OCTOBER 2020
A lifestyle magazine highlighting Surry County and the surrounding area
The Joys Retirement FREE COPY
Built to work hard and spend smart.
Š Kubota Tractor Corporation, 2018
Advertiser Index a publication of vivid graphics SURRY LIVING MAGAZINE PO Box 6548 Mount Airy, NC 27030 surryliving.com • info@surryliving.com for editorial content submissions send to larry@surryliving.com
CREATIVE
LARRY VANHOOSE executive editor
TRINA VANHOOSE
VIE STALLINGS HERLOCKER associate editor
SALES
OLIVIA MCMILLAN
ADVERTISE WITH US:
• Reach more than 30,000 potential customers each month. • Complimentary monthly magazine distributed in hundreds of prime locations throughout Mount Airy, Elkin, Dobson, Pilot Mountain, Jonesville, Yadkinville, and the surrounding areas including grocery stores, restaurants, medical offices, hotels, gift shops, and more. • Current and previous issues available for viewing and download at www.surryliving.com/ • Business Spotlight and Advertorial articles available. • Enhance your business image with our high-quality, four-color, heavy-gloss publication. • 30 days of advertising per month gives potential customers the chance to see your ad multiple times. • Multiple-insertion–discounted rates available! Surry Living Magazine’s Monthly Editorial Calendar is available on request by contacting our Sales Department at sales@surryliving.com FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION AND RATES, CONTACT US TODAY at (336) 648-3555 or by email at sales@surryliving.com • surryliving.com
www.facebook.com/SurryLiving Surry Living reserves the right to deny any advertisement or listing. Submissions are welcome, but unsolicited materials are not guaranteed to be returned. Surry Living assumes no responsibility or liability for the information, services, products, claims, statements, accuracy, or intended or unintended results of any advertiser, editorial contributors, company, professional corporation, business or service provider herein this publication. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. 4 • SURRY LIVING Oct. 2020 Issue
Our advertisers make it possible to provide Surry Living FREE of charge. Please join us in thanking and supporting these outstanding merchants in our area:
Anderson Audiology, Page 15 Blue Mountain Herbs & Supplements, Page 12, 23 Charis Christian Books and Gifts, Page 23 Cook Insurance Group, Page 19 Countryside RV, Page 7 Farmers Mulch & Rock, Pages 23, 29 Farmhouse Spits & Spoons, Page 23 Friendly Heating & Cooling, Inc., Page 5 Gingerhorse Studio, Page 16 Hicks Water Stoves / Mechanical, Page 23 Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital, Pages 2, 14 Kristin Clickett, Health & Wellness Coach, Page 9 Lesia Cockerham, KellerWilliams Realty, Page 19 Main Street Market, Page 23 Mount Airy Equipment, Page 3 Mount Airy Museum of Regional History, Page 29 Mullins Pawn Shop & Jewelers, Pages 19, 23 NC Cooperative Extension, Page 21, 22 Northern Hospital of Surry County, Pages 17, 32 Plaza Del Sol Mexican Cuisine, Page 4 Ridgecrest Retirement, Pages 13, 31 RiverRun Intl. Film Festival, Page 27 Roy's Diamonds, Pages 18, 23 Royster & Royster Attorneys at Law, Page 7 Surry Communications, Page 24 The Derby, Page 12 The Nest & Hive, Page 8 The Vineyard Camp & Retreat Center, Page 10 WIFM Radio, Page 30 Yadkin Valley Quilts, Pages 21, 23
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 Gary York:
SIMPLY DELICIOUS p.20 * 20 The Sweet & Savory Life
Surry County Schools' Bus Driver of the Year
with Rynn Hennings: Whole Apple Dumplings
ALL THE REST p.25 25 A Deeper Cut: A Novel,
Continues 28 Area Event Schedules:
22 Carmen Long: Tricks &
Treats for a Happy Halloween
While limited in scope due to the current global Spring is pandemic, the best wetime do haveto some event schedule info which get your AC units ready includes theheat! Surry County for summer’s Farmers Markets
336-789-6453 11 This Little Light of Mine:
The Key to Your Life 12 Joanna Radford: Gardening
is Great for Retirees
Friendly Heating & Cooling, Inc.
Friendly Insulation, LLC.
SERVICE IS OUR BUSINESS!
Adding EFFICIENCY to Your Home
Fall is the best time to have your heat pump inspected and serviced. Don’t be left out in the cold – call us today!
Free Estimates for Existing Structures and New Construction
336-789-6453
336-648-8453
15 Sarah Southard, DVM:
Celebrate our Veterinary Technicians 16 Gin Denton: MAUI — A
Band for All Ages!
Friendly
SURRY LIVING Oct. 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 grandson, and they reside on a small farm just off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Grayson County, VA.
6 • SURRY LIVING Oct. 2020 Issue
CONTRIBUTORS contd.
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.
Monday – Friday, 9:00 – 5:00 Saturday, 9:00 – 2:00
North Carolina’s #1 Low-cost RV Dealer
NC’s Premier Park Model & RV Superstore! Surveyor Legend Models in stock!
Our Parts Store and Service Center is OPEN all-year!
Surveyor Luxury Models in stock!
2048 Hinshaw Road • Yadkinville, NC
336-468-6774
Find us on FACEBOOK
To view all inventory including new & preowned travel trailers & pop-ups, visit www.countrysidervcenter.com SURRY LIVING Oct. 2020 Issue • 7
home, farm, & garden
Giving God Something to Bless – At Any Age I’m at a disadvantage when it comes to knowing a lot about retirement. I’ve heard all about it, but I can’t talk about it from a personal level. I know what they say about relaxing and enjoying your time. I know you can travel and call your own shots. I don’t think all of that applied to my family though. I don’t know of a soul in my family who actually retired and lived a life of leisure like AARP depicts in their ads. Now that’s not to say they all kept going full steam ahead for years on end. Some of them had to slow down a little now and then. When I think about the elders in my family in their later years, one of my pa’s older sisters – my great aunt Esther – comes to mind. She passed away at age103. Although in her last couple of years she was forced to take it easy, up until then she was a go-getter. When her family stopped growing a crop of tobacco every summer, she still carried a hoe around chopping every weed in sight. That is the ones she didn’t stoop over to pull up with her hands. That woman hated weeds and loved to pull them up. She was busy year ’round doing something. She also liked to straighten up the woodpile. I remember one time driving up to visit when she was in her late nineties. There she was throwing gravel back in the dirt road that the rain had washed down into the side ditch. Great Aunt Esther and all her brothers and sisters were taught that God would bless their efforts, and if you ain’t making any effort you can’t expect to be blessed. I can say with certainty they all had plenty of efforts to be blessed. Then there is my momma. She beats anything I’ve ever seen. In December this year, she will celebrate a birthday ending in a zero. She worked a public job until a little over two years ago when she had to stop. That only means stopped her public job. She assigns work to herself every day. To hear her tell it you would think her house was a disaster. But every time you walk in, it is as neat as a pin and decorated for whatever major holiday that is next on the calendar. I guess she irons every stitch she puts on and starches it too. She declares that everybody needs a purpose, and I reckon she has decided that if she isn’t punching a time clock in a factory, she will self-impose hard labor at home. A strong work ethic runs deep on both sides of my family and I thank them all for instilling it in me. I don’t know any of them that made an easy living. When I think of it, I never heard any talk about retiring. While I don’t pretend to hold a candle to them, I do find a lot of joy and fulfillment in continuing to think I have a purpose – and that I am giving God something to bless. So, as I said in the beginning, I really don’t know that much about retirement.
8 • SURRY LIVING Oct. 2020 Issue
FOUR (POTENTIALLY) LIFE CHANGING QUESTIONS
For You
1. What habits are keeping you from achieving your greatest health?
2. Did you know that our habits, both positive and negative, have an impact on our health and well-being? 3. Did you know that ALL of the following diseases are impacted by our habits? Diabetes • Cancer • COPD • Heart Disease • High Blood Pressure • High Cholesterol • Obesity • Stroke 4. Are you trying to create positive habits, like exercising and eating healthy, but find it difficult to maintain momentum?
I get it. I’ve been there. I’m here to tell you, there is a better way. I am Kristin Clickett CRNA, MSN, NBC-HWC. I’ve spent the last 20 years learning to implement diet and lifestyle habits that have transformed my own health and well-being. As an Advanced Practice Nurse and National Board Certified Integrative Health and Wellness Coach trained by Duke Integrative Medicine, I witness every day how habits create vital health or debilitating disease.
The road to lasting change is never easy, but it’s especially difficult when traveled alone. INTEGRATIVE HEALTH COACHING empowers you to make lasting health behavior changes, bridging the gap between medical recommendations — and your ability to successfully implement them into your busy life. Change doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a journey requiring patience, dedication, and most of all, support.
Together we can build a bridge that leads YOU to the personal health and vitality of your dreams. Take that first step now! Schedule your FREE DISCOVERY ASSESSMENT today! Call or Text 336-429-0874 or Email kristin@kristinclickett.com SURRY LIVING Oct. 2020 Issue • 9 • • • For more info, visit kristinclickett.com • • •
Camp & Retreat Center
Because Childhood Happens Only Once
Now offering significant local discounts to Surry, Stokes, and Forsyth County Residents The Vineyard is dedicated to teaching children and youth about God, His love for them, and Christ’s call to discipleship. Through our staff, we hope to demonstrate not only character and integrity, but also holy living and how to love one another— just as GOD loves us.
Featuring 40 sports and offering the lowest camper-to-staff ratio (3:2) of any sports camp in the world!
2021 camp registrations are filling up fast! To register, visit vineyardcamp.com/register Use Promo Code SLM2021 to get over 50% off!
home, farm, & garden
THE KEY TO YOUR LIFE
by Larry VanHoose
The thing is to understand myself, to see what God really wishes me to do: the thing is to find a truth which is true for me, to find the idea for which I can live and die. – Søren Kierkegaard Ahh, birthdays. Celebrated in our childhood, pursued in our teens, cherished as young adults, winced at in our middle age, and perhaps all of that and more in our latter years. The quicker than quick passage of time that we practically devour in our youth, becomes something we endearingly cling to near our end. I have a red t-shirt I picked up on a mission trip. “You will surely die,” it says boldly on the front (with no further explanation). For us that have been there, it’s a playful reminder of a common saying by Dr. Donald Gillette, the leader of Because We Care Ministries, a mission organization to the Central American countries of Nicaragua and Honduras. Don is heard saying almost daily, “You will surely die,” to some unsuspecting missionary – whether he catches them chewing their fingernails, wearing opentoed shoes, leaving food or drink uncovered, or a hundred other things they might not think twice of back home – but in the remote villages of a third world country, those seemingly innocent habits could literally get you dead. So, imagine the looks I get when I wear that red shirt out in public. One young lady who had just purchased the same shirt one year, wore it without thinking to the airport as we traveled back to the USA. After many shocked, even fearful looks from security personnel and others, we kindly asked her if she might change her shirt or wear something over it. As quirky and funny as that shirt is and the reminder to use care on the mission field, did you know that God himself said the same thing? It’s right there, in the Bible, the book of Genesis … The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:15-17 ESV) Well, the bad news is that the man (Adam) ate from the tree he wasn’t supposed to, and we are all suffering because of it. There is Good News though and as we contemplate our remaining days, perhaps we should consider the gift given to us of God’s own Son. As we choose from those paths that lie before us, let us go forward in triumph ...
A dear old friend used to greet me, each time our paths crossed, with a big grin and the determined statement, “I’m not dead yet!”
Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:16-17 NLT) A dear old friend used to greet me, each time our paths crossed, with a big grin and the determined statement, “I’m not dead yet!” I hope and pray that, as you are reading this, that you’re “not dead yet.” Look to God’s Word and find inspiration for the time you have left. Find, as it were, the key to your life. Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. (Deut. 30:19-20 NLT, emphasis mine)
SURRY LIVING Oct. 2020 Issue • 11
home, farm, & garden by Joanna Radford
Gardening is Great for Retirees The secret is out. Gardening has numerous health benefits for those of retirement age! Let’s face it. As we age, we often cannot do what we used to do. But gardening helps us to move more, and movement lubricates our joints, helps maintain or extend range of motion, and strengthens our mobility. Balance and coordination are also improved. Gardening involves bending, squatting, pulling, and stretching. And you can burn 200–400 calories per hour planting and pulling weeds! To minimize the risk of injury, increase blood circulation, and enhance muscle control, be sure to stretch before heading to the garden.
My favorite tool is my kneeler stool. It has a thick pad to cushion my knees when I am planting and weeding. It has hand grips that make standing back up easier. The kneeler can be flipped over and becomes a higher stool for sitting when tending to plants. Ergonomic pruners are the trick to pruning! Their comfortable handles and gears make cutting easier. Some of the models rotate as they cut, which reduces the strain on hand muscles. When selecting a pruner, get one that is the right size. Measure by closing the pruner and resting it in your hand. The handle should stick out about ½ inch below your little finger. The width can be evaluated by opening the pruners. One handle should fit in the crook of your thumb with your hand extended and the little finger should be ¼ inch beyond the other handle. If you cannot reach the opposite handle with your fingertips, your hand will not rest properly between cuts. Knowing how to prune correctly also eases the task of trimming and shaping plants. Hold the pruner hand so the wrist is in a straight position. This is going to be your strongest grip and you will use less exertion to make a cut. Try not to bend the wrist in a downward position because you will lose strength and you may develop tendinitis.
Gardening stimulates the mind. It helps relieve stress and provides an escape into a plant paradise. It also requires eye-hand coordination that keeps your brain and body in sync. Gardening decreases the risk of dementia. Gardeners are continuously thinking about what to plant, where to plant, and how to take care of the plants, which keeps the mind active and busy. A dose of sunshine while gardening is a good mood regulator and helps calcium absorption, bone health, and the immune system. Remember to use sunscreen and wear clothing to protect from overexposure to the rays though. Various tools and techniques are available to ease the work of gardening tasks for older gardeners. Raised beds are not new in the gardening arena but the adaptation of raising them to waist height decreases or eliminates the hard bending required in garden maintenance. Vertical gardening also decreases the bending. Many vegetables can be trellised as opposed to spreading low on the ground. This not only helps ease the strain on back muscles but helps prevent vegetable diseases and keeps vegetables clean.
Natural Products & Education
Other tips to ease the strain of gardening are to take breaks often, rotate tasks, and stay hydrated. For more information about finding ergonomic tools, modified equipment, or assistive technology, visit the National AgrAbility Toolbox at www.agrability.org/toolbox/.
“Celebrating 83 YEARS OF SERVICE in the Area!”
