A Birth Story to Remember

The “unexpected” with the arrival of the “expected” began to take place. Newborn matching hat and swaddle set, check. Snacks, check. Toiletries, check. Testing positive for Covid, check.

Anxious to meet their baby girl, never did Jon Eric and Jordan Johnson expect to be parting ways just 24 hours prior to Jordan going into labor. Jon Eric had tested positive for the coronavirus after experiencing mild COVID-19 symptoms that week. He recalled being in “pure disbelief, because [he] had talked [himself] into being sure it was just bronchitis.” Nonetheless, Jordan was just as much in shock as she was adjusting to sudden changes in their birth plan, and more disheartened with the simple fact that Jon Eric would miss the birth of their firstborn as he took precautions to keep the baby safe. Already passing the nine months mark and only one single day before she was scheduled to deliver their baby girl, Jordan remembers being “ so close to not having any hiccups during [her] pregnancy.” Heartbroken and confused, Jon Eric kept reminding himself that “Ten days was just a drop in the bucket compared to how much time [he] would get to be with [his daughter] the rest of [his] life.” A life full of memories was waiting on the horizon, he just needed to “take it day-by-day until they came home.”

A Birth Story to Remember BY LAUREN SEPHTON

Scheduled to be induced at The Birth Center at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center on Wednesday, October 21st, Jordan bravely walked in the doors, with her supportive mother at her side ready to welcome this precious new human into the world. With the nurses and doctors using facetime to keep Jon Eric informed on the birth, Jordan delivered a beautifully healthy baby girl, Olivia, at 1:11 pm. While Jordan wishes her husband could have been there in person, she’s still “forever grateful that [her] nurses and other staff worked so hard to include him in every step and most importantly, thankful that Olivia is healthy.”

Despite the good intents of Jon Eric staying home to keep his family safe, COVID-19 had other plans. While both Jordan and her mother, Amy Hammett, tested negative for COVID-19 on the day of delivery, Jordan did end up testing positive only two days after Olivia’s birth. Similar to Jon Eric, Jordan only experienced mild symptoms which allowed her to continue to care for Olivia. For extra safety precautions, Jon Eric and Jordan altered their birth plans again to isolate the girls for the following ten days in the basement of Jordan’s mom, Amy. That Friday evening, as Jordan packed her bags to head to her mother’s house, Jon Eric eagerly awaited their arrival in the driveway. Remaining at a safe distance, he was able to admire his little girl as Jordan and Amy carefully cradled up Olivia from the car and brought her home. After settling, Jordan pulled her rocking chair up to a glass door for Jon Eric to catch a glimpse. He was wearing his N95 mask for extra safety to meet Olivia for the first time in-person. As Jordan held her tiny angel on the other side of the glass door, Jon Eric was filled with an “odd mixture of joy and sorrow,” as he was finally getting to “see her in person, but not getting to hold her and be close to her.” Over the next few days, Jordan and Amy consistently wore N95 masks to ensure the newborn was never exposed to the virus, other than the times they ate, showered, and brushed their teeth, which never occurred in the presence of Olivia. Thankfully, Olivia and Amy never tested positive for COVID-19. After all safety precautions were taken and their ten days were up, Jordan, Olivia, and Jon Eric were finally reunited together as a family. Looking back, Jon Eric and Jordan note their biggest blessing came true despite the challenges, - a happy, healthy baby who never had to leave mother’s side. “God was looking out for us,” they said.

While they continued to adapt with the unforeseen events, Jon Eric and Jordan couldn’t be more grateful for Amy Hammett, Jordan’s mom, who not only accompanied Jordan to the hospital, but was by her side in Jon Eric’s place, keeping him well-informed and connected along the way. Going above and beyond, as she volunteered to quarantine with Jordan and Olivia in her basement while her husband isolated upstairs. In addition, Amy selfquarantined for an additional 14 days for extra safety, as Jordan was tested positive. “I don’t know if I would have made it through this without her,” said Jon Eric. “Knowing she was taking care of my girls while I couldn’t be there was my greatest sense of comfort.” In addition, many great friends and family would visit at the glass door and bring food to both Jon Eric and the ladies who isolated at Amy’s house. “I can’t tell you how much we appreciate their help and support, along with all the doctors and hospital staff who did a great job keeping everyone safe.”

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Patients

Winterlark Presenting Sponsor:

From diagnosis, treatment, and on through survivorship, the mission of the Cancer Patient Support Program at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center’s Comprehensive Cancer Center is to Winterlark 2021 Jean Wilhelmsen-Exter rings the cancer Victory Bell prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. what would you give to see no one see no one faces cancer alone. The cancer journey can often be filled with uncertainty and anxiety for many patients and their families. A helping hand to guide the unique complementary therapies that help patients. The Cancer Patient Support Program is a valuable resource that helps address patient financial needs, as well This year, Winterlark is more special than ever as social distancing has caused Winterlark to be reimagined from an inperson gala to a virtual environment. Instead faces cancer alone them through the complexities that come as guides them to additional resources of one wonderful evening, Winterlark is with diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship including social work services and nutrition now celebrated throughout the month of can make all the difference on a path counseling. The program, one of the first in February. At the heart of the reimagined toward healing. The Cancer Patient Support Program (CPSP) is a beacon of hope for the many patients, their families, caregivers and the country, began in 1980, and has been widely recognized as a best-practices model for cancer centers nationwide. Winterlark 2021 Winterlark is a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign that allows for expanded awareness of the Cancer Patient Support friends as they navigate the unique needs Program in new and dynamic ways and asks that come with a cancer diagnosis. With the leadership of devoted community the question: What would you give so no “By listening carefully and responding members, and special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Allegacy Federal Credit one faces cancer alone? thoughtfully, we strive to meet our patient promise and provide patient- and familyUnion, the Wake Forest Baptist Health Winterlark fundraiser plays a key role in We all know someone who has been affected by cancer Winterlark is a celebration that embodies our community’s spirit of compassion —a family centered care. We seek to remove suffering and replace it with grace,” said Richard P. funding the invaluable resources that the CPSP provides to its patients. As one of the and philanthropy by helping to ensure our cancer patients have the unwavering member, a friend, a neighbor. It can be a long, difficult road. McQuellon, PhD, director of the Cancer Triad region’s premier events, it has provided resources provided by the Cancer Patient Patient Support Program at Wake Forest vital funding for the Cancer Patient Support Support Program. More than ever, your At Wake Forest Baptist Health, the Cancer Patient Support Baptist Health. Program for the past 37 years. support is invaluable in seeing no one faces Team members of the CPSP approach “The funds raised through Winterlark cancer alone. Program offers patients and their families individual and group patients and their families with a holistic are a phenomenal representation of counseling, support groups, financial aid, and other healing and healing mission. Through individual and the compassion and support that our group counseling, educational programs community has for cancer patients and their Learn more about how to support the and holistic therapies designed to ease the cancer journey.and support meetings, they offer presence, families,” said Lisa Marshall, Wake Forest Cancer Patient Support Program by stability and compassion during challenging Baptist Health’s chief philanthropy officer contacting Wake Forest Baptist Health’s times. Healing music, mindfulness stress and vice president of Philanthropy and Office of Philanthropy and Alumni This February, your gift to Winterlark, the annual fundraiser for management techniques, tai chi, therapeutic Alumni Relations. “We have such a giving Relations at 336-716-4589. Stay up to music and drumming, chair massage in community that plays a valuable role in date on Winterlark details by visiting the Cancer Patient Support Program, is needed more than ever. the outpatient clinic and yoga are some of sustaining this important program.” WakeHealth.edu/Winterlark. Your gift will ensure that no one faces cancer alone.

what would you give to see no one faces cancer alone

Winterlark 2021

We all know someone who has been affected by cancer—a family Winterlark member, a friend, a neighbor. It can be a long, difficult road. At Wake Forest Baptist Health, the Cancer Patient Support Program offers patients and their families individual and group counseling, support groups, financial aid, and other healing and holistic therapies designed to ease the cancer journey. This February, your gift to Winterlark, the annual fundraiser for the Cancer Patient Support Program, is needed more than ever. Your gift will ensure that no one faces cancer alone.

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To donate or to learn more, hover your smartphone camera over the code. Or visit WakeHealth.edu/Winterlark

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2020 NCISAA 3A State Champions. 14-0 record.

Head Coach: Ben Kerth Assistant Coach: Chris Hales Assistant Coach: Russell London Manager: Caroline Griggs

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Podcasts that focus on money and finances

The Stacking Benjamins: Joe Saul-Sehy and Josh Bannerman (The Other Guy) are financial professionals. The podcast is designed for beginners who are mystified by investing and money management. Their fun and friendly show has won a number of awards, and the podcast was the only one recognized by Kiplinger magazine for personal finance. We Study Billionaires: According to their website, this is the most downloaded stock-investing podcast in the world. Preston Pysh and Stig Broderson use their extensive financial backgrounds to discuss a variety of investment vehicles. The show often studies the approaches and strategies of some of the world’s most famous billionaires and how they built their wealth. InvestED: Phil Town, a hedge fund manager and best-selling author, and his daughter Danielle explore the successful stock-trading strategies of some of the world’s best stock gurus. You’ll learn about stock basics, investing on your own and you’ll get some valuable investing tips. FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early)

ChooseFI: Hosted by Jonathan Mendosa and Brad Barrett, this podcast If you aren’t a podcast listener, chances are your best friend listens to a few. is “by the FIRE Community and for the FIRE community.” Their primary In 2006, only 22% of the adult U.S. population was aware of podcasts. Today, that number is at least 75%, according to consumer data resource objective is to allow their listeners to retire early by reducing expenses and debt, optimizing taxes and building passive-income streams. Statista. It’s projected that there will be more than 160 million listeners Financial Independence: The Mad Fientist interviews personal finance in 2023. experts to discover their secrets for achieving financial independence Truliant NPR is one of the leading publishers of podcasts, and iHeartRadio, which filed for bankruptcy in 2018, came out of bankruptcy in 2019 with revenue of $3.68 billion, much of it attributable to digital and podcasting income. Spotify is investing millions in podcasting. In late December, Amazon bought Wondery for $300 million. Wondery has 20 million listeners a month and is the fourth largest podcast publisher in the country, according to Screenrant. so they can retire early. While the podcasts are infrequent, he provides updates on his own retirement – at age 34 – and details his challenges and lessons. Financial Freedom: Grant Sabatier retired at 30. On his podcast he interviews people who share his strategies and techniques for taming money and living a meaningful life. His topics include personal finance, investing, real estate – and of course, early retirement. Currently there are more than 1,750,000 podcasts and over 43 million By women, for women episodes. Apple features more than 500,000 active podcasts, according HerMoney with Jean Chatzky: Jean Chatzky has spent more than to Podcasting Insights. two decades reporting on financial matters. She’s the financial editor of NBC’s Today Show. Her goal is to ensure that women can manage their Many money podcasts to choose own financial challenges. Chatzky takes her audiences through the steps So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the topic of money is found in they need to live comfortably tomorrow. She offers the latest research, a large number of podcasts. All of these podcasts are available for free expert tips and personal advice. in the Apple iTunes store. Here are 12 money podcasts that you might want to explore: Her Dinero Matters: Jen Hemphill’s podcast is bilingual. The show is designed for women who want to be “reinas” (queens) of their money. Money basics Hemphill conducts interviews and monitors panel discussions. She also Planet Money: Three times a week, the NPR podcast explores all corners offers tips and strategies that can be used immediately. of the economy – including an interesting and amusing show on buying Brown Ambition: Hosted by Mandi Woodruff and Tiffany Aliche, the and selling Christmas trees. weekly podcast is about juggling life, career and building wealth. The The Dave Ramsey Show: Dave Ramsey got his start on a Nashville radio financial experts, a former financial reporter and a best-selling author, station in 1992. Today, Ramsey is on more than 500 radio stations, and regularly answer listener questions. Federally insured by NCUA. his podcast is one of the most popular on Apple. The show is straight talk about life, money, debt, investing, retirement, insurance and investing. So Money with Farnoosh Torabi: Farnoosh Torabi is a financial strategist, TV journalist and author. Torabi started So Money in 2015. She interviews a wide range of experts, bloggers, authors and everyday people – and all have an interesting money story.

Recognizing & Preventing

Teen Dating Violence

BY ELISA WALLACE COPPEDE

young love is often looked at through naïve, “rosetinted lenses.” Often dismissed as “puppy love,” at times, these young relationships are not taken very seriously by adults. However, they need to be. According to the website, loveisrespect.org, “One in three teens will experience physical, sexual or emotional abuse from a partner.” The website, which advocates for teens and adults to be informed on how to prevent teen dating violence, also reports that “nearly half (43%) of college women report experiencing violent or abusive dating behaviors.”

February is “Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month,” and focuses on helping to educate one and all on this disturbing trend. Just as former President Barack Obama urged the nation in his Teen Dating Violence Awareness & Prevention Month Proclamation, all adults need to take a “stand against dating violence when we see it.”

The impact of dating violence among young adults is severe. According to the website, youth.org, “Nationwide, youth age 12 to 19 experience the highest rates of rape and sexual assault.” Countless studies have been undertaken, showing that “approximately 10% of adolescents report being the victim of physical violence at the hands of an intimate partner during the previous year.” While girls are particularly vulnerable to experiencing violence, this does not exclude boys from also falling victim.

The consequences of teen dating violence are equally disturbing, and include suicide attempts, eating disorders, and drug use. Sadly, adolescents in abusive relationships often carry patterns of violence into their future relationships. Not surprising, children who are victimized or witness violence frequently will bring their experiences into their own teen relationships.

How can adults help teens navigate through their tumultuous teen years and avoid entering violent relationships? Join the month-long initiative this February by first learning the warning signs that a teen may be involved in an abusive relationship. This is truly the only way to stop the problem before it starts.

WARNING SIGN #1: Constantly checking cell phone for significant other messages. While teens will be on their phones a lot to communicate with others, if it seems that your teen is constantly anxious about messages from their boyfriend/ girlfriend, you may want to take a closer look. One of the first ways abuses can start is through social media. Especially, when their significant other is always checking in with them. As a parent, make sure you’re monitoring, so if there is a problem, you can get ahead of it.

WARNING SIGN #2: Isolation from family and friends. This is another tell-tale sign that something is amiss. This can start subtly, such as a dating partner telling the other what activities are okay to join, but then it can lead to more serious situations. Such as telling a dating partner to quit activities because the only thing that should matter is their relationship.

WARNING SIGN #3: Constant mood swings. If you notice that your teen is constantly up and down, you may want to check in and see how their relationship is going. Often those in unhealthy relationships are feeling insecure. This said, they may lash out at their loved ones. Just as the old saying goes, “we often hurt those we love the most.”

WARNING SIGN #4: Significant other has an explosive temper. If you notice that your loved one has any types of bruises or marks from their “partner,” obviously this is enough to report. When a teen is in an abusive relationship, they may justify their significant other’s temper. They may even go so far as to suggest it was their fault and that they deserved it. This is not okay and is another type of abuse.

WARNING SIGN #5: Feeling pressured to do sexual acts. Abuse comes in various forms, from emotional to social to physical to sexual. If a teen you know is having to act out in sexual ways they do not want to, this is abuse. Simply said. And just like any other type of abuse, this should absolutely be handled.

Celebrate this Valentine’s Day by making your own DIY, heartful, holiday creations! Share from your heart and use your hands to craft homemade, handcrafted, heartinspired gifts that lift moods and brighten spirits. Get creative and think outside the chocolate box! Don’t resort to run-ofthe-mill, same ol’, same ol’, generic gifts everyone else is giving. If you want to give something more customized and creative than candy hearts, red roses, and boxes of chocolate, try making your own greeting cards, poems and songs, beauty and bath products, and lots more Valentine’s-y crafts that will make hearts happy! And, because our health and happiness go hand-inhand, let’s celebrate with DIY chemical-free products and healthier sweet treats.

HEARTFULLY HANDMADE HOLIDAY CARDS

Opt for thicker paper, matte or glossy, like card stock, for your heartfully handmade greeting cards. Cut out construction paper hearts, glue them over a doily, and add Valentine’s-y stickers. Want to incorporate candy hearts? Use a glue gun to adhere heart candies with heartful messages. Make a Valentine’s montage with heart shapes cut out from magazines and catalogs, and add cutout letters to spell “l-o-v-e,” “h-e-ar-t,” and “x-o-x-o.”

TAP INTO YOUR INNER PAINTER

Use watercolors or acrylics to express Valentine’s endearment and the concept of love visually. Your artwork doesn’t have to be one-dimensional. Make it a mixed media collage by gluing on other material. Ribbons, coins, leaves, pressed flowers, stamps, and jewelry can add to your piece. You can also incorporate words, phrases, and quotes into your artwork—handwritten, typed notes, or snippets from newspapers, magazines, catalogs, and even old books. Music lovers can tear or cut excerpts from sheet music or draw their own musical staff with treble and/or bass clef and notes.

Creatively Crafty, Handmade, Heartful, and Artful V-Day Gifts this Valentine’s!

BY SUSAN B. B. SCHABACKER

ATTENTION: POETS AND SONGWRITERS

Poetry and songs are a romantic way of custom gift giving. Want to keep your poems short and sweet, but include more than one in a collection? Try a series of haikus. You can handwrite them and bind them together with string or ribbon. Want a version you can share online? Put it into a Word doc, PDF, or multimedia video and add your own voiceover and music. And, for the musically inclined, you can release your own recording(s) with a single, EP, or album, thanks to sites with which you can establish FREE accounts, like Bandcamp, Reverbnation, and Soundcloud.

BATH PRODUCTS THAT BEAUTIFY

Bubble baths can be fun and luxurious, but many kinds contain chemicals. So, for those of us chemically-conscious purists, try healthier options. Mix together equal portions of Epsom salts, baking soda, and sea salt. Stir in some essential oils. Spoon into small glasses or Mason jars. Top off with a cutout paper heart, punched with a hole and tied up with a ribbon, raffia, or yarn.

For a beautiful floral-herbal tea that’s totally caffeine-free, mix together any combination of dried pink rose petals and buds, dried lavender, dried peppermint, dried ginger, and dried chamomile, spoon into an empty tea bag filter, and seal closed. Steep, sip, and savor! Save some for an all-natural tea toner you can store in the refrigerator to refresh your skin. Spritz on after cleansing your face and follow with a natural moisturizer like olive, avocado, or coconut oil. You can also use these skin-soothing herbal blends as tea bath bags.

Sweet! Share the gift of softer skin with a sugar or salt scrub, easily made with coconut oil, sugar or salt, and essential oils.

FOR CHOCOLATE LOVERS, THINK OUTSIDE THE CHOCOLATE BOX!

If you want a more homemade touch for sweet treats than giving a standard box of chocolates, try dipping strawberries and/ or almonds into chocolate. And, when the chocolate is gooey and melted, add in some orange zest for added yumminess.

Have a heartfully happy holiday this special Valentine’s Day! Do something unique and special this year for your loved ones and enjoy sharing these homemade gifts with the people you love.

‘Marcia designed our landscape for a continual display of color throughout the seasons. She took the time to research the plants I love and mix them with subtle nuances of texture, fragrance and color that is on display year-round,’ - J. & C.

‘Marcia redesigned my kitchen and it is outstanding. She moved some appliances around and this enlarged my work space and made the kitchen more efficient. Her help with choosing tile, counter tops and cabinetry made the task manageable. Could not have done it without her. This year she has redesigned my front yard. Her selection of plant material is unique and blends well with the rest of the landscape. She is also wonderful to work with. I give her a five star rating.’ - S. C.

‘Marcia is an extraordinary interior and landscape designer. She has turned a very beige square dining room into a dramatic, intimate space and has brought to life a very drab sitting room with vibrant colors and beautifully restored Victorian furniture. We are now in the middle of replacing a 25 year old over grown landscape with low maintenance, high impact plants. Although not complete, neighbors have commented on the street appeal improvement. Can’t wait to get started on our biggest project, an updated kitchen this fall.’ - M. D.

Inside Out Design

InsideOut Designs is an interior and exterior design studio based in Winston-Salem, NC. We design beautiful, inviting spaces with a unique blend of modern and classical styles to create an effortless elegance. Our vision is to provide a one-of-akind design for each client while you have a seamless and worry-free experience.

Beautiful, yet affordable. From the living room to the lawn. Clients’ Comments