Prime Magazine Dec 2015/Jan 2016 by Bob Corley

Prime FREE FOR YOU

Celebrating Life

December 2015/January 2016

Lela Fosheeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Recipe for Life

December 2015 | January 2016 www.primemontgomery.com

December 2015/ January 2016

Table of Contents Editor’s Note 4 Quick Reads 6

Is junk food an unfair obesity target?

Yard ‘n Garden 9

Gardens require patience

Winter Car Care 10

Head-off cold weather problems

Money Wise 11

Is a tax-free Roth right for you?

History Mysteries Solved! 12

Prime/Archives partnership yields results

What’s on YOUR shoes? 14

3 reasons to check ‘em at the door

Social Security 15

Prepare for personal disaster

Tinseltown Talks 16

The man with “The $6 Million Man”

All in the Family 18

Generations of family recipes

Camels, Cows & Goats 22

How ‘Heifer’ helps feed the world

Crossword & Sudoku Puzzles 26 Answers on page 30

Bridging the Distance 28

6 gift ideas for long-distance grandparents

In Every Life 31

Paint a family health portrait

Prime Diversions 32

Recent DVD releases: A ‘Mission,’ A Trail, An Ant

Calendar 33 Off the Beaten Path 34 Mitch

www.primemontgomery.com December 2015 | January 2016

Prime M

EDITOR’S NOTE

December, 2015 Vol. 6, Issue 9

PUBLISHER Bob Corley, primemontgomery@gmail.com EDITOR Sandra Polizos, primeeditor@gmail.com ART DIRECTOR Callie Corley, primemagdesign@gmail.com WRITERS Ellen Breslau, Andrea Gross, Elizabeth Incarnation, Sandra Polizos CONTRIBUTORS Niko Corley, Mark Glass, Cheri Youngblood, Kylle’ McKinney, Arlene Morris, Nick Thomas, Alan Wallace PHOTOGRAPHERS Irv Green, Bob Corley SALES Bob Corley • 334-202-0114, primemontgomery@gmail.com Wendy McFarland, • 334-652-9080 mcfarlandadvantage@gmail.com Prime Montgomery 7956 Vaughn Road, #144 Montgomery, AL 36116 • 334-202-0114 www.primemontgomery.com ISSN 2152-9035

Prime Montgomery is a publication of The Polizos/Corley Group, LLC. Original content is copyright 2015 by The Polizos/Corley Group, LLC., all rights reserved, with replication of any portion prohibited without written permission. Opinions expressed are those of contributing writer(s) and not necessarily those of The Polizos/ Corley Group, LLC. Prime Montgomery is published monthly except for the combined issue of December/January. Information in articles, departments, columns, and other content areas, as well as advertisements, does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Prime Montgomery magazine. Items relating to health, finances, and legal issues are not offered as substitutes for the advice and consultation of health, financial, and legal professionals. Consult properly degreed and licensed professionals when dealing with financial, medical, emotional, or legal matters. We accept no liability for errors or omissions, and are not responsible for advertiser claims.

y mother always wrote her Christmas list on the back of an opened piece of mail…an old church bulletin, an unsolicited sales notice, an out-of-date invitation. Any envelope delivered by the postman – or its contents – was fair game. A pre-schooler during most of the 1950s, I distinctly remember Mama sitting down at the kitchen table to make “the list.” She repeated the names of family and close friends aloud before affixing each to her shopping blueprint. I could barely contain myself. Holiday-themed storefronts were beautiful, but Mama’s list made the season real. Christmas would soon be here. As the oldest (and for several years the only) girl I was my mother’s constant shopping companion.Young and lighthearted, my mother loved Christmas and all it represented. Talking with me about gifts she might purchase fanned the excitement for us both. Like two buddies on a shopping adventure, Mama never hesitated to ask my opinion on the perfect gift for my grandmother, Dad, or my teachers. But any mention of children’s gifts was strictly off-limits. Miss OpenHeart (and Mouth), the five-year-old me just couldn’t keep all that juicy information to myself. It was a lesson Mama learned the hard way. Together, we shopped all over downtown Montgomery as she held my hand and led me into Montgomery Fair, Klein’s, Bon Marche’ and Kress. Were they her favorite stores? I have no idea, but they were all on the same side of Dexter, and my mother was infinitely practical, especially with a child in tow. Neither of us could hold out too long before a treat was in order. The freshly made popcorn sold just inside the Kress building was my favorite, but occasionally Mom would opt for a meal on Montgomery Fair’s mezzanine level. One Christmas season, after I bragged that Mama was taking me there for lunch, my brother scared me witless, warning that “mezzanine” referred to an era when dinosaurs ruled the planet. As my mother dragged me from the elevator, fearful and apprehensive, I anxiously surveyed the premises for prehistoric monsters. Thrilled when none materialized, I eventually relaxed. Dinosaurs or no, this mezzanine luncheonette sold a grilled cheese sandwich that was the bomb, and I wasn’t going to miss it. No one was happier with my new-found courage than Mama. As we ate, my thoughts turned back to Santa Claus and Christmas while Mom updated her list with our most-recent purchases. After weeks of shopping, after I’d watched her neatly wrap and tag each package, Mama delivered our family’s gifts on Christmas Eve. No one could match her energy for the task, or mistake her excitement and joy in giving. It was a quality anyone who knew her recognized. It was the Spirit of Christmas. This year, as I began my own holiday shopping list and sat down with family to discuss our seasonal plans, I saw that Spirit alive again – this time in my grown daughter’s eyes. Her dedication to family, her loving heart, and her jubilation in making others happy are abundantly apparent. My mother’s namesake, how could I have expected anything less? May this season be full of love, hope, and happiness for us all. Merry Christmas!

Sandra Polizos Editor 4

December 2015 | January 2016 www.primemontgomery.com

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QUICK READS

Junk food: Unfair Target? Junk foods are often painted as prime culprits in the national discussion of obesity. While a diet of chocolate bars and cheese burgers washed down with a soft drink is inadvisable from a nutritional standpoint, these foods are not likely to be a leading cause of obesity in the U.S., according to a new Cornell University Food and Brand Lab study. The study, published in Obesity Science & Practice, finds that intake of these foods is not related to Body Mass Index in the average adult. Researchers found consumption of soda, candy and fast food is not linked to Body Mass Index (BMI) for 95% of the population. The exception is those on the extreme ends of the BMI spectrum: the chronically underweight and morbidly obese. Researchers concluded that diets and health campaigns aimed at reducing and preventing obesity may be off track if they hinge on demonizing specific foods. The study suggested that if real change is desired, overall diet and physical activity must be examined rather than targeting junk foods. Clinicians and practitioners seeking to help individuals obtain a healthy weight should examine how overall consumption patterns, such as snacking and physical activity, influence weight instead of just eliminating “junk foods” from patient’s diets. — Cornell University, Food & Brand Lab. ScienceDaily, November 2015.

Long-distance Caregiving Taking care of an older relative or friend in another city or state can be challenging. The National Institute on Aging (NIA) offers tips to help meet this challenge. 1) Get written permission to receive medical and financial information. 2) Build on each family member’s or caregiver’s personal strengths when sharing responsibilities. 3) Find adult day care, in-home assistance, transportation, and other services in the older person’s area that might be useful. The NIA provides practical tips and resources on-line.Visit the following: n http://1.usa.gov/1WthoHT n http://1.usa.gov/1NMb6B3 — National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health

December 2015 | January 2016 www.primemontgomery.com

Parental Challenge Two-parent households in which both parents work full time has risen to 46%, up from 31% in 1970. In economic terms, families with two full-time working parents are better off than other families, but balancing work and family poses challenges. More than half of all working parents say it is difficult to balance the responsibilities of their job with the responsibilities of their family. Among working mothers 41% report that being a parent has made it harder for them to advance in their career. Twenty percent of fathers say the same thing about their own careers. In families with both parents working fulltime, respondents say they share equally in such tasks as household chores and responsibilities, disciplining, and playing or doing activities with the kids. But many respondents say day-to-day parenting responsibilities fall to mothers. — Pew Research Center: Social and Demographic Trends

