All About Women November-December 2021

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2021

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Courtroom Advocates High Country Attorneys Impassioned to Serve Community

Girls Go Shred

Snowboarders Support Each Other On the Slopes

Fraser Fir Champion

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What kind of holiday shopper are you: completing it on Black Friday, waiting until Christmas Eve or shopping all year long?

“I typically begin my holiday shopping on Black Friday and finish it by Christmas Eve. I really try to find the perfect gift for everyone on my Christmas list. But this year, I plan to get started on my shopping earlier!” - Sarah Rodriguez “My holiday shopping takes place from about June until Christmas. I’m always looking for the right gift — usually from a catalog. But if I see a great deal on something I know someone wants, I’ll buy it at any time.” - Barbara Holdcroft “I’m a completing on Black Friday kind of holiday shopper but from the safety of my own home with my computer.” - Ansley Puckett

“I prefer to give homemade gifts, like baked goods or canned preserves, so around Dec. 20 my scramble to make hundreds of cookies begins!” - Sophia Lyons

Gene Fowler

EDITOR Kayla Lasure editor@aawmag.com 828.278.3619

CONTRIBUTORS

“I’m on the lookout year-round for quirky gifts that are fun and unexpected.”

- Heather Brandon

“I am definitely a lastminute holiday shopper and try to avoid Black Friday shopping at all costs!” - Heather Jordan

“When it comes to holiday shopping, I avoid Black Friday at all costs unless I order online. I am guilty of being a last minute kind of gal and usually start my holiday shopping in November!” - Bailey Little “I’m a shopper who gives gifts to my friends of my favorite charities. For Judy last Christmas I gave World Wildlife Fund a donation to save the polar bears, and Judy got a baby stuffed polar bear. This year I’m giving her a baby elephant through WWF, to save the elephants.” - Sue Spirit “I don’t really fit into any of the three options. The closest of the three options to my reality is waiting for Christmas Eve, though it is more accurate to say that — despite my great intentions to shop throughout the year — I wait until December for the majority of my shopping.” - Mary McKinney “I don’t even think about Christmas shopping until Thanksgiving. I ask my kids for gift ideas to make it easier. My husband and I give gifts to each other all year long so Christmas is just one more opportunity to celebrate our love.” - Bonnie Church 4 | November-December 2021

PUBLISHER

Ansley Puckett Bailey Little Bonnie Church Heather Brandon Heather Jordan Hollie Eudy Marion Edwards Barbara Holdcroft Mary McKinney Sarah Rodriguez Sophia Lyons Sue Spirit

PRODUCTION & DESIGN Meleah Bryan

ADVERTISING 828.264.6397

COVER PHOTO

by Dawn O’Neal-Shumate

Any reproduction of news articles, photographs or advertising artwork is strictly prohibited without permission from management. © 2021 Mountain Times Publications aawmag.com

CONTENTS

features 16 Fraser Fir Champion 18 Courtroom Advocates 21 Girls Go Shred 24 Christmas All Year Long 26 App State College of Business

Encouraging More Women to

Enter Financial Fields 28 Taking Community and

Making it Home

18

relationships 10 Mom’s World: Finding Meaning

Beyond Black Friday 12 Marriage & Family Corner:

Tip the Holiday Scales for

Peace and Joy

16

health 30 Beauty: Caring for Your Skin

in the Winter Months 31 Living Well: Eat, Drink and

Lose Weight?

10

21

style & leisure 32 Travel: Echoes of Autumn,

Whispers of Winter

in every issue 06 Editor’s Note 07 Women in the News 14 Young at Heart:

She Works Hard for the Money 35 All About Town

November-December 2021 | 5

editor’s

I assisted with a canned food drive prior to a very cold November football game at Appalachian State University. Go Mountaineers!

6 | November-December 2021

note

Several media sources in the last year have reported that many women are leaving the work force during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of the reason for the mass exodus of women from their careers is cited as an increase of workload at both their job and at home, according to a Forbes report in mid-2021.

To come to its conclusion, Forbes uses research by Deloitte Global, which states that it’s an organization made up of a global network of independent firms. Deloitte Global stated that it conducted a survey of 5,000 working women across 10 countries to “hear directly from them about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the state of gender equality in the workplace.” From that survey, Deloitte Global found that 51% of women are less optimistic about their career prospects than before the pandemic.

Forbes states that Deloitte Global’s research found that “employers that give women the culture and support to enable them to succeed have a more productive and motivated workforce and are likely to report greater retention.”

Forbes cites that the top reason women are considering leaving their current employers is due to a lack of work-life balance. It seems we as a society are in a pivotal time for women in the workforce. We can only hope going forward that society moves in a positive direction not only for the financial stability of women and their families, but also for their overall wellness — including mental health and a home life.

In this business and holiday edition of All About Women, readers can enjoy stories about women working in financial services, the field of law and the local economy as it relates to business. We also delve into the winter season with topics such as women who snowboard, area Christmas shop owners and the leader of a major economic engine for the High Country — Christmas trees. Our columnists discuss holiday shopping, keeping the peace with family during the holidays as well as finance tips.

As we near the end of 2021, I hope we see improvement of the state of women in the workforce. We all deserve to be happy at work and at home. This edition has also inspired me to be more fiscally responsible while also getting me ready for the holiday season! Happy holidays, friends!

aawmag.com

Women in the News

Three local women bond after breast cancer diagnosis

O

n Oct. 30, three local women who were diagnosed with breast cancer conducted a 5K walk to fundraise for the High Country Breast Cancer Foundation at the Boone Greenway Trail.

Lauren Watts, Kim Kirby and Erin Ellington were all diagnosed with breast cancer in fall 2020. While they are celebrating that they are cancer free, each of them is still in active treatment either on chemotherapy, hormone therapy or immunotherapy.

Every year, the High Country Breast Cancer Foundation hosts a 5K, but the event was moved to a virtual format this year due to COVID-19. Even though it took place as a virtual event, Watts, Kirby and Ellington wanted to do something a little more.

“We all have a really big community support between the three of us, and so we just decided ‘Hey guys, the run was scheduled for Oct. 30. Let’s still do it,’” Kirby said. “Let’s just round up our crews and … let’s all just go meet at the Greenway assuming weather’s OK and let’s still walk in support of breast cancer survivors. Those who have gone before us, those who have yet to go through it, and let’s raise money for the foundation so they can keep helping more breast cancer patients.”

For the three women, the HCBCF has helped them tremendously during their fight against breast cancer. According to the women, the HCBCF paid for cold capping so they did not lose their hair.

All three of the women met shortly after getting the breast cancer diagnosis.

Shortly after diagnoses, they received six months of chemotherapy, surgery and more than 30 rounds of radiation.

Lauren Watts, Kim Kirby and Erin Ellington met after they were diagnosed with breast cancer in fall 2020.

Photo submitted

For each of them, meeting one another helped tremendously.

“If you have to go through it, it is something that you need to have other people that understand what you’re going through because it’s actually a comfort,” Ellington said. “It really helped a lot. It’s just really comforting to have folks who know what’s going on to kind of rely on and lean upon.”

Ellington said she knows it sounds cliche when people call it a sisterhood, but she said that’s what she found when meeting these women and other community members battling breast cancer.

“They are my sisters, my pink sisters,” Ellington said. “It’s just something that we went through together that will

remain with us and keep us together until forever, honestly.”

Having each other to rely on helped them through their journey and is part of the reason they wanted to raise money for HCBCF. The mission of the High Country Breast Cancer Foundation is to support breast cancer patients, survivors and their families in the High Country of North Carolina. All proceeds of the 5K were to go directly to the High Country Breast Cancer Foundation to support others in the High Country who are fighting breast cancer.

- Moss Brennan

November-December 2021 | 7

Women in the News

O

Amanda Halsey receives Exceptional Children Teacher of Excellence Award

has been working in educan Oct. 13 officials from tion for most of her adult life, Ashe County Public having started in a childcare Schools surprised teacher program right out of high Amanda Halsey of Crumschool. Since that time, Halsey pler with news that she had has gone on to attend school, received the 2021 Exceptional as well as teach in a NC Pre-K Children Teacher of Excelroom. She has served a total of lence Award.

15 years in the education field.

The criteria for the award In honor of her achieveis set by the North Carolina ment, Halsey was presented Department of Public Educawith flowers by Ashe County tion’s Exceptional Children Schools Human Resources Division.

Director Roy Putman and Halsey, an itinerant Exceptional Children Program teacher, serves Ashe County ACS Human Resources Director Roy Putman and Exceptional Children Program Specialchildren ages 3-5 in local child ist Tonya Blevins (far right) present teacher Amanda Halsey (middle) with flowers in hon- Specialist Tonya Blevins.

