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Remember When

By  E. Bishop

When you were young, thought you were invincible, you could eat anything you wanted, never had to worry about your health. But, wait, then you got older, maybe got married, had children, went through that McDonald’s drive thru more than once just to get that “Happy Meal.”  After all, it made momma happy she didn’t have to cook; the child was happy because she got to eat and get a toy. Then, the years continued to creep up on you; you start worrying about your weight, cholesterol, A1c, etc. Don’t let that happen; start young like my great nephew, Joshua Wood, has.

This UNC-Asheville graduate majored in applied math/minored in neuroscience, has always been interested in the environment, learning where edible native plants grow, and has a passion about growing his own food.  His grandparents on both sides of his family have been a big influence in his life going in this direction.  Grandmother Sarah Wood continues to mentor him and Grandpa Pete Frye would be proud of what he is accomplishing with his small business of growing microgreens.

Joshua’s motivation to grow this particular product first was that it is fast growing, more economical with low start up costs with a high return.  After getting the essential information, it was time to choose a location.  This is where Grandma Gail Frye comes in giving her approval to clean out a basement area to set up shelving with containers, dehumidifiers, grow lights, seeds, etc.  The temperature/humidity levels have to be optimal. The grow area and harvest area should be side by side. This endeavor can be quite labor intensive.  Oh, can’t forget, before selling anything at a farmer’s market, the business has to be inspected and certified. But, the nutritional benefits of these small cute greens are so worth the effort.

If you don’t get enough veggies in your daily diet, microgreens can be an excellent nutrient boost.  A small amount goes a long way; eat 2-3 servings per day (25 grams); throw in a salad, a smoothie or scrambled eggs. Depending on the variety, they will last in the fridge 10-12 days;  has low calorie content with high nutritional value that fights against sickness. According to  studies, red cabbage micros help lower LDL cholesterol, mustard micros fights diabetes while broccoli, kale and red cabbage are anti-inflammatory.  Radish, arugula, broccoli, sunflower, kale, pea, beet and spinach provide the most overall health benefits.

According to Joshua, his plans are to grow the three types most in demand right now – the cruciferous (a blend of several), sunflower and pea and hopes to add hydroponic lettuce in the near future. He sells his microgreens at the local farmer’s markets but when they close for the winter, please follow him through his Facebook page ‘Out From Da Woods,’ email him at outfromdawoods@gmail.com or call 336.909.4622 to get your greens.

Neither of us are nutritionist/medical professionals.  We just know, whether old or young, that we need all the help we can get when it comes to getting the proper nutrition our bodies need. And, it will most likely not include a fast-food drive-thru.

Miss Mary

By Linda H. Barnette

While doing some research about the history of First United Methodist Church in Mocksville, I found several hand-written articles and notes about the early days of the church by Miss Mary Heitman. Of course, I remember seeing her when I was growing up, but in those days we spent time with our families and people from our own church. I have no recollection of ever being around her.

Miss Heitman was born on Oct. 2, 1886 in Mocksville to Judge Charles Lee Heitman and Julia Clement Heitman. She was their only child. They lived in a house on North Main Street  here in town where Heffner’s Store used to be before the Methodist Church built the Family Life Center on that lot.

She attended Sunnyside Seminary, a private school here in town that was run by Miss Mattie Eaton and Miss Laura Clement. An article that she wrote about her school experience called “Memories of Sunnyside Academy” was printed by the Mocksville Enterprise on Nov. 26, 1931. This article is also in James Wall’s History of Davie County.  This is how she began her article:

“The first session began on Jan. 4, 1882 in the building destined to go down in local history as Sunnyside Seminary.  This name was chosen by some of the girls after reading Washington Irving’s home, Sunnyside, on the Hudson River.”

She speaks further of the nature of the school it location, the subjects taught, the recitations of all the students each Friday afternoon and so on. She seemed to especially enjoy the music program and the daily devotional services.

When she grew up, she taught English at Salem Academy in Winston and also wrote for the Davie County Enterprise. She also authored a column called the Corner Cupboard, which was about the history of the county, and she was also the county historian for many years. A faithful member of First United Methodist Church, she taught Sunday School there for 50 years.

I am grateful for her interest in history and for her writing so much about the early history of the church. If history is not written or remembered, it is lost.