1
3
Sponsored by Vivian O'Nay
Vivian O’Nay 2020 Recap What a year! 2020 has been filled with many monumental moments and events that will surely go down in the history books! The fashion trends of this year were just as memorable. 2020 fashion made a statement: from an animal print takeover to gorgeous vintage styles coming back in-style!
every 20 years, so expect to see a lot of 2000’s fashion coming in this year. Though we hope the low-rise jeans from that time frame stay in the time capsule and never come back out!
As people were encouraged to stay home more than ever this year- styles have changed to be Cindy wearing animal print to showcase fashion trend about comfort Cheetah print over anything came in swinging this year and paved else. Longer tops to wear with leggings the way for animal print to absolutely and matching lounge wear sets were a takeover the fashion scene. Every huge hit. If you would have ever told us store you entered, you saw animal in 2019 that masks would be a staple print; whether it be more traditional or fashion accessory this year, we would neon multi-color. The phrase ‘Cheetah have never believed you! print is a neutral’ has become almost universal. When building an outfit and More people shopped online this wanting to spice it up, you can easily year which caused a record-breaking change out any simple/neutral piece number of packages to be shipped out. with animal print to take it from drab I’m sure many of you felt the effects to fab! Every age and style has loved of this while waiting this trend and we don’t see it going on packages to get anywhere any time soon. to you during the holidays. We hope Vintage designs and style made a huge people will continue comeback in 2020 fashion! We saw to shop online but major influences from the 60’s, 70’s, remember the 80’s and 90’s. Tie-Dye, Mom Jeans, Bell benefits of face to Bottoms, Doc Martens, the list goes on face shopping. There and on. These name just a few of the is truly nothing like big players in the vintage styles that being able to try became prevalent in fashion again. something on and So, we always say, never throw out get help from a real your clothes because eventually they person! will come back. Styles come around
Others have always poked fun at Southern fashion by saying it takes time for trends to come around to us. With the help of social media in recent years the ladies in our area have been able to be updated quickly. We are more fashion forward and willing to try new things than ever before! We are seeing some gorgeous, eyecatching trends for 2021. Pantone announced their color of the year is ‘Illuminating’ a mellow, rich yellow that is sure to look gorgeous on everyone. Pastel color palettes are making their arrival on the scene in Early Winter/ Spring 2021. As we head into this new year we want you to ask yourself- what trends would you like to see and what trends must go? The decision is ultimately up to you! A new year is always full of hope and optimism for the future. Fashion has always been a form of self-expression and a way to feel good in the skin you’re in. We don’t see this changing in the years to come! Visit Vivian O'Nay and find your fashion sense, they're located at 3500 Wetumpka Highway, Montgomery, AL. You can call 334.290.5268 or visit www.vivianonay.com
Pantone Color of the year, Illuminating (yellow)
4 BOOM!
January 2021
RiverRegionBoom.com
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
5
6 BOOM!
January 2021
RiverRegionBoom.com
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
R ive r Re gio n Bo o m . co m
January 2021
BOOM!
7
8 BOOM!
January 2021
RiverRegionBoom.com
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
Dr. Blake Raggio, Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon
Hair Restoration: What are My Options? In December’s article, “The Anatomy of Facial Aging,” we discussed the ins and outs of the facial aging process. This month, I would like to discuss the nuances of Hair Loss and the available treatment options. Hair Loss Affects Men & Women Let’s face it, hair loss represents a distressing issue that plenty of us are going to experience at some point in our lives. In fact, hair loss affects a large portion of the population, including up to 85% of males and 40% of females, and its incidence increases with age for both sexes. Hair loss can have a devastating effect on your selfconfidence, and it can make you look older than your stated age and leave you looking less youthful. What Causes Hair Loss? Though many causes of hair loss exist, by far the most common etiology is androgenic alopecia (AGA), a hormonesensitive pattern of hair loss that affects both men and women. Typical hair loss patterns exist with AGA and include a receding temple hair line (male-pattern hair loss) or a diffusely thin head of hair especially evident at the part (femalepattern hair loss). Another telltale sign of AGA includes the thinning of the hair caliber and lightening of the hair color. The good news for patients who suffer from AGA is that they represent ideal candidates for hair restoration. For those patients who may not be sure whether they have AGA, it remains important to rule out other less common etiologies of hair loss including inflammatory or traumatic origins, as
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
these conditions may not respond well to current hair restoration modalities. Signs and symptoms associated with inflammatory or traumatic hair loss would include the following: an unusual hair loss pattern, many broken hairs, excessive shedding, scalp inflammation, unexplained scarring, and scalp pain, burning or itching. Are There Non-Surgical Treatments for Hair Loss? Non-surgical modalities exist which may halt the progression of hair loss and even help grow new hairs. These range from over-the-counter products (shampoos and vitamins) to prescription medications (Rogaine and Propecia) to scalp injections using autogenous blood products. Though many options exist, the treatment with the largest body of evidence supporting its use remains Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP). PRP is extracted from the patient’s own blood and processed in a way that collects the growth factors within the blood. PRP scalp injections have been proven to a) decrease hair shedding, b) thicken current hairs, c) and regenerate new hair; and thus, remains the “gold-standard” in non-surgical hair restoration. What About Hair Transplants? The stigma previously associated with hair transplants is over. So long are the days of unsightly and unnatural results from outdated techniques such as “hair plugs” and “scalp rotational flaps,” to name a few. Recent advancements in
surgical hair restoration, however, have made hair transplantation an increasingly effective, safe, and reliable way for patients distressed by hair loss to regain a more youthful and natural appearance of their hair. In short, hair transplantation is a minimally invasive procedure where healthy donor hairs, taken from the back of your scalp, are implanted into thinning or balding areas. The newly transplanted hair follicles then grow to restore thickness and volume to otherwise depleted parts of your scalp. What Hair Restoration Plan Is Best for Me? First, one must recognize that although certain hair loss patterns exist, hair loss remains unique to each patient. That said, a customized treatment plan, often using a combination approach, remains paramount to achieve optimal results. Next, you should consult with a physician who has specialty training in the various hair restoration techniques mentioned above, as your provider may recommend treatments ranging from non-invasive modalities (e.g., shampoos, supplements, prescription medicines) to procedural interventions (e.g., PRP injections, Hair Transplant). Lastly, choose a surgeon whom you trust. There is nothing more important than the relationship you have with your doctor. Until next time. Dr. Blake Raggio Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon Jackson Hospital and Clinics 334-270-2003 RiverRegionFacialPlastics.com drblakeraggio@gmail.com
R ive r Re gio n Bo o m . co m
January 2021
BOOM!
9
BOOM!, The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
Contents
January 2021 Volume 11 Issue 6
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 Fashion Recap 2020 @ Vivian O’Nay! 9 Hair Restoration: What are My Options? Dr. Blake Raggio 12 Publisher's Column 14 A Candid Conversation about Aging w/Joan Lunden
page 24
Happy New Year!
16 TV Tailgate Party Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil 18 Life in a Box, OragnizationWorkshop Susan Moore
Features 24 10 Strategies for Positive Aging
30 People in Their 90s... Regret the Most
34 Jeff's Barganier's Best Getaways for 2021
48 What Life's Been Like as an Expat in the Pandemic
26 A BREATH OF FRESH AIR By Sabita Saldanha
Departments 36 This and That A few ditties of info
22 Tribute to AUM OLLI Instructors/Guest Speakers
52 Greg Budell GB ON THE BEE GEES
page 52
page 51
page 11
32 Holiday Burnout Ask an Elder Law Attorney 36 Author Susie Mattox Celebrates Release of New Novel, Idiot Farm 38 Community Blood Drive in Pike Road 42 BOOM! Cover Profile
page 42
page 9
page 14
page 16
page 34
47 Master Gardener Class 50 Peppermint with Tracy Bhalla 54 BOOM! 2020 Cover Profiles
page 37
page 34
pagepage 36 4
page 48
page 38
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 2021 by River Region Publications. No part of this publication can be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Opinions expressed in BOOM! The River Regions 50+ Lifestage Magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the owners, nor do they constitute an endorsement of products and services herein.
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
R ive r Re gio n Bo o m . co m
January 2021
BOOM!
11
Publisher’s Letter
Happy New Year, Own it! The New Year is upon us. I didn’t see it coming because right now it feels just the last year, China Virus, uncertainty, pessimistic national leadership, votes still being cast, masks mandatory, on and on we go.
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.
But I’m an optimist and I know my life in 2021 will be a valuable experience. New goals to pursue, challenges to overcome. Relationships to nurture, new ones to acquire. Places to go, adventures to plan. There is much to do in this New Year, Jim Watson, Publisher and I’m determined to forge a new and proactive attitude to make the most of jim@riverregionboom.com the new beginning facing us all. I hope you will seek more for yourself and family in the coming year, let’s own the results we produce in 2021, we’re not victims!
Publisher/Editor
Jim Watson, 334.324.3472 jim@riverregionboom.com
Contributing Writers Jeff Barganier Tracy Bhalla
This month’s cover profile is the President and Founder of Moore Wealth Management. Susan Moore started her financial business in 1991 with the mission statement of “and then some”, which means she pays attention to her clients and serves their needs when it comes to helping them better understand the financial world, she conducts workshops for widows, how to keep your records together, estate planning, social security questions and more. She loves art, travel, good friends, and her daughter Kate. I hope you enjoy getting to know Susan as much as I have this month. Please share her story with a friend.
Greg Budell
Crystal Jo Jonathan Look Susan Moore Dr. Blake Raggio Sabita Saldanha Lydia Sohn Raley L. Wiggins
Another good feature to help you get the New Year started. I highly recommend the feature on positive aging strategies. Change is probably the hardest thing any of us want to do but changing how we age can have a real impact on how happy we are, how satisfied we feel, and how productive we can be. These strategies have been shared before, but this year take time and intentionally commit to the ones that make most sense to your life. You deserve the best!
Cover Photography Total Image Portraits www.totalimage.com
We have more good reads to experience like our favorite travel writer, Jeff Barganier, sharing 10 ideas to explore in 2021. Most can be done in weekend or longer if you prefer but make this year the one you seek new experiences and a sense of adventure, what are you waiting for!
Advertising
Jim Watson, 334.324.3472 jim@riverregionboom.com
Facebook.com/RiverRegionBoom
Greg Budell offers his critique on the band that made Disco everything you could imagine, with a little help from John Travolta. As usual, Greg has a connection to the subject, as does his radio partner, Rich Thomas. Greg never disappoints. There’s plenty more to wrap your brains around in this issue. I hope you enjoy the reading experience. Be sure to check out the special $50 Gift Card Giveaway from Renfroe’s below. Fill it out and go drop it off, be a winner! Own your results in 2021, Happy New Year!
Jim 334.324.3472 cell/text jim@riverregionboom.com
12 BOOM!
January 2021
RiverRegionBoom.com
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
R ive r Re gio n Bo o m . co m
January 2021
BOOM!
