and Co-Owner/CFO Treadstone Climbing Construction, LLC Tell us how you ended up in this line of work. It was all because of my husband, Marc, who was a professional climber in the early 90s and was ranked ninth in the nation at one point. I’m truly a teacher at heart. Originally from Kansas, I started out as a school teacher in 1997 teaching middle school math and language arts. I moved to Mississippi four years later for grad school at Southern Miss and later earned my Master of Arts in Teaching of Languages. I didn’t actually get into climbing until I met Marc in 2005 while I was teaching ESL in Mississippi and Marc was training up for a deployment. It was something I had always wanted to try, and because I was with a professional, I got very spoiled in regards to climbing. For my first outdoor climbing experience Marc took me to Yosemite National Park, where I completed a double pitch crack climb that was one of the 50 classics. We married in April 2007 and moved to Ft. Benning after we had our first child. Marc had owned a climbing gym in the past and once he came off of active duty we both decided Columbus needed a climbing gym since the closest place for him to train was in Atlanta, and the closest outdoor climbing is over three hours away. Describe a day in your role. I have to laugh at that one. Every single day is different, which keeps things interesting, but I do try to script my day so there is some semblance of organization. While I help run Treadstone Climbing Gym, I also home school my two young boys, so my day starts pretty early at 5 a.m. We have offices in a room at the back of our home and for most of the school year one of our staff members worked in the office with me each day, which was amazing. I spend most of my afternoons and evenings in the office answering emails, planning events, scheduling staff, working with marketing and IT, paying bills and other logistics of the business. A couple of days out of the week I throw supper in a cooler and the boys and I head to the gym so I can work the desk shift there in the evening until 8 or 9 p.m. I used to close the gym at 10, but most days now I have staff there that can close up shop. A lot has changed since the good old days when Marc and I were basically running the gym ourselves with help from our staff. Now, praise the Lord, our staff runs the gym, and Marc and I are the ones who assist in actual day-to-day operations. That frees us up to do work on the admin side and has allowed us to start our second construction business. What is your favorite part of the job? The people. I’m a people person and I love getting to know everyone who comes to our gym whether they are just in for a one-day excursion or if they’re members I get to see every week. The fun part about having a gym near Ft. Benning is that we get so many interesting people to come through here. We literally get to meet climbers 24 • hr magazine
from all over the world. That’s also the hard part; those in the military community who are avid climbers become family quickly, and just as soon as they came, they have to move on. But we are thankful for the “family” we’ve acquired from all over the world. We also have an amazing staff that makes this business run seamlessly. The level of skill and integrity our workers have is truly humbling. We have business friends who come to us all the time asking how we find such great people. Two reasons: God is faithful, and the closeness of the climbing community is almost indescribable. I could not do my job without them; we are very blessed. What’s special about Treadstone Climbing Gym? Again, the people. We have built this really amazing group of folks we call The Tribe. Our Tribe includes people of all ages who are Plank Owners; either because they purchased memberships before we ever opened our doors or because they spent countless hours helping us literally build the gym with their own two hands. Our Tribe also includes new gym members and new staff members. We are all one big family and it feels like the adult version of a backyard club house you might have had as a kid. That’s why our tag line is Family. Fun. Fitness. When you work out or hang out at Treadstone, you become family. Our gym is a great place to bring your families, sports team, youth groups, business colleagues, and the list goes on! Climbing is a bonding experience and it’s also a fun way to get fit (climbers have the highest strength to weight ratio in all of sports!). Tell us something we don’t know about Treadstone. Besides just being a fun place to work out, we offer other group activities. For example, we do birthday parties! We also do school field trips as well as corporate and military team building, social events and lock-ins. There are also opportunities for folks to use their climbing skills on real rock through our Outdoor Climbing Experience offered every Second Saturday of each month. The other thing most folks don’t know is that we opened a second business called Treadstone Climbing Construction in January of 2015 where we build climbing walls, zip lines and ropes courses and do inspections for existing gyms and courses all over the nation. Treadstone is also international as Marc built a climbing gym in Kenya a few years ago and went over last year to do their staff training. How does Treadstone give back or get involved with the community? We are strong military supporters because we know firsthand the sacrifices made by our soldiers and their
families. We offer military discounts in our gym on day passes and memberships, but also take our portable climbing wall out to events like The Best Ranger Competition and The Independence Day Celebration on post at no cost to Ft. Benning or the military families themselves. Raising autism awareness has become something dear to our hearts as well as we have so many friends with autistic children. I am especially dedicated to helping those with autism after working in schools for years; I just want to see children with autism taken care of and understood. Anything else you’d like to share? I just want to brag on my husband a bit. I’m honored and very humbled that I’ve been chosen for the Working Woman of the Month piece…it’s not been easy to start a climbing gym, then start a construction business one year later, raise two tiny boy, run a household and also run what we call “Heileman Homeschool” at the same time. But I want Columbus to know they have a gem in Marc Heileman. Most people don’t know that he climbed “The Nose” of El Capitan, a climb of over 3,000 feet, in under 14 hours this past October – or that he did it with his good friend Hans Florine, the world’s fastest climber. The climb was recorded specifically for a video that Chick-Fil-A produced to use in national trainings for new owners and managers. It’s because of Marc, that I’m able to be an owner of Treadstone Climbing Gym and have this wonderful, crazy life that he facilitates. Thank you, Her Magazine, for recognizing this ‘great woman’ behind this really great man.
Gaylene Heileman Age: 41 Years with Treadstone Climbing Gym: 2 ½ years Hometown: Atwood, KS Family: Marc (48), David (6), Jonathan (4) Hobbies: Researching information that supplements our home school curriculum — children’s books, activities, and destinations; singing; cycling; weight-lifting; watching movies with my boys
PARENTS CORNER
What a day at
Fort Benning taught my son BY CARRIE BETH WALLACE BLOGGER BEHIND LOVE IS HOME
T
he whole thing started with an unexpected text sent to a group of friends. “You are invited to a Jump Party to farewell our boys...” The date, time and details were all included and we marked our calendars. It was to be a going away party for our dear friends, a military family being stationed next in Monterey, California. After spending the last ten months with them in a small group together, we have grown to love this family and have taken so much delight in watching our children play together. We were all very sad to see them go. A Jump Party seemed like a great idea to me but I didn’t know how my three year old would react to the whole experience. Living in a military town has helped us make him aware of who soldiers are and what they do, but he didn’t have any firsthand experience with the military. Nevertheless, we packed up and headed to Fort Benning’s Fryar Field on the day of the jump.
I expected only a few families in attendance, but my friend had invited many families from all different walks of life to join us. Our children ran wild as they played together while we visited. Everyone shared a picnic. They had army face painting, Nerf gun wars, and our babies played or napped under sun shades. It was beautiful, organized chaos. Yet every time another plane made a pass to drop more paratroopers, everyone stopped to watch and cheer them on. The children would stop what they were doing and run to the edge of the field to watch the parachutes open and the soldiers land. Then they cheered for them as they packed their chutes and ran to the extraction point. It was the most heartwarming scene to witness each weary soldier catching a glimpse of our children cheering them on to the finish. Young men and veterans alike gained momentum as they rounded the corner and heard the cheers. I have never seen anything like it. What’s more? It led to some sweet and important discussions with our son. He
asked questions about the soldiers, how they trained, what their jobs are, and how they protect our country. Seeing their bravery awakened something in him that we couldn’t have taught him. He cheered for them. He was proud of them. He understood. In the summer when the days are hot and long, being at home with young children can begin to feel monotonous. We play at For more info on attending the pool, go jumps, call The National to the library, Infantry Museum for a and meet for scheduled opportunities. the same play dates over and over again. It can be hard to find things to break up the ordinary rhythm of our routine, but it’s important to remember that the seemingly ordinary experiences we give our children are often so much more extraordinary than we realize. Take the time this summer to experience something new with your child. You never know what they will gain from the experience. • hr magazine • 25
hr DO-IT-YOURSELF
FOURTH OF JULY
Paper Pinwheels BY LEANN SIMS OF THE MODEST HOMESTEAD
Summer is fast approaching and that means it’s time to start thinking about outdoor barbecues and summer parties. Fourth of July is one of our favorite holidays to celebrate — fireworks, watermelon, anything grilled and barefoot kids. These paper pinwheels are the perfect decoration to add a little touch of whimsy and are easy to make. String them together to make an adorable garland or use them to dress up your favorite cupcakes. The possibilities are endless! 26 • hr magazine
Supplies needed: Scrapbook paper (two sided), scissors, hot glue gun, ruler, ribbon or twine, popsicle sticks, tape 1. First, measure and cut out your paper into a square. Mine are 3.5”. But you can make them bigger or smaller to fit your needs. Next, fold it in half diagonally and then fold again.
2. Unfold it and
3. Using scissors, cut on the lines about two thirds of the way to the point.
4. Then, start folding in every other point and hot glue them in place.
5. Once the points are all glued down, hot glue a button onto the top for a finished look.
6. If you want to make garland with them, use a hole punch to put a hole in the top of one or two of the points and string twine through them.
you’ll see the lines.
