West Georgia Woman Magazine October 2020

Woman

Complimentary

October 2020

West Georgia

TM

Dr. Kay Crosby

The Good Samaritan

How Strong is Your Relationship?

Goodbye, Summer!

Getting Your Home Ready for Fall 1

The CDC recommends the flu shots during September and October to provide protection during the height of the virus.

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Dr. Kay Crosby trades her paycheck for patients in need.

Page 10 Photo by Zachary Dailey

What’s inside...

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The Good Samaritan

37

Searching for an Alleluia

32

Turn Over A New Leaf

41

So Long, Summer!

34

Falling For Each Other

In Every Issue:

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28

Daily Fare

38

Local Happenings

31

Womentality

44

Kids Korner

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Autumn Vibes

The chill that's been in the air the past few weeks definitely has me getting pumped up for fall. It's so exhilarating to think about football, pumpkin spice, fall festivals, picking out and carving the perfect pumpkin and watching adorable little ghouls and goblins run around the neighborhood trick-or-treating on Halloween.

If you have little ones, be sure to check out West Georgia Ambulance's safety tips for a happy Halloween on page 45.

In This Issue Our feature this month is Newnan resident Dr. Kay Crosby. Ten years ago, Kay quit her day job as a physician in private practice to open a free medical clinic for the uninsured. With a compassionate and giving heart, this good Samaritan has made it her mission to give her patients the quality healthcare they deserve, at no cost. Learn more about Kay and the Coweta Samaritan Clinic on page 10.

You have got to check out Chef Rose Isaacs' October recipes this month on page 28. She shows you how to create a delicious jack-o'-lantern chicken pot pie and a no-bake pumpkin cheesecake that is divine.

Have you fallen off the fitness wagon due to COVID-19, the Georgia heat and summer vacations the last few months? On page 32, Sandra Bolan tells you how to get back to your healthy lifestyle and turn over a new leaf this fall.

Have you ever encountered one of those cute couples who seem to have it all together? They adore each other, they have date nights every week, love each other unconditionally and finish each other's sentences? Believe it or not, we all can have a relationship like that with a little (OK, maybe more than a little) work. Check out page 34 to see how you and your sweetheart can fall for each other all over again.

I don't know about you, but I'm totally over COVID-19. It just makes me sad to see all these masks, not to mention having to keep our distance from each other. And what about the no hugs part? It's enough to make even the happiest person a bit weary. Carolyn Houghton shares her perspective in her beautiful poem "Searching for an Alleluia," on page 37.

On page 41, say goodbye to summer and hello to fall with these tips on how to get your home in tip-top shape for the upcoming cooler weather.

In our Kids Korner on page 44, Jordan Coffman shows us how to create a fabulous candy corn Halloween banner and a freaky Frankenstein's Monster craft.

Thank you for reading West Georgia Woman magazine! Please continue to do business with our advertising partners included in our publication. Without them we could not provide you with this beautiful magazine each month!

Have a happy and safe Halloween!

See you next month!

Publisher

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Photo by Zachary Dailey

Finding our voice. Knowing our value.

Making a difference.

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West Georgia Woman is a voice for and about the women who live and work in West Georgia.

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Volume 5 • Issue 12 October 2020

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West Georgia Woman is a monthly pubThe views, opinions, positions or stratlication of Angel Media, LLC. All contents of egies expressed by the contributing this issue are copyright 2020. West Georgia authors are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, Woman magazine, its logo and “Finding our voice. Knowing our value. Making a differpositions or strategies of Angel Media, ence.” are trademarks of Angel Media, LLC. LLC., West Georgia Woman magazine All rights reserved. Reproduction without or any employee thereof. Angel Media, permission is strictly prohibited.

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

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Sales@westgeorgiawoman.com Angela Brooks Dailey, owner and publisher of West Georgia Woman magazine, has lived in West Georgia most of her life and has a deep love and appreciation for the area.

She received her B.B.A in management from The University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Ga., and is a Civil and Domestic Relations mediator and arbitrator registered with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution. She lives in Carrollton, and has two wonderful children, Zachary and Sydney Dailey.

Angela enjoys reading, spending time with her children and extended family and loves to watch Sydney play soccer.

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The Good Samaritan

By Angela Dailey Photos by Zachary Dailey Left, Coweta Samaritan Clinic Founder and Medical Director Dr. Kay Crosby, with Executive Director Kelly Hines, right.

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Local Doctor Kay Crosby Trades Paycheck for Patients in Need

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F

rank, one of Coweta Samaritan Clinic's former patients, has a debilitating disease that causes the bone in his cranium to grow substantially.

Beginning in his early teens, the disease created bony lumps on Frank's face and head, causing severe pain and deformity. By the time Frank was 54 years old, the bone in his head had grown very thick in places and was putting intense pressure on his brain and his right ear. He didn't have health insurance, and he could find no medical help or get any relief from the constant and excruciating pain.

"It had just grown and grown," says Dr. Kay Crosby, founder and medical director of the Coweta Samaritan Clinic (CSC) in Newnan, Ga. "When he came to us, the bone had grown and closed off his ear, causing permanent hearing loss. He had an abscess that had eaten through the bone and was draining to the outside."

Frank had tried to get help for his condition numerous times, but he was always turned away.

Some told him they wouldn't help him because he didn't have health insurance. Others couldn't help him because of where he lived. Still, others told him they just didn't know how to help him. One day, during a bout of severe pain in his head, something told him to walk over to the CSC. That decision changed Frank's life for the better.

He didn't even have a picture ID or birth certificate, but the caring staff at the clinic was able to help him fill out the forms necessary for him to receive treatment for his condition.

Then came the hard part; finding a doctor with the skills and compassion to treat Frank for free.

"Our local Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) physicians didn't have the ability to take care of him," says Kay. "One of those, Dr. Jim Burson, suggested we reach out to Dr. Mohammad Seyyedi, an ENT surgeon at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta."

Peggie Lawson, the CSC's nurse administrator sent a blind email to Dr. Seyyedi. She told him who

they were and about Frank's condition. "This doctor – who is just amazing – said, 'Sure, I'll see him,'" Kay shares. "Over the next six months we drove him to Augusta – I drove him about six times myself. Dr. Seyyedi did two surgeries on Frank. He didn't know who we were. He just took Frank in sight unseen and took such great care of him free of charge. He helped Frank get out of pain and changed his whole life."

Things got even better for Frank after the surgeries. Not only was he free of the excruciating daily pain, but he also had a doctor and a medical record that recorded his condition and treatment.

Because he had a medical record, he was able to apply for disability and get insurance. He is no longer a CSC patient, but he is now able to get the healthcare that he needs.

Frank is just one of the nearly 1,600 patients who has received life-changing high-quality healthcare, compassion and kindness from the CSC over the last nine years.

"I tell everyone I'm going to write a book titled In the car with Frank," Kay laughs. "He was such a sweet, kind and wise soul."

Coincidentally, when most people speak of Dr. Kay Crosby, those are usually the exact words that are used to describe the doctor herself.

