Showcase_0214_4web

On the Cover Roger and Margot Mayhew share a unique love story.

Check the origin of their lasting love on page 38.

Contents

Photo by Bobby Allen Roach

{ F e b r u a ry 2 0 1 4 } S h o w c a s e M ag a z i n e

f eatureS

16 38

The 2014 Wedding Planner With THis Ring...

A Circle, Completed

s e ct i o n s

9 HE SAID SHE SAID

Also Inside

The Month of Love...

And All That Other Stuff

By Larry Oldham & Dena Hill

10

The Money Club

14

A Better You

Treat Your Customer Like A King

By Todd Boaze

We Cannot Get “Fit” With a “Weak” Body

by Dave Gluhareff

6 24

From the Editor

25 29

Area Events Guide

Fun and Games

Crossword, Word Seach, & Sudoku

Paws for The Cause

By Paulette Dean

32 Life in the Fat Lane

The Fifth Mile: Get Juiced!

by Bobby Allen Roach

42 Mystified

It’s February Again

by Misty Brooks

like us Showcase Magazine 4 Showcase Magazine

| February 2014 | www.showcasemagazine.com

@

we’d love to hear from you! editor@showcasemagazine.com

www.showcasemagazine.com

| February 2014 | Showcase Magazine 5

F RO M T HE e d i tor The month of February is best known for Valentine’s Day and the celebration of African-American History. But while I was doing a little research, I discovered a lengthy list of things recognized in February.

There are at least eight monthly observances related to food in February. Of course it’s Chocolate Lover’s Month, but it’s also National Snack Food Month and, probably my favorite, Great American Pie Month.

To balance things out it’s also National Grapefruit and National Cherry Month.

And just for the carb haters, it’s Potato Lovers Month.

There are at least four observances related to animals — Cat Health Month, Bird Feeding Month, Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month, and Responsible Pet Owners Month.

With regards to health, February is American Heart Health Month and Sinus Pain Awareness Month. If you’ve ever had a sinus headache you’re pretty much aware of that pain in any given month.

The point of this, with the exception of a few novelty ones, like National Snack Food Month, is these subjects shouldn’t be relegated to aware status — one month. Pet owners should be responsible twelve months of every year. A healthy heart should be on

everyone’s mind daily. It’s great when awareness for a subject is recognized, but so many times once it’s no longer in the headlines people have a tendency to push it to the back of their minds. Awareness is defined as having knowledge. To quote Public Enemy’s Chuck D, “Knowledge is power.” Once you have the power you can be a part of the change. You can pass on the fries, knowing your heart will thank you.

You can adopt a rabbit in September.

They’ll love you just as much as if it were February.

February is also Creative Romance Month and National Weddings Month.

Two subjects covered in this month’s features. Our cover feature follows the story of a love that began in Germany in 1959 and is still going strong today.

We also have a comprehensive look at planning a wedding. With the Fourth Annual Showcase Magazine Bridal and Wedding Expo just around the corner, this is an excellent primer for the event.

We ask planners, cake decorators, financial advisors, and jewelers the questions you need answered to prepare for the big day.

Knowledge is power.

Enjoy the issue.

Paul Seiple

SHOWCASE – M A G A Z I N E – February 2014 STAFF

CEO / Publisher Andrew Scott Brooks, scott@showcasemagazine.com President Larry Oldham, larry@showcasemagazine.com Editor Paul Seiple, paul@showcasemagazine.com Producer / Graphic Designer Bobby Allen Roach, bobby@showcasemagazine.com Finance Manager Cindy Astin, cindy@showcasemagazine.com Advertising 1.877.638.8685 Larry Oldham, Director of Sales and Marketing larry@showcasemagazine.com, 434.728.3713 Moriah Davis, Account Executive moriah@showcasemagazine.com, 434.334.4583 Misty Brooks, Account Executive misty@showcasemagazine.com, 434.728.2905 Lee Vogler, Account Executive lee@showcasemagazine.com, 434.548.5335

Customer Service

Subscribe to Home Delivery for $24 per year 753 Main Street #3 | Danville, VA 24541 Phone 1.877.638.8685 | Fax 925.380.5404 info@showcasemagazine.com www.showcasemagazine.com February 2014 contriButinG Writers Larry Oldham | Dena Hill | Todd Boaze Paulette Dean | Paul Seiple | Bobby Allen Roach Dave Gluhareff February 2014 contriButinG PhotoGraPhers Mary-Whitt Jones | Dan Krueger | Michelle Dalton Bobby Allen Roach

Editor

Thank You to the ADVERTISERS who make this publication possible.

Please be generous in supporting our local businesses.

21 4th Annual Showcase Magazine Bridal Showcase & Wedding Expo 37 Aflac Insurance 22 Andrew Brooks Media Group 11 Bankers Insurance/Carter Bank & Trust 27 Barkhouser Ford 15 Beacon Credit Union 23 Bobby Roach Photography 30 Cherokee Brands 31 Common Grounds 28 Curves of Danville, VA 12 Danville ENT Associates, Inc. 23 Danville Historical Society 23 Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History 43 Danville Regional Foundation

6 Showcase Magazine

2 Danville Regional Medical Center 44 Danville Toyota Scion 7 Danville Utilities 29 Danville Women’s Care 12 DocuSystems Co, Inc. 12 Gold Star Mortgage Services 27 Golden Leaf Bistro 13 Goodwill Industries of South Central Virginia, Inc. 36 Haymore & Holland Attorneys at Law 33 The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research 9 M&M Furniture Co. 34 Martinsville, VA Tourism 34 Medo’s II Pizzeria 36 Michelle Dalton Photography 13 Mount Hermon Animal Clinic 40 Mount Hermon Animal Clinic

| February 2014 | www.showcasemagazine.com

40 Piedmont Credit Union 27 Riverview Rotary 15 Sallie Abreu/Ramsey Yeatts & Associates 8 Spurrier Orthodontics 41 Steve Padgett’s Danville Honda 40 The Stone Shoppe 5 United Way of Danville Pittsylvania County 35 University of Richmond 28 URW Community Federal Credit Union 34 URW Community Federal Credit Union 13 Virginia Museum of Natural History 36 Westover Christian Academy 13 Yates Home Sales

Don’t miss the February 2014 issue of eVince

WARM UP AND SAVE THIS WINTER

ENERGY STAR High Efficiency Air-Source Heat Pumps (Rebate of $300 or $500, depending on efficiency rating)

Additional rebates are also available. For more information, call 888-599-0450 or visit www.danvillehomesave.com

www.danvillehomesave.com Upgrading your home’s air-source heat pump to a high efficiency ENERGY STAR qualified model is a smart way to warm up and save this winter. They are up to 20 percent more efficient than what you may currently have in your home. The Home$ave rebate program makes it easy to receive money back from Danville Utilities for installing qualifying energy efficiency equipment in your home - such as HVAC, insulation, windows and others.

To get in on the savings, simply purchase a qualifying product, fill out the Home$ave rebate application, and send it in with required proof of purchase. Your rebate check will arrive by mail in just a few weeks!

See application for full list of qualifying equipment, services and applicability details. For more information and to download the rebate application visit, www.danvillehomesave.com or scan the QR code with your smartphone. www.showcasemagazine.com

| February 2014 | Showcase Magazine 7

8 Showcase Magazine

| February 2014 | www.showcasemagazine.com

Ah, February…the month of hearts, flowers, and candy. Let me see if I can think of all the things that I love and name them for you.

She Said...

Okay....what do you want? Why are you buttering me up? You must think I’m an idiot to fall for all of these flowery words. I love how you are so easy to see through. I know this has been your way of mesmerizing me so that you don’t have to buy candy, flowers, or a Valentine. Guess what? You need to go shopping! Your diversionary tactics won’t work this time.

I loved your Christmas tree last year.

