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www.yanceycountynews.com vTo be a voice, and to allow the voices of our community to be heard.v Dec. 27, 2012 W Vol. 2, No. 52 v Recipient of the 2011 E.W. Scripps Award for Distinguished Service to the First Amendment v
Fire department is looking forward By Mariel Williams for the Yancey County News “You get all kinds of answers as to why somebody wants to join the fire service,” says Fire Chief Niles Howell, one of 34 volunteers dedicated to protecting the homes and businesses of the Burnsville fire district. “The most routine one is they want some way to help their community.” Recently, the Burnsville Fire Department began looking for a new home. The current fire department on North Main Street is just not big enough to house the equipment the volunteers need to do their jobs, Howell said, and the department is looking to have a facility that is newer and easier to access. “[We need] a little better access to the bypass and the road than what we have here, without having to go through downtown,” he said. Currently, the fire trucks have to circle the Town Square for most calls. “It’s just a little bit more hazardous than what I like, especially for going out of town, to have to deal with the traffic, and the pedestrian traffic,” Howell said. The new building could also have space for sleeping quarters, in case the growing Burnsville community some day needs firefighters on call at the station 24 hours a day. The fire department is working with the Burnsville Town Council to find a new building. The options under consideration include an old the U.S. Forest Service building on U.S. Hwy. 19, a parcel of property beside the Burnsville Town Center, and the current Main Street location building, which could be torn down and rebuilt. The budget for the new building is $1.5 million, split three ways. “Part of it is [from] the county and part of it is the town,” Howell said. “Most of the payments would come out of our fire tax, and we probably have a couple of hundred thousand dollars that we could put toward it, out of what we have saved already.” The efforts of the volunteer firefighters in Yancey County impact the community in many ways; some obvious, such as responding to fires and healthcare emergencies; others less so — many may not know that the readiness of the local fire department plays a part in determining the size of your home insurance premiums. The Burnsville firefighters respond to an average of more than one call per day, but the actual number on any given day varies. “We’re probably going to clear 400 calls this year,” Howell said, “so [we have] anywhere from about five to seven per week. … That’s just on the average — one day last week we had seven calls.” See page 3
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Special to the Yancey County News
Members of Burnsville Fire Department share a light moment posing for a portrait. The department is looking to the future with plans for a new building to serve the Burnsville community.
A tipping point for hemlocks? By Jonathan Austin Yancey County News Residents have known that the vast forest of hemlocks that blanketed the mountains was under attack from the hemlock woolly adelgid, a tiny aphid-like insect that infests the only hemlock species native to North Carolina. Feeding at the base of the needles, the adelgid saps the tree of nutrients. For years, federal, state and local officials
have studied the effect of the adelgid, and property owners have debated applying chemical soaps or in-ground chemicals to limit the bug. But with most hemlocks untreated and ravaged, the weakening of the trees is becoming more apparent. “We’re seeing a lot of the trees die, and historically they’re very brittle,” said Jason Rodrigue, a state forester. See Page 4
After fatality, seat belts use urged
By Jonathan Austin Yancey County News The North Carolina Highway Patrol says the number of traffic fatalities could be even further reduced if drivers and passengers consistently wore their seat belt, no matter how short their trip. Investigators say Marvin Dale Honeycutt, 39, of 68 Azalea Lane, Burnsville, was not wearing a seat belt when his car wrecked on
Wyatt Town Road on Dec. 20. Honeycutt died when he was partially ejected when his car overturned. “Seatbelts will greatly reduce most serious injuries,” said N.C. Highway Patrol Sgt. T.D. Gunter. Nothing guarantees survivability in a vehicle accident, Gunter stressed, but the use of a seat belt greatly increases survivability, he said. See page 6
Reader shares different Full page of action from Are scrambled take on the little bear middle school tourney eggs bad for you?
2 DEC. 27, 2012
v
• YANCEY COUNTY NEWS
Recipient of the 2012 Ancil Payne Award for Ethics in Journalism and the Tom and Pat Gish Award for courage, integrity and tenacity in rural journalism v
A different view to tale of the three-legged bear
Tripod the bear was first seen with his foreleg dangling from his body about a year ago directly across from my house at Mountain Air. He had three things going for him: first, the temperature was in the 20s which no doubt helped with vasoconstriction and stopped the bleeding; second, that he was a bear and bears have some amazing healing powers; and finally, that it was near hibernation time. Our naturalist made many phone calls, trying to see, if he were seen again, could we get someone to dart him, transport him, treat him, and release him. Answers: No, No, No, No. Consider if this bear had been human and had his arm torn off: tourniquet, ambulance or helicopter, emergency surgery, blood transfusions, pain killers, rehab. Knowing that he was to suffer all this by himself (a small bear who had just that summer been turned out on his own) made the winter residents at Mt Air very sad and concerned about his welfare. Thus, it was thrilling for us to learn that a small, threelegged bear had been caught on a web cam in March in a neighboring area. When the summer residents returned and saw Tripod for the first time, another of our residents formed a bear committee to see if there would be anywhere that would take this bear. They made dozens of phone calls all over the country with a few blind alleys, but the most hopeful one was at Grandfather Mountain,
where they had room for a bear and were willing to take him, pending approval which would have been given Saturday morning. He was shot and killed on Friday afternoon. I saw Tripod a number of times. I was cooking bacon and the downdraft from my stove sent the odors out right above my retaining wall. Our house guests went out to take his picture. He was so frightened by them that he jumped the 12 feet to the ground and then limped away. Another time he was near the back of our house. I opened the deck door which scared him again and he ran to the base of a big tree and just stood there. One has to think he may have been remembering how he used to run up those trees, but now did not know how. Two weeks later one of our residents watched a bear climb up a tree to 70 feet, take a half-hour nap and then climb down again, and see it walk away. Only then did they realize it was Tripod. I watched him forage for berries when there were berries earlier in the summer. We, the members of the bear committee, were thrilled to see him learning the things he needed to know to survive. One of the sad things for the bears was that this was a bad year for natural food. Fortunately, acorns would be plentiful in September. But meanwhile, Tripod was hungry. Two different residents cooked something and left their kitchen windows open. They say that Tripod broke in. I disagree. I believe he was
invited in by people negligently leaving their windows open. One of those had bears come in 6 times. When do you punish the resident rather than the bear? Shortly before he was executed, another person left a different, ground-level window open, and was astonished that the bear tried to come through it. Considering that bears are thought to have a sense of smell 200 times stronger than that of a dog, I find it difficult to believe that to change the open window from the kitchen to a nearby bathroom window altered the ‘invitation’ to Tripod at all. In your article on Tripod, Kat Dunham states “One resident did surprise the bear in her kitchen.” What was not said was that bear had four legs. The official line says that a bear such as Tripod is better off dead than in a sanctuary. I wonder what the bear would say if this were presented to him. “On the one hand, your freedom will be greatly limited, but you will always have food and water, you will never again face whatever it was that tore off your forearm, should you get ill, you will have medical care, and you might turn out to be a wonderful example of what an amputee can be for others like you. (See the movie, “Dolphin”) On the other hand, you will be dead. “So much for living “in harmony with nature.”
