Sophie October 2015

October 2015

ING R U T A E F

PLUS: Aging Gracefully with Susan Reinhardt

SophieMagazine.com

Bringing Expertise to Western North Carolina

2 | Sophie OCTOBER 2015

Sophie OCTOBER 2015 | 3

October 2015

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 16

Natalie Bogwalker The front woman for Wild Abundance talks to Meg Hale Brunton.

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Think Pink

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Women Of WNC

Captured by photographer Jennifer Mesk.

9 The Healing Power Of Yoga

These flirty and fun fashion picks benefit breast cancer charities.

17 Local Businesses

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SuperHealthy Smoothies Debi Manfre shares some of her favorite smoothie recipes.

27 Betty’s Book Review

Betty Sharpless highly

recommends “The Boys In The Boat”.

Helping Women With Cancer Stay Beautiful

Meg Hale Brunton tells us how

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Catching Dreams A Bohemian Fashion Show.

32 A Harvest Of Quilts

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Nip It, Tuck It...Or Just Age Gracefully

Susan Reinhardt shares her views on plastic surgery.

Asheville Quilt Guild’s 33rd

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Annual Quilt Show.

Garden Bloomers

soup season with her Winter Squash Soup recipe.

we should look at all options concerning bone health.

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Winter Wonderland

Warm textures and deep gem tones create a romantic wedding.

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Girls’ Day Out

Best friends Roberta Lloyd and Allison Leatherwood spend some quailty time together.

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Cover photo: Allison’s outfit: Calista Knit Dress $38; Naira Faux Fur Vest $58; Aruba Fringe Bootie $58; Two Layer White Crest Leaf Necklace $28; Perforated Flat Clutch $34; Howlite Teardrop Earring $16. Roberta’s outfit: Tiny Snap Flap Crossboy $20; White Statement Necklace $24; Circle White Studs $9; Oxford Lace Up Wedge $58; Emerald Crotchet Dress $48. Photograph by Katy Cook.

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36 Meg’s Movie Review

“Mr. Holmes” receives 7 out of 10 stars from Meg.

CONTRIBUTORS Meg Hale Brunton Susan Reinhardt Betty Sharpless

PHOTOGRAPHERS Duncan Chaboudy Photography Katy Cook Jennifer Mesk ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Meg Hale Brunton Pamela Hart Pam Hensley Rick Jenkins Roberta Lloyd Rose Lunsford Crystal Pressley CLASSIFIED SUPERVISOR Angela Frizzell SALES ASSISTANT Jayme Pressley

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ringing Expertise B To WNC

Dr. Rachel Raab helps start a breast program in WNC.

CREATIVE SERVICES Carrie Harder Rachel Hoeft Randy Whittington

PROOFING DIVA Karen Shepard

20 Osteoporosis -

Keep It Simple

CREATIVE EDITOR Debi Manfre

CIRCULATION MANAGER Sam Howell

Betty Sharpless gets you ready for

Dr. Micheal Rogers explains why

IT/PRODUCTION MANAGER Jeff Ruminski

FASHION COORDINATOR Angela Ramsey

Judi Maisel and Earleen Evans are giving back to the community.

Camile Maybin tells us how yoga has helped her.

GENERAL MANAGER/PUBLISHER Patricia Martin Betts

sophiemagavl

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Things To Do

An expanded monthly calendar of activities around WNC.

Distributed throughout WNC, Sophie is a complimentary monthly magazine for today’s woman. Contributions are welcome and may be sent via e-mail. Include your name, address, and phone number, so we can contact you if we decide to print your submission. Sophie reserves the right to edit any editorial submissions. Sophie also reserves the right to refuse any advertisement or article that is deemed inappropriate for the publication. No portion of Sophie may be reproduced without permission of the publisher.

None of the information herein is intended as medical or professional advice.

Sophie OCTOBER 2015 | 5

PEOPLE

She decided to return to school and earned her degree in Ecological Agriculture from Evergreen State College in Washington.

After school, she moved to the East Coast. At 24, she came to Madison County and lived there in a bark hut she built. Eventually, she built a small straw-clay cottage and spent the next five years learning primitive skills, such as tanning deer hide, making fire by friction, and cooking over open fire. “I was focused in a very purist way of life back then,” Bogwalker muses. She also spent a few years in Boone, NC, learning carpentry, home building, home setting, integrating food growing and preserving into a 21st Century homestead.

About 8 years ago, she started The Firefly Gathering, a yearly event which now resides on 300 acres in WNC where people come together to hone their skills for living with the earth. The gathering features over 250 classes on a variety of earthbased skillsets, as well as camping, music by local artists, dancing, and just playing in the great outdoors. Bogwalker says that the Firefly Gathering also teaches its attendees a lot about living in harmony with each other. “These skills for living with the earth and living with other humans for interdependency, it involves everything from how to build a log cabin to how to make sauerkraut, or how to keep goats, or non-violent communication- how to be in a functional relationship with other people. So, when you’re trying to live in your homestead paradise, you don’t end up wanting to kill each other.”

She admits that it takes about 6 months of work for a crew of fifteen to put the 4-day event together.

Through teaching at the Firefly Gathering and other events, Bogwalker developed a desire to see her students’ continued progress throughout the year, and wanted to create an environment in which she could host long-term, more in-depth classes. “For years and years – I wanted to create a school for self-sufficiency and interdependence,” says Bogwalker, “and wanted to help empower people to live with the land and to live in ways that were more connected to the Earth’s patterns and cycles.”

In 2011, she was able to buy her 7 acres of land in WNC and started Wild Abundance, a school for Permaculture, Eco Homesteading and Primitive Skills.

Bogwalker says that, through Wild Abundance, she gets to utilize all her favorite things: growing and preparing food, building and crafting, and being in the woods. She prides herself on offering something for everyone at Wild Abundance. From their location, in Chinquapin Hill, they teach a variety of classes and workshops throughout the year on everything from making natural dyes and medicines, to tanning and fashioning hide, to basic carpentry, to wild food walks and gardening. “Our classes are for everyone, of all walks of life.” says Bogwalker, “We strive to challenge people’s limits while helping them feel comfortable; to be more empowered human beings.”

Photographed and written by Meg Hale Brunton Bogwalker says that she enjoys the very diverse student demographic they rom a very young age, Natalie Bogwalker felt a strong desire to do get at Wild Abundance. Especially for her Carpentry class, Bogwalker says she something with her life that helped humanity. gets a lot of women who have never touched a powShe started in school for genetic engineering, er tool, and moms who have always wanted to learn These skills for living originally wanting to help find a cure for AIDS, but these skills but haven’t had time because of family. then re-evaluated her life after she was hit by a car. with the earth and living “Something that I make it a point to do through the After that, she spent a year traveling the world, choices of classes that I run,- it’s really important with other humans for “trying to find her new path,” living in places like to me to empower women, to be doing these things Spain and Guatemala. She wanted to learn how to that are typically seen as ‘a man’s world’. When interdependency, it involves grow food in a sustainable and regenerative way, these women get to learn these skills, that they can everything from how to build and become self-sufficient. do it, and that they don’t need some man to do all “My connection with the human, as well as the this stuff for them – it can be really life-changing.” a log cabin to how to make non-human realm, is that I just have deep care and Except for the Ladies Basic Carpentry, all of Wild sauerkraut... want to see things go well, and I don’t want to see Abundance’s classes are co-ed, but they also offer humanity wreck the earth and wreck themselves.” private classes (for individuals, couples, or famisays Bogwalker, “That’s why I do what I do, I want to help empower people lies). Some classes are one day long, some last one weekend, and some are a with solutions… and have fun.”

10-day intensive, or a series of weekends. Some of their students camp out on

Natalie Bogwalker

Front Woman for Wild Abundance

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the property while attending classes, and some commute daily. Their facilities offer an outdoor on-demand propane shower and limited solarenergy based electricity. Bogwalker designed and built a beautiful log cabin on her property from logs on her land. There are several other creative, sweet, and homey buildings dotted around the 7 acres. “It’s a whole way of living.” Bogwalker smiles, “We teach permaculture, which is a really awesome and integrative system that involves gardening, perennials, your buildings and basically your whole life, living in an ultimately sustainable and caring way. We teach building, we run a garden school in the springtime.” She loves seeing her students show an openness to try something new, to learn a new skill, then take it home and use it in their everyday life.

When she isn’t teaching, running the school, or building something, Bogwalker also does land consultations to help people make the most of their land, both financially and spiritually. She is also currently writing a book on Wild Food Preservation. She hopes to someday get her students’ college credit for the classes they attend at Wild Abundance and is even looking at plans to build a larger school center on the other end of her property.

