OutreachNC August 2015

CO M PLI M ENTARY

AUGUST 2015 | VOL. 6, ISSUE 8

Carolina Conversations with “A Chef’s Life” Vivian Howard & Mom, Scarlett Serving the Southern Piedmont, Sandhills & Triangle areas

| OUTREACHNC.COM AUGUST 2015 |

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features August 2015

16

Forgetfulness or Something Else?

Alzheimer’s Study Focuses on Vision

by Rachel Stewart

18

Stretch Arthritis Pain Away A look at treatment and excerise options

20

Better with Age Series 1930 Graham

by Carrie Frye

26

Landscaping Accessibility Planning ahead to ensure safest use of outdoor spaces while retaining beauty

by Jonathan Scott

6

36

Dog Days of Therapy Scully lends helping paws during speech, physical, occupational and recreational therapy sessions at WakeMed

by Amanda Thames

42

Reeling in Life’s Outdoor Adventures Fayetteville couple shares fish tales and enjoyment of nature travels

by Thad Mumau

50

Secrets of Uwharrie Pan for gold, hike, camp, fish and more as adventure awaits in Montgomery County

by Ray Linville

32

58

by Thad Mumau

by Carrie Frye

Back Yard Studio Makes Beautiful Music Meet Fayetteville musician Doyle Wood

OutreachNC.com | AUGUST 2015

Outdoors Issue

Carolina Conversations with PBS’ “A Chef ’s Life” Vivian Howard & Mom, Scarlett

Miss an issue?

Read it online

Don’t Wait to Feel Great!

If you suffer from joint stiffness and pain, Now may be the time for a joint replacement.

Our Co astal Issu e!

A Toast

Destina tion: Res tau

BELIEVE IN

to the C oast Bal

Wrights in Wilmington rants! ville & Car , olina Bea ches

Plus

, HING TO THAT S SOMET

d Hea Histori d Island cal tour of Old Bald y

SEAG

August 2013

ROV E CELE THE CHA BRAT ES 100 RLIE DAN IELS YEAR S | THE N.C. BAN D TOM COM ES TO SANF ATO MAN | Volume ORD 4,

Issue 8

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Today, one of the most effective treatments for severe knee or hip problems is joint replacement, and the doctors of Scotland Health Care’s Orthopedic Program are tops in the field. All of our orthopedic surgeons are board certified with 76 years combined experience.

Along with excellent physicians, Scotland offers an inpatient rehabilitation center, outpatient rehabilitation services, and Joint Camp – a program for pre-op joint replacement patients that improves the outcome of the procedure and increases overall satisfaction.

Scotland’s orthopedic physicians are affiliated with OrthoCarolina, a nationally recognized practice that’s been serving the Southeast since 1922.

Whether you are 28 years old or 80, if you enjoy an active lifestyle, let Scotland Health Care’s Orthopedic Program keep you going strong. The one statement we hear most often from our patients is “I should have done it sooner”.

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Be Social with To learn more about Scotland Health Care’s Orthopedic Program, call

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departments August 2015

“Like a welcome summer rain, humor may suddenly cleanse and cool the earth, the air and you.”

—Langston Hughes

14

22 advice & health

life

57

12

Ask the Expert

by Amy Natt

14

Literary Circle

by Cos Barnes

57

Cooking Simple

by Rhett Morris

24

Eye Health

by Dr. Arghavan Almony

15

Reading for Generations

by Michelle Goetzl

63

Sentimental Journey

by Jennifer Pollard

30

Brain Health

by Dr. Karen D. Sullivan

22

The Nonagenarian

by Glenn A. Flinchum

64

Resource Marketplace

41

Consumer Beware

by Roy Cooper

35

Belle Weather

by Celia Rivenbark

66

Generations

by Carrie Frye

COMPLIMENTARY

45

Fitness

by Jessica Matthews

46

Gentleman’s Notebook

by Ray Linville

48

Nutrition

by Christa D’Ostroph

49

Law Review

by Jackie Bedard

54

Grey Matter Sudoku, Word Search & Crossword Games

8 AUGUST 2015 | VOL. 6, ISSUE

Carolina Conversations with “A Chef’s Life” Vivian Howard & Mom, Scarlett Serving the Southern Piedmont, Sandhills

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OutreachNC.com | AUGUST 2015

& Triangle areas

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COVER PHOTOGRAPHY

BY DIANA MATTHEWS

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OutreachNC.com 9

from the editor

S

ummertime is in full swing. The warm sunshine and bursts of color against bright greens are all around, and it’s the perfect backdrop for our “Outdoors” issue.

I made a trip to the Uwharrie National Forest for a photo shoot to accompany the “Secrets of Uwharrie” feature this month. On a summer morning, the towering trees, lush greenery and blossoms against the Carolina blue sky along Badin Lake were breathtaking. It reminded me of the song, “I Saw God Today” by George Strait and the little reminder that all these natural beauties surround us every day and are simply there for us to open our eyes to and enjoy and savor if only for a moment or as long as the season lasts.

In “A Chef’s Life” on PBS, which chronicles the adventures of Chef Vivian Howard with an educational aspect of food from the farm to the table, Vivian makes the most of every season with what’s ripe and ready until the next fresh ingredient comes into its own. As a fan of the show, sitting down with Vivian and her mom, Scarlett Howard, for this month’s Carolina Conversations was another memory for me to savor. Vivian’s love for her North Carolina roots is evident in all she does, even making an heirloom tomato sandwich, which is one of my favorite tastes of summer, too.

Picking fresh vegetables from the garden, churning homemade ice cream and eating slices of watermelon were a few of the answers I collected for our “Generations” question of the month about favorite summertime memories. Capturing those moments in time like lightning bugs in a jar may seem fleeting, but they can last forever and be shared again as we continue to make new memories every summer.

Thanks for turning these pages with Jeeves the co-editor and me as he heads out to to soak up the sun, lie in the grass and do some birdwatching.

Until next month...

—Carrie Frye

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Editor in Chief Carrie Frye | carrief@OutreachNC.com Contributing Graphic Designers Nikki Lienhard Contributing Proofreaders Jennifer Kirby, Michelle Goetzl Contributing Photographers Diana Matthews, Kayla Spivey Contributing Writers Dr. Arghavan Almony, Cos Barnes, Jackie Bedard, Roy Cooper, Christa D’Ostroph, Glenn A. Flinchum, Michelle Goetzl, Ray Linville, Jessica Matthews Thad Mumau, Jennifer Pollard, Celia Rivenbark, Jonathan Scott, Rachel Stewart, Dr. Karen D. Sullivan, Amanda Thames

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

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

Meeting needs,

Changing lives.

915 Pee Dee Road | Aberdeen, NC 28315 www.KingswoodNursing.org | 910.944.8999 AUGUST 2015 |

OutreachNC.com 11

advice

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

Email us your questions!

ASK THE EXPERT

info@OutreachNC.com

Consider Needs Before Making a Move

by Amy Natt, MS, CMC, CSA

Should we stay, or should we go? My wife and I have been trying to decide if we should move to a retirement community. We have a beautiful home on the lake and would hate to leave it.

What do you think?

Moving is a very personal decision, and much of it has to do with what resources you have access to as you age. Those resources include family support, social networks, financial resources and other community support services that enable your needs to be met as they change or increase over the years.

Now is a great time to start planning and looking at your options. I would identify possible communities you would be interested in and schedule lunch or a tour of the property. Ask about the different levels of care provided and the payment options available. Some communities have a buy-in or community fee; others offer a month-to-month lease program. Keep in mind that you and your spouse may age differently. So ask what will happen if you end up having different needs and one of you needs increased support. If you have adult children who live in another area, would you consider moving closer to them? If yes, you should also gather information on those communities. Keep in mind that many communities may start with independent living, so moving in while you can enjoy all the amenities will give you a bigger bang for your buck.

If you decide that a retirement community is not for you and opt to stay at home, there’s still some homework to do. What services will be available to come into your home? These may include a care manager to assess needs, home care, private caregivers, assistance with mail and bills, help with medications, someone to help with the yard, housework, meals, transportation and eventually personal care. What will these cost you? Are there adaptations that need to be made to the home to increase safety? These may include 12

OutreachNC.com | AUGUST 2015

grab bars, alert system, ramp and other equipment. You will also want to think about social interaction. How will you continue to get social, physical and mental exercise to continue to function at your best?

As you can imagine, almost any service can be brought into the home, including physician and hospice services; however, you need to make sure that you know what these resources are and consider the cost.

Many of these expenses will be out-of-pocket and not covered by insurance. You will need to do some legal (power of attorney, living will, health care agent) and financial planning (estate, monthly budget and longterm projections) to ensure that the option you select is going to be a realistic option for you. Also consider a plan B. What if something happens to one of you? Does that change the plan? Do you have pets that need to be considered in the planning?

It is never too early to start planning. Be proactive so that you do not wait for a crisis to occur to start making these decisions. One of the best gifts you can give you family and loved ones is a plan for your future. Consider talking with an Aging Life Care™ Professional (www.AgingLife Care.org) in your area to get help addressing all of these questions, or contact us for a free planning guide by emailing info@AgingOutreachServices.com.

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

AUGUST 2015 |

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life

LITERARY CIRCLE

“All the Light We Cannot See” Book Review by Cos Barnes

I

n the first 28 pages of Anthony Doerr’s “All the Light We Cannot See,” I was sold.

He writes, “Six mornings a week he wakes her before dawn, and she holds her arms in the air while he dresses her.

Stockings, dress, sweater. If there’s time, he makes her knot her shoes herself. Then they drink a cup of coffee together in the kitchen: hot, strong, as much sugar as she wants.”

A caring father whose only daughter, Marie-Laure, has been blinded by cataracts at age 6, he constantly teaches her. Utilizing his innovation, he builds her a model of the city of Paris, a replica of all the roads Marie-Laure must pass daily. Her father is also a gifted locksmith and oversees all the locks at the National Museum of Natural History. He teaches his daughter to navigate by touch, then memory.

Another element of the story introduces Werner Pfennig and his sister, Jutta, who are orphaned by their father’s death in a coal mine and now reside in a home for such children in Germany.

“Sometimes he and Jutta draw. His sister sneaks up to Werner’s cot, and together, they lie on their stomachs and pass a single pencil back and forth. Jutta, though she is two years younger, is the gifted one.”

Werner, however, is a genius in technology who understands electrical circuits and builds a short wave radio. He is trained in all the mechanics of warfare, and eventually, he and Marie-Laure meet in St. Malo two months after D-Day. The plot adds many more characters and many more episodes of the hurt and anguish of war as well as an intriguing tale of the Sea of Flames diamond.

Barnes has been writing for OutreachNC since the first publication in 2010 and currently participates in three book clubs. She can be reached at info@outreachnc.com.

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life

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

Life Lessons with Betty Bunny

by Michelle Goetzl

P

arents and grandparents are told early and often how important reading aloud to a child can be.

It helps build stronger relationships between reader and child, gets them on a path of early learning, helps with basic speech skills, helps them learn how to express themselves better and to understand the world around them.

Children’s book authors manage to approach a wide variety of topics in truly approachable ways that keep children engaged while imparting important life lessons.

One author who has managed to do that is Michael D. Kaplan through the character of Betty Benny. Through a grouping of fun books with this character, Kaplan helps kids learn about patience, perseverance, practice, the value of money and honesty.

In his first book, “Betty Bunny Loves Chocolate Cake,” Betty tastes chocolate cake for the first time and can’t think of anything else. Her mother explains that “sometimes you can’t have what you want right away, so you need to wait. And that’s called patience.”

