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6 Tips for a better family reunion

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May 2015

Table of Contents Editor’s Note 4 Quick Reads 6 Yard ‘n Garden 8

A case of murder

A Gracious Plenty 9

Something sweet for Mother’s Day

Our History 10

Do you know these people?

MoneyWi$e 11

Back in the house: ground rules

Looking Good When Tired 12 10 easy tips

Social Security 14

Help mom on Mother’s Day

In Every Life 15

Re-starting your exercising

Good Credit? Bad Credit? 16 Getting credit afer 62

Blood of Heroes 20

Aircraft on display at the World War II Museum in New Orleans. Exhibits illustrate the contributions and sacrifices made by “The Greatest Generation,” You may even have the chance to meet a WWII Veteran face-to-face. (Page 20. Photo by Callie Corley)

New Orleans’ WWII Museum

Family Reunion 24

5 tips to make it easier

Puzzles 27 Tinseltown Talks 28

Dancing to success: Leslie Caron

Prime Celebrating Midlife and Beyond

FREE FOR YOU

May 2015

6 Tips for a better family reunion

Hearing Loss 30

Summer is the time for family reunions.

Make your reunion a little easier with these tips on planning and executing an event that will bring relatives from near and far together. (Page 24).

(Image: 123rf.)

Everyday noises that damage hearing

Downsizing? 31

Make some dough when you do

Medicare 33

Hospice benefits

May DVD Releases 35 Diabetes 36

Not just about weight

Calendar 37 Off the Beaten Path 38 Quite the pear

www.primemontgomery.com | May 2015

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Prime H

EDITOR’S NOTE

MONTGOMERY

May 2015 Vol. 6, Issue 2

PUBLISHER Bob Corley, primemontgomery@gmail.com EDITOR Sandra Polizos, primeeditor@gmail.com ART DIRECTOR Callie Corley, primemagdesign@gmail.com WRITERS Callie Corley, Claire Yezbak Fadden, Jennifer Gehlen, Sara Schwartz, Dawn Wilder CONTRIBUTORS Niko Corley, Mark Glass, Kylle’ McKinney, Bob Moos, Arlene Morris, Nick Thomas, Alan Wallace, Barbaba Witt PHOTOGRAPHERS Callie 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.

ow is your mental acuity? Do common tasks you once did without thinking take longer to complete?

There are numerous virtual programs that claim to improve your memory and sharpen your brain. To get my vote they’re going to have to provide more actual clinical research.

However, there is much research about the value of learning new activities in promoting brain health and improving, or at least slowing, memory loss. One of those is learning a new skill or starting a new activity that engages you to the exclusion of all else.

Several months ago I began an oil painting art class with former Montgomery Public School art teacher Judie Hooks. She’s organized The Capital City Artists — a talented group of men and women who paint together every week and hold an exhibit each October at the Armory Learning Arts Center, When I told my husband I was going to learn to paint, his reply was that we’d had the house painted a year ago, and I should learn something else. (His humor knows no bounds.)

I’ve never taken an art class before, not even in school, but it’s a “bucket list” activity I’d always promised myself I’d try during retirement.

After registering for the class, I had a great time buying supplies…the oil paints, the brushes, the palette knives. I searched high and low for the right bag to hold my supplies. After all, what self-respecting artist could hold their head high without the proper supply bag? I felt unbelievably cool purchasing all these items that are the instruments of real, honest-to-God artists.

The intimidation didn’t set in until I’d purchased the first canvas, and it came on suddenly. The gut wrenching, stomach churning realization abruptly hit me: all that white would need to be covered. With oil paints. Worse yet, by me.

The canvas was like a new acquaintance that didn’t know English. To communicate, I’d need to speak a language totally foreign to me.

Cue the music. This is where I’m supposed to say how artistically fluent I’ve become. How many great works have poured out of me. Not so. Since November I’ve awkwardly finished three pieces, inching along, but beginning, at least, to understand concepts of tone, temperature and texture.

No masterpieces yet. Not even close. But along the way something significant and totally unexpected has occurred. I’ve discovered a new pursuit in which I can lose myself. It’s been a long while since I sat down to an activity and — seven hours later — found myself still there, busily engaged, wondering where the time went.

Just when you think you can’t learn something new, and your brain is on the way to the beach for a vacation while your body stays at home, it happens.

I don’t know if this new endeavor is increasing my mental acuity. I still make way too many trips back up the stairs to retrieve things forgotten on the trip down. But what I do know is my new-found interest is an engaging pursuit that’s forcing me to learn new things. These oil paints, this blank canvas, this palette knife, may or may not be improving my memory, but at 62, they are providing something memorable.

Sandra Polizos Editor

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May 2015 | www.primemontgomery.com

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QUICK READS Depression, Self-Esteem & Stress Depression has been linked to low self-esteem, although the relationship is complex and it is not clear if one condition causes the other. New research suggests that people with depression who develop greater self-esteem as they get older may be better able to adapt to stress. The findings, published in Psychoneuroendocrinology, are based on a four-year study measuring cortisol levels in 147 older adults, average age

71. Cortisol levels were tested 1) when the study started, 2) two years later, and 3) at the end of the study. Cortisol is a hormone released in response to stress; higher levels indicate greater stress.

Compared with participants in whom self-esteem increased, adults in whom self-esteem declined over the first two years had steeper increases in cortisol levels over the next two years, particu-

larly those who had more depressive symptoms. Cortisol levels were not significantly increased in participants who had fewer depressive symptoms.

The good news is that depression treatments known to help improve self-esteem, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, may also help to relieve stress.

— Depression and Anxiety (Scientific American, Health After 50)

Vitamin K & Slow Cognitive Decline It’s possible adding more spinach, kale, collards and mustard greens to your diet could help slow cognitive decline, according to new research. The study also examined the nutrients responsible for the effect, linking vitamin K consumption to slower cognitive decline for the first time.

"Losing one's memory or cognitive abilities is one of the biggest fears for people as they get older," said Martha Clare Morris, Sc.D., assistant provost for community research at Rush University Medical Center and leader of the research team. "Since declining cognitive ability is central to Alzheimer's disease and dementias, increasing consumption of green leafy vegetables could offer a very simple, affordable and non-invasive way of potentially protecting your brain from Alzheimer's disease and dementia.”

The researchers tracked the diets and cognitive abilities of more than 950 older adults for an average of five years and saw a significant decrease in the rate of cognitive decline for study participants who consumed greater amounts of green leafy vegetables. People who ate one to two servings per day had the cognitive ability of a person 11 years younger than those who consumed none.

When the researchers examined individual nutrients linked with slowing cognitive decline, they found vitamin K, lutein, folate and beta-carotene were most likely helping to keep the brain healthy.

— Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology

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May 2015 | www.primemontgomery.com

Cognitive Advantages of a 2nd Language Learning to communicate in more than one language may have a positive effect on your cognitive abilities later in life. According to a new study, the effect seems to occur even when the second language is acquired during adulthood, and it remains even if the additional language is infrequently used.

The study, published in Annals of Neurology, assessed 853 native English speakers, average age 72.5, who first took an IQ at 11 years old. A series of cognition tests were administered and compared to the subjects childhood IQ test results. Bilingual study participants scored significantly better than predicted compared to monolingual participants, based on their childhood IQ results. This was regardless of whether the second language was learned before they were 18 or after.

The strongest positive effects were on general intelligence and word recognition for both early and late acquisition.

If you wish you had taken Spanish in high school or are considering brushing up on your French to prepare for a European vacation, here’s one more good reason to do so.

Strength Training for Seniors Many elder seniors are frail, or in a preliminary stage of frailty. New study results show that regular strength training is beneficial for increasing hand strength, enabling people to live independently.

According to Thomas Dorner of the MedUni Vienna's Centre for Public Health in Austria, muscle mass decreases from the age of 30. Without training, around 50% of muscle mass has deteriorated by age 80. Participants in the MedUni Vienna study were able to increase hand strength almost 20%.

“There was also a significant increase in physical activity levels, mobility, quality of life and cognitive functions,” said Dorner. “Muscle training also reduces the risk of falls… (and) the fear of falls.”

Fear of falling, said Dorner, leads frail people to move less, further depleting their muscular strength and increasing the risk of falls.

Inflammation and Depression Linked Scientists have recently discovered a link between inflammation and depression.

A new study finds that resveratrol -- a natural anti-inflammatory agent found in the skin of red grapes -- can prevent inflammation as well as depression-related behaviors in rodents exposed to a social stress.

"Our research,” said team leader Susan K. Wood, Ph.D., assistant professor at the U. of South Carolina School of Medicine, “is very relevant to today's society because it investigates potential treatments for people with an increased susceptibility to depression and related disorders that arise due to social stress.”

She hopes these findings encourage scientists to test the effectiveness of natural anti-inflammatory agents on depression.

Some psychiatric disorders are known to arise from a social stress, such as bullying or the loss of a loved one.

In previous research, Wood's team developed an animal model for this type of social stress in which a larger, more aggressive rat takes on the role of a bully.

Some rats exposed to the bullies developed both depressive-like behaviors and inflammation, while the rats that did not develop depressive-like behaviors showed no inflammation. www.primemontgomery.com | May 2015

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YARD ‘N GARDEN

Crape Murder: It’s No Mystery

T

By Barbara Witt

he familiar crape myrtle we all love in the summer garden was hybridized by breeders at the U.S. Arboretum.

