Surry Living Magazine - January-February 2023

Winter Activities in Surry and Surrounding Areas

a publication of top of the stairs media, llc

SURRY LIVING MAGAZINE

PO Box 125

Low Gap, NC 27024

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CREATIVE

LARRY VANHOOSE executive editor VIE STALLINGS HERLOCKER associate editor

SALES

TRINA VANHOOSE OLIVIA MCMILLAN

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Advertiser Index

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 30

Better Than Average Liquidators, Page 30

Blue Mountain Herbs & Supplements, Page 29

Camper & Mobile Home Supply, Page 20

Charis Christian Books & Gifts, Page 26

Cook Insurance Group, Page 10

Cooke Rentals, Page 20

Countryside RV, Page 7

The Derby, Page 20

Farmer's Mulch & Rock, Page 13

Friendly Heating & Cooling, Inc., Page 5

The Graceful Goose, Page 30

Hope House Missionary Thrift Store, Page 4

Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital, Pages 2, 11, 21

Keswick Candle Company, Page 19

Laurel Oak Farm Rentals, Page 23

Main Street Market, Page 20

The Martha Bassett Show, Page 16

Mount Airy Equipment, Page 3

Mount Airy Museum of Regional History, Page 26

Mullins Pawn Shop & Jewelers, Page 10

NC Cooperative Extension, Page 25

Northern Regional Hospital, Pages 17, 32

Ridgecrest Retirement, Page 19

Roy's Diamonds, Page 10

Royster & Royster Attorneys at Law, Page 20

Shelton Vineyards, Page 27

Surry Communications, Page 14

Ted Benbow / Mossy Oak Properties, Page 31

Waterlily Wellness, Page 7

312 N. White St • Dobson, NC Great Deals for a Great Cause!

Area Events:

Note: All events are subject to being canceled or postponed. We recommend visiting visitmayberry.com/ and the other area venue specific websites for the most upto-date and accurate event schedules and ticketing information.

CONTRIBUTORS

Martha Bassett

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.

Sheri Wren Haymore

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

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 Long

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 is the County Extension Director for NC Cooperative Extension in Surry County as well as the Commercial and Consumer Horticulture Agent with expertise in entomology, gardening, and pesticide education. Joanna 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. 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 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.

Joanna Radford

Gloria Brown

Sarah Southard

CONTRIBUTORS

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,

Nicole Wimbish NCLMBT #17194

A CHANCE TO BREATHE

I tell people I am a recovering run-aholic. My wife could explain what that means. Long before I met her and well into our marriage, I typically ran five, six, even seven days a week. When people asked me why I ran so often, I had what I thought was a cute little aphorism I’d give in response. “There’s an old, fat guy chasing me and I’m trying to keep him from catching up.” I was talking about myself of course, the old, obese guy I was sure I’d become if I gave in to the temptation to cut back, take it just a little bit easier, skip a workout or two. But I resisted the temptation and kept going and going and going, sort of like the rabbit with big ears beating on a drum. Innocently enough, my aging body eventually gave out. First, I sprained my right knee while moving a fridge into our new house on a steep hillside. Then while I waited impatiently for it to heal so I could start training again, I sprained my left knee carrying a heavy box on my office stairway while still favoring my right. Full system shutdown! Six weeks went by, then twelve, six months, and then a year came and went. You see, I kept re-injuring my knees trying to rush my recovery and the recovery period just got longer and longer. I still went to the gym several times a week, but I was never a huge fan of stationary bikes, weightlifting, or swimming. I missed running – the competitions, the camaraderie, the endorphins, I missed it all. And to make matters worse, the old fat guy was gaining on me by leaps and bounds. I was feeling and looking my age. After a couple years of no significant progress in my recovery, I made the decision to just stop. Give my knees and the rest of my aging body a chance to heal – it was the only thing I hadn’t tried. Restlessness set in though, and I eventually took to long walks with my dogs, learning to enjoy the slower pace and the beauty around me as we (slowly and carefully) traversed the

by Larry VanHoose

forest, hills, and meadows of our small family farm. These last couple of years I have learned a lot about myself, my dogs, my farm, and even about God. I hadn’t realized that through the years I was in such a hurry to get from one place to the next that I was missing the benefits and rewards of the journey itself. I had lost myself, and my peace, in the running to and fro. Enter 2023. The new year and the hope it holds out to us all is like a carrot on a stick, waiting for us to begin the chase. Certainly, we think it couldn’t get much worse than the last few years. With a global pandemic, wars, the threat of world war, untold thousands of racial, social, and religious injustices, murders, lawlessness, terrorism, and more behind us, things can only get better, right? Maybe yes, maybe no, but let me tell you something from deep, painful experience, we seldom get better doing the same things that got us where we are. At some point we all have to slow down and allow ourselves a chance to heal, a chance to accept or at least evaluate our current condition, a chance to figure out how to move forward again albeit slowly, and we may just need to give ourselves a chance to breathe. Slow, deep, healing breaths.

