Wilson Woman Holiday 2013 by The Wilson Times Co.

Wilson

Winter 2013

Helen Gant

The retired Wilson school teacher gets her home ready for the holidays

Your Holiday Gift Guide

The Duo Behind Trio

Plus more local recipes!

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On the cover

The scene downtown during the 9th annual Whirligig Festival on November 2-3. Photo by Gray Whitley

Helen Gant poses with her antique tree topper collection at her home in Wilson. It’s just one room in a whole house that is beautifully and festively decorated for the holidays each year with stories behind each piece. Photo by Gérard Lange.

Table of Contents 5

Winter Wonderland

Every year, Helen and Dale Gant decorate their Wilson home with items of Christmas past.

Power Trio Two local women take

their love of exercise to the next level: a new gym.

27 The Perfect Present

delicious holiday recipes from our readers.

32 Holiday Treats

See who was out and about at the 9th annual Whirligig Festival this year.

Learn how to wrap a beautiful present from one soughtafter local expert. We asked you for your favorite holiday recipes, and you answered. A handful of

38 About Town

Wilson Woman Icon

Our series continues with a Q&A with the distinguished Betty McCain.

17 Holiday Gift Guide

See the hottest and most beautiful gift ideas from local retailers this holiday season with our annual gift guide.

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A Christmas Tradition Holiday decorating at one Wilson By Janelle Clevinger home combines old and new

Not only does her house light up at Christmas, but so does Wilson resident Helen Gant. “I just get so happy when I start taking the decorations out each year,” said Gant. “Christmas is just so magical.” Every room in Gant’s house is filled with decorations, garlands and trees, each with a story behind it and a lifetime of memories. Some trees and garlands are decorated by color, others by theme. The Christmas season was always important to Gant’s parents, who raised their family in Concord, NC. “My mother would decorate the inside of the house and my father would decorate the outside,” Gant said. “My father’s decorations were so elaborate that people would drive by the house just to see them. He would dress up as

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Santa and go out and greet them for about a week before Christmas.” So when Gant married her husband Dale in 1975, she began her own Christmas decorating style. “I like for items in my house to have meaning,” said Gant. “If they are not from my family, they will often be from antique shops.” Gant says that her mother, who now lives in an assisted living facility, never threw anything away. And that was just fine with her, as she had a wealth of items from which to choose for decorating. Included in some of her garlands are the actual corsages her mother wore to events in her younger days. “Women used to wear corsages to special occasions, and my mother kept

In addition to the multiple Christmas trees in her home, each of Helen Gant’s garlands follow a specific theme.

them all,” Gant said. “Some were silk corsages and some used real flowers, and she even kept the rest of the corsage after the flower died.” Not only do the multiple Christmas trees in Gant’s house have themes, but so do the garlands which are hung over almost every doorway. This Christmas, a pure white tree makes its home in the living room. The tree is almost completely filled with hand-crafted ornaments, most of which are made by Gant. There are many seashell ornaments, comprised mostly of shells Gant found on trips to the coast. A white button ornament made with buttons taken from her mother’s sewing kit takes center stage on this tree. Gant has even fashioned ornaments out of coffee filters. WINTER 2013

A small, but dazzling “crystal tree” resides in the corner of the dining room and is covered with mostly crystal and glass. Some are actual Christmas ornaments, but many are glass elements from old chandeliers. Amid the sparkling glass on the tree are plastic snowflakes ornaments from 1975, to commemorate the year she and her husband were married. Gant was a math and science teacher at Forest Hills Middle School from 1989 until she retired a few years ago. To celebrate those years in teaching and show off the numerous ornaments given to her by students of the years, she decorates a “teacher tree” each year. “I put ornaments that were hand-made by my own children on this tree, as well as the ornaments given to me as gifts by my students,” Gant said. “I wish I’d written the students’ names on the backs of all the ornaments, but I can remember a lot of them.” A large tree that seems to glow red is called the

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“vintage tree” and is covered with antique ShinyBright and Colby glass red ornaments. Gant has the original ornament boxes for all of them, which makes them even more valuable. “My glass ornaments are collectibles and have increased in value since I started looking for them,” Gant said. “These days, when I do find them, they are much more expensive than when I started collecting.” One of Gant’s prized collections is an assortment of antique mercury glass Christmas tree toppers. For the past couple of years, she has displayed these toppers on her mantel and illuminated them with Christmas tree lights. “I think one of the reasons I use lots of lights in my decorating is because the light of the world is Jesus and he is the reason we celebrate Christmas,” Gant said. Like her mother, Gant enjoys creating and hanging garlands over most doors in her house. A garland filled completely with antique pink glass

The “teacher tree” in Gant’s kitchen is comprised entirely of ornaments handmade by her children or given to her by her many students from a long career at Forest Hills Middle School.

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One of two garlands in her kitchen that have a culinary theme, Gant uses cookie cutters owned by both her and her mother, interspersed with her mother’s antique plastic fruit.

A close-up view of the “teacher tree” in her kitchen.

A tree in her living room is almost completely filled with hand-crafted ornaments, most of which are made by Gant. The ornament above was made out of coffee filters.

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The view from the Gant’s entrance greets vistiors with just a small taste of what’s in store for them as they travel throughout the house. Most of the Gant’s decorations are antiques or hand-medowns.

ornaments hangs over the doorway between her living room and dining room is considered her pride and joy. Two garlands her kitchen have a culinary theme, using cookie cutters owned by both Gant and her mother, interspersed with her mother’s antique plastic fruit. Gant begins putting up all of her Christmas decorations during the second week in November each year. It takes about two to two and a half weeks to get it all arranged, with the last week or so spent “fancying it up” with floral accessories.

And what does Gant’s husband think of a household full of Christmas? “My husband loves all of this. And he loves to watch me go up and down the steps carrying crate after crate,” she said, laughing. Gant says that people often ask her why she decorates so much at Christmas. “I simply say, ‘It’s because it’s who I am,’” Gant said. “And if I ever get to the point where I can’t do this anymore, I will hire someone to put it up and take it down for me.”

The Duo Behind Trio By Janelle Clevinger

Some serious sweating goes on at Trio Fitness in Wilson. But laughter, smiles and camaraderie also fill the studio located at 3710 B Peppermill Drive off of Nash Street in Wilson. “We’re more like a family,” said Trio Fitness co-owner Samantha Collins. “We are there for one another and, sure we are instructors, but we are there for our students more as friends. We are just like our clients, fighting the same fights. We want clients to know that even we sometimes eat an entire plate of nachos if we’ve had a bad day just because we wanted to,” laughed Collins. Trio Fitness opened its door June 1, 2013, but Collins and fellow owner Sue O’Lear had been cultivating their business for about a year before that. Both women had been teaching Zumba classes at various locations around Wilson and began branding Trio Fitness with private fitness parties for both children and adults. A third business partner found it difficult to balance a stressful full-time job and own Trio, so she relinquished her portion of the business this past September. The Trio Fitness owners saw the need to fill a fitness niche in the Wilson community that would set them apart from area gyms. “The gyms in our town are really good at being gyms and we don’t aspire to really being a gym,” said co-owner O’Lear. “We aspire to being a specialized group fitness studio and we wanted a place wholly dedicated to group fitness.” O’Lear also pictured a fitness studio where instructors were valued and appreciated. “The instructors we have now all started with us and that means a lot to me,” O’Lear said. “I am forever indebted and grateful for the instructors who started with us. We held hands and jumped together.” In addition to Collins and O’Lear, Trio Fitness instructors are Chantell Coetzer, Jackie Carlson, Christian Boyce, Melinda Finch and Xenia Preveziotis. Classes offered are Zumba®, Piloxing® (a com

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Trio Fitness opened its door June 1, 2013, but Samantha Collins and Sue O’Lear had been cultivating their business for about a year before that, teaching Zumba classes at various locations around Wilson.