“What we really like to do here is show people how living with a smaller impact on the earth can really be very comfortable and beautiful.” says Bogwalker, “It’s not survival, it’s thrival.”

For more information on Bogwalker or Wild Abundance, visit wildabundance.net.

Sophie OCTOBER 2015 | 7

PEOPLE

“I would like to write a book someday.

I have a ‘book under the bed’. I would also like to create a few beautiful things before I write the book. I’m a journalist, so I like writing and photos.”

wnc WOMEN of Photographed by Jennifer Mesk, HumansOfAsheville.net

“You really need to be driven. It’s important to know what you want and get to that point and you’re not going to let anyone stop you in order to get that. You have to be confident in yourself. I’ve struggled with that. But the more confident you are with yourself the more you can just do whatever you want.

Once you think you know everything that’s when you kind of peak and you’re done. So you should be constantly learning about other things and yourself.”

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“I’m a hard worker and provider. I love my family. I have two kids and nieces and nephews. I have a nephew who was shot when he was 12. He’s paralyzed from the neck down, he’s 20 now. He just keeps fighting every day. When it first happened they didn’t expect for him to live.”

“Learn to love yourself before anyone else. I used to put my love for others before myself, and now I’ve learned to walk away when I’m not getting what I need from it, too. So, I’ve learned to love myself first, self preservation. I’m a Pisces, it’s in my nature. That’s what I do, I love people but, you’ve gotta learn to know your worth and only let people in that know that as well.”

The Healing Power of Yoga

PEOPLE

Camille Maybin Camille is a native of the beautiful mountains of Asheville, NC. Yoga found her 4 years ago during her undergrad years. One of the things that Camille struggled with while being in college was severe stress and anxiety. In retrospect, Camille was a long-time loner and perfectionist. After her first class she found the physical aspect of the practice to be not as easy as she imagined. However, the true surprise was the sense of peace and joy she found. That feeling lead her to pursue a teaching certification in 2014, at The Asheville Yoga Center here in the heart of Asheville, NC. Camille plans to continue her education in hopes of retrieving a RYT-500 training certification. Yoga has since helped her through injuries, personal dealings, it has promoted her health and wellness, and has enhanced her overall internal self-love and happiness!

The more and more she practices the more she discovers that yoga has the ability to meet her wherever she is in her mental, physical, and emotional state.

Camille's classes are a blend of deep breathing practices to aid relaxation and stillness, a spirit of playfulness to find your physical edge and move at your own pace, and cultivate a sense of self-awareness and acceptance.

2 Weaverville Rd., Suite 103 Woodfin, NC 28804 • (828) 785-1598 theyogabin.net

Sophie OCTOBER 2015 | 9

ENTERTAINMENT

Nip it, Tuck it... or just

Age Gracefully Written by Susan Reinhardt | Photography by Randy Whittington

Susan and Dr. George Ibrahim discuss treatment options.

10 | Sophie OCTOBER 2015

Sometimes I sit around and watch that mindless, drivel of a show called “Botched,” about plastic surgery gone all up into major wrongness.

Picture a set of lips so inflated with filler, you could cruise down the French Broad on such puckers. Or a butt implant ejecting itself from the fanny like a silicone flying saucer.

I’m intrigued by plastic surgery, but have noticed too many women (and men) rushing to cut, carve and slice their bodies into the shapes that our current youth-obsessed society deems ideal.

Soon, we’re all going to look alike. Think about the people you see on TV, the big screen or just in town who all have a face that looks as if it’s going to explode from a filler overload.

Don’t get me wrong. I believe people should do what makes them feel best about themselves. Yet, many become as addicted to Botox and fillers as a boozer is to a 40-ouncer for under a buck.

Confession: I have had fillers in the past. The results were mixed, depending on where I went to infuse my craggy folds.

Talking about cosmetic procedures is a hot topic for women my age, over 40, over 50 and on into the Golden Years. Aging gracefully is all but a relic, though I do admire the women I see who are entering Senior Discount Day years with confidence, despite a bit of turkey-neck meat waddling.

It’s not uncommon for us aging gals working in the high-end cosmetics lines at department stores to stand in front of a mirror and pull up our faces.

Just to see how we’d look with a bit of “work done.”

Neither is it rare that women will approach me and whip out their phones, showing me before-and-after face-lift photos. In the past, people went to extreme lengths to hide the fact a doc sent those cheekbones soaring, hoisted those saggy eyes, and whittled them a jawline as defined as Keira Knightley’s.

Growing old is inevitable, but for most, it’s preferred over an urn or casket. This whole thing with plastic surgery, invasive or not, has boomed in the past decade.

The cover of the June 29th issue of Time magazine featured a lovely model, mirrored compact in hand, receiving injections from her doctor. The title of the feature was, “Nip. Tuck. Or Else. Now everyone gets work done.

Will you?”

Inside the magazine, the author states, “Why you’ll be getting cosmetic procedures even if you don’t really want to.”

What? Author Joel Stein writes that our society will seek the Fountain of Youth, “Not because you hate yourself, fear aging or are vain. You’re going to get a cosmetic procedure for the same reason you wear makeup: because every other woman is.”

In other words, having work is as likely in our future as going to the hairdresser, or getting a mani-pedi. Society has accepted – even expected – a large majority of us will have at least a little something done, if not a full-on knifing, bone-shaving or fat-suctioning.

1 TOWN SQUARE BLVD. • ASHEVILLE, NC

Susan loves the Vanquish machine.

The anti-aging market has come up with myriad less invasive measures to help us take off a few years.

When I was 43, I began experimenting with Botox. I have to say it does work, but is super expensive. Women as young as 20 are rushing to paralyze their faces, thinking a Frozen Face is the Look de Jour.

While there’s nothing wrong with a touch of a great doc’s help, do your research before throwing your mug into unfit hands wielding scalpels and needles.

I’ve begun a regime with Dr. George Ibrahim, a hormone-balancing, anti-aging, and weight-loss physician with Biltmore Restorative Medicine and Aesthetics. Once my cranky, useless uterus hit the Mission Hospital incinerator, I needed some bio-identical hormones and achieved great results.

Dr. Ibrahim has a machine I love called Vanquish that melts and destroys fat cells with no pain or downtime, and it actually does work.

So how far would a person go? I recently ran across the most bizarre of all anti-aging remedies, and have even tried one of them: • Placenta face masks. All I can say is, “Yucky doodle do.”

• Bee venom. All I can say is, “I’d rather eat creamed possum.”

• Sperm facial. All I can say is, “I don’t even want to know what this involves.”

• Leeches to stimulate collagen. All I can say is, “I’d rather just have someone give me a bunch of hickeys.”

• Bird Poo Facials. All I can say is, “This is over-the-top gross.”

• Urine therapy. This involves drinking one’s pee-pee or pouring it over their faces. All I can say is, “Too kinky for me.”

• Vampire Facials. This is when a doc takes your own platelet-rich plasma, uses a micro-needling pen to pierce tiny holes into the face and inject the plasma. All I can say is, “I have done this with Dr. Ibrahim and loved the results. Worked great on my acne scars.”

For now, I’m avoiding the knife, unless a waiter hands me one for my charred rib-eye.

Susan Reinhardt is the author of the hilarious and quirky novel “Chimes from a Cracked Southern Belle,” along with “Not Tonight Honey, Wait ‘Til I’m a Size 6,” “Don’t Sleep with a Bubba.” and “Dishing with the Kitchen Virgin.” susanreinhardt.com

BILTMORE PAKR ADS

Sophie OCTOBER 2015 | 11

FASHION

ROBERTA: Oxford Wedges $58 Scallop Waist Skirt $38 Soft Denim Shirt $40 Pearl Lined Pinwheel Drop $14 Pearl Beaded Metal Station $18 Pearl Floral Stretch $18 Arrow Charm Wallet $18 12 | Sophie OCTOBER 2015

ALLISON: Miami Taupe Pico Top $24 Celista Geometric Sweater Wrap $44 Laura Quilted Ponte pants $44 Susanna Floppy Hat $34 Katharine Crochet Bootie $58 Polished Bar Earrings $12 Cristelle Pendant Necklace $24

FASHION

ALLISON: Amy Knit Dress $44 Harper Hooded Classic Jacket $58 Lexy Knee High Heeled Boot $88 Thin Hooped Earring $14 Small Mixed Media Flower Necklace $16

ROBERTA: Hammered Cuff $18 Braided Double Twist Chain $18 Seedbead Lined Long Ovals $18 Tile Print Moroccan Braid $28 Bailee Knit Shift Dress $38 Aztec Ankle Booties $54

ROBERTA: Kaley Heeled Ankle Booties $48 Polly Dress $44 Diamond Cut Tear Drop $12 Half Leaf Shakes $18 Sophie OCTOBER 2015 | 13

