LakeOconee June 2017

June 2017

706-453-1333 www.LakeOconeeDental.com

MEMORIES WITH MOM

When I was young, my mom talked about wanting to visit Hawaii all the time. However, we only went on a couple major family vacations because my parents weren’t big travelers. Finances were also an issue, so any trip had to be accessible by car. That made the islands of Hawaii definitely “off-limits.” This year, my mom turns 80. Eighty years old is quite a milestone, and David and I felt this birthday was cause for a special celebration. (This year also marks the second year since my father’s passing, and my parents would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this month.) We decided to surprise my mom with a trip to Hawaii so

she could finally have her dream vacation, celebrate her birthday, and give her something to take her mind off the recent changes in her life. When we first told her, she was very reluctant, asking us if we were sure we wanted to do that. But once she knew we were set on taking her, she cried tears of joy. She then proceeded to tell everyone in Oostburg, Wisconsin, she was headed to Hawaii! One of my mom’s favorite parts of the trip was taking a drive together around the West Maui coast. The scenery was everything she had always imagined, and it was so fun to watch her take in all that beauty for the first time. We even stopped at a local farm and bought a pineapple. But what my mom treasured even more was spending time with our family. I see my mom about once a year, and it is usually for a long weekend. As the youngest of the five children in our family — and the only girl — my mom and I have always shared a special bond. This trip gave us an opportunity to see the sights, but more importantly, it also gave us a chance to talk, laugh, and enjoy much-needed one-on-one time together. It has been a long time since we have been able to do that. Our kids, Spencer and Sophia, also had a blast. If you ask them, they’ll tell you their favorite parts were watching whales and rappelling down waterfalls off the Road to Hana, a well-known road along the East Maui coast. But, I know Spencer and Sophia also realized this vacation was a special one because my mom was there. As teens, they may not always admit it, but I think they enjoyed the family time, too. “In my family, I am the youngest of five children and the only girl. My mom and I have always shared a special bond.”

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Lake Oconee Dentistry | Personalized & Comfortable | 1

SummerReadingPrograms forKids AVOID THE SUMMER SLIDE Having the kids home from school can be awesome, but how do you keep them busy and mentally engaged? You might find yourself eyeing expensive summer camps or wondering about private tutors. But that’s not necessary. Instead, check out some of these great summer reading rewards programs. All these programs are free, they’ll get your kids reading, and they’ll give you some time to yourself to boot!

The local library is the best place to start. Most city libraries have great summer reading programs that will reward kids for their hard work with prizes, awards, and even free books. Libraries are also great places to get suggestions for kids, and they offer fun activities during the day and night that will foster a love of learning and reading — and lead to more ideas on what to read! But libraries aren’t the only places that reward summer reading. National businesses also get in on the fun. Barnes & Noble will give a free book to any child who completes their summer reading triathlon journal ( barnesandnoble. com/summerreading ). Chuck E. Cheese will give any child 10 free tokens if they read every day and record their progress on their reading calendar (chuckecheese. com). Pizza Hut will also reward young readers for filling out a passport (bookitprogram.com), and there are other companies that offer incentives.

Remember, reading is about more than just learning. It’s also about keeping minds active to fight the “summer slide” that educators dread every new school year. If you want your kids to have fun, stay sharp, and win cool prizes, get them involved in summer reading!

What toDoWithAllThisSunlight?

Catch Some Waves The summer solstice also happens to fall right after

International Surfing Day, so why not enjoy the extra hours of sun by road tripping out to the beach to catch some waves? The official International Surfing Day website, surfrider.org/isd, has lots of information and lists great ways to celebrate. You might even be surprised to find awesome events near you! Shakespeare in the Park The week surrounding the summer solstice is often referred to as midsummer. William Shakespeare's beloved comedy “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” takes its name from this, so what better way to mark the occasion than with some of the Bard’s classic works? Theater groups all across the country put on outdoor performances, and it’s a wonderful chance for the community to come out and enjoy some of literature’s greatest stories. There are numerous celebrations surrounding the summer solstice. So why waste a sunny day? Get out there and have some fun!

We call the summer solstice the “longest day of the year,” and though there aren’t really more hours in the day, extended hours of sunlight do make June 21 feel longer. So, why not do something with that extra light? We can’t all make a pilgrimage to Stonehenge to watch the sunrise, but there are still plenty of ways to enjoy the summer solstice wherever you live. Try Outdoor Yoga Yoga is a popular activity for exercise and stress relief, practiced by millions across the world. The International Day of Yoga is held on June 21 each year. Expert and beginner yoga enthusiasts alike celebrate by taking their yoga mats outside. Find ways to get involved by visiting idayofyoga.org.

