Surry Living Magazine - February 2021

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FEBRUARY 2021

A lifestyle magazine highlighting Surry County and the surrounding area

Living the Simple Life

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Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital, Pages 2, 14 Kristin Clickett, Health & Wellness Coach, Page 10

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4 • SURRY LIVING Feb. 2021 Issue

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FEATURED SECTIONS

HOME, FARM, & GARDEN p.8 * OUT & ABOUT p.18 * 8 The Vintage Southern

Homemaker: Gloria Brown shares memories and helpful tips 11 This Little Light of Mine:

Be Still!

22 The Sweet & Savory Life

with Rynn Hennings: Guest Recipe – Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas

SIMPLY DELICIOUS p.22 * 24 Carmen Long:

Start Simple – Eating Your Way to Better Health 26 A Deeper Cut: A Novel, read

ALL THE REST p.26

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28 Area Event Schedules:

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12 Joanna Radford:

Homesteading in Surry

Friendly Heating & Cooling, Inc. SERVICE IS OUR BUSINESS!

15 Sarah Southard, DVM:

Simplifying Life with Critters 16 Martha Bassett:

Good Music, Good People

18 Gin Denton:

The Dell Iron Project

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CONTRIBUTORS

Martha Bassett

Gloria Brown

Gin Denton

Sheri Wren Haymore

Martha is a singer/songwriter/guitarist living and working in the Piedmont. She hosts The Martha Bassett Show, a twicemonthly musical variety show at Elkin’s Reeves Theater. Past shows are featured Saturday evenings on NPR station, 88.5 WFDD. On Wednesday nights she leads music at Roots Revival, an Americana worship service at Winston’s Centenary UMC that explores the intersection of faith and secular music. She's also a longtime scholar of the music of the Shakers.

Martha has released 11 records and plays throughout the region and nation. Get more info at marthabassettshow.com.

Gloria is co-owner of The Nest & Hive Shoppe, a home décor business in Fancy Gap, VA, as well as the former host of The Vintage Southern Homemaker television show. Her musings on life growing up and living in the South have appeared in publications and on TV throughout the region. She is an expert antiques collector who grew up in the business and worked many years as a dealer in the Yadkin Valley area, where she currently resides.

Gin is the owner of Ginger Horse Studio. Her focus is lifestyle photography, covering horse shows, weddings, concerts, and doing on location portraits. Gin graduated from the University of Findlay with an Equine Business Management degree, where she also studied music and photography. She is a member of the Mount Airy Ukulele Invasion (MAUI) and the Granite City Rock Orchestra (GRO).

Gin resides in Lowgap, NC with her family on their small horse farm.

Sheri grew up in Mt. Airy, NC, and lives thereabouts with her husband. Together they run a couple of small businesses and plan their next vacation. A graduate of High Point University, her first job was as a writer at a marketing firm—and she’s been scribbling ever since. Sheri has several suspense novels in publication and Surry Living is proud to include sequential excerpts from one of her books in each issue.

Rynn Hennings

Carmen Long

Joanna Radford

Sarah Southard

Rynn is a writer and designer based in the Yadkin Valley region of North Carolina. She loves to share her ideas for adding simple beauty into hectic lifestyles. More than mere recipes, her mission is to offer practical shortcuts for food preparation along with visual tips for presentation. Rynn began her career in Aiken, SC, as a newspaper reporter writing feature articles about food, living, and the arts. For more about Rynn, even more recipes, decorating tips, and much more, visit thehouseofelynryn.com

Carmen is an NC Cooperative Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences. Making quick, easy, healthy food that tastes great on a budget is a challenge.

Carmen and her husband have two grown children, both of whom were involved in sports from grade school thru college. With busy careers and lots of time at sporting events, coming up with quick, healthy meals was a necessity.

Carmen shares ideas and recipes to make this tough job a bit easier.

Joanna Radford is the Commercial and Consumer Horticulture Agent for the NC Cooperative Extension in Surry County with expertise in entomology, gardening, and pesticide education. She began her career with NC Cooperative Extension in Stokes County in 1995 as a 4-H Agent, later switching to Field Crops and Pesticide Education in Surry County. In 2012, she assumed the role of Horticulture Agent for Surry County. She lives on a farm with her husband and two teenage daughters.

Sarah grew up at Crooked Oak in the Pine Ridge community of Surry County. Raised in the agriculture world, she went on to earn degrees in animal science and veterinary medicine from North Carolina State University. She and her husband, Adam, currently live in Statesville with Oliver the house rabbit, a few cats, Blossom the donkey, and a flock of Katahdin hair sheep.

6 • SURRY LIVING Feb. 2021 Issue

CONTRIBUTORS contd.

Larry VanHoose Larry is the Executive Editor of Surry Living Magazine and Creative Director at Vivid Graphics in Galax, VA. He has 30+ years experience as a writer, graphic designer, and commercial photographer.

Larry and wife, Trina, have four wonderful, grown children, one awesome grandson, and they reside on a small farm just off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Grayson County, VA.

Vie Herlocker Vie is the Associate Editor of Surry Living Magazine. Her professional affiliations include: Christian Proofreaders and Editors Network. American Christian Writers, American Christian Fiction Writers, and more. She is a certified member of the Christian Editor’s Connection (CEC).

Vie has been published in magazines, collections, and co-authored or ghosted several nonfiction books. ~ Vie Herlocker, AKA “The Book Mama”

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home, farm, & garden

AUNT DESSIE’S GIFT OF SIMPLICITY If I ever have any advice worth sharing, I believe it is this: refuse to be defined by the house you live in, the car you drive, or the clothes you wear.

That advice makes me think of my great aunt Dessie. I know I’ve mentioned her before. She was one of Ma’s sisters. They were close in age and always close in heart. By all measures, she was impoverished – but Aunt Dessie was a dignified lady. Widowed in her early forties, she kept children in her home to earn money. My children were the last two she kept, and the time they spent with her was invaluable to their upbringing. She taught them things I would never have thought of or been able to.

When I think of her, I think of the Little Red Hen. Aunt Dessie was frugal but never stingy. Her house was always clean and tidy.

She kept herself “fixed up” all the time. She often said being poor was no excuse to let down your standards. She didn’t have a television, a telephone, or a bathroom until the last few years of her life.

There is no doubt about it, Aunt Dessie lived a simple life. However, it was the way she lived her life that stands out to me. She was a real favorite with all her family right on down through the generations. She regularly had drop-in company who just wanted to sit and visit awhile.

I know that from the time I was a young’un we frequently included Aunt Dessie in our trips and excursions. She was just plain fun to be with. She was adaptable to the situation and tickled to be included.

My mind wanders to her often. I think about what I could do for her now if she were still here. I could help her out financially and maybe ease the burdens I know she silently carried. I could take her along with me when I go out hunting treasures for the shoppe and treat her to a few things. She dearly loved to fix up her little house. She was always moving around her frayed furniture and bringing in a vase of flowers or changing pictures around on the walls. I guess I will always have those regrets.

Then on the other hand I think about what I learned from her: Money is not the measure of everything. What money you do have should be managed wisely. Take pride in what you have. Be grateful for what you have. Take care of what you have. It is important to have a good name, and other people’s opinions don’t count. Good family relations are the most important of all.

Thank God always for everything.

I know that living a simple life does not mean having to live in poverty. I believe a simple life is a state of mind, not a station of mind. My Aunt Dessie was keen enough to know that there was a lot of freedom in her simplicity. She embraced her life and tried to make it a life well lived. She didn’t dwell on what she didn’t have. She never cared what other people thought. She loved and was well loved in return. She shared laughter and heartaches with family and friends who adored her. She knew her eternal home was going to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. At the end of the race what could be simpler than that?

8 • SURRY LIVING Feb. 2021 Issue

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SURRY LIVING Feb. 2021 Issue • 9

Is Coaching for Me?

by Kristin Clickett, CRNA, MSN, NBC-HWC Imagine living your best life ever. Seriously...close your eyes for a moment. Now...really imagine your dream life. What does that look like? What are you doing? Who is with you?

What kind of health are you in? How does that make you feel inside and out?

These are the types of questions an Integrative Health Coach may ask a Client when creating a vision of the Client’s optimal health and well-being. Coaches and Clients successfully utilize the power of that vision to create lasting changes in behavior.

Meet Ann, a grandmother of five. Ann has been feeling out of shape these days and doesn’t have much energy. To complicate matters, she has a history of Type II Diabetes and High Blood Pressure. Ann is finding it difficult to keep up with her grandchildren and has been thinking about how to make a change for the better.

One day, Ann confided her feelings in a friend who introduced her to Integrative Health Coaching. This evidenced-based, individualized approach appealed to her for many reasons.

After a little research, Ann hired her own Coach and began the coaching process.

With the help of her Coach, Ann created a vibrant vision of health that involved participating fully in her grandchildren’s activities. Her Coach’s guidance enabled Ann to produce

10 • SURRY LIVING Feb. 2021 Issue

a plan of action that felt doable and fit into her current lifestyle. Little by little, she took steps in the right direction and made small changes that made a big impact.

To her delight, in just a few months, Ann Little by little, she took began seeing results. steps in the right direction Her energy level was and made small changes increasing and her that made a big impact. clothes were fitting better. Having a Coach to keep her on track, even when she was ready to give up, had made all the difference. Now, her regained energy has her keeping up with her active family just like she had imagined.

In her Coach, Ann found a Trusted Advisor, an Accountability Partner, and a Supportive Sounding Board. Most of all, Ann finally found a way to move forward with achieving her desired results.

For more information about coaching, email kristin@kristinclickett.com This is a paid advertorial for kristinclickett.com

home, farm, & garden

Be Still!

Do you have trouble listening? I’m not talking about hearing only, but really listening intently to what the speaker is saying.

I do. Those close to me know that I was born without the cochlea in my left ear. The other anatomy of my ear is in place: the outer ear’s auricle, canal, and eardrum, then the tiny bones in the middle ear. Each part of the outer and middle ear does its job perfectly, but without the inner ear’s cochlea, the vibrations are never converted to electrical signals that my brain can receive and interpret. In other words, my left ear can receive sound, but my mind just doesn’t get it.

I shared that with you because it explains something that’s been true about me since I was a child. Whenever you talk to me, you may notice something almost unique about me.

I look you full in the face when in conversation. Especially if you are anywhere from in front of me over to my left side.

I seldom just listen while doing something else. I am forced, due to this inconvenient birth defect, to do something we all should do anyway. I usually have to look at you, to turn my good ear towards you, and to read your lips whenever possible.

There are lots of things the world will throw at you, all designed to distract you and keep you from really hearing.

Let me say this to you. There are lots of things the world will throw at you, all designed to distract you and keep you from really hearing. Things to activate not just your hearing, but your mind and your other senses as well. It’s as if there is an actual war going on for your attention – and the collateral damage is often to your friends, family, your coworkers, even the strangers that may come your way. In the Old Testament, Psalm 46, the writer speaks of a war that is underway, but then he testifies about the one who will ultimately bring peace, even though not without conflict. In fact, he speaks a stern command, “Be still, and know that I am God.” It calls to mind that time on a boat during a loud storm, when Jesus slept, but his disciples woke him for fear of drowning. “When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm” (Mark 4:39 NLT).

by Larry VanHoose

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace (Numbers 6:24-26 NIV).”

That same promise is for you too, if you but turn your face, and your ear, to him. Look him full in the face and, be still …

Psalm 46 (NIV) God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.

God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.

Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth.

He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth.

He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

The fact is, there is a war going on for our attention, for our very souls. But we are not in this alone, we have a father in heaven who loves us, who is on our side if we can but quiet ourselves – sift through all the distractions of life – and find him. As the apostle Paul said in Romans 8, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Jesus said over and over, “He that has ears to hear, let him hear.” And God himself told Moses to speak to his people, to tell them he would turn toward them, bless them.

SURRY LIVING Feb. 2021 Issue • 11

home, farm, & garden

by Joanna Radford

Homesteading in Surry

to assist you. Let’s talk about where to find the information for success.

In a world full of chaos, where can we find peace? How can we get back to the “good ole days” when we were not so busy and pushed to attend every activity around us? With the growing interest in self-sufficiency, getting back to roots, and living off the land, many people are exploring the option of homesteading.

Homesteading gives the impression of living the simple life, but it may take hard work and a steep learning curve to get there.

Growing your own food can be satisfying. There is nothing like planting a seed and watching it grow to produce a vegetable to eat.

Doing so has numerous advantages – from increasing your activity level to helping save money to increasing your consumption of produce. A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, from numerous accredited hospitals and universities, reports that working in your garden 30 minutes a day for five days a week will save you $2,500 in medical expenses per year. This much time in the garden would be easy to achieve.

If you are unsure about when to plant and harvest fruits and vegetables, check out this planting calendar from NC State University at https://gardening.ces.ncsu.edu/garden-calendars/.

Your local North Carolina Cooperative Extension is one of the best resources you have, and their assistance is completely free.

They can provide you with production information specific for the area where you live. There is no question too elementary or too complex because they have university specialists to refer to if needed. The Extension Center can provide lists of which plants grow well in the area as well as which varieties perform best.

All photos courtesy of Tasha Greer. Tasha is a homesteader living in Surry County, NC. She has photo tours available to view on https://reluxerenderings.wordpress.com/. Topic specific information can be found on https://simplestead.com/

Homesteading can be as involved as you want it to be, and it does not require a lot of land. Homesteading utilizes what resources you have to produce for you, your family, and to possibly sell to others.

A few ideas for homesteading include growing fruit trees (peaches and apples are successful in our area), planting small fruits (such as blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries), growing herbs and vegetables, shepherding animals for meat and fiber, and housing poultry for eggs.

The biggest hurdle may be getting started. Many lessons will be learned as you go, and there are numerous resources available 12 • SURRY LIVING Feb. 2021 Issue

One of the first things you will need to do is take a soil test. Test kits are free and can be found at your local Extension Center. Testing is done through North Carolina Department of Agriculture and there is a $4 per sample charge from December 1 through March 31. All other times are free of charge. Results from this test will show the soil’s nutrient content and pH. This is important when determining fertilizer, lime, and other soil amendment needs for a productive food crop. Once your soil is prepped and ready, you can choose the appropriate food

home, farm, & garden crop or crops. More importantly, you can select the variety for your chosen food crop. This is one of the most important decisions you will make in this venture. There are many resources to help you decide on varieties. Here is a short list of some perennial varieties that are proven successful in our area.

•

Asparagus: Purple Passion, Jersey Supreme, Jersey Giant, Jersey Knight

•

Rhubarb: Victoria, Red Cherry

•

Figs: Celeste, Brown Turkey

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Strawberry: Chandler, Camarosa

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Blackberry: Arapaho, Apache, Ouachita, Natchez, Navaho, Kiowa, Osage, Triple Crown

•

Blueberry: (Rabbiteye types) Premier, Powderblue, Tifblue

•

Muscadine: Tara, Carlos, Noble, Nesbitt

•

Vinifera grape: American hybrid and French hybrids

•

Peaches: Candor, Contender, Red Haven

•

Apples: Ginger Gold, Gala, Jonagold, Empire, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Crispin (Mutsu), Stayman, Rome, Fuji, Gold Rush

Maybe this has gotten your wheels to turn and who knows, homesteading just might me in your future. If you need help on getting started, contact your local NC Cooperative Extension.

SURRY LIVING Feb. 2021 Issue • 13

home, farm, & garden

by Sarah Southard, DVM

Simplifying life

with critters Simple living is a phrase that we seem to hear more often as life gets busier. We are all trying to determine what matters and how to prioritize the most important things each day. Because we are all individuals with different wants and needs, the answer to the

question, “What is simple living?” depends entirely on whom you ask. For some folks, it is impossible to fathom including companion animals or livestock in any simple living scenario.

For others, it is simply impossible to imagine living without animals. For those of us in the latter category, lets consider how we might simplify the logistics of living with the animals which we simply cannot live without.

Keep up with your animals’ preventive healthcare. While this might appear to complicate things in the immediate time frame, it simplifies life in the long-term. For example, scheduling your pets’ or livestock’s vaccinations and deworming for a time that is both convenient for your schedule and when it will be most effective is much simpler, cheaper, and less chaotic than is seeking proper care and treatment (possibly on an emergency basis) when they unexpectedly become sick.

Have a savings account or available line of credit reserved specifically for animal healthcare. Consider pet health insurance. These measures will reduce stress and simplify decision-making in the face of routine and emergent healthcare situations. You will be able to provide the best possible care for your animals without the added stress of wondering how you will manage to pay the bill.

Maintain proper identification and health records for your animals. This is particularly important for livestock. Again, it appears to complicate matters in the short-term, however knowing with certainty when a particular cow calved, which ewe needed deworming throughout the year, or which doe has not kidded for 2 years running will greatly improve operations and decision-making later on. Proper planning and implementation early will save many times over the initial investment throughout years of production.

Make emergency plans before an emergency happens.

This should include plans for what will be done in the event

of an animal emergency, in the event of a human emergency that means you can no longer care for your animals (whether short-term or long-term), and in the event of a natural disaster that necessitates evacuation of humans, with or without your animals. Recently my husband got a phone call one morning that resulted in us needing to go out of town as soon as possible that day and be away from home for an unknown amount of time. Thankfully, we are blessed with incredible neighbors who are familiar with our livestock and pets and who are always willing to help when needed. But that situation made me realize just how unprepared we really were for the truly unexpected situations that may come up. Emergencies never happen to us … until they do. Preparing for the unexpected now will greatly simplify a difficult situation later.

These are just a few of the possibilities when it comes to simplifying life with animals. Ultimately the measures that will provide the most simplicity for your home or livestock operation will likely not be the same ones that someone else finds most helpful. The goal is to find what is most useful to your situation and implement appropriately. Animals do change our focus and responsibilities, but they do not necessarily have to complicate life.

SURRY LIVING Feb. 2021 Issue • 15

out & about

by Martha Bassett

Hello friends! Like most of you, I hope for the end of the pandemic. But since we’re not quite there yet, this moment is an excellent vantage point for looking back over the past year and ahead to the unknown. I’ve been thinking a lot about how to reenter life as a gigging musician and at the same time maintain some of the simple life that was forced on us last March. Truthfully, I don’t know any professional musicians who don’t live pretty simply. It’s a requirement of the job to be resilient to economic swings. But we do tend to work a lot for that very reason – to make hay while the sun shines, as the cliché goes.

Recently I was talking with Greensboro singer-songwriter Abigail Dowd, who recorded a new project just before the pandemic hit. She had booked an exciting tour for 2020

Photo of Pat Lawrence by Ben Singer

relegated to the front yard at the mercy of rain, daylight, and lawnmowers. The guitar player in my band, Russell Kelly, and I had a standing Sunday afternoon rehearsal to practice the bossa nova music of Brazil, so we accepted the heat and mosquitoes as authentic. Fall was pleasant enough, but this winter we’ve had to wait and wait for 50-degree days, then bundle up and play outside, moving our gear periodically to stay in the sun. When I asked Russell how he’s been affected by the pandemic, he said that his life was already pared down.

Besides losing gigs and reckoning with issues of mortality, his life wasn’t that different…except that the holidays were less stressful and he had the ultimate excuse not to socialize. I relate. Introverts everywhere have had their day.

Another thing I miss is Wednesday nights. I’ve sung at a Wednesday church service for the past eight years, and every single week a group of choir members and friends have gone out to dinner afterwards. I miss my friends, the camaraderie, and the singing together. When will the singing together come back?

Photo of Abigail Dowd by Todd Turner

In the “after times,” I want my time to be more focused. I want to do less but go deeper. I want to spend time with people I love and enjoy the gloriousness of group music-making. In the meantime, here we are. If I’ve learned anything in the past year, it’s to let go of expectations and welcome what comes. I trust that good things are on the horizon.

that would’ve expanded her audience and that felt like the culmination of years of work, but she was cheerful about finally having a rest and getting to know her neighbors.

My partner, producer, and bass player, Pat Lawrence, has had a completely different experience. Last August, one of his wishes came true and the Martha Bassett Show Podcast (which he had been producing) began airing weekly as a radio show on 88.5 WFDD. Pat’s worked more this year than ever and has simplified the rest of his life by necessity.

One of the things I’m looking forward to is band rehearsals.

In the “before times,” all seven of us would pack into my small living room a couple of times a month. In 2020 we were 16 • SURRY LIVING Feb. 2021 Issue

Photo of Russell Kelly by Ben Singer

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NOW OPEN Northern Regional Hospital announces the opening of its first urgent care clinic on November 2, 2020. Northern Urgent Care is located just a few blocks from the hospital at 119 Welch Road, at the corner of Highway 52 South and Snowhill Drive, in the same shopping center as T-Mobile.

Dr. Nelson Gardner serves as the Medical Director for Northern Urgent Care and will work closely with three full-time providers at the clinic, April Croston, FNP-C, Craig E. Howell, PA-C, and Mathew M. Reynolds, PA-C. Northern Regional providers

Jason Cucchiara, ONP-C (Northern Orthopaedics) and Kelley Manuel, FNP-C (Northern Family Medicine) will also serve patients on an as needed basis. Kitty Tate, Director, Physician Practice Operations will provide daily oversight of Northern Urgent Care.

Northern Urgent Care offers a multitude of services for our patients including, but not limited to, minor procedures, sports physicals, labs including Covid-19 testing, treatment for minor injuries, sore throat and flu, x-rays and vaccines. Patients may reserve their spot in line through the clinic’s website.

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out & about

by Gin Denton

The Dell Iron Project After all the cancellations and postponements in 2020, shows are starting back up and you can enjoy live music at Sparta’s Muddy Creek Cafe. One group you may find putting some

from Rocky Mount, VA. Stewart plays bass, sings harmony, and writes songs. Stew plays mandolin in the band and began playing music when he was around four years old.

According to Paula, “Stewart grew up in a musically rich family and learned from one of his aunts. He plays in two other bands besides the Dell Iron Project.” Stewart passed on his passion of music to his son. “Stew is to me a child prodigy when it comes to music,” shares Paula. “He can hear things in music that the average player would probably not even notice.” She added, “Stew and his dad, Stewart, will often take bookings with just the two of them.”

Dell Iron performs in southwest VA as well as Surry and Alleghany Counties in NC. The band plays originals and covers such as John Prine’s “Angel from Montgomery.”

Follow the Dell Iron Project on Facebook to see their upcoming performances. Be on the lookout for “Lala Love.”

Recording a music video is an exciting and long journey for a band. Join me in their watch party!

Also, please, share some February love with the band and other local musicians or artists. They need your support right now. Sometimes a simple share of their music or work on social media can make their day!

Happy Trails

music out at Muddy Creek is the Dell Iron Project. They were featured on January 30, and they look forward to future engagements there.

The Dell Iron Project takes its name from founders Paula Dellenback and Charlie Milliron. Paula is a singer and rhythm guitarist, and Charlie is a singer/songwriter and lead guitarist.

Originally from Surry County, Paula now lives in close by Ararat, VA. She and Charlie, who lives in Rocky Mount, VA, founded the band after meeting at a bluegrass jam in Woolwine, VA. While waiting for regular gigs to return, Paula and Charlie have been working on their music videos. Their first, “Lala Love,” written by Paula, is set to release this month. Their next scheduled video will be “My Love Belongs to You,” written

by Charlie.

The two newest additions to the band are Stewart Werner II, and his 17-year-old son, Stew Werner. The Werners are also 18 • SURRY LIVING Feb. 2021 Issue

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out & about SURRY LIVING SUBSCRIPTIONS NOW AVAILABLE! You or your family live outside our distribution area but still want a physical copy of SLM? We've added yearly Subscriptions/Gift Subscriptions as an option for those wanting to enjoy the monthly publication delivered to your door! Twelve months/issues subscription by US Mail anywhere in the continental US is only $25.00/year.

Give the gift of Surry Living to your loved ones this year!

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simply delicious

with Rynn Hennings

www.thehouseofelynryn.com

R

ynn is taking a short break for February, so upon request, I'm gonna share an entrée recipe that's become a staple around our house, especially when it's cold and dreary outside!

This is Larry, and besides being your friendly neighborhood magazine editor, I also know how to throw a few fixin's around the kitchen in event of a food emergency. This entree is my goto for pot-lucks and family get-together's and I'm hoping I'll get to mix up a batch real soon. In the meantime, I will share my

"secret recipe" with you as long as you keep it secret. After all, even as good as these enchiladas are, you won't want everyone in the family showing up with a casserole dish of them when the next gathering does happen. Or maybe you will!

Servings: 6-10 servings Prep Time: 30-40 mins Total Cook Time: 45 minutes GREEN CHILE CHICKEN ENCHILADAS Ingredients • 8 or 10 large, low-carb flour tortillas (corn tortillas may be substituted depending on preference) • 1 pound boneless chicken breasts • 8-ounce package of cream cheese (fat free not recommended) • (1) 10-ounce can of green chile enchilada sauce • (1) small jar of your favorite salsa • 8-ounces of sour cream • 8-ounces of cheddar, Monterey jack, or cheddar/ Monterey jack mixed shredded cheese • (1) large clove of garlic, finely diced • (1) fresh avocado (optional) • (1) red tomato (optional) 22 • SURRY LIVING Feb. 2021 Issue

Directions 1. Cook the chicken using your preferred method. In summer, we usually grill ours outside, but you can cook it in a crockpot, bake it, broil it, or even boil it.

2. Once the chicken is fully cooked and drained, cut it into small chunks, approximately 1/2" cubed or smaller.

3. Put the chicken in a 10" sauce pan (or larger) over medium heat and while continuing to stir, add in the garlic, cream cheese, and up to 8 ounces of salsa. Stir until all the cream cheese has melted and the cheese and salsa is evenly distributed. (optional: add other ingredients at this time if desired - this is your enchilada filling).

4. In a large casserole dish, pour about half of the green chile enchilada sauce. Spread it evenly over the bottom of the casserole dish and half way up the sides.

5. Place the first tortilla in the casserole dish, add about 3-4 tablespoons of the chicken/cheese/salsa filling and then roll the tortilla up and push to the side of the casserole dish.

Repeat until you have filled up the dish and/or used up all your tortillas and filling.

6. Pour the remainder of the green chile enchilada sauce over the top evenly, cover with foil, and bake at 375 degrees F for 25 minutes.

7. Take the casserole out of the oven, remove the foil, spread your shredded cheese over the top according to preference, then put the casserole back in the oven for 10 more minutes or until the cheese is completely melted and just beginning to turn a golden brown.

8. Remove and allow to sit for 15 minutes. Top with sour cream as desired, and serve!

Savory Tips Once out of the oven, you may want to "dress up" your enchiladas with small cuts of avocado, diced tomatoes, guacamole, salsa, or even by adding a small amount of warmed green chile sauce poured over the top. Feel free to experiment with your favorite toppings – and enjoy!

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SURRY LIVING Feb. 2021 Issue • 23

simply delicious

Start Simple – Eating Your Way to Better Health Would you like to feel better, take fewer meds, and spend less money on health care costs? What you are eating is key. Make every bite on your plate count. Set some simple daily food goals to start moving towards better health.

Sound good, but not sure where to start? No worries. Help is available.

MyPlate.gov is a wonderful resource from USDA with a wealth of reliable information. Go to https://www.choosemyplate. gov/ and take the on-line quiz to get personalized resources to Start Simple with MyPlate. If you don’t have access to a computer, you may call the Surry County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension at 336-401-8025 to do the quiz over the phone.

Think about your current health. What are some of your health goals? Would you like to be healthier overall? Maybe you want to help your family eat healthier, increase your energy, attain or maintain a healthy weight, or reduce stress.

What keeps you from eating healthy? Taste and flavor, costs too much, takes too much time, inconvenient, not sure how?

Or maybe you don’t have the support you need or others in your house don’t want to.

The quiz will help you think about what we currently are eating and provide help on meal planning, food preparation, portion control, grocery shopping, and many other topics.

Meet healthy eating goals one at a time by using your quiz results code to set daily food goals and see real-time progress in the Start Simple with MyPlate app. This easy-to-use app can help you make positive changes as you move toward achieving a healthier life.

If deciding what to eat is a challenging, try MyPlate Plan. This resource can be personalized to show your food group targets – what and how much to eat within your calorie allowance.

Need new recipe ideas? Visit MyPlate Kitchen at https:// www.myplate.gov/myplate-kitchen/recipes. You will find over 1000 recipes which can be searched by course, ingredients, nutrients, cooking equipment, cuisine, and cost. Recipes may be saved and made into a cookbook of your favorites. There are also cooking and food safety tips, preparation videos and many other helpful hints.

24 • SURRY LIVING Feb. 2021 Issue

For a simple recipe to warm up on a cold day, try 3-Can Chili from MyPlate Kitchen.

3-Can Chili With almost no cooking required to prepare this chili, just open cans of beans, corn, and tomatoes, and heat everything together in a pan!

Ingredients • 1 can beans, low sodium undrained (pinto, kidney, red, or black 15.5 ounces) • 1 can corn, drained (15 ounces, or 10-ounce package of frozen corn) • 1 can crushed tomatoes, undrained (15 ounces) • chili powder (to taste) Directions 1. Place the contents of all 3 cans into a pan.

2. Add chili powder to taste.

3. Stir to mix.

4. Continue to stir over medium heat until heated thoroughly.

5. Refrigerate leftovers.

Source: Colorado State University and University of California at Davis. Eating Smart Being Active Recipes

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SURRY LIVING Feb. 2021 Issue • 25

all the rest Find out how a harmless prank entangles two college kids with a serial killer in the FINAL installment of A DEEPER CUT, a novel of suspense and forgiveness by Mt. Airy author Sheri Wren Haymore.

