Showcase Magazine September 2019

Let’s

TALK about Senior Health

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| SEPTEMBER 2019 | SHOWCASE Magazine 3

CONTENTS

Showcase Magazine

SEPTEMBER 2019

SENIOR HEALTH TALK ISSUE showcasemagazineva @ info@showcasemagazine.com

FEATURES Health Talk A Health Portfolio for Seniors

Showcase Magazine

@showcaseDVA

ALSO INSIDE Fall Treks

8

MartinsvilleHenry County 22

Sentara Healthcare

Paws for a Cause

12

Nine Grams

Instagrams From Our Area 26

Cat Safety

BY PAULETTE DEAN

23

PG.

8

Health Talk A Health Portfolio for Seniors ALSO INSIDE Editor’s Letter Advice to last through the ages 6

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Confessions of a 30 Something Kingston’s Journey 21

From the Kitchen of

Big Bear’s Wife Homemade S’mores Pop-tarts

BY ANGIE BARRETT

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PG.

22

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| SEPTEMBER 2019 | SHOWCASE Magazine 5

EDITOR’S LETTER

Advice to last through the ages When we are young, we feel invincible. I remember doing daring things as a teen that I would never attempt now. I knew nothing of the long-term effects of aches, pains, and taking my body for granted. If I crashed out on my bike, I’d get up, shake it off, and do it again while chugging a Mountain Dew. It’s easy to shake those things off because the human body is so adaptable. But, as we age, the wear and tear become more noticeable, and a heck of a lot harder to shake off. This month we are bringing back our Health Talk issue and focusing on senior health. As stated in our cover feature, age is not our enemy, but complacency can be. Being mindful of what we put in our bodies and staying active are keys to the best quality of life possible as we age.

Retirement is synonymous with relaxation, but don’t forget to take the stairs every once in a while. I’ve seen a meme floating around the Internet that paraphrases the words of Edward Stanley, 15th Earl of Derby. Stanley said, “Those who think they have no time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness.” Like the meme states, let that sink in.

By the way, Edward Stanley said that in the 1800s. It’s advice that has aged well.

Life is a wonderful ride, get out, get active, and enjoy it to the fullest no matter the age.

Enjoy the issue.

showcase SEPTEMBER 2019

CEO Andrew Scott Brooks scott@showcasemagazine.com EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Paul Seiple | paul@showcasemagazine.com A S S O C I AT E E D I T O R Ashley Rosson | ashley@showcasemagazine.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kim Demont | demontdesign@verizon.net FINANCE MANAGER Cindy Astin | cindy@showcasemagazine.com ADVERTISING Lee Vogler | Director of Sales and Marketing lee@showcasemagazine.com | 434.548.5335 Ashley Rosson | Marketing Consultant ashley@showcasemagazine.com CUSTOMER SERVICE Subscribe to Home Delivery for $24 per year 753 Main Street #3, Danville, VA 24541 Phone 434.709.7349 info@showcasemagazine.com www.showcasemagazine.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Angie Barrett | Paulette Dean Paul Seiple | Beth Stinnett Lee Vogler | VisitMartinsville CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Angie Barrett | Captured Portraiture Sentara | VisitMartinsville | Lee Vogler COVER L.C. Moore Photographed by Captured Portraiture

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FEATURE A HEALTH PORTFOLIO FOR SENIORS

A Health Portfolio for Seniors

BY PAUL SEIPLE PHOTOS BY CAPTURED PORTAITURE

W

e give much thought to planning for financial

stability after retirement, but how valuable is

being able to take that trip if your body will not allow you to enjoy it?

How do you see your life after retirement? Do you want to travel? Do you want to take the grandkids for walks in the park? Is your current lifestyle conducive to those plans?

Most people assume their bodies will cooperate with an active retirement lifestyle. But if you’re not caring for every aspect of your health, that may not be the case. Take a snapshot of your life to this point. Are you significantly heavier than you were years ago? Have your nagging aches and pains become more of a hindrance? Do you give out of breath when you tackle a flight of stairs? If the answer is yes, that climb will be steeper and much harder as you age — unless you attempt to change now.