“We’re more like a family,” said Trio Fitness co-owner Samantha Collins. “We are there for one another and, sure we are instructors, but we are there for our students more as friends. We are just like our clients, fighting the same fights.” WINTER 2013

Collins and O’Lear say that their mission “is to find a place for everyone,” by fostering an enviroment of acceptance and encouragement.

bination of boxing and Pilates), P90X®, Hoopnotica® (a workout featuring hoola hoops), Barre Training (resistance training) and various boot camps. Discovering what their clients need leads to new programs, and listening to these needs led Trio Fitness to offer a new course in November. “We have a brand new program called BodyFlow ®, which is a fusion of pilates, yoga and T’ai chi,” O’Lear said. “It satisfied our need for a mind/body segment in our fitness lineup and we’re very excited about it.” Success stories Collins and O’Lear are emphatic that fitness means much more than numbers coming off a scale. “This is about mind, body and spirit and goes way beyond losing weight,” O’Lear said. “We are making lifestyle changes. We have seen clients come off of diabetes and high blood pressure medicine, clients recover from stroke symptoms, and reap mental health benefits during their time with us, in addition to weight loss.” O’Lear recounts the story of one client who was frustrated with her slow recovery from a stroke in her 40s. She had lost much of the use of the right side of her

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body and was struggling with that loss. “She went with a friend to a class that Samantha taught and got hooked,” O’Lear said. “Zumba has done more for her recovery and her spirit than physical therapy did. She was so excited that she threw a Zumba party to help celebrate her recovery.” Collins battles a thyroid condition called Hashimoto’s disease. Undetected for many years, this auto-immune disease caused her weight to reach almost 500 pounds seven years ago. “I lost the first 50 or 60 pounds with medication and all other 150 pounds I’ve lost has been slow and steady with diet, and exercise,” Collins said. “I was 340 pounds when I started taking Zumba classes and a student for six months before I became licensed. I was a dancer when I was a kid and loved it and these Zumba classes bring me such joy.” Collins said that Zumba was the first exercise program that she actually wanted to do, and that makes the difference in whether someone sticks with a program. She began the Zumba routine at home with CDs but wanted the social aspect of going to a gym to work out. “I went to the Y for my first Zumba class and just fell in love with it,” Collins said. “Latin culture is more accepting of how you look and act.”

The Zumba program is based on four rhythms in Latin music culture and encourages any Zumba workout to include Latin rhythms for 70 percent of its routine. Music is the focus of Zumba and instructors are taught ways of communicating with classes in a non-verbal form so as not to distract from the music and help create a fun, party atmosphere. “When I got my Zumba license, I did it to help out,” Collins said.” I never thought it would come to what it has. It’s a really great feeling to do something that I love, and find something that I’m good at.” Collins also credits Zumba with making Wilson feel like home for her. Originally from Baltimore, MD, Collins moved to Wilson 10 years ago and knew only her boyfriend. “When I got into Zumba three years ago, I finally started making friends of my own and I credit it for giving me my life back,” Collins said. “I’ve made truly amazing friends and being an owner at Trio has given me a place, in addition to being with my boyfriend, where I truly feel safe and happy.” Atmosphere of acceptance Fighting weight issues themselves, both O’Lear and Collins created an atmosphere of acceptance at Trio Fitness. WILSON WOMAN

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Shaun Amato, Agent “We want to battle the ‘gym intimidation’ that people often have at other workout facilities,” said O’Lear. “It breaks my heart to hear people say, ‘I have to get in shape before I go to the gym.’” “Our mission is to find a place for everyone,” continued O’Lear. Trio Fitness gives back to the community by hosting an awareness event or

fundraiser every month. Recent events have included awareness campaigns for the Zumba Breast Cancer Research Fund, Wilson’s Maggie Society and a Hope Station food drive. For more information about Trio Fitness and its programs, call (252) 5487820 or find them on Facebook at www. facebook.com/triofitness3.

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Betty McCain Betty McCain — whose influence stretches across North Carolina — reflects upon a lifetime of work

By Lisa Boykin Batts Times Life Editor

Just inside the front door of Betty McCain’s home is a wall filled with faces of people she loves. But displayed alongside a drawing of her husband, John, and photographs showing the smiling faces of little girls in red Christmas dresses is a framed copy of President Richard Nixon’s letter of resignation. She laughs when the juxtaposition is pointed out to her. Family and politics. They say a lot about Betty McCain whose name has been synonymous with the North Carolina Democratic Party for decades. In her 80s, McCain still has her finger in party politics and state matters and spends many hours each week answering calls from people across the state. Who should run for open legislative seats or challenge Republican strongholds? Did she have any idea Beverly Perdue would pull out of the race? Does she know who will run for governor now? And what about that tuition hike for state university students? “If you’ve ever been party chair, they call you,” she said.

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Growing up Betty Ray McCain grew up in the Duplin County town of Faison during the Great Depression. “It’s a wonderful, wonderful little town that you know every single person,” she said. “And they all look after you. If it takes a village, we had one.” McCain had a very Southern upbringing and a happy childhood. “We lived right next to town, so we knew

everybody’s business,” she said. “And Daddy practiced law and had his office in the house, so we knew all the news first, and I loved knowing all the news first.” Her daddy, Horace T. Ray, didn’t allow her to go with him to court proceedings, but she does remember going with him to the courthouse when he had to look up liens or other documents. One time, he asked the jailor what was on the day’s lunch menu. It was fried chicken, so they stayed and ate with the inmates.

WILSON WOMAN

McCain’s mother, Mary Ray, taught school when her children were older. It was during World War II, McCain said, and teachers left Faison to work in Wilmington’s shipyards, where they could make more money. She was needed, so she went back to work. McCain’s upbringing taught her lessons that remained with her for life. “My parents were very, very kind to people, and they tried to help anybody,” she said. She was also very aware of what was going on in the world around her. Her father was involved in local and state politics in Duplin County and managed campaigns and often talked politics at home. “I remember the first time I voted. Daddy said it would be one of the most important votes I cast in my life. And I said, ‘Why is that?’” On the ballot was a provision to change the law that said if a man dies without a will, everything in his estate goes to his children. From hearing her daddy talk, McCain knew that many women were left with nothing after the death of a husband because of that law. So she voted. “And the law was changed, and I thought poli-

tics was wonderful,” she said. “You could make a very quick difference in people’s lives, and we’ve been trying to do that same thing ever since.”

‘I love Carolina’ After graduating from Faison High School as valedictorian, McCain went to St. Mary’s where she studied general college courses and music. Piano was her instrument. She completed the two-year program then transferred to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill — beginning a very long relationship with the university that included four terms on the UNC Board of Governors. “I love Carolina the way Peter loves the Lord,” she said, sitting in her comfortable den that is filled with books and photographs and mementoes and honors. She majored in music at UNC and did the same at Columbia University, where she received a master’s degree in 1953. She could have taught after that, but Chapel Hill was calling. She had been president of the YWCA in Chapel Hill while an undergraduate, and now they were looking for an associate director.

She took the job for two years. It was a good move because she met John McCain while back in Chapel Hill. They fell in love and married, and she followed him to Richmond, Va., where he finished his residency in internal medicine. In 1956, they moved to Wilson and lived in an apartment house on Nash Street owned by the Barker family. Betty McCain jumped right into life in Wilson, joined the Junior Woman’s Club and started working on political campaigns, including that of Terry Sanford, who was elected governor in 1960. At that same time, she was raising two small children, son Paul and daughter Eloise, born 22 months apart. She worked with James and Elsie Hunt on Sanford’s campaign and got to know them well. She describes them as “the dearest souls.” They were the parents of Jim Hunt, who would go on to be North Carolina’s governor for an unprecedented four terms.

‘She stays busy as a bee’ In 1966, Jim and Carolyn Hunt returned

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1) What has been your life’s biggest struggle? I wouldn’t say I have had one that stands out. I have worked hard to make North Carolina the best state in the nation. I’ve worked hard for women’s rights, particularly to get equal pay for women. Throughout my various work, that’s one thing I’ve worked on constantly.

2) What has been your proudest moment? I’ve been so very blessed it’s hard to say. I’m so proud of my children and my grandchildren and everything they do. I’m proud of Wilson and how it’s progressed. How we’ve diversified from tobacco, which was at first a huge financial hit to us. The work Jim Hunt has done bringing industries to the area. The Wilson Economic Development Council. So many people are involved. Everyone has worked really hard and is working hard. I’ve had a lot of proud moments.

3) What advice would you give a young woman starting her professional life? Get the very best education you can. School at every level is so important. I think of my mother in that regard. When her father got sick, she was not able to go to college initially, because she had to care for him. But she went to summer school for 13 straight years to get her degree. I want the women of Wilson to be the very best at everything they do and education is the key.

4) Who has been the most inspirational figure to you? Why? I’ve had lots of inspirational figures in my life, starting from my parents. Jim and Carolyn Hunt have been very inspirational, as well as Bill Friday with the UNC system. I’ve been very lucky, because my personal friends here in Wilson are constantly inspirational. They don’t give up. Folks here are very brave people. Even when sad or tough things happen, they just don’t give up. They keep right on going. 14

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5) What do you consider the most important virtues a woman must possess? I consider hope and optimism to be the most important qualities to possess. If they have that and get as good of an education as they can, the sky is the limit. Perseverance is also very important. Everyone is going to have trouble now and then. It’s how you deal with it.

6) What do you value most in the world? I value my family and my friends and my church. And I also value my town and my state. I’ve been everywhere and here, right here, right now, in North Carolina and in Wilson — it’s a great place to be. I look around and appreciate it.

7) What is the biggest problem facing Wilson moving forward? The biggest problem is two fold: First, the lack of an educated workforce. But that is something we are working on all the time. Second, the drug problem. I talk to business owners who have an incredibly hard time finding clean employees and it’s troubling. Lastly, I hope for stability on a government level. Right now, there is a lot of instability — mostly, state-wide — but we’re working on it.

8) What is your biggest hope for the future of Wilson? My biggest hope is the forward-thinking team we’ve put together. Mayor Rose is very forward thinking and for that I’m thankful. But everyone downtown is as well, and they are all anxious about keeping Wilson looking toward the future. Also, the talent we have here is amazing. There are so many talented painters, musicians, gardeners, you name it, right here in Wilson. You just can’t believe it. It’s such a great place to live, and we have a lot going for us.

WILSON WOMAN

from Nepal, where he worked for the Ford Foundation as an economic adviser. McCain, who was involved with the Democratic Women, met Hunt through the Democratic Party, and they worked together on the party plan of organization for the state. “And we’ve been working together ever since,” she said. Hunt has always been easy to work with, she said. “And you could see the results.” Hunt remembers one of the first times he saw McCain’s leadership skills was when he was working with a statewide group focused on bringing women and young people to the Democratic Party. “She was a very active member of that group,” he said. Over the years, she’s taken an active role in many aspects of the Democratic Party. McCain chaired the N.C. Democratic Party from 1976 to 1979 and has been on the executive committee since 1971. It was during

her term as chairman that President Jimmy Carter visited Wilson, stumping for U.S. Senate candidate John Ingram and supporting tobacco farmers. She was also on the stage the night presidential candidate Bill Clinton rolled into Wilson in 1992, just days before the election. The entourage was several hours late, and McCain helped keep a restless crowd entertained with her jokes and banter. A former president of the N.C. Democratic Women, she served on the Democratic National Committee from 1976 to 1984 and was a delegate to the Democratic conventions in both 1972 and 1988. She also ran unsuccessfully for the N.C. House in 1990. That’s in addition to her political work in Wilson, that’s sometimes been as basic as giving people a ride to the polls on Election Day or making phone calls and campaigning for causes she believes in. “The basis of Betty McCain is her deep caring about people and

working to help them be successful and become all that they want to be and what God had intended them to be,” Hunt said. “She’s willing to work her head off to help people.” Hunt said the people of Wilson should thank McCain for all she has done here. He said she has helped more people in Wilson than anyone else he can think of. “That spirit, that commitment through her career has extended to all of North Carolina.” Hunt said people respect McCain’s opinion and often ask for her help, and she has a hard time turning them down whether it be for a state or a hometown project. “Every single thing that comes up in Wilson, people want to get Betty McCain involved,” Hunt said. “Most recently, it’s been the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park. “And she never says no,” he said. “She stays busy as a bee. I don’t now how she does it all. She’s truly amazing.”

McCain broke a lot of barriers in her career and hopes she paved the way for other women to have a big voice in the political arena and elsewhere. “I know people paved the way for me,” she said. She was the first woman to chair the finance committee of the UNC Board of Governors, the first on the state’s Advisory Budget Commission and the first to chair the state Democratic Party. She was also the first woman on Sprint’s regional board, which included North Carolina, South Carolina and parts of Tennessee.

Time in Raleigh McCain was secretary of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources from 1993 to 2001, while Hunt served his second two terms as governor. Hunt praised her for the work she did with that department and the strides she made.

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During her term as secretary, a number of big issues came up, including the acquisition of a promised 40 to 50 acres of land for the new N.C. Museum of Art. Also, the N.C. Museum of History opened in 1994, and she was there. Being part of that ceremony had extra significance for McCain who is a past president of the N.C. Museum of History Associates. N.C. Live, which connects libraries and their resources, also started during her term. Another milestone for McCain, Blackbeard’s ship was discovered off the N.C. coast while she was secretary. For McCain, a history buff at heart, this was a big deal. “I just thought that was wonderful,” she said. “I told everybody he was back.”

