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WOMAN & HER DOG
What a beautiful picture of Rebecca Vassallo and Luther! (August
cover, by Rachael Santillan). The story by Mary Elle Hunter is inspirational
to all of us! I know Mrs. Vassallo, and she is very dedicated in
her mission and spreads a lot of happiness and love throughout the
area. The schools, as well as the many retirement and nursing homes,
look forward to her visits with the amazing Luther! Thanks for letting
people know about their wonderful accomplishments!
— Meredith Silhol, Pinehurst
| Get well, Jim!  Senior
Moment columnist Jim Pettit is recovering from surgery for
a left ventricular assist system implant, commonly called
a VAD or heart pump.
Explains Jim's wife, Becky: “The mechanical pump is
implanted internally above the abdomen. It is attached to
the heart to assist the heart in pumping blood through the
body. It does not replace the heart. It is powered by battery
packs or, when resting, a personal monitor plugged into an
electrical outlet.”
As of presstime, Becky said that Jim was doing well in rehab
and eagerly anticipating his discharge.
“Jim is expected to return not only to his activity
level prior to the implant, but should have a higher activity
level as time and exercise progress,” she says. “This
whole process and the device itself has totally amazed me
and how Jim has accepted it and says, when asked about hearing
the constant sound of the device pumping, that he finds it
comforting.”
We at NEXT! wish comfort to Jim and Becky, and best wishes
for a speedy recovery. |
ON THE ROAD WITH MELISSA
I enjoy and appreciate Melissa Clement’s articles in NEXT!
Magazine more than I can say. It is wonderful how she gets so involved
in her adventures and is able to pass along her enthusiasm, so readers
feel as if they are having the same experience. Melissa’s
stories remind me of Charles Kuralt’s “On The Road”
stories: well-written, easy to read and entertaining. You are lucky
to have such a talented writer in your midst.
—Linda M. Piechota, Whispering Pines
IT WAS OUR PLEASURE
You did a wonderful job with the story (At lunch with ... “Mr.
D,” by Janet Gibson Uffinger, August). I enjoyed our lunch
at Luigi’s. You have a unique talent to be able to sit down
with someone and in a short time and come out with an interesting
little story. Thanks again.
— Rob D’Alessandro (“Mr. D”), Fayetteville
NEXT! THERAPY?
Dear Janet,
YES, YES, YES! Your editor’s note in the August NEXT! Magazine
was written for me and all the other people in our age category
(I’m 49). Here are my thoughts:
Aside from belly-button piercing, I still cringe when I see more
than one hole in an ear lobe, not to mention eyebrow and lip piercings.
You are so right — many of us probably won’t get used
to that in our lifetime.
On downsizing ... yes, you’ve got it again. I bought a book
on that subject called “Simplify Your Life,” by Elaine
St. James. It has 100 tips. I am working on number 99 (Get rid of
all the extras). I skipped a few in the middle, including No. 28
— I don’t want to stop my newspaper delivery!
Your comment about walking into a room and forgetting what you
wanted ... you are being nice! I get up from my chair and forget
which room I wanted to go to. ...
Botox is out for me (my husband thinks I am still cute). Whew!
Besides, I am afraid of needles.
Keep writing NEXT! so I will know I am right in sync with people
my age. (But have you ever noticed that people your own age always
look somewhat older than you?)
Janet, your column was worth more than a trip to a psychologist!
Thanks for sharing and putting me at ease.
— Marietta Overton, Fayetteville
THANKS TO YOU, ANNA
Dear Janet: August NEXT! was super, but of course, I would say
that about all the other issues, too. You and your staff amaze me
from the first page to the last page. I keep on reading to see “what’s
NEXT!”
— Anna G. Marr, Fayetteville
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MAIL CALL: Write to us -
Please send your comments or ideas to NEXT!
magazine,
The Fayetteville Observer
P.O. Box 849
Fayetteville, N.C. 28302
Email: nextmagazine@fayettevillenc.com.
Fax: (910) 484-8754
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