Herbs • SUPPLEMENTS • Essential Oils Homeopathy • NATURAL BODYCARE GROCERIES • Petcare • AND MORE
106 West Main Street PILOT MOUNTAIN, NC
(336) 368-5955 12 • SURRY LIVING Oct. 2020 Issue
STORE HOURS
Tuesday – Friday, 10:00 – 5 :00 Saturday, 10:00 – 4:00
Mail Order Available
www.thederbyrestaurant.com
1901 S. Main St • Mt. Airy • (336) 786-7082
home, farm, & garden
The Truth About Senior Living During COVID-19 With the COVID-19 outbreak, Americans have adopted social distancing, mask wearing, and selfquarantine protocols. These practices mitigate the risk of catching or spreading COVID-19 and keep vulnerable populations, like seniors, protected from unnecessary exposure. For a quarter of seniors over age 65, isolation and loneliness are common, especially for those who live by themselves. However, for residents of RidgeCrest retirement community in Mt. Airy, communal living has provided them with a safe social life, freshly prepared meals, compassionate care, and peace of mind for their families. “The safety of our Members is our top priority,” said Wendy Guy, executive director of RidgeCrest. “We’ve continued to provide all of the care, services, programming, and family time that our Members are used to, but in a new way.” RidgeCrest has remained vigilant in safety measures and has adapted the inner workings of their community for peace of mind. Team members and thoroughly vetted visitors abide by rigorous health and safety standards. These include disinfecting surfaces throughout the day, daily staff and resident checks, social distancing, as well as full transparency and updates from the community’s leadership team. “People need people and we need those connections, now more than ever,” says Jennifer Johnson, RidgeCrest’s social director. “Having a schedule of activities and events gives our Members the opportunity to step outside of their home and socialize in a safe setting.” Johnson provided activities for everyone to enjoy, including sunrise yoga, water rockets, flower art, and themed weeks like “Christmas in July,” with frozen hot chocolate, Grinchmas green smoothies, candy cane volleyball, and a Parade of Whimsy filled with holiday caroling! Having events like these in your own home decreases isolation and loneliness among seniors by giving Members the opportunity to interact with friends and neighbors each day. The community’s full-service dining team makes mealtime and grocery shopping easy. Menus are personalized for residents’ tastes and include starters, soups, salads, sides, casual eats, and rotating specials. Residents choose their meals – which are delivered freshly prepared to their home with no need to maneuver through crowded grocery store isles and checkout lines. However, if they’re craving their favorite snacks or want to prepare a meal at home, the dining department offers grocery delivery, with their requested items dropped off right at their doors. Times have changed at RidgeCrest, but their mission has not. Team members are caring professionals dedicated to quality services in a community where Members live longer, healthier, happier lives. The Weller Life. To learn more about RidgeCrest, call their Lifestyle Advisors at (336) 755-2995 or visit Ridge-Crest.com This is a paid advertorial for Ridgecrest, a premier retirement community in Mount Airy, NC
SURRY LIVING Oct. 2020 Issue • 13
home, farm, & garden by Sarah Southard, DVM
Celebrate our Veterinary Technicians
The third week of October every year has been designated as National Veterinary Technician Week by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (navta. net.) Many states, including North Carolina and Virginia, have also issued proclamations declaring the same. Veterinary technicians fill vital roles in all veterinary practices. Without quality technicians to depend on, veterinary clinics would never be able to provide the quality of care and service that we have come to expect. What exactly do veterinary technicians do? What does it take to become a veterinary technician? Why are they so important in the veterinary clinic and beyond?
And they provide immeasurable value in teaching and research settings, military service, food safety inspection roles, and animal control and humane society settings. While often used interchangeably, “veterinary assistant” and “veterinary technician” are not synonymous. Assistants and technicians each provide critical, but distinctly different, support to veterinarians and clinics as a whole. Veterinary assistants are trained on-the-job to assist veterinarians, technicians, and front office staff in many varied tasks throughout the veterinary hospital. Veterinary technicians are required to obtain initial training and education through an accredited 2- or 4-year college program which includes a minimum number of practicum hours. They must pass a credentialing exam and meet the requirements for their state’s licensing or registering veterinary medical board. Veterinary technicians are also required to complete a minimum number of continuing education requirements each year in order to maintain their registration or licensing with their state board. In many ways, technicians are unsung heroes in the veterinary clinic. Celebrate yours October 11–17 this year. Stop in with a hand-written card expressing your appreciation, deliver baked goods, snacks, lunch, or a bright bouquet of flowers to let them know how much you value their hard work, dedication, and genuine concern for your furry loved ones.
ANDERSON AUDIOLOGY Hearing Aid Sales & Service, Inc. Locally Owned and Operated Since 1963
Registered, licensed, or credentialed (terminology depends on the state) veterinary technicians perform many varied tasks in the veterinary hospital. They obtain patient case histories, perform basic exams and triage emergent patients, collect and analyze laboratory samples, prepare instruments and patients for surgical procedures, take radiographs, restrain animals, administer certain medications, fill prescriptions, educate owners regarding certain health problems, medications, and procedures, induce and monitor anesthesia, place intravenous catheters, perform dental prophylaxes, and administer physical therapy. Though long, varied, and impressive, this list is not all-inclusive. Technicians provide untold value to the clinic.
Hear Better
Live Better
Open Monday thru Friday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm 8052 Carrollton Pike, Galax, VA Four offices to serve you including Christiansburg, Dublin, and Wytheville
Tina M. Proffit Au.D.
Kecia Furrow H.I.S.
276-236-0778 • anderson-audiolog y.com SURRY LIVING Oct. 2020 Issue • 15
out & about by Gin Denton
MAUI — A BAND FOR ALL AGES!
Have you ever wanted to learn to play an instrument—but thought you were too old? It is never too late, and George Smith, instructor and conductor of the Mount Airy Ukulele Invasion (MAUI), shares that members of the MAUI classes have ranged in age from five to eighty-five! Several retiree-aged members say that learning to play the ukulele and playing in the jams help to keep their minds exercised.
MAUI is a family affair for me—George (who happens to be my husband) teaches, I add the creative touch, and our son, Dorian, hands out candy at the practices.
make a career of music. MAUI is a great starting place. I get to perform and sing on stages all over with audiences as big as 200 people and as small as 20 or 30 nursing home residents. I have gained a lot of self-confidence. I love George, Gin, and Dorian.” And from Yaya Penny: “MAUI has given my granddaughter, Lacy, and me a bond that I never thought could be achieved. I drove her to Mount Airy twice a week for almost three years for lessons while I sat on a couch and waited. I didn’t think I could ever play an instrument. Much to my surprise, with MAUI and George’s encouragement, I can (I’ll never play a solo.) and have been playing for almost two years. The best and most heartfelt bonding occurred when Lacy and I stood together with MAUI, on a stage, playing and head-banging to hard rock tunes as backup for the George Smith Band. We laughed all the way home; three generations apart and we can have that kind of fun together!" This ukulele orchestra began in 2013 with 17 players and averaged 50 in each class in 2019. Covid restrictions have pushed MAUI classes to online, so now aspiring to accomplished musicians can join in worldwide. Currently the eight-week classes cost $100, and scholarships may be available. Choose from three options a week for attending: Tuesday afternoons from 1:00-2:30, Tuesday evenings from 7:30-9:00, and Saturday mornings from 10:30-noon. You can find MAUI online at www.themusicofgeorgesmith.com or on Facebook.
