20 minute read
Cancer Awareness
Every October Breast Cancer Awareness Month is marked in countries across the world to increase attention and support for the awareness, early detection and treatment as well as palliative care of this disease. This year’s theme “Give Hope. Save Lives” is part of a yearly effort to ask women and men alike to show their support for breast cancer survivors and those battling the disease by wearing pink ribbons or clothing throughout the month.
For area residents Jenny Alexander and Vicki Gray, October is especially meaningful as both are breast cancer survivors from different age groups who talk candidly and openly about their respective journeys—from diagnosis and coping strategies to how a cancer diagnosis changes your life in a split second. Jenny Alexander Alexander, staff associate for the children’s ministry at Davidson College Presbyterian Church, was a 39-year old mother of three when she felt a lump in her breast in October 2013.
“As soon as I felt the lump I knew it didn’t feel right,” she says. “I called my family physician the next day who quickly ordered a mammogram that detected a mass. An ultrasound followed the mammogram and later a biopsy that confirmed the mass was malignant.”
Alexander says hearing the word, “malignant” is a shock no matter how prepared you think you’ll be. “My husband Robert and I were expecting our first child when we were told we were having twins,” she says, and that’s a shock, but one you happily settle into.
Give Hope. Save Lives.
October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
BY: » Jean Spangler
Vicki Gray was diagnosed with breast cancer after her mammogram in May 2018.
“The diagnosis affects the entire family,” says Alexander. “I got in touch with someone who was finishing her journey with cancer treatment to talk— one of the best things I did as she ‘got it’ in terms of what I was feeling. My family and friends were all very supportive, but sometimes talking to someone who has experienced the entire reality of what it means to have cancer helped me tremendously.”
Seven years later, Jenny is cancer free and credits a team of great and caring physicians, a loving faith community, friends and a supportive family for helping her deal with the various states of treatment and recovery.
“You can face cancer with either a sink moment or a swimming moment,” says Jenny. “Cancer teaches you a lot about yourself,” and that’s just one of many positives that came out of my journey.”
From left, breast cancer survivor Jenny Alexander, her three daughters and husband Robert. Vicki Gray Vicki Gray was the mother of three young adults and grandmother of two when she was diagnosed with breast cancer after a mammogram in 2018. “My breast cancer was found through a mammogram in May “It took me a while to accept help from others.” Gray says her faith community was especially supportive and encouraging. She feels that people who go through something traumatic are later able to help others. “I had women who had traveled this road help me 2018,” says Gray. navigate decisions better,” “I had no family history of says Gray. “My advice to the disease and just assumed women is to make sure I’d get the letter I’d always you never delay your received following my annual mammogram,” mammogram, the ‘you’re fine she adds. “Early detection letter.’” But the mammogram is so important.” picked up a mass. Further So, if you are organizing tests confirmed it was your closets, put a section breast cancer and in July away for your pink dress, she began chemotherapy, shirt, or pocketbook to radiation and later, surgery. show your support for
“I think as women we people like Jenny Alexander often see ourselves as and Vicky Gray and others the caretakers,” she says. just like them.
To Reduce Your Cancer Risk
• Stay away from all forms of tobacco • Get to and stay at a healthy weight • Get moving with regular physical activity • Eat healthy with plenty of fruits and vegetables • It’s best not to drink alcohol. If you do, have no more than 1 drink per day for women or 2 per day for men • Protect your skin • Know yourself, your family history and your risks • Get regular check-ups and cancer screening tests
To learn more about cancer including breast cancer go to cancer.org.
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be BOLD Vote! Exercise Your Right to What you need to know about this year’s election
Election Day is right around the corner on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Here’s what you need to know before voting this year. Is there still time to register to vote?
The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 9. Go to this website (www.ncsbe.gov/ registering/how-register) to update your address, register to vote or change your party affiliation. Where do I vote on Election Day?
Your polling place depends on what precinct you live in and the polling location is listed on the voter registration card you were mailed after you registered. If you don’t have your card (and it is not required to vote), locate your polling place at www.vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup. Some locations have changed in this election due to needing larger spaces for social distancing guidelines. How do I get an absentee ballot?
You can request an absentee ballot through a special state board of elections online portal at https://www. ncsbe.gov/ or download an absentee ballot request form online and e-mail, mail, fax or hand-deliver it to your county board of elections by 5 p.m. on Oct. 27. Do I need an ID to vote?
North Carolina voters will not be required to show a photo ID to vote in the 2020 Primary Election. Note: The state’s absentee ballot requires an ID number from a North Carolina driver’s license or a special identification card for nonoperators, or the last four digits of your Social Security number. Can I vote early?
Beginning 19 days before the election, all North Carolina counties must open at least one location where citizens can vote early. Visit vt.ncsbe.gov/ossite and type in the county you live in to find a list of places offering early voting.
Will COVID-19 precautions be put in place?
Election officials received an extra $27 million from state and federal funds for the November election to cover technology, equipment, sanitizing supplies and personal protective equipment to safeguard poll workers at voting locations.
If you vote in person, expect to see a plastic barrier at the check-in table and markings to enforce social distancing. Poll workers will be wearing masks, face shields and gloves.
Hand sanitizer and masks will be available for voters, and each voter will get a single-use pen in counties with paper ballots, or a cotton ball in counties with ballot-marking machines. Voters who are unable to enter the polling place due to age or disability will have the option of casting their ballot from their cars. What are key races taking place in North Carolina?
U.S. President
U.S. Senate: Incumbent Thom Tillis (R) vs. Cal Cunningham (D) U.S. House: All 13 Seats
Governor:
Incumbent Gov. Roy Cooper (D) vs. Dan Forest (R)
Sources:
www.aarp.org www.ncvoter.org/
GET THE CARE YOU NEED, ON-THE-GO OR FROM HOME
Video Visits
Retirement Living at its Best
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• 1 and 2 Bedroom w/single car garage • Full Kitchen w/ applicances including washer & dryer • Weekly housekeeping • Lunch & Dinner served daily • Electricity, Cable, internet and Life Line Alert sysytem included • Pet Friendly
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EVENT INFO ROUNDUP
(October) Rural Hill Amazing Maize
Maze. Get lost in seven acres of corn; perfect for socially-distanced, outdoor, family-friendly fun. The Amazing Maize Maze is one of the largest corn mazes in the Southeast. New for 2020 – the Historic Rural Hill phone app. Collect your map pieces, fill in your crossword puzzle, and figure out the words scramble to complete the ultimate challenge—all while competing for your place on the maze leaderboard. $12 per person; see website for times. Pre-purchase of tickets required, as well as masks. ruralhill.net/ events/rural-hill-amazing-maize-maze
20th Annual Virtual All American Dog
Show. (Oct. 3) Due to the ongoing pandemic, this popular local dog show is going online this year. After tallying the votes that took place on Facebook, the awards ceremony will be shown on the Town of Cornelius Facebook and the YouTube channel. www.cornelius. org/161/All-American-Dog-Show.
Scarrigan Farms (Select Nights in
October). This outdoor walking trail is not for the faint of heart. Each of the scare zones is designed to terrify, from the blood thirsty clowns, tragic bus, and claustrophobia, to the butcher shop, moonlit corn maze and 3-D experience. $25 per person; cash or check only. See website for available dates and times. www.scarriganfarms.com.
(Through Nov. 12) The 38th Annual Artoberfest Juried Show and
Competition.Opening reception: Oct. 9. Mooresville Arts, Mooresville Arts Depot, 103 W. Center Avenue, Mooresville, www.mooresvillearts.org.
DO YOU HAVE A STORY TO SHARE?
We’re always on the lookout for engaging stories of LKN residents 55+ to share with our readers! For November and December we are seeking stories of gratitude and serving the community, but are open to other ideas. E-mail editor Renee Roberson at renee@ lncurrents.com for consideration.
We Made a Mistake!
In our September 2020 issue, we incorrectly listed the owner of File the Pile as Kim Wheeler in our article on decluttering and home organization.
The correct name is
Kim Wilhelm, and we apologize for this error.
Leave your mark on Lake Norman history
Purchase your personalized brick today
Cain Center for the Arts is building a regional arts and community center for all of Lake Norman. With your help, this center can open in 2022 and will bring opportunities for all of the communities in the Lake Norman Region to come together and enjoy live music, plays, art, dance, festivals, conferences, and more. You can secure your piece of history by purchasing a personalized brick that will be permanently placed in the plaza or lobby.
ENJOY A LIFE WELL LIVED
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At Kinsley, you can do just that! With maintenance-free, main-level living homes designed for active adults 55 and older, you can enjoy more time doing the things you love and less time worrying about costly home maintenance.
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Call 704.800.3156 to schedule an in-person private or virtual tour today!
in my GLASS Immersing Ourselves in the Culture of Brazil Dine with people, taste their food, taste their wine
BY » Trevor Burton | PHOTOGRAPHY BY » Trevor Burton
Sampling a Brazilian wine made from the red grape, Tannat.
Cariocas get together in Confeitaria Colombo.
My wife, Mary Ellen and I have a preference. We like to, literally, absorb a culture, wherever in the world we find it. Absorb, in terms of absolutely taking it in and ingesting it. I’ll get onto some examples of that in a little while. First, let me do some philosophical musing.
Many of us have graduated from the commercial world to a new phase in life. And it’s interesting to look at what time has to do with that. Back in the commercial world one’s time was not really one’s to own and control. Whether it be a supervisor, a customer or a client, someone else had some ownership of it. When those guys are out of the picture, time is all your own; to use as you see fit. Time is no longer of the essence; it is the essence. And that’s neat.
What my wife and I chose to do with our time is to travel and experience different cultures around the country and around world. And, this is extremely important, we fervently want to experience and not, merely, to observe. As I said, our chosen method is cuisine. Breaking bread (or something more substantial and tastier) and sipping wine together is the best way to get to know someone.
I’ll share a few of our adventures in future articles. But let’s take Rio de Janeiro in Brazil as an example. Rio is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It’s full of many famous tourist attractions—Sugar Loaf Mountain, Corcovado. We avoid them. We are far more interested in digging into the Carioca lifestyle. “Cariocas” is the term for local residents of Rio de Janeiro. To us, Rio’s beautiful attractions are best viewed from a distance. We prefer local culture and the up close and personal approach.
We generally head to downtown Rio. Aside from the tourist attractions, Rio is a large, gritty city with real people going about real lives. A great place to mingle with them is downtown at the Confeitaria Colombo. Occasionally, you’ll find a tourist or two but most of the time you’re in the company of a crowd of Cariocas. The Confeitaria Colombo is stunning. It was founded in 1894 by Portuguese immigrants Joaquim Borges de Meireles and Manuel José Lebrão. Its architecture was inspired by European cafes of the time. It’s full of crystal mirrors and display cases filled with European pottery. The
atmosphere, the company and the food is compelling. This place is the “real Rio.”
One experience we had there is worth telling. We were seated and going over the menu when our server asked if we’d like to start with a coffee. Mary Ellen asked if she could have a decaf espresso. The server became silent and we assumed that we were in the middle of a linguistic misunderstanding. No misunderstanding; our server was astounded that anyone would want to take the caffeine out of a perfectly good coffee bean. She settled for a mineral water.
Another place we gravitate to, is La Fiorentina restaurant, located away from the more popular sections of Copacabana Beach. This place has been an integral part of Rio’s performing arts scene for years and that’s reflected in the decor. Walls are covered by photos of actors and musicians. We don’t know any of them, but they surely create an atmosphere. Once again, there may be a tourist or two, but the majority of diners are people who live or work in that area of the city.
Our normal strategy at any restaurant is to order one of the special dishes on offer. That way we’re probably going to get a more local dish. But, first, we go in the direction of wine. Brazilian wine is almost never encountered back home. There is a thriving and fast-growing wine region to the south of the country. There are many types of wine to choose from. My favorite is made from the red grape, Tannat. Tannat is a smalltime player in France that has found a successful new
home in Brazil and neighboring Uruguay. A bottle soon found its way to our table, along with two glasses. Wonderful.
Actually, we found this restaurant by a happy piece of luck. We were planning to eat lunch at a more famous Photos of actors and musicians at La Fiorentina. and sophisticated like local business types restaurant. We turned up at wandering into a place for a little after noon and were lunch. We followed them told, somewhat haughtily, and have been dining at that the restaurant wasn’t La Fiorentina ever since. open and we should come Rio de Janeiro is a back later. Our haughtiness wonderful city. There’s so was standing right in more much to it than the front of a sign saying that famous tourist spots. And we the restaurant opened have so much more to share. at noon. We pointed this Hanging with the Cariocas out and were told, again, and sharing time, food and to come back later. We wine is a pure joy. Our time never did. While walking is the essence and culture back along the beachfront is a great way to invest it. we noticed what looked Here’s to food and wine!
We Are Open. We Are Here for You.
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True Wealth - A Life of Lessons Passed On
Iwas recently asked by a 92-year-old if she should create a journal of her life experiences for her kids and grandkids to read. “Would anyone be interested?” she wondered. The question got me thinking. If true wealth is defined by the people we meet and the experiences we have, why wait until late in life to share those experiences? Maybe there is more fulfillment from an expanded definition of True Wealth, which includes the value of our lasting legacy by sharing our experiences with others.
