Women's View Magazine, December 2019

VOLUME 13 DECEMBER ISSUE 12 2019 Inspiring, educating, empowering and celebrating women in our community MAGAZINE Sweet Traditions More inside: Farm Fresh Christmas Trees Holiday Shopping Ideas Festive Food and Drinks

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Contents DECEMBER 6 PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS See a two-page pictorial recap of the November Fayetteville Ladies Power Luncheon held at its new venue, the Cape Fear Botanical Garden. 9 SEASONS GREETINGS Holiday postmarks from the U.S. Postal Service bring a nostalgic note to a local family’s annual Christmas cards and can for yours, too. 10 BYWAY BUYING Check out these unique shopping venues for your holiday purchases. Glean new ideas and snag specialty gifts by shopping small and local. 12 CHOOSE AND CUT TREES 14 Find out where to get your fresh Frazer fir, live Leyland Cypress and other 16 Christmas tree types this season with help from contributor Becky Rose. 18 YOUR JUST DESSERTS You do deserve this! Beautiful and delicious, this Red Velvet Surprise cake is a delight in every bite. Contributor Karen Koukies shares her recipe and baking memories. AN OCCASION FOR OYSTERS Open the hatch and let ‘em slide ― it’s oyster season! Oyster roasts are a tradition for many local families, including the editor’s. TIME TESTED TRADITIONS Contributing writer Mindy Love offers a diverse list of holiday traditions to keep your season merry and bright, regardless the celebration. 26 OPA! Celebrate Greek holidays with glee this season with help from contributing writer and local Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church member Sandy Merrell. 28 PATTY WANTS A PUPPY Is giving a pet as a Christmas gift a good idea? It depends. Learn more on this timely topic from contributing writer and animal lover Pam Ellis-Phipps. 31 NYC FOR YOU AND ME Christmas in the Big Apple is just an overnight bus ride away with local entrepreneur Emily Lanier’s popular tour company. Check out her yearlong opportunities, too. DECEMBER 2019 | 3

Close Letter from the Editor VOLUME 13 ISSUE 12 PUBLISHER Merry Christmas! Traditions ― they link us to the past and help us segue to the future, simultaneously. How Bill Bowman, F & B Publications A Fayetteville Tradition many of you carry on the traditions instituted [email protected] Neville Family 2018 by your parents and grandparents? A good 4 | DECEMBER 2019 many, I would wager, for who doesn’t love ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER decking the halls, watching holiday classics Stephanie Crider and picking the perfect gifts for loved ones, whether it is for Christmas, Hanukkah or [email protected] Kwanzaa? The same is true at other times of EDITOR the year: chocolate in February, egg hunts for Easter, fireworks in July. We can be creatures Crissy Neville of habit. [email protected] I am no different. Growing up on my family’s ASSISTANT EDITOR fourth-generation farm in Linden, I picked Jenna Shackelford pecans every year in the fall for my mom’s holiday pies and bagged fruit at my dad’s store [email protected] for the church gift bags. Nuts, hard candy and ART DIRECTOR a Milky Way bar went into every bag given out Elizabeth Baker after the annual Christmas play. I sang “Silent Night” as an angel one year and dressed as a [email protected] shepherd the next. Other years, other roles; OPERATIONS DIRECTOR bathrobes and bed sheets came in handy. Paulette Naylor We also made the annual trek to Black’s [email protected] Christmas Trees in Fayetteville, where my MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE aunt and uncle, Pearl and Leon Black, and later my cousin Phil, ran the oldest tree lot in Linda McAlister town, bringing trees from the North Carolina [email protected] mountains each year by the truckload. Big, beautiful and full of forest fragrance, the tree MARKETING & SALES took center stage in our living room picture COORDINATOR FOR WVM AND window. My brother Randy and I, along with my sister Judy, who though married by then FAYETTEVILLE LADIES lived just next door, always decorated it with POWER LUNCH homemade ornaments and big, colored lights Caroline Schafer as big as saucers. And because it was the 1970s, we threw tinsel all over the thing and [email protected] sprayed it with artificial snow to make up for DISTRIBUTION DIRECTOR/ the white Christmas we never got, save once SALES ADMINISTRATOR or twice. The Christmases and customs of Laurel Handforth my country childhood hold a special place in [email protected] my heart and have shaped the woman, wife, CONTRIBUTING mother and even writer I am all these years PHOTOGRAPHER: later, still living on my family farm. Tony Wooten and LPR Media The stories in Women’s View Magazine this Fayetteville Ladies Power Luncheon month resound this refrain. You can read photos pp. 6-7 about where to choose and cut your holiday tree or shop local for out-of-the-ordinary DECEMBER CONTRIBUTORS items. Learn how to celebrate Greek customs Judy Stapleton and create festive foods. Recall traditions of the past and discover delightful new ones. Jenna Shackelford Savor the season, dear readers. Becky Rose Cheryl Grider CrissyMerry Christmas and happy Karen Koukies holidays to you all. Crissy Neville Thomas Neville Are you interested in writing? Consider Mindy Love contributing an article or pitching a Hannah Willoughby story idea to WVM. We want to elevate Roxanne Kane your voice. For more information, email Dr. Airaina Griffith-Knight [email protected]. Sandy Merrell Wanda Chavis Pam Ellis-Phipps Janna Bass Dana Hamilton Miki Phillips Michael Karaman Carol Watkins Rodney Sherrill WOMEN’S VIEW MAGAZINE 208 ROWAN ST. FAYETTEVILLE, NC, 28301 PHONE: 910-484-6200 FAX: 910-484-9218 Women’s View Magazine is for, by and about women in Cumberland County. Published by F&B Publications in conjunction with Media Marketing Management. ©2019 by F&B Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or advertisement without permission is strictly prohibited. Various vector sources credited to © Freepik and © Vecteezy.

Things to do in PJs & Pinot. On Dec. 19 from Cultivate Culture. Volta Event Space at 6-8:30 p.m. The Wine Café TASTE OF WEST AFRICA at 116 Person St. DECEMBER is having an adults-only hosts a Celebration of African Culture pajama party, now a holiday and recognition of the unsung heroes in Look at lights. Brilliant holiday tradition in its fourth year. the community, DEC. 14 from 7-9 P.M. lights are on display for the Enjoy pampering, shopping https://visitdowntownfayetteville.com/ season at Arnette Park’s and sipping. http://www. events/celebration-of-af rican-culture/ CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK thewinecafeus.com/ https://fcpr.us/programs- Lights, Action, Christmas. activities/special-events; the Take a ride with Santa. The The Gilbert Theater https:// Cape Fear Botanical Garden’s Cool Spring Downtown District www.gilberttheater.com/ HOLIDAY LIGHTS https://www. offers horse-drawn carriage presents “It’s a Wonderful capefearbg.org/upcoming- rides with the jolly elf himself on Life,” Nov. 29-Dec. 8 and events/; and Lu Mil Vineyard’s WEEKENDS DEC. 7-22. https:// Dec. 20-22. FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS https:// visitdowntownfayetteville.com/ Cape Fear Regional Theater lumilvineyard.com/festival-of- http://www.cfrt.org/ brings lights. “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” Dec. 6-22. Good tidings, German-style The GERMAN CHRISTMAS MARKET, Ring in the season. THE or WEIHNACHTSMARKT, is back FAYETTEVILLE SYMPHONY PERFORMS DEC. 3, 5-10 P.M. AND DEC. 14, DECK THE HALLS, an evening of NOON TO 9 P.M. Join in the fun at traditional holiday favorites DEC. 7 AT 5435 Corporation Dr. in 7:30 P.M. in the Seabrook Auditorium Hope Mills. at Fayetteville State University. http:// www.fayettevillesymphony.org/ SHOPPING SPECTACULAR THE HOLIDAY MARKET. Hosted by Fort Bragg Family and MWR, the event is DEC. 14, 11 A.M. – 5 P.M. at McKellar's Lodge, Fort Bragg, High-rise holiday. THE 2019 HIP HIP HOORAY! LOFT TOUR will feature tours It’s a parade! THE of the lofts in the Cool Spring ROTARY CHRISTMAS Downtown District. The self- PARADE IS DEC. 14 AT guided Loft Tour runs from 6-9 11 A.M. in downtown. P.M. THURSDAY, DEC. 5. https:// visitdowntownfayetteville.com/ DECEMBER 2019 | 5 events/loft-tours-of-the-cool- spring-downtown-district/

you're invited to our next event February 13th 2020, something for everyone! Photos © LRP Media Team Building inspiring Speakers Dr. Pia Duncan For more details on our 2020 events, call us at 910.484.6200 6 | DECEMBER 2019

educational opportunities unique local vendors Networking awesome Delicious food entertainment Wine tasting or check out our website: WWW.FAYETTEVILLELADIESPOWERLUNCH.COM DECEMBER 2019 | 7

