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The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
R ive r Re gio n Bo o m . co m
April 2021
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The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
Dr. Blake Raggio, Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon
PRF: The New “Gold-Standard” for Hair Restoration You may recall from my January BOOM! article— Hair Restoration: What are my Options? —that we discussed the wonderful benefits of Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for restoring a more youthful look to the hair. This month, I’d like to revisit the topic of non-surgical hair restoration and introduce you to Platelet-rich Fibrin (PRF), the second generation of PRP which many consider the new “gold-standard” for nonsurgical hair restoration. How are PRP and PRF Similar? Both PRP and PRF rely on a blood draw and subsequent centrifugation (spinning) to separate the stem cells and other growth factors from the rest of the blood components. The portion of the blood containing the stem cells and growth factors, or plasma, is collected and injected into areas of thinning hair to decrease hair loss, enhance the consistency of current hair, and promote new hair growth for both Men and Women suffering from thinning hair or hair loss. What makes PRF Better than PRP? Although there are basic similarities between PRP and PRF, several important differences exist that make PRF the preferred option for non-surgical hair restoration: 1) PRF requires less amount of blood to be drawn. 2) PRF does not require the addition of anticoagulants to "activate" the platelets, whereas PRP does. 3) PRF harvesting utilizes a less traumatic centrifuge protocol compared to PRP, thus producing a higher concentration of platelets, white blood cells, and growth factors that result in more effective hair restoration.
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
Who is an Ideal Candidate for PRF? First, it is worth noting that hair loss affects up to 85% of males and 40% of females and incidence increases with age for both sexes. That said, PRF is a great option for both Men and Women looking to counteract the early stages of hair loss. PRF may also benefit those suffering from traction alopecia (thinning secondary to extreme pulling on the hair) and serves as a great alternative for people who are reluctant to regularly take hair restorative medications (e.g., Rogaine, Propecia). What can I Expect on the Day of my Procedure? First, a small amount of blood is drawn. The blood is then "spun down" using a custom centrifuge with a specific PRF protocol. The scalp is cleansed and marked for areas to be treated. The PRF is then injected in the areas of thinning hair, typically targeting the hairline, temporal recesses, and/ or crown of the head using very small needles (similar size to Botox needles). The discomfort is minimal, often described as “ant-bites” or “pinpricks.” The total procedure time—blood draw, centrifuge, and injection, takes no more than 15-20 minutes and is conveniently done in the office setting. Is there any Downtime after a PRF Injection? No. Your only precautions are to keep the scalp clean for the next several hours.
You may experience some slight pinkness or tenderness near the injected area, but this is often temporary and resolves within minutes to hours after the procedure. Some patients take Tylenol if they experience a slight headache, though this often unnecessary. You may return to work immediately and may resume your normal showering or bathing routines immediately as well. For added safety, it is recommended you refrain from blow drying, coloring, or curling your hair for 3 days after the procedure. When can I Expect Hair Growth? You should note a marked decrease in hair thinning and shedding after 3-4 months, but it will take up to 9-12 months to see new hair growth. For optimal hair restoration results, it is recommended to undergo 4 injections separated over 4 months, with "maintenance" injections scheduled every 6-12 months thereafter to maintain results. How can I Learn More? If you are interested in learning more about PRF and hair restoration, I suggest consulting with a physician experienced in both surgical and non-surgical hair restoration methods so that you receive a thorough and non-biased evaluation. As always, choose a surgeon whom you trust. There is nothing more important than the relationship you have with your doctor. Until Next Time. Dr. Blake Raggio Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon Alabama Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 334-270-2003 Dr.Raggio@ALplasticsurgery.com www.ALplasticsurgery.com R ive r Re gio n Bo o m . co m
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BOOM!, The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
Contents
April 2021 Volume 11 Issue 9
You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”
Facebook.com/RiverRegionBoom C.S. Lewis
Thought Relationships Taste Inspiration
Humor Advice Health Community
“Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.”
Carl Bard
9 PRF: The New “Gold-Standard” for Hair Restoration Dr. Blake Raggio 12 Publisher's Column 14 Jeff Barganier Book Signing Saturday, May 1st 16 Sun Dried Tomato Chicken and Gnocchi
page 14
17 NATIONAL SENIOR GAMES REACHING OUT TO SENIORS
Features 24 When Counting Sheep Doesn’t Work
26 DIY Grandcamp
30 Beginning Again... and Again...and Again
Departments 36 This and That A few ditties of info
34 Jeff Barganier's A Spring Fling in Alabama’s Black Belt
Free Subscriptions
52 Greg Budell 110,350+ YEARS IN MAYBERRY
www.RiverRegionBoom.com page 52
18 How Biden’s Likely Tax Plan Might Impact You with Susan Moore 22 A Brighter 2021 for AUM OLLI 28 Heavenly Beauty & Scent By Billie Tomberlin 32 What About Their Inheritance? Ask an Elder Law Attorney
page 11
36 The 24th Annual Herb Day, Saturday, April 17th 38 Music is in the Air @ ASF page 42
page 24
page 26
page 34
page 14
39 LOL-MEME Humor 40 BOOM! Reader Discounts 42 BOOM! Cover Profile
page 38
page 17
page 30
page 28
Free Subscriptions @ w w w. r i ve rre gio n b o o m.co m
50 Castor Oil with Tracy Bhalla 54 Culinary Caper Fundraiser
BOOM! The River Regions 50+ Lifestage Magazine is published monthly by River Region Publications, P.O. Box 6203, Montgomery, AL 36106. The phone number is 334.324.3472. Copyright 2021 by River Region Publications. No part of this publication can be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Opinions expressed in BOOM! The River Regions 50+ Lifestage Magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the owners, nor do they constitute an endorsement of products and services herein.
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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Publisher’s Letter
Happy Spring!
The mission of BOOM! is to serve the folks of the River Region age 50 plus with information and ideas to inspire new experiences, better quality of life and new beginnings.
Publisher/Editor
Jim Watson, 334.324.3472
Jim Watson, Publisher jim@riverregionboom.com
jim@riverregionboom.com
Contributing Writers Jeff Barganier Tracy Bhalla
It’s exciting to announce that Jeff Barganier will be releasing his newest book May 1st. The book is called Lawson’s Bluff and he got the idea while writing one of his travel columns for BOOM! There will be a book signing event on May 1st at Cindy Barganier’s Interiors out at The Waters near the town square (see more details on page 14). Of course, Jeff will be there signing all the books and it would be wonderful if BOOM! readers showed up to buy every last book. Now that would be a BOOK SIGNING! See you there.
Greg Budell
Cindy James Rick Lauber Gloria Locklin Larry McCall Susan Moore Debbie O’Brien Dr. Blake Raggio Billie Tomberlin Raley L. Wiggins Michele Wojciechowski
Cover Photography Total Image Portraits www.totalimage.com
Advertising
Jim Watson, 334.324.3472 jim@riverregionboom.com
Facebook.com/RiverRegionBoom
Free Subscriptions www.RiverRegionBoom.com
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to start Spring!
With Spring in the air my mind always drifts towards the new fashions for Easter and beyond during this wonderful time of year…well not really. My mind did drift off into what it would be like to feature 3 beautiful women who know how to express the wonderful fashions for Spring, especially for the new mature women. We found the perfect trio over at Vivian O’Nays, Gloria (GiGi) Locklin, Debbie O’Brien and Cindy James. They are fun and excited about fashions, so we wanted them to share their stories with you. After getting to know them I’m sure you’ll want to meet them in person while you’re getting some retail therapy over at Vivian O’Nays. I know you’ll enjoy the reading experience and no doubt the shopping as well. This is a great way
Jeff writes this month about a little Spring Fling he takes around the Black Belt. It’s the kind of trip we all might take if in need of some exploration…which Jeff has always had a big supply. Check it out, there’s a goat and exotic meats, interesting. Another feature worth considering is the feature shared with us through the website ChristianGrandparenting.com. The story is about organizing a DIY Grandcamp, which sounds like a lot of fun for everyone. No doubt it would be a positive bonding experience for kids and grandparents. Check it out and see if it would work with your family. Our good friend Greg Budell has been studying the TV viewing habits of the human race during an outrageous pandemic and he has discovered something about American Royalty that was hiding in plain sight for decades. You must share this news with everyone! There’s much more to explore in this month’s issue, it was created for you. Thanks in advance for sharing with all your friends and family. Don’t forget to read the digital version, get it free at www.riverregionboom.com
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TROJANS TOGETHER Proudly Giving Together!
The Troy University Alumni Association are the torchbearers of the Trojan warrior spirit and leaders in encouraging loyalty, involvement and investment in advancing TROY. Jim 334.324.3472 cell/text In other words, jim@riverregionboom.com
TROJANS TOGETHER making a difference.
We invite you to invest in the lives of our deserving students by making a gift to our scholarship fund. Make a difference today TROJANS TOGETHER proudly giving together! For more information call the Office of Alumni Affairs @ (334) 670-3318 or simply mail your check to Troy University Alumni Association, 100 Highland Avenue, Troy, Alabama 36082 and make payable to Troy University Foundation.
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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Come, Meet Jeff!
A former securities broker turned writer/designer, Barganier travels far and wide upon the slightest excuse for something interesting to write about. He’s published four books and his articles on a wide variety of subjects have appeared in newspapers, magazines and on blogs. He’s travel editor for Boom! Magazine and his latest travel features may be found at www.jeffbarganier.com.
Where to buy the book: www.jeffbarganier.com (for autographed copies) www.amazon.com
BOOM!'s Travel Editor has a new book!
Jeff Barganier
Book Signing Saturday, May 1st Bring some friends and come meet Jeff and purchase your signed copy of Jeff's newest book, Lawson's Bluff. Location: Cindy Barganier Interiors, 43 Bridge Street, The Waters, Pike Road, AL. Time: 8:00 a.m. till 8:00 p.m. (All day). Feel free to reserve your copy in advance by emailing Jeffbarganier@knology.net. Or just show up! Paperback: 14.99. Cash, checks or credit card accepted.
Lawson's Bluff Bio:
Terrorists attempt a multi-million-dollar art heist while America's media distracts the world with graphic stories of Alabama hunters slaughtering hogs with dogs and knives. As fearless Jack Lawson is about to catch his thousandth boar, journalist Carla Frederick arrives to cover the hunt for the LA World News. Shocked by the “uncivilized” Alabamians with their bulldogs and razor-sharp knives, Frederick writes a grotesque, biased story about Jack that goes viral. Belatedly, she discovers the deeper story—deeper and darker than she could have ever known. Barganier has written an unlikely love story wrapped in twisting suspense.
Reader Testimonials:
I normally prefer stories about women. But you had me fully engulfed. You had the perfect mixture of mystery and a touch of a love story to keep my attention for the duration of the book. Excellent work! -S. Hagel I’m hooked … started reading when we boarded in Montgomery—almost finished first six chapters. Wow. Jeff is such a great writer—sentences are packed with rich details and of course I’m eating up all the spiritual truths. So honored and thankful to have received this pre-copy. Finished it on the flight. Fabulous! Bravo Jeff. –A.A. Salter
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The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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Sun Dried Tomato Chicken and Gnocchi INGREDIENTS
1 (16-ounce) package cauliflower potato gnocchi 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided 1 medium shallot, diced 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes halves 1 tablespoon tomato paste 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 3/4 cups chicken broth 1/4 cup dry white wine* 1/2 cup half and half 1 bunch kale, stems removed and leaves torn into bite-sized pieces 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan, about 2 ounces
DIRECTIONS
O Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. O In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook gnocchi according to package instructions; drain well. O Season chicken with 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. O Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. O Working in batches, add chicken to the skillet in a single layer and cook until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, about 4-5 minutes per side; set aside. O Melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Add shallot, and cook, stirring frequently, until tender, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in sun dried tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic and thyme, until fragrant, about 1 minute. O Whisk in flour until lightly browned, about 1 minute. O Gradually whisk in chicken broth and wine, and cook, whisking constantly, until slightly thickened, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in half and half until thickened, about 1-2 minutes; season with salt and pepper, to taste. O Stir in gnocchi and kale until the kale has wilted, about 1-2 minutes. Return chicken to the skillet; sprinke with Parmesan. O Place into oven and bake until bubbly, about 10-12 minutes. O Serve immediately.
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The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
NATIONAL SENIOR GAMES REACHING OUT TO SENIORS Christine Smith Davis is the Wellness Ambassador for the National Senior Games Association. She is committed to promoting the health and wellness of adults 50 and over through education, fitness, and sports. The National Senior Games Association (NSGA) lives out this mission by advocating for increased opportunities for older adults and seniors to engage in an active lifestyle. NSGA is a strong advocate for the Active Aging Movement. The primary role of the NSGA Wellness Ambassador is to advocate for senior active aging through telling their unique stories of wellness and active senior living through participation in the National Senior Games. The NSGA’S goal is to increase the number of seniors who participate in the Senior Games Movement through sports, fitness, volunteerism, peer to peer educational opportunities and advocacy. The NSGA program purpose is comprehensive in that it strives to: 1. Share the benefits of the National Senior Games 2. Explain the Senior Games Active Aging Movement 3. Model Active Aging/ Living for Seniors 4. Reduce Senior social isolation. 5. Advocate for increased physical activity 6. Advocate for falls prevention There are 20 available sports you can choose from to promote a healthy lifestyle and physical activity through the National Senior Games. They run the gamut from low impact to high intensity physical activity designed to increase endurance, strength, flexibility, and balance. These sports include: Archery_ Badminton_Basketball_Bowling_Cycling_ Golf_Horseshoe_Pickle ball_Power walking_Race walking_Racquetball_Road race_ Shuffleboard_Softball_Swimming_Table tennis_rack and field_Triathlon_Volleyball As the Ambassador for the National Senior Games Association, Davis encourages seniors to join the Senior Games Active Aging Movement by setting a personal best goal to become more active and to eventually participate in a local, State and/ or the National Senior Games. An invitation is extended to all seniors to participate in the next National Senior Games Competition scheduled for May 10 – 23, 2022 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Additional information may be found at NSGA@NSGA.com The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
Christine Smith Davis and Mable Sager, NSGA Athletes R ive r Re gio n Bo o m . co m
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How Biden’s Likely Tax Plan Might Impact You With a Democratic controlled Senate, it becomes much more likely that President Biden will be able to implement much of his proposed tax plan in 2021 through the process called “reconciliation” as did the Republicans with their tax plan in 2017. What is in his proposed plan and how does it likely impact you? Even though Biden promised to not raise taxes on individuals with incomes under $400,000, there are estate tax changes in his plan that could significantly raise taxes for lots of Americans who inherit property upon the death of a parent or loved one. On Wednesday, April 21, 2021, Susan Moore of Moore Wealth Management, Inc. (MWM) will conduct a free “How to Plan for Probable Upcoming Tax Law Changes” webinar. The workshop will review key elements in Biden’s proposed tax plan and how to create an “if/then” chart for your situation. If you would like to be included in the webinar, please contact Sarah at 256.234.2761 or email her at sarah@ moorewealthmanagement.com. A key focus will be on Biden’s proposed changes to the estate tax law. His proposal that could have the most sweeping effect would eliminate the “step-up in basis” for inherited assets. Under current law, someone inherits assets at the value on the date of the decedent’s death. The value “steps up” in cost basis upon death, eliminating any unrealized capital gain. The current law can be a huge tax-saver for appreciated inherited assets such as residences, real estate, stocks, etc. In addition, Biden’s plan proposes to cut the current estate tax exemption by more than half, which may make
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Financial Thoughts with Susan Moore
By Susan Clayton Moore, J.D.
Principal of Moore Wealth Management, Inc.
it attractive for some individuals to take advantage of current law to make gifts of appreciated property to loved ones before a new law takes effect. The Biden tax plan would also eliminate many real estate tax breaks that benefit individuals with rental property who have incomes below $400,000. These include Section 1031 like-kind exchanges that allow deferral of capital gains on swaps of appreciated real property and rules that allow faster depreciation of write-offs for certain real property, as well as others. The workshop will discuss other elements of the Biden tax plan that would significantly raise taxes for individuals with incomes exceeding $400,000, such as proposed higher maximum tax rates, limits on the tax benefit of itemized deductions, increases in Social Security payroll taxes and higher maximum rates on long-term capital gains. We conduct a variety of workshops in the form of webinars at MWM during the pandemic. The mission
statement of MWM is very simple: “and then some.” We attempt to do what is required, what is expected, and then some. The Biden Tax Plan workshop is part of our monthly “and then some” workshops. In addition, MWM conducts current market updates daily that attempt to explain what is going on in the financial world. If you would like to be on the mailing list or receive email notifications of upcoming webinars, please call 334.270.1672. Susan Clayton Moore, J.D., is a financial advisor and wealth manager of Moore Wealth Management, Inc., with offices in Auburn, Montgomery, and Alexander City, AL. Susan manages over $170 million (as of 7.31.2020) in brokerage and advisory assets through Kestra Financial and has been a financial planner for over 37 years. Contact Susan at 334.270.1672. Email contact susan@moorewealthmanagement.com. Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisory Services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. Kestra IS or Kestra AS are not affiliated with Moore Wealth Management, Inc. https://bit.ly/KF-Disclosures
April Workshop (webinar)
How to Plan for Upcoming Tax Law Changes to register, call our Montgomery office at
334.270.1672
sarah@moorewealthmanagement.com
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The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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April 2021
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A Brighter 2021 for AUM OLLI
Through Summer and Fall terms of 2020 and Winter term of 2021, AUM OLLI fulfilled its mission of offering lifelong learning through a variety of online courses. In the Winter term that has just ended, OLLI added two outdoor in-person courses, hiking and a walk in the woods. The latter course is being repeated in Spring term.
The AUM OLLI staff is now working on the 2021 Summer term (four Mondays in June), planning to offer in-person classes. That short term will provide an opportunity to be sure that the Fall schedule can be a full return to in-person classes. Neal Kelley, Director of AUM Continuing Education & Community Engagement, announced these plans to current AUM OLLI members in a statement he sent out last month. Following is an excerpt of his message:
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Greetings OLLI Members!
It is hard to believe it has been a full year of enduring disruptions, restrictions, and heart-wrenching tragedies caused by the pandemic. During this time, many have learned to adjust, learn new skills through Zoom, demonstrate resilience, all while supporting one another “from a distance.” I want to say thank you again to the OLLI members and instructors who have engaged with classes through Zoom, understanding that remote learning is not for everyone. Today, as vaccines are being made available to community members, we are infused with the hope of returning to a greater degree of normalcy. While we will continue to offer OLLI classes only through Zoom for the Spring term to provide more time for vaccine distribution, we are making plans now to offer our four-week Summer term and Fall term in-person, assuming conditions
continue to improve. While it is possible that face coverings and social distancing will continue to be required to safeguard members, we are optimistic and excited in our plans to offer the in-person experiences we have missed for the last year! … Even though Spring classes began the last week of March, there is still time to join and sign up for the walk in the woods on May 7 from 9:30 to 11:30. Led by AUM faculty members, participants will walk through the woods on the AUM campus to learn about the property’s ecological, archeological, and cultural history. Now is a good time to join AUM OLLI to learn new things and meet new people. www.aum.edu/OLLI
Never lose the love of lifelong learning!
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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By Rick Lauber
When Counting Sheep Doesn’t Work How to Fall Asleep and Stay Asleep
While sleep does a body and mind good, getting a proper night’s rest cannot always be guaranteed. Our physical and mental health, lifestyle, and environmental issues along with what we eat and drink can all greatly factor in how well we can doze off and sleep overnight. Losing sleep can have disastrous results. Insomnia can be unhealthy (if you are too tired to fight off an infection), frustrating to both you and your partner (who may be kept awake by your tossing and turning), and risky (if you are unable to drive safely).
7 Sleep Management Techniques to Promote Sleep Health Sleep loss can be helped through what doctors and sleep specialists refer to as “proper sleep hygiene.” These are best practices which have been shown to help people get sufficient sleep. I’ve introduced a number of these habits in my own life and found them quite helpful. Tips for proper sleep hygiene include:
1. Exercise regularity. The human body loves routine so going to bed (and getting up in the morning) around the same time can be beneficial. 2. Wind down in the evening. Choose calming activities. A quiet movie is more conducive to relaxation than a violent war movie or distressing newscast. 3. Soak your feet. While you may find a full bath or shower relaxing, soaking your feet in warm water can be a less extensive task and can have similar results. 4. Try a medical supplement. Melatonin
any irregularities you may have felt or bad dreams you may remember. Having this information to show your doctor, if needed, will help him / her identify poor sleeping patterns and better diagnose the problem.
How Food Affects Our Sleep
is one of the most common and can be purchased over-the-counter from pharmacies / health food stores. Other supplement options worth experimenting with include the following: Ginkgo biloba, Glycine, Valerian root, Magnesium, Lavender 5. Consider your lifestyle and other health concerns. Are you experiencing additional stress? Worry? Depression? These conditions can lead to sleep deprivation. Try combatting stressors with meditation, deep breathing, or anything else you find relaxing. 6. Address other health concerns. Another possibility may be sleep apnea. Here, a person’s breathing may stop overnight – a highly worrisome situation! Sleep apnea can be treated using a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. This device will increase air pressure for the sleeper. Getting used to wearing a mask may take some time but there are many options available to ensure the best fit and maximum comfort. If you feel you are suffering from sleep apnea, schedule an appointment with your doctor for further testing and discussion. 7. Keep a sleep journal on your bedside table. This can be a simple notebook in which you can record when you wake up, how long you were awake for, and
What we eat – and when we eat it – may also keep us awake at night. One of the most common reasons for this is digestion. Avoid eating meals (or even snacks) two hours prior to turning in for the night. While you don’t want to go to bed hungry (a grumbling stomach will keep you awake), you don’t want to go to bed with a full stomach either. Heavier foods take longer to digest while excessive liquids (alcohol or otherwise) will result in more bathroom trips overnight. Foods to Eat to Promote Good Sleep When your mother offered you warm milk to help you sleep, she was right! Milk contains a nutrient known as Tryptophan. With increased Tryptophan in your system, your body will produce more serotonin and melatonin – both of which will help with relaxation. Drinking a warmed beverage can be very soothing as well. Here are a few other suggestions to try: Oatmeal, Kiwis, Nuts (specifically almonds and walnuts), Chicken noodle soup. Foods to Avoid Prior to Bedtime Drinking a cup of coffee in the morning can wake you up. Therefore, it makes sense that drinking a cup of coffee at night can keep you awake. You’ll also want to avoid other foods/beverages containing caffeine (food labels will list ingredients). Here are several other foods
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to avoid: Ice cream, Pizza (or any other fatty foods), Chocolate, Grapefruit, Hot peppers (or other spicy foods).
Improve Your Environment to Improve Your Sleep There are many ways to improve your sleep. Create a restful sleeping environment by doing the following:
O Keep the room dark. Turn off the lights and close the bedroom door. If your partner reads in bed, get him or her a small bedside lamp which will not shine too brightly. O Hang heavier blinds/curtains to block outside light. Flashing vehicle headlights or business signage from across the street shining through your bedroom window can be very disruptive to your sleeping patterns. O Turn down the furnace. A cooler room temperature may help you sleep. If it gets too cold, add an extra blanket but don’t go overboard. Sliding into a warm bed piled high with blankets may seem cozy but it is possible to be too warm. O Replace a digital alarm clock with one with a softer and more calming display light. Alternatively, turn your alarm clock around so the display doesn’t shine in your face.
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
O Reduce distractions while you’re in bed. Reading can help relax you while playing an electronic game may engage your brain and keep you awake. O Ensure your mattress is comfortable. Flipping the mattress around or over or using a mattress pad can eliminate sags temporarily, but mattresses should be replaced every 7-8 years. When shopping for a new mattress, consider back support, sleeping position, cooling qualities, and value. Evaluate your pillow as well; does it still provide proper head and neck support? O Wear an eye mask or ear plugs. Either, or both, of these ideas can help to block out distracting light or noise. Why Sleep is Good for Your Brain Health Insomnia continues to be a wellresearched subject with some interesting findings, like poor sleep’s link to Alzheimer’s. An article from Psychology Today explained that, “When it comes to mental well-being, sleep matters tremendously. During sleep, the body and brain repair themselves, strengthening the immune system—which has close ties to mental health—bolstering the stress response, and recharging the systems that help regulate emotions, consolidate memories and thoughts, focus, and
connect to others. High-quality sleep, in short, can improve someone's life in a number of ways.” Another article from the Brain & Health Magazine reports that proper sleep has direct impacts on our human brains and found that, “Experts agree quality sleep is critical to cognitive function, especially in the short term. Studies show sleep deprivation hinders learning, impairs cognitive performance, and slows reaction time—like being intoxicated but without the buzz. Scientists recently discovered that sleep and memory storage are inextricably linked as well. Now, they are wondering whether poor sleep contributes to neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive decline.” What both these articles (and others like them) are saying is that a brain that is not working becomes a brain that will not continue working and will – in due course –shut down. While getting to sleep and staying asleep may seem hard to do, the answer may not be that difficult. With some easy adjustments, you can, once again, be resting well and getting the sleep that you need. Sweet dreams!
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Christian Grandparenting
DIY Grandcamp
We were still putting things away from this year’s Grandcamp when we started talking about what we could do for next year’s Grandcamp. It had been a great week. Though we were tired, we were happy and grateful. This had been our fourth year of hosting our grandkids for five days of enjoying “Lots of Love! Lots of Fun!” to quote my wife, Gladine.
Having initially heard of the concept of Grandcamp from our friend Cavin Harper in 2017, Gladine and I began to wonder what it would take to do our own Grandcamp. Taking our grandkids to an established traditional Grandcamp that involved multiple families and was hosted by a trained camp staff sounded like a wonderful idea, but we were limited by time, geography, and finances. Would we be able to do Grandcamp here at our home – a “DIY Grandcamp,” as it were? We began praying and planning. The first year went so well that our grandkids wanted us to do it again. And so we did, again and again and again – four years so far, each year building on our previous experiences. So, what have we learned about having a “Do It Yourself Grandcamp” that may be an encouragement for you to do something similar? Here are some highlights that I trust you will find helpful: Pray: We need God’s help. We want God’s help. So, let’s ask. I Ask for discernment and direction: Are there particular needs in the lives of our grandchildren that we might be able to address in a loving, focused way at Grandcamp? I Ask for unity: Families are usually made up of a variety of personalities and preferences spanning three generations. How might we work together to make it a great Grandcamp? I Ask for the Lord’s work in the lives of
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the grandkids, and grandparents. Ask the Lord to use Grandcamp for His glory and the good of our grandchildren. I Ask for strength. No matter the size of our flock of grandkids, their energy level, and ours, we will need God’s
empowerment to keep up – and to do so with joy. Plan: Though our plans are always submitted to God’s sovereignty, taking the time to plan will make Grandcamp more enjoyable for everyone. I Plan the “theme” for Grandcamp. We have found having a memorable spiritual theme was especially helpful. One year we used Marty Machowski’s Listen up: Ten Minute Family Devotionals on the Parables. I planned short devotionals for each mealtime and bedtime, drawing Scripture illustrations, activities, and applications from this book. So the theme that year was “Listen Up!” It went so well that the following year we used Marty’s book Wise Up: Ten Minute Devotionals in Proverbs. “Wise Up” made a great theme that year. For the following two years I drew from my own book Walking Like Jesus Did. Pick a theme for the entire Grandcamp with daily “sub-themes.” You might want to plan a memory verse for the week or even daily memory verses to work on together. I Plan the dates for Grandcamp. Talk to your adult children about their
by Larry McCall family’s calendar. When might be the best days for Grandcamp? If you have grandchildren from multiple families, this will take some coordination, so it may be best to work on establishing dates for Grandcamp months in advance, if possible. We’ve enjoyed blocking out five days for Grandcamp (Monday morning through Friday evening), but that might be a bit much for your situation. Decide what would work best for you and your family. Get it on the calendar and start talking it up with your kids and grandkids, watching the excitement grow with each intervening interaction. I Plan the activities for Grandcamp. You will want to incorporate activities that are fun to think about and plan. If your budget is limited, don’t let that keep you and your grandkids from experiencing the “Lots of Love! Lots of Fun!” that Gladine talks excitedly about. What backyard games could you plan? How about indoor activities in case of inclement weather? If you have some older grandkids, ask them to help come up with ideas. They might even like to be in charge of a game, activity, or craft project. Don’t have your own pool? Ask a friend or neighbor to let you borrow their pool. Are there any kid-friendly activities in your community that your grandchildren would enjoy? Check them out ahead of time and include some in your planning. Is there a Christian friend you would like to invite as a guest to tell their testimony? Think of ice cream shops you might want to visit – or have a “create your own sundae” activity in your home. If you’re concerned about having too much planned, build in “quiet time” in the afternoon for napping or reading. How about scheduling some “free time” for the kids to play together? We like to call it “cousin time,” encouraging the growth
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of those family relationships. We’ve enjoyed planning some winding-down time in the evenings, when we watch a Torchlighters (https://torchlighters.org) video with the grandkids before evening Bible time, prayer, and bedtimes. I Plan the daily schedule. Having a planned-ahead-of-time daily schedule has been helpful not only to us grandparents, but for the grandkids, too. We’ve actually posted the daily schedule on the kitchen wall so the kids who are old enough to read can see what we’ll be doing that day, Lord willing. We list meals, activities and a devotional theme for the day. By the way, we keep these in a file so we can refer back as we think through the coming year’s Grandcamp. I Plan the meals. Depending on the number of your grandchildren, meal prep could feel daunting at this season of life. Talk to your kids about any dietary limitations so you can plan accordingly. We try to plan simple meals that the kids will like, with their parents’ approval. We’ve enjoyed including
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the (older) grandkids in our planning, asking them ahead of time if they would like to choose a meal to help plan and prepare. Fun! Keep it simple. Involve the grandchildren as much as they are able in the prep, set up, clean up, etc. This is good training for serving one another. By planning the meals ahead of time, the shopping can be done before camp starts, eliminating the need for repeated runs to the grocery store, taking one of you away from Grandcamp activities. I Plan end-of-camp “blessings”. Cavin Harper introduced us to the value of having planned times of blessing each of our grandchildren. For each of the four Grandcamps we’ve had so far, we’ve ended the week by inviting the parents to join us for a closing dinner and hearing highlights from each of the grandchildren. Then as the “patriarch,” I asked each of the young ones to come in turn beside me. I placed my hand on them and read prepared, personalized “blessings,” noting God’s grace in their lives, asked God’s blessing for their futures, and declared their
grandmother’s and my commitment to walk with them on their journey as long as we have life. The grandkids of all ages have demonstrated how much they look forward to “Papa’s blessing.” ( I give hard copies of each blessing to the child and a second copy to his or her parents). Engage: By planning our devotions, meals and activities ahead of time, we have greater freedom to engage with our grandchildren as a group or oneon-one. We don’t want the activities or meal prep to be so consuming that we miss those opportunities for eye contact, meaningful conversations, and just plain laughter-filled fun times. By God’s grace, let’s be “in the moment” with our precious grandchildren during their time with us at Grandcamp. Rejoice! Let’s look back on our time with our grandchildren at Grandcamp, thanking God for His work in each of our lives, even while we begin to pray and dream about next year’s Grandcamp. Source: www.christiangrandparenting.com
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Master Gardener's Perspective
By Billie Tomberlin
Heavenly Beauty & Scent
I begin my story as a little girl growing up in a small town in South Carolina. Summerville is known as “The Flower Town in the Pines”. Full of old, tall, huge circumference Pine trees and Live Oak trees with their majestic branches reaching out in all directions and Azaleas everywhere. Beautiful classic southern mansions, charming homes and cottages graced our lovely village all around town. Many other varieties of flowers with multiple colors were in abundance year-round. I remember in the springtime taking walks with so many scents in the air amongst the wisteria vines growing up trees and hanging off porches and arbors. One of my favorite memories was pulling the soft and velvety leaves off the mimosa trees.
Plantation. Occasionally, I would go with her and stroll through beautiful grounds with its many winding pathways amongst the Live Oaks, Tea Olives, fountains, and
Dad always had an abundant vegetable garden on just a small patch of dirt. There were tomatoes, Kentucky wonders, squash, peppers, cucumbers, Bibb lettuce and many other Billie enjoying Garden Time with her grandchild, Rivers delicious vegetables harvested Singleton, whose mother is Natalie, Billie's daughter and enjoyed. My love for hundred years’ old Camellia gardens. Camellias and Tea Olives began when Dad These memories from my childhood planted a beautiful “pink” Camellia by are where my love for Camellias, Tea my bedroom window and the heavenly scent of the Tea Olive permeated the air Olives and all flowering things bright and as you would walk out the back door. beautiful began. My parents would share the fruits of the I had always dreamed to somehow garden harvests and Tea Olives plants as replicate that architectural style and gifts to our neighbors. garden setting that I had grown up with into our new life together with Mom was the one with the wealth of knowledge on flowers. Larkspur, Sweet my husband and children in Alabama. peas, and so many others were planted One day many years ago while flipping through the latest issue of a Southern around our home with their beautiful Living magazine I came across a house colors and fragrances. My mom was referred to by many in town as the plan article that immediately captivated my attention, “that’s it, this is the home “Flower Lady of Summerville”. She I’d love to build one day!” Thinking there worked at Middleton Gardens where she created flower arrangements for the was no way we could ever do it, but lo
and behold my husband, Steve, agreed to move forward with my vision. We ordered the plans, purchased a 5-acre tract of land in Pike Road and began construction shortly thereafter. After a year of selective manual laboring of clearing the land, identifying the best location for the home site, and designing the landscaping layout; our dream home was completed! Of course, our first plantings would be the Azaleas, Camellias and Tea Olives that I have always loved so dearly. We selected an area in the back of the property under a stand of pine trees to create a Camellia garden like the ones I remembered from Middleton. I knew they would flourish in that location and they certainly have! We started with 20 Camellias of many different varieties and now we have over 40 included in that garden and all around the grounds. The Tea Olives planted on all sides of the house provide that heavenly scent several times a year as we stroll around the yard. Many pathways provide us with access to the other garden plots that have evolved over the years. More than 50 Azaleas flourish all over greeting guests at the driveway entrance and other areas along the fencing in the yard. Roses, flowers, bulbs, Banana shrubs, Jasmine and many other plants contribute to the beautiful sights and smells we are so fortunate and thankful to enjoy yearround. We look forward to many more years sharing the love of landscaping and gardening with our children and grandchildren and to continue the legacy of that Heavenly Beauty & Scent!
