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vibrant • vocal • vivacious

Fall Decorating Ideas

2019-2020 SEASON Trick or Treat with the Symphony Saturday, October 26 | 5:00 PM Toy F. Reid Eastman Employee Center, Kingsport, TN

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Strings and Things Saturday, November 9 | 7:30 PM Paramount Center for the Arts Bristol, TN

A MAGICAL JOURNEY Cornelia Laemmli Orth Music Director 423.392.8423

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SYMPHONYOFTHEMOUNTAINS.ORG

Kim Morgan Dean

Now Playing!

bartertheatre.com/voice • 706-50-VOICE (70 6 -50 8 - 6423)

October 2019 | Volume 17 | Issue 10

October Hot Hunk Hunt!

The September “Hot Hunk” was James Marsden on page 27.

Marcus Mariota Each month Voice will “hide” a picture of a “Hot Hunk.” If you find him, fill out this form, mail it in, and you could win tickets to Barter Theatre.

Congratulations to: Vernie Seymore Abingdon, VA as the winner in the August Hot Hunk Hunt!

Name: Address: City: State: Zip Code: Phone Number: July Hot Hunk Hunt!

Email: The April “Hot Hunk” was Robert Downey Jr. on page 31.

HOT HUNK LOCATION: Where did I pick up my copy of Voice Magazine?

Mail this submission form to: Voice Magazine P.O. Box 701 Johnson City, TN 37605

Thanks to ALL for sending in your entry!

or e-mail: hothunk@voicemagazineforwomen.com Deadline for submission is October 20, 2019.

PLEASE, ONE ENTRY PER HOUSEHOLD As the selected winner, you must contact Voice Magazine for Women at 423-926-9983 within 90 days to claim and receive your prize. After 90 days, winning becomes null and void and the prize cannot be claimed.

Fall Fashion Trends

Spiritually Speaking

Gourds, Squashes, and Pumpkins, Oh My!

Jan-Carol Publishing

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New Releases 18

Unicoi County Apple Festival

Vegetarian-Friendly Foods High In Protein

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23

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Decorating Ideas for Fall Pam Blair

VoiceMale: Halloween of Seasons Past

April Hensley 12

YWCA Turkey Trot 5K Race 13

Trip to Namibia Nancy Binder 14

10% DISCOUNT FOR SENIORS AND VETERANS OR ACTIVE MILITARY

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Cynn Chadwick 25

Hard Decisions and End of Life

Gluten Intolerance is a Very Real Issue with Measurable Symptoms 27

Charity Spotlight: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 28

Crumley House

3133 Hwy 126 Blountville, TN

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Cindy Sproles 26

Scary Plants

• All-State Pest & Termite Control is bonded and insured in both Tennessee & Virginia • All technicians are trained, certified and screened

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Transitions, or “Light Under Control”

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Ken Heath 9

ALL STATE PEST & TERMITE CONTROL

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Apple Month

Halloween Happenings

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Kids’ Corner 29

Now Hiring!

Jan-Carol Publishing and Voice Magazine

We are hiring representatives for advertising and book sales.

Established, growing, and expanding! Be a part of our team!

Email resume with references to publisher@jancarolpublishing.com.

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voicemagazineforwomen.com | October 2019 | 3

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We wouldn’t be here and there without all of you!

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From the EDITOR

T

he month of October brings lots of festivals, football games, and the anticipation of cooler temperatures.

One main theme for the month of October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. So, I am going to share this story with you again. It is worth repeating.

A young woman’s reality is facing her mother and grandmother dying of breast cancer. Being a nurse, she had her checkups routinely.

However, her fate seemed to be the same. She was diagnosed with breast cancer. When she had a double mastectomy, more cancer was found. Preparing for surgery, she threw a ‘new beginning’ party with her closest friends. After surgery and facing chemo and radiation, she threw a ‘new look’ party and shaved off her hair. What was amazing was the strength she gained from her support system. She embraced her appearance and did not wear the wig she purchased. When she looked in the mirror, she saw herself as a warrior. Her attitude became of that a courageous warrior—undefeated and living each day. To summarize her long journey, she made choices, and she is now cancer free. She chose to fight the fight and accept the new chapter written in her life.

How brave and courageous! She continues to celebrate living!

Last year we had a special video on our website entitled Fight Like a Girl, with a special spotlight on Anita Cochran, an ACM and CMA nominated country artist. Her story is so inspirational. With Anita Cochran’s video, Fight Like a Girl, this empowering song and video are part of a special movement for Breast Cancer Awareness. View it again this year on our website!

As we move into the holiday season, watch for events sponsored by Jan-Carol Publishing, and make plans to join us! For businesses, let us know if you are interested in hosting a book signing. Please call for details—423-926-9983. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram and join in the fun of the ‘giveaways’ and other happenings. Remember, JCP books make great gifts for the holiday season! Buy local!

Thought of the month: “Don’t worry about those who talk behind your back; they’re behind you for a reason.” Author unknown Verse of the month: “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” Deuteronomy 31 6 KJV

Janie C. Jessee, Editor

4 | October 2019 | voicemagazineforwomen.com

“ every story needs a book”

voicemagazineforwomen.com • jancarolpublishing.com Serving Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia!

PUBLISHER Jan-Carol Publishing, Inc PO Box 701 Johnson City, TN 37605 EDITOR Janie C Jessee, 423.502.6246 editor@voicemagazineforwomen.com publisher@jancarolpublishing.com OCTOBER CONTRIBUTING WRITERS April Hensley Cindy K. Sproles

Nancy Binder Pam Blair

Ken Heath Cynn Chadwick

SALES Office Phone/Fax: 423.926.9983 OFFICE Savannah Bailey Communications Director/Production Editor communications@jancarolpublishing.com GRAPHICS/PRODUCTION Tara Sizemore - Senior Graphics Designer tara@voicemagazineforwomen.com graphics@jancarolpublishing.com Cheryl Allen - Office/Typesetting Assistant office@voicemagazineforwomen.com office@jancarolpublishing.com INTERN Publishing Research/Marketing Chanie Garner, ETSU DISTRIBUTION Karen Corder Staff JCP Internships Available PUBLISHED BY JAN-CAROL PUBLISHING, INC. (Volume 17, Issue 10) 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. © 2019 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.

Fall Fashion

TRENDS

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he fashion trend for the 2019 fall season, according to the runaway designers, is all about emotions, personalities, and uniqueness. While you can’t go wrong with the staple color black, there was perhaps too much of it kicking off autumn.

The designers did not reach into the autumn palette this season, and not many vibrant colors were seen on the runaways. Shame on those designNordstrom ers! Autumn is about the warm colors of red, orange, rust, and bright yellow. Instead, the color stage set for this season showcased trends in blacks, greys, and plaids.

However, one color did make the mix. New on the color palette this season is butter-yellow. From tailoring, eveningwear, and outerwear, this new color is ideal for everyone. This color can take a classic black and beige outfit and make it more colorful without overdoing it. Butter-yellow will work great as an option in workwear or complimenting a pair of jeans and a leather jacket.

Don’t toss Lands’ End out lasts year’s boots. Boots are a must this season, especially when slightly hidden by large, over flowing capes, coats, and ponchos. Sound familiar? Yes, another trend that showcased this autumn with bold prints and designs are loose fitting capes and coats.

Take a look in your closet and you may find that some of this year’s trends are already there!

New Arrivals for Fall

129A east main st abingdon va open mon–sat 11–6 just a block down from Barter Theatre

More Fall Trends to Add to your Wardrobe • Duster Coats: Duster coats and ponchos could be seen at all the major runway shows.

These coats are equally comfor table tossed over casual wear, such as a sweater and jeans, or worn over business attire.

• Turtlenecks: In the past, tur tlenecks have fallen in and out of favor. But now they’re back again in high demand. Tur tlenecks keep you warm, and they’re also quite fashionable.

• Fringe: If you haven’t yet added something fringed to your wardrobe, now is the time. The trend is still prevailing with nearly every designer including some sor t of fringe or frayed fabric in their collections.

voicemagazineforwomen.com | October 2019 | 5

Gourds, Squashes, and Pumpkins, Oh My!

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alloween takes place during a time of year characterized by earthen-colored chrysanthemums, leaflined walkways, and crisp autumn air. As colorful as the costumes children wear for trick-or-treating may be, nature’s beauty is unsurpassed this time of year, and the scores of pumpkins, gourds, and squashes on display only add to that colorful mélange.

The Cucurbitaceae family may be best known for pumpkins, squash, and gourds, but there actually are 800 species that belong to this family. While they share many of the same properties, these fruits each have their own unique attributes.

The main differences between squashes, gourds, and pumpkins is their intended purposes—whether they’re ornamental or edible.

Squash

Squashes come in summer and winter varieties.

Winter squashes do not actually grow in the winter; in fact, they’re harvested in late summer and early fall, but the name references the hard shell casing that protects the tender pulp inside. Zucchini are summer squash because their outer flesh is tender, while butternut, acorn, spaghetti, and hubbard are winter squashes because they feature a tough skin. Even though it takes some effort to crack that shell, the dense, nutrient-rich flesh inside is well worth the workout.

Gourds

beautiful and unique in autumn centerpieces. Types of gourds include autumn wing gourd, warted gourds, turban gourds, and bottle gourds. Each gourd is unique in its shape and color.

Pumpkins

Pumpkins come in ornamental and edible varieties.

Even though all pumpkins can be consumed, some taste better than others. Small pumpkins tend to be decorative because, according to Nutritious Life, they do not have enough meat inside to make them worthy of cooking.

However, sugar pumpkins are best for baking and cooking favorite recipes, states the resource Pumpkin Nook.

The festive hues and flavors of squashes, gourds, and pumpkins are one more thing that makes Halloween and autumn special.

Gourds are essentially ornamental squashes; they aren’t cultivated for eating. Instead they are bred to look

42nd Annual

Unicoi County Apple Festival October 4 and 5 The Unicoi County Apple Festival, drawing more than 110,000 annual attendees, has been consistently named one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 events in the southeast, and is a threeyear winner of the Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association’s Pinnacle Award.

The 42nd annual festival will include over 350 arts and crafts vendors from around 6 | October 2019 | voicemagazineforwomen.com

the country featuring painting, photography, wood-turning, sculpture, metal crafts, jewelry, blown glass, and much more. In addition, three food courts will be located throughout the festival grounds so attendees may enjoy festival foods, beverages, and specialty cuisine.

Three entertainment stages featuring live music will perfectly complement the arts and crafts atmosphere. A large children’s area complete with rides and activities will be included in the festival for both the young and young-at-heart.

A wide array of tournaments will be featured, including the NFS 4-Mile Race, Miss Apple Festival Pageant, and Apple Dumpling Contest.

Halloween Costumes that Should be Popular this Year

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alloween is a chance to celebrate whimsy and fantasy and have fun, and the holiday is not complete without dressing up in costumes and taking on an alternate persona.

Many of the costumes people will covet this year involve the movie and television characters that have entertained the masses in the months leading up to October. With that in mind, these get-ups are poised to be plentiful as kids and adults begin their hunt for Halloween candy.

• Fortnite: Gamers of all ages still can’t get enough of the multiplayer game that exploded on the scene in 2017.

Fans are still going strong and may want to emulate their favorite characters from the battle.

• Spiderman: Peter Parker’s European trip is put on hold when he agrees to help Nick Fury uncover some mysteries. The latest Spiderman was highly anticipated, so Halloween revelers likely can’t wait to spin their own webs and don the suit.

• Stranger Things: The incredibly popular Netflix series Stranger Things has sparked an entire subculture of fans.

Now in its third season, viewers have immersed themselves in 1980s pop culture and the lives of the main characters. Whether they choose to go as a Demogorgon, Eleven, Dustin, Mike, or Will, the sci-fi show is sure to spawn some recognizable costumes.

• Infinity War and Endgame: Marvel gave fans two action-packed movies featuring a slew of characters

from the Marvel cinematic universe. Fans can pick among Thanos, Thor, Captain America, Doctor Strange, or any of their movie and comic book heroes for Halloween fun.

• Game of Thrones: Having recently finished its final season, “Game of Thrones” enjoyed a remarkable and wildly popular run. Based on George R. R. Martin’s series of fantasy novels, the show became one of the most popular programs on television, attracting legions of fans following the antics in the Seven Kingdoms. People can pull from costumes emulating popular characters from the series.

• Disney: With the release of live-action versions of some of their animated films, Disney fanatics may once again channel Aladdin, Simba, Jasmine, Dumbo, and more.

These are just a few of the costumes that are prime to be popular among Halloween tricksters this year.

Fender’s Farm 254 Tennessee Hwy 107, Jonesborough, TN fendersmaze.com Hartman’s Corn Maze 7941 Blue Springs Parkway, Mosheim, TN hartmanscornmaze.com

Corn Mazes & Pumpkin Farms

Laurels Pumpkin Barn 303 Laurels Road, Johnson City, TN. laurelspumpkinbarn.com

Beck Mountain Corn Maze & Entertainment Barn 110 Corn Maze Lane, Elizabethton, TN beckmountaincornmaze.com

Myers Farm 3415 Gap Creek Road, Bulls Gap, TN myerspumpkinpatch.com

Cleek Farms 2233 Cleek Road, Kingsport, TN cleekfarms.com

The Stickley Farm 531 Timbermill Private Drive, Bluff City, TN thestickleyfarm.com

voicemagazineforwomen.com | October 2019 | 7

Decorating Ideas for Fall

By Pam Blair

T

he same thing happens every time October rolls around. I drive by produce stands filled with gorgeous pumpkins and mums exploding with color, and I just want to slam on the brakes and buy everything on display. I park the car and remind myself to proceed slowly. Moving through the rows of pumpkins in any size you could ever want is sweet agony. I try to remember these glorious gourds won’t last forever, and choose the ones with shapes that are most delightful Pam Blair to behold. I especially like those with long, artful stems on them, and stackable pumpkins are simply irresistible.

I may dream of abundance, but I’ve learned over the years to keep it simple when decorating for fall. Our dining room table is transformed into a seasonal tableau that works for everything from hosting a book club meeting to dinner with guests. First, I spread a runner with colorful leaves woven in it and then add my favorite fall décor, which I reuse from year to year, with the addition of a few darling miniature pumpkins and gourds you can buy anywhere.

For the front porch, I use a spray of beautifully colored silk leaves that cascade down the length of the front door and eliminate the need for a wreath. When stacking pumpkins and/ or fresh mums by the door or on the porch steps, I group them in odd numbers, usually 3 or 5 of each. The goal is to have fun with whatever you do to welcome autumn and remember that it doesn’t have to cost a lot. By following these simple tips for fall decorating, you can create beautiful spaces that are warm and welcoming.

• Think beyond the wreath. This cascade of beautiful leaves is a piece I have used for several years and it still looks like new. Hang it from a hook on your front door and let it drape casually down.

• Choose a statement piece. An orange velvet pumpkin with a real stem, bought years ago, has become a lasting treasure and I love to use it as a focal point on my dining table, supplemented by real miniature pumpkins and gourds to refresh the display each year.

• Create visual impact by adding height. Try using an old, silver tray as a base for your table display, then add a cake stand to give it height. Elevating any arrangement creates more interest and when you tuck in some natural or artificial leaves, it creates an instant wow factor.

• Add fresh flowers. Nothing says fall like a bouquet of fresh flowers in warm colors that remind us of autumn leaves.

Happy Fall, Y’all!

{ 8 | October 2019 | voicemagazineforwomen.com

Pam Blair is a writer who has authored and edited numerous publications. She can be reached at pBlack919@aol.com.

Voicemail oicemail

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By Ken Heath

Halloween of Seasons Past

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all has always been a favorite of mine. The changing kaleidoscope of leaves, the crispness in the air, bonfires, and ball games. It’s the start of the holiday season for me. You see, that was the first of the Charlie Brown trilogy of specials. Halloween when I was young meant dressing in an old sheet with holes cut out to allow this husky kid to see. Since none of those store bought costumes would fit, I was always set for the annual events. My granddaddy was the Tom’s Peanut man, so the candy wasn’t the best part of the celebration—I had access to that year ’round. For me, the best part was my dad loading us up in that old Pontiac and taking us downtown to the Lincoln Theatre to watch Fantasia, the Disney classic, and the guy I knew as Barney Fife in The Ghost and Mr. Chicken. After the feature flicks, the management would host a costume contest and I entered every year, knowing deep in my heart that the chubby spook wasn’t likely to win one of those prized snurfers built right down the road. But after growing up, and now heading up my hometown’s Halloween event, I’ve discovered my homemade ghost costume wasn’t that bad after all.

“Virginia's Most Awarded DJ Service”

You see the theatre, back in its heyday, had huge crowds of teens, not just us kids, come to the monster movies. As an added attraction one year, they even had a magician!

A gentleman stopped by my office one day and saw a framed picture of one of those events; he found himself, some several decades before, in that very picture. The memories flooded back. He gushed as he told me how that was his first date with his new girl, and how proud he was to show her off to his buddies and the big show.

As he bought their tickets, a guy in a cape approached him and offered him a king’s ransom—a dime—to be in his magic show. All he had to do was change into this special pair of pants and come up on stage when called.

My new friend said he seriously considered it, but out of fear that one of his buddies would “make time” with his new beau while he was on stage, he decided against fame and fortune for her company. He soon found out his instincts were right! At the appointed time, a new foil stepped on stage. With an “Abracadabra!” and a quick tug, the magician pulled the breakaway pants off the embarrassed young gent, leaving him in his scivvies on the stage of the Lincoln!

My buddy let out a huge belly laugh, and we both knew we’d made sound decisions—he in staying with his date, and me not winning something that I’d surely broken a leg or two trying to ride.

Happy Halloween! And may all your tricks be treats in disguise!

{

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, and a professional mobile DJ with Bow Tie Pro Music and Sound. Follow him on Facebook and on Twitter at #kenheath.

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Call Benita to learn more! 423.202.1679 voicemagazineforwomen.com | October 2019 | 9

Make Trick-or-Treating Fun in Rural Areas

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alloween is a child’s dream, and some of the more indelible images associated with this beloved holiday feature neighborhood children ringing doors all across suburbia and urban centers. But country kids celebrate Halloween, too.

Did you know that, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, urban areas make up just 3 percent of the land area of the United States? Twenty percent of the population calls the countryside home. The numbers are quite similar in Canada, where Statistics Canada indicates roughly 18 percent of the population resides in rural areas.

Children who live in rural areas can still experience the magic of Halloween. They just may need to be a little more creative in their pursuit of candy.

Designate a driver

Many children in rural areas find the distances between two houses are simply too great to walk. As a result, youngsters need the help of a parent or older sibling to helm the wheel and take them around to various homes in the area. The process can be made even more festive by listening to spooky songs along the way and decorating the vehicle with some Halloween imagery.

Head to town

Another work-around to rural Halloween celebrations is to move the trick-or-treating to an area where homes are closer together. It’s not uncommon for children to trick-or-treat in their friends’ or relatives’ neighborhoods — even if they live in urban or suburban areas. Rural kids

How to Talk to Kids About Halloween Safety • Discuss costumes well in advance of Halloween. Parents can discuss potential costumes well in advance of Halloween before kids even know what they want to wear. Doing so gives parents a chance to encourage kids to choose bright costumes that will make them more visible to drivers on Halloween night.

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can make plans with friends from school and traverse new neighborhoods for their candy.

Gather at shopping centers Shopping malls, strip malls, supermarkets, and other retailers often have candy on hand for trick-or-treaters who like the safety of being in highly trafficked areas.

These can be viable spots to meet up for trick-or-treating.

Organize a meeting spot

Rural residents can coordinate a Halloween mixer at a community center, school, or another building with a lot of space. The gathering also may take place at a farm or corn maze. Each family can contribute a snack and/ or some candy, and the children can have fun together.

Trick-or-treating can be enjoyable regardless of whether one lives in a rural area or close to a town.

• Create a bag or bucket design day. Depending on what kids will use to carry the candy they accumulate this Halloween, parents can plan a bag or bucket design day a few days in advance. Kids will enjoy this chance to get in the Halloween spirit, and parents can encourage youngsters to decorate their bags and buckets with reflective tape that will make them more visible to drivers.

• Talk up trick-or-treating with friends. As Halloween approaches, parents can discuss how much fun kids will have going door-to-door with many of their friends. This is a good way to ensure kids trick-or-treat in large groups, making them more visible to drivers. In addition, kids trick-or-treating in large groups might be too busy joking with their friends to notice when one or two parents tag along as chaperones.

Things to Consider Before Warming Up Next to your First Fire

A

warm fire can make even can help fix or replace the the coldest winter day more damper. enjoyable. Fireplaces may not get Firewood is another much use in spring or summer, thing homeowners must conbut come late fall and throughsider before lighting their out the winter, the fireplace can first fires of the season. The be a great place for families to CSIA says that well-seasoned gather. firewood works best, noting Before fireplace season hits that wood that is not well-seafull swing, homeowners might soned will produce more want to brush up on a few firesmoke than heat. In addiplace facts so they can safely tion, the home improvement enjoy nights spent sitting by the resource This Old House reccrackling flames. ommends using dense wood The Chimney Safety Institute of America advises home- that’s been split and stored in a high and dry place for at owners with fireplaces to hire a CSIA-certified chimney least six months. Oak is an example of dense wood that, sweep to clean their fireplaces. After a lengthly period of when stored properly, can make for an enjoyable fireplace non-use, various issues could be affecting the chimney, experience. Avoid softwoods like pine. Pine can produce many of which might not be noticeable to an untrained a lot of creosote, which is a byproduct of wood combuseye. Professional, certified chimney sweeps have extensive tion. Creosote is highly flammable, and as it builds up in knowledge of fireplaces, making them valuable resources a chimney, the risk for a chimney fire increases. Choosing who can let homeowners know if any safety issues devel- the right wood, making sure it’s well-seasoned and having oped since fireplaces were last used. The National Protec- a chimney professionally cleaned can reduce the risk of a tion Agency recommends that chimneys be swept at least creosote-related chimney fire. A Level 1 inspection should once per year. determine if there are potentially dangerous levels of creoA full inspection of the chimney might be in order as sote deposits in the chimney. well. Chimney service technicians will conduct thorough Before nestling up to a fireplace this winter, homeexaminations of readily accessible portions of the chimney owners should consider a host of factors and safety meaexterior and interior and accessible portions of the appli- sures to ensure their fireplaces are safe and ready for the ance and the chimney connection. The CSIA recom- season ahead. mends that homeowners who plan to use their chimneys as they have in the past request a Level 1 inspection, which will examine the soundness of the chimney structure and flue as well as the basic appliance “Moving Forward” installation and connections. Technicians also will verify if the chimney Robin Miller is free of obstruction and combustiReal Estate Professional ble deposits.

Homeowners also should inspect Office – 423.722.3223 • Direct – 423.647.9476 their chimney dampers before light508 Princeton Rd., Ste. 106 • Johnson City, TN CALL TODAY ing their first fires of the season.

RealtorRobinMiller@gmail.com for assistance in marketing Dampers should open and close www.premierhomestn.com your home with a FREE Market Analysis! smoothly. If not, a service technician voicemagazineforwomen.com | October 2019 | 11

Scary Plants

By April Hensley

e’ve all seen that creepy, old abandoned house—leaning a bit sideways, door hanging half open, windows broken out, causing us to imagine ghostly eyes peering out through seemingly endless black holes. Thick coarse vines wrap the structure in an impenetrable cocoon, blocking out air and sunlight and effectively squeezing the life out of it.

It’s not only the sad, forgotten houses that can be affected by overgrown vines, trees, and plants. What was once a beautiful decorative vine draping a lovely trellis or a ground cover for a steep bank to help with mowing has now become a destructive force that is hard to maintain.

An invasive plant is one that is growing uncontrolled and can strangle structures and choke out other plants and trees.

Some invasive plants are wild like poison ivy and briars, but most are ones we love and choose to include in our greenspace, like herbs and flowers. You may have planted them, but they have taken over or spread where you don’t want them.

So, what can we do to keep our beloved and beautiful plants from becoming a nuisance?

The first thing is keeping them maintained. Vines like English Ivy grow even in mild winters. Trim regularly. Prevent them from growing up trees, barns, houses, or outbuildings.

When trimming, don’t leave clippings on the ground.

Plants like blackberries can root from clippings and quickly take over an area that you had worked hard on.

Even simple herbs like parsley and basil can become invasive because they make so many seeds. Producing seeds takes away from the potency of the herb. Unless you harvest seeds or use them in cooking like dill or coriander, pop the flower heads off.

Thin out plants such as chives. More is not better when the plants are crowding each other or smothering neighboring plants. Don’t feel guilty about thinning. Sell these or gift them to friends.

Plants in the mint family spread by seeds and runners under the ground. Place them in a deep pot or a hanging basket.

Invasive plants take a lot of maintenance to keep them in check, so you may want to avoid them altogether if you don’t want to spend a lot of time keeping them tame.

W

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Some plants that can become invasive— • • • • • • •

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Virginia Creeper Winter Creeper Honeysuckle Morning Glory English Ivy Vinca Garlic Chives

• • • • • •

Chocolate Vine Basil Parsley Lemon Balm Mint Blackberries

April Hensley works as an office manager and is an avid gardener, writer, and greenhouse hobbyist. April loves the outdoors and is passionate about animal welfare and the environment. She can be reached at aprils1105@embarqmail.com.

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YWCA Women’s Health and Safety Turkey Trot 5K Race

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he 39th Annual YWCA Turkey Trot 5K run/walk is scheduled for Saturday, November 23, 2019. Both the run and walk will begin at 8:00 a.m. on race day. A holiday event since 1980, the YWCA Turkey Trot is the longest running women’s 5K in the region. It’s unique positioning as a women’s only race highlights the YW mission to empower women, giving the moms, daughters, and friends who participate an opportunity to shine! Make this the year you become a part of this long–standing tradition.

No one is too young or too old to take part in this race, and leashed pets and strollers are welcome. Participants have the option to run or walk a certified route through historic Bristol, Tennessee, starting near the iconic Bristol Sign and ending at the YWCA building. Sports management experts, We Run Events, will once again manage and time the race. Start a new family tradition this year by forming a mother-daughter team for this race. At the end of the race you can celebrate a job well done at the awards ceremony with a light brunch, door prizes, and tours of the YWCA facility. Information about programs and services offered by the YWCA will be available.

The YWCA Turkey Trot 5K is only one component of the YW’s health and safety initiative. As a part of our mission to encourage health and wellness, the YW hosts self-defense classes, operates a women’s fitness center, and provides physical activity in our child care center. The newest wellness program at the YWCA is Silver Sneakers.

This program encourages participation in physical activities designed to assist adults 65 and older to maintain greater control of their health. Silver Sneakers helps keep participants healthy while providing social activity.

For more information about the Turkey Trot or any other YWCA wellness activities contact the YWCA at ywca@ywcatnva.org. Everyone who preregisters for the Turkey Trot will receive a unique race tee shirt and freebies.

Forms are available at the front desk of YWCA NETN and SWVA at 106 State Street, Bristol, Tennessee. Online registration is available at ywcatnva.org. Cost of preregistration is $25, and $30 on race day.

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(276) 679-1260 • (276) 452-8484 • htvintouch@gmail.com • www.heritagetv.com voicemagazineforwomen.com | October 2019 | 13

HIMBA VILLAGE VISIT Article and Photographs

O

Namibia

By Nancy Binder

ne of the reasons that I like to travel with Road Scholar is the opportunity to visit with native people. Our opportunity to visit a Himba village occurred near Grootberg Mountain in the northern part of Namibia. The Himba people are semi-nomadic, living in small family villages. The men have multiple wives. Each wife has her own house.

The houses have a cone shaped roof and are made of mud and dung.

In the village of Erwee we picked up a translator named Zelda. On the long, bumpy drive to find the village, she answered some of our questions. When we left the paved Stream and palm trees road, we followed a water stream that sometimes had water in it and at times had palm trees lining the banks.

Occasionally we passed cattle being tended by Himba The women wear their hair pulled back into plaits and men or boys. It was slow going, but our 4x4 safari vehi- covered otjize as well. The plait ends are spread out to procles were able to climb over the rocks and go through the tect their backs from the sun and to protect infants carried water crossings. Several miles from the village, a Himba on their backs from the sun’s rays. Young girls have two man hitched a ride on the running board of our vehi- plaits of braided hair hanging down in front of their faces. cle. At another spot, a Himba woman put a bag into our When they reach puberty, the hair is pulled to the back vehicle and continued running towards the village. There continued on next page must have been a shortcut on foot, as she reached the village about the same time as we did.

The women and children were waiting for us. We made introductions by shaking hands and telling them our name and they told us their names. Through the translator they asked us questions and the question they were most interested in knowing the answer to was “where are your husbands?” They seemed amazed that we were traveling without them.

The Himba women rub a mixture of ochre and butterfat into their skin. This mixture is called otjize. It protects them from the sun, dry skin, and insect bites. Young unmarried Himba couple Hair style Their skin is reddish brown and is beautiful.

(Photo By: Meg Cossaboon)

14 | October 2019 | voicemagazineforwomen.com

and they are given a headpiece called an ekori. A girl wears the ekori until she is married for one year or has a child. Then she only wears the ekori on special occasions. As girls near puberty, their father knocks out their two bottom front teeth as they believe that it makes the girls more attractive.

As boys near puberty they are circumcised. Marriages are arranged by the girl’s father. A bride price is paid with cattle. The bride will live with her husband’s family in his village.

Most of the work in the village is tended to by the women. They carry water from the stream to the village, collect firewood, milk cows and goats, tend calabash vines, make handicrafts, clothing, and jewelry. They also take care of the children. The men primarily herd cattle, which takes them away from their homes for extended period. Some men go to towns to try to find work.

Their diet is primarily a porridge made of corn maize and soured milk.

Wild herbs and honey, when they can be found, are diet supplements. It was mid-morning when we arrived in the village and a pot of porridge was cooking over the fire. Because cattle are a

Showing us how to knock out front teeth

sign of a man’s wealth, slaughtering them for meat is only done on special occasions.

One of the most fascinating things we learned is that women clean their bodies with smoke. One of the women demonstrated it for us. She had a small stone in which she had started a fire.

Using another stone, she shaved some powder from a larger piece of ochre (ferric oxide and clay) onto a small flat stone, she added some herbs or grasses which soon produced an aromatic

smoke. She covered herself with a cloth and let the smoke settle on her skin. It is said to be an antimicrobial body cleansing agent and a deodorant. We did not notice any unpleasant body odor on any of the people. The men wash in water.

Men mostly wear Western dress, denims and t-shirts, although some were just wearing a “skirt” made of cloth or animal hide. The women wore jewelry that showed their status in the community and skirts made of cloth or animal skins. They had bracelets on their arms. Women wore beaded leather ankle bands that we were told protect their legs from venomous snake bites.

We had a tour of one of the huts.

People sleep on mats on the dirt floor.

The hut was a single round room with enough room for about 6 people to stand. There was no furniture and only a few items of clothing, water jugs, and hanging on the wall were sleeping mats. While we toured the hut, women set up a little market outside on the ground displaying trinkets that they had made and were selling for a couple of dollars.

As we were preparing to leave, we sang the song “If You’re Happy and You Know It (Clap Your Hands).” The women appeared to enjoy the song and after several verses a few of the ladies joined in the singing. It was a very interesting visit.

At left: Taking a smoke bath

{

Nancy Binder is a retired application software developer turned freelance writer combining her love of travel with her desire to share her experiences. She is passionate about exploring the outdoors and has been “bitten by the African safari bug,” now her favorite travel destination. Contact her with comments or travel questions at nancybinder@sbcglobal.net.

voicemagazineforwomen.com | October 2019 | 15

THE CRUMLEY HOUSE

POLYNESIAN BEACH PARTY

T

he Crumley House Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center hosted its annual Polynesian Beach Party and auction on Saturday, September 7, at the Johnson City Holiday Inn Convention Center. A Polynesian-style dinner was served. All proceeds will benefit brain injury survivors served by the Crumley House, the region’s only brain injury rehabilitation center. Arrington Schelin of Bristol, Virginia was proud to be one of the table sponsors this year! Visit crumleyhouse.com for more information. (Photos Contributed)

16 | October 2019 | voicemagazineforwomen.com

All Mine

By Kelly McFadden “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 2:3–5 King James Version (KJV) Interpretation: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 2:3-5

I

t had been a record-breaking Halloween. I had trick-ortreated until my pillowcase was busting at the seams. I couldn’t wait to get home and sort through all my hard-earned candy.

Greedily, I scavenged through my new prized possessions, thinking about the bragging rights I would have at school the next day once people saw my loot.

My parents walked in during this process, however, to let me know that half of my loot would be going to children who were too sick to trick-or-treat. Needless to say, I did not like this idea at all. I tried to pull out a few boxes of raisins for those kids, but in the end, half of my goods were taken and given to charity. I sulked for weeks afterwards, especially during key candy-trading times at school.

Paul writes the Philippians, encouraging them to put others’ needs before their own. It was a call to unity, a call to be others-focused. It is easy and natural to look after and care only for ourselves, but the Lord wants us to look out for more than just number one.

He tells us to care for the orphans, the widows, and the oppressed.

He tells us to love our neighbors. Understanding that everyone is equal in God’s eyes helps us walk in true humility. It allows us to work better together with those in our church, neighborhoods, and communities when we realize that our needs are not any greater than the needs of another.

There are still areas of my life today in which I catch myself thinking only of me. It is easy to get so wrapped up in me–my schedule, my problems, my stresses–that I do not take time to think about what others around me are going through. So each day, I try to ask the Lord to give me a humble spirit and an eye for the needs of others. Selfishness can ruin friendships, work relationships, and ultimately, pulls us further from Christ. To be Christ-like, we must put others before ourselves. www.homeword.com

voicemagazineforwomen.com | October 2019 | 17

“every story needs a book�

NEW RELEASES

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.

OUT NOW The Memories of an Old Lee T M County Hillbilly O L C HE

EMORIES OF AN

LD EE OUNTY

HILLBILLY

Written by C.S. “Charlie� Harris and Jack Harris With roots in Lee County and Jonesville, Virginia, this is a “Harris� family treasure of family history and photos. Years of research in gathering history, dates, and pictures of the With roots in Lee County and Jonesville, Virginia, this Harris ancestors have come together in this one book. Jack Harris accomplished his lifetime goal of publishing a book the Harris family. is a Harris family treasure of familyabouthistory and photos.

Years of research in gathering history, dates, and Jack Harris pictures of the Harris ancestors have come together in this one book. Jack Harris accomplished his lifetime goal of publishing a book about the Harris family.

THE OF AN

Potpourri

MEMORIES

A Book of Children’s Original POTPOURRI Story Poems

OLD LEE COUNTY

A Book of Children’s

POTPOURRI

Original Story Poems

This Book of Poems was designed to Written by Helen Frye Harkleroad help promote a child’s ability to read and to help understand how reading This book of poems was designed tothemhelp can be fun and engaging. promote a child’s ability to read and to help them understand how reading can be fun and engaging.

HILLBILLY

lives in Jonesville, Virginia, of Lee County. His grandpa C. S. “Charlie� Harris was an inspiration to him. From that inspiration, Jack Harris researched family history and gathered treasured family photos in order to publish this book as a family tribute and heirloom. “I loved my grandpa C.S. “Charlie�

Harris dearly. He was a true inspiration in my life.�

A Book of Children’s Original Story Poems

Helen Frye Harkleroad is a native of Cumberland Gap, Tennessee. She was a 1976 graduate of Tennessee Wesleyan University, in Athens, TN with a bachelors degree in Teaching. She went on to graduate from University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN with a Masters in Early Childhood Education. She taught first grade and kindergarden for a combined 25 years. She spent 17 of these years at North City Elementary in Athens, TN.

Helen Frye Harkleroad

COPYRIGHT 2019 FRONT COVER DESIGN: TARA SIZEMORE JAN-CAROL PUBLISHING, INC JANCAROLPUBLISHING.COM

U.S. $10.00 CAN $13.50

COPYRIGHT 2019 JAN-CAROL PUBLISHING, INC JANCAROLPUBLISHING.COM

of Short Stories

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Written by Cynn Chadwick After Anna Shields receives an invitation from her estranged Aunt Lydia, she ies to Tennessee to ďŹ nd a number of older women—Tasha, Sadie, and Chloe—also living on Lydia’s farm. Losing power during a blizzard, the women share dark and startling secrets. Skating between past and present, they reveal frighteningly desperate things that they have done. Anna begins to realize, to her shock, that these things are connected to her own past and become key to her future.

With each story set in the Appalachian region, Snowy Trails: A Short Story Collection presents a strong sense of place and belonging. Noted authors contributed stories capturing trials, tribulations, and triumphs, each one sprinkled with a gamut of emotions. In Snowy Trails, readers will be immersed in the varietal settings and characters, and will share the feelings of heartache in challenges and the joys of survival.

COPYRIGHT 2019 FRONT COVER DESIGN: TARA SIZEMORE JAN-CAROL PUBLISHING, INC JANCAROLPUBLISHING.COM

Written by Kevin L. Schewe, MD, FACRO In October 1939, Albert Einstein warns President Franklin D. Roosevelt that Nazi Germany is actively pursuing an atomic bomb and urges him to make sure that the United States develops the bomb ďŹ rst.

S Roosevelt heeds the warning and launches the “Manhattan Projectâ€? in June 1942. In October 1942, Roosevelt tells Einstein that prudence calls for the U.S. to have a back-up plan to the Manhattan Project in case Hitler gets the bomb ďŹ rst. Roosevelt commissions Einstein to secretly construct a usable time travel KEVIN L . SCHEWE, MD, FACRO machine code named the “White Hole Project.â€?

In June 1974, an adventurous group of teenage friends, who call themselves the “Bad Love Gang,â€? discover a tunnel leading to the White Hole Project. They learn how to use the time machine and become the ďŹ rst known humans to travel back in time and return. Their mission is to save Jews and Gypsies from the Holocaust in November 1944 by using a U.S. Air Force B-17 bomber that was known as “The Phantom Fortress.â€?

18 | October 2019 | voicemagazineforwomen.com

“The Best Doctor in Town reminds us all that evil can reside anywhere—even Small Town, USA. Amelia Townsend weaves a web of deceit in vivid detail and proves once again that things are seldom as they seem.� — Mike Grindstaff, Author of Moon Over Knoxville

“Amelia Townsend spins a tall tale that captures my attention from page one. Doc Briggs is the loved, local doctor who is out to help everyone heal, but Dr. McKay thinks the praise and love has not been earned from all of the patients, especially those up in years. How can Dr. McKay disparage such a wonderful gift to the community? Read, learn, and love this tall tale.� — Linda Hudson Hoagland, Author of Snooping Can Be Scary

et in Southwest Virginia and inspired by actual events, the story follows a small town’s most revered doctor, who may just be a serial killer. A local police officer with a tarnished reputation, a reporter who manipulated facts, and the doctor’s chief intern—who may be a thief, all hold pieces of the puzzle. Yet no one in authority believes the great doctor could be responsible.

All the while, patients are dying.

Amelia Townsend loves telling almost true stories. She has

worked as a newspaper and TV reporter, freelance producer and director, writer, and now PR hack. She is a proud graduate the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her first novel, Keepsakes for the Heart, was nominated by the N.C. Historical Association for the prestigious Ragan Old North State Award for non-fiction.Find her on: Facebook: facebook.com/townsendart LinkedIn: linkedin.com/ameliatownsend Twitter: @townsendart Website: shoestringtheatrecompany.com

COPYRIGHT 2019 AUTHOR PHOTO: LOUIS CARON FRONT COVER DESIGN: POWELL VALLEY NEWS, JOSH WATSON—GRAPHIC DESIGNER JAN-CAROL PUBLISHING, INC JANCAROLPUBLISHING.COM

A COLLECTION OF SHORT STORIES

alist 32+ and n of and his

Written by Various Authors Snowy Trails With each story set in the Appalachian region, SHORT STORIES Snowy Trails: A Short Story Collection presents a strong sense of place and belonging. Noted authors contributed stories capturing trials, tribulations, and triumphs, each one sprinkled with a gamut of emotions. In Snowy Trails, readers will be immersed in the varietal settings and characters, and will share the feelings of heartache in challenges and the joys of survival.

Things That Women Do

Bad Love Strikes

Snowy Trails

AMELIA TOWNSEND

e friends, who call themselves o the White Hole Project. They he first known humans to travel ve Jews and Gypsies from the r Force B-17 bomber that was

COPYRIGHT 2019

KEVIN L . SCHEWE, MD, FACRO

prudence calls for the U.S. to case Hitler gets the bomb first. onstruct a usable time travel

“We are infatuated with Carla.â€?Â

—Geneva & Addie, Better Read Than Dead Book Club

SNOWY TRAILS

ent Franklin D. Roosevelt that mb and urges him to make sure oosevelt heeds the warning and

“Gryboski’s writing was very unique and incredibly descriptive—I had a perfect image of the story’s events in my mind the entire time.â€? —Rebekah Crozier, My Bookish BabblingsÂ

Snowy Trails A Collection of

SHORT STORIES

Priscilla Arnold • Lori C. Byington Victoria Fletcher • Jan Howery Linda Hudson Hoagland Betty Kossick • Cheryl Livingston

The Best Doctor in Town

The Best Doctor In Town

ciety: They

KILLER

Written by Michael Gryboski Carla al-Hassan thought she had escaped. After years of working as a hired killer for a domestic terrorist organization to pay for her grandfather’s medical bills, she went into the darkness one more time to disappear. However, Carla could not escape the world of violence forever.

COVER DESIGN TARA SIZEMORE JAN-CAROL PUBLISHING, INC JANCAROLPUBLISHING.COM

BAD LOVE STRIKES

ed from Chapter 1.â€?Â

THE

ANTITHESIS

—Elizabeth Gibson, These Magical Pages

“5 out of 5 stars.� —Kerrie Irish, Comfy Reading

COPYRIGHT 2019 FRONT COVER DESIGN: TARA SIZEMORE JAN-CAROL PUBLISHING, INC JANCAROLPUBLISHING.COM

d love through the discovery of 4 and then back to the future, hat will capture the attention of oject’ is proven to be real with not end until the final scene, a miracle with this authentic s Taylor, Author of Earth’s Future: Red Alert

Various Authors Familiarize yourself with ash ďŹ ction in sensational new ways. Various authors, each with accolades of their own, punctuate this book with stories that intrigue and excite. Discover what happens to a small town when snow melts for the ďŹ rst time in ďŹ fty years, what a holiday similar to Thanksgiving might look like on another planet, and the thrilling events that take one reporter from covering the news to becoming news himself. These ash ďŹ ction stories, albeit short by deďŹ nition, are sure to make an imprint in your mind and leave you begging for more from these talented authors.

Carla: The Antithesis Killer

Michael Gryboski

C

arla al-Hassan thought she had escaped. After years of working as a hired killer for a domestic terrorist organization to pay for her grandfather’s medical bills, she went into the darkness one more time to disappear. However, Carla could not escape the world of violence forever.

“Gryboski highly deserves the praise for creating this truly fascinating world and characters. I won’t go fully into who is who and how the story develops. The rest is for you, the reader, to find out. I highly recommend picking this book up.�

ng Authors:

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A Collection of Short Stories Inspired by Imagination

THE ANTITHESIS KILLER

y Imagination

Writing Prompts

Carla

Writing Prompts

iting mpts:

C.S. “Charlie� Harris and Jack Harris

A Tall Tale from the Hills

AMELIA

TOWNSEND

Written by Amelia Townsend Set in Southwest Virginia and inspired by actual events, the story follows a small town’s most revered doctor, who may just be a serial killer. A local police officer with a tarnished reputation, a reporter who manipulated facts, and the doctor’s chief intern—who may be a thief, all hold pieces of the puzzle. Yet no one in authority believes the great doctor could be responsible. All the while, patients are dying.

Bev Freeman

“every story needs a book”

AUTHORS on the ROAD Sylvia Weiss Sinclair

Fledermama’s Son; and Making Raisins Dance Thursday, October 24, 6:00 pm Book Signing Bay Minette Public Library 205 W 2nd Street Bay Minette, AL

Rita Quillen

Hiding Ezra Saturday, Oct. 5, 2 pm – 4 pm I Love Books Event Ft. Henry Mall Kingsport, TN Tuesday, Oct. 8, 7 pm Arts Array Reading Cascade Draught House 828 State St. Bristol, TN

Michael Gryboski

Carla; Carla: The Antithesis Killer Saturday, October 19, 10 am – 4 pm RVA Book Lovers’ Festival Jefferson Park, 1921 Princess Anne Avenue Richmond, VA

Ask the Book Editor Judi Light Hopson

Q:

Judi, I am writing a novel that is loosely based on my life. I think I may be including too many sad details. Any ideas on how to liven up the story?

Christopher T., San Francisco CA

A:

Christopher, keep in mind that you want to entertain and inform the reader, but you should also inspire your reader in some fashion. Make sure the main character has learned some lessons or has resolved to approach life in a more positive fashion. Your reader will identify with the protagonist. Don’t overload the story with negative emotions. – Judi Light Hopson

Silence of the Bones; Where Lady Slippers Grow; Return to Walkers’ Mountain; and the anthology These Haunted Hills Friday, Oct. 4, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm & 6 pm – 8 pm Erwin Outdoor Supply 113 Union Street, Erwin, TN Saturday, Oct. 5, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm Erwin Outdoor Supply 113 Union Street Erwin, TN

Tuesday, October 8, 12 pm – 3 pm Appalachian Authors Guild Meeting & Workshop Small Business Incubator, WHCC Campus Abingdon, VA Tuesday, October 8, 5 pm – 9 pm Bluefield City Park – Healthy Woman Color Me Pink Run Book Signing Bluefield, WV Wednesday, October 16, 9 am – 12 pm Senior Safety Day Nuckolls Hall (Fairgounds) Tazewell, VA

Linda Hudson Hoagland

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; and These Haunted Hills Thursday, October 3, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm Lost State Writers Guild Meeting Golden Corral Johnson City, TN

Sunday, October 20, 12 pm – 4 pm Big Walker Country Store Book Signing Wytheville, VA Thursday, October 24, 3 pm – 7 pm Celebrate Women – Higher Ed center Book Signing, Abingdon, VA Saturday, October 26, 9 am – 3:30 pm Craft Show – Christiansburg Coral Booster Club Book Signing, Christiansburg, VA

Saturday, October 5, 12 pm – 4 pm Big Walker Country Store Book Signing Wytheville, VA

Watch JCP Authors Wayne and Ralphine Major on Daytime Tri-Cities and hear more about their newly released book, Piddle Diddle, the Widdle Penguin, and the Birthday Drone, on Tuesday, October 8 at 10 am on WJHL-TV. ®

Monday, October 7, 7 pm Tazewell County Habitat for Humanity Meeting Vice Chair, Tazewell, VA

What animal can cunning penguinhold a child's attentio n better than penguin. Despite ?! Piddle Diddle, a mischievous, the Widdle her small Size is an Penguin, is obstacle only size, she can be an such a example to the most entertaiif you let it be. Penguin children. ning animals s are on the planet! some of Come and join with family Piddle Diddle, the Widdle new adventuand friends at her birthda Penguin, as she celebra res with her y party, as birthday drone, she explore tes drone to help s find her lost and as she uses her friend.

See you in the next adventure!

U.S. $11.50

COPYRIGHT

• CAN $15.40

JAN-CAROL 2019 PUBLISHING, JANCAROLPUB INC LISHING.COM

Written

Wayne A. by Major Co-Autho

r Ralphine Major Illustrated

by Teresa Wilker

son

If you have been affected by domestic violence, you are not alone.

Even JCP authors, such as Tawana J. Campbell and Susan Noe Harmon, have their own stories to help create awareness for this cause. Their books, Shattered But Not Broken (Campbell) and To Hide the Truth (Harmon) add to the narrative of domestic violence and are compelling reads. Available on Jancarolpublishing.com, Amazon.com, and Barnesandnoble.com.

EXPERT BOOK EDITING SERVICES

2019 Is Your Year!

Let’s Edit and Publish Your Book!

Judi Light Hopson Call:

As the editor of over 500 books, I know how to polish your manuscript. There’s no charge for an estimate. Let’s discuss getting you across the finish line.

423.743.9052 Email:

judihopson@earthlink.net

voicemagazineforwomen.com | October 2019 | 19

This Month’s Featured Books

Willie E. Dalton

Pauline E. Petsel

Linda Hudson Hoagland

Jessica Beaver

October Reads that Scare and Excite The Dark Side of the Woods How could Sadie have lived so long in this town without knowing it was harboring a very old secret? The dark side of the woods was a place she walked by nearly every single day and it seemed perfectly normal. But one day she realized, nothing that walked in there walked back out.

Curses and wolves are somehow entangled in Sadie’s new romance, and a gruesome transformation threatens to change everything she has ever known. She’s the only one who can save her town, her love, and herself. It has to end where it started, in the center of the forest.

Things That Go Bump in the Night No one was at the bus stop to get the children out of the violent winds, so they were on their own.

Where were their parents? Why were the lights out and the phone lines cut at Mrs. Brown’s house?

What had happened to everyone?

Who was walking upstairs in the old house? Was that a body they saw? Will they get caught?

Follow the five children as they go through a terrifying time during a stormy night in Sleepy Hollow where things go bump in the night.

Snooping Can Be Scary A Lindsay Harris Murder Mystery Ghosts and a haunted house are the enticements that pull Emily and her friend, Tim Riley, into the dilemma of being held hostage along with two of the local legal authorities who felt it necessary to search for the teenagers. Lindsay, Ellen, Ryan, Jed, and Marnie look for the truth and the kids.

These Haunted Hills: A Collection of Short Stories These Haunted Hills is a collection of short stories that tease the readers’ curiosity of the supernatural. With the Appalachian region as a backdrop, each story brings fictional characters to life with intertwining moments of mystery, humor, and a reality check of the beating heart. A group of talented authors has created a delightful, haunting read in a non-cookie cutter, invigorating style that each reader will enjoy! Each story brings its own intriguing and engaging moment of excitement and thoughtfulness.

Jan-Carol Publishing Books

www.jancarolpublishing.com 20 | October 2019 | voicemagazineforwomen.com

www.amazon.com

The Night of Halloween A twelve-year-old boy named Luis is probably the only kid who doesn’t look forward to Halloween. The only thing he dislikes more than the holiday is his little sister’s pranks. To get even with her, he buys something that he hopes will scare her out of her skin—two jack-o-lanterns and a couple of strange candles. But little did Luis know that his actions would jeopardize all of Halloween!

Order this book directly from JCP — $ 00 8. with FREE shipping!

Call 423-926-9983 or mail check to P.O. Box 701, Johnson City, TN 37605.

(Sale Ends October 31, 2019)

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from Amazon.com for only

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Woman to Woman

These Haunted Hills

If You Own It, Claim It!

A Collection of Short Stories

By Janie C Jessee Woman to Woman is written to IF YOU OWN IT, CLAIM IT! inspire and encourage women SUCCESS! to seek out their destiny.

Author Janie Jessee shares simple truths in starting a business or pursuing a career JANIE C. JESSEE dream. Presented in uncomplicated terms, quotes, and verses that will enlighten you, encourage you, and inspire you, this book is the perfect read for the beginning entrepreneur or the seasoned businesswoman needing to be uplifted.

A Beginner’s Inspirational Guide for Women Seeking to Start Their Own Business

Go to “every story needs a book”

SALE DURING

By Various Authors These Haunted Hills is a collection of short stories that tease the readers’ curiosity of the supernatural. With the Appalachian region as a backdrop, each story brings fictional characters to life with intertwining moments of mystery, humor, and a reality check of the beating heart. A group of talented authors has created a delightful, haunting read in a non-cookie cutter, invigorating style that each reader will enjoy!

Amazon.com voicemagazineforwomen.com | October 2019 | 21

Vegetarian-Friendly Foods High In Protein

P

eople choose a vegetarian lifestyle for several reasons. Some individuals have an aversion to eating meat because they’re concerned about animal welfare, while others find that a low-calorie, vegetarian diet promotes long-term health.

Vegetarianism can certainly be a healthy option, but those who eschew meat and sometimes eggs often have to find alternative sources of protein to meet dietary needs. According to the Dietary Reference Intakes, the average sedentary man should have 56 grams of protein per day, while an average sedentary woman should consume 46 grams per day. The amount of protein needed will increase if a person is more active, advises Healthline.

Protein helps a person feel fuller, longer, and it is crucial for all cells in the body. Protein is used to build and maintain bones, muscles, skin, and much more. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics also states that protein is very important as one ages because aging men and women don’t absorb or metabolize amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein, as well as they did when they were younger.

Those adhering to vegetarian diets will find there are plenty of non-meat protein sources. Meatless protein sources that offer the biggest health bang for one’s buck are “complete proteins,” which have the essential amino acids the body requires. Some complete proteins include: • eggs • milk • cheese • soy • quinoa Some other great protein sources may not have all the amino acids, but they can be paired with other foods to get a fuller nutrient package.

• seitan: This is a meat alternative made from wheat gluten.

• lentils: Lentils pack 18 grams of protein per cooked cup.

• beans: Many forms of beans contain a high amount of protein per serving.

• nutritional yeast: This is a strain of yeast that has a cheesy flavor. It can be sprinkled on foods to add a protein punch.

• ancient grains: Ancient grains include spelt, teff, barley, sorghum, farro, and einkorn. These ancient grains are higher in protein than common grains.

In addition to these foods, peanuts and other legumes, almonds, peas, oatmeal, spirulina, broccoli, brussel sprouts, and sweet corn also are good protein sources for vegetarians.

22 | October 2019 | voicemagazineforwomen.com

October is Spinach Lovers Month. October is many things, but for spinach lovers it is the month to celebrate the power of this green, leafy vegetable that goes great in salads, sandwiches, and many other dishes. Spinach is tasty, loaded with lutein and folic acid and is easy to grow.

Crustless Spinach Quiche 6 servings

1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 onion, chopped 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained 5 eggs, beaten 3 cups shredded Muenster cheese 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions 1.

2.

3.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9 inch pie pan.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft. Stir in spinach and continue cooking until excess moisture has evaporated.

In a large bowl, combine eggs, cheese, salt and pepper.

Add spinach mixture and stir to blend. Scoop into prepared pie pan.Bake in preheated oven until eggs have set, about 30 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving. Source: www.allrecipes.com

cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice in a separate bowl. Gently stir dry ingredients into wet ingredients until just combined. Fold walnuts into batter.

Pour batter into prepared muffin cups.

1 lemon, zest only 1 orange, zest only 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Carrot, Apple, and Zucchini Muffins 24 servings

1.

Cooking spray 1 cup shredded unpeeled zucchini 1 cup shredded carrots 1 large apple, cored and shredded 1 cup nonfat plain yogurt 1 cup sucralose and brown sugar blend 2 eggs 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce 1/2 cup skim milk 2 tablespoons canola oil

2.

3.

4.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat 24 muffin cups with cooking spray.

Stir zucchini, carrots, and apple together in a large bowl. Mix in yogurt, sucralose and brown sugar blend, eggs, applesauce, skim milk, canola oil, lemon zest, and orange zest until thoroughly combined.

Whisk all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt,

Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Source: www.allrecipes.com

Apple Dip 8 servings 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 tablespoon vanilla extract Stir together the cream cheese, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until the sugar has dissolved, and the mixture is smooth.

Source: www.allrecipes.com

YOUR TURKEY CHEAT SHEET BIG GREEN EGG COOKING TEMP

325°F/163°C

INDIRECT

TURKEY TIMELINE ( COOKING TIME BASED ON A 18 LB TURKEY ) • Start dreaming about the best turkey ever!

1 PM

• Light the Big Green Egg! Bring the temperature up to 325°F/163°C.

2 PM

• Open the dome and add the pecan smoking chips to coals. (Leave time to debate with friends whether to soak or not to soak!) Add the convEGGtor to the EGG, (legs up), then add the cooking grid.

• Spread the seasoning generously over the outside of the turkey. Load the turkey onto a Vertical Turkey Roaster or into a Roasting Rack, then place into a drip pan.

• Add the onion and celery to the drip pan.

Fill the pan with chicken broth, wine or water.

• Place the drip pan with turkey on the cooking grid.

Close the EGG and start practicing your “Best Chef Ever” acceptance speech.

3 PM

• Your neighbor smells what you·re cooking and asks to come over for dinner.

4 PM

• Check the internal temperature of the turkey for doneness. (USDA guidelines recommend an internal temperature of 165°F/74°C. Remember that the turkey·s internal temperature will continue to rise a few degrees after it·s removed from the EGG.)

5 PM

• When your turkey has reached the ideal internal temperature, remove the bird from the EGG, tent with aluminum foil and let it rest a few minutes so that the juices settle.

5:30 PM

165°F /74°C

BASED ON USDA APPROVED TEMPERATURES

THE PERFECT TURKEY INGREDIENTS

COOKING DAY NOON

FINAL TURKEY INTERNAL TEMP

• One turkey, cleaned thoroughly • Big Green Egg Savory Pecan Seasoning • 1 whole onion cut in half • 1 stalk celery • 2 cups chicken broth, wine or water

PREP If you plan to soak your wood chips, start the night before.

Load the charcoal into EGG the night before, so everything is ready on Thanksgiving.

EGGCESSORIES • • • •

convEGGtor Savory Pecan Seasonings Pecan Smoking Chips Vertical Turkey Roaster or Roasting Rack • Drip Pan

COOK TIME ESTIMATES 6 – 10 lbs.

1½ – 2 hr.

10 – 18 lbs.

2 – 2½ hours

18 – 22 lbs.

2½ – 3 hours

22 – 24 lbs.

3 – 3½ hours.

• Take photos to post to Facebook, Twitter & Instagram before carving and serving the turkey!

Remember to tag @BigGreenEgg and #BigGreenEgg on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram so we can see your turkey pics!

CLICK TO VIEW ©BIG © BIG I G GREEN REE EEN E EN EN EG EGG E GG IINC INC. NC NC BIG GREEN EGG®, EGG®, EGGCESSORIES® AND CONVEGGTOR® ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF BIG GREEN EGG INC.

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Mon–Fri 10am–5:30pm , Sat 10am–2pm

voicemagazineforwomen.com | October 2019 | 23

Breast Cancer Signs and Symptoms

B

reast cancer is a formidable foe. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 627,000 women lost their lives to breast cancer in 2018. A proactive approach is a key component of protecting oneself against breast cancer. While the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.® (NBCF) notes that many breast cancer symptoms are invisible and not noticeable without a professional cancer screening, women can keep an eye out for certain signs of breast cancer they might be able to detect on their own.

Monthly self-exams can help women more easily identify changes in their breasts. During such self-exams, women can look for the following signs and symptoms and are advised to report any abnormalities they discover to their physicians immediately.

• Changes in how the breast or nipple feels: The NBCF says nipple tenderness or a lump or thickening in or near the breast or underarm could indicate the presence of breast cancer. Some women may notice changes in the skin texture or an enlargement of the pores in the skin of their breast. In many instances, skin texture has been described as being similar to the texture of an orange peel. Lumps in

the breast also may indicate breast cancer, though not all lumps are cancerous.

• Change in appearance of the breast or nipple: Unexplained changes in the size or shape of the breast; dimpling anywhere on the breast; unexplained swelling or shrinking of the breast, particularly when the shrinking or swelling is exclusive to one side only; and a nipple that is turned slightly inward or inverted are some signs and symptoms of breast cancer that can affect the appearance of the breast or nipple. It is common for women’s breasts to be asymmetrical, but sudden asymmetry should be brought to the attention of a physician.

• Discharge from the nipple: The NBCF notes that any discharge from the nipple, but particularly a clear or bloody discharge, could be a sign of breast cancer. The NBCF also advises women that a milky discharge when they are not breastfeeding is not linked to breast cancer but should be discussed with a physician.

Learning to recognize the signs and symptoms of breast cancer can increase the likelihood of early diagnosis, which greatly improves women’s chances of surviving this disease.

Though women may notice various signs and symptoms that could be indicative of breast cancer, breast pain is generally not one of them. The National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.® notes that there are various harmless causes of breast pain, such as puberty, menstruation, and child birth, but that breast pain is not commonly a symptom of cancer. However, in rare instances breast pain may correlate with cancer.

For example, breast tumors may cause pain, but cancerous tumors are not generally reported as painful.

Though it may not be linked to breast cancer, breast pain should still be reported to a physician immediately, advises the NBCF.

24 | October 2019 | voicemagazineforwomen.com

Transitions, or “Light Under Control”

By Cynn Chadwick

T

here’s this commercial on TV for Transition eyeglasses.

The song, by Parov Stelar, “Light Under Control,” scores a number of these videos, and immediately caught my attention—the tune is catchy. In each thirty-second spot, happy young people are seen prancing around the globe appearing in colorful market places, hiking mountain passes, and wandering tropical forests, all the while sporting fashionable glasses that turn from clear to dark depending upon the light.

Initially, I became so enamored of the song that I did what most do—I Googled it. Here, I discovered many incarnations of this eyewear commercial all featuring young folks bopping along to the song I love, whose lyrics I do not understand. I don’t care. Sometimes, I just like to play each little ad to see those free spirits sliding in and out of sun-lit spots with this soundtrack to their pretty lives. I sometimes wonder how these novice adults can afford exotic trips and expensive eyeglasses, but I put that away to escape along with them. It’s really more about the song— “Light Under Control.”

When asked to write this piece about Transitions as I retire from my teaching job of twenty-three years, this song popped into my head, even though the only words I understood were: “I’m a traveler…” la, hum, la la hum….

For all I knew, the song might’ve gone something like I’m a traveler/Sunglasses make my day; completely inappropriate to the theme Transitions=retirement, bucket list, end of the road, last chapter, final act, sen-ior-liv-ing….ugh.

So, once again I searched, this time looking for the lyrics to the song—words—that might inspire a guiding metaphor about transitioning from a life of work and schedules to a life of—No work? No schedule? Was that even possible? I try to imagine myself like the kids in the commercial skipping along a palmtreed beach to the soundtrack of my life—I’m a traveler, la hum, la la hum, and immediately become disoriented. Even when I imagine my own free time, this is not how I imagine spending it.

I imagine it—mostly—like different work, different schedules.

I imagine doing more: writing more, painting more, more projects, more time for lunch with friends, dinner with family, for sure, but no work? No schedule? No doing? Are there really people who just wake and do or don’t do stuff with no thought of what tomorrow will bring or how yesterday turned out? Is it me?

Is retirement about how much more time I will have to do or not do? Depending upon the light? This seems to be the topmost burning question when asked about retirement: What will you do in the next phase of your life?

Except this is not my burning question. I haven’t been wondering what to do in retirement. I’ve got plenty to do;

sometimes I worry I’ll run out of life before I run out of things to do; that’s not at issue. No, my real reflection about this transition is actually about how to be in its ever-shifting flow of time and space in order to become my most pure creative self.

Soon into my Google-search, I find the lyrics to “Light Under Control” along with the original artist’s music video.

I’m relieved to see that no line of verse contains the word sunglasses. While I like the song and its cool artsy clip, I did not connect to any deeper meaning of transitioning as I’d hoped, at least not my kind of transitioning; perhaps, because I am not, nor ever was a sporty, exotic, wealthy young person with endless resources and untethered time to roam planet Earth.

Or, perhaps I didn’t connect because most of the catchy verse I la la-hum to myself goes: “I’m gonna tell my momma, I’m a traveler, I’m gonna follow the sun,” which is certainly relevant to those kids in the commercial, but come on, I’m sixty, my mother’s eighty-three—she and I both know I’m not gonna follow the sun, any time soon.

However, these lines of verse, the first in fact, did strike me: “Hop back to my heart/the only place I feel alone.”

There’s a truth in those words for me. Not so much for the retired-professor I’ll be, nor the novelist and painter I’ve become, but this hop back strikes to the heart of the creative being I have always been. As an only child, reliant on imagination to muse and amuse, I believe my creative newborn soul was on fire— before writing, before painting, before understanding that these doings were not everyone’s normal way of being, but my own.

I once pictured my retirement much like that of the poet May Sarton’s. I’d heard that Sarton would sit on the porch of her seaside cottage, with her cats, and welcome young writers with a cup of tea whilst offering sage writerly advice. That would be me, I’d imagined, on my mountainside porch, with my dogs, welcoming young writers with tea and, hopefully, offering sage writerly advice. While I’d never be so presumptuous to compare my work, literary impact, or insight to Sarton’s, I can say for sure that she has inspired each of my own; whether executed or not, her words linger and rise within me. But now, I’m not so sure that this bestowing of writerly advice is what I’ll do in retirement.

Read the full article, originally published in The Great Smokies Review, here: www.thegreatsmokiesreview.org.

Cynn Chadwick is the author of eight novels including Lambda Literary Award nominee, Cat Rising. She holds an MFA from Goddard College and is recently retired from teaching in the Creative Writing Program at the University of North Carolina at Asheville, where she lives with her wife Elenna and their pup Andy. Chadwick’s most recent book, Things That Women Do, was release on September 19, 2019 and is available online from Jan-Carol Publishing, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. Visit her website: www.nappingporchpress.com and follow her on Facebook at Cynn Chadwick Author & Painter. voicemagazineforwomen.com | October 2019 | 25

Hard Decisions and End of Life

By Cindy Sproles

E

nd of life decisions are always difficult. Just the thought of losing a loved one moves us to tears, but when there is conflict within the confines of the family it grows more difficult.

Families must face these issues, remain strong, and allow their aging parent the dignity they deserve.

It’s a tedious balancing act. As much as we’d like to assume every family is issue free, they aren’t. Many families face on-going sibling rivalry, family disagreement, and long histories of conflict. Add in the reality of an aging parent facing death, and the frustration only escalates. The resolution of family disagreement may never happen, but it can be laid to the side for a short time.

According to studies done from the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry, terminal patients recognize end-of-life symptoms long before their passing. Though they have no idea when their passing will occur, many will begin to make preparations such as: • Will preparations • Family discussion on funeral arrangements

• Distribution of meaningful belongings • Final conversations • Reminiscing It’s not uncommon to have loved ones begin to distribute belongings they hold dear to unsuspecting recipients. Be respectful of this process. Aging parents have memories attached to the items they distribute.

Allow them the respect to offer those things to the ones they desire. It may not make sense to you, but to them there is something special attached to the item and the person designated to receive it.

Listen to their stories. Listen closely for the details that may have passed over unwilling ears earlier. This is the legacy of your loved one. It’s history and memories you will cherish.

Find forgiveness. Death is final— irreversible. It was once said, “Regret is a horrible bedfellow.” The truth in this is overwhelming. There is no disagreement worth a lifetime of regret.

Take time to make amends. Having a peaceful ending is far better than memories of disagreement.

Say “I love you.” Perhaps it’s not commonplace for these emotions to be exhibited, but when you’re approached by an aging parent who declares their love for you, return the

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courtesy. Your acceptance and gentle response, even if it is not your nature, will give peace and closure to a loved one facing their final months, weeks, or days. It’s not about you, it’s about the loved one.

Family discussion over finances, wills, and personal effects are always difficult topics, but ones that must be addressed. If these can be discussed while your loved one is still able to make decisions, it is far better than waiting until the burden is assigned to one person who may not be aware of special situations. If your family disagrees over possessions, try to suspend those conversations while your loved one works through the end of their life. Despite the argument, allow your loved one to see calm and peace for a short time. It’s a kind act on their behalf. The life of the loved one is far greater than any possession.

Our immortality forces us to not only look ahead to the end, but to look back. When your aging parent begins to make end-of-life preparations, spend quality time with them.

Tell them you love them. Walk the path with them. Seek out their personal, spiritual situation and guide them appropriately.

Saying goodbye is never easy, but choosing gentleness, loving ways, and understanding always makes a difference. The rewards for both the aging parent and the family are immeasurable. Years after the loss you can look back and say, “I’m glad I did” instead of “I wish I had.”

{

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.

Gluten Intolerance is a Very Real Issue with Measurable Symptoms

G

luten is not for everyone. In fact, people who have celiac disease shouldn’t eat gluten at all. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that affects the digestive process of the small intestine by launching an immune system attack against gluten, mistakenly damaging healthy cells lining the small intestine.

Even people who do not have celiac disease may find that consumption of gluten results in similar symptoms.

These individuals may want to avoid gluten as well. Known as non-celiac gluten intolerance or sensitivity, this condition is not currently well-defined within the medical community.

The Celiac Disease Foundation says some people experience symptoms found in celiac disease, like foggy mind, abdominal pain, diarrhea, headaches, bone or joint pain, or chronic fatigue when they have gluten in their diets—despite not testing positive for celiac disease.

In July 2016, researchers at Columbia University Medical Center published a study confirming that wheat exposure to those sensitive to wheat and gluten triggered a systemic immune reaction and intestinal cell damage. Researchers previously thought that a sensitivity to wheat or gluten would not result in cell damage. But research now confirms that even without a positive celiac disease diagnosis, people can experience symptoms that mimic those of celiac disease, even in terms of severity.

According to Schär, a company that manufacturers gluten-free foods, anyone who experiences negative symptoms after eating foods that contain gluten should speak with a doctor.

A doctor will order blood tests that will look for the presence of immuno-

globulin E antibodies that are indicative of an autoimmune response to gluten. An endoscopy also may check for damage to the lining of the small intestines, as can a biopsy of the intestines. Other tests, such as a radioallergosorbent test, or RAST, or skin prick test can test for a wheat allergy to see if symptoms are stemming from that alone.

Treatment for gluten intolerance or celiac disease involves avoiding products that contain gluten, which is found in wheat, rye, and barley.

A growing body of literature suggests that people who do not have celiac disease can still experience non-celiac gluten sensitivity and many of the same symptoms felt by those with the disease.

According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, gluten is the general name for proteins found in wheat, rye, barley and triticale. That’s an important thing for party hosts to know, as many people now follow gluten-free diets.

When planning party menus, hosts should ask guests if they adhere to gluten-free diets, as consuming gluten can trigger an abnormal immune system response in people who have Celiac disease, potentially causing damage to the small intestine. Wheat is commonly found in bread, baked goods, pasta, and cereals, among other foods. Barley is present in food coloring, soups, malt vinegar, and beer.

Rye is found in rye bread, certain beers and cereals, while triticale may be present in certain breads, pastas and cereals. If guests have gluten allergies or are suffering from Celiac disease, look for foods that are designated as gluten-free. Many grocers now offer numerous gluten-free products to cater to the growing number of individuals who no longer consume gluten.

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Charity Spotlight:

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

D

eciding to donate to charity involves careful consideration of causes that prospective donors feel connected to. For example, when families deal with an illness, very often the focus of their charitable efforts are raising awareness of a disease or helping to find a cure for that particular affliction. That is why some of the best known and most widespread charitable groups available deal with prolific diseases, such as cancer.

One philanthropic organization that has been quite influential and very well-known for more than 50 years is St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital ®. Founded in 1962, St. Jude’s is located in Memphis, Tenn., and focuses on pediatric treatment and research into children’s catastrophic illnesses.

St. Jude would not be in existence if not for Danny Thomas.

Thomas, whose real name was Amos Muzyad Yakhoob Kairouz, was an entertainer who was having trouble finding steady and profitable work.

At the end of his rope and in great despair at not being able to provide for his family, Thomas, a Maronite Catholic, turned to prayer one night in a Detroit church. He prayed to St. Jude Thaddeus, the patron saint of hopeless causes, that he would be able to earn enough income to take care of his family. In turn, Thomas put his last few dollars in the church donation bin. He vowed to St. Jude that if he became successful, he would build a shrine to the saint.

The power of prayer worked, and Thomas soon began to find employment, eventually becoming one of

28 | October 2019 | voicemagazineforwomen.com

the biggest stars of television, film and radio in his day.

Thomas used his fame to fulfill his vow to St. Jude Thaddeus and to change the lives of thousands of children and families. In the mid-1950s, he began investigating the possibilities of building a children’s hospital in the southern United States under the premise that “no child should die in the dawn of life.” Thomas chose Memphis because it was the hometown of Roman Catholic Cardinal Samuel Stritch, who had been a spiritual advisor to Thomas and presided over his confirmation.

Thomas worked diligently and with a group of Memphis business leaders. Worldwide fundraising initiatives also were implemented, with Thomas and his wife, Rose Marie, personally asking for support.

Thomas also solicited other Americans of Arabic-speaking descent to help support the St. Jude effort.

In turn, he and others formed the American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities (ALSAC ®), which would be instrumental in raising funds to fuel the St. Jude dream.

Today, ALSAC ® is the nation’s

second largest health care charity and is supported by the generosity of nine million donors and the efforts of more than one million volunteers nationwide. Those volunteers come from all ethnic, religious and racial backgrounds, according to the 2014 Philanthropy 400 ranking from the Chronicle of Philanthropy.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital opened its doors on February 4, 1962. Since then, the hospital has recruited the world’s top doctors and has studied and introduced new and improved treatments for a variety of illnesses, including childhood cancers. The hospital helped improve the rate of survival of childhood cancer from 20 percent when Thomas first came up with the idea for the hospital to 80 percent today.

In addition, children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, or ALL, which was once a veritable death sentence, now have a 94 percent survival rate.

Patients of St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital never receive a bill for treatment, with all of the funding coming from donations. Learn more about St. Jude by visiting www. stjude.org.

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voicemagazineforwomen.com | October 2019 | 29

The goal of Sudoku is to fill a 9×9 grid with numbers so that each row, column and 3×3 section contain all of the digits between 1 and 9.

.

Voice Magazine recognizes the

Reader of the Month

CLUES ACROSS

1. Fertile desert spots 6. Married woman 9. Some animals travel in one 13. Fear 14. Hawaiian island 15. Fit to work 16. Electronic counter-countermeasures 17. Former Senator Specter 18. Cambodian currency 19. Dave Matthews Band hit 21. Lists ingredients 22. Endangered antelope 23. Jerry’s TV partner 24. Blue grass state 25. Obstruct 28. Luke’s mentor __-Wan 29. Fencing swords 31. Oh, heavens!

33. Insensitive to changes in price 36. Hillsides 38. Brew 39. Gland secretion 41. A typical example 44. Get up 45. You put it on your pasta 46. Expresses surprise 48. News organization 49. Disorder of the lungs (abbr.)

51. One millionth of a gram 52. Some are of the “suit” variety 54. Group of organisms 56. Produces 60. Passage into a mine 61. __ and cheeses 62. Semitic fertility god 63. Dry or withered 64. Religious ceremony 65. __ Winger, actress 66. German river 67. Midway between northeast and east 68. Take something or somebody somewhere

CLUES DOWN

1. Lyric poems 2. Genus of saltwater clams 3. Ingroup 4. Type of lounge chair 5. Memory card 6. Archipelago 7. Common Korean surname 8. It’s up there 9. Quantity that helps to define 10. First month of the Jewish ecclesiastical year 11. Metal-headed golf club 12. A shade of green 14. Begin 17. A good thing to have 20. Language spoken in Laos 21. Loosely compacted sediment 23. Naturally occurring protein 25. Woman 26. Central Indian city 27. Volcanic craters 29. The largest existing land animals 30. Rumanian city 32. Equal to 10 meters 34. Historic Nevada city 35. A point of transition 37. Remove 40. Overwatch character 42. Records electric currents linked to the heart 43. Settles in calmly 47. Partner to his 49. Banking giant 50. Slowly disappeared 52. End 53. Sword with a v-shaped blade 55. Fabric with smooth, shiny surface 56. Wild cherry tree 57. Traditional Japanese socks 58. Make of your hard work 59. Stony waste matter

Sheri C. Collins

• Lives in Johnson City, TN Affiliate Broker, Keller Williams Realty

I feel empowered when: advocating for others.

My ideal meal is: one that is shared with family and friends.

Beauty product I can’t live without is: Rodan + Fields Lash Boost.

I am obsessed with: making the world a better place through helping others.

3 words that best describe my style are: classy, posh, soft.

If you are interested in being our Reader of the Month, email tara@voicemagazineforwomen.com for details.

30 | October 2019 | voicemagazineforwomen.com

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