Evince Magazine February 2012

Strangers Are Friends You Haven’t Met Page 5

Storytelling Festival Calendar Clips Page 18

Mardi Gras Party Around the Table Page 19

Dr. Saria Saccocia: Treating the Community Like a Friend

February 2012

Photo by Lona Kokinda.

Page 2

Editor’s Note

One of my favorite expressions is also the title of Angela Sanom’s story on page 5, Strangers Are Friends You Haven’t Met. I consider all Evince readers to be my friends even if we haven’t met, because we have one important thing in common--we love to read what Evince writers submit each month.

Reflecting Forward writer, Linda Lemery, gives a good primer on what constitutes true friendship on page 16.

Dr. Saria Saccocio thinks of the entire community as her friend.

In fact, she moved to Danville for the sole purpose of making sure we have excellent medical care. Her story is on page 3.

Kim Clifton plays online games with her friends and tells about the humorous consequences in Second Thoughts on page 9. If you’re looking for a good book on how to make friends, read Rachel Bertsche’s MWF seeking BFF - My Yearlong Search for a New Best Friend that is reviewed on page 17.

Finally, during this month of Valentine’s Day and Mardi Gras, plan a party or two for your new and old friends. Annelle Williams’ recipes for a Mardi Gras Party are on page 19. She guarantees that they are easy and delicious, because she prepared and personally tastetested the recipes for you. Now, that’s a good friend.

Also, keep in mind that this is a leap year and there is a longstanding tradition that women should propose marriage on February 29th.

2

February Contents Editor’s Note

3

Saria Saccocio / Treating the Community Like a Friend

by Joyce Wilburn

5

Strangers Are Friends You Haven’t Met

by Angela Sanom

6

She Said He Said / Manners, Music and Ice Cream

by Dena Hill & Larry Oldham

7

Danville’s Ever-Vigilant Groundhog

by Mack Williams Where Can I Find an Evince?

9

Credits: Hair & Makeup: Katie Mosher; Skin Care: Catherine Adkins; Nails: Janelle Gammon; Genesis Day Spa & Salon

OICE OF FRIENDS

Publisher Andrew Scott Brooks Editor Joyce Wilburn joycewilburn@gmail.com (434.799.3160) Associate Editor Larry G. Aaron larry.aaron@gmail.com (434.792.8695) Contributing Writers

James Barkhouser, Gwen Baucom, Ché Chaney-Mitchell, Kim Clifton, Lee Fowlkes, Erin Ganey, Dave Gluhareff, Dena Hill, Sonja Ingram, Nancy Kaylor, Telisha Moore Leigg, Linda Lemery, Fred Motley, Larry Oldham, Angela Sanom, Alice Saunders, Jo Silvers, Jeanette Taylor, Melanie Vaughan, Joyce Wilburn, Annelle Williams, Mack Williams, Sonya Wolen

Second Thoughts / Sit a Spell

by Kim Clifton

10 What You Auto Know

by James Barkhouser 11 Valentine

by Telisha Moore Leigg

Business Manager Paul Seiple paul@evincemagazine.com (1.877.638.8685)

The Changing Face of Friendship

by Ché Chaney-Mitchell 12 Spotting Exceptional Customer Service

by Sonja Ingram 13 Wild Music / a Must-See, Must-Do, Must-Hear Experience

by Sonya Wolen 14 Calendar 16 Reflecting Forward / Friendship Quotes to Live By

by Linda Lemery 17 Healthy Living Tips

by Dave Gluhareff Book Clubbing / MWF seeking BFF

by Jeanette Taylor

Sales Manager Larry Oldham larry@evincemagazine.com (434.728.3713) Sales Associates Kim Demont (434.792.0612) demontdesign@verizon.net Art & Production Director Demont Design (Kim Demont) evince\i-’vin(t)s\ 1: to constitute outward evidence of 2: to display clearly: reveal syn see SHOW Editorial Policies:

18 Calendar Clips

eVince is a monthly news magazine covering the arts, entertainment, education, economic development, and lifestyle in Danville and the surrounding areas. We print and distribute eVince free of charge due entirely to the generosity of our advertisers. In our pages appear views from across the social spectrum.

They do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. We reserve the right to accept, reject, and edit all submissions and advertisements.

19 Around the Table / Let’s have a party!

by Annelle Williams 20 I C.A.R.E. About My Heart Contest

On the Cover:

Photo of Dr. Saria Saccocia by Michelle Dalton.

See story on page 3.

EVINCE MAGAZINE 753 Main Street Suite 3 Danville, VA 24541 www.evincemagazine.com

See the Winter Issue of Dan River Emerge Featuring Students for Change.

Meet Some of Our Writers

All that and Groundhog’s Day, too. It’s going to be a busy month!

Sincerely,

THE

© 2012 All rights reserved.

Reproduction or use in whole or in part in any medium without written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited.

We now accept Visa, MC, and Discover for ad payments

Angela Sanom is a physical therapist with Commonwealth Home Health Care in Danville. She and husband, Jeremiah, have three daughters.

Erin Ganey, a Danville native, now calls North Carolina home as the new Director of the Cultural Arts Program for the Kirby Theater and Gallery in Roxboro, NC.

Melanie Vaughan is the Special Events Coordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Danville Area, focusing on reaching the Bowl For Kids’ Sake fundraising goal of $45,000.

Sonja Ingram, a native of Pittsylvania County, is an archaeologist and historic preservationist who works in Danville for Preservation Virginia, a statewide historic preservation organization.

For Subscriptions, call 1.877.638.8685 ext. 6.

Deadline for submission of March stories, articles, ads, and calendar items is on Sunday, February 19, at 5 p.m.

Submit stories and articles to: joyce@evincemagazine.com.

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Saving the money she received from Florida’s Academic Scholars Program allowed her to continue her education at Florida Atlantic University. That was followed by a medical degree from the University of Florida in 2001, a wedding in 2002 to her research partner, Seth, and a three-year residency at the University of Miami ending in 2004. Even though she lacked business experience, her next move was to immediately open a solo practice. A few years later she began accepting teaching positions at colleges and universities, most recently at the Medical College of Georgia.

ven before visitors meet the Chief Medical Officer at Danville Regional Medical Center, her office and desk tell them what to expect. Her work area is well-organized, free of clutter and minimally accented with a family picture and her children’s handmade accessories.

The walls are covered with diplomas; shelves are filled with awards.

Dr. Saria Carter Saccocio’s relatively new office and position didn’t come easy. She describes her formative years in Orlando, Florida as being stable in a world of controlled chaos. “I grew up in a trailer with wonderful siblings in a family that had minimal means.

Sometimes we had lunch money and sometimes we were on the free lunch list,” remembers the hospital’s first full-time CMO. “Because of the many changes in my life (including when her parents divorced and remarried), I was a child who put my own structure in place. I was always very organized and knew in the 6th grade that I wanted to be a doctor.”

Not only did Saria decide on a career as a pre-teen, she developed a plan and earned the money to make it happen. She recalls, “My first job at the age of 12 was babysitting so I could buy my own clothes. At 14, I wanted my own phone line so I earned the money to pay the phone bill.”

Her goal of working at K-Mart meant she needed transportation, so she saved her minimum-wage paycheck from a local grocery store to buy a $500 red Pontiac Sunbird that was dubbed The Rad Red Racer. It stayed in the driveway until her 16th birthday.

The first day that it was legal, she drove herself to school. “I had wheels!” she exclaims decades later. Nothing including time or paying for gas and insurance has dampened the excitement she experienced. Despite the long hours at work and the various duties of being class president, the high-schooler graduated fourth in her class.

High grades and equally high standardized test scores granted her a full scholarship to Valencia Community College. “I worked at K-Mart, volunteered in the emergency room at the local hospital and took classes to be a certified nursing assistant (CNA),” she adds, noting, “I still wanted to be a doctor and figured the best place to start was at the patient’s bedside as a nurse. Sitting next to patients and listening to their fears and concerns was eyeopening and rewarding.” It also verified that she was on the right career track.