From Carolina Public Press A $65,000 Early Childhood Development Focus Area Grant to the North Carolina Partnership for Children will develop Champions for Children teams among business and community leaders to advocate for public and private funding for early child care and education in Western North Carolina. The project supports the foundation’s vision of helping every child realize his or her full potential. Specifically, it focuses on the strategy to raise awareness of the importance of investing in early childhood development. The effort has the potential to affect more than 56,000 children, birth to five, living in the foundation’s 18-county service area. The funding allows NCPC to hire a consultant to work with a community relations coordinator,
employed through a grant from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, to expand the Champions for Children effort to 16 Western North Carolina counties. Buncombe and Henderson counties are already participating through the Z. Smith Reynolds funding. There are 2,000 days between the time a baby is born and when that child shows up for the first day of kindergarten. Children’s earliest experiences literally determine how their brains are wired, lay the groundwork for future health and form the foundation of the social and emotional skills needed for academic and workplace success. “The region’s prosperity depends on its ability to ensure that all children have the opportunity to develop intellectually, socially and emotionally,” said Tracy Zimmerman, NCPC public engagement director. “Studies show that children who receive high quality early childhood education are more likely to graduate from high school, own a home and have savings.” Within the foundation’s 18-county region, the rate of poverty for children under six has increased over the past decade, averaging 27 percent, higher than the statewide average of 25 percent. Taking just one county, McDowell, as an example, 39 percent of children live in poverty, up 21 points from 2000. Many of the state’s budget cuts have hit rural areas hard and programs that communities rely on are either in jeopardy or have disappeared in the western part of the state. Champions for Children works by recruiting business leaders to attend forums and training so that they can present the economic case for
investment in early childhood. “We are not asking volunteers to become early childhood experts,” said Olson Huff, the Black Mountain-based chair of the NCPC board. “We are asking them to make the business case for supporting early childhood education. It makes economic sense and resonates with community leaders who understand the importance of the ‘First 2000 Days’ and are willing to commit time to being a Champion for Children.” Regional progress can be tracked through a new website www.first2000days.org. The site includes tools to make it easy for anyone to participate by sharing a story, contacting a legislator and more. The project will also monitor the degree to which policy makers and news outlets from the western region include early childhood issues in their discussions. In 2011, The Community Foundation adopted a new strategic plan that focuses discretionary resources on people in need, early childhood development, food and farming and preserving natural and cultural resources. Foundation staff leverages knowledge about the region and relationships with donors to enrich lives and communities in Western North Carolina. The Community Foundation is a nonprofit serving 18 counties in Western North Carolina. The Foundation is a permanent regional resource that facilitates more than $11 million in charitable giving annually. CFWNC inspires philanthropy and mobilizes resources to enrich lives and communities in Western North Carolina. More information can be found at www.cfwnc.org.
Nancy Newberry
Regional child partnership gets grant funding
WHO WE ARE
The Yancey County News is the only independent newspaper in Yancey County. It is owned, operated and published by
Susan Austin ........ Advertising/Publisher Jonathan Austin ........... Editor/Publisher who are the sole participants and members of
Yancey County News LLC 132 W. Main Street Burnsville, NC 28714 828-678-3900 jonathan@yanceycountynews.com susan@yanceycountynews.com The Yancey County News (USPS publication No. 3528) is published weekly - every Thursday - for $25 per year in Yancey County, $35 per year out of county. Published by Yancey County News LLC, Periodicals postage paid at Burnsville, NC. Postmaster: Send address changes to: Yancey County News, 132 W. Main St., Burnsville, NC 28714 Printed in Boone by the Watauga Democrat on recycled paper.
To be a voice, and to allow the voices of our community to be heard.
The Yancey County News will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day! Happy New Years!
DEC. 27, 2012
• YANCEY COUNTY NEWS 3
Native honored for courage and perseverance
A Yancey County native has been honored for his courage and perserverance by the Charlotte Chapter of the North Carolina Association of Rehabilition Professionals. Michael Harris, a son of Tony and Fonda Harris of Celo, was honored with The Betsy Wilson Award. The award is named for Betsy Wilson RN, a member of NCARP who was killed in an automobile accident in 1993. To honor her warmth, dedication, and professional contributions to the community, NCARP established this memorial award, which is presented each year to a disabled person or injured worker who has demonstrated courage, hard work, and perserverance in overcoming and/or adapting to a severe and disabling injury. Harris, a 2009 graduate of N.C. State University with a degree in forest management, was working with a crew trimming and harvesting trees threatening utility lines in September 2009 when he was struck by a limb and seriously injured. The red oak limb - measuring ten inches by eight feet and weighing approximately 500 pounds, fell about 40 feet and struck Harris, seriously injuring him and severing his spinal cord, paralyzing him in the lower body and legs. Harris received intensive inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation for about 10 weeks at Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Ga., and then returned to his home in Celo and completed outpatient physical therapy at CarePartners in Asheville for seven months. In August 2010, he moved to Concord to work out of the headquarters of the line clearance and arboriculture company he was
limitations and challenges that he faces every day. “I will do whatever it takes to recover as much as I can from the spinal cord injury, Harris said when he received the award. I have already seen improvements with my core, stability, and ability to connect with the muscles below my injury level. However, my ultimate goal is to one day get out of my wheelchair and walk again. I know that recovering from a spinal cord injury is a long, hard process, but with help from organizations like Race to Walk and the unbelievable support I have from my family, friends, church, community and employer, I hope that my goal will be attainable.” Fonda and Tony Harris and Tiffany James joined Tiffany James and Michael’s parents, Tony Michael Harris when he was honored. and Fonda Harris of Celo, were invited guests working for when his injury occured, and to witness his receipt of the award. started outpatient exercise-based therapy at Race to Walk in Mooresville. The exercisebased program is designed to compliment traditional hospital/clinic-based therapies. While he works full time, he completes outpatient therapy in an intense exercise program under the direction of nationally certified fitness By Angie Newsome trainers and exercise therapists, and a water Carolina Public Press U.S. Rep.-elect Mark Meadows (NC-11) therapy rehabilitation program at a hospitalhas received his committee assignments in the based pool under the direction of physical U.S. House of Representatives for the 113th therapists. The NCARP Charlotte Chapter recognized Congress. The assignments announced by House Michael’s execeptional successes in working Speaker John Boehner place Meadows on full-time and living indepently while continuing to choose to participate in such an active two committees important to Western North rehabilitation program. In addition, he was Carolina and to the nation – the Committee on recognized as being an inspiration for others, Oversight and Government Reform and the most of whom do not deal with the physical Committee on Foreign Affairs. “The Oversight and Government Reform Committee will allow me the opportunity to pursue a more efficient federal government, working to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse. And my service on the Committee on Foreign of water from Instituting the E911 Affairs will permit me to work on global issues hydrants the more system a few years that impact the lives of the people of Western rural departments ago also helped reduce North Carolina, like trade and jobs,” said have higher ratings, i n s u r a n c e r a t i n g s Meadows. meaning the residents across Yancey County. of those districts pay Another plus is the more for insurance. mutual aid system Sacred Hearts parish schedule Sacred Heart Parish, located at 20 Summit “It’s quite a bit of that automatically work to drop your dispatches additional St., Burnsville, has regularly scheduled services rating; it’s hard to fire departments to each week in English and Spanish. Mass is held Wednesday at noon and Sunday do out in the rural help each other in at 11:30 a.m. A mass en Espanol is held each districts, because emergency situations basically, they’re — Yancey’s various Sunday at 2 p.m. Bingo is held at the parish every Tuesday.. hauling all their water” departments have from distant hydrants, automatic dispatch nearby rivers or any a g r e e m e n t s available and usable committing them to water source, Howell helping each other said. out.