Lime and red certainly popped out and caught my attention more than the usual (boring) decor. I love your new car; it’s so comfortable and is always clean and dependable. I love When have I ever handed you my pHOTO BY mICHELLE dALTON pHOTOGRAPHY how the house is neatly organized paycheck? You must have me confused and smells so fresh. I love how the sheets on the bed are with some of the girls that you fantasize over. As far as always clean and fragrant. I love that you make breakfast washing your car, I have my own car to wash every week for me every morning with no complaints and a dedication and besides a good husband would wash my car weekly or that you constantly show me. I love the way you take care at least pay to have it run through the car wash. I do wash of the dog as if she were a human being. I love how you your clothes, sheets, etc. Now, if you could only figure out plant flowers and lovingly take care of them all year long, what hangers are used for instead of piling your clothes on both inside and outside. I love how you are not afraid to chairs when you undress. I wouldn’t even attempt to try tackle any job and you do it with the utmost care. I love and iron your shirts since not even the dry cleaners can how you challenge me to eat right, to exercise, and to take satisfy you. care of myself. I love how you plan to live to be 100 years old, and you say it and live it with conviction. I love how No, I read through the whole shebang and all I can say is you make me do things I don’t always want to do like — you must have sneaked into Colorado and bought some clean my room and hang up my clothes. Oops, sounds like of that medicinal wacko weed. You sure have been doing I am ten-years old and you are my mother. Let’s just say, I something to make you brain dead.You best be getting love how you make me feel ten-years old and encourage over to the Hallmark store and buy an expensive Valentine. me without sounding like my mother. I love how you bring Then you can stop by the store and purchase the biggest, your paycheck home to me each week and hand it over as prettiest, heart-shaped box of candy ever, and maybe even a good wife should do. I love how you wash my car every the florist will have those purple roses again this year. Oh, Saturday religiously to make sure my car is clean for the and by the way, the gas station and car wash are on the upcoming week. I love how you wash and iron my clothes way home so you can be the perfect Valentine gift for me every day to make sure that I always have the cleanest after all! clothes on the block. I love how you always start out reading something then stop in the middle and pretend Give you my paycheck...yeah, right! SM you finish what you started reading. Thank God for that because you may not agree with some of the things I have written here.

Be sure to read She Said He Said in Evince. Send comments to: Larry@showcasemagazine.com

www.showcasemagazine.com

he said...she said...

The Month of Love… and All That Other Stuff

by Larry Oldham & Dena Hill

he Said...

| February 2014 | Showcase Magazine 9

Treat Your Customer Like A King

financial

The way you manage your business will often determine how you are treated in return. As time moves on, advertising methods appear stale or routinely common in the eyes of your prospects. A king notably respects his potential and motivates the same in others. By acting confident in your marketing powers, it accelerates your sales performance.

A new business owner typically starts out setting up new endorsements and promotions in great demand. This type of approach usually carries over into the marketing plan as the company grows older. In order to break through the boundaries, which hold most businesses back, you must force yourself to go the opposite direction. This does not mean to ignore your failures, but give your target market a better solution.

The solution can be solved in any form of advertising you are currently using. However, your market must be made up of people who need and want your product or service. Utilize all your resources to find and be found by your potential customers.

Make a list of all the places they can be found, and all the ways they can find you. Work each list one at a time and as budget allows. Track, test, and record all results. Build on your successes and learn from failures.

Current Sales and Marketing Problem List

Todd Boaze

todd@showcasemagazine.com

Money management tips, small business strategies and a variety of other financial concepts.

Facts and information contained is not intended to provide specific legal, financial or tax advice, or any other advice for any individual or company and should not be relied upon in that regard.

10 Showcase Magazine

No plan or strategy No experience New business Increase customer base Small budget Do not generate leads Do not convert Low price competition

38.0% 12.9% 9.4% 8.4% 7.9% 8.8% 6.7% 4.5%

Percentage and variable-based success show average rate of the product or service itself is as a marketing resource. Having something unique provides motivation behind advertising. While the ideas mentioned apply here, another option is to change or modify the product or service.

Additional attention may be given to a product if it has changed color, size, or style, while a service may draw similar attention by modifying the services provided. Remember, sales and promotional opportunities are generated by product differentiation.

Marketing Goals Get more clients Increase profits More sales New leads Name awareness Retain clients Increase market share Close more sales

| February 2014 | www.showcasemagazine.com

20.4% 16.5% 18.7% 12.3% 7.8% 5.8% 4.6% 3.2%

Once you have located your market by segments and predefined goals are in place, keep in mind you now have a few tricks up your sleeve. It is really no trick at all, but a form of confidence and knowledge.Your prospective customer is the one whom must understand or make a decision to contact you, or do business with you. The trick is simple: Be seen by, read by or heard by enough people with a clear presentation and understand and care about the prospects you are calling upon.

A common strategy for restructuring is to understand that your hottest prospect is someone that has just bought from you. This is your best opportunity for another immediate sell. The key to successfully doing this is having products or services that offer solutions to problems that your prospects have. Related problems and solutions to those problems mean increased opportunity for sales.

How simple it would be for the cashiers at the local discount store to suggest another product that may help solve the customer’s problem. All they have to do is notice how the products that the customer is currently buying are related, and be knowledgeable enough about what the store has to offer to be able to suggest another product that could help solve the customer’s problem.

The buyer that just bought from you offers a prime opportunity to sell again.Your products must be good; however, you must prove to him/her that your back-end product will also help solve their problem. Furthermore, I am talking about knowing your prospects’ wants and desires.Your job is not over once you have sold them your first product.You and your employees should constantly be striving to find out what problems your prospects have and then proposing the appropriate solutions to those problems.

If you are focusing on what your customer wants and are offering them a solution to a related problem, they will not be resistant to you as you try to up-sell them. They will be grateful for your desire to help solve their problems. Please remember, your customers are never hotter than when they first buy.

Immediately acknowledge their first purchase and tell them how appreciative you are. Then, offer them something else so they will have the opportunity to solve more of their problems and hopefully spend more money with you.

You should look for logical product or service extensions to offer your customers. Using the backend will turn one-shot sales into repeat customers. Ironically, most businesses rarely try to sell their current or previous customers anything again.You should do it constantly.You must be fanatical about servicing your customers and having a positive impact on your prospects.You must focus on their needs consistently. Think of how you want to be treated when you do business with someone. SM

Health Care Reform and You

Employer Mandate In our previous articles on the Affordable Care Act we have mainly discussed the individual mandate. This month we will discuss the Employer Mandate which is another part of the Affordable Care Act. We will explain the mandate, explain the difference between a large and small employer and try to explain the potential penalties for not complying with the mandate.

The Employer Mandate imposes penalties on large employers that do not offer health insurance coverage to their employees or they offer health insurance coverage to their employees but it is not deemed “affordable”.

This provision was supposed to be in effect for 2014 but was delayed by one year and is scheduled to start in 2015.

As a business owner it is imperative that you know whether or not you are considered a large employer or a small employer.

Are you a large employer or a small employer?

A large employer is defined as an employer that has 50 or more full time employees or a combination of full time employees and full time equivalents. A full time employee is an employee that works over 30 hours per week.

An example of a full time equivalent would be 3 employees that work 10 hours a week.

Those 3 employees would count as 1 full time employee.

forward you, as an employer need to know what happens if you are a small employer or a large employer.

What happens if you are a small employer?

You can choose to offer health insurance coverage or not offer health insurance coverage to your employees. You do not face any potential penalties whether or not you offer health insurance coverage to your employees.

What happens if you are a large employer?

If you are considered a large employer and you do not offer health insurance coverage to your employees you face a penalty of $2,000 per employee per year excluding the first 30 employees. Under this scenario, with 50 full time employees you could face a $40,000 penalty. Remember you exclude the first 30 for the penalty, so the penalty is $2,000 times the 20 employees that are counted for the penalty.

If you do offer a health insurance plan, you could still potentially face penalties if your plan is not deemed affordable and you have employees that receive a federal subsidy to purchase coverage. For each employee that receives a federal subsidy, a penalty of $3,000 per year would be assessed, not to exceed what the penalty would have been if coverage had not been offered at all by the company.

A small employer would be one in which the full time employees and the full time equivalents add up to be less than 50.

As you can see, there are many issues that need to be considered when deciding whether or not your company should or should not offer health insurance coverage to its employees. There are many other issues that we will discuss in future articles including the definition of an “affordable health plan”

Hopefully this clarifies things as it relates to you determining whether or not you are a large employer or a small employer. Moving

Please call us to let us consult with you on all of your Health Care Reform issues and questions.

This article is not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as legal advice.

Readers should contact legal counsel for legal advice.

Sponsored by:

Call Us to Enroll Today.

434-793-8322 CBTBI.com

515 Memorial Drive, Danville, Virginia Left to Right Standing: Gene Hayes CIC and Nancy Clardy Seated: Robert Jones CIC, Bob Willeford CIC and Wes Moorefield These products are not a deposit, not FDIC insured, not guaranteed by the bank or any Federal agency www.showcasemagazine.com

| February 2014 | Showcase Magazine 11

12 Showcase Magazine

| February 2014 | www.showcasemagazine.com

What will you discover?

Visit www.vmnh.net to learn more.