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Saria Saccocio

Treating the Community Like a Friend

by Joyce Wilburn

After six-year old Carter and four-year-old Ella Rose were born, the energetic mom didn’t slow down. “I wanted to become more involved with medicine on a higher level,” says DRMC’s first female CMO, explaining why she accepted that position in 2010.

“Doctors of the 21st century must impact the entire community. As CMO, it’s my job to make sure we have the systems in place and the tools available so patients and their families can rest easy knowing that we are providing quality care,” continues Saria, who is working on a master’s degree in health administration at the UNC-Chapel Hill.

Dr. Saccocio would probably summarize her medical career using the words of her favorite Chinese proverb: The normal physician treats the problems. A good physician treats the person.

The best physician treats the community.

Although that wise saying might not be common knowledge, Saria has probably known it since sixth grade.

• There will be a Community Heart Health Day on Friday, February 3, at Piedmont Mall.

• Faces of Our Children: Sickle Cell Anemia will be presented on Monday, February 6, from 9 a.m. to noon in the DRMC main lobby.

• Women and Heart Disease will be presented on Tuesday, February 7, at 7 p.m. at Ballou Park Senior Center.

• Dr. Michael Moore will present Managing Hypertension on Thursday, February 16, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the DRMC large dining room.

• Heart Burn or Heart Attack will be presented by Jamye Wright at Bibleway Cathedral on Wednesday, February 22, from 10:30 a.m. until 11 a.m.

• Jamye Wright RN, BSN will speak on Heart Disease: Symptoms, Risk Factors, Prevention on Friday, February 24, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Piedmont Mall.

Page 4

February 2012

Evince Magazine

Photos by Michelle Dalton Photography.

rescue. This particular situation brought out the best in mine.

So many cards, flowers, and phone calls flooded my room indicating I was missed. I never knew how much they appreciated me until I was gone. I even had two co-workers, Cacye and Holley, surprise visit me one evening after work. The timing was perfect because they kept me calm while preparing for my unexpected Caesarian, which occurred two hours later. Would I have worked all day, driven over two hours to surprise a coworker, spending time away from my family? Now that I know how much it means to the one who is in need, my answer is yes.

Strangers Are Friends You Haven’t Met

O

by Angela Sanom

n October 2, 2011 I began a six-week journey of solitude.

I had been diagnosed with a rare identical twin pregnancy requiring 24-hour monitoring and bedrest at a specialty hospital. This monitoring occurred an hour and a half away from my family and friends.

Vitality of the twins was given a 50% chance, premature delivery a certainty. This stressful situation demanded a back-up arsenal of support. My definition of friendship would have to be broadened.

While in the hospital, I was befriended by several staffers, who in the end became my surrogate family. They each

validated my feelings and fulfilled my needs in their own way. For example, Nurse Karla attended to every medical detail, reassuring me at least once an hour that everything was going well and that the babies looked beautiful.

Nurse Janet sensed an emotional good-bye one Sunday afternoon as my husband and daughter left and stayed by my side, holding my hand as tears flowed down my face. Nutritionist Tracy cheerfully snuck chocolate cake to me long after the food trays had been collected. These “strangers” and so many others befriended me, thus comforting me in a time of need.

Sometimes, your friends are immediately around you, such as co-workers who come to the

Friends are not always in your family, just because you are related to them. However, this was the case for me. Family members may feel obligated to help you, but mine showed me that they empathized with my situation and just wanted to make it better. My mom and dad not only visited (a possible obligation), but brought me my favorite cup of coffee from Main Street Coffee Emporium (a friendly gesture). My husband not only managed to be an excellent single parent, but he made the effort to ask for a day away from work to surprise me one lonely Wednesday morning.

I cannot overlook my “friends for life” who drove several hours for a short face-to-face visit, thus allowing me to vent every single detail of medical care over and over again. I was also fortunate to have an old friend from grad school reappear in my life on an almost daily basis. Jennifer was the glue that held me together as the days away from home slowly passed. And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the support I received from a mother on my unit who found herself in the same rare circumstance as I was.

Jody was the only one who knew exactly how I felt and we are still supporting one another today.

I never knew how many friends I had until I was completely alone.

There is no substitute for true friends and all of the resources they provide. I am glad that I experienced this stressful, emotional situation for several reasons. Obviously, I have the joys of being the mother of two more healthy, beautiful girls, but I have been challenged to be a better friend because of the love my friends have shown me--some who were strangers to me just a few short months ago.

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ASK DR. JUDITH

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Q: Can a middle ear infection

interfere with my child’s school work?

some cases there is a decrease in A: Inhearing due to the infection. Often, after correct treatment the hearing returns to normal. In the meantime, however, if there is decreased hearing it can definitely interfere with the ability to hear clearly in the classroom. Normal hearing sensitivity for a child is being able to hear sounds at a loudness level of 15 (deciBel) dB or softer.

(Please note this is not a percentage) If a child can not hear until the sound is 30 dB this negatively affects their ability to perform well academically and socially. A middle ear infection must be addressed and treated medically. If you have any concerns about your child’s hearing call Danville ENT Associates at (434) 792-0830 to schedule an appointment for a full audiological evaluation and a medical evaluation, if needed. Please e-mail me questions at hearing@gamewood.net. ������������������������������� �������������������������������� ��������������������������������� ������������������������������ ������������������������������������ ����������������������������� ��������������������� ��������������������������� ������������������������

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February 2012

SHE SAID

HE SAID

Manners, Music and Ice Cream

What a wonderful Valentine surprise! Most of the time I am defending myself in this column and here you are today giving me compliments. My first reaction to your post is that you are buttering me up for a nice Valentine gift. Well that won’t work because I have already purchased a card for you that sings.

(I know that you loved the pearls I gave you for our anniversary-- nice trick telling me that the first year gift was jewelry instead of paper.) I do like what you say and I feel the same way about you.

You are honest, trustworthy, a good homemaker, and I can honestly say that my mother loves you for who you are.

by Larry Oldham

by Dena Hill

Because February is the month of love, I will tell you some of the qualities that I find most endearing about you. Well, that about concludes the list, so now we can go on to other subjects. Just kidding.

It is a pleasure to be with a man who respects women.

You are chivalrous to me and to other women, always offering to help with putting on a coat or opening the door and sometimes even pulling out my chair at a restaurant. That sometimes scares me, though, because my brother use to pull my chair out from under me and I worry you might find that humorous also.

She said He Said

The other thing I like about you and us is our enjoyment of the same kind of music-- music that we can dance to and identify with that brings back so many wonderful memories. What other man would play our favorite song on the radio and then after the song ends, propose marriage to me live on the radio? You put some thought into that and because of it I agreed to marry you and live with you for the rest of my life. We can listen to the Four Tops, Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, Righteous Brothers, and so many other groups from our era and relive precious times from high school to today.

Another wonderful trait is your willingness to take me to my favorite ice cream shop as often as I want and buy me ice cream. Also, every night when I come home late from work you never immediately say, “What’s for supper?” You always say, “Do you want to go out for supper?”

If I say, “No” then you ask, “What’s for supper?”

Taking her with you shopping and helping her to pick out her clothes goes the extra step in a mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationship. Every time we go to visit my mother you either fix something for her or ask her if there is anything you can do for her. Cooking a full course meal for my sister and brother-in-law and having them visit our house after Christmas says a lot about the quality of person you are.

It sets you apart from many others.

My children love you and my family thinks you are special. This means a lot to me. It is very refreshing not to hear all about my bad traits for once. Maybe we should celebrate Valentine’s Day and love more often in this column. No, then no one would want to read about our good side; it is a whole lot more interesting to read about the bad side. At least more humorous.

Happy Valentine’s Day, but just for this one column.

There are many qualities that make you shine in my eyes. On Valentine’s Day, I want you to know I love you and that you are appreciated.... sometimes

He Said / She Said can be seen in Showcase Magazine.

Evince Magazine

Danville’s Ever-Vigilant Groundhog

by Mack Williams

There is an optical illusion at the edge of my back yard-the figure of an animal, sitting on his haunches.

At a distance, it resembles the taxidermic groundhog in the Danville Science Center’s Womack Collection.

My backyard groundhog is not alive and it never needed taxidermy.