Member Jody Crawford, who has been in the group since its inception, says, “Playing ukulele is fun because it is a very accessible instrument; it’s inexpensive, small enough to finger and strum easily, and has a happy sound because of the way it is tuned. But what makes it really fun? MAUI led by George Smith. George is always encouraging and positive. The MAUI group is comprised of all ages. George makes sure there is a role for everyone, whether beginner or advanced. shy or outgoing, young or old.” And member Candace Burchum adds, “We are a very diverse group of people of many ages, walks of life, and lifestyles. We all get along famously! The ability to have fun, enjoy each other’s company, and learn music is the trifecta of fun!”
lifestyle photography
GIN DENTON
MAUI often bridges the generation gap. I’ve seen some of the most awesome friendships form between the young and old. The beautiful thing is that you might see a younger member teaching an older adult student how to play—and vice versa. I’d like to share about one special relationship in the MAUI orchestra—that of teen Lacy Griffith and her grandmother Penny Moseley (called Yaya by Lacy.) Lacy shares, “My mom died unexpectedly with a brain aneurysm in 2014 and my Yaya is almost all the family I have. I started MAUI a year later and I haven't missed a session since, even through a pandemic. I have a family! I want to 16 • SURRY LIVING Oct. 2020 Issue
336-710-4506
gingerhorsestudio.com
Choose Well. Choose Northern. Choose Well. Choose Northern.
BRITTNEY PRESLAR, FNP-C, JOINS NORTHERN FAMILY MEDICINE
Brittney Preslar, certified Nurse Practitioner in Family Medicine, has joined the clinical care team of Northern Family Medicine – a department of Northern Regional Hospital. Preslar, a native of Mount Airy, is pleased to be taking care of patients in her hometown community. “I was born and raised in Mount Airy,” she says proudly, “and it’s always a pleasant ‘reunion’ when my patients know me because we grew up together or because they know my parents. If they’re friends with my parents, they usually tell me stories about myself when I was a little girl,” she laughs. As a Family Nurse Practitioner, Preslar is responsible for evaluating, diagnosing and treating patients with a wide variety of common and chronic physical ailments, including hypertension, high cholesterol, kidney stones, urinary tract infections, bronchitis, diabetes, and others. “I try to be holistic with my patients because I want to find the root of the problem and not just prescribe medications,” she says. “I carefully review their records to see where they’ve been clinically, where they are now, and where they want to be.” Preslar spends time educating her patients about their conditions, as well as recommending lifestyle alternatives to further improve their health. She says she also provides hugs, as needed – especially for those who may be experiencing bouts of anxiety or depression. According to mental health experts, the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to an increased incidence of mental health problems. Preslar is a member of the American Nurses Association; and holds certifications in a number of clinical areas including Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Stroke Life
Support (ASLS), and NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) international certification. These days, Preslar feels pleased and privileged to be giving back to her community. “I’m treating ‘my people’ because this is my community,” she says. When not helping her patients, Preslar enjoys spending time with her family, which includes her husband, Jason, a furniture salesman; and Finn, their energetic five-year-old son who, she says, “just started kindergarten … and loves it!” Her son also loves the newest additions to their family – cows! “My husband just got some cows,” she laughs, “and Finn enjoys being outside with them and his dad.” When not cow-gazing, father and son go on frequent fishing trips. All three come together, however, to dine out with family and friends – especially when the selected restaurant is 13 Bones, where Preslar spent time waitressing in between school semesters. Preslar is committed to participating in the American Cancer Society’s annual “Relay for Life” fundraising walk as a way to honor her mother, a cancer survivor, and all other cancer survivors. While this year’s local event may be suspended due to COVID-19, she is hopeful that the fundraising effort will be resumed as soon as safely possible. To schedule an appointment with Brittney Preslar, FNP-C, please call Northern Family Medicine at 336-786-4133. The practice is located at 280 North Pointe Boulevard, Mount Airy, North Carolina 27030, just inside the Northern Wellness and Fitness Center.
For more information visit www.choosenorthern.org
This is a paid advertorial for Northern Regional Hospital, Mount Airy, NC.
out & about SURRY COUNTY SCHOOLS' BUS DRIVER OF THE YEAR We are grateful to recognize Andrew Draughn as Surry County Schools’ 2020 Bus Driver of The Year. In 1980 he began a forty-year career with the Mount Airy City Schools' Child Nutrition Department and in 1989 became CDL-certified and began thirty-one blessed years as a respected school bus driver.
AndrewDraughn Draughn stated, “Being responsible for the safety of getting our children to and from school is a high calling. I’m proud of the opportunity to serve the system, community, families, and students, and working with the most dedicated team of colleagues is an immeasurable gift. My peers are welltrained professionals who exceed expectations and maintain high standards and protocol. We achieve to give parents peace of mind. My supervisor John Doss takes great pride in our performance and reputation, and starting and ending a safe day for our system is a blessing and sense of achievement.”
Mr. Doss stated, “Andrew is the epitome of dedication and reliability. He’s a tried and true hero who lets his life speak and is a selfless servant who lives to protect the lives of our precious youngsters.” After years of monumental success, Andrew will retire in December. For the past 56 years he has dedicated his weekends to serving God as Pastor at the Wabun Revival Center in Salem, Virginia. His late dad, Elliott, first took him there in 1964. Surry County Schools operates 104 buses (including Mount Airy’s 13) and delivers 4,300 students. Approximately 6,000 miles are traveled daily. All buses are equipped with cameras,
18 • SURRY LIVING Oct. 2020 Issue
AndrewDraughnandRebeccaSmith, BusHealthMonitor
GPS, and air conditioning; twenty-three are seat belt equipped; and their efficiency rating is 98.95%. Bus health monitors check passenger temperatures and ask Covidmandated safety questions. Entry level drivers are required to have 48 hours training and veteran drivers have annual continuing education hours. Drivers are subject to extensive background investigations prior to employment. For employment opportunities call Rodney B. Hardy, Director of Transportation at 336-386-8762. Public school bus drivers are dedicated kind souls. Wayne Edmonds drove at Copeland Elementary School and said, “Driving was the most wonderful experience of my life. I still get calls from my students. We are like family; the kids
out & about brought me great love and we had special bonds.” Petie Davis hired drivers for over thirty years at Dobson Elementary and said, “Great drivers set a good example and are like a second teacher each day. They are mentors and role models. Children who ride buses make lifelong friends and many see the same driver for twelve or more years. The driver may be a life changer, confidante, and mentor.” We praise and honor those who dedicate themselves to providing children the safest mode of transportation to and from school. Each student can expect a kind word and warm smile the first thing in the morning and a cordial goodbye and well wishes each evening. We close by honoring Surry’s Drivers of the Year: 2019-2020
Andrew Draughn Mount Airy City Schools
2018-2019
Paula Grey
North Surry High school
2017-2018
Robin Jones
Gentry Middle School
2016-2017
B.D. Reece
Elkin City Schools
2015-2016
Faye Draughn
Pilot Elementary
2014-2015
Karen Lewis
Franklin Elementary
2013-2014
Joyce Key
Copeland Elementary
2012-2013
Tim Burton
Dobson Elementary
2011-2012
Billy Dobbins
Dobson Elementary
2010-2011
Larry Wall (late)
East Surry High School
MULLINS PAWN SHOP & JEWELERS YES - WE ARE OPEN!
Adjusted Regular Store Hours: Mullins Pawn Shop & Jewelers Mon–Fri: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm 336-786-6417 • 336-789-7109 Saturday/Sunday: Closed 1911 Caudle Dr, Mount Airy, NC
This moment brought to you by…
MLS# 223451 - Offered at $369,000 2302 Barrett Rd, Ennice NC 28623 Beautiful view with 20 acres!
Call me for all of your real estate needs! Serving Surry, Wilkes, Yadkin, Alleghany and Ashe counties
Cook Insurance Group LLC your local Erie Insurance Agent. Timothy Cook Cook Insurance Group LLC 119 Valley Dr Jonesville, NC 28642-2620 Fax: 336-526-2664
336-526-2665
Lesia Cockerham REALTOR® NC Broker
336-999-4496 cell 336-372-4774 office lesiac@kw.com
Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated
KELLERWILLIAMS REALTY 15 N. Main St Sparta, NC 28675 soldbylesia.kw.com
Auto • Home • Business • Life AC1014a Not all companies are licensed or operate in all states. Not all products are offered in all states. Go to erieinsurance.com for company licensure and territory information.
SURRY LIVING Oct. 2020 Issue • 19
simply delicious
with Rynn Hennings
www.thehouseofelynryn.com
A
pples are wonderful any time of year, but with their flavor at its peak in fall, I enjoy using them in many different recipes. This one is for whole apple dumplings that can be left a natural crust color or “painted” for a beautiful presentation. WHOLE APPLE DUMPLINGS Servings: 6 servings Prep Time: 50 mins Cook Time: 35-40 mins Passive Time: 20 mins
Ingredients • 6 refrigerated small to medium-sized Granny Smith or Gala apples • 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour • 3 tablespoons butter, softened • Few drops vanilla extract • (3) 8-inch round refrigerated pie crusts • Parchment paper or nonstick baking mat • 1/3 cup heavy cream • 1 small basting brush • Green food coloring •
Yellow food coloring
Directions 1. In a wide, shallow bowl, add the sugar, cinnamon, and flour. Stir to blend and then set aside. 2. Twist and remove the apple stems to use after the apple dumplings are cooked. 3. Working with one apple at a time, peel and then remove 3/4 of the core from the top of the apple. Leave the bottom 1/4 of the core intact. 4. Roll the apple in the sugar mixture to coat it. 5. Place and compact 1-2 tablespoons of the sugar mixture in 20 • SURRY LIVING Oct. 2020 Issue
the scooped-out apple-core hole. Add 2 or 3 drops of vanilla flavoring. Pack 1/2 tablespoon of butter in the hole. The butter should not extend past the top of the hole. 6. Cut an 8-inch pie crust into 2 pieces and roll each piece into a ball. Using a rolling pin, roll a dough ball into a circle big enough to cover an apple. 7. Place the prepared apple on the dough and pull it up and around the apple. Cut off any excess dough at the top of the apple. Pat the dough to smooth it. Make sure all splits and tears are sealed. 8. Use the leftover dough to make the leaves. Re-roll it and use a small cookie cutter or cut leaves by hand. Use a toothpick to indent a long vein down the middle of each leaf and then make small veins beside the long center vein. Cut leaves in large and small sizes. You can also shape dough stems by hand if you can't use the apple stems. 9. Add the leaves to the apple and press firmly to attach. 10. Place the dough-covered apple on parchment paper in a 9 x 13-inch baking pan. 11. Place 1/3 cup of cream in a small bowl. Add a few drops of green food coloring and 1 drop of yellow food coloring to make green apples. Mix. Use a basting brush to paint the body of the apple. Paint it in place so as not to stretch or break the dough. 12. Then add a few extra drops of green food coloring to the green cream until it is dark green. Paint the leaves this color so that they contrast with the apple body. 13. Repeat the process for all the rest of the apples. 14. Place the decorated apples in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. 15. Preheat the oven and bake at 350° F for 35-40 minutes. If the apples start to over-brown, place a sheet of aluminum foil loosely over top of the dumplings. 16. After baking, insert the saved apple stems into the apple dumplings for a realistic effect. 17. Serve with caramel sauce or vanilla ice cream.
outdelicious & about simply Savory Tips If you want to leave the apples a natural crust color, do not use food coloring but baste the apples with the cream before baking. The dumplings are best if eaten right away so the dough doesn't lose its shape.
N.C. Department of Insurance • Mike Causey, Commissioner 855-408-1212 (toll free) • www.ncdoi.com
Chilling the dumplings before baking helps prevent cracks in the crust; however, they can still crack. Cover with extra baked leaves to hide but do not worry because they don’t have to be perfect.
OCTOBER IS
NATIONAL BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
For much more additional information, photos, and even more recipes, go to Houseofelynryn.com
About 1 in 8 women born today in the United States will get breast cancer. Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the United States, next to skin cancer. Some women are at higher risk for breast cancer than others because of their personal or family medical history or because of certain changes in their genes. Getting regular mammograms may lower the risk of dying from breast cancer. If you or someone you love is on Medicare, take advantage of Medicare-covered preventive services, including mammograms. Medicare covers a number of preventive services to help keep people with Medicare healthy.
Ask a SHIIP counselor for more information. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: NC COOPERATIVE EXT, SURRY CO @ 336-401-8025
We’ve Re lo
cat
ed! Come See U s at our New Location!
— 235 Ea
Learn to use a new Creative Grids tool each month!
Register Online for Classes, Including: Breakfast Club • Stripology Club • Learn to Quilt Make & Take Projects • Bags • Classes On Demand and more!
Offering In-Shop Longarm Quilting Services Powered by Innova
st Main Str eet — We are in the last bu ilding on the northe ast end of B eautiful Historic Do wntown Elk in
Specializing in Custom Quilts, Memory and T-Shirt Quilts, as well as Custom Embroidery
Let’s be Social!
235 E. Main Street • Elkin, NC 28621
336-258-8383 Mon–Tues–Thurs–Fri: 10 am to 5 pm Sat: 10 am to 3 pm • Closed Sunday & Wednesday
Shop Online at www.YadkinValleyQuilts.com
SURRY LIVING Oct. 2020 Issue • 21
simply delicious face on a full-sized or mandarin orange or a cup of fruit. Make an individual string cheese look like a ghost.
Tricks and Treats • Peel a mandarin (you may know these oranges by the brands Cutie or Halo). Insert a small piece of celery or a for a Happy broken piece of pretzel in the center for the stem to make a mini pumpkin. A sprig of mint can be used for a leaf. Halloween The phone rang and a woman said, “My daughter is so excited to come to your son’s Halloween Party.” Our son Carson was in sixth grade, and I was clueless about a party. After some investigating, I learned that Carson had created an invitation in his computer class at school, made copies and handed them out to his friends. The invitation was complete with Halloween graphics and an RSVP. He said, “I need to know how many are coming so we can have enough food.” He had thoughtfully scheduled it on a Friday evening and then planned for the group to go to the football game at the nearby high school.
• Make a banana ghost by peeling a banana, cutting in half, and inserting mini chocolate chips for the eyes and mouth. • A partially peeled kiwi makes a great Frankenstein. Leave some of the fuzz on the top for hair and insert broken pretzel sticks and mini chocolate chips to decorate the face. • Mini candy apples – dip a grape on a toothpick in caramel sauce and then roll in chopped nuts.
Halloween parties are always lots of fun, but since this one was a surprise to his Dad and me – and because I was going to be out of town the week of the party – our first instinct was to tell him he would have to call his friends and let them know it was being canceled. After much discussion, we decided that the party could go on, but if Carson was old enough to plan a party, he was old enough to get the house ready and to make the food. The decorations, games, and menu were decided upon. Dirt pudding – chocolate pudding with gummy worms and crushed chocolate cookies for the dirt; eyeballs – peeled grapes; witches’ fingers – baby carrots with almonds for the fingernails; witches’ brew – punch; popcorn in a plastic glove to look like a hand – complete with a spider ring on the fingers; and sandwiches. Each night I called home to check on the progress of the party. Father and son had everything under control. Bats were hung from the ceiling, and spider webs were strung around the basement, which made cleaning easier when you just added additional webs to the ones already present. Food was purchased and prepared. By the time Friday arrived, Carson realized that parties are a lot of fun, but also quite a bit of work. The kids came, games were played, food was eaten, and everyone had a good time. Our social kid had a new appreciation of party planning and some great Halloween memories were made. You can have fun celebrating Halloween even if you don’t want to have a party. Try these easy treats to make your October spooktacular all month long. • Use a black permanent marker to draw a jack-o-lantern 22 • SURRY LIVING Oct. 2020 Issue
Medicare costs hard to swallow?
SHIIP can help find the best Medicare Prescription Drug Plan for you! It’s time to evaluate your plan and see what’s new for 2021. The Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) offers free, unbiased information about Medicare and can assist with enrollment and subsidy applications that could save you money.
Medicare Annual Open Enrollment Period October 15 ‒ December 7
Changes will be effective Jan. 1, 2021
Call to schedule an appointment with a trained SHIIP counselor today. Toll Free: 1-855-408-1212
all the rest
Support your friends and neighbors WHILE finding great values on unique goods and services. It's time for all of us to ... BLUE MOUNTAIN HERBS & SUPPLEMENTS
MAIN STREET MARKET
106 W. Main St., Pilot Mountain, NC 336-368-5955 • Hours: Tuesday thru Friday 10-5, Saturday 10-4
140 N. Main St., Mount Airy, NC 336-970-9122 • Hours: Monday thru Saturday 10-6
October Special: Spend a minimum of $50 (after all discounts) and get 20% off one additional product. Bring in this ad, or a copy on phone, to get this deal!
October Special: Shop Mt. Airy's Largest Selection of: Antiques, Artisans, Comics, Collectibles and one-of-a-kind "finds!"
* * *
* * *
CHARIS CHRISTIAN BOOK AND GIFTS
MULLINS PAWN SHOP & JEWELERS
128 N. Main St., Mount Airy, NC 336-673-0688 • Hours: Monday thru Saturday 9:30-4:30
1911 Caudel Dr., Mount Airy, NC 336-786-6417 • Hours: Mon-Fri 10-5 Saturday - call for hours
October Special: Shop our Large Selection of New Fall Décor / 20% Off Bibles, Books & Journals
October Special: 35% off all New and Reconditioned Jewelry
* * * FARMHOUSE SPITS & SPOONS
225 N. Main St, Mount Airy, NC 336-648-8130 • Hours: Monday thru Saturday 10-6 October Special: Smithey Cast Iron - #8, #10 & #12 Cast Iron Combo for $399.00! * * * FARMER'S MULCH & ROCK
7802 NC-268, Dobson, NC 336-386-0883 • Hours: Monday thru Saturday 7:30-6 October Special: 10% off Natural Mulch * * *
* * * ROY'S DIAMONDS
108 S. Main St. - Galax, VA 276-236-4137 • Hours: 9:00 - 5:30 (Mon-Wed-Fri) October Special: 14 karat white 1.63 carat Ethiopian Opal with 0.25 carat diamonds. One of a kind $2,995 * * * YADKIN VALLEY QUILTS
235 E. Main St. - Elkin, NC (new location across from The Liberty) 336-258-8383 • Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri: 10-5 / Sat: 10-3 October Special: 10% off Quilt Kits – mention this ad to receive the discount
HICKS WATER STOVES / HICKS MECHANICAL
2649 S. Main St., Mount Airy, NC 336-789-4977 • Hours: Monday thru Friday 7-4 Trusted Quality & Service since 1981
See your special listing here for only $25 per month! Call (336) 648-3555 or email sales@surryliving.com SURRY LIVING Oct. 2020 Issue • 23
Our CO-OP Builds
COMMUNITIES October is Co-op Month and a time to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of member-owned companies across America. As a co-op, Surry Communications doesn’t have to answer to faraway shareholders. Instead, we focus on meeting the needs of our local members and building connections within our communities. Thanks for choosing Surry Communications for your internet and related services. You’re part of our co-op’s success story.
24 • SURRY LIVING Oct. 2020 Issue
819 E. Atkins St., Dobson 416 CC Camp Rd., Elkin 1409 Edgewood Dr., Mount Airy 647 South Key St., Pilot Mtn. 336.374.5021 • www.surry.net
Cornerstone Group © 2020
Stop by any of our business office locations during the month of October and register for our doorprize giveaway!
all the rest Find out how a harmless prank entangles two college kids with a serial killer in the next installment of A DEEPER CUT, a novel of suspense and forgiveness by Mt. Airy author Sheri Wren Haymore. "You’ve been working late on your drawings,” Granny Jen commented to Hunter over breakfast the next day.
“We have it under surveillance.” “Damn. You ought to be searching that sucker. Taking fingerprints.” “It’s your fingerprints I want today.” “What!” Grayson held up a hand, halting the explosion. “I need the gun, Hunter. Today. And I need your fingerprints to help us sort out any other prints that might be on it.” “Mine are definitely on it. And if it turns out to be the gun that smoked that tourist-guy . . .” “I know who the boats belong to,” Grayson interrupted firmly.
“Oh, man. I thought I had my music pretty low,” he replied.
“Well, I sure didn’t read in the paper that you’d made an arrest!”
“You didn’t disturb me,” she chuckled. “I just couldn’t sleep.”
Grayson’s voice was grim. “It’s not a crime to act suspiciously or to own scuba gear. So far, I don’t have enough to make an arrest.”
“Is something wrong?” “A lot on my mind is all,” Jen said. She chewed quietly, eyes closed, the morning breeze ruffling her white hair. Finally, she looked at Hunter and smiled. “What I want to know is, when is the unveiling?” “Uh, I don’t know. Haven’t thought about it.” He sat slouched in his chair, as nonchalant as ever, yet when he glanced up at his granny, he had the distinct feeling he no longer looked like a boy in her eyes. “Well, I’d really like to see what you’ve been working on so hard,” Granny Jen persisted. “I guess it’s about time to bring it out, if I’m ever going to.” Hunter looked away and frowned. The work had kept him occupied, had kept his mind focused, but he was still not sure why someone had tried to frame him, nor why no further attempt had been made. And, for certain, he had no clue as to how to get Miki away from Jack Franklin. Never had the feeling that she was in danger left him. “What did I say to bring on such brooding?” asked Granny Jen. “Oh, sorry. I’ve got a lot on my mind. I’ll go get my portfolio. You know,” he said as he started out, “I’ve always dreaded leaving here, going back to school. I’m sort of anxious to get back this year.” “Why is that?” she asked encouragingly. “I want my advisor to see these drawings. Whether he thinks they’re great or not, it will show him that I’m really serious. It’s hard enough to get a good internship without the entire department thinking you’re about to bail out.” With that, he left Granny Jen’s porch and headed across the lawn toward his apartment. He was halfway up his stairs when a car door slammed. Grayson Tucker came toward him, looking tired and strained. “Hey, Mr. Tucker. How’s it going?” “Hunter, I need to talk to you.” “Come on up.” Hunter led the way, somewhat resigned, somewhat curious. Once inside, he tried to sound casual. “Did you check out the cruiser?”
“That’s why you need to search. Don’t you get it? It’s probably where he keeps the knife, too.” “Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe we’ll find a knife. Maybe we can prove it was used in those murders. Maybe not. There has to be something else that ties a suspect to a homicide. An arrest doesn’t mean squat if you can’t get a conviction.” “That’s why you need to check those boats. Don’t you watch TV? That dead tourist’s . . .” “Mr. Sanders?” “Yeah. Well, his blood is somewhere besides that beach. You said so yourself. Clothing fibers. Hair. Stuff like that. Go find that on those boats, and then I’ll give you the gun. I swear on my honor as a Southern gentleman.” Grayson almost smiled. “Those boats aren’t going anywhere. We’re watching them around the clock. And if I don’t get my hands on something concrete, very soon, we will search those boats and just hope we turn up something besides scuba gear and new shirts. I’m gambling on another piece of evidence, Hunter. And you may be sitting on it.” Hunter stared long into Grayson’s brown eyes. “What happens to me,” he finally said, “if mine are the only prints on the gun and the boat guy has no link to the dead tourist?” “The tourist’s name was Sanders.” “Okay. Maybe you can prove the guy on the cruiser iced those drug dealers, but what if I’m still your best suspect in the Sanders thing? What then? What happens to me?” Grayson’s voice remained quiet. “Maybe I have another link, Hunter.” “Tying the guy on the boat to Sanders?” Grayson squinted slightly. “Who owns the boats?” “You know I can’t tell you that. You’re just going to have to trust my instincts on this. I know I’m gambling, but you’re not expendable. I’ll SURRY LIVING Oct. 2020 Issue • 25
all the rest do everything I can to protect you. And that’s my word as a Southern gentleman.” Hunter sighed and looked toward his blue window. “Oh, hell. I may as well get it over with.” He walked to his kitchen and pulled out his only knife. “Interesting,” Grayson said.
this case took precedence over every other investigation in the state, he had his answer almost too quickly. Yes, the gun had been fired recently. Yes, a .32 caliber could have been used to kill Doug Sanders. Yes, there was another set of prints on the gun. They were not the prints Grayson had wanted. They did not belong to the owner of the cruiser.
“Not really. There used to be a whole box of these around here somewhere. I’m sure you’ve seen knives like this. Used to be a commercial fillet knife. I guess after it was sharpened a thousand times, it wound up this short and thin.”
Grayson knew he had to make an arrest quickly, before the SBI went after Hunter Kittrell. The prints were the same as the second set on the tape recorder.
Hunter went to his closet and began to saw into the wall with the knife. He sat on the floor, one long leg stuck out into the room. Grayson studied him thoughtfully.
An hour later, Grayson had Miki Stone in custody. Grayson leaned back in the interrogation room’s leather chair, its oak arms stained dark from decades of oil and sweat. The chair squeaked as he swiveled from side to side, a monotonous sound that continued for five minutes. Afternoon sunshine streamed in through a high window, heating up the room. In a calm, deep voice, Grayson drawled, “Young lady, I’m waiting for you to tell me something that makes some sense.”
“You know, Mr. Tucker, I have a theory,” Hunter said. “What’s that?” “Well, it was weird how the noose was around my neck, and then it just lifted. Like evaporated.” He sawed carefully. “If you had arrested me, then I would have taken credit for at least one murder. By proxy, sort of. Maybe all of them. Anyway, I think the guy wanted to get all the glory. Be famous or whatever. I don’t know why he messed with me to start with, but I think that’s why he left me alone.” “Don’t touch the gun,” was all Grayson said. He came forward with a gloved hand, lifted the gun out of the wall, and bagged it. He left without another word.
Most likely, they belonged to Miki Stone.
“Jack said you were bluffing before about the fingerprints.” Miki’s voice was icy. “Maybe.” Grayson pointed at her ink-stained fingers. “But very soon, I’ll have proof that your prints are on that gun. Now would be a very good time for you to explain that.” “I don’t have to say anything to you. I want a lawyer.”
When he reached his car, Grayson sat still and breathed deeply, then grabbed a bottle of antacid. Hunter’s theory was smart, and it fit his own theory of who the killer was. In fact, it fit so closely that he wanted to rush down to that boat and put every inch under a microscope. Not yet. Not yet, he told himself.
“Okay.” Grayson did not make a move. His big hands were folded on the table, and he stared at her across the four feet of hard oak that separated them. It was very intimidating, and he knew it.
Hunter opened the passenger door and climbed in. Grayson wasn’t really waiting for him, but he guessed he may as well go on and get the kid’s fingerprints.
“Let me remind you that you have asked for a lawyer.” Again Grayson made no move toward the telephone.
“My hands are shaking so hard, you probably can’t get a print,” Hunter said with a laugh. Grayson smiled and didn’t admit that his hands were shaking too badly to crank the car. He took a couple more deep breaths before doing so. He had the gun. He knew what type of knife he was looking for. And he knew where Rob Kittrell was at this exact moment. * * * “No! No, no, no, no!” Grayson slammed the top of his desk with his fist with each exclamation. His secretary tiptoed to the door, looked in and found him sitting with his head in his hands, and then left without asking questions. Grayson was not prepared for the lab report on Hunter’s gun. Because 26 • SURRY LIVING Oct. 2020 Issue
Defensively, Miki said, “I told Jack that I stole Hunter’s gun and then lost it.”
“I’m just telling you what you already know. Jack knew I had sneaked into Hunter’s apartment, and so he asked me about the gun. I don’t see what the big shock is that my fingerprints are on it.” She narrowed her eyes, matching his intimidation. “Or have you been too busy bench-warming to read what’s in your own reports?” Grayson didn’t flinch. Nothing in his eyes revealed that the reports Franklin had turned in didn’t say anything about Miki having stolen Hunter’s gun from his apartment. Instead, he said very calmly, “I’m not going to ask you any more questions until you have a lawyer. But there’s nothing that says I can’t make it very clear to you the trouble you are in. Doug Sanders took several photographs of you before he died. He seemed to have had an obsession with you, and he also seemed to think you were Vanessa Singer. He may have even thought he was going to see Vanessa the night he died.” Miki’s hard facade was crumbling fast. Grayson continued, “You and I both know that you’re hiding something about Gus York’s murder.
all the rest And the tape recorder proves that Bob Schneider thought he was talking to Vanessa Singer just before he died. Now you and your lawyer can figure out how you’re going to answer that coincidence and see if you can explain how the gun with your fingerprints on it wound up back in Hunter’s apartment after Doug Sanders’ murder.” Miki stood abruptly, shaking, a trapped look on her face. “I’m getting out of here.” “You are not free to go. You are only free to call your lawyer.” Grayson shoved the telephone toward her. She sat back down, and somewhere behind the tears and the terror, Grayson saw the college kid Hunter had brought with him to Beaufort. Grayson did not look back as he walked out of the room. Maybe that kid would be grateful to know that she’d been a sacrifice. She had bought a few more days of freedom for Hunter. It wasn’t likely another agency would arrest Hunter for the same murder for which Grayson had arrested Miki. Not just yet, anyway. And all Grayson needed was a little more time. * * * “You have no cause to hold her without bond.” Jack Franklin’s voice was loud, and it exploded through the hallways of the county courthouse. “I have her prints on the probable murder weapon.” “You have Kittrell’s too.” “It was his gun. His prints should have been on it, and he has an alibi. She has yet to explain why she had the gun or where she was the night Doug Sanders died.” “Let’s hear you explain where you got the gun.” “You’ll find out at the bond hearing Tuesday.” “You cannot hold that girl four days on such load-of-crap evidence.” “Wanna bet?” “Yeah, I’ll bet.” Jack’s face was contorted with rage. He was standing close, and he pushed at Grayson’s chest with his knuckles. “I’ll bet her daddy’s big city lawyers will have her out of your dinky jail before the sun sets on this town.” Grayson held his ground. “And I’ll bet even your good old boy judge will throw you and your evidence out of court two seconds after you stumble in. And I’ll bet the national news will call you the South’s stupidest police chief while I arrest your cocky little Kittrell friend and, by God, his ass won’t see daylight again until doomsday.” “You might not be so quick to bet,” Grayson said in a carefully controlled voice, “if you knew how high the stakes really are.” And then he turned slowly and walked away. 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.
Virtual Theater is open for business! Enjoy our 2020 Festival films from the comfort & safety of home!
RIVERRUNFILM.COM SURRY LIVING Oct. 2020 Issue • 27
area calendars & info
SURRY COUNTY UPCOMING EVENTS EDITORS NOTE: The following events are subject to cancellation or postponement due to the Covid-19 pandemic or other factors. While outside of our control, this information was current as of press time. OCT. FRIDAY & SATURDAY NIGHTS (MOUNT AIRY): HISTORIC MOUNT AIRY GHOST TOURS 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm, A 90 minute, lantern-lit walking tour through Mount Airy's streets and it's historic past. Hear about 13 of our "less mortal" friends and some of Mount Airy's resting places. Tours begin at Mount Airy Museum of Regional History, 301 N. Main Street. First come. First served. Social Distancing standards will be followed. Prepaid reservations ONLY. No walk ups will be accepted until restrictions change. Reservations can be made online from the Museum's web page at www.northcarolinamuseum.org or call the Museum Mon-Fri 10-5. Masks are required for guides and guests. OCT. 2 (STATE ROAD): MOONLIGHT DINNER 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm, Grassy Creek Vineyard and Winery, 235 Chatham Cottage Circle, State Road, NC. With the full moon on Thursday, Oct. 1, this moonlight dinner should be spectacular. The menu is an Asian-inspired twist on barbecue created by Chef Jeff Taylor of Liberty Catering Company. Caroline Beverley & Gap Civil provide music for the evening. The menu includes a starter, dinner and dessert. Wine sold separately. Tickets are $40 per person and must be purchased in advance. Email info@grassycreekvineyard.com or call 336-835-2458. OCT. 3 (PILOT MOUNTAIN): HOT NIGHTS, HOT CARS | MUSIC BY CAROLINA BREAKERS 3:00 pm - 9:30 pm, An open street cruise-in brings some of the coolest cars in the area to Main Street Pilot Mountain. Familyoriented event includes live beach music, food trucks, and local wineries and breweries. Bring a lawn chair (leave the cooler and pets at home) and head on over for some free family fun. Music begins at 5:30 p.m. OCT. 9 (ELKIN): EXPLORE ELKIN FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY 11:00 am - 8:00 pm, Downtown Elkin – Food Trucks will be lined up down Main Street with live music!!! Parking available at Elkin Farmers Market, along Main Street, and throughout downtown area! Live Music, Wine & Beer - 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm. OCT. 10 (MOUNT AIRY): “BACK TO YOUR ROOTS” FESTIVAL 10:00 am - 6:00 pm. Farmhouse Spits and Spoons, 225 N. Main St, Mount Airy, NC. Autumn Leaves has "fallen" - so let's get back to Our Roots! Special in-store events, door prizes, cooking demos, tastings, local artisans, a trunk show by Two Lumps of Sugar, and great sales! Enter for a chance to win The Fall Baking Basket (valued at over $120!). For info, call 336-6488130 or visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/farmhousespitsandspoons/ OCT. 17 (PILOT MOUNTAIN): MOVIES ON MAIN FEATURING CORALINE 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair and enjoy a movie under the stars in downtown Pilot Mountain. A fun, free, family-friendly event. Movies begin at dusk on the lawn at Town Hall. Popcorn, candy and drinks are available for $1. In case of inclement weather, the movie will be shown in the basement of Town Hall. OCT. 17 (MOUNT AIRY): SKULL CAMP OUT 12:00 pm - midnight. Round Peak Vineyards, 765 Round Peak Church Road, Mount Airy, NC 27030. Experience the vineyard under the stars. Featuring camping, music, dinner from Skull Camp Smokehouse, s’mores, beer, wine and tons of fun. A family and dog friendly event, so bring the whole clan. For more info, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/2665592547002828/ OCT. 23 (ELKIN): EXPLORE ELKIN FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY 11:00 am - 8:00 pm, Downtown Elkin – Food Trucks will be lined up down Main Street with live music!!! Parking is available at Elkin Farmers Market, along Main Street, and throughout the downtown area! Live Music, Wine & Beer - 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm. OCT. 24 (ELKIN): SOUR FEST 11:00 am - 10:00 pm. Skull Camp Brewery & Smokehouse, 2000 N. Bridge Street, Elkin, NC. This new event highlights Skull Camp's sour beer program. Taste these funky, yet delicious beers that have been aging and developing their flavors for quite some time. OCT. 24 (PILOT MOUNTAIN): LET'S GLOW CRAZY 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm. The Town of Pilot Mountain welcomes you to our newest, most exciting event to date. We have teamed up with Emerald Owl Productions to bring you and your family a one-of-a-kind downtown glow party featuring a live DJ and laser show. This high-energy event is sure to please kids of all ages. There will be food, games and face painting. Glow-in-the-dark T-shirts and glow swag will be available for purchase. 28 • SURRY LIVING Oct. 2020 Issue
area calendars & info
FARMERS MARKETS DOBSON FARMERS MARKET: Thursdays from 3:30 PM — 6:30 PM (May 21 – Oct 29) Location: 903 Atkins St., Dobson ELKIN FARMERS MARKET: Saturdays from 9:00 AM — 12:00 PM (May 9 – Nov 21); Saturdays from 10:00 AM — 11:00 PM Location: Elkin Town Hall, 226 N. Bridge St. MOUNT AIRY FARMERS MARKET: Fridays from 9:00 AM — 1:00 PM (May 8 – Oct 30) Location: 111 South Main St., Mount Airy
We Deliver!
Mon – Fri: 7:30 am – 6:00 pm Saturday: 7:30 am – 5:00 pm
FARMER’S MULCH & ROCK Inc.
FREE Bibles, Coffee, & Bottled Water
Large Selection of Hardware and over 60 Choices of Decorative Stone & Gravel Feed • Seed • Fertilizer • Mulch • Pine Needles • Propane Herbal Home Remedies Now Available
Antiques & Collectibles, Farm Toys, Gift Certificates, Outdoor Fireplace Kits & Firepits 7802 NC 268, DOBSON, NC 27017 • www.farmersmulchandrock.com • 336.386.0883
SURRY LIVING Oct. 2020 Issue • 29
Double, double, Toil and trouble, Fire burn and caldron bubble, The best mix of music for you and me is on 100.9, The Place To Be!
INDEPENDENT & ASSISTED LIVING
Mt. Airy’s Premier Retirement Community
1000 RidgeCrest Lane • Mt. Airy, NC 27030 • (336) 443-6953 • Ridge-Crest.com
Behind every mask is a smile. #behindthemask
Choose Well. Choose Northern.
choosenorthern.org