Happy Family Kay was born at Emory Hospital in Decatur, Ga. Raised by parents Joe and Peggy Rowland, she grew up in Decatur with her older sister, Jan, and younger brother, Jeff.

The Rowlands were the quintessential American family. "I have two wonderful parents who are still living at 91," she smiles. "It was definitely a funfilled, happy life. I had a great family and great parents. They were at every activity we ever did, even though they both worked."

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PROCEEDS BENEFITING WWW.CARROLLCASA.ORG/TURKEY - TROT The kids attended school in Decatur, and Kay was a cheerleader. When she was 15, she met and began dating her high school sweetheart and future husband, Brad Crosby. While she was in high school, Kay recalls going to a Christian counseling center that helped students with college and career planning. After taking the career placement tests, her highlighted strengths were science and teaching. The counselor encouraged Kay to consider becoming a physician. "My sister says I talked about becoming a doctor all the time, but I don't remember ever talking about it," she laughs.

Pursuing Medicine In 1977, Kay began attending the University of Georgia (UGA) and decided to start out in the pre-med program. During her sophomore year, she took an organic chemistry class that was extremely difficult. "Our teacher walked in the first day – it was one of those auditorium classes with lots of people," she explains. "He introduced himself

and said, 'I know you all are hoping to go to medical school, and I consider it my job to weed you out so, I plan to flunk half of you,' and he did!"

It wasn't easy, but Kay passed the class. "I was so excited when I passed that class and I thought, 'If I can pass this class I can do anything," she relates. "I think that helped give me the courage to carry on.

But really, I think that God just led me to medicine."

Kay graduated from UGA in 1981 and went straight to the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta for medical school. She did well there and was a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society.

"I loved it. I loved learning. I found a good group of friends and it was kind of like going into a boot camp situation together," she laughs. "We were very close and supported each other well.

We managed to work really hard but also had a really good time."

After an 11-year relationship, Kay and Brad were married in 1985 – one month before she graduated medical school.

Founder and Medical Director of the Coweta "We've lived happily ever Samaritan Clinic Dr. Kay Crosby.

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“

after – somewhat," she laughs.

I had great respect for him. He The patient/doctor Brad also attended UGA – he was pulled me aside one day and said, relationship is something I two years ahead of Kay – and 'Kay, don't go into pediatrics. You really liked. When you're he works in computer software can have children and love your treating patients, you're sales. They have three daughters: children. But, when you're taking constantly problem solving Mollie, who turns 30 this month, care of children, you're really and teaching. I think that is a clothing designer who owns a treating their parents. So, treat their just fit me well. successful business; Ellie, 27, works parents.' Also, during that time, in graphic design for Mollie; and there weren't very many women Maggie, 23, graduated from UGA in 2019. She is in surgery when I was coming along. I liked patient currently attending graduate school at Georgia State care. The patient/doctor relationship is something University to pursue a career as a school counselor.

I really liked. When you're treating patients, you're constantly problem solving and teaching. I think that just fit me well."

The Doctor Is In After 11 years of higher education, Kay finished her residency in June 1988, took the month of July When Kay graduated from medical school, she off and began working as a physician at the PAPP began her residency at Emory and their affiliated Clinic – a multi-specialty group clinic that was later hospitals for the next three years. purchased by Piedmont Healthcare – in August She decided she would complete her residency 1988. "I should have taken more time off," she focusing on internal medicine, which is geared laughs. She was at the PAPP Clinic for 20 years. toward adults.

"In medical school, you do a little bit of everything," she explains. "I really loved it all. I On a Mission loved surgery and I loved pediatrics. I thought about specializing in those. There was an infectious disease In 2008, Kay began thinking seriously about attending physician when I was in medical school; opening a free medical clinic in her community. "I

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"I was trying to figure out how she would get care," she says. "I've always felt like I was serving through my work by taking care of patients at the PAPP Clinic. But, I realized that if you don't have insurance, you can't get in to see most doctors. She didn't have insurance. I did learn that there was a federally funded clinic in Palmetto, so I had someone take her there. They see people on a sliding scale, which is wonderful, but her charge ended up being $50 and she couldn't pay it so, she wasn't able to be seen. I think that just made me realize that gosh, if you don't have insurance, what do you do?"

At the time, Kay's daughters were at an age where they needed her more, and with Brad's work – he travels extensively – life had become a bit complicated for her family. "I think when God wants you to think about doing something differently, maybe life gets a little harder," she relates. "So, I started thinking, 'Could this even happen? Could a free clinic exist?'"

Building a Free Clinic

think God had been preparing me for this all of my life, and led me there over a long period of time and through a lot of different experiences," she says.

As a member of Newnan Presbyterian Church, Kay had participated in many mission trips over the years serving the community of Sitpach, Mexico.

She would set up a clinic in the back of a church and treat anyone who had a medical need.

"When you go on a mission trip like that and you're serving, it kind of makes you see the world differently and opens up your eyes a little bit more," she explains. "I think it did help me become more aware of the needs around me when I came home."

Kay was in charge of outreach at Newnan Presbyterian, and they didn't have the funds to go to Mexico in 2008. At the time, there was a large Hispanic population living nearby, with many of them attending the church. The church decided to have their mission trip in Newnan – specifically geared to serve that population. They set up shop one weekend at the church.

The mission trip consisted of medical and dental screenings, and a clothing drive. Meals were also prepared for attendees. That weekend, Kay screened a woman whose blood sugar was well over 300. The woman had no idea that she had diabetes.

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Kay went to her minister, Dr. Harry Barrow, for advice about the idea of opening a free clinic. Soon after their meeting, Harry met an individual who was involved in a free clinic in Tupelo, Miss. "I gathered up Harry and a few friends, and we drove to Tupelo and spent the day talking to these people who ran this free clinic," she says. "They had been up and running for 18 years, and it was a well-oiled machine.

I also called Dr. Earnest Barron. He was a doctor who had practiced at PAPP Clinic for many years. I had heard he was bored. I called him and said, 'Hey, if we do this, would you consider checking in and helping us?' He said he would, and he went with us to Tupelo."

After the group came home, Harry serendipitously ran into the CEO of Piedmont Newnan Hospital at the gym. Harry told him what the group had seen in Tupelo and that they wanted to create a free clinic in Newnan. The CEO was interested in learning more.

Kay officially left the PAPP Clinic in 2009 and began working on trying to build the clinic. "We met with some representation at the hospital," she says. "Then, Mark Whitlock, the founding CEO of the Central Educational Center (CEC) wanted to be at the table. A group of about five of us started meeting. We all said, 'Let's try to make this happen.'" The group spent an entire year meeting at Kay's kitchen table.

During this time, they created a business plan, incorporated, developed the board of

directors, gained their 501(c)3 status, joined the Georgia Charitable Care Network and established partnerships with the county health department, West Georgia Technical College, CEC, Piedmont Newnan Hospital and other charitable organizations in the area.

