All About Women May 2016 by Mountain Times Publications

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executive editor Tom Mayer

editor Sherrie Norris sherrie@aawmag.com 828.264.3612, ext. 4051

‘To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow’ - Audrey Hepburn

writers Emily Apple Heather Brandon Sharon Carlton Bonnie Church Yogi Collins Marion Edwards Hollie Greene James Howell Heather Jordan Mary McKinney Amy Renfranz Sue Spirit

production & design Meleah Bryan Marianne Lawrence Kristin Obiso

advertising Rick Tobin 828.773.0406

Photo by Sherrie Norris

cover photo by Sherrie Norris

contents women in the news community action at best living well kelly saﬂey by the book blue ridge women in agriculture you go girl beauty pajama project high country courtesies beth lewis young at heart paige patterson mom’s world travel cabin fever project fashion migration destination: home alone in the woods teresa lee marriage and family corner new river canoe race children’s council

paige patterson

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Gardening Check out our special gardening section: Pages 41-48

AAWMAG.COM | MAY 2016

editor’s note The merry month of May is here. Wow. How did it arrive so quickly? Chock full of special events — Mother’s Day, proms, college graduations and so much more — May ushers in a very busy season in the High Country. In addition to the aforementioned, it’s a time to get the yard and garden in shape, the plants and seeds in the ground, the grill dusted off and the front porch ready for summer guests and special gatherings. By this time, we’re also welcoming back to the mountains our faithful seasonal residents who bring much to the area through commerce and community service. Volunteerism is at an all-time high when our retired friends come back for their six-month retreat. Whether at local healthcare facilities, community clubs or churches, our “summer people” are devoted to this place they’ve chosen as their second home and share generously of their time and talents. In case we forget to tell you ﬁne folks — in the middle of July as we whisk past you on our way home from work — your contributions to this area are, indeed, appreciated. Thank you for choosing to share our space. Meanwhile, we at All About Women decided to take a trek off the beaten path this month and feature some of the area’s women who enjoy life in the great outdoors. You are in for a treat as you turn the pages and hear from these adventurous, hardworking females who, in some cases have forged their own way to make life worth living in these amazing mountains: the park rangers, the trail blazers, the gardeners, farmers and artists and others with various talents to share. We need to remember that we each have our own gifts, and we must travel our individual pathway. Even if it becomes rocky at times, causing us to stumble on our journey — we can always pick ourselves up, brush off the dirt and keep moving forward. Let’s focus on what lies ahead of us, not what we’ve left behind.

WOMENINTHENEWS Wendy Patoprsty named project director of Middle Fork Greenway Becoming a part of Blue Ridge Conservancy is a dream come true for Wendy Patoprsty who was recently named project director for the Middle Fork Greenway. Wendy has been with the Watauga County Cooperative Extension since 2001, serving since 2003 as a natural resource extension agent. A 2000 graduate of the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in horticulture, Wendy received her masters in geography from Appalachian State University in 2014.

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She is grateful for 15 years of service, working in Watauga and Avery counties, she says, which gave her “a great foundation” for community development and environmental stewardship. “I am thrilled to work with the Middle Fork Greenway team to establish the greenway trail linking the Boone and Blowing Rock communities,’ she adds. “I believe this project is another step towards improving the quality of life for the residents and visitors of the High Country. It is so exciting to visualize riding a bike

safely down the Hwy. 321 corridor, while getting to experience the beauty of our mountain headwater streams.” Wendy plans to integrate her experience with the cooperative extension and the greenway for future generations to enjoy. She is conﬁdent that the project will ultimately be a success due to the incredible outpouring of support from local businesses, residents, the towns of Boone and Blowing Rock, Watauga County, NC DOT, and a multitude of agencies, funders and non-proﬁts. To read the complete story or to learn more about Blue Ridge Conservancy, visit www.blueridgeconservancy.org.

WOMENINTHENEWS Blowing Rock School’s Laurie Nelson-Gill Recognized Laurie Nelson-Gill, reading intervention specialist at Blowing Rock School, has been selected for special honors for the national Winslow Coyne Reitnouer Excellence in Teaching Award. She is the only teacher in North Carolina to receive this recognition, which honors teachers for leadership in using best practices to help students with disabilities become better readers. The award is sponsored by Learning Ally, a national non-profit organization dedicated to helping blind, visually impaired and dyslexic students succeed in education. Laurie was nominated for the award “for making a profound difference in the lives of students with print disabilities, for encouraging a love of reading, and for her commitment to driving student success.” Her recognition in part reflects her advocacy for using Dragon tablet devices and specialized reading software to help students overcome barriers to proficient reading. The purchase of the devices was funded by a grant of $1,000 from the Watauga Education Foundation and a donation from a school family.

Laurie praises the work of her colleagues and their rapid embrace of new tools for helping students succeed. Laurie believes that accelerating the progress of print-challenged students can’t be done just during the school day. “It really requires a communal effort,” she says. “I like to keep parents informed about what we’re doing and how we can do more, and I keep up with research and new developments to ﬁnd where I can plug it in to strengthen instruction.” “We will only transform the lives of the print-challenged when we move mountains to make sure they are being taught on both their reading level and their listening level,” she adds. “This allows them to develop ideas and vocabulary at the highest level possible, while learning to read at an appropriate instructional level.” Laurie has taught in the Watauga County Schools for six years and was 2012-13 Teacher of the Year at Green Valley School. To read more, visit www.watauga.k12. nc.us.

Round Robin Networking Returns The Boone Chamber of Commerce will host its second Watauga Women in Leadership Round Robin event from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. May 19 for female business owners, management executives and community leaders. The Round Robin, or speed networking, is the business version of speed dating and will be held at the Meadowbrook Inn, Blowing Rock. Each participant should be prepared with business cards and a notebook and be ready to share contact information. This event will provide exposure to a lot of people in a short

amount of time. It is a great, fun way to let others know who you are, what you do, and what you are looking for, whether it is new customers, clients, employees, sales leads or even a new job. A meet and greet starts at 5 p.m. prior to the Round Robin event. Dessert and an auction will follow. All proceeds will directly beneﬁt the Watauga Women in Leadership and future events. Admission is $10. For more information, contact Barbara Armstrong, director of operations, Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, at (828) 264-2225.

Rape Aggression Defense Training Appalachian Regional Healthcare System Police Department will offer Rape Aggression Defense training to the women of our community in two upcoming classes. R.A.D is a national program of realistic self-defense tactics and techniques taught for women only. All courses are taught by nationally certiﬁed R.A.D. Instructors and are offered at no cost, but registration is required. The goal of R.A.D. is to provide realistic self-defense options to women, regardless of their level of physical conditioning. Students at all levels of ability, age, experience and strength will be provided with techniques and information that can be effectively used from the ﬁrst day of class. R.A.D. is not a martial arts program, nor does it require students to be athletes in training to succeed. The R.A.D. system will provide females with the knowledge to make an educated decision about personal defense, information on physical and non-physical options, as well as insight into the attacker mindset. Every student receives a manual for reference and practice. Once a student has completed a R.A.D. program, her signed manual becomes a ticket for free lifetime return and practice with any R.A.D. instructor in the US and Canada.

Upcoming Classes (This is a 12-hour class, split into three days) Class 1: 5- 9 p.m. May 23 5- 9 p.m. May 24 8 a.m. – noon May 28 Class 2: 5- 9 p.m. July 19 5- 9 p.m. July 22 8 a.m. – 12 noon July 23 R.A.D. Training Program Offers: Basic Physical Defense Advanced Self Defense Keychain Defense Options Aerosol Defense Options R.A.D. for Seniors The RAD defense system is speciﬁcally designed for women who are willing to consider as a viable option, defense, in situations where their life is in jeopardy. All training sessions are available to any woman that has an interest and desire to attend and are free of charge. For information or to register, call (828) 268-9083 or email radselfdefense@apprhs.org.

AAWMAG.COM | MAY 2016

n m u o C m it y action Best AT

WAMY helps raise the bar for family success

Growing a garden is just one of the many things that Cashae Baker has learned to do through her association with WAMY Community Action.

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For half a century, WAMY Community Action has come to the aid of countless families in its four-county service area of Watauga, Avery, Mitchell and Yancey. Currently, through one of several programs it offers — Total Family Development — WAMY is helping individuals and families rise above poverty by assisting them in short term training or education. Many times, says Development Director Ashley Payne Cook, the extra burden of unexpected expenses comes along just when individuals are already at a breaking point and having to forfeit something they need in order to pay for something else. Such was the case with Cashae Baker. “When Cashae first came to WAMY, she was facing several hurdles, but she was strong spirited and very determined,” Ashley says. “It was clear that she was a perfect fit for the program. She was ready to see her situation change, and WAMY was there to help her with childcare, food, gas, utility and vehicle repairs.” Cashae acknowledges that life had been hard since childhood. Her parents were in and out of her life, and she went from one foster home to another. She became a mother at 16 and found herself heading toward what seemed a predetermined path. However, Ashley says, “Cashae possessed a deep determination to make her life better. She refused to become a statistic, and knew that with hard work and a little help along the way, she could make a good life for herself and her children.” Against all odds, Cashae applied for and was accepted into the criminal justice program at Appalachian State University. “She worked hard,” Ashley says. “She knew she couldn’t be the typical college student — going to parties and hanging out with her friends. She had responsibilities and a commitment to her family. She often gave up sleep for study time, and she worked hard to pay for school and living expenses.” From the moment Cashae came to WAMY, Ashley says, “We knew that she was going to be successful. She had the desire and drive to achieve her dreams.” It is because of the community’s generosity that WAMY was able to help Cashae with some of her expenses along the way, Ashley says, allowing her to graduate in 2014 with absolutely no student debt. “Today, Cashae works at a local law firm and is planning to attend law school and become an attorney.” “WAMY was really helpful and totally helped me through college,” Cashae says. “Had I not had their assistance, I wouldn’t have been able

We believe everyone deserves a warm and safe home, access to education and jobs, meals with healthy food and youth-focused enrichment opportunities. - Ashley Payne Cook

Landon Baker loves helping gather vegetables from the family garden during the summer.

be an advocate for the organization. “I go to almost all of their fundraisers and am always willing to speak on their behalf,” she says. “They really help people learn to be self-sufficient, and in doing so, those of us on the receiving end need to be willing to give back.” As an example, just last year, Cashae was able to buy a new mini van, so she donated her older one to another family in need. Cashae came to Boone from Lexington to study at A.S.U., but with one child and another on the way, she was unable to live on campus. “I was working two and three jobs to try to stay aﬂoat, but I just wasn’t making it,” she says. “Without WAMY, there is no way I could have done what I’ve been able to do.” She says Boone is a great place to be, where people care about each other and are willing to help. With a new marriage on the horizon, a home, a good job and recently reunited with her mother and siblings, life is good for Cashae Baker.

Growing together

Melody Baker stands proudly by her section of the family garden

to ﬁnish school on time. We wouldn’t have been warm through the winter. We wouldn’t have been able to plant a garden and can food to help us through to another season. I wouldn’t have had gas to go for job interviews. WAMY is deﬁnitely a lifesaver. They don’t just give you things, which is what I like so much about them. They make you work for it. I had to make an effort to show that I was willing to work.” Cashae has graduated from WAMY’s Self-Sufficiency Program, and is pleased to

Among the assistance Cashae Baker and her children received through WAMYs’ services, she says, were the garden vouchers, “a tremendous help,” Cashae says, “for those who are willing to get out and grow their own food.” Soon after she was welcomed in to WAMY’s program, Cashae and her family planted a huge garden, she describes. Thanks to my (future) mother-in-law who taught me to can, we still have enough food, even now, to keep us through another season. That’s a huge thing.” In the garden, Cashae says, “we planted most everything that grows here — so many wonderful vegetables that are so good and healthy for my children.” Her children loved helping in the garden, too, she says, and being able to choose what they want for dinner just steps away from their home. Her children had a speciﬁc area named for them, she says, were given the opportunity to make their own garden signs and

planted what they like the most. “They love the garden,” Cashae says. “Now, my son says he wants to be a gardener when he grows up.”

A helping hand The Total Family Development program is available to help individuals continue to work toward a successful future by alleviating those unexpected ﬁnancial burdens, Ashley says — whether it be a minor car repair, additional childcare while training, gas or even utility bills. “To some it might just seem like a bad day when these things happen, but to so many, it’s little things like these that prevent them from moving forward,” she adds. “We want to remind the communities we serve that we are here to help, but we cannot help if individuals are not enrolled in our program,” Ashley says. In addition to Total Family Development, WAMY operates several programs, including housing, food and nutrition and the Avery YO! after school program. Food and nutrition: WAMY helped 73 low-income, elderly customers get supplies for a home garden. The $50 voucher provides has a 25:1 return on investment. For every $1 in the voucher, the families harvest $25 worth of produce. WAMY also assists the High Country Community Supported Agriculture by offering discounted shares available to 30 low-income families. Working with families, changing lives — that’s what WAMY is all about, Ashley says. “We believe everyone deserves a warm and safe home, access to education and jobs, meals with healthy food and youth-focused enrichment opportunities.” W.A.M.Y. Community Action, Inc. is located at 225 Birch Street, Suite 2 in Boone. For information, call (828) 264-2421 or email: info@wamycommunityaction.org.

sherrie norris Editor, All About Women

AAWMAG.COM | MAY 2016

LivingWell

Sugar-Balance We are hard-wired to crave the taste of sweet — and there is a reason for that. Sweet things indicate the presence of sugar, which is our chief energy source. No sugar, no energy. Although essential to staying alive, the sugar in our blood must be kept in balance. Too little and we feel weak, shaky and confused. Too much and our body freaks out and goes into emergency clean up mode – rushing to get sugar out of our bloodstream and into our cells. Overtime, an overworked cleanup system breaks down and sugar begins to build up in our bloodstream. This leads to diseases, like metabolic syndrome and diabetes. Just like Goldilocks’ quest for the perfectly heated porridge — not too hot, not too cold — we need to keep our blood sugar in balance: not too little and not too much. The fulcrum of balance is mining

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our sugar from fiber-rich carbohydrates, like fruits and veggies, and not from sugary snacks. Striving for balance supports the following: - Less inflammation in the body - Improved cognitive function - Stable moods - Weight management and optimal body composition - Reduced food cravings Helpful hints for keeping bloodsugar in balance: -Stand up and move for a few minutes every hour throughout the day. Movement burns blood sugar, our bodies fuel. -Eat a balanced breakfast containing protein and fiber, not sugary cereals. -Too much sugar first thing in the

Bliss

morning will keep you out of whack all day. -Don’t skip meals. When blood sugar drops too low, you will start craving something super sweet. -Eat lean protein and non-starchy veggies with each meal. Protein and ﬁber with each meal makes balancing blood sugar no big deal. -Eat no more than three servings of fresh fruit a day — and not all at the same time. Fruit is high in sugar. Too much at one time can cause your blood sugar levels to spike. -Drink adequate amounts of water — at least eight cups a day. Water helps to ‘rinse out’ excess sugar. -Cultivate serenity through deep breathing, prayer and meditation. Stress creates a hormonal cascade that elevates blood sugar and stores fat.