Many years ago it was the base of a tree and at some point, the tree was cut down, leaving only the stump. The stump was then whittled by time’s artisans of weather and decay into its present shape as a “groundhog”.

Even the slight differences of shade in a real groundhog’s fur seem to be duplicated on the stump by the fading effects of sunlight, altering the complexion of dead wood into a complexion of life. Distance also plays its part in the crafting of this visual sleight-of-hand, giving the stump a sort of far-off, “myopic” airbrushing, aiding in its resemblance to something which it is not. Over time, its present appearance will be changed by decay into a visage of something else, but for the

past several years, it has been a groundhog.

The iconic groundhog of Pennsylvania, Punxsutawney Phil, is annually roused from his sleep to determine the presence, or not, of his shadow. On some days, the angle of the day’s early sunlight seems to give my “groundhog” the appearance of having turned his face into the morning sun, his total attention absorbed there, completely oblivious to the lengthy shadow falling behind him.

Not long ago, I saw a more ambulatory groundhog than mine (a real one) scurry past this faux, wooden representation.

The warm-blooded, fleshed-out version of the species paid the cold-blooded, wooden version no mind. My “groundhog” seemed to be constantly “watching”, but the one that scurried about didn’t even give him a glance. I suspect that the real creature had a much more pressing matter to which he needed to attend and that put a damper on his visual appreciation of my metaphors or analogies; he needed to find something to eat.

Where Can I Find an Evince?

Ten thousand copies of Evince are distributed each month at over 100 locations. Find your copy at: Danville Short Sugar’s BBQ 2215 Riverside Drive Danview Restaurant • 116 Danview Drive WBTM/WAKG • 710 Grove Street

South Boston Area Ernie’s Restaurant 1010 Randolph Boulevard Halifax County Public Library 177 South Main Street, Halifax

Chatham Area Pino’s Pizza Italian Restaurant 14 S Main Street El Cazador • 15 S Main Street

Yanceyville, NC Caswell County Civic Center 536 Main Street East

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February 2012

If you’re over 50 or have osteoporosis, it’s important that you don’t ignore your back pain.

It may signal a spinal fracture. See your doctor right away if you think you may have one.

Spinal fractures can be repaired if diagnosed.

TA KE C HA RG E Don’t turn your back on back pain.

KYPHON® Balloon Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive treatment for spinal fractures that can correct vertebral body deformity, reduce pain and improve patient quality of life.

Spine specialists actively offering KYPHON® Balloon Kyphoplasty in your local area:

Danville Regional Medical Center Leon J. Abram, MD Eduardo Fraifeld, MD

434-791-4445 For more information on balloon kyphoplasty call 800-652-2221 or visit www.kyphon.com Medtronic maintains a list of physicians who have been trained to use, and are believed to be both active and proficient users of, Medtronic’s products and who are willing to accept patient referrals. Physician participation on this list is voluntary and free. All referrals are identified based upon geographic criteria only. Medtronic does not guarantee the accuracy of the listings or the capabilities of the physicians listed. The physicians referenced may be paid consultants of, and research cited may have been funded partially or in whole by, Medtronic.

Although the complication rate with KYPHON® Balloon Kyphoplasty has been demonstrated to be low, as with most surgical procedures, there are risks associated with the procedure, including serious complications. This procedure is not for everyone. A prescription is required. Please consult your physician for a full discussion of risks and whether this procedure is right for you. © 2008 Medtronic Spine LLC. All Rights Reserved.

before

MEDTRONIC Spinal and Biologics Business 1221 Crossman Avenue Sunnyvale, CA 94089 USA Tel: (408) 548-6500 16003152_025 [01]

balloon kyphoplasty

after

Evince Magazine

Page 9

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Second Thoughts

by Kim Clifton ©2012

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Sit a Spell I’ve had words with friends and I’ve stayed up well past midnight doing it. It’s not my fault. They’re the ones who started it—invited me, actually.

And though we exchange words, what’s strange is that no one is really angry. Generally when you have words with people, feelings are hurt, bonds are broken, and agreements are dissolved. Unless, of course, you’re like me and are addicted to the iPad game that bears the same name, Words with Friends.

meant you were spending the night at Grandma’s and were desperate for something to do. Grandparents then weren’t as hip as they are now. In those days, my sister and I only had three boring entertainment choices: watch Lawrence Welk, do homework or play Scrabble®. Playing a board game with wooden tiles meant you were old.

If you weren’t old, it meant you could be a nerd, but one thing’s for sure...it definitely meant you didn’t have a date on Saturday night.

My husband and I don’t exchange gifts on our anniversary because it follows the holidays and money is tight after all the seasonal expenses.

This year, however, we both wanted an iPad so much that we justified the cost by declaring it a shared present.

And that’s fine by me; I don’t mind a joint gift as long as Robert realizes he’ll never get to touch it. Besides, he really doesn’t need the iPad like I do. He’s already got an iPod, a Nook® reader, not to mention a fancy cell. With all the bells and whistles available now, I bet even E.T. would think twice about phoning home and leaving these cool toys behind.

That’s so not the case anymore.

Words with Friends rocks. It hooks you up with your facebook peeps. It allows you to play as many simultaneous games as you want. As I type this, I have nine notices from people all over the country waiting for me to come out and play.

Words with Friends resembles online Scrabble®. When I was growing up, playing Scrabble®

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Robert recently initiated a game with the wife of a couple we used to pal around with in high school.

Unfortunately, the letters limited him to making a term not used in polite conversation...except for veterinarians referring to the mother of pups. After 20 years of limited contact, I’m sure she saw it as a fine how-do-you-do.

It’s funny that improper words are okay to use, but proper ones aren’t, like Maui. I tried to submit Maui and wasn’t allowed. That’s got to be a first.

WE’RE SELLING HOUSESSM Usually, it’s the competitors who are kicked off, not the island.

If you like these kinds of puzzles, I also recommend Hanging with Friends. It’s Wheel of Fortune without the wheel and without Vanna.

You can’t actually buy vowels, but thankfully you can buy hints to guess phrases and words. Hints are great for me, because Lord knows I need all the help I can get.

For someone who writes as much as I do, I really stink at both of these games. Even so, my buddies continue to engage themselves in a battle of wits with an unarmed person.

Then again, being smarter than me isn’t a hard contest to win. The games are fun, but what I’ve enjoyed most is visiting with my old high school gang and childhood playmates...people who are technically just friends, but feel more like family. While the iPad was an extravagance for us, being able to reconnect with people who share common memories has been priceless.

Reminds me of the old Girl Scout song we used to sing, “Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold.” Funny that it took the reinvention of Scrabble® to spell that out for me.

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February 2012

PART I: DEALERSHIPS or INDEPENDENT SHOPS for vehicle maintenance and service? A tough decision for many vehicle owners. Misconceptions, misinformation and personal prejudices abound. As a dealer, I’m certainly not without prejudice; however, I’d like to correct a few common misconceptions and offer some accurate and, hopefully, useful information.

Advantages commonly attributed to independent shops include convenience, personal service and lower cost.

Advantages generally conceded to dealerships include manufacturer-trained technicians, manufacturer-proprietary diagnostic capabilities, instant access to recall information and technical service bulletins, original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts and manufacturerauthorized warranty service.

Having lived in large metro cities before moving back to Danville, I know firsthand that dealerships in our area offer a level of convenience and personal service not available in large municipalities. Local dealerships are family-owned with easy access to the owners, and our service

departments are modest in size. Local dealership service can be as personal as you want it to be!

Let’s begin addressing repair cost differences. A repair bill will include some combination of charges for labor, parts, and materials/supplies. Dealerships use OEM parts from the vehicle manufacturer.

Independent repairers use either OEM or cheaper aftermarket parts depending on professional preferences and vehicle owners’ wishes. Cheaper aftermarket parts are adequate for many repairs; however, OEM parts are often known to be superior in both quality and functionality. Dealership-installed OEM parts carry a parts and labor warranty, while aftermarket parts commonly carry a parts-only warranty.

Next month I’ll finish this discussion of repair cost, warranty and service differences between dealerships and independents.

Safe driving!