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How Sedation Dentistry Can Help You A DENTAL DREAM

When you suffer from dental anxiety, going to the dentist can truly be a painful experience. Fear and anxiety can make you tense up as your body goes into fight or flight mode. This can lower your pain threshold and make even mild procedures uncomfortable. The Journal of the American Dental Association reports almost 30 percent of Americans experience some form of dental fear, ranging from moderate anxiety to an extreme phobia. That’s around 90 million Americans, the majority of which will postpone going to the dentist. As a result, those with dental anxiety are at a higher risk for gum disease and early tooth loss. To help patients struggling with anxiety, Lake Oconee Dentistry offers sedation dentistry. With the use of sedatives, patients can have a comfortable, relaxing visit to the dentist. Dental sedation does not require invasive surgeries to be deemed necessary. Even a simple procedure, like teeth cleaning, can be made easier for the comfort of our patients.

Rather, prescribed medication slows the response of your central nervous system, allowing you to remain aware of your surroundings while reducing the sense of anxiousness.

Dental sedation isn’t reserved just for those with anxiety. It can also benefit patients undergoing extensive dental work or long procedures; gaggers or individuals with sensitive teeth; special-needs patients; and those suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia. Everyone deserves to experience good oral maintenance without suffering from stress or fear. If you want to learn more about sedation dentistry and find out if it’s right for you, simply call our office at 706-453-1333 to set up a consultation. Through the month of June, we are offering this sedation consultation for free — a $95 value! We only have four appointment slots available, so call and schedule your consultation today! Sensational Summer Salad It’s officially the season of salads, and fruit salads are summer’s specialty! Enjoy this tasty dish as a side or main course. For some added protein, toss in a handful of slivered almonds or chopped pecans.

While the experience sounds like a dream, the sedation dentistry offered at our office does not put patients to sleep.

COVER CONTINUED

Ingredients • 1 pound strawberries, thinly sliced • 3 medium peaches, thinly sliced • 1 cup blueberries • 1 heaping tablespoon fresh basil or mint, chopped

• 2 tablespoons lemon juice • 1 tablespoon maple syrup • 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar

As my mom and kids get older, these vacations are becoming increasingly important to David and me. Our kids are in seventh and eighth grade now and will soon be entering high school. It won’t be long before they will be headed off to college. We want to make the most of the time we have with them over the next four or five years, before everyone gets busy with their own lives and responsibilities. We want to be purposeful about creating these memories so time doesn’t get away from us. As the saying goes, “The best things in life are the people we love, the places we’ve been, and the memories we’ve made along the way.” May your summer be filled with many moments that become your special memories for years to come.

Instructions 1. In a medium serving bowl, combine the strawberries, peaches, blueberries, and basil. 2. Drizzle lemon juice, maple syrup, and balsamic vinegar on top. 3. Gently toss to combine. 4. Serve immediately, or chill for later.

— Dr. Patti

Recipe inspired by allrecipes.com.

Lake Oconee Dentistry | Personalized & Comfortable | 3

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

1011 Parkside Main | Greensboro, GA 30642 If you have any questions, call us at 706-453-1333 www.LakeOconeeDental.com

Hours

Monday Tuesday

8am-5pm 7am-5pm 8am-5pm 8am-7pm 8am-5pm

Wednesday Thursday

Friday

Sat & Sun Closed We’re located at 1011 Parkside Main between the Publix parking lot and movie theater.

Memories With Mom page 1 Avoid the Summer Slide page 2 What to Do With All This Sunlight? page 2

A Dental Dream page 3 Summer Salad page 3 Most Underrated Hikes From Coast to Coast page 4

MOST UNDERRATED HIKES FROM COAST TO COAST

It’s summer, and your list of fun backpacking locations is looking slim and dull. Long days, good weather, and vacation time give you a great excuse to travel and cross some trails off your list, but you’re not sure where you should go. Here are some of the most underrated trails from coast to coast to add to — and cross off — your list! Hike to Alamere Falls The hike to Alamere Falls on the Palomarin Trailhead near San Francisco, California, is an 8 ½-mile trail. Starting at the Palomarin Trailhead, hop on the Coast Trail and head toward the falls. The trail becomes narrow and steep when you reach the coast, but the tidal falls is only a short way down the beach. Lower Rock Creek Trail Lower Rock Creek Trail is located in Mark Twain National Forest near Fredericktown, Missouri. The trail is 6 miles and features a beautiful waterfall. The trail offers a number of activity options, and the tumbling creek and high bluffs make this a beautifully untouched area with rugged and remote areas for camping. Conecuh Trail Alabama’s Conecuh Trail is a gentle 22-mile path that meanders through a remote section of forest near the

Alabama-Florida border. The trail takes hikers past multiple ponds, creeks, and a spring. Keep your eyes peeled for woodpeckers, gopher frogs, and armadillos. Ocean Path The Ocean Path trail begins at Sand Beach in Acadia National Park about 3 hours from Portland, Maine. The trail takes hikers along the eastern shore of Mount Desert Island for about 2 miles until it arrives at Otter Cliff. Listen for Thunder Hole, an underwater cave that mimics the sound of thunder when waves force air out of the cave. When planning your summer activities, consider adding new hikes to the itinerary. There are many underrated trails across the United States — don’t be afraid to discover them all!

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