FASHION

ROBERTA: Little Black Tea Dress $44 Burgundy Knit Jacket $48 ‘Braided Tan To The Knee’ Boots $68 Stone Center Earrings $14 Chevron Arrows Necklace $18 ALLISON: Libby Striped Dress $44 Jun & Ivy classic Denim Jacket $48 Heidi Crossbody Bag $44 Open Triangle Triple Layer Necklace $22 Triangle Stud Earring $9 Kaley Heeled Ankle Bootie $48

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY:

FASHION COORDINATOR:

Angela Ramsey

ASSISTANT FASHION STYLISTS:

Katy Cook 828.442.0337 katycookphotography.com

Catherine Kupec, Eleni Mariner, Aisha Harvey, Stephanie Johnson, Caroline Hargadon, Olivia Zahn

CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES BY:

Roberta Lloyd and Allison Leatherwood

MODELS:

THANK YOU TO:

"Milo" the Sproodle Owner: Jenny Rutledge Eleni Mariner Assistant Boutique Manager 19 Town Square Blvd. #120 Asheville, NC, 28803 828.684.0721 HAIR BY:

Brittanny Craig (Carmen! Carmen!) & Stefanie Williams (Stefanie’s Design Studio) MAKEUP BY:

Jessica Dodd & Jessica Drennen

Asheville Mall • 828.296.9463

PHOTO SHOOT LOCATIONS:

Biltmore Park Town Square 27 Schenck Pkwy #100 Asheville, NC 28803 anotherbrokenegg.com 828.676.2823

Biltmore Grande 15 292 Thetford St. Asheville, NC 28803 828.684.4380 Sophie OCTOBER 2015 | 15

FASHION

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Pink is feminine, girly, sexy and fun. Above all, pink is powerful! Especially when it’s worn to raise awareness of breast cancer and as a sign of support of the women (warriors) battling it. A portion of the proceeds from each product shown benefits breast cancer charities.

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I nfinite Hope sterling & pearl pink ribbon necklace $19.99 thebreastcancersite.greatergoods.com 2 Leather ribbon awareness bracelet $20 choosehope.com 3 Faith Hope Komen sweatshirt $48 shopkomen.com 4 Evelyn Lauder and Elizabeth Hurley Dream Pink collection $29.50 esteelauder.com 5 Women’s VA Power In Pink® triple ribbon long sleeve t-shirt $34.99 underarmour.com 6 16 oz. BCRF Lulu travel tumbler $12.99 shoptrudeau.com 7 Pink, Love & Happiness tote $10 warriorsinpink.ford.com 8 DWMX Distance walking sock $14.99 thorio.com 9 Nest - Passion candle $38 candledelirium.com 10 Allure printed scarf $122.50 toryburch.com 16 | Sophie OCTOBER 2015

5

PEOPLE

Local Businesses Helping Women with Cancer Stay Beautiful Written by Meg Hale Brunton

When battling cancer, you might think that your outward appearance would be the last thing on your mind, but these local business women say that keeping up a feeling of beauty is essential to maintaining your self-esteem, confidence and overall health.

In 2006, Judi Maisel opened Secrets of a Duchess with her friend Scott Schaeffer.

Both had backgrounds in the wig business and knew how hard it was to find a good wig shop, where the owners would actually let the customers try on the wigs before From left to right: Jessica Webb, Judi Maisel, Angel, making a purScott Schaeffer, and Juanita Roberts chase-decision. “I myself haven’t had hair for 20 years,” Maisel admits. “Wigs are very important to me, to make me feel okay with the world.”

Maisel said that she had a lot of friends who were losing their hair due to chemotherapy or alopecia. “They were devastated, not by the diagnosis of cancer (which to me is devastating), but by the loss of hair which had been their crowning glory.” says Maisel. So, she made sure that her business provided a comfortable and fun environment in which customers could consider all their options, and even enjoy the experience. “I get a lot of satisfaction from making people look better and not be scared,” Maisel says, “because really the wigs and the makeup are the fun part.”

Secrets of a Duchess is a full service salon and wig shop that offers wigs, hair extensions, makeup, and spa services. Their trained cosmetologist staff does free wig-fittings and free head-buzzing, often with parties for the person getting buzzed. Maisel says that, since they know so many women who have been through cancer, they always do what they can to help make the process as bearable as possible. They even help set women up with a ‘chemo-buddy,’ or another woman who has been through the chemotherapy process who wants to help others in a similar situation.

“I found that a little makeup (when their skin changes color, and they get very dry skin) and a cute wig helps to no end and gives you back your selfrespect,” Maisel says. “Although nothing’s as good as the real thing, we all know that you can make a pretty good imitation. I think transsexuals show us that- when they become a woman, they stop at nothing to become a beautiful woman. And I have some [transsexual customers] that are so stunning, that it makes me jealous.”

Maisel also operates a charity out of her shop, where she sells low-cost clothing to raise money to provide wigs to people who can’t afford them because of high medical bills or lack of insurance. She is proud to be doing her part to make life a little easier for her clients.

Earleen Evans was a nail technician for 28 years, before she decided to get

certified in permanent makeup tattooing, and opened her business Asheville Permanent Makeup. Her work was so detailed and meticulous that Dr. Donald Conway of the Plastic Surgery Center asked her to start tattooing aroelas for his breast cancer patients.

Since then, tattooing areolas, permanent eyebrows and eyeliner for cancer patients has become the crux of Evans’ business. She has also done permanent makeup for women in wheelchairs, women with hair loss due to over-plucking, or from burns or scarring, as well as women with diseases such as MS, alopecia, macular degeneration, and thyroid issues. “When you take someone who loses all their hair, their eyelashes, they just don’t feel like themselves,” Evans says, later adding, “the majority of my clients I consider more restorative than glamorous.”

In 2009, Evans even started her own Earleen Evans non-profit, called Beauty Through Cancer.

Through her charity, Evans did free areola tattooing for cancer patients, but also taught classes on maintaining hair and nails during chemotherapy at cancer centers. The charity also arranged support groups and education programs, and gave away free wigs, hats and scarves to the women with cancer. “I loved Beauty Through Cancer, we did some wonderful things, helped a lot of people.“ says Evans, “It was just too much; it took over my entire life and I didn’t have a personal life anymore. So, it was time to close that, but I still wanted to continue doing good things for my community.” Evans closed Beauty Through Cancer in 2013, but continues to do free areola tattooing to anyone who has been to a plastic surgeon in the area. Evans calls that her “spiritual tithing- it’s my way of giving back to the community.”

For a woman who’s had a double mastectomy, Evans works with her to pick the size, shape and pigment of their new areolas, and often uses shading to create a 3D effect. If only one breast has been removed, Evans uses her eye for detail to make the new nipple match the remaining one. Evans says that she often has tattooing parties for some of her clients, while others drop in casually on their lunch breaks to have their tattooing done.

“I see them (clients) at the end of their journey, when most of the medical procedures are over,” she says, “They are so happy to walk in here and see a pretty office that doesn’t look like a doctor’s office.” Evans says that her clients are often surprised at how much better they feel afterward. She says that getting back the look of their face with eyebrows and eyelashes, and of their breasts with nipples, “doesn’t just make them look pretty, it makes them feel like a woman again, makes them feel finished and younger.”

Although Evans never would have have guessed that tattooing breasts would turn into her life’s work, she loves doing it. “All my life, I have thought my purpose was just to make women more beautiful and make them feel better about themselves.” says Evans, “That’s a lucky thing to get to do, to be that blessed.”

Both Maisel and Evans are shining examples of dedicated business women who have done their part to give back to the community, and to keep women strong and beautiful through cancer.

Sophie OCTOBER 2015 | 17

HOME & GARDEN

GARDEN BLOOMERS

M

Soup for

Written by Betty Sharpless

any people mistakenly think that this glorious season is called “fall” or “leaf season”. For gardeners lamenting the short days this is really the beginning of SOUP SEASON! Hooray! All the amazing veggies that did not get eaten and so were canned or frozen now get to become that magic health restoring mixture called homemade soup. After a long day of raking leaves, hiking and tasting cider, nothing hits the spot like a bowl of homemade soup. Making soup yourself ensures that you know every ingredient that is in it, and more importantly, you know every ingredient that is NOT in it.

