TODAY’S WOMAN THE DISPATCH • www.cdispatch.

com SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2010 3

cover story
BY SARAH WILSON every day and go to Economic Development mittee and is president of also a mem- and has been a Columbus
editorialassistant@cdispatch.com work.” Institute and the the usher board. She is ber of the resident since 2001.

e
veryone seems to
know Columbus
Lowndes
Development Link’s CEO,
Joe Higgins, but the Link
office also has five power-
ful ladies behind him who
help everything run
smoothly. Maureen
Lipscomb, Brenda
Hardaway Lathan, Melissa
Cook, Shasta Nance and
Mary Cates Williams are
the heart and soul of the
Link, and each have inter-
esting stories of their own.
Maureen Lipscomb
Lipscomb, member-
Outside of work,
Lipscomb is the mother
of Laura, J.R. and Lindsay
Lipscomb and the grand-
mother of Will, who is 4
years old. She is the vice
president of Kiwanis
International, and is
involved in Heritage
Academy, the Columbus
Arts Council, the
Columbus Junior
Auxiliary and
Annunciation Catholic
Church.
“I feel so lucky that I
found something that is
University of Shopping
Centers Course at Penn
State School of Economic
Development. She is a
certified economic devel-
oper by the International
Economic Development
Council, and was
Mississippi’s 25th practic-
ing certified economic
developer, the second
female and first black.
Lathan says her
favorite part of her job is
the diversity. “I don’t do
the same thing any two
days in a row. I also love
the interaction with peo-
also on the United Way
board of directors.
“I just love Columbus
and I want to do all I can
to help it grow and pros-
per,” she said.
Melissa Cook
Melissa Cook is vice
president of the Link and
a native of Arab, Ala. She
attended Arab High
School, Auburn
University and is a 1997
graduate of the Institute
for Organizational
Management. She has
American
Chamber of
Commerce
Executives,
the U.S.
Chamber,
Cook
the Better
Business Bureau, the
Southeast Economic
Development Council, the
Mississippi Economic
Council and the
Mississippi Economic
Development Council.
She also serves as an
adviser and mentor for
the Southeast Institute for
While at MUW, Nance
served as President of the
Troubadour Social Club,
a member of the
BlackList Honorary
Social Club, and
Treasurer for Interclub.
While at the Link, she
has completed the New
South Economic
Development Course
from the University of
Southern Mississippi and
the first year of Institute
of Organizational
Management in Athens,
Ga. She is a board mem-
ber for the Link’d Young
Professionals, serves as
administrative assistant to

