Voice Magazine for Women 0123

vibrant • vocal • vivacious

Congratulations to:

Josh Hutcherson

Goodbye to 2022! Hello 2023!

As we move into this New Year of 2023, how do we avoid carrying the baggage from 2022 into the New Year? It seems that the last two years have been filled with loss, death, and confusion. We are still navigating through Covid, its variants, and now the flu and more. The year of 2020 carried its dread, death, and anxiety into the last two years. Do we dare to look for reasons to celebrate 2023? Yes — new year with a new attitude. The hope is that 2023 will set us free!

Attitude can a ruin a day, a month, or a year of life. It’s not easy keeping a positive attitude, but if you look around, you will see those less fortunate. It’s like we have to give ourselves permission to let it go of the ‘what should have been’ or the ‘why did it happen’ of the past year. It is a new year, and with each new year there are new opportunities. A positive attitude can make the transition easier.

Recapping, JCP’s newness in 2022 included a new bookstore, starting a new blog, and new spotlights of women in Voice Magazine for Women. In addition, we made new improvements with our online access for purchasing JCP’s books online through our website. So, there will be plenty of newness for Jan-Carol Publishing and Voice Magazine for Women in 2023.

This year, Voice Magazine for Women will embrace the digital print age and become stronger with its digital presence online with more content and easier access. Would you like to be a contributing writer? Email: communications@jancarolpublishing.com for submissions guidelines and details.

Working alongside our magazine, JCP will continue showcasing more audio books and start a JCP book review club. Interested? Email: communications@jancarolpublishing.com. In addition, for our writers, JCP will once again be publishing another book in the Haunted Hills anthology series. Get your stories written and enter early! Also, JCP is hopeful in starting a podcast this year. Stay tuned for details!

We are excited about the new projects and hosting events at the bookstore. We have many projects in the planning stages. We are counting on all of you — our readers, supporters, advertisers, business owners, and fans — to join us and be a supportive part of them. Thank you for being there!

From all of us to all of you — have a safe, healthy, and happy New Year!

Verse of the month: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)

Thought of the month: “The difference between a flower and a weed is judgment.” Author Unknown

Janie C. Jessee, Editor-in-Chief

PUBLISHER

Jan-Carol Publishing, Inc PO Box 701 Johnson City, TN 37605

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Janie C Jessee, 423.502.6246 publisher@jancarolpublishing.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Savannah Bailey Communications Director/Production Editor communications@jancarolpublishing.com

GRAPHICS/PRODUCTION

Tara Sizemore Senior Graphics Designer tara@voicemagazineforwomen.com graphics@jancarolpublishing.com

Allison Chudina

Editorial/Retail Assistant

Office Phone/Fax: 423.926.9983

DISTRIBUTION

Karen Corder Staff

PUBLISHED BY JAN-CAROL PUBLISHING, INC. (Volume 20, Issue 1)

While every precaution has been taken to ensure accuracy of the published material, Jan-Carol Publishing, Inc. / Voice Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions or facts provided by its authors, advertisers or agencies. All rights are reserved. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited without written permission. Agencies, Advertisers and other contributors will indemnify and hold the publisher harmless for any loss or expense resulting from claims or suits based upon contents of any advertisement, defamation, libel, right of privacy, plagiarism and/ or copyright infringement. The views expressed in Voice Magazine for Women are not necessarily those of the publisher. © 2022

EDITORIAL MISSION:

Voice Magazine for Women wants to provide a useful and complete reliable source of information for women and their families. We seek to celebrate women’s successes, and support their growth by defining and recognizing their needs and providing a concentration of resources for them. We want to be that “link” to all women.

April Hensley Cindy Sproles

Ken Heath Pam Blair Deana Landers

How to Pick the Perfect Wedding Dress

Many brides-to-be spend a significant amount of time looking for their ideal wedding dresses. What defines the right gown depends on personal preference and is unique to the person doing the search. For example, a dress that sets a fairy tale scene for one bride may not necessarily align with the tastes of another. According to Bridal Atelier, the average bride-to-be tries on try three to seven dresses before finding the right one. The following tips can help those shopping for dresses find a look that makes their big day even more special.

1. Don’t get hung up on perfection

Many brides get caught up as they search for the one dress they consider perfect. No dress is likely to check every box. Getting hung up on a desire to find a dress that has it all may make it hard to see the beauty in other dresses. Remember, with the talents of an experienced tailor or seamstress, most dresses can be tweaked to suit your vision of the ideal gown.

2. Consider the season

Getting married during the hazy and humid days of summer is an entirely different experience than tying the knot during the heart of winter. The fabric of the wedding dress should complement the season, whether it’s lightweight and breezy for a warm day, or more substantial and cozy when darting to the ceremony in snowfall.

3. Flatter your figure

Chances are brides-to-be know which cuts and styles are most flattering. Mimic those style choices in the wedding dress. If you want to take focus off of full hips, choose a basque or asymmetrical waistline. Gowns with substantial straps or higher necklines may be better if you have a larger chest. Sheath and mermaid style gowns are options if you are confident with your figure and want to show off your curves.

4. Try a bit of this and that

Don’t go into a wedding dress appointment with firm parameters. Although you may have a ball gown style in mind, after trying on other options something with a less voluminous silhouette may actually catch your eye. Many brides also automatically defer to strapless gowns, when various straps and sleeves can be very appealing.

5. Arrive with a firm budget

Weddings can be costly. It’s important to set a budget for the wedding dress just as you will with other expenses. There are plenty of dress designers across a wide spectrum of price points. A willingness to consider and ultimately purchase a less costly dress can help you stay on budget.

Browsing through magazines and looking online can provide wedding dress inspiration as well. Also, when in doubt, defer to the experts at bridal shops who have experience choosing dresses that brides are inclined to love.

Jump Into Adventurous Resolution Ideas

Individuals looking for a little more excitement and adventure in their lives can think about making New Year’s resolutions that align with their adventurous goals. These adventurous ideas can serve as inspiration for anyone who wants to be a little more daring with this year’s resolutions.

Try a new outdoor activity

The great outdoors consistently beckons. Answer the call by engaging in a new outdoor activity. Any activity can be adventurous if it’s new to you. Start off small and get more into it as your skills improve. Consider kayaking, surfing, mountain biking, rock climbing, or anything else that presents a thrill.

Get creative in the kitchen

Being adventurous can extend to any aspect of life, including dining. Expand your culinary horizons by trying new flavor profiles and recipes inspired by global cuisine. This may include ingredients you deem to be “exotic” but are customary in other parts of the world.

Sleep outdoors

Adventures do not have to be large and time-consuming. In fact, the term “microadventure” was dubbed by Alastair Humphreys, an adventurer and speaker, as a way to squeeze more gutsy activity into anyone’s schedule. One way to do so is to resolve to sleep outdoors in a new place once a month. Shaking off the creature comforts of home enables you to adapt and embrace new experiences.

Aim to be more sustainable

Active lifestyles often involve exploring natural landscapes. These areas can be affected by trash, which also can impact wildlife in negative ways. Resolve to keep parks, trails, rivers, lakes, forests, and other outdoor areas clean and beautiful. Various organizations spearhead these types of efforts, but you can work independently as well. Always practice a “carry in, carry out” policy when hiking or enjoying nature.

Individuals can ponder the many ways to embrace more adventurous resolutions in the year ahead.

