A1 log onto www.jeffersonpost.com for archive • games • features • e-edition • polls & more S1 INSIDE STORY INSIDE TODAY jefferson post generations share a coloring Book connection .... 9 A Special Section of the SPORTS ONLINE Youth volleyball view local news season ends .... 6 online at jeffersonpost.com Vol. 86, Issue 100 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2011 50¢ Lansing mayor and aldermenBy Linda Burchette the final inspection, take and reported a sue, oathsRembert said, but it was looking post photo/linda Burchette assistant editor couple minor needs which were met, positive for town growth. Lansing Mayor George Rembert took the oath of office Monday [email protected] and the well was turned on. The new grant for Lansing Tech is night from Clerk of Court Pam Barlow. “We are done. We have water as $29,410 worth of computer software George Rembert took the oath of of today,” said Rembert. “We’ve got from Microsoft, the board reported. office as mayor of Lansing Monday water! We can build houses and busi- The money, said Rembert, is through night, accompanied by newly re- nesses. Add meters.” Appalachian Regional Commission elected Aldermen Brenda Reeves, “I’m all for adding on new people,” from T.A.R.P. funds. The town ap- Steve Greer and Jack Brown, and said Alderman Mauvine Shepherd. plied for the grant some months ago, then they all cheered the announce- “And flush the commode two times and was just notified of approval. ment of a new well for the town and in one day,” added Alderman Brown. a huge grant for computer software The new well is producing over 36 With an empty alderman seat on for Lansing Tech. gallons a minute. It is located off G the board, discussion began on an In an update on the new well, Street. Combined with water from appointment and was tabled until which has been in the process of de- two other wells, Rembert said he the January meeting. The board also velopment for over six years, Mayor hopes this will be enough to bring discussed a potential farmers market post photo/linda Burchette Rembert said Water Resources Di- the town out from under a morato- in the town, and possible removal of Lansing Aldermen Brenda Reeves (from left), Steve Greer and rector Tim Church and and an in- rium on new hookups. The board the traffic light to create a pedestrian Jack Brown were sworn in Monday night by Clerk of Court Pam spector had come out last week for would confer with Church on that is- crossing. Barlow. Feeding the hungry Area resources to help those in need this winter By Adam Orr staffw riter [email protected] Fighting off the winter chill is hard enough, but doing it while hungry is too much to bear. Since 2008, the number of Ashe County families forced to seek food stamp assistance has nearly doubled to 2,100 from 1,100, according to Karen Riddle, Supervisor of the Food and Nutrition Services with the Ashe County Department of Social Services. “A lot of people who have always weathered the rough times before, who’ve always been fine,” said Riddle, “in this econo- my, they’re not. And they don’t know how to access services.” If you, or someone you know, is hungry this winter, there are a number of resources that can be taken advantage of, thanks to dedicated, caring individuals across the High Country. Food and Nutrition Services Formerly known as Food Stamps, FNS helps those on hard times buy the food they need to survive. Benefits are now loaded monthly onto a debit-card like EBT card. Families worried about the stigma surrounding food stamps can take advantage of the EBT card, which can be swiped like any other at the grocery store. To apply, simply fill out the application, which can down- Saturday is last day to enter Meals loaded at http://www.fns4nc.org/how_do_i_apply. You can also pick up an application at the Ashe County Department of Social Services, or ask DSS to mail you a copy. If you have and Memories recipe contest See HUNGRY | 7 The holidays bring out the chef in a lot of us. try the easy crowd pleaser recipe from SSCHEFAS Favorite recipes are “brought to the table” 1 lb. ground beef, turkey or hot sausage - browned BREMCO offers multiple year after year. Here’s your chance to share 1 jar pasta sauce with garlic (Barilla sauce) your specialty with a big audience, but hurry, 8 Baby Bella mushrooms - chopped time is winding down. ½ of a large onion (yellow or white) - chopped ways to save this winter Take a moment to share one or more of ½ of a red bell pepper - chopped your favorite family recipes so that others may ½ of a green bell pepper – chopped enjoy the same treat this holiday season. ½ package pepperoni or turkey pepperoni (Boar’s Head) – cut in By Adam Orr You may help brighten someone’s holidays staffw riter quarters [email protected] or even win a prize. 1 box elbow or penne pasta (Barilla Plus pasta) The Jefferson Post is hosting an online 1 package shredded parmesan cheese (Sargento) Meals and Memories Holiday Recipe Contest With the heat running all the time to keep those wicked 1 package shredded Italian blend cheeses (Sargento) winter winds at bay, many Ashe County residents are brac- sponsored by West Jefferson Chevrolet. Salt, pepper, olive oil Submitting your entries is easy. All you ing for that outrageous power bill. Luckily, BREMCO is Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. here to help. have to do is go to jeffersonpost.com, click on Brown the ground meat in a medium saucepan. Add the whole jar of recipe contest and just submit your favorite Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation has an- pasta sauce to the ground meat. Simmer on low, covered, stirring nounced three programs that will help consumers save a recipe. You can then view the entries and vote occasionally. In a large pot, boil pasta. While pasta is boiling, in a for your favorite. little on their electricity bill. The co-op is now giving mem- large pan, heat olive oil, sauté chopped mushrooms, onion, red pep- bers two ways to perform a home energy audit, a “check- And best of all, not only will our county per, green pepper and pepperoni. Add salt and pepper. Cook until cooks be able to boast about being the best, up” of sorts that will likely save members some cash in the prizes are awarded in the four food categories. vegetables are tender, but not browned. When done, turn off heat process. Angi’s International is sponsoring the appe- and set aside. Drain pasta and place back in the large pot. Add the “Checking your home’s energy efficiency can not only tizer recipe category. Vannoy Construction is pasta sauce. Stir. Fold in the cooked vegetables and pepperoni to make you more comfortable this winter, it can save you sponsoring the breakfast recipe category. In- sauced pasta. Pour into a large oven-safe dish or 9”x13” pan. Gen- money on your power bill and save energy for all of us,” dependence Oil & LP Gas is sponsoring the erously sprinkle the top of the casserole with shredded parmesan read an October BREMCO press release. “It can even in- main course recipe category and Parker Tie cheese and the Italian cheese blend. Loosely apply aluminum foil crease your home’s value.” Co. is sponsoring the dessert recipe category. and bake it at 400 degrees for about 25-30 minutes. Take the alumi- The first option includes the do-it-yourself route by going Don’t forget to ask your friends and family num foil off and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until cheese to www.BlueRidgeEMC.com and clicking on “home energy to vote, also. The recipe submission period is is bubbly and crispy. check-up.” In conjunction with BREMCO’s new automatic now through Dec. 17. See CONTEST | 10 See WINTER | 7 Habitat for Humanity on pace with house By Adam orr there and start work on the The recipients of Habitat’s staffw riter interior.” first home, Hannah and Lee [email protected] Ashe County Habitat for Rash and their three chil- Humanity was founded in Oc- dren, have worked patiently With winter weather tober 2008, the mid-point of with the organization over quickly approaching, Ashe the 2007-2009 recession. As the last three years including County Habitat for Human- unemployment surged above fundraising and helping with ity is slowly but surely mov- 11 percent in North Carolina, the home’s construction on ing toward completion of the the group moved ahead with weekends. group’s first home in Buffalo its fundraising reaching their Three years ago, the Rash Meadows. $95,000 goal. Over the past family was fighting their way “We’re just a little behind,” three years, Ashe Habitat has out of a roach infested apart- said Ashe County Habitat for hosted a variety of fundrais- ment during the Habitat ap- Humanity President Tracy- ers including building and plication process. Through Lynn Schuster. “The plan raffling items, this summer’s this weekend is to get the inaugural Wheels and Wings it all, Lee was working third sheeting up for the roof and airshow, and hosting humor- shift at United Chemi-Con hopefully get the windows in ist Jeanne Robertson at the as a group leader while wife and make it air tight. That Ashe Civic Center. Hannah endured the pain of photo submitted way we can get heaters in Choosing a Family See HOUSE | 10 Volunteers wanted to help with Habitat house building on Saturday.