James Barkhouser Barkhouser Ford Lincoln Precision Collision Center

Evince Magazine

Page 11

Matthew’s friend. Since second grade to her third grade, when he moved from a small city in Alabama, he had always liked her. They all had the same afterschool daycare when her mother went back to work. He was a loyal friend to Matthew then and she suspected he knew where Matthew was now.

“You could tell me anything in sign, couldn’t you?” Laurel asked. They could have been talking about signing, but they weren’t. Colby raised his hand up toward his blondish hair. He nodded rather than spoke, made eye contact gentle, sad and firm.

“I could show you some signs,” greyeyed, 16-year-old Colby Keen said, putting long fingers on the top of the scarred tabletop, his non-namebrand collared shirt a little wrinkled under his jacket. Colby tried to pull Laurel Knox’s 17-year-old caramel fingers toward him, almost reaching before she pulled them back. He looked around so Laurel did too, saw the crowd was getting a little rougher, with men who swore just enough to make a woman wince, puffed cigarettes despite the No Smoking sign, and laughed too loud.

No Matthew and already time to go.

Valentine fiction by Telisha Moore Leigg

A

t 5:30 with the sky going down fighting in red and gold and purple, Laurel Knox got out of the ’92 blue Honda Accord at Rhoda’s Diner and Drive-in with trepidation. She was with her brother’s best friend, Colby Keen, and his mother and she sat at the diner table rather forlornly. Maybe her brother Matthew would be here, although somewhere inside she had given up looking. Certainly she could have gone looking by herself, but she knew she couldn’t do a better job than the police, her father, or her mother. When Colby said that he wouldn’t mind having his mother drive out on Route 360 to that diner he and Matthew used to bum burgers from, Laurel agreed because waiting is a boat sinking; even those who can’t swim dogpaddle not to drown. In a week it would be Valentine’s Day. Two days before that would be Matthew’s birthday. Counting today, Matthew had been gone four days. It wasn’t the first time he had run away.

By 6:02, they had eaten the cheeseburgers and fries; the night was a warning come. Laurel leaned

her head against a window sill, watched Colby and his deaf mother signing, moving air with their fingers, making conversation that she couldn’t follow. When Mrs. Keen got up to get a refill of Sprite, Colby leaned toward Laurel. He’d been doing a lot of that lately, leaning in, just there, soft steps beside her in the high school hallway, soft movements like wings brushing her and no words. Often now, after her cheerleading practice and his indoor track, he would walk her to her car and talk about not-Matthew, just an everything-else conversation.

Every now and then when he became animated he would forget and sign a word or two.

He kept asking her what college she had decided on and telling her that he was going off himself soon.

He would open the door to her car, sign something, and then wave a traditional goodbye. As she drove off, each time she would wonder what he said with his hands and why she allowed this tentative courtship. She knew what Colby was doing, even though he was too young for her, one entire high school year, and she was leaving. He’d always been around, just

Mrs. Keen came back to the table indicating the same notion. Colby got in the backseat beside Laurel but at a distance. It was warm in the car and Colby took off his jacket. Mrs. Keen watched through the rear-view mirror.

“Where is Matthew?” Laurel whispered. She knew then Colby at least had a guess.

“Shhhhhh,” Colby said. He moved closer in the car, but didn’t put his arms around her. “I’m going to get my driver’s license soon, when I get enough money to take the course.”

Laurel nodded, and Colby leaned in still closer.

At 7:09, Laurel looked at the car clock; she was almost home; she could see the porch light. She grasped his hand for the first time in the darkness of the backseat, and Colby, Matthew’s friend, closed one hand around hers.

“What’s that sign you make before you leave me?” Laurel asked, not wanting to go into her home. She wouldn’t think about Matthew, or Mama, or something that said she wouldn’t see her baby brother any time soon.

“I sign your name,” Colby said. He’s not coming back, is he? Laurel thought wildly; he can’t come back.

He looked at her, firmly gripping her hand. It was a week before Valentine’s Day and Laurel wouldn’t dwell on any mourning; just focus on Mrs. Keen as she drove around the last bend of the block, her own mother sentinel on the front porch, and Colby Keen in the old Accord.

The Changing Face of Friendship

by Ché Chaney-Mitchell Friends are there through the good times and the bad, through laughter and tears, joy and pain.

They can be a blessing. When you find good friends, hold on to them.

Good friends are hard to find.

When I was in middle school, the more friends I had the happier I was. Being accepted and having friends meant a lot. Being invited to sleepovers and birthday parties determined whether I was in the cool crowd or not. Having more friends also brought more peer pressure but also feelings of acceptance.

In high school it was a little different. My friend list expanded.

Every friend had a role-- the manipulator, the dependant, the crutch, the two-faced, the loyal, the achiever, the best-all-around.

Growing up meant deciphering the roles and separating myself from the friends with motives. I also learned that in order to have a good friend you have to be a good friend.

Now I am a young woman full of love and scarred from the reality of life. I have lived and experienced the many faces of people and phases of friendship, good and bad. I have torn a lot of pages from my book of friendship.

My number of friends is small now. I am content with myself .I don’t have to have an entourage.

I don’t have to be followed on Twitter or liked on facebook. I march to the beat of my own drum. Yes, I do have friends but they are more like family. I don’t have to worry about being accepted or feeling pressured to be something or someone I’m not. They remind me everyday to be me-- that’s who they know and that’s who they love.

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February 2012

Spotting Exceptional Customer Service To encourage exceptional customer service, the Business Development Committee of the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce and Evince will recognize those who give it. When you experience exceptional customer service, tell us about it in 300 words or less. Include your name and phone number. Email your story to joycewilburn@gmail.com or visit www.dpchamber.org; click What’s New - Customer Service Award Nomination.

by Sonja Ingram Last spring my cat, Phillip, was chased up a very tall tree in the woods behind our house. The tree had no branches except for a few at the very top where Phillip became stuck. I thought for sure he would come down eventually, but three days later he would not budge. We tried everything to urge him down including canned food and tuna, all to no avail. By the fourth day he was eating bark and his meowing was becoming very weak so we knew help was needed.

We called several fire departments and tree climbers and explained our situation. We offered to pay whatever they wanted to save our cat, but no one could or would come to our aid. Finally, we called Danville Tree Care who agreed to help. Within a couple of hours two men arrived with an extremely long ladder. One man put on his spiked climbing boots and climbed as far up the ladder as possible.

At that point he stepped off the ladder and started climbing up the tree — risking his life to save Phillip. By this time, poor Phillip was crying and crying, but we all kept encouraging him with food and water and sending him long distance hugs. Our other cats were under the tree saying, “Be brave, Phillip!”

The tree climber ascended close enough to lasso Phillip around the waist with a rope and then he started pulling him out of the treetop.

Phillip suddenly fell and was dangling in mid-air before he could sink his claws into the side of the tree. The tree climber pried Phillip loose and lowered him down far enough that I could climb up the ladder and grab him. But the ordeal was not over—the tree climber still had to get down and coming down was even more dangerous than going up.

We all watched anxiously as he carefully set his spiked boots in the best positions. When he finally reached the ground, everyone hugged him and we handed Phillip to him. It was then that the tree climber informed me that his name was also Philip! “The whole time you were saying, ‘Be careful Phillip!’ I thought you were talking to me,” he laughed. We tried to give Philip money but he refused.

He told us he has saved many cats from trees and that it is a common misconception that cats will eventually come down.

So I want to thank Philip Winstead, the expert tree climber and cat rescuer of Danville Tree Care, as does Phillip, the cat, the not-sogreat tree climber.

Evince Magazine

Wild Music:

A Must-See, Must-Do, Must-Hear Experience

by Sonya Wolen Wild Music: Sounds & Songs of Life is the newest exhibit at the Danville Science Center that explores sound and music in nature. Wild Music invites visitors of all ages to expand their understanding of music through whimsical, hands-on activities. They’ll hear the music that surrounds them every day; they’ll see it and even feel it. They’ll discover that nature is filled with “musicians” who create distinct musical masterpieces in order to communicate with one another.

They’ll also explore how human music is inspired by the music of other living creatures – from tiny insects to giant whales.

