OutreachNC March 2018

COMPLIMENTARY

MARCH 2018 | VOL. 9, ISSUE 3

Rightsizing

Retirement

Serving the Sandhills & Southern Piedmont

MARCH 2018 |

OutreachNC.com 1

| OUTREACHNC.COM

You are cordially invited to Habitat for Humanity’s

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Saturday • April 14, 2018 • 6 pm Pinehurst Country Club

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OutreachNC.com | MARCH 2018

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features MARCH 2018

28 Sharing Spaces:

When a Loved One Moves In

by Jennifer Webster

32 Five Signs It’s Time to Move On

by Rachel Stewart

38 Calloway Forest: More Than Only the Bird That Sings Best

by Ray Linville

44 Residential Living Communities: Tips to Ease the Transition

by Maryanne Edmundson, PhD

48 Carolina Conversations with Food Bank Executive Peter Werbicki

by Ray Linville

54 Ageless Design/Aging in Place

by David Hibbard

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OutreachNC.com | MARCH 2018

Rightsizing Retirement Issue

MARCH 2018 |

OutreachNC.com 5

departments March 2018

“Nothing is impossible; the word itself says ‘I’m possible!’”

—Audrey Hepburn

9:41

AM 100%

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18 advice & health

life

10

Ask the Expert

by Amy Natt, MS, CMC, CSA

14

Regional Culture

by Ray Linville

12

Hearing Health

by Debbie Clason

18

Cooking Simple

by Scott Dawson

16

Planning Ahead

by Tim Hicks, RICP, APMA

26

The Reader’s Nook

by Michelle Goetzl

20

Role Reversal

by David Hibbard

27

22

Tech Savvy How to Judge Online Information

Five Tips to Make Downsizing Easier

by Kasia McDaniel

24

Dental Health

by Laura Wellener

60

Grey Matter Games Sudoku, Word Search & Crossword Puzzles

25

Law Review

by Tyler Chriscoe

61

Did You Know?

National Refired Day

59

Resource Marketplace Find the resources you need

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OutreachNC.com | MARCH 2018

66 Generations

by Ray Linville and

Michelle Goetzl

...with even more to discover!

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articles

advice

previous issues

recipes

magazine extras

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

An Old Irish Blessing

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind always be at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

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HEATHER TIPPENS, LPC Licensed Professional Counselor

910-420-8041 45 Aviemore Drive | Pinehurst PinehurstNeuropsychology.com MARCH 2018 |

OutreachNC.com 7

from the editor

W

hat a pleasure it has been to serve this month as guest editor!

Starting with the initial issue, I’ve been an avid reader each month of this magazine, now entering its eighth year. I depend on its advice and health columns to inform, life columns to entertain and feature articles to inspire. For more than three years now, I‘ve been a contributing writer and consider myself part of the magazine’s family as are all the readers, advertisers and other contributors.

This month’s theme is Rightsizing Retirement, a critical life step often deferred. The feature articles explain when to move on, how to share spaces with loved ones, why residential living communities and how aging in place should be considered.

The next location in our series on the N.C. Birding Trail is Calloway Park in Hoke County. Pictures of the truly spectacular birds in our area make the pages come alive. As you read, perhaps you can even hear a songbird sing.

A few years ago I had the honor of giving a Ruth Pauley Lecture at Sandhills Community College.

The topic was the food culture of the American South, and the lecture also addressed hunger in this region. Soon I was invited to join the regional council of the Sandhills Food Bank Branch, and my eyes were opened to the phenomenal work to alleviate hunger in our area. I hope you are fascinated by the Carolina Conversations with Peter Werbicki, the leading regional advocate for feeding people in need, and feel inspired to help.

The best reward of being the guest editor is that I’ve already read all the contents. Don’t worry. I’m still going to pick up my regular copy as usual. I hope you enjoy yours and that you share it with a friend. With my stint as guest editor over, I’m returning to my hobby of being a barbecue judge -I think I smell something cookin’.

—Ray Linville

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OutreachNC.com | MARCH 2018

Reader Letters Guest Editor Ray Linville | Editor@OutreachNC.com

We’d love to hear from you! Reader feedback keeps

Creative Director Kim Gilley | The Village Printers

us in touch with you and most often makes us smile.

We welcome your emails, letters, questions, comments and photos.

Creative & Graphic Designer Sarah McElroy | The Village Printers

Email us at Editor@OutreachNC.com or send a note to PO Box 2478, Southern Pines, NC 28388.

Ad Designers Stephanie Budd, Cyndi Fifield, Nikki Lienhard, Sarah McElroy

The sweet potato pie cover caught my attention when I was in town visiting my sister over the Thanksgiving holidays. I really enjoyed reading the magazine and especially enjoyed Ray Linville’s column. His Aunt Clara’s trick sweet potato pie hit home and reminded me of the Thanksgiving my Mom forgot to purchase the pumpkin pie filling.

Pumpkin pie was my Dad’s very favorite Thanksgiving treat; his only request every year.

“Sweet Potato Pie

Proofreaders Ashley Eder, Ray Linville

COMPLIMENTARY

Photography Diana Matthews Contributors Debbie Clason, Scott Dawson, Maryanne Edmundson, Michelle Goetzl, David Hibbard, Tim Hicks, Corbie Hill, Ray Linville, Kasia McDaniel, Amy Natt, Rachel Stewart, Jenn Webster, Laura Wellener

Y Publisher Amy Natt | AmyN@AgingOutreachServices.com Marketing & Public Relations Director Susan McKenzie | SusanM@AgingOutreachServices.com Advertising Sales Executive Ashley Haddock | AshleyH@OutreachNC.com 910-690-9102 Advertising Sales Executive & Circulation Manager Butch Peiker | ButchP@OutreachNC.com 904-477-8440 OutreachNC PO Box 2478 | 676 NW Broad Street Southern Pines, NC 28388 910-692-9609 Office | 910-695-0766 Fax info@OutreachNC.com

www.OutreachNC.com

OutreachNC is a publication of The entire contents of OutreachNC are copyrighted by Aging Outreach Services. Reproduction or use without permission of editorial, photographic or graphic content in any manner is prohibited. OutreachNC is published monthly on the first of each month.

NOVEMBER 2017 | VOL. 8, ISSUE 11

and I shut my mouth”

When it came time to make the Plus pie, Mom discovered then she did not have a can of pumpkin in the pantry. She sent me to the neighbor’s house and when I returned with a handful of sweet potatoes, she started to cry. Remember, back in the day, grocery stores were NOT open on holidays. Mom quickly recovered, found a sweet potato recipe and made me promise to keep her secret. My Dad raved about that pie, ‘the best one ever!” We laughed for years about our little Thanksgiving secret.

- Elizabeth, Columbia, SC 3 STEPS TO FULFILLING YOUR LIFELONG DREAMS

FALLING IN LOVE WITH SKYDIVING CAROLINA CONVERSATIONS WITH WRAL-TV’S AMANDA LAMB

Serving the Sandhills & Southern Piedmont

NOVEMBER 2017 |

OutreachNC.com 1

| OUTREACHNC.COM

My 25-year old granddaughter, Lisa brought a copy of OutreachNC magazine to our December family Sunday lunch. Over dessert, she pulled out the magazine and asked what she needed to know about legacy planning.

She wanted to know what plans we had in place, how we made our decisions, and then asked our advice to help her get started on her personal plans. It was not our typical Sunday luncheon discussion, but it provided a wonderful opportunity to share very important information with our family. Our thanks to OutreachNC and Tim Hicks encouraging our granddaughter to ask questions.

- Sam, Laurinburg Editor’s note: Submitted comments may be edited for length or clarity.

MARCH 2018 |

OutreachNC.com 9

advice

Our Aging Life Care ProfessionalsTM will answer any aging questions you may have.

ASK THE EXPERT

Email us your questions! info@OutreachNC.com

Is a Long-Term Care Policy Worth Maintaining?

by Amy Natt, MS, CMC, CSA

I recently received a letter that the premium on my long-term care (LTC) insurance policy is increasing. It seems like the premium keeps going up but my benefits are not increasing. Should I keep this policy?

T

he cost of health care, in general, has been on the rise; it is no surprise that LTC policies are also increasing premiums. The insurance company has to weigh the potential benefit against the risk of the product. There is a formula they typically use, including how many policy holders they have, how long policy holders are living and the frequency and severity of claims.

The combination of these factors has led many LTC companies to increase premiums.

Many consumers, like yourself, are left asking if the policy is worth maintaining? There are several factors that might go into your decision: • How large is your benefit? Many people have LTC policies in place because they hope to be able to bring care into the home and age in place.

The typical in-home care cost is between $15 and $20 per hour, so if your daily benefit is $144, it is likely that 8 hours of care could be utilized (once you qualified for the policy), and this would help you achieve the goal of remaining at home for as long as possible.

• What other funds do you have to pay for care? If you have substantial funds, savings or

investments, you may have other resources to fund your care (or self-insure). However, if you will need to sell assets to fund care or deplete savings, it may be better to keep the LTC policy in place to fund the care you may need.

• How long have you paid into your policy?

If you have been paying into your policy for a long time and you are at an age where you may need the benefit in the next five years, it probably makes sense to keep the policy.

