OutreachNC February 2016

COMPLIMENTARY

Our 6th Anniversary Issue

FEBRUARY 2016 | VOL. 7, ISSUE 2

Love

to Travel Issue

Plus EXPLORE BUDGET TO LUXURY TRIPS RELAX WITH A SPA STAYCATION CAROLINA CONVERSATIONS WITH WRAL’S TAR HEEL TRAVELER SCOTT MASON

Serving the Southern Piedmont, Sandhills & Triangle

FEBRUARY 2016 |

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| OUTREACHNC.COM

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A Joint Commission

top performer

FEBRUARY 2016 |

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features FEBRUARY 2016

26

Where Will Your Travels Take You? From Budget to Luxury, Careful Planning Yields Rewarding Trips

by Jennifer Webster

30

New Friends Bring New Adventures Near and Far

by Jennifer Webster

34

5 Quick Travel Tips

by Rachel Stewart

36

48

by Michelle Goetzl

by Carrie Frye

Relax with a Spa Staycation

40

Welcoming Guests: From Traditional to Unconventional Accommodations

by Jonathan Scott

44

Put Your Heart First

by Rachel Stewart

46

Sunday Traveler: Angel the Cat

by Flo Johnston

4

OutreachNC.com | FEBRUARY 2016

Love to Travel Issue

Love to Travel

52

Carolina Conversations with WRAL Tar Heel Traveler Scott Mason

by Thad Mumau

59

Game On: Match Point with The Tennis Doctor

by Thad Mumau

Cheryl & Pat Spears Fayetteville, N.C.

All the right pieces When Pat Spears was diagnosed with aortic stenosis, he and his wife, Cheryl, made the right move by choosing the Reid Heart Center and Clara McLean (hospitality) House at FirstHealth Moore Regional in Pinehurst.

With the combination of the excellent team of cardiologists and surgeons and the compassionate care they received, all the pieces fell into place for the Spears family.

“We had victory over heart disease.”

To learn more about Pat and Cheryl’s story, visit www.firsthealth.org/Pat’sStory

FEBRUARY 2016 |

OutreachNC.com 5 1160-20-15

departments February 2016

Late February days; and now, at last, Might you have thought that Winter’s woe was past; So fair the sky was and so soft the air.

—William Morris

25 22

advice & health 10

Ask the Expert

by Amy Natt

14

life

66

12

Belle Weather

by Celia Rivenbark

63

Caregiving

by Mike Collins

22

Cooking Simple

by Rhett Morris

64

Resource Marketplace Find the resources you need.

15

Eye Health

by Arghavan Almony, MD

24

Reading for Generations

by Michelle Goetzl

66

Generations

by Carrie Frye

16

Planning Ahead

by Beth Donner

25

Literary Circle

by Cos Barnes

Life’s Journey

by Steve Kastner

56

20

Brain Health

by Karen D. Sullivan, PhD, ABPP

58

The Nonagenarian

by Glenn A. Flinchum

62

Nutrition

by Ashley Carpenter, RD

59

Game On

by Thad Mumau

18

Grey Matter Games Sudoku, Word Search & Crossword

Gentleman’s Notebook

by Ray Linville

COMPLIMENTARY

Our 6th Anniversary Issue

2 FEBRUARY 2016 | VOL. 7, ISSUE

Love

to Travel Issue

Plus TRIPS EXPLORE BUDGET TO LUXURY N RELAX WITH A SPA STAYCATIO WITH CAROLINA CONVERSATIONS SCOTT MASON WRAL’S TAR HEEL TRAVELER

Serving the Southern Piedmont, Sandhills

& Triangle

FEBRUARY 2016 |

OutreachNC.com 1

| OUTREACHNC.COM

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY

BY DIANA MATTHEWS

6

OutreachNC.com | FEBRUARY 2016

FEBRUARY 2016 |

OutreachNC.com 7

from the editor

F

ebruary marks our sixth anniversary of OutreachNC, and we would like to thank all of our readers, advertisers and contributors. We are so grateful for your support!

This month shines the spotlight on travel in its many forms, from excursions near and far, expert advice on planning, spa staycations, social groups with a travel aspect and focus on friendships, a couple with a love for travel and those with hearts for hospitality who open their homes to travelers to our great state.

We even meet one feline with an affection for road trips. Now, that’s a cat after co-editor Jeeves’ own heart.

For this month’s Carolina Conversations, we were able to go behind the scenes of a WRAL Tar Heel Traveler segment with host Scott Mason as he interviewed Heath Trigg at Heritage Flag Company in Southern Pines and hear more of his travel tales from Murphy to Manteo.

For our “Love to Travel” feature, we made a quick trip east to Oriental, the “Sailing Capital of North Carolina,” and a destination for many a sailor passing through. However, this coastal small town gem, where the boats outnumber the population, is simply home to Jennifer and Patrick Del Rio. This couple’s later-inlife marriage has them exploring all of their shared travel interests from Costa Rica to New York City with many points in between. Still entrenched in their community, you might see them tooling around in their 1952 International Harvester L130 truck at the Oriental Farmers Market with their local honey or handcrafted wind chimes.

We hope you enjoy all of these travel adventures that took us all over the map-north to Seven Lakes, south to Laurinburg, northeast to Pittsboro and Raleigh, along N.C. 705 to Seagrove and due east to Oriental.

And the best part is that you never have to leave your comfortable chair.

It’s time to let Jeeves outside for one of his many daily outings, because playing the in-and-out game with his co-workers never gets old. Until next month...

—Carrie Frye

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OutreachNC.com | FEBRUARY 2016

Editor in Chief Carrie Frye | carrief@OutreachNC.com Contributing Graphic Designers Nikki Lienhard, Jonathan Scott Contributing Proofreaders Jennifer Kirby, Michelle Goetzl, Kate Pomplun, Jennifer Webster Contributing Photographers Katherine Clark, Diana Matthews Contributing Writers Arghavan Almony, MD, Cos Barnes, Ashley Carpenter, RD, Mike Collins, Beth Donner, Glenn A. Flinchum, Michelle Goetzl, Flo Johnston, Steve Kastner, Ray Linville, Rhett Morris, Thad Mumau, Celia Rivenbark, Jonathan Scott, Rachel Stewart, Karen D. Sullivan, PhD, ABPP, Jennifer Webster

Y Publisher Amy Natt | amyn@AgingOutreachServices.com Marketing & Public Relations Director Susan McKenzie | susanm@AgingOutreachServices.com Advertising Sales Executive Shawn Buring | shawnb@OutreachNC.com 910-690-1276 OutreachNC PO Box 2478 | 676 NW Broad Street Southern Pines, NC 28388 910-692-9609 Office | 910-695-0766 Fax info@OutreachNC.com PO Box 2019 | 101-A Brady Court Cary, NC 27512 919-909-2693 Office | 919-535-8719 Fax info@OutreachNC.com

www.OutreachNC.com OutreachNC is a publication of Aging Outreach Services, Inc. The entire contents of OutreachNC are copyrighted by Aging Outreach Services. Reproduction or use without permission of editorial, photographic or graphic content in any manner is prohibited. OutreachNC is published monthly on the first of each month.

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OutreachNC.com 9

advice

Our Aging Life CareTM Professionals will answer any aging questions you may have.

Email us your questions!

ASK THE EXPERT

info@OutreachNC.com

Be Proactive to Reduce Falls

by Amy Natt, MS, CMC, CSA I have had two recent falls related to my Parkinson’s disease. Each time, I have been trying to turn a corner, and my foot seems to get caught on the carpet. I live alone and have always been very independent. What can I do to help with this problem?

It sounds like your mind is moving faster than your legs.

You have already mentally turned the corner and your foot is trying to keep up. Gait is one of the most affected motor characteristics of Parkinson’s disease (PD). While it affects each person differently, falls are a common challenge to address. The Parkinsonian gait is characterized by small shuffling steps and a general slowness. For those living with PD, reduced stride length and walking speed are common, as well as difficulty starting, and difficulty stopping after starting. Poor balance and unstable posture can also lead to increased falls. It is important to always report these to your physician.

There are several things you can do to be proactive around the house in an attempt to reduce falls and the subsequent impact, including: 1. Before you start movement, get your balance.

If necessary, hold on to something until you feel steady, and then start forward motion.

2. Consider physical therapy programs. You can learn exercises to help maintain balance and movement.

3. Find a community support group. You can share success strategies with others diagnosed with PD. 4. Recognize that at some point a piece of mobility equipment may be necessary to help keep you safe. With all the choices on the market,

you can find something that fits your lifestyle.

5. Arrange furniture to create a clear walking path.

You can place furniture in strategic places to provide a place to hold onto if you lose your balance.

6. Remove throw rugs and narrow carpet runners.

These can create an edge that may cause you to trip or catch your foot.

7. Pay attention to your footwear. Socks may be too slippery but heavy soles may catch or make it harder 10

OutreachNC.com | FEBRUARY 2016

to lift your foot. See a specialist to get the right pair of shoes.

8. Have grab bars or secure rails placed in strategic places. These allow for increased balance

and something to safely grab for support. Use a professional to properly install them.

9. Make sure you have adequate lighting, especially at night.

10. Keep the products you use on a routine basis between eye and waist level. You don’t want to

have to bend down or reach up to get an item. There is no need to create unnecessary risk.

11. Place reflective tape on steps. This helps with depth perception.

12. Consider an emergency alert button. If you do have a fall, these aids provide you with a way to call for help. Do not assume you can get to a phone.

The symptoms that can impact your gait can progress over time. Be in tune to changes that you experience and put safety measures in place before you need them.

Create a safety net in your environment to enable you to remain as independent as possible.

If you are in need of specific recommendations for your home, find a certified aging-in-place specialist, Parkinson’s specialty clinic or Aging Life Care™ Manager who can help you assess your home environment and provide you with additional feedback and resources.

Readers may send questions to Natt, an Aging Life CareTM Professional, certified senior advisor and CEO of Aging Outreach Services. She can be reached at amyn@agingoutreachservices.com.

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OutreachNC.com 11

life

B E L L E W E AT H E R

Minimalist advises releasing clutter to find joy

by Celia Rivenbark

I

thought I knew all the tricks for decluttering a household but that was before a friend told me about Marie Kondo’s best-selling book, “The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up.” Kondo, a respected authority on the art of Japanese decluttering and organization, is a new breed of expert. You wouldn’t find her on one of those hoarding shows where a bunch of guys in matching T-shirts show up at dawn and throw all your crap into a dumpster while a “hoarding addiction specialist” pats your hand and looks soulful.

What Kondo recommends isn’t the old “keep,” “donate,” “throw away” metric.

Instead, she suggests that you should look at all your possessions and ask yourself, “Does this spark joy?”

If you can no longer hold up Molly Hatchet’s “Flirtin’ With Disaster” and feel genuine joy when you look at it, it’s time to let it go. You, not me. I ain’t never giving up that album.

Clothing is trickier because we have to deal with that every day. When whittling a closet, Kondo dismisses the old “Glamour” magazine style advice that if you haven’t worn something in a year or so, you should give it away.

Kondo says it’s important to touch each piece of clothing and see how your body reacts to it. The goal is to make sure that you are only keeping and wearing “happy

12

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clothes.” I tried this and it was fairly effective. I caressed a black jumpsuit and its response was: “I make your butt look about six ax handles across.” It’s a very rude jumpsuit now that I think about it.

Kondo is earnest but I’m not sure how well her Japanese minimalist strategies translate here in mass-consumptionville America. At this time of year, most of us are still mindlessly finding homes for even more stuff that came in the form of gifts.

Kondo’s advice on gifts is simple: Once it has been given, it has fulfilled its destiny. There should be no guilt attached to getting rid of that antler lamp that Uncle Beebop gave you just because he gave it to you. Besides, well, antler lamp.

Kondo calls this process “releasing,” which is a nice word, for sure. It sounds so much better when I tell Duh Hubby that I’m headed to the county landfill to “release” his astonishingly large collection of broken weed-eaters and assorted parts and spools of cutting line. Why, it sounds almost noble when you put it that way.

Kondo advises us to thank items for a job well done before you release them. I don’t think I can do this because it sounds inherently crazy, but 2 million readers can’t be wrong. Soooo, blender, remember the time your lid popped off and you sprayed mango pulp all over my cabinets? Wow! That took, like, seven hours to clean up but what can I say but “Namaste.”

Gotta go. There’s a “U.S. First Ladies” demitasse spoon collection that I have to have a little conversation with.

Rivenbark is the author of seven humor collections. Visit her website at www.celiarivenbark.com. ©2016 Celia Rivenbark. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Save the date for the 6th annual Share to care Gala featuring the

Chef Challenge Saturday, February 20, 2016 | 7 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.

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Enjoy culinary creations from talented chefs that are the hidden gems of the Triangle’s retirement communities.

photos by Southern

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chef brian Fitzgibbon, Galloway ridge chef cris concha, Woodland terrace chef curtis Wong, atria Senior living chef eric Shackett, holiday retirement chef John Kretzschmar, Sunrise Senior living chef Jon pettitt, Waltonwood Senior living chef Kyle durkin, rlc capital oaks chef leroy holley, Whispering pines

For more information and to purchase tickets please call 919-371-2062 or visit

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OutreachNC.com 13

advice

“

CAREGIVING CAN MAKE LIFE CRAZY!

Take Me Away: Caregiving and Travel

by Mike Collins

”

Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.

I

f Mark Twain were a caregiver today, he might say travel can be a great way to recharge your batteries, relax and gain, or regain, a positive perspective on life.

However, he might just as easily offer that travel for a caregiver can be a massive headache; one of those good intentions gone stressfully wrong.

If you are thinking of traveling, you need to ask a variety of questions. The first one is the simple ... Why? Do you need to get away and recharge? Do you want to relive a life experience with the one you are caring for?

Do you both need a change of scenery? Is the travel for professional or personal purposes such that you need as much freedom as possible?

Your answer will help you focus on one of three choices: 1. Travel as a caregiver.

2. Travel alone.

3. Don’t go.

If you are traveling as a caregiver, you’ll need to plan ahead, take your time and pack a sense of humor. Keep the trip simple. For some caregivers, a weekend trip to Myrtle Beach would be a major undertaking, and for others, a jaunt to Paris for a week might be as easy as grabbing passports and heading for RDU airport.

Apart from your available time and budget, your planning depends on how much care you need to provide.

The answer determines what clearance or information you may need from a doctor, medications and equipment to take and specific travel accommodations. You may want to consider caregiving travel companions. Contact local home care companies to see if they offer travel companion services. And yes, you pay for the companion and their travel expenses, but the freedom you receive may be worth the investment.

Take your time. Those 18-hour, New York City to Miami, marathon-driving sessions are out. Older adults and Alzheimer’s patients may experience agitation and dramatic emotional swings late in the day due to 14

OutreachNC.com | FEBRUARY 2016

-Mark Twain

Sundowners’ Syndrome. The tighter you schedule your excursion, the higher the stress level and the greater the chance something will go wrong. These are the times when patience and a sense of humor will come in handy.

If you decide to travel alone, worrying about what is going on at home is far from conducive to recharging and enjoying your trip. Family members and professional caregivers can help ensure the proper care is received in your absence. Respite care stays are also offered by some nursing and assisted living care facilities and are another option for consideration.

Traveling solo can be an extraordinarily freeing, restful experience. You may also consider group travel, which can provide an opportunity to let someone else do all the planning; all you have to do is show up and go.

After thinking it through, you may decide not to go.

You may look at all the planning needed to take a trip and decide it’s just too much trouble. If you are caring for someone who looks at life through less-than-rosy glasses you may be looking at a least-worst choice instead of what is best for you by asking yourself: Do I want to listen to the complaining about not being able to go before the trip and complaining about not having gone after the trip? Or, do I want to deal with the work of planning the trip and then listening to the complaining about everything not being perfect?

I can’t answer that question for you. If your thoughts of traveling are based on your need to get away, you need to do whatever it takes to go.

Remember what my mother used to tell me, “You take care of you.”

©2016 Mike Collins.

Collins is the producer of the video, “Care for the Caregiver,” winner of a National Caregiver Friendly Award from Today’s Caregiver Magazine. For ways to deal with the craziness of caregiving, visit www.crazycaregiver.com.

E Y E H E A LT H

Tips for Preventing Macular Degeneration

by Arghavan Almony, MD

A

ge-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in people age 50 and older, so it pays to know the facts and take action to protect yourself and your loved ones. AMD affects part of the back of the eye called the macula, the central part of the retina. This can cause the center part of your vision to become blurry or wavy. It could also cause a blind spot in the center of your vision, which results in an inability to perform tasks such as reading and driving, and can eventually lead to blindness.

You should pay special attention to prevention if you already have a diagnosis of macular degeneration (AMD), or if you are older and the disease runs in your family.

AMD is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss among elderly people. In time, a person with macular degeneration may find it difficult or impossible to read, drive or recognize familiar faces.

There are ways to help reduce your risk and prevent or slow the progression of AMD, including:

• Don’t smoke.

• Eat plenty of dark, leafy green vegetables.

• Eat fish or take a fish oil supplement.

• Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight.

• Eat fruit and nuts daily.

• Reduce your intake of refined carbohydrates.

• Keep blood pressure and cholesterol under control.

• Have regular eye exams.

• Wear appropriate sunglasses outdoors to block UV rays that may cause eye damage.

• If you have AMD, ask your doctor about one of the AREDS formulations, such as FocusSelect.

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If you’re genetically predisposed to develop macular degeneration, it still may develop and worsen. Regular eye exams can help your eye doctor detect AMD and monitor it so that you can receive proper AMD treatment.

Dr. Almony, a retina and vitreous specialist at Carolina Eye Associates, can be reached at call 800-733-5357 or visit www.carolinaeye.com.

FEBRUARY 2016 |

OutreachNC.com 15

advice

PLANNING AHEAD

The Big Four

by Beth Donner, CRPC

P

lanning for retirement can be very challenging -particularly since each person retiring has no prior experience in this area. Each pre-retiree should address these risks to ensure a lifelong successful retirement. The four major risks to consider are: longevity of life, health care and need for long-term care, changes in public policy and timing of retirement.

Risk No. 1—Longevity of Life It makes most of us uncomfortable thinking about how long we may live or what age we might be when we pass away, but this calculated guess is important to factor, as most people want to know they have enough money to retire. The risk here is calculating that you will live an “average” life span. While statistics tell us a male age 65 will live to 84 and a female age 65 will live to 86, there is more to consider. The remaining fact is that 25 percent of people now age 65 will live to age 90, and for this reason, many people underestimate their own life expectancy. Miscalculating life expectancy can put significant strain on your ability to meet income needs and also exacerbates inflation risk and even elder abuse.

Risk No. 2—Need for Long-Term Care Forcing people to consider their own declining physical or mental health, along with not understanding how Medicare works, makes this topic the most challenging. Americans still don’t understand that Medicare only pays a portion of the first 100 days of nursing home care. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services continues to report there is a 70 percent chance that an older person will need some form of long-term care. For those who have assets-and end up in an assisted living facility, dementia care unit or nursing home-unless you take prior action, all of your retirement savings can be lost to nursing home costs.

16

OutreachNC.com | FEBRUARY 2016

Risk No. 3—Changes in Public Policy This is the area where we have the least control.

Social Security income claiming strategies changed drastically during year 2015-especially for married couples-and will change even more in the next two decades. Medicare and Medicaid will also have to be revamped as they, like Social Security, are on financially unsustainable paths in their current forms.

Risk No. 4—Timing of Retirement Timing our retirement in consideration of economic market cycles coupled with the amount we withdraw from retirement savings-which now serves as our income since we are no longer working-are frequently overlooked aspects of deciding when to retire. Most people assume they will automatically retire at age 65 or 66, since these are the ages we can obtain Medicare and our full Social Security benefits. However, if your retirement savings has just dropped 20-30 percent due to economic conditions, it may be best to think again.

In this scenario, it’s likely prudent to postpone retirement until the economy recovers, so your retirement accounts have also recovered.

Prior to retirement, actions can be taken such as calculating maximum Social Security and educating oneself on lifelong income strategies.

Understanding and planning for the risks will help ensure a successful retirement.

Donner is a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor and can be reached at Beth@DiversifiedPlanning.com or 919-601-0501.

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FEBRUARY 2016 |

OutreachNC.com 17

life

LIFE’S JOURNEY

Treasure the Journey

by Steve Kastner

L

ife is a journey, not a destination.

Although life is not perfect, it is truly special. It is filled with lessons, hardships, heartaches, joy, celebrations and special moments that will ultimately lead us to our destination, our purpose in life.

The road will not always be smooth. In fact, we will encounter many challenges throughout our travels.

Life cannot be described by only one or two words. It is a mixture of everything. We will be confronted with many situations along our journey-some filled with joy, others with heartache.

How we react to each will shape the rest of our journey moving forward.

The people we meet along the way are those that we are often destined to meet. Everyone comes into our lives for one reason or another, and we don’t always know their purpose right away. Still, they all play some kind of role that may or may not be clear until later.

Some stay for a lifetime; others only for a little while.

However, it is often the people who stay for only a short time that make a lasting impression, not only in our life but in our hearts as well. These folks make a difference and change our lives in a way we never could have imagined. To think that one person can forever have such a profound impact on your life is truly a blessing.

Moments like this give us strength to continue our journey. It is those day-to-day, minute-by-minute

18

OutreachNC.com | FEBRUARY 2016

experiences as well as the expectation that we bring to life that decide what we will receive along the way. The treasure is not in the culmination of events. Rather, it is in the path itself.

One day, while sitting in an airport waiting to board a flight, I watched the many different people as they walked by. I thought to myself how amazing it is that there so many different people in the world, all encased in their own sense of individuality. Each of them also had their own story to tell.

Treasuring life’s journey is all about being grateful for life itself. This means celebrating the opportunities that allow your adventure to be stamped with personal experiences, including the highs and lows. It is the culmination of experiences and events that make up our own biographical sketch, with each new day marking a new page in our story.

It is only when you make a conscious decision to treasure the journey that you will enter a life of gratitude. Remember, the choice is always yours.

Always follow your heart. And, most importantly, don’t have any regrets.

Life is a journey with so many options. A world to discover, dreams to chase, goals to reach and people to meet. There will be times you may not know what you want, who you want, or where you want to go.

At these moments, remember that the best choice is sometimes standing still.

Kastner is the CEO of St. Joseph of the Pines. For more information, visit www.sjp.org.

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FEBRUARY 2016 |

OutreachNC.com 19

health

B R A I N H E A LT H

What is Mild Cognitive Impairment?

by Karen D. Sullivan, PhD, ABPP

M

ild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a detectable cognitive disorder, which falls between the cracks of normal age-related memory changes and dementia.

MCI affects approximately 10-20 percent of those older than 65 and is defined by a relative decline in cognitive skills, including memory, problem solving, planning, organization or multi-tasking. However, the decline is not severe enough to impact one’s abilities to engage in the activities of daily living, such as driving a car, managing money or remembering to take medications accurately.

Dementia, in contrast, is defined by more significant cognitive symptoms, particularly those involving memory, which reduces one’s ability to remain independent in everyday functioning.

Memory experts diagnose two main types of MCI: • Amnestic MCI: A subtype that primarily affects memory. People may forget details of conversations, recent news events or medical appointments in a way that is not typical for them.

• Non-Amnestic MCI: A subtype in which other cognitive skills decline, more so than memory, including those involving decision making, word finding, judgment, complex problem-solving or attention span.

A Controversial Diagnosis Since first being labeled a diagnosis in 1999 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, New York, MCI has been somewhat controversial. To this day, researchers debate whether MCI is a stable cognitive diagnosis that will not change over time or the very early stages of dementia. Studies show that 10-15 percent of patients with MCI progress to Alzheimer’s disease each year, compared to a rate of 1-2 percent a year for the older adult population. However, not all people with MCI decline, and some even improve when contributory factors for the cognitive change are identified and treated. Factors associated with a higher likelihood of a conversion from MCI to Alzheimer’s disease include confirmation of new onset changes in memory or thinking by someone who knows the person well and significant

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decline in the person’s interest in previously enjoyed activities or hobbies.

Risk Factors Risk factors for MCI are the same as those for all dementia: increasing age, a family history of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, and medical conditions that raise the risk of cardiovascular disease, including diabetes, hypertension and sleep apnea, particularly when left untreated.

Depression has also been shown to be predictive of progression from MCI to Alzheimer’s disease.

Treatment There are no medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat MCI. While research results are mixed, drugs approved to treat symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease such as donepezil (Aricept) have not shown any lasting benefit in delaying or preventing progression of MCI to dementia.

In the absence of medications, research tells us that the best way to counter cognitive decline is by optimally controlling any cardiovascular risk factors you may have, particularly hypertension and diabetes. This means taking your medications exactly as prescribed and engaging in consistent, safe exercise to nourish the blood vessels throughout your body, including those vital for brain function.

Make sure to speak with your doctor about any drugs you may be taking that are known to impair memory, especially in older adults, particularly over-the-counter sleep aids like Benadryl, Tylenol PM and Advil PM.

Cognitive exercise- actively trying to compensate for any cognitive changes-and remaining socially engaged are important, too.

What to do if you are concerned?

A neuropsychological evaluation is the gold standard to determine if a person meets criteria for a diagnosis of MCI or any cognitive disorder, including dementia. This type of evaluation allows for an objective assessment of cognition and for the provider to take into account all possible explanations for a change in functioning or behavior. Recommendations can then be personalized, offering the best chance for either improvement or stabilization of cognitive symptoms. Normal performance on cognitive testing can be reassuring, at least for the next couple of years. Memory researchers recommend that a person diagnosed with MCI be re-evaluated every six to nine months to determine if symptoms are staying the same, improving or getting worse.

Dr. Sullivan, a clinical neuropsychologist at Pinehurst Neuropsychology, can be reached at 910-420-8041 or www.pinehurstneuropsychology.com.

FEBRUARY 2016 |

OutreachNC.com 21

life

COOKING SIMPLE

Orange Cranberry Barley Breakfast Bowl

by Rhett Morris | Photography by Diana Matthews

Ingredients

Directions

½ cup barley

⅓ cup dried cranberries

1 ½ cup water

½ cup apple juice

1 orange peel

⅓ cup pecans

2 tablespoons sugar

¼ teaspoon cinnamon

1 zest of orange

¼ cup heavy cream (optional)

1 juice of orange

Bring barley, water and orange peel to boil, and then turn down to simmer for 40 to 45 minutes until barley is soft. While barley is cooking, place dried cranberries and juice in microwave for 30 seconds and set aside. Mix zest and sugar together.