Meadows gets House committee assignments
Burnsville VFD looking to the future From the front The most common calls are fire alarms and car accidents. Seven or eight firefighters will respond to most calls, Howell said, although many more will respond to a fire. The Burnsville Fire Department has a total of 35 firefighters, but only one is an official town employee. “The town didn’t want to have a paid chief, so we pushed for a paid fireman,” Howell said, “someone to take calls, test fire hydrants.” Other than firefighter Isaac McCurry, who has been on the job for more than four years now, all of Burnsville’s volunteers fight fires on their own time, receiving a small stipend at the end of
the year as recognition for completing their recommended training. That training is part of what insurance companies look at when determining how well prepared your community is to protect your home from fire. Burnsville has a divided insurance rating of 5 inside the town and 9E outside. Property owners within the city limits benefit from the lower rating because they are close to fire hydrants. “The water system is a big determining factor for that rating,” Howell said. “Having a hydrant system made a big different in us being able to lower that rating.” Without the constant availability
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• YANCEY COUNTY NEWS
A chance to look back, and to gaze forward Well another year has passed. The only remnants are the memories we get to carry forward, the lessons learned, and the opportunities either seized upon or missed entirely. I like to reminisce about the past and reflect upon my accomplishments and failures. The end of the year should give us a chance to look back and grow as an individual in doing so. Over the past year I was lucky enough to experience a few things that I had never been able to before. I went out-of-state fishing the Potomac River on a very historical stretch and nabbed my first snakehead. In the process I learned about the alien monster and came to a better understanding of what an invasive species can do to an ecosystem. Speaking of invasive species, I was also to partake in my first feral hog hunt. I was successful in not only coming in contact with the pigs, but pulled off a wonderful bow shot taking two hogs with one shot. Throughout the weekend, I encountered many more hogs than I did deer. I bowfished for and got my first carp, a North Carolina state record flounder, and several other coastal species. I was also successful in taking my first grey fox just a month ago while my daughter was watching from a nearby deer stand. I had my share of failures as far as hunting and fishing as well. While I had two very Hey my name is Ditto. I am a fun loving dog that would enjoy living on a farm or playing in a pond. I think I would be a great family dog, don’t-cha think? Well my name is Ruddy, like Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. I think I am a better choice for a family dog. I am a young puppy looking for someone’s heart to steal, please take me home. My name is Otis. If you are more of a cat person I am defiantly the best choice! I am ready to spend my Christmas next to a warm fire place! Hey guys I am Andi. My long hair is much prettier than Otis’s short orange hair. I am a regal cat that commands attention and is ready to love someone!
Call the shelter at 682-9510 for more information on these or other pets, or plan to visit us at 962 Cane River School Road.
Bill Howard’s
Outdoors
thrilling turkey hunts, I never did bag my first gobbler. They were there. I had an opportunity. Mother Nature had other ideas. Bears, deer, and even bobcats provided the obstacles toward my turkey success. I did not get to trout fish like I had anticipated. I longed to become part of the cold mountain stream, sharing the presentation of the current hatch with a rainbow, brookie, or brown. It just didn’t ever work out. I played mind games with an old wise buck throughout the hunting season. Often I had plenty of deer within just a few yards of me,
but I waited, hoping to catch a glimpse of the trophy during shooting hours, and in return the old buck survived the season as did many doe and smaller bucks. Luckily for me, I have meat in the freezer from the two hogs to counter my lack of venison. I was also able to camp a few times, witnessing the canopy of stars God has blessed us to see. Strange, mysterious noises would echo through the night that are only strange and mysterious if you have never lived in the country. My wife and I were able to getaway several times throughout the year, sometimes with the kids, sometimes without. We bonded on the adventures we shared, helping each of us understand each other better. We spotted the Brown Mountain Lights while staying in a small cabin no bigger than some vehicles. We learned of our great nation’s history while in D.C. on the trip to the Potomac. All in all, 2012 was an exciting and eventful year. From these experiences, we now get to plan for 2013. Time to work on our future memories. Bill Howard is an avid bowhunter and outdoorsman. He teaches hunter education (IHEA) and bowhunter education (IBEP) in North Carolina. He is a member of North Carolina Bowhunters Association and Pope & Young, and is an official measurer for both. He can be reached at billhoward outdoors@ gmail.com.
Hemlocks are a safety concern
From the front The trees are losing their branches and tops, and winter wind and snow just speeds the tree fall. Throughout Yancey the evidence is there: along local roads the hemlocks are falling. Recent storms have pushed over the weakened tree trunks and snapped the tops off and sent them sailing. It won’t be long before the only hemlocks will be those that property owners aggressively protected from the infestation. A soapy chemical has been used to soak the trees and limit adelgid infestation. “The forest service doesn’t do too much with the soap or spray in a forested situation,” Rodrigue said. “Where we have priority trees, we’re using a soil injection, and that has proven to be pretty effective.” The hemlocks at the Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area on N.C. 80 South have been protected, he said, and other hemlocks at tourist sites and around state
forest facilities are in controlling the dealing with removing bring saved. adelgid. He said the vast number of trees.” But as for the trees forest service hopes He said each district out in the forest, there to get to the point across the mountains has been no reprieve. where the predator is probably going to “As unfortunate and beetle protects the handle tree removal sad as it makes me trophy hemlocks and differently. feel,” the time is chemical treatments They are working coming when those can be reduced. the areas where tree areas - and areas Some landowners fall would be “most at where private land are having hemlocks risk to visitors,” but owners have treated r e m o v e d , a n d in the more natural hemlocks - will be the Rodrigue said the setting the trend is only places to see the f o r e s t s e r v i c e i s to “take the natural hemlock, Rodrigue grappling with the course” and let the Week of 12/31/12 1/6/13 said. suggestion that- the trees die and fall. The Forest Service dying trees have value As that occurs, h a s p e r f o r m e d to lumberjacks. though, local controlled release of a “Overall the forest g o v e r n m e n t s a n d beetle that feeds on the service is grappling land owners will be woolly adelgid, and with that problem. faced with the threat Rodrigue said those You can imagine the of falling trees and seem to be working tremendous cost of flying limbs.
Edited by Margie E. Burke
Difficulty : Easy
Copyright 2012 by The Puzzle Syndicate
HOW TO SOLVE: Answer to Last Week's Sudoku
DEC. 27, 2012
• YANCEY COUNTY NEWS 5
Obituaries Ida Lynn Kisner Shell
Ida Lynn “Luckie” Kisner Shell, 42, of Burnsville, died Tuesday Dec. 25, 2012, after a period of declining health. A native of Baltimore, Md., she was a daughter of the late Edward Ross Kisner and Ida Poole Hetzel of Burnsville. Surviving, in addition to her mother is a brother, Robert Wayne Poole of Burnsville; four children: George Allen Shell Jr., William Drew Shell, Sherry Lynn Kellaner, and Crystal Ann Shell; a granddaughter: Kassies Marie Shell; and nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home. The Rev. Ricky Ray will officiate. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Joe Dean Shepherd Harper
Joe Dean Shepherd Harper, 80, of Shepherd Branch, died Dec. 25, 2012, at her home. A native of Yancey County, she was a daughter of the late Gaither and Flossie Hill Shepherd. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jasper Thomas Harper. a sister, Marie Ray, and two brothers, Dewey Shepherd and Homer Shepherd. Surviving are her daughter, Cheryl Harper Robinson and husband, Vernon, of Burnsville; a son, Blaney T. Harper and wife, Sharon, of Estero, Fla.; three grandsons: Jonathan Robinson, Thomas Robinson and Adam Robinson, all of Burnsville; two sisters: Mauveline Sayles of Burnsville and Gwin Dola Burleson of Dandridge, Tenn.; two brothers: Vernon Shepherd and wife, Della, of Cleveland, Ohio, and Roger Shepherd and wife, Julia, of Burnsville. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral will be at 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 28, in the Chapel of Yancey Funeral Services. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. prior to the services. There will be a private interment on Saturday at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
Wayne Young
Wayne Young, 78, of Newdale, died Dec.24, 2012, following a long illness. He was the son of the late Roy and Estella Young. He worked in the mica industry and was a co-founder and partner in C&Y Pallet Co., and Tri-County Well Drillers. He was a longtime member of Newdale Volunteer Fire Department, serving for several years as chief, and attended Faith Fellowship Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Dellinger. He is survived by six daughters: Wanda Duncan and husband, Tommy, Rosalie Burleson and husband, Tim, Tammy Wilmesherr and husband, Jon, and Kristi Lance and husband, David, all of Mitchell County; Teresa Young and husband, Eric, and Renee Fender and husband, Darren, all of Yancey County; one son, Kevin Wayne Young, of the home; 11 grandchildren and one great-grandson; three brothers, Bill, Harold, and J.D. Young, all of the Arbuckle Community; and his wife, Estelle Bryant of Micaville. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m.
on Friday, Dec. 28, at Yancey Funeral Services. The Revs. David Gillespie and Lawrence Glenn will officiate. Burial will follow in the Will Young Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Donations may be made to the JAMES Medical Missions Project c/o of Faith Fellowship Church, P.O. Box 756 Micaville, NC 28755, or to Hospice of Yancey County. Yancey Funeral Services is serving the Young family.
sons: Richie Crowder and wife, Paula, of Newdale and Rev. Toby Crowder and wife, Leslie, of the Arbuckle Community; six granddaughters: Alyson and Jessica Houghton, Courtney and Kelli Crowder and Emilee and Katy Crowder; brother, Alec Crowder and wife, Rose, of Spruce Pine; 2 sisters-in-law: Lucille Crowder and Lou Della Hoilman Crowder, both of Spruce Pine. Funeral was Dec. 26 in Mt. Carmel Baptist Church with the Rev. Toby Crowder, the Rev. Nathan Silver and the Frank Wilson Rev. Rocky Branch officiating. Burial was Frank Wilson, 71, of Newdale, died in the Fairview Baptist Church Cemetery Monday, Dec. 24, 2012. He was a son of on Bent Road. the late Charlie “Bud” and Pearl Presnell Wilson, and husband of the late Harriett Beatrice Miss Markle Miller Wilson and the late Jeannie Joy Beatrice Moss Markle, 89, died Dec. 24, Wilson. He was also preceded in death by 2012 at St. Josephs Hospital. A native of a brother, Iron John Wilson and a sister, Yancey County, she was a daughter of the Winnie Wilson McKinney. late Jep and Nobella Penland Moss and the Survivors incoude a daughter, Beverly wife of John H. Markle. Arrangements will Wilson and husband, Dennis Silver, of be announced by Yancey Funeral Services. Cane Branch and a son, Frankie Wilson of the home; two sisters: True Elliott and Marvin Dale Honeycutt Faye Boone, both of Newdale; a brother, Marvin Dale Honeycutt, 39, of 68 Azalea Charles Wilson and wife, Juanita, of Lane, Burnsville died Dec. 20, 2012. He Newdale; four grandchildren: Jeremiah was a son of Rita Whitson Honeycutt of Silver, Sierra Silver, Isaac Silver and Ethan Burnsville and the late Miller Honeycutt. Wilson. A host of nieces and nephews also Surviving, in addition to his mother, survive. is a sister: Nancy Honeycutt Davis of A memorial service will be held at a Morganton; and a brother: Raymond later date. Honeycutt of Falls Church, Va. Marvin was also known as “Papaw” to Cadence Willie Lou Proffit Bailey and Riley Parker. Willie Lou Proffitt Bailey, 85, of Funeral was Sunday in the Chapel of Burnsville, died Dec. 24, 2012, at the Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home. Revs. Yancey House. A native of Yancey Dwight Boone Jr. and Haskie Junior County, she was the daughter of the late Honeycutt officiated. Burial was in the Cleveland and Basha King Proffitt and wife Academy Hill Cemetery. of Handy Bailey, who died in 2010. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, James Lee Geouge Soyna Bailey Ayers, and a brother, Sam James Lee Geouge, 90, died Dec. Lee Proffitt. She was a member of West 18, 2012, in Oteen. A son of the late W. Burnsville Church of God. Roscoe and Mary Wilson Geouge, he was Surviving are her daughter, Joanna preceded in death by his wife, Pauline Fender and husband, Edd, of Fletcher; Gilley Geouge; a brother, Paul Geouge; three grandchildren: Tabitha Garland and and sisters Ruth Bell, Hazel Grindstaff, husband, Randy, Brent Fender and wife, Allie Thomas and Pearl Wilson. Michelle and Sean Fender; four greatHe served in the Army in World War II grandchildren: Tyler Garland, Presleigh, and was held as a prisoner of war. Gracie and Dustie Fender. He spent his career building bridges Funeral was Thursday with the Rev. Tim throughout Western N.C. and Eastern Campbell officiating. Burial was be in the Tennessee. He completed several projects Proffitt Cemetery. on the Blue Ridge Parkway, as did his Memorials may be made to Hospice of father and his son. Yancey County, 856 Georges Fork Road, He spent much free time along the Burnsville, NC 28714. Parkway, on high mountain ridges exploring waterfalls and along numerous small Tony A. Crowder streams where he often fished. Tony A. Crowder, 64, of the Estatoe He is survived by his children: Randall community, died December 24, 2012 at his Geouge (Juanita) of Burnsville, Rebecca home. A native of Avery County, he was a Gosnell (Bill) of Knoxville, Tenn., and Susan son of the late Arlind and Alma Townsend Rankin (Jed) of Marion; grandchildren: Crowder. Mark Geouge, Mandy Geouge Ward, Mary He was an environmental health Gosnell, Kasey Rankin and Jake Rankin; supervisor with the Toe River Health great-grandchildren: Zachary Gosnell, District for 28 years and a member of River Grayson Ward and Hunter Geouge. He Valley Baptist Church. He attended Mt. is also survived by two sisters, Betty Carmel Baptist Church and Lily Branch Black and Helen Crisp (Jesse); an aunt, Baptist Church. He was also a member of Tassie Wilson Bradley; and several nieces Vesper Masonic Lodge #554 AF&AM in and nephews. Funeral was in Holcombe Spruce Pine. He loved to fish, camp and Brothers Funeral Home. Burial was in the spend time with his granddaughters. Blue Rock Baptist Church Cemetery. Surviving are his wife, Polly Pitman Memorials may go to American Red Crowder; daughter, Lisa Houghton and Cross, Alzheimer’s Foundation or Blue husband, Tom, of Elizabethton, Tenn.; Rock Baptist Church.
