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Complimentary February 2015 O F H I C K O R Y & S TAT E S V I L L E :

Custom Window Solutions HICKORY LIVING • FEBRUARY 2015

HICKORY LIVING • FEBRUARY 2015

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from the publisher

Welcome to the February issue. February is American Heart Month. Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of both men and women in our country today. There are numerous steps you can take to help prevent this dreaded disease, some of which are: lose weight if you're overweight; know your blood pressure and try to keep it under 140 over 90; get moderate exercise at least three to four times per week; eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day. For more information, please visit the American Heart Association website, www.heart.org. February also brings us Valentine's Day on the 14th... and matters of the heart in a different way. Guys, this is a wonderful time to show the woman in your life just how much she means to you by taking her out to that favorite restaurant for dinner, and then go for some dancing or a movie. Also, don't forget the flowers and candy! Here's a shout out to all the ladies out there for all you do everyday...We appreciate you and couldn't do without you!

Hickory

LIVING February 2015

Living the Good Life

Mailing Address - 1670 E. Broad Street, Suite #195 Statesville, NC 28625 828-464-4060 E-mail - HickoryLiving@gmail.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Kristie Darling • Meredith Collins Cheryl Grant • Jessica Fox COVER PHOTOGRAPHY Shane Greene Photography

Happy Valentine's Day and thank you for reading the February issue of Hickory Living Magazine!

COVER STORY Budget Blinds Editorial Stock photography, unless otherwise noted, is from ThinkStock.

Find Hickory Living Magazine on Facebook. http://twitter.com/HickoryLiving

Myron T. Gough Publisher, Hickory Living

W W W. H I C KO RY L I V I N G M AG A Z I N E . C O M Myron T. Gough Publisher/Owner

Kathy Wheeler Art Director/Sales

myron@hickorylivingmagazine.com (828) 464-4060

kathy@hickorylivingmagazine.com (828) 238-3224

Linda B. Wilson Sales

Bob Church Sales

linda@iredelllivingmagazine.com (704) 657-0237

bob@hickorylivingmagazine.com (336) 686-7271

Heather Morgan Sales heatherlivingmagazine@gmail.com (704) 962-8080

For information on receiving a cover story for your business or to advertise, please contact one of our sales representatives.

Hickory Living reserves the right to deny any advertisement or listing. Submissions are welcome, but unsolicited materials are not guaranteed to be returned. Hickory Living assumes no responsibility for information, products, services or statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. 4

HICKORY LIVING • FEBRUARY 2015

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content

February 2015 8 12

• Budget Blinds Of Hickory & Statesville Custom Window Solutions

• Graystone Eye Your Vision Is Our Focus

• February Is American Heart Month

• What's Cooking?! Valentine's Day Treats

• Hickory Resources

EM_prize | iStock | Thinkstock

• Love Is In The Air

health | food | local business 6

HICKORY LIVING • FEBRUARY 2015

Love

is in the Air

By Jessica Fox

Photos ©Cheryl Davis & EM_prize | iStock | Thinkstock

Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday this year. For those of you who can’t wait to spend time with your lover– this is a perfect scenario for a weekend out enjoying each other’s company. For those of you who would rather spend time in front of the TV than out with your significant other, this is going to be a long, cold weekend, regardless of the weather! Hey, with our busy schedules, it is easy to take each other for granted. What do you do when you are in a rut as a couple? Something different! And this Valentine’s Day, if you’re just a little creative 8

