Carmen Long
Simply Delicious
If you or someone you know has celebrated a 65th birthday, it is amazing how much “fan mail” fills the mailbox. Much of the mail is advertising insurance plans– each envelope claiming to have the perfect plan, not to mention the endless phone calls which are also received. The gift of Medicare due to age or disability and all of the insurance decisions which go along with that, can be overwhelming. Don’t despair, SHIIP is here.
SHIIP, the Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program, is part of the North Carolina Department of Insurance. Because there are so many insurance companies, and because the Medicare system is so complex, SHIIP was founded in 1986 to provide people who are eligible for Medicare with an objective information service.
Trained volunteers work in each county to help provide unbiased information to senior citizens and individuals with disabilities in their community with questions regarding Medicare, Medicare supplements, Medicare claims processing, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare prescription drug plans. We also provide information on consumer fraud and preventative benefits.
The Surry County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension serves as the coordinating site for Surry County. Our volunteers include Tom Bachmann, Donna Collins, Tammy Haynes, and Mary Jane Jenkins. In 2024, our volunteers counseled 272 individuals who were able to save over $461,376. If you have Medicare questions, give the Extension Office a call at 336-401-8025 to be connected to a volunteer or visit the SHIIP website at www.ncshiip.com. There are many helpful pieces of information on the SHIIP website including a whole section for those new to Medicare and the publication The Road to Medicare, a planning guide for those getting ready to turn 65.
SHIIP is always looking for more volunteers. With the many decisions people with Medicare have to make, we can never have too many volunteers to assist our Yadkin Valley beneficiaries. If you like to help others, have computer skills, and want to learn more about Medicare, we need YOU!
SHIIP. Volunteers should:
- Not be or have an immediate family member who is an active insurance salesperson.
- Complete a 13-hour online training certification course.
- Be able to provide one-to-one counseling by appointment at the counseling site or by telephone.
- Enter all counseling and outreach efforts into the federal STARS website.
- Keep all client information (medical and financial) confidential.
- Never recommend a specific insurance company or policy.
- Attend quarterly follow-up meetings.
For more information on becoming a volunteer, call the Extension Office at 336-401-8025.
For a birthday (all are special, not just your 65th), 4th of July, or any other time you would like an easy, moist, and delicious cake, make a 3-Day Refrigerator Cake. Strawberry is my favorite and perfect for a cool summer treat. If you are watching your carbs, substitute the Fluffy Pudding Icing.
3-Day Refrigerator Cake
Ingredients:
- 1 cake mix made according to directions – strawberry, pineapple, or orange
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 16 oz sour cream
- 7 oz shredded coconut
- 8 oz whipped topping – thawed.
- Bake cake as directed.
- Cool and cut each layer in half horizontally with a serrated knife to make four layers. Place the cake in the freezer until lightly frozen to make the cutting and icing easier. Some people find it is easier to cut the cake layers with unwaxed dental floss. Wrap the dental floss around the middle of the cake layer, criss- crossing the ends and pull. Can also use clean, thin string or thread.
- Mix the sugar, sour cream, and coconut together and save ¾ cup.
- Spread the remaining mixture between the layers.
- Stir the reserved ¾ cup of mixture into the whipped topping and frost the top and sides of the cake.
- Store the cake in the refrigerator for three days before serving
Helpful Hints:
- Substitute unsweetened applesauce in place of the oil for a reduced fat version of the cake.
- Substitute unsweetened Greek yogurt in place of the sour cream. You can use vanilla flavored and omit some or all of the ¾ cup of granulated sugar.
- For a low-carb icing option, substitute this recipe for Fluffy Pudding Icing which uses a box of sugar-free instant pudding. The flavor possibilities are endless (vanilla, cheesecake, chocolate, white chocolate, lemon, etc.)
Fluffy Pudding Icing
Ingredients:
- 1 cup fat-free milk
- 1 small package sugar-free instant pudding mix (1 oz)
- 8 oz whipped topping, thawed (regular-sized tub)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Directions:
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk the milk and pudding mix until it thickens.
- Add the vanilla extract and fold in the whipped topping until blended. If it is a little lumpy, use a whisk to beat out any remaining lumps.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before frosting cake or cupcakes. It will thicken a little bit more as it chills.
- Store frosting in the refrigerator.
