OutreachNC Magazine June 2017

COMPLIMENTARY

JUNE 2017 | VOL. 8, ISSUE 6

Destination Travel

Plus

Plus

N.C. STATE PARKS ADVENTURES DAY TRIPPIN’ CAROLINA CONVERSATIONS WITH “NORTH CAROLINA WEEKEND” HOST DEBORAH HOLT NOEL

Serving the Sandhills & Southern Piedmont

JUNE 2017 |

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| OUTREACHNC.COM

quality. compassionate care.

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Pet Friendly

3

features JUNE 2017

24

44

State Park Adventures

5 Fun N.C. Vacation Destinations

by Kathy Grant Westbrook

30

50

by Jonathan Scott

by Carrie Frye

Carolina Conversations with UNC-TV’s “North Carolina Weekend” Host Deborah Holt Noel

OutreachNC.com | JUNE 2017

by Rachel Stewart

Honoring World War II Veteran Series: John Baker

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4

Destination Travel Issue

Day Trippin’

56 Travel Accessibly

by Carrie Frye

by Carrie Frye

60

40

5 Summertime Reads For Your Beach Bag

Cataract Innovations Restore Vision Lens By Lens

by David Hibbard

by Rachel Stewart

JUNE 2017 |

OutreachNC.com 5

departments June 2017

“Love is to the heart what the summer is to the farmer’s year—it brings to harvest all the loveliest flowers of the soul.”

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—AUTHOR UNKNOWN

21 advice & health

22 life

10

Ask the Expert

by Amy Natt, MS, CMC, CSA

14

12

Brain Health

by Karen D. Sullivan, PhD, ABPP

20

Belle Weather

by Celia Rivenbark

16

Nature Therapy

by Marisa M. Tomasic, PhD

21

The Reader’s Nook

by Michelle Goetzl

18

Ripe, Ready and Healthy

by Jennifer Webster

22

Cooking Simple

by Rhett Morris

34

Resource Marketplace Find the resources you need.

62

64

Caregiving

by Mike Collins

Grey Matter Games Sudoku, Word Search & Crossword Puzzles

6

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Regional Culture

by Ray Linville

66

Generations

by Carrie Frye & Michelle Goetzl

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY

BY KATHERINE CLARK

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articles

advice previous issues recipes

magazine extras

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from the editor

J

une is here and summer’s coming. This month, we packed our “Destination Travel” issue with five fun N.C. places worth a visit, day trips in and around the Sandhills, travel and accessibility, some book ideas for your beach bag and a personal journey to all of our state parks.

We also had the opportunity to go on set with UNC-TV’s “North Carolina Weekend” host Deborah Holt Noel for this month’s Carolina Conversations and learn about some of her favorite destinations across the state.

Our tribute to World War II veterans continues this month with John Baker of Laurinburg and a tale of combat in Germany in April 1945.

For one of the day trips, I ventured to Lillington and Raven Rock State Park. Despite it not being very far from my home, I had never been there before. It is about a mile of steep terrain from the parking area to the mammoth rock, but what a beautiful sight it is to see. Trails lead deep into the woods all the way to the banks of the Cape Fear River. Taking the trek with my dad and beagle not only made for a good memory but also leaves me to ponder what other state parks to visit, after being inspired by a fellow writer.

Kathy Grant Westbrook was inspired by her 55th birthday to visit all 55 state and national parks within North Carolina this calendar year. She is well on her way to meeting her goal and shares her adventures with us. Check out “State Park Adventures” on Page 24.

Another day trip landed me in Wagram at Cypress Bend Vineyards, one sweet destination, where the beauty of the pristine rows of muscadines is only equaled by tasting the fruits of their labor in one of the vineyard’s 20 different blends.

If you make the trip, I recommend sitting a spell with a glass.

As always, these pages are packed with information to help you age with success with brain health, what’s ripe, ready and healthy and the latest cataract innovations.

A correction from the May issue’s “A Garden for the Senses” feature, which incorrectly referred to Jane McPhaul as the chairman of the Garden Club of North Carolina, Inc. She is a life member of the group. We apologize for the error.

Thank you so much for turning these pages with us.

Co-editor Jeeves is off to the sun porch for some bird watching. Until next month...

—Carrie Frye

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Editor in Chief Carrie Frye | CarrieF@OutreachNC.com Contributing Graphic Designers Stephanie Budd, Nikki Lienhard, Jonathan Scott Contributing Proofreaders Michelle Goetzl, Jennifer Kirby, Kate Pomplun Contributing Photographers Katherine Clark, Diana Matthews, Ashley Stone, Mollie Tobias Contributing Writers Mike Collins, Michelle Goetzl, Kathy Grant Westbrook, David Hibbard, Ray Linville, Rhett Morris, Celia Rivenbark, Jonathan Scott, Karen D. Sullivan, Rachel Stewart, Marisa M. Tomasic, Jennifer Webster

Y Publisher Amy Natt | AmyN@AgingOutreachServices.com Marketing & Public Relations Director Susan McKenzie | SusanM@AgingOutreachServices.com Advertising Sales Executive Ashley Haddock | AshleyH@OutreachNC.com 910-690-9102 Advertising Sales Executive Butch Peiker | ButchP@OutreachNC.com 904-477-8440 OutreachNC PO Box 2478 | 676 NW Broad Street Southern Pines, NC 28388 910-692-9609 Office | 910-695-0766 Fax info@OutreachNC.com

www.OutreachNC.com

OutreachNC is a publication of 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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advice

Our Aging Life Care ProfessionalsTM will answer any aging questions you may have.

Email us your questions! info@OutreachNC.com

ASK THE EXPERT

Communication Key to Setting Boundaries in Adult Child-Parent Relationship

by Amy Natt, MS, CMC, CSA I recently came home from the hospital for the second time, and my daughter has been in town trying to make sure that I make a smooth transition home. She has done lots of cooking and makes sure I am resting. While I truly appreciate all of her efforts, how do I tell her that she is hovering, and it is time for her to return home?

The adult child-parent relationship can become a delicate dance as a parent ages and boundaries change. Most adult children are well intended but are not sure how to change established roles and boundaries when they find a parent needing more help. This can result in providing too much support, or in some cases, appearing uninterested for fear of overstepping those established boundaries.

They want to protect your independence, while making sure your needs are met.

Many adult children see changes in their parents and want to return the care and affection they received growing up. Some feel it is their family duty, while others have never had a close emotional relationship and feel it is inappropriate to step into that role.

When a parent faces a crisis, like a hospitalization or medical procedure, it forces these issues to the surface, and old family dynamics can come into play. Guilt can also become a factor, especially when adult children live far away or are balancing careers and families of their own.

Communication is key in these situations.

Perhaps you and your daughter can establish some ground rules you can both feel good 10

OutreachNC.com | JUNE 2017

about. There are certainly times when intervention is warranted, such as safety concerns, but other times, it may be going overboard. A friendly visit can quickly turn to feeling checked up on. Your daughter checking all your expiration dates on food in the pantry may make you feel like she no longer thinks you are capable of doing that yourself.

Start by discussing a time line for visits, including how long is acceptable and how long is too long. If you do this prior to the visit, it will not feel like you are asking her to leave. If you have established routines for meal times, television time, quiet times and other patterns, outline those so she can follow them, instead of having to guess.

Discuss your eating habits with your daughter. Nutrition is important, but you don’t want to be left with a house full of foods that don’t appeal to you. You may have different or changing tastes in food. Make a list or meal plan for the visit, before heading out to do the grocery shopping.

Come up with a list of things that need to be done to maintain the household. This may be cleaning, yard maintenance, checking smoke detectors, changing filters, putting out the

“ ” To care for those who once cared for us is one of the highest honors.

—TIA WALKER

The Inspired Caregiver: Finding Joy While Caring for Those You Love

trash, etc. Discuss what things you feel up to doing and what tasks you are comfortable letting her manage during visits.

Discuss a back-up plan. Many adult children are worried about what may happen when they leave and the guilt they would feel if you had a fall or crisis while they are not there. Consider a personal alert system you can use to get help at the push of a button. While you may not see it as a necessity, it provides a nice compromise for peace of mind. Identify a local back-up person. This may be a friend, neighbor or professional in the area who can step in to help navigate the unexpected.

Essentially, you are putting a safety net in place, and your daughter wants to be a part of it. Let her know you appreciate that but still have boundaries you want to maintain and decisions you want to make for yourself. She may not agree with all of your decisions, and that’s OK, unless you are putting yourself in an unsafe situation, such as not taking medications, skipping meals or having multiple falls. You still have the right to make decisions, even if they are not always the best.

Decide what the really important things are, and talk about them. If she is doing something that is really bothering you, and you cannot tell her directly, try sending a letter or note to explain your feelings. If it is hard for you to hear what she has to say, ask her to do the same.

Remember that there are underlying fears you both have as you enter a new phase of your relationship. If the hovering is too much, ask her to give you some space. She may need reassurance that you are ready for her to go and agree on a reasonable timeline for checking in.

This is a transition for both of you. Take it one day at a time, continue to explore resources and options and, together, you can establish your new normal.

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

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health

B R A I N H E A LT H

Be Aware of Brain Fitness Industry

by Karen D. Sullivan, PhD, ABPP

O

lder adults are increasingly aware of brain health and are actively seeking to learn and apply scientifically supported strategies in their everyday lives.

Staying mentally sharp outranks issues, such as Social Security and physical health, as a priority in older adults.

In a 2013 AARP study, 70 percent of older adults stated while they preferred to learn from doctors how to keep their brain strong, the dearth of accessible, scientifically-valid information required they instead obtain this information primarily from popular magazines and commercials. This statistic is concerning to advocates, because the content of these messages is likely both purposefully difficult to understand and sensationalized. Corporations whose central motivation is not senior care but selling a product often sponsor these media messages. Such senior-targeted, for-profit tactics not only highlight such organizations’ questionable integrity but perhaps of at least equal concern exponentially increases the risk of financially exploiting one of society’s most vulnerable segments-older adult consumers.

An $8 billion marketplace of “brain fitness” products has developed over the last 10 years. Supplements, computer games and phone apps promise to maintain and enhance brain functioning and, occasionally, prevent or reverse brain diseases, including dementia.

These products offer a “one pill” solution based on the misconception that a single intervention stalls the multifactorial processes of brain aging or instruct older adults to play a “stimulating game” in front of an electronic device alone at home.

This one-size-fits-all approach neglects the complex interaction of genetic and lifestyle factors known to influence brain health throughout a lifetime (DNA, cardiovascular health, stress, education, diet, exercise, sleep) that older adults must know and understand if they are to age successfully.

Empirical support for the efficacy of brain-fitness training programs improving cognition is surprisingly poor. Experts argue that exaggerated or misleading claims exploit the anxiety of older adults for commercial purposes. In a recent survey of 1,037 older Americans, memory loss was cited as their No. 1 fear, more so than being buried alive, snakes and terrorist attacks. The American Psychological Association predicts that “dementia-related anxiety” is on the rise and may soon become its own clinical disorder. These fears create a ripe opportunity for marketers.

In 2014, 73 psychologists and neuroscientists from around the world wrote an open letter to companies marketing “brain products,” stating they are exploiting customers by making “exaggerated and misleading claims” that are not based on sound scientific evidence.

The authors concluded with this statement: “Our biggest concern is that older people are making choices—both about how they spend their money and on how they spend their time—based on this kind of information that … is not well-grounded, it’s a serious concern, and it can feel like people are being exploited.”

Take your power back: Be a cautious consumer of brain health news. Remember that the media generally reports news in snippets,

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

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only conveying the sensationalized highlights.

Seek primary sources with google.com and inform yourself on the big picture of an issue before believing any “too good to be true” claims.

Take your money back: So-called “smart drugs,” including “brain enhancing” over-thecounter drugs have consistently failed in clinical trials and may even be unsafe. Spend your money instead on high quality fresh, whole foods or new walking shoes. Diet and exercise are much more realistic, and affordable, ways to improve the health of your brain.

Take your hope back: There are many things you can do to genuinely improve the health of your brain that are completely free and backed by science! A significant decline in brain functioning as we age is not normal and is largely related to modifiable risk factors that can be reduced by more informed decision-making. Commit yourself to becoming more aware of brain health by seeking out trustworthy and reliable sources of information.

Feel confident and hopeful that YOU can make a difference in the health of your brain.

JUNE 2017 |

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life

R E G I O N A L C U LT U R E

Eating Watermelons and Spitting Seeds

by Ray Linville | Photography by Diana Matthews

F

inally, June has arrived. Nothing says summer is here like flipping the kitchen calendar to June.

“Spring being a tough act to follow, God created June,” said Al Bernstein, TV and radio personality. This month is remarkably rich with fresh fruits and vegetables.

My favorite produce in June is local watermelons, although I don’t think that the juiciest arrives on the market until July and August. At least we no longer depend on other states or even foreign countries to provide them.

Once watermelons arrived on store shelves when I was growing up, slices were always on the table as part of a meal. They are the perfect end to a supper. They are the perfect beginning, too, except once you start with the first slice, it’s hard to put anything else on your plate. My grandkids can eat and eat watermelon.

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The modern shopper today seems more influenced by the size (boutiquely small and round) and variety (seedless much more popular than seeded) than where the watermelon was grown-and how far it had to travel to the store.

Fortunately, I grew up before the small, round and seedless watermelons were hauled in from distant lands. What I ate was local and seeded-and flavorful. In fact, the bigger the melon, the more we were attracted to it, particularly when we stopped at a roadside stand for one on the way home from the beach. My brother and I would race each other to find the biggest one, and “Whoa,” he would shout as he claimed that he had won.

My dad was not the best food shopper but he knew how to thump a watermelon before picking one to buy. He always listened for a hollow bass sound.

Eating watermelons is a great way to stay hydrated on hot June days-they are more than 91 percent water. As important as avoiding dehydration is, the best value of eating watermelons is the fun they provide, but only if they are seeded. Who hasn’t sat at the family dinner table and spit a watermelon seed at a sibling when parents weren’t watching? The older we got, the more accurate and longer shots we could make. Even today, my grandkids seem to have inherited great skills for long shots.

What this area needs is a good, old-fashioned watermelon seedspitting contest! I am very jealous about the Watermelon Thump, a fourday festival in Luling, Texas.

Named for the tradition of thumping to test if a watermelon is ripe, this festival has celebrated all things watermelon each June since 1954 as more than 35,000 crowd into this small town of 5,500.

The festival’s main event is a seed-spitting contest. Honestly! The winner takes home a prize of $500. The record of more than 68 feet was set in 1989 and hasn’t been broken since then. I can’t even shoot half that distance.

But I’d love to enter my grandkids in that contest. They really know how to make a seed fly, particularly if a sibling is the target. It’s best, though, if my daughter-in-law is not watching.

Surely our area has competitors who could break this record-if we gave them a chance by having our own contest.

Linville writes about local connections to Southern food, history and culture. He can be reached at linville910@gmail.com .

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JUNE 2017 |

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health

N AT U R E T H E R A P Y

The Great Outdoors and Your Health

by Marisa M. Tomasic, PhD | Photography by Katherine Clark

L

overs of the outdoors already know the power of nature in promoting relaxation, harmony, and inner peace. It really comes as no surprise to most of us that being outside connecting with nature is uplifting and energizing. What you might not realize, however, is that science is backing up what we already know, the great outdoors has the capacity to fix, or at least improve, much of what ails us. Researchers in the areas of emotional health and well-being investigated the ways in which nature works to lessen stress, reduce anxiety and promote greater happiness.

Research continues to document the positive role that exercise plays not only in our physical health, but in our mental health and overall wellbeing as well. Choosing the outdoors as the setting for our physical activity appears to offer some exciting and noteworthy health benefits.

According to Prevention, taking our exercise and other daily activities outside is a great way to experience these perks. The article further cites the Journal of Environmental Science & Technology’s finding that participating in five minutes of outdoor physical activity can supercharge our mood. Imagine only having to spend minutes in order to reap quality rewards.

Additionally, Fortune points to a study conducted by the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies which suggested that better physical, mental and brain health are promoted by vacationing or residing near parks and green areas, which has implications for urban planning

and development. The Harvard Health Letter shared several top reasons for getting outside and experiencing nature, including: • Higher levels of vitamin D produced from sunlight exposure, which can promote better physical and mental health • More movement and physical activity, also associated with improved physical and mental health • Enhanced mood • Better focus and concentration • Speedier recovery from certain surgeries North Carolinians, as well as visitors and vacationers to our extraordinary state, are fortunate to be surrounded by the majesty of a multitude of state and national parks within its borders, including Carolina Beach State Park. There’s plenty of time left this year to get out, get moving and take in the splendor and health benefits of what our park system has to offer. Perhaps the arrival of summer will inspire us to connect with the outdoors and be our healthiest selves.

Dr. Tomasic, a licensed counseling psychologist and freelance writer, can be reached at tarheeltwin2@yahoo.com .

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OutreachNC.com 17

health

NUTRITION

Ripe, Ready and Healthy in June

by Jennifer Webster In New England, Memorial Day was planting weekend, but here in North Carolina, plenty of fresh foods are already ripening.

B

eets are colorful and long-lasting, a hearty foil to more delicate springtime fare. A beet contains betalains, antioxidant nutrients that can reduce inflammation and help detoxify the body. Beets are also a good source of fiber, as well as the minerals manganese, potassium and copper.

If you boil a beet until the color fades, you’ve lost many of the nutrients. Instead, roast beets as you would potatoes— slice, toss with olive oil and herbs, and ovenroast for 35 to 45 minutes. In fact, you might pan-roast beets and potatoes together— you’ll find ripe new potatoes in June, too.

F

resh greens come as no surprise in June; after all, they’re called “spring greens.” But North Carolina has a surprising array of different leaves to nibble. There’s Swiss chard, fennel, arugula, cress, sorrel, spinach, lettuce, kale, cabbage—all the way to sturdy turnip greens.

Greens can be delicate as a feathery wisp of fennel on your soup, fresh as a tender spinach salad, or robust as a pot of greens seasoned with bacon. Most greens are high in vitamins A, C or K; in general, the greener the leaf, the more nutrients it contains.

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U N C R E X H E ALT H C AR E PR E S E N T S

der and un Kids 12 ays admitted are alw the lawn! free on

Lawn Flex Pass 10-pack for $210 (Single tickets $28-$35)

O

nions also begin to ripen in June. Onions contain flavonoids thought to lower oxidative stress; eating onions may also reduce your risk for certain kinds of cancers. The stronger the onion, the more potent it is against disease, so if you like pungent onions, you’re in luck.

The outer slices contain the most flavonoids, so try to preserve these layers when peeling an onion.

Sliced onions can adorn anything from a hamburger to Cobb salad. If you prefer cooked onions, a famous onion tart recipe (shared by writers Katherine Ann Porter and Eudora Welty) can be found by searching “eudorawelty.org onion pie.” It’s rich—but delicious.

S

trawberries have been ripe since May or even earlier. What’s the best part about strawberries?

You can find them anywhere. Farmers markets, pick-your-own farms, your local grocery store—you don’t have to search for a good strawberry.

Strawberries are high in vitamin C, an antioxidant that also boosts the immune system and helps wounds heal. Strawberries may help regulate blood sugar. Since pesticides tend to linger on strawberries, choose the homegrown or organic variety (or wash them well).

With a good strawberry, you don’t have to add sugar to have a tasty breakfast, side dish or dessert. Slice strawberries onto granola or yogurt first thing in the morning. Add them to a spinach salad, perhaps with sliced grilled chicken. For dessert, forget the sponge cake—strawberries alone make a perfect bed for a dollop of meringue or whipped cream.

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Plenty more tasty fruits and vegetables ripen in North Carolina in June. To find a pick-your-own farm or farmers market near you, visit North Carolina Farm Fresh at www.ncfarmfresh.com .

JUNE 2017 |

OutreachNC.com 19

life

B E L L E W E AT H E R

Vacation Bliss Quickly Extinguished

O

by Celia Rivenbark

ur vacation on the mid-coast of Maine, where there wasn’t even a television or radio in our little hideaway, has given me new appreciation for stillness and natural beauty.

Because of this, like a space shuttle astronaut, I found re-entry into the real world noisy and jarring.

No sooner had we settled into our seats at the gate for the flight home, than CNN overhead pelted us with all the news we had missed.

It was nice being away from the noise for a few days. The only angry sound I heard all week was the fierce pounding of ancient rocks at high tide by the waters of the Gulf of Maine. Bliss.

Unfortunately, my near-hypnotic state of relaxation disappeared completely by the time we boarded the Relta flight home. Loyal readers know that Relta is what I call my favorite airline on account of I don’t want to be sued.

Relta had actually taken a full day of vacation from us because of “maintenance issues” with Plane No. 1. Eight hours later, boarding Plane No. 2, we were told it might take a while to find a gate at LaGuardia because “sometimes they shut down the runways for a while.”

Yes, when things are just too overwhelming, they close the runways so they can catch up with all those,

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whatchacallit, planes up in the sky. I hear you, LGA. Sometimes you just have to power down for a few and gather your thoughts. Respect.

Having missed the last flight to Maine, Relta gave us a hotel voucher to stay in the Marriott LGA, which I quickly dubbed the Marriott Island of Misfit Toys. Zombie travelers like us wandered, luggage-less, clutching the tiny travel kits thoughtfully supplied to us by the airline. I searched in vain for the one truly useful item, underwear, in our little care package but, alas, there was none. It struck me that, while the hotel room was lovely and the restaurant shockingly good, not a soul staying there was there because they wanted to be. I mean maybe other than the occasional guest for a quinceanera for a nice girl from Queens, the clientele was just us misfit toys without clean underwear, loudly canceling rental cars and rearranging other plans in the elevators.

And that’s when you know vacation is truly, madly, deeply over.

Rivenbark is the best-selling author of seven humor collections. Visit her website at www.celiarivenbark.com . ©2017 Celia Rivenbark.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

THE READER’S NOOK

“Extraordinary Adventures”

N

life

Book Review by Michelle Goetzl

orth Carolina author Daniel Wallace’s newest book, “Extraordinary Adventures,” is a quirky, coming-ofage novel focusing on an odd-ball, lonely, 34-year-old man who has let life just pass him by. An unexpected phone call offering him a free weekend in Destin, Florida, jolts him into action, initiating some ‘extraordinary adventures’ into his otherwise hum-drum existence.

Edsel Bronfman is an unremarkable man living an unremarkable life. He works as a junior executive shipping clerk for an importer of Korean flatware, lives in a seedy apartment building and spends his spare time with his mother. He is thoroughly excited when he “wins” a free weekend at a condo in Florida, not realizing that it is a time-share company trying to get his business. The only sticking point is that the operator who calls him says that he has to bring a companion along and that the offer expires in 79 days.

That operator sets Bronfman, a socially awkward man stuck in a perpetual state of inertia, to attempt to make some changes in his life. The operator, acting like a sort of fairy godmother, tells Bronfman, “You have to open yourself up to life,” and he actually does.

In addition to Bronfman, the book is littered with colorful characters. Bronfman’s mother, Muriel, had him after a one-night stand, is suffering from dementia and randomly takes him to the hotel where he was conceived. Muriel is anything but ordinary and isn’t sure how Bronfman

wound up so bland. Bronfman’s neighbor is a man who goes by the name of Thomas Edison and is a drug dealer who may, or may not, have also broken into Bronfman’s apartment and stolen all of his stuff.

As for the companion that he might take to Destin, opening himself up to the world brings three possible women into his life. The first woman that Bronfman notices is Shiela McNabb, a temp in his office building who likes to classify people as different animals. Shortly after that he meets Serena Stanton, a local policewoman who investigates when Bronfman is robbed.

And finally, there is Coco, an associate of Thomas Edison who has seen more of the world and longs for something different.

As the 79 days tick away, Bronfman must figure out who he is and what he wants out of life. Having never stepped out of his comfort zone before, readers are taken along on his journey of self-discovery and exploration.

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 .

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life

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Watermelon Martini

by Rhett Morris Photography by Diana Matthews

Ingredients • 4 pieces of watermelon, balled and frozen • ¼ cup chopped watermelon • 3 ounces vodka • 1½ ounces simple syrup • mint leaf

Directions

Take ¼ cup of watermelon and put in shaker and muddle. Add vodka, syrup and ice. Shake well.

Strain into glass and add 2 pieces of watermelon balls and garnish with mint.

22 OutreachNC.com | JUNE 2017 Serves 2.

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State Park

C

Adventures

amping? No

by Kathy Grant Westbrook thanks—got Photography by that out of Katherine Clark my system in my 20s. & Kathy Grant Westbrook Boating? Not interested.

Fishing? One word: smelly. That intro doesn’t exactly paint me as an outdoorswoman, does it? The truth, though, is that I love spending time outside, and it’s a gift I decided to give myself for my 55th birthday. In anticipation of turning 55 in February, I vowed to take time out of my busy schedule to visit all 41 parks listed on the North Carolina State Parks map during the 2017 calendar year. Ideally, I would have preferred 55 parks for my 55th, but surely it would be too much to ask the state to add 14 parks— wouldn’t it? Stay tuned: I’ll answer that question later.

Because I wanted to hit the ground running on Singletary Lake State Park Jan. 1, I unfolded my map in mid-December, and KELLY my gaze immediately went to Singletary Lake State Park. I’m not sure why that park jumped off the page—mostly location, I think. I didn’t want to start with the parks closest to my home in Four Oaks (that didn’t feel adventurous enough), but I also didn’t want one so far away that we couldn’t do it in a day. The distance to Singletary Lake in Kelly and Bladen County looked to be “just right.”

In advance of my visit, I went to the park’s website, where I learned that a “First Day Hike” was being offered at 2 p.m. on Jan. 1. Perfect! But another announcement, unrelated to the First Day Hike, caught my eye, as well: “Public Access Is Restricted when Group Camps Are Reserved.” What? Restricted access to a state park? How common was that? I perused several other parks’ websites and saw that while many were also offering First Day Hikes, none mentioned limited public access. Suddenly, it seemed like a good idea to check Singletary Lake off my list sooner rather than later, so I called and reserved two spots on the hike—one for me and one for my husband, Steve.

On New Year’s Day, we drove an hour and a half to Singletary Lake, our spirits undamped by the rain—or the 15 minutes we spent being lost. Well, not lost, exactly. We had no problem going straight to the Singletary Lake Group Camp. Trouble was, we knew we weren’t camping, and we didn’t see any activity at the small park office, so we assumed there must be another entrance, and we tried using GPS to find it.

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Jockey’s Ridge State Park NAGS HEAD

Our first attempt directed us to an inconspicuous point on the highway, where it appeared we were supposed to park roadside and blaze our own trail to the lake. That didn’t seem right. Our second attempt took us to an equally improbable spot. Finally, we returned to the Group Camp entrance, drove further into the park—and found the education building where we were supposed to meet for the hike. Despite our considerable rambling, we were still the first to arrive.

By this time, the rain had stopped and it was 60 degrees—perfect for hiking, an activity I love and Steve tolerates. My love of hiking is, however, diminished ever so slightly by my fear of snakes. But I felt good about today’s hike mainly because snakes are less active in winter (at least that’s what I’ve always believed, and if I’m wrong, please don’t tell me). Also, our hike would be led by a park ranger, who, I was certain, would be well-trained in snake-bite prevention (questionable, yet comforting, logic).

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Goose Creek State Park WASHINGTON

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Fort Fisher State Recreation Area KURE BEACH

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Ranger Kristin Woodruff welcomed us and 15 to 20 other hikers, telling us about the North Carolina State Parks Passport Program, a program with which I was unfamiliar but that fit in perfectly with my plans: passport books containing a page for each N.C. State Park are available (Steve and I each picked one up at the park office, following our hike), and each time we visit a park, we’ll get that particular page stamped.

After an hour-long group hike, we left Singletary Lake and made the 15-minute drive to Elizabethtown and Jones Lake State Park (which had held its own First Day Hike at 26

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10 a.m.). Both lakes are landforms known as a Carolina bays, oval-shaped depressions named for some of the notable vegetation surrounding them: sweet bay, red bay and loblolly bay trees. But the parks have completely different vibes.

At Jones Lake, a visitor center and lakeside picnic tables clearly signal that it’s open to the public on a regular basis.

We were on our own for hiking, and Steve led the way at a pace that had me running to catch up if I dared pause long enough to snap a photo. As we emerged from the forest, with the visitor center now before us, he slowed his pace and said, “OK, I think we’re safe from bears now.” Steve has a fear of bears that matches, and possibly surpasses, my fear of snakes.

Our next park visit came less than two weeks later: Jockey’s Ridge State Park in Nags Head, home to the tallest natural dune system on the east coast. On a typical summer weekend, thousands of visitors descend on Jockey’s Ridge; today we shared the dunes with just six or eight other people. I felt a childlike sense of joy and freedom, roaming aimlessly over the vast expanse of sand—no snakes or bears in sight! Leaving Jockey’s Ridge, we drove south on Highway 12, taking in views of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore—which would later prove to be a fortuitous decision.

We continued exploring our coast with visits to Fort Fisher State Recreation Area in Kure Beach and Carolina Beach State Park in Carolina Beach on Jan. 20. That evening, a chance conversation with my sister answered the question I asked earlier: Would the state be willing to add 14 parks for a total of 55? Turns out, they already had. Based on information she’d seen on a billboard, I learned that in 2016, our state parks system had marked its centennial by

promoting our 41 state parks, plus 14 national sites located in North Carolina. My list grew to the 55 I originally wanted (and I checked off my first national site: Cape Hatteras!).

On the last weekend in January, we backtracked to the area near Jockey’s Ridge to visit two national sites, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site (home to the Waterside Theatre, where “The Lost Colony” is performed) and Wright Brothers National Memorial (commemorating the first successful flight by Orville and Wilbur Wright).

That same weekend we went to Dismal Swamp State Park in South Mills and Camden County. On the half-mile boardwalk slicing through a small portion of the Great Dismal Swamp, an information board described the area as “a black bear haven,” “bear-friendly,” and “one of the best black bear habitats on the East Coast.” When we returned to the visitor center, I overheard Steve ask the ranger if the bears in this area hibernate during winter. The ranger’s answer, “No, they just slow down.”

CONTINUED PAGE 28

Carolina Beach State Park CAROLINA BEACH JUNE 2017 | OutreachNC.com 27

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27

We were out of state during much of February, and so, managed just one state park: Medoc Mountain in Hollister and Halifax County. The hour and a half we spent hiking here was the very definition of tranquility—peaceful silence, broken only by the sounds of gravel crunching beneath our feet, creek water tumbling over low rapids and the trilling of tree frogs.

We went to Carvers Creek State Park in Spring Lake early in March. Ironically, I’d never before heard of Carvers Creek, although it happens to be the state park closest to my home. My lack of familiarity with it was due, no doubt, to the fact that it’s our newest state park, having opened to the public in 2013. Indulging our common interest in historic homes, Steve and I joined a group of about 20 for a rangerled tour of the centerpiece of the park: a “small” (6,000 square-foot), 1930s retreat farmhouse that once belonged to a member of the Rockefeller family.

One week later we were at William B. Umstead State Park in Raleigh. Despite cold temperatures and gray skies, numerous people were walking and fishing. A few hardy souls (not us!) were even picnicking.

We ended March with a trip to the mountains and a visit to Fort Butler Memorial Park in Murphy, which marks a spot on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. Located on a hillside in an out-of-the-way neighborhood, this isn’t a park you’d ever stumble on, and we managed to ferret it out only after a number of wrong turns. Fort Butler served as army headquarters during the removal of the Cherokees from North Carolina, and the park is marked with a simple stone monument, an information board and a few benches.

I’m not sure if it was the quiet, cold day or the weight of what the park represented, but the solemnity of this place stayed with me long after we had left.

Having traversed the state all the way to Murphy, we’d spent several hours sightseeing in the Blue Ridge National

Heritage Area, a 25-county area in the western part of the state—and a national site that we’ll visit again and again, as we visit more of our mountain parks.

I mark April 5 as the day Steve and I discovered our shared fear: alligators. Just before arriving at Lake Waccamaw State Park (yet another Carolina Bay) in Columbus County, we spotted several in roadside canals. At the park’s entrance, its sign featured an alligator. And, as we hiked near the lake, there was no talk of snakes or bears; but, every so often we’d hear a sound that both of us just knew was a gator sliding into the water. Later that day, at Lumber River State Park, we walked along a short trail that runs between the river and a swamp, and to our surprise, saw two tents pitched on the swamp’s edge—obviously, not everyone shares our wildlife fears.

We were standing on the shore of North Carolina’s second largest natural lake, Lake Phelps, less than a week later, as we visited Pettigrew State Park. While there, we toured the Somerset Place State Historic Site (a former plantation with both original and reconstructed structures) within the park.

With April coming to a close, we visited Goose Creek State Park. A dry erase board in the visitor center invited hikers to share their wildlife sightings. I couldn’t help but notice that the word “snake” appeared repeatedly. There was also one small scribble that may have been “bear,” but I saw no reason to call Steve’s attention to that. This time, as we walked the long boardwalk through the cypress swamp, I was the one with the breakneck pace, while Steve stopped repeatedly to look for snakes and considered it quite the success that he spotted four. No bears in sight.

As I write this, in early May, we’ve already crossed the state from Manteo to Murphy, with visits to 13 state and five national sites. To try to compare any two parks or experiences or days would be futile, as each has been unique. I’ve laughed, learned and faced my fears. And it’s with great anticipation that I look forward to doing more of the same throughout the rest of the year.

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OutreachNC.com 29

Honoring World War II veterans Series «»

John Baker

S

by Jonathan Scott Photography by Katherine Clark & Diana Matthews

ometime while the company was traveling through darkness in central Germany, Thursday, April 12 had shifted into Friday, April 13. There was no way to tell exactly when the unlucky day officially began, but as the miles passed and the stars crawled across the sky, the soldiers knew it had to be well past midnight.

Pvt. John Baker wasn’t going to get any sleep. His squad had been ordered to ride on top of a tank destroyer, which required holding on tightly every second. You couldn’t predict when the next big rattle would come, and if he wasn’t vigilant with his grip, he could easily bounce up and fall into the darkness, possibly into the path of the tank behind them.

It wasn’t difficult to stay awake. Even though it was April, the moving air was cool enough to prevent him from nodding off. A fellow soldier sitting on the other side of the barrel complained about the temperature, and Baker had to laugh. For him, it felt like a sauna compared to being billeted in ancient Charlemont Fortress in Givet, France.

That past winter, when the train carrying Baker’s company finally chugged into that newly liberated town, the condensation on the windows and doors of the train had frozen shut.

“That’s what cold is,” says Baker, remembering that it was the type of cold that never lets up and doesn’t allow you to think of anything else.

Baker was one of the Repple-Depples. Army Chief of Staff George Marshall and Gen. Leslie McNair created the Repple-Depples trying to solve one of America’s toughest deployment problems.

CONTINUED PAGE 33

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 30

Unlike the Germans who were fighting close to home, it would have been logistically difficult for the United States to transport fresh men and equipment across the Atlantic to fully replace a depleted unit.

Instead, Marshall and McNair set up replacement depots close to the front, made up of individual soldiers who could be sent to companies that needed fresh troops. They became known as Repple-Depples.

It wasn’t the easiest of assignments. Coming into a squad to replace a killed soldier tested the bonds of comradeship in a formerly tight group. But it was the spring of 1945 and years of American casualties had taken an inevitable toll. Regardless of what the men had endured before, they were all in it together for whatever the future had in store.

Finally, almost imperceptibly at first, the black of the sky softened into gray. There was no denying it at that point. It was definitely Friday the 13th.

The thing was, not only could the men now see, they could now be seen. The tank came to a stop as cannon fire ripped through the morning air. The Americans were between two villages, each set on a hill with a level area between. The first town was deserted, but there was no doubting the presence of the enemy in the second.

The lieutenant ordered the squad to advance across the level area to take the occupied town. The Americans were in plain view of whoever was firing at them from above in the safety of buildings just 100 yards away. This was a bad decision, Baker recalls. Not a good way to start off an unlucky day.

Baker was equipped with a BAR, a Browning Automatic Rifle, capable of firing a round of eight shots at once. On orders, he began to return fire.

He was struck with a piercing pain. He had been hit squarely in the forearm. In a split second, without even knowing what he was doing, Baker shifted the rifle into his left hand, hardly pausing from discharging the weapon. Despite the blood coming from his forearm, he ran on.

Zing! Another sharp pain, again in his right arm. He tried to continue to fire the Browning, but the pain was taking over his body.

“The next bullet I get,” Baker, 91, recalls thing, “is going into my head.”

Around him, Baker could see the other guys in the squad taking bullets and falling. Baker joined his comrades on the ground. It would take until noon, hours and hours of excruciating pain and bleeding, unable to move for fear of alerting the Germans he was still alive, that Baker was taken to a field hospital by the Red Cross. He was the only one of his squad to make it out of that battle alive.

By the time Baker’s wounds healed, the Germans had surrendered and the war in Europe was over. Three years later and back home, Baker met a delightful young woman named Helen. They have been married for nearly 70 years and now reside at Scotia Village in Laurinburg.

JUNE 2017 |

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Carolina Conversations with UNC-TV “North Carolina Weekend” Host Deborah Holt Noel

V

by Carrie Frye Photography by Diana Matthews

iewers know Deborah Holt Noel as UNC-TV’s host and producer of its popular shows, “North Carolina Weekend” and “Black Issues Forum.”

Noel is the friendly face showcasing a myriad of locales across the state from historic inns to quaint coffee shops and everything in between. A CINE Golden Eagle media award recipient for her documentary, “The Joe Holt Story,” Noel is proud to call the Triangle and North Carolina her home and appreciative of the viewer support that makes public television possible.

On the set and in front of the “North Carolina Weekend” green screen, we sat down with Noel to talk about some of her favorite Carolina destinations and learn more about the host who is usually the one asking questions.

ONC: Did you grow up in North Carolina?

DN: I’m a military brat. Both of my parents were born and raised in Raleigh, so I just say I’m

a North Carolinian for that reason. I was born in South Carolina, but I was there less than a year. I went through grade school and junior high in New Jersey, and then our family moved to Alabama. I came back to Raleigh when I attended St. Augustine’s (University). I finished my degree, and I worked for a year before I went to Maryland and worked on my master’s degree, worked in foundation work, and then I got the opportunity here at UNC-TV. How did you develop your love for broadcast journalism?

I think it probably started with my interest in stage and theater, and grammar and speaking.

I remember my dad saying, “You know, as you’re thinking about college choices, why not think about communications? That’s a new field that’s coming up.” So when I went to college, I majored in communications with a focus in television broadcasting. Initially, I was intimidated by the prospect of working in TV, because I didn’t know anyone in the field, so I thought it was just an impossibility. There’s such a narrow window of possibility of getting to do it, so I thought about being a producer as well. It was something inside that I really wanted to do, but I didn’t know exactly how it was going to happen.

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 37

How do you balance those different roles from host to going out in the field and taking on the interviewer role to producing the shows?

Deborah Holt Noel on the set of UNC-TV’s “North Carolina Weekend,” which airs on Thursday nights at 9 p.m.

It’s a big difference. I used to just be the producer of “Black Issues Forum,” and I was focusing my time on doing research, finding guests, making phone calls and making sure the host had everything he needed. I would write the questions, communicate with the technical crew to make sure things were lined up, and brief the host on the upcoming topics. So, that’s the producer role, and then coming back after the taping and making sure everything looks good and where the music needs to flow.

Along the way, I’ve learned editing and developed a rhythm for that.

Professional editors are really good at what they do, and it takes me three times as long to accomplish what they can accomplish. I’ve sat here all night long, early in my career, editing or working on whatever it was to get the project done.

Hosting came about as a combination of things. Essentially, as the producer, I would go onsite and do interviews, and I told myself, “I’m out here. Nobody’s stopping me. Do a stand-up, see how it goes and see if you can do it.” Then there were opportunities during our fundraising campaign and they said, “Hey do you want to come on and invite people to call in?” So I said, “Yeah, sure, let me give it a try.” One of the major talents wasn’t available and a star was coming in and they said, “Deborah, can you do it?” I said, “Yes…and I remember what I wore that day. I had on a black jacket and black pants and a white tank top and I was just thinking, keep it simple.”

Who did you meet that day?

Dr. Wayne Dyer. And they played that show over and over again. But, it was a success for me. It launched me into being able to play a more prominent role as a host here at UNC-TV. With “North Carolina Weekend,” you get to visit so many different places. Can you talk about some that resonated with you?

The Stokes County Art Council in Danbury. They had a concert with this great bluegrass band. It was a beautiful country setting with a country dinner before the performance, and everything was homegrown. It was so nice to be welcomed, and it was great music and people just having a good time. Recently, I got to go to Bryson City. We did the Pumpkin Patch Express train ride. It’s a fun, little town. I went to this place (this story hasn’t aired yet) called the Everett Hotel. These two gentlemen opened up this boutique hotel in downtown Bryson City with a rooftop lounge, a rooftop area that you can go hang out at night and enjoy the sky. So, that’s really nice.

Another place that was a wonderful surprise was Elizabeth City. That is a sweet town, and the people are wonderful. I’ve wanted to go back there.

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I’ve gotten to travel all over the state, and the most magnificent trip was probably marked by the fact that I got to take my family, and that was at the Grove Park Inn (Asheville). I served as a judge for their annual gingerbread competition, and it just so happened that year I was able to take my daughter, who was only maybe a year and a half old at the time, my husband and my mother.

It’s that kind of thing that we try to capture on the show. There’s so much I could tell you about this experience, so you try to put that in words to let people know to just take a moment, come out to this place and breathe for a little bit.

Any places in the Sandhills area that stand out?

Oh, certainly Pinehurst. It’s a beautiful resort area, and I’ve had an opportunity to stay at the resort and also visit the village with its great shops. I love shopping. And Fayetteville, home to America’s heroes. The folks with their visitor’s center are just wonderful, and I’ve gotten a chance to see some of the fun things in Fayetteville. I was downtown once, and I remember I was doing a standup shot outside, and these teenagers were running in the background, and they would photobomb the shot. I used that in my story, because you know, it’s real, it’s having fun.

Has there been a story on “North Carolina Weekend” that wasn’t your feature, but made you want to plan a trip there?

There’s a story that aired recently that makes me want to go check it out. It’s Statesville. I thought that was really good. They talked about how the downtown area is really blossoming and showed a number of different little places that are up and coming, so I would like to visit Statesville. But beyond that, I travel so much that to try to go to one of the places that has been featured, it’s kind of strange, because when I go to places, it’s because it hasn’t been featured yet on the show (laughs). But visitingwise, I wanted to go to Concord and I’ve wanted to go to Hickory, and I have and those are neat places to visit.

How much do you travel for the show?

I don’t travel a whole lot during the week. When “Black Issues Forum” is heavy in season, it’s kind of hard to get out and travel. But we’re getting ready to wrap up, so this summer, I really want to get out to the Outer Banks and the coast and get some warm weather stories going.

They’ve been trying to get me out there to do the big marlin fishing.

What do you hope viewers leave with?

It’s viewer support that keeps us doing what we do and on the air. I definitely want viewers of “North Carolina Weekend” to be introduced to the different opportunities that are here and places for them to visit throughout our state.

We have a great team of producers, and when you enjoy what you’re doing, it’s a little easier to go to these different places and find a way to share their story. That’s our challenge, as producers and storytellers, but we just want people to be engaged and to enjoy the show and to go visit these places.

For “Black Issues Forum,” I want people to be better informed about issues and concerns for people of color so they can make the kinds of decisions that improve their way of life or just have a healthier view about our world and our society.

What do you love most about living in North Carolina?

I like being able to get to beaches and to other kinds of landscapes like the mountains. We really do have a wealth of rich and deep history here, and we’ve got access to great museums and one of the best children’s museums I think in the whole country, Marbles. There’s nightlife here ... it’s not New York, nobody’s New York, and we’re not Atlanta either, but I don’t think we’re trying to be Atlanta.

We’re trying to be North Carolina, and we’re creating our own culture and our own fit. So, there’s Southern culture here, small places and large places. It’s not a perfect state, no place is perfect. We definitely have our challenges and have some work to do, but I think it’s a wonderful place to live.

And when you’re off the set, what things do you enjoy doing?

I love spending time with my family, my husband and daughter. She’s the joy of my life. I have a great, wonderful husband who has converted my thinking about Alabama, “Roll Tide.” I love staying at home and cooking as much as I do traveling, and doing my Zumba classes.

Do you have any travel goals for your Second 50?

I would love to go to Africa. It’s important for me to go back to a place where my roots are. I’ve never been to Europe either. In terms of other places, I love Washington D.C., the monuments and museums. I love going to New York City and Atlanta. I like big cities. I’m not much of a laid back and take-a-rest kind of person. That’s my speed.

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Cataract Innovations Restore Vision Lens By Lens

F

by David Hibbard Photography by Diana Matthews

or millions of older adults, the ability to see clearly can be compromised by the development of cataracts, a clouding of the natural lens inside the eye. It’s a common condition, but one that can be treated more effectively than ever, thanks to major advances in surgery and lens implant options in recent years.

While cataracts can develop at any age, most patients don’t begin to have vision problems until they reach their 60s. How will you know if cataracts are affecting your vision? John W. French, MD, a specialist in corneal and external diseases and smallincision cataract surgery at Carolina Eye Associates. has a simple analogy.

“Many patients state that they feel like their glasses are dirty, but cleaning their glasses does not improve their vision,” Dr. French says.

In addition to blurred vision that isn’t improved with glasses or contact lenses, other cataract symptoms include glare from headlights or sunlight, difficulty with night vision, clouding of vision or the sense that visual activities in general are becoming more difficult.

Early-stage cataracts can sometimes be treated with a change in eyeglasses, but eventually, surgery will be required to improve a patient’s vision. The first step in the surgical process is a comprehensive exam of the eye, typically two or three hours in length, which provides data unique to each patient’s eye.

“Ophthalmologists consider this evaluation as part of the surgical process,” says Anna F. Fakadej, MD, a specialist in refractive cataract surgery at Carolina Eye Associates, “because there is a lot of analysis that the surgeon must perform on this data to perform the surgery.”

The ability to make precise measurements has been one of the most important advancements in cataract surgery in the last 20 years, both physicians say.

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“Measurements of the eye are crucial to the outcome,” Dr. Fakadej says. “We can also laser map the eye and create computer models of an individual eye to assess, analyze and improve outcomes.”

After this pre-surgical evaluation, the physician typically meets with the patient and family to discuss the various options available for surgery, which includes removal of the cataract and implantation of a replacement lens. Recent improvements in replacement lens options give patients and physicians more specialized choices. These lenses offer correction for up-close vision, distance vision, astigmatism, presbyopia (a progressive loss of the ability to focus on nearby objects), or a combination of conditions.

It’s important to discuss these options with your physician to determine which is right for you. Medicare and private insurance normally only cover the basic, single vision replacement lens, so you should talk with your physician about the costs involved with advanced lenses.

“The newer advanced technology lenses have improved patient satisfaction with their cataract surgery,” Dr. Fakadej says. “Patients have more freedom from the distortions of glasses and have broader range with functional vision.”

Yet another advancement in cataract surgery in recent years has been the use of precision lasers.

“Laser cataract surgery makes incisional work on the eye (easier) and softens the cataract inside the eye before the removal in the operating room,” Dr. Fakadej explains. “This provides a less traumatic eye surgery for the patient and hastens recovery.”

On the day of surgery, the patient receives a general anesthetic as well as local anesthesia around the eye. Using a laser, the cataract is removed and the replacement lens is implanted. After a short recovery time of an hour or two, patients can go home. If cataract surgery is needed in both eyes, the procedures are usually scheduled a week or two apart.

“The recovery from cataract surgery is fairly minimal compared to other surgeries,” Dr. French says. “Patients can return to many activities within a day of surgery. The common restrictions include no heavy lifting, bending over or strenuous physical activity for one week following surgery.”

While vision in the surgically-repaired eye may initially be blurry, patients generally notice rapid improvement in their vision in the first 24 or 48 hours. It’s normal for the eye to be red and feel scratchy afterwards; physicians typically prescribe antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops to be used several times daily in the weeks following surgery to help the eye heal.

While cataract surgery certainly has the benefit of improved eyesight-many patients are amazed at how well they can see after recovery-there may be other benefits as well.

“Cataract surgery, especially in both eyes, seems to have a benefit of decreasing accident rates and fall rates in older adults and may have a positive impact for patients with dementia,” Dr. Fakadej adds.

The idea of surgery can be unnerving, but Dr. French stresses that today’s technology, combined with a variety of lens implant options, makes cataract surgery a safe, reliable choice.

“Fortunately, cataract surgery is one of the safest surgeries and has one of the highest satisfaction rates in medicine.”

Facing the end of life is never easy. At FirstHealth Hospice, we make life last the whole time, providing comforting care with dignity and respect for both the patient and the family. Our professionally trained staff and volunteers provide emotional and spiritual support to enhance the quality of life for those in our community with a life-limiting illness.

For information on how we can care for you or a loved one, please call (910) 715-6000, toll-free (866) 861-7485 or visit www.firsthealth.org/hospice.

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5

FUN

N.C.

VACATION

DESTINATIONS

by Rachel Stewart Photography by Katherine Clark, Diana Matthews & Mollie Tobias

S

ummer’s here, and so is the urge to hit the road in search of escape or plain old relaxation. A great vacation doesn’t have to be across the country or even out of state. Check out what these five North Carolina locales have to offer-then it’s up to you where you end up...

Hatteras

N

Island

amed after the Native Americans that once inhabited the island, Hatteras Island is part of the Outer Banks of the North Carolina coast and has the distinction of being one of the longest islands in the United States.

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Accessible both by road and ferry, there are plenty of ways to relax. There are a wide range of water-based activities to take advantage of, from jet-skiing, waterskiing, and dolphin and whale watching to kayaking and fishing. Climb to the top of the Bodie Island, Cape Hatteras or Currituck lighthouses, or enjoy horseback riding on the beach or a variety of other trails. Take a tour that includes seeing the majestic Corolla wild horses.

For the history buff, there are a few museums to pencil into your itinerary, including the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, focusing on shipwrecks around the area, as well as the Frisco Native American Museum, featuring history and artifacts of the indigenous people who established the settlement known as Croatoan.

While you’re there, don’t forget to take advantage of the fresh seafood establishments peppered across the island, including Buxton Seafood and Harbor House Seafood.

Emerald

Isle

P

art of the Crystal Coast and located in Bouge Banks, Emerald Isle is one of the largest beachfront towns in the state of North Carolina. According to their 2010 census, more than 3,500 people inhabit the town year-round, but it can see up to 40,000 tourists annually thanks to numerous beachfront rental properties.

While sitting in the sand with a frosty drink is a lovely way to pass the time, the Emerald Isle is the perfect locale for avid bikers, featuring an 11-mile bike path weaving throughout the village. The path can also be used for running or skating, or as an alternate way to see the sights around town.

If you’re looking for quiet escapades around town, head over to Emerald Isle Books to pick up the latest best seller or view—or buy—the latest works over at Artisan Gallery, featuring paintings, photography, handmade pottery, jewelry and glass work.

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 45 Wrightsville

A

Beach

popular beach spot due to its proximity to Interstate 40, Wrightsville Beach has four miles of beach to relax and play on. Approximately 2,500 people live in the coastal town during the year, but the town has seen as many as 190,000 visitors on Memorial Day weekend alone.

Known for its crystal clear waters, Wrightsville Beach is the perfect destination for surfers and other watersports, boating, and fishing—check out Johnnie Mercer’s Pier for fishing and breathtaking views. Turning a few miles inland, the Arboretum at New Hanover County offers a quiet reprieve filled with lush flowers and foilage. The site even features a tea house within a Japanese style garden. The Wrightsville Beach Farmer’s Market allows visitors to pick up fresh seafood and locally grown produce for a home-cooked meal.

Is beach-side dining more your style? The Oceanic Restaurant is located at the end of a pier and features Southern-style seafood dishes. Dockside Restaurant and Marina is another great choice, especially if you’ve been out on the water all day and are ready for a leisurely dinner and drink.

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Asheville

M

ost well-known as the home of Biltmore Estate, Asheville is the perfect weekend getaway destination. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the town is home to nearly 88,000 people, but annually sees millions of tourists from all over the world, including Germany, Japan, France, and Switzerland. So what makes Asheville such a sought-after tourist destination? Its eclectic mix of local artisans and old world architecture set it apart from other cities in the state, and make it a great place to dine, relax, and sightsee.

While the Biltmore itself is worthy of multiple visits, it’s not just about the beautiful mansion. For instance, you can take a self-guided tour of the gardens or attend lectures with the master gardeners. The on-site winery offers tours, tastings as well as a cellar where you can purchase the fruit of their labors.

Asheville is a great town for food lovers to visit, with the downtown area featuring dining spots with a difference. If you’re craving a cup of joe, head over to Double D’s Treats and Desserts, a coffee shop housed in a British double decker bus. Just hop on, place your order and people watch from a window. The always popular Early Girl Eatery offers Southern-style breakfasts with vegan options, while Kathmandu Cafe lets diners sample a variety of curries and stir fries found in Nepal.

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 47 Pinehurst

I

t could be said that golf is at the heart of Pinehurst, with the historic Pinehurst Resort being built in 1897.

Originally called Tuftstown, after its settler James Walker Tufts, the area now has 10,000 residents who live, work and play in this history-filled village.

With multiple golf courses in and surrounding the village, Pinehurst is the ultimate getaway for the avid or casual golfer alike. But there’s more than meets the eye—including the Queen Anne and Colonial Revival architecture downtown. Take a leisurely walking tour around town to take in historic homes such as the Palmetto House and the Holly Inn. Be sure to stop by the Tufts Archives, housed in Givens Memorial Library, to learn more on how the town came to be what it is today.

If shopping calls, Pinehurst has multiple antique markets, art galleries and gift shops for visitors to find the perfect treasure to take home. Gemma Gallery features hand-made jewelry while Hollyhocks Art Gallery houses oil paintings and sculpture. A quick trip to nearby Seagrove offers a variety of pottery shops and galleries from renowned artisans. All that shopping can leave one feeling peckish, so head over to Lady Bedford’s Tea Parlour for a spot of tea and a scone in the afternoon, or if you’re wanting something more substantial, The Carolina Dining Room offers Americanstyle dining at its finest, while The Deuce offers casual fare with a view of the famed Pinehurst No. 2 course.

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Day Trippin’

by Carrie Frye Photography by Carrie Frye Diana Matthews Ashley Stone Mollie Tobias

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T

here’s definitely a good reason and a plethora of places to choose from when it comes to taking a day trip close to home here. Whether you want to take the road less traveled or follow your taste buds to a sweeter destination, we headed from the Sandhills in all directions across the Piedmont to showcase a few within an hour’s drive for most.

RAVEN ROCK STATE PARK 3009 Raven Rock Road Lillington | 910-893-4888 www.ncparks.gov/raven-rock-state-park The warm weather is a good reason to venture to one of our state parks, and Raven Rock State Park in Lillington is no exception, lying on seven miles along the mighty banks of the Cape Fear River. The rock formation extends more than a mile along the river reaching heights of up to 150 feet.

Trails lead into the park’s steep terrain, so it may not be for the faint of heart, but the natural beauty of the park (but not the Raven Rock) can be viewed from the comfort of the picnic areas. There’s paddling, fishing, camping and trails for hikers and equestrians alike.

The journey to the Raven Rock, which earned its name for the birds who nest on its ledges, is a two-mile roundtrip trek over terrain that leads to an overlook and a massive wooden staircase that leads to the bottom of the rock and riverbank.

Pack your cooler for a picnic, but make sure to include good shoes for hiking, bug spray, sunscreen, water, binoculars and your smartphone or camera to capture the adventure. Call ahead for camping or event reservations, and plan your next getaway to the great outdoors.

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AIRBORNE & SPECIAL OPERATIONS MUSEUM 100 Bragg Blvd. | Fayetteville 910-643-2778 | www.asomf.org No day trip to Fayetteville would be complete without a stop at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum to see the history and pay tribute to America’s heroes. Admission is free, and donations are accepted. The museum is also completely accessible and designed for all ages and mobilities to enjoy.

The museum spans the training and development of the American paratrooper from 1940 throughout World War II, Korea, Vietnam and contingency operations. A 24-seat motion simulator offers an inside look at the paratrooper experience for a small fee. Mark your calendar for the National Airborne Day Celebration at the museum on Saturday, Aug. 19.

HAMLET DEPOT AND MUSEUMS 2 W Main Street | Hamlet | 910-582-0603 www.hamlethistoricdepot.org

Train enthusiasts need head no further than Hamlet, a railroad town since 1897. Here, the Victorian Queen Anne train depot is a site worth the drive. Still an active passenger depot for Amtrak, the depot also houses the history of the Seaboard Airline Railroad with hands-on exhibits and displays. The National Railroad Museum and Hall of Fame is in walking distance, just two blocks away and within sight of what is termed The Diamond, or the intersection of the tracks, and the restored Hamlet Depot. Take in the sights and sounds of the depot and have lunch at the Seaboard Station Restaurant on Front Street to complete your tour of this hidden gem in Richmond County.

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CYPRESS BEND VINEYARDS 21904 Riverton Road | Wagram 910-369-0411 www.cypressbendvineyards.com Heading south into Scotland County, Wagram is a tiny place that might not otherwise stand out on a map until Cypress Bend Vineyards harvested its first grapes. Dan Smith and his wife, Tina, have embarked on second careers as vintners on the family land known as Riverton, where Dan was raised.

Growing 35 acres of muscadine varieties— Carolos, Noble and Magnolia—the Smiths cultivate award-winning wines and 20 different blends for the tasting.

“Magnolia is the finest of the white grapes but also the most difficult to grow,” Smith says.

Cypress Bend is the only four-time winner of the N.C. Muscadine Cup for its Catherine (semisweet white), To-Morrow (sweet white), McNeill (sweet white) and Campbell (sweet red), the vineyards’ best seller.

All of the wines earned their names for the land, the family who settled there or the poems of John Charles McNeill.

Cypress Bend welcomes visitors for tours and tastings seven days a week and for its signature event, Jazzy Fridays, which with the exception of a couple Fridays in January happens every week of the year, alternating jazz and beach music.

“We never thought the vineyard would become what it has,” says Smith, shaking his head. “We just took it as it came. We hope people come out to the vineyard and leave with an experience, have a tasting, take a tour, meet our winemaker. Nadia Hetzel, enjoy the open air and vines, and take away a finer appreciation of muscadine wine.”

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In Pinehurst, Sandhills Horticultural Gardens are bursting with vibrant colors year-round and free and open to the public daily from sunrise to sunset. Visitors can stroll through the 27 acres and see the June blooms, including abelia, bigleaf hydrangea, crape myrtle, daylilies, gardenia, golden rain tree, shirobana spirea, sweetbay magnolia and Virginia sweetspire.

The garden offers workshops throughout the year for budding gardeners or those with an affection for planting and landscaping. Plan your trip ahead of time, and schedule a docent-guided tour.

SANDHILLS HORTICULTURAL GARDENS 3395 Airport Road | Pinehurst 910-695-3882 www.sandhillshorticulturalgardens.com

UWHARRIE NATIONAL FOREST 789 NC Highway 24/27 East 910-576-6391 Fishing, boating, camping, kayaking, horseback riding, and just about any form of outdoor recreation, including panning for gold, can be found by heading north to the Uwharrie National Forest in Troy and Montgomery County, spanning 51,000 acres into neighboring Randolph and Davidson counties. The 50 miles of hiking trails bring outdoor enthusiasts for many a mile of adventure. Open year-round with no fees, these trails let visitors enjoy the scenery at one’s own pace. You can always stop in at the ranger’s district office just off N.C. 24/27 in Troy for maps, brochures and expert advice on entry points into the forest.

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OutreachNC.com 55

TRAVEL

Accessibly

by Carrie Frye Photography by Diana Matthews

N

orth Carolina ranks sixth in the nation as a travel destination, according to the latest statistics compiled by VisitNC, with nearly 55 million making stops from the mountains to the coast. Some travelers, however, have more than packing a suitcase to consider when making their travel arrangements. Nearly 57 million Americans cope with some kind of disability—physical, hearing, vision or cognitive—every day, and that can make travel more of an adventure but not necessarily in a good way. Multiple studies have shown that travel reduces stress, improves brain health and enhances quality of life, so it’s important to keep excursions on the agenda.

Road Trip The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services created a way that can help those with disabilities and their loved ones plan accordingly when it comes to traveling the state in “Access North Carolina.” A free download of the PDF document is available on the VisitNC website, www.visitnc.com/free-travel-publications.

Within the guide, statewide attractions are categorized by location and listed with accessible amenities. If you are looking for a beach wheelchair, listings and contact information are available from the Outer Banks to Wrightsville Beach and all the beaches in between that offer the opportunity for those who want to get sand between their toes. All of the state parks are included in the guide, identifying the levels of accessibility and the facilities available onsite.

Have a physical disability but want to plan a vacation that includes golf? The guide includes the list of courses with adaptive golf carts available. The carts provide a swivel seat that can move to the left or right for a right- or left-handed golfer along with hand controls to drive the cart. Coastal courses in Wilmington, Leland, Hampstead and Wallace have carts ready to keep players on the course.

Assistive hearing devices are available at the North Carolina Aquarium locations as well as guided tours to make the experience that much more enjoyable for visitors.

Taking to the Friendly Skies For those whose itinerary includes air travel, the Raleigh-Durham Airport has its Wheels Up program to provide training and education for those facing travel challenges.

“We are very proud to partner with local organizations, such as Wheels Up,” says Andrew Sawyer, RDU’s corporate communications coordinator. “Our initial program last year included more than 20 individuals who rely on wheelchairs as they travel. We are happy to work with any organization that requests trainings. Upcoming trainings and events include an immersive experience for children with autism as well as a program with the Orange County Council on Aging to help older adult travelers get the most out of their airport experience as they need a little extra help. We are all about connecting our customers with the people and places that matter most and serving those who desire physical ability not be a barrier to air travel.”

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At RDU, passengers will find a number of accommodations to make their air travel easier, including: • All levels of the parking garage have handicapped spaces near the elevators, in addition to 16 moving sidewalks.

• Elevators are in pairs, so that a second elevator is available for use.

• All restrooms, in addition to being ADA-compliant stalls, have single-occupancy family restrooms that can accommodate adults and caregivers.

• Throughout terminals, digital screens show the overhead announcements in text form for those with hearing challenges.

• Passengers arriving at RDU can pull up to the terminal curbs and request wheelchairs from any of the traffic control officers or skycaps and be escorted to the gate or to any restaurant or shop.

• Economy shuttle buses are “kneeling” buses, which means they are very low entry in addition to being handicap-accessible.

• The Transportation Security Administration has TSA Cares for individuals who need special assistance through the security checkpoint. For more info on TSA Cares, visit www.tsa.gov/travel/ passenger-support.

Two If By Sea Cruises can be accommodating for travelers concerned with accessibility. A Pinehurst couple, Sheldon Rappaport and his wife, Sheila, have taken many a cruise with a scooter in tow.

“Sheila has had back problems for many years, which make walking more than a very short distance very painful,” Rappaport says. “We were 58

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using a wheelchair when we traveled up until about 10 years ago when we purchased an electric scooter.”

Opting for a three-wheel, lightweight model scooter that easily breaks down and reassembles with minimal effort, the couple found it to make cruising doable and more fun.

“We had no problems whatsoever on ocean cruises,” Rappaport says. “We would find a nook in the passageways to park the scooter and bring our battery to our cabin for charging.”

Deciding to take cruising to the next level, the Rappaports wanted to embark on a European river cruise.

“We’ve been on one river cruise with AmaWaterways and at least four ocean cruises,” Rappaport says. “We traveled through the streets for hours in three European cities with the scooter. It meets airline specifications, and Sheila drives it right to the gate, and it is delivered back to the plane’s door upon arrival.”

Expert Travel Utilizing a travel professional to help work out travel issues on the front end can often make for a smoother vacation.

“For cruises, the best travel options are smaller, luxury cruise ships that have a higher staff to passenger ratio like Regent, Oceania or Tauck,” says Cheryl Darwell, owner of Cruise Planners in West End. “Or for more affordable yet premium lines, Holland America has an older clientele, so they deal with mobility issues very well.

There are several vendors, like Care Vacations, that supply wheelchairs, scooters and other medical equipment to cruisers and deliver the equipment right to their cruise stateroom.”

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5

Summertime Reads

For Your Beach Bag

W

hether you’re packing a book for your next beach-side excursion or you just need a new read for your coffee table, check out this inspired summer reading list and find a new favorite book for your next trip or laid-back Saturday afternoon at home.

THE GREAT GATSBY F. Scott Fitzgerald

by Rachel Stewart

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N

othing says summer like the frothy, iridescent prose of jazz-age author F. Scott Fitzgerald. This classic tale of the American dream and the titular character’s struggle to recapture the past is a quick and easy read.

Even if it’s been awhile since you read it last, the prose-and the moral of the story-hold up even to modern standards.

LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE Laura Esquivel

S

tar crossed lovers, family tensions and delicious recipes can be found in Mexican novelist Laura Esquivel’s modern classic. The story is set up in monthly segments, starting with a recipe which serves as the background for the events in each chapter. The heroine, Tita, is not allowed to marry the man she loves, and so, puts all of her passion and love into the food she cooks for her family and for him.

This novel is a great introduction to magical realism, where ordinary tales can take a not-so-slightly magical turn.

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THE SUMMER BEFORE THE WAR Helen Simonson

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et in a small English town in 1914, this tale focuses on a female teacher and her struggles to be accepted as a woman and a professional. The elegant writing takes readers back to a world filled with afternoon social engagements while still hitting on heavy social issues such as women’s suffrage and the lasting effects of war. If you’ve missed “Downton Abbey” since its departure a few Decembers ago, give this novel by English novelist Helen Simonson a go.

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THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN Paula Hawkins

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ecently adapted for the silver screen, this modern mystery centers on Rachel, an alcoholic who spends her days watching life pass her from the window of a London train car and who is also prone to blackouts when drinking. Every day, her trip takes her past her ex-husband’s neighborhood, and she finds herself drawn back into his life-until things take a turn for the worse. Parts “Rear Window” and “Gone Girl,” Paula Hawkins’ unreliable narrator will keep you guessing until you turn the last page.

ALL THAT MAN IS David Szalay

A

tale of longing and a search for meaning, David Szalay’s new novel focuses on nine different men across the world. More short stories than straight-up novel, the book takes readers across Europe and through the eyes of men who have their life ahead of them and those who are looking back and asking if they did enough. At times somber yet philosophical, this novel could serve as a jumping off point for writing your own memoirs or refocusing on what’s important in life.

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GREY MATTER See Grey Matter Puzzle Answers on Page 64

Added Advice Ahead Aside Atoms Attacks

Bible Bread Bridge Chalk Created Deals

Deeply Desert Docks Doctor Doors Equal

Exits Fiddle Fights Forty Gummed Hangs

26. Like “The X-Files” 28. “For shame!”

29. Ill-gotten gains 30. Argument 32. Exercises 34. “The Three Faces of ___” 35. “Is that ___?”

36. Clear 39. Unite 42. Assumed name 43. Death on the Nile cause, perhaps 45. Pound sounds 47. Make, as a CD 48. Cat’s cry 50. Santa ___, Calif.

51. Increase, with “up” 52. Team 54. Be in session 55. Excess 57. Barely tied 59. Nazareth native 60. Daniel Webster, e.g.

61. Agree out of court 62. Scouts

DOWN

15. Sewer cover 16. Process of making 1. Tartars in wine casks mechanicals during aging 17. Sister of Apollo 7. Copy-_____ 13. A treatise on aesthetics 18. Columbus Day mo.

ACROSS

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19. Lift 21. TV monitor?

22. Bolted 24. Edge 25. Coconut fiber

1. Put together 2. Having an upward curve 3. Sign 4. Baseball’s Master Melvin 5. In ___ of 6. Types of porgy fish

Hates Heard Higher Ideal Inches Kicks Knees Learns Means Meets Ninth Notes Outer Prism Realize Return Riots Rising Sinks Slide Static Steep Story Toads Trimmed T-shirt Venture Would

7. Analyze, in a way 8. A chip, maybe 9. “Ain’t ___ Sweet” 10. Blockhead 11. Evokes 12. Catch sight of 14. Fairy 15. Sent through postage 20. “Much ___ About Nothing” 23. From Tibet 25. Coal miner 27. Overhangs 29. _____ goat 31. Big ___ Conference 33. 50 Cent piece 36. Having feathers 37. Theme of this puzzle 38. Ancient Chinese discipline 39. Loot 40. Near 41. Fifth letter of Greek alphabet 42. Defensive obstacle made of sharpened branches 44. Convened 46. Don Juans 48. Twin crystal 49. Beau 52. Feed 53. ___ of the above 56. “Welcome” site 58. Amniotic ___

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advice

CAREGIVING CAN MAKE LIFE CRAZY!

Travel Near or Far for Self-Care

by Mike Collins

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hen I talk to caregivers about their situations, they often bring up travel as an issue—not around the world—just, maybe, out to a movie, shopping or playing golf—some way to get away, if only for the afternoon.

Here’s how it usually goes even with caregivers who know their service is an act of love: They may say, “I know I need to get out, and sometimes, I feel like I’m in a prison.”

Just go, even if it’s for a couple of hours.

They respond with a number of reasons ranging from, “I’d love to, but my loved one won’t like it,” “I don’t have the money,” “I don’t have the time,” “We’d have to pack a lot of stuff,” “I don’t know who would take care of him or her,” “I’d have to find hotels that would accommodate us,” or “I’m just so tired.”

One of the most challenging effects of caregiving is that caregivers’ worlds begin to get smaller the longer they are in the situation. They travel less—even in their own communities, see fewer new sights and have less contact with others, especially friends. Too many caregivers end up with a world and life made up of the contacts they make through the caregiving experience, and the house in which they or their loved one lives.

Please forgive me for this comparison, but I cannot

GREY MATTER ANSWERS

CROSSWORD

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tell you how many caregivers I have met who live in the world I’ve described and have exactly the same look in their eyes as a dog that is constantly chained to a tree, exactly the same expression.

If you’d like to get out for a while or do some real traveling, you have some decisions to make. Consider these choices, which are simple to point out but, in most cases, not so simple to make: 1. Why? If you simply need to get out of the house for a little while, how do you make it happen?

First, bring up the fact that you want and need to get out for a little while. If your loved one can take care of himself for a few hours, then, just go.

If he is the type of person who encourages you to go, great! If not, you should understand that this is a type of self-care, and if you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to take care of others.

2. What? What do you want to do? And, how much time will it take? If you want to go to a movie, that’s about two to three hours. Golf is four to five hours unless you only play nine holes. Do you want to go on a cruise? Maybe, three to fives days or more.

Visit your children or grandchildren ... you decide.

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SUDOKU

3. When? Is there a best time for you to get out?

During your loved one’s nap time might be good, depending on his or her condition. Are weekends better, or during the week? Are there specific times during the year that fit into your schedule? Do not automatically assume you need to take vacation time to do caregiver duties. Current laws require some companies to provide time off for employees to take care of family members; check into it.

4. Who? Who do you want to go with you? No one?

That’s fine; alone time can be the best. If you would like your spouse or friends to travel with you (and remember, this might simply be to the grocery store, a park or a longer trip) what do you need to do to make it happen?

5. Where? Is it a close, short trip, or something longer?

Where is your dream location? And, why wait?

6. How? How do you make this happen? Can the your loved one travel with you? If so, what does that entail in terms of medicines, clothes, baggage?

If you would like someone to care for your loved one while you are gone, contact friends or a home care company. There are travel companion companies that provide assistance if you want to take your loved one on a cruise or extended trip.

7. How much? Obviously, activities, distance, time and cost usually go together, so what can you afford in terms of time and money? Remember, this is an investment in your health—in your sanity. Paying for home care can be a simple substitution of distance versus time and peace of mind. You may spend some of your get-away budget on home care and not go as far as you would like, but your worry factor is much lower, and you can relax.

Remember, you take care of you.

Collins is the producer of the video, “Care for the Caregiver,” winner of a National Caregiver Friendly Award from Today’s Caregiver Magazine. For more ways to deal with the craziness of caregiving, visit www.crazycaregiver.com . ©2017 Mike Collins

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Generations

by Carrie Frye & Michelle Goetzl Photography by Katherine Clark

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

Wilmington and Oak Island. When I cross the bridge over the Cape Fear River, I open the windows and take a deep breath. I instantly feel like I am home.

—Dawn, 53 Asheville. —Carolyn, 75

Where would you like to travel?

Washington, D.C. Love the history, museums and monuments. —Ben, 70 Anywhere and everywhere I can drive in a day.

—Imagene, 78

Any beach with family and friends.

I would take an airplane to California! —Caroline, 7 Germany, because I want to learn a different language and try different foods. —Lauryn, 9 I would go to Discovery Place to do cool stuff! —John David, 4

Pig island in the Bahamas, because you get to swim with pigs. —Asella, 11 I would go to Banana Town. —Bella, 5 I want to go back in time to see the story of Hamilton. —Evelyn, 6 Museum (of Natural Sciences). —Theo, 3 If I could go anywhere, I would go to Israel because I would like to learn more about my Jewish culture. —Judy, 10

—Lynn, 56 Florida. —Gail, 67 Middle Tennessee and the surrounding outer areas of Nashville. Beautiful woodlands! —Lee, 68 My favorite place is Bald Head Island. This barrier island gives me joy, peace and beauty.

—Maureen, 52 Blowing Rock. —Gloria, 70 Wilmington, Seagrove and the mountains. A friend and I had a wonderful time wandering around looking for waterfalls. —Paula, 69 I love the North Carolina mountains. —Deborah, 63

I would go to see Adele in concert in London.

That would be so cool. —Hannah, 7½ I would go to Paris, because I love French pastries and the landmarks there, like the Eiffel Tower. — Dixon, 9 Las Vegas, because it sounds really fun, and I like to be fashionable. —Emily, 6 Outer space to see the moon. —Hannah, 5 Canada. I’ve never been, but I think it would agree with me, and I could see the aurora borealis. —Joel, 7 Fiji, with those huts out in the really pretty water. —Garrett, 10

The beach. —Richard, 92 Anywhere in North Carolina, especially Montreat and Beaufort. —Ann, 88

The Island of Sodor, where Thomas the Tank Engine lives. —Tripp, 6

The sun porch for bird watching and cat naps.

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—OutreachNC Co-editor Jeeves, 4

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6/8 Monty Python and the Holy Grail sponsored by Chef Warren’s 6/15 Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory sponsored by The Ice Cream Parlor 6/22 High Noon

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sponsored by C. Cup Cupcakery

7/20 From Here to Eternity sponsored by Knickers 7/27 Pretty in Pink sponsored by Gussy Up 8/3 Smokey and the Bandit

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GET TICKETS! www.SunriseTheater.com 250 NW Broad Street, So. Pines EMAIL: information@SunriseTheater.com JUNE 2017 | OutreachNC.com sunrisetheater.com 910-692-3611 67

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