Jack Franklin sped toward the harbor. He was cutting his time close.

Having to deal with Miki had distracted him. The Cat had lost his focus. He had left the yacht without his gun. He had only a few minutes to backtrack and get it.

Jack’s plan was simple but brilliant. His sources had told him that Rob Kittrell would step off a boat today at nine o’clock and turn himself in. Rob wasn’t fool enough to let a half-million-dollar inheritance go to his son. Jack knew Rob well. Rob Kittrell was Jack’s first case as a drug agent.

Today, Rob would be Jack’s last bust. Jack would arrest Rob on the boardwalk, watch the terror in Rob’s eyes when he recognized him, smile for the cameras, and shoot Rob Kittrell through the heart.

The first piece of scum ever to slip away from Jack finally executed in front of the news media. It was risky, but Jack had the element of surprise. He was sure he could pull it off and get away. And the world would know he was The Cat. Jack came in sight of the harbor. Something was wrong. There were too many officers on the boardwalk. Rob Kittrell was just stepping off a yacht, and Grayson Tucker was there to meet him. Stupid Tucker!

He probably thought he was arresting the harbor killer. Jack cursed himself for not grabbing his gun sooner and plowed toward the dock, nearly blind with fury.

Cameras snapped as Grayson led Rob Kittrell down the ramp in handcuffs. Reporters pressed forward, trying to push past the deputies, shouting questions. A smile spread across Rob’s face when he saw Hunter standing in the center of the uproar. Hunter gave his father a slow salute.

“Tucker!” A speedboat blasted onto the scene and banged to a halt against the dock. Jack Franklin jumped out, and there was a murmur from the crowd. He looked like a man with authority—a man on a mission. “You fool. What do you think you’re doing?”

Grayson kept his prisoner moving, but he put his big body between him and Jack.

“Answer me, Tucker. You’re a damn fool, and everybody here can say they saw it. You arrested the wrong man. He’s not the harbor killer.”

Hunter stared at Jack’s face, livid, twisted with hatred. He was a madman. What had he done with Miki?

At that moment, Grayson made a motion with his hand, and an officer dashed on board Jack’s yacht. He disappeared inside the cabin and was back on deck in a second, shaking his head, No. Grayson released Rob to another officer and began to move toward the water in a hurry.

26 • SURRY LIVING Feb. 2021 Issue

Cursing, Jack Franklin leaped into his speedboat and pulled away, headed down the creek. In a second, Hunter was pushing through the crowd and running toward his own dock, long legs stretching his speed to match the boat’s. “He was mine,” Jack screamed. “I waited eighteen years. Your father was mine.” And then the speedboat kicked into gear and pulled away. Hunter arrived at his own dock as Jack roared out of sight. He fumbled with the mooring ropes, finally pulled them loose, and jumped into his boat. By the time he cranked up, Jack was far ahead. * * * Miki was startled to hear Jack returning so soon. In his absence she had leaned forward, pressing the cut in her side against the edge of the table in front of her, trying to stop the bleeding. In doing so, she realized that the cord around her arms was not as secure as Jack had meant it to be. She had worked at the knot steadily in the hope that she would be free before he returned.

She did not want to die, not by his hand or her own. She had thought this morning that killing herself, ending all her problems, was a choice. Now that she was forced to face death, she craved life with more intensity than she thought possible. Despair and the desperate needs within her had driven her young heart to this moment. Now that there was nothing left but pure survival, instinct lifted her soul, making her see that life was worth grabbing.

Jack boarded the boat, frightening hate in his eyes. “Make up your mind,” he growled as he started the boat. “I can slit your throat before I dump you overboard. Or you can feel the sharks eat you piece by piece.” He screamed in laughter as he shoved the boat in gear and roared down the channel.

Dizzy from fear and loss of blood, Miki ducked down against the table. As her head cleared, she could picture exactly how to work the knot to free herself. Struggling, she twisted both wrists, maneuvering her hands so that two fingers could touch the knot. It did not loosen easily, but it did move, and she continued to work at it.

Jack let out a stream of curses, staring straight ahead, the cruiser still full throttle. Miki did not know that Hunter was behind them, his little boat bouncing wildly from wave to wave. She did not know that Grayson was behind Hunter in a police boat, blue light flashing. She could not see the row of patrol boats that were just ahead, blocking the channel, waiting for Jack Franklin. She did not know that Jack cursed because he knew he was trapped, and he had given himself away by running, in this boat, with a hostage. Grayson had tricked him. All she knew was that her hands were free and the boat was racing toward her death—and she had a gun. She tore the gag loose from her mouth and whispered hoarsely, “Jack.” He turned and saw the gun pointed at his chest, the cruiser still speeding straight for the boats in the channel, and a terrible challenge came into his eyes. He reached for the knife in his holster.

She pulled the trigger.

