We had a sad situation in our community this week. We had a family visiting the area and a man with Alzheimer’s went missing. Unfortunately, there was not a happy ending.
Mr. Raymond Epling’s body was spotted by a West Virginia National Guard helicopter about 1.5 miles from a home he was visiting. We wish to express our sympathy to the family.
We, as a community, came together and volunteers poured into the area to help. We had rescue organizations from West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Ohio. Along with ground crews with dogs, the National Guard on the ground and in the air, the local volunteer fire departments and EMS, everyone worked together to search for Mr. Epling. Also, we had local lodges and Inns that graciously gave the rescue teams rooms to rest and sleep at no cost.
As a small community, events like this bring out the best side of people. The police force, local and state, worked together to bring closure to a family that was sick with worry for their loved one. Momma Said, “Our older loved ones are precious and we hate to lose any one of them.”
Please take the time to spend with your senior loved ones. This disease does not discriminate and can hit anyone. It is cruel and unjust but there is always hope that a cure will be found one day. It is hard to see a vibrant human being brought down by this disease. So if you see someone out that looks disoriented or lost, don’t just pass them by. Stop and ask if they need help and notify the appropriate authorities if you have any doubts. Momma Said, “This could be you someday.”
Summer Berry Cheesecake Salad
- 1 pound strawberries, hulled and cut into quarters
- 1 (9 ounce) container blueberries, washed and dried (remove stems)
- 1 (9 ounce container) raspberries, rinsed and dried
- 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup Simply Pure Vanilla Coffee Creamer
- Prepare berries and lay them on paper towels to dry while you prepare the cheesecake mixture.
- In a medium tall bowl, using an electric mixer, whip cream cheese until it becomes smooth. It may bind up in the beaters, but continue as is and it will loosen up.
- With mixer running slowly add creamer to the cream cheese. Add it about a tablespoon at a time and then mix until it becomes a smooth mixture and all of the creamer is combined into the cream cheese. Continue until all the creamer has been added to the cream cheese. Whip until smooth.
- Combine berries in a large bowl. Gently fold in cheesecake mixture until completely combined.
- Chill until ready to serve or serve immediately.
- Enjoy!