When barley is done and all liquid is removed, drain cranberries and add to barley along with pecans and cinnamon, and mix together. Put in bowl and top with zest and sugar mixture. For a creamier breakfast bowl, add a ¼ cup of heavy cream.

Morris, owner of Rhett’s Restaurant, Personal Chef & Catering, is an award-winning chef, specializing in Southern gourmet fare with fresh ingredients. He can be reached at 910-695-3663 or rhett@rhettsrpcc.com.

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OutreachNC.com | FEBRUARY 2016

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OutreachNC.com 23

life

R E A D I N G F O R G E N E R AT I O N S

Introduce a World of Travel to Young Readers

T

Book Reviews by Michelle Goetzl

raveling with young children can be both challenging and expensive, but fortunately, books work as an amazing way to bring the world home and to encourage an early love of travel. From picture books to nonfiction chapter books, there is a great world to explore for any age.

The youngest reader, or listener, is more enticed by a great story than a desire to learn about a location. For them, classic tales like “Madeline” and “A Bear Called Paddington” are wonderful ways to experience new cities.

“Madeline” tells the story of 12 little girls in a Parisian boarding school, the smallest and pluckiest of them being Madeline. Madeline has adventures throughout Paris that children have enjoyed for generations. Similarly, Paddington Bear is about a little bear who is found at the London train station and over a variety of books has adventures throughout the city.

For a more modern take on visiting a new city, “Nana in the City” is a 2015 Caldecott Honor book about a young boy who spends the night in New York City with his grandmother. He is frightened of the noises and crowds of the city, but in true grandmotherly style, his Nana makes him a cape to help him be brave. “Nana in the City” is a beautiful book that not only introduces the wonders of a big city to a child, but encourages children to face their fears and try new things.

For a fanciful take on world travel, consider “The Adventures of Bella & Harry.”

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This series of books follows brother and sister chihuahuas as they travel the globe with their owners. Older sister Bella acts as tour guide for younger brother Harry. What is spectacular about these books is that they take details about foreign cities and bring them to a level that young children can understand and appreciate in a blend of fiction and nonfiction.

For those ready to tackle longer stories, there are a few wonderful series that take the reader far and wide through fantasy travel. In “The Magic Treehouse,” a brother and sister are magically transported to locations and times in history to solve puzzles for esteemed librarian Morgan Le Fay. These historical fantasies take the duo from the Pacific Ocean to Africa, Italy, China, New Orleans and Alaska.

Throughout their journeys, the pair cover a variety of events in history in a wide range of locations.

“Flat Stanley” is a curious character who was flattened by a bulletin board in the original story by Jeff Brown. In the Worldwide Adventure series, Stanley is airmailed to various locations around the globe to help solve problems. Whether exploring San Francisco or helping an archeologist in Egypt, Stanley brings the world home to young readers.

Stepping away from fictionalized tales, the outstanding series “Where is...” fits the bill. This series debuted in 2015 from the publishing group that has long produced nonfiction gems about great events and people in history.

With the new series, they take landmarks throughout the world and give a history of the site. Including American locations such as the Grand Canyon, the White House and Mount Rushmore, this is a great series for kids heading to any of these locales or just wanting to learn more about a specific site.

With a wealth of great books and your encouragement, children can start their travel exploration from home and open their eyes to the great big world around them.

Goetzl writes an online blog—”Books My Kids Read.” She loves books and sharing that love of reading with children. She can be reached at booksmykidsread@gmail.com.

life

LITERARY CIRCLE

‘The Wright Brothers’ and ‘The Girl Who Wrote in Silk’

A

Book Reviews by Cos Barnes

n old friend visited my mother-inlaw when my father-in-law died.

While I served tea, they chatted, and in the course of the conversation, the visitor told us she was at Kitty Hawk for the initial flight of the Wright Brothers in 1903. I was amazed at her enthusiasm and remembrance, because she would have been a child when it occurred.

I recall that memory often, especially when I read David McCullough’s “The Wright Brothers.”

They were low-key bicycle mechanics and shop owners from Dayton, Ohio. The brothers’ determination to fly, perseverance in the face of failure, ridicule, and lack of interest by their countrymen is astounding. After many failed attempts and disbelief and disinterest by those around them, the two brothers, Wilbur, an acclaimed genius, and Orville, who had the personality for ingenious mechanics and promoting of their product, did it.

It took many experiments on their part and they were often ignored by the media, but press on they did, backed by a strong family that included two older brothers, a devoted sister and their minister father, Bishop Milton Wright. Their mother had died early. The inventors carefully studied the terrain of the country before settling on North Carolina’s legendary Outer Banks with its soft sand and ideal winds.

Much of the book was technical, but any student of aviation or history will be enthralled. What a lesson in determination these two pioneers exhibited. Read it. ◆◆◆ In Kelli Estes’ “The Girl Who Wrote in Silk,” while exploring her deceased aunt’s island estate, Inara Erickson accidentally discovers a piece of embroidered fabric in the steps of the house. As she peels back each layer of the fabric, her life becomes interwoven with that of Mei Lien, a Chinese girl mysteriously driven from her home a century before.

When my book club discussed it, they were divided on their opinion of which they preferred: the current story or the one of the past. They had a lively discussion of the plot, which involves two women who are determined to do the right thing. The story is also a powerful plug for the importance of telling or recording our own stories.

As Inara is forced to make an impossible choice, her family suffers. It is a poignant story, well worth the read.

Barnes has been writing for OutreachNC since the first publication in 2010 and currently participates in three book clubs.

She can be reached at info@outreachnc.com.

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FEBRUARY 2016 |

OutreachNC.com 25

Where Will

Your Travels Take You?

From Budget to Luxury, Careful Planning Yields Rewarding Trips

by Jennifer Webster | Photography by Katherine Clark

A

s 2016 beckons, do you see yourself watching the muddy Mississippi slide past from the deck of a riverboat? Or approaching the Côte d’Azur on a cruise liner? Perhaps you’re chatting, elbow to elbow, with fellow tourists as a chartered bus winds its way toward Rock City.

Whatever your pleasure, there’s a trip for you in 2016. And even if it sounds luxurious, you may be surprised to find it’s within your budget. Just make sure you plan prudently for unexpected expenses, identify cost savings where possible, and find an expert to set you off on the right foot.

That’s what Cheryl Darwell, franchise owner and travel concierge with Cruise Planners in Seven Lakes, tells her clients. Averaging 70 years old, the people she sends off on adventures tend to be sophisticated travelers, she says, but plenty of first-time tourists and people on a budget come to her, as well. She can send a couple on a week-long cruise for as little as $1,500 for the pair — that’s about $100 per person per day, less than a road trip with stays at budget motels might set you back.

A higher-end sail might double the price, ringing up at $1,500 to $2,00 per person, she says. However, the difference can be deceptive.

“The more you spend, the more all-inclusive the package tends to be, so you get what you pay for,” she says. “You can economize because more services are included.”

For instance, luxury deals might provide for meals on a land tour.

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OutreachNC.com | FEBRUARY 2016

A Lifetime of Travel Ann Robson is typical of Darwell’s clients: at 76 years old, she’s been traveling since she was 10.

“I crossed the border from Canada to the U.S.,” she recalls. “I was shocked that it did not look any different from the other side of the bridge.”

As an adult, Robson joined her husband on his business trips. In those years, she says, they traveled without making reservations or many plans, following whims and loving every minute of it.

“My first great trip was in 1973,” she says. “We spent three weeks in Europe. I drove a car on the Autobahn—I wouldn’t do that now, but I was only 20 or 30 years old. I got lost, and I got through on about three German words. My goal for that day was to see the cathedral in Cologne, and I achieved it!”

Today, Robson prefers planned trips. She has gone with Roads Scholar groups and taken eight ocean cruises and two river cruises.

“I highly recommend organized trips, particularly for older people,” she says. “Usually you have the free time in various locations to explore on your own if you wish. The convenience of having someone else make the decisions and accommodations, restaurants and events contributes greatly to the enjoyment of a trip.

“We enjoy cruises because we have to unpack once and for a specific period of time. You can relax and enjoy the trip.”

Quick Cost Savers Both travel experts, Darwell and Robson offer suggestions for making the most of your travel budget.

• Don’t book online. You get what you pay for, but online, that’s only what you see listed on the screen when you click the button. A travel agent can pack a deal with extras, Darwell says.

“With a decent agent, you get good rates and extra amenities,” she says. “When the price goes down, we get a notice from the vendor, and we lower it.”

• Travel light, but think through your packing. Uncomfortable shoes on a trip filled

with hikes can result in a pricy visit to a store, for instance. But when it comes to appearance, does anyone really care?

“Who’s going to know you didn’t bring matching shoes for every outfit?” Robson asks. “Or if you’re going from place to place, who’s going to know you’ve worn an outfit twice? I can boast of spending two weeks in Europe with one good-sized travel-on bag. I felt I was always clean and presentable.”

• Travel local. Often, locals have never seen attractions that draw tourists from across the country. Just because a landmark is down the road, don’t write it off as a vacation destination.

“I would consider going to the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh, take my time enjoying each exhibit, have a nice meal there and come home,” Robson says. “The Atlantic Coast and its towns also make a lovely trip. Find a motel on the outskirts of town, bring a cooler with snacks and breakfast items like muffins and fruit, and whatever you like to drink,” she says. “Treat yourself to one meal out.”

Hidden Expenses; Prudent Remedies No one wants to get sick—especially away from home. But it makes sense to take illness or injury under consideration and make sure your health insurance policy covers emergency, out-of-network care. And once that box is checked, consider other unexpected expenses. That’s where special travel insurance comes in.

A travel insurance policy not only includes acute medical care, but may also cover transport home, among other factors.

Darwell recalls the wife of a retired clergyman who rode a Segway in Curacao and ran into a concrete trash bin, shattering her eye orbit. Luckily, an ample travel insurance policy brought the couple home safely.

“She was put up in a lovely hotel,” Darwell says. “We had her airlifted back home.”

CONTINUED PAGE 28

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A

Travel Options for Every Taste

re you a wandering hermit or do you enjoy migrating with a flock of like-minded folks? Do you creatively pinch pennies on your trips or do you save up and then splurge on a splendid vacation? Whatever your preference, there’s a voyage for you.

Local Outings • Super-saver: Pack a lunch or breakfast and drive to visit a farmers market or area vineyard, such as Adams, Black Rock, Cloer or Cypress Bend.

• Middling: The North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh offers events as well as fine arts. Check out the Winter Film Series, which this year focuses on dance.

• Pricy but perfect: Head west and visit Biltmore Estate in Asheville. On Feb. 13, learn to make posies for your loved one’s lapel at the Boutonniere & Corsage bar.

Solo Voyages • Economy: Disney Cruise Line. Family oriented with rates as low as $99 per person per day to some destinations.

• Middling: Alaska Cruises, an exotic, if wintry, Pacific voyage.

• Economy-to-pricy: Take an Amtrak trip. A splurge for a sleeper will set you back more but is worth it if you’re visiting the Rockies. Or you can speed to Atlanta or Savannah on the Silver Star line for about $100.

• Pricy but perfect: Darwell recommends Princess or Celebrity Cruises, both replete with perks.

Joint Ventures • Economy: Silver Connections, an area social group for older adults, organizes group trips to destinations from Myrtle Beach to the mountains of North Carolina.

• Middling: Roads Scholar offers adult educational tours for those who want to see the world and learn about it at the same time.

• Economy-to-pricy: Frommer’s offers organized, educational riverboat tours up the St. Lawrence to Montreal. Brush up on your French!

• Pricy but perfect: Get your group together and consult a travel agent about a unique trip with a private guide.

28 OutreachNC.com | FEBRUARY 2016

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27

An Expert Guide How do you distinguish overspending from paying a higher price up front in return for cost savings down the line? That’s where it helps to work with someone who knows the travel industry.

“It is up to a good travel agent to differentiate and fit the client to their exact needs,” Darwell says. “A travel agent doesn’t cost anything. And in terms of value they do very well, add a lot of value.”

Finding the right agent can be tricky. Darwell offers some signs to look for.

• Face-to-face interaction. “Your agent should be someone you can speak with oneon-one,” says Darwell, who routinely visits clients in their homes. “Nowadays, everything is in print, but I mail people hard copies of everything, too.”

• Free service. Paid on commission, an agent should have no need to charge a client.

Instead, says Darwell, “they have a vested interest in customizing every trip.”

• Availability. Good agents also take responsibility for the outcome of the trip.

Today, your travel agent should be just an email or text message away. When the unexpected happens, such as a delayed or missing connection, an agent can smooth things over.

“We had a Lufthansa strike in the Baltics, [and it was imperative for one of our clients] to be back on time,” Darwell illustrates. On a boat in Europe, the man would have found telephoning a lot of airlines prohibitively expensive, she says. “I got him on the first flight back.”

Memories to Treasure However much money you spend, your careful planning will be rewarded with a trip in which you can relish the delightful experiences each day brings.

Robson recalls one of her favorite travel moments, years ago but still bright in memory.

“In 1989, my daughter and I took my mother to Ireland for her 80th birthday,” she says. “We went to Blarney Castle and my daughter was the only one agile enough to kiss the stone. She didn’t need to! I climbed up with her while my mother stayed on the ground. It was very special for three generations to be together in a place we had heard about all our lives.”

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OutreachNC.com 29

New Friends Bring New Adventures Near and Far

by Jennifer Webster | Photography by Katherine Clark

M

arilyn Monroe said, “Friendship is the ‘bestiest’ thing that comes to life.”