Add these super-foods to your daily menu: Chia seeds: These little seeds, when soaked in liquid, grow. They are full of fiber and provide a natural braking system on the release of blood sugar. They are high in Omega 3, protein and trace minerals, which assist your body in cleaning up excess blood sugar. Avocado: This voluptuous fruit is full of good fats. A good fat will help keep your blood sugar and fat-burning hormones in balance so you feel energized throughout the day. Add it to salads, make a guacamole or just peel it and eat. Coconut oil: Coconut oil is a great way to balance your blood sugar, nourish your thyroid and create sustainable energy throughout the day. Use it as the oil for stir-fry. It also is a great alternative to butter on everything from vegetables to whole-grain toast. Walnuts and almonds: These nuts are a great snack food— (1/4 cup per snack, twice a day). They help you feel less hungry. They also contain antiinflammatory Omega-3 fats. Glucomannon: This fiber provides a natural braking system to prevent blood sugar from spiking. It is a good bio-hack. Take before that occasional high-sugar meal. It does some damage control. It also helps you feel full, so you will eat less.

‘

Just like Goldilocks’ quest for the perfectly heated porridge — not too hot, not too cold — we need to keep our blood sugar in balance: not too little and not too much. - Bonnie Church

’

DISCLAIMER: For those who have blood sugar balancing issues, such as metabolic syndrome, and diabetes, consult with a knowledgeable physician and dietitian. They can prescribe and oversee a safe and proper medical and dietary protocol.

bonnie church Certiﬁed Life and Wellness Coach Author/columnist, motivational speaker Certiﬁed Trainer for TLS Weight Loss Solution

AAWMAG.COM | MAY 2016

RANGER RETIRING Kelly Safley says goodbye

Retiring park ranger Kelly Safley has a long list of things she will miss when she leaves Elk Knob State Park. Photo submitted

‘There are special events in all the state parks, so be sure to check them out and support your parks.’ - kelly safley 12

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etiring from North Carolina State Parks this year, and leaving

her post at Elk Knob near Boone, Kelly Saﬂey has a lengthy list of things she’s going to miss. “I will miss the fellowship of the people I have come to know, she says, “my coworkers (past and present), the board members of Elk Knob Community Headwaters Organization, volunteers, hikers, visitors and my neighbors.” She will also miss getting out and

painting and signing the boundary of the park on steep mountainsides, she says. “And I will miss teaching kids and adults about astronomy in the beautiful dark skies of Elk Knob.” She will miss nature hikes and the different wildﬂowers from season to season, and she will miss people telling her that the Summit Trail at Elk Knob is one of the best trails they have ever hiked. “I will also miss building trails and working so closely with people on a regular basis that they become family,” she adds. “I will miss the various day-to-day

tasks that make the job of a park ranger the best job in the world.” She’s lived her dream as a ranger at Elk Knob State Park since July 2007, Kelly says, coming to the area when the park was relatively new and the building phase had just begun. A proud graduate of Appalachian State University with a degree in recreation, “long before it was called parks and recreation or leisure studies,” she says, Kelly worked for more than 18 years in municipal recreation in Illinois before returning to North Carolina to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a park ranger. In 2004, she was hired by North Carolina State Parks at Falls Lake State Recreation Area between Durham and Wake Forest, where she worked for nearly three years before coming to Elk Knob. “I was happy to get back to the Boone area,” she says, “but my main goal was to contribute in a meaningful and concrete way to the newly acquired park. I have been fortunate to work with professional, goal-oriented people, and I have learned a lot along the way.” When she ﬁrst started at Elk Knob, Kelly was “privileged to serve under excellent leadership of two superintendents, Larry Trivette and Tracy Minton,” she says. She has seen a lot of changes, she shares. “Elk Knob has grown in acreage and in facilities. We now have four hiking trails, a picnic area, an amphitheater, backcountry camping for individuals and groups, an office and a maintenance facility.” And, she adds, the park is still growing. During her time at Elk Knob, Kelly says there are several things which have brought her the most satisfaction. “The most important thing is the connections and partnerships I have developed over the past eight plus years,” she describes. “I have had the honor of partnering with hardworking people who unselﬁshly donated their time and expertise to help me in so many different ways. I have had the awesome opportunity to develop an astronomy program and, with the purchase of a computerized Celestron telescope, my volunteers and I have opened the celestial heavens to people who may never have had the chance to view the dark skies.”

July 23 Elk Knob will celebrate the state parks’ 100th anniversary, at which time guests will enjoy games from another century and learn the history and culture of the area. Kelly was offered an opportunity to participate in the ﬁlming for the state park’s 100th anniversary video, which she calls an honor. “The Summit Trail was built in-house with staff and more than 6,000 hours of volunteer labor over a ﬁve and a half year period,” she says, describing it as “truly a labor of love for many volunteers and staff who became like family to me — and together, we created a beautiful trail that generations can enjoy.” Kelly’s latest partnership has been with Appalachian Studies through ASU. “With their help, and the help of the student art league, we created an art trail on the Beech Tree Trail, which is very unique — converting dead trees into stumps with creative and colorful art pieces displayed in them.” She has also been involved with establishing numerous special events, including the following: The N.C. Science Festival Statewide Star Party (held April 9), The Great American Backyard

Campout (June 25) and the Elk Knob Headwaters Community Day (Sept. 10), which is supported and planned through a community organization known as EKCHO (Elk Knob Community Heritage Organization). “In addition, we have regular interpretation and education programs to teach about all types of nature. All of these programs and special events are free to the public,” she says. This year, as N.C. State Parks celebrates its 100th anniversary, an anniversary shared with the National Parks, Kelly says. “There are special events in all the state parks, so be sure to check them out and support your parks.” Elk Knob will celebrate the anniversary July 23, at which time guests will enjoy games from another century and learn the history and culture of the area.

sherrie norris Editor, All About Women

A trusted name when you need that helping hand

828.963.8233 www.apphomecare.com AAWMAG.COM | MAY 2016

‘By the Book’ On Location A Reviewer’s Quest for Hot, New Fiction On a balmy March weekend in North Georgia, writers, readers and book lovers descended on the town of Dahlonega on an important quest: the search for stories — true stories, outlandish hyperbolic stories, stories of all shapes and forms. As it turns out, attendees stumbled upon a mecca of authors, speakers and books from both regional and featured writers with genres ranging from literary ﬁction to generational vengeance-seeking ﬁction to paranormal romance.

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In its 12th year, the Dahlonega Literary Festival celebrates books, writers and literacy, billed as “an intimate festival about books and authors with a mission to promote interaction between readers and writers in a relaxed, informal environment.” Including a variety of panel discussions with authors, book talks, presentations and book signings, attendees were privy to information about the art of writing, using a variety of techniques including suspense, humor, facts and fantasy. The number of female authors and

their varying genres drew this AAW book reviewer to the festival. Further, the opportunity to speak with several of those featured throughout the weekend left a lasting impression of both the vastness of the imagination, as well as excitement for the number of ways stories are generated and, likewise, the innovative ways in which they can be told. Among the 25 regional writers and 12 featured writers, the following women writing about — or from — Appalachia will encourage AAW readers to head to local

bookstores with their “to read” lists in hand.

Ann Hite lives in Atlanta and writes dark, Southern gothic fiction about historic Appalachia. Many of her stories explore the nature of family secrets and their reverberating ramifications. Exposing the history of women’s rights in her work, Ann describes: “What makes strong women is the darkness we have to walk through.” Her works include “The Storycatcher,” “Low Country Spirit” and “The Ghost of Black Mountain.” Her most recent release, “Where the Souls Go” (2015), is the prequel to “The Ghost of Black Mountain” and tells the story of Hobbs Pritchard, the antagonist of “Ghost.” In September 2016, “Sleeping Above Chaos” will be released and promises to reveal even more about Black Mountain, one of Ann’s favorite places. It is Ann’s hope that women will read her stories “and feel OK to tell their truths.” Her favorite book, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” kindled that desire, as it was the first book that resonated with certainty that “these stories count.” Molly Harper writes paranormal romance with a humorous twist. She laughingly boasts, “These are the least bloody vampire books you’ll ever read!” Living in Paducah, Ky., Molly has written three series of books that carry their own brand of eclectic Southern fiction, featuring realistic families who experience a progression of paranormal twists. “The Naked Werewolf” series, “The Nice Girl” series and her most recent, “The Single Undead Mom’s Club” series, are written for readers to “be entertained and escape from the heaviness of life.” Molly hopes her audience “walks away feeling like they’ve made a friend.” Born and raised in Appalachia, Molly insists that “reading is generational — in my family we had book closets, not linen closets.”

Inspired by writers such as Stephen King, Jane Austen and Nora Roberts, Molly describes herself as a “genre mutt,” whose love for stories in every format inspires each of her series. Molly’s latest book, “Where the Wild Things Bite,” a Half Moon Hollow novel, will be released in July.

Rona Simmons lives just outside Atlanta and writes “stories that have just happened to take place in the past” about strong women with a lack of identity. In varying capacities, these women are “forced to deal with life on their own.” Both of Rona’s novels, “The Quiet Room,” and her most recent, “Postcards from Wonderland,” take place in rural settings in farming communities. Her characters are “plain people with plain speech,” who are gaining the wherewithal to manage life against challenging odds. Rona hopes readers “enjoy not only the story, but also appreciate the way it’s written.” Rona’s favorite books are Margaret Atwood’s “Cat’s Eye” and “Blind Assassin.” Rona has recently been nominated for Georgia Author of the Year 2016 for Fiction, and is currently working on a contemporary novel set in and around Atlanta. Valerie Connors lives in Atlanta and writes historical ﬁction, women’s ﬁction and psychological thrillers. “So far,” she explains “I want to try a bit of everything. When I get some traction in a particular area, I may decide to focus my efforts there.” Her most recent release, “A Promise Made,” is set in post World War II America and shares the story of a mother who saves herself and her child from domestic abuse, and moves to New York to start again. Her previous novels, “In Her Keeping” (set in the North Carolina mountains) and “Shadow of a Smile,” also present the

recurring theme of the mother/daughter relationship. The message Valerie wants to send to readers is that there is always hope, even in the darkest of times. And that we’re all capable of so much more than we can even imagine. Valerie dreams of moving to the mountains of North Georgia or North Carolina when she retires. She looks forward to “getting out of the city and slowing the pace substantially.” Her three favorite books are “The Fountainhead” and “Atlas Shrugged,” by Ayn Rand, and Stephen King’s “Duma Key.” She explains, “In every case, it’s the characters that keep me coming back to them, again and again.”

Kelsey Browning lives in Athens and writes romantic/suspense series books. Her series, “Texas Nights,” creates page-turning ﬁction that readers won’t be able to put down. “The Granny Series,” co-authored by NC writer, Nancy Naigel, is a “choose your own adventure” of sorts, in that readers are given the choice to “pick their passion” and choose “sweet or heat.” Her most recent collaborative effort is a “Steele Ridge Series” that will be released in October 2016 with a prequel. Writing with Tracey Devlyn and Adrienne Giordano, Kelsey writes within a “shared world” in which “everybody owns a character.” Embedded in each of her books is the story of coming home and the process of reconciliation. Kelsey says she hopes that through her ﬁction, readers can “leave their lives and get in my world.” She wants to “provide entertainment for her audience.” One of her readers shared with her, “I read this book while I got chemo,” which has been one of Kelsey’s highest writing compliments. Kelsey’s favorite book is “The Red Tent” by Anita Diamant. She often wonders, “What if women treated each other this way?”

Hollie Greene Hollie Greene is an English teacher who loves stories, words and the mountains of North Carolina.

AAWMAG.COM | MAY 2016

Photos submitted

Carol Coulter and

Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture One of the reasons people live in and visit the High Country is to enjoy, appreciate and connect with nature. In a sense, that’s the ultimate goal of Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture — and in the process, they want to strengthen the health and wellbeing of our community. BRWIA — a local non-proﬁt with a mission to work support the growing number of women farmers in our area — aims to strengthen our local farmers and food system, as well as educate the public about farming, food quality and farming techniques that protect the environment and communities. BRWIA Executive Director Carol Coulter, one of the founding mothers of the group, points out, “Women are the fastest growing segment of farmers. We are much more communal in our sharing of information and supporting each other. It’s kind of a different system from men who are, in general, much more dollar-

MAY 2016 | AAWMAG.COM

oriented. It’s interesting to see how the different groups (of farmers) connect to each other.” BRWIA also uses education and events to bridge gaps between farmers and consumers. One of the group’s most popular events is the annual Farm Tour, now in its 10th year. The Farm Tour allows the public an opportunity to visit participating farms in three different counties, with each county having its own date: Caldwell County tours are scheduled for June 18, Watauga County tours, July 16, and Ashe County tours, Aug. 13. “You can buy a single pass for one day of tours, get a discount to do two separate days, or get a really big discount to do all three dates,” Carol explains. “And admission is by the carload, so if you can cram people into a minivan or something, you can really make out good.” One goal of the Farm Tour is to connect people to the food they eat, allowing them to witness farmers’ hard work and

to understand why local food costs more than industrial food. “Farm Tour connects consumers to the farmer,” Carol explains. “People are really just disconnected from their food. They buy the end product and don’t really have an idea of what goes into making it. I had someone ask me once how we got the cheese out of the goats, and whether you milk the billy goats. They just see the products in the grocery store. We actually had someone who didn’t realize that potatoes grow in the ground. He said he just never really thought of it.” Beyond the Farm Tour, BRWIA coordinates programs that have great impacts upon the High Country, including the Community of Gardens, a coalition of school, church and community gardens that provide food to local food pantries. “We’ve organized these gardens into a coalition to try to get as much good, healthy food into the local food pantries as we can,” Carol says.