Billie Tomberlin, an intern in the 2020 Master Gardener Class, lives in Pike Road, AL with her husband Steve, also an intern in the 2020 Master Gardener Class. For more information on becoming a master gardener, visit www.capcitymga.org or email capcitymga@gmail.com.
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The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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By Michele Wojciechowski
Beginning Again...and Again...and Again
In his new book, 'Beginners,' Tom Vanderbilt shows that you’re never too old to learn something new When I texted a friend and said I had been taking drum lessons at age 50 and a year later was about to play a song with a band in a local two-day fundraising music festival in Maryland called Stanstock, he texted back one comment: LOL. While some folks made jokes about it being a midlife crisis, more were supportive. One said she was inspired by me and began taking guitar lessons, which she had wanted to do her entire life. The adage, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks" has worked against people for ages. But not anymore. Bestselling author and journalist Tom Vanderbilt, in his book titled "Beginners: The Joy and Transformative Power of Lifelong Learning," tackles lots of new activities such as chess, riding a surfboard, singing in a choir in Manhattan called Britpop, learning to juggle, drawing, helping to craft his replacement wedding ring (he lost the other one surfing) and more. Vanderbilt, 52, spoke with Next Avenue about what it's like being a beginner. What follows is a version of our interview, edited for length and clarity. Next Avenue: What was the impetus for you to start writing this book? Tom Vanderbilt: The short version is that I suddenly found myself as a parent taking my daughter to all kinds of things -- classes, after-school activities. [She was a fouryear-old at the time, now she is eleven.] I was hiring, when I could, coaches or tutors because I wanted her to have the experience of learning as many things as possible to be able to dabble and -- without the pressure to be good at everything -- to be good at these things. I found myself sitting on the sidelines. I was wondering: Was I sending her the wrong message in terms of being a good model because I was telling her how important it was for her to learn all these new things? Because when she looked at me, what was I actually learning? I was sort of doing a few things I had always done, and I was, of
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course, busy working and being a parent. But I wasn't really living this life that I was telling her was so important. So, I thought it would be interesting to try to change that — sometimes with her, sometimes just on my own. That was the basic impetus, and it began with one small thing. From there, it grew.
just so portable and easy to access. I don't need special equipment. I don't need to go somewhere. The conditions don't have to be right. I would love to be able to surf every day, but I don't live exactly on the beach. It takes a bit of effort, and then the conditions have to be right in the ocean, which doesn't always happen. There are a lot of people who, especially in our age group and older, are apprehensive about trying something new. Part of it is because they know they're going to start out and be bad at it. Why would you suggest that people still put themselves out there to be beginners, whether they're good at something or not?
Tom Vanderbilt and his daughter playing chess
Did it begin with chess or something else? Chess. This was something my daughter wanted to genuinely play. She was curious about it. I had never really gotten around to playing, and I tried to pick it up myself. But I didn't feel confident that I would be the best person to teach her or teach myself. I like to learn from experts. There were all kinds of benefits. I was able to appreciate how hard it might be for her, because I was also going through that myself. She could see me struggling with this thing, and maybe that would encourage her to try harder because it turns out adults also struggle. They don't just magically know everything. What activities are you still engaged in? It's a combination of what are the things we genuinely enjoy doing, and what are the easiest things to do. Not necessarily easy in terms of skill level, but just easy to actually find the time for, or the opportunity for. I think singing was the thing that resonated the most because it just makes me feel good, and I enjoy doing it. But then it's
Sometimes it's easier said than done, but to really try to approach it like a child. One of the reasons children learn so particularly well is that they have such a low-pressure environment in which they learn. They have a very supportive audience. They're encouraged all the way. But we learn these key skills that we have, as humans, in such a natural, immersive, low-pressure environment — like walking or talking. Of course, we're bad at them in the beginning, but we get better. Just expect that failure is going to be part of your process, and failure represents learning. If you already knew how to do it, you wouldn't be learning. Another thing that helped me was to do classes where there were other beginners, because then you felt a certain camaraderie. You could see other people making mistakes. Seeing other beginners — knowing that you're not alone — also provides a great source of motivation. Taking singing lessons was great fun, but once I joined the choir, I felt like the stakes had become higher. I now had certain responsibility, not just to myself, but to other people to try to do it well. So that encouraged me to practice more. The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
In all the activities you tried, at some point, someone said to you that you were doing pretty well. Suppose you had tried something and they said, 'You just don't have it.' Would you have continued if you liked it or would you not?
have to achieve mastery in any of them.
It is powerful to be told by someone, like a drawing instructor saying your drawing's really good, and it provides such a burst of motivation.
One of them had to do with the skills themselves. For example, seeing how much of it really is like a sport that you would try to pick up, like golf or tennis.
It is easier to do things once you feel like you have a shred of proficiency. But that didn't always come early for me. There were things that I psyched myself out of. I took this welding course, and it was interesting, and I really liked the raw nature of working with metal and fire, and it felt fun, but I decided on my own that I'm not that good with working with my hands. Maybe if I had felt more of a desire, I would've continued.
It's more of a challenge with singing because you can't actually see any of those muscles and you can't feel like you really control them individually. But a lot of the things I was learning were just different than I imagined they would be. I imagined singing would be a much more natural learning process where we would just start sort of singing songs, and it would just flow. But it really was like learning any other instrument.
People shouldn't be afraid to stop something if it's not really working for them. It's your free time. Do with it what you want. You don't have to feel guilty about quitting. There's many, many things you can take up in the world. You don't
You always took lessons from a pro. Do you think that all beginners have to?
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Throughout this process, what were some of the most surprising things you learned that you didn't expect would come from this project?
No, not at all. People have learned and become quite proficient on the guitar watching YouTube because YouTube is this
great venue for learning things through mimicry, which is really how humans are set up to learn — by watching how other people do things. I'm just the kind of person who is naturally a bit apprehensive about taking things on myself. Some people have more confidence in that kind of exploratory process and figuring it out for themselves and failing by themselves. If there was just one message that you would hope readers would take from your book, what would it be? Just go out and do something. Don't let that inner, negative self-talk or the idea that you might be too old or that you might not have talent for something prevent it. There's so much that can happen in even ten hours of trying to learn something; it can be such a rewarding and energizing experience. I think the hardest thing about being a beginner is just making that first call, signing up for that class, walking into the class on the first day. But it gets easier. Source: www.nextavenue.org
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Ask an Elder Law Attorney
By: Raley L. Wiggins | Attorney at Law | Red Oak Legal, PC
What Should You Tell The Kids About Their Inheritance? Money is still a taboo topic in polite society. We don’t engage in small talk with someone we’ve just met by asking them “So, how much did you pull down last year?” Instead, we stick towards mundane and unoffensive topics like the weather. But, this social taboo may extend to our families as well. At one time or another, parents with inquisitive school-aged children will have to address the inevitable questions from their young ones about whether their family is “rich” or “poor.” Parents generally find a way to dance around the topic while landing somewhere in the “middle class” neighborhood.
Attend Free Workshop
required. For more info visit www.redoaklegalpc.com.
Communication can go a long way to smooth a transition from one generation to the next. Consider the adult child who has to take over managing a parent’s finances when the parent can no longer manage on their own due to dementia. Clients often tell me that they don’t know where to begin to look for their elderly parent’s key financial information. As has been widely reported, the baby boomer generation have begun to inherit the greatest inter-generational April 2021
the inheritance that matters. Family members can squander a $15,000 inheritance just as foolishly as they do a $1.5 Million.
So prepare your heirs by educating them about what they may or may not stand to receive at your death. Help them to understand that their inheritance is not a sure thing, nor is it a Estate Planning and Asset Protection Workshop panacea for a lifetime of poor financial decisions. For more information and to register please contact our office Help them understand by calling (334) 239-3625 or email Dana@redoaklegalpc.com. that a “fair” division of This educational workshop presented by local attorney Raley your estate among your L. Wiggins covers wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance heirs doesn’t necessarily directives, living wills, probate administration, protecting assets mean that it is a mathematically “equal” from creditors, bankruptcy, divorce and remarriage, nursing division. homes, long-term care and Medicaid qualification. Registration is
Even after children are grown and have families of their own, many parents don’t want to discuss their finances or property with the kids—even if those kids are now in their 50’s. I think this is unfortunate. The fact is that most people want to leave their property to their children one day. If the kids are going to own it, why shouldn’t they know more about it now?
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transfer of wealth in history from their parents—as much as $12 trillion overall. That amount will be eclipsed when boomers leave it to their children. Now, I don’t recommend that you report every penny of your financial situation to your adult children on a regular basis. But, I do think it’s a good
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idea to inform them, at least generally, about the nature of your assets, your investment and savings goals, and your ultimate estate planning goals. If you intend to leave your kids some, but not all, of your estate, then it’s a good idea to tell them why you reached that decision. Billionaire Warren Buffet, who has famously decided to give away most of his fortune rather than leaving it to his children, thinks that the “correct” amount of money to leave the kids is “enough money so that they would feel they could do anything, but not so much that they could do nothing.” And Buffet, who updates his estate plan fairly regularly, allows his children to read the latest version each time a change is made. Most of us don’t have the kind of “billionaire problems” that Warren Buffet has. Most of us hope that we are in a position to leave our kids anything at all. But, it is not the size of
Talking about your financial situation with your adult children is just as uncomfortable as it was to answer the questions of your young and curious children all those years ago. I realize that. But, a lot of things that are good for us are uncomfortable (I’m looking at you, dentists). Take some time, update your estate planning and financial documents, and then have one nice long uncomfortable conversation with your kids about it. Once it’s done, you’ll be relieved to know you’ve finally gotten everything in order. Raley L. Wiggins Attorney at Law, Red Oak Legal, PC 334-239-3625 | info@redoaklegalpc.com 322 Catoma Street, Montgomery, AL 36104, www.redoaklegalpc.com
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Travel Experiences with Jeff Barganier
A Spring Fling in Alabama’s Black Belt I wake up early, hankering for a spring fling. Following my walk around gorgeous Lake Cameron at The Waters in Pike Road, it’s only natural to start the day with a delicious cup of coffee and blueberry muffin from The Waters own Hole in the Wall Coffee Shop. Hole in the Wall is the creative genius of retired dentist Bill Cornwell and construction executive Carl Calderone. The quaint establishment got its name when Dr. Cornwell’s Bill Cornwell (L) and Carl Calderone (R) wife Marci warned him, “Don’t you dare put one hole in the arrives with wall unless you’re sure you’re going to two goats in do this!” At which point, Dr. Cornwell tow for the turned and smashed a hole through children to the sheetrock, birthing a new business pet. (This and first ever coffee shop at The impromptu Waters. A commemorative section of petting zoo that very drywall hangs on the new wall in the shop and features a coffee mug emerging like a butterfly from a cocoon. The coffee shop displays comparable humor and creativity throughout, making this a fun establishment to visit. The locals love it, and Hole in the Wall has become a favorite neighborhood hangout.
Vaughn Road and is eager for your business. His wife is expecting a second daughter who will have made her debut by the time you read this. While Zack and I get acquainted, Dr. Cornwell
Kenzie Feeding Goat
occurs now and then.) One goat’s large and brown. But the children seem to favor the pigmy Cindy and I take seats at named Snowball. an outside table and are Snowball’s not soon joined by neighbors quite as eager Zack Knight and his to be petted as Hole in the Wall Coffee Shop @ The Waters adorable daughter Kenzie. the children are A transplant from Mississippi with eager to pet him. He cries and tries to relatives in the river region, Zack’s bolt away but calms when held. And opening a new State Farm office on everyone enjoys their show.