13
Why Did I Come into This Room? A Candid Conversation about Aging Why Did I Come into This Room? is a funny “What to Expect When You're Expecting” for the aging woman.
talking about leaking), hot flashes (they suck), disrupted sleep (the morning host is an expert on lack of sleep), changes in sex drive (oh yeah, she goes there), ageism (it exists and it pisses us off), and yes,
“I’m too old for Snapchat, but too young for Life Alert.” In her most candid and revealing book yet, acclaimed broadcast journalist and Baby Boomer Joan Lunden delves into the various phases of aging that leave many feeling uncomfortable, confused, and on edge. In her hilarious book, Lunden takes the dull and depressing out of aging, replacing it with wit and humor. After all, laughing is better than crying—unless it makes you pee! Whether you’re in your 40s, 50s, 60s, or more, this book is full of helpful information to embrace—or at least prepare for—the inevitable. Funny, captivating, and raw, no topic is off limits. Lunden goes where others fear to tread, openly talking about wrinkles and age spots (which Lunden insists are sunspots), expanding waistlines (no, you didn’t shrink your jeans), diminished energy (my get-up-and-go got up and went), weak pelvic floors (yes, we’re
14 BOOM!
January 2021
RiverRegionBoom.com
the real reasons we suddenly find ourselves always searching for those car keys! Through her poignant and often laugh out loud funny personal experiences, Lunden candidly shares her anxieties and breakthroughs and how she’s coping with the realities of aging. She’s talking about the good, the bad and the ugly, elevating the conversation on topics often considered “taboo.” Why Did I Come into This Room? also
explores the science of aging, including how it impacts the body and brain, while dispelling myths and revealing useful options to stave off the aging process as long as possible. Even more importantly, Lunden goes beyond the physical aspects of aging by closely examining the mental and emotional minefields that come with our advancing years. As she explores the value of asking ourselves important questions including, “Am I still relevant?”, “Do I have meaningful friendships?”, and “Am I leaving an impactful legacy?” Lunden also examines the freedom in “letting go,” the importance of managing stress, and how joy and a sense of purpose all play an impactful role in slowing the aging process. In a society where youth is revered and aging feared, Why Did I Come into This Room? is the long-awaited tell-it-likeit-is guide for women of all ages. As Lunden says, “Aging ain’t for sissies… you better be prepared.”
WIN THIS BOOK
Text "Aging Ain't for Sissies" to 334.324.3472 then you'll be entered to win a copy of “Why did I come into this room”
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
R ive r Re gio n Bo o m . co m
January 2021
BOOM!
15
Perfect for your next
TV Tailgate Party Sheet Pan
Shrimp Boil
INGREDIENTS • 1 pound baby Dutch yellow potatoes • 3 ears corn, each cut crosswise into 6 pieces • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted • 4 cloves garlic, minced • 1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning • 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined • 1 (12.8-ounce) package smoked andouille sausage, thinly sliced • 1 lemon, cut into wedges • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves STEPS 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly oil a baking sheet or coat with nonstick spray. 2. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook potatoes until just tender and parboiled, about 10-13 minutes. Stir in corn during the last 5 minutes of cooking time; drain well. 3. In a small bowl, combine butter, garlic and Old Bay seasoning. 4. Place potatoes, corn, shrimp and sausage in a single layer onto the prepared baking sheet. Stir in butter mixture and gently toss to combine. 5. Place into oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the shrimp are opaque and corn is tender. 6. Serve immediately with lemon wedges, garnished with parsley, if desired.
16 BOOM!
January 2021
RiverRegionBoom.com
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
R ive r Re gio n Bo o m . co m
January 2021
BOOM!
17
Use the Pandemic to Get Organized
Are your records organized? If something were to happen to you would it be easy for loved ones to take over your affairs or settle your estate? Would they know where to find all your necessary healthcare information, legal documents, passwords, and PINs? Would they know how bills are paid and how sources of income are credited to your bank account?
Not to worry. Every January, we conduct a workshop at the Montgomery Moore Wealth Management office called Life in a Box. We give you a step-by-step approach to gather all relevant records, so they are all contained or referenced in one fire-resistant box. We will conduct the 2021 webinar at noon on Wednesday, January 27th. For further information and reservations, please call 334.270.1672, or email sarah@ moorewealthmanagement.com. If you miss the webinar, we also offer free consultations that are without obligation. The ten categories we cover in detail include healthcare, estate planning, tax records, investments and bank accounts, liabilities, insurance, military records, personal identification documentation, deeds and similar documents, and a miscellaneous one that covers pet information, house maintenance, etc. In addition, we go over what to keep where, for example, in a safe deposit box, fire-resistant box at home, in a file cabinet or with your attorney or financial advisor. For
18 BOOM!
January 2021
RiverRegionBoom.com
Financial Thoughts with Susan Moore
By Susan Clayton Moore, J.D.
Principal of Moore Wealth Management, Inc.
example, it is advisable NOT to keep the only original of your will in your safe deposit box and we will tell you why. Another example is your passport. A copy of the passport should be kept in the safe deposit box, but not the original, and we will tell you why. We also go over ways to manage technology. If something were to happen to you, loved ones need to be able to access electronic as well as paper records. To do so, they have to know passwords and PINs. We go over electronic means to store passwords and PINs so loved ones can access them in an emergency and help protect you from identity theft. Make one of your new year’s resolutions to get your records organized. Our webinar and method is designed to help you get your Life in a Box organized. We make it easy so once organized, it is easy to keep it that way!
Susan Clayton Moore, J.D., is a financial advisor and wealth manager of Moore Wealth Management, Inc, with offices in Auburn, Montgomery, and Alexander City, AL. Susan serves over $170 million (as of 7.31.2020) in brokerage and advisory assets through Kestra Financial and has been a financial planner for over 37 years. Contact Susan at 334.270.1672. Email contact is susan@moorewealthmanagement. com. 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 regarding your individual situation. Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisory Services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. Kestra IS or Kestra AS are not affiliated with Moore Wealth Management, Inc. https://bit.ly/KF-Disclosures
January Workshop (webinar)
Life in a Box
Organize Your Records to register, call our Montgomery office at
334.270.1672
sarah@moorewealthmanagement.com
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
R ive r Re gio n Bo o m . co m
January 2021
BOOM!
19
20 BOOM!
January 2021
RiverRegionBoom.com
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
R ive r Re gio n Bo o m . co m
January 2021
BOOM!
21
Tribute to AUM OLLI Instructors and Guest Speakers
AUM OLLI offers a wide variety of courses during a year’s four terms in many different subjects and approaches.
Over the past few years, OLLI has offered discussion courses in history, literature, athletics, film, engineering, finance and investments, art exhibits at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, politics and elections, capitol punishment, mental illness, architecture, writing, gardening, brain bowl, and numerous other subjects. There have also been active classes in exercise, line dancing, ballroom dancing, tango, and hiking. Some of the most popular classes have been hands-on, do-it-yourself classes – photography, pine needle basket weaving, painting, zentangle, jewelry making, flower arranging, and cooking. (Unfortunately, in recent terms, the pandemic has necessitated the cancellation of many of the courses in this last category because of the necessity of social distancing.) Some of these courses like gardening, the class at the Museum, and the upcoming class
22 BOOM!
January 2021
RiverRegionBoom.com
in theater also draw on the expertise of guest speakers. In addition, OLLI members can sign up for bonus opportunities such as book discussion groups, field trips, and lunch presentations. In the past few years, groups have gone to Camden to have lunch at Gaines Ridge and Christmas shop at Black Belt Treasures, have visited the Alabama Shakespeare Festival to tour the facility and see a play, and have visited a marble studio in Sylacauga and have toured the B. B. Comer Library’s marble collection. Like the hands-on classes, field trips have been temporarily suspended.
is paid to teach or speak! These are people who have a passion for what they do and know, and they want to share that passion. Some instructors are retirees like the members of their classes, and others are still employed in their professions. Space limitations for this article prevent listing the numerous individuals who generously contribute their time to this program.
This amazing variety of courses is made possible because of the knowledge, talents, expertise, dedication, and generosity of the instructors and guest speakers who lead these discussions and activities. Even more amazing, something that most people do not know, is that all instructors and guest speakers are VOLUNTEERS – no one
Contact us at 334-244-3804 for a course proposal form, and become involved in the program as an instructor or a member or both.
Teaching in the OLLI program is quite rewarding. The people who register for the classes are there because they are interested and want to learn about the subjects. There are no tests, no papers, no grading – just lively discussions.
JOIN TODAY! Tell your friends!
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
R ive r Re gio n Bo o m . co m
January 2021
BOOM!
23
10 Strategies for Positive Aging By Crystal Jo
New Year’s Resolutions are often made with good intentions, but sadly, are hard to keep. Did you ring in the New Year with the same promises as last year? And the year before? And even the year before? Most likely you said you would eat healthier. Drink less. Exercise more. We all make promises like that to ourselves. You want this next year to be better than the last. If you didn’t keep your resolutions, you are in good company. Forbes Magazine reports that only 8% of people will maintain their goals. The secret to changing your life with a resolution is to keep it simple, be specific and make it tangible. Instead of focusing on healthy eating and exercise, what if you went beyond that? This year, you
could plan to age positively. Everybody ages. Positive aging focuses on your ability to find happiness and finding satisfaction despite the challenges that you might face. Let’s look at these 10 tips for positive aging to help promote healthy longevity as this year's resolution. 10 Strategies for Positive Aging 1. Change How You Think. Did you know that how you think will directly impact how satisfied you are with life? The beauty of this idea is that you have control over what you think! Nobody else. This New Year, you can choose to practice a positive mindset towards aging.
Choose to focus on the good things that are coming to you as you get older. The saying “every cloud has a silver lining” is true. But how much you will enjoy today depends on whether you see the cloud or the silver lining. Recent research even shows how a positive attitude can reduce your risk of dementia. Yes, there will be extra challenges that come up as you age. It might not be your plan to slow down, but you might not want to. But what advantage can you see in having to slow down? When you realize that you are in control of your thoughts, you know that you control your actions. That’s powerful! You can harness that sense of control and live a life that you can be proud of. Find the purpose and meaning you need for your life.
This article is sponsored by Home Care Assistance, for more info visit > www.homecareassistance.com 24 BOOM!
January 2021
RiverRegionBoom.com
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
Action Tip: Your first step is to recognize your thoughts. You might think, “life is unfair, I can’t handle this.” Just take a moment and hear that thought. Then focus on relaxing your body. Take a deep breath and imagine the negative thought blowing out with your exhale. Now, find something that is good in your life, small or big, and think on that for a minute. Pay attention to how you felt before and after. 2. Be Selective. One of the benefits of aging is you get to be selective! You can choose the few things that matter the most to you and focus on them. Aging often gives you space and time to focus on what you excel at and what you value the most. Arthur Rubenstein was a worldrenowned concert pianist. He continued to perform at a high caliber into his 80s. Not because he discovered a fountain of youth, but because he selectively chose pieces he could play well and focused his time on those.
forgiveness and altruism. Look for the positive in everyday life and you will find it! These positive emotions can be a
tonic for your body, improve your mental health and draw more people towards you. Gratitude is not a form of weakness. Gratitude is not feeling controlled or indebted. Gratitude is simply recognizing the good things, like someone doing something generous for you, and then
Drop the things that you don’t value and take the time to cultivate the activities that bring you joy. If you have never been good at cooking and you don’t enjoy it, take this opportunity to stop cooking. You could get a meal delivery or make a one-week simple menu of easy foods. Then put your time and effort into what matters to you. Action tip: Choose one thing in your life that you always disliked doing. Figure out how you can let that activity go so you can focus on what you enjoy. 3. Choose Gratitude. Positive aging is seen in people who go beyond regret, rigidity, worry and negativity. You can intentionally choose to cultivate habits of gratitude,
letting them know. Dr. Martin Seligman is a psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania. He gave a group an assignment to write a letter expressing thanks to someone and deliver it in person. The participants reported feeling a surge of happiness that lasted over a month. Gratitude brings joy to both the giver and the receiver.
Action tip: Set a goal to think of and express gratitude. For example: “I will choose to be thankful by writing down 5 things every day that I appreciate.” You will be amazed at how little action steps can have a huge impact on your life. Bonus tip: Write a letter or note of gratitude to someone and hand deliver it. 4. Choose Your Words Carefully. Your words are just as impactful as your thoughts in changing your life. What you choose to say will impact your physical health, mental health, relationships and your happiness. Words are not just a way to communicate, words are much more than that. Research from Stanford University has shown the power of optimistic and positive words on improving your physical health and mindset. If you can imagine yourself recovering and what you need to do, you are more likely to recover when faced with a health crisis. This mindset affects your longterm physical strength and endurance. Of course, you have your own personality. Choosing positive language does not mean becoming Little Miss Sunshine. You may have always considered yourself a staunch realist but you can face reality at the same time as you introduce questions like, “What am I going to do about this?” and “How am I going to respond?” Positive words mean looking for solutions instead of focusing on the problem. The questions that you ask yourself and others are powerful. They allow you to unleash the power of imagination. The ability to imagine what you are going to do allows you to take control of the outcome. Action tip: Use your words to choose continued on page 26
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
R ive r Re gio n Bo o m . co m
January 2021
BOOM!
25
your response to both big and small challenges. Plan in advance to say “I am going to…” and then figure out what YOU will do. 5. Build Your Social Network. Loneliness and isolation are detrimental to positive aging. Spending time with others can protect your brain from early signs of dementia and slow the aging process. Strong relationships also reduce depression. Research conducted by Harvard University found that social connection protects the brain. Healthy relationships contributed more to healthy aging than money, education, intelligence or genetics. Having regular conversations can keep your mind sharp. You are forced to think and remember details from the past. Building relationships strengthens your brain power. Action tip: Cherish the relationships you have with your family, friends and neighbors. If you find yourself lacking these relationships try: I reaching out into your community volunteering to meet with those families who need you I visiting a community center I joining an online support group 6. Spend Time With Multiple Generations. After spending a day with grandkids have you ever said “they keep me young”? There is truth in that! Adults who develop close intergenerational connections report feeling less depressed, having better physical health and greater life satisfaction. They also reveal more happiness with their current life and retain hope for the future. Historically, the young and the older were connected naturally. An aging community member who no longer could work the land, build houses or keep house would have hours to spend with the youngest members of the community. They could fill their days with rocking a baby, telling a story or showing a little one a new skill.
26 BOOM!
January 2021
RiverRegionBoom.com
Think of a little one who toddles and stops every few steps to inspect a flower. See how they would be able to keep pace with an elderly grandparent who also walks slowly. The slowness, rhythm and simplicity seen in the sheer pleasure of being can be a connecting force between both ends of the life spectrum. Children need wise and involved adults in their lives who have the time to explore life. At the same time, older adults need the younger generation. Erik Erickson is a renowned psychologist. He describes the final stage of emotional development as occurring after the age of 60. This stage involves a deep connection with the younger generation. This connection gives an older adult a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment. The benefits of intergenerational relationships include: I Learning new skills I Feeling a sense of purpose I Feeling invigorated and energized I Reducing the likelihood of depression I Reducing the risk of isolation I Passing on your history and life story I Continuing to develop stronger cognition Action tip: There are many opportunities to connect with the younger generation. A few examples include: Teaching a woodworking class Volunteering at a hospital to cuddle babies Taking care of a grandchild once a week (or video chatting if you live far away) Reading stories with children at schools or libraries Smiling at a child in a restaurant and telling the parents how sweet they are 7. Keep Learning. Charles Reynolds is a geriatric psychiatrist. He states that “successful aging is active aging, meaning socially, intellectually and spiritually.” A valuable goal for this year would be to learn something new. No matter how old you are, you can still grow new brain cells. Intentionally learning and engaging keeps your brain active because you are processing new information and experiences.
Try learning something that has always sparked your interest, like a new language, how to draw a comic strip or how to play the ukulele. You can choose to learn at home or to take a class. If you take a class you are also building relationships. When you learn with someone you have the added benefit of sharpening your social skills. Action tip: What is something that interests you? Sign up for a class. Or have a friend, child or grandchild join you to do a YouTube tutorial together. Even if it is as simple as “learn how to draw a self-portrait”. Your artistic skill, or lack thereof, could be entertaining for both of you! 8. Cultivate an Attitude of Purpose. Do you find yourself lacking motivation and a sense of purpose since retiring? For many older people, a large amount of one's identity was tied to work or career. Whether that was employment or being a parent. Retirement often brings you to a place where you no longer must go to work and your children are no longer dependent on you. You may lose a social role when you exit the workplace but this frees up opportunities to engage in other activities instead. Research shows that people who have a purpose to their lives live longer, healthier lives. Your purpose could be seen in volunteer work or family relationships. Leisure time is treasured and needed to recharge our batteries. But leisure can quickly lose its value when it becomes your daily norm instead of a break. Leisure that stretches out for years becomes boredom and decreases your mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. Positive aging looks to balance leisure activities with work. Work is a thing you do to contribute your skills, experience, and knowledge to society. Work does not mean doing something you hate or heading back into the workforce. Work can be volunteering or helping someone by using your skills and knowledge. It's about being productive in some capacity, The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
whatever that means for you. Action tip: Take time to think about your life goals. What have you accomplished? What are you proud of? What can you do that shares your skills, experience, and knowledge with others? Or even just your time! Volunteering allows you to help others. But the sense of purpose also helps you age better. 9. Look Out for Others. A 5-year study found that the lifespan of older adults was increased by those who reported helping and being involved with family, friends and neighbors on a regular basis.
Action tip: Think of how you want to be remembered then start working on that plan. Tell your grandchildren of your struggles. Write down what matters most to you. Let that thought guide your day.
because of who you choose to be. The way that you think. The words you speak. The relationships you nurture. The ability to show compassion and care for others in whatever capacity you can.
Positive aging allows you to celebrate a life well lived to find a deep level of happiness and satisfaction. Choose to make this New Year the best one yet. Not because of a lack of challenges, but
The beauty is you can make the world around you better while also benefiting from improved health and longevity. Crystal Jo is a Registered Nurse who is passionate about helping older adults live happy, healthy lives at home.
You can contribute in big or small ways to others. By giving to others, you leave your legacy, enjoy higher life satisfaction and well-being. Research shows that as we age, we have a limited time to achieve personal goals but a greater ability to help others and that showing compassion provides satisfaction and a purpose and meaning in life. Studies have even found that those who are physically unable to assist others can still maintain an attitude of altruism, a concern for the well-being of others. This attitude of compassion increased positive emotions and happiness late in life. Action tip: Look for a small way this week that you can show compassion and kindness. Then do it! And repeat. Make it your goal to give to others each day. 10. Plan for Your Legacy. A legacy is defined as leaving something from the past for the future. Each of us has a desire to leave something behind. That could be children, buildings, or knowledge. Having others remember you is part of leaving your legacy, especially since they can tell your story once you are gone. As you age, you can think of what you will leave behind. Your life will leave an imprint on future generations. What do you want that mark to look like? It is never too late to make a lasting impact on those around you.
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
R ive r Re gio n Bo o m . co m
January 2021
BOOM!
27
Master Gardener's Perspective
By Sabita Saldanha
A BREATH OF FRESH AIR
As a plant enthusiast I enjoy collecting both indoor and outdoor plants. Plants that are easy to maintain and grow well with minimal light are top on my list of houseplants to must have. For those who are plant newbies and believe you do not have a green thumb you cannot go wrong with the care of a peace lily, dracaena, spider plant, aloe, Boston fern, rubber plant, pothos, dieffenbachia and anthuriums. These plants have vibrant and dense foliage which can brighten any space, are easy to grow and propagate, and wonderful gifts for any occasion. I am a proud owner of all these plants, and some of them I have had for years. Most often peace lilies and anthuriums are given as tokens in memoriam or at special occasions. I received a peace lily when my mother-inlaw passed away and I have had her for eight years! The anthurium I have was a gift by my husband for our anniversary and she is beautiful! She outgrew her container and I had to repot her. I got three new anthurium plants from one. Additionally, like birth stones, the birth plant of my birth month is an anthurium, so she is extra special. As I care for them and watch them grow, they bring me immense joy and happiness!
daily supply of fresh oxygen, and from an aesthetic point of view, a sense of mental calm and peace. However, what one may not be aware of is that a certain group of house plants are classified as “air purifiers”. Included under this category are peace lilies, dracaena, spider plant, aloe, rubber plant, pothos, dieffenbachia (dumbcane) and anthuriums. Using biospecimens like plants as air filters serves two purposes, provides ornamental decor while cleaning indoor air. Indoor air is often tainted with volatile organic compounds. Volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) come from sources from within the home or office. Enclosed spaces with confined ventilation systems contribute to VOCs in indoor air. They stem from materials used in the construction of the home, individual habits, and activities, etc. Formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, and toluene (paint thinners, glues, cigarette smoke) are classified as VOCs and are found in indoor environments and may contribute to health issues. The use of plants that remove harmful chemicals either through direct absorption or through changes brought about by microbes in the soil in which the plant grows is termed phytoremediation.
Akin to the plethora of benefits that outdoor plants and trees provide to the environment and ecosystem, houseplants impart similar effects to the indoor environment. Nothing like a
NASA conducted a scientific study on a few houseplants to determine their potential as air purifiers and
their effectiveness at removing VOC's. The study included several indoor ornamental plants, including peace lilies, dracaena, spider plant, aloe, rubber plant, pothos, dieffenbachia (dumbcane) and anthuriums. The aloe plant has exceptional medicinal value as well. The scale of efficient removal is affected by the type of plant and concentration level of VOCs. The NASA study was done in 1989 and in controlled chamber environments. With newer tools and technologies in place further studies are needed and should be extended to houseplants that are not tested yet. In summary, the use of ornamental potted plants presents a biosafe approach to detoxify indoor air in homes and offices spaces. The number and the type of plants needed per square foot will also need to be empirically determined. Nonetheless, houseplants do play a role in purifying air so every time you breath you can enjoy a breath of fresh air! Sabita Saldanha, an intern in the 2020 Master Gardener Class, lives in Montgomery. For more information on becoming a master gardener, visit www.capcitymga.org or email capcitymga@gmail.com.
Free Subscriptions
w w w. r i ve r re gio n b o o m.co m 28 BOOM!
January 2021
RiverRegionBoom.com
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
R ive r Re gio n Bo o m . co m
January 2021
BOOM!
29
What People in Their 90s Say... They Regret the Most by Lydia Sohn
I interviewed the oldest people I know. Their responses contradict popular research about aging and happiness.
These relational fractures, I could see on their faces, still caused them much pain and sorrow. One of my interviewees has two children who have not seen or spoken to one another for over two decades. She lamented that this, among all the mistakes and regrets she could bring to mind, was the singular thing that kept her up at night.
My preconceptions about older people first began to crumble when one of my congregants, a woman in her 80s, came into my office seeking pastoral care. It is a strange and wonderful feature of my job that I get to be a confidant and advisor to people at all stages of life. She had been widowed for several years but the reason for her distress was not the loss of her husband. It was because she had fallen in love with a married man. As she shared with me her story over a cup of tea and Kleenex, I tried as much as possible to keep a professional and compassionate countenance, though, internally, I was bewildered by this realization that people still fall in love in that teenage, butterflies-in-the-stomach kind of way even into their 80s. I have a great privilege of working with people who are double and even triple my age. This is not the case for many as the economic structure and workforce are stratified in that people are employed within their own demographics. But because I am a minister in a mainline denomination with an aging base, the people I primarily interact with are over the age of 60.
deep yearnings and ambitions with the energy and idealism of youth. My unconscious and unexamined assumption was that the elderly transcend these desires because they become more stoic and sage-like over time. Or the opposite: they become disillusioned by life and gradually shed their vibrancy and vitality. The initial realization that my assumptions might be wrong set me on a trajectory of further researching the internal lives of older people. Using my congregation as a resource, I interviewed several members in their 90s with a pen, notebook, a listening ear and a promise to keep everyone anonymous. The interviews I did not hold any of my curiosity back and asked them my burning questions about their fears, aging, sex lives or lack thereof. Fortunately, I had willing participants, many of whom were flattered that I was so interested in them as American society tends to pay less attention to people as they age.
I came into my job assuming that I, a Korean-American woman in my mid-30s, would not be able to connect with these people from a completely different racial and cultural background. It did not take long for me to discover how very wrong I was.
I began each conversation by asking if they had any regrets. By this point, they have lived long enough to look at their lives from a very broad perspective so I knew their responses to this question would be insightful.
We all have joys, hopes, fears and longings that never go away no matter how old we get. Until recently, I mistakenly associated
Most of their regrets revolved around their family and how they wish relationships, usually either with their children or
30 BOOM!
January 2021
RiverRegionBoom.com
between their children, turned out differently.
I then moved onto the topic of the happiest times of their lives. Every single one of these 90-something-yearolds, all of whom are widowed, recalled a time when their spouses were still alive and when their children were younger and living at home. As a busy young mom and working professional who frequently fantasizes about the far away, imagined pleasures of retirement, I quickly responded, “But weren’t those the most stressful times of your lives?” To which they all agreed. There was no hesitation though, that those days were also the happiest. “The U-bend of Life” Their responses intrigued me as it contradicted the well-known article on happiness in The Economist that went viral in 2010, “The U-bend of Life”. This was a common topic of conversation among my family and friends during this time as it had a particular resonance with people in both its counter-intuitive yet completely reasonable analyses. The theory of the U-bend came about as researchers discovered consistent findings from independent research projects on happiness and well-being all over the world. That is, happiness, pleasure and enjoyment are most tenuous during the middle-ages of life, starting in the 20s with depression The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
peaking at 46, which the author described as “middle-age-misery.” The happiness of peoples’ youth however, not only returned but were experienced in higher levels in their 70s. Researchers hypothesized that middleage-misery was due to the overwhelming number of familial, professional and financial demands during these years and that people became more self-accepting, less ambitious and more mindful of living in the present moment instead of the future as people approached their 70s. My interviewees’ contradicting thoughts on the happiest times of the lives led me to reflect upon the complex nature of happiness and possibly the changing understanding of happiness as people age. When we are younger, perhaps we think of happiness as a feeling than a state of fulfillment, meaning or abundance, which my interviewees were associating it with. Regardless, their responses came as a sobering reminder for me to fully appreciate and soak in these chaotic days of diaper changes, messiness and minimal me-time. They may just end up being my happiest times. Love, family, and relationships Another subject I was dying to know about was if their spouses of many decades were the loves of their lives. As it turns out, this was true for some and not for others. In both cases, it did not keep them from trying to make their marriages work. I got the sense from what they were sharing that after they had children, their marriages became much less important to their happiness than the overall nuclear family dynamic. This focus upon the family unit, however, did not mean that their sexual and romantic passion went away. They still longed to be wooed and pursued. They still experienced intense attraction to people who were not their spouses and continue to experience intense attraction for other people to this day. Of course, sex becomes more tiresome, as well as masturbation, but the desire for companionship is as present as it was during the height of their youth.
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
On beauty and aging My interviewees’ thoughts on beauty and their aging bodies were also varied in that their changing physical appearances only mattered insofar as it mattered to them when they were younger. Those who were valued for their good looks or athleticism experienced much more grief in regards to their current bodies than those who derived confidence from admirable qualities that were much less time-fixed. A great example of this is one interviewee who was well-known in her community for being a writer and columnist in local newspapers. When I asked her if she was saddened by her aging appearance, she responded, “Well, I never thought I was pretty to begin with so, no.” The ones who did experience greater negative emotions about aging though, shared that the peak of that grief occurred in their 70s and has diminished since then. It’s not the death, it’s the dying The same woman who told me she wasn’t bothered by her aging appearance also shared with me that she wasn’t afraid of death but of dying. I found this to be a profound distinction. She believed in an afterlife, as one might expect given that she is a church member. She had an assurance that she would, in one way or another, be well taken care of after her time here came to an end. She is still very physically and mentally healthy so it was that final leg of her journey that worried her. Would she be restricted to a hospital bed, just a mess of tubes and needles? Would she still recognize family and friends? Would she be in constant pain? Being old didn’t bother her until it affected the quality of her life in an incredibly detrimental way. In fact, being old, she shared, brought a lot of advantages: more time, more perspective, less hustling to be the best and most successful and urgency to strengthen the important relationships in her life. On accomplishments This radical relational orientation of all my subjects caught me by surprise. As
someone who is entering the height of my career, I expend much more energy on my work than my relationships. And when I imagine my future, I envision what I will have accomplished rather than what my relationships will be like. These 90-something-year-olds emphasize the opposite when they look back on their lives. Their joys and regrets have nothing to do with their careers, but with their parents, children, spouses and friends. Put simply, when I asked one person, “Do you wish you accomplished more?” He responded, “No, I wished I loved more.” My conversations challenged me. I certainly won’t be giving up my job to hang out with my family more because I also recognize that satisfying careers and financial stability are great sources of fulfillment, which in turn, affect family well-being. But these different perspectives helped me to focus on what really matters in the face of competing responsibilities and priorities. That sermon really does not have to be the best sermon in the world when my son is starving for my attention. My husband really does not need to get the highestpaying job he can find if that means I can spend more time with him. However, the biggest impact they left on me was not reprioritization but being okay with aging. I confess that prior to my conversations, I had an intense fear about growing old. This, I realize, was what motivated me to begin this research in the first place. I assumed the elderly lost their vibrancy and thirst for life. That couldn’t be further from the truth. They still laugh like crazy, fall in love like mad, and pursue happiness fiercely. Source: www.considerable.com The Rev. Lydia Sohn is a minister and writer currently on staff at St. Mark's United Methodist Church in San Diego, CA. She holds a B.A. from Scripps College (Claremont, CA) and an M.Div. from Yale University Divinity School (New Haven, CT). You can subscribe to her blog at www.revlydia.com.
R ive r Re gio n Bo o m . co m
January 2021
BOOM!
31
Ask an Elder Law Attorney
By: Raley L. Wiggins | Attorney at Law | Red Oak Legal, PC
Holiday Burnout
I am finally sitting down to write this installment of Ask an Elder Law Attorney the day before Boom! is due to go to the printer. Between the hustle and bustle of the holidays and wrapping up 2018, it seems like there is always one thing left to do. If your family is like mine, then every Christmas gathering is a picture-perfect string of joyful reunions with family, fit for a Norman Rockwell painting. ‘Tis the season for rest and relaxation, when nothing will ever go wrong—right?
more like Christmas in July. Frankly, I’m surprised old Saint Nick managed to make his rounds in Montgomery. That famous red velvet suit is great for the dry freezing tundra of the North Pole, but isn’t the ideal outerwear for piloting an open-top sleigh through the torrential rain and heat we enjoyed this year.
But here we are, Christmas is behind us Well, not exactly. This year our family was and 2019 starts anew. Most of us march lucky to get to visit with my parents and into the new year confident (or at least siblings, as well as my wife’s family. But hopeful) that the mistakes or unexpected we had a few bumps along the way, too. developments of last year are safely A nice little Christmas Virus spent the last behind us. couple of weeks working its way through the family. A Christmas Eve trip to the pediatrician was followed by Estate Planning and Asset Protection Workshop a Christmas Day For more information and to register please contact our office scramble by calling (334) 239-3625 or email Dana@redoaklegalpc.com. to refill our This educational workshop presented by local attorney Raley oldest child’s L. Wiggins covers wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance asthma medicine. directives, living wills, probate administration, protecting assets But at least from creditors, bankruptcy, divorce and remarriage, nursing it culminated homes, long-term care and Medicaid qualification. Registration is in our required. For more info visit www.redoaklegalpc.com. own little “Christmas Miracle” When will we ever learn? when we found the one pharmacy in In my office, I typically help families in town that’s open on Christmas Day. (If two situations. The first is when we help you’re curious, it’s the Walgreens on Ann people plan ahead. The second group Street!) are what we call “crises” cases. Crises cases are when a family is faced with Medicine refilled and little lungs cleared, an immediate or imminent need for our we all finally settled down to rest and assistance. A loved one has passed away enjoy the rest of Christmas day. You and their estate must be settled; a parent know, snuggled in front of the fire with a or grandparent is about to enter a nursing warm cup of hot chocolate. Except that home and needs to figure out how to pay instead of the fire, we were cranking up for it; a loved one can no longer manage the AC to fight the sticky eighty-degree their own affairs and needs a guardian or weather that made the holiday feel
Attend Free Workshop
32 BOOM!
January 2021
RiverRegionBoom.com
conservator to be appointed, just to list a few examples. Even though we see crisis cases in our office every day, it’s difficult to convince people that this will ever happen to their families. That is, there will always be another day, a better time, a perfect time to get around to getting one’s affairs in order, or helping mom or dad to plan to care for themselves in their old age. Some people just aren’t in a hurry to plan ahead. Every year we think that Christmas will be just like that Norman Rockwell image in our mind—a reliving of all of our most precious childhood holiday memories. And every year we have to relearn the lessons of the year before, that despite our best planning there will never be a “perfect” holiday, a perfect Christmas party, a perfect Christmas card, a perfect photo to post on Facebook or Instagram. My wish for all of you this year is that you will be a little wiser than you were last year. I hope that the lessons learned in 2018 will not have to be relearned in 2019. I hope that you all stick to your resolutions for 2019, and finally achieve the perfect image of yourself that you see in your mind. But I also hope that you’ll learn the lesson that we see our clients learning over and over again—you can’t plan for everything, but having a plan sure beats the alternative. 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
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
R ive r Re gio n Bo o m . co m
January 2021
BOOM!
33
Travel Experiences with Jeff Barganier
Jeff's Best
10 Getaways for 2021
1. Cumberland Island is Georgia’s southernmost barrier island. Six hours from the River Region, the island is only accessible by ferry from St. Marys, Georgia. Camping reservations must be made in advance because of demand. Secure ferry tickets and campsite online at the National Seashore Visitors Center. Campsites are only a short walk from the ocean. Take bottles of water and bug spray. (Camping is miserable during hot months.) Watch Cumberland Island Sunrise Jeff and Sunny Eberhart, Flagg Mountain Fairhope and The Mobile Bay an Atlantic sunrise and visit historic ruins of Dungeness, cabin for $25 and spend the night. (Big, difficult to miss. Great shops and food. originally built by George Washington’s beautiful fireplace but only one cabin www.Fairhopeartsandcraftsfestival. General Nathanael Greene. Horses has indoor plumbing.) Meet caretaker com roam wild on the island. True adventure. and legendary thru-hiker, Sunny Special place. Eberhart, aka Nimblewill Nomad. Hike 5. Jekyll Island, Georgia is a stunningly www.nps.gov/cuis/planyourvisit a few miles on the scenic Pinhoti Trail. beautiful island chock-full of history. 2. “The Shoals” covers four Alabama towns: Florence, Tuscumbia, Sheffield and Muscle Shoals. The area’s stimulating venues range from ancient archeological artifacts—one of the largest ancient Indian mounds in the Tennessee Valley is located here—to modern, world-influencing history and people. Visit Helen Keller’s home, W.C. Handy Music Museum, Frank Lloyd Wright designed Rosenbaum House, FAME and Muscle Shoals Sound Studios, and Te-la-nay’s Wall. Get a massage at Gallaher Spa located at the GunRunner Hotel. Eat at Big Bad Breakfast and 306 Barbeque. Visitflorenceal.com 3. Flagg Mountain at Weogufka, northwest of Wetumpka. This is the southern-most mountain in the Appalachian Range featuring a picturesque fire tower constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930’s. Rent a quaint CCC-built
34 BOOM!
January 2021
RiverRegionBoom.com
https://alabama.travel/places-to-go/ flagg-mountain
Take your bike and tour the whole island or walk amidst a maritime forest of palm trees, yucca plants, meandering mossy-oaks, crepe myrtles, the fresh scent of salt and sea as you explore the former estates of America’s early industrial barons at the Jekyll Island Club. (Wonderful place to stay, too.) Eat at Jekyll Island’s Wharf Restaurant overlooking the scenic intracoastal waterway. Order a glass of the Island Lager. Down a delicious dozen fried oysters. Watch the tide roll in under a setting sun. https://www.jekyllclub. com/
4. Fairhope, Alabama: The Annual Arts and Crafts Festival is scheduled for March 19-21. Exhibitors from all over the country make this a sprawling extravaganza featuring live entertainment & delicious cuisine on the streets of beautiful Fairhope. Visitors number in the hundreds of thousands. Last festival, I met people and enjoyed conversations with folks from Chicago, Columbus, Ohio, California and Peru. Fairhope has a personality unique 6. Burke County, North among cities, a tensionCarolina, aka, Nature’s free spirit of love and Playground. Go tandem The Shoals-Helen Keller camaraderie that is, hang-gliding in the Thermal at once, vintage-Alabama marinated Valley. It’s a family-owned business in Eastern Shore seasoning—a vibe operated by great folks. An eight-
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
hour trip by car from the River Region; so, leave early. Stay at the Morganton Hampton Inn on I-40. The hotel is clean, well-managed and convenient to many outdoor treasures like South Mountains State Park, Lake James State Park, Linville Gorge and Falls. Two of North Carolina’s landmark mountains, Table Rock and Hawksbill, are found here. Morganton has a city auditorium with a 1,058-seat theatre that regularly hosts Broadway musicals and national recording artists. www.thermalvalley.net 7. Little River Canyon slowed the Union Army’s advance toward Atlanta. It’s one of the deepest and most rugged canyon systems east of the Mississippi River. Only a few hours from the River Region, this geological wonder is located in Alabama’s wild and scenic northeast. The 11-mile Canyon Rim Drive snakes, at times, perilously close to the edge. Snap photos at Mushroom Rock. The Park Service no longer allows camping. But near the Eberhart parking area is an excellent picnic ground with tables, grills, trash cans and toilet facilities. It would be the perfect place for a family outing or romantic date. https://www.nps.gov/liri/index.htm 8. The Wild and Scenic Sipsey, Double Springs, Alabama is in the William B. Bankhead National Forest. Alabama’s 25,000-acre Sipsey Wilderness features the Sipsey River that meanders through it. Notably, the Sipsey is the only river
The Little River
Jeff and Cindy Jekyll Island Club
in Alabama to receive the designation “National Wild and Scenic River.” It’s a stunning place to camp or hike. The City of Double Springs is at the heart of Winston County in Northwest Alabama. This county is known historically as the “Free State of Winston” where proUnion sentiments reigned during the War Between the States. www.scenicusa.net/081911.html 9. The Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove near Asheville, North Carolina offers programs throughout the year that attract thousands of visitors from around the world. It’s retreat, rest, relaxation and renewal at its best—like a mental and spiritual massage. Accommodations are simple, clean and comfortable and the food is awesome. Deals for active-duty military. The Cove features a museum of Graham memorabilia, prayer gardens, a chapel, wide decks, nature trails, scenic
Craig and Jeff preparing for tandem hang-gliding in the Thermal Valley
mountain views, benches and brooks— all places for quiet reflection. What you won’t find are TV’s, boom boxes or traffic. Go pray for your kids, grands, and grand-puppies! https://thecove.org 10. Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge / Festival of Cranes in Decatur. Amazing day trip. The refuge attracts people from around the world. An attractive visitor’s center has films, colorful exhibit rooms, and a 4+foot stuffed whooping crane. Get face-to-face with a live owl or red-tail hawk. Take an enchanting walk through a cane break beneath towering trees. View a variety of birds—tens of thousands—some up close, through one-way glass. Watch an eagle swoop low from the clouds and cause panic among the flocks in the wetlands below. Family fun at its best. Educational! Go in January/February. www.fws.gov/refuge/wheeler
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.
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
R ive r Re gio n Bo o m . co m
January 2021
BOOM!
35
i
This & tHAT
Author Susie Mattox Celebrates Release of New Southern Gothic Novel, Idiot Farm Author Susie Mattox is celebrating the release of her latest novel, Idiot Farm, in hardback, trade paperback, and all major ebook formats from WordCrafts Press. Idiot Farm is told through the eyes of young Flynn Bolenn during the hot, molasses-slow summer of 1972. "The Vietnam War rages on, and Daddy signed up to fight. Now he's gone missing," Flynn muses. "Mama dumped me and my brother, Willie, at my grandmother's farm in Haley, Alabama, while she takes my little sister, Sunny, all over the state to compete in Little Miss beauty pageants. Me and Willie ain't the only ones staying here, either. Ida Mae takes care of a bushel of reject kids the state can't find a home for. Idiots. All of 'em. There's a serial killer on the loose targeting pretty little girls... ones that win Little Miss beauty pageants. "Oh. And there's a monster in the cellar." Susie adds, "While my maternal grandmother introduced me to ghosts and creepy black-and-white horror movies in her seemingly haunted house, my fraternal grandmother introduced me to rural Alabama. The dirt beneath my fingertips, decrepit barns, golden cornfields, dark forests, and the secrets of a buried root cellar. I hope that through the strangeness and sometimes darkness of Idiot Farm, readers will realize how much value each of us has in this world. All of us - the disadvantaged, the unloved, the forgotten - we were each designed with an amazing and important purpose. Even the least of us. Perhaps especially the least of us." Susie Mattox is an author and Alabama native who developed an interest in ghosts and the macabre spending summers in her grandmother’s home, which was haunted. She lives in Montgomery, Alabama, with her husband and two dogs, and struggles to keep up with her kids who’ve flown the coop. When she’s not writing, she’s competitive ballroom dancing and working on sassying up her samba. She is currently working on a sequel to her first published novel, Fairly Strange, a Southern gothic ghost story, that was published in October 2019. She is available for book readings, book clubs, and book signings. Susie is on Facebook, Twitter @mattox_susie, and Instagram @susiemattoxwrites
Alabama Farm Center at Clanton Expected to Draw Tourists, Dollars The Alabama Farm Center at Alfa Centennial Park is projected to be a mecca for tourism in Alabama and make the city of Clanton not only at the geographical center of the state but also a new revenue center. As a tourist attraction, the Farm Center will emphasize the state’s agricultural roots. Construction of the 500-acre project was expected to begin in the spring of 2021, but the COVID-19 pandemic caused a delay. Until environmental studies are completed, no work can be done to the site, which means there is no firm date for completion of the project at the moment. The Farm Center will be the first development in the park, which will be on the east side of Interstate 65 at Exit 212 between Alabama Highway 145 and County Road 43, within the Clanton city limits. The land is currently undeveloped. Once built, Alabama Farm Center at Alfa Centennial Park is projected to bring in 932,000 visitors annually. Clanton was chosen from 12 sites throughout the state that were in contention. The city will see the most direct impact and has created a master plan to help capitalize on the growth expected at Exit 212. The project was proposed by Alfa and the Alabama Farmers Federation as a celebration of the federation’s 100th anniversary in 2021. After it is built, the multi-purpose facility is expected to have a far-reaching economic impact. Alfa Centennial Park’s campus will consist of several buildings, including a 5,000-seat air-conditioned arena, a 150,000-square-foot exhibition building equipped with meeting rooms, a 400-stall horse barn, a cattle barn with 1,125 tie stalls, and 400 hookups for recreational vehicles.
36 BOOM!
January 2021
RiverRegionBoom.com
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
BOOMERS, share your stuff with BOOM! We Love to Bring BOOMERS Together, send info and pics to jim@riverregionboom.com
Sheriff Derrick Cunningham Named 69th YMCA Man of the Year Sheriff Derrick Cunningham named the 2020 YMCA Man of the Year. This year’s recipient, Montgomery County Sheriff Derrick Cunningham, has served as a dedicated YMCA member for many years. He is currently active on the Kershaw YMCA Board of Directors. He is passionate about service to the youth of Montgomery through his YMCA work. He provides free ACT prep programs to the YMCA Achievers club. Additionally, he hosts the Sheriff’s Camp at YMCA Camp Chandler as well as many community events for Montgomery County’s youth. For 69 years, teens of the Montgomery Student YMCAs have shown their appreciation to the men and women dedicated to serving youth in the community by planning and executing the YMCA’s Man of the Year annual program held the first Monday of December. At the banquet, students pay tribute to the nominees, one of whom is selected as Man of the Year. This year the award presentation press conference was held at the Britton YMCA. This year’s program was co-chaired by Jeffery Ford of Saint James, and Gracie Barranco of Montgomery Catholic, and featured guest speaker, Justin Castanza, YMCA of Greater Montgomery’s 2019 Man of the Year. For more information about the YMCA of Greater Montgomery’s student YMCA program, please contact Sam Adams, Vice President at sadams@ymcamontgomery.org.
Sheriff Derrick Cunningham
Master Gardener Association Presents Free Lunch & Learn Programs Capital City Master Gardener Association (Call to Confirm in case of COVID Cancellation) presents Lunch & Learn 2021 the 1st Wednesday of Every Month from 12-1 pm. Please bring a sack lunch. They meet at the Armory Learning Arts Center, 1018 Madison Avenue, Downtown Montgomery. Programs for the next three months are: Wednesday, January 6th, Successful Seed Starting, Mallory Kelley, Horticulturist, ACES; Wednesday, February 3rd, Destructive Insects, Anthony Yarbrough, Master Gardener; Wednesday, March 3rd, Creating a Cut Flower Garden, Lucy Edwards, Horticulturist, ACES. For information, please contact the Montgomery County Extension Office 334.270.4133. Also visit www.capcitymga.org.
Free Subscriptions w w w.r iver reg ion b oom .com
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
R ive r Re gio n Bo o m . co m
January 2021
BOOM!
37
This & tHAT
i
More
Local Financial Advisor Offers "Life in a Box" January Workshop Every January, we conduct a workshop at the Montgomery Moore Wealth Management office called Life in a Box. We give you a step-by-step approach to gather all relevant records, so they are all contained or referenced in one fire-resistant box. We will conduct the 2021 webinar at noon on Wednesday, January 27th. For further information and reservations, please call 334.270.1672, or email sarah@moorewealthmanagement.com. If you miss the webinar, we also offer free consultations that are without obligation. The ten categories we cover in detail include healthcare, estate planning, tax records, investments and bank accounts, liabilities, insurance, Susan Clayton Moore, J.D. military records, personal identification documentation, deeds and similar documents, and a miscellaneous one that covers pet information, house maintenance, etc.
Community Blood Drive in Pike Road COVID-19 has brought many changes and challenges to communities across the nation, including ours. Throughout this time, our local law enforcement and emergency responders have remained committed to the safety and security of our community, often putting themselves at risk of illness or injury. In partnership with LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, we are thankful for the opportunity to show our appreciation for our local law enforcement and help meet the need for blood donations with a mobile blood drive at Town Hall on January 8, 2021. Donations can be made from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. by appointment - call 334.260.0803 to register now and help provide a safe, adequate blood supply for patients in need. Walk-ins are also welcome! We want to emphasize that it is SAFE to give blood during the COVID-19 outbreak. COVID-19 is not a bloodborne disease, and the LifeSouth team has precautions in place to ensure the safety of both donors and employees. Thank you, Pike Road, for all you do to support one another and our neighbors in need!
Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art at Auburn University Images from the graphic memoir “Lila Quintero Weaver: Darkroom Drawings” is on now and will continue through Sunday, May 30, 2021, in the Chi Omega—Hargis Gallery at the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art at Auburn University. The celebrated work of graphic memoirist, illustrator and children’s author Lila Quintero Weaver is featured in this thought-provoking exhibition of 25 original drawings and personal memorabilia. The artist’s story begins in 1961 when, at age 5, her family immigrated from Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Marion, Alabama. Racial inequality already divided the region, and the Civil Rights Movement gained momentum for voting rights and equality. In February 1965, during the fallout from a peaceful protest that turned violent, an Alabama state trooper murdered U.S. veteran and activist Jimmie Lee Jackson in Marion. This horrific injustice energized the Selma to Montgomery Marches, ultimately capturing the world’s horror and, finally, its attention, on “Bloody Lila Quintero Weaver's "Candlelight." (Image provided courtesy of the artist) Sunday.” These historic events, along with Weaver’s own immigrant journey, serve as the backdrop of her personal story, “Darkroom Drawings,” heralded by “Book Riot” as one of its “100 Must-Read Graphic Memoirs.” She came to her own artistic practice by observing her father, an amateur photographer, minister and educator, as he documented the events in Marion. For more info visit www. jcsm.auburn.edu or call 334-844-1484.
Free Subscriptions @ w w w.r ive rre gio n b o o m.co m 38 BOOM!
January 2021
RiverRegionBoom.com
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
BLOW UP II: Inflatable Contemporary Art BLOW UP II: Inflatable Contemporary Art explores the medium of inflatable art with imagery that is figurative, conceptual, and abstract. The 15 large-scale inflatable sculptures, conceived by nine artists and art collectives from around the world, connote fun and whimsy, are familiar yet strange, and challenge the definition of art. Here, in an unusual feat, artists use air as an active tool in their work to subvert our perspective and surprise us. Engaging humor, scale, and surprise, the artworks in BLOW UP II take us on extraordinary journeys by exploring subjects as varied as anime, superheroes, history, politics, and even our mortality. Holding our attention with wonder and delight, this unique exhibition— at once humorous and whimsical—creates a spectacular, immersive environment that allows for deeper contemplation. By harnessing the power of air, the ideas and possibilities in art making seem endless, and creativity is left to take flight. MMFA hours are Monday closed, Tuesday-Saturday, 10-5 pm and Sunday Noon to 5 pm. Explore more at www.mmfa.org
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
COMPANION PETS AVAILABLE NOW!
Contact Dementia Friendly Alabama or Central Alabama Aging Consortium to learn how your loved one can receive a free robotic companion pet! Abbey Rogers, 334-240-4680 ext 139 abbey.rogers@adss.alabama.gov
R ive r Re gio n Bo o m . co m
January 2021
BOOM!
39
This & tHAT
i
More
Central Alabama Community Foundation’s 2021 Grant Workshop Mark your calendar and get your space reserved for Central Alabama Community Foundation’s 2021 Grant Workshop on Thursday, January 7, from 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. The workshop will take place at Trenholm State Community College’s Auditorium (Building D on the Patterson Campusat 3920 Troy Highway), where seating will be socially distanced with masks required. CACF is also providing the option to participate virtually. This free workshop is designed for nonprofits that plan to apply for grant funding through CACF and its two River Region affiliates, AACF and ECCF (serving Autauga, Elmore, Lowndes, Macon, and Montgomery counties). CACF staff will lead the workshop, and content will include an overview of funding categories, guidance on creating an effective and competitive application, and navigating CACF’s online grant system. Participants are invited to share any questions or topics they would like to see covered when they register online. While there is no cost to attend this workshop, registration is required by clicking this link https://tinyurl. com/yagmjq4n . Please RSVP on Facebook to receive up-to-date information. The Facebook event can be found through this link: https://fb.me/e/22mExNbSS. For more information, please email clare.watson@cacfinfo.org or call 334-264-6223.
Henry Pugh Memorial Jam Celebrate the life of storied Montgomery musician, Henry Pugh through a night of jazz curated by Coleman Woodson III. A Wall full of taps helps set a great stage for good times at Commerce Beerworks. Located inside Aviator and Alley. Thu., Jan. 7, 2021, 7:00PM – 10:00PM. More Information on Website: www.facebook.com/ events/1218095825256801/ Commerce Beerworks, 166 Commerce Street. Free Event
Apps of the Year While we often talk about the hazards of too much screen time and doomscrolling, apps to keep us healthy and de-stressed are at the very top of both lists. Apple's top app of the year is Wakeout ($35/ year, iOS only), which gives you quick workouts you can do whenever you have a few minutes, no matter where you are. The simple routines aren't designed to be challenging, but just to keep you moving, with easy workouts you can do while sitting on the couch or to unwind before bed. Google Play's best app of the year tackles health from a different angle with sleep app Loóna ($34/year for Android and iOS), which lulls you to sleep with "sleepscapes" that include activities, stories, and sounds to help you unplug from daily stresses to get a good night's rest. Google also highlighted breathing app Calmaria (free for Android and iOS) while Apple pointed to self-care app Shine ($53/year for Android and iOS) to help us stay centered in a chaotic year. And if you need a more intense workout? Google likes Centr with Chris Hemsworth ($119/year for Android and iOS) which offers workouts you can do from home and meal plans to help you get healthier. Please use accordingly or better yet, not al all :)
Free Subscriptions w w w. r i ve r re gio n b o o m.co m
40 BOOM!
January 2021
RiverRegionBoom.com
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
Bubba and Billy Bob - Mule Traders: Bubba and Billy Bob saw an ad in the Hearald-Citizen in Thibodeaux, Louisiana and bought a mule for $100. The farmer agreed to deliver the mule the next day. The next morning the farmer drove up and said, "Sorry, fellows, I have some bad news, the mule died last night ."Bubba and Billy Bob replied, "Well, then just give us our money back." The farmer said, "Can't do that. I went and spent it already." They said, "OK then, just bring us the dead mule." The farmer asked, "What in the world ya'll gonna do with a dead mule?" Bubba said, "We gonna raffle him off." The farmer said, "You can't raffle off a dead mule!" Billy Bob said, "We shore can! Heck, we don't hafta tell nobody he's dead!" A couple of weeks later, the farmer ran into Bubba and Billy Bob at the IGA grocery store and asked. “What'd you fellers ever do with that dead mule?” They said, "We raffled him off like we said we wuz gonna do." Billy Bob said, "Shucks, we sold 1000 tickets fer two dollars apiece and made a profit of $1,998.00.
Caregiver of the Month Spotlight:
Barbara Williams
Barbara started with our company in June of 2019. She is a very professional, easy going, hard working and dedicated caregiver. She is a true TEAM player and plays her position well, she is always dressed to impress and carries herself in a professional manner. Ms. Barbara has never called out of a shift and has never been late to one either. She fills in whenever she is free. Keep up the good work, Barbara, we truly appreciate all that you do!
Thank you for being a valuable member of our team, Ciara… Keep up the great work! For more information visit www.homecareassistancemontgomery.com
The farmer said, “Didn't anyone complain?" Bubba said, "Well, the feller who won got upset. So we gave him his two dollars back." Bubba and Billy Bob now work for the government. They're overseeing the Vote Count, Bailout and Stimulus Programs.
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
R ive r Re gio n Bo o m . co m
January 2021
BOOM!
41
BOOM! COVER PROFILE
Susan Moore, "...And Then Some"
This month’s cover profile is a woman who has accomplished much since moving to Alabama nearly forty years ago. After moving to Alabama, Susan switched her career from corporate law to financial advisor. She eventually started Moore Wealth Management in 1991 and now has three offices-Alexander City, Auburn and Montgomery. What makes Susan unique is the simplicity of her company’s mission statement, “and then some”. As an example, Susan provides clients, who she considers family, with services and education about topics that impact their financial lives but go beyond traditional financial planning. She does complimentary monthly workshops and consultations on topics like Maximizing Social Security or Medicare, Protecting Against Identity Theft, Organizing Financial Records, Estate Planning, Planning for Housing Expense in Retirement, etc. Her clients are well served by her mission statement. Susan lives in Pike Road and loves to collect artwork by local artists with the help of Gallery One Fine Art manager, Sandi Aplin. She has no plans to slow down or retire because she loves serving her clients’ financial needs. Traveling is a passion which she does with friends and her daughter Kate. In a word, Susan loves to have fun with good friends, traveling or entertaining and understands the importance of working hard for her clients and enjoying the special moments with good friends. A balanced life to be sure. We hope you enjoy getting to know Susan as much as we have. BOOM!: Please give us a brief biography, i.e., where were you born, education, family, what brought you to the Montgomery area, etc?
could attend Montgomery Academy. I opened my second office in Montgomery in 2010. We bought a house in Pike Road so that Kate could have her beloved cats and dogs. Kate is a senior at Emerson College in Boston majoring in Theatre and Performance.
Susan: I grew up in Kentucky and Tennessee, predominantly in Bowling Green, KY. My father and grandfather worked for Fruit of the Loom (FOL), which was headquartered in Bowling Green. I BOOM!: You Susan at the Trevi Fountain in the Trevi district of Rome received both my have been undergraduate and law degrees from working in the financial services Tulane University and then practiced industry for more than 30 years and briefly as an attorney for FOL. Love have been operating your own firm was what brought me to Alabama, as a since 1991, called Moore Wealth gentleman I was dating left FOL to work Management. You have a law degree for Russell Corporation in Alexander from Tulane University, so why did City. At that time, nearly forty years you choose a career in the financial ago, I switched careers and became world? In managing other people’s a financial advisor in Birmingham. I money and expectations, how do opened my own office in Alexander City you manage the stress that naturally eight years later. In 2004 I moved to occurs in the investment world? How Montgomery so that my daughter, Kate, would you describe your investment
42 BOOM!
January 2021
RiverRegionBoom.com
philosophy? Susan: Both my father and grandfather were very successful businessmen and were huge role models for me. Because of them, I always intended to use the law degree as a background in business, and it has proven helpful in areas where investments intersect with estate planning and taxation. My father and grandfather managed the stress by putting the best interests of their people first and I try to follow their lead. My investment philosophy is passionate about keeping downside risks limited while urging my clients to take calculated risks when the odds are in their favor. I don’t believe in applying a cookiecutter approach to asset allocation or to investment vehicles. I favor an approach that is customized for every client. Kate and Susan Skiing at Alta, Utah
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
look forward BOOM!: and a fantastic set of friends who love to helping Your mission to travel together and socialize with our clients statement at each other. Renewal for me is all about navigate what Moore Wealth spending time with people I love. I think could Management be a couple is “and then BOOM!: What are you most passionate of challenging some.” Could about…besides wealth management? years in the you explain markets. what your Susan: My daughter and my friends. I mission love sharing experiences and traveling BOOM!: Many statement with both. people over 50 means and experience a how you BOOM!: How do you like to spend time renewed sense apply it during with family and friends? of purpose, day-to-day new goals, operations? Susan: Travel and entertaining. We have or maybe How would done river cruises on the Danube and new careers, you describe in Russia, rented villas in Tuscany and Blue Gray Ball Cheri, Dottie, and Susan your leadership especially if they’ve style? What does the future look like for experienced you and your company? the empty nest syndrome of their Susan: Living our mission statement, kids moving on. we do our best to do “what is How would you required, what is expected and then describe this sense some.” To that end, at Moore Wealth of renewal in your Management we provide our clients, life? Any advice who we consider family, with services for the rest of us and education about topics that impact seeking renewal? their financial lives but go beyond traditional financial planning. We do Susan: I view my life complimentary monthly workshops in thirds. The first and consultations on topics like third was getting Maximizing Social Security or Medicare, educated and Protecting Against Identity Theft, getting my business Organizing Financial Records, Estate established. The Planning, Planning for Housing Expense second third was in Retirement, etc. Following my Susan with daughter Kate in San Francisco raising my daughter. father’s example, I would describe my And now the leadership Provence, and a road trip to Mount final third gets style as a Rushmore in the age of pandemic. We to be about “Coach” style do a New Year’s Eve Party every year enjoying what leadership. at my house that lasts 24 hours. We I’ve worked The take a theme like Italian food, everyone to establish. I pandemic picks a dish, and we cook and eat passionately has helped together until midnight. The next day love what I us adapt our we cook and eat together while we do so I have programming watch football games. Over the last no plans to to be more eight years, we’ve cooked food from ever retire. virtual all over the world. The current plan is I’m blessed including our that for New Year’s Eve 2020 we will be to have a daily market celebrating belatedly on April Fool’s Day great family, a updates and 2021. fabulous staff, monthly Ladies at the New Year’s Eve Dinner in 2017 a tremendous webinars BOOM!: You have served on the group of clients who appreciate us, on our “and then some” topics. We Women’s Philanthropy Board of Auburn The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
R ive r Re gio n Bo o m . co m
January 2021
BOOM!
43
University; please share what the board does? What’s the importance of teaching/ encouraging philanthropy to women and men?
then spend a week traveling around Romania. BOOM!: How do you like to relax and wind down from a full day’s activities?
list and the webinars, please email sarah@moorewealthmanagement.com or call Susan Colquett at 334.270.1672. BOOM!: How would describe the quality of life in the Montgomery/River Region area? What do we need more of? Susan: Montgomery is great, especially for people over the age of 50. You have access to world-class theater, art museums, and lecture series. Lake Martin is close and there are wonderful opportunities for golf and tennis as well as the best college football in the South. I love how the people in Montgomery are so giving with so many active volunteer organizations like MACOA. If I could make anything better in Montgomery, it would be the school system.
Susan: I served as the Programming Group trip to Kentucky Co-Chairman Susan: Watch for the Board for several years. The a great movie with a good friend and a Board sponsors annual symposiums glass of wine. featuring nationally known speakers on finance and philanthropy. It conducts BOOM!: One of the unique services a mentoring program for Auburn you provide are university students, educating the “and then some students about the benefits of giving as workshops” well as receiving. My grandfather was which during my role model in this area; he spent Covid 19 much of his retirement raising money have become for his beloved causes, including the BOOM!: As webinars, some Salvation Army and the Boys and Girls you’ve aged, have focused Clubs. how have on widows and your priorities widowers. Would BOOM!: What are some of your favorite changed? you share with travel experiences? Favorite vacation our readers some spot? Any travel dreams planned? Susan: They of the benefits of really haven’t. these workshops Susan: When my daughter was My priorities and how they can Cheri, Dottie, and Susan touring Provence between the ages of 6 and 11, I rented have always participate? an apartment each summer for several been about taking care of the people I weeks in Europe, including London, love and care about. Susan: We do one of these workshops/ Paris, Madrid and Barcelona. I wanted webinars every month on a different her to experience what it was like to BOOM!: Give us three words that topic. All are complimentary and live in a foreign describe you? open to the country. That public. We would be my Susan: Energetic, passionate, and go through a favorite set of caring. presentation experiences. on the topic Favorite BOOM!: Do you have any hobbies that we vacation spots or other activities that grab your annotate would include attention? with real life summers in Sea examples. Island, Georgia Susan: I love to play golf, tennis and We have and skiing at snow ski. I enjoy ballroom dancing. I handouts that Alta, Utah. My collect art by local Alabama artists and include the friends and I good bourbon. I am a movie buff and presentation plan to take love good historical fiction TV series. I and valuable a river cruise love to cook, especially with friends. supplemental next fall from information. Budapest to BOOM!: What is your relationship with To sign up for Russia Trip with Friends Bucharest and technology? How does technology help the invitation
44 BOOM!
January 2021
RiverRegionBoom.com
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
you manage Moore Wealth Management more efficiently? Susan: Thank goodness I have assistants who are great with technology. I have a love/hate relationship Susan with her sisters, Beth and Tricia, in Paris with it. For the past fifteen BOOM!: You have served on the years we have had a priority of being Advisory Board of the Jule Collins Smith able to operate during a pandemic, so Museum of Art of Auburn University. when it hit, we were prepared. The What’s your relationship to the art ability to do webinars throughout the world? Are you a collector? Favorite pandemic has been invaluable for our artist? clients and our back-office technology has enabled my staff to work from Susan: I served six years on the board home when needed without a hitch. and chaired its first fund-raising event, It was as if they were at their desks in Art in Bloom, where different garden the office. We continue to adapt and clubs created floral arrangements employ new technology every year. that interpreted different paintings in the museum. With the help of Sandi BOOM!: What’s your take on the idea Aplin and the artists affiliated with of retirement? Gallery One in Montgomery, I have accumulated a collection of paintings Susan: It’s great for most, but not for and sculptures by living and recently me. deceased Alabama artists. Some of my favorites include John Wagnon,
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
New Year's Eve Dinner with Friends, 2019
Cissy Hulett, Carol Barksdale, Shirley Esco, Priscilla Crommelin and Barbara Gallagher. We want to thank Susan for sharing some of her story with us in this month's cover profile. If you want to connect with Susan, you can email her at susan@ moorewealthmanagement.com or call 334.270.1672. A special thanks to Shellee at Total Image Portraits for providing this month's cover photography. If you have questions, comments or suggestions about our cover profiles, including nominating someone, please send them to Jim Watson at jim@riverregionboom.com.
Free Subscriptions www.RiverRegionBoom.com
R ive r Re gio n Bo o m . co m
January 2021
BOOM!
45
46 BOOM!
January 2021
RiverRegionBoom.com
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
R ive r Re gio n Bo o m . co m
January 2021
BOOM!
47
What Life's Been Like as an Expat in the Pandemic Like most expats, 110,000 COVID-19 my partner deaths. Sarah Wilson Although usually and I have had very active in our lives abroad the local art and dramatically music scene, Jack transformed by and Galeta wisely the COVID-19 saw that shuttling pandemic. And across the city we're far from on packed public alone. I asked a transportation few other expats systems and I know — mostly gathering in retired — to share crowds could Writer, Jonathan Look and Partner Sarah what's changed quickly turn into and what hasn't for them due to the virus. super spreader events. So, they stopped exploring, settled in their apartment and Sarah and I have been living in Malta (an reassessed their situation. island south of Sicily), for about a year and a half after bouncing around the world; After checking how things were we write about it on our blog at www. going in Europe and the United LifePart2.com. Over the years, we grew States, they canceled their already accustomed — some would say took for fully booked year of travel and granted — our freedoms to travel, visit decided to "stay in Mexico, without friends wherever they were, and explore the City." They found an Airbnb near new places. Puebla, about 100 miles outside the capital, "with lots of windows, in a Now, every move beyond our front compound and surrounded by fully door — to our neighborhood market, a grown trees and a lush garden." friend's house, wherever — requires an unprecedented amount of mindfulness Now, they spend their days reading, and planning. That's true for expats taking walks on scarcely populated everywhere, as you'll see below: For their country trails, doing yoga, streaming privacy, a few of the expats here have Netflix and "washing down healthy asked me to use only their first names or meals with good wine." pseudonyms. Although they're usually very tuned in to Life in Mexico the news and political happenings around Jack and Galeta Blue (not their real names), the world, they've decided for "mental a native of Holland and a Chicagoan, were health reasons" to institute a 22-hour-aliving as retirees in day news Mexico City for the blackout. winter of 2019/2020 when COVID-19 Sadly, became a full-blown they've pandemic. It didn't been take long for them to frustrated realize that the lively by being megalopolis of 26 unable million they'd called to visit home for the previous a family four months was, in member Jack and Galeta Blue (pseudonyms), pandemic expats in their words, "starting overseas Mexico | Credit: Jack and Galeta Blue to look like a petri with a dish." severe illness. However, they realize that Mexico has had about 1.8 million total even if they lived next door, they still coronavirus cases through early December wouldn't be able to see them in person. (ranking No. 12 in the world) and roughly The agreement they made with their new
48 BOOM!
January 2021
RiverRegionBoom.com
landlord to stay for a few months has turned into eight. But Jack and Galeta they say their landlady has made them feel like part of the family and they're prepared to stay where they are for as long as it takes. Life in Portugal As a Seattle-based consultant in the IT Industry, Diane Jacobsen traveled worldwide for years. But Jacobsen knew that when she retired in 2017, she was going to call Portugal home. In February, blissfully loving her life there, just as her adopted country was going into lockdown, she was confronted with a diagnosis of breast cancer. Undeterred by the double dose of bad news, Jacobsen decided she'd hunker down in Portugal among her friends and with her newly adopted rescue dog, Grey, and that she'd keep volunteering at the local animal rescue shelter. Diane Jacobsen
When I asked her how things were going, she told me she knew she'd made the right decision to stay because "Portugal cares about people and they have taken a people-first approach from the beginning. The government acted decisively, issued clear mandates and moved slowly to open businesses and schools back up." As of early December, Portugal has had roughly 5,000 coronavirus deaths and, with 322,000 total cases, it's No. 34 in the world. Although Jacobsen misses many of the Portuguese traditions — "cultural norms like Beijinhos (little kisses) and close greetings have been abandoned," she says — she's now going through chemotherapy and grateful to be getting affordable, first-class medical treatment as well as basking in the socially distanced love of her community. The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
Life in Thailand My friend "DJ," (not his real name) a not-yet retired expat from Trinidad who now makes his home in Thailand, says, "Surviving in Thailand as a foreigner has had its challenges. But in some ways, it has been better than being in the West." DJ says he has had a couple of minor incidences where people were extra cautious in screening him, thinking of him as a potential "dirty foreigner." Once, he says, "at a temple in Phitsanulok, they didn't want to let me in." Otherwise, DJ says, "Economically, it hasn't been easy for people here. Everyone — especially service industries and touristdependent areas — was DJ hit hard. However, as a foreigner, if you have an online business, enough savings or a recurring source of income, then Thailand has been a pretty good place to be stuck. " He adds: "Food and apartment rental prices stayed the same. Delivery services flourished. There was never a twenty-fourhour lockdown, so people were generally free to move around." I asked DJ if he was happy with his decision to stay in Thailand. "In the early days of the pandemic, I considered heading back west, but when I saw the rapid rise in cases in the West, I figured it would be better to stay put." He adds: "Amazingly, for a population of approximately seventy million, the reported number of COVID-19 cases has been pretty low at only approximately four thousand." That ranks Thailand at 151; it has had just 60 COVID-19 deaths. "It hasn't been perfect," says DJ. "Still, the government insists on contact tracing measures, usage of masks and temperature checks at most businesses and facilities." Life in Canada When I caught up with my friends Ken and Theresa (they prefer not to reveal their last names), I found that they'd temporally moved to a condo in Victoria on Vancouver Island in Canada before the United States' border closed last March.
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
The couple took early retirement from the San Francisco area's health care industry and then began doing international housesitting, as they have for five years. Ken and Theresa told me they planned to stay in Canada through the summer of 2021 and then continue housesitting around the world. They love to travel slowly and see the world, having made friends everywhere from Australia to Zambia. As happy as they are, Ken and Theresa can't wait to head to someplace nearer the equator. Even though they "prefer their Christmas lights on palm trees," Ken says they're looking forward to having a chance of a White Christmas. They say their island's COVID-19 infection rate is very low and the compliance rate with the restrictions is very high. Overall, Canada has had roughly 423,000 total coronavirus cases (world rank: No. 29) and about 12,800 deaths. As happy as they are under the circumstances, Ken and Theresa can't wait to head to someplace nearer the equator.
during the pandemic here, though. Sarah volunteers teaching English to immigrants and has to wear a mask. (She now realizes how many clues learners ordinarily get from watching someone speak.) In Malta, mask mandates were on one day but unnecessary the next. These days, it's masks on all the time. For a while, restaurants closed completely; now there's either dining inside or outdoors, but socially distanced. The temperature check rules have been confusing; currently, it seems, they're only required at immigration points and in shops. We realize that the science is evolving and that restrictions must change accordingly. Most people here seem to understand the severe nature of COVID-19 and the need to sacrifice today so things won't get out of hand and so we may recover more quickly. Through it all, we've always been able to get out and into nature and get exercise. Local shops have been continuously well stocked, including hand sanitizer and toilet paper.
While we'd love to be traveling freely, we are grateful that we can still enjoy connecting — Our Life in Malta electronically — with Sarah and I (she's a Brit and friends worldwide. Ken and Theresa I'm an American) had just And wish them a moved to our new apartment overlooking hugely improved 2021! Grand Harbor in Malta when the pandemic SOURCE: WWW.NEXTAVENUE.ORG arrived. It felt strange to go from socializing, living everyday life and making Jonathan Look At age 50, Jonathan Look Jr., sold travel plans to suddenly living behind everything he owned, took early retirement and restricted borders. began exploring the world. He believes the best of At first, it felt like an overreaction. Still, life comes from being true to yourself and pushing when dire reports about the coronavirus against the edges of your comfort zone. He is started pouring in from neighboring Italy, passionate about photography, great food, slow we felt relieved that Malta government travel and helping others see that, at any age, life officials listened to the scientists and took charge. should be lived as an adventure. When he is not To date, Malta has had roughly 10,700 coronavirus cases and 157 deaths; it ranks No. 121 in the world for COVID-19 cases. Things haven't always been smooth for us
away exploring the world, he lives overlooking the Mediterranean Sea in the tiny European country of Malta with his partner, Sarah, and their Thai rescue dog, Angel. He shares his unique philosophy and stories of his adventures on his website, www.LifePart2.com.
R ive r Re gio n Bo o m . co m
January 2021
BOOM!
49
Smart Health - Nature's Way - Tracy Bhalla
Peppermint
Peppermint extract and oil are used both in baking and in multiple household everyday items to flavor and fragrance a variety of things from cookies and hot chocolate to soap, toothpaste, and mouthwashes. Peppermint is a sterile, hybrid plant that’s made up of a blend of water mint and spearmint. First known to be cultivated in England during the seventeenth century, its popularity grew to the point where it’s now cultivated all over the world, though it remains indigenous to Europe. In the United States, Oregon is the leader in peppermint production, accumulating nearly 35 percent of the nation’s total supply. PEPPERMINT IN FOOD PRODUCTS Peppermint has a cool and refreshing menthol flavor, which is why it’s often found in gums, mints, and oral care products since it provides a super clean feeling. Peppermint leaves can also be used to make tea and other flavor extracts. In particular it tastes great with chocolate and is often featured in many baked goods and hot beverages like mint hot chocolate and mochas. All by themselves, fresh peppermint leaves have just a few calories. It’s always best to source fresh peppermint for food purposes since the flavor will be more intense. When storing, simply wrap the leaves in a damp paper towel and place into a plastic bag in the fridge. If there are any noticeable dark spots or yellowing, that’s your clue that it’s time to throw them out. Dried mint or peppermint extract can remain good for up to twelve months if kept in a cool dark place.
The antimicrobial properties in peppermint have been proven to aid digestion too. These compounds have been studied for their ability to activate an anti-pain channel in the colon that can reduce pain and spasms. This might be able to provide some relief for upset stomach, diarrhea, gas, cramps, nausea, vomiting, even morning sickness. Gently rubbing diluted peppermint oil on my young son’s tummy gave him instant relief as a toddler. Another effective way to receive these benefits is by drinking peppermint tea, which steeps the leaves with water for a warming drink. While you can source the leaves yourself, you can also buy boxed tea bags to make it more convenient. OTHER USES FOR PEPPERMINT Peppermint oil is extracted using a distilling process, and this oil contains a significant amount of menthol and menthone, which together provide a calming and cooling effect on the body. The essential oil is very strong, you should NEVER use it straight out of the bottle without diluting it in a carrier oil first – simple olive oil or coconut oil are just fine. Just 1 to 2 drops per tablespoon of carrier. Here are just some of the ways it’s been used by people as a natural remedy: Tension headaches Rubbing some diluted peppermint oil at the temples may ease the throbbing pain of a tension headache in the frontal lobes. Keep it away from the eyes.
Muscle pain When applied topically to sore spots, the cooling sensation can help to soothe tired muscles, an achy back, and painful joints. You can also add a few drops of oil to hot water in the tub for a soothing bath. Itchiness/Bug repellent Mix peppermint oil with lavender oil (again, diluted) to help cool and calm itchiness or redness caused by minor irritations. In the case of bug bites, peppermint has also been tried by some as a natural repellent. Try adding some drops of essential peppermint oil to a water bottle, dilute it, and then spray on your body as a way to turn away mosquitoes. You can also spray in corners of the home to try and ward off ants and other insects, too. Sunburn The refreshing properties of mint help to provide a cooling sensation that can draw the heat away from sunburns and take away some of the sting after being exposed. Respiratory ailments Peppermint has also been seen to act as a natural decongestant and expectorant (which is often why it’s used in vapor rubs to help clear up nasty coughs and colds). Add a few drops of the oil to a diffuser and breathe in the mist to help open airways and possibly alleviate sinus pain as well. Oral care Ever wonder why peppermint is almost always added to toothpaste? It’s for more than just the flavor. Peppermint can help to freshen breath and possibly prevent cavities. Its antimicrobial properties help keep toxins away that could otherwise build up and contribute to dental issues. Peppermint mouthwash, floss, gum, and mints also do the same trick, as does just chewing on peppermint leaves. Time to stock up on those cute Altoids tins! Beware though, not all mints are made equal – read the label, it must say peppermint oil or extract, NOT peppermint flavoring. What an amazing oil!
Tracy Bhalla, independent consultant with NYR Organics and founder of LogHouseAromatics.com; after 25 years of using homeopathic remedies, it was time to take charge and complete my Aromatherapy Certification, which I achieved April 2020 and since founded LogHouseAromatics.com as a source for useful essential oil and January 2021 RiverRegionBoom.com BOOM! general natural health information and a place to purchase certain products. email: nyrbhalla@gmail.com I am here to answer anyRegion’s questions you may have. The River 50+ Lifestage Magazine 50
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
R ive r Re gio n Bo o m . co m
January 2021
BOOM!
51
By Greg Budell
The Mayor of BOOMTOWN
GB ON THE BEE GEES "A true story from the Greg files"
I’ve always had a theory on the “disco” era (late 70s-early 80s). There are those who openly and unashamedly loved it. Everyone else loved it but couldn’t admit it. Personal image, rock’n roll and that sort of thing. But hey- even the Rolling Stones and Doobie Brothers “sold out” with dance versions of their hits!
Robin, Barry & Morris Gibb
Fair or not, the poster boys for the disco phenomenon were the Bee Gees. When they morphed from power ballads (To Love Somebody, Massachusetts) to power dance songs (You Should Be Dancing, Staying Alive) the band soared to iconic status. They owned music radio for several years. At one point they had SIX songs in the Top 10, an incredible achievement.
These accomplishments are just part of their story. The HBO documentary “The Bee Gees- How Can You Mend A Broken Heart” acknowledges their
52 BOOM!
January 2021
RiverRegionBoom.com
Over 40 million sold!
music achievements but the title struck me as odd. With all that success, whose heart is broken? Quite simply, this documentary is the best I’ve ever seen on anyone in the
music business. I watched it with local cultural icon, Rich Thomas. Before he was a TV weatherman, Rich was a DJ and music director at WHHY, a protégé of yet another local legend, Larry Stevens. As we watched, we were stunned to see our paths had crossed with several people who are featured in the Bee Gees story.
Rich knew some of the promoters and producers with their record label. While Maurice Gibb was a friend of mine, it had nothing to do with music or radio. We met in the rooms of recovery. He was genuinely one of the most grounded, humble members at any 12-step meeting. He wasn’t there to sell records. He was staying alive, literally.
Maurice (pronounced “Morris”) acknowledged the pitfalls of superstardom during a conversation. “I made my choices”, he said. “Now I’m just trying to stay sober a day at a time”.
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
He never blamed being a Bee Gee for his decisions. On the morning of January 12, 2003, I walked into my morning show newsroom to learn his heart failed the night before. While I wrote a story focused on his loss to the music world, privately I had tears for the many people he was mentoring in sobriety. They would miss him more than any fan. He was just 53. Twin brother Robin passed away at only 63.
make it to the radio. Fewer yet make it to Top 10 status, and rare is the band like the Bee Gees who cracked it for decades. “Broken Heart” reveals how some of their amazing hits were created. I especially enjoyed the backstory on “Jive Talking”. That’s the song that cracked the whip, propelling the Bee Gees
Bee Gees & John Travolta, 1978 The Gibb brothers began singing together from popular in 1958. One producer described balladeers into their harmonies as a unique musical superstardom. instrument- a brilliant testimony. The A force. HBO program details the fun they had performing together from their launch Here’s how the in Australia, their role in the British unique rhythm Invasion when they relocated there in the 60s- through the trail that led them to settle in Miami, USA. Their story is narrated by Barry Gibb, the last surviving (and eldest) brother. His voice, while clear, is showing its age. His participation in this documentary serves somewhat as the last will and testament by the band’s front man.
“I just hope and pray that the music lasts, you know? Because I begin to recognize there’s not as much time in front of me as there is behind me,” he said.
Isn’t what Barry Gibb said so true for all of us? It sinks in a little more with every passing day. So, whose heart was broken? That song, which was Number One for nearly the entire summer of 1971, is used to tell the Bee Gees story.
Thousands of songs are produced every year, but a scant percentage ever The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
spats as brothers do, they really loved each other.
The Bee Gees-How Can You Mend a Broken Heart, is absolutely worth the time to watch. I’ve been around and in the music business for a long time. While I appreciate Barry’s “will”- his hope the music survives them- he should worry not. I think the Bee Gees Songbook will stand the test of time. In its conclusion, we see Barry Gibb reveal the broken heart. It is his.
The Bee Gees had “it all”. Mega-talent, stardom, cultural influence, and megamillion$! A great moment in their story is Maurice recalling he “had 5 Rolls-Royces before he was old enough to drink”. He laughs sincerely at the memory, as he can’t recall what became of them.
Barry Gibb, The last Bee Gee standing, with a man whom he'll be forever linked, John Travolta
of “Jive Talkin” came to be. It was inspired from the sound of their car tires rolling over the dilapidated MacArthur Causeway (which connects Miami to Miami Beach). I literally freaked when I saw the specific exit they took to their studio; one I had taken a thousand times to my radio station on South Beach. That was it? Alton Road? Genius! For all the times I followed that path in my own car. I never translated that tire sound into song. People blessed with a special gift can turn a rubbery thumpathumpa-thump into a platinum hit. Watching this show was a joy. While they had their ups and downs, and
Yes, the broken heart is Barry’s. As he sits, age 74, casually calculating the sum of their success, he says something we should all keep in mind. “I’d give it all back- every bit of it- to have my brothers with me”.
Watch the show. You’ll know in your own broken heart he meant every word of it. BOOM!
(If you have a comment on this column, email me at gregbudell@aol.com. It's still fun to hear from new people!) Greg Budell lives in Montgomery with his wife, Roz, 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
R ive r Re gio n Bo o m . co m
January 2021
BOOM!
53
54 BOOM!
January 2021
RiverRegionBoom.com
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
R ive r Re gio n Bo o m . co m
January 2021
BOOM!
55
56 BOOM!
January 2021
RiverRegionBoom.com
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine