Caldwell Journal 09 07 2017 by Caldwell Journal

Caldwell Serving Caldwell County North Carolina

Volume 3, Issue 48 www.CaldwellJournal.com Free Thursday, September 7, 2017

Hurricane Irma Headed Our Way?...Prepare Now For complete story go to page 4...

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Caldwell Journal Info

“Published each Thursday by the Caldwell Journal” Established October 2, 2014 Volume 3, Issue 48

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Caldwell Journal Weather Pleasant with sunshine. High 73 Low 48 Precipitation: 0.00 in. High 75 Low 51 Precipitation: 0.00 in. High 73 Low 49 Precipitation: 0.00 in. Sunny & pleasant High 70 Low 53 Precipitation: 0.00 in. High 65 Low 59 Precipitation: 0.55 in. Wind & rain. High 76 Low 60 Precipitation: 0.68 in. High 80 Low 56 Precipitation: 0.00 in.

Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute receives Dollar General Grant to Support Adult High School Program HUDSON, NC (September 1, 2017)...Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute was recently awarded a $10,000 grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation to support students working toward their high school equivalency. This local grant award is part of more than $7.5 million in grants awarded to nearly 900 schools, nonprofits and organizations across the 44 states that Dollar General serves. Grant funding will be used to cover testing fees and program and supply cost for 100 Adult Education students in Caldwell or Watauga counties over the course of the academic year. The objective of the initiative, called BOOST or Boosting Opportunities and Options for Student Transitions, is to help students complete their high school equivalency or adult high school diploma and transition to a jobtraining program. “It is our hope that BOOST will remove financial obstacles for those students who are academically and/or economically challenged,” said Kim Hinton, College and Career Readiness Department Chair. “The assistance could help our students reach goals and provide immediate assistance and access for them to continue the transition to college or work.” “Dollar General is excited to provide these organizations with funding to support literacy and education throughout the 44 states we serve,” said Todd Vasos, Dollar General’s CEO. “Providing these grants and supporting the communities we call home reflects our mission of Serving Others and it’s rewarding to see the impact these funds have.” The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is proud to support initiatives that help others improve their lives through literacy and education. Since its inception in 1993, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded more than $135 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping more than 8.6 million individuals take their first steps toward literacy or continued education. For more information about high school equivalency programs at CCC&TI, visit www.cccti.edu or call 828-726-2230 (Caldwell) or 828-297-3811 (Watauga).

Thursday, September 7, 2017

CCC&TI Program Director Published in Leading Textbook HUDSON, NC (September 5, 2017)...Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute’s Health Sciences Department Chair and Ophthalmic Medical Assisting Program Director Barbara Harris was recently tasked with writing the foreword for the 10th edition of The Ophthalmic Assistant, the best-selling and most widely used textbook for OMA programs across the nation. Harris was asked to write the piece by one of the textbook’s co-authors, Dr. Melvin Freeman, with whom she has served on the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO) board.

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“I worked with Dr. Freeman on the development of a standard ophthalmic educational curriculum for the International Council of Ophthalmology, which Mandarin Orange Salad is largely modeled on the curriculum we developed for CCC&TI and the North Carolina Community INGREDIENTS College System,” said Harris. “The Ophthalmic 1 small carton cottage cheese Assistant has been one of the main textbooks for 1 small carton cool whip CCC&TI’s OMA program since it began in 1999. 1 pkg. orange jello (dry) Dr. Freeman asked me to write a forward address1 can mandarins 1 small can crushed pineapple (drained) ing its value for physician extenders for the 10th edition. He knew that I had worked as a physician DIRECTIONS assistant in ophthalmology for a number of years Mix all ingredients together and keep in refrigeraprior to coming to work at the college.” tor. Harris has 40 years of experience in the healthcare field and was instrumental in establishing Apple Crisp CCC&TI’s OMA program, the first of its kind in INGREDIENTS North Carolina and the model for similar programs 1/2 cup sifted flour established at other community colleges. 1/2 cup oatmeal In addition, Harris has served for a number of 3/4 tsp. cinnamon years on the JCAHPO Board, The Commission on 1/2 cup soft butter Accreditation of Ophthalmic Programs (CoA-OMP) 4 cups sliced apples Board, the Consortium of Ophthalmic Training 3/4 cup brown sugar (packed) Programs (COTP) and a number of other national 3/4 tsp. nutmeg and statewide health sciences boards and associations. She has made presentations on a wide varieDIRECTIONS ty of ophthalmic topics at seminars and meetings Place apples in greased 8in. square pan. Blend across the United States and has been published in remaining ingredients until crumbly, spread over apples. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes. 6 to a number of medical journals and textbooks. 8 servings. For more information on CCC&TI’s Health Sciences or Ophthalmic Medical Assistant programs, visit (Above recipes are from a very nice lady!) www.cccti.edu.

Thursday, September 7, 2017

GRANITE DRUG CENTER 21 Falls Avenue Granite Falls, NC 28630 (828) 396-2144

Largest Independent Drug Store In North Carolina

ONE HOUR EXPRESS PHOTO LAB

FRIENDLY HOMETOWN SERVICE

(828) 396-7820

Fall Merchandise Has Arrived! Halloween & Thanksgiving

Hurricane Irma Headed Our Way?...Prepare Now CALDWELL COUNTY, NC (September 6, 2017)...Hurricane Irma, one of the most powerful Atlantic storms ever recorded according to forecasters is headed our way. The category 5 storm had maximum sustained winds of 185mph this past Tuesday evening, according to the US National Hurricane Center in Miami. Category 5 hurricanes are rare and are capable of inflicting life-threatening winds, storm surges and rainfall. Caldwell County Emergency Services encourages residents to educate themselves on Hurricane Preparedness and to visit their Facebook page throughout the coming days for more information concerning the potential impacts of Hurricane Irma. “Blue Ridge Energy is monitoring the track of the storm and we've been in conversations with State officials and others for preparedness. Right now, we don't see the storm greatly affecting the Blue Ridge service area but much more can be determined and will be known over the next few days. As always, we are prepared with our Emergency Response Plan and on high alert” stated Blue Ridge Energy Director of Public Relations Renee Whitener. Forecasters and model forecasts are currently (as of Wednesday, September 6th) calling for Hurricane Irma to track very close to our area and possibly just to our west which would place us on the most destructive side of the hurricane. Stay tuned to WBTV for changes and updates to Hurricane Irma’s path and severity. We will do our best to keep you informed as well. Visit our Facebook page and website for updates too.