Making a pot of yummy soup could not be easier… All of my soups follow a few easy steps. The flavor of the soup then depends on what ingredients you have on hand and what spices you may add. I start all of my soups with a pour of olive oil in the soup pot and at least one big onion, chopped and 4-5 garlic cloves chopped. Cook those over medium heat until they soften. Then add your “bulk” ingredient (these form the main base of the soup: potatoes, squash, cabbage, etc.) In this case add 4-5 cups winter squash chopped into 1” cubes. Stir them into the onion mix and let them warm up about 5 minutes. Then add either chicken stock or water with veggie or chicken bouillon to barely cover the soup. Cook until the cubes pierce easily with a fork. Then add additional layers of flavor. In this case, the chopped apples, cinnamon,

for Under $10

Photograph by Sabrina Kumar

salt and pepper. (I often add a shake of hot pepper here…)

Cook until apples are soft.

Using either an emersion blender or a food processor, mash the soup into a smooth consistency.

Back into the pot, adding cream or cider as needed to thin the soup. Depending on the soup, I often only blend 3/4s of the mix, so there is a nice texture for chewing. Adding ½ block of cream cheese instead of cream works just as well.

Taste and add any additional seasonings before serving.

Top grown up’s soup Betty suits up for SOUP SEASON. with pine nuts and a swirl of real maple syrup. Top kid’s soup with mini marshmallows.

So many studies show that lack of fiber from fresh vegetables is the root of numerous health problems. Eating soup made from fresh or frozen vegetables is a great way for everyone, even kids, to enjoy the dreaded fiber.

Leftovers? Freeze them in office lunch size portions to make all your coworkers insanely jealous!

Winter Squash Soup Serves 4-6 people. Serve with crusty bread for dipping.

Ingredients: • 1 large sweet onion, peeled and chopped • 4-5 cloves fresh garlic, peeled and chopped • 1/3 cup olive oil • 4-5 cups orange winter squash cut into 1” cubes • Chicken stock or water with bouillon to cover • 2 or 3 cooking type apples such as Winesap or Rome seeded, chopped • Cinnamon, salt, pepper and red pepper to taste • Pine nuts, maple syrup or mini marshmallows to top

Betty Sharpless is a free lance gardener known for always having a pot of soup going on a Friday evening…

18 | Sophie OCTOBER 2015

Sophie OCTOBER 2015 | 19

HOME & GARDEN

OSTEOPOROSIS - Keep It Simple

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Written by Dr. Michael Rogers

ver the years we have found that the biggest problem women have with treating osteoporosis naturally is keeping up with all the supplements one should be taking. We have found that its better to take one product that contains most of what you need rather than tryning to take 4-5 products throughout the day and timing it just right. The most success we have seen is with adding on ipriflavone or progetsreone cream. We have seen patient’s bone mineral densities actually increase, rather than just hold there own. This is amazing--and we have never heard of side effects other than that progesterone cream can make you drowsy if you use too much for you, since every one is different.

Another problem we have seen is people taking Rx meds that can interfere with there osteoporosis program.

We had a patient on acid-blocking medicine and someone told her to take Tums for her Calcium supplement. Well,

Tums contains Calcium Carbonate which needs acid to be absorbed, so, we switched her to Calcium citrate which is a form of Calcium not dependent on acid to be absorbed. Also-many Rx meds deplete various vitamins and minerals from the body. Magnesium is extremely important for bone health and drugs such as diuretics and steroids and even acid blockers can deplete magnesium, so what Rx’s someone is on also needs to be looked at.

Osteoporosis (Bone loss) begins around the age of 30 (begin to lose 0.5% 1.0%). Loss then increases to a loss of 1% to 5% after menopause. For about five years this process settles back down to 0.5-1%. So, bone loss is a normal process. It’s only when it becomes severe that the risk of bones breaking becomes the issue.

Osteopenia is a medical term (not a disease) meaning you have some bone loss and implies you are heading towards osteoporosis. This may or may not be the case, bit it sure scares you!

So, what’s one to do? There are lots of opinions and research on this topic, to name a few: 1. Get a BMD (bone mineral density) test. this compares your bones to younger women and/or to a BMD you may have had done in the past.

2. Cut out the junk food. Use your most valuable source - your common sense! Try (as best you can) to stick with veggies, fruits, whole grains, nuts, seeds, white meats or lean red meats. Shop the perimeter of the grocery store (Where the live food is!) and eat the rainbow (colorful foods).

3. Exercise - this can help stimulate bone growth and also make you feel great and lose weight!

4. Supplements - bones need more than calcium. Various vitamins and minerals are involved in this process. We recommend the product called Osteoprime Forte with was formulated by Dr. Allan Gaby and Dr. Jonathan Wright from their book Reversing Osteoporosis.

5. Progesterone Cream - helps build new bone according to Dr. John Lee in What Your Doctor May Not Have Told You About Menopause.

6. Ipriflavone - A type of soy derivative that may help prevent bone loss.

7. Vitamin K2 - needed to make a protein found in found 8. Prescription medicines are available and one should talk with their doctor about the benefits and risks.

Osteoporosis is a serious disease and we should look at all options concerning our bone health.

For further questions or for a private consultation contact Dr. Michael Rogers.

Mike Rogers and Bill Cheek, co-founders of Nature’s Vitamins & Herbs

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

These suggestions are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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Bringing Expertise to Western North Carolina

T

Photographs by Jennifer Mesk

hrough a collaboration with Hope Women’s Cancer Center and Cancer Care of Western North Carolina, Rachel E. Raab, MD will be providing care for patients at Hope Women’s Cancer Center, an affiliate of Mission Health. Previously, Dr. Raab served as interim division chief of hematology and oncology at East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine in Greenville, North Carolina.

Denise Steuber, RN, BSN, OCN, Rachel E. Raab, MD, and Janet Magruder, CBCN Dr. Raab will be working jointly with David J. Hetzel, MD, Tim Vanderkwaak, MD, Blair Harkness, MD and Ashley Case, MD at Hope Women’s Cancer Center.

Hope Women’s Cancer Center provides regular mammography, 3D mammography, diagnostic testing and treatment for breast disease in addition to the treatment of gynecologic cancers by a board certified, fellowship-trained team of providers.

“We are delighted to bring together such a fantastic group of individuals in order to provide expert care to women facing breast disease. The level of talent, knowledge and experience in the Mission Breast Program is unparalleled in this region.”

Rachel E. Raab, MD and Sesalie L. Smathers, MD

Dr. Raab earned her medical degree from East Carolina University School of Medicine in Greenville, North Carolina.

She completed her internal medicine residency and fellowship in hematology and oncology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center Sophie OCTOBER 2015 | 21

in Bronx, New York. Dr. Raab is board certified in internal medicine, hematology and oncology. Dr. Raab has also been published in numerous scholarly journals and maintains a special interest in caring for patients with breast cancer.

“I am honored to be practicing at both Cancer Care of Western North Carolina and Hope Women’s Cancer Center,” said Dr. Raab. “It is my deep commitment to ensure that I provide each of my patients with the highest level of care possible, ensuring that they receive the treatment and procedures needed to continue living a full life. I feel that the collaboration between the practices involved in the program provides a compressive and cohesive level of care that will benefit the women of western North Carolina.”

Since 1992, Hope Women’s Cancer Center has been dedicated to providing women with the best possible healthcare. Specializing in gynecologic and breast cancer treatment, our expert physicians and staff feel privileged to provide patients with the latest in medical technology and practices in the warmest and most comfortable of environments.

Rachel E. Raab, MD, Martin Palmeri, MD, and Lynn J. Howie, MD

Appointments can be made at Hope Women’s Cancer Center by calling (828) 670-8403.

Hope is located at 100 Ridgefield Court, Asheville, NC 28806

M

About Mission Health

ission Health, based in Asheville, North Carolina, is the state’s sixth-largest health system and the region’s only not-forprofit, independent community hospital system governed and managed exclusively in Western North Carolina. Mission Health has been recognized as one of the nation’s Top 15 Health Systems 2012-2015 by Truven Health Analytics, formerly Thomson Reuters. Mission Health is the only health system in the nation to receive this recognition four years in a row, and the only health system in North Carolina to achieve Top 15 recognition.

Mission Health, which traces its roots in the region back to 1885, operates six hospitals, numerous outpatient and surgery centers, post-acute care provider CarePartners, long-term acute care provider Asheville Specialty Hospital and the region’s only dedicated Level II trauma center.

22 | Sophie OCTOBER 2015

Its medical staff consists of more than 1,000 physicians and is certified in more than 50 medical specialties and sub-specialties. Mission Health has seven Centers of Excellence: Cancer, Heart, Mission Children’s Hospital, Neurosciences, Orthopedics, Trauma and Women’s Health. Mission Hospital, located in Asheville, is the system’s flagship hospital and is licensed for 763 beds. It is the regional referral center for tertiary and quaternary care. It also includes Mission Children’s Hospital – the region’s only children’s hospital. Other Mission Health member hospitals include Angel Medical Center in Franklin, Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine, Highlands-Cashiers Hospital in Highlands, McDowell Hospital in Marion and Transylvania Regional Hospital in Brevard. With approximately 10,700 employees and 2,000 volunteers, Mission Health is dedicated to improving the health and wellness of the people of Western North Carolina. For more information, please visit mission-health.org or @MissionHealthNC.

