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DECEMBER 2021
A lifestyle magazine highlighting Surry County and the surrounding area
CHRISTMAS
TRADITIONS
Includes special event calendars for Mount Airy, Pilot Mountain, Dobson, Elkin, and our other nearby communities
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LARRY VANHOOSE executive editor
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VIE STALLINGS HERLOCKER associate editor
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Anderson Audiology, Page 9 Blue Mountain Herbs, Page 28 Camper & Mobile Home Supply, Page 11 Charis Christian Books & Gifts, Page 27 Cook Insurance Group, Page 11 Countryside RV, Page 7 Creek Bottom Brewing Company, Page 29 The Derby, Page 26 Farmers Mulch & Rock, Page 15 Farmhouse Spits and Spoons, Page 13 Friendly Heating & Cooling, Inc., Page 5 Galax Tourism, Page 21 George Smith Piano Tuning, Page 20 Hicks Waterstoves & Mechanical, Page 13 Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital, Pages 2, 14 The Martha Bassett Show, Page 9 Mount Airy Equipment, Page 3 Mullins Pawn Shop & Jewelers, Page 7 NC Cooperative Extension, Page 25 Ted Benbow / Mossy Oak Properties, Page 31 The Nest & Hive, Page 9 Northern Regional Hospital, Pages 17, 32 Ridgecrest Retirement, Page 27 Ridgecrest Holiday Walk of Hope, Page 30 Roy's Diamonds, Page 11 Royster & Royster Attorneys at Law, Page 13 Shelton Vineyards, Page 27 Surry Communications, Page 19 Zen Massage and Bodywork, Page 25
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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 Dec. 2021 Issue
Not just at Christmas, but all year long, we celebrate the greatest gift, the gift of God’s one and only son. (336) 648-3555 • sales@surryliving.com
FEATURED SECTIONS
HOME, FARM, & GARDEN p.8 8 The Vintage Southern
Homemaker: Gloria Brown shares memories and helpful tips 10 This Little Light of Mine:
The Littlest Gift 12 Joanna Radford:
Memories of Traditions Past
OUT & ABOUT p.16 20 Gin Denton: Ukulele Carols
& Music-Note Cookies
SIMPLY DELICIOUS p.22 22 The Sweet & Savory Life
AREA EVENTS p.26 24 Carmen Long: Deliciously
Homemade! w/ Rynn Hennings: Steak au Poivre and Smashed Potatoes 26 Area Event Schedules: Note: All events are subject to cancellation or postponement. We always recommend visiting visitmayberry.com and other area and venue websites for the most current event schedule information.
Friendly Heating & Cooling, Inc. 15 Sarah Southard, DVM:
Brown Eggs & Ham
SERVICE IS OUR BUSINESS!
16 Sheri Wren Haymore:
Bravery and Hope 18 Martha Bassett:
Good Music, Good People
Wishing you a warm, comfortable, and very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 336-789-6453 * friendlyheatingcooling.com SURRY LIVING Dec. 2021 Issue • 5
CONTRIBUTORS
Martha Bassett
Gloria Brown
Gin Denton
Sheri Wren Haymore
Martha is a singer/songwriter/guitarist living and working in the Piedmont. She hosts The Martha Bassett Show, a twicemonthly musical variety show at Elkin’s Reeves Theater. Past shows are featured Saturday evenings on NPR station, 88.5 WFDD. On Wednesday nights she leads music at Roots Revival, an Americana worship service at Winston’s Centenary UMC that explores the intersection of faith and secular music. She's also a longtime scholar of the music of the Shakers. Martha has released 11 records and plays throughout the region and nation. Get more info at marthabassettshow.com.
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 was proud to include sequential excerpts from one of her books in each issue from spring 2018 thru early 2021.
Rynn Hennings
Carmen Long
Joanna Radford
Sarah Southard
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. For more about Rynn, even more recipes, decorating tips, and much more, visit thehouseofelynryn.com
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.
6 • SURRY LIVING Dec. 2021 Issue
CONTRIBUTORS contd.
Larry VanHoose 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 (so far!), and they reside on a small farm just off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Grayson County, VA.
Vie Herlocker Vie is the Associate Editor of Surry Living Magazine. Her professional affiliations include: Christian Proofreaders and Editors Network. American Christian Writers, American Christian Fiction Writers, and more. She is a certified member of the Christian Editor’s Connection (CEC). Vie has been published in magazines, collections, and co-authored or ghosted several nonfiction books. ~ Vie Herlocker, AKA “The Book Mama”
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To view all inventory including new & preowned travel trailers & pop-ups, visit www.countrysidervcenter.com SURRY LIVING Dec. 2021 Issue • 7
home, farm, & garden
Checking My List I am a hoper and a planner. Even when the future feels so uncertain, it is human nature to plan and look forward to tomorrow, even with excitement, expecting the best. We have our calendars, our clocks, and our traditions to tether us so that we don’t go spinning willy-nilly into the unknown. Traditions honor our past and provide a promise for the future. I am especially thankful I have traditions to help me plot my course. Especially right here at Christmastime. Whether we celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or other holidays, our traditions set us apart from everyone else. We custom make them just for ourselves. I have traditions that I hope I’m able to enjoy right on up until I can’t anymore. If y’all will indulge me, I’ll share some that I always look forward to. • I love to wrap my gifts. While gift bags are convenient, to me, nothing says love like a wrapped package. I remember momma clearing off the kitchen table and wrapping away the afternoon. I’m still hoping to find a roll of that Rudolph paper she used one year to wrap all of my gifts. I use a different wrap for each of my family members. I don’t put their names on the presents. I just know by the paper which gift goes to each person. When my children where small it took them years to realize I was doing this. I laugh when I think about how confounded they were when I assured them that there were gifts under that tree for them. “But momma how do you know which ones are for me? There are no names on the boxes.” • I love to send Christmas cards. Who doesn’t love to get a little note in the mail with a beautiful picture? It can be time consuming and yes there is expense involved. At least that’s a couple of the objections I hear as to why people don’t send them as much anymore. But everybody on my list is certainly worth the time, money, and effort. • I love to watch the same movies and read the same stories every holiday season. Here are a few of my favorites: » I love to read and ponder the birth of Christ from the book of Luke in the Bible. » I reread “The Gift of the Magi,” written by O’Henry and published in 1905. It is a sweet simple story. » Scrooge (A Christmas Carol) (1951) is my favorite movie adaptation of the novella originally published by Charles Dickens in 1843. I also have a CD with the 1939 radio reading. Reading the book is the best of all. Needless to say, I love that story. » The Shop Around the Corner (1940), starring Margaret Sullavan and Jimmy Stewart, remains a favorite for me. » I also love Christmas in Connecticut (1945) and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989). » And Die Hard (1988). Yes, I say it is a Christmas movie. It does take place on Christmas eve, you know. • Every year I love to bake cookies and make eggnog. I make pans of Rice Krispies Treats and Chex Party Mix (I’ll admit to substituting out the Wheat Chex). Everybody loves a good treat at Christmas. I always buy Hershey’s Kisses for Christmas. That’s the only time. Really. My Christmas list of traditions is long but I’m old so it’s had a long time to grow. If you don’t have any Christmas traditions, by all means go ahead and get you some going. Then you can proclaim, “I enjoyed that so much, I’m going to do it again next year!” See how easy? Now you have traditions! 8 • SURRY LIVING Dec. 2021 Issue
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SURRY LIVING Dec. 2021 Issue • 9
home, farm, & garden
The Littlest Gift You may have heard me say it before, but I wasn’t raised in a so-called Christian home. It wasn’t that we were bad people per se, but our focus was more on “working hard so we could have fun on the weekend” type of life. When I was a very young, we were dirt-floor poor, so as our family’s economic situation improved, we moved naturally into the flow of pursuing pleasure for pleasure’s sake. But once a year, for about four or five weeks, something almost magical happened to my family. Each year, beginning around Thanksgiving, we’d all start looking forward to our annual family Christmas get-together to be held at our home. Nearly all the extended family would come, and in addition to the inevitable feast engineered by the ladies of the clan, my mama would always come up with some silly activities that would get us all together for a couple hours of fun and laughter.
by Larry VanHoose tried to watch even a few minutes of this simple, yet charming and heartwarming tale. So, what captured my heart from this silly little story based on a silly little Christmas song, one that some say is just an annoying repetition of the not-even-real words, “pa rum pum pum pum”? Remember now, that at that time I really didn’t have any real idea of who Jesus was, just that he was some little baby that was supposedly born thousands of years ago on Christmas and was the reason we got presents. As a young boy, that was all the was really important after all, wasn’t it?
But was it? As I said, each year I’d sit as close to the TV as my folks would let me, sometimes closer, and be totally mesmerized for 25 minutes by the simple message portrayed by that poor little boy with his pitiful little drum. Who was he? Why was he alone at night? Where was his parents? Did he have a home? And why did he play the drum Mama was also the queen of yard sale treasure for the newborn baby? So many questions hunting, so with a little help gift wrapping "... our focus was more brought on by such a simple little song and from my sister and me, the giving of show. But even with all my questions, the presents for everyone, and I mean everyone, on “working hard so we one message that played loud and clear to commenced with very little ceremony but could have fun on the my heart was, that all the little boy had to with much excitement, especially for the weekend” type of life." give, even in the presence of wise men and littles. It was that one time of year when I shepherds, and Joseph and Mary, all that he saw for myself just how much better it was had to give this newborn king of kings, was the gift of “pa rum to give than receive as Mama would have my sister and me pum pum pum” rhythm from his worn out little drum. And hand out the individually wrapped and labeled presents to my yet it was enough. And for me, each year when the song and cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. She’d even manage story got to the part where the Baby Jesus smiled at the boy to have a few blank-labeled, extra presents handy in the event and his drum, my heart would seemingly leap up from my an unexpected friend or long-lost relative happened to show chest and come gushing out my eyes. Jesus, the coming king, up. No one was to be left out! Truthfully, our extended family accepted his gift, accepted him, a poor little boy with nothing would never have been thought of as even middle-class, so to give except a small part of himself. Even though I did not it was with much anticipation and gratitude that most fully realize who Jesus was, I could never deny the impact that of them received those gently-used presents my mama so song or those words had on this little boy’s heart. tirelessly searched for at yard sales and bargain store closeouts throughout the year. When you have 40 – 50 family members Years later, when I came to know and understand Jesus much to buy for, giving a little something fun and thoughtful was more personally, I began to realize how he used the little a huge undertaking, but it was a tradition that my mama drummer’s story to draw me to himself. A well-known verse embraced and one my sister and I both enjoyed being a part. from the Bible emphasizes his love for all God’s children, even when we are young and don’t fully comprehend... “Jesus said, Another Christmas season tradition that had an impact on ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for me as a young boy—the watching of Christmas-themed the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these’ (Matthew 19:14, animated TV shows! Each year we’d gather around our giant NIV).” walnut console Zenith television with the "huge" 17-inch screen, and eagerly await the annual broadcast of animated As this Christmas season draws near, I hope that we will all classics like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, How the Grinch remember the message that God expressed so wonderfully Stole Christmas, and Frosty the Snowman. My favorite though, through Christ and the gift of his love and life, but also through was one that not everyone appreciates—one that even annoys that silly little story that touched my heart and still holds its some folks (which I find mystifying)—the one known as The place there—that it truly is better to give than receive, and Little Drummer Boy. I'd just turned seven the first time I saw that nothing done out of love—and sacrifice—is too little. it, when it was released in 1968, and every year thereafter I’ve 10 • SURRY LIVING Dec. 2021 Issue
home, farm, & garden
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SURRY LIVING Dec. 2021 Issue • 11
home, farm, & garden by Joanna Radford
Memories of Traditions Past Do you have childhood memories you still hold close? Did you participate in family traditions growing up that you can remember like it was yesterday? I do, especially this time of year. I can see us now, my little sister and brother, my mama and daddy, and me, all wrapped up in old toboggans and overcoats striking out to find the most beautiful Christmas tree ever. We did this every year. Several weeks before Christmas, Daddy would decide we needed to find the perfect tree. The one that would top the year before. He knew just where to go to find this prize tree, in the woods behind my grandma's house. Off we would go, walking the entire way. We would trek through our yard, cross the dead-end dirt road, and go through my grandma's yard. Once through the yard, we were faced with an electric fence. Mama and Daddy could always step over it. We kids would get as low to the ground as possible and crawl under. One year I did not get low enough. The fence scraped down my back. Did I mention this fence was electric? Let's just say that I no longer felt the cold wind whipping around my ears and cheeks. I had a jolt that warmed me from my head to my toes. Once my tears dried, my excitement returned because I then remembered we were going to find the best tree ever. As we rushed through the pasture, I slipped and fell, and landed on a chestnut hull. The sharp spiny burs dug into my hand causing extreme pain. I wondered if this tree was worth all of this. My daddy could not quit chuckling at my bad luck as he pulled the painful burs out of my hand. Despite the bumpy start, the rest of our journey went smoothly. We hiked down the hill and up the second hill of the cow pasture where we finally reached the woods. There we would stand staring into the dark thicket, anticipating the hunt. Each of us would spot a tree and the others would critique it until we all agreed on that one perfect tree. It was quite a process. Now, the chopping and hacking began. In a short time, we headed out of the woods with our prize in tow. We all were excited and chatted all the way home. Once home, a little more whittling occurred on the lower limbs of our tree to make it fit perfectly in the tree stand. The moment we had been waiting for came when Daddy placed it in its usual spot in front of the window for the world to see. And then, just like every single year, it happened. We noticed our perfect tree had a "hole" on one entire side. We twisted and turned the tree in all directions to hide the hole. We hung ornaments in an attempt to hide the humongous bare area. Just like years past, 12 • SURRY LIVING Dec. 2021 Issue
we were not successful. We threw up our hands and made one final twist of the tree to try to hide the unsightly side. Yes, another year and another Charlie Brown Christmas Tree. Year after year this happened. We wanted the perfect tree. We searched for the perfect tree. We never found the perfect tree. What we did find was something even more perfect. Our time spent together and the precious memories we made will never be forgotten. And, for that I am thankful. If you are looking for an opportunity to make memories now is a great time to begin. Create a new tradition with the ones you love. There are over 300 family-owned "Choose and Cut" Christmas tree farms in North Carolina. Many of them offer experiences for the entire family. In addition to their Christmas trees, wreaths, garlands, and bows, some farms have hayrides, photos with Santa Claus, meet and greet farm animals, warm fires, hot cocoa, hot cider, and more. A listing of Ashe County tree farms can be found at https://ashecountychristmastrees.com/docs/choose-cut-2021.pdf There are also several tree farms in nearby Alleghany County. Among them are Edwards Tree Farm – edwardsfamilyfarms. com/, Lil' Grandfather Choose & Cut – lilgrand.com/, RiverHill Tree Farm – riverhilltreefarm.com/, and Papa Goats Tree Farm – www.facebook.com/PapaGoatsTreeFarm/ You can obtain a current list from the Alleghany Chamber of Commerce. Before going to a tree farm, check with each individual farm for hours of operation as they often change depending on the weather or other circumstances. Enjoy making memories!
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SURRY LIVING Dec. 2021 Issue • 13
home, farm, & garden by Sarah Southard, DVM
BROWN EGGS & HAM
For folks who don’t already know, it will likely come as little surprise that I wasn’t the average kid growing up. It’s said that I cried and begged my grandmother to not make me go to first grade because all we did in kindergarten was play and I had work to do at home. And later that year, after reluctantly agreeing to return to school, I worried about not having a retirement plan and how I was going to fix that...at the ripe old age of six. I suppose it makes perfect sense then, that at almost three years old I asked Santa for brown eggs and country ham for Christmas. Out of that, though came a wonderful Christmas morning tradition. That Christmas and each one since has been graced with brown eggs and country ham. And more than that, we’ve celebrated the birth of our Savior surrounded by priceless family while enjoying a homecooked breakfast every Christmas morning from then till now. This year, as in several years past, the eggs will be homegrown as well as home cooked.
Backyard poultry, chickens in particular, have become increasingly popular in recent years. Having a few hens just out the back door providing fresh eggs is very enticing. Folks with a bit more room are also raising meat birds for the freezer, ducks and turkeys for eggs and meat, guineas for pest control (especially ticks), the list goes on. Birds are quite interesting creatures.
They have individual personalities and are amenable to training as well. Many folks have pet chickens that they become quite attached to. While it may not be the first thing that comes to mind, backyard poultry of various species can receive veterinary care much like dogs, cats, and horses. It can be harder to find veterinarians with knowledge of and experience with poultry, but for that special bird in your flock, it may be worth it to seek out what is available in the area. From certain diseases requiring antibiotic therapy and husbandry changes to nutritional issues to various injuries, birds can require the expertise of a veterinarian at any time. Seek out and invest in the veterinary relationship for the benefit of your feathered ladies which are working hard to put eggs on the table and meat in the freezer.
As my family enjoys another Christmas morning breakfast of country ham, brown eggs, and a host of other homemade delights this year, I pray you and yours receive the richest of blessings from Christ this Christmas and throughout the coming year.
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Merry Christmas from all of us at Farmer’s Mulch & Rock 7802 NC 268, DOBSON, NC 27017 • www.facebook.com/FarmersMulchRock • 336.386.0883 SURRY LIVING Dec. 2021 Issue • 15
out & about by Sheri Wren Haymore
Bravery and Hope
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you read the words, “Christmas Traditions?” For me, I think of my mother— her perfectly tinseled tree and graciously festooned home, her inventive holiday meals and thoughtfully chosen gifts. And how this vibrant woman was inexplicably diminished by Daddy’s death Christmas week of 2015, and by her own illness her last two Christmases. Each person has their own ideas and emotions surrounding Christmas Traditions. I have friends who start talking about Christmas on July 25 and begin decorating in October. For others, the reality that a drunk uncle will certainly ruin the family meal brings the emotion of dread around the holidays. I remember how a respected local Jewish family always papered their front door with a six-foot image of Santa. My parents’ Egyptian friends, who were Muslim, decorated a tree in their South Carolina home because, they said, “It’s the American thing to do.” Some people approach the holidays as a blast of partying. For others, their religion doesn’t allow them to acknowledge Christmas in any manner. For a good portion of my adult life, Christmas meant attempting to make hundreds of retail customers happy while trying to keep our celebration at home warm and meaningful. It meant driving two hundred miles for our family gathering. Christmas
16 • SURRY LIVING Dec. 2021 Issue
meant struggling to wring a sacred moment from the frantic blur of church activities until—at last!—Eileen Kidd sang “O Holy Night,” and the world stopped for a breath and my heart was sliced by a Holy finger. Yes, the very word Christmas has an edge, and well it should. Jesus Himself, the Prince of Peace, said that He came to bring not peace, but a sword. As it relates to the celebration of His birth, I think that sword can draw a sharp line. Between Glitz and Generosity. Presents and Presence. Holly and Holy. I believe Christmas can be the dividing line between speculation and the sure belief that there is something—Someone—beyond what we can grasp with our earthly hands. I believe that Jesus spoke with fervency about a "... and the world Kingdom where all our stopped for a breath earthly priorities are turned upside down and my heart was sliced because He wants us to by a Holy finger." live with anticipation that this world isn’t all there is. His words ask us to peer through the holiday greenery and pretty lights to see a babe in a manger and wonder what it will mean the day after Christmas. Whether you share the Christian faith or not; whether Christmas fills you with hope or dread; whether you’re carrying a hurt so deep that you wish you could skip all of December—I have a Christmas wish for you. I wish you the gift of a Brave heart. May your courage bring an expectancy that Someone who is beyond our understanding is reaching for you simply because you matter. Merry Christmas!
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out & about by Martha Bassett
When you think about Christmas, it’s hard to separate the holiday from the music. Whether you like a jazzy rendition of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” George Michael singing “Last Christmas,” or a traditional “O Holy Night,” the radio waves are abuzz with seasonal music before Thanksgiving even arrives. It’s a soundtrack for our lives during what can be a sublime or a stressful month, sometimes both. The hustle and bustle of the season is a perennial theme of holiday songs, the endless shopping and cooking and parties and family gatherings are both a welcome reconnection to our loved ones and an exhausting time of doing too much. Every year we try to strike a balance, followed by New Year’s resolutions about how we’ll take better care of ourselves in the year to come. On Christmas Eve my tradition for the past couple of decades has been to sing for an 8:00 p.m. service at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital, head over to the 11:00 p.m. service at my church, followed by a late-night dinner at Finnegan’s Wake Pub downtown. Last Christmas Eve was the first since I was a child that I didn’t sing, and it gave me a new appreciation for the ways the music of the holidays holds us together and comforts us with its ritual. Although things are not completely back to normal this year, there are plenty of opportunities to soak up some live music this December. At the Reeves Theater in Elkin, Joe Newberry and April Verch will bring a folky holiday offering to us on December 12. On December 3, during the Light Up Elkin Festival, the Elkin Big Band will have its annual Christmas concert featuring the wonderful vocalist, Teresa Jasper. On December 16, I’ll be 18 • SURRY LIVING Dec. 2021 Issue
performing sacred Christmas carols in the sonically exquisite sanctuary of Shallowford Presbyterian Church in Lewisville. If you check the calendars of any church or music venue near you, you’re sure to find special musical offerings to suit your style. I think music is perfect for gift giving. All year long I look for new North Carolina releases that fit the tastes of the folks on my Christmas list. During the long period of dormancy for live music in 2020 and 2021, the number of artists who spent their time recording is higher than ever. Check out what your favorite bands have been up to and give them a financial boost by buying their records. For folks in our region of the state, let me tell you about a new release called Elkin & Alleghany Line: Stories of the Foothills by Elkin singer-songwriter Caroline Noel Beverley. I met Caroline earlier this year when her old-time band, Gap Civil, played on the Martha Bassett Show. Upon hearing this disc, my first impression was of the beauty of the songs, the superb performance of the players, and production that allowed the warmth of the vocals and instruments to be at the forefront. On the second listening I opened the little booklet inside the CD to read the lyrics and origins of the songs, all taken from local tales and perspectives. Caroline spent time with folks who recounted histories of storms, ghosts, beloved creeks, and enterprises such as Chatham Blankets and Klondike Farm, and she turned those stories into songs rich in local lore and steeped in the sounds of Surry County old-time and folk music. I highly recommend this disc for your folk music loving friends. In the meantime, as you rush about preparing for all of the events ahead of you, I hope you’ll stop every now and then to become lost in music that soothes your soul. I wish you all a meaningful and balanced holiday season, and I’ll catch up with you again in January to discuss how we’ll do it all better next year!
Wonderful Speed
A WINTER WONDERLAND CREATES
Enjoy wonderful speed from your internet, too. It’s more fun to move more quickly, whether you’re sledding down a snowy hill or flying through downloads at home. So why not give your family the gift of faster internet this holiday season? It’s sure to make the new year more wonderful for the binge watchers, gamers, teleworkers, and students in your household. We offer internet speeds up to 1000 Mbps!
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out & about by Gin Denton
Ukulele Carols
& MUSIC-NOTE COOKIES Traditions at home. This is the first time I really get to tell you about myself and my family. My husband, George Smith, and I both played in concert band in grade school and never stopped playing some sort of music. Music is life in our home; it’s the soul of our house. We even named our child, Dorian Smith, after a music scale. Dorian is learning about many instruments. We always have new sheet music on the music stand – for either learning or performing. With music as our daily tradition, so it’s only natural our holiday traditions are wrapped with music. We like to spread joy, and it’s really the only gift we can give. Our December days are full of spreading cheer using happy ukulele music. This activity consumes our holiday time, although we do take time to bake music-note sugar cookies. Most folks’ family traditions go back generations, and while caroling is an age-old tradition, our ukulele caroling tradition is fairly new to us. We started playing ukulele together ten years ago when George gave me a uke for Christmas. Back then, we would record holiday songs and share them with friends to brighten their days. In 2013, I begged George to start a uke rock group. Mount Airy Ukulele Invasion (MAUI) is our pet project. We have invested many hours teaching students of all ages and skill levels, then planning and arranging events, and coming up with fun!
For eight years now, instead of videos from our home, our MAUI group brings holiday music to the surrounding community. We tour at several retirement facilities in Surry County, and we have played for Santa at the Mount Airy Parade, for the Mount Airy Library, and for the Mount Airy 20 • SURRY LIVING Dec. 2021 Issue
Christmas tree lighting. The holiday season has plenty of space for fun music like “Frosty the Snowman” and beautiful music like “Carol of the Bells.” The MAUI group is made up of creative and beautiful souls, and these musicians have become our village. We love that we can include our village in our own holiday traditions. When we perform, we like to be goofy – dressed in festive clothing and Santa hats. Our son, Dorian, accompanied MAUI for several years dressed as an elf or Santa. He was more like a mascot, but he has now taken to playing with us on percussion instruments. I encourage you to spread some music cheer! Get yourself a ukulele, tune it up, and try some easy chords. Voila, instant fun. It’s super easy to learn basic chords. No matter how well you may or may not sing, singing makes you feel good. And singing for others brings joy. Give a gift of joy! Thanks for reading a tiny story of my life and traditions. Come out to hear carols MAUI style on Thursday, December 2, for Downtown Mount Airy’s Tree Lighting at 6:00 p.m. We will also be at Golden Road Vineyards, State Road, NC, 2:00-3:00 on Sunday afternoon, December 5. You can find more about the music of our family at www.themusicofgeorgesmith.com and at Mount Airy Ukulele Invasion on FaceBook.
Happy Trails to you!
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Join us as we celebrate CHRISTMAS all month long HIGH COUNTRY FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS Begins Thanksgiving Day – runs through New Years Eve. Lights go on at sundown and turn off at 11:00 pm. Light show is free and is located in Felt’s Park, downtown Galax CHRISTMAS PARADE Friday, December 3. Christmas tree lighting at 6:30 pm at the Galax Police Department, parade begins at 7:00pm. Parade theme this year- Favorite Christmas Movie. Prizes awarded for best float. (Grand Prize, then 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place) After the parade, free movie “Christmas Vacation” will begin at 8:00pm inside the Rex Theater. MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL Saturday, December 4, 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm. Main Street, Galax. 70+ Homemade/handmade craft vendors, food vendors, with Main Street shops open late featuring festival-day specials. Special music begins at 4:00 pm on the Grayson Street Stage. 4:00 pm – Marshall, McDowell, and Tate; 5:30 pm – Dori Freeman, 7:00 pm – Loose Strings Band. There will be Christmas Carolers at the intersection of Center St. and Main St.; a Galax City Schools luminary walk on Center St.; Family Christmas Portraits at the Gazebo on Main St. And much more! FAMILY CHRISTMAS MOVIES Saturday, December 11, at the Rex Theater. At 6:00 pm, enjoy the animated cartoon “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and immediately following at 6:30 pm, “Elf” with Will Ferrell CHRISTMAS BLUEGRASS SHOW Inside the Rex Theater on Saturday, Dec18. Show begins at 7:00, doors open at 6:00. $10.00 a ticket. Band: Echo Valley Bluegrass Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/VisitGalaxCity or on the web at visitgalax.com
simply delicious
with Rynn Hennings
thehouseofelynryn.com
A
few years ago, we changed our Christmas dinner food tradition. Instead of the traditional ham or turkey holiday meal, my mother suggested serving steaks for a change. So, a new tradition was born, and we have had grilled steaks au Poivre with smashed potatoes on Christmas Eve ever since. Au Poivre is a French pepper sauce usually made in the same pan used to cook the steaks. However, I changed the recipe to work with a grilled steak without sacrificing taste. There is a lot of coarse ground pepper in this sauce. However, after serving it so many times, I adjusted the amount of pepper to suit the most palates.
Directions for au Poivre 1. Melt butter in a large skillet. Add the pepper and shallots and cook on medium heat to wilt the shallots. 2. S lowly pour the Cognac into the side of the skillet. Stir. Be careful because Cognac will flame if the pan is too hot. Have a lid nearby in case you need to smother a flame. 3. Cook the Cognac until it reduces and most of it evaporates.
STEAK AU POIVRE Servings: 2 Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Ingredients for au Poivre • • • • • •
3 tablespoons butter 1 ½ tablespoons black pepper, coarse ground ¼ cup shallots, minced (can substitute minced onion) ¼ cup cognac 1 cup beef or chicken broth 1/3 heavy cream
Ingredients for Steaks • • • • •
2 filet mignon steaks salt pepper food probe thermometer grill
22 • SURRY LIVING Dec. 2021 Issue
4. A dd the broth. Stir. Simmer until it reduces into a thick liquid. Using a wooden spoon, scrape it across the bottom of the pan while the sauce simmers. If the wooden spoon makes a scraped path that stays open across the pan for a couple of seconds, the sauce is ready for the cream. If the broth immediately runs back over the scrape, simmer it longer. Perform the scrape test periodically until the sauce has thickened, and you can scrape a distinctive path across the pan. 5. A dd the cream and stir. Simmer until the cream has thickened and has a brown appearance. Use the same scrape test to pull a path through the cream to determine if it is ready. If the sauce should get too thick, add a little more cream. The sauce can be made before the steaks. Cover it and then reheat it with a little more cream just before serving. Directions for Steaks 1. S et the steaks out of the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature. This will take about 20-30 minutes. Generously salt and pepper on both sides of the steaks. 2. F or outdoor charcoal and gas-grilled steaks, set the grill temp to 400 degrees. 3. C ook each steak for about 6 minutes on each side. Then check the internal temperature with a thermometer probe. Rare 115-120 degrees F; Medium Rare 125 degrees F; Medium 135 degrees F; Medium Well 145 degrees F; and
simply delicious Well Done 160 degrees F. If the steaks need more time to reach the correct internal temp, move them to the outer edge of the grill to finish cooking. Recheck their internal temperature every 1-2 minutes so they don't overcook. The steaks will continue to cook after you remove them from the grill. The temperatures listed above take the continued cooking into account. 4. R emove the steaks at the correct temperature for the doneness you desire. Place them on a platter and cover them. Let them rest for 5 minutes. Place them on dinner plates and spoon au Poivre sauce over them. Serve immediately.
SMASHED POTATOES WITH DILL SAUCE Servings: 6 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 50 minutes Ingredients for Potatoes • • • • • • • •
3 pounds yellow potatoes 4 tablespoons olive oil (divided) Salt to taste Pepper to taste 1/16 teaspoon garlic powder 1/16 teaspoon onion powder 1 tablespoon butter, melted 2 teaspoons rosemary, dried (optional)
Ingredients for Dill Sauce • • • •
1 cup sour cream 1 teaspoon lemon juice Pinch white ground pepper 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped (discard large stems)
Directions for Potatoes 1. W ash potatoes and cut out any spots, leaving the skins on. If potatoes are large, slice them in half or thirds. Boil potatoes for 20-25 minutes until tender. Drain. 2. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Using a large baking sheet with sides, coat it with 3 tablespoons of olive oil or more if needed, using a brush to spread it around the pan. The oil will crisp the bottom of the potatoes. Place the potatoes skin side up on the baking sheet. 3. U sing an oversized fork, mash the potatoes until they are flattened. Then spread out the potatoes so they aren't touching. 4. D rizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and melted butter over the tops of the potatoes. 5. S prinkle the potatoes with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and rosemary. Bake for 30 minutes. Then turn oven to broil and cook for 5 minutes or until the potatoes are browned and crispy. Serve hot. Directions for Dill Sauce 1. M ix all the ingredients and stir. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Use as a dipping sauce for the potatoes.
Savory Tips The au Poivre recipe makes enough for four steaks. For more photos and tips for pan frying steaks, go to Houseofelynryn.com
SURRY LIVING Dec. 2021 Issue • 23
simply delicious
HOLIDAY MEATS AND MEALS Many families have traditions when it comes to holiday meals. In my husband’s family, the celebration began on December 23 with supper at Granny Long’s, then the eating continued until Christmas day with lunch at his maternal grandparents. Both grandmothers prepared large family meals including ham, turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, green beans, dumplings, rolls, and the list goes on. Actually, their tables looked very similar – with only a couple of individual specialties. For dessert, one had carrot cake and the other made a jam cake. My mother-in-law made her Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve, duplicating many of the dishes her mother and motherin-law prepared. Eventually, she added peel and eat shrimp and Honey Baked Ham to the menu for some variety. When we began celebrating Christmas at our own home, we decided to start new traditions. Already full of turkey and ham, tenderloin became the meat of choice. The cooking of the tenderloin has become as much a part of the tradition as the final product.
My husband, Brent, loves to grill and cooking the Christmas tenderloin is something he looks forward to each year. Truth be told, he probably enjoys the escape from the house which tends to be a little warm and full of people, excitement, and noise. The grilling area is cool, quiet, and calm providing a peaceful place to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. Grilling the meat also frees up the oven for other items which need to be baked. There have been some changes in cooking recommendations for whole cuts of pork. In 2020, the USDA lowered the recommended safe cooking temperature for whole cuts of pork from 160ºF to 145ºF with the addition of a threeminute rest time. Cooking pork, roasts, and chops to 145ºF as measured with a food thermometer before removing from the heat source and letting it rest for three minutes before carving or consuming will result in a product that is both safe and at its best quality—juicy and tender. This year’s tenderloin features a dry rub.
CHRISTMAS TENDERLOIN Ingredients: 1 – tenderloin appropriate for the number of servings needed. Approximately 4-5 lbs. (Hint- Cooked tenderloin is a versatile meat and freezes well. Plan ahead. This would be a good way to meal prep for future meals.) Dry Rub Ingredients: • 2 Tablespoons paprika • 1 Tablespoon seasoning salt • 1 Tablespoon chili powder • ½ teaspoon garlic powder • ½ teaspoon cumin • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper Directions: Combine the dry ingredients in a small bowl. Pour mixture over tenderloin and rub in thoroughly on all sides. Let rest for approximately 1 hour while your grill (or oven) is heating to approximately 300 degrees. Cook over indirect heat until internal cooking temperature reaches 145 degrees. Cooking time will depend on size of the meat. Start checking after 1 hour. Remove from heat and let rest for 3 minutes before slicing to serve. For an easy side dish, wrap sweet potatoes in foil and grill those at the same time your meat is cooking. Freeze leftovers or use within 3-5 days.
24 • SURRY LIVING Dec. 2021 Issue
simply delicious
N.C. Department of Insurance Mike Causey, Commissioner 855-408-1212 (toll free) • www.ncdoi.com
DECEMBER 5–1 1 IS
NATIONAL INFLUENZA VACCINATION WEEK National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) is a national observance that highlights the importance of continuing influenza vaccination through the holiday season and beyond. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends an annual influenza vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older to reduce the risk of illness and hospitalization. Now is a great time to vaccinate – to protect your family, friends and yourself. Medicare Part B covers one influenza vaccination and its administration each influenza season for Medicare beneficiaries. If medically necessary, Medicare may cover additional seasonal influenza vaccinations.
Now Open every other Thursday!
Ask your SHIIP counselor for more information. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: NC COOP. EXTENSION, SURRY CO. @ 336-401-8025 SURRY LIVING Dec. 2021 Issue • 25
area calendars & info
MOUNT AIRY
MOUNT AIRY EVENTS For more information on Mount Airy, visit www.yadkinvalleync.com/mount-airy SATURDAYS IN December: WPAQ MERRY-GO-ROUND at the Historic Earle Theatre, 142 N Main St, Mt Airy. 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM; Admission $8 (includes admission to Andy Griffith Museum) or Surry Arts Council Annual Pass. Please call 336.786.7998 for more details. DEC. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 31: MAYBERRY SPIRITS WHISKEY DISTILLERY TOURS, 431 N. South St., Mt. Airy. Fridays & Saturdays from 12:00 PM until 6:00 PM. Tours at 12:30 PM, 2:30 PM & 4:30 PM. Reservations recommended. $10 per person for an approximately 45-min. tour, which includes a souvenir shot glass and 5 tastings. Gift shop is open! Call 336-719-6860 for more info. DEC. 2-4: RIDGECREST SENIOR LIVING’S 2ND ANNUAL HOLIDAY WALK OF HOPE benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association. The Walk of Hope will take place December 2nd - 4th and 9th 11th from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Located at 1000 RidgeCrest Ln, Mt Airy (see ad page 30). DEC. 2: COMEDY CLUB AT THE EARLE FEATURING JOHN FLOYD "THE MOUTH OF MAYBERRY" 7:00 PM; The Historic Earle Theatre & Old-Time Music Heritage Hall, 142 N Main St, Mount Airy, Tickets · $10; Comedy Club at The Historic Earle Theatre will feature professional comedian John Floyd "The Mouth of Mayberry" who has entertained folks in all 50 states, on the high seas, and has opened for legendary performers including Frankie Valli and Chubby Checker. DEC. 5: THE NUTCRACKER PERFORMED BY NEW YORK BALLET FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM Shows. Andy Griffith Playhouse, 218 Rockford Street, Mount Airy. The classic story of Clara, a young girl on the brink of womanhood, whose dreams are both childlike and tinged with romance, comes to life. Surry Arts Council dance students perform with professional dancers in selected scenes in this popular, one -of-a-kind production. Performed by New York Ballet for Young Audiences. Enjoy an afternoon with family to see this classic ballet in Mount Airy. DEC. 9-11: RIDGECREST SENIOR LIVING’S 2ND ANNUAL HOLIDAY WALK OF HOPE benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association. The Walk of Hope will take place December 2nd - 4th and 9th 11th from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Located at 1000 RidgeCrest Ln, Mt Airy (see ad page 30). DEC. 18 & 19: THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGAENT EVER The Saturday, December 18, 2021 at 3:00 pm and Sunday, December 19, 2021 at 3:00 pm; Andy Griffith Playhouse, 218 Rockford Street, Mount Airy. Masks are required for all audience members. Reserved Seat Tickets: Preferred $20; Orchestra $15; Ralph, Imogene, Leroy, Claude, Ollie, and Gladys Herdman are an awful bunch. They set fire to Fred Shoemaker’s toolshed, blackmailed Wanda Pierce to get her charm bracelet, and smacked Alice Wendelken across the head. And that’s just the start! When the Herdmans show up at church for the free snacks and suddenly take over the Christmas pageant, the other kids are shocked. It’s obvious that they’re up “Celebrating 84 YEARS OF SERVICE in the Area!” to no good. But Christmas magic is all around and the Herdmans, who have never heard the Christmas story before, start to reimagine it in their own way. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., a Concord Theatricals Company.
26 • SURRY LIVING Dec. 2021 Issue
www.thederbyrestaurant.com
1901 S. Main St • Mt. Airy • (336) 786-7082
area calendars & info
DOBSON EVENTS
For more information on Dobson, NC, visit www.yadkinvalleync.com/dobson DEC. 4: DOBSON CHRISTMAS PARADE 2:00 PM. Join us for the annual Dobson Christmas Parade! The parade takes place on Main Street in Dobson. Be sure to bring bags for candy. And be on the lookout for a very special guest in a red suit! DEC. 4: HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE 2021 AT SHELTON VINEYARDS 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM FREE ADMISSION! Join us for our Holiday Open House Saturday, December 4th, 2021 from 11AM-5PM. It's the Holidays! Come and join us for all the sights, sounds and tastes of the season! LOTS of new holiday merchandise to start checking off your holiday shopping list! Case Specials for purchase - just in time to stock up for your holiday parties! Shelton Signature Hot Chocolate available Make a reservation at Harvest Grill to enjoy a delicious meal during your visit! Consider staying at our award-winning Hampton Inn and Suites for the complete experience.
AS A FRESH HOLIDAY SEASON SETTLES over Mt. Airy, revelry and song fill the halls and fends off the chill as the RidgeCrest collective gather and visit with family and friends, all in the safety of their perfectly wonderful community.
DEC. 10: VINTNER'S DINNER @ THE HARVEST GRILL 6:30 PM. A unique dining experience featuring a four course meal, prepared with fresh seasonal ingredients, paired with Shelton Vineyards wine. Our Vintner's Dinner is an extraordinary dining experience you will never forget! Reservations Required ~ Please call the Harvest Grill at 336-366-3590 for reservations or email harvestgrill@sheltonvineyards.com 9:30 am – 5:30 pm Monday – Saturday Closed Sundays
Bibles, books, gifts, church supplies, jewelry & more!
20% Off ALL Books and Bibles – EVERY DAY! Mt. Airy’s Premier Retirement Community 1000 Ridgecrest Lane • Mt. Airy, NC 27030 (336) 443.6953 • Ridge-Crest.com Stop by and meet the new owners, Hunter & Natalie Freeman!
INDEPENDENT LIVING • ASSISTED LIVING
336-673-0688 • 128 N. Main St. • Mount Airy, NC SURRY LIVING Dec. 2021 Issue • 27
area calendars & info
ELKIN
ELKIN EVENTS
For more area info, visit www.elkinnc.org DEC. 3: LIGHT UP ELKIN! 3:30 PM - 9:00 PM. Light Up Night Activities. • • • • •
Trails & Heritage Center - Trees for Charity. 20+ lit & decorated trees. Elkin Public Library - 4-6:30 pm - Story Walk, Ornament Making, Cookies & Cocoa. Farmers Market - 5:30 HDK Ranch Pony Rides. Corner of Market & Bridge - Live Nativity & Hot Chocolate Foothills Arts Center - 6:30 pm Tree Lighting w/ Mayor, Carolers, Dancers. 7-9 pm Visit w/ Santa, Live Music, Shop the Merry Makers Market! • Main St. - Joyful Noise Carolers • Honeysuckle Home - 5:30-7 pm Meet the Grinch • Looping Hay Rides (w/ tractor) from Foothills Arts Center to Church St. and back • Elkin Antiques Mall - Candy Cane Lane For more information, visit https://www.lightupelkin.com/ SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FOR THE REEVES THEATER & CAFE 129 West Main Street, Elkin. Call (336) 258-8240 or visit https://www.reevestheater.com/ for more Information
• FRIDAY, DEC. 3: LIGHT UP NIGHT (FREE!) FEATURING THE ELKIN BIG BAND, TERESA JASPER, WITH SPECIAL GUEST, MARTHA BASSETT • SATURDAY, DEC. 4: ACOUSTIC SYNDICATE • FRIDAY, DEC. 10: CHATHAM COUNTY LINE ELECTRIC HOLIDAY TOUR • SUNDAY, DEC. 12: HOLIDAY CHEER WITH NEWBERRY & VERCH • FRIDAY, DEC. 17: SONGS OF THE SEASON • SATURDAY, DEC. 18: THE MUSIC OF JOHN PRINE • THURSDAY, DEC. 23: OLD TIME JAM (FREE!) DEC. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: OPEN MIC NIGHT AT REEVES THEATER Sign-up: 6:30 PM, Show: 7:00 PM.
PILOT MOUNTAIN PILOT MOUNTAIN EVENTS Pilot Mountain Tourism, 124 West Main Street, Pilot Mountain For more area info, visit www.pilotmountainnc.org DEC. 4: CHRISTMAS PARADE & TREE LIGHTING 5:30 PM Downtown Pilot Mountain. Christmas Tree Lighting: Special carols will be performed by NC Honors Chorus members and alumni. The Winners of the Downtown Window Decorating Contest will be announced. The Tree Lighting Ceremony will begin at 5:30pm Immediately following the Tree Lighting Ceremony we invite you to stay and enjoy our 51st Annual Christmas Parade where you can see dancing, horses, cheerleaders, marching band, traditional favorites like floats, tractors, cars, public safety vehicles and more! Parade occurs on Main Street between East Surry High School and Academy Street. For more details & ways to participate in the Christmas Parade click here./
Natural Products & Education
DEC. 11: MISTLETOE MARKET 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Downtown Pilot Mountain. Pilot Mountain welcomes you to join us for our 2nd Mistletoe Market! The perfect opportunity to find that one of a kind gift. 50+ vendors offering antique, vintage, handcrafted and unique pieces. Food Trucks will be on hand to keep the hunger at bay while you shop the day away! 28 • SURRY LIVING Dec. 2021 Issue
Herbs • SUPPLEMENTS • Essential Oils Homeopathy • NATURAL BODYCARE GROCERIES • Petcare • AND MORE
106 West Main Street PILOT MOUNTAIN, NC
(336) 368-5955
STORE HOURS
Tuesday – Friday, 10:00 – 5 :00 Saturday, 10:00 – 4:00
Curbside and Mail Order Services Available
NEARBY
area calendars & info
NEARBY EVENTS
DECEMBER (GALAX, VA): LIVE MUSIC ON FRIDAY & SATURDAYS AT CREEK BOTTOM BREWERY Music is from 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM unless noted. DEC. 3 – The Antecendents Duo DEC. 4 – Becki & The Boom Booms DEC. 10 – Chad Cox DEC. 11 – Coyote Ugly DEC. 17 – Ray Martin DEC. 18 – Dori Freeman (6 pm – 9 pm) DEC. 31 – Pathway Band (8 pm – Midnight) Pet friendly! Creek Bottom Brewery, 307 N Meadow Street, Galax, VA DECEMBER – JANUARY 2, 2022 (GALAX, VA): HIGH COUNTRY LIGHTS AT FELTS PARK High Country Lights is a musical light show featuring over one hundred thousand Christmas lights choreographed to your favorite sounds of the season on 95.9FM. High Country Lights show can be seen nightly starting at 6:00 PM, November 25, 2021 - January 2, 2022, and ends at 10:00 PM. Sunday through Thursday and 11:00 PM Friday & Saturday. Admission is free. Make sure to check out our viewing tips before arriving to enhance your experience. High Country Lights is a family-friendly Christmas display centered around joy, fun, and excitement for children of all ages. During the busy time of the year, it's one way of bringing loved ones together to celebrate the spirit of Christmas. Without a doubt, it's the most wonderful time of the year. DEC. 3 (GALAX, VA): CHRISTMAS PARADE Friday, December 3. Christmas tree lighting at 6:30 pm at the Galax Police Department, parade begins at 7:00pm. After the parade, free movie “Christmas Vacation” will begin at 8:00pm inside the Rex Theater. DEC. 4 (GALAX, VA): MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm. Main Street, Galax. 70+ Homemade/handmade craft vendors, food vendors, with Main Street shops open late featuring festival-day specials. Special music begins at 4:00 pm on the Grayson Street Stage. 4:00 pm – Eric Marshall; 5:30 pm – Dori Freeman, 7:00 pm – Loose Strings Band. There will be Christmas Carolers at the intersection of Center St. and Main St.; a Galax City Schools luminary walk on Center St.; Family Christmas Portraits at the Gazebo on Main St. And much more! DEC. 11 (GALAX, VA): FAMILY CHRISTMAS MOVIES at the Rex Theater. At 6:00 pm, enjoy the animated cartoon “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and immediately following at 6:30 pm, “Elf” with Will Ferrell DEC. 18 (GALAX, VA): CHRISTMAS BLUEGRASS SHOW Inside the Rex Theater. Show begins at 7:00, doors open at 6:00. $10.00 a ticket. Band: Echo Valley Bluegrass. Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/ VisitGalaxCity or on the web at visitgalax.com DEC. 4 (WESTFIELD): HOLIDAY NATURE CRAFTS 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM; Join us at Minglewood Farm and Nature Preserve at 238 Minglewood Road, Westfield, NC. This will be a fun afternoon filled with holiday craft festivities for the whole family! This is a FREE event, donations are greatly appreciated. eventbrite.com/o/minglewoodfarm-and-nature-preserve-17188338999 SURRY LIVING Dec. 2021 Issue • 29
30 • SURRY LIVING Dec. 2021 Issue
TED BENBOW BROKER/REALTOR®
704-902-0121 tedb@landandluxury.com www.landandluxury.com
Professional Land Surveyor Certified Land Specialist 10.35 AC | STOKES CO NEW LISTING!
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Keeping you closer to home.
Choose Well. Choose Northern. choosenorthern.org | 830 Rockford Street, Mount Airy, NC