• What is your family history? If you have already qualified for your policy, do you want to risk losing it? Does your family have a history 10

OutreachNC.com | MARCH 2018

of chronic disease or cognitive changes, such as Alzheimer’s disease? If one of your parents or grandparents required care, you may want to consider the risk that you will as well. Are your assets adequate to fund the care you might need for a chronic disease over an extended time?

• How large is your rate increase? If you are looking at an increase of 10 percent or lower, this is probably in line with the increased cost in health care, and keeping the policy is beneficial.

• Can you afford the rate increase? If you have the funds to cover the increase without creating a hardship, consider it an investment in your future. If you cannot afford the increase, talk to a financial advisor about ways to pay for your policy and how your greater estate plan is set up.

The advisor may have creative ideas on how you can cover the increase or help you determine what anticipated costs may be as you age and if you are prepared for them.

A long-term care policy is part of a greater plan for your future. Because you have a policy in place, it is likely you have done other planning.

Revisit that plan and how this policy fits into your goals as you age. If you are unable or unwilling to pay the increase, many LTC policies offer options, such as a reduction of benefit or benefit period. Look at the whole picture and make sure you understand your policy, the benefits and how to access them when the time comes. Your LTC policy is an investment you have made, so make sure when the time comes, you use it.

Readers may send questions to Amy Natt, an Aging Life Care ProfessionalTM, certified senior advisor and CEO of Aging Outreach Services. She can be reached at amyn@agingoutreachservices.com .

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OutreachNC.com 11

health

H E A R I N G H E A LT H

Managing Hearing Loss, a Risk Factor for Dementia

by Debbie Clason

M

anaging hearing loss may be a way to lower the risk of dementia, according to a new report by the Lancet Commissions on Dementia Prevention, Intervention and Care. The report identified nine risk factors by three age ranges for developing dementia.

Hearing loss is specially a risk factor for adults who are 45 to 65 years old. The risk factors by age range are: • Before the age of 18: level of education • Between the ages of 45-65: hypertension, obesity and hearing loss • Over the age of 65: smoking, depression, inactivity, social isolation and diabetes

Increasing Cases Of Dementia Dementia is a general term used to describe severe memory loss and other mental abilities typically affecting individuals 65 years of age and older. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia.

According to the Lancet Commission, approximately 47 million people worldwide were living with dementia in 2015. Experts estimate the number of cases of individuals living with dementia will increase to 66 million by 2030 and 131 million by 2050.

Dementia is a debilitating condition affecting individuals as well as their family members. People with dementia are twice as likely to be hospitalized than their cognitively healthy peers, according to a study by the University of Washington researchers. Additionally, a March 2017 report by the Alzheimer’s Association indicates that of the 15 million Americans providing physical, emotional and financial support for family members with dementia, 35 percent will themselves suffer health-related issues as a result.

Dementia prevention Can dementia be prevented? Possibly. The Lancet Commission’s report suggests as many as one third of all dementia cases may be delayed or prevented by eliminating some of the risk factors -- specifically, active 12

OutreachNC.com | MARCH 2018

treatment of hypertension in middle and old age as well as increasing childhood education, exercise and social engagement, reducing smoking, and managing hearing loss, depression, diabetes, and obesity.

How to manage hearing loss Managing hearing loss is part of adopting an emotionally, physically and mentally healthy lifestyle. In addition to dementia, untreated hearing loss has been linked to increased risk for depression and social isolation as well as an indicator of other medical conditions such as hypertension, heart disease and diabetes.

Preserve your hearing The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders estimates more than 40 million Americans have noise-induced hearing loss, the most preventable type of hearing loss. Reduce the risk of developing this loss by turning down the volume on personal electronic devices and wearing hearing protection when you know you’ll be exposed to noisy environments. Don’t forget to be prepared for even the unexpected hearing hazards that may be part of your life.

Schedule regular hearing evaluations Make an appointment with a qualified hearing healthcare professional to have your hearing evaluated. Ask your physician for a referral or search the Healthy Hearing Find a Professional directory to find a hearing center in your community.

Just as many adults are diligent about getting annual physicals, it is good practice to schedule a hearing test each year. After you have a baseline audiogram, you and your hearing health provider can closely watch for changes and take action if and when necessary.

Debbie Clason is a staff writer for Healthy Hearing. Kate Tuomala, owner/ founder of Audiology of the Sandhills, assisted in coordinating this column.

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life R E G I O N A L C U LT U R E

Let Redbud Blossoms Awaken You

by Ray Linville

A let us know that spring is on its way.

h, behold the redbud. It silently awakens this month to

One of the first flowering trees to bloom when the air is still cool, the redbud has been a favorite of mine since I was young.

Its province is on the edges of woodlands where it thrives as an understory. Redbuds, often accompanied with white flowering dogwoods, slowly transform a once dormant setting into a landscape that is alive.

Even as a teenager, I was obligated to join the weekly family drives on Sundays. They were usually on rural two-lane roads away from urban congestion and in March in areas where redbuds could be spotted as they started to bloom. The sunnier the day, the more brilliant the pink or red blossoms seem.

I’ve long appreciated the beauty of redbud blossoms.

Only recently did I learn that they are delicious too. In fact, they’ve had a special place in the food culture of this region for centuries.

Colonial settlers in the Carolinas were advised by English explorer John Lawson in the early 1700s that redbud flowers are excellent in salads – the best “of any flower I ever saw.” This view is still popular today in some communities.

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OutreachNC.com | MARCH 2018

When I attended the “wild” food cooking contest in Richmond County, held annually each March in Ellerbe, I wasn’t surprised when a woodlands salad topped with redbud flowers was announced as the winner in the “most authentic dish” category.

(Its other ingredients included longleaf pine seeds, bellwort, violet leaves and flowers, wood sorrel, and chickweed.)

What was surprising is how the area youth are encouraged to participate in the contest. A crafters club awards a prize to each child who enters a dish to nurture wild food cooking skills. I thought the dishes prepared by kids age 16 and younger were the most interesting in the contest Well before the colonial settlers arrived, redbud blossoms, which have a slightly nutty flavor, were enjoyed by Native Americans who ate them raw as well as boiled. They also roasted the tree’s seeds.

Even today some local families use redbud flowers to make spring jelly. Baking redbud blossoms into eggs and pancakes is another way the flowers can add flavor to our foods.

More from the tree than the blossoms have been useful in our food culture. For example, in areas of southern Appalachia, green twigs from the tree are used as a seasoning for wild game such as venison.

If you enjoy seeing the brilliance of redbud flowers, remember that they are tasty too.

This spring don’t miss an opportunity to grab a handful and enjoy them.

Ray Linville writes about local connections to Southern food, history and culture. He can be reached at linville910@gmail.com.

MARCH 2018 |

OutreachNC.com 15

advice PLANNING AHEAD

Does Your Portfolio Have Room for Both Active and Passive Investing?

by Tim Hicks, RICP®, APMA®

I

nvestors today live in an era offering unprecedented global investment choices, in both active and passive vehicles. Investments in each category have opportunities and challenges for investors to consider when crafting an optimal financial strategy.

With so many choices at your fingertips, how can you best capitalize on what the markets have to offer? There is no right answer for everyone, but in many cases, it may make sense to use both active and passive investments to build and manage a diversified portfolio effectively.

ACTIVE AND PASSIVE INVESTING Active investing is an approach that seeks to capitalize on inefficiencies in the market by identifying individual securities that don’t currently appear to be priced based on their true underlying value. Success using this approach generally requires in-depth research and analysis by knowledgeable investment professionals.

Many traditional mutual funds fall into this category. Active fund managers who oversee these funds seek to generate returns that outperform a benchmark or a specific measure of market performance, such as the S&P 500 index. They make investment decisions based on a defined approach or strategy.

In contrast, passive investing is an approach that seeks to match the performance or a specific 16

OutreachNC.com | MARCH 2018

benchmark or segment of the market. Many passive investors choose, for example, to put their money in an index fund that invests in a broad segment of the market.

Perhaps the most common passive investments are funds that track the performance of the S&P 500 Index, an unmanaged index of large capitalization U.S. stocks. The premise is to own a broad crosssection of the market or a segment of the market rather than trying to identify specific securities that may outperform a benchmark or segment of the market.

It’s worth noting that there are increasingly more investment options offering a middle ground between active and passive strategies. Called strategic or smart beta, this investment strategy combines the transparency, consistency and costefficiency of passive investing with the investment insights found in active management.

CONSIDERATIONS FOR EACH APPROACH There are benefits and shortcomings to each approach. Actively managed investment strategies offer the opportunity for outperformance versus a specific segment of the market. They can also take steps to defend against the impact of down markets that inevitably occur from time-to-time, often by avoiding individual securities or sectors that have challenges.

To accommodate the research and expertise involved, actively managed investments typically come with higher expenses, which detract from the net returns they generate.

Also, because they are using a selective approach to investing, there are times when they will choose to invest in securities that don’t perform to expectations and perhaps miss out on the full benefit of broader upward trends in the market.

sources of potential investment return and the benefits of a diversified portfolio.

A key benefit of passive investing is that fees tend to be lower than other investment strategies. They also tend to be tax efficient because trading is minimized in the fund as it continues to track an index over the long term. A downside to passive funds is that by simply investing in a benchmark, an investor foregoes the opportunity to outperform that index. This means returns tend to match those of the market minus any fees. Also, in volatile periods or when markets trend down, index fund investors see their investments follow a similar path.

