Bon Appétit Where Are Those Eggs?? By Scarlett Cook

We have fnally gotten used to the “new time” and warmer weather is teasing us but spring will come. And with spring comes Easter; a time of new beginnings and sunrise services. A time of everyone getting together so that new clothes are admired as are the smells coming from the kitchen. As soon as lunch has been eaten, everyone wants to hunt Easter eggs. You did dye them, right? When my children were small, we went to my in-laws for Easter lunch. My father-in-law, to get a jump on the “hunt”, decided to hide the eggs before going to church. After lunch the girls were so excited to hunt eggs. After a few minutes of not fnding any, the adults searched too. But only a few colored broken egg shells were found. It seems the family dog – a small Boston bull terrier – had eaten all 24 eggs. Needless to say no one could be around the dog for several days. So that was the year the girls still talk about because there were no eggs.

Pork Roast Serves 6 – 8

1 (5 – 6 pound) Boston butt pork roast 1 1/2 Tablespoon salt 1/2 Teaspoon Italian seasoning 1 Teaspoon garlic powder 1 Teaspoon pepper 2 Cups water 1/4 Cup white vinegar 1 Onion, chopped 4 Garlic cloves 1/4 Cup hot sauce – or to taste

Preheat oven to 375˚. Place roast in a foil lined roasting pan. Sprinkle roast with salt, Italian seasoning and pepper. Pour water and vinegar into roasting pan. Add onion and garlic. Drizzle hot sauce over roast. Bake for 3 1/2 hours or until tender. Remove roast from pan, cover with aluminum foil and let roast rest for 10 minutes. This recipe can be made the day before and reheated in a 300˚ for 30 minutes.

Broccoli Slaw Serves 6 – 8

2 (12 ounce) Packages broccoli slaw mix 1 Cup mayonnaise 1/2 Cup sugar 2 Tablespoons cider vinegar 1 Small red onion, chopped 1/2 Cup dried cranberries or cherries 4 Bacon slices, cooked and crumbled 1/2 Cup toasted chopped pecans

Rinse slaw mix and drain well. Stir together mayonnaise, sugar and vinegar in a large bowl; add slaw, onion and cranberries. Cover and chill at least 8 hours. Sprinkle with bacon and pecans just before serving.

1 (16 ounce) page of baby carrots 3 Large eggs 1 1/4 Cups sugar 1/2 Cup sour cream 1/4 Cup butter, at room temperature 1/4 Cup plain four 1 1/2 Teaspoons baking powder 1/4 Teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350˚. Lightly grease an 8” square pan. Cook carrots in boiling water to cover 20 – 25 minutes or until tender. Drain well and let cool. Process carrots and eggs in a food processor until smooth. Add sugar, sour cream, butter, four, baking powder and cinnamon. Process until smooth. Pour mixture into prepared dish and bake 55 – 60 minutes.

Make Ahead Spoon Rolls Makes 2 dozen

1 (1/4 ounce) package active dry yeast 1 Teaspoon sugar 2 Cups warm water – 100˚ - 110˚ 4 Cups self rising four 1/4 Cup sugar 3/4 Cup butter, melted and cooled 1 Large egg, lightly beaten Pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 400˚. Coat 2 muffn pans with baking spray. Combine yeast, teaspoon of sugar and water in a large bowl; let mixture stand 5 minutes. Stir in four, sugar, butter and egg just until blended Spoon mixture into muffn pans flling them 2/3 full. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown. This batter can be made ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator for up to one week. And for dessert the easiest recipe!

Donut Stacks Serves 8

16 Miniature powdered sugar donuts 2 Tablespoons butter, softened 1 Pint any favor ice cream Toppings – chocolate syrup, whipped cream, toasted pecans, sliced strawberries

Cut donuts in half horizontally. Spread cut sides with butter. Place on a lightly greased baking dish. Broil donuts 3 – 4 minutes or until brown. Place 4 donut halves on each serving plate. Top with a scoop of ice cream. Serve with toppings. This recipe can be changed to use any size or kind of donuts and ice cream.

Mental Health Initiative

First Steps

by Dr. Amanda Pileski, PHD

The Mental Health Task Force of Rabun County met for the frst time February 13 th , and the following community members attended: (Pictured from left) Jennifer Deslich, with FUNdamental Therapy Services; Jessica Robinson, Rabun County Sheriff’s Offce; Beth Pelaccio, MSW with Accountability Court; Beth Black, LPC, ATR-BC Owner of Family Art Therapy Center; Tammy Wilbanks, Rabun County Schools Social Worker; Cathy Vinson, with Rabun County Family Connections; Jessica Ward, RCMS counselor; Irene Bynum, Chamber of Commerce Vice-Chair and Member of the Executive Committee; Sheriff Chad Nichols; Mandy Pileski, PhD; Kent Woerner, commissioner; Sunny Volano, LPC; Laura Lane, Rabun County Family Connections; Scott Crane, commissioner; Grant MacDonald, Victory Home and retired substance abuse counselor; Caroline Wallis, executive director of FAITH. The meeting focused on discussion of mental health concerns identifed by various board members, data collected from a Needs Assessment, upcoming reduction of funding for DBHDD (Dept. of Behavioral Health and Disability Services), and presentation of a proposal for expanding psychological services in Rabun.

Needs Assessment Results A Needs Assessment online survey was circulated via social media in January to identify how Rabun County residents feel about mental health services in the county. There were over 200 responses and 65% reported diffculty acquiring mental health services in Rabun County. Respondents specifcally asked for increased services for the following: school aged children, substance abuse treatment, trauma treatment, and group therapy. Respondents were asked about their insurance providers to determine if any additional insurances need to be accepted by providers. It seemed respondents with Alliant and Humana have the most diffculty fnding providers in Rabun who accept their insurance. Finally, the most common reason for inability to receive services in Rabun was “lack of providers”, endorsed by 90 respondents.

State Funding Reduction for Mental Health Services Members of the Task Force discussed upcoming budget cuts for mental health services. Specifcally, DBHDD will

experience a 4% cut this year and 6% next year. According to an Atlanta Journal Constitution article in February 2020, this will equate to 34.3 million this fscal year and $46 million next year. All of this is occurring as the need for mental health services in rural areas of Georgia are increasing. In Rabun County, it is especially upsetting to realize that in the almost 20 years since I left Rabun County (graduate of 2001), we regressed in providing mental health services. Joseph Davis, former mental health professional in Rabun, indicated via social media, “State, federal, and third party funding tanked around the year 2000. At that time, Rabun had a robust mental health clinic which averaged 300 clients and seven full and part-time staff, including an RN and part-time psychiatrist.”

Psychological Services Proposal

February 25 th , I presented a proposal for expanding mental health services to the Rabun County Board of Commissioners. The proposal was to essentially establish a mental health center presence at the Rabun County Health Department building in the vacant lower level area. The plan would support clinicians remaining independent practitioners. They would share county space where they commit to accept insurance rates at their regular fee and receive ½ standard fee subsidized by a nonproft for those without insurance. Currently, it is uncertain if this would be an independent, new non-proft or an extension of another mental health non-proft from the metro Atlanta area. Sunny Volano, LPC and I have an upcoming meeting scheduled to discuss options with the Atlanta organization, and the Task Force will provide future updates on the model selected by the board.

Benefts of the Proposed Model This plan would address issues identifed in the needs assessment about lack of knowledge and visibility of services in Rabun. Services would be affordable for individuals of all socioeconomic backgrounds, and a training program would be established to recruit and retain more clinicians in the Clayton area. Clinical consultation at the center will ensure quality care and better collaboration with DFCS, Rabun County Schools, and the Sheriff’s offce. Finally, this will also reduce costs to taxpayers by decreasing psychiatric rehospitalizations, incarcerations, and drug related problems.

Limitations of the Proposed Model While I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to more mental health services in Rabun, I am also realistic and want community members to also hold reasonable expectations of what this small private/non-proft combination model can offer. This is NOT a psychiatric ER. It is NOT a place to refer people for same day appointments. Evaluations will be scheduled per availability. If there is interest in having a “crisis” hour available for triage services and true mental health emergencies, there will have to be funding established to pay clinicians.

Additional Thoughts As someone reminded me today, it is common to receive criticism when advocating for change – even when it seems overall positive. I want to emphasize that I am approaching this from a “rising tides lift all boats” perspective, and I truly believe this is a program that can beneft all other providers, organizations, and individuals in the community. There is a major shortage of mental health services in Northeast Georgia and the greater tri-state area – so, I truly do not believe this model will negatively impact other practices. My hope is for this collaboration to improve services, our professional development as colleagues, and maybe even allow us to make a larger impact at the state level via advocacy and partnership with other organizations and politicians.

Franklin, North Carolina

Why You May Need a Consumer Protection Attorney

By: James W. Hurt, Jr.

Financial injuries are much like physical injuries in that they can disrupt your life and sometimes lead to more serious problems. Often, people don’t realize the extent of their issues until it is too late. Declining credit scores, exorbitant credit card fees, threats of bankruptcy, lawsuits, and even criminal charges may all be lurking just around the corner. This is why it is so important to keep tabs on your fnancial health and recognize when you may need to enlist the help of a consumer protection attorney.

Have you tried to reduce or consolidate your debt by using a Debt Settlement or Debt Adjustment Program? Debt Settlement companies are prevalent in the debt adjustment industry, promoting themselves as an alternative to bankruptcy, a faster way to get out of debt, and a better alternative to traditional debt management plans. In reality, many of these companies end up helping consumers ruin their credit and get sued. Once the consumer signs a contract with the debt settlement company, they are instructed to stop paying their credit card bills, and instead pay the money into a holding account of their debt settlement company. Once there are suffcient funds in the account, the debt settlement company will, in theory, contact the consumer’s credit card companies and negotiate a lump sum settlement of the debt for some amount less than the full amount owed. What debt settlement companies don’t tell you is that you may be sued by your credit card company for failing to pay your bills. Or, your debt may be charged off and sold to a junk debt buyer. These junk debt buyers will often fle derogatory entries on consumers’ credit reports, make harassing collection calls, and fle lawsuits to collect. And fnally, in the event that a debt settlement company actually settles a credit card debt, the consumer will most likely be penalized by the IRS showing the amount of charged off debt as income! It’s a no-win situation for consumers.

Are debt collectors harassing you? If you are the victim of unlawful debt collection practices, you have a right to make it stop. Consumer protection laws are in place to protect you against unlawful collection practices and illegally fled lawsuits. Collection agencies can be very aggressive and may harass individuals when trying to collect. A few important items to note are: Debt collectors cannot call you before 8:00 am or after 9:00 pm; Debt collectors cannot call your friends, neighbors, or relatives about your debt; Debt collectors cannot call you at work if you ask them to stop; Debt collectors cannot threaten to have you arrested or criminally prosecuted; Debt collectors cannot send false information to credit bureaus.

Are you being sued over a debt by a company you’ve never heard of? If so, you may be facing a third-party debt collector or a junk debt buyer. It is important for you to understand that your action or inaction can have a serious impact. If you don’t respond in a timely manner, the collector may get a judgment against you and potentially be able to take money out of your paycheck or bank account! There are many of these companies cropping up out there, so if you have received any correspondence regarding the collection of a debt from someone other than your credit card company, you should take immediate action.

Are there errors on your credit report? Georgia law protects consumers from banks, lenders, and credit reporting agencies that report incorrect credit information. It also protects consumers from institutions who use credit reports for impermissible purposes and fail to fx errors on credit reports. There are numerous inaccuracies that may show up on your credit report including: incorrect name or address, incorrect Social Security Number, debts that have been discharged in bankruptcy, and loan or credit card payments that were applied incorrectly. Reviewing your credit report regularly will alert you to any of these types of inaccuracies. Incorrect or outdated credit reports may affect your ability to qualify for credit cards, loans, and insurance. It may also affect the interest rates you pay, and in some instances, keep you from getting a job. You have the right under Georgia law to receive a free credit report twice annually by following the instructions at www.annualcreditreport.com. If you haven’t checked yours lately, I urge you to log on and pull your reports from all three reporting agencies today.

James W. Hurt, Jr. (Jimmy) is the principal and managing partner of Hurt Stolz, PC, a consumer protection and personal injury law frm serving the state of Georgia from Athens and Clayton offces.