21 Starling Avenue • Martinsville, VA • 276-634-4141

www.showcasemagazine.com

| February 2014 | Showcase Magazine 13

health

We Cannot Get “Fit” With a “Weak” Body

walker, strength is crucial for pain-free fitness.

Following a regular plan of resistance training three to five times a week —hitting each part of the body a few times, with a day or two off for each body part to rest and recover — will strengthen the foundation.

Cardio

Dan Krueger The Key to Getting Into Great Shape

Pete Jones Photography

Dave Gluhareff Mary-Whitt Jones and Dan Krueger In the late 1990s David Gluhareff lost over 100 pounds. Dave then became a certified personal trainer with the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) and began his career as a personal trainer. In March of 2009 David earned the elite status of Master of Fitness Sciences (MFS) by the ISSA, their highest level of personal training qualifications. As a personal trainer, Dave has been helping people take charge of their physiques to help them feel, look, and move better through life. Visit www.

VirginiaBootcamp. com for more information.

14 Showcase Magazine

Weakness is one of the biggest hurdles people face when trying to get into shape. I’m referring to physical weakness, not mental.

But when trying to get into shape, physical weakness can overstep boundaries and become mental. I can’t tell you how many times I speak to people who have tons of aches, pains, and disabilities that can mostly, or all be treated, with strength conditioning. Strengthening exercises also help to prevent these ailments. The human body was made to be active. Laziness and neglect in physical fitness leads to frailty and pain. Building a sturdy foundation with constant maintenance throughout life ensures strength.

Just like upkeep on a home or vehicle to maintain proper function, the same is needed for the human body.

Cardiovascular training is training “with oxygen” or aerobically. Running, cycling, walking, and hiking are just a few examples of cardiovascular training.

There is a plethora of training opportunities in the Southside. I love to do my runs and walks outdoors using a variety of places like local tracks, parks, The Riverwalk Trail System — my absolute favorite place is the mountain bike trails at Anglers Park. An example of my cardio training is three weekly runs (short — two to five miles, medium — five to ten miles, long — ten-plus miles) and three walks.

Stretching Only stretch when muscles are warm. Stretching cold muscles is a big mistake. Please don’t. Warm up properly to get the muscles safe for stretching. Taking a brisk walk for a couple of minutes provides a safer stretching environment for muscles, ligaments, and tendons. There is no set time to hold any stretch. A stretch should be held as long as needed to help muscles that are tight and to promote flexibility. If muscles are really tight, take extra time, holding the appropriate stretch after you’ve properly warmed up.

Prepare and condition your body regularly to be able to accept daily physical expectations and demands from your workouts no matter how easy or intense. Be Strong to get fit!

Along with my good friend and fellow athlete Dan If you want to Strength train and Run better at Krueger, I’ve developed a new training concept — long distances plus keep muscle gains then visit Strength Runner (www.strengthrunner.com). The www.StrengthRunner.com or www.facebook.com/ strength runner concept blends strength and long strengthrunner! Both of these websites have FREE distance running. Strength running prepares athletes nutritional plans for weight loss and muscle gain too plus for enduring obstacle course racing (OCR), but it more FREE health and fitness information! SM also is perfect for everyday fitness enthusiasts who need to have solid bodies that can handle cardiovascular activities safely.

Dave Gluhareff A stronger foundation means less physical weakness which means less aches and pains. And it’s key to fitness longevity.

Getting Stronger The keys to getting stronger and building a solid foundation are Resistance Training, Cardiovascular Training, and Stretch Training.

Resistance (Strength) It starts with a solid foundation. In order for the human body to perform cardiovascular activities it must be strong enough to endure the exertion.

Cardiovascular impact on a frail and weak body leads to aches and pains. Whether you’re an experienced longdistance runner or an avid nutritional points-counting

| February 2014 | www.showcasemagazine.com

For more detailed Exercise, Nutrition, and Rest tips, plus sample meal plans from Dave visit www. showcasemagazine.com and click the A Better You tab.

www.TrainWithDave.com

www.showcasemagazine.com

| February 2014 | Showcase Magazine 15

The 2014 Wedding Planner

feature Paul Seiple

The 2014 Wedding Planner The Plan Truth You said,” Yes.” Now, the fun begins.

Planning a wedding can run the spectrum between two words that begin with the letter E — exhilarating and exhausting. Along the way there could be other adjectives used to describe the process, some of which are not suitable for print. But according to Mandy Matherly, event planner and owner of Southern Event Solutions, “You should start planning your wedding the second he puts a ring on it.”

Staying organized and knowledgeable will keep the event more on the exhilarating side.

Thurstie Sherman, of Timeless Traditions in South Boston, says,” Every couple is unique and deserves a unique wedding and reception.” The quest for the perfect wedding can be overwhelming without a game plan. “Hire a professional wedding planner to help with your wedding. This will save you time and money,” Thurstie continues.

Budget is the starting point. Mandy says,” Planning the perfect wedding mostly involves creative management of the couple’s budget to make sure they get everything they envisioned for their big day.”

Wedding planners help to alleviate stress by taking on the burden of finding everything to make the day special. Mandy says, “By putting the responsibility on a professional planner, you need not worry about anything on your wedding day.”

One of the first decisions that couples need to make is choosing a venue. Picking a venue is a balance of budget, vision, and a backup plan. “Outdoor weddings are very trendy now, but every bride needs to consider an on-the-fly backup plan that can be executed in the event of bad weather,” Mandy states.

Untraditional wedding and reception venues can provide the perfect setting. Mandy continues, “Not only do they make a wedding unique, but they also usually offer a break in price, allowing the couple to

16 Showcase Magazine

| February 2014 | www.showcasemagazine.com

make bigger purchases somewhere else in their budget.” Mandy suggests local parks, museums, and theaters as possible venues.

The guest list can be another area of stress. Who to invite? If the budget is pushed, one of the first things to take a hit is the guest list. “As a general policy, I ask the couple to eliminate anyone they haven’t seen or had a quality conversation with in the past year,” Mandy says. If the guest list puts a strain on your budget you can always share the memories with your extended friends and family later on through photos and videos.

A wedding planner can be your best friend through the course of outlining your wedding. “Any good planner will make sure you enjoy the process, while getting everything you want within your budget,” Mandy says. Going with a planner affords you the opportunity to bounce your ideas around with an expert. Mandy continues, “I’ve had brides say that hiring a planner was the best decision they made, as it made the entire wedding planning process fun and easy for them.”

There’s an App for That 10 Apps That Makes Planning a Wedding Easier The Knot Wedding Dress Look Book An impressive app that lets you browse hundreds of dresses. (Free iOS) Pinterest A virtual corkboard to store all of the wedding ideas you find online. (Free iOS, Android) Gift Registry 360 Allows brides and grooms to add items to their registry by scanning barcodes and condensing the items into a single list. (Free iOS) Evernote Note-taking app that allows you to organize notes in notebooks. There is also a web extension that will let you clip and save any webpage in your Evernote account. (Free iOS, Android) Postable Eliminates the hassle of having to ask guests for addresses.

Send out one email with a link to an address book. Guests fill out the form and you have an organized address book to send invitations, thank you cards, etc. (Free, postable.com) Groups A contact management app that lets you create groups for your vendors, bridal party, etc. It allows you to send a group text or group email from the app. (Free, iOS) TableTopPlanner Import your guest list and the app lets you create a virtual seating chart to map out your reception.

Wedding Budget Monitors your purchases to make sure you stay on budget.

(Free, with in-app purchases) Appy Couple Gives you the opportunity to build your own wedding website. Once you create your site and app, you can keep guests in the loop. (appycouple.com, $28 for app and site) Flowerwheel Gives you hundreds of flower choices with descriptions and photos. There’s an option to send to your florist or wedding planner. (Free, iOS) This is just a sample of the many apps geared toward wedding planning. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, a quick Internet search should bring results. Whatever you need is, there is an app for it.

Have the Cake of Your Dreams…And Eat It Too The wedding cake is a crucial ingredient in a magnificent wedding. Choosing a cake can be stressful, but with a well-thought-out plan, getting the perfect cake will be the least of your worries.

The first step is to plan well in advance. Summer months tend to be highdemand wedding months, so if you’re shooting for a summer wedding, be aware that the dance cards of the best cake makers will fill fast. Kitti Lightfoot, owner of Kitti’s Kakes says,” Once you have a date picked out, call your local decorators to check their availability. If the date is open, schedule an appointment for a tasting and take the opportunity to see their designs.” It’s also good to schedule with two or three cake designers.

“It’s one thing to have a beautiful cake, but it needs to taste good as well,” Kitti says.

Once you decide on a decorator, you will need to reserve your wedding date several months in advance. To secure the date, you may have to leave a deposit. Another thing to be clear on is the cancellation policy. Be prepared to forfeit your deposit if you to cancel the wedding.

Next, it’s time to start looking for cake ideas. Factors to consider when choosing a cake style are wedding themes, personal taste, and budget.

The budget is key. Kitti says,” Be prepared to pay for your decorator’s time. Simple designs will be the least expensive. The more detailed and complicated designs will require more time, which will cost more.” Having a budget in place allows your decorator to help you with picking a design.

If you find yourself having a hard time deciding on a style ask to see the decorator’s cake portfolio for inspiration. Also, take to the Internet for ideas. Cake trends are just a search away.

Finding the perfect cake isn’t the end of the quest. Be sure the decorator knows how many people the cake has to serve. Price is another factor.

Make sure the cake you decide on fits the budget. If not, the decorator may have some ideas to make it more budget-friendly. Taste testing is also important. If your cake has a variety of flavors, sample all of them, so there are no surprises. The elements also factor into the equation. For outdoor weddings you have to account for weather. “Most icings and chocolates will melt in high heat. High humidity can cause sugar decorations to droop. Flies and gnats will be attracted to the sweet icing,” Kitti says. Having a cake preservation plan is important.

Preparedness and knowledge will weigh heavily into deciding the level of stress caused in your cake search. Kitti says, “Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Ask to see the decorator’s workplace. Ask about inspections.

Ask about references. Word of mouth is an excellent way to find the right decorator for you.”

www.showcasemagazine.com

| February 2014 | Showcase Magazine 17

The Love of the Rings “You can always get married without music, a dress, flowers… but you must have a wedding band,” says Mark David of Ben David Jewelers. The wedding ring is a tangible semblance of the everlasting love you share with your husband or wife. Choosing the right ring can be trying, but it doesn’t have to be.

Unlike most other jewelry, you will wear your wedding ring every day; pick something that fits you. Before shopping for rings, you can narrow the field by selecting a metal.You can go with traditional metals such as white gold, yellow gold, or platinum, or add a more modern touch by choosing titanium or tungsten. If your partner doesn’t like yellow gold, but you do, it’s all right. There is no rule that says the rings have to be the same metal or style. The ring you chose should reflect your personality. While different styles are acceptable, there should be something that joins the rings — a jewel, or something as simple as an inscription.

Don’t wait to the last minute to decide on a style. Jewelers will need time to perfect your ring. “When it comes to planning your wedding, it is wise to purchase your wedding bands at least six to eight weeks in advance,” Mark says. If you’re eying a custom piece, you’ll need to give the jeweler additional time. Personal touches such as engraving can take up to one month.

Practicality is another factor to take into consideration.You’ll wear the ring every day. While you want something stunning, it also needs to be a comfortable fit. Take into account your everyday activities and choose a ring that seamlessly meshes with your life.

Sizing the ring correctly is also important. External factors such as temperature and exercise can play a part in the way the ring fits.

Scheduling a fitting in the morning may give a misleading fit due to your body retaining salt from the night before. Never size your ring after exercising — your fingers may be swollen. Avoid sizing when you’re extremely cold or hot. The best time for a final fitting is when your body temperature is normal and you’re calm. Mark says, “Purchasing your ring early affords the jeweler the extra time needed to ensure that the ring is properly fitted to your finger.”

While the ring you chose should be something you see yourself wearing for many years to come, for some the stress can be overwhelming. If you feel the pressure of the deadline to choose approaching just select a ring that you are happy with now. In the future, you can switch it out. This rule only applies to the ring, not the spouse.

Don’t Let Finances Become the Pink Elephant in the Room From newlyweds to couples celebrating their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary money is a root of tension in marriage. A study by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants suggests that money is the major source of friction among couples in the United States. The subject of money exacerbates arguments throughout relationships and doesn’t seem to peak until the couple reaches their 50s and 60s.

Being prepared for the money monster goes a long way towards a harmonious relationship. Dan Veasey, of Piedmont Credit Union, says, “Before marriage, more so than the details of planning a wedding, the most important thing for couples to consider is how they plan to handle their money after they are married.” Having a plan that includes both partners’ financial goals and expectations is vital. “It’s important to set up a budget when you’re single. But for newlyweds, it is of double importance,” Dan says. “All of a sudden you’re not just responsible for your own well-being, now you have this whole other person whose needs you must consider.”

Setting spending limits and savings goals, and sticking to them, will strengthen the financial health of a relationship.

18 Showcase Magazine

| February 2014 | www.showcasemagazine.com

An open line of communication is a good place to start when dealing with financial matters. A 2012 online survey found that the number one cause for marriages to dissolve was the lack of communication.

Couple that with a murky financial plan and it spells disaster.

“Couples need to be open and honest about their finances from the start,” Dan says. It’s crucial to know your partner’s financial outlook — spending habits, income, and debt. With marriage, financial decisions affect both partners; honest communication will keep the money train from derailing.

Smart money management will help to ease stress during tense financial discussions. “Every marriage has issues with money,” Dan says. “It’s scary to think about, but it’s a beautiful thing when two people show their love for one another by sharing their own financial agendas and working together for the mutual benefit of a happy marriage.”

Capture the Memories Sure, you’ve hired a photographer to snap lasting memories of your big day, but the professional can’t be everywhere at every moment. Why not use your guests as additional photographers?

Disposable cameras are relatively cheap and a viable option to capturing the moments that may otherwise go unnoticed. Placing a camera on every table at the reception with a note explaining its purpose can grab the memories you might have missed.

cloud services there are many ways that you can share the photos, but one of the easiest is Eversnap. Eversnap’s tagline is “Eversnap is the simplest way to capture all your wedding memories in one place.” Set up an account at eversnap.com. Eversnap will send you 200 business cards to hand out to your guests with instructions on downloading the app and how to upload to the site. Packages start at 99 dollars and include unlimited storage.

There are cheaper alternatives, but they require more work. . Cloud storage provides an opportunity for you to gather the photos and choose which ones you want to keep. Dropbox gives users 2 gigabytes for free. And there is a referral program that will give you, and the person you refer, an additional 500 megabytes of space.You can earn up to sixteen gigabytes through referrals.

In your cloud storage, create a public folder and share with guests to allow them to upload their photos. Once you have a folder full of memories, you have plenty of options to get prints. Groovebook is an excellent choice.You download the app.

The service is $2.99 a month, but for that, you receive a “groove book,” a 4.5 x 6.5 photobook of up to 100 photos, shipping and handling is included. No subscription is required.

With a little additional planning, you can capture every moment of your big day.

In the digital age another option is mobile photography. Most guests will have smart phones with pretty impressive cameras. Encourage your guests to take photos of the big day. Through

www.showcasemagazine.com

| February 2014 | Showcase Magazine 19

Thanks to Dan Veasey of Piedmont Credit Union, Mandy Matherly of Southern Event Solutions, Mark David of Ben David Jewelers, Kitti Lightfoot of Kitti’s Kake’s, and Thurstie Sherman of Timeless Traditions for their insight.

If you have more questions for the contributors they will be a part of the Fourth Annual Bridal Showcase and Wedding Expo presented by Piedmont Credit Union on April 6th, 2014 at the Danville Community Market.

Brides-to-be can register at www. eventbrite.com/e/showcase-magazine-bridalwedding-expo-2014-tickets-4138690936 If you would to be a vendor, you can register at www.showcasemagazine.com/ bridal-exop-2012-vendor-registration/

Forget-MeNots Wedding day can be hectic. It’s easy to let things fall through the cracks. Mandy Matherly, owner of Southern Event Solutions, says,” The most neglected item I’ve seen in planning a wedding is the music.

Happy couples get so caught up in the other details that often musical selection gets pushed to the very last minute.” Music isn’t the only element that gets pushed to the side. Here is a list of things to remember for your wedding.

Marriage License This makes it official. Arrange to get the license accordingly. In Virginia, the marriage

20 Showcase Magazine

ceremony must be performed within sixty days after the license is issued.

Vendor Meals

Gifts for the Wedding Party

Be sure the people that are taking care of you and your guests are taking care of as well.

Everyone in the wedding party, including parents and future in-laws should receive a token of your appreciation for helping to make the day special.

Guest Book with Plenty of Pens

Other things not to forget:

Waiting to the last minute to purchase a guest book will limit your options. Once you have one be sure to bring it to the wedding and don’t forget the pens.

