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JUNE 2020
A lifestyle magazine highlighting Surry County and the surrounding area
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FEATURED SECTIONS
Friendly Heating & Cooling, Inc. SERVICE IS OUR BUSINESS!
HOME, FARM, & GARDEN p.8 * OUT & ABOUT p.16 * 8 The Vintage Southern
Homemaker: Gloria Brown shares memories and helpful tips
18 Gin Denton:
SIMPLY DELICIOUS p.20 * 20 The Sweet & Savory Life
Local Musicians Following Their Dream
with Rynn Hennings: Boston Butt Barbecue
ALL THE REST p.24 23 Carmen Long: There's No
Place Like Home 24 A Deeper Cut: A Novel,
Continues
Spring — is Area theEvent bestSchedules: time to We apologize but calendar get yourguides AC units are not ready included for for summer’s heat! June due to the uncertainty of event scheduling during the COVID-19 crisis.
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Home Sweet Home 12 Joanna Radford: Plant a
Bee Friendly Garden
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15 Sarah Southard, DVM:
Happy, Healthy Cows are Productive Cows
16 Gary York:
The Gift of Hope
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SURRY LIVING June 2020 Issue • 5
CONTRIBUTORS
Gloria Brown
Gin Denton
Sheri Wren Haymore
Rynn Hennings
Gloria is co-owner of The Nest & Hive Shoppe, a home décor business in Fancy Gap, VA, as well as the former host of The Vintage Southern Homemaker television show. Her musings on life growing up and living in the South have appeared in publications and on TV throughout the region. She is an expert antiques collector who grew up in the business and worked many years as a dealer in the Yadkin Valley area, where she currently resides.
Gin is the owner of Ginger Horse Studio. Her focus is lifestyle photography, covering horse shows, weddings, concerts, and doing on location portraits. Gin graduated from the University of Findlay with an Equine Business Management degree, where she also studied music and photography. She is a member of the Mount Airy Ukulele Invasion (MAUI) and the Granite City Rock Orchestra (GRO). Gin resides in Lowgap, NC with her family on their small horse farm.
Sheri grew up in Mt. Airy, NC, and lives thereabouts with her husband. Together they run a couple of small businesses and plan their next vacation. A graduate of High Point University, her first job was as a writer at a marketing firm—and she’s been scribbling ever since. Sheri has several suspense novels in publication and Surry Living is proud to include sequential excerpts from one of her books in each issue.
Rynn is a writer and designer based in the Yadkin Valley region of North Carolina. She loves to share her ideas for adding simple beauty into hectic lifestyles. More than mere recipes, her mission is to offer practical shortcuts for food preparation along with visual tips for presentation. Rynn began her career in Aiken, SC, as a newspaper reporter writing feature articles about food, living, and the arts.
Carmen Long
Joanna Radford
Sarah Southard
Larry VanHoose
Carmen is an NC Cooperative Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences. Making quick, easy, healthy food that tastes great on a budget is a challenge. Carmen and her husband have two grown children, both of whom were involved in sports from grade school thru college. With busy careers and lots of time at sporting events, coming up with quick, healthy meals was a necessity. Carmen shares ideas and recipes to make this tough job a bit easier.
Joanna Radford is the Commercial and Consumer Horticulture Agent for the NC Cooperative Extension in Surry County with expertise in entomology, gardening, and pesticide education. She began her career with NC Cooperative Extension in Stokes County in 1995 as a 4-H Agent, later switching to Field Crops and Pesticide Education in Surry County. In 2012, she assumed the role of Horticulture Agent for Surry County. She lives on a farm with her husband and two teenage daughters.
Sarah grew up at Crooked Oak in the Pine Ridge community of Surry County. Raised in the agriculture world, she went on to earn degrees in animal science and veterinary medicine from North Carolina State University. She and her husband, Adam, currently live in Statesville with Oliver the house rabbit, a few cats, Blossom the donkey, and a flock of Katahdin hair sheep.
Larry is the Executive Editor of Surry Living Magazine and Creative Director at Vivid Graphics in Galax, VA. He has 30+ years experience as a writer, graphic designer, and commercial photographer. Larry and wife, Trina, have four wonderful, grown children, one awesome grandchild, and they live just off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Grayson County, VA.
6 • SURRY LIVING June 2020 Issue
WESTWOOD MEDICAL
Gary York Gary resides in Pilot Mountain with wife, Charlotte, at Vintage Rose Wedding Estate. A 1965 graduate of Guilford College, he received his MBA from Bucknell in ’68. His early career included service at York Oil Company and Neighbors Stores. Gary's passion for celebrating community servants led him to produce People Doing Good For Others on WPAQ, which in-turn fueled his interest in broadcasting and ultimately his purchase of 100.9 WIFM in 2004. He’s a member of the Surry County Educational Foundation and Board Member of the Elkin Rescue Squad.
Edward McDowell PA-C
• Primary Care • Sports Medicine • Adolescent & Adult Medicine • Sports Physicals • Primary Care Orthopedics • Primary Evaluation and Treatment of Spine Disorders • Wellness Medicine • Treatment of Minor Injuries
Specializing in Primary Care and Sports Medicine
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To view all inventory including new & preowned travel trailers & pop-ups, visit www.countrysidervcenter.com SURRY LIVING June 2020 Issue • 7
home, farm, & garden
Be It Ever So Humble
Home. For me, the idea of home equals comfort, pure and simple. Home is the one place in the world where I can create the environment I want, and I always prefer to think of this as homemaking instead of housekeeping. A large part of my business is helping others furnish and decorate their homes. I’m often asked what is in style. My reply is it that it is not what is in style that matters. What matters is achieving your style. What’s in style comes and goes. Your style endures. When a friend or family member can walk into your home and exclaim, “this looks just like you,” then you have nailed your home décor. I’m not saying that you should never add a little accent here and there of what is trending. In fact, I’m remiss if I don’t tell you that you need to freshen things up and often. The change of seasons calls for some switch ups. Holidays and special events can turn things around for a little while. But my kind of interior design requires that, at the heart of it all, the reflection of who you are should always be there. When I begin design consults, I want my clients to tell me about themselves. I ask to look at every nook and cranny of their houses. I want them to show me and tell me about their most valued possessions. Please notice I said “valued,” which is not necessarily “valuable.” My goal is for the result to be a true reflection of who they are and not just a pretty house. Pretty is easy, reflections are a study of the person or family. I also tell my clients we are going to do as much as we can for as little cost as we can. I have never believed that spending a lot of money equals good design or a home décor achievement. I prefer to rethink pieces they already have. I like to use loved and even worn things in new ways. It is a challenge that excites me and usually them too. My kind of decorating isn’t for everyone, and I’m the first to admit it. I am not a fan of cookie cutter decorating. I don’t want my home to have an assembly-line feel. I’m comfortable with a scratch or chip here and there. Mismatched and I are a perfect match. Faded, repaired, and recycled are first pickings for me. It might sound unappealing but believe me there is pure perfection in imperfection. I love to surround myself with items that prompt memory snippets from the past. I love continuing to weave little treasures into my home so that it is never stale or unchanging. I know I’ve shared some of these ideas before, but I will never stop encouraging you to do it up like you. Just remember that anyone can clean your house but, it takes you to make it a home.