Talk Away Winter Blues Talk outshines light in keeping the winter blues at bay, according to a University of Vermont researcher. More than 14 million Americans suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), ranging from 1.5% of the population in southern states such as Florida, to more than 9% percent in the northern regions of the country. An estimated 10 to 20% of all cases of recurrent depression follow a seasonal pattern. In the two-winter study, one group of subjects was given light therapy, the other group cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), where they received one-on-one counseling. Of the subjects receiving light therapy, almost twice as many as those receiving CBT reported a recurrence of depression. Depressive symptoms were also more severe for those who received light therapy. Light therapy requires the subject to take active steps to maintain treatment. After the second winter only 30% of light therapy subjects were still using the equipment. Once SAD sufferers learned the basic skills of cognitive-behavior therapy, it appeared to have a longer-term value. An early study showed both methods were effective in treating SAD during the first winter they were administered. — University of Vermont American Journal of Psychiatry Water Workout For Joint Pain Exercise is an important tool for anyone of any age aiming to stay healthy and fit. But for many older people, arthritis and osteoporosis can make movement difficult, causing pain or limiting mobility. The good news is that there’s a kinder, gentler way to improve cardiovascular and muscular strength. Water-based workouts are among the best exercise programs for older adults. Engaging in water exercise offers a host of benefits while preventing the stress and discomfort of land-based sports. The exercises, similar to those done on land, are performed vertically in shallow water ranging from waist to chest deep, and you don’t need to know how to swim to participate. Because water buoys joints and muscles, there’s a significant reduction in impact and stress on the body as well as a reduced risk of falling. A recent six-month study of water-based exercises saw improvements in upper- and lower-body strength, flexibility, balance and aerobic capacity, including improved shoulder flexibility measured by the ability to reach various parts of participant’s own backs. Wear a comfortable swimsuit and invest in aquatic shoes for stability and to protect your feet from rough pool surfaces and fungal infections like athlete’s foot. Pool shoes are a must if you have diabetes. — Arthritis, November, 2015

Colorful, winter-hardy hibiscus Like artists using paint on a palette, the research team at Texas A&M AgriLife Research center created the first blueflowering winter-hardy hibiscus three years ago. The same team has now come up with a new salmon-colored garden jewel. According to researchers, until a few years ago hibiscus were available only in white, pink and red. In contrast to its distant cousin the tropical hibiscus, the winter-hardy hibiscus has a very narrow genetic potential for new colors to appear in the process of selective breeding. More time has also been spent in developing new color combinations in tropical hibiscus. To date, the team has created more than 8,000 hybrids among the four native species, resulting in not only the blue-flowering hibiscus, but numerous other colors including maroon, magenta, dual-colored flowers and the newest with salmon-colored flowers. — Texas A&M AgriLife Communications ScienceDaily, Nov. 2015

www.primemontgomery.com December 2015 | January 2016

National Awards for Prime Prime was honored with two First Place national awards for Best Coverage of Topical Issues (“Memories of the March”) and Best Single Ad (All Ears Hearing Centers) at the North American Mature Publishers Association (NAMPA) annual convention. Prime also received four Second Place Honors for Travel, How-To, Briefs and Shorts, and Website excellence. NAMPA represents 38 publications in the U.S. and Canada with a combined readership of five million.

FEATURE

Blood of Heroes

Your hearing and your heart are connected. “A growing body of research shows that a person’s hearing health and cardiovascular health frequently correspond.”

Story and photos by Callie Corley

Better Hearing Institute

Listen to your HEAR T this Valentines,

Above: Marchers walk past Saint Margaret’s Hospital. Right: Singer Joan Baez (L) and actress Susan Sarandon joined the march.

Memories

...and have your

HEAR ING tested.

of the

Compiled by Sandra Polizos

March

For many area residents memories of the Selma-to-Montgomery March are personal. Living in and around the Capital City in March of 1965, they were in the midst of a momentous news story which led to groundbreaking changes in American society. Viewed from a variety of vantage points, current and former area residents recall their memories of both the period and the history-altering event.

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The Atlantic Wall was Hitler’s 3,300 mile defense network.This section was on Utah Beach.The marks are from the thousands of American weapons fired on the German-held beach on D-Day.

alking up Andrew Higgins Drive to the corner of Magazine Street, the National World War II Museum rises against the New Orleans skyline like a giant stone vault, holding the history, and perhaps some secrets, of what’s been termed America’s “Greatest Generation.” It’s a history touching every facet of American life. Sixteen million men and women served in the armed forces during World War II. Inside the museum’s five (soon to be six) buildings are the stories of those lives. For many, those stories are also passed down on family trees from generation to generation. The Louisiana Memorial Pavilion is the place to start your journey through the Museum. There you can buy tickets and talk to Museum volunteers. With a little luck, you’ll hear a first-hand account from one of the approximately 20 WWII veterans who volunteer with the Museum.The Memorial Pavilion is also where you start your “Dog Tag Experience.” With a general admission ticket to the Museum, you receive a dog tag allowing you to follow the life of a WWII participant. The Train Car Experience is your first stop with your dog tag, recreating the first leg of a journey that carried millions of Americans away from their families and into service. Throughout the museum you check-in at different stations, collecting the stories for your dog tag and learning more about the person whose life you’re following. If your museum trip starts early, Jeri Nims Soda Shop is a great place to grab a snack or a quick breakfast, while The American Sector is a full-service restaurant serving lunch and dinner.You can add a little flair to your visit with a live show at Stage Door Canteen, where music of the war years comes to life. Find the show lineup and ticket information on-line before your visit at stagedoorcanteen.org. Once you leave the Memorial Pavilion, cross the street to the main portion of the WWII Museum. The newest addition, added in 2014, is Campaigns of Courage, considered the heart of the museum experience. The Road to Berlin exhibit showcases the grueling challenges servicemen faced in the European theater, from the deserts of North Africa to Germany’s doorstep. The

Travel Feature

Color Ad

, Ristorante

Gift Cer tif icates from Mr. Gus’

Trip-of-A-Lifetime Planning Your By Judy Stone Weaver

trip around the world may sound a bit over the top, but if you take time to plan it, based on your available funding and time, it could be a cherished trip-of-a-lifetime. Our experience (and mistakes) from the year 2000, when my husband and I traveled to 10 countries in 103 days, is shared here to assist with the fun creation of your own trip. Planning your Air Ticket Designing an around-the-world itinerary begins with your bucket-list — the places you want to visit as well as the time and budget you can devote to your travels. Typically, purchasing an around-the-world ticket is cheaper than booking individual flights.You must travel in one direction, east or west. There are other rules, as well, such as a minimum and maximum number of stopovers and the duration of the trip. The price point is based on the number of miles and stopovers you plan. Today, there are several on-line planners that help you experiment with your itinerary, the dates of travel, and the cost. For example, using Delta’s www.skyteam.biz planning template, I just created a three-month, 31,646-mile itinerary that costs $5,610 plus tax and fees, for one economy class ticket. (The business class version costs $12,210.) Originating in Atlanta, the itinerary has stops in Dublin, Athens, Rome, Paris, Oslo, Singapore, Perth, Sydney, and back to Atlanta. Using www.Staralliance.com, another possibility for around-the-world tickets, the same economy itinerary priced out at an estimated $4,815 plus tax and fees. The business class version costs an estimated $9,986. (The taxes can add as much as $2,000, depending on which airports you’re flying into.) But don’t book your tickets just yet…

How-To Feature

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December 2015 | January 2016 www.primemontgomery.com

YARD ‘N GARDEN

Growing Patience By Cheri Youngblood

grew up in New England and I remember my Grandpa putting a trowel in my hand for the first time when I was three years old, because I wanted so badly to help him. I was blessed that he was retired and willing to spend his days with an adoring granddaughter. Our backyards joined at the back of our lots so my mother never worried when I would run out the back door in the morning yelling that I was going to “dig in the dirt.” Don’t I remember those endless questions Grandpa would kindly answer Capital City Master Gardener Association FREE LUNCH & LEARN Noon – 1:00 P.M. December 2 Succulents are Addictive

Bring sack lunch, drinks provided Armory Learning Arts Center, 1018 Madison Ave. For more information, contact the Montgomery County Extension Office (334) 270-4133.

for me? “Grandpa, when will the apples be ripe enough to eat? When will it be time for me to help Grandma pick the currants? Can I help you pick the little tomatoes?” I was always ready to do these things, but it was not always the right time to do them. Grandpa would gently tell me things would be ready in God’s own time – not mine – no matter how badly I wanted them. Twenty years ago I saw a picture of an Amazon Lily in a Wayside Gardens catalogue. I thought it was lovely and immediately ordered it. When the plant came in the mail, there was only a huge bare root in a plastic bag. I planted it according to the directions – another of Grandpa’s lessons – and waited and waited and waited. I waited 14 long years, as the lily slowly grew in my Orchid house, in the dappled sunshine of the Florida woods. For all those years there was never any more to the plant than five or six bright, shiny leaves. I cannot tell you how many times I nearly tossed that plant right out the door because I was so tired of waiting, but its beautiful, shiny leaves –

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sparse as they were – always stopped me. Throughout that time I kept hearing my dear Grandpa’s voice saying, “Patience, Cheri.” One day, all of a sudden, the lily just woke up. It started growing by leaps and bounds and in no time at all I had my first flower stalk with its cluster of five blooms. They looked like flattened white daffodils and carried a delicate smell. Finally, a long seventeen years after I had first planted that root, the lily began to produce blooms. Today it fills the corner of my living room – heaven help me if it gets much bigger – and blooms several times a year. My Grandpa’s admonition, “Patience, Cheri,” was right on the mark.