WOMEN OF THE LINK

ship programs and educa-
tion/retirement director,
moved to Columbus in
1989. After attending
Miami Dade
Community
College and
Mississippi
University
for Women,
she graduat-
ed from the
U.S. Lipscomb
Chamber of Commerce’s
Institute of Organization
Management.
“I’ve lived in Columbus
for 23 years. As my chil-
dren got older, I was
made aware of more com-
munity events and pro-
grams,” she said.
According to Lipscomb,
that’s what made her
want to work with the
community.
She has been on the
Link staff for 11 years and
during that time she has
coordinated the Link’s
Lowndes Young Leader
Program and overseen
the Military Affairs and
Education, Seminar and
Development committees,
along with planning many
Link events. She also
holds the position of
Hometown Mississippi
Retirement director for
Lowndes County.
“I love dealing with the
public and love all of the
different directions it
takes me,” said Lipscomb.
“Every day it’s something
new; new people to meet
and help. I want to get up
so interesting to do and I
feel like I’m helping the
community,” she said.
Brenda Hardaway
Lathan
Brenda Hardaway
Lathan, vice president of
economic development,
has lived in Columbus for
37 years.
While
she really
loves
Columbus,
she wants to
improve it.
“I like the
fact that Lathan
Columbus
still has that small-town
charm to it, but I love the
challenge of trying to
improve the quality of life
here by creating new
jobs, bringing new busi-
nesses here, and helping
businesses we already
have to expand. It used to
be that young people had
to leave to find good jobs,
but now if they want to
stay in the area, we have
those jobs available for
them.”
She has a Master of
Science degree from
MUW, and is a graduate
of Oklahoma University
ple; I get to deal with peo-
ple from all over the
world.”
Because she has a love
of learning, she loves to
travel for work. “When I
get to travel, I really enjoy
that. Because I attend
conferences, seminars
and workshops, it helps
me do my job better,” she
said. “I like learning
what other economic
development organiza-
tions are doing so I can
be better at what I do.”
The Mississippi
Business Journal named
Lathan one of its 2005 50
Leading Business
Women. She has served
as an adjunct professor at
MUW, worked for Kerr
McGee, owned
Sweetnin’s bakery and
worked for a national
office equipment compa-
ny.
Off the clock, Lathan
is the matriarch of a very
large family. She and her
husband, Charles, have
five adult children:
Raymond, Al, Dedra, Joy,
and Alonte, and six grand-
kids. She is very involved
at the Tenth Street
Baptist Church, where
she is on the finance com-
also graduated from the
Alabama Intensive
Economic Development
Training course and the
Basic Economic
Development Course and
the 2010 Leadership
Mississippi Class.
She was the president
of the Arab Chamber of
Commerce for 15 years
before moving to
Columbus. Since coming
to the Link, she has initi-
ated Leadership Lowndes
County and the Young
Professionals group.
She’s responsible for day-
to-day operations of the
Link and the financials.
Cook served on the
board of the Northeast
Mississippi Contract
Procurement Office as
treasurer, the Main Street
Columbus board of direc-
tors as its secretary, the
Police Chief’s Advisory
Council, and is a 2009
graduate of the Citizens
Police Academy. She is
Organizational
Management.
“I love helping busi-
nesses grow and thrive —
it’s what motivates me,”
she said.
Cook has two daugh-
ters, Stevie Cryar, 24 and
Jessica Cook, 22, and is
on the Main Street
Columbus executive
board and involved in
Pilgrimage. She has also
worked for Habitat for
Humanity.
Shasta Nance
Shasta Nance, office
administrator, is from
Louisville.
She is a
graduate of
Winston
Academy
and
Mississippi
University
for Women, Nance
where she received her
bachelor’s degree in
graphic design in 2006
the Lowndes County
Industrial Development
Authority and is an active
member of Base
Community Council and
PRAM Golden Triangle.
”I love working with
the public and I love
organizing events,” she
said. “I like being in the
know of things going on
around town.”
Nance does a lot of
work with the Link’d
Young Professionals and
finds it a very rewarding
part of her job.
“It has not only broad-
ened my network of pro-
fessional relationships, it
has also taught me that if
you get enough people
together with a communi-
ty-minded goal, you can
accomplish anything.”
She is engaged to Nick
Dodd and will be married
in the spring of 2011. She
loves music and her dogs,
LuLu and Gizmo. She is
also a freelance graphic
designer and has done
logos for several local
businesses.
Mary Cates Williams
Mary Cates Williams,
executive vice president
See LINK, Page 6

Sarah Wilson/Dispatch Staff

Velma Woodard poses for a photo at city hall Wednesday.

The mayor’s task master

BY SARAH WILSON years and has also worked at
editorialassistant@cdispatch.com Weyerhaeuser as a technician.
She grew up in Meridian and attend-

v elma Woodard, secretary to

Columbus Mayor Robert Smith
and Chief Operating Officer David
Armstrong, has her plate full. Between
writing proclamations, manning the
phones, organizing the daily schedules
and travel arrangements, and occasionally
acting as a telephone directory, Woodard’s
day is packed tight.
It’s a demanding job, but Woodard
says she always tries to treat people
warmly.
“I try to greet everyone with a smile,”
she said. “I enjoy talking with people. A
lot of times (Smith) is out, and people
tell me their stories and complaints.”
“For the most part, I think the city
runs smoothly,” she said.
It isn’t all smooth sailing for Woodard
though. “Last minute tasks are the most
stressful and worst part of the job. Stuff
comes up at the last minute that’s perti-
nent. You have to gather yourself in
order to get the job done.”
Woodard has been working in the
mayor’s office for three years. Before
that, she was a secretary at West
Lowndes Elementary School for 25
ed Meridian High school. She also went
to Mississippi State University, where
she graduated in 1989 with a Bachelor’s
degree in business education.
Woodard has been married to her
husband, Robert, for 18 years; and is the
mother of two children, 17-year-old
Kayla, who is a junior at Columbus High
School and 11-year-old Robert II, who is
a fifth-grader at Cook Magnet School.
She is a member of Southside MB
Church, where she is on the Project
Southside Board, which provides child-
care during the summers and before
and after school. She is also a Girl Scout
leader and enjoys traveling and going to
amusement parks with her family.
When asked how she balances such a
busy schedule, she touts the value of
“prayer and organization.”
“Usually after a 10-hour day, the first
thing I do when I get into my car, is
pray. Pray, so I can go home and give
my husband and kids the same patience
that I give my customers every day. I
also always make sure to have the kids’
schedules with me so I know where the
kids are going, where I need to take
them, and what’s going on.”
6 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2010
Link
Continued from Page 2
of governmental affairs
and business develop-
ment, came to Columbus
in 2008 and is the newest
of the Link ladies.
She is in charge of the
Link’s coordination of
Base Realignment and
Closure
activities
with the
Columbus
Air Force
Base, over-
seeing out-
reach
Williams
strategies
with Mississippi State
University officials, and is
an adviser to the Link
CEO and Executive
Committee.
Williams graduated
from the University of
Mississippi with a bache-
lor’s degree in political
science and an English
minor. She began her
career in the Washington
office of Sen. Thad
Cochran and eventually
became his legislative
assistant for foreign
affairs and international
trade. She also worked as
an associate at Schmidt
Public Affairs, and has
prepared clients for
national media appear-
ances in venues that
included The Today
Show, CNN, U.S. News
and World Report and
NASCAR.
Williams, formerly
Permenter, married
Robert Wiliams Aug. 21.
They’re members of First
Presbyterian church in
Oxford and she’s the
adviser for University of
Mississippi’s chapter of
Chi Omega Sorority. She
is originally from Ripley
and has lived in
Washington D.C.
She came back to
Mississippi because she
thinks that “Mississippi is
home for me, and you
THE DISPATCH • www.cdispatch.com
always want the place you
love to be better. I have
the opportunity to do
that.”
“I really enjoy learning
everything and seeing
how it all comes togeth-
er,” she said. “Joe Max
(Higgins) was the one
who inspired me to come
down here. He’s really
enthusiastic about his job
and really inspires all of
us.”
As for working with
the other women of the
Link, she says it’s a wel-
come relief from the
male-dominated offices
she’s worked at previous-
ly.
“It’s great working
with the other women at
the Link. We all have
such different personali-
ties, but we all get along
well together. We work
really well together.”
TODAY’S WOMAN
With success in
antiques, mom finds
new passion in past
BY RYAN POE
rpoe@cdispatch.com
a
fter her
three
children
graduated in as
many years, stay-
at-home mom
Jeanette Beard
decided to spend
her future in the
past.
She combined
her passions —
interior decorat-
ing and collecting
antiques — and
started Jeanette
Beard’s Interiors
and Antiques on
Second Avenue in
2007.
“When your
children leave,
you look for what
you enjoy in life
and go for it,” she
said.
Beard’s busi-
ness grew quick-
ly, allowing her to
begin renting
space at
Annabelle’s
Antique Mall in
West Point and at Kelly Tippett/Dispatch Staff
an antique deal- Jeanette Beard combined her passion for interior design and
ers’ market in antiques by opening Jeanette Beard’s Interiors and Antiques.
Memphis.
Now, the 29-year Columbus resident ing shop in Lula, said buying and selling
plans to open a market, Antiquities on runs in her blood.
Fifth, on Nov. 3 with a ribbon cutting at “I grew up as a little girl going to
noon. antique shops,” she said. “I didn’t like it
The market, which will be similar to at the time, but I grew to love it.”
Market Central in Memphis, will bring Since then, she has traveled across
together 11 dealers in antiques and art the country with her husband to scout
under the same roof, she said. estate sales and auctions for deals.
“I think it’ll be great for Columbus,” “It’s a fun business and I love it,” she
she continued. “It’ll have something for said. “I wouldn’t do anything else.”
everyone.” Her shop, which will coexist with the
The market, which will be open from antique market, has also become a
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through social networking tool, introducing her
Fridays, will feature a wide variety of to new friends and business.
antiques, including Victorian, European, “I’m just as busy as when I was a
English and American pieces, as well as stay-at-home mom,” Beard said. “I loved
the work of local artists. being with my children, but I also love
Beard, whose mother owned a cloth- what I do now.”
TODAY’S WOMAN THE DISPATCH • www.cdispatch.com SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2010 7