The good news is that you have a tremendous opportunity to diversify effectively and tailor your portfolio to achieve your long-term goals. A financial advisor can work with you to determine what approach and investments work best given your financial goals, investment time horizon and risk profile.

A CASE FOR BOTH STRATEGIES Is one approach the better choice for your portfolio? For many investors, a combined approach may be an effective solution. Investors should pay close attention to factors that can affect their investment results, including fees, different

You may determine that part of your portfolio should generally track with the market. If that’s the case, a passive fund may make sense. At the same time, you may want to take advantage of specific opportunities in segments of the market where selectivity may help you reach your goals. If so, active strategies may offer a better path to success.

Tim Hicks, an RICP®, APMA® and financial advisor with Ameriprise Financial Services Inc. in Southern Pines, can be reached at tim.hicks@ampf.com or 910-692-5917.

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MARCH 2018 |

OutreachNC.com 17

life COOKING SIMPLE

Chicken Pot Pie

by Scott Dawson | Photography by Diana Matthews The secret to this recipe is the sauce. The actual pot pies can be made with tender cooked chicken, ham, white fish and a variety of vegetables. At The Squire’s Pub we use white chicken breast that has been poached in a court bullion, steamed carrot coins and steamed broccoli. The puff pastry can be purchased at most grocery stores and is located in the frozen dessert aisle.

We also top our puff pastry with grated Swiss and cheddar cheeses and sliced almonds prior to baking.

18

Scott Dawson is chef/owner of The Squire’s Pub in Southern Pines.

He is a featured chef at The Chefs’ Feast, the fundraiser of Sandhills Food Bank Branch held each October at the Pinehurst Member’s Club.

OutreachNC is pleased to be a sponsor of this event.

OutreachNC.com | MARCH 2018

Sauce Ingredients (Fills large casserole dish to make 6-8 servings)

• 2 Tbsp unsalted butter • 1 medium onion, peeled and diced fine • 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour • 2 cups chicken consommé (chicken stock or broth can be used) • 1/4 cup white wine (cooking Chablis works well) • ½ Tsp white pepper • ½ Tsp thyme leaves • 1 pint heavy cream

Directions to Prepare Sauce

Remaining Ingredients

• 4 chicken breast pieces (precooked, cut into bite-size pieces) • 1½ cup carrot coins, steamed • 1½ cup broccoli florets, steamed • 1 package puff pastry • Swiss and cheddar cheeses, grated • Raw almonds, sliced

Melt unsalted butter in a large sauce pan.

Add diced onions and sauté for about 10 minutes or until onions are soft and clear.

Stir in flour and cook for about 5 to 10 minutes more, stirring often to prevent scorching.

Slowly add wine, consommé and spices, stirring all the while with a wire whisk.

Bring mixture to a low boil, then turn down heat and simmer for 10 minutes to thicken.

Stir in heavy cream.

Return mixture to a low boil, stirring often.

Remove from heat.

(Do not let it continue to boil or sauce will break.)

Directions to Assemble the Pie In a large casserole dish, place precooked and cut chicken breast pieces.

Add carrot coins and broccoli florets.

Cover meat and vegetables with pot pie sauce; mix to distribute sauce.

Cover with puff pastry sheet.

Sprinkle with grated Swiss and cheddar cheeses and sliced raw almonds.

Bake at 400 degrees for approximately 25-30 minutes or until puff pastry is golden brown and has risen.

Pot pie should be simmering hot and bubbling around the edges. MARCH 2018 |

OutreachNC.com 19

advice

ROLE REVERSAL

9:41About AM Communicating Schedules100%

by David Hibbard

Whenever my schedule takes me out of town, which it occasionally does, my mother and I go through the same little routine each time. It generally goes something like this: Mom: “Now, you’ll call me when you get there?”

Me: “Yes, I promise I will.”

Mom: “How long do you think it will take you to

get there?”

Me: “It’s about two hours to Charlotte, so I ought to be calling you by 12:30 or so.”

Mom: “Okay... you promise you’ll be careful?

And call me when you’re leaving to come home?”

Me: “Yes, mom, I will. I always do!”

There’s something comforting about this scenario for both of us, which has undoubtedly played itself out hundreds of times during the years I’ve lived with my mother. And though I’m sure some middleaged children balk at the notion of letting a parent know their schedule, the rules change when you share living quarters.

On the most basic level, letting your parent know where you’re going, when you’ll arrive and when you can be expected back home is a matter of simple respect. When you walk out the door, the people you live with deserve to have some idea of when they can expect to see you or hear from you. To me, that’s common sense, whether you live with your parent, your spouse or other family members.

It’s also smart for at least one other person to know your schedule. I find it reassuring to know there’s someone at home who has an eye out for me and would send for help if I were incapacitated in a travel mishap!

Communicating with a parent about things like this might make you feel like you’re 16 years old again!

Instead of letting that drive you crazy -- or driving a wedge between you -- consider two facts: 20

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• They never stop being your parent: It is in the

genetic code of parents to always worry about the well-being of their children, whether they are 15 or 50. Embrace this and respect that their concern for you doesn’t have an on-off switch.

• Their queries come from a different place today: When you were a kid, you were still earning

your parent’s trust. Would you be responsible with the freedom of leaving the house on your own?

Could you be trusted to stay out of trouble and do the right thing? In other words, you didn’t have the track record then that you do today. Your parent knows they can trust you. Now, their desire to know your schedule comes from the place of the peer-topeer relationship you have with them, as opposed to the parent-child relationship that dominated your youth.

If you’re butting heads over this issue, sit down and talk it out. Discuss what your parent wants to know and agree to some ground rules. Keep in mind that sharing the same address means you have obligations to each other; decide on those and be sure to meet them.

Just as your parent respects the fact you’re an adult now (I promise, they do), respect their desire to know you are safe, will keep them updated on your schedule, and will walk back through the door at the end of the day. In the end, that’s what it’s all about.

Share your role reversal stories with contributing writer David Hibbard.

Email him at: hib1967@gmail.com

MARCH 2018 |

OutreachNC.com 21

life

T E C H S AV V Y

How to Judge Online Information

by GCFLearnFree.org

If you’re looking for information, the Internet has a lot of it. The problem is, you can’t trust every website you find. You’ll need to evaluate each website to decide if it’s reliable. Let’s look at some of the questions you should ask yourself when you view a website.

IS THE INFORMATION RELEVANT? No matter how good a website is, you should always ask yourself whether it contains the information you’re looking for. Just because the site comes up in a Google search doesn’t mean it’s relevant. For example, if you’re searching for information about the history of skateboards, a site that sells skateboards may not have what you’re looking for.

WHAT IS THE SITE’S PURPOSE? There are many types of sites on the Internet.

Encyclopedias, online stores, blogs and humor sites all have different purposes. Determining the site’s purpose can help you decide how reliable it is.

• Check the About page to see what the site’s purpose is. Keep in mind that if a site wants to conceal its true purpose, this page may be misleading.

• What is the site’s audience? You may be able to tell based on the tone and the topics it focuses on.

• Is the site trying to persuade you to buy or do something?

• Sometimes a site’s purpose may not be obvious at first glance. For example, “The Onion” may appear to be a news site, but actually it’s a humor site.

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IS THE SITE BIASED? To get the most reliable information, stick to unbiased sources. News organizations, encyclopedias and other sources have traditionally tried to stay unbiased. This helps them build a reputation as a trusted source.

Most websites don’t try to stay unbiased like a newspaper would.

And that’s OK for casual web browsing. However, if you’re trying to find reliable information, it can be a real problem. For example, if a news blog is biased, it may distort the story or leave out important information.

• How much opinion does the site have? Is it enough to raise a red flag?

• Many sites have ads. Although ads usually don’t mean the site is biased, on some sites the majority of ads may have a political or ideological bias.

This can be a clue that the site itself is biased.

• Look at some of the other pages on the site.

Does there seem to be a bias to the site as a whole?

• If you’re not sure whether the information is correct, try searching for it on Google.

This can often reveal if it is a hoax, scam or common misconception.

“

IS THE AUTHOR RELIABLE? Online articles don’t always say who the author is. This doesn’t mean these sites are less reliable. However, if an author is listed, find out more information about the writer.

• Does the author have credentials that make him or her more reliable?

• Has the author written other articles or books? Are they biased or unbiased?

• Even if authors aren’t experts, they can still be reliable as long as they do careful research. For example, a librarian might write an excellent article about biology, even if she doesn’t have a science background.

DOES THE SITE HAVE A GOOD REPUTATION? You can’t always rely on the site itself because many sites try hard to disguise their purpose. You may need to get a second opinion — in other words, see what other people are saying about the website.

IS THE INFORMATION CURRENT? Many websites include a date at the top or bottom of an article that can tell you how current the information is. For some subjects (such as biographies of historical figures), this may not matter as much.

However, for technology, news, politics and other subjects, it may be important to have the most current information available.

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• Try searching Google for the name of the site or organization.

Keep in mind that you may not find any second opinions about the site.

• What do other sites say about the site (if anything)?

• Is the site generally seen as a biased or unreliable source?

USING MULTIPLE SOURCES No matter what type of research you’re doing, it’s important to look at multiple sources. Even a reliable website may not include all of the relevant information. Using multiple sources allows you to see all sides of a story, which gives you a better perspective than if you had only looked at one source.

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OutreachNC.com 23

health

D E N T A L H E A LT H

Oral Health: Window to Overall Health

by Laura Wellener, DDS

T

he mouth is the gateway to the body. The health of our teeth and our entire mouth is often the window to our overall health. The importance of good oral health has become more and more evident as we have begun to understand the impact dental diseases can have, not only in our mouth, but in the rest of our body as well. Quite simply our mouth is connected to the rest of our body.

This cycle can lead to poor nutrition which also causes detriment to our bodies.

Good overall health and good oral health go hand in hand. Often, if a person has ongoing, untreated dental disease, the rest of the body can have problems as well. Dental disease can include cavities and periodontal or gum disease as well as any other infections in the mouth. These conditions are all caused by bacteria in our mouths. If left untreated, this can lead to pain, further infection and tooth loss. The effects do not stop at our mouth. Poor oral health has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and more.

If you don’t have a dentist, it makes sense to become acquainted with one before an emergency arises. Probably the best, most tried and true way of finding a new dentist is to ask someone you trust for their recommendation. This could include friends, neighbors, co-workers, church members or your doctor. You can also visit the North Carolina Dental Society online at www.ncdental.org for a directory of dentists in our area.

Having a healthy mouth is vital for a number of reasons.

If we have mouth pain, loose teeth or missing teeth, it can greatly impact our ability to eat well.

Good nutrition is key to keeping our bodies running efficiently. When our ability to chew is decreased, we often resort to eating softer foods which typically do not offer the high nutritious content of fruits and vegetables.

Fortunately, good oral health is achievable, and dental disease is largely preventable. Brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, and floss once a day. Visit your dentist regularly, so you can be checked for cavities, gum disease and oral cancer.

A good quality of life depends on good health, and taking good care of your mouth will help you on that path.

Dr. Laura Wellener, owner of Wellener Dental in Pinehurst, can be reached at 910-295-1010 or FrontOffice@WellenerDental.com.

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LEGAL REVIEW

advice

Power of Attorney: A New Statute

by Tyler Chriscoe

B

ecause a new statute in North Carolina for powers of attorney went into effect on January 1 this year, now is a good time to review what most people need to know regarding a power of attorney and how to discuss it with your estate planner. The new statute, however, does not affect healthcare powers of attorney, so this article discusses only what is commonly referred to as a financial power of attorney or a “General Power of Attorney.”

IMPORTANT TERMS The document itself is called the “Power of Attorney.”

The person making the power of attorney and giving the authority is called the “Principal.” The person who receives the power and authority, formerly called the “Attorney-inFact” before the new statute went into effect, is now called the “Agent.”

POWER OF ATTORNEY The main goal of a power of attorney is to authorize someone else to transact business on your behalf in dealing with third parties. For example, it can enable someone else to buy and sell real estate, gift property, and open and close bank accounts. Unless drafted otherwise, the default rule is that the power of attorney goes into effect when it is signed.

Therefore, it is crucial that you make sure the Agent you appoint is someone responsible and trustworthy.

Despite what many people believe, it is not always wise to merely appoint the oldest child. Although the default rule is that the document is in immediate effect, many people may want the power of attorney to go into effect only upon some condition that may or will happen in the future. This type of power of attorney is commonly called a “Springing Power of Attorney.”

Also, it should be noted that you can later revoke a power of attorney if you so desire. It is important to discuss your desires with your estate planner to develop the best plan for you.

WHEN THE PRINCIPAL DIES A common misconception is that the Agent continues to have authority to transact business with third parties even after the Principal dies. In reality, the authority ceases to exist upon the Principal’s death. This rule did not change under the new law. Therefore, even if an Agent was dealing with third parties previously, that Agent no longer has such authority upon the death of the Principal.

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS When discussing a power of attorney with your estate planner, there are several issues that you should consider.

You should make sure the Agent you authorize is responsible and trustworthy. It is important to not let the importance of a power of attorney be understated.

The power of attorney can enable the Agent to exercise a broad array of powers in your name. Unfortunately, many people focus mostly on the Will or the Trust and think of the Power of Attorney as an unimportant afterthought.

Careful consideration should be given to this estate planning document.

Tyler Chriscoe, an attorney with Robert S. Thompson, PA in Southern Pines, can be reached at 910-692-2244.

MARCH 2018 |

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life

THE READER’S NOOK

A Novel Within a Novel Book Review by Michelle Goetzl

R

eading “Magpie Murders” by Anthony Horowitz is like taking a romp through an old episode of “Murder, She Wrote.” Fans of the classic whodunit will likely enjoy this interesting take on a well-loved genre. Horowitz offers us not one mystery but two by writing a novel within a novel.

Our main protagonist, Susan Ryeland, is an editor with a small publishing house in London. She works with the incredibly successful author, Alan Conway. As the novel begins, Susan is reading Conway’s ninth and final manuscript in his highly successful Atticus Pünd series, also titled “Magpie Murders.” The reader gets to read the manuscript along with Susan.

Atticus Pünd, a German refugee living in London in the 1950s, has assisted the police in a number of murder cases.

After learning that he has terminal cancer, Pünd also finds himself sucked into what appears to be two murders in Saxby-on-Avon.

The case begins with what appears to be the accidental death of Mary Blakiston, the cleaning woman at Pye Hall.

However, shortly after her death, Sir Magnus Pye, her boss, is brutally beheaded. Atticus, of course, discovers a web of deceit, fraud and secrets galore and quickly the sleepy town is in an uproar as many people become suspects.

Right as Pünd is about to solve the case, the manuscript abruptly ends leaving Susan Ryeland, and therefore us, unsure who the killer really is. We as the readers are pulled back into the “real world” of Susan Ryeland only to discover that while she was reading the manuscript, Alan Conway was discovered dead, having apparently committed suicide.

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Susan starts to inquire into Conway’s death in an attempt to find the final chapters. As she becomes an amateur detective, she comes to realize that Conway’s manuscript might have clues to his death and that there are many with a potential motive to murder him. This second half of the novel also deals with the world of publishing and the benefits and pitfalls to commercial success.

Horowitz’s novel is fast-paced and sure to grab and hold your attention. While not a short book at 502 pages, it is one that I couldn’t put down. For long-time fans of classic mysteries, Horowitz pays homage to many of the greats in the genre – Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, Ian Fleming and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. But even for those like me who don’t often read mysteries, there are tons of twists and turns to keep you guessing until the end.

Michelle Goetzl writes an online blog— “Books My Kids Read.” She loves books and sharing that love of reading with children.

She can be reached at: booksmykidsread@gmail.com

5 Tips to Make Downsizing Easier

by Kasia McDaniel

T

he thought of downsizing can bring up a lot of emotions. You know you have to do it but you have so many memories and treasures tucked away that you can’t bear to part with them. I know because my parents still have keepsakes from our trips together as a young family and have it saved for the kids to pick up “someday.”

3. Furniture – You will probably have to limit the amount

Well that “someday” has come sooner than you thought and now you need to move into a smaller home. Where do you start? Here are some tips to help make downsizing easier into your new home.

4. Linens – This is the hardest part to cut down on because you always want to have spare items. In this case, you have to think like a minimalist: three towels per person are enough -- one hanging up, one dirty in the laundry basket and one in the linen closet. Two sheet sets per bed are enough too -- one on the bed and the other in the closet.

1. Ask, don’t just assume - Ask your children and grandchildren if they want something in your home before you donate or sell it. Some may want your items. Others will not, but don’t take it personally. They have their own taste and décor style that may not fit with the items you own. Give them a time limit to pick out the items and then let them know the rest will be sold or donated.

2. Take a picture - If you cannot bear to part with a certain treasure but you know it won’t fit in your new home, take a picture and create a “treasure book” using an online photography book or have one printed through Shutterfly or SnapFish. This would also be a great opportunity to have a grandchild help create one for you (since they are so technology savvy) and you can share the story with them on where you found this treasure.

of furniture by A LOT. Some of you will be moving into assisted living or to an apartment. Choose one couch, an armchair or two, coffee table and end tables, a small dining table with four chairs and a bed with a nightstand and dresser.

5. Clothes – You will probably not have the walk-in closet

you are used to so cutting down here may also be difficult.

Most closets in your new space are 6 feet wide so pick the clothes that make you the happiest when you put them on.

As an exercise, set aside the clothes you think you will take and use just those over the next 30 days. This will help you determine which ones you really wear.

As always, downsizing is not an easy thing to do. But it will make you feel so much better knowing that your treasured items will go to another good home who will treasure it as well. Change is difficult, but with a few tricks you can make the downsizing transition easier.

Kasia McDaniel, a Home Stager and Certified Interior Decorator at Blue Diamond Staging can be reached at 910-745-0608 or by visiting www.bluediamondstaging.com MARCH 2018 |

OutreachNC.com 27

“Let me tell you what Carol was like,” says Douglas Aitken of his wife of 52 years. “After church, when I wanted to find her, I headed for the sound of laughter.”

Sharing Spaces:

When a Loved One Moves In

by Jenn Webster | Photos by Diane Matthews

C

arol may laugh less frequently now, but the same love is evident in Douglas’ voice as he describes her.

She likes to see him working on his computer and gets worried when she can’t glimpse him around the corner, he says. She loves having coffee with her daughter, Danielle Reichard.

Douglas listens with pleasure to the sound of their voices.