5 Strategies to Get More Organized

There are plenty of things that can use a little organizational attention. There’s no ideal way to get organized. Whatever works is a good approach, but the following are five strategies to help individuals clear the clutter.

1. Utilize to-do lists

People tend to be less productive when they’re storing all of their tasks in their brains. The first step to getting organized is to remove those plans from the head and put them down on paper or in some other tracking tool. A digital to-do list manager, for example, enables you to see all of your tasks, deadlines and due dates in one place so you can get things done more efficiently. Carry around a notepad or use the digital notes app on a phone to jot down thoughts and needs as they come up.

2. Corral your “smalls”

Smalls are keys, phones, chargers, wallets, headphones, and other accessories. When these items are grouped together, they’re easier to find so you can stay on track. Invest in an attractive organizer and install it by the front door or another high-traffic area. You’ll cut down on trying to find those smaller items when running errands.

3. Conquer clutter regularly

It’s easy to be put off by cleaning and organizing when clutter has gotten out of control. Instead, by cleaning up items on a daily or weekly basis, it’s much easier to keep ahead of clutter. Treat it like a daily job, including sorting mail and tossing unnecessary items; emptying

waste pails; dusting the desk; deleting emails; and putting items back where they belong.

4. Categorize emails

Utilize the folder creation option from popular email providers to sort your messages. Drop messages that need attention into categories of your choosing, such as school, health and receipts. Then you’ll know which folder to go into when searching for what you need, eliminating the time-consuming task of scrolling through a full inbox.

5. Give one; toss one

When bringing new items into the home, follow the procedure of giving away or throwing out one item for each new item that is received or purchased. This can help to tame clutter.

Getting organized can be as simple as taking small steps that have lasting impact.

Do’s and Don’ts of Healthy Weight Loss

Losing weight in a healthy manner is essential for safe and lasting results. Individuals aspiring to lose weight can follow these guidelines on what to do and what not to do.

DO add lean protein sources to your diet. Healthline indicates the body burns calories when digesting and metabolizing protein, so a high-protein diet can help to shed up to 80 to 100 calories per day. Protein also helps you to feel full, reducing the propensity to overeat.

DON’T get hung up on numbers early on. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that even modest weight loss of 5 to 10 percent of your total body weight is bound to produce health benefits, such as improvements in blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and blood pressure. Start small and gradually build up.

DO eat at least four servings of vegetables and three servings of fruits daily. Produce contains an abundance of vital nutrients and is often fiber-rich and low in calories, which helps you to feel full.

DON’T overlook the impact of beverages on weight loss. The calories in sugary beverages, including some all-natural fruit juices, can add up quickly. Stick to water, tea or other unsweetened beverages to help with weight loss.

DO get moving more. The Mayo Clinic notes that while it is possible to lose weight without exercise, getting moving can help burn off the excess calories you can’t cut through diet alone. Exercise boosts metabolism and benefits mood and strengthens muscles and the cardiovascular system as well.

DON’T go shopping while hungry. If you do, you may make impulse buys that compromise healthy eating plans.

DO speak with a doctor if you are vetting diet and exercise plans. A healthcare professional can assist you by indicating if a particular diet or fitness routine is acceptable for your age, goals and current health status.

DON’T forget to track eating. Most healthy diets involve some sort of calorie-counting, whether they actually require you to document your intake or use a formula to attribute “points” or another measure related to what you eat. Writing or tracking the foods and beverages you consume will provide the most honest assessment of habits that could affect weight loss.

DO include foods you enjoy. Completely restricting access to occasional treats may cause you to resent healthy eating, which can derail weight loss goals. The principle of moderation can apply to healthy weight loss as long as you account for the more calorie-dense foods.

Losing weight in a healthy manner is achievable when you seek guidance and follow some time-tested techniques.

6 Reasons Why Weight Training is So Important

By Pam Blair

Getting more exercise and losing weight always tops the list of New Year’s resolutions, yet a very small percentage of the population follows through with these goals. If we knew more about why exercise is so important, it could be all the inspiration we need to just do it. Exercise is defined as activity requiring physical effort, carried out to sustain or improve health and fitness.

Weight training, which means exercise performed while standing that works the bones and muscles against gravity, is especially beneficial for overall good health. In fact, a 2022 study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that weight-bearing exercise such as lifting weights was associated with a “10 to 17 percent lower risk of mortality, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, by doing 30 to 60 minutes of weight-lifting or other strength-building activities per week.” Examples of weight training, which is also called weight-bearing or strength training, include stair climbing, walking, or running, and using exercise equipment like barbells or resistance bands to work different muscle groups.

Need more reasons to try weight training? The literature is full of research that supports it, but some of the benefits are especially noteworthy:

1. Reduced belly fat — Weight training, such as doing lunges, squats, and bicep curls, is an important factor in burning off belly fat. Muscles burn more calories than fat when the body is at rest, so having more muscle tone can help you burn off more fat and increase your metabolism.

2. Improved balance — Building muscle through weight training can contribute to better balance and may reduce the risk of falls. It can also protect our joints from injury and improve the ability to perform daily activities.

3. Muscle strength — Lean muscle mass naturally decreases with age, so if you don’t do anything to replace the loss of muscle tone, it will be replaced with fat. Weight training can help you reverse that trend at any age. It’s never too late to start.

4. Weight control — Weight training builds muscle, and muscles are fat-burning machines, according to the National Academy of Sports Medicine. The more muscle you have, the more calories you’re going to burn and that doesn’t end after a workout. Your body

is still burning calories for the next 24 to 48 hours as it works to repair stressed muscle tissues.

5. Preventing and reducing osteoporosis — Numerous studies have shown that weight training can play a role in slowing bone loss, and even building bone. Activities that put stress on the bones, like lifting weights and walking, can nudge bone-forming cells into action. The result is stronger, denser bones that help to prevent or slow the progression of osteoporosis, which is the major cause of fractures in postmenopausal women and men.

6. Overall sense of well-being — A growing body of scientific evidence shows that weight training helps to decrease depression, reduces anxiety, raises self-esteem, and helps cognitive function. When you feel stronger and can see improvement in muscle tone, strength, and flexibility, it can’t help but elevate your mood and make the activities of daily living more enjoyable.

Be sure to check with your doctor or health care provider before starting any exercise program and always think about safety first! It’s best to start slow and light to avoid injuries and listen to your body. Learning proper form is very important, so sign up for a beginner session or two with a fitness instructor who can show you simple moves to do safely.

Pam Blair is a former medical librarian and communications manager who gets nervous when she doesn’t have something to read. She loves descriptive writing and has authored and edited a book and numerous other publications. Contact her at pblair919@aol.com.

Strategies to Improve Your Ability to Focus

Each individual is different, so efforts to improve focus might require a little trial and error until a person finds what works for them. In the meantime, the following are some effective strategies that can help people sharpen their focus and reap all the rewards that a heightened ability to concentrate has to offer.

• Turn notifications off. Notifications are a bigger distraction than people may realize. A 2015 study from researchers at Florida State University found that simply hearing the ping of a notification was as distracting as taking a phone call. Individuals may find the idea of answering as little as 20 or more phone calls per day unrealistic, but researchers have found that the average smartphone user receives around 80 push notifications per day.

