Living 50 Plus Magazine August/September 2024 by Madison Publications

A love for art

Sandra Lester uses her amazing talents to create vibrant, one-of-a-kind art

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EDITOR

John Few john@themadisonrecord.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Bob Labbe

Gregg Parker

Erin Coggins

Joshua Berry

Maria Rakoczy

MARKETING

Donna Counts donna@themadisonrecord.com 256-714-7152

GENERAL MANAGER

French Salter

Living 50 Plus Huntsville.Madison The Madison Record

Madison Living Magazine 7734 Madison Blvd. Suite 115 Huntsville, AL 35806 Living50PlusHuntsville.com

For story ideas, call John Few at 256-763-1150 or email john@themadisonrecord.com.

To advertise, call Donna Counts at 256-714-7152.

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A Journey into Imagimation

Through September 29

Huntsville Museum of Art www.hsvmuseum.org

A Journey into Imagimation celebrates the ongoing history of animation production since the creation of this magical art form. The exhibition presents 140 rare and recognizable objects, including original cels, drawings, and models that feature a full range of animation techniques from the groundbreaking traditional animation of Gertie the Dinosaur, created by Winsor McCay in 1914, to many of today’s digitally supported animations. This unique exhibition explores the elaborate and demanding creative processes of many of the groundbreaking animators. It also highlights the incredible amount of work and talent that went into animated productions for over a century.

The exhibition includes well-recognized animations from such movies and cartoons as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Fantasia, Mighty Mouse, Tom & Jerry, Woody Woodpecker, Rocky and Bullwinkle, Alvin and the Chipmunks, The Jetsons, Mary Poppins, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, The Little Mermaid, The Simpsons, The Lion King, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Toy Story.

Styx & Foreigner

August 17 at 6:45 p.m.

The Orion Amphitheater in MidCity Huntsville www.theorionhuntsville.com

With 10 multi-platinum albums and 16 Top 30 hits, FOREIGNER is universally hailed as one of the most popular rock acts in the world with a formidable musical arsenal that continues to propel sold-out tours and album sales, now exceeding 80 million. Responsible for some of rock and roll’s most enduring anthems including “Juke Box Hero,” “Cold As Ice,” “Hot Blooded,” “Waiting For A Girl Like You,” “Feels Like The First Time,” “Urgent,” “Head Games,” “Say You Will,” “Dirty White Boy,” “Long, Long Way From Home” and the worldwide #1 hit, “I Want To Know What Love Is,” FOREIGNER still rocks the charts more than 40 years into the game with massive airplay and continued Billboard Top 200 album success.

Never known for resting on their laurels, STYX have now added a triumphant new chapter to their never-ending story of success: namely, The Mission, the band’s sonically sweet 16th studio album and most ambitious, most challenging, and most rewarding release to date.

The Garden Soiree is an elegant affair, complete with delightful music, exquisite dining with a three-course meal by Chef Boyce, a live auction, and the company of fellow garden enthusiasts. All proceeds benefit the Horticulture Program at Huntsville Botanical Garden. Support the Garden’s mission by getting your tickets now. Visit hsvbg.org/calendar-event/garden-soiree for more information and to secure your tickets.

The Monte Sano Art Festival has been an exciting tradition for the North Alabama community for over two decades. Featuring the best local and regional artists representing an array of disciplines and techniques, the Monte Sano Art Festival is a treasure chest full of one-of-a-kind masterpieces. Arts Huntsville does not charge admission to the festival; however, Monte Sano State Park will charge $10 per car for parking or $5 per walk-in festival attendee, cash only. All funds go towards supporting the state parks system.

Monte Sano Art Festival • September 21-22 • Monte Sano State Park in Huntsville • www.artshuntsville.org

STUDIO 60 50th Anniversary Gala October 5 • 5:30-9:30 p.m. www.seniorview.com

For five decades, STUDIO 60 (formerly Huntsville-Madison County Senior Center) has provided unique programs for those age 60 or older. These include wellness programs, nutrition services, and enrichment opportunities. Guests at STUDIO 60’s 50th Anniversary Golden Gala will enjoy a valet red carpet experience upon arrival, a Silent Auction packed with upscale items, a memorable meal by Huntsville favorite Narvell Patton. Mix in popular champagne AND whiskey pulls PLUS live music and danceable DJ tunes, as well as a special opportunity to tour the newly-renovated 47,500 sq ft center, and you have an evening that is truly memorable!

City Lights & Stars audience can chill to Calypso Vision on August 30

TThe motto for Calypso Vision, the featured group at Burritt on the Mountain’s City Lights & Stars Concert Series on Aug. 30, reveals their music’s genre and the band’s outlook.

“A Better Attitude from Another Latitude.” Their motto shows devotion to light-hearted good times, seasoned with a heavy dose of Parrot-head style. Much of their music pays homage to the late Jimmy Buffett.

This edition of the popular concert series starts at 7:30 p.m. on the Isenberg Gazebo stage. Guests can enjoy being entertained under the Alabama stars with the breathtaking view of the city of Huntsville only Burritt can provide.

A casual atmosphere encourages attendees to bring chairs, blankets and picnic food to enjoy a relaxed musical experience. Food trucks will be onsite and wine, beer and other drinks are sold at every concert.

Formed a decade ago, Calypso Vision brings an audience the relaxed beachfront spirit, and a “gumbo mix” of Buffett-style tropical tunes and classic rock. The beach party will be ready to go with plenty of fun and surprises. (Facebook/Calypso Vision)

Calypso Vision’s full band has a huge sound, rooted in a love for the music dear to many hearts, and that song that you just won’t hear anywhere else. The ‘calypso vision’ is simple and easy to see, as it focuses on great music offering an escape from the mundane, according to the band.

Band members are Sam Benefield, Dave Lavallee, Chris Radzinski, Greg Thompson, Andrew Tygielski, Sonny Veque, Tania Yee and the “Black Pirate” himself, Eddie Black, who helps bring the big sound.

“Whether on a mountain, in a backyard, on a boat or at the pub around the corner, Calypso Vision brings a beach party ready to go, with all the spontaneous fun to turn an evening anywhere into a memorable trip downisland,” according to the band’s website.

One of their irresistible tunes is “Iguanas Fallin’ from the Sky.” Some artists, in addition to Buffett, that the band covers are The Beatles, Van Morrison, James Taylor, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Boz Scaggs, Janis

Calypso Vision

Joplin . . . even Dolly Parton.

Sept. 20 – In the Mood Swing Band

Calling Huntsville “Hometown”, Huntsville’s In the Mood is an exciting 21 piece big band. They will be the final concert in the series on September 20.