‘Wilson has been a wonderful place’ Although many of McCain’s accomplishments have been on the state playing field, she’s also had her finger in plenty of projects and activities in Wilson and even sings in the choir at First Presbyterian Church along with Jim and Carolyn Hunt. McCain loves her hometown of Faison, but she loves Wilson as well and spends many of her days going to meetings at the hospital or maybe the Chamber, birthday parties for friends, a cultural event at the Boykin Center or Barton College, or a book club meeting with the girls. “Wilson has been a wonderful place for me to live,” she said. Soon after moving to Wilson, the McCains started working to build not only the new hospital but also to provide mental health beds for the region. Throughout her life here, McCain has been involved in medical groups and has served on the Wilson and North Carolina Medical Alliance and as a board member of the Carolinas Center for Medical Excellence. She’s also a member of the board of the WilMed Healthcare Foundation. Robin Williams, Foundation manager, said health care is one of McCain’s passions, largely because of her husband, a respected physician who died in 2005. It’s important to McCain, Williams said, for quality health care to be available to the whole community. “She’s made that very clear,” Williams said. Because McCain knows so many people, she has been able to help the Foundation. “She works. She does what she says she’s going to do,” Williams said. “She reaches so far into this state, and she knows so many people, and she has so many resources.” Williams said McCain is passionate about whatever project she’s working on. “If she can’t do it, she knows somebody who can do it,” she said. “I love her because she is passionate, and she does not let people change

her mind.” McCain has also been involved with the Wilson Rose Garden, the Wilson County Historical Association, Wilson on the Move, Wilson Downtown Development Corporation, Wilson Education Development Council and the school merger in the 1970s. She served three times on the Wilson All-America City Award Committee. She also chaired the McCain Betty McCain presents the Sertoma Club’s Service to ManInternet Empowerment Project — kind Award to Jim Hunt in 2009. Times File Photo originally started by her husband to bring Internet access to seniors living most pride is her work on the project to record in assisted living or long-term care facilities. But the the stories of Wilson’s World War II veterans. project has grown and now includes churches and She and World War II veteran John Hackney public housing. The computer resource center at El Jr. spearheaded Wilson’s Greatest Generation Ramey Circle Apartment’s is named in her honor. project, which is now available on the Internet as John and Betty McCain also pushed the a DigitalNC exhibit. city to put a bubble on the Recreation Center Despite her many accomplishments, McCain pool. The McCains’ children were both on the has no plans on slowing down. There’s still so swim team at the time, and they saw the need much to accomplish. So many emails to read and for a place where team members could practice phone calls to make. in the cold months. Dr. McCain also wanted his arthritic patients to have a place to do water Portions of this article originally ran in The exercise all year. Wilson Times on Feb. 25, 2012. But one of the things that brings her the

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EASTERN CAROLINA PEDIATRICS, P.A. 1702 Medical Park Dr., Wilson, NC â&#x20AC;˘ 252-243-7944

little patients

big care Ketarah Robinson, MD, Leesa G. Lawrence, MD Natalia Jaimes, MD, Susan H. Andersen, MD Julia Watkins, NP, Dr. John Buck, MD Mark Eldridge, PA, Christina Poythress, PA

Christmas Ornaments

It’s Christmas time in Historic Downtown Wilson. A wide variety of Christmas ornaments are available at ReCollections at Wilson Hardware, located at 114-116 East Nash Street. ReCollections is full of gift ideas this season, from ornaments to jewelry, art, furniture, dolls and antiques just to name a few.

ReCollections at Wilson Hardware, 252-243-3174

Tacori Sterling/18K Jewelry

This fashion-forward designer collection features bold color combinations to suit any woman’s taste. You will love their unique designs. Brighten any girl’s holiday season with Tacori!

Vaughan’s Jewelers 252-243-5707

Fine Print Stationery

Embellishments

Come visit their new shop for all your holiday shopping needs. They can help you find whatever you might be searching for, and there are new consignments always arriving. They also carry Dash & Alberts line of rugs, throws and totes. Their new candle line is also on the way. Located on 2303-A Madison Drive near Jac’s Grill.

Embellishments 252-234-6004

Fine Print Stationery has plenty to offer this holiday season, in addition to the wide variety of gifts all year long. Stop by this month for Plat du jour Christmas placentas, Christmas door hangers, pillows, decorative bowls and platters, Twinkle Christmas trees, Christmas cards or any number of other special gifts.

Fine Print Stationery 252-206-0619 18

WINTER 2013

WILSON WOMAN

Elm City Furniture

The perfect night’s sleep is just a quick trip away. With a full line of Tempur-Pedic mattresses and beds, Elm City can help you give the gift of restful sleep this holiday season. With the adjustable base, read, watch TV, or work on your laptop from the comfort of your bed.

Elm City Furniture 252-236-4455

Ornaments and Figurines

Christmas has arrived at Stuart Walston, Inc.! Visit them at 417 West Nash Street for all of the best holiday decorations to deck your halls. They have ornaments, Annalees, holiday figurines and much for your home or the home of anyone on your list.

Stuart Walston, Inc. 252-243-4940

Antique Furniture

From large pieces to small, ReCollections at Wilson Hardware offers a wide collection of beautiful antique furniture, in addition to their many other gifts. Located in Historic Downtown Wilson, ReCollections at Wilson Hardware should be your first stop when you set out with your list this season.

James Grey & Co.

For the most unique holiday, wedding, or hostess gift, there’s no better selection than at James Grey and Company, located 206 Tarboro Street in Downtown Wilson. In addition to antique and vintage treasures, you’ll find Beatriz Ball metalware, colorful Hen House Linens, Vagabond house accessories, and a selection of Vietri glasses and tableware. O Owners Steve and Leta Williams will help you make the perfect choice. They’ll even gift wrap and provide free local delivery too!

James Grey & Co., 252-991-5267

ReCollections at Wilson Hardware, 252-243-3174 WWW.WILSONTIMES.COM

WINTER 2013

Sweet and Hot Pepper Relish

All natural and nothing artificial, these sweet and hot pepper relishes are made locally. Try one of the recipes at www.ridethelightningnc. com and folllow Southern Spice on Facebook and Pinterest. Also, find these fresh relishes at local stores, including Julia Newton Jewelry, Truly Unique, and SoCo Restaurant.

Southern Spice 252-373-4076

Bulova

This holiday season, decorate your special someone’s wrist with a timepiece from Vaughan’s Bulova collection. They have an array of Bulova clocks as well! Vaughan’s would love to help you with your gift list this Christmas!

Vaughan’s Jewelers 252-243-5707

Creations by Culbreth

Creations by Culbreth is already a downtown Wilson tradition come Christmas time. Stop by the Tarboro Street store and find a great selection of Cinda B handbags, totes, travel bags, baby bags and accessories, the perfect gift for that person on your list. Practical and versatile, yet classy and chic, Cinda B bags are all custom-designed using the latest durable, polynylon fabrics and fashion-forward color schemes, patterns and silhouettes. All Cinda B bags are made in the USA.

JC Harris Cadillac

Creations by Culbreth, 252-237-8284

For the second time, the Cadillac CTS has won “Motor Trend Car of the Year.” Style, performance, comfort... the 2014 CTS has it all. And you’ll only find it one place this holiday season: J.C. Harris Cadillac in Wilson. So come by to test drive the CTS or any other model of Cadillac and get the Cadillac you so richly deserve.

JC Harris Cadillac 252-674-0735

WINTER 2013

WILSON WOMAN

Park Place Consignments

Fitness, Video, Tanning & Gifts

Wilson’s most diverse and reliable business has everything you need this holiday season. 30-5080% sales storewide await you on everything from jewelry and handbags, Woodwick candles, flags, new sterling silver, fall and Christmas wreaths and other decorations and gifts. You’ll find it all here.

Park Place Consignments in Historic Downtown Wilson is the place for all of your gift giving and holiday decorating needs, at a fraction of the cost. We have a constant flow of new consignments arriving daily. Come see us in the beautiful historic mansion on Park Avenue.

Park Place Consignments 252-237-0773

Fitness, Video, Tanning & Gifts 252-291-1162

The Nook

Along with their beautiful lines of fine stationery and gifts for neighbors, friends, teachers or coworkers, The Nook is also your source for food this holiday season. J&M Cheese Straws, Bertie County Peanuts, Oh, Sugar! Cookies, Tonya’s Cookies, Big Tom Tomato Juice and Mother Shucker Cocktail Sauce. As always, The Nook offers free gift wrapping for any purchase.

Nook 252-243-2503 WWW.WILSONTIMES.COM

Framer’s Alley

Framer’s Alley in Elm City is your one-stop shop for all your professional framing needs. They carry beautiful art from local artists and specialize in everything from custom framing to limited prints, shadow box framing, bridal portraits and more. Come by and see for yourself how beautifully Framer’s Alley can display your favorite picture, portrait or memory. Gift certificates are available!

Framer’s Alley, 252-236-3231 WINTER 2013

Wilson Medical Aesthetics

OBAGI is the #1 prescription strength, physician dispensed skin care system. Over the years, the deepest layers of our skin suffer damage caused by both external and internal factors. OBAGI products are scientifically formulated to allow penetration to the deepest layers of the skin, to transform and correct the damage within. By forcing the process of cell-turnover and restoring the healthy function of your skin cells, OBAGI is clinically proven to address the signs of aging and photodamage. Use of the OBAGI skin care system results in skin that looks and acts younger and healthier.

The Clarisonic sonic technology works with the natural elasticity of the skin to provide deep, thorough, gentle daily cleansing of the skin. Cleansing is the foundation of a complete skin care routine. Oscillating back and forth at a sonic frequency that produces about 300 movements per second, a flexing action is created between the outer and inner brushes that works deep within the pores to loosen dirt and oil. The brush motion effectively cleans, clarifies and stimulates, resulting in smoother feeling and looking skin.

Wilson Medical Aesthetics, 252-991-6018

Wilson Medical Aesthetics

Glo minerals is committed to creating the smartest and safest formulations with only superior pharmaceutical-grade vitamins and minerals. We use only the finest ingredients and ultra-fine minerals in a triple-milled process ensuring that every application provides even, continuous coverage that lasts. Our base formulations contain no perfumes or chemical dyes and are 100% talc free. All are suitable for even the most sensitive skin types and conditions. We offer paraben and gluten free formulas. Every glo minerals product is non-comedogenic, allowing skin to breathe, which helps inhibit the potential for bacteria to become trapped in pores.

Wilson Medical Aesthetics, 252-991-6018 22

WINTER 2013

Wilson Medical Aesthetics

Have you noticed that extra love handle or muffin top peeking out of the top of your pants? In your busy schedule, it can be hard to find time to keep up a fitness routine. Whether you exercise a little, a lot, or not at all, you want to look your best. Sometimes diet and exercise are just not enough to get the shape you want. When you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seem to get rid of that last little bit of fat, the The FDA-approved Liposonix treatment can help. The Liposonix treatment is a nonsurgical fat reduction procedure that can get rid of targeted fat around your waistline. The treatment is completed in just one office visit and lasts about one hour. With little to no downtime or aftercare, you can resume your active lifestyle right away.

Wilson Medical Aesthetics, 252-991-6018 WILSON WOMAN

Antique Chest

Fontanini

There’s no better way to say ‘Merry Christmas’ than with a special Fontanini piece. This collection is a great gift idea, not only at Christmas, but all year long! Start your own collection today! Or start one for someone you love! This gift truly stands the test of time...

Stuart Walston is the place for all your home decorating needs. From fabric to furniture to artwork to accessories, they can help you spruce up your home for the holidays or find the perfect gift to place under the tree. This antique red-painted chest with a serpentine front top, fluted corners and ogee feet can be dressed up any time of year. 39”w X 20.5”d X 34”h.

Stuart Walston, Inc., 252-243-4940

Vaughan’s Jewelers 252-243-5707

Affordable Hearing Aid Center

At Affordable Hearing Aid Center, your satisfaction is gauranteed. Open Monday through Friday, no appointment is necessary. They carry all types and sizes of hearing aids, as well as offering repairs on any brand. Come in with your loved one and give the gift they’ll remember forever.

Affordable Hearing Aid Center 252-206-8500 WWW.WILSONTIMES.COM

Historic Downtown Wilson

The magic of the season begins for children and adults alike at A Downtown Christmas on December 6th and 7th. From 5-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday evenings, illuminated downtown shops will be filled with special treats. A festive Christmas wagon will deliver you to “Shop Stops” for all of your holiday shopping while others can take in a holiday movie outside in the crisp air or a cozy indoor production of The Nutcracker at The Boykin Theatre. Children will sit in wonder at the “The Polar Express” or clamor to go….ICE SKATING! Plan your visit with the jolly old elf at Santa’s Village where you can also purchase your Christmas tree and sip a hot beverage. Create new memories…in Historic Downtown Wilson!

mailto:historicdowntownwilson@wilsonnc.org WINTER 2013

Wilson Christmas Parade

Chamilia Jewelry

This season, celebrate her brilliance with dazzling Chamilia gifts from Saslow’s Jewelers. Choose touching and meaningful designs that capture her most treasured moments and reflect her heartfelt traditions and wrap them with a pretty bow.

Saslow’s Jewelers 252-291-7016

Mattarusky Ornaments

The child in all of us is alive at Creations by Culbreth in Historic Downtown Wilson. Culbreth carries a full line of beautiful Mattarusky heirloom ornaments. Glassblown and hand-painted in Poland, each ornament is a part of a limited collection to add to your precious Christmas treasures.

Create new memories at the Wilson Christmas Parade in Historic Downtown Wilson on Saturday, December 7th at 4 pm. Bring the entire family and enjoy the sights and sounds of festive floats, marching bands and unique community entries. After making his entrance on the last float, Santa will listen to all of the children’s holiday wishes at Santa’s Village on Tarboro Street. The village will be open the evenings of December 6th7th and from 1-4 pm on December 14th and 21st to visit with the jolly old elf, have a steaming hot beverage and purchase your Christmas tree!

Happy Everything!

Merry Christmas and Happy Everything! Get Holiday Happy with “Happy Everything!” Celebrate all year long with Every holiday attachment and Every special occasion you can imagine. Great to give and great to get.

Hayes Custom Drapery and Interiors 252-291-1881

Creations by Culbreth 252-237-8284 24

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WILSON WOMAN

Nooherooka

Le Vian from Saslow’s Jewelers

The Benjamin W. Best Country Inn & Carriage House is located on a seventh generation working family farm and home of Nooherooka Natural. Special Holiday Package is available Dec. 20, Dec. 27 and Jan. 3 and includes an overnight stay at our Inn or Carriage House which features a country breakfast of fresh local products and Holiday Box of Nooherooka Natural meats.

Wrap yourself in delicious Le Vian all season, every season and don’t miss the opportunity to find the delectable treat you will treasure forever. Chocolate Diamonds...Exclusively From LeVian...Vanilla, Strawberry, and Honey Gold...Sea Blue Aquamarine, Raspberry Rhodolite, and Neon Tangerine Fire Opal.... All at Saslow’s Jewelers, located at Heritage Crossing Shopping Center (across form Harris Teeter).

Nooherooka, 252-747-5054 2029 MEWBORN CHURCH ROAD SNOW HILL, NC 28580 www.bwbestinn.com

Saslow’s Jewelers, 252-291-7016

Mark Roberts Elves

The elf by Mark Roberts is just one of a whole line of Mark Roberts Fairies and Elves available at Creations by Culbreth in Historic Downtown Wilson. Visit the store at 222 Tarboro Street or visit TheGoToChristmasGuy.com for more great gift ideas from Culbreth.

LeStage Convertible Christmas Stocking

Creations by Culbreth 252-237-8284

This LeStage clasp from Boykin’s Jewelers makes a perfect gift for the holidays. These beautiful clasps give your convertible bracelet a new look every day. Come by and see the whole line available this season.

Boykin Jewelers, 252-265-0606 WWW.WILSONTIMES.COM

WINTER 2013

Note cards, Name card Labels... We’ve got you c

For personalized items or gift givin create that perfect piece. We specia ations. Stop by and get your Holida Barrett’s Printing House, Inc. Located in Historic Downtown Wilso at 409 Goldsboro St. S next to the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Open Monday - Friday from 8;00 am 252-243-2820 Check us out online at www.barrett

Peace Graduate Summer, 2011 Batchlor of Science Leadership Studies & Political Science

Anna Marie Satterwhite

THE LOWES

3352 Alleghaney Dr. Raleigh, NC 27609

Barrett’s Printing House

For personalized items or gift giving, let Barrett’s Printing House, located in Historic Downtown Wilson, help you create that perfect piece. They specialize in one of a kind creations. Note cards, name cards, gift cards and labels... They’ve got you covered. Stop by and get your jingle on.

Dwight’s TV

Dwight’s TV carries a variety of solid wood console cabinets for your TV in a variety of finishes and styles. Sony Bravia 3-D, HD TV’s, 32” up to 70”. They also carry recliners and Oreck vacuums.

Barrett’s Printing House, Inc. 252-243-2820

Dwight’s TV 252-237-4000

2013 Christmas Ornament

Estate Jewelry

In addition to Julia’s handmade designs, we also offer an interesting selection of gold and silver estate jewelry. Carefully restored and competitively priced, we offer many styles in classic vintage or unique modern designs.

Julia Newton Jewelry Shoppes at Brentwood 252-206-0820 Tues-Fri, 10-5:30, Sat, 10-2 26

WINTER 2013

Thirteenth in a series, our handmade sterling silver 2013 Christmas Ornament is now available! Our entire collection may be viewed at Julia Newton Jewelry or on our Facebook page. Each ornament may be customized with a name or date. Our ornaments make wonderful gifts for anyone on your list.

Julia Newton Jewelry Shoppes at Brentwood 252-206-0820 Tues-Fri, 10-5:30, Sat, 10-2

The Perfect Present As the co-owner of the women’s dress shop Gerald Brook for 28 years, Gerry Davis made a name for himself for his beautifully wrapped and embellished packages. His reputation grew when he applied his skills while working for Barbar Frantz at her Brentwood store Knit Wit for several years. For the past two holiday seasons, he has been wrapping presents at Papier d’Amour, which recently moved into The Shoppes at Brentwood, for owner Robert Bryant. Below, Gerry walks us through the basic steps for wrapping a simple, elegant present. If you don’t have time to master the art of gift wrapping this year, feel free to drop your gift by Papier d’Amour for a custom wrapping and embellishment by Gerry himself. **Before beginning, Gerry Davis and Robert Bryant, owner of Papier d’Amour, say that you need to take inventory of your supplies. When preparing for gift-wrapping season, you should always make sure you have the following basic supplies: 1) Two Pairs of Sharp Scissors -- one for paper and one for ribbon, 2) Tape -- look for the invisible kind, 3) Double-sided tape, 4) Glue Gun, 5) Folding Bone, 6) Tape Measure, 7) A Variety of Boxes, 8) Wrapping Paper, 9) Tissues.

STEP 1 Wrapping the presents individually

It’s important to wrap each item individually first to protect them from chips and scratches. This is particularly important when shipping the item. Also, wrapping the item itself before wrapping the box adds to the overall visual appeal of the it when opened.

WWW.WILSONTIMES.COM

WINTER 2013

STEP 2 Securing the present

Make the gift as attractive as possible inside the box. You may need to double over a portion of the tissue to make it the exact length of the box. Once the gift is placed inside the box, make sure it is secure. If the box is slightly too big for the gift, secure the gift with extra tissue on the sides. Lastly, embellish your neatly folded tissue with a sticker.

STEP 3 Wrapping the box Measure the box in order to cut the paper accurately. Make sure each end of the paper is the same length. Allow enough overhang for neat folding. When using single print paper, fold it so that the seam is on the edge of the box (as opposed to running down the center of the box).

STEP 4 Perfecting the edges of the package

F Fold the ends of the paper neatly using a folding bone or your fingers in order to obtain sharp creases. Trim excess paper with scissors, double fold the end and tape it to the edge of the box. The wrapping should be as tight as possible.

Continued on page 30 28

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WILSON WOMAN

Visit Our Shop For

Unique

Christmas Gifts Invitations • Cards Napkins CRANE & CO.

2839 Daisy Lane • 206-0619 (Located inside Ross McDaniel Salon)

MON.-FRI. 10-5:30 SAT. 10-2 thru Christmas

“The End of An Era” STORE CLOSING - GOING OUT OF BUSINESS SALE Huge Discount On All Fine Jewelry SAVINGS FROM

40 to 70% OFF Shoppes at Brentwood • 237-7166 www.churchwells.com Monday-Friday 10-5:30 • Saturday 10-4

STEP 5 Tying the bow

STEP 6

Fabric ribbon makes a more customized bow than paper ribbon. Wrap the ribbon around the box (leaving yourself lots of extra in case you need it) once and make a simple double knot.

Perfecting the bow

Make the ends of the ribbon more decorative by folding the ribbon in the middle and cutting it at a 45-degree angle to produce two points.