BRWIA has also begun a mentoring program called Blue Ridge Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training, through which aspiring farmers are connected with experienced farmers to either learn how to farm or to learn new practices. “Every month we run two workshops on alternate Sunday afternoons,” says Carol. “They are held at speciﬁc farms, and the farmer teaches the class. We begin with a farm tour, the farmer speaks on the topic, and we end with a potluck dinner that allows time for networking. The general public can attend and there is no fee — just bring something for the potluck, if you are staying for dinner.” Finally, in June, BRWIA will launch a resource that, for now, is called the High Country Food Hub. “The county commissioners gave us 1,600 square feet in the basement of the agricultural center to put in shelving, walk-in coolers and freezers,” Carol explains. “Farmers will be able to rent shelf space by the day, week or month to store their products. It will allow them, for example, to take more animals to the processor at once. We’re also working on a grant to create a website where people can pre-order items that will be stored there to create food boxes that our staff will assemble for people to pick up. We expect to have eggs, cheese, sorghum, granola, honey, cornmeal and meats, including goat, quail, trout, beef, pork and chicken.” It’s another way to make healthy, local food readily available to the public, while strengthening our local economy and community, says Carol. “We just really believe that making a strong local food system makes sense. There will be a day when we go to the grocery store and not everything is going to be there. To us, it just makes sense to make cars in factories and to do food locally, not in factories.” For more information on BRWIA, its programs and upcoming events, log on to www.brwia.org. You can also sign up for the group’s monthly newsletter, which offers information about workshops, gardening and farming, as well as information about local women farmers and their farms. Yozette ‘Yogi’ Collins Mom, television producer/writer, and obsessive internet researcher. Though her name suggests otherwise, she is not (yet) an actual yogi.

Holly Whitesides and Andy Bryant, owners of Against the Grain Farm in Zionville, are shown here with their young daughter, Beatrice.

Amy Fiedler, owner of Springhouse Farm, is pictured here with one of her much-loved pigs.

Kathleen Petermann is a young female farmer who owns Waxwing Farm.

Matt Cooper, owner of Lively Up Farm, is teaching his daughter how to hand-till rows of dirt to prepare for planting.

AAWMAG.COM | MAY 2016

YouGoGirl

‘The only requirement of having a dream, is believing in it.’ — Molly Barker, founder of Girls On The Run

‘We inspire girls to be healthy and conﬁdent in a way that’s fun and creative.’ — Mary Sheryl Horine

Maria Resindez, GOTR participant/Hardin Park student.

GIRLS ON THE RUN Empowering the young Girls On The Run of the High Country joyfully serving girls and their families since 2009

Since 2009, girls in the High Country have had access to an amazing opportunity through Girls on the Run, an uplifting, empowering and life-changing program that focuses on teaching life lessons to girls in third–ﬁfth grades. This year, the program has expanded to include a new curriculum for girls in middle school, called Heart and Sole. According to council director Mary Sheryl Horine, “We inspire girls to be healthy and conﬁdent in a way that’s fun and creative.” The goal is accomplished, she explains through 24 lessons delivered over the course of 12 weeks, using an experiencebased curriculum that creatively integrates running. “At the end of the 12 weeks, the girls experience a sense of accomplishment and pride in themselves, as they complete a 5K with hundreds of other participants and their running buddies,” Mary Sheryl explains. Girls on the Run began locally with 13 girls. The group has

MAY 2016 | AAWMAG.COM

Maria Resindez & Jessie Presnell Greene, GOTR participant/Hardin Park student and teacher/ coach.

Erin Selle, Charoltte Crees, Addison Schoychid, Anna Welsh, Maria Resindez, Jessie Presnell Greene, Hardin Park students and teachers/coaches. Photos submitted

‘We frequently hear our coaches say they get as much out of the program as do the girls. Girls On The Run is like a refresher course on how to lead a happy life.’ — Mary Sheryl Horine

Events to remember Spring 2015 ZAP Fitness Girls on the Run of the High Country 5K 2 p.m. May 15 at on the Greenway in Boone. This is a noncompetitive 5K open to the community. All runners, walkers, trotters and skippers are invited to join in this unique and uplifting experience.

grown dramatically since then and has now spread to 12 sites, more than 160 girls and 47 coaches in Watauga, Avery and Wilkes counties! “We no longer travel to join another council for the end-of-season 5K, but we host two seasonal events of our own — one in Watauga and one in Wilkes,” Mary Sheryl adds. “We have gotten creative with our fundraising, and also host the High Country Triple Crown Race Series and the annual Luck O’ the Lassie event at The Best Cellar/Inn at Ragged Gardens in Blowing Rock.” Due to great effort put into these events and grant applications, she adds, full or partial program scholarships have been granted to more than 65 percent of participants. Another great community event hosted by Girls on the Run — in conjunction with the Women’s Fund of the Blue Ridge — is the annual Lunafest Film Festival, which took place April 7 and 8, highlighting women as leaders in society, illustrated through nine short films by women filmmakers. The films, Mary Sheryl says, range from animation to fictional drama, and cover topics such as women’s health, motherhood, body image, aging, cultural diversity and breaking barriers. It’s a great way to provide young girls with a life-changing opportunity, but it can’t happen without community assistance. “We are constantly in need of support for our fundraisers and 5K events and would like to increase our reach into Ashe and Alleghany Counties,” says Mary Sheryl. Anyone interested in helping get a site started at a local school or community, volunteering at, or participating in, one of the events, donating items, or sponsoring a fundraiser, is invited to do so. “We would love to have you join us in helping girls discover their potential and inspiring them to pursue their dreams,” Mary Sheryl concludes. Girls on the Run is a program of the ASU Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC Institute for Health and Human Services. For more information, visit gotr.appstate.edu.

sherrie norris Editor, All About Women

AAWMAG.COM | MAY 2016

BEAUTY

Glamping in style

For those of you who want a little continued glamour in your look as you enjoy Mother Nature, I have a few bare bones minimalist’s suggestions to help get your ‘glamp’ on. 20

MAY 2016 | AAWMAG.COM

e are all more than ready for warm weather,

although I must say, this past winter in the mountains was not all that bad — cold, but that’s expected. When the coats come off, our thoughts turn to “all things out-of-doors”— gardening, hiking, rafting and camping. Many of us will be camping this summer, whether a cross-country trip, weekender or overnighter. If you thought glamour and camping couldn’t be in the same sentence, think again, because now it’s the same word. “Roughing it” doesn’t mean you have to look it. If you are a hardcore purist, or you don’t wear makeup anyway, you are probably very comfortable going au natural. However, there are those of us who tire of holding a ﬁnger over our face in every scenic picture. Besides, there’s always the chance we might meet a handsome celebrity VIP on the hiking trail, where there will be cameras, and suddenly, there you are on the front page of “Outdoor Magazine.” Seriously, I believe most of us would like to enhance the morning face we wake up with. I personally love camping, but it must be in a campground with a bathroom and shower — and since other people do see my face, I like it to be a nice view. I do not like the Middle Ages “no eye brow” look, and can’t imagine not ﬁlling in my sparse brows.

Your'glamping'bag must haves: • Facial cleanser is great if you have running water. • Makeup and cleansing wipes to cleanse face and also freshen the rest of your body. • Spray toner — a few spritzes will rehydrate and freshen; it’s especially good if you’re overheated.

What to pack: • You can travel light and leave your 10-pound makeup bag behind. Space conservation is very important, so large, bulky items don’t travel well. • Check out mini-sized products for toothpaste, body wash, shampoo and lotion. • Keep scents in mind, since highly fragranced products can create an attraction for pests — both large and small. • You should deﬁnitely maintain your skincare routine. Cleansing daily is important as you are probably using lots of sunscreen, insect repellents and collecting environmental debris. • Don’t forget your hat.

• Blotting papers are wonderful for removing excess oil. • Light facial moisturizer or tinted moisturizer lends a little color to the face. Use a moisturizer on your body, also. (Remember, moisturizers help your skin retain it’s own natural moisture balance by helping prevent moisture “bleed out.”

• Concealer needed only to even out any under-eye darkness. (This alone makes you look amazing and diminishes the “walking dead” look.) • SPF-tinted lip balm will protect your lips, while giving them a hint of color. • Eye drops — just in case. • Dry shampoo is a “God-send” when you can’t wash your sweaty, smelly hair. • Sleeping mask for when the sun wakes you before you’re ready to get up. • Earplugs for the loud talking neighbors at the next site. To all the amazing mothers, this is your month. Remember, you are beautiful!

• Stand-alone sunscreen, in addition to the above.

Marion Edwards

• Waterproof mascara, especially if you are in the water.

Marion Edwards is a Licensed Esthetician, Professional Makeup Artist and Certiﬁed Trainer for Motives Cosmetics. She can be contacted at 828.262.5954.

• Brow pencil, but only If you have barely “see-ums.”

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www.mountaintowndental.com • 336-246-8888 AAWMAG.COM | MAY 2016

Pajama Project Covers the kids

Lisa Totherow and her daughter, Addison, are surrounded by new pajamas and books collected during the recent Seventh Annual Pajama Project at Mabel United Methodist Church. Photos submitted

Since Lisa Totherow and her daughter Addison started The Pajama project seven years ago, they have collected and distributed nearly 1,000 sets of new pajamas and books for less fortunate children in and around the area. “It’s a way of sharing the love of God with others,” says Lisa. “We want all children to know that they are not alone and that God is always watching over them. I want them to be assured, especially, of the scripture in Psalm 3:5, which says, “I laid down and slept; I awakened in safety, for the Lord was watching over me.” On February 21, Mabel United Methodist Church in Zionville was transformed into a pajama party of sorts, where dozens of individuals — young and young at heart — came together for the seventh annual Pajama Project. All were bearing gifts, but some were also attired in their own pajamas, just as their invitation read. According to Lisa, a goal to collect

MAY 2016 | AAWMAG.COM

250 sets of pajamas and books was quickly met, and everyone had a great time For the Lisa and her family, the Pajama Project began in 2010. “I was watching a TV show one evening and saw a similar mission that gave to less fortunate children,” she says. She attempted to contact and work with the sponsoring group, but was unsuccessful in getting the support needed for a “pajama drive” in her own community. “I decided a similar, but faith-based project in the High Country would be a great thing for my daughter and I to do together,” she adds. Also, with a love for books, having written one each year for Addison’s birthday, now 9, and with desire to share God’s love, Lisa organized the ﬁrst event. “Everyone in the community was invited and my childhood church, Mabel United Methodist, graciously opened its doors to us,” says Lisa. “We wear our pajamas, have story time, special music

and snacks.” The participants also pray blessings over the pajamas for the children who will be receiving them. “Since we began, we have collected and distributed more than 1,100 sets,” she adds. With the help of the Children’s Council of Watauga County, the donations go to children in the county who need them, Lisa explains. “They distribute them through various parent and child programs at their agency and others, including the Hospitality House and OASIS. “ Guests who attend the event bring a new set of pajamas and a new, ageappropriate book to go along with it. “We add a sticker to the inside of the cover where the child’s name can be written, along with the words from the familiar childhood hymn, “Jesus Loves Me.” A toothbrush, toothpaste and a tag bearing the project logo and the Bible verse from Psalm 3:5, is also attached, she says.

Addison says she is happy to do the project with her mother, “Because it helps children who need pajamas and the books can help them learn to read. I want these kids to know that Jesus created them and His love is really strong.”

Motivated to show God’s love Lisa is inspired by many bible verses, quotes, poems and books, but the words of John Wesley, in particular, “encompasses my spirit,” she says: “Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.” Lisa’s family knows to expect her request to help with the project each year, “and they happily volunteer to help,” she says, as they do also with her efforts in directing Vacation Bible School, her Make-A-Wish adventures, through which for the past three years she has been a wish grantor — “and all the extra things that I like to sign up for in between.” It’s important, she adds, that people use their time and talents to be witnesses of God’s love, referring to 1 Peter 4:10: “As every man hath received the gift, (even so) minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” When asked to recant any heartwarming stories she’s encountered through the Pajama Project, Lisa just smiles.

“There was one of my MakeA-Wish families whose daughter, battling cancer, had just been granted her wish,” she shares. “I had tried to contact the family to deliver their itinerary and travel packet, but could not reach them. I then learned that their home had burned down, just a couple of days before they were to leave for their trip. When I got in touch with the mother, she said they had lost everything and were staying with grandparents. We had just had our pajama event, so I took sets to the three children. The grandmother was stunned to see that one of the books was a favorite of the little girl that she had lost in the ﬁre.” Lisa is quick to say that while she puts her heart into everything she does, it is not for public acclaim. “If we never have another story to tell, it’s OK, because we know that God will use this ministry for His glory, which is our sole purpose.” Lisa is “beyond blessed,” she says, for the opportunities she’s been given, and is thankful for the project and for those who support it. According to church pastor, Katherine Cornell, “The pajama project is a great opportunity for the church to reach out beyond it’s walls and demonstrate love and care for others in the community. Jesus said in Matthew 25 that when we respond to the needs presented to us, we are responding to Jesus. I am so thankful for Lisa, Addison and all those who participate in gathering and praying for the

‘

We want all children to know that they are not alone and that God is always watching over them.

’

- Lisa Totherow

children who will receive these pajamas, books and toothbrushes.” Hannah Rominger, who volunteers for the project, says, “Lisa has the biggest heart. She always puts others before herself and tries to do whatever she can to help improve someone else’s life. She is a huge inspiration for me and one of the greatest role models I have. The pajama project is just one of the many ways she selflessly reaches out to the community and finds ways to involve others.” Describing Lisa as an organizer, author, volunteer “and all around good shepherd,” Mark Hagaman, principal at Mabel School, says Lisa has embraced the idea that we do not have to look far if we are willing to help. “I see, first hand, families and children living in need. I see needs ranging from those needing a little extra help to examples of abject poverty. So, when we have events like this in our community, and our community gives back like this, I am overwhelmed with pride. Lisa is a parent, PTO member and volunteer at school. Her contributions, never chronicled (per her request) are considerable and would rival any individual or group effort. That is why I am not surprised by another year of extraordinary success for her pajama project. The results are phenomenal and I would expect nothing less of such a hardworking and faithful community member.”

sherrie norris Editor, All About Women

A busy mother-daughter team, Lisa and Addison Totherow love spending quality time together. AAWMAG.COM | MAY 2016

highcountrycourtesies

May is National Mental Health Month

Showing Kindness and Compassion to Those Walking Through Mental Illness

“In a world of people who couldn’t care less, be the person who couldn’t care more.” -Anonymous

t the 2015 National Alliance on Mental Illness Convention, NAMI Executive Director

Mary Gilberti urged the audience to practice kindness and compassion to all in their paths — “Even when it is hard.” Convention attendees who live with personal trials of mental illness, as well as those who attended in support of someone with a mental illness, well understood the need for the challenge Gilberti set forth. Mental illness complicates life in the most messy of ways. Because of the lack of understand-

MAY 2016 | AAWMAG.COM

ing about the causes, effects and prognoses for these different disorders, people are often unsure about how to best relate to, or support, others dealing with the complexity of life with mental illness. From avoiding the topic — or any interaction — totally, to inappropriate remarks and attempts to be light-hearted, there are many avenues for well-meant efforts to fail miserably. By modeling kindness and compassion, the hope is that others will return that grace in like manner.