Apply now at the Montgomery Co. Extension Office in Eastmont Shopping Center — 5340 Atlanta Hwy.

Classes: Each Thursday Dates: February 18th – May 5th Time: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Light lunch provided. Fee: $150.00, paid after acceptance. Hosted by Capital City Master Gardener Association For more information, call 334-270-4133, visit www.capcitymga.org or email capcitymga@gmail.com.

www.primemontgomery.com December 2015 | January 2016

FEATURE

Tips for Winter Car Care

arsh winter weather can be tough on vehicles, and the last thing any driver needs is to break down. Ensuring your vehicle is winter-ready now is a sensible approach to avoid the inconvenience of being stranded out in the cold. "An investment of an hour or two to have your vehicle checked is all it takes to have peace of mind and help avoid the cost and hassle of car trouble during severe weather," said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. Follow these steps this season to winterize your vehicle: T For good visibility, make sure that exterior and interior lights work and headlights are properly aimed. Also check to see that heaters, defrosters, lights and wipers work properly. Consider winter wiper blades and use cold weather washer fluid. T Very cold temperatures reduce a vehicle's battery power so it's important to keep the connections clean, tight and corrosion-free. Batteries don't always give warning signs before they fail completely, so if your vehicle's battery is more than three years old, it's wise to replace it. T Have the brakes inspected and check the tire tread depth and tire pressure. If snow and ice are a problem in your area, consider special tires designed to grip slick roads. During winter, tire pressure should be checked weekly. T Winter magnifies existing problems such as pings, hard starts, sluggish performance or rough idling, so have the problems fixed before the temperatures drop. T Clean, flush and put new antifreeze in the cooling system as needed and have the exhaust system checked for carbon monoxide leaks, which can be especially dangerous during cold weather driving when windows are closed. T Be diligent about changing the oil and filter at recommended intervals. Consider changing to "winter weight" oil if you live in a cold climate. Check the fuel, air and transmission filters at the same time. 10

December 2015 | January 2016 www.primemontgomery.com

Keep the gas tank at least half full at all times to decrease the chances of moisture forming in the gas lines and possibly freezing. T Check the tire pressure of the spare in the trunk and stock an emergency kit with an ice scraper and snowbrush, jumper cables, flashlight, blanket, extra clothes, bottled water, dry food snacks and medication. Store important telephone numbers in your cell T phone or glove box in case of a breakdown or travel emergency. Courtesy: Family Features. Source: Car Care Council.

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B A N K E R S LIFE

MONEYWISE

Consider Revisiting Roth

tion availability phases out starting at modified adjusted gross income of $116,000 for single filers and at $183,000 if married filing jointly. If your income exceeds the limit, you can circumvent the income limit by making a non-deductible contribution to a traditional Alan Wallace IRA and then promptly conRoth Basics verting it to a Roth, although some tax One of the main attractions of a may apply to the conversion. contribution to a traditional retirement account (like a 401(k) or IRA) is that it Roth Conversions is deductible on your tax return in the A Roth conversion takes place when year you make it. A Roth contribution someone with money in a traditional is not deductible. However, withdrawIRA moves some or all of it to a Roth. als from a traditional plan are taxable, A conversion may make sense whether whereas money taken from a Roth is you are working or have retired. A connot if the account has existed for at version is subject to the same income least 5 years and the owner is more than 59½. Having funds in both types of tax that would apply if you simply withaccounts provides beneficial flexibility in drew the money, except that there is no early withdrawal penalty. retirement. The natural question is, “Why would I trigger income tax sooner than necNew Roth Contributions essary?” Conversions are most adWhile Working vantageous in years when you would Most people can benefit by funding otherwise be in a comparatively low a Roth account during their working tax bracket. As discussed last month, years.You can contribute to a Roth IRA in some years you might pay only 10 or, if you participate in a 401(k) with percent or 15 percent federal tax on a Roth option, to that employer-spona Roth conversion, whereas you might sored plan. If you use a Roth IRA, pay owe 25 percent or more in some other attention to the applicable income and contribution limits. If you are over 49 in years. By forecasting your likely tax situation over a number of years, you 2015 you can contribute the lesser of can choose to absorb the tax hit at the $6,500 or 100 percent of your earned most opportune time. Also, the sooner income.You can also fund a Roth for you fund a Roth account, which starts a non-working spouse. Roth contribuRoth account is the only income tax-free (not just tax-deferred) account structure available to most people. If you do not have money in a Roth account, keep reading. Even if you are already retired or will soon leave the workforce, you may benefit from a Roth.

the 5-year clock, the sooner withdrawals will be tax-free. Here is a twist on Roth conversions for those interested in maximizing the opportunity. The IRS allows “recharacterizing” a Roth conversion (undoing the conversion) up to the time when you file your tax return for the year in which the conversion took place. Suppose that you decide $10,000 is the amount you want to convert in 2016 and your investment strategy for your IRA and Roth is half stocks and half bonds. In January 2016, you convert $20,000 and put $10,000 in stocks and $10,000 in bonds. Before filing your 2016 tax return sometime in 2017, you recharacterize (unconvert) whichever $10,000 performed less well, pulling those assets back into your IRA.You only pay tax on a $10,000 conversion and keep the one which provided the biggest benefit on the Roth side of the ledger. Including a Roth in your retirement plan could meaningfully enhance your situation. As always, you should carefully assess your situation before making any decisions. If you need guidance after doing your own reading and research, seek the assistance of a qualified professional. Alan Wallace, CFA, ChFC, CLU, is a Senior Private Wealth Advisor for Ronald Blue & Co.’s Montgomery office, www.ronblue.com/ location-al. He can be reached at 334-2705960, or by e-mail at alan.wallace@ronblue. com.

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www.primemontgomery.com December 2015 | January 2016

FEATURE

History Mystery: We know these people!

ith the help of Prime readers, our partnership with the Alabama Department of Archives and History has identified many people from our History Mystery photo series begun a year ago. WSFA-TV has also played a valuable role in identifying

these formerly “lost” individuals. Some of those identified gathered at Archives in November to meet each other and share their stories. Here is a sampling of the people who have been identified this year. The History Mystery series will continue in 2016.

All photos remain available on Archives’ and Prime’s websites. If you know anyone in the photos contact Meredith McDonough at 334-3535442, or meredith.mcdonough@archives. alabama.gov, or e-mail Prime magazine at primemontgomery@gmail.com.

Above:William Tutt (second from left), and siblings, children of King Tutt, band leader and keyboard player in this June, 1954 photo of their father and his band members. Original photo by Jim Peppler. William Tutt (son of King Tutt, keyboard player) | “My sister got the photo and she brought it to me. And I said ‘Oh Lord, look here.’ And I thought about it and I said, ‘I used to play with this band when I was 8 years old. And I remember the drummer and I remember all the fellas on the picture.’ I’d never seen the picture before so it was great to see it in a magazine now. All these young men in the picture taught me how to play in the band, how to be a man, how to act around people and how to do things.” Right: Charles Brightwell — Brightwell, second from right in the photo, attended the Open House of the Coca-Cola Bottling Company in Montgomery in 1953. Original photo by John Scott. Charles Brightwell | “I remember vaguely being there for the anniversary but we were 11 years old and not too interested in being dressed up and being nice. So we were all over the place and finally our parents took us home. My father was Assistant Gen. Manager of the Coca Cola Bottling Company at that time so we had to act nice. I was surprised to see my picture show up and that it was still around but then found out that John Scott’s family donated all his photos to the Archives, which was a wonderful thing because there’s about 30 years of wonderful history of the City of Montgomery at the disposal of the Archives now, if they can just identity the people in the collection!” 12

December 2015 | January 2016 www.primemontgomery.com

Left: Frank Myers — Myers, second from right in the photo, was a Goode Street Elementary School student in Montgomery when this photo was taken in the 1940s or 50. It was Myer’s chicken in the box. Original photo by Horace Perry. Above: Dorothy and LC Handey — Mrs. Handey (with purse in photo). Mt. Zion AME Zion Church in Montgomery. In this December, 1967 photo, the youth group “Buds of Promise” sing for a shut-in. LC Handey (right rear in the photo), drove the group to engagements. Original photo by Jim Peppler.

