West Georgia Woman Magazine January 2018

Woman

Complimentary

January 2018

West Georgia

TM

Ora Bell Clark On The Air For 41 years

Get Organized!

Cyberbullying: Is Your Child at Risk?

Tips for Taking Control This New Year

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Happy New Year!

What’s inside...

10

A Joyful Noise

38

Celebrate Her Success

22

Managing Financial Stress In The New Year

47

Get Organized

28

Things All Women Should Know About Their Cervical Health

48

The Truth About Cyberbullying

In Every Issue:

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34

Daily Fare

54

Local Happenings

53

Womentality

60

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RalphE.E.Fleck, Fleck,Jr., Jr.,M.D. M.D. Ralph JubalR. R.Watts, Watts,M.D. M.D. Jubal GregoryS.S.Slappey, Slappey,M.D. M.D. Gregory Anthony W. Colpini, M.D. Anthony W. Colpini, M.D. BradG. G.Prybis, Prybis,M.D. M.D. Brad KevinM. M.Charron, Charron,M.D. M.D. Kevin TaylorB.B.Cates, Cates,M.D. M.D. Taylor FranklinPence, Pence,M.D. M.D. E.E.Franklin Ki-HonLin, Lin,M.D. M.D. Ki-Hon ShomariA. A.Ruffn, Ruffin, M.D. Shomari M.D. BryanKirby, Kirby,M.D. M.D. Bryan DavidA. A.Scruggs, Scruggs,P.A.-C P.A.-C David MichaelC. C.Gravett, Gravett,P.A.-C P.A.-C Michael Andrea Maxwell, F.N.P. Andrea Maxwell, F.N.P. Alisha Schuchman,N.P.-C N.P.-C Alisha Schuchman, BritniLockwood, Lockwood,P.A.-C P.A.-C Britni 24 6

Tristan Alexander Brooks May 15, 1993 – September 17, 2015

Tristan, age 17, during his senior photo shoot, Nov. 14, 2010

T

his is my favorite photo of my nephew, Tristan, because it is one of the few commercial photos we have where he's smiling his "real" smile. You can just see the mischief in his eyes in this picture. I can just imagine what he said before the picture was taken. I wish I could remember.

He was so funny and charming, I wish you could have met him. I would love to see him and hug him again just once more. I know that wouldn't be enough, but at least it would be something.

He gave the best hugs: big, strong bear hugs – especially when he was excited or really happy about something. The energy and excitement would just pour out of him through those hugs. – Angela Dailey

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Happy New Year!

Winter is just beginning, and we've had so much snow already. I think we were all surprised at the 8 to 13 inches of snow many of us had in West Georgia last month. I'm curious to see what the rest of winter has in store for us this year. I'm not much for cold weather, but I really enjoyed playing in the snow with my kids in December. I'd definitely be OK without any more snow this year, though!

Did you have a nice Christmas? We really enjoyed spending time with friends and family. The new year always seems just a little dreary after the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, but I'm excited to see what the new year holds. Anything is possible!

In This Issue Our cover feature this month is Ms. Ora Bell Clark. Ora has been sharing gospel music as a radio announcer in Carrollton, Ga., for over 41 years. She is a humble, kind and caring woman, as well as being a wonderful friend and inspiration to the Carrollton community for so many years. I know you will enjoy reading about Ora on page 10.

We also celebrate the success of Dr. Beata Grochowska, with Alliance Spine and Pain Centers in this issue.

Not only is Beata a kind and compassionate woman and doctor, but she is also a valued supporter of West Georgia Woman magazine. Read how Beata's life's work is eliminating chronic pain while practicing love and kindness with her patients on page 38.

Robin Custard, controller at Systems & Methods, Inc., was named the Women’s Business Alliance 2017 Woman of the Year during the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce WBA awards luncheon.

Please read about Robin and her service to the West Georgia community on page 55.

West Georgia Technical College named Lauren Birriel, an associate degree nursing student from Sharpsburg, Ga., as its 2018 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership winner and Murphy Campus Clinical Laboratory Technology instructor Dr. Phyllis Ingham as its 2018 Rick Perkins Award winner, November 16 at a banquet honoring finalists for both awards. Read more about these ladies and their accomplishments on page 57.

Do you ever feel as if you can't get organized? The bills and mail pile up on the counter, the dishes lie undone in the sink and the house is a mess? Check out page 47 for some tips on how to get – and stay – organized in the New Year (hint: this includes asking your spouse and kids to help you).

Did you make any New Year's resolutions for 2018? I hope one of them was to take better care of yourself. There's only one of you, and to be your best for family, friends and loved ones, you have to give yourself the very best.

Stay Warm!

Publisher

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Finding our voice. Knowing our value. Making a difference.

TM

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

Our mission is to engage, inspire, and cultivate a cohesive community for all women in West Georgia by sharing our hopes, our dreams and our lives.

This magazine would not be possible without the inclusion of our advertisers. Please be sure to show your support by doing business with these VIP’s (very important partners) so we will be able to continue to share with you our stories about amazing West Georgia women!

Please be sure to tell them we sent you!

Inspiring women wanted.

We welcome your comments and suggestions.

Contact us: Angela@westgeorgiawoman.com (404) 502-0251

Woman

Mail correspondence to: West Georgia Woman P.O. Box 2782 Carrollton, GA 30112

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Volume 3 • Issue 3 January 2018

Online: www.westgeorgiawoman.com Follow us!

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Publisher/Editor

Angela Dailey angela@westgeorgiawoman.com

Copy Editor Editorial Contributor

Shala Hainer shala@westgeorgiawoman.com

Photographer for cover Keith May

Editorial Contributors

Charlene Brooks, Carissa Clanton, Julie Culpepper , Cheryl A. Francis, L.P.C. and Gil Royal

Advertising Sales

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

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

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

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A Joyful

Noise 10

Ora Bell Clark: On the Air for 41 Years

By Angela Dailey

Photos by Keith May 11

O

ra Bell Clark has always shared the gift of love and kindness wherever she goes. The 85-year-old radio host of a weekly gospel music show in Carrollton, Ga., has been spreading hope and glorious music in her community through her gospel program for over four decades – almost 42 years to be exact – and she isn’t slowing down any time soon.

Her weekly gospel program has a large following, and Ora has been a part of many of her listeners’ lives for as long as they can remember. “People will come up to me and tell me they've been listening to me their whole life. They grew up with their mamas listening to me on the radio. Sometimes little children will come up to me and say, ‘I hear you on the radio,’ and other times, people will say, ‘I listen to you every Sunday night and it just helps me.’

Some people will even say they want to be like me – but I’m just me. If it helps other people go along and it makes them feel better, then that’s what I want to do.”

A Lonely Childhood Ora was born May 26, 1932, and grew up as an only child on a farm her father owned in Douglas

County, Ga. Her parents were married four years before they had Ora, and she says she used to joke with her mother that they almost waited too long to have her because they were never able to have any other children after Ora. “Daddy was 21 and Mama was 26 when they were married. She was a pretty lady,” she smiles.

“It was so funny. I would ask my daddy, ‘Why did you wait so long to have me?’ He named me. My mama wanted to name me Mamie Ruth after my grandmother, and my kids always joke and say they’re sure glad he named me!”

It was a very lonely life for Ora as an only child.

Her grandfather on her daddy’s side had a farm next to theirs, and he had several children who were around the same age as Ora. “I was born an only child,” she shares. “You didn’t get by with nothing back then. My grandfather had a farm down below us and he had children coming up along with me.

We had what we called terraces between the corn or the cotton, and I would sit up on the hill and watch them playing ball. They’d be hollering and having a good time. I’d be sitting out there and I would just be crying. My mama would come out there, and she’d sit down by me. She’d ask me if I wanted to go down there and play with them and I’d say ‘Yes

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Ora, on-air in the Gradick Communications studio.

ma’am!’ and she would let me go down there to play.

“I had seven children because I told my mama ‘When I get grown and get married I’m going to have me some babies,’” she laughs. “I was there by myself as an only child and had no one to play with but the dog, the chickens, the cows and riding the mule. When I got married to my husband, he said we were only going to have two children, and I said ‘ok then.’ We wound up having seven!”

Ora’s community in Douglas County was helpful, close-knit and friendly – a community where people of all races were kind to one another. During that time, the mailman didn’t come by individual homes

– they had to walk to Post Road every day to pick up their mail, and whenever anyone needed anything at all, the community was always there for each other.