I am (finally!) running again, but it’s different this time. I am different this time. I’m no longer running away from something, but I am learning to run in the moment - in this moment – to enjoy it, and to see what I’ve been missing. Who knows, maybe keeping my eyes wide open will keep me from getting injured again? But if not, at least I know now that the road to recovery starts with time, healing, and a long, slow, deep, lung-filling breath of God’s peace. And then another. “… and let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT).

Have you heard? Surry Living Magazine is for sale!

It's true — Surry Living magazine is for sale! After five plus years of pouring their hearts into this fun and rewarding adventure, several significant changes have occurred in the current owner's other professional endeavors. Because of these new demands on that ever-so-limited supply called time, the owners of SLM have had to make the difficult, even heartbreaking decision to put their "labor of love" on the market.

If you have interest in magazine publishing or maybe just thought of having an outlet for your own creative juices, this might be just the opportunity you have been dreaming about! For more information, contact co-owner Larry VanHoose at larry@surryliving.com or message him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SurryLiving.

At SLM, we look forward to helping the new owners to grow and flourish while hopefully continuing to bring this fun and inspiring regional lifestyle publication to the Surry County area for year's to come!

by Joanna Radford

Extension’s Winter EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

One of the “best kept secrets” in North Carolina is North Carolina Cooperative Extension. It has been around since 1914 and is now in all one hundred counties and the Eastern Band of the Cherokee in North Carolina. NC Cooperative Extension is a collaborative effort between the state’s land-grant universities— North Carolina State University (NC State) and North Carolina A&T State University (NC A&T)—and county and tribal governments to bring research-based knowledge to citizens in communities throughout the state.

NC Cooperative Extension provides informal, community-based education to the citizens in the counties served. Our educational programs address the needs and issues most important to our clientele and their communities. In the county, the field faculty or educators are known as Extension agents. It is up to the local Extension agents within that county to provide programming to meet these needs. While many programs between county lines may be similar, they could also differ depending on the needs of the county. Programming and assistance are offered in various program areas such as: youth development (4-H), family and consumer science, livestock, field crops, pesticide education, horticulture, and foods and nutrition. All programs provide research-based information to clientele with the goal of helping to make the lives of clientele better. Our programs are usually free and are always open to the public.

There are numerous programs offered throughout the year and can be found on our local Extension websites. There are several workshops and programs being offered in January and February. Let me highlight a few that may be of interest.

The Extension Master Gardener Program Certification begins January 18 and will continue weekly on Wednesdays from

1:00 - 4:30 p.m. at the Pilot Center in Pilot Mountain. This program is open to anyone interested in horticulture, and who would like to volunteer and give back to their community. Participants attend 40 hours of hands-on, instructional training, take an exam, and volunteer 40 hours of time to horticulture projects throughout local county communities. Some projects that Extension Master Gardener volunteers are involved in are educational workshops on container gardening, growing your own salad bowl, and spring gardening to name a few. Others may include maintaining and presenting programs with demonstration gardens at the Historical Courthouse in Dobson or maintaining the horticulture library (available at the Surry Center office) or assisting local schools with raised bed gardening. Numerous projects are available. Anyone interested may find applications at https://surry.ces.ncsu.edu/.

The Vinedresser Program meets quarterly for a total of four trainings each year. This program is open to anyone interested in viticulture. All vineyard owners, vineyard operators, workers, and winemakers are encouraged to attend these grape production and winemaking trainings. The next training will be held on January 19 from 2:00-5:00 p.m. at the Extension Center in Surry County (915 East Atkins Street, Dobson). Dr. Mizuho Nita, Specialist for Grape Disease Management with Virginia Tech will be talking about grape disease identification and management. Contact your local Extension Center for registration and details.

