december 2014 villager voice

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VILLAGER Voice DECEMBER 2014 “When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us.” Helen Keller

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Page 1: December 2014 Villager Voice

December 2014 1December 2013 1

VILLAGERVoice

DECEMBER 2014

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a

new dream.C.S. Lewis

“When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been

opened for us.”Helen Keller

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Page 3: December 2014 Villager Voice

December 2014 3

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Feature Articles... 6 From the Mayor’s Desk 7 United American Patriots13 Lisa Bell Talks Solar19 The Candle Tea28 Keeping Christmas

PublisherPK Publishing

EditorBrenda Gough

Assistant EditorW. Kay Angell

PrintingAlpha & Omega

DesignRed Dog Media Group

Distribution points are located throughout Davie, Davidson, Forsyth, and Yadkin County.

Contact Information: Tele: 336.766.7877 [email protected]@rdogmediagroup.com

villagervoice.comfacebook.com/villagervoice

PK Publishing2513 Neudorf Road Clemmons, NC 27012Copyright 2014 PK Publishing

In Every Issue... 8 Senior Musings 12 Business Brief 16 All About Pets 26 Get Fit

Back by popular demand is our Holiday edition of the Villager Voice. Nick Nelson, Mayor of Clemmons, describes his first year of service and discusses 2014-2015 strategic plan initiatives for improving service and the welfare of the citizens that he serves. Allison Gregg introduces us to the United American Patriots. Initially founded in May 2005, United American Patriots (UAP) is a non-partisan, non-profit organization that works diligently to support the men and women of our Armed Forces and their families.

The Silver Stocking Project is now in its ninth year providing good cheer and gifts to people in nursing/retirement centers who do not have family or visitors. You are invited to participate by donating items or helping deliver a little Christmas kindness. Nancy Hall encourages us to incorporate traditions this holiday season. She goes on to explain how traditions offer stability for a too fast paced life, often with ragged edges.

Going Green provides useful tips for decorating with homemade items that make Christmas and all its trimmings more environmentally friendly; Our resident survivalist lists items you need for a home and auto winter survival kit.

We welcome a new online portable solar products company Macell Incorporated. Lisa Bell, company co-founder, discusses her decision to move the company to Mocksville and why we need to rely more on solar energy.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Brenda

Cover barn photograph by Bill Talich. View more of Bill’s work at the Broyhill Center in Clemmons.

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From the Mayor’s Desk

About the Village of Clemmons

• The Village of Clemmons was founded in 1802 and incorporated in 1986.

• Clemmons encompasses 12 square miles.

• The Village of Clemmons operates under the Council/Manager form of government. Policy and legislative authority rest with an elected Council which is composed ofaMayorandfiveCouncilmembers.TheMayorandoneCouncilmemberare elected for a two-year term with the remainder of the Council elected to four-year terms.

• The Village Council, among other responsibilities,passesordinances,adoptsanannualbudget,appointscitizenstoboardsandcommittees,and hires a Village Manager. The VillageManagerisresponsibleforimplementation of the Council’s policies and ordinances, supervision of the Village employees, and overall maintenance of the day-to-day operations of the Village.

• ServicesprovidedbytheVillageofClemmonsforitscitizensinclude,butarenotlimitedto:garbagecollection(weekly); recycling collection (weekly); street maintenance; streetlights; police protection under a contract with the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Department; leaf/limbcollection.

• The Village Hall, located at 3715 Clemmons Road, Clemmons, North Carolina is open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, except for holidays.

By January the Council had its five members following the appointment of Councilman Darrell Roark. Council wasted no time preparing for the yearly retreat. This allowed us to set the 2014-2015 strategic plan as well as look out 5 years. Part of the retreat discussion included traffic, infrastructure projects, services and communication.

A priority for this Council has been traffic, safety on our roads and road quality. One of the first items of business addressed in the new year has been the construction of a signal at Lewisville- Clemmons Road and Village Pointe Drive in the form of a mast arm traffic light. Construction was completed last month and the signal is fully operational. We also worked to increase our pavement condition from 87.4% to 88.9% through road maintenance projects. The state average is 80%. In coordination with Representative Lambeth, Council was able to sit down and discuss traffic issues with our Division Engineer Pat Ivey and North Carolina’s Transportation Secretary Tony Tata. This is the first time Council has had a chance to have a conversation with those representatives and I am excited to see what that discussion produces in infrastructure and improved connectivity. Another meaningful item includes the installation of primitive devices in our traffic signals to “give the green” to our fire and EMS personnel as they approach an intersection. Also, per the request of the Clemmons elementary school, traffic was redirected on Stadium Drive. Council had multiple requests for speed limit modifications on Sedalia Drive, Langdon Village and Cottonwood Lane.

The Village is addressing two Capital storm water projects during the 2014-2015 fiscal year. The website redesign is also a work in progress. As part of the Council communication initiative, we instructed staff to begin redesigning our website to make it more attractive and user friendly.

The Community has also held input sessions for the library. Clemmons had a great turnout for the input sessions and is moving forward on the timeline. I anticipate Council will request public input shortly on the future site’s location.

Clemmons had several noteworthy events, but some notables include the Long Leaf Pine Award bestowed upon Retired Colonel Alfred Dillion, the Southwest Little League State Champions and our West Forsyth High School Baseball State Champions.

There is much more to share about our Village, but hopefully this gives you an idea of some of what has gone on. 2014 was an exciting year, I look forward to the final months and what next year brings.

Mayor Nick Nelson has been a lifelong resident of Clemmons. Despite brief stints in both Florida and Washington, D.C., Nick has enjoyed establishing his roots in Clemmons.

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From the outside, the office at 110-A seems to blend in with the other companies nestled in the business park at Shields Park Drive in Kernersville, NC. But after taking one step through an unassuming glass door emblazoned with a bald eagle flanked by stars and stripes - our nation’s symbol of honor, loyalty and patriotism - it becomes evident that this office serves as the home base for one of the most unique and vital resources serving American veterans and their families.

Initially founded in May 2005, United American Patriots (UAP) is a non-partisan, non-profit organization that works diligently to support the men and women of our Armed Forces and their families. Additionally, UAP provides educational programs and other resources to advance patriotism.

The brain child of Major Herbert W. “Bill” Donahue Jr., a retired member of the United States Marine Corp (USMC), UAP’s mission addresses the need for increased civic responsibility and adherence to the Constitution as well as specialized support services for veterans and their families.

Defending Our DefendersUAP’s Warrior Fund was originally conceived as a solution to the gross injustices facing American soldiers and Marines returning home from the Middle Eastern conflicts after 9/11.

“For the total of WWII, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, there were only seven service members who were tried

and convicted of an action that violates the accepted rules of engagement during war time, or a ‘crime during combat’.” Major Donahue says as he takes a pull from his signature, hand carved tobacco pipe. With his own extensive combat experience spanning over twenty-nine years, Major Donahue has seen firsthand how these cases are rooted in political strategy and foreign appeasement.

“Unfortunately, many of our warriors find themselves in the middle of courts martial that have little to no factual foundation. Everyone knows about the four types of patriots who are casualties of war – P.O.W.’s, K.I.A.’s, M.I.A’s and W.I.A.’s but the 5th Casualty is still largely unknown. The 5th Casualty are our heroes who make split second decisions in order to save the lives of our fellow servicemen and women. They go above and beyond – oftentimes making the ultimate sacrifice – in order to protect our nation. Afterwards, they return home and are persecuted for being good soldiers and Marines.”

Since the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq began, there have been over 213 Americans convicted for such acts. To date, UAP has been instrumental in securing the total exoneration and/or release of 31 soldiers and Marines from the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks (USDB) at Fort Leavenworth, KS, including Edmond, Oklahoma native Michael Behenna, a decorated army lieutenant convicted of a ‘crime during combat’ after eliminating the threat of a known Al Qaeda operative.

Throughout the lengthy, emotionally charged court proceedings prior to his release date, UAP (cont. on p. 17)

United American Patriots: An Introduction

BY ALLISON GREGG

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TRADITIONS SERVE AS ANCHORS BY NANCY M. HALL

seniormusings

When you think of traditions what comes to mind? The “same old same old,” which indicates staleness, boredom, being places and with people you would just as soon not be with, even for a limited time. Or does tradition conjure up a welcome, relaxed feeling, usually without any surprises? For some, traditions serve as anchors. Others, by nature, have need for changes, and not customs. Currently, one of the dressing ads running on TV shows a dressed up pilgrim ready to sit at the dinner table. He declares he has been waiting 364 days for this particular brand of dressing. When he learns

that brand is not being served, he cannot stand it. He feigns an attack of scurvy and has to be excused from the table. Does that sound too extreme? For some, maybe; others maybe not. Traditions offer stability for a too fast paced life, often with ragged edges. Holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas are perhaps the most characterized by family traditions. When there are changes in the family composition, births, marriages, deaths, in particular, some traditions may be challenged, modified, or even dropped due to circumstances. Changing situations

can be the impetus for beginning new activities, which in turn can become a tradition.

There have been enormous changes in my family situation this year due to the deaths of my two brothers. So, for the first time in my life, there will be no Christmas event at my place of birth. It is an occasion to remember some of the traditions in my family through the years. As children, each child selected a chair on which Santa would leave gifts. There was always a cedar tree cut from the farm, decorations of holly boughs, running cedar, nandina

Bake cookies

Candlelight communion

Caroling the neighborhood

Read Christmas books

Advent calendar

Bake cookies

Secret Santa

Wrapping party

Photo in front of tree

Christmas scavenger hunt

Volunteer at the shelter

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berries and any other natural leaves or berries we could use. The den, the living room and dining room, including the table were decorated. As my mother got older, a brother took over the decorating, which he loved. Each year he seemed to come up with some new wrinkle, as a result of scouring magazines and going to shows to get ideas. Decorating the house became a highlight for him.

Then there was the food. Usually at least 5-6 cakes were made prior to Christmas. This includes a coconut cake, which started with the hairy nut. The juice from it was extracted by inserting a sharp object into the “eyes.” The nut was cracked open and then the tedious tasks of separating the meat from the inner shell began. It seemed that most of the family had a favorite cake; daddy liked coconut; C.T., chocolate. John and Huldah liked caramel. I do not remember about older sister Madeline. My mother had a “sweet tooth” and I doubt she had a favorite. We had fruitcake also. I remember seeing her cut up the dried fruit after the supper meal. (I am still not sure how fruitcake has gotten such a bad rap.) I decided that I liked the cake, which combined nuts, dried fruit and coconut. I think my mother called it a Rocky Mountain cake. Truth be told, I prefer pie to cake, but it did not deter me from eating cake, just not as much. By the way, my favorite is coconut custard although I would not turn down a Boston Creme Pie.

We would usually eat a big meal in the middle of the day consisting of turkey/dressing, gravy, rice,

country ham, butter beans, sweet potatoes, asparagus casserole, cranberries, rolls, homemade cucumber and peach pickles, stuffed celery with cream cheese, and, of course, the desserts. After we grew older we would gather in the living room to receive presents, after the meal. The oldest daughter was designated to give out the presents. After her death, the oldest grandchild took on this responsibility. Before the frenzy of flying paper/ribbon and picture taking began, my mother would always take the Bible and read the Christmas story. She prefaced it by saying she wanted us to always remember what the holiday meant. This is one tradition for which I have assumed responsibility. When we were growing up I remember we were able to attend a church Christmas function, usually on Christmas Eve. I remember that each child/young person received a brown paper bag with orange, nuts, loose raisins, a candy cane and several pieces of hard candy. It was years later that I realized that this was all the “Christmas” some children received.

So, this season, some traditions will be honored with other family members in their homes and with friends. The best traditions will be to remember whom Christmas honors and to share that with family and friends.

Do you have traditions in your family? What do they mean to you? I would like to hear about them.

Have a merry and blessed Christmas!

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survivenowWINTER SURVIVAL KITS

AND KIT TIPS

Winter Survival Kit for Your Home

North Carolina may not experience the harsh winters that other regions of the United States do; however, North Carolina is no stranger to severe winter ice storms.

