Sheri Wren Haymore

Two LOCAL Shining Stars

THE NOVEMBER ROOM

Passion. For art. For teaching. For children, especially those with special needs. For participating in, and improving, her community. These are the attributes that struck me when I interviewed Laura Wood of The November Room in Elkin.

Laura says that she has always been “a fan of art” and started college with the intention of becoming an art teacher. After a few detours, her journey brought her back to Elkin where she opened a bakery that expanded into a bistro. Meanwhile, her mother opened The November Room in 2017. When her mother’s health made managing the store difficult, Laura helped out and eventually assumed the business. She moved the bakery to The November Room and added coffee, wine, and tea.

Laura began recruiting quality artisans to join her collective and created a rent plus commission-based environment that is profitable for her vendors. And what a creative group she has! There are four potters, whose work includes sculpted art, functional pieces, hand-drawn work on clay, and more “touristy” pieces by Paw Print Pottery. A woodworker provides turned bowls and other pieces, and he also makes commemorative boxes using recycled floorboards from the historic Chatham mill. In one of the two loft spaces, an Alpaca farmer teaches weaving and displays her skeins of yarn, woven socks, and drier balls. In the other loft space, Laura displays her colorful, whimsical art and holds small art classes.

Laura has the main level divided into sections that she calls “stores.” You’ll find a baby store, Christian store, kitchen, home goods, boutique clothing, and jewelry, among others. I was particularly taken by two displays of handbags—one artist creates her bags from upholstery fabric, while the other makes hers from cork and fabric. Both styles appeared durable and well-designed. There is a display of double-lined, vintage-inspired aprons. While touring the store, I came across a display that I recognized: Speckled Chick Designs baskets. An all-natural body-care line, including scented soaps featuring local names (I liked the Blue Ridge Mountain scent), comes from Laura’s sister. Her specialty is skin care for both sensitive skin and for cystic acne. The longest-running vendor in the shop is Farmer’s Daughter soy candles. The kitchen section is small but impressive, featuring two lines of coffees; locally infused oils and balsamic vinegars; hot sauce, jellies and honey; and Laura’s own Alice in Wonderland-themed, in-house blended teas, sold by the cup or loose. The fall menu will include Russian Tea, seasonal coffees and floats, as well as apple and pumpkin butters. As amazing as the retail aspect of The November Room is, what truly sets it apart are the many classes offered. Laura holds art lessons, mostly for kids, and focuses on autistic children. Another artist teaches classes for adults. Because Laura’s artistic style is fun and approachable, she is in demand to teach classes for communities such as High Meadows and Old Beau in Roaring Gap. While teaching a fun project such as painting wine glasses, Laura demonstrates techniques, explains how to use paints and brushes, and how to cure the finished work. Laura has a passion for bringing art and “things lost” to the community, such as homesteading, cooking, canning, potterymaking, sewing, knitting, and weaving. She keeps up with trends and offers classes that appeal to a variety of interests. In a recent bread-making class, for example, the students learned to make focaccia decorated in an “artsy” way. Another class taught oldworld pasta-making. In the future, Laura plans to bring in basketweaving, pickling, and the art of sauce-making. The spacious lower level provides room for larger art classes. And downstairs, also, is where the magic of music lessons happens. Suzanne Sosa-Perez, founder of Joyful Noise Music, teaches guitar, banjo, ukulele, piano, dulcimer, and mandolin, with plans to add more teachers and classes.

Seeing my expression as she described all the plans she has for the future, Laura remarked, “I don’t sleep much.” Keep up with all the happenings by following The November Room on social media.

Laura Wood

KESWICK CANDLE COMPANY

There is something about Keswick Candle Company of Mt. Airy that welcomes you in, a feeling that goes beyond the pleasant scent you notice upon entering. I had always assumed that it had to do with the dramatic lighting and distinctive appearance of the well-ordered displays. Once I Janice and Gary Baldwin spoke with owners Gary and Janice Baldwin, however, I learned the true magic of the place. Gary shared that Janice is “the heart and soul of the store.” It is because of her, he says, that “there is a calming spirit when you walk through the door.” He added, in the rolling accent of his native New Guinea, “My bride has a gift to blend and create scents that customers find unique.” Perhaps their unique stories are part of the shop’s aura. Janice, a native of Surry County, owned a marketing firm and was leading the hectic corporate life in Texas when she met Gary. Gary, having been raised in an orphanage by Italian nuns, was the first to recognize that they were “living to work.” The couple relocated to Florida where they developed condos and Janice became a mortgage broker. In 2010, Janice’s father was diagnosed with cancer, and the Baldwins came home to Surry County. By 2012, having lost both of their fathers to cancer and then trying to live healthier lives, the black smoke rising from a candle in their home caused Janice to wonder what they were breathing. She began experimenting with cleaner-burning soy candles and selling them to colleagues at work and at shows. Eventually, selling at shows became a full-time business until they opened the store in 2020. This year, Janice was diagnosed with breast cancer. Now cancerfree, she said the experience has put life in perspective, and she gives God the glory for the good work He has done in their lives. Gary added that they decided, “Let’s work to live.” He shared, “When a spirit like that resides in the store, people come in, and they become family.” As compelling proof of the exceptional quality of their products, Gary said that the “customer demographics cross all lines.” Original customers from the days when they worked forty shows a year remain loyal and continue to purchase the products online. Travelers who come through the area return; in fact, customers from Washington state came back in because, they said, visitors to their home remark that “every scent is relaxing.” “Mountain men come in,” Gary says, “who swear by our shampoo bars and soaps.” While candles remain the centerpiece of Keswick Candle, the store also offers goat-milk soaps and lotions in Janice’s trademark formula and has expanded into shampoo bars and bath bombs. Every season, Janice develops at least one new scent, based on customer feedback and input from their family. Currently, I’m burning an Autumn on the Parkway candle in my home, and Carolina Christmas will soon be available in candles and melting tarts. Janice has also developed scent collections in subtly familiar, longlasting fragrances: Baccarat Gold 221; Cedarwood and Bergamot; and my personal favorite, Wood Sage and Sea Salt. These scents are available in colognes, lotions and massage candles. With Christmas approaching, the store will focus on gift sets and personalized candles featuring a photo and message supplied by the customer. A unique refillable Christmas tree candle will be offered; in fact, they will refill any container for a customer. And gifts can be drop-shipped with a personalized card. Truly, the heart of Keswick Candle Company is the teamwork of Janice and Gary, who see themselves as partners in the rebirth of the welcoming community of Mt. Airy. Learn more at www.keswickcandle.com or visit them at their wonderful store at 221 N. Main Street, Mount Airy, NC.

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Survival Guide For a Stress-Free Holiday Season

Do you dread the hustle and bustle of another holiday season? Between shopping, wrapping, baking, holiday cards, parties, and many other obligations and tasks, surviving the season can be a feat, let alone finding the time to enjoy it with your family. This year, why not make a pact to eliminate stress by following these tips?

EARLY PLANNING

First, close your eyes and think back to the last couple of years and how hectic and stressful they felt. What percentage of holiday activities and tasks would you need to eliminate to make the season truly enjoyable and relatively stressfree? During this process, don't think about what you can't remove. Just determine the percentage of reduction you need to make. Next, make a list of everything you need to do during the holiday season and how much money you'll spend. Now cross off the least important, least necessary, and least popular events and tasks. Then review the list, and calculate how much time and expense you've shaved off. If you haven't reached your predetermined reduction, go through your list again. Once you've decided which parties you'll attend and the commitments you'll make, plan how you'll say no to all the others, so you're not caught off guard.

SHARE IN THE PREPARATION

Enlist your family to help prepare for the holidays, and divvy up the tasks. Don't expect perfection from yourself or your family. Remember, you probably don't notice or mind the imperfections in others' gatherings. They're just as unlikely to see any in yours. Also, keep in mind the holiday season isn't the time to be head cook. Plan potluck gatherings. Then, either suggest what each person should bring or, to avoid duplicates, ask guests to let you know what they'll bring.

by Kimberly Blaker HOLIDAY TIME-AND-ENERGY SAVERS

Save time in gift-wrapping by setting up a station in a spare room or the basement. Or stock a large box or basket with wrapping paper, ribbon, bows, tags, tape, scissors, and pens, so everything is stored in one place. Have extras of everything on hand. Keep cleaning to a minimum during the holidays. Dismiss unused areas guests won't see or use, and clean only the obvious in rooms that will be seen. The barely-visible layer of dust on your baseboards is unlikely to be noticed with all the holiday decorations and festivities. Make everyday meals quick and easy throughout the season. Soups, sandwiches, fresh fruit and vegetables, cottage cheese, pre-cut veggies and dip, and other prepared or semi-prepared healthy foods will suffice for one month of the year. Do your holiday shopping early in the day on weekdays while your energy is high and crowds are small. Shop online or by catalog. If an item lacks details, search for a manufacturer’s website to get the information you need. Give gift cards. Hard-to-shop-for recipients will appreciate something practical. Gift cards to restaurants, department stores, sporting good outlets, specialty shops, or a massage, pedicure, or round of golf make great gifts. Don't overdo the baking. Your guests will likely have had their fill of holiday treats long before your gathering arrives. Also, the caring gesture of visiting or calling friends and neighbors, rather than delivering a plate of baked goodies, will be more enjoyable and meaningful for everyone.

MONEY SAVER

Does your gift list grow each year? Decide with whom it's essential to exchange gifts. Then talk to extended family, friends, coworkers, and others about forgoing gift exchanges, putting a cap on the price, or drawing instead. You'll likely learn many feel the same as you do.

HOLIDAYS WITH CHILDREN

Allow kids to spend the day they open their gifts at home. It's hardly fair and often stressful for kids to leave their gifts behind that they've waited so patiently to open. In turn, this causes stress for parents. So plan family get-togethers either on Christmas Eve or on the weekends before or after the holiday. If there's no way around it, have an early celebration with your kids the day or weekend before the holiday. Traveling and holiday visiting are also stressful for young children because of changes in their routines and unfamiliar faces. Have

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your kids help with packing, even if it's only for the day, to make sure their favorite toys aren't left behind. A security blanket or stuffed animal can also reduce stress for your young child in strange surroundings. Don't forget to leave time for rest stops! Avoid taking children shopping during the holidays. Ask your partner or an older child to babysit, trade babysitting with a neighbor or friend, or hire a sitter. This not only reduces stress, but will likely cut your shopping time in half.

CARE FOR YOURSELF

Enjoy holiday treats in moderation. High fat and sugary foods and the lack of healthy meals can lead to tiredness and stress. Keep goodies stored in the freezer where they’ll be less of a temptation. Have plenty of convenient, healthy snacks such as raw vegetables and nuts on hand. Prepare low-fat meals that won’t bog you down. Pace yourself, and don’t try to do everything in one day. Finally, give yourself a break. Get plenty of exercise such as a brisk walk in the fresh air or take time to relax with a long bubble bath.

THINGS TO DO FOR NEXT YEAR

Start your shopping early. Create a new tradition with a friend or family member and set a monthly shopping date for the new year. By making a scheduled commitment, you'll be more likely to follow through. Keep holiday shopping fun and choose a different town or shopping center for each trip, focusing on unique malls or trendy cities. Also, get a label printing software program or app early in the year and enter all of the addresses on your holiday card list. When the holidays roll around, you can print the labels and eliminate the most time-consuming aspect of sending out holiday greetings. Finally, remember the holiday season should be a joyful time for everyone, including yourself, to join in the good cheer with family and friends. Maximize ways to ease your stress to keep the ‘happy’ in your holidays!

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