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We enjoy our coffee to the last drop before departing for Shana’s Place located at 1894 County Road 6 in Shorter, Alabama. The cover designer for my latest novel Lawson’s Bluff is an avid hunter who lives in the southwestern edge of Colorado at the base of the Rockies. When, in an email, she told me about the delicious elk and antelope her family hunts and eats, my mouth watered. But where in the world around here can one find such epicurean delights? Shana’s Place! And not just exotic meats but fresh fish. You can order a whole red snapper from Shana and have it in a few days! At Shana’s, we’re greeted by her notso-camera-shy gobbler, Ranger, who poses with us for photos and struts his stuff. All around us are processing facilities and freezers—some in a converted school bus. I search through a freezer and find … elk meat. Yes! I promptly purchase a couple of pounds for my grill. Shana is crazy busy managing this business Calming Snowball the Goat she started from scratch in 2003. But she takes time to visit, is delightful to talk with, and is full of enthusiasm. “We have the ability to order a ton of awesome products that we don’t generally keep in stock! Some of these items are cowboy rib eyes, The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
porterhouse, dry aged anything, wagyu, crab legs, lobster, fresh oysters, shrimp, caviar, clams, seaweed, whole fresh fish like snapper, flounder, grouper, mahi, monkfish, tilapia, tuna, salmon, halibut and catfish. Please call with your request and I’ll get pricing!” Shana with Jeff, Talking Meat Shana’s offering something new this year—smoking different meats on the grounds. Today, it’s brisket. It’ll be ready in time for lunch. You can check out her offerings and subscribe for email updates on her website below. This is without a doubt the coolest meat market I’ve ever visited. Satisfaction is guaranteed. Be sure and get a selfie with Ranger. (By the way, talking about meat, my latest novel is about an Alabama hunter, Jack Lawson, who hunts wild boar with dogs. He never carries a gun, preferring to tackle the hog and kill it with a knife. The idea for this novel came from a BOOM! feature about a hunter in Georgia. You can read that feature at www.jeffbarganier.com.)
We rush back to The Waters, put the elk meat in the freezer, then head south on Highway 231 to the Sikes and
Kohn’s location of Hamburger King where we enjoy their famous burgers for lunch—the best ever. Afterward, as naptime is approaching, we foreclose on shopping at the country mall. Instead, we opt for a visit to Sweet Creek Farm Market off 231 North, just shy of Montgomery. As usual, Sweet Creek is slammed with customers. But the grounds sprawl over a couple of acres, so it doesn’t seem crowded at all. I don’t even have to wait in a line for my butter pecan ice cream cone. We enjoy snapping
Ranger
Ice Cream at Sweet Creek 2
My travel pieces often cover venues far away. But, to be honest, none of the wonderful places I’ve visited for a travel story have anything over what we have right here in the Black Belt. While it’s fun to travel afar and explore, there’s also much to see and do close to home. Watch for more regional stories in coming issues of BOOM! as I explore the Black Belt and offer suggestions for fun and interesting “flings.” And thanks for reading BOOM! We write for you!
some photos and exploring the market to see what’s new. All the while, we’re serenaded by Sweet Creek’s excellent musicians Hamburger King at Sikes & Kohn's performing the To Learn More: song Misty. www.holeinthewallcoffeeshop.com See: Johnny Mathis – Misty (Audio) – www.shanasplace.com YouTube.
Jeff S. Barganier is a freelance writer and manages Cindy Barganier Interiors LLC in Pike Road, Alabama. (www.cindybarganier.com) He travels far and wide upon the slightest excuse for something interesting to write about. Contact him at Jeffbarganier@knology.net. Follow him on Instagram @jeffbarganier. Visit www.jeffbarganier.com
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i
This & tHAT
The 24th Annual Herb Day, Saturday, April 17th
Herb Day is just around the corner! We have more Vendors this year - some new and some who have been with us before. Stay tuned to our Facebook as we will be doing daily updates on who is going to be with us! Mark your calendar for April 17th on the grounds of the Grace Presbyterian Church at the corner of Bell Road and the Atlanta Highway from 8am to 3pm. Come see us in the Pecan grove- plenty of parking and lots of room to move around. Come and support the Alabama Herb Society as we share our knowledge and experience with the many current and aspiring gardeners, herbalists, and cooks of Montgomery and central Alabama. The open air market features vendors who sell crafts, books, herbal teas, garden wares and a huge selection of herbal plants. Fun for the whole family! Free Admission! For more info visit www.alabamaherbsociety.org or Facebook.
Capital City Master Gardeners Association Lunch & Learn @ASF Garden Capital City Master Gardener Association presents Lunch & Learn 2021 the 1st Wednesday of Every Month from 12-1 pm. They will meet at ASF SHAKESPEARE GARDEN, 1 FESTIVAL DRIVE, MONTGOMERY, AL 36117 (Use entrance and parking by restroom with the thatched roof.). Mark your calendars, May 5th, “CUT FLOWER ARRANGING” Come join us for a hands on demonstration of “Cut Flower Arranging”, presented by Karen Weber, Anne Carr, and Linda Cater, Capital City Master Gardeners. These three ladies will bring flowers from their gardens and demonstrate how YOU can prepare lovely floral arrangements using what is available in your own back yard. (Well, you might have to sneak next door and get a few other cuttings, too!). Bring your mask and a chair or blanket for sitting. We’ll socially distance and enjoy a lovely outdoor setting. BRING A SACK LUNCH, FREE PROGRAM, WATER PROVIDED, For information, please contact the Montgomery County Extension Office 334.270.4133. Also visit www.capcitymga.org.
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Vice President Mike Pence to speak at Faulkner’s Annual Benefit Dinner Faulkner University announced former Vice President of the United States The Honorable Michael R. Pence as the speaker for this year’s Faulkner Annual Benefit Dinner during a press conference held on Tuesday. President Mike Williams revealed the news on Montgomery’s campus. “Vice President Mike Pence has had a storied career as a public servant,” Williams said. “He is also a man of deep Christian faith. He’s been an ardent advocate for liberty and most expressly religious liberty, the guiding force of our founding fathers who forged this republic. It’s on this foundation of religious liberty that Faulkner stands today.” Since it began more than 40 years ago, Faulkner University’s Annual Benefit Dinner continues to be a longstanding tradition and a red-letter event on the social calendar for Montgomery and the River Region, selling out to nearly 2,000 guests. This year’s Benefit Dinner will be hosted at the Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center on October 7. “The Faulkner Benefit Dinner is the signature event of this institution,” Williams said. “It’s a celebration of the rich mission of this institution. At this event we highlight the accomplishments of the university. We announce signature investments we’re making in the River Region and we reveal our bold and robust dreams for the future. The central purpose of the event is not about us. It’s about our students.” Tickets to hear Pence speak are on sale now at https://www.faulkner.edu/pence. Proceeds from the dinner go to support the university, and student scholarships in particular.
17th Annual Autism Crawfish Boil On Saturday, April 10th, Easterseals Central Alabama and the all-volunteer Mudbug Ball Committee will host the 17th Annual Autism Crawfish Boil at Riverwalk Stadium in downtown Montgomery. This event is the premier kick-off event for Autism Awareness month. The plan for 2021 is to prepare 4,000 pounds of crawfish and serve them pre-bagged for pickup only at various appointment times. Tickets for the event are available for pre-purchase only and online at www.mudbugball.com or at www.eastersealsca.org. Each $33 ticket buys the donor three pounds of crawfish, two pieces of corn, potatoes, sausage, garlic, celery, and more. Live music will be performed by duo Lacy Lynn and Todd Fulmer in the Club Car Bar that will be open and t-shirts, hats, and goodies will be available for purchase. All safety guidelines will be followed. To learn more, please visit www.mudbugball.com, call Varina Mead at 334-387-3256, or Stefania Jones at 334-467-2035.
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Music is in the Air @ ASF Gardens-Saturdays & Sundays in April 2-4pm Spring is finally here and it is time for music to fill the air once again. SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS IN APRIL 2-4PM. ClefWorks will be adding music to the open-air venue, Shakespeare's Garden, at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival each Saturday and Sunday in April. Drop in and enjoy a variety of artists throughout the month! These performances are free, family-friendly and with no fixed seating, so you can safely enjoy as you wander the garden between 2-4 pm on the weekends. Stay tuned on facebook and instagram for more pop-up concerts at The Tipping Point and Prevail Union! Music will be everywhere in April!
The Magic of Bill Blagg, Friday April 23 at 7:30 @ The MPAC "Unbelievable!"-USA Today" Absolutely Incredible!"Chicago Tribune...The MAGIC of BILL BLAGG LIVE! tour comes to the MPAC for one show only! Critics and audiences alike rave about Bill’s interactive magic & jawdropping illusions that will have you rubbing your eyes in disbelief. Blagg’s show combines his mind-blowing magical talents along with his trade mark off-the-cuff personality to take you on a magical journey you’ll never forget! You’ll witness objects float in mid-air, vanish in the blink of an eye and so much more! The MAGIC of BILL BLAGG LIVE! is more than a magic show, it’s an interactive magic experience! The MPAC takes all COVID-19 precautions before, during and after each event. Including but not limited to temperature scans, increased cleaning and sanitizing stations. Mask are required for entry and must be worn while in any public space. They may be removed while in your seat and to consume food and beverages. Tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at 334-481-5100. For more visit www.mpaconline.org
Bee Basics: Learn All About Pollinators on April 16!
Spring has sprung, and many of us are noticing more than just pollen floating in the air! With beautiful spring flowers come our buzzing friends, the bees, and it’s important to understand just how special these little pollinators are for our gardens and local ecosystems. Jack Rowe, Alabama Cooperative Extension Regional Agent & Forestry, Wildlife, & Natural Resources Specialist, will give us a closer look at these vital pollinators. His motto is “To keep bees know bees” and that’s exactly what he will help us accomplish with a live webinar from 9 - 11 a.m. on Friday, April 16. We'll cover topics like: • Bee Biology & Societies • Major Bee Parasites & Diseases • Hives & Related Tools • Maintaining a Hive • Harvesting Honey. This is a free event, but registration is required. Click here https://tinyurl.com/2dykszbk to register today! Call 334-272-9883
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Local Financial Advisor Offers How "Biden’s Likely Tax Plan Might Impact You" Webinar
Susan Clayton Moore, J.D.
Even though Biden promised to not raise taxes on individuals with incomes under $400,000, there are estate tax changes in his plan that could significantly raise taxes for lots of Americans who inherit property upon the death of a parent or loved one. On Wednesday, April 21, 2021, Susan Moore of Moore Wealth Management, Inc. (MWM) will conduct a free “How to Plan for Probable Upcoming Tax Law Changes” webinar. The workshop will review key elements in Biden’s proposed tax plan and how to create an “if/then” chart for your situation. If you would like to be included in the webinar, please contact Sarah at 256.234.2761 or email her at sarah@moorewealthmanagement.com.