The well-known hybrids named for Native American tribes such as “Natchez”, “Potomac”, or “Choctaw” are easy to propagate, grow fast in the landscape and have become very popular all over the south. These stately beauties are really trees topping out at 20-30 feet, but these crape myrtles were often planted as shrubs, a classic example of the wrong plant in the wrong place. This disconnect between the true nature of the plant and its usage led to what is known as “crape murder”, a drastic cutting of the trunks and branches to keep it in scale in the yard or garden.

There is no truth in the idea that drastic pruning of crapes increases the blooms. There is nothing more beautiful in the winter landscape than the graceful branches and exfoliating bark of a well grown crape myrtle. Conversely there is nothing uglier than the short stubby malformed nubs of a “murdered” crape myrtle. A solution to this problem is at hand.

Breeders have introduced crapes that range in size from dwarf (3-5 feet) to semi dwarf (5-10 feet) to small tree (1020 feet), and more new small crapes are on the market every year. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) has an excellent publication with a chart listing the crapes by size, name, and color as well as directions for cultivation. To receive this free publication go to aces. edu and search for ANR-1083 under publications.

One way to keep your yard/garden maintenance under control is to remember to read the plant tag when you go to the nursery to determine the eventual size of the plant and what conditions it needs to grow. That charming little shrub may grow into a monster in just a few years that will require constant pruning to keep it in size and may come to resemble something totally differently than what you had envisioned for your landscape.

There are some interesting new series of smaller crape myrtles being developed, the most intriguing being a dark leaved cultivar with leaves ranging from deep red to purple to black. The series is called Delta with the first one named Delta Jazz followed by Breeze, Eclipse, Moonlight and Flame. Ranging in 8 May 2015 | www.primemontgomery.com

size from 6 to 10 feet high and 4-5 feet wide when mature, they have a better fit in most landscaping plans than the older, larger crape myrtles. The newest plants in this series, Ebony or Black Diamond, were developed from the Delta series to produce a plant with even darker leaves that contrast strongly with lighter colored flowers.

It is somewhat confusing that there are two names for the same crape myrtles, but that is, unfortunately, fairly common in the gardening world. With a mature size of about 8 feet, these, too, could have a place in most landscapes. While I have only seen photos of these crape myrtles, I think the one called Ebony and Ivory or Black Diamond Pure White is quite dramatic with white flowers and almost black leaves. Work is also underway to develop a true dwarf crape myrtle. A series called Razzle Dazzle grows to only 4 feet.

Please note that the crape myrtles in the last paragraph, while available in the market, are not yet fully tested in southern growing conditions.

More time and further experience with these new introductions is needed to determine their hardiness and adaptability. Most importantly, do your research on the crape myrtle height and width at maturity before you buy.

Barbara Witt, a Master Gardener since 2010 in the Capital City Master Gardener Association, lives in Montgomery. For information on becoming a master gardener, visit the website, www.capcitymga.org or e-mail capcitymga@gmail.com.

Capital City Master Gardener Association presents FREE LUNCH & LEARN “Roses for the Faint of Heart” June 3, 12:00 – 1:00 P.M. Armory Learning Arts Center 1018 Madison Avenue, Montgomery Bring a Sack Lunch - Drinks Provided For more information contact the Montgomery County Extension Office (334) 270-4133

A GRACIOUS PLENTY

A Sweet Treat for Your Mom

T

here's no better place than the kitchen to honor your special bond with a woman who has taught you all you know about cooking and baking. Whether she's your mom, or a woman who has been like a mom in your life, Mother's Day is the perfect time to create kitchen traditions you can cherish together year after year.

A decadent recipe you can prepare together and enjoy warm out of the oven is an ideal choice. As you wait for the dough to rise in these homemade cinnamon rolls, you'll have plenty of time to catch up and reminisce over shared memories of your childhood and beyond.

Remember, the best results in baking come from top quality ingredients. The secret to the melt-in-your-mouth flavor of these rolls is the vanilla. Pure Vanilla Extract, made with the world's finest vanilla from Madagascar, lends unmatched flavor and aroma to enhance cakes, puddings, pie fillings, custards, salad dressings and more.

Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel Glaze Servings: 1 dozen rolls

Rolls: 1 1/3 cups warm milk (105∞F) 2 packages (1/4-ounce each) active dry yeast 1/4 cup granulated sugar, divided 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened 2 egg yolks 1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract 3/4 teaspoon salt 4 cups bread flour, plus more for dusting Filling: 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened 1/3 cup granulated sugar 2 tablespoons bread flour 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon Glaze: 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter 1/2 cup lightly-packed light brown sugar 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream 1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup confectioners' sugar (about 1/4 pound)

For rolls, stir together warm milk, yeast and 1 tablespoon sugar in large bowl. Let stand 5-10 minutes or until foamy. Add butter, remaining 3 tablespoons sugar, egg yolks, vanilla and salt. Mix with electric mixer using dough hook on medium speed until combined.

Gradually add flour, 1 cup at a time, and mix on medium speed until smooth, elastic dough forms, about 5 minutes.

Spray large bowl with vegetable pan spray. Form dough into ball, place into bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let stand in warm place for 45 minutes or until doubled in size.

For filling, stir together butter, sugar, flour and cinnamon in medium bowl until well-combined.

Prepare 13-by-9-inch pan with vegetable pan spray.

Punch dough down and roll out to 18-by-14-inch rectangle on floured surface. Spread filling onto dough and roll up from long end, like a jelly roll. Pinch seam to seal, trim ends and cut into 12 equally-sized pieces.

Place rolls into prepared pan; cover with plastic wrap and let rise 25-30 minutes or until doubled in size.

Meanwhile, heat oven to 350∞F. Remove plastic wrap from rolls and bake 25-29 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pan on wire rack while preparing glaze.

For glaze, melt butter in saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar and cream. Cook over medium-high heat until mixture reaches a simmer; cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and salt. Whisk in confectioners' sugar until smooth. Pour glaze over warm rolls. Serve warm.

Courtesy: Family Features. For more tradition-worthy recipes to share with mom, visit www.wilton.com.

www.primemontgomery.com | May 2015

9

OUR HISTORY

Remember Us?

Continuing our on-going photo series with the Alabama Department of Archive and History, here are three additional photos with individuals who need to be identified. If you know any of the people in these photos contact Meredith McDonough, meredith.mcdonough@ archives.alabama.gov, 334-353-5442, or email us at primemontgomery@gmail.com.

Right: Man and woman during a Civil Rights meeting, Montgomery.The woman’s shirt reads “March on Washington for Jobs & Freedom August 28, 1963.” June, 1967. (Jim Peppler, photographer)

Left: “Soul Searchers” band performs at the ninth grade graduation dance, Cloverdale Junior High School, 1125 E. Fairview Ave. Montgomery.

May 26, 1967.

(John Scott, photographer)

Right: Man driving farm equipment, probably in Autauga County, Alabama. Photo taken for the Autauga Reseeding Crimson Clover Association.Taken between 1950-59.

(Horace Perry, photographer)

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May 2015 | www.primemontgomery.com

MONEYWI$E

Boomerangs, Boundaries & Expectations W

ith graduation season around the corner, what are the chances you could experience a boomerang child returning to the nest?

Some parents may view such an experiAlan Wallace ence as pure joy. If you are not part of that crowd, setting some boundaries and expectations early can help protect family relationships and assist your children with a successful launch.

Consider parameters in at least four areas: time, chores, general conduct and finances. Include consequences for failing to comply and put everything in writing to avoid misunderstandings and to make clear that you are serious. If you have more than one child to whom these guidelines may apply, think about the implications beyond just the current boomerang child.

Time: How long are you willing to let the child remain in your home be-

fore she finds a place of her own? What extenuating circumstances might change the answer and to what degree? How will you enforce the time limit?

Chores: How do you expect your child to assist around the house while he remains there? At a minimum a child should clean his own room, wash his own clothes, and clean up his own messes in common areas. It may also be reasonable for a child to assist with yardwork, general household cleaning, cooking or other kitchen duty, etc.

General Conduct:Your child may need guidance on general behavior while living with you. Do you need to make clear that she is to comply with all laws since you might face adverse consequences for her illegal behavior while she is in your home? Do you need to make it clear that their communications and conduct are to be respectful to yourself and your values, as well as to the rest of the family and to guests in your home?

Finances: The issue of finances may be the most challenging and open to the widest range of possibilities. Some

Seasonal Allergies &

Contact Lenses

EYE

F A C T S

About 75% of allergy sufferers have eye symptoms.

• Airborne allergens can get into contacts causing blurry vision.

• Eye drops may relieve symptoms and help keep contacts clean.

• Certain eye drops can damage contacts; check with your doctor.

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug eye drops can decrease symptoms.

• Daily disposal contacts are effective in reducing allergy symptoms.

Roy T. Hager, M.D., F.A.C.S. | James D. Izer, M.D. Charles N. Robbins, M.D. | Richard M. Murphy, O.D. 4255 Carmichael Court N. Montgomery • 334-277-9111

8007 U. S. Highway 231 Wetumpka • 334-567-9111

For a free copy of ITEC’s Viewpoint newsletter call 334-277-9111.

Visit ITEC’s website at www.eyes-itec.com

children may find work and be in a position to pay rent or otherwise help with expenses. Often parents continue to provide temporary financial aid to their adult children, even when they have moved out, until they can take on that role completely. This may especially be true if they are living at home and have not found work in their preferred field.

The goal for most parents is to provide temporary financial “training wheels” until the child can function fully on his own.You and your child might develop a schedule of declining assistance over a period of months as she gets better established and able to cover more of her expenses.

Keep in mind that your child is inexperienced and may need financial coaching, although he may not acknowledge it. Pay special attention to expenses that you view as necessities that your child may think she can do without. Examples are auto and medical insurance. If she lets these drop and has a big claim, who do you think will wind up paying for it?

Expectations: Why is it important to establish boundaries and clearly communicate as early as possible? Simply put, it helps to avoid expectation gaps.

An expectation gap occurs when two or more people in a relationship are thinking in fairly different ways about what some aspect of the future looks like. It happens quite often between spouses, parents and children, bosses and employees. An expectation gap is typically the result of a “failure to communicate” (remember Cool Hand Luke?). The longer the gap persists, the wider it grows and the more jarring it is when it is exposed.

Clear and proactive communication is the best antidote.

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. www.primemontgomery.com | May 2015 11

FEATURE

Give Tired

Looks a Boost

By Dawn Wilder

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hen someone says, "you look tired," they might as well be saying, "you look old." Even if it's true, it stings, and it's not something you want to hear. While there are countless reasons you might wake up looking tired— lack of sleep, dehydration—you don't have to leave the house that way. Whether you have 30 seconds or 30 minutes, there are tricks you can try to immediately look more awake. And none of them involve a cup of coffee or a nap.

1. Splash Ice Water on Your Face It's the oldest trick in the book, and it works. Fill your sink with the coldest water possible, add a few ice cubes to get the

temperature down even more, and splash the water on your face. It instantly tightens pores and shrinks little capillaries, making your skin appear more even. Plus, it makes you feel more awake, which will definitely affect the way you look.

2. De-puff (In Your Kitchen) If bags under your eyes are the problem, take a trip to your kitchen. Put two spoons in the freezer for 10 minutes, and then apply one to each eye while you recline on the couch. The cold helps calm inflammation.

Cold cucumber slices work in a similar way. Relax with a slice on each eye for five to 10 minutes to relieve irritation, redness, and puffiness.

3. Sing the Blues You didn’t have to quit blue eye makeup back in the 80’s. With the right application techniques, some shades can look really modern — and brighten up your eyes in the process. Try navy or cobalt blue shadow or liner, and keep the color close to your lashes. (Using it all over will make you look

“No one needs to know you had a lousy night's sleep thanks to these simple tips.”

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May 2015 | www.primemontgomery.com

three decades behind the times.) The blue counteracts redness, making your eyes appear brighter, whiter and less tired.

4. Caffeinate (With Eye Cream) If dark under-eye circles are a chronic problem for you, invest in an eye cream that contains caffeine. Caffeine increases circulation to help eliminate toxins and break up dark circles.

It also has anti-inflammatory properties and can help get rid of puffiness. Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Dark Circle Eye Roller, $12.99, is one of our favorites.

The caffeinated formula comes in a roller ball applicator, which massages the skin to promote lymphatic drainage and get rid of bags.

5. Flip Upside Down Flat hair can make anyone look tired and disheveled. For a 10-second fix, bend at the waist and flip your hair upside down. Use your fingertips to scrunch your strands at the roots, reviving your texture and volume. This trick has the added bonus of rushing some blood to your face, making your cheeks look pink and vibrant.

6. Wear Color Black may be slimming, but it doesn’t help you look more awake. On days you’re tired, skip the black top and wear your favorite skin tone-flattering color. It will instantly make your

face appear brighter and less tired.

7. Hit the Gym Nothing will make you look and feel more awake than exercise. Go for a quick walk, hop on the elliptical machine, or do a few rounds of Sun Salutations. Any exercise that gets your heart rate up is great. When your blood is pumping and your endorphin levels increase, it gives you more energy.

Plus, it makes your skin look healthier—no blush required.

8. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate Dehydration is one of the worst offenders when it comes to looking tired. Skin looks gray or sallow and wrinkles become more prominent when you haven't had enough water. To plump up your cells, simply increase your water intake. Aim for eight glasses per day.

9. Amp Up your Arches Eyebrows frame your face and define your features. If your shape is straight across or overly rounded, your brows will make you look tired and older than you really are. For brows that make you look more awake, opt for a gentle arch. Use a few strokes of eyebrow pencil or powder to emphasize your natural arch—it’s an instant eye-lift.

10.Try This 5-Minute Makeup Routine Makeup is a fail-safe way to camouflage lack of sleep. Hide dark circles by patting on a creamy concealer in a shade that's slightly more yellow than your skin tone. The yellow counteracts purple or blue undertones beneath your eyes. Then, use a bright pink blush to bring color to your cheeks. A few swipes of mascara will make your eyes seem bigger. And if your lips are naturally pale, a pretty pink lip tint will instantly wake up your whole face.

Courtesy: grandparents.com, a lifestyle site that celebrates 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 (facebook.com/grandparentscom). www.primemontgomery.com | May 2015

13

SOCIAL SECURITY

A Unique Mother’s Day Gift

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hat do you plan to get for Mom this Mother’s Day? If she’s like most Americans, she probably feels time-constrained and the hours she spends with family and friends are precious. So, in addition to giving her flowers or a card, give her a gift she’ll really appreciate: the chance to spend more time with the ones she loves!

While spending time with your mom on Sunday, May 10, you can help her quickly Kylle’ McKinney and easily sign up for a free, online My Social Security account.You can do it from home, which means less time waiting in line, and more time doing the things you want to do together.

Signing up for a My Social Security account will give Mom the tools she needs to stay on top of her future Social Security benefits. When she signs up at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount, she can do a number of things. First and foremost, she can plan for her retirement.

Mom can never start planning for retirement too early.

If she isn’t already retired, she can view her Social Security Statement, verify her earnings records, and find out what benefits she can expect to receive at age 62, her full retirement

age, or at age 70.

Is Mom thinking of retiring at a different age? It’s easy to get instant, personalized benefit estimates, too. Just escort Mom to the Retirement Estimator, where she can plug in different scenarios to find out how much she can expect in Social Security benefits.

She can also plug in different future wage amounts to see how her future benefits can be affected by when she retires and how much she contributes.Visit the Retirement Estimator at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator.

As she continues to work and earn wages, she can use her My Social Security account to keep track of and verify her annual earnings. If Mom has already retired and receives Social Security benefits, she can use her account to: n get an instant letter with proof of her benefits; n change her address and phone number; and n start or change direct deposit of her benefit payment.

The time saved by using our convenient and secure online services is priceless. Helping Mom sign up for a My Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount is a great, personalized gift that shows you really care!

Kylle’ McKinney, SSA Public Affairs Specialist, can be reached by email at kylle.mckinney@ssa.gov.

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Greek & Italian Cuisine April showers bring May flowers.

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*Where Montgomery meets for Saturday breakfast.

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May 2015 | www.primemontgomery.com

IN EVERY LIFE

Exercise Tips W

armer weather can motivate going outdoors and increasing activity. Although healthcare provider approval for beginning exercise programs is recommended, individuals often do not consider increased Arlene Morris activities that occur with change in seasons as beginning an exercise program. However, physical inactivity diminishes cardiovascular function in even healthy adults. Sudden changes from a more sedentary lifestyle during colder weather can pose a threat for cardiovascular, respiratory, or muscle strain, or a risk for falls.

Some reminders can help to reduce these risks: 1. Keep appointments for routine checkups with your healthcare provider. Regular evaluation of your health status will provide information to guide you in the level of activity that is prudent.

2. Be aware of your exertion level.

Focusing on completing tasks can override awareness of increasing shortness of breath, fatigue, or even pain. Plan frequent rest periods after shorter periods of activity. Know your blood pressure and how it is affected by different levels of activity. Think about your level of breathing and other body functions. Stop if you feel your heart rate increasing, become dizzy, or perceive any type of headache. Try to have another person aware of your activity should difficulty arise. The saying “No pain, no gain” is NOT practical.

3. Be kind to your muscles. Stretch and warm up before activities to increase blood flow to your muscles. Overworked muscles can result in muscle strain or other injury. Remember to use larger leg muscles rather than back muscles for all lifting. Avoid any bending and twisting movements that can

cause back injury. The term “weekend warrior” can refer to those who tackle chores or other activities without adequate preparation.

Walking is a simple way to increase endurance.

Gradual increase in muscle strength can be achieved through sitting exercises. The national health services provides a guideline for various activities that can be done while sitting.

See http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/fitness/pages/sittingexercises-for-older-people.aspx 4. Keep hydrated. Awareness of a thirst sensation decreases with aging, causing an increased risk for dehydration. Remember to drink fluid to replace body fluid lost through sweat and to help maintain your body temperature. If you have a fluid restriction due to a health condition, discuss needs for fluid replacement during activities with your healthcare provider. More information about hydration and health is available at http://www.ncbi. nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2908954/ 5. Avoid injuries. Wear supportive shoes.

Reduce fall risks by assessing the environment for unleveled ground or concrete surfaces.

Identify and have repairs made to any potential hazards. Assure lighting is adequate and handrails are available at walkways or steps.

6. Manage any chronic conditions effectively. Discuss any monitoring that may be needed during increased activity with your healthcare provider. Examples include blood sugar levels, blood pressure, breathing difficulties, etc.

Think about your own needs as your activities increase with the changing seasons. Plan ways to enjoy your spring and take care of your health!

Arlene H. Morris, EdD, RN, CNE, is Professor of Nursing, Auburn Montgomery School of Nursing, and Immediate Past President of the AL State Nurses Association.

Reach her at amorris@aum.edu. www.primemontgomery.com | May 2015

15

FEATURE

Getting Credit After 62 C

redit is an important money management tool for both young and older consumers. Yet the elderly, particularly older women, may find it difficult to get credit If you’re an older consumer who has paid with cash all your life, you may find it difficult to open a credit account. That’s because you have “no credit history” of how you paid on credit. If your income has decreased, you may find it harder to get a loan because you have “insufficient income.” Or, if your spouse dies, you may find creditors trying to close joint accounts. A “joint account” is one for which both spouses applied and signed the credit agreement.

Under the federal Equal Credit Opportunity Act

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May 2015 | www.primemontgomery.com

(ECOA), it’s against the law for a creditor to deny you credit or terminate existing credit simply because of your age. This brochure explains your rights and offers tips for applying for and maintaining credit.

Applying for Credit Applying for credit used to mean asking your neighborhood banker for a loan. Now, with national credit cards and computerized applications, the day of personal evaluations may be over. Instead, computer evaluations look at, among other things, your income, payment history, credit card accounts, and any outstanding balances. Paying in cash and in full may be

sound financial advice, but they won’t give you a payment history that helps you get credit.

A major indicator of your ability to repay a loan is your current income.

Those who consider income must include types of income that are likely to be received by older consumers.

This includes salaries from part-time employment, Social Security, pensions, and other retirement benefits.

You also may want to tell creditors about assets or other sources of income, such as your home, additional real estate, savings and checking accounts, money market funds, certificates of deposit, and stocks and bonds.

If you’re age 62 or over, you have certain other protections. You can’t be denied credit because credit-related insurance is not available based on your age. Credit insurance pays off the creditor if you should die or become disabled. On the other hand, a creditor can consider your age to: n favor applicants who are age 62 or older; n determine other elements of creditworthiness (close to retirement age and a lower income).

While a creditor cannot take your age directly into account, a creditor may consider age as it relates to certain elements of creditworthiness.

If, for example, at the age of 70, you apply for a 30-year mortgage, a lender might be concerned that you may not live to repay the loan. However, if you apply for a shorter loan term, increase

your down payment, or do both, you might satisfy the creditor’s concerns.

Checking Your Credit History A credit report includes information on where you live, how you pay your bills, and whether you’ve been sued, arrested, or filed for bankruptcy. Nationwide credit reporting companies sell the information in your report to creditors, insurers, employers, and other businesses that use it to evaluate your applications for credit, insurance, employment, or renting a home.

You may find that your file doesn’t list all of your credit accounts. That’s because not all creditors report to credit reporting companies. You may ask that additional accounts be reported to your file. Some bureaus may charge for this service.

Credit information about shared accounts should be reported in your name and your spouse’s. If it’s not, ask the creditor in writing to report the account in both names.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the major nationwide credit reporting companies to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months.

To order your free annual report from one or all the national credit reporting companies, visit: www.annualcreditreport.com; call toll-free: 1-877322-8228; or complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form and mail it to: Annual Credit Report Request

Credit After 62 Resources

National Banks Comptroller of the Currency Customer Assistance Group 1301 McKinney Street, Suite 3710 Houston, TX 77010 State Member Banks of the Reserve System Federal Reserve Board Division of Consumer and Community Affairs Mail Stop 801 Washington, D.C. 20551 Federal Credit Unions National Credit Union Administration 1775 Duke Street Alexandria,VA 22314 Non-Member Federally Insured Banks Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Consumer Programs 550 Seventeenth St., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20429 Federally Insured Savings and Loans, and Federally Chartered State Banks Office of Thrift Supervision Consumer Affairs Program 1700 G St., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20552 Other Creditors (includes retail, gasoline, finance, and mortgage companies) Federal Trade Commission Consumer Response Center 600 Pennsylvania Ave, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20580

www.primemontgomery.com | May 2015

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Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281. You can print the form from ftc.gov/credit. Do not contact the three nationwide credit reporting companies individually; they provide free annual credit reports only through www.annualcreditreport.com, 1-877-322-8228, and Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.

Other Rights to Free Reports Under federal law, you’re also entitled to a free report if a company takes adverse action against you, such as denying your application for credit, insurance or employment, and you request your report within 60 days of receiving notice of the action.

The notice will give you the name, address, and phone number of the credit reporting company that supplied the information about you. You’re also entitled to one free report a year if you’re unemployed and plan to look for a job within 60 days; if you’re on welfare; or if your report is inaccurate because of fraud. Otherwise, a credit reporting company may charge you up to $9.50 for additional copies of your report.

To buy a copy of your report, contact: n TransUnion: 1-800-916-8800; www.transunion.com; n Equifax: 1-800-685-1111; www.equifax.com; n Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (1-888-397-3742); www.experian.com.

Under state law, consumers in Colorado, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Vermont already have free access to their credit reports. If you ask, only the last four digits of your Social Security number will appear on your credit reports.

Establishing a Credit History If you’re denied a loan or credit card because you have no credit history, consider establishing one. The best way is to apply for a small line of credit from your bank or a credit card from a local department store.

Make sure you list your best financial references. Make payments regularly and make certain the creditor reports your credit history to a credit bureau.

If Your Spouse Dies Under the ECOA, a creditor cannot automatically close or change the terms of a joint account solely because of the death of your spouse. A creditor may ask you to update your application or reapply. This can happen if the account was originally based on all or part of your spouse’s income and if the creditor has reason to believe your income alone cannot support the credit line.

After you submit a re-application, the creditor will determine whether to continue to extend you credit or change 18

May 2015 | www.primemontgomery.com

your credit limits. Your creditor must respond in writing within 30 days of receiving your application. During that time, you can continue to use your account with no new restrictions. If you’re application is rejected, you must be given specific reasons, or told of your right to get this information.

These protections also apply when you retire, reach age 62 or older, or change your name or marital status.

Kinds of Accounts It’s important to know what kind of credit accounts you have, especially if your spouse dies. There are two types of accounts — individual and joint. You can permit authorized persons to use either type. An individual account is opened in one person’s name, based only on that person’s income and assets.

If you’re concerned about your credit status if your spouse should die, you may want to try to open one or more individual accounts in your name. That way, your credit status won’t be affected.

When you’re applying for individual credit, ask the creditor to consider the credit history of accounts reported in your spouse’s or former spouse’s name, as well as those reported in your name. The creditor must consider this information if you can prove it reflects positively and accurately on your ability to manage credit.

For example, you may be able to show through canceled checks that you made payments on an account, even though it’s listed in your spouse’s name only.

A joint account is opened in two people’s names, often a

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husband and wife, and is based on the income and assets of both or either person. Both people are responsible for the debt.

Account Users” If you open an individual account, you may authorize another person to use it. If you name your spouse as the authorized user, a creditor who reports the credit history to a credit bureau must report it in your spouse’s name as well as in yours (if the account was opened after June 1, 1977). A creditor also may report the credit history in the name of any other authorized user.

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If You’re Denied Credit The ECOA does not guarantee you’ll get credit.

But if you’re denied credit, you have the right to know why.

There may be an error or the computer system may not have evaluated all relevant information. In that case, you can ask the creditor to reconsider your application.

If you believe you’ve been discriminated against, you may want to write to the federal agency that regulates that particular creditor (see Resources). Your complaint letter should state the facts. Send it, along with copies (NOT originals) of supporting documents. You also may want to contact an attorney. You have the right to sue a creditor who violates the ECOA.

For More Information The FTC works to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them.

To file a complaint or get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261.

Watch a new video, How to File a Complaint, at ftc. gov/video to learn more. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

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19

FEATURE

Blood of Heroes

Story and photos by Callie Corley

W

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. 20

May 2015 | www.primemontgomery.com

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

The newest addition, added in 2014, is Campaigns of Courage.The Road to Berlin exhibit showcases the grueling challenges servicemen faced.

The Stage Door Canteen brings the music of the era to life with live performances.

The Dog Tag Experience allows guests to follow an individual’s personal involvement in the war. I chose wartime photojournalist Robert Capa.

Meet a History Maker Having the chance to talk to and learn from a WWII veteran is something we won’t be able to do much longer. I met two extraordinary men on my visit.

92-year-old Arthur Arceneax was a Marine pilot who’ll tell you from the start he’s lived the very best life. And he’s got the heart and spirit to prove it. A career military man, Arceneax saw fighting in Okinawa, Korea and Vietnam, finally retiring after 22 years of service at the rank of Lt. Colonel.

Along the way, Arceneax married the girl of his dreams and says, with a laugh, without the uniform, he’d never have been able to catch such a wonderful woman. He tries to be at the Museum every Saturday sharing his story.

96-year-old Bert Stolier was talking to a group of visitors when I walked up. Stolier joined the Marine Corps at 17 and was a Warrant Officer on the U.S.S. Northampton. He survived the attack on Pearl Harbor and an attack at sea.

Stolier spent three days in the waters of the Pacific Ocean before being picked up by a navy ship.

If you’ve got a WWII veteran in the family, don’t miss the opportunity to take them to see the museum. They’ll get free admission and a special veteran’s ID.

Art Arceneaux received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his part in missions flown over Japanese islands during WWII.Talking with a veteran during your trip to the Museum brings history to life. www.primemontgomery.com | May 2015

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Above: Static displays of restored WWII-era aircraft and vehicles.

The U.S.S.Tang Interactive Experience brings you face-to-face with the overpowering trauma of war. Join crew members on their final, fatal voyage during WWII. 22

May 2015 | www.primemontgomery.com

interactive experience brings together the entire campaign from battle to battle, and reveals the strategy and the sacrifices that helped win the war.

The exhibit presents a uniquely personal perspective on the cost of war, with personal items, such as family photographs, strewn across a beach of real sand from Normandy. The Road t- Tokyo exhibit is scheduled to open later this year.

Continue your journey through history with a stop at the U.S. Freedom Pavilion:The Boeing Center. Replicas of six WWII-era aircraft, including B-17 My Gal Sal, are suspended in air, and in time. The four-story viewing deck provides a 360-degree view of the aircraft. The Vehicles of War exhibit offers a glimpse of what it was like on the ground, facing an attack from different war machines, or being rushed from the battlefield with an injury. There’ll you’ll also find the Medal of Honor Wall and “Final Mission: The U.S.S. Tang Experience.”

Set aside enough time to see everything at the museum, including the Beyond All Boundaries movie (produced and narrated by Tom Hanks) and the Final Mission interactive experience. Each requires an additional ticket and happens at pre-set times throughout the day. Be sure to check times and prices on-line before you go at nationalww2museum. org.

Beyond All Boundaries is a 4D experience that puts you on the front lines. Archival footage and narrations of real life stories bring to life a growing threat in Europe and news of Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor. The movie affects every one of your senses, enabling you to better understand the magnitude and weight of the war that changed the world.You feel the rumble of tanks as America enters the war, and see and hear steam rising from the jungles as American troops fight for freedom. The production also highlights the courage of Americans at home, as every citizen – male, female, black, white, immigrant – answered the call and lived up to the demands of wartime.

One of the most emotional stories in the museum is that of the U.S.S. Tang. The interactive experience puts you inside America’s most decorated WWII submarine on its last patrol. The Commander gives orders as visitors man battle stations. The experience combines actual tasks with an overhead projection of the submarine’s final, fatal fight. Standing at a duty station, the makeshift compartment rings with the sounds of firing torpedoes and mechanics. There’s a sense of pride as crew members take down more enemy vessels, followed by panic with the realization your efforts aren’t enough to save the ship.

If you’ve already been to the museum, the new additions should bring you back on your next trip to New Orleans.You’ll leave feeling more proud than ever to be an American, knowing your cultural heritage runs in the blood of these heroes.

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When you think New Orleans, voodoo, sugar-powdered beignets and Mardi Gras might come to mind.

But the Big Easy was also the launching pad for one of the biggest success stories in WWII, the “Higgins Boat.”

The National WWII Museum is located in New Orleans to pay homage to ship-designer Andrew Jackson Higgins, whose boat helped America win the war. The “Higgins Boat” enabled U.S. soldiers to land on the open beaches of Normandy.

In September 1943, 92 percent of U.S. Navy vessels were designed by Higgins Industries. By the end of the war, 20,094 boats had been built by 30,000 New Orleanians. There’s also an Alabama connection, as Higgins spent four years in Mobile working in the lumber business before moving to New Orleans. As they say, stars have always fallen on (or at least sailed through) Alabama.

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23

FEATURE

Celebrating Family Ties

24

May 2015 | www.primemontgomery.com

6 Simple Steps to a Successful Family Reunion

By Claire Yezbak Fadden

I

t’s your Mom’s 80th birthday. Maybe Uncle Harry and Aunt Madge are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Cousin Zach just received his MBA. Any milestone event can be a great reason for brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins from far and near to gather. But even if there isn’t a special occasion in the offing, having a family reunion is an important way to keep your family connected.

“Family members are often separated by large geographical distances,” says George C Morgan, author of “Your Family Reunion: How to Plan It, Organize It and Enjoy It” (2001, Ancestry Publishing). “Time spent with family members can provide stability and a sense of perspective. Our families can help us reconnect with our intrinsic roots,” Morgan adds.

If you’re thinking about organizing a family reunion but don’t know where to start, consider these six tips. They’ll get you on your way to planning an event to entice your

family – no matter how far away they live – to want to join in the fun.

1) Survey the Clan. It’s not much of a reunion if no one can attend. Whether you plan your event to coincide with a family milestone or special day, summer vacation or a holiday, to avoid time and date conflicts, poll family members first. E-mail a questionnaire asking your extended family what kind of event the want, where they want it and when. Encourage them to get the word out by forwarding your note to other family members. Give a deadline for responses.

2) Ask for Help. “Family reunions should always be planned by at least three people,” says Nancy Meyer co-founder of Buttoned Up, Inc., an organizational company that helps people get more done by organizing less. Meyer, along with her two sisters, has hosted many family reunions for more than 50 family members. She recommends having one person in charge of travel and lodging, one for entertainment, and one

www.primemontgomery.com | May 2015

25

for food and beverages. “Then coordinate with each other on various decisions and work as a team to tackle all other projects for the event,” says the 62-year-old Laguna Beach resident.

3) Location, Location, Location. There are lots of options when choosing a great place to have your reunion.

Keep in mind a location that is most accessible and affordable to the majority of people you want to attend. Ask if a family member wants to volunteer their home as the site. For larger reunions, parks, hotels, restaurants and community halls are a good place to start. If you're planning a multi-day reunion, then consider a resort location where people can combine reunion activities with a family vacation.

4) Pick a Date and Get the Invites Out. After you receive everyone’s response, pick a date, a location and send out your invitations. Realize that you won't be able to accommodate everyone, so choose your date based on what's best for the majority. Ask for an RSVP and leave a spot on the RSVP to collect e-mail addresses. Encourage a member from each branch of the family to act as their family’s liaison. Have a central e-mail address for all questions and comments. Include the e-mail address and a phone number in the invite.

5) How Much Will It Cost? “Be sure to set an appropriate financial plan before you start planning the event,” adds Meyer. “Think about the activities your family likes best and allocate the most money toward that. For example, if your family is musically inclined, get some great sound equipment for a talent show. Or if everyone is into sports, rent out a nice baseball field or football field for family games.”

For more family reunion ideas, tips and information, visit these sites: ancestry.com – search family history; trace your family tree. family-reunion.com – family reunion planning site. familyreunion.com – family networking site getbuttonedup.com – tips and inspiration for getting organized. party411.com – party supplies reasontoparty.com/reunions – party supplies reunionmag.com – publication for reunion planners. shindigz.com – party supplies Once you’ve decided how elaborate your reunion will be, you’ll be better equipped to decide whether you need a registration fee to help offset costs. Larger reunions can get expensive quickly. Invitations, hotels, food, decorations and entertainment are just a few of the things that will play havoc on your budget. It’s wise to recruit a trusted family member to oversee the money handling.

6) Take the Memories Home. “Ask a friend to take lots of pictures and video of the reunion or hire a video team,” suggests Meyer. Then produce a memory booklet to give out or mail after your event. Consider including family recipes, old photos and autograph pages.

Claire Yezbak Fadden is an award-winning freelance writer and mother of three sons. Follow her on Twitter @claireflaire.

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by Lance Armstrong in January 2013 19 Writer for whom the Edgar award is named 20 Not sacred 21 Secret matters 23 Baba who stole from thieves 24 Singer with Crosby, Stills & Nash 27 Glass container 29 Actress Cannon 30 Peter Fonda's title beekeeper 31 Opposed (to) 34 Hurts with a tusk 37 ESPN show with an "Inside Pitch" segment 42 Willem of "Platoon" 43 100-lawmakers group 44 "Peter Pan" pirate 47 Hang around 49 Pretoria's land: Abbr.

50 Trousseau holder 53 Stomach-punch response 55 Start of the line that includes "wherefore art thou" 56 Female star 60 Comfy room 61 Volcanic Hawaiian landmark, and a hint to the first word of 17-, 24-, 37- and 50-Across 64 Night's opposite 65 __ Pie: ice cream treat 66 Reached base in a cloud of dust 67 "Tasty!"

68 Unsettling looks 69 Arid Down 1 Baby bears 2 Look at lasciviously 3 "So what?"

4 Alan of "M*A*S*H" 5 Like rosebushes 6 Pub spigot 7 "Woe __": Patricia T. O'Conner grammar book 8 Gondolier's "street" 9 Hopping mad 10 One of Minn.'s Twin Cities

11 Singer Warwick 12 Frigid historic period 14 Aretha's genre 18 551, at the Forum 22 Dad's nephew 25 Aerie hatchlings 26 Playing an extra NBA period, say 27 Quick blow 28 Gardner once married to Sinatra 29 Refusing to listen 32 Use, as a coupon 33 Entrepreneur-aiding org.

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Answers on page 34. www.primemontgomery.com | May 2015

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Dancing to Success O

TINSELTOWN TALKS

nly a handful of actresses danced in feature films with both Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire. One was Leslie Caron.

Although her last feature film was a decade ago, she hasn’t been exactly idle since.

“I won an Emmy in 2007 for a guest role on ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’ which was a grand moment for me,” said Caron from London, where she moved in 2013 from her native France to be near family.

Her autobiography, “Thank Heaven,” was published in 2010, and in 2013 she appeared in an episode of the French TV crime series “Jo.” “So I’m not retired and would love to do more television or a movie,” she emphasized.

Shortly before her birthday last year, at the age of 82, Caron even tackled a demanding stage role.

“I traveled to California for a play – ‘Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks’ at the Laguna Playhouse – which was one of the best parts I’ve ever had.

It was a two character play with six dance numbers and seven costume changes. A person of 50 would have found it a bit difficult. I would love to have continued with it to Broadway, but that would have been too strenuous.”

Trained as a dancer, Caron’s film career took off after Gene Kelly discovered the teenager performing in the Ballets des Champ Elysees in Paris in the late 1940s.

“The husband of a dancer I shared my dressing room with somehow knew Gene, who had seen me and wanted me to do a screen test for a movie,” she recalled.

The film turned out to be “An American in Paris” and rehearsals were tough.

“I wasn’t used to dancing in ballet shoes for 6-8 hours a day,” she said.

“And when I arrived in America I had 28

May 2015 | www.primemontgomery.com

By Nick Thomas

Top Left:With Maurice Chevalier in “Gigi.”

Bottom Left:With Gene Kelly in “An American in Paris.”

Above: Caron’s new book.

Opposite page,Top & Bottom: Dancing with Kelly in “An American in Paris.”

mononucleosis and was undernourished having lived through World War II and food shortages. So I was very anemic.”

Throughout the ‘50s, Caron appeared in other musicals, including “Daddy Long Legs” with Fred Astaire.

“Fred and Gene came from different eras,” she noted.

“Fred danced on his toes and barely touched the ground – an elegant, fluid dancer. Gene’s dancing was very athletic.”

Astaire’s wife – ill from lung cancer – died during production.

“He would bury his head in a towel and cry,” Caron remembered. “Fred loved the film which had a lot of youth and joy, so I think it helped him through a very bad time.”

Caron continued to work in film and TV into the ‘90s but

says “I was hitting 60 and beginning to think my career was over, so I embarked on a new venture.”

Proving you are never to old to start a new chapter in life, she purchased and renovated an old building, by the river just outside Paris, turning it into a successful Bed and Breakfast.“I managed it for about 15 years until the economy crashed."

Today, Caron hopes for more roles, but remains realistic.

“I’m not aiming for any Academy Awards. It just gives me a great deal of pleasure to keep working.”

Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery, Ala., and has written features, columns, and interviews for over 550 magazines and newspapers.

Get a summer look created just for you!

Personal Service • Quality, Tested Products • 100% Satisfaction Guarantee Book a FREE glamour session today for you & your friends!

Callie Corley, Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant

334-462-7286 | calliecorley@marykay.com | marykay.com/calliecorley www.primemontgomery.com | May 2015

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FEATURE

10 Common Noises Can Cause Hearing Loss May is Better Hearing Month

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By Jennifer Gehlen and Sara Schwartz, grandparents.com

bout 14 percent of people between the ages of 45–64 have some type of hearing loss, which you might notice as difficulty following conversations or trouble hearing children and women with high voices. Though one in three people over the age of 65 have hearing loss, they tend to wait a long time before doing something about it— seven years on average.

The reasons for delaying treatment probably sound familiar: -Denial and the perception the problem isn’t that serious -Negative associations of hearing loss and being old or disabled -Due to gradual onset, those with hearing loss literally don’t know what they are missing -Not realizing that some hearing loss can be kept from worsening by early treatment Why Hearing Loss Happens There are three types of hearing loss: conductive (CHL), sensorineural (SNHL), and mixed which includes both types.

CHL hearing loss is a mechanical problem: for some reason, your outer or middle ear isn't able to vibrate properly in response to sound waves. Causes include too much ear wax, fluid due to infection, a hole in the eardrum, and otosclerosis, which is an overgrowth of the bone in your middle ear.

SNHL is the most common type of hearing loss and is caused by noise exposure, medications and age, to name a few. "Though hearing loss is often attributed to natural aging, in fact, hearing loss may be congenital (inherited) or exacerbated by excessive noise," says audiologist Leigh Ann Watts, Au.D., CCC-A. ”Noise is all around us, every day, from television to lawn mowers to household appliances. It's unavoidable, yet can be harmful in excess."

What Counts as Excessive Noise?

Frightening fact: Hearing loss can occur after a one-time noise exposure at 120 decibels, such as gunfire, or continuous noise exposure to dangerous levels of 85 decibels or above over a prolonged period of time. It's important to know what levels are safe in order to protect your hearing: 110-140 decibels (Just one minute of exposure to noises at this level can result in permanent hearing loss, according to the National Institutes of Health.): -Rock concert or jet engine -Firecracker -Nail gun -Ambulance siren -Chainsaw -Home stereo speakers at maximum volume 30

May 2015 | www.primemontgomery.com

85-100 decibels (Continual exposure to noises in this range can cause permanent hearing loss.): -Garbage truck -Power mower -Motorcycle -Snowmobile -Jackhammer "I recommend maintaining levels below 75 decibels and listening to your ears," says Dr. Watts. "If a sound is too loud, remove yourself from the situation or put on proper hearing protection." For reference, a normal conversation typically hits about 60 decibels.

What You Can Do If You Do Have Hearing Loss Fortunately, 90 percent of SNHL hearing loss (caused by excessive noise or aging) can be improved by wearing a hearing aid, and CHL hearing loss (caused by a mechanical problem) can be reversed or significantly improved with medical or surgical treatment, says Dr. Watts.

No matter your specific needs or lifestyle, she recommends the following hearing aid features, if you and your doctor decide to go that route: 1. Directional microphones – this feature has been proven to improve hearing in places with heavy ambient noise.

2. Telecoils – this special circuitry within a hearing aid prevents feedback (or whistling) when you're on the phone.

3. Bluetooth technology – this allows for wireless connection from your hearing aid directly to cell phones and TVs. 4. Rechargeable hearing aid batteries – these are a super convenience and a must for people with visual or dexterity issues.

If you're over 50, hearing aids may conjure visions of clunky, uncomfortable monstrosities—a cure worse than the condition. But today's hearing aids come in comfortable, discreet designs and provide natural-sounding hearing in a wide variety of environments. Another modern benefit: Hearing aids are also available with tinnitus therapy settings for those suffering from ringing in the ear.

Courtesy: grandparents.com, a lifestyle site that celebrates 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 (facebook.com/grandparentscom).

Tips on Selling Your Belongings

FEATURE

(Make Money as You Downsize)

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s seniors prepare to move into smaller homes or retirement communities, many realize the number of belongings they have accumulated outweighs their need for them.Various “spring cleanings” may have lessened the load over the years, but a move often necessitates a thorough downsizing.

There are some difficult decisions involved based on sentimental value, or whether or not to keep or sell your valuables. The silver lining of committing significant time to going through your belongings is this — you might make some extra money off of these items. The question is… where do you begin?

Morgan Lamphere, marketing director at the SearStone retirement community in Cary, N.C., has worked with many seniors as they downsize and prepare to move.

“Many items like antiques, art and high-end furniture may have significant value,” she said “Consider hiring a professional appraiser to assess your valuables. This will give you a better idea of how to price specific items.”

Here are other tips on how to sell your belongings.

Yard Sales Stage your own yard sale and advertise it in local community newspapers and calendars. If you don’t have enough items on your own, participating in a community yard sale might make sense. Oftentimes, your neighbors also want to clear out their clutter, so ask around and try to schedule a time and place for everyone to bring the belongings they wish to sell.

Consignment Stores If you’ve never worked with a consignment store, you may find it quite easy. If they accept, display and sell your items, the store gets a cut of the profit. Some are general consignment stores while others specialize in clothing, furniture, etc. Ask

around to find suitable consignment stores in your area. eBay If you are computer savvy, eBay (www.ebay.com) is another option. eBay allows you to post items on the Internet for interested purchasers to bid on.You have the advantage in this situation, as you can set the starting bid based on what you think is appropriate. Make sure to post photos of the item.

There are basic tutorials on EBay’s website to get you started.

Craigslist & Community Bulletin Boards Craigslist.com and similar sites like backpage.com are just community bulletin boards where you post free classified ads.

Although many have deemed Craigslist to be their last option, this could be a successful method in selling your belongings if you proceed with caution. When meeting with a potential buyer, be sure to have a friend or companion stay with you during the transaction since you are meeting a stranger.

CNN’s Gabriel Falcon suggests meeting in a neutral place, as there is no reason to carry out the transaction at your home or theirs.

Charitable Donation If you deem some items unsellable, consider donating them to Goodwill, the Salvation Army or other nonprofits. That nicked and scratched dresser may not bring you any revenue, but it might help a family with limited funds to decorate their home. If you itemize your deductions, be sure to get a receipt so you can claim it on your tax return.

To schedule a Salvation Army pickup, visit http://satruck.org/ search. Goodwill also makes house calls depending on the items, so visit http://www.goodwill.org/locator/?location to research contact information for your local store.

Even with all the preparations and plans, some items may not make the cut for sale or donation. One final option to consider is to responsibly recycle household items. Earth911 (www.earth911.com/recycling/), is a great resource for locating local recycling options.

Downsizing and selling your belongings may be a major undertaking, but it will prepare you for life in your new home with less clutter and more money in your pockets.

Courtesy: SearStone Continuing Care Retirement Community, Cary, North Carolina

www.primemontgomery.com | May 2015

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ets k c i T le b a l i ava site. on-

26th ANNUAL Authentic Greek Food & Pastries

Thurs. & Fri. • May 14 &15 Lunch & Dinner — 11am - 8pm

Plates: $12 (chicken, pastichio, spanakopita) $14 (lamb) (All meals served w/Greek-style green beans, tiropeta, Greek side salad, roll.)

Greek Orthodox Church •1721 Mt. Meigs Rd. 334-263-1366

Jubilee Pops Montgomery Symphony Orchestra

Dave Martin

FREE Jubilee Pops Concert Friday, May 22 • 7pm

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Archives & History Lawn • Downtown montgomerysymphony.org May 2015 | www.primemontgomery.com

MEDICARE

The Benefits of Hospice

By Bob Moos

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hoosing hospice care isn’t about giving up. It’s about making every day count.Terminally ill people who make the choice receive care for their physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs.

They’re no longer seeking a cure, but they do want to live out their last weeks and months as comfortably as possible and with dignity.

Unfortunately, many people with Medicare aren’t aware of the hospice benefit.

Hospice programs follow a team approach. The specially trained team typically includes doctors, nurses, counselors and social workers, among others. A doctor and nurse are on call 24-7 to care for you and support your family when you need it.

The hospice benefit allows you and your family to stay together in the comfort of your home, unless you require hospital care. If your hospice team determines you need inpatient care at some point, it will make the arrangements for your stay.

Hospice’s main goal is to relieve your pain and manage your symptoms. As long as the care comes from a Medicare-approved hospice, Medicare covers the physician services, nursing care, drugs, medical equipment and supplies, and physical and occupational therapy.

To qualify for Medicare’s hospice benefit, you must be eligible for Medicare’s Part A hospital insurance, and your physician and your hospice medical director must certify that you have six months or less to live, assuming your illness runs its normal course.

You also must sign a statement choosing the Medicare hospice benefit and another statement that you understand you’re forgoing curative treatment for your terminal condition.

Though the hospice benefit is part of original Medicare, it’s also available to anyone with a Medicare Advantage plan. And both original Medicare and Medicare Advantage will continue to pay for the treatment of other conditions unrelated to your terminal illness.

Medicare understands that your family occasionally needs a rest from caregiving. So you can request to stay up to five days at a time at a hospice facility, hospital or nursing home.

For that, you pay 5 percent of the Medicare-approved amount for respite care.

Overall, you pay almost nothing for your hospice care. There is no deductible. Besides your 5 percent share for the inpatient respite care, your only expense is the $5 or less you pay for each prescription drug you take to relieve pain or manage your symptoms.

You can receive hospice care as long as you’re recertified. After 90 days of care, you’re reevaluated by the hospice’s medical director or other hospice doctor to determine if the care is still appropriate.

Another re-evaluation is done after another 90 days and then every 60 days.

If your health improves or your illness goes into remission, you may not need to remain in a hospice program.

In those cases, you’ll return to your previous Medicare coverage. And if someday your condition worsens, you can go back to hospice care.

Beneficiaries wanting to learn more about hospice programs in their area should talk to their doctor or call their state’s hospice organization or health department. Their physician will also help determine whether a particular program has been approved by Medicare.

When considering and choosing a hospice program, ask these questions: What kind of training does the hospice provide its caregivers? How does the hospice staff respond to after-hour emergencies? What measures are in place to ensure quality care? How does the hospice involve the family in planning the care?

Even if you’ve been enrolled in a Medicare Advantage managed care plan, you can still choose hospice care from any available Medicare-approved hospice.

Bob Moos is the Southwest regional public affairs officer for the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. For more about Medicare’s hospice benefit, visit Medicare’s website site at medicare.gov or call Medicare’s 24-7 customer service line at 1-800-633-4227.

A Medicare publication, titled “Medicare Hospice Benefits,” can also be downloaded from the website or requested by phone. www.primemontgomery.com | May 2015

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You found the May flower! E-mail primemontgomery@gmail.com & write “May Flower” & this page number in the subject line. You’ll be entered into a drawing to win a $25 Gift Certificate from Mr. Gus’ Ristorante. Drawing to be held in early June. Good luck!

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May 2015 | www.primemontgomery.com

PRIME DIVERSIONS

Recent dvd releases

American Sniper, Blackhat and Fifty Shades of Grey American Sniper (R) Eastwood adds another success to his war-related directing resume with this fine tribute to a real-life hero. Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle served four tours in Iraq/Afghanistan.

He became the most prolific practitioner of that specialty in U.S. military history, earning “The Legend” as a reverential nickname from his peers. Bradley Cooper plays him well, showing not only the subject’s backstory and his achievements overseas, but the inner man, as well.

The script from four credited writers, including Kyle’s own book, offers insights into the physical and emotional aspects of that unique combat role, covering both the theaters of action and the price paid on the homefront. As depicted, Kyle’s sense of duty and loyalty to the troops he protected from above was impossible to forget between tours. He adored his wife (Sienna Miller) and kids, but seemed restless and distracted stateside, obsessing about the troops he wasn’t covering, and the enemy’s skilled sniper counterpart he’d been unable to eliminate.

If you don’t already know Kyle’s story, the film will be more compelling, since you won’t know how it ends. Those who do will still find that Eastwood honors the soldier, the person, and his family while resisting the easy temptation to overplay any of the intense emotions experienced by the principals. The former laconic cowboy star presents his laconic hero with an oldfashioned straightforward narrative befitting not only Kyle, but all the warriors and loved ones represented by this story. Kyle’s experience transcends all political viewpoints, reminding us of how simple principled decisions can be.

Blackhat (R)

Michael Mann has written, produced and/or directed plenty of fine films, earning four Oscar nominations for The Insider and The Aviator among a slew of wins and mentions from other entities.

Much of his work has been in the realm of crime and large-scale action. This globe-trotting cyberterrorism thriller will not enhance his resume. It’s too long and too dull, with a miscast lead actor and an ill-conceived path to the finish line. He shouldda known better.

Aussie hunk Chris Hemsworth has made a name and a bunch of money in Hollywood, mainly from playing Thor in several bigbudget Marvel Comics-based fantasy flicks. He’s built to thrive in the few action sequences in this one, but hard to buy as one of the world’s greatest computer whizzes. He jus’ don’t seem like a guy with them kind o’ smarts.

As to the plot, someone inserted a virus into a Chinese nuclear plant, causing a near meltdown. Meanwhile, across the globe, a similar attack wrought havoc in one phase Mark Glass of our stock market. Were the two incidents connected? Who masterminded the incursions, and what’s their endgame? The FBI reluctantly springs Hemsworth from prison to work with a Chinese cop who had been his college roomie and fellow programming nerd. A few surprises occur along the way, but not enough to justify over two hours of running time, or to make Hemsworth grow more credible in this role.

Fifty Shades of Grey (R) Fans of the wildly successful and controversial novel (and its two follow-ups) can finally see their own special Odd Couple (nothing like Felix and Oscar) in the privacy of their own homes, rather than just in their heads, or surrounded by dubious strangers in the theaters. I haven’t read any of the books, and nothing about this film inclines me to do so. But as an old dude, I’m not even close to their target demographic. With that in mind, let’s proceed.

The topic is sexual dominance and submission in a supposedly loving, consensual relationship. Jamie Dornan stars as Christian Grey - an absurdly rich and handsome fellow with matter-offact acceptance and pursuit of his kinky sexual needs. When he meets ingenue Anastasia (Dakota Johnson), there’s instant chemistry, offset by reticence on both sides. That leads to a couple of hours of will-they/should-they dancing around her decision of whether to sign on for his program. Literally.

The upside of the film is that the erotic sequences are charged with the desired level of electricity, primarily due to Johnson’s vulnerability, and her engaging mix of innocence and intelligence.

That’s accomplished more with the tease than the tawdry.

Despite all the pre-opening hoopla and backlash from bluenose factions, the visuals are less explicit than any of the soft-core late-night fare on Cinemax and its premium-cable brethren.

The downside is that most of the dialog, especially that intended to provide glimpses into the principals’ backstories and psyches that brought them to this point, seems like drivel. The other negative is that this film only covers the first novel, leaving the lovers (?) in limbo. Closure ain’t part of this deal, so you may not want to start unless you’re ready to hope for film sequels or start reading. I’m in no hurry for either.

Mark Glass is an officer and director of the St. Louis Film Critics Association. www.primemontgomery.com | May 2015

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FEATURE

Diabetes

Beyond the Scale

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“From 1980 through 2011, the number of Americans with diagnosed diabetes more than tripled….”

hen it comes to Type II diabetes, many only consider weight when examining their risk.

Diabetes is complicated however, and risk factors are numerous. Some of the confusion is potentially reflected in statistics. From 1980 through 2011, the number of Americans with diagnosed diabetes more than tripled, from 5.6 million to 20.9 million, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and millions more have prediabetes or are undiagnosed.

On the bright side, cuttingedge research has uncovered strategies for avoiding, controlling and even reversing diabetes.

“It’s tempting to think that there’s not much you can do except take medication and hope for the best,” says George L. King, M.D., Chief Scientific Officer at Joslin Diabetes Center, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and author of the new book, “The Diabetes Reset.” “However, anyone can improve their body’s response to insulin and its ability to metabolize glucose in the blood.”

Each individual’s glucose control problems are unique, which is why King offers a range of evidence-based, diabetes-fighting strategies in his book. Here he shares a few: Diet A recent study by Dr. King and his Joslin colleagues has shown that insulin sensitivity, glucose metabolism and type 2 diabetes risk can all be significantly improved by 36

May 2015 | www.primemontgomery.com

switching to a low-fat, high-fiber diet consisting of 70 percent carbohydrates, 15 percent fat and 15 percent protein, including 15 grams of dietary fiber for every 1,000 calories consumed.