The Foothills Specialty Crops Roundtable is a half-day event that offers numerous educational programs on horticulture to seasoned farmers along with new and beginning farmers. This event will be held February 2, 12:30 – 5:00 p.m. at the Yadkin County Extension Center located at 2051 Agriculture Way, Yadkinville. A few of the topics on this year’s agenda are growing mushrooms, blueberry production, growing fruit trees, and permaculture –and more. Contact your local Extension Center for registration and details.

The Surry County Bee School is scheduled to

begin February 6 from 7:00 –9:00 PM at the Surry County Service Center (915 East Atkins Street, Dobson) and will continue every Monday night through March 13. The Surry County Beekeepers Association hosts this school designed for beginning beekeepers. A Junior Beekeeping Certification program is also offered at this time and location for any youth aged 5-18. Call the Surry County Extension Center at 336-4018025 for details and registration.

No matter what your interests are, NC Cooperative Extension has something for you any time of the year. Contact your local Extension Center or visit their website to learn what other opportunities are available. Before you know it, you will be telling others about this best kept secret.

by Sarah Southard, DVM

New Year, New Pet Wellness Goals

This article was first published in our January, 2018 issue. With the dawning of a new year, many of us are making resolutions as we plan to better our lives over the coming months. We’re planning to prepare healthier meals at home, exercise daily, eliminate toxins from our homes, finally read those great classics we’ve heard so much about, and communicate regularly with Great-Aunt Mary and Uncle John.

to ligaments in the legs, and spinal injuries. Ultimately, overweight pets live shorter lives as well. A study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association in 2002 found that dogs fed a decreased amount of calories lived almost two years longer than dogs fed a higher calorie diet*. While it is tempting for us to show our love for our pets by feeding them extra food or special treats, it is much safer and much more loving for us to spend extra time playing and interacting with them instead.

It is important to make some plans and changes for our pets as well. A 2016 clinical survey performed by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention found that nearly 54% of dogs and almost 59% of cats in the United States are overweight or obese*. Just as with humans, pets carrying extra weight are at increased risk for various diseases or injuries which can include diabetes, high blood pressure or other heart disease, arthritis, liver disease, chronic kidney disease, damage

There are many options for increasing your pet’s activity level. For dogs, extending their usual walk or run by a few minutes each day or encouraging games in the yard or house are great ideas. Throw a ball or frisbee, play a game of tug of war, or train your pup in agility activities. Cats seem a little trickier, but all it takes is a little imagination. They are intrigued by anything that moves and will usually stalk, chase, and pounce on a bug, laser light, or toy dangled from a stick. I once spent a few weeks living with a couple whose cat was trained to fetch! The toys do not have to be extravagant either. My mom’s cat loves nothing more than a plastic drinking straw or piece of tissue paper from a gift. Good activity options for smaller pets such as hamsters, gerbils, and chinchillas include exercise wheels in their cage or exercise balls in which they can roam around the room. Be sure to correctly match the size of the wheel or ball to the size of your pet.

This new year, make your pet’s health and wellness a priority. Schedule a check-up for your furry friend and be sure to discuss your pet’s weight and body condition score (a scale used to determine underweight, ideal, overweight, or obese condition) with your veterinarian. If your pet needs to lose a few pounds to feel their best and protect their health, ask your veterinarian to formulate a plan to help you meet your pet’s wellness goals. Maintaining a healthy weight and exercise program throughout the lives of your pets will add years to their lives. What better way can you love your pet than that? *petobesityprevention.org

by Martha Bassett

Happy New Year, friends! It’s that time of year when we collect ourselves after the hurried pace of the holidays and look forward with hopes of good living in the next circling of the sun. Most of us make and then break some promises to ourselves, and then we move on with what life brings us.

In 2022, I had a big goal to double the number of live shows for the Martha Bassett Show at the Reeves Theater in Elkin, and we did it. We featured over 60 artists in Season 5. The crowds came back out after two years of pandemic precautions. It felt like a big family reunion!

Now we begin Season 6 on February 2 with a

great show featuring Jess Klein and Charles Latham and the Borrowed Band.

For the new season, I’ve made some promises to myself. It’s time for our show to go from regional to national. In the past few months, we’ve added three new radio stations to our list of partnerships, giving us coverage in Tennessee, central and western North Carolina, southwest Virginia, and eastern Kentucky. It’s a very big goal to achieve national syndication. I don’t know exactly how we’re going to get there or how long it will take, but if not now, when?