In simple terms, a legacy is something passed from one generation to the next and often focuses on money. However, life experiences have value and can also be passed on.
Normal retirement planning naturally has a legacy component due to investment account beneficiaries, but what about the future role of life insurance? Since group coverage generally terminates when work ends, that decision is predetermined, but what should be done about your personal policies? Should you even consider adding a policy?
Life insurance is a financial asset and, therefore, it should provide value. For analytical purposes, consider the premium versus the tax-free, economic value of the death benefit. For planning purposes, consider who will benefit from the added money. Additional income for a spouse? College opportunities for grandkids or maybe a legacy for charity?
The journey of one’s life or the impact of a financial leg up can forever change the course of life for those who matter to us. That is the legacy of true wealth!
Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Securities and Advisory Services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA, SIPC
Jeffrey Karp, CLU®, ChFC®, CASL® founder of Karp Financial Strategies and is a registered representative of LPL Financial. More information and his blog, Permission GrantedSM can be found at www.karpfinancial.com.
A Healthy Home - Inside and Out
Everyone wants a healthy home, especially now that we’ve experienced the recent pandemic, but what exactly does this mean? Most important to having a ‘healthy home’ is creating excellent indoor air quality (IAQ). To achieve great IAQ when building a new home, consider what you put into your home including knowing what chemicals are in the building materials that are used, what’s in the interior finishes and furnishings you choose, and the products you use when cleaning your home. Make sure the home is well sealed from outside air by caulking and sealing all openings in the exterior walls.
In an existing home, interior finishes can be up-dated by using paints that do not out-gas toxic chemicals known as volatile organic compounds (VOC’s). The next really important aspect is a well-designed HVAC system that provides proper ventilation and fresh air intakes, along with air cleaning filters and dehumidification. Moisture control is essential to prevent mold growth. We live in an area where radon gas is found, so radon mitigation should be considered as well.
Maintaining proper IAQ and ventilation includes things you can do. Turn on the kitchen exhaust fan when cooking to remove moisture and smells, make sure the bathroom fan runs when taking a shower, and close the damper on fireplaces to prevent back-drafting when the fans are running.
Finally, on the exterior of the home, be sure to use lawn care products that are not known to be harmful to your health.
All of these tips will help you enjoy your home in a healthier way inside and out.
Jennifer B. Pippin, FAIBD, CPBD, is owner of Pippin Home Designs, an awardwinning custom residential design firm specializing in homes with views that are client-inspired for joyful living. For more information: www.pippinhomedesigns.com.
228 East Waterlynn Road, Mooresville 704.360.4262 E-mail: info@piedmontanimalrescue.com piedmontanimalrescue.com
These animals are looking for their forever homes . . .
Charlotte Charlotte is a female baby hound mix. The adoption fee is $250 which includes age appropriate vaccinations (DA2PP and Bordetella), Dewormer, spay/neuter, microchip and heartworm test.
Frankie Frankie is a 3 to 4-year-old sweet Chihuahua. He loves people, other dogs and cats. He is a quiet little guy that just wants to be with his human. He likes to ride in a car, is crate trained and is a happy boy. Frankie’s adoption fee of $225 includes shots, neuter and microchip.
Hawk Hawk is a puppy Labrador Retriever. His adoption fee is $250, which includes age-appropriate vaccinations, Deworner, spay/neuter, microchip and heartworm test.
Hazel Hazel is a sweet somewhat shy 1 to 2 year-old female and would do best in a home without small children. She loves to play and wants to be with people. Hazel is a talker, anytime she moves around she will make a quiet meow to let you know that she is there. She loves to be on your chest or lap and will show you where she wants to be rubbed. Hazel is a loyal and great companion to her foster for the last four months. She is a sweet and loving young cat waiting for you to take her home. Hazel’s adoption also includes many of her favorite toys. The adoption fee is $75 which includes their age appropriate vaccinations (FVRCP), Dewormer, spay/neuter, microchip and combo test.
Mulligan Mulligan was found on a golf course, hence the name…he’s getting a do-over. He is very loving and craves human attention. He loves to play and is super fun to be around. He is currently around 15 weeks old. He is good with kids and dogs as well.The adoption fee is $150 which includes their age appropriate vaccinations (FVRCP), Dewormer, spay/neuter, microchip and combo test.