The Bow: When using fabric ribbon, depending on its width, use a minimum of 3 loops on each side and a maximum of 6 loops. This, however, also depends on the amount of embellishment you intend to use. Tie your bow to the knotted ribbon on the box with a knot that is secure under the loops (as to be out of view).

STEP 7 Embellish the gift wrapping

A glue gun is imperative to attach decorative leaves, ornaments, crystals or any object you wish to use to make the gift more attractive. A beautifully wrapped package makes the item inside even more special.

WINTER 2013

Get Your Present Wrapped by Gerry Gerry Davis emphasizes that the biggest key to wrapping presents well is patience. It often takes trial and error before the steps become second nature. For anyone wanting a Gerry Davis-wrapped present this holiday season, he will be wrapping presents at Papier dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Amour in The Shoppes at Brentwood. Owner Robert Bryant encourages anyone to drop off their gift at the shop and they will be wrapped and embellished by Gerry himself before pickup. WILSON WOMAN

A great gift for employees, clients and friends. Also, they make great stocking stuffers.

2341 Madison Dr. Wilson, NC 27896 Phone 252-291-9199 Fax 252-291-9299 2330 Forest Hills Rd. Wilson, NC

265-0606

30-50-80% OFF STOREWIDE JEWELRY & HANDBAGS CLAIRE BURKE WOODWICK CANDLES FLAGS NEW STERLING SILVER JEWELRY FALL & CHRISTMAS WREATHS, DECORATIONS & GIFTS

TANNING SPECIAL

2500 FITNESS VIDEO 10 Visits

TANNING & GIFTS

Shoppes at Brentwood

291-1162 291-1815

For further info check our website at www.jacsgrill.com

For every $50.00 gift card purchase Get a

Spiced Pumpkin Pie with Cornmeal Crust

Submitted by Julia Newton

Cornmeal Crust

1 cup flour 1/2 cup fine yellow cornmeal 1/4 tsp salt 1/2 cup vegetable shortening 3 tbsp cold water Stir together the flour, cornmeal, and salt. Cut in the shortening until the mixture resembles fresh bread crumbs. Add the water a tablespoon at a time, stirring after each addition, until the dough comes together into a ball. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and pat it into a disc. Roll it out into a large circle and transfer it into a pie pan. Form the crust into a tall, fluted edge. Prick the crust all over with a fork and press a piece of foil into the pie pan. Bake for 6 minutes in a preheated 450 oven, remove the foil, and bake for 4 more minutes. Remove from the oven.

Spiced Pumpkin Custard Filling

2 cups pumpkin puree 3 eggs 1 1/2 cups evaporated milk 3/4 cup brown sugar 1/2 tsp salt 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp powdered ginger 1/2 tsp nutmeg (freshly grated makes a BIG difference) 1/4 tsp ground cloves 1/4 tsp ground allspice Beat together the pumpkin and eggs. Add the evaporated milk and sugar, then the salt and spices, and beat until smooth. Pour into the prepared pie shell and bake at 450 for 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to 300 and bake for 30-40 minutes more. The pie is done when it barely jiggles in the center. Serve at room temperature with lightly sweetened whipped cream. “This recipe is adapted from the Fannie Farmer Baking Book by Marion Cunningham, which I have been making for Thanksgiving for the past 20 years. The extra spices in the pie give it a delicious flavor, and the crunchy cornmeal crust provides a good contrast to the creamy custard. I make this pie with eggs from my backyard chickens!” - Julia Newton

WINTER 2013

Apple Cranberry Casserole

Submitted by Barbara C. Flowers

Directions

Part 1 - Combine: 3 cups peeled, chopped apples 2 cups fresh cranberries 2 tbsp flour Toss above ingredients to coat fruit. Add 1 cup of sugar. Mix well and place in 2 quart casserole dish.

Photograph by Aaron Ellis, styling by Kaitlyn Kosuda

Part 2 - Combine: 3 Pkg. - (1 5/8 oz.) instant oatmeal (cinnamon and spice) 3/4 cup chopped pecans 1/2 cup flour 1/2 cup brown sugar (firmly packed) 1/2 cup melted butter Stir well and spoon over fruit mixture. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Corn Pudding

Submitted by Anne Liles

Ingredients

4 eggs 2 - 14 oz cans whole kernel corn 2 - 14 oz cans creamed corn 1 - 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk

Directions

Mix eggs, corns and milk together. Pour into greased 9X13-inch baking dish. Bake 50 minutes at 350 degrees.

Photograph by Taylor Hernandez, styling by April Dickens

Annual Holiday Sale Fri., Nov. 29 (1pm-6pm), Sat., Nov. 30 (10am-6pm), Sun., Dec. 1 (1pm-6pm) 2029 Mewborn Church Road, Snow Hill contact@nooherooka.com • (252) 747-5054

www.nooherooka.com Nooherooka Natural Beef & Pork Specials, Gift Certificates & Fresh Local Produce

Baked Mashed Potatoes

Submitted by Debbie Keely

Ingredients

4 lbs Potatoes (peeled & cubed) 8 oz cream cheese 1 egg (beaten) 1/4 cup onion (finely chopped) – optional 1 tsp salt 1 tsp pepper Also good with grated cheese sprinkled on top.

Directions

Boil potatoes until fork tender, drain and pour into large bowl. Add remaining ingredients and beat well until smooth. Pour into greased baking dish and bake covered at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes. ”Here’s a time-saver recipe. Instead of making mashed potatoes at the last minute for a holiday dinner, you may make this recipe and refrigerate or even freeze it prior to baking.” -Debbie Keely

Black Bottoms

Ingredients

8 oz cream cheese 1/4 cup cocoa 1 egg 1 tsp baking soda 1/3 cup sugar 1/2 tsp salt 1/8 tsp salt 1 cup water

Submitted by Rose Williams

6 oz chocolate chips 1/3 cup oil 1 1/2 cup plain flour 1 tsp vinegar 1 cup sugar 1 tsp vanilla

Directions

Blend first four ingredients. Stir in chocolate chips. Set aside. Sift flour, sugar, cocoa, soda and salt together. Add water, oil, vinegar and vanilla and beat well. Line petite cupcake pan with liners. Add 1 tbsp. chocolate cake mix in each. Top each with 1 tsp. of cream cheese mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. ”The Black Bottom recipe is from my selfpublished cookbook called Mom’s Cookbook, a collection of four generations of favorite dishes. Books can be purchased by emailing Rose at roseanddan22@yahoo.com.” -Rose Williams

Spicy Crab and Cream Cheese Appetizer

Ingredients: Crackers or chips (your favorite) 1 Block of Cream Cheese (room temperature) 1 6oz can of Lump Crabmeat (drained) Southern Spice Spicy Pineapple Sweet & Hot Pepper Relish Preparation: Combine cream cheese, crabmeat and 4 ounces of Spicy Pineapple Relish and mix gently by hand as to not break down the lump crabmeat. Form into a ball and place on serving plate. Serve with your favorite crackers. Optional: garnish with fresh thyme and cherries.

Check our website

www.ridethelightningnc.com for a step-by-step video clip on how to prepare more delicious dishes using our relishes.

