West Georgia Woman Magazine July 2016

Woman

Complimentary

July 2016

West Georgia

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Social Skills

Lessons Your Children Need To Know

Not Just Horsin' Around At

Chase Meadow Lane Farm

Anne C. Richards, Ed.D. Changing Lives In West Georgia For Over 40 Years

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This publication is dedicated in loving memory of

Tristan Alexander Brooks

May 15, 1993 – September 1 7, 2015

He will remain forever in our hearts ...

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100 PROFESSIONAL PARK, STE. 204, CARROLLTON 4

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What’s inside...

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Labor Of Love

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Social Skills: A Lesson For Life

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Making Your Spaces Look Their Best

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Wedding Etiquette For Divorced Parents

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Taking Care Of Yourself In A Stressful World

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Protect Your Pets On July 4th

In Every Issue:

26 36 40 44 6

She’s Got Game Daily Fare Local Happenings Celebrate Her Success

50 51 56

Ever After

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Kidz Korner

Womentality

Resources for Women

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Let Freedom Ring The month of July holds that special celebration many of us look forward to every year: July 4th, or Independence Day. On this special day, we celebrate the birth of the United States of America as an independent nation, and this year, America will be 240 years old. There will be barbecues and parades, family gatherings and fireworks. So many exciting things to do, see and eat in one day!

Do you ever wish that you could celebrate your independence a little more? There are many times I find myself stifling who I really am, who I really want to be, because someone else says I shouldn't be or act a certain way. Of course, there are times when it is very prudent to hold back a little of yourself in certain situations, but for the majority of your life, you should feel free to express who you are without fear of recrimination, right? As a woman in this world, being your true self can be very difficult indeed.

I want my daughter to know that it is OK to express her feelings, good or bad, right or wrong. I hope she knows she is free to express her anger, sadness, irritation or even judgment if she wishes to do so in constructive ways that aren't harmful to others. Too many times we tell our children through our actions and our words to stuff their feelings inside, they are too young to have an opinion, they shouldn't be rude to others and they need to play nice. All of these things are fine life lessons, but what are we teaching our children when we tell them to go along with everything others do or say? I don't know about you but I really don't want my daughter to feel she has to stick around and be nice to someone who makes her feel uncomfortable inside, or to feel she can't stand up and speak out against an injustice she may see or even experience herself. She needs to have the freedom to take care of and be kind to herself, first and foremost.

On this Independence Day, maybe we should all try to give ourselves the gift of freedom. The freedom to be ourselves. Those who love us and care for us will stick around, and the rest, well, they won't matter too much anyway in the long run.

In This Issue I am so very thrilled to have Anne Richards as our cover feature this month. Anne is such an intelligent and articulate woman, who also has a kind heart for those in need or suffering from injustice. We could have filled the pages of 50 magazines if we were to write about everything Anne has accomplished in her life, from college professor, to author and editor, to social justice activist to philanthropist.

Anne is a kind and compassionate woman who is very dear to me and my family. I feel certain you will enjoy reading about her on page 10.

I know I say this in every issue, but without our valuable advertisers, we would not be able to bring you these amazing stories about the women of West Georgia. Please support our advertisers by doing business with them, or give them a call and let them know you saw their advertisement in West Georgia Woman!

I hope all of you have a safe and happy Independence Day. To Freedom,

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Publisher

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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West Georgia

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Volume 1 • Issue 9 July 2016

Publisher/Editor

Angela Dailey angela@westgeorgiawoman.com

Copy Editor Editorial Contributor

Shala Hainer shala@westgeorgiawoman.com

Photographer for Cover and Pages 2,3 & 8 Rachel Dobson

Editorial Contributors

Sara Anderson, L.P.C., Charlene Brooks, Julie Culpepper, Sydney Dailey and Cheryl A. Francis, L.P.C.

Advertising Sales Executive Rosa Reyes rosa@westgeorgiawoman.com

Angela Brooks Dailey, 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, Ga. and has two wonderful children, Zachary and Sydney Dailey.

She is engaged to Dan Keever, also a Carrollton resident. Angela enjoys reading, spending time with her children and extended family and loves to watch her daughter play soccer.

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Labor Of Love

One Amazing Woman's Quest To Make West Georgia A Better Place For All

By Shala Hainer

Photos By Rachel Dobson

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C

hanging lives doesn’t always happen with the sudden, flashy drama you see in the movies.

Sometimes, it happens quietly over time as you share moments with a strong, smart and thoughtful person like Anne Richards.

An educator and author in the field of Psychology, Anne prefers to bring out the best in others rather than seek glory on her own. But it’s hard to ignore Anne’s quiet strength, patience and wealth of knowledge, all of which shine through to impact her family, friends, students and colleagues.

“Anne is both a public servant and a private person,” says Anne’s husband, Dr. Fred Richards.

“She works to bring recognition to others while downplaying her own accomplishments and contributions. When I told her I wanted to inform the local media about her organization receiving an award for a newsletter she edited, she vetoed the idea." 'You have fun flying straight into the radar,' she said. 'I like flying under the radar.'"

Her Work Anne’s most recent position was in the Department of Psychology at the University of West Georgia from 1975 to 2001, when she retired.

Before UWG, she taught educational psychology at Northeast Louisiana University (Monroe) and at the University of Northern Colorado (Greeley).

She and her husband of 47 years, Fred, moved to West Georgia College in 1975 to take a temporary job in which they shared the responsibilities of one fulltime member of the faculty. “I left a position in Colorado, where I had received tenure and been promoted,

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to take a potentially short-term job because of the department's commitment to Humanistic Psychology and my own work in this field,” she says.

Her position became full-time in 1977.

One of the primary courses she taught, Personal Relationships, was particularly meaningful for her.

It was designed to offer students an experiential exploration of the subject matter through personal interactions and to encourage the development of sensitivity to feelings, attitudes and beliefs of self and others.

Anne structured the class to provide tools that could help her students throughout their lives, regardless of what professions they entered.

“As I taught it, the course focused on types of communication students might frequently witness at home or on TV that were detrimental to the development of meaningful relationships; the value of becoming more open in disclosing one's thoughts and feelings in interpersonal relationships; ways in which personal relationships could be sustained and enhanced through more effective means of communication; and more productive ways of resolving interpersonal conflicts.”

Anne discovered that although her job was to instruct her students, the classes became more transformative – for her and her students – when the learning went both ways. She has an unending curiosity and love of learning, and designing her classes so that students shared information in addition to her instruction ensured both sides found the classes fulfilling. “I redesigned my classes in such a way

TOGETHER, WE’RE BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE. NEARLY 1,600 GRADUATES AND COUNTING. 13

that my students and I could teach each other about psychological issues and dynamics we could all benefit from understanding more fully,” she explains. “This turned out to be far more rewarding and meaningful for all concerned.”

As part of making sure the classes were impactful, Anne added an assignment to her Personal Relationships class where students shared with the group something that, for them, was an ongoing problem in a relationship – such as with a family member, friend, employer, co-worker, boss or

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romantic partner – that they wanted advice from the class to resolve.

Or, instead of sharing a problem, students could share some way they had developed wisdom or insight on their own about a problem in interpersonal relationships they had experienced in the past.

“Primarily as a result of this assignment, I learned far more from my students than I ever dreamed they could teach me – about what it's like to live with HIV, physical or emotional abuse, deep insecurities or anxieties, learning disabilities, or as part of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender community,” she says. “I also learned what people experienced when confronted with prejudice and discrimination, found themselves struggling with addiction to alcohol or drugs, or were seeking ways to pick up the pieces of their lives and move forward after a devastating loss, tragedy or a personal or medical crisis.”

These deeply personal stories gave real-world examples to the students of how to apply what they learned in class, and they helped Anne develop a stronger understanding of the psychology involved in the process.

Anne recalls one student in particular who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness. Although he wasn't expected to live very long after that particular quarter ended, he remained in her class and in school. “Learning about his situation served as a wake-up call or an existential-kick-in-the-pants for me as a teacher,” she recalls. “Knowing that my class was one of the last he had an opportunity to

take before he died, I gave a lot of thought to what I had done, if anything, to make my class sessions especially memorable and meaningful ones for him.

From that point onward, I resolved to do whatever I could in each and every class I taught to address ‘matters of consequence’ for my students.”

Growing Up Anne came by her commitment to education naturally. From childhood, Anne watched her parents overcome adversity and discrimination while they strove for higher education and overall excellence.

The lessons she learned from her parents continue to influence her today. Her mother was a French teacher who earned a master’s degree in an era when most women didn’t go to college, much less pursue graduate studies. Her father was a doctor,

eventually settling into a position as a radiologist.

Anne grew up in a relatively small town in New Jersey. Most people there were Polish Catholic, while Anne’s family was Jewish. Although they experienced some discrimination because of their faith and heritage, her family worked hard to excel in all their endeavors – a trait her parents consistently pushed on Anne, her brother and her sister.

Anne was raised understanding the value of education and community service. “My father began his career as a well-respected physician in our small town and became the town's radiologist,” she explains. “He held leadership roles on the Board of Health in our community and our area, and engaged in research, teaching and consulting in his field. In all he did, he sought ways to improve the care he and those working with him provided to patients. He was head of the Radiology Department in a local hospital and had a lead-lined private-practice office in our home where he saw patients for X-rays and standard radiological procedures.”

Because her parents remained focused on higher education for their children, all three never imagined any other path, even though only about 30 percent of high school graduates in that town went on to college in 1961.

“At one point, when I expressed an interest in nursing as a potential profession, my father suggested I pursue an MD degree if I intended to be a part of the healthcare profession,” Anne says.

“He said MD's had more authority over patient care than nurses did, and the MD degree would enable me to influence the nature of care I thought should ideally be provided to patients if I chose to pursue a career in this

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A plaque located at Sanford Hall at the University of West Georgia. A commemorative tree was planted in honor of Anne and her work for the University.

field. I always got the impression from my parents that I could accomplish nearly anything I put my mind to doing.”