In The Mood has been playing together for 10 years now, having started up late summer of 2014. They formed with a mission of keeping the legacy of Glenn Miller alive, and to help introduce newer audiences to the wonderful popular music from the big band era, played live by local musicians.

Occasionally nicknamed the “Glenn Miller band of North Alabama”, In The Mood strives to reproduce the quality and authenticity of the greats from the 1940s and 1950s such as Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Frank Sinatra, and Bobby Darin.

Some of their popular hits include swing songs such as In the Mood, Tuxedo Junction, A String of Pearls, Pennsylvania 6-5000, Chattanooga Choo Choo, Fly Me to the Moon, Beyond the Sea, New York, New York, Mack the Knife, The Pink Panther, and Route 66. In The Mood also has a decent variety of other genres to suit all occasions, such as Latin, pop, oldies rock, Motown, and even some funk.

For more information and to purchase tickets, go to www.burrittonthemountain.com

In The Mood Swing Band

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Summer Sunset Concert Series • Starting at 6 p.m. Ditto Landing in South Huntsville • www.dittolanding.org

Ditto Landing, the Huntsville Music Office and Artemis Music Productions are presenting the Summer Sunset Concert Series every second Tuesday starting in June through September from 6 to 8 p.m. Join the fun at the Ditto Landing Pavilion and enjoy local music along the Tennessee River. It’s open to the public with free admission. Mark your calendars for: August 13 - Josh Allison, September 10 - Dawn Osborne and Jason Humphress.

A LOVE FOR ART

Sandra Lester uses her amazing talents to create vibrant, one-of-a-kind abstract art

STORY BY MARIA RAKOCZY

PHOTOS BY JOSHUA BERRY

SSandra Lester is our very own Van Gogh. A skilled artist, a member of the Huntsville Art League, and a Madison resident, Lester creates eye-catching and thought-provoking art that invokes the color and movement of Vincent Van Gogh’s art.

Lester’s artwork is the culmination of a life-long passion and career in art.

Raised by a single mother in Brooklyn and the Bronx in New York, she discovered her talent and passion for art at a very young age. In kindergarten, she received her first commissions.

“I remember drawing a farmer with the overalls. This was in kindergarten, and as soon as I finished drawing it, the other kids in the kindergarten class asked me to draw one for them too,” recalled Lester. “I think I had an eye on the world at an early age, a visual idea of things that are around me, and even though I came up in a very, very poor neighborhood and poor family, somehow the teacher recognized that and I was skipped

in kindergarten and went right to the first grade.”

Her mother later moved Lester and her siblings to the Bronx, where Lester attended John Philip Sousa Junior High School, which had thriving music and arts programs. There, Lester got to further experience the arts. One teacher, in particular, was especially encouraging of her artistic talents.

“She was just wonderful in terms of not only doing drawings and paintings but also encouraging sculptures. I remember these paper mâché puppets that we made, and it was just something that really interested me a lot. And I participated in plays that happened in the school for the junior high school students and we would help paint the backdrops. So, that was something that also encouraged me and inspired me,” said Lester.

Her high school years were absent of art classes, but her eye was always on pursuing it in college. Lester was determined to become the first in her family to go to college, and she devoted her high school years to earning

her academic diploma.

With the academic diploma secured, she left New York for Massachusetts and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Art Education from Atlantic Union College. While at Atlantic Union College, she fell in love with art history.

“At that time, I took a variety of wonderful art courses, including art appreciation and art history, and although I enjoyed painting and drawing and sculpting, I really was fascinated with the wonderful story of art, art history. They did not offer a degree in that, but when I finished at Atlantic Union College, I applied for and got accepted at Howard University, and I got into their art history program, and there I received a Masters of Art degree in Art History,” Lester said.

Lester put her degrees in Art Education and Art History to use in a forty-year teaching career.

She was hired fresh out of AUC by the D.C. school system in 1968 as an art teacher.

“At that time, there was a real emphasis on trying to introduce the arts back into the schools. So, Washington, D.C. public schools had an art program, and I got hired into their art program in 1968,” recalled Lester.

She remained there until her son was born in 1974. Her teaching days were far from over though.

While home with her children, she operated a family daycare center out of her home for local children for ten years until 1985 when she returned to teaching art in Anne Arundel County Maryland. She continued teaching in Anne Arundel County and then Howard County for another twenty years. She officially retired in 2005 after sustaining a school-related injury to her hand. Even so, Lester was undeterred from the teaching she so loved, and she continued to substitute teach even after retirement. Life also came full circle for her when she began caring for her grandchildren as well as the children of the original children she cared for in her home daycare two decades prior.

In 2016, Lester arrived in North Alabama. She followed her children, who had attended Oakwood College, to the area, and in turn, some of her friends followed her to North Alabama.

It’s been here, in North Alabama that she’s experienced a kind of creative renaissance, prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“When COVID came, it really jumpstarted me again to do some art because I was not really into a lot of art. I just was home decorating the house because I was always interested in design and decorating and whatnot, but during those two years of COVID, I really started sitting down and imagining why

not use your skills?” she remembered.

She started out creating watercolor paintings.

“At first I was painting and drawing flowers and still-lifes and landscapes, things that ordinarily artists know a lot about,” Lester recounted. “But it wasn’t much of a challenge for me. The challenge was what can I do differently? And I decided to do abstracts but using lines and shapes and colors and composition and come up with some interesting compositions with lots of color and movement.”

To take on this challenge, she shifted to permanent inks, which are now her main medium of choice. The shape of the markers is easier for her to work with due to the injury in her hand, and their vibrant colors are perfect for the bright, colorful art she creates.

Using the permanent inks, she has created several series of abstract pieces. One of her first series was autobiographical with each piece depicting a building that was pivotal in her life including the hospital where she was born, her childhood home in Brooklyn, and the schools and churches she’s attended.

For her most recent series, she adopted a musical theme. After discussing the music program at Oakwood University with a friend, she was inspired to incorporate music into her art. Thus, she began a new series of abstracts on musical instruments.

“Music is a universal language, and anyone looking at any piece of artwork they’re either going to see something that they can recognize or if it’s something that they don’t recognize they can either imagine or they can find out more information about it. With my artworks, you can definitely see the different musical instruments, and I wanted to create the movement so that you’re not just seeing a stationary instrument. You’re seeing the flow of the movement and the notes,” she explained.

Lester’s art incorporates her brushes with a multitude of cultures and styles in her world travels. The art and architecture of Egypt has been some of the most striking in her travels, and their geometric style still influences her work today. She also cites Vincent Van Gogh as a major influence on her work.