“All the different people – white and us – got along fine. When we were living back in those days, white people would come into our house and ask mama if she had something to eat, they’d come in and sit down in our house and eat. We were all just like the same,” she shares. “They would see you and just talk to you just like you were the same color.

They’d say to my mama, ‘You got something to eat?’

If she had a cake or something, they’d come in our house and she’d give them some of it.

“Back then they had corn mills, and Daddy would

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shuck corn and take it to the mill and have it ground for corn meal so we could make cornbread. I can just see it now, it was so funny. Daddy had been to the mill and brought the corn meal home and set it down by the door. This man named Fleck, he came in to see what my mama had to eat. He asked my mama ‘what you got?’ and he came in and sat down right on her corn meal.

My mama was at the stove talking to him and when she looked over there and saw him sitting on her meal, she got after him with her dishcloth and yelled at him to get off of her meal! He jumped up laughing and ran out of the house, he was laughing so hard about how quick mama had gotten him off her corn meal!"

Ora attended school in Douglas County until she finished the 7th grade, but in the 40s, there weren't any schools after 7th grade in the county for AfricanAmerican children. When she finished 7th grade, her father allowed her to go to school in Villa Rica at Villa Rica High School, but after attending one year, her father told her he didn’t want her going to school there anymore because he missed her, so she lost a year of school because of that.

An opportunity to attend school in Douglasville

came a year later when some local AfricanAmericans purchased a school bus so the kids from the county could go to high school. “The black folks bought a school bus and they said they could carry us to Douglasville to go to school, so that’s what happened,” she relates. “We went to Douglasville at Hutcheson High School.”

A Family of Her Own After high school, Ora was 18 when she married her husband, Horace, and they started the large family Ora had always dreamed of having. They had seven children – four boys and three girls – with Brenda being the oldest, and Wanda is the baby of the family. Every morning, Ora dons a bracelet that reads “I’m an overcomer,” in honor of Wanda, who is a breast cancer survivor.

“I’m so happy, and I wear it for her,” she shares.

“My husband named Wanda after me – Wanda Bell. When we found out we were having another baby he said ’It’s going to be a girl and her name is Wanda Bell.’

“She’s doing so good. One thing about her, during her cancer and her treatments, she never

Ora makes a joyful noise along with her son, Pastor James Clark at Fresh Harvest Praise Ministry in Carrollton.

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stopped working. She put on her wig and just kept on going. I’m so proud of her and happy she is O.K. Wanda is the mama of the family – whenever we talk about anything, all of the kids will say ‘What does Wanda think about it?’”

Ora says she prays daily for all of her children and her numerous grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. “I’d have to sit down with you with the adding machine to count up all my grands and great-grands,” she laughs. “All of my children were raised on gospel music. They would go to church with my Mama and Daddy – they were raised in the church. Most all of them serve at various churches they attend. From the first to the last, all of my children are great. We watch out for each other. They are all wonderful kids and I think they love their Mama. We’re all pretty close.”

Fulfilling a Dream Ora’s career path took many turns throughout the years. She was an excellent cook and worked in the cafeteria at West Georgia

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Ora, in the studio with her son, James Clark. He is the pastor of Fresh Harvest Praise Ministry in Carrollton, Ga. Ora works at the radio station every Sunday from 8 - 10 p.m. Pastor Clark takes over the gospel music show from 10 - 11 p.m. to give Ora a small break, then, Ora comes back at 11 p.m. and continues with the show until 1 a.m.

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College (now the University of West Georgia) and at the Courtyard Cafe in Carrollton. She also worked at a couple of restaurants in Atlanta and ran the elevator at Kirkland’s in Atlanta.

She began a long-term career testing swimming pool and spa water samples at a company called Biolab in Atlanta.

She retired from Biolab so she could take care of her mother full-time.

While working for West Georgia College in the 70s, Ora decided she wanted to do something different. She loved rhythm and blues music, and began to take classes at Elkins Institute in Atlanta to become licensed as a radio announcer.

She took several months of broadcasting training and became licensed as a radio announcer in March 1973.

“I wanted to be a rhythm and blues DJ,” she says. “I would drive to the Elkins Institute and be in class by 8 a.m. every morning, then I’d drive back to Carrollton to work

in the kitchen at West Georgia College for my shift at 1:30 p.m.”

When Ora became a licensed radio announcer, she learned there weren’t any jobs in the area for rhythm and blues broadcasting. This style of music wasn’t as popular as others, and she was told she should go to Chicago or Florida to work in radio.

“I said, ‘No way, I’ve got a family. I can't leave my children and go somewhere like that.’ So I let it go,” she says.

don’t think I would have been doing this as long as I have if he hadn’t.”

About four years ago, Ora’s son, Pastor James Clark, told her he wanted to begin sitting with her while she did the radio program. She welcomed the company, and he eventually began doing a little more than just sitting with her. During the empty hour of the show from 10 to 11 p.m., James fills in for Ora while she takes a break. She comes back at 11 p.m. and wraps up the show at 1 a.m.

An Unexpected Path

A Community Servant

Shortly after becoming licensed, Ora learned that Ora has always had a good heart and goes out of Marvin Walker with Walker Funeral Home had come her way to help others whenever possible. She often up with the idea to produce a gospel radio program drives friends to church, various revivals or singings – called Heavenly Gospel Singers. She went to the station to ask if she could announce part of the program each time. She gained popularity in the area through this program, and worked with a man named Frank West doing announcements on Sunday mornings.

She doesn’t remember exactly when she began working for WBTR – it’s been too many years to count, she says – but she loves having her own gospel program each week and enjoys working for the local radio station. Ora is on the air each Sunday from 8 to 10 p.m., and then 11 to 1 a.m. She has most of the music she plays downloaded onto a computer at the station, but she also buys a good bit of it herself and brings those CDs with her as well, particularly if she has received a special request from someone during the week.

Ora begins her program with greeting her listeners, then she has a recording from a preacher leading everyone in prayer.

Then, the fun begins. “I’ll play some gospel songs – maybe a hymn or two, and then I might play some ‘Foot stompin’, hand clappin’, devil chasin’ music,’ but I mostly play that at 11 p.m.,” she laughs. “I also read the announcements for different programs at various churches. I sing a little bit, but I try not to do that because I’m not a very good singer.”

Ora is available during part of the program to answer phone calls from listeners and take requests. “I grew up with gospel going to church, so it’s always been a big part of my life,” she relates. “I believe Ora has an extensive collection of gospel music she brings with her to the the Lord called me to do this because I station every Sunday evening.

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After her mom passed away in 1992, Ora moved back home to Carrollton. Only a few years later, her dad was at the point where he needed someone to care for him, so she brought him back to Carrollton and took care of him until he passed away in 1997.

or to the grocery store if they don’t have a ride. She stays pretty busy going to gospel singings, revivals and church as well as exercising, socializing and playing bingo at the local senior citizens center, plus working at the radio station one night a week.

“I’ll wake up in the morning and thank the Lord that I’m still here, and then I get up and get ready for my day,” she shares. She has a true servant’s heart, and often checks on friends every few days just to see how they’re doing. “I try to be a friend to everyone who really wants a friend,” she says. “God is good. I thank the Lord for my time.”

She took care of both of her parents when they grew older – she even moved back in with her parents in 1992 to help her dad take care of her mother. “Before my parents got sick, my husband would say, ‘Now, I know you’re an only child, and if something happens, then you’ve got to take care of your family,’” she recalls. “He never gave me any trouble about it, and he backed me all he could.

When my mom passed away, I called him that evening and told him she had passed. He said, ‘OK, I’ll be there.’ He owned a trucking company and was working out of town in Florida at the time. That man drove all night and came in the next morning to be there for me.”

A Parent’s Worst Nightmare On October 23, 2003, Ora and Horace were given devastating news that no parent should ever have to hear. Their oldest daughter, Brenda Elaine Clark McNease, only 52 years old, had been murdered while sleeping in her home in Atlanta.

Brenda’s normal routine was to come home from work and lie down on the sofa. She was coldnatured, and would curl up in a ball on her sofa in front of a heater and fall asleep. She was a hard sleeper, and usually wouldn’t wake up – even under noisy conditions.

“Brenda always slept so hard,” she shares. “I used to ask her, ‘Baby why do you sleep so hard?’