Preschoolers have an incredibly hard time with the concept of patience. Most of them also have a difficult time with the notion of eating healthy food before they can have special treats. After her initial melt-down, Betty tries really hard to wait for her cake, but after putting a piece of cake in her pocket to keep it close to her, she also has to learn that “putting a piece of cake in your pocket is not really the same as being patient.” Kids have a blast seeing her antics and quietly learn a few lessons.

In “Betty Bunny Wants Everything,” Kaplan hits on the concept that most preschoolers want everything in sight and don’t understand why they can’t and shouldn’t always get their way. When Betty and her siblings are given the

ability to purchase one small toy, Betty simply can’t limit herself. Her parents decide to teach her about the value of money and spending limits. As a preschooler, Betty may not fully comprehend the lesson, but the seed is planted.

Betty learns the important lesson about practice and perseverance in “Betty Bunny Wants a Goal.” Betty has joined a soccer team for the first time and assumes that she will just manage to score 10 goals in her first game. When it doesn’t happen, she wants to quit. Her parents make her keep trying, because “if you want to get good at something, you also have to practice.” It instills the value of working towards a goal and not giving up when something isn’t easy.

Finally, in “Betty Bunny Didn’t Do It,” Betty learns about honesty. When none of her siblings want to play with her, Betty plays by herself. Unfortunately, while playing she breaks a lamp and lies for the first time.

Betty’s siblings and mother jump in to help Betty see the importance of telling the truth “because when you lie, people stop believing you even when you do tell the truth.” In an interesting twist, she also learns that there are times when telling people something truthful can be hurtful, such as telling her father that he smells when he comes home after going to the gym. It imparts the lesson that honesty is the best policy—most of the time.

There are so many wonderful books to encourage and promote a love of reading with some great lessons.

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.

AUGUST 2015 |

OutreachNC.com 15

Forgetfulness or Something Else?

Alzheimer’s Study Focuses on Vision

E

by Rachel Stewart

veryone misplaces their car keys or can’t recall an acquaintance’s name from time to time. Some cognitive decline is to be expected as you age, but there are clear cut signs that could point to a more serious memory disorder, such as Alzheimer’s disease, which is a form of dementia.

Dementia can lead to major cognitive and behavioral changes in older adults. Those older than 65 have the highest risk for this type of memory disorder.

Short bouts of forgetfulness may be normal; however, you should talk to your doctor if you: • constantly have trouble locating an item; • have trouble holding a regular conversation or writing a note; • become less social or less interested in oncefavorite hobbies; or • begin missing multiple bill payments or have trouble sticking to a budget.

The sooner your doctor can assess you for a memory disorder, the quicker you can start treatment and slow the disease from progressing. Medication is a common form of treatment, but your doctor may have personalized recommendations based on your current health and lifestyle.

Protecting Your Gray Matter The brain is like any other muscle in the body—it needs exercise to stay in shape. Find new ways to maximize your brainpower every day, such as:

16 AUGUST OutreachNC.com 2015 | AUGUST 2015

• preparing a new recipe; • auditing a college class or taking a continuing education workshop; • making time for puzzles, like Sudoku or the crossword in the morning paper; • learning a new skill, such as a foreign language, taking dance lessons or going to a crafting class; or • listening to your favorite songs or a brand new style of music.

Regular exercise and eating a balanced diet can also ward off memory loss and keep you healthier. Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, walnuts, flaxseed, and some leafy green vegetables can also protect the brain. You could also benefit from omega-3 supplements on the market, but be sure to talk to your doctor before adding one to your daily regimen.

New Hope on the Horizon An ongoing study at Duke University is looking at Alzheimer’s with fresh eyes. While neurological testing is the go-to for memory disorders, Duke professionals developed a new type of technology to monitor changes in vision.

The medical professionals are using specialized software with optical coherence tomography to scan the retina of the eye. Duke doctors suggest that high levels of protein or thinning of the retina could be a sign of Alzheimer’s. Three groups of patients are currently involved in the study, with the final results being released within the next two years.

A caring, comprehensive and educational approach to memory concerns.

· Expert clinicians with first-rate diagnostic skills and outstanding bedside manner · Comprehensive testing, review of medical records · Personalized treatment recommendations that emphasize brain health, quality of life and independence · Community resources · Warm, inviting office and helpful, friendly staff

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MaryBeth Bailar, Psy.D. Clinical Neuropsychologist

Contact us to see how we can contribute to your care or that of a loved one.

Pinehurst neuroPsychology Memory Disorders Clinic

45 Aviemore Drive • Pinehurst, North Carolina

P 910.420.8041 • F 910.420.8071

www.PinehurstNeuropsychology.com AUGUST 2015 |

OutreachNC.com 17

I

Stretch Arthritis Pain Away

t may seem counterintuitive that exercise can ease the pain of arthritis, which is most painful when moving, but a whole host of experts are jumping on the exercise bandwagon, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In fact, exercise may be the most effective form of pain control outside of drugs. While encompassing different forms, arthritis is basically inflammation of a joint.

With osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, the cartilage around the joint wears out and causes the bones in the joint to rub against each other, creating inflammation and pain.

According to the CDC in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR Weekly) from May 1, 2009, 50 percent of adults age 65 or older reported receiving an arthritis diagnosis. Symptoms include joint pain, stiffness, swelling and aching. Not just striking seniors, arthritis is a serious chronic condition affecting 50 million adults in the U.S. and is the nation’s most common cause of disability.

Other Treatment Options In “Osteoarthritis Research - What’s Being Done?” by Carol Eustice, she shares that while no treatment can cure osteoarthritis, a wide array of treatment options may offer some relief: topical pain relievers, taping and bracing the affected areas, oral medication and surgery in extreme cases. Alternative care includes acupuncture and glucosamine, although both regimens have not proved as effective as once hoped. Vitamin D is another option, but the vote is still out on whether this vitamin can lessen the symptoms or the progression of the disease.

Research has shown that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, while low in meats and milk products, can help reduce inflammation and pain in your joints.

Other recommended treatments are reducing stress and losing weight. In fact, a recent article in Arthritis Today states excess body weight is a risk factor for the both the development and progression of osteoarthritis.

“For every pound of body weight you gain, your knees gain three pounds of added stress; for hips, each pound translates into six times the pressure on the joints. After

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many years of carrying extra pounds, the cartilage that cushions the joints tends to break down more quickly than usual.”

Focusing on Exercise According to Arthritis Today, in the past, healthcare providers told arthritis sufferers to rest rather than exercise. But today, researchers are finding that movement can actually improve physical functioning in arthritis patients, while alleviating depression and contributing to weight loss. Basically, three kinds of exercises have been found helpful for people with arthritis: range of motion, also called flexibility exercises; endurance or aerobic; and strengthening. Each one plays a role in maintaining and improving your ability to move and function:

• Range of Motion/Flexibility: This is the ability to move your joints through the full motion they were designed for and thus relieve the stiffness that leads to pain. With osteoarthritis, pain and stiffness make it difficult to move certain joints outside of a small range, which can make even simple tasks challenging.

Range-of-motion exercises include gentle stretching and movements that take joints through their full span. Doing these exercises regularly—ideally every day—can help maintain and even improve joint flexibility.

• Aerobic/Endurance: Aerobic doesn’t mean jogging 10 miles but is any exercise that strengthens your heart and makes your lungs more efficient. This conditioning can also give you more stamina throughout the day and help control your weight by increasing the amount of calories your body uses. Water aerobics, cycling and walking are all suitable cardiovascular exercises you can do over age 60. Do aerobic activities at least three times a week for 30 to 60 minutes.

• Strengthening: These exercises help maintain and improve your muscle strength. Not only does arthritis take a toll on muscles, but aging also depletes muscle mass. As a result, strength training is needed to build and maintain muscle.

In particular, resistance training can help reverse aging, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Use exercise bands, in place of weights, for your resistance training. Other strengthening exercises to include in your routine include dumbbells or weight machines. You can use your own body weight in exercises such as wall squats and pushups against a wall.

Before starting any exercise regimen, it is important to check with your primary care provider to make sure that you are otherwise healthy enough to engage in the type of exercise you are planning.

In the meantime, science is studying other options for treating arthritis, including early detection and diagnosis, as well as genetic factors; and material that promotes the growth of new cartilage. But until new treatments come along, it’s good to know that there are things you can do on your own to alleviate the symptoms.

Source: Society of Certified Senior Advisors

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OutreachNC.com | AUGUST 2015

BETTER WITH AGE SERIES

by Carrie Frye | Photography by Diana Matthews

1930 Graham

J

im and Joan Annis of Pinehurst are the proud owners of this 1930 Graham.

This automobile is a “survivor” in classic car terms. It is unrestored and has been in the Annis family since Jim’s grandfather, James Annis, purchased it brand new in Illinois.

“It’s an original preservation class,” Jim says.

Graham-Paige automobiles, manufactured by the Graham Brothers—Joseph, Robert and Ray— in Indiana in 1927 were powered by Dodge engines.

According to Automobile Quarterly, the new line of five Graham-Paige cars made its debut in January 1928 at the New York Automobile Show, ranging in price from $860 to $2,485. All of the models featured engines with an L-head design and aluminum pistons along with graceful, flowing lines.

The couple calls this classic’s color tobacco brown in honor of its North Carolina residence.

“My favorite thing about our Graham is that it has been in Jim’s family all these years,” Joan says, “and I do love its wooden spokes.”

AUGUST 2015 |

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life

THE NONAGENARIAN

My Souvenirs

by Glenn A. Flinchum

R

ecently, I have been giving some serious thought to changing my living arrangements. Having passed the 90 mark in age, and still living alone in my own home, common sense tells me I might be better off in a nice retirement home, free of the cares of home maintenance.

In considering a move such as this, the first question that comes to mind is, what’ll I do with all my stuff?

By “stuff ” I don’t mean large items such as furniture, silver, china, etc. Anything of significant monetary value can always find a home somewhere. But what about that large assortment of bric-a-brac that has accumulated over the years, which has little or no monetary value? Perhaps a yard sale would do the trick; or I could just toss it all in a bag and drop it off at Goodwill. First, I need to take an inventory, to list everything that needs to go.

Hanging on my bedroom wall is a landscape painting given to me many years ago by a friend who was taking art lessons at the time. A Rembrandt, it’s not; however, she was giving it her best shot. Wouldn’t be respectful to just toss it away.

In my living room, a clock has been sitting on my mantelpiece for many years. It was given to me by my fellow employees when I retired over 25 years ago. So what if it no longer works? It’s the thought that counts.

Looking over to my bookcase, I see a small basket on the top shelf. Not very impressive, but it has a history. It was made by my great-grandmother, who spent the latter years of her life practicing this almost lost craft, carefully trimming and weaving thin strips of ash wood around a frame. She made several sizes, but the small ones were given to her granddaughters to hold their jewelry. This is a family heirloom. Can’t let that go.

Sitting next to the basket is a pair of wooden shoes.

That’s right, real, genuine wooden shoes. It was the spring of 1945, when our troops were moving rapidly across northern Germany. We frequently spent the night in houses along the way, since most of the civilians had

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fled ahead of us. The German women wore wooden shoes for working in their gardens, then left them on the back door stoop when they went inside. I don’t know what made me do it (the devil maybe?), but I picked up those shoes and stuck them in my pack. Believe it or not, they followed me all the way back home. I’m not ready to discard them yet.

Moving on to my den, there is an old Indian hex sign hanging on the wall above my computer. I picked it up many years ago in New Mexico. The lady who sold it to me assured me it would keep the evil spirits away. My computer hasn’t crashed lately. No need to take a chance.

