IT'S FREE!
NOVEMBER 2021
A lifestyle magazine highlighting Surry County and the surrounding area
Includes special event calendars for Mount Airy, Pilot Mountain, Dobson, Elkin, and our other nearby communities
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a publication of vivid graphics SURRY LIVING MAGAZINE PO Box 6548 Mount Airy, NC 27030 surryliving.com • info@surryliving.com for editorial content submissions send to larry@surryliving.com
CREATIVE
LARRY VANHOOSE executive editor
TRINA VANHOOSE
VIE STALLINGS HERLOCKER associate editor
SALES
OLIVIA MCMILLAN
ADVERTISE WITH US:
• Reach more than 30,000 potential customers each month. • Complimentary monthly magazine distributed in hundreds of prime locations throughout Mount Airy, Elkin, Dobson, Pilot Mountain, Jonesville, Yadkinville, and the surrounding areas including grocery stores, restaurants, medical offices, hotels, gift shops, and more. • Current and previous issues available for viewing and download at surryliving.com/ • Business Spotlight and Advertorial articles available. • Enhance your business image with our high-quality, four-color, heavy-gloss publication. • 30 days of advertising per month gives potential customers the chance to see your ad multiple times. • Multiple-insertion–discounted rates available! Surry Living Magazine’s Monthly Editorial Calendar is available on request by contacting our Sales Department at sales@surryliving.com
Anderson Audiology, Page 15 Blue Mountain Herbs, Page 29 Camper & Mobile Home Supply, Page 9 Charis Christian Books & Gifts, Page 11 Cook Insurance Group, Page 9 Countryside RV, Page 7 Creek Bottom Brewing Company, Page 25 The Derby, Page 26 Farmers Mulch & Rock, Page 9 Farmhouse Spits and Spoons, Page 13 Friendly Heating & Cooling, Inc., Page 5 George Smith Piano Tuning, Page 30 Hicks Waterstoves & Mechanical, Page 13 Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital, Pages 2, 14 The Martha Bassett Show, Page 18 Mount Airy Equipment, Page 3 Mount Airy Museum of Regional History, Page 30 Mullins Pawn Shop & Jewelers, Page 7 NC Cooperative Extension, Pages 25 & 27 Ted Benbow / Mossy Oak Properties, Page 31 The Nest & Hive, Page 8 Northern Regional Hospital, Pages 17, 32 Pediatric Stroke Charity Event, Page 11 Ridgecrest Retirement, Page 23 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
FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION AND RATES, CONTACT US TODAY at (336) 648-3555 or by email at sales@surryliving.com • surryliving.com
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 Nov. 2021 Issue
We have temporarily cut all of our ad rates to help our community's small businesses get back on track — without breaking your budget! Call or email us to find out more. (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 Prodigal 12 Joanna Radford:
Starting a Small Farm
OUT & ABOUT p.16 20 Gin Denton:
Anna Mertson
SIMPLY DELICIOUS p.22 21 Guest Article: Small
Business Development and the Pursuit of Happiness 22 The Sweet & Savory Life
w/ Rynn Hennings: Caramel Pecan Cake and Pumpkin Corn Chowder 24 Carmen Long:
Deliciously Homemade!
AREA EVENTS p.26 26 Area Event Schedules:
Note: All events are subject to cancellation or postponement. This information was current as of press time. 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:
Shopping Small Makes a Big Impact
SERVICE IS OUR BUSINESS!
16 Sheri Wren Haymore:
Thrive
18 Martha Bassett:
Good Music, Good People
Don't be left out in the cold! Have your heat pump inspected and serviced today! 336-789-6453 * friendlyheatingcooling.com SURRY LIVING Nov. 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 Nov. 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”
MULLINS PAWN SHOP & JEWELERS LaYWaY FoR ChRIsTMaS!
Adjusted Regular Store Hours: Mullins Pawn Shop & Jewelers Mon–Fri: 10:00 am – 5:30 pm 336-786-6417 • 336-789-7109 Saturday: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm 1911 Caudle Dr, Mount Airy, NC
Monday – Friday: 10:00 – 5:00 Saturday: 10:00 – 2:00
Our Parts Store and Service Center is OPEN all-year!
NC’s Premier Park Model Superstore!
Call today at
336-468-6774
2048 Hinshaw Road YADKINVILLE, NC
Find us on
To view all inventory including new & preowned travel trailers & pop-ups, visit www.countrysidervcenter.com SURRY LIVING Nov. 2021 Issue • 7
home, farm, & garden
Welcome: The Heart of Small Business Within walking distance from our house in Yadkinville when I was growing up were at least a half dozen families living the American dream with thriving businesses. Believe me, I kept up with what was going on at all of them. The Discount House was right at the end of my street. My daily ritual was to check in with Mary and Sheila and their part-time helpers Doris, Ellie, and Rosie. I always needed something from that convenient establishment. When my family first opened our Nest & Hive Shoppe, long after The Discount House ceased to exist, Mary would come and visit just like I used to go out and visit her. We would sit and talk over memories of the comings and goings from that special time and place. Along my route back then was also Flowerland Florist, where I dropped by to chat with Annette and Sadie. I would chatter away while spinning the card rack to see if they had added any new enclosure cards. I can still remember that special blend of fragrance from the roses and carnations that met me when I opened the door. Then, right there on the corner of Lee Avenue and East Main Street was Williams and Gentry Grocery. They had everything from gas for the car to gravy in a jar. It was always busy up there. But they were never too busy to be kind to us neighborhood kids. We all knew George, James Hugh, Frank, and Margaret. Across the street was the tire shop. I had no business over there, so I never went – but there they were just the same. Then there was my daddy’s auto body shop. It was across the field from our house. I checked in with him every afternoon when I would get home from school. I never tarried out there. Little girls had no place hanging around the garage. However, when my bicycle tires needed some air, I could always count on Whitey (James Grey), Odell, White Rat (Larry), or Johnny to fix me right up. They would go along with whatever pretend game I had on my mind at the time. Sometimes I was the paperboy throwing out their evening paper and I had to collect for the month. Sometimes I would sell them an old used Grit paper, and of course I needed payment for that fine publication. I was also an Avon lady, a Fuller Brush man, and a traveler needing gas, air, and oil. We transacted a lot of pretend money. I finally got some play money from The Discount House so we could really have a good time. Bless their sweet hearts for putting up with me. Last, but certainly not least, was Howell’s Antique Shop. I spent some of my first babysitting money with them. George and Margaret, known to me as Grandy and Nannie were as special as my own grandparents. My love of antiques started way back then when I visited with them. When Grandy would bring in a new load of treasures, I couldn’t wait to see what would come out of the boxes first. As I helped them scrub, clean, and polish, they would tell me about each piece and why it was special. I went out there every time I had the chance. In the summertime, if there were no customers and nothing needing their immediate attention, we would sit on the front porch. Nannie in the porch swing, Grandy in an old barber’s chair napping off and on, and me perched on the old rock steps. In the winter we would sit in the middle room lounging around an old wood stove, me asking questions and them patiently answering. Looking back now I can see how each of those businesses influenced the way I do business today. Each one of them taught me something. Knowledge of my merchandise, fair and honest trading, the importance of carrying a variety of things, a pleasing atmosphere, good customer service, I could go on and on. I believe the most important thing is welcoming everybody just the same. You never know where that next sale will come from. It just might be a little girl with a blue bike and babysitting money to burn. 8 • SURRY LIVING Nov. 2021 Issue
home, farm, & garden We Deliver!