Anne’s parents emphasized the importance of reputation, an idea Anne still considers important.

“Because of my father's profession, we children were told often when growing up that my father's reputation as a doctor could be undermined or enhanced by the way we conducted ourselves – and so we should act accordingly,” she remembers.

“We were also taught at a young age about confidentiality because we sometimes encountered patients coming and going from our front door.”

While reputation and confidentiality continue to be important components of Anne’s professional success, she also finds guidance through the Jewish

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tradition of Tikkun Olam. This tradition focuses in part on taking responsibility for behaving in ways that contribute to improving, perfecting, repairing or healing a broken or fractured world. “It reminds me that each of us can make a positive difference in the world, however large or small, through acts of kindness, social action, and/or social justice,” she relates. “Each of us can contribute to society and civilization by example and through a commitment to caring, humane practice and actions that uplift and support optimal human development.”

Giving Back Anne’s powerful belief in being a productive member of the community dates back to the

examples set by her parents. They put much of their committees and groups that she feels are making energy in “giving forward” by dedicating themselves a significant difference in people's lives, including to enhancing the opportunities for their children. the Responsible Sexuality Committee, which These opportunities enabled the siblings to educates students about sexuality and sexual issues develop skills, credentials, and abilities that and promotes healthy decision-making regarding collectively enhanced their lives and the lives of sexual behavior; the League of Women Voters of countless others over the years – Anne touched Carrollton-Carroll County, which Anne sees as one lives as a professor, mediator and author, her of the rare groups encouraging full and informed brother is an attorney and her sister, who died participation in our democracy and in promoting in 2014 from pancreatic cancer, earned a Ph.D. thoughtful dialogue about issues important to our and became one of the pioneers in the field of area; and the Association of Retired Faculty and Health Psychology, an area of study focused on the Staff (ARFS) at UWG, which in part recognizes the application of psychological knowledge to problems contributions of retiring faculty and staff, fosters of physical health and recovery from illness as well as continued involvement of retirees in the mission of approaches to healthcare treatment. the university and serves as a communication vehicle “My husband and I, however, have the between retirees and staff. opportunity to both ‘give back’ and to ‘give forward’ Her work with ARFS led to involvement with two to express our appreciation and gratitude for what other retiree organizations: GA-HERO, a network of has been done on our behalf,” Anne says. “We Higher Education Retiree Organizations in Georgia have done this by assisting others to fulfill their own that promotes the interests of retirees in higher potential. This enables us to play some small part education and shares ideas and information among in contributing to the likelihood that the future for its members and the campuses where they are many – ourselves included – will be better than the based; and The University System of Georgia Retiree past.”

Council (USGRC), which is composed of individuals Fred says that Anne gives back without expecting – or wanting – any recognition. “One thing that says a lot about Anne is that much of what she does to be kind and helpful remains private, unknown. Her acts of kindness are less about doing good and more about expressing her true nature, just being who she is,” he relates.

She finds that contributing to other Carrollton people’s lives relates to Under Contract in Winston YOUR HOME 2 Days the concept of Tikkun Olam. “There is a lot of SHOULD brokenness and despair in the world that can be lessened by people who BE HERE. Sold in 5 Days Douglasville Sold in 17 Days have the awareness and the means to address some of the conditions contributing to these realities,” she says.

Since retiring in 2001, Anne has devoted much of her time to

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representing each institution of higher education in the University System of Georgia who recommend policies and procedures for the University System of Georgia and System retirees.

Before she retired, most of her energy remained focused on her teaching, writing and editing efforts, but she made time to volunteer where she could.

After serving as secretary of the Faculty Senate early in her UWG career, she became known for her detailed notes, so she often volunteered her time in that capacity. “Dr. Tom Carrere said it's because I take ‘hours rather than minutes,” Anne jokes.

She has taken notes or minutes for such university groups as the Psychology Department, the Centennial Celebration Committee – which she

co-chaired with husband Fred – the Inauguration Committee for President Sethna – which she chaired – and the committee honoring President Sethna when he retired as president in 2013.

She has also taken minutes for the committee honoring Thomas Murphy and the installation of a replica of his Speaker's office in the Ingram Library, and the Inauguration Committee for President Marrero.

Anne has long been involved with the UWG chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP). “Today, over 40 years after discovering the Association, I continue to treasure AAUP's commitment to defending the rights of faculty; advancing academic freedom, tenure and shared governance; and ensuring higher education's contribution to the common good,” she explains. “I served as president of the campus chapter twice during the years I was employed on campus, and maintain my connection with this organization in my retirement by serving as the editor of the newsletter for the Georgia conference of the AAUP.” She served as editor of the AAUP newsletter from 1992 to 1996, spent a few years as co-editor, then resumed her editor duties – which she still continues – in 2005. The newsletter was named the "Outstanding Conference Newsletter” by the national AAUP in 2013.

Her extensive contributions have also been recognized by UWG. In 2006, UWG presented Anne and Fred with the Founder’s Award, which is the highest honor granted by the University. The award honored their work as co-chairs of the Centennial Celebration Committee, as well as several other aspects of their dedication and service to the University.

Mediation

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In addition to teaching the psychological theories, Anne has been able to put those theories into practice when she worked as a mediator. She was trained as a mediator in 1997, first through the University System of Georgia to help resolve grievances at the university level, then through the court system so she could work as a mediator for the Magistrate Court of Carroll County and the Coweta Judicial Circuit. She continues to

“I don't think everyone would choose or even enjoy the life I've created.

Each of us has particular skills, abilities, and passions that make it easier to live our lives in particular ways. It's important for individuals to determine what their priorities are in life – what gives them the greatest satisfaction, and what enables them to experience their lives as having significance, personal meaning, and worth."

maintain her registration as a mediator and works on assigned cases on an as-needed basis.

“My study of perceptual theory during my doctoral program helped me understand that human behavior is an expression of how people experience themselves, others and the situations in which they find themselves,” she says. “It follows from this that when people see things differently, their behavior changes accordingly. During the mediation training, I learned about alternative means of resolving disputes besides the traditional, adversarial, legal approaches. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) gave parties to a conflict or dispute the opportunity to seek to better understand the way each had behaved as they did toward the other, and to see if some resolution could be reached that would leave persons feeling more adequate about themselves and more aware of the circumstances that brought them into conflict in the first place.”

After working in mediation for nearly 20 years, Anne believes it is an effective option for resolving numerous conflicts, including divorce situations, landlord/tenant disputes and business or organizational issues.

“Some cases require a judge or jury to make a critical determination about legal rights or responsibilities,” she says. “But mediation can be a

means by which conflicts are resolved in ways that restore people's faith in their fellow human beings and enhance their capacity for resolving future problems on their own.”

A Stalwart Supporter Anne’s husband is a professional counselor and marriage and family therapist in Carrollton, but it didn’t always seem like they were so well-matched.

“When one of my fellow classmates in my doctoral program first met Fred, he said that if he were responsible for lining up 100 guys who might be potential life-partners for me, he wouldn't even have included Fred in the line up,” Anne remembers.

They came from very different backgrounds.

When they met in 1962, Anne was a sophomore at Brandeis University – a school founded by Jewish auspices – and he was enrolled in Andover Newton Theological Seminary. Fred was the only one of six brothers and sisters to finish high school and go to college. Fred moved often as a child, and later began smoking and drinking – neither of which Anne was involved with. He was outgoing, while Anne was more reserved.

“When Anne and I were married in 1969 I was a heavy drinker, a Zorba the Greek character who

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Anne and her husband Dr. Fred Richards. Anne says Fred has always been supportive, encouraging and her biggest fan.

inwardly was a wounded boy,” Fred says. “Some fellow students humorously referred to us as ‘a good-hearted woman with a good-timing man.’

Everything I owned was in the trunk of a beat-up 58 Chevrolet. Anne was a beautiful, dark-haired, much-loved and admired Phi Beta Kappa scholar.

I was amazed she was willing to marry me. Years later I wrote: ‘Of all the men I've encountered, I now believe I am the best one for her, but she deserves better.’”

In spite of the differences, they found common ground. Their religious beliefs were different, but the founding principles, such as the golden rule, were not. “We both valued education, loved learning and were committed to becoming as humane, caring and fully-developed as we could become as persons,” Anne says. “I don't think either of us had any idea about the kind of changes we would undergo personally or professionally at that point, but I just believed that if I could live my life with him, it would be a good one. No matter what I have done

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in my life and my career, I have always felt Fred was supporting, encouraging and my biggest fan.”

Anne and Fred in the early 1970s.

Making Time for It All With her many hats, Anne has always stayed busy, often juggling multiple projects alongside her teaching career. The struggle to find time for it all, as well as herself, continues into her retirement, as does her commitment to excellence.

“Although this remains a continuing issue in my life, I am convinced that it has been easier for me than most to handle all I do because Fred and I chose not to have children,” she relates. “I further believe this decision enabled me and my husband to support each other and many others in ways I doubt we could have or would have done if we were trying to parent children to the best of our ability.

Whatever I am doing, I want to do it to the best of my ability and, for me, nothing I find worth doing seems to come easily to me.”

Anne remembers a regional psychology meeting in the 1980s where women discussed the unrealistic notion that most women could be "super women," easily juggling the demands of career, marriage and children. “One woman in particular insisted that if a woman intended to excel in every possible role open to her she was likely setting herself up for failure,” she says. “I'm convinced this would have

been true for me if I had tried to ‘do it all.’"

Although she knows her choice not to have children isn’t the right choice for everyone, Anne knows it was the best one for her, and it’s given her the opportunity to touch more lives. “A lot of students whom I worked with closely or whom I served as an advisor, including some who had a strained relationship with their parents, saw me as a surrogate mom,” she explains. “I feel like this enabled me to leave a legacy by helping influence other generations. I’ve seen myself able to do that many times over in my classes.”