HICKORY LIVING • FEBRUARY 2015

and intentional, you can reinvent your relationship. I encourage you to take the weekend to do something together you both enjoy that makes the other person feel special. Go for a change of scenery– a new restaurant, a new experience. Spend the day or the entire weekend out of town. The status quo is just not good enough for Valentine’s Day. Find something new that the two of you will both get excited about. Even if you stay at home, enjoy making the day special for the other person. If you are the one who normally benefits from the planning efforts of the other, switch things up. Surprise them and take charge; you

make the plans this year. It doesn’t have to be perfect. The effort will mean more than you know. Avoid controversial subjects that usually wind up in an argument. Don’t think or talk about the kids, finances or work, and definitely don’t discuss each other’s faults, but rather reminisce about your relationship and remember what attracted you to your partner when you first met. Be complimentary and caring. Sometimes, you can become so familiar with each other that you are just down right bored with the same stories, same conversations, same opinions, etc. It’s time to spice things up! It’s the weekend to be interesting and interested! If you argue frequently, then both of you need to quit trying to control the other, quit trying to be right and learn to listen and be in the moment. I used to laugh when I would see men answer their wives with an agreeable grunt. It was obvious they weren’t listening at all. Some of us–both men and women–are just too wordy and overwhelm the other with all the chatter. If you are guilty of this, it could mean that you aren’t a very good listener. You are either daydreaming about something you are passionate about, or thinking about what you want to say when the other person finishes, if you even wait for them to finish before interrupting. Ouch! It sends a message, maybe an unintended message, that their opinion and thoughts are not as important as your own or that you just aren’t interested. I am confident that if you both strive to change the rut you find yourselves in, this Valentine’s Day you will rekindle the fire that once made your relationship exciting! Happy Valentine’s Day!

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cover story

O F H I C K O R Y & S TAT E S V I L L E :

Custom Window Solutions

HICKORY LIVING • FEBRUARY 2015

By Kristie Darling

“We’re a turn-key operation. We can manage every aspect of getting the right window treatments installed in any setting, residential and commercial,” Cori explained. “We start with a free consultation in your home or office, and we go from there. We’ll look around and ask questions to understand what you have in mind, what you’re looking for. It’s important that we get it right.” Discovering what new window treatments will be doing–providing privacy, energy efficiency, sun control, ease of maintenance, aesthetics or all of the above–is critical to Cori in making product and style recommendations that will do what you want. With a treasure trove of options, Cori works with you to design the perfect look and result for any space. ONE-ON-ONE DESIGN SERVICE With so many options, styles, colors and design selections to make, shopping for window treatments can be overwhelming. That’s where Cori and her team come to your rescue! “We let you shop for your home, in your home. That takes the guesswork out of the equation,” said Cori as she showed me her samples, fabric swatches, colors, and window fashion options she brings to your home or office. “Together, we’ll see exactly

Photos:

On the cover–Scott and Cori Peters, owners of the Budget Blinds franchise serving Hickory and Statesville, shown with their daughter Jordon. (photo by Shane Greene Photography) Opposite page–The room scene shows rod pocket drapery panels with decorative metal pole, layered with a TriLight shade. Bottom, left to right–Cori shows samples to a customer at an in-home consultation • Scott measures windows to provide an estimate for a customer and to ensure an accurate installation. • Dana professionally installs a woven wooden shade for a turnkey solution.

“My sunroom looks amazing!” Beth Warmuth told me. “Our challenge was to replace the vintage sheers with something new. Cori showed me every option, and I could visualize the look I wanted. We calculated the cost, the installation was smooth and professional, and I am absolutely and totally pleased. They provided excellent service–I would recommend Budget Blinds anytime.” Beth has 11 windows in her sunroom, and she needed an updated product to make it new again. It’s not surprising that she found the perfect solution working with Cori and Scott Peters, owners of Budget Blinds of Hickory and Statesville.

Photo: Above, Cori selects hand samples and swatch books from their mobile showroom to show her customer during a free in-home consultation.

