About the Cover Photographer
Slava and Sara Slavik are originally from Brno, in the Czech Republic. They have been happily married for 14 years and have two children, Katie and John. In May of 2004, they moved their family to Paulding County wanting new challenges and better opportunities for their children. It was here that Slava and Sara realized their dream by opening their own family and wedding portrait studio - Slava Slavik Photography.
Prior to discovering his passion for photography, Slava was the CEO for a digital photography software company in Central Europe. Sara worked in the graphic design industry creating cards and brochures, doing magazine and book layout, and creative ad design. Together, they began doing wedding portraits for family and friends. It brought them great joy and it was then they discovered their desire to have their own studio.
After coming to the United States, Slava was able to work with some of the finest photographers in Georgia. He developed great technical skills, and along with his own personal warmth and creative eye, he is able to capture people in unique and creative ways.
Today, Slava Slavik Photography is dedicated to giving you beautiful portraits and a memorable experience. They specialize in romantic wedding photography and contemporary indoor and outdoor portraits of engaged couples, families, children newborns and executives. Slava and Sara draw on their European heritage to offer their clients a different approach that combines a clean fresh look with traditional Southern attitude.
To see their work, visit their website www.slava-slavik.com or contact them at 404-323-1153.
On the Cover
Loran and Peggy Wills
'some people are easy to love;
They are human rays of sun;
They light up every life,
And encourage everyone.’
This is an excerpt from a poem called You Are Often in My Thoughts by Joanna Fuches. It perfectly describes the wonderful couple we have on our cover this month – Loran and Peggy Wills.
Loran and Peggy have celebrated 54 years of marriage! When asked about the secret of their success, they both agree that trusting and keeping God in the center of their marriage has been the key. When you follow God’s will, everything else will fall into place. At their young ages of 79 and 75, 0Loran and Peggy remain very busy in their lives and serving our community.
They are both life long residents of Paulding County. Peggy grew up near downtown Dallas with her family. Loran grew up in the New Hope area. As a young boy, Loran would help his father on their farm and while plowing the fields, he found the most wonderful Civil War relics including brass buckles and bayonets. To this day, he enjoys collecting relics and other items depicting the Civil War.
Their fathers worked together at Lee Hardware, so their families knew each other while they were growing up. But it wasn’t until Loran was out of the Navy before he REALLY noticed Peggy. They had their first official date on September 19, 1953. After dating for three years, Loran said “let’s get married.” So, on August 17, 1956 they did.
Loran served in the Navy for four years and during the Korean War. He worked in aviation electronics, although he would have preferred to have been jumping out of airplanes instead. His work experience in the Navy allowed him the opportunity to work at Lockheed. There were quite a number of layoffs at Lockheed, so Loran eventually changed to a more stable job with Georgia Power as a field engineer. Peggy soon followed him to Georgia Power as a customer service representative in charge of the Dallas office.
They both retired from Georgia Power in April of 1992. Since their retirement, they are “busier than ever.” Loran has stayed in touch with the men he served with in the Navy, and he and Peggy have traveled to cities all around the country for Loran’s annual Naval Reunions.
Loran and Peggy attend Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church in America, where they’ve attended the past eight years. Loran and Peggy consider the church family, their own family. They’ve also made numerous mission trips to Mexico and Jamaica.
During their 54 years together, Loran says Peggy has been a wonderfully supportive wife and a good manager of their home. She is and always has been a great friend and kind critic when he needed one. Loran says he couldn’t have been the man he was without her. Peggy is involved in the women’s ministry at the church. Currently, she is the President-elect of the ‘NWGA Presbyterian Women in the Church’. She works with the elections in Paulding, and has served on the Paulding Board of Elections both as a member and the Chairman. She also loves to knit.
Loran is an avid book collector and has thousands of books, most of them about Christianity, the Civil War, the Navy, and more! His favorite book is the Bible. He is also a Paulding historian. If it happened in his lifetime, he can tell you in full detail about the event. Loran knows the most interesting stories. One he told us was the story of his family’s radio. For years it was the ONLY radio in New Hope so their neighbors would come over to listen to the different shows and historical events like the Grand Old Opry and Joe Lewis’ fight. He still has the radio, and it’s in beautiful condition.
Loran is very dedicated to the Paulding community. He is the Chairman of the Paulding WellStar Hospital Authority, serves on the Paulding WellStar Regional Health Board, an Elder in his church, a Gideon and a member of the Lion’s Club; just to name a few. It’s no surprise why Loran was named Paulding County’s Citizen of the Year in 2006.
Loran and Peggy are very young at heart, and they both believe that just because you get older, doesn’t mean you have to act older. Neither one of them ever want to become “old fuddie duddies.” They are very happy and content with their life and feel that God has fully and completely blessed them through everything they’ve done and everyone they’ve met.
It is so sweet to see the love and admiration they have for each other. They are wonderful examples to follow, and we thank them for being on our cover and welcoming us so sweetly into their home. They made us feel like family, and they will forever hold a very special place in our heart. They are a blessing to this community, and we thank God for allowing them to come into our lives.