Living 50 Plus Magazine October/November 2024 by Living50plusdm

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2024

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Publisher CLINT SHELTON

Operations Director DARRELL SANDLIN

Executive Editor ERIC FLEISCHAUER

Living 50 Plus Editor

LORI FEW

CATHERINE GODBEY

News Editor FRANKLIN HARRIS

Living 50 Plus Writers

CATHERINE GODBEY • BAYNE HUGHES

DAVID GAMBINO • ERICA SMITH

WES TOMLINSON • JEAN COLE

Living 50 Plus Photographers

JERONIMO NISA • TRISTAN HOLMES

Circulation Director WALTER GOGGINS

Advertising Director BARETTA TAYLOR

Advertising Graphic Artists

STEPHEN JOHNSON • RHONDA STENNETT

Retail Advertising

KIM ROBERTS • BECKY SPIVEY • SHELIA SMITH

EDDIE JOHNS • ANNA BAKER • KIARA KOGER

Website DANIEL BUFORD 256-340-2408 Visit us at living50plusdm.com

For story ideas or comments: Catherine Godbey 256-340-2441

For distribution questions: Walter Goggins 256-740-5784

GRANDPARENTS are essential to YOUNG CHILDREN

From AARP

The benefits of the grandparent/grandchild relationship go beyond fun and games and fish-andchip picnics. Research has shown that grandparents play a vital role in children’s well-being. Oxford University researcher Professor Ann Buchanan found that children who enjoyed a high level of grandparental involvement in their life had fewer emotional and behavioral problems. When grandparents are present, children have fewer emotional problems and they are less likely to be involved in negative behavioral situations.

For advertising questions: Baretta Taylor 256-340-2370

For website questions: Daniel Buford 256-340-2408

ON THE COVER: Jay Clark designs and acts in haunted attractions. Photograph by Jeronimo Nisa. Cover design by Stephen Johnson. Published by Decatur Daily Tennessee Valley Media

Interestingly, Buchanan’s research also revealed that while grandmothers are predominantly involved in a nurturing capacity, grandfathers tend to take on more activity-based mentoring roles. While different, both types of involvement contribute to greater well-being in children.

Many grandparents are family-focused people, dedicated to values and principles refined through a lifetime of learning. With the rising number of single-parent families and those where both parents hold down full-time jobs, grandparents’ roles can be of immeasurable importance in the day-to-day life of a child.

In short, emotionally healthy grandparents contribute positively to the well-being and overall development of their grandchildren. The Oxford study shows just how important their role can be.

Decatur-Morgan

STORIES BEHIND THE STARS

Honoring

By MARIA RAKOCZY

Over 421,000 American soldiers gave their lives in World War II, but many of their stories and lives have gone unknown. A nationwide project that evolved from a blog in 2020, Stories Behind the Stars has set out to change that, including right here in north Alabama.

Created by Don Milne of Louisville, Kentucky, the nonprofit Stories Behind the Stars project endeavors to ensure that each and every one of the American service men and women who paid the ultimate price to preserve our freedoms in World War II are remembered as more than just a statistic in a book or a grave marker in a local cemetery. The project is named after the gold

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The Freedom Wall at the World War II Memorial in Washington DC.

star banner that families of an American service member lost in WWII displayed in their window and the Freedom Wall at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Bob Fuerst, a NASA engineer in Huntsville, serves as the Alabama state director for the Stories Behind the Stars project and leads a small team of volunteers from across the state who have so far researched and written stories of more than 5,000 of the over 6,300 Alabamians who lost their lives during WWII. All stories written for the project are being saved to a common online database so they can be easily viewed by anyone. The stories are also being shared on a daily basis via a Facebook page named Remembering Alabama WWII Fallen.

In 2018, Don Milne was writing a blog about fallen World War II heroes as a hobby, posting the stories to militarythemed Facebook pages. The posts gained traction, so Milne recruited volunteers among the readers of his blog to join him. Fuerst is one of those readers who responded to the call.

Milne originally planned to continue writing his blog until the 75th anniversary of the end of WWII in September of 2020, but interest continued to grow. Reaching more than one million views by 2020, the blog evolved into a larger nationwide effort prompting the creation of Stories Behind the Stars, which set a goal of writing the stories of every fallen soldier in World War II. Fuerst estimates that today over 1,000 volunteers in every state, and even abroad, serve the nonprofit program.

The price of freedom at the World War II Memorial in Washington.

Bob Fuerst, a NASA engineer in Huntsville, serves as the Alabama state director for the Stories Behind the Stars project.

Fuerst’s research has led him to discover the heroic lives of many north Alabamians and through them touch the lives of others. “It’s purely done out of just trying to honor and remember these heroes of the greatest generation that saved the world for us,” he said.

The process for constructing these stories includes online research using resources such as ancestry.com, fold3.com and digitized newspapers along with official military databases.

The Remembering Alabama WWII Fallen Facebook page has thousands of stories of Alabama soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

“It’s kind of like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. You find all the little tidbits of information in different places and you craft a story from that,” described Fuerst.

“Basically, if you can write an obituary, you can research and write one of these stories,” he added. “Be forewarned. This is a very addictive and enriching experience.”

So far, the project volunteers have completed almost

50,000 stories of American WWII fallen, including all who died at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941; all who died in Normandy on D-Day; and all buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Each story, once completed, enters a database where it is linked to the gravesite of the corresponding service member.

“We want these folks to be remembered as more than just a marker at a cemetery. Every one of these was somebody’s son or brother or father and there was a story to their life that deserves to be remembered,” Fuerst said.

Many more volunteers are needed to complete this historic project. Anyone interested in learning more about the project or wanting to register as a volunteer can do so at storiesbehindthestars.org.