The extreme cold temperatures of winter ice storms make staying warm and safe a challenge. Here is how to create a winter survival kit for your home to help you and your family survive the cold grasp of winter.

The EssentialsFood: Food that requires no cooking or refrigeration such as bread, crackers, cereal, canned foods, and dried fruits. Remember baby food and formula if you have young children.Water: In case water pipes freeze or rupture, keep a supply of tap water or purchase bottled water. The recommended amount of water to keep is 5 gallons per person.Medicines: Roads may be inaccessible for several days due to the storm. Make sure to order or refill any prescriptions that family members may need.Identification: Make sure to keep forms of identification

with you such as social security card, passport, photo ID, and driver’s license. In addition, make sure to have bank account information, and insurance policies.

Emergency MaterialsAlternate methods to heat your home:Dry firewood for a fireplace or wood stoveKerosene for a kerosene heaterFurnace fuel (coal, propane, or oil)Solar productsBlanketsMatchesFirst Aid Kit and instruction manual

Multipurpose, dry-chemical fire extinguisherFlashlightBattery-powered radio, clock/watchExtra batteriesShovelRock saltNon-electric can opener

When creating a winter survival kit for your home, take into consideration factors that are specific to your home and family. For instance if your home is isolated or on the outskirts of a residential area, making it more difficult for help to reach you, make sure to stock additional amounts of food, water, and medicine. Listening to weather forecasts

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regularly can provide you with several days’ notice to allow you to check emergency materials and to stock-up on essential supplies.

Winter Survival Kit for Your CarEveryone should carry a Winter Survival Kit in their car. In an emergency, it could save your life and the lives of your passengers. Here is what you need:a shovelwindshield scraper and small broomflashlight with extra batteriesbattery powered radiowatersnack food including energy barsraisins and mini candy barsmatches and small candlesextra hats, socks and mittens

first aid kit with pocket knifenecessary medicationsblankets or sleeping bagroad salt, sand, or cat litter for tractionbooster cablesemergency flares and reflectorsfluorescent distress flag and whistle to attract attentioncell phone adapter to plug into lighter

Kit tipsReverse batteries in flashlight to avoid accidental switching and burnout.Store items in the passenger compartment in case the trunk is jammed or frozen shut.Choose small packages of food that you can eat hot or cold.

Practicing golf in the winter requires determination and some creativity. Freezing temperatures and snow drifts make it hard to get outside to work on your long shots. There are lots of drills and techniques you can work on to improve your swing even when it’s cold outside.

WORK ON STRENGTHWork on strength during the winter. Adding muscle can help you avoid injury and play better once you are out on the course again. Find a fitness program that you can commit to.

INCREASE YOUR SPEEDSwing a weighted club in your garage or basement. The PGA of America recommends swinging a weighted club a few minutes every day to improve strength in your wrists and arms, and to increase your clubhead speed.

GET A GRIPWork on your grip indoors. Keep the club inside your house during the winter and work on your grip several days a week while watching the Golf Channel.

PRACTICEWhen you get a break in the weather go to the practice range. Another option is to swing your club a couple of hundred times without actually hitting any balls. Make sure to practice each swing as if it were the real thing.

One local golf pro suggested including workouts with weights during the winter. He acknowledged that weight lifting will add to your strength and power and just maybe longer shots come Spring.

Yoga is an excellent way to increase your flexibility and to strengthen your core. The Plank is a great yoga move for improving core strength. Go to the Villagervoice website for specific yoga poses and weight exercises to improve your golf.

Editor’s Note: These tips are brought to you by our resident golfers Birdie and Bogey Sands.

DON’T PUT AWAY THOSE CLUBS

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A new online portable solar products com-pany has moved to Mocksville. Macell Incorporated which owns Solarproducts.me is located in downtown Mocksville.

Lisa Bell the com-pany President says” We wanted to move the company south from NH for many years. We believe that North Carolina’s sunny but cool climate, along with being busi-ness friendly is the perfect place to

expand our online store. We look forward to getting to know the outdoors men and women of the area

as well as the missionaries, rescue work-ers and consumers in the area that our

solar battery chargers and lights will help.”

Solar Products.me looks for-ward to doing more work with school age children by offer-ing science activities.

Bell has written a children’s book that will be available on the website in 2015. The book features characters that explain the benefits of solar

energy.

Solar Products.me Looking for-ward to a cleaner, greener future.

businessbriefONLINE PORTABLE SOLAR COMPANY MOVES

HEADQUARTERS TO MOCKSVILLE

Fact 1: Solar energy is a completely free source of energy and it is found in abundance. Though the sun is 90 million miles from the earth, it takes less than 10 minutes for light to travel from that much of distance.

Fact 2: Thermal storage systems can store solar energy in the form of heat by using common materials with high specific heat such as stone, earth and water. Solar energy can be stored also in molten salts.

Fact 3: Solar energy is being recognized as the future of alternative energy sources as it is non polluting and helps combat the Greenhouse effect on global climate created by use of fossils fuels.

Fact 4: The earth receives about 1,366 watts of direct solar radiation per square meter.

Fact 5: Solar power is noise pollution free. It has no moving parts, and does not require any additional fuel, other than sunlight, to produce power.

Fact 6: The largest solar power plant in the world is located in the Mojave Desert in California, covering 1000 acres.

SOLAR ENERGY FACTS

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Lisa Bell talks

SolarHow long have you been involved in the solar industry? -We have had the solar store since 2008 (6 years). The industry has changed so much in that short time. We have so many more products that are of high quality. For many years people in the U.S. just used solar garden lights. Those are good products but there are so many more ways to use portable solar energy products.

What type of products does your company carry? - We have portable solar battery chargers for the cell phones, laptops and tablets to stay charged. We also have some flashlights that are made from recycled aluminum. Our children’s line has a downloadable book and some science experiments. We have some lights that can be used in emergencies as well.

What prompted your move to North Carolina? - We thought we would try a winter without snow and we have some family members here.

What type of educational programs do you have planned?- I write a blog each week for adults and children to learn more about solar energy and what goes with it, such as batteries or energy storage. Everyone is invited to participate. We also go to science fairs. We have one scheduled this month. We will feature the solar mini house, a sun dial experiment and a solar motor for the kids to use their imaginations on.

Why should everyone consider using solar products? - They save money, time and resources. When you use a rechargeable solar flashlight you buy fewer batteries which means you have light when you need it (no more asking “honey, are we out of batteries?”). You are also putting less in the landfills and you can put the money that you save on the batteries toward something else. Solar energy is coming in more products than ever, so it is becoming a main source of energy. It makes living a little easier for everyone from the farmer to the soccer parents. A farmer can have an electric fence for his livestock that is solar powered so he spends less time installing it since there are no wires to run from a power source. Parents can charge phones and other devices

while they are on the go. They no longer have to charge in the house or the car. Solar chargers attach right to the phone so you can keep it with you.

How has the industry changed over the past few years? The solar panels have become more efficient and more people than ever are using them. Almost everywhere you go there is a solar panel helping a family or a community by lighting a yard or a sign. More people are becoming their own power stations which is creating more jobs in the energy field.

What prompted you to write a book for children about solar products? - I wrote the book to help the kids understand what solar energy does, how it works and to encourage them to participate in the energy solutions. Solar energy has some challenges to overcome and children are creative. They have the time and the imaginations to bring us to the solutions that we need. Someone told me once that if you can explain something to a three year old and they understand, everyone else will too. I have found that there are many adults who have the same questions as the kids and they learn with their kids. It makes a nice parent/child moment to learn something together.

Is your family involved in the business? - Yes, my husband helps me out a great deal. He edits my articles and he has even written one on the differences in light bulbs. Light bulbs are an important component to solar energy just like batteries are. They work together so the sun’s energy works more efficiently.

What was your background prior to starting Macell, Inc.?- Mike (my husband) is a retired Navy submarine veteran so we moved a lot. He is great with computers and electronics. I have a background in retail, real estate, financial planning and we home schooled our boys for years. That is why we love the science experiments.

What is one thing that most people do not know about you? - I like to paint just about any surface and work with tools to get home projects done.

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One of the best ways to kick off the holiday season is to decorate. And while it’s easy to load your cart with beau-tiful decor from your favorite store, Christmas is more personal when decorations are homemade.

No time you say? Between planning dinners for the fam-ily and throwing cocktail parties for friends, it can be overwhelming. But it is possible to survive it (and enjoy it) by keeping everything simple. This season, let your creative instincts shine through as you watch your man-tels, stairwells, and tables come to holiday life, with ideas like these:

Create a magical mantleFor most families, the living room is where gifts are exchanged, holiday movies are enjoyed and stories are shared gathered by the fireplace - a major focal point in the room. Give this cozy centerpiece a warm new look by creating a decorative display for your mantel.

Draping a festive garland is one way to achieve a distinc-tive display. Do-it-yourself banners and garland have become popular as a way to personalize your decor.

To make your own, start with a heavy fabric, like burlap or the kind used for upholstery, and cut enough pennants for your favorite holiday saying, like “Let it Snow.” Then using a snowflake stencil, spray paint the pattern with a silver color. Krylon Metallic Brilliant Silver, for example, works very well on fabric. Spray paint chipboard letters in a bright white. Once everything dries, spell out your mes-sage, one letter per pennant, and adhere the letters. Adorn the banner with plastic snowflakes and holly sprigs to finalize the festive look.

Trim a tree like a proThe Christmas tree is another major focal point in your liv-ing room during the holidays. If you’re tired of the same old display year after year, give the tree a fresh look by changing the ornaments and adding a theme.

Start by choosing a specific color scheme, such as red and gold. Don’t have enough decorations to match your new theme? It’s easy and affordable to create your own by using items already around the house. For example, use bulbs from an old string of lights to create a whimsi-cal decoration. Remove bulbs from the strand and spritz

gogreenCREATE A HAPPY HOMEMADE

HOLIDAY

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the inside of the bulb with Krylon ColorMaster Paint + Primer spray paint in cherry red, emerald green and global blue. Roll the bulb around to distribute the paint for a beautiful translucent look. Add a little glitz with Krylon Glitter Spray in resplendent red, glamorous green and magical multicolor to the outside of the bulb for a festive look, and top off with your favorite embel-lishments like ribbon or bells. You can even spray paint old ornaments so they fit into your new color scheme.

Once your new decor is complete, hang ornaments and lights on your tree before displaying it for the whole family to enjoy.

Add elegant table toppersIf you are hosting get-togethers for family and friends, add a sparkle to your table. Not sure where to start? First, choose two or three colors. Select a table cloth, table runner or placemats in your color palette and con-sider the arrangement for the middle of the table. Try

replacing the traditional red and green with gold and silver accessories - candles, napkin rings, small figures in the plates and other decorative accents. Include candles so the flickering flames can create a warm atmosphere. Even casu-ally scattered pine cones, fir branches, red roses or poinset-tias will add a special touch on the table.

It’s easy to make your fine china the highlight of the dinner; but this year, try making your placemats the conversation starter by utilizing antique sheet music - which can be found at old book stores or simply printed at home. These sheets will make for a chic and unconventional base for any place setting.

Remember, it doesn’t have to be a stressful time of year.With a little effort and creativity you can take your holiday decor from ho-hum to homey in no time. More information and additional project ideas can be found at www.krylon.com.

Villager Staff Favorite Christmas Tunes

Have Yourself a Merry Little ChristmasJudy Garland

Carol of the BellsDestiny’s ChildSanta Baby

Eartha KittWinter Wonderland

Eurythmics Blue Christmas

Elvis Presley What a Glorious Night

Sidewalk Prophets

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Tis the season for holiday cheer with Christmas and the New Year approaching. End-of-the-year festivities may bring friends and families closer, but with all of the season’s hustle and bustle, many pets may become overwhelmed and confused or exhibit negative behaviors resulting from unfamiliar sounds, smells and visitors that surround them before the New Year.

“Holidays can be a hectic time for everyone, including the family pet, which is why it’s important to make sure pets receive the attention and care they need this busy time of year,” says certified veterinary technician and dog trainer, Gayle DiMenna. “Providing consistency for your pet by maintaining the same feeding and exercise schedule will lessen your pet’s stress and confusion.”

“During the holidays we always have friends and family over, which is difficult for our dog who is very shy and tentative around strangers,” says Jill Diffendaffer, pet parent to beagle-dachshund mix, Gracie. “We’ve found over the past couple of years that by planning ahead for guests and setting aside some play time for Gracie, the holidays are much more enjoyable for everyone.”

To ensure your pets have a happy, safe and low stress holiday, take extra care for your pet and plan ahead with these simple solutions: • Try to maintain your pet’s usual routine, including consistent feeding, play and exercise schedules.

• If possible, try to exercise your pet, especially dogs, before guests come over to help decrease any hyperactivity and

stress.

• Consider leashing your dog before opening the door for visitors to ensure greater control over your pet and to prevent escapes.

• Dogs tend to pant more when they become stressed. Be sure to keep water readily available to prevent dehydration.

• Prepare a quiet place for your pet to use as a retreat when holiday activities and guests become overwhelming. • Try a pheromone-based product, such as Comfort Zone with D.A.P. for dogs and Comfort Zone with Feliway for cats, which can calm and soothe pets having trouble coping with holiday stress.

• Never leave your pet alone with unfamiliar children, regardless of how well behaved your pet is, to avoid potential incidents.

• Make sure your pet wears his tags at all times in case he escapes from the house or yard.

• Do not let guests feed your pet food from their plates, which can be hazardous to your pet’s health. Instead, leave treats out for your guests to give to your favorite furry friends as a reward for good behavior.

Pet parents looking for additional tips and advice can visit www.petcomfortzone.com for more information.

Save Pets from Stress During the Holiday Season

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(cont. from p. 7) supported Lt. Behenna by providing modest travel stipends for his family as well as financial support for his legal fees.

The PFC Corey Clagett StoryCurrently, UAP’s Warrior Fund represents seven soldiers or Marines who have been charged with war crimes including Corey Clagett, a South Carolina native who is currently serving an eighteen year sentence at the USDB.

During Operation Iron Triangle in Iraq, a Blackhawk helicopter dropped Clagett’s squad on an island consisting of two homes. Col. Michael Steele – whose famed military career has since fallen under a veil of disgrace – gave the soldiers an order to kill all military-aged males. The target population was rife with terrorists and Taliban sympathizers who had taken American lives. Tensions were high and the American soldiers were on high alert. When Clagett’s staff sergeant ordered him to shoot and kill a terrorist, the 21 year old allegedly complied. As the youngest and lowest ranking member of the squad, he was fearful of the consequences of disobeying the order.

A few days after the incident, authorities launched an investigation into the deaths. The staff sergeant threatened Clagett and another soldier telling them to “stick to the story.” In the beginning, Clagett held fast to the truth and would not corroborate the Army’s fabricated events. As a result of his innocent belief that the truth would prevail, pre-trial and pre-conviction, Clagett was detained in Kuwait for a year. American guards abused Clagett and threatened him. He would often go unfed. Meals were given only after the guards spit in and further defiled his food. While chained in the fetal position, he was forced to sleep in a barren, cage-like structure. Clagett was subjected to 24 hours of bright lights a day. He was held in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day, enduring harsher conditions than the terrorists at Guantanamo Bay.

The year of abuse eventually broke Clagett. He did not want to agree to help the US Army cover up the truth. But he was physically and emotionally beaten, tired, and alone.After being threatened with the prospect of life in prison or the death penalty, his military attorney – a JAG officer who had never tried a murder case – advised the young private to take a plea deal. The memories of abuse fresh in his mind, Clagett agreed to cooperate and testify against his staff sergeant. The US Army was victorious. Clagett was sentenced to 18 years in prison.

“I always remember what life was like before tragedy hit our

family,” says Melanie Dianiska, Clagett’s mother and fiercest supporter. “Corey grew up in the fields picking tomatoes. He also shelled peas and butters beans and shucked many bushels of corn. He helped can veggies too. When Corey was a toddler he would hang onto my leg. He did not want me to leave a room without him. He was a colic baby until about four month of age. Thank God for my parents and family for help until it passed. Corey was on the A-B honor roll all through elementary. Corey was very protective of his family and would stand up for his brothers when they needed him. He was there when I needed him. At the age of eight he saved my life. I was running a produce stand on the side of the road and I was being

assaulted, but Corey saw what was happening and he ran and jumped on the back of one them. In him doing so they stopped and took off. I was unconscious and bleeding and my three boys by the grace of God packed up that 8X10 trailer and drove a 5 speed pick up 5 miles down a four lane highway to our home. Corey than ran to a neighbors to call police.”

This brave spirit has carried Clagett through this whole ordeal and he relies on the prayers and support from patriotic citizens who are outraged at the tragic miscarriages of justice that occurs when young soldiers and Marines face convictions. After a speedy and unbalanced courts-martial where our brave service men are charged with murder despite rules of engagement that explicitly order them to eliminate the enemy and secure freedom for all, young men whose military careers are often times their first time away from home see the golden flames of their future extinguished. (cont. on p. 18)

Jenny Montgomery and Major Donahue work on the case.

Save Pets from Stress During the Holiday Season

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(cont. on p. 17) “We have had the door slammed in our face so many times,” Dianiska says. “People promise to help and don’t come through. I found folks are willing to go to any means to save an animal before helping an American Soldier who could have died and come back in a coffin to make this country a little safer. This is not the kind of story you hoped to hear about, but things happen in war and Corey needed and still needs your help. We can’t do this alone as a family. UAP can’t do this alone and certainly Corey can’t do this on his own. We have to rely on the American public to help. It is hard to ask others to help, but we don’t have the means to do it on our own.”

An Investment in Our Country’s FutureUnfortunately, Clagett’s story isn’t unusual and with our current political climate, Major fears that there will be more instances where our noble defenders need defense against a flawed judicial system.

Major Donahue’s vision has taken many years to come to fruition and though he is proud of the organization’s success, he acknowledges that there is still work to be done.