Thursday, September 7, 2017

We Buy, Sell & Trade Tues thru Fri 9 to 5 Sat 9 to 1

YESTERYEARS Antiques & Collectibles

538 Central Street, Hudson, NC 28638 828.728.3161

yesteryearsantiq@bellsouth.net

Step Back In Time…Come Visit YESTERYEARS!!! 1000’s Of Items

Shop Local

Vintage Café (Café & Bakery)

540 Central Street Hudson, NC 28638 (828) 728-3043 www.facebook.com/VintageCafeBakery

Shop Local

The Local Bean (Coffee shop)

536 Central Street Hudson, NC 28638 (828) 726-3888 www.facebook.com/thelocalbeanhudson

The Main Event (Caterer)

534 B Central Street Hudson, NC 28638 (828) 394-7996 www.facebook.com/Main-Events-1086193404807127

State Farm Insurance

534A Central St Ste A Hudson, NC 28638 (828) 728-5581 www.insuremeangel.com

Just Roll With It (Food, Wine & Beer)

107 Fairway Ave Hudson, NC 28638 (828) 572-5588 www.facebook.com/justrollwithithudson

Cornered Hill Firearms Training

524 Central Street Hudson, NC (828) 221-2900 www.facebook.com/CorneredHillFirearmsTraining

Shop in downtown Hudson & support local!!!

Thursday, September 7, 2017

South Falls Under Wednesday Night Lights by Dan O'Neal BOSTIC, NC (August 30, 2017)...Hurricanes and other major storms have an annoying way of making for certain quick changes in our routines. Sadly, we recently have witnessed the devastation that Harvey has lashed out on the Houston, Texas metropolis in the form of deluge. Many prayers and love go out to the families of those who lost their lives in this dreadful tragedy as well as those who have been abruptly displaced. Residents in Western North Carolina were affected by the tail end of this storm, but in no way compares to the Southeast Texas impact. Yet, hard rain resulting from storms make for quick changes where athletic competition is concerned. Hence, South Caldwell played their second game of the 2017 football season this past Wednesday night at East Rutherford with a 6:30pm kickoff. Sidebar here friends: should you be traveling on 74A through Forest City, and if you like Asian cuisine, by all means stop over at the China and Hibachi; it's very reasonably priced, along with most excellent food and service. The Spartans entered the contest coming off of a season opening loss to 3A powerhouse Kings Mountain. East Rutherford, from the Southwestern Athletic 2A Conference, came into the game with two very convincing victories over South Stanly and North Gaston. For any teams facing the Cavaliers this season, know they bring much speed and quickness to the table so to speak. South started the game on a positive note, moving the football for seventy-two yards on fourteen plays and controlling the game clock in the frame for seven minutes. Unfortunately for the Spartans, the drive stalled on the Cavaliers 8 yard line on a fourth down attempt. The Spartans defensive unit also began with solid play, forcing the Cavaliers on a three and out. This made for a scoreless first period, giving South some motivation going into the next frame. However, as the second quarter began, it would be all Cavaliers. Junior tailback Demetrius Mauney recovered from being shaken up earlier in the game with a twenty-one yard sprint making for the game's first score. Mauney would score again on the Cavaliers next drive from fifteen yards out. He capped off his 230 yard rushing performance with an eighty-eight yard run to the house. Also, Cavaliers quarterback Cameron Simmons connected on four of six passing for 110 yards along with with two touchdown strikes to Jordan Harris, who caught all four East Rutherford passes, pacing them to a 47-7 win. The coaching staff knows the lack of maturity with adversity the Spartans are facing right now. While they acknowledge their good start in this contest, watching film and learning from mistakes will be crucial for their next nine games. It did not help matters for South in that the East quarterback, also defensive back Simmons had his pick six highlight reel from twenty yards out. The season is early, and certainly the players can learn much from watching film, listening to the coaching staff and be confident in knowing the Spartan Nation is fully behind them and what they seek to achieve. With game performance on the Spartans side of the football, Harley Sullivan ran the ball for 102 yards and a touchdown. Spence Piercy also contributed to the effort with forty-three yards rushing and quarterback Jesse Connor ran the ball for 42 yards. Though Connor was sacked twice, he continued to bounce back the entire game. South continues their season on the road as they travel to Lenoir to face county rival Hibriten. The Caldwell Cup is once again at stake and the Spartans hope to get that back to their trophy case. Kickoff is set for 7:30pm this Friday, September 8th unless another storm makes another "quick change" in scheduling.

Thursday, September 7, 2017

“Fall Pops” Symphony Under the Sails HICKORY, NC (August 30, 2017)...Join the awardwinning Western Piedmont Symphony chamber orchestra for another FREE musical extravaganza on the square in downtown Hickory Under the Sails. The concert will be held on Sunday, September 10 from 5-7 pm. Rain/Weather location will be in the Drendel Auditorium. Bring a lawn chair, pack your own picnic or visit one of the downtown restaurants. This free concert is sponsored by the City of Hickory, Hickory Metro Conventions & Visitors Bureau, Frye Regional Medical Center and HSM Solutions. Western Piedmont Symphony is a grant recipient of the North Carolina Arts Council and a funded affiliate of the United Arts Council of Catawba County. Business offices are located on the SALT Block at 243 Third Avenue NE, Hickory. Box office hours are 10 am until 2:00 pm daily. Visit the Symphony’s website at www.wpsymphony.org or contact them at 828.324.8603 or info@wpsymphony.org.

Barkin’ at the Moon 6 to benefit Humane Society of Catawba County HICKORY, NC (September 4, 2017)...Sunday, September 10th is the 6th Annual Barkin' at the Moon fundraiser at Crescent Moon Café in downtown Hickory. Tickets are $35 and may be purchased at HSCC-Hickory and Crescent Moon Café. Donation includes a commemorative glass, tastings of craft beers & Crescent Moon appetizers. Drop by between 4-8pm. There will be various silent auction items at the event, and all proceeds will benefit HSCC shelter animals. Must be 21 to participate.

Caldwell Agricultural Fair September 19 to 23 Tuesday thru Friday gates open 5pm Saturday gates open 1pm

Thursday, September 7, 2017

We Fill Propane Tanks

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Stop by and see us for: Straw Hats, Orca Coolers, Fans, Air Conditioners, Mowers, and Much More!

Water Sprinkler Hoses

Weed Killers

Sawmills Hardware Location Power Equipment Sales & Service Center Stihl Power Equipment Sales & Service Bob Cat Zero Turn Mowers Jonsered Mowers

Insecticides

Thursday, September 7, 2017

This Fall in Burke County: Daily Color Reports, Weekly Videos MORGANTON, NC (September 5, 2017)...Daily fall foliage reports and weekly video reports are just a click away this autumn thanks to the Burke County Tourism Development Authority. From Oct. 5 through the end of the fall color season, the Burke TDA will release a color report every day of the week except Sunday, and will release a 30-second fall foliage video each Thursday. All reports will be posted on the Burke County TDA Facebook page. Burke is among the most geographically diverse counties in Western North Carolina. The northern portion is home to 4,000-foot elevations and such sights as the Blue Ridge Parkway, Linville Falls, Linville Gorge, Wiseman’s View and Table Rock mountain. The southern half of the county sits at much lower elevations and is punctuated by the Catawba River Greenway, downtown Morganton, Lake James State Park and South Mountains State Park. “This will be our fourth year of providing daily fall color reports online and in the visitors center, and it will be the first year we’ve posted weekly video reports,” says Ed Phillips, tourism director for Burke County. “Our goal is to take the guesswork out of planning a trip to see fall foliage. The reports, and especially the new videos, will accurately convey the latest conditions.” To access the reports and videos, go www.facebook.com/BurkeCountyTourism

to:

For those folks who elect to stop by the Burke County Visitors Center at 110 East Meeting Street in Morganton to get the daily color reports, they can also pick up a map of the best fall color drives in Burke County. And for those who prefer to focus their attention solely on the leaves and not on the road, Burke County Tourism has five leaf-looking trolley tours available. Each tour departs from the visitors center in Morganton and heads north to take in the fall color in the higher elevations near Linville Falls and along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Dates for the trolley tours are Oct. 6, Oct. 7, Oct. 14, Oct. 27, and Oct. 28. Each tour lasts from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and includes lunch at Famous Louise’s Rockhouse Restaurant. Cost for the tours, which typically sell out, is $55 per person. “The trolley tours attract visitors from all over the Southeast,” Phillips says. “Most of these folks have never been to Burke County to see the fall colors. The trip is brand new for them.” For trolley tour info call 888-462-2921 or go to www.facebook.com/ridgelinetrolley

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Dr. Herb Says….Stay healthy with nature Fiber Back in the 1940s, Dr. Denis Burkitt noticed the correlation of diet and good health. Working as a surgeon in East Africa, he rarely saw conditions like constipation, hemorrhoids and appendicitis that were widespread in the Western world. He came to believe the amount of fiber or roughage in a diet could explain why. Fiber is the part of fruits, vegetables, and grains that your body cannot digest. There are two kinds of fiber, both important in keeping healthy. Soluble fiber dissolves easily in water and becomes a soft gel in the intestines. Insoluble fiber remains unchanged as it speeds up the food’s passage through the digestive system. Bumping up the fiber in your diet can help you avoid these conditions or deal with them in a healthier way: Diabetes. Fiber helps improve the way your body handles insulin and glucose. That means you can lower your risk of diabetes by eating whole grains rather than refined carbohydrates. Whole grain bread and crackers, bran muffins, navy beans, Brussels sprouts and zucchini are good choices. Heart attack and stroke. The soluble fiber in foods like oatmeal, okra, and oranges helps eliminate much of the cholesterol that can clog your arteries and cause a stroke or heart attack. Constipation and hemorrhoids. “If fiber intake were adequate, laxatives would seldom be required,” said Burkitt. Apples, sweet potatoes, barley, and pinto beans provide this roughage. Appendicitis. “Keeping bowel content soft,” said Burkitt, “seems to provide the best safeguard against the development of appendicitis.” Treats like apricots, peaches, pears and figs are a tasty way to do this. Diverticulitis. As the body processes, fibrous foods like peas, spinach, corn and artichoke it tones up the intestinal muscles. This helps prevent pouches, called diverticula, which can cause abdominal pain if they become inflamed. Weight gain. The best way to lose weight is to eat low-fat, low-calorie vegetable and grains. “The bulkier fiber-rich foods you eat,” said Burkitt, “the less unhealthy fat you will be consuming.” And since fiber swells, you’ll feel satisfied faster. If feeling the need of dessert, choose fruits like plums or strawberries. Cancer. Burkitt believed a high-fiber diet defends against colon and rectal cancers in two ways. His cultural studies showed the more animal fat in a diet, the higher incidence of bowel cancer. A healthy portion of fiber speeds cancer-causing compounds out of the digestive system more quickly, before they have a chance to make trouble. Burkitt also considered fiber a protector against other conditions such as gallbladder disease, varicose veins, and hiatal hernia. Start the day with a whole-grain cereal. Top it off with raisins, dates, sliced banana or chopped apple. Eat raw vegetable salads, munch on carrot and celery sticks. If cooking, steam only until crisp tender. Enjoy fruit salads and fruits. Eat the skins. Substituting brown rice for white will triple the fiber. Add legumes to soups and stews, use in whole grain burritos or with rice. Consume at least 20 to 35 grams a day. Sun 7 to 6 M-T 7 to 6

Natural Food Store

(828) 322-5316 www.naturalfoodstorenc.com 1920 Highway 70 Southwest Hickory, North Carolina 28602

Fri 7 to 5 Sat closed

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Dr. Herb Says….stay healthy with nature Healing Fats, Killing Fats and the Role of Essential Fatty Acids in Optimal Health Some fats heal and some fats kill. Today Americans eat a diet of 40% fat. The majority of this fat comes from refined oils, grease-laden convenience foods, trans-fatty acid-containing margarines, shortenings, hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils, fat spreads, and fat inbred pork and beef. These are the killing fats. Even though hydrogenated and partially-hydrogenated oils may be cholesterol free, hydrogenated oils increase cholesterol levels, promote cancer, and cause hardening of the arteries. Studies have shown that these oils have detrimental effects on the cardiovascular function. Research shows that they increase bad cholesterol and lower the good cholesterol, make platelets stickier and double the risk of heart attack. Hydrogenated oils also weaken the immune system, affect insulin response and function (bad for diabetics), inhibit the liver from removing toxins, affect reproductive function, and weaken cell membranes. Not only does frying foods destroy good properties of oils, fried oils have been shown to increase atherosclerosis and cancer. Saturated fats or animal fats tend to make platelets stickier, slow the metabolism causing fat deposition and weight gain, interfere with insulin function and they interfere with function of Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs). Four Fats that Kill:

*Hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils (margarines, shortening – these are used in chips, convenience foods, cookies, and breads) *Fried oils – oils heated to a very high temperature *Refined commercials oils – most oils on grocery store shelves have been refined and are actually hydrogenated *Hard fats and cholesterol (saturated fat, animal fat) Humans require not only the right amount of fats and oils for optimum health, but they must be the right kind of fats and oils. Fats that heal are fresh, unprocessed fats containing essential fatty acids. These are essential for life and health. Essential fatty acids (EFAs) cannot be made by the body. Therefore, they must be obtained through the diet. EFAs are just as important as protein, vitamins, and minerals. If we do not get enough EFAs, our cells deteriorate. The good news is that all symptoms of cell degeneration can be reversed by adding back EFAs to the diet. Healing Fats are: *Fats high in Essential Fatty Acids – nuts, seeds, and fresh unrefined oils like flaxseed, fresh cold water fish like salmon and cod Continued on page 13... Sun 7 to 6 M-T 7 to 6

Natural Food Store

(828) 322-5316 www.naturalfoodstorenc.com 1920 Highway 70 Southwest Hickory, North Carolina 28602

Fri 7 to 5 Sat closed

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Dr. Herb Says….stay healthy with nature Healing Fats, Killing Fats EFAs deficiency symptoms are: *Eczema – like skin eruptions *Behavioral disturbances *Susceptibility to infections *Heart and circulatory problems (like high blood pressure, High triglycerides) *Inflammation *Slow metabolism *Hair loss *Thirst *Arthritis-like conditions *Dry Skin *Water retention Approximately 95% of the population is deficient in EFAs. Therefore most people’s health will improve by increasing EFAs intake. Flaxseed is the very best oil for human nutrition. Flax oil can be added to foods after cooking, like hot cereals, steamed vegetables, potatoes, used in salad dressings, etc. Look for balanced EFAs combination like Ultimated Oils. Functions and benefits of EFAs: *regulate oxygen use *lubricate joints *help to regulate blood pressure and kidney functions *help transport cholesterol *help heart beat in orderly sequence *strengthen immune function *prevent development of allergies *lower cholesterol levels by 25% and triglycerides by 65% *decrease probability of clots blocking arteries in the brain (strokes) and clots in the heart (heart attacks) and lungs (pulmonary embolism) *cancer treatment *helpful for diabetics *prevents and treats arthritis *asthma *PMS *decrease allergic response *skin conditions *more energy *quick recovery from exercise *corrects body’s thermogenic system (ability to burn off calories) *stabilize appetite *help gland function Sun 7 to 6 M-T 7 to 6

Natural Food Store

(828) 322-5316 www.naturalfoodstorenc.com 1920 Highway 70 Southwest Hickory, North Carolina 28602

Fri 7 to 5 Sat closed

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Dr. Herb Says….stay healthy with nature Original Bible Diet Best For Man Today “Behold I have given YOU every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to YOU it shall be for meat.” Genesis 1:29 The following explanation of Genesis 1:29 is given according to FOODS as we know them today: “BEHOLD I HAVE GIVEN YOU EVERY HERB BEARING SEED….” (A seed plant which does not develop woody persistent tissue). GRAINS – wheat, corn, rye, barley, rice, millet, oats, buckwheat, etc. SEEDS – sunflower, sesame, flax, pumpkin, etc. LEGUMES – soybeans, lentils, peas, peanuts, other beans, etc. SUCCULENT FOODS CONTAINING SEED – eggplant, okra, bell pepper, squash, green beans, pumpkins, cucumbers, tomatoes, melons, etc. “….and EVERY TREE, in the which is THE FRUIT OF A TREE YIELDING SEED…” (A woody perennial plant, shrub or bush). FRUITS – citrus fruits, sub-acid fruits, sweet fruits, palm fruits, neutral fruits. NUTS – almonds, pecans, cashews, Brazil, walnuts, chestnuts, filberts, macadamia, acorns, pine nuts, etc. “….to YOU it shall be for MEAT.” Genesis 1:29

Bring in this paper and receive a free bottle of Fiber!!! Natural & Organic Foods • Natural Antioxidants • Cleansing for the Entire Body • Organic Snacks, Teas, Juices •

Sun 7 to 6 M-T 7 to 6

Natural Medical Physician Doctor Herb Cole, N.D.

1920 Hwy. 70 W. • Hickory, NC 28602 828-322-5316 Healthier Living for a Better World Serving The Unifour Area For Over 35 Years!!!

Natural Food Store

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(828) 322-5316 www.naturalfoodstorenc.com 1920 Highway 70 Southwest Hickory, North Carolina 28602

Fri 7 to 5 Sat closed

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Grandfather Mountain hosts KidFest Sept. 9 GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN, NC (September 5, 2017)...This September, kids are invited to visit their Grandfather. On Saturday, Sept. 9, Grandfather Mountain hosts its annual KidFest, a fun-filled and educational celebration of natural history in the Appalachian Mountains. “KidFest is our annual event to showcase the park’s natural wonders to our younger visitors,” said Frank Ruggiero, director of marketing and communications for the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, the nonprofit organization that oversees the Linville, N.C., nature preserve and attraction. KidFest will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with special Junior Ranger programs taking place at the park’s Let-It-Rain Picnic Shelter, adjacent to the Nature Museum. Plus, a KidFest information table will be set up in the Nature Museum lobby, featuring park information, Junior Ranger booklets and Grandfather Mountain’s mascot, Millie the Bear. The Junior Ranger programs are geared toward kids ages 5 to 10 and will take place every half-hour at the picnic shelter. Topics include Nature Art, Leaf Litter Critters, Nature’s Hide & Seek: Camouflage, The Big Wind Blows: Animal Adaptation Game, NSI: Nature Scene Investigators, Our Forest Neighbors: Meet and Greet with an Owl and Snake, and Crawl, Fly, Walk or Swim: Nature Yoga. All activities are included with admission to Grandfather Mountain. To sweeten the deal, every kid who participates will receive a coupon for free ice cream at Mildred’s Grill. In addition to the special programs taking place throughout the day, families can enjoy the experiences that make Grandfather Mountain exciting year-round, including crossing the Mile High Swinging Bridge, watching animals frolic in the environmental wildlife habitats, exploring the Nature Museum, hiking the trails and tasting the homemade treats at the mountain’s famous Fudge Shop. For more information on KidFest, call (828) 7332013, or email amy@grandfather.com. For more information, call (800) 468-7325, or visit www.grandfather.com to plan a trip.

