Joining Rainbow this year are incoming Vice Chair Paula Parke and recently appointed council members Barbara Davis and Mamie Bennett who like most RSVP Advisory Council members are themselves veteran volunteers. Their insight and experience encourages the RSVP volunteer program to provide measurable results in the community and guarantees a positive volunteer experience.

Pictured above is the 2012 RSVP Advisory Council:  Chairman Bryan Rainbow, Vice Chair Paula Parke, Bruce Robson, Mamie Bennett, Barbara Davis, Gert Strine, John Laird and Gregg Sasser. Not available for this photo are Heather Funk, Cynthia Ransom, Lee McKinney and Bob Sasser.

For more information on RSVP or for information a “Select 2 Serve” volunteer match appointment call RSVP Director Shiela Klein. She can be reached weekdays at the Senior Enrichment Center or by calling 910 215-0900.

On the first day, there were mild cramps between my shoulder blades while I was on the treadmill.

On the second day, the cramps were more noticeable.

On the third day, during a routine office visit, I mentioned the cramps to my doctor. While we were talking, she reached for a phone and dialed a cardiologist and booked a cardiac catherization for me. I was surprised.  Why? What do I need that for? She was calm and reassuring saying she just wanted to make sure “there’s nothing going on” that could be serious.

That was almost 20 years ago.

The catherization was followed in a few days by open heart surgery for a triple bypass. My doctor, who was about nine months pregnant at the time, came to see me on a cold blustery Michigan morning to wish me well before the surgery. She came back a couple of days later looking much happier than she had earlier.  It took me a while to realize that by actually listening to me, she saved my life. I am forever grateful.

Women, in general, are not aware that heart disease is the No. 1 killer for both men and women; strokes are No. 3 for women.  The symptoms for women are not exactly the same as for men.  If we get a pain in our chest, we are more likely to chalk it up to indigestion.  Often the symptoms for gall bladder problems mimic those for heart disease.  However, I have a lengthy scar to show where my gall bladder was removed, long before the days of two little holes and maybe a day in the hospital.

Women tend not to take some aches and pains seriously—it’s not an easy thing to think that a pain in your shoulder, arm or jaw could be a warning sign.

The most common warning signs for a heart attack are chest pressure, tightness, or heaviness; pain in shoulders, neck, jaw or arms; lightheadedness; fainting; paleness. If these signs continue for even a short time, call 911, and get to a hospital.  Do not drive yourself! (That seems so obvious but the number of people who decide to drive themselves is alarming.)

Pain related to a heart attack can range from dull to strong, or mild to severe. Many women feel accompanying nervousness and anxiety that frequently go ignored. People who commonly have heart attacks without symptoms include women, elderly people and diabetic patients.

I can be counted among those who knew very little about heart problems for women.  It took a caring doctor and excellent surgeons to take care of the blockages.  At the time, I thought it was something like going to the dentist, getting a problem fixed and that was all.  I was very wrong. Heart disease is a lifelong problem that needs attention regularly.  Life can still be fulfilling with that extra care.  If knowledge is power, then learn as much as you can about your heart and what keeps it ticking.

February is Heart Month. Take care of your heart, and encourage those you love to do the same.

E-mail Ann Robson at info@outreachnc.com

Every time cousin Oberanne opened a gift, Katarina whispered to me, “She got that same vacuum for her 84th birthday . . . got that same blender for her 79th birthday . . . that’s the exact same GE turntable microwave oven with the custom functions that’s sitting on her kitchen counter and it’s not even a different color . . . got that on her 80th birthday.”

Ever since that day I’ve been on a quest for unusual gifts for aging friends and family such as the Peugeot Elis Electric corkscrew, which according to the advertisement allows you to open your wine bottles “one-handed, with eyes closed.” If any of you have met my relatives, this was a major selling point.

I’m also looking for gifts that really were not available over the past . . . say 100 years. And those wily Germans who gave us seasick outer space traveling fish have come to the rescue again. A German firm is selling cow f-a-r-t-s in a can. In polite company, that would be cow flatulence in a can. But gaseous emanations from the back end of a cow are still cow farts in my book.