Someone came in and stabbed her in the heart while she was sleeping, and she had been dead a whole week before anyone found her. She was my oldest girl – my baby. All of them are my babies, but she was my first baby.”

Cheryl Francis

Babbie Mason

Ammie Beamon Anna Harris

Darlene Davis Shelby Daniel

Sara Claudia Tillman Ruth Wilvert

Beata Grochowska Dawn Lawler

Sharon Stanford

Gwyneth Morris

Jodi Sonderman Kathy Yates Sydney Dailey Lindsey Baskin Roenigk

Dawn Dininger

Sandra Wilburn

“I am a West Georgia woman.”

Photographs for West Georgia Woman magazine by Keith May / mayphotoanddesign.com

Ora Bell Clark Lisa Williams

Angela Dailey

Michelle Lewis Payton Phillips Pat Dickson

Lindsey Faircloth Megan Rogers

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Dorothy Padgett

The person who killed her has never been found and brought to justice, and Ora isn’t sure if much of an investigation actually occurred after her daughter’s death. “I don’t think they ever tried to find the person,” she says. “I will always hope they find out who did that to her. It was on TV, we were over there marching, but they never found her killer.”

After Brenda passed away, Ora wanted desperately to see her daughter one last time, but the undertaker wouldn’t allow it. He told Ora if she saw her daughter it would break her heart to see Brenda the way she was.

“It almost busted my heart anyway because she was my child,” she shares. “She called me just about every day. I still look at her picture every single day and I say ‘Hey baby.’

Sometimes it hits me and breaks me down but I get back up and keep going.”

Brenda is buried in Douglas County, next to Ora’s mother and father.

Another Loss Only a few years after Brenda passed away, Ora’s husband Horace died in 2008 – partly due to dementia, but Ora believes part of it had to do with what happened to their firstborn child. “I think the death of my daughter helped bring him down because it just tore him up,” she says. “His heart was broken after she passed. Then he began to suffer from Ora writes a script for her program every week. Left inset: Ora writes down every dementia.” prayer request she receives from her audience. Right inset: Ora invites her listeners to Ora says Horace’s condition call in for special music and prayer requests. deteriorated in the end to the point that he had no idea who she was – her husband by herself any longer, so she made but one thing he knew was how loving and kind she the decision to place him in a nursing facility. He was to him. “He didn’t even know who I was – but I told Ora he didn’t want to be there, but he would knew him and I took care of him,” she recalls. “He’d stay to help her. “When I came in he told me, ‘You always tell me, ‘You know what? If I wasn’t already know, I don’t want to be here. I don’t want to be in married, I’d marry you. You just take such good this place,’ and I said ‘Well, I don’t want you in this care of me.’ I felt OK about it because I know it place. I want you to get better so you can come didn’t register with him who I was. He knew he was home.’ Those were the last words he said to me. married, but he didn’t know he was married to me.”

Three weeks later, he was gone. I would wipe his Eventually, it was too difficult to take care of face and pet on him and there was nothing I could

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do except pray about it.”

Still Going Strong Ora enjoys her calling in life and loves sharing beautiful gospel music with her listeners – she especially hopes she can make an impact with the younger generation. “There’s young people out here who don’t want to work and just want to hurt people,” she says. “Hurting others, taking other people’s lives, and people work so hard for the things they have – it’s not right that these young people come and take what other people have worked so hard for. I love it when young people tell me they listen to my show. I just want them to keep on listening.”

She plans on being around a long time to share the gift of gospel music with her community, and as long as she is helping other people get through each week, stopping is not an option. “I take each day as a blessing because the Lord has given me another day,” she smiles.

“People will say to me, ‘Don’t you think you’re too old to do this? Aren't you tired of it? How long do you think you’re going to do it?’ I tell them I’m going to do this as long as the Lord lets me. I look forward

to it, and I’ve been doing it a long time. If people say they enjoy the program, look forward to it and it makes their day, then I’m happy. As long as the Lord keeps me going, then I’ll be there.” WGW

To listen to Ora Bell Clark’s gospel program, tune in to WBTR-92.1 FM on Sunday evenings from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Comfort Zone

The passing years have relegated passion A place of fond remembrance, on a plane That's just beyond the comfort zone we fashion Which is at once our safety and the bane Of our existence at this stage of life.

It seems we reach a point where we prefer Vicarious involvement to the strife – A natural part of life, yet we defer.

A comfort zone should be the needed harbor For riding out a storm – a place to rest, Collect our thoughts, and plan our move tomorrow – The base from which we launch another quest Into the great unknown where victory – And failure – are the oars of destiny.

G.S. Royal ©2011

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Managing Financial Stress in the

22

New Year

By Cheryl Francis

S

tress is determined by our perception to an event. Experiencing any type of stress, especially financial, including those related to taxes, will significantly affect your well-being. Feeling financially insecure may contribute to physical problems such as heart attack, strokes, aches and pains, or mental health stressors such as anxiety and depression. Unmanaged finances impact how you progress through life, relationships and your career. It makes it difficult to focus on what matters, including family, work role, and even taking care of that which is causing the stress: the bills. When the finances are not being managed, mental health stressors increase. When you have poor mental health, organizing financial issues becomes arduous.

If you are one of those people who consistently worry about not having enough finances, or how you will ever pay Uncle Sam, let today be the day you take steps to reduce that stress.

Make a promise to yourself that for 2018, you are going to do something about your finances. You will use 2018 as the year to never worry about finances again, but to propel you to a better lifestyle. A new year dictates change. Although your career, work role, or financial situation may not change, you have the power to change right where you are with what you have. You have the ability to be a difference maker in your finances.

It is a new year! Choose not to flow with the crowd this year. Instead of creating a New Year’s resolution, commit to developing a new habit, a lifestyle change! Get in the habit of doing the same positive thing repeatedly. Make a commitment to yourself to be financially free and take care of your mental health.

To begin the process of being financially stress free, identify the reasons that led to financial lack and increased stressors. Is it that you are underpaid, or not being financially responsible? If so, what can you control? Are you able to take on a second job?

Are medical bills or student loans compounding without you knowing how to handle them? Do you need to consolidate your loans, ask for charity care from medical facilities or simply work out a plan with your creditor to have your loan reduced? It could be that a mental health challenge such as untreated manic episode is contributing to over spending. Be bold in seeking support. Just maybe, it is that you are not able to manage your finances on your own, you were never taught. There is support. It may even be a job loss that you seem to never recover from, although you are now employed. Whatever the reason, know and believe that the cycle can be

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broken! You do not have to continue being stressed because of finances.

Create An Action Plan Financial freedom requires a plan of action to help clarify goals and action steps. The action plan’s purpose helps determine your income and debt structure. It also aids in creating a plan to reduce stressors that may lead to mental health challenges.

Becoming financially fit will change your mind set about finances, help you develop a commitment to saving and investing and minimize triggers for anxiety and depression.

Becoming Financially Fit In 2018 • Create a financial goal. Determine a planned purpose. What kind of life do you want? What is it you need to do to achieve the goals you desire? How do you plan on moving through 2018 and beyond regarding your lifestyle, your children, your relationships and taking care of yourself? What are the long- and short-term goals you have? Write each goal down without passing judgment. Studies show when we write down our goals, we are more likely to achieve them. After you have written down your goals, prioritize them in order of achievability. Look at each of them and identify them as short- or long-term. Share your goals with someone so they may keep you accountable. I shared my 2017 short term savings goals with my family. Each time they noticed me slacking, I was reminded of my goals and it really helped me stay on track.

• Identify potential dream stealers for the goals you have identified. Seek support on how to manage the dream stealers and

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create a plan to alleviate yourself of these.

Sometimes a dream stealer can be an untreated mental illness. You may recognize that you are not your usual self or your impulsivity has increased. The consistent calls from creditors or the inability to pay your bills on time can create undue stress and may cause you to want to give up on your dream.

Seek out a self-help support group, or start one of your own. If you are able, seek out the support from a licensed mental health professional to assist you in managing these stressors.

• Create and manage a budget. When creating your budget, it is important to identify wants versus needs. If you have never created a budget before, there are resources available.

Websites like Mint.com offer sample budget plans for free. Identify, track and think about where you can reduce expenses. For example, it may cost $45 to get your nails done. Are you able to paint them yourself to reduce that expense? Can you reduce your expenses by practicing delayed gratification? Examine your income realistically. Do you need to change jobs even if you are comfortable? Or, are you

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•

•

able to take on a part-time job to support your current expenses?

Make budgeting fun. Once monthly, have a date with your budget plan. This is where you update and create changes based on what is or is not working. Light candles, play relaxing music and do something to make it fun. Stick with your budget plan, even if you make mistakes. There is nothing wrong with starting over if your current budget is not working for you.

Examine the evidence. One of your planned goals may be going to college. Examine the evidence and find out what the earning potential a recent graduate in the field you are interested in has after graduation. A college graduate does earn more than a high school graduate, however, there are skilled jobs that may pay more than what a college graduate may earn. Consider the cost of going to a four-year college, compared to a two-year technical college before you take out a loan to begin your new adventure. Studies have shown many college graduates leave college with insurmountable debt and an entry level income that makes them unable to repay their student loans.

Start saving. Change your mind-set about saving. I know … you say you can't afford to save, but is that the truth? In 2017, I decided to start an experiment after reading an article.

I choose to save all the $5 bills that came in my possession. I rarely use cash, but by December I had over $150 saved. That was after several times of dipping into the fund for something my kids needed or to pay for a lastminute field trip. Now that may not be a lot by someone else’s standards, but that will buy a gift, pay a bill or – for someone who doesn't have one – be the start of an emergency fund for 2018. It is the small amounts which can become a difference maker in our finances.

Reward yourself. Rewarding yourself does not mean going out spending. Rewarding yourself is setting money aside in a savings account for later use. Aside from your spiritual beliefs (tithing or giving), the next amount set aside should be placed in your savings to pay yourself. Many people create rules to help them decide how to save. No matter the rule you choose, it is important that you reward yourself financially. By doing so, you are creating a habit that will support you in

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becoming less stressed regarding finances. You are developing an attitude to ward off financial mental health stressors and prevent amassing debt. By rewarding yourself first, you are practicing self-care.

Prioritize. Create an emergency savings fund of three to six months of living expenses.

Begin this fund by saving a portion of all cash gifts you receive. You may also need to take on additional short-term employment or sell some things to get this fund started. With an emergency fund, you are preparing for the bumps life throws at you along the way. It is important to save for the later years as well.

It's never too early or too late to save for retirement. The earlier you begin, the more financially secure you will become. Sometimes things will happen that are unexpected and may sabotage your plans. Adjust your goals as needed. As you begin to implement your goals, you will get more clarity and be more realistic about them.

Spend more time enjoying home. No temptations equals money saved. Instead of going out to dinner and a movie, make a delicious meal together as a family and rent a movie to watch together.

Identify your relationship with credit cards.

What are the pros and cons of using credit cards? Identify them so you can control how much you spend. Some financial advisers recommend that if you can eat, drink, wear or easily dispose of the item, do not purchase that item with a credit card. Only purchase these items if you are disciplined enough to pay off the entire balance every month. Always pay your credit card payments on time to avoid fees if you are not able to pay them off monthly. Choose a card with a low credit limit to keep you accountable.

Determine your credit fitness. There are many websites that may help you determine where you stand financially.

Some financial institutions

offer access to your credit scores for free. Once yearly, you may access a free credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com. Reviewing your credit report may help you identify unhealthy patterns or habits you need to address. It may also help you be realistic when you are creating your financial road map. A site such as creditkarma.com is a free resource and has been helpful to many individuals to ascertain where they are financially and to get support in addressing credit issues.

• Take steps to protect your identity. Identity theft can significantly disrupt your financial life.

It is a large concern and is considered by some to be at the top of the list of cyber crimes.

Most services for identity theft come with a price, but there are some companies who offer this service as a bonus for doing business with them.

• Do it together. If all of this seems overwhelming to you, don’t go it alone. Enlist the help of your partner or a trusted friend or family member. There are financial planners available to support you through this process.

Several credit counseling agencies provide free support to help you create a budget and a financial plan. Seek out individuals who have lost significantly in their financial life and have recovered who will willingly provide their experience and strategies for free. Some non-profit agencies such as Operation Hope provides fixing damaged finances free of cost.

If you are stressed or experiencing anxiety and depression because of your financial insecurities, there are licensed professionals who are able to help you create a road map to manage your mental health challenges and provide resources to support you in becoming financially well in 2018. WGW Cheryl A. Francis, Licensed Professional Counselor, is the owner of The Heart Matters Wellness Services LLC, a full-service counseling agency. She is certified as a Mental Health First Aid Adult trainer and regularly provides seminars and trainings to the community on various mental health issues.

She has partnered with the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy to train individuals in the prevention of childhood sexual abuse. Visit heartmatterswellness. com for more information about Cheryl and her work.

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Things All Women Should Know About Their Cervical Health

J

anuary is Cervical Health Awareness Month, formerly known as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. It’s very important for women to be aware of and recognize different cervical-related health issues that may occur. Here are a few things every woman should know about cervical health.

pap exam. Cervical precancer can be treated, and women who get routine Pap tests are able to identify problems before cancer develops. Other HPV-related cancers are also more treatable when diagnosed and treated early.

The CDC recommends giving the HPV vaccine to all boys and girls at age 11 or 12 years. Catch-up vaccines are also recommended for boys and men What Is The Cervix through the age of 21 and women through the age of 26 if they didn't receive the vaccine when they were The cervix is the part of the female reproductive younger. system that connects the The CDC also uterus to the vagina. It recommends the is composed of strong vaccine be given muscles and is located to gay and bisexual in the lowermost part of men (or any man the uterus at the top of who has sex with a the vagina. man) through the The main function of age of 26, and for the cervix is to direct women and men sperm into the uterus with compromised during intercourse and immune systems to allow the flow of (including those menstrual blood from living with HIV/ the uterus into the AIDS) through vagina. The cervix also the age of 26, if acts as a barrier to keep they were not fully bacteria and viruses from vaccinated when entering your uterus, they were younger. according to the Mayo Clinic.

Cervical Erosion. Cervical ectropion, or cervical erosion, is pretty common among women of Cervical Health Concerns childbearing age. Although it sounds frightening, it's good to know that your cervix isn't actually eroding HPV. When people think of the word cervix, as the name suggests, and this condition isn't usually they almost always think about HPV, too. HPV, or serious. It doesn't affect fertility, is not a disease and human papillomavirus, is firmly linked to cervical health in women. HPV is the most common sexually isn't cancerous. Even so, it can still cause problems for some women. transmitted infection, and 79 million Americans If you're like most women who have cervical – mostly in their late teens and early 20s – are ectropion, your symptoms will most likely include infected with HPV, with 14 million people becoming spotting between periods, light discharge and pain newly infected each year, according to the Centers and bleeding after or during intercourse. This is also for Disease Control and Prevention. In fact, HPV the most common cause of bleeding during the last is so common that almost every person who is sexually active will get HPV at some time in their life few months of pregnancy.

See your doctor if you have abnormal discharge, if they don't receive the HPV vaccine. bleeding between periods or painful intercourse.

Most of the time, HPV goes away on its own, Even though cervical ectropion isn't usually serious, but if it doesn't go away, it can cause more serious these symptoms could be the result of other problems such as genital warts or cancers – conditions that should be treated or ruled out. particularly, cervical cancer. Nearly 12,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with cervical Some of those conditions could be: endometriosis, problems with your pregnancy, fibroids or polyps, cancer and 4,000 of those women will die – even infection, problems with your IUD (intrauterine with screening and treatment, says the CDC. It's still very important for women age 21 to 65 to device), uterine, cervical or other type of cancer.

Cervical dysplasia. This refers to abnormal cells be screened for cervical cancer during their annual

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that are found on the surface of the cervix. This is usually caused by HPV but not always. The abnormal cells are discovered through a Pap smear, so it’s important to get your annual gynecological checkup.

Cervical dysplasia can be mild or severe, depending on the appearance of the cells.

After discovering cervical dysplasia on the Pap test, your doctor may recommend other testing, such as an HPV test or a colposcopy – an examination of the vagina, cervix and vulva (the area of skin that surrounds the urethra and vagina, including the clitoris and labia) using a magnifying instrument. A biopsy, or a sample of cells, may be taken and sent for testing. Mild dysplasia will sometimes go away on its own, but severe dysplasia may require surgery to remove the abnormal cells.

Regardless of whether you have mild or severe dysplasia, your doctor will most likely recommend HPV and Pap testing again in a year to check for dysplasia and to monitor your condition. If the second Pap test comes back negative for dysplasia, your doctor may recommend Pap and HPV testing based on age-specific recommendations.

Cervicitis. This is an inflammation of the cervix which is often caused by viral and bacteria infections transmitted by sexual contact. Some of

the sexually transmitted infections that can cause cervicitis are gonorrhea, chlamydia, genital herpes or trichomoniasis. Cervicitis can also be caused by allergic reactions to contraceptive spermicides, latex in condoms or feminine hygiene products, such as feminine deodorants or douches.

Cervicitis that is caused by chlamydia or gonorrhea can spread to the uterine lining and the fallopian tubes, resulting in pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID is an infection of the female reproductive organs that, if left untreated, can cause fertility problems. To reduce your risk of cervicitis from sexually transmitted infections, and if you're not in a long-term monogamous relationship, use condoms each time you have sex.

Condoms are very effective against the spread of these infections, and Georgia is in the top 10 infected states for several STDs, so using condoms is essential for your cervical health.

It's always best to get regular Pap smears to catch abnormal changes early. By taking charge of your health and taking the proper preventive measures by asking for all tests and vaccines available to you and by getting a regular Pap smear, you can keep your cervical health in order and potentially save your life.

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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 who lived in Carrollton for 26 years with her husband Alan and their adult children. She and Alan recently became residents of Wedowee, Ala. Julie 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 :

Photo by Keith May

34

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Jazz Up Your Dinner Meals With Some Delicious Java

Coffee is a favorite worldwide and can be used in many different ways if you’re willing to think outside of the box. This Beef Stew in Coffee Beer Gravy recipe is one of my favorite meals. It's hearty and filling, and the perfect end to a chilly winter day.

This Coffee Flavored Butter is a recipe I adapted from Tastingtable.com on how to make your own coffee butter from scratch. This delicious flavored butter can be kept in your refrigerator and can be used on many different dishes such as toast, steaks or warm desserts.

Flavored butter is a great finishing touch for red meats, and coffee is used in an abundance of steak marinade recipes, so it makes sense to combine the two in this awesome compliment of flavors!

Beef Stew in Coffee Beer Gravy

Photos by Michelle Horsley

Ingredients

3 tablespoons oil

2 ½ pounds boneless beef chuck roast, cut into 2-inch pieces Salt and pepper to taste

2 tablespoons garlic paste

1 large Vidalia onion, chopped 8 slices bacon, chopped

4 tablespoons all-purpose flour 35

1 bottle coffee stout beer

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¼ cup tomato paste

3 cups chicken stock 4 carrots, chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

1 large parsnip, chopped

1 pound potato fingerlings in assorted colors

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Preparation In a large sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the beef cubes with salt and pepper and sear them in the pan until lightly browned on all sides. Transfer to a slow cooker that is set to “low” cooking mode.

Add the onions and garlic to the sauté pan, and cook about 3 to 4 minutes.

Transfer to the slow cooker. Add the bacon to the sauté pan and cook until browned. Add the flour to the bacon and bacon fat and stir until the flour absorbs the bacon fat and is cooked – about 1 minute. Transfer to the slow cooker.

Add the remaining ingredients to the slow cooker and add enough water to barely cover the vegetables. Stir to combine all the ingredients and cover with a lid. Cook about 4 hours on low or until the vegetables are fork tender and the meat is flaky. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add a little cornstarch dissolved in water if the gravy needs to be thickened. Serve immediately.

Serves 6

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Coffee Flavored Butter Ingredients 2 cups heavy whipping cream ¾ cup freshly ground coffee beans 2 tablespoons confectioner’s sugar ½ teaspoon salt 2 pieces cheesecloth

Preparation In a tall airtight container, add the heavy cream and stir in the coffee grounds. Close the lid and refrigerate

Pictured above: Grilled Steak with coffee flavored butter.

Right: Toast with coffee flavored butter.

about 8 hours or overnight, shaking the container if you have the chance occasionally.

In a fine mesh colander, strain the cream into a bowl. In your rinsed colander, place the cheesecloth over the mesh and pour the cream into another bowl while pushing all the cream into the bowl. Throw out the coffee grounds. Place the coffee-infused cream mixture into a food processor.

Add the sugar and salt. Spin the cream until it forms into butter and the liquid

separates. This does not take long, maybe 30 seconds.

Place the butter into your cheesecloth and wring out all the excess liquid, then discard the liquid. Transfer the butter to a serving dish and refrigerate immediately until ready for use.

Serving suggestions: Grilled steaks, toast, cinnamon toast, oatmeal or warm rice desserts.

WGW 37

Celebrate

38Photos by Keith May

HER SUCCESS

Hometown Healing Local Doctor, Beata Grochowska, M.D., Specializes in Eliminating Chronic Pain While Sharing Love and Kindness With Her Patients

W

hen Beata Grochowska was 13 years old, she wrote an essay for school on the subject of medical care in Africa. As she learned how simple, small changes in medical care could significantly reduce sickness, misery and death rates, she was convinced she was destined to become a doctor. "I consider myself really fortunate to have figured out what my passion was so early," she shares.

Eastern European Roots Beata grew up in the beautiful suburbs of Krakow, Poland. Her native language is Polish, and she learned English by studying it in school and taking after-school lessons. After graduating high school, her first summer job was as a lab tech assistant in a medical lab in Krakow. "I know it’s nothing glamorous, but it got me closer to what became my calling in life," she says. "It was my first hands-on introduction to medicine, and I was fascinated by it. Even before medical school, I was drawn to the complexities of anesthesiology.

"It’s an extremely challenging practice, and I’m fascinated by the many specialties I’m involved with on a daily basis. The different areas of study within anesthesiology, like how the human body changes as it ages, are intriguing.

"Also, I view pain management as the nexus of science and art. As doctors, we’re not only challenged to make healthcare decisions based on clear, evidence-based science, but we also have to understand and navigate a host of gray-area questions about a patient’s overall health, lifestyle, past and current injuries, pain levels, expectations and so much more."

She attended the Medical Academy of Lublin for six years – the standard length of medical training in Poland – and received her medical degree. It was during this time that Beata's life would take a dramatic turn.

A New Life In 1994, Beata moved to Atlanta in her 20s to work on a research project. She fell in love with Georgia, and never returned to live at home in Poland. After moving to Georgia, she continued her medical education and training at the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta.

Her medical degree from Poland was fully recognized in the United States, but she did have to pass the medical boards that graduates of American medical schools have to pass. After successfully passing the boards, she was able to begin her residency at Emory University.

"Moving to Atlanta was challenging – maybe

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anyone, but Beata had some additional challenges a little scary – but also exhilarating," she shares.

"I embraced the new culture and haven’t looked while attending medical school. "Academically, I performed very back." Beata goes well, but I believe back to Poland for my greatest visits as often as accomplishment was she can – she has Roll up your sleeves and do aunts, uncles and becoming a mom while still in medical cousins who still every task, regardless of how school," she recalls. live there, but her "Looking back, I’m mother lives here it may seem at rous amo ungl proud of my ability in Georgia with to give both of my her. Beata says the time. Believe in yourself and passions – my baby Krakow is one of g ievin Ach . ncts daughter and my the most beautiful trust your insti early medical career cities in Poland. your dream of building a practice – the energy and "Every time I go, effort they required I am awestruck by ine genu ting devo ires requ to thrive. Those early the beauty of my years weren’t always homeland," she sweat-equity and dedication easy, but they taught shares. me more about Attending l.

-hau long the for training to myself than I ever imagined." become a In all, Beata has doctor is not a total of 12 years an easy task for

“

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of medical education under her belt, is double board certified in pain management as well as in anesthesiology, and she regularly attends conferences and educational courses to stay on top of the latest research in her field.

From her youthful appearance, she looks as if she just stepped out of medical school, but Beata has been in practice as a medical doctor for over 20 years, and she has been a co-owner and partner of the Alliance Spine and Pain Centers practice for three years.

Before launching her own practice, Beata worked at a bustling outpatient anesthesia practice in Atlanta for over 10 years before she decided it was time for a change and started practicing pain management medicine. "If I had it to do over again, I would have started working in pain management earlier," she relates. "I absolutely love the patient interaction, and helping my patients minimize or eliminate their chronic pain is an extremely

rewarding and humbling experience."

The Challenges Owning your own medical practice does not come without its on set of unique challenges, but Beata believes having the right attitude paves the way to success. "Being a doctor is very rewarding, and launching my own practice certainly came with challenges," she shares. "But, perception and attitude are paramount. In all honesty, I don’t see obstacles – only opportunities. The way I picture it, challenges are simply opportunities to achieve. That difference in perception can generate powerful selfconfidence and the energy to tackle anything that gets in your way."

She finds the greatest challenge with owning a medical practice today is the insurance company bureaucracy and the intense regulations that come with that. "They are onerous and cumbersome to

41

navigate," she says. "I’m constantly having fight for what’s best for my patients versus accommodating some bureaucrat because their opinion checks a box on a form."

Her advice to other women thinking of opening their own practice is simple: work very hard. "Roll up your sleeves and do every task, regardless of how unglamorous it may seem at the time," she says. "Believe in yourself and trust your instincts.

Achieving your dream of building a practice requires devoting genuine sweat-equity and dedication for the long-haul."

The Rewards Beata says without a doubt her greatest rewards come from the patients she serves every day, and she is honored when her patients refer others to her practice. "My greatest thrill is obtaining referrals from my patients," she smiles. "There’s no better self-confidence booster than knowing your patients trust you enough to recommend you to their family and friends. I have patients from Villa Rica and as far

as Alabama – thanks to the referrals of others – and I’m very proud of that."

Beata's love for her patients shines through each and every day, and she feels as if they are a part of her family. "I treat my patients the way I would treat my family. With that comes being called sunshine, sweetheart and honey," she relates. "It may not be the most professional way of addressing them, but I consistently see my patients’ faces light up when I walk into the room with that warmth in my heart and a genuine smile on my face."

Quality patient care is not just how you treat your patients, but also how you can help improve their quality of life. "My number one goal in hiring is simply to ensure that our patient-first commitment to healthcare never waivers. We have an amazing team of professionals, both women and men, who come to work every day dedicated to providing our patients with outstanding medical care."

Beata is fortunate to be a part of a network of highly skilled physicians who often turn to each other for advice and the sharing of ideas with one another. "Our practice is extremely collegial Dr. Grochowska with some of the Alliance Spine and Pain Centers staff.

42

Dr. Grochowska performs a pain-relieving procedure on one of her patients.

and collaborative," she says. "We are a team of professionals who understand our true north is taking great care of our patients."

Her Services Alliance Spine and Pain Centers offers comprehensive and individualized pain management through physical therapy, lifestyle coaching, biologicals, as well as science-based interventions and life-improving technologies such as epidural injections, RFA – or radiofrequency ablations (a procedure used to reduce pain where an electrical current produced by a radio wave is used to heat up a small area of nerve tissue; this decreases the pain signals from that specific area) and spinal cord

stimulation therapy, just to name a few.

"I’m really proud of the comprehensive and individualized pain management program we deliver," she says. "We work together with our patients to focus on all aspects of a patient’s wellbeing, including physical therapy, lifestyle coaching, biologicals, and a host of technology and science intervention."

Beata also believes in the importance of being involved in the communities where she works and where her patients live. As a regular supporter of West Georgia Woman magazine, she understands the importance of her practice's contribution to West Georgia.

"As both a medical provider and a business owner, I believe it’s important to be a contributing

43

HAPPY NEW YEAR

FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS

44

part of the community in which my patients live," she shares.

"West Georgia Woman provides our practice a great opportunity for that community involvement."

As an interventional spine pain physician, it is very important to Beata that the communities throughout West Georgia are aware of the evil and danger of opiods. "There is a true epidemic of narcotics overuse, abuse and misuse," she relates. "It’s such an important message to share, and our community is full of young people, as there is a university here."

A Fulfilled Life Beata says her biggest fan and the person who has had the greatest impact on her personal life is her amazing daughter who is currently attending the Dental College of Georgia in Augusta.

Her daughter is actually trilingual – she speaks English, Polish and Spanish fluently. "She is my best friend and

45

Life. Starts. Here Treatment for people suffering from chronic, debilitating pain of the low back, legs, and arms.

Myrlynn Delille, MD of Alliance Spine and Pain Centers offers West Georgia a comprehensive and holistic approach to individuals dealing with chronic pain. Double board certified and trained extensively in Pain Medicine and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Dr. Delille relies on both rehabilitative care and non-surgical procedures for effective pain relief.

Dr. Delille compassionately serves patients in the West Georgia area at Alliance’s Carrollton and Douglasville locations, both open five days a week.

18 Metro Atlanta Locations 22 Board Certified Physicians State of the Art Accredited Surgery Centers

Specialized procedures to correct the cause of your pain, not just mask it.

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favorite travel companion, and there is no one I’d rather cuddle up and watch Gilmore Girls with," she smiles.

Beata jokes that her daughter's college tuition is what motivates her to come to work every day, but all joking aside, she says her wonderful patients and amazing staff is a huge motivator for her.

Beata's life is quite full – her mother lives with Beata and her spouse, and she says she is an indulgent "dog mom" of two rescue pups, Java and Jagger.

"I don’t think I want to change too much in my life much in the next five years," she says. "I’m happy and fulfilled, but at some point, I’d love to see little grandchildren running around in the backyard and me having a lot of time to spend with them."

Beata loves her patients and working in West Georgia, and she is thankful she is able to care for so many wonderful people in the community. "I’m honored that the folks of Carroll County have been so welcoming to me and accepting of my approach to patient care," she shares. "Assembling our amazing team and building this practice has brought me so much professional satisfaction and personal joy. It’s been a very humbling and rewarding experience." WGW

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| 770.929.9033

To learn more about Dr. Beata Grochowska and Alliance Spine and Pain Centers or to schedule an appointment, call 770.929.9033

Get Organized!

W

Tips for Taking Control This New Year

ith Christmas behind us, it’s time to focus on the upcoming year. For many people, the thought of getting more organized is exhausting. It's so easy to let the clutter pile up and allow the dishes to sit in the sink because you just don't have enough time in one day to do everything you have to do.

This year, enlist the help of your spouse and your children (no, it won't hurt them to help you!) and use the following organizing tips to help you begin your new year on the right foot.

1. Create a weekly cleaning schedule.

Create a daily cleaning schedule for you and your family. Break the schedule down into 15 minute increments so no one will be overwhelmed. If the chore is not complete within the 15 minutes, leave it and begin another chore. After that 15 minutes, return to the original chore. Continue doing this until all chores for the day are complete. Make a game out of cleaning up with your children and have a race to see who can complete their chore the fastest.

2. Resolve to create a healthy meal plan for your family. We get it, it's hard to cook after

you've had an exhausting day at work, and all you feel like doing is picking up takeout on your way home. Eating out several days a week is not good for your waistline or your budget.

Create a meal plan once a week and grocery shop for that specific plan.

3. Create easily reheatable meals. Once you have created your meal plan and your shopping, get busy in the kitchen. Ask your children and your spouse to help you create all of your meals for the week on one day and pack them in freezer-safe containers for easy reheating during the week.

4. Pack your lunch. Packing your family's lunch is healthier and cheaper than buying lunch every day. Let everyone in the family be responsible for packing their own lunches in the evening.

Separate food items into sandwich or snack bags so all they have to do is put them in their lunch boxes the next morning.

5. Set a budget and stick to it. By setting a budget you will save money because you will control exactly where your money goes each month. Read Cheryl Francis' article on managing financial stress on page 22 in this issue, and make 2018 your best year yet. WGW

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From Her Point of View: Chronicles of a Teenage Girl

48

The Truth About

Cyberbullying Font name "Hacked", author David Libeau http://bit.ly/WatchDogsFont.

By Carissa Clanton

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I

n almost four full years of high school, I’ve never been subjected to hazing. I’ve never witnessed a fight, let alone participated in one. I’ve never seen a cruel note on the back of a bathroom stall, nor have I seen anyone deface another student’s possessions.

Essentially, high school is not at all what I expected. Perhaps I’ve simply read too many low-quality teen romance novels, but the dark side of high school has never expressed itself as I thought it would.

Society is rapidly leaving the real world and entering the digital. Our documents, pictures and opinions aren’t carefully locked into filing cabinets or personal diaries – they’re floating around for anyone more tech-savvy than ourselves to peruse. Unfortunately, the lack of privacy doesn’t connect us so much as tear us apart. Our bullies aren’t physically

Our phones, emails and social media accounts are flooded with cruelty.

overpowering us anymore: they’re online. They’re anonymous. More than anything, they’re pervasive, persuasive and persistent.

While being knocked in the hallway and mocked in the bathroom is still just as horrible as it’s always been, that brand of bullying just isn’t as common anymore. Instead, our phones, emails and social media accounts are flooded with cruelty.

Comments, messages and texts poison our self-confidence and interpersonal relationships.

Cyberbullying has become an unfortunate staple of the internet, and very few of us remain untainted.

What Is Cyberbullying?

We’ve all seen movies in which a small, nerdy student is shoved, picked on and ridiculed by a larger, older, richer or more attractive student. There

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is a victim, usually (but not always) someone with a disadvantage, and a bully. Cyberbullying is unique because, while the smaller man is still more likely to be a victim, the anonymous, impersonal harassment can span any social barrier and hierarchy.

I may not have seen another student shoved into a locker (another inaccurate stereotype?), but I know very few girls who haven’t received underhanded, snide remarks on one of their insecurities. Lose some weight, put a few pounds on, wear something more modest, buy some stronger face wash, use more lotion, spend more time on your hair, change who you are to please me.

We’re constantly bombarded by every little way we aren’t good enough. Our flaws are cherry-picked by our tormentors until insults are all we recognize.

Our parents try to help by removing our laptops and iPhones, but there’s no real escape from technology.

Everywhere we go, our lives are influenced by the influx of information, misinformation and corny selfhelp publications permeating the web.

The internet is the newest frontier, and it’s much larger and darker than the solar system.

As with most other social problems, cyberbullying is often treated as less severe than it truly is.

Cyberbullying is not something that can be ignored or blocked, and victims are often unable to escape the oppressive weight of their harassment no matter what form it comes in.

The idea that cyberbullying is not real or not important enough of an issue to discuss is false and supported by harassers who do not want their cruelty to be uncovered. Bullies are louder than victims. Their power comes from their ability to beat down and silence anyone smaller or weaker than themselves. It is completely necessary for us to bring more attention to this scourge, to protect our children and provide an escape to current victims.

In 2017, bullying and harassment can feel inescapable. Name-calling in the hallways has morphed into a river of anonymous malice passed off as jokes. Words have always packed a stronger punch than our childhood chant suggests. Sticks and stones may break bones, but emotional abuse can breaks souls – and to some, it’s too much to handle. Suicide is the third most common killer of American youth between the ages of 10 and 24, and 10 percent of

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Teenagers are the most volatile age group, teetering somewhere between the innocence of childhood and responsibility of adulthood.

No one deserves to feel lonely and unwanted during such embarrassing, confusing years. Parents, please: talk to us about cyberbullying.

We might try to avoid the conversation and you may even discover that we’re a bully ourselves – but you might also open the door for us to tell you something that we’re struggling with. Cyberbullying is tough. It’s difficult to live through, and it’s difficult to end. It doesn’t have to be difficult to talk about, too. WGW Carissa Clanton is a senior at Bremen High School and the oldest of three children. Her passion for writing, which has influenced every aspect of her life, stems from her love for books and reading. After graduation, Carissa plans to attend college and pursue a degree in English. She hopes to have a career as a copy editor and ultimately publish her own novel.

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Womentality

Inspiring quotes by extraordinary women “Instead of looking at the past, I put myself ahead 20 years and try to look at what I need to do now in order to get there then."

– Diana Ross

“You must do the things you think you cannot do.”

– Eleanor Roosevelt

“I think the truth of the matter is, people who end up as ‘first’ don’t actually set out to be first. They set out to do something they love and it just so happens that they are the first to do it.”

– Condoleezza Rice

“If you have a talent, use it in every which way possible … spend it lavishly, like a millionaire intent on going broke.”

– Brenda Francis

“When looking for a life partner, my advice to women is date all of them: the bad boys, the cool boys, the commitment-phobic boys, the crazy boys. But do not marry them. The things that make the bad boys sexy do not make them good husbands. When it comes time to settle down, find someone who wants an equal partner. Someone who thinks women should be smart, opinionated and ambitious. Someone who values fairness and expects or, even better, wants to do his share in the home. These men exist and, trust me, over time, nothing is sexier.”

– Sheryl Sandberg 53

Local Happenings

Healers and Helpers Wellness Group

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

Learn more at www.heartmatterswellness.com.

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

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

No one should have to face breast cancer alone.

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Rare Pearls Mentoring and Leadership Program

This group meets the fourth Saturday of each month at WellStar - Douglas Hospital from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.

This program is open to all girls from ages 10 to 17.

Rare Pearls mission is to enrich and empower the lives of young girls and women.

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

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

Please contact Anne Lussier at 470.270.9520 or IBCLC@nursingfromtheheart.com for more information. These events are free to pregnant women and moms looking for breastfeeding support. Free weight checks will be available. Come and share your breastfeeding journey with us. Please check our website for meeting and event updates.

Robin Custard Named 2017 Woman of the Year The Women’s Business Alliance (WBA) named Robin Custard as the 2017 Woman of the Year during the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce WBA awards luncheon. In addition to the award presentation, Shepherd Center President/CEO Sarah Morrison was the featured speaker.

Alicia Michael, 2014 WBA Woman of the Year, introduced Custard at the luncheon held at the Carrollton Cultural Arts Center. Custard is the controller for Systems & Methods, Inc. Custard was nominated with the following introduction: “Robin has quietly been a driving force in the Carroll County community. Not only does she have her regular day job, but she also teaches at UWG in the evenings because she has a passion for sharing her knowledge and skill. This is the true sign of a great leader.”

Custard, a licensed CPA and Chartered Global Management Accountant, has managed the financial activities of SMI since 2006. Prior to her work with SMI, she performed and managed financial and internal control audits for Tarpley & Underwood, P.C. in areas that included technology, manufacturing, trucking, healthcare and service industries.

Custard holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and Finance from Georgia State University and a Masters of Professional Accounting from the University of West Georgia. In addition to her duties at SMI, she teaches an accounting course at UWG. She is a member of the Rotary Club of Carrollton Dawnbreakers and is a Paul Harris Fellow+7. She has served in numerous roles including president and led the club to Club of the Year for Midsize Clubs in District 6900 in 2013-2014. She served as the D6900 District Treasurer in 2014-2015.

Custard’s nomination cited: “Robin has always said yes when asked to serve on Rotary boards and committees and always brought her A-game to every single commitment.”

Custard is an active member of Southern Hills Christian Church and is involved in their City Station

project. She is married and has two sons and three grandchildren.

This WBA award was created to honor a wellrounded woman who excels in her professional life and gives back to her community. Nominees are strong role models inspiring and empowering women to pursue opportunities while working to enhance the community.

The Women’s Business Alliance is a program of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce to promote the balanced interests and lifestyles of the community’s professional women.

Robin Custard (right), controller at Systems & Methods, Inc., was named the Women’s Business Alliance 2017 Woman of the Year during the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce WBA awards luncheon. Making the presentation was Alicia Michael, 2014 WBA Woman of the Year.

Hope For The Journey Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Hope For The Journey celebrated the opening of their new location on Thursday, Dec. 14 at the Hub @ Hudson Mill with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Executive director Rosie Holley thanked everyone in attendance and explained her mission to make sure no woman has to face breast cancer alone was a result of her own battle with breast cancer, as well as her mother's, who lost her battle with breast cancer.

WGTC ANNOUNCES 2018 GOAL AND RPA WINNERS Executive Director Rosie Holley with her son, Mario Holley.

55

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Lauren Birriel

Dr. Phyllis Ingham

WGTC ANNOUNCES 2018 GOAL AND RPA WINNERS West Georgia Technical College named Lauren Birriel, an associate degree nursing student from Sharpsburg, as its 2018 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership winner, and Murphy Campus Clinical Laboratory Technology instructor Dr. Phyllis Ingham as its 2018 Rick Perkins Award winner November 16 at a banquet honoring finalists for both awards.

GOAL is a statewide program of the Technical College System of Georgia, which honors excellence in academics and leadership among the state’s technical college students.

The Rick Perkins Award is designed to recognize and honor technical college instructors who make significant contributions to technical education through innovation and leadership in their fields.

Both Birriel and Ingham will compete against winners from other Georgia technical colleges in a regional competition in February before participating in the state competition, held in Atlanta in April.

The 2017 WGTC GOAL winner Terrance Robinson was named a state finalist last year, making him one of the top nine TCSG students in Georgia.

“I am so proud of Lauren Birriel and Dr. Phyllis Ingham for their selection as West Georgia Technical College’s representatives in the GOAL and Rick Perkins Award competitions,” West Georgia Technical College Acting President Dr. Scott Rule said. “They represent the very best of West Georgia Tech. On behalf of our students, staff and stakeholders, I offer best wishes for their success in the next phase of the competitions. I also want to salute all our finalists. We have great educators and students at West Georgia Tech who work hard each day to advance workforce development in our region. Our two winners are the best of the best.”

Birriel was nominated by Coweta Campus biology instructor Dr. Jeremy Bishop. She was one of 14 initial nominees before being selected as one of four finalists.

Birriel plans to graduate with an associate degree in nursing in 2019.

The other three finalists for the WGTC GOAL award were associate degree nursing student Bryan Gordon, clinical laboratory technology student Monika Robertson and radiologic technology student Skylar Stringer.

Ingham was nominated for the Rick Perkins Award

by Naquilla Thomas, Dean of the WGTC School of Health Sciences, and Associate Dean Nikki Gilbert.

Ingham teaches clinical laboratory technology and phlebotomy and also serves as program director.

In the nomination, Thomas said, “As a Master Teacher, Dr. Ingham has shown a great commitment to her position. She is very passionate about her industry and displays that passion to her students and peers.”

Ingham was selected out of a field of seven WGTC instructors. Other nominated were dental assisting instructor Jessica Harvey, English instructor Donald Miller, cybersecurity instructor Dr. Gary Perry, cosmetology instructor TruLisa Turner, and electrical systems instructor John Ward.

First launched in 1971, GOAL focuses on student excellence in technical education by focusing on academic excellence and personal achievement.

A panel of judges selects one student as the state GOAL winner, which is announced at the state competition in April. The state’s GOAL winner will serve as an ambassador of technical education in Georgia.

The Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction honors technical education’s most outstanding instructors. Formerly known as the Commissioner’s Award of Excellence, the Rick Perkins Award was renamed in memory and honor of Thomas “Rick” Perkins, an instructor of the former West Central Technical College, who received the Commissioner’s Award of Excellence prior to his untimely death.

West Georgia Technical College, with campuses in Carroll, Coweta, Douglas, Haralson and Troup counties, and class sites in Heard and Meriwether counties, offers over 120 associate degree, diploma and technical certificate programs of study. A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, West Georgia Tech is the fourth largest of the state’s 22 technical colleges. For more information, please visit westgatech.edu.

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Scholarships Available Walter Harrison Scholarship

• $1,000 scholarship (11 will be awarded throughout Georgia in 2018) • Applicant must reside in the primary residence of a Carroll EMC Member or employee • May be used at any accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational-technical institute in Georgia • Recipients must be enrolled in an accredited program (full- or part-time) and be an undergraduate student or high school senior • Carroll EMC selects one finalist from its service area to compete at the state level • Application deadline: February 1, 2018

Lerlie and Millard Copeland Scholarship

• $800 scholarship • Sponsored by University of West Georgia (UWG), based on academic achievement and financial need • To be used by children of Carroll EMC Members or employees • UWG’s financial aid office must receive completed application packages • Application deadline: See UWG website

Carroll EMC Lineman School Scholarship

• Must be a high school graduate, GED equivalent or be a graduating senior in good standing • ​Should be an CEMC Member, Member's child living in a home served by CEMC, employee, employee's child or grandchild • Drug-free, safe driving record • Must be willing to sign a photo release and a cell phone/text messaging permission • Scholarship award check will be payable to the chosen lineman school • Funds should be used for tuition, textbooks and other related fees • Funds will be available up to 24 months after award date • Application deadline: March 1, 2018

Washington Youth Tour

• June 7-14, 2018 • A week-long, all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. • Three high school students sent by Carroll EMC, approximately 100 students in the Georgia delegation • Students must be at least 16 years old • Applicants must attend a high school or be home schooled in the Carroll EMC service area • Application deadline: February 16, 2018 58

New Television Show on TLC Features One of Our Own

n a m o W

August 2017

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e're excited to announce one of our very own advertising supporters will have his own television show premiere on TLC January 10.

Dr. Charles Procter Jr.'s new show, Y R ST U T Family by the Ton, follows the weight N E 21 C loss journeys of three cousins, Drew, Naomi and Chitoka, who together weigh almost 2,000 pounds.

Featuring: ris bers • Brent Har am Ch Ben • During the six one-hour long William Brooks topher Pike n Paulk • Chris ne Fred O'Neal • Joh n • Michael Sto ma See ard episodes, Dr. Procter guides these r Jr. • How Charles Procte three family members on the weight loss journey of a lifetime, helping n a m o them navigate through their weight W loss surgery as well as helping them overcome lifelong anxieties to inspire THE ISSUE N A real lifestyle changes.

M Dr. Procter, a Carrollton, Ga. native born at Tanner Medical Center, was featured in our August 2017 "Man Issue," where he spoke of the rewards of changing people's lives who felt they had no hope due to life-long issues with their weight. "I developed a surgical practice that helps people in desperate situations get a second chance," he shares.

"It’s LIFE CHANGING to help someone lose 200 pounds and see pictures of them taking their kids to Six Flags or ride on a plane for the first time."

In the first episode of the show, Naomi's mother, Beverly, undergoes weight loss surgery in an attempt to turn things around in her family and inspire her daughter, nephew and niece to follow her lead. Naomi dreams of starting a family, and although watching her mother recover from her own weight loss surgery is frightening, it also motivates her to begin her own weight loss journey so she can have the family she wishes for one day.

In the meantime, Naomi's cousin, Drew, is in denial of his addiction to food and realizes he must overcome this before he can even consider moving forward with weight loss surgery. Chitoka, their other cousin, is morbidly obese and has been bed-bound for over three years. To even become a viable candidate for surgery, Chitoka literally has to take the first steps necessary to point her in the right direction.

All of the cousins have the support needed from other family members, but the cousins must realize they have to take charge of their own lives and change their deadly habits before it's too late.

Dr. Procter is a leader in the bariatric surgery and complex abdominal wall hernia surgery fields and has practiced with some of the best surgeons in the country. Dr. Procter operates out of Piedmont Atlanta and Piedmont Newnan Hospitals, and Peachtree Buckhead Surgery Center in Atlanta performing gastric sleeve and gastric balloon procedures.

He wants those who are overweight to know they do have the strength and courage within to be successful with their own weight loss journey. "Don't ever give up on yourself!" he says. "Failure is a necessary part of the road to success. You get one wonderful lifetime, so don’t let your body hold you back.

If obesity is keeping you from living the full life you dream of, get help!"

Please mark your calendars and show your support for our valuable advertising partner, Dr. Charles Procter, Jr., and his new television show, Family by the Ton. The season premiere begins Wednesday, Jan.10 at 10 p.m. Eastern time or 9 p.m. Central time on TLC. If you’d like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Procter or attend one of his complimentary weight loss seminars, please call 770.502.2195 or visit the website at www.beltlinebariatric.com. Dr. Procter's advertisement is on page 5 in this issue. WGW

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59

Kidz Korner

By Charlene Brooks

T

Super Easy Refrigerator Magnets

Instructions Attach the sticky side of the magnet to the assorted wooden creatures. Display on your refrigerator.

hese wooden creatures and wooly winter boggins are a super easy craft for small children to make for displaying on your refrigerator.

Materials Assorted wooden creatures from your favorite hobby store Magnets

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Happy New Year!

Woolly Winter Boggins

Glue Cotton balls Crayons Scissors Instructions Cut out the center of the white paper plate, then cut the bottom third off of the circle and discard.

Color the remaining section as desired. After coloring, glue one cotton ball on top of the round section of the plate.

Glue cotton balls along the bottom section to complete your woolly winter boggin. WGW

Materials Paper plate

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Happy New Year Word Search Word Bank

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Kiss Firecrackers Party Toast Festivities Memories Cheers Tradition Confetti Stroke of Midnight New Year Happy Champagne Noise Maker Celebrate Dancing Countdown Ball Drop Resolution

Word search created at puzzle-maker.com

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