Even though Carol has dementia and a host of other health problems, these quiet moments of sharing happen daily because the families — Douglas and Carol, Danielle her husband Scott, and the Reichards’ three children, Ben, Anna and Leah — decided to move in together.

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“Last year, Danielle was worried about Carol,” Douglas says. “But Scott was worried about me. They both wanted us to come live with them.”

performed by adult children, adult daughters especially. Spouses such as Douglas also take on a lion’s share of caregiving when they are able.

By the Numbers

In response, some families are creating shared living spaces where multiple generations live under one roof to ease the burden of caregiving.

In the Aitkens’ case, the families had to purchase a house to accommodate all of them — younger generation upstairs, older generation below with a private rear entrance.

Scott was right to be concerned for Douglas. Nationally, family caregivers are at high risk of developing chronic conditions and disabilities. Between 40 and 70 percent suffer depression, according to research by the Family Caregiver Alliance. And studies

by The Commonwealth Fund find family caregivers experience heart disease, diabetes and arthritis about twice the rate of non-caregivers. This unpaid labor has traditionally been

“Seeing me every day helps my mom trust me, even if she doesn’t always know who I am,” Danielle says. “That way I can help Dad if things aren’t going well and give him a break if he

needs it. We worried about his health when he was a full-time caregiver.

This move was equally important in caring for him and his health.”

different expectations for childrearing and housekeeping. But working together, the families have avoided conflicts.

Shared Expectations

“We had open conversations; that’s so important,” Danielle says. “If you can’t have open conversation, you don’t need to be living together anyway.”

Cross-generation caregiving presents complex challenges. Privacy. Finances.

Changing roles. Plans for the future.

The Aitkens and Reichards began the process with a list of pros and cons. They discovered they worried about being in each other’s space and the conflicts that might arise from too much proximity. Douglas was concerned that living in a basement would feel like, well … living in a basement. The generations had

Douglas emphasizes financial planning and caregiving contingency plans. That way, each family knows how costs — even unexpected ones — will be shared, and how caregiving will progress if one or more family members become unable to continue their current responsibilities. For instance, if Douglas can no longer help with Carol, he’s made resources

available so Danielle can afford to stop working and tend her mother full-time.

Completing the Circle Outside resources become essential when families undertake day-to-day caregiving. Especially important: a place where the care recipient can go to socialize while the caregivers get needed time to rest or work.

Carol enjoyed a day center near her old home, and Douglas is hoping to find a similar community for her in their new location.

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MARCH 2018 |

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Kathryn Doddridge, MA, executive director of The Retreat, a daytime enrichment and health facility for older adults, explains that day programs benefit the entire family.

games, music, and movement. Guests can participate as much or as little as they like. They also benefit from wholesome food, health monitoring and gentle bathroom guidance.

“The option of adult health and day care … allows for folks to stay at home longer and at a more affordable rate, as opposed to an institution,” she says. “It also allows the adult children who have been sandwiched between children and parents to have their own lives. Care partners may have given up activities slowly as they became entirely enmeshed in fulltime caregiving. Adult day programs provide peace of mind and freedom.”

In fact, “third spaces” — from an adult day program to a welcoming church, a craft guild or a YMCA — become a welcome extension of the blended family circle. That’s why Doddridge warmly refers to her clients’ family members as “care partners.”

Guests at day programs benefit from a wealth of mental, physical and social activities, provided at a level they can enjoy comfortably. The Retreat, for instance, offers arts and crafts, 30

OutreachNC.com | MARCH 2018

And inside … things can get loudly joyful. Families should look for that sense of joy.

“Look for cleanliness, safe and comfortable furniture, and a warm atmosphere,” Doddridge advises people seeking an adult day program for a relative. “I was going to say, look for a quiet atmosphere, but we get kind of noisy when we’re having fun.

If you hear noise, make sure it’s fun noise!”

Lasting Rewards

Though it’s never easy, when families combine, they can experience new depths of understanding and love.

The Reichard children are learning to model their parents’ caring behavior, Danielle says.

“Knowing she [middle daughter Anna] is watching how my mom and I interact has deepened our relationship,” Danielle says. “It gives her insight into what kind of person she wants to be.”

And Danielle’s own journey with her mother has grown more profound.

“Visiting your mom and seeing her struggle is different from living with her day to day,” she observes.

“I could sort of compartmentalize before now, but it’s harder when you’re living with somebody. She didn’t remember who I was when we saw each other once a month, but now … I think she trusts me. That comes from seeing her every day. I said, ‘Even if you don’t know who I am, you see me and you smile and have good feelings. You know that you love me.’”

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5

s n Sig

o t e m i T s ’ t I n O e v Mo

By Rachel Stewart

“W

e all know there’s no place like home. But sometimes, being safe and healthy is most important. There are a number of ways to age in place right where you are, but if this is not a viable option, there are numerous other living environments, many of which may give you more time to enjoy your life. The more you plan ahead, the more options you may have and the less stressful decisions can be if a move is necessary.

“

- Kate Pomplun, LMSW, CMC, Aging Life Care™ Professional at Aging Care Solutions

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H

ome is where the heart is, as the saying goes, but what happens when you can no longer keep up your pride and joy? Or perhaps your children are gently nudging you to downsize.

Moving to a new living situation can be an emotional journey for you and your loved ones. Here are the telltale signs that it’s time -- and ways to find comfort in your new adventure.

1

SMALL THINGS BECOME A BIG DEAL. Are the dishes or mail piling up? When chores consistently start to pile up, it may be time to look at your options, including in-home care.

“Sometimes, simply needing a little more help and oversight with daily tasks could mean a transition should be considered. A few bills somehow went unpaid, or doing laundry, making a grocery list, shopping and cooking have become less easy than in past years,” explains Kate Pomplun, LMSW, CMC, Aging Life Care™ Professional at Aging Care Solutions.

“Maybe a few falls have occurred over the past year or two, which may not have resulted in any injuries, but could be a sign that a change may be needed in the future,” Pomplun says.

An in-home care specialist or sitter could help you stay on top of laundry, meal prep, paying bills, or even yardwork. If there’s a task you can assign to a care specialist or care giver, do it. Everyone needs help once in a while.

2

YOU’RE LESS SOCIAL THAN YOU’D LIKE TO BE. Have close friends moved away? Are you feeling less connected to your loved ones? Wish you had more free time?

The environment of assisted living can give you more freedom to enjoy life by handling day-in and day-out tasks.

Also, as part of an assisted living community, you’re surrounded by people your age who understand what you’re going through and may share the same interests and hobbies. This means a coffee date or leisurely lunch can be just a few steps away from your front door.

MARCH 2018 | OutreachNC.com 33 CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

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3

YOUR MEDICAL NEEDS ARE INCREASING. As you age, medical conditions can become more complex and could mean you or your loved one’s safety is at risk if you remain at home on your own. Moving to a senior community where greater levels of medical care are available can alleviate worry and stress for you and your family.

“If a person with dementia is constantly exit-seeking and the fear of wandering exists, this presents a serious safety concern.

If a paid or unpaid caregiver is not able to monitor someone in this situation constantly, finding an environment like a memory care unit might be the best option,” says Pomplun.

“Other times, friends or family choose to bring a loved one into their home in order to monitor more closely. This can be a permanent or temporary solution based on the support system available and the condition of the person,” Pomplun explains.

Consider your medical needs now -- and how they may change in the future -- and think about the best options for yourself and your family. If your loved ones don’t live close or can’t help as much as you’d like, what’s the next step to ensure you’re safe and cared for?

4

YOUR ROLE HAS SHIFTED FROM BEHIND THE WHEEL TO THE PASSENGER’S SEAT. Cruising on the open road is one of life’s great joys.

Decreased eyesight and motor function can limit your ability to drive safely, even if it’s to the store and back -and taxi rides or using services like Lyft or Uber can add up, too.

Moving to an assisted living community means transportation is included as a benefit, so you can still get around town but won’t have to worry about pay meters or parallel parking.

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OutreachNC.com | MARCH 2018

TRUST YOUR CATARACTS TO A SPECIALIST.

Left to right: Cataract specialists Anna Fakadej, M.D., Daniel Messner, M.D., John French, M.D., Richard Phinney, M.D., Tarra Millender, M.D. and Winston Garris, M.D.

The board-certified cataract specialists at Carolina Eye Associates are some of the most respected eye surgeons in the United States.

5

MODIFYING YOUR CURRENT HOME ISN’T POSSIBLE — OR ISN’T IN THE BUDGET. The home you bought 20 or 30 years ago may not be as accommodating as it was then. Is it getting harder to carry laundry upstairs? Are you afraid of taking a tumble in your steep driveway? Or maybe you’re renting an apartment and the landlord won’t allow you to modify elements of the property. Looking at your current dwelling with fresh eyes will let you see what can -- or can’t -- be fixed to help you age in place.

“Safety is always the first priority. If the current living situation has unmanageable stairs or a bathroom that is not equipped for a person’s ability, modifications can make areas in the home more accessible,” explains Pomplun. “If modifications are not affordable, cost effective or preferred, it may be time to find a different living environment.”

But beyond their board certification, skills, medical school training and years of surgical experience, they are known for their compassion and dedication to each of their patients.

If you’ve been told you have a cataract, make an appointment to speak with one of our expert doctors. They can help restore clear, crisp vision and decrease your need for distance and reading glasses.

Call today for a cataract evaluation.

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Birding in N.C.

