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Improve fatigue, mood, headaches and itchy skin

By David Dunaief, M.D.

Dr. David Dunaief

Brrr! It’s been super cold this winter, and heating systems have been in overdrive. All the dry heat pumping into our homes, offices and cars can have a dehydrating effect on our bodies. Symptoms of dehydration can range from itchy skin and constipation to fatigue, mood changes and headaches. Our dry throats and sinuses can also make us uncomfortable and more susceptible to irritations and viruses. More serious complications of dehydration can include migraines, heart palpitations and heart attacks. 

Let’s look at techniques for improving hydration and reducing the symptoms and consequences of all this dry air.

Improve ambient humidity

Measure the humidity level in your home with a hygrometer and target keeping it between 30 and 50 percent (1). When the temperature outside drops below 10 degrees Fahrenheit, lower this to 25 percent. You can add moisture to the air in several ways. Use cool mist humidifiers, keep the bathroom door open after you shower or bathe, and place bowls of water strategically around your home, including on your stovetop when you cook or on radiators. If you use humidifiers, take care to follow the manufacturer’s care instructions and clean them regularly, so you don’t introduce mold or bacteria into the air.

Reduce headaches and migraines

A review of studies found that those who drank four cups or more of water had significantly fewer hours of migraine pain than those who drank less (2). Headache intensity decreased as well.

Decrease heart palpitations

Heart palpitations are common and are broadly felt as a racing heart rate, skipped beat, pounding sensation or fluttering. Although they are not usually life-threatening, they can make you anxious. Dehydration and exercise contribute to this (3). Palpitations can be prompted when we don’t hydrate before exercising. If you drink one glass of water before exercise and continue to drink during exercise, it will help avoid palpitations.

Lower your heart attack risk

The Adventist Health Study showed that men who drank more water had the least risk of death from heart disease (4). Group one, which drank more than five glasses of water daily, had less risk than group two, which drank more than three. Those in group three, which drank fewer than two glasses per day, saw the lowest benefit, comparatively. For women, there was no difference between groups one and two, although both fared better than group three. The reason for this effect, according to the authors, may relate to blood or plasma viscosity (thickness) and fibrinogen, a substance that helps clots form.

Resolve decreased concentration and fatigue

Mild dehydration resulted in decreased concentration, subdued mood, fatigue and headaches in women in a small study (5). Dehydration was prompted by walking on a treadmill and taking a diuretic (water pill) prior to the exercise. Results were compared to a control group that did not take the diuretic. The authors concluded that adequate hydration was needed, especially during and after exercise.

Consume hydrating foods

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How much water you need to drink depends on your diet, activity levels, environment and other factors. In a review article, researchers analyzed the data, but did not find adequate studies to suggest that eight glasses a day is a magic number (6). It may be too much for some patients.

You can increase your hydration by altering your diet. Diets with a focus on fruits and vegetables increase water consumption (7). As you may know, 95 percent of the weights of many fruits and vegetables are attributed to water. An added benefit is an increased satiety level without eating calorically dense foods.

In a review, it was suggested that caffeinated coffee and tea don’t increase the risk of dehydration, even though caffeine is a mild diuretic (8). With moderate amounts of caffeinated beverages, the liquid in them has a more hydrating effect than its diuretic effect. Remember that salty foods can dehydrate you, including soups, breads and pastries, so try to avoid these.

It is important to stay hydrated to avoid uncomfortable — and sometimes serious — complications. Diet is a great way to ensure that you get the triple effect of high nutrients, increased hydration and sense of feeling satiated without calorie-dense foods. However, don’t go overboard with water consumption, especially if you have congestive heart failure or open-angle glaucoma (9).

References:

(1) epa.gov (2) Handb Clin Neurol. 2010;97:161-72. (3) my.clevelandclinic.org. (4) Am J Epidemiol 2002 May 1; 155:827-33. (5) J. Nutr. February 2012 142: 382-388. (6) AJP – Regu Physiol. 2002;283:R993-R1004. (7) Am J Lifestyle Med. 2011;5(4):316-319. (8) Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 2007;35(3):135-140. (9) Br J Ophthalmol. 2005:89:1298–1301.

Dr. David Dunaief is a speaker, author and local lifestyle medicine physician focusing on the integration of medicine, nutrition, fitness and stress management. For further information, visit www.medicalcompassmd.com or consult your personal physician.