A good health portfolio starts with the basics. There are no quick remedies. Start by concentrating on the bad habits that are adversely affecting your health.

If you smoke… stop - the life-altering effects of smoking are no secret. Ending your nicotine habit can have more of a positive influence on retirement years than any other change.

Dissect your diet - keep a food journal. Limit highcalorie, high-fat, and high-salt foods. Focus more on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean meat. Practice portion control.

Maintain a healthy weight - roughly two-thirds of American adults are overweight. Being overweight puts you at risk for preventable diseases such as heart conditions, cancer, and diabetes. Carrying extra weight also puts a load on your joints. Find your healthy weight and BMI and strive to reach it.

Keep an eye on your blood pressure - One of the most important things that improve long-term health is to maintain normal blood pressure. The Center for Science of Public Interest states that by the age of 60, 60 percent of Americans have alarmingly high blood pressure that needs to be medically treated. Millions more of adults with elevated blood pressure are at an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

Watch your cholesterol - Those with high LDL (bad) cholesterol are prime candidates for heart disease.

For middle-aged people, a drop of 1 percent in LDL cholesterol lowers the risk of heart disease by 2 or 3 percent. Losing weight and regular exercise help to reduce cholesterol.

Continued to Page 10

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| SEPTEMBER 2019 | SHOWCASE Magazine 9

FEATURE A HEALTH PORTFOLIO FOR SENIORS

Continued from Page 8

Monitor your blood sugar - Have your fasting blood sugar level tested at least once a year. If the test suggests an abnormality, work alongside your physician to correct your lifestyle.

and muscles are negatively affected. Also, be sure to always stay hydrated. Dehydration is common in older adults due to medications, diseases, and a decreased feeling of thirst.

Relax - Stress can wreak havoc on you physically and emotionally. Side effects of stress are depression, increased heart rate, higher blood pressure, and overeating.

Relaxation is a natural way to combat stress. Practice mediation, deep breathing, soothing music, or get lost in a book.

Count your calories and understand that not all calories are created equally. Be aware of empty calories, such as those found in soft drinks and avoid them. According to the National Institute women who are over 50 and are very active need an average of 2,000 calories a day.

That number drops to 1800 for those who a somewhat physically active and to 1600 for women who aren’t physically active. For men over 50 and very active, the number is between 2400 and 2800 calories a day. For those somewhat physically active it drops to 2200 to 2400 and for those not physically active, the number is 2000 calories a day.

Don’t skip the annual physical - An annual physical is the first line of prevention. As medicine has evolved, tests can now spot health problems early and corrective treatment measures can be taken.

Age isn’t the enemy The human body is a wonder of science. Aging gracefully isn’t an anomaly, but the body can’t be taken for granted.

Maintaining a well-balanced diet should be a priority.

Healthy eating helps to combat preventable diseases such as high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes, as well as heart disease. When grocery shopping, be sure to grab some colorful fruits and vegetables which are high in nutrients and low in calories. Protein is something else that should be on the list. Protein deficiencies in seniors are rising. Without adequate protein, the immune system

As we age, our skin thins and becomes more susceptible to bruises and cuts. Healing times are also longer.

Protecting your skin is imperative. This includes from the sun. Wear a bucket hat, sunglasses, and plenty of sunscreen when you’re enjoying an afternoon stroll on the Riverwalk.

Research from the National Council of Aging states that one in four Americans over the age of 65 fall each year. Prevent falls by eliminating throw rugs and loose carpet. Keep clear pathways, free of anything that can trip you up — electrical cords and general clutter. Line the hallways and bathrooms with nightlights. Wearing shoes with proper support can also help. A study for Footwear Science monitored elderly participants noting the type of footwear they usually wore and followed them for 27 months. Eighteen percent of those who suffered a fall were barefoot when they fell, 27 percent fell in slippers, and 7 percent fell while wearing socks.

And don’t fall for scams Falling prey to a scam increases as technology evolves.