With the help of Robert Di Vito, a grant writer at Piedmont, they applied for a federal rural healthcare network planning grant. "It was so complicated, but he held our hand and really made it happen," she says. The group also visited other clinics and inquired about the needs of the local population from various community leaders.

"We actually learned there were about 100 charitable clinics in the state of Georgia – we didn't really have to drive to Tupelo," she laughs. "We visited a lot of the other free clinics around here, and the first thing we learned from that is that when you've seen one free clinic, you've seen one free clinic – because they are all so different. They are all so dependent on their unique resources."

The group's timing was perfect, and everything was falling into place. Newnan Hospital had just sold to Piedmont, and the Newnan Hospital Foundation had a surplus of funds.

"We went and talked to the Foundation, and they agreed to give us $100,000 a year for 10 years," she shares. "We were trying to find a place, and we heard the health department was getting a new building. The old building was already set up for patient care and it was right downtown, so the location was great. We met with representation from the county and with another organization in town, the Coweta County Hospital Authority, whose mission was indigent care. The old health department building was deeded to them, and they allow us to use the building for $1 a year."

Having a building and $100,000 a year obligated to them for 10 years helped legitimize the CSC and created more opportunities for the clinic. Kay still wasn't really aware of how badly the community needed the clinic until she attended a group meeting for nonprofits in the area. "I went to the first meeting and introduced myself, told them who I was, why I was there and what we were planning," she shares. "Everyone in the room stood up and clapped and cheered, which was very moving."

The CSC had a tremendous show of support from the community, volunteers and medical professionals. Numerous people signed up to support and volunteer. "I think it helped that I practiced here for 20 years," she says. "I already knew a lot of the doctors and many people in the

community. We just had great support from the very beginning."

They had funds, a building and community and volunteer support; they just had to find the right people to work at the clinic. The group held discussions regarding who the clinic needed as their nurse administrator and executive director.

Peggie Lawson was an executive nurse at Piedmont Newnan Hospital who was also on the CSC board. "When we were talking about who we needed as our nurse administrator, we said, 'Man, we just need to find someone like Peggie Lawson. She's just so good, she knows everything and she knows everybody," Kay says. "We literally made the job description and after everyone left my table, I went to check my email. I received a message notifying me of Peggie's retirement from the hospital. I thought, 'Really God? You're going to give me Peggie?' So I immediately emailed her and asked her if she wanted to work for the clinic.

At first she actually said 'No,' but three months later she came back and agreed to work as our nurse administrator. There couldn't have been a better person for us."

The CSC had a wonderful nurse administrator.

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Lou Graner was one of the original members of the round table group, but Kay really didn't know him that well. "I knew he was kind, smart and had been very helpful, but I knew nothing about his background," she says. "One day, we were talking about the executive director position, and he asked if I would go have coffee with him. He told me he wanted to do it. I found out he had been head of development at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta for 10 years. I felt like we were on the right track, that God had opened all of the doors and provided all of the things we needed."

Welcoming Patients There were many roundtable discussions about which part of the population the clinic should serve.

The clinic in Tupelo only served the working poor; if you were unemployed, you couldn't be a patient there. "When we had those early meetings, we just all really felt that employment didn't need to be a requirement," she says. There was a large population of Newnan residents who fell within the federal poverty guidelines who desperately needed quality healthcare. The group decided these were the neighbors they would serve.

"Also, through the state of Georgia – for free clinics – if your patients are at 200 percent of

the federal poverty level and below and have no insurance, they will cover your soveriegn immunity," she explains. "If you fall under their umbrella, then your malpractice is covered." This means that the nurses, phlebotemists, doctors and anyone who is licensed who works or volunteers at the CSC is covered under the state of Georgia.

Two hundred percent of the 2020 federal poverty level is $25,520 for a single person and $52,400 for a family of four, according to the CSC website.

Dr. Earnest Barron and Rhonda Whitton, a nurse practitioner, came on board and volunteered to help with primary care. On Oct. 6, 2011 the clinic finally opened its doors and began to see patients.

They started with four. After seeing those patients, Kay quickly realized she would need help from the medical community.

"All of the patients we saw had so many problems that we couldn't take care of," she explains. "One woman had a tumor in her stomach. They all needed tests. Two of the four patients had hepatitis C. We saw all kinds of things that required more than what we could provide. From the very beginning, we just started picking up the phone, and our medical community is just amazing. So many have been willing to help on a very regular basis. The surgeons and the orthopedists see so many of our patients – it's just incredible. I think our patients get top of the

An individual who becomes a patient at Coweta Samaritan Clinic finds a medical home – a trusted source of comprehensive and continuous care. Through the Clinic's circle of care, each patient connects to the many resources available among their extensive network of community partners. Source: www.cowetasamaritanclinic.org

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line care, and it is simply because our community is so willing to help us take care of them."

The CSC's network of medical providers is large – 19 specialties, to be exact. Some patient specialty providers will see patients at the clinic – dermatology, gynecolegy, cardiology and endocrinology. There are also many specialists who are willing to see the CSC patients in their offices free of charge.

"We make a referral just as if the patient has insurance, and they see them like everyone else," she explains. "If it is something that requires hospitalization or surgery, then they do have to fill out the financial paperwork for the hospital."

The CSC also partners with the WGTC Dental program at the CEC. Volunteer dentists use the CEC dental facilities, and dental assistant students come to the dental clinics to receive hands-on experience.

"We knew dental access would be a critical need," she relates. "From the very first needs assessment, we have successfully accomplished everything we wanted. The volunteer dentists love to see our patients and love to teach the students.

The students benefit and the patients benefit. It's a great partnership."

The dental clinic provides extractions and fillings

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for CSC patients. They were able to serve 208 patients last year.

A Caring and Capable Staff The clinic has three full-time employees: Executive Director Kelly Hines (Lou retired in March 2019), Nurse Administrator Peggie Lawson and Volunteer/ Front Office Coordinator Ginny Lyles. Raquel Hanna is a part-time medical assistant who helps with the Patient Assistance Program (PAP) that provides free medication to the patients.

"Most every drug company has a certain program that, if they meet the financial requirements, the patients can get the drugs for free," Kay says. "Two of the four patients I saw on the first day when the clinic opened had hepatitis C. At that time, if you didn't have insurance, unless you were able to be a part of a study, there was nothing they could do for you. All of these medicines cost about $80,000 for the three-month course. But through these programs, we can get these medicines for the patients for free. We have cured 25 patients with hepatitis C since this started."

The clinic has received millions of dollars in prescription drugs through PAPs over the last nine

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The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Equity (Title IX) Coordinator, Dean of Students, 770.755.7839, 200 20 Campus Drive, Newnan, GA 30263. ADA (Section 504) coordinator is V.P. of Administrative Services, 678.664.0533, 401 Adamson Square, Carrollton, GA 30117.

years, and medications obtained by patients for free. "Every doctor, the clinic in 2019 alone topped $2 including myself, is seeing our million. patients for free," she says. "There CSC also has a part-time is not a single doctor who gets receptionist, Kathy Holcomb, back paid." office person, Deana Ruiz, and a lab She sees patients on Wednesdays technician, Brett Hunton. and oversees the NP and PA during Thanks to an initial grant given by the week as well as going over labs, Drs. Ferrol and Helen Sams' family, fundraising, working with the board the clinic was able to bring in a partand volunteers, and overseeing the time nurse practioner (NP), Rhonda clinic's operations.