Dr. Rachel Raab Written by Meg Hale Brunton

Dr. Rachel Raab started as Director of Breast Medical Oncology Services at Cancer Care of Western North Carolina in June of this year.

She had previously been practicing in her hometown of Greenville, NC, since 2008. When Dr. Michael Messino (Head of Cancer Care of Western NC) contacted her about helping to start a breast program in WNC, Raab says she jumped at the opportunity. “I was thrilled to be able to do it, because I think that Western North Carolina was really lacking in a formal breast cancer program. To be able to create a program and provide that care to women in Western North Carolina is vitally important. Women shouldn’t feel as if they need to travel outside of Western NC to get excellent treatment and care for their breast cancer. Everything that they need is right here- incredible surgeons, outstanding physicians, wonderful support staff and nurses, as well as a variety of clinical trials.” Raab continues, “When you have cancer, you don’t want to leave your support network. It’s stressful enough, being diagnosed with cancer. Having to navigate another hospital, another environment, a new city, a long drive- it can be a bit too much for most people. Women do not need to leave this area to get the best breast cancer care, because it is available here with the Mission Breast Program.”

The Mission Breast Program is a collaboration among multiple different practices and specialties, consisting of medical oncology, radiation oncology, surgery, as well as nurses, geneticists, pathologists, radiologists, social workers, counselors, and dieticians.

“It consists of many individuals coming together to provide a team-based approach to breast cancer patients – all through Mission,” explains Raab.

The practices involved are: Cancer Care of Western NC, Hope Women’s Cancer Center, Regional Surgical Specialists, Western Carolina Womens Specialty Center, Mountain Radiation Oncology, and Asheville Radiology.

As part of this collaboration, Raab sits on a multi-disciplinary breast tumor board that meets weekly to discuss their breast cancer patients. This group of surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, geneticists, and nurses all work together to create an individualized treatment plan for each patient. “It’s a great collaboration among all these different specialists, but all with the same goal of providing state-of-the-art breast cancer care right here in Western North Carolina,” Raab says. “It is great because you get different opinions, different expertise. I think that it’s really nice that each patient gets their case presented and gets all of these opinions. Then, Sophie OCTOBER 2015 | 23

their physician will carry out the plan of care that has been discussed.”

Raab professes to not remember a time when she did not want to be a physician. Both of her parents are oncologists, which she admits definitely affected her decision to go into the field. “I think that what really got me interested in oncology is seeing the difference they made in people’s lives.”

As a child, Raab couldn’t go anywhere in Greenville with her parents without running into someone whose life they had touched. “They [patients and families] seemed so grateful and appreciative and I remember thinking, ‘My mom and dad are really doing things to make a difference in peoples’ lives.’”

Raab smiles, adding, “Growing up, when I had this idea of what it meant to be a physician, that is what it meant to me: to take care of people, to help guide them through a stressful time, and to really make their lives better in some way.”

As she got older and learned more about the field, Raab was also instantly fascinated by the science behind oncology, and the fact that it is such a rapidly-evolving field. “The research is really exciting,” she says, “and it is wonderful to see the impact of the research and how you can transition that into the clinic, how that research can really lead to improvements in patient care and improved survival.”

She was also influenced by the fact that her mother is a breast cancer survivor. “That’s probably one of the other reasons why breast cancer care is so important to me. She was diagnosed in 2002, during my senior year of medical school.” says Raab, “She’s done great; many women do. Her cancer was found early through a mammogram.”

While Dr. Raab is employed by Cancer Care of Western NC, and spends most of her time at their facility or at the Hope Womens’ Cancer Center, she also helps cover in-patient hematology oncology services and consults at Mission Hospital and Mission-St. Joseph’s Hospital. Her work in clinical care as a medical oncologist includes working closely with surgeons and radiation oncologists, as well as clinical trials nurses, to help develop appropriate treatment plans for patients, and administering chemotherapy, or hormonal therapy.

Raab feels that part of doing her job well means getting to know every one of her patients as individuals. “I love being able to build relationships with people,” says Raab. “Not just knowing them on a doctor-patient level, but getting to know more about their lives. Who are they? What do they value?

What’s important to them? What brings them joy? Knowing that helps me to take better care of them. – To be able to fully take care of people, it’s important to know who they are, as this helps me know how I can make sure that they live the best life for them. Because that is different for everyone.”

Raab says that she loves taking care of cancer patients: “They’re really just wonderful people to care for. They give you a whole new appreciation, I think, for life and how to really value each day that you have. These people are facing uncertain circumstances, oftentimes, but they’re optimistic.

They’re hopeful and they live life with such zest. It’s wonderful. I feel like it’s really hard to have a bad day when you care for cancer patients. The things that many people deal with on a daily basis are small, compared to what [cancer patients] are facing and they face it with strength, grace and dignity.

It really is inspiring.”

When Dr. Raab is not rotating among the facilities involved in the Mission Breast Program, she enjoys spending time outside, biking, hiking, skiing, and fly-fishing with her husband and 8-year old son Julien.

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Sophie OCTOBER 2015 | 25

HOME & GARDEN

LET’S GET COOKING BY DEBI MANFRE

These delicious healthy smoothie recipes make it easy to eat healthy with fruit, milk, immune-boosting yogurt, and other nutritious ingredients—and they’re great for those on a smoothie diet, too.

Banana Ginger Smoothie

Soothe digestion, heartburn, nausea, and other stomach trouble with the fresh ginger in this natural remedy smoothie recipe. Servings: 2 INGREDIENTS: • 1 banana, sliced • 3/4 cup (6 oz.) vanilla yogurt • 1 teaspoon honey • 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated ginger DIRECTIONS: • Combine the banana, yogurt, honey, and ginger in a blender.

• Blend until smooth.

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Luscious Suger-Free Strawberry Smoothie

This smoothie is sweet and sugar-free. Servings: 1 INGREDIENTS: • 1 cup skim milk • 1 cup frozen, unsweetened strawberries • 1 tablespoon cold-pressed organic flaxseed oil • 1 tablespoon sunflower or pumpkin seeds (optional) DIRECTIONS: • Mix milk and frozen strawberries in a blender for 1 minute.

• Transfer to a glass and stir in the tablespoon of flaxseed oil, or serve with a tablespoon of sunflower or pumpkin seeds instead.

BETTY’S BOOK REVIEW

I

“The Boys In The Boat”

by Daniel James Brown

ENTERTAINMENT

“The Boys In The Boat”

recently read an article in the Asheville CitizenTimes on how to find good books to read and review. The author’s favorite method was looking up independent bookstores, like Malaprops, and checking out the staff favorites. I have had great luck with that method, as well as our library’s staff favorites. My best source of unusual and diverse reading however, is my friend Dee, who is a voracious reader and researcher of new books. When my niece Laura also recommends it, I know I am in for a great read.

“The Boys In The Boat”, is just such a book. Published in 2013 by Penguin Books, “The Boys In The Boat” tells the riveting story of the 1936 men’s crew team struggles and ultimate win in the Olympics held in Germany under Hitler’s reign and just before World War II. While I never would have picked this book up on my own, once I picked it up I could not put it down.

The author Daniel James Brown uses the experiences of Joe Rantz, one of the team members, to tell the story. In between the trials of Joe growing up in the great depression, Mr. Brown shares the history leading up to Hitler’s dominance in Germany and Europe. Making the

story personal made it more compelling. Thanks to Mr. Rantz’s daughter, there are many personal pictures and incidents throughout the telling of the story.

Although I am pretty well versed in this time in American history, I really learned a lot from reading this work. I love to learn new information effortlessly while reading a page-turner book of nonfiction.

The amount of effort these boys on the crew team had to go through to attend college, let alone travel to Europe for the Olympics is mind boggling.

I would highly recommend this book. I can’t wait to see what Dee has in Betty Sharpless is a mind for “next”. professional gardener, writer

and quilter who has always loved getting lost in a book.

Sophie OCTOBER 2015 | 27

FASHION

A BOHEMIAN FASHION SHOW Photos by Duncan Chaboudy Photography

(left) Hayley Heninger, (right) Whitney Collins DESIGNER: Danielle Miller (Royal Peasantry) HAIR STYLIST: Amanda Britton at Lolo Salon & Gallery MAKEUP: Heather Barnett MODELS:

MODEL: Misty Brooke DESIGNER: Kati Foster

(KatDog Couture/ InTerGalaCtic KiTTy) MAKEUP: Vanessa Sogan HAIR: Brittany Stanley of Ananda Hair Studio

MODEL: Aubrey Huntley DESIGNER: Kati Foster

(KatDog Couture/ InTerGalaCtic KiTTy) MAKEKUP: Leigha Beck HAIR: Amy Day Dougherty of Nebula Beauty Lab

28 | Sophie OCTOBER 2015

MODEL: Kay Marie DESIGNER: Erin Hoffman

of Airweaver Aparrel MAKEUP: Joanna Ferree HAIR: Laine Pierce of Mary Frank Salon Leather accessories by Patti Byrd

FASHION

MODEL: Aislin Freya Pax DESIGNER: Danielle Miller of Royal Peasantry MAKEUP: Heather Barnett HAIR: Amanda Britton of Lola Salon and Gallery

MODELS: (left) Nichole Martinez, (right) Aubrey Huntley DESIGNER: Rachel Weisberg MAKEUP: Leigha Beck HAIR: Amy Day of Dougherty Dougherty BODY CHAIN: Cary Nichols of Good Girl Jewelry

Sophie OCTOBER 2015 | 29

30 | Sophie OCTOBER 2015

CONCERNING OUR COMMUNITY Eliada’s Annual Corn Maze Eliada is proud to announce our 2015 Corn Maze theme - “Soaring to New Heights!” This design features an airplane, hot air balloon, and bird, all in keeping with our newest Corn Maze attraction, a GIANT JUMPING PILLOW! Eliada’s Corn Maze is WNC’s largest Corn Maze! 100% of proceeds goes to care for the 550 children who come to Eliada annually.

The Corn Maze runs through October 31st. The hours are Wednesday and Thursday 9 a.m. - 3p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. -8 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. -8 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

You can now pre-purchase tickets online at EliadaCornMaze.com. Bring your email confirmation with you as proof of purchase. Your ticket for Eliada’s Corn Maze includes access to all mazes and all our established attractions. There is an additional cost associated with our jumping pillow attraction.

We are just five minutes from downtown Asheville! Our address is 49 Compton Drive, Asheville. From Downtown Asheville, take Patton Ave West to New Leicester Hwy. Turn right and go north to Compton Drive.

Take a right on Compton, and you can’t miss it!

Saturday, October 24th: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, October 25th: 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Monday, October 26th: 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Thursday, October 29th: 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Friday, October 30th: 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 31st: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

GRADUATION: Saturday, October 31st: 3:00 p.m.

First Continuing Education Meeting: Monday, Nov. 16, 2015 6:30 p.m. -9:30 p.m.

For more information or to register: call (828) 513-0498 or email: mandy@ tipnational.org

Someone Needs You! Become A Trauma Volunteer And Put Your Compassion Into Action Trauma Intervention Programs of Western North Carolina is looking for caring people in Buncombe and Henderson Counties willing to be part of a team of volunteers who provide immediate emotional and practical support to survivors of traumatic events. TIP Volunteers are called to emergency scenes by sheriff, police, firefighters and paramedics to.....

•Comfort family members after a sudden death.

•Support family members after a suicide.

•Help witnesses to traumatic events.

•Assist disoriented elderly persons who call 911 with non emergency needs.

•Support those emotionally shaken after auto accidents.

•Assist tourists and travelers when tragedy strikes when they are far from home.

Right now we are recruiting residents of Buncombe and Henderson Counties to become TIP Volunteers. No experience is necessary, but completion of a Training Academy is necessary.

Training will be held at Skyland Fire Dept. located at 9 Miller Rd.in Skyland.

2015 TRAINING ACADEMY SCHEDULE (volunteers must attend ALL classes below): Thursday, October 22nd: 6:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Friday, October 23rd: 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Sophie OCTOBER 2015 | 31

HOME & GARDEN

The 33rd Annual Asheville Quilt Show

Harvest of Quilts The show will be open Oct. 2-4 at the WNC Agriculture Center. This will be the largest show ever with nearly 400 quilts on exhibit from all over the USA, as well as abroad.

Included are 15 judged categories as well as non-judged categories, including ‘Juniors’ (aged 16 and under). There will be four special exhibits, three following a specific theme, as well as one of clothing and wearable items.

Free demos, vendors, a gift shop, quilts for sale, silent auction, a treasure hunt for kids, and more.

Visit ashevillequiltguild.org. der

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Stars Over Tennessee by Anita Smythe

America the Beautiful by Leah Malasky 32 | Sophie OCTOBER 2015

Spend the day antiquing, & discover treasures you’ve been searching for.

Summer Evening by Janice Maddox

Wildflowers Quilt by Joanie Dellinger Sophie OCTOBER 2015 | 33

Winter Wonderland CONTRIBUTORS Wedding Planning, Design, Vintage Rentals and Staging: CANDACE HIGHTOWER, MINGLE EVENTS Flowers: STEPHANIE MOORE, BELLA BLOOMS Photography: RUBY PEOPLE'S PHOTOGRAPHY Venue: THE BARN AT HONEYSUCKLE HILL Makeup: SARAH ENGLISH, FRINGE SALON Desserts: KAREN NEAL, BLACK MOUNTAIN CAKES Stationary: KRISTON WILSON, KTW DESIGNS Model: CAITLIN QUINNETT 34 | Sophie OCTOBER 2015

Warm textures & deep gem tones

create a romantic feeling with rustic charm.

I Do!

Pick up the NEW 2015 Fall/Winter issue of I Do! Real brides share their SPECIAL WEDDING MEMORIES.

™

Fall/Winter 2015

Sophie Magazine’s Wedd

ing Guide

Keeping

The Faith 8 REAL WEDDING STORIES Celebrating 5 Years of Wedding s in Western NC & Beyond

Sophie OCTOBER 2015 | 35

ENTERTAINMENT

MEG’S MOVIE REVIEW

S

“Mr. Holmes”

ir Ian McKellen as Sherlock Holmes: what’s not to like? Well, in the new film “Mr. Holmes,” McKellen plays a much-older version of Holmes than the one we are used to reading about. His Holmes is actually in his nineties, has given up being a detective, retired to the country, and (worst of all) is beginning to experience memory loss. He is also meant to be the ‘real-life’ version of the character that Dr. Watson wrote about in his novels; so no pipe, no hat, and the mysteries weren’t always solved quite so pristinely.

Knowing that time is short with his memory going, Holmes sets out to write the actual story of his final case, rather than the embellishment that Watson wrote it as in his book. The 30-year old case has haunted him for years and is actually the reason that he left the detective field. It is the case of a man who’s wife goes through a great change after two miscarriages.

She becomes obsessed with playing a glass harmonica instrument, and is taking lessons from a mysterious woman.

Any movie reviewer who sees this movie can tell instantly though, that the plot is only of moderate importance. “Mr. Holmes” is a vehicle for showing off McKellen’s acting talent, and getting him an Oscar nomination.

That’s really the only reason to buy a ticket for this movie. And, yes, as always, McKellen is wonderful in it. When he is playful, wowing commoners with his abilities to gather clues from the most miniscule of details, it is impossible not to giggle. When he is frustrated with his failing memory, and saddened over the outcomes of his poor life-choices, the audience is devastated for him.

It is a bit of a waste to have a brilliant actress like Laura Linney (“Primal Fear’) play opposite him in this movie. She plays Holmes’ housekeeper, and is basically a garnish over McKellen’s main-course performance. Her character’s son Roger, played by Milo Parker, is a lot of fun to watch however. His banter with McKellen is intensely enjoyable and keeps the movie from getting too bogged down with depth.

I thought that director Bill Condon (“Dreamgirls”), who worked with McKellen before on “Gods and Monsters” (for which he also got an Oscar nomination) and Linney on the Showtime series “The Big C”, did an excellent job of transitioning back and forth between so many of Holmes’ flashbacks to different time periods, as well as keeping the movie interest-

36 | Sophie OCTOBER 2015

ing when not that much plot actually happens on-screen.

My husband, who is a huge Sherlock Holmes fan, was very disappointed at the lack of references to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s novels. There is no mention of Holmes’ violin, his living space is strangely well-organized, and he seems to have developed a high level of patience in his old-age; all of which my husband felt were tantamount to sacrilege to the Holmes canon. He also argued that the case in question for the premise of the movie is one that Holmes would never have taken. Holmes is only interested in mysteries that pose a challenge to his brilliant mind. In the case that the movie is based around, it seems quite obvious from the get-go that the wife’s issues are emotionally-based, which wouldn’t have intrigued the real Holmes in the least.

“Mr. Holmes” is based on Mitch Cullin’s novel “A Slight Trick of the Mind,” so I suppose that excuses it from some of the discrepancies with Conan Doyle’s character. I have not read the book, but will admit that I think the movie would have been more entertaining if they had given Holmes’ character a little more offbeat personality to play with.

Still, McKellen saves the movie and will definitely be going to the Academy Awards this year. It’s no Gandalf-level performance, in my opinion, but the man is an unquestionably and amazing actor. Johnny Depp, Paul Dano, Michael Fassbender and all my other predictions for this year’s Best Actor candidates should be shaking in their boots over this one. I give ‘Mr. Holmes 7 out of 10 stars.

“Mr. Holmes” is a vehicle for showing off McKellen’s acting talent, and getting him an Oscar nomination.

Meg Hale Brunton reviews movies for Sophie every month. She has a Creative Writing degree from UNCA, loves fresh-made popcorn, and throws an annual Oscar party at her house.

Pick it up today!

OCTOBER

Sophie OCTOBER 2015 | 37

OCTOBER Have a n Event?

Submit your event online at: sophiemagazine.com/calendar

CAROLINA BONSAI EXPO OCT 10 & 11 NC Arboretum

or send it to us via email at: calendar@sophiemagazine.com

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THURS, OCT 1 5:30-8PM Sing Out! For Justice!

Flat Rock Playhouse, Hendersonville Pisgah Legal Services & Mainstay present a celebration of the Henderson County Family Justice Center. Hendersonville resident and soulful jazz singer Kat Williams will perform with her threepiece band. eleanor@pisgahlegal.org FRI, OCT 2 10AM Blue Ridge Parkway Hike of the Week Glassmine Falls Parking Overlook (Milepost 361.2) Join Parkway rangers for an early glimpse of autumn on this moderate, 2 mile round-trip hike. nps.gov/blri FRI - SUN, OCT 2-4 Southeast Wise Women Herbal Conference Camp Rockmont, Black Mountain Fri & Sat: 8am-10pm, Sun: 8am-2pm Learn about herbal medicine and women’s health from dozens of inspiring presenters and over 60 classes on plant identification, using herbs and traditional medicine, nutrition, health and healing, creativity, mindful living, and more. sewisewomen.com FRI - SUN, OCT 2-4 33rd Annual Asheville Quilt Show: “A Harvest of Quilts” Davis Event Center, WNC Ag Center Fri & Sat: 9-5 Sun: 10 - 4:30 Over 275 Quilts on display plus $10,000 in prize money. Vendors, silent auction, gift shop, quilts for sale, opportunity quilt & more! $6, free parking, handicap accessible. maryjo.quiltshow@gmail. com or ashevillequiltguild.org

38 | Sophie OCTOBER 2015

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SAT, OCT 3 3-6PM

liven the festive environment of the day. visitdillsboro.org SAT, OCT 3 10AM-4PM 1st Annual WNC Kidz Expo US Cellular Center, Asheville A day of free fun-filled, familycentric entertainment, activities, and exhibits providing parents with direct access to local, kid-focused businesses and organizations, while entertaining and educating their kids! wnckidzexpo.com

Vessels of Merriment Grovewood Gallery, Asheville Opening reception for an intoxicating exhibition of handcrafted drinking vessels by 25 artists from around the country. On view through Dec. 31.

Sponsored by Metro Wines and Noble Cider. grovewood.com or 828.253.7651 SAT, OCT 3 10AM-4PM Farm City Day Jackson Park, Hendersonville A free, family-oriented educational event that offers both urban and rural displays, antique and modern farm equipment & tools, live music, square dancing, clogging, arts & crafts, children’s activities, games, wagon rides, demonstrations, displays, competitions, food, petting zoo, animal demonstrations & more! 828697-4884 or visithendersonvillenc.org SAT, OCT 3 10AM-4PM 7th Annual ColorFest Arts & Crafts Fair Dillsboro, NC Over 40 selected artisans will gather on Front Street in the old railroad town of Dillsboro to demonstrate technique, display, and sell their works of art.

Entertainment and exceptional food will

SAT, OCT 3 3PM LAFF IN! Reynolds High School Theatre Remember that old comedy show from the ‘60’s – Rowan and Martin’s LAUGH IN? In this unique rendition, Song O’ Sky takes you back to that unforgettable era of zany humor, adding their own unique spin of barbershop harmony to the mix. songosky.org

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SAT & SUN, OCT 3 & 4

56th Art on Main Festival Main Street, Hendersonville Sat & Sun: 10am - 5pm One of the region’s most popular outdoor arts festivals, Art on Main features fine arts and crafts from more than 75 local, regional, and national artists. acofhc.org

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SAT, OCT 10 10AM - 4PM

Paint the Town: “En Plein Air” Downtown Black Mountain Artists will be downtown painting the scenery in and around the streets, including mountain scenes, street scenes, and historic buildings. A Wet Paint Sale and reception will be held following the event from 5 - 7pm at the Red House Studios & Gallery, 310 W. State Street, next to the Monte Vista Hotel in Black Mountain. svfalarts.org SAT, OCT 10 9AM - 3PM Motorama/Autorama Main Street, Hendersonville 8 automobile dealers display their new 2016 models & 2 antique car clubs participate displaying their vintage & classic cars; Free. 828-693-9061 SAT, OCT 10 10AM - 4PM Hey Day Fall Family Festival WNC Nature Center Hey Day, the largest Nature Center event of the year, is a family-friendly celebration of the environment, culture, and community of western North Carolina.

This year’s festival will feature games, arts and crafts, educational animal programs, live music, local food vendors, and of course, a wide variety of exciting wildlife! wildwnc.org

photo via ashevilledowntown.org

ASHEVILLE OKTOBERFEST OCTOBER 10, 1-6PM : COXE AVENUE, DOWNTOWN ASHEVILLE

AMERICAN CRAFT WEEK OCTOBER 2-11 ashevilleartinthepark.com

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ashevilledowntown.org/oktoberfest

THURS-SUN, OCT 15-18

18 Lake Eden Arts Festival Lake Eden, Black Mountain One & all are invited to a magical festival where the very best of music, art & culture join together to strengthen community through the power of creativity. This fall LEAF brings New Orleans to Lake Eden with performers including: Aaron Neville, Preservation Hall, Dumpstaphunk, Rebirth Brass Band & more! theleaf.org

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THURS-SUN, OCT 15-18 Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands US Cellular Center, Asheville Nearly 200 juried artists of the Southern Highland Craft Guild will be selling works of clay, metal, wood, jewelry, fiber, paper, natural materials, leather and mixed media. In addition to providing a retail market for juried members, the Guild also hosts craft demonstrations during the Fairs. southernhighlandguild.org SAT, OCT 17 11AM-5PM Mountain Music & Dance Land of the Sky Shrine Club, Swannanoa Great family fun at the Bluegrass and Clogging Festival for just $10 per car rain or shine. Located at 39 Spring Cove Road, Swannanoa, NC. Talented and favorite local bands and cloggers. Food and drinks available. Bring your chair and

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experience this fun festival under the big tent. Vendor spaces available. Info at 828215-7325

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SUN, OCT 18 11AM-4PM Hard Lox Jewish Food and Heritage Festival Pack Square Park, Asheville Got a craving for homemade matzo ball soup or maybe a nice corned beef on rye? Head to HardLox! There will be lots of delicious homemade Jewish foods, Israeli dancing, crafts, a Kids Zone, klezmer music and lots more! For more information contact Marty Gillen at 828253-2282 or HardLox.com THURS-SAT, OCT 22-24 Fall Harvest Days WNC Ag Center 8am-5pm daily Featuring hit n’ miss engines, tractors of all sizes, crafters, demonstrations, farm tools, antique engines, antique tractor pulls & swap meet. Adults $8, Children 12 & under free, 3-day pass $20, held rain or shine. 828-687-1414 or 828-698-5312 FRI & SAT, OCT 23 & 24 Art on the Lawn 310 West State St, Black Mountain 10am - 4pm daily Come stroll along, under a canopy of fall leaves and colorful trees as you sip hot apple cider and enjoy the day in Black Mountain. The event will feature original paintings, photography, pottery and unique and creative renderings from a variety of artists. This is a Rain or Shine event.. Free parking and admission. svfalarts.org

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SAT & SUN, OCT 24 & 25

Weaverville Art Safari 10am-5pm both days Drive scenic country roads to visit 41 artists in their studios and galleries about 10 minutes north of Asheville. Free.

Above artwork by John Ransmeier. For a full list of studios & a printable map: weavervilleartsafari.com SUN, OCT 25 1:30PM Asheville Living Treasures Recognition Ceremony OLLI I Reuters Center, UNCA Campus Families and friends of the previously nominated Asheville Living Treasures are invited to share stories and reminiscences of the elders with the gathered community. Each Asheville Living Treasure will receive a certificate signifying they are Treasures along with recognition from both the City of Asheville and Buncombe County. ashevillelivingtreasures.com SAT & SUN, OCT 25 & 26 Congregation Beth Israel Rummage Sale 229 Murdock Ave., Asheville Two day sale of with a huge selection of quality household goods, clothing for kids and adults, furniture, and much more. 828-252-8660 admin@ bethisraelnc.org bethisraelnc.org

OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH TREASURE YOUR HEALTH CANCER AWARENESS FUNDRAISER Thursday, October 8th, 8-11 AM & 4-7 PM Ladies Workout Asheville Fun obstacle course team event, all while dressed as tough pirates! To benefit Hope Chest for Women. Create a team and contact hrehafitness@bellsouth.net ASK THE SPECIALISTS: BREAST CANCER AWARENESS & ADVANCEMENTS Wednesday, October 14, 12 – 1PM Park Ridge Health - Duke Room FREE Lunch and Learn in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

RSVP by calling 855.PRH.LIFE MAKING STRIDES Saturday, October 24, 9AM, Pack Square Park A celebration of survivorship, an occasion to express hope and shared determination to make this breast cancer’s last century. You can help finish the fight against breast cancer by raising funds for and walking with American Cancer Society Making Strides of Asheville. facebook.com/StridesAVL IN GOOD COMPANY 3rd Thursday of every month; 5:30 - 6:30PM SECU Cancer Center - Room R-120, Asheville Support group for breast cancer survivors.

Husbands, children, or anyone who has interest are also welcome. Learn and share about topics such as fear of recurrence, tamoxifen, lymphedema, art therapy, family dynamics, friendship, and nutrition. Contact Denise Steuber: 828-213-2508 & Janet Magruder 828-213-2507 NEEDLE WHILE YOU WORK First Monday of every month, 10 - 11AM Mission Women’s Wellness Center Join other knitters in making hats and blankets for women going through chemotherapy. Or knot scarves for fundraising efforts during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

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ONGOING EVENTS

ART IN THE PARK October 3,10,17 10am-6pm Pack Square, Asheville; 10am - 6pm Nationally known artists working in glass, ceramics, wood, jewelry, metal and more display their works. Free. ashevilleartinthepark.com

LIVE AFTER FIVE Fridays & Saturdays; 5pm Antler Hill Village, Biltmore Estate The whole family can relax and enjoy summer evenings on the Village Green as you watch the sunset over the Blue Ridge Mountains. Live music, wine and beer, and fun for the kids throughout the village.

Performers include: Nuance Quartet, Elliott & the Untouchables, Tuxedo Junction, French Broad Playboys & more! biltmore. com FIBER ARTS ALLIANCE First Tuesday of the month; 12 noon West Asheville Presbyterian Church 690 Haywood Rd Open to anyone interested in any form of fiber arts. No membership requirements.

Bring bag lunch. For info, call 683-6563

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Brevard Music Center, in partnership with Brevard College, presents free concerts to the public at the Scott Concert Hall at the Porter Center on the Brevard College campus. brevardmusic.org

YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN October 2-25; Fri & Sat: 7:30pm Sun: 2:30pm Asheville Community Theatre This electrifying musical adaptation of Mel Brooks’ monstrously funny cult comedy film is scientifically-proven, monstrously good entertainment! ashevilletheatre.org.

LIFE LIMITING ILLNESS SUPPORT GROUP Tuesdays; 6:30pm-8pm 1439 Merrimon Ave Free weekly support group for adults managing the challenges of cancer, diabetes, heart disease & autoimmune diseases. For more info call Lauren Griffin, LPC at 386-801-2606, WildPrecious.Life HER NOBEL WORDS Through March 2016; 11am -5pm aSHEville Museum An exhibit on the 16 women to have won the Nobel Peace Prize. These women fought to make the world a better place and were honored for their incredible achievements by the Nobel Committee. These are their words. aSHEvillemuseum.com BREVARD MUSIC CENTER FREE CONCERTS 1st Monday of each month October May (except January); 12:30pm

NO TASTE LIKE HOME: WILD FOOD ADVENTURES Daily; 9:30am - 12:30pm Ready to go WILD? Join us on a trip “off the eaten path.” You’ll learn how to SAFELY gather edible wild plants, mushrooms, and other “extreme cuisine.” 828-209-8599 or notastelikehome.org

DAAD FIRST FRIDAYS First Friday of every month; 5-8pm Downtown Asheville Art District Explore 23 galleries & museums featuring changing exhibitions, opening receptions, artist talks & demonstrations all located within a half mile radius in the Downtown Asheville Art District. April through December. ashevilledowntowngalleries.org

FEFU AND HER FRIENDS October 8,9, and 14-16; 7:30pm The Historic Homewood House, Montford UNC Asheville’s Drama Department presents Fefu and Her Friends, written by Cuban-American playwright Maria-Irene Fornes. The play is set in 1935 and tells the story of eight intelligent, witty and frustrated women who are attempting to navigate life in a male-dominated world.

The production features a unique approach to staging, with the audience moving in separate groups throughout Homewood to see each scene of the play. Tickets: $12/public, $10/ senior citizens & UNCA faculty, and $7/students.

Tickets can be purchased online, by phone at 828.232.2291 or at the door.

CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

MOSAIC MIRROR WORKSHOP FOR BEGINNERS Saturday & Sunday, October 10 & 11 Sat 10am-noon Sunday 10am - 4pm Renaissance Glass Studio Learn basic mosaic techniques while creating a unique personal mirror for yourself or as a gift. $125 includes $25 materials fee. For details, contact Linda: 828337-6749, linda@lindapannullomosaics. com LADIES WORKOUT ASHEVILLE Classes Mon-Sat from 6:30am - 6:45pm 802 Fairview Rd #1000 Classes include: ZUMBA, Kickboxing, Spinning®, Choreographed Step, CoreTraining, Bootcamp, Yoga & More! Circuit & Cardio Equipment, Free Weights, Traditional Sauna, Far-Infrared Sauna, Thermal Massage Migun Bed, FREE Child Care, Personal Training, Nutrition & More! ladiesworkoutasheville.com BEND AND BREW Saturdays 12:15pm-1:15pm The Bywater Yoga for beer lovers. $15/person which includes 45 mins., all levels yoga class and a beer tasting. yogatours.net

HANDS ON! A CHILDREN’S GALLERY 318 N. Main St, Hendersonville Hands On! offers an affordable, educational and fun way to spend the day with your children, grandchildren, and students ages 1 – 10. This is a safe gathering place where kids can be kids while learning is nurtured.

For a list of classes go to handsonwnc.org

YOGALATES Mondays: 12-1pm Pardee Rehab & Wellness Center A blend of mind-body strength, balance, core and flexibility movements with clear, compassionate instruction for all levels.

Movements are done in sitting, lying and standing positions. Mats provided. $8 per class. rehab.pardeehospital.org ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY YOGA Monday-Sunday, Hourly classes, 8 Brookdale Rd. Suite A

A donation based yoga center offering yoga classes, special community events, teacher trainings, student immersions and workshops. All classes are FREE with a suggested donation of $5-$15 for those able to pay. ashevillecommunityyoga.com WOMEN’S FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT CLASSES OnTrack WNC Offices 50 S French Broad Ave, Asheville The Women’s Financial Empowerment Center provides OnTrack WNC’s full range of financial counseling & education services with a women-centered approach, responding to women’s unique needs & perspectives, to help you reach your financial goals. Most classes are free. Preregistration is required for all classes. Call 828-255-5166 to register. ontrackwnc.org WRITING YOUR MEMOIRS WITH KAREN ACKERSON Saturday, October 17; 10am-4pm The Writers’ Workshop, 387 Beaucatcher Rd Participants will learn how to turn personal and family experiences into a compelling memoir for family and friends, or for publication. Inclass writing exercises will help to identify lifechanging events, to be used as the backbone of a memoir. Discussion will include creative nonfiction elements such as describing a sense of

place, using dialogue, and enhancing one’s writing style. $75/$70 members. twwoa.org WRITING HISTORICAL FICTION WITH ANNE BARNHILL Saturday, October 24; 10am - 4pm The Writers’ Workshop, 387 Beaucatcher Rd The class will learn vital aspects of writing historical fiction, including how to make historical figures ‘come alive’, how to use dialogue from another century, where to find research materials, and much more. We will be doing writing exercises geared to historical fiction, as well as taking a brief look at some historical novels to see how other writers work. $75/$70 members. 828-254-8111 * writersw@gmail.com twwoa.org

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Submit your event online at: sophiemagazine.com/calendar or send it to us via email at: calendar@sophiemagazine.com

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