“Van Gogh really inspired me in terms of freshness of color and also movement. I believe that he really inspired because in his beautiful artwork, first of all, I was interested in his life and I would always teach about Van Gogh because he was one of those artists who wanted to be something else and eventually became an artist, but his paintings always reflected a type of movement like the Starry Night, and I wanted to kind of get that flow and feeling and also the freshness of art so that it didn’t look old and stale,” she said.

Lester promotes her artwork and the entire local arts community with the Huntsville Art League.

Since 1957, HAL has promoted the creation and purchasing of original local art, a mission, of course, important to Lester. She especially encourages art consumers to purchase the original, handmade pieces rather than prints.

“A number of people to decorate their homes, sometimes, what they do is they go and they buy a print from a store and it could be a framed print, but the thing is, I want to encourage people to buy original art because I just think it’s an appreciation of that artist’s handiwork and it’s something that they can pass down to a relative or a friend,” said Lester.

HAL’s mission assists with Lester’s mission, but her initial involvement with HAL happened almost by accident after she happened to stumble upon an advertisement for the non-profit in the Huntsville Airport. She soon juried into the league and has had her artwork displayed in exhibits in their headquarters at Lowe Mill and has proceeds of her artwork support HAL’s mission.

“I was so glad that I could have a place that I could display my art and let others see and enjoy it as well and met some new friends too that were really, really nice people,” she said.

Though Lester’s role in the art world has changed over the years, one thing has remained the same throughout

her teaching career and artist career. She always seeks to foster and inspire the artistic talents and creativity of every individual who encounters her personally or through her artwork:

“I believe that each of us are gifted with a skill or skills and particularly skills that bring enjoyment or relaxation, calmness, beauty, and those skills that we are inspired by, I think, that we should try to engage in them, and as we engage in them, I believe we are to inspire others.”

The Huntsville Art League Gallery is in Studio 2013 in Lowe Mill Arts and Entertainment in Huntsville, Alabama. Open 11 am to 7 pm, Wed - Sat. You can find more about HAL at www.huntsvilleartleague.org.

RECIPE

Chipotle Chicken Flatbread

WWhen dining outside with your loved ones, there are few things better than a tasty dish everyone can enjoy. This Chipotle Chicken Flatbread makes for a perfect al fresco meal.

Prepared along with a fresh salad or simply enjoyed by itself, this flatbread is simple to make and even kids will love adding the toppings and sauce. It’s colorful and fresh, making it a perfect addition to get-togethers on the patio.

Plus, the cooking time is only 16 minutes, which makes this a quick and delicious solution to defeat.

For more al fresco recipe ideas, visit Culinary.net.

Chipotle Chicken Flatbread

2 flatbreads

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1 clove garlic, diced

4 chicken tenders, cooked and cubed

1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered salt, to taste pepper, to taste

1/2 cup ranch dressing

1 1/2 teaspoons chipotle seasoning

2 tablespoons cilantro leaves, chopped Preheat oven to 375 F.

Place parchment paper on baking sheet and add flatbreads. Sprinkle cheese on flatbreads. Top with garlic, chicken and tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bake 16 minutes until cheese is melted.

In small bowl, mix ranch and chipotle seasoning. Drizzle ranch dressing on flatbread and sprinkle with cilantro leaves.

EXERCISE AND THE BRAIN

How regular routine exercise can affect mental health

IIt is well documented that physical activity can be beneficial for the body, but what about the effects of exercise on the brain? Exercise enthusiasts will be glad to learn there are some notable ways that physical activity can benefit the brain.

A 2018 study published in Frontiers in Psychology indicated that much evidence shows that physical exercise is a strong gene modulator that causes structural and functional changes in the brain that can benefit cognitive functioning and well-being. Exercise also seems to be a protective factor against neurodegeneration.

Dr. Scott McGinnis, an instructor in neurology at Harvard Medical School, says there is a lot of science behind exercise boosting memory and thinking skills. Exercise can encourage production of growth factors, which are chemicals that affect the growth of new blood vessels in the brain and even the number of brain cells and their ability to thrive. Various studies point to exercise causing growth in the parts of the brain that control thinking and memory. The World Health Organization even notes that about two hours

of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week can help improve thinking and memory skills.

Another study, led by a team of sports scientists at the University of Geneva, grouped 350,000 people in the United Kingdom according to genetic variants associated with more or less physical activity. Those who had a genetic proclivity toward being active tended to perform better on a set of cognitive tests. Additional studies have found that more physical activity correlated to better cognitive performance at age 69 among individuals who had been tracked for 30 years.

Although many health professionals agree that exercise is good for the brain, the amount of exercise and where it takes place also may play a role in cognitive health. A 2023 study published in Scientific Reports found that time spent in natural outdoor environments led to increases in cognition similar to those resulting from acute exercises. Researchers found that when exercise and nature are combined, the impact on cognition is magnified.

Researchers have not pinpointed whether one exer-

cise is better than another for improving brain health. Walking is one way to start, as it is accessible for people of all ages and requires little to no equipment. Anyone beginning an exercise regimen should discuss plans with a doctor and speak about their exercise goals.

Positively affecting mood

According to the Mental Health Foundation, physical activity releases chemicals in the brain that positively affect mood, thus making exercise a tool anyone can utilize to improve their mental health.

Studies have found that exercise is an effective treatment for depression. A review and analysis, published in the peer-reviewed medical journal “The BMJ” in 2024, reviewed 218 unique studies involving more than 14,000 participants. Walking, jogging, yoga, and strength training were found to be especially effective at treating depression, which affects about 280 million people worldwide.

In relation to stress, the most common physical signs of stress include difficulty sleeping, sweating and loss of appetite, symptoms that are triggered by a flood of the stress hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline released in the body. Those hormones increase blood pressure and heart rate. Exercise can help to alleviate stress, and adults who are highly active have been found to have lower rates of stress than those who live more sedentary lifestyles.

STORY BY ERIN COGGINS

PHOTOS BY CRISTIE CLARK

FFifteen years ago, Patsy Trigg walked into the STUDIO 60 Senior Center on Drake Avenue for some advice on repairing her grandmother’s swing and she has never left.

“The bolt was twisted in the swing, and I couldn’t get it out,” Trigg said. “So, I took it to the woodworking area in the Senior Center and they fixed it. I immediately felt at home, so I just stayed.”

Today, Trigg spends Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon using her creative talents in the Center’s woodworking program where she works on various projects for the community. Before COVID, the program crafted 5,000 writing pens for the Wounded Warrior Project. Lately, the program has handcrafted toys to be sent to underprivileged countries through a partnership with the Redstone Arsenal and have constructed caskets to donate to local churches who pass them on to families who cannot afford to bury their stillborn. According to Trigg, building things to help others is just what the group does.