Whitton, a part-time social worker, She is thankful she is in a unique Amy Kelly, and add EPIC, the clinic’s situation that her husband, Brad, electronic health record system. can support her work with the clinic.

"Rhonda was a dedicated "I remember when I came home volunteer from the beginning," Kay that day and said to my husband, says. "Through Amy's great ability 'I've decided that I'm not going to A memorial for Dr. Earnest Barron to network and search people out, work at the PAPP clinic anymore holds a place of honor in the foyer of we have even been able to find and I think I'm going to try and start the Coweta Samaritan Clinic. rehabilitation resources for our a free clinic,'" she laughs. "He has patients who struggle with addiction. She's always always been very supportive of my work." looking for new resources to tap into."

Since opening in 2011, the CSC has provided After the clinic was open five years, the board care for nearly 1,600 unique patients through almost decided they needed a new strategic plan; they 22,000 patient visits. wanted to see even more patients. "We had Dr. Barron," Kay says. "He came faithfully every week Funding the Clinic and saw patients one day a week. Shortly after creating the plan, we found out Dr. Barron had The CSC receives no government funding and pancreatic cancer, and he eventually passed away. It is completely supported through private donations was very hard to lose him." from foundations, churches, individuals and After losing Dr. Barron, the clinic was actually fundraisers. They hold two fundraisers each year: decreasing their patient load instead of increasing. their annual Bluegrass and Barbecue event and They decided they would hire another part-time their annual College Football Kickoff Breakfast with patient care person. Now they have Physician Tony Barnhart. They had their first Bluegrass and Assistant (PA) Laura Alton, who works a couple of Barbecue fundraiser in 2010 – a year before they days a week. opened.

Kay has spent the last nine years treating CSC "We're celebrating 10 years of Bluegrass and Barbecue in October," Kay says. "Local guys who like to barbecue come and have a friendly competition. There is bluegrass music, and there is usually 500 to 600 people in attendance."

This year's event will be a little different due to COVID-19. The 10th Annual Bluegrass and Barbecue will be held on Sunday, Oct. 4 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the old PAPP Clinic parking lot on Cavender Street in downtown Newnan. Steve Duncan with Dunc's BBQ Kitchen will be preparing all the food. There will be a drive through with Dunc's BBQ, sides and adult beverages featured for each plate. They plan to broadcast bluegrass music via live radio Left, Dr. Kay Crosby with Raquel Hanna.

21

Left to right: Kelly Hines, Peggie Lawson, Dr. Kay Crosby and Ginny Lyles.

stream. Sponsors have the option to have the BBQ and all the fixings delivered to them and their guests at their own private party, and attendees can enjoy commemorative t-shirts, yard signs and other fun touches. All participants are welcome to stay and tailgate.

Tickets start at $25, and there are options to purchase dinner for one, two, six or 12 people. You can also purchase a commemorative "COVID Piggy" t-shirt for $25. Visit www.cowetasamaritanclinic.org to purchase tickets for this exciting outdoor event.

The CSC relies on support from the community at these events to help fund the clinic. "We generally make about $100,000 for the clinic on that event each year," Kay says."I love to help with the barbecue; it's fun. I love that I'm involved in all of this. We have such a great, fun group of volunteers.

It's just really sweet. I've gotten to know so many people through this experience I would have never gotten to know otherwise."

In August, the clinic would have celebrated their 10th Annual College Football Kickoff Breakfast with Tony Barnhart – he's also known as "Mr. College Football." Due to COVID-19, they made the difficult decision to postpone the event.

There are many ways the community can help the CSC: Through a one-time monetary donation or a commitment to give monetary support monthly, providing lunch for the volunteers Monday through Thursday, purchasing tickets or sponsorships for the Bluegrass and Barbecue fundraiser, donating new or handmade masks, toiletry items, books (including children's books) and donating new or clean and gently used warm coats, winter hats and gloves for the patients.

The clinic is also able to accept gifts of stock.

last several months. Even when they were performing telemedicine, there was never a time the doors were closed completely. They would open the clinic during certain hours so patients could get the medicines and supplies they needed.

Face-to-face patient care began again July 4, and the clinic went back to its normal schedule after Labor Day. Its hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 9

a.m. to 4. p.m.

"Peggie and Ginny are great at operational details," Kay explains. "They've got it working beautifully with very little exposure. We plan to continue telemedicine to some degree.

Transportation can be a real barrier for our patients.

Some of them have jobs and have to lose a half day of pay. A lot of times you do need to see the patient, but sometimes telemedicine can be fine."

United Way provided grants to help with COVID-19, and the clinic was able to use those funds to create "COVID Kits" for COVID-19 positive patients. These consist of a thermometer, a pulse oximeter to monitor oxygen level and vitamins.

Instacart was set up to deliver groceries to those patients who needed them. They also provided blood pressure cuffs, regular medications and supplies. They routinely supply all diabetics with a glucose monitor and strips, and they use the PAP to supply insulin at no charge to every diabetic patient.

"We are definitely a team," she shares. "Our patients are complicated. A lot of them have social needs that hinder their ability to be well. We're always trying as a team to figure out how to get over those hurdles. And, as I've said, we have wonderful donor support. Once we know of a need, we never "Our community has just supported us so much.

It's such a gift to me to be in the position where I see the amazing generosity of people. It has just been very inspiring and uplifting for me."

Patient Care During COVID-19 The CSC did use telemedicine after the outbreak, but has gradually reopened over the

22

Dr. Crosby meets with her patient, Devanne Gant.

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just say, 'Oh well, she needs this but we can't get it for her.' We are always trying to work together to figure out how to get what the patient needs – no matter what it is – which is really special."

A Servant's Heart Through her work with the CSC, Kay received the 2018 Coweta Citizen of the Year award and the 11Alive Community Service Award in 2014.

Incidentally, the night she received the 11Alive award, she met the founder and CEO of American Health Imaging, Scott Arant, who immediately volunteered to do all of the CSC patients' CT scans, MRIs and ultrasounds in Newnan for free. "It's just amazing how things work out," she says.

In her spare time, she enjoys outdoor exercise, spending time with her friends and family, and reading. "My pleasure reading is lacking because I always feel like I should be reading something that makes me smarter," she laughs. "My other hobby is taking care of my dog, an Australian shepherd named Rupert. I'm very thankful for my Rupert, but he keeps me very busy. He's my physical trainer and my guardian, but he is a mess!"

With a servant's heart, Kay is dedicated to giving

her patients the quality healthcare they deserve in a loving and compassionate environment at the Coweta Samaritan Clinic. And this good Samaritan will continue to lovingly care for her neighbors who need it most without asking for anything in return.

