Living 50 Plus Magazine June/July 2024

JUNE/JULY 2024

Climb On

Passion for climbing led to creation of hiking club

Behind the Seams

Hartselle woman creates costumes for the stage

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SH AR PL EY

Publisher CLINT SHELTON

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Living 50 Plus Editor LORI FEW

CATHERINE GODBEY

News Editor

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Living 50 Plus Writers

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at Hurricane Creek Park. Photograph by Jeronimo Nisa.Cover design by Stephen Johnson.

Benefits of grandparenting

Grandparents have long served critical roles in U.S. families that are shaped by changing demographic trends, such as increasing life expectancy, which allows grandparents more years to develop relationships with grandchildren.

Kidsaren’ttheonlyoneswhobenefitfromagrandparent’s timeanddevotion.Studiesshowthatseniorswhobabysitlive longer and experience less depression. Being a grandparent can improve a senior’s health for these reasons:

▸ Kids keep grandparents physically and mentally active. Whether they’re walking to the park or explaining long division, interacting with kids can help an older adult stay physically active and mentally sharp. While overdoing it can cause fatigue or stress, finding a good balance in caregiving can make a big difference in a grandparent’s overall health.

▸ Grandparents can live vicariously through their children. The role of grandparent can bring a new sense of purpose, pride and joy. Being involved in a grandchild’s growth and development brings an emotional satisfaction that is unique from that of a parent.

▸ Grandparents have a revered role in the family. In most families, grandparents have a special position of reverence, respect, trust and affection. They are often the heart of their families and can take pride in the admiration and achievements of their offspring. While aging comes with its challenges, seeing the growth of new generations can be the happiest time in a person’s life.

HOW TO REACH US

Decatur-Morgan

ON THE COVER: Victor Fentanes trains for his mountain hiking trips

COMBATTING LONELINESS

How volunteering can help older adults connect to others IN OLDER ADULTS

By FAMILY FEATURES

The bonds found in friendships and other relationships are an important factor in health and wellness – even science says so.

According to the American Psychological Association, forming and maintaining social connections

at any age is one of the most reliable predictors of a healthy, happy and long life. Studies show having strong and supportive friendships can fend off depression and anxiety, lower blood pressure and heart rates in stressful situations and change the way people perceive daunting tasks.

However, statistics show approximately half of U.S. adults lack com-

panionship and feel socially disconnected, according to the U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection andCommunity.Infact,12%don’thave anyone they consider a close friend, per the Survey Center on American Life. This “epidemic of loneliness,” as coined by U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, can take a severe toll on mental and physical health.

As people age, the risks of isolation increase. With America’s older population growing rapidly – the 65 and older population reached more than 55 million in 2020 – discussing how older adults can combat loneliness is relevant to public health and individual well-being.

Consider volunteering, which is one of the best and most rewarding ways to combat loneliness.

People often volunteer to find a sense of purpose, learn new skills,

improve their communities or establish new routines after retiring or becoming empty nesters. For many, making friends through volunteer work is a welcome bonus. The act of volunteering provides proven benefits for older adults.

Forming connections can make all the difference in a person’s volunteer experience and sense of well-being. People who meet through volunteer work inherently share a common interest and something to bond over. These friendships can carry over outside of volunteer work and lead to bonding over other hobbies and interests.

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Connection-focused volunteer opportunities

In addition to making friends with fellow volunteers, many older adults also form relationships with the people they’re serving, especially if those recipients are their peers.

For example, AmeriCorps Seniors is the national service and volunteerism program in the federal agency of AmeriCorps that connects adults aged 55anduptolocalserviceopportunities that match their interests. Its Senior Companion Program pairs volunteers

with other older adults or those with disabilities who need companionship orassistance.Volunteersmayhelpwith tasks such as paying bills, shopping or getting companions to appointments. In some cases, volunteers may also provide support and respite for family members caring for loved ones with chronic illnesses.

“We often think of volunteering as ‘giving back,’ but we’ve seen firsthand that it often becomes so much more than that,” said Atalaya Sergi, director of AmeriCorps Seniors. “By spending a few hours each week with another older adult in need of support, our volunteers are not only giving back to others, but they’re adding meaning to their own lives and establishing new connections. They’re helping to fight the loneliness epidemic one visit at a time.”

Growing older can come with challenges, but some of those can be minimized with a positive mindset and commitment to remaining

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connected and engaged – whether with friends, relatives or fellow community members. Fostering relationships is a key ingredient to a healthier and more fulfilling life.

For more information and to find volunteer opportunities near you, visit AmeriCorps.gov/YourMoment.

Meet friends who connected through service

Ray Maestas felt unfulfilled postretirement and began volunteering with the AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion Program. He was connected with Bob Finnerty, a man with blindness looking for assistance a few days each week. They quickly struck up a routine of errands, reading and conversation that’s since become a friendship they both cherish.

“The Senior Companion Program has provided an avenue to enrich the lives of not only the participants but the people who are volunteering,” Maestas said. “Bob and I have gotten to

the point where he’s a very important part of my life.”

Finnerty echoed those sentiments and shared his own appreciation for Maestas’ friendship.

“I’ve always relished my independence and I feel Ray is not just

a person who reads for me – he’s a friend,” Finnerty said.

Inthelastfewyears,Maestasmoved and now serves with a different chapter of the Senior Companion Program. He and Finnerty keep in touch. Maestas said they talk about every third day.

Sounds of the cicada

By EXTENSION SERVICE

What’s that sound? Is it the eerie sound of an alien spaceship landing nearby? A whitenoise soundtrack for people who have trouble falling asleep? Or is it the distinctive chorus of millions of cicadas emerging to culminate their life cycle? The answer is C, and insect experts say the unusual ambient noise will likely be gone by summer.

In addition to the insects themselves, the emergence of a periodical 13-year cicada brood has brought with it extra noise across North Alabama as males search for mates before dying off throughout June.

“It’s unlike any sound you hear in nature,” said Blake Layton, an entomology specialist and Extension professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology. “To me, it sounds like the sound effect you hear from spaceships in an old ‘Star Trek’ movie.”

“It’s a whirring sound,” added JoVonn Hill, Mississippi State University Entomological Museum director and insect taxonomy assistant professor. “It’s a cacophony all through the day. Yesterday, I heard more of a buzzing noise, but today reminded me of white noise.”

Cicadas generate these mating calls by expanding and contracting hollow structures on their bodies called

tymbals. The passing of air during this exercise helps reverberate the drum-like structures, which produce the sound. Hill said the current brood has four different species, all having different calls, and Layton said cicadas “sing all day,” from morning to late afternoon. Nighttime insect noises are likely made by katydids, crickets and other bugs, the professors said.

The brood emerged in late April after spending most of their lives underground and feasting on tree roots. They emerge as nymphs—the juvenile stage of their life cycle—and shed their exoskeleton, hanging on tree trunks and other vegetation while their new, adult skin hardens. Cicadas then mate and lay eggs on pencil-sized tree twigs before dying. Once hatched, young cicadas fall to the ground and burrow deep in search of food and safety, continuing the cycle.

“In addition to the noise, you might see more predators around. Cicadas are great meals for a lot of things, especially birds,” Hill said.

Get Out and Explore

With the emergence of Broods 13 and 19, Meredith Shrader — an Alabama Cooperative Extension System entomologist — said this year is a great opportunity for parents and grandparents to use the cicada to teach their children about ecosystems, life cycles and science.

“The earlier they can introduce their children to insects and help them understand that they are not all bad, stinging creatures — the better,” Shrader said. “It is important to help them understand the importance of insects in our ecosystem.”

Cicadas in Brood 13 emerge every 17 years, and Brood 19 emerge every 13 years. Shrader encourages parents to follow the emergence of these periodical cicadas in their area, using it as a tangible, life-science teaching tool. She recommends using cicadamania.com to follow trends and updates. This website includes facts, species identification, emergence tracking and the sounds made by each species.

“Oneoftheinterestingthingsaboutthebroodsemerging this year is that their sounds truly are different,” Shrader said. “If people listen to the sounds in their backyard and compare what they hear to the website, they will be able to identify which cicada brood is singing nearby.”

When is the best time to look for cicadas?

“Cicada emergence will happen in the dead of night when the cicada’s major predators are not moving,” Shrader said. “This will give them time to come out of their exoskeletons and dry off. Then, they fly to the tops of the trees to warm up.”

Shrader said that cicadas must be warm to sing, so singing will likely begin around 10 a.m. the morning after emergence.

“Unfortunately, most opportunities to see cicadas will be as they are dying on the ground,” Shrader said. “Those who do not make the climb up the tree will be the ones that are most easily available for observation with families and children.”

Gearing up

PLACES THAT WILL ENTERTAIN, EDUCATE AND AMUSE

By CATHERINE GODBEY Living 50 Plus

Summer, in all its glory — the heat, beach trips and vacations — has arrived. For many, a highlight of the summer is visiting with grandchildren. Check out these places to entertain, educate and amuse the family.

Water Parks

Point Mallard Water Park: With water slides, an Olympic swimming pool, diving boards, a lazy

river and wave pool, Point Mallard Water Park provides an escape for children of all ages. For the younger kids, stop by the Squirt Factory and Duck Pond. While food and drink are not allowed inside the park, picnic areas outside of the park allow guests spaces to sit and enjoy food brought from home.

Admission is $28 for ages 12-61, $23 for ages 63 and older and 3-11 and free for ages 2 and younger. Entry is half price MondayThursday, excluding holidays. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Saturday, and 1 to 6 p.m., Sunday.

The park is open daily through July 28 and then open on the weekends, 1-6 p.m., and Labor Day through Sept. 2. Pointmallardpark.com

Hartselle Aquatic Center: The 11,500-square-foot aquatic center, at 406 Nance Ford Road, includes a lazy river, diving area, splash pad and water slides.

Admission is $15 for ages 12-61, $10 for ages 3-11 and 62 and older and free for ages 2 and younger. Hours are 1-5 p.m., Sundays and Mondays, and 11 a.m.-6 p.m., WednesdaysSaturdays. Hartselle.org.

Point Mallard Park

Splash Pads

Riverwild Splash Pad at Delano Park: Inspired by Alabama’s rivers, the splash pad, featuring towering fountains of water, creates a space for children of all physical abilities to play. The splash pad sits at Prospect Drive and Eighth Avenue Southeast in Decatur. If going to the splash pad, allow extra time for the children to play on the playground, which sits right next to the splash pad.

Admission is free. Hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. daily.

SNAP Splash Pad: Designed as a place for all children to play, the Hartselle splash pad, 406 Nance Ford Road S.W., features water cannons, fountains, spray jets, buckets and animal fixtures that shoot streams of water.

Admission is free. Hours are 8 a.m.-8 p.m., SaturdayThursday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Friday.

Art

Carnegie Visual Arts Center: The arts center in downtown Decatur, 207 Church St. N.E., will showcase textile works by Alabama artist Aaron Sanders Head in the exhibit “a jaw about to sing” during June and July. Head, who grows and forages his dye materials and primarily uses vintage linens donated by the community, creates handstitched quilts, assemblages and textile panels inspired by his life in rural Alabama. Carnegiearts.org.

Admission is free with donations accepted. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday to Friday, and 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday.

Huntsville Museum of Art exhibit: Get lost in the world of cartoons and comics in the Huntsville Museum of Arts’“AJourneyintoImagination:100YearsofAnimation.” The exhibit features 137 rare and recognizable objects, including original cels, drawings and models from “Gertie the Dinosaur,” "The Simpsons,” “Toy Story,” "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Tom & Jerry,” “The Jetsons,” “Who Framed Roger Rabbit,” “The Lion King” and more. The exhibit will open July 12 and close Sept. 29. Hsvmuseum. org.

Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for ages 60 and older, $5 for students and children ages 6 to 11 and free for ages 5 and younger. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Thursday, and noon-5 p.m., Sunday.

Nature

Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge: Escape into nature at the 34,500-acre refuge, which spans Morgan, Limestone and Madison counties. The visitors center, 3121 Visitor Center Road off Alabama 67, unveiled a new interactive and educational exhibit, where guests can see a taxidermy whooping crane, hear the tweeting of songbirds and create rubbings of leaves, in December. The exhibit provides a glimpse into what visitors can see at Wheeler, from ducks, geese, cranes, a white-tailed deer and baby alligator, to an otter, coyote, catfish, bass and osprey nests on electrical transmission towers. After exploring the exhibit, check out one of the refuge’s trails.

Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge visitors center

Check out fws.gov/refuge/wheeler/visit-us/trails to find kid-friendly and wheelchair-accessible trails. Admission is free. Visitors center hours are TuesdaySaturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., March through October, and 9 a.m.-5 p.m., November through February.

Cook Museum: Museum-goers can climb inside a tree modeled after the Sipsey Wilderness’ Big Tree, explore a cave, build volcanoes at the kinetic sand table and watch 100 fish in a 15,000-gallon aquarium. The museum’s exhibits focus on space, rivers and streams, caves, the arctic and deserts, oceans, forests, insects and rocks and minerals. Cookmuseum.org.

Admission is $20 for adults, $17 for ages 65 and older and military, $15 for ages 3-14, free for ages 2 and younger. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Saturday.

Caney Creek Falls: The moderate one-mile hike to Caney Creek Falls a few miles south of Sipsey Wilderness goes past hardwood and Eastern hemlocks, through a sandstone canyon and ends at the bottom of a waterfall. Directions: From Moulton, drive south on Alabama 33 for 22 miles and turn right on Winston County 2. Go 3.7 miles and the trailhead will be to the right.

Kinlock Falls: Picturesque waterfalls cascade off the rocks and into a swimming hole in the Sipsey Wilderness. Use caution while exploring Kinlock Falls because the currents can be swift and the water deep in places. For extra safety, make sure children wear life jackets. Dry off with a

half-mile hike to the historic Kinlock Shelter, a rock shelter and Native American cultural site dating back thousands of years. Directions: Drive south on Alabama 33 from Moulton. Turn at the Sipsey Picnic trailhead. Continue along the paved and dirt road. After a sharp left curve, look to the right and park at the small pull-off spot. If you get to the bridge, turn around.

Other sites

Historic Railroad Depot: The historic depot, 701 Railroad St. N.W. in Decatur, features a model train layout depicting the city, railroad memorabilia, artifacts and photographs. Notable pieces include the original depot superintendent’s desk, the baggage cart and benches, all from 1905.

Admission is free. Hours are 1:30-4 p.m., MondayFriday, and 10 a.m.-noon, Saturday.

Jesse Owens Memorial Park: Jump in the steps of one of Lawrence County’s most famous athletes and fourtime gold medalist at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. Dedicated to Jesse Owens, the park, 7019 Lawrence County 203 in Oakville, features a long jump, replica of Owens’ childhood home, museum and 40-minute “Return to Berlin” film. Expect to spend the whole day exploring this place in the history of sports.

Admission is $7. Hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Saturday, 1-4 p.m. Sunday.

While in Oakville, stop by the Oakville Indian Mounds Educational Center, which sits a mile northwest from the

Cook Museum

Jesse Owens Museum. The educational center houses artifacts dating back to 10,000 B.C. and what historians believe to be the largest Woodland Mound in Alabama.

Athens Kiddie Carnival: Designed for children ages 2 to 10, the Athens Lions Club’s Kiddie Carnival, 309 E. Forrest St., features 10 rides, including a Ferris wheel, train, swings, carousel, rocket ships, scrambler, parachute ride and mini roller coaster.

Admission is free, each ride costs 50 cents. Open every Thursday to Saturday, June 20 to July 27. Hours are 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Public Library: Travel the world, rocket into space and journey beneath the sea by visiting a library. The imaginations of children and adults will get lost in the available fantasy, adventure, fiction and biographical books. Local libraries include Decatur Public Library, 504 Cherry St. N.E.; Athens-Limestone Public Library, 603 S. Jefferson St.; Somerville Public Library, 192 Broad St.; Eva Public Library, 4549 Alabama 55 East; William Bradford Huie Library, 152 Sparkman St. N.W., Hartselle; Lawrence County Public Library, 401 College St., Moulton; Priceville Public Library, 1612 South Bethel Road; and Falkville Public Library, 7 North First Ave.

Public Library

Day or weekend trips

Birmingham: Head an hour-and-a-half south to Birmingham to explore science, nature and art. At the McWane Science Centers, four floors of fun (and education,shh,don’ttellthekids)await.Attractionsinclude a shark and ray touch tank, optical illusion area, bubble room, fossils and skeletons, the Itty Bitty Magic City, which includes an interactive fire station, farm, veterinary clinic, garage and more. Mcwane.org.

Admission is $16 for ages 13-64, $15 for ages 65 and older, $13 for ages 2-12 and free for younger than 2. Hours are Wednesday to Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.

From giraffes, elephants and a lion to flamingos, giant tortoises and orangutans, the Birmingham Zoo is home to 550 animals from six continents. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes for walking around the 122-acre site. Also bring a change of clothes, water shoes and a towel for the children if stopping by the zoo’s splash pad. Make sure to stop by the lorikeet aviary to get an up-close experience with the colorful birds. While walking through the aviary, the birds might perch on your head or arm. Birminghamzoo.com.

Admission is $19.95 for adults, $16.95 for ages 65 and older, $14.95 for ages 2-7, free for younger than 2. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday-Sunday

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Birmingham Zoo

The Birmingham Museum of Art, which is free to enter, contains a smartlab and ArtVenture. The two spaces feature morethan15hands-onlearningstationsfortoddlerstotweens. Museum hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday, and noon-5 p.m., Sunday. ArtVenture hours are 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday, and noon-4:30 p.m., Sunday.

Chattanooga: From riding a train to visiting a zoo and aquarium, options abound in Chattanooga.

The Tennessee Aquarium’s more than 400,000 gallons of freshwater habitat and 700,000 gallons of saltwater tanks house 12,000 animals. Expect to see everything from penguins, sand tiger sharks and the blue poison dart frog to the giant Pacific octopus, lemurs and turtles. Tnaqua.org.

Admission is $39.95 for adults, $29.95 for ages 5-17, free for ages 4 and younger. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday-Sunday.

At the Create Discovery Museum, children can dig for dinosaur bones, play with water tables, pretend to milk a cow, walk inside a volcano, and explore a climbing structure that rises 25 feet above the ground. Cdmfun.org.

Admission is $17.95 for general admission, $12.95 for ages 65 and older, $9.95 for military and law enforcement with ID, free for foster parents and children. The museum also offers annual passes, including a $140

granddiscovery pass, which includes two grandparents in the same household and admission for all grandchildren each visit. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., every day.

Tennessee Valley Railroad: For rail fans, stop by the Tennessee Valley Railroad and hop aboard a vintage train. The Vintage Short Line Train ride lasts an hour and takes passengers over four bridges and through the pre-Civil War Missionary Ridge Tunnel. Tvrail.com.

Tickets for the Vintage Short Line Train ride cost $24 for ages 13 and older, $15 for ages 2-12 and free for younger than 2. Check tvrail.com for schedules.

Create Discovery Museum

Better Health. It’s About Time.

The V IP ca re D iff er en ce

Visiting your doctor might not be the most exciting activity on your agenda, but it’s crucial for maintaining your health, especially for adults aged 65 and older. Research shows that patients who have an established relationship with their primary care physician experience fewer health issues and are less likely to make unnecessary trips to the emergency room. That’s why it’s essential to have a doctor whom you feel comfortable with and trust— someone you can rely on 24/7 for your healthcare needs

What Is VIPcare Primary Care?

If you’re unfamiliar with the brand, VIPcare is a primary care health network specializing in treating the aging population. VIPcare’s providers are skilled in health topics and conditions that affect older adults. Why is this important? Because as we age, our bodies begin to change. We start to experience conditions that we haven’t had to worry about in the past. Some minor and some complex. But they are conditions that are unique to seniors. Consulting with a provider who specializes in such changes can be very beneficial

Quality over Quantity

It can be hard to find that doctor with whom you truly connect with. Healthcare has become so rushed.

It’s like doctors compete to see the most patients. Sadly, that doesn’t leave much time for one-on-one time.

That was the key difference Dan and Tina DiFrancesco noticed with VIPcare after moving from Pennsylvania. “They make you feel like you’re the only one,” Tina said. “It’s really the first doctor that I’ve had like that.”

One of the key advantages of being a VIPcare patient is that you never have to worry about being rushed. VIPcare’s goal is to foster a patient-provider relationship built on trust and open communication, ensuring you feel heard and cared for during every visit.

Time for a Better Experience

Dan had two doctors before visiting VIPcare. He admits they were nice but immediately noticed a different experience upon switching. “The doctors, they care,” he said. “You get an X-ray or something, they call you, ‘how did you make out.’”

By taking the time to know you and your health history, your VIPcare primary care physician can provide you with the unique care you need and deserve. No more running around from doctor to doctor for answers. Your VIPcare provider is your

direct link to comprehensive care.

In efforts to guide patients to Better Health, VIPcare helps to eliminate potential healthcare burdens by offering services including sameday appointments, transportation assistance to and from clinics, and virtual visits when needed. VIPcare providers are dedicated to always doing what needs to be done to provide their patients with a better experience and the highest quality of care.

“The whole ofÏce, they follow up,” Tina said about her VIPcare experience. “The next day, they’re on the phone with you. It’s great.”

Your Journey to Better Health

Real healthcare is getting you healthy and keeping you healthy. Find a trusted partner in your health and get the care and attention you deserve

Call today to schedule a free consultation with Dr. Richard Bucco at your neighborhood VIPcare clinic located at 1304 13th Ave SE, Unit C, Decatur, AL 35601.

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ON TOP OF THE WORLD:

MOUNTAIN CLIMBING WITH HARTSELLE’S VICTOR FENTANES

By CATHERINE GODBEY Living 50 Plus

The summer of 1987 — a summer when Victor Fentanes became the youngest Mexican to climb Mount Huascaran, the highest tropical peak in the world — remains fresh in Fentanes’ mind.

“It was a fantastic summer. It is a summer living in my memory,” Fentanes said. “That summer I fell in love with mountain climbing.”

Now, at 54, that passion remains and Fentanes, founder of the Hartselle Mountain Hikers, shows no signs of slowing down. The Hartselle man has led climbing trips in 2015, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, visiting the North Cascades National Park in Washington and the Sawtooth Range in Idaho. He reached the summit of Thompson Peak, Sharkfin Notch, Mount Terror and Forbidden Peak.

“I found myself through mountain climbing. When I started mountain climbing, I understood just how small I was in terms of the magnitude of Mother Nature. When

Victor Fentanes on top of Mount Terror in Idaho in July 2023. [COURTESY PHOTO]

Victor Fentanes' view from the gully during a descent from Mount Terror in Idaho in July 2023.

[COURTESY PHOTO]

IT WAS A FANTASTIC SUMMER. IT IS A SUMMER LIVING IN MY MEMORY. THAT SUMMER I FELL IN LOVE WITH MOUNTAIN CLIMBING.

you are out there among these huge mountains, you realize how insignificant we are,” Fentanes said.

In July, he will return to the North Cascades National Park — one of his favorite climbing spots — to tackle a route only four other groups have tried.

“It’s not that it is so very difÏcult. It is just not visited a lot,” Fentanes said.

And, in 2025, Fentanes plans on traveling to Alaska.

“It will be my first time in Alaska. Alaska is a different animal. Airplanes drop you in the middle of nowhere. It is a wild space. There are no trails. We will only have our maps and compasses,” Fentanes said. “It will be a huge test of our navigational skills and survival skills. Because of the bears, we will have to be very careful about how we store our food.”

While discussing past and future climbing trips — the successes and the challenges — excitement fills Fentanes’ voice.

His interest in mountain climbing began 40 years ago while flying in an airplane from Veracruz, Mexico, where he spent his summers scuba diving among the coral reefs, to his home in Mexico City.

“While we were flying back, I looked out the window and saw the summit of a massive volcano. The surface was covered with ice at the time. I said to my dad, ‘One day, I’ll be there on top of that platform of ice,’” Fentanes recalled.

The next year he started mountaineering school and began training. He learned about the importance of selecting the right shoes.

“It sounds silly, but before you go climbing, you need to learn how to walk. Everything starts at your feet. If you don’t have good solid footing, you can’t do anything. If you have shoes that are too small, you are going to get your toes smashed and by the second day of the trip you are done.”

He also learned how to properly pack a backpack and use hiking poles.

“If the backpack is not properly loaded, if it is heavier on one side than the other, 2 to 3 miles down the road, your hips and shoulders will be screaming,” Fentanes said. “Poles are also important. Some people may think, ‘I don’t need poles.’ Once you use poles properly, you will love them because you have four points on the ground instead

Victor Fentanes in front of Sharkfin Notch in the North Cascades National Park. {COURTESY PHOTO]

of two. You will understand why your dog is so happy.”

In 1986, the volcano Fentanes saw from the airplane became his “battleground” and “playground” for training as he learned how to rope climb and ice climb. The summer of 1987, a climbing group Fentanes helped form traveled to Peru for a month to climb the Cordillera Blanca, the White Range.

“It is part of the Andes. You have mountains 21,000 feet high there that are the highest tropical mountains in the world. It was so beautiful because it is really close to the Pacific Ocean so there was a lot of snow and ice. Of course, things are changing now because of climate change,” Fentanes said.

25 6- 95 7- 71 58

Victor Fentanes, right, and his son, Victor, in the North Cascades National Park's Boston Basin in June 2022.

[COURTESY PHOTO]

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In December, the group traveled to Chile and Argentina to climb mountains, including the Cerro Aconcagua. Standing 22,837 feet tall, the Cerro Aconcagua is the highest mountain in the western hemisphere.

“Back then, we felt like a different race from mortals. We felt like superheroes. Now you see the type of people ascending the mountains, they are wearing sneakers and doing the trip in one day, running like cheetahs in the mountains. They are so powerful and athletic now. It is a very different time. When we climbed the mountains, we carried very heavy equipment and it was a long trip,” Fentanes said.

After the “magical” year of climbing in 1987, Fentanes’ participation in the sport lessened for more than 20 years as he concentrated on school, his marriage, work and his son. During that time, he immigrated to the United States on a work visa and eventually became a full citizen along with his wife, Elizabeth, and his son, Victor.

Fentanes credits his son, who joined the Boy Scouts in 2012, for reigniting his passion for mountain climbing.

“AfteroneyearofhimgoingonhikestotheBankhead, Sipsey Wilderness and Cheaha, I said, ‘Victor, do you

Victor Fentanes walks on a trail at Hurricane Creek Park. When he’s training for a big hike he goes to Hurricane Creek at least three times a week. [JERONIMO NISA]

really want to know mountains?’ He said, ‘What are you talking about?’ I said, ‘What you know now is a good training ground. Do you want to go to the next level?’ He said, ‘Why not.’ When he said, ‘why not,’ he gave me the keys to the car. Here we go again,” Fentanes said.

In 2013, Fentanes and his son took a six-day trip to North Cascades National Park and Hartselle Mountain Hikers was born.

“It’s amazing to see everywhere they have been,” Elizabeth Fentanes said. “But, every time they leave, I do worry. You have to be so careful, even just walking. You have to focus a lot on your walk.”

Fentanes takes that preparation and training seriously. Getting ready for a climb requires months of preparation. Each week, Fentanes trains three to four days, spending most of his time at Hurricane Creek Park, between Vinemont and Cullman, where he practices climbing rocks and navigating trails.

“When I train, I have a specific plan in what I’m working on, whether it is cardio, resistance or stamina. I use Hurricane Creek for 80% of my training. The other 20% I spend at Cheaha State Park, the Walls of Jericho, Bankhead National Forest and the Sipsey Wilderness,” Fentanes said.

Along with the physical training, Fentanes trains mentally. He spends hours upon hours reading books, maps and weather patterns and watching YouTube videos.

“Victor studies a lot. He wants to be prepared for anything,” Elizabeth Fentanes said.

“I do want to be prepared, but no matter how much I plan, Mother Nature may say something different,” Fentanes said. “If Mother Nature says something different, we turn around. My main goal on the trip is that everyone comes back home safely.”

At least twice, Mother Nature has interfered with Fentanes’ plans.

In 2021, a wildfire ended the Hartselle Mountain Hikers’ climb in Washington on the second day of the trip. And in 2022, while on the final leg of the climb, weather prohibited the group from reaching the summit.

“My son and friend were happy about the experience, but I was so frustrated. I had been planning that trip for a whole year. My wife said, ‘If you are going to be grumpy for the rest of the year, go try again.’ That’s the OK I needed. I went back and climbed Forbidden Peak. When I returned from that trip, I said, ‘Now I can rest. My soul is satisfied,’” Fentanes said.

Other standout climbing moments for Fentanes include hearing the ice cracking in a glacier and climbing Mount Terror in Idaho with Spencer Dawes. Last September, the 25-year-old Dawes, of Athens, died in a rappelling accident.

“Our trip to Mount Terror was one of the most impressive, magical trips in my whole career. It was fantastic,” Fentanes said. “It makes me so sad that Spencer is gone. It is a reminder about our fragile nature.”

Fentanes plans on climbing as long as he is physically able.

“Every December, my son typically asks me, ‘Dad, are we going to make a trip to the mountains this year.’ And I think, OK, here we go again. Every time I get so excited,” Fentanes said.

To learn more about the Hartselle Mountain Hikers or see videos and images from past climbs, visit Instagram. com/hartsellemountainhikers.

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SUMMER DAY TRIPPIN’

Looking for an easy and quick excursion? A new exhibit in nearby Huntsville may be worth your drive.

The Immersive Experience is a 360º digital art exhibition in Huntsville that invites you to step into the universe of the Dutch genius, Vincent van Gogh. It is like strolling into one of his paintings. Explore his life, his work and his secrets through cutting-edge 360-degree digital projections, a one-of-a-kind VR experience and a uniquely atmospheric light and sound show. It is being held at the Exhibition Hub Huntsville Art Center, 6123 University Dr. NW, Unit 100, and is open Thursdays through Mondays during the summer. They areclosedonTuesdaysandWednesdays. Formoreinformation and tickets, go to vangoghexpo.com. You can also look it up on Facebook at www.facebook.com/vangogh.experience.

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SERVE UP SOME SOUTHERN COOKING WITH BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN

By METRO NEWS

Tender, crispy traditional southern fried chicken is a southern staple. Whether it is a picnic, family reunion,dinneratthechurchorjustforhome,fried chicken has a way of making any moment even better. This recipe for "Southern-Style Buttermilk Fried Chicken" from AllRecipes.com is sure to satisfy anyone's craving and help create special memories.

SOUTHERN-STYLE BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN

Makes 8 servings

 2 cups buttermilk

 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

 1 teaspoon salt

 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

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Whisk together buttermilk, mustard, salt, pepper and cayenne in a bowl.

Pour buttermilk marinade into a resealable plastic bag. Add chicken pieces, coat with marinade, squeeze out excess air and seal the bag. Marinate in the refrigerator for 2 to 8 hours.

Combine flour, baking powder, garlic powder and onion powder in another resealable plastic bag; shake to mix thoroughly.

Working with one piece at a time, transfer marinated chicken to the dry ingredient bag, seal the bag and shake well tocoat.Afterallchickenpiecesarecoated,repeattheprocess by dipping them in buttermilk marinade and shaking in the dry coating again. Then heat oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Place chicken on the pan.

Fry chicken in batches in hot oil, turning chicken occasionally, until golden brown and juices run clear. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the meat should read at least 165 F.

BE FO RE YO UB UY

ALL ABOARD: JOURNEY INTO MODEL RAILROADS

By CATHERINE GODBEY

Living

50 Plus

On any given Saturday, stop by the Historic Union Depot to see a train chugging past replicas of Decatur landmarks — the Princess Theatre with a working marquee, Turner-Surles, Dancy-Polk House, Old State Bank and Tennessee River bridge.

The model railroad, which replicates the CSX yard, Norfolk Southern yard and interchange yard, and the

miniature buildings displayed along the track represent more than 5,000 volunteer hours spread across more than two years.

“It was a labor of love for a lot of people,” said Jim Norris, visionary of the model railroad display.

For Norris and other model railroad enthusiasts, including Bud Brueggeman and Bill Koval, the set-up housedinthefreemuseumonRailroadStreetinNorthwest Decatur served as a way to share their passion with the community.

“I don’t know what it is about trains. What is the draw? It’s hard to put it into words. There is just a fascination around them. Someone asked me once, ‘Why model railroads?’ I said, ‘It’s kind of hard to put an operating nuclear power plant in the basement,’” Brueggeman said with a laugh. “Same goes for model airplanes. But you can put a model railroad and train in the basement.”

Each of the men — 82-year-old Norris, 80-year-old Brueggeman and 77-year-old Koval — took a different path into the hobby.

THE MODEL RAILROAD, WHICH REPLICATES THE CSX YARD, NORFOLK SOUTHERN YARD AND INTERCHANGE YARD, AND THE MINIATURE BUILDINGS DISPLAYED ALONG THE TRACK REPRESENT MORE THAN

5,000

VOLUNTEER HOURS SPREAD ACROSS MORE THAN TWO YEARS.

Brueggeman credited his grandfather, a bridge builder for the railroad, for sparking his interest in trains.

“He and I would go down and watch the trains all the time,” Brueggeman said. “I’ve had a train set ever since I was 12 years old.”

For Norris, who had a model railroad as a child, an electrical outage in 1987 resulted in his reintroduction to the hobby.

“I went to work one Saturday and the security guy said, ‘Don’t bother to come in, the power is off.’ I remembered

Jim Norris works on a model railroad at the Historic Union Depot.

Mammography Made Easy!

Bill Koval

seeing that there was an ad in the paper for a train sale that day. I went to the hobby store, bought a couple of books, read them in the car and went back in the store,” Norris said. “By the time I got home, I had two model trains, all the plywood for the table and the wiring.”

When Norris built his home, he designed the structure to fit his personal model railroad.

“I built my house around the railroad. I told the designer the room upstairs had to be 21 feet wide to fit the model layout,” Norris said.

“You have to have your priorities,” Brueggeman said.

Koval became involved with the hobby after he retired.

“One of the guys I used to work with talked about building the model train at the depot. I came and watched them lay tracks and do the wiring and I got hooked,” Koval said.

The team of volunteers completed the model railroad, which includes mostly made-from-scratch buildings, five years ago.

“Some of the buildings are made out of a combination of kits, but most, about 90%, are scratch buildings. Each one took 15 to 20 hours to complete,” Norris said.

Now, every Saturday, a member of the Mid-South Division of the National Model Railroad Association operates the model for visitors to the depot.

“I like to watch the kids when they come in because their eyes just light up. It’s even better at Christmastime because we set up trains that they can put their hands

on and actually operate. The kids love it and the parents do too,” Koval said.

“There’s a certain romance about trains, both model and real

trains, that people love,” said David Breland,Decatur’sdirectorofhistoric resources, including the depot. “It’s Americana and makes you think of bygonedays.”

Bud Brueggeman, left, and Jim Norris, far right, helped build the model railroad at the Historic Union Depot.

AT THE TRAIN

SHOW, YOU CAN TALK TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN IN THE HOBBY FOR A WHILE AND GET TIPS ON WHAT SETS TO BUY THAT WILL LAST AND HELP BUILD THEIR INTEREST.

For individuals looking to get involvedwiththehobby,theNational Model Railroad Association’s Southeastern Region Convention will take place June 20-23 at the Doubletree by Hilton in Decatur. The convention will include how-to clinics and tours of model railroads at people’s homes.

“The convention will be an excellent opportunity for people who think they might be interested in getting into model railroads to come and learn about the hobby,” Breland said.

Along with the convention, a train show, which will feature trains and layouts on display and an opportunity to buy items, will take

place at Turner-Surles Community Center.

“Most trains sold in big box stores are ones you don’t want to buy. People get discouraged by them because they stop working. At the train show, you can talk to people who have been in the hobby for a while and get tips on what sets to buy that will last and help build their interest,” Brueggeman said.

The depot, which attracted over 7,000 visitors last year and is on pace to exceed that number this year, also will be open during the convention.

In Decatur, the hobby attracts many engineers, who like to see how trains work and operate, and retired military.

“I guess we know the answer to the age-old question, what do you do with old soldiers? You turn them on to model railroads,” said Brueggeman, a former U.S. Marine, as he glanced from Koval, who served in the Navy, to Norris, who served in the Air Force.

Norris encouraged parents and grandparents to get children involved in modeling.

“Let them do modeling of any type. They learn to complete something and it has more meaning for them,” Norris said. “I’ve spent hours and hours building something and practically never use it again. I just enjoy building the items. My niece, one time, saw how big my layout was and said, ‘Uncle Jim, is the journey moreimportantthanthedestination?’ I think she is right.”

Norris, Brueggeman and Koval are members of the Mid-South Division of the National Model Railroad Association. The association meets the first Saturday of the month at 9:30 a.m. at the Historic Union Depot.

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THE HEALING POWER OF NATURE

The following are some of the ways nature can have a healing effect

By METRO NEWS

Being in good health and avoiding various diseases often comes down to a combination of factors. Individuals may be aware that nutrition and exercise play important roles in personal well-being, but it appears that nature may provide its own medicinal benefits as well.

A number of studies have examined the potential healing components of being in nature. The World Health Organization released a report in 2023 titled "Green and

Decatur-Morgan

Blue Spaces and Mental Health," which indicated that time in nature improves mood, mindsets and mental health. This occurs regardless of whether that nature was "country" regions or urban areas. The following are some of the ways nature can have a healing effect.

▶ IMMUNITY PROTECTION: Trees and plants emit aromatic compounds called phytoncides. When inhaled, these compounds can ignite healthy biological changes similar to the concepts of aromatherapy. When people walk inforestsorothergreenareas,theyoftenexperiencechanges

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in the blood that are associated with protection against cancer, improved immunity and lower blood pressure, says Dr. Qing Li, a professor at the Nippon Medical School in Tokyo.

▶ GET A BRAIN BREAK: When spending time in nature, attention is focused on the scenery, the animals and the rest of the environment. This may help quiet the rush of thoughts in the head that clutters the ability to think freely.

▶ REDUCE STRESS: Stress is a catalyst for a number of adverse health conditions. The Mayo Clinic says stress can cause headache, muscle tension, fatigue, changes in sex drive and a weaker immune system, among other things. Being outside in nature and away from work and home responsibilities can help reduce stress levels. Dr. Mathew McGlothlin, senior medical director with WellMed Medical Group, says being in nature provides stress relief.

▶ GET VITAMIN D: The body naturally produces vitamin D from sun exposure. The National Institutes of Health says it is optimal to have sun exposure for five to 30 minutes a day, most days a week, to absorb UVB rays and effectively make vitamin D. Vitamin D is a nutrient the body needs to build and maintain strong bones. Vitamin D also regulates many other cellular functions in the body, and may be able to prevent cognitive decline.

▶ INSPIRES EXERCISE: People may be more inclined to be physically active while outdoors. Hiking, cycling, swimmingandevenstrollsintheparkallmaketheoutdoors more fun. Exercise promotes heart health and helps people maintain a healthy weight.

Speaking of exercise, utilizing outdoor activities to get in shape can improve people's chances of exercising regularly. Here are a few ideas to kick-start a new routine.

Kayaking and paddleboarding

Water sports are perfect warm-weather activities that build good upper body and core strength. Kayaking and paddleboarding also offer cardiovascular benefits by getting the heart pumping. These water activities offer a great way to exercise that doesn't often seem like exercise at all.

Hiking

Walking for pleasure gained popularity in Europe during the eighteenth century. Hiking involves taking long, vigorous walks on trails or footpaths. The varied terrain is an excellent cardiovascular exercise and can strengthen the lower body.

Park circuit

Many public parks have exercise equipment along trails or walking paths. Individuals can follow a circuit with little to no rest in between. If a park doesn't have dedicated equipment, one can use kids' jungle gym equipment to perform pull-ups, incline pushups, lunges and additional strength-training exercises.

Sports

Outdoor sporting activities surrounded by nature can offer aerobic and strength-training benefits. Sports typically are played among a group and the sense of companionship and good-natured competition that often develops in such settings can keep participants engaged and having fun.

NOTABLE HEALTH BENEFITS OF A ROUND OF GOLF

By METRO NEWS

Playing a round of golf is a great way to spend a morning, afternoon or early evening. That's particularly true when the weather is warm and a golf course is soaked in sunshine and cooled down by warm breezes whistling through the surrounding trees.

Though many see golf as recreation, the sport can offer some notable health benefits. The Royal and Ancient Golf ClubofSt.Andrews,whichwasfounded in 1754 and has since grown from a small club to one with 2,500 members across the globe, published a golf and health report in 2020. That report highlights research indicating the ways golf promotes both mental and physical health, and such evidence can make anyone feel better about spending a day on their nearest course. With that

in mind, individuals can consider these three notable health benefits of playing golf the next time they're thinking about visiting their local course.

GOLF MAY HELP YOU LIVE LONGER

Frustrated golfers who can't master their short game may suggest otherwise, but a study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science and Sports discovered a 40% reduction in mortality rates among 300,000 members of the Swedish Golf Federation. That corresponded to an increased life expectancy of roughly five years and applied to golfers of all ages, genders and socio-economic backgrounds.

GOLF CAN HELP COMBAT DISEASE

A summary of findings conducted by researchers at the University of

Edinburgh and published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine in 2016 found that golf can help prevent and treat 40 major chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart attack, stroke, depression, dementia and cancers of the breast and colon. That link probably has something to do with golf being a physical activity that encourages people to embrace a less sedentary lifestyle. Indeed, the R&A notes that additional studies have found that risk factors for heart disease and stroke, including high blood pressure, are reduced among people who play golf.

GOLF PROMOTES SOCIAL INTERACTION

1 2 3

The Alzheimer's Society reports that social isolation can increase a person's risk for dementia by roughly 60%. People who play golf tend to play in groups of two, three or four, and that social interaction can promote social interaction among people of all ages. Social isolation also has been linked to additional mental health issues, including anxiety and depression, so activities like golf that encourage social interaction can help people safeguard their mental health.

A round of golf may be widely viewed as a recreational activity. However, a day on the links also provides some notable health benefits.

Sew On:

Karen Stacy creates costumes for community theater

By CATHERINE GODBEY Living 50 Plus

Walking past photographs of “Mary Poppins,”

“Cinderella,” “Frozen” and “ELF,” Karen

Stacy stepped into a room lined with bins containing aprons, scarves, pantaloons and fabric.

“Here is where I live,” the 67-year-old Stacy said, motioning to the costume headquarters for Decatur’s community theater group Dream Weavers housed at Central United Methodist Church.

Over the past four years, Stacy, whose previous acting experience consisted solely of portraying one of the three men in a tub in the nursery rhyme “Rub-a-Dub-Dub” in third grade, has contributed to and overseen the costumes of 14 productions.

Using her tools — a sewing machine and hot glue gun — Stacy has created a zebra hat and tuxedo pants for Marty in “Madagascar Jr.,” dresses for Dolly Levi in “Hello Dolly,” fairy costumes for Oberon and Titania in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” a gown for Cinderella in “Cinderella,” an elf outfit for Buddy in “ELF,” “Sesame Street”-inspired fish costumes for “Finding Nemo” and a tentacle dress for Ursula in “The Little Mermaid.”

Stacy, who as a child loathed sewing, never dreamed she would be creating costumes.

“My mother tried to teach me to sew when I was young. I started around 11. She was a master seamstress. If I got one stitch out of line, she made me rip it out. I learned to

hate it,” Stacy said. “Now I’m learning to love it. I love the creative side of it.”

Stacy credited her 13-year-old granddaughter for her involvement with community theater.

“My granddaughter auditioned for ‘Frozen’ in 2020, so I was here with her for rehearsals. I realized Paulette (Morgan) needed help and was running behind on the show. I had inherited all of my mother’s sewing materials and they were just sitting there. I told Paulette, ‘I can come to your house, and you can show me what you need done.’ She said, ‘OK,’” Stacy said.

SobeganStacy’smentorshipunderMorgan,whoserved as the lead seamstress for Dream Weavers and Bank Street Players, from 2015 until her death in 2021.

After assisting Morgan with the “Frozen” costumes, Stacy assisted with “Snow White.”

“With ‘Snow White,’ Paulette made the costumes for all the main characters, and I did everybody else. She taught me so much,” Stacy said. “When she died, there was nobody left except me. That’s the problem we are having right now. Sewing seems to be a dying art so there is nobody to help. People don’t have to be experienced seamstresses to do this. I certainly wasn’t.”

Susan Thompson, who restarted Dream Weavers with Deanna Knox in 2017, has watched Stacy grow into the lead costumer role.

“Her ability to work with show designers and contribute to the overall look and feel of a show increases the artistic value of our performances,” Thompson said. “The time, thought, planning and effort put into producing a cohesive

look is not easy, but she has become quite skilled in achieving that.”

Stacy hazards to guess how much time she spends on costumes for each production. From discussing the designs with the directors to measuring the cast members to pulling items from the clothing closet to searching thrift stores and yard sales (she has created outfits from dust rufÒes and curtain valences) to sewing and altering the costumes, the time is incalculable.

During the weeklong freeze in January, Stacy would wake up at 7 a.m. every morning and sew until 9 p.m. and only completed a portion of the costumes for “Finding Nemo.”

“Every show I do, I sit there and think I’m never going to do this again because it is so stressful. But when you see the lights come on and the curtain goes up and the music starts, I cry. Every time I cry. It’s like giving birth. After all the pain and agony, there’s the baby and it’s beautiful. Just like childbirth, you forget the pain and say, ‘Yes, I’ll do the next one,’” Stacy said.

Some of Stacy’s stand-out creations include Nemo’s orange overalls, which she created from a women’s size 24 orange jeans, Ursula’s tentacled octopus outfit based around a dress she found at a thrift shop, and Cinderella’s tear-away dress, which transformed from a ragged outfit to a ball gown.

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SKINCAR

Karen Stacy created the costume for Buddy the elf in “ELF.”

“You know the moment; it is when the fairy godmother goes ‘Bippity boppity boo.’ We needed a quick change and we didn’t want Cinderella to leave the stage for a long time. We had to think a lot about how to do this,” Stacy said.

The solution: Place the underside of the ballgown under the ragged outfit so it looked like a slip and use Velcro to attach items to the outfit.

“When it came time, we put fog on the stage. Cinderella whirled into the fog and there was someone standing off stage that ripped the ragged part off. As she twirled out of the fog, there was someone else that had a big skirt and crinoline to attach to Cinderella, who twirled into it. When she came out of the fog, she was in the ballgown. The audience loved it,” Stacy said.

Another of Stacy’s favorite productions was “Mary Poppins,” which she worked on with Morgan.

“When we came out after the show to meet with the audience, people were asking where we were going next. They thought we were a traveling show. It makes you feel good,” Stacy said. “Decatur is so very lucky. We have some amazingly talented and creative people here.”

When creating the costumes, Stacy considers the thickness of the fabric to ensure the stage lights do not shine through the costume, the length of the outfits so the actors do not trip, contrasting colors to make the costumes pop and tailoring.

“The main thing for costumes is to consider what it looks like from every seat in the house. You’ve got to think about the person sitting on the front row as well as the person sitting in the balcony,” Stacy said. “I’m still learning. Every production, I learn more. Each show gets better and better.”

Along with Stacy, a six-member team of volunteers helps assemble and organize the costumes.

“This is not a one-man show. There are others making sure the actors have shoes, socks, belt, bow ties, whatever they need, to complete their looks. I do most of the sewing, but I’m teaching them how to do simple things,” Stacy said.

Stacy hopes to organize classes focused on teaching beginning sewing techniques, such as sewing up bloomers, running elastic and sewing on buttons.

“I want to find people that want to learn and be part of the theater community. If you don’t know how to sew, I will teach you. If you do know how to sew and want to volunteer to make just one costume, anything helps,” Stacy said.

Dream Weavers, like other community theater groups, relies on volunteers to stage productions.

“Our organization is powered by volunteers,” Thompson said. “Dream Weavers has the added element of working with children, so, lots of times, our volunteers are grandparents of cast members. Many times, they volunteer their help on the show their child is in and that’s that. But, even more, they help that first time, enjoy it so much and come back for more. We are constantly looking for volunteers, seamstresses and carpenters.”

Upcoming community theater productions include:

“Newsies” by Hartselle-based College Street Players. Shows are June 20-22 at Hartselle High.

“The Hunchback of Notre Dame” by Dream Weavers. Shows are July 12-14 at the Princess Theatre in downtown Decatur.

“Matilda the Musical” by Bank Street Players. Shows are July 26-28 at the Princess Theatre.

“Cinderella”

Karen Stacy, right, holds the costume for Ursula, as she walks with Susan Thompson.

“Hello, Dolly”

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