8 • SURRY LIVING June 2020 Issue
home, farm, & garden
MULLINS PAWN SHOP & JEWELERS Art, joyfully made
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Life, artfully played. Let us help you protect what matters most. Timothy Cook Cook Insurance Group LLC 119 Valley Dr Jonesville, NC 28642-2620 336-526-2665 Erie Insurance Exchange, Erie Insurance Co., Erie Insurance Property & Casualty Co., Flagship City Insurance Co. and Erie Family Life Insurance Co. (Erie, PA) or Erie Insurance Co. of New York (Rochester, NY). Go to erieinsurance.com for company licensure and product details. CMS149_arts1 2/18
Adjusted Regular Store Hours: Mullins Pawn Shop & Jewelers Mon–Fri: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm 336-786-6417 • 336-789-7109 Saturday: Call for hours 1911 Caudle Dr, Mount Airy, NC
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SURRY LIVING June 2020 Issue • 9
home, farm, & garden
HOME SWEET HOME
by Larry VanHoose
Home. The very word seems to mean something slightly different for everyone. It can be a refuge, a prison, a place of comfort, a place of fear, or a place of rest. It can even be a place that travels with us such as a camper, an RV, or a mobile home. But for all of us, I think that the concept of home is a lot more difficult than the idea Home Sweet Home may indicate. I think it is more like what Reb Tevya described from the classic film, Fiddler on the Roof. “You might say every one of us is a fiddler on the roof, trying to scratch out a pleasant, simple tune without breaking his neck. It isn't easy. You may ask, why do we stay up there if it's so dangerous? Well, we stay because this [Anatevka] is our home.” “Trying to scratch out a pleasant, simple tune without breaking his neck.” That does not sound sweet at all! But the truth is, whatever our home situation might look like, that is ultimately, albeit figuratively, what we are trying to do. Survive – and maybe hopefully enjoy our life and home a bit as we do. As I sit here at my desk in my home office, someplace I’m having to spend much more time than I ever imagined just a few, short months ago, I realize how much my personal home as changed over the years. I grew up in a small town where we knew pretty much everyone. The world seemed a safer place then, even though we had our own personal family issues which could be scary at times. Then for a while I traveled the country, footloose and basically homeless. Home for me back then was something to escape, a place that represented the rules I always seemed destined to break and the eventual consequences I dreaded. As the years passed, I moved far away from my childhood friends and family, but I always felt like I could have gone home if I’d needed. I just never wanted to; I loved my new home.
I sit here at my desk and watch from my window as the wind blows gently across the hay fields, like ocean waves lapping gently upon the shore...
The day came though, when several of my immediate family members became terminally ill, and coupled with the idea that I didn’t want to raise my young children in a booming metropolis (Phoenix, AZ), I sought to move our home closer to home. Life throws so many curveballs at you – you think you know what is safe, that you can at least control your home – but you are just kidding yourself. Even today as I mentioned, I sit here at my desk and watch from my window as the wind blows gently across the hay fields, like ocean waves lapping gently upon the shore, I know that someday, sooner or later, this place we call home will no longer be my home. It will pass to someone else, maybe through financial difficulty, through another planned or unexpected move, or through the passing onto another place, my final resting place, my final home. I honestly look forward to, even long for that last home to come. I do. But in the meantime, before that day comes, I hope against hope to make this home, this community, this world, just a little sweeter, a little more pleasant for those whose lives rub up against mine. Maybe we can all thrum out a sweet, pleasant tune – from the rooftop as it were – of home. “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them” (John 14:23b NLT).
SURRY LIVING June 2020 Issue • 11
home, farm, & garden by Joanna Radford
Plant a Bee Friendly Garden Where have the honeybees gone? This question is on the minds of many gardeners and rightfully so. Seventy farm grown crops, about onethird of our natural food supply, rely on honeybees for pollination. You can help restore and help maintain the honeybee population with a bee friendly garden. It is not difficult to make your yard, garden, or even patio space a haven for beneficial bees. You will be helping these important insects, as well as bringing more nature to your backdoor. The greater the plant diversity, the more bees you will attract and support. Always try to choose as many native plants as possible, and consult with plant experts like NC Cooperative Extension, Extension Master Gardeners, nursery staff or other experts to find vegetation that will thrive in your specific conditions. Attract and nourish honeybees with nectar producing plants. Wildflowers, including asters, goldenrod, sunflowers, even dandelions will provide food for the hives, and the native bee population as well. Plant flowering vegetables and fruits. You can also plant long blooming flowers or a variety of plants that will bloom at different times throughout the spring and fall. Honeybees need to eat until they retreat to their hives for the winter. Try to group at least ten bee plants in a bunch or grouping.