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'Wanderer' under full sail.
Map courtesy National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Three survivors of 'Wanderer' (L-R) Cilucangy (Ward Lee), Pucka Geata (Tucker Henderson), Tahro (Romeo)
1857 mess kettle used to feed 'Wanderer' slaves on Jekyll Island. Photo by William B. Minuse

By Beverly C. Tyler

A few years ago, on the eve of the celebration of Martin Luther King’s birthday, my wife and I watched the DVD movie “Amazing Grace,” based on the story of how a few dedicated men and women in England, at the beginning of the 19th century, ended the British slave trade. As dramatic as the story was, I was equally impressed by one of the special features, a tour of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. One of their on-line exhibits notes, “The transatlantic slave trade was the largest forced migration of people…which brought millions of Africans to America.” 

One of the main concerns of the Freedom Center is that around the world, “there are estimated 21 million to 45 million people trapped in some form of slavery today… more than at any other time in human history.” A film, special feature or website is no substitute for an actual visit to the Freedom Center and other museums and historical societies that tell stories of our history, culture, diversity and the challenges we face.

There is a darker side to the diversity of our community. It has many facets, including stories of our enslaved people and our community’s part in the slave trade. One story begins here in East Setauket, along Shore Road, overlooking Setauket Harbor.    

Joseph Rowland built the  schooner-yacht “Wanderer” in 1857 for Colonel John D. Johnson, a member of the New York Yacht Club and a wealthy sugar planter from New Orleans. Johnson raced the schooner and won every race until the yacht club disallowed “Wanderer’s” participation due to her size and speed. Angered, Johnson and “Wanderer” left New York in late spring 1858 for a tour of the south, including Charleston and Savannah. At every port “Wanderer” was widely acclaimed.  

During that tour Johnson sold “Wanderer” to William C. Corey and soon after she appeared in Port Jefferson. She was fitted out for the slave trade, probably at the yard of J.J. Harris. With installation of large water tanks and the appearance of the schooner “Charter Oak” outside the harbor with more supplies for “Wanderer”, S.S. Norton, surveyor of the port, became suspicious and notified federal officials in New York. The revenue cutter “Harriet Lane” intercepted “Wanderer” off Old Field Point and took her in tow to New York over Corey’s loud protests.

Corey glibly talked himself free and “Wanderer” was allowed to leave for Charleston, SC where the real owner Charles Augustus Lafayette Lamar surfaced. Lamar, staying in the background because of his previous connection with slavers, obtained customs clearance for her. They completed fitting out for the slave trade and sailed for Africa. 

Slavers were rigged to outrun the slave squadrons of Great Britain and America, both of which were trying to stop the now illegal slave trade. On the west coast of Africa, “Wanderer” took aboard some 600 enslaved Africans and sailed for America. They were laid down side by side alternating head and feet, chained wrist to ankle, and kept there for days without sanitation. 

On the evening of November 28, 1858, “Wanderer” landed 465 Africans on Jekyll Island, Georgia. The rest had died during the voyage and were unceremoniously tossed over the side. Most of the Africans suffered from diarrhea, dietary deficiencies and skin diseases. They were sick, tired, needed rest, care and good food to recover, but had to be dispersed as soon as possible to avoid Federal questions about their status. A camp was set up and Dr. Robert  Hazelhurst, married to the sister of John and Henry DuBignon, owners of Jekyll Island, checked every African and none died in his care. 

“Wanderer” was seized by Federal authorities, but the Africans, now on Georgia soil, a slave state, had been quickly sold at auction. There was outrage in the U.S. Congress but little, if anything, was done, less than two years before the start of the Civil War.

The real story of “Wanderer” is about the enslaved African people who survived and thrived. Cilucangy, (SIL-U-CANNY) who learned basket weaving from his mother was taken from field work when his talent was recognized. Ward Lee, his American slave name, and his wife and many of their descendants lived their lives in Aiken County, SC not too far from where he was first enslaved. They raised four children and many of their descendants moved north settling in New York and on Long Island. These included 87-year-old Ocea Lee-Barnes, a resident of Hempstead, Long Island when she was interviewed in 2008 at a “Wanderer” survivor reunion on Jekyll Island. Cilucangy told his story in 1908 to an anthropologist from the University of Chicago. He dreamed of returning to Africa and died ten years later without fulfilling his dream.

  As of March 2024, the state of Georgia has identified at least 67 of the 409 captive men, women and children who were illegally smuggled aboard “Wanderer.” Cilucangy’s sons moved north, grandson William moved to Brooklyn. In the 1980s, his great-great granddaughters were named the Doublemint Gum Twins. Today the family includes teachers, lawyers, and guidance professionals. Margaret Higgins, another great-granddaughter of Cilucangy, lived in Nassau County and her grandson is named Alexander Cilucangy Valenti.