She believes that each woman finds her own joys and discovers the ways to make them a priority. “I don't think everyone would choose or even enjoy the life I've created,” Anne relates. “Each of us has particular skills, abilities and passions that make it easier to live our lives in particular ways. It's important for individuals to determine what their priorities are in life – what gives them the greatest satisfaction, and what enables them to experience their lives as having significance, personal meaning, and worth. It may be tough to sort all this out at some stages of life, but people who can manage to do this will likely have few, if any, regrets as they reach their elder years.” WGW

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Finding Fresh Furniture Making Your Spaces Look Their Best

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hether you’re looking to stage your home to sell, just bought a new house or want to freshen up the look of your existing home, furniture makes all the difference in the look of your rooms.

But where to start? And furniture isn’t cheap – it’s one of the more expensive ways to change the look of your room. How you approach the furniture choices depends on your overall goals.

• Staging. If you want to stage your home so it looks its best while it’s for sale, consider renting pieces. Whether you need a whole house of furniture or a few strategic items, renting saves you money for short-term needs. Home staging companies and some real estate companies offer furniture rentals, but renting from a local rent-to-own store can work just as well. This is only necessary if your existing furniture doesn’t work for some reason, such as if it’s very dated, broken or simply too large for the space – you might like to stretch out on that giant sectional, but it potentially makes the room look tiny. Renting furniture also works well with vacant houses, where you have a clean slate and can create a consistent look throughout the space.

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By Shala Hainer

• New home. If you just moved into a new home, chances are you need some new furniture to either fill the space or to maximize its use. Most people can’t afford to buy all new furniture, but you can work with the pieces you have and splurge on a couple of big purchases that fit your budget. Prioritize what you need by examining your existing furniture in the rooms, or by measuring out spaces in empty rooms. Check out local furniture stores first – they often have interesting, unique pieces you might not find at large chain stores, and some of their sale prices can’t be beat. To top it off, you’ll be supporting families in your community. Be patient and shop for sales, and ask the salesperson if your favorite piece might be going on clearance anytime soon.

• Updating existing home. Even if you’re not moving, you might be ready for a change.

Decide what you do like about your current furniture, as well as what you don’t like. For example, you might love that your couch is cushy, but you don’t like that it’s too small for the wall where it’s placed. You might decide some stylish side tables help fill the space instead of springing for a new couch.

But if a couch is what you need, consider

IT’S NOT A HOME.

IT’S A LIFESTYLE.

Put your trust in a Realtor who listens to ensure you find the house that fits you today and grows with you into the future.

Shala Hainer, Realtor Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers Office: 404.843.2500 Direct: 770.842.8500 www.metrobrokers.com Better Homes and Gardens® is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation licensed to Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC. Equal Opportunity Company. Each Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate Franchise is Independently Owned and Operated. If your property is currently listed with a real estate broker, please disregard. It is not our intention to solicit the offerings of other real estate brokers.

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more modern styles with clean lines or extra seating provided by sectionals. Take photos of the room and existing furniture, as well as measurements, when you go shopping. This helps you imagine the new piece in the room, and you will know immediately if the new furniture will fit where you need it.

What To Look For When you’re shopping for furniture, planning ahead saves heartache later. Accurate measurements of your room are a must. For the perfectionists, try mapping out the room on graph paper so you can sketch in a scale drawing of the furniture you like, to see if it fits the way you like.

Consider your family needs as well. If you have two adults and two children, setting up a classy conversation area in your living room with two small love seats and crystal vases on the coffee table might not fit your needs. However, grouping a love seat and a couch in an L-shape with an end table in the corner could give you the play space and lounging areas you need, as well as a table to hold your drinks.

Picking pieces that complement the space helps the rooms feel polished and finished. If you have low ceilings, for example, don’t buy a television armoire that goes all the way to the ceiling. Instead, pick one that leaves some space to keep the room feeling open. Conversely, if you have high ceilings, a few tall pieces help you perceive the scale of the room.

Small spaces benefit from furniture that sits on legs rather than pieces that touch the floor all along the bottom. That small amount of space between the furniture and the floor tricks the eye – you see the floor continuing under the furniture, so you perceive

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the space as bigger. Placing backless stools along a kitchen island is another trick to keep the space looking open; stools with backs appear to take up more space.

Placing the furniture in the room is also key.

While pushing big pieces, such as your couch, up against the wall provides more floor space, it can sometimes make the room feel smaller and closed off. “Floating” the furniture, or placing it away from the walls so there is walking space on all sides, opens up the room and makes it feel like it has a more appealing flow – even if you never need the space behind the couch to walk through. The spacing, of course, depends on the size and shape of your room, so use your best judgment. Leave at least 18 inches between furniture pieces for travel areas, which includes the space between the couch and the coffee table.

Finally, consider buying multiple pieces from the same designer for a cohesive feel throughout your space. If you find a designer you like, you can easily blend the colors, shapes and textures without needing an interior design degree. Changing out pieces to ones by your designer of choice might take time, so you can purchase pieces as you can afford them, but it helps you check off your priority list without as much stress about whether the pieces will blend once they’re placed in your home.

When in doubt, call furniture retailers that offer inhome design services. Many will bring the furniture to your home and place it for you so you can see if it will work in your space before you buy. If you like it, you buy it – if you don’t, they pack it back up and take it away. There’s often a fee for this service, but it might be worth it if you’re struggling to find just the right furniture to make your home feel complete.

WGW

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organ Paige Frank is not your typical teenager. The 14-year-old incoming freshman at Carrollton High School loves to fish, ride her four-wheeler and hang out with her friends, much like other young women her age, but Morgan does something a little different that sets her apart from the rest. She excels in an individual sport that is anything but typical: BB gun shooting.

This year has been quite a successful one for Morgan. At the Haralson County BB Invitational, she won overall first place individual shooter out of 88 young men and women shooters, 1st place shooting in the sitting position, 2nd place in the prone position, 2nd place in the kneeling position and 3rd place in the standing position.

At the Northwest Georgia 4-H District BB Match in Coweta County, Morgan won 2nd place overall shooter out of 109 shooters, and placed 3rd in the kneeling position. She also finished 7th place out of 120 shooters at the NRA Kiwanis BB Match in Forsyth County.

But her biggest win by far was at the 2016 4-H State BB Match in April. Morgan finished with a bang, winning overall 1st place individual shooter out of 579 young men and women shooters, as well as 1st place shooting in the prone position and 4th

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place in the sitting position.

Although she has a demanding schedule, Morgan still manages to find time to make her education a priority.

She just finished her 8th grade year with a 4.1 GPA and is looking forward to attending Carrollton High School in the fall.

While attending the junior high school, she was a basketball cheerleader and a member of the Junior Beta Club. She is an only child and lives in Bowdon with her parents, John and Candie Frank.

West Georgia Woman: What motivates you to do this activity?

Morgan Frank: I like shooting because it is challenging and can be an individual sport.

WGW: What influenced your decision to begin target shooting?

MF: Carroll County 4-H came to my school when I was in 4th grade to tell us the ways we can join 4-H and what they offer, and shooting was one of them. WGW: How old were you when you began to learn how to shoot?

MF: I was 9 and in the 4th grade.

WGW: Who taught you to shoot?

MF: My dad taught me to shoot. On the BB team, each shooter has to have an individual coach to load the gun and adjust the sights. I shoot on the Carroll County Guns-N-Clovers BB Rifle Team. The head coaches are Scott Carroll and Joel Grubbs.

WGW: What do you like most about target shooting?

MF: I like meeting people from all over Georgia, and going to the Daisy National BB Gun Championship Match in Arkansas. I can meet people there from all over the U.S. It is fun and challenging, but getting medals and trophies makes it more fun.

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WGW: Explain the process of a typical competition day.

MF: Most competitions are on Saturdays. Normally we arrive about and hour before it starts to set up our equipment and make sure our guns are ready. You have to take a test at competitions with questions from the S.A.F.E. shooting rules and gun

safety, as well as the NRA rule book. Each of the competitions are based on four positions: prone, standing, sitting and kneeling. There are 10 record shoots per position. A perfect score would be 400.

My highest shooting score so far is 385. The test also counts toward your total score at competition. Every shooter shoots one position at a time, so it is done in rotations. Most competitions last at least eight hours. Targets are scored electronically. After all shots have been recorded, and coaches look for any challenges they want to make about the targets, the awards are given. Every position awards 1st, 2nd and 3rd place to individuals, 1st through 3rd for teams and 1st through 3rd highest overall shooter. While waiting for your turn to shoot, it is important to eat only healthy, non-sugary snacks to maintain your heart rate and remain calm. WGW: What shooting events do you compete in?

MF: BB is 5 meters, and I also shoot Air Rifle which is 10 meters.

WGW: Who is an adult at your school that you look up to?

MF: I look up to the teachers that have taken their time to encourage me in subjects I may struggle in.Â

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right after school during basketball season. It is important to stay on a schedule so I can fit everything in.Â

Morgan with her biggest fan, her dad, John Frank.

WGW: Who is an adult in your personal life that you look up to?

MF: I look up to my parents and all my grandparents.

WGW: Who is your biggest fan?

MF: My dad is my biggest fan. He gets more nervous than I do.

WGW: What is your practice regimen? Where do you practice? How often?

MF: Before practice, you must not have any caffeine or sugary foods, and you can't run around because it will raise your heart rate making it hard to shoot.

We practice at the Agriculture Center in Carrollton.

We shoot every position (prone, standing, sitting and kneeling) as well as study the rules of shooting and the range operations. We normally practice twice a week. WGW: How do you balance shooting and your other extracurricular activities along with your schoolwork?

MF: We normally practice on Mondays and Fridays with competitions on Saturdays. I try to do any homework right after school, which is hard sometimes when I also have cheer practice

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WGW: Tell me about your support network at home. What do they do for you to help you succeed?

MF: My mom and dad do anything they can. They encourage me to practice and help me manage my time. They are there for every practice and competition.

WGW: What is the most important thing in your life?

MF: My family.

WGW: What is your favorite thing about BB Rifle shooting?

MF: Making friends with people from all over and traveling.

WGW: Do you ever feel like giving up if you're having a bad day at competition? What do you do to push through those feelings?

MF: Sometimes if I shoot badly in a position then

Morgan's 2016 State BB Match Target Results.

From left to right: Prone, standing, sitting results.

Bottom: Kneeling results.

Morgan came in 1st place out of 579 shooters while shooting in the prone position with a score of 100, and 4th in the sitting position with a score of 98.

Results courtesy of Orionresults.com.

I just tell myself that I can make it up in the next position. If I were to give up I would regret it. My parents always tell me to finish whatever sport I start, no matter the outcome. Also, if you just give up, it will be worse than it would be if you tried your best.

WGW: Tell me one thing you would do differently about shooting if you had the chance?

MF: I would have practiced more when I was a beginning shooter.

WGW: If you could give another young woman advice about this sport, what advice would you give her?

MF: I would tell her to keep trying even when you aren't doing as good as you want. Never give up and keep trying.

WGW: Have you ever dealt with any difficult adversity in your life? If so, how did you get through it?

MF: Dealing with different people in school, shooting and cheer can be hard sometimes, but I try to remember that you never really know what someone else may be going through and that they

may not really mean the bad things they do or say.

WGW: Do you think you will do this activity the rest of your life?

MF: Competitively, I'm not sure, but I think I will always enjoy shooting as a hobby.

WGW: Is there a chance you may try out for the Olympics one day?

MF: I am aging out of BB Rifle competition this year and have started shooting Air Rifle, so there may be a chance. WGW

Do you know an outstanding athlete, dancer, cheerleader, marching band member or coach in your school or community? Do you know a young woman who is involved in a non-traditional sport?

Tell us about her!

Email us at

Features@westgeorgiawoman.com

West Georgia Ambulance Encourages all WOMEN to INVEST IN YOURSELVES! For the greatest return on your time and money, invest in yourself.

• • • • • • •

Check your blood pressure at the local drugstore.

Scan the paper for free health screenings in your area.

Get your yearly check up and mammogram.

Add drinking water to your daily routine.

Park farther out from the store and walk.

Incorporate a meatless Monday and eat your veggies!

No one is worth more than you. When you are at your best, then you can be better for those around you.

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31

Taking Care Of Yourself In A

Stressful World W

e all experience stress, and it can be difficult to find a way to manage it.

Not all stress is bad, but when stress becomes elevated, we have to find a positive way to manage it before it becomes detrimental to our health. If we ignore the signals of stress, our bodies will eventually tell on us.

Stress can be defined as an experience individuals go through when they are faced with an event in which they have little or no control. As stress is non-specific, it can be positive or negative. Our perception or belief of the event helps dictate the level of stress. Stress viewed positively can be demonstrated in a scenario where there is an important interview or presentation pending. We utilize the stress we feel, the undue pressure or

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tension we experience, to prepare, review and present our best selves.

Our positive stress response comes into play to help us be alert and energized to protect ourselves. If we are walking near a building currently under construction, and we see debris falling, we automatically become energized and alert and scurry away to avoid being hurt. This response is often referred to as the “fight or flight� response.

More often than not, when our society refers to stress, it is usually with a negative connotation.

When we hear ourselves saying we are stressed, we have been experiencing multiple events in which we feel out of control. Much like the Energizer Bunny, we have been enduring a series of challenges for an extensive period of time with minimal breaks. We

have been going and going and going. This type of behavior will eventually lead to mental and physical illness. Making a decision to "shut down and reboot” will aid in preventing this from happening.

Types Of Stress

your life to help you become a happier and healthier person.

• Schedule some “me” time. You have PTA meetings, and appointments for your parents, spouse or kids on your calendar in your planner. Make an appointment for yourself to

Stress can be classified into three major categories: psychological stress, physical stress and physiological stress. A deficit in each category impacts our well-being and detracts from living at maximum potential. A deficit in one impacts and compounds the other types of stress.

With psychological stress, responses to perceived stressful events are emotional, and we see impairment in daily functioning and predictive behaviors. We may notice some anxious and depressed mood from psychological stress.

Experiencing psychological stress without relief can lead to physical stress. This is where the immune system becomes compromised and hormonal responses released by stress begin to lead to long-term health problems. We may notice increased pain, fertility problems, premature aging and digestive challenges. Yes, stress changes the waistline!

With the emotional and physical conditions impacted by prolonged and chronic stress levels, we may begin to see environmental changes.

Here is where the physiological stressors become pronounced.

We may begin to see more infections, and our bodies become more susceptible to diseases, such as heart disease. Physiological stress thwarts and prolongs healing processes. With our immune system weakened, new cells are unable to grow as quickly and diseases may compound. There are several ways you can manage the amount of stress in

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•

•

•

•

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still with no noise or stimulation, just be with yourself and your positive thoughts. A quick search of the internet will help you find timed meditation and relaxation techniques to help you practice relaxing your body and mind.

• Attend a wellness or mindfulness retreat. It's always good for you to get away for a while. Wellness retreats can be a great way to relax and put things into perspective.

• Exercise and a proper diet helps.

Try to create healthier eating habits and cut down or eliminate sugar and salt in your food by reducing your processed food intake.

Walk or engage in regular exercise on a daily basis. This activity is absolutely free and is an unwind and recharge your mind, body and extremely beneficial stress reliever. spirit. It need not be lengthy, but it should be • Get a good night's sleep. Ariana Huffington a moment where you take care of yourself, is the author of a book called 'Thrive!' In the doing what you want and love, without book, she speaks in depth on how we can sleep distractions. our way to success. Sleep is a powerful tool Plan and organize. Make daily to-do lists. If which allows our body to rest and rejuvenate, you need to be at work at 9 a.m. and the kids and allows us to take care of our brain and body need to be somewhere at 8:30 a.m., major at the same time. If you are able, a nap during planning has to be in effect. Prepare things the day can do wonders for your body and in advance; wake up half an hour earlier; mind. The verdict is out on how many hours of things that do not need immediate attention sleep an adult needs. Get enough sleep where MUST wait and possibly be done as a family you feel rested and energized when you wake activity. Plan your day beforehand, and get up. everyone at home involved by delegating If you attempt these self-help strategies and you and allowing those you have empowered to still continue to struggle with stress, be courageous rise to the occasion. Do not complete a task and seek the help of a mental health professional. you have delegated because it is not done, or Clients have told me time and again, “I like coming not completed to your expectations. Remind to a place where I can express myself, without feeling family members that they agreed to support judged." During a therapy session you will be able you and you are trusting they will. to communicate with a trained professional whose Keep a journal. Journaling is a healthy way entire focus is on you and your problems. Speaking to gain self-awareness. Write out the toxic with a mental health professional like myself will not thought processes that you experience in your only give you a safe place to discuss any problems mind on a daily basis. Placing those thoughts or issues you are having, but it will also give you the on paper and assessing them in an objective tools and solutions to help you in the future. WGW way can contribute to healing. There are no Cheryl A. Francis, Licensed Professional Counselor, is the hard and fast rules to journaling. You are in owner of The Heart Matters Wellness Services LLC, a fullcontrol of your thoughts and words. service counseling agency. She is certified as a Mental Health Learn to say no. The word "no" is very First Aid Adult trainer and regularly provides seminars and powerful because it gives you the freedom trainings to the community on various mental health issues. She to set boundaries and practice self-care. By currently works as a school-based learning to say "no," your stress level will mental health counselor, and be minimized because you have not overhas partnered with the Georgia committed, and you won't feel resentful doing Center for Child Advocacy to something you would rather not be doing. train individuals in the prevention of childhood sexual abuse. Visit Learn to relax. Learn the practice of heartmatterswellness.com for meditation and progressive muscle relaxation. more information about Cheryl Muscle relaxation is very helpful, especially and her work. when you are unable to sleep. Learn to just be

PRESENTS

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H T L A E H r e t a e R h t i I h p m FrA A m n p o 8 t 5oll T S E LW

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A U N T AN

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6 1 0 2 , 3 1 y l u J Free or

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Partners Low Cost Pathways Screenings US Infection

Club Fitness Newnan CPR Daffodil Pediatrics Tanner Breast Health Grady Health System West GA Spine Center Carrollton Yoga Center West Georgia Cardiology Dr. Pham – Rheumatologist Pregnancy Resource Center Lisa Duffey – Psychotherapy Advanced Massage Therapies Dr. Diane Abby – Internal Medicine Dr. Brent Harris – Owner of US MedClinic

HIV Hepatitis C Cholesterol ($20) Blood Pressure Child Screening Glucose/Diabetes BMI–Height & Weight Fall/Injury Prevention Vitamins/Supplements Dermatology/Skin Cancer Trial Yoga Classes at 6 & 7 pm Hands-Only & Infant/Child CPR Sports Medicine/Massage Therapy

AND MORE!

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Daily Fare ”Adapt these recipes to your tastes and your lifestyle. That’s what I want you to feel the freedom to do with my recipes. You are more talented and creative than you give yourself credit for!”

Julie Culpepper Julie Culpepper is a Georgia native living in Carrollton for the past 26 years with her husband Alan and their adult children. She became a personal chef after graduating culinary school in 2012 and loves working with two companies that she incorporates into her style of cooking- Branch and Vine in Newnan and Doterra, an online source for essential oils located in Utah. For further information about contacting Julie or these companies, please feel free to contact her at : jculpep4@gmail.com or culpepperoilsolutions@mydoterra.org

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or go online to: branchandvineonline.org

One Refreshing Summer Salad And Another With a Spiralized Flair

July is the perfect month to showcase ways to use some items that normally overflow from summer gardens, and a Greek theme is the way to go for ideas on how to make a fantastic and healthy meal during the week. Sometimes you just want to come home and eat something good without the dish being so filling that you’re sleepy afterward.

You can whip up this deliciously light Greek Cucumber Salad in about 20 minutes and have leftovers to bring for lunch one day.

Spiralizing food is pretty hot right now, so I had to jump on the bandwagon for you this month. It’s fun, easy and makes your meals a little more interesting and appealing! I tried a spiralizer attachment from my KitchenAid appliance, but you can buy one of those less expensive gadgets that can be found at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, Wal-Mart or Walgreens and do the work by hand. These don't work well on hard vegetables like carrots, but work just fine for cucumber and zucchini, and if you don't have time, or the inclination, to purchase one, you can still enjoy this recipe by shredding or slicing the zucchini very thin.

Farro is a very nutritious grain that can be found in the health food section of your local grocery store.

Some good substitutions for farro are millet, barley or rice. You don’t have to add a protein, but I added shrimp for this salad and I think I will try cubed chicken next time. I hope you enjoy trying things that are new and a little different to inspire your mealtimes!

Greek Cucumber Salad with Pita Chips Ingredients 2 cucumbers, diced small

½ medium red onion, sliced thin

Photos by Michelle Horsley

1 cup red cherry or grape tomatoes, each cut into halves

1 can sliced black pitted olives

¼ cup lemon infused olive oil (Or plain extra virgin olive oil and 1 tablespoon lemon juice)

2 tablespoons oregano balsamic vinegar (or 2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar and 1

teaspoon dried oregano)

½ cup shredded feta cheese

1 cup miniature slices pepperoni or salami (or cut into small cubes)

Salt and pepper to taste 1 bag pita chips

Instructions In a medium glass bowl, add the first

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four ingredients. In a small bowl, whisk

together the vinegar, oil, lemon juice and

spices. You may want to add more depending on how acidic or spicy you like your dressing.

Pour into the medium bowl and toss until

combined. Add the meat and cheese last and

toss well to combine. This can be served on a

plate with the pita chips and eaten as a meal or can be used as a side dish as well.

Serves 4

Zucchini

Noodle Salad Ingredients

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2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar 6 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil

Salt and pepper, to taste 1 large zucchini, spiralized, shredded or sliced very thin 1 cup farro grain cooked according to package directions 1 cup fresh small mozzarella balls or cubed 1 cup yellow tomatoes, halved 12 basil leaves, chopped 1 cup protein if desired – seafood, chicken, tofu, etc.

1 8-to-12 ounce canned prepared pesto sauce

Instructions In small bowl, whisk together the first three ingredients for the dressing, adding more if you desire for a “saucier� salad.

In a large bowl, toss together the remaining ingredients after they have been prepared according to your preference. Pour in the dressing and toss together until well combined.

Refrigerate until service. Allow to sit at room temperature about 5 minutes when it is time to be served.

Serves 4

Tips from Julie: This month, I've compiled some ways to use leftovers from your cooking endeavors to help with your late summer and early fall gardening. Some of these items are often accumulated on a daily basis and can be repurposed and placed right into your garden.

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• Start seedlings in hollowed-out citrus fruit peels such as lemons, oranges and cantaloupes. Poke a large hole in the bottom for drainage. These can be planted directly into your garden and they will compost and nourish the plant as it grows.

• This same concept can be done with eggshells. Carefully crack your eggs near the top and empty them, leaving as much unbroken shell as possible. Pierce the bottom of the shell carefully with a small nail for drainage. The seedlings can be stored in the egg carton to hold them upright or planted directly into the garden spot.

• Grind eggshells into a powder and sprinkle over your garden soil for a calcium boost.

• Save vegetable waters to water and fertilize your soil after it has cooled.

• Leftover tea and coffee grounds acidify the soil and are loved by plants such as azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias, gardenias and blueberries. Lightly sprinkle a ¼ inch over the soil once monthly.

• Place plastic forks tine side up in rows among your new young plants to keep animals from walking through, digging in or destroying your plants as they are maturing.

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39

Local Happenings

First Annual West Georgia Health Fair Presented By US MedClinic, Walker Cadillac and West Georgia Woman Magazine

July 13, 2016, 5-8 p.m. at the Carrollton AMP. Join us for this free community event.

Free or low cost health screenings: HIV, Hepatitis C, Cholesterol ($20), Blood Pressure, Child Screening, Glucose/Diabetes, BMI–Height & Weight, Fall/Injury Prevention, Vitamins/Supplements, Dermatology/ Skin Cancer, Trial Yoga Classes at 6 & 7 p.m., HandsOnly & Infant/Child CPR, Sports Medicine/Massage Therapy, and more!

Healers and Helpers Wellness Group This group meets the last Saturday of every month in Douglasville. For more information, contact Cheryl at theheartmatters@gmail.com or learn more at www.heartmatterswellness.com.

July meeting: Using Spirituality To Manage Wellness.

Featuring presenter Deborah Alexander. July 30, 2016, at 3 p.m. Cost to attend is $10

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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. No one should have to face breast cancer alone.

Need It Most – Mommy’s Day Out July Event: Bring A Game Night, Thursday, July 7, at 500 Old Bremen Road In Carrollton. New moms bring a game and join us for fun fellowship with other moms, delicious refreshments and enjoy some time for yourself!

Each Mommy’s Day Out event is from 6 to 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month. Locations vary. Please contact Jwyanda at 678.739.1740 or Jwyanda@icloud.com for more information. These are free events for new mothers, mothers with children 0-12 months and mothers suffering from postpartum depression. www.needitmost.wordpress.com

Need It Most

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

West Georgia Woman Publisher Angela Dailey and editorial contributor Charlene Brooks were happy to be a part of Need It Most's ribbon cutting ceremony held at the Burson Center in Carrollton, Ga., on April 27th. Jwyanda Norman was our small business woman featured in "Celebrate Her Success" in the June issue of West Georgia Woman magazine.

Red, White And Blueberry 5K Trail Run

Come participate in the 2nd RWB off trail 5K on Saturday, July 2nd!

Or just come pick blueberries!

Race starts at 8 a.m. Day of registration begins at 7 a.m.

Registration is $30 and includes race, T-shirt, and bucket for blueberry picking.

For those that want to just pick or want to pick a lot, it's $10 a blueberry bucket.

Proceeds are for Southern Hills Christian Church City Station.

Register at www.blueberry race.com

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Social Skills: A Lesson For Life

F

ocusing on what supports a successful school year, such as buying the right school supplies and checking out after-school options, is a must for parents. Social skills are paramount to a child’s school success and to a child’s overall sense of well-being.

The ability to read emotional cues, interact with others socially, resolve conflict, and develop and sustain relationships is more important than academic skills or intelligence. Corporate recruiters

By Sara Anderson and larger corporations often look to the social skills of an individual, and specifically the person’s ability to work well with others, as a significant hiring factor.

Encouraging social development of children can help prepare a child for a lifetime of opportunity.

But when should a child begin to learn social skills? Even with very young children, parents can start teaching these skills. While some children are natural social butterflies and others struggle with shyness, all children can benefit from support, direction and help to learn how to navigate social situations. The goal, when teaching social skills, is not to emphasize being “popular,” but to equip the child with ways to handle social interactions.

How to Promote Social Skills in Kids • Encourage your child’s friendships • Teach your child how to deal with rejection • Discuss how to handle situations that involve teasing or bullying

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• Practice listening skills with your child • Demonstrate to your child how to participate in a conversation • Show your child how to make friends • Talk about what makes a good friend • Model good social skills Spend time prior the start of the school year to practice social skills with your child. Perhaps at dinner or during a commute, you can talk about how to respond to someone teasing, or what to do if someone likes your child, but your child doesn’t reciprocate those feelings. Share some of your own childhood experiences as an example and explore ways you might have handled certain situations differently. Role-play how to listen attentively without interrupting. Demonstrate how to have a

conversation and talk about why it is important to ask questions to keep a conversation going. It's also critical to show your child the importance of relationships by maintaining your own friendships.

With good coaching and practice, your child will be well-prepared to start the new school year. WGW Sara Anderson is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Addiction Counselor in the state of Georgia. She is Board Certified as a Registered Play Therapist, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Clinical Supervisor, and Distance Counselor. Sara specializes in helping kids, teens, and adults manage anxiety and stress. As a trained play therapist, trauma specialist, and addiction counselor, Sara uses an integrative, relationally-based approach to help clients move forward successfully. Sara maintains a practice called Spoken Heart Counseling Center in Bremen, Ga. Visit www.spokenheartcounseling.com for more information about Sara and her work.

Proud Supporter and Printer of 925 Pacific Avenue Bremen, Ga. 30110 770.537.4329 www.gatewayprint.com

Woman Magazine West Georgia

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CHS

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Photo by Shari Mangham, Simply Shari Photography

Celebrate HER SUCCESS

Taking The Lead

Local Equestrian Center Owner Dede Chase

T

Trains Young Riders To Be Their Best

he minute you step into the equestrian center of Chase Meadow Lane Farm in Carrollton, Ga., there is a distinct welcoming atmosphere and a sense of belonging, as if this farm were a part of you before you even stepped out of your vehicle.

With young riders smiling and walking up to greet you, as well as a few four-legged friends of the equine and canine variety accompanying them, you have the impression that you've come home to a warm and welcoming community.

Along with the 10 horses and ponies, a baby goat or two and a couple of dogs at the farm, there are volunteers, riding students of various ages and abilities and the farm's Junior Committee composed of young student equestrians.

