Hickory Living September 2024

Complimentary September 2024

On the Cover

Feel Good. Look Good.

Do Good. page 10

Fix It Up for FALL pages 19-22

2024

Best of The FOOTHILLS HickoryLIVING READER’S CHOICE AWARD

VOTING STARTS NOW! HICKORY LIVING • SEPTEMBER 2024

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contents

SEPTEMBER 2024 FEATURES 10 • COVER STORY Strategic Wellness Center Feel Good. Look Good. Do Good.

MacAdam Smith Publisher mac@oasisluxuryhomes.com (484) 769-7445

16 • BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT Settleymyre Nursery Has All of Your Gardening Needs

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FIX IT UP FOR FALL 19 • Fix It Up For Fall 21 • Fall Home Maintenance

Kathy Wheeler Design & Advertising Sales kathylivingmagazine@gmail.com (828) 238-3224

IN THIS ISSUE 6 • Welcome to the September Issue 8 • September Events 27 • What’s Cooking Air Fryer Salmon Bite Bowls 2024

Best of The

19 Hickory

LIVING 10225 Hickorywood Hill Ave., Unit A Huntersville, NC 28078 (484) 769-7445 HickoryLiving@gmail.com

www.HickoryLivingMagazine.com 4

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FOOTHILLS HickoryLIVING

Sharon Simpson Advertising Director sharon@lncurrents.com (704) 677-9159

READER’S CHOICE AWARD

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORIES! See our special advertising section starting on page 25.

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 or liability for the information, services, products, claims, statements, accuracy, or intended or unintended results of any advertiser, editorial contributors, company, professional corporation, business or service provider herein this publication. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher is prohibited.

contributors

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Amy Casil • Kathy Wheeler

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY

By Stephanie Wiseman Photography

Welcome to the

September Issue

By Kathy Wheeler

©iStockphoto.com | Andrea Migliarini

A

s the summer season winds down, the events amp up. Our area is filled with free concerts, Downtown Hickory Art Crawl, Footcandle Film Festival, and the Historic Morganton Festival. You will find the details on these fun, September events on pages eight of this issue.

Fall is the perfect time to prepare your home for the colder months ahead and the holidays. We have a special Fix it up for Fall section with informational articles and advertisers who can help keep your home in tip-top shape starting on page 19.

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Voting for The Best of the Foothills starts September 1st! This is Hickory Living’s readers’ choice awards. Let your favorite businesses know that you appreciate their services, products, and community involvement by voting for them. Details are on page 25.

Our September cover story features Strategic Wellness Center and owner, Diana Williams, DNP, MSN, FNP-C, IFMCP. Diana has a Doctorate of Nursing Practice and is certified as a functional medicine provider through the Institute of Functional Medicine. Strategic Wellness works with clients to find the root

cause of health conditions and offers other services. Read more about her practice starting on page 10.

If you haven’t been to Settlemyre Nursery, it should be on your to-do-list to visit! They offer beautiful landscaping plants and materials for both commercial landscapers and home owners alike.

Need to add some fall color to your front porch? Settlemyre has beautiful mums! Read their article on page 16.

Thank you for reading the September issue of Hickory Living. We hope you enjoy the month!

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SEPTEMBER EVENTS HICKORY SEPTEMBER The Sails Original Music Series Downtown Union Square, Hickory • Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Concerts begin at 7PM September 6: Certainly So September 13: Damn the Banjos September 21: Mac Arnold & Plate Full O’Blues September 27: Jacoozy www.hickorync.gov/sails-original-music-series Jazz Legacy Concert Series with Rick Cline Downtown Union Square, Hickory • Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Concerts 2-4PM September 1: Troy Conn, Mike Holstein, and

Byron Hedgepeth September 8: Maria Howell and Noel Friedline September 15: Byron Bean Dixieland www.hickoryjazzsociety.com Art Crawl – September 19, 5PM–8PM Four walkable blocks in Downtown Hickory. Enjoy demos, music, and original pottery, paintings, woodworking, photography, and more! Kick-Off Party at 5PM at Full Circle Arts, 42B 3rd St. NW. Footcandle Film Fesival – September 20th–28th Visit the website for lineup and tickets: www.footcandlefilmfestival.com

MORGANTON SEPTEMBER 6, 7 Historic Morganton Festival Downtown Morganton • September 6 and 7, Friday, 12–11PM & Saturday, 9AM–10PM. Over a mile of craft vendors, three stages, kid’s zone, food vendors, rides, and games. Bring a lawn chair for music on the Courthouse Square Stage: Friday, 7:30–9PM: Brandon Bethel Friday, 9:30–11PM: Drake Milligan Saturday, 7–8PM: Chris Taylor & The Rumor Saturday, 8:30–10PM: Boy Band Review morgantonfest.org 8

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on the cover

Photo by Stephanie Wiseman Photography

Feel Good. Look Good. Do Good.

By Amy Casil

Imagine seeing a highly-qualified medical practitioner who would spend all the time necessary to learn what you needed.

What if they could help you to feel and look your best and be in balance, physically, mentally, and spiritually?

You don’t have to imagine this. Welcome to the world of functional medicine and one of its most committed and outstanding practitioners, Diana Williams, founder of Strategic Wellness Center in Hickory.

“A pill for every ill is easy,” Diana said, summing up the differences between conventional medicine and functional 10

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medicine. “But root causes require more complexity and attention to address.”

Diana’s Personal Journey Looking at Diana today, serene and glowing with health and vitality, it’s hard to imagine that at only age 32, shortly after the birth of her second daughter, Diana had a chronic skin condition, anxiety, digestive issues, joint aches and pains, and several other related and challenging health issues.

Seeking help through conventional medicine and a variety of specialists, Diana began to take prescribed medication after medication. At one time, she was on six different medica-

tions, yet her health wasn’t improving. Then Diana sought help through functional medicine, which addressed the “why” of her health challenges, not the “what.”

Diana received a personalized program of supplements, a specialized diet, and vitamins. Through functional medicine, she achieved hormonal balance, increased energy levels, and significant improvement in her skin condition.

This journey resulted in Diana’s commitment to functional medicine. Today, she has a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Duke University and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from Western Carolina University and two Bachelors of Science (BSN) degrees in Nursing and Pre-Med from Lenoir Rhyne and North Greenville University. She is a certified Functional Medicine Provider through the Institute of Functional Medicine (IFMCP).

She founded Strategic Wellness Center in 2018 and today, it has grown to two locations and 12 practitioners. Strategic Wellness Center can assist any client with a chronic health condition, with particular expertise in hormonal imbalances. In addition to treating complex medical conditions like chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, autoimmunity, and adrenal imbalances, Diana specializes in the brain-ovarian axis, which influences conditions like PMS and PCOS, as well as infertility and endometriosis.

Photo by Stephanie Wiseman Photography

How Does Functional Medicine Work at Strategic Wellness Center?

Today, many people are accustomed to seeing a medical practitioner for a few minutes at most and receiving a prescription... or more than one. Functional medicine focuses on addressing the root causes of health challenges rather than prescribing medication to treat symptoms.

“We see patients from menarche to end of life,” Diana said.

The Center can see any patient which has a chronic condition, including not just hormonal disorders, but also diabetes, hypertension, and many other increasingly common health challenges. “Our clients are seeking a different approach, not just a medication to treat their symptoms. We help them find the root cause of why they became ill in the first place and help the body to heal” Diana also mentioned that the Center conducts BIA (Body Impedence Analysis) which will analyze the body’s percentages of muscle vs. fat, and also how much visceral fat is present, along with other forms of lab testing. “We use very advanced lab testing,” Diana said, aiding in developing wellness programs and medically supervised weight loss that include nutrition coaching and frequent check-ins to ensure that everyone is feeling better.

Photo by Lisa Crates Photography

Photos:

On the cover–Diana Williams, founder of Strategic Wellness Center (Photo by Stephanie Wiseman Photography) Opposite page–Specializing in Functional Medicine, Strategic sells supplements and organic skin care Pictured above: • Diana prepping a patient for IV therapy • The comfortable and relaxing waiting room at Strategic Wellness Center HICKORY LIVING • SEPTEMBER 2024

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A Transformation in Wellness and Patient Experiences Diana explained that Strategic Wellness Center has transformed the office visit, offering patients hope, guidance, accountability and motivation. “We have seen over 90% improvement in symptoms among over 2,000 patients,” she said. This impressive result comes from the way that functional medicine works.

The Center also addresses the patients look and their approach to life. “We are a faith-based company,” Diana said. “We focus on the mind, body and spirit.”

Photo by Stephanie Wiseman Photography

Photo by Lisa Crates Photography

Strategic Wellness Center not only offers assistance with chronic health conditions, but also OptiFit Weight Loss management and functional aesthetics, including anti-aging services, injections, and skin texture and pigmentation treatments. They offer organic facials as well as laser treatments, RF microneedling, and a variety of other effective rejuvenation and skin protective services such as HydraFacials.

The staff at Strategic Wellness Center are a strong, patientfocused team who each focus on different areas of health and wellness, and that includes Katie Walsh, a board-certified physician assistant (PA) from Charlotte, NC, Registered Nurses Sarah Davis, Brittni Herman, and Meredith Isenhour, Esthetician. Life Coach Catherine Lundberg offers coaching that can help clients to achieve their best lives.

An Investment In Your Best Life Diana talked with me about how people can become isolated and lack hope when struggling with chronic health conditions, and the Center seeks to help break down that isolation through coaching and support.

Photo by Lisa Crates Photography

Photos:

Pictured above: • Diana meeting with a client for testing • A customer stopped in to purchase supplements and skincare at Strategic Wellness.

• Esthetician Meredith Isenhour performing a laser treatment.

Strategic Wellness Center 315 1st Ave NW Suite 102, Hickory (828) 838-1225 strategicwellnesscenter.com 12

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However, she added that functional medicine remains ineligible for many different insurance plans, and that patients should be aware that it’s an investment in their best lives. Strategic Wellness Center offers complimentary discovery calls. They can tell prospective patients the lab tests that can assist them and conditions they are able to treat. The complimentary discovery call will also inform patients of options for financing and costs for treatment.

Learning More, Looking Better, Feeling Better “Changing people’s mindset starts with education,” Diana said.

“We have the science to get into biohacking.” Strategic Wellness Center, a leader in functional medicine, can treat underlying health conditions as it builds wellness and help people live longer, better lives. The Center can improve external appearance through functional medicine and medical aesthetics, and ultimately, build spiritual strength and resilience through coaching, education, and support. As Diana said, “Our vision is to enhance how people feel and perform, enabling them to become better individuals, parents, spouses, and friends,”

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business spotlight

Photos: Left to right

• Visit Settlemyre Nursery for all of your fall landscaping and outside decor.

• A massive selection of mums and pansies • They offer a huge selection of Fat Alberta Blue Spruce and shrubs for your landscape.

• About mid-September, Settlemyre Nursery will have thousands of pumkins, corn stalks, and straw bales.

Has All Your Fall Gardening Needs

By Amy Casil | Photos provided

The fall months are excellent times to plant, especially larger projects like total landscape renovations and privacy borders. When I spoke with Beth Lane, Settlemyre Nursery’s Sales Manager, she gave me some helpful tips about gardening in September and October. “Fall is a great time to focus on landscaping,” she said.

Owners Brandon Settlemyre and his wife Michelle are carrying on the family tradition started back in 1973 by Brandon’s grandfather and father. Flash-forward to 2024 and Settlemyre Nursery is the largest ornamental retail nursery in western North Carolina. With over 10 acres of growing fields and a four acre garden center, the nursery not only offers plants, trees, and shrubs, it is a full-service nursery that will help with anything from plant selection and seasonal garden16 HICKORY LIVING • SEPTEMBER 2024

themed gifts to landscaping design and installation.

Fall Themes and To-Dos in the Garden If you love mums, now is the time to head to Settlemyre Nursery and pick out your favorite bright, cheerful fall colors.

Fall also brings a chance to decorate your porch with other favorites like pumpkins, cornstalks and pansies. Browse their full catalog online.

Beth said, “Thousands of pumpkins and corn stalks will arrive in mid-September,” along with straw bales. Visit the nursery to stock up on your fall decorations. For the best selection of Heirloom pumpkins or Jack-O-Lanterns, visit by mid-October.

Later in October, you’ll find a great selection of pansies for beds of colors or container plantings to give you Winter color.

The nursery is packed with a great selection of flowering shrubs, plants, and trees even in the cooler months. The sales staff is fully trained to help you with whatever project you have in mind, no matter how big or small. Visit Settlemyre Nursery today for an amazing experience.

Landscape Design and Services Settlemyre Nursery offers professional landscape design services, from general, same-day sketches to more detailed offerings.

“Sketch-and-Go” is the most popular choice that includes a quick design for your landscape. You can take your new plants home the same day with this free and easy option. Call or click Landscape Design on their website for more details.

Scaled drawings are a more detailed birds-eye view, and they are drawn by the design team to

scale based on mature sizes of plants.

The nursery also offers a premium level of digital computer design, which includes detailed renderings that will show exactly how your house and landscape will look after the new plants, shrubs and trees have grown and matured. You can have your plants, shrubs, and trees delivered or installed with each option, and you can also schedule on-site consultations at your home to ensure that your landscape

will look beautiful and thrive. On site consultations offer great value, where their experts will walk your property with you, discuss your landscape, develop ideas, and give advice.

The Settlemyre Nursery Value For over 51 years, Settlemyre Nursery has been building relationships in Western North Carolina. They have added automations to their production facility, better improving their crops.

Their website allows clients to buy online and pick up at the nursery. “Our latest perk is our Rewards Program.

Clients earn 5% back on all purchases and are able to use the rewards on future purchases,” said Beth. The team at Settlemyre Nursery is so excited to help you. Plan your visit now!

Settlemyre Nursery 828-874-0679 1387 Drexel Road, Valdese www.settlemyrenursery.com

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Fix It Up For FALL

S

eptember ushers in the first day of fall! With milder temperatures on the horizon and the holidays just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about the updates and repairs you want to make to your home. Soon, you will be spending more time indoors and entertaining for the holidays. How is your kitchen working for you? Does your home need to be more organized? If you plan on doing any remodeling, you will likely want that work completed before Thanksgiving.

There’s more to fall maintenance than raking leaves.

Preparing your home for winter is essential, and ensuring all systems are in top shape can prevent issues during the colder months. Scheduling an HVAC and roof inspection now can help you avoid potential problems. If you plan to use your fireplace, be sure to take safety precautions: check your carbon monoxide and fire alarms, and consider having your chimney inspected.

Don’t overlook your outdoor spaces! With a few simple additions, you can enjoy your landscape yearround. Set up string lights, arrange comfortable seating, and add a fire feature to create a cozy outdoor retreat. Brighten the area with potted evergreens and pansies for privacy and color. Even if you don’t spend much time outside, it’s a refreshing change of scenery during the winter.

Regular maintenance is crucial not just for protecting your investment, but also for ensuring your comfort.

In this section of Hickory Living, we have advice and professionals to help you get your home ready for winter.

©iStockphoto.com | LvNL | Wirestock | ziggi1 | photomaru

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Fall To-Do-List

Fall

Home Maintenance ©iStockphoto.com | OceanFishing

A leaky roof, frozen pipes, or a heating and air system failure is no fun to deal with, but especially troublesome in the middle of winter. Being an established customer with plumbers, HVAC professionals, and roofers help you during emergencies and with general maintenance issues. Protecting your home from the elements and keeping your systems in working order are one of the most important tasks you have as a homeowner.

Get a roof inspection Snow sitting on your roof or heavy rain can reveal problem areas. Leaks left unchecked, can cause mold and mildew, damage to insulation, sheet rock, and the structure itself.

A roof inspection by a roofing contractor can provide early detection to prevent major damage to your home. They will inspect for missing, or damaged shingles, and flashing for rust, cracks, and separation. If you have asphalt shingles, granule loss happens over time and you may need new shingles.

Debris sitting on your roof captures moisture and could

cause damage. Contractors also inspect your roof for soft and low areas and your gutters for clogs and sagging.

If you are tired of climbing ladders to clean your gutters, consider installing guards for your gutters. Some of the advantages are you don’t have to clean them as often and they prevent birds and insects from building nests in your gutters.

In general, they keep the water flowing freely away from your home and prolong the life of your gutters.

HVAC Inspection Regular HVAC inspections are essential for maintaining energy efficiency, safety, and comfort.

By scheduling inspections at least twice a year, you can avoid many common problems and ensure your system operates smoothly throughout the year.

Malfunctioning components can cause the system to work harder than necessary, increasing energy costs and reducing comfort levels. If you want to stay cozy this winter, call a heating and air specialist this fall to inspection and maintain your system.

Home  Clean gutters  Check roof for repairs  Caulk around windows  Check weather stripping  Clean chimney  Service heating and air system  Drain garden hoses and store away  Shut off valve to outdoor faucets and drain or insulate them  Check smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers  Replace furnace filters  Clean humidifiers  Switch the direction of ceiling fans to clockwise  Launder all bedding and clean curtains  Clean carpets  Declutter  Store or cover grill, ourdoor furniture and umbrellas

Lawn  Trim trees  Rake leaves  Sow grass seed between mid-September and end of October depending on the weather.  Aerate your lawn  Apply pre-emergent if you aren’t sowing grass  Drain your irrigation system  Sharpen your yard tools and store them for winter

©iStockphoto.com | photomaru HICKORY LIVING • SEPTEMBER 2024

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2024

Best of The FOOTHILLS HickoryLIVING READER’S CHOICE AWARD

Visit hickorylivingmagazine.com to vote!

HICKORY LIVING'S READER'S CHOICE AWARDS

2024 Best of the FOOTHILLS

Is there a small business that you have enjoyed shopping with or who offered you great customer service? Let them know by voting for your favorites! 2024’s Best of the Foothills winners will be announced in our December 2024 issue.

CATEGORIES 1. Auto Repair Services 2. Auto Collision Repair 3. Auto Dealer 4. Insurance Company 5. Breakfast 6. Sandwich Shop 7. Dining 8. Golf Course 9. Best Place for Cocktails/Wine 10. Fitness/Gym 11. Aesthetics/Med Spa

12. Weight Loss 13. Day Spa/Massage/Facials 14. Hair Salon 15. Women’s Boutique 16. Dentist 17. Orthodontist 18. Chiropractor 19. Veterinarian 20. Pet Groomer 21. Law Firm 22. Hardware Store

23. Home Builder 24. Interior Design 25. Landscaper/Lawn Service 26. Plant Nursery 27. Real Estate Agency 28. Consignment/Thrift Store 29. Wedding Venue 30. Jewelry Store 31. Caterer 32. Cosmetic Surgery Center HICKORY LIVING • SEPTEMBER 2024

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Visit www.hickorylivingmagazine.com and

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Best of The FOOTHILLS HickoryLIVING READER’S CHOICE AWARD

Visit www.hickorylivingmagazine.com and

VOTE FOR

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VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITES! Let them know you appreciate their customer service and skill by voting for them!

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What’s Cooking?

like to add steamed rice, broccoli and avocado to ours, but cucumber, shredded carrots and edamame make tasty additions, too.

Trust me, once you taste this salmon you’ll be hooked.

It’s made with such simple ingredients but tastes like it came straight from your favorite sushi restaurant

Air Fryer Salmon Bite Bowls Servings: 2 • Prep time: 5 minutes Cooking time: 7 minutes

INGREDIENTS: 1 lb. skinless salmon filet, cut in 1-inch cubes 2 tsps. olive oil 1/2 tsp. paprika 1/2 tsp. cumin 1/2 tsp. garlic powder 1/2 tsp. thyme 1/4 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. black pepper 1 avocado 1 bag (8 oz.) microwave broccoli florets 1 bag (8.8 oz.) microwave jasmine rice

Kathy Dicken lives in Huntersville and is the author of the food blog, The Tasty Bits. For more meal ideas that are simple and delicious, you can follow her blog at www.thetastybits.com or on Instagram @thetastybits.

Air Fryer Salmon Bite Bowls Tender seasoned salmon bites served with fluffy rice, sliced avocado and steamed broccoli topped with a spicy Sriracha mayo compose this delicious salmon rice bowl that will be your new favorite air fryer dish. Simply chop salmon into bite sized cubes, toss in olive oil and a simple seasoning mixture and cook in the air fryer for 7 minutes. So easy!

The beauty of this salmon bowl is you can make it your own.

Switch up or change any of the ingredients you would like. We

SRIRACHO MAYO ¼ cup mayonnaise 1 Tbsp. Sriracha (more if you like it spicy!)

INSTRUCTIONS Preheat the air fryer to 400⁰. Pat salmon dry, remove skin and chop into 1 inch cubes. Make the seasoning mixture by combining the dry spices: paprika, cumin, garlic powder, thyme, salt and pepper. Drizzle salmon with the olive oil and toss the cubes in the seasoning mixture. Once preheated, cook salmon in the air fryer for 7 minutes. While that cooks, mix up the Sriracha Mayo and microwave your rice and broccoli. Serve the salmon over steamed rice with broccoli and sliced avocado and drizzled with Sriracha Mayo. But it’s equally tasty over salad or tucked into tacos or wraps. Enjoy!

NOTE When I place my salmon in the preheated air fryer, I place it on a piece of parchment paper cut to fit the air fryer. It makes cleanup a breeze.

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