Savvy criminals are on the cusp of “the next big thing” mapping out ways to use it to their advantage. Let’s face it — no one is immune to scams, but thieves look at older adults as “easy pickings.” There are many factors that make senior citizens more desirable to scammers, everything from their polite nature to excellent credit scores. A major attraction for criminals is that older adults are less likely to report being scammed due to embarrassment or lack of knowledge on where to report the crime.

There is nothing to be ashamed about if you fall victim to a scam. In 2018, The Federal Trade Commission received more than 1.4 million fraud reports that led to people reporting a loss of 1.48 BILLION dollars which was a

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38 percent increase over 2017. Being aware of the latest scams and tactics can ensure you’re not an easy target for criminals.

Mail theft is one of the easiest ways for criminals to target you. It’s not hard to combat though, have any checks that you receive — social security, stock dividends, pensions, disability — directly deposited into your checking or savings account.

Telemarketing is another main avenue for criminals.

Protect yourself by signing up for the “Do Not Call” registry by calling 1-888-382-1222 or at https://www. donotcall.gov/. This will not stop all calls, so be aware that any call that claims you’ve won a cruise, car, security system, or even something as simple as a walking cane is a potential scam. Do not agree to anything and do not give out any personal information over the phone.

Scammers target potential victims through direct mail using the same nefarious tactics. If you receive mail that informs you that you’ve won anything, read the fine print.

If they are asking for any financial contribution from you, you didn’t win. But if you feel the offer is legitimate, get a second opinion before agreeing to anything.

The threat of scams will always be there. Being proactive will shield you from risks, but if you fall victim to a scam, don’t remain silent. Talk to someone you trust and contact the proper authorities. Doing nothing is the worst thing you can do, and it opens you up to future attacks.

The importance of staying active A good portion of Americans spend too much time inactive — whether it be at a desk job or at home surfing the Net and watching television. A sedentary lifestyle can be detrimental to long-term health.

Regular exercise that incorporates aerobic and strength training comes with a wide array of benefits — improved cardiovascular health, weight control, stress relief, muscle and joint strengthening to name a few. Developing an exercise routine and sticking to it can stave off aches and pains and increase strength and mobility as we age.

In order to be successful, ease into exercise. If you’re not accustomed to being active, the shock may be too much for your body… at first. Walk before you run. And discuss your exercise goals with your physician.

Your health is better than any excuse not to exercise. If you’re having a hard time getting, or staying motivated, partner up. Having an exercise buddy who relies on you will serve as motivation to not let them down and to push you to become serious about getting active.

Go see the doctor An annual physical is crucial to maintaining optimal health as we age, but don’t neglect other screenings and exams. A yearly dental exam and screening is recommended for a healthy mouth. It’s also important to schedule a comprehensive eye exam every two years.

Sooner if you’re experiencing changes in vision. For men, don’t forget to screen for prostate abnormalities such as cancer. Women should have a complete breast exam every year. If you’re over the age of 65, talk to your primary care physician about an osteoporosis screening.

There are many other recommended screenings. Talk to your primary care physician to develop a plan that’s right for you based on your family history and current health.

A good health portfolio can strengthen your financial portfolio Today, some companies are limiting health coverage for future retirees. Some are doing away with the coverage all together. If this affects you and you retire before age 65, you’ll need to shop for an individual health insurance policy.

A major factor that affects the policy price is an individual’s medical history. A healthier person will be more likely to qualify for lower costs.

Healthy people tend to have fewer health problems; this will help with costs such as co-payments and deductibles.

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FEATURE A HEALTH PORTFOLIO FOR SENIORS Continued from Page 11

A Quick Conversation with LC Moore on

Staying Active

Showcase Magazine: What is your motivation to stay active?

LC Moore: As I tell those who say, “If you see me running it will be because something is after me,” I also run because something is after me, it’s called old-man time. I plan on staying ahead of him as long as I can.

SM: What are the variety of activities you do to stay active and healthy?

