February/March 2021 Sand & Pine

February/March 2021

SAND & PINE Hiking We Will Go

Beautiful Treks Close to Home

Gift Guide

For Your Valentine's Sweetheart

Skoolie Livin’

A Tiny Mobile Home

Love Where You Live!

Special thanks to The Mod Shop in downtown Southern Pines!

Nikki Bowman

Jessica Rowan

910.528.4902

910.585.5438

Broker/Owner

Broker

760 B NW Broad Street • Southern Pines

realtyworldofmoore.com

www.SandandPineMag.com | 1

Rose 75 1 ounce Hibiscus Rose Cocktail Mixer 1 ounce gin .5 ounce fresh lemon juice Sparkling wine Shake the first three ingredients in a shaker with ice.

Strain into a flute or coup glass and top off with sparkling wine.

Garnish with cherry or lemon slice.

K I T CH E N GOODS | COCK TAIL SUP P LIE S | H O S T E S S G I F T S L AGU IOLE CU T LE RY | S TAU B CA S T IR ON C OOK WAR E H OME DE C OR AND MOR E 2 | SAND& PINE MAGAZINE February/March 2021

1 0 0 M AG NO LI A R OA D, S U I T E 1 0 2, V ILL AG E O F P INEH U R S T W W W. P U R P LE T H IS T LE S H O P. C O M | 9 1 0 . 4 2 0 . 2 4 3 4

Home is Where the Heart is!

4 Woodland Circle, Foxfire Village

123 Michael Lane, Aberdeen

325 Page Road, Pinehurst

Designer/builder collaboration! All the “bells and whistles” Custom details! Master & guest BR on main! Fabulous walk in crawlspace! Screened porch! Tranquil golf front views!

SOLD! Another beautiful, well-planned home built

by AW Homes. Desirable floor plan with open living area, screened porch & concrete grilling patio on a large lot close to major shopping & schools.

Located near First Health Hospital. The upstairs units L & M offer almost 2000 sq.ft. 4 offices, waiting room, lobby area, 2 bathrooms and kitchenette.

2 Woodland Circle, Foxfire Village

105 Birdsong Court, Aberdeen

203 Cristys Circle, McClendon Hills

400,000 4BR / 3BA

$

375,000 4BR / 2.5BA

$

331,200 4BR / 3BA

$

335,000 4BR / 3.5BA

$

225,000

$

475,000 3BR / 2.5BA

$

SOLD! New Construction & private golf front on

1/2+ Acres! Custom details in every room. Open concept LR/Kit plan. Beautiful HW floors! Tall walk in crawlspace!

Spacious home with large bonus room located in Forest Hills, Aberdeen, close to schools & shopping. A large covered porch, concrete patio & fence backyard are perfect for entertaining.

New construction model on 1+ac near lake.

Certified green & low energy bills! Single level split BR Plan w/LL 15 x 30 workshop/storage. Open floorplan w/custom features. Carolina room opens to Trex decking & spacious backyard.

678 Rosebud Court, Vass-Woodlake

650 Bethesda Road, Southern Pines

105 Azalea Court, 7 Lakes North

Bright interior & open concept LR/Kit plan! Laundry on 2nd level. Sep office/multipurpose Rm on Main.

Great for remote work & school!

PENDING! A rare 2,000 sf oasis on a private

1.49 acre lot directly across from Weymouth Woods. Privacy and move-in condition! Superb and spacious home, close to Southern Pines and Ft. Bragg.

Custom split BR craftsman. Just 2 years old!

Double 1+ acre lot. Fenced backyard, outdoor kit & fishpond w/waterfall. Gorgeous kit w/custom cabinets & granite; hw oak flrs throughout. scr. porch; 2.5 garage.

1 Eagle Drive, Foxfire Village

179 Boiling Springs Circle, Southern Pines

101 W. Devonshire, 7 Lakes South

248,000 4BR / 2.5BA

$

UNDER CONTRACT! EZ Military commute!

$280,000 3BR / 2.5BA

Nearly 1 acre! Lovely split BR design & easy single level plan includes tray ceiling DR & MBR. Two sided fireplace opens from LR large kitchen with HW cabinets & tile floors! Carolina room!

435,000 3BR / 2.5BA

$

405,000 4BR / 2.5BA

$

SOLD! Charming cottage near DT So. Pines!

Custom details! Handsome bamboo HW floors!

Open concept DR/Kit/LR plan. Solid core doors, 2x6 exterior walls, Star appliances!

TWO LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU Aberdeen 102 W. South Street

Seven Lakes 150 McDonald Street

w w w.WeSellM oore.co m

$

$

319,000 4BR / 2BA

245,000 3BR / 2BA

Gorgeous golf front views @ 7LCC. Beautifully updated all-brick w/new kitchen-quartz counters, SS appliances & tile backsplash. Open plan w/hw flrs in main areas; vaulted LR w/brick woodburn FP. Carolina rm opens to deck & beautiful backyard.

Sarah O’Brien Sandy Stewart Debby Currier Angie McKew Rebecca Cummings

Raise awareness about heart health and urge those around you to prevent heart disease. #OurHearts www.SandandPineMag.com | 3are healthier together. Join us!

contents 12

18

Skoolie Livin’

SAND & PINE

Tiny homes are trending for their affordability and minimalism, but how about a tiny home on wheels. No, not an RV. We’re talkin’ skoolies!

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Gift Guide

At the Table

What to get that sweetheart of yours?

Never fear, this list of ideas from local businesses will have you covered and are sure to make your loved one smile.

Before you run away, hear us out. Tofu can be good. Really! You just have to find the right recipes. Luckily, we’re here to help.

Pub People

Greg Girard, Amanda Jakl

SA N D & P IN E February/March 2021

Storysmith

Greg Girard greg@sandandpinemag.com

Creative Conjuror

Amanda Jakl amanda@sandandpinemag.com

Idea Inventor

Amanda Oden oden@sandandpinemag.com

Hiking We Will Go

se to Home Beautiful Treks Clo

Gift Guide

e's Sweetheart

For Your Valentin

Skoolie Livin’

e

A Tiny Mobile Hom

On the Cover “Returning home is the most difficult part of long-distance hiking; You have grown outside the puzzle and your piece no longer fits.”

– Cindy Ross

Word Geek

Rachel Dorrell

Ad Peddler

Debbie Jordan debbie@sandandpinemag.com

Contributing Scribblers

Hannah Brittnacher, Karen Caulfield, Darcy Connor, Christin Daubert, Amanda Oden, Patti Ranck, Mike Thomas, Dana Vamvakias

Our Girl Friday Iris Voelker

Visual Alchemist Steven Jordan

4 | SAND& PINE MAGAZINE February/March 2021

P.O. Box 892 Southern Pines, NC 28388 Tel. 910.315.0467 info@sandandpinemag.com www.sandandpinemag.com facebook: SandandPineMag

SP

© Copyright 2021. Sand & Pine Magazine is published six times annually by Sand & Pine, LLC. Reproduction in whole or in part without written consent is prohibited.

Quicksand 6 Good Reads

10

Garden Variety

22

Beer Matters

28

Be Inspired 34 Parenting in the Pines 36 Pet Care 38 On the Fly 40

30 Hiking We Will Go

The perfect and safe way to get out of your home, enjoy a change of scenery and feel good. These local hikes are just the thing.

42

Dropping In

45

Puzzles

46

DIY

Last Word

48

Ready to transplant that favorite cactus to a new pot? We’ve got the tips and tricks to protect your beloved prickly plant—as well as your hands.

editor note I’ve discovered another symptom to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It happened while I was standing in front of the meat section at Harris Teeter. I was looking for pre-cut stew meat for a new recipe we were going to try on the weekend. After scanning the different rows of meat for an unusually long period of time, it finally clicked that I wasn’t seeing it. There was no pre-cut stew meat!

(The butcher pushing that circular meat cart gave me one of those annoyed glances that said, “Make up your mind, pal, and get out of my way, I’ve got 50 packs of 80/20 ground to get on the shelf.” Butchers are an intimidating bunch, aren’t they? I always feel like I’m being judged when picking out a steak and they’re laughing at me in that secret back room that I picked the wrong one.)

I turned to ask the aforementioned butcher how it could possibly be there was no pre-cut meat but he was gone, which in hindsight makes me wonder how long I was standing there or if he was real.

It became apparent to me that I would have to use some deductive reasoning to come up with an alternative. And as I contemplated this radical thinking, I realized I was doing my

by Greg Girard

deductive reasoning out loud. That within the protective confines of my mask, my mouth was uttering the words of my inner musings in this partially insane mumbled tone.

Then it hit me that I’ve been doing this self-conversation stuff for a while now. At the bananas, wondering why they put out the deep green ones that will never ripen. At the deli, worrying she was slicing the meat too thick. At the ice cream aisle, wondering why in the hell they never carry Häagen-Dazs Chocolate Chip. Or at the makeup section, searching vainly for nail polish remover that someone, who shall go unnamed, led me to believe was in one section when it was in an entirely different section.

My mask has somehow given me free license to vocalize my inner ravings. And I have no recollection of who was near me at these times, although, I do have to say, it seemed like I had the store to myself and check out was extremely swift.