Such constant inflow of notifications is detrimental to smartphone users’ ability to focus. Turning notifications off while in school or during the workday can help people avoid this seemingly endless stream of distractions, thus improving focus.

• Establish a distraction-free workspace. A survey from McKinsey & Company found that, after the acute phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, 58 percent of employed respondents have the option to work from home for all or part of the week. Remote working may be more convenient, but it also can compromise workers’ focus in ways that are unique to working from home. For example, professionals’ children cannot stroll into their offices when they aren’t working from home, nor are distractions like television within arm’s length in a traditional office setting. Professionals who are finding it hard to focus when working from home can do more to make their home offices distraction-free. Make your home a television-free zone during traditional working hours and remove a television or non-work tablet from your office so you aren’t tempted to watch a show or a sporting event when you’re supposed to be working.

• Adopt a healthier lifestyle. The experts at Harvard Medical School note that many aspects of a healthy lifestyle can help people focus better. Researchers have discovered a direct link between exercise and a person’s ability to pay attention, noting that exercise increases the availability of brain chemicals that reduce stress and improve sleep, among other things. Less stress and a good night’s rest can make it easier to focus.

An ability to focus pays myriad dividends. Individuals can try various strategies to improve their concentration skills and reap the rewards that such improvement provides.

Cornelia Laemmli Orth, Music Director

Work-Related Resolutions to Consider in the Year Ahead

New Year’s resolutions can be just as beneficial to a person’s professional life as they can in that same individual’s personal life. With that in mind, professionals can consider these work-related resolutions this January.

• Make a concerted effort to change careers. The numbers are in regarding satisfaction at work, and they’re not very promising. According to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace: 2022 report, 60 percent of workers report being emotionally detached at work. Perhaps more troubling is that 19 percent report being miserable at their jobs. Professionals who are not engaged at work can resolve to get the ball rolling on a career change in the year ahead. Look into what that might entail, whether it’s simply applying for new jobs in your field or going back to school to facilitate a career change, and take the necessary first step.

• Rebalance your work and family life. A 2015 survey of 1,000 full-time professionals in the United States found that 77 percent felt they had experienced burnout at their jobs. Rebalancing work and family life can make more time for things outside of work, including family. That can lead to greater life satisfaction, including a renewed vigor for your career.

• Resolve to communicate more effectively with your team. Even professionals satisfied with their careers can take steps to make their work lives better. There are many reasons why workers feel stressed and burned out, and some may find communication with their managers is lacking. Managers can make a concerted effort to improve lines of communication with their staff. Doing so can improve productivity and create a better working environment for all.

• Find ways to be more productive. Remarkably, a 2019 study by Rescue Time found that, in a given workday, workers’ average time of productivity is just two hours and 28 minutes. By making a concerted effort to be more productive, workers can get more done in a typical eight-hour workday, thus paving the way for a better work-life balance. Spend less time surfing the internet, avoid checking your phone for texts and other distractions, and make a daily schedule of tasks to tackle. Each of these steps can help you be more productive in a given workday.

When making New Year’s resolutions this January, professionals can resolve to find ways to make their workdays better.

Thank God for the Little Things That Make Us Happy

By Deana Landers www.morningcoffeebeans.com

Our 12-year-old granddaughter, Jayne, texted me every hour during the six-hour drive from South Georgia to our house in Virginia a few days after Christmas.

“Hey Nana, can you put some snow in the freezer? That way, we can feel Virginia snow when we get there,” she wrote. “Yes, I will, I said, but there was still some snow on the ground.” So, I sent her photos of about an inch or so still lingering in our yard.

I was hoping it would be there when they got here because they had not seen snow before, and I wanted so much for them to build a snowman.

The weather forecast called for sunshine and temperatures in the 50s, and I felt a little embarrassed, asking God to keep it cloudy and cold until they got here.

When they arrived, they could hardly take the time to hug us before dropping to their knees and putting their hands in the snow. The wonder on their faces as they held it in their hands was priceless, and I whispered, “Thank you.”

“Nana, it feels cold and icy but amazing.”

As soon as their dad unloaded their car, they wanted to build a snowman.

We had just enough to create a small one in the backyard, and you would have thought they were opening their favorite presents on Christmas morning!

It was magical for them, and we stayed outside until their hands were wet and cold.

The next day they discovered more snow still on the ground in the front yard and didn’t hesitate to use their new skill of building another, a much larger snowman, but decided to put one of my hats on it and call it a snow girl.

They lay on the front lawn and waved their hands up and down, making two snow angels.

Watching them was heartwarming, reminding me how the more minor things in our lives make people happy,

Watching them reminded me of the last year we spent in South Texas. Early one December morning, my husband slipped outside, grabbed a handful of snow, and placed it on my cheek to wake me up.

I jumped up and looked; sure enough, the ground was white with snow. We had lived there for 12 years, and it had hardly ever gotten below 50 degrees.

I grabbed the phone and called our neighbors, who had never seen snow, and said, “Look outside! It snowed last night.”

They laughed and told me to open the front door, and when I did, there were little snowmen up and down the street and people throwing snowballs at each other.

My neighbor told me they celebrated the magical, white snowflakes most nights.

When the snow was coming down this weekend, I felt the same wonder I do every time I see snow.

It covered the ground, made objects in our yard look like magical creatures, and highlighted the beauty of the bare tree limbs.

I filled my lungs with the cold, wet air and thanked God for the little things that make us happy.

Deana Landers, a retired nurse and health educator, is Christian speaker who strives to educate and encourage. She may be contacted at dlanders1511@ gmail.com or 276-780-7355.

A Homeowners’ Guide to Ice Dams

One winter condition can cause extensive headaches and damage and could be a mystery to many homeowners. Ice dams occur when warm air in the attic heats up the roof and melts accumulated snow. Water from this melt runs down the roof and refreezes when it reaches the colder roof edge. A mound of ice forms at the lower edge of the roofline as a result.

Ice dams may help create a picturesque winter vista, with icicles hanging and glinting in the sunlight, but they can cause significant damage. According to experts, ice dams can weigh hundreds of pounds if they get large enough, potentially affecting the structural integrity of roof eaves. In addition, ice dams can cause melted runoff to back up under roof shingles. This water can eventually make its way inside, ruining ceilings and walls. The roof, gutters, insulation, interior drywall, and other home surfaces can be damaged if ice dams are left unchecked.

The following are some conditions that make a home vulnerable to ice dam formation:

1. The presence of snow on the roof.

2. An average outdoor temperature that is 32 F or lower.

3. A roof surface temperature above 32 F at its higher points and below 32 F at the lower end.

4. Indoor heat making its way to the underside of the roof.

Homeowners should take a few steps to address ice dams. The first is preventing future ice dams from forming. According to First American Roofing and Siding, LLC, improving insulation in the ceiling below the attic and addressing any inefficiencies in the home is necessary. A professional can do a blower door test, which works by depressurizing the home and using a thermal camera to find areas where insulation is poor. In addition, adequate ventilation under the roof deck is necessary so cold air can circulate and prevent the attic from getting so warm that it will melt the snow on the roof.

The next step is to remove excess snow from the roof with a roof rake and keeping gutters clear. If ice dams have

already formed, hire a professional to remove them, as it can be dangerous to do it oneself.

Snow-covered roofs and landscapes can be beautiful, but also dangerous if conditions that cause ice dams to form are not addressed.