"I love it," she smiles. "It's kind of like, my baby.

So, yes, unless something unforeseen happens, I plan to be there. The clinic only happens because our community is so generous and our medical community is so willing to help us take care of our patients. We could not do it without all of that assistance. It's such a gift to me to be in the position where I see the amazing generosity of people. It has just been very inspiring and uplifting for me.

"I've learned a lot and grown so much as a person. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for every person's contribution and support. It really means so much." WGW To learn more about Dr. Kay Crosby and the Coweta Samaritan Clinic, call 770.683.5272 or email info@CowetaSamaritanClinic.org.

Follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cowetasamaritanclinic Follow them on Instagram @cowetasamaritan Visit the website at www.CowetaSamaritanClinic.org.

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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.

"

Serve this spooky pot pie before a night of trick-or-treating or as a warm fall dinner any night of the week.

"

Jack-o'-lantern Chicken Pot Pie Ingredients

Add the onions, carrots, celery and fresh rosemary.

Stir occasionally and cook until softened, about 4 to 5 minutes.

Sprinkle the flour over the cooked vegetables and stir to 1 cup yellow onion, chopped combine. Cook about 1 minute, stirring continuously.

1 cup carrots, peeled and chopped small Gradually add the chicken broth and heavy cream.

Stir frequently until mixture begins to thicken.

3/4 cup celery, chopped small Remove from heat and add the frozen vegetables and shred1/2 cup (1 stick) butter ded chicken.

2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil Season with salt and black pepper. (Add more chicken stock if needed) 1/2 cup all-purpose flour Assembling the chicken pot pie: 3 cups chicken broth On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the pie crust into a circle. Place in the bottom of a cast iron skillet or into a 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream glass pie plate.

10 ounces frozen corn Spoon the chicken pot pie ingredients into your prepared pie 10 ounces frozen peas shell.

On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the top pie crust 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary (chopped finely) and carefully slice a jack-o'-lantern shape in the dough and Salt and black pepper to taste place over the pot pie. Gently roll under the edges and Pie crust for double crust (homemade or store-bought) press down. If not making a jack-o'-lantern shape, cut several vents into the top of the pot pie with a sharp knife.

1 egg (beaten with a teaspoon of water for egg wash) Using a pastry brush, brush the pot pie with the egg wash.

Place the cast iron skillet or pie plate on the prepared halfsheet pan.

Preparation Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbling.

Preheat oven to 375° F. Allow to cool 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

Line a half-sheet pan with parchment paper. Set aside.

In a large skillet over medium-heat, heat the oil and butter. Serves 6 to 8.

1 whole cooked and cooled rotisserie chicken, all meat pulled and shredded

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No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake

"

This no-fuss cheesecake is the perfect taste of fall without the hassle of baking in an oven.

Ingredients For the crust:

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs 2 teaspoons sugar

1/3 cup melted butter

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon For the filling:

16 ounces cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

15 ounces pumpkin purĂŠe

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon of spice mixture (can substitute with pumpkin pie spice) 16 ounces whipping cream For the spice mixture:

1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon ginger 1/4 teaspoon cloves

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1/2 teaspoon allspice

Preparation In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, cinnamon and melted butter.

Pour the crumbs into a 8- to 9-inch springform pan and press down into an even layer.

Refrigerate for 30 minutes to an hour.

In a medium bowl, whip together cream cheese and sugars until well combined.

Add the pumpkin purĂŠe, vanilla extract and spice mixture.

Mix until smooth.

In a separate bowl, whip whipping cream to stiff peaks.

Gently fold whipped cream into cream cheese and pumpkin mixture.

Pour mixture into the springform pan on top of the graham cracker crust and smooth over with a spatula.

Place cheesecake on a plate and place in refrigerator for 4 hours or overnight.

If it looks as if it is still not setting, place into the freezer about 30 minutes before serving.

Remove from springform pan and serve with extra whipped topping.

Serves 12. WGW

"

Womentality

Inspiring quotes by extraordinary women “Designers want me to dress like spring, in billowing things.

I don't feel like spring. I feel like a warm red autumn.”

– Marilyn Monroe Photo: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Marilyn_Monroe

“And all the lives we ever lived and all the lives to be are f ull of trees and changing leaves.”

– Virginia Woolf

“It looked like the world was covered in a cobbler crust of brown sugar and cinnamon.” ‘

– Sarah Addison Allen

“Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree.”

– Emily Brontë

“Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale.”

– Lauren Destefano

31

Turn Over a New Leaf

By Sandra Bolan

Autumn Wellness Tips for a Healthier, Happier You

I

t’s the most wonderful time of the year. That’s right. It’s pumpkin spice everything season – coffee, lattes, donuts, bread, pie and even hummus.

On the flip side, this is also the time of year when we have less daylight, which can put us into a state of hibernation, carb-loading and getting sick.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Think of autumn as a second chance January.

Between COVID-19, the Georgia heat and summer vacations, a lot of us have fallen off the fitness/healthy lifestyle wagon. Now is the perfect time to jump back on it. Hit the trails and immerse yourself in the fall colors, go apple picking or visit a pumpkin patch or corn maze.

Eat Seasonally Eating seasonal foods is not only a cost-effective way to get your fruits and veggies in, they also help boost your immunity.

Autumn superfoods include: beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, eggplant, squash and sweet potatoes.

Apples, cranberries pears, pomegranates and radishes are among the in-season fruits.

Pumpkin is a superfood packed with vitamins A and C. When carving out that Halloween gourd, don’t throw out the seeds. They are filled with phytosterols, which may help lower cholesterol.

Roasted pumpkin seeds also make a great snack.

Staying Fit for Fall Keeping active boosts your immune system, so does drinking lots of water and washing your hands.

Believe it or not, the pumpkin spice latte came out in August, so hopefully by now you’ve had your fill of the 380-calorie sugar-bomb (50 grams).

But if you’re still loving it, switch it up for a lowfat or nonfat milk and no whip version. You can also have a cinnamon-based latte, which many coffee companies offer in a sugar-free version, and you’ll still get all the fall feels.

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Speaking of snacks, this is the time of year when we eat a lot of them. Thanks to less daylight, we’re binge-eating while binge-watching Netflix, watching our favorite football teams on TV and gobbling up all those yummy fall-flavored treats. We’re also moving less, so the pounds can pile on.

You don’t have to skip the snacks, just switch them up. Swap out those greasy potato chips and creamy dips for carrots and hummus.

Serve your famous game-day chili in a cup versus a bowl. Cut pizza slices into smaller pieces, make pizza bagels or pizza English muffins.

Despite your best efforts to get outside and eat all the right foods, you may have to take a vitamin D supplement.

We require vitamin D to absorb calcium. It also helps regulate the immune system and neuromuscular systems. Always consult with your doctor before taking any supplements.

Also, if there ever was a year to get the flu shot, 2020 is it.

Step Away From the Candy By now, the store shelves are filled with Halloween candy. Walk on by.