For those who would like to be supportive of individuals with diagnoses, along with family members and spouses of those with diagnoses, following are a few suggestions offered by North Carolina NAMI members that may provide inspiration for acts of compassion and kindness:

SHOW UP. First of all, the closer we are to the ones affected, the more we need to do. Do not hesitate to be with them and present the opportunity for them to talk about what they are experiencing. Be real. Take them dinner.

Go for a walk with them. Do something fun together that you both enjoy. Know they may be reeling, feeling devastated or isolated as they cope and need to have a moment of relief from their heartache. Offer your time as a respite for a caregiver or to provide childcare as you can. Do for them what you would do for a friend who has received a diagnosis of cancer.

STAY IN TOUCH. Commit to connecting on a regular basis — and follow through. Visit, call, send cards or Emails. All gestures of kindness are appreciated. Knowing others care is powerful medicine. Likewise, the absence of a gesture or comment is wounding. Faithfully offer words of encouragement. Understand they may need to talk or vent sometimes, but at other times, individuals and family members may need to not talk about the illness’s effects, choosing to “normalize’ and speak about other aspects of life. Start conversations about other topics, but don’t hesitate to ask, “How are things?” We can listen with compassion and unconditional regard for the experiences of the individual and family members. By acknowledging how difficult this situation must be, we can validate their fears, grief and struggles. We should be sensitive that everyone may not know about the illness, and not ask about how they are doing regarding the illness in the presence of others.

LEARN. We can read a book or research the illnesses via other avenues to better understand their experiences, and to better offer encouragement to individuals and family members. We can encourage them to join any appropriate support groups and to seek professional counseling. PRAY. We can invite them into our faith communities. We can pray speciﬁcally for their needs and regularly check with them regarding answers to prayer requests. Celebrate joyfully small steps of progress.

SPECIFICALLY FOR THE INDIVIDUAL WITH THE DIAGNOSIS. We can address and treat him or her with respect, as an adult. We should treat individuals as we did before they became ill, no matter how odd their behavior may be. We can keep open minds, not judging. We cannot imagine what individuals may be experiencing, nor how we would respond in the same situation.

EMPOWER. We can assist in empowering the person. One individual suggested helping her find tools to help herself. Having the tools she needs helps her feel competent and confident. We can remind the person of the bigger picture and her value. Help individuals recognize their contributions and value to others. Remind them of their talents and what they do well. Encourage individuals to express themselves through whatever medium they are comfortable: writing, painting, crafts, etc. Show an interest in the interests of the individual. Converse about their pet, their art, what they are watching or reading. Share small details of how you relate to those interests. Help them make a list of things to accomplish, then help them start. Encourage them to use a planner and to set little goals. Cheer their successes; let them know we are proud of them. MAKE CONNECTIONS. Support them in finding a community where they can participate and connect with others. Peer Support Specialist Ed Rothstein said, “The most important thing in recovery from mental illness is to not be alone.” We

can tell our friends if we feel overwhelmed and need to take a break. Reassure them that we will be back, then stick to our word. Keep them aware of resources. No one counselor, program or medication regime fits everyone. Persuade them to pursue the options that best fit them and allow them to function at their optimal level. One spouse shared, “No one can handle this special journey alone. Treatment, coping and maintenance require daily sacrifice, support resources, dedication, patience, planning, faith and perseverance for all involved. However, with the right diagnosis, treatment and care, there is much hope.” Although none of us would choose to experience head injury, exposure to drugs or elements, traumatic experiences or genetic disposition that can affect change — or “dis-ease” — in our brains, these types of disruptions result in neurobiologically based “mental illness” for approximately one in every five persons. We can choose to foster hope and reduce the stigma of these physically based “mental illnesses” by showing the kindness and compassion that we would aspire to receive in the same position.

Address What Bothers You! Wrinkles Face and Eyelids • Bulges at the Jowl and Under the Chin Body Contouring - Mimimally Invasive: Shaping of Arms, Short Incision Breast Lift, Flattening the Abdomen

Sharon Carlton Sharon Carlton, High Country Courtesies ©2016 Sharon Carlton writes and speaks on modern etiquette and life skill topics. She conducts High Country Courtesies dining etiquette and customer service workshops. Contact her at highcountrycourtesies@gmail.com

AAWMAG.COM | MAY 2016

Beth Lewis (aka ‘Towanda’)

Takes the

Appalachian Trail Long before she started out on her trek, Beth Lewis says, the Appalachian Trail had been calling her name.

On August 31, 2015, Beth Lewis completed her 148-day adventure of hiking the entire 2,189.2 miles of the Appalachian Trail — and claiming her spot as the first woman from Avery County to cover this territory in its entirety. Hiking an average of 18-20 miles each day, Beth gained an independence and confidence that validates her chosen moniker for the experience, “Towanda” — the name Kathy Bates declares in “Fried Green Tomatoes” as she, too, works to empower herself with courage and ambition. Avery’s “Towanda” began her quest April 6, 2015, in Springer Mountain, Ga. “My favorite part of the experience was my first step,” she says. “No matter what, I had actually started the journey, and that could not be taken back.” Long before that April day, Beth explains that the trail had been “calling” her, a feeling that other AT hikers share. “The idea of the trail and hiking it kept coming to me,” she says, “through stories, in conversations, from professors, and in 26

MAY 2016 | AAWMAG.COM

passing — the trail continued to confront me.” Beth welcomed advice from experienced hikers and recalls that of a professor from her sophomore year at ASU. “William was very ‘transcendental’ about it,” Beth says. “He encouraged anyone who attempted it to make having fun a priority.” Another mentor, Mark Mashburn, met with Beth two weeks before she began the adventure for a “shake down” to check her bag and gear. His words to Beth — “I know you’re going to make it” — proved invaluable as she recalled them often on the trial. He recognized her determination and knew that would carry her through the toughest miles on the trail. In preparation for her journey, Beth spent a great deal of time researching proper gear, doing cardio workouts at the YMCA, as well as some conditioning. She also spent time journaling about why she wanted to hike the trail, how she thought it would feel to quit — and how it would

feel to finish. She carried this list and reviewed it when she wanted to turn around and go home. In her pack, Beth carried a sleeping bag and pad, a seven to 12 pound food bag, clothes to sleep in, a rain jacket, extra socks and shirt, a headlamp, pepper spray, a knife, a stove, a primitive first aid kit, her journal and her Bible. She also carried three books: “The Glass Castle,” “Autobiography of Mother Jones,” and “The Catcher in the Rye.” Some of the highlights of the adventure included watching a sunrise at Clingman’s Dome and experiencing “a soaring feeling.” Beth looked out at the landscape with the certainty, she says, “that these are my mountains.” Another memorable moment, on July 4, also stands out as Beth crossed through Pennsylvania. She and some friends she made on the trail were waving the American flag, at which time, Beth says, she felt “a new sense of freedom.” Another “moment” came later in the

trail, when Beth had gone for several days without a shower and was very low on food. She was walking past a woman’s house when the woman came out and offered her watermelon and banana bread. She remembers thinking, “I got to eat and be human.” Beth tried to implement several hiking “mentalities,” until she found her own rhythm on the trail. She experimented with a “miles-driven” approach, testing herself to see how many miles could be hiked in one day, and, at other times, she “Bob Marleyed it,” she says, and didn’t worry about a thing. Ultimately, she discovered, accomplishing a lot in the morning and having enough time to enjoy the afternoons was her best way to navigate the trail. Along with its incredibly empowering moments, the challenges of this experience came fourfold, Beth describes: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Beth’s knees hurt constantly, she says, giving her a clear understanding of the description “hiker’s hobble.” Likewise, Southern Maine was the hardest part of the trail, as it was “rocky and steep with no switchbacks,” she describes. Also, very close to the end, she faced 100 miles of wilderness. Often, she explains, it was the “mental challenge (of the physical) that was the hardest part — getting my mind to accept what I was doing enough to push my body — it’s hard not to see the end for so long and to be out there alone, thinking of everyone living life without you.” Furthermore, she recalls, the solitude offered by the experience creates ample time to recognize and sort out one’s emotions. “I realized that my emotions were valid and this was very liberating,” she says. In the spiritual realm, Beth describes, “I was the closest with God then. I was consuming the Bible. I would read Psalms in the morning and be in the awe of the beauty of God’s love. I learned that the trail is God’s cathedral.” Reﬂecting on the preparations she made before the hike, Beth surmises, “The gear never mattered. You don’t need the best gear. Also, I should’ve hiked more. You don’t know how to hike up a hill until you hike up a hill.”

In retrospect, she adds, “There is also the realization that sometimes there was nothing I could have done. I just had to keep walking.” One of the best parts of the trail for Beth, she says, “was recognizing that people saw me — not the me I present to the world, but the true and real me.” During the many miles she covered, Beth says she often felt overwhelmed with love and that sharing her story gave her confidence. “Instead of finding myself, I was trying to accept myself. On the trail, I was coming face to face with who I am.” Although there were times she came “very close” to (thinking about) quitting, Beth always reminded herself, “If I left right now, I wouldn’t be happy at home.” This awareness continued to push her forward, as her “AT Guide,” by David Miller, kept her moving in the right direction. Beth’s future plans include working with people in Central Appalachia and connecting this passion with her passion for sustainable development. She describes her perfect day as “being outside in the fall on a beautiful day, reading poetry, swimming where I’m not supposed to, and being in the company of someone I really care about.” As for her trail name, this “Towanda” has learned to be open to adventure and to be ready to start the conversation. She also realized that she loves surprising people. Similar to cheering on Kathy Bates in the famous “Towanda” scene in Fried Green Tomatoes, Avery County cheers for its first female to hike the entire distance of the Appalachian Trail and prepares for our Towanda to surprise us — yet again.

Hollie Greene

Beth Lewis is feeling on the edge, but is full of life as she hikes the Appalachian Trail. Photos submitted

Hollie Greene is an English teacher who loves stories, words and the mountains of North Carolina.

AAWMAG.COM | MAY 2016

youngatheart

May Days April snowstorms bring May monsoons — at least that is how it sometimes feels to me. May is one of those strange transitional months — sometimes cold and miserable, sometimes sunny and pleasant — that provides one with the opportunity to master the art of layering clothing. While I would like to pack away my winter clothing as soon as spring is marked on the calendar, I have learned, from one time too many of freezing all over as the uncomfortable coldness has never been conﬁned to one particular body part, that sweaters and such should remain out and available until at least June. So, while I may not always love May’s confusing weather, I am quite fond of the month for a multitude of other reasons.

MAY 2016 | AAWMAG.COM

May the fourth be with you As if I needed another reason to “get my geek on,” May 4 is Star Wars Day! A day when it is appropriate to dress like your favorite Jedi or Wookie and go around greeting everyone you meet with “May the Fourth be with You!”

Turn up the heat May marks the start of grilling season. I will put most anything on the grill — meats, vegetables, fruit, bread and more. I even grill hearts of romaine for Caesar salad. I especially enjoy grilled vegetables over pearled couscous, grilled peaches topped with Greek yogurt and grilled Thai red curry chicken burgers. If you are not hungry yet, let me whet your appetite by mentioning my grilled steak and bread salad — thinly sliced grilled steak with shredded carrots, apples, mixed greens and blue cheese dressing. My sister’s homemade sourdough bread, grilled and cubed, is the star of the show.

Remember mom Some would argue that everyday should be Mother’s Day, however, the official holiday falls during May. If anyone

Strawberry season After eating apples for what seems like forever, I am thrilled to see the ﬁrst seasonal berries arrive on store shelves. On their own, in salads or in pies, strawberries scream spring!

Yard parties Last year, Roger and I added a fire pit to our yard. Unfortunately, we finished the project late in the summer and were only able to enjoy a bonfire a few times before cold weather arrived. With the entrance of May and spring, I hope we will be able to enjoy more evenings by the fire with s’mores — lots of s’mores!

How does your garden grow? With a little help from my friends, I planted stuff — ﬂowers, succulents, vegetables and herbs — last spring. We also spent time landscaping the yard, clearing out brush and planting new rhododendron near the creek. I hope to continue both of these tasks this year. If we achieve nothing else, I hope that Roger and I (and giving credit where credit is due, Roger has done all of the work, to date) can ﬁnish removing the forsythia bush that was strangely planted in the middle of the yard.

Even if I do have to suffer through a few more cold spells and a monsoon or two, May is shaping up to be a busy month of fun-ﬁlled days – birthdays and bonﬁres, Star Wars and strawberries, celebrating mom and cultivating gardens. And, did I mention s’mores?

heather brandon Considers life to be one big anthropological ﬁeld experience. She observes and reports. She enjoys travel, food and wine and adventures with her husband, Roger.

HAIR CREATIONS B RIDAL Highlights PARTIES

ALL AGES

perms

color

And, to my Uncle Darrell and my father. May was a good month for babies in my family. This year I turn 39, which means I have only one more year to panic about turning 40 — and, to plan what is sure to be an epic party.

HAIRSTYLES

Happy birthday to me

deserves to be celebrated, it is likely your mother. I work to ﬁnd creative, quirky gifts or plan fun outings. In recent years, Roger and I have taken our mothers on wine tasting excursions. There are many lovely wineries within a short drive in the Yadkin Valley appellation, and spending the day with each other is always a treat.

FA C I A L WA X I N G

643 GREENWAY RD STE K-2 | BOONE, NC 828.268.0402 | HAIRCREATIONSSALON.NET AAWMAG.COM | MAY 2016

Photo by Sherrie Norris

In the field

Paige Patterson

with

Paige Patterson’s lifelong love for nature and spending time

out of doors eventually led to her position as horticulture agent with the Watauga County Cooperative Extension Service. It’s a great place to be in life, she says, and one that allows her to do what she enjoys. The Georgia native wasn’t raised on a farm, but she spent a lot of time riding horses and taking care of her own at a nearby stable. Paige had planned to pursue a degree in animal science, but after she was introduced to horticulture in college, her career pathway took a new direction. While attending Berry College in Rome, Ga., and participating in a works study program on campus, Paige gained a lot of experience in various areas. “The ﬁrst year, I was on the grounds crew,” she says. “The next summer, I worked parttime at the dairy barn on campus and with a friend in on-campus garden of the founder’s home.” She especially enjoyed the greenhouses where plants for the gar-

den were grown — and the fact, she says, that the females were encourage to learn everything about the business — from driving the dump truck to growing, planting and maintaining the plants. In the meantime, Paige started to realize that animal science wouldn’t be just about horses. “I didn’t want to work on a dairy farm, and I didn’t want to work with beef cattle, so I decided that working with plants might be a better choice for me,” she says. Continuing the work study program through the next year, including the summer, Paige decided to change her focus and major to horticulture. She transferred to the University of Georgia to pursue her degree, which offered “all the horticulture topics I needed,” she says. She worked at the nearby botanical gardens in Athens, where she had spent a lot of time as a child. “My grandmother lives nearby and took us there all the time when I was growing up,” she says. “I

always enjoyed going there.” Now, when she looks back at family pictures, Paige realizes her family helped prepare her for her future, even though she didn’t know it at the time. “My parents bought me seeds at a yard sale once, and I always kinda liked growing things, but there was no agriculture program in high school, nothing to inﬂuence a career. In Athens, my aunts and uncles had gardens and I always enjoyed going to visit them in the summer, but I never thought of any of that as a career possibility.” Paige had also became interested in whitewater rafting, and worked for a rafting company for a summer. After graduating, she moved to the North Georgia Mountains and found a job working with a wholesale nursery, specializing in annual and perennial plants. “We did all the growing in the mountains and shipped plants out daily to our sales yards in Atlanta.” During her ﬁve years employment there, Paige enjoyed the growing facility most of all.

AAWMAG.COM | MAY 2016

Paige Patterson tour the greenhouses at Wilkes Community College with her Master Gardeners. Photo submitted

After two years, she became the manager, which “worked well,” she recalls. “I had started out working in the ﬁelds with the Hispanic guys, doing what they did — pulling weeds, loading trucks and watering the plants, so when I became their boss, they respected me more — they knew I could and would work just as hard as they did.” As manager, Paige oversaw the daily operations of the nursery, including 13-15 employees, planning, buying, plant breeding, loading, shipping and more. “We catered to higher-end landscape companies in Atlanta,” Paige recalls. “At one point, we had over 1,000 varieties of plants. The “ﬂower end” of the landscape business is what she enjoyed most. Things changed on the day a particular businessman came by to buy plants, and mentioned he was looking for someone to help keep up the grounds on an estate near Gainesville. ‘It looked like a Kentucky horse farm,” Paige says. She took the job and loved working at the horse barn and helping to beautify the property. “He let me take the winter month off to go to travel to Equador with a friend, “ she says.

MAY 2016 | AAWMAG.COM

A new direction Soon afterward, Paige established her own landscaping business and was recruited by the agriculture department at UGA to return for her teaching certiﬁcate. She had her eye on an agriculture teaching position in nearby Blairsville, where she did her student teaching. “The teacher was older and getting ready to retire, but in the meantime, I was offered a job teaching biology, which I did for a year until the ag job came open,” she says. The high school had a new greenhouse and a livestock barn. Paige came up with an idea to teach a horse class, which was approved. “I borrowed a pregnant mare and kept her in the barn, where we went daily to care for her in anticipation of the foal being born,” she says. “The neat experience,” she describes, was enhanced when the school resource officer set up a surveillance camera. “It caught the birth on camera — and we were able to watch it all.” Sales from the plants grown in the greenhouse funded the horse program, Paige recalls. “The kids really got involved in the program and worked hard.

We did landscaping projects around the school and formed our own FFA club, which offered a lot of different opportunities for us to compete. It also offered me the chance to teach ﬂoral design, tractor driving, wiring, woodworking and small engine repair.” Her ﬁve years at the school were fun and productive. “It was a positive experience, until I was told that my greenhouse was going to be taken down and moved to another spot during the winter,” she says. “It was not back up for the spring, and we didn’t have our plants to sell, so we lost a year of funding. Two springs rolled around without my greenhouse, and by then, we really didn’t have any money to fund our projects.” It was “miserable” trying to teach horticulture without the kids having anything to do, she says, “and so disappointing to tell them we couldn’t do anything or money. I decided to leave and moved to Chattanooga for a while, where I worked at a retail nursery selling plants again.” During those two-plus years, Paige met a landscape architect who was working at Lookout Mountain, “one of the fa-

mous tourist spots with incredible views of the city,” she explains. He was looking for someone to manage ﬂowerbeds and monitor landscaping jobs and irrigation for an elite community — and she was the girl for the job. She also made ornamental Christmas decorations, including “gigantic wreaths.” Paige had begun “thinking seriously” about her future at about the same time she met a man from Ashe County who was working at a Christmas Tree lot in Chattanooga. “We got to liking each other, and for a while, had a long distance relationship. “I had not thought about moving to North Carolina because of him – but when I saw an agriculture job opening in Boone, I knew I had to apply,” Paige explains. “I was called for an interview, but was told the funds didn’t come through. However, they thought it would work out and offered me a part-time and temporary job.” She took a chance and moved to Boone. Eventually, it did work out and she was given a full-time position. Since moving to the area in December 2013 — “in the middle of one of the worst winters, right at Christmas” — Paige says, she has had no regrets. She enjoys working and living in a college town that offers “such diversity” with rural and urban lifestyles, alike, and she loves the variety of available cultural opportunities. “I like helping people and helping them to solve their problems,” Paige says. “I am supposed to know these things, but I’m learning something all the time from the people here, as well as through the extension service. I enjoy the collaboration of working with people who are interested in the same things I am.” She enjoys working with the community through various programs — and especially with master gardening. “I like that those who take the course have to promise to do community service projects.” She loves the camaraderie she has with her fellow agents. ‘We are all the time working on projects together,” she says, “Farm City, Environmental Field

Day and summer camps, just to name a few.” Paige stays busy all year long, but especially at this time of year, she says. “I’m always going in different directions at one time; no two days are the same and I really never know what I am walking into each morning, but I love knowing that my services are needed.” Paige calls the High Country “the perfect place to be,” while loving the solitude of the country living near the New River, just a short drive to her office in Boone. “It’s the best of both worlds,” she says. “I have met a lot of people and have made some very special friendships with the people I work with. We are like one big happy family and I am very thankful for that.” As agriculture agents, Paige and her team are always willing to help the community understand why things work they way they do. She explains, “We are here to

share information with scientiﬁc research to back it up and help our clients work through their concerns or any problems they may be having.” And, yes, Paige has learned a lot about Christmas trees and their production form local growers. “We share a mutual opportunity to learn from each other,” she says. “They know so much, because they do it all the time. We are always doing research and can share the latest information we have with them, so it’s a win-win for everyone. It’s all part of the goal of extension services to share our knowledge and for them to share their problems with us and we come up with solutions together.” Something Paige has always liked about her jobs — “every place I’ve worked,” she says, is the unique work truck she is given to drive — “trucks so old that they have doors that don’t open, seats that are mostly springs, gas gauges that don’t work and all kinds of unique mannerisms.” It’s nothing new for her, Paige says, as her personal vehicle is a 17-year-old Toyota Tacoma she just won’t give up. Her once “long-distance relationship” that was born from a tree lot continues to ﬂourish, she says. “My boyfriend and I try to be as self-sufficient as we can be. We grow a big vegetable garden and do a lot of canning. Plus, he is big into hunting, so we don’t have to buy a lot of our food. There just aren’t enough hours in the day to do everything she needs or wants to do, Paige says, but she loves her job and loves living in Boone. For answers to your “growing questions,” contact her at Watauga County Cooperative Extension Service, 971 West King Street in Boone, (828)-264-3061, watauga.ces.ncsu.edu and www.ncsugarden.com.

sherrie norris It’s the best of both worlds for Paige Patterson who enjoys living down by the New River, but just a short drive to her office in the heart of Boone. Photo by Sherrie Norris

Editor, All About Women

AAWMAG.COM | MAY 2016

mom’sworld

the

Literal

World M

y youngest son, Ben, who is 9, breaks things down fairly simply, like, for instance, when he asked me if I was a “Skittles” person or an “M&M” person. When I replied with an ambiguous response that it might depend on the day, he shunned me and said I had to choose one or the other. “You can’t be both,” he admonished, “you’re either one or the other.” This cut and dried, black and white world is typical of children this age. There is not a lot of abstract thought, as I recall from my developmental psychology class in college. Dealing with multiple variables or perspectives leaves Ben bored and confused. When I really ponder it, the simplicity of this way of thinking is seductive to me. If life only came down to two clear-cut choices, it could eliminate stress and stop our brains from running through the countless possibilities of coping with different situations. It seems that women, in particular, spend a lot of time hashing and rehashing their problems or decisions and potential solutions to these problems or decisions. It is not uncommon for women to balance the impact of our decisions on everything and everyone else, with the least emphasis on our own mental health, wellbeing or beneﬁt. For example, maybe I’m pondering whether to go on a trip. Will the cost of the trip preclude getting the wrestling shoes needed by one of the kids or make

MAY 2016 | AAWMAG.COM

me unavailable for an appointment I’m expected at — or result in someone else missing out on time with their kids, because they are covering for me, or stress too many people out in general? I notice that when women are in “mommode,” the focus is on satisfying everyone else’s needs ﬁrst. Perhaps this is critical to survival of our species as humans, and society would collapse if women put their needs ﬁrst, but I doubt it. Maybe we all need to give ourselves permission to stop endless ruminating on both our problems and our desires, and just” go for it,” sometimes. I’m not suggesting we ignore our kids, friends, spouses or colleagues, but rather that we celebrate ourselves enough sometimes to be simple in our approach to being happy in our life. We have to love ourselves to give so much to those around us. In addition to the straightforward Skittles vs. M&M question that Ben poses, he also has taken to using two other words that highlight his concrete outlook on the world, when he is emphasizing some points in whatever story or piece of wisdom he is choosing to impart. These words are “literally” and “technically.” For example, “I had to eat the rest of those jelly beans, literally, and there aren’t any left,” or, “Technically, I don’t need another shower, because I had one yesterday and I didn’t sweat that much.” Sometimes, his use of the words does not make a lot of sense, but he uses them anyway, reveling in how they sound, how they invoke certainty and clarity to whatever he is saying. I smile and say, “Literally, huh Ben?” and he smiles back and says, “Literally, Momma, I’m telling you.” Sometimes when I feel overwhelmed by the complexity of a situation, be it personal or professional, and my mind will not stop the continuous iterations of outcomes and circuitous pathways I could walk to get there, I think of Ben’s perspective and smile. Literally, I’ll have the Skittles today, and I plan to enjoy every single one.

heather jordan, CNM, MSN Comments or questions? 828.737.7711, ext. 253 landh@localnet.com

‘Maybe we all need to give ourselves permission to stop endless ruminating on both our problems and our desires, and just go for it sometimes. I’m not suggesting we ignore our kids, friends, spouses or colleagues, but rather that we celebrate ourselves enough sometimes to be simple in our approach to being happy in our life. We have to love ourselves to give so much to those around us.’ - heather jordan

AAWMAG.COM | MAY 2016

Travel

Three Rambos, rockscrambles and rushing rapids confessions of a scaredy-cat adventurer 36

MAY 2016 | AAWMAG.COM

I never set out to be a great adventurer. Walking across the Sahara Desert, climbing Denali or rafting the Grand Canyon, have never occurred to me. Mostly, I’ve gotten thrown into the crazy adventures I’ve had. The only exception would be hiking the Appalachian Trail. Don’t get excited — I only hiked a small part of it. I’m pretty much of a scaredy-cat when it comes to outdoor adventures. Take Rambo in Egypt, for instance — a big, ugly camel with an equally ugly attendant to whom I took an instant dislike. Maybe things would have been different if Ahmad, the owner, had smiled and been nice. But, his lip seemed to be curling as much as was Rambo’s. “Get on!” he bellowed curtly to me in Arabic, as Rambo, on cue, knelt in the sand. I obeyed. Rambo hauled himself up unceremoniously and nearly threw me overboard. All the others in my group were already sitting proudly atop their camels, posing for pictures. “I want to get off!” I cried. Ahmad glared, shook Rambo’s reins, and we were off to St. Simeon’s Monastery, a steep, hot climb in the desert. I clung desperately to Rambo’s fringe of brightly colored woolen balls, and wondered, “How did I get into this, again?” Maybe, I hoped, this time it might be fun. My thoughts raced backward to an hour-long desert crossing in Morocco on another Rambo. Are all camels named Rambo? The Sahara sands had the habit of plunging downward from time to time: huge dips that, on several occasions, almost threw me over Rambo’s head. Although my guide and camel were pleasant, I finished that ride by walking bowlegged and in pain for the rest of the day. So that was how it felt to do the splits! Camel-riding, phooey! And believe it or not, there was a third Rambo, a huge horse in Costa Rica. I was scared that time, too, but Rambo No. 3 was gentle and slow. I relaxed and actually enjoyed the hour’s ride. Trekking in Nepal — who wouldn’t marvel at that romantic notion? Prayer flags whipping in the breeze, small tea shops along the way. On our small-group trip, we were to trek three and a half kilometers to Sanctuary Lodge. That sounded comforting, but who knew what lay ahead? The trek turned out to be all uphill and rocky, along a path easily traversed by donkeys and school kids bowing and murmuring “Namaste!” We set out, with six porters carrying our rucksacks. Indra, our leader, assured us we would have frequent rest stops. Indra had not reckoned for the four alpha dogs that took off practically at a run, leaving the rest of us in the dust. At our halfway point, drooping into a heap on the ground, I asked Indra, “Am I the worst hiker you’ve even had?” “Not even close,” Indra replied. By the time we reached Sanctuary Lodge, that tall glass of lemonade looked really good, but I was regretting ever having heard the word “trekking.” The return trip, three days later, was much better. I traveled in the care of the six women porters in flip-flops, carrying our luggage in huge baskets on their heads. We fairly flew over the path, while the alpha dogs and the rest of the group took a long detour to a waterfall. I even managed a cheery “Namaste!” for every passing traveler. Our second adventure event in Nepal was a two-day whitewater rafting trip on the Seti River. It was indeed white water. Chalky rock had made the rushing river into a milky way, nearly overflowing its banks and looking like a giant rippling, swift-flowing muscle. Waiting for our group on shore were three huge, overblown rubber rafts, helmets and life jackets. I started to panic, nearly in tears, knowing I

did not want to go. But, what choicee did I have? Our guide, Buddha, began telling uss what to do if we fell off the raft. At that point, I stopped listening. Once we y, were on our way, I relaxed a little. The river didn’t look nearly as frightening from the raft. Even going through rapids — and getting thoroughly drenched— was fairly pleasant. In Chitwan ear the border with InNational Park near dia, we went for an elephant ride. To get onto the beast, three of us climbed to a tall platform and stepped into a box on the elephant’s back. As far as I know, she was not named Rambo. Although I was apprehensive, I relaxed as the elephant, a girl 40 to 80 years old, lumbered off with her cargo. In a few minutes, we began to see rhinos everywhere. Our elephant became annoyed and began to shudder. We were sure glad to see those rhinos retreat. The best part was wading through the Rapti River. The strolling elephants sounded like bells, wind chimes or ice tinkling in glasses. The worst part was attempting to climb back off the elephant onto the platform, with the whole group watching. It helps to have supportive, fun friends along on any adventurous expedition. In Peru I had three. It helps to have a wonderful leader. It helps to be the only tripper who speaks Spanish. For a change, I felt confident and happy as our small group arrived at the Urubamba River for a whitewater rafting trip. We got into wetsuits and life jackets, and boarded our raft. The raging Urubamba water is brown, wild and frothy. One of my friends said, “It’s class six — you go and you never return!” That didn’t even bother me. We all laughed. The four of us and our leader, Corina, were in one raft, whooping and hollering as we sailed over rapids for an hour to our stopping point. Despite the wetsuits, we were soaked clear through. My traveling companion, Marcia, looked like a huge tropical bird in her orange terrycloth jacket and pants. She was excited about zip-lining in Costa Rica, but I was not. It didn’t help a bit that ziplining was euphemistically called a canopy tour. It didn’t help a bit, either, that Guillermo, our leader, told us that a 99-year-old woman had zip-lined the week before. Standing on the take-off platform buckled into our flying contraptions, we were ready (or were we?) to fly