Frank Myers | “I have not seen this picture in years and years and years, but I do remember it. It was 3rd grade, and those were good years. This is just great. I just love this reliving the third grade.”

Dorothy Handey and LC Handey Dorothy: “I was the choir director (in the picture) in 1967. We went and serenaded at the hospital and house to house, at Christmas time and at Thanksgiving.” LC: “I’m just pleased to be able to see this picture again and identity so many children who are now in their adulthood, that I had no idea I’d ever seen them at this age. I was able to recognize the picture after I saw our first baby girl,Victoria — she made me recognize the event.” Left: Hope Wadsworth Mitchell — Mitchell is in costume as part of a Beef Month promotion by the AL Cattlemen’s Association in September, 1972. Original photo by John Scott. Hope Wadsworth Mitchell | “The (AL Cattlemen’s) Exec. Dir. asked me if I would be interested in being the Oct. Beef Queen? And so they got me a mini-dress with the cuts of beef on it, took my picture and I was on the cover of their magazine in 1972. It was an exciting time in my life because people all over the United States saw that picture. It was even put in the ‘No Comment’ page in Ms. Magazine!”

Above: Mitch Alton — Alton, far left in the photo, was a member of the “Soul Searchers,” performing in 1967 at the Montgomery Country Club for an annual dance held for 9th graders. Original photo by John Scott. Mitch Alton | “I was pretty excited to see the picture — we’d always wanted to be famous. We all look like babies in the picture, but I know we thought we were so cool…The Soul Searchers played together for about 3 1/2 years. Ham Wilson and I are still in a band together, The Gate Band.” www.primemontgomery.com December 2015 | January 2016 13

FEATURE

Shoes: Keep Out! M

By Ellen Breslau

ost of us routinely open the door after being outside and walk through the house with our shoes on.You likely never even give it a second thought. But maybe you should think again. Here are three very good reasons why you might want to check your shoes at the front door.

1. Bacteria Some bacteria are good for us, some harmful. A study conducted at the University of Arizona examined germs on shoes and found an average of 421,000 bacteria on the outsides of shoes, with nine different strains of bacteria. Some of the harmful strains found on shoes included Escherichia coli, otherwise known as E. coli, which can give you intestinal infections, diarrhea and in rare cases, meningitis; Klebsiella pneumoniae, which can cause urinary tract infections; and Serratia ficaria, which can cause respiratory infections.Yuck. How do the bacteria get there? "We walk through things like bird droppings, dog waste and germs on public restroom floors, all of which are sources for E. coli," says Kelly Reynolds, Ph.D., a microbiologist and professor at University of Arizona. "The unique thing about the shoe environment is that other things you walk on like leaves and debris, can serve as food for the bacteria and help them grow." That means potentially harmful bacteria can survive on your shoes for days or even weeks, Dr. Reynolds says. And that bacteria can be tracked onto your floors and carpets. It's even grosser if you think about resting your shoes on a piece of furniture, or on your bed.

2. Toxins Another potential concern are toxins. A study by the Battelle Memorial institute, a nonprofit research group, found that toxins from treating your lawn can easily be tracked into the house. A study from Baylor University found that people who live near asphalt roads sealed with coal tar have an increased risk of cancer from toxins. The toxins, they found, settled inside the house as dust particles. Those particles can be brought in on your shoes. "Think about rain water in the street," says Dr. Reynolds. It can have gasoline in it and chemicals, and those get on your shoes and can be brought into your home." Reynolds says the exposure to toxins would be long-term, but you would most likely have to be exposed many times over the course of your life in order to get sick. 3. Dirt "Dirt isn't harmful on its own," says Dr. Reynolds, but you probably want to keep it at a minimum, especially if you have toddler grandchildren who play on the floor. "Kids often put their hands in their mouths, or have toys on the floor and put them in their mouths," she says. One more plus to keeping your shoes at the door: It can cut down on how often you have to clean. Courtesy: grandparents.com

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SOCIAL SECURITY

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or many of us, preparing for winter involves pulling out heavy coats from the closet and making sure our vehicle is ready for intense weather. Whether your winter brings snow, ice, or flooding, you need to be prepared. Preparing for a possible physical or mental disability is the same. Many people don’t think of Kylle’ McKinney disability as something that could happen to them. Statistics show the chances of becoming disabled are greater than most realize. Fifty-six million Americans, or 1-in-5, live with a disability. Thirty-eight million Americans, or 1-in-10, live with a severe disability. A sobering fact for 20 year-olds is that more than a quarter of them will become disabled before reaching retirement age.

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Disability can happen to anyone. But who is prepared? When disability does happen, Social Security can help people meet their basic needs. Our disability programs provide financial and medical benefits for those who qualify to pay for doctors’ visits, medicines, and treatments. You can learn more about how you might be covered if you are disabled at www.socialsecurity.gov/planners/disability. Social Security pays benefits to people who worked and paid Social Security taxes, but who can no longer work and whose medical condition meets the strict definition of disability under the Social Security Act. A person is considered disabled under this definition if he or she cannot work due to a severe medical condition that has lasted or is expected to last at least one year or result in death. The person's medical condition must prevent him or her from doing work that he or she did in the past, and it must prevent the person from adjusting to other work based on their age, education, and experience. Supplemental Security Income (SSI), our other disability program, is a needs-based program for people with limited income and resources. You can find all the information you need about eligibility and benefits available to you by reading our publication, Disability Benefits, available at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs. While extreme winter weather may not affect all of us, the risk of being disabled and needing help isn’t based on geography. Chances are you know someone who is disabled or perhaps you live with a disability. If you wish to help a friend or family member — or need to plan for disability yourself — visit www.socialsecurity.gov/disability. Kylle’ McKinney, SSA Public Affairs Specialist, can be reached by e-mail at kylle.mckinney@ssa.gov. www.primemontgomery.com December 2015 | January 2016 15

TINSELTOWN TALKS

Heroes h Happy Endings Richard Anderson: “The Six Million Dollar Man” By Nick Thomas

(Above L-R) Alan Oppenheimer, Lee Majors, Richard Andeson in “The Six Million Dollar Man.” (Below) Anderson in “Curse of the Faceless Man.” (courtesy Richard Anderson)

December 2015 | January 2016 www.primemontgomery.com

ichard Anderson appeared in more than 200 films and TV shows throughout his career. But it’s not just his well-known role as security chief Oscar Goldman in “The Six Million Dollar Man” that elicits fan questions on the classic film/television convention circuit. “They always ask about ‘Curse of the Faceless Man’ which we made in 1958 and was my first lead film role,” said Anderson from Los Angeles. “It was a low-budget remake of ‘The Mummy’ two decades earlier, featuring a stone monster rather than one wrapped in bandages. I really just learned my lines and tried not to bump into the furniture.” Two years earlier, Anderson appeared briefly in the venerable sci-fi classic “Forbidden Planet.” “That was the last of two dozen movies I did for MGM,” he said. “Sci-fi feature films were rather new in 1956 and it changed the genre forever. The whole movie was shot on one stage and as filming progressed, the studio gave us more money and the best production staff. We turned out a firstclass movie that’s still impressive today.” Born in New Jersey and raised in New York, young Dick and his brother Bob were weekend matinee regulars at the 96th Street Motion Picture Theater, absorbed in their favorite films: westerns. “The stories had heroes and happy endings – I really wanted to live in that world,” recalled Anderson, who out-

lined his career in the 2015 autobiography “Richard Anderson: At Last ... A Memoir, From the Golden Years of M-G-M to The Six Million Dollar Man to Now” co-written with Alan Doshna (see www.bionik.com). But Richard wasn’t the only celebrity in his family. “Katharine, my second wife, was the daughter of Norma Shearer and MGM producer Irving Thalberg.” Richard and Katharine were married in 1961, so he never knew Thalberg who died in 1936, but says he was close to his mother-in-law. “Norma Shearer was very nice to me, she liked and respected me,” he said. “She gave us a party when we were married – Judy Garland was one of the guests. Norma had a house on the beach and when we visited her she would talk about her career and how she 'had it all' at one time.” While Shearer found fame in film and retired just as television was coming of age in the early 40s, it was

TV that made Anderson a household name when “The Six Million Dollar Man” exploded on the small screen in 1974 for five seasons. “It was a show that brought back the hero and happy endings, so I told

my agent I wanted the part even if I had to pay the producers to let me do it!” laughed Anderson, who also narrated the show’s famous introduction. “‘Gentlemen, we can rebuild him, we have the technology,’” he quoted. “You can’t imagine how many fans come up to me and say that. It’s the best TV show introduction ever written.” Anderson continued his Oscar Goldman role in three seasons of “The Bionic Woman,” becoming one of the few actors to portray the same character in different television series. As to why he took so long to write a book about his life: “My answer is simple,” says Anderson who turned 89 in August. “I’m still living it.” Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery, Ala., and has written features, columns, and interviews for over 600 magazines and newspa-

(Top) Anderson today. (courtesy Richard Anderson). (Above L-R) Jack Kelly,Warren Stevens, Leslie Nielsen, Richard Anderson in “Forbidden Planet.” (courtesy MGM)

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FEATURE

All in the Family By Sandra Polizos | Photos by Bob Corley

ela Foshee’s earliest kitchen memories are of “Little Granny” pulling her up to the table as a small child, so she could join the adults in cooking for the Elmore County family. “We had an old iron stove and my Little Granny would make up the yeast bread and put it in that iron skillet. I was only three-or-four-years-old, barely old enough to remember. But the smell of that bread cooking would just permeate the whole house and everybody couldn’t wait to get into it. In fact, that’s one of the recipes in the book.” “The book” is Foshee’s first cookbook, “Lela Foshee’s Personal Touch Catering: A Family Tradition,” a retrospective of a life spent cooking and feeding thousands of Alabamians for more than 50 years. The 174 entries – from Miss Pearlie’s Favorite Cornbread to Our Famous Buttermilk Chicken to Great Grandmother’s Lane Cake – reflect recipes handed down through generations and perfected by years of professional catering experience. Foshee’s comments on the history of various recipes and notes related to their preparation are interspersed throughout the collection. “My recipes are handed-down family recipes. I’ve added a little here, and a pinch of this and a pinch of that at times,” Foshee says. “But then some of them, like my banana nut bread – there must be a hundred recipes to banana nut bread but I tried recipe after recipe and it just wasn’t exactly what I was looking for. So I made up my own and now I’m happy with that.” Foshee’s Banana Nut Bread is one of Personal Touch Caterer’s best selling items. Though the octogenarian has been a professional caterer for half a century, her joy in cooking for others began long before that. Continued on page 20

December 2015 | January 2016 www.primemontgomery.com

Lelaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Homemade Red Velvet Cake 1-1/2 cups vegetable oil 2 large eggs 1-2/3 cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon white vinegar 1 cup buttermilk 1 tablespoon cocoa 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 teaspoon butter flavoring 3 tablespoons red food coloring 2-1/2 cups White Lily Self Rising Flour Preheat oven to 350 degrees. On medium speed mix oil, eggs and sugar until yellow and fluffy. In a bowl, add all dry ingredients together: flour, soda, cocoa powder; mix well. Pour dry ingredients into the egg and oil mixture. Add buttermilk, vinegar, flavoring and food color. Mix until completely blended. Pour cake into two 9-inch greased and floured pans and bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes or until the cake tester comes out clean. When the cakes come out of the oven, turn the cakes onto cake boards and cool. Frost when the cake is completely cool. (See Cream Cheese Icing, p.21.) Coconut Cake with Seven Minute Frosting 1 cup butter 2 cups granulated sugar 4 eggs 1 cup milk 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring 3 cups White Lily Plain or All Purpose Flour In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time until they are well-beaten. Add, alternately, butter, sugar, and eggs until well-mixed. Add vanilla and mix well. Pour the mixture into two 9-inch, greased and floured pans. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes or until the cake tester comes out clean. Cool in the pan from 8-10 minutes. Turn the cakes on to cake racks until cool. (See Seven Minute Frosting, p. 21.) The cake recipes featured in this article are reprinted with permission from Lela Foshee.These and other recipes may be found in Lela Fosheeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Personal Touch Catering: A Family Cookbook Tradition, available through Amazon or by mail: Personal Touch Cookbook, 9920 Wares Ferry Road, Montgomery, AL 36117. For more information, email carronmorrow@bellsouth.net. www.primemontgomery.com December 2015 | January 2016

Daughter Carron Foshee Morrow (l) and family matriarch Lela Foshee are Personal Touch Caterers’ principals, although the women say every member of the Foshee family has worked in the family business at one time or another.

“I’d just give people at the church their wedding cakes.You I was growing up. And I helped her make just pans and pans know, I’d make the cake as a gift. I took great pride in doing that of that dressing because she wanted all the shuts-ins and the for people who couldn't afford the expense of a wedding.” older people to eat well, you know. She wanted them to have Foshee never considered a career in food preparation until something nice for the holidays.” her two daughters married, only a few months apart. “I made At 85, Lela Foshee seems satisfied. She still loves to cook, saythe cakes, the dresses, the bridesmaids’ dresses – I really just ing it’s a gift from God. “If you enjoy what you’re doing it’s not got in over my head there for a while. But it turned out so work.You get tired, but you enjoy it. And you can just continuwonderfully and everybody was so complimentary.” ally be blessing somebody else’s life with cooking, with food. “A photographer there asked me for a business card. When I’ve got wonderful children and grandchildren and all the friends I told him we only did this for friends he said, ‘You really need that we’ve made in the catering business. I wouldn’t trade any to do it as a business and you need to name your place The of it for the world. I’ve had a great life.” Personal Touch because you just go all out.’ And that’s how we got started.” ™ Over the years, Foshee and her daughter Carron Morrow say they’ve cooked and caAssisted Living & Memory Care Community tered for every governor since George Wallace, and prepared food for a long and varied list of celebrities – from Reba McEntire to Ozzy Osbourne. “Hank Williams, Jr. even wanted to take us on the road,” Morrow says, with a wink and a grin. Of all the meals prepared by the family owned-and-operated business, Foshee says • Private & shared apartments. the fried chicken is probably the most well• Inclusive daily rates. known and a perennial favorite. Her own • Help with activities of daily living. favorite recipe? • Plan your activities with trained “My dressing at Christmas and Thanksgivstaff available to assist . ing. Because I boil my chickens and I don’t 1775 Halycon Blvd. use any croutons. None of that stuff. With Montgomery, AL 36117 just a couple of small changes, I make the 334-396-1111 same recipe that my mother made when

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December 2015 | January 2016 www.primemontgomery.com

Cream Cheese Icing 2-8 ounce packages cream cheese 1 cup real butter, soft 1-16 ounce package confectionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sugar, sifted 1 cup finely chopped pecans (optional) 1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring Beat the cream cheese and butter together in a mixing bowl on high until icing is fluffy. Scape the bowl with a rubber spatula and mix again until all is well-mixed. Gradually add in the confectionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sugar on medium speed. Lastly, add the vanilla and blend well. Frost your cake and enjoy. Seven Minute Frosting (There is no substitute frosting for this moist cake. Sometimes I juice an orange and pour the juice over the layers before icing.Get your timer out. I admit that seven minutes with a steady hand over boiling water is a sacrifice for your family, but I promise you will be happy you lasted the seven minutes.) 1 tablespoon water 3 egg whites (no yolk residue) 1 teaspoon cream of tartar 1-2/3 cup granulated sugar 1/4 cup white corn syrup (we love Karo) 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 cups shredded, frozen coconut Allow 1/4 pan of water to boil in the bottom half of a double boiler. Place the top boiler over this hot water and mix all of the ingredients with a hand mixer in the top boiler for SEVEN MINUTES. Peaks of frosting will begin forming into a light, white cloud of icing. After seven minutes take the top pan from the boiler and begin icing your cooled cake. If your cake is thick enough, we enjoy splitting each layer very carefully with a cake board between each piece. This gives your cake four, thin layers with this wonderful frosting. Moisten your coconut with a teaspoon of milk if not already moist enough for your liking.

Buttermilk Pound Cake 1-1/4 cup Crisco 6 eggs 3 cups granulated sugar 1 teaspoon lemon extract 1 teaspoon orange extract 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1-1/4 cup of buttermilk 3 cups all purpose flour Cream the Crisco, sugar and eggs until very creamy. Add extracts, milk and soda. Mix well. Slowly add flour and mix well with your mixer on medium speed for about two minutes. Bake in a well-greased and floured tube pan at 350 degrees for about 1 hour and 20 minutes. This is a great cake. I have made several of these in a day. They freeze easily. Therefore, bake enough to keep on hand for special occasions. Your friends will think you worked and slaved over a stove all day! To freeze: Cool the cake and place in a large freezer bag so that it does not get freezer burn. Definitely never freeze a cake in foil. The cake will pick up that frozen, undesirable taste. www.primemontgomery.com December 2015 | January 2016

FEATURE

The Heifer Ranch covers 1,200 acres, 200 acres for educational purposes and 1,000 used in other ways that help the foundation. (photo courtesy Heifer Ranch)

Camels and Goodwill A Holiday Story By Andrea Gross | Photos by Irv Green (Editor’s Note: Heifer International is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to end hunger and offer a means of self-reliance to the world’s poor.The humanitarian group, based in Little Rock, AR, currently provides livestock, trees, seeds and training in environmentally sound agriculture to families in 30 countries, including the United States.)

of the world rarely seen by tourists. This Tibet is not one of monks and monasteries, gilded statues and golden Buddhas. Rather it’s the Tibet of oftforgotten communities, the Tibet of the poor. My husband and I like to travel for many reasons, but our primary goal is to learn and understand how people live today. Thus, for us, Heifer Ranch – 45 miles northwest of Little Rock – is a grand travel opportunity, a chance to see the world without a passport.

trudge up steps made of mud and tires, duck under a string of multi-colored prayer flags and enter a round structure with a peaked roof. “You’re in Tibet,” says the guide. Heifer International Well, sort of. But this Tibet is in Heifer International got its start in central Arkansas rather than central the 1930s when an Indiana aide worker Asia, part of the Global Village at Heifer named Dan West realized that starving Ranch, which in turn is part of an exchildren needed more than small handtraordinary program that depicts areas December 2015 | January 2016 www.primemontgomery.com 22

outs of rationed food. “These children don’t need a cup of milk; they need a cow,” he said. To test his theory, he sent heifers to underprivileged families in Puerto Rico with the understanding that the recipients would give the animals’ female offspring to neighbors, who in turn would pass on that cow’s offspring to yet other families. Eventually, the majority of the villagers owned livestock, and the community became self-sufficient. As the project expanded, West began raising animals on a ranch in the United States and distributing them to needy families abroad, but soon the cost became prohibitive. Today the Arkansas ranch property is used for educational and inspirational purposes.

(Above) Hands-on museum explains Heifer’s program and philosophy. (Right) Replica of the home of a nomadic Tibetan family.

In this way, “passing on the gift” has come to mean more than passing on the gift of an animal; it also means passing on the gift of awareness. As visitors to The Ranch become more aware of conditions in poor communities, they share their knowledge, resources and skills to help Heifer attain its goal, which is to do no less than end hunger and poverty around the world. It’s a noble plan, one that seems particularly apropos now, in the midst of the holiday season. We’re driving to the Visitor Center, the radio tuned to a station that’s playing Christmas songs, when we suddenly spot a camel resting peacefully in a wooden shelter. A camel in Arkansas? It seems that miracles abound at Heifer. All that’s missing is two more camels and three wise men. An Educational Farm Today the main purpose of Heifer Ranch is as a Learning Center. The Ranch only provides formal tours for large groups, but staff and volunteers do their best to accommodate individuals. We’re in luck. A recent retiree who’s spending several months working at Heifer offers to zoom us around in a golf cart. “Camels were used in our Tanzania project,” he explains.

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of experiential workshops, “Between the gift of a camel during which organized and Heifer-provided training groups spend anywhere in sustainable agriculture and from a few hours to several animal husbandry, the villagdays getting a glimpse what ers were able to raise their it’s like to live in poverty. standard of living considerThey milk goats, gather eggs, ably. The Tanzanian project is care for pigs, till the fields a typical success story.” and tend to vegetable Our first stop is the gardens. If they stay in the Tibetan House. While it’s Guatemalan house, they made of canvas, a sign may make tortillas; if they’re informs us that in the “real” assigned to the African hut, Tibet, it would be made they may make bricks with from yak hair and sheep’s primitive tools. During the wool. The design allows it spring lambing program, to be collapsed as the family A re-created Guatemalan farm shows how, with the help of Heifer, an women may even help defollows the yaks from one impoverished community can begin to lift itself out of poverty. liver lambs. grazing ground to another. Participants in all Heifer We move on to see other programs invariably say it’s a life-changing experience, one parts of this recreated world: a Thai shack perched on stilts, a that opens their eyes as well as their hearts. It enables them group of African huts with conical roofs, a ramshackle Apto see the world and at the same time pass on the gift — be palachian cabin, a generic urban warehouse cobbled together it the gift of a goat to an impoverished village, a basket made from scrap metal, and a dilapidated school bus that once by an artisan in a developing country, or simply the gift of served as a home for a family in the Mississippi delta. Finally we stop at a “Guatemalan” farm consisting of a small spreading the word. This is travel – and Christmas – at its best. cinderblock house, a raised garden bed and, thanks to solar For more on Heifer’s programs and gift-giving opportunities, panels, electricity at night. It’s almost luxurious compared to see www.heifer.org. To read more information on other exciting the other homes. destinations, visit www.traveltizers.com. These structures are used in Heifer’s extensive program

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5 Things You Don’t Know About Hospice People who choose hospice live longer than those who do not. “According to a 2010 study in the New England Journal of Medicine, patients receiving early palliative care experienced less depression, had better quality of life, and survived 2.7 months longer.” People who choose hospice report having a better quality of life. Pain and symptoms are better managed. Fear and apprehension are reduced. Energy can be used to spend time with loved ones doing enjoyable activities rather than sitting in doctor’s offices and long hospital stays. Hospice brings healthcare to your home, rather than having to go to the hospital. “Seven out of 10 Americans say they would prefer to die at home, according to a CNN poll, but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 25 percent actually do.” Hospice helps the whole family. An interdisciplinary team approach is taken to help the patient and their family or caregivers cope with the challenges they are

facing. Each person is cared for by a Registered Nurse and the care is overseen by a Medical Director (physician). Individuals can choose whether or not they need a Licensed Social Worker, Spiritual Care Coordinator (Chaplain) and a Certified Nursing Assistant. Medical, Social, Emotional and Spiritual Needs are addressed for each person and their support system. As needs increase, hospice care increases. It is never too early to talk about your wishes. The best time to talk about healthcare choices is now. Many families are together during the holidays.Perhaps this year is the time to have an open and honest conversation about how you want your life wishes to be honored. Perhaps you need help knowing how. Comfort and Conversation is a program Comfort Care Hospice provides to help guide you through the challenging issues of health care and end of life. Call if we can be of any assistance (334) 514-0244. (“Why Hospice Is More Important Today Than Ever Before,” by Dan Hogan, National Association for Home Care and Hospice.)

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GAMES ACROSS 1 Some portrait frames 6 Noble __ 11 Singsong syllable 14 With 15-Across, accounting unit 15 See 14-Across 16 Like some aces 17 Manage 18 Walking __ 19 Sound after a satisfying swig 20 Scotch cocktails 22 Zenith 23 "I won't hurt you" 26 Not as deliberate 28 Toothbrush-endorsing org. 29 With 31-Across, anathema 31 See 29-Across 32 Worlds 35 __ legend 37 Question about change, which hints at the hidden feature of four two-part puzzle answers 42 Blue Grotto locale 43 "Ramona and Beezus" costar Gomez 44 With 47-Across, some receivers 47 See 44-Across

49 Set-__ 50 Malady in the 2000 film "Memento" 52 Like the best occult films 55 It's about a foot 56 Yield figures 58 Figure under a line 59 Fife-and-drum drum 60 Two cents 64 Bardic before 65 With 66-Across, National Book Award-winning novel by Don DeLillo 66 See 65-Across 67 "M*A*S*H" titles 68 Private 69 Mount DOWN 1 Pigs out (on) 2 Center of gravity? 3 Presidential nickname 4 Petrol unit 5 Gave up a seat 6 One of six British kings 7 Year in Tuscany 8 "Wait for me" 9 Pension law signed by Ford, briefly 10 Jordan neighbor: Abbr. 11 Gillette razor

12 Hole enlarger 13 Cleave 21 Comes to the surface 22 Harsh-sounding, to some 23 Traffic stopper? 24 Notion 25 "Elf" actor 27 Shoshone Falls river 30 Shroud city 33 Chinese evergreen 34 Zoo security features 36 Droopy-eared hound 38 Wonderful container? 39 Bordeaux bean? 40 "The Dukes of Hazzard" officer 41 Tammany Hall caricaturist 44 Mortarboard frill 45 "That upset me!" 46 Speakers of Tolkien's Noldorin language 48 Costing more 51 Corporate raider Carl 53 Jockey's handful 54 "This __ a drill!" 57 Mechanical repetition 59 Prefix with light or night 61 "Easy as __!" 62 Wear and tear 63 Former Ohio Governor Strickland 2015 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, INC.ÂŠ

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FEATURE

Bridging the Distance Six Gifts to Brighten the Holidays

By Elizabeth Incarnation

he holidays can be challenging for grandparents who won't be sitting by the tree when kids open their presents. If you can't be there, you can still make sure the kids feel your presence. When selecting gifts, focus on the personal and meaningful; steer away from the latest toys that they will use and set aside before you see them again. The following suggestions can help you start new traditions and create lasting memories for your long distance grandchildren. Make an Impression Start an annual tradition of sending each grandchild a specially chosen ornament for the family Christmas tree.You might try to get the ornament while you're on vacation and set it aside for the holidays with other gifts from your travels. If your family celebrates Chanukah, give each of your grandchildren a menorah and when you visit, make homemade candles with them to use during the holiday even if you'll be back at home. Look Ahead If you can't see the kids in December, send them something special they can enjoy with you when you do get together. Add to their excitement about an upcoming spring or summer adventure by sending a package with everything they'll need. A backyard camping kit might include a tent, sleeping bag, canteen, and flashlight; a beach package could combine sand toys, a beach towel, a child-size chair, and cool sunglasses. More Than Just the Ticket Many older kids seem to have everything they need, and it's tough to keep up with their tastes in music or fashion, so send them something money can't (entirely) buy â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the promise of an all-day, one-on-one experience with you. Surprise your grandchild with two tickets to a basketball game or Broadway-style show, as well as gift

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certificates to their favorite restaurant and arcade. To build their anticipation, include a small souvenir like a team cap or shirt, or the soundtrack to the musical you'll see. Even the most jaded teens will appreciate the special time you'll spend together. A Library of Love

Many of your grandchildren's gifts will be torn from their packages, overused, and tossed aside by Valentine's Day. But the kids could treasure a collection of great books forever. Foster your grandchildren's love of reading by sending them a collection of classic stories and give it a contemporary spin by mixing in some lesser-known masterpieces. Take it one step further for younger grandkids by making recordings of

yourself reading the bedtime stories you send them.Your grandchildren will hear the love in your voice every time they pull out the books and read along with you. Commission Some Artwork Art supplies are a perennial favorite for kids of all ages, but grandparents don't always get the opportunity to see the enchanting works their favorite young artists create. To solve this problem, include several oversized, self-decorated, selfaddressed, stamped envelopes with your art-supply packages. Write your grandchildren a note, with your own artwork in the margins, encouraging them to create some new pieces for your home and to send those drawings or paintings to you. Make Family History Kids love to hear stories about when you (and their parents) were young. Give them a fuller picture of the old days by putting some of those stories to paper. Go through your old photos and scan and print some of the best snapshots of you and your kids — or affix the pictures to some heavy-stock paper. Below the photos, write the stories of who's who, where everyone is, and what you're all doing. Use scrapbooking supplies from your local craft store to create a memory book that the kids will treasure for years. As a bonus, send your grandkids pocket digital cameras and journals to record their own life and times for posterity. Courtesy: grandparents.com, a lifestyle site celebrating the grandparent community by providing trusted information about family & relationships, health & well-being, travel & retirement, and more. Follow the site on Twitter (@grandparentscom) and on Facebook.

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IN EVERY LIFE

Gift Idea: A Family Health Portrait W

e think of gift-giving at this holiday time. What are some of the most memorable gifts that you have received? What made those gifts memorable? Was it the thoughtfulness of the giver or the anticipation of how you would use the gift? Repeatedly in healthcare, I observe people who treasure the gifts received from family or friends that did NOT come from a store. Arlene Morris When reflecting on their life, often people desire to leave a legacy for family or friends. Sometimes this is a financial inheritance, but often the legacy is treasured family recipes, photos or videos, a heritage of community or faith-based service, connections with people, or a special skill set. Another type of legacy that you may consider is a record of your family history. Who were the people in your family? During what historical periods did they live? Consider the impact of contributions from the greatest generation during the early and mid-1900s. Those who lived in other decades faced

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challenges of those times. Relating your memories of family members situated in the time in which they lived can provide examples of coping with challenges. Focusing on challenges experienced by different family members, how they coped (or not), and any resultant effects can provide examples for younger generations. Including health concerns that were experienced and cause of death (if known) provides information that can be used to identify potential genetically linked risks. It can be fascinating to compare treatment and outcomes from past decades with advances that have been made. For example, in the previous century common causes of death included tuberculosis or polio, both of which have been reduced because of the development of specific medications or vaccinations. However, without appropriate use of the medications, there is risk of recurrence or drug-resistance. Additionally, knowing family history can guide decisions regarding genetic testing for potential disease development. Recalling family members’ experiences can also prompt family or friends to possibly make a New Year’s resolution to seek health assessment or screening for issues they may not have previously considered. Developmental theorists actually have identified that during middle and older age, people have a strong desire to pass on lessons learned to contribute to the next generation. This year, consider contributing to your family’s health information by giving a family health history. Information can be shared verbally or in writing. If you desire to use a form, “My Family Health Portrait,” is an online tool from the U. S. Surgeon General for collecting family health histories. See https://familyhistory.hhs.gov/FHH/html/index.html. Arlene H. Morris, EdD, RN, CNE, is Professor of Nursing, Auburn Montgomery School of Nursing, and a past president of the Ala. State Nurses Association. Reach her at amorris@aum.edu www.primemontgomery.com December 2015 | January 2016

PRIME DIVERSIONS

Recent dvd releases

Mission Impossible: Rouge Nation, A Walk in the Woods, Ant-Man Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation (PG-13) It’s true. Tom Cruise returns as Ethan Hunt, the big-screen successor to Peter Graves’ head of TV’s original IM Force, Jim Phelps, for the fifth time. That’s one shy of Sean Connery’s turns as James Bond; one more than Harrison Ford’s gigs as Indiana Jones; equal to the total of spy flicks in which Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan was played by four different actors, including Ford. Formulas must be followed. Iconic theme songs must be deployed. Evildoers and their schemes for global domination must escalate. Check, check and check. And let’s not forget that Cruise, like Chuck Norris before him, must be surrounded by a cast that makes Hunt’s height appear to reach a higher percentile than that of the guy who plays him. Cruise’s Hunt is poised to stop the creepy dude behind The Syndicate’s sinister blueprint for destabilizing the world we know. For nearly two hours, he and the team chase the baddies through several exotic locales while also dodging Alec Baldwin’s CIA minions, leading to scenarios that are far-fetched even for such espionage fare. The plot is aided by dangled questions of whether several key players’ hats should really be white or black, and what harm any deception will cause. The film still delivers suitable doses of action, humor, intrigue and scenery that should satisfy franchise and/or Cruise fans, and tide them over until Round 6. That’s more of a “when” than an “if…”

A Walk in the Woods (R) In this amiable dramedy, Robert Redford plays a respected, mostlyretired travel writer, living pleasantly in New England with a loving family. Some vague residual combination of wanderlust, pride and ennui inspires him to hike the Appalachian Trail for one final adventure before the ravages of aging take such options off his menu. Unlike a certain former South Carolina governor, his goal is the actual 2,200-mile trek, not a fanciful cover for other types of age-denying endeavor. Among the many old friends and colleagues he invites to join him, the only taker is a dissipated former travel companion (Nick Nolte) he hadn’t seen — or missed — for 40 years. Once they hit the trail, we get a leisurely package tour of their backstories, accented with how they handle the journey and interact with people and challenges along the way. Director Ken Kwapis wisely gives the old pros room to be all they can be, while making the pristine settings a vivid asset, both visually and thematically. Despite my devout aversion to prolonged exercise or any form of “roughing it” ever since infantry training 32

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drained all sense of pleasure from hiking or camping, Kwapis almost made this journey seem appealing. The package adds up to a pleasant, if not Mark Glass riveting, way to spend a couple of hours in the seats enjoying how two fine actors take care of their business on the trail. Kristen Schaal, Mary Steenburgen and Nick Offerman stand out among the supporting players. The plot is blissfully free of excess, making the stars and their experience relatively relatable.

Ant-Man (PG-13) Regular readers have likely picked up my leanings of summers largely dominated by bigbudget movies based on comic book superheroes. I vastly prefer those that have fun with their subject over those taking such fantasies too seriously. Give me Robert Downey Jr.’s wisecracking Iron Man over all the brooding Batman sagas any day. Same for the amiable rogues from Guardians of the Galaxy compared to any of their darker, more dramatic counterparts fighting evil throughout the cosmos. So who better than Mr. Nice Guy Paul Rudd to become a reluctant savior with highly unlikely powers courtesy of Marvel Comics? All hail Stan Lee. In this case, a scientist (Michael Douglas) created a supersuit and chemical cocktail that enables its occupant to instantly shrink, as needed, while also commanding an army of ants via a bonus mind-linking device. Paul’s character is like a Spiderman without all the angst and low self-esteem. We’re given just enough backstory to flesh out a sympathetic sentimental side to his persona, without the other guy’s bouts of guilt and moping. The plot is typical — demented corporate jerk perverting possibly-beneficial science into an ultimate existential threat – but perfectly suited to introducing newbies to this hero, his family and a few bumbling buddies. For a director whose resume shows mostly sitcoms and a couple of rom-coms, Peyton Reed delivers a fine package of pace and character development, deftly weaving the comedy, sentiment and computer-generated action into a cohesive final product. Sequels are certain, and will be most welcome. Side note - Gifted comic actress Judy Greer plays a marginal role as Rudd’s ex-wife. Her screen time is comparable to her turn as the mom worrying from afar in the latest Jurassic Park blockbuster. Between the two, her box-office braggin’ rights for 2015 will be off the charts.

Mark Glass is an officer and director of the St. Louis Film Critics Association.

December/January Calendar Gardening Lunch & Learn: FREE “Succulents are Addictive.” Dec.2. Free. Noon-1 pm. Armory Learning Arts Center, 1018 Madison Ave, Montgomery. Bring sack lunch. Drinks provided. Capital City Master Gardener Assn. For info contact Mtgy. Co. Extension Office (334) 2704133.

Support Groups Grief, Divorce, Adoption. Millbrook First United Methodist Church. Grief: Sundays, 5–7 p.m.; Divorce: Sundays, 5-7 p.m.; Adoption: 4th Tuesday 6-7:30 p.m. For info call the church office, 334- 285-4114 or email churchoffice@mfumc.org.

Live Music Old Alabama Town Revue, Old Alabama Town, Dec. 3, 7 p.m. Songs old and new, along with familiar favorites by a variety of local and regional artists. For info call 334-240-4500.

Volunteer Alabama Dept. of Archives & History All ages, with hours to match your schedule. Lead tours, greet visitors, work in the Museum Stores, work with staff in archive collections. Contact Kathy Logan, 334-353-4745, kathy. logan@archives.alabama.gov.Visit www.museum.alabama.gov/ getinvolved. Mtgy Area Council on Aging — Respite Care: companionship for hospice patients — Medical Outreach Ministries (M.O.M.): office help — Habitat for Humanity: office help — Old Alabama Town: guides, reception desk — Baptist Hospital East & South: reception desks — John Knox Manor: activities with residents Contact Allison Shehane (Mtgy. Co.) 334-782-7254, ashehane@macoa.org; Shirley Stewart (Autauga, Elmore Co.s), 334-595-0841, sastewart@macoa.org.

Joe Thomas, Jr. Guitar Pull, Dec. . 15, 7-9 pm. Cloverdale Playhouse, Old Cloverdale. Songwriters perform/discuss their music. $10 (includes beverages). For info call 334-262-1530 or visit www.cloverdaleplayhouse.org. Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show 45th Annual Montgomery Gem & Mineral Society show. Dec. 4-6, Garrett Coliseum. Gem stones, finished jewelry, crystals, geodes, tools, demonstrations. $2 or $3 for weekend passes. For info visit www.montgomerygemandmineralsociety.com. Live Theatre “Radio TBS (Trailer Park Broadcasting Scandals)” Wetumpka Depot Players, 300 Main St., Wetumpka. Dec. 7-15 (staggered dates). Tickets available at wetumpkadepot.com, or by calling 334-868-1440. “The Long Christmas Dinner,” and “The Santaland Dairies.” Cloverdale Playhouse. Dec. . 10-20. Tickets $18 general admission, $12/person groups of 10+, $10 students. For info/tickets call 334-262-1530 or visit www.cloverdaleplayhouse. “Ain’t Misbehavin’ ” Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Starts Jan. 28 (see page 30 for ticket contact).

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Newcomers Club of Montgomery Monthly luncheon. Dec. 17, 11:30 am-1:30 pm. Arrowhead CC. $18. Reserve space by noon Dec. 14. Guests will demonstrate Filipino Tinikling Dancing. Call Jan Burdette 334-5939266, or e-mail jan8410@bellsouth.net. For info visit www. newcomersmontgomery.com. Monthly luncheon. Jan. 28, (same time/location/cost/contact). Reserve space by noon Jan. 25. Guest will discuss Estate Planning. Brewery Collectibles Buy, Sell, Swap: FREE Brewery Collectibles Club of America. Jan. 16, 2016, 8 am-2 pm, Good People Brewing Company,114 14th St S, Bham, AL 35233. Free admission. For information contact Ray Kynard, 334-272-1823, jrkynard@yahoo.com.

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OFF THE BEATEN PATH

M itch By the time he came to know “Mitch,” as his grandfather called him, Mitch was an accomplished angler in his own right, though one long-past his prime. Mitch had spent his entire career around the water, fishing both the fresh and the salt. Whether it was his determined work ethic or the fact he could always be counted on when needed didn’t matter; his grandfather admired Mitch greatly. Mitch had countless trophies under his belt, some that probably still swim. Given his preference, Mitch didn’t fool with small fish – sure, he would pull one in occasionally, sometimes it was unavoidable – but he purposefully targeted big fish. Despite the grandfather’s penchant to fish all day, he always called it quits long before Mitch, who was broad-shouldered, lean-waisted and built to work. Whether it was striper and cats in the fresh, or redfish, tarpon and gag grouper in the salt, Mitch didn’t care. He was as at home drifting the river channel at the whims of the current, dangling chunks of fresh shad over submerged timber as he was anchored up in the pass on an outgoing tide, free-lining live shrimp and blue crabs down amongst the bridge pilings. “Mitch old boy, they don’t make ‘em like you anymore,” his grandfather had said dozens of times after particularly good days on the water. Of French descent, perhaps it was the fact they’d both left Europe by boat bound for America long ago, but Mitch and the grandfather shared a special bond, fishing together for years as often as possible. The grandfather fished with a few Japanese and Swedish fellows from time to time, but targeting big fish meant Mitch was bound to be aboard. Eventually the grandson started tagging along on the fishing trips and over time he, too, came to admire Mitch. Just like him and his grandfather, Mitch didn’t need much and just like them, he loved to fish. After his grandfather’s death, the grandson made it a point to ensure Mitch always had a place on the boat even if the old man who’d introduced them was gone. They grew closer, fishing new places, chasing new species, making new memories and co-starring in more than a few tall tales. For several years Mitch was a standard guest aboard whenever the quarry was big fish, posted dutifully at the rear of the lean post, a perch affording more room than alongside the helm of the center console. But time is unforgiving, even to one as able as Mitch, and eventually the salt spray, sun and hard life of a dedicated fisherman took their toll. After one particular trip to the coast, Mitch developed some instability – a wobble really – that soon grew to affect his movement to the point he could 34

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barely fish. It was clear that for Mitch to have any hope of chasing fins again, significant rehab was likely in order. As they walked through the door together he was unsure what all was in store for Mitch. The man behind the counter – probably close to Mitch’s age – set them at ease. “Ahh, a Mitchell 402. Looks to be a ...” he said holding the reel up to the light to make out the worn lettering stamped into the metal. “Yep, a Saltwater edition. This one is vintage for sure.” “It was a gift from my grandfather,” the grandson replied, “and we caught a lot of fish with it. Is it time to put it on the shelf?” The man gave the reel a once over, slowly turning the handle and working the bail back and forth. “It’s a little rough on the outside, but these things were built like tanks,” the man said. As he put the reel through its paces, a subtle crunching from inside – like sand grinding on metal – was audible and he popped off the metal side plates for a better look. “Ok. The good news is I can fix it,” he said, “but honestly, for the price of parts and labor I could sell you a new Shimano or Abu Garcia.Your call, captain.” The grandson looked down at Mitch, parts laid bare on the glass counter, and felt a tinge of guilt for not being more diligent in his maintenance. Directly below Mitch on a shelf with other reels, he could see the new Japanese and Swedish-made models the man had mentioned, along with their three-figure price tags. He swallowed hard. They were shiny and modern-looking compared to Mitch’s chipped paint, but their side plates were plastic, graphite at best. Their internals were certainly more complicated but they also weren’t decades-old. He thought of all the steady pressure Mitch’s drag had placed on hooked fish, allowing them to be worn down and netted or gaffed. He looked down at the new reels and back up at Mitch once more. “Just get him back in fightin’ shape,” he told the man. “They don’t make ‘em like that anymore.” Niko Corley is a USCG-licensed charter boat captain and spends his free time on the water or in the woods. To contact him e-mail niko.corley@gmail.com.

Niko Corley

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