Mon – Fri: 7:30 am – 6:00 pm Saturday: 7:30 am – 5:00 pm
FARMER’S MULCH & ROCK Inc.
FREE Bibles, Coffee, & Bottled Water
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Antiques & Collectibles, Farm Toys, Gift Certificates, Outdoor Fireplace Kits & Firepits 7802 NC 268, DOBSON, NC 27017 • www.farmersmulchandrock.com • 336.386.0883
Mobile Home Parts
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On Hwy. 52 across from the Mayberry Mall
336-719-0166
Together we can...
Believe in Our Community Be Kind • Treat People Right Do Great Things. Timothy Cook Cook Insurance Group LLC 345 N Bridge St Jonesville, NC 28642-2223 erie@cookinsurance.biz 336-526-2665 Erie Insurance Exchange, Erie Insurance Co., Erie Insurance Property & Casualty Co., Flagship City Insurance Co. and Erie Family Life Insurance Co. (Erie, PA) or Erie Insurance Co. of New York (Rochester, NY). Go to erieinsurance.com for company licensure and product details. CMS149_comun1 2/18
SURRY LIVING Nov. 2021 Issue • 9
home, farm, & garden
The Prodigal Have you heard the one about a tax collector, a sinner, a Pharisee, a teacher of the law, and Jesus walking into a bar? Well, maybe it wasn’t an actual bar, but they were definitely all together somewhere. Let’s pick up the story in Luke 15:1-3 (NIV) “Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, ‘This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.’ Then Jesus told them this parable…” Actually, Jesus proceeded to tell them three parables (stories). First, in the Parable of the Lost Sheep, a man loses one of his 100 sheep. He leaves the 99 to retrieve the lost one, then calls his friends and neighbors and says “Rejoice with me…” In the second parable, the Parable of the Lost Coin, a woman loses one of her ten silver coins. Ultimately, she finds it, calls her friends and neighbors and says “Rejoice with me…” The last parable that Jesus told then is commonly known as The Prodigal Son (Webster defines prodigal as: characterized by profuse or wasteful expenditure). The parable is found in the Gospel of Luke 15:11-24 NLT. To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons. “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything. “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’ “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’ “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began." So, here’s maybe an obvious question, but humor me. Who left the father? It seems clear from the story that it was the younger son of 10 • SURRY LIVING Nov. 2021 Issue
by Larry VanHoose the father. The one who left wasn’t a servant or a slave, but one of the father’s very own sons. Younger son yes, but still entitled to a portion of his father’s estate including the position and prestige of being a son of a wealthy landowner. However, when he returned, he no longer saw himself worthy to be called a son (verse 21). But the father, what did he say? “We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found!” I'll ask you again, a little more personal and in the present this time. Who has left the father? Is it too much of a reach to say that possibly you have left the father? Have you gone off on your own, to do your thing, have a little fun and entertainment, live your life without his interference? Have you perhaps left the father’s side to squander your inheritance on selfish, apathetic, careless living? Does that have even a little ring of truth – for you? I used to think what I wanted most when I got to heaven was to hear it said of me, “Well done, my good and faithful servant” (see Matt. 25). As I’ve gotten older, I realize how that yearning relies too much on what I HAVE DONE, and not more appropriately on what JESUS HAS DONE. Perhaps I secretly wanted the father to be proud of me? The eternal truth is that his son, Jesus, paid the price for my, the younger son’s, sin and rebellion, from both before – and after – I became a child of God. He himself has made a way for me, for all of us, to get back to Father. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. —Romans 8:15-17a NLT As amazing as it might seem, I no longer just want to hear Jesus say, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” Instead, I long for the day when my Father sees me, is filled with love and compassion, runs to me, embraces me, kisses me, and says “Rejoice with me!”
home, farm, & garden 9:30 am – 5:30 pm Monday – Saturday Closed Sundays
Bibles, books, gifts, church supplies, jewelry, clothing & apparel for all
276-236-4137
108 S. Main St. Galax, VA Mon. - Sat. 9 AM – 5:30 PM
A Family Owned & Operated Full-Service Jewelry Store Established in 1977
20% Off ALL Books and Bibles – EVERY DAY!
Stop by and meet the new owners, Hunter & Natalie Freeman! 336-673-0688 • 128 N. Main St. • Mount Airy, NC
roysdiamond.com
November 14th, 1:00 – 5:00 PM The Barn at Heritage Farm 152 Heritage Farm Lane • Dobson, NC 27017
MULTIPLE VENDORS J5 Designs Heavenly Hill Honey Glamour Vine Design Sunshine and Honey Starry Night Creations The Farmer’s Daughter Carolina Kudzu Crazy My Sunshine Children’s Boutique And MORE! DJ Face Painting Hair Braids 50/50 Drawing Giveaway Raffle & Gun Raffle
PEDIATRIC STROKE AWARENESS Kids have strokes. Roughly 60% of children who survive will have permanent neurological problems. Our mission for this event is to raise awareness for pediatric stroke and its survivors. We want to show these kids, who feel left out and different, how special they truly are. We want to give God praise and glory for these miraculous children. God has been with these families through the good and the bad. Now - our goal is to share God’s love, one blessing at a time.
FOOD TRUCKS Cousins Maine Lobster Truck Honey Bee’s BBQ Liz’s Taco T’s Treats Duck Donuts Truck SURRY LIVING Nov. 2021 Issue • 11
home, farm, & garden by Joanna Radford
Starting a Small Farm How do you start a farm? Whether you inherited land and are trying to decide to farm it, or you bought land to fulfill a long-time dream to farm, it is not easy to know how to proceed. Beginning farmers should do lots of research and ask a thousand questions before taking the first step – or should I say plunge? Here are a few tips for starting a farm. Make a formal business plan. Doing so may not be a lot of fun, but a plan is required for getting a farm start-up loan from any commercial institution. For those who do not need to borrow money, a farm business plan can provide structure and focus to efforts both starting out and over the years. A good business plan should include: the business vision and a mission statement, a resume or similar supporting evidence of relevant experience, information on the legal structure (corporation? proprietorship? partnership?), a current balance sheet (if no farm products yet, there are assets and expenditures), projected balance sheet, production and marketing plans, and start-up costs. Once a plan is in place, the rubber can meet the road. In other words, get busy and make it happen. Identify as a farmer. This can be done in three ways: 1) Have a farm number. This number is attached to the land. When the land is sold, it goes with the land and is part of the land value. 2) File an IRS Schedule F on federal taxes. Schedule F establishes farm income. This becomes important when a farm loan or
crop insurance is needed. The business entity EIN goes with the farmer or farm business entity and is set up through the IRS. Discuss this with your accountant, who can help assist and give recommendations specific for each farming operation. 3) Agricultural Land Valuation. Agricultural land valuation has to do with property taxes, which are administered through the county-level tax office and is different from tax exemption. Contact the tax office for more information. To achieve these three items, visit local agencies that are in the county to help. Seek assistance from local experts. The Farm Service Agency can help set up a farm number. This is also how the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) identifies a farm for all programs they offer. FSA farm loans, disaster assistance, and crop insurance are a few of these programs. In addition to these benefits, a farm number allows farms to be counted in the Agricultural Census which helps secure more resources to support farms in the area. With a farm number, farmers are eligible to elect FSA County Committee members who help prioritize programs for the county. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) can provide financial assistance and expertise to farmers for making improvements to their land. Inquire at the local office about opportunities through the environmental Quality Incentive Program. The North Carolina Cooperative Extension is another resource that can help farmers. Agents provide free, research-based information on varieties, fertilizer applications, pest management, soil health, and other best management practices. They have the support of specialists at North Carolina State University and North Carolina A & T University. They can help new farmers discover items such as farm tax exemption and deferred land/present use value that may help their farming operation. The North Carolina Farm Tax Exemption law allows farmers who gross over $10,000 in a given year, or who have an average gross income of $10,000/year over three years to purchase certain items they need for their farm operations without paying sales tax. Farmers who do not gross over $10,000 per year may obtain the same benefit for a single, three-year period. Go to https://www. ncdor.gov/documents/form-e-595e-streamlined-sales-and-usetax-agreement-certificate-exemption for more information. Deferred Land Tax or Present Use Value are programs that allow deferred tax if the value of land in it’s current use as agricultural land, horticultural land, or forestland, and is based solely on its ability to produce income. There are specific requirements for each program. Tax offices only accept applications in the month of January of the current year. It is important to note, if property loses its eligibility for any reason, deferred taxes become due for the current year plus three years, plus interest for all prior years. Contact the tax office for more details. It is exciting to begin a farm and belong to the less than 2 percent of the population that produce enough food to feed the world. As you can see, there are many people available and willing to help aspiring farmers to succeed.
12 • SURRY LIVING Nov. 2021 Issue
home, farm, & garden
Upcoming Events! ★ THURSDAY, November 11 ★
Girls Night Out 4-8 pm ★ FRIDAY, November 26 ★
Black Friday
2649 South Main St. • Mount Airy, NC 336-789-4977 • hickswaterstoves.com
★ SATURDAY, November 27 ★
Small Business Saturday ★ THURSDAY, December 2 ★
r &r
Representing Clients for Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation claims
royster & royster, PLLC ATTORNEYS AT LAW
VIP Christmas Party (by invitation only) 6-8 pm ★ December 9, 16, and 23 ★
After hours Shopping open until 8 pm ★ December 24 ★
Open 10-2
225 North Main Street Mount Airy, NC • 336.648.8130 EST. AUGUST 1979
www.roysterlaw.com 851 Marshall Street Mount Airy, NC 336-789-5127
www.farmhousespitsandspoons.com facebook.com/farmhousespitsandspoons
110 S. Davis Street Pilot Mountain, NC 336-368-4455 SURRY LIVING Nov. 2021 Issue • 13
N OW O P E N!
123 Scenic Outlet Lane, Suite 3, Mount Airy, NC 27030
336-352-4500
www.hughchatham.org/multispecialty
home, farm, & garden by Sarah Southard, DVM
SHOPPING SMALL MAKES
A BIG IMPACT Small businesses— locally owned establishments that are the backbone of communities throughout the country. From family owned and operated greenhouses and farms to diners, boutiques, and various service providers, community-focused businesses undergird local economies. Your local veterinary practice is often one of the smallest, most "hometown" businesses around. While the framework across the veterinary industry is changing in some locales, with corporate entities more commonly owning and managing veterinary practices now than ever before, our Surry County communities still have the benefit of many locally owned veterinary practices.
The dollars spent with your local veterinarian filter back into various parts of your own community through other business dealings, through employing community members, and through support of local charities. Rather than further bolstering the bulging bank accounts of a corporate giant, your dollars will help provide the opportunity for the technician's daughter to pursue dance lessons at the local studio, the receptionist's son to learn karate downtown, or for the high-school-aged kennel worker to take that overnight school field trip. Additionally, most veterinary clinics have strong relationships with area animal rescue groups and other local charities. Your "small" hometown shopping enables us to give back in a big way to those who are helping the less fortunate two-legged and four-legged members of our communities. The benefits of this support go far beyond fiscal. When you shop small with your local veterinarian for vaccines, flea and tick preventives, and pet foods, you are helping to grow local economies while maintaining the health of your companion animals and production herds. This business support also reminds your veterinarian and their staff that you appreciate the excellent care that they provide for your animals, whether it be routine needs or an emergency. You, your pets, and your production animals are more than just numbers and statistics to your veterinarian. Let your veterinarian know through your words and through support of the business that they and their team are important to you.
ANDERSON AUDIOLOGY Hearing Aid Sales & Service, Inc. Locally Owned and Operated Since 1963
Hear Better
Live Better
Open Monday thru Friday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm 8052 Carrollton Pike, Galax, VA Four offices to serve you including Christiansburg, Dublin, and Wytheville
Tina M. Proffit Au.D.
Kecia Furrow H.I.S.
276-236-0778 • anderson-audiolog y.com SURRY LIVING Nov. 2021 Issue • 15
out & about by Sheri Wren Haymore
Thrive An oft-heard phrase is “small business is the backbone of our economy.” How well I know, having been a small business owner (along with my husband) from 1981 until 2019, that well-intentioned folks will pat you on the back and then shop at a big-box store. Or online. Trust me when I say that small business owners are the bravest, most hard-working, most generous neighbors you’ll ever have, and all that they ask is for the community to recognize and reward the value of their presence. With this in mind, let’s be intentional in our support for our local entrepreneurs. Here are a few that we spoke with. Amy Slate opened Scarlet Begonias in November 2005, because she desired to be an active part of Mt. Airy’s downtown community. At that time, her two daughters were young, and Amy wanted the gift shop to be a project that they could build together. Indeed, her daughters – now grown – still play a role by keeping their youthful eyes open for trends. The niche that Scarlet Begonias fills has remained true to Amy’s original desire to provide a cheerful, colorful, thoughtful shopping experience. She carefully curates unique pieces that are fun to give and collect at reasonable prices. Among Amy’s favorite artist pieces are Anne Vaughan Designs original jewelry (Floyd, Virginia); Consuela Handbags (Austin, Texas); Stuart Nye Jewelry (Asheville); and local artist Sue Kirkman’s greeting cards. It is rewarding to see customers pop in for a new shirt to wear to an event, a fun handbag, baby gift, or a new pillow for their home. She is grateful to the community for naming Scarlet Begonias the area’s Best Gift Shop in the Mountie Awards nine years in a row. It’s a privilege, says Amy, to be part of Mt. Airy’s warm, walkable downtown and to be doing something she truly loves. See featured products at www.scarletbegonias.com/ Pages Books and Coffee, opened in 1980, was purchased in January 2005, by Scott and Sandy Gwyn from its original owners. Soon after, they folded their existing Christian bookstore into Pages and added the coffee shop, putting their own spin on coffee trends. In 2012, the store moved to its current location on Main Street, Mt. Airy. While digital downloads hit hard cover book sales for a while, over time, says Sandy, readers have returned to hard books because they like to hold a book in their hands. Sandy stocks titles and authors that local customers enjoy and she’s able to get special orders quickly. Her door is always open to local authors for book signings and shelf space. Magazines, jigsaw puzzles, and the kid’s corner with durable Melissa & Doug toys also bring folks in. Sandy is grateful for the Surry County and Mt. Airy School systems’ commitment to purchase as much reading material as they can from local sources. Recently, Surry County Schools received a grant to purchase specific titles, and
16 • SURRY LIVING Nov. 2021 Issue
Sandy says it worked well for her to source the books from various publishers and box them for each school. Pages has also helped with book fairs at several schools, offering educational books that teachers want and giving back 20 percent of sales to each school. The beauty of being part of a small town, says Sandy, is providing customer service, including curbside delivery, gift wrap, rewards program, and special orders. Scott and Debbie Miller together run Debbie Miller Designs (aka Miller Drapery Shades and Shutters.) For Debbie, adding beauty to her environment comes naturally; when she found that she hated the corporate world, she began to pursue a design degree. After one course in drapery fabrication, Debbie was hooked and took every course offered on making draperies. Creating beautiful window treatments has been her joy and passion for 32 years. Debbie says that custom draperies impact a room more than any other design element. Scott came on board full time in 2017, which allowed the company to branch into hard treatments—shades, shutters, and blinds—which Scott consults and installs. The couple works with a client in-home, showing all the samples, narrowing down the function, the styles, to the point of choosing fabrics. Debbie Miller Designs is a full-service, front-to-back custom source for window treatments, from consulting to measuring to making to installing. Even the shutters are custom-made in NC. They also make bedding, pillows, Roman shades, shaped cornices, and fabric headboards. These days, millennials are investing in their homes and want motorization and automation for their window treatments, an area in which Scott specializes. Learn more at www.debbiemillerdesigns.com/ Harris Leather & Silverworks of State Road is a legendary maker of Western Pleasure saddles featuring intricately carved leather and hand-engraved silverwork. Their product line, which includes headstalls and halters, is jaw-dropping in beauty and detail. If you’ve never heard of them, it’s because their market is distinctive to show horses at the top of their sport in AQHA and NSBA. Riders who invest in their luxury saddles will compete at the national and international levels. Harris grew from a kitchentable “side business” to an operation that now employs about thirty people, including second and third generation family members. Always, the Harris family finds ways to remain at the forefront of their industry in quality and artistry. After answering my questions about the world of Western show competition, grandson Stanton Harris explained that the company keeps a low profile locally because they stay months behind on custom saddles. In fact, he said, there is only one major competitor creating their level of saddles. Stanton added that kindness and a family-centered atmosphere are hallmarks of their company. Visit harrisleather.com/ to see examples of their work. All around you, there are people creating, making, selling, and doing interesting things. Seek out a small business owner in your community and ask them to tell you how they started. I guarantee you’ll hear an interesting story that will endear you to their enterprise. Then spread the word and help them thrive.
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out & about by Martha Bassett
I’ve often been asked what I would’ve done for a living had I not been a musician. If you had asked eight-year-old me, I probably would’ve said “an astronaut” or “a gymnast.” But as a grown up, I know where lies my passion, and possibly my latent skills. I would be a cook. Growing up, my mom controlled the kitchen. She taught me the basics to get my Girl Scout cooking badge, but ultimately the kitchen was her domain and she didn’t want others underfoot. I was allowed to be the potato masher (which I took very seriously) and was required to be the dishwasher. Mom, like her mother, cooked three meals a day. It was a bona fide creative outlet, and she experimented freely. I didn’t expand my culinary repertoire past mashed potatoes until college – when at long last I had my own kitchen. I learned to make authentic spaghetti sauce with meatballs from an Italian friend. I learned the fine art of fried corn from a friend from Kentucky. I’d call my mom frequently with questions about rhubarb cake or creamed tomatoes or corn pone. I’m so grateful for the opportunity I had to learn about turkey dressing and gravy from my grandma before she died. I think of her every Thanksgiving when I taste it. As the years have passed, I’ve spent considerable effort learning to fry chicken, make homemade pasta, and bake sourdough bread. For a while I got deeply into cheesemaking, which turned out to be too time-consuming to keep up with. One year I grew a variety of half runner green beans from seeds my dad gave me, and I canned 84 quarts. They tasted like home, unlike any other beans I’ve bought. If there was a bright side to being quarantined for most of 2020, it was my ability to spend time in the kitchen. I learned to cook fish, which turned out to be easy. Since my current yard is too shady to garden, I signed up for weekly produce from a local farm. That infusion of fresh vegetables made me realize how lucky I was to 1) have a home with a kitchen, 2) have access to good food, and 3) be healthy. A lot of things that I formerly took for granted became focal points for Thanksgiving.
18 • SURRY LIVING Nov. 2021 Issue
Much like my mom, I hold my kitchen as private territory, my happy solitary place. And yet somehow, my two sons have both grown up to be professional cooks. I’m amazed at what they teach me, and I am pleased when they ask for my recipes. Although I didn’t consciously teach them, they learned from me like I learned from my mom and my grandma, attempting to duplicate the tastes of comfort and home. Not long ago, when visiting my partner Pat’s family for Thanksgiving, I raised a critical eyebrow when Pat’s mom put buttermilk in the mashed potatoes…until I tasted them. The next morning, she showed me her special method for making thick, golden-brown potato cakes with the leftovers. Last Thanksgiving my son Max insisted that I try cream cheese in my mashed potatoes. They were rich and creamy, the perfect bowl to hold my grandma’s turkey gravy. I was so proud of him! Dear reader, I wish for you comfort, good health, and delightful culinary surprises this Thanksgiving. May you be brave enough to add new ingredients to old comforts and have the presence of mind to be grateful for your bounty.
