Check out our August newsletter!
www.HuskeysPaint.com | (828) 214-7100 | August 2023
Sylva, NC · Buncombe County, NC · Jackson County, NC · Swain County, NC · Haywood County, NC · Macon County, NC · Transylvania, NC
Take Time to Decompress and De-Stress WE SHOULDN’T BE GRINDING 24/7
I know I talked about the importance of giving everything you have to achieve your goals in last month’s newsletter. However, I also want to stress how crucial resting is and not driving yourself into the ground! There’s a fine line between working hard and overexerting yourself to the point of exhaustion. August brings not just one but two relaxation holidays: National Lazy Day on Aug. 10 and National Relaxation Day on Aug. 15. Too much physical and mental stress can take a toll on you. If you don’t create time to unwind, you can experience some not-so-fun side effects like headaches, insomnia, poor work performance, irritability, anxiousness, and even heart problems. Take care of yourself by allowing yourself to do nothing! Since sleeping the days away isn’t exactly realistic, consider trying some of these methods to get yourself in relaxation mode. Can’t stand sitting still? Try active relaxation. Low-exertion exercises or physical activity can help your mind decompress and meditate while your body stays in motion. Going for a walk is one of my favorite ways to actively relax. Some other examples of active relaxation are yoga, Pilates, tai chi, or even mindful meditation and breathing exercises.
Get back outdoors and under the sun. Most of our days are spent inside, whether we’re cooped up in our office or at home. Nothing clears my head better than some fresh air and sunshine. The sun’s vitamin D can boost your mood instantly, and placing yourself in a fresh, green environment can help you calm down. Outdoor activities like gardening and fishing are all excellent ways to relax in nature! You’d be surprised how many health benefits there are from outdoor activities like these. Boosted immunity, improved sleep, better breathing, and even reduced risk of heart disease are just some of the incredible health benefits of being in the great outdoors. Let your creative side take over. Yes, I run a painting business, but that doesn’t exactly mean I’m Picasso. Yet, for artistically troubled people like myself, being creative isn’t just bound to art. You can unwind by being creative with musical instruments, cooking, dancing, baking, crafting, carpentry, and much more. Don’t worry about how the finished product turns out. Just enjoy the process! Spend time with family and friends. When you can laugh and let loose with your family or friends, your mind and body will thank you! It can be easy to get caught up in your work. I get it! Yet, we need to make time to relax with those we care about. Laughing is a proven stress reliever, and cracking up at a comedy with your family or friends is the remedy you need to forget about work (even for a little bit). We all want to succeed, but we shouldn’t let ourselves get overworked and stress ourselves out to the point of gray hairs. I know it’s hard to tell when to take a breather. If you feel yourself losing sleep at night, falling asleep at work, or thinking about nothing but work, give yourself a break. I hope you can spend National Lazy Day and National Relaxation Day as they’re intended: resting! — Trent Huskey
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Keep Your Kids Entertained Without Leaving the Yard A BACKYARD BONANZA!
Although our kids return to school soon, there’s still plenty of time to get outside and enjoy the warm weather with them. While trips to the zoo, park, or an outdoor sporting event can be fun for everyone involved, not everyone has the means to go regularly. Thankfully, there are many activities you and your kids can enjoy from the comfort of your own backyard without having to spend any additional money. Here are a few activities to try the next time your kids want to play outside. Run a race. Kids love to run around, and you should use that to your advantage. Devise different race ideas
Break out the water. There are all kinds of different games you can enjoy that involve water. Water guns and water balloons can keep kids entertained for hours if you have them. If not, you can still create an outdoor water park for your children with your hose and a sprinkler. Put them in their bathing suits and allow them to run through the sprinkler or have a good old-fashioned water fight using the hose
and buckets of water. All you need is a ball.
It’s crazy how much you can do in your backyard with nothing more than a single ball. You can play catch or up the competitiveness with a game of monkey in the middle. If you have chalk and enough players, you can play a game of foursquare. You can even play baseball if you have a bat or a decent-sized stick. One ball gives you countless opportunities for fun. Give some of these activities a try the next time your kids say they’re bored and want to do something exciting outside. They may discover a new favorite way to pass the time.
to keep them running until they’re tired and need to rest. You can have them
race normally, backward, or crab-walking. You can gather hula hoops and other objects
from around the house to set up an obstacle course and see who can finish it the fastest.
ALL THE BEST EVENTS IN AUGUST YOU NEED TO SEE
While August may mark the end of summer, that doesn’t mean North Carolina lacks summer fun this month! Get outside and soak in the sunshine while you still can with some of the western region’s most exciting events. This month’s events are perfect for everyone who relishes the finer things in life!
Art in the Park, Blowing Rock Aug. 12
If you’re scouring online for a new art piece for your home, head to Art in the Park this month instead! This art and craft show will feature over 90 local artists and their unique work. Located along Park Avenue in downtown Blowing Rock, Art in the Park will offer artworks ranging from $5 to more than $5,000, so all budgets are welcome. Of course, the event is free for you to stroll and look around! Get a glimpse at some of North Carolina’s best artists and even get a chance to speak with them about their work. You’ll see all kinds of beautiful pieces, like paintings, pottery, jewelry, and more. For more details, head over to BlowingRock.com/ArtInThePark . Sourwood Festival, Black Mountain Aug. 12–13 Last but not least, those looking for small-town fun should take a day trip down to Black Mountain for the Sourwood Festival. Centered around local sourwood honey, the festival also features plenty more to feast on and enjoy. The festival celebrates the local bees and delicious honey with live music, food vendors, craft stalls, and of course, honey. Black Mountain is only a 20-minute drive from downtown Asheville, so there’s no excuse to miss out! Learn more about this event by checking out RomanticAsheville.com/sourwood-festival !