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Montgomery Zoo’s Annual Spring Fundraiser is now ZOO WEEKENDS The Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Learning Museum invites everyone from around the River Region and Central Alabama to visit the Zoo during the month of April to experience Zoo Weekend’s new format - Zoo Weekend with a twist. Zoo Weekend is going to be held over four Saturdays in April (April 3, 10, 17 and 24) in order to provide a safe and healthy environment for all our guests, and maintain compliance with CDC, ADPH and City of Montgomery Covid-19 safety guidelines. Zoo Weekend is one of the Zoo’s largest fundraiser of the year. All proceeds from the event will help fund the construction of a new reptile facility featuring the critically endangered, Indian Gharial crocodile, Komodo dragon, King Cobra and Galapagos tortoise. Each Saturday in April the Zoo will be magically transformed into a giant carnival with a different theme that will be full of fun, games, live entertainment, giant slides, animal presentations, performances from local choirs, dance teams and karate groups, and more. We will have lots of carnival style food such as corn dogs, funnel cakes, cotton candy, and freshly squeezed lemonade. Concessions like hamburgers, hot dogs, and chicken fingers will also be available at the Overlook Café. For more info visit www.montgomeryzoo.com
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Winners from Renfroe's & BOOM! Giveaway!
Winners for the February $50 Refroe's Market Gift Card have been announced! The Eastchase Renfroe's winner is Cameron Brown, pictured top left along assistant manager, Stacey Ross and store manager, Ray Gregorius. The McGehee Road Renfroe's winner is Edna Walker standing with Roslynn Johnson, Assistant Manager. Thanks to everyone who participated.
Caregiver of the Month Spotlight:
Valerie Nooks-McKenzie
Valerie is a very dedicated and self driven caregiver. She is professional, easy going, kind spirited and caring. She treats her client as well as the clients family as if they are members of her own family. Valerie is passionate about her duties and values her role as a caregiver with the highest regard. She is a wonderful example for other caregivers to model themselves after. “Valerie, we truly appreciate you! “
Thank you for being a valuable member of our team, Fatimah… Keep up the great work! For more information visit www.homecareassistancemontgomery.com
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BOOM! COVER PROFILE
Ladies from Vivian O'Nay
Gloria Locklin, Debbie O’Brien, Cindy James Being a southern woman has definition unlike any other woman. There’s a grace and elegance about their personality and lifestyle and conscientiousness about the way she cares for herself and the people around her. Her smile is somewhat contagious, and her arms are always ready to give genuine heartfelt hugs. Her home is welcoming, and the kitchen is open at mealtimes with delicious food for anyone hungry or not. She never leaves the house without being ready for whatever the day lends itself to. A southern woman always pays attention to little details of her appearance from her hair, make-up, her accessories and last but not least, her shoes. After all, you never know who you may run into!
Being a Southern girl is more than looks and talent. Southern is an attitude and a way of life. They love to take care of everyone around them and that’s the goal at Vivian O’Nay. If you’ve never been there, you’ll be surprised the minute you walk in. These southern women will instantly greet you and make you feel like an old friend and are ready to see you look your best. These ladies know a little bit about southern hospitality. They love their customers and look forward to meeting new ones. at-home Mom to spend time raising my kids. After my children were born my husband and I decided to purchase a new home and we needed additional income. Somewhat by accident I opened a successful daycare business from our house. Through that I was introduced to the world of Mary Kay by one of the parents in 1982. One year later I was a widow. My husband passed from a very rare disease called Aplastic Anemia and after his passing I made the decision to close the daycare. I feel that
Ladies from Vivian O'Nay: Debbie O’Brien, Cindy James, Gloria Locklin
Gloria Locklin BOOM!: Please give us a brief biography, i.e. where you’re from, education, what brought you to the Montgomery area, did you raise your family here, schools, married, family, etc? Gloria: I was born in Montgomery and moved to the Millbrook area when I was five. We lived there from my early childhood and into my adult years when I attended college at Troy State University. I graduated in June of 1971 with a Business Education degree with a minor in History. The very next week
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I got married and moved back to the Montgomery area. My late husband and I raised our two children, Mindy and Brad, here but most of my family still resides in Millbrook. I was the first of my family to attend college and graduate. In my young adult life this was my biggest goal and achievement. I saved my own money, so I could attend school by working at Brockway Glass and this is where I met my first husband. I taught school for two years at my childhood school, Robinson Springs, teaching second grade and special education. When I became a Mother, I chose to be a stay-
Gigi and Larry with their great grand blessing, Barrett on Valentine’s Day.
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women find their unique style? Mary Kay saved me because I was able my heart so happy! to still able to provide for my family all Gloria: I while staying BOOM!: With a busy life, how do you grew up home to raise like to spend time with family and with a mom my children. friends? Describe your experience as who hand After this a grandmother, what do the grandkids sewed all period in my call you and your husband? my heirloom life, I met my outfits. I wonderful Gloria: My girlfriends and I like to saw her go husband antique shop and grab a meal together downtown Larry. He was to catch up. I love to go on trips with and trace my knight in them but also enjoy traveling with my the elements shining armor husband. My biggest joy is spending of dresses and we are time with my large family. I love to have to make my still together any excuse to cook and provide a place The wedding of their first grandchild, Kaila. clothing. today. After for them where they can come and Even though I met him, I have a good time. we were not well off she still made sure began to take my career with Mary Kay I had a purse and socks with lace to very seriously. My goal was to become I became a grandmother at 46 years match every outfit she crafted. I think a Sales director through the company. old to my first grandchild and she just a lot of my pride in fashion comes from II retired from directorship after thirty recently made me a great grandmother. being taught years in 2015. From 2015 I began to I have seven early on the feel the void of retirement and sought grandchildren importance out something I found joy in while also in total: of feeling and earning some extra income. Kaila, Sydney, looking your Mattie, Gage, best. I love Throughout my college career I also Kolson, fabrics and worked at small stores when I was Bobbie, and seeing how not at Brockway Glass selling and gift Jarrard. My old trends wrapping during the holidays. I knew I new great come back had a passion and love for the industry blessing around and through my experience there. When is named also learning Vivian O’Nay opened I saw a video on Barrett. They All of the grand children together with their parents and grandparents. about the Facebook of Charla talking about the all call me new. My new store she was opening. I felt led Gigi, and approach to fashion is getting to know to respond to her. Four years later I this is what most people around the the woman behind the wardrobe first. am still here doing what I love! I have store call me as well. When I became As you build that relationship you can always been a a Gigi that became my new name for help define people person everyone. Most people who still call their style. and I enjoy me Gloria only do so because they have When they selling and known me for 30+ years. come back making people in asking feel beautifulBOOM!: What are some of your favorite for you the very same travel experiences? Favorite vacation again you things I enjoyed spot? Any travel dreams planned? know you about my have built past career in Gloria: My favorite vacation of all was their trust, makeup I am my honeymoon with Larry where we and this is able to do here spent 14 days in Maui, Hawaii. For our the biggest in a different next big anniversary, I would love to compliment avenue. return! Through Mary Kay I was able to Thanksgiving on the farm with the family. I could travel extensively. Every year in January receive from someone. I love getting BOOM!: You are part of the “Fashion for thirty years I was able to attend a to help choose that perfect outfit for a Team” at Vivian O’Nays, please share conference to a major city in the U.S. big occasion. Knowing we get to play a some of your journey in the fashion Some of my favorite places were San small part in someone's big day makes world? What’s your secret to helping Francisco, San Diego, Phoenix, and The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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Dallas. On these trips it was always action packed, fun filled, extravagant, and exciting! My most recent big trip was prior to the pandemic. My girlfriends and I took a road to trip to Waco, Texas to visit Magnolia.
BOOM!: What is it about living in the Montgomery/River Region area that you like? What do we need more of?
Gloria: I love this area because this is where I grew up, so all of my family and friends are here. I love being BOOM!: What are close to them you most passionate because it makes about? getting together Gloria: At this point so much easier. in my life, I feel I am Montgomery has most passionate Gigi and her husband Larry at a recent event at changed so much the North River Yacht Club in Tuscaloosa. about spending over the years. quality time with the It is nice to live people I love. I am trying my hardest somewhere you feel familiar with the to make time for the people and the whole city and to have gotten to see things I really care about. After 37 years it grow and develop over the years. I with the government my husband just would love for Montgomery to have retired, and I love getting to spend real more entertainment for our children quality time with him just talking and and teenagers like we had. The things not having as many worries as we once I remember most about seeing my had. kids grow up here was taking them to the skating rink, movies, or other safe BOOM!: How do you like to relax and places where they could have fun while wind down from a hard day’s work? seeing one another face to face. Gloria: Before work we enjoy waking up and having coffee and a devotion together. Starting your day off on the right foot is just as important as how you end it! After work I love to have another cup when I get home while we watch the sunset on the patio and talk about our day. BOOM!: Do you have time to be involved in community, civic or other activities? Faith based organizations? Gloria: I am very involved in my Church, Taylor Road Baptist in Montgomery. I am very busy with the activities we do there. I enjoy singing on the praise team and playing the hand bells which, I have done for fifteen years. We are members of a Life Group of which congregates every week with people in similar life stages as us. At this time, we are also keeping the babies from the nursery during service.
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BOOM!: As you’ve aged, how have your priorities changed? Gloria: The beauty of being older is that now when my husband and I want to go somewhere we can just go. I think you realize what is most important when you’re older. For me this is my faith, my family, and my friends. Spending as much quality time with them as I can has become my main focus. Instead of putting things off for later in life I know we are now in the “later” phase. I want to enjoy my life and the things that make me happy! BOOM!: Do you have any hobbies or other activities that grab your attention? Gloria: I love to cook with my husband. Last summer during COVID we earned the beauty of canning, freezing, and preserving. Our favorites are jellies,
jams, pickles, and salsa which is our specialty. I love to work in the yard and Larry tries to make sure I always have something fresh growing in the garden at all times. I love to make arrangements and gracing my table with them when I can! BOOM!: Many people over 50 experience a renewed sense of purpose, how would you describe this sense of renewal in your life? Any advice for the rest of us seeking renewal? Gloria: I think part of finding purpose is figuring out your joy and what makes you happy. It isn’t about material things any more for me but now I am so content with how my life is and what I already have. In older age you begin to realize what is truly important. My purpose is being the best I can be in everything that I choose to participate in. Whether that be a wife, Gigi, part of the Vivian O’Nay team, friend, or church member. I want to be remembered as someone who loves big and makes everyone feel as special as they truly are. BOOM!: Give us three words that describe you? Gloria: Compassionate, Loyal, Energetic
Debbie O’Brien BOOM!: Please give us a brief biography, i.e. where you’re from, education, what brought you to the Montgomery area, did you raise your family here, schools, married, family, etc? Debbie: I am originally from Mobile, Alabama and I attended High School at Satsuma High School. I was very involved in extracurriculars and was a cheerleader there. I got married right out of High School and spent most of my early years at home raising my children until they were in Middle School. To keep myself busy I worked on different things in the community like holding offices in Parks and Recreation
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and volunteering as often as I could at the schools my kids attended.
work somewhere I really felt at home. This job also has the flexibility I need at this phase of my life to spend time with my family and my sweet fur baby Molly.
reason. We have to keep a calendar of who is coming to stay because we enjoy having company and having our family come stay from out of town as much as possible. Our grandchildren call us Mimi and D. We love to spoil them and go to visit them as often as we can. My 9-year-old grandson told me once, “You are just a fun Mimi!” and this was the biggest compliment I could receive. They are all so different and I love to see their different personalities shine. I try to have a special bond with each of them. The first time a grandchild runs across the room or yard to give you a huge- it’s the most heartwarming moment of your life!
