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www.yanceycountynews.com vTo be a voice, and to allow the voices of our community to be heard.v April 11, 2013 W Vol. 3, No. 15 v Recipient of the 2011 E.W. Scripps Award for Distinguished Service to the First Amendment v
Presnell gets nationwide attention with Islam comment
By Jonathan Austin Yancey County News
N.C. Rep. Michele Presnell of Burnsville is making national headlines after the Raleigh News & Observer reported that she wrote an email to a constituent suggesting that allowing a prayer to Allah at the start of legislative sessions is the equivalent of condoning terrorism. The story was picked up by the popular Huffington Post website and distributed around the world. It caught the attention of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, which asked for Presnell to be reprimanded. “If the Republican Party hopes to reach out to minority groups, it must clearly and forcefully repudiate such bigoted comments by its representatives,” CAIR National Legislative Director Corey Saylor said in a statement. The News & Observer said the situation grew out of a series of emails between Presnell and a Burnsville constituent who wrote to express opposition to a state resolution cosponsored by Presnell that suggested North Carolina lawmakers could not recognize judicial rulings and Constitutional directives on the establishment of religion. The Raleigh newspaper reported that the constituent told Presnell that the resolution would “be divisive” and violated the Constitution. “Would you be comfortable with a public prayer to Allah before a legislative meeting in Raleigh?” the email writer later asked Presnell, according to reports, and she responded: “No, I do not condone terrorism. …we just need to start taking a stand on our religious freedom, or it will be whisked away from us.” Yancey residents will recall that Presnell, then a Yancey County commissioner, led the fight to have the commission formally support the state amendment defining marriage as only between a man and a woman, and strongly argued for the commission to continue offering a Christian prayer at the start of each commission meeting. WRAL television in Raleigh reported that Presnell was not willing to comment about the effort to have her reprimanded, and an email to her office on Thursday morning from this newspaper received no reply.
Anglers hit the rivers Above, a fisherman tries his luck fishing in the South Toe River at Carolina Hemlocks Campground. At left, Ben Nakhowong shows off the large rainbow trout he caught on Saturday, the first day of fishing season in hatchery-supported streams. Those turning out for the first fishing day were greeted by blue skies and warm temperatures, though some said the South Toe water level was high and resulted in poor results. But Ben didn’t seem to have a problem catching lunch!
Homeowners at scene of rock slide seek help stabilizing embankment By Jonathan Austin Yancey County News The owners of a home adjacent to the giant rock slide that blocked U.S. 19W in January are hoping for government help in resolving the erosion that they say is threatening their house. William and Diane Merz say the Jan. 16 landslide “devastated our property,” and they say the problems stem from faulty engineering when U.S. 19W was built, as well as mistakes made by the Federal Emergency Management Agency after Hurricane Ivan crossed Western North Carolina in 2004. William Merz took the opportunity to
speak about the slide and the damage during the public comment period at the County Commission meeting Monday. “The … damage is massive. I urge all of you to drive by and see it for yourselves.” Diane Merz says she and her husband believe the January rock slide that blocked U.S. 19 and made headlines around the nation might be attributed to work done by FEMA. She said contractors hired by the federal agency came out after Ivan to remediate damage to the road bank, but “nobody really consulted us. They See Page 5
The Burnsville Metric is coming! Watch for it April 27!
2 APRIL 11, 2013
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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
Opinion/Outlooks
Many work to address hunger in Yancey County The following is what Cynthia Mcintosh of Yancey County Department of Social Services told Yancey County Commissioners about hunger in Yancey County: A group of concerned neighbors have gotten together to help support each other in providing food for as many families as possible. Groups such as Reconciliation House, Manna Food Bank, God’s Hands Ministries, Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, Yancey County DSS, Dig-In Garden, Yancey County Schools, Yancey Summer Food Program, Higgins UMC, West Burnsville Baptist Church and other community gardens and private gardens help supply food to those in need. The poverty rate in Yancey County currently stands at 17.9 percent which is above the state average of 16.1 percent. The current
county population is 17,101. The current unemployment rate is 13.8 percent. These are all statistics we hear about every day but there are only a few people who are aware of the Hunger Rate in Yancey County. We feel that we need to make the county commissioners aware of some of the needs and what is being done to address those needs. There are currently 2030 households receiving Food and Nutrition Benefits or about 4000 people which is 24 percent of the population in Yancey County. This brings approximately $450,000.00 per month into the county as a supplement to help purchase food. There are 1339 students in Yancey County who receive free or reduced meals at school. Sometimes these are the only meals they have. Feed a Child helps supply 300 bags of food each
weekend during the school year to help with child hunger. Yancey Summer Food Program provided 80 boxes of food last summer to help families with food during the summer break and hope to be able to provide 300 boxes this year. Reconciliation House provides about 171 boxes of food each month, Dig-In Garden and other farmers provided 87,182 pounds of fresh vegetables last year (an increase of 297.4 percent) to supplement these boxes and Manna Food Bank provided 357,054 pounds of food to Yancey County last year through 10 partner agencies (an increase of 33 percent). Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church provides about 340 boxes per month, God’s Hands Ministries provides 260 boxes per month, West Burnsville Baptist Church provides about 20 boxes a month
and Salvation Army about 33 boxes per month. Higgins Memorial United Methodist Church provides 160 meals each week with their Monday Night Good Eats Program. Even with this amount of money and food being provided there are still people who do not have enough food to eat. The northern and southern parts of the county are still in need of distribution points. We are hoping to find partners in the South Toe, Pensacola, Bee Log and Green Mountain areas. Folks in these areas have to come to Burnsville, Crabtree or Bald Creek to get a box of food. We are planning a Hunger Summit for August 6, 2013, at Mayland Community College, Spruce Pine Campus, with the surrounding counties to come up with ideas and solutions to help reduce the hunger situation.
Be aware that the elderly can be abused, mistreated
As adults grow older they may become more physically frail, may not see or hear as well as they used to, and may develop cognitive problems such as dementia. As a result, they become increasingly vulnerable to abuse and neglect. The mistreatment of older adults takes many forms, including physical, verbal, emotional and sexual abuse, financial exploitation, and neglect. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, the number of older adults who are mistreated each year is close to 5 million and is rising. This is the case even though incidents of abuse often go unreported. Why aren’t they reported? Victims of elder abuse and neglect may feel ashamed of their abusive experiences. Those who consider reporting abuse often choose not to because, in the majority of cases, they are abused by a family member, loved one, or trusted caregiver. It can be extremely difficult to tell others that someone you trust and love
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The Yancey County News is the only independent newspaper in Yancey County. It is owned, operated and published by
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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.
is abusing or neglecting you. Making matters worse, abusers often blame their victims, telling them that the abuse is their “fault,” and threatening them if they reveal the abuse to anyone. If the older person is dependent on the abuser for care, he or she may feel as if he or she has no option but to live in fear and pain. An older person who is new to this country or who has difficulty speaking English may not know how to get help. If you are experiencing abuse or suspect that an older adult you know is a victim of abuse, seek help. No one, regardless of age, should be exploited or subjected to harm or abuse by another; it is never “deserved.” It is against the law, and immediate and long-term help is available to victims. If you are unsure if you or an older loved one is being neglected or abused by a caregiver or family member, but suspect that this might be the case, don’t turn your back on an older adult who needs your help. You might be afraid to get involved, but it is important to speak up about suspected abuse. Rest assured social services will examine the situation carefully and then take action to protect the safety of the older adult if necessary. Here, from the American Geriatrics Society’s Foundation for Health in Aging, is advice that will help you recognize, report, and stop elder abuse. Recognize the warning signs • In an older adult: Be on the lookout for an older friend or acquaintance who seems to be in a troubling situation but is reluctant to answer questions about it. If he or she appears hungry, unclean, frightened of his or her caregiver, is frequently bruised, ill, neglected, or often confused, this may indicate abuse. Changes in personality - such as a lack of interest in activities that he or she used to enjoy, or unusual nervousness - may also be signs of a problem such as abuse. If you can’t get more information, trust your gut: if something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. • In a caregiver: If you see a caregiver attempting to dominate an older adult that may be a warning sign of abuse. If the caregiver is verbally or physically abusive to the older person, to you or anyone around you; if there is evidence of substance abuse or mental health
problems in the caregiver; or if the caregiver is financially dependent on the older adult and expresses continual concern about money, this is cause for concern. • In the home: If an older adult or caregiver won’t let others into the home there may be a problem. Signs that something is wrong in and around the home include an accumulation of newspapers and mail; a lack of attention to the home or a home that is in a state of disrepair; large numbers of people using the home; and odd noises or bad odors coming from the home. Look for the following signs of elder mistreatment • Neglect: An older adult who is wearing soiled clothing, is dirty, looks malnourished, has untreated physical problems, or is wearing inappropriate clothing for the weather should draw your attention. • Financial abuse: Unusual patterns of spending or withdrawals from an older adult’s account; frequent purchases of inappropriate items; bank account withdrawals made in spite of penalties; bills going unpaid; utilities being turned off; or the presence of a “new best friend” who is accepting generous “gifts” from the older adult may all be signs that he or she is being taken advantage of financially. • Physical abuse: Look for bruises, especially on the head or torso, and those shaped like a hand, finger or thumb. Pressure or “bed” sores – a painful breakdown of the skin that can cause anything from mild redness and swelling to deep wounds and infections – may be evidence of neglect. Look for unexplained burns or other signs of harm. Giving older adults unnecessary tranquilizers or sleeping pills, confining an older person, or tying him or her to a bed or a wheelchair are all forms of physical abuse. So is denying an older person adequate food and water, needed medications, and helping devices such as canes, walkers, hearing aids, and glasses. • Emotional/psychological abuse: Intimidating, yelling, threatening, humiliating and ridiculing are all forms of emotional abuse. Isolating an older adult from friends and keeping him or her from activities he or she enjoys for no good reason, is a form of control. See page 5
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Out with a child, stalking a beligerent turkey The morning started early. Three a.m. early in fact. I showered to clear the cobwebs from the deep slumber, got dressed in the day’s work attire which would consist of greens and browns, and woke my daughter up. She jumped up with the speed of a sloth to get dressed herself, having fallen asleep on the couch in the den while watching television late just a few hours earlier. It was going to be a long day, simply because of the two hour drive time, set-up prior to light, and the expense on our bodies from the days before. The family had been on spring break in South Carolina, and I joined them that Wednesday evening. I wasn’t going to experience vacation time with the family though; it just happened I had a two day business meeting in the same coastal city. A business meeting full of seminars, instructional sessions, and a vendor trade show. Although I was present and paying attention, even learning a few things, my mind mostly looked forward to the weekend trip with my daughter. By quarter of four, we were on the road and Julianne was dozing back off in the passenger seat. I ran the coming day through my mind several times. Mental preparation is as important as physical preparation and I wanted to make sure I had everything in line for the hunt. I played several scenarios consisting of seeing no birds to seeing plenty and from getting no shots to missing a shot to making the shot. We arrived at the land around 5:30 a.m. and received a brief description of the layout. We were shown where the birds usually roost, where they come from and go to, and where the best places were to set up decoys and the blind. After walking a couple of hundred yards to the opening, we doubled back, grabbed our gear and I began to explain the setup
Bill Howard’s
Outdoors
to Julianne. I opened the pop up blind and told her what to put where while I counted off yardage and placed three decoys nearby. We were ready. As the sunlight began to peek through the tops of the trees we heard crows, woodpeckers and owls. All three of these species calls can be used as locator calls for turkey. I listened carefully. No turkey yelps. No turkey gobbles. I told my daughter they could just be silent, but we would see what we could do. After a while I hit my mouth hen call for a few clucks. No answer. I told her to just sit back and relax and get some more rest. Finally, around nine, I heard something very faint in the distance. I wasn’t sure if my ears and mind were playing tricks, so I decided to blow the mouth call and listen for a response. Looking back, I probably should have informed Julianne first. After the initial startle of the cluck blasts, we both heard a very distant gobble. It was time to work. Over the next hour, the thunder chicken and I exchanged sweet nothings. Mine consisted of several yelps; his consisted of a powerful gobble blast. As his courtship calls became close, he stopped responding briefly. We
sat patiently, waiting, watching. I just knew he would exit the woods to our right, come strutting toward the decoy spread, and offer the shot. After a few minutes of silence, I let out a few soft yelps. Before I could finish the third blow he already responded. Behind us. He circled the opening completely and came in behind us through the hardwoods. My daughter’s eyes lit up like a three-year-old on Christmas morning. His gobble shook the blind with its power. The problem with him behind us is we had no windows on the backside of the blind and the combination of woods and foliage would deflect the arrow depending on the tom’s location. I quietly unzipped the door in the back to reveal a small opening where I could peak through as well as get a camera lens with an unobstructed view. It took me a few seconds to spot him, but there he was. I had to tilt the rangefinder sideways to get an idea of the distance. Twentyfive yards. A little long for Julianne’s range, but again, she had no opportunity to shoot out of the back anyway. I motioned for Julianne to take a peek so she could see her first long beard. I clucked while she was looking and she could see the outstretched neck of the ole tom as he gobbled in reply. We played with the bird for over an hour with him behind
us. He would strut, gobble, and even lay down for a brief moment. But he never would come into the opening. He hovered between 20 and 25 yards throughout the entire episode. Then he left. While I was disappointed she was not able to take the shot, the look in her eyes when she heard the first gobble is forever etched in my mind. The excitement we had together, the time spent, is as precious as any other moments a parent could have. Thankfully, the season has just begun and we have several weekends left to hunt together. B i l l H o w a rd i s a n a v i d 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. Below: She may not have had a shot, but the sound of the Tom Turkey gobbling and strutting brought a smile to a girl’s face.
Legislation would allow unlicensed apprentice hunters The N.C. House of Representatives has approved House Bill 296 - the Hunter Education/ Apprentice Permit - which allows an individual holding a Hunting Heritage Apprentice Permit to hunt if accompanied by an adult at least 18 years old who holds a hunting license in North Carolina, or if the individual is accompanied by an adult landholder or landholder’s spouse who is exempt from the hunting license requirement if hunting on the landholder’s land. Hunting with an apprentice license would still require following other licensing requirements and hunting regulations. The Hunter Heritage Apprentice Permit is a product of the Wildlife Commission’s Strategic Recruitment and Retention Initiative recently organized by Commissioner Dell Murphy. The bill, successfully introduced by Rep. John Bell, is intended to increase participation in hunting by allowing individuals to hunt under the guidance of licensed hunters instead of requiring them to complete coursework.