I believe that North Carolina music has a special sound, and that the world needs to hear it. So I’m reaching out to radio stations all over the country to find new listeners for our good music. If you haven’t yet listened in, you can hear us Saturday nights at 7:00 p.m. on 88.5 WFDD. Or plan to be with us in person on first and third Thursdays in Elkin. Our roster for 2023 is packed with local talent that’ll make you proud and touring talent that’ll dazzle your ears.

I hope you have some big goals for the year too. Whether you’re creating something new, expanding something you’ve already built, or simplifying your life, I wish for you great focus and strength in getting there!

Choose Well. Choose Northern.

Orthopaedics

a department of Northern Regional Hospital

Motion Is Life

By William E. Refvem, M.D.

The joints in our bodies are necessary for all tasks from walking to eating to writing. The muscles, bones and joints provide the power, stability and motion that enable everything we do, and any deficiency in any of these elements will interfere with the proper function of at least part of our bodies.

Since everything we do involves joints, it is a good idea to treat them with some care. There is no need to rush to the doctor for every little ache or pain, but as pain persists and interferes with the normal activities in life, then, It usually means it is time to make an appointment.

A joint is any contact between bones where motion can occur – there are joints in the head, the spine, upper and lower extremities (arms and legs). And where there is motion, there can be natural “wear and tear”, inflammation, or sometimes injury. Moving parts wear out, and in that way the body can be compared to a car engine with all of its moving parts. There are some aches and pains that come with age and are to be expected to some degree. However, it is wise to determine that there is nothing that can be done than finding out later that you could have been relieved of some pain with an easy treatment.

A thorough evaluation of a joint pain or injury involves three elements: history (or the story of how the problem began),

examination, and X-rays (in most cases). Sometimes the diagnosis is crystal clear, and sometimes it is not clear at all. It may be necessary to order more testing to sort it all out. For example, the knee and shoulder are more complex joints than many others in the human body because they have complex cartilage elements that can be the trouble and may not show up on X-rays. If that is the case, an MRI may be indicated.

Once the diagnosis is made, treatment can be planned, anything from R.I.C.E. (Rest Ice Compression Elevation) to anti-inflammatory pills to steroid injection to physical therapy. Usually when surgery is considered, it is when non-surgical treatment has been unsuccessful at relieving the issue. There are times, especially with arthritis or rotator cuff tears, when the only thing that will relieve the pain is surgery. I am always cautious when it comes to suggesting surgery. Surgery isn’t the answer to every problem, but it is the cure for many things.

We need our joints to keep us doing life, so keep moving, even if it takes a little medical help to do it.

About the Author: William E. Refvem, MD is an orthopaedic surgeon at Northern Orthopaedics in Mount Airy. For more information about Northern Orthopaedics, call (336) 719-0011 or visit choosenorthern.org.

This is a paid advertorial for Northern Regional Hospital, Mount Airy, NC.

by Sheri Wren Haymore

Happenings at Home

For a dozen or more years, our group of four couples gathered monthly during the colder seasons, usually October through April, for what we dubbed our “cooking gang.” Because these gatherings were especially welcome when the cold, dull days of winter set in, I hope our friendly ritual might inspire you to plan your own “happenings” close to home.

It all began when our friend Don envisioned the men cooking a gourmet meal and serving the wives. The ladies met this suggestion with great enthusiasm, while the other three men’s agreement was dubious. Confidently, Don plunged into the first supper with an ambitious menu of beef brisket and several fancy sides. While the ladies chatted in the living room, the men filled the kitchen with guffaws as they wielded knives and squinted at unfamiliar recipes, teasing each other while they went about their assigned tasks. That evening was a huge success, and we were off on a new gastronomical adventure!

Next up was Barry, whose kitchen experience was—to put it kindly—limited. What we remember from that dinner was Barry

running through the house, waving his arms, yelling, “Crisis! Crisis!” When Tom’s turn came, he wowed us with an array of new recipes, including marinated asparagus and strawberry soup. Clyde impressed us with a whole grouper, stuffed with fresh herbs and grilled to buttery perfection.

As the years rolled on, the guys outdid themselves every single time! Entrees like spice-rubbed beef tenderloin, inch-thick pork chops, Beef Wellington, roast lamb, chicken etouffee, brined pecan-and-cranberry-crusted pork loin, creamy Cajun chicken pasta, paella, seafood bisque, cioppino, and smoked salmon made their way to our plates. Fancy sides, such as green salad with creamy Gruyere dressing, chevre herbed mashed potatoes, fromscratch Asian slaw, and creamed leeks showed up. (The leeks, by the way, were delicious, but, um, gaseous, so don’t try that one.)

With each experience, even Barry gained confidence and expertly perused cookbooks for fresh inspiration, and the guys ribbed each other over their “cheffing” skills. We coined a new expression—to “Clyde up” a recipe, based on Clyde’s penchant for adding more garlic and spices than called for. Once, inexplicably, wild rice grains lay scattered among kitchen drawers the day after a cooking gang, horrifying the wife until she realized she wasn’t seeing mouse droppings.

Here was our routine: Each host would plan the menu and purchase the ingredients. We divided the cost for each dinner. The host couple prepared appetizers in advance, and festive table settings brightened every dinner. The ladies stretched their baking skills and took turns bringing a scrumptious dessert each month. And, typically, the ladies cleaned up the splatters and mountains of cooking utensils.

Go ahead! Pitch the idea to a group of your friends and try your own dinner club. We promise that the camaraderie and skills gained will be the experience of a lifetime. We do offer a couple of suggestions, though. No matter how tempted you are to bring in all your favorite people, limit your group to eight gourmands. A gourmet meal is an ambitious project! Even if your guest list is not evenly divided into couples, keep in mind that four people are quite enough in a home kitchen and assign tasks accordingly. Besides, eight lively friends around a dining table are just right for conversation. And please keep a record of your meals. Years after we began,

we mourned not having kept up with our “greatest hits” of recipes.

Does planning and executing a dinner club feel daunting? In lieu of a four-course dinner, host an appetizer meal and give each guest an assignment. The goal of the evening, still, will be to stretch your “cheffing” capabilities, savor good food, and celebrate friendship.

By the time the pandemic hit, our men were beginning to lose steam, which is understandable, considering they had prepared around seventy-five fabulous meals by then. Now that we can safely gather again, we’re content with simple potluck dinners and grateful for the memories we forged together.

Here’s a simple, delicious appetizer that’s a hit every time.

CHERRY BOMBS (from Out of Our League, Too, 1986, Greensboro Junior League)

1 pint cherry tomatoes

1 tsp. Spice Islands Beau Monde

1 tsp. seasoned salt 1 tsp. dill

Combine Beau Monde, dill, and seasoned salt in a small plastic bag. Rinse tomatoes. Place 3-5 tomatoes in bag and shake. Remove. Repeat until all tomatoes are coated. Serve in a pretty bowl.

I have several recipes for mashed potatoes. This recipe comes from my mother-in-law who makes the best ever! So many people request them that she can never let an occasion go by without making them. I’ll share some of her secrets for making her delicious, mashed potatoes.

Usually, people who make a lot of mashed potatoes have a favorite potato they like to use. This recipe is no different. My mother-in-law only uses very fresh russet potatoes and they always turn out perfectly. In a pinch, she will reluctantly use white potatoes, but her favorite is always the russet potato. They are usually very large, which means you don’t have to peel as many to make mashed potatoes. But the main reason she uses them is that they have a dry and fluffy taste when cooked.

Contrary to what many food magazines say about mixers and mashed potatoes, my mother-in-law always uses one to make her mashed potatoes. Always. However, she never beats out all the potato lumps because she doesn’t want them to taste like instant potatoes. Restrained beating keeps them from being overworked. Her mashed potatoes are light, fluffy, and never gluey.

For this recipe, don’t skimp on the butter. You can also use salted butter in this recipe since you need to add extra salt to get a good taste. I have tried to make this recipe with a lot less butter. The result was mashed potatoes that were good but not delicious like the recipe my mother-in-law makes. If you are making these mashed potatoes for guests, use the full-fat version with all the butter.

Not many recipes call for evaporated milk in mashed potatoes, but it works because it makes the potatoes rich and creamy. Evaporated milk has 60 percent less water than regular milk, so it is concentrated milk. It is also known as unsweetened condensed milk, but do not confuse it with sweetened condensed milk. Evaporated milk does not have added sugar. Simply put, it is regular milk that has been boiled until it loses about half of its water content.

Heat the milk and butter together in a microwave-safe measuring cup or bowl until hot but not boiling. Pour it over the hot cooked potatoes. You can substitute regular whole milk for evaporated milk, but there will be a difference in taste.

MORE SECRETS OF GREAT MASHED POTATOES

1. Always use fresh potatoes. If they have eyes growing on them or are soft, they are too old and might make “gluey” mashed potatoes.

2. Fill the pan with cold water when you boil the potatoes. Hot water can cook the outer edges of the potatoes too fast. By the time the centers are heated and cooked, the potato edges can be overcooked.

3. Don’t overcook the potatoes. Check them with a fork. If they are tender enough to stick a fork through, then they are cooked. It is easy to overcook them until they shatter when forked. Take them off the stove before this point.

4. Don’t leave the potatoes in the cooking water after they finish cooking. Drain them as soon as they finish cooking, or they will overcook and absorb too much water.

5. Melt the butter and heat the milk before adding them to the hot potatoes. Cold milk and butter can cool your potatoes before you can serve them.

6. Use enough salt. Mashed potatoes need more salt than you might think to be properly seasoned.

7. Sprinkle in some instant potatoes if you accidentally add too much liquid. Instant potatoes will absorb the excess liquid.

RUSSET MASHED POTATOES

with Rynn Hennings www.thehouseofelynryn.com

1. Wash and peel potatoes. Cut into slices or small cubes and add to a large pot. Fill the pot with enough cold water to cover the potatoes. Add 1 teaspoon of salt. Cover with a lid and bring to a boil. Then remove the lid, reduce heat, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. Do not start timing the potatoes until they come to a boil.

2. While the potatoes cook, heat 6 tablespoons of butter

and 3/4 cup of canned milk until warm and the butter is melted. Set aside.

3. Drain and place potatoes in a mixing bowl.

4. Add the pepper, the other teaspoon of salt, and the heated milk/butter mixture to the potatoes. Beat with a mixer until creamy, leaving some potato lumps. Heat and add more milk if necessary. The potatoes should be creamy and not dry. Do not overbeat.

5. Add more salt if needed. Place potatoes in a serving bowl and then add the last tablespoon of butter to the top of the potatoes and let melt. Refrigerate leftovers.

Savory Tips

Stovetop Reheating: To reheat leftover mashed potatoes, place them into a pan. Add 3 or 4 tablespoons of milk (canned or whole milk). Stir. Heat the potatoes until hot. Add additional milk if necessary, so the potatoes are creamy and not stiff.

Microwave Reheating: You can also reheat mashed potatoes in the microwave. Place the leftover potatoes in a microwavesafe bowl. Add 3-4 tablespoons of milk. Stir until creamy, adding more milk if necessary. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between intervals, until hot.

Make Your Own Evaporated Milk: If you don't have evaporated milk on hand, you can make your own by adding 3 cups of whole milk to a thick-bottomed saucepan. Bring the milk to a simmer and cook it until it reduces to 1 1/2 cups.

For more recipes, visit www.thehouseofelynryn.com

Four Spectacular

BARN

FARMHOUSE

MOVING MORE IN THE NEW YEAR

2023 is here and it is time to get moving! Would you like to feel and sleep better, increase your energy levels, have a more positive attitude, reduce the risk for certain chronic diseases and maybe even lose some weight? These claims are better than you would hear from a late-night TV infomercial. The exciting part is that we can experience all these benefits without taking any medication, buying any special food, or spending lots of money. What’s the answer? Daily physical activity.

During the winter, it is more challenging for many of us to get outside to take a walk. Think about how you may be able to fit more movement into your day. It may be something as simple as parking your car in a space farther away from where you are going or taking the stairs instead of the elevator.

Use commercials during your favorite TV shows as movement breaks. Get out of your chair and move around. Even just standing up and sitting back down several times can help strengthen leg muscles. Use hand weights, or a bottle of water will work, to strengthen your arms.

One fun idea is to take a blown-up balloon, hit it into the air and keep hitting it up to see if you can keep the balloon from touching the floor during the whole commercial. (It is amazing how long some of the commercials last.) This is even more fun to do with a partner, hitting it back and forth to each other. Not only are you getting some exercise, but the movement will also warm you up on a cold day.

If you do decide to go outside to get some fresh air and exercise, it is important that you take the weather into consideration and dress appropriately for the conditions. Use these tips from Eat Smart, Move More, NC to make your winter walk safe and enjoyable.

• Dress in layers so that you can remove or put back on as needed.

• Wear a hat to minimize the body heat lost from the head.

• Wear gloves or mittens to keep your hands warm.

• Wear comfortable shoes with good traction.

• Drink plenty of water before, during, and after exercise.

• Wear sunscreen and sunglasses to protect yourself from sun damage.

Research shows so many positive benefits of being physically active. You are worth the effort. No excuses. Today is the day to make extra movement part of your routine and start feeling great.

January is soup month. There is nothing better than warming up with a bowl of delicious soup on a cold winter day. Leftover soup often tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had a chance to blend. Remember to put leftover soup in shallow containers and refrigerate promptly to ensure that it cools quickly.

BROCCOLI

4

• 4 cups broccoli (chopped) – frozen may be less expensive than fresh

1 onion (small, chopped)

4 cups chicken or vegetable broth, low sodium

1 cup evaporated milk, non-fat • 1/2 cup mashed potatoes, instant (prepare with water to make 1 cup potatoes; could also use 1 cup leftover mashed potatoes.) • salt and pepper (to taste, optional) • 1/4 cup cheddar cheese, shredded (or American)

1. Wash hands.

2. Combine broccoli, onion, and broth in large pot.

3. Bring to a boil.

4. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer for about 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

5. Add milk to soup. Slowly stir in potatoes.

6. Cook, stirring constantly, until bubbly and thickened.

7. Season with salt and pepper; stir in a little more milk or water if soup starts becomes too thick.

8. Ladle into serving bowls.

9. Sprinkle about 1 Tablespoon cheese over each serving.

Note: Can blend until smooth with an immersion blender if smoother soup is desired.

N.C.

JANUARY IS

Glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss and blindness in the United States. It often has no symptoms and if it’s not detected and treated, people can lose their sight.

Prevent vision loss by finding and treating problems early.

Medicare covers a glaucoma test once every 12 months for people at high risk for the disease. You’re at high risk if you have diabetes, are African Americans age 50 and older, everyone over age 60, and anyone with a family history of glaucoma.

The Medicare Part B deductible and coinsurance apply.

Ask a SHIIP Counselor for more information.

MOUNT AIRY EVENTS

For more information, visit www.yadkinvalleync.com/mount-airy

SATURDAYS IN JANUARY-FEBRUARY: 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. Call 336.786.7998 for details.

JANUARY 7: BREAKING UP

CHRISTMAS

FEATURING LARRY & MARTHA, AND THE BLUE RIDGE GIRLS 7:00 – 9:00 PM at the historic Earle Theatre, 142 N. Main St., Mount Airy, NC. If you and your friends are looking for a fun evening filled with music and dancing, look no further! For more information on purchasing tickets, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/breaking-upchristmas-featuring-larry-martha-and-theblue-ridge-girls-tickets-411538702337

JANUARY 21: RIDERS IN THE SKY 7:00 – 9:00 PM at the historic Earle Theatre, 142 N. Main St., Mount Airy, NC. You'll recognize their memorable music from the movie "Toy Story 2" among other Disney productions! Their America's favorite cowboys! For more information on purchasing tickets, go to https://www. eventbrite.com/e/riders-in-the-sky-2023tickets-430900012537

FEBRUARY 4: WPAQ

BIRTHDAY

CELEBRATION AT THE EARLE Historic Earle Theatre, 142 N. Main St., Mount Airy, NC. For more info, go to https://www.facebook.com/ events/450650517031279?active_ tab=about

DOBSON EVENTS

For more information on Dobson, NC, visit yadkinvalleync.com/dobson

JANUARY 13: CHEF & WINEMAKER DINNER AT SHELTON

VINEYARDS 6:30 PM. 286 Cabernet Ln, Dobson. Visit www.sheltonvineyards.com/shelton_events

JANUARY

14: FOLLOW THE VINTAGE: BARRELS AND

BLENDING AT SHELTON VINEYARDS 11:00 AM. 286 Cabernet Ln, Dobson. Visit www.sheltonvineyards.com/shelton_events

FEBRUARY 11 – 14: SWEETHEART WEEKEND AT SHELTON

VINEYARDS 286 Cabernet Ln, Dobson. Visit www.sheltonvineyards.com/shelton_events

FEBRUARY 14: VALENTINES DAY DINNER 286 Cabernet Ln, Dobson. For more information including reservation information, visit Visit www.sheltonvineyards.com/shelton_events

ELKIN EVENTS For more area info, visit https://www.exploreelkin.com/events

ELKIN EVENTS

JANUARY-FEBRUARY WEDNESDAYS: OPEN MIC NIGHT AT REEVES THEATER

Sign-up: 6:30 PM, Show: 7:00 PM.

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

• SATURDAY, JAN. 14: BLUE RIDGE OPRY

• SATURDAY, JAN. 28: FIDDLE DEE DEE (REEVES CAFE)

• THURSDAY, FEB. 2: THE MARTHA BASSETT SHOW WITH CHARLES LATHAM AND THE BORROWED BAND ALONG WITH JESS KLEIN

• FRIDAY, FEB. 3: MOTOWN CLASSICS WITH SILK GROOVE REVUE

• FRIDAY, FEB. 4: BIG DADDY LOVE

• THURSDAY, FEB. 9: COUNTRY/BLUES/BLUEGRASS JAM

• SATURDAY, FEB. 25: FIDDLE DEE DEE (REEVES CAFE)

Note: Visit www.reevestheater.com for the latest updates, additions, show-times, etc.

PILOT MOUNTAIN

PILOT MOUNTAIN EVENTS

Pilot Mountain Tourism, 124 West Main Street, Pilot Mountain For more area info, visit www.pilotmountainnc.org

Pilot Mountain hosts many events throughout the year; some are geared towards community involvement while others are geared toward economic development.

For information about our downtown events please contact Christy Craig- Downtown Events Coordinator 336444-2016 downtownevents@pilotmountainnc.org

NOTE: There are currently no scheduled events for Pilot Mountain in January and February. Be sure to check www.pilotmountainnc.org/ regularly for updated information and event schedules.

JANUARY 2023

JAN. 6 - WILLIAM MASSEY (7-10 PM)

JAN. 7 - AUSTIN & MORGAN DUO (7-10 PM)

JAN. 12 - KARAOKE W/ DJ STEVE (7-9 PM)

JAN. 13 - JONATHAN SARTIN (7-10 PM)

JAN. 14 - PHILLIP CAUDLE DUO (7-10 PM)

JAN. 20 - DAN FOX (7-10 PM)

JAN. 21 - ROBBY DANISON (7-10 PM)

JAN. 26 - KARAOKE W/ DJ STEVE (7-9 PM)

JAN. 27 - FISHER FREEMAN (7-10 PM)

JAN. 28 - RYAN GREER TRIO (7-10 PM)

FEBRUARY 2023

FEB. 3 – PHILLIP CAUDLE DUO (7-10 PM)

FEB. 4 – MAKENZIE PHIPPS DUO (7-10 PM)

FEB. 9 – KARAOKE W/ DJ STEVE (7-9 PM)

FEB. 10 – GREAT BIG HUG BAND (7-10 PM)

FEB. 11 – JONATHAN SARTIN (7-10 PM)

FEB. 17 – MARIE ANDERSON (7-10 PM)

FEB. 18 – JOSH MCBRIDE (7-10 PM)

FEB. 23 – KARAOKE W/ DJ STEVE (7-9 PM)

FEB. 24 – KT VANDYKE (7-10 PM)

FEB. 25 – LANCE BAUGUS (7-10 PM)

30.18 AC | CALDWELL COUNTY

Gated community. Approx. 20 miles of ATV maintained graveled road. State-owned game lands adjoins property! Waterfall & stream pools. Cabin on property w/12 volt lights water. Pounding Mill Trail, Lenoir. MLS 3873168 $299,900 TEXT CODE: T40564983

205 ACRES | ALEXANDER COUNTY

One of the nicest big tracts I have seen. Mostly wooded with food plots, streams, small pond. Easy walking. Deer, turkey, bear. History of once being an apple orchard. Hwy 16, Moravian Falls. MLS 3850756 $1,200,000 TEXT CODE: T40557228

36.18 ACRES | IREDELL COUNTY Beautiful property! Both open and wooded. 36 acre tract of land with rolling hills and a pond. This tract has paved road frontage and is very user friendly. This is two tracts being sold together. 255 Little Wilkesboro Road MLS 3872633 $792,000 TEXT CODE: T40565013