Wait until one or two days before Halloween to buy candy. Secondly, don’t buy candy you actually like. This way you won’t be tempted to dig into your stash before Halloween, nor will you want to eat whatever wasn’t handed out to the trick-or-treaters.

Ward Off Depression While many people love autumn and all it represents – a new season, sports, back-to-school, Halloween, as well as Thanksgiving and then Christmas, for many people, this is the absolute worst time of year.

Approximately five percent of Americans suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), with four out of five of them being women,

according to Mental Health America.

SAD is essentially the winter blahs in overdrive.

But it should not be ignored, and you don’t have to tough it out.

Symptoms of SAD include: feeling depressed; loss of interest in activities you once loved; low energy; insomnia; a change in appetite – in particular craving high-carb foods; weight gain; oversleeping; hibernating and socially withdrawing.

Why do people suffer from SAD? The decreased sunlight may disrupt your body’s internal clock, which can lead to feeling depressed.

The farther you are from the equator, the greater the prevalence of SAD. The reduced daylight hours can also create a drop in one’s serotonin levels, which can also trigger bouts of depression.

There are some options for treating SAD, including medication, psychotherapy and vitamin D. Light therapy is another option. The concept behind this treatment is to replace the lack of natural sunlight with artificial light. Research suggests that sitting in front of a special lightbox first thing in the morning, every day during the fall and winter months may lesson a person’s symptoms.

SAD and its treatment require a professional diagnosis. If you think you may suffer from this disorder, contact your medical professional. WGW

33

Falling for Each Other

By Sandra Bolan

34

Habits of Emotionally Strong Couples

W

henever we see an older couple holding hands, snuggling and looking into each other’s eyes with so much love, we wonder “How do they do it?”

When you ask them their secret, they usually provide the simplest, yet most complicated answer: communication.

Relationship specialists say communication is number one when it comes to maintaining a relationship over the long haul, primarily because it encompasses so many different facets.

First, you need to feel safe enough to tell your partner your thoughts, dreams, fears and goals – without judgement from him.

In listening to these, partners may not always understand their rationale, but they don’t laugh at or invalidate them either. They acknowledge their partner has a right to these goals and emotions.

When it comes to achieving those goals or overcoming fears, partners should be each other’s biggest cheerleader. However, providing encouragement may sometimes be one of those

relationship elements that often gets tossed aside.

We’re adults, why do we need to encourage each other as if we are 5 years old? Encouragement can be as simple as saying, “You’re amazing,” and “I love you."

Good partners listen to each other, and not with just one ear in the conversation and the

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35

other listening to the television. They really try to understand and hear what their partner is telling them.

Checking emails, playing video games or scrolling through Facebook while your partner pours out his heart is not going to go over particularly well.

Partners in strong relationships will hit the mute button or put down their phones and pay attention to what the other one is saying.

Listening is also a sign of respect, as is curtailing the eye-roll and putting a lid on sarcasm.

Respect A good partner shows respect by being patient, showing compassion and validating the other person’s emotions.

Maintaining a happy relationship means respecting your partner's heart, time, trust and character.

There are many ways a relationship can break down due to lack of respect. Some examples of disrespect include constantly threatening to leave if you don't get your way, calling your partner hurtful names or speaking negatively about your partner with friends and family.

Trust Couples who last don’t keep secrets unless it’s about an upcoming surprise party. They also trust their partners enough to have friends and interests outside their relationship.

It is most definitely not a healthy relationship if you, or your partner, think that when you’re not together one is doing something nefarious like having an affair.

Encouraging Growth As people, we are forever evolving and growing – emotionally and intellectually.

What may have interested us five years ago may no longer hold our attention.

Partners need to give each other space to explore these new interests. Some things you once had in common may no longer be of interest to one of you, and that’s OK. If you do have similar interests or even careers, do not compete with one another;

36

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What Not to Do “While good habits are important to their success, the absence of bad habits is really what separates them from other people,” according to psychotherapist and author Amy Morin.

Emotionally strong couples don’t keep score.

They don’t worry about whose turn it is to wash the dishes or put out the trash.

They also don’t complain about being owed a favor because they did this chore or that one.

There is also no passive-aggressive behavior going on in order to get one’s way.

Instead, the influence is direct and healthy.

Power couples know they’re going to mess up and let one another down from time to time.

Instead of coping with the disappointment via the silent treatment or running away, they simply apologize.

The other partner accepts it, they both move on and no one holds a grudge. WGW

Searching for an Alleluia

We are wandering slowly feeling depressed, lost and lonely.

Distracted by the worry that seems to hold dominion while our shadow selves grow in power with their formidable opinions.

We are not truly socially distant.

To keep our faith, to be persistent in love I swear to you; patience, kindness and caring are the first gifts to be sharing.

We can beat this virus with our love.

Carolyn Houghton Š2020

37

Local Happenings

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

West Georgia Mental Health Professionals Wellness Meetup Group

This group meets the last Saturday of every month in Douglasville or Austell. For more information, contact Cheryl at theheartmatters@gmail.com or 678.754.5840.

Learn more at www.heartmatterswellness.com.

Hope For The Journey This group meets the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the board room at the Tracy Stallings Community Center at 118 South White St. in Carrollton.

These events are free to breast cancer survivors or those currently battling breast cancer.

Learn more at www.hopeforthejourneywestga.org, email execdirector@hopeforthejourneywestga.org or call 770.214.1491.

Rare Pearls Mentoring and Leadership Program Rare Pearls mission is to enrich and empower the

38

lives of young girls and women. This group meets the third Saturday of each month at Heritage Baptist Church in Douglasville, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

This program is open to all girls ages 7 to 17.

For more information, call 770.947.8210, email rarepearls2015@gmail.com or visit the website at www.rarepearlsmentoringandleadership.org.

Nursing From The Heart Breastfeeding Support Group This group meets the third Monday of each month from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at 500 Old Bremen Road in Carrollton.

These events are free to pregnant women and moms looking for breastfeeding support. Free weight checks for your baby will be available. Come and share your breastfeeding journey with us.

Please check our website for meeting and event updates at www.nursingfromtheheart.com.

Gertrude's House Breast Cancer Support Group This group meets the third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at Lithia Springs Family Chiropractic

at 1758 Lee Rd. in Lithia Springs.

This group is open to all survivors, caregivers, supporters, friends, family and those fighting breast cancer.

Visit their Facebook page @GertrudesHouse or email them at GertrudesHouse@yahoo.com.

Cancer Support Group at Tabernacle Baptist Church Has your life been impacted by cancer – whether your own or someone you know?

Tabernacle Baptist Church hosts a faith-based cancer support group providing spiritual and emotional support to those diagnosed, currently undergoing treatment, those in remission and caregivers.

Meetings run from 6 to 7:15 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month. Meetings are held in room 256 at 150 Tabernacle Drive, Carrollton, Ga. For more information, call 770.832.7063 or visit the website at tabernacle.org.

Domestic Abuse Support Group There is Hope is a support group for women dealing with, or who have dealt with domestic abuse. Through There is Hope, women will come together and share their personal journey, while listening to others share theirs as well.

