They’re our moms and we love them!

The Citizen Newspapers and Fayette Woman magazine are pleased to present the winners of the sixth annual Mother of the Year contest.

The winner this year in the 55 and over age category is Barbara Carden, 70, of Brooks. Mrs. Carden was nominated by her six children, who shout her praises from A-Z. We noted that four of those children were born in six years and then a set of twins came along eight years later.

“Angel, beautiful, caring, dedicated....” find out just how much Barbara means to her children in their winning essay on page C4.

Thirteen year old Raven Forrest nominated her mother, Peachtree City’s Melinda Smith, 40, of Peachtree City, who captured the Mother of the Year title in the 35-54 year old category. Raven’s mom is “the music to her song” and much more. This delightful letter may also be read in its entirety on page C4.

Seven-year-old Jacob Nelkie nominated his mom, Gina Nelkie, 34, of Peachtree City, who he says has the “happiest smile in the world.” Gina moved to this area last summer, after living all of her live in Michigan. She has made lots of friends already though. As one of 12 siblings, Gina likely had lots of practice learning to get along with others. See what else Jacob has to say on page C4.

“We had a record-setting number of entries this year,” Fayette Woman publisher Joyce Beverly said. “It is always difficult to select the ‘best’ moms but this year it was nearly impossible. I just wish we could have dozens of winners. It is always amazing to learn about the kind of people who live in our community.”

The newspaper and magazine are joined in sponsoring the 2008 contest by 19 partners who generously contribute thousands of dollars worth of prizes and gift certificates to these deserving moms. The value of each prize package is more than $2,000.

“We could never do this without our partners,” Beverly said.

This year’s sponsors include:

A Blue Lady Old Fashioned Florist, Atlanta Market Finds, Abundance Luxury Limousine Service, Beard and Company;

Cosmedical Spa, Campanile’s Home Furnishings, Carlo’s Salon, Gypsy Warehouse, Ice Paris;

Images by Rainey, Merle Norman (Kedron), Mucklow’s Fine Jewelry, Mud Pies Baby & Kids, Plumyumi Day Spa;

Salon 54, Serendipity Baby & Co., The Sundried Tomato, The Dinner A’Fare, and Virtu Ltd.

Mothers of the Year are recogized in the Wednesday edition of The Citizen preceeding Mother’s Day each year and again at the Fayette Woman annual awards banquet the following spring.

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