6 DEC. 27, 2012
• YANCEY COUNTY NEWS
Seat belt use helps keep drivers alive From the front According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “research has shown that lap/shoulder seat belts, when used, reduce the risk of fatal injury to frontseat occupants by 45 percent, and the risk of moderate-to-critical injury by 50 percent.” Studies say “ejection from the vehicle is one of the most injurious events that can happen to a person in a crash. In fatal crashes in 2008, 77 percent of passenger vehicle occupants who were totally ejected from the vehicle were killed.” A study at James Madison University concluded that “75 percent of crash deaths and injuries occur within 25 miles of home,” so the belief that seat belts aren’t needed on short trips is faulty. “More than half of all injury-producing motor vehicle crashes
involve low speeds under 40 mph,” the university concluded. L i k e w i s e , “motorists are 25 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured when they are ‘thrown clear’ than when remain inside their vehicle,” the university reported. The Burnsville man died when the car he was driving “ran off the right side of the road, overcorrected, traveled left of center, collided with a small embankment and overturned,” Sgt.
Gunter said. He said Honeycutt was partially ejected from the vehicle, and was not wearing a seatbelt. State law mandates that all drivers and passengers, in the rear seat as well as in the front seat, ages 16 and older, must wear their seat belts. Every driver who is transporting one or more passengers younger than 16 shall have all such passengers properly secured in a child passenger restraint
Buy Yancey County News at Mitchell-Yancey Habitat for Humanity Restore 563 Oak Ave., Spruce Pine and Habitat keeps half of the money! Open Tues – Fri, 9-5; Sat 9-2
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system or seat belt which meets federal standards applicable at the time of its manufacture. Overall, Gunter said many residents do consistently wear seat belts. “We’ve got good compliance.”
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Support your friends and neighbors! DEC 27, 2012
• YANCEY COUNTY NEWS 7
Resolve to SHOP LOCALLY in 2013!
Happy New Year!
LUNSFORD REALTY 678-3400
Medicare Open Enrollment is earlier this year
YummiYarns
Designer & Premium Yarns! 7 South Main St.
Your health needs change from year to year. Plus, your health plan may change the benefits and costs each year, too. That’s why it’s important to evaluate your Medicare choices every year. Open Enrollment is the one time of year when all people with Medicare can see what new benefits Medicare has to offer and make changes to their coverage. There’s never been a better time to check out Medicare coverage. There are new benefits available for all people with Medicare -- whether you choose Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan -- including lower prescriptions costs, wellness visits and preventive care. Take advantage of Open Enrollment, and you may be able to save money, get better coverage or both. You may be wondering, what is the benefit of having an earlier enrollment period? Starting this year, Open Enrollment starts earlier, Oct. 15, and last longer (seven full weeks) to give you enough time to review and make changes to your coverage. Also starting this year, you will need to make your final selection for next year’s Medicare coverage by Dec. 7. This change ensure that Medicare has enough time to process your choice, so your coverage can begin without interruption on Jan. 1. It’s worthwhile to take the time to review and compare, but you don’t’ have to do it alone. If you typically use the December holidays to discuss health care options with family or friends, plan now to move that conversation earlier.
12 West Main St.
682-9101
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20% off STOREWIDE Now Open Tuesday through Saturday
682-6166
Jerry Scarborough, Your locally owned pharmacy!
Buchanan & Young
sales agent, will be available through The Prescription Pad to compare your current Medicaid benefits with options that are available in Yancey and surrounding counties.
East Main St. 682-2194
Call Jerry at 208-2562 or The Prescription Pad at 678-3914 to arrange a convenient time to review youritpersonal Medicare and prescription l benefits Commges Digita eter Pad om for Lozen t 42 ctor . stop by The Prescription Therm in M g 4M Clear .49 .9a8FREE Brochure Medicare Made
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682-9101 Diane VanderLinden Check Out Our Unique Properties @
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682-1432
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Blue Belle Farms
Local Crafters 127 W. Main St.
One Of A Kind Gallery! Downtown Micaville Locals arts and jewelry
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Support Local Arts, Buy Handmade! 102 W. Main St. Burnsville
682-1432 7 S. Main Street Suite 2F Burnsville, NC 28714
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These local businesses appreciate your support and hope you and yours have a safe and meaningful Christmas!
8
DEC. 27, 2012
• YANCEY COUNTY NEWS
Action from the Middle School basketball tourney
Photos for the Yancey County News by Brett Hopson
CLASSIFIEDS FOR RENT
Brick Rancher out in the County - Three bedrooms, one bath. MUST HAVE REFERENCES! SECURITY DEPOSIT REQUIRED. NO PETS. Call Doris @ Lunsford Realty 678-3400 For rent: Large LR with fireplace , DR, Kitchen with island, Large master Br with full bath, 2nd Br with full bath, partial basement with w/d hookup. In town of Burnsville. Has attached small (second story) one bedroom apt. with separate entrance. Would be great mother /daughter rental. $800.00 per month. References and security
required. Also can be rented separately both have own utilities @$550.00 + $300.00 Available immediately. CALL 865-712-6887
FOR SALE BY OWNER Lots from 3 to 7 acres, or all 21.57 acres. Snow Hill Boxwoods for Sale. $10 each. 828.208.0406.
FOR SALE Consignment Business for Sale: Everything you need to start your own business, including: Clothes (all name brand) Sizes S – 4X,
Rainbow chard with endive salad Compliments of www. HealthyCookingConcepts.com After several weeks of heavy foods, this delicious and colorful salad is perfect for a light lunch, yet elegant enough to serve dinner guests. You can easily change the winter green to spinach or Lacinato kale, depending upon what is fresh and available to you. Ingredients 1 large bunch of organic rainbow chard, washed, dried and chopped 2 heads Belgian Endive, halved, cored and sliced 1⁄2 cup fresh pomegranate seeds, scooped from 1 pomegranate ½ cup of pecans, chopped Maple Vinaigrette 2 Tbs real maple syrup 2 Tbs raw apple cider vinegar 2 Tbs organic cold pressed olive oil Sea salt and ground pepper to taste Directions 1. Toast pecans in a dry skillet over low heat, stirring often, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and let cool. 2. Toss chard, belgian endive and pomegranate seeds in a large bowl. 3. Heat oil in a small skillet over medium-low heat. Add vinegar and maple syrup and bring to a boil. Season with salt and pepper 4. Pour dressing over salad and toss with toasted pecans. 5. Serve and enjoy!
Homemade Eggnog Compliments of www. HealthyCookingConcepts.com Nothing says the Holidays more than a creamy, rich cup of homemade eggnog. Unfortunately, what was once a homemade tradition has been replaced by just getting it from the supermarket, and that means we were also getting this ultra-pasteurized chemical concoction which includes Red 40 and Yellow 5 & 6, guar gum, some carageenan, high fructose corn syrup and mono and diglycerides- nowhere close to homemade or natural! But don’t despair; here is a homemade eggnog recipe that is allnatural, good-for-you, as well as quick and easy!
DEC. 27, 2012
Shoes, Purses, Make-up, Rugs, racks, wall grids, showcases and more. This is a must see, already set up and ready for business with possible resume of lease. $5,000 Call 828-284-5500 .
AUTOMOBILE
1 9 9 9 3 2 0 S M e rc e d e s , 93,000 miles, Florida car, New brakes, tires, paint, very good condition. Sun Roof, V6, runs on Regular. Asking $8,000. Please call 321.704.4311
WANTED
Wa n t e d : U p s c a l e re n t a l properties to manage. We have clients in need of long term rental housing in our area. Professional Property management services includes background checks on renters. Cattail Peak Real Estate
• YANCEY COUNTY NEWS 9
of WNC. Call Brokers/Owners, Sandy 828-682-3217 or Jerri at 828-284-2968
SERVICES
SUPPORT
Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Group. Contact Jodie Rhymer at 828-6885851 or Survivorsofsuicide loss@gmail.com
OPPORTUNITIES
Friend to Friend is now looking for entrepreneurs to partner with in a small Internet business. If you have a gift of gab and a small investment you can start today. Bring your partner for a 45 minute interview. We are an equal opportunity business. Call for an appointment 24/7 – 828-776-2463.
EMPLOYMENT
The Weekly Crossword ACROSS 1 "The Bell Jar" author 6 Come in second 11 To and ___ 14 Loose-limbed 15 Jacket feature 16 Gun, as an engine 17 Aromatic compound 18 Adjacent to 20 Polished off 21 Mythical man-goat 23 Name on the title 24 E-mail button 26 Flower part 28 Got older 29 Edit menu option 30 Satisfy a thirst 31 Office message 32 Repeated again 34 Janitor's tool 36 Before, of yore 37 Guggenheim display 38 Robber's foe 39 "___ a Wonderful Life" (1946) 42 Envelope abbr. 43 How couch surfers live 45 Sail supporter 48 Plant blight 50 Word after gray or Bay 51 Part of CPU 52 Old-fashioned 53 Sunroof option 54 Striking success 56 Angled joint 58 Caps Lock neighbor 59 Software trial version 61 Linguist's concern 63 Fireplace fuel 64 Daltrey of The Who 65 Tropical nut 66 State of rage 67 Down and out
of Buncombe, Madison, and Yancey counties. Please call Erin at 828-681-5100 for more information.
of YOUR proceeds for a very small rental fee. Please stop by 127 West Main Street to see what everyone is talking about in beautiful Downtown Roof Leak? Call Brad at Burnsville! Tip Top Roofing, 25 years+ Will clean your home or experience. Residential, business. Call 208-3688. commercial roof repair and Sewing alterations. Call maintenance, roof coatings, 208-3999. gutter repair, roof inspection. TOWING SERVICE With References. 682-3451 Rollback Truck! I Buy JUNK VEHICLES! Pay Fair Price! Sewing alterations. Call Week of 12/31/12 1/6/13 WILL -PICK UP VEHICLE! 208-3999. Call 828-284-7522 or 828Low Interest Loans to 284-7537 Qualified Home Owners for Any home improvement projects. 828-273-0970 BAYADA Home Health Blue Belle Farms, A U’Neat Care is seeking CNAs to Gift shop and makers of provide in-home patient Goat Soaps and Lotions is focused care. Full-time, currently seeking Crafters to part-time, and PRN positions join the fun! You keep 100% available. Serving all areas
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Copyright 2012 by The Puzzle Syndicate
68 Make an effort DOWN 1 Janet Jackson's "The ______ Principle" 2 NPR fan 3 Audience member 4 Start of many titles 5 That girl's 6 Blood clotting aid 7 Frog's perch 8 Arctic outerwear 9 100 yrs. 10 As a result 11 FOX sci-fi series 12 Cash in, as coupons 13 Work too hard 19 Home for alligators 22 Like chocolates in a sampler 25 Holliday of the Old West 27 Summer quencher
not use store bought eggs 1-2 TBSPs vanilla extract 2-4 TBSPs real maple syrup or raw honey 1-2 teaspoons cinnamon 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg bourbon, brandy, rum, other liqueur to taste (optional)
33 WWII General ___ Arnold 35 Withdraw, with "out" 38 Arlington, e.g. 39 Rub the wrong way 40 Many a new driver 41 Safety restraint 42 Perfume oil 43 On a pension
44 Like Cosby's Albert 45 Swiss granola 46 Newsroom VIP 47 Feed for livestock 49 Vandalize 55 Gull's cousin 57 Country bumpkin 60 ___ is me! 62 Cause for an "R" rating
Answer to Last Week's Crossword L O O P L O F T A S C O T
A P S E C H E R N I C E E L E S A D M I I N E A R D D N E N L E E E R M S B I D S P I R E L A T A O S T A R T T E R H E R E
A S P E N R O S E
F E A T E V I C T
L I I C M E O D
T E S S T O F M A E S E A N V A O B I A T E
S P A S H E N N E N G E D E E L U R R I L D U C A M E R T S E A S S A R T A A T O O P I N C L O U T E N S
M A R R Y T E A L M E T E
sweetener in blender and blend for 20-30 seconds. 2. A nice froth will form on the top which adds a nice finishing touch. 3. Then add the spices to taste, blend again, and add alcohol if so desired. Ingredients for about 4 servings: 4. Pour into decorative glasses, garnish with 2 cups organic whole milk a sprinkle of nutmeg on top, and enjoy a new 2 cups organic heavy cream Directions Holiday tradition of making and toasting the 8 egg yolks from pastured chickens only - do 1. Put the milk, cream, egg yolks, vanilla and season with your own homemade eggnog!
10 DEC. 27, 2012
• YANCEY COUNTY NEWS
A great source of antioxidants and neurotransmitters Medea Galligan MS Nutrition, CHHC, AADP Although many new studies support what your g r a n d p a r e n t s k n e w, there is still a major misconception and a lot of misinformation promoted by the media that you must avoid foods like eggs and saturated fat to protect your heart. While it’s true that fats from animal sources contain cholesterol, this is not necessarily a health hazard. Your body actually requires cholesterol, and artificially driving your cholesterol levels down is nearly always doing far more harm than good. Every cell in your body needs cholesterol. Cholesterol is a health-promoting substance. It is a critical component of cell membranes, the precursor to all steroid hormones, a precursor to vitamin D, and the limiting factor that brain cells need to make connections with one another called synapses, making it essential to learning and memory 1. Numerous studies support the conclusion that eggs have virtually nothing to do with raising your cholesterol anyway. For instance, research published in the International Journal of Cardiology showed that, in healthy adults, eating eggs daily did not produce a negative effect on endothelial function, an aggregate measure of cardiac risk, nor did it increase cholesterol levels 2. Another study from the Journal of the American Medical Association found that people who eat four whole eggs per week had lower cholesterol than people who ate just one egg per week 3. Thus prevalence of the idea that eggs, as a source of saturated fats, are unhealthy and promote heart disease, is a complete myth. While it’s true that fats from animal sources contain cholesterol, it is also true that both your body and brain desperately need saturated fats and cholesterol to function properly. The evidence clearly shows that eggs are one of the most healthful foods you can eat, and can actually help prevent disease, including heart disease. For example, one 2009 study discovered that the proteins in cooked eggs are converted by gastrointestinal enzymes, producing peptides that act as ACE inhibitors (common prescription medications for lowering blood pressure)4. This certainly flies in the face of ‘conventional wisdom,’ and the latest findings support the stance that eggs are in fact part of a heart-healthy diet. In the featured study, the researchers examined the nutrient content of egg yolks from hens fed primarily wheat or corn. They determined that the yolks from these conventional chickens contain two amino acids with potent antioxidant
properties, which is important for the prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer: tryptophan and tyrosine. The amino acid tryptophan is also an important precursor to the brain chemical serotonin, which helps regulate your mood, and tyrosine synthesizes two key neurotransmitters, dopamine and norepinephrine, which promote alertness and mental activity. Thus, the potential health benefits of eggs certainly go far beyond heart health and help to create both mental and emotional health. As many of you already know, the nutrient content of organic, pastured eggs is far superior to conventional eggs. What’s really interesting is that conventional eggs, despite their inferior nutritional content, were still found to be such a potent source of heart healthy antioxidants! The analysis showed that two raw egg yolks have antioxidant properties equivalent to half a serving of cranberries (25 grams), and almost twice as many as an apple5. Egg yolks are also a rich source of the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which belong to the class of carotenoids known as xanthophylls. These two are powerful prevention elements of age-related macular degeneration; the most common cause of blindness. Not all eggs are equal Eggs are also an incredible source of high-quality protein and fat, nutrients that many of us are deficient in, and I believe eggs are a nearly ideal fuel source. However, there are two issues that must be considered when discussing the nutritional benefits of eggs: where the egg comes from and how it is cooked. Cage-free. Organic. All natural. Free-range. You see these terms on egg cartons all the time, some even using all four at once! But what do they mean? Does “free range” mean access to a chicken’s natural diet? Let’s examine each nebulous term for what it’s worth. Free range As applied to chicken eggs, this term is essentially meaningless. On June 17, 2010, the Access to Pasture Rule went into effect for all certified organic livestock. This rule made it illegal to confine an animal indoors except during medical treatment, shipping or to protect soil and water. The rule does not specify, however, what type of outdoor area the animal has access to - or if it even goes outside. While it’s better than life in a cage, it’s no assurance that the animal has room or opportunity to engage in natural behaviors. Government only loosely regulates the definition of “free range,” and egg producers have jumped
at the opportunity to print some new labels and charge a couple extra bucks in return for giving their hens occasional access to a tiny patch of dirt. According to the Department of Agriculture, egg “producers must demonstrate to the Agency that the poultry has been allowed access to the Outside.” In other words, there needs to be a door to the chicken cage, and it needs to be open part of the time, but the chickens can still eat substandard food and live in cramped conditions. A “range” can range from being a full-fledged pasture (not likely) to a 10 x 10 patch of manure and dirt (more likely). Chances are most free range chickens rarely even venture outside. Why would they? Their food is usually inside.
Organic Chickens that lay your organic eggs should never receive growth hormones or antibiotics, as this is prohibited by the USDA. However, some producers frequently use antibiotics to promote growth and feed efficiency, as well as prevent the spread of disease throughout the flock6. Traces of the antibiotics from your food remain in your body, but when you become ill, there’s not enough antibiotic to kill the infection. Instead, the pathogen that runs into the antibiotic traces develops a resistance to that particular drug. So the next time you catch that bug, your prescription may not work. Over time, this leads to strains of drug-resistant pathogens that are very difficult to treat. An egg is considered organic if the chicken was only fed organic food, which means it will not have accumulated high levels of pesticides from the grains (mostly GM corn) fed to typical chickens. Organic eggs are better than your average mass-produced egg, but your best bet is still to find a truly pasture-raised egg.
Cage free Even more meaningless than “free range,” this term has no legal definition. Technically, cagefree hens don’t live in stifling metal cages; instead, they might still live in stifling overcrowded henhouses! Some cage free hens’ lives aren’t much qualitatively better than those who live in cages and most still aren’t getting any What about Omega-3 eggs? access to the outdoors, but they’re According to the latest research, generally raised with better food I would strongly encourage you to and better treatment. avoid all omega-3 eggs, as they are some of the least healthy for you. All natural These eggs typically come from This is the most useless, all- chickens that are fed poor-quality encompassing term for anything. sources of omega-3 fats that are All produce is natural. These already oxidized 7. Also, omega-3 eggs weren’t created in a lab by eggs perish much faster than nona team of white coats. Even the omega-3 eggs. most steroid-pumped, antibioticimmersed hens produce “natural” Locally produced, eggs the way nature intended: pasture-raised eggs by laying them. “All natural” is Testing has confirmed that just a subtly disingenuous term true free-range pasture-raised used to conjure up images of hens eggs are far more nutritious happily pecking away at seeds than commercially raised eggs. and bounding through pastures, In a 2007 egg-testing project, only to return home for the nightly Mother Earth News compared egg-laying. It’s a feel-good phrase the official U.S. Department of that distracts consumers from the Agriculture (USDA) nutrient fact that most eggs are produced data for commercial eggs with in appalling, wholly unnatural eggs from hens raised on pasture conditions. Feel free to eat all and found that the latter typically natural eggs, but don’t be fooled contains: 1/3 less cholesterol, 1/4 into thinking they’re of any less saturated fat, 2/3 more vitamin particular improvement in quality. A, 2 times more omega-3 fatty See page 11
DEC. 27, 2012
• YANCEY COUNTY NEWS 11
Obsessive self thought is normal for pre-teens
By John Rosemond
Q: My 10-year-old daughter is having thoughts about other girls. She says she’s worried because she notices and admires other girls’ figures. I know this is normal, but I’m not really sure how to say to her. She seems to be obsessing about it. What’s your advice? A: You should tell her what you already know to be true: It’s perfectly normal for a pre-teen girl to admire other girl’s bodies. Point out to her that adult men admire other men’s bodies and adult women admire other women’s bodies. Admiration and sexual attraction are two entirely different things. It’s also fairly normal for pre-teens to experience a moderate amount of obsessive thinking about one thing or another. Their tendency to worry about themselves probably has to do with changes going on in brain chemistry and cognitive abilities as well as related changes in self-concept. In that regard, it’s important that you not make this a topic of frequent conversation. The more you talk with her about it, no matter how understanding
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and reassuring you are, the more obsessing she’s likely to do. Say what you have to say, and then tell her something along these lines: “This is not something we need to keep talking about. In fact, the more we talk about it, the more you’re going to think about it, and the more you’re going to worry about it. I’ve said all I have to say, so let’s make an agreement that this is the last conversation we’re going to have about this.” She’s looking to you for indication of whether this is important or not. If you act like it’s not worth talking about, she’ll eventually
stop worrying about it - eventually being the operative word. At that point, because she’s a pre-teen, she’ll probably start worrying about something else. Q: My 5-year-old daughter loves to play with other kids her age, but has not yet asked me to invite any of her school friends over for a play date. According to her teacher, she’s a bit shy but plays well with the other girls in her class. And when the chance presents itself, she plays well with others in the neighborhood or friends from elsewhere. Should I go ahead and arrange play dates or let her make the first move on that? A: I have two somewhat opposing thoughts about this: First, if she were interested enough in play dates, she would ask you to arrange them. On the other hand, maybe she doesn’t know to ask or is a tad reluctant. Maybe she’s afraid she’ll be turned down. Tell her that if she wants, you will arrange weekly play dates for her. If she agrees, do so until she feels comfy enough to call and arrange them herself. Family psychologist John Rosemond answers questions at rosemond.com.
The good old egg: It’s good for you in many ways
From page 10 acids, 3 times more vitamin E, and 7 times more beta carotene. The dramatically superior nutrient levels are most likely the result of the differences in diet between free ranging, pastured hens and commercially farmed hens.
How to find fresh, pastureraised organic eggs The key to getting high quality eggs is to buy them locally, either from an organic farm or farmers market. Fortunately, finding organic eggs locally is far easier than finding raw milk as virtually every rural area has individuals with chickens. The local Burnsville Chapter of the Weston A. Price Foundation maintains local food resource lists of the Farms, Farmer’s Markets, and stores in Yancey, Mitchell and north Buncombe counties that sell pastured organic and locally produced eggs; you can find the regularly updated lists at www.chapters.westonaprice.org/ burnsvillenc. Farmers markets are a great way to meet the people who produce your food. With face-to-face contact, you can get your questions answered and know exactly what you’re buying. Many farms also allow customers to visit and take a tour. Should you refrigerate eggs? Before we get into the issue of eating raw versus cooked eggs, let’s review the ideal storage method for your eggs. Contrary to popular belief, fresh pastured eggs that have an intact cuticle (shell) do not require refrigeration, as long as you are going to consume them within a relatively short period of time. This is well known in many other countries, including parts of Europe, and many organic farmers will not refrigerate their eggs. In the U.S., refrigeration of eggs became the cultural norm when mass production caused eggs to
travel long distances and sit in storage for weeks to months before arriving at your local supermarket. Additionally, the general lack of cleanliness of factory farms increases the likelihood that your eggs have come into contact with pathogens, amplifying the need for both disinfection and refrigeration. So, if your eggs are fresh from the organic farm, with intact cuticles, and will be consumed within a few days, you can simply leave them on the counter or in a cool cupboard. The shelf life for an unrefrigerated egg is around 7 to 10 days. When refrigerated, they’ll stay fresh for 30-45 days. Keep this in mind when purchasing eggs from your grocery store, as by the time they hit the shelf, they may already be three weeks old, or older. USDA certified eggs will have a pack date and a sell-by date on the carton, so be sure to check the label. Eating eggs for maximum health benefits The second issue is that cooking destroys many of these nutrients; so ideally, you’ll want to consume your eggs raw (but only if they’re pastured organic, as conventionally-raised eggs are far more likely to be contaminated with disease-causing bacteria such as salmonella).The research also illustrates just how destructive cooking is. The antioxidant properties were reduced by about 50 percent when the eggs were fried or boiled, followed by microwaving, which resulted in an even greater reduction5. Quite a few people are allergic to eggs, but evidence suggests that the allergy could be to only cooked eggs. When you heat the egg, the protein changes its chemical shape, and this type of distortion can easily lead to allergies. When consumed in their raw state, the incidence of egg allergy virtually disappears.
This distortion may be further magnified depending on the manner in which it’s cooked. Microwaves heat food by causing water molecules in it to resonate at very high frequencies and eventually turn to steam, which heats your food. But it also changes your food’s chemical structure in ways that regular cooking does not7. The results in the featured study confirms this as raw egg yolk lost about half of its antioxidant potential when boiled, fried, or worse, microwaved. Remember that most of the nutrition in an egg is in the yolk, not the white which is merely protein and many have a texture problem when eating them raw. The yolk on the other hand is loaded with nutrients, like bioflavonoids, brain fats like phosphatidyl choline, powerful antioxidants and sulfur. If you choose not to eat your eggs raw, poached or soft-boiled is your next best option. Aside from microwaving, scrambling your eggs is one of the worst ways to cook them as it oxidizes the cholesterol in the egg yolk, which may in fact harm your health. What about Salmonella?
The CDC and other public health organizations advise you to thoroughly cook your eggs to lower your risk of salmonella, but as long as they’re pastured and organic, eating your eggs raw is actually the best in terms of your health. The salmonella risk is primarily heightened when the hens are raised in unsanitary conditions, which is extremely rare for small organic farms where the chickens are raised in clean, spacious coops, have access to sunlight, and forage for their natural food. The salmonella risk can be high in conventional eggs, however, which is why I advise against eating conventional eggs raw. One study by the British government found that 23 percent of farms with caged hens tested positive for salmonella, compared to just over 4 percent in organic flocks and 6.5 percent in free-range flocks10. Sources
1.http://www.cholesterol-and-health. com/cholesterol-and-health.html 2.International Journal of Cardiology March 10, 2005; Volume 99, Issue 1, Pages 65-70 3.Murray, Michael, N.D. The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods. New York: Altria Books, 2005. 4.Science Daily July 6, 2011 5.Food Chemistry November 1, 2011; 129(1): 155-161 6.United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service: National Organic Program: Organic Production and Handling Standards 7.Risk Analysis April 2002 22(2):20318) 8.“Federal Register”; National Organic Program: Access to Pasture (Livestock); Feb. 17, 2010 9. U.S. Food and Drug Administration; The Judicious Use of Medically Important Antimicrobial Drugs in Food-producing Animals; June 2010 10. Live Science August 27, 2010