Agreed! Best of all, seeds of new friendship can be sown and cultivated at any time of life.

Laura Kay House, MA, is founder and owner of Silver Connections, a social connection group for seniors “55 and better,” as she expresses it. House has made it her vocation to help people create friendships in their “silver” years.

Silver Connections members meet locally throughout the Triangle for events of all kinds—museum trips, cooking classes, concerts, sporting events, wine tastings, theater outings, picnics, festivals, casual dining and more. The group also provides ample opportunities for travel excursions from the mountains to the coast and beyond, all the while forging lifelong friendships. Monthly event calendars offer more than 10 opportunities to gather for a new adventure and cameraderie.

Sitting down with House, she discusses the development of the group, the value of social interaction and how friendships make life that much more enjoyable.

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Silver Connections, a social group for age 55+ in the Triangle, gathered for a cooking class, one of many monthly excursions available through the group.

This class was hosted

by Chef Wynton Mann, top center, at Wynton’s World Cooking School in Cary to make an array of appetizers to enjoy together afterward.

ONC: Why were you drawn to the mission of helping build lasting friendships?

LKH: As a young child, I would ask my parents if we could invite individuals who were older and dining alone to join us at restaurants.

The idea of someone feeling sad and lonely deeply bothered me.

While studying gerontology in graduate school, I wrote a paper on isolation in later life and really felt that my mission, in some small way, was to prevent this, and Silver Connections was then born.

What are some challenges in making new friends?

Many of the friends and connections you make when you are younger are via your children’s school or activities or through your spouse. If your children are grown, your spouse has died or you are divorced, that takes out those components. Also, once a person retires, they tend to lose their work comrades. Finally, once a person loses a spouse to death or divorce, their “couple” friends may not feel that they have as much in common now that their once-married friend is single.

Are there habits that keep us in this “unfriended” state, and how can we break through the isolation and meet new friends?

It is very easy to get into a rut and stay home alone all the time. Isolation becomes a daily ingredient. It takes a lot of effort to research available socializing opportunities and then actually attend an activity.

When many individuals contact me for the first time with interest in Silver Connections, they are very nervous. They have, most likely, been part of a couple for many, many years and it is scary reaching out for the first time. But, the alternative is being alone every night and not really enjoying life. If they just take that first step, just do it, they will be so glad.

They will get out of that rut and begin to enjoy life with others.

For those who prefer less-structured settings, what are some great ways to find friends?

I would recommend taking classes, as many of the local universities and community colleges have courses available for age 55+. The YMCA has wonderful exercise classes and other activities for older adults. Sign up for a cooking class via your local parks and recreation or senior center. Inquire at your local library about book clubs or reading groups.

CONTINUED PAGE 32

FEBRUARY 2016 |

OutreachNC.com 31

“ ” We all truly need each other and maybe even more so as we grow older. Cultivate the friends you have and find ways to meet new ones.

—Laura Kay House

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31

Younger people may base friendships around school, work or other circumstances.

But after 55, when deliberately cultivating friendships, people have the chance to think through what they’re looking for—what they value in a friend. What do you think are the key ingredients to a great friendship?

Being a good friend means being loyal and caring.

It means if you are having a bad day, you can call a friend and talk about it. A good friend is there to support you and applaud you when times are good and be there to lean on when times are tough. Shared interests help, but also sometimes you can learn something new from a friend. One of the most important factors is that friendship must be reciprocated—it cannot be one friend always giving and the other always taking. It has to be a give and take.

February may have love on the minds of most. What do friendships offer that romance can’t, and is it important to have both?

For more information on Silver Connections, visit www.silverconnections.org or call 919-270-6592.

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OutreachNC.com | FEBRUARY 2016

We have heard for years how important good eating habits, exercise and not smoking are to longevity. Recent studies have proven that social connections and friendships are just as important.

Everyone would like to have both friendship and romance in their life, but this does not always happen. What I do think is important is to make the best of what circumstances you have. If you have made friends, enjoy them and times spent together. If romance comes along, then that is a great addition to life; however, putting all else aside in the quest for romance usually ends in unhappiness. Many Silver Connections members would like to meet a special someone, but they do not dwell on it. They join our organization to meet others like themselves who are looking for friendship, events, travel and socializing opportunities. They are enjoying life.

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5 P

Quick Travel Tips

lanning a romantic getaway with that special someone this month? Or ready to set off to sunnier shores for a bit with family and friends?

Check out these tips before you start packing.

1

by Rachel Stewart

Build options into your itinerary.

Having a planned destination, lodgings and activities are the foundation of a great vacation. However, weather and unforeseen issues could put a dent in the best-laid plans. If you’re heading to one area, have plenty of options open for dining or sightseeing so there’s no disappointment, just fun and relaxation. Discuss all options with your traveling partners and gather their input, too. They may suggest something you didn’t know about or have always wanted to try.

2

Pack smart. How you pack depends on the method of travel. If you’re going on a road trip, pack plenty of snacks and

bottled water. Stow a first aid kit under the seat and a back-up atlas in case your GPS sends you in the wrong direction.

Extra cords or portable batteries are a good idea for GPS units and smartphones, too. When flying, observe rules when packing so you don’t need to unexpectedly have to check a bag or lose your favorite toiletry item. Always pack extra prescription medications. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist about your trip so they can provide you with extra doses.

3 4

Consider time. Are you drastically changing time zones on your vacation? Consider changing your sleep

schedule gradually so you’re not jet lagged once you reach your destination. Will you be traveling for long periods of time by car? Make sure to break up your trip, stopping for a meal and stretching your legs.

Make sure someone’s in the know. Always let a family member or close friend know your plans. If you’re

going away for an extended trip, hold your mail and newspapers, or have someone pick them up and check on your home while you’re away. If your pets are more comfortable at home instead of going to a kennel to be boarded, have a sitter on hand for the length of your time away.

5

Prep for emergency. While no one

wants to think of something bad happening on vacation, it’s better to be prepared just in case. Keep important numbers and medical information handy, either written down in a planner or kept on your smartphone, should you need to get in contact with your doctor back home. Have all insurance cards on your person in case of a fender bender or quick trip to urgent care or if you need to pick up a prescription at a new pharmacy. Stow away extra cash, too, in case places don’t accept credit or debit cards.

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OutreachNC.com | FEBRUARY 2016

Love Your Local Authors!

Saturday, Feb 13th, 2- 4 p.m.

Come celebrate local writers at the historic Shaw House in Southern Pines with readings, live music 110 Morganton Rd. and tasty at the corner of Valentine’s treats!

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OutreachNC.com 35

Relax

with a Spa Staycation

by Michelle Goetzl | Photography by Diana Matthews

W

hen time and money make a vacation hard to plan, it doesn’t mean that you can’t find a way to relax and rejuvenate. With two acclaimed resort spas in our region, planning a wonderful staycation is easier then you may think.

Merriam-Webster defines “staycation” as “a vacation spent at home or nearby.” This recent addition to the dictionary focuses on periods where a person or family stays home and participates in leisure activities within driving distance, sleeping in their own beds at night. Staycations came into vogue during the most recent financial crisis and can be a fabulous way to get the benefits of a vacation without all of the costs involved.

One way to take care of your mind and body is to spend a day at the spa.

Massage has long been recognized as an effective tool to help ease stress and body pain while allowing a person to relax. The difference between getting a massage and spending a day at the spa is that in addition to the massage treatment you receive, the spas do all they can to pamper you for the day. If a massage isn’t appealing, there is a wealth of other treatments to receive and still utilize the spa facilities. Whether you want to relax with a book in a peaceful environment far away from the technology that constantly interrupts us, swim a lap in the pool or enjoy a soak in the hot tub, each resort has options to add value to your stay.

Lavishing yourself in spa therapy is not only vital for your health, but also a well-deserved indulgence. The benefits of a day of relaxation are especially important for caretakers of all kinds. Those who constantly care for others often forget to take time for themselves.

“When you take time for yourself,” says Danielle Daugherty, operations manager at the Spa at Pinehurst, “you feel rejuvenated and ready to come back to life with the stress lifted away.”

Carolyne Doe, the Spa Director at The Umstead Spa in Cary, sees similar benefits when guests take the time to fully enjoy the spa and not just limit themselves to a one-hour treatment.

“Completely disconnecting yourself from your phone and other outside influences,” Doe says, “really quiets the mind and helps center yourself.”

Both spas offer a day of complete relaxation that begins the moment you walk through the doors. Branden Fein, Spa Director at The Spa at Pinehurst encourages guests to “stay all day.” He believes that it is the mission of the spa to help clients relax.

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“We want you to put your worries away and let us pamper you for the day,” he says.

Stepping into the spas, all of your senses are engaged. The spaces are purposely lit as naturally as possible without a trace of harsh fluorescent lighting. There is the slightest hint of fragrance from essential oils and sounds are kept to a minimum. The Spa at Pinehurst always keeps citrus water out to keep you hydrated and guests at the Umstead are offered a soothing tea from their personal spa concierge upon entry. The spaces are designed to bring a sense of peace to your entire being the moment guests arrive.

To familiarize yourself with the facilities and begin the relaxation process, each spa encourages guests to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to their appointments.

“As guests receiving treatments,” says Doe, “they have access to the complimentary facilities within the spa, so I always recommend arriving earlier than your treatment or plan staying afterwards to really soak up all the spa has to offer.”

Mandy King of Whispering Pines scheduled a girls’ day at The Spa at Pinehurst with some friends last fall. While their spa appointment was not until 11 a.m., the women opted to show up at 8 a.m. and take advantage of the spa’s gym, followed up with showers, swimming, a dip in the hot tub and a visit to the steam room.

“It was the perfect way to unwind and relax,” King says, “and that was before we even had our massages.”

The Spa at Pinehurst is a 31,000 square-foot facility with 28 treatment rooms. The additional experience consists of a co-ed lap pool and whirlpool, as well as separate men’s and women’s locker rooms with their own whirlpools, steam rooms and saunas. Visitors have access to the inside areas, the fitness center and a picturesque veranda with rocking chairs to relax and soak in the fresh smell of the pines, hear birds chirping in the distance, and revel in the historic hotel atmosphere.

The Umstead Spa is a two-story, 16,000 square foot facility that received a top-to-bottom renovation in 2013. Its design incorporates natural elements to help tie it to the serene North Carolina woodland setting that surrounds the hotel. They feature 11 treatment rooms, including three couples rooms as well as an open-roof, co-ed pool and separate men’s and women’s lounges. The lounges have whirlpools, eucalyptus-infused steam rooms, deluge showers and saunas. There is also an outdoor meditation courtyard to take advantage of in good weather.

Guests can extend their day of relaxation with lunch at the spas. In addition to delicious complimentary smoothies, the Spa at Pinehurst offers locally-sourced menu items that are made fresh and delivered, so you don’t even have to slip out of your cozy robe. At the Umstead, there are complimentary healthy snacks and beverages as well. For a full meal at the Umstead, reserve a table for lunch onsite at Herons Restaurant to enjoy a spa-inspired menu.

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Each spa offers a wealth of treatment options. The Spa at Pinehurst recently added straight razor services for their male guests and is currently introducing a brand new line of facials featuring the European skin care line of Babor products. Additionally, Swe-Thai massage is a new feature this spring.

Swe-Thai blends the relaxing strokes of the Swedish massage with the wonderful stretching techniques of traditional Thai massage. Any treatment at the Spa at Pinehurst, from massage to manicure, gains you access for the day to their complete facilities.

The Umstead Spa’s customized services include 18 organic treatments that utilize superior organic products including the spa’s own signature label. Blending bitter orange, grapefruit, chamomile and lavender, the Signature Umstead line is used in a body ritual and body polish, as well as in bath amenities throughout the hotel and spa. Spa specials change seasonally and feature a different seasonal aromatic. The only limitations to utilizing the Umstead’s facilities is that guests must receive a treatment more than $100 in value. Local guests who visit Monday through Thursday receive complimentary use of the fitness center and outdoor season pool, so booking during the week offers even more value.

Taking time for yourself and allowing yourself to have a reboot is vitally important. A staycation day at the spa is an amazing way to take a break from your every day worries.

“We are day makers,” explains Fein. “If we can make guests forget about trials and tribulations of everyday life, we have done our job.”

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Carthage Flea Market

The

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To download the applications or find out more information on the scholarships, visit CEMCPower.com.

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OutreachNC.com 39

phy by Diana M att

by Jonathan Scott | Photogra

hews

M

ost travelers in Colonial America had to rely on local folks they found along the way who would rent them a room for the night and possibly share a meal. In fact, it wasn’t until there were railroads and, later, interstate highways crisscrossing the nation, that lodging for travelers became a commercial industry. However, in one of those swings of the cultural pendulum, a new “old” trend began to blossom in the 1980s and 90s, with the rising popularity of bed and breakfast inns, what we now usually call B&Bs. It’s estimated that there are currently 17,000 B&Bs in America. For some of the owners, running a B&B is a way of turning an unused part of their homes into a money maker. Others simply love meeting people from different places or savoring the lifestyle as hosts. For travelers who like to avoid, or are tired of, cookie-cutter accommodations, staying at a B&B offers a unique experience. Hosts can provide insights into the local environment that a hotel clerk may not, and the opportunity for guests to meet each other around the breakfast table can enliven the experience of traveling.

As a mathematics major in Utah, David Fernandez never imagined himself one day owning a B&B in a small North Carolina town. The road he traveled to Seagrove was a long one, one that left behind mathematics and led him to success in the world of pottery.