Looking into my closet, I see a variety of things that could be discarded, such as old caps, gadgets that don’t work, and what’s this? A small, olive green cloth bag, used in the military for holding toiletries. Who in his right mind would hang on to an old cloth bag for nearly 70 years? I would, that’s who. It was given to me by a Red Cross lady, along with a container of milk, when I de-boarded a troopship at New York in 1946. I still remember the smile on that Red Cross lady’s face as she handed me the bag and said, “Welcome home, soldier!”

The bag stays with me.

By now, it’s become obvious that I’m not very good when it comes to the business of disposing of things.

Therefore, I’ll most likely continue to sit here, “among my souvenirs” and let someone else have the task of disposing of them. Someone who hasn’t a clue as to why I’ve held on to so much useless junk for all the years.

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

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health

E Y E H E A LT H

Diabetes and Your Eyes

by Arghavan Almony, MD

D

iabetic retinopathy is an eye problem caused by diabetes mellitus. It affects the retina, which is the light-sensitive tissue in the back of the eye. Retinopathy occurs when diabetes damages the tiny blood vessels in the retina. This damage can lead to problems with vision, including blindness. It is possible to prevent severe vision problems by: • keeping diabetes and blood pressure under control; • scheduling regular eye exams; and • receiving early treatment for retinopathy.

High blood sugar levels damage small blood vessels. The weakened blood vessels may break and leak fluid and blood. Also, new abnormal blood vessels may grow. These new blood vessels can bleed, cause cloudy vision and destroy the retina. The longer someone has had diabetes, especially if blood sugar has been poorly controlled, the greater the likelihood of developing retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy begins before any symptoms are present. As the problem gets worse, blurred vision, floaters (black spots or cobweb-like shapes), and temporary or permanent blindness may occur.

Your eye doctor will examine your eyes using an ophthalmoscope (an instrument for seeing inside the eye). Several pictures may also be taken at the time of the examination to determine the severity of the diabetic retinopathy.

Early treatment before the retina has been badly damaged is the most successful way to reduce vision loss from this disease. Your eye surgeon may use a laser or injection of medicine into the

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OutreachNC.com | AUGUST 2015

eye to seal leaking blood vessels. The surgeon may also use a laser to destroy abnormal blood vessels. If you have had bleeding into the clear gel (vitreous) that fills the inside of the eye, the eye surgeon may do surgery to remove the gel in a procedure, which is called a vitrectomy.

To help prevent diabetic retinopathy, work closely with your medical doctor to control your blood sugar and blood pressure. Stop smoking, as smoking may speed up the development of retinopathy. Finally, follow a diet and health care plan for your diabetes so you have fewer complications. Call your doctor right away if you start seeing dark spots, floaters, light flashes or your vision is blocked, blurred or distorted.

Dr. Almony, a diabetic eye, retina and vitreous specialist at Carolina Eye Associates, can be reached at 910-295-2100 or visit www.carolinaeye.com.

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A

by Jonathan Scott | Photography by Diana Matthews

lthough these two women, Sara Chase, 85, (top left) of Whispering Pines and Anne Tate, 68, (top right) live in different cities, they share a philosophy and determination to live the rest of their lives in the houses they love.

“The only way I want to leave this house,” Sarah and Anne both say, using the identical figure of speech, “is feet first.”

This idea is gaining popularity at an accelerating pace; however, in reality, it requires more than just a clever line. For one to remain in his or her home throughout all the unknown changes that are a part of aging, it takes a planning. That’s especially true for a person who loves the outdoors.

Sarah and her husband, Phil, live on a picturesque lake. They had already hired Vince Zucchino, a landscape architect in Southern Pines, to make the most of their lot when Phil broke his hip. His rehabilitation was going to require the use of a wheelchair and, later, a cane.

The Chases were confronted with accessibility issues with their lovely sloping lot. The couple discussed the future of their outdoor space with Zucchino.

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OutreachNC.com | AUGUST 2015

“I decided to bring up the level of the driveway to meet the porch,” Zucchino says. “Then, we rebuilt the porch in stone so it would slope from the front door to the driveway. It falls so gradually that you might not even notice it.”

The new work eliminated both the steps from the drive to the porch, and from the porch to the door. Difficult territory for someone in a wheelchair is now easy rolling.

For the side of the house that leads down to the lake, a soft covering of pine straw may look well landscaped, but it can be a slippery disaster waiting to happen for someone with mobility issues.

Zucchino installed a series of wider—5 feet by 4 feet—steps that wind down to the water. Each step has a decorative post to provide hand support.

“Suddenly,” says Sarah, “we could walk all the way around the house.”

Phil hardly requires a wheelchair anymore and hopes to be fully recovered. As his rehabilitation continues, the couple’s yard is no longer full of barriers.

CONTINUED PAGE 28

AUGUST 2015 |

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27

In Raleigh, Anne and Jack Tate met Lewis Sadler, a certified aging in place specialist and builder at a home show in 2010. When Anne resolved to stay in her home for the rest of her life, the couple hired Sadler to completely remodel their house. Although the Tates currently have no mobility issues, their house is ready for whatever the aging process may present them.

Jack’s father, who is confined to a wheelchair, test drives all the accessibility features whenever he comes to visit the Tates.

“One of the things you have to think about,” says Sadler, “is how a handicapped person can get out of a house in case of fire.”

Jack’s father can enter or exit the house through the garage, through the front door or the back. There isn’t a step involved anywhere.

“I’ve had builders tell me that, ‘You have to have steps into a house, and it’s code,” Sadler adds, grinning. “I say

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OutreachNC.com | AUGUST 2015

to them, ‘Show me where it’s in the code book.’ The truth is, it’s not there.”

Sadler thinks through all aspects of universal design and accessibility that would never occur to most people.

“We built up dirt to Anne and Jack’s front door,” he says, “and planted flowers to hide the step-less entry.

The goal is to make it look like it’s not been built for accessibility.”

Anne and Jack also have steps leading to their back yard, but they prefer using the wide ramp that Sadler built. Anne enjoys gardening in pots on her deck, which is accessible from her house. The flourishing tomatoes and herbs she grows don’t seem to mind at all being on the same level as the floor of the house.

Sadler is now working on a project for another couple who values gardening too much to give it up. He is designing a landscaping plan with paths wide enough for a wheelchair and raised planting beds at arm level.

“They’ve accepted the fact,” Sadler says of the homeowners, “that they’re not going to get any younger and are making adjustments that focus on quality of life.”

That may sound like a bitter truth to some, but for others it’s a call to action, to do the things they can to keep life enjoyable, both inside and out.

Creating Accessible Outdoor Areas Mike Ballard of North Somerset, England, a specialist in landscape designs for people with mobility issues, offers the following four important tips for creating accessible outdoor areas: 1. Create paths wide enough to accommmodate a wheelchair. They should be a minimum of 3 feet wide (or 4 feet for wheelchair with another person walking side by side) with a circle large enough in which to turn around.

2. Paths should be composed of non-slip material.

Gravel isn’t good for wheelchairs, walkers or walking sticks. Concrete and tarmac are the best

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Make sure that if you use flagstones they are laid with a slight slope for water runoff.

3. Your garden path should rise or fall no more than 1 foot for every 15 feet of length. Handrails are needed for slopes. Corners should be gradual.

4. Use pathway lighting and lights around raised beds. If you are fond of wildlife watching, lights can make spotting your visitors easier at night.

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health

B R A I N H E A LT H

Maximizing Coping As We Age

by Karen D. Sullivan, Ph.D., ABPP

S

tressful life events occur in all of our lives from time to time. Research suggests that older adults can experience prolonged stress due to a higher incidence of events that are beyond one’s control including chronic illness, reduced mobility, caregiving demands and the passing of friends and family. The impact of such life events on physical and mental health can be significant and include depression and cardiovascular disease. Reducing the effect of stress on our well-being requires us to address problems as they arise and identify resources that enhance coping. The frustration, hopelessness and feelings of being overwhelmed that often accompany chronic stress can make it feel impossible to address stressful issues or even know where to begin.

The first step is to identify that a problem exists. Pay attention to your body and thoughts. Internal cues such as muscle tension, headaches, shallow breathing, sleeplessness and tightness in the chest nudge us to recognize an unresolved problems needs attention.

Feeling worried more often than you are calm and confident is a cue that a problem exists. If you decide that your stress level is too high, consider the following steps: 1. Make a list of all the issues that have consumed the majority of your physical and mental energy in past past week.

Order the items on the list according to the amount of worry they have caused and how much time you spend thinking about them. Commit to thinking through each issue one at a time so you don’t feel overwhelmed. Identify the coping skills you have been using to date and decide to make some improvements. Coping skills are tools, activities and strategies for reducing stress and can be healthy (exercise, reading, prayer, and spending time with family and friends) or unhealthy (drinking alcohol, smoking, overeating, withdrawing or denying there is a problem).

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OutreachNC.com | AUGUST 2015

2. Increase healthy coping by adding new or improved resources to your problem solving “toolbox.” Internal resources include learning to say “no” when you feel pressured to do something you’d rather not, seeing the lighter side of a situation, not focusing on the worst that could happen and fostering hope that things can change for the better. External resources include asking for help or support from family, friends and community support such as your church or senior center.

3. Express yourself. Interpersonal conflicts and poor communication are two of the biggest sources of stress. Being unable to express your needs, concerns or frustrations worsens a stressful situation and can be toxic to relationships.

Improving your assertiveness skills, i.e., standing up for your point of view while also respecting the rights and beliefs of the other person, can go a long way in reducing stress. The keys to assertive communication are using “I” statements to express your feelings without blaming others, using a relaxed and genuine tone and having a willingness to find solutions to the problem.

If you continue to feel a high level of stress, reach out to a psychologist or other licensed mental health professional who can help you learn how to manage stress more effectively, identify situations that contribute to chronic stress and develop a plan for taking control and achieving the inner peace we all deserve.

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

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OutreachNC.com 31

Back Yard Studio Makes Beautiful Music

by Thad Mumau | Photography by Diana Matthews

32

OutreachNC.com | AUGUST 2015

D

oyle Wood and his career are like something out of a Southern novel. It takes place in a wonderland of sorts, tucked under a canopy of pines and oaks that offers a shady respite from sweltering summers in Fayetteville. Sitting on what amounts to a private little mountain is the house where Doyle and his wife, Judy, raised their two sons. Right next door is Daxwood Productions.

Daxwood is the recording studio where Wood makes music with a heartbeat.

“Makes” is the operative word because this gentleman creates in several ways—he is a prolific song writer, an accomplished guitarist, a singer with a voice on loan from heaven and a producer who turns tunes into events.

His mixing and mastering provide the finishing touch for all kinds of music.

“A large percentage of our clientele is gospel,” he says, “and we do some beach music and lots of other stuff. The 82nd Airborne Chorus and 82nd Airborne Band have recorded here. So have the McDonald Sisters, who are very popular around these parts and in Europe.”

Wood’s story began in the mountains of North Carolina, where his parents made the Lord and music strong priorities for Doyle and his older twin sisters.

That foundation is the benchmark of a soon-to-be-released song that is extremely moving and meaningful.

“This Old Guitar” is about a father who passes his beloved 1948 Gibson as well as his unwavering faith along to his son. As the song concludes, that son has passed the same things on to his own son.

Words cannot do justice to the the feelings of love and respect that come pouring through Wood’s lyrics, vocals and excellent guitar work. It is a piece that evokes tears and joy at the same time. Enhancing the emotional experience are contributions

by Wood’s sons, Colin and Josh, and his sisters, Margaret and Martha.

“I learned to play on that old guitar,” Wood says. “Dad showed me a few chords when I was 11 or 12. My sisters and I formed the Wood Trio, and I sang the highest notes until my voice changed. My dad and mother sang and played at church, him on the guitar and her on the mandolin.”

Vernon Wood was a pentecostal preacher and also the lead singer for a bluegrass group called the Blue River Boys. He hoped his son would follow him into the pulpit.

“I was never called to the ministry,” Doyle says. “I guess I was just called to the music.”

The family moved near Charlotte and then to Fayetteville, where Wood attended high school and met his wife.

He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke with a degree in education (grades 4-9) and a concentration in music.

CONTINUED PAGE 34

AUGUST 2015 |

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33

When telling about being in bands in high school and college, Wood laughs and says, “We thought we were the Beatles.

Milton Smith (famed pianist) and I played together back then, and we still do that sometimes.”

One of those groups, Autumn, helped Doyle pay his way through college, opening for the Tams, Drifters and other popular beach acts. Another band, Carolyna, helped him chase a dream.

“I’d write songs,” Wood recalls, “and we would try to pitch them to Nashville. We went back and forth, looking for that break, hoping someone would give us a chance.

Let me tell you, that was tough.

“We did get to do four sides with Paul Worley (noted producer of Lady Antebellum, Big and Rich, and more), and that was a real privilege.

But we never made it onto a label.

We didn’t get that big record deal.”

After teaching five years in junior and senior high schools, Wood and some friends decided they would record their songs themselves rather than finding someone else to do it. They opened a studio on McPherson Church Road in the early 1980s.

“I had ideas of my own,” he says, “and so I sold my share of the business and eventually opened my own studio right here.

I have always been a writer, and I knew the sound I was looking for.

I think we found it.

“I have been very pleased with what we have done at Daxwood.

We put out a quality product.”

Being an outstanding producer requires a talented musician who 34

OutreachNC.com | AUGUST 2015

knows what is needed to take a good song and make it great.

Wood’s talent is immediately evident to anyone hearing him play and sing. His patience and humble nature allow him to bring out the best in every song and musician.

“I’m proud of what we have done, what we are doing,” he says. “And we keep learning. In addition to the recording, we have a publishing business with over 1,000 songs in our catalog. I have done some editing for the language department of the United States government.

We record commercials for a lot of the web advertisers.”

There have been changes over the years. For the better, to be sure.

“Technology has made my job easier and the end result more polished. The Internet has expanded my business greatly.

Digital editing saves a lot of takes, and that means a lot of time. I mix and master and take that final mix and make it sound radio-ready.

“We just keep doing it. I feel very lucky to do what I do and to be able to do it here where my home is.”

On the horizon for Wood is an album containing “This Old Guitar” and a slew of other songs he has written, most in the ‘80s and ‘90s. A solo project, it “is more for posterity than anything else,” he says. “It’s kind of a review.”

Looking back at more than 27 years of Daxwood Productions, he shakes his head, almost in wonder.

“I wanted this to be a career.

Landing here has been a blessing, and I am thankful for so many blessings, really. ‘Making it’ means being happy. So I suppose you could say I have made it. Because I sure am happy. I love what I do.”

life

B E L L E W E AT H E R

Empty Nest Produces Full Helping of Commiseration

N

by Celia Rivenbark

ow that the Princess has officially graduated and will soon be off to college, Duh Hubby and I have been inundated with helpful advice from friends who have already coped with a suddenly empty nest.

They have bravely gone before us and forged a path rather like a trail scout on the wagon trains of the old west, except without all the smallpox.

“This will be the best time of your lives,” said one, winking and playfully squeezing her husband’s thigh like they were in a Cialis commercial. Did he wince?

“You will be sad for a month or so and then you just adjust and thrive,” said another, who has coped with her own empty nest with a combination of tai chi, organic vegetable gardening, plein air painting and, God love her, macrame.

“Initially, I needed a fairly high dose of prescription narcotics to deal with the depression that set in,” said another, the one that I love the best, perhaps.

When the Princess announced plans for a two-week trip to Ecuador exactly two days after graduation, I figured this would be a good trial run.

“Ecuador?” I said, as she fanned out the student travel brochures a few months ago.

“Well, we start off in the Galapagos,” she chirped.

The Galapagos? As in the bucket list topper for just about everybody I know?

“Wow,” I said. “Things sure have changed. Our senior trip was to Raleigh.”

She looked puzzled.

“The state capital?” I reminded her.

“What did you do there?” she asked, simultaneously putting earbuds in place.

Hmmph. So here we are midway through this grand empty nest experiment, and I’m deep into macrame AND prescription drugs. Kidding! I suck at tying decorative knots.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of our empty nest clinical trial as I like to call it (“If you or someone you know is over 50, slightly overweight and facing the leave-taking of a younger, fitter member of your household, you may be eligible...”) has been that Duh Hubby is faring worse than I am.

“She has gone away, and she is never coming back,” he moped last night over another take-out burger.

“Put a pin in it,” I said rather unsympathetically. “She’ll only be two and a half hours away. Pass the mustard.”

While I will certainly miss the Princess, I have to admit the pressure is off in some ways. I no longer feel compelled to cook “a zesty and nutritious meal” every night as memorably described by Annette Bening to her unappreciative family in the unrelentingly dark “American Beauty.”

Without teens tumbling in, I can finally stop buying jalapeno Cheetos and that nasty Nutella so loved by them all.

Duh’s plaintive “What’s for supper?” has been met mostly by me doubled over laughing at the notion that I’m going to cook a full meal for two people. He so crazy.

It’s weird, but we’ll be OK. She’ll be home in six days, 4 hours and 39 minutes. Now where did I put that kitchen?

Rivenbark is the author of seven humor collections. Visit her website at www.celiarivenbark.com.

AUGUST 2015 |

OutreachNC.com 35

Dog

of

Days

Therapy

by Amanda Thames | Photography by Diana Matthews

Dunconditional love. During any bout of melancholy, pets make throwing a ball

og owners know how comforting pets can be, greeting them with enthusiasm and

therapeutic, and it’s the same for someone during the recovery or rehabilitation process.

Whether someone has suffered a stroke, been in a car accident or is recovering from surgery, some form of therapy is usually involved. The most beneficial therapy may be the kind that involves more play than work.

Elizabeth Penny, a Certified Recreation Therapist at WakeMed Health and Hospitals in Raleigh, uses this play-over-work approach with her therapy dog, Scully.

Penny adopted Scully—a black labrador/golden retriever mix—seven years ago to help her patients recover. Scully graduated from Canine Companions for Independence (CCI), a program that trains dogs to function in human service roles, including bomb searching, border patrol, customs and therapy and guide dogs. In 40 years, CCI has placed nearly 5,000 graduate teams together.

At 16 months of age, CCI dogs begin nine months of intense work, including temperament exercises, extensive medical testing and training with wheelchairs, walkers, and stressful situations at public places such as grocery stores and shopping malls.

CONTNUED PAGE 38

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AUGUST 2015 |

OutreachNC.com 37

CONTNUED FROM PAGE 36

“It’s a rigorous course meant to challenge the dogs and ensure they don’t chase lizards or have a disposition unfit for therapy,” Penny says.

“In fact, only one-third of the dogs graduate and become therapy dogs.”

In August 2006, WakeMed began the application process with CCI, and in February 2008, Penny spent two weeks training in Orlando, Florida, before bringing Scully home to North Carolina.

“On the third day, CCI matches you with the dog that best fits your needs,” she says.

For Penny, and for WakeMed, that special canine companion was Scully. Now, Scully lives at home with Penny and her family and sleeps with Penny’s daughter every night. Scully is also quite a healthy consumer of vegetables and fruits, enjoying whole apples by taking a bite at a time before turning the fruit with his paws to find a patch of untouched skin.

“If there’s food, he’s going to be near you,” Penny says, laughing.

Scully works alongside Penny at WakeMed every day for three hours before giving her an “I-need-a-nap look.” He spends most of his day resting, as most dogs do, but when he’s not sleeping, Scully is being pampered.

There are four types of therapy Scully, and other therapy dogs, are trained: physical, occupational, speech and recreational.

“Physical therapy typically works on mobility with the whole body, but it’s more about walking, balance, coordination and strengthening,” Penny says.

Penny has her patients walk Scully, play fetch with him or groom him to work on standing, balance and endurance. She may also have patients sit on a mat with Scully at a distance to work on reaching forward, sitting for a period of time and core strengthening. This type of therapy is helpful to many, specifically patients who have suffered a stroke or spinal injury.

Occupational therapy focuses on daily living, 38

OutreachNC.com | AUGUST 2015

cognition, upper body strength and fine motor skills, activities especially beneficial to stroke patients.

“Patients work on grooming and using different mitts and brushes,” Penny says. “Sometimes, they just rub Scully and get their fingers working, doing different motions, pulling forward and backward, strengthening their shoulders and building support.”

While physical and occupational therapies focus on the physical elements for the most part, speech therapy works in a different way. For a patient with difficulty understanding information or communicating verbally, Penny provides them cards with commands for Scully on one side and photos of the command on the other.

“Scully mirrors the energy of the patient,” Penny says.

“He gives what he gets, so if a patient isn’t authoritative in their commands, Scully might choose not to follow it.”

If a treat is out, and the patient isn’t firm enough in making him wait, Scully may eat it anyway. This training provides Penny the chance to ask her patients why they think Scully didn’t listen, and they’re able to improve from there.

Improvement is the ultimate goal for Penny and Scully, specifically with recreational therapy, which focuses on social situations. Penny often takes her patients and Scully for walks and shows them the benefits of a service dog in the context of everyday life, such as a trip to the WakeMed Gift Shop. Scully is given commands to obtain certain items and return them.

Simple tasks that may prove difficult for the patient can be made easier by having their canine companion along.

Scully, too, changes patients’ perception of therapy.

“A lot of patients don’t feel they’re having therapy when they work with Scully,” Penny explains. “They’ll say, ‘I’ll work with the dog, but I won’t go to therapy.’

Scully’s non-threatening, and dogs don’t judge you.”

Scully has even inspired some of Penny’s patients after receiving therapy to become dog owners.

“Dogs help their owners feel safer at home,” says Penny, citing patients who have fallen or injured themselves at home alone with dogs who never left their side.

CONTNUED PAGE 40

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CONTNUED FROM PAGE 38

Pixie Justice, one of Penny’s patients, knows the benefits of having a dog. She started working with Scully in therapy about four years ago and enjoyed it so much that she had her own dog, a six-pound Toy Fox Terrier named Kira, certified through the AKC Canine Good Citizen program.

Justice suffers from myasthenia gravis (MG), a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease similar to multiple sclerosis that causes weakness in the skeletal muscles of the body. Justice accepts her diagnosis with a positive attitude, keeping her muscles active, especially those ones in her toythrowing arm.

When Justice experiences a flare-up with her MG, she’s typically admitted into the hospital and undergoes rehabiliatation. Now that Justice has had her own dog, Kira, certified, she is allowed to stay with her at the hospital, benefiting Justice and other patients.

Justice’s rehabilitation regimen, both occupational and physical, continues at WakeMed, and 30 minutes of it is spent with Scully.

“Scully and I bonded immediately, the first time we met,” Justice says.

During a therapy session, Justice grooms Scully while standing, which works on her balance and fine motor skills.

For her, there is no other exercise she could do that equals the joy she feels when she works with Scully. Her arms, hands and legs get tired from grooming him, but his eyes full of love are as rewarding as the benefit to her muscles.

At home, Justice’s dog, Kira, picks up where Scully leaves off.

Every morning, Kira jumps onto Justice’s bed for a massage.

Being a terrier, Kira has plenty of energy, and once the massage is done, she keeps Justice’s hands moving by bringing her a ball to throw. The therapy continues, but neither Justice nor Kira views it as anything other than playtime.

“There’s a healing,” Justice says, “that takes place between you and these animals that’s indescribable.”

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Interested in therapy dog certification?

Teamworks Dog Training’s Dog Therapy Class with Christie Canfield can help. The class certifies dogs through Canines for Service, and their dogs are typically older and more calm. In fact, the class is more for the owners than the dogs.

“It’s very much handler-oriented because the dogs are usually already well-trained,” Canfield says.

Specifically, this class teaches dog owners what situations their dogs need to be ready for—situations in which the owner should be able to handle their dog. This includes the noises generally found in nursing homes and hospitals along with items a dog cannot pick up or touch when in these facilities.

Even so, throughout the class Canfield watches the dogs to read their body language and determine if any of them are unfit to be therapy dogs. According to Canfield, the qualifications for a good candidate include being well mannered, obediently walking on a leash, listening to owners’ commands as well as not jumping up or on people or picking up unknown items off the floor. Perhaps most importantly, therapy dog candidates should seek out human affection and enjoy the company of people.

For anyone interested who meets the qualifications, Canfield encourages signing up.

“I love teaching the class,” Canfield says. “It’s so much fun playing and working with the dogs.”

Prior to registering, the dogs must have passed the AKC Canine Good Citizens program, which is available to all dogs, not just purebreds. This program determines the standards for polite behavior. For more information, visit www.teamworksdogtraining.org.

After certification, many of the dogs visit assisted living communities, nursing homes and hospitals. The dogs may also perform for entertainment purposes.

advice

C O N S U M E R B E WA R E

Avoid Home Repairs That Could Leave You in Ruins

by N.C. Attorney General Roy Cooper

S

ummer is a peak time for home repairs and renovations. Unfortunately this is also when homeowners are most likely to fall victim to home repair scams. To avoid home repair scams, remember: Just Say No If someone knocks offering to repave your driveway with leftover asphalt, repair a chimney they claim is about to fall down, or fix some other problem they say they’ve observed, just say no. Be highly skeptical of anyone who makes an unsolicited offer.

Do Your Homework Get recommendations from friends or family members.

Websites that allow homeowners to post reviews can also be helpful, but remember that glowing reviews are often posted by the scammers themselves. Sites that only allow paid members to post are more reliable, but even these should be used with recommendations from other sources.

Get Estimates, Then Compare Spoken agreements are usually worthless. Once you’ve narrowed your list of potential candidates to hire, ask them to submit written offers. It’s best to get three written offers to review, and then make your choice.

Check References Check their references. If possible, see some of their completed work. Get the name of their insurance carrier and contact the company to ensure their policy is current.

Get It In Writing Your written contract should include in clear language the work to be done, when the job starts and approximately how long it will take. The contract should also state the total cost of the job, the quality of the materials to be used, and who is responsible for cleaning up when the job is done.

Know Your Rights After a salesman drives away with a signed contract, consumers sometimes have second thoughts. Under North Carolina law, you get three business days to cancel any contract that is signed in your home. The three-day period begins the day you sign, and the salesman is required to inform you of this right.

Don’t Pay Upfront After you’ve signed a contract you may have to make a reasonable down payment, but never pay for the whole job in advance. See if you can make payments as phases of the job are completed. Don’t make the final payment until you are satisfied with the work.

For more consumer tips, visit www.ncdoj.gov or call the Consumer Protection Division at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM.

YOUR ONE STOP LOCAL NEWS SOURCE

FOR MOORE COUNTY.

www.AberdeenTimes.com AUGUST 2015 |

OutreachNC.com 41

life

GAME ON!

Reeling in Life’s Outdoor Adventures

by Thad Mumau | Photography by Diana Matthews & Courtesy of Keith & Jeanette Gallaher

K

eith and Jeanette Gallaher of Fayetteville have found a terrific way to strengthen their marriage while adding adventure to their individual lives.

They travel all over the country, fly-fishing and spending time viewing the spectacular wonders of nature instead of a television screen. They watch honestto-goodness reality shows that include waterfalls, wild animals and colorful skies.

“The fishing or the hunting gets me out of bed,” he says, “earlier than I might usually get up. But you hear a turkey gobble or watch a hawk fly over, and it’s great to be out there. There was this one time, I had a great day hunting turkeys, and I never fired a gun.”

“The fishing is fun,” she says, “but it’s not just the fishing that is so enjoyable. When you go out early, you see the sunrise, hear the birds and watch the fog rising off the water. It is magnificent.”

The Gallahers have fly-fished for sharks in the Pacific, rafted for 12 days and 187 miles through the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River and rented a houseboat for a week on the Rideau Canal (connecting the cities of Ottawa and Kingston) in Ontario, Canada.

Keith, a neonatal doctor, grew up near Philadelphia and became acquainted with hunting and fishing at an early age.

“I have always liked the outdoors stuff,” he says. “My dad got me started, and then I got addicted.”

“I was in Girl Scouts,” Jeanette says, “and went camping, but not fishing. We lived in Baltimore and later in Washington, DC, so we were pretty urban.”

The couple had five children from previous marriages. While dating, they were looking

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for things to do along with the kids. After becoming a family, they camped some, going up to Jordan Lake with a little pop-up tent.

Then Jeanette took a fly-fishing class.

“It wasn’t until I was an adult that I had an interest in fishing,” she says. “The reason for the class was so I could introduce fly-fishing to the kids.”

“And she thought it was something we could do together,” Keith recalls.

“It got me going with fly-fishing again. I had done it when I was younger, but life got in the way, and it had been years.

“It turned out that fly-fishing was not only something we could do, but Jeanette’s interest gave me the freedom to do it. Because we were taking the trips together, I could do something I enjoyed without feeling guilty about leaving her at home.

“It’s all about the experience.

If you just go fishing to catch, you are not going to have much fun.

We always have fun.”

—Keith Gallaher

life

“I also started tying flies again, something else I had done when I was growing up. Our son, Brad, found my old fly-tying kit in the garage, and he got really good at it.

“I got back to doing it, and everything Jeanette and I have caught was on something that I tied. Plus, tying is very relaxing for me. When I’m tying, my brain, is completely absorbed with what I am doing … and the trip I’m getting ready for.”

Most of what they have caught, they have thrown back. There have been large fish kept because they were good eating, but mostly the Gallahers do it for the sporting aspect.

“One of the things that is special about fishing,” she says, “is that it’s the only time you entice a wild animal to you, get it and then let it go. There is something magical about that.”

One of their most exciting trips was to the West Coast, with the goal of reeling in some Mako sharks.

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life

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 43

“We planned that one for two years,” Keith says. “We were determined to get a specific guide, go at a specific time and fish at a specific place. That was off the coast of San Diego. Using foot-long flies I had tied, we fished off of a boat for three days, about eight hours each day.”

“Each of us caught 10 sharks,” Jeanette says, “weighing from 70 to 110 pounds apiece. We turned them loose while they were in the water. You don’t want a shark jumping around in the boat with you.

“There are some thrills in what we do, and catching those sharks was definitely one of them.”

She sits out the hunting trips her husband takes. While he goes after deer and wild turkeys, there have been bigger, more ambitious challenges as well.

“I shot an eight-foot alligator with a bow and arrow in South Carolina,” Keith says, pointing to the gator’s skull sitting on a shelf. “I plan to have gifts made from the skin—belts and billfolds, things like that.

“Brad and I went on a five-day trip hunting black bears in the mountains of Montana in the spring of 2014. He got one, and I didn’t. But I got one in the fall.”

Some of the Gallahers’ exploits are strictly visual. They own a tract of land in Harnett County that includes a millpond and a beaver pond, and both Jeanette and Keith treasure the peace they find.

“I love being there,” she says. “It’s another world.

Last week, we went and picked blackberries together. That was fun.”

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a while, I was excited to take Jeanette and show her all the things that had changed. We see and hear a lot of turkeys.”

Displaying a picture of a gobbler sticking his chest out, she laughs and says, “He’s showing off for the ladies. Males are the same in any species.”

The couple has a boat docked in Morehead City, where they do a lot of salt water fishing.

Conventional fishing, they call it, for dolphin, wahoo, king mackerel and false albacore.

“It’s all about the experience,” Keith says. “If you just go fishing to catch, you are not going to have much fun. We always have fun.”

The reason?

“Because being out there – in a mountain stream or the ocean … wherever – is real.”

“It is real,” Jeanette agrees.

“A person can go and look at the Grand Canyon. But to be down there in it, on those rapids in the Colorado River and looking up …

Wow!” Mumau has been a writer for more than 48 years, covering some of the sports greats, including Michael Jordan, John Wooden, Jack Nicklaus Dean Smith. He can be reached and at rutabega12@aol.com.

FITNESS

advice

5 Tips for Exercising in the Heat

by Jessica Matthews

1

Stay Properly Hydrated Properly hydrating before, during and after exercise is crucial, especially during the warm months of summer. Per the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA), individuals should aim to consume between 17-20 ounces of water 2-3 hours prior to exercise, 7-10 ounces of water every 10-20 minutes during exercise and 16-24 ounces of water after exercise for every pound of body weight lost during the workout.

2

Give Yourself Time to Acclimate If you’re accustomed to exercising indoors, it’s important to note that it takes the body time to acclimate to working out outdoors in hot and humid temperatures. On average it takes approximately 10-14 days for most healthy individuals to acclimate to engaging in exercise in a hot and/or humid environment, so allow yourself time to gradually adapt to the conditions.

3

Keep in Mind the Time of Day Temperatures tend to be hottest between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., so if possible consider scheduling your outdoor workout for earlier in the morning or later in the evening when conditions are slightly cooler.

4

Consider Your Apparel Options When choosing what clothing to work out in, consider the type of material. While cotton tends to sop up and retain moisture, which can lead to chaffing, polysynthetic blends help to wick away moisture, keeping you dry and comfortable while exercising.

5

Embrace the Process of Sweating The act of sweating is important when exercising on hot days, but what really is most critical in terms of keeping your body from overheating is the evaporation process. With that being said, embrace the natural process of sweating and resist the urge to constantly wipe away sweat from your skin throughout your workout, as doing so can actually lessen the amount of evaporative cooling that occurs, resulting in retained body heat and an increased risk of overheating and dehydration.

Raleigh | 910-844-9898

www.HomeCareRaleighNC.com Matthews, an American Council on Exercise (ACE) Senior Adviser for Health and Fitness Education. For more information, visit www.acefitness.org/acefit/fit-life/.

Wilmington | 910-833-7149

www.HomeCareWilmingtonNC.com

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life

T H E G E N T L E M A N ' S N OT E B O O K

Run, Piggy, Run

by Ray Linville

Y

ou really haven’t had an exciting summer unless you’ve been to a pig race. When I was in Apex for the Peak City Pig Fest, I knew that I couldn’t leave until I had watched one of the four pig races. They were a featured part of the festival, which included a barbecue cookoff with 48 cooking teams.

As the crowd ambles into the area of the “Hogway Speedway,” honky-tonk music blares on loudspeakers, interrupted by an occasional “Howdy” by a Minnie Pearl-sounding voice. As race time nears, Brent Cook, the emcee, counts down the minutes remaining. Then “The Call to Post” blares loudly. It sounds as authentic as the one at Churchill Downs before the start of the Kentucky Derby. At Hogway Speedway, the 33 high-tempo bugle notes are a recording rather than live, but they alert the crowd that a race is imminent. Because the notes are insufficient to call the pigs, Cook leads the crowd in a boisterous call of “Soo-o-o-o-ey” that ricochets down the street among the festival tents, displays, and food vendors.

