Lids to Benches: A New Recycling Model

A NEW RECYCLING MODEL

BY CAROLYN S. PETERSON

Arecent national study found that more than 90% of Americans participate in some type of recycling, whether on a weekly basis with a bin they set by the curb or by putting their water bottle in the recycle bin at the gym, instead of throwing it in the trash. Many of the businesses that we frequent have bins encouraging the separation of recyclable items from that deemed waste. Truly, recycling couldn’t be easier; however, some items, like plastic caps and lids, are made of a different type of plastic, requiring an alternate recycling method. Local

Forsyth Country Day School senior, Caden Didier, took on the problem of plastic lids and started “Lids to Benches,” collecting plastic caps and lids, which, with enough of them, are made into recycled benches. This effort of Caden’s is a community project, and each of us can help!

From Project to Passion

After taking an Environmental Science class his junior year, Caden discovered his passion for the environment. “Seniors at FCDS have a capstone project and I wanted to incorporate my passion for the environment into my project by collecting plastic caps and lids to make into benches for our local parks. My overall goal is to give back to my community while also helping reduce the environmental impact within Winston-Salem,” said Caden.

Who Knew All Plastic Isn’t Created Equal?

Many recycling centers will not accept plastic caps and lids because they are made of a different type of plastic than the containers we all recycle. When the plastics are mixed they contaminate one another and this affects the overall value of the material; caps and lids can also jam processing equipment. “I have collection bins at many local businesses and I also receive pick-up requests from local residents via social media. Once I receive my first goal amount of 500 pounds, I will then sort, wash, and bundle all the caps and lids. At that point, I will place an order for the benches with a company located in Indiana; the company chips down all of the plastic collected and molds it into 8’-long benches. The last step is dropping off the caps and lids to the facility and picking up the benches. The benches will be placed in our Winston-Salem parks,” Caden stated. So…how can the community help?

Chip in for a Good Cause

Caden’s partnership with local businesses and residents in the collection process has been very positive, as well as getting the message out about this project. “The community support has been tremendous! Collection bins are scattered throughout our community. I frequently stop by and pick up what’s been collected. I will continue this project until I head off to college next fall. I would really love to see this project evolve into a Winston-Salem citywide project that will grow and continue to add benches throughout our community. I would love people to see these benches and know they were a part of creating them,” commented Caden. For more information, follow Caden on his Facebook group Lids to Benches or Instagram @lidstobenches or e-mail him at cadendidier@fcds.org.

FORSYTH FAMILY DENTAL

Learning to Brighten Your Smile!

BY MARTIE EMORY

Located in the heart of Forsyth County, Forsyth Family Dental proudly serves its patients through a team effort of unprecedented care and education.

When it comes to issues that matter most, there’s nothing more important than knowledge—and trust! With whitening one of the most common procedures requested by patients, it’s important to educate yourself on the best options available to you and your family. The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry says the most common issue patients would like to improve about their smiles is the whiteness of their teeth. The American Association of Orthodontists also finds nearly 90% of their patients requesting tooth whitening. If your own smile doesn’t sparkle as it used to— you are certainly not alone!

FACT: Teeth lose their brightness for a variety of reasons, from coffee, tea, and red wine stains, where color pigments called chromogens attach to the white enamel, to tobacco use, to simply aging. Over time, the outer enamel grows thinner and more of the yellowish, softer under-layer called dentin begins to show through. Trauma to the mouth area and certain medications can also accelerate discoloration, and in those situations, traditional whitening processes are not effective. Whitening is also not an option with caps, veneers, or crowns. It’s important to explore options with your dentist that best suit your personal situation.

The Options at a Glance

• Stain Removal Toothpastes: Always look for whitening toothpastes that have earned the ADA Seal of Acceptance for stain removal. These products also have additional polishing agents that are safe for teeth—although temporary tooth sensitivity can occur. • In-Office Bleaching: In some situations, in-office bleaching may be helpful, and that is something to talk to your dentist about. All bleaching requires at-home followup, so it’s important to continue to bleach occasionally at home. • At-Home Bleaching from Your Dentist: Dentists can provide you with a custom-made tray for at-home whitening with instructions on how to place the bleaching solution into the tray and for what length of time. This is ideal if you feel more comfortable whitening in your own home at a slower pace, but still with the guidance of a dentist. Out-of-office bleaching can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. • Over-the-Counter Bleaching Products: You’ll find varying options online or in grocery stores—toothpastes or whitening strips that bleach your teeth—but the concentration of bleaching agent in these is lower than an in-office procedure. Always look for an over-the-counter kit with the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Today, it’s also supremely important to understand how the Covid-19 vaccine fits in to your dental care routine. Flossing, fluoride, and the vaccine have something in common: They all prevent disease. While your dental office has been working diligently to put your health and safety first during the pandemic, we now have the Covid-19 vaccine to add to our other tools of wearing masks, washing our hands, and avoiding crowds when possible. At Forsyth Family Dental, we want patients to understand the facts about the vaccine: • It’s safe and effective. • You may experience side effects, but it will not make you sick. • Even if you’ve had Covid-19, get the vaccine! • Be sure to receive all recommended doses. • The CDC states there is no evidence the antibodies created from Covid-19 vaccines will cause problems with pregnancy, and no evidence fertility issues are a side effect of receiving the vaccine.

Always with your health and safety in mind, Dr. Charlotte C. Broughton, Dr. Jeffrey M. Gallisdorfer, Dr. Elizabeth D. Corbin, and Dr. Sarah E. Simpson will join their dedicated staff in welcoming you to their practice! Forsyth Family Dental is located at 116 Jonestown Road in Winston-Salem. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call 336-768-7495, e-mail officemanager@broughtondds.com or visit forsythfamilydentalnc.com.

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC, Investment advice offered through Independent Advisor Alliance, a registered investment advisor, Independent Advisor Alliance and Marzano Capital Group are separate entities from LPL Financial.

Making Dollars, Making $ense

A Team-Oriented Approach

Another trait that sets us apart from many other advisors is our ability to truly put our clients first. We work for, and are employed by, our clients. Each of us on the team has a fiduciary responsibility to act in the best interest of the client regarding all recommendations and advice. We are not competing for sales goals and do not have incentives like many other firms. This positions us on the same side of the table as our clients, which is exactly where you want your advisor to be. Therefore, our focus is solely on each person we are fortunate enough to work with. In an article with Business Wire, 50% of Americans stated that they are certain they are working with a fiduciary advisor, while 38% have no idea if their advisor has made the promise to put their clients’ best interests before their own, and act in good faith to provide all relevant facts to clients (Business Wire, 2017). Due to our size and scale and the efficiencies we have created, we have the ability to invest in potential clients Marzanobefore they invest in us. We want to educate our clients in the areas we are going to help them with, and be sure they know what they own inside their portfolios and, more importantly, why they own them. A lot of what we do goes above and beyond the management of assets. We are fully engaged with each client in all things financial. Assessing life insurance needs and other risk-based topics, building financial plans and crafting budgets, creating income strategies and distribution plans are just a small slice of the value we strive to add.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work with a financial advisor? What about having a team of advisors behind you? A team that works as a cohesive unit, building your financial plan, managing your risk and investments, all to help you confidently pursue your goals? One of the key differentiators in Marzano Capital Group, as compared to other advisors and firms, is our team-oriented approach. This is a differentiated quality for a firm in our industry, as many advisors operate as solo-practitioners or in bank-led brokerage models. Client meetings, ongoing reviews, service, and ultimately investment selection and management are all things we collaborate on together. By operating in this manner, each person who walks through our door understands that we are all working for them and they have access to our entire team. At the end of the day, there are many advisors and firms in our area who do a good job for their clients. At Marzano Capital Group, we are constantly growing and continuing to build a team of individuals who complement each other. We feel that this team-oriented approach to financial planning creates continuity and long-term success for our clients.

SOURCES:

Business Wire. (2017, April 18) Ninety-Three Percent of Americans Think Financial Advisors Should Be

Fiduciaries, Despite Increasingly Uncertain Future of the

Conflict of Interest Rule, Financial Engines Survey Shows/ www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170418005420/ en/Ninety-Three-Percent-of-Americans-Think-Financial-

Advisors-Should-Be-Fiduciaries-Despite-Increasingly-

Uncertain-Future-of-the-Conflict-of-Interest-Rule,

Financial-Engines-Survey-Shows

How to Support Someone Living with Chronic Pain

BY KAREN COOPER

Chronic pain is a great deceiver. Many people who suffer from chronic pain look like they feel fine on the outside. To look at them, you would never know anything was wrong. Chronic pain sufferers often have learned how to manage their pain and do not complain even when they are having a bad day…which just perpetuates the problem of chronic pain sufferers not being recognized for the degree of suffering they experience, not being believed by doctors, family and friends, and ultimately not having their pain sufficiently treated. There are different degrees of chronic pain. Some are almost completely debilitating and some are almost fully functional with minor life adjustments. One thing is true for all who suffer chronic pain, they need to be acknowledged, they need to be heard and they need to be supported.

Why is support so crucial for patients with chronic pain? The pain they deal with can be very isolating. They are often not able to go out and do things they want or need to do because their symptoms are too incapacitating. Their social connections may be limited due to this as well. Because they feel a loss of control over their lives, chronic pain can take a tough emotional toll. Depression can be a comorbidity to chronic pain and should be watched closely by a medical provider. Maintaining friendships and family relationships allows your loved one to feel less alone, to feel loved and this by itself can reduces stress, which will have a positive impact on symptoms.

WAYS YOU CAN HELP:

u Figure out what they need help with and ask if you can do it.

If your loved one is having a tough day, figure out what they need help with and ask them if they would allow you to help or even do the task for them. Depending on where they are with their symptoms, this may be exactly what they need. Keep an open dialogue about how they are feeling, so you know what days are better than others and when helping out would be most beneficial. u Encourage positive thinking.

Reminding a chronic pain sufferer that there are bright sides to focus on can help him or her better deal with and even reduce symptoms. Some days it may be difficult for someone in pain to find a bright side, but a person who loves them can usually come through with something positive to think about. Distraction can be an excellent way to keep the mood positive, and staying positive yourself in your demeanor and conversation can work wonders to help a chronic pain sufferer build confidence in their own ability to stay on the positive side of things. This doesn’t mean their feelings should be dismissed or that any of their symptoms are not valid. Those things should all still be acknowledged and validated.

u Learn about their condition

Find out as much about what your loved one is going through as possible. It will help you understand their symptoms and figure out how you can best help them.

Too often, family, friends and even doctors become frustrated because they don’t understand an illness that they cannot see, and this can lead to placing guilt on the person who is suffering. Research and education can help you understand that this is not something that is “all in their head.”

u Encourage a healthy lifestyle.

Encouraging gentle and consistent exercise (when they feel up to it) can reduce stress and symptoms. Healthy eating and consuming lots of water can do a world of good for all of us, not just chronic pain sufferers. Lead by example, share great recipes and talk about how you feel good when you eat well and exercise. Offer to prepare meals together which encourages social interaction and results in a healthy meal. Getting out to the swimming pool, a walk through the neighborhood or the gym are also great ways to combine maintaining good health with social interaction which can make a pain sufferer feel better physically and mentally. Be sure to respect their limits as they may not feel able to do as much as you, so do not pressure them…allow them to go at their own pace.

With love, support and encouragement, you can make a big difference in a chronic pain sufferer’s life.

Weeks Flooring

How Parents Can Better Model Actions and Behaviors for Their Children

BY MEGAN TAYLOR

Most of us are familiar with the phrase “Actions speak louder than words.” An example of how this phrase impacts our lives is through the influence of an adult’s actions on a child. No matter what their ages, children are keen observers. They watch what everyone is doing around them and how an adult responds to conflict, frustrations, happiness, and much more. Children take note and can copy certain actions, far more than an adult realizes. Think about it—do you have a particular reaction that is the same as that of your parent? Does your child copy you and repeat a similar action right after you have done the same thing? If you are now wondering what behaviors your kids have seen and how to positively model them, don’t worry, I have you covered with these strategies.

First, determine your family’s values, morals, and expected behaviors. What type of person would you like your child to be as an adult? Do you want them to be respectful and honest? Ask yourself, “What do I want my children to learn from me?” Then, show it. Treat others with respect and empathy. Say “please” and “thank you.” Demonstrate how to help others in large and small tasks. It may be donating items to a canned food drive or just holding a door open for someone. If your family strives for honesty in all that you do, be truthful and just in your actions.

Part of deciding what your family believes is thinking about what life skills children should know that are important to you. Become a role model with these skills and adopt them for yourself. For example, if you believe in healthy eating, do your best to do so. Maybe you value a strong work ethic or involvement in the community. One key life skill to learn is how to manage technology. If your child sees you on your phone or computer the majority of the day, they will determine that it is acceptable. Through modeling these life skills, you are teaching your children what is important. Talk about what you are doing in front of your kids and portray these actions at home. Also, don’t hesitate to get your family involved. It is never too early to learn life skills.

Growing up, children can have a hard time with social and emotional skills. It can be difficult to manage your frustrations or properly express excitement. Walk through different scenarios and demonstrate different social and emotional skills. Teach your children strategies for handling their anger, what to do when they are upset or sad. Don’t forget to include situations such as meeting new people, solving problems, and working through a difficult task or decision. Lastly, set expectations for yourself. Always strive to model the behaviors you want your children to exhibit. However, we all have behaviors that may not be right or appropriate for kids, such as smoking, swearing, etc. No one is perfect, and mistakes happen to us all. We forget, and respond in ways we wished we hadn’t. Hold yourself accountable. When your child sees your behaviors contradicting your expectations, explain to them what happened and set a new plan to improve going forward.

Children learn many things from adults and other kids. Communicating with your child is one of the best things a parent can do if an action is questioned. Seeing a child take after you can be a wonderful thing. There is nothing better than teaching them a new skill or activity. Just be sure that you determine which are appropriate and acceptable. Then, exhibit those actions and behaviors as an influential role model for your child.