“The woodworking shop is just full of friendly people.

We had a lady come in with a fairly old coffee table and asked if we could redo it,” Trigg said. “One of the guys told her we would help her. She had never touched a sander or a tool, but we taught her, and the coffee table turned out beautifully. Since she has come in and has completed two other projects.”

Besides creating handcrafted items for various projects within the community, Trigg says she and her friends built a few cigar box guitars out of MoonPie boxes and once the MoonPie folks saw them, they took them for their own.

Having been taught how to use all the tools by the late Sieford Shultz, her favorite is the band saw. She says she has mastered making good corners which comes in handy making one of her favorite toys–mini pocket cars with little people.

“I drill holes in the car so the little dolls fit in. I love to draw on the doll faces and really make them fun,” Trigg said. “My favorite is putting the mother in the driver’s seat and the father in the passenger’s seat with him going ‘EEK’.”

Trigg ensures all seniors who want to take advantage of the woodworking shop to know that they follow all safety issues and do not let anyone loose until they are properly trained.

“We have a good team in Willie, Greg, Joe, Larry and Dewayne. You can show up anytime and they will show you how to do it and stay with you,” Trigg said. “Just know that first thing in the morning, we make a big pot of coffee and spend about 30-35 minutes drinking coffee and eating our sweets before we get to work. We just like to sit down and have fun.”

Fun could be Trigg’s last name. She is a self-described military brat. Her father flew bombers during World War II. After graduating from high school, her job as a flight attendant with TWA Airlines took her to San Francisco where she became a member of the bluegrass band, Homestead Act.

“We were playing one night and we pulled up this man named Randy Brooks. He sang his song, ‘Grandma Got Ran Over By a Reindeer’. We recorded it together in October 1979,” Trigg said. “It went number one in 1982 where it remained for five years. It is still in the Top 10 of Christmas songs to this day.”

If recording one of the most iconic Christmas songs of all time was not enough, the 77-year-old Trigg has also been a radio dee-jay on AM radio and an auc-

tioneer.

“I was the auctioneer for a gala here in Huntsville and they grossed the most they had ever made that evening,” Trigg said. “We sold a train for $1,500.”

Besides bringing the camaraderie and fun to the woodworking shop, Trigg is always willing to discuss the Center’s other perks and programs.

“If you have a hobby, then you will find something to do here,” Trigg added. “There is a leather class where they make belts, wallets and purses, watercolor paint classes, you can learn to dance, either ballroom or line-dancing and we even have a fishing club. Because it is important to stay active at our age, there is also a gym full of all the equipment anyone could need. And a nurse is usually on staff.”

Seniors can also book travel through the Center. Trigg says a group recently traveled to Europe for a reasonable price and took local trips to places like the Chocolate Factory in Tullahoma, Tennessee.

“The travel coordinator, Claire Wood, does a great job with travel. Seniors who travel with the Center can just sit back and relax because everything is done for them, including the transportation,” Trigg said. “She also runs the gift shop where all the items are homemade, including some of the things we create at the Center. It all

Oneofthecountry’smost comprehensiveseniorcenterprograms, wearereimaginingaging throughwellness,connection, andlifelonglearning-

looks real professional.”

Trigg credits her energy to her father, who ensured that she was always active and performing with the family band. At 11-years-old, she played the guitar accompanied by her 9-year-old sister on the bass and her 8-year-old brother on the steel guitar.

“When you are creative, you have to find a way to channel that and that’s why I have so much energy,” Trigg said. “If someone has lost that energy, I encourage them to come and see me, us at the Center. We will help you find a place for those creative ideas and get you back up and running. We will find a way for those ideas to be put to use to help others. It’s contagious, too.”

STUDIO 60 is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Check out page 13 for information about a special gala celebration being planned.

Empty Nest

Empty nesters looking to banish boredom can consider these strategies

RRaising children is a significant responsibility. Parents know there’s no such thing as a day off, which is why the first day they come home to an empty nest can be so confounding.

After roughly two busy and likely hectic decades or more of looking after their children, parents whose sons or daughters have left home for the first time may experience feelings of sadness and loss. That’s not unusual, as the Mayo Clinic notes it’s a phenomenon known as “empty nest syndrome.” Though it’s not a clinical diagnosis, empty nest syndrome can be a difficult hurdle to overcome, especially for parents who find themselves suddenly bored after years of being so busy. Empty nesters looking to banish boredom can consider these strategies.

· Give your home a new look. Parents go to great lengths to make their homes welcoming safe havens for their children. Moms and dads often joke that, between play rooms and study areas, kids get the bulk of the real estate under their roofs. Now that the children have moved out, parents can take back that space and refresh their homes. A home that’s adapted

for empty nesters will look quite different from one designed for families with young children. So a renovation or redesign can provide plenty of work that can fill idle time and instill a sense of excitement about the future.

· Become a weekend road warrior. Newly minted empty nesters are likely still working full-time. But now that there’s no soccer practices or band recitals taking up valuable real estate on your weekend schedule, Saturdays and Sundays can provide perfect opportunities to travel. Plan routine weekend getaways, choosing different locales for each trip. Visit a city one weekend and devote a subsequent trip to the great outdoors.

· Reconnect with old friends. Some individuals experiencing empty nest syndrome may be hesitant to admit they’re experiencing feelings of sadness and loneliness. But a recent Sky Mobile study of parents of teenagers in England found that 47 percent were fretting about having an empty nest. So it’s likely that old friends and fellow parents are experiencing feelings associated with

empty nest syndrome. Reaching out to old friends is a great way to reconnect and can provide an outlet to discuss feelings parents might be hesitant to share with others. But empty nesters who experience significant feelings of sadness and loneliness are urged to speak with a health care professional as well.

· Replace kids’ activities with your own. After years of toting kids from one extracurricular activity to another, empty nesters can now do the same for themselves. Visit local community centers and libraries and ask about classes for adults. Many offer classes on everything from crafts to sports. Adults also can research continuing education programs at local colleges and universities if they’re interested in a career change or pursuing an advanced degree for personal enrichment.

Newly minted empty nesters can look at their empty nest as an opportunity to engage in activities that pique their interests after years of catering to the needs and wants of their children.

Scaevola works as border, groundcover or in container

By Dr. Eddie Miles Louis Smith, MSU Extension

I am always looking for unique plants that brighten the landscape. Scaevola, commonly known as fan flower, is one of those plants.

INative to Australia and the Pacific Islands, these plants are popular for their distinctive, fan-shaped flowers, versatile growth habit and robust nature.

Scaevola offers both aesthetic appeal and practical benefits.

It is beautiful as the flowers fan out to one side and

come in a variety of colors including blue, purple, pink and white. The leaves are simple, alternate and often succulent and fleshy. The plant’s growth habit can be trailing or upright, making it suitable for various landscaping uses.

Scaevola is practical because it thrives in welldrained soil and can withstand poor, sandy soils. It prefers full sun but can also grow in partial shade. It is drought-tolerant once established, regular watering

Scaevola such as this Whirlwind Blue thrive in well-drained soil and full sun. They are drought-tolerant once established, but regular watering during dry spells supports continuous flowering.

during dry spells supports continuous flowering.

This evergreen perennial is well-suited for warm climates. In states like Alabama and Mississippi, it is often grown as an annual, because it is sensitive to frost. If you plant yours in a container and bring it inside for winter, you can enjoy this plant for many years.

I love Scaevola’s dense foliage and spreading habit, which make it an excellent ground cover that is beautiful while stabilizing soil and preventing erosion. This is particularly useful on slopes or in sandy areas where other plants might struggle.

Scaevola’s compact growth makes it suitable for garden borders and edging where it creates a neat, defined look along pathways or garden beds. Combined with other annuals and perennials, the low-growing Scaevola with its bright flowers complement taller plants and fill in gaps, providing a lush, full appearance.

Consistent watering promotes optimal growth and flowering, although good drainage is essential to prevent root rot, especially in containers. Lightly apply a balanced fertilizer during the growing season to help maintain vigor flower production. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowers.

Regular deadheading encourages continuous blooming. Prune your Scaevola back after the first flush of flowers to promote bushier growth and additional blooms. While Scaevola is generally pest-free, ensure good air circulation to minimize the risk of fungal diseases.

One popular variety is Scaevola aemula, which is known for its striking pink, blue, purple or white flowers. This selection has a trailing habit that is ideal for hanging baskets and containers. Another good selection is the white-flowered Scaevola albida that is often used as a ground cover.

Incorporating fan flowers into your landscape design can bring a touch of elegance to your space. Whether used in hanging baskets, as a ground cover or in mixed plantings, Scaevola offers versatility and beauty with minimal maintenance.

Scaevola, commonly known as fan flower, is a unique plant that brightens the landscape.

ESCAPE & SOAK UP NATURE

The perfect blend of relaxation and recreation

STORY AND PHOTOS BY TERESA GIBBS

IImagine spending a quiet romantic evening with your loved one in a private, open-air cabana built on the edge of a forest with an amazing view of a mountain lake. Close your eyes and think of breathing in pure, fresh mountain air while soaking in a tub of soothing warm water filled with aromatic salts - all while sipping on champagne. Although it sounds “out of this world,” this magically rejuvenating spot is closer than you might think.

Lakeview at Fontana Soaking Cabana Resort is located seven miles from Bryson City, North Carolina. This secluded, adults-only hotel is tucked among 50 acres of forested mountain grounds, overlooking Fontana Lake.

While planning a recent trip to the Smokies with my husband, I ran across this one-of-a-kind boutique inn located between Nantahala and Bryson City and read reviews boasting of rest and serenity. Some mentioned the close proximity to so many outdoor activities such as whitewater, horseback riding, hiking, and biking. One review described Lakeview as “the perfect blend of relaxation and recreation.” After reading so many positive reviews, I knew I wanted to be there.

Bryson City is a quaint mountain town is just an hour west of Asheville and a neighbor to the Cherokee Indian Reservation – the southern entrance to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park (GSMNP.) The GSMNP is the nation’s most visited national park and can get quite

crowded in some areas. Bryson City is a great alternative to the crowds found in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.

Bryson City is surrounded by beautiful mountains, streams, waterfalls, and lakes and offers a wide range of outdoor activities including world class trout fishing, rafting and kayaking on the Nantahala River, and boating and fishing on Fontana Lake. The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad historic train depot sits in the heart of Bryson City and is a favorite attraction for folks young and old.

The trip from North Alabama to Bryson City is a beautiful drive. Being retired, we always take our time on road trips and stop and smell the roses – or in this case, the mountain laurel. It was late afternoon when we arrived. As instructed, we pulled up to Lakeview’s arrival office, found our room number, and drove to the back of the building where we were able to park close to our suite.

We had been upgraded and our suite was much larger than I had expected. The three-bedroom suite had a kitchen, living room, and viewing deck.

Lakeview has a 24-hour self-serve honor market. In addition to the complimentary coffee which is always available, there are fresh muffins and pastries for purchase in the mornings along with a variety of other goodies.

Lakeview is more than a hotel, it’s a place to hang out

and enjoy amenities such as the spring-fed pool open during the summer months; the cozy lounge open 24/7 where you can relax or read a book; the hanging hammocks or the lakeview deck; or the 2.5-mile on-site walking trail.

After checking out the grounds, and watching a breathtaking sunset from our rooftop, we settled in for the night. We had early morning plans to head to Cherokee.

We had breakfast on the lakeview deck and enjoyed the beautiful morning. It was quiet and peaceful as we sat and watched birds flying over the lake, the sun lifting above the mountains, and the fog rising from the water. Being in nature can bring a feeling of peace.

One of the main draws for visitors coming to the GSMNP is the chance to see wildlife. Did you know that there are elk in Cherokee? Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to view wildlife.

Centuries ago, vast herds of elk roamed the southern Appalachians. Overhunting led to a decline by the end of the 18th Century and the last of the eastern elk disappeared from North Carolina in the 1790s. Elk were successfully reintroduced to the Cataloochee Valley in GSMNP in 2001. Cherokee is one of the best places to view elk where you’ll often find them grazing in the fields next to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center.

When we got to Cherokee, we found several elk along

the road just past the welcome center. They don’t seem to mind people being around and take their sweet time crossing the highway. But then that gives visitors a chance to get a good long look at these beautiful creatures. They are the largest animals living in the GSMNP and the males, called bulls, can weigh up to 800 pounds and have antlers that span up to five feet across. Be sure to follow safety precautions.

A waterfall hike was next on the agenda. The GSMNP encompasses over 522 acres with 150 official hiking trails that span more than 850 miles - taking hikers along rushing streams with cascading waterfalls and offering breathtaking views. Several of those trails are only a short drive from Lakeview.

At 120′ tall, Mingo Falls, located in Cherokee, is one of the tallest waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains. These remarkable wonders of nature create a mystic feeling – standing in a lush green forest watching massive amounts of water cascade over wide open cliffs - hearing the roar of the water as it tumbles hundreds of feet - feeling the refreshing cool mist on your skin. While planning your trip, it’s good to research waterfalls to learn the level of difficulty in reaching specific ones. Many mountain streams and falls are visible from the highway, so even

those unable to hike can enjoy the beauty.

We had a soak booked the last morning of our stay at Lakeview. The trail up to the cabana was marked and was an easy climb. When we reached our cabana, we found towels, robes, and therapeutic Epsom and Himalayan salts for soaking – and the candles were lit. Though open-air, there was plenty of privacy. Feel free to take the plunge in the buff or wear your bathing suit- it’s totally up to you. I was chilled by the cool mountain air, but between the heater above us and the warmth of the water, I had a feeling of being snuggly wrapped in a warm blanket. The warmth, the smell of nature, and the sound of soft spa music had me in a very relaxed state. But alas, all good things must come to an end and way too soon our hour was up.

As for the resort itself, it is known for its unfussy and unpretentious accommodations.

If you’re looking for peace and tranquility, Lakeview at Fontana Soaking Cabana Resort is the ultimate getaway. Their goal is to provide a relaxing stay that allows guests to escape, unwind, and soak up nature. Look them up and book a room. Rooms don’t have televisions, so be ready to totally unplug and relax – and don’t forget to book a soak.

“REELIN’ IN THE YEARS”

Well-known sports writer and radio DJ Bob Labbe is celebrating his 52nd year in broadcasting this September

STORY BY AVA MALONE

PHOTOS BY JOSHUA BERRY

TTraveling down the road in Huntsville in 1958, fouryear old Bobby, as his mother called him, asked his dad to turn up the radio. Perry Como was singing “Catch a Falling Star.” That moment is one of the first memories Bob Labbe has which started his lifelong love of music and eventually led to one of the most distinguished careers in Huntsville’s broadcasting history as September 2024 marks his 52nd anniversary in the medium of radio and television.

By 1960, Santa was leaving a stack of 45’s under the Christmas tree every year. With a small collection of records, his bedroom became a makeshift radio station. A flashlight on a stand became a microphone. He created a playlist and announced the song and artist before playing the record on his turntable. Playing disc jockey is one thing, but dreaming of being a DJ is another. The dream of becoming a DJ came a few years later when at nine years old, he scanned the dial and heard WLS broadcasting out of Chicago. WLS was re-

garded as one of the top radio stations in the country and listening to that live broadcast started Labbe’s lifelong dream.

In the years to follow, Labbe was your typical little boy riding bikes and playing baseball and football with the neighborhood boys. He was competitive in sports and became an elite All-Star baseball player, but one of the highlights of his young life was going to Pizitz Department Store, located at what is now Parkway Place, with his mother where DJ Jim Kell of WAAY radio was broadcasting live from inside the store. An avid lover of vinyl, he remembers asking the crowd to stay back from Kell’s equipment so the records wouldn’t get scratched. The relationship between Labbe and Kell grew into a lifelong friendship.

By the time Labbe was 18, Kell was working across town at WVOV and knew Labbe wanted a job in broadcasting. He called program director Art Wikle at “easy listening” WAHR radio and told him that he knows a

Prior to exiting television in early 1991, Bob Labbe started a live, Friday night weekly radio program with WLRH-FM, Public Radio in Huntsville. “Reelin’ In The Years” began in 1990 and is still going strong today.

young boy who wants to be in radio and added, “He has the desire to make it.” Labbe started his broadcasting career on the top floor of the Times building in downtown Huntsville as a DJ at WAHR playing jazz music every Saturday night.

In the Summer of 1973, after going to the station numerous times and “bugging” WAAY General Manager Wayne Johnson, Labbe made a career move and worked the graveyard shift, playing America’s top 40 hits with the on air name “Big Jim O’Brien” from midnight to six in the morning. Johnson told Labbe, “I gave you a job because you kept bugging me. I can either hire you or kill you, but today I don’t feel like being a murderer.”

A year later Labbe accepted a daytime shift at up and coming WVOV radio, which also played the top 40 hits and the position came with an increased audience. An unexpected change in management resulted in a complete turnover of all on air personalities in late 1974. Now married and a new dad, “Times were hard and it wasn’t easy knocking on Johnson’s door to ask for a position back at WAAY radio but, being the friend he was he offered all he had available at the time which was a part-time fill in position. I was humbled and grateful for the opportunity to continue to do the work I so loved,” said Labbe. “Broadcasting was my passion but limited hours didn’t pay the bills. I had to work radio, a full time job at the Jetport along with occasional football referee assignments in order to get by.”

In the following years Labbe became well acquainted with Rick Davis at WAAY-TV Channel

Bob at WAAY 31 in 1983.

31 who told him the TV station was needing a weekend sports anchor. Davis suggested they consider Labbe for the job and after an audition Labbe went to work for the TV station as weekend sports anchor. The career change came about in early 1979 and would soon make Labbe the top rated sports personality in the Huntsville market.

After five years, Labbe was promoted to the weekday sports anchor and Sports Director position which he held until he departed from the station in 1991.

During his stint in television, Labbe became known for his extensive coverage of local sports including numerous entertaining segments such as the Sports Challenge, which pitted Labbe against various weekend athletes in their sport of choice. Viewers from across the Tennessee Valley challenged him to take on those more skilled. In addition to amateur athletes, Labbe also personally interviewed some of the biggest names in sports. Those included Paul “Bear” Bryant and Muhammad Ali.

Labbe was the reporter who asked Bryant the last question of Bryant’s career at the Liberty Bowl game in Memphis. The question and answer was used by all the major networks. One of his most famous “skits” was the segment where he boxed Ali. Within the action, Ali knocked out Labbe and in typical Ali style proclaimed his latest victim “The Great White Dope.”

Prior to exiting television in early 1991, Labbe started a live, Friday night weekly radio program with WLRH-FM, Public Radio in Huntsville. The program began in November 1990, taking Labbe back to his original dream of being a DJ. By the time he returned to radio, the industry had changed to a more recorded format, but Labbe was determined to have his program live and reminiscent of the way radio once was. “The idea was to take listeners back to a time when radio was about the art of music and the personalities that produced the sounds of yesteryear,” said Labbe. In essence, he was reeling in the years gone by thus, the name of his program, “Reelin’ In The Years.”

The small collection of vinyl records started during childhood with the help of his mother has turned into a collection of more than 20-thousand 45’s, which he spins on two turntables located in the studio of WLRH. “The warm sound of the original 45 rpm records, which sometimes include a crackle, is music to my ears and my listeners tell me they have the same feeling,” said Labbe. “There’s nothing like dusting off an old record, dropping the needle on the disc and reliving memories of years gone by.”

In November 2024, Reelin’ In The Years will celebrate its 34th anniversary. More than 1,600 live episodes and more than 7,000 hours of live on-air broadcasts have enriched the audience while Labbe has provided his time and efforts as a volunteer for Public Radio. Labbe has personally interviewed hundreds of the biggest names in pop music history and plays these interviews along with their music and some of the artists’ history for his listeners every Friday night from 9:00 p.m.–1:00 a.m.

Over the years, Labbe has won high praise from his peers including being inducted into the HuntsvilleMadison County Athletic Hall of Fame, and has been nominated for both the Alabama Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. His writing talents for numerous publications across the Tennessee Valley for almost 30 years have also earned him numerous awards from the Alabama Press Association.

“I have had a fabulous career in broadcasting and I don’t plan on slowing down anytime soon,” said Labbe. “Broadcasting has been my passion since I was a small boy pretending to be a bigtime disc jockey and as long as I can continue filling the local airwaves, I’ll be there.”

With 52 years of broadcasting under his belt, Labbe has had a long journey, made many friends, interviewed many legends and loved the road that has brought him full circle. It’s possible to say, like the song he heard as a little boy, he did “Catch a Falling Star.”

TELLINI’S ITALIANO

A new taste of the olde world

“We’re providing made from scratch Italian food in a fast-casual setting.” - Owner and operator Allen Mello

STORY BY MARIA RAKOCZY

PHOTOS BY JOSHUA BERRY

TTellini’s Italiano has long been a Huntsville institution, serving fresh, homestyle Italian food to Madison County for 25 years. The restaurant began in 1995 as Tellini’s Pasta Market and opened its first location in Gadsden, Alabama in 1996. The following year, in 1997, Tellini’s opened its first location in Huntsville off University Drive, which is located at 1515 Perimeter Pkwy NW.

The restaurant has been through a few iterations over the years. It originated as a fast-food style concept with a building ornamented by the bright, eye-catching colors of the Italian flag. Several years ago, the restaurant underwent a renovation that changed the name to Tellini’s Italiano, shifted the concept to fast-casual, and updated the restaurant décor to a fresh, modern feel.

Owner and operator, Allen Mello, describes the mission that came along with the refresh, “We’re providing made from scratch Italian food in a fast-casual setting to our base customers whether they want to sit down or carry out.”

Today, Tellini’s greets customers with a red stucco fa-

çade and offers a warm, Tuscan atmosphere inside. The inviting ambience of the restaurant itself pairs nicely with its food that has a fresh, homecooked taste. Their beloved pasta dishes wrap the taste buds in a comforting hug with aromatic herbs like basil and oregano, tangy tomato, and the sharp notes of garlic.

The baked pastas are the stars of Tellini’s menu. They have consistently been the most popular items on the menu, though Mello says the chicken alfredo is quickly becoming a new customer favorite. Mello’s own favorite recommendation is the steak tetrazzini. Their breadsticks are also famous in their own right, and according to Mello, many claim them to be superior to Olive Garden’s breadsticks.

For the few who may not be fans of baked pastas, or who just want to try something different, the menu offers a variety of options to satisfy a range of palates. The extensive menu includes salads, paninis, and pizzas. Diners have the option to finish off their meal with a dessert like their creamy house-made cheesecakes that come in three

varieties: plain, strawberry, and seasonal.

“Even though our menu is broad, we specialize in pastas and baked pastas. And we offer great value for it,” Mello notes.

He also describes the great lengths he and the staff go to in order to provide fresh, house-made ingredients and dishes. “We make all our sauces from scratch. We chop our lettuce. Our cheesecakes are homemade.” They make efforts as well to utilize local suppliers for their ingredients.

This devotion to quality is part of why the restaurant has attracted such a strong and consistent customer base over the years. Mello has heard many times from customers who have been frequenting Tellini’s since they were children, myself included. He says he is so grateful for those customers that have been with Tellini’s through thick and thin. “I appreciate the loyalty of all our customers. Even though we’ve experienced hard times, our loyal customers were still there.”

As the Huntsville-Madison area grows, new locals dis-

cover the gem that is Tellini’s every day and quickly add to the restaurant’s large fan base.

In addition to loyal customers, Tellini’s has been fortunate to have dedicated staff. Some staff including the general manager have been with the restaurant for over 20 years. Mello himself has been the owner and operator for over 16 years. From the food to the staff, Tellini’s is a welcoming place, starting with Mello himself. He cares for his employees like family and they all extend the same attention to their customers.

“I’m as much in the people business as I am in the restaurant business. Customers not only look for consistent quality food, but also for consistent quality service,” Mello comments. The magic combination of good food and good people have made Tellini’s a lasting and beloved Huntsville institution.

Enjoy the Tellini’s experience for yourself through either their carry-out or dine-in service. Find Tellini’s online at www.tellinis.com or follow them on Facebook. You can also check out their ad on page 16.

Suspect a scam or fraud?

TARCOG issues tips to caution senior citizens

AA local agency is helping to protect the well-being of senior citizens in the North Alabama region by advising them to avoid dangerous scams and consumer fraud.

To hopefully prevent costly fraud, Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments or TARCOG conducted the Senior Medicare Patrol Fraud & Scam Summit in Huntsville in August 2024.

TARCOG is assisting the community to learn about the most common scams. Reports of elder fraud to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center rose by 14 percent in 2023. The 2024 summit, free to the public, explained strategies to outsmart fraudsters, according to Sheila Dessau-Ivey, who serves as TARCOG’s Director of Aging Programs Director.

A component of the summit, the Senior Medicare Pa-

trol or SMP at TARCOG empowers and assists Medicare beneficiaries, their families and caregivers to prevent, detect and report healthcare fraud, errors and abuse, Dessau-Ivey said.

In addition, the Fraud & Scam Summit provided an overview of scams and fraud in Alabama. Topics included “Cybersecurity,” “Financial Scams,” “Consumer Fraud” and “Legal Implications.”

Exhibitors represented state programs, community partners, nonprofit and community organizations and area businesses in the TARCOG region. These presenters shared educational resources to attendees, Dessau-Ivey said.

“Combatting the financial exploitation of those over 60 years of age continues to be a priority of the FBI,” Mi-

chael D. Nordwall said. As FBI Assistant Director, Nordwall leads the Bureau’s Criminal Investigative Division. “Along with our partners, we continually work to aid victims and to identify and investigate the individuals and criminal organizations that perpetrate these schemes and target the elderly.”

The FBI has issued tips for older individuals who are scam victims:

• Contact the originating bank or financial institution immediately to request a recall or reversal and a Hold Harmless Letter or Letter of Indemnity.

• File a detailed complaint with www.ic3.gov (an FBI group). The complaint must contain all required data, including banking information.

• Never change any payment without verifying with action with the intended recipient. Also, verify email addresses are accurate when checking email on a cell phone or other mobile device.

Elder fraud is most likely a more insidious threat than the report shows. Many crimes go unreported. Only about half of fraud complaints submitted to the center in 2023 included victims’ ages, according to the FBI’s annual Elder Fraud Report, April 2024.

The FBI’s report states key areas of concern, especially for senior citizens:

• Call centers – Can financial ruin . . . literally. These scams overwhelmingly target older adults with devastating effects. Consumers who are 60 or older lost more to these scams than all other age groups – combined.

Older individuals should use extra discretion about remortgaging, a home in foreclosure, empty retirement accounts and loans from relatives and friends to cover losses. Tragically, some incidents have led to suicide because of shame or loss of sustainable income. (ic3.gov/Media)

• Elder fraud is an expensive crime. -- Scams targeting individuals who are 60 years old and older caused more than

$3.4 billion in losses in 2023, an increase of approximately 11 percent from the previous year. The average victim of elder fraud lost $33,915.

• Older Americans feel the brunt. – Senior citizens disproportionately experience the impact of scams and fraud. More than 101,000 victims who are 60 years old and older reported this category to the FBI in 2023. Conversely, victims younger than 20 years old represent the least-impacted demographic.

• Tech support tops the list. – Tech support scams were the most widely reported type of elder fraud in 2023. Approximately 18,000 victims who are at least 60 years old reported scams to the FBI Center. Personal data breaches, confidence and romance scams, non-payment, non-delivery scams and investment scams rounded out the top five most common frauds.

• Most costly fraud -- Investment scams accounted for the costliest type of elder fraud in 2023. These schemes cost victims more than $1.2 billion in losses that year.

Senior citizens should beware of scams involving tech support, business email compromises, confidence schemes, romance plots, government impersonation and personal data breaches. These situations cost victims.

• Confidence and Romance scams – Scammers design scenarios ‘to pull on a person’s heartstrings.’ In 2023, the FBI received reports from 6,740 individuals older than 60 years who lost approximately $357 million.

Romance scams occur when a criminal adopts a fake online identity to gain an individual’s affection and then steals from the individual. The criminals will seem genuine, caring and believable but have malicious intent. (ic3.gov/Media/PDF)

• ‘Phantom Hacker’ – A newer trend. Couriers retrieve cash and precious metals from individuals in scams involving call centers.

• Cryptocurrency -- Scammers are coming for people’s cryptocurrency. More than 12,000 victims at least 60 years old indicated that cryptocurrency was “a medium or tool used to facilitate” the scam, according to FBI records.

Scammers convince people to withdraw and deposit large sums of cash into cryptocurrency ATMs or kiosks, which the scammer provides. After cash is deposited and converted into cryptocurrency, the scammer transfers it to other cryptocurrency accounts.

TARCOG’s coverage includes DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison and Marshall counties in North Alabama. The TARCOG staff assists individuals 60 years old minimum. The agency provides civic planning, industry development, job creation and project funding to local governments.

For more information on national trends, visit fbi.gov/ news/stories. For regional reports, call 256-830-0818, or visit tarcog.us.

DAY TRIPPIN’

The time is right for a senior group trip to the Cook

Museum of Natural Science

YYou are never too old to go on a field trip! Looking for a fun day trip idea, during the months of August and September may be the perfect time to take a “hop, skip and jump” to Decatur and experience the Cook Museum of National Science. While area kids go back to school and adjust to the new school year, the museum is focused on seniors with special discounts just for them.

“During these months we will offer special discounted field trip pricing to groups of 15 or more seniors,” said Joy Harris with Cook Museum. “This is a wonderful time for people to visit since school is just getting back in session and we have less field trip groups in the exhibits.”

More than a decade ago, a plan to replace Cook’s Pest Control’s small bug museum gradually blossomed into a vision that became tangible five years ago with

the opening of the Cook Museum of Natural Science in downtown Decatur.

Since then, almost 410,000 visitors have seen a chuckwalla, an eastern indigo snake, a Mexican alligator lizard and many other live animals and other exhibits at the museum on Fourth Avenue Northeast.

The nonprofit Cook Museum of Natural Science, which opened June 7, 2019, celebrated its fifth anniversary last month.

The Cook Museum of Natural Science is a state-ofthe-art natural science museum. It provides a handson, immersive experience where kids and adults can explore, interact with, and learn about nature. “Families leave the Cook Museum feeling fulfilled by their time together and inspired by the things they saw and learned,” Harris said. “It truly is an amazing experience

for families and children of all ages!”

Cook Museum Executive Director Scott Mayo said the museum features North American species and gives visitors a chance to get close to the bugs, reptiles, amphibians and fish.

“I grew up in the panhandle of Florida where if it rains a baby alligator will be found in a mud puddle,” Mayo said. “We have two alligators here, and it amazes me how many people here have never seen a live alligator.”

Harris said last year was the first year the museum offered the discount for senior groups. “We had several local churches, senior centers, and assisted living facilities take advantage of the opportunity, so we are hoping even more groups will get involved this year.”

The groups will need to register for their visit at least one week in advance. Box lunches or catering options from Nature’s Table are available when ordered in advance. Bringing in sack lunches? No problem! Either way a designated area to eat lunch may be reserved when you book your group reservation pending availability.

To make a reservation or for more information, contact the group sales department at (256) 898-6312. The special senior field trip pricing is $12 per senior adult (usually $17), with a minimum group of 15 or more.

About Cook Museum of Natural Science

John Cook Sr., the founder of Cook’s Pest Control, opened the museum’s predecessor in 1980. It welcomed over 750,000 guests to view its collection of insects, rocks, minerals, seashells, coral, and more before it closed in 2016. The Cook family decided to reinvent the museum with interactive, engaging, and hands-on experiences. The new museum opened in June 2019.

The museum has a large variety of live animals including many different species of saltwater fish, live coral, moon jellyfish, and numerous species of freshwater turtles and fish. Their terrariums house snakes, turtles, alligators, and more, and their Wonderful World of Insects exhibit is home to various kinds of terrestrial and aquatic insects.

They have a number of interesting and educational exhibits to give guests a closer look at some of the amazing creatures and environments in nature. Many of the exhibits include interactive activities, such as a meteorite from outer space, digital seashell generator, kinetic sand table, and a tree with a rope bridge to climb.

Nature’s Table serves up fresh, tasty food for dining in, carry-out, and catering. Located inside the Cook Museum, Nature’s Table is open to the general public without an admission ticket.

For more information, go to www.cookmuseum.org.

The museum is located at 133 4th Ave. NE in Decatur.

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