FF November 2021

NOVEMBER 2021

Crossnore

Winston-Salem’s Crossnore Communities for Children Raises Awareness for National Adoption Month NOVEMBER 2021 / 1

focus on you,

we’ll take care of the rest WFBH / Atrium

Our Breast Care Center is designed to improve the way we fight your cancer together.

Along with offering advanced treatment expertise through the region’s only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, we make it easier to take advantage of that world-class care.

We call it Care360, an elevated approach to breast cancer care that simplifies appointments, reduces waiting times, and lines up services and support — without you having to ask.

It’s cancer care that allows you to focus on what matters.

Designated by the National Cancer Institute for highest standards in cancer research and patient care.

D Comprehensive Cancer Center

© sa an

833-773-3111 | WakeHealth.edu/BreastCancerCare

2 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

WAK-BreastCancer_print 8.25x10.75.indd 1

8/16/21 10:20 AM

Honda of WS

What a catch Drift into unchartered serenity with our state of the art, debris-free pump system. Simple and easy to use, iDF will push through weeds quicker than you can spot ‘em.

Get hooked on the FISH PRO.

Honda–Sea-Doo–Can-Am of Winston-Salem

Discover yours atDrive Sea-Doo.com 6209 Ramada | Clemmons, NC 27012 | 336.765.0330 | www.HondaWS.com © 2020 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. ®, ™ and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its affiliates. Carefully read the operator’s guide and safety instructions. Observe applicable laws and regulations. Always wear appropriate protective clothing, including a personal flotation device and wetsuit bottoms. Riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix. See your authorized BRP dealer for details and visit sea-doo.com.

NOVEMBER 2021 / 3

10:20 AM

THE N UTC R ACKE R Welcoming the Holiday Spirit

Nutcracker

2014 “The Nutcracker”

UNCSA Stevens Center Winston-Salem, NC December 10, 7:30 p.m. | December 11, 12 p.m. & 5:30 p.m.

December 12, 2 p.m. | December 15-17, 7:30 p.m.

December 18, 12 p.m. & 5:30 p.m. | December 19, 2 p.m.

uncsa.edu/nutcracker

(336) 721-1945

For your safety, all patrons and performers are required to wear masks while indoors.

The magic and energy of live performance is back this December with the return of “The Nutcracker” to the UNCSA stage. Experience a world where snowflakes dance, angels appear and toys pirouette.

Watch as “The Nutcracker” ushers in the holiday spirit.

M E

4 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM ForsythFamily_2021_8.25x10.75_2.indd 1

10/6/21 3:06 PM

2021 - 1

3:06 PM

Count On Us Your local community bankers are here to serve you.

Honda /Seadoo HOMETOWN SERVICE, BIG BANK BENEFITS. Enjoy the convenience of keeping your money close to home with an independent community bank that’s focused on what’s important - our customers. We take pride in knowing our customers by name and offering the personal and commercial banking, lending, and mortgage solutions you expect.

For over 110 years, our mission has guided us to do what’s best for our customers and to build lifelong relationships. As a bank rooted in our community, we understand that banking local means doing business with helpful people you can count on and trust.

Come by and say hello to our Clemmons team! Doug Brewer, Julie Compton, Natalie Moss-Hines, Donna Eden, and Alis Styer can’t wait to show you what it means to be Right By You.

2561 Lewisville-Clemmons Road | Clemmons | 336-778-1601 Member FDIC Equal Housing Lender

fidelitybanknc.com NOVEMBER 2021 / 5

2021 - 192 - Clemmons- Forsythmag Full Page.indd 2

10/6/2021 1:28:47 PM

content

FEATURES 18 Saving Your Holidays 22 Be a Great Health Advocate for You and Your Family

30 VETERANS DAY

Gulf War Group Offers Help

34 Creating New Holiday Traditions 46 Thanksgiving Celebrations

34 72

Around the World

52 Beekeeper Projects, Winter Preparation

60 Backyard Birdseed Recipes 72 It’s Not Your Fault Navigating Child Behavior

88 Sing Us a Song,

You’re the One-Man Band

My Grace-Full Life Distractions

Journeying with Jesus Addiction, A Ride Without an Exit

Out & About in Winston-Salem with Forsyth Woman’s 16th Anniversary

Reflections of a Southern Yankee

COVER STORY

Tales from the Table

Triad Moms on Main 10 Tips for Surviving Toddlerhood

It’s a Grand Life Where’s There to Eat?

A Father’s Perspective An Old Dog Learns a New Trick

40 Winston-Salem’s CROSSNORE COMMUNITIES FOR CHILDREN Raises Awareness for National Adoption Month

6 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

Dining Guide Baked Just So

EVERY ISSUE

68 70 74 76 78 80 86 92

Wishing you a Happy & Safe Thanksgiving!

Vivid Dental

VividDental Winston

Now Accepting New Patients!

336.774.1771 | vividdental.com 755 Highland Oaks Drive, Suite 106 Winston-Salem, NC 27103

@vividdental winston vivid_winston We accept most dental insurance, Care Credit and Sunbit.

We also offer our own in-office Dental Membership plan.

NOVEMBER 2021 / 7

PUBLISHER Robin Bralley • Robin@ForsythMags.com SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Tamara Bodford ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Morgan Bralley • Brooke Eagle Kristi Marion • Heather Spivey ADVERTISING Advertising@ForsythMags.com BACK OFFICE & VIRTUAL ASSISTANT The Office Nerd, Denise Heidel COVER PHOTOGRAPHY JEJ Photos CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS JEJ Photos • Megan Black Photography Micah Brown Media Photo Artistry by Melinda

Hard

to believe that 14 years ago, the first issue of Forsyth Family Magazine was printed. Goodness how time flies, and my how we’ve grown and improved through the years.

None of this would be possible without the support of our readers and amazing advertising partners. For that, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

November is synonymous with thankfulness, and I’m feeling particularly thankful at this time. In the same week, I lost a favorite aunt and was fortunate enough to be a guest at a wedding of a wonderful young couple. Two opposite ends of the spectrum of life. Both were celebrations, and love permeated both events.

Celebrating the life of my aunt, Tina Darnell, who was the epitome of love, patience and kindness. Married to my Uncle Buck for 66 years, mother to my cousins Vickie and Bonnie. What an example of a servant heart she was, and I am thankful for having had her in my life! The day after her funeral, we drove to Jefferson, NC to celebrate the wedding of Kara Blue and Harry Johnson. Such a sweet couple with a lifetime of memories to be made. I was grateful to be included as it was a welcome reminder of the circle of life.

Our cover features Crossnore Communities for Children. What a blessing to have them in our community! If you’re not familiar with them and all the services they provide, do not miss reading their story! Beloved annual holiday events return, such as Tanglewood Festival of Lights and the UNCSA presentation of The Nutcracker! Holidays are surely upon us! Wishing you a Thanksgiving filled with love and sumptuous food!

Blessings!

Robin

8 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

CONTENT EDITORS Tim Sellner • Meghan Corbett (Assistant) EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Vonda Henderson SENIOR STAFF WRITERS Meghan Corbett • Denise Heidel Carolyn Peterson OTHER CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Robin Bralley • Karen Cooper Genevieve Condon • Damian Desmond Lisa S. T. Doss • Martie Emory Pastor Ron Garner • Amy Hill • Taryn Jerez Priscilla St John • Jean Marie Johnson Kristi J. Marion • Ashley Quinn Carolyn S Peterson • Tabatha Renegar Susan B. B. Schabacker • Lauren Sephton Heather Spivey • Megan Taylor A. Keith Tilley • Susan Woodall GRAPHIC DESIGN & PRODUCTION Laurie Dalton WEB DESIGN/MAINTENANCE Nu • NuExpression.com IT SUPPORT Creative IT • CreativeIT.com CONTACT www.forsythfamilymagazine.com 888-892-3204 FORSYTH FAMILY DISCLAIMER Please note that the inclusion of stories and articles in Forsyth Family magazine does not imply endorsement of products or people. The views of the authors are presented for information and entertainment only, and may not necessarily reflect the views of Forsyth Family.

Specifically, Forsyth Family in no way endorses any claim associated with health and/or well being with respect to any particular person. We disclaim all warranties, express or implied,including, but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. We will not be held responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any loss or damage that is caused or alleged to have been caused in connection with the use of, or reliance on, any content in this magazine.

Forsyth Family reserves the right to deny any advertisement or listing that does not meet Forsyth Family standards. Submissions are welcome but unsolicited materials are not guaranteed to be returned. Forsyth Family assumes no responsibility for information, products, services or statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. ©2007 by Forsyth Family Magazine, Inc.

S

gift

Make time for yourself and give the

that keeps on giving and is perfect for anyone.

Paparazzi SEE WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING! FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK, INSTRAGRAM & GOOGLE!

NEW CLIENT SPECIAL 20% ANY SERVICE

WEDNESDAYS

Wow Brow Waxing $10

(Mention Forsyth Woman when booking).

WE ARE HIRING.

Guaranteed pay Commission base, In salon education provided, help to build clientele, we collaborate as a team so you never feel alone while growing.

VOTED #1!

6000 Meadowbrook Mall Court • Suite 6A • Clemmons, NC 336-893-7169 • www.paparazzihairsalon.com Monday - Friday 9am - 6pm or until | Saturday 9am - 3pm

NOVEMBER 2021 / 9

W a H s o

F g m h b

FOOD BRINGS US

Together

F w o lo t c v t c s F

N h 4 a a p t o i

L S h

E E c

FeedCommunityNOW.org 10 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM FF_HolidaySpread_DesignDraft1.indd 2-3

Whew! The holiday season sure seems to have arrived early this year. Mind you, at Second Harvest Food Bank, we look forward to this special time for many families, and for our organization, too.

You are welcome at our home. Why not fill out our volunteer application and see what the opportunities are to lend a hand? There’s no commitment, but it’s a great first step to getting involved.

For families, among other things, it’s a time for gathering and preparing favorite family recipes, much to the glee of those who look forward to having them back on the table, year after year. Food brings us together.

For Second Harvest, helping families set their tables with wholesome meals and favorite family recipes is our daily work. The need for food assistance among local families remains significantly heightened in the face of on-going economic and public health crises. We are grateful to be working alongside our volunteers, families just like yours, as we continue to do our best to make sure that everyone in our community has the food they need to prepare and share meals with the important people in their lives.

Food brings us together.

Next year at this time, Second Harvest will (we hope) be in our new home, as we officially mark 40 years of bringing people together around food, a basic need we all share that is essential to our ability to be focused and productive in our lives and present for our children. We look forward to setting the table for your visit to our new home. Meanwhile, our daily work continues, as food brings us together in community for our community.

Host a virtual food drive and recipe exchange. Second Harvest’s Virtual Food Drive tool makes it easy to reach out to friends and family and do something meaningful together, even if you are apart.

Second Harvest

Looking for ways to give back this holiday season. At Second Harvest, Covid Can’t Stop the Good. Here’s how you can help: Even the smallest gift can have a huge impact.

Every $10 you give can provide up to 70 meals for a child, a senior, a family, a neighbor.

Visit our Feeding Community blog. Share the stories of Second Harvest’s mission and impact on your social channels. You never know who you might inspire to get involved.

Honor friends and family members with a gift that feeds community... in more ways than one. We’ll send a card letting them know that a gift has been made in their honor.

Visit us at SecondHarvestNWNC.org!

NOVEMBER 2021 / 11

10/8/21 1:05 PM

y f f Vision on a mission Twenty200 Eyewear is an optical shop in Winston-Salem with a special mission: all purchases directly create opportunities for people who are blind. They offer a range of eyewear in approachable styles with a focus on kind, patient service.

The name “Twenty200” reflects their mission: while 20/20 is perfect vision, 20/200 is the threshold for legal blindness.

Their parent organization, IFB Solutions, is the largest employer of people who are blind.

and your lifestyle; finding frames that will work best with your lens needs.”

What should you be aware of when choosing your eyewear?

1. Your personal style: do you want to make a statement or do you prefer a classic that never goes out of style?

2. Your prescription: different vision needs require different types of lenses and/or coatings. Will the frames you selected work well with the type of lens needed?

3. Your day-to-day: If you sit at a computer, you’ll need solutions designed to reduce eye strain. Picking frames for your kids?

You’ll need a flexible and sturdy pair that survives play dates.

Twenty200 Eyewear opticians will partner with you to recommend a range of options based on your vision needs, your own style selections, and your budget. Their available lens brands include Varilux®, Transitions®, Crizal®, with Kate Spade®, RayBan®, Oakley®, and Costa® frames.

How does Twenty200 Eyewear support your vision?

Choosing the right eyewear is about more than personal appearance; their opticians ask the right questions to ensure a comfortable fit. Optician and manager Amy Brandon explains what she and her team take into consideration. “We are looking at your hair and eye color, and your face shape. We also look at your prescription

12 // FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM 10

Did you know you can usually use your flex account dollars for eyewear? It is the perfect time for purchasing prescription sunglasses for driving or a back-up pair of glasses for an active teenager.

Use your flex dollars!

As the end of the year approaches, many families are looking for ways to spend flexible/health spending account dollars.

Need an eye exam?

Conveniently located in the same building, Wise Eyes Family Eye Care provides comprehensive eye care for the entire family, including pediatrics, contact lenses, and ocular emergencies. Independent optometrist Dr. Lindsay Totten specializes in managing ocular diseases such as glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration, and dry eyes. She believes that the best health care relationships are built on mutual trust and strives to involve patients in personal decisions about their care. To book an appointment, call (336) 830-8061.

Located at 631 Coliseum Drive, Winston-Salem.

Shopping at Twenty200 Eyewear gives back to our community by supporting our mission of creating opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Walk-ins are welcome or you can make an appointment by calling (336) 245-2687.

Visit twenty200.org to learn more.

you can use your flex spending account (FSA) for prescription eyewear.

For many accounts, prescription eyewear is eligible. Shop our large selection of frames for a back-up pair of glasses or

ct s

prescription

Wise Eyes

sunglasses.

,

n,

Your purchases support employment for people who are blind

al

or visually impaired. To learn more, visit twenty200.org

631 Coliseum Drive, Winston-Salem, NC NOVEMBER 2021 / 13

TIME TO CUT BACK?

New Non-Invasive Therapies to Help Reduce Alcohol and Cigarette Use

BY TABATHA RENEGAR PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICAH BROWN MEDIA

The

Innovation Quarter in WinstonSalem is one of the most vibrant and energetic areas of downtown. But what most of us strolling through Bailey Park don’t know is that the area is surrounded by groundbreaking medical research that might someday benefit us all.

One of these hidden gems is the Clinical Neuromodulation Lab, led by Dr. Colleen Hanlon, a professor in the Department of Cancer Biology at Wake Forest School of Medicine. She and her team have spent the last 10 years developing a brain stimulation tool to help community members decrease their use of cigarettes, alcohol, and other stimulants. They have demonstrated that, through a technique called Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), it is possible to improve outcomes for these individuals.

Now, if you’re anything like me, you’re scratching your head right now with a quizzical look on your face. So, when I had the distinct pleasure of speaking with Dr. Hanlon, I asked if she could help me understand her important work in layman’s terms.

“We all have things that we crave that are not good for us when used in excess—food, shopping, social media, caffeine…,” she said. Sometimes we indulge in these vices and other times we are

able to walk the other way. These 2 processes—like “Go” and “Stop” signals—are regulated by 2 circuits in our brain. If we are lucky, the circuits remain in a healthy balance. In this case, we can go about our daily lives using things in moderation.

Occasionally however, the “Go” and “Stop” circuits are out of balance. This can lead to unhealthy behaviors, including excessive smoking or alcohol use.

Here’s the good news—Dr. Hanlon and her collaborators are currently leading an international effort to help push these circuits back into balance for people struggling with addiction. After receiving her Ph.D. in Neurobiology from Duke University in 2005, Dr. Hanlon became interested in the brain circuits involved in addiction.

“At that point we knew a lot about the brain circuits that were not working properly, but there were no therapeutic tools available to help shift these circuits back into balance.” TMS has been FDA-cleared for use in treatment-resistant patients with major depression disorder since 2008. So, hungry for a new neuroscience-based approach to addiction treatment, Dr. Hanlon moved to the Medical University of South Carolina to learn from one of the pioneers of therapeutic TMS for depression.

Twelve years later, Dr. Hanlon and her team are leading several National Institute of Health supported clinical trials designed to evaluate unique forms of TMS as tools to decrease tobacco/cigarette use, excessive alcohol use, and stimulant use. They have delivered various forms of TMS to over 400 people struggling with various drug- and alcohol-related disorders. Even more exciting is that they are just one site in a community of laboratories across the world pursuing brain stimulation treatments for smoking and alcohol use disorder. In fact, a unique form of TMS was just FDA-cleared for use as a smoking cessation aid in 2020…perhaps one of the best silver linings of 2020!

14 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

Dr. Hanlon believes that TMS will soon transition to a viable treatment for many types of disorders, wherein these “Go” and “Stop” circuits are out of balance… including smoking, alcohol use, and stimulant use disorder. Their work in the Innovation Quarter is getting noticed far beyond the I-40 corridor! Dr. Hanlon’s work was featured in the lead story of the Sept 2017 issue of National Geographic (“How Science is Unlocking the Secrets if Addiction”) as well as in the Sept 2017 issue of Science magazine. Science.org has also endorsed Hanlon’s work with TMS in an article entitled “Zapping Cocaine Addiction” from 2017. Links for both articles along with a fascinating and informative video can be found at the end of this article.*

Please contact their team at neuromod@wakehealth.edu or call 336.713.7848 to learn more about their ongoing studies. More information about Dr. Hanlon can also be found at: https://school.wakehealth.edu/Faculty/H/Colleen-Ann-Hanlon *Please enjoy coverage of her work at the following sites: https://www.eurekalert.org/multimedia/668956 https://www.science.org/doi/full/10.1126/science.357.6355.960 https://www.science.org/doi/full/10.1126/science.357.6355.960

So, how can this work fit into your life or that of a loved one? If you have found yourself (or someone you care about) to be smoking a little more than usual, drinking a little more frequently, or using stimulants to get through the day, and you/they are looking to cut back, contact Dr. Hanlon’s team! All their research studies are confidential, free, and provide an invaluable service to our local community.

TIME FOR A

CHANGE? Hanlon Lab If you are 18-75 and you want to

• find relief from back pain • reduce your drinking • quit smoking

WE WANT TO HELP YOU SUCCEED! 336-713-QUIT(7848) neuromod@wakehealth.edu Learn about our clinical trials!

IRB00061760 IRB00061967 IRB00061841

NOVEMBER 2021 / 15

Tanglewood Park Festival of Lights Turns Heads as it Turns 30

BY AMY HILL Beginning November 12th, Tanglewood Park’s beloved Festival of Lights returns for its 30th annual season, bringing stunning light shows and holiday joy to Triad locals and out-of-town visitors until January 1st, 2022. Bring your family and loved ones and dress in your holiday best to participate in one of the community’s notable holiday traditions.

As early as August each year, the Festival of Lights team begins creating displays and checking and replacing Christmas lights. Overall festival preparations occur year-round, as immaculate attention to detail and hard work are performed by the Festival of Lights team to ensure that decorations, light displays, and special events dazzle visitors year after year.

At an affordable price, festival entry rates per family vehicle are $20 when paying in cash and $23 when using a credit or debit card. Commercial vehicle rates are $45 in cash and $48 with a card, while motorcoach and bus fees are $115 with cash and $118 with a card. On Monday, November 15th, and Monday, November 22nd, visitors can save money by visiting during Discount Nights. Rates drop by $10 for family vehicles, $20 for commercial vehicles, and $30 for motorcoaches and buses.

To kick off the annual Festival of Lights, support the Manna Meals soup industry and join the Miles for Meals 5K event on Saturday, November 6th at 5:30 p.m. To participate, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Clemmons/ TanglewoodMilesforMeals to register before registration closes on November 6th.

After the Miles for Meals 5K, wander through the streets of Tanglewood with your family, stroller, or wagon with the Festival’s TOAST (Totally Outstanding Awesome Stroll through Tanglewood) on Sunday, November 7th. This event welcomes walkers and rollers of all ages. Want to bring your furry friend along to experience holiday cheer? On November 8th and November 9th, the Paws in the Park event provides visitors with the perfect opportunity to walk their pets through the illuminated Festival streets.

Experiencing the Festival of Lights on foot is magical, but visitors also have the option of adding a romantic flair to their evening in a horse-drawn carriage pulled by a Percheron horse. Individual families can reserve a nightly tractor-pulled hayride through the park, as well, but due to COVID-19 restrictions, hayrides for large church groups and company parties are unable to be reserved this year. Carriage rides and hayrides operate by

16 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

reservation only, so call Tanglewood Stables at (336) 766-9540 to reserve your date and time.

Need a few extra knickknacks to deck the halls this holiday season? Packed with products from local vendors, the Gift Shop will be holding a pre-sale event on November 6th from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Attend the event to be one of the first customers to snag new Christmas swag before the nightly Festival crowds. If you miss the pre-sale, you can shop during the Festival on Sundays through Thursdays until 11:00 p.m., and shop even later, on Fridays and Saturdays, before the shop closes at midnight.

Santa is taking extra safety precautions for the sake of Mrs. Claus and his elves and will not be making an appearance at the Festival of Lights in 2021. Still, want to get your picture taken with Santa? Visit www.classicclaus.com to find out how you can capture and frame your memories with Santa Claus safely.

If you’re feeling down about missing Santa, cheer yourself up and satisfy your sweet tooth’s cravings at the Festival’s S’moresville, sponsored by Lowes Foods. Conveniently located in the Gift Village outside the Gift Shop, visitors can purchase s’mores-making kits and roasting sticks for marshmallows and more. S’moresville will be open nightly until 10:00 p.m., with the exception of Christmas Day. Additionally, Bullzhead Brand will be selling hot cocoa, nachos, and other light snacks to keep visitors in the holiday spirit in the midst of lengthy Festival lines.

TANGLEWOOD PARK CLEMMONS, NC

Tanglewood Open Nightly

November 12th - January 1st 6PM - 11PM 2021 TICKET PRICES Car, $20 (cash discount) $23 card Commercial van, $45 (cash discount) $48 card Motor coaches, $115 (cash discount) $118 card Need to burn off all those extra calories from s’mores? Ring in the New Year with a race at Running of the Lights on December 31st. Get the new year started off on the right foot by running through the park at midnight before replenishing with celebratory hot chocolate and snacks. To learn more, visit www. runningofthelights.com.

The Tanglewood Park Festival of Lights is excited to celebrate its 30th season with the community, and would like to thank its corporate sponsor, Lowe’s Foods. To view this season’s rates and learn more about the Festival, visit the Festival’s website at forsyth.cc/Parks/Tanglewood/fol/#home. To stay up-to-date on the latest news from the Festival, follow the Tanglewood Festival of Lights on Facebook.

Tickets may be purchased at the gate upon entry and in advance at the Marketing and Events office at Tanglewood Park.

The Gift Village will be open. Unfortunately, Santa and Mrs. Claus will not be able to visit us this year.

NOVEMBER 2021 / 17

SAVING YOUR

Holidays

BY GENEVIEVE CONDON

Fall is in the air.

The gentle breeze that cools you off first thing in the morning fills the air. The leaves fall around you, and the cup of coffee held firmly in your hands warms you as you sit on your porch, watching the sun rise. It’s beautiful. Serene. The holidays are near and the excitement of all that’s to come fills your mind.

The shopping. Cooking. Baking. Wrapping. Decorating. Visitors.

Laundry. Why is there so much laundry? And the dishes….

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.

Let’s be honest—it’s stressful. Headache-inducing and debt-raising.

While all the things above are true, dread also finds its way in to ruin the serenity of the holidays. The absolute joy of watching friends and family enjoy your homemade apple pie at Thanksgiving, and your friends happily opening the presents you knew they’d love. Yes, the holidays are filled with laughter and family, but also a lot of stress and obligation. Wrangling the kids after an early morning of ripping open presents to go house-tohouse for visits can be exhausting, as you worry whether they will act okay with no nap and very little sleep (Or toss the sweater their grandma knitted by hand because it’s not a toy). The stress of cooking never dissipates as you worry about the timing of everything, because people are coming over at noontime on the dot.

Quickly, the joys of the holidays fade into the background of the stress.

18 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

Do yourself a favor and save your holidays!

I’m not saying no family or visits, but set expectations in advance and do what works best for your family. If your children needing a nap before visitors is a must, do it. Or you simply want them to enjoy their new gifts before whisking them away, it’s okay to set those boundaries. Those memories and moments in your pajamas sitting amongst the wrapping paper and watching your children play are equally as important. Making your own memories and traditions as a family is equally as valuable as the old traditions.

It’s about finding balance among the absolute joyous chaos that are the holidays. Not going broke trying to make people happy with trivial gifts or fretting over your stuffing because it looks a little dry; it’s in the moments, the memories and traditions that seem to find their way into our lives year after year.

So, bottle up those memories, start those traditions and set the expectations early on. You should get to enjoy your holidays, too, not just survive them.

We Can’t Wait to Meet You Novant Health Orthopedics and Sports Medicine experts provide what you need, when you need it.

Novant Health Orthopedics & Sports Medicine - Winston-Salem 200 Robinhood Medical Plaza Winston-Salem, NC 27106 336-718-7950

Novant Orthopedics

Get back to doing what you love with less pain. Our orthopedic and sports medicine specialists are more accessible with care that’s easier and faster than ever.

You can choose from three convenient locations. Our specialists are available for consultations as soon as the same day.

Because when it comes to your bones, joints and muscles, pain can’t wait.

SUB-SPECIALTIES INCLUDE: Sports medicine (shoulder and knee) Musculoskeletal oncology Joint reconstruction (hip/knee/shoulder) Pediatrics Hand, wrist and elbow Hip preservation Foot and ankle Orthopedic trauma

Novant Health Orthopedics & Sports Medicine - Clemmons 7210 Village Medical Circle Suite 110 Clemmons, NC 27012 336-893-2400 Novant Health Orthopedics & Sports Medicine - King King Medical Building 167 Moore Road Suite 202 King, NC 27021 336-673-6500

No need to be in pain one minute longer.

Book now.

Novanthealth.org/OrthoNow

NOVEMBER 2021 / 19

Say Goodbye to the Phrase

With These Travel Games for Kids

BY MEGAN TAYLOR

Planes,

trains and automobiles – no matter your form of transportation, it is that time of the year when many people will be traveling for the holidays.

Keeping track of the luggage, leaving at the right time and making sure you have everything done can cause travel to be stressful for everyone involved, especially during the months of November and December. For kids, hitting the road or air can disrupt their normal schedules, and the longer hours can make things a little crazy. One of the best ways to help your child adjust to traveling is by keeping them engaged with travel games, such as the suggestions below. These games are fun for the whole family.

Versions of the Scavenger Hunt Similar to the game “I Spy,” a travel scavenger hunt involves finding certain items, such as a restaurant, a yellow house, etc.

Create a list of the needed items for each player beforehand, and cross them off as the person finds them. The first person to see all of their needed items is the winner. Card games for a travel scavenger hunt are also available for purchase.

To put more of an “I Spy” spin on the game, make up the needed items as you go. Let the other players ask an individual to find a specific object that is decided on by the other players.

Keep score of how many items each player has found. The person with the most wins. Fun fact: There is a Disney card game version of “I Spy.” Lastly, turn the scavenger hunt into Bingo. An easy way to play this option is to purchase or create Bingo cards with travel associated items, people or popular attractions and spots you may pass. Just like the other versions, keep track of what is found by who.

The License Plate Game Determine how many license plates you can find on your trip.

Challenge your family to find the license plate that has traveled the farthest to where you are located, traveled the shortest or see who can collect the highest number of different states.

20 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

Brainteasers and Mad Libs Both easy to find online, brainteasers and Mad Libs are great ways to keep kids engaged and quietly occupied, if needed.

Brainteasers work the mind and may teach kids a thing or two.

As for Mad Libs, children are practicing the different parts of speech and finding words to fill into a story. Once done, they can read their newly written story. The goal is to make the words as hilarious as possible.

Don’t have Mad Libs, your family can still write a story together or individually. Create the tale through a round robin activity where one family member writes a sentence, paragraph or two and then passes it to the next person to continue the story. Who knows what your kids may come up with?

Classic Playing Card Games While devices and digital games can engage children, there is nothing better than the classic playing card games like Crazy Eights, Go Fish and Old Maid. Take a trip down memory lane, and teach your family how to play your favorites. Just like tons of other games, there are also pre-made card games you can buy ahead of time with instructions. These games include Apples to Apples on the Go, UNO and Loaded Questions Junior on the Go. Bananagrams This is a beloved game among many. You do need a copy of the word game, but it is worth the purchase. Much like Scrabble, players will use titles and arrange them into words. There are versions appropriate for various ages.

The list for travel games for kids can go on and on. Magnetic games, Cat’s Cradle, matching and Battleship Grab and Go are more options to help keep your children focused while traveling.

When choosing what games to pack, let your kids help. Let them decide on their favorites and what they would like to play. Their choices may surprise you, as well as, keep them playing all the way to your destination.

WOODARD & COMPANY | Asset Management Group, Inc.

INVESTMENT COUNSEL SERVICES Serving individuals and institutions since 1985 — 35 years of sound, reliable investment counsel

Co. Diversify Always BuyWoodard Quality&and 117 Kinderton Boulevard • Bermuda Run, NC 27006 (336) 998-7000 or (800) 214-1144

www.wcamg.com woodard@wcamg.com

NOVEMBER 2021 / 21

Be a Great Health Advocate for You and Your Family

BY KAREN COOPER

Sometimes

seeking medical care for yourself or a loved one can feel overwhelming. There are many caring, wonderful medical professionals out there, but medicine has also become a big business and experiences can often seem more transactional than personal.

It’s so important to be prepared to be a health advocate for yourself and those you love. Being a health advocate means taking charge of your and your loved ones’ wellness. The world of medicine may be intimidating, but armed with the tools to advocate for yourself, you are guaranteed to feel more empowered. Here are some simple ways to start.

Start with the Appointment Think about what you want from your appointment. Do you need a general wellness check or is there a specific problem you want to talk about? Which medical professional is the right one to see? Sit down and write out why you’re going to visit your healthcare professional.

What symptoms are you having? Any pain? Where is it? What, if anything, have you done to treat it? Most importantly, what are you willing to do to improve your health? The more information you give your caregiver, the more easily he/she will be able to figure out what the issue is and what treatment options there may be.

Come Prepared The more preparation you do prior to your visit with a Doctor, Nurse Practitioner, PA or other medical professional, the

22 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

better. While you may not always feel well enough to do a Google search or read in your medical book, it can pay off in the long run, especially if you have a chronic condition or previously diagnosed illness.

Understanding as much as possible about your specific illness or problem can make the visit go more smoothly and you will feel more confident in answering questions and asking for what you need.

You may also want to take the time to understand what your health insurance will pay and what out-of-pocket costs you will incur.

Bring your Questions You should always feel comfortable asking your medical provider questions! It’s best to make a list of questions prior to the visit, so you will not forget anything.

Office visits can go quickly. Healthcare professionals are most often in a hurry and being armed with your questions ensures you will get all the answers you came for.

If you ever find your provider is too rushed or unwilling to answer your questions, never be afraid to explore other options by finding someone who will take more time with you.

Keep your Records Maintaining your own records is easier than ever, now in the digital age. If you’ve ever switched medical providers, or seen a specialist, keeping your own records will ensure nothing gets lost in the shuffle.

In addition, seeing that you’ve taken the time to compile your own medical records shows any medical professional

that you are invested in your health.

You should also review your medical bills closely. Many medical bills contain errors and the only way to find them is to keep an eagle eye on them and call the billing department if there is something that doesn’t seem correct or that you don’t understand.

Get a Second Opinion According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, as many as one in twenty people can be victims of outpatient diagnostic errors and nearly everyone will be misdiagnosed at some point in their lives. Even if you’re comfortable with the diagnosis you’ve received, staying informed is the most important tool you will have. A good provider will welcome confirmation of their diagnosis and would not discourage their patient from learning more. You should get a second opinion if you are not feeling confident about a diagnosis or treatment plan.

Phone a Friend Don’t be afraid to call for backup if you are feeling overwhelmed. A scary diagnosis, invasive tests, lengthy hospital stays or even a long drive to a clinic can all make us feel scared. Sometimes you are enough of an advocate for yourself and sometimes you need to call in the troops to help advocate for you. Having a person who is well-informed about your special situation will give you an additional resource for questions and answers, as well as provide you with more confidence to advocate for yourself.

Alzheimer’s Walk

NOVEMBER 2021 / 23

5 Ways to Honor National Native American Heritage Month

BY MEGAN TAYLOR

Hispanic

Heritage Month is held from September 15th to October 15th and Black History Month is observed during February, but did you know there is also a month honoring Native Americans? Throughout the 30 days of November, the cultures, traditions, histories and contributions of Native people are celebrated. Also known as Native American Heritage Month, American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month and National American Indian Heritage Month, this event dates back to the early 1900s.

Dr. Arthur C. Parker, a Seneca Indian, persuaded the Boy Scouts of America to start a day for the “First Americans.” This event lasted for three years until 1915 when the Congress of the American Indian Association met and called for an annual American Indian Day. The association’s president, Rev. Sherman Coolidge issued a proclamation in September of that year and declared the second Saturday of May as American Indian Day. This declaration became the first formal recognition of Native Americans as citizens of the United States. A year later, in 1916, the governor of New York made the second Saturday in May also American Indian Day. Other states followed suit, but decided to celebrate the event as the fourth Friday in September. In 1986, President Ronald Reagan created the week-long celebration from November 23rd to 30th as American Indian Week. It wasn’t until 1990 when President George H.W. Bush approved a resolution that designated the month of November to be National American Indian Heritage Month.

Today, this month is packed full of events and commemorations. Here are some ways you and your family can honor National Native American Heritage Month.

1. Visit a reservation or museum. Throughout the United States, there are about 56.2 million acres of land and 326 reservations for various Indian tribes and individuals. While reservations are not tourist

24 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

attractions due to being the home for tribes and communities, many do welcome visitors and have museums for the public. One you can visit without traveling too far is Cherokee in the mountains of NC. The Museum of the Cherokee Indian has exhibits for all ages and hosts cultural events.

2. Read books and pieces of literature by Native American authors. No matter how old you are, diversifying your books every now and then is a key thing to do in order to learn more about those around you. Spend some time this month reading some work by Native American authors. For adults, Tommy Orange, Louise Erdrich, Stephen Graham Jones and Joy Harjo are good choices. For children, try the writings of Debbie Reese, Joseph Bruchac and Monique Gray Smith.

3. Research Native American art. While immersing yourself in books, don’t forget to learn about Native American art. American Indian artwork is created to honor one’s family and tribal ancestry. As you are researching and looking at pieces, be sure to gather information about the artist and the item’s meaning. If you are purchasing a piece, also learn about its history.

4. Support a Native-owned business or brand. While supporting locally owned businesses, also consider supporting Native-owned businesses and brands.

The money spent at these businesses helps their economic communities and social causes. A quick search online will show what companies are in your vicinity. You can also consider sending a donation to charities that aid Native communities and causes.

5. Learn about Native American Culture. One of the biggest things you can do during this month is to educate yourself and your family about the diversity of Native cultures, Native Americans and Indigenous people throughout the world.

In the United States, there are 574 federally recognized tribes with rich cultures, languages and customs. For North Carolina, we are home to eight recognized tribes – the Coharie, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the Haliwa-Saponi, the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, the Meherrin, the Sappony, the Occanecci Band of the Saponi Nation and the Waccamaw Siouan. By familiarizing yourself with their culture and way of life, you may just be surprised by how much you can learn about Native Americans, their cultures, accomplishments and contributions that you may not have known about before.

National Native American Heritage Month is here.

Let’s make it our goal to honor Native Americans and their heritage in multiple ways throughout the month of November.

BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL CARE

On-Site at School School Teachers & Staff Homework Assistance Social Development with Peers

Imprints

Before School

$100/month

After School

$250/month

Before + After School

$280/month

Drop-In Service (up to 10 days/month)

Enrichment Activities

Before School

$10/day

Fun Fridays

After School

$15/day

Field Trips

ImprintsCares.org/Expanded-Learning 336-722-6296

REGISTRATION OPEN

Explore Learning Reimagined Kaleideum KALEIDEUM DOWNTOWN

KALEIDEUM NORTH

Sat 10 am-5 pm Sun 1-5 pm

Tues-Fri 9 am-5 pm Sat 10 am-5 pm Sun 1-5 pm

390 S Liberty St

400 W Hanes Mill Rd

kaleideum.org NOVEMBER 2021 / 25

What Three Counselors (and Moms) Want You to Know

BY PRISCILLA ST. JOHN

Three

women gather in a welcoming office overlooking the pond on Forsyth Country Day Schools’ campus. They are the school’s dedicated counselors who together serve the needs of students from age 2 through grade 12. They’re also moms. Meet Upper School Counselor Dr. Melissa Mann-Bailey, Middle School Counselor Mrs. Jenifer Gornik, and Lower School Counselor Mrs. Megan Martin-Wall. Pour yourself a cup of coffee or tea and settle in for a chat.

“If you’re in the car, turn the radio off and be fully present,” Mrs. Martin-Wall says.

“Building relationships with kids comes down to two things: connection and communication,” Mrs. Martin-Wall says.

Here’s how to do both more effectively.

“Figure out creative ways to build relationships with your children,” Dr. Mann-Bailey says. “Hone in on who they are.

If they like cooking, cook together and talk together. Take them for a walk. It’s another way to let them see you in a different light.”

Knock Down the Barriers “When you’re talking to your children, never stand over them.

Be considerate of their physical space,” Dr. Mann-Bailey says.

If you’re behind a desk or counter, move so that you are next to them. “Let there be no physical barriers. Talk to them eye to eye, heart to heart, soul to soul. It’s authentic and it lets you meet them where they are.”

Ditch the Distractions We’re always telling our kids to put down their phones or to turn off the Xbox, but we need to practice what we preach.

“Put your phone down. Turn the TV off. Be present. Don’t even do other business, like folding laundry,” Dr. MannBailey says.

Mrs. Gornik agrees. “If you’re in the middle of something and your child needs to talk, say, ‘I care about what you have to say and want to be able to listen fully to what’s on your mind.

Just give me a moment to finish this and I’m all yours’.”

26 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

Make the Time We live in a world of perpetual busyness, and we need to make the time to build our relationships with our loved ones.

Mrs. Martin-Wall advocates stealing a little time. “Skip the carpool every now and then in order to be alone with your child,” she says. “A little one-on-one time does wonders.”

Be Vulnerable For older elementary-school students on up, don’t feel the need to be “perfect” in front of them or to maintain the facade that you have it all together - especially during a pandemic. “As parents, we need to be able to identify our own emotions,” Dr. Mann-Bailey says. “Children can pick up on those emotions, so give yourself some grace.”

Mrs. Gornik agrees. “We want kids to share, so we can be an example of that. Model what you want them to do, which is communicate openly with you and other adults in their lives.

We all make mistakes; they are opportunities for learning and growth.”

Provide a Safe Space In order to get your children to connect and communicate, you have to give them a safe space to do so.

“Just listen,” Mrs. Martin-Wall says. “Don’t minimize or dismiss what they’re saying with something like: ‘You’ll be fine.

Don’t worry about it.’ It minimizes what they are feeling. Just reflect on what you’re hearing. You can then say, ‘I’m sorry that happened. How can I help you?’”

“Let them know it’s OK not to be OK,” Mrs. Gornik says.

“We don’t have to fix it. We don’t have to make them happy in that moment or give them all that they want. It’s OK to feel uncomfortable.”

Dr. Mann-Bailey wants you to pay close attention to what your child yearns for. “Listen to what their aspirations are and lean into that more,” she says. “It’s so beneficial.”

In order to keep the space safe and build trust between you and your child, respect your child’s privacy. “Keep things confidential,” Dr. Mann-Bailey says. “Don’t tell the whole family what your child told you. They trusted you. Get their permission if you want to tell anyone else.”

Build Your Network Part of helping your child grow up in a healthy way means building a team of caring adults who can offer help and support if needed - especially during a stressful time like the pandemic. Your pediatrician, school counselors, teachers, and coaches are great examples of this. “You can help kids communicate their feelings and find their voices to talk to the adults in their lives who care,” Dr. Mann-Bailey says.

“Parents and schools and coaches can be the bridge. Notice what’s going on with your kids, pay attention, and be there for them.”

At Forsyth Country Day School, partnering with parents to build better relationships makes our community stronger.

If your child would benefit from an educational experience that values meaningful connections and meeting children where they are, please visit FCDS.org to learn more or call Nathan Battle at 336.946.1633 to schedule your tour today.

Forsyth Country Day School

Our forward-thinking approach to learning fosters curiosity, develops talents and interests, and builds confidence to prepare students for what's ahead!

Schedule Your Tour Today!

FCDS

FCDS.org l 336.945.3151 NOVEMBER 2021 / 27

Presents Saura Creek Farm

The

open forum of a marketplace provides a refreshing getaway from shopping aisles. Each venue offers a unique setting that may include activities for children, live entertainment, and an array of foods. The curious shopper discovers she has direct access to fresh and locally grown fruits, herbs, flowers, and vegetables, dairy-based products, proteins, homemade goodies, and artisan-based, handmade crafts. In addition, the welcoming man or woman behind the table provides a small sampling of popular items. Whether you are a first-timer or repeat customer, take the time to introduce yourself, ask questions, and inquire if owners receive visitors or have a farm store. Most likely, the answer is “Yes” or “It’s coming soon!”

Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Market Turning into the parking lot off 27th Street brings to mind a festival or fair of fun and unexpected encounters! Locals arrive Saturday mornings between 6:00 AM and 1:00 PM with the same expectation of excitement. The WinstonSalem Fairgrounds Market, the oldest farmer’s market in town, continues to host a variety of vendors who are passionate about their products, offering quality and personalized customer service. You’ll find both homegrown and handmade products. Perhaps you are already part of the Saura Creek Farm 10-month Box Program and receive a weekly supply of produce, or purchase fresh trout twice annually. If so, you already know Sumpter and Madison Smith, first-generation no-till regenerative farmers running a four-acre bio-intensive vegetable farm in Westfield, with a large-scale aquaponics system.

Meeting Sumpter and Madison Smith Approaching the tables promoting Saura Creek Farms, SCF, you’ll meet a passionate couple who define why smallscale farming is profitable and promotes an active lifestyle.

Together, they traveled in search of the perfect state to grow fruits and vegetables. Colorado? Montana? Yet, they found a diverse climate of flora and fauna in northern North Carolina while having ten-mile access to walking and hiking trails, rock climbing, horseback riding, the river, and Saura creek! Madison says, “I walk our land, bending, stretching, pulling weeds, and getting my hands in the soil. We’re living the best life, preserving and connecting with the natural land.”

28 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

Saura Creek Farm Complementing the fields of fruits and vegetables is an impressive closed-loop aquaponics system, which uses geothermal and hydroelectric energy to maintain fragile temperatures. In their elongated water-based grow beds, lettuce varieties, such as oak leaf, buttercrunch, and spinach, thrive, maturing two to three weeks earlier in summer and five weeks during the winter season. Fish waste is the reason for each plant’s nutrients and success! Every six months, a new batch of fingerling trout begin the cycle in a selfsufficient operation. Sumpter seeks to assimilate his trouts’ feeding regime by raising their natural proteins found in the wild, such as mealworms, crickets, and other insects.

Fresh Fish As pollution enters the streams, rivers, and oceans, fish consume levels of mercury through a process of bioaccumulation. On the other hand, trout raised in an aquaponics tank until mature have “mercury-free, hormone-free, antibiotic-free, and radiation-free” labeling. Twice annually, SCF offers an open invitation to purchase their mature, fattened trout, in early October and May. It’s an opportunity you don’t want to miss! Don’t wait! E-mail SCF today!

A Produce Box and Deliveries Madison writes, “Our weekly Box Program is an easy way to bring fresh, nutrient-dense seasonal vegetables to your home! And, the offering changes almost weekly throughout the seasons.” Boxes come in two sizes, depending on a family’s size and personal needs.

SCF offers flexibility to weekly orders, offering customers the chance to view online and select additional items. Our order window opens every Monday at 8 AM and closes each Friday at 5 PM. Our prepay system is safe and reliable, as easy as online grocery shopping!”

Each order is hand-washed and packed, ready for a scheduled pick-up at one of three locations—Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and King.

Thanksgiving In need of fresh produce before Thanksgiving? Saura Creek Farm delivers! Just imagine adding homegrown arugula, baby kale, beets, broccoli, carrots, microgreens, onions, and Swiss chard to your favorite holiday recipes! Sumpter and Madison will drive boxed goodies to your home for free, up to 25 miles from the farm. Reach out to www.sauracreekfarm.com and sign up!

Saura Creek Farm offers volunteer and tour dates for visitations. Check the website for available dates!

NEXT MONTH: Sassafras Family Farm

Let’s find home.

As a recognized leader in helping children reclaim, rebuild, or reimagine the essential belief in a safe, dependable home, Crossnore Communities for Children recruits and trains prospective foster parents who can provide a safe and stable home to children.

Ongoing supervision and support is provided after placement.

You can change the future for a child in foster care. Apply today to become a foster parent.

Little Richards

Crossnore

Contact catering@littlerichardsbarbeque.com for your catering needs for ALL locations.

Clemmons 336-766-0401 Mt. Airy 336-783-0227

Walkertown 336-754-4495 Yadkinville 336-679-7064

Winston-Salem 336-999-8037 private dining options available

www.littlerichardsbarbeque.com

Foster Care & Adoptions Therapy Services Family Preservation Youth Independent Living crossnore.org | info@crossnore.org 1001 Reynolda Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27104 NOVEMBER 2021 / 29 ForsythFamily-3.676x10-FosterParents-Sep 2021.indd 1

8/10/2021 9:06:17 AM

the teller is a common statement of longing, “I wish I knew sooner!”

By not telling their stories, a lack of knowledge becomes expensive for veterans. For instance, millions of men and women received a disabled rating by the VA and didn’t know North Carolina had a statewide program for education, on-the-job training, creating a business, or children, aged 23 and under, living at home.

The Intent to File “’How do I file?’ is a commonly asked question,” says Jesse Almanza, USMC RET. People hear information; yet it needs to come from a trusted source. Many of our conversations lead to filing. We talk about how documentation from the initial injury connects the dots to a long list of appointments.”

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: • E-benefits have transitioned to www.VA.gov. Information changes all the time. Current websites will help you obtain e-mails and news easier than older formats.

• Outcomes from court cases and new legislation impact veterans, their children, spouses, and dependents. If you filed for a Gulf War injury years ago, try again!

Veterans’ Day Gulf War Group Offers Help

BY LISA S.T. DOSS Veteran statistics: • Twenty million American citizens are veterans.

• Twelve states are without veteran representation in Congress.

• Only 49 Congressional representatives have battle experience.

• From August 1990 to August 2021, the multigenerational Gulf War involved over six million military members • Seven hundred fifty thousand veterans live in North Carolina.

The voice of advocacy on behalf of veterans is small. It takes more than just reading, listening, and talking with well-informed individuals. Trust is vital. Fortunately, for the 150,000 veterans who live in the Piedmont Triad, they have a unique opportunity occurring on the second Saturday of each month in Winston-Salem. Nike Roach, US Army veteran, the co-founder of the Veterans Gulf War Era Coffee, shares, “Most who come to our meetings want a similar connection to what they had while in service. They walk to talk to younger folks who had similar experiences or stories and enjoy themselves with a familiar backdrop.” Visitors will find three to four guys who share lessons learned, best practices, and vital information to take the next step forward. Jesse Almanza, USMC RET., says, “Our sources come directly from Veteran Affairs. While others cannot share specific details, we can!”

Tell Your Story Introductions are made through the informal telling of one person’s story. Listeners glean insights, make connections, acquire knowledge, and form questions. And the outcome for

30 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

• If on active-duty orders and connected to the VA, keep Veteran Affairs aware of your status.

• Enroll in V.A. benefits at your local hospital!

• Prepare death benefits paperwork in advance to help your family, rather than experiencing a potential suspension in probate.

Podcasts and “Know Zone” Webinars Do you know who represents you in the 117th Congress? Have you ever thought about that last mission, death? Did you know many veterans are silently in our lives every day? These questions are themes that comprise 30-to-45-minute podcasts located on Spotify or iHeart apps. Take the time, while driving to work or taking a walk to become informed!

In addition, Gulf War Veterans Coffee presents weekly webinars on Facebook. Expect to learn about veteran disability benefits, health care, mental health, home loans, wills, estate planning, and many other topics!

Discount for Veterans Once a veteran receives a 30% or higher rating, the door opens, especially for family members! The main exchange at military bases once had restrictions and was limited to men and women with 20 years of service; today, the rating carries opportunity. Did you know camping and national parks offer pricing at a nominal cost, or free, for most veterans, including rated? Nike Roach shares, “Most veterans are quiet people; yet their insignia and colors are a tool to savings.

Sometimes a T-shirt is enough, or asking can give you a discount on items from phone systems to computer software.

Everyone is welcome to join the Gulf War Era Veterans’ Coffee group every second Saturday of the month at 10:00 AM. Veterans can bring a spouse, a parent, an adult child to learn how veteran benefits can improve your life! Nike Roach says, “After the meeting, men and women take conversations out into the parking lot. Hours later, they remain taking, sharing, and connecting interests. Sometimes, it takes months for veterans to attend our meeting. And, once here, they want it to continue!”

For more information go to https://gulfwarveteranscoffee.com/.

Gulf War Era Veterans’ Coffee meets at New Beginnings Church, 4555 Shattalon Drive in Winston-Salem.

We wanted to say thank you to all of our veterans who have served. We appreciate you and your service to our country!

PSM

Take $150.00 off our Phenomenal Aire to keep you and your family safe.

Call us at 336.724.7439 (Promo Code: ThanksVets)

Calvary

Showing the Calvary Difference for 50 Years!

Connecting Heart & Mind 336.765.5546 calvaryday.school NOVEMBER 2021 / 31

Piedmont Advantage Branch Managers Maleia Brown (left) and April Young (Photo by Megan Gioeli)

Piedmont Advantage Branch Managers Maleia Brown and April Young:

When

April Young and Maleia Brown enter a room, people stop and take notice. Their bright smiles and cheerful personalities light up a room before they say anything.

Both raised in the Winston-Salem metro area, they didn’t know each other until Brown started working at Piedmont Advantage Credit Union five years ago as a part-time teller.

Five years ago, Young had been with Piedmont Advantage for 16 years and knew the ropes within the branch network and across multiple departments.

A colleague of Young told her she needed to visit the team of new hires, because her “twin” was there, referring to Brown. Young wasted no time visiting the team and immediately connected with Brown. As Brown reflects on that day, “April has been my mentor since day one.”

Today, Brown and Young are branch managers in WinstonSalem with Brown at the Advantage Way branch and Young, the University branch. Both attribute Piedmont Advantage’s leadership for recognizing and cultivating their individuality and desires to make a difference in the workplace and within the communities where they live, work and play.

Maleia Brown: Heart over Mind Brown became branch supervisor in 2019, then branch manager in March 2021. When asked how she likes being a branch manager, without hesitation, she responded with “I love it”; yet admits, “At first, it was hard to choose heart over mind,” when coaching some of her more cautious teammates or finding financial solutions for members, who aren’t accustomed to asking for help.

32 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

Making a difference

Brown learned first-hand Piedmont Advantage’s culture puts employees in a position to serve or lead a more satisfying life. “Following your heart isn’t discouraged,” said Brown.

“Now in management, I’ve come to rely on this culture to follow my heart more often than not. I do my research so that I can ask the right questions to offer guidance for my teammates and solutions for members. While it is ultimately their choice to accept this guidance or pick a solution, being in a position to make a difference keeps me coming back every day,” she said.

“When I’ve a made a difference, I can see it in a teammate’s or member’s facial expression. Now, that’s really cool and the best feeling.”

Outside of work, family is Brown’s priority. “Family is everything,” said Brown.

Brown comes from a large family with traditions.

• Her great grandfather had 11 children and held community cookouts each year. “He wanted to give back as much as he could. This tradition continues today.”

• Brown’s mother is an avid photographer, teaching Brown the importance of capturing memories. Brown put this lesson to work by capturing her uncle’s love for motorcycle racing, which led to other racing motorcyclists to take notice of her photos. Brown is a professional photographer because of her passion to keep her family’s traditions relevant.

Brown also coaches cheerleading with her mom. What’s noteworthy about this is her mentor, April Young, is known at Piedmont Advantage as “the cheerleader.”

April Young: The Cheerleader “April. April. April.” April Young began her career at Piedmont Advantage on April 17, 2001, the day after her birthday on April 16. Over the last 21 years, Young has been a teller and member services manager, which oversaw the credit union’s call center and financial service officers. She also worked in collections and e-Commerce prior to going back into the branch network as a lead teller then branch manager, the position she holds today.

In collections, Young learned when members had the unexpected happen, causing them to struggle to make loan payments, as long as they communicated with her or others in the department, “the collections team would find a way to help while staying within the boundaries.”

Since then, Young believes communication and the ability to observe are keys to both personal and professional success. “Effective communication is a building block to trust; and the ability to observe how people deliver and receive this communication gives me the insight to focus on the uniqueness of each teammate and member,” said Young.

For example, with her branch teammates, Young developed a playbook, similar to what a football coach would use. She uses this playbook as a way to build their self-esteem, which requires an atmosphere of trust and mutual understanding. As Young puts it, “My goal is to coach, not manage.”

This goal has led Young to become more known throughout the credit union as “the cheerleader,” with her high energy and positive attitude combined with a great ability to lead as a coach.

When Young isn’t working, she is enjoying the outdoors. Several days a week, prior to work, she will go to the park to walk and swing. “Being one with nature with no outside distractions is the best way to start the day,” she said.

On the weekends, April is either spending time with her grandchildren or longing to ai162819007517_Piedmont Advantage for FORSYTH 2021 issue.8.4.21.outlined.pdf 1 8/5/2021 3:01:15 PM get in a round of golf. She hopes toadbe a golf FAMILY.Sept coach someday.

If Piedmont Advantage is participating in an area charity golf tournament, when on weekends, Young will most likely be part of its foursome.

Piedmont Advantage’s Vice President of Strategic Services Sandy Milton commends Brown and Young for their leadership.

“They both love life and approach each day with enthusiasm and possibilities. They constantly work to improve their emotional intelligence and know that a strong team culture is the foundation for achieving success,” said Milton.

For opportunities to work with Brown, Young or within other areas of Piedmont Advantage, visit PACU.com/Careers.

C

M

Y

CM

MY

PACU

CY

CMY

K

NOVEMBER 2021 / 33

Creating New Holiday Traditions

BY KAREN COOPER

As

creatures of habit, we find contentment in the repetition of traditions. Having something to look forward to offers us a sense of calm or excitement. As families grow older, things once counted on may begin to change. Traditional gatherings at holiday time may become less frequent or disappear altogether. There may be the loss of those you love, and family dynamics may change due to aging relatives, kids moving away or other circumstances that affect the holiday traditions you’ve always counted on. Losing these traditions can be hard, no doubt about it. For this reason, it’s important to hold tight to those you love and create new customs that may ultimately become new traditions. Think of wonderful ways to create new, lasting memories this holiday season and traditions you can look forward to for years to come.

HERE ARE SOME IDEAS….

Give Back

See the Holiday Lights

Say what you’re Thankful for

Decide how you would like to donate this holiday season and find a church or organization that accepts that type of donation. There are angel trees, toy donation boxes, family-in-need sponsorships, food banks and more.

If you search for a way to help others enjoy the holidays more, you will find it.

And in doing so, you and your family will enjoy the season more, as well.

Bundle up and pile into the car. Get in line early! Drive through a nearby, magnificent lights display or just drive through the neighborhoods, admiring the houses covered in holiday lights.

Share the magic with the ones you love most.

Give everyone a note card and pen and have each person write down what he or she is thankful for, then drop all cards into a jar. At the end of the holiday meal, read the cards out loud around the table and try to guess who wrote each one.

Hang an Annual Ornament or Two

Pick out your Tree

A Night In With Good Friends Make hot cocoa with marshmallows, build a fire, and make s’mores, have everyone wear their favorite holiday PJs, play holiday songs and if you’re really feeling adventurous…let the kids bring their sleeping bags and camp out in the living room. Most of all, have a warm, wonderful time!

Plan a Special Holiday Meal Make an elaborate charcuterie board with something for everyone, plan a meal to celebrate your family’s heritage, or cook everyone’s favorite foods all at once for one amazing, long, leisurely holiday meal that everyone will always remember. Put your creative touches on this special holiday meal idea and watch it be amazing!

34 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

Purchase or let guests bring an ornament each year. You’ll be able to remember the years gone by when looking at the ornaments, and the tree will be filled with special heirlooms that can be passed on to your kids for their holiday trees.

Make it a Contest There’s nothing like a little competition to bring people together. Whether it’s gingerbread house building, turkey drawing or a scavenger hunt…get competitive and make memories with your holiday guests!

Get Puzzled Start a holiday puzzle together at the beginning of the season and work on it a little bit at a time to relax and rejuvenate through all the hustle and bustle.

Choosing and decorating a tree for the holidays is a most treasured tradition.

Take a trip to a tree farm to find just the right one for your home. Stop for hot chocolate along the way and make it a day to remember for your family.

Snap a Family Picture Starting this year, find a great spot and take a picture of the family. In a few years, when you have a stack of treasured photos commemorating your family’s holidays, this will be one of the things you’re truly thankful for! You might set up an appointment and have a professional take a photo, or round everyone up and snap some less formal shots when everyone is together…either way, this will be a tradition you’ll be glad you started!

W I S H I N G

Y O U

G O O D

T I D I N G S

O F

Camel City Coffee

C a m e l

C i t y

A C R O S S

C o f f e e

F R O M

B A G E L

|

1 1 0

S T A T I O N

+

O a k w o o d T H R U W A Y

D r i v e ,

S H O P P I N G

W S N C

C E N T E R

NOVEMBER 2021 / 35

Life as a Farmer’s Market Vendor

BY LISA S.T. DOSS

From

the outside, a farmer’s market is an appealing attraction, combining colors, wording, and an accurate display to showcase a vendor’s goods.

You’ll find a tent, covered tables, a banner, baskets, and bags in an array of materials and colors, and some items presented on an elevated platform. The woman or couple standing behind the table appear enterprising, by selling homegrown, farm-raised, artistic, or handmade products as a business opportunity; yet, there’s plenty more behind the scenes!

Getting Started More than 12 years ago, my husband and I dreamed of our property turning a profit one day. We planted an orchard, over 50 blueberry bushes, 30 grapes comprising three varieties, and had a daily supply of protein-enriched, multi-colored eggs. The garden produced fruits and vegetables across two and sometimes three seasons, while my husband canned. Since then, we’ve fed the wildlife hundreds of pounds of food. And our dreams continue to expand, now including an apiary, greenhouse, greater varieties of fruit trees, and a more extensive garden. With available plants, produce, fruit, fresh eggs, and jars of honey with and without the comb, I finally felt ready to embark on a new chapter, and tossed my hat into the ring in the role of a vendor.

Day One A ten-minute drive offered the opportunity to sell my items locally at an established market. The school year had ended; recitals and sports seasons concluded. It was a Saturday morning in late May; I rose at 6:30 AM, intending to arrive by 9 AM with my table, honey products, produce, plants, lockbox, lunch, and bottle of water.

The idea of taking 2.5 hours to arrive sounded possible, but, in reality, preparation required many hands and specific jobs. My husband and daughter joined me to pick vegetables and fruits, wash, pat dry, and place in large-to-small stainless-steel bowls.

With pricing finalized, I arrived last at 10:30 AM. I was welcomed with smiles and introductions by the local men and women, who also saw the market as a chance to produce a worthy product and reap the rewards of a side-income.

36 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

The Learning Curve As presentation leads to the goal of sales, vendors invest in every aspect of their space. From the tent to the table to the signs is just one part. It’s more than the seeds and pots, fertilizers, trays, or five-to-ten bulk-rate, quality ingredients, containers with lids, and eye-catching labels; each product requires a financial decision.

Short-cuts do not win return customers. The small-business vendor sits weekly in chilly to unbearably humid conditions, because of an unwavering belief in his or her products. When sales are made, it confirms the reason a vendor has accrued innumerable hours in a potting shed, greenhouse, garden, kitchen, living room, or in planning online for the future, another season, or expanding options, while reaching for the goal to improve someone’s day, health, or happiness.

Interacting with the Public Sitting and awaiting an exchange comes naturally to a young child or adult in the form of a smile, wave, or raised arm. Curiosity brings a wide range of ages into my tent. All it takes is a humorous line like “Honey, it’s a sticky business” or “Soap-making isn’t exactly a clean endeavor,” to initiate a conversation, or at least, prompt a smile. I can recall a young boy, age five, who said with bright, wide eyes, “I love plants,” as his parents kept walking. Before he ran off, I whispered, “Me, too!” More than just an exchange of greetings, I love meeting people with a like-minded interest in beekeeping, gardening, or natural products. For those who linger, engaged, it’s tempting to ask, “Do you have time to sit down and talk?” Markets are mutually beneficial for exchanging ideas and learning about successful techniques, applications, best practices, and horror stories. As a result of Saturday’s interaction, the confirmation of this fact arrives in a phone call, text, e-mail, or customer return!

Setting and Packing Up Arranged meticulously in my SUV are tables, a 12x12 tent, platforms, chalkboard signs of various sizes, numerous heavy, snappable containers, and sometimes coolers. Along with employment, a child at school, house responsibilities, and pets, the endeavor consumes hours of time ordering the ideal items and making the product.

• Soap, for instance, takes under two hours to make and four to six weeks to cure.

• Most salves and balms require two batches to ensure a solidified outcome.

• Inflation, or the lack of obtaining a product, drives the price up. Many vendors drive a great distance to save on hefty shipping costs.

Think of your favorite farmer’s market vendors this holiday season! They’ll provide great deals for multiple items, while offering unique packaging. Reach out today!

PENTA

PENTA’s board-certified specialists provide the best ear, nose and throat medical care for you and your loved ones.

Our full range of services includes: • Sinus and breathing problems • Allergy Testing and Treatment • Hearing Aids • Ear Tubes and Tonsils

We provide four convenient office locations and a state-of-the art surgical center:

Winston-Salem | Clemmons | Kernersville | Mount Airy Call us TODAY 336-768-3361

www.piedmontent.com

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”

- Ben Franklin

Cannon Wealth

Proper tax planning requires an awareness of what’s new and changed from last year — and there are plenty of tax law changes and updates for the 2021 tax year that smart taxpayers need to know about. The recent pandemic relief bills signed into law include a number of provisions that could impact your 2021 tax return.

336.231.6844 cannon-wealth.com

Benjamin Franklin’s quote applies to many choices we make – including personal finances. If we don’t take his message to heart, then a lack of planning can be costly. Let us help you prepare for tomorrow, today, while you still can.

No matter where you are on your path, we are with you for the journey.

OUR SERVICES Retirement Planning Investment Planning Risk Management/Insurance Tax Planning Estate and Legacy Planning Cash Flow Management

BUILD. DEFEND. PRESERVE.

Securities and advisory services are offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor and broker-dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC. NOVEMBER 2021 / 37

Here, everyone is friendly, waves, chit-chats about various things. It’s warm. Welcoming.

Family orientated.

When we bought our home, we were welcomed with a plant and a few knocks at the door, where I promptly yelled through the house at the dog who was attacking the door, not knowing who was there to greet us. Not exactly the first impression I had hoped for. But it was authentic and chaotic—just like some days are.

Howdy Neighbor Navigating Neighbor Relationships

BY GENEVIEVE CONDON

Opening

my front door ever so slightly, I glance around, seeing if anyone is outside.

The coast is clear.

I run to my mailbox, my hair bouncing precariously at the top of my head, my shoeless feet hitting the hot pavement.

“Howdy, neighbor!”

Cringing at the words, I put a smile on my face (my teeth that have yet to be brushed making their lovely appearance) “Hey! Good Morning!”

I hope they don’t see how disheveled I look. Or notice that I haven’t even brushed my hair. Or teeth. Wait, am I wearing pants?!

They move closer and panic sets in.

This is it. I am going to be the talk of the neighborhood.

I’ve struggled with being a good neighbor. Heck, my whole family has. Coming from up north, friendly neighbors don’t happen too often, and most people keep to themselves. I lived in the same place for three years and only laid eyes on my neighbors twice, and the interactions didn’t leave me feeling warm and fuzzy by any means.

38 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

But now that we have settled in, the neighbors are used to seeing me not looking my best (there are no lovely, pressed dresses as I sit on my porch drinking freshly squeezed lemonade). It’s usually in leisure wear trying to keep my kiddo calm as he has a meltdown about something, while answering work e-mails and calls, and waving to the Grubhub driver who is delivering pizza for the third time that week. And there’s my husband, mowing the lawn in his sleeveless shirts that he made himself, really trying to embrace the country look. The beautiful thing is, it doesn’t matter what we look like when they see us, what time of day it is or what they are doing, they always stop, say “Hi” and ask how we are and if we need anything.

Their kindness and understanding are not lost on this city girl who is learning to slow down and appreciate the little things in life, like a front porch to people-watch, a friendly conversation with neighbors and a walk down the street with people who will come out to greet you. Nothing beats feeling safe, welcomed, and wanted in a home and neighborhood that you hope you will be in for a long time. One neighbor on the street has been in the home since she was four, it having been passed down to her and her family that she raised. Now, she gets to see her grandkids play in the same yard she once did. It’s just she and her husband now but the beauty in that story and longevity makes me want to be a better neighbor. To be more welcoming. To be more…well…neighborly.

There are still times I get self-conscious and look both ways before I exit the house, but those days are becoming less and less frequent. Sometimes I even catch myself looking for someone outside to say hello to and to check in.

From now on, I won’t hide in my house or run quickly to get the mail. I’ll take my time and give a loud “Howdy, neighbor!” before they do, because nothing beats a good neighbor and a great environment to settle down in and put down roots. I’ll always be a city girl, but this life, having friendly neighbors and engaging in relationships—it’s worth the effort!

ICON

Hip Chics

NOVEMBER 2021 / 39

40 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

WINSTON-SALEM’S

CROSSNORE

Communities for Children Raises Awareness for National Adoption Month

BY AMY HILL PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEJ PHOTOS

NOVEMBER 2021 / 41

While

the upcoming holidays are a time to celebrate family and give thanks, the holiday season is also about giving back to those in need. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, every child deserves a warm, loving household in which to celebrate. Since it’s easy to forget what truly matters by getting caught up in pumpkin pies and holiday hype, November is also home to National Adoption Month, designed to raise awareness for the millions of children and teens in foster care throughout the country.

Statistics from Alternative Family Statistics show that a staggering six percent of U.S. children will be placed in the foster care system before their 18th birthday.

Across the nation, there is a grave need for foster families of all cultures, backgrounds, and strengths to provide children with supportive, loving homes.

Crossnore Communities for Children of Winston-Salem knows all too well the dire need for foster families as they work diligently to mindfully place children with foster families based on the specific needs of the child and family.

A solid familial foundation is imperative in the development and future success of children and youth. According to a study from the Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire, children who have been placed in multiple foster homes are more likely to experience disruptions in brain growth, psychological adjustment, and mental development. Sadly, these children and teens are also more likely to display behavioral and emotional problems in contrast to their peers who have been adopted or have been reunited with their birth families.

Other statistics show that less than one in four children in foster care will enroll in college, jeopardizing their long-term financial stability and overall satisfaction with the course of their adult lives. To combat the negative effects of multiple placements in foster care for a prolonged amount of time, it is imperative that organizations such as Crossnore find the perfect fit for children and families until a child is adopted or reunited with his or her birth family.

Children in foster care aren’t the only ones impacted by the presence of a supportive and nurturing foster family. Foster parents can also model empathy, compassion, and a sense of community for their biological children, who will be more likely to continue the cycle as adults. Interested in becoming a foster parent or family? Crossnore’s recruitment team and licensing workers are adept at speaking with prospective foster families and providing monthly information sessions open to the public to provide clarity on what various Crossnore

42 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

programs entail. Families are thoroughly assessed based on their strengths, income, how much space is available for welcoming children into the household, and whether they have the support and resources necessary for children with special therapeutic or behavioral needs. Because each family is unique, the approval process can last anywhere from three to six months, depending on how eager families are to get started and how quickly each family completes precertification training courses. Courses are designed to teach prospective foster families how to engage with their foster children so that no foster family feels underprepared for their first placement.

Aside from the general need for foster families, Crossnore is seeking families specifically in the Forsyth County area. At Crossnore, the staff strives to place children in their hometown, ideally within their original school district, whenever possible. Due to foster family shortages, however, this is unfortunately not possible for all referrals. In September, only 40 referrals were able to be placed within their home county, with 144 referrals being placed outside of their hometowns and school districts. Additionally, Crossnore is seeking families with resources and skill sets that would accommodate children of special populations as well, including Spanish-speaking families, those with an understanding of the LGBTQ+ community, or households with plenty of time to dedicate to the nurture and care of children in need of a therapeutic home.

Thanks to the prolific referrals team at Crossnore, children are thoroughly assessed

for their specific needs, preferences, backgrounds, and individual differences, and are carefully placed with a family attuned to meeting those needs. The referrals team uses keen critical thinking skills and intuition to make sure placements are a good fit for everyone involved.

It’s understandable to be apprehensive about potentially becoming a foster family. Parents might worry about how expanding their family will impact existing children in the household or whether they will truly have the time and energy to dedicate to helping children in need.

Fortunately, Crossnore is also recruiting families interested in providing respite services to children. Respite families are able to dip their toes into the foster family pool by providing care for as little as one day or for as long as 30 days. Because the team at Crossnore understands that this is a new process for families and children alike, there’s no need to stress about perfection. To become a stable foster family, you don’t need to be a licensed social worker or behavioral therapist to be a safe place to fall.

or becoming a Bridge Parent for the Bridging Families Program. If you’re ready to join the team, visit www.crossnore.org for all available careers and positions at Crossnore Communities for Children.

If you’re unable to become a foster parent, but would like to help support Crossnore’s mission, visit the organization’s website to make a donation or learn about the various volunteer opportunities available. For any other questions or concerns, call (336) 721-7600 or e-mail info@crossnore.org.

To help families every step of the way, Crossnore provides each family with 24/7 support, as needed in times of crisis. Caseworkers are assigned to families to serve as guides when navigating the potential rocky waters of first-time foster families. Families are also provided with ongoing training courses focused on preparing for various scenarios and how to help a child make a smooth transition into their home.

Therapeutic families undergo a more thorough evaluation process and training program, fully preparing families for how to respond to the needs of children who have experienced significant trauma or have been in the DSS system for a long period of time. Many times, therapeutic families provide care to fewer children, in order to provide adequate time and attention to each child within their household.

The team at Crossnore thoroughly believes that children belong with their families. The goal of Crossnore’s Bridging Families Program is to successfully reunite children with their birth parents by implementing a structured and gradual reunification process. Bridging Families provides children with medical and mental health services, educational assistance, recreational opportunities, and a crucial support network. With the help of highly trained Bridge Parents, specializing in trauma-informed care, birth parents receive coaching on parenting skills, education on trauma, and skills for nurturing relationships with team members. Additionally, birth parents are provided with resources and are guided by the Bridging Families team throughout the entire reunification process. Bridge Parents also care for children in a Crossnore home while birth parents make strides to complete their reunification plan.

Crossnore isn’t just looking for foster families. To provide optimum care to all referrals and children in foster care, Crossnore is looking for compassionate, dedicated, and hardworking individuals to join their team. If you’re interested in becoming a staff member at Crossnore, you can serve children in a parenting role outside of your home by becoming a cottage parent, residential advisor, NOVEMBER 2021 / 43

with Success

BY LISA S.T. DOSS*

The Recipe In having a compost bin, you’ll always have extra soil to amend the garden or add around bushes or flower beds. With the support and contribution of each member of the family, the task of composting is quite simple! It requires four ingredients: nitrogen, carbon, moisture, and air.

The

weekly ritual of taking out the trash is a commitment in aerobics, strength, and quite possibly, avoiding toxic fumes!

Organic trash can comprise kitchen waste, such as eggshells, coffee grounds, peels from potatoes, carrots, bananas, celery and much more. For example, the contents from your Roomba, used paper towels, napkins, and other paper products. Did you know all of these are decomposable? Yes, the act of taking a small bucket of scraps with a breathable lid to your compost pile is an extra step, but the rewards are worth it.

The “Container” The purpose of a “bin” is to establish a location that will receive direct sunlight and moisture. You can use inexpensive materials like old pallets, scrap lumber, chicken wire, or concrete blocks to create a simple two- or three-system enclosure. Otherwise, you can buy a ready-made system online or at a lawn and garden store.

Placement Is Important Now that you have decided to go forth with composting, finding a well-chosen site relatively close to the house may be the hardest part.

A few points to consider: • How far are you willing to walk to “dump” a bucket of kitchen scraps?

• If the bin is constructed next to the garden, think how easy it will be to collect the harvest and toss the excess into the composter. There will no longer be a need to worry about bringing bugs into the house or discarding bulky organic waste.

• Will a water hose stretch to your bin? Compost requires some water, especially in the heat of the summer. But too much water, and the decomposition process will result in a putrid odor. If this occurs, there are easy solutions, such as turning the pile or adding “good browns,” like dried leaves or shredded newspaper. Good compost should always have a “sweet” smell.

44 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

• One Part Nitrogen Source: Greens comprise heavy materials that rot quickly while producing microbial growth. Examples are grass clippings, garden trimmings, and kitchen waste.

• Two Parts Carbon Source: Brown compost contains a high carbon content, such as paper, shredded woody materials, and straw. Since “browns” are dry and bulky and decompose slowly, they provide the perfect catalyst for the “green” ingredients to receive air.

• Air: Oxygen is a necessary vehicle to stimulate microorganisms and decomposition. Tumbler systems allow the contents to move, creating pockets of air, advancing the process; otherwise, a pitchfork works just as well to lift and fluff. As the microbes work to break down the matter, heat is generated. The center of the pile can reach temperatures up to 150 degrees! Active turning encourages the distribution of heat from the sides to the middle.

• Moisture: Open systems provide a natural means to add water; however, the compost should be damp and not soggy.

What Else Is Compostable?

The list of compostable items is truly grand. Beyond the rinds, seed pits, and peels, you also can compost: • wood chips • burnt matches • post-it notes • lint from the dryer • outdated seeds • wood ash • sawdust • shredded newspaper • Kleenex tissues

• old spices • pencil shavings • leaves • houseplant trimmings • flower petals • nut shells • receipts • cereal boxes

Of course, the list continues.

Compost Tea Did your grandmother ever add a scoop of compost and twenty parts rainwater to a bucket or watering can, stirring periodically, across two to four hours? It was a routine immersed in love to boost the nutrient levels of her plants. The same result occurs when you drink a hot cup of infused herbal tea. The water-soluble nutrients will have an impact on your body, encourage strength and wellness! Give it a try! * Lisa is an N.C. State Master Gardener Volunteer and a statecertified beekeeper.

Visit us for quality Gas Logs, Gas Fireplaces & Wood Stoves and our expert advice.

Casual Furniture

Kingery & Associates previously

NEW PATIENT SPECIAL

99

$

Comprehisive Exam, Full set of xrays

* In absence of gum disease. Restrictions may apply.

May not be combined with any other offers. Valid for 90 days

We treat our patients like family with warm hearts and beautiful smiles.

We’re looking forward to meeting you soon!

SPECIAL Kingery

FREE

Invisalign consultation

Call today for your appointment * In absence of gum disease. Restrictions may apply.

May not be combined with any other offers.

Valid for 90 days

Dr. Daniel Huh | Dr. William Kingery

(336) 766-0511 • KingerySmiles.com 2554 Lewisville-Clemmons Road • Clemmons, NC 27012

NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS! NOVEMBER 2021 / 45

Thanksgiving Celebrations Around the World

BY MEGAN TAYLOR

Every

year, on the fourth Thursday in November, family and friends gather for food and companionship. On this day, known as Thanksgiving, tables are filled with turkey, potatoes, corn, bread, stuffing and pumpkin pie, and many people take in a football game or two. Since 1941, when Thanksgiving became a national holiday, our celebrations have honored the original feast shared by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Native Americans in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1621. While the American version of Turkey Day is well-known, there are different versions of the holiday throughout the world. Some being days of thanks and gratitude, while other countries center Thanksgiving around the autumn harvests.

CANADA First celebrated in 1578 by English navigator Martin Frobisher who wanted to give thanks for the safety of his fleet, Canada’s Thanksgiving, Jour de I’Action de Grace, is very similar to the United States. While this is the originally documented Thanksgiving, historians believe that the holiday was observed by the First Nations, the indigenous peoples of Canada and Native Americans many years beforehand. Today, Canadians eat turkey and watch the Canadian Football League classics.

The main difference is that Thanksgiving in Canada is honored on the second Monday in October.

LIBERIA Located in West Africa, Liberia was established in the early 1820s for freed slaves from the United States.

With the help from the American Colonization Society, Christianity spread throughout Africa. About 60 years later, Liberia’s government passed an act stating that the first Thursday of November is Thanksgiving. Fast forward to modern day.

Now, a Christian holiday, churches auction off baskets of fruit after their services for families to eat. Roast chicken and mashed cassavas, a vegetable like potatoes, are served instead of turkey. As for football, live music and dancing take its place.

JAPAN Known as Kinro Kansha no Hi, Japan’s Thanksgiving started as a

46 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

rice festival in the seventh century.

Throughout the years, the meaning of the holiday has changed. It is now observed as a day honoring workers on November 23rd.

Children thank police officers, firefighters and municipal workers.

In addition, labor organizations host events, promoting hard work and community involvement.

PUERTO RICO As a territory of the United States, Puerto Rico’s Thanksgiving mirrors the United States’ festivities. They celebrate on the same day, eat turkey and even have their own Black Friday shopping experiences.

However, there are a few unique spins Puerto Rico puts on the holiday. As for turkey, many consume a pavochon meal, a turkey similar to pork, or a turkey stuffed with mofongo, a mashed plantain dish.

Roast pork is also popular for many people and is served with plantains, rice and beans.

GERMANY Erntedankfest, which is known as the harvest festival of thanks, is Germany’s holiday. During the first Sunday of October, Germans join together with their churches and give thanks for their good fortunes.

People also carry Erntekrones, or harvest crowns, made of grains, fruits and flowers in a procession to churches. A feast is also held.

ISRAEL On the 15th day of the month of Tishrei (between late September and late October), Sukkot, or the Feast of Booths or Feast of Tabernacles is observed in Israel. For seven days, Jewish people remember the Israelites and their 40 years of travel after their exodus in Egypt. Participants attend special prayer services and holiday meals.

There are many other countries throughout the world with their own Thanksgiving holidays. Some may be based on a day of giving thanks and gratitude, while others focus more on the autumn harvest.

No matter how the day or days are spent, each Thanksgiving is special and holds a unique and valuable meaning to everyone involved.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ginther

Ashley McKenzie-Sharpe Senior Mortgage Planner NMLS 100776

www.FairwayLoansbyAshley.com

Fairway - Ashley

Top 1% Mortgage Originators in America 2012 - 2020

FHA, VA, 100% USDA, Conventional & First-time buyer Down Payment Assistance financing options all in the palm of your hand with the app! www.FairwayLoansbyAshley.com

336.575.9448 Copyright©2021 Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation. NMLS#2289 www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org. 4750 S. Biltmore Lane, Madison, WI 53718, 1-866-912-4800. All rights reserved. This is not an offer to enter into an agreement. Not all customers will qualify. Information, rates and programs are subject to change without notice. All products are subject to credit and property approval. Other restrictions and limitations may apply.

Equal Housing Opportunity

NOVEMBER 2021 / 47

HAPPY

For

over 30 years, November 15th has been designated to celebrate the spirit of philanthropy and those dedicated individuals who work hard to make a difference in philanthropic circles. National Philanthropy Day honors the tradition of caring for each other and improving the world.

From large foundations to the smallest of non-profits, the impact of philanthropy across our country is undeniable. Simply put, philanthropy is “goodwill to fellow members of the human race.”

Being part of change for the good may be easier than you think.

Simple Ways to Tap into Your Philanthropic Side

Celebrating How Giving Back Makes a Difference

BY CAROLYN S. PETERSON

Most of us have good intentions to make giving to others a priority, but unless you make it a concerted effort, that good intention will never make it past being a good idea. You have to make a decision yourself to increase your household budget directed towards giving to a cause or a charity. Make an extra gift to your church in honor of your pastor, give to an educational cause to honor your favorite teacher, or support your local animal shelter by giving funds or by seeing how you can help the staff.

We all like a little competition, so think about involving friends in giving to a charity by matching their donations. Let’s say a friend gives $100 to the local homeless shelter, you match that donation, and on and on with other friends. If you have kids, grab a shoebox, choose a charity your kids can get involved in and have them give a little each week from their allowance. It’s never too early to teach kids the importance of giving back.

When you start talking about philanthropy, people get the idea of making a grand donation of a house to a disabled veteran or a car to a single mom working two jobs, but there are very small ways to be philanthropic, as well. An act of kindness falls under the “philanthropic” column. If you’re in line at a fast food restaurant, pay for the person’s order behind you. If you see a homeless person, stop to talk to them. Carry someone’s groceries to the car. Go to a nursing home and offer to play music for the residents. Giving doesn’t have to always involve a dollar sign.

Teachers are some of the most giving people we ever cross paths with, and letting them know they made a difference in our lives means a lot to them. Several years ago, I got in contact with my first-grade teacher, Mrs. Shirley Hedrick and my third-grade teacher, Mrs. Susie Jaynes, and we went to lunch. We talked about the “good old days” and I shared with them what their investment in me meant and how I am a better person for it. These two ladies are amazing and caring, and their touching the lives of students over the years, including mine, has made an impact on this world. Teachers need to know that, so tell them.

If you have the financial means, make a single or an ongoing donation to a charity that serves a need you are personally passionate about.

Women’s services, animal rescues, homeless shelters, hospitals, whatever means something to you, give—and remember, no amount is too small.

Philanthropy is the backbone of who we are, both individually and collectively. Whether it’s a financial donation or the gift of time and talent, it feels good to do good. Non-profits bring people together, unite and inspire us, and improve our daily life. Through conversation, education, events, and kind acts, giving keeps us all connected, and as a connected body, we can take on anything.

48 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

38th ANNUAL MISTLETOE RUN YMCA • HALF MARATHON • 5K • FUN RUN

DECEMBER 4 PRESENTING SPONSOR:

ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS AT THE YMCA.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER AT YMCAMISTLETOE.ORG

City Lights

City Lights is excited to announce we are now under contract for the NEW property! It has been an incredible journey where God has truly shown His presence. Many Children in our city feel hopeless and struggle with many obstacles in life; will you help us provide a safe place for them to learn about Jesus, get the help they need educationally by learning at our early learning program or after school tutoring, and have somewhere where they can play and just be kids? We trust God will continue to guide us through this exciting new open door. The kids in the neighborhoods we work in are so excited about this opportunity, some have already been going around their neighborhoods collecting dollars for this property. Let’s join their efforts with our donations! You can find ways to donate and volunteer on our website, citylightsministry.org

Text GIVE or DONATE to 336-565-7599 melanie@citylightsministry.org | 336-831-1003 NOVEMBER 2021 / 49

Child Safety Series COMMON HOUSEHOLD DANGERS

BY TARYN JEREZ

Each

month this series will provide important facts and tips surrounding child safety in an effort to support parents and caregivers as they navigate reducing risks and creating the safest environment possible for the children in their lives.

You can have a playroom filled to the brim with toys, and children will find the one item that was never meant to be played with. The truth is, children are drawn to the things in your home that they aren’t supposed to touch or consume because of their curious nature. “Wow, I wonder what that does!” he or she thinks. While innocence and curiosity are a beautiful part of childhood, they also breed the opportunity for accidents and injuries inside your home. In honor of Child Safety Month, let’s explore common household dangers, how to avoid accidents from happening and what to do if an accident should occur.

Understanding Common Household Dangers A sobering statistic from KidsHealth.org states that “More than a third of child injuries and deaths happen at home.”

This isn’t shared to scare you, but to echo the importance of being aware of what possible risks are in your home so you can create a plan to avoid them.

According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control) the most frequent areas with the highest possibility for injury in the home occur where there is/are: • Water: in bathrooms, kitchens, swimming pools, hot tubs and outdoor bodies of water.

• Extreme heat and fire: in the kitchen, in the fireplace or at a barbeque grill.

• Toxic substances: bathroom cabinets, under-sink storage, medicine and first aid storage, outdoor sheds and garage areas.

• Risk of falling: stairs, windows, rugs, clutter creating tripping hazards.

• Choking hazards: unattended mealtime

50 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

areas, drawers and storage containing small parts such, as batteries, coins, etc.

Reducing Risk of Household Injuries Childproofing your home is the best way to protect your kids from accidents and give you peace of mind. Remember, no amount of childproofing is better than intentional supervision over the children in your home; moreover, that also serves as an additional barrier to keep them safe.

While lots of parents and guardians put forth effort in child proofing around the baby and toddler periods of childhood, it is important to continue taking inventory of high-risk areas for older children as well.

choking risks for younger children; • Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in the event there is a fire or gas leak.

Creating Intentional Safety Habits in Your Home Your home is where your children will spend most of their time the first few years of their life, and feel safe and find comfort when being there.

As caretakers, it’s important to create intentional safety habits the whole family can follow with the goal to keep that safe and comfortable feeling intact long-term.

Add safety devices around your home to ensure children cannot access harmful substances and dangerous zones of the house. Here are a few simple childproofing steps and devices to consider to protect the kids in your home:

Here are a few simple ways to get started:

• Outlet covers to avoid electrocution and putting power strips and plugs out of reach;

• If you see something, say something.

Even if you think another adult doesn’t need to be reminded about a safety risk, say it anyway.

• Safety latches for all cabinets, drawers and storage areas to reduce risk of ingestion or choking; • Corner bumpers to eliminate sharp edges of tables and other furniture that can lead to head, eye and other bodily harm; • Knob covers to stop children from opening doors they should not enter without supervision; • Baby gates at entrances and exits that lead to areas where children should not be alone, especially if water is present on the other side; • Shortened cords for blinds and other area to eliminate strangulation risk; • Furniture and appliance anchors to keep heavy pieces from falling on kids; • Safes for guns and other weapons to keep them out of reach of children; • Locked toy storage for small-part toys older children may have that pose

• Have adults and teens complete a CPR and first aid course to help build confidence and skills should you need them.

• Set supervision guidelines for both adults to ensure, and children to understand safety.

• Always check that access points are shut off to household dangers.

• Dispose of hazardous and questionable substances and items properly.

• Get in the habit of closing baby gates and safety latched items, even when kids aren’t present to build muscle memory.

Establishing a Plan if Injury Occurs Anyone who has ever been through a freak accident or serious injury can tell you the importance of having a plan prior to actually needing it. Human beings’ “flight or fight” response is triggered when trauma occurs, and you never know which kind you will experience until you are in the moment. Having a reactive safety plan in the event that your child (or any family member) experiences an emergency, can sometimes make the difference between life or death.

Historic Charles A. Cooper House of Old Salem

Reconstructed to its 1840’s appearance by historic home builder Steven Cole.

4 Bedrooms 51/2 baths 6 fireplaces

Phillips Ranson

Offered at $1,050,000

Here are a few suggestions on how to create your family’s safety response plan: • Keep all emergency contact phone numbers in the cellphone of each parent, guardian and caretaker, as well as in an easily visible place in the house.

• List any and all medications family members are taking long-term and have them ready to grab or view on a smart device to easily provide for EMTs or doctors.

Toni Phillips 336.354.5052

toni.phillips@goLRB.com

Kristin Ranson 336.817.2560

kristin.ranson@goLRB.com

www.camelcityproperties.com

• Prepare a “go bag” with changes of clothes and diapers in children’s current sizes, as well as first aid supplies and important documents that can easily be taken with you should you need to leave in a hurry for the hospital.

• Establish and practice a fire escape plan twice per year with a focus on making sure young children understand the different ways to exit the house safely.

• Discuss the possibility of being an emergency contact for your family and/or close friends, should you need to have them be contacted or to lean on if something happens.

Remember, Always Better Safe Than Sorry Despite every avoidance, sometimes unfortunate accidents can still occur. If you see a child directly experience a safety hazard or injury, or suspect something has happened even if you did not witness it, it’s always better to get it checked out.

Depending on the severity of what has happened, you’ll want to contact your child’s pediatrician immediately or head to your closest Emergency Room. If your child has experienced a true emergency, call 911 immediately to get an ambulance on the way.

Phillips Ranson

Helpful Resources to Learn More • CDC Centers for Disease Control - Child Safety & Injury Prevention Resources {ONLINE ARTICLE HYPERLINK: https://www.cdc.gov/safechild/index.html} • Safe Kids Worldwide {ONLINE ARTICLE HYPERLINK:https://www.safekids.org/} • www.PreventChildInjury.com {ONLINE ARTICLE HYPERLINK:} NOVEMBER 2021 / 51

BEEKEEPER Projects, Winter Preparation

BY LISA S.T. DOSS

“ Go to the bee, thou poet: consider her ways and be wise.”

~ George Bernard Shaw

Sitting

ELIMINATING THE BAD PESTS

on the front porch stoop on a summer evening, you can see hundreds of forager bees showing a visible pattern of flight, zipping to and from the apiary’s entrance. It looks like geometric lines filling the sky. Their industry never ceases—all for the goal of building up stores of honey to survive the winter. For millions of years, bees have endured challenging conditions and climates. And, yet, with a beekeeper looking in periodically to assess the hive’s health, the apiary can be much stronger entering into a season of cold. Like most creatures, honeybees begin their winter preparation from August through to October.

Honeybees need human assistance to defeat the infestation of a deadly predator—the parasitic Varroa mite. It preys only upon honeybees by lodging on the bees’ back, crippling it until death, or entering the brood, where developing larvae will hatch. The Ukrainian-designed propane fogger is one instrument of prevention, which uses a long probe to shoot seconds worth of oxalic acid, mixed with 190-proof alcohol, into the opening of each hive. After three treatments, one per week, the mite-free hive has a remarkable chance to thrive! Fogging occurs in the early spring and late summer.

CLEAN THE HOUSE

THERMAL BEES ARRIVE

Not every hive check requires an intrusive look into every box and frame. If you remove the top cover, the layer of protection is a quilt box made from wood and wire.

Beekeepers can smell the hive and know it’s well. If you look down upon the thousands of tiny, mobile golden bodies, you will notice each one has a particular job within the colony.

• All the workers are female, living between four and six weeks. They clean, moving the dead, adding “propolis”—a sticky glue-like substance to seal cracks—and force the drones, the males, out before winter. In addition, workers collect matured nectar from forager bees, place it in cells, transform it into honey, and seal the capping.

• Nurse bees comfort, protect, clean, and feed the queen bee while she lays 1500 to 2000 eggs per day. Without the queen, the colony would collapse and die.

• A mature worker bee can transition to guard and protect the entrance from intruders, such as bears, mice, or wasps; however, on cold nights, the guard will freeze and die.

• The most challenging job is performed by the forager bee. acquired at the end of its life. They leave the hive to pollinate one-third of the food we eat.

52 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

Honeybees are miraculous creatures! They self-regulate the interior temperature in summer and winter. Bees engage in an act called fanning, where the insects will face one direction fluttering their wings to move air in or out.

As nights become cooler and the pollen levels drop, the queen bee begins laying the winter brood. She is a specialized honeybee that aids the colony’s survival through to spring.

Numbers within the hive will have significantly dropped; as the bees bond together to form a tight, ball-shaped cluster, the winter bee inserts her enlarged abdomen into the comb and radiates heat, ensuring warmth.

FEEDING THE BEES

By October, the colony is ready to embark on the most challenging season. Each apiary has had an intrusive check to ensure the honey stores were enough to satisfy the bees, and a feeder was added, providing extra nourishment. Honey boxes, light in weight, are often extracted from the tower. The bees need limited space and smaller areas to heat. Quilt boxes, empty all summer, receive handfuls of cedar chips as a means of breathable insulation. Adding the top cover, all beekeepers can do is pray, and await warm days when the bees take off from the bottom board and fly!

Happy Thanksgiving, neighbors.

Salem Gym

Will Wilkins, Agent 6580 Shallowford Road Lewisville, NC 27023 Bus: 336-945-6996 will.wilkins.huxx@statefarm.com

I’m thankful to be part of such a wonderful community.

I wish all my neighbors a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Will Wilkins

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®

State Farm Bloomington, IL 2006042

HOSPICE

Well Care Hospice

DEDICATED TO YOUR CARE

336-477-2025

NOVEMBER 2021 / 53

A Heart of Gratitude and Generous Giving

FOCUS YEAR-ROUND ON THE THANKFULNESS IN THANKSGIVING

BY SUSAN B. B. SCHABACKER

Those

two special words, “thanks” and “giving,” combined, help us to remember the art of gratitude. Those two words remind us to stay thankful, and when we fill our hearts with thankful gratitude, we reap a multitude of health benefits for mind, body, and spirit.

However much or however little you have, adopt a healthy, positive perspective. Appreciating who you are and what you have will pay dividends of bountiful benefits. Practicing the art of gratitude can enhance empathy, raise your energetic vibration, alleviate pain, reduce stress and bring many more benefits on multiple levels.

CREATIVE WAYS TO STAY THANKFUL AND EXPRESS YOUR GRATITUDE Remember the importance of your faith, family, and friends.

Just think how your life would be lacking without them and how they have enriched your life. Slow down, reflect, and make a list of who you’re most grateful for and why. And then think how you can positively reinforce those relationships in mutually beneficial ways. Think of ways to generously give back, and remember that those good wishes may come back to you in positive ways.

One important way to express your gratitude is to pray for yourself and others in your inner circle, allowing the prayer to expand out with a ripple effect. Pray from your heart for the local community and beyond.

Pray patriotically for your country and the world. What current pressing issues need addressing? What present problems require solving? How can you help others, starting right where you are?

Another way to stay thankful is to reach out to others with a written message. There’s nothing quite like receiving a handwritten note to brighten someone’s day. There doesn’t have to be a reason to send a card or letter to a loved one or acquaintance. Even the smallest acts of kindness can be fondly remembered and genuinely appreciated.

A card is wonderful, but nothing can replace in-person (or via phone or vid chat) verbal thanks. But, if it’s hard to reach your busy loved one, leave them an audio message or voicemail to express your thanks.

54 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

Be mindful to stay thankful and raise your vibration in a state of constant gratitude. While the glass might appear half-empty to some, see it as half-full and remember to thank and tip the barista or bartender who poured it. No need to chug it; instead, take time to savor each sip and say “cheers” to whomever you are with.

Be grateful for the blessings and for those sometimes difficult blessings in disguise, as well. Make peace with who you are now, wherever you are, whoever you are with, and whatever you have, and believe it was meant to be. Be thankful your life and situation can always improve. After a storm, the sun still comes out to play and makes beautiful rainbows that light up the sky.

BENEFITS OF GRATITUDE AND THANKFULNESS Physical and psychological health benefits abound with a healthy, positive outlook, translating into fewer aches and pains, greater overall health, and an increased life span. Eliminate toxic emotions, including anger, frustration, resentment, regret, and depression, that can cause stress and harm your health. Boost your selfesteem, confidence level, and mental strength with thankfulness, mindfulness, and healthy positivity.

Focusing on a short, sweet, and simple gratitude list as you drift off to sleep can make a real difference. Substituting sleeping pills with steady dosages of gratitude can help you catch your zzz’s more easily. Research shows that whatever you focus on just before falling asleep is frequently what you remember first thing in the morning. So, fuel your thoughts with powerful positivity and envision good thoughts and memories to evoke a positive, feel-good morning.

‘Tis the season for a reminder to keep thankful and grateful.

Thanksgiving is not just a holiday or seasonal trend for once a year. It’s much more than that when you open your heart and mind to allow for a meaningful and fulfilling life. How you approach life is up to you, so get going on gratitude and remember that there’s always time for thankfulness!

Chermak

Experience • Quality • Customer Service Dr. David S. Chermak • Dr. John C. Hanson Orthodontics for Children & Adults

Never Underestimate the Power of a Smile!

WINSTON-SALEM 336-760-1491 • CLEMMONS 336-766-8244 • KING 336-983-4551

NOVEMBER 2021 / 55

Budgeting Inflation is already here – and items that are in high demand are dramatically exceeding inflation percentages. Probably more than any other Christmas, you need to look closely at the money you can spend and plan to stick to your budget.

In past years, many people overspent and took on higher-thanrecommended credit-card debt. But many felt confident that their jobs were stable and that they would get out from under the debt. Now, the economy, job security and debt are much trickier. This is not the year to arrive in January with excessive holiday debt.

Budgeting strategies

Traversing the Holiday Landscape The advice – back in the summer – for the upcoming holidays was to stock up early. The main culprit, courtesy of COVID-19 and its various variants, was supply-chain problems:

• Look at your holiday receipts from 2020 and 2019. Determine how much you spent and what holiday categories – gifts, travel, parties and restaurants – the dollars represent.

• Decide, looking at your current bank account, how much money you can safely spend in each category.

• Shipping costs from China to the U.S. were up about 500% – and rising.

• For gifts, assign a dollar to each person on your list.

• A number of manufacturing facilities had to close because of COVID outbreaks or employee shortages.

• Once you have the numbers, do everything you can to stick to your budget.

• Pent-up demand was selling out many holiday destinations.

If you follow this strategy, you will arrive at January and February with your holiday bills under control and you’ll be better prepared for 2022.

Truliant Travel

• Domestic shippers – FedEx and UPS – were projecting major holiday slowdowns because of demand and worker shortages.

Shopping strategies

• Do the same for travel, restaurants, parties and miscellaneous items.

If you still have shopping to do and holiday plans to make, the best advice is to be flexible and grab opportunities as they arise. But don’t be too disappointed if your options are limited.

Unless you’ve already booked a significant trip – Hawaii, Caribbean or an expensive resort – you are probably out of luck. People who want to get away have already reserved many of these trips and they are fully booked or the prices for the remaining slots are rising each day.

If you do find a gift that you want, buy it now and don’t wait for a better price after Thanksgiving. Many shelves will probably be empty. One of the developments during COVID-19 has been increasing the world’s transition to online purchases and delivery services. It’s obviously safer to sit at home and order stuff on a computer, but supply and transportation problems are still a significant barrier.

But if you want to get out of the house, regional road trips or family gatherings in a home are much easier to arrange. In this region, the beach, mountain towns or cities like Raleigh, Charlotte, Columbia, Charlottesville, Chattanooga and Richmond may offer fun and interesting travel opportunities.

Last year, UPS, FedEx and the USPS were overwhelmed with holiday deliveries. This year, they are trying to hire thousands of additional workers. But when pushing and shoving packages through the system, there will be delays and higher costs. The best advice: order now and cross your fingers.

Staying flexible and keeping a sense of humor are the best counters to deal with the unexpected and difficult circumstances that the world, the U.S. and our local communities are facing. If you can keep your own corner of the world safe, happy and secure you and your family will be in a much better place during the holidays and beyond.

Federally insured by NCUA.

56 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

Parting thoughts

WomanCare

Our team approach addresses your unique needs Call us at 336-765-5470 or visit nhwomancare.org

Novant Health WomanCare 1730 Kernersville Medical Pkwy.

Suite 104 Kernersville, NC 27284

114 Charlois Blvd.

Winton-Salem, NC 27103

4130 Clemmons Rd. Clemmons, NC 27013

© Novant Health, Inc. 2020

love trust

Results you’ll from a team you .

BEFORE

CO2 TREATMENT

AFTER

LLA

CO2 TREATMENT

Energy-based treatments can truly transform your skin!

At Lewisville Laser & Aesthetics, we customize a treatment plan to address your unique needs. With laser, ultrasound, and radio-frequency energy treatment platforms, we are the Triad’s trusted source for powerful skin rejuvenation.

JUST 10 MINUTES FROM WINSTON-SALEM

336.945.2076 Call today or go to lewisvillelaser.com to schedule your FREE aesthetic consultation!

www.LewisvilleLaser.com 6580 Shallowford Rd., Ste. 130 . Lewisville, NC 27023 Body Contouring • Botox • Fillers • Ultherapy • Kybella • Facial Rejuvenation • Skin Resurfacing NOVEMBER 2021 / 57

Inspiring Empathy

BY JEAN MARIE JOHNSON

Oklahoma

middle school teacher Karen Loewe engaged her students in an activity that profoundly changed the way they interact with one another. Karen had created a space where kids felt comfortable expressing themselves and one day asked her students what “emotional baggage” meant to them. She then invited each child to write down some emotional baggage they were carrying. Respected and protected in anonymity, the kids unloaded: “Things like suicide, parents in prison, drugs in their family, being left by their parents, death, cancer, losing pets…and on and on.”

Then the kids took turns reading the papers, not knowing whose “baggage” they were sharing.

Sometimes the child reading would begin to cry, or the child whose words were being read identified herself and spoke from her heart about the burden she was carrying. When all were read, the papers were wadded up and placed in a plastic bag that hung on the classroom door—a symbolic reminder that regardless of who we are, what we look like, or where we come from, we all have baggage. Ms. Loewe added: “As they left, I told them they are not alone, they are loved, and we have each other’s back.”

The impact was astounding: “I firmly believe my kids will judge a little less, love a little more, and forgive a little faster.” “They don’t interrupt or talk down to each other…they’re not rude. It’s completely, completely changed how they treat each other.”

What Ms. Loewe did that day was nothing short of brilliant.

Hard Wired for Empathy Imitation lays the foundation for empathy. Andrew Meltzoff, PhD explains: “When infants imitate, they are becoming ‘like the other person’ in action, with simple body movements…later, that can flower into empathy, which is the ability to become like the other person in emotion and perspective.”

58 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

The Nurturing is on Us The foundation for empathy is laid at home. As parents, nannies, and caregivers, consider these ways to build a strong empathy foundation: Start early • Encourage “reciprocal games” with babies. Smiling, opening your mouth wide, and playing peek-a-boo reinforce imitation.

• Praise your toddler when they share their toys with others.

Build from there by “being there” Seize on opportunities to model (and thus encourage) emotional intelligence by listening to your child and getting into the habit of exploring their experience, instead of minimizing or lecturing (we’ve all done it!).

When you attend to your child by: • asking open-ended questions, saying, “Help me understand what happened”; and • reflecting their feelings, by saying, “You must have been really discouraged,” you model empathy.

Develop an awareness of other points of view As adults, we understand the profound difference it can make when we understand someone else’s experience. We can help to develop our children’s ability to do so by • asking, “How would you feel if that happened to you?” Or, “What would you do in that situation?”

• reading books that explore experiences and feelings, then talking about them. Continue to ask questions such as, “How do you think this character felt when that happened?”

Look for opportunities for your children to demonstrate care and concern for others.

• Provide gentle feedback: “I think Sarah feels sad when she’s not included.”

• If a neighbor finds herself with an illness that makes her suddenly homebound, ask your kids: “What can we do to show Mrs. Wong that we are thinking of her?”

• Explore volunteer opportunities in your community. When kids contribute with no expectation of reward, they learn the joy of selfless giving.

Orthodontics for Children & Adults • Most experienced Invisalign practitioner in The Triad • New iTero Scanner eliminated gooey messy impressions!

• Many treatments last only 15 months • Eat without restriction • Great for an active lifestyle

Salem Smiles

Sarah C. Shoaf, DDS, MEd, MS Call today for your FREE consultation!

1063 W. Northwest Blvd. • Winston-Salem, NC 27101 336-725-5757 • www.SalemSmilesOrtho.com

Lyndhurst Buy One Spa Treatment at Full Price and Get One

Buy One PCA Skin Product at Full Price and Get One

25% off

15% off

111 Hanestown Court, Suite 151 | Winston-Salem, NC 27103 | 336.765.9350

lyndhurstgyn.com

NOVEMBER 2021 / 59

Backyard Birdseed Recipes

BY LISA S.T. DOSS

cassin, evening grosbeaks, finches, Florida grackles, goldfinches, northern cardinals, and starlings.

• Safflower Seeds: blackcapped chickadees, blackheaded grosbeaks, blue jays, Carolina chickadees, downy woodpeckers, evening grosbeaks, house finches, and indigo buntings.

• Shelled Peanuts: blue jays, yellow-rumpled warblers, starlings, Carolina Wrens, and rubycrowned kinglets.

• Millet: Ground feeding birds, such as cardinals, doves, juncos, sparrows, thrashers, and Carolina wrens.

• Nyjer Seed, or Thistle: chickadees, finches, sparrows, and woodpeckers.

Despite

consuming on average a fourth to a half of their body weight, birds are picky eaters!

They stand at a feeder, pushing away the “filler” while focusing on the essential seeds. A mess of colorful seeds lies on the ground; bits and pieces are extracted and flown to a nearby branch for eating or sharing.

You can make seed mixes while tailoring recipes to the specific types of birds you would like to see visit.

Come One, Come All In creating mixes, start paying attention to the seeds remaining on the ground. The solution is easy!

Just eliminate particular seeds when refilling and try new combinations, perhaps adding fresh or dried apple slices, grapes, or cranberries.

Please note you may have different birds visiting in late summer and winter; therefore, you can adjust the combinations to feature specific birds.

• Black Oil Sunflower Seeds: attract black-billed magpies, blackbirds,

60 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

The Homemade Bird Ball Involve children in the making of birdseed, especially with a recipe as easy as the bird ball.

INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Begin by mixing one pound of lard with one jar of peanut butter; then, add five cups cornmeal, six cups of oats, two cups sunflower seeds, and two cups of raisins.

2. While spoons may start the process, hands will be necessary.

The result will offer six balls.

3. Before hanging, take each ball and roll it into a mixture of sunflower seeds and raisins; then, use a string to tie the ball, allowing a loop at the top to hang on a branch.

High-Fat Winter Suet Birds need high fat and protein sources to maintain energy levels.

Suet is an ideal way to attract insecteating birds, such as blue jays, Carolina chickadees, Carolina wrens, nuthatches, jays, tufted titmice, woodpeckers, and chickadees, Set up a low platform feeder and include a roof.

How to Make it: 1. Gather an enamel camping mug. On the opposite side of the handle, duct tape a sturdy twig to the inside of the cup.

2. Melt a half-cup of rendered fat in a Mason jar, set in a pot of hot water. Stir in a fourth cup of peanut butter, one cup birdseed mix, and fourth cup of rolled oats.

3. Pour the suet mixture into the mug, then place it in the refrigerator to set.

4. Hang the feeder from a strong branch and use a rope to tie it in place.

Make a Muffin Muffins are self-contained food items that can remain on stone walls, in crooks of trees, and fences. Children enjoy investigating the remnants and find happiness when birds are spotted nibbling on the treat!

DIRECTIONS: 1. With a food processor, finely chop a half-cup each of raisins, sunflower seeds, peanuts, dried cranberries, one small apple, and a fourth cup of bacon.

2. Mix one cup of all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour; add one egg, one cup of milk, three Tablespoons of melted butter, and two Tablespoons of maple syrup or honey.

3. Pour the muffin batter into a greased tin and bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes, or until golden brown.

Pinecone Feeder Start by going on a nature walk to collect pinecones. Please encourage your children to stuff their pockets full! If the day is nice, make the recipe outdoors! Before you get started, look at the pinecones to assess if the scales are open or closed. If closed, thirty seconds in the microwave will do the trick!

• Situate the string first, using about six to eight inches per pinecone.

• Combine one cup of peanut butter, two Tablespoons shortening or butter, and three cups of birdseed. It’s better if it’s slightly melted when dribbling batter into each scale.

• Roll the pinecones through the birdseed mix before hanging in trees and bushes.

Making bird seed feeders and recipes is hands-on fun for toddlers to ‘tweens, and teens! The lessons children engage in build memories, sink into their hearts and minds, and help them experience the beauty and wonder in nature!

All for Your Little Ones’ Holiday Joys Shop holiday clothing, Resume Nerd one-of-a-kind toys, ornaments, and personalized keepsakes On-line shopping available!

Thruway Shopping Center | Winston-Salem rollysbaby.com | @RollysBabyBoutique

Weedman

Locally-owned & operated.

Providing excellent care in the Triad for 11+ years.

G re

Hillcrest at e y e

health b

egins with preventativ

xa m e e y e e

s.

2341 Winterhaven Lane | Winston-Salem, NC 27103 | 336.760.2020 | HillcrestVision.com Call to schedule an appointment today.

NOVEMBER 2021 / 61

BY GENEVIEVE CONDON

Who Am I? Most

mornings, I look in the mirror and don’t know who it is staring back at me. The bags under my eyes are dark and unforgiving, and the hair that was once nicely colored and layered is now growing out at weird angles and lengths. And the color? I think I see some gray peeking through.

My once put-together outfits that consisted of actual pants with buttons now look like I am going to the gym, or always prepared for a quick nap.

Side note: there is no napping and definitely no gym! And all my once-favorite things to do, like leisurely shopping, writing novels, and cooking home-cooked, well-balanced meals, are becoming less and less frequent.

I’m not sure who I am most days, and I find myself staring at this stranger, wondering what happened to that once carefree and youthful person.

Now, much of myself goes to raising my children, comfort replacing style and quick, easy meals taking over my once-adventurous palate.

It can be hard to exchange who we once were for memories and pictures that flood our timelines and fill our scrapbooks. But sometimes, there can be beauty in the change and the journey toward figuring out who we are.

When I look in the mirror, the laugh lines make me smile, remembering watching my child do something silly. My hair that is crazy and unbalanced on top of my head reminds me that I spent time with my daughter and went on a much-needed bike ride. And my outfit--it allows me to get on the floor and play with my son whenever I want.

62 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

The quick meals give me time to spend with my family, and shopping still happens, it just looks different, as my son waves and says “Hi” to everyone that passes by, and my teenager takes forever to pick out the perfect shirt.

I realize each day that who I am will change many times throughout my life. As I grow, my children, my marriage, who I am will adapt and overcome each obstacle and challenge to make sure I am the best version of myself for each season. That’s the beauty of it--we adapt. We bend and flex to become the version of ourselves needed for that time.

It can be hard to see the changes, both mentally and physically, and it is natural to mourn who we once were, but there is beauty in change. And as parents, we give so much of ourselves. In the moment, when we pass over those stiletto heels for sneakers, it can seem like such a loss, but in a flash, those children that need us so much now will someday be independent and grown.

Those stretching pants will once again be replaced with pants with buttons, and sneakers will become something more stylish, and those shopping trips will allow you to take your time and browse. And again, we may find ourselves questioning who we are, as once again the season changes.

So, for now, when I look in the mirror, I will embrace who I see looking back at me. Appreciate the changes and see the absolute good in each wrinkle, each piece of unruly hair, because it means I’m living, and there’s nothing better than that.

Micah Brown Media

NOVEMBER 2021 / 63

THE

Fancy

Fork

BY LAUREN SEPHTON

Perfect

for breakfast, brunch, or dinner, this Quiche Lorraine recipe has the best filling of crispy bacon, leeks, and cheese in a flaky olive oil pie crust. It’s low carb, easy to make, and a comfort food at its finest!

November’s harvest has an abundance of crisp vegetables such as chard, cauliflower, white cabbage, chicory, onions, beets, beans, lettuce, endive, potatoes, turnips, spinach, artichokes, pumpkin, and celery. And with the apple orchards only a short drive away, don’t forget to pick up some figs, pineapple, pears, persimmons, and chestnuts on your way home!

But this month, we’re focusing on one nutrient-dense ingredient in particular: Leeks.

Leeks are rich in flavonoids, especially one known as kaempferol. Flavonoids are antioxidants that possess antiinflammatory, anti-cancer, and antidiabetic properties. This tasty onion substitute is an excellent source of Vitamin K, which may reduce the risk of osteoporosis, as well as carotenoids that may reduce the risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration in the eyes.

Easy Quiche Lorraine & Olive Oil Pie Crust

PREP TIME: 10 MIN | COOK TIME: 30 MIN | TOTAL TIME: 40 MIN | SERVINGS: 6-8 FOR THE QUICHE: 12 oz. Bacon, sugar-free, chopped into small pieces 1 large Leek, washed and thinly sliced 6 oz. Gruyere Cheese, shredded 6 large Eggs 1 cup Kefir 1 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil ½ tsp. Salt ½ tsp. Black Pepper

FOR THE CRUST: 1¾ cups All-Purpose Flour 6-8 Tbsp. Water, ice cold 1 /3 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1 Egg Yolk ½ tsp. Salt

INSTRUCTIONS: FOR THE CRUST: 1. P reheat oven to 375°F. 2. P ulse all ingredients together until well combined, or knead together on a clean surface.

Dough should be smooth and pliable; add ice cold water until you reach this texture.

3. W rap tightly in plastic wrap to rest in the fridge for 20 minutes.

4. R oll out the dough in-between two pieces of parchment paper to ¼”– one-eighth inch thick.

5. T ransfer to a lightly greased/lined pie pan. Crimp the edges. Bake for 30 minutes with dry beans filled in the center to keep it from puffing up (or press down with a fork).

FOR THE QUICHE: 1. I n a deep saucepan over medium high heat, add the olive oil to warm up for 1 minute.

2. A dd in the thinly sliced leeks and chopped bacon. Sauté for 6-10 minutes, until bacon is fully cooked, and leeks are tender.

3. I n the meantime, whisk together the eggs, kefir, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl.

4. Add in the sautéed leeks and bacon bits. Stir in the gruyere cheese last.

5. P our the mixture into the baked pie crust. (Optional: top with more shredded cheese.)

6. Bake for 30 minutes. Let cool for 10-15 minutes prior to serving. Enjoy warm!

Now that you’ve mastered the art of cooking with spinach and artichoke hearts, it’s time to grab our forks and enjoy the seasonal comforts of the fall harvest!

64 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

JEJ Photos

NOVEMBER 2021 / 65

What If?

Presents Building Survival Skills

BY LISA S.T. DOSS

What-if?”, the worrisome words, arrive in the conscious spinning topics in our minds, from safety and financial security to loved ones and pet health.

Asking, “What can I do?” leads to a proactive decision to invest time in the ultimate insurance policy—valuable life skills offering security, shelter, food, water, and medical care! In any emergency, from extreme weather to a personal disaster, you have the power to take charge of your fate by making plans and taking action!

Our reliance on pre-made or manufactured items becomes apparent when suddenly the products we need most are no longer available. We think about all the televised shows of backwoodsmen and survivalists who built shelters, made charcoal and other items necessary for daily living. Start practicing any number of survival skills, whether it’s in your backyard or on a weekend camping and hiking trip with friends. Every opportunity to experience life in the great outdoors will aid in an emergency.

Building a Fire Fire is integral to all survival situations. It’s a requirement for warmth, cooking, food preservation, water purification, and light.

• Build your fire pit in a dry location, protected from the wind. In the right location, close to a rock wall or, using a reflector, your fire can radiate warmth to your shelter.

• Gather dry wood in various thicknesses and configurations, such as fine wood shavings, birch bark, dead pine needles, and lint from your pockets.

Always keep cotton balls, petroleum jelly, matches, or a magnesium fire starter on hand, an especially useful solution during damp conditions.

• Determine your favorite lodging arrangement; perhaps the teepee, a platform, or log cabin. Any design will accommodate the end result.

Having Potable Water Maintaining healthy body functions requires the body to consume, at a minimum, a half-gallon of water daily. When out in nature, look for freeflowing water sources. Stagnant pools contain greater quantities of bacteria.

All outside water requires a purification process through boiling, water filtration, or water purification tablets.

Building a Shelter Without a tent, tarp, or garbage bag, the alternative is building a shelter from the materials in nature.

• Think logically to avoid locations too near dead trees, a hill top, within a ravine, or close to water! You’ll want to avoid unexpected debris, high winds, or flooding.

• Constructing a shelter takes methodical considerations and time. Never rush or take shortcuts.

• Highly recommended for its simplicity and excellent protection is an A-Frame shelter. Dirt, pine boughs and leaves can serve as insulation and bedding, if needed.

66 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

Practicing Archery The art of using a compound bow and arrow is not just for adults. Children, too, should practice. The skills of maintaining silence, hitting the mark through aim and release, or sending a line over a tree branch are vital. In an emergency, you may need a defensive or offensive tactic, or a means to catch food in the wild. Without a fishing pole, a strong string attached to an arrow can procure a fish from a pond. Just remember, the flaming arrow was one of the first war tactics; a beacon of light to signal or warn of danger.

Knowing Basic First Aid Most first aid kits have essential components, such as band-aids, gauze, tape, alcohol wipes, and ointments. Beyond a good supply of items, you need to practice using them.

The ability to take action may help a family member, friend, or stranger in a severe or lifethreatening emergency.

• Cleaning and Dressing Wounds: Most kits lack instruction or information to correctly handle deep cuts and bleeds. Bring the family together and start watching videos on topics, such as applying pressure, stopping a severe bleed, and using dressings for gashes or cuts.

The long-term value is hands-on training.

Family members will recall lessons and take action when the moment arrives!

• CPR: Seventy percent of Americans do not know how to perform CPR; yet, 90% of all cardiac arrests occur at home. Whether you watch a video, practice on a doll, or take a class, the ability to perform CPR on an adult and child is a life-saving skill.

• The Heimlich Maneuver: Choking is a serious matter! Every second boosts the chance of survival. Videos and group training can help you become a first responder!

Weekly or monthly, take the opportunity to practice survival skills. Extend this list to include foraging, long-term food storage, tying knots, self-defense, making and setting small traps. Every opportunity will allow you to feel more confident about the future!

NEXT MONTH: What Are Space Blankets?

iHeart

NOVEMBER 2021 / 67

DISTRACTIONS For

over four years, I’ve been writing every day for “My Grace-Full Life.” Until one day, I didn’t. I totally forgot.

What on earth?! I’ve been late to post a few times, but I haven’t missed a day of writing since I started this 30-day project in 2017. I was confused one morning a few weeks ago when my previous day’s prayer wasn’t on Facebook or Instagram. I thought perhaps I just forgot to post on social media (that has happened)… but the missing prayer wasn’t on my website, either. So, I checked the Apple Notes where I write the daily prayers and, sure enough —I had missed a day. Prior to this, I wrote consistently for 1657 previous mornings, but in one moment—I forgot. I could give a whole laundry list of excuses, but I won’t. My innerperfectionist thought about writing a prayer and putting it there to fill in the gaping hole on my website and hoped no one noticed my goof.

But I decided to leave it. It was a mistake. I got distracted and forgot to write it. That hole is a reminder that one distraction can shift our focus.

When I think of distractions, I always think of the disciple Peter. Matthew 14:22-33 tells of when Jesus walked on water. Peter, being Peter, asked to join Him. He was doing fine while his eyes were on Jesus. But verse 30 says, “But when he saw that the

wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “‘Lord, save me!’”

Peter was distracted. His attention shifted from Jesus and was captured by the wind and waves. That’s when he began to sink.

What a powerful illustration of life.

It happens all the time and all the time, I wonder—will I ever learn?! I start my day in the Word and prayer…I commit the day to God and ask Him to guide me. But then, “Shiny Object Syndrome” kicks in.

And I get distracted. I plow forward into decisions and activities without pausing to pray. I shift my focus from Jesus and put my eyes on something else.

Perhaps you’ve been there, too. But don’t worry… if anyone says they have never done this before, I will believe…that they are lying. We are all guilty of this sin. I mean, seriously, Peter got distracted when Jesus was literally flesh and bones, standing in front of him. He could actually SEE Jesus and still get distracted. Since Jesus isn’t visible to us (yet), we will certainly do it, too.

Even the great apostle Paul wrote in Romans 7:15, “For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.”

Read more at MyGraceFullLife.com.

BY DENISE HEIDEL

Paul! If Paul could lose his focus and do things he didn’t want to do—yeah. We all get distracted. Peter isn’t sinking under those waves alone.

This is why we’re told, in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

We won’t be perfect at it, obviously. Still, when we make rejoicing, gratitude, and prayer a key component of our choices, attitudes, and decisions—we stand better equipped to ignore the pounding wind and waves and keep our eyes trained on Jesus.

We can stand on matters of uncertainty when our foundation is Jesus Christ.

We may be tempted to think that the things that distract us are things God wouldn’t care about. But our once-distracted Peter finally got it…he wrote in 1 Peter 5:6-7, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” ALL your care. Not SOME of your care.

Not just the cares you think will matter to God. Cast ALL your care on Jesus. It takes humility to admit we can’t do it ourselves, and God loves us enough to care about every detail of our lives… through humble surrender, gratitude, and prayer—we can lock our eyes onto Jesus and rejoice.

MINUTE for your Minister SABBATH

BY PHIL LEWIS

It used to be a badge of honor in ministry to say that you were going to “burn out for Christ.”

It showed your dedication, passion, and zeal.

Unfortunately, that zeal often comes at a high price, sacrificing ministers’ families, personal heath, and sometimes even the ministry itself.

God gave us an amazing example back in Genesis, where he took six days to create this magnificent world we live in and on the seventh day, God rested. “GOD,” who isn’t human, who never wearies or sleeps, took a Sabbath day to rest. Why? To give us the example to follow so that we, in our misguided minds, wouldn’t continually burn the candle at both ends.

Do you regularly observe a Sabbath day? A day to rest from the demands and heaviness of ministry? A full day not to take phone calls, respond to e-mails, or visit the sick?

Taking a day every week to spend uninterrupted time with God, your family, and for your own personal health and well-being is not only a valuable idea, it’s a direct commandment from God. Church members, does your pastor take a Sabbath? If you don’t know, then ask him or her. When you know your Pastor’s Sabbath day, then train your congregation to respect that Sabbath day and thank them for taking this day to protect themselves and your ministry. You may be just the person God is asking to save your pastor from burnout and help ensure that your church continues to benefit from healthy and vibrant leadership!

FAITH & Family CALENDAR

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD NOW - NOVEMBER 22 Everyone is encouraged to fill an empty shoe box with school supplies, toys, hygiene items, candy and even a personal note or photograph of you and your family to help brighten the life of an underprivileged child this Christmas season!

Several drop-off locations are available throughout the triad Collection week is November 15-22 Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse 800.353.5949 / samaritanspurse.org GINGERBREAD CRAFT FAIR NOVEMBER 4-6 Location: Masonic Center (Winston-Salem) Arts, Crafts, Baked Goods & more! / 336.722.6441 TANGLEWOOD FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS NOVEMBER 12 - JANUARY 1, 6-11pm Location: Tanglewood Park (Clemmons) Tanglewood’s Festival of Lights continues to be one of the largest and most spectacular light shows in the southeast. From storybook scenes to Holiday themes, over one hundred displays and over a million lights fill Tanglewood Park with the splendor and joy of the holiday season! / 336.703.6400 GREEK BAKE SALE NOVEMBER 13, 8:00am – 8:00pm Location: Greek Orthodox Church (Winston-Salem) Proceeds: Local & National Charities / 336.765.3663 HIGH POINT HOLIDAY FESTIVAL PARADE NOVEMBER 21, 3:00pm Location: Downtown High Point / 336.378.6350 THOMASVILLE CHRISTMAS PARADE NOVEMBER 28, 2:00pm Location: Downtown Thomasville / 336.472.4422 WBFJ LOCAL FLAVORS “ACOUSTIC CHRISTMAS” CONCERT SERIES NOVEMBER 30, 6-8pm Location: Food Court @ Hanes Mall (Winston-Salem) Musical Guests: TBD The WBFJ Local Flavors “Acoustic Christmas” Concert Series is held every Tuesday, Nov 30 - Dec 21 It’s Free / 336.777.1893

* DISCLAIMER: EVENT DETAILS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. PLEASE CHECK EVENT WEBSITES & SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES FOR UPDATES AS THE DATES DRAW NEAR.* NOVEMBER 2021 / 69

Journeying

Jesus

with

BY PASTOR RON GARNER

Addiction, A Ride Without an Exit I am sure you have heard this by now. The pandemic will make us one of three things, a chunk, a hunk, or a drunk. Whenever I share this, I usually get a chuckle. But let’s be honest, the last of the three is not funny. In fact, it is downright heartbreaking. Why? In too many cases, it is true.

This is something I know about some of you reading this. You have a loved one that feels like they are on a ferris wheel that never ends. At times, they experience great elation...as if they are soaring above the world. Free from all its loneliness and pain. But in the end, they always crash down to earth. And just when they think the “ride” is over, it begins again... with that next drink, that next hit, or that next pill. Maybe before the pandemic, they kept it under control or at least it seemed so, but now their life has become a full-blown circus. And the truth of the matter, they might have dragged you along with them.

You might think, what does a pastor know about addiction? Unfortunately, a lot. Especially this pastor. Some families pass along a cleft chin or dimples, but ours breeds alcoholism.

I was robbed of a close relationship with my grandparents, whom I deeply loved, because they simply couldn’t give up the drink. Sadly for our entire family, they were never able to find the “exit” from this endless wheel.

And we all paid the price.

I don’t have the space to even begin

70 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

to address this topic adequately.

Instead, I will just share (and please excuse the mixing of metaphors) a few “rules of the road” when it comes to loving someone struggling with addiction. This is particularly pertinent if you are a Jesus follower—but in all honesty, it applies to all of us. We all need grace, but the addict even more. The last thing the addict needs is condemnation. They already feel terrible about themselves (which in part keeps them chained to the “wheel”); the last thing they need for us to do is to make them feel worse.

But this doesn’t mean that we filter the truth. As my uncle, a recovering alcoholic himself, told me, “Say what you mean, mean what you say, but don’t say it mean.” In short, don’t hide the ugliness of their destructive behavior. By both our words and our actions, be very clear what it is doing to you, but even more importantly, what it is doing to them. In reality, they know it. Don’t badger. Don’t harangue. Don’t harass. Lovingly say it, and let it be. And then the hardest part of all, love them, but love them tough. This means don’t bail them out of jail. Don’t lie to their boss to save their job. Don’t pay their back rent to prevent their eviction. This momentary pain we spare them only paves the way for a lifetime of it. Most addicts need to hit the very bottom before they are ready to take the hard step of asking for help to find a way out.

One of my favorite passages in the Bible is found in John 8. A woman

is caught red-handed in the act of adultery. We are not told if this is a pattern for her or not. Maybe she is a “serial” adulterer. I personally don’t think the people would take the radical step to stone her to death if it is her first offense. Regardless, the crowd is ready to execute judgment.

Until Jesus in a masterful economy of words declares, “He without sin, cast the first stone.” His statement is like throwing tear gas into a mob. They disperse, leaving only the woman.

Jesus doesn’t say “Oh, honey, it’s okay. Your husband never affirms your babka, “likes” your Facebook posts or compliments your hair, what did he expect?” No, he speaks the truth. He says what he means, and he means what he says, but he doesn’t say it mean.

By the time this is out, many of us will have gone to the Carolina Classic Fair. We will have braved the Ferris wheel, loving flying into the sky and likely loving less plunging down to earth. But for our loved ones, this is their daily experience. They are on this nightmarish ride called addiction, one seemingly without an exit. But by our honesty, and loving them toughly, we can point them towards freedom and even walk along their side.

For more resources and a sermon to share with those who have loved ones struggling with addiction, go to the following link. https:// newdaylewisville.org/Sermons. html Sept. 19th. Starts around the 15-minute mark.

New to the Lewisville Area 10:30 am service In Person and On-line

New Day

Connect

Grow

Relationships SERVE

1111 Lewisville-Clemmons Road | NewDayLewisville.org | 336.712.8000

NOVEMBER 2021 / 71

It’s Not Your Fault NAVIGATING CHILD BEHAVIOR

BY GENEVIEVE CONDON

As

human beings we often take things personally. The individual who gives us an extra glance or stares a bit longer at the store--we think it must be because of how we’re dressed or that we didn’t spend the extra time on our hair this morning. This can create increased anxiety and feelings of worthlessness as we pick ourselves apart and wonder where we went wrong when something doesn’t go our way.

These feelings are no different when we are responding to our children’s behavior. It doesn’t matter what their age, many people have a firm belief that our children are a reflection of who we are and how we raised them. So, when we see the toddler throwing a tantrum in the store, or hitting their friend when they take

72 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

their toy, we pass judgment on the parents, wondering how they could let such behavior happen.

And when this happens to us, we wonder “Where did I go wrong?”

The teenager that slams doors and spews words of disgust--we immediately react to how it makes us feel and think this behavior is because of something we did or didn’t do. We reflect on their toddler years and feel maybe we gave them too much processed sugar or freedom to explore. We immediately feel guilt, frustration, and like a bad parent. Instead of reacting to behavior and focusing on how it makes us feel, we need to take a step back and fully look at the situation.

Fact is that children are human beings, too. Even when they’re young, they have feelings and emotions sometimes that are so big, they are unsure of how to handle them.

The toddler that gets told no to buying the toy in the store feels anger and disappointment coursing through them, and unlike us adults, they don’t know what

to do with it. Heck, sometimes as adults our feelings are so intense, we struggle with managing them ourselves . How can we expect our children to be perfect and know what to do? Those emotions become a tantrum, a screaming fit, or kicking and hitting. Our initial response is to react and yell, even sternly reprimand the child; but, if we take a step back and look at the situation, there is a different approach.

• Understanding and kindness.

• Compassion and empathy.

• Love even in the face of challenges.

We must validate the child’s feelings and help him or her navigate those big emotions and teach them how to handle them in a more appropriate way. Think about when someone simply says, “I know you’re angry.

Let me help you.” You feel better already, knowing what you’re feeling is validated. Children are worthy of this understanding as well.

So, next time you feel that your child’s behavior is due to you, or think that you must be alone in the parenting struggle, take that step back, take a breath and know you are not alone. Your emotions are valid and so are your child’s.

And always let your child know that regardless of their behavior, they are loved and understood.

November 15-22

WBFJ

For more information on packing your shoebox, dropping off your shoebox or building a shoebox online, visit www.wbfj.fm NOVEMBER 2021 / 73

Out & About Winston-Salem with Forsyth Woman’s 16th Anniversary in

BY HEATHER SPIVEY MEGAN BLACK PHOTOGRAPHY

There were FW16 Marquee letters that lit up by AlphaLit that drew guests as they snapped memorable photos in front of them. A silent auction that advertisers generously donated to was also enjoyed by guests, all to help support the Alzheimer’s Association.

On

Thursday, September 23rd, our sister magazine, Forsyth Woman, celebrated the 16th anniversary of being in publication. Friends, team members, family and supporters all gathered at The Barn at Reynolda Village to help Forsyth Woman celebrate this special milestone. All proceeds from the evening’s event went to help the Alzheimer’s Association, Western Carolina Chapter. This organization is dear to publisher Brooke Eagle and her mom, editor Keela Johnson, who lost their papaw and dad to this heartbreaking disease.

The crisp white Barn was adorned with beautiful pink and green floral arrangements by Twin City Floral and festive balloons by Hip Hip Hooray Balloon Art, as specks of gold shimmered throughout the venue—even down to the hosts stunning gowns.

Eclectic food, almost too picturesque to eat, by Twisted Pine Catering, was enjoyed by guests, as well as an oversized Charcuterie Board by the Board Babe. On Target DJ entertained guests while they mingled and enjoyed food and delicious desserts by Creamed, The Confectionary.

Along with beer, wine, and lemonade, there were signature cocktails all in keeping with the 16th anniversary theme—Six-Tini, The KeeKee and The Forsyth Woman. These were all by Thirsty Buffalo Beverage Catering, Foothills Brewing, and Old Nick Williams Company Farm & Distillery. A photo booth was set up

by It’s A Photo Booth Life to help commemorate the occasion.

74 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

Brooke and Keela thanked everyone in attendance for their continued support of Forsyth Woman and included a special tribute to their dad and papaw, who was an active supporter, delivering magazines for many years until he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. They also wanted to give a special thank-you to the evening’s presenting sponsor, Marzano Capital Group, for helping make such a memorable night. Brooke adds, “Putting together this event was so much fun. Celebrations are even sweeter when you are raising money for a cause that you care deeply about.

It was an evening that we’ll never forget, and I know we made Papaw proud.” Keela says, “Our 16th Celebration exceeded my expectations in every way! Brooke knocked this one out of the park…I couldn’t be prouder! No doubt, Papaw is running around (literally) in heaven showing off his girls.”

To learn more about the Alzheimer’s Association, visit www.alz.org

NOVEMBER 2021 / 75

of a Southern Yankee

BY DAMIAN DESMOND

Tales from the Table

My

adopted family has a traditional joke at the dinner table that has been kept alive for over 40 years. My mom’s brother, uncle Charlie, was the first to introduce us to this “joke” and it almost always came up when our families got together for special occasions. The joke is a “conversation” that occurs between two people, one of whom is “hard of hearing.” I’ve never been told if this was an actual occurrence or just something that my uncle made up out of the blue. It basically goes like this: An older gentleman asks a dinner guest if he would like more to eat. The guest replies, “No thanks, I’ve had sufficient.” The older gentleman then says, “Oh, you say you went fishing!!” To which the dinner guest politely replies, “No, no I said I’ve had plenty.” The older gentleman responds, “Oh my! You say you caught twenty!!” I know it’s kind of corny, but we still laugh at it all these years later.

As I think back through life, I have countless memories of mealtimes.

Most memories are fairly benign, but there are those certain moments at the dinner table one never forgets. Until the age of six, I lived with my Italian grandparents in upstate New York. My uncle Tony and his family would often join us for many of the wonderful home-cooked Italian meals my dear grandmother would prepare. If I have one certain memory of any of those gatherings, it’s that they were all LOUD. A room full of Italians is only going to be quiet if they’re all deceased.

In the summer of 1979, I moved Virginia to live with my parents. The eight months of physical and mental abuse that I suffered through has all but been erased from my memory. I couldn’t tell you about one single mealtime experience I had with them.

Upon my adoption in March of 1980, my life became “normal” again.

My adopted parents are very traditional people who believe in sitting down together as a family for most meals and always for dinner. For supper, the three of us sat at our small table in front of the kitchen window, which looked out into the backyard. Through the trees behind us, the Johnston family had built a house. My father, who sat at the head of the table directly in front of the window, would mess with my mom and me. Pretending that he saw something, my dad would say, “Oh my, there goes Mr. Johnson in his underwear!” Of course, my mother and I would immediately stand up, turning our heads to get a look at the insane neighbor behind us. And, of course, there was no Mr. Johnson in his underwear. But for the five years we lived there it was a common dinnertime joke.

My parents were also traditional in the sense that you were expected to clean your plate before you could leave the table. Until the age of seven, I had never really had my palette tested by a variety of foods, so for a time there were some minor skirmishes at the table between my mother and me. One particular night, my mom made me clean my plate, and she still feels bad about it to this day (we laugh about it now). My mom made fish for dinner and I had probably never eaten fish, unless it was in the form of a deep-fried stick smothered in ketchup. Getting me to eat the fish was already going to be like pulling teeth. But it wasn’t just the fish that I was expected to eat. There was something else that I needed to consume if I was going to get dessert. The “onion” on my plate needed to be eaten as well. “Eat it, it’s an onion!” my mother said. And she wasn’t playing around. Slowly, I choked down the horrible-tasting vegetable bit by bit. If this is what onions tasted like, I was never going

76 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

plate” values in my sister, but as soon as the green bean entered her mouth, the gagging and convulsing kicked into overdrive. You would have thought my sister was being forced to eat a cat turd.

To this day, I honestly don’t know if my sister has ever gotten over her disdain for green beans.

to eat another one for the rest of my life. It was well after dinner and the “onion” had been eaten when my mom came to the horrifying realization that the onion she had forced me to eat was in actuality the slice of lemon that had been cooked with the fish. Needless to say, she felt horrible and apologized profusely. At least I didn’t have to worry about contracting scurvy that night.

When my first sister was born, the highchair was added to our dinner table.

As a toddler, my sister provided her own share of mealtime antics. I can remember sitting at my seat watching her fall asleep in the highchair on many occasions. It was pretty much the same thing every time.

My sister’s eyelids would start becoming heavy. Her head would slowly fall forward and then snap back quickly as she caught herself dozing off. In several instances her head would actually fall forward and hit the highchair tray, as well as any remaining food on it. Whether right or wrong, we always got some good chuckles from these moments. The same sister was also a bit of a drama queen, especially when it came to eating green beans. Don’t ask me what it was, but her eating green beans was like watching an exorcism. My mom was trying to instill the same “clean your

Over the years, my family grew and by the time I left the nest, there were eight places around the table (two more places would be added several years later). We continued to eat as a family through all those years. I’m still surprised to this day that my parents didn’t just opt for putting a trough in the middle of the kitchen. As crazy as feeding eight people at a time was, my mealtimes were about to get even crazier….

Less than a week after graduating from high school, I went to Fort Benning, Georgia for infantry basic training. The days of sitting around a table and sharing a leisurely meal with family were out the window. Instead, I was shoveling as much food into my gullet as I could in 10 minutes while screaming drill sergeants reminded us how much they liked us. As much fun as eating meals like that was, it did prepare me for the way I would be eating meals at

VMI for the next eight months of my life in the rat line. As a rat, meals in the mess hall were just that—a mess. Every rat was required to sit on the front two to three inches of his chair. One’s back had to be kept straight and knees had to be kept together. You looked down at your plate the whole time and every bite had to be “squared.” In other words, your utensil always moved in the shape of an upsidedown “L” from the plate to your mouth and back down again. Add to all that the yelling by upperclassmen, and you’ve got yourself a pleasant dining experience.

Since VMI, I’ve raised two young men and continued the traditions at the dinner table that my parents instilled in me. We sat together without distractions (if you don’t count the neighbor in his underwear) and talked to each other, as a family should. My hope is that my boys will do the same with their future families someday.

People gathered around the dinner table for food, laughs, merriment and just being humans. I don’t know that it happens as much as it used to, or certainly needs to.

I’m extremely thankful that I have many memories around the dinner table and the tales that go along with them.

t s e r o F e k a W 2021 FOOTBALL WF

EST DEACTOWN WINSTON-SALEM WAKE FOREST DEACTOWN WINSTON-SALEM WAKE FOREST DEACTOWN WINSTON-SALEM WAKE FOREST DEACTOWN WINSTON-SALEM WAKE FOREST DEACTOWN WINSTON-SALEM WAKE FOREST DEACTOWN WINSTON-SALEM WAKE FOREST DEACTOWN WINSTON-SALEM

SAT, OCT 30 - HOMECOMING W A K E

F O R E S T

&

D U K E

SAT, NOV 13 - SENIOR DAY W A K E

F O R E S T

&

N C

S TAT E

EST DEACTOWN WINSTON-SALEM WAKE FOREST DEACTOWN WINSTON-SALEM WAKE FOREST DEACTOWN WINSTON-SALEM WAKE FOREST DEACTOWN WINSTON-SALEM WAKE FOREST DEACTOWN WINSTON-SALEM WAKE FOREST DEACTOWN WINSTON-SALEM WAKE FOREST DEACTOWN WINSTON-SALEM

GoDeacs.com/Tickets - 336.758.DEAC (3322) NOVEMBER 2021 / 77

10 TIPS FOR SURVIVING TODDLERHOOD:

A Lesson in Paradox and Stamina

BY TRIAD MOMS ON MAIN BLOGGER ASHLEY QUINN

I’m

not an expert on raising toddlers, but I am very much in it with a double dose of twenty-eightmonth-olds. Twins. Mine talk incessantly, nap infrequently, and still poop in their diapers. Both are learning to put on their socks, buckle their shoes, and navigate the playground like pros. One likes to collect and relocate objects throughout the house, while the other has taken to loudly narrating her experience with song (thanks, Cocomelon).

The three words I hear most often are “up,” “please,” and “mommy,” although they usually come smushed together in triples: “uppease uppease uppease!” and octets: “mommy mommy mommy mommy mommy mommy mommy mommy!”

Whether we are at the table eating, coloring, or playing dough, I’m used to getting up about ten times to clean spills and fulfill odd requests. If my toddlers are not engaged by an activity or the television, they can become quite ornery.

According to Erik Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development, toddlerhood is defined by the emergence of autonomy through the act of trying new things and developing confidence. During this phase, the toddler uses his or her will to test abilities and boundaries, demonstrating characteristics like determination, persistence, and inflexibility. The most-dreaded meltdown is just one behavior that can result from a toddler being told their most-dreaded word: “No.” In addition to managing our toddlers’ emotional needs, caregivers must also manage their nutrition, sleep, and social requirements, which may look something like twenty-one meals, fourteen snacks, a couple playdates, and a handful of 3 am. night terrors per week. All-in-all, it’s a delicate act of balancing their bids for autonomy with our efforts to keep them safe and healthy, while minimizing messes and stresses.

So, how can we survive this demanding stage of development and potentially thrive through it? Here are ten tips collected from my experience and validated by the Greensboro Mothers of Multiples—and, since this one won’t fit in the list, here’s a bonus tip: Get yourself a mom group! Our ability to learn and relate through sharing our struggles, victories, pains, and joys is essential to the journey.

Toddlerhood Tip 1: Set reasonable goals.

The Sistine Chapel wasn’t built overnight. Aim to accomplish a couple things a day. Maybe you fold laundry or put away the laundry that’s been folded for a week. Whether your goal is to create a to-do list or cross a couple things off it, setting achievable goals reinforces your self-image as capable, competent, and productive. Now you’re creating order in your house and your mind—how’s that for multi-tasking!?

Toddlerhood Tip 2: Honor your achievements.

Each day with toddlers brings triumphs and failures. Focus on the positive by identifying and celebrating your wins, no matter the size, quality, or quantity. Perhaps you set aside

household responsibilities to become more available for family. Maybe you make time to meditate when you’re approaching burnout. Or call in a babysitter to meet a deadline at work. These are all winning examples of winning! I guarantee there’s at least one thing a day you can be proud of—whatever it is, find it and give yourself a high five.

Toddlerhood Tip 3: Be mindful.

Believe it or not, mindfulness and toddlerhood go hand in hand. When you talk to a two-year-old about what’s on the wall, the shape of objects, or feelings of excitement, you’re noticing colors, sizes, and emotions.

This is mindfulness. When you get into a rhythm sorting clothes and toys or separating playdough colors, this is mindfulness. When you free yourself from attachment to specific outcomes, this is also mindfulness. So, when you reframe menial or mind-numbing activities into your mindfulness practice, you can reduce stress and increase patience. Add fifteen minutes of yoga a day and you’re basically a Tibetan monk.

Toddlerhood Tip 4: Be mindless.

Toddler caregiving is a full-court press of engagement, so the need to shut off is only natural. In psychology circles, the practice of emotional rest has become an increasingly prevalent therapy. Some moms swear by a glass or two of wine. Others, a gab sesh with friends or Reality TV binge (I’m partial to Hulu’s Dating: No Filter). Whatever offers you a little escape from toddler life, aim to find a balance and enjoy the relief. Giving yourself regular emotional rest is critical to meeting the persistent emotional demands of your children.

Toddlerhood Tip 5: Keep a schedule.

Routinely scheduled meal, sleep, and activity times can help your toddler anticipate what’s next. This gives them a greater sense of control, facilitates regular practice of your daytime activities, and reduces the potential for power struggles. According to studies, routine can also help reduce anxiety in adults. When we feel in control of our day, we feel in control of our lives.

Toddlerhood Tip 6: Change the schedule.

Since toddlers are rapidly developing and hitting new milestones every few weeks, it’s important to attune yourself to their emotional cues and allow room for adjustment to planned activities. During this developmental phase, your toddler may drop their nap, learn to climb a jungle gym or unlearn how to stay seated at a restaurant. As they acquire new skills through novel experiences, things that were difficult for you will become easy, and things that were easy will become difficult.

When you hit a hurdle, always remember—this, too, shall pass.

For more articles like this, log on to www.TriadMomsOnMain.com 78 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

Toddlerhood Tip 7: Share intentions.

Talking your toddler through upcoming activities is another way to support their sense of control. At bedtime, share something you’re looking forward to tomorrow. When wrapping an activity, let them know what’s next. Your typical toddler won’t be able to process a week’s itinerary, but can usually handle a sequence of two: “After we clean up our toys, we will watch a show.” It’s also good to offer simple reasons for your requests. Many toddler corrections, like standing in their highchair, throwing things, and running away can be explained as simply as, “That’s not safe; it’s my job to keep you safe.” Phrases like “because I said so” do little for autonomous development.

Toddlerhood Tip 8: Offer options.

What’s more empowering than knowing your options and deciding what’s right for you? For your toddler, it may be choosing between a Baby Shark or Frozen band-aid. An apple or an orange.

Sharing their toy or having it taken away. When you frame an action as a simple either/or choice, you reduce potential friction by honoring your toddler’s drive for autonomy.

Toddlerhood Tip 9: Get help—especially from your toddler!

S&K cleaning

tried the rest, now try the best!

Are you ready for someone to handle the deep cleaning?

S&K

Obviously, a support system is essential for success, whether it’s shared caregiving responsibilities with your spouse, babysitter, preschool, or family member(s). But did you know your toddler is also capable of helping, and gains confidence from doing so? Many toddlers can help put trash in the garbage, plates on the counter, toys in the bin, and clothes on their bodies!

While this may take extra time and attention in the beginning, you’ll set your toddler up with essential skills and social support instincts that serve their development and help you along the way.

Toddlerhood Tip 10: Have fun with it.

Interacting with toddlers can be an opportunity for your creative expression, too! Singing songs, drawing pictures, dressing up, planting a garden, and playing make-believe can bring you out of the doldrums of adulting and into your imagination. When examining opportunities for fun, think less about what your toddlers should be doing at subjective milestones and more about what brings you joy to do together.

With toddlers, the path of least resistance is often the easiest and best road to take, especially when the alternative is a nerve-rattling tantrum. But that doesn’t mean you have to give in to their every whim and desire.

Keith Willard, owner 24 Years Experience

336.244.6519 Servicing the Forsyth, Davie and Yadkinville area.

NOVEMBER 2021 / 79

What’s There to Eat?

My

parents had some good friends that I will always remember and think of fondly. One family, in particular, we got together with often and our evening usually centered around a meal. We had barbecues, picnics, and dinners with them every few weeks or so.

Since neither family had relatives in the immediate area, we also spent Thanksgivings together. Where I had a sister, their family was two sons. Most people would have assumed that being boys, food was first and foremost in their thoughts. They would be wrong.

My own children learned early on that I was not a short order cook. They were presented with many different vegetables, meats, and fruits. Some were received better than others, and the ones that obviously met with their disapproval were not offered very often. Of course, as they aged, even many of those were eaten without a fuss.

According to their mother, the only thing the boys would eat were plain hamburgers, rice, and some peas.

She claimed they got sick from eating other things when they were toddlers, so this was what they always agreed to eat. Whatever we, or anyone else, was serving, knowing they would be included, those items were made for them. I am sure there must have been other foods they ate, but none were disclosed. Even at Thanksgiving, their plates did not include any of the traditional items.

It has been enlightening to watch my grandchildren going from baby food to toddler food to basically anything on the food spectrum. My daughters were presented with many more options to feed their babies and toddlers than I had when feeding them. They had recipes for baby food using only organic produce. They spent hours making and freezing different vegetables for their infants. Different organic options became available in stores which went from infant through toddler meals.

There was rarely something they didn’t like – even though some of the combinations sounded dreadful to me.

I don’t know about you, but growing up in my house, that would not have happened. My mother was an excellent cook, but I know as a youngster I did not like everything that was put in front of me. I wasn’t made to eat everything, but I was expected to at least give it a try. I learned that looks could be deceiving when a vegetable I was sure would taste awful turned out to be one of my favorites.

Their tastes seemed to change as they aged. Suddenly, their menus were limited to a small assortment of main dishes and virtually no vegetables – unless you count French fries. I was a bit concerned with their eating habits until I realized that they were getting vegetables and fruits without knowing it.

Food manufacturers must have children of their own to have developed so many different ways to get these nutrients into

80 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

children and adults alike. It is a win-win for everyone.

I have also noticed that as my grandchildren age, their food choices have also matured. Our 13-year-old granddaughter loves sushi and other Asian foods along with most everything her parents fix. She is also becoming a wonderful cook. Her 10 and seven-yearold brothers have also expanded their food horizons. I am sure their younger cousins will follow suit and start to enjoy new foods and taste experiences.

I am not concerned with their nutritional diets. They are all healthy and growing.

Their parents don’t have to deal with temper tantrums over food because they know they are getting what their bodies need. It would have been wonderful if these options had been around for my daughters’ generation and mine.

As for my parents’ friends’ sons…my mother met up with the younger one while on a visit back to Virginia. They had lunch together, and Mom reported that he no longer ate just hamburgers, rice, and peas (as we all assumed he wouldn’t.) He showed her a picture of his older brother and, according to her, he wasn’t either!

Why is a Google My Business account key to your local business’ success?

We believe that becoming #1 shouldn’t be complicated.

When your GMB profile is optimized, it can help your business: Show up on Google Maps Earn trust from customers

Nu

Increase traffic and sales

If you’re serious about optimizing your GMB account, head over to nuagency.com/gmb-secrets-webinar to unlock our webinar, 6 Google My Business Secrets!

Rank higher for local searches Stand out from competitors

876 LIBERTY ST, WINSTON-SALEM, NC | NUAGENCY.COM | 336-842-1022

Call with Your Home Buying,

Hunter Realty

Selling, and Property Management Needs.

CHRIS WRIGHTS

336-978-0816 Cell

www.hunterrealtyonline.com chris.hunterrealty@gmail.com NOVEMBER 2021 / 81

With Old Friends and New Faces, It’s Time Once Again for Wake Forest Basketball!

Wake

BY A. KEITH TILLEY / PHOTOGRAPHY BY WAKE FOREST ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS

Forest fans will see many new faces this season on the court for Head Coach Steve Forbes.

From sought-after freshman to high-quality transfers, Coach Forbes likes what he sees for his second year at the helm. Coach is also very excited to see more fans in the stands this season. It’s time for a real coming-out party!

And for fans of the Triad’s ACC Team, there’s never been a better time to purchase season ticket packages than for this upcoming season. Wake Forest Athletics is offering NEW innovative FlexPlan options that are super convenient and accommodating to attend men’s basketball games this season. The FLEX membership packages provide fanfriendly, customizable, and ultimate flexible scheduling and pricing options for Wake Forest Demon Deacon basketball.

Here’s how it works…

First, you decide which package you want, Full Season: 19 Admissions ($190); Half Season: Nine Admissions ($126); or Quarter Season: Five Admissions ($95).

Next comes the fun part. You decide how you want to use those “Admissions’’ you’ve purchased. For example, a halfseason package of nine admissions allows you to attend nine games individually.

Or you may choose to attend three games with two of your friends or family (3 games times three attendees equals nine admissions). And if you need more admission, you simply purchase an additional package to accommodate your needs.

82 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

As you can see, there are numerous options you can choose in this manner.

The idea is any combination of games and attendees/ticket holders can be used, limited only by your number of admissions purchased. Obviously, the full-season package offers the best value, most flexibility, and variety. However, it’s totally up to you, the fan, what plan works best for your schedule and budget.

In addition, with this FLEX plan, your tickets are not assigned until closer to game day, based on availability. This provides more convenience if you have a change in plans, for example, and wish to switch games or the number of attendees/ticket holders for the game you’re attending. With this plan, your seat locations will vary on a game-bygame basis.

The FLEX season ticket members select games by opening their digital FLEX account and adding or removing games as they decide which dates they can attend.

This is also where you would purchase additional admissions as the need arises.

For those fans that prefer a more “traditional” season ticket plan, you would simply choose the traditional season ticket membership, again Full Season (Upper Level Starting at $150, Lower Level Starting at $619); Half Season (Upper Level Starting at $125, Lower Level Starting at $400); or Quarter Season Package (Upper Level Starting at $100, Lower Level Starting at $300). Next, determine the games you would like to attend and how many are in your party (additional attendees/

ticket holders). In this plan, your seats are assigned at the beginning of the season on a priority basis and remain the same throughout. The initial flexibility is the same; however, you must decide at the beginning of the season which games you want to attend and how many tickets per game you’ll need.

Simply put, whether you choose the FLEX season membership or Traditional season membership, you’re purchasing “admissions to games,” which is how you’re able to have the flexibility in tailoring it more specifically to your schedule and needs. Nineteen admissions equal any combination of how you wish to use the 19 tickets. All nineteen for one game, nineteen individual games, or somewhere in between. It’s that simple!

For added protection, the Ticket Purchase Assurance Program continues in 2021 to provide worry-free planning for your ticket membership purchase. If for some reason any portion of the 2021-2022 schedule does not take place, or if capacity restrictions change throughout the season due to COVID-19 health and safety guidelines, ticket holders who purchased directly through Wake Forest will continue to have their tickets protected with the TPA program.

This season offers fans a great opportunity to see some exciting matchups. If you aren’t part of the Deacon Nation tradition, there’s no better time to start. The Deacons begin the season’s home schedule with games played in LJVM Coliseum on

Nov 10 (Wed.) versus William & Mary from the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). Then on Nov 12 (Fri.), a familiar face comes back to Joel Coliseum. Wake Forest faithful will recognize firstyear head coach Justin Gray for Western Carolina University.

Gray’s legend at Wake Forest includes playing beside Chris Paul, forming one of the best backcourt combinations in the ACC. Together the team won the 2002-03 ACC Regular Season Championship with a 13-3 league record. Gray was a three-time All-ACC selection and marveled at for his prolific 3-point shooting prowess, currently ranked second at Wake for career 3-pointers.

Deacon Nation welcomes Justin back home this season.

On Nov 17 (Wed), Charleston Southern, out of the Big South Conference, will visit Joel Coliseum. Then on Nov 20 (Sat.), it’s regional foe North Carolina A&T. Last season, the Aggies earned their first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) regular-season (Southern Division) title since 1991.

Next up, on Nov 23 (Tue.), is Kennesaw State. The Owls are out of the ASUN Conference. Nov 30 (Tue.), the ACC/Big Ten Challenge will bring in Northwestern. This should be a very exciting game with the Wildcats, as they return four of their starters from last season and are coached by former Duke standout Chris Collins, who’s no stranger to these challenge contests.

Susan Maier Colon

The USC Upstate Spartans out of the Big South Conference come in on Saturday, Dec 11. The Spartans suffered the loss of one of their all-time great coaches and arena namesake in July of this year, Eddie Payne. Payne was a 1973 graduate of Wake Forest University and a men’s basketball team member from 1970-73. He received the Arnold Palmer Award as the Outstanding StudentAthlete and was awarded as the team’s Most Valuable Player his senior season. The Wake Forest community shares in the loss of one of their own.

Finally, the Deacons face VMI from the Southern Conference on Tuesday, Dec 14. The Keydets have a long history of matchups with Wake Forest, dating back to 1911.

After taking on their non-conference schedule, the Deacons begin their ACC competition.

This season’s exciting home conference schedule includes Boston College (Dec 22), Florida State (Jan 4), Syracuse (Jan 8), Duke (Jan 12), UNC (Jan 22), Pittsburgh (Feb 2), Miami (Feb 12), Notre Dame (Feb 19), Louisville (Feb 26), and NC State (Mar 2).

An inspired non-conference schedule, combined with all the action of the ACC and topped with the most convenient Flex-Plan Season Ticket options, make this season a must-see event. Share the fun and excitement with your friends and family in the Best Fan Experience in North Carolina. It simply doesn’t get any better than this.

For more information, visit the Wake Forest athletics website at GoDeacs.com/tickets, or by calling 336-758-DEAC (3322). Tickets for select contests can also be purchased in person at the Bridger Ticket Office located at Truist Field.

Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.

Clemmons Bike

YESVEMBER It’s time to hit those goals.

1 YEAR FREE SERVICES WITH BICYCLE PURCHASE.

Serving Forsyth County Families for Over 40 Years TRI • Road • Mountain • Comfort • Hybrids • BMX • Kids Bicycles Tricycles • Scooters • Bob Strollers • Unicycles

336.766.5564 • www.clemmonsbicycle.com 2703 Lewisville-Clemmons Rd, Clemmons, NC NOVEMBER 2021 / 83

A Specialized License Plate Project

BY LISA S.T. DOSS

Whether

you are traveling the backroads of Mount Airy, Yadkinville, Walnut Cove, or driving on highway 52, Pilot Mountain is a spectacular sight to behold. Our most distinctive natural feature is composed of metamorphic quartzite rock and rises to a peak of 2,421 feet. The great Knob is located in Surry and Yadkin counties and serves as a beacon to outdoor enthusiasts. State parks, such as Pilot Mountain and Hanging Rock, are fortunate to have a state-sanctioned “Friends of Sauratown Mountains” organization supporting volunteer opportunities and ongoing projects. The 220-member group, comprised of “friends” from Mount Airy, Yadkinville, Walnut Cove, King, Winston-Salem, and other local communities, generates $10,000 annually for trail improvements and educational classes that otherwise wouldn’t be possible. One project remains—achieving 300 paid applications to provide a specialized Pilot Mountain license plate.

Reaching Goals The community of Pilot Mountain, members of the State Park, and the Friends of Sauratown Mountains faced uphill challenges from 2020 through early 2021 in spreading news of their project. With less than 100 applications needed, the group remains hopeful they can submit the required 300 applications to the DMV General Assembly by January 1st, 2022.

A Unique and Beloved Gift Idea A specialized license plate, featuring our national landmark, the Knob, is the ideal gift for aunts and uncles, parents, new drivers, and the friend who has everything. By filling out an application and providing payment of $30, you can support two of our beloved state parks while showcasing pride for Pilot Mountain.

Application Information While the Pilot Mountain license plate has yet to receive its approved status at the DMV, interested applicants can go to the website, https://sauratownfriends.org/ and click on the link

84 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

“Pilot Mountain License Plate Application.” “Friends” member Debbie Vaden welcomes questions or the opportunity to assist Internet searches; therefore, please call 619-987-6257.

Instructions: • Make checks payable to “Friends of Sauratown Mountains” and apply the postdate of January 1st, 2022. (Twenty dollars of the thirty-dollar annual fee will go toward projects supporting Pilot Mountain State Park.)

• Send applications and checks to “Friends of Sauratown Mountain,” PO Box 353, Danbury, NC 27016. (A failed project will result in the return of all personalized checks.)

• Recipients can expect to receive their special plate by late Spring 2022.

• At the time of renewal, all drivers of specialized and personalized plates pay a standard fee.

Tell your family and friends! Spread the word through social media platforms! With your help, the North Carolina DMV can add “Pilot Mountain, National Landmark” plates to its numbers. Imagine the drivers who will see the license plate and say, “That’s attractive! I want one, too!”

“ Art is too important not to share.”

~ Romero Britto

1

Nayelis Rosario

3

Jane Manring

2

Skylar Contee

4

Harper Harris

12th Grade Walkertown High School Nina Street, Art Teacher

1st Grade Old Town Elementary Denise Aldret, Art Teacher

8th Grade Kernersville Middle Sara Young, Art Teacher

1st Grade Lewisville Elementary Amy Swift, Art Teacher NOVEMBER 2021 / 85

The View from My Section – A Father’s Perspective

An Old Dog Learns a New Trick

BY A. KEITH TILLEY

We’ve

all heard the saying, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” I strongly disagree; I think you can teach an old dog new tricks, as long as the dog wants to learn them. I’m speaking in purely human terms here.

I realize the longer one lives, the more difficult it may be on the surface to learn complicated new things. I understand the physical changes within the brain related to potentially slower electrical impulses that cross over the tiny gap between the individual synapses in the brain’s nervous system.

Thus, on the surface, it would seem this saying is rational.

Not so fast; just as one dog is not like another, individuals are unique. For instance, we know that of the reported approximately 7 billion humans that exist on the planet, there are some 420 billion variants, or results, from DNA possible.

Therefore, although this “saying” may apply to many occurrences in our population, it doesn’t mean it always holds true for each person matching the “old” description.

To my point, I’m always looking to learn new things. Don’t get me wrong, I’m certainly no Sheldon Cooper (Young Sheldon, CBS). My interests tend to lean towards areas that help me grow personally. I read books by authors like Malcolm Gladwell, and view Ted Talk videos, and the like, to remain current on teachings in this field. In my experience, no matter how old I may be getting, if my interest is strong in a certain area, I not only retain the basic information, I also intertwine the information with other teachings I’ve found to form a better understanding of myself and my relations with other people, especially those close to me.

My interests aren’t meant to be totally self-serving. Having gone through the challenges of raising two teenage boys, I’m merely hoping to fine-tune my approach in terms of relating to my now adult children on a more in-depth level.

I not only want to understand them; I, equally, want them to understand me.

To that end, I know they’ll never truly understand what it means to be a parent, that is, until they become parents themselves. In that regard, I’ve tried to use this point in my discussions with them, so they realize my expectations are

not overtly high on this point. But I think it would be a mistake to underestimate the level of understanding a young person can achieve if approached in the right way and under the right circumstances. For example, when I gave them rules when they were younger, I took the time to explain why they exist. I tried to ignore the natural teenage tendency to act uninterested whenever an adult is talking, and to persist in making the point that I hoped would be understood and remembered long after the conversation had passed. I first acknowledged what I felt they were thinking about the rules, and then I explained the difference in how it feels from a parent’s perspective.

I’ve always told them, if they want something from someone (including their parents), to figure out a way to make it beneficial for the other person as well, and their chance of getting it increases. If they think along those lines, they’ll be better prepared to have important conversations going forward. For instance, when making a request from their parents, consider what mom and dad are thinking. Are they concerned about safety for example? Next, determine how they can make us feel more comfortable with the request. In other words, whatever response they think we’ll come up with, think about how they can resolve that concern for us. In doing so, they come to us with a solution, not a problem.

To be more honest and forthright with them, I have to fully understand myself. It’s only fair that I don’t move the goalposts on them simply because I can’t make up my mind what I want.

So that requires me to take a deeper look inside myself, to know what kind of relationship I want with my boys. Where am I willing to compromise, and where my limitations are, without stifling their maturity and growth in the process. It’s a tough assignment, but one I’m constantly learning more about.

Why? Because it’s important to me; and no matter what your age, if your heart is in it, your mind will follow in most cases.

My advice to children and their parents is: never stop trying to learn, no matter what your interests. Life is not fully lived until it’s interesting to you. That’s why this old dog is constantly learning new tricks.

To comment and see more, visit theviewfrommysection.com.

86 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

iHeart

NOVEMBER 2021 / 87

Sing Us a Song, You’re the One-Man Band!

It’s

a nearly perfect Saturday afternoon. The previous night’s showers have long since moved off the Carolina coast, and the cool, dry Canadian air has rushed in behind them, setting up an absolutely exquisite day in the Piedmont. The wonderfully refreshing breeze out of the northwest jostles loose some of the leaves of the Tulip poplars that have made the change from green to yellow, and I watch them gently float to the ground. Row upon row of grapevines loom in the distance, the branches of the plants hanging heavy with the bounty of next year’s wine. People have gathered by the hundreds. Some are sitting at picnic tables with brightly colored umbrellas opened up above them. Others have settled into their own lawn chairs or are lazily lying around on blankets spread out upon the cool green grass. All have come to see James Vincent Carroll put on a show that will help them escape life, even if only for a few short hours.

I’ve ventured out to another show not only to support my friend, but to observe what he does. It’s much more than just singing into a microphone with his gritty, gravelly voice. It’s more than the guitar riffs his calloused fingers produce that keep my foot tapping and my head nodding. It’s more than just the music. It’s the human connection. It’s enjoying a glass or three of wine with good friends and hearing that Pink Floyd or Eagles cover song that takes you back to your high school or college days. Or, it’s one of James’ own personal songs that strikes a chord in you—bringing back memories of driving down a certain highway, remembering a period of heartbreak, falling in love again.

As I take in the sounds coming from the stage, I notice a mother and her son arriving. I’ve seen both of them before at other wineries for JVC shows. They stand out because this particular young man is developmentally disabled. I watch the mother and her son, who is clearly showing his excitement in being here, move across the venue. The music already has the youngster smiling and laughing. Even though he is in the middle of a song, James makes it a point to acknowledge the young man by name, and he squeals with delight knowing that this famous rock star recognizes him for what he is—another important piece of the human puzzle that has been assembled here today. I continue to observe the mother as she finds a place in the grass while her son, with his bright red baseball cap, dances next to the stage, not a care in the world. The sheer look of joy in his eyes and the mile-wide smile on his face say it all. He is in heaven –music heaven. Between songs, James continues to interact with the young man, which only increases his sheer delight.

88 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

Olivia Jewel Photography

BY DAMIAN DESMOND

I take a moment and glance down at my half-full wine glass. I watch as a few beads of condensation run down the stem, to the base. James starts into one of his rocking renditions of Golden Earring’s “Radar Love.” The crowd is now getting into it, as you can feel the energy beginning to ramp up. A gathering of all ages is on its feet in front of the stage. Wine glasses in hand, people are dancing, whirling, smiling and laughing. For the moment, the all- too-hectic lives we have come to know have been put temporarily on hold. And like that young man dancing and squealing next to the stage, we all have that innocent feeling of our youth and the simple reminder through song that we’re all notes on a sheet of music. By ourselves, the notes are meaningless.

But together, we create a thing of harmonious beauty. Thank you, James Vincent Carroll, for not only being my friend, but for bringing us together and for being that reminder.

Hello Pumpkin!

St. Patrick’s Day Treats

BY KRISTI JOHNSON MARION & EMILY DODSON

BY KRISTI JOHNSON MARION

Now that it’s finally Pumpkin Spice Everything season, I mean “fall,” the coffee shops and bakeries are full of my favorite things. But there’s more to the pumpkin than just lattes and pie. The pumpkin is a rock star of a vegetable, densely packed with nutrients, and deserves the spotlight throughout the season and beyond. Pumpkin is high in antioxidants and fiber, with a healthy dose of vitamin A. It’s also versatile, easily working in savory or sweet dishes across a variety of cultural cuisines. Incorporate these kid-friendly pumpkin dishes this season!

CROCKPOT PUMPKIN SPICE OATMEAL INGREDIENTS: 2 cups Water 2½ cups Milk (of choice) 1 cup Pumpkin Puree 1 tsp. Pumpkin Spice 1 cup Steel Cut Oats Ma ple Syrup or Honey (optional) optional toppings: diced Apple, chopped Pecans, golden Raisins DIRECTIONS:: 1. Place all ingredients in the crockpot and stir to combine.

2. Cover and cool on low 4 hours on a higher setting, or 7 hours on low.

3. Place in bowls to cool a bit and top with your favorite toppings, such as diced apples, chopped pecans, golden raisins, a dollop of vanilla yogurt, or even chocolate chips!

NOTE: Use the leftover pumpkin to add to cheesy pumpkin quesadillas or the Pumpkin Pie Hummus!

PUMPKIN PIE DESSERT HUMMUS INGREDIENTS: 1 c an Chickpeas, drained & rinsed ¼ cup Cashew Butter ¼ cup Maple Syrup 1¼ cups Pumpkin Puree 2½ tsp. Pumpkin Pie Spice 2 tsp. Vanilla Extract pinch of Sea Salt sliced Apples Gr aham Crackers or Graham Sticks DIRECTIONS: 1. Place all ingredients from chickpeas through sea salt in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.

2. Using a rubber spatula, transfer to a serving bowl.

Sprinkle a few dashes of pumpkin pie spice on top.

Serve with apple slices and grahams.

CHOCOLATE CHIP PUMPKIN BREAD INGREDIENTS: 1 & ¾ cups All-purpose Flour 1 tsp. Baking Soda 2 tsp. Cinnamon ¼ tsp. Nutmeg ¼ tsp. Cloves ¼ tsp. ground Ginger ¾ tsp. Salt 2 large Eggs, room temp. ½ cup granulated Sugar ½ cup packed light or dark brown Sugar 1½ cups Pumpkin Puree (canned) ½ cup Vegetable Oil ¼ cup Orange Juice (or sub. milk) 2/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips DIRECTIONS: 1. Move the oven rack to the lower 3rd position. Preheat to 350° and spray a 9x5” loaf pan with non-stick spray.

2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, salt, and spices until combined.

3. In a medium bowl, whisk eggs and sugars until combined. Whisk in the pumpkin, oil, and orange juice (or milk). Pour these wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently mix together with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula. Do not over-mix. (It’s okay if there are some lumps.) Fold in the chocolate chips.

4. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 55-65 minutes, covering the top with foil halfway through to prevent the top from overbrowning. The bread is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean with only a few crumbs.

5. P lace the pan on a wire rack to cool completely.

Store in the refrigerator up to 10 days.

NOTES: To make muffins, bake batter in muffin tin for 20 minutes at same temp.

Can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in fridge and bring to room temperature before serving.

NOVEMBER 2021 / 89

Images from October 11th KMO at Hanes Park Tennis

90 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

Grab a Friend... and bring the kids for a morning of fun at Thursday, November 11th 10am - Noon

KMO

6000 Meadowbrook Mall Suite 5 Clemmons, NC 336.448.0004

Full Bleed

KIDS’ MORNING OUT

Join Us...

FREE EVENT! Come see all TRU Taekwondo

has to offer with a variety of individual activity stations.

Each adult also receives 4 tickets for the fabulous prize board drawings!

There will also be: • Games • Treats • Fun • • Taekwondo Demo • Giveaways • and more! *Check Facebook in case of inclement weather.

These monthly events are hosted by AUGUST 2021 / 91

But that journey wouldn’t have been possible without her sweet staff and amazing customers. “It’s incredibly heartwarming and satisfying to see a person’s mood lift from the simplest pleasures in life. Every customer that walks through my doors is like family to me, and the peoples’ lives I’ve been able to be a small part of mean so much! And my staff...I cannot say enough about the dedication they pour into Baked Just SO.” Baked Just SO takes the hassle out of navigating downtown Winston-Salem to have your morning pick-me-up. Instead, it’s a quick drive or even walk for some! Both locations offer a full coffee bar that could give Starbucks a run for their money. And to pair with your favorite drink, you’ll find seasonal specials still warm and fresh from the oven, dailymade breakfast pastries, specialty cakes, cheesecakes, pie bars, cookies, brownies, and more. Oh! Did we also mention they also make artisanal ice cream sandwiches flavored to the season? The options are endless, with a little something to fit everybody’s palate, so the hardest decision to make will be whether to order an extra pastry to go!

Baked Just So

BY LAUREN SEPHTON

From

building her reputation in Charleston to taking a leap of faith in Winston-Salem, Stacey Milner has been elevating pastries and cultivating memories for years. Since the first day she opened shop, Stacey has poured “nothing but love” into every angle of Baked Just SO. Because her bakery is more than just her business, it’s her passion. And you can taste it in every bite, in every sip of air-roasted coffee, and in every jaw-dropping glance at her specialty cakes.

“I found myself at a crossroads a little over four years ago. I had always dreamt of starting my own shop since working as a pastry chef back in Charleston, but thought the timing was not right. So, when my life took a big turn, it was a clear sign to gather up the courage and take action.” And the Robinhood space couldn’t have become available at any better time. With three kids in school right down the road, Stacey knew that it was meant to be. “It’s been a journey filled with ups and downs, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

92 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

From the memorable first birthdays to the grand 100th birthdays, to weddings and the simple celebrations of life, Stacey has had the honor to sweeten many occasions. She’s even had the blessing of being able to ride along life’s journey for many customers that have entrusted her with the task of bringing the cake visions to life. “One in particular, I made her wedding cake, several birthday celebrations, her gender reveal, and that same baby’s first birthday cake.”

And seeing the happiness in their faces upon delivery? “It’s literally a dream come true!”

Stacey’s greatest joy is not just to bake, but to create an experience for her clients with nothing less than sweetened perfection on her mind. You’ll be sure to taste the authenticity of those endless hours in the kitchen, as well as her heart and soul she pours into every original recipe.

And in addition to buying seasonal ingredients from local farmers, Baked Just SO cherishes their opportunity to give back to their community through various donations and charity events for local schools. She also offers teachers a 10% discount all year.

Baked Just SO is bringing specialty cakes, delicious pastries, and locally roasted coffee to two locations.

Find the store hours for each shop on their website, www.bakedjustso.com 5395 Robinhood Village Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27106 (336) 923-5778 6782 Shallowford Road, Lewisville, NC 27023 (336) 946-1027

MENTION THIS AD AND GET $5 OFF $20

BRING IN THIS COUPON

Buy One Drink, Get One 1/2 Off

for the month of November

Offer Expires 12/31/2021.

Not valid with any other offer.

Clemmons 336-766-0401 Mt. Airy 336-783-0227 Walkertown 336-754-4495 Yadkinville 336-679-7064 Winston-Salem 336-999-8037

3560 Clemmons Rd, Suite B • Clemmons, NC 27012 336.893.9892 • @bekindcoffeeco

Join us to celebrate Ribs on Mondays for $1.25/bone.

www.littlerichardsbarbeque.com

Baked Just SO is bringing delicious pastries, specialty cakes, and locally AIR roasted coffee to northern Winston Salem, Lewisville, and Pfafftown!

Stop by to get yours TODAY! 5395 Robinhood Village Drive Winston-Salem, NC 27106 336.923.5778

6782 Shallowford Road Lewisville, NC 27023 336.946.1027

Glide & Dine

336-722-7777 or 345-2557 [m] TriadECOadventures.com

E AT S - A L ES - S P I R I T S

Mon-Thurs 11am-1am | Fri-Sat 11am-2am Sun 12pm-1am

www.mossysclemmons.com

Glide to great dining!

6235 Towncenter Drive | Clemmons, NC 27045

$5 off any $30 or more purchase

excludes beverage & alcohol one coupon per customer expires 11/30/21

Buy 1 Pizza

Get a 2nd of equal or lesser value for half price.

EXPIRES 11/30/21

OFFER EXPIRES NOVEMBER 30, 2021.

(NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER OFFER. FOR DINE-IN OR TAKE-OUT)

110 Oakwood Drive | Winston-Salem, NC @camelcitycoffee

3425 Kinnamon Village Commons • Winston-Salem (Clemmons Area) 336.893.7331 • PieGuys.com

Locally custom made cookies for all occasions! Shipping available. @annabakescookies aholbrook123@gmail.com

Promote Your Business!

Dining

ADVERTISE HERE robin@forsythmags.com

NOVEMBER 2021 / 93

LO C A L E V E N T S

SECOND WEDNESDAYS PROFESSIONAL WOMEN OF WINSTON-SALEM MEETING 11:30am-1pm, Footnote on 4th Street in W-S. Join PWWS for the monthly meeting. Learn more at PWWS.org.

NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 25 (WEDNESDAYS, FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS) SATURDAY SPECIALS 12-7pm, Campus Gas, 1231 Polo Road. Enjoy draft specials.

NOVEMBER 5

6TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AT RESTORATION MEDSPA Virtual Open House Event. Restoration MedSpa is celebrating another year as the premier practice in the Triad for non-invasive cosmetic treatments. We’re offering discounts on ALL products and services throughout the month. In-person and virtual consultations on November 5th will be limited, so hurry to schedule your appointment today! Visit restorationmedspa.com.

NOVEMBER 5-6 COZY COTTAGE CRAFT SHOW Kernersville Community House, 405 Salisbury Street in Kernersville.

37th Annual Cozy Cottage Craft Show. Unique handcrafted gifts, home décor, jewelry, yard art, holiday decorations, baked goods and more. Proceeds from raffle benefit Trellis Supportive Care. facebook.com/ cozycottagecraft/

NOVEMBER 5-7 MORAVIAN MARKET DAYS AT SOUTH FORK PARK South Fork Community Center, 4403 Country Club Road in W-S. Please join us to shop from a select group of craft vendors for unique, original and beautiful hand-crafted items. A great opportunity to purchase gifts for the “hard to shop for” family member or friend.

CINDY DOLLAR YOGA WEEKEND WORKSHOP 6pm, Sunrise Yoga Studio, 6311-A Stadium Drive in Clemmons. If you’ve had any issues with depression, anxiety or stress over the past year, then this is the workshop for you! Don’t miss this special opportunity to learn from one of the best! Get all the details at sunriseyoga.net/yoga-workshops. This event will be live in-studio as well as virtual via Zoom. Cost: $190$210/person.

NOVEMBER 6

WALK TO END ALZHEIMER’S Bailey Park. The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is full of flowers, each carried by someone committed to ending this disease. These flowers have a lot of fight in them! To learn more, visit alz.org/walk.

FANTASTICALLY FABULOUS HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE 9am-6pm, Your Home Marketplace, 670 South Stratford Road in W-S. Join us for our 3rd annual Holiday Open House. Shop our 11,000-square-foot store with more than 77 local artists. Everything

94 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

you will need for this upcoming season will be here! Take 10%-30% off your entire purchase. Plenty of parking available. yourhomemarketplacenc.com

READ WRITE SPELL ART SHOW AND SALE 10am, 875 West 5th Street in W-S. Art Show and Sale to benefit Read Write Spell featuring local artists and woodcarvers. readws.org MINGLEWOOD’S FALL OPEN HOUSE & CHICKEN STEW 2-6:30pm, Minglewood Farm and Nature Preserve, 238 Minglewood Road in Westfield. The stew will be prepared by a talented local chef using produce grown on Minglewood’s Farm. Minglewood is excited to share this day with our friends and supporters, eating great food and enjoying the outdoors. We will have activity and craft stations set-up for the children, and a bonfire to warm the body and soul. This event is free, and donations are gratefully appreciated. We look forward to seeing you out on the farm! eventbrite.com/o/minglewood-farm-and-naturepreserve-17188338999 AN EVENING WITH MATTHEW MORRISON 8pm, Steven Tanger Performing Arts Center, 300 North Elm Street in Greensboro. Star of stage and screen, Matthew Morrison will perform live with the Greensboro Symphony in an evening of sophisticated enjoyment! In the event this performance is postponed, all tickets issued, including those booked as part of the 2020–21 season, will be valid for admission to the rescheduled engagement. greensborosymphony.org

NOVEMBER 8-24 FOOD FOR FAMILIES AT NITSA’S APPAREL Nitsa’s, 107 South Stratford Road in W-S. Bring five or more non-perishable food items or donate $5 or more to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina and save 20% on all purchases excluding special orders, bridal and cosmetics. nitsas.com

NOVEMBER 9 GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT 5pm-until…, Jeffrey Adams on Fourth, 321 West Fourth Street in W-S. Grab a friend, a neighbor, your sister, your mother, a co-worker and have a much-needed Girls’ Night Out! Specials include half price wine and half price pot roast nachos. As always, each attendee will receive four tickets for our fabulous prize board drawings!

ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE OYO EMPIRE 6pm, Lam Museum of Anthropology, Wake Forest University, Palmer Hall, Carroll Weathers Drive. Dr. Akin Ogundiran, Chancellor’s Professor at the University of North Carolina Charlotte, will speak about his archaeological research on the Oyo Empire (ca.

1570-1836) and its implications for understanding the age of Atlantic modernity, an experience defined by the movement of people, goods, and ideas, and reorganization of the physical and social landscapes. Admission is free. lammuseum.wfu.edu

Sassy keychains, dogtags, sweatshirts, coordinating harnesses, leashes, and bagholders, custom pet portraits, tote bags, and more made locally!

hautedawgshop.com Use Code FORSYTHFAMILY for 10% off

Locally custom made cookies for all occasions!

Shipping available. @annabakescookies | aholbrook123@gmail.com

mind . body . spirit 336.727.3555 RENTALS / TOURS / SALES

176 YWCA Way @ the Gateway www.PedegoPiedmontTriad.com

Ashley Wren, lmbt 336.934.0982 AshleyWren-LMBT.com | AshWren82@gmail.com Licensed Massage Therapist • Master Reiki Practitioner Spiritual Life Coach • Mobile Massage Animal Massage and Reiki

LOCAL BUSINESS

From my Otis to yours, enjoy all the best stylish dog accessories

MARCH 2021 / 95

LO C A L E V E N T S

NOVEMBER 11

NOVEMBER 17

KIDS’ MORNING OUT 10am-12pm, TRU Taekwondo, 6000 Meadowbrook Mall Court, Suite 5 in Clemmons.

Grab a friend and bring the kids for a morning of fun at TRU Taekwondo. There will be a variety of individual activity stations, games, treats, fun, giveaways, a taekwondo demo and more! Each adult also receives four tickets for the fabulous prize board drawings.

16TH ANNUAL LUNCHEON FOR THE WOMEN’S FUND OF WINSTON-SALEM 12-1:30pm, virtual event. We’re thankful! For the past 16 years, members of The Women’s Fund of Winston-Salem have worked together to make a difference in the lives of women and girls in our community. To register, please visit womensfundws.org/luncheon.

NOVEMBER 12-JANUARY 1

NOVEMBER 19-21

TANGLEWOOD PARK FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS 30TH SEASON 6-11pm, Tanglewood Park in Clemmons.

Tickets may be purchased at the gate upon entry and in advance at the Marketing and Events office at Tanglewood Park. The Gift Village will be open.

Unfortunately, Santa and Mrs. Claus will not be able to visit us this year. Ticket prices range from $20-$23 per car up to $118 for motor coaches.

LEGENDS BY ROMONA KEVEZA BRIDAL TRUNK SHOW Nitsa’s Apparel, 107 South Stratford Road in W-S. Nitsa’s offers the finest selection of couture bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses, veils, accessories, social occasion and cocktail dresses, sportswear and cosmetics. As the Carolinas’ Couture Bridal Salon, Nitsa’s provides its signature personal service and exceptional in-house alterations. Fabulous since 1964! nitsas.com

NOVEMBER 12-13

NOVEMBER 20

51ST ANNUAL CRAFT VILLAGE 10am-7pm (12th); 10am-4pm (13th), Davie Parks and Recreation, 151 Southwood Drive in Mocksville. Shop 50+ local artisans selling jewelry, handbags, paintings, florals, soaps, holiday ornaments, home décor and much more! Admission is $1, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit local charities. Visit our bake shop offering homemade cookies, pies, bread and cakes. Food trucks will be on site during show hours. Live music and entertainment as well!

NOVEMBER 13 WAKE FOREST FOOTBALL AGAINST NC STATE Senior day. Visit godeacs.com/tickets or call 336.758.

DEAC for more information.

CRAFT SHOW SPONSORED BY ARDMORE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION 10am-3pm, Miller Park Recreation Center, 400 Leisure Lane in W-S. Fourth annual Craft Show for the ANA. Social distancing will be practiced.

DRIVE-IN BINGO 2pm, Bolton Park, 1590 Bolton Street. Drive-in Bingo is back! This is a family event open to all ages. Admission is a donation of one non-perishable item for donation to Second Harvest Food Bank.

NOVEMBER 15-22 NATIONAL COLLECTION WEEK Christmas miracles happen every year with Operation Christmas Child and Samaritan’s Purse. Listen to 89.3 WBFJ or visit wbfj.fm for more information on packing your shoebox or building a shoebox online.

STING 8pm, Steven Tanger Performing Arts Center, 300 North Elm Street in Greensboro. Composer, singer, author, actor and activist, Sting is one of the world’s most renowned and distinctive artists.

Don’t miss this one-night-only event! In the event this performance is postponed, all tickets issued, including those booked as part of the 2020–21 season, will be valid for admission to the rescheduled engagement. Patrons will be promptly alerted to any schedule changes should they occur. greensborosymphony.org

NOVEMBER 22 I WANT MY BODY BACK 12pm, Zoom webinar (novanthealth.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ WkpBZDnbQM2yjyqX1Pgeog). Have you heard of the 4th trimester? Let’s talk about your body after the baby is born. There is a lot that needs to happen to get you back into your pre-pregnancy state, and we aren’t talking about just your weight.

Join Lori Baydush as she talks about recovery in the 4th trimester.

NOVEMBER 26-28 “BE THANKFUL” SALE AT SIMPLY STERLING & COMPANY 5275 Robinhood Village Drive. Three days of storewide savings just for you! Jewelry, gifts, apparel and so much more. Visit SimplySterling.com.

NOVEMBER 27-28 COMMUNITY FAIR – CHRISTMAS IN CLEMMONS Old Clemmons Gym, 6031 Stadium Drive. eventbrite. com/e/christmas-in-clemmons-tickets-166137296125

*DISCLAIMER: E VENT DETAILS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. PLEASE CHECK EVENT WEBSITES & SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES FOR UPDATES AS THE DATES DRAW NEAR.*

96 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

(Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV)

MyGraceFullLife.com Read My Grace-Full Life each month in Forsyth Family!

336-399-3873

Chrystal.Yates@Allentate.com

“ON YOUR WAY TO SUCCESS, GIVE YOUR BODY SOME REST.”

ChrystalYates.com

ADVERTISE HERE

Michael Peak, CEO/Inventor 336-858-1275 | michaelpeak83@yahoo.com | www.sleepy-headpillows.com

QUALITY WORK AT COMPETITIVE PRICES

CONTACT Robin@ForsythMags.com to learn more about advertising on the Local Business page

EMERGENCY SERVICE • STORM DAMAGE • TREE REMOVAL • PRUNING • CABLING STUMP REMOVAL • TRIMMING • CRANE SERVICE • BUCKET TRUCK SERVICE Locally Owned & Operated • Licensed & Insured Serving the Triad Since 1986 336-345-2572 • DAWSONTREESERVICE.COM

LOCAL BUSINESS

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

NOVEMBER 2021 / 97

We are Grateful for our advertisers It’s our privilege to work with our advertising partners, who make this magazine possible.

Because of their support, we are able to offer Forsyth Family as a free community resource. As you visit these businesses and organizations, please let them know you saw their ad in this month’s issue.

ACTIVITIES

Kaleideum...............................................25 Pedego Electric Bikes...............................95 Salem Gymnastics & Swim......................53 Triad Eco Adventures...............................95 TRU Taekwondo.......................................51 YMCA.......................................................49

BAKERY/CONFECTIONS

Anna Bakes Cookies................................95 Baked Just So..........................................93 Be Kind Coffee.........................................93 Camel City Coffee............................. 35, 93

BEAUTY / STYLING

Lewisville Laser........................................57 Lyndhurst Medical Spa............................59 Paparazzi Hair Salon..................................9

CHILDCARE

Imprints Cares.........................................25 YMCA.......................................................49

CHURCHES

New Day Community Church..................71

DENTISTS / ORTHODONTISTS

Chermak & Hanson.................................55 Kingery & Associates DDS........................45 Salem Smiles...........................................59 Vivid Dental...............................................7

EDUCATION

Calvary Day School..................................31

Forsyth Country Day School.....................27

FINANCIAL

Cannon Wealth Management.................37 Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp.....47 Fidelity Bank..............................................5 Piedmont Advantage Credit Union..........33 Truliant Federal Credit Union.... Back Cover Wo odard & Company Asset Management Group..........................21

HEALTH & FITNESS

YMCA.......................................................49

HOME

Casual Furniture World............................45 Chris Wrights, Hunter Realty...................81 Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp.....47 ICON Custom Builders.............................39 NC Farm Bureau – Tim Moore..................95 Phillips Ranson Team..............................51 Piedmont Sheet Metal.............................31 S & K Cleaning.........................................79 State Farm – Will Wilkins.........................53 Susan Maier-Colon, Broker......................83 The Ginther Group...................................47 Weedman................................................61

MEDICAL

Atr ium Health Wake Forest Baptist – Breast Care Center................................2 Clinical Neuromodulation Lab................15 Hillcrest Vision.........................................61 Lewisville Laser........................................57

98 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM

Lyndhurst.................................................59 No vant Health – Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute...............................19 Penta.......................................................37 Twenty200/eyewear................................13 Well Care Hospice...................................53 WomanCare.............................................57

PHOTOGRAPHY

JEJ Photos...............................................65 Micah Brown Media................................63

RADIO STATIONS

WBFJ .......................................................73 Mix 99.5..................................................87 Q104.1....................................................67

REAL ESTATE & HOUSING

Chris Wrights, Hunter Realty...................45 Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp.....47 ICON Custom Builders.............................39 Phillips Ranson Team..............................51 Piedmont Advantage Credit Union..........33 Sus an Maier-Colon Berkshire Hathaway...........................83 The Ginther Group...................................47 Truliant Federal Credit Union.... Back Cover

RESTAURANTS

Baked Just So..........................................93 Be Kind Coffee.........................................93 Camel City Coffee....................................93 “Glide & Dine” with Triad Eco...................93 Hakkachow Asian Eats.............................93

Little Richard’s Smokehouse BBQ..... 29, 93 MOJI Coffee.............................................93 Mossy’s....................................................93 Nothing Bundt Cakes..............................93 Pie Guys Pizza..........................................93

RETAIL

Casual Furniture World............................33 Clemmons Bicycle...................................83 Hip Chics Boutique & Gift........................39 Honda of WS.............................................3 Rolly’s Baby Boutique..............................61

SERVICE

City Lights Ministry..................................49 Crossnore Communities for Children......29 Ha yworth-Miller Funeral Homes & Crematory........................................99 Nu............................................................81 S&K Cleaning...........................................79 Second Harvest Food Bank......................10 Well Care Hospice...................................53

UPCOMING EVENTS

Forsyth Family Kids’ Morning Out...........91 Mistletoe Run – YMCA.............................49 Operation Christmas Child............... 73, 99 Tanglewood Festival of Lights..................17 UNCSA The Nutcracker...............................4 Wake Forest Football...............................77 Walk to End Alzheimer’s..........................23

OPERATION

CHRISTMAS CHILD Join Hayworth-Miller in filling a child’s heart with good news and great joy!

Hayworth-Miller

Funeral Homes & Crematory*

Hayworth Miller Hayworth-Miller proudly sponsors Operation Christmas Child Operation Christmas Child. * Located at our Winston-Salem location

A ministry that delivers gift filled shoeboxes to children in need in impoverished, disaster riddled and war torn countries.

Shoeboxes can be picked up and returned filled

by November 21 to any Hayworth-Miller location.

Please visit www.hayworth-miller.com for more information.

National Collection Week November 15-22 Winston-Salem • 3315 Silas Creek Parkway • Winston-Salem, NC 27103 • 336-765-8181 Rural Hall • 305 Bethania-Rural Hall Road • Rural Hall, NC 27045 • 336-969-5593 Kernersville • 3950 Macy Grove Road • Kernersville, NC 27284 • 336-993-2136 Lewisville • 6685 Shallowford Road • Lewisville, NC 27023 • 336-946-1107 Advance • 108 East Kinderton Way • Advance, NC 27006 • 336-940-5555

Your Gift Makes A World of Difference

NOVEMBER 2021 / 99

Truliant

Minimize your car payment.

USED RATES AS LOW AS

2.99

% APR

1

AUTO LOANS

Just what you need.

Truliant auto loans feature great rates, fast approvals and flexible terms.

336-659-1955 | Truliant.org

(1) APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Rates and terms are subject to change. Loans are subject to credit approval. Rate good for new and used autos,

model year 2014 and newer. Additional terms apply for refinancing existing Truliant auto loans.

100 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM