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Senior Services Alabama Department of
Our vision is to help society and state government prepare for the changing aging demographics through effective leadership, advocacy, and stewardship.
Taking part is your civic duty.
Completing the census is mandatory: it’s a way to participate in our democracy and say
“I COUNT!”
Your privacy is protected.
It's against the law for the Census Bureau to publicly release your responses in any way that could identify you or your household. By law, your responses cannot be used against you and can only be used to produce statistics.
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Alabama Senior Citizens Hall of Fame 2020
before becoming the Tax Each summer the Alabama Commissioner for Shelby Department of Senior County in 1991. When Services looks forward Armstrong began serving to the Alabama Senior in this position, the county Citizens Hall of Fame was facing bankruptcy. To ceremony. This is a time help alleviate the situation, for celebration when he worked alongside State citizens throughout the Representative Corley state are recognized for Ellis to draft legislation to their contributions to address the tax problem the lives of Alabama’s Commissioner - Jean W. Brown and to make the process senior citizens. It is also fairer. In 2018, Armstrong and Ellis a time when those who have reached were honored by the Shelby County the amazing age of 100 years old are Commission for their work to reform the celebrated. This program also recognizes State’s delinquent property tax system. couples who have been married 65 years or more. Jere Beasley: Mr. Beasley served as the 22nd Lieutenant Governor of Alabama I am sorry to report that due to the rising from 1971-1979 under Governor George number of COVID-19 cases, it is simply Wallace. From June 5, 1972 – July 7, not safe to conduct a live, in-person Hall 1972 Beasley served as governor while of Fame induction ceremony this year. Governor Wallace was hospitalized As with so many other events, we look out of state while recovering from an forward to the time when we can once assassination attempt. Beasley and the again gather together to celebrate these law firm he founded are recognized achievements. nationally as a successful plaintiff’s firm. For three decades he has produced the The Alabama Senior Citizens Hall of Fame Jere Beasley Report, a newsletter on was created by the Alabama Legislature health, retirement, and aging matters on July 28, 1983. On May 16, 2008, which has been an asset to many the Hall of Fame became a part of the Alabama seniors. Alabama Department of Senior Services. The stated purpose is to bestow honor Dorothy L. Bell: Ms. Bell has dedicated and recognition upon Alabamians for her life to improving the mental health their outstanding accomplishments, of seniors. Bell is a Dementia Educator service, and contributions to the lives of and Trainer and works tirelessly to older Americans. Each person elected for disseminate information to seniors in membership shall be a citizen of Alabama her region. Among the information she who shall be chosen for accomplishments provides to help seniors is information or services greatly benefiting the lives relating to mental health issues and how of older American citizens. By law, a those issues should be considered when maximum of 10 individuals can be addressing and assessing the overall inducted each year. It is my honor to health care needs of seniors. present to you the Alabama Senior Citizens Hall of Fame Class of 2020. Joseph P Borg: In 1994, Mr. Borg became the Director of the Alabama Securities Don Armstrong: Mr. Armstrong worked Commission and continues to serve in for 40 years with USS Agri Chemical The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
this position. This state agency protects the citizens of Alabama against securities fraud by requiring the registration of broker-dealers, agents, and investment advisers. The agency promotes consumer awareness and has enforcement powers that allow it to provide for administrative, civil, and criminal penalties for violations of the Alabama Securities Act. Ginger Branson: Ms. Branson serves as a volunteer with approximately a dozen veteran’s organizations. From serving as parliamentarian of the Blue Star Salute Foundation, Inc. to docent with the Alabama Veterans Memorial Park, she works tirelessly to support and assist veterans in any way that she can. She serves as secretary for the Military Officers Association of America and is on the Support Committee for the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo. Other roles include American Legion Flag Disposal Team, Boys State, Girls State, and nurse for the American Legion Leadership Camp. James E. Buskey: Rep. Buskey is a retired State Representative and Mobile County Public School Principal. Buskey served in the Alabama House of Representatives for forty-two years, making him the 2nd longest-serving member in the State’s history. He has been a steadfast and dependable supporter of seniors during his entire career by supporting cost of living increases for retirees and seniors, and has also been an advocate for health and insurance matters for seniors. Charles H. Johnson, Sr.: Mr. Johnson has offered himself as a servant to many of his community’s senior adults. Johnson has always lived by the motto, “Service is the price we pay for the space we occupy.” Johnson hails from Selma, Alabama, which has a large aging population. The service Johnson has rendered to the senior citizens of his community has been impactful, authentic, and consistent. Magdalene Kennedy Patton: Ms. Kennedy Patton has dedicated her life to community service. She served as Miss Senior Macon County from 20062007 and has assisted many seniors in The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
her community with absentee voting, registering to vote, and transportation. Currently, she serves as a member of the Alabama Silver Haired Legislature and a member of the Advisory Council for the South-Central Alabama Development Commission Area Agency on Aging. She also serves as coordinator for the Harris Barrett Community Watch Club, directs a Senior Exercise Class, and serves as a permanent County Clerk for Macon County Voting. Lee Sentell: Under Mr. Sentell’s leadership as Director of the Alabama Department of Tourism and Travel, expenditures by visitors to Alabama have increased by 93 percent. Last year, Governor Kay Ivey appointed him to his 5th 4-year term as a Cabinet member. In 2018, over a million more people visited Alabama than ever before, and Sentell’s department has brought in over $15.5 billion to Alabama. Under his leadership, there has been more than a 119% increase in tourism since 2003. Cordy L. Taylor: Judge Taylor is a lifelong public servant to the citizens of Alabama. He was elected to the state Senate in 1979 representing the 28th Senate District. Following his service in the Alabama Senate, he accepted an appointment to fill a vacant seat on the Prattville City Council in 1984. He was then elected to two consecutive sixyear terms as Probate Judge of Autauga County, serving from 1989 to 2000. He is known for his compassion and sensitivity to the needs of all the county’s citizens especially seniors, minorities, and those who have felt marginalized. In 2015, at age 90, Judge Taylor was a driving force in organizing a Neighborhood Watch Association for his neighborhood. He was elected Communications Director/ Treasurer for the association and currently serves in that role.
Our vision is to help society and state government prepare for the changing aging demographics through effective leadership, advocacy, and stewardship.
Taking part is your civic duty.
Completing the census is mandatory: it’s a way to participate in our democracy and say
“I COUNT!”
For more information on the Alabama Department of Senior Services, contact your local AAA and ADRC at 1-800-AGELINE (1-800-243-5463). You can also find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. We are here to help in any way we can.
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The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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BOOM!, The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
Contents
August 2020 Volume 11 Issue 1
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
4 French River Cruise Trip 6 Alabama Department of Senior Services-Helping Seniors, Call Today! 12 Publisher's Column 14 New Book: "The Power of Positive Aging" page 18
Features 18 The world's longest-living people share this hobby...
22 Sleep and Alzheimer's How Sleep Problems Can Contribute
30 This and That Interesting Stuff
20 AUM OLLI Making Preparations for Fall
42 Lake Guntersville: Bats, Salamanders & Beautiful Views with Jeff Barganier
Departments
24 A Day in the Garden By Carolyn Hensley
Free Subscriptions
44 Greg Budell THE HOUSE ON BEARD COURT
16 Putting Your Estate in Order, Susan Moore
www.RiverRegionBoom.com
26 Beware of the HEAT: Outdoor Exercise By Leigh Anne Richards 28 Can You Live Without a Living Will? Ask an Elder Law Attorney
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31 River Region United Way Announces New CEO 32 Estate Planning Webinar page 36
page 14
page 44
page 34
page 42
33 BOOM! Reader Discounts 33 ACS CURE! VISION 2020 36 BOOM! Cover Profile
page 22
page 4
page 8
page 24
page 31
46 How to Drink Water?! with Tracy Bhalla
Free Subscriptions @ w w w. r i ve rre gio n b o o m.co m 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 2020 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
Thinking is the Best Way to Travel Needless to say, the weather remains HOT! But it is August and that’s the time when our community shifts its attention back to school. Things are obviously a little different this year with Covid 19. The children are going back to school but a little later and some will try to learn from a distance, at least for the first number of weeks.
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
When we were children and had the opportunity to “learn” from our schools without showing up, my ADD would’ve kicked in fast and I would be all over the place seeking stimulation from all the wrong places. Hanging down by the creek, playing pin ball in the back of the soda bar, or putting together any kind of game with a ball or maybe even a rock.
Jim Watson, 334.324.3472
Jim Watson, Publisher jim@riverregionboom.com
jim@riverregionboom.com
Contributing Writers Jeff Barganier Tracy Bhalla
Today we expect technology and screens to stimulate our children’s minds to simulate learning. But I don’t think so. For me, thinking is the best way to learn. This requires engagement where ideas are illustrated and explained, questions asked and answered thoroughly enough to absorb. That’s learning.
Greg Budell
BB Burnett Carolyn Hensley Susan Moore Leigh Anne Richards Raley L. Wiggins Minda Zetlin
Technology encourages less thinking, please send the kids back to school, teach them how to think! Speaking of teaching we are honored to have one of Montgomery Public Schools teachers be our cover profile this month. BB Burnett is a QUEST teacher with MPS and has been engaged with her students for many years. Truly she is changing how her students think and grow. We recently shared some time with BB and we now understand what the QUEST Program is and the value it provides for some of our local students. Check out BB’s profile, you’ll be glad you did. Her story’s worth sharing too!
Cover Photography Total Image Portraits www.totalimage.com
Advertising
Jim Watson, 334.324.3472
Of course, we have plenty more good reads. Such as the best hobby for improved longevity, the connection between sleep and Alzheimer’s and Jeff Barganier’s recent trip to North Alabama exploring the Lake Guntersville area with an old friend, Greg Cornwell.
jim@riverregionboom.com
Please Recycle This Magazine, Share with a Friend!
Greg Budell reminisces about the house he thought he would die in, turns out it’s just a building. Believe it or not, our Eating Smart columnist, Tracy Bhalla submitted a column about “How to Drink Water?!”, who knew. Our financial columnist, Susan Moore is offering a free webinar in August concerning your estate and beneficiaries, etc. This should be the webinar you make plans to watch and listen. Peace of mind anyone?
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If you’re buying heath food, supplements, etc. there’s a coupon for Health Wise Foods to get an extra 10% off your purchase, seniors already receive a discount, so this just makes the visit a little sweeter. Tell them BOOM! sent ya’. If you haven’t started receiving the digital version this is a great month to begin. Please subscribe yourself or others at www.riverregionboom.com , IT’s FREE! Please consider all of our advertisers when you have needs, they’re all on the right side of positive aging and would love to do business with each of you. Please share your thoughts on this issue or any other ideas regarding BOOM! I love to listen. Go back to school and learn to THINK!
Jim 334.324.3472 cell/text jim@riverregionboom.com
Free Subscriptions
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"The Power of Positive Aging" The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that everyone is vulnerable to disease and death, but Americans are not comfortable with accepting that life is uncertain. “The Power of Positive Aging: Successfully Coping with the Inconveniences of Aging” shows readers how to live fully and joyfully, even in the face of uncertainty, illness and death. Inspired by his successful battle against Stage 3 cancer, author David Alan Lereah, PhD, offers a wise, practical, and fearless guide to dealing honestly and confidently with the inevitability of old age and illness. Americans live longer than ever — a full 30 years longer than they did a century ago — but our forever-young culture associates these extra years with chronic illness and dementia. “The Power of Positive Aging” teaches that old age is an extraordinary adventure, not a burden. “The Power of Positive Aging” offers a practical training guide to successfully cope with illness, aging and physical and mental decline. An easy-to-follow program of mental and spiritual exercises instructs readers in how to develop mindfulness and acceptance, along with strategies for pursuing a balanced life and seeking and accepting social support. “The Power of Positive Aging” gives readers tools for both postponing physical and mental decline and accepting them with good grace when they come. Lereah urges readers to develop a positive attitude toward aging that will help us all treat ourselves compassionately, and he strongly advocates that older people unite with each other to transform an ageist society. Written with warmth and compassion, “The Power of Positive Aging” encourages readers to not be afraid of aging or illness but to celebrate their aging selves. Lereah demonstrates how simple lifestyle modifications will transform your everyday life, helping you to live more joyously for the rest of your years. Available everywhere books and eBooks are sold.
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Putting Your Estate in Order When is the last time you reviewed your estate plan? Do you have a will? According to a recent survey by the Harris Poll, 64% of Americans don’t have a will. Why? The most common reason mentioned was that “they hadn’t gotten around to it yet.” If you have a will, when is the last time you reviewed it? Due to estate law changes in the last seven years, there is a good possibility that a will that was drafted more than seven years ago needs to be revised. In addition, when is the last time you reviewed your beneficiary designations in your 401(k)s, IRAs, life insurance policies and annuities? One of the most common estate planning mistakes is not making sure that beneficiary designations are in order. Many people believe that the will governs everything about their estate and don’t think about regularly reviewing their various beneficiary designations. In fact, if your beneficiary designations differ from what is expressed your will, the beneficiary designations specified in retirement plans or insurance policies will trump the will. Another reason to review your estate plan is the passage of the SECURE Act in December 2019. It abolished the Stretch IRA for many beneficiaries. In the past, if a child or grandchild inherited an IRA, they were able to stretch out distributions from that IRA over their lifetime. The new law requires heirs who inherit an IRA to take all of the money out within a tenyear-period. This applies to both inherited traditional and Roth IRAs. That means an adult child who inherits an IRA when they are in their fifties and are at their peak earnings level are going to have to pay more taxes on their distributions than they would have before. Trusts that are named as beneficiaries to an IRA need to be reviewed to make sure that the trust complies with the new law. Many trusts will not. There are some exceptions to the tenyear rule: spouses, disabled children, children while they are minors (but not grandchildren), the chronically ill, etc. However, the elimination of the ability to
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Financial Thoughts with Susan Moore
a template of how to conduct a family meeting at which you communicate to your family and heirs your plans and intentions around the distribution of your assets. A vital part of this meeting is to define the roles and responsibilities of your various heirs as well as general instructions, including the location of key documents, burial wishes and intentions for tangible personal property. If you would like to be included in the webinar, please contact Sarah at 256.234.2761 or sarah@ moorewealthmanagement.com.
By Susan Clayton Moore, J.D.
Principal of Moore Wealth Management, Inc.
stretch out distributions over a lifetime will impact individuals who planned on leaving a large IRA to their children or grandchildren. Planning solutions that will be discussed during the webinar described below include changes like taking more or larger distributions from an IRA to fund the premiums on a life insurance policy so that the children can receive a tax-free legacy or using the IRA to fund annual charitable giving while leaving other assets to children. We will also discuss how the SECURE Act makes Roth IRA conversions more compelling. On Wednesday, August 26th, Susan Moore of Moore Wealth Management will be conducting a free estate planning webinar. The workshop covers several topics, including a review of the various legal documents involved in estate planning such as wills, durable powers of attorney, advanced healthcare directives, revocable and irrevocable trusts. Beneficiary designations are a great tool in estate planning, properly used. They are flexible and can be changed without having to re-do legal documents to reflect family changes such as births, deaths and divorces. The workshop covers how to use these beneficiary designations properly, including primary and contingent beneficiaries and per capita or per stirpes distributions. In addition, the workshop gives attendees
Susan Clayton Moore, J.D., is a financial advisor and wealth manager with Moore Wealth Management, Inc. which has offices in Montgomery, Alexander City and Auburn. She has been a financial planner for over 37 years. Susan has been quoted in Kiplinger’s Magazine and Investment News. She earned her law degree from Tulane University in 1981. Contact Susan at 256.234.2761 or by emailing her at susan@ moorewealthmanagement.com. We offer confidential consultations and second opinions about portfolios without cost or obligation. The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect those held by Kestra Investment Services, LLC or Kestra Advisory Services, LLC. This is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations for any individual. It is suggested that you consult your financial professional, attorney, or tax advisor with regard to your individual situation. Comments concerning the past performance are not intended to be forward looking and should not be viewed as an indication of future results. 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.
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The world's longest-living people share this hobby... Twelve years ago, Dan Buettner visited communities around the world known for having many centenarians (people who live to be 100 or older), including Okinawa in Japan, the Barbagia region of Sardinia and the Seventh Day Adventist enclave in California. Buettner, an author and longevity expert, called these areas “Blue Zones.” He and his team of researchers wanted to find similarities among the residents that lead to a longer, happier and healthier life. Some are things you might expect, like a mostly plant-based diet, a strong social support group and moderate exercise. But there is one surprising commonality: In each community, residents garden well into old age. That’s no coincidence, as there’s plenty of research to prove that gardening increases well-being and longevity. Why gardening could help you live longer 1. It gets you into nature. Exposure to sunlight, fresh air and plant life all have health benefits. In fact, doctors in Scotland prescribe “nature walks” for high blood pressure and anxiety. They also encourage patients to interact with the surroundings, whether that means bird-watching or collecting twigs. In a famous 1984 study, environmental researcher Roger Ulrich found that patients who had their gallbladders removed recovered faster — and with less pain medication — if their hospital rooms looked out on nature rather than a brick wall. Nature is restorative, he noted, because “we have a kind of biologically prepared disposition to respond favorably to nature because we evolved in nature. It was good to us, and we tend to respond positively to environments that were favorable to us.” If being around nature is good for you, then being consistent about it is even better, which is something that gardening pretty much forces you to do. You may try to jog every day in the park, but then blow it off for a few weeks when your schedule gets too busy. If you stop tending to a garden midway, however, you’re liable to see all your hard work go to waste as weeds take over everything. 2. It’s good exercise. Is gardening the equivalent of running a triathlon? Of course not, but it still qualifies as exercise. Different types of gardening require different amounts of physical activity. “Working in the garden restores dexterity and strength, and the aerobic exercise involved can easily use the same number of calories as might be expended in a gym,” according to Richard
Thompson, a researcher at London’s Royal College of Physicians. Turning the earth and digging up stones, for example, can be one of the most effortful things you’ll ever do. At the other end of the spectrum, pruning roses bushes and planting seeds constitute very mild exercise. 3. You’ll eat what you grow. This benefit won’t apply if you only grow decorative plants such as flowers and shrubs. But if you grow fruits and vegetables, as folks in the Blue Zones do, you’ll gain the health benefits of adding these items to your daily diet. Not only will you be eating more plants, you’ll also get more nutrition from them. Most fruits and vegetables lose 30% of nutrients three days after harvest due to respiration — a natural process by which they continue to “breathe” after they’re removed from the ground. (If you buy produce in a supermarket, there’s a high probability it was picked several days earlier or even longer.) In terms of reducing the time between harvest and consumption, nothing beats pulling a berry off a bush and popping it into your mouth, or tearing off lettuce leaves to prepare a salad. Plus, it tastes a lot better. 4. It exercises your mind, while also relieving stress. Most of us spend our work lives planning and problem-solving. Gardening requires these skills, too, but it also forces you to be in the moment, often by confounding the plans you made. Sometimes you step into your garden and do exactly the task you intended. But other times you have to change course because, say, you notice a fungus infestation or that a bunch of produce is suddenly ready to be harvested. Working in the garden and dealing directly with the natural world also has a way of slowing down busy thoughts and relaxing your mind. In one study conducted in the Netherlands, 30 people were assigned a stressful task, followed by 30 minutes of either reading or gardening. Those who gardened recovered from the stress much more quickly, based on both their own reports and a test measuring the level of the “stress chemical” cortisol in their bodies. No wonder so many mindfulness experts consider gardening as a form of meditation.
Source: This story first appeared on CNBC. Minda Zetlin is a freelance writer covering business, money and leadership. She is also the co-author of “The Geek Gap”
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AUM OLLI Is Developing the Schedule for Fall 2020 The guidelines for re-opening Auburn University at Montgomery are in place, and the employees of the various University programs are taking action to prepare for all classes and programs. AUM OLLI will be complying with all University regulations established for the health and safety of our instructors and members. The AUM OLLI administration and staff have already taken the following actions: • Modified the class schedule to control the number of people in the building and changing classes at any one time and to allow for disinfecting the rooms between classes; • Rearranged classrooms for appropriate class capacity to maintain social distancing; • Set registration capacities to make
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the rooms safe for each class; • Established the requirement that everyone in the building – instructors and participants – must wear masks at all times. OLLI members will be notified – in writing – of other new requirements before classes begin, such as guidelines for registration and fees, and the necessity of bringing their own supplies (pen and paper, snacks, etc.). Surveys have been sent to potential instructors about their preferences for courses for the fall. So far, enthusiastic instructors – some returning and some new to the program – are offering to teach a variety of courses in-person or online or both. In addition to new study/discussion courses and book discussion groups, there will be a
few active classes, which must, of necessity, maintain social distancing. We also are working on a program of lunch presentations to inform and entertain OLLI members. The schedule will be released as soon as most of the instructors have replied. Join AUM OLLI to become part of a community of lifelong learners. We invite recommendations from all members – returning and newcomer – to join in the planning process. Make a suggestion for a class you would like to take, especially if you can also recommend an instructor. Visit our website at www.aum.edu/OLLI to join, to make recommendations, and to stay informed.
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Sleep and Alzheimer's
How Sleep Problems Can Contribute to Developing Alzheimer’s Disease Did you sleep well last night? If you did, well done! If you didn’t, and this is a common occurrence, you may want to consider having a conversation with your physician. Research shows that the quality of our nightly sleep is vital to brain health. If you need an incentive to learn how to have a good night’s sleep, consider that researchers are linking poor sleep with one’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Despite the cultural norm of admiring people who boast of not sleeping and shaming people who embrace their eight hours, a good night’s sleep is essential to vibrant health. While there is much that is mysterious about why we sleep, researchers are finding out a lot about what happens when we don’t. Following this path has led to many studies that researchers are pursuing. Here we will focus on two: 1. How sleep deprivation may lead to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. 2. The link between Sleep Apnea and Alzheimer’s disease. Why Sleep Quality Matters The Alzheimer’s Society of the UK released a study determining that sleep problems may be an early sign of Alzheimer’s. According to researchers, “Poor sleep may be a sign that people who are otherwise healthy may be more at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease later in life compared to people who do not have those same problems.” Over one hundred people with an average age of 63 participated in the study. None of the participants had Alzheimer’s disease but they were at risk for developing it. They either had a parent with the disease
breathing contributes to a buildup of amyloid plaque in the brain which is a key marker for causing Alzheimer’s disease.
or carried the gene that makes them more susceptible to developing the disease. The participants were asked to complete a survey regarding their sleep quality. They also allowed researchers to take samples of their spinal fluid in order to test for biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease. The study showed that the people who had sleep issues had more biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease in their spinal fluid than people who did not report sleep problems. Although the research is far from conclusive, it does provide one piece of evidence that will help scientists determine the factors that contribute to the disease. The Link Between Sleep Apnea and Alzheimer’s Need more evidence to fine tune your sleep regimen? Consider this, studies released at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in London last year show that sleep apnea does in fact contribute to greater risk of dementia. And the research also suggests that sleepdisordered breathing may accelerate the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. The link between not breathing (apnea) and under-breathing (hypopnea) and dementia was considered before and attributed to the aging process. This current round of research suggests the sleep-disordered
This information was announced by Megan Hogan of Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill., the lead author of this study. Working with data from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, Hogan and her colleagues reported that the plaque identified on a PET scan “starts to build up before symptoms of dementia begin — and the greater the buildup the greater the symptoms you will have of the disease.” Studying both cognitively normal individuals and those with mild decline, researchers found the same result: that beta-amyloid accumulated faster in subjects with sleep-disordered breathing than in a control group without it. Says Maria Carrillo, the Alzheimer Association’s chief science officer: “Sleep apnea actually accelerated the movement into mild cognitive impairment diagnosis for individuals who had been cognitively healthy just a few years prior.” It is believed that oxygen deprivation accelerates the process responsible for the development of beta-amyloid plaque in the brain. It is also possible that disrupted sleep, bad sleep quality, not enough REM sleep could prevent the brain’s lymphatic system from working effectively. This system is like a nocturnal brain cleaner that clears away the protein that can turn into beta-amyloid plaque. This is why we need to give ourselves enough time to sleep. The relationship between Apnea and Alzheimer’s makes it clear that effective treatment of Apnea could slow the
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progression for those who are in the early stages of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Scientists acknowledge that while this study provides interesting findings, it requires more work. One thing is certain: good sleep keeps the brain healthy and healthy brains can help to ward off Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. Using Good Sleep Hygiene to Promote Brain Health There are practices that you can begin to implement today that will pay off in the long run. You don’t need anyone telling you that you need to get a good night’s sleep to have a better more energetic day. But if it helps, the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) recommends that you practice good sleep hygiene. Here are some good sleep habits to develop: 1. Power naps are best. If you must nap, don’t nap longer than 30 minutes. Naps of 20 minutes can improve your performance during the day and help to keep you more alert. 2. Those vices. Don’t drink caffeine and/or alcohol close to bedtime as they will lead to disrupted sleep. Alcohol may make you sleepy but as your body begins to process it, it will wake you up during the night. Nicotine acts as a stimulant as well. Quit smoking for your health. If you still smoke, stop a couple of hours before bedtime. 3. Exercise. The NSF says that ten minutes of aerobic exercise during the day will help you sleep better. Don’t exercise right before bedtime as it will stimulate you more than relax you. 4. Don’t eat before going to bed. Let your body rest. Heavy foods should be avoided before bedtime. The list of foods that may disrupt your sleep is different for every individual. In general, you should not eat high fat, spicy, or fried foods before you go to sleep. If you are hungry, eat something light or drink something soothing that does not have caffeine. 5. Regular bedtime helps. Ease into sound sleep with a good routine before bed. The better your routine is, the more your body will recognize that it is time to slow down and get ready to sleep. Practice things that relax you. Turn off the TV and digital devices an hour before bed to let your brain slow down. Read a book, take a warm shower or bath.
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6. Your bedroom environment is important. The room should be cool but not cold. A temperature between 60 and 67 degrees is best. LED screens should be darkened. If you live in a noisy neighborhood, consider using a fan or white noise machine in the bedroom to tune out the noise. Get a good night’s sleep to promote a healthy brain that is more resilient to the onset of symptoms of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. As researchers
continue to decode Alzheimer’s, discover its causes and work toward a cure, we can all strive to take our long-term brain health into our own hands. Keep your minds strong with good, healthy lifestyle practices and adequate sleep. Please shut off your devices, curl up with a great cup of caffeine-free herbal tea, read something relaxing and joyful and tuck yourself in for a restful and restorative sleep. Your brain will thank you. References: Sleep Foundation
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Master Gardener's Perspective
By Carolyn Hensley
A Day in the Garden
I have always loved being outside in God’s beautiful creation. I’m very thankful daily, for all God has done. It is life’s blessing to see the beauty of life growing all around.
had had several gardens around his farm. He had flowers, fruits, and vegetables. My sisters and I helped him with all his gardens. When he planted huge strawberry patches, we would pick strawberries for him. Out of all the jobs I had around the farm, this was the best one. We would put them in quart cartons and sit in my grandfather’s yard to sell them. We sold them for 25 cents a quart or 5 quarts for a dollar. Because this was a great price, many people bought them. My grandmother would help us pick vegetables, shuck English peas, and snap beans. She also had taught us the preparations for canning.
I grew up in Kinderhook, Michigan. My father was a generational farmer/ factory worker and my mother was a housewife/nurse assistant. Of course, as children you only do what is told, and you don't learn all of the tricks & trades and habits of farming. It all came natural for my dad as he had farmed all his life. Although, we knew it wasn’t all his doing, so we all had prayed a lot for the weather. My dad did share-cropping with everyone though, so we knew everyone in our neighborhood.
My grandparents also had berry bushes in the summer. This was a tougher job because we had to pick uncontrolled berries in the woods. In the fall, black walnut trees grew where the berry bushes were. This was also a nasty job because the walnuts did not smell so good. My grandfather dried the walnuts on the roof before he shucked them.
I was always welcomed by all our neighbors. In the spring, I could get several boxes of gardening and flower seeds, and bike around the neighborhood to sell the seeds for some spending money. All our neighbors had known my dad since he was a little boy. They would welcome me into their home just to talk about my father and my family. I could also always count on them buying gardening seeds from me.
The best season was winter. My grandfather and I would tap maple trees. We would then ride around in a wagon pulled by a tractor, collecting the sap. He had a kettle that he would cook the maple syrup
My mother’s father was an engineer. His hobby was gardening, and he
in. This always smelled great as we sat in his backyard stirring the syrup. My father would always plant vegetable gardens at our house as well. He would put in a full field of sweet corn. It was my sisters and my job to take the tractor and a wagon to the corn field. After the corn was fully grown, we would pick the corn and sell it for 35 cents per dozen. The money would go to our school clothes for the next fall. After I was married, my husband and I moved to Montgomery, Alabama. My passion was tending to rose bushes, so every birthday or Mother’s Day my husband and children would buy me rose bushes. I always loved the beauty and fragrance of them. After taking the Montgomery Master Gardener Class I realized, I am very blessed to be in this class. Not only do I know more than I ever have about gardens, but I also have learned about growing and maintaining all types of gardens. Carolyn Hensley, an intern in the 2020 Master Garden Class, lives in Wetumpka. For more information on becoming a master gardener, visit www.capcitymga.org or email capcitymga@ gmail.com.
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Beware of the HEAT: Outdoor Exercise The dog days of summer are here, and it is hot! In the South, we get to also experience high humidity which can lead to heat related exertional illnesses. Understanding warm/hot weather definitions is very important for people who exercise outside during this time of year. Of the many relevant heat related definitions, the heat index is one of the most important. Heat related illnesses range from mild (heat rash, heat cramps), to life threatening heat stroke. Anyone is susceptible to heat related exertional illnesses. It is very important that the exerciser understand the presentation of signs and symptoms associated with these heat related illnesses. The following are some terms that are necessary to know and understand if you exercise outside in the heat and humidity. Many people are opting to take their exercise outdoors rather than inside a gym or health club because of the lurking virus. Beware of the heat!! • Heat index: It is the combination of heat and humidity that gives a description of how the temperature feels. It is not actual air temperature. When the heat index is over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, extreme caution should be considered before exercising outdoors. • Heat cramps: They are associated with excessive sweating during exercise and
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heat exhaustion is to immediately stop the activity and hydrate with Anne Richards chilled water and/ or an electrolyte replacement sport drink. The exerciser should be cleared by a doctor before resuming strenuous outdoor activities. • Heat stroke (Hyperthermia): This is a life- threatening condition in which the body’s thermal regulatory mechanism is overwhelmed. Key signs of heat stroke are hot skin, pale or ashen colored skin, high pulse rate, high respiratory rate, decreased urine output and a core temperature (taken rectally) over 104- or 105-degrees Fahrenheit. Is to move the person to a cool area and reduce the body temperature immediately, Get immediate medical attention. If immediate medical attention is not possible or available, immerse the person in a cool bath while covering the extremities with cool wet cloths and massaging the extremities to propel the cooled blood back into the core. • Exercise Induced Hypotremia (water intoxication): This is most associated with prolonged exertion during sustained, high intensity endurance activities such as marathons or triathlons. It is attributable to excess free water intake,
Fitness over Fifty by Leigh
are usually caused from dehydration, electrolyte loss, and inadequate blood flow to the peripheral muscles. They usually occur in the hamstrings, calves and quadriceps. Treatment for heat cramps is rehydration with an electrolyte (salt) solution and muscle stretch. • Heat syncope: This results from physical exertion in a hot environment. In an effort to increase heat loss, the skin and blood vessels dilate to such an extent that blood flow to the brain is reduced causing symptoms of headache, dizziness, faintness, increased heart rate, nausea, vomiting, restlessness, and even possibly a loss of consciousness. Treatment is to sit or lie down in a cool environment with elevation of the feet. Hydration is very important as well. • Heat exhaustion: This is a shock like condition that occurs when excessive sweating causes dehydration and electrolyte loss. A person with heat exhaustion may be pale and clammy, have a rapid or weak pulse, loss of coordination, decreased performance, dilated pupils, and profuse sweating. Treatment for
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which fails to replenish the sometimes-massive sodium losses that result from sweating. Symptoms of hypotremia can vary from light headedness, malaise, nausea, altered mental status. Risk factors include hot weather, female athletes/exercisers, poor performance, and possibly the use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory medications. Treatment advises exercisers to drink only as much fluid as they lose during sweating. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) about 300 Americans die every year of heat related illness. Most of these deaths can be avoided if people better understand the dangers. Everyone is at risk if he or she does not stay hydrated, but there are certain people who are at a greater risk: • Those who are active, exercise, or spend a lot of time outside. • Elderly people. • People with chronic illnesses who are taking certain medicines. • People who are severely obese. • Outdoor workers such as construction workers. • Athletes who train outside in the heat • People with low cardiac reserve whose hearts are unable to quickly adjust to the changes the body goes through in extreme heat. Patients with heart failure should not exercise in the very hot and humid weather. Their hearts have less reserve capacity to transport heat from the body and their hearts can become overworked. It is very important for the body to sweat. Up to 60% of the human body is water and only about 10% of this water is in the bloodstream. A lot of water in the bloodstream can be lost through sweating. In fact, during very hot and humid conditions, we can sweat up to 3 liters, which is almost all of the water in our bloodstream. To replace the water that is lost from the bloodstream, the body takes water from its tissues or uses the fluids that you drink during exercise. In humid conditions, the body tries to cool itself by sweating even more. If you do not replenish the water that is lost, you will become dehydrated. Here are some tips for elderly people or chronically ill patients for patients to handle the summer heat and humidity while exercising • Continue your usual exercise habits but move indoor to a cool, air-conditioned space. Try walking on an indoor track. It is easier to walk with a mask indoors on a track than run the risk of heat stroke outside. Check out local locations for indoor tracks. • Weigh yourself before you exercise or exert yourself outside. If your weight drops more than 2 or 3 pounds from your usual “dry weight”, call your Dr. to see if your medicines may need adjusting • Be cautious and take frequent cooling breaks if you must be outside.
Summer weather does not have to sideline your exercise regimen. The above suggestions can help you plan and understand ways to modify your routines to exercise safely. Sources: Exercising in Hot Weather, Fit for Duty Fit for Life. U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. Medicinenet.com- Hyperthermia: A Hot Weather Hazard for Older People Hot Weather Exercise Tips, Texas Heart Institute Information Center
Leigh Anne Richards, MEd, Certified Personal Trainer, Group Exercise Instructor, General Manager- MetroFitness. For any questions or comments, contact Leigh Anne at LAMetrofit@aol.com The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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Ask an Elder Law Attorney
By: Raley L. Wiggins | Attorney at Law | Red Oak Legal, PC
Can You Live Without a Living Will? Even among lawyers, there is a lot of confusion regarding which documents clients need when it comes to health care decision making. Adding to the confusion is the fact that the names of many of these documents—Living Wills, Advance Directives, Do Not Resuscitate Orders, Healthcare Proxies, and Healthcare Powers of Attorney—are often (incorrectly) used interchangeably. So, I thought I would address each of these documents in turn to try and clear up some of the confusion. Let’s start with a Power of Attorney. A power of attorney (“POA”) is any document in which a principal grants an agent the authority to legally act on behalf of the principal. For example, Joe Q. Client (the principal) may give his wife, Jane T. Client (his agent), power of attorney to handle business and financial affairs on his behalf. The POA Joe gave to Jane in this case is probably drafted very broadly to give Jane a lot of authority. On the other hand, you may have executed a very limited POA if you have ever traded in a car to a dealership. The dealership will typically have you sign a POA that gives it the limited authority to sign any paperwork necessary to transfer title to your trade-in when they sell it to the next buyer. But, POA’s aren’t just for financial transactions. Depending upon how it is drafted, your POA may include provisions for making health care decisions as well. If the POA document authorizes your agent (sometimes called your “attorney-in-fact”) to make health care decisions, then your agent may also have the authority to act as your health care proxy as well. More on that below. When it comes to granting an agent or proxy authority to make health care decisions, the law breaks down those decisions into two basic categories. The first category is end-of-life decision making, namely the decision to provide, withhold or withdraw life sustaining treatment or artificially provided food and water. The
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second category includes non-end-of-life decisions, i.e. decisions that do not involve withdrawing life sustaining treatment or artificially provided food and water. If you don’t appoint an agent pursuant to your POA to make healthcare decisions
A “Do Not Resuscitate Order” (commonly called a “DNR”) is also often confused with a living will. In a hospital setting, a patient will typically receive resuscitation efforts (such as CPR) unless a physician has given a “no-code” or “do not resuscitate” order. But such an order is not effective if the patient is discharged back into the community.
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Estate Planning and Asset Protection Workshop Wednesday, September 23: Hosted by Red Oak Legal, PC: 1:30-3:30 pm at 322 Catoma Street downtown Montgomery. This educational workshop presented by local attorney Raley L. Wiggins covers wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, living wills, probate administration, protecting assets from creditors, bankruptcy, divorce and remarriage, nursing homes, long-term care and Medicaid qualification. Registration is required. Call 334-625-6774 today to reserve your seat or register online at www.redoaklegalpc.com. for you, then you may draft an Advance Directive. This is a document that appoints an agent, called a Health Care Proxy, to make decisions on your behalf. Unlike a POA, a Health Care Proxy appointed in an Advance Directive is limited to making health care decisions only, and does not have any financial authority. Stated differently, your agent under a POA may also qualify as a Health Care Proxy, but your Health Care Proxy appointed by an Advance Directive does not qualify as your financial Agent. Finally, you may also have a Living Will, which deals only with end-of-life decision making. Your Living Will may be a separate, stand-alone document, or it may be incorporated into your Advance Directive. It states whether you want to receive life sustaining treatment and/or artificially provided nutrition and hydration if you are faced with a terminal illness. Terminal illness is defined as a situation in which the patient’s death is imminent, or whose condition is hopeless unless the patient is artificially supported through the use of life-sustaining procedures, in the opinion of a qualified physician.
In that case, the patient must obtain a special doctor’s order called a DNAR (Do Not Attempt Resuscitation) which must be issued by the physician on a special form obtained from the Health Department. Unless the patient has a DNAR and is wearing a DNAR bracelet, an EMT is legally required to attempt resuscitation. There are a number of issues regarding health care decision making which must be considered. Most people should have an Advance Directive and Living Will as part of their ordinary estate planning documents. We also recommend a separate POA to deal with financial decisions. Individuals faced with a terminal illness may also consider speaking to their physician about a DNAR order as well, if appropriate. Advance Directives and Living Wills do not typically expire by the passage of time. They may, however, get “stale.” This is not a legal concern, but a practical one. For example, health care providers may be more hesitant to follow your wishes if they are set forth in a 25 year old living will. As a result, it’s wise to update them from time to time to keep them “fresh.” 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 The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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Reopening of Caddell Sculpture Garden @ MMFA The Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) announces the start of a phased reopening of the Museum. In this first phase, the Museum reopens the Caddell Sculpture Garden. MMFA members are invited for a first look August 4-9. The public is invited to visit the Sculpture Garden beginning Tuesday, August 11. -Visitors returning to the Caddell Sculpture Garden will encounter the first installations of the Museum’s second rotation of outdoor sculpture, all installed during the mid-March-July closure. The first to be installed was Patrick Dougherty’s Rough ‘n Tumble. For this work, the North Carolina-based artist found inspiration in the ancient pyramids of Nubia—located in the Nile Valley of present-day Sudan. The second work was Tuscaloosa-based artist Jamey Grimes’ Teraxacum, 2020. While most of this gigantic, aluminum dandelion sits atop the Sculpture Garden’s plinth, a number of the seeds seem to have been taken by a breeze that causes them to skitter across the length of the adjacent reflecting pool. The third and most recent installation is one by Karen LaMonte, an American artist now based in the Czech Republic. In her work now on view in the Garden, Reclining Nocturne 3, 2016, LaMonte sculpted a gown, suggestive of Greek or Roman antiquity, using the ever-changing nuances of rusting iron to articulate the graceful, diaphanous folds of the classical garment. The fourth and final new work on view Chance Meeting, a bronze and metal figural group by leading American sculptor George Segal. Segal’s sculptures sensitively portray life-sized figures in everyday encounters, often on city streets and connected to found objects from urban environments. For more info visit www.mmfa.org
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River Region United Way Announces New CEO River Region United Way (RRUW) is pleased to announce Ronald A. Simmons, IOM, as its new president and chief executive officer. Ron Simmons is a native of Montgomery and a 1983 graduate of Sidney Lanier High School. He is a graduate of Auburn University at Montgomery, where he received a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Marketing and Military Science. Simmons was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserves from the Auburn University at Montgomery ROTC program in 1987. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Institute of Organizational Management at the University of Georgia. Simmons joins United Way coming from the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, where he served for 10 years – most recently as the vice president of sales for the Destination Montgomery Convention and Visitor Bureau. Previously, Simmons served as the vice president of business development and sports national sales manager for the chamber and CVB. Simmons’ work in the nonprofit sector is not limited to the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce. He is the founder of D.A.D.S (Dads And Daughters Saturday) and serves on various boards throughout the community, including the YMCA of Greater Montgomery, East Montgomery YMCA and the Montgomery City-County Public Library. Simmons has also served on the boards of Brantwood Children’s Home and Ron Simmons Jubilee CityFest. He is also a member of the Economic Development Association of Alabama and a Leadership Montgomery graduate, Class XXVIII. “We are extremely excited about Ron Simmons joining the River Region United Way,” shared Dr. Rhea Ingram, RRUW Chair of the Board. “Ron not only brings a wealth of business acumen and marketing savvy, but he is from the River Region, as a lifelong resident. He will be a tremendous asset to our communities, leading our organization toward its centennial in 2023 and beyond.”For more info visit www.RRUW.org
Master Gardener Associations Presents Free Lunch & Learn Programs Capital City Master Gardener Association presents Lunch & Learn 2020 the 1st Wednesday of Every Month from 12-1 pm. They meet at the Armory Learning Arts Center, 1018 Madison Avenue, Downtown Montgomery. Autauga County Master Gardener Association presents Lunch & Learn 2020 the 1st Thursday of Every Month from 12-1 pm. They meet at the Trinity United Methodist Church, 610 Fairview Avenue, Prattville 36066. Elmore County Master Gardener Association presents Lunch & Learn 2020 the 2nd Tuesday of Every Month from 12-1 pm. They meet at the First Presbyterian Church, 100 West Bridge Street, Wetumpka 36092. For information, please contact the Montgomery County Extension Office 334.270.4133. Also visit www.capcitymga.org.
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Moore Wealth Management Conducting a Free Estate Planning Webinar On Wednesday, August 26th, Susan Moore of Moore Wealth Management will be conducting a free estate planning webinar. The workshop covers several topics, including a review of the various legal documents involved in estate planning such as wills, durable powers of attorney, advanced healthcare directives, revocable and irrevocable trusts. Beneficiary designations are a great tool in estate planning, properly used. They are flexible and can be changed without having to re-do legal documents to reflect family changes such as births, deaths and divorces. The workshop covers how to use these beneficiary designations properly, including primary and contingent beneficiaries and per capita or per stirpes distributions. In addition, the workshop gives attendees a template of how to conduct a family meeting at which you communicate to your family and heirs your plans and intentions around the distribution of your assets. A vital part of this meeting is to define the roles Susan Clayton Moore, J.D. and responsibilities of your various heirs as well as general instructions, including the location of key documents, burial wishes and intentions for tangible personal property. If you would like to be included in the webinar, please contact Sarah at 256.234.2761 or sarah@moorewealthmanagement.com.
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w w w. r i ve rre gio n b o o m.co m June 2020 Caregiver of The Month
C Catherine Gray (CC)
Please help us congratulate C Catherine Gray (CC) as our Caregiver of the Month for July 2020! CC has worked incredibly hard over the past several months to ensure the well-being and happiness of her client. She is a very compassionate and detail-oriented caregiver that puts her client first daily. One of the things that we value most about CC is her excellent communication skills. She keeps very detailed notes and makes sure the office is aware of any changes in her client’s condition. CC treats her client with dignity and respect and conveys the same tenderness to her client that she would to her own family member. Thank you for being a valuable member of our Team, CC...Keep up the GREAT work!
We are proud to have CC on our team! For more information visit www.homecareassistancemontgomery.com
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ACS CURE! VISION 2020 Mark your calendars! Year two of the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) spectacular annual fundraiser, CURE! VISION 2020, is scheduled for September 25, 2020 at 6pm, and is shaping up to be the number one philanthropic event in the River Region. Even better, it’s virtual this year, which means that so many more people can participate, and greater emphasis can be placed on the ACS mission and those who benefit from the fundraising proceeds. Aside from raising the critical funds to support the ACS mission, the first priority is the health and safety of our volunteers and supporters which include cancer survivors and patients. Therefore, the CURE! Committee has worked to develop the best virtual event possible, which will be widely available to all interested parties and will be experienced in bold new ways. While circumstances dictate that the event will not happen face-to-face, ACS and the CURE! Committee still encourage people to join the celebration in a longdistance celebration like none other—exciting, virtual entertainment, extravagant auctions, and the opportunity to hear from local celebrities and guest speaker Attorney Jere Beasley. Last year’s event greatly exceeded expectations, and the challenge to make this year even better has been accepted, with opportunities to experiment in a new entertainment venue that brings the fun and festivities into homes. Fundraising events have helped the American Cancer Society raise more than $6 million over the past 25 years…money that helped save and celebrate lives and lead the fight for a world without cancer. ACS and the CURE! VISION 2020 Committee are thrilled with this year’s plans, which will feature new experiences and expanded opportunities for the community to be involved. “We can’t wait for everyone to participate in our new virtual event,” said Michael Galvin. “We are working hard to ensure that everything is top shelf. So, be sure to save the date, September 25, 2020, for one grand evening, an opportunity for everyone to participate from wherever you are. Be sure to spread the word about this new opportunity to party from your front porch, backyard or living room if you like, with friends, family and coworkers. Of course, your special evening will yield great news for cancer patients who may need transportation to treatment, more treatment options, essential research and, above all, accelerated movement toward a world without cancer.” The community’s support is very important to the American Cancer Society, and vital to the ongoing work ACS does to improve the odds for remission, recovery, and the quality of life for those currently battling cancer. The money raised at CURE! VISION 2020 is used to fund programs and services offered to cancer patients in the community and to aggressively fund groundbreaking research. For more info visit https://acsmontg.ejoinme.org/cure or check them out on Facebook, www.facebook.com/American-Cancer-Society-Cure-Montgomery-Al-134610732089/
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BlueHeart Foundation 334 The BlueHeart Foundation 334 was created by Brian “Blue” Smith in Montgomery to help the younger generations to understand the importance of helping people in need. BlueHeart gives back to low income families and kids and helps with arts programs such as music, arts, and choir. They recently donated $10,000 to The Carver High School Mighty Marching Wolverine Band for new uniforms and instruments! BlueHeart also has a mentoring program for young men called The BOWTIE Club, which teaches young men how to dress, tie a tie, interview skills, how to draft a resume, and table etiquette. In giving back to the community, BlueHeart has teamed up with Eastdale Mall for a giveaway of school supplies to students at Montgomery Public Schools; donated 150 blankets with Shaaban Temple No. 103 to the Friendship Mission and hand sanitizer, toiletries with St. John Consistory No. 233 and Alonza Mitchell Chapter No. 636 to Friendship as well. The BlueHeart Foundation 334 shows this generation that it's ok to lend a hand to a person in need, because you never know when it's your turn to need help. On August 8, 2020, The Crystal Johnson school supply giveaway at Eastdale Mall will be from 1130am-130pm. Kids must be accompanied by an adult. You can follow BlueHeart on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ BLUEHEART334/ for all of their future events, raffles, and community service work. For more info call 334.296.8200
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BOOM! COVER PROFILE
BB Burnett, "Gifted Teaching" This month’s cover profile is a woman who loves teaching her students how to love learning and what a blessing it has been. BB Burnett works with the Montgomery Public Schools as a QUEST teacher, which is the gifted program for MPS. In Alabama, every second grader is screened for gifted services and then the students are selected for the QUESTED program. Going forward, selected students in grades three through five can attend a once per week special three-hour class during a regular classroom day. BB is one of 10-11 QUEST teachers for MPS who not only teach these students but also must do the screening for every second grader each year. BB describes her work as a privilege, hopefully, inspiring her students to become lifelong learners. BB also loves her family, being married to her husband Roger for 43 years. Roger recently retired and is managing the challenges of Parkinson’s Disease. BB has been with him every step of the way helping to find ways to cope. Roger participates in programs at Metro Fitness and Tai Chi that have been especially beneficial. BB has a full life and when it comes to aging with a zest for Roger and BB at Montgomery Sunrise Rotary life, she’s the one! We recently Commitment to Service Award Fundraiser event spent some time with BB and had a great time getting to know her and we believe you will too.
After Mary Catherine was born, I taught preschool and my uncle strongly suggested that I pursue education as a career. After that, I completed my masters and certification in elementary education and gifted education ((which involved teaching full-time and driving to the University of Alabama on the weekends)). I have been a Gifted Specialist in Montgomery Public Schools ever since. BOOM!: You are a QUEST teacher in the Montgomery Public Schools. Would you please explain what QUEST is? When did
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.? BB: I was born in Fayetteville, NC where my father was stationed at Fort Bragg. As an Army brat, I moved thirteen times before I finished high school! Our family moved to Montgomery when my father joined the faculty at Auburn University in Montgomery (AUM) as a professor of economics. I finished college there and met my husband, Roger. We married after he finished his MBA at AUM and passed the bar. Three years later, we had our daughter Mary Catherine. I sold real estate early in our marriage, but with high interest rates, and weekend and evening
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Roger and BB on a date at Oak Park forty five years ago
you develop an interest in being a QUEST teacher and how long have you been teaching? What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a QUEST teacher? BB with daughter, Mary Catherine at her first baby shower three years ago
hours, I did not think that line of work would be good for our marriage. I guess it was a good decision since we have been married over forty-three years now!
BB: QUEST is an acronym for the gifted program with Montgomery Public Schools. To qualify for gifted services in the Montgomery Public School system students are given an IQ test and other work samples to complete. In our state, every second grader in a public school is screened for potential gifted services, and The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
then students There, they watched how they conducted are selected those tests for our city. By the way, that for the QUEST city facility has won an award for being in program. the top ten in the nation for clean water! Students in grades three My students went to the Montgomery through five Arboretum where some of them caught have the their first fish! opportunity to attend I have taken students to the Armory a once per where they would spend a day with an week special artist creating an individual piece of three-hour art. We often go to the Montgomery class during Museum of Art to see the beautiful art a regular works of local and international artists to classroom follow with a class by a local artist. The day. Alabama Institute for Education in the Currently, Arts under the direction of Randy Foster, I serve has given me additional resources to Roger, Mary Catherine, Steve and Amelia, BB at Steve's graduation students share with my students and others in all from the University of Alabama Law School at Garrett areas of visual arts, theater, music, and educators the opportunity to experience Elementary, Dozier Elementary and dance. I always try to have a book study the wonder of Alabama’s diverse Goodwyn Middle. Over my 27 years that incorporates the arts like Chasing environment. This allowed me to as a gifted teacher in MPS, QUEST has Vermeer and The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. spend hours and hours in the field with given me the privilege of being a life-long Basil E. Frankweiller. While learning herpetologists, marine biologists, etc. learner in areas and topics I wouldn’t about geometry, my students have taken all over have necessarily explored on my own. measurements the state. I For example, being selected for the of their facial have taken Summer Teacher Enrichment Program at features to students RedStone Arsenal enabled me to spend complete selfto Dauphin thirty days working with a different rocket portraits. Island Sea scientist/engineer every day to prepare Lab where me for teaching an aerospace unit to my For my we collected students. Relatedly, my students and I engineering aquatic have launched rockets together (some unit, Dyson specimens of which even included “Cricketnauts!”). usually sends and studied Some years, as a part of a special me one of their coastal water conclusion to our time together, I had my latest vacuum systems and sixth graders meet at the Maxwell Air cleaners with wetlands. Force Base AFB Aero Club and had pilots 25 screwdrivers, The Alabama fly us over the city as they transition to a flash drive, Nature junior high. etc. My Center students then provided an Jackson Cole, a Huntingdon student, watch Dyson opportunity brought his drone to teach students about engineers, who for my that field of study. When studying ancient are usually 20 students civilizations, I have taken my students somethings, to take a to the Carlos Museum at Emory which explain how creek hike has the largest collection of Egyptian they got and learn antiquities in the US. Then we follow interested in more about QUEST students rebuilding a Dyson vacuum cleaner that up with a visit to the Dekalb County engineering aquatic Farmers Market to see the different and how to diversity. international cultural offerings available. take apart and reassemble the vacuum Students and I have visited Paul Adams cleaner. And, then my students do it! with the C.T. Perry Plant Surface Water I have attended multiple state-wide Then, we follow up with a field trip to Treatment plant treatment plants here Legacy environmental education the Hyundai plant to see robotics and in Montgomery after they learned how to workshops that are designed to give engineering in the real world. do chemical and biological water testing. The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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Roger and BB in Paris
I teach my students to play chess. I love chess because it is a thinking game. It is a game of strategy. And most of all, it is a game of manners and diplomacy. My students and I put on fairs almost every year to teach others what they have learned for the community and other students. We have had a QUEST fair, Brain fair, Forensics fair, Animal Expert fair, etc. Finally, I am a strong advocate for character education in the classroom, so I strongly encourage my students to participate in leading our school-wide United Way campaign which helps so many in our local community. My students also support the 832 K-9's Deputy Dogs that raises puppies to be trained to find missing children and people with dementia. Before they leave my classroom I have them repeat: “Do
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BB and Roger on the Tube in London last December
Roger and BB at Villa d'Este in Tivoli outside Rome
all the good you can, with all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the times you can, with all the people you can, for as long as you can.“ Then I tell them “I love them, work hard and always try to make the world a better place”. Then, I give them a big hug (unfortunately with covid-19, the hug will go).
is a formidible task for our specialists but working as a team, we make it happen every year. I can truthfully say I have taught students at over a third of the district and loved every minute of it!
Having the opportunity to work with such hard working, dedicated teachers and staff at my schools is both stimulating and fulfilling. There is so much synergy between our schools! I have worked for almost 30 years for Montgomery Public Schools with no more than 10-11 of gifted specialists for 30 plus elementary schools. Another responsibility of the gifted specialist team is to screen all second graders in the Montgomery Public School System for potential gifted services. This
BB: Trying to keep pace with technology and trying to be the best resource for parents and students.
BOOM!: What are some of the biggest challenges of teaching?
BOOM!: How have you been dealing with the COVID 19 challenges personally? Can you share with us how the Montgomery Public Schools will open this fall and how it might affect your approach to teaching? BB: We will be starting our classes virtually for the first nine weeks. Our
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school system has purchased Schoology to help facilitate easier learning using a number of resources for students going anywhere and at any time during these unprecedented times. So, it makes it easy to learn on any device.
BOOM!: What are some of your favorite travel experiences? Favorite vacation spot? Any travel dreams planned? BB: One of our favorite trips was a family trip to see some cousins-in-law in Lindau, Germany. Our family traveled all around Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Liechtenstein with them. As we were leaving the next morning, that night I had already bathed and dressed for bed, when our cousins begged us to come outside. After all, it was New Year’s Eve! So, I threw a ski jacket over my nightgown and put a big winter cap over my wet hair, and we all climbed up to the top of the mountain just outside their house. Well what happened next? Fireworks to the left! Fireworks to the right! To the north and to the south! Church bells rang from France, from Switzerland, Germany, and Austria! It was something we will never forget!
BOOM!: Your husband Family Time: Mary Catherine Palmer, Marjorie Palmer, Nui Alkire, Amelia Palmer, Roger has Natalie Palmer, Cathy Alkire, Kay Brummal, and BB Parkinson’s, what’s your been able to resume bicycle riding. As far role in helping him manage this disease? as advice, I would say, stay as active as What advice would you give others possible (particularly with programs like regarding caregiving for Parkinson’s? We love traveling and hopefully we’ll Rock Steady, Tai Chi, etc.), keep as socially make it to Spain/Portugal next summer. engaged as possible, try to reduce as BB: Roger just retired from the insurance much stress as you and investment business, and; he was can, lean on God, diagnosed with Parkinson’s a little over serve others and two years ago. It was quite a shock to us Carpe Diem! as he has always been an active athlete and a health enthusiast, and since age BOOM!: What fifty, he had even represented Alabama are you most in the Senior Olympics in bicycle racing. passionate about? At first we were in a bit of a holding pattern because there was a nine month BB: Inspiring my waiting period before you could get an students and appointment to the Kirkland Clinic in trying to be a good Birmingham. But, in the meantime, a disciple of Christ. friend had suggested a program called Rock Steady at Montgomery Metro BOOM!: How do Fitness. It is an international fitness you like to relax program designed specifically for and wind down Parkinson’s patients. They do boxing, from a full day’s shouting, stretching, weightlifting, activities? anything that has proven healthful to fight the progression of the disease. Currently BB: At the end of there are less than ten gyms in the State the day I like to that offer this program. It was such a read a good book blessing to find out Montgomery Metro and a Christian Fitness had the program and it's just a devotional. Steve, Amelia, Mary Catherine, Rango last Christmas stone’s throw from our house. Some of Currently I’m the PD members come over from Auburn, reading Anthony Trollope’s The Palliser Wetumpka, and the surrounding area to BOOM!: Technology is a big part of Novels and Sheila Walsh’s The Shelter of take advantage of this program. Roger our lives, what’s your relationship with God’s Promises. I also find the jumble, goes to the program as much as he can technology? How does technology play a crosswords and sudoku very relaxing. and has joined the Tai Chi class, which has role in your teaching? helped his balance so much that he has
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BB: MPS has always provided the most up to date technology professional development to its faculty and staff. We have some new programs this year, so I am looking forward to using them with my students this year. Covid-19 has given us even more reasons to reach out virtually to my students and their parents. With technology at home, I find that we are using zoom, facetime, ordering meals, making purchases, storing pictures online, enjoying YouTube more than ever before.
leaders in the community. This year I cooked thirty meals every month in JLM’s partnership with MACOA (Montgomery Area Council on Aging). I also try to help with College and Career Night which brings in over 100 universities, military, vocational and technical schools from all over the country for high school students together. This year with COVID 19 it will be offered virtually. I also love being part and helping with my husband’s Sunrise Rotary Club activities.
BOOM!: What is it about living in the Montgomery/River Region area that you like? What do we need more of?
I love helping with Children’s Church at my Church, Christchurch Anglican. Roger and I love our church family and try to participate in Bible studies, Sunday school classes, and various programs that are offered. Cooking in the kitchen has been a gratifying experience. We also enjoy having our covenant group at our home for evening prayer and dinner. With COVID-19, we do parking lot church services and even have a Bible study in the parking lot! Our church also has virtual YouTube services and Zoom Sunday school programs. Every day, I try to listen to the sermons/programs on our local WLBF faith radio to start my day off right.
BB: My husband and I just love being in Montgomery! We enjoy the Symphony, Alabama World Affairs Council, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, the little theaters in the area, the Museums, the Biscuits, the wonderful churches, the Fathom Met opera/movie events at the AMC Theaters, the many university speakers programs, live music concerts at the MPAC, and the food/entertainment district downtown. BOOM!: As you’ve aged, how have your priorities changed? BB: Every year I stress less and less. My maturing faith lets me lean on God more and everything else less. BOOM!: Give us three words that describe you? BB: Dedicated, enthusiastic and encouraging. BOOM!: Do you have any hobbies or other activities that grab your attention? BB: I love cooking, gardening, arranging flowers, bicycling, and having people over for dinner. BOOM!: Do you have time to be involved in community, civic or church activities? BB: Being involved with volunteer activities and programs with the Junior League of Montgomery has been extremely rewarding to me. JLM supports so many worthwhile programs with volunteers and funding. It is wonderful to be a part of this group of dynamic
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BOOM!: How do you and your husband like to spend time with family? Describe your experience as a mom, can you share any motherly advice? What are your grandparent’s names? BB: We love family! We have taken care of my parents as well as my husband’s. I try to schedule family reunions with my cousins as often as possible. Mary Catherine, our daughter and Steve, our son-in-law live in Hoover with our grandchildren Amelia (3), and Benjamin (one month old). We love spending time with them in and out of the country, at home, the beach, Callaway Gardens, even Peach Park! We love our extended family too, we are so lucky to have my sister, Cathy, and her husband, Alex Alkire as well as our sister and brother in laws, Kay & Edward Brummal in town. As a mom, I have always been busy in the kitchen cooking for our family and others. We have hosted almost a dozen international Rotarian groups for short stays in our home over the years from
Sweden, India, Portugal, Brazil, Peru, the Philippines, France and more. We even had a precious German exchange student stay with us for a year. My best motherly advice is to surround yourself with positive role models. Always be thankful, always be forgiving and say your prayers. My grandchildren call me “Woo” which comes from a favorite aunt and they call Roger, “Boom” from the Jimmy Stewart character in our favorite family movie, Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation. BOOM!: Many people as they age seek new experiences, a renewed sense of purpose, new goals, even new careers, how would you describe this sense of renewal in your life? Any advice for the rest of us seeking renewal? What’s the future look like for BB Burnett? How do you view the idea of retirement? BB: I’m actively thinking of the legacy I am leaving to my family. I want my life and my work with others to be a reflection of my Christian walk with Christ. I always want to be an inspiration to young people to make the world a better place. My renewal comes from my faith and connecting with positive people who are always looking up! Retirement: I'm just not ready for it. We want to thank BB for sharing her story with us in this month's cover profile. If you want to connect with BB, email her at burnettbb@gmail.com. A special thanks to BB's husband Roger for sharing his beautiful garden with us for the cover photo shoot. 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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Travel Experiences with Jeff Barganier
Lake Guntersville
Bats, Salamanders & Beautiful Views On a map, Lake Guntersville resembles a skinny-blue salamander, slithering down into the northeast corner of Alabama from Tennessee. This vast aquatic system created by the Tennessee River divides Jackson and Marshall counties before meandering west toward Decatur. In the last issue of BOOM!, I wrote about scenic Gorham’s Bluff Inn perched high above the Tennessee Valley near Pisgah, Alabama. But there’s much more to see; so, after receiving additional invitations to explore the Lake Guntersville area, Cindy and I grabbed our bags and headed north via Wetumpka, Rockford, Sylacauga, Anniston and Gadsden. I prefer “scenic” routes.
the tree-seat. They even take pictures of their dogs sitting here,” he laughed.
Craig’s never without a project. We especially liked his gnome-like “Airbnb” rental cabin, Nivendale, complete with Craig’s wacky discolamps, a woodpecker hole cutout, a stalactite from a local cave, petrified wood and an unusually shaped piece of driftwood—"things kids can pick up and examine, fun stuff,” Lake Guntersville Sunset, photo by James Harris with RealtyPortrait.com he quipped. Then we visited Denise’s ancestral homeplace hidden away in old-growth woods. Craig and Denise lived there before building a new home near the campground. We walked behind the old home place, delighted to see a quaint waterfall. Craig eased downslope to the We spent the first falls. “Want to catch a night with friends salamander?” he asked. Craig and Denise Cindy politely declined. Cornwell, formerly Craig pointed to some of Montgomery. The rocks. “See these rocks? Cornwell’s own and They’re here for the operate the Riverview salamanders.” He lifted Cruising Lake Guntersville Craig Cornwell in His Tree Seat Campground on Lake a small, flat stone. Then Guntersville, an outdoor another. “See, here’s retreat Denise inherited from her one,” he beamed. people. One easily senses the joy and parents. This 160-site RV campground devotion they share for Riverview, has been a seasonal recreational venue Hunting salamanders is good for the always waving at and calling campers for generations of families. They migrate appetite. If you’re ever in Guntersville, by name. We toured the property in a here year after year, decade after I highly recommend Rock House golf cart with the inimitable Craig who decade, and claim a favorite, familiar Eatery located right on the main drag showed us his latest, zany creations, like site beside friends or other family downtown at 1201 Gunter Avenue. a seat carved from a giant, fallen tree. “I members. “We have four generations We enjoyed an excellent dinner on the sat it back upright, cut it off and carved of happy campers—people with fond lawn; then hurried back to the lake this seat out. But darned if it didn’t memories from childhood,” Denise said. and raced north in a pontoon boat as take root again and start growing limbs! The Cornwell’s are servant-hearted the sun descended. After a few miles, Now campers come here for photos in
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intersection. Then we followed South Denise cut daughter who frequents ball fields. Sauty to Sauty Creek Campground. the engine (Our grandson is torn between According to our cute waitress, Ashton, beside a advancing to 4th grade or going pro.) the popular café/country store has stone wall Afterward, we drove along Highway been in operation since the 1980’s. near a cave 277 under a serene canopy of oldFollowing a hardy meal of scrambled above the growth trees to Guntersville State eggs, grits, crispy bacon, and large, waterline. Park where we were impressed by delicious biscuits, we continued north Another boat the grand lodge and its gorgeous along Lake Guntersville into Jackson was already view of Lake Guntersville. According County to Scottsboro for a visit to the there with to Cindy, the lodge is a splendid famous Unclaimed Baggage Center. children example of “William Morris Arts But we found the center so congested standing and Crafts Style” with soaring with customers that we decided against forward its vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, going inside. However, on bow in eager lot of glass, stacked stone the trip back to the lodge anticipation. Waiting for 80,000 bats to go to dinner support columns, and large along the same route, we As day fireplaces throughout. did stop at Town Creek surrendered to night, eighty thousand The entire western wall of Fillin’ Station not far from hungry bats emerged from the black the dining room is glass for the park entrance where crevice—at first a few, then hundreds, wonderful sunset viewing. The we enjoyed animated then tens of thousands, flying by us just park has thirty miles of hiking discussion with employee above the surface in a frantic dash to trails, a “zip line,” and is a Carol about drug cartels wherever mosquitoes could be found. popular conference destination. on the southern border. On our voyage home, we cheered All the lodge rooms have great Carol and her husband fled as clouds and water glowed orange, views of Lake Guntersville. It concluding a perfect day filled with rained our entire stay at the Salamanders Found Here Laredo, Texas and relocated to Guntersville to avoid bats, salamanders, and beautiful views. lodge, but the combination heavily armed drug lords operating near No kidding. Make a reservation at of rainfall and a comfortable bed was their former home. They much prefer Nivendale and go mesmerizing; so, we the bats, salamanders, and beautiful see for yourself! caught up on our views of Alabama. And so do we. May beauty sleep. God continue to bless our beautiful We spent the state! next morning Last day: Sarah Stahl exploring with Mountain Lakes Guntersville. Chamber of Commerce For More Info Visit: Cindy discovered suggested we be sure www.campingguntersville.com a great little and have breakfast www.rockhouseeatery.com shop, Stach & at the Homecoming www.stachcompany.com Company, and Café near Langston. www.alapark.com/parks/lakepurchased a From the park, we Nivendale Cabin guntersville-state-park large carrying drove north on 277 bag that looks like a baseball for our
until it became South Sauty Road at an
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.
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By Greg Budell
The Mayor of BOOMTOWN
THE HOUSE ON BEARD COURT "A true story from the Greg files"
(after Dad passed gently, in his favorite chair), I went back to Chicago for a high school reunion.
The house on Beard Court isn’t haunted, or the scene of a grisly crime. It’s just a nice 3/2 in a cul-de-sac blessed with mostly nice neighbors. The day I closed on the property in March of 2008, the realtor walked me to my new front door and announced she would be happy to help me upgrade when I was ready for the next house. I looked at her, seriously, and announced “I’m going to die in this house”. As it turns out, I’m not making my Big Exit from the House on Beard Court. On that beautiful spring day in ’08, I didn’t see a need for anything bigger. I was a bachelor with a small dog. The master (are we really going to stop using that term?) bedroom was big, accompanied by a bath featuring a garden tub and walk-in closet. Divided by a cozy (tiny) living room, the other 2 bedrooms were on the other end and stuffed with stuff. Career memorabilia. You know the things you can’t throw away but get gobbled up at your estate sale. I have lived in some cool homes in my
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Greg and Hershey during a rare snowfall (February 2010) at The House on Beard Court
life, all of which hosted some great life memories. As sentimental as I am, I’ve gone back to these places after moving and been surprised at how un-touched I was going back. Reality check- when the people in those homes are gone, they’re just buildings. I grew up on 77th place in Chicago. Both my parents passed in that house. It was the center of my universe until Mom and Dad were gone. 15 years after we sold it
I decided to drive to the old neighborhood but was distressed to see Memory Lane had grown old. No one I knew from 77th place still lived there. The house at 4229 looked like it always did. I felt nothing when I looked at it, which surprised me. The only warm fuzzy was the manhole cover in the center of 77th place in front of the Budell house. It had served as home plate in countless stickball and softball games in my youth. I smiled as I stood on the left side looking out at what used to be our “field”, noting how small everything looked in 2010. I’ll never go back. The House on Beard Court was more than adequate when my wife and stepson joined me there a year after me. The “stuff” storage bedrooms had to be emptied and made functional. The 2 of them brought their stuff, so as time passed we began getting cramped. Talk of finding a larger house ensued but I resisted. After all, I promised my realtor I would die in The House on Beard Court! I can’t break
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a sacred commitment like that! In 2016, we began looking around and found the space we needed with just one glitch. The House on Beard Court had an IRS lien that would need to be satisfied, so it would have to be rented while that process took place.
reaching the peak of Comeback Mountain! Home ownership was a pipe dream when I arrived in the River Region. When I closed on the House on Beard Court, it was far more satisfying than other purchases I’d made for far fancier and expensive properties.
I hated leaving my Beard court neighbors. For years, I brought donuts for everyone on Sunday mornings and continued that tradition after we moved. I still went back on Easters to hold the egg hunts for the kids. Our dogs visited their old dog buddies. We invited old neighbors to the new place so we could remain friends.
I got my life back.
I failed to mention my “gift” with real estate investment. My timing is abysmal. Shortly after I closed on the House on Beard Court in 2008, the market crashed. A house that seemed reasonable at 133,000 was likely to take years to recover that price. No stress, because I bought it to live and die in it, not profit. When I came to Montgomery in 2005, I was awaiting a contract settlement, having no savings. I drove (seriously) a Rent-AWreck while room-renting right across the cul-de-sac from the House on Beard Court. I paid my bills on time, bought a decent car and over time took my credit score from the 550 range into the upper 700s. When I got approved for the mortgage it was like
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When the Budells moved to the House with More Space, I let it drop on my radio show I had a house to rent. A listener Facebook messaged me 5 minutes later that he was looking for something closer to his job in Montgomery. We met that night and cut a deal. My tenant took great care of my special house for a year and a half. Being a landlord, even with a great tenant, got to be a bit much. Finally, the IRS lien was settled and the property was mine to sell. The inimitable Eddie Bader from the Goodson group took over, finding yet another great tenant while looking for a buyer.
owed: 157K (off a purchase price of 180K). That very house sold recently for 400,000. No regrets. That’s my magic touch. Losing only 8,000 was an improvement! The House on Beard Court still looks great inside and out. I still bring donuts to my neighbors on Sundays. Unlike other homes in my life, it will always be special- but not because Beard Court is so terribly unique. It was the road to Beard Court that made it special. It took more than 10 years to get there, all the while constructing a new life in a new town while rebuilding credit. With time, it will be another house in my life. It was the journey that made it special. Climbing Mount Comeback, to plant my flag at the House on Beard Court, is the memory I’ll keep forever. I’m just not going to die in it.
He found one! We closed last month, and it was surprisingly emotional for me.
If you have a comment on this column, email me at gregbudell@aol.com. It's still fun to hear from new people!
Real estate values in Montgomery have come back, but the house sold for 8,000 less than I paid. To me that was a win. A Florida home I bought when my daughter was born (1990) was lost to me in a 1998 foreclosure. I couldn’t sell it for what I
Greg Budell lives in Montgomery with his wife, Roz, and dogs Hershey and Briscoe. He’s been in radio since 1970, and has marked 15 years in the River Region. He hosts the Newstalk 93.1FM Morning Show with Rich Thomas & Jay Scott, 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
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Eating Smart with Tracy Bhalla
How to Drink Water?!
Wow – is there a right and a wrong way to drink water? Well, yes, apparently there is. And many of us have been doing it incorrectly for years!
We are all aware of water quality of course, though that is not to say that bottled water is always better than straight from a spring or even from the faucet; just because you are paying more for it does not automatically make it better! In fact, using a filtration system such as Brita, is just as effective (and more so in some cases) at giving you that nice fresh water tastes we all desire. Not to mention water that is free and clear of all things undesirable, like iron for instance. HOWEVER, that is not what this article is about. Today we are going to discuss water temperature. Yes, you read that correctly, TEMPERATURE, and how that affects your whole body. I know that most Americans cannot drink a soft drink without a TON of ice in the glass first, but maybe after reading this you will think twice about that practice. In Europe, most drinks are served cool or room temperature; note “cool” as opposed to “cold”, cool being around 60-68F and cold being 36-42F – quite a difference. Most people cannot drink a cold drink very quickly, so if you are dehydrated it is difficult for you to consume as much water as your body needs if it is too cold. Whereas if it is “cool” we can drink it without issue and therefore tend to drink more, this hydrating much more effectively. Cold drinks can actually induce stomach and/or headaches, supposedly from the shock of the super low temperature.
body. So, eating fatty foods and drinking ice cold water together is a really bad idea.
Now obviously there are times when this ability to regulate your internal temperature can come in useful, for example if you are outside in the sun all day and you are basically overheating, or you are working out, playing soccer, etc. and you need to actually cool down your body temperature. Day to day, however, this is not the case and we could be doing ourselves more harm than good. Drinking warm water can actually aid in digestion, help your circulation and generally assist your body in getting rid of toxins faster. Experts claim that cold drinks hinder digestion, they make your blood vessels contract thereby restricting your ability to digest effectively. The body is spending all its efforts trying to regulate your body temperature – i.e., getting it warmer again – which can cause water loss and make you feel dehydrated. The normal body temperature is 98.6F, when you consume something that is only 38F then your body must compensate by spending energy getting your internal body temperature back up. This energy is now not being spent on digestion, which can then lead to digestive problems down the road. Experts also say that if you drink chilled water during or just after your meal, the chilled temperature would solidify the fats from the foods you have just consumed, making it tough for your body to break down the unwanted fats in your
I know from experience that the opposite of this is certainly true. When I was in the Territorial Army (the UK version of the National Guard) we would be required to drink a hot drink first thing in the morning when out on expeditions, to warm up our internal temperatures as it was so cold outside. And it worked! As I’m sure you all know; on those cold wintry days what feels better than a hot chocolate or coffee. You can feel the warmth running through your body, because your body is getting too cold! Basically, we are giving it a helping hand. That’s what our bodies strive for 24/7 – homeostasis! “The tendency toward a relatively stable equilibrium between interdependent elements, especially as maintained by physiological processes.” Our bodies are constantly striving to maintain our internal body temperature of 98.6F So why don’t we help it out a little more often, instead of making it fight so hard all the time?
Tracy Bhalla, Independent Consultant with NYR Organics, website: us.nyrorganic.com/shop/tracybhalla email: nyrbhalla@gmail.com You can also visit Tracy’s blog at Tracybhalla.com, Continuing my obsession with all things organic, I have been working with NYR for two years now, using their skincare products myself for over RiverRegionBoom.com August 25 years! Your skin is the 2020 body’s largest organ, it deserves to be well looked after. I am here to answer any questions you may BOOM! Thehave. River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine 46
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