Volunteers undergo a special training process known as "boot camp" before they begin writing and then are given free access to tools such as ancestry.com and other databases to use in their research. Fuerst says volunteers are welcome to write as many stories as they like. Some join to write the story of a relative and others contribute hundreds of stories over the course of years.

For those interested in reading their work, all the completed stories can be found on fold3.com, storiesbehindthestars.org and Fuerst’s north Alabama stories can be found on the Remembering Alabama WWII Fallen Facebook page.

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STAY AHEAD OF MEDICARE FRAUDSTERS

By FAMILY FEATURES

Every day, criminals target older Americans with one goal – to steal their Medicare numbers and other protected health information. To fraudsters, this information is just as valuable as credit card information. These criminals steal Medicare numbers and unlawfully bill Medicare for medical services that were never provided to the patient or overbill for provided services.

When criminals commit fraud and falsely bill Medicare, people’s medical records may become inaccurate and they can suffer delays or even be denied care. In the end, Medicare fraud costs taxpayers billions of dollars every year. Each dollar lost to fraud takes away resources intended for people with Medicare.

Protect Yourself

Fraudsters are getting creative and new scams are continually emerging. The best thing you can do is beware

of people who contact you for your Medicare number or other personal information. You may be contacted by phone, text or email by someone posing as a Medicare representative, a health care provider or even a medical equipment company. If someone you don’t know asks for your Medicare number, hang up or delete the message – this is a scam.

Consider these tips to help protect yourself against Medicare fraud and stay one step ahead of fraudsters:

• Guard your Medicare card just like your Social Security card and credit card.

• Only share your Medicare information with your trusted health care providers.

• Be skeptical of free gifts, free medical services, discount packages or any offer that sounds too good to be true.

• Always check your Medicare claims statements to make sure they are accurate. Call 1-800-MEDICARE if

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Watch Out for Medicare Hospice Fraud

Beware of scammers offering older Americans in-home perks, like free cooking, cleaning and home health services, while they are unknowingly being signed up for hospice services. The scammers then unlawfully bill Medicare for these services in your name.

Criminals are using every avenue they can to sign you up including door-to-door visits, false advertising, phone, text and email. Hospice care is for people who are terminally ill and only you and your doctor can make this serious decision if you need endof-life care.

Remember this advice to avoid hospice scams:

• Your doctor is the only one who can certify you’re terminally ill (with a life expectancy of six months or less).

If you are not terminally ill, you should not receive hospice care.

• Never accept perks or gifts in return for signing up for hospice services.

• Medicare will never provide “free” services like housekeeping.

• Be suspicious if someone offers you free services like housekeeping or cooking in return for your Medicare number.

• Medicare will never come to your home.

Report Medicare Fraud

Reporting Medicare fraud protects you and millions of other people with Medicare and those with disabilities. If you or someone you know has experienced Medicare fraud or suspect an offer you’ve received is a scam, report it as soon as possible. You will never be in trouble for reporting fraud.

To learn more, visit Medicare.gov/ fraud. To report potential fraud, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

DEBUNKING CERTAIN MYTHS SURROUNDING BREAST CANCER

By METRO NEWS

Events like National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Susan G. Komen® MORE THAN PINK Walk® have been integral to raising awareness about the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women across the globe. Though such campaigns and events have helped many women better understand breast cancer and their own risk for the disease, certain myths surrounding breast cancer persist. Such myths are not harmless and can, in fact, lead to unsafe outcomes that jeopardize women's health.

Questions about breast cancer should always be directed to a physician. Though physicians may not have all the answers, they remain useful allies in the fight against a disease that the World Cancer Research Fund International reports will be discovered in roughly 3 million women this year. As women seek more knowledge of breast cancer, it can be just as important to recognize some common myths surrounding the disease.

MYTH: MRIS ARE MORE EFFECTIVE THAN MAMMOGRAMS.

The National Breast Cancer Coalition notes that no evidence exists to support the assertion that a magnetic resonance imaging exam is a more effective screening test for breast cancer than a mammogram. The NBCC acknowledges that an MRI can be an effective diagnostic tool when doctors suspect something is wrong. However, the NBCC advises against using MRI to screen for breast cancer since it is more likely to yield a false-positive result than a mammogram. Indeed, the National Breast Cancer Foundation identifies mammography as the gold standard for the early detection of breast cancer.

MYTH: BREAST SIZE AND BREAST CANCER RISK ARE CONNECTED.

This myth typically suggests breast cancer is more common in women with large breasts. The NBCF notes there is no connection between breast size and breast cancer risk. Breast density, not size, may be associated with a greater risk for breast cancer. The Mayo Clinic notes dense breast tissue refers to the ways breast tissue appears on a mammogram. Women with dense breasts, which the National Cancer Institute notes affects roughly half of all women over age 40, are at higher risk for breast cancer because the dense tissue makes screening for the disease

more difficult. But breast size and breast density are not one and the same.

MYTH: MOST BREAST CANCER PATIENTS HAVE A FAMILY HISTORY OF THE DISEASE.

The NBCC notes that roughly 15 to 20% of women diagnosed with breast cancer report a family history of the disease. Assuming only those with a family history are vulnerable to breast cancer gives women with no such background a false sense of security, which may discourage them from taking measures to lower their risk.

MYTH: ALL BREAST LUMPS ARE CANCEROUS.

The NBCF indicates only a small percentage of breast lumps end up being cancerous. Lumps should never be ignored and should be reported to a physician immediately. But it's important to avoid jumping to conclusions after finding a breast lump. A clinical breast exam can determine what's behind the lump and women who discover a lump should remain calm until such an exam is conducted.

These are just some of the many myths circulating about breast cancer. More information about the disease can be found at nationalbreastcancer.org.

FAIRY FOOD

DECATUR TEACHER’S FEEDING MINISTRY TOUCHES THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN

By CATHERINE GODBEY Living 50 Plus

Achance encounter with a stranger at a church supper led Melissa Penley to start a program that, in the past 14 years, has touched thousands of Decatur children.

“I hate that children are dealing with so many issues these days. I thought if we could just feed them on the weekends, that’s one thing we could help with,” Penley said.

In 2010, Penley, then a reading coach at West Decatur Elementary School, founded the Weekend Backpack Food Program for Decatur City Schools. For those efforts along with her 25 years of serving students, Penley received the 2024 Sen. Arthur Orr Champion for Education Award from the Decatur City Schools Foundation.

“Each week, students’ backpacks are filled with nutritional and easy to prepare foods so that no child is hungry when they are not in school,” said Stevi Price, executive director of the Decatur City Schools Foundation.

The path that led the 52-year-old Penley to establishing the backpack food program began as a child. Penley,

a Decatur native who attended St. Ann Catholic School and Decatur High, watched her parents, community leaders and activists David and Linda Peek, care for others.

“My mom was fortunate to be a stayat-home home. She volunteered for PACT (Parents and Children Together) from the time I can remember. She was one of the people instrumental in establishing PACT. And, of course, she would have us come out and volunteer for PACT,” Penley said. “My mom and dad taught us we were fortunate and to help others.”

As an eighth grader at St. Ann, Penley, thanks to one of her favorite teachers, Ms. Gibbs, felt an urge to pursue teaching.

“I just loved my eighth grade teacher. Seeing her, I decided I might want to do that one day,” Penley said. “In high school, I participated in Junior Achievement and worked with an elementary class at Walter Jackson. That solidified my decision to pursue teaching.”

After attending Spring Hill College in Mobile, where she majored in education, Penley returned to Decatur.

A week before the 1994-95 school year started, Penley received a call from Barbara Sittason asking if she would teach first grade at Woodmeade Elementary. She spent the next week, along with her parents, brother and sister, getting her classroom ready.

Melissa Penley, left, Jamie Hicks, center, and Carlyn Syers pack individual weekend rations for the backpack program at Central United Methodist Church. [JERONIMO NISA]

“I attended my first faculty meeting two days before school was going to start. When Dr. Sittason introduced me, I just started crying because I was so excited and it had been such a whirlwind,” Penley said.

During her career with Decatur City Schools, Penley, who retired in 2021, taught first grade at Woodmeade Elementary, second grade at Austinville Elementary, third grade at Leon Sheffield Elementary and worked as the reading coach at West Decatur.

While working at West Decatur, Penley, inspired by the backpack program in Huntsville, founded the weekend food distribution in Decatur.

“I was at a Wednesday night supper at Central United Methodist waiting

ministry and asking them to adopt a school.

Now all the schools, from elementary to high school, including the homebound students who attend some classes at the Career Academies of Decatur, receive weekend food assistance from churches.

“Somewhere in my mind I wanted the program to grow to what it has become, but it has still surprised me, especially with the cost increase,” Penley said.

to pay for my supper and met a man from Huntsville who was visiting that night. He asked me what I did and if I had ever heard of a program where they give food to needy people on the weekend. I immediately thought that we needed to do that because I saw the need. I worked at some low-income schools. The children need so much help,” Penley said.

After talking with the church’s pastor, Penley, with assistance from Central United Methodist, started providing 20 to 30 underprivileged children at West Decatur Elementary with food for the weekends.

The first year of the program, Penley mailed letters to churches in Decatur explaining the backpack food

When the program first started, the cost to feed one child for a month was $15. Now it costs $23. Each bag includes two breakfast items, such as oatmeal or a granola bar, four entrees, such as canned soup or canned pasta, and four snacks, such as pudding, canned fruit and applesauce.

“God has been in this program every step of the way. Every time our little account has gotten low and I start to panic, somebody donated something. God has just worked it out,” Penley said.

Children become part of the program through teacher referrals.

“Teachers refer children who eat every bit of their breakfast and lunch, who would say they’re hungry or would say they didn’t have dinner. When the teachers notice that, they refer the child’s name to the counselor and the

Volunteers pack food for the backpack program at Central United Methodist Church. [JERONIMO NISA]

counselor calls the family to ask if they are interested,” Penley said.

Along with area churches and businesses, Penley received assistance for the backpack program from her late sister Dalinda Willis, who, along with her husband, personally sponsored Walter Jackson Elementary, her brother David Peek Jr., and her husband and high school sweetheart Jamie Penley.

When Melissa Penley, who Price described as “kind, thoughtful and generous with her time and talents,” learned the Decatur City Schools Foundation named her the Champion for Education recipient, her thoughts turned to her mother.

“My mother volunteered for PACT for 40 years. She won the Champion for Children Award from PACT a few years before her death. I feel very proud about carrying on the lessons she and my dad taught us,” Penley said.

Individuals interested in participating in the backpack program can call Central United Methodist Church.

Since retiring, Penley continues to impact the community, through working part time with the Alabama Reading Initiative, tutoring at Banks-Caddell Elementary and volunteering with the food backpack program. Over the past 14 years, Penley estimated the program has provided 44,000 bags of food to children.

