My friends and I were wondering what happened to the Nestlé girl, which is what we called her.

Her name is Bridgette Warren. For those of you who watch “Undercover Boss,” you’ll know who I’m talking about.

Shawnon Bellah, the chief operating officer of Crest Foods, the company that operates the Nestlé Toll House Café by Chip franchise, visited our Athens store for a show that aired in December. Our local store is operated by Sascha and Chad Easterling.

For Bridgette’s outstanding work, she was awarded her own Nestlé Toll House Cafe franchise, a trip to Hawaii for her and her brother and the chance to appear in corporate training videos. When I asked Bridgette how she felt, she said she was extremely grateful.

“It makes me feel blessed to be a part of Nestlé,” she said. “It has been amazing to see how Athens-Limestone county and North Alabama has come together to bring a small business owner support. Because of your support, people continue to pour into Nestlé from all over Alabama to check us out.”

Bridgette is originally from Culleoka, Tennessee, and moved to Athens with her parents. She graduated from Clements High School and is currently working on a degree in business management at Calhoun Community College. She has worked at the Nestlé Tollhouse Cafe in Athens for five years.

At the moment, Bridgette has no idea where she wants to place her franchise. When asked about receiving the honor, she said, “I am beyond overwhelmed and I feel extremely blessed by the people around me.”

The Nestlé Toll House Cafe on U.S. 72 in Athens has been in existence for seven years. It was started by Pat Madsen, who later sold it to the Easterlings. They have owned and operated it for two and a half years.

Sascha says her favorite thing about her business is creating and seeing smiles. She enjoys being able to create customized cookie cakes.

“Bridgette has the personality that people truly enjoy,” Sascha said. “Her attitude and her smile are contagious. I am blessed Bridgette chose to work here at Nestlé Toll House Cafe. She is a big asset to my cookie crew. She and my other crew members work alongside me helping my business grow. I appreciate everyone of them.”

In other news, Athens-Limestone County Tourism’s Great Backyard Bird Count began Friday and will run through Monday. Those who enjoy birding should simply go outside for 15 minutes and count and identify the birds you see. You may also view the birds through your window. Data forms may be picked up from the tourism office in downtown Athens. Completed data will be part of a national survey.

If you have any news to share, email me at agibbs@my.athens.edu or write to me at P.O. Box 553 Athens, AL 35612-0553. I hope to hear from you soon.

One more thing — when you finish reading this article, please call your mother and tell her you love her. I sure wish I could call mine.