All natural and nothing artificial, these sweet and hot pepper relishes are made locally. Follow us on Facebook, YouTube and Pinterest. Also, find these fresh relishes at local stores, including Julia Newton Jewelry, Truly Unique, and SoCo Restaurant. Enjoy!

Photograph by Taylor Hernandez, styling by April Dickens

Christmas Coconut Candy Submitted by Debbie Phillips

Ingredients

3 cups chopped pecans 1 stick butter 1/2 box powdered sugar 1/2 can Eagle Brand milk 2 1/2 cups coconut Chocolate bark

Directions

Melt butter and stir in pecans, powdered sugar, and Eagle Brand Milk. Chill for 45 minutes or overnight. Roll into bite size balls and dip in chocolate bark that has been melted in the microwave. Place on parchment paper or foil until cool.

Photograph by Sara Bolton, styling by Stephanie Barsanti

Easiest Chocolate Covered Peanuts

Ingredients

Submitted by Debbie Skinner

Nuts of choice: pistachios,salted nuts,cashews chocalate wafers from Micheals, hobby Lobby. whatever color you desire, it’s all chocolate

Directions

Melt wafers in Microwave 2 minutes, pour in nuts and stir, drop by spoonful on cookie sheet. Put it in frig for a few minutes to harden, that’s it and sooooo good.

Aunt Tara’s Deadly Caramel Chocolate Cookies

Submitted by Tara Godwin

Ingredients

2 cups oats 1 cup Brown Sugar 1/2 cup Butter (1 stick) 1 tsp salt 1 tsp baking powder 3/4 bag chocolate chunks

Directions

Photograph by Stephanie Barsanti, styling by Sara Bolton

Preheat oven to 400. Grease a 9x13 baking sheet. Slowly melt 1 stick of butter over low/medium heat. Once melted, remove from heat and add brown sugar and salt. In a separate bowl, mix oats, chocolate chunks and baking powder. Add to the brown sugar mixture and stir until combined. Spread on the greased baking sheet and bake for 8-9 minutes or until everything melts together. Cut into squares while warm.

WINTER 2013

WILSON WOMAN

Banana Split Dessert

Submitted by Rose Williams

Ingredients

1/2 cup margarine, melted 1 tsp vanilla flavoring 2 cups graham crackers 1 20-oz can crushed 2 eggs 1 can pineapple, drained 2 cups confectioners sugar 4 medium bananas 3/4 cup softened margarine 9-oz light whipped topping 1/2 cup chopped nuts Maraschino cherries

Directions

Combine melted margarine and cracker crumbs. Pat in bottom of 9x13 dish. Beat eggs on high speed of mixer for 4 minutes. Add confectioners sugar, softened butter, and vanilla. Beat 5 minutes. Spread on crumbs. Chill at least 30 minutes. Spread well-drained pineapple on sugar mixture. Arrange sliced bananas over pineapple. Next, cover with whipped cream. Sprinkle with nuts and add cherry halves for garnish. Refrigerate overnight.

JC Harris of Wilson, NC

SUPER SATURDAY SPECIAL Conventional Oil Change

Includes 6 quarts oil, filter, check & top off all fluids, check & adjust tire pressure, 27-point inspection. (Synthetic oil $59.95)

Every Saturday Through December 31, 2013. By appointment only. Cannot be used with other specials. Must present coupon at time of service.

www.jcharriscars.com

4030 Ward Blvd., Wilson 252-237-1111

“The white whipped topping and red cherries make this a beautiful Christmas dessert. This is a favorite in our family. This recipe is featured in Mom’s Cookbook: Four Generations of Favorites which may be purchased at Nail Creations at Brentwood or through Rose at roseanddan22@yahoo.com.” -Rose Williams

252-237-5578

www.bjplumbing.com

See website for specials & coupons! For solutions to these problems: High utility cost • Uncomfortable rooms Dusty homes • Allergies, poor indoor air quality Running out of hot water • Slow drains

Just call Susan or Glenna 237-5578 today!

Arts Council Cookies

Submitted by Debbie Skinner

Ingredients

1 pkg graham crackers 1 box powdered sugar 2 sticks butter 1/2 cup sugar 1 cup chopped pecans

Directions

Break crackers apart and line cookie sheet. Sprinkle chopped nuts over crackers. Mix butter and sugar in saucepan and bring to boil. Pour boiled mixture over crackers and nuts. Bake 12 minutes at 300 degrees. While cookies are baking, place wax paper on counter. Sprinkle powdered sugar on wax paper, you will find more is better. When cookies come out of oven spatula them out onto sugar and roll around, be careful, HOT, HOT, HOT! “Years ago when my boys were little, we spent every year at the Arts Council Christmas Party. One year this wonderful lady was running around trying to do what a lot of us women do and get it all done at one time, I offered to help, she brought out these beautiful white things and told me to have one, oh my goodness, it was and still is one of the most delicious foods I have ever had in my mouth. I ate more than the kids. So 20 years later I am still making them and will never forget the Arts Council Christmas Angel!” -Debbie Skinner

WINTER 2013

Hope’s Furniture 4315 Raleigh Rd. Parkway (Hwy. 264 W. near I-95) (252) 399-4839 • (252) 205-0121

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Special Thanks To Our Sponsors

Submitted by Rose Williams

Ingredients

2/3 cup margarine 1/2 tsp nutmeg 2/3 cup dark brown sugar 3 tsp cinnamon 2 eggs 3/4 cup fruit juice 2 cups all-purpose flour (hold out 1/2 cup of flour) 16 oz pkg mixed fruit 1 cup raisins 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 cup chopped pecans 1 tsp baking powder 1/2 cup chopped English 1/2 tsp salt Walnuts 1/4 cup molasses

Directions

Cream margarine until smooth, then add brown sugar, beating well. Add eggs and mix. Add sifted dry ingredients alternately with juice, beating well after each addition. Add fruit, nuts and raisins to the ½ cup of reserved flour and mix thoroughly. Add the fruit mixture and molasses to the cake mixture and stir until mixed thoroughly. Pour into a well-greased tube pan and place tube pan in a pan of water in oven. Bake at 275 degrees for 2 1/2 hours or until done. Let cool completely before removing from pan.

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About Town

9th Annual Whirligig Festival

photography by Gray Whitley

Over the weekend of November 2-3, Wilson celebrated the 9th Annual Whirligig Festival, an award-winning event that draws tens of thousands of people to downtown for a variety of food, music, arts and crafts, contests, children’s activities, demonstrations, parades and an overall joyous celebration of Wilson’s unique works of art and culture. The festival, named after the late local artist Vollis Simpson’s renowned pieces of folk art, also served as an opportunity for the public to stop by the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park Project, the first phase of which opened this month.

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INSPIRING FACULTY | At Barton, you are not another no-name face in a crowded classroom. With an average class size of 15, your professors not only become your teachers, but also your mentors, advisors, and partners for your academic goals. Our 71 full-time faculty members bring their educational backgrounds and experiences from schools such as Yale, Duke, and other prestigious universities. Even with their wealth of knowledge and real world experience, they are not out of reach for the students. At Barton, the student/faculty ratio is 12:1. This means your professors are always accessible. Professors here are even known to give out their cell phone numbers! They set high expectations in the classroom, and they challenge you to do your best.

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