Health
After breast For women of all ages:
cancer: Do I have Health and physical therapy
lymphedema? SPECIAL TO THE DISPATCH
alking about things
the leakage of urine when
a person feels a sudden
and frequency, biofeed-
back to show you how
levels both during preg-
nancy and postpartum

T
SPECIAL TO THE DISPATCH at OCH Regional
Medical Center,
like incontinence,
vaginal pain and
other conditions can be
strong urge to urinate.
Women with urge inconti-
nence often have weak
and “overactive” pelvic
your muscles are work-
ing, and/or electrical
stimulation to improve
awareness and strength
may cause excessive joint
mobility, which can cause
pain. Due to the postural
changes associated with

L
ymphedema is “Although lymphede- embarrassing. You feel floor muscles. of the muscles. pregnancy, some muscles
an abnormal ma is a chronic condi- like you might be the only Mixed incontinence become tight, while oth-
accumulation of tion with no cure, it is person with this problem includes symptoms of Pelvic pain
protein rich lymph manageable with early ers are stretched and
or maybe you feel like both stress and urge
fluid within the body. It intervention.” Pelvic pain is pain in become weak. This mus-
everyone has this prob- incontinence.
occurs due to an insuf- “Treatment programs the lower abdomen, pelvis cle imbalance can also
lem so you should just “Many symptoms
ficiency of the lym- and home mainte- or perineum and may cause pain. Women’s
learn to live with it. The
phatic vessels and nance programs will truth is, pelvic pain and health physical therapists
nodes to transport the vary depending on Many symptoms of urinary provide hands on treat-

“
incontinence are not
protein rich fluid out. many factors.” accord- normal and your ment to address spinal
Lymphedema may ing to Katie Langley, healthcare provider incontinence are caused by and pelvic joint dysfunc-
develop in an arm or PT, lymphedema thera- can’t help you if you tion, instruct in exercises
leg when the lymph pist at OCH. don’t tell them there is a
pelvic floor weakness and to address muscle weak-
vessels and lymph Your physician can problem. dysfunction. Physical therapists ness and imbalance, and
nodes have been dam- diagnosis lymphedema Many physical thera- instruct modifications of
aged or removed. It and make the required pists have specialized help patients learn the correct daily activities that may
afflicts approximately 1 prescription referral to
percent of the U.S. initiate lymphedema
training which benefits exercises to gain control of their be difficult during preg-
women with a variety of nancy and postpartum.
population, 2.5 million treatment. Treatment incontinence symptoms.
medical conditions. If you are interested in
Americans. There are options include special- Dr. J. Patrick Chaney, an OB-GYN physician with
Women’s health physical participating in physical
two types of lymphede- ized massage, exercis- Physicians and Surgeons Obstetrics and
therapists use their physi- therapy, you should talk
ma primary and sec- es, bandaging and Gynecology Clinic
cal therapy training to
ondary. with your medical
compression gar- evaluate and treat female
Primary lymphede- provider. A referral to
ments. Successful clients to promote and of urinary incontinence include pain in the hip or
ma can be present at physical therapy is
treatment involves a enhance health and well- are caused by pelvic floor buttocks, pain in the tail-
birth, can develop required prior to partici-
team approach ness. weakness and dysfunc- bone, limited sitting toler-
before the age of 35 or pation. Referral sources
between the patient, Carol Walters, a tion. Physical therapists ance, pain in the joints of
can develop after the are your family physician,
physician and lym- women’s health physical help patients learn the the pelvis or pain with
age of 35. With pri- internal medicine physi-
phedema therapist. therapist at OCH correct exercises to gain sexual intercourse. Pelvic
mary lymphedema, cian, OB/GYN, urologist,
Lymphedema thera- Regional Medical Center, control of their inconti- pain may be caused by
the swelling occurs for physician’s assistant or
pists are physical ther- specializes in the treat- nence symptoms. My problems with muscle
many reasons usually
apists, occupational ment of the following con- and joint imbalances, ten- nurse practitioner.
deformities in the patients have much suc-
therapists or massage ditions which can be man- der points in the muscles For more information
lymph nodes or ves- cess with physical thera-
sels. therapists who have aged or improved with of the pelvic floor, weak- regarding Women’s
py,” according to Dr. J.
Lymphangioscintigrap been specifically physical therapy provid- ness of the muscles or Health Physical Therapy,
Patrick Chaney, an OB-
hy (LAS) is a medical trained in manual ing conservative, non-sur- scar tissue after abdomi- contact Carol Walters, PT
GYN physician with
test using radioactive lymph drainage (mas- gical approaches. This nal or pelvic surgery. at OCH Rehabilitation
Physicians and Surgeons
tracers to evaluate the sage) techniques, information is not intend- Women’s Health physical Services at 662-615-3020.
Obstetrics and
bandaging and com- ed as a substitute for pro- therapists can identify the Information is also avail-
function of the lymph Gynecology Clinic,
pression garment fessional healthcare. possible muscular causes able through the Section
system. Amory and Columbus.
applications for the of pelvic pain and develop on Women’s Health,
Secondary lym- Physical therapy treat-
treatment of lym- Urinary incontinence a treatment plan specific
phedema results from ment may include: tech- American Physical
phedema. Diana W. of Stress incontinence is to the pain.
surgical removal of the niques to help you find Therapy Association at 1-
lymph nodes, blockage Starkville comments leakage of urine when 800-999-2782 or visit the
the right muscles and
of the lymph nodes, “Physical therapy: the there is increased pres- learn to use them correct- Pregnancy and SOWH consumer infor-
damage to the lymph special massage, exer- sure on the bladder. This postpartum issues
ly to strengthen, ways to mation website at women-
vessels, scarring cises, and arm sleeve usually happens during Fluctuating hormone
decrease urinary urge shealthapta.org.

WANT TO LOSE WEIGHT?

across the vessels, have helped my arm exercise or during sneez-
radiation therapy, so much. The lym- ing, coughing, lifting or
infection, trauma, obe- phedema physical other activities. Stress
sity or chronic venous therapists are very incontinence typically
insufficiency. special, knowledge- results from weakness
Secondary lymphede- able, and caring.” and lack of support in the
ma can occur at any
time postoperatively or
To locate a lym-
phedema therapist in
muscles of the pelvic
floor. These are the mus- MEDICALLY-SUPERVISED
your area, contact cles that attach to the bot-
may not appear for
months or years.
Secondary lymphede-
Carol Walters, PT or
Katie Langley, PT at
tom of the pelvic bones
and run front to back,
WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM
ma is most often the OCH Regional Medical forming a bowl-like struc- Easy-To-Follow Diet Plan
cause of arm swelling Center Outpatient ture that lifts to support Prescription Diet Medications
in women after treat- Rehabilitation Services the internal organs and
ment for breast cancer. at 662-615-3020. For controls the sphincter Lipotropic Injections
Lymphedema is a more information muscles of the bladder.
condition that is very about lymphedema, Women with stress incon-
Individual Consultations
different from person contact the National tinence often have “under Comfortable Reception Area
to person. According Lymphedema active” pelvic floor mus-
to Carol Walters, PT, Network at 800-541- cles. Professional Consultation Rooms
lymphedema therapist 3259 or lymphnet.org/ Urge incontinence is Convenient Location
Ample Parking

Diagnosing gynecologic cancer LET US SHOW YOU HOW!

METRO CREATIVE GRAPHICS
hances are someone you know may
C be diagnosed with a gynecologic
cancer in her lifetime. Just what are
these diseases, and what should one
expect?
Gynecologic cancer is a broad term that
encompasses cervical, ovarian, uterine,
vaginal and vulvar cancers. As of 2006, the
last year for which numbers were available,
76,515 women were told they had a gyneco-
logic cancer and 27,848 died from one of
these diseases.
For those uninformed about the differ-
Appointments Recommended • Walk-ins Welcome
and depression. Symptoms may include
abdominal pain and pressure, constipation, The Weight Loss Clinic, LLC Bring in this ad
Michael A. White, MD
urinary urgency, loss of appetite, feeling full
and changes in menstruation.
Women with any of these symptoms
should visit a doctor to rule out other con-
3499 Bluecutt Road • Suite 1 • Columbus, MS
662.244.8332 • 662.244.8392 fax
& receive 20% off
of your first visit.
(New Patients Only)
ditions. Although it can affect many age wwww.weightlossclinicms.info
groups, 90 percent of those who experience
ovarian cancer are over the age of 40.
Uterine
Uterine cancer forms in the uterus, or
the pear-shaped womb of the woman. This
is where a baby forms and grows. Because
the cancer generally takes hold in the lin-

"GNC's Longest Running Franchise!"

ent cancers that can plague women, here is
a brief look at each of them.
Cervical
Cervical cancer is one of the most pre-
ventable of the gynecologic cancers
because screening is available through PAP
tests. There is also a vaccine available to
prevent human papilloma virus infections,
which are known to contribute to the for-
mation of cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer forms in the cervix,
which is the bottom part of the uterus and
connects to the vagina. While all women
are at risk, those over the age of 30 are
more likely to get cervical cancer. However,
recovery is high, as the cancer is highly
treatable.
Ovarian
More women die from ovarian cancer
than any other type of gynecologic cancer.
However, detecting cancer early allows for
the best chance for successful treatment.
ing of the uterus, it can be referred to as
endometrial cancer.
No one is sure just what leads to uterine
cancer, but there are some risk factors. Age
is one of them; women over the age of 50
are more at risk. Also, women undergoing
hormone replacement therapy for
menopause or osteoporosis are at greater
risk. Those who have had endometrial
hyperplasia, or an increase in the number
of cells in the lining of the uterus, are also
at a higher risk for uterine cancer.
Vaginal and Vulvar
The vagina is the inner pathway to the
uterus. The vulva is the outer part of the
vagina that is protected by two folds of skin.
Cancers in these parts of the body are very
rare (1percent and 5 percent respectfully).
Just as with cervical cancer, HPV may
contribute to the formation of vaginal or
vulvar cancers. Women should bring to
doctors’ attention any symptoms that seem
irregular, such as unexplained itching,
Jo Ann Walk-Ferguson
Franchisee/Owner
Howard Ferguson-Co-owner
Vitamins & Herb Supplements
Sports Nutrition
• GNC Owner/Franchisee since 1989, currently holding “Single
Longest Operating Franchise” honor
• Opened GNC/Smoothie Bar in Starkville in 1993
• Cambridge Who’s Who in Business 2009
• Columbus Lowndes LINK member
• Military Affairs Committee/Columbus AFB Community Council
• “Pilot Partner” program supporter
• Past Honorary Commander for the 14th Medical Support
Squadron
• Military Gold Star Wives Life Member
• Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary life member
• VFW Aberdeen Post Auxiliary life member, Hospital Chair
past 5 years
• American Business Woman’s Association, past state president
• Elected “Woman of the Year” in 2004
• Nominated twice for National TOP TEN Business Women of
America
COLUMBUS STARKVILLE-SMOOTHIES
Leigh Mall 911 Hwy. 12 W. • Ste 206 B
328-4450 323-4919
© The Dispatch

Ovarian cancer produces symptoms, but

Skincare Products Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Mon.-Sat. 9:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
many times they are mistaken for other bleeding or lumps in these areas of the Sun. 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. Sun. 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.
conditions, such as irritable bowel, stress body.
8 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2010 THE DISPATCH • www.cdispatch.com TODAY’S WOMAN

fashion

For ladies only hubris and hard-head- It was not okay. based on experience. Please thinking about sex. News flash.

i believe in the “older

women teaching
the younger
women.” I also
believe that my
generation for the
most part has
failed miserably.
For that I’m sorry.
In the last
decade I’ve tried to
be a better teacher
and role model partic-
ularly in how young
women dress or
maybe not so young Bardwell
women like me for
example.
I admit I have made some
real fashion blunders both now
and in the past. In the past my know- what. I figured if I stood
manner of dress was due to
edness. It was not
due to poor
instruction or
lack of chiding.
At the end of the interview
Mr. What’s His Name said, “If
you get this job you cannot
wear a dress like that. This is a
remember at Communion the
servers can see right down
your low-cut dress to your
kneeling knees.
And short skirts? There’s
nothing new under the sun. In
the ‘60s I burned my bottom on
many a hot car seat. Now when
I received family restaurant.” If you have to tug at your a young lady in a short skirt
both. I responded, “This is a garment while you are at home bends over, which they invari-
Barely designer dress.” that won’t miraculously change ably do, I’m thinking, no, no,
twenty, I inter- Apparently I thought that tid- when you leave. Like the wed- please don’t … then there she
viewed for a bit relevant to his comment. ding soloist who continually goes; daylight where there
hostess job at a No, I did not get the job. hoisted her bosoms right in should be none.
nice restaurant. I Even now I have purchased front of three hundred guests. Girlfriends, why don’t we
was dressed in my jeans that inexplicably slide It was very distracting. help each other out a little but
Shannon pretty pink right down to my hip bones And your nipples, no one be nice ‘cause mistakes happen.
designer dress before the day is over or that wants to see your nipples. And Emma, you have asked
purchased on skirt to which I cautiously Okay, some people want to see since you were 5 years old if
sale at an exclu- added a slip only to find the your nipples but is that really you were modest. Yes, princess,
sive boutique. It was probably skirt diaphanous in the sun- the attention you want? Trust you are.
on sale because it had a slit light. me a guy is not thinking, “What Shannon Rule Bardwell is a
right up the front to your you- I’m going to be very frank a cute outfit she’s wearing.” Southern writer living quietly in
since we are just ladies. Here’s Cosmo advertises “how to the Prairie. Her e-mail is
just right that it would be okay. a little older womanly advice dress sexy” because he is msdeltachild@msn.com.

beauty Dr. Hairston’s Top 10 healthy skin tips

applied within three min- development of fissures Without adequate

d
r. Bethany Reed
Hairston, medical
director of The
Dermatology Clinic in
Columbus, enjoys giving
“simple bits of advice” for
a person to help keep
their skin healthy. As we
transition from summer
into fall, she offers
today’s woman the follow-
ing tips:
1. Moisturize, moistur-
ize, moisturize
A daily bath or shower
can add much-needed
moisture to the skin.
Moisturizer traps existing
water in the skin, prevent-
ing the water from evapo-
rating. To trap water from
a bath or shower in the
skin, moisturizer must be
utes of bathing. Applied and callouses. Dr. amounts, you may end up
regularly, this helps Hairston’s favorite prod- with dermatitis (an itchy,
decrease dryness and ucts include alpha- scaly skin reaction) or
itching. If skin is notice- hydroxy acids which help sometimes even hair loss.
ably dry and uncomfort- to exfoliate the dead layer Biotin is found in many
able, moisturizing more of skin cells that tend to foods including bananas,
frequently throughout the build up on the soles of eggs, oatmeal, and rice,
day can help the skin the feet. plus your body also
heal. Very dry skin may makes some biotin on its
require a prescription 3. Get a vitamin boost own. There are many
ointment or cream. Dry Of all the news coming brands of biotin supple-
skin also can be a sign of from the beauty commu- ments available on the
an underlying medical nity, the loudest buzz may market such as supple-
condition such as eczema. be about the power of ments including biotin
vitamins, minerals, and with other vitamins like
2. Don’t forget feet other nutrients to give the hair, skin, and nail
Dry and cracked feet skin a more radiant, vitamin varieties.
typically worsen in the healthy, and, yes, youthful
winter and can be painful glow.When it comes to 4. Avoid ‘neck neglect’
when walking. Being dili- skin, the single most Many people take care
gent with application of a important B vitamin is of the skin on their faces
“foot balm” can hydrate biotin, a nutrient that by wearing sunscreen but
that thick layer of skin on forms the basis of skin, forget their necks! For
the soles and reduce the nail, and hair cells. those who have a signifi- Dr. Bethany Reed Hairston
cant history of sun expo-
sure with “neck neglect,” Latisse®was born and is ucts from the shelves and
the skin on their necks is now marketed and used to not believe every beau-
We have a variety of items as specifically in a way to ty claim out there. Just
often much more sun
unique as the people in your life! damaged and has differ- augment lash length and because a product may be
Featuring: ent skin tone and texture fullness. It is available by “dermatologist recom-
prescription at doctor’s mended” or “dermatolo-
trollbeads than the face. In women,
the difference is made offices including The gist approved” does not
even more obvious by Dermatology Clinic. mean that all dermatolo-
wearing facial makeup. gists recommend that

&
Avoid “neck neglect” by
remembering to use sun-
screen on the neck as
well as the face and also
to bring the moisturizing
creams down onto the
neck.
5. Be smart with sun-
screens
This is probably one of
the most important and
difficult tips to remember.
Even in the winter, expo-
sure to the sun’s rays
speeds up the aging
process in the skin. This
exposure increases the
risk of developing dry
skin, wrinkles, age spots,
and skin cancer. Daily use
© The Dispatch
7. Antioxidants for
anti-aging
The skin is constantly
exposed to free radicals
produced by pollutants in
the environment and,
most significantly, UV
light. To maintain healthy,
youthful skin, antioxi-
dants counteract these
negative influences and
are obtained through
diet, supplements, and
topical products. Topical
antioxidants like resvera-
trol, vitamin C, and coen-
zyme Q10 will protect the
skin and optimize skin
health. Look for products
that contain these ingredi-
ents to deliver nutrients
product! Seek profession-
al advice when investing
into your skincare routine
and look for the science
behind the products.
10. When in doubt
check it out
The best advice a per-
son can get from a der-
matologist is to make an
appointment if they are
worried about moles or
other skin lesions. If you
are unsure about whether
a spot on your skin is nor-
mal or not, then you
should seek a doctor’s
opinion. Dermatologists
spend years learning to
analyze moles and other

to the skin. lesions and have the abili-

Columbus, MS • 327-3332 • Next to Belk of a sunscreen can slow
these sun-induced signs
of aging and reduce the
risk of developing skin
cancer. Dermatologists
An Enchanting recommend wearing a
broad-spectrum sun-
Children’s Boutique screen with a Sun
Protection Factor of 30 or
higher on all skin that will
be exposed. Dr. Hairston
recommends a daily com-
bination moisturizer/sun-
screen for the face to sim-
plify your morning rou-
tine ... to get 2 products
in one application!
6. Latisse® for lashes
Latisse® is one of
those products that will
give a person a “WOW”
factor in a couple of
months. If you are trying
to add to lash length and
vitality over the holidays,
now is the time to initiate
Latisse®. The medicine
in Latisse®was originally
used in persons with glau-
8. Wash your face
Buildup of dead skin
cells, dirt, and environ-
mental particles can clog
pores, lead to acne, and
contribute to a dull and
lifeless complexion! Dr.
Hairston recommends
taking the time to wash
your face everyday with a
product appropriate for
the face. This is an impor-
tant part of overall skin
maintenance ... it can eas-
ily be done when a per-
son is in the bath or
shower. However, don’t
necessarily just use your
deodorant body soap
because it can dry the
skin especially in the win-
ter.
9. Beware of beauty in
a bottle
The television and
other forms of media are
full of advertisements
ty to biopsy if concerns
exist. Dr. Hairston
encourages people to
schedule an appointment
for lesions of concern and
“when in doubt ... check
it out!”
The Dermatology
Clinic is located in
Columbus on the Baptist
Memorial Hospital
Golden Triangle Campus.
The clinic is open
Monday through Friday
and is accepting appoint-
ments for new patient vis-
its with Dr. Hairston.
Persons interested in
skincare products may
visit the clinic without an
appointment and work
with our skincare
experts. Many of the
products Dr. Hairston rec-
ommends can be found at
The Dermatology Clinic;
Dr. Hairston is always
willing to help patients
find additional products

Evan’s Castle coma ... and then doctors
and patients noted
increased growth and full-
A division of Monograms Plus • Next to Party & Paper ness of eyelashes in the
Downtown Columbus on 5th Street people using the drops.
Open Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm
© The Dispatch
Subsequently,
from products offering
dramatic results against
wrinkles and skin rejuve-
nation. Dr. Hairston
warns patients to be care-
ful as they choose prod-
that would be of benefit at
retail stores as well. To
contact The Dermatology
Clinic, visit their website
www.thederm-clinic.com
or call 662-328-3375.