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Change of Attitude
By Marie Craig
Our Renegade Writers Group started submitting articles to this newspaper in September of 2016. I have kept each dated one of mine and made a scrapbook of the 226 articles I’ve written every other week. It’s a big fat book almost bending the notebook covers. Sometimes when I need a new article, I’ll thumb through it looking for ideas. I try to be unique each time, but in reading some of the old stories today, I found one that I think would be worthy of a rerun. It was from the Feb. 9, 2017 issue of the Enterprise-Record. I doubt you remember it, so here is a description of a learning experience for me.
I started ninth grade in a small high school about 125 miles away from Davie County. In the middle of the 10th grade, our new consolidated high school was ready for occupancy, so we were thrust into a much bigger building with more students and with former rivals in sports. These two towns had previously been at odds with each other, but the new school seemed to make this situation much calmer.
We had more opportunities, with science labs, an auditorium, a bigger marching band, and a chorus. I really enjoyed the chorus and the director, a man with a kind heart and a great appreciation for music.
This was back in the days when you could sing religious music at a public school, and one of the songs he chose was “There is a Balm in Gilead.” He told us the background of the song and that balm was an aromatic resin used for healing wounds and soothing pains made from the gum of the balsam tree. He explained that the song was a “Negro spiritual.” This was before integration, so it was an important lesson for us to learn about sharing music from other cultures.
Our director said that he wanted a girl to sing the verses, and that the rest of us would sing the chorus. The girl he chose was Wilma. We couldn’t believe our ears. She could barely talk above a whisper, she was very shy because she had a crippled hand and an awkward way of walking, and she would embarrass us all by not giving a splendid performance.
But sing, she did, in her little high-pitched voice. We decided that it was OK. But we wondered why he had not chosen someone who could sing better.
Luckily, I have mellowed since then, and I realize what a terrific decision this teacher made. This was probably the only moment of glory this girl had in her entire life and perhaps helped her to feel better about herself. This time period was especially callous in cruelty jokes. Thank goodness, that is a thing of the past.
If anybody ever needed a balm, Wilma did. Hopefully, this Balm of Gilead strengthened her, and I eventually realized that everybody needs a chance to bloom. 

The Dogwood:
More Than a Pretty Tree
By Julie Terry Cartner
Even the most die-hard winter lovers sense a change in the world when spring arrives. The green grass, chirping robins, soft breezes, warm temperatures, and, of course, the flowers give people and animals a sense of re-birth, new life, and renewal. We hear the slamming doors as children escape outside to play in the warm air, adults start tending their yards and gardens, and the world seems to fall in love. Everything seems possible.
One of the heralds of true spring is the dogwood tree. When its branches start sprouting white or pink blossoms, people start to believe spring is here to stay. Not to discount the earlier flowers, daffodils and jonquils, forsythia and hyacinths, as they do bloom first, but we have all seen crocuses and other early flowers peer timidly up through a late snow or surrender to a killing frost. When the dogwood blooms, spring seems more of a certainty.
As we move closer to Easter, it seems appropriate to spotlight the tree that is linked closely to the crucifixion of Jesus. Yards and woodlands throughout the south include these beautiful flowering trees, but according to legend, that was not always the case.
Christian folklore tells us that the cross Jesus was crucified on was made from the dogwood tree. Compared to today’s dogwood trees, that seems impossible, but according to legend, after Jesus’ resurrection, he saw that the dogwood tree was devastated by the role it played in the crucifixion, so Jesus changed the tree so it could never be used for that purpose again. Instead of being tall, straight and strong, perfect for building, he made the tree small and spindly with a twisted trunk and branches, unsuitable for building anything.
Furthermore, the dogwood’s four-petal blossoms represent the shape of the cross. Each petal curves inward with a rusty red notch, like the rust-red of the nails and Jesus’ blood, and the center of the flower forms a circle, reminiscent of the crown of thorns that Jesus wore on that fateful day.
But beyond Christian folklore, there is more to make this showy tree valuable. In early times, the dried bark was used to treat malaria cases in America since quinine, the better-known malaria medication, came from the bark of the cinchona tree which is native to South America in the areas of Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador, and thereby not as easily accessible for North Americans.
The tea from the bark can also be used to treat headaches, fever, fatigue and diarrhea. Dogwood tea was also used as a tonic to increase strength and vitality, and to stimulate the appetite. During earlier war times, like the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, the bark of the tree was applied directly to wounds to stop bleeding. This same healing property was used by native healers throughout the country before doctors and new medications were more readily available.
This little tree is clearly more than a pretty yard ornament. Although modern medicine may not condone the use of folk remedies like the dogwood, generations of Native Americans and those who came later made good use of this tree and its healing properties.
 
Nurturing Friendships
By Gaye Hoots
Maintaining connections with friends, family, and colleagues is an essential part of a fulfilling life. In an ever-evolving, fast-paced world, keeping in touch helps preserve relationships, fosters a sense of belonging, and supports emotional well-being. Whether through face-to-face interactions, phone calls, or digital communications, staying connected has numerous benefits that enrich our lives and provide a foundation of support.
My first lunch after arriving back in Advance was with a long-time friend and a more recent friend, the widow of a classmate. My longtime friend is married to a friend I started first grade with. These ladies are very generous to their families, friends, and acquaintances. My time with them is always a blessing and usually involves food and cake.
The second lunch was with a friend in a care facility, someone I had known most of my life. We went to Mocksville Family Restaurant, where the food and service were good, and we rehashed old times. Another friend met us there; she and I had attended dances together in the past, and she still enjoys them.
We celebrated two family birthdays: Kendra, my daughter, was born March 5, and Jaden, my great-granddaughter, was 19 years old on March 7. Kendra and I drove to Chateau Morrisett near Danville, VA, for lunch to celebrate her birthday. The area had trees down from recent storms, but it was a beautiful drive. Jaden, Tiffany, and I enjoyed a meal at La Carretta so Tiffany could return to Mia quickly. A friend from first grade and I visited La Carretta, a favorite restaurant of mine, and a friend from high school met me there on another occasion. Another lifelong friend recently celebrated their 60th anniversary, and I hit Southern Spice, where I saw a friend from my childhood, and we caught up with each other.
Kendra and I visited another friend who is in a care facility and has dementia. She was glad to see us and is always appreciative of the cupcakes I take her. She showed us pictures of her family and talked about her family and the great-grandchildren. She always greets us with a smile and leaves us with a hug. We have been friends since elementary school.
A Sunday outing with Kendra and another couple included a trip to Sanders Ridge in Yadkin County for brunch after church. This trip was a combination of the country atmosphere and good food, plus wine, and a family outing.
The Renegade Writers Guild had a write-in at Stephanie’s, including coffeecake, and coffee, before we started, and a delicious lunch after. The best part was the time with a group of friends with a common interest who had supported my writing attempts. A special thank you to Marie, who helped me publish my book. There is a copy in the history room at the library, and today, I dropped off a copy to go on the shelves. This was after lunch at Ketchie Creek with another writer from our group.
Four classmates ate lunch at Olive Tree, sharing stories and discussing our lives. There is a strong bond here that is reinforced by our yearly reunions. Funny how those school memories never fade. The other three ladies were widows, and they had dealt with major life changes; but emerged with strong spirits and a positive outlook.
I caught up with a friend I had not seen for a couple of years, and we had lunch at Mediterrano, where we discussed our children and activities we shared in the past. I know it will be a while before I see these friends again, and I am thankful for the time we get together.
This is starting to sound like a restaurant review, and there is a reason for that. My youngest granddaughter asked me to name some of my favorite things, then said, “I know the first two, books and food.” I would add celebrating friendships to that list.