“This Hunter Heritage Apprentice Permit will allow someone to purchase a hunting license without first having completed the hunter safety program, as long as they are within sight and hearing distance of an accompanying licensed hunter,” Murphy said. “I am in complete support of any program that gets families into the outdoors and gives them a better understanding of conservation. I believe this legislation accomplishes that goal.” Rep. Bell and Rep. Tim Moffitt sponsored the Hunter Education/Apprentice Permit bill, with both noting that North Carolina’s changing population requires the Wildlife Commission to develop new strategies to get people outdoors. “Many people in today’s society may not initially have the time or opportunity to complete the coursework to go hunting,” Moffitt said. “This legislation allows someone to experience hunting with the guidance of trusted family or friends who are also seasoned hunters. After enjoying an introductory experience, apprentice
hunters can then complete the hunter education coursework and go hunting without mentors.” Wildlife Resources Commission Executive Director Gordon Myers said the apprentice license would be a particularly appealing option for family-oriented hunting opportunities, such as dove hunts. “If someone is invited to a family dove hunt on the day before the season opens, the Hunter Heritage Apprentice Permit would allow them to participate under the watchful eye of experienced hunters,” Myers said. “I believe that after enjoying the outdoors and fellowship associated with a dove hunt, an apprentice hunter will be very interested in attending a hunter education class, and hopefully, bring a friend.” The hunter apprentice permit legislation still has to be approved by the N.C. Senate and signed by Gov. Pat McCrory. If adopted, the new apprentice permit will be available July 1, 2013.
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Obituaries Norma Greene Webb
Norma Greene Webb, 86, of Saylor Lake Road, Bakersville, passed away April 8, 2013 at Rose Hill Retirement Community in Marion. She was a native of Mitchell County, and was a Navy veteran. She was a Homemaker and a Member of Bakersville Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Ruth Baker Greene, her husband, Sanford Webb, her son, Sandy Webb, and brothers James Paul Greene and Ned Greene. Survivors include; her son, Jim Webb and wife Sharon, of Bakersville, daughterin-law Betty Webb, grandchildren Heather Webb Kim and husband Won; Gavan Webb and wife Crystal; Bretney Webb, Genny Webb and Samantha Webb; and great grandchildren Blair and Blake Brown, Nathanael Bullis, Perry and Roan Kim. Funeral was Thursday, morning in Bakersville Baptist Church with Billy Stewart officiating. Interment followed at Bakersville Memorial Cemetery with the North Carolina Honor Guard conducting military honors. Memorials may be made to Bakersville Baptist Church c/o Margaret Sharpe PO Box 2 Bakersville, NC 28705.
Dennis Allen
Dennis Ray Allen, 74, of Halltown Road in Spruce Pine, died Monday, April 8, 2013, at Mission Hospital in Asheville. Born on June 3, 1938, in Mitchell County, he was the son of the late Roscoe and Velma McKinney Allen. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Edward L. Allen and Bobby Allen and his son-in-law, Bruce Hugh Hawkins Jr. He was a life long member and deacon of the Grassy Creek Baptist Church. He started in his family business of carpentry at age fourteen. His carpentry skills were passed down from his grandfather to his father and to him. Dennis was proud to be a part of that rich heritage. In his spare time he enjoyed wood working and making furniture. Survivors include his wife, Phyllis Edwards Allen; daughters Vanessa Hawkins of Gray, Tenn. and Sharon DuPree and husband, Darren of Tampa, Fla.; brothers Ben Allen of Jacksonville, Fla., Bud Allen of Augusta, Ga., Terry Allen of Burnsville, Phillip Allen of Marion, and Joe Allen of Salisbury; his sisters, Jean Hollifield of Marion, Joyce Blankenship of Conover, and Glenda Cox of Greensboro; granddaughter Ashley Burleson and husband, Nathan; grandsons Joshua and Tyler Dupree; great grandson Zander Burleson, and numerous
Branch Road). special nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to Gideons Funeral was Thursday, April 11, at 7 p.m. at the Grassy Creek Baptist Church with International Mitchell County Camp PO the Revs. Matt Mills and Sibbald Lambert Box 611 Spruce Pine, NC 28777. officiating. The family was receiving friends Thursday from 5:30-7 p.m. at the church. Interment and graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in the Grassy Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. The family request that donations be made to the Box of Blessings Food Pantry, C/O Grassy Creek Baptist Church, 793 Old NC 226, Spruce Pine, NC 28777.
Abert Honeycutt
Albert J. “Al” Honeycutt, 74, of Burnsville, formerly of Marion, passed away Saturday, April 6, 2013, at Brookside Rehabilitation and Care in Burnsville. Born in Rutherford County, on November 9, 1938, he was the son of the late John Pritchard and Cora Lee Honeycutt Withrow. Al was a business owner in Marion of Main Street Gulf Station, Honeycutt Café and Honeycutt Contractors. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Pamela Diane Gilbert; one son, Albert Ray Honeycutt and one brother, Ralph Withrow. Al is survived by his wife, Caroline H. Honeycutt of Morganton; three daughters, Sheila H. Carpenter and husband Bruce of Hudson, Leasa Renee Deaton and husband Ricky of Morganton and Bethaney Faith Lewis of Marion; one sister, Johnnie Mae; seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren also survive. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to his daughter, Bethaney’s College Fund, 14 Hill Road, Marion, NC 28752.
Faye Gouge Street
Faye Gouge Street, 85 of Hwy 226 North, Bakersville, passed away April 5, 2013, at Johnson City Medical Center. She was a native of Mitchell County and a daughter of the late Mack and Nettie Gouge. She was a member of Spring Creek Baptist Church and a retired teacher assistant for the Mitchell County Public School System. She was preceded in death by her husband, Luther Street, her sisters; Ethel, Vaughty, and Ruth, and brothers Robert, Ted, Frank, Arthur, and Ralph. Survivors include daughter Catherine Harrell and husband Boyd,;grandson Mike Harrell and wife, Emily; and two greatgrandchildren: Chloe and Kelly Harrell, all of Bakersville. Funeral services were Sunday in the chapel of Henline – Hughes Funeral Home with Bob McCurry officiating. Interment was at Joe M. Street Cemetery (Pine Root
Louise Proffitt Hughes Louise Proffitt H ughes, 86, of Hardscrabble Road, Burnsville, passed away Thursday, April 4, 2013, at Memorial Campus of Mission Hospital. A native of Yancey County, she was a daughter of the late Leslie and Vina Hill Proffitt. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Wayne Proffitt. A graduate of Berea College, Louise taught in the Yancey County School System for 38 years. She was a member and past president of Delta Kappa Gamma, teacher of the year in 1974, homemaker of the year in Yancey County in 1983, a member of Micaville Presbyterian Church, and an honorary life member of Presbyterian women. Louise taught adult Sunday School class for over 62 years. She enjoyed sewing, making yeast rolls and spending time with her family. Surviving are her husband of 64 years: Max Hughes; two sons, Ken Hughes and fiancée, Jane, of Asheville, and Gary Hughes and wife, Lisa, of Weaverville; beloved granddaughters Leslie and Lauren; brother Eddie Proffitt and wife, Linda, of Burnsville; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services was Monday in Micaville Presbyterian Church. Rev. Pete Peterson officiating. Burial was in Proffitt Cemetery at Hardscrabble. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 1701 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311 or www.diabetes.org
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april 11, 2013
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Couple fears house at risk after January rock slide From the front really didn’t tell us what they were going to do. We didn’t know the procedure.” She says what FEMA contractors did was to remove every bush and tree from the steep embankment. William addressed the FEMA work when he spoke to the commissioners. “FEMA provided funds to install soil nails and fencing to the 50 foot high bank in front of our home, in order to prevent further damage. Unfortunately the fencing does not extend to the top of the bank and the erosion continues…. Although the fencing is approximately 200 feet in length, it ended just short of the area that slid in January.” Diane wonders if the FEMA work actually weakened the hill. “When we saw they had taken every piece of living material off the hill, we were worried,” she said. She says she and her husband had previously installed drain pipes to collect water that flowed off the hill, and she suspects the FEMA contractors broke those underground pipes as they worked on the hill after the hurricane. “Water was leaking under there. We found a sink hole at the top of the embankment, water leakage and erosion,” she said. In the years since the FEMA work the couple asked others what they thought of the way FEMA stripped the embankment of every bush and tree. She said observers with experience in erosion and engineering said “it wasn’t engineered right from day one.”
Signs of elder abuse
From page 2 • Sexual abuse: If an older adult suffers from unexplained anal or vaginal bleeding, has torn or bloodied underwear or bruises around the breasts or genitals, be concerned. An unexplained genital infection warrants a conversation with t h e o l d e r a d u l t ’s healthcare provider. If you don’t know the name of the healthcare provider, try to get more information about the infection from the older adult and contact the authorities. Know who is most likely to abuse an elder Don’t assume that a loved one couldn’t possibly be abusing an older adult. Ninety percent of abusers are, in fact, family members. Of family members who abuse seniors, 50 percent are adult children and 20 percent are intimate partners. Other abusers include friends, neighbors, and service providers. Men and women abuse older adults almost equally: 48 percent of abusers are women; 52 percent are men. Onethird of abusers are themselves seniors.
Understand which elders are most vulnerable to mistreatment More than half of older victims are older than 80. Two-thirds are women. Sixty percent of abuse victims show signs of dementia or confusion and more than 40 percent show signs of depression. Get help. If you are an older adult who is being abused, neglected or exploited, tell at least one person – your healthcare provider, a friend or a trusted family member. Give them this information so that they can help you. If you suspect t h a t a n e i g h b o r, acquaintance, friend, or relative is being abused, neglected or exploited, tell someone you know who can help, call the Yancey County Department of Social Services, or both. You don’t have to have proof of abuse or neglect; if you’re concerned that this is happening, you should call. The number for Social Services is 828682-2470. After hours or on holidays call the sheriff’s department at 828-682-2470.
Asked what she would say to those who say the couple should have expected slide issues when they bought the house built on a steep embankment, Diane Merz replied: “when we bought the home in 2000 the hillside in front was heavily covered with trees and shrubbery, concealing the true degree of steepness and the potential for the problems we now face.” That, and they assumed engineers and county inspectors must have approved the construction when the home was built, and they wouldn’t have allowed a house to be built in a dangerous location, she said. William said many people dream of having an ‘infinity pool’ with an edge that seems to disappear in the horizon. “We have an infinity yard.” The bank is “flaking away,” he said, but “I’m not allowed to touch it. We’re living in the middle of this thing while (others) are dithering.” William and Diane Merz say this photograph shows how lush and overgrown the embankment at their house was before FEMA removed groundcover. They fear that led to the rockslide in January that put their house at risk.
Now the couple lives beside a giant gash in the steep hill, and they fear more erosion will threaten their house. “I know more is going to come down,” William said. “We can do nothing. We can’t try to shore anything up” because authorities have told them to not disturb the hillside in the wake of the January rock slide. William says they couldn’t afford to fix the hill even if they were allowed to because he is on disability for a broken back and they are on a fixed income. State and federal agencies are studying damage from the January storm in preparation for possible repairs to protect regional watershed properties, but the county commission has suggested that any local monies needed to match federal funds be the responsibility of landowners. William Merz thinks that could mean repairs costing at least $150,000, and federal funds, if they ever appear, would cover only 75 percent of that. “I don’t have 25 percent” more to pay for the work, he said.
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EVENTS
Friday, April 12 -- Lucky Candle Cafe. Begins at 6 p.m. at Celo Community Center The Lucky Candle is a evening of open mic music with food which evolves into an informal jam/song circle as the evening progresses. Often a song circle forms, made up of guitarists, percussionists,
excellent voices, and sometimes electric organ, piano, viola, sax. Saturday, April 13 -- Open Mic in Spruce Pine; 6 - 9 p.m. at The Pizza Shop, Oak Street, Spruce Pine Reservations recommended, as this event is usually very well attended. This weekend - Always ... Patsy Cline. A musical drama
based on the true story of Patsy Cline’s friendship with Houston housewife Louise Seger . 7:30 p.m Friday & Saturday 3 p.m. Sunday Shows at the Burnsville Town Center. Advance tickets (strongly recommended) available at parkwayplayhouse.com or by calling 828-682-4285.
Holistic Health Coaching
Lose Weight Sick and tired of being sick and tired? Naturally! For FREE Initial Consultation call
FREE Initial Consultation! 828-989-9144 • In-person, by phone • In-person, by phone or Skype skype Delicious Medea L. L. Galligan Medea Galligan or• Simply • Simply Delicious MS Nutrition Nutrition Whole Foods MS Whole Foods Cooking Holistic HolisticHealth HealthCoach Coach Cooking Classes Classes
Nutrition & Yoga Studio
yoga studio. Yoga! SeeDonation-based website or call for schedule • FREE Yoga Classes
www.HealthyLifestyleConcepts.com www.HealthyLifestyleConcepts.com
7 South Main
7 S. Main Street Suite Suite 2F 2F Burnsville, NC 28714 - 828-989-9144 Burnsville
This ad is the property of Natural Awakenings and may not be reproduced in any other publication without permission the publisher. Please review the proof carefully. Natural Awakenings is not responsible for any error not marked. This a be published as it appears if the proof is not returned to us. If there are any questions about this proof please call or e
Advertiser’s Signature:
Medea L Galligan
Date:
1/11/12
April 11, 2013
• yANCEY cOUNTY nEWS 7
With winter banished, Spring sports rebound
Photos by Jonathan Austin/Yancey County News
Pandora’s Dreams
Novelty Store, Tattoo, Piercings
Incense Burners, Fragrance Oil Lamps, Posters, Body Jewelry, Clothing, Angel and Fairy Figurines and much, much more!
Open Monday - Saturday 828-766-2695 490 Cabin Road, Spruce Pine
(up the hill behind the Hardee’s) website - www.pandorasdreams.yolasite.com email - pandorasdreams2@gmail.com
8 april 11, 2013
• yANCEY cOUNTY nEWS
What’s to eat at the elementary schools? Friday, April 12
Monday, April 15
Tues, April 16
Wed, April 17
Breakfast Breakfast Pizza Cereal Animal Crackers Juice/Fruit/Milk
Breakfast Pancakes Cereal Animal Crackers Juice/Fruit/Milk
Breakfast Sausage Biscuit Cereal Animal Crackers Juice/Fruit/Milk
Breakfast Ham Biscuit Cereal Animal Crackers Juice/Fruit/Milk
Lunch Pepperoni Pizza Spaghetti/Roll Sunbutter S’wich Salad/Broccoli Fresh Fruit Fruit Cocktail Milk
Lunch Hamburger Steak Roll/Chix Taco Salad Tossed Salad/Refried Beans/Applesauce Fruit Cocktail Milk
Lunch Hot Dog/Baked Ham/Mac&Cheese Sunbutter S’wich Baked Beans/Slaw Pears/Apple Crisp Milk
Lunch Pizza Stix w/Marin Ham&Cheese S’wich/Sunbutter S’wich/Corn/Carrot Sticks/Peaches Cranberry Crunch Milk
Thurs, April 18
Friday, April 19
Breakfast
Breakfast Breakfast Pizza Cereal Animal Crackers Juice/Fruit/Milk
Pancake&Sausage Stix
Cereal Animal Crackers Juice/Fruit/Milk
Lunch Toasted Cheese S’wich/Sunbutter S’wich/Veggie Beef Soup/Broccoli/Fruit Applesauce Milk
Lunch Turkey Pie BBQ Rib S’wich Sunbutter S’wich Baked Potatoes Glazed Carrots Mandarin Oranges Pineapple Bits Milk
Food for thought for middle school Friday, April 12
Monday, April 15
Tuesday, April 16
Wed, April 17
Thurs, April 18
Friday, April 19
Breakfast
Breakfast Sausage Biscuit Pancakes Cereal Animal Crackers Juice/Fruit/Milk
Breakfast Ham Biscuit Breakfast Pizza Cereal Animal Crackers Juice/Fruit/Milk
Breakfast
Breakfast Pizza Cereal Animal Crackers Juice/Fruit/Milk
Breakfast Breakfast Pizza Pancakes Cereal Animal Crackers Juice/Fruit/Milk
Breakfast Pizza Cereal Animal Crackers Juice/Fruit/Milk
Breakfast Breakfast Pizza Sausage Biscuit Cereal Animal Crackers Juice/Fruit/Milk
Lunch Pepperoni Pizza Spaghetti/Roll Salad/Broccoli Fresh Fruit Fruit Cocktail Milk
Lunch Hamburger Steak Roll/Chix Taco Salad Tossed Salad/Refried Beans/Applesauce Fruit Cocktail Milk
Lunch Hot Dog/Baked Ham/Mac&Cheese Cornbread Baked Beans/Slaw Pears/Apple Crisp Milk
Lunch Pizza Stix w/Marin Ham&Cheese S’wich/Corn/Carrot Sticks/Peaches Cranberry Crunch Milk
Lunch Toasted Cheese S’wich/Sunbutter S’wich/Veggie Beef Soup/Mega Pizza Broccoli/Fruit Applesauce Milk
Lunch Turkey Pie BBQ Rib S’wich Baked Potatoes Glazed Carrots Mandarin Oranges Pineapple Bits Milk
Pancake&Sausage Stix
Pancake&Sausage Stix
Chowing down at Mountain Heritage Friday, April 12
Monday, April 15
Tuesday, April 16
Wed, April 17
Breakfast
Breakfast Breakfast Pizza Pancakes Cereal Animal Crackers Juice/Fruit/Milk
Breakfast Sausage Biscuit Pancakes Cereal Animal Crackers Juice/Fruit/Milk
Breakfast Ham Biscuit Breakfast Pizza Cereal Animal Crackers Juice/Fruit/Milk
Lunch Hamburger Steak Roll/Pizza Stix w/Marin/Corn/ Carrot Stix/Peaches/ Cranberry Crunch Milk
Lunch Hot Dog/Baked Ham/Mac&Cheese Cornbread/Chix Quesadilla Baked Beans/Slaw Pears/Apple Crisp Milk
Pancake&Sausage Stix
Breakfast Pizza Cereal Animal Crackers Juice/Fruit/Milk Lunch Pepperoni Pizza Spaghetti/Roll Chix S’wich Salad/Broccoli Fresh Fruit Fruit Cocktail Milk
Yancey County Schools Seeks Input from Private Schools For Title I Application
Yancey County Schools is beginning to plan the Title I program for the 2013- 2014 school year. Qualifying private schools within the area may be eligible to apply for Title I funds. Private School eligibility information is available at the US Department of Education website, http://www2. ed.gov/programs/titleiparta/ psguidance.doc, or by contacting Jeanne Tyner, Yancey County Schools Title I Director, P. O. Box 190, Burnsville, NC 28714; by phone at 828.682.6101 Ext. 316; or by email at jbtyner@yanceync.
Join NC High Peaks for a hike into Lost Cove on Saturday, April 13. This is an 8-mile round trip hike with a 1,500 foot descent over a long series of switchbacks into the famous pre-Civil War settlement that once thrived in the Nolichucky Gorge. Accessible only by foot, the settlement was abandoned in the 1950s. Several ruins and a cemetery remain, which we will explore. Meet at the Burnsville Town Square at 8:30 a.m. to form carpools to the trailhead. This is a dog-friendly hike. Bring lunch, snacks and plenty of water. Hiking poles should be considered. For more information call hike leader John Whitehouse at 682-3217.
Thurs, April 18
Friday, April 19
Breakfast
Breakfast Breakfast Pizza Sausage Biscuit Cereal Animal Crackers Juice/Fruit/Milk
Pancake&Sausage Stix
Breakfast Pizza Cereal Animal Crackers Juice/Fruit/Milk
Lunch Lunch Lunch 4/15/13 - 4/21/13 Soft Sh. Beef Taco Week ofToasted Turkey Pie Cheese Ham&Cheese BBQ Rib S’wich S’wich/Sunbutter S’wich/Mega Chix Ch. Garlic Flatbread S’wich/Mega Chix Tenders/Corn Baked Potatoes S’wich/Veggie Beef Refried Beans Glazed Carrots Soup/Broccoli/Fruit Applesauce/Fruit Mandarin Oranges Applesauce Cocktail Pineapple Bits Milk Milk Milk
Edited by Margie E. Burke
Difficulty : Easy
HOW TO SOLVE:
Copyright 2013 by The Puzzle Syndicate
Answer to Last Week's Sudoku
april 11, 2013
CLASSIFIEDS
• yANCEY cOUNTY nEWS 9
CALL 678-3900 TO RUN YOUR CLASSIFIED! $5 FOR 50 WORDS • CALL 678-3900 TO RUN YOUR CLASSIFIED! $5 FOR 50 WORDS see what everyone is talking opportunity business. Call 321.704.4311. about in beautiful Downtown for an appointment 24/7 – 828-776-2463. Burnsville! Roof Leak? Call Brad at Will clean your home or Want to open a Restaurant? Looking for interested parties Tip Top Roofing, 25 years+ business. Call 208-3688. experience. Residential, Sewing alterations. Call for a Unique Opportunity in Burnsville city limits. For more bath home with full finished Boxwoods for Sale. $10 commercial roof repair and 208-3999. information, please contact each. 828.208.0406. basement. Completely remaintenance, roof coatings, TOWING SERVICE With Brick Rancher out in the done, flat yard, outbuilding, repair, roof inspection. Rollback Truck! I Buy JUNK info@mhmec.com or 828County - Three bedrooms, AUTOMOBILE gutter 208-2594 . Week of 4/15/13 - 4/21/13 lots of storage. $900.00/ References. 682-3451 one bath. MUST HAVE Jaguar XJS, Ice Blue Sewing alterations. Call VEHICLES! Pay Fair Price! month. Security/credit WILL PICK UP VEHICLE! REFERENCES! SECURITY Convertible, 1995. 92,000 Call 828-284-7522 or 828DEPOSIT REQUIRED. NO background check required. miles, FL car, excellent 208-3999. PETS. Call Doris @ Lunsford Cattail Peak Realty LLC, condition. Garaged and Low Interest Loans to 284-7537. Burnsville, 828-284-2968 . Qualified Home Owners Realty 678-3400 For Rent: Large apt - two babied. New battery, brakes, for Any home improvement For rent: Large LR with and tires. Includes cover and Friend to Friend is now fireplace , DR, Kitchen with story with cathedral ceiling charger. $10,500. Please call projects. 828-273-0970 Mobile DJ Service LR, with balcony bedroom Blue Belle Farms, A U’Neat looking for entrepreneurs island, Large master Br 321.704.4311. providing sound , kit, bath plus extra room. Gift shop and makers of to partner with in a small with full bath, 2nd Br with 1 9 9 9 3 2 0 S M e rc e d e s , entertainment for any full bath, partial basement Pet allowed with private 93,000 miles, Florida car, Goat Soaps and Lotions is Internet business. If you occasion! with w/d hookup. In town yard and covered porch. New brakes, tires, paint, currently seeking Crafters to have a gift of gab and a For a quote of Burnsville. Has attached Ref. security, back ground very good condition. Sun join the fun! You keep 100% small investment you can (828)284-2875 small (second story) one check required. $450. Call Roof, V6, runs on Regular. of YOUR proceeds for a very start today. Bring your Semon7@gmail.com small rental fee. Please stop partner for a 45 minute bedroom apt. with separate 865-306-0111. Asking $8,000. Please call by 127 West Main Street to interview. We are an equal entrance. Would be great For Rent - Brick rancher three bedrooms, bath, mother /daughter rental. $800 per month. References living, dining, kitchen, by Margie E. Burke and security required. Also utility room. Carport. Nice can be rented separately yard, room for garden. Out 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 ACROSS both have own utilities in the country. NO PETS inside or out. $700 month. @$550 + $300 Available 1 More, in a 15 16 14 immediately. CALL 865- Lunsford Realty 678-3400 Want to rent: A room in a 712-6887. saying For rent: One bedroom apt home or studio apartment 18 19 17 5 Pie part $367. also a one bedroom for a quiet non-smoking employed adult female with additional loft area 10 Office message 20 22 23 21 $375 - security , references with no pets. Can provide excellent references. 20814 Burn soother and back ground check required. Call 865-306-0111 0955. 24 25 26 15 Perfume owner. measure For Rent: Great House off Lots from 3 to 7 acres, or 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 80 S, Celo Area. 3 bed/2 1/2 all 21.57 acres. Snow Hill 16 Islamic holy man
SERVICES
FOR RENT
OPPORTUNITIES
The Weekly Crossword
FSBO
Methodist women plan yard sale The Bald Creek United Methodist Wo m e n w i l l b e holding a Yard Sale on Saturday, April 13 from 8 a.m.- noon at the Bald Creek United Methodist Church. The church is located off of US 19 in the Bald Creek community. Proceeds of the sale will be used to support missions. For more information contact 682-3896.
School bus driver training planned
School bus driver training will be held Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, April 15, 17 and 18, from 8:30 – 3 p.m. each day, at the Yancey Campus of Mayland Community College. For more information, contact the Yancey County Schools Transportation Department at 6822167.
TBA Tim Brown Architecture custom residential commercial institutional
tbaarch.com
312.401.1236
17 Like most NBA stars 18 Part of ACLU 19 Pinochle's low card 20 Become beloved 22 Filament element 24 Tavern snacks 26 Pinball infraction 27 City dweller 31 Gelato alternative 35 Clingy seedpod 36 Contract details 38 "Beauty and the Beast" heroine 39 Woodwind instrument 41 Ultrazealous 43 Like some broadcasts 44 One way to read 46 Danger 48 Angler's gear 49 State of mind 51 Mischievous 53 Pay attention to 55 Congenial 56 Film outline 60 Casino worker 64 Frown or scowl 65 Shelved for now 67 Lymph, for one 68 Wrinkly fruit 69 Hazardous gas 70 Roman garb 71 Lavish party 72 Poll finding 73 Newspaper piece
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Copyright 2013 by The Puzzle Syndicate
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Eagerness Realtor's sign 1997 J-Lo role Palace attendant Skedaddle Part of ICU Draft pick finder Graf's game Medieval musician Send forth Lion's locks Telltale sign Cousin's mother Amorphous amount Purse carrier WWII German sub Moscow money Halloween prop Plant firmly Russian pancakes Keebler's crew Pearly whites Warning wail Bliss Stockholder's bonus
45 1958 film, "Run Silent Run ____" 47 Scalp misery 50 Vacation destination 52 Simple shelter 54 Mideast money 56 Snail's kin 57 Pilates alternative
58 Void's companion 59 Potatoes, perhaps 61 Airshow stunt 62 Advantage 63 ____ 'em and weep! 66 Debate side
Answer to Last Week's Crossword A L T A R
N O O N E
T O N N E
I N G E N U M A N I O B I T R O S Y E R E S T I F A A D L I P I A N E M P T
O M E A L T E L T A S L O I L E D D B O Y
P U S E S A W E R D I R E R I M E N A S H I E U N T M E L E A U R T R I H O P
E R A T S H E O R U C O E N N G R O A G E
V I N Y L
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10 april 11, 2013
• yANCEY cOUNTY nEWS
What you really need to know about GMOs