Many enslaved Africans from “Wanderer” remained in the coastal areas of South Carolina and Georgia with a number being sold to plantations and individuals around Brunswick, Georgia and Jekyll Island. From December 1858 until the start of the Civil War, newspapers followed the destinies of some “Wanderer” enslaved Africans who were discovered in all the states of the lower south. Partly as a result of enslaved Africans landing on Jekyll Island, the Buchanan administration (1857-1861) strengthened the African squadron by adding steamers of war and permitting closer co-operation with the British. 

In 1861, “Wanderer” was seized by the federal government and used as a Civil War gunboat. She was credited  with capturing four prizes. After the war the U.S. Navy sold her to private owners who ran her aground on Cape Maisi, east of Cuba, on January 21, 1871 and she was a total loss.  “The Last Slave Ships – New York and the end of the middle Passage,” a 2020 book by John Harris, tells the story of New York City’s extensive involvement in the slave trade. 

Extensive research on shipbuilding in the Three Village area and Suffolk County was conducted over many decades by local writer and historian William B. Minuse (1908-2002). His research on “Wanderer” included a trip to Jekyll Island, Georgia where he was able to photograph items such as the mess kettle used to feed the enslaved Africans after they arrived on Jekyll Island.

Author Beverly C. Tyler is Three Village Historical Society historian and author of books available from the Three Village Historical Society, 93 North Country Rd., Setauket. Tel: 631-751-3730. http://WWW.TVHS.org

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From left, postdoctoral researcher William Thomas, Professor Liliana Dávalos and former undergraduate fellow Maria Alejandra Bedoya Duque. Photo courtesy of William Thomas

By Daniel Dunaief

Captivity causes changes in a brain, at least in the shrew.

Small animals that look like rodents but are related to moles and hedgehogs, shrews have different gene expression in several important areas of their brain during captivity.

In a study led by 2022 Hearst summer Undergraduate Research Fellow Maria Alejandra Bedoya Duque in the lab of Stony Brook Professor Liliana Dávalos, shrews in captivity had  different gene expression in the cortex, hippocampus and olfactory bulb. These brain areas are important for cognition, memory and environmental sensing.

“I was very surprised by what we found,” said Dávalos. While she expected that the research might uncover differences between the brains of captive and wild animals, she didn’t expect the changes to be as many or as strong.

The change in brain activity could offer potential alternative explanations for studies that explore the effect of various experiments on animals kept in captivity.

“It could be very useful to find out if these environmental influences could be confounding,” said Dávalos. “We don’t know all the dimensions of what captivity is doing.”

Additionally, brain activity changes in captivity for shrews in terms of the transcripts that are over or under expressed mirror those found in humans who have neurological changes such as major depressive disorder or neuro degenerative disorders.

“How these [changes] influence behavior or cognition is a separate question,” Dávalos added.

To be sure, extrapolating from shrews to humans is different and requires careful analysis, Dávalos explained.

Humans and shrews have distinct life history, ecology, body size and other characteristics. While scientists can study genes they think might have similar functions, more studies are necessary to determine the effects of those genes in expression and how similar they are to those studied in humans or mice.

Dávalos does not expect to find a silver bullet that reorganizes human brains or a gene or pathway that’s going to revolutionize neurodegenerative research.

Nonetheless, in and of itself, the study suggested opportunities for further research and exploration into the effects of captivity on animals in general and, in particular, on their mental processes, which are affected by changes in conditions and needs in their environment.

A foundation for future work

Maria Alejandra Bedoya Duque

The study, which was recently published in the journal Biology Letters, grew out of a two-month internship Bedoya did at Stony Brook in which she studied the brains of four captive shrews and four wild animals. The analysis of the results involved numerous calls and discussions when she returned to Colombia to finish her undergraduate degree.

At the end of the summer, Bedoya was “going to present her work internally at Stony Brook,” explained William Thomas, a postdoctoral researcher in Dávalos’s lab and one of Bedoya’s mentors throughout the project. “Instead, she turned it into a paper.”

Thomas appreciated how Bedoya “put in a lot of work to make sure she got this out,” he said.

The shrew’s brain changed after two months in captivity, which is about 20 percent of their total lifespan, as shrews live an average of one year.

“We don’t know what the limits are,” in terms of the effect of timing on triggering changes in the shrew’s brain, Thomas said. “We don’t know how early the captive effect is.”

Thomas suggested that this paper could “lay the foundation for future studies with larger samples.”

Dávalos was pleased that the study resulted in a meaningful paper after a summer of gathering data and several years of analyzing and presenting the information.

“I’m immensely proud and happy that we had this unexpected finding,” said Dávalos. “It is one of the most gratifying experiences as a mentor.”

A launching pad

Bedoya, who graduated from Universidad Icesi in 2023 and is applying to graduate school after working as an adjunct professor/ lecturer at her alma mater, is pleased her work led to a published paper.

“I was so happy,” said Bedoya. “If it hadn’t been for [Thomas] and [Dávalos] cheering me on the whole time when I came back to Colombia, this study could have ended as my fellowship ended.”

Bedoya believes the experience at Stony Brook provided a launching pad for her career.

“It is a very valuable experience to have conducted this research all the way up to publication,” she said.

Thomas and Dávalos each recalled their own first scientific publication.

“I’m happy and relieved when they come out,” said Thomas. “While internal validation is important, the pleasure comes from providing something that you believe can help society.”

Dávalos’s first publication involved some unusual twists and turns. When she submitted her first paper about deforestation in the Andes, the journal wrote back to her in a letter telling her the paper was too newsy. She submitted it to several other publications, including one that indicated they had a huge backlog and weren’t publishing new research.

When it was published, the paper didn’t receive much attention. That paper, and another on her thoughts about how peace between the Colombian government and the FARC rebels might be worse for the rainforest, have since been cited frequently by other researchers.

Winter brain

At around the same time that Bedoya published her work about the effect of captivity on the shrew brain, Thomas published a study in the journal eLife in which he examined how shrew brains shrank during the winter and then regrew during the spring.

This work could offer genetic clues to neurological and metabolic health in mammals. Thomas focused on the hypothalamus, measuring how gene expression shifts seasonally.

A suite of genes that change across the seasons were involved in the regulation of energy homeostasis as well as genes that regulate cell death that might be associated with reductions in brain size.

Temperature was the driver of these seasonal changes.

The genes involved in maintaining the blood brain barrier and calcium signaling were upregulated in the shrew compared with other mammals.

After the winter, the shrew’s brains recovered their size, although below their pre-winter size.

Originally from Syracuse, Thomas attended SUNY Albany.

When he was younger, he entertained ideas of becoming a doctor, particularly as his grandmother battled ALS. On his first day shadowing a physician, he felt claustrophobic in the exam room and almost passed out.

He wanted to be outside instead of in “the squeaky clean floors” of a doctor’s office, he explained in an email.

As a scientist, he feels he can meld his passion for nature and his desire to help those who suffer from disease.

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By Britt Burner, Esq.

Britt Burner Esq.

A trend that has continued on an upward trajectory for years is the use of “living trusts” in estate planning rather than relying on a last will and testament (“will”). While living trusts are a great tool for transferring assets at death, determining if a trust or a will is better for you is dependent on your assets, circumstances, and personal goals.  Every person is different and therefore every estate plan should be tailored to the individual.  

A will is a legal document dictating how your personal items and monetary assets should be distributed at death.  If you die with assets titled in your sole name with no beneficiary, these assets must pass through your will.  What does this mean?  Your will must go through a court proceeding known as probate. It is not until the proceeding is completed that the Executor, the person nominated in your will to be responsible for your estate, is legally appointed by the court.  While the probate is pending, there will be no authority for the Executor to collect or distribute your assets pursuant to the terms of your will.  

While a will is an excellent estate planning tool, there are some downsides to relying on this document and the probate process for your estate plan. As part of the process of probate, the next of kin must be notified.  This could create a problem if the next of kin includes an estranged family member or distant relative whose whereabouts are unknown. Additionally, any documents filed as part of the probate proceeding will become a public record.  

Another negative consequence is the time it takes to probate the will, creating a delay in the Executor’s power to administer your estate. Even the simplest probate proceedings can take 4 to 12 months. Lastly, if you own properties in multiple states, an ancillary probate proceeding will have to be completed in each of those states before the Executor can control those properties.

In New York, there has been a strong shift to trusts in recent years due to the drawbacks stated above. A trust, like a will, directs how assets are to be distributed at your death.  Unlike a will, a trust is a private document that does not need to be filed with the court, there is no requirement to notify your next of kin about the trust administration after death, and the Trustee can administer your trust immediately.  The trust can also hold real property in multiple states, eliminating the requirements of ancillary probate proceedings.  

There are many different types of trusts that serve different needs.  For example, a revocable trust may be used for the sole purpose of avoiding probate in multiple states, while an irrevocable Medicaid Asset Protection Trust is used to protect assets should you need to apply for Medicaid to assist with the costs of long-term care. There are also irrevocable trusts that are used to reduce one’s taxable estate, or supplemental needs trusts used to protect those who receive government benefits.

A review of your current estate plan with an estate planning and elder law attorney will help determine if your current plan accomplishes your goals or if a shift to trust planning will be better suited for your needs.

Britt Burner, Esq. is a Partner at Burner Prudenti Law, P.C. focusing her practice areas on Estate Planning and Elder Law. Burner Prudenti Law, P.C. serves clients from New York City to the east end of Long Island with offices located in East Setauket, Westhampton Beach, Manhattan and East Hampton.

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Goumba

Welcome to the 37th edition of Paw Prints, a monthly column for animal lovers dedicated to helping shelter pets find their furever home

Goumba

Meet Goumba

With a name signifying “close friend or companion,” this approximately ten-year-old Terrier mix is Goumba, up for adoption at Little Shelter in Huntington. A willing accomplice in planning all your upcoming adventures, he knows it’s not the destination but who you travel with that makes the journey unforgettable. Happy to be by your side, or most preferably in your lap, Goumba is warm, affectionate, and the perfect stress reducer in these challenging times. A bit of an introvert, you can easily win him over with a kind word and a tasty treat. If Goumba sounds like he would fit well into your family, stop by and say hello today! 631-368-8770 

*Goumba is fully grown and mostly housebroken*

Buffy

Meet Buffy

Possessing a strong moral compass, intelligence, and determination, this 1.5 year old Terrier mix is Buffy, available for adoption at Little Shelter in Huntington. Like any vampire slayer, she relies on girl power to get things done, is ready to face any challenge, and displays optimism about her future. 

While her initial presentation is one of resourcefulness and independence, she is affectionate and loving, welcoming attention and pets. Buffy’s core strength is her undying loyalty and she is hoping to find a family she can stand by….and one that will stand by her. “The good guys are always stalwart and true.” Welcome a bit of sassiness and a whole lot of love into your home..stop by to meet Buffy today! 631-368-8770

*Buffy is fully grown and mostly housebroken*

Macho

Meet Macho

This one-year-old, goofy, and athletic pup at the Brookhaven Animal Shelter is ready to bring some fun and energy into your life! Macho loves going on walks—though he is very strong on leash and would benefit from leash training. This playful guy also loves to run and has a blast playing with his favorite stuffies. Macho is still learning some manners, especially when it comes to not jumping, but he’s a fast learner and takes corrections well. 

With his high energy, Macho would do best in a home with kids 14 and up who can keep up with his playful spirit. he is looking for a family who can give him the structure, love, and playtime he needs. If you’re ready for an energetic, fun-loving pup to join your family, Macho might be the perfect match!

If you would like to meet Macho, please apply through the shelter’s matchmaker application at www.brookhavenny.gov/152/Animal-Shelter. 631-451-6950

Meet Mr. Dreamy – Update: Mr. McDreamy has been adopted! 

This lovable, 50-pound bundle of bulldog charm is patiently waiting at Kent Animal Shelter’s temporary location at Bide-a-Wee, 118 Old Countrty Road, Westhampton for his furever home. After being left homeless at a local municipal shelter, this charming three-year-old pup was fortunate enough to catch the attention of Kent Animal Shelter. With his adorable demeanor, irresistible smile and a wagging tail that seems to echo his hopeful spirit, Mr. Dreamy embodies the essence of companionship that countless families seek. He thrives in the company of other animals, making him a perfect addition to any home.  Come meet him today! 631-727-5731

Meet Candied Yams

Candi was one of several cats abandoned on Dec. 4 when their pet parents moved. Now being cared for at the Smithtown Animal Shelter, she is ready for her furever home. This beautiful six-year-old tabby is a little shy and low key at first, but with some time and patience will warm up nicely. She is used to living with multilple cats and can be adopted alone or with one of her housemates. She is good around calm dogs and has no known medical conditions. Come meet her today! 631-360-7575

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DID YOU KNOW? The Town of Smithtown Animal Shelter has announced the release of its first-ever 2025 Animal Shelter Calendar, showcasing irresistible cats and dogs currently in need of loving homes. This limited-edition calendar is not just a delightful addition to your desk or home but also a heartfelt reminder of the importance of pet adoption with a suggested donation of $30. All of the proceeds (100%) will directly benefit the shelter, funding critical emergency and veterinary care in the coming year. Call 631-360-7575 to reserve your copy to pick up during shelter hours. 

Rescue is a lifestyle. Adopt, don’t shop.

Check out the next Paw Prints in the issue of February 20.

Paw Prints is generously sponsored by Mark T. Freeley, Esq.

 

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On Jan. 19, the popular social media platform, TikTok, displayed an error screen, halting many of the app’s 150 million American users’ mid-scroll. “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now,” the screen read. “A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S.” 

TikTok is owned by the Chinese internet company ByteDance and gained prominence on an international scale in 2017. Its Chinese ownership caused former President Joe Biden to sign a law dictating that if TIkTok weren’t sold to an American company, then it would be banned from American devices, leading to the error message. 

This isn’t the first time TikTok was under threat of a ban, but it is the first time it has gotten this far. TikTok users across the country closed their apps for what they thought was the last time, reflecting on how the app fits into their lives, and how it will change their future habits. 

TikTok was out of commission for 12 hours, giving many Americans a chance to contemplate its absence. Were we glad that the icon was no longer on our phone screens, tempting us to click on it? Or, did we regret that we didn’t have the breadth of advice, entertainment and information it avails? 

The app offers endless opportunities, giving platforms to anyone who creates an account. Many small-business owners, artists, song-writers, comedians, food-bloggers, musicians and book-reviewers gained a foothold in their industry by joining the expanding ranks of “Tiktok influencers.” Numerous current professionals, especially creatives, used the short-form videos to their advantage. Lil Nas X, the recipient of two Grammy Awards, is one of the most notable artists who gained popularity by advertising his song on the app. 

However, the very draw of the app–representation of a wide range of communities, allowing anyone to have a platform–can be contorted to manipulate the user’s perspective on reality. Besides the constant risk of spreading inaccurate information, the sheer amount of content can be anxiety-inducing. Literally swiping away anything distressing can condense a person’s world, the specialized “For You Page,” an echo-chamber. The casual, friendly videos can become a crutch, with scrolling from video to video becoming less of a conscious action and more of a comforting, self-soothing habit. 

During those hours without TikTok as an active factor shaping our view, we were given the distance needed to evaluate its place retrospectively in our lives. Did we use it when we were bored? Stressed? Angry? Why and when will we miss it? Taking healthy breaks provides the unaffected clarity to make these determinations. 

TikTok is back for now–President Trump issued a 90-day extension for ByteDance to sell–but let’s use the temporary ban as an opportunity to examine our social media usage.

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Vegetarian stuffed peppers

By Heidi Sutton

These weeknight-friendly vegetarian stuffed peppers are packed with protein in the form of black beans and brown rice and loaded with sautéed onions, corn, and tomatoes. Loved by meat-eaters and vegetarians alike, this easy, healthy dinner is sure to spice up your week. Serve with garlic bread and an arugula salad.

Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers

Recipe from Milk Means More

Vegetarian stuffed peppers

YIELD: Makes 6 servings

INGREDIENTS: 

6 large sweet bell peppers

1 tablespoon butter

1/2 cup diced sweet onion

1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half

1 cup frozen corn, thawed

1 1/2 cups canned black beans, drained   and rinsed

2 cups cooked brown rice

1 large egg

1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1 1/2 + 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 350º F. Line a rimmed half sheet pan with non-stick aluminum foil.

Slice the tops off of the sweet bell peppers. Use a spoon to scoop the seeds and white membranes from the insides of the peppers. Discard the pepper tops and seeds. Place the peppers onto the prepared half sheet pan; briefly set aside. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add onions and cook until translucent (about 5 minutes). Stir in tomatoes, corn, black beans and brown rice until combined. Remove from heat and set aside.

In a large bowl, beat the egg, then add in chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Add veggie mixture to bowl and mix well. Add 1 1/2 cups of the cheddar cheese into the filling bowl and mix until well combined. Stuff the open cavities of the sweet bell peppers tightly with filling, mounding a bit of the filling over the top edge of the peppers. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over top of the filling.

Bake the stuffed peppers for 30 to 35 minutes or until filling is heated through, the peppers soften, and the exteriors begin to wrinkle. Serve immediately.

Simple Arugula Salad

YIELD: Makes 6 servings

INGREDIENTS: 

¾ cup Parmesan cheese shavings (about 1.5 ounces)*

1 small shallot

8 cups (5 ounces) baby arugula (do not use standard arugula, usually sold in bunches)

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

¼ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste

1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice + zest of ½ lemon

DIRECTIONS:

If necessary, shave the Parmesan cheese with a vegetable peeler. Thinly slice shallot. In large bowl, place the baby arugula, olive oil, lemon zest (optional), lemon juice, and kosher salt. Use your hands to toss everything so it’s evenly coated. Add the Parmesan shavings and shallot and toss for a few seconds until combined. Taste and add additional salt if desired.

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A scene of destruction in Western North Carolina after Tropical Storm Helene. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/NCDOTcommunications

By Kurt Johnsen  

On August 19, 2024, a “thousand-year” rain event breached Harbor Road and drained the Stony Brook Mill Pond. TBR News Media published my memoir of my personal relationship with the pond and my deep sorrow of its loss on Aug. 29.

I live in Asheville, North Carolina and on September 28, I awoke to a Natural Disaster that was beyond my comprehension. Tropical storm Helene had scourged our beloved Western North Carolina.  I’ll first note that my wife and I were fine, and our home only suffered minor damage. I stepped outside and began to witness what was soon to be apparent destruction of “biblical” proportion.

Overnight, 40 to 100 miles-per-hour winds had ravaged our region. Asheville received 14 inches of rain, much of Western North Carolina received two feet of rain and even up to 30 inches, all in the previous two days. Trees were downed everywhere and with them thousands of power lines cutting off electricity and making even simple travel down the road impossible. Soon, the magnitude of the destruction started to become evident. 

Close to 900,000 acres of forest were downed or damaged, thousands of homes were destroyed and 150,000 people were displaced. If you haven’t yet, you can go on YouTube and watch the hundreds of videos showing events that, before this, we only witnessed from afar often in third world countries. Two miles from our house  Biltmore Village was flooded and EVERY business was gutted or ripped down. Eighty percent of our beloved River Arts District was destroyed. The torrents caused massive mudslides. Across the region, houses were torn apart and floated  like balsa wood along powerful rivers that, two days prior, were small streams and brooks. 

There are 104 verified storm-related deaths. It is Incredulous this number isn’t higher. Vehicles, homes, businesses were piled like matchsticks. People’s lives were upended and, for many, will never be the same. Even now, as you drive out to smaller towns that were virtually destroyed,  you proceed through a “tunnel” of the hulks of demolished cars, trucks, houses and other flotsam.

The main Pipeline from the reservoir that supplies most of Asheville with water was shattered and under 28 feet of thick muck! Water immediately ceased flowing out of the tap for, in most cases, months and even longer to become potable. Asheville’s unemployment rate jumped from three to 9 percent overnight. The lack of affordable housing, already a crisis for service industry employees in our tourist-based economy, was extraordinarily exacerbated overnight.

Stop reading for a minute and imagine the all-too-real picture I have painted above. Now, let me put this in perspective. The Mill Pond is approximately 11 acres in size. That is 0.001 percent of the area that was impacted in WNC from Helene. And now, much of Los Angeles looks like Dresden after the firebombing. I will not go far out on a limb to say we have reached the “tipping point”; climate change is now ravaging our planet.  James Taylor sang “I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain.” He had no idea how prophetic his prose would become. 

Author Kurt Johnsen, who grew up in idyllic Stony Brook,  now resides in  Asheville, North Carolina.

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By Daniel Dunaief

Daniel Dunaief

The back to back days of pardons given by former president Joe Biden and current president Donald Trump put me in a pardoning frame of mind.

In that vein, I think we should have a national day of pardoning in the United States, unrelated to who is president and what those pardons might reflect about the taint politics has on the entire notion of a justice system whose rules can and should apply to all.

Perhaps the day after the inauguration should become a day of amnesty or for some sort of pardoning day, when we can ask for and receive pardons from regular folks for regular offenses.

Here are a few pardonable categories:

Inaction: We sometimes have those moments when we could or should say something and don’t. We see someone bullying someone else and we have the chance to stand up for that person. Instead, maybe we’re relieved that the bullying didn’t come directly at us.

Many years ago in college, one of my professors (and some of you may have read this anecdote before, so pardon me) was berating someone for trying to remove some equipment quietly from the room. He shouted at him and dressed him down, complaining that this other person was making it impossible for him to do his job.

At the time, I thought about getting out of my seat and leaving the room, but I didn’t. I could have helped the person doing the work, or, perhaps, have said something.

Funny is in the eye of the beholder: We sometimes think, hope or believe we’re funnier than we are. Maybe we make a friend or classmate uncomfortable, joke with a partner or invalidate someone else with words we think are more clever than they are. A pardon day could give us a chance to rephrase what we said or, instead of explaining it or editing it, just deleting it from the record. Wouldn’t that be nice? Pardon me for trying too hard to be amusing and missing the mark so badly. Can’t you just see that on a card or in a text?

We thought we knew better: How often have our parents suggested something, like wearing boots in the snow, putting on mittens in the cold, or doing our homework instead of praying for a snow day, and been right? Perhaps an amnesty day would give us a chance to admit that they were right and, in return, they could ask for our pardon for telling the same stories about our stubborn and self-assured nature.

Last teammates: Gym class is filled with opportunities for embarrassment, discomfort and failure. We might let a ball scoot by us, run the wrong way or pass to the wrong teammate. But those pale in comparison to the moment when someone is picked last, yet again. These character-building experiences can and should include moments when the people chosen last defy the odds and receive a welcoming and eager reaction from a captain or teammates.

Understanding instead of anger: It’s easy to react to someone’s angry, abrupt or inexplicable actions with frustration and hostility. Why didn’t this person answer a text or email? Why did he or she cut me off? We can ask for a pardon and perhaps get a better understanding of why someone wouldn’t let us finish a sentence.

Ears not mouth: Sometimes, we need a pardon for speaking instead of listening. Speaking is so much easier, as we can share whatever thoughts are percolating in our brains. Listening is often harder, but can be more rewarding and meaningful for people who have something to share. Pardon me for speaking. What did you want to say? I promise I’m listening.

Bad math moment: Maybe we were splitting a check, leaving a tip or returning the favor for a gift someone gave our children and yet, somehow we didn’t send/ spend enough. We’ve all been distracted at inopportune times, even with money. A pardon for under-tipping a hard working waiter or waitress might go a long way. 

Sharing poorly: On a recent vacation, I went up to a buffet, filled a plate with chocolate chip cookies and carried them through the restaurant. A child in the restaurant pointed and said, “Look it’s the real cookie monster.” Yes, that’s me. So, for all those times I didn’t exactly share well, pardon me.

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By Leah S. Dunaief

Leah Dunaief,
Publisher

There is a place called Ramsey, where they have banned cellphones during class. Perhaps you have heard of it? It’s in New Jersey. Ramsey High School has banned students from using cellphones and electronic devices during school hours, except at lunch. The idea was to reduce distractions and improve mental health.

No doubt you have been reading or hearing about how cellphone overuse is ruining our kids’ moods and minds, not to mention how hard it is for teachers to reach the students if the latter are plastered on their cellphone screens. 

Well, a San Francisco company called Yondr has stepped into the breech with a lockable pouch for each student that keeps phones out of reach until the pouch is tapped on an unlocking base.

There are 741 students in the high school, and upon entering the building they put their  cellphone into the small holders that they carry with them but cannot open until lunchtime. They can then check their messages, text with friends, play videos, and otherwise use their phones until they return to class, where the procedure repeats itself. At the end of the school day, they reclaim their phones and can jump back on them as they go home or wherever they go next.

How did they do it? 

The district was able to put the policy together, after board approval, by sending three letters: one to parents, one to students and one to teachers and administrators, explaining the program. Communication was good, and the policy was helped by New Jersey’s Governor Phil Murphy endorsing the idea for all 600 school districts in his State of the State address.

How is it working for them?

Many of the students have responded positively to the change. They point out that they are actually happy to see their friends in the hallways and talk with them, whereas before, they were all in their cellphones while changing classrooms. So better socializing has been a plus.

Grades have improved, according to some of the students and teachers, as student attention is now directed to the lessons. Teachers undoubtedly find it more satisfying to teach less distracted kids. And cyberbullying seems reduced.

Concerns about safety have subdued. Should emergency messages need to be sent, having clear bandwidth to the police or whomever would be an advantage. The investment for the district was $30,000.

UNESCO is advocating cellphone bans in schools, arguing that the devices are distractions from learning, are bad for teens’ mental health and may be an obstacle for students’ privacy, as some digital education tools can survey the children using them. The recommendations come from the 2023 Global Education Monitoring Report, which analyzes global policies on technology use in classrooms.

“Only technology that has a clear role in supporting learning should be allowed in school,” the United Nations agency for education and science stated, according to the publication, Global News. 

In fact, one in four countries has already implemented full or partial cellphone bans in schools, according to the report. “Incoming notifications or the mere proximity of a mobile device can be a distraction, resulting in students’ losing their attention from the task at hand,” the report states. One study showed  it can take students up to 20 minutes to refocus on learning once their attention was drawn away.

Data from a 2018 study showed that young people 11-14 on average spent 9 hours in front of a screen, down a bit to 7.5 hours for 15-18 year-olds. The report further pointed to an American study that showed higher screen time was associated with “poorer well-being; less curiosity, self-control and emotional stability; higher anxiety; and depression diagnoses.”

If this has a familiar ring to it, for those of a certain age, the same concerns were expressed in the early years of television. How did we deal with the problem? 

Less television.

P.S. Just woke up yesterday to learn that Gov. Hochul is advocating the same idea. She must have heard of Ramsey.

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