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HAPPY THANKSGIVING AND THANKS FOR BEING A LOYAL CUSTOMER!
out & about by Gin Denton
ANNA MERTSON I met Anna Mertson on FB. We connected over a mutual love for horses, and this Surry County native is living in Germany now—which is the destination of my dream trip. As our Messenger conversations continued, I discovered that she was also a performing musician! I dove into listening to her music on Spotify, and I loved her soulful, raspy, country sound. Anna describes her sound as a mix, with heavy county and folk roots. She said, “I love to add in blues and soft rock numbers, so it’s hard to pin exactly what I do. The music I write reflects that mix of country, folk, and blues.” Anna got her start singing in the church choir and began playing guitar when she was eight. She goes on to share, “That’s when I began playing and singing together. My papa was who taught me my first chords of guitar. We'd sit around in the living room playing and singing old gospel hymns. So naturally, in the church is where I started – just like many others in this area. Something I also try to incorporate into my setlists even to this day. It wasn't until I was in high school that I began to branch out singing at vineyards and breweries and from there everything took off. I did not study music in college … I actually studied agriculture – I know! A stark contrast!”
Anna was born and raised in Surry County, then moved to Raleigh for college. She came back to Surry and started the agriculture programs for the four local middle schools. When her husband received orders for Germany, they moved overseas. Anna says, “We will be there for around three years, but will soon enough be back to our home county. Because of the move, I'm currently only playing in Surry County for a few weeks in the fall, winter, and spring.” Some of the venues Anna has played in Surry include Golden Road Vineyards, Hidden Vineyard, Soho, Granite City Sports Pub, Shelton Vineyard, Thirsty Souls, and White Elephant. In Galax, she’s played Creek Bottom Brews and was featured on Stevie Barr's Crooked Road Show twice. Her October tour is over, but she’ll be back in December at Golden Road Vineyard, then again for a tour in May 2022. Her album, Where I Go from Here, released in 2018 and includes covers and originals. Her most recent release, Sessions, is a threesong project of stripped acoustic originals. Anna’s favorite cover is “Coat of Many Colors” by Dolly Parton. She shared, “Every time I sing that song, people come to me telling me how important that song is to them. Which is the whole point of music isn't it? To make people feel something and find a connection with them on a deeper level.” When asked about her goals, Anna says, “ I used to think my goal was to become a big singer-songwriter ... the next Patsy Cline or Dolly Parton so to say (with whom I share a birthday with as well as Janis Joplin!) ... and at times that would be nice, don't get me wrong. But honestly, my goal is to be happy with the life God has given me and to use my talents to help others. I don't want my name to be known for selfish purposes – I don't care about being rich and famous. I'm okay with a simple life on the farm, with my family, a few good horses, and a good dog or two. If my name is to be known at any point in my life, I hope it is because some song I wrote helped someone get through these ever-changing times we live in. For me, I want people to hear the music I write and sing – and feel something. Whether that's healing, happiness, peace, empathy, strength, etc. I don't care what the feeling is, I just want my music to make a difference in someone's life in some small way. I love the ability to express myself through music. We live in what can feel like an overwhelmingly rotten world. I only hope I make it a better place with my music. I hope to continue expanding, recording and writing. I guess my goal is to simply never stop singing and to continue writing for as long as I live.” You can follow Anna on Instagram and on Facebook at Anna Mertson Music. Find her music on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube. Remember to look for Anna in December at Golden Road Vineyard. And back again touring in May 2022.
20 • SURRY LIVING Nov. 2021 Issue
Photos by: Human Graphics Photography
Happy Trails to you!
out & about
Small Business Development
In addition to LazerEdge, I serve as vice president of YESurry, a non-profit that partners with the seven high schools in Surry County where students learn to take responsibility for their future through developing their own businesses.
and the Pursuit of Happiness
Students need engaging, relevant, experiential learning opportunities that empower them to apply content knowledge, an entrepreneurial mindset, and professional skills to real-world problems meaningful to them.
Pursuing happiness within his profession while mentoring Mount Airy’s youth is Will Pfitzner’s passion. LazerEdge, Will’s business, specializes in laser-cut, wooden home décor. Will takes pride in combining the craftsmanship practices passed down in our community with innovative technologies such as laser cutting to revolutionize the home decor industry.
Harvard Business School defines entrepreneurship as “the pursuit of opportunity regardless of resources currently controlled.” Pursuit implies action – you have to chase the opportunity. Our students begin their journey into who they are with Self Discovery and determining What Matters Most to each of them. We then Build Trust and Connect to the World by exploring current events and having open discussions.
In addition to maintaining his business, Will desires to build confidence and business skills in our youth so they stay local. He knows from experience that college degrees don’t necessarily make you happy, even when you land a successful job upon graduation.
Only after the students understand themselves and their environment can they fully achieve the Entrepreneurial Mindset and begin the process of Ideation. We allow students ideas to run wild – there are no wrong answers, and anything is possible.
In this article, Will shares his story of the pursuit of happiness, success, and giving back to the community through mentoring the next generation:
The second half of our definition reads: regardless of resources currently controlled. We teach that it doesn't matter how little or how much they have at the start. It doesn't matter if they don’t have the necessary funds or all the required skills. They must not limit opportunities by the assets they currently have but allow the attractiveness of the opportunity to serve as their guide. We teach them how to conduct feasibility assessments from research and analytics and use marketing, operations, management, and finance to their advantage.
*** I was told that one must go to college to be successful, granting success will bring happiness. But for so many, including myself, this was not true...and thankfully not the end of my story. In 2014, my junior year of college, I couldn’t find sustainable, made-in-the-USA gifts for my friends and family. So I founded LazerEdge from my dorm room with the help of NC State’s Entrepreneurship Garage. Finding the solution to this personal problem snowballed, and I spent any time outside of classes over the next two years making wood wall hangings, coasters, and ornaments for my community. Those years of hustle served as my awakening that I had a passion and service I could provide the world. Amidst my realization, I obtained my B.S. from NC State in Biomedical Engineering and went on to accept a position with a reputable and well-known consulting company. But I was not truly happy. I believe many in our current economic situation face a similar dilemma: they must work to provide basic living necessities. I hold an immense amount of gratitude for the circumstances that allowed me to make my next move and transition my efforts to LazerEdge. I found myself “doing what I love,” and this guided me towards my deeper purpose of serving my community through teaching and mentorship.
Entrepreneurship is raw, rugged, and a brutally honest world. It is constantly changing, and the future is unknown. Around the nation, entrepreneurship has become the hot new profession. However, I believe some applaud it for the wrong reason. Many entrepreneurs base their efforts on the accumulation of the rewards. To me, it’s vital to also love the process, the struggle, the journey, and to live in the present moment. I encourage anyone on this journey to be patient along the way. Realize that true success does not come quickly; it takes consistent work and perseverance. Everyone's vehicle for success is traveling at a different speed. If you do 20 push-ups a day, you’re going to have different results than if you did 200 a day. Find the number you can handle while still being happy. How many hours of hustle can you continue to do day after day without losing your happiness...or sanity? To me, this theme for success of a true entrepreneur is worth noting – happiness must be our North Star.
SURRY LIVING Nov. 2021 Issue • 21
simply delicious
with Rynn Hennings
thehouseofelynryn.com
• • • • • • • •
1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt 10-inch Bundt pan Shortening and flour to prepare pan Powdered sugar for garnish
Ingredients for Caramel Glaze • 1 cup sugar • ¼ cup water • 1 tablespoon light corn syrup • ½ cup heavy whipping cream • 2 tablespoons butter • 1/8 teaspoon salt
I
love this time of year when fresh pecans are harvested—and pumpkins are everywhere! I have two recipes to share with you this month to enjoy both pecans and pumpkin. The first recipe is for a pecan cake topped with caramel sauce. This cake has a coarser texture than pound cake and has a buttery mix of pecans and brown sugar layered into the batter. The other recipe (courtesy of my sister) is for Pumpkin Corn Chowder. This soup is not a pumpkin spice recipe but instead uses pumpkin as the base for its creaminess. It is the kind of recipe that people usually like even though they don’t like pumpkin. It is delicious and so easy to make! For the pecan recipe, I suggest using fresh pecans for the best flavor. I have found that small businesses (such as produce stands) usually have fresher pecans since they buy in smaller quantities and sell them quicker than larger stores. The pumpkin soup relies on canned pumpkin, so you can save your fresh pumpkin for making pies or a jack-o’-lantern.
CARAMEL PECAN CAKE Servings: 12 | Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients for Cake • • • • • • •
2 tablespoons butter, melted 3 tablespoons brown sugar, packed 1 cup pecans, chopped 1 cup butter, softened 1 ½ cups granulated sugar 3 large eggs, room temperature 1 cup sour cream, room temperature
22 • SURRY LIVING Nov. 2021 Issue
Directions for Cake 1. In a medium-sized bowl, stir together the melted butter, brown sugar, and pecans. Set aside. 2. Preheat the oven to 350°. Use a brush and shortening to carefully grease a Bundt pan. Then dust it with flour. 3. In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as necessary. 4. Add the eggs one at a time and beat well after each one. Beat in the sour cream and vanilla until combined. 5. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the butter mixture and beat until just combined. 6. Spoon half of the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly around the pan. 7. Sprinkle ½ of the prepared pecan mixture over the batter. 8. Add the rest of the batter to the pan. Then add the rest of the pecan mixture. 9. Bake for 40 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes and then turn the cake out of the pan and let cool completely. 10. Sprinkle powdered sugar over the cake.
simply delicious Directions for Caramel Glaze In a large skillet, add the sugar, water, and corn syrup. Heat over medium heat until the mixture turns honey brown, stirring occasionally. Remove from the burner and whisk in the cream, butter, and salt until the mixture is smooth. Pour over the cake.
PUMPKIN CORN CHOWDER Servings: 7 | Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients • • • • • • • • •
2 tablespoons butter 1 cup sweet onion, chopped 3 cups frozen corn 1 16-ounce can pure pumpkin 2 cups chicken stock 1 tablespoon sugar 1 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon, ground 2 cups half and half
Directions 1. Melt butter in a Dutch oven and add the onion. Sauté until tender. 2. Add the corn and stir. Place a lid on the pan and cook on medium heat for 3-4 minutes, or until the corn is thawed. Stir occasionally. 3. Stir in the pumpkin, stock, sugar, salt, and cinnamon; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. 4. Stir in the half and half and cook until thoroughly heated but do not boil. Serve warm.
Sweet Tips
The Pecan Caramel Cake recipe is adapted from the book Pecan Favorites. Note that this cake does not bake as tall as a pound cake but instead will be shorter, like coffee cake. For more information, photos, and more recipes, go to Houseofelynryn.com
Mt. Airy’s Premier Retirement Community 1000 Ridgecrest Lane • Mt. Airy, NC 27030 (336) 443.6953 • Ridge-Crest.com INDEPENDENT LIVING • ASSISTED LIVING
SURRY LIVING Nov. 2021 Issue • 23
simply delicious
DELICIOUSLY HOMEMADE! Homemade jams, jellies, cakes, bread, sauces…it sounds like we have made a visit to the farmer’s market where local vendors are selling their creations. Maybe you have thought of starting your own food business. Has anyone ever said you make something so delicious you should sell it? Food businesses are a popular small business venture, but it is important to do your homework prior to starting to ensure success. Thankfully, there are many resources to make the process easier. The NC Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services website, www.ncagr.gov/fooddrug/food/ foodbiz is a wonderful source information. 1. Determine what you want to sell to know which agency will regulate your food business. If you want to cater, you will contact Environmental Health at your local Health Department. Is your product something you can prepare in your home kitchen or will it require using a commercial space? 2. Only finished, non-refrigerated, shelf-stable products that are a low risk for causing a food-borne illness are allowed to be produced at home. These can include: • Baked goods • Jams and jellies • Candies • Dried mixes • Spices • S ome sauces and liquids • Pickles and acidified foods 3. If selling one of these, your kitchen must meet all of the following requirements. • Food contact surfaces must be smooth and easy to clean. • No pets in the home at any time. • R estroom and hand washing facilities- must have hot and cold running water easily accessible from processing area. Kitchen sink is for food preparation only, hand washing must be done in a separate sink. • Th ermometer must be kept in refrigerator to monitor temperature. • W aste must be carried away from the house in an acceptable fashion (sewer or septic system). 24 • SURRY LIVING Nov. 2021 Issue
• A ll light bulbs in the kitchen must have protective shields or be shatter-proof. • If you have a well, water must be tested. 4.
Complete an Application for Home Processor Inspection to have your kitchen inspected found at www.ncagr.gov/fooddrug/food/homebiz.htm/
5. Shelf stable sauces, dressings, salsas, pickles, and acidified foods require completing an acidified foods course and laboratory testing. Please call the NC Department of Agriculture in Raleigh at (984) 236-4820 for information. For a $150 fee, NC State University's Food Science Department will analyze products for risk. Each product flavor/variation requires a separate application and fee. For more information, go to: http://ncsu.edu/foodscience/extension_program/food_ product_testing.html 6. All high-risk products must be produced in a non-homebased commercial facility. A shared-use kitchen may be a good option. To determine if your canned goods are low-acid or acidified, contact a Food Compliance Officer at (984) 236-4820 for guidance and visit https://www.ncagr.gov/fooddrug/food/commercial.htm for more information. These products include, but are not limited to: • Refrigerated or frozen products • Low-acid canned foods • Dairy products • Seafood products • Bottled water 7. Pet foods and treats have separate regulations and requirements. https://petfood.aafco.org/Starting-a-PetFood-Business Knowledge is key to the success of any business. Food businesses can be rewarding and lots of fun but are work. We appreciate the time and effort that go into producing safe, high quality local foods for all of us to enjoy. Know where your food comes from. Support small businesses and eat local. If I had a food business, it might be selling cookies. I love all the variations and how quickly they bake. Cookies are easy to make ahead and freeze for future use and can be small in size to meet the need for “just a bite of something sweet” after a meal. November is Peanut Butter Month and peanut butter cookies are one of my family’s favorites. With only three main ingredients, enjoy this quick and easy recipe from our Chef and the Child Cooking program. Happy baking!
simply delicious EASY PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES Ingredients • 1 large egg, lightly beaten • 1 cup crunchy peanut butter • 1 cup sugar • 36 chocolate kisses (or chocolate chips or chocolate covered candy pieces) optional Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 2. Combine first three ingredients: shape into ¾ inch balls. 3. Place on ungreased cookie sheets; bake for 10 minutes. 4. Immediately press a chocolate kiss in the center of each cookie; remove to wire racks to cool. Makes 3 dozen cookies. If you want to use chocolate chips or candy pieces, stir them into the batter before making the cookies into balls. Use a fork dipped in sugar to slightly flatten the balls of cookie dough before baking. You would never know the finished product contains no flour. Quick, easy, and delicious.
Now Open every other Thursday!
SURRY LIVING Nov. 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 NOVEMBER: 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. NOV. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26: HISTORIC DOWNTOWN MOUNT AIRY GHOST TOURS, Friday and Saturday nights at 8:00 PM; 90 minute, lantern-lit walking tour through Mount Airy's streets and historic past. Hear about our "less mortal" friends and some of Mount Airy's resting places. Tours begin at Mt. Airy Museum of Regional History, 301 N. Main Street. Tickets are $15 and pre-paid reservations are required! Call the Museum at 336-786-4478. NOV. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27 (MOUNT AIRY, NC): MAYBERRY SPIRITS WHISKEY DISTILLERY TOURS, 431 N. South St. 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 45min. tour, which includes a souvenir shot glass and 5 tastings. Gift shop is open! Call 336-7196860 for more info. NOV. 6: RHONDA VINCENT AND THE RAGE 7:30 PM; The Historic Earle Theatre & Old-Time Music Heritage Hall, 142 N Main St, Mount Airy, NC. Tickets · $35 - $55 Rhonda Vincent and The Rage is "a firecracker of talent that powers one of the HOTTEST shows in any genre of music!" NOV. 6: DIA DE LOS MUERTOS CELEBRATION 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Mount Airy Museum of Regional History, 301 North Main Street, Mount Airy. Free and Open to the Public! There will be music, dancers, a raffle, food trucks, crafts and more!! *Covid restrictions apply - face coverings inside museum *masks recommended outside NOV. 12, 13, & 14: MMTI'S "ALL TOGETHER NOW" The Surry Arts Players community theatre performing an evening of musical theatre songs. Each night features a different lineup of songs and performers. Friday's show features adult singers, Saturday's show featuring youth singers and Sunday's show with all ages. Songs are listed on each Eventbrite page. Andy Griffith Playhouse, 218 Rockford Street, Mount Airy, NC. Masks are required for all audience members. Reserved Seat Tickets: Adults $10; Youth 12 and under $7 Friday, November 12, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. (Adult Performance) Saturday, November 13, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. (Child Performance) Sunday, November 14, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. (Combined Performance) NOV. 13: MAYBERRY HALF MARATHON Come run our beautiful flat and fast courses through Historic Mayberry and on the Granite City Greenway! This event gives you a taste of the Mayberry life from start to finish. Main “Celebrating 84 YEARS OF SERVICE in the Area!” Oak Emporium, 259 N. Main Street, Mount Airy. Half Marathon Start 8:00 AM; 10K Start 8:15 AM; 5K Start 8:30 AM. Registration Fees: Standard Registration 5K $35, 10K $40, Half Marathon $60, All races for Youth Under 18 = $25 NEW for 2021 - All 5K, 10K and Half Marathon finishers will receive a custom finisher's medal! More exciting additions are in the works!
26 • SURRY LIVING Nov. 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 NOV. 3: 2021 SOUTHEASTERN UNITED GRAPE AND WINE SYMPOSIUM 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Shelton–Badgett NC Center for Viticulture and Enology Surry Community College, 630 South Main Street, Dobson, NC. Connecting with Consumers: Marketing an Experience Registration is Now Open - tickets are $15 at https:// incidunt-sed.ticketbud.com/2021-southeastern-unitedgrape-and-wine-symposium Surry Community College will host the 9th annual symposium uniting grape growers and winemakers from across the southeastern United States in a collaborative effort to support and expand the region’s wine industry.
N.C. Department of Insurance Mike Causey, Commissioner 855-408-1212 (toll free) • www.ncdoi.com
NOVEMBER IS
AMERICAN DIABETES MONTH Diabetes is one of the leading causes of disability and death in the United States. It can cause blindness, nerve damage, kidney disease, and other health problems if it’s not controlled.
NOV. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28: SHELTON VINEYARDS MUSIC ON THE TERRACE 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM FREE EVENT Relax and enjoy a glass of Shelton Vineyards wine while listening to live music on the winery terrace. Seating on the terrace is on a first come first served basis. We will be offering our Shelton Slushies, as well as our flights for you to enjoy. There are snacks in the tasting room available for purchase or call 336-366-3590 to book your lunch or dinner reservation at the Harvest Grill! No outside food will be allowed on property. For more info, visit their website at www.sheltonvineyards.com.
One in 10 Americans have diabetes — that’s more than 30 million people. And another 84 million adults in the United States are at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Ask your SHIIP counselor about Medicare-covered Diabetes Screening services FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: NC COOP. EXTENSION, SURRY CO. @ 336-401-8025 SURRY LIVING Nov. 2021 Issue • 27
ELKIN
area calendars & info
ELKIN EVENTS
For more area info, visit www.elkinnc.org
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, NOV 6: LONEHOLLOW FRIDAY, NOV 12: TRAY WELLINGTON BAND SATURDAY, NOV 13: ZOE & CLOYD FRIDAY, NOV 26: TIME SAWYER NOV. 3, 10, 17, 24: OPEN MIC NIGHT AT THE REEVES THEATER Sign-up at 6:30 PM, Show starts at 7:00 PM. NOV. 27 CRUISE DOWNTOWN ELKIN 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM; Heritage Trails Center, 257 Standard St, Elkin, NC
It's cruise in time!! Get those cars & trucks dusted off and come show us your ride! Or visit local merchants while enjoying watching them cruise by. Great Food, Good People, Baaaad Cars/Trucks/ Bikes! Fun to be had by all ages!
PILOT MOUNTAIN PILOT MOUNTAIN EVENTS Pilot Mountain Tourism, 124 West Main Street, Pilot Mountain For more area info, visit www.pilotmountainnc.org NOV. 6: PILOT VIEW VINTAGE MARKET 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Downtown Pilot Mountain – Celebrating the history of Pilot Mountain and introducing it to new generations, Pilot View Vintage Market welcomes shoppers to this charming Main Street community to discover unique, vintage collectibles and handmade furnishings. Pilot View Vintage Market has grown from a handful of vendors to one of the state’s most beloved events, attracting thousands of shoppers to Pilot Mountain in search of one-of-a-kind finds. Pilot View Vintage Market happens twice annually hosting visitors at the autumn and spring markets. Vendor information and applications will be emailed out by Christy Craig. This allows her to ensure there are not too many vendors in any one category. For more info, go to https://www.facebook.com/Pilot-View-VintageMarket-1228097977336100/ NOV. 27: DECK THE HALLS 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Downtown Pilot Mountain on the Saturday just after Thanksgiving. Get into the holiday spirit while supporting local downtown businesses during the family friendly Small Business Saturday shopping event. Deck the Halls offers interactive holiday decorations, activities, local business shopping specials, food & a visit from Santa. Our merchants love participating in our window decorating contest. 28 • SURRY LIVING Nov. 2021 Issue
Natural Products & Education 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
area calendars & info
NEARBY NEARBY EVENTS
NOV 1 - NOV. 13 (HAMPTONVILLE, NC): ALPHA & OMEGA CORN MAZE October - November 13th Wednesday 9-3, Thursday 9-3, Friday 9-9, Saturday 10-9, Sunday 12:30-6:30. Grand opening weekend will unveil our maze design that features our primary sponsor, Mercy and Truth Ministry. 20-acre agritourism complex, featuring maze trails, hayrides, horse drawn wagon rides, and many more engaging activities. The farm consists of: Giant 5 acre Corn Maze, 2 acre Hay-bale Run, Corn Cob Express Barrel Train, Barnyard Basketball & Football, Corn Box, Picnic Pavilion, Hay Rides, Feeding Farm Animals at Animal Acres, Pipe World Sand Play, 2 Bounce Pillows, Corn Hole, Horse Drawn Wagon Rides, & more. New attractions including Axe Throwing (priced separately), Barnyard Baseball & our Little/Big Farmer Tractor Pull. We have a full snack bar of concessions serving a delicious menu. Festival grounds are open for families to view pumpkins and take fall photos with our fall decorations. Pumpkins priced separately and you only pay for what you want to take home. Additional activities include our Bonfire area, pony rides (priced separately), and pumpkin cannons (priced separately). Cost for the maze & most attractions is $12. Children 2 and under are free. Discounted tickets are available for groups of 20 or more. Season passes are $45. Check out our website @ alphaomegacornmaze.com and like us on Facebook & Instagram for posts & updates on special events. See our ad on Page 31 of this month's SLM! NOVEMBER (GALAX, VA): LIVE MUSIC ON FRIDAY & SATURDAYS AT CREEK BOTTOM BREWERY Music is from 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM on their new, covered patio. Nov. 5 – Andrew Adkins Nov. 6 – Studio 4 Nov. 12 – Wesley Mullins Nov. 13 – Black Mountain Revival Nov. 19 – Lily Comer Nov. 20 – Comedy Show with Mike Stricker & Co. Nov. 27 – Elonzo Wesley Pet friendly! Creek Bottom Brewery, 307 N Meadow Street, Galax, VA NOV. 6 (WESTFIELD): FALL OPEN-HOUSE & CHICKEN STEW 2:00 PM – 6:30 PM; Join us at Minglewood Farm and Nature Preserve at 238 Minglewood Road, Westfield, NC for Minglewood's Fall Open House and Chicken Stew Event. This is a FREE event, donations are greatly appreciated. Register at https://www. eventbrite.com/o/minglewood-farm-and-naturepreserve-17188338999 NOV. 25 – JAN 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 low-power radio - 95.9FM. High Country Lights is hosted by Galax Visitor's Center and Galax Parks and Recreation Department in Felts Park. The 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. SURRY LIVING Nov. 2021 Issue • 29
area calendars & info
NEARBY EVENTS Continued 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. Note: In the event of Inclement weather, the display will be turned off as a safety precaution. We apologize for any inconvenience and ask to check here, Facebook or calling 336.756.7529 before visiting. We strive to post any cancellations by 3:00 PM. NOV. 27 (WESTFIELD): SWAG WORKSHOP 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM; Join us at Minglewood Farm and Nature Preserve at 238 Minglewood Road, Westfield, NC for a morning on the farm to create beautiful swag to decorate your home for the holidays. Minglewood will supply everything you need to create your swag with, from a beautiful mixture of evergreens in textures and colors to dried flowers, seed pods, okra, ribbons and more.. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/o/ minglewood-farm-and-nature-preserve-17188338999
FARMERS MARKETS ELKIN FARMER'S MARKET (ENDS NOVEMBER 20) Saturdays 10:00 AM – 100 pm (November only) Annual Harvest Market is on November 21
30 • SURRY LIVING Nov. 2021 Issue
TED BENBOW BROKER/REALTOR®
704-902-0121 tedb@landandluxury.com www.landandluxury.com
Professional Land Surveyor Certified Land Specialist
PROPERTIES
LAND & LUXURY If you are thinking about selling your farm or acreage tract, I would like to look at it.
114 Morlake Dr. Suite 103 Mooresville, NC 28117
10.35 AC | STOKES CO
3 LAND TRACTS IN UNION GROVE
3.85 AC | CONCORD
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UNDER CONTRACT
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SPRUCE PINE
2.7 AC | STATESVILLE CC
3 LAND TRACTS IN CASWELL CO. 39.7 Acres • 15.6 Acres • 6.7 Acres
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34 AC | CLEVELAND CO.
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25 AC | CLEVELAND CO UNDER CONTRACT
28 AC | LEXINGTON
1.33 AC | STATESVILLE
15.3 AC | BOOMER
PHOTO CREDIT: AMANDA MARSHALL
Keeping you closer to home.
Choose Well. Choose Northern. choosenorthern.org | 830 Rockford Street, Mount Airy, NC
