Story by Jamie Parsell

Beauty and brains. It takes both to climb up a rock. Foot by foot, hand by hand, a woman climbs to the top of a West Virginia mountain. Above, endless blue sky stretches out, meeting the dark green of the Appalachian hills. Beauty in its sincerest form. To get to that point, a woman must use her brains, strategically placing hands and feet in the side of the mountain. She must use her muscles, strong arms and legs to propel her to the top. Sweat and exhaustion may threaten to overwhelm the climber. But sheer determination and a quiet defiance cheer her to the top — where beauty and freedom wait for the victor.

Rock climbing, an adventure sport, is typically considered a man’s domain. But Beth Gills, marketing director of Ace Adventure Resort in Oak Hill, W.Va., does not agree with that stereotype. “Women can be just as good as men at rock climbing,” said Gills, a former climber who taught climbing at the University of Virginia.

It is not a man’s world anymore. Thirteen years ago Erin Yakim, a manager and guide at Hard Rock Climbing in Fayetteville, W.Va., took up the sport. At age 25, she went climbing with some male friends.

“I fell in love with it,” Yakim said. The next day, she went out and bought her own equipment and has been climbing ever since. Around that time, other women began climbing, creating a popularity base in areas like West Virginia.

Around the New River Gorge region, women routinely meet to climb some of the area’s most beautiful backdrops. Yakim meets with a specific group of women every Thursday evening for a women’s only climb.

The lure of the outdoors tempts a majority of women to places like Ace Adventure Resort and Hard Rock Climbing. To get to a climbing site, climbers must first hike at least a half an hour to an hour. The real beauty of the sport is the variety of climbing. Want to enjoy the scenery? Take it easy. Want to challenge yourself? Push to the top.
“It is not a team sport,” Yakim said. “You are setting the bar for yourself. Everyday is something different.”

Rock climbing is not just about strength, says Yakim. It is more than strong calves and biceps; climbing creates technique and finesse. There is also a thread of confidence that runs through a woman’s body.

“Whenever you break out from your daily routine and pursue something new, confidence is reinforced. You’ll find you’ll be able to take on more challenges. It also improves your attitude,” Gills said. “You feel better about yourself, you feel stronger physically and mentally. Believe me, people will notice the change in you. Again, it’s something that affects your whole world, not just within the activity.”

After a climb, a whole new world awaits — the top of the world, West Virginia style. What can you see? Gills sees a wilderness setting, lush forests against a hard rock, wildlife and beautiful vistas. What does she feel? Freedom. Yakim experiences a sense of pride, accomplishment and plain old excitement.

Do you have to be a fitness superstar to take advantage of West Virginia’s mountains? Not really, according to both Yakim and Gills. While it is best to have a routine of physical activity, both Ace Adventure Resorts and Hard Rock Climbing offer a half-day climbing guide. According to Yakim, a half-day trip will help establish the possibility of an interest in the sport. And anyone is welcome — children as young as 6 and adults in their 70s can enjoy the beauty of rock climbing.

Beginners are supplied all the equipment, from helmets to shoes. A guide sets up the route from the bottom of the mountain to the top. A top rope system with anchors previously established or natural anchors, like trees and rocks is set up by a guide. There is no fear. While you search for a foothold, the guide takes up the slack; if you fall, you basically sit back in your harness. Gills advises women to bring sunscreen, keep hair in a ponytail, wear comfortable clothes and even bring bug repellent on the trip.

Once comfortable, a beginner can take on new challenges with full day trips. These type of trips and classes will teach climbers how to set up anchoring systems, tie knots and balaying, a technique that controls climbers with a rope. Just like any new hobby, rock climbing takes practice. And the speed of learning varies according to time, devotion and ability.

“It depends on the individual. People can have a natural ability. You can see in their movement — the way they move on the rock,” Yakim said.

Adventures, like rock climbing, bring out the beauty in strength, combined with the awe of a place like the New River Gorge. With confidence, strength and determination — the fluidity of all three working together creates a beauty that is unique to the outdoor world. P

Story by Kim Parrish
Photos by Eric DiNovo

Spring fashions for the 2009 season are shaping up to be bolder than ever with an eclectic mix of stripes, ombre, dots and vivid colors. Gone for now are the tired fallbacks of pastels and florals, the usual announcement of the approaching season. So prepare to throw out your fashion rule books, shed the stylish handcuffs and think more than pink as we embark on a fashion revolution!

Without the typical rules applying, you’re now free to tackle spring shopping with a new kind of fervor.
Bypass the multitude of floral prints on the racks and search for something more appealing and expressive than a muted pastel yellow or pale pink. Be courageous and daring, effortlessly mixing stripes and polka dots. The top designers haven’t been shy about showing their love of varied prints and pairing them together to make a statement this season — why not give it a try too!

For complete article, see the current issue of Prerogative Magazine - on newsstands now!

Story by Jamie Parsell
Photos by Eric DiNovo

Oh baby! Let’s play the name game. In the 1900s, Mary and John took first place for the most popular name in the U.S. Fast forward to 2000. Jacob and Emily took the prize for the most popular name in America. According to the Social Security Administration, the names Hannah, Madison and Ashley followed the top spot in the year 2000 for girls. Michael, Matthew and Joshua made the top 10 list for boys. However, name popularity can vary by state. In West Virginia, the top name in 2007 was Madison, followed by Emma, Emily, Abigail and Hannah. On the boys side, Jacob remains the most popular name for boys in the mountain state. However, names such as Ethan, Logan, Austin and Hunter also made the top five. In Virginia, the most popular name for 2007 for girls was Madison, Abigail, Emily, Olivia and Emma. On the boys side, the name William made a surprising steal for No. 1, followed by Jacob, Christopher, Joshua and Michael.

From the Marys of the 1900s to the Deborahs of the ’50s and ’60s, the name game is a trend — just like clothing, shoes and colors. Sandy Counts, nursing director of Princeton Community Hospital’s Women’s Center, started out as an obstetrics nurse 32 years ago.

“We have seen some interesting names,” Counts said, citing the names Mercedes and Heavenly Sunshine as the most unique names for newborns. However, she admits those names don’t happen very often. A majority of parents follow the name trends set by celebs and popular votes in books, magazines and culture.

“I do recall the trend for naming girls Shannon, Nicole and Michelle,” she said. “The boys were named Christopher, Jeremy and Dakota.”
Angel Sylvester, another obstetrics nurse at PCH, recalls the trend of the “M” names like Madison, Mackenzie and Madeline, as well as Victoria, Haley and Brittany.

One popular trend — several years ago — centered around soap opera stars and seasonal names such as April, Autumn, Summer and Noel. Today, parents seem content to use baby books for inspiration.

Celeb influence

A unique baby name — thanks to celebrity moms — is an instant way to gather attention. Names like Suri, the daughter of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, made waves in 2006. In July of 2008, actress Nicole Kidman and country superstar Keith Urban welcomed daughter Sunday Rose. And another famous pair, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, named their daughter Shiloh Jolie-Pitt. But do celebrity names have an influence on new mothers?
“I have seen one Shiloh,” Counts said. “But no Sunday Rose or Suri.”

Celebs are known for choosing unusual baby names. No one can forget these names: Apple, Coco, Bronx Mowgli, Sage Moonblood and Pilot Inspektor.
New mother Heather Yahya named her newborn daughter, Jadyn Nicole. Yahya, a 30-year old Princeton resident, and her husband Joseph picked the name after hearing it in reference to actor Will Smith, who named his own son Jaden.

“We were not sure about the spelling so we bought baby books,” said Yahya, who gave birth on Jan. 6. “It was the first name that we picked out. Jadyn was my No. 1 choice. It was pretty much set from the beginning. It is kinda unusual and you don’t hear it used as a girl name as much.”

Sylvester, who has worked at PCH for 15 years, thinks that parents are going back to more traditional names — Olivia, Lilly, Isabella and Ava — that are older and more refined than contemporary names. Ethan, Caden and Noah have been popular boys names that also follow this traditional trend.

“They are naming babies after grandmothers and grandfather,” Sylvester said.

Deneena Lugar, formerly of Bluefield, W.Va., named her baby boy Owen Ashby, a traditional and family name. Lugar and her husband, Mark, who now reside in Beaver, W.Va., chose the name Owen because of its traditional qualities. The middle name — Ashby— is after Deneena’s husband’s grandfather.

“I wanted something different but something that would carry him into adulthood,” Deneena said. “Sometimes little boy names don’t make good man names.”

Picking a family name is not uncommon, according to Counts. Many parents combine names, using either the beginning or ending of two different names.

Rebecca Ann Botts, who is due to give birth in February, picked out the name Ella Mae Ann for her new daughter. Botts, along with husband Mark picked out the name Ella because it is an old family name. The couple chose the middle name, Mae, because they both share the same birth month, May. Ann is Bott’s middle name.

“I wanted a name that was not too trendy, where she will not have five other kids in her class named the same thing,” Botts said. “Also, a name that is pretty and sweet but can still sound respectful as an adult.”

For complete article, please see the current issue of Prerogative Magazine - on newsstands now!

Story and recipe photos by Patricia Reese

The egg has been referred to as “nature’s most perfect food,” providing 13 essential nutrients including high-quality protein, choline, folate, iron and zinc. Plus, a single egg contains only about 75 calories.

However, in recent years, the humble egg has received a bad rap due to its high cholesterol content. One out of four people still avoid eggs for fear of contributing to heart disease and stroke.

But confusing news comes from the world of medicine. A 2007 study of 9,500 people as reported in the Medical Science Monitor proclaims that eating one or more eggs per day does not increase the risk of heart disease and stroke among healthy adults. On the other hand, the Harvard School of Medicine reports that eating eggs may increase the risk of heart attack for diabetics, especially males. The key word here is “healthy.”

The American Heart Association recommends limiting cholesterol intake to 300 milligrams of dietary cholesterol per day for those individuals who have normal LDL (bad cholesterol). A single egg contains 213 milligrams of cholesterol, so if one limits other sources of cholesterol (fats, meats, etc.), an egg a day is fine. However, for those who have high LDL or who must take medication to lower cholesterol, the American Heart Association recommends less than 200 milligrams of cholesterol a day.

In light of all of this, nothing beats eggs (no pun intended), whether they are fresh, egg substitutes, or simply egg whites as ingredients in fabulous brunch dishes. Also, egg dishes span the spectrum, from traditional to contemporary, regional to exotic. You decide for yourself which form to use and which dish to try from the following offerings of “egg”-cellent recipes.

Traditional Eggs Benedict
(May use fresh eggs, egg substitute or egg whites)

• 2 English muffins, split
  
• Butter or margarine, softened
  
• 4 slices Canadian bacon
  
• 4 poached eggs (egg substitute or egg whites cooked in the poacher or in a skillet)
  
• 1 package of Hollandaise sauce mix (I like Knorr)
  

Spread cut slices of muffins with butter. Broil until lightly browned. Place a slice of Canadian bacon on each muffin half; top with egg, and cover with Hollandaise sauce.
Serves two.

Exotic Eggs Divan

• 1/2 cup uncooked long grain rice
  
• 1 package (10 ounces) frozen broccoli spears
  
• 4 tablespoons butter or margarine
  
• 1 tablespoon flour
  
• 1 teaspoon salt
  
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
  
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  
• Dash of cayenne pepper
  
• 3/4 cup milk
  
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
  
• 4 hard boiled eggs
  

Cook rice following label directions. Add butter, salt, and pepper to taste. Cook broccoli following label directions. Add butter, salt and pepper to taste. Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan; blend in flour, salt, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and cayenne. Cook 1 minute. Stir in milk. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and bubbles. Remove from heat; add 1 cup cheese and stir until melted. Spread rice over bottom of 10-inch pie plate or quiche pan. Arrange broccoli over rice, reserving a few broccoli florets for garnish. Top with 2/3 of the cheese sauce. Slice eggs and arrange over sauce, reserving a few egg slices for garnish. Cover dish with foil and bake at 375 F for 10 minutes. Remove from oven, uncover and top with remaining sauce, remaining 1 cup cheese, and garnish with reserved egg slices and broccoli florets. Increase temperature to 400 F and bake 10 minutes longer. Serves six.

For complete article, please see the current issue of Prerogative Magazine - on newsstands now!

Once again, Prerogative and the Bluefield Daily Telegraph are joining forces to help stray and abandoned animals this holiday season with the Prerogative Shelter Drive, scheduled for Dec. 14-20.

So what, exactly, is a shelter drive? The idea was conceived last year when the many animal lovers on staff at Prerogative magazine realized some of their spoiled dogs and cats did not truly appreciate all the goodies lavished upon them at Christmas.

What would happen, we thought, if we donated half of our pets’ holiday goodies to the dogs and cats housed at the local animal shelter — and we asked others to do the same? We discovered the answer last December, when residents across the two Virginias stepped up and contributed food, treats and toys to the animals during our first-ever shelter drive.

In an effort to make gift giving easier, we worked with the Daily Telegraph circulation department. Readers were invited to leave pet toys, treats and food in their paper boxes, where newspaper carriers picked them up and brought them back, or bring donations directly to the offices of the Daily Telegraph or Princeton Times. Plans are to follow this format again this year.

The response to the 2007 Pet Drive was overwhelming. “In the days following the official kickoff of the event, I watched as the mountain of donations grew steadily larger,” Prerogative Editor Samantha Perry said. “Contributions included toys, treats and food for dogs and cats. Sorting through the goodies prior to their delivery, I counted hundreds of contributed items.

“The success of this event underscores a basic principle: If lots of people give a little, it can result in an enormous donation in the end,” Perry said.

But, as with last year’s event, we ask that those planning to donate keep the following the incredible funding needs of other local charities that help families and children in need of assistance, such as the Community Christmas Tree, Bluefield Union Mission and Salvation Army, to name a few. We respectfully ask that no one forego helping these crucial charities in order to purchase toys for the shelter animals.

However, last year’s Pet Drive underscored the charitable nature of the people of the two Virginias. Even while donating to other charities, many people still contributed a toy, a bone or a few cans of food to the animals at the shelter.

Last year, Prerogative and Telegraph staff member delivered the hundreds of contributed goodies to the Mercer County Animal Shelter prior to Christmas Eve, where county humane officer Stacy Shampo accepted the gifts, and expressed her appreciation to all those who opened their hearts to the animals.

“While touring the shelter after delivering the boxes of donations, it was heartbreaking to see the many dogs and cats housed there,” Perry said. “But I did leave with a good feeling knowing we, and the many kind-hearted people across southern West Virginia and Southwest Virginia, had, hopefully, made their Christmas a little brighter.” P

Story by Smantha Perry
Photos by Eric DiNovo

He had a voice recognized across the globe. Bob Denver was Gilligan, America’s beloved castaway and Mercer County’s adopted son. But, in 2005, as cancer robbed him of his speech in the final weeks of his life, it did not diminish his spirit — or his deep connection with his wife, his soulmate and one true love.

A constant presence by her husband’s bedside during his illness, Dreama experienced pain, tragedy and trials as she watched the man she loved for nearly 30 years fall ill with cancer and finally succumb to heart problems.

And times, she didn’t think she had the strength to survive the hardships. But love can provide courage and fortitude when all hope seems lost.

Dreama grew up in Bluefield, W.Va., and she and Bob moved back to Mercer County in June of 1991 with their autistic son, Colin. “Bob loved this area,” she said, reminiscing on her husband’s appreciation of West Virginia. “He just thought the people were the best people in the world.”

Known worldwide for his 1960s television roles of Gilligan on “Gilligan’s Island” and Maynard G. Krebs on “The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis,” Bob instantly became a hometown celebrity.

He was good to his fans, when many celebrities don’t want to be bothered, Dreama recalled. “He always carried pictures with him to hand out autographs and pictures. He had a lot of respect for his fans. He was just a good person. He was amazing. I was very proud to bring him here.”

Although Bob was born in New Rochelle, N.Y., and grew up in Texas, Dreama said he was a “wonderful ambassador for West Virginia,” who always spoke of the Mountain State’s beauty and great people when doing talk shows.

“I think this is the place Bob lived the longest in his entire life. I know this house is the one he lived in the longest in his entire life.”

The beginning of the end started with what appeared to be a mild illness. “He got hoarse,” Dreama recalled. “He thought it was laryngitis. He waited and waited, and he was hoarse for months.” When he finally went to see a physician, “the cancer had grown through his larynx.”

“Bob had throat cancer. When he was diagnosed with it, it had grown through his larynx.”

Due to the extent of the cancer, Bob had to have his voice box removed. “When we went to (the hospital in) Winston-Salem for the surgery, I knew I’d never hear his voice again, and that seemed like the worse thing possible. He had a beautiful, beautiful voice.”

Dreama recalled the pain of knowing what life would be like after the surgery. “Just the thought I’d never hear the words, ‘I love you,’ again,” she recalled, her voice trailing off into a somber moment of silence. “He always called me ‘Dreams.’ To know he’d never say ‘Dreams’ again.”

Story by Kim Parrish
Photographs by Eric DiNovo

It’s on every fashionista’s “must-have” shopping list for the season, a wardrobe staple she can’t live without, and you probably already have one hanging in your closet. There’s nothing more fresh than a crisp, white button-down shirt. Sounds simple, I know, but a basic button-down is the building block for your fall wardrobe.

Diane Keaton first brought the button-down into the spotlight as Woody Allen’s androgynous “Annie Hall,” but she’s kept the look alive today by pairing it with wide-buckle belts, décolleté-covering scarves and menswear-inspired pantsuits.

Who can forget Sharon Stone walking the red carpet of the Academy Awards wearing her then-husband’s white button-down shirt with a Vera Wang skirt? She proved this simple basic can go from daytime to evening ... or just about anywhere!

Cool peppermint is a natural complement to wintertime desserts. Cool and refreshing like snowfall, just little bit of mint makes these simple desserts special.

For these melt-in-your-mouth buttermints, we tweaked a Land O’Lakes recipe. The dough can be fun to mold and decorate for kids and adults alike.

Buttermints

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
  
• 5 1/4 cups powdered sugar
  
• 3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream (or substitute half and half)
  
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
  
• Food coloring (optional)
  
• Edible decorations (optional)
  

In a large bowl, beat butter at low speed until creamy. Add sugar, whipping cream and peppermint extract. Beat 2 to 5 minutes, until mixture forms a soft dough.

Lightly sprinkle a surface with powdered sugar. Place dough on surface and knead until smooth if necessary.

Next, you’re going to shape the dough into individual mints. Add food coloring as desired. To prevent dough from drying out, place sections in baggies and seal. Mold into shapes by hand; use candy molds; or cut into shapes with cookie cutters. Decorate as desired.

Before storing, leave finished mints uncovered, at room temperature, until surfaces are dry — about 6 to 8 hours.

Layer mints in an airtight container, separated by wax paper, to store. You can refrigerate them for up to 1 month, or freeze for up to 2 months.

Hint-of-Mint Glazed Brownies

• 1 box dark chocolate brownie mix, plus ingredients listed on box
  
• 6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
  
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  
• 2 teaspoons peppermint extract
  

Make brownies according to package directions for 9-by-9-inch pan. Let cool.

For the glaze, melt the chocolate and butter in a heat-proof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Add extract and stir well.

Spread glaze over brownies. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving.

Story by Shirley Aycoth

I am currently a two-and-a-half year breast cancer survivor. I truly believe that the reason I am a survivor is because I had a routine mammogram in February 2006. I was late scheduling my mammogram that year and as a woman, and especially as a health professional, I knew better. I knew I was high risk, but life was just so busy, that I kept putting it off. Finally, at my husband’s insistence, I scheduled my appointment, six months late.

My sister was diagnosed with breast cancer five years earlier at age 44. Our entire family was in shock. We had no family history or risk factors that we knew of, other than being female. She had a mastectomy and treatment and seemed to physically be doing well, but as she once told me, “Cancer changes you.” To celebrate her five-year survival, she asked our older sister and I to join her on a Breast Cancer Walk in Florida. This was not just any walk, this was quite a commitment: The three-day Breast Cancer Walk involves walking 20 miles a day for three days and raising at least $2,300 each. But we were so thankful for our sister’s recovery, that’s exactly what we did: We traveled to Florida that October, walked 60 miles in three days (in the Florida heat), and together raised about $12,000. Exhausted, blistered, sunburned, but elated at the end of the walk, I made the comment that this was my insurance policy against breast cancer. Surely I couldn’t walk all this way, raise all of this money and then end up with breast cancer. Little did I know at the time, cancer was probably already growing in my body. The routine mammogram that I finally got around to three months later found that I had invasive lobular breast cancer.

Story by Rebecca Broyles

Boston’s Beacon Hill, world-renowned for its Colonial charm and atmosphere, proudly showcases Christmas decorations ranging from restrained to opulent. No matter what their tone, they all have two things in common — superior quality and the use of fresh greenery.

At first glance the ornate gold wreath on its matte black door doesn’t appear to have anything natural about it. You notice a spray of gold laurel leaves draping three-quarters of the way around; pieces of gold-painted juniper tucked among the leaves; antique silver and gold ornaments hanging amid the foliage; the sumptuous bow and streamers brocaded with silver, slate blue, and light and dark gold; and the perfectly scaled, perfectly placed gold pineapple at the bottom.

It is a masterpiece of artifice, but it is also a masterpiece, period. The gold would be overpowering and soulless if it were the only thing there. Instead, it nestles into thick branches of mixed fir and variegated juniper with sprigs of incense-cedar whose clusters of tiny yellow cones echo the surrounding gold. There are large brown sugar cones tucked in and, subtly picking up the silvery blue shades in the bow, blue-berried juniper branches.

Perhaps its opposite, equally handsome, is a fir and boxwood wreath adorned solely with a sheer, softly iridescent violet bow. The entire setting of townhouse, ivy topiaries, climbing ivy and green wreath illustrates compelling beauty that attracts attention without demanding it.

Story by Samantha Perry

Athough only 6 years old, Jayda Duty, has a special gift in the making for when she reaches her teen years. Her grandmother, Carolyn Bowen, of Tazewell, Va., has already purchased a charm bracelet for the youngster, and is beginning to collect the pendant and trinket-type jewelry symbolic of interests and special events in her young life.

“I haven’t let her have the bracelet,” said Bowen, a sales associate at Lemon’s Jewelry on Main Street in Tazewell. “But when she’s interested in something or we’re out together, I try to buy a little charm to go along with it. Then one day I hope to give it to her, and all that will mean something to her — it will be something personal.”

In American pop culture, charm bracelets became a popular, personalized accessory in the mid-1900s. Young girls, teens and women could purchase charms representative of their interests or hobbies — a thimble for sewing, a megaphone for cheerleading — and attach them to link bracelets designed to hold the many pendants.

Many women still have these bracelets from decades past. Darlene Bowers, owner and operator of Leslie Ann’s Boutique in Bluefield, Va., received her first charm bracelet some four decades ago when she was 13.

“I have not worn it consistently, but I’ve worn it off and on since that time,” Bowers said. However, Bowers notes she did wear this white gold bracelet constantly from the time she was 13 until she graduated high school. “It was a theme bracelet of whatever I was interested in at the time.”

During the 1970s, Bowers received her second charm bracelet, this one made of sterling silver.

“The bracelet and charm were given to me as a thank-you gift from a child who I helped when she tried out for majorette.” It now hold charms symbolic of Bowers’ adult life, such as pendants representing her children.

“My third bracelet I bought on a trip to Hong Kong, and it’s my travel bracelet,” she said. “When I went to Italy I got a charm, when I went to Las Vegas I got a charm. I call it my theme bracelet.”

Bowers also has a Chamilia bracelet, based on the current popular brand of charm jewelry that she sells at her boutique.

CHAMILIA JEWELRY, AS WELL AS ANOTHER POPULAR BRAND, PANDORA, ARE EUROPEAN CHARM BRACELETS, and feature a modernized take on this classic accessory. While both brands allow wearers to choose individual elements suited to their tastes, the charms, spacers and other elements slide onto the bracelet — a distinctive difference from the classic bracelets featuring dangling charms that were attached to the bracelet by metal links, and often jingled with the wearers’ movements.
Charms for the European bracelets have a sculptural quality in a diverse array of styles so the wearer may still personalize her own look.

Charms in Pandora’s new line include a “bead love blouse” (a three-dimensional shirt in silver featuring a gold heart on the front), a tiny perfume bottle, and a soccer ball accented with amethyst stones.

And among the animal charms in Chamilia’s new line are a rooster and whale, both of which are finely detailed, dimensional charms. Chamilia also offers a collection of Disney brand charms, including Mickey Mouse, Piglet, Tigger and Tinker Bell.
While the European styles are recognized by the method in which the charm slides onto the bracelet, traditionalists can still get some “dangle.” Chamilia offers hummingbird and flower dangle charms, among many others, in their new catalogue. The hummingbird style features a birdhouse that slides onto the bracelet with the hummingbird hanging beneath, while the flower charm has a embellished bead sculpted with petals that envelopes the bracelet, as a square, light-rose colored crystal dangles beneath.

Among the dangling charms in Pandora’s line are several styles of crosses, a compass, an anchor, a guitar and a pacifier.

Both brands also offer a variety of glass and enamel beads to add extra dimension, color and style to the bracelets.

While the European bracelet is drawing in legions of fans among women of all ages, the classic style continues to remain popular among those in all demographics.

In Tazewell, Bowen says many women continue to purchase charms for bracelets they have worn, and added to, for decades. She notes one customer in her 40s has a charm bracelet “that’s full.”

“She loves it,” Bowen said. “Some women here in Tazewell have had their bracelets for years — their mothers started them years ago. It’s special to them. They love having them. It’s something that’s timeless, really.”

This appreciation of classic charm bracelets extends beyond the traditional mountains and valleys of southern West Virginia and Southwest Virginia.

Tiffany & Co., considered by many to be the heart and soul of upscale jewelry, has an extensive charm selection, for bracelets and necklaces, on its website. The charm bracelets range in price from under $100, for sterling silver styles, to those in gold and platinum that sell for several thousands of dollars and come complete with four to six charms.

Tiffany & Co. also sells a wide variety of charms (including the signature Tiffany blue box) to personalize the bracelets. A novel and fun feature of the jewelry store’s website is the “Customize Your Own” section. This web page features an empty bracelet and an array of Tiffany charms. Users can click on the charms of their choice and “drag” them onto the bracelet to see how their customized bracelet will look.

While the European and classic charm bracelets are among the hottest styles at present, a third type — the Italian charm bracelet — emerged several years ago and remains popular with many women. The Italian charm bracelet has flat charms that snap onto the bracelet. The modular charms then hook together to form the bracelet.

PURCHASING A CHARM BRACELET IS AN INVESTMENT. Buyers can expect to pay at least $50 for a bracelet, with charms costing about $20 or more. Those purchasing higher-end jewelry can expect to spend much more.

But even those purchasing low to moderately priced bracelets can expect to shell out a hefty price to cover the cost of a bracelet with charms. “By the time you fill one up, you’ve invested a lot of money,” Bowers said. “But it’s going to hold its value because of the way the prices of gold and silver are going up. These bracelets are an investment — one you can invest in a little at a time.”

The monetary investment is one reason why many of today’s grandmothers are starting charm bracelets for their granddaughters at a young age.

“It (the price) adds up, even if you purchase only one charm a year,” Bowen said. But, if mothers or grandmothers start the charm bracelet with the child is born, they can purchase one charm annually and have 16 charms by the time their daughter or granddaughter turns “Sweet 16.”

And, chances are, the bracelet will still be popular at that time.

The trendiness of charm bracelets as a fashion accessory may increase and wane through the years, but they continue to hold a special place in jewelry boxes of many women throughout the two Virginias.

Bowers, who is “in her 50s,” says most women in her age group adore charm bracelets, and may own one or more.

“They’ve always maintained some popularity around here,” Bowen said. The trend “may fade just a little, but it always seems to come back around and get popular again.” P

Story by Jamie Parsell

If I was a color, I would be fuchsia. It is my favorite Crayola crayon — the one I would use over and over again until the paper wore off and the crayon looked more like a fuchsia colored pebble. I would paint the world a deep fuchsia color. Others would prefer to paint their world in a bright hue of aquamarine, like Rhonda Lilly, who found it hard to pick just one favorite color.

“You’ve got to have all of them to make a pretty picture,” the Princeton W.Va. resident said, while gazing at the rows of colors.

Pink or blue. Red or yellow. A box of Crayola crayons offers more possibilities than the rainbow.

“I like pink,” said Debbie Ragan, of Princeton. “I like all of those pinks.”
So does Princeton resident Sarah Hercey; she favors hot magenta. Kay Chinsolo of Bluefield, W.Va., likes mauvelous and Princeton’s Summer Marshall thinks that the light pink crayon named salmon is a pretty color.

Any color of blue is popular — Meagan King, Lindsay Haun and Becca King, all of Princeton, prefer cerulean. Susan Rannel of Bluefield likes aquamarine.

A throwback to childhood, women never forget the smell, the sight and the feel of a crayon. More importantly, they never forget their favorite color.

The history of color - Color — it accentuates the eyes, paints a wall and is one of the first independent ideas of a child. Some children grab the green crayon first; others scramble for a blue. Quickly, favorite colors are chosen and most likely from a box of Crayola crayons. That first favorite color becomes a part of history, a personality trait in the making.

Crayons were introduced in 1903 by Joseph W. Binney, a chemical plant owner, his son, Edwin Binney, and nephew, C. Harold Smith. Striving to create better teaching tools, the trio began to research pigment and wax techniques. But it was a woman, Edwin’s wife, Alice Stead Binney, who took a special interest in the product, realizing the potential for childhood development. She is also credited for inventing the famous brand name, Crayola, which represents the French word “craie” meaning chalk or stick of color, and “ola,” which means oily.

The first box of Crayola crayons contained the five primary colors along with violet, black and brown. The entire box only cost 5 cents. In 1949, shades like turquoise blue, magenta, burnt sienna and carnation pink hit the stores. And in 1958, the first 64 box, with a built-in sharpener and 16 new colors, tapped into a new generation of children. In the ’70s, pop culture influenced the company, resulting in the introduction of eight new fluorescent colors.

Out with the old; in with mango tango - Eight crayons were forced into retirement in 1990. The forgotten shades like violet blue were placed in the Crayola Hall of Fame. The eight new shades ranged from jungle green to wild strawberry. Hoping to get the public involved in the creation of additional colors, 16 new colors were named by consumers in 1993. With names like granny smith apple, purple mountain majesty and even macaroni and cheese, the new colors exemplified America’s creativity.

Eight years later, 24 new colors were added to the Crayola box — bringing the total number of shades to 120. The new colors reflect a modern generation with shades like almond, pink sherbet and outerspace. In 2003, four more colors disappeared from the color studded line up. Amer-ica said good-bye to blizzard blue, magic mint, mulberry and teal blue. Burnt sienna was also on the retirement list, but was saved thanks to more than 60,000 devoted fans. New to the carton — inch worm, mango tango, wild blue yonder and jazzberry jam.

Identity crisis - While retirement and replacement reflect the changing of generations, only three colors have ever had a name change. In 1958, Prussian blue was changed to midnight blue. Teachers felt that children could no longer identify with the Prussian history. The color flesh was changed to peach after the company realized the important of skin tone. And in 1999, Indian red was renamed chestnut red. While the company named the color after a reddish-brown pigment near India, they felt that children associated the color with Native Americans.

The famous 64 - Would you like to biggie size your crayons? Eight, 28, 48 and finally, the most popular size — 64, with a built-in sharpener. The famous 64 box was introduced to children in 1958 on the “Captain Kangaroo Show.” Since then, more than 200 million Crayola 64 boxes have been sold, allowing for the 12.8 billion crayons inside to circle the earth 24 times. The box is getting a slight makeover this year. In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the classic Crayola 64 box, kids were allowed to choose eight new colors. Not surprisingly, shades with the names best friends, bear hug and awesome made the list.

Future endeavors - Since the early days of the eight pack, Crayola has expanded into markers, colored pencils, chalk and paint. It’s no wonder the name brand is one of the most recognized products in the classroom and at home. And every fall, children eagerly reach for Crayola’s new products — this year, it is no different.

For back-to-school 2008, Crayola will introduce No Drip Paint Brush pens. With paint built into the pens, there are no more drips, spills or messes. Another new product will be the Pip-Squeaks Mix ’Ems markers that allow children to create custom colors by changing out the markers and the caps. Each time a marker is clipped to a cap, a color reservoir will deposit a darker shade into the lighter shade stick. The result: A brand new color!

New to the classroom and art bucket will be Crayola’s True to Life markers, colored pencils and twistable crayons. A realistic look at color, the True to Life line will combine the high and low lights of frequently used colors. Finally, kids can create grass, sky, sand, sunrises and beaches — all in the name of color. P

Story and photos by Patricia Reese

Tapas, small bites of succulent appetizers served on small plates, are an integral part of Spanish cuisine. This tradition began about 200 years ago in Spain when smart bar owners began to serve small amounts of free food with each drink ordered. The word tapas, (plural for tapa, which means cover) came to refer to a thin crust of bread that was used to cover a wine glass in order to keep pesky insects out of the glass. Soon, small bits of meats, cheeses or vegetables were added to the bread and thus, tapas as appetizers were born.

The trend of dining on numerous small-portion offerings spread all around the Mediterranean and today in France one enjoys hors d’oeuvres, while in Italy these small nibbles are referred to as antipasti. The Greeks indulge in meze, while in Morocco one partakes in mukabalatt. Whatever you call it, it’s fun to eat these tantalizing morsels and, in my opinion, the greater the selection the better.

I was thrilled to discover a tapas restaurant a few years ago in Hilton Head, S.C. The menu was about six pages and was conveniently divided into categories such as seafood, meat, vegetarian, cheese, omelet and desserts. Our waitress explained the tapas concept to us, advising that we order only two offerings at a time along with the taste of wine that she recommended to accompany each dish.

The food prices were very reasonable, ranging from about $3.99 for something like the crab cakes to about $10.99 for the lobster medallions. However, remember we were eating tapas, so the crab cake order consisted of two very small crab cakes and the lobster order amounted to four thin pieces of lobster. We had a grand time, dining on smoky bites of filet mignon, delicate porcini mushroom ravioli, sizzling garlic shrimp, crusty, cheesy, tomato basil bruchetta and more. We ordered about five times, even including dessert bites at the end. My husband sampled from my tapas, and I sampled from his. Everything was absolutely delicious, and we had the tastes of various wines to go with each offering. We started to dine at 7 p.m., and it was 10 p.m. by the time we had finished testing and tasting every delectable morsel. How shocked we were to discover that we had run the bill up to well over $100, including the wine tasters. Oh, but it was well worth it! We talk about that meal to this day, and we have never had anything as good as that porcini mushroom ravioli.

