Dr. Kevin Poupore - June/July 2022

Dr. Kevin Poupore - June/July 2022

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With Dr. Poupore

JUNE/JULY 2022

518-483-3100 • www.kevinpoupore.com

To Our Family, Friends, and Maybe the Police Did you know that July 1 is Drive Your Corvette to Work Day? Although I’ve never had a Corvette, I did have a very special first car people used to tease me about, and — to this day — some patients still remember and mention it. How My First Car Became Legendary

Besides turning the car bright red, I also had to get new tires and springs for the back of the car. My good friend Brian Brockway had a garage in Fort Covington, so I brought the car down there — with a lifter kit. It extended the springs in the back so the back ended up being higher off the ground than the front. I even got to remove some of the extra chrome that made the car look fuddy- duddy and old-fashioned for the times. When I got back home, my family realized quite suddenly that I jacked up my Pontiac into a hot rod. Pop said, “What happened to the car?!” I said, “What do you mean? I improved it!” But, when you create your own hot rod, it turns out that everyone wants a ride. As the oldest sibling, I became the family bus driver. I drove all my younger brothers to and from school, and all of their classmates loved my car. My classmates, too! During basketball season, by the time I’d get back to my car, there were 10 guys waiting to get a ride back home. Our standard joke at the time was “What do you think this is? Poupore’s @#&*ing taxi service?!” (It was a little crude, but you might be able to guess our common curse word of choice …) Time went by, and I eventually had to sell the car. My younger brother Barry didn’t want it, so I sold it to a guy named Jim for $500, a significant profit. My dad was a little relieved. Sometimes, he’d have to drive the car while his good car was getting an oil change, and police would follow the red Pontiac all over town. It seemed like a car for someone wanting to look super cool (I’d thought so, at least) or looking for trouble. The car is still a legend among our family and friends. People still ask me about it — and while I’m still a sucker for hot rods and fast cars, they don’t do so great during Malone’s snowy winters. I’m much happier with a comfortable, warm car nowadays. But if you see a 1956 two-door Pontiac at the Malone Auto Show this year, it just might be the myth, the legend, the car I’ll remember forever. All it needed was a little extra elbow grease.

Like many young, warm-blooded teenagers, I was excited to reach an age where I could drive and maybe even own a car. But I grew up on a farm, so money was tight. Luckily, my father, nicknamed Pop by everyone, knew a little old lady named Mrs. Davis. She had a 1956 Pontiac two-door she drove only to and from church for about three years, and then it sat in storage for another 10 years. She never took it out, so the tires were blown out. In 1969, Pop paid $100 to buy her Pontiac for me. (The value of a dollar was definitely different back then than now!)

He certainly bought it so I wouldn’t wreck his good car, but still, it was my prized possession.

When I first saw this big, old Pontiac, it was dusty, worn down, and orange and white in color. So, my first order of business was to wash it thoroughly. Then, I waxed it, and I waxed it again. And then I waxed it again. Pop thought I was wasting my time. However, the paint had been deeply oxidized due to being in storage for years — and, lo and behold, my orange and white car turned into a vibrant fire engine red. When he saw it, he exclaimed, “Well, I’ll be!”

–Dr. Kevin Poupore

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(And Score Parent Brownie Points) Summer is here, which means your kids are probably about to disappear for endless play dates, outdoor adventures, or even summer jobs. Fortunately, there’s one way to keep them home and make your house the “cool” spot for their friends to hang out: Plan an epic water balloon fight. PLAN THE ULTIMATE WATER BALLOON FIGHT

3. Extend the battle with refill/dump buckets. If you have water guns in the fight, make sure to strategically place buckets of water around the war zone. Big buckets are great for refilling guns, and small ones can fuel splash battles when your balloons run out. 4. Create an epic kickoff. Increase the drama of your game by having the players stand in a big circle with the ammunition in the center (like “The Hunger Games”) or splitting into groups and having each team start on opposite sides of no man’s land. Don’t forget the countdown! 5. Shake up the format. Come up with rules for your fight instead of making it an all-out brawl. Do you want to do a tag-style game, where someone is “it” until they balloon someone else? Or would you rather imitate dodgeball and tag each other “out” with balloons? Poll your players to see which idea is a hit.

Water balloons are the essence of summer, and everyone can get in on the action. If you have a big family, you can plan the ultimate family battle, or your children can invite their friends over for a showdown. (Teenagers will love this as much as elementary schoolers!) Whichever option you choose, use these tips to level up the fun:

1. Provide plenty of ammunition. Fill at least 100 water balloons, or 25–50 balloons per player, to extend the window of your battle.

2. Up the stakes with water guns. Water balloons are great, but water balloons and water guns are even better! Spy magazine recommends hiding the guns around your yard or piling them in the center of the war zone where players will have a hard time grabbing them without getting wet.

Pro Tip: Consider swapping water balloons for sponges to save water. You can simply re-soak them to continue the battle!

Whimsical Women and Mischievous Men JOIN US AT THESE FOOTHILL ARTS SOCIETY EVENTS! Feeling a Creative Spark?

Childstock Music Festival Saturday, July 9 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 156 Childs Road, Malone, NY, 12953

If you enjoy seeing people get creative, or have a creative spark yourself, then we’d LOVE to see you at these upcoming art events!

Saturday, July 23 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pine Crest Farm Camp

Enjoy local food, drinks, art vendors, and area musicians at this year’s Childstock Music Festival! There’s even an open mic hour at the beginning if you’d like to bring an instrument or simply your natural musical genius. Here’s the official lineup for this year’s event:

Calling all artists! It’s time to let your creativity flow. Enjoy a day of playful creativity at Pine Crest Farm in Whippleville. There will be an art exhibition of the produced artwork (on display all through September!). Consider bringing a friend and embrace your whimsical and mischievous selves. The exact location of the exhibit is TBD, so don’t hesitate to check out the Foothills Art Society website for updates. Creativity isn’t just one person’s pursuit. An entire community can empower one another and spawn works that surprise and delight us. We hope you’ll drop by these local art events to experience it for yourself!

11 a.m.–12 p.m. — OPEN MIC 12:30 p.m. — New Economistas

(Gwendolyn Hallsmith & Michael Taub) 1:30 p.m. — Dana and Susan Robinson

3 p.m. — Amber in Green 4:30 p.m. — Slip Junction 6 p.m. — The Busco Bandits 7:45 p.m. — Bear Tracks

Bring your family! For early birds, you’ll get $5 off per ticket for purchasing online until July 7. Tickets available on Eventbrite.com.

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EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED How Your Oral and Mental Health Link Together

Our bodies are made up of many systems working together to keep us functional and healthy. It’s so complex that even scientists don’t understand how all of it works. But we do know that our health is a whole-body experience, and ignoring one aspect of our wellness will often lead to other problems down the line. Oral health is no exception. For example, poor dental health can contribute to cardiovascular disease, and diabetes can lead to gum disease.

There are still more connections. People with eating disorders may experience dental erosion or low calcium levels that affect their teeth. Pain is a risk factor for depression, so existing oral pain can spark or worsen mental health problems. And while more research is needed, a 2019 study found a possible genetic link between depression and oral health conditions. If you’re struggling, you need to protect your mental and physical health. Talk to your doctor about what you’ve been experiencing, and be open to their recommendations. Treating your mind well will lead to better health and perhaps a happier and longer life.

Still, most people don’t know that their oral and mental health are linked. Researchers have found that people who suffer from mental illnesses are more likely to develop oral health problems like tooth decay and gum disease. In fact, experts have identified several reasons for the apparent connection.

In addition to this, don’t forget to include your dentist in your plans for full-body health. They’re not trained mental health professionals, but they can provide helpful strategies to help you maintain your dental health while seeking treatment for your mental health as well. Be sure to tell your dentist about any medication you’re taking. Side effects from antidepressants can include dry mouth or teeth grinding, and your dentist can help you minimize the damage.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 280 million people across the globe are affected by depression. That’s about 5% of the adult population. Depression is more than just sadness, and it impacts people’s ability to think clearly and engage in regular activities. Oral care routines often fall by the wayside as a result, along with dental visits. This neglect of regular mouth maintenance can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Meanwhile, anxiety can make social interactions terrifying, and sufferers may have difficulty scheduling and attending dental appointments. Additionally, many people have a phobia of dentists that causes them to postpone care. Due to this anxiety or fear, oral health issues can go untreated and significantly worsen.

Whatever you're going through, it's crucial to keep your entire health team engaged. Physicians, dentists, and therapists all have specialized roles, but outcomes are better when each specialty has the complete picture and can work together. Keep the lines of communication open — and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

Grilled Corn and Ricotta Dip This dip tastes great with bread, crostini, or crackers and will be a hit at any summer gathering.

Ingredients • 6 ears of corn • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream • 1 1/2 cups ricotta • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour • 2 tbsp thyme, finely chopped

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, diced • Chives and scallions, finely chopped

Directions 1. Preheat oven to 325 F. 2. In a large grill pan on high heat, cook the corn until charred on all sides. Let cool, then cut the kernels from the cob. 3. In a food processor or blender, purée two-thirds of the kernels with the cream, ricotta, flour, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper, and stir in remaining whole kernels. 4. Pour into an 8-inch baking dish. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top, and dot with butter. Bake for approximately 1 1/2 hours, until bubbly. 5. Garnish with chives and scallions before serving.

Inspired by Saveur.com

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

DR. KEVIN POUPORE 518-483-3100 www.kevinpoupore.com [email protected]

560 East Main Street Malone, NY 12953 M / T / Th 7:30–4:00 W / F 7:30–2:30

INSIDE Patients Still Ask About This Car … PAGE 1 Make Your Place the ‘Cool House’ This Summer PAGE 2

NEW Local Art Events in July! PAGE 2

Your Mental Health Can Affect Your Mouth PAGE 3

Grilled Corn and Ricotta Dip PAGE 3

A True Canine Hero PAGE 4

A ROUND OF A-PAWS Heroes don’t always wear capes or stand on two legs — and in a specific case with a German shepherd, this is exceptionally true! A dog noticed that one of his favorite tiny humans was in some serious danger, so he saved the day, two times! A little boy and girl enjoyed the day, tossing a ball back and forth in their backyard. When the girl overthrew the ball, it unfortunately fell into a small pond behind the boy. The girl rushed inside the house to get help, but the boy stayed outside and even ended up leaning over the THIS AMAZING PUP SAVES THE DAY — TWICE!

edge of the pond as he tried to retrieve the ball on his own. This is when a protective German shepherd, lying nearby in the grass, saw everything and immediately sprung into action. The dog first looked into the pond to locate the ball. Then, knowing the boy was in danger as he teetered on the edge, the dog tugged on the little boy’s vest with his teeth, pulling him backward to safety near the back patio of the home. Once the little boy was in a safe location, the dog located a pole net that had been leaning against the house and brought it over to the pond. While his tail wagged with pride, the dog fished the ball out of the pond. The dog then put the net down on the ground near the pond and brought the ball over to the boy. This German shepherd saved the day for this little boy and girl — and also saved the boy from injury and needing a dry set of clothes! What an amazing canine. He deserves a treat and a round of a-paws!

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