Highlights of Wild Music: • Three Soundscapes invite visitors to explore sound and music originating in the ocean, the forest, and the city. Visitors will learn to interpret spectrograms or pictures of bird songs, learn what whale cries tell us about the animal’s life cycle, see samples of instruments from around the world, experiment with how sound travels underwater and explore how music influences memory.

• The Jamming Room provides a soundproof practice studio where visitors can use pre-recorded audio soundscapes, animal

voices, percussion instruments, and live vocals to compose songs • The Bioacoustic Lab is the spot for experimenting with how the human voice works and how it compares to other animals, specifically birds. Visitors can explore a model of the human larynx and the bird syrinx, use an electrolarynx to “speak” without using their voices and use a set of vibrating metal reeds to “feel” sound.

• The Power of Sound and Music Theater allows visitors to sit back, relax and experience sounds from around the world. The sevenminute, sound-driven video demonstrates – both visually and audibly – how animals use sound to identify themselves, communicate, and form and nurture social groups.

All areas of the exhibit are accessible for visitors using wheelchairs. In addition, text is printed in large, readable type and is written in both English, Spanish, and, in some cases, Braille. Wild Music will be open daily in the DSC, 677 Craghead Street.

Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and active military, $5 for youth ages 4-18. For more information, call 434.791.5160 or visit www.dsc.smv.org

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February 2012

February Calendar Ongoing

Guided Walking Tour – Millionaires Row, The Secrets Inside. www.danvillehistoricalsociety.org.

434.770.1974.

Through February 25

Living Off the Land Exhibit. Virginia Museum of Natural History (VMNH) – 276.634.4185.

Through March 11

Expressionism of Dick Morrill Exhibit.

Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History (DMFA&H) – 434.793.5644.

Through September 3

Wild Music Exhibit – Hunt for sounds of forest creatures, investigate the songs of whales, record a musical memory, lay down a beat and add tracks with animal sounds and recordings of your own voices. M-S 9:30am–5pm, Sun 1–5pm.

Danville Science Center (DSC) – 434.791.5160. See page 13.

Through March 31

Damsels, Dragons and Ladies Exhibit – Pictures of damselflies, dragonflies and ladybugs along the Riverwalk. DSC – 434.791.5160.

February 1

Senior Bowling Tournament. 10am12pm. Riverside Lanes. 434.791.2695.

Movers and Shakers – Workshop presented by Tawan Perry for Black History Month Celebration. 3-5pm.

Danville Community College (DCC) Student Center – 434.797.8419.

Ancient Greeks/Modern Live – Professionally performed readings from Greek Drama. 7-9pm. Piedmont Arts Association (PAA), Martinsville – 276.632.3221.

February 1 (thru 22)

Art with Flo – Wet-on-wet technique.

Weds. Location/times vary.

434.797.8848.

February 1 (thru 29)

Bingo. Times/locations vary.

434.799.5216.

Zumba Gold for Seniors. W 11am.

YMCA – 434.792.0621.

Youth African Dance – Learn Africa dances. W 4:30pm. YMCA – 434.792.0621.

Aerobics. MW 5:15-6:15pm. Community Center, Chatham – 434.432.3115.

February 1 (thru March 7)

Belly Dance Classes – W 6:30pm.

Danville Public Library (DPL).

434.797.8848.

February 2

Bob Ross Painting Class - Cloudscape with Lake. 10am–3:30pm. PAA – 276.632.3221.

Mask Acting Master Class - Explore masks, movement and performance in classical theatre and Greek theatre’s connection to modern life. 2-3pm. PAA – 276.632.3221.

SHS Showcase & Fine Arts Evening – Open House 6:15pm; Program 7pm.

Sacred Heart School. 434.793.2656.

Women and Money II – Learn to protect your credit rating. 6:30-8pm. Coates Rec Center. 434.797.8848.

Dan River District Cub & Boy Scout Roundtable – For scout leaders, parents or those interested in scouting. 7-8pm.

St. Luke’s UM Church. 434.710.4408.

The Importance of Being Earnest – Oscar Wilde’s classic play about two young men who bend the truth to add a dash of excitement to their lives. 7-9pm.

Martinsville HS Auditorium. PAA – 276.632.3221.

February 5 (thru March 7)

February 2 & 16

Kayak Roll Class – Open pool time available to practice or sharpen your roll.

6:30-8:30pm. YMCA. 434.799.5215.

57 Express Bluegrass Concert. TH 7pm. Community Center, Chatham – 434.432.3115.

February 2 (thru 23)

Curiosity Corner – Make crafts, play games and have fun. Ages 3-5.

TH 9:30am-12:30pm. Coates Rec. 434.797.8848.

One Block at a Time – Kids use various sizes of Legos and blocks to build. TH 10-10:45am. City Auditorium.

434.797.8848.

Read & Play. Ages 3-5. TH 11am.

Mt. Hermon Library – 434.835.0326.

Trey’s Sports Day for Kids – Challenges and training for young aspiring athletes.

TH 4:30pm. YMCA – 434.792.0621.

Kuumba-West African Dance – Live drumming and energetic dancing. TH 6:30-8pm. City Armory. 434.797.8848.

February 2 (thru 27)

Prime Time Fitness. M/TH 9:30-11am.

Ballou Center – 434.799.5216.

February 2 (thru 28)

Bikes and Trikes – Ride around the gym or try the obstacle course. TU/TH 99:45am. City Auditorium. 434.797.8848.

Chicks w/ Sticks – knitting & crocheting class. T/TH 11:30am-1pm. City Auditorium. 434.797.8848.

February 2 (thru March 8)

Traditional Oil Painting Techniques.

TH 6-8pm. PAA – 276.632.3221.

February 3

Tchaikovsky St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra. See story page 18.

Gospel Extravaganza – 7pm. DCC, Oliver Hall – 434.797.8419.

Chatham Concert Series – English Vocal Music from Butterworth to the Beatles featuring baritone Dr. David Castonguay with the Saturn String Ensemble. 7pm. Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 66 North Main Street, Chatham.

Admission is by donation.

February 3 (thru 5)

The Foreigner. Kirby Theater, Roxboro.

See story page 18.

February 3 (thru 24)

Friday Fun Runs – Distance determined by runner with each activity led by a group leader. F 12-12:30pm. Crossing at the Dan. 434.799.5215.

African Drum and Dance – F 6:30pm.

YMCA – 434.792.0621.

February 4

Ice Bowl Disc Golf Tournament.

9am-2pm. Ballou Park Disc Golf Course.

434.799.5215.

DRBA’s First Saturday Outing – Hike at Fairy Stone State Park. 10am. www.danriver.org.

Storytelling Festival. DMFA&H. See story page 18.

Bob Ross Painting Class – Cloudscape with Lake Scene. 10:30am–3:30pm.

Ballou Park. 434.797.8848.

Brandon Cutrell & Ray Fellman.

The Prizery. See ad page 6.

Rockingham Studio Group Exhibit.

Opening Reception 2/5 2-4pm. Caswell County Civic Center. 336.694.4591.

February 6

February 6 (thru 29)

Blood Pressure Checks. Times/ locations vary. 434.799.5216.

February 6 (thru March 12)

Beginner Shag I & II. M 7-8pm/8-9pm.

Ballou Center – 434.799.5216.

February 7 (thru 28)

Jump into Books – Kids jump into a new story each week and take reading to new heights. TU 10-10:45am. City Auditorium. 434.797.8848.

Zumba Class. TU 5:30-6:30pm.

Community Center, Chatham – 434.432.3115.

African Dance Ensemble – Learn African Dance. Tues 6pm. Coates Center. 434.797.8848.

Sewing Classes – Learn how to use a needle and thread, make simple alterations or clothes. TU 6:30-8:30pm.

Coates Center. 434.797.8848.

Belly Dancing Class. TU 7-8pm.

Community Center, Chatham – 434.432.3115.

February 7 (thru 29)

Koates Kids Pre-School Program – Different themed activities introduced each week through events, games, arts, and crafts. Ages 3-5. T/W 9:30am–12pm.

Coates Rec. 434.797.8848.