To serve tapas at home, think small bites, small plates, big, rich flavors, and foods that don’t necessarily go together, but instead, are meant to be savored and enjoyed one by one.

I think that it’s fun to serve each tapas, one at a time, as we were served at the tapas restaurant. However, a tapas buffet can also be a small feast for the palette as well as for the eyes. Consider some of the following recipes, whether preparing tapas ... or just plain old appetizers. P

Story and photographs by Rebecca Broyles

At the beginning you can’t get enough of each other, you and your new love. You spend every possible hour gazing, touching, breathing in that heavenly scent. No demand is too far fetched, no exertion too arduous.

Over the months, perhaps the flame dies to a pleasant glow. Romance slips into complacency. You’re happy to attend to basic needs, and you like each other fine. It’s just that you have other things to do, and you know each other well enough that there’s no longer a consuming urge to be together. You don’t even notice appearance much any more. You may not realize there’s a general air of weariness.

You can reignite your passion, you know. With just a little effort, you can fall in love all over again, coaxing the flowers that excited you so much in May back to radiance which lasts into October.

This late in the season it might unnerve you to light into your plantings with the shears, but when they look unkempt and scrappy, it’s the first step to revitalization. Stalling will prolong the agony. As the Nike ads say, “Just do it.”

If it’s only a few stringy branches, prune those back to the center of the plant. Leave two or three nodes, places where leaves are (or used to be) attached, so that fresh branches can form there.

When a whole plant is unkempt, unenthusiastic, or scraggly, imagine you’ve placed a bowl over it and clip off anything that would be sticking out from underneath the bowl. For a few days it might look like a too-close haircut, but with sensible care, the plant will snap out of it quickly. In a couple of weeks you’ll be patting yourself on the back for your courage.

Next, think about water. Whether in a container or in the ground, a plant needs occasional thorough soakings rather than frequent light sprinkles. Deep watering encourages long, strong, well developed roots that can tolerate a little dryness. Brief daily sprays over the top produce shallow, weak roots that won’t support a stressed plant.

Water container plants until it drains out the bottom. To know when to water next, scratch into the top inch of soil. If it’s moist, wait. Once the top inch is dry, soak it again.
A plant in the ground should have an inch of water a week. Try to water evenly, regularly. When there hasn’t been a drenching rain in five to seven days , scratch a couple of inches into the soil. If it’s dry, set your hose to a gentle trickle so it can soak into the ground around the plant instead of running off and being wasted.

When possible, avoid watering in the evening. By doing it earlier in the day you give the plants time to absorb the moisture. Any time you must water late, make a special effort to keep the foliage dry to help prevent rot and mildew.

By now your plants should be in full growth, filling their spaces in the garden, crowding their containers, depleting the soil of nutrients. If you haven’t been feeding, start. If you’ve been feeding every other week, step it up to once a week. It won’t happen overnight, but within a couple of weeks you will be amazed at the difference. As well as beginning to grow again, they will develop greener, healthier color and set new flushes of blooms.

Use any reputable water soluble fertilizer mixed according to package directions. The package will list three numbers, like 10-10-10 or 15-30-15. They let you know how the nutrients are balanced. First is nitrogen content. Nitrogen encourages leaf and root growth and vigor. The second is phosphorous, which promotes disease resistance and induces fruiting and flowering. Third, potassium, also known as potash. It helps regulate water loss in the leaves and influences drought tolerance. Most brands suggest possible uses for each formulation. If you want to promote more flowering, look for high-middle-number fertilizers. Often labeled as “blossom boosters,” they encourage plenty of blooms and excellent color.

As well as pouring it into the soil, you can put water soluble fertilizer into a sprayer and swoosh it across the foliage for quick, safe absorption directly through the leaves. Since you’ll burn the leaves if the sun shines on them while they’re wet with the fertilizer spray, wait until your plant is in the shade.

Once flowers go to seed, plants have fulfilled their procreation destiny and don’t need to spend their energy on more blossoms. If you deadhead so that seeds can’t ripen, you’ll force them to keep flowering. You can either clip and compost faded blooms or pick them while they’re young to give yourself the joy of filling your house with bouquets of fresh cut flowers. You don’t need to strip your garden or pots of color. Cut a few for vases and leave the rest to brighten your view. The more you cut, the more blooms you’ll induce on most annuals and even some perennials.

Dealing with cut flowers can be as simple or complicated as you choose. If you’re frustrated that everything in life seems like a big production hampered by rules and instructions, refuse to take part. Get some sharp scissors, cut your flowers, strip off any foliage that might decay underwater, put them in a vase of water, and enjoy them. When they wilt, throw them out and cut some new ones.

If you want to prolong their beauty a bit, pay attention to a few tricks — cutting first thing in the morning, for instance. Because they’ve spent the night resting and absorbing water from the earth and the air, your flowers will be strongest and hold up best if you cut before sunshine, heat and evaporation begin to tire them.

Then, when you bring them inside, draw enough lukewarm water into the sink that you can re-cut the stems underwater before you pop them into their vase. It prevents the formation of air bubbles which can block absorption. Use a sharp knife or shears and cut stems on a slant to allow the largest possible surface for absorbing water. If you cut straight across, they’ll sit flat on the bottom of the vase and may not be able to draw water into the stems. Change the water every day or two to prevent bacteria buildup.

After dead heading or cutting your flowers, discourage diseases and bugs by pruning out decayed spots, grooming away dead leaves and cleaning the area around the plants.

If containers or garden still need a little lift, you can freshen them by tucking a few new plants into the bare spaces. There’s still plenty of time for them to fill in. Remember, barring an unusually early hard frost, you can have handsome flowers until late fall. This is the perfect time to help yourself improve next year’s plantings.