Brevard Music Center Summer Festival, Brevard June 3–Aug. 19
The 2023 Brevard Music Center Summer Festival offers an outstanding array of musical performances, such as classical symphony, opera, chamber, jazz, bluegrass, and Broadway music. Performances by renowned musicians will also occur at this spectacular music festival, which truly has something for everyone. The festival includes fully staged operas such as “La Traviata,” composed by Giuseppe Verdi, and family-friendly performances such as a live orchestra accompaniment to a screening of “Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone.” For the complete schedule and ticket information, visit BrevardMusic.org .
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ALL ABOARD THESE PICTURESQUE TRAIN RIDES!
Make Memories on These Mesmerizing Railroads
Who doesn’t love a good old-fashioned train ride? While this is undoubtedly a perfect family weekend activity, it’s also fantastic for train enthusiasts and couples looking for a scenic date idea. Train rides give us a chance to slow down and enjoy the views and maybe even a glass of sweet iced tea. While some of these railroads may require a short road trip, we can guarantee they’re worth it! Great Smoky Mountains Railroad If you’re looking for a long train ride with some of the best views of North Carolina, then hop aboard the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. On this train ride, you can witness some of this beautiful state’s most iconic sites, including Fontana Lake, the Fontana Trestle, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Nantahala National Forest, and the Tuckasegee River. Get transported to a bygone era in this old-fashioned steam-powered train! Craggy Mountain Line This quaint train ride, owned by a nonprofit organization, will take you to the small town of Woodfin and give you some of the best views of the Blue Ridge Mountains for the unbeatable price of only $15. Small and quirky, this no-frills train ride is still a must-see excursion for Asheville residents. If you have a group, you can even rent the train for special events like birthday parties or weddings! New Hope Valley Railway Open-air and perfectly vintage, the New Hope Valley Railway takes you along a panoramic 4-mile ride through towering pine trees and scenic hills. While feeling the fresh breeze, you can also enjoy food and drinks! Also known as the “Triangle Train,” this excursion connects Durham, Raleigh, and Chapel Hill for a picturesque hourlong ride. This historic railway represents the state’s efforts to preserve the local locomotive tradition and history. Tweetsie Railroad Part of a Wild West theme park, the Tweetsie Railroad is the star of the show with its astounding views of not just the amusement park but also North Carolina’s stunning mountains and natural landscape. Head back to this train car during autumn for the most spectacular views of orange, red, and yellow fall foliage. The railroad also features themed rides throughout the year, including ghost rides and Christmastime cheer!
Backpack Books
Friends Harvest Learning Meteor
Produce Smores Sunscreen Yardwork
Daffodil Festival
GRILLED HALIBUT WITH ROASTED RED PEPPER SAUCE
Inspired by FoodAndWine.com
INGREDIENTS:
• 1 16-oz jar roasted red bell peppers, drained • 5 garlic cloves • 1 tbsp sherry vinegar • 2 tsp honey
• 1 tsp kosher salt • 1/4 tsp black pepper • 1/2 cup olive oil • 4 6-oz skin-on halibut fillets
DIRECTIONS
1. In a food processor or blender, mix bell peppers, garlic, vinegar, honey, salt, and black pepper until smooth. Transfer sauce to a bowl; whisk in oil. 2. Into a large plastic zipper bag, pour 1 cup of sauce; add halibut fillets and seal bag; turn to coat fillets. Let marinate in refrigerator for 20 minutes. Reserve remaining sauce for serving. 3. Preheat a grill to medium-high (400–450 F). Remove halibut from marinade; scrape off excess. 4. On oiled grill grates, arrange fillets and grill, covered, until fish flakes easily, 4–5 minutes per side. 5. Transfer fillets to serving plates or a large platter. Drizzle with reserved sauce. Serve alongside preferred veggies and crusty bread.
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PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
P.O. Box 261, Whittier, NC, 28789
Clean - Courteous Painters - You Can Trust!
INSIDE THIS EDITION
Overexertion Is Never the Answer!
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Excitement and Fun Await in Your Backyard August Brings Music, Art, and Honey to NC 4 Scenic Train Rides the Whole Family Will Love Grilled Halibut With Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
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End Summer on a High Note
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3 Memorable Ways to Close the Season SUMMER ISN’T OVER YET!
As much as many of us wish we could have an endless summer, all good things must come to an end. But why let the season close with a whimper when you can go out with a bang? Strive for a memorable last few days of the season with one of these family-friendly ideas. Take a family road trip. What says “summer” more than piling in the car and driving somewhere? You don’t necessarily have to go far. A new town a few hours away can still be an adventure. Check out a local state park or nearby museum you’ve always meant to visit and let your children enjoy the novelty of sleeping in a hotel room or camper. Even a weekend away will feel like an occasion and stick out in everyone’s memories.
Spend a day on the water. Enjoying the water is one of the summer’s greatest pleasures, so make the most of it one last time. Depending on where you live, you might incorporate this idea into your road trip. Head to the nearest beach, lake, or river and pack in as much summer fun as possible with a favorite summer activity or something new! You could help your kids build a sandcastle, rent a kayak or paddleboat, or try water skiing. You might even surf or snorkel. Have a late night. Bedtime routines are about to make a return for school kids, much to their possible dismay, but you can indulge them with one last hurrah. Plan a special late night the family can enjoy together. You might go to a drive-in theater or host a movie marathon at
home with plenty of popcorn. Camping on your lawn will also allow staying up late together doing something exciting. No tent? No problem — build a pillow fort in the living room instead! Summer only comes once a year, so don’t let its final days go to waste. A special celebration to mark the season’s end will leave you with lasting memories and even more reasons to look forward to next year.
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