This dietary approach, known as the Rural Asian Diet, is easy to maintain, as it doesn’t call for restricting calories or totally avoiding any particular food group. While many diabetes experts promote restricting carbohydrates, this diet distinguishes between refined carbohydrates and complex carbohydrates, which are high in fiber, and will be converted into blood glucose much more slowly.

Weight Loss If your BMI is above 25 and you’re able to reduce your body weight by 5 to 7 percent, you can reduce your insulin resistance and improve your glucose metabolism.

Be advised, many doctors feel that BMI is of limited value in determining a diabetes risk because it doesn’t distinguish between fat and lean tissue or between different types of body fat. Abdominal fat is the most dangerous type of fat in terms of diabetes risk, so many doctors use waist circumference as an additional measurement.

Exercise Your muscles can lose insulin sensitivity due to inactivity. This can be largely reversed through a combination of 150 minutes of aerobic activity per week plus weekly strength training sessions. Together, these activities can increase your muscles’ ability to oxidize fats, glucose and other fuels, while also helping you lose weight.

Sleep There is mounting evidence that lack of sleep can contribute to insulin resistance and possibly causes damage to the pancreas, putting you at heightened risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Attempt to get seven to eight hours of high-quality sleep every night to improve insulin sensitivity.

Whether you have diabetes or not, understanding this disease and how it can be controlled can significantly improve your overall health.

Courtesy: Statepoint Media. Photo © Michael Jung - Fotolia. com

Things to Do in May May 2

Flimp Festival 10 am-2 pm. Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, Blount Cultural Park. Pet parade, sidewalk chalk competition, more. Admission charged. FREE to MMFA members and active duty military and their families. For information visit mmfa.org/visit/flimp-festival/.

Kentucky Derby Fundraiser benefiting Hospice of Montgomery, 2:30-3:30 pm (VIP Pre-party), 3:30-6:30 p.m.

General Admission. Alley Station Ballroom/Rooftop. Silent auction, hors d’ oeuvres, music, prizes. Admission charged.

For information contact Amy, 334-279-6677, agodsoe@ hospiceofmontgomery.org, or visit www.facebook.com/ events/1051560294860112.

F. Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald Museum Gala Fundraiser 7-11 p.m, 919 Felder Ave. For information contact Willie Thompson, 334-264-4222.

May 3

Old Cloverdale Association May Festival 3 pm, College Street Park (corner of College St., Westmoreland Ave.).

FREE. Kids activities, refreshments, procession of the May Queen, dancing of the Maypole. For information contact Karen Benton or Emily Brown, 334-413-1767.

Spring Concert Series 4-7 pm, Cloverdale-Idlewild Association (each Sunday in May,) FREE. Bring chairs, blankets, children, dogs (leased). For information visit www.facebook.com/ pages/Cloverdale-Idlewild-Association/214747971946187.

May 6

Lunch & Learn: Beneficial Pollinators and Native Bees FREE. Noon-1 pm Armory Learning Arts Center, 1018 Madison Ave., Montgomery. Sponsored by Capital City Master Gardener Assn. Bring a sack lunch; drinks provided. For information call Montgomery Co. Extension Office, 334-270-4133.

May 7

Taste of the Gardens, American Red Cross Fundraiser 5-8 p.m., Southern Homes & Gardens,Vaughn Rd., Montgomery. Silent auction, restaurant/caterer tastings, wine, live music. Admission charged. Purchase online, http://american.redcross.org/tasteofthegardens or at SH&G and Caffco Outlet. For information contact Kari Hennagin, 334-260-4016, kari.hennagin2@redcross.org.

May 9

Old Alabama Town • Jam Session (also May 23) , 9 am-noon.

• Herb Day. 8 am-3 pm. For information, call 334-240-4500, or visit oathsblog.com/.

May 9 (cont’d)

Riverfront Park • 2nd Saturday, 5-9 pm. For information, call 334-625-2100 or visit www.funinmontgomery.com.

• Iron Chef Competition, 4 pm. Fundraiser for Hemophilia and Blood Disorders Association. Friendly competition between radio and TV personalities.

Food vendors, kids activities.

Admission $1 (benefits HBDA).

May 14, 15

26th Annual Greek Food Festival & Pastry Sale Lunch & dinner, 11 am-8 pm.Greek Orthodox Church. (See page 32)

May 16

EastChase Farmer’s Market Preview May 16, May 23 for all vendors, activities. Remains open every Saturday after that through Oct. 10. Locally grown produce, gift items, entertainment, fitness classes, cooking demonstrations. For information call 334-279-6046.

May 17

Jazz Jam 2-4 pm, Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. FREE. For information call 334-240-4333 or visit mmfa.org/events/ family-art-affair-2/.

May 19

Joe Thomas, Jr. Guitar Pull 7-9 pm, Cloverdale Playhouse, Old Cloverdale. Singer/songwriters perform their music and discuss their songs. Admission charged (includes complimentary beverages).

June

Alabama Dance Theatre Summer Classes Armory Learning Arts Center, 1018 Madison Avenue, Montgomery.

Classical ballet, pointe, pas de deux,, composition, modern, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, tap.

Session 1: June 1-18 Session 2: June 29-July 16 “Tutu’s and Tiaras” Camp ages 3-8, June 22–26 Summer Seminar intermediate and advanced dancers, July 20-August 3.

For information call 334-241-2590 or visit www.alabamadancetheatre.com. www.primemontgomery.com | May 2015

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OFF THE BEATEN PATH

I

Quite the Pear

first noticed it last summer while mowing the lawn. The pear tree in our backyard seemed to be dropping leaves – which happens every year – except it was unseasonably early. Was it the heat, or maybe a gust of wind, since several branches lay scattered around the base of the tree as well? I daydreamed briefly of pear cobbler and strengthened my resolve to ensure the delicious green fruit on the tree survived to maturity. I ran the hosepipe out to the tree, let it run for 10 minutes, stepped back to quench my own thirst and pondered the mystery. Bella and Coco panted patiently at my side.

Every day before work the next week I watered the tree for a few minutes to see if the growing clutter of leaves and branches piling up around its base would diminish. To my disappointment, they didn’t. I was stumped, because the tree otherwise looked healthy. One morning not too long thereafter, I was staring out the kitchen window into the backyard at the pear tree, scratching my head about this strange problem when I saw Coco, sitting beneath the tree, seemingly pondering the same issue with equal intensity. Bella lay a few feet away, sunning.

I started to turn away but movement caught my eye. To my great surprise, Coco leaped straight up into the branches of the tree, snag a pear, a foot of branch and a cluster of leaves in her teeth. Her back feet must have cleared the ground by three feet. She snuck away, pear in mouth, trying to evade the suddenly interested Bella.

I chuckled as I watched her chomp down on that hard green pear and then turn back to the tree, get a running start and rocket up into its branches after another. Seeing her daughter’s achievement, Bella attempted the same, but without the same success. She

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May 2015 | www.primemontgomery.com

tried once more, then sulked away to sun herself. When Coco went to snag another, two pears fell and Bella pounced on one, happily carrying it back to her sunny patch to enjoy.

Sally and I laughed about our pair of pear eaters, though it wasn’t much of a shock given their usual antics. Besides being fine hunting dogs in their own right, they have also rid our section of the neighborhood of possums and are adept at wrangling up shad on fishing trips.

For the rest of the summer Coco worked every side of that tree pulling down pears, with Bella waiting in anticipation for the telltale thud in the grass of green fruit hitting the ground.

When the pears finally ripened, nearly every fruit within seven feet of the ground had already been harvested by Coco. There weren’t more than a few I could reach without the aid of a step ladder. But despite Coco’s best efforts we still managed a few pear pies from her leftovers.

After the leaves fell last fall, Coco still eyed the tree every time she walked by. More than once I caught her sitting beneath its bare branches gazing longingly upward. When the leaves reappeared this spring there was an extra spring in her step. The pears are now golf-ball sized, and at the tree’s base, fallen leaves and branches have ‘mysteriously’ begun reappearing.

Niko Corley, a licensed charter boat captain, spends as much of his free time as possible on the water or in the woods. He can be contacted at niko.corley@gmail.com.

Niko Corley

The independence you want... ...with the peace of mind you need Wesley Gardens Retirement Community Elegant Assisted Living Community and Memory Care

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Surprisingly Affordable 24/7 Nursing Care & Medication Assistance Wait Service for 3 Homestyle Meals Towncar Transportation Weekly Housekeeping &Personal Linen Service Full Calendar of Activities & Events Walk to The Shoppes at Eastchase

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334-272-7917 1555 Taylor Road, Montgomery AL 36117 www.primemontgomery.com | May 2015

The following organizations recognize May as Better Hearing Month: • American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery • American Academy of Audiology • National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders • American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

All EARS Hearing Centers recognizes Better Hearing during the following months: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December

VISIT All EARS Hearing Centers this month, or any month.

• Be evaluated by a Board-certified ENT MD. • Determine the cause of your heaing loss.

• Develop a treatment plan to improve your hearing.

6912 Winton Blount Blvd.

Montgomery, AL 36117 334-281-8400

all

EARS

Hearing Centers www.allearscenters.com

300 Medical Ave., Suite 2 Andalusia, AL 36420 334-427-2476