LM: I coach cross country at Dan River High School. This helps keep me active and involved with young people. They help me realize the younger generation is not as bad as people think. I also stay involved in things like being president of the Danville Running & Fitness Club (www.danvillerunner.org and facebook), Danville Harvest Jubilee board, Festival in the Park board, URW Community Federal Credit Union board, was on the Advisory Board for Pittsylvania County Parks & Recreation, etc. Well you get the idea; I stay involved to keep the mind active.

SM: How did you get started in your routine?

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LM: As I approached 30, I realized smoking two packs a day, eating, watching TV, and dozing off in the recliner was not a good way of life. Being an asthmatic all through my childhood I was never very active. I took up running because it was simple, though challenging as I soon found out. You could do it almost anytime or anywhere.

SM: What are some challenges of staying active as a senior?

LM: I think the biggest challenge is not giving in to the aches and pains of growing older. I know lots of times a midday nap sounds a lot better than a three- mile run, but I know usually I will feel much better after the run than I do after a nap.

SM: Do you have any tips to a senior who wants to start an active routine?

LM: Take it very slow. I know folks who took up running but got caught up in the faster and farther mindset and soon had injuries that discourage them and they quit. This is true for walking, lifting, or whatever exercise you start.

www.showcasemagazine.com

| SEPTEMBER 2019 | SHOWCASE Magazine 13

SPONSORED CONTENT

Sentara Halifax Home Health and Sentara Halifax Hospice earn

2018 SHPBestTM “Superior Performer” Patient Satisfaction Award

S

entara Halifax Home Health and Sentara Halifax

Hospice have been recognized by Strategic

Healthcare Programs (SHP) as a “Superior Performer” for achieving an overall patient satisfaction score that ranked in the top 20% of all eligible SHP clients for the 2018 calendar year.

The annual SHPBest™ award program was created to acknowledge home health agencies that consistently provide high quality service to their patients. The 2018 award recipients were determined by reviewing and ranking the overall satisfaction score for more than 2,500 home health providers. With the largest HHCAHPS benchmark in the nation, SHP is in a unique position to identify and recognize organizations that have made patient satisfaction a priority and have been rewarded for their efforts with high marks on the HHCAHPS survey.

“SHP is proud to present the SHPBest awards to our topperforming customers. We commend these organizations for their continuous focus on delivering the highest quality of care to their patients”, said Rob Paulsson, President of SHP. Sentara Halifax Home Health and Sentara Halifax Hospice serve a large swath of the southern Virginia region,

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providing the highest-quality home health care and endof-life services to members of the community “I couldn’t be more proud of our staff for the dedication and excellence that they bring to our organization every day,” said Wendy Fisher, RN, BSN, administrator of Sentara Halifax Home Health and Sentara Halifax Hospice.

“By winning this award, we reaffirm our devotion to providing the highest-quality care in both home health and hospice settings.”

Read more about the SHPBest awards program, including methodology and award recipient lists at www.shpdata. com/home-health/shpbest-hhcahps.

About Strategic Healthcare Programs (SHP) Strategic Healthcare Programs (SHP) is a leader in data analytics and benchmarking that drive daily clinical and operational decisions. Our solutions bring realtime data to post-acute providers, hospitals, and ACOs to better coordinate quality care and improve patient outcomes. Since 1996, SHP has helped more than 7,000 organizations nationwide raise the bar for healthcare performance.

Specialty Endocrinology Care Now Available at Sentara Volens Family Medicine Specialty endocrinology care has made its way to Sentara Volens Family Medicine. Janet Durham, FNP, a family nurse practitioner and diabetes educator at SVFM is excited to apply the knowledge and expertise she has gained from her recent graduation from Duke University School of Nursing’s Endocrinology Specialty Certification to the patients that need it most.

of care, I believe that those with even the worst diabetes can live a better, more functional life.”

For more information about Janet Durham, FNP, or to make an appointment at Sentara Volens Family Medicine, call 434.517.8019.

“The endocrinology specialty certification offered at Duke University gives nurse practitioners the opportunity to have specialty training to better care for those with diabetes and other endocrine conditions,” said Durham. “This particular program is the first endocrinology specialty for nurse practitioners in the U.S. I am very proud to have been able to receive this continued education and to bring it back to the Volens community.”

The certification includes three exhaustive endocrinology courses that provide nurse practitioners with the knowledge and skills they need to care for patients with diabetes or other chronic metabolic and endocrine related issues.

“As a nurse practitioner and a diabetes educator, this certification was a natural next step for me,” said Durham. “I am passionate about helping those with diabetes and other endocrine-based conditions be able to better care for themselves. Improving stability in disease management and improving quality of life is at the heart of everything I do. This certification has equipped me with the necessary tools to take that mission and passion one step further.”

Durham urges anyone who is having trouble managing their diabetes, or who is caring for a loved one who has diabetes, to reach out and make an appointment.

“Many diabetics have a difficult time stabilizing their disease,” said Durham. “It’s not an easy path, but with the proper support, education, and comprehensive plan www.showcasemagazine.com

| SEPTEMBER 2019 | SHOWCASE Magazine 15

SPONSORED CONTENT

Sentara Halifax Regional Hospital Adds

New Vision Medical Stabilization Service for Patients Battling Addiction Sentara Halifax Regional Hospital is now offering medical stabilization services to help people overcome withdrawal symptoms from drug and alcohol addictions through New Vision medical stabilization service.

“Medical stabilization for addiction is a new service for us, but we are optimistic about the positive impact that this offering will have on our community and the surrounding area,” said Terrance Truitt, MD, hospitalist at Sentara Halifax Regional Hospital.

This service serves adults with a medically supervised hospital stay for inpatient stabilization, which usually lasts three days. The inpatient stay will include prescreening, assessment, admission, medical stabilization and discharge planning. Upon admission, an assessment will be completed with an evaluation of the patient’s medical history, a physical, a laboratory workup and nursing assessment.

Discharge planning will occur prior to leaving the hospital; the patient will be referred to appropriate community-based treatment programs to help prevent

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relapse and continue their treatment.

New Vision, a hospital-based medical stabilization and withdrawal management service, is provided through a partnership with SpecialCare Hospital Management of St. Charles, MO, and is currently offered in nearly 50 hospitals across the United States. SpecialCare has been providing inpatient medical stabilization in collaboration with short-term acute care hospitals for over 26 years.

“We are pleased to have New Vision on board at Sentara Halifax Regional Hospital and we are very enthusiastic about the services that this partnership will bring to the community,” said Jason Studley, president of Sentara Halifax Regional Hospital. “We are very aware of the issue of addiction and substance abuse in southern Virginia, and we are proud to step up and help meet that need in conjunction with the programs we already offer at Sentara Behavioral Health Services.”

For more information about the medical stabilization service, please call 434.517.3586.

www.showcasemagazine.com

| SEPTEMBER 2019 | SHOWCASE Magazine 17

SPONSORED CONTENT

Resident Frank Saunders Enjoys Life at Sentara Woodview When asked about life at Sentara Woodview, resident Frank Saunders will enthusiastically say that it is everything he hoped it would be.

“Some of my favorite activities to participate in are the games that we play,” said Saunders. “I especially love playing bingo and I win a lot of prizes!”

“I just love it here,” said Saunders. “Everyone is so nice, and they really take care of you as if you are family.”

Sentara Woodview, home to more than 200 residents, promotes physical, mental, and spiritual health and quality of life by providing activities, delicious food, and the highest-quality skilled nursing care, all in a home-like environment.

Even though friendly competition is a highlight for Saunders, nothing can beat the home-style cooking and delicious meals served at Sentara Woodview.

“The food is so wonderful here,” said Saunders. “I haven’t eaten anything that I didn’t thoroughly enjoy. I look forward to every meal.”

Saunders couldn’t be happier with the life he has a Sentara Woodview and is pleased to have built relationships with the staff and his fellow residents.

“If you can no longer live at home and need a place to go and be well taken care of, this is the place”, said Saunders.

“I would recommend Sentara Woodview to anyone who is in need of assistance living in their daily life. I have gotten to know my nurses and medication aides, as well as others who are living here. We are one big family.”

For more information about Sentara Woodview, call 434.572.4906.

About Sentara Healthcare Sentara Healthcare, based in Norfolk, VA, celebrates more than 125 years in pursuit of its mission to improve health every day. Sentara is an integrated not-for-profit system of 12 hospitals in Virginia and North Carolina, including a Level I trauma center with Nightingale Regional Air Ambulance. The Sentara family also includes four medical groups, ambulatory campuses, post-acute care services, the physician-led Sentara Quality Care Network, the Sentara College of Health Sciences, Optima Health Plan members in Virginia, Alabama and Ohio, and a team of professionals 28,000 strong. Sentara is strategically focused on continuous improvement in quality, safety, and the patient experience.

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CONFESSIONS OF A 30 SOMETHING

Confessions of a 30 Something

Kingston’s Journey WRITTEN BY LEE VOGLER PHOTO BY LEE VOGLER

“He didn’t even hug me goodbye.” Those were the words I sputtered out to my wife after our son, Kingston, walked into his kindergarten class for the first time. In all fairness to him, the lack of a hug didn’t come from any place of ill-intent. He was just so excited, that taking another five seconds before plowing into the classroom was out of the question.

I want to hear from you all! What are some experiences you’ve had with your kids? How do you cope with your little ones starting school? Send me a note at: lee@showcasemagazine.com

Kingston probably didn’t give that moment another thought as he went through the rest of his day, meeting new friends and exploring new hallways. His overly nostalgic father did, however. How could my little boy, who just yesterday I was cradling in my arms, be in “big school” now?

This is a feeling I’m sure most parents go through as their children grow up. Before I know it, I’ll be wondering how he’s about to go to middle school, high school, and college, before eventually placing his old man in a retirement home, but I digress.

As I write this, he’s been in school for less than a week, and I find myself wondering what he’s doing throughout the day. Is he having fun? Is he learning new things? Has he destroyed anything in the school yet? Hopefully the answer is yes to two of those questions.

Luckily for me, Kingston loves to tell me about his day.

What he ate, what he learned, what he played on the playground. I enjoy hearing every bit of it. I love both of my kids equally, but Kingston and I have a special bond.

He was the first person to call me “dad.” As I’ve written about before, we’ve gone on many adventures together in his five years. We love making Ava a part of that now, but for a long time, it was just us. The Vogler boys exploring uncharted territory.

And now we’ve reached this new uncharted territory: kindergarten. I’m far more worried about it than he is, I’m sure, but I also know that he will be fine. He’s at a good school with, from what I can tell so far, a wonderful teacher. And more than all that, he’s a great kid. I love him and I’m beyond proud of him. I can’t wait to see where life’s journey takes him next. www.showcasemagazine.com

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FEATURE BIG BEAR’S WIFE

From the Kitchen of

Big Bear’s Wife Homemade S’mores Pop-tarts WRITTEN BY ANGIE BARRETT OF BIGBEARSWIFE.COM PHOTO BY ANGIE BARRETT

Love the S’more Pop-tarts that you buy at the store? If you love those, you’re going to fall head over heels for these Homemade S’mores Pop-tarts. Plus, they have so much more filling than the store-bought ones.

Prep Time: 20M; Cook Time: 10M; Total Time: 30M; Yield: 8 Homemade S’mores Pop-tarts INGREDIENTS FOR THE POPTARTS • 2 rolls refrigerated rolled pie crust (found near the biscuits and cinnamon rolls in the store) • 1 -2 cups Chocolate Spread or Nutella • 1 -2 cups Marshmallow Fluff FOR THE GLAZE • 4 tablespoons butter, melted • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder • 2 cups powdered sugar • 4 tablespoons hot water • 1/2 cup crushed graham crackers (optional for top) INSTRUCTIONS • Pre-heat oven to 400F. • Roll each pie dough sheet out into a large rectangle.

(There are normally 2 rolls of dough in each package).

• Using a sharp knife or a pizza roller, cut out 16 rectangles.

You may need to gather the scraps and re- roll the pie dough for the last 4 rectangles.

• Fill a plastic sandwich bag (or a piping bag) with the marshmallow fluff and fill another bag with the chocolate spread.

• Leaving about a 1/4 inch or 1/2 an inch border around the edges, cut the tip of each bag and pipe stripes of marshmallow fluff and chocolate down the center of the dough. I alternated stripes of chocolate, marshmallow, chocolate, marshmallow and chocolate.

• Wet your finger with a little water and run it around the bare edges of the dough.

• Add a top layer of pie dough and press the edges down to seal in the chocolate and marshmallow fluff.

• Take a fork and press the edges sealed all the way around the pop-tart.

• Bake at 400F for about 10 minutes. (Don’t over bake them or you won’t have any chocolate or marshmallow left in the center) • Remove from oven and place on a wire tray to cool.

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• Once they’re cool, start making the glaze.

• In a medium bowl, mix together the melted butter and cocoa powder.

• Add in the powdered sugar and hot water. Mix until smooth.

• Use a spoon and scoop the glaze out onto the pop-tarts.

Use the back off the spoon to smooth it over the top of the pop-tarts.

• If it starts to get too thick in the bowl while you’re glazing the pop-tarts just pop the bowl into the microwave for about 5-10 seconds.

• While the glaze is still wet, sprinkle a little crushed graham crackers over the glaze.

• Let pop-tarts sit for just a bit until glaze dries.

• Glaze will harden a bit as it cools.

(PS. if you want to heat these, heat them in the oven or the microwave, DON’T put them in the toaster... the glaze will melt into your toaster)

www.showcasemagazine.com

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EXPLORE MARTINSVILLE

Fall Treks WRITTEN BYBETH STINNETT PHOTOS PROVIDED BY VISITMARTINSVILLE

Any time is a great time to venture through MartinsvilleHenry County, VA, but the fall adds a little something extra. Breathe in the fresh air and unwind while you take in the scenery and the fun. From our award-wining trails to our high-octane events, make this season your season to explore MHC. Take a hike. Or a run, or a walk. Or whatever you would like. Martinsville-Henry County is home to the Smith River Trail System which includes a scenic blueway with eleven river access points and more than twenty miles of greenway and to the Mountain Laurel Trails Biking Complex.

Mountain Laurel Trails has consistently been named among the top mountain bike trails in the state of Virginia by SingleTrack.com and they recently hosted their 1st annual Sledgehammer XC race, sanctioned by USA Cycling. Hikers

and runners are also encouraged to come out and hit the trails.

Trails to Trek: • Philpott Lake Fitness Interpretive Trail (1.5 miles) • Lauren Mountain Preserve (1.5miles) • Collinsville Jaycee Park (1.25 mile) • Jack Dalton Park (0.6 mile) • Rock Ridge Trail at Beaver Creek Reservoir (1.2 miles) • Patrick Henry Community College Trail Loop (0.75 mile) • Fieldale Trail (2.4 miles) & Textile Heritage Trail (0.3 mile) • Dick & Willie Passage (4.5 miles) • Uptown Connection Trail (0.8 mile) • Silverbell Trail (0.25 mile) • J. Frank Wilson Park (1 mile) • Doe Run Park (1.5 miles) • Spencer-Penn Centre (0.5 mile) • Mountain Laurel Trails Bike Complex (10+ miles) • Smith River Sports Complex (1.3 miles) • Richard P. Gravely Jr. Nature Preserve (2.5 miles) If you are interested in riding the trails with a group, the Henry County Bike Club hosts several weekly bike rides (throughout the year) that you are welcome to join.

Weather permitting.

For those interested in participating in a footrace this fall, Miles in Martinsville has the following races scheduled: • The Harvest Moon Run 5K & 8K on Friday, September 13th • The Nail the Rail 9 Miler on Saturday, November 2nd • The Turkey Day 5K & Family Fun Run on Thursday, November 28th Enjoy the fall foliage. Many people agree that seeing “the colors change” during the fall, is their favorite part of the season. If you have ever driven through Bassett, VA this time of year, then you probably agree that the beauty of the Philpott Lake Overlook is even more dazzling in fall. See for yourself why the view is a local and regional favorite.