Are Traditions Really Hidden Treasures? By Judy Stapleton H ey ya'll, I was that hard Christmas ribbon candy. I watching TV the must ask, just how many times did I miss the excitement of Christmas, other day and a you look through that wish book? not for the gifts or lights, but the commercial came excitement of baby Jesus' wonderful on about Christmas I have also been thinking about birth. Take time out of your busy how, on Christmas Eve, we would schedule to share your Christmas toys for kids … no go to church for the Christmas past with your loved ones or friends. Eve service and sing our favorite I have found that even though not baby dolls, cars, trucks or puzzles Christmas songs from the old all children are interested in what hymnals, light candles and end it was like in the old days, you will like we had as kids, and you can with “Silent Night” as we all went find some that will enjoy your stories back to our homes. After church, and will remember the smile and forget about those treasured, simple while walking home, we would look excitement you have in your eyes as at all the Christmas lights hung you share with them. traditions of window shopping up and trees in the front windows of all the houses. As I think about I’d like to wish everyone a very through the Sears or JCPenney these things, I can almost feel the Merry Christmas; may you have a excitement. It’s as if I were still blessed time with your family and Christmas catalogs. I can remember walking and laughing with my friends, and may God bless the ones brother and two sisters, admiring the that cannot be home with their the day the catalog would arrive in different colors of lights back when loved ones. If you know someone we might even get to see a silver that will be spending Christmas everyone’s mailbox. Knowing your tree or two. Yep, I can remember a alone, give them a call and open couple of our neighbors had silver your heart, or maybe even a chair at parents couldn’t afford much more trees with rotating lights of red, your table for a Christmas meal. yellow and green. It is so funny how than that wish book, it was still so I haven’t thought about Christmas Until next time, this is Just Judy, wish books or silver trees in years. sayin’ ― may God bless you and your exciting to go through every page. All family during this holiday season. the colorful pages that it had made it hard even to decide what to wish for. I think back on the excitement from getting a new ball and jacks set, ball paddle, a Chinese checkers set with regular checkers on the back, a pogo stick, a baby doll or even a new set of paper dolls and her new clothes. Of course, let’s not forget that little brown sack that you got with fruit, nuts and Judy Stapleton is a WVM contributing writer, retired federal employee and the receptionist for F&B Publications in Fayetteville. As a senior citizen, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she has traveled many miles from her home stompin’ grounds of Mississippi. 8 | DECEMBER 2019

Traditionally yours— the glee of holiday greetings By Becky Rose ne of my favorite things to do at Christmas is to send and receive cards. When I was a little girl, my father, always the forward thinker, created innovative family photo cards. Since then, I have cherished the tradition of finding the perfect photo and writing a recap of our activities to share with family and friends. As much as I enjoy sending cards, I relish receiving them. I save a pile of cards to open by the wood-burning fireplace while listening to favorite carols and enjoying hot spiced wine. Our family opens each one and passes them around while exchanging stories about how we know the senders and marveling at the growth of children and additions of grandbabies. Friends and I extend the holiday season by sharing our favorite cards over an evening of wine and merriment — admiring beautiful cards and precious photographs. I am careful to pass on cards to organizations that recycle them, and we use the prized family snapshots to adorn our photo tree year-round. The tradition of exchanging Christmas cards is thought to have originated in the late 19th century among affluent families. At the time, it was customary to leave a card when visiting family or friends and during the holiday season. This led to the production of Christmas-themed cards and the tradition of exchanging cards by mail. The pre-baby boomer generation was known to send out as many as 300 cards a year to recognize close friendships, remember family members and thank people for their professional services. Cards became more personalized in later years. Recently the number of people sending cards has dwindled as people have explored other ways to exchange greetings via email and social media. Card exchanges have fallen out of popularity due to the time and expense of sending cards and the argument that they are not “planet conscious.” People sending cards today are creating their expressions of goodwill incorporating photographs and written overviews of the past year. There is no shortage of companies capitalizing on these personal creations ― Shutterfly, Minted and Tiny Prints, to name a few. If you are a member of what appears to be a growing minority ― the person who likes to send and receive snail mail holiday greetings and exchange a tangible greeting of good cheer – there is another layer you can add to choosing or creating your holiday card ― a themed postmark from the North Pole. As a community service, the U.S. Postal Service offers a North Pole postmark that will be available starting Dec. 2. It is most frequently used for letters from Santa but can add a festive tone to your cards. Make plans to complete your cards early, something not always easy to accomplish during the hustle-bustle of the holidays. Next, make sure that all your cards are properly addressed, stamped and sealed. Mail them all together in a large envelope or box to North Pole Postmark c/o Postmaster, 4141 Postmark Drive, Anchorage, AK 99530-9998. Allow time for postmarking, remailing and delivery. For more information, visit https://about.usps.com/holidaynews/. Becky Vohoska Rose is a contributing writer for WVM. A Nebraska native who has called North Carolina home since 1987, Becky is married with two daughters and employed by Gill Security. DECEMBER 2019 | 9

a new holiday Startshopping tradition W hether you’re shopping Buy local this season for the holiday season, By Jenna Shackelford picking up birthday gifts, treating yourself 2. Fleishman’s Tiny Town. Toys “R” about what Leclair’s has to offer at to some fun knickknacks or Us might have closed, but never https://www.leclairsgeneralstore. buying for another occasion, fear, parents. Family owned and com/shop. any time of year is a great time operated Fleishman’s Tiny Town to support local businesses. has been open since 1951 and 4. Dirty Boot Creations. While With large online corporations boasts of high-quality toys and many cosmetics in stores have and big box stores so popular as gifts for children. Shopping for new harsh chemicals and fragrances places to shop, small businesses parents? Tiny Town is also a great that many people with sensitive need support. Buying goods resource for cribs, baby furniture skin have reactions to, Dirty Boot locally helps the economy, but and children’s bedroom furniture. Creations offers organic, nonGMO it also supports the passions of Find out more at https://www. bath products, complete with the people behind the stores visittinytown.com/. healthy moisturizers and essential who bring innovation and oils. For the practical gift-giver, creativity to our community. 3. Leclair’s General Store (featured these are natural and fragrant Don’t know where to start? above). For the lover of all things products that the recipient will Here are some of the many vintage or rustic, Leclair’s offers a be guaranteed to love. Based in great places to shop locally in little bit of everything. From antique Cameron, Dirty Boot Creations can our region. decor and art to local goods, there ship your purchases to your door. To is something for everyone. On top shop online, visit https://dirty-boot- 1. PRESSED - A Creative of the wonderful gift selections, creations.square.site/. Space. If you love giving Leclair’s is a great place to meet unique and trendy gifts, or with friends for a cup of coffee, a Jenna Shackelford is the maybe you’re a sucker for glass of wine or for one of many assistant editor of Women’s a nifty novelty item, look interesting events. Learn more View Magazine and Up & no further than Pressed. Coming Weekly. The shop offers clothing, novelty candies, jewelry, stickers, cards and much more. Be careful, though ― these gifts are so lovable you might want to keep them for yourself. Pressed is located on Hay Street in downtown Fayetteville, or you can shop on the website at https:// pressednc.com/. 10 | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9

Is online banking safe? Yes* but there are some caveats P a ying attention to a few details can go a long way DO A REGULAR CHECK-IN toward boosting your online banking security. Online banking can greatly simplify your life, allowing Make an appointment on your calendar to regularly you to make a mortgage payment or check an account check your accounts for debits or transfers you don’t balance anywhere with just a few clicks. But ignoring recognize. You can also sign up for text or email alerts online banking best practices can leave you vulnerable to about suspicious activity, online transactions or purchases hacking. Follow these online banking safety tips to help above a certain threshold. keep your digital financial life simple — and secure. BEWARE THE PHISHING SCAMS GET PASSWORD SAVVY Hackers have gotten more sophisticated, spoofing your One recent study found that over 23 million users bank’s logos and language to send emails that seem to be had passwords that included “123456” in the string. legitimate. These are commonly called phishing scams, That’s a hack waiting to happen. Random collections of and they typically allude to a problem with an account completely unrelated characters, including uppercase that needs a fix — immediately. However, once you click and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols, are best. on a link, you’re directed to a fake site that asks for your One idea is to choose a phrase or mantra such as username and password, which is where the hackers “Travelmorethisyear19&, or song lyric and add a unique steal your digital details. If you receive an email that looks numeric code “Storyofmylife75!” Occasionally change suspicious or asks for personal information, call your bank your password, especially if your financial institution instead at the phone number you know is correct, not the announces that hackers have stolen credentials from number in the email — and don’t click on any links. users and never use the same password you’ve used somewhere else. TAKE NOTE OF PUBLIC WI-FI TWO-FACTOR IS YOUR FRIEND If you’re in a public spot such as a coffee shop and log in to that free wireless option, a hacker may find access to When you sign up for two-factor authentication with the network more easily. Instead, use your cellular network your bank, you need both a password and a special code or your smartphone as a hot spot for your computer. Or, to access your accounts. That may be a text message or a wait until you’re at home to dig into your bank account. mobile app that gives you an access code every time you try to log in to your account. Password-protect your laptop KEEP DEVICES UPDATED and smartphone, too. Tech companies are constantly monitoring their software for weak spots or security breaches and often release updates to help fix those issues. Set up your devices for automatic updates. SPONSORED BY AGENT RODNEY SHERRILL D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9 | 11 Rodney Sherrill

“Oh, Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree,” choosing and cutting your own Christmas tree By Becky Rose any families cherish You might also want to consider hot foods and warm beverages and the holiday tradition purchasing a “ball and burlap” tree, even late afternoon campfires for of choosing and cutting which is sold with roots intact so marshmallow roasting. Come on the their own Christmas tree. that replanting is possible after the weekend and you may see old Santa Just thinking about it conjures up holidays this can create a memory. himself. They specialize in North images of bundling up in warm Carolina Fraser firs and offer wreaths, clothes and heading into the woods, The North Carolina Christmas garlands, holiday decorations and debating the merits of several trees Tree Association, http://www. tours, too. with other family members, and ncchristmastrees.com/, and the finally choosing the tree that will Eastern North Carolina Christmas A properly chosen and well-kept be the featured holiday decoration Tree Growers Association, http:// Christmas tree will add to the back home. The tree will be decked www.realtreenc.com/, can provide enjoyment of your family’s holiday. with treasured ornaments, glittering information on cut-your-own-tree Plan a tree trimming evening that lights and will be the backdrop for farms in our state. Always double- includes sharing stories about origins family photographs, selfies and check with the tree farm before of ornaments, favorite holiday music immortalized via Instagram. heading out to make sure their and tempting treats, and don’t forget hours haven’t changed and to to sing “Oh Christmas Tree” as you Families in North Carolina can easily confirm directions. gather ‘round your tree. accomplish this vision since our state produces over 26% of the real There is one cut-your-own tree farm Christmas trees in the United States. located in Cumberland County ― B Christmas trees are one of North & D Christmas Tree Farm ― located Carolina’s major crops. Our state has in north Fayetteville at 1206 Elliott over 850 Christmas tree growers on Farm Road. The farms in our region nearly 40,000 acres and is ranked primarily feature Virginia Pines, White second in the nation, behind Oregon, Pines, Red Cedar, White Fir and in the number of trees harvested. Leyland Cypress trees. Fraser firs are Statistics show that most Christmas not grown in central North Carolina, trees are purchased, about 80%, while although many of the area farms will the rest are fresh or pre-cut. Our have pre-cut Frasers available for sale. state also owns the bragging rights The Virginia Pine is the most popular for providing the most Christmas species grown in the eastern part of trees to the White House ― growers our state. in the state of North Carolina have provided 13 trees over the years ― To choose and cut your own Fraser more than any other state. fir, you will need to head to the mountains. If your family wants to Over 100 growers in North Carolina make this a weekend adventure, invite visitors to “choose and cut” their consider visiting the Sugar Plum own tree. If you want to experience Farm. Located near Plumtree, North an old-fashioned holiday tradition Carolina in Avery County, Sugar of going out and cutting your tree Plum Farm is in the Blue Ridge you have plenty of choices. Before Mountains. It is not just the name choosing your tree, you will need to that is intriguing or the fact that they keep in mind where in your home sell sugarplums there, it just has an the tree will be placed as well as old-fashioned holiday feel. At Sugar size, density, color and fragrance. Plum, you can enjoy hayrides, picnics, Becky Vohoska Rose is a contributing writer for WVM. A Nebraska native who has called North Carolina home since 1987, Becky is married with two daughters and employed by Gill Security. 12 | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9

Christmas Angels on earth Tree Farm Information The Salvation Army Angel Tree program B & D CHRISTMAS TREE FARM 1206 Elliot Farm Road By Major Cheryl Grider Fayetteville, NC 28311 910-482-4404 To most people, the sound of bells when Christmas shopping signifies The Salvation Army DOBY CHRISTMAS TREE FARM is nearby with red kettles and bell ringers ready 150 Doby Road to accept holiday donations. Perhaps a little less Cameron, NC 28326 familiar, The Salvation Army also offers the Angel 910-245-3265 Tree program during the Christmas season. It is a unique sharing program that allows donors to help GRIFFIN EVERGREENS deserving children in the community and spread 1823 Broadway Road Christmas cheer. It provides new clothing and toys Sanford, NC 27330 for children of needy families. 919-842-6306 Started in 1979 in Virginia, the program has JORDAN LAKE CHRISTMAS been going strong in Fayetteville for many years. TREE FARM Interviews for financially insecure families begin 2170 Martha’s Chapel Road in the fall of each year, verifying the need for Apex, NC 27523 Christmas assistance. This could be a job loss, a 919-362-6300 parent placed in prison, a grandparent left to raise www.jordanlakechristmas.com the grandchildren on a fixed income, a natural disaster that affected them and other reasons. THE CHRISTMAS TREE PATCH Locally, we have also expanded the program to 1747 Henley Road include senior citizens, aged 65 and up, whom we Sanford, NC 27330 call our “Silver Bells.” 919-770-0124 www.christmastreepatch.com The children's and seniors’ first name, age, gender and clothing sizes, along with some SUGAR PLUM FARMS Christmas wishes, are placed on an angel tag and 1263 Isaac Branch Road then hung on trees in various places around the Plumtree, NC 28664 Sandhills area. They are “adopted” by generous 828-765-0019 fellow citizens of our area who purchase some of www.sugarplumfarms.com the things listed on the tag and then return the gifts to us to process. We schedule the families to come in a few days before Christmas and pick up their gifts, which they then can put under their trees on Christmas morning. Can you imagine those morning smiles? Each year in the Sandhills region, The Salvation Army helps between 500-800 families. Each child receives new gifts, including an average of five toys, at least one complete outfit, and usually a pair of shoes and a new coat. As you can imagine, it requires a lot of helping hands for this program to work. We welcome volunteer groups, or individuals, throughout the season. We especially need groups of “elves” to sort the bags in the warehouse. These helpers could be individuals and families, older youth groups, Sunday school classes, groups of employees, civic clubs and others. To volunteer or find out more about the program, call 910-483- 8119 or visit our Facebook page: The Salvation Army of the Sandhills Region. To adopt an angel or a silver bell, call or visit the food court in Cross Creek mall until Dec.11. Major Cheryl Grider is a contributing writer for WVM and is a Corps Officer with The Salvation Army of the Sandhills in Fayetteville. D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9 | 13

Timeless traditions for the holiday table By Karen Koukies Christmastime is a celebration family. I now bake Christmas cookies of traditions for many families. with my daughter to put in those It is time to gather together same traditional Christmas tins for to enjoy the holidays and our family and friends to enjoy, and create memories. Baking was like my mom, I also bake a special always at the forefront of holidays, Christmas dessert. I enjoy collecting forming some of my favorite cookbooks, especially holiday ones, childhood memories. At Christmas, and it is exciting and challenging my grandparents would travel for me to comb through the recipes, from Connecticut, and grandma looking for a rich and decadent would bring at least eight cookie dessert to bake with my daughter. tins carefully packed with a variety Unlike Thanksgiving, when we of home-baked Christmas goodies. always enjoy pumpkin and apple I remember running out to their pies, we don’t always make the car over the ice and snow-covered same cake or dessert for Christmas driveway to help her carry in all the each year. There are so many tins. Inside were all our Christmas delicious desserts from which to favorites: jam thumbprints, pecan choose; I cherish the time spent in sandies, decorated sugar cookies, the kitchen together cooking meals peanut butter Hershey blossoms and and baking treats to enjoy around fruitcake. My mom would make her the holiday table. buttery toffee and always a special dessert to enjoy after Christmas It brings me so much joy to share dinner; we always saved room for it! a dessert I adapted from a more traditional Southern Living Red It has always been important to me Velvet Cake recipe; one I call Red to continue these traditions with my Velvet Surprise. Karen Koukies is a contributing writer for WVM. Originally from Akron, Ohio, she lives in Fayetteville with her husband and two children and works as a legal secretary at Yarborough, Winters & Neville. She has great memories of baking with her grandmother in her younger days in Ohio. 14 | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9

Red Velvet RED VELVET CAKE LAYER 2 -1 oz bottles red food coloring 11 tablespoons butter White Chocolate Almond Surprise 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar Buttercream Frosting SERVINGS: 10-12 4 eggs 8-ounces chopped white- 2 cups cake flour chocolate baking bars CHEESECAKE LAYER 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa ½ cup heavy cream 6-ounces white chocolate morsels ¼ tsp baking soda 1 cup butter 20-ounces cream cheese 4-ounce sour cream 32-ounce powdered sugar ½ cup sugar 1 ¼ tsp vanilla 1 teaspoon almond extract 1 egg 1 teaspoon almond extract 6-ounces frozen raspberries 1 tablespoon sugar To prepare cheesecake layer: Heat oven to 300 F. Line bottom and sides of 8-inch cake pan with aluminum foil, leave about 2-inches of overhang. Put a parchment paper round in the bottom of the pan. Grease well. Melt white chocolate morsels according to package directions and allow to cool. Beat cream cheese and melted white chocolate until creamy, gradually adding sugar. Add egg, beating until well combined. Stir in almond extract. Puree thawed raspberries with sugar. If desired, strain through fine mesh strainer to remove seeds. Pour cheesecake mixture into prepared pan. Spoon raspberry puree on top of cheesecake and swirl the raspberry puree through the cheesecake with a knife. Bake at 300 F for 30 minutes until set. Turn off oven and let cheesecake stay in oven for 30 minutes with the door closed. Remove from oven and cool completely. Chill eight hours or freeze for up to two days until ready to use. To prepare red velvet cake layers: Heat oven to 350 F. Beat the butter until creamy and add the sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time beating until combined. In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Add the dry ingredients to butter mixture alternately with sour cream beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed until blended. Don't over mix. Stir in the vanilla and then the food coloring. Pour batter into two greased and floured 8-inch cake pans. Bake at 350 F for 20-25 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes on wire racks and then remove and cool completely for one hour. To prepare white chocolate almond buttercream frosting: Break chocolate bars in small pieces. Heat cream until hot and pour over chopped chocolate pieces whisking until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Cool to room temperature. Beat butter and cooled white chocolate at low speed until blended, increasing the speed gradually until the mixture is fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar until blended. Mix in the almond extract. Assemble cake: Place one red velvet cake on a serving plate. Top with the cheesecake and then the other red velvet cake. Spread the top and sides of the cake with the white chocolate almond buttercream frosting. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve. D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9 | 15

By Crissy Neville “The first man gets the oyster, the second Lorraine’s driveway. Waste man gets the shell,” quipped American not, want not. industrialist Andrew Carnegie in the late 1800s, but such boasting could easily be When a move to Dunn, heard today at any winter season oyster roast. Highly marriages, growing anticipated and well attended, oyster roasts have families and a cruel- become as common as pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving for hearted villain named many in the coastal plains. cancer came into the Neville lives, the oyster I did not grow up eating oysters during the holidays, but tradition took a backseat my husband did. Raised in Riegelwood, the infamous for several years to the paper mill town you pass through on the way to the traditional ham and turkey beach along Highway 87 south, my husband, Thomas meal. Then a few years Neville, likes to recall how his mom, the late Lorraine ago, my husband decided Tarlton Neville, would always make oyster stew for to revisit his coastal heritage, Christmas Eve. Living less than half an hour from and we have been hooked on Wilmington, his family would get their oysters fresh oysters ever since. We now share from local markets or fishermen every year. Stirring an evening of stew and oysters on the thick-bodied oysters into a concoction of whole milk, half shell in our Linden home with my heavy cream, butter, celery and paprika, his mom served sister-in-law, Kelly Neville Bentley, and her up love in a bowl every Christmas Eve he can remember. husband and two sons, along with our grown Those who know about the fine aromas associated daughters, Jessica, Lauren and Emily. This will be with a paper mill town will understand when I say that I the first Christmas without my husband’s father, Frank always wondered how they took their fingers away from Neville, and stepmom of the last 20 years, Gail Yoder their noses long enough to eat that or anything else! Neville, as both died this year. Amazingly, they did. Many organizations like the Cumberland County Bar And they shucked oysters, too. Known as an oyster Association and the Cumberland County Livestock roast, this involves steaming shelled oysters, shut Association have gotten in on the action and throw tightly by the live enclosed mollusks as a means of self- oyster roasts. Some events go as late in the season as preservation, in either a fire pit with coals or a steam March, which is an okay time according to the old wives’ pot over a flame. Another method is to use wet burlap tale that says one should only eat oysters in months sacks to cover the oysters on a grill. By slightly cooking containing the letter “r” ― a period that just so happens or steaming the oysters, the shells open on their own. to coincide with the natural oyster hibernation season Others may eat them raw, smoked, boiled, baked, fried, from September through April. According to the North stewed or broiled, but my husband’s family liked the Carolina Department of Marine Fisheries, the normal ritual of raking and stoking coals, prying shells open harvest time is October through March, two months with oyster knives when necessary and tossing the slimy shy of the folklore claim, but who wouldn’t want to eat delicacies down the hatch. The only pause in eating was oysters while they are fresh and the water temperatures to add butter, lemon, some Tabasco or Worcestershire are cool? Today, you can order them year-round as sauce and a saltine cracker to the otherwise all-inclusive oysters are now cultivated, making good ones available meal. It was a fun, interactive way to share a meal outside the traditional “r” months. I still prefer oysters together all to the hum of clicking knives and clattering fresh in season, though, just like tomatoes in July. shells. The leftover shells were used to line mama Crissy Neville is the editor of Women’s View Magazine and assistant editor of Kidsville News. 16 | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9

SERVES: 16 1. Chop celery stalks beforehand and boil. Next, reduce heat. set aside. 5. Add all other ingredients except By Thomas Neville 2. Sauté oysters in their liquor and the whole milk and paprika. celery in a large frying or heavy pan 6. Add the amount of whole milk 2 quarts shucked oysters in liquor in about half of the butter. Separate that you desire to lighten the stew. 1 pound real butter the oysters into smaller groups. 7. Simmer the stew at a very low heat 1 quart heavy cream 3. Put oysters and liquor in large for at least a half-hour or 1 quart light cream stockpot and rest of butter and longer. Do not allow to boil, but keep 1 to 2 pints whole milk celery. Save all of the liquor and heat sustained at low temperature. 6 tablespoons Worchester sauce place it into stockpot. 8. Add paprika and oyster crackers 4 tablespoons hot Tabasco sauce 4. Allow butter to melt and then, add to taste. 2 tablespoons celery salt both light and heavy cream. Start on 2 teaspoons lemon juice to taste medium heat, but do not allow to Salt and pepper to taste Thomas Neville is a WVM contributor. A local civil attorney with Yarborough, Winters & Neville, he is married with three daughters and enjoys holiday traditions, foxhunting and farm life. D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9 | 17

Holiday Traditions for a Gratifying Holiday Season By Mindy Love E ach year, many look forward to holiday traditions with family and friends. America is a melting pot of cultures, and because of the large military presence in Fayetteville, diversity appears in many ways. Whether families celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas or Kwanzaa, countless families enjoy traditions brought with them to our city and state. Fayetteville kicks off the holiday FAVORITE HOLIDAY MOVIES. that last a lifetime. So, turn on the season the day after Thanksgiving Whether it’s watching the classics or carols, grab some snacks and let the with A Dickens Holiday, a festival something more current, there are decorating begin. enjoyed by many across the city. Some holiday movies for everyone. The kids towns have parades, but Fayetteville may prefer “A Christmas Story” or “An MAKING SPIRITS BRIGHT. Once has a candlelight procession lead by a American Tale,” while adults enjoy the halls are decked, why not gather costumed Queen Victoria, culminating “Miracle on 34th Street,” “Christmas for a drive to see the lights around with fireworks at the historic Market Vacation,” or the documentary “The town? The Cape Fear Botanical House. Once the fireworks end, the Black Candle.” Many classics cover Garden and Arnette Park have showy holiday season launches with a flurry all ages. light displays sure to delight all ages. of activity all season long. Don’t forget the thermos of hot FOOD! FOOD! FOOD! The holidays chocolate, cups and those cookies COUNTING DOWN TO CHRISTMAS, aren’t the holidays without the from the cookie exchange when HANUKKAH OR KWANZAA. Many delicious foods served to family and embarking on your road-tripping of small children are so excited that f riends. Cookie exchanges, making the light fantastic. they eagerly count the days until the favorite treats or special dishes are jolly elf makes his appearance. Other what bring people together. North ESTABLISH NEW TRADITIONS. Add children eagerly await lighting the Carolina leads the nation in sweet a holiday twist by trying some new menorah or the kinara in celebration. potato production, so it’s no surprise holiday traditions. Secret Santa or Advent calendars that open each day that so many serve up these spuds. White Elephant gift exchanges are to reveal a saying or picture or offer Other Southern favorites include entertaining. Or try the fun German a sugary treat are a fun way to mark collards, turkey and dressing, sausage custom of hiding the Christmas off the days. balls, deviled eggs, pecan pie and pickle ornament in the tree. The first peanut butter balls. Whatever you do, one to find the pickle on Christmas GIVING BACK TO OTHERS. Gifts don’t forget the sweet tea to wash it Eve receives a special gift and a are common during the holidays all down. year’s worth of good fortune. and also a time to think of the less fortunate. Share the joy by donating DECK THE HALLS, HOUSES, YARDS The holidays are a time for celebration nonperishable food to the food bank, AND MORE. What proclaims the and for coming together over good selecting a name from a Salvation arrival of the holidays more than food, interesting conversations and Army Angel Tree or volunteering to millions of twinkling lights and the joy of giving to others. It’s never lay wreaths on graves with Wreaths glittery ornaments? Not only is too early to spread happiness and Across America. Collecting coats, decorating the house a fun family camaraderie, but be sure to enjoy hats and gloves for the homeless activity, but it also creates memories the season while it lasts. and care packages for deployed military members are also feel-good holiday activities. Mindy Love is a contributing writer for WVM. She is a full-time environmental program manager with the U.S. Army Reserve Command and creator of the blog Sweet Tea and Pasta. She’s lived in North Carolina for more than 20 years and started her blog to share her Southern experiences with others. 18 | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9

Say\"Cheers!\"to Christmas with festive cocktails and mocktails By Hannah Willoughby Decadent Hot Chocolate Servings: 10 COCKTAIL OR MOCKTAIL 6 cups of whole milk 2 cups milk chocolate chips 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 14-ounce can sweetened-condensed milk 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream 1 ½ ounce Kahlua-or any coffee-flavored liqueur, optional Add whole milk, chocolate chips, vanilla Mistletoe extract, condensed milk and heavy Mule Cocktail whipping cream in a crockpot, set to low. Stir occasionally for two hours until OR MOCKTAIL Servings: 1 heated throughout. After you have poured For a nonalcoholic version, substitute the the mixture into your favorite mug, add club soda for the vodka. the Kahlua or a preferred coffee-flavored liqueur for an extra treat. For fewer calories, 3 ounces ginger beer swap whole milk for 2%. 3 ounces cranberry juice cocktail 1 1/2 ounces of vodka For a holiday party, set up a hot chocolate Fresh or frozen cranberries bar and have your guests customize Ice, crushed is preferred their hot chocolate with an assortment of delicious add-ons. Elevate your hot chocolate by adding candy canes, marshmallows, whip cream, cinnamon sticks and an assortment of your favorite cookies to dunk. Place ice in a copper, mule mug. If you do not have one on hand, a lowball glass will do. Grab your shaker filled with ice and add ginger beer, cranberry juice, vodka and the juice of half a lime. Shake for about 20 seconds, until combined, and pour into the copper mug. Throw in cranberries and add a lime slice to the rim and serve. For an added touch, colorful holiday straws or a sprig of rosemary pull the whole drink together. Hannah Willoughby is a WVM contributor. A North Carolina native, she displays delicious dishes from across the state via her food Instagram, @ncfoodfinds. D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9 | 19

Members Only Night: December 5 December 6- December 8 December 13- December 15 December 19- December 23 5:30pm-9:00pm each night More information 910.486.0221 Visit Capefearbg.org 536 N. Eastern Blvd. Fayetteville, NC 28301 Sponsored by: A&G Residential; David and Lauren Allred; BB&T; Charles Broadwell; Broadwell Land Company; Cape Fear Botanical Garden Board of Directors; Cape Fear Center for Digestive Diseases; Caviness & Cates Communities, LLC; DK Taylor Oil Company, Inc.; Fayetteville Public Works Commission; First Citizens Bank; Hurley Insurance Group; Ray and Daphne Manning; Olde Fayetteville Insurance; The Cobb Tilghman Group of Merrill Lynch 20 | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9

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Taktehteimheoltiodaeynsjoy this year By Roxanne Kane This time of year, we’re all looking forward to, or in some cases, dreading those family traditions. The huge holiday meal, the family photos for the Christmas cards and the conversations about how much weight you’ve lost, even if Aunt Jean knows full well you haven’t. Some of us sit through football games or take long naps on the couch after dinner. Some of us shop till we drop. Navigating through traffic, flights out of state or even hosting guests in your home can be both a blessing and a curse. Either way we repeat the process every year, with eagerness and stress, joy and dread. Traditions held such a huge place in my upbringing, and I never realized what they honestly taught me until I became a mother and wife myself. As a child, I didn’t see the stress my parents likely carried preparing for the holidays, but I always knew what to expect. I knew which day we would go here and which day we would go there. I knew what time to expect dinner on Thanksgiving Day and exactly what I hoped to bring home for leftover lunch the day after. But I never saw my parents dread the drive or stress about cooking the perfect turkey or baking a perfect pie. I never saw my mother dress a certain way to avoid any possible comments that grandma may offer up. I never felt my father was stressed about having money to provide for Christmas. I never realized how much joy my family missed out on in an attempt uphold traditions. I never realized that my family spent more time preparing for and stressing about these things than actually enjoying them. As an adult, reflecting on the things that I did and didn’t see, I encourage you to make traditions. Build memories. Go somewhere you wouldn’t normally go — or stay at home. Paint a room, redecorate your kitchen. Build a playhouse in the backyard. Have Thanksgiving taco night instead of slaving over a turkey. Do whatever you want to do. Don’t carry the burden of traditions that don’t serve you. Let your family enjoy happiness; let your children learn that traditions can take many forms and the memories you make mean more than having the perfect apple pie. And as always, if you ever need help, give us a call at Cape Fear Flooring and, together, we’ll make your house a home. Merry Christmas from our family to yours! SPONSORED BY Roxanne Kane is the Restoration Manager at Cape Fear Flooring & Restoration. The showroom is located at 2727 Hope Mills Road in Hope Mills. 24 | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9

looking at INSIDE OUT HAIR GROWTH Exercise at least three times a week hairfrom a holistic perspective By Dr. Airaina Griffith-Knight T he concept of inside- precautions listed will let you Eating foods rich in vitamins and out hair is a different know whether hair loss is a minerals will strengthen hair approach to hair care. possible side effect. These are Hair is nothing more than good things to note when Essential oils, not heavy or carrier oils, are key protein made of hydrogen, trying to grow your hair from to help absorb into the hair shaft oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen and the inside out. carbon. The foods we eat contain vitamins and minerals. Having this small amount of So, is it safe to say that if our information will at least prove diet is superb, great hair cost-effective by helping you should be the result? While discount those products with that is a great start, that is not claims for hair growth. Just all it will take. stop and think ― is this topical substance going to grow my Minerals strengthen the blood. hair if I know hair growth It takes circulation to move starts from within? You might the blood and without good say, absolutely this product circulation, proper blood can facilitate growth because flow will not happen. For this it can stimulate the scalp reason, exercise is important. thereby exciting the arresting Try to get the heart rate up at pili muscles, the muscles least three times a week for beneath the scalp. The a little more than 30 minutes product may even reinforce each time. Eating foods with hair growth by offering good mineral values and protein and enzymes through exercising are two surefire essential oils. Look for essential ways to strengthen the hair oils, not heavy or carrier oils, from the inside out. which are lubricants to coat the shaft. If the oils do not Next, keep the toxins away. absorb into the shaft, they will The substances that you sit on top of the hair, causing put in your body, whether cuticle damage. If the product legal or illegal, can contain is not water-soluble, it will toxins. Pharmaceuticals have not break down easily, either. many foreign properties that Knowing what to put on your have adverse effects on the hair, as well as what not to put body. For more information on, will help you grow your on prescription drugs, read hair from the outside in, too. the leaflets that come with Keep your hair healthy with a your medicines carefully. The holistic approach. Dr. Airaina Griffith-Knight is the owner and CEO at NUWBNS, Inc. Natural Hair Gallery, The Lock House, hAirlooms Natural Hair-Braiding Academy. Contact her at [email protected] or 910-868-5891. D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9 | 25

A Greek American Christmas By Sandy Dais Merrell Picture attribution: avinashbhat Christmas for Greek Epiphany on the sixth of January Another tradition is singing of the Americans resembles much is another day Greeks exchange Kalanda, similar to old-fashioned of our traditional American gifts, as it matches the story of the door-to-door Christmas carols. In celebrations; we share three kings bringing treasures to our Fayetteville community, Greek gifts, bake cookies, take pictures Jesus. If you are interested in a little children participate by learning the with Santa and secretly wish for travel on this day, thousands of native songs. Upon listening, older snow on Christmas morning. Greek Orthodox members voyage generations relish in memories of Greek Americans also incorporate to Florida to view an old Epiphany Christmastimes long ago. A proper inherited traditions from our custom celebrating Christ’s baptism, greeting to a young caroler, if they homeland. Here are a few favorites. where young Orthodox men dive arrive on your doorstep, is to reward for a blessed cross tossed into the them with a small candy treat and Most traditions involve our f reezing Tarpon Springs waters. invitation to view your Christmas tree. beloved Greek Orthodox Church. For The victor that dives and acquires most Greeks, Christmas is a time of the cross is said to have a special If you visit Greece during the fasting, prayer and the celebration blessing from the archbishop. holidays, new sights abound. You of eternal salvation through the can see “The Largest Christmas birth of Jesus. You will find church What would a Greek holiday be tree in Europe” in Athens, light- and parishioners attending several without food? Guests to a Greek decoration-adorned fishing boats important services throughout home at Christmas find merriment, in the maritime communities and the holidays. Greeks celebrate gifts and a sharing of food as a pomegranates symbolizing good everything larger than life. symbol of hospitality. The traditional fortune instead of holly and berries. Christmas feast features lamb, goat If there Jan. 1, you may see Greeks Christmas is not just one day and pork, quite different from the breaking pomegranates on their but a 12-day celebration. However, customary turkey and ham meals of front doors, scattering and spreading Greek Americans celebrate the U.S. The dinner continues with the seeds to ensure health and Christmas Dec. 25 and exchange olives, feta cheese, pitas, stuffed happiness for the new year. gifts on this traditional day. grape leaves, roasted potatoes and grilled vegetables to accompany the Christmas in a Greek Orthodox We honor a special saint named meal. Greeks also serve traditional home is a wonderful time to St. Vasilios, whose story parallels our pastries like baklava ― filo desserts celebrate religion, fellowship and modern Santa Claus. We remember layered with nuts and honey, beautiful Greek customs. The him by sharing gifts on New Year’s kourabiethes ― powdered sugar enjoyment of merging American Eve and baking a sweet bread cookies and melomakarona ― and Greek traditions makes our called vasilopita, with a hidden coin honey and walnut spiced cookies. festivities unique and richly focused cooked inside. Find the money to be on families, faith and heritage. the winner. Sandy Merrell is a contributing writer for WVM. A Fayetteville native, she is married with four children and two grandchildren and works as an emergency services registered nurse with Southeastern Regional Medical Center in Lumberton. 26 | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9

They really were Wise Men Ancient remedies provide relief today By Wanda Chavis In scripture, Matthew 2:1,11 are and death. After death, it was a from generational curses; diffused verses that tell us that when common embalming agent. during labor to relieve anxiety. After Jesus was born in Bethlehem, childbirth, the baby’s umbilical cord wise men from the east came to Current uses: The monoterpenes was treated with myrrh to protect Jerusalem to see him, bringing gold, in frankincense reprogram cellular from navel infection, and the mother frankincense and myrrh. memory and promote permanent massaged onto her abdomen to healing; helps to sustain normal remove stretch marks. Myrrh was We understand gold, but why cellular regeneration; used to used for insect repellent and blended frankincense and myrrh? treat cancer, depression, allergies, with other oils to prolong the life of headaches, bronchitis, herpes, the other fragrances. FRANKINCENSE tonsillitis, typhoid, warts, brain damage, head injuries; stimulates Current uses: antiseptic, thyroid Historical uses: This oleo-gum-resin white blood cell production, and an and endocrine balancer, bronchitis, taken from the trunks and limbs expectorant. The rich fragrance is diarrhea, thrush, ringworm, fungal of the Boswellia tree was used in used in Old Spice’s Shulton as well infections, chapped skin and wrinkles. holy anointing oil. Frankincense as Estee Lauder’s Cinnabar and Myrrh is still used to extend the was considered a cure-all. This Youth-Dew. fragrance of other scents such as fragrant oil was used to anoint the Estee Lauder’s Aliage. newborn sons of kings and priests. MYRRH As a gift to baby Jesus, it affirmed These amazing oils are available at the prophecy of the birth of the Ancient historical uses: Pregnant Picture of Health & Thermography, king of kings. Frankincense was mothers anointed their bodies with LLC. To buy Young Living oils also thought to elevate spiritual this gum-resin from the Myrrh tree. wholesale, contact phthermo@ awareness and meditation, Used for protection against infectious gmail.com or go to this link and believed to assist a person as diseases and overall wellness; order online: https://www.myyl.com/ they transitioned between life believed it protected the unborn child chavisfive. SPONSORED BY Owner, Picture of Health & Thermography, LLC www.phthermography.com 910-580-2077 Wanda Chavis holds a bachelor's in alternative medicine and a master's in public health administration. She's a certified clinical thermographer and a certified molecular hydration specialist. D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9 | 27

DSeaanrta, CIiwhstvArahheialnairlstvsytepIfmuygobepraoepaosyedr.n. A Puppy in Every Stocking, or Not? By Pam Ellis-Phipps What parent hasn’t read those cat fits better in their space than a and cats available for adoption. Gain words with at least a small large dog who needs room to move information on fees, the adoption sense of dread? If your child or around and time outside. Further, if process and view pictures of other family member wants a the pet is a gift for a child, parents adoptable pets at www.fapspet.org/ pet for Christmas, here are some tips or guardians must agree with the adopt. FAPS is located at 3927 Bragg for making sure both family and pet decision and be able to assist in or Blvd. in Fayetteville. Reach them by are happy. resume the pet’s care. phone at 910-864-9040 or email at [email protected]. According to the WebMD website, While conventional wisdom has it is best not to surprise family or been that pets do not make good Find out information about the friends with pets for Christmas. gifts, the American Society for the Cumberland County Animal Shelter’s While it may be tempting to give Prevention of Cruelty to Animals adoption services and see pictures that cute Christmas package, a pet research finds that pets can be of available animals at www. must be matched well with not a good gift if the recipient has co.cumberland.nc.us or call just the recipient but with other “expressed a sustained interest 910-321-6852. family members in the home. The in owning one and can care for it decision to bring a pet into the responsibly.” They also “recommend As a leading funder of animal home should be a family decision. that pets come from animal shelters, welfare, PetSmart Charities® has WebMD recommends paying the rescue organizations, friends, family helped over 8.5 million pets across adoption fee as the gift and letting or responsible breeders — not from North America. Go to www.petsmart. the recipient visit the shelter to places where the source of the com to find adoptable pets and select their pet. Pet toys, leashes, animal is unknown or untrusted.” PetSmart locations near you. supplies or even gift certificates can be wrapped and given on Christmas If you are interested in gifting a Pets can be a wonderful addition to morning instead. pet this Christmas, Cumberland your family. Pets are a responsibility County offers a variety of options. not to be taken lightly but can Also important is matching a pet to The Fayetteville Animal Protection offer great joy to the entire family the environment of the home. Small Society is the city’s only licensed whether given as a gift or picked out apartment dwellers might find a no-kill animal shelter. FAPS has dogs personally some other time. Pam Ellis-Phipps is a contributing writer for WVM. The executive assistant to the provost at Methodist University, she is married and has two adult children and one fur-baby — her cat, Piper. 28 | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9

Holiday Pet Safety By Mike Karaman • Water additives for Christmas trees can be December abounds with holiday celebrations, but hazardous to your pets. Do not add aspirin, sugar, or nothing can spoil good cheer like an emergency anything to the water for your tree if you have pets in trip to the vet. These tips can help keep your winter the house. holiday season from becoming not-so-happy — for your pet and you. • Ornaments, tinsel and decorations can cause hazards for pets. Broken ornaments can cause Plan in advance. Make sure you know how to get to injuries, and ingested ornaments can cause intestinal your 24/7 emergency veterinary clinic before there’s an blockage or even toxicity. Keep any homemade emergency. Talk with your veterinarian in advance to find ornaments, particularly those made from salt-dough out where you would need to take your pet and plan your or other food-based materials, out of reach of pets. travel route, so you’re not finding your way when stressed. • Electric lights can cause burns when a curious pet • Always keep these numbers posted in an easy- chews the cords. to-find location in case of emergencies: Your veterinarian’s clinic phone number. 24/7 emergency • Flowers and festive plants can result in an veterinary clinic (if different). American Society for emergency veterinary visit if your pet gets hold of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Poison Control them. Amaryllis, mistletoe, balsam, pine, cedar, holly hotline: 1-888-426-4435. Signs of pet distress and poinsettias are among the common holiday include: sudden changes in behavior, depression, plants that can be dangerous and even poisonous to pain, vomiting or diarrhea. pets who decide to eat them. • Identification tags and microchips reunite families. • Candles are attractive to pets as well as people. Make sure your pet has proper identification with Never leave a pet alone in an area with a lit candle; it your current contact information — particularly a could result in a fire. microchip with up-to-date, registered information. • Potpourris contain cationic detergents and should • Food. Keep human food away from pets. The be kept out of reach of inquisitive pets. following people foods are especially hazardous for pets: While we hope that you do not have a run-in with any of these examples and conditions, it is always better • Chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats. Although the to be prepared than to react frantically to a situation. toxicity can vary based on the type of chocolate, the Happy holidays! size of your pet and the amount they ate, it’s safer to consider all chocolate off-limits for pets. D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9 | 29 • Other sweets and baked goods are not only too rich for pets, but the artificial sweetener xylitol has been linked to liver failure and death in dogs. • Turkey and turkey skin — sometimes even in small amounts — can cause a life-threatening condition in pets known as pancreatitis. • Table scraps — including gravy and meat fat — also should be kept away from pets. • Yeast dough can cause problems for pets, including painful gas and potentially dangerous bloating. • Decorating. Greenery, lights and Christmas trees can make the holidays festive, but they also pose risky temptations for pets. • Christmas trees can tip over if pets climb or play on them. Consider tying your tree to the ceiling or a doorframe using a fishing line to secure it.

Four Traditional Christmas Plants Sure to Bring Joy to Your Home By Janna Bass PAPERWHITES P lants such as poinsettias, Christmas cacti, The small, snowy white amaryllis bulbs and paperwhites have been winter season flowers that used to decorate homes during the holiday stand upright at attention are season for generations. Providing a symbol paperwhites. These flowers of new life to come in a dormant season, these are not only beautiful but plants are perfect for decorating during Christmas. fascinating to watch grow, too. A member of the daffodil family, POINSETTIAS paperwhites are unique in that they naturally bloom early. Plant Although the poinsettia is a popular bulbs in the fall and gain blooms Christmas plant in the U.S., its origins are within four to six weeks. These not local. Hailing from Mexico and Central fragrant flowers can easily be America, the poinsettia or “Christmas Star” grown in soil, pebbles or even was used by the Aztecs for many purposes, vases of water. Using a pebble including making a purple dye from the and water method, choose a flowers, which are actually special leaves, not clear glass container so the flowers. In Mexico, they are known as “Flores roots and any growth is obvious. de Noche Buena” or “Flowers of the Holy Kids will love watching these Night” per local legend. Some also believe plants emerge from bulb to full the shape of the poinsettia flower and leaves flower. Keep the water level in the containers symbolize the star of Bethlehem. to the bottom of the bulb. Decorate the glass Today, there are more than 100 varieties of containers with ribbon for added festivity. To poinsettias, with colors ranging from red and ensure blooms throughout the holidays, plant white to salmon. In the wild, they can grow a container every week in November. more than 12 feet high. Try replacing your house plants with potted poinsettias during AMARYLLIS BULBS the holiday season for some festive cheer. Cut poinsettia flowers provide pretty accents for Known as the Christmas Lily, table setting decorations. the Amaryllis is another beauty from a bulb that when properly CHRISTMAS CACTUS cared for, blooms right around the holiday season. Found in Another plant with warmer climate origins a variety of colors, including used inside during the colder holiday months a candy cane pattern, the is the Christmas cactus. A native of Brazil, Amaryllis makes a beautiful this plant looks like Christmas bells when in centerpiece and requires limited bloom. Ironically, it doesn’t naturally bloom care. Mix reds and whites during the Christmas season. Brazilians together for some variety in your commonly refer to the flowering plant as the décor, or simply stick with red “May Flower.” With glossy green segments for a bolder statement. Choose that can grow up to three feet long, and a holiday pot for these plants for bright flowers of various colors, this plant truly some added Christmas pizazz. makes a statement during the holidays. With Many of these plants have become a holiday care, these plants remain great house plants tradition across households. In addition to for years to come. festive lights, try brightening up your home with the life and freshness of plants this holiday season. Janna Bass is a WVM contributor. She is the marketing manager at Cape Fear Farm Credit, an agricultural lender for southeastern North Carolina, offering loans for land, homes and agricultural operations. Select Photos: © Jason Mizuno - Poinsettia, © C Designer, Paperwhites, © Chris Ibbotson - Christmas Cactus 30 | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9

New York CityChristmasin Experience the Magic with Em’s NYC Trips By Dana Hamilton T here are a few things in life “I have so many repeat customers you will never forget — your who have been going on these trips for first love, your first car and years,” Lanier said. “Many families and according to Emily Lanier, friend groups go, as well as many moms owner and operator of Em’s and daughters.” NYC Trips, your first trip to New York City, especially if you are lucky enough to go Traci Hair is a Dunn resident who has at Christmas. gone on several of the bus trips and recently took her extended family in a “It is the city that never sleeps,” Lanier group of more than 12 people. “We had said. “And that’s just one of the things I an amazing time touring the city,” she fall in love with over and over every time said. “Christmas in NYC is something I go.” everyone needs to experience.” And go she does, several times a year. Constance Ramey is a repeat traveler Lanier operates a bus-tour company that from Cumberland County who said on offers four red-eye trips a year to NYC in her last trip she had time for breakfast, April, June, September and December the 911 Memorial, the High Line, several in which travelers get to experience a street fairs, two Broadway shows and jam-packed trip that includes 16 hours in some great food. A bus-tour fan, Ramey the city. She also leads a four-day, three- said, “I am ready to travel again with night trip at Christmas. Trips depart and Em’s NYC trips.” return from Dunn in Harnett County. According to Lanier, because “It is simply impossible to see of NYC's winter weather, she everything in NYC in a day,” she said. “I recommends guests dress in layers, offer one-day red-eye trips throughout bring a change of shoes and be the year to give guests a taste of the prepared for anything. To make the city, but during the Christmas season most of the time, she gives high praise the trips extend to four days; it is just for the hop-on-hop-off tour buses as a magical.” great way for inexperienced travelers to see the whole city. Passengers travel through the night, arriving in the city early on the morning “The diversity and adventure, lights of the trip date. Guests explore on and sounds, the people and constant their own by viewing window displays, change ― New York City is truly one Christmas trees and holiday decorations; of the most inspiring places on the ice skating in Bryant or Central Park or planet,” she said. “I hear people say at Rockefeller Center; visiting Santaland either you love New York, or you hate at Macy’s, a Rockettes’ Christmas show it. I say either you love New York, or you at Radio City Music Hall or a Broadway haven’t been on tour with me.” show; taking carriage rides, and of Find out more about Em’s NYC Trips course, shopping. Some years, there’s by calling 910-391-5297, emailing even snow. Travelers also take in NYC’s [email protected], or view famed landmarks like the Statue of trip details and highlights at https:// Liberty, Metropolitan Museum of Art and www.facebook.com/EmsNycTrips/. Empire State Building. Get ready for the trip of a lifetime! Dana Hamilton (L) is a contributing writer for WVM. An area banker, wife and mother, when she isn’t boarding a bus with Em’s NYC Tours. Dana enjoys journaling, Netflix binging and chasing sunsets. D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9 | 31

Quilting American women have morphed into reality, becoming made and used quilt the Quilts of Valor. The tradition designs to convey and continues preserve their family, Quilts, you see, equate to healing as well as our nation’s stories, in the hearts and eyes of quilters, By Carol Watkins for centuries. Thousands of quilt as well as to those who own blocks, each with a unique story quilts with a story. Quilts send the tied to design and color scheme, message that the maker cares have been sewn and used about the recipient. Roberts, documenting human history. founder of QOV, had definite Quilting history adds another layer ideas about how these quilts of understanding to historical facts should be constructed to affirm of any given time, making it clear just how much love was sewn that quilting in America has always into each one. Some of the quilt been linked to loving relationships, attributes include only the use of family and healing. high-quality fabrics with machine or hand quilting, and each Quilts served as reminders of one is awarded to its recipient friends left behind during the ceremoniously. Every aspect of homesteading year. They provided the construction process needs to a way of recycling the smallest express the time and effort that of scraps to provide warmth was taken to make this unique, for families during the Great special award of gratitude for Depression. Quilts were used for service, sacrifice and valor. the expression of political issues when women’s needles became The mission statement of QOV their pens and their quilts, their says it all: “to cover service text. They have included biblical members and veterans touched by patterns meant to strengthen, war with comforting and healing encourage and guide life choices Quilts of Valor,” regardless of the as well as patterns that served as service date or rank. Now, 16 years maps to guide slaves to freedom later, thousands of quilts have on the Underground Railroad. The been constructed and awarded list goes on, as the timeline for due to the loving commitment of quilting history is centuries long. this volunteer network. And today, the tradition of quilting Two such volunteers, Katherine continues to document history. Cylkowskki and Susan Parker, One such story began in 2003 serve at Loving Stitches Quilt when Catherine Roberts, whose Shop in Fayetteville and lead son, Nat, was serving our nation in QOV workshops throughout the Iraq. During this time, Catherine year. The sewing times are for had a dream. “The dream was as anyone in the community with vivid as life,” wrote Roberts. She the desire to be a part of thanking saw a young man sitting on the our servicemen and women. No side of his bed, hunched over, full prior experience or sewing skills of despair, with his “war demons” are required. There are jobs for all-around him, pulling him down everyone who wants to take part. emotionally to a place no one would ever want to go. “I saw him If you are interested in helping, the wrapped in a quilt; his demeanor group meets at Loving Stitches, changed to one of hope and well- 7076 Ramsey St. in Fayetteville, being,” she continued. the last Sunday afternoon of each month. For more information, call What was responsible for the Loving Stitches at 910-630-3912 or change? The quilt. This dream stop by to learn more. Carol Watkins is a WVM contributor. The owner of Loving Stitches Quilt Shop in Fayetteville since 1996, Carol operates one of the largest quilt shops in the country and is a proud participant in the Quilts of Valor program. 32 | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9

HeHalotwhy tTo rCardeaittieons W By Miki Phillips hat a wonderful time of opportunity for yeast, bacteria and year this is ― fall and winter viruses to set up housekeeping. special occasions like Halloween, Thanksgiving, 3. Accommodate this by drinking 3-4 winter solstice, Christmas, ounces of water with real lemon or Hanukkah and Kwanzaa afford many lime juice, or add a teaspoon or up to a great opportunities to spend quality time tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar to the with family and friends. Most of us have water. You can take these measures one or special traditions around this time of year, two times a day. whether it is Grandma’s famous sweet potato casserole or something about 4. Consume some protein, some nonstarchy special places or giveaways. Mostly, we carbs ― salad, greens, squash, sweet think of celebrating around meal time. potatoes ― and some healthy fats such as These are some adjustments you can butter, coconut or olive oil. make to create a healthier tradition and minimize the stress in the new year from 5. Minimize the number of starches such feeling bloated, overweight or just yucky as rice, corn, potatoes and items made from all the extra sweets, alcohol and with flour ― cakes, pies, brownies, bread, carbohydrates consumed this time of year. biscuits, rolls, etc. 1. Drink a full glass of water before meals Do the best you can with your traditions to so that you feel fuller and eat less. Healthy minimize the damage control you have to teas such as green tea are also beneficial. do in January. Keep in mind that Mind Body Seimei offers a special, one-time three-hour 2. Counteract poor health by session called a Personalized Healthy Living taking extra alkaline substances to Program, available any time of the year, but neutralize some acidity to keep your which can be especially helpful after the body more balanced. All those sweets, holidays when you don’t know where to alcohol and carbs will put your body start. Call Mind Body Seimei at 910-791-0751 into acidosis which is an unhealthy to discuss the details and take control back environment and can create an over your health and body. Miki Phillips is the Founder/Owner, Mind Body Seimei www.mindbodyseimei.com. SPONSORED BY She is trained in both traditional medicine and holistic natural healing. With more than 40 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9 | 33 years of experience in health care, she utilizes the best of both worlds.

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