Forsyth Family - December 2015

Complimentary December 2015

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December Issue 2015 • 5

Publisher Robin Bralley | Robin@ForsythMags.com Account Executives Tamara Bodford | Brooke Eagle | Kelley Carnall Alexis Snow | Heather Spivey Advertising advertising@forsythmags.com Graphic Artist Moonlight Designs www.MoonlightDesignsNC.com Cover Photography Ashley Billings Photography Contributing Photographers Ashley Billings Photography, Tracy Krell Photography, Photo Artistry by Melinda, Rebecca McNeely Content Editor Tim Sellner Senior Staff Writer Carolyn S. Peterson Senior Staff Writer & Community Outreach Coordinator Meghan E. W. Corbett Project Manager Denise Heidel | Denise@ForsythMags.com Writers Emily Carter | Meghan E. W. Corbett | Lindsay Craven | Lisa S.T. Doss | Robin Ellis Martie Emory | Sarah Fedele | Jennifer Hampton Robin Bowers Harden | Vonda Henderson Heather Keenan | Stacy Leighton | Kristi Johnson Marion | Dr. John McKinney, Jr. | Tim Montgomery Rebecca Olsen | Carolyn Peterson | Tami Rumfelt Megan Taylor | Keith Tilley | Kim Underwood Elisa D. Wallace | Meridith Whitaker | David Willard Susan Woodall Web Design/Maintenance Nu Expression | www.NuExpression.com IT Support Chuck Goad, Brookstone Technology Services, LLC Collyn Tabor, Higher IT Solutions Contact www.forsythfamilymagazine.com / 888-892-3204

contents

In our ongoing effort to make Forsyth Family the ultimate resource to Forsyth County families, we’ve organized our content by categories to make sure you can quickly find exactly what you need when you need it! Also, check out our Index on page 114, which organizes all our advertisers by type of business!

co ver s tory 43 Dero’s: The Place for Your Home’s “Curtain Call” and Decorating Needs

Holiday

12 Festive Fun at SciWorks this December 20 Holiday Festivities in Downtown Kernersville 24 Are Grandparents Giving Too Many Presents?

28 December 18th is National Bake Cookies Day 36 Have You Made Your Christmas Wish List?

46 Christmas Letters 50-53 Holiday Gift Guide 90 The Tale of the Tablet 92 Holiday Craft Corner: Advent Calendar 94 Emergency Kits: Holiday Survival Guide

Local Businesses 14 22 32 40

Thruway Center: A Lifestyle Shopping Experience Take Care of Those Feet at New Balance of Winston-Salem Does Your Playroom Have One of These?

The Forsyth at Homestead Hills

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 endorsesany 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.

Health & Wellness

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 Forsyth Family Magazine

Relationships

66 •• forsythfamilymagazine.com forsythfamilymagazine.com

30 Novant Health WomanCare Adds New Doctors to Team 56 Small Practice Makes Big Difference at Summer Family Care 60 Who Says Carbohydrates Are Bad?

Fitness & Activities 10 Beyond the Physical: Student Athletes Train For Life at Momentum Personal Training

At Home 16 Dero’s PinBoard

34 Date Nights on a Budget

Pets 48 Household Items and foods that Harm Pets

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Parenting

December 2015 ‘Tis far better to give than receive! I’ve heard this a lot in my lifetime and it’s the “first and final rule” in what has become one of my family’s favorite children’s Christmas books, Auntie Claus.

I stumbled across this book on my very first business trip to New York City. It was December 1999, and the book had just been released. I marveled at the beautiful window displays at Sak’s Fifth Avenue depicting this magical new tale. Honestly, I pretty much marveled at everything I saw there…nothing like NYC during Christmastime! I was so excited to discover it as it made the perfect souvenir gift to take home to my two young daughters.

And while I’ll always believe in this little truth, there must always be a graceful receiver as well. I recently received a most wonderful gift at our November Kids’ Morning Out event that touched my heart, so much that I just had to share it. Liz Johnson, wife of Michael Johnson and mom of sweet little Gabriel, gave me the most heartfelt hug and thank you for having KMO events each month.

She’s always been very kind, but I thought later how very nice of her to take the time to reach out to me that way. I’m sure she would say it was a small gesture on her part, but it meant the world to me that day!

So just remember, this Christmas, it’s not the size of the gift that matters. In fact, the best gift may not necessarily be a physical gift at all! The older I get, the more I realize that spending time together with those we love is the real gift. This Christmas will be the first without our sweet nanny (my husband’s mother, and my second mother as well) and no one loved Christmas time more than her! My heart goes out to all those who have lost loved ones this past year and beyond!

Our December cover features Dero’s in Clemmons.

Owner Gretta Parnell would love to help you decorate your home for Christmas with her amazing selection of Christmas décor, or find that perfect gift for that special someone. Then be sure to head back for all your fabric and wallpaper needs to make your house a home after the holidays!

We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

38 80 82 86 88

What Kind of “Family Style” is Your Lifestyle?

Mother’s Are Like Snowflakes A Father’s Perspective: Reflecting on Christmases Pas Small Stories for a Big World Parenting Perspectives: Bullying

Education 58 Better Brains = Better Behavior 68 Leg Differences: Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) 70 Harry Potter Guide to Misunderstandings, Disagreements, and Apologies 72 What is Emotional Intelligence? Can It Be Taught at Schools?

78 The Challenging Middle School Years

Ages & Stages 62 Why Santa Claus is Important to Children 64 Navigating the Net 66 The Power of Self Esteem

Community 18 26 54 84 106

The Ballet and Performing Arts Centre Celebrates 20 Years!

“Light the Night” for the Ronald McDonald House Winston-Salem Youth Chorus A Health Champion On and Off the Field Out and About in Winston-Salem: Hearts of Victory

Faith & Family 75 Have Yourself a “Mary” Little Christmas 75 The Most Important Day to Pray For Your Pastor 76 Keep on the Sunny Side

For the Kids 81 97 98 100 102

Why & How Come?

Kids Morning Out: Historic Bethabara Kids in the Kitchen: Festive and Fun No Bake Christmas Treats The Artist’s Corner Book Nook

Dining Guide 108 Mac & Nelli’s

Other 98 Celebrations 112 Calendar of Events 114 Advertiser Index

Blessings!

Robin Bralley 8 • forsythfamilymagazine.com

Check out our website www.ForsythFamilyMagazine.com

December Issue 2015 • 9

BEYOND THE PHYSICAL − STUDENT ATHLETES TRAIN FOR LIFE AT MOMENTUM PERSONAL TRAINING

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or student athletes with an interest in making their middle and high school sports teams, making their college team, or just wanting to get into shape, Momentum Personal Training offers sports-specific training that helps students succeed in more than just sports.

What makes Momentum different from other training facilities? It’s the owner and trainer—Laniel Crawford— who takes a personal interest in each student and focuses on aspects of training that extend beyond the physical and into the classroom, and then throughout an individual’s life.

“When I was in middle school, a coach took interest in me, and this amazing gentleman worked with me not only on athletics, but also made sure I was cared for in the classroom,” Crawford says. “As a result of the kindness, dedication and inspiration of this coach, I attended Duke University on a full scholarship for track and football.”

Students train using Olympic-style lifting platforms, free weights, cardio- equipment, power runner, kettlebells, Vertimax, and more!

Momentum also assists injured students with their rehab, once they have been released from their doctor.

Over the past three years, Momentum Personal Training has had 43 students sign for college scholarships, and 96 percent of all students have been successful in making their middle or high school teams (including dance and cheerleading teams). The remaining 4 percent are students who have decided they do not have an interest in playing a sport and just want to lose weight and get into shape.

Crawford works with students on speed, agility, balance, coordination and strength, but he doesn’t focus only on the physical. “Selfesteem, respect for self and others, motivation to be a successful adult, and other aspects are equally important for their performance,” he says.

Momentum offers adult and student sessions for individuals, families or teams. December is an excellent time to purchase a gift certificate stocking stuffer. You can purchase 10 sessions and get the 11th for free “RESPECT FOR SELF AND OTHERS, (adults $50 per session; students $40 MOTIVATION TO BE A SUCCESSFUL per session). Call 336-407-0770 for ADULT...ARE EQUALLY IMPORTANT more information and to schedule a FOR THEIR PERFORMANCE,” complimentary introductory session.

-LANIEL CRAWFORD

New balaNce cR

December Issue 2015 • 11

Festive Fun at

SciWorks This December!

Spangler & Rohlfing Pediatric Dentistry Presents Festive Family Friday Spangler & Rohlfing Pediatric Dentistry is the sponsor of this year’s Festive Family Friday on December 11th, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Admission to Festive Family Friday is just $1, and SciWorks Members are free!

“Festive Family Friday is one of the ways SciWorks gives back to the community,” says Paul Kortenaar, SciWorks’ Executive Director. “We hope everyone will come out this year and engage with all of our interactive exhibits, holiday-themed science demonstrations and other special surprises we have in store.”

The evening’s fun includes: • Live holiday music.

• Science demonstrations and crafts.

• An instrument “Petting Zoo” and entertainment from the UNC School of the Arts Community Music School.

• Roaming special guests and photos with Santa Claus himself, by Lloyd Aaron Photography.

A highlight each year is “Animal Zone”where visitors can meet some of SciWorks’ animals, make an animal ornament and gather “magic” reindeer food for Rudolph’s big night! Families will also be able to “Adopt-an-Animal” as a holiday gift or in honor of someone you love.

And don’t forget about Holiday Shopping! SciWorks memberships and merchandise in the SciShop will be 20 percent off, and there will be handmade holiday items and gifts for sale as well.

Families can purchase dinner at SciWorks from CiCi’s Pizza that evening, with a special family deal (large cheese or pepperoni pizza, four drinks and four brownies for $12).

12 • forsythfamilymagazine.com

Winter Day Camps Banish the post-holiday blues with science at SciWorks’ one-day Winter Camps! Spend the day doing hands-on experiments, making crafts, exploring the museum and more. These camps are for children ages 6 to 12.

Camp Cost: $40 per day for Members; $45 per day for Nonmembers.Pre-registration required.

Camp Times: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Early drop-off and late pick-up options are available.

Monday, December 28th – Lights of the Season. Our northern hemisphere winter months have the longest nights, shortest days and coldest temperatures of the year. Beat the winter “blahs” by joining in activities that celebrate winter holidays and bring joy, light and warmth to the season. Explore the wonders of snowflakes, dip a candle, paint a stained glass window and make a treat for the birds. Your attitude toward winter will never be the same!

Tuesday, December 29th – Cool Science. It’s snow joke!

December is the most wonderful time of the year—for science!

Find out what makes winter the “coolest” time of year. We’ll have fun creating a blizzard, making instant snow, discovering how ice cream is made, mixing up dry ice concoctions and more!

Wednesday, December 30th – Great White North. This animalthemed camp features animals that survive in the harshest, coldest environments on earth. We’ll experiment with how polar bears walk on ice, how penguins keep their eggs warm and other intriguing animal adaptions.

For more information or to register, please e-mail cferguson@sciworks.org, call (336) 714-7105 or visit www.sciworks.org/activities/scicamp/.

About SciWorks: SciWorks is a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation that promotes literacy, lifelong learning and an appreciation of the sciences through innovative educational and recreational experiences. Located just off University Parkway at 400 W. Hanes Mill Road in Winston-Salem, SciWorks is open Tuesday–Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. For more information, visit http://www.sciworks.org.

December Issue 2015 • 13

A Lifestyle Shopping Experience

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By Martie Emory

ike all of your friends and neighbors, you’ve spent many familiar Saturday afternoons there, browsing the shops and trying on the latest styles, or you’ve dubbed Thruway Center your real go-to lifesaver for a last-minute birthday gift.

Chances are you’ve also wondered why your favorite shopping destination—and WinstonSalem’s first official shopping center—is called Thruway. It turns out there’s a bit of local history involved.

When the highly anticipated Interstate 40 emerged in Winston-Salem in the 1950s, interstates themselves were called “thruways,” and with their

14 • forsythfamilymagazine.com

arrival, retail growth began to boom as businesses began to grow. The Thruway Center your family has grown to know and count on through these last few decades first opened in October 1955 on land that was once a dairy farm.

Now a way of everyday life for local residents and a wonderful excursion for all Triad shoppers, today’s bustling retail center is a colorful mix of must-visit traditional spots (and yes, that includes a pink-lemonade-cake square from Dewey’s Bakery, one of the center’s first merchants, or homemade ice cream from Kilwin’s) and unique trendy shops that offer the latest fashions for men, women and children, plus accessories and gifts—no matter what the occasion or the season.

Quality weekend time with the family, shopping with your girlfriends, or a few precious hours of “me” time that might include a spa visit or a mani/pedi—they all start at Thruway Center and hopefully end with a memorable meal at one of the fine restaurants mingled in with your favorite stores. Or, if you’re more of a chef yourself, you’ll leave Harris Teeter or Trader Joe’s with delicious ingredients for dinner at home. The folks behind Thruway’s success are proud that it’s a true lifestyle shopping complex.

A welcome bonus during the hectic holiday season, visiting Thruway means easy access from Business 40 via both S. Stratford Road and Knollwood Street, convenient parking choices and covered walkways, so cold or rainy weather doesn’t dampen the mood. Start your shopping quest at your favorite store and then sample each retail business along the way; there are over 50 merchants and eateries in one location, so park once and enjoy them all.

Thruway Center is the very definition of one-stop shopping, but it’s also just plain fun! Specialty shopping is a wonderful thing, whether it’s for cooking essentials, baby and toddler toys or stylish eyewear, and you can expect the best in personal attention from every establishment, and hands-on seminars from various merchants as well.

Your neighborhood retail haven has also become something of a regional shopping destination, with many merchants boasting regular customers from western North Carolina and southwest Virginia who venture back regularly to visit this unique blend of retail stores and restaurants.

Dedicated to the community that has supported them in every way since the 1950s, Thruway Center also hosts various events throughout the year, such

as their annual “Community Day,” where they spotlight non-profit organizations that many of the center merchants work with on an ongoing basis. Staying connected is all part of the Thruway Center experience, an experience you’ll find to be especially magical this time of year!

For the best holiday shopping—and even better memories all during the year—visit Thruway Center, just off Business 40 at 300 S. Stratford Road in Winston-Salem. Follow them at Facebook.com/thruwaycenter and on Twitter @ThruwayCenter and visit their website thruwaycenter.com.

December Issue 2015 • 15

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16 • forsythfamilymagazine.com

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The BALLET AND PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE

Celebrates 20 Years!

By Meghan E.W. Corbett

n 1995, The Ballet & Performing Arts Centre (BPAC) opened its doors with many hopes and dreams for the future, and plans for all the talented students who would perfect their skills within those walls. Owner Natalie Mizell-Calvano has taken her training and expertise to new heights by teaching a new generation the techniques required to perform beautifully!

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“There is a lot of joy in celebrating 20 years,” said Mizell-Calvano. “I've had the joy of teaching students consecutively for many years. Many students at BPAC have danced from preschool throughout high school, and we have had so many wonderful families that have been a part of the school and continue to recommend us throughout Winston-

Salem. We have the most qualified dance instructors, who have become a big part of our BPAC family. I feel as if BPAC has made a name for itself and has set a strong standard for quality and technique in dance.”

Through the years, BPAC has grown and adapted to the changing needs of its students. “The school, along with the students and faculty, have progressed,” said Mizell-Calvano. “We now have five full-time teachers on staff and several guest artists throughout the season and the summer. As the dance world has changed, our choreographers have worked to keep current with the latest styles and trends. We have been, and always will be, a school that has a strong focus on ballet technique. I feel the stronger the ballet technique, the better your

form will be in all areas of dance. We’ve also added our competitive teams in the last eight years. The competitive teams give students the ability to compete and perform on a more challenging level. Teachers also have their choreography adjudicated at that time.”

In addition to training students to be the best they can, BPAC shares its performances with the general public several times each year.

One annual favorite is BPAC’s performances of “The Nutcracker.” “Students from the BPAC, along with the Winston-Salem Conservatory Youth Ballet, will present the full two-act holiday tradition, ‘The Nutcracker,’” said Mizell-Calvano. “Join us for a spectacular blend of dance and music that will fill your soul with Christmas spirit. In this timeless holiday tradition, enjoy

“BPAC has made a name for itself and has set a strong standard for quality and technique in dance.”” a sugar plum delight, enchanting music and lavish costumes.

‘The Nutcracker’ brings to life Clara’s holiday dream, filled with children; her mischievous sister, Mary; and the object of her adolescent fancy, Hans Peter, Drosselmeyer’s nephew. Our performances are presented by Members Credit Union as well as Classic Dancewear, Fratelli’s Italian restaurant, Goin’ Postal, Pro Radiation Oncology and River Birch Lodge.”

“The Nutcracker” will be performed Friday, December 11th at 10 a.m. (one-hour abbreviated version) and 7 p.m., as well as Saturday, December 12th at 2 p.m. at R.J. Reynolds High School’s Reynolds Auditorium. Tickets are $12 for the 10am show $28 adults & $20 for seniors and children younger than 12 for the full-length performances.”

Mizell-Calvano and her staff are also looking toward the future and the 20th- anniversary celebration, which she has decided to

celebrate with a special performance of “Peter Pan.” “We’ve never performed ‘Peter Pan’ before, so I thought it would be challenging and entertaining at the same time,” said Mizell-Calvano. “There’s a lot of room for creativity and the teachers, students and I are excited about bringing it to the stage. We are now enrolling for our 2016 Winter session. We have open auditions for ‘Peter Pan’ and our tap ensemble on Wednesday, December 16th, from 5:30–7:30 p.m.

‘Peter Pan’ will be Act I and Act II and will showcase our jazz, tap, hip-hop, contemporary and competition ensembles. Please check our website at balletandperformingartscentre.com in late January for more details about the performance. The performance will be held Friday, May 27th, at 6:30 p.m. at Reynolds Auditorium.”

The Ballet & Performing Arts Centre is located at 5365 Robinhood Road, Suite E in Winston-Salem. For more information, call 336.923.2585, or visit the website.

Now enrolling for our winter session!

Peter Pan auditions on Dec 16th from 5:30-7:30pm

December Issue 2015 • 19

s ie it iv t s e F y a d li o H in Downtown Kernersville

By Robin White Ellis

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There are several events coming up that you should immediately mark on your calendar, because you do not want to miss them! The first is the Holiday Open House at the Kernersville Museum on Friday, November 27th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. The museum is located at 127 West Mountain Street. Santa Claus will grace us with his presence at this event! Children should have their lists ready for Santa to peruse, so he can be ready for his long trip, delivering those gifts to all the good boys and girls! Kernersville Little Theater will provide holiday readings to delight attendees, both young and old, with stories of the season. While this happy event is free, food and monetary donations can be made to the Crisis Control Ministry of Kernersville.

“Christmas Around the World” takes place on Saturday, December 5th. This delightfully fun event has grown over the five years it has been enjoyed and offers longer hours this year, beginning at 1:00 p.m. and ending at 6:00 p.m. This occurs right in the heart of downtown Kernersville, with local merchants each representing a different country. Streets will be closed for easier jaunts “around the globe.” The stores and restaurants are decorated and prepared with stories of how the holidays are celebrated in “their” country. Collect a passport and get it stamped by each location while you enjoy the food and shopping. Once your passport is complete, turn it in at the Kernersville Museum for a drawing. The winner will receive a gift card from the Chamber of Commerce! As a nice keepsake, lanyards will be provided for the passports on a first-come, first-served basis.

However, even if the lanyards run out, there will be passports for all who participate. After enjoying the Christmas Around the World event, stop by Harmon Park at 7:00 p.m. that evening for the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting! In this social-media age, be sure to check the town’s Facebook page (Facebook.com/DowntownKernersville) for participating merchants, holiday specials and local business information.

Do not forget to shop downtown on Saturday, November 28th!

Kernersville is nationally recognized by American Express as a “Small Business Saturday” town. Do not let Black Friday get you down when you can find wondrous items and deals in Kernersville’s charming downtown shops! This is a great opportunity to support local businesses, which builds even stronger communities. You will find one-of-a-kind gifts to delight loved ones at these local momand-pop shops.

There are so many twinkling reasons to celebrate a beloved holiday with our family, friends, neighbors and community while strolling downtown. Enjoy the sounds of laughter and entertainment as these events become treasured holiday memories. Kernersville’s rich history, spirit and civic pride shine at moments such as these. Make it a family tradition to enjoy the fullness of the season at home, as there is nothing like a small-town holiday!

s the song says, it is the most wonderful time of the year, and Kernersville is well aware of that fact! Downtown Kernersville is alive with its wreaths, unique Blinkie twinkling lights and a plethora of other decorations that turn our incredible community into a veritable holiday wonderland. Whether you are driving or walking through the downtown area, there is a storybook feeling and an alluring ambiance of charm, bringing a smile to any face. As it does every year, Kernersville is amped up for events to please the entire family and bring home once again that spirit of community and fellowship for which Kernersville is well known.

Photo Credit: The Portrait Gallery

Family Fun for

Everyone Hip Chics Boutique 2668 Lewisville Clemmons Rd., Clemmons | (336) 766-8122 www.hipchicsboutique.com Special Holiday Hours: Mon - Thurs 9-7, Fri 9-6, Sat 9-5, Sun 1-5

December Issue 2015 • 21

Take Care of Those Feet! winston-salem

ou only get one set of feet and only you can be responsible for taking care of your foot needs! The American Podiatric Medical Association reports that illfitting shoes cause foot pain for nearly 78% of Americans. Foot size, forefoot width and arch type are essential measurements in proper fitting footwear. But there’s more to know about ensuring an ideal fit.

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Footwear Sizing Tips Be sure to measure and try shoes on both feet. For most people, one foot is larger than the other and may differ in length or width as much as a full size. Always buy shoes to fit your larger foot. People are more than twice as likely to buy a shoe too small, rather than too big.

When standing you should have ⅜ to ½ (or half a thumbnail’s width) from your longest toe to the end of each shoe. Black toenails and foot cramping are often signs that your shoes are too small or narrow.

Aging Your foot size and width may increase as you age, as the tendons and ligaments in the feet naturally lose elasticity. Watch for points of abrasion as skin becomes thinner and less resilient. Fat pads in the feet also decrease and your gait can change as the foot becomes less flexible. These and other pain points can be addressed through proper fit and through footwear with appropriate cushioning and support.

Diabetes People with diabetes are at risk for many foot problems due to two main complications: poor circulation and nerve damage, which causes loss of feeling in your feet. Properly fitting footwear with soft seams, excellent cushioning and support can prevent complications such as ulceration, infections, and even amputation.

Pregnancy During pregnancy, a woman’s feet may become longer, wider, and her arches may flatten. This is due to the hormone Relaxin, which aids in childbirth and also relaxes ligaments. When considering footwear, pregnant women should have their feet measured as they could gain at least a half-size.

We fit sizes infant through 16 6E and offer walking, running, trail, tennis, golf, kids and lifestyle shoes. We carry a wide selection of styles and widths, so we can help you choose the shoe that best fits YOUR foot. New Balance is locally owned and operated by Emily and Keith Davis. 202-A S. Stratford Rd. Thruway Shopping Center, Winston-Salem, NC 336-893-7908 Source: New Balance Foot Health Solutions

Wishing You a New Year of Smiles!

Experience E xperience • Quality Quality • Customer Customer Service Service John C. C. Hanson Hanson Dr. D r.. David Chermak • Dr. Dr.. John David S. S. Chermak Orthodontics Children Adults O rthodontics ffor or C hildren & A dults

NNever ever Underestimate Underesttiim imate tthehe Power Power ofof a Smile!

Smile!

WINSTON-SALEM WINSTON-SALEM 3 336-760-1491 36-760-1491 • CLEMMONS CLEMMONS 336-766-8244 336-766-8244 • KING KING 336-983-4551 336-983-4551 December Issue 2015 • 23

g Are Grandparents Givin

Too Many Presents? implore all grandparents to consider

By Lisa S.T. Doss the following advice.

T

he year of “Christmas-present overload” came much earlier to our home than I expected. It arrived when my daughter was just learning about the Nativity, the joy of decorating a Christmas tree, the beauty of twinkling lights, the dream of Santa’s arrival, and the thrill of exiting the kitchen covered in flour and cookie dough. To a three-year-old child, the season of Christmas wasn’t about the presents. She was learning about the wonders of the season and believing the “man in red with flying reindeer” would magically leave her something cool like a puzzle, a game, or a dinosaur robot. At that moment, I stood feeling like the Grinch, peering at the sea of presents surrounding the tree with her name printed in large red letters. I knew the conversation was futile. How do you explain to one grandparent, a woman who loves Christmas and lives six hours away, that she didn’t follow the list I provided and bought too many presents?

Parents are often caught off-guard by overeager grandparents who want to bestow their dearest darlings with an abundant number of gifts. For parents, the concept seems almost understandable. Before the words, “I have a right to spoil my grandchildren,” are said, I 24 • forsythfamilymagazine.com

Children either will want to open the gift and play with it immediately (allowing the unwrapping process to exceed the limits a child can emotionally handle) or discard it after a seconds’ glance; therefore, offer a maximum of two gifts, based on ageappropriateness, likeability and enjoyment.

Many parents have a financial budget and buy gifts with intention and purpose. Outspending the parents may place a strain on your relationship. How would the parents feel if the child favored a motorized car instead of their “only big gift,” a tricycle?

Doll houses, rocking horses or chairs, preschool basketball hoops, and the art easel are all wonderful gifts; yet, many homes have a finite amount of space. Before grandparents make that “big” purchase, discuss with your daughter or son whether the best location is at their home or yours. (It is heartbreaking for children to receive a hands-on gift, only to learn it can’t stay in the house due to lack of space.)

April Thomas writes, “I keep a running list of gift ideas or things our daughter needs or wants, in case grandparents need any ideas.

You can keep a pretty good list on Amazon,

even for non-Amazon things, with website links. Also, if something comes into our house, something must go out, and be donated to another child who could use it.

I put the blame on having a small house and closet. We organize toys and stuffed animals in closet bins, but it really helps!”

Grandparents give gifts all year long. (Yes, you really do!!) One way grandparents can become “Santa” once again is to join forces and help fill the grandchildren’s stockings. Providing the “usual” and personalized items for two children adds up to be quite a sizeable expense; therefore, grandparents can offer to buy a travel game for long car trips or introduce a new artistic craft.

A new trend in gift-giving is to offer experiences rather than material items; therefore, why not create a homemade coupon book full of creative “one visit” offerings?

Imagine the possibilities in spending quality time all year long visiting museums and parks, a favorite restaurant, having high tea or a backyard picnic, taking advantage of an opportunity to go to the movie theater or fill an evening playing cards or board games. This gift will satisfy parents who may enjoy an afternoon or evening to themselves, while grandchildren will remember the adventures with you much longer than a toy or an article of clothing. A true win for everyone!

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December Issue 2015 • 25

“Light the Night” for the

E

Sunday, December 20th

very year in Winston-Salem and its surrounding communities, the rustle of unfolding white paper bags, the whoosh of pouring sand into those bags, and the click of a lighter to illuminate a small white candle in each bag are sounds that are just as familiar at the holiday season as crackling fires and beloved seasonal tunes that float through homes on every block. Those sounds mean just one thing—it‘s luminary time for the Ronald McDonald House in Winston-Salem.

A project of the Friends of the Ronald McDonald House for 29 years, these luminaries have become a tradition in themselves for families and neighborhoods all over town.

Historically, RMH luminaries have lined streets and circled blocks on Christmas Eve, but this year, the Ronald McDonald House has made a small change to that. RMH luminaries will be lit the Sunday night before Christmas, December 20th, in a new night of love being called “Light the Night” for the “House that Love Built.”

“We are forever grateful for the incredible support that the Luminary Project has always brought to the House,” said Mindy Bloom, Director of Development for the Ronald McDonald House in Winston-Salem. “It goes without saying, that if it weren’t for the funds raised from this beautiful tradition, there would be so many services “I’m so grateful and programs that we just wouldn’t be able to offer the that my hometown wonderful families that stay with us every day.”

shows such support for a wonderful cause through such a great holiday tradition.”

“We’re excited to change things up a bit for the luminary project this year. There are so many folks who customarily participate, but tell us that because they are always traveling on the 24th, they arrange for neighbors or friends to set up and light their kits for them,” said Jamie Stacy, one of the CoChairs of Light the Night for 2015.

“Part of what we love about this tradition is the thought of families and neighbors doing this together.

So it is our hope that moving the date back just a bit will allow for more of that.”

And sure, the luminaries are fun to do and 26 • forsythfamilymagazine.com

beautiful to see, but the real purpose of them goes so much deeper. In its history, the annual Luminary Project has raised an astounding $2.2 million for the Ronald McDonald House of Winston-Salem.

The Ronald McDonald House in Winston-Salem is made up of 35 bedrooms and RMH Family Rooms in both Brenner Children’s Hospital and Forsyth Medical Center.

The House serves as a “home away from home” for families whose children are receiving medical care in our community. RMH provides meals, laundry facilities and a host of special programs and services to ease the stress and worry during trying medical times for children and their families. The Luminary Project helps make all of this possible, year after year.

“Luminaries are such a strong memory of growing up in WinstonSalem,” said Elizabeth Steinour, who now lives in Texas. “I’m not sure that I fully understood what good they were doing for people who needed it. But as an adult, I’m so grateful that my hometown shows such support for a wonderful cause through such a great holiday tradition.”

Luminary kits are $7 each and contain everything needed to make 6 luminaries. Kits are available at the Ronald McDonald House and also from several gracious retail partners who have shown continued devotion to the House: ACE Hardware (Cloverdale and North Elm Street in Greensboro), Christie’s Hallmark, Dewey’s Bakery, Lowes Foods, McCalls and Village Tavern.

For more information, visit www.rmhws.org or call 336.723.0228.

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December Issue 2015 • 27

December 18th is National

Bake Cookies Day T

By Lisa S.T. Doss

o celebrate National Bake Cookies Day, we need look no further than our own annual traditions, dating back two or three generations. There are stories connected to each cookie or bar made in preparation of Christmas. Through the stories, we have memories entwined with beloved women donning aprons. I can still hear those instructions and feel their hands guiding mine in slow, assured movements. My grandmother made fifteen varieties of cookies every Christmas with masterful skill, tweaking original recipes with a pinch of this and a dash of that. Each one made with perfection. There were pumpkin cookies, crescent nut rolls and, another favorite, Italian waffles, called Pizzelles. Each tin opened offered a wonderful aroma. Even today, you and I have people in our past who still inspire us to maintain this very important tradition.

Baking suggestions: Apron ready? Here are seven suggestions to make your day of baking appear smart and simple!

1. Soften the Butter: For such an important event like baking Christmas cookies, it is better to stick to a few old-fashioned habits, such as allowing a stick of butter to soften on the counter top at room temperature.

It will need at least an hour.

2. Sifting Flour: Sometimes using the sifter can cause the hand to cramp; therefore, with a long-handled fine-mesh strainer, you can either tap the side or use a large spoon to “swipe” through the flour. A secondary method is mixing the flour with a wire whisk or a fork.

3. Split the Dough: A batch of cookie dough is often overwhelming as a whole, and much easier to handle when chilled; therefore, begin by dividing the dough into two or three manageable balls. The steps of rolling it flat and cutting cookies will become much easier, especially if baking with a young child.

4. Preparing Baking Sheets: Yes…so many decisions.

The best baking sheets are made from shiny, heavy aluminum. (Others may absorb heat or require additional baking time, resulting in over-baking, burning, and time wasted.) While some prefer greasing baking sheets with cooking spray, using parchment paper eliminates the need to grease, and promotes even baking and browning.

5. Transitioning from Hot to Cold Baking Sheets: Three to four cookie sheets are needed in the process of baking cookies. It is important to drop cookie dough onto cooled sheets; this provides a second reason why parchment paper in lieu of greasing makes this step quite simple. (Just pick up the

parchment and move it to a secondary location, allowing three minutes to rest.) No more scraping sheets; instead, just rinse with cool water prior to wiping it dry. To encourage even browning, it also is important to focus on baking one sheet at a time.

6. Sugar is the Answer: Cooling racks consume valuable counter space. One handy trick is to sprinkle sugar onto a sheet of wax paper.

The cookies will cool without soaking up moisture and becoming soggy.

7. Cookie Storage: There are beautiful containers in a variety of sizes and shapes for storing Christmas cookies. We often use wax or parchment paper to separate the layers; yet, it is important that each variety be placed in its own container. A softer cookie, for instance, will leach moisture and cause a crisp cookie to change its texture. Baked cookies should not be refrigerated; they should only be placed into a container when completely cooled.

Hosting a Cookie Exchange: Don’t just talk to your friends about their favorite cookies; this year send out an “e-vite” and host a cookie exchange. It’s a wonderful time to bring good friends together to sample cookies, tell stories and swap your best cookies.

Hosting a holiday gathering around a variety of cookies sounds like a wonderful way to sugar the season!

WomanCare adds New Doctors to Team

by Megan Taylor

True to their mission statement, Novant Health WomanCare in Winston-Salem provides obstetric and gynecologic care to women of all ages. Their team includes board-cerWL½HG Shysicians, nurses, advanced practice clinicians, dietitians and clerical

Joseph Gobern, MD, FACOG Dr. Gobern joined WomanCare after a 29-year career as a Colonel in the United States Army. He attended medical school at the Uniformed Services University in Bethesda, Maryland, completed his residency at San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium, and his fellowship at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC. While at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Dr. Gobern practiced minimally invasive and robotic surgery.

He was also the Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology, as well as, the Associate Director for the Fellowship in the minimally invasive gynecology surgery program. After moving to Winston-Salem with his family, Dr. Gobern continues to provide general obstetrics and gynecologic care, and minimally invasive and robotic surgery to patients. “This type of surgery includes robotics and allows a patient to have a shorter hospital time and the ability to return to their normal lifestyle quicker,” explained Dr. Gobern.

“I think this is the best specialty to provide care and help for providing that continuity of care,” said Dr. Gobern. wife and four adult children, as well as reading and distance running.

“We are forward-edge in healthcare and have all the resources and services to provide our patients,” said. Dr. Gobern.

David Miner, MD, FACOG Another addition to WomanCare is Dr. David Miner. Dr. Miner attended the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas and completed his residency and internship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. From 2007 to July 2015, he practiced at an before relocating with his family to Winston-Salem.

His specialties include general obstetrics and gynecology, as well as surgeries.

“Women go to the doctor to keep problems from happening or getting worse. When they are pregnant, it’s a happy time.

I like being there for my patients and sharing in their longterm care. Also, I enjoy the philosophy that WomanCare said Dr. Miner.

“The care of women and children has been neglected, and there is a lot we don’t know, with room for improvement in WKH ½HOG , fHHO DV LI WKLV ½HOG DQG VSHFLDOty chose me. It was like the sorting hat at Hogwarts,” said Dr. Miner. Looking into the future, Dr. Miner is interested in possibly pursuing mission work aftHU KLV ½ve children are grown. Until then, he is enjoying his time with patients at WomanCare and being outdoors with his family, cooking, and working out. try to be the best of the best for our patients and provide them with great experiences. Working with the patients is my favorite part and I love delivering babies,” said Dr.Miner.

Novant Health WomanCare is located at 114 Charlois Boulevard in Winston-Salem. Call 336-765-5470 or visit online at www.nhwomancare.org.

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December Issue 2015 • 31

Tracy Krell Photography

Does Your Playroom Have One Of These?

A

s the holidays fast approach, many parents and grandparents scurry around gift buying to find toys that will entertain, and maybe even educate, their little ones, hopefully for more than one day after Santa leaves. Unfortunately, today’s toys are so confusing. What does it mean when the package says 3+? The classics have been taken over by plastic electronics; are they all really worth the money? How would someone go about selecting toys that help a child develop mentally and creatively, build self-confidence, and that are a joy to play with?

Well, Melanie Barbee, owner of Rolly’s Baby Boutique and Bloom Maternity, asked the same questions as she visited dozens of people at toy fairs trying to sell her on the latest and greatest in toys. One day back in the store, a guest came in and was paying close attention to all the toys at Rolly’s. Melanie introduced herself and quickly made a special new friend. The special guest was Peggy Green, a distinguished education and child development specialist from California who had recently moved to our area to be, in her own words, a “granny nanny” for her one-year-old grandson, Kevin, and three-

year-old granddaughter, Morgan. The more Melanie and Peggy talked, the more Melanie realized what an asset Peggy was for our community’s children and how beneficial it would be for Rolly’s to learn from her insights!

Peggy has worked with all types of children, including those with special needs, as well as taught and trained professionals on how to use toys in developing children’s abilities. After all, as Peggy puts it, “playing and learning is the ‘work’ of children,” so the right kinds of toys are critical in giving the children work that is beneficial in their development, as well as in being fun to play with.

Peggy suggests that every parent think about these categories of toys when selecting gifts for young children this holiday season. Does the gift contribute to one or more of the following?

1.Language Development 2.Sensory Stimulation 3.Predictable Responses 4.Gross and Fine Motor Skills 5.Imagination and Creativity 6.Practical Life 7.Problem Solving 8.Social Emotional Development One toy that is often forgotten is a puppet. “Puppets are a perfect toy for a child,” said Peggy. “Puppets allow dads and moms to speak with the children, role-play, imagine stories and do all kinds of creative play. The puppet ‘talks’ with the child, and the child ‘talks’ to the puppet making conversation. This interactive play is soaking up language skills like a sponge!”

Another classic toy that Peggy recommends every young child have is blocks. “Most Dads and Moms think their one-year-old cannot build a house at this young age, so

32 • forsythfamilymagazine.com

why buy blocks now?” said Peggy. “But really, this young age is perfect.

Young ones first learn to knock down what you build (predictability of gravity), then stack and build towers. The magnetic blocks are perfect for this age group, because they help young children stack when their hands are not yet proficient for balancing objects.” Peggy went on to suggest that blocks are very important toys for girls because there are proven gender gaps between girls’ and boys’ spatial reasoning performance in block play.

Melanie brought Peggy in to train all the staff at Rolly’s on how to demonstrate toys’ use in a child’s development. “Peggy is terrific,” said Melanie. “She is so knowledgeable and passionate about child development in the earliest years of life. We never knew a Squishable was a great floor exerciser for special-needs children or which shape sorter is best for matching, sorting and learning shapes! Peggy has helped us choose a great selection of toys for this holiday season that will be fun and educational.”

Peggy has graciously agreed to demonstrate toys and share her advice on December 5th at Rolly’s. Everyone is invited to come in, meet Peggy and ask all the questions you might have regarding toys and play. Rolly’s recently hosted a B’fast and Learn event in November, where Peggy shared with parents and grandparents how to get the best and most out of toys.

“It was a wonderful learning experience, so we begged Peggy to come back and do it again,” said Melanie. For more information, follow Rolly’s on Facebook or stop by the store. Rolly’s has extended holiday hours— Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m.−6 p.m., and Sunday 1−5 p.m.

Peggy Green, MA Special Education and Diagnostic Teacher (12 years); University Teacher (7 years); California Public School Administration (14 years); and non-profit working to increase public school education for underserved students in California (11 years).

All for the little ones’ holiday joys!

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nursery furniture & decor • unique gifts • holiday clothing • ornaments • personalized gifts December Issue 2015 • 33

Date Nights

A

Marriage Initiative group recently polled couples who have been married from ten to seventy years for the secret to their successful marriages. Without prompting, the unanimous, number-one answer was to continue to date each other. At times, that is easier said than done! Careers, children and extended family...while wonderful...take up a great deal of our time and concentration. The area that usually suffers most from this loss of focus is the marriage. The happiest couples know how to integrate their past feelings and actions of newly being in love with their current, busy, overscheduled lives.

Even if the dating is accomplished only twice a month, it is refreshing to have your partner all to yourself for a change.

If we didn’t already have enough to draw our attention away from our spouses, this season adds yet another aspect to our spare time...or lack thereof! In a perfect world, the holidays would bring us together; yet so much time is lost to errands, shopping and seasonal events. The holidays also carry a significant side-effect of a lighter wallet. This is no excuse to cancel or postpone date nights. More than ever, it is beneficial to shine the spotlight on our partners and enjoy the season, instead of letting it fly past us. Date nights do not have to carry large price tags. Below are some fun, romantic, unique—and frugal—date night ideas to get you started on an intimate winter and holiday season.

Brunch and a Matinee: Instead of an evening dinner and a movie, move your date up to the afternoon hours. Many excellent restaurants offer lower prices for lunch, and afternoon movies can save patrons as much as fifty percent off ticket prices.

Pretend We’re Tourists: We sometimes take for granted the interesting parks, landmarks and local shops of our hometowns. Visit all of these places with a camera and look at them through fresh eyes.

Sport a fanny pack, if you dare.

Drive-in with No Drive: Rent a movie or stream one on your laptop and cozy up with pillows and blankets in your backyard or at the park.

34 • forsythfamilymagazine.com

on a Budget

By Robin White Ellis

Couples DIY Spa Night: Use warming oils or lotions to give each other relaxing massages. Light some candles, play soft music, run bubble baths...devote the night to pampering each other!

Karaoke Night: Many restaurants host weekly karaoke nights. You don’t have to order pricey entrees, either. Share a dessert and snuggle up on one side of the booth and enjoy the show! If you are feeling particularly brave, hop onstage together and perform a duet.

DIY Ghost Tour: Look up local legends and ghost stories on the internet and spend the night checking them out. It will give you a good excuse to cuddle up to your sweetheart if you get spooked!

Picture Perfect Hike: Take a camera along with you on a nature hike.

Once you’ve enjoyed a spectacular sunset, throw down a blanket and stargaze while snuggled together.

Love 101: Take an inexpensive cooking or art class.

Flea Market Date: Besides finding good ideas and bargains, it is fascinating to see some of the items people actually try to sell! From lovely antiques to yesterday’s trash, there is always something surprising at a flea market.

Christmas Lights Search: Drive downtown and into different neighborhoods, enjoying the holiday decorations.

Literary Loving: Head to a bookstore and walk the aisles, discussing your favorite books and authors.

Date nights do not have to be expensive, dress up, fancy wine-and-dine events. While those can be entertaining, the true purpose of continuing to date your partner is to reconnect emotionally in a bustling, hectic world. From touring a local winery or the arts district to enjoying a board-game night, your dates do not have to put a dent into your bank account. No matter what stage of life you are in, taking this special time should be an established and sacred part of your schedule.

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/ImprintsCares December Issue 2015 • 35

recall visiting lly? Do you perhaps rea y the ve ha , Or . years re trying to y’ve changed over the displays, with each sto the ow w nd Ho wi al ts. gic lis ma sh wi ul pages of to see the hristmas with all those wonderf , , standing in the cold og res tal sto ca t ok en bo rtm ish pa W de Sear’s opping at ease the large into the sofa with the your computer for sh to ing on pil , Or log or e? s, on ad er t es top the oth television for the lat ed to do is turn on the ne u yo all w, No s? toy sofa). (still piled up on the y, gos and all those tin ne ever dreamed of Le es from the past: yo rit an vo e fa for le be ab ng or (lo em t Some m s the Erector se hed in 1913. from the 1910 era wa construction set launc tal me a s One of the favorites wa t se r op-window with). The Erecto nally designed for sh igi or re we ey tiny pieces to keep up Th d. tree were e perio d a loaded Christmas very popular in this tim un o aro als g re lin we rol t ts se se in in Lionel Electric Tra uest. Pictures of a tra came a popular toy req displays, but soon be stic displays. children with the pla rds, as well as window set targeted younger is popular Christmas ca Th s.

20 19 the Erector set in ger kids to handle. t as an alterative to the s easier for the youn wa it t, se Tinker Toys rolled ou ing ild bu a wmasters, and pulleys. Still topped many lists. Vie s me ga ble caps, wooden spools rab Sc d ch later (in the opoly an ained importance mu the 1930s/40s. Mon in reg e ity es lar Th pu ll. po d we ine as Board games ga in 3-D, were popular see far-away places which enabled you to Viewmaster stories. d has evolved with the ar and My Little Pony ly held her place, an ite 1980s) with Care Be fin de s ha ie rb Ba me other favorites for 1950s, -white swimsuit. So Launched in the late nd ie.

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79 19 in led out d to repeat. i-fi-type tank, was rol rns that the player ha sc tte pa ble y ma pla am gr ific ec pro a sp The Big Trak, in color panels with Boy was introduced 1978, was a game of in a 2009 poll. Game Simon, introduced in ole t most ns ou co ab st e be clu a the d ve I don’t ha s, was name i)— 80 tch 19 go dmi ma Ta the ke in (li d ts he ital pe a six-year-old Nintendo, first launc s, toys, and even dig Nothing like having me ga ll. ic we on ly ctr ing ele az of am s them 1989. All the version th them can manage ration growing up wi ne ge the t, Bu m. of the things we loved as them. nced versions of the ha en show you how to use — lls do d an t games, toys, cars day, they are still jus But, at the end of the lists. for on our Christmas children and wished

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Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from Isenhour Homes.

December Issue 2015 • 37

“Family Style” What Kind of

ore than school, friends or the neighborhood, the biggest influence on a child’s life is his or her family.

Because we live in a world with fast food, cars and too many sedentary activities, our children need the help and support of their families to learn and practice habits that promote a healthier lifestyle.

M

In recent decades, our world has become less healthy. As a result, of adults and of children in the United States are currently overweight. As a nation, we spend upwards of $60 billion each year trying to lose weight, mainly by attempting to change our lifestyles. This is difficult to do, because “lifestyle” encompasses more than diet and exercise. Lifestyle includes not only nutrition and activity, but sleep, stress and relationships as well.

Making a major change, such as improving our lifestyle, is much easier when we have a support system. So why not use our built-in support system—our family—to help us? Why not make it a team effort and consider change more broadly: change our “Family Style” rather than just our lifestyle?

We can think of our “Family Style” as our family lifestyle. It can impact our health and our children’s health. It is about eating healthier AS A FAMILY, becoming more active AS A FAMILY and improving our stress levels and relationships AS A FAMILY. In order for our kids to eat healthy, be active and get enough sleep to be successful in school, let’s examine different “Family Styles”: Family Meals. Families that plan to eat at home together and away from all electronics tend to eat more fruits and vegetables, less fat and sugar, and eat healthier overall. There are bonus benefits, too: Families communicate more and fight less; plus, kids actually do better in school and are happier.

Family Time. This isn’t always about exercise, but just spending good, quality time together. Planning to spend time together as a family or even one-on-one can be key to family happiness. Families that want less “screen time” (smart phones, tablets, TV, computer, Internet, video games) can schedule game nights, outside activities, or, most importantly, free play.

Family Schedule. We all live busy lives, and it can be hard to fit in everything we need to do. However, we can make time for what’s important to us. So, prioritize family time and include it in your schedule. The best way to get started may be to have a family meeting every week that everyone participates in— schedules can be sorted out, meals planned, family time scheduled. Getting a handle on schedules can make life easier, and you will be surprised at the effect it can have on your family.

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Brenner FIT (Families in Training), a pediatric weight management program at Brenner Children’s Hospital, is here to help families create healthier lifestyles together. Brenner FIT Kohl’s Family Collaborative offers free cooking, nutrition, and parenting classes. Visit BrennerChildrens.org/BrennerFit for our current class listing. Register by calling 336-713-2348 or e-mail BrennerFit@WakeHealth.edu.

Free Brenner FIT Classes Join experts from Brenner Children’s Hospital for these FREE Brenner FIT Kohl’s Family Collaborative classes.

Registration is required. Unless otherwise noted, classes are held at Brenner FIT in the William G. White Jr. Family YMCA, 775 West End Blvd., Winston-Salem.

Learn to Cook A Balanced Meal 6 to 7 pm Tuesdays, January 5, 12, 26 (Tex-Mex Chicken Soup) Tuesdays, February 2, 9, 23 (Glazed Pork Chops & Sautéed Asparagus) During these hands-on cooking classes, your family will prepare a quick meal and learn how it meets Brenner FIT recommendations. Each meal follows the Balanced Plate concept and includes a protein, grain, fruit and vegetable. Mature children are welcome with parental supervision.

TO REGISTER Call 336-713-2348 or send an email to brennerfit@wakehealth.edu

My Kids Are Driving Me Crazy!

6 to 7:15 pm Tuesday, January 19 (Topic: Routines) Tuesday, February 16 (Topic: Sleep) Join Brenner FIT’s Positive Discipline Parent Educators to learn effective parenting tools that reduce the stress of parenting. Each month a different parenting topic is discussed.

Secrets to Breakfast 5:30 to 7 pm Monday, February 1 Join a Brenner FIT dietitian to hear more about feeding your family at breakfast. Learn the basics of a balanced breakfast and prepare and taste balanced breakfast ideas in the Brenner FIT Kitchen.

The Forsyth at

“I wish I would have moved here sooner.”

By Jeff Keener

T

he holidays can be a lonely time for many senior adults.

Mark Kane, Executive Director of Homestead Hills, WinstonSalem’s Premier Retirement Community, tells me, “There are many studies that verify this fact, but rest assured, you are never lonely here in our community.” Kane also points out, “Christie, our Social Director, makes sure the Homestead Hills event calendar is jam-packed with activities. Where else can you host your guest, have dinner parties in a private dining room with a menu you created, and never lift a finger to prepare or clean—before they arrive or after they leave?”

Homestead Hills is now proud to welcome more Members to their family through the addition of The Forsyth, a 33-villa apartment building. With one-, two- and three-bedroom luxury suites, a fullservice on-site Wellness Center and nationally recognized, awardwinning wellness programs, The Forsyth at Homestead Hills is the perfect choice for people who want to live long, live well, and live independently. The Forsyth also offers the peace of mind that can be found living in a safe, suburban community with 24-hour staff that is ready to respond immediately should any emergency occur.

Anne Letsky, a Lifestyle Advisor at Homestead Hills, tells me, “Now is the perfect time to consider a move, especially for those living alone that need less space and fewer of the maintenance headaches of their current home. We have two-bedroom models that are perfect for them. The 2nd bedroom gives visiting loved ones a place to stay.” Homestead Hills offers a variety of floor plans which can create a perfect living arrangement for a wide variety of needs.

Letsky also adds, “Homestead Hills looks especially beautiful this time of year. Our community is professionally decorated, and we put a seasonal spin on dining, entertainment, shopping trips, fun activities and crafts to make it really memorable.” In the event of wintry weather or freezing cold, members never have to leave the building to get to the mailbox, dining room, parties, or any of the events inside the clubhouse. Each apartment is connected via hallways with elevators connecting you to every floor. “‘I wish I would have moved here sooner.’ We hear that statement

40 • forsythfamilymagazine.com

all the time from our Members” says Kane. “Once they move here, they realize that the things that concerned them most about moving are very irrelevant.”

The Forsyth at Homestead Hills isn’t about losing independence, it’s about making a change in their lifestyle, giving seniors the opportunity to maintain and enjoy their freedom for the rest of their life. Some of the services offered are restaurant-style dining, weekly housekeeping, residential & lawn maintenance, property taxes & insurance, all utilities except telephone, trash pick-up & recycling, use of all community common areas & facilities, basic cable, daily activities, exercise & wellness programs, scheduled transportation, 24-hour emergency response systems, evening campus security, concierge service, a consulting dietitian and a Wellness Director.

The Forsyth at Homestead Hills also offers their “Welcome Home Service,” which eases the stress and anxiety of everything associated with moving—from packing to selling the house. They can make the transition process very easy and bring it all together with a convenient, worry-free experience.

In short, the apartments at The Forsyth offer an affordable option for people looking to simplify their lifestyle by eliminating every-day burdens, while adding in affordability, convenience, safety, friends and good times. Call 336-659-0708 today to learn how you can enjoy a carefree, maintenance-free, exciting and active Holiday at the Forsyth at Homestead Hills.

December Issue 2015 • 41

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T

here are many aspects that make a house a home or, more importantly, your own sanctuary.

The choice of colors, from paint to wall coverings, fabrics and accessories all combine to give your home the feel of comfort and a refuge from a busy life.

Dero’s Wallpapers, Fabrics & Draperies has been helping their customers for over 40 years make houses into homes and, in many cases, turning decorating dreams into realities. Gretta Parnell, owner, consultant and designer at Dero’s, and her team, with a combined 140 years of experience between them, love what they do and do what they love, working with customers in all areas of decorating, like window treatments, which is just one area of Dero’s that makes it a “one-stop shop” for decorating.

Decorating Your House Can Be Overwhelming As any decorator will tell you, curtains and draperies make a room, but only when chosen correctly. If you’ve ever been in a fabric store, though, the patterns, textures and the possibilities can be overwhelming, leading you to think that maybe your family room with the floor-to-ceiling windows looks just fine the way it is. That is until the hot summer sun begins to beat down on your house or the cold winter winds blow; in either case, you will probably pay more for your air and heating throughout the year. So, window treatments not only make a room aesthetically pleasing, tying the overall feel and décor together, but they can also serve a utilitarian purpose. “In today’s new construction and remodeling, homeowners are choosing hardwood flooring and tile for many of their rooms, Ashley Billings Photography December Issue 2015 • 43

ss is not only A good measure of a busine but happy ss, the length of time in busine ro’s, after De and and satisfied customers, dreds of hun forty years in business, has : few a t them. Below are jus

but with those choices, houses can be loud with reverb from sounds, and window treatments really help cut down on noise, while giving a room a warmth that only textiles can add. Along with window treatments, choosing blinds, shades and shutters can also give a room a cozy feel while helping with energy costs. Dero’s has been a Centurion Dealer since 2002 with Hunter Douglas, featuring only their line of blinds, shades and shutters. Hunter Douglas is a company that warrants their products for the lifetime of the product. We believe in being a business of quality and distinction, so Hunter Douglas is a good partner for us,” said Gretta Parnell.

de beautiful “Dero’s has designed and ma home. bedding and drapes for my fessional Patricia and Gretta were pro at we were and really had a vision of wh Kendra Clabo thinking to accomplish.” ~ ro’s without “It’s hard for me to enter De ides buying Bes leaving with something. ents and atm ready-made window tre s is also ro’ De having them altered to fit, sonal sea for p my favorite shopping sto ” ns. tio ora gifts and unique dec rk ~ Beth Cla p like Dero’s, “There’s no other design sho a workroom with both a showroom and ert staff. on-site with experienced, exp home, I only When I was renovating my isioned, but had a ‘feeling’ of what I env result was a with Gretta and Patricia, the e.” fun and stress-free experienc ~ Joan Gravel

“When we say that Dero’s has a little bit of everything, we mean it.”

No Job Too Big or Small; Dero’s Can Do It All! Because everything is done in-house, Dero’s designers and seamstresses work hands-on, no matter the size of the project. “We go to a customer’s home to take any measurements that are needed for custom window treatments, bedding and any other home fashion items that may be desired. Working with our customers and seeing their homes allows us time to take note of anything that may be helpful in the design process, choosing styles as well as fabrics,” said Patricia Braswell, designer at Dero’s since 1975. Gretta realizes that Dero’s doesn’t have every fabric that a customer may want. “With our home accents and accessories, wall coverings, jewelry and clothing boutique, we only have so much space for fabrics, so customers who find fabrics elsewhere are welcome at Dero’s for consultation and design,” Gretta commented. Part of designing is staying current with trends, and things have changed in that area in the over 40 years since Dero’s first opened its doors.

“The internet and social media in particular have really helped people think out of the box when it comes to design. People still bring in pictures from magazines, but with sites like Houzz.com and Pinterest, the sky is the limit in ideas. I will send customers to my Pinterest page, which has around 17,000 ideas pinned. You may find several designs or ideas that you like, and we can work to incorporate them into one design.

Once we have measurements and an idea of what the customer wants, using a CAD system on my computer I design with options to present to our customer. I print my design in black and white to let the customer visualize the idea in its purest form, unclouded by color. Once the design is chosen, having our workroom in-house means that when an idea comes to me or Patricia to tweak in some way, we can discuss it with the customer, then go straight to our seamstresses, Wanda Davis and Mary Smith and ask the customer if they could drop by and see the progress.

Customers like seeing a project go from beginning to completion,” Gretta stated. But window treatments are only a part of what makes Dero’s both a decorating destination and a good drop-by shopping experience.

It’s the Little Things that Make for a Decorated Life When Gretta began working at Dero’s in 1993, wallcoverings and fabrics were the focus of the business, but over the years the store has taken on a life of its own. “Dero’s is a place where you can decorate your home, top to bottom, and pick up a gift for a friend or a treat for yourself. When we say that Dero’s has a little bit of everything, we mean it. From artwork to home accessories, candles and great gift ideas, there’s not much that you can’t find here. Our customers know that if they need that special gift for someone who possibly has everything, Dero’s is the place to go.

Jewelry, cards, home fragrances, clothing…it’s all here,” said Gretta.

Along with Gretta and Patricia, Lynn Kelly, Mike Czerwinski and Valerie Six are in the store to help with anything from wallcoverings to gift ideas.

Although Gretta’s life is full with work and being a wife and mom, she makes giving back to the community a priority. “At Dero’s, we are animal lovers and we have made Davie Humane Society one of the charities that we support. On December 5th, we will host ‘Santa Paws,’ where people can bring their pets and get their photos taken with Santa for a donation.

It’s always a great time, with everything decorated for the holidays. We are a family at Dero’s and our customers and community have been, and continue to be, a part of what makes us love what we do,” Gretta commented.

Dero’s is located at 2671 Lewisville-Clemmons Rd., Clemmons, NC. Hours of operation: Monday–by appointment; Tuesday–Friday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. For more information, visit www.derosinteriors.com or call 336-768-7962.

“Gretta and Patricia are professional, creative, plus they strive to give a clien t quality work, no m atter the size of the job.

The team at Dero’s is superb, and I wo uld never go anywhere else.” ~ Lynn J. Marcellino “After purchasing a home in 2009, we worked with Patricia and she did a wonderful job selec ting fabrics and sty les for bedding, window treatments, pillows and accessories for several rooms, mak ing our home feel compl ete, and colors and patterns flow seam lessly from room to room.” ~ Cathy Pa tton “I’m happy to say I have been a satisfie d customer of Dero’s for over 28 years!

Dero’s has been my single source for al l my decorating needs. Re cently they made drapery panels for my family room that fall 18 feet from ceili ng to floor, opening the room up beautifully . I consider Gretta, Patricia and Dero’s team a trusted partn er in my decorating pr ojects.” ~ Cathy Zeitvogel

December Issue 2015 • 45

By Vonda

H

earing from friends and family that may be far away is something special, especially at Christmas time. A trend for some time has been to take time during the Christmas season to share with those special people what’s been going on in your life. There are several styles of Christmas letters.

Here are some tips you may want to consider as you think about what you’d like to share this year.

Keep the opening upbeat and positive. You may have had a difficult year, but this is a celebration time, even if the opening is as simple as, “Merry Christmas!”

Keep the “what happened this year” section short.

No need to list every event for each person. It’s a letter, not a chronology of the year. Ideally, one paragraph of the major highlights of the year should be enough. Because this may be the only time you really communicate with your audience, there’s a natural tendency to relay all the high or low points that happened over the year. However, you don’t want your Christmas letter to turn into a brag-a-thon or a woe-is-me letter. If you’re struggling with medical issues or devastating events, share those either separately, or be brief about challenges you may be facing. On the flip side, no one but you is going to be excited about every award, promotion, or recognition each person received.

Write in your own voice. It doesn’t have to be grammatically correct—you’re not writing an essay 46 • forsythfamilymagazine.com

n Henderso

for a grade. If you are generally enthusiastic or talk in fragments, your letter should be the same. If your audience feels that you’re right there talking, then it’s perfect.

Editing and revising is important for these letters. You may not see these folks in person or even talk by phone often, so the letter needs to speak for you.

With that thought in mind, you might consider one version for family and one for friends. The tone is likely to be different for each group. With a bit of editing, the core letter can be the base for more than one version. Therefore, it’s a good idea to write, step away for a while, then to re-read before editing.

Christmas letters may be shared with others, so keep that in mind as well. How much to do you want shared with people you may not know? Pictures are a nice inclusion; however, you may want to be selective on how many to share.

The Christmas stationery available is very nice; however, if cost is important, there are less expensive options. You may opt for using color paper, rather than the bordered Christmas type. Envelops in the same color are also available. If your letter list is long, these may be good options.

You may also consider adding a personal, hand-written note for some or all of your letters. While the overall letter may be consistent, a hand-written note of wellwishes adds a personal touch. And, a hand-written signature finishes your letter in style.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to one and all!

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December Issue 2015 • 47

Household Items and Foods that Harm Pets

W

Robin White Ellis

hether you are a dog or cat lover, a reptile person, or a bird connoisseur, most of us simply adore our pets!

They are our friends, our babies and vital parts of the family. Pets provide us with companionship, comfort and unconditional love. With their cuddles and sloppy kisses, they bring happiness to our homes. Pets provide love and laughter, ultimately bringing family members even closer together while chuckling over the antics of a tailchasing pooch or a kitty cat frantic over capturing that elusive red dot.

Most pet owners do their best to provide a safe home for their furry or feathery babies. We arrange our homes in much the same manner that new parents do for their first child. However, it is important to note that just because something is considered child-proof does not make it dogproof. Animals have a deep curiosity regarding the world around them.

They assuage this by exploring with their noses and mouths. Therein lies the danger. Scents and tastes are so vastly integral to their natures that it is much easier for them to get hold of something harmful.

Human food tempts pets like nothing else! The following list includes foods that can be extremely toxic to our pets: • onions and onion powder • yeast dough • tomato • potato • grapes • raisins • rhubarb • salt • avocado

• macadamia nuts • coffee grounds • coffee beans • alcoholic beverages • chocolate • leftovers (chicken bones, for example, may shatter and become choking hazards) • sugarless gum

Common household items, such as string, yarn, rubber bands and dental floss, are potentially harmful to your pets as well. They are easy to swallow and can cause dangerous intestinal blockage. We must protect our pets from choking hazards as if they were human babies and toddlers! Toys with removable or small parts are big no-no’s! Even rawhide dog chews...which are easy to consider safe, since they are sold just for dogs...can result in choking or scratching of the throat from the small shards that break off as the dog chews. Fumes from non-stick cooking surfaces and self-cleaning ovens can be deadly to birds. Bird 48 • forsythfamilymagazine.com

owners must always be cautious when using pump or aerosol sprays.

Birds need to be kept away from the sprays and fumes.

Again, just as we would hide medications for a child, so we must do it for pets. Human medications, even simple over-the-counter pain relievers, can be deadly to animals. We must not assume that just because the bottle is child-proof, it is safe. My daughter was able to get into many supposed “child-proofed” items, and pets are no different! Insecticides and rodenticides are both designed to be appetizing as a lure to rodents and insects. Unfortunately, they appear the same way to dogs, cats, et cetera. Such products should never be used without first consulting a veterinarian.

I will admit to putting up stockings for my pets this time of year!

However, when decorating for the holidays, keep your little sweeties in mind. Mistletoe and poinsettia are dangerously toxic to pets. Holiday decorations and lights, depending on size and other factors, can become potential choking hazards and should be kept out of your pet’s reach.

It is necessary to be aware of the signs of poisoning, some of which are listlessness, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle tremors, lack of coordination and fever. Keep in mind that no one knows your pet’s normal behavior like you do...your instincts are of paramount value when it comes to your pal’s health. If you believe your pet has been poisoned, immediately take him to your vet or, if after hours, an emergency animal clinic. You may also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center’s hotline (888-426-4435), which is open twenty-four hours a day, seven days per week. Be prepared to provide the name of the item to which your pet was exposed, the amount of the item, and when it occurred.

They will also need your pet’s species, breed, age, sex, weight and symptoms. There is a sixty-five dollar fee, so they will require your name, address, phone number and credit card information.

As a multiple pet owner...although I maintain that they own me...their safety is of paramount significance. Considering the joy and love they freely give to us, it isn’t too much to ask to keep them as secure as possible. Anatole France was quoted as saying, “Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains un-awakened.” Personally, I agree with him.

Peace on Earth Enjoy peace of mind knowing that your best friend is safe and happy while you’re away DAYCARE

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Appointments are available Mon-Fri 8:00am - 5:00pm 3015 Maplewood Avenue, Suite 2 • Winston-Salem, NC 27103 336.765.9350 ext. 420 - Ask for Meredith www.lyndhurstgyn.com December Issue 2015 • 49

Holiday gift guide

Rolly’s Baby Boutique Classic toys. Classic Smiles. Visit Rolly’s Baby Boutique for a variety of wonderfully unique items! See their ad on page 33.

Clemmons Bicycle Give the gift of fitness and fun with a gift from Clemmons Bicycle!

Visit ClemmonsBicycle.com or see their ad on page 87.

Hip Chics Boutique & Gifts Create precious memories with award-winning Baby Stella dolls from Hip Chics Boutique & Gifts.

See their ad on page 21.

Honda of Winston Salem Give a gift of performance and freedom with a bike from Honda! A beginner's bike should still be fun to ride, and the CRF50F is a blast. Powered by a smooth, easy-tocontrol 49cc fourstroke engine, it’s built Honda tough, too. Visit Honda of Winston-Salem to learn more! See their ads on pages 25 & 31.

The Childrens Museum Membership to the Children’s Museum makes a great holiday gift for everyone from the kids to the grandparents! Visit ChildrensMuseumOfWS.org

Dero’s For the one who loves home decor and style, Dero’s is the place to go! Whether it’s a fun accent piece, a pretty candle, or any number of delightful things in the store, there’s something for every taste! And don’t forget, Gift Cards work for every budget and are always appreciated! See article page 43.

Christina’s Dessertery A basket of sweet treats from Christina’s Dessertery is a delicious way to ring in the holiday season! Whether given as a hostess gift, corporate gift, or simply a yummy gift from one friend to another… it’s sure to be a favorite! Visit ChristinasDessertery.com or see their ad on page 107.

New Balance It’s the gift that will carry them anywhere! New shoes at New Balance are a great gift for anyone on your shopping list! Best of all, gift cards are one-size-fitsall! See ad page 11.

V’s Barbershop Give him a dapper gift for the holidays! V’s gift cards and Men’s grooming products make a great gift for the special men in your life! See their ad on page 21.

Hampton House Art & Framing Memories are a priceless gift and when beautifully framed, they are treasured all the more! Consider a beautifully framed heirloom or photo for a loved one, or select a piece of in-stock art! See ad page 69.

Hip Chics Boutique & Gifts Sheila Fajl hoop earrings available in a variety of styles, colors and finishes.

Fully handmade by artisans in Brazil. (Prices vary) Southern Fried Cotton long sleeve t-shirts. Available in S-XL and youth sizes.

There are a wide variety of designs and colors available in these comfortable and stylish shirts that everyone will love!

See their ad on page 21.

Helping Children Reach Their Full Potential through Music

By Meridith Whitaker

W

hen you were 10 years old, how would you have answered the question, “Who are you?” Thanks to the Winston-Salem Youth Chorus (WSYC), many children in our community are able to answer that question confidently; they are professional singers and performers. When given the opportunity to build upon their talents and express themselves fully, children can do amazing things. That is the vision of the WSYC. Bringing together a diverse group of individuals from a variety of backgrounds, the chorus teaches children teamwork and tolerance while building lasting friendships based on the universal language of music.

The WSYC often collaborates with the Winston-Salem Symphony, Piedmont Opera, Piedmont Wind Symphony, Piedmont Chamber Singers and the UNC School of the Arts. It is open to youth ages eight to 18 who pass a standard audition. Singers learn proper vocal technique, music theory and sight-singing skills, in addition to teamwork, discipline, unity and self-confidence.

Since its founding in 1993, the WSYC has grown to more than 100 members in four ensembles, ranging in age from eight to 18, representing more than 40 schools in Forsyth and the surrounding counties. After 22 years as the Founding Artistic Director, Barbara Beattie retired, leaving behind a legacy of excellence and a passion for enriching the lives of children. Sonja Sepúlveda joined the staff as Artistic Director in June of 2015, and is proud to carry on this vision. In addition to her role with the WSYC, Sonja is also the Director of Choral Activities and teacher of Theory at Salem College, and conducts the Salem Chamber Choir, Chorale, and SuperTonix.

Sonja is passionate about guiding children to reach their full potential, and has seen the difference that art and music can make in a child’s life. “Talent is everywhere,” said Sonja, “and the saddest thing to me is when that 54 • forsythfamilymagazine.com

talent goes undiscovered and undeveloped. I hope the WSYC reaches children who never thought such an opportunity existed for them.”

By providing a forum for children to engage with their community through music and to perform with professional musicians such as the Symphony and the Opera, the WSYC impacts the children involved, their families and our city as a whole. Recognizing this impact and the value it brings to our city, Mayor Allen Joines recently gave his official endorsement to WSYC as the premier youth chorus for the city. “As you know, Winston-Salem is the City of Arts and Innovation, named for its dedication to fine arts, theater, and technological research,” the mayor declared. “I can think of no organization more emblematic of this slogan than the WSYC. As importantly, the children of this wonderful organization inspire the community through the beautiful music that they make.”

If she had the opportunity to perform with the Symphony as a child, Sonja would have given anything for it, but such an opportunity was not available in her hometown. Now, her mission is to share this program with as many local families as possible.

As Sonja says, talent is everywhere, and you never know the amazing things children are capable of until you offer them the opportunity to explore their potential The mission of the Winston-Salem Youth Chorus is to engage and develop youth from diverse backgrounds, and enrich their lives by inspiring excellence in choral music. For more information on the Winston-Salem Youth Chorus, visit the website at www.wsyouthchorus.org or call 336-703-0001.

AUDITIONS: Auditions for the spring semester will be held December 7th, 8th and 9th. December 7th and 8th auditions will be in the choir room at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, and December 9th will be at the Augsburg Community Center. Call 336-703-0001 for more information.

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES: December 4th and 5th: Barnes and Noble December 12th–7:30 p.m.: Fox 8/Old Dominion Holiday Concert with the WS Symphony at the LJVM Coliseum December 16th–7:30 p.m.: Winter Music Festival with the Carolina Chamber Symphony Players/Jazz Trio at Shirley Recital Hall at Salem Fine Arts Center December 11–13 and 17–20: Nutcracker Performances at The Stevens Center

December Issue 2015 • 55

Small Practice Makes Big Difference at Summer Family Care

BY DAVID WILLARD

“I am a doctor—it’s a profession that may be considered a special mission, a devotion. It calls for involvement, respect and willingness to help all other people.” Ewa Kopacz’s quote speaks to the heart of what it means to be a good doctor. It’s a dedication to helping people live the best life they can. No one knows this better than G. Michael Summer of Summer Family Care of Lewisville, and he and his staff are committed to making this a reality every day.

Born in Raleigh, and raised in Cherryville, NC, Dr. Summer and his wife, Dr. Leigh Summer, have called Lewisville their home for their practice since 2005. After graduating from NC State, Summer attended ECU Brody School of Medicine, where he met Leigh. Summer also spent four years in the Navy Reserves as a medical officer. While in the Reserves, Summer sailed the West Pacific. In fact, his daughter, Sarah, is a native Guamanian, as she was born at the Naval Hospital on Guam.

Dr. Summer has obviously had a successful medical career; surprisingly, however, Summer didn’t always see himself as a practicing physician. “Well, I wish I could say it was easy and I always knew I wanted to be a doctor, but it would not be true,” says Summer. “I had a bit of a face-off with my potential career path while I was an Aerospace Engineering major at NC State, and while I initially had dreams of space exploration (no, really!), once I got my head out of the stars (sorry), I felt drawn toward biology and, in particular, research in molecular biology. That is how I ended up with degrees in chemistry and biochemistry, and the new techniques of being able to work with, and sequence, DNA, potentially unlocking the codes to the source and treatment for some diseases— particularly cancer—were what I was good at,” he continues.

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Dr. Summer’s decision to enter medicine has certainly paid off for himself and his patients, and he is very direct when asked what sets their practice apart from others. “I think it is pretty clear, if someone pays us a visit. We are small, and have no plans of getting much bigger at all. We give patients personal attention because we know each one by name, and they will know every one of us by the time they have been here once or twice. It may sound corny, but the Golden Rule is simple (and sometimes hard to fulfill), but that is how we roll. I, personally, hate phone systems that make you pick options, so we answer our phone ourselves. Patients will not see different doctors each time, since there is just me and Dr. Leigh, so whether that is good or bad, depends. I like to say we offer old-fashioned person care, whether you like it or not,” he adds.

“Medicine has become less personal, sadly, these days, for a lot of reasons. We aim to do it differently, and better. Listening is not a skill, it is an expression of respect and caring, and you can’t really teach that. My staff, my most valuable resource, is the best around. They are all “people-persons,” which is something that you cannot teach; you either are or you aren’t,” Summer concludes.

Summer Family Care may not be the biggest practice in the area, and that is okay. Fortunately, that is not their goal. Dr. Summer and his wife, Leigh, have spent their careers being the family doctors that care and know their patients by name. It’s a philosophy that has paid off for their family and the numerous families that they call patients and friends. It’s not just a formula for success, it is a recipe for good medicine.

Dr. Summer may not have gotten to explore the stars, but he certainly has made a huge impact in his career, and his patients are benefiting from that every day.

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December Issue 2015 • 57

Better Brains = Better Behavior

By Stacy Leighton

livia looked at me with fear in her eyes—real fear.

“I can’t do it,” she said.

“I can’t take that test. My brain won’t let me sit that long.”

I knew she couldn’t, but it was a standardized test we were required to give. As the teacher, I had complete control over the classroom testing environment. So, I let Olivia stand at her desk in the last row. Without anyone beside or behind her, she could swing her legs to and fro while taking a 2-hour test. And she did it! AND she scored 2 grade levels higher!

O

We all know that behaviors do not happen in a vacuum; we know there are reasons. Sometimes they are environmental or situational, while other times they are developmental. In either case, these occur in the brain and can be remedied. One reason may be a right-and-left-brain hemispheric imbalance. An excellent resource on hemispheric imbalance and remedies is the work of Dr. Robert Melillo, author of The Disconnected Kids and founder of the Brain Balance program.

Through a multimodal approach (Nutrition, Sensory Motor Therapy and Academic Tests) the program determines which hemisphere is weakest and strengthens it. Some behavioral characteristics indicating a rightbrain weakness might be that a person is overly analytical; is lacking social tact; can’t sit still; is disorganized and hyperactive. Some behavioral characteristics indicating a left-brain weakness might be: procrastination; good social interaction, but shyness with strangers; self-consciousness; a hatred of homework and lower self-esteem.

(Adapted from The Disconnected Kids). The Brain Balance program has been effective in remediating ADD/ADHD, Autism and Dyslexia characteristics.

Sometimes trauma or chronic stress can cause a person to default to their lower brain functions, Fight, Flight or Freeze. Some children who have experienced a traumatic event or sustained trauma experience hypersensitivity. This could be a sensory hypersensitivity (and over58 • forsythfamilymagazine.com

reaction to smells, sounds, textures, etc.).

It could be a hypersensitivity to potentially threatening people or situations. The resulting behavior is called hypervigilance: they are on their guard and prone to over-reaction. The best way to reach this child is through trauma-informed care: stay calm, create peaceful, safe and accepting relationships. A battle of wills is never a good idea.

Research has found that children with chronically high levels of cortisol (a hormone that occurs when one is under stress) experience more cognitive, motor and social delays than other children. What this means to us is that we must provide a safe, healthy and STRESS-FREE environment. It is KEY to brain development. When a caregiver spends a few pleasant minutes with her child, reading, singing or just talking, they are connecting. While she is working on language skills and creating a bond, she is also helping to build and strengthen the “wiring,” or “circuitry,” of the child’s brain.

The great news is that because of brain plasticity, there is always something positive we can do. Whether we modify the environment, strengthen the right or left hemisphere, or connect emotionally with children, there is always hope. When we are engaged and responsive to our children, we are activating the formation of synapses. These form new neural pathways and literally re-wire the brain!

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energy for a short period of time, eat a candy bar, a tablespoonful of honey, or drink a soft drink laden with sugar. However, it will be used up quickly as well. This is why we don’t recommend a Coke or candy bar for children in the evening----they will have too much energy and be bouncing off the walls, instead of going to bed.

By Dr. John J. McKinney, Jr., Piedmont Internal Medicine, a Cornerstone Health Care Practice

“I

f diabetes hurt, no one would eat sugar!!” That was what our professor, Marvin Herring, M.D., told us in medical school. Fortunately, we have come a long way and now understand that diabetes doesn’t just mean that you shouldn’t eat “sweets.” With the holidays upon us, take heart in knowing you can survive the season by making good choices and still be able to enjoy your favorite treats. Start by discovering how different foods affect your body.

There are two kinds of carbohydrates: fastacting (simple sugars or sweets) and complex carbohydrates (starches). Simple sugars require the pancreas to dump insulin into the blood to lower the blood sugar again. This results in a rapid decline in the blood sugar and will trigger hunger and the desire to eat something more. This is why a sugar cookie or something sweet usually results in your being hungry again within half an hour. It is also the reason some people become hypoglycemic (too low a blood sugar level) even if they don’t have diabetes. The body overshoots the amount of insulin needed and dumps more insulin into the blood than it normally needs, because the blood sugar is rising fast due to the simple sugar introduced, as from a candy bar. It results in a “hypoglycemic episode.”

The simple sugars are fast-acting, because they really do act fast—they give you quick energy, but do not last for long. If you want quick

A more stable way to keep the sugar in your blood from going too high, too quickly, and being rapidly used up, is to eat a starch or complex carbohydrate that has a lower “glycemic index” than those of simple sugars.

Think glycemic index as how closely the food acts like sugar. The higher the glycemic index, the more like sugar the food acts. If we give sugar a value of 100, a tablespoonful of honey may be assigned a value of 62 and act “almost just like sugar,” whereas a baked sweet potato may have an assigned value of 54 and “last a little bit longer,” but not raise the sugar as quickly.

In general, think sprinters need sugar and marathon runners need long-lasting energy or complex carbohydrates for their long run. A candy bar would give them energy for the first mile, but they have 25 more to run, which is why the night before the marathon the pre-race dinner consists of a big plate of spaghetti (starch—complex carbohydrate).

An even better selection than a complex carbohydrate is a “color” complex carbohydrate for maintaining more stable blood-sugar levels.

A baked sweet potato has a lower glycemic index than a baked white potato. Thus, it is better to select brown rice over white and whole wheat bread over white. These wreak less havoc on the blood sugar and allow a smoother rise and fall over a longer period of time.

Don’t forget that carbohydrates are the body’s first source of fuel. It enjoys carbohydrates because they are readily available and easily broken down into a long, slow, storage of glucose (sugar) that your body needs to function. If you give it no carbs at all (as in the Atkins’ diet) your body has to select another source of energy, usually fat cells. Your body is very inefficient at burning fat to get energy, and so you begin to feel terrible when your body has

to use something else rather than its first choice.

Just think of how your car would act if you gave it diesel fuel or kerosene, instead of its first choice for fuel—gasoline. It wouldn’t run well, or for long. Neither will your body without carbohydrates.

The problem many people run into is overeating “good carbohydrates.” Carbohydrates contain no fat, but you can still become fat by overeating them. Remember that the carbohydrates your body does not use get stored in the form of glycogen in the liver and in the muscles. You can gain weight by eating more carbohydrates than your body uses. If you are burning those carbs off (through aerobic exercise like swimming, cycling, walking) you will not gain weight and your body will more efficiently use the sugar available in the blood. Remember, if you burn off more calories than you take in, you lose weight. If you burn off less than you take in, you gain weight. Just like the balance in your checkbook between the checks you write out (burn off) and the deposits you put in.

“Don’t forget that carbohydrates are the body’s first source of fuel.”

You can have a high level of sugar in the blood, but if those sugar molecules don’t get out of the blood into the tissues (muscle cells, brain cells, heart muscle and all other organ systems), it doesn’t do any good or give you any energy. On the contrary, it will make you feel terrible and result in very poor control of diabetes. Think of sugar molecules circulating around in the blood as the same as cars driving on the interstate. The cars are all on the highway, but unless they get off the highway and exit, they aren’t going to get to their target (home, football game, state fair). Likewise if the sugar can’t get out of the bloodstream into the cells, it doesn’t do any good. Exercise helps the cells to take the sugar out of the bloodstream and make the blood sugar come down. On the other hand, too much or too intense an exercise without proper nutrition, or skipping a meal, can result in dangerously low blood-sugar levels, a hypoglycemic event, and even diabetic “shock.”

I really do believe that dietary knowledge and nutrition, along with exercise, are the two key ingredients in controlling blood sugars and suppressing the appetite, as well as improving your overall health.

Your body will more efficiently use the sugar and give you better control of your diabetes, or just a general feeling of well-being if you do not have diabetes.

So lace up your walking shoes, enjoy the outdoors, and have a rewarding experience of savoring the fresh air and getting that satisfied fatigue that tells our body we did it some good today.

Good health and good luck!

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336-802-2735 • Cornerstonehealth.com December Issue 2015 • 61

Ages & Stages School Aged Kids

Why Santa Claus Is Important to Children

By Lisa S.T. Doss

L

ong before our daughter could say the word “Christmas,” my husband and I engaged in the “Santa Claus” debate.

While he believed we should tell her the “truth” by teaching about the Nativity and the season of Advent, I believed there also was a purpose in the value and lessons sparked through the magic of Santa Claus. Then, it happened: she entered a Christian preschool at the age of two.

Nearing the month of December, she came home talking animatedly about Santa Claus and her excitement about the arrival of Christmas.

Since she wholeheartedly believed in fairies, unicorns and other magical beings, it took a mere two seconds for her imagination to run with the flying reindeer, the elves assembling toys in a workshop and the myth of a man who delivers presents around the world on Christmas night. Without a word from us, she believed Christmas included magic. And, the answer is always, “Yes!”" Any child, truly, can

have a combination of reality and magical plausibility. Child psychologists agree believing in Santa is a normal and healthy part of development. None of us can ignore the great influence “Santa” has brought into our lives through television programming and favorite movies, or the sight of him found around every corner, street and in most yards.

Isn’t it possible that Santa also represents family togetherness, peace and an added joy to the Christmas season?

ones. Julie Simpson writes, “Three years ago, my three children come up with some form of project, such as creating a Christmas-themed art project, baking cookies, or making homemade cards and giving them to a specific person, or people, in need. It makes them feel good to become the secret messenger of goodwill, and as my youngest daughter calls it, “acting just like Santa.”

The Truth Will Be Learned Many parents are challenged with the idea of deceiving their children every Christmas.

Admittedly, I have told my daughter, now five, that her favorite magical creatures are not real; yet, I have not offered the truth to Santa Claus’ existence. Why? I believe for two reasons.

Expanding the Magic “He sees you when you’re sleeping, he knows when you’re awake, he knows when you’ve been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake.” While you may have just provided the tune alongside the words, each of us knows the lyrics of “Santa Claus is coming to town.” The question becomes, “How does he know?”

Since 2005, one of Santa’s helpers has expanded the belief in Santa’s arrival and encouraged children to “be nice.” In over 2.5 million households, an elf, once named, discovered sitting on a shelf, will be instantly given the magical ability to fly nightly back to the North Pole and inform Santa about the child(ren) he or she observes. While it sounds complicated, this specific magic comes with a book of rules. This newest family tradition has brought a flavoring of fun for for children, who wake to find the location of his or her elf, and to the parent, who must show a sense of creativity each night for almost a month.

Without question, the magic embedded in Christmas is important to children, and adults, too. We start as believers well before we stand in his shoes and become St. Nicholas.

1.While St. Nicholas became famous for giving gifts and money to the poor, the essence of his story—despite being greatly exaggerated—is fact.

2.The idea of Santa does not alter the story of the Nativity or the truth that Christmas celebrates Jesus’ birthday. In time, she will question the story of Santa and view the spirit of Christmas in other fulfilling ways.

Bringing Families Together There will always be magic in twinkling lights and the season of Advent. With Santa Claus in our lives and in our children’s hearts, the time is sweeter, perhaps more joyous. And, as adults, it’s hard to deny our children the great tradition of watching movies and television programming, making wishes and writing letters, and giving homemade gifts to the less fortunate, good friends and loved

62 • forsythfamilymagazine.com

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Ages & Stages School Age

R

Navigating the Net By Rebecca Olsen

emember when, if you wanted to know something, you went to the library and checked out a book? Now, thanks to the Internet, students have access to more information at the click of a button than the libraries of yesterday could ever hold. Unfortunately, not all of that information is of good quality, or even correct, and since the average webpage visit is less than 20 seconds, it can be hard for students to discriminate between high-quality material and junk.

Regardless, it’s inevitable that students will have to learn to navigate among the distractions, the disingenuous and the downright dangerous on the Internet. Here are a few principles to teach students about Internet research.

1.Quality Varies. Without the guiding hand of editors and publishers, the quality of material published on the Internet varies greatly. Teach your child to check the URL and be wary of any site that does not list an author or a way to contact the site administrator. Look for sites managed by reputable institutions, like kids.nationalgeographic.com/ or solarsystem.nasa.gov/kids. Keep an eye on the date of publication or “last updated” date and make sure they understand the difference between .com, .org, and .gov designations.

2.Accuracy Varies. Without the backing of a publisher whose reputation is on the line, and within the anonymity provided by digital media, anyone can publish anything, anytime. Case in point: Google-image the words, “Africa” and “map,” and you will see nestled among the pictures what is clearly the outline of South America.

Verifying the accuracy of information is a must. Teach your children to factcheck, using multiple sources; using their common sense; and when in doubt, to ask an adult.

64 • forsythfamilymagazine.com

3.Motives Vary. It is sometime hard to discern if a well-designed site is simply stating information or is a well-designed advertisement. Help your children understand the differences in the types of sites and reasons why people publish information. Understanding an author’s motivations will help young readers better identify biases and inaccuracies.

4.Directness varies. We’ve all been to sites where information is excessively hyperlinked, allowing for increased ad space and annoying pop-ups. For distractible students, it can be easy to get off-task and end up on sites that may be inappropriate. Before they fall into the rabbit hole, be sure to discuss staying on topic; set some guidelines, and monitor their progress.

My two favorite websites for teaching kids discernment when using the Internet are Help Save the Endangered Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus from Extinction at zapatopi.net/treeoctopus/ and the website for Dihydrogen Monoxide Research Division, which details the danger of this erosive poisonous chemical (water!) at www.dhmo.org/. It’s almost impossible at first glance to tell that both these sites are completely false and that they illustrate how a well-puttogether site can be misleading. As information becomes more and more digitized, it is important that children develop discernment when wading through the vast amounts of information available at the touch of a button, so that they can navigate on the information highway without being tangled in the net.

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December Issue 2015 • 65

Ages & Stages Elementary to High School

A

The Power of Self-Esteem By Tim Montgomery

t The Piedmont School, we are strong advocates of exploring and better understanding the ways in which our students learn. Learning is more than paper, pencil and lecture at The Piedmont School, and the way we differentiate in our classrooms is driven not so much by how we teach, but how our students learn. We use the same philosophy for our extracurricular classes, as well. We see the classes such as PE, art, music and drama as additional ways for our students to achieve the success that serves to raise their selfesteem. I have always been an advocate of raising the self-esteem of young people in order to help them achieve at a higher level. We all seem to perform better when we feel good about ourselves, and have confidence in ourselves to successfully complete a task. Students with an ADHD/LD diagnosis seem to suffer from low self-esteem more than other students. Accompanying this low self-esteem can be a social awkwardness that is hard for young people to overcome. Taking a theater or drama class can often prove to be useful for students with low self-esteem. They are able to observe other students interacting with each other in real life, as well as in the world of make-believe. Playing a role gives a timid, socially awkward student the opportunity to show confidence while portraying a character, which often will help them to become more confident in real life. The stage can serve to level the playing field for students and give our young men and women the opportunity they need to shine.

66 • forsythfamilymagazine.com

We do not limit these exercises to the classroom. We help our students see that the sky is the limit with what they can accomplish, and that they are capable of achieving more than they ever dreamed. In the spring of 2014, The Piedmont School students performed The Lion King before a crowd of over 350 people, and the results were amazing. At The Piedmont School, every student in the school has a role in the production, and everyone leaves the theatre with their confidence exploding. In the spring of 2015, we duplicated our effort as our students returned to the Community Life Center at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in High Point and performed the Seussical to another full house.

Every student was again on stage for our performance, and the performance was once again a resounding success. Our music, drama, and art departments have done an amazing job preparing our students for this experience, and they are creating memories that will last a lifetime. In the spring of 2016, our school will perform Aladdin, and the excitement is already building.

Whether it is through participating on one of our athletic teams or playing a role in one of our productions, our students learn that the success they are seeing in their academic lives at The Piedmont School can spill over into their extracurricular lives as well. At The Piedmont School, it is our mission to be the Educational Oasis that Quenches the Thirst of Students who Learn Differently. We strive daily to be successful in that effort, no matter what the setting.

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December Issue 2015 • 67

By Stacy Leighton

is mother watched as the teacher called her son’s name; he didn’t turn around.

His back was to her and the classroom was loud. The teacher was losing her patience. “He just doesn’t listen to me. Either that, or he may have a hearing problem. Have you had his hearing tested?” His mother replied “I don’t have that problem at home.”

Who is right? Perhaps both. There are a greater number of variables that might be present in the classroom that are not present at home.

The mother in this story did take her son to have his hearing tested. The audiologist told her that “Not only is his hearing perfect, it was super. In other words,” she said, “he hears things most people tune out, the buzz of the lights, the noises in the hall, tapping on the chalkboard etc.…the problem is [that] because he hears them all at the same time and at the same volume it may be difficult for him to focus on one. Naturally, this can be very distracting.”

As a classroom teacher and as a mom, I have found that what I needed my children to hear was always more effective if we were facing one another with minimal distractions.

Classrooms are distracting for many reasons; when compounded by an Auditory Processing Disorder, your efficacy becomes a little more challenging, but not impossible. We just need a few more strategies or tricks up our sleeves.

Signs and Symptoms Might Include: • Trouble Listening (noticed for a period of time).

• Mishearing/discrimination problems.

• Problems following directions.

• Problems attending to oral messages.

• Distraction by background noises.

• Poor organization of verbal material.

• Remembering what is heard (languagerelated).

(Source: American Coalition of Auditory Processing Disorders)

H

What is Auditory Processing Disorder?

“Individuals with Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) do not recognize subtle differences between sounds in words, even when the sounds are loud and clear enough to be heard.

They can also find it difficult to tell where sounds are coming from, to make sense of the order of sounds, or to block out competing background noises.” (Source: Learning Disabilities Association of America) So, is this a hearing problem? No. People with APD hear just as well as everyone else, sometimes better. The problem occurs in the way the brain or nervous system interprets what he hears.

Some of these signs and symptoms may “look” like hyperactivity or acting out, when it’s really a coping mechanism. For example, a child with APD might be overwhelmed by too much noise all at the same decibel, becoming agitated or energized. Watch to see if this child becomes more rambunctious in a loud environment, like a gymnasium or grocery store.

Imagine you were subjected to loud music (that you don’t like) and asked to memorize two 10-digit phone numbers, or even just one.

Could you do it? I don’t think I could. The solution is not to scold or reprimand, but to give strategies for tuning in or tuning the noise out. I recommend breathing techniques for feeling overwhelmed, or meditation. This one has been very successful for my students who are ramping up; I would rest my hand below my rib cage and quietly ask my student also to find his or her “calm spot.” The student would then place his or her hand below their rib cage and we would breathe slowly together until we felt calm. Try it, it works! Even for folks without APD, we all need a calm spot every now and then.

Strategies •Show rather than explain.

• Supplement with more intact senses (use visual cues, signals, handouts, manipulatives).

• Teach abstract vocabulary, word roots, synonyms/antonyms.

• Vary pitch and tone of voice, alter pace, stress key words.

• Ask specific questions as you teach to find out if they do understand.

(Source: Excerpted from the LDA of California and UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute “Q.U.I.L.T.S.” Calendar 2001-2002) The most important thing to remember when working with young learners is that everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and everyone can be successful. Once we know what their weak areas are, it is up to us to help them find the learning strategies they need to be successful.

Forsyth Family offers this column as a way to bring awareness to various learning differences and empower parents and families for whom these differences are formally diagnosed. This is not intended to be a diagnostic tool. Concerned parents should consult a professional to determine if their child has any type of learning disabilities or challenges. See full disclaimer in bylines of this publication.

68 • forsythfamilymagazine.com

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3165 Maplewood Avenue • Winston-Salem, NC 27103 • 336-760-9840 • wsdentist.com Hours: Mon-Fri 8-5 December Issue 2015 • 71

What is Emotional Intelligence? Can it be taught at schools?

By Eliza D. Wallace

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here are countless scholarly articles regarding Emotional Intelligence and why this type of intelligence should be taught at school. However, before we begin to debate whether or not teachers should be trained on how to teach this type of intelligence, we first have to understand what this type of intelligence is.

According to Psychology Today, emotional intelligence is, “The ability to identify and manage your own emotions and the emotions of others.” In layman’s terms, this is being knowledgeable about your own emotions and how they affect others around you. Consider the following example: Sheila is sitting in rush-hour traffic and needs to be at her son’s school by 5:00 p.m. to pick him up. Right when she is about to pull off the exit ramp, another car sideswipes her. How Sheila reacts to this situation is an example of her own emotional intelligence.

There are three skills that help one gauge their own emotional intelligence. The first skill is emotional awareness, which includes the ability to identify your own emotions and those of others. The second skill is simply the ability to harness emotions and apply them to tasks, like thinking and problem-solving. Finally, the ability to manage emotions, including the ability to regulate your own emotions, and the ability to cheer up or calm down another person, is the last aspect of emotional intelligence.

If we go back to Sheila, and how she handles her stressful situation, we can easily see if she has a strong emotional intelligence, or weak one.

If she gets out of the car, screams at the other driver or tries to threaten and hurt him or her, then she may need to strengthen her emotional intelligence. If she handles it in a more acceptable manner, where—

even though she is angry— Sheila first calls 911 to report the accident, then afterwards waits by the side of road with the other car, she is more in touch with her own emotional intelligence.

How does this apply to education and how can this type of intelligence be taught? We have to realize that the school grounds are a field of emotional turmoil for young children up to young adults. “Educators and parents have long assumed that a child’s ability to cope with such stresses is either innate—a matter of temperament—or else acquired “along the way,” in the rough-and-tumble of ordinary interaction,” says Jennifer Kahn in a New York Times article, “Can Emotional Intelligence Be Taught?” Many education experts think that teachers have to teach this type of intelligence, as many students may not be able to understand what they are feeling. “It’s like saying that a child doesn’t need to study English because she talks with her parents at home,” a teacher told me last spring. According to the article, “Emotional skills are the same. A teacher might say, ‘Calm down!’—but how exactly do you calm down when you’re feeling anxious? Where do you learn the skills to manage those feelings?”

While this hot debate is far from being solved, the point is clear: many children do not know how to handle their own emotions, and part of this is that they may never have been taught. If we strive to make sure that students are educated in basic common-core subjects, such as English and Math, shouldn’t we also make sure they are cultivated in how to handle their emotions?

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Calendar December 2015 WBFJ "Acoustic Christmas" Concert Series DEC 8, 7-9PM Location: Food Court @ Hanes Mall (Winston-Salem) Musical Guests: Leslie Beaver 336.777.1983

Series DEC 15, 7-9PM Location: Food Court @ Hanes Mall (Winston-Salem) Musical Guests: MercyHeart & Wes Pickering 336.777.1983

TobyMac DEC 10, 7:00PM Location: Greensboro Coliseum Special Event Center (Greensboro) Musical Guests include: Colton Dixon & Britt Nicole To charge tickets: 800.745.3000 ticketmaster.com

Newsong's "Very Merry Christmas" Concert DEC 18, 7PM Location: Triad Baptist Church (Kernersville) Artists include: Building 429 & Plumb Hosted by Newsong To charge tickets: 800.965.9324 itickets.com

Winston-Salem Jaycees Holiday Parade DEC 5, 5PM Location: Downtown Winston-Salem 336.776.0690

Walnut Cove Christmas Parade DEC 12, 2:00PM Location: Downtown Walnut Cove 336.591.8171

Kernersville Christmas Parade DEC 6, 2:30PM Location: Downtown Kernersville 336.993.4521

WBFJ Ice Skating Night DEC 12, 6:30PM Location: Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Annex (Winston-Salem) Cost: $7 (per person) / $3 (skate rental) 336.727.2978

Christmas For The City DEC 18, 4PM-9PM Location: Benton Convention Center (Winston-Salem) This is a city-wide party for the community celebrating faith, hope & love thru Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Musical Artists & Literary Snapshots 336.759.7517

Tanglewood Festival Of Lights NOW - JAN 1, 6PM-11PM Location: Tanglewood Park (Clemmons) From storybook scenes to Holiday themes, over 75 displays and over one million lights fill Tanglewood Park with the entire splendor and joy of the Holiday season!

336.703.6400 WBFJ "Acoustic Christmas" Concert Series DEC 1, 7-9PM Location: Food Court @ Hanes Mall (Winston-Salem) Musical Guests: Daystar Worship & Ashley Woodard 336.777.1983

Rural Hall Christmas Parade DEC 6, 2:30PM Location: Downtown Rural Hall 336.969.6856 Lexington Christmas Parade DEC 7, 6:00PM Location: Uptown Lexington 336.249.0383 74 • forsythfamilymagazine.com

Lewisville Christmas Parade DEC 13, 3:00PM Location: Downtown Lewisville 336.986.5640 WBFJ "Acoustic Christmas" Concert

Amy Grant & Michael W. Smith DEC 19, 8:00PM Location: Greensboro Coliseum (Greensboro) Come celebration the Christmas season with Michael, Amy & a full symphony orchestra!

To charge tickets: 800.745.3000 ticketmaster.com

Minute for Your Minister The Most Important Day to Pray for Your Pastor Have you ever wondered when the best time to pray for your ministry leaders is? Pastor Casey Bradford of High Point provides this first-hand insight:

Have Yourself a Mary Little Christmas

“As a pastor, I pray that the church I minister to prays for me every day, but ESPECIALLY on Monday! After fighting off spiritual attacks while planning and delivering my message (on top of all of my other responsibilities as a ministry leader), Monday is the day that all of my worries start to sink in, and I start questioning my ability to lead.

By Tami Rumfelt

Did the message include at least one complete thought?

I think most of us can identify with the Bible story about Mary and Martha.

It’s found in Luke chapter 10, and in the New Living Bible it reads this way,

Was I boring? I saw someone sleeping the entire time...

“38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

With the Holiday season upon us, it’s easy for even the most laid-back among us to turn into “Marthas.” I get super stressed when I even think about the list-making, shopping, wrapping, mailing, cooking and cleaning that needs to get done over the next few weeks. More than once, I have allowed perfectionism, unrealistic expectations and a mile-long to-do list steal my Holiday joy.

You, too?

Let’s not do that to ourselves this year. Let’s focus on the things that are really important (hint—these things do not include: piles of gifts under a perfectly adorned tree, a spotless and tastefully decorated home or a twelve-course Christmas dinner that Martha Stewart herself would be proud of). Let’s commit to making things a little easier for ourselves, whatever that looks like in each of our lives, so we have more time and energy to spend in communion with God and with our loved ones.

Wishing you a Very MARY Christmas!

Did the parents of that screaming baby see my panicked look of distraction? Will they be back?!?

But most importantly, was Jesus magnified and glorified in all we did in word and deed?

This is the question that weighs most heavily on my heart as I begin to prepare for the phone calls, prayer requests, visitations and counseling sessions for the upcoming week, and as I begin to study for the next message.

These and many more are the questions I ask myself on Monday, and the devil always tries to make it worse than it is! So please, remember to pray for your pastor...especially on Monday!”

This “Minute for Your Minister” is brought to you by Energize Ministries—providing encouragement, refreshment and recreation for your pastors and ministry leaders. For more ideas about encouraging your pastor, visit energizeministries.com. You can also find out about ongoing contests and opportunities on the Energize facebook page: facebook.com/energizeministries.

By Reverend Jennifer Hampton of Sunrise United Methodist Church

E

very year people ask, “What do you want to get for Christmas?” We hear the question hundreds of times, and we hear it more and more frequently as December 25th inches closer. Children, especially, captivated by the magic of the Christmas season, love both to ask this question and to be asked this question. It’s the topic of ongoing conversations and heightened excitement that fills the air of the holidays as thick as the smell of warm sugar cookies and freshly cut pine.

“What do you want for Christmas?”

My mother is one of the most gentle and kind people I’ve ever known; I’m so blessed to have her as an example of life and love. She is a gift-giver year-round, never letting anyone leave the house empty-handed, and thus Christmas is an extra special time for her to share her love through giving. Unfortunately, my sweet momma had a daughter who delights in instigating harmless trouble and causing

irritation wherever possible (I believe it’s one of my finer qualities). I deeply resonate with American novelist and humorist, Mark Twain, when he wrote, “My mother had a good deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it.”

For years now, as the Christmas nears and my mother poses the question, “What do you want for Christmas?” I’ve always answered the same thing: “World peace or an alpaca,” two things I’m confident are beyond the scope of my mother’s giving. After all, momma is not the kind of lady to purchase livestock. Not intending to be unkind or ungrateful, these seem like fine gift suggestions and, year after year, I stick by my requests.

More than a season of getting, Christmas is a season for giving. As Christians we celebrate the long-awaited birth of Jesus Christ, the Incarnation, and through this gracious gift of life and love, we celebrate the hope of the world. It is a season for giving and sharing out

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of the abundant blessings and life God has given to us; not always manifest in the exchange of goods and goodies, this season of giving is intrinsically bound to God’s having first given to us. God’s provision. God’s assurance. God’s love.

This year, as you gather by fire-filled hearths decked with joy and cheer, as you fellowship around an abundance of feasting, family and friends, I challenge you to reverse the conversation. Exchange the question, “What do you want to get for Christmas?” for “What do you want to give for Christmas?” Engage others in the opportunity to express gratitude amidst the indulgence we afford ourselves. A simple question can make space for transformation to take place and for hope to reside; there is always someone more excited to give than to receive. Ask boldly, “What do you want to give?” The answers might surprise you.

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www.sunrise-umc.org 76 • forsythfamilymagazine.com

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The Challenging Middle SchoolYears Middle school . . . There’s nothing quite like it in a child’s academic journey.

Middle school . . . There’s nothing quite like it in a child’s academic journey. It’s a time of major transitions – the transition from elementary school to middle school, the transition to a new school and new friends, the personal transitions of moving from childhood into adolescence and the preparation for transitioning to high school.

For parents whose first child is heading to middle school, there may be some pride that their first-born is growing up and moving on to the next level. For parents who have been through the middle school years with an older child, you may experience fear or nervousness, mixed with the pride.

First, let’s recognize that entering middle school creates stress on students that can decrease motivation, challenge relationships with friends and parents, and hurt self esteem.

Since no two kids experience hormonal changes the same way, middle school students face a whirlwind of emotions and situations that make all of these issues more difficult to anticipate and manage.

Second, middle school education is new and different academically.

While elementary school offers a sense of order and“sameness,” middle school prepares students to move – move from class to class, and move from being instructed on their every move to learning to think for themselves. Class sizes tend to be bigger, homework tends to be more involved, and it is easy for students to feel distracted, disconnected, unorganized or even panicked about what they need to do.

build confidence, explore artistic interests, participate in community service projects and learn critical thinking skills. Exploring private school options, such as St. John’s Lutheran School on Silas Creek Parkway in Winston-Salem, may be the right move.

“There is nothing easy about raising a middle school child,”says Tom Baldwin, Director of Admissions & Community Service at St. Johns.

“I personally have been through it twice, and as a teacher, I know first-hand the issues that face students everyday. At St. John’s, we recognize the challenges of adolescence and help students realize their potential in a safe and friendly environment. We also realize that the middle school years are the perfect time to learn about teamwork, build leadership skills, and grow a wider interest in the world through commitment to work and active community service. ” With smaller class sizes, St. John’s middle school teachers can give more focused attention to students. There are many opportunities for kids to explore and experience challenging academics, visual and theater arts, science, athletics and service to others while growing in faith.

“Every student at every grade level is involved in one, some or many community services projects,”Baldwin says.“This allows students to put their skills into action, and it introduces them to news skills that they really need, such as organizing and planning. But beyond that, community service forces kids out of their bubble and they begin to look at issues facing others in the community. This experience also prepares students for the responsibilities they will face in high school and in looking ahead to college applications.“

St. John’s Lutheran School is conveniently located at 2415 Silas Creek Parkway in Winston-Salem.

Call (336) 725-1651, or visit StJohnsFalcons.org.

While the public school system does a good job in preparing many for high school, many children may be better suited to smaller class sizes allowing them to be more engaged in academics, as well as

Call Today (336) 725-1651 78 • forsythfamilymagazine.com

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Mothers Are Like Snowfla kes

By Triad Moms on Main Blogger Heather Keenan

A

s I left the grocery store, completely rain-covered, with my soaked nine-month-old and my even-more-soaked, fit-throwing, two-year-old, I couldn’t help but think, “What must the people who saw that two minutes of my life think of me as a mother?” Did I mention we didn’t even make it completely in the door of the grocery store? That’s right, I ventured out on a rainy day to get a few things for dinner with two kids, and the eldest lost it before even entering the store. So we clumsily stormed straight back to the car and piled back in, just as clumsily. And all I could think was, “What do these perfect strangers think of me as a mother?” My next thought was, “What has made me worry so much about what others think of my parenting?”

The main thing I try to remember to tell myself is that you never look as crazy as you feel. On the inside, while my child is throwing a horrid, cringe-worthy fit, I am a complete, unglued mess. On the outside, to everyone else, I’m hoping I just look like a mom having a rough moment. I have convinced myself of this to make myself feel better, so whether it is true or not, at this point in my voyage of motherhood, I do not care.

Back to why I worry about what others think. I assume that this is something most moms deal with at one point or another. I feel like it is almost as if I have this ridiculous expectation of myself that I need to have it totally together at all times, and when temper tantrums arise, I should quietly deal with it and have no one even notice it’s happening.

All that would be missing is the pretty bow on top. However, this is just not possible. Not for me, anyway. And I am pretty tired of beating myself up about it.

I remember the days of having one child, pre-toddler, and seeing other moms struggle with their kids and quietly thinking to myself, “Man, why is her child acting that way? She needs to get it together.” What a horrible thing to think, right? Then my perfect pre-toddler turned into (GASP!) a toddler. She, just like toddlers do, got a mind of her own and her own agenda and I was now that mom with the tantrum-throwing kid getting sideways looks in the grocery store.

80 • forsythfamilymagazine.com

I would love to say that only people without kids have judgmental thoughts of mothers when they see them struggle in public with their kids, but that is just not true. I know, because as I stated, I was a “judger” at one time. It took living it to open my eyes to the fact that everyone has to deal with the battles of motherhood in the way that works best for them.

Maybe if we all made more of a conscious effort not to judge other mothers, but instead uplift them, then the thought, “What are they thinking of me?” wouldn’t cross any mothers’ mind. I bet that if instead of just watching a fellow mother struggle with her kid(s), we offered a helping hand, nice word, or even just a smile, she would beat herself up just a little less about the fact that her lovely child had decided she would rather roll around on the dirty floor, kicking and screaming, than stick her little legs into the leg holes of a grocery cart that day.

Motherhood is tough enough. We don’t need to dwell on the one out of ten trips to the store that ended, or in my case, started, badly. Nor do we need to obsess and make ourselves feel crazy over how we handled that bad store trip. Mothers are like snowflakes, no two the same, but as long as we all do the best we can, then we are all doing it right. Be nice to each other out there, moms! We are all united in a very unique way. Wouldn’t this adventure be that much more fun if we stopped judging and lent a helping hand, or smile? And please remember, your easy, breezy day today could be your hair-pulling, teeth-grinding day tomorrow.

For more articles like this, log on to www.TriadMomsOnMain.com

& y h W e? m o C hoW

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Question: What is the slowest animal on earth?

Answer: The Three-toed Sloth. With legs and feet shaped to hang from trees, it’s hard for sloths to walk on the ground, run, or stand upright on their feet. It would take a sloth nearly a month to walk one mile!

They prefer to hang around in trees; they eat, sleep, and even have babies upside down.

Question: What is the BIGGEST animal on earth?

Answer: The Blue Whale can grow to be 100 feet long and weigh up to 200 tons! On land, the African Elephant rules. They can be 10 to 13 feet tall and weigh 10,000 to 13,000 pounds.

Question: What do frogs eat?

Answer: Frogs are carnivores, which means they eat other animals. Mostly they eat bugs and fish. But, sometimes, really big frogs eat fish, small birds, reptiles and other frogs.

Question: What animal lives the longest? How old can they get to be?

Answer: The Ocean Quahog (which looks like a clam) can live to be more than 400 years old. The oldest one was 507 years old!

Bowhead Whales have an average lifespan of 200 years. On land, the Galapagos Giant Tortoise is the oldest living species, and can survive to well past 100. The oldest recorded was 152 years old. Macaws (a bird) can live to be 60–80 years. And African Elephants, the largest surviving landanimal, can live to be up to 70 years old.

lk

ur chi ldren have questions, so many questions—will their curiosity ever end?

Let’s hope not. This month some of my small friends wanted to know about animals.

So here we go.

Question: What is the fastest animal on earth?

Answer: The Peregrine Falcon is the fastest bird on earth, with dive speeds exceeding 217 miles per hour.

The Cheetah is the fastest land animal and runs 60–75 mph.

i l eT m S a BBy Dr. Tina Merhoff

What kind of toothpaste should my child use?

“What kind of toothpaste should my child use?” is a common question we from om par parents. ents. The we hear fr American Academy of P Pediatric ediatric Dentistry recomrecommends that children children use a fluoridated toothpaste that has the ADA’s ADA’s Seal of Acceptance. Fluoride is a very very important important component of dental health. Each day, through ough cy cycles cles of dayy, our teeth go g thr de-mineralization de-miner alization and rre-mineralization. e-mineralization. As w we e eat sugary or acidic foods, miner minerals als ar are e lost fr from om our teeth. Fluoride combats these attacks b byy helping in the rre-mineralization e-mineralization pr process. ocess. Fluoridated tooth tooth-paste is an easy way to expose teeth to fluoride. FFor or yyoung oung childr children, en, par parents ents should assist in dispensing the pr proper oper amount of toothpaste to pr prevent event too much being swallo swallowed. wed. The A AAPD APD recommends recommends only a small smear of fluoridated toothpaste for kids under 2 yyears ears old, and a pea-siz pea-sized ed amount for childr children en between between the ages of 2 and 5. Another sour source ce of fluoride is our drinking water in munici munici-palities that fluoridate their water water.. Community water fluoridation began in the 1940s and has rresulted esulted in a dr drastic astic rreduction eduction in caries, the infec infec-tious disease rresponsible esponsible for cavities. It has been greatest achievements touted as one of the gr eatest achiev ements in public health in the 20th century.

Finally, professionofessionh century y.. Finally y,, pr ally applied topical fluoride also pr provides ovides cavity pr protection. otection. These tr treatments eatments ar are e applied at rregular egular dental visits at inter intervals vals based on yyour our child’ child’ss caries risk. So gr grab ab yyour our fav favorite orite flav flavor or of fluoridated toothpaste and get star started ted rre-mineralizing e-mineralizing those teeth! Happy brushing!

December Issue 2015 • 81

The View from My Section...

A Father’s Perspective

By A. Keith Tilley

Reflecting on Christmases Past t’s my favorite time of year again. I know, I said that last summer as well, but this is different. This season is one of the most (if not THE most) special and precious times of the year. The holidays spark an exceptional blend of excitement, joy, generosity, friendship, family ties and love. Family gatherings, parties, tree-lighting ceremonies and holiday parades are just some of the unique and pleasurable moments my family and I enjoy during this most cherished celebration.

I

It can also be a time of reflection, and depending on your age and circumstances, this season can invoke quite a few memories of Christmases past, and allow us an opportunity to reminisce about those moments again. No doubt, whether you’re a child waiting for Santa on Christmas Eve; a teenager looking forward to getting together with friends and sharing gifts; parents enjoying this priceless time spent with their children as a family; grandparents appreciatingly watching the next generation carry on family traditions for this festive occasion; or a young couple anticipating what their future will bring; everyone has what I like to call “snapshot moments” they will always remember.

When I think back on past Christmases, I have so many fond memories that I could make my personal version of David Letterman’s “Top Ten Countdown.” For instance, when I was a young boy and received my first television set for my room. In those days, we had one TV and it was in the family room. I was so excited about my nine-inch, blackand-white television that I probably didn’t leave my room for hours at a time as I watched the only three channels it would pick up (NBC, ABC and CBS).

Then there was the Christmas I got a mini-bike; and the time we got up way too early in the morning and had to go back to bed again before we could enjoy our presents (a drum set). I also remember fondly our tradition, in my twenties, when on Christmas Eve we’d go to my grandmother’s house for dinner with extended family; then from there to my parents’ house to open presents and partake of more desserts; and finally, to my older brother’s house to cap off the evening with just our friends.

That was one full night, indeed; however, as family

dynamics changed, so did that tradition as well. As for my children, there was one Christmas Day when my five-year-old son was surprised to find a special gift under the tree that he hadn’t even asked for. He had spent the last year and a half playing Pajama Sam and Sly Cooper computer games on my personal computer. But on this day, he would open up his very own laptop, already set up with his favorite games and ready for him to begin playing immediately. My wife and I will never forget the look on his face when he saw the box and, without his saying a word, tears began to fall gently down his cheeks as he realized what it was. Then quickly his smile widened as he pulled the laptop out of the box and jumped up in excitement! And finally, there was the time we relished the children’s reaction to a video on Christmas morning showing where mommy had hidden in the dining room and secretly video-taped Santa when he came in the front door with his bag of toys to put under the tree. How fortunate she was to be in the right place at just the right time!

The interesting thing about these memories, though, for me at least, is that as I grow older it’s not the gift that I remember the most, it’s something else entirely. It was the look on my young children’s faces when they saw what Santa had brought them under the tree. It was the excitement of putting out cookies and milk, and spreading reindeer food. It’s watching my wife as she tears up while opening some sentimental gift I gave her. It’s also sharing this most treasured time with extended family and friends, and enjoying their company as they so graciously share their time with me and my family as well. No sir, it’s not about the presents I receive; for me it’s all about the joy that being with all these wonderful people in my life brings to me. Those are the memories that stick with me the most.

So, as we all go about our business of shopping and cooking, and all the other myriad of things we have to do this season, here’s hoping you will create and experience even more favorite holiday memories, and ones that will stay with you forever. You never know where they’ll come from next.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, everyone!

To comment visit: www.theviewfrommysection.com 82 • forsythfamilymagazine.com

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A Health Champion On and Off the Field

By Sarah Fedele

“I want to encourage other kids to exercise and eat healthy...If kids can be healthy now and have healthy habits as we grow, there is less chance of heart disease as we get older.”

aitlyn East of Clemmons is only 12 years old, but she is an inspiration!

On October 17th, she was called onto the stage of the American Heart Association’s Tanglewood Heart & Stroke Walk at Tanglewood Park to receive her award as the 2015 Kids’ Lifestyle Change Award Winner.

K

When she was in kindergarten, Kaitlyn began participating with the Jerry Long YMCA’s afterschool program. At six years old, she also started playing soccer at the YMCA. With two older brothers, Dallas and Dalton, who also played soccer, she has always been quite active. Now, she is a 7th-grader at Clemmons Middle School and is excited to try out for the school soccer team this spring. “I’m really looking forward to soccer this year, with it being co-ed teams,” shares Kaitlyn. “I’m used to playing with my brothers and we get pretty aggressive. It will be fun to be able to bring that competitiveness to the field.” She plays any position that her coach asks her to, but she admits that offense is her favorite. “I love to actually be able to score a goal,” she says.

Kaitlyn has not only made points in soccer, but she has made points in life. She has taken part in the YMCA’s Fitness Club, with physical and 84 • forsythfamilymagazine.com

nutritional components. She also walks with her grandmother every afternoon. Kaitlyn’s self-esteem and confidence has increased as she has gotten healthier. She values her health and encourages other young kids to get moving and get healthy.

helping them lose weight or get in better physical shape; it is also about improving their self-esteem, rewarding positive changes and celebrating those children in Greater Forsyth County that are establishing heart-healthy habits for life.

Kaitlyn loves to cook, with one of her favorite meals being broccoli casserole, which her mom, Kristin, taught her to cook. Bananas and green beans are some more of her favorites to snack on after school. She also always has a water bottle with her.

More than 4,500 people participated in the American Heart Association’s Tanglewood Heart & Stroke Walk, locally sponsored by Wake Forest Baptist Health, raising $450,000 for heart disease and stroke research, and prevention education in our community. To learn more heart-healthy tips for your family, visit www.heart.org.

When Kristin, Kaitlyn’s mom, began focusing on exercising more and eating healthy, the whole family started focusing on their health even more. Being a good role model is just one more way families get healthy together.

“I want to encourage other kids to exercise and eat healthy,” says Kaitlyn. “You have a higher metabolism when you are younger, and it slows down as you get older. If kids can be healthy now and have healthy habits as we grow, there is less chance of heart disease as we get older.”

Today about 1 in 3 children in the United States is already overweight or obese. Some experts believe our current generation of children could become the first in American history to have shorter life spans than their parents, due to decreased physical activity and poor nutritional choices. Helping children fight childhood obesity is not just about

Twelve Days of Christmas Workout

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erry Christmas! What better way to fight the holiday bulge than with a festive and fun workout! Think of the tune "The Twelve Days of Christmas" and you'll get the idea! As you perform each exercise, add the ones prior to it. By the end of your workout you will have built your way up to the 12th day and repeated each exercise multiple times. Have fun with this creative and challenging workout!

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Small Stories for a Big World

By Kim Underwood ince the late ‘70s, I have had jobs that call for wearing a tie to workday to deal with the question of what shirt and tie to wear. I pick work. Over the years, I have acquired a lot of ties. out a shirt and tie, iron the shirt, take a shower, get dressed and I’m on my way.

Some I bought. I never paid serious money for a tie. If I bought one new, you can rest assured that it was on the discount rack. Some ties Inevitably, I fell into ruts. For certain shirts, I thought only of certain I bought used at such places as the Goodwill store in Walkertown. ties. Also inevitably, some ties fell by the wayside. There was a time For reasons unknown to me, it often has really appealing ties. when the tie that pictures the Cat in the Hat tipping his hat while standing in a front of shelves of books was one of my favorites.

Some were gifts. One of my favorites is the hula-dancer tie that I couldn’t tell you the last time I wore that.

Sparkle Girl hand-painted for a birthday. Other favorites include the tie with an aboriginal-sand-painting print that my mother bought for In recent days, Garnet and Sparkle Girl have changed all that. One me when she went to Australia to see my sister Dawn, and the black- day, I was wondering aloud about what shirt and tie I should wear, and-white Dalmatian tie that my friend Susan gave me. when Garnet and Sparkle Girl asked whether I would like for them to pick out my shirt and tie.

As it happens, my collection could include ties that once belonged to my grandfather, Daddy Ralph. Unfortunately, it doesn’t. After he Sure. died, we were cleaning out his house, and I found a dresser filled They came back with a shirt and a tie that would never have crossed with brand-new clothing that his grandchildren and others had given my mind to put together. “Huh,” I thought, “I didn’t know you were him as gifts over the years. One drawer was filled with shirts still allowed to combine those colors.” They looked good together, folded and held together with pins. One drawer was filled with ties. though.

At the time, I did not yet wear ties to work. Nobody else wanted them It turned out that they enjoyed picking out my shirt and tie and, since either, so we donated all the ties. I still think about those ties then, they have taken it upon themselves to do it for every work day. sometimes and wonder whether I missed out on any fabulous ones.

They do it the night before, so, in the morning, all I have to do is Not that I need any more ties. I just counted and I own 71 ties. plug in the iron and get to work.

In our house, places to hang things are at a premium, and I keep the Ties that I haven’t thought about in ages have appeared. Once, they ties on racks that hang on the back of the closet door in Doobins’ paired a tie I was not particularly fond of with a shirt that made it room. He doesn’t seem to mind. If he decides he needs the back of snap. Completely changed my opinion about it. the door for something of his, I will just have to figure out something A part of my life that was once mundane is now fresh again. else.

S

Until recently, it has been my practice to wait until the morning of a

I like it.

Kim Underwood can be found online at www.hisdogness.com To see more of Garnet Goldman's art, go to www.garnetgoldman.com 86 • forsythfamilymagazine.com

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Bullying

By Stacy Leighton and Lisa S.T. Doss

P

arenting is hard. Kids don’t come with how-to manuals. And when it comes to parenting our kids, one size does not fit all. All clichés. And alltoo true. “Parenting Perspectives” explores various parenting topics from the perspective of two parents who are at different stages in their parenting career. This month, Lisa and Stacy both explore the topic of technology. Lisa is mom to a 5-year-old daughter and felt privileged to have two years with her son. Stacy is a mom to a 24-year-old daughter and 19-year-old son.

(By Stacy Leighton) Boys, girls, bullies and Mama Bears—well, now, that is a tough one. Thankfully, I have not had a child who is a bully—but each has been bullied and in very different ways. Girls who bully tend to be more subtle—but don’t be fooled, their cuts are social and emotional and can run deep. Boys bully more overtly; they can be verbally and physically humiliating, and just as hurtful. And the way our boys and girls handle this is also as different as night and day.

Being new to town, I was thrilled when Samantha met Barbara on the first day of 7th grade. Barbara was a lovely little girl; however, her other friend (we’ll call her Jane) didn’t want Samantha spending lunch with “her” friend. It started with mocking my daughter in class and quickly escalated into “accidentally” bumping into her every chance she got. She told me right away. That’s when I came face to face with my Mama Bear. I had to swallow hard, pretend to be rational—after all, I’m supposed to be a role model, right? I asked her what she thought we should do. She decided to speak to the assistant principal, who called all of the girls in to a conference to talk it out. That seemed to work. She felt great about it, and I was (am still) very proud of her.

When my son was in 5th grade, also a new kid, I found out he was being bullied. He never told me; apparently there is a “boy code”; they don’t rat on each other, no matter what. I told him that being bullied was not okay and that boundaries are good. He didn’t want me to get involved. We talked about some things he might try and agreed that if it was not resolved in two weeks, I would have to get involved. He ignored the boy when he could, and when he couldn’t, he told him to stop. It turns out, the boy didn’t have any friends and strangely had decided he wanted to be Tucker’s friend. I never would have guessed. My son taught that boy how to be a better friend. And they still are. Who knew?

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(By Lisa S.T. Doss) A few days ago, I finished listening to J.A. White's first novel, The Thickety: A Path Begins. The author has created a wonderful protagonist in Kara Westfall, a girl of twelve who is kind, loyal and respectful. Since her mother's death at the age of five, Kara has quickly accepted the responsibilities of housework and homework while caring for her father and younger brother. As the heroine in the story, Kara's determination and strength constantly amazed me.

While this is her private side, the pages reveal examples of how she endures verbal and physical brutality by her townspeople and peers.

The antagonist, a girl named Grace Stone, is also twelve. From the outside, she appears smart and benevolent; however, to the reader, Grace has a dark side, a brutal nature that feeds on power.

How often in the news do we hear stories about girls like Kara and Grace? A private life made public for the need of power and control.

Looking back just two years ago, my daughter desperately wanted friends and endured harsh treatment in exchange for acceptance.

Even when her playmate was told to stop, she herself felt the need to apologize. Through conversation and teachable moments, Sayre finally understood and could ask an adult for help. Now, at five, my daughter can distinguish between kind and mean acts, and stand up for herself.

Conversation, coupled with stories themed around friendship, is necessary to help guide our daughters through questionable friendships and, most importantly, how to recognize a character like Grace Stone.

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www.mooreselfstorage.com December 2015 • 89

The Tale f the Tablet

By Robin Bowers Harden

B

eing the mother of three boys, I have learned to gather Christmas lists early, and then attack them with abandon. This past Christmas, my youngest, Alec, put two items at the top of his list, a tablet and a scooter.

We were spending Thanksgiving on the Outer Banks, where Alec and his Dad were chasing red fish. Last year, after a marathon day of fishing, Alec dashed through the door screaming, “Hey Dad, I can’t feel my hands!” Now, there is not a fish in this world worth getting frostbite to catch, so I do what I do best--I shop.

The day after Thanksgiving, I opened my laptop, grabbed my lists, a glass of iced tea, and my reading glasses, because I am not a young mother. While less experienced mothers stormed the stores, looking for great deals, I settled down with a view of the blue Atlantic. No circling the mall in search of a parking space, I had everything I needed, including a great view.

Beginning an extensive study of tablets, I found an array of colors, costs and sizes. I ordered an inexpensive tablet, perfect for an eleven-year old boy, guaranteed delivery within ten days. Feeling rather smug, I watched waves crash on the beach.

Ten days later, excitement mounted as I opened up an e-mail from the tablet store, ready to prance in and pick up my order. “Oh, no!” The tablet I had researched so thoroughly was not going to be here before Christmas. “How did this happen?” There I was on the Outer Banks, thinking that while others were waiting for stores to open, I would be home baking cookies.

I grabbed the car keys, while praying there was at least one tablet left in town. I circled the parking lot of a discount store, and skidded to a stop when I reached the electronics department. People were everywhere, peering into display cases, watching ten televisions at once; but worst of all were the people standing in front of the tablets.

One lonely guy worked behind the sign labelled, “Electronics,” and he looked like he was considering tearing off his name tag and making a break for it. It was imperative that I get to him quickly.

I pride myself on being a youthful older mom, but it doesn’t hurt to play the age card. I sort of limped toward him after first running my

90 • forsythfamilymagazine.com

fingers through my hair and plopping glasses on my head. Next, I made eye contact and croaked, “Young man, I really need your help. My son has asked for a tablet for Christmas. I ordered one from your store, but it is not coming.” I kind of drew out that sentence just to insure he understood the gravity of the situation.

Ignoring the people giving me dirty looks, I described the tablet. He pulled tablets from the case, none of which looked familiar, but given the crowd, I quickly selected one.

Thanking the flustered young man, I rushed home to wrap it, thinking to myself this one was a better deal anyway.

On Christmas Day, our son’s enthusiasm upon opening the tablet overshadowed its arrival…until twenty days later when the little tablet quit. Alec tried charging it. I knew I could charge it, because after all this, it’s obvious that nothing gets past me. Right!

I returned to the store.

I approached the customer service clerk explaining that the tablet had died. Behind the counter, among carts of returned items, she pointed to a big sign with small letters that said, “Electronics cannot be returned after fifteen days.”

I looked at her aghast, raised my voice so those around would be sure to hear, “You mean you sell things made to last only fifteen days!” A small crowd began to gather. Pulling out my reading glasses, I looked at the receipt and stammered, “Well, that must be what it says way down here.

Could I speak to your boss, please?”

The crowd grew as the Customer Service manager verified the “No return” policy. However, soon the store manager worked his way through the mass announcing, “You can return it.” Thanking the Manager, I scooted to electronics, where I again found things busy. A multitude of tablets dotted the shelves. This time, as I climbed into my car, a two-year maintenance agreement stuck out from the box of a tablet identical to the original one I had ordered.

When I arrived home, I tiptoed into my room, where I wrapped the tiny tablet and placed it next to our sleeping son. The next morning, when he woke up, I heard him exclaim, “Santa realized he made a mistake. This is the tablet I really wanted!”

Who says that miracles happen only at Christmas?

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December Issue 2015 • 91

here are so many crafting ideas available at this time of year that narrowing it down to one was a trial in and of itself! I finally concluded that an Advent calendar would be both a fun and useful option. Of course, with the many ways to create an Advent calendar, it took a lot more thinking to narrow down the myriad of selections once again!

You will need: • picture frame (pictured is an eleven-by-fourteen frame) • ribbon • brown bag paper • small clips (pictured with decorative snowflakes and trees, found at the dollar store) • large ornament • twine • candy (or whatever item you choose to place in the bags) • staple gun • scissors • adhesive • marker

Advent is the beginning of the Christmas season. The word “advent” is Latin, meaning “coming” or “arrival,” representing to the Christian community the approach of the birth of Jesus and the fulfillment of the prophecies regarding that event, as well as the awaiting of the Second Coming. For centuries, Advent has been a time of spiritual reflection. Even as the holiday season has become more secular, Advent still brings joy and the observance of familial customs and cultural traditions.

2.Stretch the twine across the frame, in three lines, using the staple gun to attach the twine to the back of the frame.

T

An Advent calendar is an item bearing twenty-four small doors or bags, one to be opened each day from December 1st through December 24th. Each opening contains a surprise...anything from a picture or poem to a small gift or candy.

This popular ritual arose in Germany during the late 1800s and soon spread over time to Europe and North America. Considered a fun way of counting down the days until Christmas, many Advent calendars today have no religious aspect to them at all, unlike the ones in the past.

Since the holidays can be a time when wallets are exceptionally light, I decided to provide a very inexpensive option. The materials for this cost ten dollars! I found the frame at a thrift store for three dollars. The other items were purchased at a dollar store (except for the scissors, adhesive, staple gun and marker, since I already had those available at home). Putting it all together was an extremely pleasant experience, and it now graces my living room wall to count down the days of the season 92 • forsythfamilymagazine.com

By Robin White Ellis

Craft

Corner

Holiday

Instructions: 1.Wrap the decorative ribbon around the frame, using the adhesive as you go.

3.I made my own bags, using the brown bag paper and the adhesive. It is also a good idea to use small pre-made bags.

4.Number your bags, using a marker or stickers.

5.Place the small item you have chosen (I used candy) into each bag.

6.Hook the bags onto the twine with the small clips.

7.Embellish your calendar with the large ornament you chose, placing it at the bottom of the frame with the staple gun.

And there you have your own DIY Advent Calendar! Depending on each embellishment, there are countless looks to create.

Whether you opt for the traditional colors of red and green or go out on a limb with monochrome items, there is no wrong way to make your own calendar. You may choose to go above and beyond these instructions with bows in the corners, or bypainting your frame instead of wrapping it. Make it unique to your household and, most importantly, have a great time doing so!

Celebrating Ten Years of

passion. power. purpose.

T

hrough the power of collective giving by more than 800 members, The Women’s Fund

of Winston-Salem awarded nearly $108,000 at our 2015 Tenth Annual Luncheon.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS YEAR ’ S GRANT RECIPIE N T S :

El Buen Pastor Latino Community Services Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County Imprints Cares Old Town Elementary Planned Parenthood South Atlantic

The Women’s Fund of Winston-Salem brings together women who care about the economic and social well-being of women and girls in Forsyth County. Whether their passion is education, economic security, health and safety, or leadership, these women have come together to translate that passion into positive action through the power of collective giving. Over the past nine years, we have granted over $1.2 million to organizations working to improve the lives of women and girls in Forsyth County.

We are a community of passionate women creating social change.

Join us Become a member of The Women’s Fund and vote on who receives our grants next year. For more information about membership, contact Sabrina Slade at 336.714.3468

a community of passionate women creating social change

or sabrina.slade@wsfoundation.org.

womensfundws.org December Issue 2015 • 93

EmErgEncy Kits — HOLIDAY SURVIVAL KIT —

By Lindsay Craven

mergency kits might inspire fear at the first mention of their name, but they aren’t necessarily tied to instances of disaster. Thanks to handy sites like Pinterest and Etsy there’s inspiration for ways to create kits for both real emergencies or for those little emergencies that life throws at us daily. This column will explore ideas of items that could be essential for various types of emergency kits so that you can be inspired and start your own. This month we’ll put together a kit that will help get you through one of the most stressful months of the year.

A light-hearted and fun sweater or shirt will help to keep your spirits high while you deal with the crowds in the stores, and while you’re baking and wrapping in preparation for the big day. Your apparel could also provide a pick-me-up for those you encounter during the holiday season.

E

Try to keep your kit in the spirit of the season, and this ought to be easy, as you’re sure to have some holiday gift bags lying around the house. If you make it look like a gift, no one will be nosing through your survival kit.

Christmas morning is a madhouse for most people, especially if there are children in the household. As the giftwrap flies across the room and toys are opened, you’ll need some tools to begin preparing the gifts for use. A Swiss Army Knife will provide all the tools you may need to open a gift, or quickly put together a toy, or open a battery compartment for toys or gadgets.

When bubble wrap just won’t do the trick, then the next step is a relaxing glass of wine or cider to wind down. At the end of a long day of shopping, or opening gifts and cleaning, you need to take a moment to yourself and reflect on the real meaning of the holidays.

Batteries are a necessity for Christmas morning. A variety of batteries is always recommended, because most of us fail to remember to look up the battery needs of all of our gifts until after they are wrapped and under the tree. Nothing is more disappointing than a toy or tech gadget that can’t be used for a day or two after it’s gifted.

94 • forsythfamilymagazine.com

Sometimes the stress can get overwhelming during the holidays, due to spending for gifts and preparing our homes for visiting family and friends.

To keep your nerves in check, grab yourself some bubble wrap to pop for those moments when the stress overwhelms you.

The last thing you want on the holidays is a nagging headache while you’re trying to entertain friends and family. There will inevitably be a headache at some point during the month, so it’s imperative to keep a stash of headache medicine on hand to get you through the holidays.

Photos of November KMO Event at Wake Forest Basketball at the Coliseum

96 • forsythfamilymagazine.com

Grab a Friend... and bring the kids for a morning of fun at

A BETHABARA CHRISTMAS

Saturday, December 5th 1:30-4:30 2147 Bethabara Road, Winston-Salem 27106 For questions about the event call, 336-924-8191

Join us…

Kids’ Morning Out in the “afternoon” and on “Saturday!” A FREE event for kids of ALL ages!

Be sure to bring your camera as Santa will be on hand for photo opportunities!

Enjoy music by Downtown Sound and others, see candles being made and experience other local Christmas traditions. As always, each adult attendee will receive four tickets for our fabulous prize board located in the Visitor’s Center.

These monthly events are hosted by

October Issue 2014 • 97

98 • forsythfamilymagazine.com

3 “Art is not a thing, it is a way.” ~Elbert Hubbard

1

Our f e a t u r e d a r t i s t s for this issue

1 Shaila Navarrete-Marin, 5th Grade, Forest Park Elementary Art Teacher: Natasha Crisp

2 Lydia Spears, 8th Grade, Southeast Middle Art Teacher: Diahann Betzner-Tabor,

3 Jasmine Martinez, 6th Grade, Meadowlark Middle Art Teacher: Heather Miles

4 Abbie Elmore, 11th Grade, WS/FCS Career Center Art Teacher: Shawn Beard 100 • forsythfamilymagazine.com

December Issue 2015 • 101

Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes

By Jonathan Auxier Genre: Fantasy Age Range: Intended for ages 8 to 12 Reviewed by Lisa S.T. Doss The story begins with “drunken sailors” spotting a baby “bobbing on the water” with his eyes gouged out and a raven sitting on top of his head. Immediately, the reader may think the tale will improve, but, unfortunately, it doesn’t. The boy, an orphan named Peter Nimble, lives several years of his life trained to be a thief, in order to be fed. By chance, Peter meets a traveling haberdasher who bestows on him a box of six pairs of magical “fantastic eyes.” This man provides Peter an opportunity to go on a quest. Since it takes seven chapters to understand the story’s purpose, both the adventures of Peter Nimble and the reader will require perseverance. Eventually, the reader may be reminded of the Grimm fairy tales and a darker storyline of Roald Dahl’s stories.

While the story is intended for eight- to twelve-year-olds, the descriptions of several scenes are not appropriate for young audiences. However, if you seek a grand adventure, a Peter Pan-esque book, I recommend instead Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson's Peter and the Starcatchers series.

If I Were a Monkey

By Anne Wilkinson for Jellycat Genre: Fiction Age Range: Baby/Toddler Emily Eileen Carter I got this fun touch-and-feel book while on a work trip away from my son. This fun monkey book has a fuzzy face and furry tail curling off its final page. I knew this was a must for my son, who is obsessed with monkeys.

This sweet book depicts monkey body parts with different textures. From a silky tail to a velvety tummy, your little one will enjoy touching, feeling and learning while you read to him or her!

First 100 Numbers Bright baby-priddy books Genre: Nonfiction Age Range: Baby/toddler Emily Eileen Carter This book makes the perfect Christmas present. In fact, we received this as a holiday gift last year from my sister-in-law, who has two boys.

She knew just the right learning book for a little boy who would soon become obsessed with trucks, balls, food and animals. The bright pictures and lettering in this book takes your toddler from counting trucks, fruit and trains to counting and naming the different parts of the body. Not only are the pictures vibrant and engaging, but each page is filled with different ways to count some of your toddler’s first sight-words. This book is fun and learning-guaranteed!

102 • forsythfamilymagazine.com

Melinda

December Issue 2015 • 103

Celebrate Life!

Congratulations Ashley & Phillip Epperly Married October 30th, 2015

LET FORSYTH FAMILY SHOUT OUT YOUR BIRTHDAY OR SPECIAL EVENT! ($50 to include up to 3 photos and 50-word caption.)

Email Denise@ForsythMags.com for deadlines and to make payment arrangements.

Wishing you a Happily Ever After!

Laura Phelan & Mark Saine 10-17-15

The world became a better place 75 years ago!

Happy Birthday Terry & Jerry Coats!

“Out & About” in Winston-Salem

Victory Junction Camp

Donate and Give the Gift of Childhood to a Seriously Ill Child

By Susan Woodall

M

ost of us have wonderful childhood memories. Carefree days, riding bikes, playing with friends, soccer games, kickball, running, hiking -- just being a kid. Summers were the best. Many will remember going away to camp. It was exciting to be in a new environment, making new friends, learning new skills and participating in all types of fun activities. When we grew up, we looked forward to having our children enjoy these same experiences.

Those dreams and your entire world are turned upside down, however, when your child is diagnosed with a serious or life-threatening illness. Instead of ballet class and baseball games, your schedule is one of doctor visits, surgeries and hospital stays. It is estimated that 15-18% of children in the United States suffer from a chronic illness -- a heartbreaking statistic. Every child deserves a chance to be a child. For many parents that pray and struggle daily to be able to provide equipment or experiences that would allow their ailing children to be more mobile or independent, the reality is they simply do not have the resources.

An “old soul” as his brother Austin described him, Adam Petty, at the age of 18, visited Camp Boggy Creek in Florida (a SeriousFun Camp founded by Paul Newman) in 1999 with his dad, Kyle. Adam knew it was his calling to bring a similar camp to North Carolina. Spending much of his time off the racetrack at pediatric hospitals visiting children with challenging medical conditions, he began saving money and working on plans for the children’s camp. Tragically, Adam died at age 19 in a racing accident, never seeing his dream come to fruition.

Working through their grief, to honor and keep Adam’s memory alive, the Petty family reached out to friends and the NASCAR community to help them build a place where seriously ill children could forget about being sick for a time. With 84 acres of land in Randleman donated by Richard and Lynda Petty, the family spearheaded a capital campaign in 2002. The first campers arrived in June of 2004.

Victory Junction is a not-for-profit camp that is accredited by the American Camping Association and a member of SeriousFun Children’s Network. The mission of Victory Junction is “to enrich the lives of children with chronic medical conditions or serious illness by providing life-changing camp experiences that are exciting, fun and empowering; all in a medically sound environment at no cost to the camper or his or her family.” In order to do this, Victory Junction relies on individual and corporate donations to meet its five-million-dollar annual budget.

Timothy and Michelle Welborn recently hosted a fundraiser dinner to benefit Victory Junction. Their daughter, Lilly, was diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome as an infant. Now an eleven year old, Lilly has spent much of her life in and out of hospitals, being monitored 24 hours and taking nine different drugs daily. How could she possibly go to camp?

According to the website, “Victory Junction provides the highest standard of care for every child who enters its gates. Our medical team at Victory Junction, led by a board certified pediatrician as well as a nurse practitioner, meticulously review each child’s medical record to ensure a continuum of care and that all the activities for the campers are medically appropriate. The Body Shop, Victory Junction’s state-of-the-art medical facility and pharmacy are equipped to handle campers’ everyday medical needs in addition to emergency situations.”

For Lilly, this was the first time she had ever been anywhere by herself. The Welborns waited for the phone call from Victory Junction to come back for her, but the call never came. Lilly refers to Victory Junction as “my camp.” The smiles from the children that attend this camp say they all feel this is “their camp.”

“By supporting Victory Junction, you are supporting something unique that a child with medical needs can’t find anywhere else,” said Timothy Welborn. “No matter how hard parents try, how much they wish and hope, without a place like Victory Junction, children like Lilly just wouldn’t have a place to go.”

In this season of giving, what better gift is there to give than a donation to the Victory Junction Camp? A donation will give a seriously ill child from ages 6-16 the opportunity to just be a child and provide smiles all around!

For more information about making a donation, how to apply or to learn more about the camp, visit the website at www.victoryjunction.org.

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Tanglewood Pizza Co. Opens in Advance

By Meghan E.W. Corbett t seems that every family has its favorite pizza place. There are so many variations to this iconic dish, but many of them just don’t quite hit the spot. Sometimes, the perfect spot is just too far from home to be a weekly staple. That’s how Donny Smith and his friends felt when discussing the need for a great pizza place a little closer to home.

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“Tanglewood Pizza Co. started as a bunch of golfers and friends alike seeing a need for a place to get good down-to-earth food and craft beer without having to drive into Winston-Salem,” said Smith, Executive Chef and General Manager of Tanglewood Pizza Co. “There was a void in the Advance area for something like this and, when the venue formerly known as Classic’s Sports Grille closed, and the space became available, the plan shortly emerged to fill that void.”

“We are working with Foothills Brewery (among other great vendors) to start our craft beer list for our opening date and we have some great ideas for our first list of 25 beers on tap we will offer,”

There is a growing number of establishments focusing on quality, local ingredients and a real farmto-table menu, and Smith knew he wanted Tanglewood Pizza Co. to offer the same quality to its customers in Advance. “We are different and unique to the area because of what drives us: clean simple food in a traditional Neapolitan Italian oven that will include farm-to-table pizzas, small plates and salads with all the emphasis being on farmed meats and veggies,” said Smith. “Our oven was specifically tailored and handcrafted in Italy and shipped directly to us. It is a wood fire oven and is capable of cooking a pizza in 90 seconds. Buying and supporting local is a very important process that we take pride in. There is something surreal about being at a farm watching it grow from a seed with hard work and love to a few short months away, having its beautiful aromas fill your restaurant. Not only that, but you can literally taste the difference. We want to support as many local farms, breweries and small businesses as we possibly can to help our community grow together.”

Most pizza places offer a generic beer and wine list, but Tanglewood Pizza Co. is different. “We are working with Foothills Brewery (among other great, reputable vendors) to start our craft beer list for our opening date, and we have some great ideas for our first list of 25 beers on tap we will offer,” said Smith. “Working with Foothills has been amazing so far; you can easily tell how much care and appreciation goes into the quality of beer they provide and the great friends we have made with them already.”

The opening of Tanglewood Pizza Co. is something the residents of Advance have been waiting for! “Our vision with Tanglewood Pizza Co. is to grow and expand into something our area of Advance has been deprived of for too long,” said Smith. “Not only do we want to succeed, but we want to flourish with this venture. Who knows, maybe even expand down the road and bring this amazing concept to another town somewhere else that may be in need. Perhaps slightly ambitious to say already, but that is the compassion that we all share about this concept. I believe that once our patrons experience the love and dedication to our venue, down to the small details and friendly, knowledgeable staff, they will instantly know firsthand what sets us apart from anything that they have ever experienced.”

Tanglewood Pizza Co. is located at 5539 US Highway 158 in Advance. For more information, including job inquiries, e-mail tanglewoodpizzaco@gmail.com, follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/tanglewoodpizza, or call 336.941.3974.

108 • forsythfamilymagazine.com

your next purchase of $10.00 or more.

Gift Cards Available.

Valid Tues-Thurs Only Expires 12/31/15

Opening Soon!

__________ __________

Christina’s Dessertery

$

5 off $25

or more purchase

Check Facebook for More info!

Expires 12/31/15. One coupon per customer.

336-712-0300 4926 Country Club Rd. Winston Salem, NC

1483 River Ridge Dr. Clemmons, NC 27012

336-529-6230 www.macandnellisws.com

(Next to Mario's Pizza and Full Moon Oyster Bar.)

51 Wiches 60+ Toppings Your Way!

Omega House Family Restaurant

FREE DRINK & CHIPS WITH THE PURCHASE OF A WICH Expires 12/31/15 Winston-Salem 947 Hanes Mall Blvd.

336.765.0705

Make Your Valentine’s Reservations Now! Phoenix Grille

Steaks, Seafood, Pasta & More Patio|Dining for All| Occasions!

Breakfast Lunch |Catering Dinner | Dessert Midtown Market 420-U Jonestown Road | Winston-Salem 151 S. Stratford Road | Winston-Salem, NC 27104 New Town Shopping Center 336.724.9800 | MidtownCafeWS.com

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www.NewTownBistro.com | 336.659.8062

Bundt Birthdays!

Free dessert with a $6.00 purchase

5539 US Highway 158 Advance,NC 336.941.3974 • @TanglewoodPizza

House Family HonkyOmega Tonk Smokehouse Restaurant

Honky Tonk Smokehouse

One coupon per customer. Expires 12/31/15 Open Tuesday – Saturday 11 AM – 8 PM 145 Jonestown Road Winston-Salem, NC 27104

336-794-2270 www.HonkyTonkSmokehouse.com

678 St. George Square Winston Salem · (beside Carmax) (336) 306-9146

Owners – Sam and Susan Platt

NOTHINGBUNDTCAKES.COM

YOUR AD

HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT US AT:

ROBIN@FORSYTHMAGS.COM | 336-782-0331

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mega House

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL! 2-EGG BACON OMELET $3.99 Christina’s Dessertery Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Fresh homemade buttermilk biscuits!

336-724-5262 1498 Peters Creek Parkway • Winston-Salem www.omegahouserestaurant.com 6am-8pm M-Th, 6am-8:30 F & Sat., and 7am-2pm Sun.

On Family Friendly Dining • Savings On Family Friendly Dining • Savings On Family Friendly Dining • Savi

Open Daily for Lunch & Dinner

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Family Friendly Dining• Dining•Savings On Family Friendly Dining • Savings On Family Friendly Dining

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December Issue 2015 • 109

Business Bulletin Board ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS HERE | 888.892.3204

CAROLINA CHARACTERS

MORGA HOUSE KEEPING & SERVICES We Treat You Right

A theatrical entertainment company that offers your favorite Movie Characters, Princesses, Superheroes, Clowns, and even Villains for hire.

thecarolinacharacters@gmail.com 336-414-3051 | carolina-characters.com

3350 S. Stratford Rd. Winston-Salem, NC 27103 Phone: English (336) 575-4669 Spanish: (336) 247-9749

336.499.1974 336.499.1974

FreshAirCarpetCare.com

• Very Low Moisture Cleaning Techniqu your carpets & upholsteery are dry in 1 hour or le

• Bio-Based Natural Cleaning Agents • Mattttress Cleaning & Sanitizing • Female Owned & Family Operated Quality Work at Competitive Prices

336-399-3873

Chrystal.Yates@Allentate.com www.allentate.com/ChrystalYates

110 • forsythfamilymagazine.com

• 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 ~

Harry Dawson “Certified Arborist”

Dawson Tree Service 345-2572 • 766-1169 • DawsonTreeService.com

December Issue 2015 • 111

December Calendar of Family Events NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 24 DEWEY’S HOLIDAY STORE 10am-6pm, Tanglewood Commons. Holiday store to benefit all seven band programs at West Forsyth High School in Clemmons. Featuring all your Dewey's Bakery holiday favorites including Moravian sugar cake, cookies and many other holiday items. Located near Harris Teeter.

NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 29 POLO PAINTERS ART SHOW AND SALE 2-4pm, Lewisville Public Library. The Polo Painters is a group that paints together each week.

PA PARADES RADES

NOW THROUGH JANUARY 3 “FROM HERE TO THERE” EXHIBIT AT SCIWORKS

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10am-4pm, 400 West Hanes Mill Road in W-S. Discover the laws of gravity and motion as you float on a hovercraft chair, move your boat through a canal lock system, send colored balls zooming through air tubes and lift weights using pulleys, levers, pneumatics and hydraulics! www.sciworks.org

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NOW THROUGH JANUARY 30 REMEMBERING JOHN BIGGERS (1924-2001) 6-8pm, 2611 New Walkertown Road in W-S. An exhibition of prints and drawings by Dr. John T. Biggers, an African American muralist, painter, educator and native of Gastonia. Exhibit features works from WS Delta Fine Arts' permanent collection and other collections statewide. www.deltaartscenter.org

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NOW THROUGH FEBRUARY 29 ICEVENTURE RETURNS TO THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF WINSTONSALEM

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11:30am-12:30pm, 390 South Liberty Street in W-S. Join us, caregivers and little ones, for a time to read, sing and play while learning signs to enhance tiny voices and communication! Appropriate for all ages -- best for nine months to three years. www.childrensmuseumofws.org

DECEMBER 2 YMCA HOLIDAY EXPO & CRAFT SHOW 9am-1pm, 1150 South Peacehaven Road in Clemmons.

Children's book author, Michele Marlene Manderine, will be at the show with her one-of-a-kind pet afghans, photo greeting cards featuring "Remi, The Ragdoll," hand-drawn whimsical cat greeting cards and pet toys.

DECEMBER 3 MUTT-I-GREES® IN THE LIBRARY STORYTIME 11am-12pm, 390 South Liberty Street in W-S. This exciting initiative builds on children’s affinity for animals and highlights the unique characteristics and desirability of shelter pets – Mutt-i-grees® – to teach essential social and emotional skills. www.childrensmuseumofws.org/programscamps/programs

HOSPITAL HOW-TO: PLANNING, STAGING AND PACKING FOR YOUR BIRTH 6-8pm, 2909 Maplewood Avenue in W-S. Learn how to plan for your birth preferences, prepare yourself by understanding the different stages of labor and pack an easy-to-carry hospital bag in this two-hour class. Cost: $25/couple. www.birthsandbeginnings.com

DECEMBER 4-21 DECK THE HALLS – FINE CRAFTS & ART SALE AT SAWTOOTH

9am-4pm, 390 South Liberty Street in W-S. The return of IceVenture, the seasonal favorite exhibit, is forecast at the Children’s Museum of Winston-Salem! www.childrensmuseumofws.org

10am-7pm, 251 North Spruce Street in W-S. Sawtooth's annual sale of fine crafts and art features more than 75 local and regional artists and craftsmen. Find pottery, jewelry, paintings, ornaments, furniture, stained glass, soaps, cards and more. Free and open to the public. www.sawtooth.org/deck-the-halls

NOW THROUGH MAY 15 (THIRD SUNDAYS EXCEPT DECEMBER 20) GIRLS’ NITE IN

DECEMBER 5 SANTA PAWS – HUMANE SOCIETY OF DAVIE COUNTY (see pg16)

6-8pm, 323 Hopkins Road in Kernersville. A program empowering teen girls to make wise choices through addressing life-altering issues and negative cultural influences, thereby providing the tools to rescue them from self-destructive behavior. Offering a place of refuge and hope. http://girlsnitein.publishpath.com

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DECEMBER 1 & 15 SINGING AND SIGNING

NOW THROUGH JUNE 2 CENTRAL TRIAD HOME EDUCATORS – MIDDLE SCHOOL CO-OP CLASSES 9am-2pm, 2935 Cole Road in W-S. Cost: $10/child per class. www.CentralTriadChurch.com

11am-2pm, Dero’s, 2671 Lewisville-Clemmons Rd, Clemmons. 20% off purchase in store with paid photo with Santa.

CHRISTMAS TREASURES SALE 8am-12pm, 3535 Spangenburg Avenue in Clemmons. All gently used holiday-related items including ornaments, lights and many other decorations. Half of the proceeds will be donated to the Clemmons Food Pantry. Call 766.9739 to donate items. Presented by Clemmons Moravian Church. clemmonsmoravian.org

GLENN HIGH SCHOOL HOLLY DAY

NOVEMBER 27 HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE – KERNERSVILLE MUSEUM

9am-3pm, 1600 Union Cross Road in Kernersville. Glenn High School will hold its 5th annual Holly Day with more than 100 vendors -- holiday décor, crafts, beauty product, jewelry, candles, clothing, stationery, children, babies, pets, plenty of food and much more!

5-7pm, 127 West Mountain Street. Santa will be on hand and holiday readings by the Kernersville Little Theater. Free event, accepting food and monetary donations for Crisis Control Ministry of Kernersville.

FIRST ANNUAL CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE AT LITTLE BLACK DRESS BOUTIQUE

DECEMBER 1 HOMESCHOOL/SMALL GROUP DAY AT SCIWORKS 10am-12pm, 400 West Hanes Mill Road in W-S. Special programs for home-educated children and other small groups. “Melting Pot” (grades K-4) at 10am and “Advanced Melting Pot” (grades 5-9) at 11am. Group admission rates apply, and pre‐registration is required.

Cost: $3-$5.50/person. Call 714.7105 to register. www.sciworks.org

10am-9pm, 5062 Peters Creek Parkway in W-S. Store specials, refreshments, door prizes, stocking stuffers, music, festival décor and much more! Happy hour begins at 4pm! Enjoy a fun night out with the girls! Sip and shop with wine tastings from local wineries! www.littleblackdressandmore@gmail.com

CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD IN KERNERSVILLE (See pg10) 1-6pm, Streets will be closed in the heart of downtown Kernersville for this annual event!

Check out our website for a complete Calendar Listing! www.forsythfamilymagazine.com 112 • forsythfamilymagazine.com

BETHABARA CHRISTMAS AND KIDS’ MORNING OUT (See pg29) 1:30-4:30pm, Historic Bethabara Park; 2147 Bethabara Road in W-S. An event for kids of all ages! Santa will be on hand, so bring your camera for photo opportunities!

Enjoy music by Downtown Sound and others, see candles being made and experience other local Christmas traditions. Free event! Each adult attendee will receive four tickets for our fabulous prize board.

STORYBOOK SHINDIGS: ON THE ROCKS 6-9pm, 390 South Liberty Street in W-S. Glide over to the Children’s Museum of Winston-Salem for our first-ever takeover evening of fun for grown-ups. Cost: $15/person. www.childrensmuseumofws.org/storybook-shindigs-onthe-rocks

DECEMBER 8 MONKEY HOOPER FITNESS 11am-12pm, 390 South Liberty Street in W-S. With Monkey Hooper, kids learn early that fitness should be fun! Enjoy structured activities like dancing, games, parachute play, obstacle courses and more. Children are also encouraged to eat the rainbow to fuel a healthy body and mind. www.childrensmuseumofws.org/programscamps/programs

GIRLS' NIGHT OUT 5pm…until! Muddy Creek Café and Muddy Creek Music Hall, 5455 Bethania Road in Bethania. Grab a friend, neighbor, co-worker, mother, sister, SOMEBODY and have a much need Girls’ Night Out. Enjoy live music and $4 house wines including chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and sauvignon blanc! Also, enjoy the best pimento cheese sandwich you’ll ever eat for just $5.99. Also, register for TONS of prizes and giveaways!

DECEMBER 10 NEWBORN KNOW-HOW 6-8pm, 2909 Maplewood Avenue in W-S. Learn care basics for your new little one. Learn tips for safe sleep, cord care, bath time and everything in between. Also, learn about infant cues! Bring your pad and paper for notes you may need at 2am. Registration required: $25/couple. www.piedmontdoulas.com

DECEMBER 11-12 NUTCRACKER presented by THE BALLET AND PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE (See pg18) Reynolds Auditorium DECEMBER 11 FESTIVE FAMILY FRIDAY AT SCIWORKS (see pg12) 4:30-8:30pm, 400 West Hanes Mill Road in W-S. For only $1/person (free for members), you can explore the museum, listen to live music, make holiday crafts, watch a festive planetarium laser show and meet some special guests…including Santa! www.sciworks.org

CONCERT: HOLIDAY POPS 7:30-8:30pm, 2250 Reynolda Road in W-S. The holidays wouldn’t be complete without the joyful sounds of Carolina Brass. From the elegance and grace of classical pieces to the hard-driving sound of the big band era, Carolina Brass takes audiences on a musical sleigh ride.

Cost: $10/members & students; $15/nonmembers.

DECEMBER 12 SWIMMING WITH MERMAIDS 10-10:45am, 1300 South Main Street in W-S. Join us for this special event of swimming fun. You will get to swim with mermaids, learn mermaid games, find sunken treasure and more! For all ages. Sign up at the Gateway YWCA. Cost: $20/person. www.ywcaws.org

ELF TEA PARTY 10:30am-12pm, Children’s Museum of WS, 390 South Liberty Street in W-S. It’s time for a little elf magic! Make your elf costume -- a felt cap with ears, bell necklace and rosy cheeks. Next, sing silly songs, enjoy story time and create elf-themed crafts! Cost: $15-$23/person.

DECEMBER 13 RAFFALDINI VINEYARDS: AN AFTERNOON OF HOLIDAY CHEER 1-4pm, 450 Groce Road in Ronda. Carol with the Raffaldini chorus, enjoy refreshments and a 3pm visit from the Italian Christmas character, La Befana. La Befana will read her story fireside for all to enjoy. Do some lastminute shopping, and take a picture by the Christmas tree. www.raffaldini.com

DECEMBER 16 ANGEL BEAR YOGA: CELEBRATE THE SEASON 11am-12pm, 390 South Liberty Street in W-S. Get ready for the holiday season. We'll read the book Jingle Bells as we travel around the world to see how children celebrate the holidays in other countries. Help spread peace around the world, and even have a visit from a furry friend! www.childrensmuseumofws.org/programscamps/programs

DECEMBER 19 LUNCH WITH SANTA 11am-1pm, 1210 Bolton Street in W-S. Bring your children to Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church to have lunch and their pictures taken with Santa Claus. There will also be a crafts table, games and story time.

DECEMBER 20 PLAY: “A CHRISTMAS MEMORY” 4-5pm, 2250 Reynolda Road in W-S. This two-decade long tradition continues this season, as Robin Voiers returns as Truman Capote’s older cousin, Sook, in an original adaptation of “A Christmas Memory,” Capote's tale of his own humble childhood holiday traditions. Cost: $10/members & students; $15/nonmembers.

DECEMBER 22-23 GINGERBREAD HOUSE WORKSHOP 10am-1pm, 390 South Liberty Street in W-S. Make and take a mini gingerbread house for $6.40 (fee includes tax). Build your creation with a mini milk carton, graham crackers, icing and a variety of sweet treats! Museum admission not included. www.childrensmuseumofws.org/programscamps/programs

DECEMBER 28 THE JOLLY LOLLIES CONCERT 11am-12pm, 390 South Liberty Street in W-S. Free with price of admission or museum membership. www.thejollylollies.com

DECEMBER 28-30 WINTER DAY CAMPS AT SCIWORKS 9am-4pm, 400 West Hanes Mill Road in W-S. Banish the post-holiday blues with science fun at these camps for ages 6-12. Cost: $40/SciWorks members; $45/nonmember. Visit www.sciworks.org for descriptions and registration information.

DECEMBER 31 NOON YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION 9am-2pm, 390 South Liberty Street in W-S. Happy New Year! Join us for a countdown to Noon Year’s Eve! Create your very own sound shaker in the art studio beginning at 10am. At 11:40am, we’ll gather together for fun songs, silly activities and a story time. www.childrensmuseumofws.org/programscamps/programs

DECEMBER 31-JANUARY 1 NEW YEAR’S EVENING 2016 CELEBRATION 9pm-2am, 6205 Ramada Drive in Clemmons. Get your New Year's Eve 2016 bubbly on at the Village Inn Event Center! Two ballrooms, two bands, two DJs and too much fun! Full cash bars. Cost: $30-$149.99. www.eventbrite.com/e/new-years-eve-2016-celebrationtickets-19384732256

Come out and watch your favorite NFL team and enjoy great food and drink specials!

Dining Specials & Events for December Monday & Wednesday - 35 Cent Wings Tuesday - Trivia Night @ 7:30 with prizes, and all you can eat Pasta $9.95 Thursday - LIve Sports Talk with Scott Hamilton 3-6pm Friday & Saturday Night - Our Famous Certified Angus Beef Prime Rib! Saturday Brunch & Sunday NFL Ticket 10 TV’s to catch every game!

Special Events 12/12 - Our One Year Anniversary 12/18 - Ugly Christmas Sweater Party 12/31 - New Years Eve Dinner & Party with the Invaders Live Music in November Every Monday - Mike Bustin 6-9pm Every Wednesday - Get Vocal Triad Karaoke 7-10pm 4th - Megan Doss 5th - Joey Whitaker 11th - Russ & John - Johnny Cash Tribute 12th - Knuckles Deep 18th - Mike Bustin 19th - Joey Whitaker 26th - Eddie Clayton & Will Jones 30th - Russ & John 31st - The Invaders Call Mac & Nelli’s for your next catered event.

336.529.6230 4926 Country Club Road Winston-Salem, NC 27104

macandnellisws.com M-Th 3-11pm | F-S 11am-Midnight Sunday Brunch 9am-9pm December Issue 2015 • 113

Advertiser Index Activities Ballet & Performing Arts Centre ................19 Legacy Saddlebreds..................................47 Salem Gymnastics....................................67 SciWorks..................................................13 Studio Create............................................91 Triad Eco Adventures.................................69 TRU Taekwondo ........................................27 United Tae Kwon Do Academy...................35 Bakery Christina’s Dessertery.....................107, 109 Nothing Bundt Cakes ................................71 Beauty / Styling V’s Barbershop .........................................21 Childcare Imprints....................................................35 YMCA.......................................................65 Churches Sunrise United Methodist Church..............76 Dentists / Orthodontists Chermak & Hanson...................................23 Kephart, DDS............................................71 Kingery & Kingery.....................................73 Salem Smiles ...........................................47 Southern Dental Associates ........................4 Tina S. Merhoff and Associates Pediatric Dentistry...................................................63 Education The Piedmont School................................67 St. John’s Lutheran School .......................79 Financial Truliant Federal Credit Union........Back Cover Framing Hampton House Art & Framing .................69 Health & Fitness C3 Fitness ................................................85 Gotta Get Thin.............................................7 Momentum Personal Training....................69 YMCA.......................................................65

114 • forsythfamilymagazine.com

Home Budget Blinds...........................................57 Chamberlain Place ...................................79 Dero’s ......................................................17 Homestead Hills .......................................41 Isenhour Homes .......................................37 JMR Landscaping .....................................89 Moore Self Storage...................................89 Salem Window & Doors............................65 Sonoma Building......................................59 Stitches....................................................87 Susan Maier-Colon - Berkshire Hathaway ..83 Home Medical Care Home Instead Senior Care ..........................5 Insurance Forsyth County Farm Bureau – Lewisville Office..........................................2 Ireland Insurance ......................................27 Landscaping JMR Landscaping .....................................89 Medical Cornerstone Health Care ...........................61 Forsyth Family Eye Care ...........................31 Home Instead Senior Care ..........................5 Lewisville Laser & Aesthetics ....................25 Lyndhurst Gynecological Associates .........49 Robinhood Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine ............................67 Summer Family Care ..................................9 Wake Forest Baptist Health Brenner Children’s Hospital ......................39 WomanCare..............................................79 Mental Health Old Vineyard Behavioral Health Services ...73 Pet Care Ruff Housing ............................................49 Photography Photo Artistry by Melinda........................103 Tracy Krell Photography ............................99 Radio Stations WBFJ .......................................................77 WMAG .....................................................95

Real Estate & Housing Chamberlain Place ...................................79 Homestead Hills .......................................41 Susan Maier-Colon - Berkshire Hathaway ..83 Restaurants Christina’s Dessertery.....................107, 109 Hakkachow Asian Eats ............................109 Honky Tonk Smokehouse ........................109 Mac & Nelli’s .................................109, 113 Midtown Café & Dessertery ....................109 Omega House.........................................109 Stratford Station Grill ..............................109 Tanglewood Pizza Grill ............................109 Which Wich............................................109 Retail Clemmons Bicycle ...................................87 Dero’s ......................................................17 Hip Chics Boutique...................................21 Honda of WS ......................................25, 31 New Balance.............................................11 Rolly’s Baby Boutique...............................33 Thruway Center.........................................37 Service 201 Media................................................91 Busy as a Bee Concierge ..........................83 Goin Postal ...............................................91 Lin Taylor Marketing Group .......................87 Nu expression.........................................111 Ruff Housing ............................................49 Triad Mac ...............................................103 Storage Moore Self Storage...................................89 Technology Nu expression.........................................111 Triad Mac ...............................................103 Upcoming Events A Bethabara Christmas..............................29 Disney on Ice..........................................101 Graylyn.....................................................59 Holidays in Kernersville ............................71 Holidays in Old Salem ............................115 Nutcracker – Ballet & Performing Art Centre ..................19 SciWorks – Festive Family Friday..............13 UNCSA The Nutcracker ...............................3 Wake Forest Basketball .............................57 Winston-Salem Annex Ice Rink ...............103 Winston-Salem Youth Chorus ...................55 Women’s Fund of WS ...............................93

Holidays at old salem Experience authentic history, fresh-baked treats, unique holiday gifts, seasonal concerts, and the holiday spirit.

november 3–december 31

November 28 – December 19 saturdays with st. nicholas – family activities and a visit with St. Nicholas December 12 salem christmas – A full day of hands-on activities and holiday fun!

December 26, 27, 29–31, Jan 1–3 christmas week at old salem – Enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of the holiday visit old salem or shop online for unique holiday gifts

For a full list of events, classes, concerts, and hotel packages, visit oldsalem.org or call 336-721-735o

celebrating 5o years