The company marketing it has identified a target audience, said to be city folk nostalgic for the good old days in the countryside when everyone took a hardy deep breath upon awakening and felt all warm and gushy inside at the sweet smell of farm do-do. In Germany, there seem to be a startling number of such people, and business is exploding. Whether or not buyers are those who actually have worked on farms is still unknown. Although I personally have never worked on a farm, I have never pined for the aroma of a latrine, be it derived from animals or humans.

I’m sure it helps that the price is right. At $8 a can, this is something I’d buy for all my friends and family. Even if your gift stinks, both literally and figuratively, at least you’re not out a lot of money and what would the odds be that they’d be receiving two cows in a can. I’ve wasted more money on a mocha-mint specialty coffee with the flavor of what I imagine hot boiled compost would taste like, if you were to gather and boil compost. And no, I haven’t tried it myself, neither the boiling nor the tasting.

The cow fart company has had such great success with canned cows that they’re expanding into the full farm family of odors. Next will come horse-in-a-can, followed by straw-in-a-can, the ever enticing smell of pigs-in-a-can, and rounding out the line will be farm manure-in-a-can. I suppose canned manure will include all the poop smells in one, since I’m assuming horses and pigs is the smell of the whole horse and the whole pig, not just the gaseous releases of said animals.

I can’t wait to see these come to the U.S. Is it an aerosol spray? Perhaps it’s an ignitable scent candle? Oh, that probably wouldn’t be a good idea given what my husband tells me about teenage boys and matches.

Well, whatever it is, I’ll be first in line at the WalMartia fighting the crowds on Black Friday 2012 to get some.

Cohea, a freelance writer, can be reached by e-mailing  a37_tao@hotmail.com.

Review by Cos Barnes

A comic novel, “The Night Train,” is Edgerton at his best. It is the story of intense racial conflicts in the South in the early 1960s. In a small town in North Carolina where the railroad track divides the black section from the white, the story tells of the friendship of Dwayne Hallston, a white musician who aspires to emulate the success of James Brown with his band, the Amazing Rumblers, and Larry Lime, a black teenager who wants to play piano like Thelonious Monk, and is being given lessons by the Bleeder.

Don’t you like those names? There are more, too. There’s Uncle Young, who picks up trash and is a meat runner for the dog food factory; Flash Acre,  who works at the factory and looks after his ailing mother;  and Aunt Marzie,  who gave all her kin monikers that included at least 10 names. A musician himself, Edgerton spells out the scales the young musicians must master, the beat, the tempo and the dedication necessary to succeed. He even adds a dancing chicken to the mix.

I have been a fan of Edgerton’s since the publication of “Raney,” his first and somewhat controversial novel. I heard him at Weymouth Center for the Arts and Humanities in Southern Pines  several times when he played his banjo. This novel is fun reading. Enjoy.

February is the month we celebrate the sweet potato, a staple ingredient in the South. The sweet potato is not only nutritious, but versatile and delicious. The history of the sweet potato dates back to a farm in Louisiana in 1543, when Spain’s explorers found them growing in a Native American garden. North Carolina is now the No. 1 producer of sweet potatoes.

The sweet potato is also packed with nutritional value.  A medium size sweet potato (with skin) has 300 percent of the Vitamin A daily requirement. Vitamin A helps with eye, bone and immune system health.  It has four times the daily need for beta carotene and 35 percent of your daily Vitamin C requirement.

Fiber is also an important part of our diet.  The sweet potato offers four grams of fiber, which is more than a packet of oatmeal.  Sweet potato pancakes? Why not! Sweet potatoes are fat soluble, so it’s okay to add that little pat of butter. It actually helps your body absorb the nutrition. Low in calories and packed with fiber, vitamins and antioxidants, sweet potatoes should be a regular on your shopping list, or pick them up at your local farmers market.

The sweet potato may seem somewhat plain, but it is actually quite versatile. It comes in a variety of colors, including white, golden and purple.  You can use it as a substitute for any recipe calling for a white potato.  Just be mindful that because they are lower in starch, you should roast them first, then add them to your soup, stew, pot pie or potato salad. You can make healthier fries and rich soups.

This month, I am sharing a recipe for sweet potato soup. If you want a spicier version, just add a little curry, cayenne or red pepper. The great thing is that this recipe is also gluten-free and vegan.

Sweet Potato Soup

2 medium baked sweet potatoes (Bake at 425 degrees for about 45 minutes)

2 cups vegetable broth

1 tsp cracked pepper

1 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

Blend all ingredients together in a blender or food processor.  You should achieve bisque-like consistency.  You can use more or less vegetable broth depending on your preference of thickness.  If you spice it up, try a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt on top.

Morris, owner of Rhett’s Restaurant, Personal Chef & Catering in Southern Pines, can be reached at (910) 695-3663.

This month, we sit down with Chef Walter Royal of Raleigh’s Angus Barn as the second in our new series, Carolina Conversations. Chef Royal graciously shares some fond memories of family and of his Iron Chef experience as well as one of his favorite recipes.

In recognition of St. Valentine’s Day, we have a story that shows love is timeless and still for the young at heart as we learn how one Southern Pines couple met and married in their twilight years.

February 20 marks Presidents’ Day, but instead of looking at Washington and Lincoln, we thought we would introduce former presidents in our region of First Bank and Pinehurst Resort and their continued contributions and service to the community.

In honor of Leap Year, we learn how one man celebrates his actual birthday every four years.

One gift for a birthday or retirement could be a home renovation. We look at universal design ideas and ways to incorporate changes to your current home or when building a new home and how it can make aging in place and living independently an easier process.

Then there are the times when we cannot be home and may find ourselves or loved ones in a hospital or rehabilitation center and in need of a bit of extra cheer. We meet some certified therapy dogs (seen above, Abby, Tess and Daisy) and their dedicated handlers that may be just what the doctor ordered bringing smiles and lifting spirits as they make their rounds.

And lastly, on our quest for an enticing event this month, we did not have to go too far to find Seagrove’s Winterfest. Local potters are turning out amazing new wares and art for your viewing and buying pleasure. The rich history within the clay where Randolph, Montgomery and Moore counties join has potteries opening their kilns and shops Feb. 18-19 for a special weekend. Until next month…

—Carrie Frye

There is incentive to hurry: Subscribers during February receive a special $20 gift credit to try out the new online store.

In its third season, 2012 is “The Year of the Consumer” for SF2T, after two years of focusing on farmers and farms. This winter the Co-op conducted extensive consumer surveys, and as a result, made innovative changes.

Consumer-members indicated they wanted more control over their subscriptions, and changes were made to provide control over both box contents and deliveries.

Love sweet corn and strawberries but don’t care for carrots, collards, or beets? New this year is the “Alt Box.” Every weekend subscribers can go to the Co-op’s new Online Store and review the probable box contents for the following week. The regular Produce Box will offer seven to nine fresh, local fruits and vegetables, same as last year. Or, up to 200 members can select “the Alt Box” with a slightly different variety of local produce. If they do nothing, the regular Produce Box will be delivered.

The long-awaited Local-Online Store will also open, offering subscribers a growing number of products and convenience. Subscribers have the weekly option of ordering bulk quantities of produce for fresh eating, canning and freezing, some organic and sustainable produce, as well as many of delicious specialty and value-added items our region offers. These items can be picked up at area Gathering Sites along with the Produce Boxes.

Small household? No problem. New this year is a limited number of “Bread Box” subscriptions for small households having trouble eating all their produce. The “Bread Box” subscription option offers $17 worth of fresh produce and a weekly loaf of home-baked whole grain bread.

Have a vacation planned? No problem. Many subscribers vacation a couple of weeks in the summer, missing a scheduled delivery. Most of these missed boxes, by far, are either picked up by friends and family, or are donated to neighbors in need. In 2011, SF2T members generously gave over three tons of produce -that farmers were paid for – to local families in need.

This year, a member will have more control over their deliveries. A new feature has been added to put a delivery on “Hold”, which will cancel the delivery and convert the price of that box into credits to use in the SF2T On-line Store. (Weekly subscribers will have two holds; bi-weekly can “hold” one).

Biweekly subscribers can now easily keep up with their delivery schedule. Their Member Dashboard will display a calendar of their scheduled deliveries. A new Recipe Bank will also be online.

Sign-up is simple. Visit www.SandhillsFarm2Table.com and sign up online. Questions about membership and the subscription program are answered in an extensive FAQ on the website.

The season begins the week of April 18-19, 2012 and runs until August 15-16 20122. Anyone can become a 2012 member for $25, and take advantage of special online and Market Days offerings of local treats such as pastured pork, duck and chicken, grass-fed beef and lamb, vegan products, local bakery, jams, pastured eggs and more.

Members also have the choice of ordering a Produce Box subscription. Options include weekly (18 weeks) or biweekly (9 weeks) deliveries, Family Boxes and a new subscription for a “Bread” box. Produce Box cost ranges from the $22 per week for a Standard box to the $40 Family box.

Spring-summer boxes contain the usual local produce, including: asparagus, strawberries, ripe tomatoes, onions, sweet corn, squash, blueberries, lettuce and other greens, peaches, blackberries, basil, melons, cucumbers, green beans and more.

Health experts encourage the consumption of “five to nine” vegetables and fruits per day. In a survey of SF2T members, 87 % reported eating more fruits and vegetables than they otherwise would have.

Co-op Members do not have to live in Moore County, but all deliveries will be made to area Gathering Sites, including a location in Rockingham and one in Sanford. A list of sites in on the website. The produce in the box will be valued at Farmers’ Market prices, and area farmers will get paid 70 percent of the retail price, versus the nationwide average of 17 cents per consumer food dollar spent at the grocery store.

Our motto “We’re all in this together” is not just something we say but something we do. Last year, farmers were paid $260,000, and churches and schools received $33,000 for their missions for hosting Gathering Sites. Some 3.5 tons of produce – that farmers were paid for – were donated to local families in need.

Anyone interested in supporting local agriculture through an inexpensive membership or local subscription is invited to sign up online at the website www.Sandhillsfarm2Table.com. For questions not answered on the website, email info@SandhillsFarm2Table.com, or call 949-2142.

Judy Matzke and David Gordon were honored by the volunteers of the Moore County Red Cross and the Red Cross Donation employees at the December blood drive held at First Health Moore Regional Hospital. Gordon has donated 10 gallons of blood, and Judy Matzke has donated 13 gallons.

Matzke, when asked about blood donations, smiles and says “Is there anything better than giving blood?”

Matzke was waiting to go through the process of attaining her thirteen gallon mark as she stated that what a  donor gets is a plus as her/his own personal medical health is benefited.  A familiar donor, who because of her dolphin jewelry is known by the Red Cross Blood Services staff as the Dolphin Lady, is a member of the Sandhills Community College Nursing Facility.  In that role, she encourages her students to become donors and has known to accompany them to the donation site.  One of Judy’s favorite sayings is: “What greater gift can you give someone; you save three lives with one pint of blood you donate.”

Gordon began donating blood at the age of 18 and has continued this gift of life through his adulthood and has now proudly given a minimum of ten gallons since 1997 when card records began.  Prior to that date, accurate records were not kept. Gordon began as an employee of Moore Regional Hospital in 1989 and has donated at the Hospital since then.  This father of three children and a stepchild states “giving blood is the best thing you can give as it saves lives”.  He states that Vicki Archibald, a former Moore Regional Hospital, was an inspiration as she encouraged employees to give blood and he attempts to duplicate her example.  Gordon, a member of Facility Management, further stated that “what it does (meaning giving blood) for the soul is tremendous”.

Book Review by Cos Barnes

I always enjoy a book that causes me to think and examine old learnings and impressions. “Mr. Emerson’s Wife,” by Amy Belding Brown certainly did that. I recall studying the Transcendentalists in high school and thinking Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau were philosophers who had surely discovered the true meaning of life. This book about Emerson’s wife, Lidian, casts a different light.

A free thinker and a feminist before there was such a thing, Lidian is flattered when Mr. Emerson asks her to marry; however, in the long years ahead, she is torn by the demands of marriage and motherhood and resents being excluded from the conversations, discussions and travels of her famous husband and his colleagues. Deeply disappointed by but confined to silence by social convention and her husband’s reputation, she turns to Thoreau, who is attractive and energetic and proves to understand her and her predicament.

Transcendentalism was a philosophical movement that developed in the mid-1800s in New England as a protest against the state of culture of society, especially intellectualism. Historical figures are woven in the story; in fact, I got the yen to read this book after reading “March,” by Geraldine Brooks which deals with the life of the absent father in Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women.”

“Mr. Enerson’s Wife” is a great read.