I began my career with Walmart when they opened a store in the area I lived in at the time. I was able to become a department manager BOOM!: You within a month of are part of the starting my job and “Fashion Team” from there I was able at Vivian O’Nays, to get promoted to please share some Seven grandchildren together one year at HR. I worked in this of your journey in Thanksgiving position in Saraland the fashion world? for many years but when I met my BOOM!: What are some of your favorite What’s your secret to helping women second husband, David, we were travel experiences? Favorite vacation find their unique style? assigned to move to Montgomery spot? Any for his job. Thankfully, they had a travel dreams Debbie: I have close position open in Montgomery for me planned? to 33 years of retail to continue my career in HR and I just experience. I have recently retired after working for the Debbie: We worked at Vivian company for 33 years. love to travel O’Nay for close to 18 to New Orleans months. I like to talk We have 5 children. Three live in and visit at least to our customers, Mobile, AL (Tara, Rick, and Michael), four times a find out their likes one lives in Olive Branch, MS (Kathleen), year. We have and dislikes, and and we have one son in Colorado also enjoyed get to know them Spring, CO (Jason). We have eight traveling to Key on a more personal grandchildren ranging in ages 4-18. West and plan level such as do to visit again this they work or are After retirement I wanted to continue year because they retired and David and Debbie at a New Orleans Saints game working. I was a frequent customer the environment other things of that at Vivian O’Nay and I felt I had such a is so laid back and relaxing! We hoped nature. Here we like to really develop pleasant shopping experience every to go to Ireland last year but with relationships so we can make the best time I came in COVID we had to put our plans on hold. possible suggestions to shop. I knew We also appreciate going on weekend for our customers. I didn't want to getaways to the beach to Dauphin stay at home Island with our friends or Pensacola BOOM!: With a busy every day full time Beach. We enjoy visiting Pensacola the life, how do you like to after working for most because it isn’t as commercial as spend time with family so long in a busy other areas. and friends? Describe environment. your experience as a I had retail BOOM!: What are you most passionate grandmother, what do experience and about? the grandkids call you thought Vivian and your husband? O’Nay would be Debbie: I feel the most passionate a good fit for about treating others with kindness. I Debbie: We love to me. I enjoyed want to treat everyone the same and it entertain and have shopping here to really is easier to just be nice than the people over as often decompress on latter. Right now, so many people are as we can. We have my lunch breaks going through so much and you never a backyard with a before I retired, really know how your actions and the pool and an outdoor Debbie and her youngest grandson, Jack and I wanted to way you treat people can affect them. kitchen just for this continued on next page
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Debbie’s Fur Baby Molly
BOOM!: How do you like to relax and wind down from a hard day’s work?
Debbie: I have found the people here to be very friendly and love all of the great small towns around us. I would love to see art walks downtown once a month during the Spring and Fall. I really enjoyed them when we lived in Mobile and miss getting to go.
Debbie: Do what makes you happy. I think when we were younger, we were so caught up in finding our purpose in life. I like for things to be simpler now. Life is so much fun! I wake up every day expecting the day to be wonderful- and it is!
BOOM!: As you’ve aged, how have your priorities changed?
BOOM!: Give us three words that describe you?
Debbie: I think I have always been pretty laid back and a “go with the flow” type of person but I think as I have gotten older, I am even more so. I try to enjoy more of the simple things in life. My attention is now on time with my family instead of as career driven as I was in the past.
Debbie: Fun, Kind, Free spirited
BOOM!: Do you have any hobbies or other activities that grab your attention?
Debbie: I love coming home and pouring a glass of wine and spending time with David and Molly. In the Summer and Spring, you will find us all outside checking our garden and flowers or maybe having an evening dip in the pool. In the Fall and Winter, we enjoy unwinding in the hot tub instead. We also enjoy just having a good conversation with one another in the kitchen- or even dancing! That’s what kitchens are for.
Debbie: Oh yes! I always enjoy staying busy. In my free time I like to make wreaths, signs, and book stacks to sell. I like spending time in my garden and I read every day. I also love decorating the house for every season. BOOM!: Many people over 50 experience a renewed sense of purpose, how would you describe this sense of renewal in your life? Any advice for the rest of us seeking renewal?
My husband, Tommy and I were high school sweethearts. He played football and I was in the band and a majorette. We married in 1970 when he got a job at a paper mill in Wilcox County. We moved from Brewton and started
Debbie and her best friend Cindy celebrating Debbie’s birthday in Pensacola
BOOM!: What is it about living in the Montgomery/River Region area that you like? What do we need more of?
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BOOM!: Please give us a brief biography, i.e. where you’re from, education, what brought you to the Montgomery area, did you raise your family here, schools, married, family, etc? Cindy: I was born and grew up in Brewton Alabama, a small quiet town on the Alabama Florida state line. Back in my early years kids played with neighbor kids outside all summer long and for the most part enjoyed school. We obeyed our parents and respected others. We entertained ourselves and were so happy when our mother was home. She had a career outside the home much like mom’s today. She taught us manners and expected us to use our talents and abilities to think for ourselves and take responsibility for our action. She never missed an opportunity to teach me everything I was curious about and provided my two brothers and me with everything to make sure we were well rounded children. I was the oldest child in my family and being the only girl, I started feeling like a “little mama” at an early age. My mom taught me to sew and do needlepoint. She made all my clothes until I was in junior high then I made them. I love to sew even today although I don’t do much anymore.
BOOM!: Do you have time to be involved in community, civic or other activities? Faith based organizations? Debbie: Before moving to Montgomery, I stayed busy with Lions Club and was on the board of the Salvation Army. I also served many years on the Chamber of Commerce and at one point I was President. Over the last few years, I have slowed down a good bit but we are currently involved in the Children’s Miracle Network. David and I also prepare meals for the Meals on Wheels Program here in Montgomery with MACOA.
Cindy James
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our new lives in a community called Sunny South, Alabama just outside of Pine Hill. We have been married 50 years and still best friends. Both our children were born in Grove Hill, Alabama. After a few years Tommy became interested in helping start new paper mills, so we packed up and hit the road to many new places over time.
suits us pretty well. BOOM!: You are part of the “Fashion Team” at Vivian O’Nays, please share some of your journey in the fashion world? What’s your secret to helping women find their unique style?
Cindy wearing the first dress she made in 4H Club in the 4th grade
Cindy: Working at Vivian O’Nay has been such an enjoyable time. I have learned a lot about the retail world but the
take ”playing” very seriously! Helping other ladies with their style preference is most rewarding for them and for me as well. We discuss what they’re shopping for, first what they don’t like then we move on to finding something they will like for their special occasion or just freshening up their seasonal wardrobe. We make it fun and after a trip into the fitting room we make sure they feel confident about how they look in the choices we make together. BOOM!: With a busy life, how do you like to spend time with family and friends? Describe your experience as a grandmother, what do the grandkids call you and your husband?
Cindy: When I’m not at Vivian O’Nay I was a stay-at-home Tommy and I spend time on the road mom until our youngest was in 6th mostly. most significantly grade when I took photography classes However, working here I’ve and landed a job. At that time, we lived living at the gained friendships in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan lake is not all and am surrounded after several moves between Arkansas play. There by things I find and back to Alabama. While living in is plenty to very interesting Michigan I also acquired another job as do around and, of course, an accounting clerk and switchboard this little my passion for operator for a U.S. Naval Shipyard homestead. women’s fashion. Supplier. Our kids are grown now and We love a I love clothes and have done some moving around of their road trip everything about whether it’s own so we visit them and the three the fashion world. I a day trip, a grandchildren as often as we can. Eagle have always enjoyed visit to see Colorado and Kansas City Missouri are the shopping the kids or great places to live and visit. After experience and The Grandchildren: Olivia Age 23 (left), Langston Age 17 adventures retiring we (middle), Madalyn Age 21 (right) enjoying a day at their we’ve never opened grandparent’s home on Lake Jordan. taken before. the map The past couple of years we’ve made and found helping others a point to see the National Parks. The Lake Jordan find their style. most recent trip was to Utah which has and said, Following in my five National Parks. It was a beautiful “That looks mother’s footsteps time of year and we enjoyed the like a fun I’ve always loved scenery and hiking. At home we love to place. Let’s turning beautiful garden. My neighbor has taught me so go check fabrics into new much about growing vegetables and my it out.” A outfits. Now I mother taught me how to grow flowers. few months get to do that My husband knows I love flowers so later we with readymade with his help we plant a flower garden sold our boutique clothing to attract bees and butterflies. house and for myself and decided others every day. We have a ski boat and all the toys that to move I tell my husband make entertaining the grandkids full from North “I’m going to play” of fun every day they’re here. If the Alabama instead of “I’m weather is bad, no problem, we get to Slapout! going to work” but Father’s Day excursion with Tommy on the Harriott 2 out the board games and spend the Lake life when I’m there I Riverboat on the Alabama River continued on next page
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day playing their favorites and eating their favorite foods. We’ll also take a journeys somewhere to show them the area such as taking in a Biscuit’s Game, taking the Crater Tour in Wetumpka and spending the day with the animals at the Montgomery Zoo and the Alabama Safari Park. I enjoy cooking as much as my family enjoys eating. Since they live so far away, we talk a lot on the phone because we want to stay involved in whatever they’re doing. Olivia, 23, graduated from college with a degree in Chinese culture, language, religion, and politics. She was studying in Taipei Taiwan when the pandemic hit and was sent back to the U.S. to finish her capstone year in Colorado now teaching Mandarin at Vail Academy. Madalyn, 20, our middle grandchild lives and attends university in Kansas City. She is studying Interior Design and doing a fantastic job maintaining the Dean’s List while having to navigate zoom classes as well as attending a few on campus. Langston, 17 now, a junior in high school, has a part-time job, skateboards, takes boxing lessons and plays lacrosse and spends many hours snowboarding on the slopes in Vail. He’s on the high school TV/video team and they recently won a national recognition for the Veterans Day Documentary they composed. He is interested in pursuing a career in broadcasting and journalism. We are proud to be called their “Momsie and Pop”.
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BOOM!: What are some of your favorite travel experiences? Favorite vacation spot? Any travel dreams planned?
Weekend getaway to Amelia Island
Cindy: Traveling is adventurous whether it’s somewhere new in Montgomery or getting on a plane to another country. We planned a trip to Hawaii last March and you know what happened there. No go, all international flights were cancelled. Hawaii closed their borders. Our favorite international trip was Ireland and Scotland. Alaska is also a favorite. Either way, far or near, we take the time to learn new places, meet new people, try something we’ve never done before and reuniting with friends we’ve made in the places that we once called home. I hope the Hawaii trip is soon coming. We can’t wait to see this beautiful state and its National Parks.
BOOM!: What are you most passionate about? Cindy: As a boomer I am passionate about making the best use of my time and staying organized. I like to entertain, read, spend time with family and I still enjoy teaching other things I’ve learned. Every day I try to learn something new myself. Everyone has talents to share, and I love sharing mine. In the past I taught etiquette classes because being the best person you can be is important to me. I try to teach by being a good example. My biggest passion is doing good deeds for my family and friends. Staying busy is the key to staying young and healthy. BOOM!: How do you like to relax and wind down from a hard day’s work? Cindy: Most of the time after a long days work I like to sit on the porch with my husband and talk about the day and plan the next. If it is summer sometimes, we go for a kayak ride and watch the sunset or go out and piddle in the garden. If it is inclement weather I love to stay in my pajamas and read. BOOM!: Do you have time to be involved in community, civic or other activities? Faith based organizations? Cindy: Before moving to the
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Montgomery area, I was very involved in my church and community. I was a staff member in a Baptist Church as a Preschool and Nursery Director, VBS Director, taught GA’s, and taught in our Weekday Education Program for 13 years. I have been a Girl Scout Leader and was trained to be a Lifeguard. As a homeowner, I was elected to serve several offices in our homeowner’s association. For now, we are just enjoying attending worship in our community. BOOM!: What is it about living in the Montgomery/River Region area that you like? What do we need more of? Cindy: Being fairly new to the Montgomery area we are still exploring. I’m sure there are many interesting places we haven’t found yet. I do miss attending annual summer festivals, urban “green spaces” and I would love to see more community gardens growing around the city. BOOM!: As you’ve aged, how have your priorities changed? Cindy: Naturally as we age our priorities change from raising a family, providing a comfortable living, or saving money for the future to now enjoying the fruits of our labor. We enjoy daily life even if we’re planning an exciting trip, helping our family or just simply staying home. BOOM!: Do you have any hobbies or other activities that grab your attention? Cindy: Having a hobby is essential to a healthy body and mind. Sewing has always been mine. Right now, I’m making a quilt for Madalyn. She has saved her graphic t-shirts from baby through 12th grade, and I am surprising her with a beautiful quilt for her 21st birthday. I love to recycle or repurpose things. Our hobby as a couple is to hit the road and find new places to explore and “Mom and Pop” restaurants to enjoy a meal together. We like “off the beaten path”. BOOM!: Many people over 50 The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
Along with the vegetable garden Cindy also grows flowers like these beautiful Zinnias
experience a renewed sense of purpose, how would you describe this sense of renewal in your life? Any advice for the rest of us seeking renewal? Cindy: As a Christian I believe everyone has a purpose and a God given talent. I believe my purpose in life was to be a wife, mom, and teacher because these things bring me much joy and I see where I can glorify God in these roles. I would say to others, if you have to force your current position maybe it’s time to ask yourself “is this what I am created for?” What do you feel natural in doing and how can you make this world a better place? BOOM!: Give us three words that describe you? Cindy: Creative, Ambitious and Curious We want to thank these wonderful women from Vivian O'Nay for sharing some of their story with us this month. They're refreshing and they add a unique fashion sense for women over 50. Thanks for helping us stay connected to the fashion world in the River Region! If you want to connect with Gloria, Debbie, and Cindy, stop by Vivian O'Nay and get to know them. We also want to thank Stephie Culpepper, Marketing Director for Vivian O'Nay for coordinating content and photos for our layout. For more info visit www.vivianonay.com or call 334.290.5268. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions about our cover profiles, including nominating someone, please send them to Jim Watson at jim@riverregionboom.com.
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Smart Health - Nature's Way - Tracy Bhalla
Castor Oil
There are many “carrier oils” which are used in aromatherapy to basically dilute the essential oils until they are at a safe level to use on the skin. Some essential oils are very “hot”, meaning they can burn the skin if used undiluted (cinnamon or black pepper would be two good examples,); some are phototoxic, meaning that if applied over a certain (very low) dilution rate and then exposed to sunlight or tanning beds, then they will cause severe burns on the skin (bergamot and lime are two good examples, though there are quite a few more!) This is not a subject to be played with! The range of carrier oils is vast, from the well-known sunflower oil or olive oil, to more exotic tamanu or rosehip seed. Each carrier oil has its own set of therapeutic properties and a well-trained aromatherapist will work with his/ her knowledge of the carriers in equal measures to his/her knowledge of the essential oils they will blend them with. The final product is a combination of both carrier(s) and essential oils. In many cases there will be more than one carrier and more than one essential oil in a final product, drawing on the therapeutic properties of all to produce the desired results. One carrier oil I have only recently started using is castor oil. When I was a child this was something that was always to be found in the medicine cabinet, alongside gripe water for colic, arnica for bruises, chamomile for soothing and calming, and lavender oil for bug bites and stings. The castor oil was fed to us by the tablespoon when we had constipation – and it worked! In fact, there is scientific proof that castor oil is effective for this very purpose, but it also has many other uses. Castor oil is a vegetable oil, made by extracting the oil from the seeds of the Ricinus Communis plant. It has documented use for medicinal purposes
studies show there was significant evidence of pain relief and reduction of swelling when applied topically, which shows promise for arthritis and psoriasis sufferers.
for thousands of years – way back to the Egyptian Pharaohs. It is high in vitamin E, minerals, proteins, and beneficial fatty acids, which makes it a superb oil to help with skin and hair issues. Due to the fatty acids, it is a good humectant, meaning that it helps seal in moisture on the skin. Many natural (and not so natural,) skin products will contain castor oil for this very reason. Many popular skin products in stores also contain potentially harmful ingredients like preservatives, perfumes and dyes, including many known carcinogens. Swapping out these products for castor oil can help reduce your exposure to these additives. There have been many studies done on the use of castor oil for various purposes, many with quite astounding results. When applied to wounds, particularly bed sores and similar, the oil was shown to show a dramatic improvement on healing rates by stimulating the growth of new tissue, reducing dryness and preventing the buildup of dead skin cells. It has also been shown to have excellent anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties. Applied to athletes’ foot along with coconut oil, it was shown to clear it up as easily as any Rx cream. Other
Its impressive anti-inflammatory properties combined with its anti-bacterial and humectant properties make it a good candidate for helping acne sufferers. Castor oil fights inflammation, reduces bacteria load and soothes irritated skin, all of which can be helpful when looking for a natural acne remedy. Last, but not least, castor oil also has benefits when used on the hair – some even claim it helps with hair regrowth for thinning hair, but the scientific jury is still out on that one. It is, however, as we know, a good lubricant and has good anti-inflammatory properties. It can be used as an all-natural hair conditioner or treatment mask to keep hair soft and supple. It can also benefit dandruff sufferers as in many cases this problem is linked to inflammation, but also clearly dryness, both of which this oil addresses well. Overall, castor oil seems to be an obvious choice for everybody’s medicine cabinet, but also as part of a natural skin and haircare routine. It is also very affordable. From a proven laxative, to an anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and humectant to boot. Why ever would you not? email: nyrbhalla@gmail.com web: us.nyrorganic.com/shop/tracybhalla
Tracy Bhalla, independent consultant with NYR Organics and founder of LogHouseAromatics.com; after 25 years of using homeopathic remedies, it was time to take charge and complete my Aromatherapy Certification, which I achieved April 2020 and since founded LogHouseAromatics.com as a source for useful essential oil and RiverRegionBoom.com April 2021 BOOM! general natural health information and a place to purchase certain products. email: nyrbhalla@gmail.com I am here to answer anyRegion’s questions you may have. The River 50+ Lifestage Magazine 50
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By Greg Budell
The Mayor of BOOMTOWN
110,350+ YEARS IN MAYBERRY "A true story from the Greg files"
It is said that there are only 2 certainties in lifedeath and taxes. I’d like to add one more. From this day forward, ‘til the end of time, someone, somewhere will be watching The Andy Griffith Show.
Floyd the Gay Deceiver
It is the single most syndicated TV show in history and by quite a bit. Andy has been on TV live and in reruns non-stop over 6 decades. That’s an amazing track record.
We think of Mayberry as this idyllic small Otis the Drunk Bought a Cow town where everyone is nice, moral and of good character. But if you watch Andy for 58 billion minutes (and Aunt Bea's Pickles, Andy and Barney Puzzled it seemed like I did this and the familiar cast of past year) you Taste like Wallpaper Paste Andy Griffith. notice things. That would have been swell had the Mayberry was pandemic been a 2-week deal. As weeks THE STORY- By Nielsen’s estimates, not paradise. This mostly law-abiding, turned into months, we needed more. For Americans spent 58 BILLION minutes mostly church going town of 2000 had its some reason, Americans (secretly wishing returning to Mayberry over the last year. issues. for a return to English rule?) developed an That’s even longer than the line at the obsession for shows involving the British DMV! It computes to 110,350+ YEARS of It's the “quaintness” of those issues that monarchy. The Crown. The Royals. Charlie TV time! Only “Friends” outperformed makes Andy and cast appealing at a time Loves Di. Charlie Hates Di, and so on. Andy in APE (American Pandemic when our lives were filled with uncertainty Escapism)! and doubt. I’m saving those for the next pandemic. Nielsen, the TV ratings company, recently crunched some numbers on viewing habits during the pandemic. Early on, we heard about folk’s binge watching “The Tiger King” (anyone heard about that show lately?).
This past year, insane people watched election coverage. I found that to be bad for my blood pressure and hair color. The longer the lockdowns continued, the more I sought what might be described as TV “comfort food”. I wanted shows that wouldn’t incite me emotionally. I needed benign, harmless viewing and found it by returning to Mayberry, North Carolina,
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“Friends” (sorry, not a fan) was the only show ahead of Andy, scoring 74 billion minutes of extra viewing. Andy might have beaten them but let’s remember, the first episode of The Andy Griffith Show ran over 60 years ago, and many original fans have passed on. What makes Mayberry so generational?
PLOT- OMG! Aunt Bea makes pickles that taste like kerosene! In almost every episode, Aunt Bea is shown serving amazing meals. For some reason, her kitchen skills vanish when it comes to pickle-making. Of course, no one has the chutzpah to tell Aunt Bea that her pickles suck, so it devolves into Andy and Barney Fife playing ‘hide the pickle’ to spare her feelings. The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
Was Aunt Bea the original “snowflake”? One aspect of the show that connects yesterday’s Mayberry with today’s world is the struggle with honesty. Or is it just that honesty is not always the best policy? PLOT- Opie starts his own newspaper and quickly learns that gossip sells. He and a buddy spy on the main characters collecting their comments and publish them. Andy is caught describing the preacher’s sermons as “dry as dust”. Aunt Bea is overheard describing Mrs. Foster’s chicken ala king as “wallpaper paste”. Barney accuses a rich man’s younger wife as being a “blonde from a bottle”. Horrified by their own words, Andy, Bea and Barney try to collect copies of the newspaper that Opie passed around Mayberry. They manage, but not before the preacher (who knew what Andy said) ropes him into a month of teaching Sunday school. Aunt Bea snags the family into a full dinner of the pasty chicken a la king and Barney narrowly escapes a beating from the bottled-blonde’s jealous husband. The lesson? Andy tells Opie he is not to publish mean things (even when true). Opie apologizes, and lets his “Paw” know there was a second page of scandalous gossip they tossed into the trash. At show’s end, Andy, Barney and Aunt Bea
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all collide at the city dump hoping to find that second scandal-riddled page and the gossip it contained. I don’t know what the lesson in that episode is, but it seems like a double standard. Can you imagine a 2021 sitcom featuring a chronically drunk character (Otis) who lets himself in and out of jail? The episode where Otis rides into town on top of a cow is a personal favorite. Floyd the barber was ahead of his time in an episode entitled “Floyd, The Gay Deceiver”. There was no match.com in the early 60s so people seeking love did it by snail mail. Floyd gets caught by a treasure hunting honey and Andy comes to the rescue when the woman shows up to meet a supposedly wealthy Floyd. The timeless lesson here is that while technology has changed, people lie on dating profiles.
were largely unmemorable. They still play in rerun, too. Andy morphs from goodnatured goober to grumpy older man in the final seasons. Here's to whatever got you through the lockdowns, be it The Tiger King, The Crown or Andy Griffith. After 110,350+ years of American Pandemic Escapism, it’ safe to say the Taylors are our Royal Family. (If you have a comment on this column, email me at gregbudell@aol.com. It's still fun to hear from new people!) Greg Budell lives in Montgomery with his wife,Roz, Stepson, Sho, and dogs Hershey and Briscoe. He’s been in radio since 1970, and has marked 16 years in the River Region. He hosts the Newstalk 93.1FM Morning Show with Rich Thomas, Jay Scott & Jessie Lynn, 6-9 AM Monday-Friday. He returns weekday afternoons from 3-6 PM for Happy Hour with sidekick Rosie Brock. Greg can be reached at gregbudell@aol.com.
Don Knotts won 5 Emmy Awards playing Barney Fife, who steals every scene in every episode. When Knotts left after season 5, so did the magic. Andy Griffith did 3 more seasons in color and they
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