Not only do the bees need nectar, they need water as well. Think about providing a pond, a fountain, or some other fresh water source. Something as simple as shallow bowls or lids filled with water placed near flowering plants also works. While native bees are not honeybees, they are important pollinators that need to be protected as well. Native bees do not live in hives, but in single living units underground. Leave a space in your garden un-mulched for them to gain access and set up housekeeping. A pile of undisturbed sand will work as well. A native bee house would make a great addition to any vegetable or flower garden. An example of a mason bee house is pictured. They are easy and inexpensive to make—you can find directions at sites like https://beekeepclub.com/ how-to-make-a-homemade-mason-beehouse/. Mason bees prefer more openfaced type flowers. They do not feed for miles like honeybees; the mason bees only travel about 300 feet from their nest to gather pollen and nectar. And, as always, use caution when applying pesticides. Some of them are toxic to bees (like insecticides), and some are not. Use the least toxic first and apply when the bees are least likely to be exposed. Try to avoid spraying when and where blooms are present. The time to shoot for is around dusk when the bees are usually in their hives. I challenge you to see how many bee pollinator bees you can attract to your yard. Ready, Set, Go!
PARTIAL LIST OF BEE-FRIENDLY PLANTS FLOWERS Asters Dahlias Globe Thistle Sunflowers
Buttercups Dandelions Hollyhocks Snowdrops
Calliopsis Echinacea Hyacinth Yellow Hyssop
Clematis English Ivy Marigolds Zinnias
Clover Foxglove Poppies
Cosmos Geraniums Rock Cress
Crocuses Germander Sedum
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
Blackberries Blueberries Cantaloupe Cucumbers Gourds Peppers Pumpkins Raspberries Squash Strawberries Watermelons
HERBS Bee Balm Borage Rosemary Sage
Catnip Thyme
Cilantro
Fennel
Lavender
Mints
Butterfly Bush Viburnums
Button Bush
Elderberry
Honeysuckle
Indigo
Basswood Golden Rain Tree
Black Gum Hawthorns
Black Locust Hazels
Buckeyes Magnolia
Catalpa Maples
SHRUBS Beauty Bush Mock Orange
Black Chokeberry Rose of Sharon
TREES Alder American Holly Eastern Redbud Fruit Trees Sycamore Tulip
12 • SURRY LIVING June 2020 Issue
T�� A�e�’� Bes� Ch�i�� f�� I�-h��� Ai�!
915 Rockford Street Mount Airy, NC
336-789-2273
American Healthcare Services offers up to 24-hour care, 7 days a week.
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SURRY LIVING June 2020 Issue • 13
home, farm, & garden by Sarah Southard, DVM
National Dairy Month: Happy, Healthy Cows are Productive Cows Ah, June—summer is just around the corner. Camping, swimming, and fishing are on the agenda; long, sunny days are here for all to enjoy. As one who has great appreciation for agriculture, another June activity is on my list as well: recognize National Dairy Month.
their products, veterinarians also play a different role than commonly imagined. They make recommendations for the dairy herd’s preventive health program, work with the herd’s nutritionist to ensure appropriate ration formulation to meet production demands during various life stages, and perform an assortment of milk quality-assurance tests to help the dairy herdsman to better detect milk quality problems and mammary disease issues, as well as implement the proper treatment protocols to solve the problems. These tests also help ensure that a safe, wholesome, unadulterated product is available for shipment to consumers.
National Milk Month, as it was initially called, began in 1937 to encourage milk consumption and stabilize demand for fluid milk. However, in the years since its inception, National Dairy Month has come to encompass so much more. The milk industry plays a huge role in our economy and in our diets. Over 100,000 people in the US are employed by dairy farms, and many more folks contribute to the industry through partner relationships. Whether employed full-time or called upon as-needed, veterinarians are indispensable, supporting resources for every dairy in the United States. For any business, a happy and healthy employee, tends to be a good and productive employee. The same is true for cows. Happy, healthy, comfortable cows are productive cows. Veterinarians work closely with dairies to help maintain cow health, wellness, and comfort, as well as milk quality and safety. Veterinarians examine and treat sick or injured dairy cows as needed. However, when it comes to production animals and
Schuyler C k
So, during the month of June, and all year-round really, offer a little extra appreciation for the dairy products that we often take for granted. Quite a bit of careful attention, coordinated collaboration, and good old-fashioned hard work go into providing that cold glass of milk, delicious gourmet cheese, and irresistible chocolate ice cream that we enjoy.
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1901 S. Main St • Mt. Airy • (336) 786-7082 SURRY LIVING June 2020 Issue • 15
out & about
The Gift of
HOPE Donating a kidney is a gift of hope. A gift that Mary Hunter, a native of Mount Airy, gave to Elkin resident, Dave Sciano. In the spring of 2019, Mary, who now lives in Pfafftown, read about a young man in search of a transplant. She said, “A tugging in my heart drew me closer and closer to becoming a Living Donor. I once backed away for ten seconds but quickly regrouped when I realized I’d want a non-relative to step up and rescue a family member under similar circumstances. I contacted Colleen Sheehan at Wake Forest Baptist Health, its Living Donor Coordinator, and after completing all tests and counseling requirements, I knew I was embarking on a lifesaving and life-changing journey of turning my life and will over to the care of God.”
DaveScianoandMaryHunter
Nearly two years prior to Mary’s decision, Elkin resident and 21-year Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital Equipment Engineer Dave Sciano, was diagnosed with kidney failure. Eventually he began a daily regimen of work and homebound nine-hour dialysis. “It was a tolerable existence, but I was totally confined with no freedom or quality of life,” Dave said. He contacted Wake’s Donor Program to explore the transplant opportunity. Dave’s friends at the hospital got behind his efforts. Paige Flippin, a colleague, knew Mary and knew Dave was seeking a kidney match. Behind the scenes the wheels were turning. When their match was verified, Dave and Mary met for the first time – and became dear friends right away. In a matter of days, on December 17, 2019, the transplant surgery took place. Dave Sciano is enjoying his new life as the beneficiary of a living-donor kidney. He says, “Mary has given me a new lease 16 • SURRY LIVING June 2020 Issue
on life. The feeling is truly amazing, and I have a skip in my step and twinkle in my eye. God is a good God. Mary saved my life.” He also shared, “I get up every morning hoping to do my best to help others and be a good, honorable human being. In my prayers, I ask God to please keep me worthy and humble.” And Mary Hunter says, “What a blessing to be a donor. When I reflect on the opportunity I’m filled with great joy. Thanks to the Living Donor Team, the Wake Forest Baptist Health staff, our families and extended wellwishers, Dave and I are overwhelmed with thanksgiving. In giving, we receive.”
MaryHunter andhusbandHal
Last year, there were more than 20,000 kidney transplants nationwide, and of the 112,000 persons on the organ transplant list, 95,000 need a kidney today. Half of all donations come from living donors. Healthy donors have two kidneys that are producing at less than optimum levels. After the transplant, both kidneys perform at a higher level. Pre-op testing and evaluations include extensive blood matching, EKG stress test, and imaging exams. Hospitalization is two to three days, and recovery is usually six weeks. Colleen Sheehan, Living Donor Coordinator sat Wake Forest Baptist Health shares, “Our Living Donor Program enjoys a nationwide reputation for excellence. We never compromise donor safety. Should a donor face complications, he or she goes to the top of the list as a safety net to ensure timely care. Our donor process is selective … only one in ten candidates is chosen to participate. Donors are never pressured into making decisions under duress.” Sheehan concludes, “Wait times are more than four years, and many die on the wait list. Growing our Living Donor base is the only way to overcome this dilemma. Living Donors don’t just save lives of recipients, they save the life of the next person on the deceased donor list by making the list much shorter.” For more information, contact Colleen Sheehan at 336-713-5675 or csheeha@wakehealth.edu.
Dr. George B. Newsome, Urology Specialist,
Choose Well. Choose Northern.
Joins Northern Regional Hospital Mount Airy, NC – George B. (“Wynn”) Newsome, MD, a board-certified urology specialist, has joined the growing medical staff of Northern Regional Hospital, effective March 9, 2020. Dr. Newsome served previously as a practicing urologist at Novant Health Urology, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. “We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Newsome to our specialty physician staff,” said Chris A. Lumsden, President and Chief Executive Officer of Northern Regional Hospital, in announcing the appointment. “Dr. Newsome’s advanced clinical knowledge of urological conditions, his extensive experience in diagnosing and treating patients effectively, and his enthusiastic approach to community-based care make him a valuable addition to our hospital’s team of clinical specialists.” For Dr. Newsome, moving to the dedicated Northern Urology outpatient office in Mount Airy is a bit like a homecoming – since he is already familiar with his two physician colleagues at that practice site (urologists Dr. John Davis and Dr. David Werle) as well as many other Northern Regional Hospital physicians. “I am excited to re-acquaint myself with several familiar faces at Northern, and also meet and interact with many new individuals – to include patients and professional colleagues,” said Dr. Newsome. During a recent visit to Northern Regional, he said he was very impressed with its state-of-the-art technologies and facility. “I was also positively influenced by the collective energy and commitment of the physicians and staff who provide nationally-recognized quality care to patients,” he added. As part of Northern’s Urology Department, Dr. Newsome will treat patients who present with all forms of minor or major general urologic problems – including stone diseases (affecting the kidneys, bladder, and/or urethra), voiding problems, urinary tract infections, incontinence issues, sexual problems, enlarged prostate, and cancers of the prostate, bladder and kidneys. Dr. Newsome says his initial interest in urology was largely due to the “hybrid” nature of the specialty – in that it’s part surgery, part medicine – which permits him to apply immediate procedural “fixes” to some problems and then continue to see his patients on a regular basis. Dr. Newsome believes his patients appreciate his “old school” one-on-one approach to This is a paid advertorial for Northern Regional Hospital, Mount Airy, NC.
care – which enables him to spend a sufficient amount of time to get to know them, their family, and their unique medical issues. “My patients know that I’ll take the time needed so that I don’t have to review their medical chart to know who they are and My patients know why they’re coming to see me,” that I’ll take the he says. “When I enter an exam time needed so room, I look at and listen to my that I don’t have patient – not just stare at a bright to review their computer screen.” medical chart to Outside the exam room, though, know who they are Dr. Newsome eagerly embraces and why they’re today’s advanced technologies coming to see me” such as enhanced imaging modalities that improve patient care. “Today’s ultra-sophisticated diagnostic modalities – such as Northern Regional Hospital’s new, state-of-the-art MRI system – enhance a physician’s ability to render a detailed diagnosis and develop a treatment plan that will work best for each patient,” he says. Dr. Newsome’s interest in becoming a physician was ignited early on by his father, a general internist/cardiologist who practiced in Winston-Salem for more than 30 years. Following in his father’s footsteps, the young Newsome enrolled in Wake Forest University School of Medicine to launch his educational journey to become a physician. After earning his medical degree in 1989, he went on to complete his general surgery and urology residency programs at Shands Hospital / Veterans Administration Medical Center in Gainesville, Florida. When not helping patients, Dr. Newsome enjoys spending time with his family – which includes his wife Jody, a medical assistant; their blended four daughters; and Cooper, the much-spoiled family pet. “Cooper, my male dog companion and confidante, helps me counter all the estrogen in the house!” jokes Dr. Newsome. An avid golfer since medical school, Dr. Newsome also likes to play the sport competitively. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Wynn Newsome, call 336-786-5144 or visit the Northern Urology outpatient office at 423 S. South Street, in Mount Airy, NC.
For more information visit www.choosenorthern.org
out & about by Gin Denton
Local Musicians Following Their Dream
A friend gave me valuable advice: if you want to meet musicians, go to open mic. The open mic format is just that. It’s open and welcomes all performers from musicians to comedians ranging from amateur to professional status. Celebrating diversity, giving all a fair chance, and accepting varying genres of performance is the heart of open mic at the Reeves Theater in Elkin. It was there on a Tuesday night awhile back that I first heard a group of acoustic musicians, Jordan O’Neal, Joshua Stevens, and Zach Forrest—playing under the name Jordan & Josh. Their vocals were mesmerizing – presented with clarity and great intent – accompanied by acoustic guitar and cajon. Jordan and Josh team to write most of their music, and several of the songs I’d heard were their originals. After their performance, I introduced myself and discovered these musicians, along with a fourth, Caleb Pozo, are also part of a progressive rock band, Pushbutton Apocalypse. Now, progressive rock (progrock) music may not be the music regularly performed in this area known for more traditional music – but it is definitely part of the Surry scene, although most of these groups play out of town venues. In fact, when Pushbutton Apocalypse is plugged in, they play in larger cities like Greensboro, NC, or Wytheville, VA.
I’ve enjoyed getting to know them. The band members are from Surry County, except for Josh who’s from Stokes County. However, he attended East Surry High School. The others went to Surry Central High. Jordan & Josh have played several times at Reeves open mic, and we’ve chatted each time. When they told me about the music Pushbutton Apocalypse has been recording, I was happy for them to be following their dream. It is no easy feat to produce music. I know this, I’ve been a part of production. It is time consuming, you must love your art, or you wouldn’t spend your precious time doing it. Especially if you have jobs outside of the band. Jordan has a day job as an electronics technician, Caleb works construction, Zach is a vet tech, and Josh works retail. As far as the future goes, they are setting small goals that progressively get bigger. Currently, their focus is building an audience and getting their music out there. They practice often to make sure they make the best music possible for their fans to listen to! I encourage you to support our local musicians by looking for them in Surry County at Open Mic or seek their music online. You can find recordings of this music on social media platforms Facebook-Facebook.com/pbanc123, Instagram-@ pushbuttonapocalypse, and Twitter-@PushbuttonApoc1 Happy Trails!
lifestyle photography
GIN DENTON
Continued on page 18 Jordan and Josh at Open Mic. Reeves Theater. Oct 2019
The band describes themselves as old school, heavy metal – like Metallica and Iron Maiden – meets modern metal/ alternative – like Trivium and Alter Bridge. Jordan plays guitar and vocals, Zach plays guitar and backing vocals, Caleb plays bass and backing vocals, while drummer Josh also provides vocals. Pushbutton Apocalypse focuses on their original songs, but they do throw in a few covers along the way. A couple of their originals, written by Jordan and Josh, are War Room and Something in My Way, which you may see as releases soon! 18 • SURRY LIVING June 2020 Issue
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SHOOT FOR THE STARS, SHOOT FOR THE STARS,
GRADUATES GRADUATES WE CONGRATULATE YOU ON YOUR WE CONGRATULATE YOU ON YOUR STELLAR ACHIEVEMENTS STELLAR ACHIEVEMENTS
Surry Communications wishes the best to all of the graduates in our community — whether graduating from preschool, elementary school, middleinschool, high school, Surry Communications wishes the best to all of the graduates our community — or college. No matterfrom where you are elementary in your educational journey,school, movinghigh forward is whether graduating preschool, school, middle school, cause for celebration. or college. No matter where you are in your educational journey, moving forward is cause for celebration. We also applaud the contributions of your parents, other family members, and
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teachers. You are the shining brightly today because of their of you in the We also applaud contributions of your parents, othersupport family members, andpast. teachers. You are shining brightly today because of their support of you in the past.
simply delicious CREAMY BANANA PUDDING Servings: Approximately 10-15 Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 6-8 hours
with Rynn Hennings
B
www.thehouseofelynryn.com
arbecue is one of the things Southerners disagree over – a lot. You have to be careful crossing state lines and announcing that the barbecue is better back home. Sometimes you even have to be careful crossing county lines! Most barbecue connoisseurs have an opinion on the type of sauce that is best, whether you should use a Boston butt or shoulder, and whether you're supposed to pull or chop your pork. Whatever you prefer, this recipe will yield lean, fall-off-thebone tender pork. It is surprisingly easy to make and is a good combination with the banana pudding recipe. BOSTON BUTT BARBECUE Servings: Approximately 10-15 Prep Time: 20 minutes / Cook Time: 6-8 hours
Ingredients for Banana Pudding • 1 ½ cups cold milk • 7 ounces sweetened condensed milk (half a can) • (1) 3.4-ounce box vanilla instant pudding • 2-3 tablespoons lemon juice • 4-5 large bananas, sliced into circles • 8 ounces Cool Whip • 1 box vanilla wafers Directions for Banana Pudding 1. In a large bowl, mix the cold milk and condensed milk together until well combined. Add the pudding and stir until mixed well. Chill for 5 minutes so the pudding will thicken. 2. In a medium bowl, add 2-3 tablespoons of lemon juice. Add the cut bananas and gently stir to coat them with lemon juice. Add more lemon juice if necessary to thoroughly coat the bananas. This will keep them from turning brown. Drain off any excess lemon juice. 3. Into the thickened pudding mixture, fold in the Cool Whip. Then in six dessert bowls, layer with pudding, then bananas, and then a layer of cookies. Repeat until all the pudding mixture is used, ending with a pudding layer. Garnish with extra cookies.
Ingredients for Pork Butt • (1) 8-10 pound Boston Butt • Salt • Pepper • Aluminum Foil • Charcoal grill • Slow Cooker Directions for Pork Butt 1. Preheat a charcoal grill to 400 degrees F. Use a tin pan under the grill grate to catch any grease. 2. Cut any excess fat off the Boston butt. Then generously salt and pepper all sides. Using a convector plate for indirect heat, place the pork butt on the grill (fatty side up so grease will baste the pork) and cook with the lid on for 1 hour. Then reduce the temperature to 300 degrees F and continue cooking for 2-3 hours or until a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part registers 165 degrees F. 3. At 165 degrees, remove the pork butt from the grill. In a slow cooker, place a fitted rack or balled up sheet of aluminum foil in the bottom of the crock. Place the pork butt on top of the rack (or aluminum foil) and cover it with the lid. The grid or foil will elevate the pork butt so it will not sit in any grease cooking out of it. 4. Cook on high for 3-4 hours until the pork is fall-offthe-bone tender and the lean pork easily pulls away from any leftover fat. 5. Remove from the slow cooker and pull off all the meat, discarding any fat. Chop if desired and serve with barbecue sauce. 20 • SURRY LIVING June 2020 Issue
Savory Tips There is a simple trick for quickly making barbecue sauce. Take a store-bought, thick sweet sauce and a thin vinegar-based sauce and mix them together in equal parts. For example, mix 1 cup of thick sauce with 1 cup of vinegar-based sauce. Stir and serve. This Boston butt can also be cooked entirely in the slow cooker if using a rack or the aluminum foil method. Cook for 2 hours on high and then approximately 8-9 hours on low. It is done when a fork easily pulls the meat. It should be extremely tender. Always check the meat 2-3 hours before the end time to make sure it isn't overcooking and drying out. For additional information and photos, go to Houseofelynryn.com
simply delicious
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simply delicious FOR A QUICK SUMMER TREAT, TRY A BANANA SHAKE Ingredients • 2 bananas, sliced and frozen • 1 Tbsp. cocoa powder • 2- 2 1/2 cups of low-fat milk • 3 tsp. honey
Ready for some family fun? Vacations don’t have to involve driving long distances or spending lots of money. Themed home vacations are lots of fun. Decide on a theme based on a movie, book, or game, and plan coordinating food and activities. For example: watch a mystery movie, play a game of Clue, or go on a scavenger hunt. Scavenger hunts can be even more fun with the final clue ending at a restaurant (for takeout if needed) you have been wanting to try. Provide a few mystery snacks hidden in brown paper lunch bags to hold your hungry “detectives” over as the hunt progresses. The detectives will have to identify the snacks by touch or smell without looking in the bags. Food is often a memorable part of vacations. When grocery shopping for your home vacation, choose some food items that you associate with special trips or memories. With some of the money you are saving by staying home, you may be able to splurge on a new piece of kitchen equipment you can continue to enjoy when your home vacation is over. Tired of the scenery at home? Use money saved to turn your house into a resort. Purchase new towels, bed linens, or a themed tablecloth to give your space a new look. Remove the clutter from your bathroom vanity and set out small travel size bottles of lotion and shampoo. Take time to pamper yourself with spa like treatments. Give your children the option of room-service for breakfast. Let them design a room service menu and mark their selections before they go to bed. Turn down their sheets and put a piece of chocolate on their pillow for an extra treat. For the outdoor lovers, camp in the backyard. Growing up, we camped on our deck and in the driveway (until the bugs got so bad that we escaped back inside). The planning was as much fun as the campout. No camping equipment, no problem. One year we had big cardboard boxes that we decorated and put together to form a great clubhouse. Many times, we made tents out of blankets draped over folding tables or tied between chairs. Stories are a wonderful part of vacations. Preserve your memories with photos, journals, or scrapbooks. Make your own postcard using a picture or an original piece of art to send to family and friends to tell them about your fun. Just spending quality time with your family and friends makes memories. A simple picnic on a blanket in the yard or on the living room floor can turn that ordinary day into a special occasion.
Directions Add all ingredients to a blender container. Blend until smooth. Serve immediately. Makes 2 servings. Note: Can use a pack of instant hot chocolate mix in place of the cocoa and honey. A spoonful of peanut butter added to the blender makes it even more delicious.
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June is the month that we celebrate dads. What better time is there for men to get their health screenings scheduled? Even healthy men need to get health screenings for preventive care. If you are a man with Medicare coverage, now is the time to talk with your doctor about getting screened for prostate cancer, colorectal cancer and cardiovascular disease. Medicare covers prostate screenings once every 12 months for men over 50 and the colorectal screening tests every 120 months, unless at high risk. Cardiovascular screenings can detect conditions that could lead to heart attack or stroke and are covered by Medicare once every five years.
Ask a SHIIP counselor for more information. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: NC COOPERATIVE EXT, SURRY CO @ 336-401-8025
23 • SURRY LIVING June 2020 Issue
all the rest Find out how a harmless prank entangles two * * * college kids with a serial killer in the next “Thanks for the gourmet meal,” Amy said to Hunter the next evening. They installment of A DEEPER CUT, stood in Hunter’s yard, the reporters thankfully gone for the moment. a novel of suspense and forgiveness by Mt. Hunter had cooked a roast for supper and invited Amy over. Airy author Sheri Wren Haymore. “Hey, it doesn’t quite measure up after all you’ve done, but it’s the best I Hunter paced his apartment, could come up with.” It was a mellow evening, the air calm. That marshy restless. He looked out the odor—mud and shellfish—peculiar to Beaufort, surrounded them, window. Even this late at night, comfortably homey to a native. Overhead, a mockingbird showed off his a news crew was camped out calls from the old magnolia tree. on the sidewalk, waiting for him. He couldn’t walk from “You and Mom will have to give me cooking lessons after I graduate,” Amy Granny Jen’s door to his own without being stormed by said. questions: What did he know about Rob Kittrell? Had he “Where are you planning to live?” asked Hunter. He noticed the way her seen his father? How did he find Doug Sanders’ body? Why did the SBI hair glinted happily in the glow of the sunset and smiled. Amy almost question him today? So far, Hunter had ignored the reporters. always made him smile. The gun in his closet haunted him. He thought about walking to the end “I don’t know. It kind of scares me to think about it. And I’ve only got one of his dock and hurling the gun into the water just to see who jumped in more year to decide.” after it. But Hunter wasn’t about to lose that gun, and he figured Grayson “Lucky you. I’ve still got my two hardest years ahead, plus an internship. knew it. The gun could hang him; Hunter and Grayson both knew that. If For a guy who likes to take the easy way out, I sure managed to pick about it came down to having no other way out, however, the gun and any other fingerprints on it could be the only thing that would save his hide. The gun the hardest career to get into.” could be bane or insurance, and Hunter wasn’t giving it up. “Hey, it’ll be worth it,” she said. Right this minute, with everything in his life going against him, Hunter’s “Yeah, but you know, I think I wanted to fail. I wanted something so hard most annoying worry was his mother. His family usually came down to see that I knew I’d never finish it, and I could just drop out and say, ‘See? I him for his birthday, but after talking with his mother today, Hunter had couldn’t cut it. I’ll never be worth anything, so just leave me alone.’” a feeling she wouldn’t wait two more weeks. He wasn’t sure he could deal “And now?” with a visit from his mother right now, especially if she came without his “So much has gone down this summer, I’ve decided, by damn, I’m gonna two half-sisters along as a buffer. do it.” He thought about his mother now, sweet and nurturing with her daughters, “Shh.” forever hauling them to soccer practice and swim meets. Her face could change from smiling to tense the minute he walked into the room. One “I’m gonna do it, and it won’t be to please my dead uncle or my mom or conversation in particular came to mind, the only time she ever mentioned my step-dad or even Granny Jen. It’s because I want to be an architect, and his father to him. I’ll be a damn good one. And don’t shush me, Miss Perfect.” “Hunter, drive Janie to soccer practice for me, please,” she had asked. She grinned at him. “You’ll miss me and Granny Jen trying to make a good boy out of you after this summer.” And then she sighed as it hit her that “Why?” he asked. Hunter had just turned sixteen and had a new driver’s this would be their last summer together. license and wheels to go with it. “Because I have a meeting, your dad’s out of town, and Janie’s going to be Hunter sighed and hooked his left thumb in his belt loop. He knew it was their last summer, too. Furtively, he reached behind him and fumbled with late,” his mother answered. the water faucet. A metallic squeak alerted her to what he was doing. “She doesn’t need to practice, he’s not my dad, and I have a date,” Hunter “Oh, no, Mister. You’re not getting me wet. Not in this shirt.” countered. “What are you going to do about it?” He pulled a garden hose from behind “Hunter!” She drew in a breath, controlling her anger. Hunter his back and aimed the spray at her feet, splattering her legs. “C’mon, remembered staring her down, daring her to make him obey. She let her chicken. You’ve wanted a rematch since we were little kids.” He splattered breath out slowly and said in a distinct voice, “You’re right. He’s not your her again. dad. And do you know what? It’s a shame he’s not, because you could stand to be more like Patrick and a whole lot less like your father.” “This is a brand-new shirt, Hunter,” she laughed. “Yeah? Tell me. Tell me how I’m like my father,” Hunter demanded. “So? Take it off.” He clucked chicken calls behind her as she ran across the yard toward the other hose, water raining all around her. “Try cocky, arrogant, and rude on for size,” she answered. She grabbed the other hose and disappeared around the corner of the “What the hell did you marry him for if he was so bad?” house. She slammed her hand on the kitchen counter. “I will not have that “What are you doing?” he called. language in this house. Forget your date. You are grounded.” “Taking my shirt off.” His jaw and the hose dropped at the same time, and “Yeah, right.” He had walked out of the house, knowing he would be she jumped into sight, water full-blast in his face, shirt still on. grounded even longer when he came back, and not caring. “Cheat, cheat!” he called, diving for his hose. Remembering this now, Hunter dreaded her visit. A fight was inevitable every time they were together. He didn’t know how to change; he just “You kids don’t need to be wasting water,” called Winnie from the porch. wished he didn’t care so much. 24 • SURRY LIVING June 2020 Issue
all the rest “Just be glad they aren’t naked,” chuckled Granny Jen. “Well, I should hope not, Mother.” “Hunter, you soaked my shirt!” Amy yelled. “Then take it off, cry-baby.” Amy responded with a blast to his crotch. “Oh, that does it. You’re dead now, Girl.” Within seconds, they were both drenched, hair streaming water, laughter bouncing through the neighborhood. A blast from a car horn ended it. “Uh-oh. We’re busted!” A woman stepped out of a new Toyota Camry, her hair pulled back with a clasp, tall, classic good looks. She had Hunter’s nicely defined lips and strong jaw. “Hi, Mom.” Hunter let the hose droop from his hand, water dripping. “Is this what you do all summer?” asked Karen Baker Kittrell Barton. “I wish.” Hunter rolled up the hose. “You’re a little early for my birthday. Where is everybody?” “The girls are tied up with swim meets so your dad stayed with them. I couldn’t wait another two weeks, Hunter. I had to know that you were all right.” Mother and son spoke carefully, putting off the inevitable fight. “Hi, Amy,” Karen finally said. “Hello, Mrs. Barton,” said Amy. “We’ve been waiting for a referee. Which of us would you say won?” “From the looks of things, I’d say you both lost.” “That bad, huh?” Amy asked with a laugh. She put away her hose. “Thanks for supper, Hunter. Good to see you, Mrs. Barton. ‘Bye, Granny Jen, Aunt Winnie.” She took off at a soggy trot up the street, Hunter clucking chicken calls to her back. “What was that all about?” asked Karen. “Oh, just a joke. I wish the girls could have come. I miss their little noisy selves.” “You haven’t called your sisters in two months. You must not miss them too badly. And you haven’t asked about your dad.” “How is Patrick?” Hunter said, carefully refusing to call him “Dad.” “Working too hard. Disappointed in your grades.” “They’re good enough. What’s it to him?” Hunter’s voice was heating up. “He wants you to succeed. He’s done all he can do, given you every opportunity, helped you get that scholarship.” “Well, you know what? I don’t care what he wants anymore. It’s what I want that matters.” “And what do you want, Hunter?” Her voice was carefully patient. “Never mind. You wouldn’t understand. I’m going to change clothes.” Hunter walked away. Karen walked over and sat on Granny Jen’s stoop before her former mother-in-law could invite her inside. “Hello, Mrs. Kittrell,” she said formally through the screen. “Hi, Karen. You’re looking great.” “I feel great until I get around my son. And did he not get my messages last week? I left several asking him to call me.” “I’ve been in the hospital.” “Oh, I’m so sorry.” She gestured with her long, attractive hands, palms up,
bracelets dangling. “There I go again, blaming you for my problems with Hunter.” “You don’t really have any problems with Hunter, Karen,” Granny Jen said gently. “Oh, you just don’t know. But how are you? You look well.” “I feel pretty good these days. My old heart wants to give up, but I’m not going to let it just yet.” “You always were a fighter.” “Yes, and I’m not giving up on Hunter, and neither should you.” “Trust me; I’m not.” “But you need to step back a little, Karen, and see him for who he’s turning into.” “Every time I step back I seem to lose a little more of him,” Karen said quietly. “I know how that feels, and I know how it hurts. But the more you tell him you expect him to fail, the more you make him want to fail to spite you. Just step back. I think you’ll be pleased with the Hunter you see.” Only Granny Jen could get away with this conversation, and she knew it. Age had its advantages. Hunter came down his steps, dressed in a dry shirt and shorts. “Do you want some roast beef?” he asked lightly. “I’m chief chef around here now.” “You’re kidding,” said Karen. “No, he’s really a good cook,” put in Winnie. “Well, sure, I’ll try some. And I want to hear about how you wound up in the middle of a murder investigation.” Her voice was careful again. Hunter held the screen door open for her and followed her onto the porch. “It’s a big mess, Mom. Trust me. You don’t want to hear it.” “Yes, I do, Hunter. How did you manage to find . . .” A look from Granny Jen stopped her. Karen took a seat on the porch with Granny Jen and Winnie. “I’ve been very worried. I’d really like to know what’s going on.” “What if I tell you some day when I get it all behind me? I’m handling it, Mom.” Hunter walked inside and came back out carrying a plate. “Here you go, roast beast,” he said, using a boyhood expression. Karen smiled as she took the plate from him. One taste and she said, “Whoo! Cayenne.” “Too much?” “Maybe just a pinch. Try a little bottled smoke flavor and a little less cayenne.” “Thanks. I didn’t think I quite had it perfected.” After a minute, Karen asked, “What happened to the blonde?” “Her name is Miki.” Hunter’s voice had a deliberate edge. “Okay; Miki. Where is she? I thought she was here for the summer.” “I lost her.” His shrug was careless. “You lost her.” Karen’s voice was flat. “This cavalier attitude toward your girlfriends is a pattern . . .” “You didn’t even like her, Mom.” His voice rose with impatience. “I’m just saying . . .” She stopped. “I apologize. I’m sure it hurts.” Hunter glanced at Granny Jen, who smiled at him and nodded encouragingly. “So what else have you been up to this summer?” Karen asked. SURRY LIVING June 2020 Issue • 25
all the rest “Just workin’.” He shrugged. “Fishin’ a little.” Karen looked at him expectantly. He slouched in his chair, careless smile, not quite meeting her eyes. “Hunter, for Heaven’s sake, tell her what you’ve been doing.” Winnie sounded exasperated. Hunter straightened a little but didn’t volunteer any information. Winnie put in, “He’s been doing some drawing. Really great, from what I saw.” “You snooped in my room?” “You didn’t bring your laundry down this morning, so I had to go up and get it. And no, I didn’t snoop,” said Winnie. “I just saw the drawings that were on your table.” “I’d like to see your work,” said Karen. Hunter refused to meet her eyes until Granny Jen gave his arm a little push. “How about when you get ready to leave, I take you up and show you?” he said to his mother. “I’d like that. So you’re trying to get rid of me?” “No. It’s just—you’re usually on your way to Grandma Baker’s when you stop by.” “You’re right; I am. I was trying to tease you.” “Uh, so, how was your trip to the Caribbean last month?” “Great. You should have come. You were invited, you know.” “But not Miki.” “It was a family trip, Hunter.” “Never mind. I’m glad I was here anyway.” He put an arm across his grandmother’s shoulders. “I’ve brought a lot of grief on Granny Jen, but some of what’s gone down would have happened anyway. I needed to be here for her.” He cleared his throat. “Tell me what all I missed out on. Did the girls enjoy snorkeling?” They talked until dark, mother and son stepping carefully around a minefield of old hurts, old traps. After years of pushing each other’s buttons, it seemed important, suddenly, not to. She had brought cake for his birthday and money enough to buy tires for his Jeep and jeans for himself. From his sisters, there were scented candles, a new CD, and a huge conch shell from the Caribbean. Hunter was impressed. “It’s getting late,” Karen finally said. “I need to get on down to Mama’s. Show me those drawings, and I’ll let you look at our vacation pictures.” Hunter led the way up the steps to his apartment, dreading being alone with her without the buffer of Granny Jen and Winnie. “Wow!” exclaimed Karen. “I love this place. When did your grandmother do all this?” “I did it,” said Hunter, a little proudly. “Well, me and Amy.” “And these are your drawings?” “Uh-huh.” She put on her glasses and examined them closely, not speaking. Hunter could hardly look at the photo album for watching her. Finally, she took the glasses off. “This is most impressive, Hunter.” “I’ve got a lot to learn.” “But the hours and hours you’ve put into this! I had no idea of the real talent you have. I’m very proud of you. Your dad will be, too.” 26 • SURRY LIVING June 2020 Issue
“Aw, Mom. We almost had a moment. You just had to drag him into it.” She shook her head, avoiding the fight. “There is a pattern to your work. I didn’t realize you had settled on a specialty.” He stood behind her and looked at the drawings with her. “Historic renovation is what interests me, I guess,” he said. “Remodeling old homes to keep as much of the original materials as possible and maintain the flavor of the neighborhood. And give the property owner whatever modern conveniences are important to him.” She looked at him in admiration as he spoke. “I noticed this whole set is of the garage and apartment,” she said, indicating one of the many folders. “Is your grandmother planning on doing something with this place?” “She already has.” She looked up. “It belongs to me now.” She didn’t speak. “Now what’s wrong?” he asked. “I’ve always been afraid I’d lose you to this place.” “I thought you’d be happy for me.” “Your dad and I thought—well we hoped—you might intern in Raleigh, maybe join one of the big firms there.” Hunter moved away from her and sat on the back of his sofa, his long legs straddling the sofa back, one foot up on the cushioned arm. “I’ll have to get established somewhere, get licensed. Charlotte’s a possibility, and so is Raleigh. But Beaufort is in my blood. Someday I want to live here.” She sighed and looked around. The dining chest caught her eye. “This piece is still here. Your Uncle Donald showed it to me once. It meant a lot to him because it’s signed and dated. Come to think of it, the signature under the drawer is the reason I named you ‘Hunter.’” “Because you were in love with Donald?” She stared hard at him. “Whatever made you say a thing like that?” “He told me he wanted to marry you.” She looked the cabinet over, lips tight. “I never really even dated Donald. My parents wouldn’t let me.” Her voice shook a little. “I was only nineteen, and he was twenty-six. I was only allowed to see Donald where there was a crowd around. But, oh, they would let me date his brother.” She spat out the word with venom and regret. Hunter didn’t speak, stunned. There was a strained silence, and Karen turned and faced her son. “Hunter, look at me,” she said. He was slouched across the back of his sofa, a study of indifference. When he met her eyes, she held his gaze. “I regret marrying Rob Kittrell, but I have never regretted having you. You were worth it.” He smiled a slow, easy smile, and lifted his chin. “You know what? I already know that. Granny Jen told me.” Sheri Wren Haymore lives near Mt. Airy with her husband, Clyde, and has been scribbling her entire life. A DEEPER CUT is her second novel. To read the next installment in the book, pick up the latest issue of Surry Living Magazine. You can find A DEEPER CUT at Pages in Mt. Airy, Chapters in Galax or at your favorite online bookseller.
all the rest
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1000 Ridgecrest Lane I Mt. Airy, NC 27030 (336) 443-6953 I Ridge-Crest.com