how a color or material reacts to the sunlight in your room or how it will look at night. How a drapery fabric complements your upholstery or would pair with woven wood shades. We’ll discuss all the suitable possibilities, including new products you might not be familiar with. And, no matter what you choose, you won’t have to lift a finger to make it all happen!” Cori explained the importance of professional measuring, ordering, and installation to ensure a satisfactory outcome: “We measure every window in at least six places! Most windows aren’t square, you know. With shutters–ours are handcrafted like fine furniture with climate specific, kiln dried wood that won’t warp–we measure to a 16th of an inch; your shutters will fit perfectly. We order them from Norman Window Fashions, product of the year award winner, whose quality control is exceptional. In fact, we’ve never had to send shutters back because of quality issues. When we’re working on your job, we treat it like it’s our home, our family’s home. We want you to be happy.” IT’S NOT JUST CURTAINS! Residential window treatments come in so many styles, designs, colors and materials I don’t know where to start, but Cori does! For starters, Budget Blind’s design guide lists hot products, exclusive brands, kid-friendly, energy efficient, eco-friendly, motorized and custom styling. “In the home, draperies and soft treatments are popular, along with layering, hanging drapes beneath valances or cornices and pairing them with shades or blinds,” she continued. “These can fit any shape or style window–arched, A-framed, octagonal or round–can be sophisticated or contemporary in style and material, or traditional to match your home’s period and décor.” Drapes, shades and blinds can be motorized for places you can’t reach, like behind HICKORY LIVING • FEBRUARY 2015

the bathtub, and come in many styles, designs and materials. Faux ironwork panels, sliding door blinds, exterior solar shades for decks and porches, solar screens and window film for energy efficiency and sun blocking are available. During your design session, you will discover exactly what you’re looking for, and Cori will provide you with a detailed estimate of her recommendations. For commercial installations in restaurants, offices, hospitality, condos, and retail locations, Cori and Scott work with builders, contractors, service and maintenance agents, realtors and interior designers and offer the same quality and value to businesses. They recently finished the skilled nursing unit at Iredell Memorial Hospital, and are confident this installation will withstand the rugged use it will get in this setting. Commercial products are fire-retardant and can also be anti-microbial, when needed. Printed solar shades with logos or graphics can be designed, and motorized solutions are often used in business locations. CUSTOMER SATISFACTION Cori and Scott’s professional, friendly approach to customer service is what makes them successful. Starting with a complimentary, on-site design consultation, professional measuring of every window, free estimates and cost effective recommendations gleaned from literally hundreds of window treatment options, as well as professional installations, an excellent job resulting in exactly what you are looking for is guaranteed. And, with a five-year, no questions asked extended warranty on the majority of their products, you are safe from the hazards of daily life. “If your blinds get broken, smoke damaged, destroyed by your dog or cat or kids, we’re there to make sure you didn’t just lose your investment,” Scott added. “No one else in the business has this kind of warranty.”

Photos: Above, top to bottom– • Wendy and Cori prepare pinch pleat drapes with gator clips for installation. • Cori reviews color swatches of honeycomb shades and wood chips for blinds with their customer. • Budget Blinds’ commercial solutions provide window treatments for retail, restaurants, hotels, schools, healthcare and much more. 14

HICKORY LIVING • FEBRUARY 2015

BENEFITS OF BUDGET BLINDS “Our affordable custom window treatments exceed the quality of big box stores’ custom products or off-the-shelf brands,” Scott explained. “Budget Blinds is the world’s largest window coverings franchise, and we have incredible buying power and exclusive partnerships with some of the best manufacturers out there, so we can offer outstanding quality and the best brands at very competitive prices.” Indeed, many manufacturers want the franchise to carry their brand and often-times introduce new products through Budget Blinds. For example, they carried a new 2-inch, lightweight, fabric blind, called the Murano, exclusively for six months. Also, Vadain International of the Netherlands offers a unique European style, and has created inspiring drapery and roman shade collections exclusively for Budget Blinds. Cori works with top window treatment manufacturers such as Hunter Douglas, Springs Win-

dow Fashions, Custom Brands Group, Lafayette, Draper and many more. She is experienced in matching the product type to the manufacturer to your specific job and installation. A full brand list is on the website, www.budgetblinds/statesville.com. Their Signature Series is built specifically to Budget Blinds’ high standards and specifications. Cori can also research a line you’re interested in and possibly order that for you. PROFESSIONAL TEAM, QUALITY PRODUCTS The support team at Budget Blinds has clear goals: to get the job done right, delivered and installed on time, and always managed with friendly, helpful service. Dana Edwards is fulltime installer and repair expert. Cori and Scott’s daughter, 14-year-old Jordon, works each week in the office, on special projects, goes on sales calls and works all of their trade shows.