Calloway Forest Hoke County

by Ray Linville

Calloway Forest:

More Than Only the Bird That Sings Best 38

OutreachNC.com | MARCH 2018

W

alking among the towering longleaf pines that are up to 100 years old in 3,288-acre Calloway Forest Preserve in Hoke County can make feel insignificant until a yellowbilled cuckoo flies by. You are now important. This bird needs an audience.

This slender, long-tailed bird can stay well-hidden in woodlands, but its distinctive, slow knocking call that can last up to eight seconds lets you know that it is nearby. Its hollow, wooden ka-ka-ka-ka-ka-kow-kow-kowlp-kowlp-kowlp-kowlp sound can punctuate the quietness of a forest and even startle the unsuspecting wanderer on a silent March day.

The sounds of this and other birds in Calloway Forest make it a destination for families, casual walkers and serious bird seekers.

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Joining the yellow-billed cuckoo in Calloway is a perennial Sandhills favorite, the red-cockaded woodpecker, which thrives among our longleaf pines.

This bird plays a vital role in the health of these forests as well as other birds and small mammals that adopt the tree cavities that it excavates. Its striking features are large white cheek patches encircled by a black cap and nape. The male has a small red streak (known as a cockade, thus its name, although the bird is primarily black and white) on each side of the cap.

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Red-cockaded woodpeckers make a forest of longleaf pines come alive. Both male and female woodpeckers drum on tree trunks although not loudly. When foraging, they can make a drumming sound (like the rattle of a rattlesnake). Their calls include a raspy “sklit” when disturbed and a “churt” (repeated every two to four seconds) when flying into a roosting area.

In addition to the yellow-billed cuckoo and red-cockaded woodpecker, Calloway Forest offers frequent opportunities to see other species of interest, such as the northern bobwhite, brown-headed nuthatch and Bachman’s sparrow.

Most Southerners are familiar with the emphatic, whistled “bobwhite” that sweeps upward in pitch and rings in open pine forests and overgrown fields. The sound is characteristic of the northern bobwhite, a small quail that is more easily heard than seen because its plumage provides near-perfect camouflage. Although its first name is “northern,” it is a year-round resident of southeastern North America and provides some of the music heard in Calloway.

The “bob-white” whistle contrasts sharply with the squeaky sound of the brownheaded nuthatch, common to several sites of the North Carolina Birding Trail (including Hinson Lake described last month in this series). The nuthatch is very vocal and squeaks like a toy rubber duck being squeezed. The squeaks can be repeated up to twelve times.

Perhaps author Henry Van Dyke was thinking of the nuthatch when he wrote, “The woods would be very silent if no bird sang but the one that sang best.”

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The choir at Calloway wouldn’t be complete without Bachman’s sparrow, a songbird that loves the understory of mature pine forests where fires frequently control the amount of brush. It lives in the open grassy understory and flies to pine branches only to sing. Its beautifully whistled song is clear and sweet and is followed by a trill on a different pitch.

The preserve was bought by the N.C. Department of Transportation to offset a reduction in the habitat of the red-cockaded woodpecker caused by construction of Interstate 295. DOT then transferred the land to The Nature Conservancy, which now oversees it.

Although visitors can walk many miles of roads accessing the preserve, they should be aware that hunting is permitted in Calloway in certain seasons. As a result, a special area known as Calloway Community Nature Park has been set aside for birding enthusiasts and community members.

The park is in a no hunting/safety zone of the forest about five miles north of Raeford on NC 211. Park visitors can walk along a half-mile trail that leads from the parking area, where a kiosk provides general nature and hiker information, and loops through upland longleaf pines.

Access during daylight hours is permitted daily.

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Birders who venture outside of the park should be aware of hunting rules and seasons and review current information on the kiosk. They also should remain on pre-defined trails and roads and avoid damaging rare or sensitive plants.

Calloway is now an indispensable component of the North Carolina Birding Trail, begun in 2003, that links educational and historical attractions with communities and businesses across the state. Plan a visit to appreciate the sights and sounds of the Sandhills among the towering longleaf pines.

OutreachNC has embarked on a yearlong series that highlights regional sites of the N.C. Birding Trail. Enjoy the series as contributor Ray Linville explores beautiful landscapes and birds of our home state.

He can be reached at linville910@gmail.com.

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Residential Living Communities: Tips to Ease the Transition

by Maryanne Edmundson, PhD

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OutreachNC.com | MARCH 2018

S

ome people actively seek residential living to help them remain active and part of a community.

Others prefer to stay in their houses as they age, but certain circumstances – such as developing physical or cognitive changes that necessitate a greater level of daily assistance – may require them to consider residential living. Several strategies can ease the transition to a residential living community.

• Know your options. There are many options depending on your needs and goals. When deciding between specific residential communities, tour the facilities, meet the staff and current residents, and ask plenty of questions.

• Independent living is for people who are independent but want to be part of a community of their same-age peers that provides activities to keep them healthy and independent.

• Assisted living is for people who need assistance with some daily activities (such as housekeeping and medication management) but do not need skilled medical care or constant supervision.

• Skilled nursing is for people with significant or chronic health conditions that require ongoing medical support and rehabilitation.

• Memory care is for people with dementia. It provides specialized supervision and assistance to keep people with cognitive decline active and functional yet safe.

Some residential communities allow transitions between these different levels of care to fit your needs. For example, you could receive skilled nursing assistance and rehabilitation if you fracture a hip and transition back to independent or assisted living once healed.

• Plan ahead. Even if you prefer to stay in your home, have a contingency plan for residential care in case something unexpected happens. This step is especially important since residential housing options may have long waitlists and may not be covered by health insurance. Clearly communicate your wishes to family and friends.

• Acknowledge grief. Transitioning to residential housing means leaving the place that has been your home for years or even decades, a place full of memories. Leaving your home may be especially painful if you are moving to residential housing because of your spouse’s death, because it means leaving a place that reminds you of them. Allow yourself to feel and process that sense of loss. Do something to intentionally say goodbye: sit in each room and bring to mind important and fond memories, or have a moving celebration.

• Acknowledge fears. Moving to a new place can be scary at first. Talk to friends and family about your worries. Spend time with other residents and ask what helped them adjust.

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Attending on-site programming early in your transition can help you to form relationships with your new neighbors and allay your fears. For transition to memory care, visit the new facility multiple times prior to moving to reduce anxiety.

• Acknowledge positives. Think about the opportunities that residential living may offer. Having closer neighbors may mean less isolation.

On-site programs and amenities like community gardens, exercise facilities, and classes on art and technology can keep your mind and body active. Some residential communities are one-stop shops for daily needs with on-site banks, salons and stores, and provide transportation to off-site appointments. Gaining assistance with some daily tasks like housekeeping leaves more time and energy to enjoy yourself, spend time with friends and family, and engage in hobbies.

• Personalize your new space. When you’re looking for a community, ask what they allow residents to bring (including pets). Once you have moved, have a house warming party. Have family and friends visit multiple times in the first few weeks. Decorate with pictures and furniture that are special to you. If furnishings are provided, rearrange them to fit your preferences. If you or your loved one is moving to memory care, arrange the new living space in a way that is reminiscent of the previous home because people with memory difficulties find comfort in what is recognizable and share their likes and dislikes with the staff so they know how to comfort residents if they become upset.

• Seek professional assistance if needed. Contact your primary doctor about getting an appointment with a psychologist if you are having pronounced difficulty transitioning to residential living, such as chronic insomnia or feeling so down or nervous that you have trouble participating in your usual activities.

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OutreachNC.com 47

CAROLINA CONVERSATIONS with

Food Bank Executive Peter Werbicki by

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Ray Linville

Photography by Diana Matthews and Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina

I

f you don’t understand how the problems of hunger and food insecurity affect our state and specifically our region, listening to Peter Werbicki describe them may change your life. The President and Chief Executive Officer of the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, a nonprofit organization that serves people at risk of hunger in over one-third of our state, is a dynamic and persuasive champion of the importance to have daily access to healthy and nutritious food.

In addition to Peter, the Food Bank is staffed by about 100 professionals at the main distribution center in Raleigh and five regional branches. It also relies on hundreds of dedicated volunteers in 34 counties whose commitment more than doubles the staff ’s capacity. Because I serve on the regional council of the Sandhills Branch, I get to see and am continually amazed at what this organization accomplishes.

The Food Bank’s goal this year is to distribute 70 million pounds of nutritious food — the equivalent of 59 million meals – to people in need. After more than 20 years of working at the Food Bank and leading it for 11, Werbicki reflects on his role as its leader, the challenges his organization faces and the work of finding a solution for hunger in our area.

ONC: When you were growing up, did you ever imagine that your adult life would be focused on hunger and food insecurity?

PW: No, not at all, and none of my previous work experiences were remotely aligned with the issue of hunger.

I fell upon it, you might say. After many years of working in the for-profit sector, I made a conscious decision to change my career and was eager to apply skills I had learned and see if I could be of any value in the not-for-profit sector. For me it was about wanting to give back, and I was extremely fortunate with the timing that led my first role at the Food Bank as Director of Operations.

ONC: What has drawn you to want to lead the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina?

I was very fortunate that a group of board members at the time the opportunity arose had the belief in me and encouraged me to take on the CEO role after serving the organization for 10 years.

I have now served as CEO for a little over 10 years and continue to be inspired by the collective dedication and efforts of donors and volunteers on numerous fronts as well as a staff who work steadfastly each and every day to end the issue of hunger in our community. It really has been, and remains, a great honor.

ONC: How do you define success?

Our organization operates with a mission of ensuring no one goes hungry in central and eastern North Carolina, and so creating solutions for hunger and food insecurity -essentially making our organization unnecessary -- is what success looks like.

The last couple years have really illuminated the need for not only feeding our friends and neighbors who are waiting in line but doing whatever we can to actually shorten those lines. Working in both ways to be rid of what we call the “meal gap” is how we will be successful.

ONC: Have you or your family ever encountered food shortages or been hungry?

I was raised in England by parents who are both deceased now. My father was an immigrant from Eastern Europe and my mother came from a working-class background. When they were first raising my brother and me, the household budget was very tight; however, we never either went to bed or school hungry. Meals at times may not have been the most nutritious; however, they were always able to provide somehow. My work now helps me understand the challenges they must have faced to make that possible.

ONC: What does the term “food insecurity” mean? Is this a term that the public easily understands?

Food insecurity is the inability to consistently access nutritious and adequate amounts of food necessary for an active and healthy lifestyle.

This term can be a difficult to understand as can be the basic concept of hunger in America. It’s large and overwhelming. What helps people understand are the stories we hear and try to share: the parents who, despite having jobs, still can’t guarantee that their paychecks provide lunch on the weekend for their children. The older neighbor who has suddenly needed to take on the responsibility of raising a grandchild, and her monthly food needs have doubled with no increase in income. That’s what food insecurity looks like.

ONC: The economy has been getting better. Why do we still have problems of hunger in 2018?

We know that food insecurity levels peaked nationally in 2011, following the Great Recession. Since then we have seen a downward trend, which is heartening; however, levels have still not returned to what they were prior to 2008.

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Although unemployment rates have gone down and median income has improved, many who are facing hunger are still falling behind --populations like senior citizens who are harder to reach with resources and families who may be working but have to make tough choices like paying for rent or putting food on the table. Many of the people we serve are in rural areas, and it often takes longer for economic recovery to reach those communities.

ONC: The 34 counties that your organization serves is a huge territory. How do you do it?

We could not do the work without an incredibly dedicated and generous community. We work with more than 800 non-profit partner agencies who are on the front lines fighting hunger every day, distributing goods to people in need. Our volunteers: last year alone, they served over 250,000 hours in our distribution centers sorting and packaging food. And our donors and supporters, both individuals and local businesses and companies, as well as retail and agricultural partners.

We operate a fleet of trucks, and working with our branches and partner agencies across the 34 counties we can reach communities that may not have a lot of resources.

ONC: If a house of worship, civic group or community organization wants to become one of your partner agencies, what’s the best way to reach out?

We would love to hear from organizations interested in becoming partner agencies. There are a few requirements, including being located within our 34-county service area,and being a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) or equivalent.

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Organizations can learn more on our website by visiting foodbankcenc.org/partneragency.

ONC: Serving 58 million meals a year is an awesome task. Is that food hot or cold, fresh or canned -- how would you describe it?

While we wish the need wasn’t so great, we are thankful for everyone who makes it possible to get that many meals distributed. We focus on trying to get the most nutritious food possible out to people in need, and nearly 68 per cent of what was distributed last year was perishable: items like frozen meats, dairy, eggs and produce. In fact, more than a third of what went to our partner agencies last year was fresh fruits and vegetables. That’s a number we’ve been working to increase every year and have so far been successful in doing so.

ONC: Even in March, school days are often cancelled by snow, icy roads and winter weather.

What is the effect on school children and their access to food when school is not in session?

The impact of school closures can be very stressful for children and families in our service area. Many programs that get food to children are intertwined with school being in session, offering free and reduced-price breakfasts and lunches, as well as after-school snacks. We operate the Weekend Powerpack Program that gets backpacks of food to children for the weekend. If schools aren’t operating to hand out the backpacks, those children go without for weekend meals as well. Families also need to worry about either paying for unscheduled childcare on snow or ice days or having to miss work to care for their children.

That’s not easy on an already very stretched budget.

When possible, we work to plan and get additional food out through our partners in advance of inclement weather, but that’s not always feasible, and the result is a lot of additional stress on people who are already struggling.

ONC: How prevalent is food insecurity among the elderly in your region?

More than 45,000 seniors in our 34-county service area are facing hunger, which is a fairly staggering figure.

Although food insecurity affects people of all ages, seniors are particularly vulnerable because they have unique nutritional needs related to aging or medical conditions and often have limited income and out-of-pocket medical expenses. Reaching older Americans to provide assistance is often challenging. The Food Bank’s teams work hard to reach older Americans where they are -- at senior housing locations, community centers, recreation centers.

To help address the needs of seniors, the Food Bank recently expanded the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, a federal benefits program administered by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services. This program provides a monthly package of food designed to supplement the nutritional needs of low-income senior citizens. Each box includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, protein and dairy. Seniors in need can call 1-800-358-8189 (and press 2) to determine if they are eligible for the program.

ONC: The Food Bank was recently described in the news as a first responder. What does that mean, and can you give some recent examples?

In the event of a disaster, the Food Bank has a responsibility to respond to national disasters and major weather events, not only in our 34-county service area, but across the country. This was true with Hurricane Matthew and other hurricane and storm relief efforts going back 20 years. We work with federal and state emergency management agencies, the Red Cross and the national office of Feeding America to assess needs, and collect and distribute food and other essentials to the impacted areas.

Most recently, we were able to help support food banks in the Southeast, specifically Jacksonville, Florida, by sending staff to help support their volunteer efforts in recovery as well as three truckloads of donated food.

ONC: Most of us know someone who contributes to food drives but tell us about how important corporate support is to alleviate hunger in our area.

We’re very fortunate to live in an area with so many businesses and corporations that are dedicated to making sure our friends and neighbors are cared for. Corporate funding accounts for about 20 percent of our overall revenue budget and nearly 30,000 hours of our volunteer efforts.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 52

MARCH 2018 |

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We would love to hear from anyone who would like to get involved in the Food Bank. There are three main ways to help serve people in need: donating time, donating food and donating money. Community members can visit foodbankcenc.org/donate to find out more details about getting involved in any of those areas.

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I’d also encourage people to stay up-to-date with what we’re doing in central and eastern North Carolina by connecting with us on social media. On Twitter and Instagram, they can find us @FoodBankCENC, and on Facebook we are facebook. com/FoodBankCENC.

OutreachNC gratefully acknowledges the assistance of Jennifer Caslin, FBCENC Marketing & Project Manager, in preparing this article.

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OutreachNC.com 53

Ageless Design/Aging in Place

by David Hibbard Opening Photos by Diana Matthews

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It’s an indisputable fact: America is growing older.

U.S. Census data shows the number of citizens between age 45 and 64 grew 31 percent between 2000 and 2010, and a 2014 study estimates the number of citizens 65 and older will almost double by 2050 to approximately 84 million.

Corresponding with these demographics is the rise in popularity of Ageless Design and Aging In Place, concepts that help people to continue living in their homes while dealing with changes such as decreased mobility and increased risk of falling that come with advancing age. Simply put, it’s giving a little extra thought to the way a home is designed or remodeled, accounting for features and fixtures that make life a little easier as we grow older.

These designs include ensuring at least one wheelchair accessible entry to a home; curbless or low-curb shower entries; doorways wider than standard design and counters at varying heights, just to name a few.

In many locales, home builders are beginning to recognize the trend and are incorporating Ageless Design features in new construction. And a growing number of homeowners are electing to make modifications to their current homes to help them adapt to life’s changes.

Warren Wakeland, executive officer of the Moore County Home Builders Association, cites statistics from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reflecting a 17 percent increase in home remodeling sales in 2017 compared with 2016. “Many older Americans want to stay in their current home if they can,” Wakeland says. “They’ve lived there a long time and see a ‘retirement move’ to be incompatible with their values or desires.”

Another factor driving the increase in home remodeling is cost, says Wakeland. “The median home price is now higher than the peak the industry saw in 2006 because of low inventory and higher costs of regulation. Retirees living on a fixed income see this and often realize that adapting their current home to their needs as they age, if possible, is less expensive.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 56

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Whether building a new home or remodeling your existing home, Ageless Design concepts and options are available in most any room.

KITCHEN: Install a shallow sink (6” deep); mount a lever-handled faucet on the side of the sink to limit reaching; add pull-out shelving to cabinets to eliminate reaching to the back of cabinet; mount upper cabinets 3 inches lower than conventional height.

BATHROOM: Allow more space than standard bathroom for assistive devices such as walkers and wheelchairs; install grab bars next to toilet and in the tub or shower; install a roll-in shower; add a shower seat.

BEDROOM: Add an adjustable closet shelving system to allow customization of height based on individual needs; add more lighting to closet and bedroom.

LAUNDRY ROOM: Install a non-slip floor surface; reconfigure location of washer and dryer to accommodate walkers and wheelchairs; install front-loading washer and dryer.

CLOSETS: In a two-story home, “stack” two closets so the space can easily be modified for an elevator shaft later.

Wakeland says it’s important to do your homework when selecting a contractor, either to build new construction or to tackle a remodeling project.

He suggests these tips: • Call the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors (nclbgc.org, 919-571-4183) to make sure a contractor is properly licensed.

A general contractor’s license is a requirement in North Carolina.

• Never hire someone who comes to your door and offers a deal.

“Many times, they are not above board, and you could wind up paying for work that never gets done,” Wakeland warns.

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• Check with your local home builders association. “Most only allow ethical contractors to join,” Wakeland says. “We have a website that lists the specialties of all our contractor members. You can find the contractor’s website, review their projects and decide on one whose work suits you best.”

• Talk to your friends. Word-ofmouth is usually the best form of marketing.

• Contact the Better Business Bureau. The BBB can tell you if a contractor has had complaints filed against them and why.

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GREY MATTER See Grey Matter Puzzle Answers on Page 62

Puzzle 3 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.56)

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OutreachNC.com | MARCH 2018

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50. Apartment 53. Parenthesis, essentially

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Are you refired?

History of Refired, Not Retired, Day

Refired, Not Retired, Day was established by Phyllis May when she began her mission to start living her life large and getting her zest for life back on the heels of her retirement and her husband leaving. She started by moving to Key West, Florida, a town where she didn’t know anyone and was starting over again at the age of 55. She began taking jobs of different types to keep herself active and experience things her previous professional life prevented her from doing.

Since then she’s had a parade of interesting jobs, from working as a concierge, working through a series of temp jobs, a bed and breakfast, and now at a gift shop. Does this not sound exciting? This is happening in Key West at a gift shop called The Pelican Poop Shop as she listens to Caribbean music all day. All she needs is a cheeseburger and she’s got it made!

Things really got moving when she hosted her own television show for a year and then promoted a book called “Keys to Paradise, A Fun Guide to Key West,” her first publication. She isn’t living her life retired she’s living it refired.

How to Celebrate Refired, Not Retired, Day

Celebrating Refired, Not Retired, Day is as simple as reevaluating your idea of what it means to be retired.

What have you planned for the years after you retire?

Are you planning on just wasting away, or do you have big plans to experience a life refired? Don’t accept the idea that it’s all over but the crying when you retire.

Instead dive in and make the most of your golden years by living the dreams you set aside.

Get refired.

“

Retirement is like a long vacation in Las Vegas.

The goal is to enjoy it the fullest, but not so fully that you run out of money.

– Jonathan Clements

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March 1 is Refired, Not Retired, Day

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GREY MATTER ANSWERS

CROSSWORD

BACK FOR 2018!

Join us as we raise awareness of the local food movement.

SPECIAL PROMOTION FOR MAY, JUNE, & JULY

WORD SEARCH

ADVERTISERS

We are reserving space for the 2 Annual Farm to Fork special promotion. nd

Contact Ashley or Butch to discover how we can showcase your business. info@OutreachNC.com or 910.692.9609

READERS

SUDOKU

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Then follow us on Facebook to see if your favorite spot makes our 2018 Farm to Fork List.

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Tell us where you shop for the best local products! Send your recommendations to info@OutreachNC.com

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Newry Mourne & Down District, Northern Ireland

Enjoy an evening of music with students from Sister Cities International Music Exchange Program.

LOCAL & IRISH MUSICIANS 250 NW Broad Street, Southern Pines, MARCH 2018 |

OutreachNC.com 63

Looking

Ahead

T

he first book I ever wrote was about a road trip.

Two cars traveled in a caravan. Sometimes the people got out to check out the sights or soak in the sun, but the trip itself was my focus.

The travelers crossed fantastic distances with superhuman patience.

They climbed near-vertical mountain roads. They cruised flatland two-lanes. Sometimes they navigated traffic-clogged highways, and sometimes there were no other cars for miles. They crossed towering bridges. Looking out their windows, the travelers witnessed natural wonders. In the end, as was my plan all along, the two cars made it home, the people within tired but satisfied. The story resolved where it began -- there and back again, as Tolkien would have put it.

This book was drawn in crayon, and there were no words. I was three or four years old, and I couldn’t read or spell. Still, there was a story I wanted to tell, and I knew I could put it on the page and share the narrative with others.

My name is Corbie Hill, and as far back as I can remember I’ve considered myself a writer. I’ve always adored story and the written word, to the extent that my favorite book when I was in elementary school was a children’s dictionary. With a couple of detours, words have always been my destiny.

Starting in April, I’m bringing my love of language and of a well-told story to OutreachNC as its new editor-in-chief.

Congratulations, Aging Outreach Services. You’ve hired a word nerd.

If you read the News & Observer, you’ve probably seen my stories in its features section, as I’ve been a correspondent for the N&O since 2013 (and will continue to be). On top of writing for the Raleigh paper, I’ve contributed to a number of magazines and newspapers, from alt-weeklies to lifestyle magazines to children’s science magazines. I’ve written about okra (which I prefer to eat raw) for Our State; I’ve snuck through condemned houses with alt-country musicians, all for the sake of an interview, for roots music journal No Depression; one time I got paid to get tattooed and write about the experience; I’ve interviewed Henry Winkler - twice! The second time, he asked about my kids.

What a nice guy.

I was right to want to be a writer when I grew up. This is fun.

So what will the future bring with me at the helm of OutreachNC? For one, it’ll bring my love of the well-told story. I want the pages of this magazine to educate and entertain, and I want you, the reader, to walk away feeling like you’ve walked a mile in another person’s shoes.

I adore good interviews, and I can tell you I’m excited about the Carolina Conversations interview with blacksmith Jerry Darnell, which runs in April. If you’ve seen the movie The Revenant, you’ve seen Darnell’s handiwork.

In May, for our “Age of Technology” issue, we’ll talk about new tech, sure, but also take a nostalgic look at what was considered cutting edge decades ago. For June’s “Homegrown NC” issue, we’ll take a look at some products and heirloom crop varieties hailing from our fair state.

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And there’s a treat coming in July, as our “Booming Lifestyles” issue will boast a music-themed cover package.

The Baby Boomers invented rock and roll, after all, and that deserves celebration. Keep an eye out for the continuation of our NC Birding Trail series throughout 2018, which will be followed by a yearlong NC bookstores series in 2019. I, for one, am excited to bring these ideas to fruition.

Thank you for picking up OutreachNC and I’ll see you in April.

—Corbie Hill

LEE AUDITORIUM, PINECREST HIGH SCHOOL, SOUTHERN PINES

Mozart & Mendelssohn

THUR, APR 19 | 8PM Wesley Schulz, conductor

George Fu, piano

Hear Mozart’s delightful Figaro overture and his graceful, intimate Piano Concerto No. 23. Mendelssohn’s romantic “Scottish” symphony is inspired by the drama of Scottish history, remembered among the ruins of ancient castles.

Tickets start at just $18! * ncsymphony.org | 877.627.6724

* Price does not include tax

Tickets also available at:

Campbell House | 482 E. Connecticut Avenue The Country Bookshop | 140 NW Broad Street

Buying or Selling, Move Smarter with Rosemary!

Rosemary Weber

(c) 973-214-4675 (o) 910-246-4653 Rosemary@ToweringPinesRealEstate.com 229 West Pennsylvania Ave Southern Pines, NC 28387

MARCH 2018 |

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Generations

by Ray Linville & Michelle Goetzl

OutreachNC asked adults and children our March question. Share your answer on our Facebook page.

What makes a A dog, a kitten, three bathrooms, six bedrooms, and the best neighbors.

— Sophia, 8

Where I am. I share a room with my sister and my mom and dad have a room across the hall. I also have my two cats. — Hannah, 8

perfect home?

Love, compassion and laughter.

— Peggy, 61

My perfect home is in Hawaii. I get to move there in March, there are lots of places to visit and things to do and my brothers get to come with me.

— David, 9

Living in Thailand because that is where tigers live and I would love for one to come and visit me.

— Andrew, 8

The home I live in now. I like it because I have my own bedroom, I do not have to share with my brother and I have a nice family. — Emilyn, 8

Home-cooked meals eaten together.

Love. — Denise, 58

— Gary, 68

Family atmosphere, family support and interaction. — Jim, 71 My perfect home is here because my grandma and mom live here with me.

— Keon, 8

My home right now because I have my very own dog, I have nice parents and I have a trampoline in the backyard.

— Nate, 8

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Cooperation and compassion with a lot of love mixed in.

— Michael, 64

A perfect home is with my grandparents because I don’t get in trouble and I get to play all the time. — Anthoni, 9 Family, friends and dogs.

— Marian, 65

People who love and care for each other. — Lois, 69

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A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns HOME to find it. - George A. Moore OutreachNC.com | MARCH 2018

Join Us!

“T

he Memory Cafe concept provides a social experience for those who have dementia and their family member. A husband and wife can come by the café and socialize with other couples who are sharing a similar journey.”

A welcoming place for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, brain disorders and mild cognitive impairment and their family member or friend.

— Amy Natt, President

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AOS & Friends Care

o W E Do T

Meets Every 4th Wednesday 2:30-4 P.M. 155 Hall Ave.Drop-in Southern Pines

Questions?

910.585.6757 info@aosfcare.org

AOSFCare.org

Upcoming Dates: March 28 May 23 April 25 June 27

In addition to the Memory Cafe, AOS & Friends Care offers Direct Care grants | OutreachNC.com 67 and programs, featuring Personalized Music Players and MARCH Robo2018 Companion Pets.

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* See Official Rules for complete details, available at your local First Bank branch and at www.localfirstbank.com/dreamitdoit.

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