Long Germinating Seeds

By April Hensley

With the holidays behind us and everything outside frozen solid for at least a few more weeks, most people are hunkered down for the winter and dreaming of sunny beach vacations.

Gardeners, however, are already in gear. They are using this time to plan flower and vegetable gardens and do some indoor gardening. Seed catalogs are fun to look through for new things or tried-and-true favorites. Indoor plants need extra attention to ensure they are getting plenty of sunlight and aren’t drying out too quickly due to the added indoor heat.

It’s also a great time to start seeds. Some seeds have a long germination period, so it’s good to prepare now if we want them to be ready by late spring. Petunias, peppers, eggplant, and parsley are among some of the longest to sprout. Petunias can take over a week and up to four months to be ready to plant outside. Peppers can sometimes take as long as a few weeks to sprout.

Seeds with long germination can sometimes have a rough start if we are not careful. Besides lots of patience, there are a few steps to help ensure seedlings have a healthy start before sending them out into the garden.

• Try to use seed starting or other sterile soil indoors. This helps prevent any bug eggs from hatching and filling the house up with unwanted guests. It also helps protect tender seedlings from harmful bacteria and fungus.

• Soak the soil until it is completely saturated. Pour off excess water. Then put it in flats or pots before planting the seeds. If you plant in dry soil and then water, you run the risk of the seed sinking down into the soil or rotting with too much moisture.

• Research your seeds to see how deep to plant. Tiny seeds like petunias should be lightly pressed down on top of the soil. Bigger seeds should be planted two-times as deep as their size.

• Use a heat mat under your pots and flats. Even if the air is warm, the heat from underneath mimics the warm soil of spring and triggers the seed to sprout.

• Water from the bottom of the pots just enough for the soil to be moist.

• Resist the urge to dig in the soil to see if the seed has sprouted. The small sprouts are fragile and can easily be broken or damaged.

Voicemail Male oicemail

By Ken Heath

Coach Don Riley — Forever a Buccaneer

Another of my heroes has passed. Coach Don Riley, ETSU head football coach 1988–1991. His coaching career stretched over three decades, including those four at his Alma mater (Buccaneer class of 1956), where I was privileged to work with him as a nosy, pesky, young radio guy. His press conferences were entertaining, his folksy style with us always welcomed. It was rumored that, during his time coaching the OL at UCLA for a dozen years before coming home in ’88, he’d grabbed the attention of a budding scriptwriter who fashioned “Luther” on the TV series Coach .

On the night of the announcement, ETSU hosted a reception where goodies were handed out to the Buc faithful. My “Riley’s Rowdies” t-shirt and engraved invitation proudly hang in my collection.

One particular memory of Coach was at the Firehouse in Johnson City at a presser following a tough loss to Western Carolina. My brother, Greg, and I had driven to Johnson City to caravan on the chartered fan buses to the midweek game, played then because it was televised on ESPN as part of a tribute to WCU coach Bob Waters who was nearing the end of his life, suffering from ALS. On the tape of the game, you can make out Greg and me above the crowd, cheering the Blue and Gold.

It was a long bus ride back across the mountains, and with the loss not much cheering. After driving back to Marion I decided to turn on the TV, and to my surprise the game was being rebroadcast. The next day, groggy from lack of sleep, I loaded into my ’86 s-10, dubbed the “BucTruck,” and made my way to JC for the weekly press conference. Coach was greeting folks at the door, as usual, and as he saw me, extended his bear paw of a hand, put his other hand on my shoulder, and said “Heath, what in the world is going on? You look worn out!” I explained that I’d watched the replay, so I’d not had much sleep.

“Replay?” Coach retorted. “But you were at the game!”

“Yes sir, I was,” I admitted.

“So why in the world did ya stay up all night watching it again?” he asked, incredulously.

“Well Coach, the second time around, I’d hoped we’d learned from our mistakes,” I responded.

He belly laughed, bending over as he chortled. I helped lighten a pretty tough day for Coach, I hope. Because he sure made many of mine so much better by being in my life.

Coach Don Riley. Forever a Buccaneer.

Before joining UCLA, Riley held positions at Oklahoma State, where he was an assistant coach, and at Vanderbilt, where he coached freshman football and was receivers coach for the Commodores.

Prayers of comfort to family and friends.

Ken Heath is a Marion, VA hometown boy who expresses his passions in his writings and through music. After his ‘real job’, Ken is owner of the legendary Cliffside Roadhouse, doggie dad to Miss Reagan and their rescue Scottie the Wonder Dog with his wonderful wife. Follow him on Facebook and on Twitter at #kenheath. {

Jan-Carol Publishing, Inc. is a small independent publishing press with a motivated force of authors. Mountain Girl Press, Little Creek Books, Express Editions, DigiStyle, Broken Crow Ridge, Fiery Night, Skippy Creek, and RoseHeart Publishing are all imprints of Jan-Carol Publishing, Inc. “

NEW RELEASES OUT NOW!

Sunrise on the Porch

Written by Dale P. Rhodes, Sr.

Sunrise on

The best way to make sure you will have a good day is to plan one every morning. Leo, an old hound dog, does just that by watching the beauty of a sunrise every morning and thanking God for the day ahead of him. With each passing year he shares his wisdom and faith with his friends, old and new, and brightens everyone’s days along the way.

Around the Next Bend: An Adventure in Borneo

Written by Carol Ann Patterson Boyles-Jernigan

A vivacious, adventurous Katherine Wingert Casidy, always known as Dottie, finds romance in the jungles of Borneo as a Methodist missionary. As dean of a primary school, she teaches English and other subjects to Malayans and Chinese children, and conducts religious activities with headhunters and other members of the community in the tropical city of Sibu, Sarawak.

Clinch Mountain Girls: 24 Women Grow Veggies, Animals, and a Community

Written by Nancy Withington Bell

In the mountain hollows of Tennessee, the newly arrived “girls”—young, suburban women from 15 states—supported each other, learning country ways and how to produce their own water, warmth, and food. Fleeing urban consumer culture and the social strife of the 1970s, they learned from the locals, became strong women, and formed a lasting community.

There’s a Little White Fish

Road to Reconciliation ...And Beyond Unlikely Friends Become Brothers

Charles H. Norman III

Clancy

Written by Jacqueline Krafft

Illustrated

by Amanda Blickensderfer

A young boy’s morning has a foggy start when a baby cloud by the name of Clancy tumbles from the sky. Can the children and their teacher find a way to get Clancy back home to his parents?

Carla: A Death in Paris

Written by Michael Gryboski

Paris—a city of love, a city of history, a city of tourists. And a city with many dark forces moving in the shadows. Carla is on assignment in France’s romantic city, tracking a terrorist cell. However, one tragic mistake will put her on the run...even from her own.

There's a Little White Fish

Written and Illustrated by Tina Timlin Sohn

Explore the colorful world around you with the Little White Fish in this interactive children’s book. See how exciting the world is when living in color.

Though on the cusp of national music stardom in 1960, young singer Mark Prince faced prejudice and racial discrimination in his small Texas hometown. His way of dealing with injustice serves as a template and inspiration for those who desire to live in peace and harmony in our present day.

Elizabeth Bromwell The Case of the Chinese Leopard

Kathryn Raaker and Robert Taggart

Elizabeth and her family are tangled in a deadly spy game between the U.S. and China. A stolen file has disappeared, and they are being hunted by the world’s deadliest assassins to find Harbinger. Elizabeth will risk losing family and friends to protect this file from getting into enemy hands. The life of an expatriate can be lonely, especially without boundaries in a strange, foreign land full of adventures, longing for home.

Dale P. Rhodes, Sr.

Backyard

Animals, and

Nancy Withington Bell

AUTHORS on the ROAD

Karen G. Bruce

Josie: A Story of Forgiveness, A Heart Never Dies

Tuesday, January 10 Daytime Tri-Cities Interview WJHL-TV

Linda Hudson Hoagland

Snooping Can Be Regrettable; Snooping Can Be Scary; Snooping Can Be Uncomfortable; Snooping Can Be Helpful – Sometimes; Onward & Upward; Missing Sammy; Snooping Can Be Doggone Deadly; Snooping Can Be Devious; Snooping Can Be Contagious; Snooping Can Be Dangerous; The Best Darn Secret; and anthologies Easter Lilies; Broken Petals; Wild Daisies; Scattered Flowers; Daffodil Dreams; and These Haunted Hills and These Haunted Hills Book 2; These Haunted Hills Book 3; and These Haunted Hills Book 4

Friday, January 6, 10 am – 4 pm

Book Signing Food City Vansant, VA

Saturday, January 7, 10 am – 4 pm

Book Signing Food City St. Paul, VA

Friday, January 13, 10 am – 4 pm

Book Signing Food City Chilhowie, VA

Saturday, January 14, 10 am – 4 pm

Book Signing Food City Coeburn, VA

Friday, January 20, 10 am – 4 pm

Book Signing Food City Damascus, VA

Saturday, January 21, 10 am – 4 pm Book Signing Food City, Big Stone Gap, VA

Friday, January 27, 10 am – 4 pm Book Signing Food City Wise, VA

Saturday, January 28, 10 am – 4 pm

Book Signing Food City Bluefield, VA Nova Mann Hope Knocking

Tuesday, January 10, 4 pm Book Signing at the Book Exchange 185 Azalea Circle SE Banner Elk, NC

Saturday, January 14, 10:00 am Watauga County Public Library 140 Queen Street Boone, NC

This Month’s Featured Books

Green, a cheery crayon known as The Crayon Rapper, uses rhyming patterns in a “rap” music beat to describe the adventures of his multi-hued pals. Great teaching tool for children to learn colors.

Come and join Piddle Diddle, the Widdle Penguin, and her family as they vacation at a dude ranch and help cowboys on a cattle drive of Texas Longhorns!

What Do Police Officers Do? is a beautifully illustrated children’s book detailing acts of kindness, community participation and the many services that police officers perform to protect and serve their communities. A useful teaching tool showing children how police officers help people and protect people in their line of duty.

A youngster named Collin Ball loves living on a farm. He finds that there is so much to do and learn. In his book, Collin’s Chicken Adventures on the Farm, he shares his farm adventures with the readers with factual information, educational insights, and detailed photos.

Encouraging young girls to consider a diversity of career choices is the best step any parent, teacher or librarian can take to instill self-esteem and stimulate broader subject interests. Women Working A to Z was written to introduce girls to the great range of opportunities that are open to them. Using real examples of young girls who have grown up to assume fulfilling careers as adults in both nontraditional and traditional women’s occupations, readers will gain a clear vision of their potential.

Jan-Carol Publishing Books

Order this book directly from JCP — for a discounted price and FREE shipping! Go to the “Book Shop” at www.jancarolpublishing.com.

www.Jancarolpublishing.com • www.Amazon.com • www.Barnesandnoble.com

Cheryl Livingston Wayne A. Major and Ralphine Major Jocelyn M. Lacey

Collin Reese Ball and Angela White Ball, PhD

Dr. Maria Kunstadter

In Book 1: Recently widowed, Lily Roberts leaves her Appalachian hometown seeking serenity in the Carolina coastal town of Eagle Hills. Instead, she stumbles into a world of intrigue, murder, and passion. Lily’s encounter on the beach with a mysterious stranger arouses an unquenchable thirst. Will she satisfy her desires or fall victim to a secret political agenda?

Books You May Have Missed!

Yesterday’s Books and Tomorrow ’s Reading

In Book 1: Laura’s parents wanted no part of her baby, nor did her boyfriend. Feeling bereft, she no longer belongs anywhere when she leaves Hope House, the maternity home where she found Christ. Can she find a place to belong, a home, a family? Does God have a plan and a purpose for her, to give her hope and a future?

In Book 1: More than a decade before the American Civil War, handsome young Basil Edmunston is exiled to oversee his family’s immense farm in the wilds of western North Carolina. Lonely and unsure he is up to the task, the poor boy immediately falls victim to slave vexations and the allure of two mountain belles, Julia and Altha.

In Book 1: Marlene Prescott is one hot ticket in the tiny little town of Coleman, Virginia where her good looks and cool demeanor are almost as legendary as her pies. This does not set well with ladies of The Coleman Canasta Club, better known as The Hens. When The Hens set out to tarnish Marlene’s reputation, Marlene and her two best friends cook up a plan for revenge.

Kristine Cabot

Charlotte S. Snead

Carroll C. Jones

Lisa Hall

Notable Works by Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was one of the most influential Americans of the twentieth century. A scholar and minister who played a leading role in the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, King was tragically assassinated on April 4, 1968, less than three months after he turned 39.

Though King’s life was far too short, he left behind a host of notable works. These works can provide significant insight into who King was and the legacy he left behind.

• Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story. Published in 1958, this is King’s account of the Montgomery bus boycott that began in 1955 and ended in 1956.

The book includes information about the planning of the boycott as well as King’s thoughts about it after it ended.

• The Measure of a Man. A short book, The Measure of a Man is actually two sermons King delivered in August 1958. The sermons are titled “What is Man?” and “The Dimensions of a Complete Life.” The Cornell University Library credits The Measure of a Man for offering insight into the theological roots of King’s philosophy of nonviolence.

• Strength to Love. A more extensive version of King’s sermons, Strength to Love focuses largely on racial segregation in the United States. King wrote the sermons in Strength to Love during the struggle for civil rights, even composing some of them while in jail.

• Why We Can’t Wait. Published in 1964, Why We Can’t Wait focuses on the nonviolent fight against racial segregation in 1963 in Birmingham. The book includes King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” which remains one of his most famous writings.

• Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? This was King’s last book before he was assassinated. King wrote the book from a rented house in Jamaica in 1967 after isolating himself from the civil right movement. In the book, King contemplates where things stand for the civil rights movement and what must be done to ensure equality for all Americans in the future.

The collective works of Martin Luther King, Jr. provide unrivaled insight into the minds of the one of the most influential figures in American history.

Muscle Imbalance

By Leslie Snyder

“What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” –James 2:14–17 NKJV

Interpretation: “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” –James 2:14–17

I love to work out. In fact, it’s my favorite hobby. If I have any extra time in the day, you’ll likely find me at the gym, walking in my neighborhood, or lifting weights. As I am learning, muscles work in pairs: biceps and triceps, quadriceps and hamstrings, abdominals and back, and so on. The best strength trainers know that in order for the body to be at its strongest and in order to protect the corresponding joint from injury, both major muscles in the pair must be balanced. If not, imbalance and therefore, injury are just around the corner.

In a spiritual sense, the Scriptures indicate that there must be a healthy balance between having faith and what you do. Having one without the other results in imbalance. James argues, “You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that say, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.” —James 2:20–24

NIV

Faith and action go hand in hand. It’s not enough to believe what Scripture says, we must actually do what it tells us to do. Believing that the Bible says to feed the poor is not enough. We must act to feed the poor. The same goes for sharing with those in need, visiting the sick and imprisoned, or caring for the needs of the orphaned and widowed. Faith propels us into action. So whether you’re working out in the gym or working out your faith in your daily routine, remember that the muscles, both in the body and in the spirit, work best in pairs. www.homeword.com

Test your Knowledge of the Common Cold

Colds are the result of more than 200 different viruses, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Adults experience an average of two to three colds per year, and rhinoviruses cause most of them. The American Lung Association states that colds are minor infections of the nose and throat. Despite typically producing only mild illness, colds account for more visits to the doctor than any other condition in the United States.

People will experience many colds in their lifetimes, and this true or false quiz can test their knowledge about them.

Colds are highly contagious.

True: Colds most often spread when droplets of fluid that contain the cold virus are transferred by touch or inhaled.

Cold weather or being chilled causes colds.

False: While many colds occur during seasons when the weather is cold, transmission is likely higher then due to people staying indoors, and thus closer to one another, when temperatures dip. But the cold air itself has nothing to do with the cold.

Antibiotics are a known remedy for a cold.

False: Antibiotics treat bacterial infections, while colds are viral. That means antibiotics will be ineffective at helping a person recover from a cold.

Rhinoviruses that cause colds also can trigger asthma attacks.

True: These rhinoviruses also have been linked to sinus and ear infections.

Colds are sometimes serious for people.

True: People with weakened immune systems, asthma or conditions that affect the lungs and breathing passages may develop serious conditions, even pneumonia, from colds that linger.

Colds can’t be caught from shaking hands.

False: Colds can be transferred through touch, including shaking hands. It’s recommended to wash hands often with soap and water

for at least 20 seconds or to use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.

You feed a cold and starve a fever.

False: Harvard Medical School says there is no need to eat more or less than usual if you have a cold or flu. However it is important to increase fluid intake to avoid dehydration. Fluids also help keep the lining of the nose and throat from drying out.

Vitamin C, zinc, eucalyptus, garlic, and others are not proven cold remedies.

True: Various herbs, minerals and other products have gained a reputation as cold remedies but there are no scientific studies that support such assertions.

One should avoid caffeine or alcohol while experiencing a cold.

True: Alcoholic and caffeinated beverages can lead to dehydration, which is the opposite of what the body needs to recover.

Ed.D.

Facing Reality–Aging Parents, Aging Children

By Cindy K. Sproles

Facing reality is hard. It shoves all we believe about our well-built, personal bubble into the sharp point of a pin. When facing the realities of caring for an aging parent, it drives home their personal situation and hits us in the gut. Suddenly we realize our own mortality, and that is frightening.

Baby boomers were raised in a time when moms stayed home to raise their children. Their pride and joy were their families and caring for them. They were raised in a time when shoes were passed down, and biscuits and gravy were sometimes the only meal they had three times a day. There didn’t seem to be a happy medium between the two. Though not true in all cases, the goals of our grandmothers were hard work and self-sufficiency. Our baby boomer mommas wanted more for their kids, so their focus was on giving more to them. Now, helicopter parents have an entirely different thought process where planning for the future is almost nil.

Our family cares for our mother. Though she lives in an assisted living, we are very proactive in her care. She doesn’t have much, but her meager savings allowed her to remain as independent as possible at age 96. Though her health is stellar, we have begun to see the marks of age slipping in—her memory is fuzzy about things years ago, like songs she taught our Girl Scout troop. Her posture isn’t straight anymore. Instead, she walks a little humped over and becomes somewhat snippy when things aren’t done in her timeframe. Still, we are fortunate she is in great health, fortunate to still enjoy her.

The reality is that at 96 years old, we understand we won’t have Mother much longer. She knows this as well. Some of her conversations have addressed this realization, and it is shocking when we are forced to face it. Our first reality hit when we signed the papers for the sale of her home. Though it was not the home my brother and I were raised in, it was mom’s home. Finalizing the sale of her property stung. Next was paring down her possessions and seeing

what most children come to see—that as far as possessions go, there was very little we found a personal attachment to, that stung as well. Shouldn’t we have a desire for keepsakes? Some, yes, but the bulk, no. That was a gut punch, too, and a revelation my brother and I decided would not be something our children would be left to deal with—purge now, so they don’t have this guilt of choosing. Give them the sentimental things in your home that they can enjoy now.

Finally, as we enjoy these last years with our mother, we are faced with our own aging process. Letting go of the earthly, clinging to the eternal, and hoping somewhere along the way, we’ve instilled that same priority in our children. None of us can cheat death, and we’ve learned it’s far better to end life in harmony with those we love rather than leave a legacy of anger, hurt, and unforgiveness. Mom once said regret is an ugly bedfellow, and truer words couldn’t have been shared. Make amends—no past hurt is worth the regret. Perhaps this just becomes clearer with age, yet still, it is a vital moment to contend with and take to heart.

Each of us faces the hourglass of time with the sands slowly draining. Make every moment count with your aging parent. Be active with them, even if it’s hard. Seek the joy in them, the guidance they hold, and the treasures of their life experiences. It will be something you never regret.

Cindy K. Sproles is a novelist, speaker, and conference teacher. She is the cofounder of ChristianDevotions.us and the managing editor for Straight Street Books and SonRise Devotionals, imprints of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. Visit Cindy at www.cindysproles.com.

Habits that Affect Cognitive Health

Various changes to appearance and health are associated with aging. Issues such as diminished vision, waning muscle strength and gray hairs are among the more common and noticeable side effects of aging. Cognitive decline is another symptom often associated with aging, even if that needn’t be the case.

Certain lifestyle choices can protect against cognitive decline and dementias. While there is no surefire way to prevent dementias, here are some good habits for maintaining cognitive function well into your golden years.

Exercise frequently

Harvard Health reports that exercise, in addition to the many other benefits it provides, may help improve cognitive function in people who have already experienced memory issues. Exercise may be particularly advantageous to people who carry the APOE4 gene variant, which makes people more susceptible to Alzheimer’s. Speak with a doctor about how much exercise is needed and what is safe for your age.

Enjoy video games

Playing a favorite video game may improve long-term cognitive function. Researchers at Cambridge Brain Sciences found study participants who played non-cognitive-training video games were associated with better performance in several cognitive domains, but only for younger (age 18 to 64)

participants. Cognitive training games, on the other hand, were not associated with any cognitive improvement.

Stay socially engaged

According to a study published in the journal Experimental Aging Research, seniors who have high levels of social engagement also have better cognitive function. Getting together with friends, participating in a club, attending religious studies, and any other activity that gets you out with other people can help with cognitive function.

Eat a healthy diet

Eating a diverse array of healthy foods is beneficial. Nutritious diets can help reduce the risk for illnesses that may affect cognitive ability. Eating well also helps keep the brain healthy. A Mediterranean diet appears to lower the risk or slow the progression of dementia in people who have the condition.

Get help for sleep disorders

Lack of sleep can affect memory and learning. By getting help for sleep disorders, you may reduce your risk for cognitive issues.

While it is not possible to prevent or cure cognitive conditions like dementias with lifestyle changes, certain behaviors can lower the risk of developing these illnesses or reduce their severity

Signs You or a Loved One Could Be Dealing With Depression

Depression is among the most common mental disorders in the world. According to a 2019 report from the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation, roughly 3.8 percent of the world’s population is affected by depression. That percentage is higher among adults (5 percent) and even more so among adults 60 and over (5.7 percent).

Despite its prevalence, depression still carries a stigma, leaving many people to confront it in silence. However, over the last several years, public attitudes toward mental health have shifted, compelling millions of people to recognize the severity of the threat posed by mental health disorders like depression. That recognition has led various prominent public figures, such as comedian Jim Carrey, athlete Kevin Love and singer/actress Lady Gaga, to publicly acknowledge their own battles with depression.

Depression is nothing to be ashamed of, and recognition of that reality may compel millions of people to seek the help they need. One of the first steps toward overcoming depression is to learn how it can manifest itself. Though feelings of sadness are common in people with depression, according to ADA Health, depression is much more than a feeling of sadness, and its symptoms may be masked by physical complaints or substance abuse. That can make it hard to identify signs of depression, which underscores the significance of learning to spot its symptoms. The National Institute of Mental Health notes that the following signs and symptoms could be indicative of depression if individuals have been experiencing them most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks.

• Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood

• Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism

• Feelings of irritability, frustration or restlessness

• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness or helplessness

• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies or activities

• Decreased energy, fatigue or feeling “slowed down”

• Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions

• Difficulty sleeping, early morning awakening or oversleeping

• Changes in appetite or unplanned weight changes

• Thoughts of death or suicide, or attempts at suicide

• Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause that do not ease with treatment

It’s important that individuals experiencing these symptoms or those who witness them in loved ones avoid self-diagnosing their conditions or the condition of friends or family members. If any of these symptoms are present for two weeks or more, contact a physician immediately or urge a loved one to do so.

More information about depression can be found at www.nimh. nih.gov/health/topics/depression.

Tips to Tame Daily Anxiety

Anxiety affects millions of people worldwide. The Anxiety & Depression Association of America indicates anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States, affecting 40 million adults age 18 and older every year, which equates to around 19.1 percent of the population.

What is an anxiety disorder?

The National Institute of Mental Health says anxiety disorders include panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, specific phobia, social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and separation anxiety disorder. Though the causes of these anxiety disorders may differ, each is characterized by excessive anxiety and related behavioral disturbances.

Anxiety disorders can range from mild to severe, and could affect daily life in various ways. Those with anxiety disorders are three to five times more likely to visit the doctor and six times more likely to be hospitalized for psychiatric disorders than those who do not have anxiety disorders, states the ADAA.

Who gets anxiety?

Factors such as genetics, personality and lifestyle can determine if a person is likely to develop an anxiety disorder. According to Healthline, those in professions such as healthcare and social work, people of color and members of the LGBTQIA+ community are more likely to experience anxiety and elevated stress levels.

Addressing anxiety

There are several steps people can take to alleviate anxiety every day.

• Exercise: Moving more may help to relieve stress that can lead to anxiety. Study participants who engaged in exercise two days per week reduced overall perceived stress. Physical activity also can improve mood.

• Sleep: Quality and quantity of sleep can affect mental health. Doctors recommend around eight

hours of sleep each night. If anxiety is affecting sleep, try to establish a healthy sleep routine. Turn off screens a few hours before attempting to retire. Be sure the bed is comfortable. Keep the room’s temperature on the cool side. Also, stick to a schedule.

• Supplementation: Healthline notes that some studies have found that certain dietary supplements may help with stress and anxiety. An eight-week study of 264 people with low magnesium levels found that taking 300 mg of this mineral daily helped reduce stress levels. Combining magnesium with vitamin B6 was even more effective.

• Psychotherapy: The Mayo Clinic indicates counseling or psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, can effectively address anxiety. CBT often includes exposure therapy, in which a person is gradually exposed to the object or situation that triggers the anxiety to eventually build confidence that he or she can manage the situation and anxiety symptoms.

• Medication: Used in conjunction with other techniques, medications may help address severe anxiety conditions. Certain antidepressants and a medication called buspirone are used to treat anxiety disorders. In limited circumstances, sedatives may be utilized, but long-term use is not recommended.

Anxiety disorders can affect anyone. Various techniques could be used to alleviate anxiety.

Philly Cheesesteak Dumplings

Makes about 45

Super Bowl parties typically bring people from all walks of life together. But one thing all Super Bowl viewers can enjoy together is the food. Food is as much a part of Super Bowl Sunday as the game itself. The focus of Super Bowl Sunday fare is not often about an entrée, but rather the bevy of snacks and starters people can enjoy in small doses throughout the game.

Beer-Braised Meatballs

Makes 20 meatballs

1 pound ground beef

1⁄2 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs

1⁄2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1⁄3 cup finely chopped onion

2 cloves garlic, minced

Salt and black pepper

1 bottle (12 ounces) light-colored beer, such as a lager

1 1⁄2 cups tomato sauce

1 cup ketchup

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1⁄2 cup packed brown sugar

1. Preheat the oven to 400 F. Line broiler pan with foil; spray rack with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Combine beef, bread crumbs, cheese, eggs, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper in large bowl; stir to blend. Shape mixture into 1-inch balls. Place meatballs on prepared rack. Bake 10 minutes or until browned.

3. Bring beer, tomato sauce, ketchup, tomato paste, and brown sugar to a boil in a Dutch oven. Add meatballs and reduce heat to medium-low. Cover; simmer for 20 to 30 minutes or until meatballs are cooked through, stirring occasionally.

Source: Cooking With Beer by the editors at Publications International, Ltd.

50 thin square eggless wonton wrappers (around 4 inches in size)

Vegetable oil, for frying

Filling:

5 ounces shiitake mushrooms, stems removed and finely chopped

1 tablespoon roasted sesame oil

1 pound, 2 ounces cooked, shredded beef short ribs

11 ounces cabbage kimchi, drained and finely chopped

3 1⁄2 ounces spring onions, finely chopped

3 ounces pickled jalapeños, finely chopped

1 pound, 2 ounces mature cheddar cheese, grated

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

To serve:

Silgochu (dried chilli threads)

1 spring onion, julienned and soaked in ice water until curled, then drained Sriracha

1. For the filling, first sauté the mushrooms in the sesame oil in a large nonstick frying pan over medium-low heat until just softened. Remove from the heat and set aside. In a large bowl, combine the rest of the filling ingredients with the mushrooms. Mix together using your hands, really breaking up the short rib meat to make a uniform texture.

2. For the dumplings, line a couple of baking sheets with parchment and set

aside. Fill a small bowl with water. Unwrap the wonton wrappers and cover lightly with a piece of clingfilm to keep them moist. Lay a wrapper on a clean work surface and put 1 ounce of the meat filling in the center. Dip a forefinger into the water and run it along the edges of the wrapper to moisten the surface. Now bring the open edges to the center, and pinch where the edges meet each other, creating four seams in a cross shape. Set aside and cover with clingfilm or a damp tea towel while you shape the rest. Repeat with the remaining wrappers and filling, making sure the dumplings are not touching on the baking sheets.

3. To a medium saucepan, add the vegetable oil and heat to 340 F (170 C). Working in batches, place the dumplings on their sides in the pan in a single layer without crowding. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown. Transfer the fried dumplings to a wire rack or kitchen paper-lined plate to drain. Repeat with the remaining dumplings. If you don’t plan on cooking them straight away, you can freeze them on the baking sheets, then bag them up and store in the freezer.

4. Top with some of the silgochu and curly spring onion and serve immediately with the sriracha.

Source: Judy Joo’s Korean Soul Food (White Lion Publishing)

1⁄2 teaspoon dried oregano

1 cup (4 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese

1 package (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened

Dippers

1 package (8 ounces) refrigerated breadstick dough

2 teaspoons melted butter

2 teaspoons minced fresh Italian parsley

1. Combine pizza sauce, pepperoni, green onions, olives, and oregano in a 2-quart slow cooker. Cover; cook on low 2 hours or on high 1 to 1⁄2 hours or until mixture is hot.

2. Stir in mozzarella and cream cheese until melted and well blended. Serve with warm Breadstick Dippers.

3. For dippers, bake breadsticks according to package directions. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with parsley.

Source: Crock*Pot® 365 Year-Round Recipes (Publications International, Ltd.)

Big Al’s Hot and Sweet Sausage Sandwich

Makes 8 to 10 servings

vegetable mixture. Add provolone cheese, if desired.

Tip: Instead of large Italian rolls, use slider buns or medium kaiser rolls to stretch the sausage mixture further and make it easier to eat while watching the game.

Source: Crock*Pot® 365 Year-Round Recipes (Publications International, Ltd.)

Virgil’s Smoked Chicken

Wings

with

Blue Cheese Dip Serves 4

Blue Cheese Dip

2 cups blue cheese crumbles, divided

1 cup mayonnaise

1⁄2 cup buttermilk

2 teaspoons hot sauce

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1⁄2 teaspoon kosher salt

1⁄4 cup finely chopped scallions

1⁄4 cup finely chopped celery Marinade

1⁄2 cup vegetable oil

1⁄2 cup hot sauce

4 tablespoons Virgil’s Dry Rub (see below)

4 tablespoons granulated garlic

4 tablespoons granulated onion Juice of 1/2 lemon

Wings

8 large chicken wings

1⁄2 cup Virgil’s Dry Rub (see below) Sauce

10 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 teaspoon cornstarch

4 tablespoons white vinegar

3⁄4 cup hot sauce

1⁄4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

in a large container with a lid and pour the mixture over the wings. Toss until the wings are thoroughly coated. Cover and refrigerate for 2 days.

4. Preheat the grill or smoker to 245 F. Spread out the wings on a sheet pan and wipe away any excess marinade. Sprinkle liberally with the dry rub, coating the wings all over.

5. Position the wings on the grill away from the direct heat of the coals or burners, and add hickory to the smoker or hickory chips on the coals or gas burners.

6. Cook the wings for about 3 hours, flipping every 30 minutes (their internal temperature should be about 165 F when cooked).

7. While the wings are cooking, cut the butter for the sauce into 1-inch cubes and refrigerate. Whisk the cornstarch into the white vinegar, in a small bowl.

8. In a medium sauté pan over medium heat, bring the hot sauce to a simmer and whisk in the thickened vinegar. Return to a simmer, cook for 1 minute, and remove from the heat.

9. Add the cayenne and slowly whisk in the cold butter. Keep warm until serving.

10. Remove the wings from the smoker or grill and put half of them into a bowl, cover with the sauce, and toss. Repeat with the remaining wings and serve on a platter, with the blue cheese dip on the side.

Virgil’s Dry Rub

4 to 5 pounds hot Italian sausage links

1 jar (26 ounces) spaghetti sauce

1 large Vidalia onion (or other sweet onion), sliced

1 green bell pepper, cored, seeded and sliced

1⁄4 cup packed dark brown sugar Italian rolls, cut in half Provolone cheese, sliced (optional)

1. Combine sausages, spaghetti sauce, onion, bell peppers, and brown sugar in slow cooker. Cover; cook on low 8 to 10 hours or on high 4 to 6 hours.

2. Place sausages in rolls. Top with

1. To make the dip, combine 1 cup of the blue cheese, mayonnaise, buttermilk, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and salt in the bowl of a food processor and blend on low until smooth.

2. Remove to a medium mixing bowl and fold in the rest of the blue cheese, scallions and celery, being sure to break up the larger blue cheese crumbles. Place in a covered container and refrigerate overnight.

3. Mix all the marinade ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Place the wings

1. Combine all of the ingredients in a medium bowl and whisk together until completely incorporated. Transfer to a covered bowl with a tight-fitting lid. Store in a cool, dry place.

YWCA NETN and SWVA Strive for Teens

With the youth labor force continuing to rise, YWCA recognized a need to ensure youth entering the workforce had the necessary skills needed to become healthy, functioning adults. With this need in mind, the Strive for Teens program became a reality. Through this program, young girls are empowered with the life applicable skills needed to be successful in the workforce. Through partnerships with the National YWCA as well as The Torrid Foundation, YWCA NETN and SWVA is able to offer the program throughout our 21-county service area.

The Strive for Teens program is implemented on-site at organizations in the area who work with the populations YWCA serves. Throughout the duration of the program girls are given the opportunity to learn digital, interpersonal, and business skills needed in order to be successful in today’s

workforce. Carried out through a trauma-informed lens, the program also has a goal to address issues in our area such as chronic poverty, unemployment, and underemployment for youth and young adults in our community. At its core, the Strive for Teens program stands to help the young girls of today become the thinkers, leaders, and innovators of tomorrow.

Since beginning its first-class last Summer, the Strive for Teens Program has positively impacted youth in YWCA’s service area. The program has shown it’s 47 students what gaining and maintaining meaningful employment looks like, means to mitigate the impacts of trauma and adversity in their personal lives, and how to achieve and maintain financial stability. Throughout the 27 classes that have been held, several students have obtained jobs.

Like many other resources YWCA NETN and SWVA offers, Strive for Teens helps to enrich existing programs offered like TechGYRLS and MOMS R US. These programs help develop technical skills, emotional awareness, and self-sufficiency for teens ages 13–19. To learn more about Strive for Teens, you can contact the YW Strive for Teens Program Administrator, Amelia Sporsen, at asporsen@ywcatnva.org. To help support YWCA NETN and SWVA programs, donations can be made by going to www.ywcatnva.org.

Short and sweet film reviews of old, classic movies perfect for a girls’ night in!

By Allison Chudina

Happy New Year! As we enter into 2023 and make our New Year’s resolutions, it is the perfect time to gather with your closest friends and watch An Affair to Remember , directed by Leo McCarey and starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr. Beginning on New Year’s Eve, this movie follows Nickie Ferrante (Grant) and Terry McKay (Kerr) as they fall in love. The only problem is, both Nickie and Terry are already in long-term relationships. They each agree to give the other six months to deal with their

current relationships and end things. Then, after this time, they will meet each other atop the Empire State building and finally be together. However, fate intervenes, resulting in a misunderstanding and heartbreak. Will Nickie and Terry’s love prevail? This film is perfect for fans of Sleepless in Seattle , which references An Affair to Remember quite a bit and was even slightly inspired by the older film. There’s nothing like ringing in the new year with a bit of romance!

It’s A Classic!