You can also explore the Philpott Lake Trail System while you are there and challenge yourself along the F.I.T. Trail.

Special Events Happening this fall in MHC Brewster Walk, in Uptown Martinsville, will feature more than 60 delicious craft beers, plus live performances from Mountain Heart, C2 & The Brothers Reed, and the Isaac Hadden Band. September 7th.

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EXPLORE MARTINSVILLE

Continued from Page 22

The ValleyStar Credit Union 300 at Martinsville Speedway, the biggest, richest and most prestigious NASCAR Late Model Stock Car race in the country, will once again run under the lights. The ValleyStar Credit Union 300 regularly sees more than 75 Late Model Stock Car teams from around the country try to make the 40 car field. General Admission tickets are just $30 for adults and $5 for kids. (prices may change). October 5th Oktoberfest will fill the streets of Uptown Martinsville with music, food, vendors and fun during the 40th Annual International Arts & Culture Festival. Enjoy two streets of vendors offering everything from free balloons to fine art, plus lots of kid-friendly activities including inflatable bounce houses and rides. The event will also offer a beer garden selling craft beer as well as traditional German foods like delicious bratwurst. October 5th NASCAR rolls back in town on October 27th for the Fast Data 500 at Martinsville Speedway. The Monster Energy Cup drivers are hoping for treats and not tricks during the short-track event in the Race for the Chase.

Find more information on all the ways that you can enjoy the season at www.VisitMartinsville.com. You just might fall in love with Martinsville-Henry County, VA.

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PAWS FOR A CAUSE

Paws for a Cause As I recall, from my first day working as the director of the Danville Area Humane Society I began receiving many telephone calls from people complaining about their neighbors’ outside cats.

In fact, concerns about outside cats has remained the one constant throughout my 27 years at the shelter. The issue of cats in a neighborhood is the most divisive single topic today in the animal welfare world.

WRITTEN BY PAULETTE DEAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DANVILLE HUMANE SOCIETY

Outdoor cats are at risk to be poisoned. Neighbors may deliberately poison cats they view as nuisances, but accidental poisonings also occur.

Chemically treated lawns, bait left out to kill rats or mice, and antifreeze can all be deadly dangers.

It is a myth that cats are “streetwise.” Cats are intelligent and alert, but they stand very little chance against traffic.

Some people are angry that the cats cause property damage or kill birds at their bird feeders. Others are concerned about the condition of the cats.

Many years ago, our cat adoption policy was changed to require cats adopted from us to be kept strictly inside. We received criticism about it, but we are absolutely convinced it is the correct policy.

It is vital to keep cats inside. Outside cats face many dangers, and their life expectancy is 1-5 years. A cat kept strictly inside has an average life expectancy of 12-20 years.

parasites that can cause anemia, skin irritations, allergic reactions, and even death.

We can tell horror stories, and even have the pictures, of outside cats that have been beheaded, scalped, electrocuted, burned, tortured, or starved.

A dogfighting investigation seminar I attended a couple of years ago showed actual video of cats and kittens being used to train dogs to kill.

MEET HERSHEY This little guy is about six weeks old. He is an unusual brown and white kitty who loves to be cuddled.

Contact with other cats outside leads to the risk of disease transmission. Feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency are transmitted from cat to cat and, once contracted, result in the eventual death of the animal.

Dogs and other wild animals pose a threat to cats; the very real danger is one of exposure to rabies. Outdoor cats can suffer torn ears, cut eyes, abscesses, and other injuries requiring veterinary treatment.

Indoor cats are not generally exposed to fleas, ticks, ear mites, or other

I will never forget the kittens and cats we have received that have been exposed to freezing temperatures and harsh hurricane weather.

In short, outside cats are at the mercy of the people they encounter, as well as weather conditions and other animals.

The list of hazards for outside cats goes on and on. We encourage everyone to keep their cats inside. It truly is the best life for a cat.

DANVILLE HUMANE SOCIETY

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