Cori’s sister, Wendy Linzey, does installations and works in the office. It’s definitely a family affair. With an extensive service area that encompasses Hickory, Statesville, Newton, Conover, Claremont, Taylorsville, Wilkesboro, Hiddenite and everywhere in between, Budget Blinds can help you create the look you want with exceptional, beautiful products, professional results and years of service in your home or business. Call Cori today to discover exciting, new window designs you will love!

Budget Blinds HICKORY - 828.308.8010 STATESVILLE - 704.872.6611 www.budgetblinds.com

Photos: Left to right–Budget Blinds offers a vast selection of window coverings Top–Top-pinch pleat draperies with pleated, board-mounted valance at the top • Woven wooden shades made from natural bamboo, reeds and grasses Bottom–European or relaxed roman shades add a sophisticated style to any room. • Custom Plantation Shutters with an eyebrow sunburst arch at the top • Tableaux faux iron designer grilles provide the look and feel of wrought iron without the weight or cost. (photos provided by Budget Blinds unless otherwise noted) HICKORY LIVING • FEBRUARY 2015

HICKORY LIVING • FEBRUARY 2015

Photos:

Left–Graystone Eye's Dr. Oursler with staff, left to right: April Agate, Natalie Helms, Stefany McIver, Meredith Mitchell and Kristin Tyler. Below–Dr. Oursler performs iLASIK surgery.

Your Vision is Our Focus By Meredith Collins | Photos by Shane Greene Photography

Graystone Eye has provided communitybased eye health care in the Catawba Valley area since 1969. They have 13 physicians across five locations. The main office is in Hickory, with satellite offices in Lenoir, Lincolnton, Boone, and Linville. Ophthalmologist Dr. R.E. Oursler, III, is among the nation’s most experienced refractive surgeons. He joined the practice in 1999. After medical school and residency, he did a LASIK fellowship at Barnet-Dulaney Eye Center in Phoenix. At Graystone Eye, Dr. Oursler’s specialty is refractive surgery including iLASIK, 18

HICKORY LIVING • FEBRUARY 2015

surface laser correction and corrective lens replacement surgery. He also performs many cataract surgeries. LASIK is a painless, outpatient procedure that utilizes ultraviolet light energy from the Excimer laser to reshape the cornea. LASIK has now been upgraded to “iLASIK” due to the advancements in this procedure over the last 10 years. “Now, we are able to use a laser instead of a blade to make a flap in the cornea, which eliminates the risk of some complications that could occur,” Dr. Oursler said. “This procedure was safe, but it’s even better and safer now.”

A procedure that many people don’t know about yet, but that is becoming more and more common, is lens replacement for presbyopia, a condition brought on by the natural aging process of the lens. Most people turn to reading glasses or bifocals to compensate for this loss of near vision. Lens replacement surgery uses a lens implant to provide a high level of glasses-free vision. “The iLASIK procedure is great for a lot of people,” Dr. Oursler continued, “but, for the 40 to 50-year-old patients who need help with near and far vision, this could be a better option.” Lens implants replace the human lens with an artificial lens that corrects far

Photos, Left: Dr. R.E. “Trey” Oursler State-of-the-art technology with compassionate care provides patients their personal best vision outcomes. and near vision. It eliminates the need for contacts, glasses, and bifocals. “When you replace the lens in the eye, it lasts forever and won’t lose its focusing ability,” Dr. Oursler said. “It also eliminates the risk of ever having cataracts.” Artificial lenses are still not as good as a natural lens in a young person, so for a younger patient the best option would still be the iLASIK procedure, and then possibly later on a lens replacement procedure.

All these procedures are done at Graystone Eye’s facility. All the LASIK procedures are performed in the upper level laser suite. They use the most advanced, cutting edge technology, the same that is used for NASA employees and Navy pilots. On the lower level is a state-ofthe-art, ambulatory surgery center with two fully equipped operating rooms. They perform almost 4,000 cataract surgeries a year.

Dr. Oursler and the team at Graystone Eye are experts in eye care and stay on top of the latest medical advancements and technology. They treat patients like family and provide guidance on which procedures are best for individual needs.

Graystone Eye www.graystone-eye.com 888-626-2020 HICKORY • LENOIR • LINCOLNTON BOONE • LINVILLE

HICKORY LIVING • FEBRUARY 2015

February is American

Heart

Month

By Kathy Wheeler

By Cheryl Grant

Heart disease is still the #1 cause of death in the United

States, despite all the educational information available. It is estimated that over 85 million people in our country are living with cardiovascular diseases including chest pain, heart attack, stroke and high blood pressure–over 32% of adults in the U.S. have high blood pressure.

Heart disease was almost non-existent prior to 1900. The primary form of transportation was walking and people had to work hard to accomplish everyday tasks. Most of their food was grown locally, if not in the backyard garden. With the invention of the automobile, washing machines, and other modern inventions, manual labor was replaced with easier forms of doing most chores. Today, technology continues to grow and many conveniences are accom-

plished with the push of a button. Before HVAC systems were installed, someone had to cut wood to warm the house–a good example of manual labor being replaced with the push of a button. Home-grown food, prepared in the kitchen, has been replaced with a drive through window. Furthermore, we have all sorts of entertainment pleasures at our fingertips, such as computers, video games, smart phones and TVs contributing to our sedentary lifestyles. All of this

Eat a variety of nutritious food. Avoid processed food and stick to real food like fruits and vegetables, olive oil, nuts, fish and chicken. Limit red meat, sugar, salt and saturated fat. Bake and steam foods instead of frying them. Eat healthy fats and avoid trans fats.

Stop and smell the roses. Don’t worry; be happy! Love yourself and others. Quit working so much and get outside or go dancing. One of the best ways to reduce stress is exercise. Have a good laugh with a friend. Make a difference in someone else’s life. Get enough sleep. Enjoy your life and have a positive attitude! Get rid of the stress!

The American Heart Association recommends that you exercise at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Considering how much exercise our ancestors received in a day, I would say 30 minutes a day would be a place to start. 22

HICKORY LIVING • FEBRUARY 2015

Stop all those bad habits. Quit smoking and only drink alcohol occasionally. Limit the sugar and caffeine if you can’t eliminate them. These are not good ways to deal with the pressures of life. Photos ©Romolo Tavani & RAntanio Guillemi | iStock | Thinkstock

technology was intended to make our lives better and easier; however, many would argue that it has made them more stressful. Add to those lifestyle changes all the processed food, fried foods, and sugar we eat each year and you have the perfect storm for heart disease! I dare say that none of us want to go back to the 1900s.

So America, how do we turn this around?!

Maintain a healthy weight. Hey, our high cholesterol, hypertension and bulging waistlines didn’t get there overnight, and will take committed lifestyle changes to turn them around, but the rewards will be life-changing! Let’s get these heart disease numbers going in the right direction for 2015! See you on the dance floor.

HICKORY LIVING • FEBRUARY 2015

What's Cooking?! Valentine's Day Treats

Chocolate is not the only delectable treat for Valentine's Day. Surprise your significant other with one of these delicious cheesecakes!

Triple Caramel Cheesecake by Sandra Lee

Prep: 20 min • Total time: 6 hrs (including refrigeration) Makes: 16 servings

1½ cups graham cracker crumbs 3 Tbsp. butter, melted 3 1.4 oz. chocolate-covered toffee bars, chopped into small pieces 4 8 oz. packages of Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened ²/ cup plus 2 Tbsp. sugar, divided ³ 1 can (13.4 oz) Mexican caramel spread (dulce de leche) 2 tsp. vanilla 4 eggs ¾ cup KRAFT Caramel Bits ¼ cup whipping cream

Directions HEAT oven to 325°F. Mix graham crumbs, 2 Tbsp. butter and 1/2 cup toffee pieces; press onto bottom of 13 x 9 baking pan. BEAT cream cheese, sugar, dulce de leche and vanilla in large bowl with mixer until well blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended. Gently pour over crust. BAKE 40 min. or until center is almost set. Run knife around rim of pan to loosen sides; cool. Refrigerate 4 hours. HEAT caramel bits and cream in microwave on HIGH for 1 ½ mins, stirring every 30 sec. until smooth. COOL 5 min; pour over cheesecake. Sprinkle with remaining toffee pieces.

Photos courtesy of Philadelphia Cream Cheese

Directions HEAT oven to 325°F. Mix cookie crumbs and butter until blended; press onto bottom of 9-inch spring-

Classic Black Tie Cheesecake

Recipe courtesy of Alice Currah

form pan sprayed with cooking spray. Bake 12 min. BEAT cream cheese and 1 cup of sugar in a large bowl with mixer until

blended. Add sour cream, whipping Prep Time: 30 min. • Total Time: 6 hours 35 min.(including refrigerating) cream and vanilla; mix well. Add eggs, Servings: 16 1 at a time, mixing after each just until

18 chocolate sandwich cookies, finely crushed (about 1 ½ cups) 2 Tbsp. butter, melted 4 8 oz. packages of Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened 1¾ cups sugar, divided ¾ cup sour cream ½ cup whipping cream 1 Tbsp. vanilla 4 eggs 4 cups raspberries, divided ¼ cup raspberry jam 3 Tbsp. water 2 tsp. lemon juice

blended. Pour over crust. BAKE 1 hour or until center is almost set. Run knife around rim of pan to loosen cake; cool before removing rim. Refrigerate 4 hours. Meanwhile, bring 1 cup raspberries, remaining sugar, jam and water to boil in saucepan; simmer on medium-low heat 5 min. or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Cool slightly. Pour into blender. Add lemon juice; blend until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to use. POUR topping over cheesecake just before serving; top with remaining raspberries. Garnish cheesecake with fresh mint leaves just before serving. HICKORY LIVING • FEBRUARY 2015

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Hickory Resources Women’s Resource Center 828.322.6333 www.wrchickory.org Catawba County Historical Association www.catawbahistory.org 828.465.0383 Catawba Science Center 828.322.8169 www.catawbascience.org Hickory Museum of Art 828.327.8576 www.HickoryMuseumofArt.org Hickory Community Theatre 828.327.3855 hickorytheatre.org The Green Room Community Theatre 828-464-6583 www.the-green-room.org Hickory Choral Society 828.322.2210 www.hickorychoralsociety.com Hickory Landmarks Society 828.322.4731 www.hickorylandmarks.org Western Piedmont Symphony 828.324.8603 www.wpsymphony.org

United Arts Council of Catawba County 828.324.4906 www.artscatawba.org

Catawba County Chamber of Commerce 828.328.6111 www.catawbachamber.org

Catawba Valley Community College 828.327.7000 www.cvcc.edu

Catawba County Government 828.465.8200 www.catawbacountync.gov

Lenoir-Rhyne University 828-328-7300 www.lr.edu Hickory Downtown Development Association 828.322.1121 www.downtownhickory.com Hickory Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau 828.322.1335 www.hickorymetro.com City of Hickory 828-323-7400 www.hickorync.gov Hickory Police Department 828.324.2060 Hickory Parks & Recreation 828.322.7046 Hickory Regional Airport 828.323.7408 Catawba County Library System 828.465.8661 www.catawbacountync.gov/library/

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Catawba County Sheriff’s Department 828-464-5241 www.catawbacountync.gov/Sheriff/ N.C. State Highway Patrol www.nccrimecontrol.org Catawba County Schools (828) 464-8333 www.catawbaschools.net YMCA 828.324.9622 www.ymcacv.org Hickory Motor Speedway 828.464.3655 www.hickorymotorspeedway.com Hickory Crawdads 828.322.3000 www.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t448 Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry Client Services: 828.327.0979 www.ccmhickory.com

HICKORY LIVING • FEBRUARY 2015