Dede Chase, friendly and outgoing, with an engaging demeanor, is the owner of Chase Meadow Lane Farm. She established the farm in May 1997, but it took her close to two years to develop the facilities that were needed to actually begin training the horses and riders.

Dede has a master's degree in education, nine teaching certificates and speaks German fluently.

Because of her level of education, she is often reminded by her parents that she doesn't have to have the career she has chosen, even though her parents are "horse people" themselves, once owning a successful stable of Standardbred race horses for over 20 years, but it's a labor of love.

and a half hour from the beach.

During those 20 years of owning a horse farm, her father was the trainer and driver and her mother was the groom, and Dede's passion for horses came naturally to her. As a young girl, Dede spent her days riding and showing horses. Although her parents owned horses, this was still a large financial burden on the family. Because of this burden, Dede's goal as owner of her own farm was to make quality riding experiences and opportunities available to families of average means.

Dede did more than just ride and show horses, her passion extended way beyond the arena. She learned valuable life lessons as a child when she would sometimes ride 20 miles on her bicycle to watch horse shows, just to be able to sit and watch the professionals ride horses all day. She credits many people from all walks of life in the horse business for her equestrian education: Grooms, owners, trainers, veterinarians, farriers and everyone

A Way Of Life Dede grew up between Freehold Racetrack, the nation's oldest daytime half-mile harness racing track, and her family's horse farm in central New Jersey, an hour from New York City and Philadelphia

Dede riding on the A circuit.

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else on the scenes of those shows.

In 1985, Dede was named Equestrian of the Year by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, where she received much publicity and a scholarship. She had worked with both race horses and riding horses and had the opportunity to attend special events to promote horses throughout the Garden State. Upon receiving Equestrian of the Year, she and her family were immensely grateful and proud of this honor that was bestowed upon her and her work with horses.

Her first job as a young woman was caring for race horses, which is where she learned about conditioning and caring for the horses. She was also a waitress for Planet Hollywood in graduate school during the Atlanta Olympics, crediting her outgoing personality and her passion for serving others as a natural fit for the job. "I often joke that if the horse thing does not work out, I could probably get a job at Waffle House," she says with laughter.

In 1996, before establishing Chase Meadow Lane Farm, Dede was invited to spend a month with 4-time Olympian, Anne Kursinski, just before she won the team Silver medal in Atlanta. Dede explains her motivation behind spending time with Anne. "Any successful trainer must be trained, and I recommend working with the highest level industry professionals," she relates."Seeing the quality of her work in the barn, on the ground and in the saddle gave me great insight. Now, I am no Olympian, nor have I produced Olympians, but my students still deserve the best training possible."

All In This Together

One of Dede's students, 12-year-old Carrollton Junior High School Student Hannah Shelnutt riding her horse, Pony Palooza, bareback.

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To manage the difficult task of keeping costs down and not raising her prices, Dede does not hire any outside labor, and she, along with a volunteer staff and her Junior Committee, which is composed of young equestrians, takes on the very difficult load of

running the farm.

She says without a doubt the toughest part of her business is the commitment it requires, Dede with 4-time Olympian, Anne Kursinki, and her partner Carol Hoffman (1984). but she is extremely grateful to her extended farm family of volunteers and the young members of her Junior Committee.

"It is not a 9-to-5 job. It is difficult to balance the needs of my horses, my customers and myself. My farm family is extraordinary in their support, in a way I have never seen at any other farm," she shares. "If I take a group to a show, those who stay back offer to provide farm care. If I cannot be at an event, my top riders are prepared to represent me."

The behind-the-scenes work at the farm gives her young students many life lessons they would not have the opportunity to learn if they were not so involved in the day-to-day operations of the farm. Because there is no staff, her students retrieve their own horses, prepare for the lesson and finish themselves. "So much of the education in good horsemanship is not in riding, but in horse care, barn management and farm maintenance. Therefore, students are encouraged to contribute to the farm community and to the greater community through their service," explains Dede. "It is heartwarming to know that I can level the playing field of opportunity through horses. Whether riders are in training for shows, saving for one lesson a month, or coming for therapeutic riding, every student deserves safety, fun and progress. I love the way our students stop everything to welcome a newcomer, to help a young rider, or cheer for a student struggling with a disability. I have worked with parents and riders to achieve great results, at home and at shows, even on a tight budget."

It is clear that Dede didn't choose her career path for monetary reasons. She often works long hours for very little or no pay, even though the sport itself seems elitist. Her greatest challenge as a business owner has been keeping up with a high-overhead, low-revenue-generating business. "My partners eat while I sleep and poop everywhere," she laughs.

"I can't take a day off because the horses don't, so balancing my personal and professional life has also been a challenge, and it is always tough when I realize I cannot meet a student's or parent's needs.

I am a steward of this farm, not just the owner. It is my obligation to provide daily care to all the animals of Chase Meadow Lane Farm.

They count on me, just as my students count on them."

She explains how important it is to have a strong support system as well as a strong faith. "My support group includes family, friends and a deep faith. My friends are patient and supportive of the Hannah Shelnutt, junior staff member, business, and I often left, and Anna Wilson, senior staff make friends with member, right, with Pony Palooza. my customers as we work toward riding goals," she relates. "My partner is the father of one of my students; he saw quality and commitment when he was a paying customer and now sees what is involved behind the scenes.

God knows, it takes everyone working in harmony to make the farm thrive. I always pray for strength and I feel like our farm is in the palm of God's hand."

Every day on the farm is different but also has a routine. The riders in training will practice on the flat and over fences several times a week, but not all of her students' time on the farm is spent riding. They mentor other young riders, which contributes to what Dede describes as a "LearnDo-Teach" process. She believes you really learn so much by teaching others and encourages all of her students to take a leadership role in their lessons and training. She also empowers her students to make their own decisions regarding their riding, training and showing, so they will be fully vested and more confident in themselves. She supports them in learning from their mistakes by correcting and explaining, and then moving on, whether it's a poorly ridden jump course or a poorly done grooming job.

"It is not enough to train good riders; we must also train good people. For that reason, I emphasize all aspects of horsemanship and sportsmanship, and use a strength-based approach when teaching," says Dede. "My expectations are high, mostly for safety, but everyone can achieve success at some level, even just by working together and helping

each other. I encourage my students to be hands on. It is truly empowering to master a skill with a 1,200-pound animal; equally rewarding is facilitating that mastery. My students learn, then mentor others, to build a deeper understanding and compassion."

Dede also works with students who have special needs. As a special education teacher for seven years, she is no stranger to what is required to help children with special needs. She currently has a 12-year-old nonverbal autistic student who trots and canters on her big jumper, and a 30-year-old student who has been deaf since birth who rides and jumps with the others. She teaches her students to be inclusive, have compassion for others and to offer encouragement to everyone. She is proud that her other students cheer on her special needs students and are always ready to offer them encouragement and praise.

Currently, the farm has 10 horses and ponies, all of different sizes, colors, breeds, ages, styles and personalities. Dede cross trains her students on multiple horses to hone their equestrian skills, but tries to match a rider's conformation and disposition to a suitable horse for each student. Because Dede welcomes children beginning at age 2 for lessons, she says all of the farm's horses meet the highest standards of safety.

A Place To Call Home Dede loves living and working in West Georgia, especially Carrollton, and is grateful to the community for being so supportive of her.

"Carrollton is a welcoming and very diverse place," she shares. "On one hand, its a small, churchfilled, Southern town. On the other hand, it is a progressive university community. There are more horses in Carroll County than in any other of the 157 counties in Georgia, but the uses of horses here are as different as the people. Our niche is beginner riders, especially in hunt seat and dressage riding.

Thousands of children have sat in our saddles over the last 20 years, and I am humbled and grateful for the support we have received."

Dede doesn't just teach children to ride horses; she also involves them in many equestrian activities and training opportunities all over the country.

Her riders are active participants with 4H at the local, state and regional level, and they compete at the Georgia International Horse Park, in the same arena the Olympics were held.

Her students have been to New Jersey and West Palm Beach as guests of Olympian Nona Garson, travelled to Upperville, Va., to watch the Grand Prix, to Virginia to train with Dede's coach, Laurie Lake,

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“

Of all the great people and horses I have worked with, no one has contributed more to my professional success than Platinum, my 23-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare. She is the cornerstone of this entire operation, my 'Go-To-Girl' every time. She is my best friend.

When I am tired, I think of how tired she must be and I just keep going. When she is done, I think I will be done, also.

“

and to Auburn to ride with friends at other farms.

She also brings in top trainers to the farm through their Visiting Instructors' Series, so every child has access to great opportunities close to home.

"Our farm is unique because we combine a safe, positive learning environment and the highest standards of horsemanship and sportsmanship," she relates. "Quality riding instruction and facilities and structure are combined with an emphasis on leadership. My students have access to every great trainer with whom I have ever worked, because I kept the lines of communication open. I did that for them, not for myself, as a way of paying it forward."

Giving Back All of Dede's students are expected to be good stewards for the community by giving generously of their time and energy, whether it is Christmas caroling on horseback, hosting a youth group at the farm or walking horses in the parade."I don't just want good riders, I want good people!" she exclaims.

Another way Dede gives back is by having a rider's closet at the farm. This closet holds boots, breeches, jackets and helmets that her students have outgrown. These items are donated and free for use by any of her students. Lessons, show fees and travel costs can quickly add up, and this is another way Dede tries to make riding more affordable for the students.

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It is important to Dede that every child who wants the opportunity to learn how to ride is able to do so. "Making riding accessible to families of average means is a primary goal," she shares. "Years ago, people told me to raise my prices to cut my workload without affecting the bottom line.

But I never had the heart to price anyone out of their riding dreams. Some of my best students, Daphne Dobbin and Kaylin Boon, were no Silver Spooners. For years, they earned lessons and horse shows by making themselves indispensable to me through hard work and loyalty. I love them like daughters and they each had every advantage I could afford them."

The prices for riding vary at the farm, but Dede says they are well below the industry average. The lessons range from single sessions to discounted monthly packages that are in place to encourage more participation and progress.

The farm also offers the horses for half lease to the students, so they can experience the benefits of horse ownership without a large capital outlay. Some students only participate in the Summer Equestrian Leadership Camp, now in its 17th year, while others train year round and compete off site about once a month.

Her Support Network Dede credits her ex-husband, Brian Chase, for making the greatest impact on her life. She says when they met in Atlanta in 1995, he immediately recognized her passion for horses and supported her dream to establish an equestrian center. He worked hard alongside her to develop the best facilities, from the barn to the arena to the trails. Although they are now divorced, he continues to support and encourage Dede's work on the farm. Dede and Brian have a son together, 16-year-old B.W., who she says is an excellent rider, a great young man, and looks and acts just like his dad.

She shares a little of what they experienced during the divorce in 2011.

"I would have given

Dede with Brian.

Dede with her best friend Platinum.

Photo by Shari Mangham

up the farm to save our marriage, but he told me, frankly, that it would be the wrong choice." Brian still loves to visit the farm and Dede's students. "He loves to see the children and horses succeeding, and never got mad when kids called him 'Mr. Dede,' she laughs.

In addition to support from Brian, she relies on collaborating with her colleagues, among them, her trainer Nona Garson, a 2000 Olympian, Vicki and Grady Bryans, founders of the H.J. Fox horse show series, and Kitty Turner, American Riding Instructors' Association Teacher of the Year. While teaching special education from 2007 to 2014, she greatly admired her principal, Dr. Penny Honeycutt. She says Dr. Honeycutt demonstrated a level of leadership and compassion that Dede tries to emulate at the farm, and now Dr. Honeycutt brings her own grandchildren to ride at the farm with Dede.

Although Dede has worked with many wonderful humans and horses alike, she credits her 23-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare Platinum, for contributing the most to her professional success. "Of all the great people and horses I have worked with, no one has contributed more to my professional success than Platinum," she says with a warm smile. "I bought her in 1998, when she was a green 4-yearold in Ocala with family friends. She came in and began carrying everyone, from tiny children, to jumping students, to trail riders. She and I competed regularly, as well. At 22, she was the leading jumper in the competitive H.J. Fox series, and won high point Modified and Progressive Jumper.

No horse has given more or worked harder for so many people. She is the cornerstone of this entire operation, my 'Go-To-Girl' every time. She is my best friend. When I am tired, I think of how tired she must be and I just keep going.

When she is done, I think I will be done, also."

Happy Trails Dede says she wouldn't change much of anything about the path she has chosen

Jessica Lane Simmerson, right, and Sydney Dailey, with Platinum. Jessica was Dede's first student and is now a hunter and jumper rider, a show team captain and the farm chaplain.

for her business. She views her mistakes as learning opportunities and says she has learned so much over the last 20 years, that she has few regrets.

She is hoping to restructure the business within the next five years and bring someone on board to manage the daily operations of the business.

"Because I do not have a staff, the day-to-day tasks have a big impact on my physical, mental and emotional health. I would like to step back, focus on architecture and farm development, horse show judging, riding clinics and travel. I would like to hand the reins to someone who can take the farm to a higher level of organization and success."

It's going to take a very special person to fill her shoes, but also someone who has the passion and desire to help young people as much as Dede does. "Helping young peoples' horse dreams come true seems to be my purpose in life. It is very fulfilling," she shares. "My first student, Jessica Lane Simmerson, began lessons in 1999, and is now a major hunter and jumper rider, a show team captain and is now our farm chaplain. Allison Williard took her first ride 16 years ago and is now a large animal vet." She smiles nostalgically as she speaks of her former students, "We have produced many college riders and many horse industry professionals. I am proud of students who started here and went on to great riding careers. I am equally proud of kids who got their only taste of horses on this farm. Whether or not you want to spend your life doing this, it is still a nice place to learn a new skill and meet wonderful people. Whether my students still ride with me, go to ride with someone else, or don't ride anymore, I am grateful to have had them in my life. I hope I have contributed to their success, but I know they have contributed to mine!" WGW

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Womentality

Inspiring quotes by extraordinary women “What I am looking for is not out there, it is in me.”

- Helen Keller

“When we can't dream any longer, we die.”

- Emma Goldman

“It's a long story, the story of our lives ... some things I took a long time to figure out, and others I'll never understand. All I can say for sure is that I want more.”

- Anna Quindlen

“The problem is women think he will change. He won't. The mistake men make is thinking she'll never leave. She will.”

- Unknown

"There comes a time when you have to stand up and say: This is me damn it! I look the way I look, think the way I think, feel the way I feel, love the way I love! I am a whole complex package. Take me ... or leave me. Accept me – or walk away! Do not try to make me feel like less of a person, just because I don't fit your idea of who I should be and don't try to change me to fit your mold. If I need to change, I alone will make that decision. When you are strong enough to love yourself 100 percent, good and bad – you will be amazed at the opportunities that life presents you." - Stacey Charter 50

Ever After “Marriage has no guarantees.

If that's what you're looking for, go live with a car battery.�

Erma Bombeck

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PHOTOS BY RACHEL DOBSON

MR. & MRS. KEEGAN O'KEEFE

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BRIANNA HOLT & KEEGAN O'KEEFE Were married on January 2, 2015, The reception was held at the McGarity house in Temple, Ga.

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Wedding Etiquette For Divorced Parents: Putting Your Child First On Her Special Day

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our children didn't ask to become part of a divorced family, but they are usually the ones who get the short end of the stick during important family gatherings. Too often, divorced parents can't get past years of anger and resentment toward each other, which can put their children in a terrible position on their special day.

Planning a wedding is stressful enough for your child without adding the additional stress of adding blended families into the mix. Your child's wedding is one of the most important days of her life, and if you and your ex-husband can make an effort to get along, even if only for a few hours, then you will be giving her a very special gift – the gift of not having to choose sides, so she can focus on her special day.

Discuss Seating Arrangements In Advance Along with divorced parents, usually come stepparents. Discussing seating arrangements in advance with all parties should alleviate any hard 54feelings at the wedding. Traditionally, the bride's

mother is usually the last person to be seated before the ceremony and the first person to be escorted out after. If all parties are on good terms, the seating order begins with the groom's grandparents, the bride's grandparents, the groom's mother and father and then the bride's mother.

The bride's stepfather would walk with the bride's mother unless he is walking the bride down the aisle. If the bride's father is walking with the bride, then he would sit in the second or third row with his spouse after escorting his daughter.

If the bride's stepfather will be escorting her, then her father and his spouse will be seated after the grandparents and before the bride's mother. If the bride is close with her stepmother, she would be seated right after the bride's grandparents.

If the bride or groom are not fond of, or don't get along with either of the stepparents, they should be seated early in the row reserved for their spouse.

If the groom's parents are divorced, seating arrangements would be the same with the exception of the groom's parents. The groom's

father should walk behind the groom's mother as she is escorted in and out of the ceremony. The groom's mother should be seated in the first row with the groom's father sitting in the second or third row. All of the parties should be accompanied by their spouses or dates unless they are directly involved in the ceremony or if there is controversy.

Escorting The Bride This is one of the heaviest decisions a bride has to make when she has divorced parents. If the bride and her father are very close, this should not be an issue. If the bride isn't close to her father, there are several options she has to choose from.

If the bride was raised by her stepfather, then it is appropriate to bestow the honor of escorting her on him. If the bride is equally close to her father and stepfather, then both of them may escort her.

She can also choose to have both of her parents escort her, or she may choose to have a much-loved brother, uncle or grandfather to escort her.

The bride might want to walk by herself or have the groom escort her. The most important thing to remember is this is her choice, and no matter what she decides, the family should honor her wishes.

Whoever she chooses, she should let her father know the arrangements in advance so there will be no surprises or unnecessary controversy on her wedding day.

chooses to dance with her stepfather instead of her father, she should tell her father before the reception.

Some brides choose to dance one half of the dance with their fathers and one half of the dance with their stepfathers. For the parent dance, the bride and groom should allow both their parents and their spouses or dates on the dance floor to avoid any hurt feelings or awkward moments.

Each parent should host their own table at the reception, comfortably away from their ex-spouse, so they will feel free to relax and enjoy the festivities.

They should not be seated at the bridal table.

For the bridal photos, it is acceptable to include stepparents in some of the wedding photos if the bride or groom wish to include them, but they should not be pressured to feel obligated to include a parent's casual date in any of their formal photos.

Bottom line, all parties should be respectful of the decisions the bride and groom make on their wedding day. Planning these emotional decisions in advance should help avoid hurt feelings or awkward moments on the big day. Most of all, try to remember whose day this is and do your part to make it the best ever for your child. After all, just because she comes from a divorced family doesn't mean that you can't all work together to give her a drama-free day full of happiness from those who loved her first. WGW

The Reception To avoid any awkward moments, the bride should speak to the DJ prior to the event to discuss which dances will occur during the reception. Traditionally, there is usually a father/bride dance, a mother/ groom dance, parents of both the bride and groom dance, and a bride/groom dance. If the bride West Georgia Woman will feature your bridal photo at no charge in “Ever After.” The bride or groom must be from West Georgia. Please submit one photo, the bride and groom’s names, address, wedding date, venue, photographer’s name and copyright release to: photos@westgeorgiawoman.com.

Photos will be included as space becomes available.

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Resources for Women

Police Departments Call 911 in an emergency.

Bremen Police: 770.537.4441

Dallas Police: 770.443.8100

Buchanan Police: 770.646.5246

Douglasville Police: 770.920.3010

Carrollton Police: 770.834.4451

Douglas County Sheriff: 770.942.2121

Carroll County Sheriff: 770.830.5888 Cedartown Police: 770.748.4123 Coweta County Sheriff: 770.253.1502

Floyd County Sheriff: 706.291.4111

GSPIN

Suicide prevention, intervention, and aftercare information. www.GSPIN.org

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Heard County Sheriff: 706.675.0444 Hiram Police: 770.943.3087 Newnan Police: 770.254.2355

Franklin Police: 706.675.6624

Paulding County Sheriff: 770.443.3010

Grantville Police: 770.583.2266

Polk County Sheriff: 770.749.2900

Suicide Prevention Services National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800.273.TALK (8255)

Haralson County Sheriff: 770.646.2011

Know the Suicide Warning Signs!* If you or someone you know: • Threatens or talks about hurting themselves • Feels hopeless or like a burden • Increases alcohol or drug use

• Feels rage or uncontrolled anger • Feels trapped, like there is no way out • Engages in reckless behaviors • Withdraws from friends and family

Senoia Police: 770.599.3256 Tallapoosa Police: 770.574.7211 Temple Police: 770.562.3151 University of West Georgia Police: 678.839.6000 Villa Rica Police: 678.785.1100 West Georgia Technical College Police: 855.579.4357 Whitesburg Police: 770.832.1184 • Feels anxious, agitated or unable to sleep • Encounters dramatic mood changes • Sees no reason for living *Warning signs provided by Georgia Suicide Prevention Information Network

Healthcare Resources The following list of contacts assists people with no health insurance or those who can’t afford their medications, based on income or age.

Department of Human Resources, Division of Aging, Georgia Cares Program: (Disabled. 60 years of age and older.)

800.669.8387 dhr.georgia.gov/portal/site/DHS/ RX Outreach: 800.769.3880 www.rxoutreach.com

Partnership for Prescription Assistance: 888.477.2669 (toll free) www.pparx.org/ Pfizer Helpful Answers: 866.706.2400 (toll free) www.pfizerhelpfulanswers.com Lilly Answers: 877.RX.Lilly (1-877-795-4559) (toll free) www.lillymedicareanswers.com Merck Prescription Discount Program: 800.727.5400 www.merck.com Georgia Parent Support Network: (Addictive Disease, Developmental Disabilities, Mental Health Issues.)

404.758.4500 www.gpsn.org

Additional Resources: www.rxhope.com www.rxaminer.com www.medicare.gov www.phrma.org www.rxassist.org www.needymeds.com www.themedicineprogram.com PeachCare for Kids: Provides free or low-cost health insurance for qualifying children in Georgia.

To apply, visit www.peachcare.org or call 877.427.3224 (toll free).

Pregnancy Resource Center: Carroll, Haralson & Heard Counties: Provides free confidential pregnancy tests and counseling.

770.832.0256 www.pregnancyrc.com

Services Georgia Legal Services: 404.206.5175 TDD 800.255.0056

Coweta County Solicitor’s Victim Assistance: 770.254.2701

Exchange Club Family Resource Center, Floyd County: 706.290.0764

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800.799.7233 TTY 800.787.3224

Douglas Task Force on Family Violence: 678.715.1196

Hospitality House for Women, Floyd County: 706.235.4673

Douglas Judicial Victim Assistance: 770.920.7292

Victim Assistance, Haralson County: 770.646.2016

Douglas County Homeless Shelter: 770.949.4911

Heard County Sheriff’s Office Domestic Violence Unit: 706.675.3329

S.H.A.R.E. House Family Violence Crisis Center, Douglas County: 770.489.7513

Paulding County District Attorney Victim Assistance: 770.443.7561

Carroll Co. Emergency Shelter: 770.834.1141 Carroll County Mental Health: 770.836.6678 Carroll County Solicitor Victim Assistance: 770.214.3110 Carroll Rape Crisis Center: 770.834.7273 Community Welcome House, Newnan: 770.304.0966 Coweta Judicial Circuit Victim Assistance: 706.845.4270

Highland Rivers Center, Floyd County: 706.233.9023 Floyd County District Attorney Victim Assistance: 706.291.5210

Shepherds Rest Ministries, Paulding County: 770.443.5213 Polk County Women’s Shelter: 770.748.2300

UWG Health Services: 678.839.6452 (free sexual assault exams completed by sexual assault nurse examiners (SANE)) UWG Patient Advocates: 678.839.0641 (Jill Hendricks) or 678.839.5338 (Corey Hindman) Georgia Crisis & Access Line Help is available 24/7 for problems with mental health, drugs, or alcohol.

800.715.4225 mygcal.com

HomeSafe Georgia: 877.519.4443 www.homesafegeorgia.com HomeSafe Georgia helps by providing “bridge” mortgage assistance to many Georgians who are unemployed or have seen a dramatic decrease in their income due to national economic conditions.

West Georgia Woman magazine makes every effort to make sure the information made available is complete, correct, accurate and up to date. Despite these efforts, inaccuracies can occur. Angel Media, LLC and West Georgia Woman magazine cannot be held liable for direct or indirect damage originating from use of the information on this page. Should you observe inaccuracies in the information made available, please email us at features@westgeorgiawoman.com.

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Protect Your Pets

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While Celebrating The 4th

our pets are part of the family, and where you are, they are sure to follow. Most of the time, this is exactly where they need to be, but during certain annual celebrations, it may be best to develop a safety plan for your fur baby.

Holidays often mean hosting parties or barbecues for friends and family, and where there are parties, there is usually an abundance of food around.

At these types of gatherings, the food is often left unattended at certain times, and this can be toxic for your pet.

If you're the host of the gathering, you're probably more focused on the party goers and

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food preparation, which makes it difficult to give your pet the same amount of attention as you would normally. When your attention is directed elsewhere, this could be dangerous for your pet.

So before you throw that first hot dog or burger on the grill, dig in to Nana's banana pudding or light that first sparkler, take a few moments to make sure your pet will be safe from harm this July 4th. • Give your pet some alone time.

If your pet is acting skittish or agitated during the festivities, give her a time out indoors and away from the party in a cool and quiet place.

• Ask your guests to refrain from giving your pet any party foods. We know how hard it is to ignore the pleading eyes of a pet who wants you to share the wealth of the family barbecue, but some foods can be very dangerous to our four-legged friends; chocolate, avocados, alcohol and dairy products top the list, according to WebMd. So be sure to keep the guacamole, beer, chocolate cake and ice cream away from your girl. If you don't want your baby to feel left out, feed her

foods that are safe for her to eat. Ask your veterinarian for a comprehensive list of acceptable people foods you can give her.

• Always keep your pets indoors when viewing or playing with fireworks. Pets are often more sensitive to the lights, loud noises and strange smells that come from fireworks, and many pets become so frightened that they are prone to running away. Statistically, more pets run away from home on July 4th more than any other day of the year, according to Preventivevet.com, and the busiest day for animal shelters across the country is July 5th. Keep your pet inside at all times during the festivities and provide some white noise such as a radio or television for her.

Ensure that all of your pets have the proper identification in case they do run away.

It's always a good idea to keep important numbers nearby in case your dog ingests something she shouldn't or if she bolts at the sound of fireworks. Your veterinarian, pet poison helpline, emergency vet and animal control phone numbers should be programmed into your phone for quick access in case of an emergency. WGW

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Kidz Korner Super Fun Summer Flip Flop Cookies

Dive into summer with these super fun summer flip flop cookies. These cookies will make a great addition to a summer pool or beach-themed party and are sure to be a hit with guests, not to mention how fun they'll be to make and eat!

By Charlene Brooks and Sydney Dailey Graham crackers 1 package fish-shaped crackers Blue gelatin mix 1 package marshmallows Cupcake wrappers Skewer sticks cut into thirds Ping pong Balls Assorted bottles of edible paint

Ingredients 1 package peanut-shaped peanut butter cookies 1 package sour candy belts 1 tube white icing 1 package mini chocolate baking bits

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Instructions Prepare gelatin mix according to package directions and allow to set.

Crush several graham crackers to make sand.

Take the cookies and place on a flat surface.

Cut the sour candy belts into small strips.

Take the white icing and glue the candy strips to the cookies to form sandal straps.

Place a small dab of icing where the sandal straps meet at the top of the cookie.

Place one of the mini chocolate baking bits on the dab of icing on each cookie.

Paint the ping pong ball to make it look like a beach ball.

Take the skewer and place one end into a marshmallow and the other end into the cup cake liner to make the beach umbrella.

Arrange on a plate as desired.

Add the fish shaped crackers to the gelatin.

Materials

Deliciously Beachy Snack Mix

Instructions

Assorted fish or beach-themed containers. (We found ours at our local store for only $1 each) Ingredients 1 package fish-shaped crackers 1 package assorted chocolate candies 1 package banana chips 1 package white fudge-covered pretzels 1 package vanilla yogurt raisins

Empty bags of ingredients in one large bowl.

Mix until all ingredients are evenly distributed.

Pour into individual fish or beach-themed containers.

Take with you for fun and delicious snacking on the go.

This yummy snack mix can be a lifesaver for those times when your child just has to have something a little sweet and salty. This snack mix is the perfect treat to take with you to the pool, beach or just running a few errands. These little containers are so inexpensive each of your little ones will be able to create their snack mix of choice and have an individual container of their very own.

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Independence Day Word Search Word Bank Independence Day Fireworks Barbecue Freedom America Family American Flag Yankee Doodle Uncle Sam July 4th Parade 1776 Declaration United States

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Word search created at puzzle-maker.com

Family and Cosmetic Dentistry

M. Dawn Harvey, DMD, PC Family Dentistry and Complete Facial Esthetics 105 Dallas Rd, Villa Rica, GA 30180 • 770-459-5778

www.drharveysmiles.com 63

CADILLAC XT5 NOW IN STOCK WALKER CADILLAC 1492 N Park St (Hwy 27) Carrollton GA 30117 770.832.9602 www.walkergmauto.com

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