Now while you’re thinking about it, take some flower photos, not only of your favorites but also the less successful ones. Date your pictures on the back and jot down variety names. If you have any particular opinions or observations, note them, too. By next spring you’ll have forgotten this year’s details. Or mixed them up. With the pictures as a reminder, you won’t wonder why you thought you’d want extras of one kind or hoped never again to see another variety. A simple, pretty album of your flowers and notes will delight you for years, and it’s the sort of cherished memento that’s handed down through the family. P

By Rebecca Broyles

They’re only a few oddly shaped lumps wrapped in what looks like brown tissue paper — you can balance them on your open palm. Who would think you’re holding a miracle of spring?

These are the bulbs and corms that metamorphose into achingly fragrant hyacinths, exuberant crocuses, bright tulips with their Easter egg colors and shapes, and Wordsworth’s golden daffodils “fluttering and dancing in the breeze.”

Since you order them over the next few weeks and plant in September, they definitely don’t provide instant gratification. Still, come February or March when it’s been months since you’ve done anything in the yard, their sudden beauty will make you feel as though you’ve been given something for nothing.
There’s a lot of information about bulbs — way too much for beginners. Sidestep it all by starting simply. You’ll be delighted with any or all of these four:

Crocuses — Irresistibly cheerful, they will delight you by popping into bloom one mild February day. With their low-growing yellow, white, blue and purple flowers, they are especially charming en masse swirling around trees, carpeting the lawn or walkway edge, or spilling down a bank.

When you plant in the fall, nestle them in open sunny spots and under the edges of deciduous trees. Since the trees won’t have leafed out when crocuses are in full cry, enough sun can shine on the slim grassy foliage for it to manufacture food. Don’t plant beneath evergreens, however, because too much shade will make for a flimsy showing next year.

Set the corms 2 to 3 inches deep and 2 to 4 inches apart. For a completely random look, scatter them by handfuls and plant them where they fall.

Daffodils — Long-blooming, long-lived and easy, they give great value. Do you think of them as basic yellow flowers that open sometime around Easter? Once you start roaming through the catalogs, you may lose yourself for hours salivating over the different daffodil shapes, blooming periods and colors.

For years hybridizers have struggled to develop pink varieties. It isn’t hopeless. Looking at some of the best, if you squint just right you can detect mild pinkness.

There are marvelous bi-colors of yellow and flaming orange, shades of gold, sulfur, soft lemon, creamy white and a few chartreuse to almost pistachio varieties. Daffodils range from the simplest tiny, single blooms to large, flouncy doubles. Some are fragrant.

They’re charming as individual clumps tucked around rocks or by tree trunks as well as naturalized in small and large drifts. They’re happy in sun and, like crocuses, can tolerate the light shade of deciduous trees. By leafy tree time, they will have made enough food to support next year’s flowers.

Plant them 3 to 6 inches deep and 2 to 4 inches apart — the larger the bulbs, the deeper and more widely spaced.

Tulips — Colors galore! Though there aren’t any true blue tulips, almost every other color is in evidence. Blooming from April through mid-May as the days become softly warm, tulips are synonymous with spring. Planting different varieties for succession blooming will give you a longer season than a single variety can provide. Their packages and catalog descriptions will tell you whether you are looking at early, mid-season or late ones.

Tulips are not especially long-lived. Many gardeners treat them as annuals, tossing out the old ones and planting fresh ones every year. Not only does it encourage the fun of experimenting with different varieties, but it also eliminates the dreaded yellow foliage phase.

Other tulip fans take pride in coaxing theirs to return for four or five years. They say they succeed by planting deeply, allowing the soil to run a little dry during the summer, feeding in both spring and fall, clipping dead blooms and being sure not to cut the foliage until it has thoroughly yellowed.

The more sun you give tulips, the better. Digging holes 4 to 6 inches deep and spacing the bulbs 4 to 6 inches apart should do the trick.

Hyacinths — Breathe the perfume. Flowers should have beautiful scents, and there aren’t as many fragrant flowers as there used to be. It was a gradual loss that slipped away nearly unnoticed, an unintended consequence of breeding for other desirable characteristics. If you yearn for delicious fragrance, plant hyacinths.

They are strongly upright and formal in habit with flowers in shades of pink, white, yellow and blue. The jewel tones of deep amethyst, sapphire and ruby are especially striking. Look for a sunny spot and set them in clusters 4 to 6 inches apart, 6 to 8 inches deep.

General rules
— Buy good bulbs. Usually you get what you pay for. If the price is too good to be true, it’s probably a false economy. It is better to have a few high-quality bulbs that will multiply over the years than lots of inferior ones that underperform and disappoint. Look for sizable, firm, healthy bulbs free of mold and soft spots. The more points there are where growth will emerge, the better the bloom.

— Plant bulbs and corms with the pointed ends up and the roots down. Can’t quite tell which is which? Then lay them in the hole sideways. They’ll sort it out on their own. When you’ve covered them with soil, water them in thoroughly.

— If you’re planting masses of bulbs, dig trenches the proper depth and scatter the bulbs inside. It’s your chance to play with curving or freeform shapes and interesting, natural-looking locations.

— There are lots of heated opinions about how to fertilize and with what. In the old days bone meal was a rich, nutritious source of phosphorous. Now, manufacturing processes deplete many nutrients while retaining the bone scent. Dogs and other animals will be attracted and dig around, but the bulbs won’t get much benefit, and you’ll have to put up with the smell.

To keep it simple, use any reputable slow-release bulb fertilizer, following package directions for how much to use. Sprinkle it on top of the soil after you’ve planted and covered the bulbs. This method works reliably and avoids the possibility of burning the bulbs with the fertilizer. Water well.

— If there are long dry spells, water occasionally through the fall and winter.

— After the spring flowers fade, feel free to deadhead, but do not cut, braid, wrap, rubber band or otherwise molest the leaves until they have turned completely yellow. You want as much leaf surface as possible collecting sun rays. As long as the leaves are green, they are making food to store in the bulb for next year’s blooms. Inhibiting food production will doom you to sad-looking plants with little lifespan.