Sue Spirit enjoys living an adventurous life, whether trekking in Nepal, white water rafting in Peru or riding a camel in Morocco. Photos submitted

through the rain forest, one by one, from platform to platform, 10 in all. I was petriﬁed, as were most of the others in our group. Marcia was the star of the show, the quetzal bird of our canopy tour. Once I got started and looked down on rivers, waterfalls and brightly colored birds, I quite enjoyed myself. I had hiked small portions of the Appalachian Trail in several states, so when an opportunity came up to hike the entire length of Maryland with Road Scholars, it seemed like a great idea. We were to hike the 40 miles, the easiest on the AT, except for a couple of rock scrambles, in four days, being shuttled back to our campground each night. Believe it or not, four of our group of 10 (you guessed it) were alpha dogs. Of course, by the time the rest of us caught up with them, they were off again, leaving us no time for a bathroom break, picture-taking, having a snack or looking at a historical marker. By the end of the four days my artiﬁcial knees were crying out. Guess what? I have hiked easier portions of the trail. Who knows what the future will hold? No more Rambos, I hope. But you never know. What else is there to ride besides rapids? A bucking bronco?

sue spirit Writes poetry and essays about nature, spirituality, writing, and travel. She has a little cabin in the mountains. degreesoffreedom@frontier.com

AAWMAG.COM | MAY 2016

‘Cabin fever project’ Barn quilt creations fill void for retired teacher

Preserving tradition is something that Shirl Shaw takes seriously, whether through her love for family, the outdoors, music or art. Searching for a new routine — after retiring in 2015 from a 25- year teaching career in the Watauga County schools — Shirl discovered several areas of interest, but few proved more captivating than did barn quilts. During the most recent holiday season, and especially the year’s ﬁrst snowstorm, Shirl’s kitchen and dining area were transformed into an artist’s studio where she spent many hours creating original as well as custom-ordered pieces. Describing herself as a novice, Shirl calls making barn quilts her “cabin fever project,” something she began doing in earnest two winters ago.

Where it all began Shirl Shaw sees her new “hobby” as a way to preserve local and family heritage. Photos submitted

MAY 2016 | AAWMAG.COM

Shirl remembers when barn quilts began attracting attention locally, about 10 years ago, when the Asheville-based Handmade in America organization began a Quilt Trails project.

“I loved riding the back roads and I always loved quilts,” she says. “The barn quilts really got my attention. Eventually, I thought I might be able to make one, so here I am.” When the initiative began, Handmade in America partnered with The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, which provided some funding for start-up supplies; most counties were aided by their local building supply and paint stores, as well as utility companies, which assisted with “hanging” the squares. The original project called for quilt patterns to be painted upon eight-foot wooden squares, which were placed not only on barns, but also on other “appropriate” outside buildings throughout participating communities. Soon after barn quilts began appearing along the highways and byways of western North Carolina, Watauga County Arts Council, as did those in neighboring counties, accepted the invitation to participate in the project. Numerous mountain communities were linked on the trail by maps, which allowed for self-guided tours and brought countless visitors to the area. At the same time, church, community and civic groups rallied as teams to create the squares and provide space for them to be displayed. At one time, the project touted more than 200 quilt blocks appearing on barns and outbuildings across Western North Carolina, possibly the highest number anywhere in the US. While the origin of the barn quilt idea has been credited to an Ohio woman, Donna Sue Groves, who placed a quilt design block on the family barn in honor of her mother, a quilter, other sources indicate that similar projects were in place much earlier.

Regardless, interest spread quickly from the Ohio project into more than 30 states and Canada. Recent data indicates that 48 states now participate.

A personal connection Shirl, like most involved in the barn quilt project, sees it as a way to preserve local and family heritage. While on a smaller scale than those along the trail, Shirl’s creations are ﬁnding their way to private homes for similar reasons. Since embarking on the project, Shirl has made several of the barn quilts for herself, her family and friends. As others have begun to take notice, she has started getting requests for custom-made products and is now seeing her hobby quickly evolve into a small enterprise. “My recent retirement has given me the opportunity to pursue this hobby, which I love,” she adds. Shirl painted her ﬁrst barn quilt in January 2013 on a piece of scrap plywood. “It turned out pretty good and is still hanging on my shed,” she says. “After that, every time I got snowed in, I’d make another one to keep from getting bored.” Most of her “quilts” are 2’ x 2,’ with other sizes as requested — from 3’ x 3’ to her daughter’s most recent for an 8’ x 8’. “I’ll try about any size that someone wants,” she says. Once she has the exterior grade plywood cut into the desired size, Shirl organizes her paints and starts to work. “This is still new to me, but I enjoy it and I am learning quickly,” she says. She gleans ideas from online sources or a regular quilt pattern, or that of an

existing barn quilt, but sometimes she simply follows her instincts and simply starts drawing triangles. The “Ohio Star,” the “Mariner’s Compass” and especially the “Carpenter’s Wheel” are among her favorite quilt patterns. “Sometimes, I won’t even know the color scheme until I’m already painting,” she says. “And, sometimes, I’ll paint over top of something, if I don’t like it.” Shirl has never had time to devote to such a hobby, she says, and she doesn’t consider herself artistic. “My degree from Appalachian is in technology education, which was once called industrial arts,” she says. “I did a lot of woodworking and pottery with my students, and have always been a hands-on kind of person. As a stay at home mom for 11 years, I did some basket making, I sewed and made fabric quilts. I have always enjoyed creating things.” While Shirl says she is not a professional, she is learning enhanced techniques. “I want to do my best and to make sure those who have my barn quilts are pleased. Customer satisfaction is important, so I’m always appreciative of feedback.” For more information about Shirl’s barn quilt creations, email cabinfeverbarnquilts@gmail.com, call (828) 2640243, or ﬁnd Cabin Fever Barn Quilts on Facebook.

sherrie norris Editor, All About Women

AAWMAG.COM | MAY 2016

Summer Sizzlin’ Style it’s all about the color

he sun is out, the

flowers are all in bloom and it’s time to bring those floral dresses our of the closet and into the light. From pastels to base tones, you can plan to mix these fashion-forward tones, core neutrals, accents, metallics and pantone references that will help you plan your wardrobe with confidence. You will be seeing lots of shades that work — from backyard, soft nostalgia and seaside, to desert bloom and heirlooms. Soft nostalgia plays the most important role with a continuation of pastels that become notably more saturated. Desert bloom refreshes the notion of neutrals with new base tones and enticing fashion colors that offer a unique perspective. Seaside is presented as a vibrant selection of midtones. Bubblegum pink plays an essential role, while newer shades of coral and melon are influenced by casts of pink and grapefruit. Orchid and aqua are offered as emerging fashion colors. Custard is lively, yet not an overly

MAY 2016 | AAWMAG.COM

saturated, shade of yellow. Chartreuse is introduced as a new lime this season, while coral is the “new pink,” with salmon undertones. Jewel tones remain relevant for Spring/Summer 2016, with a new offering of heirlooms. Red and green continue to play the most significant roles, including familiar shades of dark burgundy and brighter ruby. Green becomes more influenced by blues, with evergreen and dark teal. While navy progresses as an influential base color, indigo offers a new alternative. Grape purple is featured as a new fashion color. Indigo presents a strong option — somewhere in between navy and cobalt — but after much success in recent seasons, burgundy is back for spring. Lemon chiffon brings yellow to the pastel range with creamy undertones. Blue hydrangea is easily the most essential pastel of the season, lending a soft commercial appeal. The desert bloom color palette combines earthy neutrals along with

emerging fashion colors. Base hues of khaki, hazy taupe and twine are enlivened by richer bases, including dark roast and olive. Red-casted rust and orange-casted copper both play influential roles, while marigold is a yellow with significant orange influence. Persimmon keeps the palette lively to pink and orange casts. Cooler hues include soldier blue, moonstone and pine. When you’re invited out to the season’s next barbeque or lakeside extravaganza, you’ll be ready to step out into a refreshing glow that all your friends will envy. Add-ons, like fun bracelets and statement necklaces, are always a fun touch-up to pull any outift together and give you an even more confident feel in your style, as well as in your entire presence. Emily apple Emily Apple is an Appalachian State graduate with a degree in fashion design and merchandising.

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The Bees

Kids Rugged II

Raising chickens in your own backyard can be a relatively simple project that the whole family can get involved in. The payoff goes far beyond the fresh eggs gathered. Chickens are a great aid in reducing insects, providing excellent fertilizer and are known to be great stress reducers to their caregivers.

Bee keeping is a process where attending a workshop or seminar is highly recommended. Everette Matheson with the Valle Crucis Bee Co. holds several each year, locally.

Shelter: This can be as simple as modifying your child’s outgrown backyard playhouse, to using an old camper top or building a fancy coop.

Not only will you be able to obtain your own honey, as well as wax for making your own candles and balms, you will also be helping the environment through bee pollination. It’s a proven fact that bees increase fruit, vegetable and ﬂower production.

Food: Let the folks at the Boone Stockyard steer you in the right direction of suitable grains and treats based on the age and breeds you’re raising. Along with these, there are plenty of perennials you can obtain from The Mustard Seed Market (Blowing Rock) that not only provide great nutrition, but excellent for shade, shelter and protection from predators.

Arctic Adventure

We are an authorized dealer for Valle Crucis Bee Company.

Water: Fresh water is a necessity. Poultry founts and systems have come a long way in the past few years. The Boone Stockyard carries a large selection of pre-made poultry founts, as well as extra poultry nipples to build your own with a basic bucket and lid or pvc system.

Wild Bird Seeds Organic Fertilizer Fly & Weed Control Grain Free Dog Foods Non-GMO Feeds Bartlett Milling Feeds Nutrena Feeds Livestock Vaccines & Supplements

Monday-Friday 8:30am-6pm • Saturday 8:30am-12pm 828-262-0757 • 280 Livestock Market Rd., Boone, NC

Gates & Panels Hay & Shavings Fencing Supplies Horse Tack & Supplies The Original Muck Boots Beekeeping Supplies Poultry Supplies

We are just about 1/2 mile on the right traveling down Old Hwy 421 towards Deep Gap from the “new” Hwy 421 intersection at Food Lion.

Tynecastle Highway, Banner Elk mountaineergardencenter.com Join us on Facebook

Get out and into Spring Check out our NEW SECTION that is sure to get you outside and feeling the fever! As always, we have garden seeds, starter plants and all your canning needs.

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Variety of hummingbird feeders. News styles arriving weekly. Starting at $7.95.

Made in the USA Sloggers boots & shoes. Boots $28.95, Shoes $24.95. Berne Apparel children's overalls. Winter apparel available, too. Starting at $19.95.

Assortment of bird houses and hanging baskets. New arrivals weekly. Starting at $19.95.

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New line of Mudd Boots. Starting at $69.95. Handmade Lonestar pottery. Ranging from $4.95-$54.95. Children's garden tools & Radio Flyer toys $7.95 and up. Full line of Lodge cast iron cookware. Starting at $19.95.

828.297.4488 155 W. Slabtown Rd. â&#x20AC;˘ Zionville, NC Located at the intersection of Hwy 421

The Mustard Seed Market The High Country’s favorite destination garden center Rooted since 1992 on Highway 321 between Boone and Blowing Rock, we offer a beautiful selection of unique plants, landscaping services, wonderful relics for your garden and home and inspiration for gardeners and non-gardeners alike. Robb and Danielle Stewart combine their creative talents and horticultural expertise within each corner of their beautiful shop. Let them design and plant your seasonal containers, give a consultation at your home, or professional install your landscape …all while using the hardiest & healthiest plant stock and organic soil amendments. Unusual Herbs. Annuals. Japanese Maples. Hydrangeas. Native Trees. Rhododendrons. Topiaries. Water plants. Perennials. Orchids. Houseplants. Succulents. Ferns galore. Flowering Shrubs. Mosses. Climbing Roses. Blue Spruces. Dwarf Conifers. Our shop is loaded with hand-picked and eclectic embellishments for your home and garden. Rustic metal animals, antiqued stone statuary, terrariums, recycled Adirondack chairs, fairy gardens, industrial lights, beautiful glazed pots, vessels of every kind, wooden signs, English Hayracks, and the best shea butter soap! We expend a lot of effort caring and maintaining our quality plants and educating you, our valued customer, in the proper care for your ultimate gardening success! We’d love to see y’all! Open seasonally…spring through Christmas. Monday-Saturday 9-6.

(828) 295-4585 5589 Hwy 321 South, Blowing Rock TheMustardSeedMarketNC.com

A Bird Store Wit h a Twist Indoor & outdoor garden decor and accessories. Avoid the virus! The Zika virus is getting a lot of attention these days — and for good reason. Once considered to be a “tropical” mosquito virus, we are learning that it is now making its way to the area, so beware! As the birds migrate, so do the mosquitoes. Take precautions and be prepared to keep your loved ones from contracting the virus by learning more about it at www.cdc.gov. Things you can do to prevent the spread: Bats can be scary, but can be helpful at the same time, by consuming up to 600 mosquitoes an hours. Bats are just as afraid of us as we are of them. Their “feeding” starts around dusk and ends in the early morning hours.

We carry a full line of Cole's Bird Seed

The hummingbird migration-making the transition easy Migration starts mid-March, the High Country has seen the hummingbirds begin their migration back to the area, something that usually lasts from late April to mid May. While there are several ways to monitor the migration, one of the best ways to gauge the birds’ arrival is by paying attention to your flowers. When they are blooming, you can expect the hummingbirds to appear. These birds instinctively know when nectar is available for their consumption. They will check out the flowers first, then go to your feeders, so place the feeder near your flowers and then gradually move the feeder outside your kitchen window – or wherever you can see them best. If you do not have a feeder, come see us. We have a wide variety from which to choose.

Water Wigglers They are great for your birdbath! A water wiggler does two things: It makes the water ripple, which attracts birds , plus, mosquitoes cannot land in moving water. Mosquito Bits It is a biological mosquito control, which can be placed in water gardens, ﬂower pots, animal watering troughs, bird baths and gutters. The produce kills mosquito larvae..

Remember: Nectar should be changed at least every ﬁve days. If not, the hummingbirds will move on to a more desirable location. Also, keep an eye out for the ruby-throated Hummingbird, which is one we see most often in the Carolinas. **Check with your local nursery for your nectar-producing garden plants.

MENTION THIS AD & RECEIVE 10% OFF YOUR MOST EXPENSIVE ITEM! Good through July 31, 2016.

828.414.9528 1132 Main Street | Blowing Rock, NC wildbirdsgalore.com

Fairy Garden Treasures Find the most fantastic and unique landscape treasures in the High Country Add more treasures to your fairy garden A wonderful part of fairy gardening is that you can add pieces each year that add excitement to your creation. Also, you can move it to another location, or start a different garden.

Fairy Garden Exports are ready! Mountaineer Landscaping in Linville will have our fairy garden experts ready to help you set up a fairy garden world of your own. We have a room ﬁlled with treasures upon treasures just waiting on you and the next generation!

Now open year-round! Treasure your customized garden A couple of years back my mother (age 75) and I (age 56) built a fairyland complete with castles & gazebo. We put slate tile down for the gazebo ﬂoor. A bridge with a stream was added to the front yard, and on either side beautiful blossoming pools (dishes) were placed. Blooming plants that could be trimmed as needed were foundation planting; log moss completed the yard. I will never forget my mom in her electric wheelchair driving up & down the driveway gathering log moss. We also added 4” tall frog gardeners into the landscape to keep the yard perfect.

Let us help you create your village Gardens, houses, bridges, swings, animals, doors, plants and even fairies & gnomes, become the must precious part of your garden. You’ll be surprised as you walk around a corner and a smile shines all over your face, because you’ve found the fairyland you created. Then, the magic of this treasure pops into your head as you remember how much fun you had building this with your special person. This might be a place to enjoy endless hours of dreaming that maybe you are that little person sitting on the swing with your favorite animal; or maybe you’ve always wanted to be that little person in an Indian village. What’s behind the door? Containers are a great idea, which adds a whole new level. You might just add an old boot to a camping scene or you have an old Tonka truck loaded with jewels and shovels. Also, fairy doors make you imagine what’s behind the door.

Whatever your age Mountaineer Landscaping in Linville has a room ﬁlled with treasures & fun. Join in the creativity of FAIRY GARDENING that transcends across the generations; from grandparents to grandchildren & parents to children. Anyone that uses their imaginations can build and dream of magical places we can only fantasize that may be around the next unexpected corner.

828.733.3726 Hwy. 105 in Linville at the foot of Grandfather Mountain www.mountaineerlandscaping.com

Gardening questions? Cooperative Extension to the rescue Whether you have questions about growing a garden, harvesting and preserving the goods — or anything in between — North Carolina Cooperative Extension is just a click or call away with the answers you need. Each county office has experts on hand to help you with your concerns — from choosing the right seeds and fertilizers, to managing pests, practicing food safety measures and so much more. Following are just a few of the many services offered through the agency:

Lawn & Garden Gardening is among our nation’s most popular pastimes, yielding fresh fruits and vegetables for the dinner table, a cleaner environment and aesthetically pleasing landscapes. NC Cooperative Extension’s gardening portal helps gardeners learn more about new plants, native plants and environmental stewardship. Extension master gardener volunteers are instrumental in these efforts, sharing their knowledge of plant selection, cultural practices and pest management with fellow gardeners, school students and others.

Agriculture & Food As the world population grows, so does the need for abundant, affordable and safe food. NC Cooperative Extension’s educational programs provide farmers and agribusinesses with the research-based knowledge they need to produce high-quality crops and livestock in economically and environmentally sustainable ways. That’s important for North Carolina because agriculture and agribusiness account for about 17 percent of our state’s jobs and income.

MAY 2016 | AAWMAG.COM

Specialty Crops Through the NC Specialty Crops Program, a collaboration of the college of agriculture and life sciences and the marketing division of the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, NC Cooperative Extension is teaching growers how to produce and sell crops ranging from exotic purple potatoes to lettuce, specialty melons and medicinal herbs. Growers who produce these high-value crops are able to diversify and develop new income sources.

Field Crops Field crops — tobacco, soybeans, corn, cotton, peanuts, sweet potatoes, forages and small grains — pervade the state’s rural landscape. NC Cooperative Extension helps growers maintain proﬁtability by providing the latest research-based information and recommendations on the best varieties and production practices for the state’s conditions. Extension also helps growers comply with changing regulations, investigate new higher-value opportunities, develop solid business plans and explore marketing options.

Food Safety & Processing Americans are fortunate to enjoy a safe, affordable and abundant food supply. To keep it that way, NC Cooperative Extension educational programs help reduce sources of foodborne illness, from the farm gate to the consumer’s plate, help food entrepreneurs launch successful businesses and provide processors with information and new technologies to

enhance product quality and proﬁtability while meeting state and federal regulations.

Local Foods NC Cooperative Extension and many organizations and stakeholders are working with our communities to develop and expand local food systems across the state. Local Foods is a collaborative ﬂagship program for the cooperative extension programs of NC A&T State University and NC State University. A new local food web portal at www.localfood.ces. ncsu.edu provides information and links to resources from cooperative extension and other NC local food partners. For more information, contact your local office of N.C. Cooperative Extension: Ashe County: 134 Government Circle, Jefferson Phone:(336) 846-5850 Website: www.ashe.ces.ncsu.edu Avery County: 805 Cranberry Street, Newland Phone:(828) 733-8270 Website: www.avery.ces.ncsu.edu Watauga County: 971 West King Street, Boone Phone:(828) 264-3061 Website: watauga.ces.ncsu.edu To access the general website of N.C. Cooperative Extension for an overview of all services available, visit: www.ces.ncsu.edu. Information provided by NC Cooperative Extension

Amy Renfranz, a certified naturalist, is the new education specialist at Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. Photo submitted

Migration Destination:

Home When I left North Carolina three years ago, I thought I had purchased a one-way ticket. My compass was pointing in one direction and the accompanying map showed just one road. That road was a one-way street with a dead end: The Great American West. Life, as I found, is a lot more complicated than any map — and there are no dead ends. What I didn’t expect was the weight my homesickness. Where I lived in Yellowstone there were wolves, grizzlies, geysers and bison to distract the melancholy naturalist. It was incredible to be witness to an intact ecosystem, one where all the pre-colonial players still exist. I had exceptional experiences, and a few dangerous encounters. There was a backcountry brush-in with a grizzly (aptly nicknamed “Scarface”) and a close encounter with a lone, black wolf. She continued to trot through the woods as if I did not exist, never gracing me with a look from her yellow eyes.

Those were not the dangerous encounters. The dangerous encounters always came by way of ungulate (hooved animal). While mountain biking, I was tossed into a cactus by a surprised pronghorn doe. The encounters with elk were too many to mention, and I still have bisonin-the-rut ﬂashbacks that make me cringe. Beware of the ungulates. My favorite subjects of study in Yellowstone were only threatening to the misguided ﬁnger. The hot springs in Yellowstone can reach temperatures above boiling, and yet, are full of life. Heat-loving microbes of all colors of the rainbow could be found in organized layers of life. Organisms close to those of the original life forms on Earth are still alive and well in Yellowstone. Earth’s history is on display. I am glad we saved Yellowstone from our own foolishness. So, don’t think I’m ungrateful, dear reader, but you know what I thought of

by Amy Refranz

every time I went for a hike over the past three years? Galax. The forest, of course, lacked the familiar, skunky smell. Upon realizing the missing scent, my pack would gain 100 pounds. Each pound was the memory of someone or something in the North Carolina High Country. Some days, the weight felt unbearable And so, like so many wild animals, I have migrated back to the place that best sustains my life. Just in time for spring. Amy Renfranz is the new education specialist at Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. She is a certified naturalist through the Yellowstone Institute and is a certified environmental educator in the state of North Carolina. Her comments are made independently and do not reflect the views of GMSF. She is author of “Dear Naturalist,” an award-winning column featured in Mountain Times Publications. If you have a question concerning flora and fauna, please email dearnaturalist@gmail.com. AAWMAG.COM | MAY 2016

n i e n o l A ods o W e h t

And The Women That Helped Me Find My Way

by Amy Refranz Many years ago I bought a single-person tent. Of course, the plan was simply to go camping as a single person. Instead, the tent would play a small role in a much larger personal transformation. The tent was not an impulse buy. The naturalist’s budget does not allow for such things! So, when the well-researched, waterproof yet breathable, lightweight, lime green tent came home with me, you would have thought that I would have put it to immediate use. I set it up in the living room and stuffed it with all of my favorite camping gear. In the down sleeping bag, I shoved a Mary Oliver book and a fuzzy pair of socks. It was paradise in a nylon cocoon. Despite all the good intentions, the tent would not see the outdoors for many months. Too caught up in my day-to-day 50

MAY 2016 | AAWMAG.COM

routine and social activities, I always found an excuse. The new tent beckoned me, “Use me and you will feel a rush of adventure and excitement. Use me and you’ll feel like you have seen and experienced. Use me and get healthy. Seriously, girl, put down the muffin.” I would yawn and continue to watch my favorite streaming TV show, the one set in the forest with all of the man-eating zombies. However, as I would find out on my first attempt to solo camp, indolence and science fiction were not the only reasons why I had delayed for so long. By then, it was winter. I hiked to a relatively remote lake in eastern North Carolina, where I watched tundra swans all day and huge flocks of red-winged blackbirds at sunset. It was then that I was

joined on the trail by a man. He greeted me and I greeted him, hesitantly, with a cordial Southern smile, as we passed each other. There was nothing speciﬁcally threatening about him. But as darkness fell and it started to storm, fear crept in. I wondered where that man was camping — very probably nearby. My rational mind told me there was nothing to be afraid of, but still a deep-rooted illat-ease feeling set in. I spent the ﬁrst few hours in the tent, not reading a book, but clenching a can of pepper spray. It was still dark when I packed up and left. I told myself that it was because of the rain. I was lying. Like most women, I have been made uncomfortable by a few men — catcalled, followed and bullied. Sad to say, I usually (politely) disregarded the men that made

me feel that way, which only ampliﬁed the disempowerment. Those experiences, combined with the voices of concerned loved ones – those that say, “Women should not go alone into the woods,” and “Don’t be stupid,” were enough to make me abandon my plans that night. I can only empathize with the too many women who have been assaulted. Three years slipped by and the tent went unused. However, in that time I was fortunate to meet women who would become friends and mentors. Ann, Tina, Shauna, Julianne, Danielle, Carolyn, MaryEllen, Virginia, Jessie and Sonja all unknowingly brought me one step closer to a night alone in the green tent. They taught me how to cross-country ski, how to navigate the forest off-trail, how to interpret the howls of wolves and songs of birds. Ann taught me how to live off the land and off the grid. MaryEllen taught me that a woman can be an artist and a respected law enforcement ranger. Sonja could read every rock and know how it formed and was composed. Each woman could write an awardwinning autobiography, the likes of which should replace all of the “Little Red Riding Hood” and “Sleeping Beauty” books on our daughter’s bookshelves. Their books would teach us that our acquired fears of being alone in the woods/sidewalk/parking lots, though not entirely unwarranted, should not be something we readily accept. I learned and asked questions of my experts. I also laughed a lot. It was Julianne, a retired schoolteacher, who ﬁrst showed me a “pStyle” – a tool that allows women to pee while standing up. She sang a little diddy as she pulled it out of her backpack, “Pee like a man, hold it in your hand.” You could call it a true transformation. Not only was I graced with the knowledge and skills of a true outdoorswoman — I could even go to the bathroom without the added thighburning squat. For the second venture with the solo tent, I hiked deeper into the forest. I did not smile or carry on small talk with the people in the trailhead parking lot. I observed them quietly and made for the woods. It rained. And I slept well.

Before You Go Camping or Hiking Alone:

Tell someone where you are going. Give them clear and speciﬁc locations, and tell them when you plan to return. Do not change your plans in the ﬁeld, unless you can send a text or call that trusted person.

Pack the ‘10 Essentials’

Pack these items (suggested by outdoor women)

• Navigation (map and compass) • Sun protection (sunglasses, chapstick, and sunscreen) • Insulation (extra clothing) • Illumination (headlamp/ﬂashlight) • First-aid supplies • Fire (waterproof matches/lighter/candles) • Repair kit and tools • Nutrition (extra food) • Hydration (extra water or ﬁltration) • Emergency shelter

• Female urinal, like the “pStyle” • Baggies with toilet paper (pack it out) • Corn starch for hair roots • Cleansing wipes for face and body

2016

KYBELLA

DISSOLVING FAT IN THE NECK WITH INJECTION ONLY.

Before

Minimally invasive techniques for the face and body.

After

AAWMAG.COM | MAY 2016

Teresa Lee

ost people seem to be more aware these days that theatre impacts our world — by teaching both young and old about history, empathy and expression, while adding to the foundations of comradery and understanding in our communities. Yes, it’s a lofty statement, but if you’ll think about the ways in which the smallest of performances may have impacted your life, you might find that you agree. Teresa Lee of Boone undoubtedly recognizes the impact theater can make on our lives, and she enjoys not only writing and directing productions, but also training artists in the craft. As a faculty member of ASU’s Department of Theatre and Dance, as well as artistic director of its award-winning Appalachian Young People’s Theatre, Teresa has made the world of theatre her life’s work. It’s fitting then that Teresa, a resident of Boone since 1988, now directs the area’s premiere drama, Horn in the West. And while this summer marks Teresa’s third year directing the third longest-running outdoor drama in the United States, it also marks Horn’s 65th-year anniversary. “There will be celebrations (this summer) recognizing that the Horn has been around for 65 years,” says Teresa, “and with any kind of anniversary, you’re drawing attention to the commitment that you’ve made to the relationship. In this case, it’s what I think is one of the jewels in the crown of Boone. Not to overstate it, but Horn in the West is one of the draws; it is the tourist attraction in Boone.” As a tourist attraction with a strong and long legacy, it made the challenge of taking over the show three years ago that much more difficult for Teresa. How does a director incorporate changes that reflect her style and vision, while remaining true to the story and meeting the goals of the

MAY 2016 | AAWMAG.COM

Teresa Lee recognizes the impact that theatre makes in our lives. Photo by Yogi Collins

‘I wanted to take the story back to its roots and look at what was historically accurate about the script to see if there were any ways we could hone the accuracy of it.’ -teresa lee sponsors or bosses? “When I came on staff to direct, the board (the Southern Appalachian Historical Association, which owns the script and show) was looking for ways in which to trim the budget and work on the ﬁscal health of the organization,” Teresa explains. “I wanted to take the story back to its roots and look at what was historically accurate about the script to see if there were any ways we could hone the accuracy of it.” Teresa also wanted to update the script by making it more palatable to modern audiences. She explains, “The show was written in 1952 originally and it was an entirely different world 65 years ago. Some of the things in the original script, in my opinion, were offensive to modern society.