7. For cupcake toppers, tape a popsicle stick to the back and add it to the top of your favorite cupcake!
hr magazine • 27
Steeplechase
A FAMILY AFFAIR
ESA GARCIA ROBERTSON BY THERE
E
lliza Brewer can’t really remember a time before The Steeplechase at Callaway b Gardens. Eliza was seven years old he first Steeplechase occurred and has when th memories of being a part of the pony fond m races ass a child. Today, she watches her young cousinss, and her friends’ children race the poniess and she can’t help but feel nostalgic. The Stteeplechase is certainly a family affair for Elliza, who is serving as this year’s Race Direcctor. Her cousin, young Mason Lampton, has taaken the torch from his father as Race Chairrman and Eliza is thrilled to be working with her cousin on an event that is so interttwined with their childhood. “It’s one my favorite weekends of the whole year. of m In alll the phases of my life, the Steeplechase there, as a kid playing in the has been b Infieeld, to a college student in the Terrace Boxxes, to an adult enjoying the day with my parents at a Guarantor Table, I can’t member not going to the Steeplechase.” rem A reality conceptualized by her uncle, Maason Lampton, the focus of the Steeeplechase is going back to its roots this yeaar in a new and improved way. “For an evvent to last 32 years, it has to be pretty pecial,” says Brewer, “but we realize we sp haave to keep it fresh and new in order to atttract a more diverse patron if we want too see the event continue for another 330 years.” Always the first Saturday in November, the Steeplechase is more N tthan just a day at the horse races. The Steeplechase at Callaway Gardens S was created and has existed to raise w money and awareness for the Arts in tthe Columbus region. The Columbus
28 • hr magazine
Symphony Orchestra, The Springer Opera House, the Columbus Museum, Historic Columbus, The RiverCenter for Performing Arts, and the Ida Cason Callawayy Foundation all benefit from the funds raised by Steeplechase, as well as the School of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn University. “I heard our school superintendent say recently that he supported the Arts because the Arts save lives because it gives kids an outlet”, explained Brewer. “I am so proud to be a part of a legacy that is invested in the Arts Community in our city to the extent the Steeplechase has. The Steeplechase has given over $3.8 million dollars to the Arts in the last 32 years.” The Steeplechase at Callaway Gardens offers something unique, not just to our area, but in general. “I have been to Steeplechases in other parts of Georgia, in Virginia, around D.C., nothing compares to what we have here,” exclaims Eliza. Hidden away in Callaway Gardens in the heart of Harris County, Georgia, the Steeplechase offers breathtaking views. And while the amenities of the Steeplechase are vast, it’s a day spent out of doors in the peak of a changing season, in an environment that offers a feeling of security that takes you back to a time gone by. This year, those who choose to spend
the day in the TSYS Infield will have the choice of at least a dozen Food Truck vendors from Atlanta, eliminating the need to pack a meal for the day. “We are talking about fresh ingredients, a plethora of flavors, and everything prepared right when you order it. That is totally new for the Infield.” says Brewer. In addition, the Infield will continue to offer a place for kids of all ages to enjoy themselves, the Jack Russell Terrier Races, gorgeous views of the horse races, and live music. New and improved this year, Steeplechase will also offer a spot just for the college aged crowd. “We are working hard this year to offer something just for the college crowd,
comin ng home for the weekend to enjoy Steeplechase. We want folks tto come home and bring their frriends. My college years at Steeple p echase were a lot of fun!” laughs Brewer. B No matter your age, no m matter your price range, this yearr’s Race Director wants to make sure you know that there is someth hing for everyone. “This is truly an n incredible event and it is in our b backyard. We’re offering exclusive ccaterers in different price ranges from m EPIC, to 11th and Bay, to Chicken n Salad Chick, where you can pre-ord p der your food and pick it up when you get to the race or have someone take it to your Terrace Box, your Tent, or your Reserved Rail. We are working alongside Callaway Gardens to offer great weekend and overnight packages, as well. “This is the perfect staycation,” states Brewer, who remembers spending the weekend with siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles at Callaway Gardens the weekend of Steeplechase. “Steeplechase weekend can be whatever you need it to be, whether it is a day away from the norm or a whole weekend in gorgeous Pine Mountain.” For more information, you can visit the Steeplechase website (www. steeplechaseatcallaway.org).
hr magazine • 29
hr RECIPE If you are looking for rich and delicious homemade chocolate brownies then look no further! I never thought about making homemade brownies until recently. I actually really like box mix brownies so why try and fix what’s not broken right? Well the other day we had company over and they really wanted brownies. I didn’t have any of the box mix so I decided to try and make them from scratch since I pretty much always have baking supplies on hand. I found this recipe online from King Arthur Flour and they turned out great! These are perfectly fudgy brownies and I love the chocolate chips in them. They are so easy to make. Give them a try! You won’t be disappointed!
HOMEMADE FUDGE BROWNIES Recipe adapted slightly from King Arthur Flour
BY LEANN SIMS OF THE MODEST HOMESTEAD
Ingredients:
Directions:
4 large eggs
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees and g y grease g lightly a 9 x 13” pan.
1 1/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter 2 1/4 cups sugar 1 1/2 cups unbleached all purpose flour 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
30 • hr magazine
• In a large bowl, add 4 eggs, and beat with cocoa, salt, baking powder, c and vanillaa. Stir until combined and smoo oth. • In a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl, or i a saucepan set over low in he eat, melt the butter, then add d the sugar and stir to com mbine. • Add the warm butter/sugar mixture to the egg/cocoa mixture, stirring unttil smooth. Make sure the
butter mixture is warm but not too hot or it will scramble your eggs. • Add the flour and chocolate chips to the batter and stir until fully incorporated. • Spread batter into prepared pan and smooth as needed. • Bake brownies about 30 minutes. Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center of the brownies and making a little divot so you can see the center a bit. You should find moist crumbs but no wet batter. Remove from the oven and cool on a rack before cutting and serving.
JULY events JULY 4TH STAR SPANGLED BEACH PARTY
MARKET DAYS
Saturday, July 2 - Monday, July 4 | Callaway Gardens
Every Saturday 9 AM - 12 PM | Uptown Columbus
The celebration begins early and lasts well into the night at our annual July 4th Star Spangled Beach Party at Robin Lake Beach. Highlights include beach activities, live music - headlined by the Swingin’ Medallions, the FSU Flying High Circus and our annual Fireworks Extravaganza. Be sure to pack plenty of red, white and blue for this AllAmerican Weekend! For more information visit CallawayGardens.com
Broadway transforms every Saturday morning from 9am until Noon in the 900, 1000 & 1100 blocks of Broadway! There you will find over 200 local vendors selling anything and everything that you can imagine. The Market features many local and organic farmers selling produce, along with soap vendors, home goods, jewelry vendors and baked goods. Our friends from local shelters and animal rescue groups can often be found in the median of Broadway as well alongside other local nonprofits! Be sure to check out our Facebook page to learn more and stay up to date on our special programming events!
BARK WALK July 3rd 1:30 - 3 PM | FDR State Park Bring your human friend or canine buddy for a naturalistguided, 1-mile woodland adventure walk. Meet next to the Trading Post in the campground. Free!
CRAYONS, CRAFTS AND KOOL KIDS OUTDOOR VENDING FAIR Saturday, July 9th & July 23rd 10 AM - 2 PM | Broadway Median, 1000 block Young vendors known as “kidpreneurs” will be on-site selling their handmade goodies to the public. These vendors sell anything from jewelry and tutus to keychains and art-work. It’s an opportunity for boys and girls to earn some extra money for their piggy banks! All money earned goes straight to the vendor.
UPTOWN COLUMBUS FOOD TOUR Every Saturday 11 AM - 2 PM | Uptown Columbus Where Food Meets History! Put on your walking shoes for a fun, entertaining and delicious way to learn about Columbus, GA. You’ll discover the best local restaurants and stores in Uptown Columbus, as well as a bit of history, architecture and culture to round out a perfect afternoon. Meet at Country’s Barbecue on Broadway. For more information and to purchase tickets visit www. columbuseatsfoodtours. com.
THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE July 9th, 16th and23rd 2 PM & 7 PM | Springer Opera House
FREEDOM FEST Monday, July 4 11 AM - 6 PM | National Infantry Museum Mark your calendar now to celebrate our nation at the National Infantry Museum on Independence Day. This free community event will be filled with family activities, freedom foods, live music and more! For more information visit NationalInfantryMuseum.org.
Set in England during WWII, four children wander through an old wardrobe into the exciting, never-to-be-forgotten land of Narnia. There they join an epic battle of good and evil, led by the gentle lion Aslan and the evil White Witch. This story of love, faith, and courage is a true celebration of life. For more information, visit SpringerOperaHouse.org.
Gloria Sampson’s Watercolor
COLUMBUS ARTISTS’ GUILD OPENING RECEPTION July 23 6 PM - 8 PM | Columbus State University Corn Center Please join us as we promote the many talented artists of the Columbus area. Event is open to the public. For more information visit ColumbusArtistsGuild.org.
hr magazine • 31
a HER MAGAZINE COLUMBUS invites you to
SHOP, SNACK AND PLAY AT THE INAUGURAL
Boutique Crawl THURSDAY, AUGUST 25 FROM 4 - 8 PM Hilton Garden Inn 1500 Bradley Lake Boulevard, Columbus
COME CELEBRATE THE FIRST EVER BOUTIQUE SHOPPING EVENT! ENJOY ONE-NIGHT-ONLY ALL YOUR FAVORITE SHOPS UNDER ONE ROOF {PLUS} DISCOUNTS & GIVEAWAYS SPECIALTY COCKTAILS & NOSHES
SPONSORED BY VENDORS Contact Sara Douglass at (706) 320.4410 or email sdouglass@ledger-enquirer.com for more information and vendor packages. Limited space available. Deadline to register is August 5, 2016. Like Her Magazine on Facebook