There will be guidance for help and resources available at each meeting. Meetings are free to the public. This group will meet the second Wednesday of every month.

Group meetings will be held at Tanner on Robinson, 115 Robinson Ave. in Carrollton from 5 to 6 p.m. Contact hopefulone807@gmail.com for more information.

Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Group Has your life been impacted by the loss of a friend or loved one to suicide? You are not alone. This group offers peer support for anyone who has been affected by suicide loss. There is no cost to attend.

Group meetings are the first and third Tuesday of each month from 7 to 9 p.m. at 306A Bradley Street

in Carrollton. For more information, contact Ivey Rollins at iveyrollins@gmail.com or call 470.729.0909.

Carroll EMC Blood Drive Carroll EMC will host a blood drive Tuesday, Oct. 13, in the Robert D. Tisinger Community Center at the Carrollton office from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Walk-ins will only be accepted if appointments are cancelled.

If you'd like to sign up for an appointment, please call 770-832-3552 or visit redcross.org.

Carroll EMC Awards Community Impact Grants Carroll Electric Membership Cooperative Foundation awarded 50 Impact Grants to charitable causes in the cooperative’s seven-county service area that totaled $115,000 in contribution funds.

The funds will be used toward a variety of local projects to serve, protect and improve the surrounding communities and their residents.

Since the first issuing of grants in 2002, more than $3.6 million has been given back to Carroll EMC communities. Health and human services, education and environment protection are a few of the areas that receive funding from the Foundation.

Included in this year’s funding were: 3C Humane Society, Inc. Action Ministries American Red Cross of Central Midwest Georgia Bremen Police Department Carroll County Child Advocacy Center Carroll County Court Appointed Special Advocates Inc. Carroll County Emergency Shelter, Inc. Carroll County Extension Carroll County Foster Parent Association Carroll County Outdoor Camp Carroll County Sheriff Camp Carroll County Toys for Tots Carroll County Training Center Carroll County Young Farmers Carrollton Center for the Arts Carrollton Empty Stocking Fund, Inc. Carrollton Kiwanis Foundation Casa Paulding Chattahoochee Riverkeeper City Station Community Family Violence Prevention Initiative Ferst Readers of Carroll, Haralson and Polk County Georgia Water and Soil Conservation Georgia SPOT Society Haralson County Seniors Haralson County Veterans Association, Inc. Heard County Sheriff Department Housing by ARC, Inc. Impact West Ga. Keep Carroll Beautiful, Inc

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Math Counts—GSPE Partners Advancing Student Success, Inc. Paulding County Sherriff's Office Positive Response Prevent Blindness Georgia Recovery & Restoration Ministries Sewell Mill Inc. Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association Inc. – Atlanta Chapter Southeastern Quilt and Textile Museum Tallapoosa East Baptist Church Helping Hands Community Outreach Ministry Temple Police Department The Blake House The West Georgia Autism Foundation THS Emergency Shelter, Inc. Truth in Nature Inc. Villa Rica Police Department West Georgia Chapter of the Georgia Native Plant Society West Georgia Habitat for Humanity, Inc.

Impact Grants are made available to organizations through Member participation in Carroll EMC’s Operation Round Up® program. Members are given the opportunity to contribute by rounding their electric bill to the nearest whole dollar. These funds are separate from company profits and are only accessible to the Foundation Board of Trustees who award the donations to eligible partners.

Due to unforeseen circumstances of the coronavirus pandemic, the Foundation Board carefully reviewed applications with expert health and government guidance in mind. Additionally, the annual Foundation Reception will not be held this year. “During this time of uncertainty, it is so encouraging to see people looking beyond their own needs,” said Taylor Key, community relations clerk for Carroll EMC. “We have a Membership that is so giving, and we are honored to place those offerings back into our communities. Year after year, I am humbled by the compassion and generosity of those I call neighbors.”

Impact Grants are only made possible through Member involvement. To sign up for Operation Round Up® or to view the complete list of Impact Grant recipients, visit www.carrollemc.com.

Carroll EMC is a Member-owned cooperative providing electricity to approximately 50,000 homes and businesses. The co-op serves Members in Carroll, Haralson, Heard, Paulding, Polk, Floyd and Troup counties. This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. For more information visit the cooperative’s website at www.carrollemc.com or follow Carroll EMC on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram and LinkedIn. Carroll EMC: Community Built. Community Builder.

Southwire Hires EVP of Human Resources Southwire is pleased to welcome Fernando Esquivel as its new executive vice president

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of human resources. Fernando’s multi-faceted background aligns well with the company’s values and culture, and, through his leadership, Southwire will continue its commitment to building and prioritizing a workplace that is inclusive, supportive and engaging.

“We are thrilled that Fernando will be joining Southwire to lead our human resources efforts,” said Rich Stinson, Southwire president and CEO. “He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge that will further build on our strong culture of empowerment, trust, consistency and inclusion.

Additionally, his knowledge of the manufacturing industry, his involvement with cutting-edge people and culture strategies and his deep understanding of the importance of talent development will help propel Southwire forward as we continue our journey toward being generationally sustainable for the next 100 years and beyond.”

Fernando holds a bachelor of science degree in mechanical & electrical engineering and a master of business administration degree from Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey.

At the beginning of his career, Fernando worked at Procter & Gamble in Mexico City and has consistently moved up into leadership positions in organizations including Clorox, Microsoft, Eaton Corporation.

Most recently, he has served in senior executive roles at companies in the United States such as ANSYS and Mylan Inc. He is currently the senior vice president of people and culture, group and transformation at Aristocrat Technologies. Beyond work, Fernando enjoys spending time with his family and has a passion to work with organizations that support kids and families. He enjoys watching his daughter play volleyball and is an avid pickleball player.

Fernando explained that, with his diverse background in both human resources and engineering, he will be able to provide Southwire with strong leadership skills that prioritize its employees, The People Behind the Power™, while simultaneously keeping the company’s business and strategic goals in place.

“As a private company, Southwire has a longterm approach that fits well with my background, experience and values, and I am incredibly excited to be joining the Southwire team,” said Esquivel.

“I have always been moved by Southwire's strong culture, its people and the company’s emphasis on sustainability, notably its Giving Back efforts. I know that by choosing to work at Southwire, and having the opportunity to lead these efforts, I will be able to align with both my personal and professional values and goals.”

So Long, Summer!

Smart Tips to Get Your Home Ready for Fall

By Sandra Bolan

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I

t’s officially fall, and that means it’s time to ready your home for those colder days and nights, as they’ll be upon us before you know it.

For most autumn home preparedness jobs, you don’t need to call in an expert. Just set aside a weekend or two and dig in.

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Windows and Doors Check your windows and doors for leaks and drafts. Put a lighted candle around the frame. If the flame flickers, you have a draft. If it’s really bad, you may need to replace the seal around the frame. If it's not too bad, simple caulking will do. You can also buy heavy, insulated drapes for your windows and use a door sweep to cut back on those chilly drafts that sneak inside. If you applied heat reducing film onto your windows during the summer months, don’t remove it. During the cooler months, the film keeps the warm air inside.