Melissa Penley, left, started the backpack program, where Decatur City Schools students are sent home with food for the weekend. [JERONIMO NISA]

Whip up a classic FALL TREAT

Old-fashioned caramel apples are perfect for yummy fun with the grandkids

By METRO NEWS

Halloween treats take center stage in October. What can be better this time of year than a fresh autumn apple coated in a sweet candy shell? This quintessential fall treat is a perfect treat to make with the grandkids or the young at heart regardless of age. This recipe for "Old-Fashioned Caramel Apples," courtesy of "300 Best Homemade Candy Recipes" (Robert Rose) by Jane Sharrock, benefits from the fall harvest while also paying homage to a classic Halloween treat.

Makes 12

 12 medium apples

 2 cups granulated sugar

Old-Fashioned Caramel Apples

 1 cup packed light brown sugar

 2/3 cup light corn syrup

 1/2 cup butter or margarine

 1 cup half-and-half (10%) cream or evaporated milk

 1 teaspoon salt

 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

 2 cups chopped pecans, 1½ cups sweetened flaked coconut or 2 cups crisp rice cereal (optional)

➊ Wash and dry the apples. Remove the stems. Insert a popsicle stick into the stem end of each apple, using a twist-like motion so that the apple will not split.

➋ Cover a large countertop area or a large baking sheet with waxed paper.

➌ In a large heavy kettle over medium-low heat, bring the granu-

lated and brown sugars, corn syrup, butter, half-and-half and salt to a boil, stirring until the sugars dissolve and the mixture begins to boil. Cook, gently stirring to prevent scorching, to the firm ball stage (246 F). Stir in the vanilla.

➍ Remove from the heat. Cool until the mixture thickens slightly. Hold each apple by the wooden skewer and quickly twirl into the caramel, tilting the pan to cover the apple with caramel. Remove the apple from the caramel, allow the excess caramel to drip into the pan and then twirl the apple again to spread the caramel smoothly over the apple. Use a spoon to coat any part of the apple not covered with caramel. If desired, roll the coated apples in the toppings before the caramel sets. Place on the waxed paper until the coating is firm. Store in a cool place.

DECATUR MAN DESIGNS AND

BEGIN the HAUNT LET

ACTS IN HAUNTED ATTRACTIONS

Jay Clark in character. [JERONIMO NISA]

By CATHERINE GODBEY Living 50 Plus

Aslight mischievous smile crossed Jay Clark’s face as he recalled chasing people through Haunted House of Horrors.

“When I’m the teacher, I run after them down the hallway of lockers. They typically scream. I guess I kind of live for that,” the Decatur man said. “When they leave, sometimes they come back and give me a high five. That’s pretty cool.”

While you may not know Clark’s face — he typically hides behind a scary

or gruesome mask — thousands know his work. For five years, he designed and acted in the haunted attraction Nightmare on Moulton above the Brick Deli.

Over six years, the haunted attraction attracted more than 5,000 thrill-seekers and raised more than $50,000 for the American Cancer Society.

After the attraction closed in 2022, Clark began working with Haunted House of Horrors in Courtland. He has played the role of priest, teacher, electrician and butcher.

“When I am the butcher, I come off the stage, get in their face and

say, ‘Mmmm, you’d make some good chicken nuggets.’ If someone has their head buried in the person in front of them, I am all over that,” Clark said.

At 63, Clark is one of the oldest actors at Haunted House of Horrors. Despite two total knee replacements and a bad back, he returns year after year to scare and be scared.

“My wife asks if this is a hobby I can give up. She can’t decide which is worse, people paying money to be scared or people enjoying scaring other people. And I do both,” Clark said with a laugh. “I will do it as long as I am able.”

Clark’s lifelong fascination with haunted attractions began as a child

Jay Clark said the bedroom at Nightmare on Moulton Street was his favorite room of the attraction.

[JERONIMO NISA]

growing up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. There, he lived within a mile of an oil baron’s abandoned old stone mansion.

“From 1971 to 1974, the Jaycees there did a haunted house at that mansion. I forced my dad to take me twice. The third time he was like, ‘No, you’re not going again,’” Clark said.

When visiting his grandmother in Ocean City, Missouri, he repeatedly visited a haunted house that stood on the boardwalk.

“That was back in the day when you let kids run around by themselves. I went to that haunted house so many times, I learned where the triggers were that would activate the props.

AT 63, CLARK IS ONE OF THE OLDEST ACTORS AT HAUNTED HOUSE OF HORRORS. DESPITE TWO TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENTS AND A BAD BACK, HE RETURNS YEAR AFTER YEAR TO SCARE AND BE SCARED.

I was fascinated by it,” Clark said.

Clark’s close connection with haunts faded as he began his adult life — attending Oklahoma State to study architecture, beginning his career with the Corps of Engineers, marrying his wife, moving to Alabama and having kids.

But in 2000, while coaching his son’s club soccer team at the Governor’s Cup in Birmingham, Clark ended up staying across the street from the haunted attraction Atrox Factory.

“I asked if anyone wanted to go with me. No parents went, but six to eight players went. It was so much fun,” Clark said. “Atrox is so well-designed and fine-tuned. Some things, even to this day, I can’t figure out. Like what they do with their emergency exits. I know they have to have them, but I can’t see them.”

He started attending more haunted attractions. Eventually, he set up a mini haunt in his carport in Decatur’s

Albany neighborhood for Halloween night. He built modular panels, which are still used by Haunted House of Horrors, covered them with used billboard tarps and recruited his children and their friends as actors.

“I would build it on Oct. 29 and 30, have it open for trick-or-treating, and have it packed away by the end of Nov. 1,” Clark said.

In 2016, Clark joined the Nightmare on Moulton Street team.

Karen Woldhahl, who founded the haunt to raise money for Nucor’s Relay for Life team, described Clark as the “resident haunted house guru.”

Clark used his training as an architect and interior designer to increase the haunt’s fear factor.

“I know when you get in tight spaces, you’re already feeling uncomfortable. I just made those spaces even tighter,” Clark said.

With Clark overseeing the haunt, Nightmare on Moulton Street grew

One of the props in Nightmare on Moulton Street was a tray of pulled teeth. [JERONIMO NISA]

from a 10-space attraction to a 23-space attraction with clowns, skeletons, dolls, butcher, spiders, a prison yard, morgue, classroom, jail yard and more.

“I went to Atrox last year and the people in front of me were from Decatur. I asked if they had ever been to Nightmare on Moulton Street. They said, ‘Yes, that was so scary.’ That made me proud,” Clark said.

A self-described wallflower — at least prior to participating in haunts — Clark credited Carnegie Carnival, Decatur’s Mardi Gras celebration, for his showmanship.

“I normally would not be the person who would get up and be in front of a crowd. But, somehow, for the Southwest by the Border crewe, I became the wild, loud one on top of the float,” Clark said. “That made it easier for me at Nightmare on Moulton Street. Before the haunt started, when the line would stretch down the street, I would sneak out and scare people. I terrorized quite a few. I look at it like a show. I’m in that role and I’m going to make sure people get their money’s worth.”

With each passing year, Clark embedded himself more in the haunted attraction industry — an industry that generates up to $500 million in ticket sales each year.

He attended haunted conventions and learned techniques for scaring — scare primarily from the left because most people are right-handed and naturally turn to the right, and do something up high to make people look

up so they expose their neck and become more vulnerable.

“One of the things I love about haunted attractions is that there is so much design and thought and psychology that goes into making a good scare. It’s not just jumping out and saying ‘Boo,’” Clark said.

He also started going through more haunted attractions, averaging 20 to 30 each year.

“As much as I love haunted houses, I’m extremely jumpy. The actors love me because I will jump, scream and yell,” Clark said. “Sometimes, when I’m an actor, the people going through the haunt have scared me. There’s a meme going around: ‘Don’t scare the monsters.’ That’s me.”

Surprisingly, Clark is not a horror movie fan.

“I watch them on occasion. One time I was flying back

from Idaho and found a horror movie to watch. I was really engrossed in the movie when all of a sudden the actress moves and the monster is standing behind her. It was a full plane 30,000 feet above sea level and I screamed. I no longer watch horror movies on airplanes,” Clark said.

Along with acting in Haunted House of Horrors this year, Clark plans on attending Nashville Nightmare and Fear of Columbus in Ohio. His favorite haunt is Factor of Terror in Canton, Ohio, a 160,000-square-foot attraction with five full-sized haunts.

“I enjoy being scared. It’s bizarre. I feel I could make a psychiatrist crazy trying to figure out what’s wrong with me. I love the tension, the anticipation and not knowing what is going to happen. I love it all,” Clark said.

Jay Clark helped build Nighmare on Moulton Street, which raised funds for the American Cancer Society. [JERONIMO NISA]

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FOOD CLASSICS Comfort

By METRO NEWS

’Tis the season for comfort foods, and these recipes are sure to satisfy.

Cheesy Baked Potato Casserole

 5 pounds red potatoes, cubed

 1 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled

 1 pound cheddar cheese, cubed

 16 ounces shredded cheddar cheese

 1 yellow onion, chopped

 1 cup mayonnaise

 8 ounces sour cream

 1 tablespoon minced chives

 1 teaspoon salt

 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Heat oven to 325 F.

In a large bowl, combine potatoes and bacon.

In a separate large bowl, combine cheese, onion, mayonnaise, sour cream, chives, salt and pepper. Add to potato and bacon mixture until combined.

Pour into a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Bake 50-60 minutes until browned and bubbly.

This recipe is from Culinary.net.

Tomato-

Tortellini Soup

When the weather is beginning to have a chill and you need something quick to warm you up, try this recipe for Tomato-Tortellini soup.

 2 14-ounce cans reduced-sodium chicken broth

 1 9-ounce package of refrigerated tortellini

 1 8-ounce tub cream cheese spread with chive and onion

 1 can tomato soup

 Fresh chives (optional)

In a medium saucepan bring broth to a boil. Add tortellini then reduce heat to simmer uncovered for 5 minutes.

In a bowl whisk 1/3 cup of hot broth into the cream cheese spread. Whisk until smooth. Pour contents into saucepan.

Stir in tomato soup and heat through.

Serve with fresh chives, if desired.

Recipe adapted from Better Homes and Gardens.

Pumpkin Bread

Fill your house with the aroma of fall with warm slices of this Pumpkin Bread dolloped with butter.

 Nonstick cooking spray

 4 eggs

 31/2 cups flour

 2 teaspoons baking soda

 2 teaspoons cinnamon

 1 teaspoon nutmeg

 1 teaspoon salt

 2 sticks butter

 2 cups sugar

 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree

 1 cup chocolate chips

 1 cup walnuts, chopped

Heat oven to 350 F. Prepare loaf and muffin pans with nonstick cooking spray. In bowl, whisk eggs. Set aside.

In separate bowl, sift flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt together. Set aside.

In another bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add whisked eggs and mix until blended.

Alternately add flour mixture and pumpkin puree to egg mixture, beating until blended. Fold in chocolate chips and walnuts.

Pour batter into loaf and muffin pans. Bake 40-45 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.

Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans.

Find more seasonal dessert recipes at Culinary.net.

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DID YOU KNOW?

The American Cancer Society reports that approximately 30% of postmenopausal breast cancer cases can be attributed to potentially modifiable risk factors. That finding, cited in the organization's "Breast Cancer: Facts & Figures, 2022-2024" report, means as many as 3 in 10 breast cancer diagnoses in postmenopausal women may have been attributable to variables within patients' control. The ACS notes such variables may have included body weight, alcohol consumption and physical activity levels. The same report also notes that certain modifiable risk factors accumulate over the course of a woman's life, meaning both postmenopausal women and younger women could potentially lower their risk for breast cancer by making a concerted effort to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight, reduce alcohol consumption and embrace a physically active lifestyle.

GET A JUMP ON HOLIDAY DECORATING

TBy METRO NEWS

he end of the year is upon us and that often involves decorating a home in its holiday finest. According to Today's Homeowner, nearly 70% of Americans plan to display holiday decorations. Among those choosing to decorate, 34% will do so before Thanksgiving.

Everyone has a different vision of a well-appointed holiday home, but there's always room to make things more unique and creative. These ideas can add a little extra to holiday displays.

DECORATE OTHER ROOMS

Who says holiday decorating is exclusive to living and dining areas? Think about decorating unexpected places, like swapping out everyday towels and shower curtains with something festive. Swags of greenery wrapped in lights can be added to bed frames.

COORDINATE THE ORNAMENTS

Identify a color theme and then showcase it with ornaments. Think about matching the ornaments to the presents wrapped under the tree as well. Purchase white package paper and color or paint the paper to be the same hues as the ornaments on the tree boughs.

arrangementsinadvanceto liftthe burdenfrom family membersandtoprovidea meaningfulservicethathelps theirlovedonesbeginthe

IT'S HIP TO BE SQUARE

While round wreaths are traditional, make your own wreaths in a different geometric shape by using wire or another material as the frame. Square wreaths may be unexpected, and you also can turn the square on its side for a diamond shape.

ADD A SPOT OF COLOR

Certain holidays are known for their particular color palettes, such as red and green for Christmas. But you also can do something unexpected. Whether using a lighter shade of the same color family or adding an accent color like purple or blue, you can change things up in a creative way.

MAKE AN UNEXPECTED BOUQUET

Swap flowers for pinecones, berries and greenery in unique vessels. For example, arrange your centerpiece in a tall fountain glass or even a cocktail shaker.

TRY A DIFFERENT ACCENT TREE

Use a styrofoam cone as the base of a tree for a centerpiece or sideboard. Attach poinsettia branches for a vibrant red tree, or stacked lemons or oranges filled with greenery for a fresh-smelling citrus creation.

SUSPEND BELIEF

Instead of attaching a tree topper to the tallest bough, hang one from the ceiling just above the tree to add even more whimsy.

MIX AND MATCH

When it comes to a holiday table, mix and match table settings for an eclectic tableau.

SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL

Instead of a large holiday display in familiar colors, rely on neutral, wintry tones that will blend in with the home but add a festive touch. Natural wood, whites and creams, and muted greens can fill spaces. Unique holiday decorations and schemes can be a great way to add new life to a home this December.

FALL OUTINGS:

CELEBRATE AUTUMN WITH HIKES, TRAIN RIDES AND PUMPKIN PATCHES

By CATHERINE GODBEY Living 50 Plus

The cooler temperatures of fall offer an opportunity for north Alabamians to explore local outdoor treasures.

Whether going on a solo hike at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge or taking the family to a pumpkin farm, check out these adventures.

FOR THE FAMILY:

Hidden Rivers Farm

169 Goose Pond Road in Hartselle

The 4-acre farm includes a hay bale maze, nature trails, tire obstacle course and playground, corn pit, scarecrowmaking station, live animals and more. The farm run by sisters Mary-Sidney Ritch and Abigail Ritch will remain open through Nov. 1. Hiddenriversfarm. com.

Scarecrow Trail

Isom’s Orchard, 24012 U.S. 72 in Athens

Wander the fields of Isom’s Orchard in Athens to see scarecrows decorated by community groups. The musicthemed event will feature scarecrows inspired by artists, Broadway musicals and songs. The trail is open through Oct. 31. Proceeds from the Scarecrow Trail will benefit the Scout Music House — a community musical outreach program — in Athens.

While at Isom’s, stop by the roadside stand where the fourthgeneration farm sells apple cider and apple cider slushies. The farm started selling the seasonal favorite 17 years ago. Depending on the variety of apples used, the slushies can range from tart to sweet.

Isom’s Orchard is open from 8 a.m.5 p.m. every day of the week.

Festifall

Huntsville Botanical Garden, 4747 Bob Wallace Ave. S.W., Huntsville

Dozens of whimsical scarecrows lining the paths of the Huntsville Botanical Garden serve as the centerpiece for Festifall. Expect to see scarecrows inspired by “Little Red Riding Hood,” “The Nutcracker,” “Alice in Wonderland,” “Goldilocks,” “Shrek” and more. The festival also features pumpkin and fall flower displays and a historic tractor and wagon. Hsvbg.org.

Gullion Farms

701 Peck Hollow Road in Somerville

Celebrate fall with a trip to Gullion Farms, 701 Peck Hollow Road in Somerville, where visitors can milk cows, fish, jump in hay bales, gather eggs, ride a pony and enjoy hayrides, a petting zoo, ziplines, corn pit and

The 11-mile wheelchair-accessible Richard Martin Rails-to-Trails in Limestone County passes by covered bridges, a refurbished railcar, waterways, wetlands and a Civil War battle site. [LIVING 50 PLUS FILE]

Huntsville Botanical Garden will feature a scarecrow trail.[COURTESY IMAGE]

roping. Open through Oct. 26. Guests can bring a picnic lunch or eat food prepared on site. gullionfarms.com

Train Rides

North Alabama Railroad Museum, 694 Chase Road N.E., Huntsville

Enjoy fall outings via train through

the North Alabama Railroad Museum’s Fall Color train rides. The 5-mile train ride will take place Oct. 26 and Nov. 2 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. narm.info.

Tate Farms

8414 Moores Mill Road, Meridianville

Pumpkin picking, pumpkin cannons, train rides and hay bale mazes await visitors to Tate Farms. The farm also features a dairy-themed carousel with goats, horses, pigs, roosters, sheep and cows. Open through Oct. 28. Pumpkin destruction day is Nov. 2. Tatefarms.com.

Guillon Farm [COURTESY IMAGE]

Tate Farms [COURTESY IMAGE]

Lyon Family Farms

130 Bellview Road, Taft, Tennessee

An hour north of Decatur sits Lyon Family Farms, a fall destination site with hayrides, a corn maze, petting zoo, monster slide, rat and pig races, pumpkin patch and more. Open through Oct. 27. Lyonfamilyfarms.com.

HIKES

Marbut Bend

Where: Limestone County

The flat 1–mile loop on Buck Island Road in Elkmont takes visitors through a wetland, by a pond created by a beaver dam, through an open field and along the Elk River. Expect to see migratory shore birds, wood ducks, deer, egrets and more. The trail is accessible to strollers and wheelchairs. Accessible off Alabama 99 near West Limestone High School.

Richard

Martin Rails to Trails

Where: Limestone County

For an easy hike accessible to wheelchairs, walk the Richard Martin Rails to Trails. The 11-mile trail from Piney Chapel to Veto, Tennessee, passes by covered bridges, a refurbished railcar, waterways, wetlands and a Civil War battle site. Individuals can access the trail at Piney Chapel, in Elkmont and Veto. From the Elkmont access point, the trail heads north 4 miles and south 6 miles.

Brushy Lake Trail

Where: Lawrence County

The 2-mile round trip hike in Bankhead National Forest features a paved trail which individuals in wheelchairs and grandparents pushing strollers can use. The trail, a prime spot for birdwatching, offers a front-row

North Alabama Railroad Museum will offer fall color rides. [COURTESY IMAGE]

seat to the fall colors and wildlife of north Alabama.

Flint Creek Trail

Where: Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge

The mile-and-a-half Flint Creek Trail is shaded by hickory, oak, red

maple, sweet gum and poplar trees. Animals and birds often seen on the trail include chipmunks, squirrels, woodpeckers and northern cardinals. Flint Creek Trail is accessible from the day use area on the north side of Alabama 67, across the road from the center.

Atkeson Cypress Trail

Where: Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge

A highlight of the ½-mile wheelchair-accessible Atkeson Cypress is the cypress swamp. The trail is accessible on the south side of the refuge’s Visitors Center.

Wildlife Observation Trail

Where: Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge

The 200-yard wheelchair-accessible trail connects the Visitors Center to the observation building, which overlooks a pond that attracts waterfowl and wildlife.

Hiking & Biking Trail

Where: Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge

For a longer adventure, hike the 5-mile hiking and biking trail. The trail offers views of Gray Field, Flint Creek, Dinsmore Slough and Flint Creek. Access the trail from the gravel parking lot off Alabama 67 at the entrance to the Visitors Center.

Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge's wheelchair-accessible Wildlife Observation Trail ends at the observation building. [JERONIMO NISA]

CALL OF THE WILD:

DECATUR WOMAN CELEBRATES 60TH BIRTHDAY WITH ALASKA JOURNEY

By CATHERINE GODBEY Living 50 Plus

See bears up close. Check. See a male moose in the wild. Check.

For her 60th birthday, DeAnn Meely checked the two items off her bucket list as she traveled to Alaska with her husband and daughter this past summer.

The trip represented an opportunity for the Decatur artist to study wildlife — one of her lifelong loves.

“My dad’s side of the family is part Seminole Indian. I have always felt a connection to wildlife. I feel connected to

something that is bigger than I am,” Meely said. “The first time I saw bears in Alaska, I almost teared up.”

Meely planned the 11-day journey to coincide with when the salmon were spawning.

“I just kept thinking, there has to be some way an old lady from Decatur, Alabama, can get to see bears up close. I worked with Alaska Tour & Travel. They said to wait until the salmon are spawning heavily — if you go too early or too late you could miss them — and then take a seaplane out of Anchorage to the wilderness,” Meely said. “So that’s what we did.”

DeAnn Meely, right, with her daughter Julianna and husband Michael in Alaska. [COURTESY PHOTO]

Armed with Dramamine and sea bands, Meely, her husband and daughter flew on a seaplane to Lake Clark National Park & Preserve and took a pontoon boat onto Crescent Lake.

During the day trip, Meely saw 20 to 24 black bears and coastal brown bears, including a mother with her cub. She also saw harbor seals, juvenile eagles and, on the flight back to Anchorage, a beluga whale.

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“That was a really good day,” Meely said. “The guides said it was one of the most fruitful days. It was such a beautiful day and so very moving.”

Evidence of Meely’s trip is currently on display in her art studio on Bank Street. There is a painting of a close up of a bear’s face, a painting of the back of a bear and a painting of a bear standing in the water. She also plans on painting the mother bear and her cub.

“There’s a connection for me when I’m painting from pictures that I took. Since I felt the whole wow of the moment, it is easier for me to paint what I saw. Now that I’ve seen the bears, they just fall off my brush,” Meely said.

DeAnn Meely works in her Bank Street Studio on some of the pieces inspired by a recent trip to Alaska. [JERONIMO NISA]

“There’s something about being able to observe animals in their natural habitat. It makes me a better artist.”

Along with the day on Crescent Lake, Meely went to Prince Edward Sound, Denali and the Wrangell Mountains. She saw eagles, seagulls, caribou, a male moose, puffin, humpback whales and calves, otters and the Columbia Glacier.

During the trip, Meely took around 3,000 photos, including 1,200 pictures of bears.

“The photos are great studies for me. I shoot to see the details. I shoot to see what an eagle’s claw looks like or what a bear’s muzzle looks like,” Meely said. “I took one photo of a bear and he reminded me of the wolf in ‘Little Red Riding Hood.’ That photo showed me to be really aware of their muzzles when I’m painting or they may look like wolf faces.”

Now, Meely’s art studio displays paintings inspired by two Alaska journeys. Her first trip to Alaska, a 14-day

DeAnn Meely works in her Bank Street Studio on some of the pieces inspired by a recent trip to Alaska. [JERONIMO NISA]

journey, occurred in 2022 with her husband and another couple.

On that trip she hiked to a glacier, took a train to Seward, stopped at a salmon hatchery where the salmon were thick enough to walk on, rode down the Dalton Highway featured on “Ice Road Truckers,” visited North Pole, Alaska, saw reindeer, eagles, orcas, harbor seals, sea lions, otters, a grizzly stalking a caribou, a female moose, humpback whales and mosquitoes as big as dragonflies.

“This country is so vast. And Alaska is so beautiful. I

know a lot of people cruise to Alaska, but I’m not a cruising girl. If I get off somewhere and I’m having a good time, I don’t want to get back on. I definitely like to take more active vacations,” Meely said.

On that trip, Meely took more than 4,000 photographs, including 500 to 600 photographs of eagles flying and perched.

“The eagles surrounded us at Prince Edward Sound. There were so many of them. I’ve been to Guntersville, which is awesome, and got so excited when I saw an eagle. I sat there for five hours just waiting for the eagle to fly. In Alaska, everywhere I turned, there was an opportunity to take a picture of an eagle. It was breathtaking,” Meely said.

The day she returned home, she knew she wanted to go back.

“Now I hope to make a third trip to Alaska. I would love to stay somewhere, bring my easel and paint on location. That would be ideal. I also would love to go to Juneau and Ketchikan, then go up and see the Northern Lights and figure out how to see polar bears. My husband wants to go back and fish. I’m not sure how fair that is. All you have to do is put a bucket in the water,” Meely said.

Along with returning to Alaska, Meely hopes to travel to Africa to see elephants and lions.

“I love being in nature and seeing animals in their natural habitat. Don’t disturb, just observe,” Meely said. “I feel so attached to these animals, specifically birds of prey. When I’m in an artistic rut, I’ll just paint an eagle and it helps me find my vision.”

DeAnn Meely painted this landscape after a trip to Alaska.

[JERONIMO NISA]

DeAnn Meely is painting bear scenes that she photographed in Alaska (top).

[JERONIMO NISA]

TIPS and TRICKS

for traveling with DOGS

There's plenty to learn when taking a dog along as a travel companion. Explore these dog travel tips.

By METRO NEWS

The holidays are coming up and with them means increased travel obligations and opportunities. As people get ready to venture to other places, they may think about bringing a beloved pet along.

According to an AAA/Best Western survey, 85% of dog owners travel with their dogs. The most popular vacations to let pooches tag along include going to the beach, camping and hiking. As a greater number of people are engaging in more activities with their pets, businesses in the travel and hospitality sector are taking notice and have become more accommodating to four-legged guests. However, there's still plenty to learn when taking a dog along as a travel companion. Explore these dog travel tips.

▸ Invest in a crate. Even if the dog does not need a crate at home, it's best to have one for travel. Crates often are required for airline travel and can keep dogs safer in cars. Many hotels also require that dogs be crated in the rooms to keep them out of trouble and prevent damage. A crate should be large enough that the dog can stand, turn and lie down, according to the American Kennel Club.

▸ Carry copies of pet-related documents. It's important to prove that the dog is healthy and current on vaccinations. Officials may ask to see documentation when traveling abroad. Some travelers also may want to investigate pet passports. The U.S. does not require a pet passport, but the European Union pioneered pet passports to enable animals to move more freely throughout its member nations.

▸ Plan a short excursion first. If you have never traveled with a dog before, make the first trip a short one, such as an overnight or two-day stay. This way, if the trip turns into a fiasco, checkout isn't a week away. Shorter trips also help people figure out what works and what will need to change the next time.

▸ Expect some fees. Most hotels charge a fee for doggy clients. A fee of $25 to $50 is pretty standard. There also may be a designated pet floor to minimize the chances that guests without pets will be forced to interact with animals.

▸ Normal behavior may go out the window. A dog who is calm at home may be out of sorts while traveling. It's not uncommon for a dog unphased by people at home to suddenly be anxious and bark at sounds in a hotel hallway.

▸ Look into pet-friendly restaurants. Smarter Travel says that some hotels won't allow a guest to keep the dog alone in the room. That means mealtime can be tricky. Find restaurants nearby that allow pets. Many that have outdoor seating may enable a leashed pet to stay near the seating perimeter.

▸ Bring water from home. When packing food, pack a few gallons of water as well, even though it can be cumbersome. Some dogs with delicate digestive systems may be upset by drinking the local water. A case of diarrhea is compounded further by having to make it into an elevator and outside the hotel in time.

▸ Tire the dog out. Exercised dogs tend to be wellbehaved dogs. Make time to go on long walks, visit a dog park or engage in other activities that will make the pup tired so it's less likely to cause problems at the hotel. Learn the ropes of traveling with a dog to increase the opportunities for having lots of fun with Fido in tow.