By Medea Galligan MS Nutrition, CHHC, AADP Do you know the truth about what you’re eating? Science and technology has changed the way man secures his food supply. Genetically modified (GM) foods have been the subject of controversy and intense debate in recent years. Is genetic modification really the key to ensuring that the world does not grow h u n g r y, o r d o e s tampering with the natural makeup of animals and plants unleash unwanted possibilities and horrific consequences to your health? Since the mid -1990s Americans have taken part in a large experiment without their informed consent. During that time the number of Americans with at least three chronic ailments has almost doubled, infant mortality has gone way up, and the average life span has gone way down. Allergies and autoimmune illnesses have been climbing since 1996. Americans are getting sicker in general. Since the mid -1990s Americans have also been fed an increasing amount of unlabeled genetically modified food (GMO or Frankenfood). Nonbelievers in coincidence might suspect there is a connection. We all know stories of tobacco, asbestos, and DDT. Originally declared safe, they caused widespread death and disease. Although their impact was vast, most of the population was spared. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for sweeping changes in the food supply. Everyone eats; everyone is affected. The increase in several diseases in North America may be due to the profound changes in our diet. The most radical change occurred a little over a decade ago when genetically modified (GM) crops were introduced. Their influence on health has been largely ignored, but recent studies show serious problems. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have been linked to thousands of toxic or allergic-type reactions, thousands of sick, sterile, and dead livestock, and damage to virtually every organ and system studied in lab animals. The most commonly genetically altered foods so far are soy, corn, cotton and canola oil. Genetic engineers have produced spermicidal corn (good for population control), as well as attempted such stunts as mixing spider genes with goats in the hopes of milking goats for spider web protein to make bullet-proof vests – sounds like something out of a science fiction novel, but sadly it’s true! Jeffery Smith, founder of The Institute for Responsible Technology and international expert on GMOs (www.responsibletechnology. org), assures us he is not making
this up. According to the Institute for Responsible Technology, “tobacco science,” a term inspired by the methods of the tobacco companies, is being used by the biotech industry as they conduct their safety studies. It is a practice where they use the wrong control group, wrong detection methods, wrong statistics and short duration tests so that cancer, birth defects and other adverse effects of GMOs are not detected. Nearly every independent animal feeding safety study shows adverse or unexplained effects. GM foods were made possible by a technology developed in the 1970s whereby genes from one species are forced into the DNA of other species. Genes produce proteins, which in turn can generate characteristics or traits. The promised traits associated with GMOs have been sky high— vegetables growing in the desert, vitamin fortified grains, and highly productive crops feeding the starving millions. None of these are available. In fact, the only two traits that are found in nearly all commercialized GM plants are herbicide tolerance and/ or pesticide production. Herbicide tolerant soy, corn, cotton, and canola plants are engineered with bacterial genes that allow them to survive otherwise deadly doses of herbicides. This gives farmers more flexibility in weeding and gives the GM seed company lots more profit. When farmers buy GM seeds, they sign a contract to buy only that seed producer’s brand of herbicide. Herbicide tolerant crops comprise about 80 percent of all GM plants. The other 20 percent are corn and cotton varieties that
produce a pesticide in every cell. This is accomplished due to a gene from a soil bacterium called Bacillus thuringiensis or Bt, which produces a natural insect-killing poison called Bt-toxin. In addition to these two traits, there are also disease resistant GM Hawaiian papaya, zucchini and crook neck squash, which comprise well under 1 percent of GMO acreage. The “Non-Regulation” of GMO Foods Rhetoric from the United States government since the early 1990s proclaims that GM foods are no different from their natural counterparts that have existed for centuries. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has labeled them “Generally Recognized as Safe,” or GRAS. This status allows a product to be commercialized without any additional testing. According to US law, to be considered GRAS the substance must be the subject of a substantial amount of peer-reviewed published studies (or equivalent) and there must be overwhelming consensus among the scientific community that the product is safe. GM foods had neither. Nonetheless, in a precedent-setting move in 1992 that some experts contend was illegal, the FDA declared that GM crops are GRAS as long as their producers say they are. Thus, the FDA does not require any safety evaluations or labeling of GMOs. A company can even introduce a GM food to the market without telling the agency. The FDA has claimed it had no information that GMOs are any different from natural foods. A 1998 lawsuit proved they lied about this claim. Why would they do that? Perhaps because one of the people in charge on and off at the FDA is Michael Taylor, former
attorney and vice-president for Monsanto. Monsanto is one of the biggest names in GMO production. Of course, putting Taylor in charge of the FDA is like putting the fox in charge of the henhouse. University studies funded by Monsanto also can’t be trusted. Are Genetically Modified Foods Safe? The American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) doesn’t think so. The Academy reported that “Several animal studies indicate serious health risks associated with GM food,” including infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, faulty insulin regulation, and changes in major organs and the gastrointestinal system. The AAEM asked physicians to advise patients to avoid GM foods. Before the FDA decided to allow GMOs into food without labeling, FDA scientists had repeatedly warned that GM foods can create unpredictable, hard-to-detect side effects, including allergies, toxins, new diseases, and nutritional problems. They urged long-term safety studies, but were ignored. Since then, findings include: • Thousands of sheep, buffalo, and goats in India died after grazing on Bt cotton plants. • Mice eating GM corn for the long term had fewer, and smaller, babies. • More than half the babies of mother rats fed GM soy died within three weeks. • Testicle cells of mice and rats on a GM soy change significantly. • By the third generation, most GM soy-fed hamsters lost the ability to have babies. • Rodents fed GM corn and soy showed immune system responses and signs of toxicity. See next page
Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus Compliments of www.HealthyCookingConcepts.com
Impress your family and friends with this easy-to-make, healthy, and oh-so-delicious baconwrapped recipe! Bundles of fresh asparagus and bacon can be easily prepared on an outdoor grill or in a hot oven, and make a perfect addition to any brunch, lunch or dinner! Ingredients 1 1/2 pounds asparagus spears, trimmed at base to 4-5 inches long Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling A few grinds black pepper 4 slices center cut bacon or pancetta Toothpicks (oven) or metal skewers (grill) Garnish with fresh lemon wedges and chopped scallions Directions 1. Preheat oven or grill to 400 degrees F. 2. Lightly coat asparagus spears in extra-virgin olive oil. 3. Season the asparagus with black pepper. 4. Take a quick count of the spear tips and divide into bundles of 4-6 spears, depending on thickness of spears. 5. Wrap each bundle with a slice of bacon or pancetta and secure with toothpick or skewer. 6. To grill, place bundles on hot grill and cover. Cook 10 to 12 minutes until bacon is crisp and asparagus bundles are tender. 7. For oven preparation, place bundles on slotted broiler pan and bake for about 12 minutes. 8. Remove from grill or oven, garnish, serve and enjoy!
april 11, 2013
• yANCEY cOUNTY nEWS 11
Take on disciplinary issues one at a time
By John Rosemond One of the reasons - it’s probably in the top three reasons, in fact - that parents fail at solving discipline problems is they try to solve too many at once. In so doing, they scatter their disciplinary energy too thinly and end up solving none. The only thing they accomplish is getting more frustrated and more convinced that there is something about their child that renders discipline ineffective - a gene perhaps, inherited from the father (who else?), that causes a biochemical imbalance. If a corporation manufactures ten products that are all losing money, its managers do not try to rehabilitate all ten products at once. Instead, they focus their marketing energy and dollars on one. They are fairly certain that the renewed success of that one item will have a positive effect on the other nine. And they’re right! Shortly after bingobangos begin showing a profit, whatchamas and humperdoos begin operating in the black as well. Pretty soon, all ten products are doing well. Mind you, if management had tried to jump-start all ten at once, the corporation would have gone bankrupt. And so it is when dealing with discipline
Living
with
children
problems. No matter how many there are, pick one - it doesn’t really matter which one - and deal with it in a very organized way. When you have solved that one problem, you will almost surely notice that one or two other problems have spontaneously vanished. I call it “disciplinary math.” If you start with ten discipline problems - tantrums, disobedience, disrespect, teasing the dog, leaving clothes all over the house, and so on - and you solve one, you are likely to find that you only have seven problems left. Solve one of those and you have only four left. Four problems minus one is one and that goes the way of the other nine as soon as your child sees you focusing on it. During this process, which may take several
months from start to finish (time well spent), just muddle through the problems you haven’t yet targeted. Their day will come. I once consulted with a couple whose earlyelementary-age son was giving them fits. In addition to speaking disrespectfully, ignoring instructions, and interrupting conversations, he was not getting ready for school on time in the morning. The parents took turns haranguing, hectoring, and hassling until he was finally ready to leave the house. Because their day almost always got off on the wrong foot, they were eager to solve that problem. Instead, I helped them develop an organized approach to the disrespectful statements that flew out of his mouth whenever things didn’t go his way. A few weeks later, the parents told me that the disrespect had all but completely stopped. Oh, and by the way, their son was getting ready to leave for school in the morning without being harangued and so on. And other problems were showing improvement as well! “Disciplinary math” may defy the rules of arithmetic, but it works! Family psychologist John Rosemond answers questions at rosemond.com.
GMOs are dramatically changing the food chain
From page 10 • The stomach lining of rats fed GM potatoes showed excessive cell growth, organ lesions, altered liver and pancreas cells, and changed enzyme levels. • Cooked GM soy contains as much as 7-times the amount of a known soy allergen. • Soy allergies skyrocketed by 50 percent in the UK, soon after GM soy was introduced. Unlike safety evaluations for drugs, there are no human clinical trials of GM foods. The only published human feeding experiment revealed that the genetic material inserted into GM soy transfers into bacteria living inside our intestines and continues to function. This means that long after we stop eating GM foods, we may still have their GM proteins produced continuously inside us. This could mean that if the antibiotic gene inserted into most GM crops were to transfer, it could create super diseases, resistant to antibiotics. It could also mean that if the gene that creates Bt-toxin in GM corn were to transfer, it might turn our intestinal bacteria into living pesticide factories. The Campaign For Healthier Eating In America Although the introduction of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) may be one of the most dangerous health and environmental problems we face, it can be one of the easiest of the battles to win. The key is found in the tipping point, whereby a small number of individuals can move the market, forcing GMOs out of our nation’s food supply. Even a small percentage of shoppers avoiding genetically modified (GM) brands is enough to trigger an industry-wide cleanout. It’s been done before! The Europe Union reached a consumer- driven tipping point in April 1999 and within a single week, virtually all major manufacturers publicly committed to stop using GM ingredients in their European brands. This has kept GMOs out of food in the EU, in spite of government approvals. Similarly, consumer concern about possible links to cancer forced Wal-Mart, Starbucks, Kroger, Dannon, Yoplait and most of the 100 top US dairies to remove products from cows treated with genetically modified recombinant bovine growth hormone (rbGH or rbST). It’s now time to turn GMOs into a marketing liability and reach the tipping point against all GM ingredients.
Numerous organizations, including the Weston A. Price Foundation (www. westonaprice.org), have voiced their concern and outrage about the dangers of GMO ingredients in our food supply. Already, 87 million consumers in the United States believe that genetically modified (GM) foods aren’t safe and 159 million say they would avoid GMOs if given a choice. Biotech companies knew this, which is why they went to such great lengths to avoid having them labeled. By educating health-conscious shoppers about GM food dangers and providing clear choices, brands without GM ingredients will have the clear advantage. As millions switch to healthier brand choices based on GMO content, it is just a matter of time before the food industry responds. The critical number to reach the tipping point in the U.S. could be as little as 5 percent (15 million people or 5.6 million US households) simply switching brands to avoid GMOs as they shop. In 2009 Non-GMO labels became the fastest growing store label. The Campaign For Healthier Eating in America (www.healthiereating.org) is an organization that educates the public about the documented health risks of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) with their GMO Health Risks Brochure and provides a simple way for shoppers to find healthier non-GMO choices at the market with their Non-GMO Shopping Guide, which you can find on-line at www. nongmoshoppingguide.com. The Non-GMO Shopping Guide is a cooperative effort between the Institute for Responsible Technology and The Non-GMO Project (www.nongmoproject.org) and will help you identify and avoid foods with GMOs. The “ShopNoGMO” iPhone App, which is free at the iTunes App store, is another great way for you and your family to learn what foods to buy. By downloading the Guide and the App you will be able to look for and purchase products (including organic products) that feature the Non-GMO Project Verified Seal, protect yourself and your family, and join the millions of people that are “Just Saying NO to GMOs!”.
Sources 1. Jeffrey M. Smith, Genetic Roulette: The Documented Health Risks of Genetically
Engineered Foods, Yes! Books, Fairfield, IA USA 2007 2. Kurt Eichenwald, et al, New York Times, “Biotechnology Food: From the Lab to a Debacle,” January 25, 2001 http://www.nytimes.com/2001/01/25/ business/25FOOD.html?pagewanted=all 3. Kurt Eichenwald, et al, New York Times, “Biotechnology Food: From the Lab to a Debacle,” January 25, 2001 http://www.nytimes.com/2001/01/25/ business/25FOOD.html?pagewanted=all 4. Dan Quayle, “Speech in the Indian Treaty Room of the Old Executive Office Building,” May 26, 1992. 5. For copies of FDA memos, see The Alliance for Bio-Integrity, www.biointegrity. org 6. Steven M. Druker, “How the US Food and Drug Administration approved genetically engineered foods despite the deaths one had caused and the warnings of its own scientists about their unique risks,” Alliance for BioIntegrity, http://www.biointegrity.org/extsummary.html
Yancey Democrats announce 2013 county convention The Yancey County Democratic Party will hold its 2013 County Convention at noon on Saturday, April 13, in the courtroom of the Yancey County Courthouse in Burnsville. The election of county party officers as well as other party business will be considered at the convention. Following the convention there will be a reception at In the Garden at the Historic Hensley House restaurant on West Main Street at 1 p.m. sponsored by the Yancey County Democratic Women’s Organization and the Yancey County Democratic Party Executive Committee. All registered Democrats in the county are invited and welcomed to attend the convention and reception to follow.
Find the YCN on
Asheville Gluten-Free Expo and Information Fair Saturday, April 27th 10am-1:30 Vendor Expo; 1:00-2:30pm -Educational Session $5 entry for 12& over UNC Asheville Kimmel Arena 50+ Local & National Vendors Cooking & Baking Demo For more information: www.ingles-markets.com/ask_leah
TYSON BONELESS SKINLESS CHICKEN BREAST Small Pack
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INGLES PREMIUM SELECT TURKEY Oven Classic, Mesquite Smoked, or Honey Mesquite
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4
2/$ for
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5
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4
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398
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STRAWBERRIES 1 Lb. SAVE .96 ON 2
LAURA LYNN™ TALL KITCHEN DRAWSTRING BAGS 22 Count
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