Another spot in your house that might be drafty is your attic or crawl space. Check both for insulation.

If there isn’t any or the insulation is old, install batt, or blanket insulation. For batts or rolls, calculate the number based on the length and width of the product you're using. In either case, buy a little extra – you don't want to run out when you're almost finished putting it in. Insulating the top or bottom of your home is something you can easily do yourself and it will immediately make your house much cozier and help lower your energy bills.

If you have sliding or vinyl replacement windows, these usually have weep holes. Weep holes are tiny holes on the exterior bottom of the frame that are designed to drain rainwater away from your house.

These holes can also become clogged.

Spray the outside of the window with a garden hose. Once you see a steady stream of clean water come out of those holes, then you know they’re unclogged.

Temperature Control You likely already have a programmable thermostat. To save on heating bills, set the temperature lower at night and when no one is home.

Instead of turning up the heat when you're at home in the evenings, use an electric blanket or wear extra clothing to stay toasty and warm.

Flip the switch on your ceiling fan to run clockwise instead of counterclockwise. Heat rises, so, this will help push the heat back down.

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Safety Alarms

Test all of your home’s safety devices – smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms. Carbon monoxide is odorless and can kill without any warning. A smoke detector has the ability to wake you while you're sleeping in the event of a fire so, it's important to test these every month to ensure they are in working order.

Always change the batteries in your safety devices twice a year. An easy way to remember to change them is when Daylight Saving Time begins in the spring and when it ends in the fall. This year, Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday, Nov. 1. Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors should be replaced every 10 years.

Make sure to also check that your fire extinguishers are in good working order and you have flashlights with fresh batteries scattered throughout the house.

Gutters Something else that may be clogged is your gutters. Remove leaves, nests and any other debris that has landed in there. Hose it out and while doing so, check for leaks.

If you’re able to, while you’re up on the ladder, check your roof. You’re looking for any loose, missing or damaged shingles or mold.

You can also do a visual inspection from the ground.

If you find a problem with either your gutters or roof, hire a professional to perform a proper inspection and repairs.

Fireplace

• • • • •

Changing your home décor from easy breezy summer linens, to chunky, thick blankets and autumn-hued pillows is other way to prep your home for fall.

For bedding, swap out your thin comforter for a cozier one. Choose one in traditional autumn orange and red tones to give the bedroom a warm glow.

If you have a year-round duvet, place a throw blanket at the foot of your bed for a pop of warm color.

Change out your accent pillows and rugs from florals and bright colors to plaids and thick stripes.

If you have an indoor fireplace, you will no doubt start spending a lot more time curled up in front of it with a good book and cup of hot chocolate. Re-style the fireplace with a new firewood basket or bring some of Mother Nature indoors. Fill your vases with fallen leaves and garden greens from your yard. You can also load vases with mini pumpkins or orange and red twinkle lights.

If you like scented candles, now is the time to put away the floral scents and replace them with pumpkin, apple pie and other autumn scents.

Whether you have an indoor or outdoor wood fireplace, you need to have • the chimney cleaned. A build up of creosote can cause a chimney fire.

Experts say a chimney should be inspected and cleaned roughly every 70 fires, providing you burn dry wood. If you burn wet wood, which is not recommended, the fireplace should be professionally cleaned every 50 fires.

The Yard

Now that you’ve prepped your home for the winter, it’s time to get the lawn ready so it can spring to life in April.

Rake the yard and get rid of all the fallen leaves. This may take a few weekends of work depending on the number of trees you have.

If there are a lot of trees, you may need to cut some branches back as they no doubt grew quite a bit over the warmer months. You want nothing too close to your roof or power lines. Tree trimming may need to be done by a professional.

If you have a flower garden, now is the time to get those spring bulbs into the ground.

This is also a great time to evaluate what grew well and what died over the summer. Remove and trim as needed. 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

By Jordan Coffman Photos by Zachary Dailey

Candy Corn Banner

G

etting in the Halloween spirit is easy when you have fun crafts like these to make. You'll be the ghostess with the mostest when folks see this festive candy corn banner and it's sure to bring screams of delight from all who enter.

Creep it real with this freakishly frightening Frankenstein's monster. Both crafts are great for when you're hanging out with your ghoulfriends and just dying for something to do. Boo-yah!

Materials 14 sheets white construction paper 14 craft sticks Yellow, orange, white and black paint or markers Paint brush (if using paint) Twine or string Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks School glue stick

Instructions

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Cut 14 candy corn shapes from the construction paper.

Paint each one to resemble candy corn. Paint each letter of "Happy Halloween" on the 14 shapes.

Using the school glue stick, glue one craft stick vertically to the back of each shape for support.

Cut the twine or string to the length desired.

For each of the banners: using the hot glue gun, glue the twine to the back of each shape at the top, leaving a few inches of twine between each shape.

Hang banner where desired.

Freakishly Frightening

Frankenstein's Monster Materials

9 craft sticks Hot glue gun and glue sticks Green and black paint or markers Googly eyes Paintbrush (if using paint) Magnet (optional)

Instructions Glue 6 craft sticks together horizontally.

Glue 3 craft sticks across the back in the center.

Paint or color the craft sticks as shown in photo above or as desired.

Glue the googly eyes to the front.

Decorate as desired to resemble Frankenstein's monster. WGW

Safety Tips For A Happy Halloween

— Teach children to look to the left, right and then left again before crossing the street, and to always cross the street at corners using the crosswalks and traffic signals.

— Decorate costumes and treat bags with reflective tape and choose lighter colors.

— Give your child glow sticks or flashlights — Avoid masks that may obstruct your child’s view whenever possible. Use face paint or makeup instead.

— The child’s costume should fit well to avoid stepping on or tripping over it.

— Children under the age of 12 should be accompanied by a responsible adult or guardian.

If they are mature enough to go by themselves, encourage them to go in groups and stay in familiar and well-lit areas.

— Teach children to never run into the street or cross the street between parked cars.

— Popular trick-or-treating hours are between 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Be especially alert and watch for children during these hours on Halloween night.

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Happy Halloween Word Search

Word Bank

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Halloween Spooky Ghastly Werewolf Dreary Graveyard Skeleton Costume Lollipop Terror Cauldron Goosebumps Coffin Pumpkin Mummy Tombstone Clowns Frightening Makeup Twilight

Word search created at puzzle-maker.com

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Getting the help you need shouldn’t be.

Things can spiral out of control. People can be hurtful. Trust can be lost.

Poor choices can be made. And addictions can be almost impossible to overcome alone.

You are not alone. Willowbrooke Counseling Center can help.

Our licensed mental health professionals offer comprehensive counseling services and therapies to help you get your life back. We serve children, adolescents, adults, couples and families.

As your treatment partner, we are ready to listen, provide you with a free screening, support and a treatment plan that targets a wide variety of behavioral, emotional, mental health and substance abuse needs and conditions.

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