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NEWS BRIEFS

Galloway Ridge wins Beacon Award for ‘Best in Wellness’

PITTSBORO — Galloway Ridge has won the 2019 ICAA NuStep Beacon Award, which recognizes and honors the Top 25 “Best in Wellness” senior living communities in North America.

Galloway Ridge is among those recognized as best-in-class for successfully fostering a wellness-centered environment to benefit all who live and work in their community. The award was created as a joint effort between International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) and NuStep, LLC, a major manufacturer of recumbent cross-trainers used in healthcare, senior living and fitness, already mentioned above. The ICAA is responsible for leading, connecting and defining the active-aging industry. CEO and founder Colin Milner says, “Senior living communities have long been aware of how important wellness is for the health and well-being of their residents, but in recent years, wellness has evolved from being a programming option to becoming a way of life” This evolution, says Milner, is also reflected in a survey recently conducted by the ICAA. The survey found that 59 percent of senior living communities state their business model will be wellness-centered with care services by 2023.

Galloway Ridge has successively partnered with its residents and staff to create relevant, meaningful opportunities and inspire participants to improve their quality of life. Wellness is typically defined by seven key dimensions: emotional, physical, intellectual, social, spiritual, vocational and environmental. When each of these dimensions is equally nurtured and prioritized, it can enhance a sense of well-being among residents. It is this commitment and acknowledgement of how important wellness is for older adults that elevates resident health to new heights.

“At Galloway Ridge we believe that there is wellness in everything that we do,” said Bob Zimmer, Executive Director at Galloway Ridge. “Through the relationships built between residents and staff, the services and programs offered, and the environment in and around our community, it is clear that wellness is at our very core. Our goal is to provide opportunities for each resident and staff member of our community to live their best life and to continue thriving as the unique individual that they are.”

Fall family safety tips for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists

RALEIGH — As nights grow longer and days get shorter, the N.C. Department of Transportation is offering important safety tips to keep your family safe as the seasons change. Remember to:

• Always watch for children

• Pay special attention to children near bus stops

• Look out for trick-or-treaters on Halloween

• Remind children about how to safely cross the street and watch for cars

• Look out for bicyclists and pedestrians

• Remember to always wear reflective gear while biking or running

• Drivers should share the road with bicyclists and pedestrians

• Be aware of deer and wildlife

• Pay attention when driving near wood-lined areas

• Stay alert as wildlife are most active at dusk and dawn

• Use your headlights during morning and evening hours

• If you are in doubt, keep your headlights on

• Remember to turn on your headlights when using your windshield wipers

Follow simple photo safety rules. For your safety and others, never take pictures while driving. And while often inviting, never take pictures on train tracks or bridges.

For more information on all these programs and initiatives, visit the safety page on NCDOT.gov.

Applications available for Innovative Young Farmer Award

STATESVILLE — The Farm Credit Associations of N.C. are now accepting applications for the 2019 Innovative Young Farmer of the Year Award given by the Tobacco Farm Life Museum and sponsored by the Farm Credit Associations of North Carolina.

Eligible nominees must be between the ages of 18 and 40 as of January 1, 2020. Nominees are to either be in school for agriculture/agribusiness or have worked in the agriculture industry for less than ten years. The application process, open until December 6, 2019, enables nominees to discuss means by which they are positively impacting their operation, as well as the greater agricultural community in North Carolina.

The Innovative Young Farmer of the Year Award is presented annually at the Breakfast with the Commissioner held in conjunction with the Southern Farm Show at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. Visit the Tobacco Farm Life Museum website at tobaccofarmlifemuseum.org/innovative-young-farmer-of-the-year to apply for this award. Applications must be submitted electronically through the link above.

“Agriculture is the number one industry in North Carolina,” said Vance Dalton, CEO of Carolina Farm Credit. “It is imperative to reward young farmers who have a commitment to continuing the great legacy of farmers and rural communities throughout the state. The Farm Credit Associations of NC are proud to support innovative-minded farmers in North Carolina.”

Chatham County Shooting Sports 4-H Club achieves success at shooting tournaments

PITTSBORO — On Aug. 17th, members of the Chatham County Shooting Sports 4-H Club travelled to Ellerbe to compete in the Central Regional 4-H Shooting Sports Tournament. The club had three senior teams and two junior teams competing in shotgun, rifle and archery competitions. The “On Point” junior team, consisting of Carissa Gaines, Eli Bryson, Jayce Puckett and Laura Ann Walters, received third place in Junior Archery Compound and third place in Junior Rifle T-Class. Laura Ann Walters placed second in Junior Rifle T-Class Overall Individual. Senior Carter Phillips placed seventh in Senior Rifle O-Class Individual, and Gillian Ness placed eighth in Senior CMP Rifle T-Class Overall Individual. The “On Point” junior team, including Laura Ann Walters, as well as Carter Phillips and Gillian Ness qualified for the state competition. In addition, many of the other club competitors posted their best scores yet.

On Sept. 21st, at the State 4-H Shooting Sports Tournament, the “On Point” junior team placed second in Junior Rifle T-Class, and Walters finished second in Junior Rifle T-Class Overall Individual. In addition, Ness placed fourth in Senior Rifle T-Class Individual and sixth overall. Chatham County 4-H is very proud of the 4-H Club for their dedication and success. The Central Regional 4-H Shooting Sports Tournament was the first competition for the 4-H Club.

Council on Aging now has incontinent supplies

Through a new partnership with the Diaper Bank of North Carolina and the support of Carolina Meadows, the Pleasant Hill United Methodist Women and others, the Chatham County Council on Aging now maintains incontinence supplies including pull ups, diapers with tabs, bed pads, wipes, gloves, and personal pads.

“Incontinent supplies can be vital to helping persons remain active in the community and live with dignity at home,” noted Wynne Fields, the Council’s program specialist who coordinates this service.

Incontinent supplies can be a major expense for seniors and their families. “We are glad that we can offer this service to help our growing older population in Chatham,” Fields said.

While donations are always welcomed, these supplies are provided at no expense to the consumer.

For more information, contact the Council’s Eastern Center at 919-542-4512 or its Western Center at 919-742-3975.

Medicare beneficiaries reminded to compare plans

RALEIGH ­­­— Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey reminds Medicare beneficiaries to compare and evaluate their current plans and make necessary changes during the annual Open Enrollment Period. Medicare plans and prices change. It is important for Medicare beneficiaries to take advantage of the Open Enrollment Period by contacting local Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) counselors to save money, improve your coverage or both.

The Open Enrollment Period began Oct. 15 and runs for eight weeks to give you enough time to review and make changes to your Medicare coverage. Changes must be made by Dec. 7, 2019, to guarantee your coverage will begin without interruption on Jan. 1, 2020.

It’s important to contact your local SHIIP counselor before making a decision about coverage because you may be able to receive more affordable and better Medicare health and/or drug plan options in your area. For example, even if you are satisfied with your current Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, there may be another plan in your area that covers your health care and/or drugs at a better price.

SHIIP is a division of the North Carolina Department of Insurance and offers free, unbiased information about Medicare, Medicare prescription drug coverage, Medicare Advantage, long-term care insurance and other health insurance issues. In addition to helping Medicare beneficiaries compare and enroll in plans during the Open Enrollment Period, SHIIP counselors can help people find out if they are eligible for Medicare cost savings programs.

Get one-on-one help from SHIIP, the Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program, by calling 1-855-408-1212, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also request in-person assistance in your home county.

Visit www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan to compare your current coverage with all of the options that are available in your area, and enroll in a new plan if you decide to make a change.

Review the Medicare & You handbook. It was mailed to people with Medicare in September.

Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) 24-hours a day, seven days a week, to find out more about your coverage options. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.

READvolution reboots for more strong literacy outcomes

RALEIGH — The puck dropped Sept. 30 on the second season of READvolution in Chatham County Schools. The Carolina Hurricanes introduced the program during the 2017-18 school year to assist school systems with boosting literacy among students in elementary schools.

READvolution requires 20 minutes of reading every day after school for eight weeks. From Sept. 30 through Nov. 22, students may log in online to track both the books they’re reading and the amount of time they’re spending in those titles. Students putting in at least 800 minutes of reading will receive two free tickets to a Hurricanes home game. Schools where students combine to read 2,020 books qualify for the Cool School Field Trip that includes watching the Hurricanes workout on the ice at PNC Arena.

“Reading 20 minutes every day is so important for students,” said Chris Poston, the executive director of elementary and middle grades for Chatham County Schools (CCS). “READvolution incentivizes our students. They enjoy the competition, and they look forward to attending Hurricanes games with their family and friends.”

“We’re looking forward to continuing the partnership with the Carolina Hurricanes,” CCS Superintendent Dr. Derrick D. Jordan said. “READvolution challenged our students to read even more.”

Students in Durham Public Schools and the Wake County Public School System are participating, as well.

“Literacy is key to success in the classroom, and we’re excited to continue promoting reading in our community,” Hurricanes President and General Manager Don Waddell said.

Last season, students participating in READvolution netted some 10 million minutes of reading, working through nearly 270,000 books. In CCS specifically, 3,959 CCS students in kindergarten through fifth grade read 19,646 books, a collective engagement of 683,220 minutes of reading.

ForestHer workshops set for November

Women landowners and natural resource professionals interested in learning more about management and conservation of private lands are invited to attend one of three ForestHer NC workshops to be held across the state in November. This is the second in a series of workshops.The workshops will run from 9:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. and cost $25 per person. Pre-registration is required.

Registration includes lunch and handouts.Note to natural resource professionals: this workshop has been approved for continuing education credits (CFE, EE, and TWS). For details contact foresthernc@gmail.com or call 919-917-8646.

A local workshop will be held on the following dates/locations:

November 7, 2019, at Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center in Pittsboro.

To register by mail, contact us at foresthernc@gmail.com or call 919-917-8646.

ForestHer NC is a new initiative created by conservation organizations in North Carolina to provide women who are forest landowners with tools and training to help them manage their lands and become more engaged in forest stewardship.

According to the Women Owning Woodlands network and data published in the National Woodland Owners Survey, “the percentage of family forest ownerships where a woman is the primary decision maker doubled from 2006 to 2013. These women make decisions for 44 million acres of America’s family forest land.” In North Carolina, 65 percent of private forestland is jointly owned by women, yet statistics indicate that women are significantly less likely to attend conventional landowner programs and participate in management activities.

“Research shows women are starting to have a greater influence on private lands management, which reinforces the need for us to develop a program specifically designed to appeal to women and engage them in conservation practices” said Kelly Douglass, a technical assistance biologist with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. “We hope this program will foster a sense of community among participants, provide them with an opportunity to learn from others in a positive, encouraging environment, and ultimately help them reach their conservation goals.”

ForestHer NC is sponsored by conservation organizations including the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, U.S Forest Service, N.C. Tree Farm Program, N.C. Forest Service, Audubon North Carolina, Wild Turkey Federation, N.C. Cooperative Extension, and the Sustainable Forestry and Land Retention Project.

Wren Memorial Library to Host National Hispanic Heritage Month Event

SILER CITY — In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month the Chatham County Public Libraries, in collaboration with Artist Studio Project and the 5th Annual El Quixote Festival, are proud to present an afternoon filled with music, comedy, literature and friendship featuring 20th Century Minstrel Crispin d’Olot of Leon, Spain!

The event takes place from 1-2 p.m. Saturday at the Wren Memorial Library in Siler City as Crispin performs a re-imagined conversation between Lope and Cervantes, as well as performing some of Quevedo, Luis de Góngora and many others. This performance will be in Spanish with some English translations.

Twenty years ago Crispin d’Olot, old-fashioned troubadour, started performing in theaters, schools and places of Spain, Europe and Latin America. This theatrical, poetic and musical adventure was a response which this literary “jongleur” found utilizing classical literature as a tool to reconstruct cultural imaginary essential to a society increasingly marked by violence and the inability to meet on common points of identity and values. Currently Crispin d’Olot is considered a necessary cultural reference, he has been blessed with great successes on television especially prime time where the format has helped him promote his artistic quality.

Hispanic Heritage Month began as Hispanic Heritage Week. Hispanic Heritage Week was established by legislation sponsored by Rep. Edward R. Roybal of Los Angeles and was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson in 1968. In 1988, the commemorative week was expanded to a month (September 15 to October 15) by legislation sponsored by Rep. Esteban Edward Torres (D-Pico Rivera), amended by Senator Paul Simon and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan. September 15 was chosen as the starting point for the commemoration because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, who all declared independence in 1821. In addition, Mexico, Chile and Belize celebrate their independence days on September 16, September 18, and September 21, respectively. Since 1989, all Presidents have given a Presidential Proclamation to mark Hispanic Heritage Month.

This event is free and open to the public. Funding for the performance is made available by the generous support of the Friends of the Chatham Community Library.