Granite Drug Center 828.212.1066

Thursday, September 7, 2017

“Movies with Mike”

Where are you, Jack Skellington? by Mike Holsclaw (August 29th, 2017) (An introductory note: I wrote the following blogpost before the horrible events precipitated by the landfall of Hurricane Harvey in Texas. Please forgive me if it seems at all tone deaf in light of the suffering of our fellow citizens in Texas and Louisana. I considered scrapping it entirely and posting it at some later, happier, date but I decided to let it stand because it’s a window into a less troubled moment that was, unbelievably, just a week or so ago. Makes me feel naive now that I see how truly bad news can be! My only hope is that its lightness of tone might take your thoughts away, if only for a moment, from heavier things. Please keep those unfortunate folks in your thoughts and prayers and, if there's anything you can do to help, please do. Onward...) Two Things: Last year, I talked about my ambivalence when I started seeing Halloween decorations and other holiday accouterment in stores beginning in August; I have to say, this year, to my surprise, my feelings are radically different. I'd been noticing the slow creep of Halloween merchandise onto retail sales racks this year but I hadn't really focused my attention on it; so far, they were still lurking on the periphery of my consciousness. Last week, though, I was shopping in the K-Mart in Morganton and I looked, with singular concentration, at their selection of Halloween greeting cards. The images on the cards were a menagerie of the usual tropes; vampires, mummies, Frankenstein's monster, black cats, bats, etc. Much to my delight, my mood was immediately lifted and I had a distinct, if vague, feeling of ebullience as I walked out of the store and toward my car. As if on cue, a slight breeze began to blow and some leaves skittered at my feet as I unlocked my door. For just a moment, there was a hint of fall in the air and, with the physical sense of a weight lifting off my shoulders, my soul was set free. In years past, I've been annoyed at the fact that retailers try to exploit my favorite holiday by schlepping their chintzy wares onto their shelves months and months before the actual day arrives but, this year, all that is superceded by the fact that I have a visceral need for Halloween. I feel like a man, mad with thirst, wandering the desert in search of an oasis. Each day, one news source after another brings some new, real-world debacle to my doorstep and there doesn't seem to be any end in sight. I don't even have the solace of believing that its "fake news"; as ghastly as it all is, it’s all too real. Oh, for some surcease from sorrow, some make-believe scares that could distract me from my woes. If only something liminal, something numinous, would cut into my quotidian existence and persuade me that not everything is rotten. Where are you Jack Skellington?

As much as I make a show of always highlighting spooky films and horror shows the closer we get to Ground Zero, i.e., Halloween, I just realized that I've never really talked about one of the ur-texts of the holiday, "The Nightmare Before Christmas". In 1993, without much fanfare, Touchstone Pictures released an animated film, directed by Henry Selick and produced by Tim Burton. It relates the quixotic adventures of the Pumpkin King of Halloweentown, Jack Skellington, who accidentally discovers the existence of Christmas and decides that, in addition to being in charge of Halloween, he would like to be "Sandy Claws" as well. As the two holidays begin to converge, chaos escalates until, finally, the natural order of things is restored. I've given only the briefest sketch of the film (a "skeleton", heh, heh...) because, like "The Rocky Horror Picture Show", "The Nightmare Before Christmas" has become so ubiquitous, so beloved that, at this point, it would be like describing the plot of "Its the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown", an exercise in futility. I will, however, single out a few points about the film which, I think, highlight the reasons why it has become one of the most perfect emblems of the holiday. Continued on page 17...

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Where are you, Jack Skellington?

17 Continued from page 16...

Almost everyone says this is a "Tim Burton movie", which is somewhat unfair to Henry Selick, the director, because directing an animated film (especially before CGI) was an arduous process, both painstaking and time consuming. Also, because he was busy with "Batman Returns" and pre-production on "Ed Wood", Burton was rarely present during the making of "Nightmare". Having said all that, though, I have to admit that the film is suffused with the Burton sensibility in a plethora of ways and Selick admitted as much by saying that Burton laid the "egg" and it was his job to "hatch" it. The story had been percolating for several years; Burton had originally envisioned it as a thirty minute holiday special like "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" or "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer” or, barring that, as a possible children's book. After his short film "Vincent" had become a success for Disney in 1982, the studio began to seriously consider developing "Nightmare" but ultimately withdrew because they thought it was "too weird". After "Beetlejuice" and "Batman", though, they thought again and production began in 1991, albeit as a Touchstone film because the studio heads thought the film's themes were too dark for it to be released as a Disney production. The film was released to theaters in 1993 and the rest is history. Despite his lack of direct involvement, there are several ways in which the film seems distinctively "Burtonion": First, the exaggerated reverence with which it regards holidays, most particularly Halloween and Christmas, which, not coincidentally, happen to be Burton's favorites. The regard with which these special days are held is almost like the attitude of the pre-Christian mystery cults. Like them and their secret ceremonies, the implication is that if the holidays are celebrated in just the right way, a special form of gnostic wisdom will be imparted to the celebrants and they will be thereby transformed. The key is that these holidays shouldn't be observed as a series of empty rituals but rather like a Japanese Tea Ritual; a succession of small gestures, performed with laser-like focus and infinite care, which culminate in a sense of spiritual fulfillment. Second, the sharp distinction he draws between fright and harm; Halloween isn't about unleashing destructive impulses but about allowing the Trickster within us to come out and luxuriate in its existence by giving the world a good scare. Like Danny Elfman says in the lyrics to "This is Halloween": "Tender lumplings everywhere, life's no fun without a good scare, that's our job but we're not mean, in our town of Halloween." Lastly, the almost pristine innocence of most of the inhabitants of Halloweentown (with the obvious exception of Oogie Boogie, of course!), most particularly, Jack Skellington. I referred to him earlier as "quixotic" and that was no accident; he really is a kind of Don Quixote, pursuing his purpose in life with a child-like purity of purpose. When he stumbles upon Christmas and decides he wants it to be "his" holiday too, the motivation is not avarice but the simple joy he feels in discovering that there is another holiday he can celebrate. When he and the fellow citizens of Halloweentown seriously misread the meaning of Christmas and give gifts to the children of the world which are singularly inappropriate, it’s not because they are malevolent but, in their simplicity, they think that every special occasion deserves a good scare; this is the highest compliment they can offer the day. By story's end, though, Jack’s perceptual horizons have been widened and he has an inkling that there is a fuller palate of feelings in the world to experience. Still and all, I've always felt that, at bottom, Jack is one of Burton's most obvious alter egos and that he, like Jack, relishes nothing quite so much as the chance to leap out of a dark corner and make us jump by saying "Boo"! One last thing about "The Nightmare Before Christmas"; Tim Burton and Danny Elfman have a relationship that is similar to that of Steven Spielberg and John Williams, with Elfman acting as an extension of Burton's will by manifesting his ideas in musical form. It’s ironic, then, that Burton was at something of a remove in this instance because his influence seems stronger by far than in some of their other collaborations. In addition, I think it’s easy to argue that this is Elfman's magnum opus; he has the chance to work in a wide number of musical genres and he displays, with exuberance, the range of his influences, from Nino Rota to Cab Calloway. The result is a collection of catchy, memorable songs that are some of the most welcome "earworms" you're ever going to hear. Do yourself a favor this Halloween, pick up a copy of both the movie and its soundtrack; you won't regret it! Continued on page 18...

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Where are you, Jack Skellington? Continued from page 16â&#x20AC;Ś

Thing Two: I discovered this weekend that director Tobe Hooper had passed away. His claim to fame, of course, will forever be "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and rightly so, as it will always remain one of the most unsettling, disturbing suspense films ever made and Leatherface will be a horror icon as long as horror films exist. Yet, Hooper made his greatest impact on me with his version of Stephen King's "Salem's Lot", which was a television mini-series in the 70's; I still get a delicious chill when I remember the dead little boy, fresh from his grave and still wearing the three-piece suit he was buried in, floating outside Mark Petrie's second story window and scratching on the glass, imploring Mark to let him in. The fangs, the ghastly blue-white skin, and the glowing eyes. Brr! I'm getting goosebumps just writing about it! Hooper also made a great success out of the first "Poltergeist", although his achievement was undercut somewhat by rumors that Spielberg had done most of the directing on the film; my feeling is that Spielberg may have taken an active part in the film's production, but there are plenty of instances in the film that have the distinctive Hooper touch; I think the film was predominantly his. My favorite of all his films was "Lifeforce", a seriously underrated science fiction movie, based on a novel by Colin Wilson, and released in 1985. If you've never seen it, I won't attempt to synopsize it; suffice it to say that it is one of the strangest films you''ll ever see but still loads of fun despite its sheer oddness! Reading through some of his eulogies, I was reminded that Tobe was a gentle, soft-spoken man, whose erudition in all of cinema history made you think he was a professor of film studies more than one of the legendary masters of horror. Along with the death of George Romero in July, I'm painfully reminded that a particular generation of film makers are beginning to leave the stage and we are all lessened by their loss; I think the unique perspective they had as "baby boomer" children of the 50's and 60's, which colored in very specific ways the stories they told, will be sorely missed. Farewell Tobe; you won't be forgotten! Learn more about classic films and enjoy the magic of movies at Movies with Mike. Held the 1st Thursday of each month at 6:00pm downstairs at the Lenoir Library. This program is free and popcorn is provided! For more information, please call 828-728-4207. Caldwell County Public Library website: http://ccpl.libguides.com/main

Thursday, September 7, 2017

LEAP OF FAITH

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Don’t Be Scammed Due to Pipeline Disruptions RALEIGH, NC (August 31, 2017)…The price gouging law that protects consumers from scammers is now in effect in all 100 North Carolina counties due to the Governor’s declaration of abnormal market disruption due to the temporary Hurricane Harvey resulting in the temporary shutdown of Texas and Louisiana fuel refineries. “If you see suspiciously high gas prices, it could mean that gas stations are taking advantage of their customers,” said Attorney General Stein. “I want to know about it. My top priority is protecting North Carolinians – including their wallets. Taking advantage of people during a weather crisis would be unacceptable, and I will hold any offenders accountable.” North Carolina has a strong statute against price gouging – charging too much during a time of crisis. When Gov. Roy Cooper declared the state of emergency today, that statute went into effect and will remain in effect for the next 45 days. Attorney General Stein and the North Carolina Department of Justice will be reviewing complaints from consumers closely over the next several weeks and are prepared to take action against any gas stations engaging in price gouging activities. Please report potential price gouging by calling 1-877-5-NO-SCAM or file a complaint at www.ncdoj.gov. Earlier this week, Attorney General Stein alerted North Carolinians about how to avoid scams when donating to Hurricane Harvey relief. Visit www.ncdoj.gov for more information. With the onset of Hurricane Irma consumers may very well see price gouging locally. If you do see any suspicious pricing, contact the North Carolina Department of Justice immediately.

Thursday, September 7, 2017

2017 N.C. Mountain State Fair opens Friday The Good Word from the Bible ...a weekly Inspirational Message for today’s life-styles...

FLETCHER, NC (September 5, 2017)…The 2017 N.C. Mountain State Fair opens Friday, Sept. 8, at 9 a.m. at the WNC Agricultural Center. The opening weekend includes special promotions, competitions and entertainment for the whole family. The fair also will offer a large variety of foods, games and rides. Friday at noon, Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, fair manager Matt Buchanan and other dignitaries will cut the ribbon to officially open the 2017 fair. Visitors are welcome to attend the public ceremony outside the Davis Event Center.

2 Corinthians 7:9, 10 “Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance; for ye were made sorry after a godly manner that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh Special Promotions repentance to salvation not to be repented of; Visitors can take advantage of two promotions on opening day. Students in grades K-12 will receive but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” We often sorrow because our evil deeds bring unpleasant consequences to ourselves; but this is not repentance. Real sorrow for sin is the result of the working of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit reveals the ingratitude of the heart that has slighted and grieved the Saviour, and brings us in contrition to the foot of the cross. By every sin, Jesus is wounded afresh; and as we look upon Him whom we have pierced, we mourn for the sins that have brought anguish upon Him we have pierced, we mourn for the sins that have brought anguish upon Him. Such mourning will lead to the renunciation of sin. The humble and broken heart, subdued by genuine repentance, will appreciate something of the love of God and the cost of Calvary; and as a son confesses to a loving father, so will the Truly penitent bring all his sins before God.

By Dr. Herb Cole Of The Natural Food Store

free gate admission from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. That night, the fair will host its popular Friday Night Frenzy. Guests can purchase a combined unlimited ride ticket and gate admission for $25 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. The two-part ticket will include an admission ticket that can be used all day and a ride ticket that can be exchanged for an unlimited-ride hand stamp after 9 p.m. at designated areas on the midway. Competitions On opening weekend, competitors of all ages will be showing beef cattle, dairy goats, alpacas, llamas, rabbits and meat-breed sheep. Poultry and other livestock also will be on display. Shows are open to the public throughout the day in the McGough Arena, Livestock Sales Arena and various barns on the fairgrounds.

In the Expo Building, visitors can view the first of two flower shows held during the fair. In addition, they can see arts exhibits, quilts, preserved foods, woodcarving and horticultural exhibits. Chefs will compete in tomato, trout and beef cooking contests opening weekend. Fair-goers can see the entries and watch the ribbon presentations in the Davis Event Center. The annual Clogging Championship begins Friday at 7 p.m. and continues Saturday at 9 a.m. Individuals, duets and teams will compete in traditional and contemporary dances. The fair also will host its Gospel Singing Competition on Saturday at 9 a.m. on the Heritage Stage. Continued on page 23...

Thursday, September 7, 2017

2017 N.C. Mountain State Fair opens Friday Continued from page 22…

Entertainment Six new acts join the fair’s daily entertainment lineup: Dakota and Friends, Jay Mattioli Family Magic, The Great Atlanta Puppet Show, Little Roy and Lizzie, The One Man Band and Son, and High Dive Fireman Show. The new additions join a lineup of popular returning acts such as Sea Lion Splash, Kenya Safari Acrobats, Dixie Starlight Express and the racing pigs at Hogway Speedway. All the entertainment acts are included with fair admission. The 2017 N.C. Mountain State Fair runs Sept. 8-17 at the WNC Agricultural Center in Fletcher. More information is available at www.mountainfair.org.

$15 Microchips at Humane Society of Catawba County HICKORY, NC (September 1, 2017)...“Anything can happen, and HSCC wants you to be prepared in all situations, from a serious disaster, such as the devastating flooding in Texas, down to an everyday emergency,” said Natalie Robinson animal services coordinator at HSCC. Find information on creating a disaster plan with pets and preparing a disaster kit on the following websites: hsus.org, aspca.org, redcross.org. “All pet safety plans for pets include microchips, so check that off your list next week,” said Robinson. HSCC does recommend identification tags on collars, but these can sometimes be lost or removed, and microchipping is a permanent source of pet identification. When lost or stray pets are scanned by an animal organization, such as animal shelters or veterinary clinics, these identification chips are able to provide the owner’s contact information and are then able to reunite beloved pets with their owners. $15 Microchips will be available weekdays Tuesday, September 5th through Friday, September 15th, noon – 4pm, no appointment is necessary. Microchipping is available to the public and not limited to residents of Catawba County. For more information call (828) 464-8878 during business hours, Monday through Saturday from 11 am to 6 pm or visit catawbahumane.org.

Good Christian Learning At Affordable Prices Ages 6 weeks to 12 years

828-212-0900

First Baptist Church 8 Crestview St, Granite Falls

Open Monday - Friday - 7:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M. Serving Coffee and Coffee House Beverages Begin the day with a hot or cold beverage and a Word from the Master

Thursday, September 7, 2017

We Hold These Truths to Be Self Evident SPECIAL TO THE CALDWELL JOURNAL (By Daniel B. Rundquist)…It is a fact that today we live in a world littered with all kinds of news stories and what is called, “social media.” Americans are constantly assaulted with forever updating news headlines, commentary by any number of pundits and what some people call “fake news”—whatever that is supposed to be. With all this noise and blather going on, how are Americans supposed to sort it all out and find some truth to hold on to? I realize that most Americans cram so much into their day that they are pressed to find time to focus on the events of the day and that no one wakes up in the morning saying, “You know, I really should read the Declaration of Independence today.” It is certainly not considered “breaking news.” But overlooking the significance of our founding documents can be hazardous to our liberty. Why? Because the Declaration contains both the just reasoning and purpose for both the establishment and maintenance of our free representative republic. The preamble reads: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government…” Let’s take a closer look at the preamble in focus, piece by piece: “We hold these truths to be self-evident…” First, there is use of the word “we.” This means that the undersigned representatives of the people of the nation being formed were collectively taking control and acting through them. This was not a document originating from a single person like a king or president, or even an organized government or parliament. The people themselves were taking responsibility for what was to follow. It also illustrates the level of unity of the people—they did not start out by saying, “some of the people” or “most of the people.” The use of “we” means that the undersigned were representing the people who were in this American experiment together, even though it was understood at the time that among them were also the Tories—people remaining loyal to the crown. Then comes, “…hold these truths…” which shows that as a group, Americans were inherently attached to (or “hold”) a series of absolute certainties or facts (“truths”). This illustrates the clear determination in taking the “high ground” position from the beginning. Without the certainty of truth from the start, a just system of government could never be established or maintained thereafter. “…to be self-evident…” a reference to the fact that the truths they were about to list were so obvious to a colonial American (or anyone else) that the matter should be plain for all to see without much complication, confusion, or debate. “…that all men are created equal…” This establishes the fact that the colonists saw no reason why they should be treated differently than other British subjects overseas. At the time it became apparent to the colonists that the king of England viewed the colonists not as loyal subjects of the Crown with the same standing as any who lived in England but rather as people of far lesser station in life who had to be maintained in a state of constant subjugation. Their petitions for redress on policies and issues went unanswered. They were not given voice in the legislature or fair trials in the court system—and for this you may recall their cry of “no taxation without representation.” “…that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights…” This statement forces recognition of the establishment of the idea that God Almighty Himself—the highest authority of all— had already established basic human rights for all mankind that no man or government could ever infringe upon or erase. The rights are “unalienable” meaning they cannot be taken away from the people under any circumstance whatsoever. Even the people themselves could not justly negotiate their own rights away, then or now. This monumental assertion and change in the global viewpoint of the relationship of people to their government shook the world. Thomas Paine’s later piece in 1791, Rights of Man explains, Continued on page 25...