Cook is from Newton, home of Circle C Farms, where the pigs bask in their glory between events and are groomed for their next weekend race.

After “The Call to Post” recording, Cook introduces each racing pig as it runs to the starting gate and explains the special lingo that Hogway Speedway needs: the far side of the raceway is a hamstretch (rather than a backstretch) and a hambulance is called for any injured racer who pulls a hamstring or collides with others in a pigup (not a pileup).

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The racing pigs also have names and numbers just like NASCAR heroes. For this festival, four pigs competed in each race. Although their names are a humorous resemblance of real drivers, their numbers are the same: No. 11, Hammy Hamlin (instead of NASCAR’s Denny Hamlin), No. 14 Squealing Stewart (instead of Tony), No. 24 Piggy Gordon (Jeff) and No. 88 Oinkhardt Jr. (Dale Earnhardt Jr.).

Just like NASCAR drivers on a real course, pigs run counterclockwise (must be a natural tendency).

Oinkhardt Jr., the crowd favorite, won the 9:30 a.m. race. After the race is over, you learn why the pigs run so fast: it’s the reward. The winner gets to munch on a special plate of Wise’s Cheez Doodles. No treats for the losers, who have to wait until the next race for another chance or the next meal after the long ride home.

When the races are over, the crowd returns to other areas of the festival to enjoy pork barbecue, ice cream, and other food. As everyone leaves, Cook calls out, “Don’t tell the pigs if you eat barbecue. They might squeal on you.” The pigs from Circle C Farms are also an annual tradition at the N.C. State Fair in Raleigh each October. Don’t miss them!

A certified barbecue judge, Linville watched the pig race in Apex with his granddaughter Katie and also was a judge at the Peak City Pig Fest. He can be reached at linville910@gmail.com.

Legal Family Housing Advocacy

Our Aging Life Care Professionals™ have the expertise you need to age successfully Call us today. We can help!

Financial Local Resources Crisis Intervention Health & Disability

Southern Pines 910.692.0683

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Fayetteville 910.639.9420

AgingOutreachServices.com

AUGUST 2015 |

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health

NUTRITION

Food for Thought

by Christa D’Ostroph, RD, LDN

B

rain health is essential to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. According to a 2014 AARP study, keeping your brain in good shape ranks a close second to heart health. Changes in mental capabilities are part of aging, although the changes are usually gradual and vary widely. Wisdom and knowledge can increase, while memory and attention may decline.

While keeping mentally and physically active are keys to brain health, nutrition can also help protect and sharpen the brain. Studies link a Mediterraneanstyle diet with better memory, attention and awareness, so this diet known for supporting heart health can also boost brain power. The diet’s strength comes from an abundance of fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, whole grains and fish, with limited red meat, sweets and fats.

One American Journal of Clinical Nutrition study including 3,800 people found those on Mediterranean diets performed the best cognitively over 11 years. A study in Annals of Internal Medicine followed 10,000 women for 15 years, finding those on Mediterranean diets 46 percent less likely to have major memory impairments.

Promising results like these prompted researchers at Chicago’s Rush University Medical Center to develop the MIND diet. In March 2015, the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease published a study reinforcing that nutrition can keep brain health and memory strong. The MIND diet borrows concepts from the Mediterranean diet and emphasizes specific “brain-boosting” foods, including green leafy vegetables, whole grains, walnuts and olive oil daily, with several servings of berries, beans and fish weekly. To optimally promote brain health, the diet discourages red meat, sweets, fried foods, butter, stick margarine and cheese.

How can certain foods help protect the brain?

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Brain cells are vulnerable to oxidation, which contributes to premature aging. Fortunately, fruit, vegetables, nuts and beans are loaded with antioxidants that protect cells from oxidative damage, thus the term “antioxidant.” Green leafy vegetables, berries, walnuts and fish are specifically highlighted in the MIND diet, because they are the most potent brain protectors in their respective food groups.

Green leafy vegetables, like collards and spinach, are good sources of folate that may protect the brain by lowering levels of the amino acid homocysteine. This is good news since high homocysteine may affect the ability to remember words and details. Berries are rich in anthocyanins, a plant nutrient that crosses into the brain to increase signals boosting memory. Berries make a tasty snack or can be added to cereal and yogurt.

Walnuts are brain researchers’ top nut since the special mix of nutrients may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. This healthy plant fat makes a portable snack or can be sprinkled on salads. Fish and omega 3 fatty acids, long known for heart health, are now playing a role in improved recognition and memory. The omega 3 fatty acid DHA is the most abundant fat in the brain, so it makes sense that a higher intake helps the brain operate.

Substituting fish for meat can be as easy as making a tuna sandwich. To try brain-boosting nutrition, start by adding the MIND diet foods to your grocery list.

Remembering to eating healthy today can help your brain in years to come.

D’Ostroph is a registered dietitian and licensed dietitian nutritionist with FirstHealth Cardiac Rehab. For information on the Cardiac Rehab program, visit www.firsthealth.org or call (800) 213-3284.

L AW R E V I E W

advice

Planning for Incapacity Is About Control

W

by Jackie Bedard

hen people think about putting in place an estate plan, they often limit their thinking to wills, trusts, probate administration and passing along property. However, these are just the money and asset elements of planning. One of the key areas of control planning is putting together a plan to address what happens if you are incapacitated and cannot manage your medical and financial decisions. Failing to plan for incapacity could result in you and your family going through costly and public court proceedings, where a judge determines who is in control of assets. Consider the following tools: Durable General Power of Attorney A durable general power of attorney is a workhorse in any form of incapacity planning. It ensures the person you name has authority to act on your financial affairs in the case of incapacity. While this tool is commonly used for an older adult, there are many reasons why a person of any age might need it. Certain elements of this tool vary from state to state, but it is a powerful tool that can help manage finances in case of travel or incapacity.

Health Care Power of Attorney In creating the health care power of attorney, you appoint someone to make any and all health care decisions for you in case of incapacity. Most people mistakenly assume their spouse or a family member can legally step in to make these decisions. However, a power of attorney for health care or a court order are usually required.

Having a health care power of attorney in place designates your chosen decisionmaker in advance, avoiding family disagreements and delays at a time when quick and crucial action may be needed. Knowing the person in charge of your medical decisions during incapacity can give them and their loved ones peace of mind.

Advanced Health Care Directive This document is the one most people are often most resistant to discuss. A living will, or advance care directive, allows you to express your wishes regarding end-of-life medical treatment.

You can specify exactly what you want doctors to do in an effort to save or prolong your life. No one likes to think about these concerns, but putting off the decision only leaves the burden on loved ones at a time when they are under duress. Specifying exactly what you do and don’t want done makes it easier for loved ones, taking away the responsibility of those decisions.

Revocable Trust A revocable trust is a fantastic strategy for incapacity planning. It allows you to think through many of the financial instructions on how you want your financial affairs managed if ever incapacitated. If you create a revocable trust and name a “successor trustee� in the event of incapacity, then you avoid having a court appoint someone to manage your assets. This will reduce costs, keeps the contents of the trust private and reduce stress on family or loved ones.

Blended Families Failing to do incapacity planning in a blended family can result in a huge court fight. We encourage any blended family clients to make their wishes known now to reduce the risk of fights and hurt feelings later.

Bedard, an elder law attorney with Carolina Family Estate Planning, can be reached at 919-443-3035.

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Secrets of

Uwharrie

by Ray Linville | Photography by Kayla Spivey & Courtesy of Uwharrie National Forest

W

ant to pan for gold near home?

Panning may seem like such a futile exercise; however, at one time the Uwharrie Mountains were a destination for gold hunters.

Do adventure seekers there today still search for gold while they are enjoying other outdoor activities? “Yes, they do, but I don’t know how successful they are,” says Terry Savery, recreation program manager at Uwharrie National Forest, land initially purchased in 1931 by the federal government to protect and preserve mixed woodlands of oak and pine.

Gold was first found in North Carolina in 1799 only about 30 miles west of the forest.

Word that gold was in “them thar hills” spread like wildfire and led to America’s first gold rush, mostly forgotten in the books of history and overshadowed by the great California gold rush

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of 1849. However, the chance to strike it rich in the Uwharrie Mountains brought countless prospectors and miners who searched the hills and panned the streams for the sparkling metal.

The priceless search for adventure in the Uwharrie still brings in steady streams of outdoor enthusiasts. More popular than gold panning today are camping, picnicking, hiking, hunting, mountain biking, horseback riding, kayaking, boating and fishing.

“We are so close to so many” in the Piedmont, says Deborah Walker, district ranger at the forest.

“We’re a day trip for folks who want to avoid the huge expense of getting a hotel room.”

The ranger office in Troy has all the material needed to enjoy the forest: trail passes, permits, camping information and brochures, such as one about panning for gold.

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For more information on volunteer opportunities at Uwharrie National Forest, call 910-576-6391.

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Gold seekers need to know “what they are allowed and not allowed to do,” says Savery. For example, metal detectors are not permitted, and visitors also need to know where gold can be panned, she says.

The forest gets its name from the Uwharrie Mountains, considered to be the oldest mountains in North America. Formed about 500 million years ago with peaks as high as 20,000 feet, what had been a coastal mountain range now sits more than 150 miles from the coast and lies obviously in the Piedmont region because a gravitational shift pushed today’s coastal plain above sea level. The high points of the mountains now are only a fraction of their once magnificent heights, reduced by gradual erosion to just over 1,100 feet.

Almost four-fifths of the forest lies in Montgomery County, but it also extends into Randolph and Davidson counties. Although it is the smallest of the four national forests in our state, its 50,645 acres more than adequately create opportunities for adventure.

“Off-highway vehicles and equestrian trails, the rolling terrain, mountainous feel and picturesque setting” attract many equestrians, Walker says, “plus they can camp with their horses.”

Camping in the forest is exceptional. It has nine campsites, including two that cater specifically to horseback riders. The sites range from fully accessible campgrounds to primitive camping with no facilities.

Off-highway vehicles (OHVs), also known as all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), are seen frequently in the forest. An OHV pass must be purchased before using the 20 miles of challenging trails that include steep, rocky and muddy sections with occasional stream crossings. With elevations ranging from 250 to 800 feet, some areas are for only expert drivers. For example, the Daniel Trail, blazed with orange diamond trail markers, is rated as extremely difficult. Because few other places in the Piedmont provide this type of experience, demand is increasing. Hikers, horses and bikers may also use the OHV trail system.

Mountain biking has also been growing in popularity, and the forest has about 22 miles of trails for bikers that meander through the hardwood and pine woodlands and over rolling hills. No reservations or fees are required.

Access is easy from N.C. Highway 24/27 by using the trailhead parking lot located between Troy and Albemarle.

These trails are well suited for riders of all skill levels. The Wood Run Trail, which leads north from the parking lot, is easy, and a round trip is about 11 miles. The Supertree Trail, named for a stand of experimental loblolly pines, is an easy to moderate trail about four miles long. For the adventurous riders, the Keyauwee Trail, named for the last band of Native Americans who lived in the Uwharrie Lakes Region, is rated difficult and offers the most challenge.

More than six miles long, this trail includes a great downhill experience with a fast descent.

As bikers traverse the trails, they often spot an amazing variety of wildlife, such as wild turkey and quail in addition to the more common deer, rabbits, chipmunks, squirrels, owls and hawks.

Open year round, these trails are clearly marked with blue paint blazes. Caution: Trails marked with white or yellow paint are hiking trails not open to mountain bikers.

The 50 miles of hiking trails bring other outdoor enthusiasts to the Uwharrie. Also open year round with no fees, these trails let visitors enjoy the scenery at a pace much slower than the bikers ride. Because they cross several access points with parking, they can be hiked in long or short sections, which range in difficulty from easy to moderate.

Day hiking also continues to be very popular. More than 80 percent of residents within a 75-mile radius of the Uwharrie routinely walk for pleasure, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Savery estimates that “a couple hundred hike” there each month.

Hikers can roam among old home sites, cemeteries and gold mines that once existed along or near the trails. Care should be taken to stay alert to the timber rattlesnakes and copperheads.

With its mix of hardwood and pine woodlands, the forest is home to at least 60 reptile and amphibian species

and for most of the 60 mammal species that live in North Carolina.

From 55 bird points in the forest, approximately 85 bird species have been observed recently. Bald eagles are regular visitors, although no active nests are known.

Savery confirms that bald eagles have been spotted in the forest’s Badin Lake area.

A special area is the Birkhead Mountain Wilderness, which was established in 1984 on the northern end of the Uwharrie Mountains. Because motor vehicles, motorboats and motorized equipment are prohibited in federal wilderness areas, the Birkhead offers astonishing opportunities for solitude with nature. Even travel by bicycle and on horse is prohibited. All trails in the wilderness are designated hiking trails.

Named for the Birkhead family who moved in around 1850 and eventually owned almost 3,000 acres, the wilderness still shows clues of early Indians and settlers who occupied the area many years earlier. The Birkhead Mountain Trail traverses the wilderness from north to south for more than four miles.

Along the route are remnants of old homesteads and farms, old roads, gold mining operations and evidence of timber harvesting.

Outside the developed recreational areas, fishing and hunting are permitted throughout the forest.

Although the U.S. Forest Service manages the habitat in the forest, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commissions regulates hunting and fishing, and state licenses are required.

The Uwharrie is the habitat of 66 freshwater fish species.

In addition to game birds, game animals that call the forest home include white-tailed deer, wild turkey, quail, bobcat, opossum, rabbit and gray squirrel. The forest is heavily hunted and has the highest use per acre of any N.C. Wildlife Resource Commission game land.

The Uwharrie is a top tourist destination in the Piedmont—and the top one in Montgomery County— for good reason. With its enticing road and trail system, abundant lake and river frontage and moderate slopes and elevations, it’s the perfect place for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy nature.

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GREY MATTER See Grey Matter Puzzle Answers on Page 56

Allows Argue Blood Bloom Color Cradles

Direct Drama Dumped Exits Experiment Fifth

Focus Force Forth Fours Fresh Friday

Guard Handful Hunted Looks Lumps Lungs

32. Minor 33. ___ Island National Monument 34. Western blue flag, e.g.

35. Bell sound 36. Camping gear 40. Chip dip 41. Print copies from (a stencil) 42. Pertaining to the act of taking for yourself 45. African capital 47. Frightened 48. Aquatic insects with paddlelike hind legs (2 wds) 53. “Don’t bet __!” (2 wds) 54. Bow 55. Nativity 59. Clark of the Daily Planet 60. “I, Claudius” role 61. Indian coin 62. Irascible 63. Attendee 64. Hard red wheat

ACROSS

1. Boot 6. Brickbat 10. Believed 14. Designating the style of an earlier time

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15. ___ of the above 16. ___ vera 17. Change, as a clock 18. Long, long time 19. Fizzy drink 20. Actor’s subdued

OutreachNC.com | AUGUST 2015

Marry Meets Mined Mirror Moist Ought Output Ovens Paths Paused Peered Pigged Ports Radio Regular Shaft Shiver Shrubs Sirup Smash Stout Strict Supposed Tests Thief Vibrations

12. Veins of mineral ore 13. Sweet, innocent children 21. “Much ___ About Nothing” 22. Bird venerated by ancient Egyptians 23. Pith helmet 24. The America’s Cup trophy, e.g.

25. The “A” of ABM 28. Quartet member 29. Catch 30. Of an arm bone 31. Arnold in “Green Acres” 35. “Wheels” 36. Atomic no. 22 37. Arabic for “commander” 38. “Scream” star Campbell 39. Pigeon-___ 40. Bandy words 41. Gruesome 42. Temporary 43. Comely 44. A distinctive doctrine DOWN or practice 1. “To ___ is human ...”

45. Came to 2. Certain intersection 46. Flogged 3. “___ alive!”

49. A loud, sudden, (contraction) 4. Metal cups mounted on explosive noise 50. Sundae topper, a pole and used as a torch perhaps 5. Unstable 51. “God’s Little ___” 6. Catch talking meant to be 52. God with a hammer 7. Balcony section overheard (2 wds) 56. Engine speed, for short 8. Again 23. Kidded around 9. Coordinate 57. Athletic supporter?

26. Grace word 27. An occupant who owns 10. Annoyance (golf) the home he lives in (hyph.) 11. One who runs away 58. “__ Town Too” (1981 hit)

INTRODUCING...

Call on Aging Life Care Professionals™ ...when looking for excellence in comprehensive services for aging or disabled adults and their families Aging Life Care™ services include — • • • • •

Personalized assessment and care plan Monitoring comfort, care, and safety Family support, counseling, and crisis intervention Caregiving, advocacy, and education Referrals to local housing, legal, financial, and community resources

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for qualified, experienced professionals at aginglifecare.org

The National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers has changed its name to Aging Life Care Association.

Get to know us all over again at aginglifecare.org.

AUGUST 2015 |

OutreachNC.com 55

GREY MATTER ANSWERS

SUDOKU

CROSSWORD

WORD SEARCH

56

OutreachNC.com | AUGUST 2015

life

COOKING SIMPLE

Watermelon and Feta Salad

by Rhett Morris I Photography by Diana Matthews

Ingredients 4 cups seedless watermelon, cubed ½ cup Paradox Farms feta cheese, crumbled 1 sprig rosemary, finely chopped 5 mint leaves, sliced thinly 4 basil leaves, sliced thinly 2 tablespoons local honey ½ tsp fresh ground pepper

Directions Take all ingredients and toss together. Let stand in refrigerator for at least one hour. This salad is great as a lunch or served with grilled pork, chicken or fish for dinner.

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

AUGUST 2015 |

OutreachNC.com 57

Carolina Conversations with PBS’ “A Chef’s Life”

Vivian Howard & Mom, Scarlett

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OutreachNC.com | AUGUST 2015

I

n each episode of PBS’ “A Chef ’s Life,” Vivian Howard takes viewers behind the scenes in her Kinston restaurant, Chef & the Farmer, to local farms and at home with her family—her husband and business partner Ben Knight, her twin 4-year-olds, her parents and extended family as well as the community of Deep Run. A North Carolina native, Vivian followed her career aspirations to New York before realizing her dreams would lead her back home to Lenoir County. Chef & the Farmer opened in 2006 as a farm-to-fork progressive eatery, where the menu changes based on what’s ripe and in season. Local farmers within a 70-mile radius of the restaurant supply the freshest ingredients.

Having survived a restaurant fire in 2011 during the filming of the pilot episode of the show and the opening of a second restaurant—Boiler Room Oyster Bar—Vivian continues to broaden her culinary talents with a new cookbook set for release in 2016. Infusing food education one ingredient at a time into each show with a dash of Southern charm, the third season of “A Chef ’s Life” begins in September.

At her office and test kitchen in downtown Kinston, Vivian and her mother, Scarlett Howard, share stories of growing up on the farm, cooking from the garden and life in Deep Run, where their family’s roots are firmly planted and have put Kinston on the map as a dining destination.

CONTINUED PAGE 60

by Carrie Frye | Photography by Diana Matthews

AUGUST 2015 |

OutreachNC.com 59

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 59

ONC: Can you tell us about growing up in Kinston and Deep Run? VIVIAN: I think growing up in rural North Carolina

when I was growing up is a lot different from the experience my children are having now. We ate from the garden, our year rotated around the farming season and summers were the busiest time. It was all about tobacco and getting the tobacco in and out, and the whole family worked the tobacco. Then, there was this frenzy about putting up corn and canning tomatoes. Our lives were much more connected to living in the country. Now, I feel like my children’s lives are about trying to make it as if they don’t feel like live in the country (laughs), except for those few ideal moments when you want them to feel that way. When I was child, our community and social life was very much centered around our church.

ONC: In the opening of each show of “A Chef’s Life,” you say that you would never come back home. What did you never want to come back to and how has that changed now?

VIVIAN: I am the youngest of four

girls. One of my sisters went away to boarding school, and I went and stayed with her a few times. I had really big dreams, and I didn’t think they would realize themselves in Deep Run. I left here when I was 14 and went to boarding school, too. Then I moved to New York. I am actually on camera saying, “I will never live here again,” about six months before I moved back, (laughs). I loved it when I was in high school and had the opportunity to travel, so I wanted to be a travel writer or journalist. I didn’t see myself being able to do those things living in Deep Run. After living in New York for about five years, I was over it. I thought a smaller city might be a good option.

Then, we moved back here, and it is exactly what I say at the beginning of the show. I figured out that my parents were human beings who existed before I came along and had interests. Because I left so young, I was ashamed of them and their country accents and that my dad was a farmer. And then when I was in New York, when I would tell people where I was from, people were intrigued and thought it was exotic. I had this slow realization that all of this was pretty cool.

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ONC: How did you develop your love for cooking?

VIVIAN: I wish I could say I grew up loving cooking at

my mother’s hip, especially with writing this book. In my family, everything centers on what we are going to eat next. It has always been that way, and I really think my love for cooking comes from the love of eating.

When I was in New York, I started working in this restaurant and by chance the style of food was Southern food via Africa, and this was in 2001, and before anyone cared about Southern food. The chef was an AfricanAmerican man, and he was a storyteller and talked about Southern food, where it came from and how it developed, and I just thought everyone ate what we ate. My goal was to be a writer, and I thought I would write about food and get an insider’s perspective in the kitchen, so he let me start trailing in the kitchen and work for free. What I found was that cooking was a lot easier than writing for me. I liked the camaraderie of the kitchen. I had never played team sports as a kid, and this is a team sport where everyone is coming together for the end goal. I liked making stuff with my hands and so, one kitchen job turned into another and went on from there.

ONC: Scarlett, can you share some stories about Vivian when she was growing up?

SCARLETT: She was an

entertainer.

VIVIAN: I have three siblings.

I was so much younger; I received a lot of attention. My children are the same way, because they are so much younger than my sisters’ children. My daughter Flo has a tendency towards entertaining, too.

SCARLETT: As hog farmers, we had pigs behind the house, so when the school bus would come, Vivian would be in tears, because everyone would tease her about the smell of the pigs. Back then, we didn’t have the lagoon, and it smelled.

VIVIAN: Dad told me to tell everyone on the bus that they were smelling money (laughs).

ONC: Scarlett, did Vivian grow up cooking with you, and did you teach her about tomato sandwiches?

SCARLETT: Not much cooking, no (laughs). But, yes,

we had tomato sandwiches and banana sandwiches.

Vivian loved to eat when she was small.

VIVIAN: The peanut butter and jelly of my childhood was a banana and mayonnaise sandwich.

ONC: Scarlett, were you supportive when Vivian wanted to be a chef?

SCARLETT: I did OK it. It was not the path we would

have chosen, and when she decided to come back here, we were skeptical if a restaurant of this kind would work in a small town.

VIVIAN: Her exact words were, “I did not send you to boarding school and college for you to become a shortorder cook.” They had hoped that we would come here and open a traditional steakhouse with baked potatoes and a salad bar ... We can laugh about this now.

ONC: What led to “A Chef’s Life?”

VIVIAN: I had always wanted to do this storytelling

and journalism. My first experience in New York was as an intern at “CBS Sunday Morning.” I had wanted to be a news broadcaster, and that’s how I saw the show.

I didn’t think it would be about my life. I saw it as telling a story of Eastern North Carolina food, making collard kraut, canning tomatoes or putting up corn— the things you’ve seen on the show—and meeting the farmers who grow those ingredients. I called a friend of mine, Cynthia Hill, who is a filmmaker.

She had made this film called “Tobacco Money Feeds My Family,” and I thought it was beautiful. It was honest and sensitive and did a good job of showing the dimensions of rural people. I asked if she was interested in helping me. Three years ago, we filmed our famous Corn Parade in Deep Run on the Fourth of July. It had three components: the community, the farmer and the family, and Cynthia said we needed another component, and we filmed the restaurant to bring the modern point of view to it. We made the show pilot and then, the restaurant caught on fire. I called Cynthia and she came down because she saw that as an opportunity. We added the fire footage to the pilot and sent it out. We felt like it was special and sent it to South Carolina Public Television, who took it to national PBS. We had to make a season of 13 episodes without funding for consideration for airing it. We thought that was great, but we didn’t have any money. We spend a quarter of our time on the show fundraising for leads and sponsors. Most people don’t understand what it takes to fund a show for PBS. CONTINUED PAGE 62 AUGUST 2015 |

OutreachNC.com 61

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 61

ONC: What can viewers expect for the third season of “A Chef’s Life?”

VIVIAN: It starts

VIVIAN: Yes, and

I’ve had them at every meal for the past four days. At this time of year, they are still what I want to eat. I feel this pressure to consume a lot of them, and it is easy to make a little sandwich.

in September, and it is the best one yet. The first episode is about squash, and ONC: What my mom and I are your other make squash and Southern comfort onions with my foods? sister Donna. I VIVIAN: Chicken go to Warren’s and rice because farm and we talk “I feel such a connection and that I have roots here.” it is something about squash, and I we all like. That am on the “Today” —Chef Vivian Howard was our comfort show, and it shows food growing up.

Ben and my family Tomato sandwiches. Sausage. If I could eat a sausage watching me on the “Today” Show. biscuit every day, I would. Another thing I crave is a big ONC: Scarlett, what do you appreciate about pot of greens—turnip greens cooked with sausage.

Vivian’s cooking?

SCARLETT: When I see her cooking, it is more

nutritious in some respects as she uses many more ingredients than I do. I would have chicken and rice. But she adds carrots and other fresh vegetables.

ONC: Do you still use your grandmother’s mixer?

VIVIAN: I do. It is at my house, and I also have her

butter churn.

ONC: Any family recipes going into the book?

VIVIAN: Chicken and rice for sure. Tomatoes and

rice, and I am canning tomatoes for the book and will show two things we would have done with the jars of tomatoes. One is cooking rice with the tomatoes, and one is similar to chicken and rice. You cook the whole chicken and then you cook the macaroni in the broth with the tomatoes. That’s not something we had growing up, but it is very common around here. My Grandma Hill’s candied yams will be in the book and Tom Thumb (sausage) and banana pudding with some tweaks.

ONC: Are tomatoes still your favorite ingredient, especially Cherokee Purple Heirlooms?

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OutreachNC.com | AUGUST 2015

ONC: What’s on the August menu at Chef and Farmer?

VIVIAN: We’ll have peaches wrapped in country ham

with a whipped goat cheese and balsamic honey. It is one of the few things we bring back every year. We’ll also have lots of shelling beans and succotash; the one we make is corn, butter beans and tomatoes.

ONC: What do you value most about the farm-totable movement and having local farmers within a 70-mile radius produce for the restaurant?

VIVIAN: For us, it was always about trying to build up

our community. This used to be a community of small farms, and it isn’t anymore, so it’s about supporting small farmers and friendships. It makes our work exciting and not always the same. We know what happens each season, and it gives you a framework to organize your creative energy.

ONC: What makes North Carolina home for you?

VIVIAN: My family. You drive all these same roads your

whole life, and now my kids are growing up here, and I feel such a connection and that I have roots here.

life

S E N T I M E N TA L J O U R N E Y

The Story and Glory of Love

by Jennifer Pollard, MSW

M

agic can happen in the least likely of places. It happened recenty at a client’s bedside during a visit from her family physician, who was making a house call.

In the middle of the visit, the doctor asked her if she knew why she hadn’t developed any bedsores. It wasn’t the usual questioning I’ve heard from a doctor. They usually want to know why things have appeared, as opposed to why they haven’t.

She said she didn’t know why she didn’t have them, in spite of being stuck in the bed.

He said, “The answer is simple. Love. Love is why your skin is intact. It’s the love and care of your care providers that keeps you well and your skin healthy. That’s the power of love.”

And maybe it is just as simple as that. Life can be difficult and full of challenges. Even disappointments and tragedies can occur in the happiest of lives, but we keep on going. Love is what keeps us going.

I couldn’t help but recall a song made popular in the 1930s entitled, “The Glory of Love.” Its lyrics sum up the doctor’s advice: “Because that’s the story of, that’s the glory of love!”

“The Glory Of Love” was written by Billy Hill and recorded by Benny Goodman in 1936, whose version was a No. 1 pop hit.

You’ve got to give a little, take a little And let your poor heart break a little That’s the story of, that’s the glory of love You’ve got to laugh a little, cry a little Until the clouds roll by a little That’s the story of, that’s the glory of love As long as there’s the two of us We’ve got the world and all it’s charms And when the world is through with us We’ve got each other’s arms You’ve got to win a little, lose a little Yes, and always have the blues a little That’s the story of, that’s the glory of love That’s the story of, that’s the glory of That’s the story of, that’s the glory of That’s the story of That’s the glory of love Pollard, MSW, is a aging life care manager with AOS Care Management.

Her career has taught her the powerful role music has in preserving and unlocking memories. She can be reached at jenniferp@aoscaremanagement.com.

FirstHealth Hospice & Palliative Care is a not-for-profit agency dedicated to providing compassionate, quality care for people with life-limiting illnesses and their family. Professionally trained staff and volunteers provide physical, emotional and spiritual assistance to enhance the quality of life of those served in their homes, nursing centers or in our 11-bed Hospice House in Pinehurst.

For more information on our services including our Grief Resource & Counseling Center, call (910) 715-6000, toll-free (866) 861-7485 or visit www.firsthealth.org/hospice.

423-131-15

The Chapel located on the FirstHealth Hospice & Palliative Care Campus AUGUST 2015 |

OutreachNC.com 63

ACCESSIBLE BATHING PRODUCTS

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910-944-7030

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RESOURCE MARKETPLACE

DID YOU KNOW? August is Boomers Making a Difference Month.

You can make a difference by volunteering,. Find out what opportunities are available in your community, visit www.createthegood.org.

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2 WAKE COUNTY LOCATIONS Residential Assisted Living & Alzheimer’s Care 1801 N. New Hope Road Raleigh, NC 27604 | 919.250.0255 901 Spring Arbor Court Apex, NC 27502 | 919.303.9990

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CARE MANAGEMENT

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Serving all your aging needs in Cumberland & Hoke Counties

Navigating All Your Aging Needs

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Aging Life Care Manager

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Legal | Advocacy | Family Housing | Local Resources | Financial Crisis Intervention | Health & Disability

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Call Today! | 910-639-9420 AgingOutreachServices.com DENTAL CARE

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

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Southern Pines: 910.692.0683 Cary: 919.535.8713

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910.295.1010

64

The STAR Program® Rehabilitation Services for Cancer Patients Gary Hatchell, PT

Nydia Brooks, Executive Director

OutreachNC.com | AUGUST 2015

www.sjp.org

HOSPITALS

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

(910) 615-1630

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

910.276.7176 www.ScotlandHospice.org

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do the cooking for you!

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Call or come by for details!

FRESH. LOCAL. SOUTHERN GOURMET.

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AUGUST 2015 |

OutreachNC.com 65

Generations

by Carrie Frye

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

What's your favorite summertime memory outdoors with family and friends?

Being at Grandma’s house with homemade ice cream and glass-bottled Cokes in a metal tub full of ice. —Kaye, 63 Working in tobacco, then at noon jumping in the creek to cool off and then a home-cooked meal: fresh corn, green beans, sliced tomatoes and watermelon for dessert. —Randy, 55 Building a fort in the woods in the back of my house and camping out with sleeping bags. —Debbie, 59 Sitting on UNC-Greensboro’s Hippy Hill with friends. About five years ago, we got the whole crew together and went back to the hill and took pictures again. —Deidre, 63 Traveling during the summer with my husband and kids, by car, sometimes by air and often, we went on cruises. —Nancy, 86 Spending the summers with my grandparents in California and going to Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm. —Paul, 64 Going to Jones Beach, Long Island with the kids, riding on our boat and dancing on Saturday nights. —Gloria, 83 Drinking soda, catching lightning bugs in a jar, and eating homemade ice cream and watermelon slices until we had stomachaches. —Shirley, 76 Growing up in South Carolina, we went to Myrtle Beach a lot, and some of my best memories are of eating watermelon on the beach.

—Louise, 86

Cookouts with friends and neighbors.

—Deborah, 59

Summer on the Blue Ridge Parkway with my children playing in the creeks and on the mountain side and watching wildlife. —Randy, 60 Summer at my Great Aunt Maude and Uncle Charlie’s farm with his prized bee hives, filling jars with the extracted honey. —Debbie, 60 Swimming, playing, camping and going to Topsail Beach for my birthday. —Olivia, 8 Bike racing around the neighborhood.—Gavin, 8 Playing baseball, looking for shells and shark teeth and going to the water park. —Dawson, 8 Going to the garden to pick food and water stuff and catch lizards. —Nolan, 5 Camping at Jordan Lake. —Daniel, 11 Whitewater rafting in Oregon. —Alex, 10 Doing the Fourth of July with my granddaddy.

He gets the real stuff! —Ethan, 10 Riding my bike to the lake and watching the turtles pop their heads up. —Kwenton, 4 Jumping over the sprinklers. —Fletcher, 4 Going to San Diego on vacation and just spending time with family. —Natalie, 9 When I went to Sea World and watched the dolphins, bought a stuffed shark and looked for sharks in the ocean. —Nathan, 6 Playing at the pool with all of my friends. —Judy, 8 Being at the beach. —Evelyn, 4 Watching birds and squirrels until I decide which ones to chase.

—Co-editor Jeeves, 2

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OutreachNC.com | AUGUST 2015

AOS At Home Care the best fit for the care you need Choosing private in-home care is one of the most important decisions you can make for yourself or a loved one.

We help you select pre-screened caregivers to suit your needs.

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Cary 919-535-8713 Fayetteville 910-639-9420 Southern Pines 910-692-0683 www.AgingOutreachServices.com AUGUST 2015 | OutreachNC.com 67

The Best Investment You Can Make?

You. Compare your current cost of living to either of our two premier senior living communities and we think you can see there’s no downside to living a worry-free lifestyle with the security and peace of mind where everything is taken care of—you’re worth the investment. To see how your life can be more fulfilling, happy, and nothing short of remarkable at Pine Knoll or Belle Meade, please call 910.246.1008.

68

OutreachNC.com | AUGUST 2015

100 Waters Dr., Southern Pines, NC 28387 - 910.246.1008 - sjp.org

A member of the St. Joseph of the Pines aging services network continuing the legacy of the Sisters of Providence.