We’ve evolved. So, we now have Native American characters speaking in complete sentences and not referring to themselves in third person. They are now more fullydrawn, three-dimensional characters. I also updated some of the references and ways in which the characters talk to one another, particularly how some of the men refer to the women. We’re bringing the show into the 21st century.” And while Teresa is drawn to the legacy of Horn in the West — and to bringing it to future audiences — she also appreciates how working there ﬁts seamlessly into her professional narrative. “Another reason I do this is because Horn in the West offers a lot of young, emerging artists their ﬁrst job,” she says. “Many theater careers have been launched on this stage. It’s a unique aspect of what the Horn “family” is all about. It’s very much a family atmosphere and, for me, it’s an extension of what I’m doing at ASU in training young artists. It aligns itself well with what my life’s work has been about.” Horn in the West runs from June 25August 6. For more information on show times and ticket prices, call (828) 264-2120 or log onto www.horninthewest.org. Yozette ‘Yogi’ Collins Mom, television producer/writer, and obsessive internet researcher. Though her name suggests otherwise, she is not (yet) an actual yogi.

marriageandFamilyCorner

EXPLORING DISCOVERING — GOOD FOR THE SOUL AND

ife is good when I spend plenty

of time exploring the woods and hiking trails. I love revisiting familiar trails. I love discovering new-to-me trails. I love to explore during all four seasons and all weather. The land, trees, wildlife, rocks, sky and elements, along with my two and four-legged companions, all share their wisdom with me. This wisdom nourishes me and guides me daily — and in times of confusion or despair. This wisdom leads me to lessons that help me manage and grow, as I recognize application to so much of life. Following are a few tips for successful exploring:

Take enough with you, but take only what you need. The fun and joy of hiking can be harshly halted by too much thirst, hunger, cold, heat or fatigue. I love the motto of “Gear up and go!” With reasonable precautions for safety and comfort, this motto leads me to enjoy the briskness of snowstorms and cold, the peaceful quiet of rain, and the rhythms of spending several hours on the move. Of course, the length, timing and difficulty of the hike determine how much water, food and extra gear are appropriate. Carrying more than what is needed — or not enough — can diminish enjoyment or even create risk. So, careful planning, along with ﬂexibility, is important. Surely, I beneﬁt when I manage this type of balanced planning and preparation in other parts of my life. Undoubtedly, I create unnecessary work or misery for myself when I don’t plan or prepare well, including when I carry along more than I can use or enjoy.

I am a part of something much bigger than myself. Noticing tiny insects or seedlings among breathtaking vistas or ancient trees is a celebration of this connection. The joy of this celebration may be reﬂective or lively, and is part of a fuller life. The hectic pace of life often distracts from this connection and the fullness that it brings to life. Planting my feet on dirt and rocks to consider the lessons of the forest helps me to refocus, so I can remember when I return to the other responsibilities of life.

“Take only pictures. Leave only footprints.” Any hiker has seen the advice. At minimum, leaving the areas I visit in the same condition I found them, is vital. Many times, I broaden this value and seek to leave it better than I found it. Packing out trash left by careless hikers is a satisfying and easy improvement. Daily life offers many choices for leaving my surroundings (and the people) unharmed, or either better or worse for contact with me. Concrete choices about litter are mixed with more complicated choices about how to offer kindness to people. I don’t regret the times that I at least avoid causing harm. I ﬁnd satisfaction when I am able to make a positive impact.

Enjoy the journey, including the work. The satisfaction of working to reach a mountaintop makes the vista all the more sweet. There is also delight in the ability to work — and the process of doing same. I am happiest when I appreciate the privilege of this ability and I embrace that delight, even when

my legs ache and my breath is short. Like everyone, there are times I have more trouble maintaining that focus. I admit that I am rarely heard to express gratitude for my brain’s ability to complete paperwork. Perhaps, the dread I feel for these tasks will be lessened by treating them more like the exertion of climbing a mountain. Fulﬁlling my responsibilities and promoting the ﬁnancial stability of my family is surely as sweet as a mountaintop. I am simply much less practiced at that focus.

Soak up the experience. When I visit the forest, I consciously — and unconsciously — store up the beauty, joy, peace, connection and wonder in my soul, and deep in my bones. This storing up process energizes and renews me. It also provides something of a balm that I can use to cover myself when I feel wounded. When I recall how my senses react to a grand tree, or to the wind or sun on my face, I am able to draw on what I stored. With the warm weather this time of year, the trails are much busier. Whether you are on the trails or you have other means of gaining and storing nourishment and guidance, I hope you do that regularly. Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. ~ John Muir For more information on available services or to discuss information in this column, contact:

MARY MCKINNEY, MA, LMFT McKinney Marriage and Family Therapy 828.268.0155 For urgent matters and ﬁrst-time callers: 828.773.5463 www.mckinneymft.com mary@mckinneymft.com

AAWMAG.COM | MAY 2016

New River Canoe Race The women who make it roll

Posing in front of a barn quilt depicting the New River, the four women who have chaired the New River Canoe Race for the past 35 years, are from left, Barbara Greenberg, Julie Landry, Nancy Shannon and Jennifer Miller. Photo by James Howell

Since 1981, the New River Canoe Race has brought fun and friendly competition to Ashe County, but few people may know the race has been organized by women during its entire 35-year run. “I feel like it’s a good story, because we’ve always had a woman at the helm of this, and I would bet this is the oldest recreational activity on the New River,” says Nancy Shannon, the race’s current

MAY 2016 | AAWMAG.COM

organizer. When the race was ﬁrst birthed in 1981, it was taken under the wings of the 4-H Program, through Cooperative Extension. “In 1981, my children were still very little — and they grew up going to the race every year,” Nancy says. “They are now parents themselves, and they come up with their children, so my grandchil-

dren participate. So, that’s very cool.” From 1981-2006, the race served as the primary fundraiser for the 4-H’s scholarship fund for the summer parks program. The ﬁrst chairwoman of the New River Canoe Race was Barbara Greenberg, but the push for a race down the river was spearheaded by Dan Greene. According to Julie Landry, she, Barbara, and a few other dedicated river

enthusiasts, formed a committee after the inaugural race, and worked through the years with Zaloo’s Canoes and the New River State Park. “It was one group of about eight to 12 people, and the majority of us were happy non-breeders,” Barbara says. “That’s tongue in cheek, but while everybody else was so busy raising kids, we had a great group of people that worked well together. And, to raise money for kids to go to camp, kids that couldn’t afford it, it just worked.” The race and the committee evolved over the years, but the original committee set the foundation for the race for years to come. For example, the originals split the contestants into different categories, and established a course for the race that would remain the same for years to come. The original committee also started the tradition of awarding handmade wooden trophies to the first, second and third place winners of each category. By 2007, leadership of the New River Canoe Race was transferred from Julie Landry to Jennifer Miller, ending the 25year run of the original enthusiasts who organized the event. The committee was restocked with new people and fresh ideas. One of Jennifer’s additions was the popular family float category, an event that allows five or six members of a family to compete against other families in a timed ran down the river. “I felt like 25 years of doing it, even though it changed every year, it still became somewhat routine by the 25th year,” Julie says. “So when Jennifer became 4-H agent that year, and took over that project, I think the changes she made were very positive — it needed to be renewed with new blood and new energy, and I think that’s important.” Julie also says she believes events have lifespans, and typically, events are either renewed with the changing times, or they die out. “This one’s really extended it’s life past other events,” she adds. In 2013, Nancy took the reins as the race’s director, with a new group supporting the event rather than 4-H. “Jennifer chaired it for five years, and it was under 4-H for all of those years. I knew that 4-H was giving it up, and it really looked like it was just going to stop,”

Nancy says. “I shopped it out to Friends of High Country State Parks, the organization sponsoring it now.” Friends of High Country State Parks is a local group dedicated to the expansion and preservation of state parks in the High Country, and raise money to support local state parks.

‘

I feel like it’s a good story, because we’ve always had a woman at the helm of this, and I would bet this is the oldest recreational activity on the New River.

’

- Nancy Shannon

While other friends groups exist across the state, the High County group formed ﬁve years ago. After Nancy approached Friends of High Country State Parks about taking the New River Canoe Race over, it seemed like a match made in heaven. “They thought it was a perfect ﬁt, because the race ends at New River State

Park,” Nancy says. “So, they took it on, and it’s become a good way to showcase one of our parks, as well as the river.” According to Nancy, the New River Canoe Race raises about $4,000 for state parks each year. This money is donated to four local state parks, which includes Mount Jefferson State Natural Area, the New River State Park, Elk Knob State Park and Grandfather Mountain State Park (the state owned portion). “This will be my fourth year chairing it, and I was determined to take it to year 35,” Shannon said. “I would like to hand over the chair to somebody for next year; four years is a pretty good run for an old grandma.” “Especially when she didn’t have staff,” Julie said. “That’s a huge difference.” Rather than delegating work to paid staff, as it was handled with 4-H, Nancy has been organizing the New River Canoe Race out of her kitchen with volunteers. While Barbara thanks Nancy for her hard work in keeping the New River Canoe Race alive, Nancy gives a nod to the race’s forebears, saying, “These groups have created, I honestly think, the oldest recreational activity on the New River, and we’ve created that for Ashe County.” Nancy says she will consider asking the Ashe County Board of Commissioners to sign a proclamation in support of the 35th annual New River Canoe Race, which will be held at Zaloo’s Canoes on June 4. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m., and boats will go in the water from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

James Howell james.howell@mountaintimes.com

AAWMAG.COM | MAY 2016

‘Nurtured Beginnings’ helping new families adjust Most new parents will share that navigating through those first few days and weeks after having a baby is joyful, yet challenging. Even skilled parents may struggle with the changing routines and finding time to meet all of the family’s needs. This period may be even more challenging if mom had any complications during labor, or had to have a cesarean section birth. Families continue to need emotional and physical support as they adjust to having a new family member. The needs of a mother and father do not end once the baby has been born. The postpartum period can be the most critical time of need for parents. During this phase, parents are losing sleep, establishing feeding schedules, confronting fears and concerns, and questioning if their parenting techniques are adequate. Whether a family has just had their first baby or their sixth, families need extra help and support to ease into the transition and adjustment period of becoming new parents. Finding Support

Children’s Council staff members, from left, front row: Hellem Quivera and Natasha Fuller; back row: Crystal Kelly, Robin Triplett and Moriah Stegall. Photo submitted

MAY 2016 | AAWMAG.COM

Many families discover that it is tough to find the support they need during these first few weeks after a new baby arrives. Research shows that moms, dads and babies have an easier time with this transition if a good support team is in place. This is why The Children’s Council of Watauga County is launching a new program called Nurtured Beginnings. To nurture someone means to care for and encourage the growth or development of that individual. The Children’s Council recognizes the importance of caring for mothers. When mothers receive ample support, they can then adequately and confidently provide a healthy, loving,

The Children’s Council of Watauga County is launching a new program to help families adjust after a new baby is born. Photos by Captured Birth Photography

and secure environment that encourages positive growth and development of their children. This brand new program, available to all new parents in Watauga County, is free of charge and kicks off in May. “Nurtured Beginnings” offers home visits to parents with newborns up to 12 weeks old. A home-cooked meal, donated by F.A.R.M. Café or Green Street Catering, will be delivered at the first visit, with special dietary needs being met, as needed. During the first visit, families will also receive a gift bag full of goodies for mom and baby. Some of the gifts offered include a Halo sleep sack to support safe sleeping practices, a pack of diapers, bath salts to help mom relax, a breastfeeding starter kit, and baby blankets and booties handmade and donated by Boone natives, Sharon Hifner and Madge Drumm. Having a new baby affects many areas of a family’s life. Nurtured Beginnings postpartum specialists are trained to answer all kinds of questions and are knowledgeable about the wealth of resources in our community. We want to support parents’ efforts to give their baby the best environment for growth. Nurtured Beginnings also aims to connect new parents — and their baby — with the confidence and support needed for infant and mother health, mental health, child development and overall well-being for the family. Our team is comprised of child development specialists, parent educators, social workers, doulas, and a nurse. Everyone on our team of postpartum professionals has received “Partners for

a Healthy Baby” training from Florida State University’s Center for Prevention & Early Intervention Policy. FSU describes it as “a nationally recognized, evidenceinformed curriculum used by many home visiting models to improve birth outcomes, reduce rates of child abuse, increase intervals between pregnancies, strengthen families, enhance child health and developmental outcomes, and support family stability and economic self-sufficiency.” Our team also includes a bilingual educator who will be available to offer postpartum support to Watauga County’s Spanish speaking population. Nurtured Beginnings’ highly trained specialists can come to a client’s home and provide information, resources, a listening ear and a helping hand during the first couple of months after birth. Some families may also benefit from breastfeeding assistance, child care selection help, finding financial resources, parenting classes, help identifying and coping with postpartum depression, dealing with social isolation or new family dynamics and many other issues. It is common for new mothers to experience a range of emotions and intense physical shifts during the postpartum period. During this time, mothers may feel isolated and experience sadness, anxiety, or depression. Our professionals will be offering screening for postpartum mood disorders, such as postpartum depression, to potentially catch warning signs early. With the adequate tools, we will be able to offer compassionate support and connect mothers experiencing mood disorders to

appropriate resources in our community. Support from other moms is also an essential tool for helping mothers of new babies adjust. It’s normal for mothers of new babies to sometimes feel not only isolated, but to feel like a part of their independence and identity has been taken, or misplaced. It is important for moms to connect with other women having similar emotional and physical experiences during the postpartum period. As a supplement to the Nurtured Beginnings program, The Children’s Council is offering a support group, “Babes On Blankets,” for new moms to connect with other moms. The goal of the support group is to create a space where moms can share joys, challenges, helpful suggestions and urgent questions. We will explore various topics from self-care to developmental milestones. Babes on Blankets meets every Monday 10 a.m.11:30 a.m. in the childcare room upstairs at The Children’s Council. All mothers with babies from birth to 1 year of age are invited to come. The mission of The Children’s Council of Watauga County is to build a strong foundation for children’s learning and development by strengthening families, the early childhood system and the wider community. We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to develop to his or her fullest potential in a community that supports, nurtures and empowers children and families. For more information or to make a monetary donation for the Nurtured Beginnings program, visit www.thechildrenscouncil.org or call (828) 262-5424. AAWMAG.COM | MAY 2016

parting shot

‘Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.’ - Lao Tzu

Photo by Sherrie Norris

MAY 2016 | AAWMAG.COM

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