About Us
Ruth Kahl Barrett, Able to Help, Inc. founder/CEO, loves her work as a German-language qualified transatlantic flight attendant with U.S. Airways, and was thrilled to teach German as Lead Language Instructor at the Parlez-Vous? Classical and Global Languages Center. An award-winning cook, Ruth received first place at the Hazel Woods National Wild Foods contest, North Bend State Park’s Nature Wonder Weekend, in Cairo, West Virginia. She enjoys teaching Naturalists Weekends at Wildacres (nestled in the North Carolina mountains) through Discovery Place and conducting wild edibles workshops at the Nature Museum and various state parks. Ruth loves everything about dandelions.
Ruth received her Master of Arts in Teaching German from The University of South Carolina, Columbia, which also honored her with the AMOCO Outstanding Teaching Award, best teacher in the state. She was graduated magna cum laude with Honors in German and a Bachelor of Arts from Lenoir-Rhyne University, Hickory, N. C. and holds an Associate in Arts Certificate from The University of Maryland, Munich Campus, Germany, where she received the German award for excellence in the German language and the Bouvier House Scholarship for meritorious achievement. She enjoys teaching students college level German and English in North and South Carolina, and also younger ages through high school.
She won the first place in the Needlework Times Home Study Course with her reversible blackwork stitching. She taught at the Carolinas Regional Seminar on Hilton Head Island, and “Twice as Nice” Mini-Workshops at the SEYG Needlework and Accessories Trade Shows, the Charlotte Civic Center, and the Atlanta Merchandise Mart. Ruth has taught Embroiderers’ Guild of America, Inc. workshops, also classes around the Carolinas and in Tennessee. She designed and printed two booklets. Her college and university counted cross stitch patterns grace campuses across the southeast. Ruth enjoyed appearing on three television shows featuring her embroidery, including Top O’ The Day in Charlotte & The Nancy Welch Show in Spartanburg. She received the Betty Crocker Homemaker of America award in Ayer, Massachusetts. Ruth plays piano, enjoys performing on flute coast to coast and abroad, and has made several recordings.
Joseph A. Barrett, Jr., is Collaboration Specialist at Azaleos. He also has fourteen years experience as CIO / VP Technology with Able to Help, Inc., and served over a decade as president of Mensa (the High IQ Society). Joe is a talented webmaster for various small businesses, and also for organizations like the Charlotte/Blue Ridge Mensa chapter, Western North Carolina Via de Cristo, Alemannia Society of Charlotte, & the German Church of St. Mark’s in Charlotte, N.C., as well as our personal website. He enjoys work as a computer consultant/design engineer in and around Charlotte. He is sought after for all things computer, his expertise. A natural-born leader, Joe excels in solving most any crisis, no matter how difficult. His skills have resolved computer crises in Africa, Bermuda, Canada, Germany, Korea, Mexico, and across the United States of America.
An award-winning photographer, his avocation is also prized. An original music composition of his is in the Library of Congress. His Via de Cristo volunteer work is now branching out to Kairos, a Christian, lay-led, ecumenical, international prison ministry.
Joe was graduated from The University of Maryland, at College Park, with his Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing. One of the smartest human beings in the world, he joined Mensa (the 98th percentile in IQ, or top two percent) and also the “Triple Nine Club”, signifying by standardized intelligence quotient tests that he is as smart as—or smarter than—99.9% of the people on earth.
Ruth and Joe serve on the Steering Committee of the local German language church, and are active in church. Ruth sings in two choirs and plays the flute; Joe plays the guitar and runs the sound system, as well as working on the website and serving on committees. We are also interested in maintaining our good health and in caring for the environment. And, we like to help people!
October 26th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Hi Ruth,
I was reading about Alvita dandelion tea in First magazine and was looking on the Internet where to buy it in CLT. I too am a US Air F/A and couldn’t believe the coincidence! Can you tell me a store that I can buy this, I hate ordering things on the computer (I’m too old fashioned) Thanks so much!
Carol
July 25th, 2010 at 5:19 pm
Hello,
You have a great website with lot of info. I see great benefits from drinking Dandelion Tea but not sure if it can help me with my allergic condition. Since last two weeks, I started having this red itchy bumps and swelling in hands, upper front and lower back, shoulders and face as well. Week back I went to medical unit and they said I’m having Hives (Urticaria). Though I’m not sure what’s causing this hives. They gave me steroid shot and put me on steroid pills and been also taking benedryl. I’ve been searching for some home remedy but didn’t find anything until just now.
Can you please tell me if Dandelion Tea helps with hives and curing them permanently so that I don’t have to rely on over the counter medicines that works only temporary.
thank you!
N Shah
December 11th, 2011 at 9:28 pm
Great write up, please keep it up. I wish you add olives as also aloe vera. Thanks a lot
January 30th, 2012 at 11:26 am
Thank you, Mohan!
Olives are a great fruit, and we also like olive oil.
We like aloe vera, too, and grow it indoors.
I grow dandelions outdoors!
Do you have a favorite recipe combining the three?
Ruth