“UAP was founded because I truly wanted to make a difference for our Country’s future,” he says. “We enjoy many freedoms because of the sacrifices of millions of brave men and women and they should be honored every day. The best way to do this is to promote honor, loyalty, and patriotism – the very tenets on which UAP was founded. By supporting the women and men of our Armed Forces and their families, and providing educational resources that promote volunteerism, every American citizen can have a part in exacting real change. We, the people, can dictate what sort of America we will leave to our children, grandchildren and generations to come.”

Editor’s Note: Allison Gregg serves as director of public relations for United American Patriots (UAP),a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization committed to serving veterans and their families. To learn more about UAP, the Warrior Fund and what you can do to help us Defend Our Defenders, please call 336.497.5001 or e-mail [email protected].

Mr. Pumpkinhead’s Fabulous Fall Festival is the first in the series of Pumpkinny Tales. Mr. Pumpkinhead is a mischievous pumpkin who often gets into trouble because of his curiosity and adventurous spirit. In this story, Mr. Pumpkinhead talks his pumpkin friends into joining him in what he thinks is a well planned, nighttime adventure. He uses his pumpkin magic to create a pumpkin man that dances and sings its way around the farmyard, coaxing the animals on Friendly Farm to join in the adventure. When the animals refuse to go without rest, the pumpkin man continues to dance and sing all through the night. The next day, all of the pumpkins, including Mr. Pumpkinhead, sleep right through the fun of the Fabulous Fall Festival. In the end, Mr. Pumpkinhead agrees that he

and all the pumpkins should have gone to bed instead of playing all through the night.

The book was penned by Loyd Taylor, pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Clemmons. He was inspired to write the book after driving through Lewisville on a autumn day and noticing pumpkins arranged to look like a“pumpkin lady.”

“After seeing that I thought it would be great to create a character with pumpkins.” Taylor said. “Six years later I had a completed book.”

Tiffany Petitt illustrated the book with rich, vibrant colors.

The book is available at www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com,

Local Pastor Writes Children’s Book

“Success is not counted by how high you have climbed but by how many people you brought with you.”

Dr. Wil Rose

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The Candle Tea, regarded by many as the opening event of the Christ-mas season in Winston-Salem, is held annually in the historic Single Brothers’ House on Salem Square, which was built in 1769. The Women’s Fellowship of Home Moravian Church coordinates this event. All profits from the Candle Tea are distributed to non-profit agencies, locally and internationally. Guests are greeted by hosts in early Moravian dress and are guided through the Candle Tea.

Guests are admitted to the Candle Tea in groups of 35 approximately every 15 minutes. Reservations are not available.

• Share a meaningful event with family and friends.• Sing Christmas carols, accompanied by our 1797 Tannenberg

organ.• See how we make the beeswax candles used in our Christmas Eve

candlelight lovefeasts• Enjoy the warmth of a cup of Moravian coffee and a piece of

sugar cake• Hear what life was like for those who founded and lived in Salem.

View the putz (miniature replica) of early Salem.• Listen to the Christmas story as you view the lighted Nativity

putz.

Home Moravian Church Candle Tea 2014529 S. Church Street

Thursday & Friday, Dec. 4-5 & 11-12 – 1:00 to 8:30 pmSaturday, Dec. 6 & 13 – 11:30 am to 8:30 pm

Contact information: [email protected] or call 336-749-9463 All proceeds from Candle Tea are distributed to non-profit agencies, locally and internationally.

The Putz at the Candle Tea

The Putz (pronounced “puts”) is a German word meaning “to decorate” and is a miniature scene. In Salem, it was common for each family to have a putz in its home, which would always have included a Nativity scene, and sometimes a village or farm scene as well. Setting up the putz was an exciting family tradition that began with gathering greenery for the scene. After the scenes were assembled, families visited each other to see each putz. Our Salem putz is a scale model of what Salem looked like many years ago. You will see carefully constructed replicas of the earliest houses in Salem as well as many daily activities such as laundry being hung on clotheslines, firewood being chopped, even a few deer and cows in places you would not expect them. At our Nativity putz, you will watch the lighted scenes as you listen to the story of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ

~ The Candle Tea ~

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Black Sand Gravel & Landscape MaterialsResidential & Commercial

“In Business Since 1927”Pick-Up or Delivery

Mortor Sand • River Sand • White Sand • Fill SandKid Cushion • Hardwood Mulch • Gravel & White Peebles

Bark & Brick Nuggets • Blended Ph Balanced Compost Topsoil

745 West Clemmonsville Road • Winston-Salem

(336) 788-6411 Mon-Fri: 7:30 - 5:30Sat: 8:30 - 3:00Mark Shoaf

Cindy Shoaf

MartzWarren

Let Us Protect Your Fine Tables...

TABLE TOP COVERS, INC.

336•766 0253•Free EstimatesFast Delivery

MJS ROOFINGHave Trouble with Leaks?

Call MICHAEL SPEAKS336-391-3139

Free Estimates • Licensed & Insured

1094 Hanes Mall Boulevard(Target Shopping Center)

• Typically 30% Off Retail Prices• Free Delivery for Orders with $100 Minimum• World’s Leading Retailer of Remanufactured Cartridges • 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

Hours: Mon-Fri 9-6 & Sat 10-5774-7012

www.cartridgeworldusa.com/Store107

Aphroditi KatsoudasHomestyle

Draperies+Alterations

2565 Old Glory RdClemmons NC27012

336 766-4040Like us on Facebook!!!

K9 Classy ClipsDog Grooming

Member of the National Pet Groomers Association

2442 W. Clemmonsville RoadWinston-Salem, NC 27127

336.765.6244

JSM ServicesElectricalRoofingMinor Construction

336-745-6829LicensedFree Estimates

Check Us Out!safe, loving, learning environment

6-weeks to 12-years oldImmanuel Baptist Church

Daycare766-4055

1505 Lewisville-Clemmons RoadClemmons, NC

Need Reliable and Affordable Childcare?

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Call us today at 844.242.8466 or visit us online at www.peerpointsolutions.com.

Call now and let’s start working toward a brighter future.

IT Recruiting & Staffing Excellence

Whether an employer searching for IT resources or an IT professional seeking employment, we are

here to assist you in every regard.

Free Trial Class for New Students!Programs Available to Fit Everyone’s

Needs for All Ages!

4786 Kinnamon Road, W-S, NC 27103336-766-3599

www.clemmonsgymnastics.com

Free Trial Class for New Students!Programs Available to Fit Everyone’s

Needs for All Ages!

· Gymnastics Classes

· Tumbling Classes

· AAU Competitive Team

· Preschool Classes

· Parent & Tot Classes

· After-School Care

· Parent’s Night Out

· Day Camps· Summer Camps· Birthday Parties· Saturday Clinic

PeerPoint Solutions, Inc.

“Where Every Child Is A Champion”

Free Trial Class for New Students! No Contracts!

Happy 60th Anniversary

Jerry & Martha Koontz

12/3/2014

Red Door Health & Wellness

Eco-Friendly Drinking Water Systems

Durastill Distillers RFC Whole House System

Call for our December and January Specials!

766-3349

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A

Serving Our Community Since 1968!

2251 Cloverdale AvenueWinston-Salem, NC

(336) 725-4701www.cloverdalekitchen.com

Southern

Family Restaurant

4689 Yadkinville RoadPfafftown, NC 27040

(336) 922-4784

HOURSMon - Fri: 11 AM - 9 PM

Sat: 4 PM - 9 PMSun: 11 AM - 2:30 PM

Southern

Family Restaurant

4689 Yadkinville RoadPfafftown, NC 27040

(336) 922-4784

HOURSMon - Fri: 11 AM - 9 PM

Sat: 4 PM - 9 PMSun: 11 AM - 2:30 PM

PETE’S Family Restaurant

2661 Lewisville-Clemmons Rd.

Clemmons, NC(336) 766-6793

SERVING BREAKFASTMon-Sat

6:00 am - 11:00 amCheck out our Daily Specials!

A Clemmons Favorite!

Omega House Restaurant1498 Peters Creek Pkwy

724-5262

Delicious Family Style Cooking Here at Southern Family we wish you

and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Gift Certificates AvailableVillager Staff Favorite

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Many elders in nursing homes and retirement centers are often forgot-ten during the holidays. Imagine being alone and without a gift or visit during the holiday season. The Silver Stocking Project is a grass-roots, community based project that delivers gifts to our elders who are without friends or family. A personal visit is included when the gifts are delivered.

Since 2005 we have provided Christmas visits to thousands of lonely nursing home residents.

ITEMS REQUESTEDPersonal Care Items: Baby Powder, Lotion, Body Wash, Shampoo/Conditioner, Deodorant, Toothpaste, Kleenex, Razors, Shaving Cream, After Shave, etc. Clothing: Socks, T-Shirts, Sweatshirts, Slippers, Night Gowns, Sweat Suits, Ball Caps, Lap Throws, Knit Scarves, BlanketsFood: Candy (Regular & Diabetic), Fruit, Crackers

If you would like to volunteer or donate items, please call:

336-766-1211www.silverstocking.org

DROP BOXES

ClemmonsGoin Postal

Pete’sCapital One

BB&TAlpha & Omega Printing

Red DoorFood Lion-Kinnamon

Shopping Center

PfafftownSouthern Family

Restaurant

Winston Salem BB&T

Stratford Rd.

Please check the web-site for additional

Drop-sites.

“The volunteers at Silver Stocking take time out of their holiday schedule to deliver the gifts a few days before Christmas. The smiles on the elderly faces of the residents that the Silver Stocking Program serves can be life changing.”

Cyndy, Southfork Assisted Living

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Commercial Property in Clemmons

Reduced to $425,000.47 acre

9,680 sq. ftZoned HB

Two Brick buildingsBuilding one is an office building with a full

basement.

Building two is a warehouse with dock and a 1,220 square foot mezzanine level

.CALL: 336-671-7583

email: [email protected]

REAL ESTATE

According to a recent article by Bloomberg, U.S. millionaires see real estate as the top alternative-asset class to own this year, according to Morgan Stanley.

About 77 percent of investors with at least $1 million in assets own real estate, according to a survey released today by the New York-based investment bank’s wealth-management unit. Direct ownership of residential and commercial properties was the No. 1 alternative-investment pick for 2014, with a third of millionaires surveyed saying they plan to buy this year.

Owning the real estate is attractive because of the expected appreciation of property value and stream of rental income, as well as better control and supervision over the investments.

2513Neudorf

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440 Doub Rd. Lewisville, NC [email protected]

www.patriaproperties.com

336-407-3033

FOR SALE BY OWNERPhone 336-306-0548

Block 3935 lot 038$575,000

($3.90 per square foot)

Approximately 3 1/2 acres plus or minus that can be developed and rezoned

Great location for offices and potential retailAdjoins Homestead Hills senior living

3330 Burke Mill RdWinston Salem, NC

Near entrance to Kimmel ParkClose to the Veterans Association

2 blocks from Stratford Road2 blocks from Hanes Mall Blvd

Convenient to Interstate 40 by pass

3330 Burke Mill Road

Build in beautiful LewisvilleThree 1.67 acre lots in the

desirable Lewisville Community Located on a dead end on

Dalton Rd. Convenient to 421/40 and 77 Bring your plans

and build here.

atria ropertiesP

This brick home is located in a lovely community with horses and grapevines. It has been remodeled with hardwood floors, kitchen and master bath. Enjoy a private screened porch, sundeck, and hot tub. Entertain in the finished basement w/game room, wet bar, bedroom, bath, wine cellar, and future kitchen. Beautifully landscaped with fruit trees, gardening areas and a large backyard.

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getfitMANAGE YOUR WEIGHT

AND STILL ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS

The holidays are here and for most people this is a busy and celebratory time. It’s a chance to reconnect with old friends and family you may not see the rest of the year, celebrate the season, exchange gifts, and share stories over dinner or dessert.

While celebrating can be a good thing, if you’re trying to manage your weight, those dinners and desserts can seem daunting. The good news is that there are ways to manage the situation successfully.

Molly Wangsgaard, MS, RD, NSCA-CPT, the director of nutrition at Curves/Jenny Craig, says it is possible to survive the holiday season without sacrificing your weight-management plan. Below are some of her tips to help you keep on track:

* Don’t skip meals to save all of your calories for the big feast. Follow your healthy meal plan for the day (Jenny Craig promotes eating five to six times a day) so you are not starving by dinner time and you can enjoy your holiday favorites in moderation.

* Take detours to avoid temptation. Think: out of sight, out of mind. During the holidays, gift baskets with calorie-laden treats are seemingly around every corner, so try to avoid the communal room at the office where the treats are left.

* Bring a beautiful vegetable platter to the party so you will have plenty to munch on without breaking the calorie bank. Fill up the majority of your plate with the healthy veggies, then add small portions of the more indulgent treats so you can enjoy them without overindulging. Plus, maybe your healthy eating will encourage others.

* Think before you drink. Yes, you can have alcohol and still lose weight. Just opt for something a little lower in calories, like a wine spritzer (only 60 calories) or a flute of champagne (about 80-100 calories), instead of a traditional cocktail. And beware ... those eggnog concoctions are full of fat and calories.

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* Turn holiday shopping into an opportunity to get moving. Park farther away from the door while at the mall, and take the stairs instead of the escalator. And, above all, enjoy the holiday season. Spend time on the dance floor at your company holiday party, or play in the snow with your kids to burn some extra calories and relieve stress.

* Reward yourself for the healthy choices you are making with non-food treats. Enjoy a relaxing bubble bath to ease stress and take some time for yourself. Pick up your favorite holiday-scented candle when you’re out running errands. Give yourself 10 minutes a night to read the latest bestseller.

* Get a jump on your New Year’s resolution. Rather than waiting until January to start up a new fitness routine, start adding some activity into your day during the holidays. Make a plan to meet a friend for a brisk walk a few days a week, or track your steps with a pedometer and increase each week. By the time the new year rolls around, you’ll be ready to start a workout routine that incorporates both strength training and cardio (think Curves!) for a full body workout and a healthier 2015.

Using the tips above can help you celebrate guilt-free and enjoy a healthy holiday season. To find more weight-management tips for the holiday season, visit Curves on Facebook and Twitter and Jenny Craig on Facebook and Twitter.

COUSIN LOLITATwas the night before Christmas and all through the house, little Lolita looked and looked for her beloved pet mouse. My cousin Lolita was a beautiful child but a bit odd by any standard. She had a white pet mouse named “Lincoln,” but she never kept him in a cage. The family was constantly on the hunt for Lincoln and often set out trails of cheese to find him.

Uncle Griswold had rescued Lincoln from his lab at work. Lolita’s days and nights revolved around the little mouse, and she brought him to all of our family reunions. She transported him in an extravagant cage, which was designed to look like the Taj Mahal. I always looked forward to seeing the family lug the big cage into the living room and place the tiny little mouse inside.

One Christmas Lolita begged for a dachshund puppy. Against her parents’ better judgment, they relented and on Christmas Eve of 1956, Lolita got her wish. Lincoln was perched on Lolita’s shoulder as she sang her favorite Christmas song, “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” when the dachshund spotted the tiny mouse. In a matter of seconds, the dog lunged into the air, snatched little Lincoln, and ran through the house. No trace of Lincoln was ever found, and the dachshund was sent to an animal sanctuary in Utah. Lolita never sang her favorite Christmas song again, and the Taj Mahal remained in the backyard as a memorial.

Ariel Bouvier’s books are available at:The Cricket’s Nest

4401 Country Club RoadWinston-Salem, NC 27104

From the Ariel Bouvier Archives

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There is a better thing than the observance of Christmas day, and that is, keeping Christmas.

Are you willing... • to forget what you have done for other people, and to remember what other people have done for you; • to ignore what the world owes you, and to think what you owe the world; • to put your rights in the background, and your duties in the middle distance, and your chances to do a little more than your duty in the foreground; • to see that men and women are just as real as you are, and try to look behind their faces to their hearts, hungry for joy; • to own up to the fact that probably the only good reason for your existence is not what you are going to get out of life, but what you are going to give to life; • to close your book of complaints against the manage-ment of the universe, and look around you for a place where you can sow a few seeds of happiness. Are you willing to do these things even for a day? Then you can keep Christmas.

Are you willing... • to stoop down and consider the needs and desires of little children; • to remember the weakness and loneliness of people growing old;

• to stop asking how much your friends love you, and ask yourself whether you love them enough; • to bear in mind the things that other people have to bear in their hearts; • to try to understand what those who live in the same home with you really want, without waiting for them to tell you; • to trim your lamp so that it will give more light and less smoke, and to carry it in front so that your shadow will fall behind you; • to make a grave for your ugly thoughts, and a garden for your kindly feelings, with the gate open— Are you willing to do these things, even for a day? Then you can keep Christmas.

Are you willing... • to believe that love is the strongest thing in the world— • stronger than hate, stronger than evil, stronger than death— • and that the blessed life which began in Bethlehem nineteen hundred years ago is the image and brightness of the Eternal Love?

Then you can keep Christmas. And if you can keep it for a day, why not always? But you can never keep it alone.

by Henry van Dyke

Keeping Christmas

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299 Jonestown Road Winston-Salem

(336) 293-6371

SUPPORT LOCAL

BUSINESS

Memberships sold until January 31, 2015 This is the BEST deal in town offered by one of the BEST restaurants in town. 2015 will be a great year, especially for our MEMBERS. So join today and spread the word. Thanks and welcome to the family.

ENJOY!

Happy Holidays!

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BAKERY

We make the holidays delicious.

Visit www.deweys.com for complete store listings and to shop online.

~Visions of sugar plums have met their match~

River Ridge Shopping Center (near Food Lion)1456 River Ridge Dr.

Tanglewood Commons at Harper Road and U.S. 158Fundraising store benefiting West Forsyth High School Band Fans

4061 Clemmons Road

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2014_Clemmons Villager Ad.pdf 1 11/20/14 9:22 AM