Thursday, September 7, 2017

We Hold These Truths to Be Self Evident Continued from page 24… “There was a time when kings disposed of their crowns by will upon their death-beds, and consigned the people, like beasts of the field, to whatever successor they appointed. This is now so exploded as scarcely to be remembered, and so monstrous as hardly to be believed.” “…that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…” Apparently, there is a longer list of pre-existing rights “endowed” by God to mankind because they used the phrase, “among these,” which I understand as meaning, “including, but not necessarily limited to.” The three things they do list, life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness are clearly those which are centrally important to the American culture and the experiment of self-government. They first wanted to make clear that no government could deprive a person of their life or liberty. The British military was brutal at times and if one decided to make a list of their atrocities in the day, it might well require pages to do so. Imprisonment was common while wantonly punishing and executing people for various reasons became routine. The American colonists had clearly had enough and were not about to accept any further unjust and barbaric abuses. Pursuing “happiness” on the other hand, could not even be a thought of a colonist unless both life and liberty were secured first. This “pursuit of happiness” clause does not provide any guarantee of outcome whatsoever—only that the Americans recognized that God had created mankind with the inherent right to instinctively follow those implanted desires and dreams with the abilities He provides. A king or government was not to overstep and interfere. “…That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men…” The only legitimate purpose the American Founders saw for creating any government was for securing the rights of the people. That is all. Government was not to be established or maintained by taxes for any other reason. This is the essence of “small government.” “…deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…” The colonists here establish the fact that a properly constituted government may only govern according to the will of the people it serves. Any power the government applies outside of this clear mandate is by definition unjust. This concept was also groundbreaking—shocking and probably heretical to the established monarchy system. In the world of monarchy, the king was an instrument of God to rule over men, but here the Americans disagreed with the status quo and envisioned a government established only by the people themselves. “…That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government…” Here again another inalienable right is listed—that of the people to improve, change or remove a corrupted government system and replace it with a new one entirely. This is the ultimate assault on the status quo of the day which was mostly monarchies and dictatorships around the globe. The very idea that the people of the American colonies not only could form a bottom-up, self-governing system of their own design, but that if that system were to fail for any reason they maintained the right to start all over if they so choose. This part of the preamble sets up the final case for separation from England which follows in the balance of the body of the Declaration. The document follows the mindset of Thomas Jefferson who also wrote: “Sometimes it is said that man cannot be trusted with the government of himself. Can he, then be trusted with the government of others? Or have we found angels in the form of kings to govern him? Let history answer this question.” Americans do not have rights today because our benevolent government graciously granted them to us. We have rights because we accept that God endowed all mankind with many natural rights first—rights that transcend the authority of any government to either assign or to revoke them. We established our government for the sole purpose of defending these rights against any who would wish to subdue them. The strength of America is clearly illustrated in the power of our founding documents. The ideas and principles of our Founders are as relevant today for modern Americans as they were the day they were first penned. Because of this, our founding documents provide Americans with a kind of cultural compass—much needed today—to help us navigate through the now weed-laden swamp of both American and global politics.

Thursday, September 7, 2017

New Case of EIA Documented in NC LENOIR, NC (August 29, 2017 by Seth Nagy)…Last week a 14-year-old female mule in Johnston County, NC contracted equine infectious anemia. This is the first new case of EIA documented in North Carolina since 2005. Equine infectious anemia, or EIA, is a bloodborne viral disease transmitted primarily by insects, particularly horse flies and deer flies. This virus can infect horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules. The first new case of EIA was detected in North Carolina last week. This is a non -curable disease of horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules. Besides biting flies, infection can also be spread through contaminated needles, and pregnant mares can pass the virus to her unborn foal. Although this virus is in the same family as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), it is not a human health concern. The disease is most likely to be transmitted when biting fly populations are greatest – in late summer. When the horse contracts the virus, there is a 7-45 day incubation period. After the incubation period, there are three forms the disease can take – acute, chronic, or inapparent. Acute: Severe signs of the disease display rapidly, and horses can die within 2-3 weeks. The acute form occurs so quickly that often an elevated body temperature is the only sign seen. If the horse survives, it will be infected with the virus for the rest of its life. Surviving the acute phase leads to being chronically infected or inapparent carriers. Chronic: Horses that survive the acute infection can develop disease signs off and on. This is caused by the horse’s immune system fighting the persistent virus. Chronic issues are sudden rise in body temperature to 105° or more, decreased appetite and weight loss, swelling of the lower chest, abdomen and legs, irregular heartbeat, pinpoint-sized hemorrhages on mucous membrane, and general listlessness. Chronic EIA horses are sometimes called “swampers”. The major concern with a chronically infected horse is its ability to infect other horses through insect bites. Inapparent: The majority of infected horses are inapparent carriers. They do not show signs of the disease. However, under times of extreme stress, some clinical signs may become apparent. These carriers are usually found only when tested for EIA. The EIA test is called the Coggins test after Dr. Leroy Coggins who developed the test in the 1970s. This test detects antibodies that the horse’s immune system develops to the virus. Most horses, ponies, mules, and donkeys are inapparent carriers of EIA. Routine blood tests are typically the way EIA positive horses are discovered. The disease is not curable. Once infected, the animal will always shed the virus and be a potential threat to other horses. If a horse tests positive for EIA, the animal may be euthanized, but it can be kept in quarantine if the owner chooses. There is no approved vaccine for EIA in the United States. To help prevent infection, use new sterile needles and syringes for each horse. Test all horses for EIA every year, and test any new horses that come onto your premises. Have a sound fly control program. And only participate in horse events that require a negative Coggins test. Horse owners should also have a relationship with a veterinarian. Although there is no vaccine for EIA, there are vaccines for other horse diseases such as eastern and western equine encephalomyelitis, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, as well as tetanus and rabies. For answers to your livestock questions, call the Caldwell County Extension Center at 828-757-1290 or visit us online anytime at https://caldwell.ces.ncsu.edu. Seth Nagy is the Caldwell County Cooperative Extension Director.

Thursday, September 7, 2017