Martha Bassett

The leaves have mostly fallen from the trees. Aside from a few warm spells, we’ve donned our sweaters and boots and puffy jackets. The warm weather lovers among us have planned their southern or island vacations, while others are happy to breathe in the crisp air of autumn in North Carolina. Though Christmas is almost two months away, the holiday season is in full swing with shopping for gifts and planning dinner menus for family and friends. As we inch our way out of pandemic living, public gatherings, parties, concerts, and worship services are slowly becoming more comfortable and, dare I say it, normal. This is the perfect time to look around you to the small businesses that you care about in your community and support them with your gifts to loved ones. Local and handmade items are always special to give and receive. If the folks on your list already have a lot of stuff, perhaps you could give gift certificates to a locally owned coffee shop, restaurant, winery, or bakery. Or give the gift of music! 2022 has also seen an outpouring of new records and our local artists need help spreading their music far and wide. The home of the Martha Bassett Show, the Reeves Theater in Elkin, offers gift cards for tickets and the cafe! They have recently formed a non-profit music school called the Reeves Downtown School of Music, which offers lessons and group classes for all ages on a variety of instruments. You could purchase lessons for your loved ones, or you could donate money for scholarships in honor of a friend. Did I mention it’s tax-deductible? I, too, am a small business owner, both as a local independent artist and as the co-producer of the Martha Bassett Show, which just finished its 2022 season in October. Friends have been asking what I plan to do with all my “time off.” Aside from playing a lot of shows with my band, I’ll be booking artists for 2023, fundraising to pay those artists, and calling radio stations all over the country to ask them to add the Martha Bassett Show to their programming. Not much time off, really, but that’s the way it is with small businesses. You never leave your work at the office, and you never get it all done. If you have employees, you do your best to keep them. It’s neverending hard work, but the satisfaction of working for yourself makes it worth the effort. And then there’s the obvious. Local small businesses are owned and run and staffed by our friends and neighbors. The money we spend goes right back into our communities, so look around your own town and support the businesses that you’d like to see stick around. What would you miss if they weren’t there? Soon the season will change yet again (another perk of North Carolina), and we can perhaps have a little respite from the hustle of the holidays to dream of what we want to make of our new year. But I’m getting ahead of myself! See you in December, friends.

MAIN STREET MARKET MARKET

140 N. Main St.

Mount Airy, NC 336-648-8118

Hours: Mon. — Sat. 10-5 Shop Mt. Airy’s Vast Selection of Antiques, Artisans, Comics, Collectibles and one-of-a-kind “ nds!” MANY items on SALE!

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Ryan Anderson, PA-C joins

Northern Orthopaedics

Ryan Anderson, PA-C, has joined the medical staff of Northern Orthopaedics to serve as a provider for othopaedic patients. “Ryan Anderson will be a very strong addition to our orthopaedic team and our community,” said Dr. Robert Williamson, surgeon at Northern Orthopaedics. “He is well trained, experienced, and very personable. To him, this isn’t just a career – it’s a calling.” Ryan Anderson is an NCCPA nationally certified and North Carolina licensed PA, and member of the American Academy of Physicians Associates, specializing in Orthopaedic surgery. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science with a dual minor in Nutrition and Psychology at Appalachian State University. Following completion of his undergraduate studies, Ryan worked several years as a CNA in surgical oncology at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center (now Atrium) in Winston-Salem, NC. Shortly thereafter, he obtained a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from East Carolina University. “After a shoulder injury, my college football career was over and as He always does, God directed my steps to a plan that would certainly give me a hope and a future,” said Anderson. “My hope is to care for my patients on multiple levels -- physically helping their alignment, emotionally listening to their concern, and spiritually praying with them during their struggles.” Ryan has always had a love for surgery, both before and after completion of his Physician Assistant program. He had the opportunity to further his skill set in surgery working in plastic surgery prior to finding his true passion in orthopaedics. Ryan worked along the Crystal Coast over the last several years working in upper extremity conditions as well as orthopedic reconstruction surgery, and urgent care medicine. He recently moved back to the Blue Ridge Foothills to join the Northern Orthopaedics team. He is incredibly excited to join this highly regarded practice. He originally grew up nearby in Stokes County and decided to move back home to be closer to family and live in an area he loves, while continuing to work in a field of medicine he is passionate about. He is dedicated to providing the best patient care, whether it be procedural or pre/post-operative care, to the best of his abilities. Previously a college athlete, he still enjoys staying active. His hobbies include automobiles, motorcycles, hunting, fishing, and a bevy of other outdoor activities. His greatest loves, aside from surgery, are his Great Dane, Boone, spending time with his family and friends, and his personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Northern Orthopaedics is conveniently located in South Street Medical Park at 314 S. South Street, Suite 100, in the same facility as Northern Rehab and The Wound Care Center, in Mount Airy. This location allows patients convenient access to physical and occupational therapy, as well as specialized and comprehensive wound care options.

To schedule an appointment with Anderson, please call Northern Orthopaedics at (336) 719-0011. For more information about Northern Orthopaedics, please visit us online at www.choosenorthern.org.