An overnight bag, assigning someone to gather your gifts, cake topper, toasting flutes, etc. and don’t forget to eat!

Cake Knife and Toasting Flutes In a rush, these are surely the items that will be forgotten.

| February 2014 | www.showcasemagazine.com

After Wedding Forget-Me-Nots Don’t forget to send thank you cards for your guests and online reviews for the companies that worked so hard on your wedding day. SM

www.showcasemagazine.com

| February 2014 | Showcase Magazine 21

22 Showcase Magazine

| February 2014 | www.showcasemagazine.com

www.showcasemagazine.com

| February 2014 | Showcase Magazine 23

games Fun &

ACROSS 1 Animal stomach 5 Baseball glove 9 Rag 14 Dalai __ 15 Decorative needle case 16 Excuse 17 Part of the eye 18 Allot (with “out”) 19 Type of communication 20 Males 21 Leg bones 23 Unite in alliance 24 Clodhopper 26 Mr. 28 Time zone 29 Cowboy fight 31 Gamblers placement 34 Curves 37 Read 39 France & Germany river 40 Take to court 41 Narrow opening 42 Awry 44 Morally instructive

Name the

ARCH WORD SE E THEM

&

WIN!

P

S

47 Affirmative 48 Academy (abbr.)

50 That girl 51 Those who make the food laws (abbr.)

52 Men’s jewelry 56 Recommend 59 Chess piece 63 Lyric poem 64 Tactful 66 Formal “your” 67 Course 68 Come on stage 69 Connecticut (abbr.)

70 Herb 71 Firm 72 Mind 73 Good outlook DOWN 1 Mount 2 Harder to find 3 Protein part, with ‘acid’ 4 Had been 5 Remembrance gift 6 Object 7 Skirt 8 Degree 9 Stood opposite

35 Grow acorns 36 U.S. Department of Agriculture 38 Sugar-free brand 39 Allege 43 Compact bundle 45 Amaze 46 Small break in a cup 49 Auto 51 Thermometer is red 53 Crippling disease

54 Heathen gods 55 Recently 56 Usages 57 Peewee 58 Fence opening 60 Scratch 61 Footwear 62 Polish 65 Gray sea eagle 67 Popular president’s initials

HOW TO ENTER

Email paul@showcasemagazine.com with the theme of this Word Search (February 2014) for a chance to win a $25 Medo’s II gift certificate. Winner will be announced on Facebook (Showcase Magazine) on February 20, 2014.

o’s II $25 Medificate t r e c gift

D

V

E

G M

L

K

L

R Q

L

Q M N

D

R

C

N

L

W E

C G

C

M W

I

O

N

C

A

L

N

F

E

T

S

N

R

O

D

I

S

A

N

R

R

R

T

D

B

M

T

K

O

T

A

K

G

L

E

E

E

R

N

J

P

F

L

A

G E

P

M U W

G B

O

T

P

C

N

T

N

P

O Q

Y

B

R

I

D

E

S

M A

I

D

N

U

L

P

G

T

P

L

R

C

G R

V

Y

O W

N

V

Z

T

U

X

E

D

O

I

N

B

E

M

X

V

G

F

D

P

R

X

Q

N

I

N

W P

N

O O M Y

E

N

O

H G

L

E

G

A

M E

N

T

Q M S

N

10 Limpid 11 Small brook 12 Cain killed him 13 Brownie 21 Rapid 22 South southeast 25 Literature 27 Sickly 29 Celtic priest 30 Secondhand 31 Indonesian island 32 Little Mermaid’s love 33 Explosive 34 Court suit

G

E

RATING: EASY

www.WordSearchMaker.com

Bouquet

Ceremony

Honeymoon

Proposal

Bride

Bouquet Engagement

Bridesmaid

Groom

Newlyweds

Tuxedo

Cake

Bride

Bridesmaid

Honeymoon Invitations Invitations

Rings

Planner

Newlyweds

Cake Planner 24 Showcase Magazine | February February2014 2014| |www.showcasemagazine.com www.showcasemagazine.com Ceremony

Proposal

An swers on Page 28

DANVILLE

Dr. David Rosenberg

7 - The Last Romance - This bittersweet love story explores the relationships between men and women in their golden years, as well as how the invisible ties of family often tie our hearts harder and faster than any love affair. (Reception begins 1 hr. prior to curtain time.) 7:30pm-9:30pm. Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History 975 Main St. 434-793-5644.

3 - Art with Flo - This program occurs on Mondays in February. Judie Moseley will help you learnto paint with acrylic, oil or water color. Cost: $25 CR; $30 NCR for 4 weekly sessions. 1pm-3pm.

Ballou Annex. 434-799-5216.

www.showcasemagazine.com

L ifestyle / L ecture

22 - Crossing of the Dan - 233rd Anniversary - Watch a reenactment of the Crossing of the Dan and travel

|

8 - The Last Romance - This bittersweet love story explores the relationships between men and women in their golden years, as well as how the invisible ties of family often tie our hearts harder and faster than any love affair.

(Reception begins 1 hr. prior to curtain

18 - Paint/Craft/Create Series - This month, we will complete a decorative indoor bird house. Cost: $15 includes all materials. 3pm-5pm. Ballou Recreation Center, 760 West Main Street. 434-7995216.

K ids

6 - The Last Romance - This bittersweet love story explores the relationships between men and women in their golden years, as well as how the invisible ties of family often tie our hearts harder and faster than any love affair.

14 - Valentine’s Ball - Bring your sweetheart to Ballou for an evening of live music, dancing and light refreshments. Sponsored by the Ballou Council on Aging. Ages 50+. Cost: $7 per person. 7:30pm-10:30pm. Ballou Recreation Center, 760 West Main Street. 434-799-5216.

February 2014

6 - Ballou Jammers - An acoustic musical jamboree. Bring a stringed instrument or just sit and listen. Ages 50+. This is a weekly event that occurs on Thursdays in February. 3pm-5pm. Ballou Recreation Center, 760 West Main Street. 434-7995216.

7 - The Last Romance - This bittersweet love story explores the relationships between men and women in their golden years, as well as how the invisible ties of family often tie our hearts harder and faster than any love affair.

(Reception begins 1 hr. prior to curtain time.) 7:30pm-9:30pm. Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History 975 Main St. 434793-5644.

14 - Valentine’s Day Dance - Dress in your red and white and meet your friends at Coates for an evening of dancing. Light refreshments. DJ Jay Rojas. Cost is $10. Ages 5-13. 7pm-9pm.

Coates Recreation Center. 434-7995150.

|

5 - Art with Flo (Glenwood) - This is a weekly program that occurs on Wednesdays in February. Flo Haynes teaches the wet on wet technique of oil painting. Ages 18+. Cost: $31.50 CR; $44 NCR. 9:30am-11:30am. Glenwood Community Center. 434-799-5216.

7 - Friday Night Dance - This event occurs Feb. 7, 21, 28. Live music, dancing and refreshments. Cost: $5 SAges 50+. Sponsored by the Ballou Council on Aging. 7:30pm-10:30pm. Ballou Recreation Center, 760 West Main Street. 434-799-5216.

12 - Valentine BINGO! - This month, we clebrate Valentine’s Day, so wear your red and let’s play! Ages 50+. Free program. Please bring a gift to exchange.

2pm-4pm. Ballou Recreation Center, 760 West Main Street. 434-799-5216.

H obbies / S ports

5 - Art with Flo (Ballou) - This is a weekly program that occurs on Wednesdays in February. Flo Haynes teaches the wet on wet techniquesw of oil painting. Ages 18+. Cost: $31.50 CR; $44 NCR for 4 classes. 6pm-8pm. Ballou Annex. 434-799-5216.

7 - Book Swap at Ballou - This is a weekly event that occurs on Fridays in February. Take a book or two to read and leave a book or two to share. Ages 50+. Free program. 9am-5pm. Ballou Recreation Center, 760 West Main Street. 434-799-5216.

12 - Valentines with Elvis - Spend an afternoon with the sweetheart of Rock n’ Roll. Enjoy a light lunch and show with Wayne Eullis, performing Elvis’ biggest hits in costume. Cost is $10. 12pm-2pm.

Ballou Recreation Center. 434-799-5216.

|

5 - Wednesday Friends - This event occurs on Wednesdays, February 5, 19, 26. Bring a bag lunch and staff will provide a special activity or speaker.

Ages 60+. Free program. 11am-1:30pm.

Ballou Recreation Center, 760 West Main Street. 434-799-5216.

7 - Singing at Ballou - Join us for karaoke - sing or just sit and listen. Free program. Ages 50+. 2pm-3:30pm. Ballou Recreation Center, 760 West Main Street. 434-799-5216.

9 - The Last Romance - This bittersweet love story explores the relationships between men and women in their golden years, as well as how the invisible ties of family often tie our hearts harder and faster than any love affair.

(Reception begins 30 min. prior to curtain time.) 2:30 pm-4:30 pm. Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History 975 Main St. 434-793-5644.

February‘14

H elping H ands

7 - Valentine’s Candlelight Walk & Dinner - Love songs & a candlelit bridge await you at The Crossing during this early Valentine’s dinner. Spend time walking the candlelit bridge while listening to songs provided by the Brantley Family singers. Meal provided

by O’Kelly’s. Tickets-$12.00 Register by February 5th. 6pm-8pm. The Crossing at the Dan/Danville Community Market.

434-799-5215.

23 24 25 26 27 28

|

1 - Artfelt Expressions of Bob Ross - Certified Bob Ross instructor Ed Gowen will help you complete an Outdoor Still Life painting in one day.

10:30am-3:30pm. Ballou Annex. 434799-5216.

Arts/Exhibits/ Entertainment

time.) 7:30pm-9:30pm. Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History 975 Main St. 434793-5644.

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

entertainment

(Reception begins 1 hr. prior to curtain time.) 7:30pm-9:30pm. Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History 975 Main St. 434793-5644.

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

|

DANVILLE

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

arts

MISS!

1

AREAEventsGuide

DON’T

25 - Complementary and Alternative Healthcare and An Introduction to Energy Medicine - Free, dynamic, interactive program focusing on strategies for being more grounded and stressfree. Presented by Averett University Professor David I. Rosenberg, Ph.D., LCP, EEM-CP. Open to the public. 11:30am-1pm. Ballou Park Recreation Center. 434-766-6650.

S M T W T F S

| February 2014 | Showcase Magazine 25

Continued from Page 25

AREAEventsGuide

to Staunton River Battlefield State Park.

Ages 10-adult CR-$24/NCR-$30. Register by February 14th. 8:30am-5pm. Meet in front of Ballou Park Nature Center. South Boston. 434799-5215.

22 - True Grit Bull Bash - Bull riding, mutton busting for the kids, and ladies barrel racing.

Concessions and good family fun! For more information and Tickets, visit theodac.com.

6pm - 10pm. Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex. Chatham. 434-432-8026.\

Lifestyle/Lectures

3 - Tours on Tuesdays - Sacred Heart School invites prospective parents and students to attend “Tours on Tuesdays”. The principal will lead an informational meeting for parents.

Prospective students are invited to shadow a student in a classroom. Appointments are not required, but suggested. Tours on Tuesdays will be observed on subsequent Tuesdays throughout the school year. 9:00am - 10:00am.

540 Central Blvd. 434-793-2656.

4 - Art with Judie - This event occurs on Tuesdays in February. Judie Moseley teaches you to paint with acrylics, oil or water color.

Cost: $25 CR; $30 NCR. 10am-12pm. Ballou Annex. 434-799-5216.

4 - Sewing Class at Coates - This program occurs on Tuesdays in February. Bring your portable sewing machine, material, pattern, thread and willingness to learn. Cost: $31.50 CR; $37.50 NCR for 4 weekly classes. 6:30pm8:30pm. Coates Recreation Center, Westover Drive. 434-799-5216.

4 - African Violet Club - Learn about graden tending, pest control and more at this monthly meeting which includes a covered dish meal.

Free program. Ages 50+. 10am-11:30am. Ballou Recreation Center, 760 West Main Street. 434799-5216.

4 - Hand & Foot Social - This is a weekly event that occurs on Tuesdays. Join us for the fastest growing card game around! Ages 20+.

Cost: $1.50 CR; $2 NCR. 2pm-4:30pm. Ballou Recreation Center, 760 West Main Street. 434799-5216.

4 - Deco Mesh Wreath Making Class - Two classes offered - 3pm or 6pm. All ages.

February wreath theme - Valentines. Cost: $20 CR; $25 NCR includes all materials to make one wreath. 3pm or 6pm. Ballou Recreation Center, 760 West Main Street. 434-799-5216.

4 - Ballou Choir Rehearsal - Join the Ballou Choir as we perform at various locations in the city bringing joy to those who can no longer get out. Free program. Ages 50+.

11:15am-12:30pm. Ballou Recreation Center, 760 West Main Street. 434-799-5216.

6 - Controlling Pain Naturally - Arthritis - Join Dr. Jerry Manning, of Manning Chiropractic, as he teaches you about drug-free, non-surgical approaches to healing and wellness. No fee.

11am-12pm. Ballou Recreation Center. 434797-8848.

26 Showcase Magazine

| February 2014 | www.showcasemagazine.com

6 - Technology Woes Lifeline - This is a weekly event that occurs on Thursdays in February.

Bring your tech woes to one-on-one troubleshooting sessions with a computer-savvy technician. Ages 50+. Cost: $3 per 30-minute session. 3pm-5pm. Ballou Recreation Center, 760 West Main Street. 434-799-5216.

8 - Death Cafe Danville - Join us for cake and dialogue about death as it relates to life. This is not grief support and registration is required.

See the Facebook page for more information.

1pm-3pm. Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History. 434-429-5962.

12 - Ellen Glasgow in Virginia - Dr. Martha Cook will present a program on the Pulitzer Prize winning and southern novelist, Ellen Glasgow, to The Wednesday Club at 3:45 on 02/12/2014. A native of Georgia, Dr. Cook received her B.A. from Maryville College and her M.A. and Ph. D. from Vanderbilt University. Her major field of interest is Southern literature, primarily of the twentieth century, with emphasis on women and AfricanAmerican authors. Though she retired as professor emeriti from Longwood University in 2009, she has continued to be active in professional organizations and has recently presented papers at conferences in London and Quebec. This program is free and open to the public. 3:45pm. The Wednesday Club. 434792-7921.

13 - Mystery Trip - It’s a surprise where we will visit. Wear comfortable shoes. Trip limited to 10. Cost: $3 CR; $3.75 ncr. 11am-12:30pm.

Ballou Recreation Center, 760 West Main Street. 434-799-5216.

15 - SoVA Winefest at Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex - 12 Wineries, Specialty Foods, and Live Music all under 1 Roof Inside.

Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door, $5 Designated Driver/Ages 6 and up. Tickets on sale online at sovawinetrail.com. More info at theodac.com. 11am-5pm. Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex Arena. Chatham. 434432-8026.

18 - Lynchburg,VA Seniors on the Move Trip - Visit the Anne Spencer House, Garden & Studio; The Legacy Museum of African American history and the Old City Cemetery.

Meals are on your own. Cost: $70 CR; $84 NCR. 7am-7pm. Ballou Recreation Center, 760 West Main Street. 434-799-5216.

and survivorship. Bring your lunch or order a box lunch for $6. Drinks and desserts will be provided. Registration requested -call 434-7666650 or email cllitzenberg@vcu.edu. 11:30am1pm. Ballou Recreation Center, 760 West Main Street. 434-766-6650.

27 - Controlling Pain Naturally - Back Pain Join Dr. Jerry Manning, of Manning Chiropractic, as he teaches you about drug-free, non-surgical approaches to healing and wellness. No fee.

11am-12pm. Ballou Recreation Center. 434797-8848.

Hobbies/Sports

1 - Spring to Green Horticultural Symposium - Danville Master Gardeners and Virginia Cooperative Extension will present three outstanding professional speakers for gardeners. Registrations due by January 20, 2014. Cost $45 includes lunch. 8:30am-4pm.

Institute Conference Center. 434-799-6558.

1 - Hike-Winter Peaks - Hike to McAfee’s Knob while enjoying amazing views of the Appalachian Trail. Transportation included.

Ages 12-adult CR-$28/NCR-$35. Register by January 24th. 8am-5pm. Meet in front of Ballou Park Nature Center. 434-799-5215.

1 - Concealed Handgun Class - Teaches the dos and donts of carrying a gun. 9am-2-pm.

Chatham Cares Community Center. 434-4323115 ext 1.

1 - Pickeball - Open Gym - Coates Recreation Center - This event occurs the month of February. Mondays-Wednesday-Fridays.

Practice and play indoors. Cost: $1.50 CR; $2 NCR. 8am-11am. Coates Recreation Center, Westover Drive. 434-799-5216.

1 - Pickeball - Open Gym - Glenwood Community Center - This event occurs the month of February. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Practice and play indoors. Cost: $1.50 CR; $2 NCR. 5pm-7pm. Glenwood Community Center. 434-799-5216.

3 - Tai Chi - This program occurs on Mondays in February. Instructor Paul Schwarz. Tai Chi increases strength, flexibility, balance and allows yo uto explore your inner self. Cost: $6 per class or $20 for 4 classes. 11:15am-12:15pm.

Ballou Recreation Center, 760 West Main Street. 434-799-5216.

20 - Senior Citizens Club - Join us for our monthly meeting which includes a covered dish luncheon. Free program. Ages 50+. 12pm1:30pm. Ballou Recreation Center, 760 West Main Street. 434-799-5216.

3 - Prime Time Fitness - Certified personal trainer Jonathan Deshazor gets the program started with a low-impact aerobics workout with a mix of various fun dance steps to keep you on your toes. 9:30am or 5:30 pm. Balou Recreation Center. 434-797-8848.

22 - AARP Smart Drivers Class - Refresh your driving skills with this smart driving class from AARP, designed for ages 50+. Bring a bag lunch.

Cost: $15 AARP Members; $20 Nonmembers.

Checks payable to AARP. 9am-5pm. Ballou Recreation Center, 760 West Main Street. 434799-5216.

10 - Senior Bowling Tournament - Get ecercise, make new friends and have your blood pressure and body mass index checked while you wait your turn to bowl. Ages 50+.

Cost: $5 includes shoe rental and three games.

1pm-3pm. Riverside Lanes, Riverside Drive.

434-791-2695.

25 - Keeping Well Program Series presented by the Cancer Resource Center - This free, monthly program addresses current issues of those concerned with cancer prevention

Three ways to spot the difference between a professional and an amateur I’ve hired them. I’ve been hired as one myself. I’ve screened them for international business conferences, ...and I’ve listened to countless numbers of them. The good, the bad, and the downright mind numbing. I’m talking about professional speakers.

Here are three classic signs that indicate the “professional” speaker at the microphone is actually an amateur.

1. “Good morning. Now, you can do better than that. Good morning!!!”

You’ve heard it more times than you can count. A speaker should start off with an interesting “hook” to intrigue the audience rather than a demand for their unwarranted enthusiasm.

Speaker sin numero uno.

2. Slide templates and clipart from 1995... with lots of words! It’s amazing how many professional speakers don’t seem to know the art of creating a professional slide deck. Anyone speaking for a living should take

a course in how to design and use PowerPoint effectively. The speaker should either learn how to create a professional slide deck, or pay someone to do it.

3. “...and in closing,...” followed by “Any questions?” While it may seem logical, it’s not the way a true professional ends a presentation. There’s an art to fielding questions before delivering the closing statement. Professionals know how it’s done. Observe them and take note of the subtle techniques.

Public speaking is actually an art. Like any other art form, not everyone is good at it. However, if you expose yourself to some really good speakers and take note of what they do differently, you’ll learn more ways to spot the difference between the professionals and the pretenders. ...and remember, there’s no shame in being coached in the art!

Kristina R. Barkhouser, CPLP Direct: 434.797.6770 Mobile: 434.489.1309 kbarkhouser@ExcelenPerformance.com Kristina R. Barkhouser is the founder and President of Excelen Performance, Inc. She has over 20 years of experience in technical and interpersonal skills development.

www.showcasemagazine.com

| February 2014 | Showcase Magazine 27

fun & games solutions

Continued from Page 24 D

V

E

G M

L

K

L

R Q

L

Q M N

D

R

C

L

W E

C G

C

M W

I

O

N

C

A

L

N

F

E

T

S

N

R

O

D

I

S

A

N

R

R

R

T

D

B M

T

K

O

T

A

K

G

L

E

E

E

R

N

J

P

F

L

A

G E

P

M U W

P

28 Showcase Magazine

| February 2014 | www.showcasemagazine.com

S

N

G B

O

T

P

C

N

T

N

P

O Q

Y

B

R

I

D

E

S

M A

I

D

N

U

L

P

G

T

P

L

R

C

G R

V

Y

O W

N

V

Z

T

U

X

E

D

O

I

N

B

E

M

X

V

G

F

D

P

R

X

Q

N

I

N

W P

N

O O M Y

E

N

O

H G

E

G

A

M E

N

T

Q M S

N

G

E

L

by Paulette Dean Executive Director, Danville Humane Society

The little puppy featured in this month’s edition of Showcase was found curled up on a blanket at a dumpster site. He was rescued by a citizen, and then brought to the shelter.

The day he was found, the weather forecast for that night was freezing temperatures and possible snow. Add to that danger for this little puppy the dangers of foxes, coyotes, cars, dehydration, starvation, and the picture is even bleaker. In fact, any animal on the streets is also at the mercy of the humans on the street. If they are picked up by people with kind hearts, then the outcome is different than if they are picked up by people with no regard for life.

The day this puppy was rescued, we were in court for four separate cruelty or neglect proceedings. The conclusion is, then, that animals in homes are also at the mercy of the owners, their friends, and their family members.

How very sad for those innocent animals.

Thankfully, the good people are a mightier force than the bad people! Light always pierces darkness. There are many things that can be done to help animals. We love our shelter volunteers, and all those who donate money and toys and treats for the shelter residents.

We appreciate every person who makes the decision to have their pets spayed/neutered. We love our adopters.

Let’s keep up the good work! Maybe, someday, little puppies and kittens will not be thrown out with the trash. SM

Bruno

This little puppy was about five weeks old when he was abandoned at a dumpster. He is a pit/Lab mix.

Danville Humane Society, 434.799.0843 www.showcasemagazine.com

| February 2014 | Showcase Magazine 29

30 Showcase Magazine

| February 2014 | www.showcasemagazine.com

www.showcasemagazine.com

| February 2014 | Showcase Magazine 31

The Fifth Mile: Get Juiced!

life in the fat lane

This month, I bought a juicer. After my first mass nutrient infusion, I felt like I could fly.

And I’m pretty sure I did for about 0.7 seconds.

I was repeating words –ords –ords –ords. It was fun –un –un –un –un.

So far, I haven’t juiced every day and I notice a major difference on days that I don’t —especially when I make fast food choices for lunch. I feel an almost immediate lag after enjoying a cheeseburger and the rest of my day just isn’t quite right. I don’t feel as productive and feel a strong urge to hibernate — I mean nap.

The first juice I made was my favorite so far.

I found the recipe for “The Eye Opener” at www.juicerecipes.com. It was comprised of two apples, two oranges, and 14 carrots. I originally balked at the carrot quantity, but juicerecipes.com promised healthier skin and, if this is how I am to get it, I’ll juice as many carrots as I can acquire.

Bobby Allen Roach twitter.com/Bobby_Roach

The second recipe I sampled was called “Green Lemonade.” It included a larger variety of fruits and vegetables, starting with two apples, one cucumber, four kale leaves, two cups of spinach, and one lemon.

Slicing the raw lemon was the most divine encounter with nature I have experienced in years. The fresh aroma hung heavy in the air as I placed the ingredients in the juicer.

And I thanked my lucky stars for that lemon.

Alway sc any ne onsult your d w diet ar y or octor befor e exercis e regim tr ying en.

32 Showcase Magazine

| February 2014 | www.showcasemagazine.com

I have surrounded myself with people who are very supportive of my efforts to lose weight. Let’s see how quickly we can trim these numbers down.

As I began to sip my completed wellnessenhancing concoction, I discovered that something —maybe it was the spinach; maybe it was the kale — added a potent and distinctive flavor to the overall mix. By “distinctive,” I mean wretched. I’m not used to eating leafy, green vegetables and this particular juice stayed with me for most of the day. I tried cutting it with breath mints, carbonated beverages (bad, I know), and chocolate (joke!), but that healthy green monster wanted me to remember my weight loss mission. I haven’t gone back for a second round with Green Lemonade.

I prefer to find something I like and play that on repeat for a while, so I will be sticking with my first recipe for now. I am excited to try another recipe I found called “Berry A-Peeling,” which includes two apples, onehalf lime, and three cups of strawberries.

If that doesn’t sound like a smoothie alternative to you, I don’t know what will.

This particular recipe is supposed to be good for improving your memory as well as enhancing concentration. If you haven’t heard, strawberries are on a list of “superfoods” that combat cancer and provide myriad health benefits.

Have you ever tried juicing? What did you think of it? What are some of your favorite recipes? Tweet me at twitter.com/Bobby_Roach and let me know how your dietary mods have improved your life. SM

www.showcasemagazine.com

| February 2014 | Showcase Magazine 33

34 Showcase Magazine

| February 2014 | www.showcasemagazine.com

EARN YOUR DEGREE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND IN DANVILLE. Our Weekend College program at Danville Community College works with your busy personal and professional life. And your budget.

Attend class Friday evenings and Saturdays at DCC. Enjoy classes with real-world applications.

Take one highly- concentrated course at a time.

And pay just $430 per semester hour.

New cohorts start each August. Attend an upcoming information session to learn more.

spcs.richmond.edu/weekend www.showcasemagazine.com

| February 2014 | Showcase Magazine 35

36 Showcase Magazine

| February 2014 | www.showcasemagazine.com

More than 465,000 U.S. businesses offer the protection of Aflac.

Shouldn’t yours?

Learn how you can offer Aflac to your employees at no cost to your business.

Ryan Badgett 434.251.2888 Thomas_Badgett@us.aflac.com

Coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus. In New York, coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of New York. Policies may not be available in all states. There may be indirect administrative or other costs.

Source: Aflac Company Statistics, June 2011.

M1861D

v7/12 www.showcasemagazine.com

| February 2014 | Showcase Magazine 37

With This Ring...

A Circle, Completed

feature

Bobby Allen Roach

Romance has been captured and illustrated in innumerable forms throughout recorded history. Examples are evident in writing, artwork, and music. In 1967, The Platters wrote and published “With This Ring,” a song about romantic devotion. Eight years earlier, a timeless romance was being written between two unlikely lovers.

In the summer of 1959, an American soldier took a handmade ring from a young woman he had only known for one day while he was stationed in Germany. He boarded a train to return to his army base and she feared she would never see the soldier or her ring again.

On June 7, 1959, Margot Richter overheard an American man speaking to one of his friends on the other side of a partition in the building where she worked. She had seen him once before in May and recognized the rolled up sleeves of his white shirt, his pants, and his shoes beneath the partition. She whispered to her friend that she would love the opportunity to test her English and see what she remembered with him.

They walked almost one mile through the German countryside, talking and laughing, although Margot could not understand most of what Roger was saying.

It didn’t matter. She liked listening to him talk. She thought whatever he said was interesting. On the way, Roger spotted a Holunderbusch, a flowering berry plant growing on the side of the road. He picked one of the white blooms and placed it in Margot’s lapel and took the red ring she had made years before. Concern overwhelmed Margot as she watched Roger place the ring in his pocket.

Later that day, mutual friends set up a blind date between Roger and Margot at a restaurant called Eckebäker in Schlüchtern, Germany. Margot thought

After they arrived at the station, Roger boarded the train. He called out through his window and tried to set up another date for them on Wednesday. As the train

Margot Richter and Roger Mayhew have a snowball fight outside the Hünfeld Orphanage in Hünfeld, Hesse, Germany in December, 1959.

38 Showcase Magazine

Roger looked like he was in college, smart and nice— intelligent—wearing a white button-up shirt and jeans, with a grey tweed sports coat. She had no idea he was in the military. When they were introduced, Roger was captivated by her wavy red hair and turquoise summer dress. They enjoyed dinner with their friends and got to know one another better, although Roger’s German wasn’t perfect and Margot’s English was a bit broken. Despite the language barrier, something clicked between Roger and Margot that day and she decided to accompany him to his train before he returned to camp.

| February 2014 | www.showcasemagazine.com

began to move, Roger could tell that Margot didn’t understand what he was saying. She began to chase after the train as he shouted “Wednesday, Wednesday!” He finally thought to say “Monday, Tuesday, WEDNESDAY!” Margot figured out that he meant “Mittwoch,” the third day of the week, as the diesel locomotive left the station. Roger returned to base in Fulda to continue his work. Thirty kilometers away, Margot began making preparations for their next meeting.

She was responsible for high school students at the boarding school where she worked.

Margot enlisted one of the American male students to give her a crash course in English.

In anticipation of her upcoming date, Margot learned a few key phrases, one of which was “Ich habe dich gern,” German for “I like you.”

They met again on Wednesday, June 10.

Margot hoped Roger would return her ring, but she forgot about it when she saw Roger in his military uniform for the first time and the pace of her heartbeat quickened. At the same restaurant where they were introduced, they danced to a song called “My Happiness.”

Margot didn’t understand the words, but she understood that she was quickly falling for Roger more with the passing of each moment.

While eating, their waiter jokingly asked how many children they planned to have. Roger replied twelve.

Margot, despite being very embarrassed at the suggestion and not wanting Roger to know how crazy she was about him, turned the joke around and said six would be enough for a football team.

After they left the restaurant, they walked to a hill overlooking the valley of Schlüchtern.

On the way, they held hands while singing “Tom Dooley,” a popular song at that time. Of course, Margot only knew the German version, so she sang in German while Roger sang in English. They paused a few times and danced in the road, not caring if anyone was watching. As they drew closer to their destination, Margot asked Roger to spell his name for her. He wrote it in the sand on the road. At the top of the hill, they had a spectacular view of the village in Kinzig Valley and the river flowing through it. Spires from the two churches in the town rose into the clearest and bluest sky Margot had ever seen.

shared by two people and their commitment to one another.

Now, Margot’s red ring symbolizes more than what it meant to her when she made it. It’s much more than a trinket or a moment. For Margot, the red ring is more valuable than any jewel in any store because it embodies the life she has shared with her husband—a life that began more than 50 years ago in a small German town on what would have otherwise been an uneventful day. This ring symbolizes the day her life changed forever.

Roger and Margot Mayhew have lived in Gretna,Virginia since 1963 and are active members of Siloam United Methodist Church in northern Pittsylvania County. SM

They were married on May 18, 1960. Roger returned the red ring to Margot during their wedding ceremony.

Ancient cultures believed the circle symbolized eternity with no beginning and no end.

Traditionally, wedding rings symbolize the love

www.showcasemagazine.com

| February 2014 | Showcase Magazine 39

Let Your Wallet Fall In Love!

Credit Card Balance Transfers as low as

2.99 APR

%*

We’re Your Community Credit Union www.piedmontcu.org 434-797-1954

*Annual Percentage Rate. Not all members qualify. Call for details.

40 Showcase Magazine

| February 2014 | www.showcasemagazine.com

www.showcasemagazine.com

| February 2014 | Showcase Magazine 41

It’s February Again

mystified Misty Brooks

Welcome to my world. Maybe you’ll find something entertaining, or maybe you’ll find something to relate to. Maybe you’ll find both.

Sometimes this page won’t even make sense to you. Sometimes it won’t apply to you. And sometimes you’ll think I stalked you and wrote a story about what I saw.

My world consists of five children, two dogs, two cats, and a husband.

Jason is 21, Corey is 13, Spencer is 12, Tucker is 11, and Kendall is 10. Scott, my husband of three years, is still trying to figure us all out. Every day is a winding road.

It’s February again. Host to my least favorite holiday ever — Valentine’s Day. I say it every year, so I’ll spare you the details of how I think a day to celebrate love is silly.

But since the theme is love and that just won’t go away, ever, I may as well find something “lovely” to write about. Maybe something with a non-romantic twist.

There are a MILLION things I love in this world. I’m the girl who appreciates the small stuff, the simple things. When life gets mean, you have to remember what you love. Trust me — my life is hateful at times, as I’m sure yours is too.

But we have to remember why we keep pressing forward and keeping chasing the dream of dreams.

I’ve been in a funk lately. It’s been hard to put words to paper. So as I get over myself and celebrate the things I love — from the silly stuff to the most important. I also want to incorporate some things my friends and family love, too!

My 40th birthday is February 13th.

The gift I want from all of you is to make a list of things you love. Keep it close and refer to it often.You will realize that even on your worst day there are still things worth smiling about! SM

Love: I s g n i Th of the w e F A Bacon God

ell of The sm r lavenda es and Sunris s Sunset Family gs Gatherin Snow on The mo

l the poo TV Reality

ing Vacuum reruns Grace Will & Sweet Sleep

tea

r Summe s Coupon

ach The be Music dren owers My chil Hot sh band milk My hus Almond y 30s. stly, m s t la e e d h s n A will Clean onth I This m res o 30s. t s y t m d Thrif e behin v a le g deer Watchin d ack yar in my b

42 Showcase Magazine

| February 2014 | www.showcasemagazine.com

www.showcasemagazine.com

| February 2014 | Showcase Magazine 43

44 Showcase Magazine

| February 2014 | www.showcasemagazine.com