February 7 (thru March 27)

Let’s Line Dance. TU 7-8:30pm. Ballou Center – 434.799.5216.

February 7 (thru April 4)

Around The World In Art II – Using primarily color media, students will learn about the elements of color and principles of design while looking at art from around the world and throughout history for inspiration for their own art.

TU 3:30-4:30pm. The Prizery – 434.572.8339.

February 8

Homeschool Wednesdays – Matter.

Ages 6-9 & 10-15. 10-11:15am & 3-4pm.

Virginia Museum Natural History (VMNH) – 276.634.4185.

Valentine Bingo. 1-3pm. Ballou Center – 434.799.5216.

Polliwogs & Science Stars – Learn about fingerprinting, disappearing messages and other science mysteries.

Ages 3–4, 1–2pm. Ages 5–7, 3:30–4:30pm.

DSC - 434.791.5160.

Tuscarora Chapter of the Order of the Arrow Chapter Meeting. 7-8pm.

St. Luke’s UM Church. 434.710.4408.

February 8 (thru 29)

Youth Adventures Series – Outdoor adventures in camping, stream ecology, hiking, and climbing. 3:30-5pm. Ballou Nature Center. 434.799.5215.

February 9

Tunstall Music Booster Meeting.

6:30pm. Tunstall High School.

434.710.4408.

February 2011 S

M

T

W 1 5 6 7 8 12 13 14 15 19 20 21 22 26 27 28 29

T 2 9 16 23

F 3 10 17 24

S 4 11 18 25

February 9 (thru March 1)

Beginning Photoshop. 6-8pm. The Artisan Center – 276.632.0066.

February 10

Wine, Women & Chocolate – For ladies only. Enjoy great food, chocolate, wine/beer/soft drinks and opportunities for a facial, manicure, neck massages, etc. 6-10pm. Union Plaza, Roxboro.

336.599.8333.

February 10 & 11

Whale-Watching Trip to Va. Beach – A two-hour boat adventure seeking humpback and fin whales and other wildlife. 5:30pm-9:30am. Ballou Park.

434.799.5215.

February 11

Senior Shopping Trip. Ballou Center.

434.799.5216.

Bids, Brew & BBQ – Dickey’s BBQ, music, adult beverages, live and silent auction. 6-11pm. Sacred Heart – 434.793.2656.

Danville Firefighters’ Ball. 7-11pm.

Stratford Conference Center.

February 12

Chairmen of the Board Concert.

7:30pm. The Kirby Theater – 336.597.1709.

February 13 (thru March 6)

Art with Judie – Learn how to paint with oil or watercolor. M/TU - Times vary.

Ballou Annex. 434.797.8848.

February 14

H.A.D. – Health Awareness Day – Blood pressure checks, Sickle Cell Anemia trait testing and other health awareness info. 10am-2pm. DCC, Student Center – 434.797.8419.

Love Is a Reasonable Affliction.

See story page 18.

Illusions of the King – Elvis tribute concert. 7pm. Gretna Theatre.

434.656.3377 or 919.422.0826.

February 14 & 24

Talks You Can’t Miss – 2/14-The Methods of Chiropractic Medicine & 2/24-Dinosaurs Under the Microscope.

6:30pm, DSC – 434.791.5160.

February 14 (thru March 8)

Beginning Swimming Adventures.

Ages 6-12. TU/TH 3:30-4:15pm. YMCA. 434.799.5215.

February 15

Ella’s Quilt. See story page 18.

Senior Day at the Movies. 2pm.

Gretna Theatre. 434.656.3377.

February 15 (thru March 14)

Basic Glass Fusing. 5:30-8:30pm. The Artisan Center – 276.632.0066.

February 16

Managing Your Business Cash Flow.

2pm. VMNH.www.yesmartinsville.com.

Dan River District Committee Meeting for the Boy Scouts of America. 7-8pm. St. Luke’s UM Church.

434.710.4408.

Sky Watchers – Look at the constellation Auriga, the planets Venus and Jupiter and follow Orion and the Pleiades. 6-8pm.

DSC – 434.791.5160.

The Blues Brothers The Smash Hit Show. See story page 18.

Evince Magazine

February 16

Women and Money III – Learn to review investment goals and develop a plan for financial independence. 6:30-8pm.

Coates Center. 434.797.8848.

February 16 (thru 18)

Commemoration of The Crossing of the Dan. Times vary. South Boston.

434.470.1350 or 434.476.2483.

February 16 & 23

Beginner Archery – Class will teach how to safely and efficiently shoot and maximize accuracy and efficiency. 6:308pm. Coates Center. 434.799.5215.

February 16 (thru March 15)

Wheel Thrown Pottery. 5:30-8:30pm.

The Artisan Center – 276.632.0066.

February 17

Just Everyday Women Walking by Faith. 11am-1pm. Mary’s Diner.

February 17 (thru 25)

The Jungle Book – Presented by Halifax County Little Theatre. Days/times vary.

The Prizery – 434.572.8339.

February 18

Bluegrass at the Kirby – Lawson Creek Grass & Lost and Found Show. 7:30pm.

The Kirby Theater. 336.599.4039.

February 20 (thru March 26)

Belly Dance Classes. Mondays. intermediate, 5:30pm, beginning 6:45pm. Pepsi Building. 434.797.8848.

February 21

Man Know Thyself – Program by Sylvia Dean Stanback 11am. DCC, Student Center – 434.797.8419.

Keeping Well in Mind, Body and Spirit – A program series for those concerned with cancer prevention & survivorship. 11:30am-1pm. First Presbyterian Church. 434.766.6650.

February 21 (thru March 20)

February 29

February 22 (thru March 21)

Upcoming Events March 1

Machine Sewing Techniques.

5:30-8:30pm. The Artisan Center – 276.632.0066.

Intro to Woodworking Hand Tools.

5:30-8:30pm. The Artisan Center – 276.632.0066.

Sign Language Classes. W 5:15-6pm.

Ballou Center – 434.799.5216.

February 23 (thru 25)

All My Sons. See story page 18.

February 24

Doodle Bugs – Fizzle, Float, Pop! Ages 3-5.

10am & 3pm. VMNH – 276.634.4185.

Poet Joanna Catherine Scott.

Wednesday Club. See story page 19.

Bob Ross Painting Class - A Nice Place to Be. 10am–3:30pm. PAA – 276.632.3221.

March 2 (thru 11)

Kid Pan Alley Concert. 6:30-8pm.

PAA – 276.632.3221.

Little Women - The Musical. 7:30pm/ 2:30pm. Rockingham Community College. 336.627.0228.

February 24 (thru 26)

March 3

The Kitchen Witches – A comedy by the Little Theatre of Danville. Mt. Hermon Courtyard Theatre. www. danvillelittletheatre.org.

The Piano Lesson – The tale of family heirloom and heritage placed against the future. 7:30/2:30pm. Gretna Movie Theatre. 434.228.1778.

Red Stocking Revue – Musical showcasing local talent. Roxboro.

336.504.9182.

February 25

Outdoor Gear Sale – Sell or buy hunting, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, climbing clothing, mountain biking or other outdoor equipment. 9am-12pm.

Ballou Nature Center. 434.799.5215.

Danville Area Humane Society Adoption Fair. 11am-2pm. Piedmont Mall. 434.799.0843.

February 28

Black History Trivia Game – Contest to see who knows the most about AfricanAmerican history and culture. 11am.

DCC, Student Center – 434.797.8419.

Winter Classical Concert – Danville Symphony Orchestra. 8pm. GWHS. 434.797.2666.

March 4

Christopher O’Riley. The Prizery.

See ad page 6.

March 7

Botanical Gardens for Southern Virginia Presentation. 3:45pm.

Wednesday Club. 434.793.0884.

March 9

Chatham Concert Series – Organist Kenyon Scott and Bagpiper William Plail present Saint Patrick’s Day Prelude. 7pm Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 66 N. Main St., Chatham. Admission is by donation.

March 10

Green Legs & Hamstrings 5K, 10K & Half Marathon. Registration 8:309:30am. Race Meeting - 10:15am.

Anglers Park. 434.799.5215.

March 24

Bowl for Kids’ Sake. Big Brothers Big Sisters. See story page 18.

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February 2012

Reflecting Forward Friendship Quotes to Live By

In thinking about this month’s theme, the Voice of Friends, I realized I wanted to center

by Linda my column around quotes about friendship that resonated as truth for me.

So, I googled “friendship quotes” and ended up on The Friendship Page. Here are a few of the quotes I found, along with why they seem significant to me.

• “True friendship is like sound health; the value of it is seldom known until it be lost.” -Charles Caleb Colton Until a few years ago, I’d always thought our family had unlimited time together to do whatever we wanted to do. I was late in discovering that none of us have forever. Time and relationships are precious. As a result, we’re doing more together while we can.

• “My friends are my estate.” -Emily Dickinson To me, this means that Emily measured her wealth in relationships. Taking the long view, her measure seems right on the money. Perhaps Abraham Lincoln meant the same thing when he said, “The better part of one’s life consists of his (or her) friendships.”

• “It takes a long time to grow an old friend.” -- John Leonard (Steve’s Famous Quotes) I have two friendships of 40+ years and five friendships of 35+ years. These people are my anchors. By Emily’s standards, I feel wealthy, indeed. One of the 40-year friendships is with the man I married.

• “I get by with a little help from my friends.” -- John Lennon and Paul McCartney While certainly we turn to our friends to share the joys, more recently I have turned to my friends for support at the times when my world is threatened.

They help me in every way they can.

• “The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches, but to reveal to him, his own.” -- Benjamin Disraeli Some time ago, one of my former students asked for help with time management. We created both a time budget and a weekly schedule which he could use to help him achieve his goals. Every semester since then, he has created his own schedule, using the same technique. He has learned how

to help himself.

I’m thrilled at his success!

• “Treat people as if they were what they ought to Lemery be and you help them become what they are capable of being.” -- Goethe For me, this means taking a relationship to the next level of respect: taking the high road to focus on things that really matter.

• “I can trust my friends. These people force me to examine myself, encourage me to grow.” -- Cher I have lunch weekly with an old friend and fellow writer. We try to support each other inside and outside our writing lives by being truthful and generous with our time and comments. This leads to another (unattributed) quote: “Truth and tears clear the way to a deep and lasting friendship.”

– Unknown • “Friendship with one’s self is all-important because without it, one cannot be friends with anyone else in the world.” -Eleanor Roosevelt We have to like ourselves. That depends in part on consistently acting ethically, in ways we do not and will not regret.

• “The best way to keep your friends is not to give them away.” -- Wilson Mizner I think this means we have to love them, treat them honorably, and pay attention to them.

• “When silences are no longer awkward, you know you are among friends.” -- Ashley (The Friendship Page) It’s a rare thing not to feel the need to fill a silence. It only happens among very good friends, or strangers.

• “The best antiques are old friends.” -- Unknown (The Friendship Page) (However, never call your girlfriends antiques!)

In this month that celebrates relationships, I urge you to send a greeting to a friend. Receiving that greeting can make all the difference in your friend’s life.

Maybe that’s really what friendship is about.

Happy Valentine’s Day! About the Author: Linda Lemery llemery@averett.edu is Circulation Manager at Mary B. Blount Library at Averett University in Danville. She welcomes your comments.

Evince Magazine

Healthy Living Tips

by Dave Gluhareff MFS,CFT-ISSA

Many people seem to have the world by the tail and be headed in the right direction, but they feel something is missing. Many are very successful academically and professionally but are lacking control in one major area – their health. Many lack selfconfidence and self-esteem because they are not happy with their health. Some problems are caused by genetics or chemical imbalances, but usually is it not their own fault? Here are some good-health tips: 1) Stop skipping breakfast. When you do, you begin your day with low energy.

Breakfast is your first and main source of energy to start the day off right and make you more productive. If you skip breakfast, or any meal, you will slow your metabolism and begin to hold on to body fat.

2) Eat 5-7 mini meals/snacks each day spread out every 2-3 hours. Eating mini meals and snacks throughout the day is a pro-active approach to keeping your metabolism revved-high to burn the most calories. If you eat regularly all day, you will also have more energy and less fatigue.

3) Make your dinners smaller, leaner, and starch-free. I believe heavy, large, highcarb, junk-filled dinners are the #1 killer in America. Nearly everyone eats dinner too late in the evening. Dinner is the worst time to overeat or eat junk. Dinners should consist of a lean protein and vegetables without starches, sugars, and high saturated fats.

4) Do not eat until full, only satisfied. Listen to your body and eat slowly until you are satisfied. If you feel full, you have over-eaten. Practice eating in moderation. Do not over-consume.

Accept responsibility for your lack of exercise and bad nutritional choices. You are in charge of you. Stop playing the blame game, take responsibility, and then take positive action to do something about your situation. It is a fact that healthy people pay less for health insurance coverage than un-healthy people. Be healthy and start saving money.

Page 17

Book Clubbing A book review by Jeanette Taylor

MWF seeking BFF My Yearlong Search for a New Best Friend

by Rachel Bertsche

When Rachel Bertsche first moves to Chicago, she’s thrilled to finally share a zip code with her boyfriend. However, she soon realizes that her new life is missing one thing—friends. In her adopted hometown, there’s no one to call at the last minute for girl talk over brunch or a reality-TV marathon over a bottle of wine. Taking matters into her own hands, Bertsche develops a plan: she’ll go on 52 girlfriend dates, one per week for a year, in hopes of meeting her new Best Friend Forever.

I was pleasantly surprised with this book. It is well-written and kept my attention throughout its 344 pages. Bertsche mingles her meeting-friends experiences with research on why we need friends, the health benefits of friends, how many friends we have, what others look for in a friend, how to make friends, and other friendrelated topics. She lists 30 books that she referenced while writing. Bertsche’s writing credentials are impressive, including an editorship at O: The Oprah Magazine. Another plus: this book is available at the Danville Public Library.

Page 18

February 2012

Calendar Clips Clip it. Post it. Do it.

For more activities, see the calendar on page 14.

Friday-Sunday February 3-5 The Foreigner

This hilarious story of a mysterious, non-English speaking “foreigner” trapped in a rural Georgia fish camp for several days will be presented at the Kirby Theater, 213 North Main Street, in Roxboro, North Carolina by the Person County Arts Council and the PC Recreation, Arts, and Parks Department. Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Tickets are $10 to $25 for adults, $8 for students and are available at the Kirby Gallery or at www.kirbytheater.com. For more information, call 336.597.1709 (submitted by Erin Ganey)

Friday, February 3 Danville Concert Association

Tchaikovsky St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Roman Leontiev, one of Russia’s acclaimed conductors, will perform in Danville at GWHS Auditorium, 701 Broad Street, starting at 7:30 p.m. Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition will be one part of the program. The orchestra shines in the works of the Russian Romantics. Brimming with bold Russian spirit, this orchestra promises to enchant its hearers in this inaugural American tour. Adult tickets are $25; students $10. For more information, call 434.792.9242 or visit www.danvilleconcert.org. (submitted by Jo Silvers)

Saturday, February 4

Storytelling Festival

The 11th Annual Danville Storytelling Festival will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History, 975 Main Street.

This year’s storytellers are Logie Meachum, Donna Washington, Claire Ramsey, Darlene Watson, Sharon Liegg, and Fred Motley.

There will be a performance by The Kummba Dance Company.

The festival is free and open to the public. Festival organizer Fred Motley says, “As long as we have songs and stories to tell of what we used to do, what we are doing now and what we plan to do, our spirits, homes, communities, and city should never show signs of desolation.” For more information, call 434.793.5644. (submitted by Fred Motley)

Tuesday, February 14 Love a Reasonable Affliction

The Little Theatre of Danville presents this program of romantic musical entertainment featuring nine of Danville’s finest vocalists.

Cost is $35.00 per person and includes dinner, cash wine bar,

dancing to your favorite love songs, roses for the ladies and the show.

Dinner begins at 7:00 p.m. at the Stratford Courtyard Conference Center, 149 Piney Forest Road . Reservations required. Call 434.792.2672 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. For more information call 434.203.8995. (submitted by Alice Saunders)

Wednesday, February 15 Ella’s Quilt

In the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History hangs a large quilt handcrafted by Mary Ella Yates Aiken, the older sister of Augusta Yates, the founder of The Wednesday Club.

Quilts were more than mere decoration during the Victorian age when crazy quilts were immensely popular. They revealed memories of the artist. Clara Fountain will present a brief history of quilt-making and then speak on the intricate handiwork of Ella Aiken. Through photographs, she will show how Ella’s quilt was constructed as a pattern of blocks, each block assembled from irregularly shaped fabric samples and embellished with embroidered figures or motifs. The forgotten meanings of these motifs reveal much about Ella, Augusta, and the times in which they lived. The program will begin at 3:45 p.m. with coffee at 3:15 p.m. at The Wednesday Club, 1002 Main Street. It is free and open to the public.

For more information, call 434.797.9302. (submitted by Gwen Baucom)

Thursday, February 16

The Blues Brothers The Smash Hit Show

This hilarious, record-breaking show direct from London’s West End features Jake and Elwood Blues on a mission to put R&B back in your heart.

The boys are joined by a world-class band and the always sassy “Bluettes”— three amazing ladies with voices that will knock you off your perch. Show starts at 8 p.m. at the Caswell County Civic Center, 536 Main Street East, Yanceyville, NC. Call 336.6.94.4591 or visit www.ccfta.org. (submitted by Lee Fowlkes)

Thursday, February 23-Saturday, February 25 All My Sons

The Averett Theatre Department presents Arthur Miller’s sad post-WWII story about the Kellers, a seemingly All-American family. The father, Joe Keller, has concealed a great sin. During the war, he allowed his factory to ship faulty parts to the U.S. Armed Forces, which caused the death of more than 20 pilots.

He framed his partner and engineered his own exoneration.

Now, his son is about to marry the partner’s daughter and his lie is unraveled. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. in Pritchett Auditorium on Mt. View Avenue. Cost is $9 for adults, $7 for senior citizens and students. For more information, call 434.791.5712.

Wednesday, February 29

Poet Joanna Catherine Scott

This award-winning poet will read excerpts and discuss her recently published poetry collection, An Innocent in the House of the Dead, at the Wednesday Club, 1002 Main Street. The free event is open to the public.

Coffee begins at 3:15 and the program at 3:45 p.m. The gripping subject matter for Scott’s newest poems unfolded in an unusual fashion. At the time of the release of her popular 2006 novel The Road from Chapel Hill,

Evince Magazine the story of a runaway slave in the Civil War era, she received a request for a copy of the book from a reader who had seen an excerpt and wanted to know how the story ended.

According to Scott, that reader turned out to be John Lee Conaway, a death row inmate convicted in 1991 in the murder of two Richmond County, North Carolina men. Scott sent the book to Conaway, who followed up with a request that she visit him on death row. That visit led to nearly weekly visits over a period of five years, culminating in this recently published poetry collaboration with Conaway depicting the prison experience and her decision to adopt him as her seventh child. In 2008, after being granted a new trial, Conaway was removed from death row. For more information, visit www.joannacatherinescott.com or call 434.799.3977. (submitted by Nancy Kaylor)

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Let’s have a party!

by Annelle Williams

February—the shortest month packs a variety of party opportunities. Even the groundhog gets his 15 minutes of fame in February, and this year we have an extra day which should make everyone want to celebrate. What better way to spend cold, wintry days?

My favorite party features small plates of several different foods tied together by a common theme. I like to station food in different areas of the dining room and kitchen, away from the bar to avoid traffic jams and let people explore and serve themselves. Everything should be easy to prepare, easy to eat, and always delicious.

For food lovers, there’s no better party than Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday. Before the fasting of Lent begins we can overindulge and enjoy every carb and gram of fat in one big food celebration with no guilt. It wouldn’t be a good Mardi Gras Party without the Cajun food of New Orleans, complete with the ultimate Mardi Gras dessert--the famous King Cake.

This cake reminds me more of a coffee cake or sweet bread. Originally, a little ceramic or plastic baby was hidden in the cake and whoever found it in their piece became the King or Queen of that particular party. Another interpretation makes the finder of the baby the person who hosts the Mardi Gras party next year.

Upcoming

Another Cajun dish I would definitely include on Fat Tuesday is jambalaya. This recipe couldn’t be easier, and depending on the number of people you’re serving, you could prepare both the shrimp and chicken versions. Serve in mugs, with crusty bread, and it’s sure to be a big hit.

Saturday, March 24

Both of these recipes are of the almost-homemade variety, but the results will never give away how easy they are to prepare. Decorate with gold, purple and green (the traditional Mardi Gras colors) strands of beads and you’re ready for a fun party!

Bowl for Kids’ Sake Register now.

Register now online. Form a team of four; collect $100 per bowler in pledges and be ready to have a good time to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters. Pledges can be collected online too. You will receive a free game, free shoe rental, free t-shirt and a chance to win great prizes. Bowl between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. at Riverside Lanes, 3215 Riverside Drive. For more info, visit www.biglittledanville.org, call 434.710.2754 or email melaniebbbs@dancom. (submitted by Melanie Vaughan)

Jambalaya & Monkey Bread King Cake Shrimp or Chicken Jambalaya (6 servings)

1 T extra virgin olive oil 4 oz. andouille sausage, sliced into rounds 1/4 inch thick 1 medium sweet onion, diced 3 celery stalks, diced 1 green bell pepper, diced 1 (8oz.) box jambalaya mix (I used Zatarain’s)

2 tsp. smoked paprika 1 (15oz.) can petite diced tomatoes 16 oz. peeled and deveined large shrimp or 1 cooked deli chicken, bones and skin removed and meat shredded shredded Monterey Jack and mild Cheddar cheese as garnish

Pour the olive oil into a soup pot over medium heat. Add the sliced sausage, onion, celery and peppers. Cook, stirring occasionally, 4-5 minutes. Add paprika and stir to combine.

Add jambalaya mix, the can of tomatoes (don’t drain) and 2 1⁄2 cups of water.

Bring to a simmer; cover and simmer on low for 25 minutes or as directed on the box. If using shrimp, add to the rice mixture during the last 6 minutes of cooking. If using chicken, add during last few minutes, just long enough to heat through.

I like the finished jambalaya to be loose, not as liquid as soup, but still loose.

Add a little more water or chicken broth if needed. I know that some frown on using cheese with any seafood, but this is delicious garnished with a nice serving of shredded cheese.

Serve in soup bowls or mugs. See picture on front cover.

Monkey Bread King Cake King Cake tastes much like a brioche or sweet yeast bread. This is an easy way to repeat the taste without much trouble. I put a jelly bean in the cake instead of the traditional baby shaped charm to determine the King or Queen of the Mardi Gras celebration.

This recipe is modified from the one printed on the back of the package of frozen yeast rolls.

1 package of frozen unbaked Parker House Rolls, thawed 1 jelly bean 1cup chopped pecans 1⁄4 cup granulated sugar 1 cup brown sugar 2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 (3 1⁄2 oz.) box vanilla (not instant) pudding mix 1 stick butter, melted green, gold and purple sugar

Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly grease a bundt pan. Mix together both sugars, cinnamon and pudding mix. Add 1⁄4 cup of the sugar mixture to the bottom of the prepared pan. Then evenly spread the chopped pecans over the sugar and set the pan aside.

Place the jelly bean inside one piece of dough. Dip each roll into the melted butter, then roll in sugar mixture. Place dough pieces in pan arranging evenly. Pour any remaining butter over the top and discard any remaining sugar. Let the dough rise until doubled about 30-40 minutes. Bake for 25-35 minutes (mine took 30 minutes) or until nicely browned. Remove from oven and turn onto serving plate. Let excess butter and sugar from pan puddle around cake. Sprinkle1/3 of the top of the warm cake with green sugar and repeat around cake with gold and purple. Slice as a cake or pull apart as monkey bread.

Find more recipes, on my blog: http://aroundannellestable.blogspot.com/

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February 2012

Evince Magazine

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February 2012

Evince Magazine

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