“I realized that most of the places where I was selling my pottery were in the East,” Fernandez says. “I marked on a map where they were and the connecting lines intersected in central North Carolina.”

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Seagrove Stoneware Inn www.seagrovestoneware.com 336-707-9124

Fernandez moved to Greensboro, where he met Alexa Modderno, a former insurance saleswoman who had a budding interest in pottery. The pair married and traveled extensively and continually, selling their pottery in as many as 36 shows per year. It became clear that, as much as they liked the Triad, the heart and soul of the craft of pottery is further south in Randolph and Moore counties.

“It was a no-brainer,” Modderno says. “Seagrove was where we wanted to be.”

In November 2006, the couple purchased the Seagrove General Store and the 1913 Henry Yow house next door.

They knew the six-bedroom house was more than one couple needed and envisioned turning it into a B&B when they retired. Neither one of these talented potters could imagine retiring from the work that was their passion. So they turned their fantasy for the future into a reality for the present. They renovated three bedrooms, tastefully decorated them with artwork that the pair had collected while participating in shows across the county and, in 2010, opened the doors of Seagrove Stoneware Inn & Pottery.

Every B&B is one of a kind, but that uniqueness is nowhere more apparent than in Seagrove. The rooms themselves are named with styles of pottery: the Porcelain Room, the Stoneware Room and the Raku Room. The couple’s pottery storefront, the converted Seagrove General Store, is right next door.

“We wanted a place where people who come to appreciate local pottery can stay,” says Fernandez, currently Seagrove’s mayor. “We wanted them to be able to have a full experience.”

That experience, according to Fernandez and Modderno, includes getting one’s hands dirty. Guests have

access to the couple’s pottery studio and, with a little bit of instruction, can create their own objet d’art. Their hosts will even fire the creations in the onsite kiln and ship the handmade pottery creations afterward. It’s the kind of opportunity that can make an overnight or weekend stay into a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Just south of Seagrove in Moore County, it was a 1929 cottage in the Village of Pinehurst that captured the heart of Kimberly Meade. The cottage was in need of renovations, which Meade undertook, having the work done while she was living there. Taking a respite from her home repairs, she visited friends in southwestern Virginia.

“My friends had a rescue cat and, since I’m an animal lover, I just had to adopt him,” Meade recalls. “On the way back to Pinehurst, I was thinking about all the associations people have with the southern Appalachians and decided to name him Moonshine.”

The personality of the cat was so charming, Meade decided to name her house after him, dubbing it “Moonshine Cottage.”

When Meade’s career her called away from the Sandhills, she didn’t know what to do with Moonshine or the Moonshine Cottage. She had grown to love them both and wanted the ability to come back periodically.

Eventually, she found an online organization, Vacation Rentals By Owner (VRBO).

Operated by HomeAway, VRBO boasts 1 million vacation homes around the world. By creating a website where vacationers can connect directly with property owners, VRBO offers access to a huge variety of rentals, usually at lower costs than might be found elsewhere.

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Moonshine Cottage www.vrbo.com/427258 Pinehurst, NC

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Moonshine Cottage is a perfect example of the bargains available through VRBO. Tucked away on a quiet side road that’s just a pleasant walk from the heart of Pinehurst, it rents fully furnished with kitchenwares, linens and other necessities. With three attractive and comfortable bedrooms, the whole house sleeps eight and rents for a price not much more than a standard hotel room. It’s a treasure for golfers on a pilgrimage to Pinehurst. It also affords Meade the chance to return whenever she wants.

As a bonus to make the experience one of a kind, Moonshine himself still lives at the Cottage, endearing himself to guests with his feline hospitality.

Northeast of Pinehurst in Chatham County lies Pittsboro’s Fearrington Village. That’s where Forrest Greenslade, a former molecular biologist with a stint 42

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at the Atomic Energy Commission, and his wife, Carol-Ann, bought their quaint retirement home in this picturesque neighborhood in 2000.

The home’s original owner had built a garage with a 600-square-foot apartment above in which he lived until the main house was completed. When the couple took over the property, they used the garage apartment as a studio for Greenslade’s new interests: writing, sculpting and painting. He was determined not to let things like heart attacks and retirement slow down his thirst for learning and creativity.

“I was watching one of those TV business shows one morning,” Greenslade says. “They were talking about ‘the sharing economy,’ something I had never heard about. I went online to investigate.”

The sharing economy, according to Roger Yu in USA Today, is a movement that “represents the newly cemented intersection of online social networking, mobile technology, the minimalist movement and heightened penny-pinching brought on by lingering economic uncertainties.” As accurate a statement as that may be, it’s difficult to get a handle on what he means without seeing a concrete example. Greenslade finally found that example in a Forbes article on the sharing economy that mentioned something called Airbnb.

Airbnb, pronounced “air-be-en-be,” is a shortened version of Air Bed and Breakfast. Like VRBO, it’s an online network bringing travelers together with people who, like in Colonial America, open their homes to traveling guests. Airbnb now has over 2 million listings in 190 countries and 34,000 cities. The listings can range from a humble bed in a spare apartment room to an entire private island. Airbnb puts both guests and hosts through a rigorous process of validation, making sure their bona fides are legitimate, for everyone’s safety.

The Artist’s Garret

www.airbnb.com/rooms/2231084

Pittsboro, NC

Greenslade is the sort of person who likes new ideas, so he and Carol-Ann wondered if they might be able to make a little extra money by turning Greenslade’s art studio into an Airbnb. The venture, however, required some work.

“There was paint everywhere,” Greenslade says. “All over the walls and in the sink where I would wash brushes.”

In order to offer part of their home to paying guests, the couple had to do more than paint the walls.

“We had to go to the Homeowners Association for permission,” Greenslade says. “We told them that turning our studio into an Airbnb would help fulfill what the neighborhood developer had in mind. There’s an idea here to make Fearrington Village an arts destination. Our place would fit with that vision. You see, it’s also a gallery.”

Calling their home a gallery is nearly an understatement.

When Airbnb guests arrive to stay at what the Greenslades call “The Artist’s Garret,” they are inevitably taken on a tour of the main house where virtually every inch of wall space is taken up with the prodigious output of Greenslade’s colorful and varied two-dimensional art.

His works outside include almost uncountable original sculptures made from concrete and metal. The side yard garden that the couple designed is a work of art itself, with a path that meanders past a gurgling pond, flowers, shrubs and unexpected, delightful sculptures of all sorts. The passion that went into each creation permeates the entire ambiance and is unavoidably contagious.

“Most of the people who stay with us have come to Fearrington for some sort of family reason: a wedding, a graduation at UNC, care of an older parent or even the last days of someone in the supportive living facility at Galloway Ridge,” Greenslade says.

Some guests leave having purchased one of Greenslade’s paintings or sculptures.

Staying at the Artist’s Garret was the first Airbnb experience for Nancy and George Soldatow of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Their daughter lived in the area, and they were scouting the area for possible relocation.

“Location was the primary factor,” says Nancy Soldatow.

“But we definitely were charmed by the details about the apartment. I think it takes a special kind of person to host an Airbnb—a real people person who enjoys sharing his or her neighborhood with others, a community booster.”

Perhaps that’s the real charm travelers find in staying in places like the Artist’s Garret, Moonshine Cottage or the Seagrove Stoneware Inn. These sorts of accommodations are usually found in residential neighborhoods where guests can feel at home and like part of a community.

It harkens back to a time when people relied on their neighbors for safety and support—and the kindness of strangers. The surprising outcome is that, more often than not, guests and hosts part as friends.

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Put Your Heart First

by Rachel Stewart

F

ebruary is National Heart Month, so there’s no better time to step back and consider how to take care of yourself-and pencil in important screenings on your calendar.

Heart disease remains the No. 1 cause of death among men and women. Coronary heart disease is the most common type of heart disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A person’s risk for heart disease increases as they age and if they have certain health conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and being overweight.

Knowing Where You Stand

Since there are so many individual factors that can play a role in cardiovascular health, seeing your primary care physician should be your first stop. He or she can look at your current health and do lab work or have you complete a stress test to see what kind of shape your heart is in, and tell you more about important numbers related to your health. Next, you and your physician can talk about what medications and lifestyle modifications can help you get and stay healthy, reducing your risk of heart-related conditions.

Taking Charge of Your Health

Establishing heart healthy habits take time. If you’re having trouble adjusting to a new lifestyle, don’t be discouraged.

Every little step forward counts--and could mean you enjoy a longer, healthier life. Try incorporating these habits into your daily routine.

• Pay attention to your water intake. Drinking water helps boost your metabolism and remove waste from your body--and it’s better for you than calorie-laden sodas. A Loma Linda University study found that men who drank five eight-ounce glasses of water a day were less likely to experience a heart attack. Researchers surmised regular water intake helped keep blood from clotting. If you’re having trouble giving up the fizz, try mineral water or club soda with a slice of lime.

• Stop smoking-and stay away from second-hand smoke if you don’t smoke. Studies suggest being exposed to nicotine smoke can increase bad cholesterol levels and increase blood clotting, due to reducing oxygen flow throughout the body.

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• Aim for 10,000 steps a day. Don’t like the gym? Buy a pedometer or FitBit to gauge how much you walk each day. Once you have a baseline, you can challenge yourself to get in 10,000 steps-or five miles-each day.

• Eat smarter. When grocery shopping, look beyond the price tag. Can you buy fresh or frozen instead of canned? Is there an option with less salt? More fiber?

Read labels closely before heading to the checkout lane. Going out to eat? Ask for a to-go container so you can save half of your meal for lunch the next day.

• Celebrate your progress. Did you meet your exercise quota for the week? Lose two pounds? Eat enough vegetables? Treat yourself to something fun, like a day at the spa, the movies, or an item on your wishlist.

He Felt, She Felt

The symptoms of a heart attack can differ by gender--and can be stunningly subtle for women.

Men are more likely to experience traditional signs of heart attack, such as dramatic pain or pressure in the chest area. Women, on the other hand, typically experience shortness of breath, feelings of nausea or unexplained pain in their jaw or back, according to the American Heart Association.

Other signs of heart attack in women may include: • Pain in both arms instead of one • Breaking out into a cold sweat • Feeling lightheaded • Flu-like symptoms • Symptoms similar to acid reflux If you think something is wrong, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Call 911 if you think you’re having a heart attack. First responders can take your vitals so medical staff can evaluate you upon arrival at the hospital.

A Valentine’s Day Meal Fit for Your Heart

Dining with heart healthy in mind doesn’t have to be without flavor or culinary flair. Consider these options with cooking at home or dining out.

• Start with a glass of red wine. One four-ounce glass of vino can improve good cholesterol levels, according to Cleveland Clinic. Just be sure to cork the bottle for future meals or cooking--men should not have more than two alcoholic beverages a day, and women should stick to just one alcoholic drink a day.

• Drizzle in olive oil-based vinaigrette on your salad. Olive oil has monounsaturated fats, which can help lower cholesterol and keep blood sugar and insulin levels steady, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Limit your oil intake to between one and two tablespoons a day. Fill your salad bowl full of dark greens, like spinach, for extra heart-healthy nutrients.

• Order salmon, tuna or trout as your main entree. These proteins contain omega-3s, which protect the heart. Add brightly colored steamed veggies on the side to complete your meal. If you want a traditional baked potato, leave the toppings on the side to reduce fat content.

• For an after-treat, stick to fresh fruit or a couple of squares of dark chocolate. Both contain antioxidants that protect your heart and contain enough natural sugar to satisfy your cravings for sweets-without sending for the dessert cart.

Indulge for Your Heart

Receive a heart-shaped box of chocolates? If your sweetheart gave you dark chocolate, having an occasional piece as a treat can boost heart health. An 11-year-long British study found that middleaged adults who nosh on dark chocolate are less likely to have heart disease than those that never indulge their sweet tooth. Just keep portions to 3.5 ounces.

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Sunday Traveler

by Flo Johnston | Photography by Katherine Clark

A

ngel the cat doesn’t come to Laurinburg Presbyterian on Sunday for the good preaching and praying led by Dr. Neal Carter or even for the fine singing directed by Jose Riveria.

Her motivation is probably more basic, a chance to get out of the house, to ride in the family car and to spend time surveying the scene from the parking lot across the street from this historic Scotland County church at 600 South Church Street.

Church pews were never intended to shelter felines and even though Sean McDonald playing the sanctuary organ and a bevy of talented choir members deliver memorable musical moments for folks who fill those pews, Angel is content to stay in the car, looking around and then taking a little snooze in a sunny spot waiting the return of Katherine and Jane McKay, her soulmates and housemates.

Nothing but the best for Angel with air conditioning in summer and heat in winter, so her comfort is never compromised.

Presbyterians make no claims about attracting cats to their services, but they do believe that all of God’s creatures have a purpose or God would not have made them. And although cats are sometimes thought of as nothing more than good mouse traps, or an aggravation when they engage in nocturnal caterwauling, they top some lists when it comes to being good companion animals.

As one cat lover has said: “God outdid himself when he created my cat.”

Eight felines now call the McKay house on Covington Street home. But Angel is the only one in this cat family who likes to ride in the car. That’s why she’s a regular church-goer.

Sunday mornings in the McKay household as everybody gets ready for church is nothing like herding cats, however.

For her part, Angel eats an early breakfast, about 5 a.m., when she awakens Katherine, giving herself plenty of time for grooming. She’s fastidious.

With her sandpaper tongue, she calls out strands of her thick white coat with black spots for attention and makes sure her pink paws get a going-over, checking carefully between each toe.

When Katherine and Jane pick up their pocketbooks and put on their jackets, Angel gets the signal. It’s time to go stand by the door.

In the car, Jane sits in the back seat reading the newspaper and Angel roams from back to front, leaving the Toyota driving to Katherine, who follows the same route every Sunday, turning right out of her driveway, continuing to West Church Street and taking another right. Laurinburg Pres is about three blocks on the left.

Over the years, this church, whcih dates to 1859, has figured prominently in the McKay family and in the lives of the two sisters, who are lifelong Presbyterians.

Both are retired educators, having spent a combined total of more than 70 years in education, some in the public schools of Scotland County, where Katherine taught second grade and Jane was a librarian.

The McKay sisters admit they have a special place in their hearts as well as a talent for “herding cats.” They are proud to say that over the years, they have never turned a hungry feline away from their back door. Along with her owners, Angel will continue in her faithful Sunday morning travels.

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Love

to Travel

by Carrie Frye | Photography by K atherine Clark

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B

efore they knew each other, Jennifer and Patrick Del Rio each chose to relocate to Oriental—a tiny, picturesque spot on the map-known as the “Sailing Capital of North Carolina.” Each already had a love for travel and saw Oriental as a new destination for life’s next adventures.

In 2004, Jennifer chose to leave the frigid winters and snow of New Hampshire behind for a more moderate climate.

Patrick, a widow after 38 years of marriage, moved in 2008 from San Francisco, California. He accepted a new position at a research lab, continuing his career as a bioengineer but with the stipulation that he could have time for return trips to visit his children and grandchildren at least twice a year.

“I was ready for a change of scenery,” he says.

Having met one another through social acquaintances, it wasn’t until an open-mic night at a local marina when Jennifer sang “Crazy” that their friendship began with their shared appreciation for music. Patrick, who plays guitar, banjo, harmonica and mandolin, asked if she might want to sing as part of a musical trio.

“I grew up with music, singing in the choir and with bands, but slowly had stopped, and I missed it,” Jennifer says. “Being able to sing with a group again was exciting and enabled our friendship to grow. We share so many common interests: nature, music and travel.

He’s very entertaining,” she adds, laughing.

When they are not playing or talking about music, travel is always high on the conversation list.

“When we were first dating, Patrick asked what my favorite flower was,” Jennifer recalls. “When I told him tulips, he said one of our trips would be to Holland to see tulips. He has been there before for business but wanted us to be able to experience it together.”

In that same manner, a tour of New England was old hat for Jennifer, but sharing the beauty of autumn she knew so well with Patrick for the first time made another special memory.

“We’ve even taken a long weekend up to New York and were able to stroll through Central Park in the rain,” she says.

Holland and its beautiful tulips, however, remain on their itinerary as a upcoming attraction for an extended vacation.

Much closer in proximity, the first trip the couple embarked upon was a train excursion to Savannah, Georgia.

“It was a good distance to make sure we were compatible traveling companions, which is important,” Jennifer says, smiling.

“We really enjoyed the train trip,” Patrick says. “It wasn’t something we had thought of initially, but it is convenient and comfortable with the option of the dining car.”

“We will definitely do more train trips,” Jennifer says. “My dream vacation is still the Galapagos Islands, but a close second is the Canadian Railway. Patrick’s would be a cruise to Europe followed by a river cruise of Holland and Belgium.”

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“

”

Austin is the Asheville of Texas.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 49

—Jennifer Del Rio

That Savannah getaway led to longer distance vacation planning when the couple headed west to Arizona, the Grand Canyon and California.

Married now for three years, the Del Rios are always up for an adventure. They can mark off locales from a growing list of places they have been and add to their must-see options for future endeavors.

“She likes to plan,” Patrick says. “I like to go and see what happens.”

A group bus trip was a first for both when they boarded for a long ride west to San Antonio, Texas. The professionally organized and scheduled stops made it so enjoyable that they scheduled another bus trip vacation.

This time, they were bound for New Orleans packed with more interesting stops en route. Once inside the Big Easy, they took a ride aboard the Steamboat Natchez on the mighty Mississippi River as well as enjoying a plethora of the sights, sounds and tastes of the city.

“We were able to leave right from here in Pamlico County,” Jennifer says. “San Antonio and New Orleans were wonderful. The only limiting factor of the bus trips is the number of destinations available, but our next bus trip will either be to St. Augustine (Florida) or Memphis (Tennessee).”

Still wanting to see more of Texas, Jennifer used her airline rewards for an excursion to Austin.

“There are just so many wonderful places right here in the U.S.,” she says. “We just opened up the atlas and decided on Austin. It’s the Asheville of Texas.”

Last year, the Del Rios also headed south for Costa Rica, immersing themselves in the culture and natural beauty of the Central American coast and mountains.

“I’m ready to go back to Costa Rica,” Jennifer says. “Going zip lining was my absolute favorite.”

“The snorkeling was magnificent,” Patrick adds.

The couple’s travel is always balanced between full-time jobs, two rescued hunting dogs, the renovation of what they intend to be their last house, and their demanding hobbies of beekeeping for Patrick and what Jennifer calls her “junk art.” Her creative pastimes also include making annual calendars for family and friends of their travel photography.

Patrick tends 16 beehives at various homes and farms in the county and harvests his Pamlico Bee Works honey every summer, while Jennifer creates unique and whimsical wind chimes and yard art décor. They are regulars at the Oriental Farmers Market and at The Silos Restaurant, where they are better known as The Del Rios playing their Americana music. A guitar signed by all the musicians who play there hangs on the wall of the stage where their friends and fans gather to hear old-time favorites like “Crazy” and “Wagon Wheel.”

This spring may be even more special because the birthday gift of an antique 1952 International Harvester L130 truck that Patrick tracked down for Jennifer finally has its North Carolina title and is road ready.

“When I was little, my dad had an International Harvester work truck similar to it, so I have always loved them,” Jennifer says.

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New Orlean s “It must have been in storage somewhere, because the body is in good shape,” Patrick says. “It operates as a dump truck, and most everything is original. It runs like a top.”

Naming the truck Iris for its purplish and green patina, Jennifer and Iris wil be making rounds around town, most likely with the window rolled down and Jennifer singing along to the couple’s favorite song, “Carolina,” by Jason Harrod: Take me where them rolling hills Can gather up and cure my ills.

Let me smell that long-leaf pine.

Here I come, clear off a space, Just don’t forget my name or face Before I get back down to Caroline.

Oh, oh, Carolina.

Over greener hills.

Beside bluer waters, Carolina, I love you still.

“Iris is like an old pair of faded blue jeans,” Jennifer says. “She may be dinged up, but we all are.”

And though their travels take them near and far, the next adventure may be the Pacific Coast when the whales are in sight or the Four Corners—where Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah meet.

“Who knows,” Jennifer says, “we do love national parks, so I have thought about the idea of an RV or camper, so we’ll see.”

For now, home is still their coastal cottage on the outskirts of Oriental.

“Home,” Patrick says, “is wherever Jennifer is.”

Half M oon B ay

Costa Rica

, CA

A Stinson Beach, C

Photos courtesy of Jennifer Del Rio

Ocracoke, NC

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Carolina Conversations with WRAL’s Tar Heel Traveler

Scott Mason

by Thad Mumau Photography by Diana Matthews

S

cott Mason is a household name in this state. His wonderful, heartwarming segments of the Tar Heel Traveler have entertained and informed viewers of WRAL TV for decades.

Telling the stories of everyday people, the Emmy Award-winning journalist packs an amazing amount of information into two and a half minutes. And he puts an equally amazing amount of work into each piece.

ONC: Did you always want to work in television?

SM: I always knew what I wanted to do, even as a little boy. I loved to write. I don’t know where that came from-my parents aren’t writers – but I often wrote short stories and poems when I was young. In fact, a national kids’ magazine published a fictional story of mine when I was a young teenager. It was about a rusty safe that had been jammed shut, and no one knew what was inside.

I was born in Raleigh, but when I was 2 years old, my parents moved to Massachusetts; my dad’s company transferred him. We lived in a house that had a detached garage, and after school I’d throw tennis balls against it and pretend I was the play-by-play announcer. I think I was born with both a love of storytelling and broadcasting. One night when I was about 10, I was watching TV in my parents’ bedroom as they dressed for a party. I remember this distinctly. The news was on, and I sat watching a Charles Kuralt piece. Kuralt wandered the country for CBS News, telling human-interest stories. When the segment ended, I pointed to the TV and said, “I wanna do what he does.”

My parents laughed and probably didn’t think much about it. But I did. I wanted to be Charles Kuralt.

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What about your family, hobbies and interests?

I have been married almost 25 years to my wife, Nina, whom I met on a blind date. We have three children, daughters Lane, 22, and Genie,18, and son, Scout, 13.

Scout plays competitive ice hockey, and so did my daughters at one time.

I play, too, once a week in an adult league. I also regularly play tennis.

My main hobby is writing. I had always dabbled in short stories and poems, but I truly found my voice when I began writing my first Tar Heel Traveler book. I had so much fun recalling my many journeys on the road, remembering the amusing stories behind the stories, and then putting it all on paper. I have since written a second Tar Heel Traveler book and am hard at work on a third.

I earned an MFA degree in creative nonfiction last spring from Queens University of Charlotte.

I enjoy reading as well, or rather, listening. I constantly listen to audio books. Someday, I’d like to be an audio book reader.

Who inspired you?

Charles Kuralt. I believe he was television’s greatest storyteller, a gifted writer with a terrific voice.

Sonny Jurgensen, the former quarterback of the Washington Redskins. I’ve always been a big Redskins fan, in large part because my dad graduated from the University of Virginia and Mom grew up in Richmond, and the Redskins were their “home team.” To me, Jurgensen seemed humble, never the flashy type, and yet he was a terrific leader. He wore number nine, and because of that, nine has always been my favorite number.

I also kept posters of Arthur Ashe on my walls as a kid. I cheered when he won Wimbledon in 1975, the underdog who beat Jimmy Connors .

I also admire Robert E. Lee, who I’m related to by way of the name Carter, which is my middle name. I graduated from the college Lee presided over after the Civil War. Lee seemed to be a true gentleman who embodied honor and decency.

How did the Tar Heel Traveler come about?

WRAL first launched the Tar Heel Traveler more than 30 years ago. Bill Leslie, who today anchors our morning and

noon newscasts, was once the Tar Heel Traveler. Other people were, too. But then the series drifted away.

One of the station’s producers back then eventually rose to become WRAL’s general manager. He’d never forgotten the old series and decided to resurrect it. Fortunately, he picked me to be the series host, and we debuted in September 2007. Today, the Tar Heel Traveler airs MondayThursday at 5:55 p.m., and all our stories are posted on wral.comjust look for the Tar Heel Traveler toward the bottom of the home page. You can also find the stories on TheTarHeelTraveler.com, along with information about my two Tar Heel Traveler books. The segments are wonderful endorsements of the idea that everybody has a story, and every place, too.

Has that been your credo all along?

I remember a story Charles Kuralt used to tell about flying over New York City one night, lights glittering out of the darkness below. It was a beautiful sight, and Kuralt and his colleague peered out the window and told each other how many wonderful stories there must be down there just waiting to be told. “A thousand stories,” the colleague said. “Millions!” Kuralt exclaimed. A short time later, Kuralt convinced CBS to send him on the road to tell those stories of people and places across America.

In a way, that’s what I do, too, but on a smaller scale.

I wander within the borders of North Carolina. And, yes, every place and everyone does have a story, but the challenge is finding those that are most compelling.

It is endearing that you have made the little guy and the small town mighty big, and in a way, remind us that should be the way we think. Do you agree?

I love a small town, enjoy eating good food at a local diner and soaking up the laid-back atmosphere. People in small towns seem to love their towns. They don’t seem to mind working hard, and there’s an honesty and sincerity to them that can sometimes be tough to find in a big city. In small towns, people generally seem happy and content, friendly and warm, and those are traits all of us should envy.

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Can you explain the process of what goes into producing a segment of Tar Heel Traveler?

Each Tar Heel Traveler story is about two and a half minutes long . . . and requires at least 10 hours to produce. In general, it takes two hours to shoot a story, four hours for me to log the interviews and write the script and four hours for the photographer to edit it.

Then of course there’s the time it takes traveling to and from all those stories.

We usually work in advance. We’ll assemble a particular story at least a day before it airs so we have time to tweak and perfect it. Shooting the story is actually the easiest part of the process.

As a reporter, I must bring that story to life on the page and the photographer must bring it to life on the screen.

making people happy and feel blessed to tell stories that often have the ability to inspire.

Have some of those you interviewed grown into close friends?

I have kept in touch with many people I’ve profiled over the years. I value their friendship and will always remember their stories, for their stories were often inspirational and made a great impact on me. I think they’ve made me a better person.

Do you have a couple of favorite stories?

We are now in our ninth Tar Heel Traveler season. Every day I work with the same photographer, a talented pro named Robert Meikle.

Robert and I have visited all 100 North Carolina counties, and we’ve aired more than 1,500 Tar Heel Traveler stories.

I remember each What if, for story, I really do. People example, the interviews are not often ask me which interesting? is my favorite, and I There are times usually kid them and when people may say my favorite is the have a good story to next one. tell, but are awkward But ironically, the one in the way they that may stand out relate it on camera. most is the very first Shooting a Tar Heel Traveler segment at Heritage Flag In those instances, Tar Heel Traveler Company in Southern Pines with owner Heath Trigg.

I work around the story we ever shot, problem, using only the first one. That their best sound was in 2007, about a and paraphrasing man named Marty from the rest. Editing can also be a useful tool. We’re able to Chapel Hill who was born without arms. He drove a big cut the “Ahhs” and “Umms” and stutters and stammers, blue van with his feet, and when he stopped and started making interviews more concise and easier to follow. up his chainsaw and began cutting a tree, I was amazed.

Marty inspired us and taught us lessons about seeing What do you particularly like about what you do? people for who they are.

I enjoy the creativity. It is gratifying to mold and shape Are there times when stories do not work out at all each story from beginning to end. To start with nothing as you had planned? and finish with something impactful is a terrific feeling.

I am happy to say we have never abandoned a story, even though a story may not have unfolded the way we had You bring joy to so many folks. What does that mean to you personally? planned. But you learn through experience to improvise It’s great to give people a little “gift,” a story that means and adjust and to make stories work even when they something and which may last in their memory. I enjoy don’t want to work.

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I recently arrived at what I thought would be a simple story, but my main contact had gathered eight other people for me to interview. I wondered how I was going to fit all those interviews into a segment only two and a half minutes long. What’s more, the people were not doing anything of particular interest, so there was almost no video for us to shoot. Out of courtesy, I interviewed each person and later wove short punchy snippets of their conversation into the story. We shot as much of them at their workplace as we could, which wasn’t much, but fortunately their office was somewhat colorful and included blinking lights, electronic gadgets and colorful signs.

In the end, it all came together. We used quick edits and short pieces of sound to keep the story moving. I was also careful to strike the appropriate tone when writing the story, keeping it playful and fun while also delivering the necessary information. What seemed like disaster at the beginning turned out to be a memorable piece. In fact, the anchorman himself sought me out after it aired to tell me how much he enjoyed it. Boy, I thought, if only he knew.

You combine skills as an interviewer, writer, editor and producer. Does using all those skills make your job more interesting?

Those skills are all part of the creative process, and each requires experience and know-how, but also a certain sensitivity and care. I never want my stories to be formulaic, so I ask questions that perhaps my subjects have not heard before. I avoid clichés and “news speak” when writing my stories; I want the writing to be conversational. I don’t want the story to be predictable. I enjoy stories with layers-viewers might think it’s about one thing when it’s actually about something else.

Would you say you have the perfect job?

People often ask me when I’m going to retire. They say they want to take my place! Or they say, “Can I tag along? Ride in the back seat? Help you carry the gear, visit all those little towns, meet all those friendly people? Eat some good meals, too? Gee,” they say, “I’d sure love your job. Let me know when you need a break.”

They see the Tar Heel Traveler stories on TV and tell me how much they enjoy them. But what they don’t see is the light still burning at 2 a.m. in my home office. There I am, hunched over my laptop, listening to interviews and writing notes while my family sleeps upstairs. And the work never ends because there’s always another story, day after day, week after week, year after year.

The job is demanding. The stories do not develop on their own; each one requires thoughtful care. Each assignment requires planning and organization.

The photographer and I are a two-man team; it’s just us, and that’s it. We’re responsible for every aspect: choosing the stories, setting them up, shooting them, writing them, assembling them and responding to calls, letters and emails that come in each day.

Despite the demands, I do believe I was called to tell these types of stories on TV, feature stories, those about people and places. They’re the stories I love, have always loved, and which the Tar Heel Traveler allows me to do. I look out the window and think, a million stories! It is the perfect job for me.

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GREY MATTER See Grey Matter Puzzle Answers on Page 58

Act Air Am Ate Beer

By Coil Data Did Dot

Drank Drip Eat End Enough

Evening Fan Fry Gas Gay

18. Sugar substitute 19. Ballpoint, e.g.

1. Bathroom item 20. Hard to miss 6. Down Under 15. High water-proof boot 22. Victorian, for one 23. Gait between walk 16. Entwining and canter 17. Arab leader

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OutreachNC.com | FEBRUARY 2016

Six So Stony Sun Tan Tar Tea Thou Thy Town Tray Unto Up Uranium Vague Vary Vets We Whip Yea Yes You Zoo

8. Confectionary or candy 9. Freshman, probably 10. Faze 11. “___ Maria” 12. Flax fabric 13. Dead to the world 14. City on the Yamuna River 21. Appropriate 24. Building where hides are tanned 27. Inane 29. “Fantasy Island” prop 31. ___ canto 33. Independent worker 35. Inconsistent, irregular 36. Cessation of menstruation 37. Promoted military rank 39. “Chicago” lyricist 41. More, in Madrid 44. Like a snail, but worse 47. Break time 48. “___ we having fun DOWN yet?”

1. Rearward angled 49. Drudge 2. One who takes 50. Kind of nerve photos 52. Accumulate 3. Component of 54. Maple genus 25. Fly, e.g. nucleic acids 56. Duck’s home 26. Fluff 4. “Malcolm X” director 57. Broad valley 28. Black igneous rock 5. Blows it 60. “Much ___ About 30. Put in 6.

Bridal path Nothing” 32. Nitrogen compound 7. Of less wisdom 62. ___ constrictor 33. At liberty 34. Foot 38. Smarter, cleverer 40. One who distributes charity 42. “Trick” joint 43. Number one 45. Agreeing (with) 46. Riot 48. Russian writer 49. ___ bean 51. Pinocchio, at times 53. Supergarb 54. Matterhorn, e.g.

55. Sent unwanted emails 58. Back muscle, familiarly 59. Psychomotor disturbance 61. Circa 63. Set of things to help form a conclusion 64. Spoil, with “up” 65. Cousin of the flute (plural) 66. Alleviated

ACROSS

Go Hog If Indirectly Ink It Maid Map May My Nap Netting Nylon Of Operas Out Pace Paw Pays Peg Pop Runs Say Shot

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GREY MATTER ANSWERS

SUDOKU

life I

CROSSWORD

WORD SEARCH

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OutreachNC.com | FEBRUARY 2016

THE NONAGENARIAN

A Love Story

by Glenn A. Flinchum

t was springtime in Chapel Hill in the late 1940s; the birds were singing, the flowers were blooming and life was good. It was also time for a spring dance at Carolina, when they brought in one of the big bands to play. After all, it was the Big Band Era. As for me, I had no plans for attending the big dance or any other social events for two valid reasons: It was almost impossible to scare up a date on the campus, since we boys outnumbered the girls by about 10 to one, and my GI Bill-based budget didn’t allow for much frivolity. If I sprang for two dance tickets, I’d be on a diet of hamburgers and water for the rest of the month.

My friend and fellow student, Bill, however, had some big plans for the weekend of the dance. His girlfriend, who lived in Raleigh, wanted to go real bad, and he wasn’t about to disappoint her. She also wanted to bring a friend, and that’s where I came in. When approached about being the fourth member of this party, I was adamant at first.

“A blind date?” I said. “I don’t think so. No thanks.”

As it turned out, I had seriously misjudged Bill’s persuasiveness, as well as his arm-twisting ability, so eventually I agreed to the date, as long as he handled all the details.

On the evening of the dance we drove to Raleigh to pick up the girls. As I sat in my date’s living room waiting for her to finish her last minute primping, I began to have second thoughts. “Why did I let myself get talked into this? It’ll probably turn out to be a disaster.”

Then the room lit up. She came down the stairs wearing a flowing white evening gown, with her long red hair cascading down to her shoulders, and as she reached the bottom step, she flashed me a gorgeous smile.

My first reaction was, “Wow! Maybe this evening will turn out better than I thought.” The evening did indeed go so well that neither of us wanted it to end. We lingered at the dance until they played “Auld Lang Syne” and started turning out the lights. On the way home, I made a date for the following weekend, and things sort of took off from there.

We were married a couple of years later, after I graduated and found a job, and the rest, as they say, is history. We had 53 wonderful years together, all the results of a reluctant blind date. The real truth is, from the moment she came down those stairs, in the white evening dress, with the long red hair and beautiful smile, I was hooked, like a bass on a silver spoon. All she had to do was reel me in when she was ready.

Flinchum is a former head of the State Office of Vital Statistics in Raleigh, worked at the National Center for Health Statistics in Washington, D.C., is a retired Army major and World War II veteran. He can be reached at info@outreachnc.com.

GAME ON

MATCH POINT withThe Tennis Doctor

life

by Thad Mumau | Photography by Diana Matthews

D

an Young wouldn’t go so far as to say he is teasing death, but he sure is putting it out to pasture while he embraces life. The 74-year-old, known around Raleigh as “The Tennis Doctor,” was diagnosed with cancer nearly nine years ago. Given the choice of treatments, he chose none.

“In 2007, the doctor said I had prostate cancer,” he says. “I felt fine, so I put off seeing a urologist. I didn’t want to die in a hospital bed; I would much rather do that on a tennis court. So I decided to take a wait-and-see approach. As long as I feel pretty good and can keep going, that’s what I’ll do.”

Young hasn’t done a whole lot of waiting. He defies his age and illness by staying on the move. Constantly.

In addition to teaching tennis lessons, he drives for the Wolfline, transporting N.C. State students every morning. He is also a student himself, and in his spare time, he plays the guitar and writes poetry.

“I like to be active,” he says. “I want to be doing something and not just the same old things. I’m always coming up with new ideas and challenges. I have fun with life, and I try to inspire others to do that.”

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“

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 59

I just love tennis, really love it. I think everybody ought to play it ... I try to talk folks into trying it if they never have.

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”

—Dan Young

OutreachNC.com | FEBRUARY 2016

Tennis, though, is pretty much Young’s lifeblood. The sport, more than anything else, makes him tick.

“I just love tennis, really love it. I think everybody ought to play it,” he says, laughing. “In fact, I try to talk folks into trying it if they never have.”

Young was born in Baltimore, where he spent the first seven years of his life. Then he and his family, including four siblings, lived with his grandmother in West Virginia. They moved because his father contracted tuberculosis and needed to be close to a sanatorium.

Baseball was his first love.

“I also played basketball and one year of football in high school, but baseball was my favorite. I was a pitcher, and I thought I was going to be in the major leagues.”

He attended a Cleveland Indians tryout camp but failed to attract the attention of scouts on hand, so he joined the Air Force.

Following a three-year tour in Italy, he found a job in Washington, D.C. A lot happened to Young in the nation’s capital. He worked with the city’s superior court system, first as a deputy clerk and then as a case assignment commissioner.

He established the National Tennis Teachers College, which still exists.

He was married and divorced, and in between, Daniel Jr., his only child, was born. After a six-year stay in D.C., he headed for San Diego in 1972. That’s where he became a doctor.

“I was teaching tennis,” Young recalls.

“I was always teaching tennis, wherever I went, and people would ask me to fix their game. I came up with new approaches, new ways of doing the same thing, and one day, someone called me ‘The Tennis Doctor.’

“It stuck, but the whole title, if you want to call it that, is Doctor of Tennis Psychology, Geometry and Angles on Winning. You see, I read a lot of books about tennis-the mechanics and the mental aspect-and then I applied my own theories.

“Basically, it boils down to not beating yourself.

So many players are interested in hitting the ball hard or hitting it with topspin. I emphasize economy of motion. More points are won on errors than on great strokes. So keep the ball in play, and let your opponent beat himself.”

Although tennis occupies a large portion of his time, there is much more to Dan Young. He taught himself to play the guitar, rode a motorcycle across the country and coached a high school girls’ tennis team.

“I stay busy; that’s for sure,” he says. “I’m never bored.”

He even ran for elected office. “Yeah, that didn’t work out too well. I ran for city council in Henderson, and I tried for a seat in the State House, but was unsuccessful both times.

I guess politics aren’t for me.”

Young has driven for the Wolfline for N.C. State University for 11 years, sharing a special relationship with the students.

“I say things like ‘I can tell when you ring the bell’ and ‘Pull the chord,’ and I open the door’ … corny stuff, but it makes them laugh.

“After driving kids to class for a couple of years, I got to thinking that I might as well take some courses, too. I became a part-time student, and now I’m only 12 credit hours from earning a degree in communications.”

Riding a motorcycle from Raleigh to San Diego was kind of a bucket list thing. “Something I had always wanted to do. I hoped to raise money for veterans of the military, but I didn’t know how to go about getting sponsors. I rode out there anyway. It took a week, and I was so tired and sore that I tried to sell my bike, but no one would buy it. So I rode it back.”

Young even wrote a song about tennis excuses, with these lyrics: My opponent’s too lucky, too young, too quick; My racquet’s too heavy, too small, too new; The court’s too dirty, too cracked to play; And I’m too old, too cold, too hot, too tired to win.

Of course, such excuses would never be used by a 74-year-young eternal optimist with boundless energy and unbridled excitement about tomorrow. A man who has fought back cancer for almost nine years without so much as a whimper.

“Well, I can’t take a long stride anymore and I’m walking with a limp these days,” Young says.

“The pain in my groin is a little worse, but it still isn’t something I

can’t put up with.”

Which raises the same question the doctor asked back in 2007. What is Young going to do in terms of cancer treatment?

“Just wait and see,” he says. “Guess I’ll just keep on waiting and seeing.”

Mumau has been a writer for more than 48 years, covering some of the sports greats, including Michael Jordan, John Wooden, Jack Nicklaus and Dean Smith. He can be reached at rutabega12@aol.com. Mumau’s seventh book, “Had ‘Em All the Way,” is available at www.amazon.com.

FEBRUARY 2016 |

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health

NUTRITION

Chocolate and Your Health

by Ashley Carpenter, RD

T

here is good news for chocolate lovers. Studies have shown that some of the key compounds in cocoa are known to have heart-healthy, antioxidant effects.

Chocolate comes from the fruit of the Theobroma cacao tree. The seeds of this fruit are the cacao “bean.” Once harvested, the seeds are fermented, then dried and shipped to processors who strip down the seeds for roasting and milling to produce chocolate liquor. This liquor is used to make cocoa powder for both dark and milk chocolate.

Cacao is simply chocolate in its purest form, before anything else is added. Raw cacao is made by cold-pressing unroasted cacao beans. This process preserves the enzymes and antioxidants, and removes the fat (cacao butter).

Cocoa is made from raw cacao that’s been roasted at high temperatures, which reduces the overall nutritional value.

The health benefits of raw cacao include: • High in Antioxidants: Cacao has a higher antioxidant capacity than acai, goji berries and even blueberries!

These naturally occurring phytochemicals known as flavanols may increase vascular dilation and improve blood flow, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Want to learn more about chocolate?

Join us for “Chocolate for Your Health” on Thursday, Feb. 11, at 6 p.m., at FirstHealth Fitness, located at 170 Memorial Drive in Pinehurst. Register by Tuesday, Feb. 9, to reserve your spot by calling 910-715-2674. Cost of the seminar is $10 per person. Discover the potential health benefits of this famous food in its raw cacao form.

Learn about raw cacao and how is it better for you than dark chocolate. Recipes and samples will be available.

When cookie cravings hit, reach for this smoothie instead:

Skinny Mint Green Smoothie

• Mood-boosting: Cacao contains compounds that

2 cups almond milk, unsweetened 1 ½ cups fresh spinach ½ cup fresh mint leaves 2 bananas (frozen for a cold smoothie) ½ avocado 4 medjool dates, pitted 2 tablespoons cacao powder

• Minerals and Fiber: Cacao is high in magnesium,

Blend spinach and almond milk until smooth. Add other ingredients and blend again until smooth.

Serves two.

increase levels of endorphins and serotonin in our brain; these are the chemicals that lift our mood and reduce anxiety. iron and fiber.

Raw cacao is sold in the form of cacao nibs and cacao powder. Nibs are bits of crushed cacao beans. The texture of cacao nibs is similar to that of roasted coffee beans.

Cacao has a deep chocolate flavor that is also bitter and nutty. It is an acquired taste if you’re used to milk chocolate and bars with sweet fillings, but is a surprisingly Carpenter, a registered dietitian and Wellcoaches certified Health and Wellness Coach with FirstHealth Fitness, can be reached at 910-715-2674 or acarpenter@firsthealth.org.

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useful ingredient, and more palatable when paired with other naturally sweet foods such as fruit. Add raw cacao powder or nibs to oatmeal, smoothies, yogurt or trail mix.

If you don’t mind the bitterness, you can eat them straight out of the bag with a cup of your favorite coffee or tea.

OutreachNC.com | FEBRUARY 2016

Source: www.simplegreensmoothies.com

G E N T L E M A N ’ S N OT E B O O K

Send the Right Message on Valentine’s Day

life

by Ray Linville

F

ebruary has the distinction of being the most romantic month. The brainstorming for finding a special Valentine’s Day present begins as soon as January is over.

I thought I had hit the creative jackpot when I learned that Bojangles’ serves heart-shaped Bo-Berry biscuits on Valentine’s Day. What could be more sentimental?

Wrong. Although it’s the meaning behind the gift, Bo-Berry biscuits may be hard to explain.

“Bojangles’ is always looking for fun ways to celebrate the holidays,” says Randy Poindexter, senior vice president of marketing. I agree with him, but the message on my wife’s face tells a different story.

Time magazine even identifies the really bad ideas for Feb. 14: a scale, fake flowers (is your love also artificial?), and lingerie in the wrong size (too big is worse than too small).

To that list I can add one more: a snake. If you give one, can you explain your message?

Although I’m avoiding those ideas, I’m tempted to try Waffle House on Valentine’s Day. Seriously. It rolls out nice tablecloths and candles, plays special music and adds a rib-eye dinner to the menu. Isn’t that the message you want to convey?

Although not usually known for its romantic atmosphere, Waffle House is so popular on Feb. 14 that reservations are a must; otherwise, you may join the standing-room only crowd. Only 140 locations nationwide participate, so check before you pick this idea.

A more romantic present may be the answer to this question, What has eight legs and sings? A quartet.

Members of the Barbershop Harmony Society, the largest all-male singing organization in the world, span the globe offering singing Valentines.

In the Sandhills, the Golf Capital Chorus (contact Dick Curl, dickcurl@nc.rr.com) and the Cross Creek Cordsmen (contact Bill Pope, billwpope@gmail.com) do an amazing task of matching quartets to requests.

Two choruses spread love in the Triangle area. Quartets of the General Assembly Chorus (contact Jerry Picard, picpicard2@yahoo.com) even dress up in tuxedos. The Heart of Carolina Chorus (contact Arlene Bridges, asbridges16@gmail.com) schedules quartets over four days, Feb. 12-15.

Having a quartet serenade your honey with romantic songs such as “Let Me Call You Sweetheart” or “Heart of My Heart” guarantees the day will be special and long remembered.

Deliveries can be at home, work, a restaurant or a special place. The order usually includes two love songs, a box of chocolates and a rose.

Stumped on what to do this Valentine’s Day? Order a quartet. Anything that has eight legs and sings is sure to convey the right message for you.

Retired from the N.C. Community College System, Linville is a contributing writer for the N.C. Folklife Institute and conducts programs on Southern food, history and culture. He can be reached at linville910@gmail.com.

You’ll FALL MADLY IN LOVE with our breaking news coverage!

YOUR PLACE FOR BREAKING NEWS.

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FEBRUARY IS BARLEY MONTH

Barley has been shown to reduce the risk of many diseases, and to provide important health benefits, including: • Barley, like all whole grains, reduces blood pressure.

• Eating barley can lower LDL “bad” cholesterol and reduce heart disease.

• Barley’s ability to control blood sugar make it a tool against diabetes.

• Barley has more protein than corn, brown rice, millet, sorghum or rye, and is high in fiber and low in soluble (starch) carbohydrates.

• Barley may help you feel full longer, and thereby help control weight.

See recipe for Orange Cranberry Barley Breakfast Bowl, page 22.

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I am your partner to help you make the best decisions for yourself and your family.

Sandhills Caregivers/Companions Helping Hands in Your Time of Need

Jennifer Pollard, MS Care Manager

Serving the Sandhills

910-690-4405

JenniferP@AOSCareManagement.com

AgingOutreachServices.com

Brenda Davis

Bonded | Insured

910-603-5710 • BJDB44@yahoo.com

DENTAL CARE

HOME CARE AGENCY

The right dentist can make all the difference.

HOME CARE Call (910) 246-1011 for your free consultation.

No contract ~ One-hour minimum

910.295.1010

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Pamela Parker, PhD, MS, LMFT

Let us help you find your way Call today 919-774-8790 Most Insurance Plans Accepted Individual, Couples and Family Therapy Anxiety | Bipolar | Depression | Grief | Marital Therapy

www.CompassHouseCounselingNC.com

HOME CARE SERVICES

A network of private-duty caregivers serving south central NC Southern Pines: 910.692.0683 Cary: 919.535.8713

305 Page Road | Pinehurst, NC www.WellenerDental.com

Compass House Counseling Center

www.sjp.org

Info@AOSNC.com AgingOutreachServices.com

HOSPITALS

HOSPICE

Experience FirstHealth Quality

Serving Scotland, Richmond, Robeson & Hoke counties in NC; Marlboro, Dillon & Chesterfield counties in SC

HOSPITALS

senior health services a full range of primary care for men and women ages 60 and older. Our physicians have special training in treating seniors and employ the most current information, treatments, medications and practices for disease prevention and diagnosis.

910.276.7176

(910) 615-1630

www.firsthealth.org

www.ScotlandHospice.org

MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT

MEMORY DISORDERS CLINIC

PERSONAL CHEF | CATERING

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Medicare • Medicaid Social Security • Final Expense Estate Planning • Asset Preservation Protecting you from the #1 Threat in Retirement —Nursing Home costs!

Beth Donner Retirement, Healthcare & Eldercare Specialist

Beth@DiversifiedPlanning.com

919-601-0501

NEUROPSYCHOLOGY Memory Disorders Clinic Karen Sullivan, Ph.D. ABPP 45 Aviemore Drive Pinehurst, NC | 910.420.8041 www.PinehurstNeuropsychology.com

PHARMACY

PLANNING GUIDES

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REGISTRY OF CAREGIVERS

CARY 5.8713 919.53

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Aging

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RELOCATION SERVICES

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SUPPORT GROUPS STATEWIDE

Introducing

Discover How Caregivers and Care Seekers Find Their Best Match at CaregiverNC.com

Supporting NC families for three decades Find a support group alznc.org | 800.228.8738 FEBRUARY 2016 |

OutreachNC.com 65

Generations

by Carrie Frye

OutreachNC asked adults and children our February question. Share your answer on our Facebook page.

What’s your most memorable family trip?

In 1960, my parents took us for a cross-country trip from Arizona to Ohio and Pennsylvania. My dad drove the whole trip, and we played games, sang songs and argued but had a good time driving along Route 66. —Dave, 65 Going to Disney World at age 46 with grandchildren. It allowed me to become a child again and appreciate a truly wonderful experience. —Lori, 51 When we took our adult children to a resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. We had a blast hanging out together as a family and going on excursions. The weather was beautiful! —Sherri, 52, and Mike, 54 The 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. We took our RV and were able to park in the shadow of Whiteface Mountain. We saw some of the skiing, and the bobsled races close up. —Liza, 76 My first visit to the Vietnam War Memorial when I found the name of my cousin. —Joel, 70 Disney World and a Disney cruise. Loved all of the attractions at the parks, rides and characters. It made me feel like a kid again and seeing the experience through my son’s eyes was priceless. —Kathryn, 54 Flying to Hawaii in 1969 when I was 13. We barely got off the island due to the airline strike and had to buy a station wagon in L.A. to drive cross-country home. —Cheryl, 59 Chuck E. Cheese, because we had fun, ate pizza and played games. —Jessiah, 8 Myrtle Beach. I got to swim, eat hotdogs, play ball and play in the water. —Kimberly, 8 The beach. I saw seashells and a shark tooth. It fell out of my hand. —Keontae’, 7 New York. I went to the beach, flew in a plane, stayed in a hotel and had fun. —Rebekah, 7 Delaware to see family. We spent the night. In the morning, we had a big breakfast and so much fun. —Ameirah, 8 The city when we went to the museum. —Angel, 8 66

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The mountains because there’s lots of snow. I want to climb them, and when I get to the top get a drink. —William, 7 Shelby. We ate a restaurant that I had never been to and swam in the pool. We got to have our own rooms! —Thaddeus, 7 Texas. It was my birthday. I got a cake and presents. I went with my family to the fair. I got on real horses. —Kenzy, 8 Chicago. The food was good. I went swimming. We flew in a plane and stayed in a hotel. I met nice people. —Lilly, 8 The movies to see “Minions.” The movie was amazing! I went with Dad and Mom. —Adrian, 7 Chicago. It was really fun. We were there because my Aunt Carolyn was getting married. The people spoke English because we were in the USA. — Serenity, 8 Disney World. I got to meet my favorite princesses, Elsa and Anna from “Frozen.” I did not like Hans. I hated him but hugged him. I want to visit it again.

—Katelyn, 8 When I went to the zoo and saw zebras.

—Amir, 8

Philadelphia. We went to the mall. I met some of my mom’s family. We went places and stayed for four days. —Yesenia, 7 Myrtle Beach. I saw my cousins and went to the museum. Then we went home. I was exhausted. —Sarah, 7 Carowinds. The water slide was fun.

The frozen yogurt was cold. I tried all the flavors. It was really yummy.

—Morgan, 8

Myrtle Beach. We played games and had candy. I went to my Grandma’s house with my family. She had a tablet that was fun to play on. —MaTya, 7 Summer 2013 and the ride to Southern Pines to my forever home, where my hammock is always ready for cat naps.

—OutreachNC Co-editor Jeeves, 2

Introducing

Discover How Caregivers and Care Seekers Find Their Best Match at CaregiverNC.com We believe that choosing a Caregiver should be your decision, and one free of hassle and worry.

You can create a profile that describes the characteristics of the ideal Caregiver for your needs.

Our database then matches you with a list of Caregivers to choose from who meet your criteria.

Our accredited Caregiver registry puts YOU in control and helps you easily and confidently

find the home care professional who’s right for you.

FEBRUARY 2016 |

OutreachNC.com 67

“Favorite things, aren’t as sweet as my favorite people, but sometimes when I open up the box, I get to live with them all over again.”

Shirley Robertson, resident

To see how your life can be more fulfilling, happy, and nothing short of remarkable, please call 910.246.1023 or email info@sjp.org.

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Your way of living.

100 Waters Dr, Southern Pines, NC 28387 - 910.246.1023 - sjp.org

A member of the St. Joseph of the Pines Aging Services Network continuing the legacy of the Sisters of Providence.