St. Mary and Franklin Banner-Tribune from Franklin, Louisiana • 5

The Banner-Tribune, Franklin, Wednesday, December 22, 2004, Pag9 5 Lifcstyks Authors answer President call to support military families this holiday (FeatureSource) When a spouse is thousands of miles away, it's difficult to parent your child alone; it's hard to keep a marriage relationship alive and thriving. Right now, husbands and wives, fathers and mothers face the stress of separation during the holidays while stationed around the world, serving our country. At Camp Pendleton in San Diego Tuesday, President Bush called for Americans to reach out and actively support our troops. What can we do to help these families? Two well-known authors and experts on parenting and marriage are answering the President's call. They've teamed up to provide their books free to all Active Duty military families via the website www.GiftForMili-taryFamilies.com.

"It's tough to parent by yourself, day in and day out, when your spouse is gone; it's incredi bly stressful. Parents need support and resources to make it through the holidays with a sense of strength," says Erin Brown Conroy, M.A., mother of twelve and author of "20 Secrets to Success with Your Child" (Celtic Cross Publishing, $16.95, www. parentingwithsuccess Brown Conroy, once a single parent of five and now remarried, is a birth parent, step parent, and adoptive parent who knows first hand what it's like "going it alone" at this time of year. "Moms and Dads need practical ways to build closer relationship with children and spouse tips, ideas, and tools to make your family strong, even when you're apart." "When your soul mate is absent, keeping a relationship alive and even building a deeper relationship with your spouse is challenging," agrees Mort Fertel, author of "Marriage Fit- LENA HOLMES BOURGEOIS, a native of Franklin, will turn 102 on Dec. 29.

She is the wife of the late Chris Bourgeois and resided on Third Street in Franklin for 70 years. She has eight children, 21 grandchildren, 45 great grandchildren and 14 great great grandchildren. Bourgeois still actively attends Sunday morning worship, reads her Bible daily, sings hymnals and writes letters to family and friends. She now resides in Houston with her daughter and ness" (MarriageMax, $13.95, www.YourMarriageFit-ness.com). Fertel and his wife also experienced family crisis when three of their infant children died in less than two years.

They saved their marriage and then developed a 20-exercise "Marriage Fitness" plan to help other couples. "Though families experience physical distance, this can actually be a time to strengthen your marriage." Fertel, whose book has been profiled on NBC, CBS, PBS, Fox News Network, and in Family Circle, Glamour Magazine, and Fitness Magazine, among others, is a marriage coach and speaker. Brown Conroy has nearly 30 years experience instructing children and counseling families and is a parenting columnist, frequent guest on radio shows, and popular speaker who shares secrets that "work" so well, they might seem magical. Brown Conroy and Fertel are also launching programs that teach skills and provide support and encouragement for all families: Brown Con-roy's www.TotallyFitMom.com and Fertel's Marriage Fitness Tele-Boot Camp (www.yourmar-riagefitness.comtelebootcamp). Why give their books away? "We want to give families a gift that not only supports and encourages, but also strengthens," says Fertel.

"We see this as a way to say "thank you" for the sacrifice these families are making for all of us. This is the time for giving, and military families need what Erin and I have to offer now more than any other time of the year. They come through for us every day. How could we not come through for them now?" To help you with your family's relationships when dealing with an absence because of Active Duty, Brown Conroy and Fertel offer these expert insights and practical tips to help this holiday season: 1. MAKE THIS A TIME TO LEARN AND GROW.

Have the mindset and be resolved to make the most of this time apart to read books and add to your abilities, so when your family's together again, you're "ahead" with gained knowledge, insight, and skills that help your family relate in a healthy way. Choose a time each day to read a book on parenting, family relationships, and marriage building, and become stronger, able to tap into this time of personal growth in the future. 2. KEEP A JOURNAL, INDIVIDUALLY AND WITH YOUR CHILD. You're experiencing life apart, but that doesn't mean you can't ever share what's happened during this special time.

Take a few minutes each day to jot down happenings, conversation, and personal thoughts. Journaling helps your child make sense of stress and the absence of a parent. If possible, send your spouse journal entries via the web. When your spouse returns, this journal is a source of connection and relationship building. 3.

CREATE AND RECORD SPECIAL MEMORIES. Even though it's "just one of you," make the holidays special. Create and experience simple events with family and friends, sharing time with another adult at a coffee shop or reading a classic book together with your child each evening before bed. Keep it simple, and keep the camera handy to document the event to share together later. "Experiencing a rich holiday season is totally within our grasp," says Brown Conroy.

"With good resources to grow and learn, you can make a positive difference right now. Take the time to read books, such as the ones we're offering, and youU be sure to maintain connection with your family." in GB mm V- jfir Si PROFESSIONAL PHARMACY SERVICES of Franklin and Morgan City now have five employees certified as post mastectomy prosthetic fitters. Clockwise from top left are Donna Daigle-Bolner, CCB; Owner Gladys M. Fournet; Michelle U. McKaskle, LPN; Nicole Mire, pharmacy technician; and Olivia Madise, LPN.

To7 a ITT YHU ARE INVITED TQ if GtiRISTMftS UNDER THE LAMPPOSTS scaop mmuv UUIM SHOPPIING SPREE The Franklin Progressive Merchants and the Franklin Office of DevelopmentMain Street I Free! Free! Free! 1 Gift Office will once again conduct its "Christmas Under the Lampposts" Shopping Spree Giveaway. Those who enter the contest will be eligible to win 1st 2nd 3rd i $79Ev 1 G( 'A Month Of MtT Wf Get a 1995A Month sL i ft yZ-V 3 Months i Pitrrhnco i yf. 3 Television Station 2's 1 AMonm foruMonmi I V) Are In For tafrE'y I Christmas! Guy Anything Qtt Something lor Ire Sate I Think of it as a Christmas (jil i To enter the contest, one must make a minimal purchase (of $10.00 or more) at one of the participating Franklin Merchants. Contest ends at 7:30 on December 23, 2004. The drawing will be held at 8:00 p.m.

in the alcove in front of Meyer's Shoe Store in Downtown Franklin. You may enter as often as you make a purchase. All Contestants must be at least 18 years old and present at the drawing to win. There will be additional prize giveaways for those in attendance Enter the contest at any one of the following participating merchants: PARTICIPATING MERCHANTS HeaIiIi PRoducis, MerIe Norma cosmetIcs, Poliio's CAfe, Tax Servke Ad More, Gj's FasMons, MiquEZ PhoToqRAphy, FranUin FIouer Shop, Fd Nftts SiANd, TrjdAy's Mens ear, RemaI Depot, Curves For Women, TANNiNCj Massage, REAliiy Umr Ad Beauty Sense, CiqqlES Bow, Cenienni'aI (4 I II II' I ti A f'ff Manaqer WiREltss, Ttcht RidqE Pavin Shop, Four Seasons FurnIture ANd AppliANCE, SUae MiclntllE's Custom Framinq, SaIni Mary HARdviARE Gifts, CiiirRENds Dedarivient Store, K. TsxAdA JeueIrv Gifts.

Meyer's Soe Store, AmeriPure OysiiR company, Foster Construction Company, ChiouiiA's Avon More, Tht DiQ laiSMainSt.FRANKLIMmavttnPiiwnr Forest Restaurant. Call trie FtanWin Office of Development (337) 828 6326 for further Information.