Blood exploded from his chest, splattering her face. The percussion rang in her ears. The moment would forever divide her life—the instant she grabbed life by taking his. Never would she forget how his perfect features shattered into horrible evil, his face contorted Continued on Page 29

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all the rest by hatred, the awful blackness of his soul reflected in his eyes as he stared straight into hers as he died. He collapsed against the throttle and the boat slowed.

Hunter and Miki stood alone in the anteroom of the courtroom, waiting for the judge to see them.

She was screaming hysterically, still holding the gun, when Hunter boarded the boat. “Miki. Miki. It’s over. Give me the gun. Babe, he can’t hurt you again. Give me the gun.” He took it from her, both their hands shaking. “It’s okay, now. It’s okay.” Miki was sobbing and coughing dryly as he reached across Jack’s body and switched off the engine.

He looked toward the window. The August sunlight appeared muddy in this room, caught as it was in the suspended dust.

The gun was still in Hunter’s hand when Grayson boarded the boat.

Grayson, looking very sick, took the gun and surveyed the scene.

He turned and barked to the men in the boats, “You! Flag down the paramedics and get up here. The rest of you stay put.”

“I’ll be fine,” Miki said in a thin, strained voice. “Just get me off this boat.”

Grayson stooped to untie her legs. “Young lady, I tried everything I could to get you to tell me what you knew about those murders.

Anything that could have linked Jack Franklin to the killings. I put you in jail to try to protect you from this.” His voice broke. He helped her to her feet and handed her a handkerchief to wipe Jack’s blood from her face. “This officer will take you to the hospital and get that wound taken care of. Then I want you to come directly to the courthouse and give your statement to a judge. It won’t take long and you’ll be free to go.”

She nodded, glanced at Hunter through her tears, and stumbled away with the officer.

Grayson and Hunter looked out. Six patrol boats surrounded the cruiser and news crews were just pulling up. Grayson sighed.

“Hunter, you’ve managed to get in the middle of another killing.”

“I know it,” said Hunter.

“We’ve got a creek full of federal and state agents. None of them knows for sure who shot Franklin, and every one of them is going to want to ask you a hundred questions.”

A reporter called out, “Chief Tucker! What happened here? Who is the harbor killer?”

“And I’ve about had my fill of that squawking,” Grayson continued.

“Me, too,” agreed Hunter.

“Ever play Monopoly?” asked Grayson.

Hunter smiled.

“Go straight to jail. Do not pass go. Do not collect two hundred questions.” Grayson pulled out handcuffs. “I can get you out of here in a hurry. You can tell your story one time to a judge and be home in time for lunch.”

“What are you going to say you’re charging me with, Mr. Tucker?”

Hunter asked as Grayson handcuffed him.

“I don’t have to say anything, Hunter. Franklin is dead, you’re in my custody, and that’s all anybody has to know until the judge says it’s all over.” * * *

“Why did you do it?” she asked.

“Why?” she asked again.

He shifted slightly and looked into her eyes, still blue, still lovely, now keen with pain. Before she could ask a third time, his mouth covered hers, savoring the warmth of her lips.

“What was that?” she asked, her voice shaking.

“That was good-bye,” he whispered.

“I don’t understand. You risked your life for me after the way I treated you. Why?” He sighed and studied her face, pale from this morning’s ordeal.

Dark shadows beneath her eyes told him of the nightmares and sleepless nights she had suffered.

“I feel like I never really knew you, Hunter,” Miki said. “And I will always regret that.” After a pause, she added, “Nobody has ever thought I was worth dying for. I guess I’ll never understand why you did it.”

“I sure don’t have all the answers,” said Hunter, “but I know both of us have been asking the wrong questions. I can tell you for a fact that you’re worthwhile to God. And I guess I did it because that’s what people have always done for me—stuck by me no matter what I did.”

Grayson walked in just then. “Sorry this took so long,” he said. He looked at Miki’s pale face with concern. “The judge is ready for you.

It’s just a formality. He’ll ask you a few questions, I’ll tell him you’re not charged with anything, and that will be the end of it. Then I want you to get some food and some rest.”

Tears began to roll down Miki’s cheeks. “I don’t have anywhere to go,” she whispered.

“Sure you do,” said Hunter lightly. He took her by the arm and stepped forward in an exaggerated motion. “Just take a step and you’re in a brand new life.” He dropped her arm and looked into her eyes. “That’s all I want for you, Miki. I just want you to be okay.”

She nodded and cocked her head at him. “Is Amy one of those people who stuck by you?” she asked.

A slow smile spread across his face.

“You’re in love with her, aren’t you?”

“Yeah, well, I guess maybe I am.” Hunter winked at Grayson and held the door open for Miki. She squared her shoulders, took one long step, and strode past him into the courtroom, her long skirt flowing gracefully.

— The End Sheri Wren Haymore lives near Mt. Airy with her husband, Clyde, and has been scribbling her entire life. A DEEPER CUT is her second novel. To read the entire book, you can find A DEEPER CUT at Pages in Mt. Airy, Chapters in Galax or at your favorite online bookseller.

SURRY LIVING Feb. 2021 Issue • 29

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