Halsey represented Ashe care centers and Pre-K proor of receiving the Exceptional Children Teacher of Excellence Award. Photo submitted County at a state level during grams, as well as kindergarten the award. “I don’t feel like I necessarily the 70th North Carolina to 12th grade students who are do anything extra special, so I was just Exceptional Children’s conference in learning from home. very honored and shocked to receive it.”

Greensboro in November.

“I feel very honored to have received Though only serving in her itinerant it. I feel I just do the work that God position for the past two years, Halsey

- Andrew Cole called me to do,” said Halsey regarding

Boone business leader recognized as 2021 Trailblazer

C

aroline Poteat — director of development for Blue Ridge Conservancy — is one of 21 individuals honored across North Carolina as Business North Carolina Magazine’s 2021 Trailblazers.

The official announcement from Business North Carolina stated the annual feature recognizes thriving business owners and professionals under the age of 40 who work in North Carolina cities and towns that have fewer than 100,000 residents. Poteat was recognized by the the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce as a finalist for the 2019 4 Under 40 Awards in the nonprofit business category.

In her role with Blue Ridge Conservancy, Poteat has kept donors engaged throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, creating new twists on legacy fundraising programs that helped the organization surpass its 2020 revenue goals.

8 | November-December 2021

She has also worked to establish legacy giving programs while growing the roster of recurring monthly donors that support the organizations land conservation efforts.

“It was an unexpected honor to be chosen as a 2021 Trailblazer,” Poteat said. “I am lucky to have worked for two of the most wonderful nonprofit organizations in the High Country: Blue Ridge Conservancy and Valle Crucis Community Park. The support I have received from my coworkers, board members, and supporters of those organizations has been invaluable in shaping my career. I hope to continue to serve this community for many years.”

In addition to her professional work, Poteat is an active volunteer with Women’s Fund of the Blue Ridge and the Boone Sunrise Rotary Club. An avid outdoor enthusiast and soccer fan,

Nonprofit business professional Caroline Poteat is one of 21 individuals honored across North Carolina as Business North Carolina Magazine’s 2021 Trailblazers.

Photo submitted

she was an inaugural member of The Squatch Guard, a group of Appalachian FC supporters that engage in volunteer support throughout the community.

- Staff Report aawmag.com

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Relationships

MOM’S WORLD

Finding Meaning Beyond Black Friday Driving on the road by my house, I can still see pumpkins on the pillars by my neighbor’s driveway just a short distance from a Christmas store that has already put up all of their Christmas lights in the very first week of November.

Don’t get me wrong, I do love Christmas. I like seeing decorations. I like the Christmas cookies, family getting together and a nice snow-covered landscape.

But when I walk into Dollar General and 10 | November-December 2021

see the shelves cleared of Halloween candy and candy canes already up, I feel sick. The blatant consumerism that plagues our society is disturbing to me.

Buy. Buy. Buy. If you want your kids to be happy: buy. If you want to show that you love someone: buy. If you want to exude Christmas spirit: buy.

So how do we find meaning beyond Black Friday while being bombarded with sales that are too good to pass up (in theory) and constant reminders of what

is valued in our culture. Who doesn’t love to see the sparkle in their kids’ eyes when they open something unexpected from us or from Santa? When do we start to value time more than money, experience more than materialism and love more than greed? Maybe by taking stock of what we have and replacing consumerism with gratitude and simplicity.

Recently, I’ve been thinking a lot about things I want to do. One of my favorite things to do right now is to catch aawmag.com

the sunrise or sunset. This fact is largely because my son, Joe, has instilled in me that the stunning beauty that is ten minutes away on the Parkway is worth getting up early for, leaving work on time for, or taking a detour. This is true even if it means that you eat breakfast in the car or gulp your coffee down more quickly just for those five or ten minutes staring at the mountains off the viaduct.

In our culture, there is so much emphasis on rushing — to work, to school, to home, to the next game or match, to another meeting or to the grocery store.

We overwork, over-commit and underestimate the worth of finding balance in our lives. We think of those things we wish we could do rather than just doing them.

As I start to face the end of this year, I am pausing. I am considering the things that I might pay for and really contemplating their worth and value moving into

the next year. I might want the experience of taking a family weekend trip over buying clothes, electronics or unnecessary kitchen gadgets. I’m reactivating my YMCA membership so that we can remain active. I’m getting input from my kids on music they want to go see, places they want to visit, outdoor equipment they would use for longer than a season, art supplies, or woodworking, welding or forging equipment that would allow them to create.

Never mind the fact that my kitchen and right outside on our deck is overrun with various power tools, saws and woodworking implements, most of which have come from getting lucky at a garage sale or second hand store. I feel particularly proud that my kids enjoy making things, even though they still are on their phones or tablets like any teenager. As they get older, the empty nest starts to

creep closer and I yearn for them to have memories more than stuff and time more than costly toys.

I’m happy to go to the next yard sale, flea market or purchase an item from Craig’s list that allows us to go camping, make music, forge a tool or create a piece of art. I’ll wear my shoes another season, pull out the same dress or leggings and look around at our haphazard mix of furniture, dishes and stereo equipment and shrug.

I suppose I could rush out to the next Black Friday sale. Or I might just go catch the sunrise, count my blessings and take a hike. I hope you do the same. Happy Holidays! heather jordan, CNM, MSN Comments or questions?

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Relationships

MARRIAGE & FAMILY CORNER

Tip The Holiday Scales for Peace and Joy Holidays evoke strong emotions that range from joy, anticipation

and love to worry, anxiety and even dread.

Beloved traditions and time with loved ones can be fraught with the stress of getting everything done, navigating tension about who is responsible for preparations or conflict about decisions for when and how to spend time together. As we plan for a second winter holiday season during a pandemic, these familiar stressors may be made more difficult by disagreements about vaccinations, masks and in-person or virtual options. These tensions can tip the emotional scales toward dread for some families.

When agreement exists or consensus can be reached, the communal experience more easily offers joy. It is wonderful to enjoy it when that happens. But, when such harmony is difficult to reach, love is put to more of a test. Though it can sound trite and overly simplistic, love really is the key.

For many of us, the impact of the 12 | November-December 2021

continuing pandemic, as well as great societal polarization, is more intense and destructive than we have previously experienced. Intensely negative circumstances and interactions sometimes seem unrelenting, leaving us feeling exhausted and low on compassion, energy and curiosity for others, even for those people we previously held close and for ourselves.

Compassion and curiosity are necessary actions and intentions for loving interactions. While the practice of compassion, curiosity and love is more difficult when we are highly stressed and fatigued, the payoff can be to tip the scales back to joy, or at least to offer more peace and therefore less dread.

Simple, right? Well, yes, it is simple — but it can be far from easy! After all, when we feel hurt or angry it can be much easier to strike out or to withdraw than to practice the sort of compassion and curiosity that might lead us to discuss our needs and hopes with the very people by whom we feel hurt. Still, addressing those

needs with the people most involved might also be the best hope for a meaningful change or solution.

Stress can bring out our worst selves, leading us to react from our fears and fatigue without guidance from our values and hopes. Even when we set and hold boundaries and say no to some options, the lasting impact on our own well-being and on our relationships can range widely as a result of what guides us. Responsibly deciding about holiday plans and how to engage with one another based on compassion for one another and ourselves will not eliminate all stress, tension and conflict but it will make it more likely that we have more opportunity to experience as we behave in loving ways toward one another and ourselves. This sort of persistence can bring out our best selves, capable of creative problem-solving and clarity of actions that would otherwise be out of reach.

I talk with many people who yearn to connect lovingly and peacefully with aawmag.com

loved ones and who feel blocked from this connection in the midst of significant differences and stress. It is so easy to only focus on differences and on our opinions of how others should change and how they should handle their own stress. Since we cannot control the thoughts, feelings and reactions of another person and since we can only understand about another person as much as they are able to show us and as much as we are open to truly see, that focus on changing another person is always destined to miss the mark and often to do damage.

Instead, persistently guiding ourselves to consider and behave in love offers far more positive possibilities. Loving considerations and actions involve compassion and curiosity for another person and for ourselves. This framework is simple though it can be quite hard to come up with good ideas for how to handle conflict. With persistent compassion and curiosity, better options are usually revealed.

This approach can be boosted and sustained with a willingness to clearly identify and remind oneself of what is most important. For example, is a certain

outcome or way of doing something the most important thing? Is loving connection the most important thing? Is behaving in ways that are consistent with your highest values the most important thing?

Is being right the most important thing?

The answers will sometimes vary but my observation of people who experience more joy and peace have a tendency for more focus on their own highest values and more frequent behavior that is consistent with those values. That also means they tend to simply do less of what is inconsistent with their values and sometimes that alone makes a big difference.

The holiday season again offers many of us an opportunity to refine our own clarity about what is most important and to practice acting accordingly. No matter your particular beliefs, traditions or struggles, this practice will open you to more peace and joy. Surely that is the holiday spirit and is a gift beyond measure.

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YOUNG AT HEART

She Works Hard for the Money

In her 1983 song of the same name, Donna Summer said, “She works hard for the money.”

While singing along to Donna and dancing awkwardly, I pondered this statement and wondered: if I work hard for the money, does my money work hard for me?

This question has been on my mind recently, and it’s one I hope all women will ask themselves.

Now in my 40s, I’m more money savvy; however, as a child of the 80s, my early ideas about money were influenced by the excess and materialism that defined the decade.

In other words, I liked to buy stuff.

During college and in my early twenties, I Iived paycheck to paycheck. My focus was on what I wanted right then instead of saving for the future, which felt so far away. I made a few money missteps and learned valuable lessons from having to dig myself out of a financial hole or two.

Then, I met my husband, Roger, and I noticed how he focused more on saving and less on spending. I watched, learned 14 | November-December 2021

and worked to change my financial habits — borrowing money management strategies from Roger, as well as my mother and girlfriends.

I still like to buy stuff — clothes, shoes, jewelry, books, etc. — so I’ve had to train myself to be more mindful about my purchases and to prioritize paying off debt, saving for emergencies and retirement and investing.

Yes, I’ve worked hard for the money — and continue to do so — but I’ve also worked hard to identify ways to manage my money and make it work harder for me.

Keep it Separate Roger and I chose not to co-mingle all of our money when we married. I learned this system from my mother and step-father — and it works for us.

We have a joint checking account we use to cover household expenses and into which we both deposit 50% of our monthly paychecks. Any excess gets moved to our joint savings account.

In addition, we have our own individual checking, savings, retirement and investment accounts, and we are responsible for our individual bills — student loans, car payments, medical bills, etc.

This ensures that we do not have to ask permission before making purchases and neither has to take on the other’s debt.

Use Credit Wisely Roger and I run most of our household expenses through a cash back credit card to maximize the return. This only works if you pay the entire balance each month, which we do.

We also earn rewards with our personal credit cards. Because we enjoy travel, we each have a Marriott credit card that earns points for hotel stays. I’ve been saving my points and was able to cover our entire hotel stay for an upcoming 10-day trip to Portugal.

But, again, this only works if you pay the entire balance each month. I really can’t stress that enough.

aawmag.com

Start a Sinking Fund A sinking fund is a strategic way to save for future expenses. I first got the idea from my friend, Rebecca Arthur, who mentioned that once she paid off her car, she would begin making a car payment to herself to save for the next car.

I thought it was a novel idea and followed suit. I use my sinking fund to save for specific categories — car, travel, clothing, hair and skin care, gifts, and medical — and I have a set amount automatically moved into the fund each month. This way, I have money set aside for things I know I will purchase and/or just in case of surprises.

Grow Savings Over Time When I first opened my Roth IRA, I was only able to deposit around $10 per month. The amount felt insignificant; however, I knew I had to start somewhere.

Additionally, the act of saving, even a

little, trained me to think about my longterm money goals.

Over the years, I’ve worked to grow this amount as I paid off debt and increased my salary. I’ve used this same strategy — start small and increase as you can — with my emergency savings account, my sinking fund and, now, my investment account.

Earlier this year, I started investing with Ellevest (ellevest.com), a web-based investment company created by women for women. Ellevest also offers financial wellness resources, coaching and more.

My monthly contribution is not very large, but I have plans to double it next year.

Let’s Talk About Money A 2015 Fidelity Investments study found that: • 92% of women want to learn more about financial planning.

• 75% want to learn more about money and investing.

• 83% want to get more involved in

their finances within the next year.

And, yet, the majority of respondents feel uncomfortable talking about money with friends or family, as well as with a financial professional.

I understand this hesitancy, because I’ve felt embarrassed by my perceived lack of financial knowledge. That being said, I feel it’s important and empowering for women to talk about money. I’m not suggesting that you broadcast your account balances or bank account numbers with the world — I’m suggesting that you talk with your money-savvy friends and family and borrow any tips and tricks that work for you.

I wish I’d done this more in my youth.

If I had, I might be retired somewhere on a beach by now!

heather brandon Considers life to be one big anthropological field experience. She observes and reports. She enjoys travel, food and wine and adventures with her husband, Roger.

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Feature

Jennifer Greene has served as the Executive Director of the North Carolina Christmas Tree Association since 2009. Photos by Bailey Little

Fraser Fir Champion Watauga Native Serves as Leading Woman in NC Christmas Tree Industry Serving as a holiday staple for families worldwide, the Christ-

mas tree holds a special significance for both the High Country and the state of North Carolina. Providing leadership and aiding in the success of the Christmas tree industry is the North Carolina Christmas Tree Association.

The association’s Executive Director, Jennifer Proffit Greene, is a native of Watauga County. On Nov. 1 of this year, she celebrated 12 years in her role. She loves her job and enjoys that each day brings with it new tasks, challenges and experiences. She serves as the face and public spokesperson of the NCCTA and is responsible for steering the orga16 | November-December 2021

nization and managing its day-to-day operations. She is also involved in any necessary event planning and manages staff and volunteers for events. Through her role, she says she was introduced to grant writing and administration and the NCCTA as a whole has received an estimated $500,000 in grants in the past 12 years.

Jennifer grew up on a small family farm, the same farm on which her father was raised. The family grew and harvested potatoes and always had between 25-30 horses, including quarter horses, mules, draft horses and riding horses.

The first vehicle she drove was a tractor, learning to drive as she baled hay.

“I cherish all of those memories now, because they are really special to me,” Jennifer says. These were experiences that she says most people do not have during their upbringing and she feels very fortunate to have been raised on a family farm.

After graduating from high school, Jennifer worked in the restaurant business. She started at the bottom, eventually working her way up to management in the corporate restaurant atmosphere.

She later transitioned into a marketing role for a local hotel company. During this time, her manager took her under her wing and gave Jennifer firsthand education in marketing and advertising. aawmag.com

After a decade of working in hotel and restaurant management, she decided it was time to pursue a new career path.

During the process of searching job postings for months, she stumbled upon a posting in the classifieds for the position of executive director of the North Carolina Christmas Tree Association. She was immediately intrigued.

“It was a job that I felt would allow me to utilize the marketing skills that I had acquired as well as an agricultural profession,” Jennifer says.

One of her favorite parts of her role as the executive director is the many opportunities and experiences that it provides.

She has shaken the hands of presidents and first ladies multiple times. She has been to the White House four times with her job and will soon complete her fifth visit, as the 2021 White House Christmas Tree was selected from Peak Farms in Ashe County, NC. Jennifer has traveled all over the United States to go to nursery and consumer shows, promoting North Carolina Fraser Fir. The mission of the NCCTA is to promote “real” Christmas trees through marketing and education. To attest to this, Jennifer spoke about the impact of the Christmas tree on the local economy and the disconnect experienced by people not knowing about a product and where it comes from.

“No matter where you buy a North Carolina Fraser fir Christmas tree — whether you go to a choose-and-cut farm, whether you go to a retail lot, whether you go to Food Lion or whether you go to Walmart or Home Depot — a farmer grew

A seedling tray is used to educate children and adults on the growth of young Fraser fir trees.

Some of the features that set the Fraser Fir species apart from others is its needle retention, blue-green color, aroma and sturdy branches, which are perfect for holding ornaments. that. It is an agricultural crop,” Jennifer describes.

The North Carolina Christmas Tree Industry is ranked second in the nation in the number of trees harvested and produces more than 26 percent of the real Christmas trees grown in the U.S. North Carolina growers harvest more than 4 million trees annually.

Throughout the pandemic, the industry has worked hard to ensure that employees are protected while working and living in very close quarters.

Partnerships that have been instrumental in helping farms get through COVID-19 by educating workers and providing supplies are AppHealthCare, the North Carolina Cooperative Extension, North Carolina Agromedicine Institute and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

According to Jennifer, one of the positive impacts of the pandemic was the strengthening of these partnerships.

There has been a massive increase in demand for real Christmas trees in all sectors of the industry as a result of the pandemic.

“It’s the nostalgia and the enjoyment of being able to pick out the tree as a family and being able to decorate as a family,” Jennifer says about the experience of choosing a tree for the holidays.

Jennifer anticipates that throughout this holiday season, not only the High Country, but the state and the nation will continue to see an increase in demand for the popular holiday centerpiece.

According to Jennifer, it has been a fantastic growing season this year. There has been abundant rainfall and as a result the crops look fantastic and are healthy.

She provided some tips for families who plan to set out in search of the perfect tree this holiday season and for

years to come. It is important to note that the trees always look smaller on tree lots and outdoors, therefore, measuring the space in which you plan to place the tree is highly encouraged. While browsing for a Christmas tree, feeling the needles of the plant to ensure they hold up well and testing to see if the branches are sturdy is also recommended.

Some of the features that set the Fraser Fir species apart from others is its needle retention, blue-green color, aroma and sturdy branches, which are perfect for holding ornaments.

In her spare time, Jennifer is a passionate advocate for rescue dogs, particularly Pitbulls. She volunteers with the Merit Pitbull Foundation, a foster-based rescue. She and her husband, Nathan, often foster dogs and have two fur children of their own, Jade and Waylon.

Jennifer describes Nathan as her rock and says he has always been supportive of her job and how much she travels within her role. Jennifer also enjoys collecting antique jewelry and hopes to open a boutique of her own someday.

Additionally, she serves on the board for Watauga Women in Leadership and has been an active member of the organization for a few years. Jennifer has also served on the Wonder Women in Leadership Kahuna Team for Watauga Habitat for Humanity. She enjoys being involved in the group and meeting other women who serve in leadership roles throughout the community.

To learn more about the NCCTA, visit ncchristmastrees.com.

Bailey Little Bailey currently works for Ashe County Schools and freelances in her spare time. She enjoys drinking coffee, listening to music and traveling.

November-December 2021 | 17

Feature

Courtroom Advocates

High Country Attorneys Impassioned To Serve Community PHOTOS BY DAWN O’NEAL SHUMATE

While juggling the stresses of motherhood and caring for their families, Britt Springer, Tamara C. DiVenere and Michaelle Poore gracefully use their skills and passions to serve the High Country in and out of the courtroom.

All three women know serving the people of the High Country with their legal needs is what they’ve been called to do.

“Being in the courtroom is completely invigorating for me but also calming because I know what I’m doing because I can react fast; I can be aggressive because it’s not being aggressive on my part, it’s being aggressive for my clients,” Britt says. “It’s definitely a free feeling to be in the courtroom advocating for something you believe in.”

After completing her undergraduate degree at Appalachian State University, Britt decided she wanted to study environmental law. Her passion for the outdoors combined with minors in biology and sustainable development spurred the move to Oregon to study at the University of Oregon School of Law. During her second year in law school, she interned at a District Attorney’s office and her passion for criminal law was born.

It’s definitely a free feeling to be in the courtroom advocating for something you believe in.

- Britt Springer Britt Springer 18 | November-December 2021

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“Once I saw the inside of a courtroom and got to see how quick and dynamic criminal law is, (I) absolutely fell in love with it,” Britt says.

After a series of moves, Britt returned to the High Country to work at the local District Attorney’s office. During her time, she served as Chief Prosecutor for the 24th District Attorney’s office, prosecuting homicide cases in Watauga, Avery, Mitchell, Yancey and Madison counties.

In 2014, through a series of events, Britt found herself making the move from working at the District Attorney’s office prosecuting cases to now being a defense attorney.

“I definitely was a little bit worried about how I would take to the other side in defense work, but as much as I loved being a prosecutor, I think I like be a defense attorney even more,” Britt says.

She now works at Appalachian Law Center in Boone, helping clients in Watauga, Avery and Mitchell counties.

Britt’s career move from the District Attorney’s office to defending clients in a private practice allows her to be able to choose who she is defending, an aspect of her current job that she really enjoys.

“It absolutely just reinvigorated me,” she says.

“I absolutely love doing it. Part of the draw for me is when people come in and I interview them, I get to make the decision as to whether I’m going to be standing by them.”

Britt said she’s able to serve a diverse group of clients in her current role, including many young adults who may have just begun at Appalachian State University and recently made a serious mistake.

“It’s just nice to be there, walk beside them, basically tell them everything is going to be OK either way, no matter what happens. That has led me to where I am today,” Britt says.

Back in the High Country after growing up in Ashe County and attending law school at the University of North Carolina School Of Law at Chapel Hill, Tamara serves the community at Reeves DiVenere Wright Attorneys at Law alongside her husband, Jak Reeves. She said her favorite type of law to practice is general law, which she is able to do on a daily basis.

“When you practice general law or have a general practice you become a mini expert in a lot of different fields, so each is unique,” Tamara says. “I could be doing construction one moment, skip over to family law and do personal injury. You get a lot of varied work, and it keeps the practice interesting.”

Tamara began her law career in Boone while her husband worked in West Jefferson. Now the two serve the High Country together at the same firm.

Tamara said she enjoys working with Jak as they can cover for each other, bounce ideas off of one another and ensure they’re balancing their time with their two sons well.

Continued on next page

In general people come to you when they’re in crisis mode, and my favorite part is talking to them and letting them know that there’s a path to the end; there’s a solution.

- Tamara C. DiVenere

Tamara C. DiVenere November-December 2021 | 19

Michaelle Poore

number of attorneys Just like Britt, who are women curTamara said it’s a privrently in the area is still ilege to be able to walk alongside someone Being able to help people work through their relatively limited. Michaelle said when she struggling and help them contemplate their problems — that’s really what appealed to me first started practicing law, she was one of the next steps. about practicing law to begin with, and that’s first female attorneys in “Probably the most Mitchell County. Howfulfilling part of practicthe part that I still enjoy. ever, she encouraged ing law would be often women interested in as it pertains to family - Michaelle Poore the field to speak with law,” Tamara says. “In other lawyers and learn general, people come about the different to you when they’re serving local governments, as she serves areas in which they can specialize. in crisis mode, and my favorite part is as the attorney for the local government Britt also emphasized that it’s OK if talking to them and letting them know in Avery County. She also works with the path to law school is not a straight that there’s a path to the end; there’s a real estate transactions, trusts, wills and line. solution. I think for the clients, it just feels estates. But serving people remains her “If you like advocating on a side that good to give some of their worries away passion. whether you feel is right or whether you and let me solve the problem for them.”

“I think serving with people or think this person needs someone to give From a very young age, Tamara wantworking with people, that’s what really apa voice to, then I absolutely think law ed to be a lawyer. She said that from the pealed to me,” Michaelle says. “Just being would be a perfect profession to get into age of 7, she started telling her parents able to help people work through their for any young woman,” Britt says. that she wanted be an attorney when she problems — that’s really what appealed Invigorated by their enthusiasm to grew up. to me about practicing law to begin with, serve people in need, Britt, Tamara and “It stuck with me through high school, and that’s the part that I still enjoy.”

Michaelle meet people at their low points, college and then eventually law school,” Michaelle’s passion for law dates back provide wisdom along the journey, and she says. “I knew at a very young age that to her grandmother. He grandmother help them work toward a solution to life’s I wanted to do something where I could served as a justice of the peace in the complications. help people and that seemed the right 1960s and instilled a love for the legal syspath for me.” tem in Michaelle’s father who then passed Just like Tamara, Michaelle knew as a along the love to Michaelle. He was the child that she wanted to be a lawyer. Now one who encouraged her to go to school with a solo practice in the High Country, Sarah Rodriguez to become a lawyer, Michaelle said. she is able to fulfill her childhood dream.

By day, Sarah works in social media When Michaelle began college in the At her civil law firm with offices in marketing. But after hours, she enjoys hiking, finding the best tacos, and 1980s, she said the number of women Avery and Mitchell counties, Michaelle watching football. interested in the legal field was small. The said her work is primarily focused on 20 | November-December 2021

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Feature

Girls Go Shred High on the mountain of Appalachian Ski, a group of women scream as a little girl completes her first feature in a terrain park. The little girl, Lucy, came out specifically for the group — dubbed Girls Go Shred — as did all the other female snowboarders encouraging Lucy through her first trick.

The founder of Girls Go Shred, Kristen Gray, started skiing when she was 2 years old.

Her dad — a ski patroller at her local mountain in Ithaca, New York — would drop her off at ski school every weekend, where she first got equated with winter sports. Then, when she was around 10, her older brother began snowboarding; wanting to follow in her brother’s footsteps, Kristen began to learn as well. At the age of 14, she switched completely to snowboarding and “never looked back.”

“It’s like therapy,” Kristen says. “It’s everything. It’s what I do to have fun. It’s what I do to relax. It’s like what I do to make friends. It’s also what I love to do by myself. It’s just been a part of my life for so long and a part of my family.”

Eight years ago, after graduating from Ithaca College, Kristen traveled to the High Country to work at EDGE of the WORLD, a snowboarding shop in Banner Elk. At the time, the only person she knew was her brother, who graduated from Appalachian State University and was living in Boone. Immersing herself in the High Country’s winter sports culture, Kristen frequented the mountains, hoping to build a community of fellow snowboarders like the small group she had at home.

Snowboarders Support Each Other On the Slopes

Continued on next page Kristen snowboards at Beech Mountain Ski Resort. Kristen started snowboarding when she was 10 and then switched to only snowboarding when she was 14. Photo submitted November-December 2021 | 21

(Left) Kristen snowboards in Alberta, Canada, at Banff Sunshine Village. (Center) Eliza Johnston, Renner Murphy, Kristen Gray and Alex Watkins sport Girls Go Shred merch during a group event. (Below) Kristen Gray with Natalia Tapia, Eliza Johnston and Madison Holland spend time together during a Girls Go Shred App Ski park night event. Photos submitted

“When I moved here, it was so rooted in the culture,” Kristen says. “That’s what you did to make friends. Whether you skied or snowboarded your whole life or just started, it was how you made friends in the area.”

However, Kristen found herself mostly surrounded by men at the shop and on the slopes. Wondering where the other female snowboarders were and thinking that they were probably out there, Kristen wanted a space to bring other women together on the mountain.

“Brand new, only knew my brother in town, and I was working with a bunch of guys,” Kristen says. “And so, I would always go snowboarding, and I’d have to go with the guys. I just kinda of got sick of it, and I was like, ‘There must be girls out there.’”

Coming up with the idea on a snow lift with her brother, Jeff Johnson, in 2015, Jeff suggested having an event for women snowboarders and posting it on Facebook. Taking his advice and partnering with EDGE of the WORLD, Kristen planned a ladies night meetup at Sugar Mountain. More than 120 people signed up for the event.

22 | November-December 2021

“It was just like, ‘There they are,’” Kristen says.

Although not that many people showed up, Kristen says it gave her a sense of how many people were interested in a community of women snowboarders. On the night of the event, she went out to the mountain, posted a photo of what she was wearing, and said, “Come find me.”

“There are probably people that I probably haven’t seen since then, but just the fact that everyone knew it was there, knew it was a thing and everybody was kind of in the same boat was very cool,” Kristen says.

After that, she kept hosting events similar to the first one — meet ups at the mountain. For the second season, Kristen had the group’s first snow meet up at EDGE of the WORLD but continued to meet up on the slopes as well.

When it came to coming up with a name later on, Kristen said she didn’t want anyone to be confused about what the group was. The group was given the title Girls Go Shred.

“I just wanted something that was this is what it is,” Kristen says. “It’s girls going

to ride. Bottom line.”

Now, the group has conducted onsnow demos, sponsored camps and had park nights at Appalachian Ski Mtn, where the group builds customized parks just for Girls Go Shred and fences it off to everyone else.

“It’s like spiraled but in the best way,” Kristen says. “Honestly, looking back, it’s kind of like a blur on how I got here.”

Kristen says from there, through her connections and community support, she’s been able to build opportunities for the group. Since starting Girls Go Shred, she says she’s gotten an overwhelming amount of support from the community and other women in the group.

Renner Murphy, who became involved in Girls Go Shred from working at EDGE of the WORLD and meeting Kristen, also grew up skiing and then switched to snowboarding following after her brother.

Renner grew up around Boone, and after finally getting the hang of snowboarding, visited every weekend in high aawmag.com

(Left) A group gathering with Girls Go Shred has a meet up at App Ski Mtn. (Below) Girls Go Shred meets up at Beech Mountain Ski Resort during a ladies night event at the mountain. Photos submitted

school to snowboard. When she enrolled at Appalachian State, she joined the snowboarding team and began working at the shop.

“I feel like everybody has hopefully one thing that gets them really amped,” Renner says. “Like I love mountain biking, skateboarding, just those really high adventure activities I really enjoy. When I get to do them with my friends and share the stoke essentially, it’s just a very special feeling, and I think that’s what attracts people to snowboarding.”

Renner says she joined Girls Go Shred for the support of other women and has since assisted Kristen with the group, whether helping get equipment up to the mountains, greeting people at events or helping run raffles.

“Having women supporting you is so uplifting and so special. I think it just creates an environment where everyone can flourish...no matter what your ability is,” Renner says. “It’s nice to feel like you’re in a very welcoming environment and a very safe environment.”

Girls Go Shred participates in ladies night every Thursday at Beech Mountain and has frequent park nights at Appalachian Ski Mtn. This season, Girls Go Shred has eight events planned. Renner says the group sometimes has 50 to 70 women come out for events, but the

group is never the same each time.

It was at one of the ladies nights at App Ski that Natalia Tapia, a member of Girls Go Shred, got to cheer on Lucy as she hit her first box trick. Natalia, originally from Charlotte, got into snowboarding by taking it as a PE credit through Appalachian State.

“The winters in the High Country can be super bleak, so I think something to look forward to in the winter was huge just for making it through those dark months,” Natalia says.

After hearing about Girls Go Shred’s demo nights, Natalia joined the group for their events and began working at EDGE of the WORLD when she learned about the shop. Natalia says she loved the community she’s gained through the group.

“The park is especially scary for a woman snowboarder, and it’s been so fun getting all of the girls in the park at one time and everybody hyping each other up on ladies nights,” Natalia says.

However, the group isn’t closed to one set group of people, and Kristen says anyone, whether a beginner like Lucy or experienced like Natalia, is welcome to come to events and be a part of the group.

“The whole premise of Girls Go Shred is just creating a supportive environment

where women feel safe and feel heard and feel encouraged, whether that’s on the slopes or not,” Kristen says. “Snowboarding just happened to fall into what I was already doing. And that’s all I ever wanted it to be. I just wanted it to be a supportive environment for women, and it’s really resonated.”

In the future, Kristen hopes to connect Girls Go Shred with the other communities of women all across the country who snowboard. She hopes to continue spreading the message of an inclusive, supporting and welcoming environment for women who enjoy the sport.

“Honestly, I say it cause it’s funny, but it’s also true. Girls Go Shred started because I didn’t have any friends,” Kristen says. “But after starting it, I realized that that was true for so many girls.”

Ansley Puckett Ansley is a senior journalism major at Appalachian State University from Columbia, South Carolina. When she’s not writing, you can find her with her nose in a book.

November-December 2021 | 23

Feature

Christmas All Year Long Women Own Local Holiday Shops If the popular seasonal refrain “it’s beginning to look a lot like

Christmas” causes excitement and gets the heart pumping, be advised that community members don’t need to wait for the calendar to change to experience that adrenaline rush. For two area businesses, it really does look a lot like Christmas — every day.

The Christmas Shop in Blowing Rock at 1125 Main St. is open seven days a week and offers not just Christmas items and ornaments, but a wide variety of merchandise that includes jewelry by Ronaldo, women’s purses and clothing, children’s toys and books. The shop is owned and managed by Felicia Keller, as it has been since 2016. It originally opened in 1996, and

Felicia began working there and learning the trade in 2005. It was a great fit and use of her degree in business earned from Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute. In addition to Felicia, the shop employs two other full time local women, Jean Walker and Melissa Roark.

The Christmas Shop in Blowing Rock boasts a large selection of flags, of all sizes, and for all seasons. Felicia says that they are one of the best sellers, along with the Christmas ornaments that they personalize for customers. Some of their nativity sets come from the Holy Land and are made from olive wood. For them, the busiest season is during the fall when all “the leaf looker” tourists come to the area, Felicia says.

In addition to the Christmas ornaments and decorations, The Christmas Shop in Blowing Rock also offers a selection of women’s wraps and pajamas.

The jewelry by Ronaldo is their second best seller. Many of their items are found in the buyers markets in Atlanta, where they are a frequent attendee. At these shopping outings they can find products from all over the world, although they do carry some items that come from shorter distances like Virginia.

Open six days a week, the Snowy Mountain Christmas Shop is located at 4699 Linville Falls Highway in Crossnore.

This shop is a large log cabin structure

(Right) The Snowy Mountain Christmas Shop owner Bev Cuthbertson stands next to a large Christmas tree.

(Above) Felicia Keller is the owner of the Christmas Shop in Blowing Rock.

(Right) Ornaments and other goodies are available at the Christmas Shop in Blowing Rock.

Photos by Barbara Holdcroft

24 | November-December 2021

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that was designed and built by Clay Cuthbertson on about 1 acre of family land along Route 221. Owner and manager Bev Cuthbertson says it was always her husbands dream to open such a shop.

She retired from her position as a nurse practitioner to help make the dream a reality in 2009. The shop employs local Heather Shelton as manager and six part time female employees.

The larger structure at Snowy Mountain is comprised of four sizable rooms, a wood burning fireplace, a small café area with three tables and chairs and a full kitchen. The shop prepares all their own food offerings including hot and cold beverages, fudge, pound cake, cookies, cupcakes and brittle. Last year during the COVID-19 pandemic the shop and the kitchen remained open and busy, with all of the orders being packaged to go.

Customers can always purchase items to go, but the wood burning fire and the small café atmosphere invite the shopper to relax and enjoy the ambiance.

The focal point of the shop is a 12-foot Christmas tree that is loaded with ornaments for purchase. Although most of the year this is an artificial tree, from Oct. 1

until Christmas Eve it is a real Fraser fir from their own Christmas tree fields. Due to the warmth and drying heat produced by the fireplace, this tree gets switched out at least once during that time. All of the decorations remaining on the tree are removed and replaced on the new live tree. Bev admits that she needs the assistance of Clay to make this happen.

For the Snowy Mountain shop, the ornaments are the best sellers, with nativity sets coming in a close second.

The shop is also filled with a wide variety of home decorations, inviting the shopper to re-create this magic in their own home.

Stockings, tree skirts and wood crafts are all available. They also sell Fraser firs grown on their own acreage, which covers five different growing lots. Customers are also invited to travel to their location just up the road in Crossnore for a choose and cut experience. Arrangements are made within the shop and directions are given.

The Snowy Mountain Christmas shop has also become a popular stop for tour buses coming north from Burke County.

This and other tour bus activity encouraged them to purchase the property across the street and develop the lot for

expanded parking. Weekends are particularly busy and the parking is needed.

Each shop is challenged with the work of restocking. For the Christmas Shop in Blowing Rock, large shipments arrive twice a year and require immediate attention. Felicia admits to being concerned about restocking in the future with the rise of shipping costs. If an item is sold out, they are not able to easily replace it.

For the Snowy Mountain Christmas Shop, their down time is every year from Christmas Eve until May 1. During that time they do extensive inventory, ordering and restocking.

If ever in need of some Christmas cheer, there are a few local options available. With the help of Felicia and Bev, customers can immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the holiday all year long, and bring a little of it back home with them.

Barbara Holdcroft, Ph.D. Barb has lived with her husband Kirk and daughter Katie in Linville since 2012.

She is the Special Olympics Coordinator for Avery County and does adjunct teaching at local colleges.

The Season of Sparkle

NEXT TO LOWES FOODS | WILKESBORO, NC | (336) 667-2257 November-December 2021 | 25

Feature

Amy Odom serves as the Associate Director of Business Career Services and Women of Walker adviser. Photos by Sophia Lyons

Lori Medders is a professor of insurance at Appalachian State University.

Brandy Hadley is an assistant professor of finance at Appalachian State University.

Madison Browne is a senior at Appalachian State University double majoring in risk management and insurance with finance and banking.

26 | November-December 2021

App State College of Business Encouraging More Women to Enter Financial Fields While the trend is starting to improve, the Department of Finance, Banking and Insurance in the Walker College of Business at Appalachian State University has typically seen a lower enrollment of women in the program to that of men.

According to Associate Director of Business Career Services and Women of Walker adviser Amy Odom, 33% of students in the Walker College of Business are women; overall, about 59% of the total number of students attending App State are women. In the Finance and Banking program, one of the 17 majors in the College of Business, just 18% of finance majors are women, Amy said.

Lori Medders, professor of insurance, and Brandy Hadley, assistant professor of finance, agreed that it’s difficult to count the exact number of women in their programs because the numbers can fluctuate significantly from semester to semester. Despite this, Lori estimates about 40 women are in the Risk Management and Insurance program out of 180 total students; Brandy estimates out of over 420 Finance and Banking majors, just under a hundred are women.

Senior Madison Browne, who double majors in risk management and insurance with finance and banking with a minor in criminal justice, estimates there may be four to seven women in a class with 30 people.

She describes her relationship with the other women in her classes as a community.

“You kind of come in the first day and you see the few women, and you know them because it’s the same women that have been in your classes,” Madison says. “You kind of are like ‘oh, these are my friends.’”

To foster that sense of community between women, the Walker College of Business hosts two programs: Women of Walker and the Women in Financial Services initiative. Women of Walker is a spring-semester program hosting workshops, panel discussions and site visits, and is only for business majors; it aims to support women already in the major through professional development and networking. The Women in Financial Services initiative is active all year and also hosts workshops and site visits, and women outside of the business majors are welcomed at their events as well. It seeks to grow the presence of women in the business program as well as increasing financial literacy and knowledge among women in other departments.

Amy, the adviser for Women of Walker, describes the program as “intensive.” She only accepts 30 students to the program every year. To join Women of Walker, a prospective student needs a recommendation from a professor, adviser or current Women of Walker member, and they must be a current or intended business major.

“We include that ‘intended’ part so we can accept freshmen and sophomores, because typically they have not declared their major at that point, officially, through the College of Business,” Amy says. aawmag.com

There’s no GPA requirement, but students have to commit to attending all of the two-hour meetings twice per month during the spring semester as well as the travel opportunities to visit potential employers and receive site tours from alumni. Amy also leverages her Watauga Women in Leadership board position to bring speakers in and overlap programming when it’s beneficial. The program also culminates in an overnight trip to Charlotte, complete with a networking social in the evening and a site visit in the morning before the students return to Boone the next day.

“What I learned in the beginning of being at App State is that I really love and appreciate long-term relationship development opportunities with students,” Amy says. “Most students will identify how much support that they need in their kind of career journey with Women of Walker. I get to hold on to them and see that long-term development every time.”

When Amy was hired in 2014, the Women of Walker program hadn’t taken off the ground yet after Dawn Medlin, a computer information systems professor, founded it. Amy began the pilot program with nine students that year, and since then the group has grown to more than 200 enrolled students and alumnae.

Alumnae have landed jobs at Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomberg, Lowes Companies, IBM, Amazon and numerous accounting firms, as well as graduate school placements. Amy keeps in touch with alumnae, inviting them back to speak at events and host site visits at their own employers so members can “see where they landed.”

“It’s the most important thing for me to instill in them how crucial it is for them to understand the value of building a network, and that even as a female, we need the support of the people around us, both men and women,” Amy says.

Differing from Women of Walker, the

Women in Financial Services initiative isn’t a club in the traditional sense, with a members roster and application process.

It began after the then-department chair was concerned about the number of women in the business programs and opportunities available to them; he approached Lori, incoming professor of insurance, and Brandy, incoming assistant professor of finance. They jointly chair the initiative.

“We both came to the faculty at App in fall 2017, and we met over email during the summer of 2017 to start work on this initiative before we even got here,” Lori says. “(The department chair) showed the numbers to us and we said ‘huh, we agree.’”

Similar to that of the Women of Walker, the Women in Financial Services initiative also hosts workshops and speakers, but these events are open to women all across the university. Because it’s not a club, they can invite women from all educational departments who are interested in gaining financial literacy and knowledge. Brandy estimates their programming reaches between 100 and 300 women across the university in a given year, including a successful workshop with an executive coach that emphasized learning one’s strengths and leaning into them, regardless of intended field.

The initiative is working: Brandy said the number of women majoring in a business field has grown by 22.7% from fall 2016 to spring 2021, while in the same time period enrollment in the department has grown overall by 3.9%.

Lori’s research group App RISE — Risk Initiative for Student Engagement — is mainly women who were selected by their peers. The board for the risk management organization, Gamma Iota Sigma, is primarily women. Brandy also works with the Bowden Investment Group, a student investment fund, and a third of students involved are women.

“We have more women who were selected by their peers into that group than ever in history,” Lori said. “It’s very unusual, at any university, that four of 12 are women.”

Women in Financial Services also takes students on trips for networking and other programs based on funding from the Walker College of Business.

Madison went on a trip to New York with the initiative group in fall 2019; while there, Madison met with an alum who connected her with the internship she completed during summer 2021, leading to her securing a job at the same firm after she graduates. Madison emphasizes finding that sense of community for up-and-coming women in the business programs.

“We all didn’t just fall in place, in business. We came from different backgrounds,” she says. “I would just say find people who you can kind of relate to, find people that have those diverse backgrounds.”

Lori, Brandy and Amy all mentioned the support they feel they receive from their departments and the College of Business. The College of Business supported both groups from their inception, intending to improve women’s access to programs and representation within the programs.

“The opportunities are tremendous,” Lori says. “I’m not saying it’s totally gone, but the glass ceiling in the industry is evaporating as we talk about it, and just building that trust in young women that opportunities are there. It’s real. It’s sustainable.”

Sophia Lyons Sophia Lyons holds a bachelor of science in journalism from Appalachian State University. She freelance copy edits and writes at sophiamlyons.com.

The opportunities are tremendous. I’m not saying it’s totally gone, but the glass ceiling in the industry is evaporating as we talk about it, and just building that trust in young women that opportunities are there. It’s real. It’s sustainable.

- Lori Medders

November-December 2021 | 27

Feature

Kathleen George, Natalie Lea, April Colvard and Kitty Honeycutt serve the Ashe County Chamber of Commerce. Photos submitted

Taking Community and Making It Home Women Lead Chambers of Commerce in Banner Elk, Ashe County The natural beauty of each season in the High Country attracts

thousands of native and visiting admirers each year. As numbers increase and more businesses emerge, local Chambers of Commerce continue to find ways to promote and support member businesses as well as their individual communities.

Both Avery and Ashe counties make best use of their local commerce organizations to benefit tourists and their year-round population.

Representing the Banner Elk Chamber of Commerce, Jo-Ann McMurray began her work as a board member with the chamber in 2013. She describes her work “with various businesses, schools, churches, town officials and members of the community to help make Banner Elk

28 | November-December 2021

a great place to live” as a rewarding and exciting contribution to her community.

Born and raised in a small town in central New Jersey, Jo-Ann grew up in a town “very much like Banner Elk.” With her father as her role model, Jo-Ann learned early on how to organize events and work in ways that benefited her community. A town councilman, fire chief and president of the volunteer first aid and rescue squad, Jo-Ann’s father’s love for his town was a torch he passed onto his daughter.

Likewise, both Jo-Ann’s work as a nurse and a business owner have “provided (her) with firsthand insight into the struggles that people and small businesses deal with every day,” she says.

Pairing her love for community with skills

acquired and lessons learned created a broad range of resources to undergird her eventual role as president of the Banner Elk Chamber of Commerce.

As the chamber is an all volunteer organization, the president as well as other officers and board members are required to chair a committee and participate in events. Moreover, Jo-Ann also oversees different committees, brainstorms event ideas to bring visitors to Banner Elk, supports business membership and recruits new members.

In addition to her work with the chamber, Jo-Ann is also the co-executive director of Feeding Avery Families. A food pantry housed in Newland, the FAF provides food to the residents of Avery County who are dealing with food insecuaawmag.com

rity. Working alongside Dick Larson and a “great pool of dedicated volunteers” the FAF supplies food to participating residents every Friday of the month. The FAF also coordinates the school backpack program, which distributes food for students in need at all Avery County schools.

“Food pantries are located at six of our schools and the YMCA and are available to anyone in need 24 hours a day, no questions asked,” Jo-Ann explains.

In looking to the future for Banner Elk, Jo-Ann would like to see “additional retail shopping, additional parking and more community-based activities.”

In extension, she encourages everyone to participate in creating the bonds that strengthen a community.

“Communities need to grow or they wither and die. In order for them to grow in the right direction requires planning.

Planning provides the groundwork for future projects. This process cannot be accomplished by just one or two people. It takes many individuals working together to decide what is best for their community,” Jo-Ann says.

Sharing many of these sentiments and passions, Kitty Honeycutt represents Ashe County as the executive director of its Chamber of Commerce. As such, her responsibilities include supporting and encouraging chamber membership, facilitating various committees and representing the chamber in several community organizations.

She further explains, “In essence, I do

what I can to promote Ashe County to a very wide audience in a positive way.”

Growing up in Avery County as the daughter of an educator and entrepreneur, Kitty quickly gained a love for the mountain region as well as a great appreciation for mountain heritage and its arts. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kitty’s studies in Radio, Television and Motion Pictures has furthered her abilities in radio and video promotion. Additionally, her husband’s work as a Christmas tree farmer enhanced her recognition of agriculture as “a key piece of the puzzle for this region.”

A resident of Ashe County for 25 years, Kitty has often been involved in some aspect of community “through work, church, teaching dance or as an involved parent of a child in the local school system.” Her chamber work began 10 years ago in serving on a committee and later on the Board of Directors.

The Ashe County Chamber of Commerce differs from others of its kind in that it serves a dual purpose as the Chamber of Commerce and host of the Ashe County Visitor Center.

“We work to put the pieces of our members, education, industry and tourism to work together for the common good of Ashe County,” Kitty says, “With the Visitor Center, we are often the first point of contact for many visitors coming to the area. We showcase our natural assets, encourage business support and

help people plan their activities during their stay.”

Kitty considers some of her most important contributions to her community as establishing a Board of Directors that represents a variety of sectors in her community.

She says, “I have a great Board of Directors that I respect very much, and they are all completely passionate about making Ashe County the best it can be.”

As a chamber, they have had the opportunity to provide “The Venue” — an affordable, flexible meeting and event space for businesses and residents — at their place of business. They have also established the “Pay it Forward” grant program for small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, Kitty takes pride in the reimplementation of “Leadership Ashe” in partnership with Wilkes Community College as well as the “Ashe Bash,” a free concert “to celebrate the resilience of local residents and to treat visitors to the area to a fantastic free music experience,” she says.

As part of her vision for Ashe County’s future, Kitty would like to see “more affordable housing, solutions to the childcare crisis and additional developed outdoor recreation offerings.” To those who are interested in serving their community, Kitty says, “It is important to be involved in the community in order to always try to leave it better than we found it. We need to leave the community better off for our children and grandchildren, and we need to preserve the beauty of the area … We need new, fresh ideas and for the next generation to jump in. Everyone has something to offer to help keep our community unique and maintain the values that we view as important.”

Both Jo-Ann and Kitty’s work to enhance and nurture their communities is an extension of their love for the High Country and its people. Their efforts and dedication continue to transform the welcome readily felt in the region. These women take community and make it home.

Hollie Eudy

Kitty Honeycutt was selected as the executive director of the Ashe County Chamber of Commerce in 2017.

Hollie Eden Eudy is a high school English teacher whose passions include reading, writing, and running. She lives with her husband, daughter, and Pekapoo, Presley, in Dahlonega, Ga.

November-December 2021 | 29

Health

BEAUTY

Caring For Your Skin In The Winter Months Brrrrrr — Old Man Winter is here!

Time to winterize our skin care routine and pay attention to preserving and protecting our precious skin.

We may not think much about the largest organ we have but it performs a function that keeps us alive — protecting our insides. Doesn’t sound sexy but without it we’re pretty much dead. This article focuses on facial skin care routines but total body skin care is every bit as important.

Remember to pamper your entire body, keep it exfoliated and moisturized and avoid long hot showers; I know they feel so good but frankly they zap all the moisture out of your skin. Now you know why your back is so dry and itchy.

If you’re confused about the order of application for your skin care products, you’re not alone.

One of the first questions I typically get is, “what goes on when?” There are so many products in the marketplace today and with the 17 they’re trying to sell to you who wouldn’t be confused.

I personally am a minimalist and feel that your skin can only absorb so much stuff at one time.

What you need is not a lot of product but consistency and regimen to achieve the best skin care goals. I also recommend using products from one line instead of mixing and matching your own brew.

Different lines have different chemical bases and unless you know how all of them work it’s safer to have it put together for you. Not saying you can’t use anything outside a particular line, just saying be aware of ingredients.

Now a few words about makeup 30 | November-December 2021

wipes, toners, serums and other little known facts that pop in my head.

Cleansing: makeup wipes are for removing makeup before you do the cleansing. For regular cleansing I recommend twice. After all, the goal is a clean face, which usually doesn’t happen with one cleansing Toners: the most neglected step in most routines.

Their job is to help restore your skin to normal pH as you’ve just washed it away. Toners prepare your skin to absorb all of the expensive stuff you paid good money for. Apply with a cotton pad and pat gently under eyes. Everything is done gently when it comes to the delicate eye area; no tugging, pulling or stretching please.

Serums: these are the work horses and they deliver the active ingredients that help get the job done, such as the vitamins, nutrients, peptides and so on. Yes, I’m talking to you and you need a good serum. Apply a pea size drop and dot over face, use hands to massage face, then begin to press into skin, allowing at least five minutes to absorb.

Product consistency: apply thinnest to thickest. Thin products cannot penetrate heavy occlusives.

Moisturizing: this step is the icing on the cake because it helps seal in all that goodness that has already been applied and keeps your skin from bleeding out its natural moisture.

Masking: this can be done two to three times a week dependent on your skin type and needs. Same for exfoliation,

which is uber necessary to remove dead cells, otherwise your precious product will just sit on top of dead skin— what a waste.

Retinol serums: these are for nighttime use as they make skin vulnerable to UV rays in the daylight. Studies show that skin barrier is more permeable overnight so give your face a spa-cation and soak up all that goodness while you sleep.

Sunscreen protection: some of us equate summertime and hot weather with skin cancer and damage to the skin. However, the sun is year-round and though you may not feel the burn in the winter, Ole Man Sun is hitting you hard with his UVA (aging) rays even though it’s 10 degrees. Approximately 80% of skin aging comes from UVA rays — wrinkles, dark spots and sagging. I recommend 30 SPF, and 50 SPF doesn’t hurt.

Note, read product instructions on all skincare products before you toss the container, especially know the expiration date of your sunscreen.

Okay so here’s the simple drill: Morning: 1. Cleanse 2. Tone 3. Moisturizer 4. Protect Evening: 1. Cleanse 2. Mask or exfoliate (as needed) 3. Tone 4. Serum 5. Eye cream 6 . Night cream or moisturizer Marion Edwards Marion Edwards is a Licensed Esthetician, Professional Makeup Artist and Certified Trainer for Motives Cosmetics. She can be contacted at 828.773.1500. aawmag.com

Health

LIVING WELL

Eat, Drink and Lose Weight?

I’ve some good news for you.

It is a myth that we pile on weight during the holidays. The actual average weight gain is a pound or two. That said, why not enter the New Year more svelte, or at least no less svelte once the festivities are over.

But first, we need to bust a couple more myths that are not quite so jolly.

MYTH: I can exercise off that extra slice of pecan pie.

FACT: Exercise does not cancel out the energy overload of that pecan pie.

Yes, do exercise, but keep in mind, weight loss is around 80% what you put into your body and 20% what you sweat off. Do the math. An average slice of pecan pie adds 450 calories – 30 minutes of power walking burns 175. Got it?

MYTH: On Jan. 2 I will go back to my healthy eating ways.

FACT: That’s a valiant goal, but the kicker is this. Sugar triggers a desire for more sugar. It’s very addictive. If you have been mainlining stuffing, eggnog and gingerbread for weeks on end, you are not going to smoothly shift into lean, clean eating mode.

On top of that, eating too much sugar and fat messes with the good bacteria in your gut. When that’s out of whack, everything is out of whack, making it more difficult to burn fat and bounce back.

So, what can you do to keep from adding on extra weight during the holidays?

Here are 10 hacks to help ease you back into the New Year: 1. Start each day with a healthy protein rich breakfast [i.e. no glazed doughnuts]. This will give you a sense of fullness. It also prevents a blood sugar drop that can trigger a craving for sweets.

2. Stay hydrated. When you are thirsty, your brain interprets that as hunger. That craving for a tasty snack is, in fact, your body calling out for a drink of water.

3. Fill your dinner plate with healthy non starchy veggies and clean proteins. Eat those first. This will fill you up with good fiber. You will feel fuller, eat less and your blood sugar will not spiral out of control.

4. Pick your poison. Avoid bread, booze, dessert and dinner carbs like rice or potatoes, during the day. At dinner, pick just one, or two if you must, but no more.

5. Savor don’t gulp. This is not your last piece of cheesecake, OK. Take it slow.

Enjoy every bite. Eating slowly will keep you from stuffing yourself and will give your brain time to register a sense of fullness.

6. Don’t linger by the buffet bloated with goodies. Hang out with people, not food. This will get your mind off all the

sweet things calling your name.

7. Do not go back for seconds. One and done.

8. Drink 16 oz. of water for every 12 oz. of beer, wine and champagne (or 4-6 oz. of liquor). This will not only keep you from overindulging (which can lead to acting in ways you later regret), but it will head a hangover off at the pass.

9. Keep up an exercise regimen.

No, you can’t out exercise your fork, but exercise stokes your metabolism and maintains your muscle mass. Incorporate as much activity into your day as possible — running up the stairs, instead of taking an elevator, for example.

10. Blew it? Get back on track with your very next meal. No shame and guilt allowed. Those emotions will cause you to spiral into a, “What the heck, I blew it.

Why try? Pass the pie.” You’ve got this; there is grace in the journey.

Cheers to a healthy, head start on your New Year’s resolutions. And don’t forget to check with your health professional before making any diet and lifestyle changes.

bonnie church Certified Life and Wellness Coach Author/columnist, motivational speaker Certified Trainer for TLS Weight Loss Solution

November-December 2021 | 31

Style & Leisure

TRAVEL

Echoes of Autumn, Whispers of Winter Daddy Long Legs in the bath tub maneuvers along the edge on

crooked legs, his gray-brown coat pulled around him. Tucked under his arm is his latest novel. Have you read it?

It’s woolly worm weather. I have a friend who’s a traffic cop. She makes sure the critters can cross the road safely. She has one little fellow curled in a ball and tucked under logs in the woodshed, ready to hibernate.

I wake up to no bird song. Warblers, swallows, and orioles have all headed south. I didn’t say goodbye. Birds don’t have calendars. Or maybe they do: they’re astronomical. Instead, I’m left to treasure night sounds— owls: horned, hoot, screech.

What poet is the poet for November and December? Why, Dylan Thomas is the one I think of. “Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.” He’s talking about death, of course, but also of the fading of the light.

Ice tea for a midmorning drink? Not 32 | November-December 2021

any more. Toasty hot chai instead, bursting with herbal aromas, even a little white pepper, almost too hot to drink. It wraps itself around me and gives me a hug.

Why, it’s Nov. 19, the full beaver moon.

Doug has a telescope, can see the craters of the moon.

Daffodil bulbs, scruffy and dirt-edged, almost didn’t get planted. If I do get them in, all too soon they’ll morph into bright yellow flags of hope.

Nunavut, my writing cabin with its yards-long desk, still occupied, but not for long. My cutoff temperature is 40 degrees, sending me indoors to my cozy chair by the wood stove.

November, according to Ecclesiastes, “the time to pluck up that which was planted.” Chief among them: the last of the green tomatoes, those precious globes that will eventually translate into spaghetti sauce, chili, salsa and lite tomato soup.

It’s way past time to dig the garlic.

Let’s pick a dry day. Hmmm, the heavy, dirt-crusted heads cry out to be sketched.

I indulge them gladly. I choose the biggest cloves to plant, pushing them into their muddy graves.

What shall we have to eat, now that autumn’s here? Volunteer acorn squash stuffed with apple, onion, and cheese?

Yum. The silence is heavy. I can inhale it, breathe it out softly, hold my breath and listen. What do I hear? Silence. Sit in my rocker by the fire and be.

Waiting. Waiting for what? Wind that comes at just the right time, chasing me into my corduroy shirt.

Nip of late fall: Irreverent wind wraps itself around the edge of the house, tapping, heaving, huffing, shoving. It stirs up something in me. But what? Who knows?

Maybe it will tell me.

sue spirit Writes poetry and essays about nature, spirituality, writing and travel. She has a little cabin in the mountains. degreesoffreedom@frontier.com aawmag.com

ALL ABOUT TOWN

Viola and Kristen Benson and Amy Bateman spend time at Boone Boo! on Oct. 31. Photo by Moss Brennan

(Above) Nan Drum Stricklen and Sarah Stricklen Schilens created the crafts they were selling at the Woolly Worm Festival as well as their homemade woolly worm sweatshirt. Stricklen Schilen’s sweatshirt even featured woolly worms that could move up and down strings like they do in the race.

(Left) Maddie Puckett poses with a handful of Banner Elk Elementary’s favorite fuzzy friends during the Wooly Worm Festival. Photos by Marisa Mecke

November-December 2021 | 33

ALL ABOUT TOWN

(Above) Pat Sumner, seated, celebrated working for Blowing Rock Antique Center in October.

Also pictured is Blowing Rock Antique Center Owner Suzanne Miller. Photo by David Rogers

(Above) Deane Shufourd dressed up for trick-or-treating at Deerfield Ridge Assisted Living. Photo by Moss Brennan (Right) Students Libby Powell, Becky Haymore and Abbi Crowe enjoyed Newland Treat Street in October.

Photo by Neal Falvey

34 | November-December 2021

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