It makes me wonder what will happen when I no longer need the mask. Will these mutterings continue? Does this affliction solely manifest at grocery stores?

So if you’re at the grocery store and you hear someone next to you muttering softly, know they’re probably just wondering why it’s so hard to find the “best by” date on the yogurt container. No need to be alarmed. Oh, and I got a pound and a half slab of chuck for the stew, in case you were wondering. www.SandandPineMag.com | 5

QUICKSAND

BY THE NUMBERS » POPEYE THE SAILOR

1929

The year Popeye the Sailor made his first appearance in the comic strip Thimble Theatre. Thimble Theatre was in its 10th year when Popeye first surfaced. Popeye was such a hit that eventually the comic strip was renamed after him. Popeye appeared originally in comic strips, but his character was elevated to cartoon shows, movies, and even videogames. Popeye was even marketed for advertisement for a number of products ranging from (big surprise) spinach to candy cigarettes.

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Percent increase of spinach consumption in the 1930s, credited to Popeye the Sailor. His influence was so prominent he essentially saved the spinach industry in the U.S. during that time and even helped some children double their vegetable intake. Popeye’s love for spinach began when he was beaten up and thrown into a spinach field.

2

Number of slang words added to the English language because of Popeye. One was “wimp,” meaning a weak or cowardly person, which is still widely used today and originated from the character J. Wellington Wimpy, an apathetic friend of Popeye’s. The other was “doofus,” meaning a stupid person, from the character named Dufus in the comic.

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35

Years of advertising that the restaurant Popeye’s focused on the cartoon. Interestingly, the restaurant was not named after the infamous sailor but after the fictional detective from the 1971 film The French Connection. The restaurant had signed a $1.1 million annual contract to use Popeye the Sailor for advertising back in 1977, making the origin of their name somewhat confusing.

43

Dollar amount, in millions, paid to Popeye’s founder by the restaurant chain for his chicken recipe. The founder, Al Copeland, filed for bankruptcy back in 1991 and lost ownership of the restaurants. He kept the famous chicken recipe, however, and even after his death the restaurant chain paid his family $3 million a year for it, until the restaurant bought the recipe outright in 2014.

5

Cost, in dollars, of Popeye’s celebratory chicken, which was battered with Champagne and sprinkled with 24-karat gold flakes. The special chicken was created to celebrate the opening of the chain’s 3,000th store in 2018. Despite the high-end ingredients, the chain kept the same price to purchase it as a meal.

1980

The year the live action movie Popeye debuted.

It was Robin William's first leading role in a movie. Dustin Hoffman was originally interested in playing the lead role.

Shelley Duvall, who played Olive Oyl, actually had the nickname Olive Oyl growing up.

LOOK, LISTEN & LEARN

OUTER SANDBOX ROAD TRIP!

Start With This The creators of our favorite podcast last year, Welcome to Night Vale, Jeffrey Cranor and Joseph Fink believe the only bad writing is not writing. Start With This is a podcast gone creative workshop designed to put your ideas in motion. Each episode centers around a topic from world building to opening lines, and even failure. Then they give listeners two short assignments: something to consume and something to create. The best way to start writing is to start writing. Not sure where to begin? Start With This.

Crunchyroll We finished ALL of Netflix (seriously, do we get a trophy or a T-shirt or something?) and are glad we stumbled upon Crunchyroll! The app instantly connects us to Anime and live-action Asian television shows. Admittedly, we have no idea what anybody is saying but we’re hooked! Do yourself a favor, grab a box of tuseong-i (that’s Korean for tissue) and check out one of the many dramatic romance series on their lineup.

Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend After 25 years behind the late-night desk, Conan O’Brien realized he had never made a lasting friendship with any guest on his show and he uses this lighthearted podcast to attempt to do just that. Guests like Amy Sedaris, Tom Hanks, Michelle Obama and Paul Rudd all have hilarious reactions to being selected as potential BFFs for the zany comedian.

Road trip! Beyond the boundaries of our little sandbox, there is much to see. Here are a few events worth checking out. For events with a more local flavor, check out moorechoices.net. And check with locales before heading out!

APRIL 8 Empire Records Screening Wilmington | meyershousenc.com Nostalgic ’90s kids and movie geeks alike will appreciate this one! Join “On Set Cinema” at Restaurant Rebellion in downtown Wilmington for a screening of the cult classic Empire Records, right where many of the film’s scenes were shot.

DAILY - FEB. & MARCH North Carolina Museum of Art - Jukebox Raleigh | ncartmuseum.org NCMA is offering four hours of continuous curated music from multiple cultural perspectives. Enjoy jazz, Motown, Appalachian and the syncopated rhythms of Latin American music while relaxing on the lawn. About one quarter of the musical selections highlight collections and exhibitions currently on show at the museum. No ticket is required to listen, but guests must adhere to mandated social distancing and mask guidelines.

ANYTIME Land of Oz Beech Mountain | landofoznc.com While it’s true that “there’s no place like home,” quite frankly, we are a little sick of looking at the same four walls every day. Our next excursion will be to take a tour of the quaint, once abandoned, now privately owned park. They are currently only open for select events, but you can schedule a completely immersive and interactive tour of Oz from Dorothy herself.

QUOTES Would I rather be feared or loved?

Easy. Both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me.

– Michael Scott, The Office

The secret to a long marriage is to stay gone.

– Dolly Parton www.SandandPineMag.com | 7

TO YOUR HEALTH

Health Tips We’re all spending a lot more time looking at screens nowadays, which can sometimes lead to eye strain, blurred vision and headaches. One possible solution? Bluelight-blocking glasses. If you spend six hours or more a day in front of a screen, ophthalmologists recommend some type

of blue light reduction. Another added benefit is that the lenses help increase your nighttime melatonin levels, which result in a more peaceful night's sleep.

I Floss, I Swear Here is yet another reason why it’s bad to lie to your dentist when they ask the dreaded question “how often are you flossing?” A recent study shows people with periodontal disease are almost twice

as likely to also have heart disease. Such a strong link between periodontitis and cardiovascular disease makes the simple task of flossing a no-brainer for a healthy heart. Healthy teeth may also reduce your risk of clogged arteries.

Live Lightly Tips on living a more sustainable life

Stress Message You’re probably familiar with the benefits of massage for sore muscles and back pain. But there’s a growing body of research that supports the positive impact

of massage therapy for relieving stress, anxiety and depression as well. In the United States, almost half of adults will experience a mental health challenge of some sort during their lifetime and massage therapy is an affordable and accessible tool to help alleviate symptoms. While we never really need an excuse to book a day at the spa, we will be referring to them as “mental health days” from here on out.

MARCH 6 Rumba on the Lumber Lumberton 10k, 5k, kids run active.com

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MARCH 20 Equinox Half Marathon Wentworth 13.1m, 10k, 5k, 1m runsignup.com

We all love the ambiance and aroma of a pretty candle. In the U.S. alone, jar candle sales are more than $3 billion annually.

While soy and beeswax are renewable resources and biodegradable, paraffin wax is a petroleum byproduct and releases toxic benzene and toluene when burned. Unfortunately, the majority of candles made are with paraffin wax, which often results in lots of candle waste being tossed into landfills.

An easy way to remove old candle wax from the jar is to put it in the freezer. Once the wax is frozen, it is easy to pry out. After the glass container is cleaned out, it is typically able to be recycled.

Or better yet, repurpose it to hold office supplies, makeup brushes or even use it as a cute planter.

As for the extra candle wax, use it to lubricate a squeaky door hinge, seal up shoelace frays or start your next campfire. And avoid those paraffin candles!

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APRIL 17 Pinehurst Triathlon Pinehurst Olympic, Sprint runsignup.com

We K e e p t h e S a n d h i l l s o n I t s F e e t !

Dr. A. Anthony Haro, III

Diplomate American Board of Foot & Ankle Surgery Board Certified in Reconstructive Rearfoot / Ankle Surgery & Board Certified in Foot Surgery Fellow American College of Foot & Ankle Surgery Fellowship in Reconstructive Foot & Ankle Surgery

Dr. Amie L. Haracz

Diplomate American Board of Foot & Ankle Surgery Board Qualified in Reconstructive Rearfoot / Ankle Surgery & Board Certified in Foot Surgery Fellow American College of Foot & Ankle Surgery

Dr. Kevin W. Schmidtke

Diplomate American Board of Podiatric Medicine Board Qualified in Foot Surgery Associate American College of Foot & Ankle Surgery

Specializing in Ankle/Foot Care & Surgery: Ankle and foot disorders • Diabetic foot care • Arthritis Joint replacement • Bunions • Hammertoes Achilles & tendon injuries • Nerve pain Ingrown nails & nail problems • Ankle arthroscopy Sports injuries / fractures • Heel pain • Flat feet Corns & Calluses • Warts and wound care

Pinehurst Clinic

200 Westgate Drive, Suite A 910.295.7400

Raeford Clinic 313 Teal Drive 910.904.7430

Troy Clinic

522 Allen Street 910.571.5710

Sanford Clinic

1139 Carthage Street 910.295.7400

www.SandandPineMag.com | 9

Good Reads

by Darcy Connor

Preschool/Toddler

Picture Book

Grumpy Monkey

The Couch Potato

Written by Suzanne Lang

Written by Jory John

Illustrated by Max Lang

Illustrated by Pete Oswald

One morning Jim Panzee woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Everything just seemed to bother him. “The sun was too bright, the sky was too blue, and the bananas were too sweet.” He gets a bunch of advice from friends on how to get out of his bad mood but that just makes him grumpier. So what should he do? Maybe, just maybe, it’s OK to feel grumpy for the day. This is a wonderful story to help kids understand their feelings and help them recognize they’re allowed to have those feelings, and that they won’t last forever.

Couch Potato is living the life.

Everything is within reach and he doesn’t have to move much at all.

But when the electricity goes out, he’s forced to lift himself off the couch to venture outside. A message of moderation and balance, Jory John uses humor to share the idea that true happiness is found somewhere between screen time and playtime. This is the fourth book in a series, consisting of The Bad Seed, The Good Egg and The Cool Bean.

Elementary School Power Forward: Zayd Saleem, Chasing the Dream Written by Hena Khan Illustrated by Sally Wern Comport

Fourth-grader Zayd has one dream: To become the first PakistaniAmerican to make it to the NBA. He believes it is his destiny. There are a few problems, though. At the moment, he is on the developmental team, far from the top gold team where his best friend plays.

And his parents aren’t supportive, wanting him to play violin instead of bouncing a ball. But Zayd is determined, even skipping violin practice to play basketball with his friends. When his parents find out, their attempts to banish any thought of playing hoops still won’t deter Zayd.

But how far will he go to chase his dream?

10 | SAND& PINE MAGAZINE February/March 2021

Middle School Fever, 1793

By Laurie Halse Anderson

On the streets and docks of Philadelphia, mosquitoes are swarming and a deadly fever is causing panic. Fourteen-year-old Mattie Cook has already seen her close friend die of the fever, and as she works to help her family’s small coffee shop grow, she’ll soon find that her struggles to grow the business are eclipsed by her struggles for survival. “Life was a battle, and Mother a tired and bitter captain,” thinks Mattie. The message in this story is one of perseverance, and strikes close to home as we struggle through our own pandemic. An exceptional story and more relevant than ever.

Adult

The Sandhills Woman’s Exchange

The Boy From the Woods

By Harlan Coben

Found 30 years ago living feral in the woods, and no memory of his past, Wilde is now an adult still struggling with the mystery of his life. Then, another child goes missing and Wilde is tasked with finding her while uncovering secrets of his own past. If you think you need some time to escape the real world (And, really, who isn’t?), The Boy From the Woods, or truly any of Harlan Coben’s novels, is a great way to do it. A mystery that will keep you guessing, this is another great story

by The New York Times bestselling author.

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opens on Groundhog Day!

Tuesday, February 2 at 10 a.m.

15 Azalea Road, Pinehurst / 910-295-4677

sandhillswe.org

www.SandandPineMag.com | 11

Skoolie Livin’ Where the road, and Robin, are home

By Amanda Oden Photos courtesy of Nick Crocker & Katie Zoller

T

he Tiny House movement has been around for decades but recently, thanks to reality television, it has really gained in popularity. There were approximately 10,000 tiny houses sold in America last year alone. Many people choose to downsize in order simplify their lifestyle and rid themselves of unneeded possessions, some to reduce their impact on the environment, while others opt to ditch the Tudor with a picket fence for economic reasons. Finances ultimately were one of the main factors that led to Nick Crocker and Katie Zoller’s decision to go tiny.

In 2018, the couple decided to take on the challenge of renovating an old school bus into a tiny home, commonly known as a Skoolie.

Although for Crocker, a tiny home wasn’t necessarily his first choice. “When people find out that I live on a bus and travel around the country, a common response is that I’m ‘living the dream.’ Which I guess, in some ways, I am,” he says. “But my original dream, honestly, was to build a nice house on some land. I had quite a bit of student loan debt and even working full time at a decent job, I didn’t have a debt-to-income ratio

12 | SAND& PINE MAGAZINE February/March 2021

that was going to make the traditional route of home ownership a possibility without racking up even more debt. I have always been passionate about traveling and being outdoors, and I knew if owning a house outright was going to be an achievable goal for me, I was going to have to get creative about how I wanted to do it. The tiny house movement seemed appealing, and the idea of having the mobility of a Skoolie was ideal.”

Zoller’s vision was similar, but didn’t necessarily include interior design of small spaces. “I didn’t always want to live in a tiny house. It really wasn’t something that was on my radar. It’s funny, my dream home was always a big Victorian with a wraparound porch. But since we’ve been on this journey for the past three years, I really can’t imagine it any other way.”

And really, where does one even go to purchase a school bus? Well, a school, of course. “We bought the bus, used, for about $4,500 in January of 2018 from a private school in Tennessee that was downsizing their fleet,” says Zoller. “From a mechanical standpoint, everything was in seemingly good condition and so our first order of business was making the bus livable. We

www.SandandPineMag.com | 13

had to rip out the seats and remove all the flooring, side paneling and ceiling. For those first few weeks, it felt like we were doing more stripping and cleaning than anything else. Then came the building process. We were drafting up plans on scraps of cardboard and doing lots of research.”

Luckily, Crocker and Zoller had a good friend who agreed to let them park the bus on their property during the build. It wasn’t easy balancing their budget with making the bus a home.

“It was challenging because we were trying to keep things as affordable as possible, but I knew if the bus wasn’t aesthetically pleasing and functional, we were never going to feel like it was truly a home,” says Crocker. “We had to really decide what materials we wanted to splurge on and what our ideal layout was going to be. We got a lot of materials at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore and found clearance flooring from Home Depot. We decided on a cubic mini wood stove for heat during the winter. It’s a lot of trial and

14 | SAND& PINE MAGAZINE February/March 2021

error, and we are constantly tweaking things to make them better suit our needs. The top of our bus is outfitted with solar panels and a rooftop deck and there is plumbing and electricity just like in any home. We even mounted a 28-inch television inside. We opted for a bright and welcoming robin’s egg blue paint color for the exterior of the bus, hence the bus’s moniker, ‘Robin.’”

Just like in a regular home, the idea was to create a space that is aesthetically pleasing and offers the amenities that make a house a home. Crocker, for example, is foodie and Zoller loves to bake, so it was important for Crocker to have a gas range and for Zoller to have a portable convection oven.

“Our kitchen is small, but we have both lived in major cities and we don’t really feel like there’s that much less space than if we were in an apartment in Boston or Atlanta,” says Zoller. “Because we have a rooftop deck and lots of flex seating inside the bus, we’ve actually been able to host dinner parties for up to

10 people at a time and everyone was able to eat and socialize comfortably.”

And there’s also the need for functionality. “The first question people usually ask us when touring the bus is, ‘Where’s the toilet?’ We built a small closet around a composting toilet,” says Crocker. “It has a 12 v fan to pull air into the toilet, through the hose and out of the bus. With regular maintenance and because of the fan system, we have found that there is less odor than when you are using a traditional bathroom.”

“The next question people ask is ‘how do you shower?’ Because in a Skoolie, space is always a factor, we didn’t want to give up a lot of square footage of living space for something we would use for maybe five minutes a day. When the weather is nice and we have privacy, we just turn the faucet of our kitchen sink out the window and shower outdoors. If we are in a location where that’s not possible, we do a quick sink bath which gets the job done.”

OK, so function, check. Aesthetics, check.

Amenities, check. But where do they put all their stuff?

“We sold and donated a lot when we started this process,” says Zoller. “Tiny house living means you have to be constantly aware of space and storage. We

try to adhere to a ‘one in, one out’ rule. Meaning if we buy something or bring a new item on to the bus, we have to be prepared to get rid of something in its place. We’re not always successful, but minimalism is definitely easier in close quarters.”

Crocker and Zoller started their cross-country journey in August 2020. “We had a rough itinerary of places we wanted to visit before we set out,” says Crocker. “We would lay out maps and plot out the different national parks we wanted to hit. We were both working retail jobs at the time and picking up odd jobs any chance we could to save as much money as possible. Our first stops were to visit family in Indiana and Minnesota. After our stop in the Midwest, we headed to Colorado to hike Longs Peak and Wetterhorn Peak. After Colorado, we wanted to keep our travel schedule pretty flexible. We’ve been able to work seasonal jobs here and there and saving is so much easier when we’re not spending money on rent or a mortgage.”

After six months, and navigating a pandemic, the occupants of Robin feel like they’re just getting started, even if there have been some bumps in the road.

“We figured what better way to socially distance

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16 | SAND& PINE MAGAZINE February/March 2021

ourselves then to be outside in nature? Because we had most everything we needed on Robin, traveling safely was easy enough,” says Crocker. “Some of our favorite places we’ve visited so far have been the Tetons and several of the different slot canyons in Utah. And because we had already been living together in such a small space, we didn’t really deal with most of the cabin fever that a lot of people were having to adjust to during lockdown.

“We get on each other's nerves sometimes and it can be REALLY stressful driving around with literally all of your possessions. Like any couple that lives together, we need alone time and personal space. We’re both really active and sometimes Katie will be heading out for a run and I’ll try to tag along and she’ll say, ‘I’m going for a run ALONE.’ Living in such a small space really makes us have to deal with any conflicts head on, but we think that’s for the best.”

And all that togetherness must not be so bad. Just before Thanksgiving, Crocker asked Zoller to marry him.

“Most people that know us imagine the proposal was on a mountain top, but no. While sitting at the bus dining nook in sweatpants eating quesadillas Nick got on one knee and popped the question,” says Zoller with a laugh. “He makes a hell of a good quesadilla and is the only guy I’ve met that can keep up with me while hiking, so I said yes. But in all realness, it was perfect and we are overjoyed!

“We’ve been talking a lot about potentially starting a family and how that would work while living on the bus.

There are a lot of families that do it and really thrive. I think when the child is small it wouldn’t be a big deal, but as they got older, we would have to evaluate what would work best for our family. From my past experience working as a nanny, I am hesitant to have a baby without access to a washer and dryer though! At some point we will want to put down roots somewhere, although we haven’t really settled on a particular place as of yet. It would be nice to buy a fixer upper house and live on the bus while we renovate.”

Zoller eventually would like to secure a remote job in the outdoor industry, but Crocker would like to run his own business helping others achieve their tiny house dreams.

“For a while in Atlanta, I apprenticed with a master carpenter. I’d like to combine my carpentry skills and all the firsthand knowledge I have from the skoolie to start a business converting and reselling vans.” Until then, more travel awaits and the road will remain home.

You can follow along with Nick and Katie’s adventures with Robin via their Instagram @robinthebus.

SP

www.SandandPineMag.com | 17

SP Shop SP c Lo al

G

F

I

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•

T

fill 'er up!

• 1

RAILHOUSE BREWERY BEER

Drinking locally is the sexiest thing you can do, don't you think? As the first brewery in Moore County, Railhouse has kept the beer flowing since 2010. Grab a six-

pack or fill up a growler, either way, you can't lose. Prices vary.

2

FREAKER BOTTLE COOZIES Gotta

keep that beer cold!

Head over to Flowland for a variety of cool (we couldn't resist the pun,

18 | SAND& PINE MAGAZINE February/March 2021

•

sorry!) designs. $9.99 each.

3

ENGRAVED WOOD COASTERS

Set of 5 coasters at Against the Grain for $48. Remember, nobody like water rings on their coffee tables.

4

METAL FLASK

We're far enough into this pandemic that a flask for everyone seems like a reasonable idea. Grab one at Purple Thistle for $25.

5

BEER BRITTLE

Something sweet in a beer can? Yes please!

Bacon Bourbon Barrel Stout and Chocolate Peanut Butter Porter varieties availble at Purple Thistle for $7.

is the key to a relationship. " Honesty

If you can fake that, you're in.

"

Richard Jeni

G

U

I

'

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D

2

1

Happy Valentine's Day!

1

LE CONTESSE PROSECCO Pop

some bubbly. Get this bottle at Purple Thistle for $15.99.

2

PICK YOUR POISON

The saucy “Would You

Rather?” game to play with your beau. Grab it at Flowland for $24.99.

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SHERLING SLIPPERS

Doesn‘t matter what you‘re drinking when you're wearing super comfy slippers from

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COCKTAIL MIXERS

Mix it up with a new cocktail. Purple Thistle carries a variety to satisfy your taste buds. $18.

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MUG AND SOCKS

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Curl up with a good book, furry friend and a cuppa.Cared for Canine and Cat has you covered for $18.

TEA AND INFUSER

Adorable heart infuser is $5 and various loose leaf teas are $8 per box at Purple Thistle.

www.SandandPineMag.com | 19

Shop SP Local SKIP AMAZON

Before you order something on Amazon, check to see if you can find it locally. Supporting local businesses today ensures that they are open tomorrow.

CALLING ALL THE DIYERS Stop in at The ^ ^ Bullroom in Aberdeen and get painting.

This project is just one of many available!

ARE YOU STUCK? Stuck on what to get your special someone?

Consider a gift card to a local restaurant or business and spend it together!

SERVE SOME HEARTS These heart egg rings ^ ^ can be used for toast, eggs, pancakes, the

ideas are endless. Available at Purple Thistle.

"

I’ve only ever said ‘I love you’ to two men my entire life, Stone Cold Steve Austin and a guy in a dark club who I mistook for Stone Cold Steve Austin.

Eleanor Shellstrop, The Good Place

1

CAT KEYCHAIN Even

your four-legged friends need some Valentine's love. Keychain for you, cute collar charm for them. Win win. Get the set at Cared for Canine & Cat for $18.

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LIGHTNING EARRINGS Can

never have too many cute earrings. $28 at Courtney's Shoes.

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PENCIL CASES

They'll think of you

20 | SAND& PINE MAGAZINE February/March 2021

every time they need a pencil and that's pretty sweet. Various designs at Flowland and just $5.99 each.

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WILDFLOWER GROW KIT

Grow your own bouquet with this cute grow kit

"

from Against the Grain for just $10.

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VIOLET + MAGNOLIA CANDLE

Your love burns bright and hot, just like this candle. Get it at R. Riveter for $28.

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NOVELTY GUM

Gifts don't have to be big and extravagant.

Lots of messages to choose from at Flowland for $1.69 each.

" By all means marry. If you get a good wife, you’ll be happy. If you

get a bad one, you’ll become a philosopher.

Socrates

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FAUX PYTHON MESSENGER BAG

This year what better way to treat yourself than with this bag from Courtney's Shoes for $138.

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NAOMI CLUTCH

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The classics never go out of style. Think of this as an investment instead of just a gift. Find it at R.Riveter for $85.

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QUEEN BEE PILLOW

Your home should make a statement. Let everyone know who's boss with this pillow from Purple Thistle for $48 each.

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LAVENDER EYE PILLOW

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Give your eyes a break with this super relaxing eye pillow. The weight is comforting while the lavender tickles the nose.

Get it at Against the Grain for $39.50.

Gotta smell good and this roll-on fragrance will ensure it stays on for the long haul. Many scents available at Flowland, but we like Forbidden Desire. $8.99 each.

Cared for Canine & Cat

The Bullroom

Purple Thistle

Courtney's Shoes

Against the Grain

R. Riveter

Flowland

Railhouse brewery

1150 Old U.S. Hwy 1, Southern Pines caredforcanineandcat.com 135 Beverly Lane, Southern Pines courtneysshoes.com 1200 N Sandhills Blvd., Suite A, Aberdeen flowland.net

103 W. South Street, Aberdeen facebook.com/thebullroomaberdeen 220 NW Broad St., Aberdeen againstthegrainshoppe.com 105 E. South Street, Aberdeen railhousebrewery.com

ROLL-ON FRAGRANCE OIL

100 Magnolia Road, Suite 102, Pinehurst purplethistleshop.com 154 NW Broad St., Southern Pines rriveter.com

➺ Shop the Stores www.SandandPineMag.com | 21

Garden A Bloom for Every Month

I

grew up in the Midwest, which had a much shorter growing season than North Carolina; I cannot think of a plant we had in flower in the winter months. When moving here, 30 years ago, I was excited to learn I could have something blooming every month of the year. As an avid gardener, I was thrilled, and set out to research what I could include in our landscape that would achieve my goal.

The spring and summer months are the easy ones, with a plethora of perennials and flowering trees and shrubs in bloom. In April, May and June, azalea, magnolia, spirea, hydrangea, red bud and dogwood are hitting their

BY DOLORES MULLER N.C. Cooperative Extension Service Master Gardener Volunteer

22 | SAND& PINE MAGAZINE February/March 2021

peak. Additionally, iris, phlox, lady banks rose, confederate jasmine and tea olive are blooming.

In the summer months of July, August and September, a variety of annuals and perennials still provide colorful blooms. As we move into autumn, salvias of assorted colors and sizes continue blooming right into the fall season, along with ginger lilies, sasanqua camellias, joe pye weed, witch hazel and tea olives (which bloom in spring and fall).

I thought the winter months would be challenging, but I found many plants that provide blooms. Of course, the queen of the winter flowers in

the south is Camellia japonica, blooming from midwinter to spring. Daphne, winter honeysuckle, Lenten rose, star magnolia, tulip magnolia and flowering apricots bloom in January and February. The rest of the early months find forsythia, quince, cherry trees and loropetalum blooming.

These are just some of the plants I found to provide flowers year-round. I am always adding to my list. I am sure you can think of a few as well.

•

If I could only plant one tree, it would be our state tree, the dogwood.

As I write this article, hundreds of robins have descended on our seven dogwoods and are devouring the berries. Dogwood berries are a favorite of many birds, including the cedar waxwings that often accompany the robins for the feast.

•

Salvia elegans, with its tomato red flowers, will bloom until a frost ends its show. If you want to attract hummingbirds, salvias are a must.

•

Planting varieties of sasanqua and japonica camellias in your landscape could provide flowers from fall to spring.

SP

/NCMGMooreCnty

www.SandandPineMag.com | 23

At the

Table

Tasting tofu

By KAREN CAULFIELD mooreeats.com

P

eople either love tofu or hate it. If you talk to the experts, they’ll say if you hate it, it means the tofu wasn’t prepared right. In North America, it has been promoted more as a meat substitute than as an ingredient that stands on its own. I think this does tofu a disservice because if you are comparing one thing to another, nothing will beat the original.

Tofu has very little flavor or scent, and it can be used in both savory and sweet dishes. In order to flavor tofu it is often marinated in soy sauce, chilies, sesame oil, etc. In Asian cooking, tofu is prepared in many ways, including raw, stewed, stir-fried, in soup, cooked in sauce or stuffed with fillings.

Similar to the production of dairy cheese by creating curds and pressing and aging the curds to make cheese, tofu is made of soy milk curds that are pressed into solid blocks and can be made either soft or firm.

The Chinese have been eating tofu for more 2,000 years. It also can be found in the traditional cuisines of Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Singapore and Thailand. In China, it is used as a food offering when visiting the graves of ancestors, claiming that the spirits have lost their chins and jaws, so that only tofu is soft enough for them to eat.

In the U.S., Benjamin Franklin was the first American to mention tofu, in a 1770 letter to John Bartram.

Franklin, who encountered it during a trip to London, included a few soybeans and referred to it as “cheese” from China.

Types of Tofu Block tofu is what you'll find most often at grocery stores and restaurants, and is sometimes referred to as “cotton tofu” due to the fluffy texture of the curds. You'll find block tofu sold packed in water in plastic trays. Block tofu 24 | SAND& PINE MAGAZINE February/March 2021

comes in several forms, including soft, medium-firm, firm and extra firm. You’ll find many recipes using firm block tofu due to its adaptability.

Silken tofu is the next most common tofu style. It’s made in a similar process to block tofu, except that the soy milk is coagulated without curdling the milk. It's also left unpressed, so every tofu cake retains all of its moisture while cooling. Because curds never form, the tofu has a smooth and silky appearance. More delicate than block tofu, silken tofus require delicate handling.

Fresh silken/custard tofu is best for the most delicate dishes. Because custard tofus are consumed with minimal preparation, your best bet is purchasing them fresh. Massproduced ones taste flat and bitter. But if you can find a reliable local source, the light, slightly sweet and milky character of a fresh silken/custard tofu is not to be missed.

Purchase fresh silken/custard tofu right before you need it, as this tofu turns quickly. Once you see a pink/orange hue glaze the surface—which can happen as quickly as the next day—toss it, as it should no longer be used.

Dry/Five Spice Tofu is an ultra-dense tofu block stained a deep purple/brown with seasoning (usually Chinese five-spice powder), and is baked and compacted into tight cubes. It closes the circle of tofu preparation techniques, as a dry tofu—like silken—requires little to no cooking. Chop it up, toss it into a noodle or brothy curry dish, and enjoy.

Smoked tofu is extra-firm tofu is most often smoked in tea leaves, giving it a light hue and smoky flavor. It’s so dry and dense, you can barely see the curds, and is very similar to dry tofu, but with a lighter up-front flavor.

If you’re looking for a vegetarian meal and you haven’t ventured into the world of tofu recently, it may be time to take a fresh look. Tasting tofu again may just offer a pleasant surprise.

Prep tips for tofu Always select the right texture for the dish.

Press it. Squeeze out excess water, especially if you’re baking, grilling or frying. Use a stack of books or your hands to press the tofu lightly in a kitchen towel or paper towels. (Just make sure not to push too hard, or it will crumble!)

Spice It Up. Tofu gets flak for being bland ‌ because it is! Season or marinate it well and it will become a go-to dish for you in no time.

www.SandandPineMag.com | 25

At the

Table

Marinated Tofu noracooks.com / Serves 4 16 ounces extra-firm tofu 4 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce 3 tablespoons rice vinegar 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup 1 teaspoon sesame oil

2 garlic cloves, minced 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger or ½ teaspoon dried ginger 2–3 tablespoons neutral oil, such as canola oil

Directions

Sheet Pan BBQ Tofu thekitchn.com / Serves 2–4 14 to 16 ounces extra-firm tofu, drained and patted dry 1 ½ teaspoons paprika 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon chili powder 1 teaspoon garlic powder ½ teaspoon kosher salt

¼ teaspoon smoked paprika ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil, plus more for the baking sheet ¼ cup barbecue sauce

Directions

Wrap the block of tofu in a few layers of paper towels, then set on a dinner plate or cutting board. Weigh it down with a heavy object like a skillet, pot or large can while the oven preheats. Tear the tofu into bite-sized pieces.

Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 425 F. Lightly coat a rimmed baking sheet with olive oil.

Meanwhile, place the sweet paprika, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika in a medium bowl and stir to combine. Pour in the oil and stir to combine.

Add the tofu and gently stir to evenly coat. Place the tofu in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.

Roast, stirring every 10 minutes so it cooks evenly, until the tofu is crisp all over, 30 to 35 minutes total. Drizzle the tofu with the barbecue sauce and toss to combine.

Make ahead: The tofu can be pressed and torn up to 1 day in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to cook.

Storage: Leftovers will keep for up to 4 days stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

26 | SAND& PINE MAGAZINE February/March 2021

Quick press the tofu: Cut the tofu into cubes. Place them evenly on a flat surface such as a cutting board lined with paper towels or a clean towel. Cover with a layer of paper towels, set a baking sheet on top and then something heavy, like a large book or cast iron skillet. Press like this for 15 minutes while you make the marinade.

Make the marinade: In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, rice vinegar, maple syrup, sesame oil, garlic and ginger.

Marinate the tofu: Place the pressed tofu pieces in a shallow dish. (In the photos above I doubled the recipe, so I used a 9 x 13 inch dish, but for one batch you will need a smaller dish, such as an 8 x 8 inch.) Pour the marinade over the tofu. Let it marinate for at least 1 hour, covered, in the refrigerator. If you want to leave it overnight, it will be even more flavorful.

Cook the tofu: In a large skillet, cast iron preferred, add a few tablespoons of a neutral oil, such as canola oil, and heat over medium-high heat. You can omit the oil if needed, but you will need a very good nonstick pan, like well-seasoned cast iron, so the tofu pieces don't stick. Remove the tofu pieces from the marinade and add to the pan. Do not discard the marinade sauce. Fry the tofu until golden brown on each side.

Once the tofu pieces are browned, pour any leftover marinade sauce into the pan with the tofu, and stir to coat. This makes the tofu even more flavorful! The tofu will quickly absorb the sauce.

Remove from heat, and serve with rice and stir fried vegetables such as baby bok choy, mushrooms and carrots.

Store leftover tofu in a covered container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. It's also good cold, as a high-protein snack or in sandwiches and salads.

Notes: • For gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce.

• You can also bake the tofu if you prefer. Place the tofu pieces on a silicone mat or parchment paper on a baking sheet, and bake at 350 F for 20 minutes. Flip the pieces and bake for 20 more minutes. To add more flavor after baking, quickly sauté in a pan with the leftover marinade sauce; you won't need to use any oil.

• Instead of quick pressing, you could also press the whole block of tofu for at least an hour.

• This recipe can easily be doubled or even tripled, and stored in the refrigerator for 3–4 days, if it lasts that long!

Tofu Soba Noodles damndelicious.com / Serves 4 1 pound soba 1/4 cup rice vinegar 2 tablespoons soy sauce 1 tablespoon sesame oil 2 teaspoons brown sugar 1 teaspoon sesame seeds 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 (14-ounce) package firm tofu, cubed 2 cups shredded cabbage 1 clove garlic, pressed 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger 2 green onions, thinly sliced Crushed peanuts, for serving Sriracha, for serving

Directions

In a large pot of boiling water, cook noodles according to package instructions. Rinse under cold water and drain; set aside.

In a small bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar and sesame seeds; set aside.

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.

Add tofu and cook until golden brown, about 3–4 minutes; set aside. Add cabbage, garlic and ginger to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until tender, about 1–2 minutes.

In a large bowl, combine noodles, rice wine vinegar mixture, tofu, cabbage and green onions.

Serve immediately, garnished with peanuts and Sriracha, if desired.

Vegan Chocolate Pudding spoonuniversity.com / Serves 4 12 ounces silken tofu ¾ cup cocoa powder ½ cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup almond milk (or any other non-dairy milk)

Directions

In a food processor or blender, combine tofu, cocoa powder, sugar and almond milk. Blend ingredients until smooth.

Pour pudding into cups or a bowl and place into the refrigerator. Allow to set for at least 15 minutes.

Top with coconut whipped cream or crushed Oreos, if desired. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

SP

www.SandandPineMag.com | 27

Beer Matters

Who Needs Alcohol?

BY MIKE THOMAS

28 | SAND& PINE MAGAZINE February/March 2021

HAVE YOU TRIED A NONALCOHOLIC BEER LATELY? No? If you haven’t tried any of the latest offerings from craft beer brewers or from the big commercial brewers, now is the time. The array of nonalcoholic beers is greater than it has ever been, and they offer darn good beer flavors with fewer calories and no or very little alcohol.

If you are like me, the first big question about nonalcoholic beer is how do they make it? It’s fermented with yeast, which means the sugars are converted to alcohol as part of the process. So what the heck? Where does the alcohol go? Turns out there are several ways to remove or greatly reduce the amount of alcohol when you make beer. The major techniques are dealcoholization, limited fermentation, dilution and fermentationfree.

Dealcoholization can be accomplished through steam distillation, water and gas stripping, and reverse osmosis. Steam distillation is simply using heat to remove the alcohol from beer; this happens because alcohol has a lower boiling point than water. Brewers using this method, however, have to take care to not lose wanted flavors during this process.

Water vapor and gas stripping is a high-tech method where the beer is gently heated under a vacuum. Water vapor or a gas like nitrogen is passed through the beer, where the alcohol attaches to the gas, thus removing it from the beer.

Reverse osmosis is another high-tech method, which uses high pressure to force the beer through a membrane. This membrane removes molecules based on size and basically strains the alcohol out of the beer (in very basic terms). Many craft breweries have reverse osmosis systems to control the quality of water used in the brewing process.

Another method of reducing alcohol in beer is limiting fermentation. Limiting the amount

of sugar available for yeast to feed on results in beer with a lower alcohol content. Producing nonalcoholic beer using this method can be accomplished with traditional brewing equipment.

The last two methods to remove alcohol from beer are dilution and eliminating fermentation all together.

Dilution is just as it sounds: reducing the amount of alcohol down to insignificant levels during the brewing process. Brewers that do not use fermentation at all use other techniques to produce the fizz and flavors associated with fermentation.

So where to start with trying a nonalcoholic beer? First, have an open mind and don’t try to directly compare a nonalcoholic beer with an alcoholic equivalent. Evaluate the nonalcoholic beer on its own attributes. In that same vein, do not try a nonalcoholic beer after already having had alcoholic beer.

I also recommend trying a variety of nonalcoholic beer styles, as you may find something that you may really enjoy outside of your normal go to style. I typically gravitate toward IPAs when drinking beer, but I have found that I lean toward the more Pilsner-like beers when drinking nonalcoholic. Most of the nonalcoholic brewers offer IPAs, stouts, ambers and light lagers.

Craft nonalcoholic beer can be found at many larger bottle shops like Triangle Wine and Total Wine or purchased online directly from breweries. There are too many to list, but most of my experience is with a company called Athletic Brewing based in Connecticut, which offers a wide variety of styles. My wife really likes their IPA, Run Wild, and All Out Stout. I lean toward their Cerveza Atletica, which is a light copper and

their golden, Upside Dawn.

Even the big companies like Budweiser are jumping into the nonalcoholic beer arena. This is going to shock many of my readers that know me, but right now my favorite nonalcoholic beer is Budweiser Zero.

Yes, I said it. Even wrote it down in a magazine. I may lose my craft-beerguy card but if you like Pilsner beers, Budweiser Zero is damn good.

Whether it’s part of your New Year’s resolutions to drink less or just a desire to drop some calories from your normal drinking routine, nonalcoholic beer is becoming a viable option. I look forward to seeing what other advances are made in the future toward making these beers even more like their alcoholic counterparts. It would be great to see an increase of nonalcoholic beer choices available at bars and restaurants too.

SP

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30 | SAND& PINE MAGAZINE February/March 2021

Hiking

we will go

We all know about the beautiful hiking trails of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Carolina Coast, but there are many gorgeous trails for all skill levels a little closer to home. www.SandandPineMag.com | 31

Reservoir Loop Trail Bear Creek Trail System 1.8 miles / Elev. 98 ft A beautiful loop in Robbins, this hiking, running or mountain biking trail is good for all skill levels. The trail runs along Bear Creek and then loops around the reservoir, weaving between disk golf holes. You may also notice 10 Eagle Scout projects that have been completed along the trail, everything from walking bridges and benches to fishing holes and stairs.

Dutchman’s Creek Trail Uwharrie National Forest 12.5 miles / Elev. 1,643 ft Near Mount Gilead, this looped trail is great for the more experienced hiker. Rated difficult, it is a beautiful hike through the Uwharrie National Forest. Plently of creek crossings, North Carolina wildflowers and hardwood trees, you’ll see campers, runners and hikers year-round.

Dowload a map for this trek, as there are plenty of offshoot trails that could get you turned around.

Thornburg Trail Uwharrie National Forest 3.4 miles / Elev. 360 ft Another Uwharrie National Forest trail, this one in the moderate difficulty range, is a great half-day hike with lunch or snacks in tow. An out and back trail, you’ll find plenty of opportunity for wildlife and bird watching. You’ll also come across a few original homesteader buildings that offer a unique touch to this hike.

Wiregrass Loop Trail Carvers Creek State Park 1.7 miles / Elev. 98 ft This easy rated trail is good for all skill levels and offers a nice secluded walk through the longleaf pines. The perfect nature walk, the area is a great example of how prescribed burns can maintain natural habitats.

New Light Trail Falls Lake State Recreation Area 7.9 miles / Elev. 761 ft Skirting beautiful Falls Lake, the moderate to hard trail offers slight elevation along its 8 miles. Hikers may encounter some mountain bikers but more often than not you’ll have the trail all to yourself.

Cane Creek Northern Approach Trail Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area 2.4 miles / Elev. 347 ft This gem of a trail takes hikers to the highest elevation in the park. Beautifully maintained, the trail is great for the whole family, with an abundance of wild flowers, crazy looking mushrooms, a picturesque creek and unusual rock outcroppings that make this hike fun from start to finish.

Local treks Lest we forget our local trails, try a hike in our own backyard … >> Reservoir Park >> Southern Pines Greenway >> Weymouth Woods Sandhills Natural Preserve >> Walthour-Moss Foundation Reserve

Hiking Tips Know your limits. If you’ve rarely hiked, start with easy trails that are relatively flat and easily marked. Then, build from there.

Where are we? Make sure you understand trail signs and bring a map if available. It’s easier than people think to get turned around in nature, so knowing how trail systems work will help you avoid getting lost.

Going out! Give someone your itinerary before your hike, especially on longer, more difficult hikes. And share how long you think it will take.

Weather Watcher. Always good to know the weather before starting a hike and prepare accordingly.

Essentials. First aid kit, sunscreen, water, extra food, flashlights, and extra layers of clothes and socks are a given. Emergency shelter, waterproof matches, repair kits and compass for those on the “always safety first” team.

Cradle those feet. Appropriate shoes always!

Running shoes on a 12-mile, rocky terrain hike are not advised!

Pace matters. Hikes are to be enjoyed, so take the time to enjoy them.

SP

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( Be Inspired )

Writing ... to help you write

BY CHRISTIN DAUBERT

34 | SAND& PINE MAGAZINE February/March 2021

WITH JANUARY BEHIND US, there may be a couple of cast-aside resolutions in the rear view as well.

No shame—just a fact. Perhaps you resolved not to start or do anything in particular this year (I’m in that camp).

Or maybe, as with previous flips of the calendar, you planned to start fresh with a shiny planner, new paint and canvas, new notebooks for writing until life happens—a divorce, a global pandemic, the loss of a beloved pet, a big move, falling in love or all of the above. Then you find yourself zapped of any and all desire to do much of anything.

I share all of that not to put a hitch in your giddy up but to permit—to celebrate even—seasons of creative dormancy. How much easier it is to allow ourselves rest when a stranger tells us it’s OK to rest. But there’s a catch to this beautiful blanket of permission: Only you know if rest is what you need or maybe what you need is to write down all the beautiful and fragile things inside of your heart and head.

That option doesn’t feel as easy, does it? Writing is hard. Sorry, scratch that. Writing well, and writing what is true, is hard. But did you know what you write never has to be read, not even by you. Writing for the sake of processing, healing, journaling, raging, dumping your brain or heart out on to the page, is still very much writing.

This kind of writing will never grace The New York Times bestseller list, but it still makes you a writer. Depending on who you ask, it might make you the truest definition of the word.

I recognize that there are souls out there who want to start writing because they dream of one day topping that illustrious aforementioned list. Both of these writers are valid; both have equally important things to say. And both of these writers have simply to start exactly where they are, with either

Freewriting always feels like it isn’t going to work, but miraculously always works for getting my writing engine warmed up.

that I believed were really good. But it also gave me the courage to submit my writing to publications (including the one you’re reading right now). It may feel overwhelming to start with five minutes, but try it. Remember that freewriting is just a metaphorical brain stretch and isn’t mean to turn into your next work of fiction, so have fun and let loose.

Prompts are something you can use in conjunction with freewriting, or simply to help you write something if you’ve committed to writing daily. Here are a couple prompts, if you feel like trying them out for yourself:

pen and paper, or a keyboard and open document.

There are myriad tips-n-tricks to becoming a writer that you can google on the internet (I googled it myself because I was curious). The ideas and methods I want to share come from my own experiences as a writer, and some prompts that manage to unstick me when I too, believed I needed rest, but really, I needed to write.

Freewriting always feels like it isn’t going to work, but miraculously always works for getting my writing engine warmed up. Freewriting is exactly what it sounds like. You set a time and write without stopping for that entire time. Your writing doesn’t have to be in complete sentences or coherent thoughts, you just have to keep writing.

During freewriting, I have written every single thought down in my head and then threw it in the fireplace.

Another time I wrote a poem and had it published anonymously. Looking back on writings that I created while feeling stuck or emotionally overwhelmed, I find it to be liberating; making physical something that until moments earlier was only in my head. I’ve laughed at my drama when I thought the world was ending because of a failure I wrote about. I’ve cringed rereading pieces

• • •

When was the last time you were really scared? Create a character who experiences the same thing.

Using a conflict in one of your favorite books, rewrite it with a different outcome.

Choose a random word from the dictionary and use it in the opening line of your writing.

This last bit could be heavily influenced by the fact that I’m a librarian, but I truly believe that reading more opens up a writer’s mind to creating stories. The mindless scrolling and consumption of media numbs our brains into catatonic states. When you read, you have to paint pictures in your mind from nothing other than your imagination. That in and of itself is a beautiful creative act!

As always, be gentle with yourself, regardless of the type of writing you’re doing. We’ve all had quite the year and it’s admirable when someone steps out of their comfort zone to try something intimidating and new. No matter the outcome, I hope you’re proud in the process.

SP

www.SandandPineMag.com | 35

Parenting

Peace on Earth ... and a Narwhal

BY AMANDA ODEN

36 | SAND& PINE MAGAZINE February/March 2021

IN THE

Pines

MY 4-YEAR-OLD AND I were wandering around Target a few months ago when she found a random, out-of-place toy, haphazardly abandoned on an endcap of towels. The toy was about the size of a small football, made of a weird purple squishy material and smelled oddly like maple syrup. It was shaped like a fish and had a glittery horn protruding from its forehead.

She asked me what it was, and to be honest I had no earthly idea. Luckily, the mystery toy had a tag letting me know it was a narwhal—whatever the heck that was—and also that it was $10 (which seemed pretty steep for something that felt like one of those promotional stress balls the bank is always handing out for free).

My daughter, of course, wanted to buy it, and I said no because she’d just had a big birthday party and Christmas was coming up, but mostly because it was a waste of money (which I know is pretty hypocritical, coming from the mouth of someone who, not 15 minutes prior, had spent 10 bucks on an iced tea and a cake pop from the Starbucks at the front of the store and was currently impulse buying towels).

Naturally, my daughter had the kind of screaming tantrum that makes me paranoid that a concerned passerby will think I am kidnapping my own child when, in fact, I am simply trying to teach her the value of money. In

I had created a monster who wanted to learn every single fact about every single narwhal that ever existed.

Weeks later we knew so much about narwhals that I was pretty sure we were both certified cytologists (which I, by this point, knew was someone who studies narwhals). And then, after a while, the narwhal talk ended, and I thought, I’ve finally done it! I have sufficiently satisfied her curiosity and now she will move on and learn about something else. I patted myself on the back for my great parenting and then got busy planning and preparing for the upcoming holidays and the new addition to our family who was to be arriving soon.

and family. A lot of the people around us wrote things on their lanterns like “Wishing for an end to COVID-19” or “Hoping for world peace.” I was getting a tad emotional at the beauty of the exercise. I asked Bowie what she would like to write on her paper lantern and, very solemnly, she said, “I want to write: I wish I had a narwhal.”

I honestly don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard in my life. Here I was thinking we were having this deeply moving experience, and all the while she was thinking about the unicorns of the sea. Our lantern may have not been as profound as everyone else's, but I did get teary eyed as it floated off into the sunset and she squeezed my hand and

A lot of the people around us wrote things on their lanterns like “Wishing for an end to COVID-19” or “Hoping for world peace.” I was getting a tad emotional at the beauty of the exercise. I asked Bowie what she would like to write on her paper lantern and, very solemnly, she said, an attempt to calm her down before someone reported an Amber Alert, I did what any good parent would, I pulled out my phone and Googled “Narwhal facts.” For those not up on their aquatic mammals, narwhals are whales that have a large, protruding tusk. Some fun narwhal facts: • • •

Narwhals can grow up to 17 feet in length and weigh nearly 4,200 pounds.

Narwhals change color with age and live to be around 50.

A narwhal’s tusk is actually a tooth (?!).

We looked up narwhal facts until the tantrum subsided and we were safely in the car away from the squishy narwhal toy. But it didn’t end there.

“I want to write: I wish I had a narwhal.”

Just before the New Year, I signed Bowie and myself up for a Lanterns of Hope activity, which is a symbolic event where people write their wishes for humanity for the upcoming year on paper lanterns, light them and then release the lanterns into the open water.

My daughter and I had a really nice talk about how fortunate we had been that year in spite of the pandemic and how thankful we were for our health

asked, “Do you think my wish will come true, Mommy?”

Maybe she will retain some of the many, many, many narwhal factoids we researched this year. Possibly, she will have a memory of standing at the water's edge with her Mom and releasing a wish into the world. I know I will never forget being eight months pregnant and waddling into Target the next day to dig through a giant bin of squishy Japanese toys that smelled like breakfast foods, searching for an overpriced purple narwhal named Twinkle. I will also always remember how happy she was when her wish came true, when I presented her with the narwhal of her dreams and she said, “I thought he was a little bigger than this. Can I get some roller skates, too?”

SP

www.SandandPineMag.com | 37

Pet D R . DA N A VA M VA K I A S

Q

Care VA N G UA R D V E T E R I N A RY H O S P I TA L

Our Max (golden retriever) is slowing down. How can we best support him in his old age? And when it is time to say goodbye, what's the best way to handle it?

38 | SAND& PINE MAGAZINE February/March 2021

Although we often say “age is just a number� in our lives, it tends to be less of the case in our pets. Sadly, with increased obesity, disease and cancers in our pets, we are seeing decreasing life expectancies. With that said, veterinary medicine has advanced enough to help owners get the best out of the time we have with our pets, as well as support them in their later years. Old age is neither a diagnosis nor a disease. There are

A

changes as a body ages but we have options to help pets adapt to those changes.

“Slowing down” is often a term I hear to describe mobility. The stiffness in getting up and down, the reluctancy to use steps or jump on the bed or going for walks. These issues are commonly within the musculoskeletal system as a result of aging processes.

The joints and supportive tissues get more inflamed and stiffer and they also deal with the weakening of their muscle strength. It is like us going from 40 years of age to 80 years of age in a few years.

In veterinary medicine, we have supplements, foods, medications and other modalities that can keep an aging dog stronger and fitter longer. When it comes to old age, when joints and muscles are degenerating, more movement does not necessarily mean better mobility, so walking your dog more may not be the answer. Please ask your veterinarian for options versus assuming there is nothing to do for this “slowing down.”

When the time comes to say goodbye, all of us in veterinary medicine are trained in these end-oflife processes to guide clients in a manner that ends suffering and makes a peaceful transition for your pet.

All veterinary hospitals have their own protocols in place, so when this time is approaching, please ask your

veterinarian for guidance. There are veterinarians in the area who will come to the home and perform this service and others that do it in a designated, quieter area of their hospital. In Moore County, we have several aftercare facilities that specialize in the care of your pet once they have passed away.

We should resist, however, the temptation of making decisions on quality of life for our pets based on any one particular bad day. My recommendation is to keep a calendar of faces: On days that are good, when your furry soul mate is eating and drinking, wagging and walking, and is a joyful presence, then place a smiley face on the calendar day. If he has a neutral day, where it was neither great nor bad, then record a neutral face. And obviously if he seemed more uncomfortable, reluctant to move and not taking treats, record a frowning face.

This will allow you to get a bigger picture of how things are going for him. If there are more bad days than good, then it becomes a more convincing illustration of his quality of life.

My last recommendation is for the days that are not great, just be his friend. Try not to project your emotions of dread or sadness or doubt on him, but rather assure him of your love and support and the promise of a better day tomorrow.

SP

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e Fly On the Fly On the Fly On the Fly On the Fly On the Fly On the Fly On the Fl Celebrity you would most like to have brunch with?

I have been a long-time fan of Gilmore Girls. I could probably go through a couple of pitchers of mimosas with Lauren Graham (as fast as possible, of course).

Best local spot for a date night?

There are so many amazing spots in town. My husband and I met at Sly Fox— it has a special place in our hearts. So, it's a tie between there and Wolcott's!

Favorite song to sing in the shower?

I can usually do a full concert to "Call Me Maybe" in the shower.

The one book you wish everyone would read?

Pride and Prejudice, of course! The main character is the namesake of my shop. She's an outspoken woman, always authentically herself. Something I want people to feel when they're shopping at my store online. Also, who wouldn't want to be Mrs. Darcy?

Best local shop to 'treat yo self'?

When I think of “treat yo self,” I think of food. And when I think of treats, I go right to Southern Whey for as much cheese and speck as they can fit on a tray.

What was your favorite subject in school?

English, without a doubt. I'm from a small town, so it always gave me a way to travel to places far away.

Best gift you ever received?

My friend Mandy gave me tickets to Harry Potter World and it was such an amazing experience for an HP nerd like me.

What one piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

To never doubt what a woman can accomplish. Even one from a small town in Georgia, there's no limit to what she can do.

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DIY

By PATTI RANCK, Indigo Earth Creative

Transplanting Cacti ... caaarefully Y

ears and years ago, when I left the East Coast for California to attend college, I discovered some new and wonderful desert plant life. In particular, cacti! (Insert all the heart eyes here.) To me, they were fascinating, like something from a different universe. I fell in love with them then and have been in love ever since.

So, since cacti have become super popular these days, I thought it might be helpful to give a brief cacti care tutorial. One of the trickiest things about having a cactus in your home is when it finally outgrows its pot. Most are slow growers, so it is much more common that the little plastic container that they come in when purchased is already too small for the plant roots to stay healthy. Cacti are obviously a bit tricky to handle, so read on for some handy tips on how to transplant.

The best time of year to transplant a cactus is at the height of their active growing phase.

The plant will need all its strength to recover and adapt to its new home. There are a few different schools of thought on this point, but in my experience, I have found this to be the most beneficial time.

42 | SAND& PINE MAGAZINE February/March 2021

The Stuff •

Vessel of your choice. Feel free to think outside the box on this; it doesn’t necessarily have to be a flower pot. Just be sure the new container is large enough to allow for growing room but not overly large. Cacti do enjoy a somewhat snug fit with a small amount of “breathing room”— approximately 2 inches wider in diameter than the plant itself.

•

Pebbles. If you choose a container that does not have drainage holes in the bottom, you can put a layer of pebbles or stones that will work as a barrier to keep any excess moisture away from the roots. This is optional.

•

Cactus-specific soil mix. This is extremely important for the health of your cactus. The easiest and least expensive option is to purchase some pre-mixed at your local nursery or home improvement store. It should ideally be a somewhat sandy, very well-draining soil that can dry out completely between waterings. Check the soil description for terms like pumice or perlite, which allows for proper soil aeration.

Look for a pH of 5.5-6.0.

•

Water. Distilled or collected rain water are the preferable choices for watering any plants. Tap water can adversely affect the pH level and possibly add other undesirable chemicals, like chlorine.

•

Heavy-duty garden or work gloves made of thick reinforced canvas, rubber or leather.

Even if the type of cactus you have appears to be soft and fuzzy, or has smaller more delicate spines that are seemingly harmless, they are NOT harmless. They will become embedded under your skin like tiny splinters. These are nearly invisible and extremely difficult to remove, often causing pain and irritation. This is why I also recommend using a rubberized potholder.

•

An old fork or spoon.

•

Tongs with rubber or silicone tips. Perfect for lifting the plant from the old pot and placing into the new.

•

Plastic sheeting. To protect your work surface and catch all the spilled soil (cause it will happen). Unless you are working outside, then no worries!

www.SandandPineMag.com | 43

DIY The Doing 1. Wet the soil in the pot. It should be moistened lightly and NOT saturated.

2. Prep the new pot or vessel: Add a layer of pebbles to the bottom (if there is no drainage hole).

3. Fill approximately 2/3 with the cactus potting mix. Then, using your spoon or fork, push the soil against the sides of the pot to form a well in the center. This will make room for the cactus’s roots.

4. Using your fork, gently loosen the soil around the outer edges of the pot the cactus is currently living. Then, using the pot holder and gloves, carefully and gently wiggle the cactus and dig with the fork until you feel the root ball breaking free.

5. Using the tongs, lift out and lay carefully on your workspace. Some cacti have one large thick taproot. If there is still substantial chunks of compacted soil attached to the taproot, use your fork to gently dislodge. If your cactus has many long, thin, strand-like roots and has become root bound, break up the soil around the roots and loosen the strands. It is OK for some of the soil to remain. If the plant has become too tightly root-bound, you can actually snip or break off some of the strand roots without damage to the plant. However, do not trim a tap root.

6. Using your tongs again, carefully place the cactus (root first) positioning in the center of the “well” you dug in the new pot. Continue holding the cactus with the tongs as you spoon in additional cactus potting mix evenly around all the base of the plant until there is enough soil for the cactus can stand on its own. Using your spoon, pat down the soil until the plant seems firmly in place.

7. A few more things to keep in mind: Do not pack down the soil too tightly, as this will inhibit proper aeration and root growth.

Do not water the cactus again at this point.

Contrary to popular belief, cacti are not a completely maintenance-free plant. They do require occasional watering and fertilizing. Water every 2–4 weeks and fertilize twice a year with a cactus-specific fertilizer.

44 | SAND& PINE MAGAZINE February/March 2021

Place your prickly friend in a sunny room, away from cold drafts (that includes the air conditioning vent) and enjoy this unusual, trendy plant for years to come!

SP

Hangin' Out

(so we're droppin' in)

Maxie's

Kickback Jack's

01.13.21

Southern Pines

Grill & Tap Room

01.13.21

Pinehurst

www.SandandPineMag.com www.SandandPineMag.com| 45 | 45

Puzzles

FOLLOW THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD

DIFFICULT

Place numbers into the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains each of the digits 1 to 9. No guessing is needed.

EASY

Across 1. To this 7. Narrow valley 12. Military catapult 13. Stupors 14. Powerful 15. Conclusion 16. Before 17. Father 19. Mature 20. Foolish 22. Indicate assent 23. Fibber 24. Suppuration 26. Mends socks 27. Resinous deposit 28. Minced oath 29. Kingdom 32. Wonder at 35. Days before 36. Once existed 37. Once again 39. Sea (French) 40. Fen 42. Cracker biscuit 43. Head garland

45. Japanese form of selfdefense 47. Monosaccharide 48. Shrouded 49. Dropsy 50. Poplars Down 1. Watered garden 2. Ensnare 3. To make less dense 4. The self 5. Nurse 6. Derived from natural organisms 7. Mimic 8. Operations (colloq) 9. Angora fabric 10. Sturdy shoe 11. Chemical compounds 13. Floating vegetable matter 18. - and don'ts 21. Taxes 23. Immature insect 25. Uncle -, USA personified 26. Beetle

28. Mandioca 29. New version of a film 30. Levelled 31. Oxygenate 32. Spoil 33. Put grain in silo 34. Heavy 36. Belly 38. Forest 40. Rocky tableland 41. Hastens 44. Benedictine monk's title 46. Two-up bat

SPIDERMAN IS NEVER CAUGHT LIKE THIS Ladderword puzzles are like crosswords but with a twist. The words in the middle column are anagrams of the words of the first column.

The words in the last column are anagrams of the middle column plus one additional letter. The anchor words (the down clues) are related by a common theme.

Across 1. Fragrant flower 3. International code 5. Small portion 6. Pause 7. Flower 8. Christian festival

9. Staple Asian Down grains 2. Face cover 10. Staple Asian 4. Minus grains 11. Emergencies 12. Prehistoric sepulchral tomb 13. Clock sounds 14. Adheres

Puzzle answers found on SandandPineMag.com 46 | SAND& PINE MAGAZINE February/March 2021

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Last Word Ranked-Choice Voting If the ice cream parlor doesn’t have your favorite ice cream flavor, what do you normally do? Most,

if not all, happily opt for their second favorite. Or say you go to the movies (remember that pastime) and your first choice movie is sold out? Do you go home? Often, you check whether there’s another movie you’d like to see and opt for that. How about when you picked your college? Did you just apply to one or did you have a first, second, third choice, knowing you’d have some level of happiness wherever you landed?

There are any number of choices we make every day, month, year based on a rankings system. So considering the rancor and polarization of our political landscape, many communities around the country are scrapping the one-choice-only idea of democracy and adopting a ranked-choice voting (RCV) system instead.

The idea of RCV is simple enough: Instead of picking just one candidate you’d like to win, the ballot allows you to rank the candidates with your first choice, second choice, third and so on.

If a candidate wins the majority (more than 50 percent) of firstchoice votes, then that candidate wins the election outright. No more calculating is needed. But if no candidate gets a majority of first-choice votes, a new counting process is triggered. The candidate who did the worst is eliminated, and that candidate’s voters’ ballots are redistributed to their second-choice pick.

For example, if you ranked the losing candidate as your first choice, and that candidate is eliminated, your vote still counts by going to your second-choice candidate. This process then continues until there is one candidate with more than 50 percent of the vote.

Proponents of RCV argue that this system allows for a truer reflection of what voters want in their political leaders and eliminates the possibility of a spoiler candidate that our current plurality system is susceptible to. The best example of this is the 2000 presidential election when 3 million left-leaning voters

48 | SAND& PINE MAGAZINE February/March 2021

chose Ralph Nader. Republican George W. Bush beat Democrat Al Gore, by the narrowest of margins, and experts believe that in a ranked-choice ballot, Gore would have prevailed because the vast majority of Nader voters would have opted for Gore as their second choice, thus changing the result of the election and better reflecting the wants of the majority.

Proponents also believe RCV encourages a more diverse pool of candidates while discouraging negative or more polarized viewpoints to emerge in a campaign because each candidate is vying for the broadest possible number of voters.

Opponents of RCV warn it has the potential of eliminating some votes if the voter does not correctly complete the ballot, where voters leave some selections blank. Meaning if all of the voters choices are eliminated, their vote isn’t counted at all.

They also say it could be fraught with manipulation, with political parties planting third-party candidates into the race for their own benefit. And, they argue, that less negative campaigns aren’t always a bad thing as they can dig up dirt on opponents that may be relevant to the campaign.

Currently, 25 states have some form of RCV, mostly at the local level or in primaries. Maine is the only state that has RCV at the federal, state and local level. Maine, it should be noted, has a long history of third-pary and independent candidates, which lends to a more effective use of RCV. There is no RCV in North Carolina.

Is RCV a better form of democracy? An increasing number of states are willing to find out.

SP

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