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The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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BOOM!, The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
Contents
June 2019 Volume 9 Issue 10
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
8 Publisher's Column 10 CelebrateAmerica! 12 AUM OLLI Members Look Forward to Summer and Fall Terms 13 Grandparents in US spend a whopping $179 billion
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CelebrateAmerica!
Features
18 Mindful Breathing -Tremendous Health Benefits
22 RECIPE: Old-Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie
26 Make Your Next Trip A Volunteer Vacation
14 Dear Mama Mary Helen Flowers
page 10
44 Travel Experiences with Jeff BarganierThe Wild & Scenic Sipsey
Departments 30 This and That Interesting Stuff
48 {12} Things For Active Boomers
16 Tight Hips: The Root of Many Ails Leigh Anne Richards 20 Hospice of Montgomery’s Derby-themed Benefit 24 How to Analyze a Company’s Stock McDonald Hagen Wealth
46 Greg Budell BIG MAC AND FRIED
28 Are you eligible to receive this valuable VA benefit? Ask an Elder Law Attorney 30 Child Protect’s Fundraiser, Barrel of Blues page 14
page 36 page 36
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34 Your Grandkids Would Love Camp Zoonique page 32
36 BOOM! Cover Profile 50 Caffeine Eating Smart with Tracy Bhalla
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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 2019 by River Region Publications. No part of this publication can be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Opinions expressed in BOOM! The River Regions 50+ Lifestage Magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the owners, nor do they constitute an endorsement of products and services herein.
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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Publisher’s Letter
Happy Father's Day The mission of BOOM! is to serve the folks of the River Region age 50 plus with information and ideas to inspire new experiences, better quality of life and new beginnings.
Publisher/Editor
Jim Watson, 334.324.3472 jim@riverregionboom.com
Contributing Writers Jeff Barganier Tracy Bhalla Greg Budell
Austin Barranco Mary Helen Flowers Stacey Little Audrey Meinertzhagen Leigh Anne Richards Melissa Johnson Warnke Raley L. Wiggins David Woods
Jim Watson, Publisher
Cover Photography Shellee Roberts Total Image Portraits www.totalimage.com 334.261.2080
Advertising
Jim Watson, 334.324.3472 jim@riverregionboom.com
This month's cover profile is David Woods. David is the local owner of Woods Communications which owns and operates WCOV/Fox 20 along with other digital tv channels broadcasting in Central Alabama. David is passionate about the broadcasting business and has operated WCOV since he purchased it in 1985. As a local businessman he’s also passionate about the Montgomery community and the future it offers to the rest of us. That’s why David is running to be the next Mayor of Montgomery. I wanted David to be our cover profile this month because I’ve admired his role as a father and his spiritual calling to help those with the greatest needs. It turns out he also has a heart for a city that is growing more and more confident in its efforts to find a new identity we can all be proud of.
Whatever your politics, I hope you enjoy getting to know David as much as I have. His wife Donna is a special partner to David’s life and their marriage of nearly 35 years has served them well. As with all of our cover profiles, the purpose is for you to get to know someone up close and personal, someone who has lived as much life as you and has plenty more to give. David Woods is that guy, enjoy the reading experience. We have more good reads for your reading pleasure. Like Jeff Barganier off on another venture to the wild and scenic Sipsey in northern Alabama. It looks like a worthwhile trip for you outdoorsy types. Leigh Anne Richards helps us get rid of our Tight Hips, who knew…Leigh Anne does! Greg Budell connects year 1977 with 2019 using one of rock’s all-time greatest albums, I think you’ll remember. Do you how much money grandparents spend on their grandkids each year? If you haven’t been keeping track of your spending, you might be surprised. Mindful breathing is important or so I’m told, and we have multiple tips on how to get the most benefit for practicing certain breathing techniques.
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I hope you enjoy this month's reading experience; it's designed for you. Please consider our advertisers when you have needs, they’re all on the right side of positive aging and would love to do business with each of you. Please share your thoughts to my cell/text/email, I love to listen and learn. Also, if you haven't started getting BOOM! to your email inbox each month it's a fun way to read the latest issues, convenient too! Please sign up for your free subscription to the Digital BOOM! online at www.RiverRegionBoom.com. Thanks for being part of our BOOM! Community. Happy Father’s Day!
Jim jim@riverregionboom.com 334.324.3472 cell/text
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The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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CelebrateAmerica! Prattville’s Independence Day Celebration, Thursday July 4th!
Fireworks, food, and fun are all part of the Independence Day Celebration planned for Prattville. We will start with a parade at 9 am through Downtown Prattville, ending at Pratt Park where the Lion’s Club will host its Annual BBQ fundraiser with music, a patriotic program, and arts and crafts. The Cardboard Boat Races, starting at 10:30 am, are a great way for families to work together and compete in a fun swimming pool event. The day will end with a FREE concert at 6 pm at Stanley-Jensen Stadium featuring Creativity and a huge fireworks display beginning at dark. For more information about these events and how you can be a part of the celebration, contact Parks and Recreation at 334.595.0800 or Special Events at 334.595.0854 or visit www.prattvilleal.gov.
Pike Road to Host Annual SummerFest Fourth of July Celebration, Thursday July 4th
The Town of Pike Road is excited to host its annual SummerFest Fourth of July Celebration again this year on Thursday, July 4, at The Waters off Marler Road. All are invited to join us for an evening of family-friendly fun! The Town of Pike Road’s annual Fourth of July celebration exemplifies the spirit of our community. With food, family-friendly fun, live music and fireworks, SummerFest is the perfect opportunity to enjoy an evening with friends and neighbors from across the River Region. Set in the picturesque Waters neighborhood, the community gathers on the Square for the afternoon and moves to the shores of Lake Cameron at sunset for a firework spectacular. Gates will open at 4:30 p.m. and the fun begins at 5 p.m. Admission is $10 per vehicle. Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chairs to enjoy live music from Brandon Self and the Outlaw Revival. Food will be available for purchase, but coolers are welcome. Visit www.pikeroad.us for details as the event approaches!
Montgomery Independence Day Celebration, Wednesday July 3rd
Come out to Blount Cultural Park from 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, July 3rd for Montgomery's Independence Day Celebration to honor and celebrate the birth of our great nation! Live music, food & beverage vendors, kids activities and a GRAND Fireworks show around dusk. Chairs, blankets and pets are welcome. Parking is located off of Vaughn Road. Event is Free to the public. www.funinmontgomery.com
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The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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AUM OLLI Members Look Forward to Summer and Fall Terms AUM’s OLLI program is offering a couple of courses in a short mini-term on the four Mondays in June. If you are reading this article in early June, you still have time to register (aum. edu/OLLI or 334-244-3804) to join the fun. The two classes meeting in June are: From Autobiography to Fiction (Monday, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.) and Basic Zentangle: Beach Theme (Monday, 11:45 – 1:15). From Autobiography to Fiction, with instructor Nancy G. Anderson, will discuss two versions of a story by Patti Callahan Henry: “Friend Request,” a narrative about an experience in
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Henry’s family, and the fictional version adapted from the autobiographical version, And Then I Found You. Zentangle with a beach theme, led by Sharon Wheelahan and Suzie Smith, will create zentangle shells, starfish, waves, and palm trees to use on coasters, pillows, wall plaques, and other appealing decorations. OLLI members are also beginning to look forward to the fall classes, both challenging new offerings and popular repeated opportunities. The catalog for fall 2019 and winter 2020 will be printed and mailed out this summer, but the online catalog
will be available in early summer at aum.edu/OLLI. Annual membership dues, term payment(s), and fall class registration will be open for online, in-person, and by phone registrations when the catalog is released online. Winter Term registration will be open in November. You will receive a large discount if you sign up for the three terms rate versus paying individual terms one at a time. Read the OLLI articles in the next few BOOM issues for details about new and repeated course offerings in the coming terms. If you are not currently a member of OLLI, watch our website for the online catalog version at www.aum.edu/OLLI or email a request for the forthcoming catalog to bthomass@aum.edu.
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
Grandparents in US spend a whopping $179 billion
per year on their grandkids, the average grandparent is doling out $2,562 annually
meals and groceries); and even major expenses (5% help with rent, mortgage, and medical costs).
Grandparents have long been celebrated for passing along wisdom and experience to their grandchildren.
According to a recent survey, growing numbers are also passing along cash to pay for their grandkids’ college, groceries, and other major life expenses. The survey from AARP highlights a demographic surging in size and economic influence, both in the economy as a whole and within families. Simply put, there are more grandparents than ever before — spending more money on their grandchildren, in more ways. Since 2001, the number of American grandparents has grown by 24%, from 56 million to 70 million. And that gray wave spends an amazing $179 billion per year on their grandchildren, which represents
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
And with 26% of grandparents helping to pay for vacations (spending an average of $1,746), it’s a wonder they have any money left over for themselves.
an average annual expenditure of $2,562 per grandparent. These monetary hand-me-downs are wide-ranging and reflect the crucial financial role many grandparents assume within their families. They’re not just buying toys, although 86% report spending money on gifts. Grandparents are helping with education (21% help pay for school or tuition); day-to-day expenses (14% help with
To gather the data, AARP surveyed 2,654 grandparents, ages 38 to 85; fifty percent of participants qualify as boomers (ages 54 to 72). The information was collected online in August and early September 2018, and spans beyond money to get grandparents’ opinions on a spectrum of topics ranging from gender and sexuality to discipline to their own roles in the family. But the economic information jumps out: Grandparents are essential to families in ways that are tangible as well as emotional. Source: www.considerable.com
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Master Gardener's Perspective
I remember when I was a young girl growing up in the 1960s in a small town called Brundidge, Alabama. It was a hard time for us economically during this time and the garden was one of our main sources of food. We had a big garden and I hated having to wake up early in the mornings during the summers to work in it. You would till the dirt while me and my siblings would plant the seeds. There were so many rows of peas, butter beans, squash, corn, watermelons, collards, turnips, cabbages, peppers and tomatoes. The garden was just as long as our house! I would think to myself, “it is too hot out here for us to be picking peas!” Mama, you would be so proud to know that I have established a new-found love for gardening! Of course, my garden is not as big as yours was, however, I have a box garden. I’ve grown tomatoes, peppers, collards, turnips, and even strawberries. Needless to say, my thumb is not as green as yours either. With trial and error, I have had some luck with some of my produce, I knew that I needed to learn more about gardening to have a productive garden. I want my garden to be a success story just as yours was. Therefore, I have started attending a Master Gardener program through Montgomery Extension Office, to
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By Mary Helen Flowers
Dear Mama learn more about gardening. Mama, can you believe that I’m a Master Gardener Intern! I didn’t realize there is so much that is encompassing about gardening; so many rules such as planting and harvesting not too early and not too late, I’ve learned that
by having a raised bed, you not only get better water drainage and can control your soil quality you can also make weeding so much easier. I hated pulling those hard roots of weeds out of the ground in your garden. Now all I must do is tug gently on the weeds and it comes up so easily. Pulling weeds up was one of the things I also hated doing in your garden. There are so many fertilizers to choose from these days too. In the 1960s and 1970s, we just used the chicken manure from our chicken coop to fertilize our garden. I have also had to figure out what pesticides works best for my area. It is definitely a learning experience.
By me having a raised bed, keeping it watered is also more convenient now. I remember having to water yours with a bucket of water. The bucket of water was so heavy, and it seemed like I had to carry it so far. We didn’t have a water hose at the time, so we had to get water from the spigot. Watering my raised box is so convenient! For my raised box I use a small sprinkler. My garden conveniently sits in the corner of my little courtyard. It’s so rewarding to watch the fruits of my labor grow! As I stated earlier, it is so convenient to maintain. It’s also cost efficient. You would be shocked to know that I find it enjoyable working in my garden. I actually look forward to working in it daily. I wished you was here to experience my garden with me, but I know that you are in a better peaceful place eating from the ‘Garden of Eden’. Missing You, Helen Mary Helen Flowers, an intern in the 2019 Master Gardener Class, lives in Montgomery. For more information on becoming a master gardener, visit www.capcitymga.org or email capcitymag@gmail.com.
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Tight Hips: The Root of Many Ails
Some pains are not what they seem, or they are not coming from where they seem to be coming. For examplelow back pain must be coming for the back? Knee pain can only be cured by knee surgery. While sometimes those observations are correct, most of the time the root cause of the pain is originated elsewhere. Where you ask? It all starts in the hips.
Most of us do not think of our hips very much as we go through our daily routine of sitting down for breakfast, getting in the car to drive, sitting at the desk to work, and finally winding down at night on the sofa. What is the one commonality all the above in the daily routine has in itsitting!!! Too much sitting does a number on the many muscles and ligaments surrounding the hip joint often causing pain in the glutes, quadriceps, hip flexors, hamstrings, and groin muscles. When you sit excessively, the hip flexors at the front of the hips begin to shorten and tighten, while the glutes and hamstrings become so weak, they stop firing. This
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throws the posture off and increases pressure on the spine and knees from improper alignment. As a large ball and socket joint, the hips are capable of a wide range of motion and enable extension, flexion, abduction, adduction, external and internal rotation.
Fitness over Fifty by Leigh Anne Richards
Your hips are designed to move in multiple directions with muscles that help you do everything from climb stairs to swimming. With good hip mobility you can do all these activities with ease and without restrictions in movement. Specific hip mobility exercises can help your hips become more agile, counteracting the effects of prolonged sitting. These exercises help you loosen the muscles surrounding your hips, which allows your spine to come into proper alignment. Being in alignment can lower your risk for injury without putting
extra pressure on the spine. Everyday activities like squatting to pick up things or balancing on uneven surfaces become easier when the hips are mobile. As we age and reduce physical activity, we lose flexibility in our hips Hip mobility routines are equipment free, allowing you to do them anywhere without visiting a gym. However, if you are unsure how to do some of these exercises, I would recommend a personal trainer or getting into a yoga class that does a lot of these types of hip openers. As with any exercise program, go slowly and seek advice always from your physician. The following are some great hip opener exercises with no needed equipment. These are 4 of my favorites that I have incorporated into my mobility workout. There are many others, but these have helped my hip mobility • Low lunge- Begin by lowering into a lunge position- hold onto a chair if needed for balance. Lower the back knee as close to the floor as you can get. Adjust your back-knee placement until you feel a deep stretch through your hip.
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You might need a wider or shorter stance depending upon how tight your hip flexors are. Hold for 20-30 seconds and then switch legs. • Butterfly Stretch- Begin seated with spine straight and legs extended in front of you. Draw knees in towards your chest, then let your knees fall out to either sides of your torso. Touch the soles of your feet together. To deepen the stretch, pull your feet closer to your glutes. Hold the stretch for 15-30 seconds. • Eye of the needle pose- Lie on your back on the floor or bed. Lift your legs and cross one ankle over the opposite thigh. You will probably already be able to feel the stretch in your hip. To deepen the stretch, lift the bottom leg off the ground slightly, wrapping your arms around your hamstrings for support. Hold 15-30 seconds and switch legs. • Frog pose- Begin on a mat on the floor on all fours. Bring your forearms to the floor. Widen your knees one at a time as far as possible until you feel a deep stretch. Your thighs and shins should be at a 90-degree angle. Flex your feet and keep the tailbone down and spine straight. You can rock your hips back and forth and then find a static position and hold for 15-30 seconds
Low lunge
Butterfly Stretch
These hip mobility exercises can be performed daily, especially if you spend a lot of time sitting. If possible, spend at least 10 minutes with at least a couple of these stretches, holding for about 30 seconds. These stretches also make for a great post recovery cool down because when your body is warm you can get deeper into the stretch. Don’t be afraid to experiment with what feels like good stretches and opens the hips. Different combinations will keep those hip muscles guessing for a well-rounded hip mobility routine. By stretching and opening the hip joints, you can boost circulation in your legs, maintain a robust gait, and prevent back pain. “How to Improve Hip Mobility (Top 16 exercises) Yuri Elkaim https:yurirlkaim.com/how to improve hip mobility/
Eye of the Needle Pose
Leigh Anne Richards, MEd, Certified Personal Trainer, Group Exercise Instructor, General ManagerMetroFitness. For any questions or comments, contact Leigh Anne at LAMetrofit@aol.com
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Mindful Breathing
By Audrey Meinertzhagen
Can Achieve Tremendous Health Benefits
Being human, we forget the wonder of breathing. We take it for granted. It takes a health crisis or bad air quality for us to appreciate this basic, yet profound ability. Yoga, meditation and other relaxation techniques all depend on focusing on the breath. There are many benefits of meditation and proper breathing is an important part of learning how to calm the mind and body. The first thing to consider is how well you care for your body and lungs. Basic guidance is to do the following: ~Don’t smoke ~ Avoid exposure to indoor and outdoor pollutants ~ Prevent infection by washing your hands with soap and water and avoiding crowds during flu season ~ Be sure to get regular aerobic exercise to keep your lung capacity strong and healthy. The Physical and Emotional Benefits of Breath Meditation Meditation practitioners for thousands of years have known that befriending one’s breath keeps the mind and body healthy. It also is good for living a more peaceful life. Scientists have been working to translate these ancient practices for today’s world. From very practical stress reduction to exploring one’s emotions, programs are being developed to meet contemporary problems. During the past thirty years, meditation has found a place in the secular world. This is thanks to the work of Jon Kabat-Zinn and the development of his Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program. MBSR is now available in most communities and can have you meditating in a matter of weeks. This program gives insight into how to respond skillfully to difficult situations. Many hospitals now offer MBSR to support family caregivers who are taking care of loved ones. The benefits of bringing attention to your breathing are measurable. By learning a few simple breathing techniques, you can: Reduce stress levels in your body Lower your heart rate
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Lower your blood pressure Improve diabetic symptoms Reduce depression Better manage chronic pain Better regulate your body’s reaction to stress and fatigue Reduce the possibility of burnout for caregivers Psychologists have also been utilizing the power of the breath. Various breath work techniques allow patients to explore issues related to consciousness. The work of Dr. Stan Grof and his development of Holotrophic Breathwork integrates insights from consciousness research, transpersonal psychology, and Eastern spiritual practices. His work connects the simplicity of the breath with the life issues that patients many find themselves confronting at various stages of life. 8 Breathing Techniques for Heart and Brain Health There are a vast number of methods and practices that focus on the breath. They all concentrate on various aspects of health and mental wellbeing. Many are easily available and easy to learn. Some you can do on your own and others are best practiced with a trained professional. It all depends on how deep you want to go. While exploring all the options of breathwork to find which one meets your specific needs, here are a few techniques and practices to get you started: 1. Mindful breathing. This involves becoming aware of your breath and focusing on it. It does not involve trying to change the way you breathe. However, the act of focusing on the breath usually slows down breathing patterns, making you feel
more relaxed. As you focus on how air moves in and out through your lungs, mouth and nose, it becomes a form of calming meditation. 2. Mantra breathing. This technique makes use of a mantra to help focus on your breath. A mantra is a phrase or word that you repeat to yourself to create focus. As you repeat it, you become able to relax and meditate. 3. Square breathing. This employs visualization to create focus. As you inhale, visualize one side of a square. Then, visualize the next side of the square as you exhale. Repeat the process until you have imagined each side of a square. 4. Nostril breathing. This technique can help to reduce agitation and anxiety. As you breathe you close off one nostril and take air in slowly through the other. Then switch, closing off the second nostril while breathing through the first. Repeat the process until you begin to feel calmer. 5. Pranayama breathing. This cleansing breath method is used in the practice of yoga. Experts say that using pranayama has the power to clean 72,000 channels in the body. It involves inhaling with the mouth closed, then exhaling through the nose. This type of breathing technique can clean blood and clear your respiratory system. As a result, good clean oxygen travels to the heart and the brain. 6. 4,7,8 Method. Developed by Dr. Andrew Weil, this breathing method helps you get to sleep. It is a simple and straight forward method. You inhale to the count of four, hold your breath to the count of seven, and then exhale to the count of eight. Repeat as needed. 7. Belly breath. This type of breathing is easy to practice because you can feel your body taking in and exhaling air by the movement of your abdomen. Lie down on a bed or on the floor. Place one hand on your stomach and inhale slowly through the nose (notice the abdomen rising). As you exhale, you contract the abdomen muscles and push the air out of your lungs. 8. The Wim Hof Method. This is a colorful and vibrant health perspective that is being validated by scientific studies. Wim Hof has developed a deep breathing practice that invigorates the nervous The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
system. The goal is to reduce shallow breathing because it causes the body to oxidize and acidify. His technique takes a few minutes each day and has many positive outcomes for those who try it. You can tap into your body’s immune system and reset it. It’s worth checking out for those who are feeling adventurous. 3 Brain-Healthy Breathing Exercises These breathing techniques can promote a healthier heart and brain. Here are three exercises that are easy to practice, anywhere and anytime. Think about using these techniques in your daily routine! 1. Start your day with morning breathing. This is a great exercise to relieve stiff muscles and clear your respiratory tract when you get up in the morning. I Stand up and bend forward from the waist. Keep the knees slightly bent. Let your arms dangle loosely to the floor. I Inhale slowly and deeply. I Roll your body up slowly, lifting your abdomen, chest, and shoulders before your head. Do not stand up quickly with your head first.
I Once you are in a full standing position, hold your breath. I As you begin to bend forward again, exhale slowly. Repeat this several times to loosen your body. 2. Renew your energy midday with the stimulating breathing technique. This exercise is used in yoga. It can increase your energy and help you to feel more alert. I Keep your mouth closed, then inhale and exhale rapidly through your nose. Keep your breaths as short as possible. Don’t worry if you make a lot of noise. I Try to breath in and out in rapid succession three times in one second. This makes the diaphragm work hard. After each set of three, breathe normally. I Be careful and do this exercise for only 15 seconds when you first begin. With practice, slowly increase the duration of the exercise by five seconds each time. 3. Relax at the end of the day with the 4-7-8 breathing exercise. This exercise is intended to relax and calm your body and mind.
I Sit with your back straight. I Move the tip of your tongue behind your upper front teeth. I Exhale completely through your mouth, leaving your tongue behind your teeth. I As you count to four, close your mouth and then inhale softly. Then hold your breath while you count to seven. I Exhale through your mouth counting to eight. I These steps comprise one breath of 4-7-8. I Start over again by inhaling. I Repeat the steps three more times. Use these breathing techniques throughout the day to help you regulate stress levels and pump oxygen into your heart and brain. These exercises don’t need any special equipment and can be done anywhere. Now that you know various breathing techniques, use them to reduce anxiety and stress, increase energy and improve the health of your heart and your brain. For more information on how to manage caregiver stress, check out our top techniques for reducing and overcoming stress here.
T This article is sponsored by Home Care Assistance, for more info visit www.homecareassistance.com
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By Melissa Johnson Warnke
Hospice of Montgomery’s
Annual Derby-themed Benefit Combines Fun and Fundraising the Derby as well as those who give year-round is a source of encouragement to all of us.”
For the sixth year in a row, Hospice of Montgomery (HOM) supporters donned their big hats and colorful attire to raise money for a cause close to their hearts. The annual Kentucky Derby Benefit was held Saturday, May 4, at the Montgomery Country Club, where more than 400 people enjoyed a party every bit as exciting as the one at Churchill Downs. From traditional mint juleps to cool cocktails and delectable bites, attendees got to experience the pomp and circumstance of the derby in Montgomery, Alabama. “It was just a lovely event from start to finish,” said Julia Wilson, Resource Development Director for Hospice of Montgomery and Chairwoman for the event. “We had a great crowd and enjoyed seeing all the new faces this year as well as those who have celebrated with us for many years.” Tickets to the event included an entry into a drawdown, which kept everyone in attendance on their toes in anticipation of their number being called. One lucky winner walked away with a $1,000 prize, and ten others received $100. Live music from the Lo-Fi Loungers kept the atmosphere lively, while party-goers used their funny money to play casino games at tables set up in the country club’s main ballroom. Just outside the ballroom, tables full of silent auction items lured guests to bid on everything from Kentucky bourbon to antique furniture, all of which were donated by local businesses or individuals. On the deck overlooking the golf course, a cigar bar brought guests outside to enjoy quieter conversations with friends. This year’s Derby party also incorporated a 100-bottle wine pull as well as a professional photo booth, which was a
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popular spot for guests to visit again and again. The grand finale, the 145th Run for the Roses, could be watched throughout the event space. Loaned large-screen televisions broadcasted the horse race as well as the pre-race coverage. Derby Hat Tradition The one must-have for any Kentucky Derby-related event is a hat! At this year’s Hospice of Montgomery Derby Benefit, the hats were eye-catching, featuring wide brims, feathers, netting, flowers and every color of the rainbow. Many women also donned a more modern fascinator. Keeping with HOM’s derby party tradition, several participated in a hat contest. Emceed by radio personality Greg Budell, the contest celebrated the beauty and wide variety of hats worn by those who attended. Party for a Cause While the derby party was full of fun and entertainment, the cause behind it is what keeps people coming back every year. Funds raised through the event will go to help defray the cost of patient care and family care not covered by Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance companies. “As a non-profit provider, Hospice of Montgomery relies on community support to provide quality services to all who need our care,” said Jenille Ball, Executive Director of Hospice of Montgomery. “The generous support from those who attend
Since 1976, Hospice of Montgomery has provided medical care for the seriously ill, bereavement and grief counseling for families, as well as caregiver relief for families in the River Region regardless of their ability to pay. As the area’s only independent, nonprofit hospice care provider, HOM was also the first hospice in the State of Alabama and one of the first in the nation. It is guided by an all-volunteer board of directors and funded in part by the River Region United Way. “Today’s event is really unique,” said Budell during the party. “Your attendance here helps Hospice of Montgomery and also helps honor and remember family and friends who have and will benefit from it.” Budell, whose mother received hospice care and support during the last days of her life, has attended past derby parties as well. His personal connection drives a deeper meaning for his participation. “We are so appreciative of all of those who made this event possible – from volunteers and sponsors to the hundreds of attendees – it wouldn’t have been successful without each one of them,” added Ball. Volunteers and board members are already eagerly making plans for next year’s event. “This event is the culmination of many months of work, but it is a joy for all of us to be involved, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back in 2020,” said Wilson. For more information about Hospice of Montgomery visit www.hospiceofmontgomery.org The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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RECIPE: Old-Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie By Stacey Little Southern Bite
Maybe the Fathers in your family would enjoy a slice! I am a huge fan of coconut cream pie, and a local barbecue joint has what I think is the absolute best. So, when a friend of mine pointed me to this recipe, saying it was really close to that one, I immediately ran out to grab the stuff to make it. Admittedly, it was pretty close, but with a few tweaks, I think this version is now even closer…dare I say, nearly perfect? It’s deliciously thick and creamy with tons of coconut flavor because of the addition of a little coconut extract. And I just love the complement of the sweetened whipped cream on top. While I love a good meringue, I think
the flavors of coconut just go so well with the cream. Adding a little toasted coconut on top gives the pie a perfect textural contrast if you’ve got a few extra minutes to toast some, but it’s perfectly delicious without it, too. Old-Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie
Ingredients
Prep time: 30 minutes
I 1 (9-inch) pie shell, baked according to
Chill time: 4 hours Servings: 8
the package instructions I 1/2 cup sugar I 1/4 teaspoon salt I 3 tablespoons cornstarch I 2 cups half-and-half
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4 egg yolks I 3 tablespoons unsalted butter I 1 teaspoon coconut extract I 2 teaspoons vanilla extract I 1 cup sweetened coconut flakes
Pour into the prepared crust, cover and chill at least four hours, but preferably overnight. I Once ready to serve, beat the cream and powdered sugar together in a large bowl until stiff peaks form. I Top the pie with the whipped cream and serve. I Add toasted coconut, if desired.
I
I
For the whipped cream: 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream I 1/2 cup powdered sugar I
Notes
Instructions In a medium saucepan, whisk together the sugar, salt, cornstarch, half-and-half and egg yolks. I Place the pan over medium heat and cook, whisking constantly, until boiling. I Cook for 1 to 2 additional minutes, until thick. I Remove from heat and stir in the butter
For toasted coconut, spread 1 cup of sweetened coconut flakes on a parchment- or silicone mat-lined rimmed baking sheet and bake it at 325 degrees, stirring every 4 to 5 minutes, or until golden brown. Watch it closely, though. Once it starts browning, it will brown very quickly. Cool completely.
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and vanilla and coconut extracts. I Add the coconut and stir until the butter has melted completely.
This recipe originally appeared on www.SouthernBite.com. For more great recipes, visit the website or check out ”The Southern Bite Cookbook.”
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How to Analyze a Company’s Stock
Brandt McDonald introduces his guest columnist, Austin Barranco… From time to time, I will be introducing several of our advisors through this column. They will share personalized insights into financial markets, financial planning, and overall wealth management concepts. At McDonald & Hagen, we have a deep bench of talent that is eager to serve our firm’s clients and our local community. This month’s column is written by Austin Barranco. Austin entered the financial industry in 2014 after earning a degree in Finance from The University of Alabama, with a specialization in Insurance and Risk Management, he has also earned the distinction of a FINRA General Securities Principal held with LPL. Austin and his wife Maghen live in East Montgomery with their dog Chip. In his free time Austin enjoys college football, golf, and traveling the world.
What makes a company a good investment? Investment professionals consider several factors when selecting companies to include in a stock portfolio. Here are some of the criteria we are likely to use. A Company's Finances A strong financial position on the part of the issuing company can make a stock attractive to investors. Analysts typically look at the company's cash flow to evaluate how much money the company spends, how much it brings in, and how much "free" cash is left after the bills are paid. Reviewing revenues, net income, and earnings per share helps analysts assess the company's history of sales and earnings growth. Another gauge of financial health is the amount of debt the company has compared to equity. A Look at the Business Stocks of companies that are leaders in their industries generally are desirable choices for a portfolio. Analysts look for profitable companies with limited competition whose products or services are valuable to customers. Keeping an eye on earnings estimates helps analysts determine whether the company is likely to experience rising profits or unexpected slowdowns in the future. Valuing Stock Analysts use different calculations to assess a stock's relative value. Some of the most common include: Price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) shows the relationship between the current stock price and the company's projected earnings. The P/E is one of the most widely used ratios, and it is used to compare the financial performance of different companies, industries, and markets. The company's forecast P/E (its
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with Austin Barranco
P/E for the upcoming year) is generally considered more important than its historical P/E. Price-to-book ratio (P/B) is a stock's current price divided by its book value (i.e., total assets minus total liabilities) per share. Both can help identify potentially undervalued stocks and also may be reliable indicators of investor sentiment. Like most ratios, it's best to compare P/B ratios within industries. For example, tech stocks often trade above book value, while financial stocks often trade below book value. Return on equity (ROE) is calculated by dividing a company's earnings per share by its book value per share. The ROE is a measure of how well the company is utilizing its assets to make money. Understanding the trend of ROE is important because it indicates whether the company is improving its financial position or not. Dividend payout ratio is calculated by dividing the dividends paid by a company by its earnings. The dividend payout ratio can also be calculated as dividends per share divided by earnings per share. A high dividend payout ratio indicates that the company is returning a large percentage of company profits back to the shareholders. A low dividend payout ratio indicates that the company is retaining most of its profits for internal growth.
The Personal Factor While metrics are critical to analyzing a company's stock and whether it may be a good addition to an investor's portfolio, personal circumstances -- e.g., an investor's other portfolio holdings, goals, time frame, and risk tolerance -- should always be considered when determining whether a stock is right for a particular portfolio. If you need a sound investment strategy, or would like an Investment Advisor to analyze your current strategy, give us a call. Our team of professionals is well equipped to handle a wide range of investments, and we would be happy to help you with your pursuit of financial freedom. Austin Barranco, Financial Advisor Brandt McDonald, Managing Partner McDonald & Hagen Wealth Management LPL Branch Manager www.mcdonaldhagen.com Direct comments and questions to Jennifer.Hunt@LPL.com or 334.387.0094 The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. No strategy assures success or protects against loss. Stock investing involves risk including loss of principle. The payment of dividends is not guaranteed. Companies may reduce or eliminate the payment of dividends at any given time. This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized legal or tax advice. We suggest you discuss your specific legal or tax issues with a qualified legal or tax advisor. Securities offered through LPL Financial. Member FINRA & SIPC. Investment advice offered through McDonald & Hagen Wealth Management, a Registered Investment Advisor, and separate entity from LPL Financial. The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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Make Your Next Trip A Volunteer Vacation
meals—they’re often far less expensive than staying at a resort. Plus, participants get to pursue activities that can have an impact.
Steven Veit clearly remembers his first volunteer vacation, in 2008. Recently retired, he’d decided to embrace his love of nature by joining a trail-maintenance trip with the Sierra Club, one of America’s first service-trip coordinators (it began offering them in 1958).
His destination? Arizona’s Saguaro National Park—a sweeping desert landscape dominated by towering cacti, some more than 40 feet tall. After a week clearing spiny brush from overgrown hiking trails, his group felt deeply satisfied. “We really accomplished something useful,” he says. “We’d made the park accessible for others to enjoy.” Plus, the trip was “great fun.” Soon after it was over, he signed up for a similar one. People may be more familiar with volunteer opportunities overseas, but “voluntourism” (the label for do-gooding
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travel) doesn’t require a long trip—or even a passport. Dozens of organizations offer short-term community-building and environmental conservation trips in the U.S. And it appears that an increasing number of travelers are spending their vacations taking part in them. While service-related jaunts typically aren’t luxurious—most programs offer lodging in modest shared rooms, dorms or tents, and serve basic community-style
Trip Building “Today, people want to do something that makes a difference while on their vacations,” says Tammie Cooper Ferguson, a volunteer-trip leader at Habitat for Humanity. Habitat’s Global Village program, which brings in volunteers to build homes for needy families all over the world, grew from just 30 teams in 1989 to 4,600 in 2016. Some of these groups (usually 10 to 20 people) are mobilized right on American soil—particularly in storm-ravaged areas like the Gulf Coast and the Big Island of Hawaii. The Global Village teams’ welcome volunteers regardless of experience or age (though minors are often required to be accompanied by a parent). “I’ve had everyone from 16-year-olds on summer
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break to retirees on my trips,” says Ferguson. “The desire to give back seems pretty universal. Which is good news, because there’s a lot of need out there.” Volunteers work—painting, installing walls or roofing, —alongside the families they’re building homes for, so the bonds they form can be deeply emotional (and, thanks to social media, they sometimes last for years). “When we say farewell to those families, there’s not a dry eye in the house,” says Ferguson. Habitat’s hardly alone in helping hard-hit or underserved American communities. Voluntours attract people for a variety of reasons. “I was hungry for community connection,” says Andrew Mersmann, a media executive who has participated in volunteer trips assisting the Nez Perce tribe of Idaho and the homeless population of Los Angeles. For him, these experiences resulted in new friendships and perspectives, proving more meaningful than the traveling he had done in the past. “The programs deeply resonated,” he says.
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Natural Selection That same sense of purpose and unity also inspires volunteers who travel to assist with projects focused on nature and the environment. “Helping to maintain a national park gives people a deeper understanding and appreciation of the landscape than a tourist would experience,” says Libby Wile, senior director of volunteer stewardship at the American Hiking Society. The organization, which works in partnership with the National Park Service and other public land agencies, arranges about 60 annual volunteer trail-maintenance trips in parks and on public recreation lands all over the country—including the San Juan Islands, off Washington’s coast, and St. John, in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Since the 1980s, says Wile, participation in these trips has more than tripled. “There’s a special feeling you get when you’re actually tending these natural places with your own hands, so that future generations can access and enjoy them,” says Wile.
A bonus is being surrounded by the natural beauty of places like Alaska’s Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, which features wildflowers, valleys and fjords where, if you’re lucky, you can spot brown bears and bald eagles. Love marine life? Head to Catalina Island with Earthwatch Institute to collect data on aquatic species like gray whales, dolphins and sea lions. History buffs can steep themselves in the rolling hills of Civil War battlefields with the Sierra Club. For Steven Veit, contributing to the upkeep of our natural sanctuaries was so gratifying that he eventually became a Sierra Club volunteer-trip leader himself. Now he brings conservation-minded groups to sites all over the western states, including Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and the John Muir Wilderness, both in California. And he’s seen the value of such trips from a new perspective. “When people work together to rebuild a bridge or clear a trail, it doesn’t just revitalize the land,” says Veit. “It revitalizes them, too.” Source: www.geico.com
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Ask an Elder Law Attorney
By: Raley L. Wiggins | Attorney at Law | Red Oak Legal, PC
Are you eligible to receive this valuable VA benefit? One of the privileges of serving our country during a time of war is the potential eligibility for VA Pension benefits. These benefits are particularly valuable for veterans over age 65 who have large medical expenses, including prescription drugs, treatments, and even assisted living or in-home care. Recently, the VA has quietly taken action to attempt to reduce the number of Veterans who can qualify for these benefits by changing the rules.
spouse cannot have “excessive” assets. While there is no specific formula to calculate what is excessive, the older the applicant is, the fewer assets they can have before they will be considered excessive. Many veterans are incorrectly informed that they cannot ever qualify for these benefits, but often that information is not entirely correct. Sometimes a veteran or surviving spouse may qualify after undertaking some estate planning with an attorney. While attorneys cannot charge veterans to prepare or submit a pension application, a VA Accredited attorney can
for calculating “net worth” and will continue to be so under the proposed regulations. However, the proposed rules cap the “reasonable lot area” that the home sits on at 2 acres, a limit that does not exist under current law. Rural veterans will of course be treated unfairly under this rule. The VA also hopes to impose a Medicaidstyle penalty against veterans who have transferred property within 3 years before applying. Currently, no such penalty exists.
These VA Pension benefits are generally available to wartime Veterans (and their To illustrate: A married Veteran applies surviving spouses) who meet certain criteria. for VA Pension with an aid and attendance Before 1980 the Veteran must allowance. The monthly have served at least ninety (90) benefit he is trying to days of active duty, with at least qualify for is $2,120. one day being during a “wartime Estate Planning and Asset Protection Workshop During the past 3 years, period” (as set by Congress). After the Veteran contributed Wednesday, June 19 & August 21: Hosted by Red Oak Legal, PC: 1980, the Veteran must have $10,000 to The Wounded 1:30-3:30 pm at 322 Catoma Street downtown Montgomery. generally served at least twentyWarriors Project, a This educational workshop presented by local attorney Raley four (24) months of active duty, nonprofit organization. with at least one day being during He also gave his only child L. Wiggins covers wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance a wartime period. In addition, $1,000 on each birthday directives, living wills, probate administration, protecting assets the Veteran must not have been the past 3 years. from creditors, bankruptcy, divorce and remarriage, nursing dishonorably discharged. homes, long-term care and Medicaid qualification. Registration is As a result of the A Veteran must also be “disabled” charitable contribution required. Call 334-625-6774 today to reserve your seat or register in order to receive this benefit, and the cash gifts to her online at www.redoaklegalpc.com. but anyone over age 65 is child ($13,000 total in 3 automatically deemed “disabled” years), this Veteran would assist veterans by evaluating their case and for purposes of determining eligibility. Of be penalized for 6.13 months when he making recommendations regarding future course, permanent and total disability at applies for VA Pension under the new rules. qualification. any age also meets this requirement. If the If this same Veteran was not married, the Veteran or surviving spouse has additional penalty would be even longer—11.3 months. But as mentioned above, these rules may be medical needs, then additional monetary During the penalty the Veteran would not about to change. allowances may be awarded, like an “aid and receive his benefits. This penalty would attendance” allowance. apply to all transfers, unless the Veteran The proposed VA rules changes include could present evidence that a transfer was creating a one-size-fits-all number for The Veteran must also meet certain financial the result of fraud, misrepresentation or determining the maximum amount of net requirements. The Veteran must not have other bad act in the marketing or sale of a worth a veteran can have in order to qualify, income in excess of the current maximum financial product. currently $117,000 (adjusted annually for benefit amount. However, “income” for inflation). In addition, the proposed rules VA purposes is determined after deducting If you know a veteran or the surviving would include income in the applicant’s any unreimbursed out-of-pocket medical spouse of a veteran with substantial net worth calculation. In other words, if expenses. So, for example a veteran seeking unreimbursed healthcare costs, now is the a Veteran has assets worth $117,000 and a $1,700 monthly benefit, who receives time to investigate whether they may qualify receives an income of $2,000 per month, $2,500 in monthly income, but has $3,000 in for this valuable benefit. After all, it may the Veteran’s “net worth” is calculated at assisted living and prescription medication about to become much more difficult. $117,000 + $24,000, which is well over the expenses, would have an income for VA “net worth” limit allowed. Raley L. Wiggins purposes of zero. Attorney at Law, Red Oak Legal, PC 334-239-3625 | info@redoaklegalpc.com A primary residence, whether or not the In addition to the income cap, the current 322 Catoma Street, Montgomery, AL 36104 claimant resides there, is an excluded asset law provides that a veteran or surviving www.redoaklegalpc.com
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Only 5% of potentially eligible Americans over 65 are receiving a valuable VA pension benefit . . . are you one of them? FREE EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOP
Estate Planning, Asset Protection & Medicaid Eligibility
CALL US OR REGISTER ONLINE TODAY!
Join local attorney Raley L. Wiggins to discuss wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, living wills, probate administration, protecting your assets, bankruptcy, divorce & remarriage, nursing homes, long term care and medicaid qualification.
Seats fill up quickly! Reserve your seat today:
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Child Protect’s Fundraiser, Barrel of Blues, Party of the Spring
Board Members Anita Carter, Delbert Madison, and Kate Vance Stephanie & Ken Peavy, Winners of the 20 Year Pappy Van Winkle Raffle
Lily Nizam and Kitty Wasserman
Child Protect, Children’s Advocacy Center hosted their spring fundraising event, Barrel of Blues, on April 25th at the Ware-FarleyHood House in Old Alabama Town. Barrel of Blues had to be moved indoors at the last minute due to a dangerous storm system that was quickly approaching the area, but that did not keep the supporters away! The event featured a bourbon tasting by Whiskey Adventures, music by blues band King Bee, food by Jennie Weller, drinks, and a silent auction with items contributed by local individuals and businesses. New this year was a raffle of 20 Year Pappy Van Winkle, given to the agency by an anonymous donor, that alone raised $9,600! Congratulations to Ken and Stephanie Peavy, the lucky winners!! Barrel of Blues was sponsored by ServisFirst Bank, Serquest, Kam & Patrick Sidhu, WSFA, Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, Beasley Allen, Stokes Stemle, Palomar Insurance, Jackson Thornton, The Vance Law Firm, Jim Wilson & Associates, Hill Hill Carter, Goodwyn Mills Cawood, Whitfield Foods, Kimbro Renovations, Southern Pipe & Supply, Borden Morris Garner, Railyard Brewing Company, and Bob Parker. The event raised $40,000, in its second year. Child Protect, serving Montgomery County, conducts on average over 400 forensic interviews of child abuse victims a year, with 65% of those cases being sex abuse. Their team also provides follow up counseling and family advocacy throughout the judicial process at no cost to the victims or their families. Dollars raised from Barrel of Blues directly fund these services. Child Protect’s next fundraiser is their 3rd Annual Shindig, a free and family-friendly outdoor concert in Cottage Hill, organized by their Junior Executive Board. For more information about how you can get involved, visit their website, www.childprotect.org.
Alexander City Jazz Fest The lineup is set for the 29th annual Alexander City Jazz Fest which is scheduled for Friday, June 14th in downtown Alexander City’s Strand Park and Saturday, June 15th at The AMP on Lake Martin. Kicking off Jazz Fest on Friday night at Strand Park is The Bank Walkers. They will be followed by Sam Burchfield & The Scoundrels and headlining Friday night’s festivities is Willie Sugarcapps. Saturday night at The Amp will open with Nikki & the Phantom Callers, who will be followed by Empire Strikes Brass. Headlining Saturday night and closing out the 29th installment of Jazz Fest is Honey Island Swamp Band. This two-day music festival is free to attend and presented by Russell Lands On Lake Martin. To learn more visit www.alexcityjazzfest.com The Bank Walkers
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River Region Connects Needs Volunteers Thursday, July 11, 8:30 am - 1:30 pm at Montgomery Multiplex. What is River Region Connects? River Region Connects is a homeless resource fair which serves as a one-day, one-stop shop of services for the homeless. Representatives from government and community agencies bring their services under one roof to assist homeless individuals and families with finding shelter, employment, education, health care, legal assistance and other support. Most importantly, the event is outcome oriented; it is not just a day for people to wait in line but a day for people to make changes and have immediate access to essential services. We need volunteers to help us with this homeless resource fair. Volunteers...working on the front lines! * You will be matched with a homeless client to guide them through the event. * Treat clients with dignity - Try to talk with them, not at them. * Respect client privacy - When handling paperwork, do not review it unless necessary. * Ask for help if you need it. * Don't promise services as some of the services have limited availability and eligibility requirements. For further information, contact Leslie Martorana at leslie@handsonriverregion.org or 334.264.3335 or visit www.handsonriverregion.org.
Free Subscriptions @ w w w.rive r re gio n b o o m.co m Auburn's SummerNight Downtown Art Walk Plan to attend, Friday, June 7, The SummerNight Downtown Art Walk from 6 - 10 pm along with the Starting Line Party and Strawberry Strut Parade which will be at 5 p.m. at Pebble Hill. Entertainment will kick off at 6:15 p.m. at Toomer's Corner with Tony Brook! The SummerNight Downtown Art Walk is an arts festival that transforms downtown Auburn into its very own arts district, featuring the work of local and regional artists, live musicians, street performers, great food and children's activities. During this event, downtown merchants and restaurants remain open after regular business hours and people of all ages are encouraged to take advantage of this great opportunity to shop, dine and relax while enjoying the arts in downtown Auburn. Artists have works on display and live musical entertainment is provided. Make sure to bring your children too as they have an opportunity to participate in arts and crafts, as well as enjoy other attractions that change each year! Don’t miss out on this great, family-friendly experience in downtown Auburn! To learn more visit www.auburnsummernight.org
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Alabama History in Twenty Artifacts: A Bicentennial Symposium The Alabama Department of Archives and History (ADAH) will host Alabama History in Twenty Artifacts: A Bicentennial Symposium on Saturday, June 15, 2019 from 9:00 am to 4:15 pm. Explore 200 years of Alabama history through twenty fascinating artifacts from the Alabama Archives’ collections! Spanning 1819 to the twenty-first century, speakers will give ten-minute presentations on an item from each decade of Alabama’s statehood. Join us for this unique bicentennial opportunity to explore the story of our state through artifacts. Cost is $25 for the general public, $15 for Friends of the Archives members, and $10 for students and teachers. Includes lunch. TEACHERS (Grades 4-12): Receive 8 hours of professional development credit through STIPD under UABRIC01270 and a variety of classroom resources. For additional information contact Public Programs Curator Alex Colvin at alex.colvin@archives.alabama.gov or 334.353.4689. To register visit www.archives.state.al.us.
Alex’s Lemonade Days Join Firebirds for Lemonade Days, Friday-Sunday, June 7 to 9, from 11:30 am – 9 pm. Enjoy a refreshing cup of lemonade for a $3 donation with all proceeds being donated to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation’s fight against childhood cancer. Help us reach our weekend goal of raising $100,000. Call 334.819.5132 for more information or visit www.alexslemonade.org/
Thursdays on the Patio @ Cork & Cleaver Patio weather is back and so is Thursdays on the Patio at The Cork and Cleaver! Happy Hour is 3-6PM with 1/2 off all appetizers and $2 off all bar drinks. Music begins at 6:30. June lineup: June 6: Flash and Blaze, June 13: John Bull and Ed Pickett, June 20: Abigail and Tony. For more information, call 334.676.2260. To learn more visit www.thecorkcleaver.com
Montgomery Zoo Announces Birth of Red River Hog Piglets The Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Learning Museum is proud to announce the birth of three red river hog piglets on Sunday, May 12th to parents Chiquita and Paulie. The five-year olds came to the Montgomery Zoo in 2016 from the Gulf Breeze Zoo in Gulf Breeze, Florida. This is the proud parents’ second litter of piglets. The two male and one female piglets, Tonka, Blaze and Sally are located near Parakeet Cove and the Zoofari Skylift ride. About Red River Hogs - Red river hogs are the most colorful member of the pig family, getting their name from the red coat and tendency to often wallow in rivers and streams. Red river hogs are also called “tufted pigs” due to their long, white whiskers and tufts found on the ears. Coloration and distinctive markings of this animal can vary quite a bit; those found in West Africa are predominantly red with a white stripe along their backs, while Tonka, Blaze and Sally those found in the eastern and southern habitats can be red, brown or black, sometimes becoming darker with age. Most active at dusk and at night, these hogs spend their days in burrows among dense vegetation. They live in groups called sounders that consist of around 15 individuals including a male (boar) and several females (sows) with their young.
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Master Gardener Associations Presents Free Lunch & Learn Programs Capital City Master Gardener Association presents Lunch & Learn 2019 the 1st Wednesday of Every Month from 12-1 pm. They meet at the Armory Learning Arts Center, 1018 Madison Avenue, Downtown Montgomery. Mark your calendars, June 5th, Your Farm in the City: Eat South, Caylor Roling, Farm Dir. Eat South and July 3rd, Pruning: Who, What, Why, When & Where, Jane Mobley, Adv Master Gardener Autauga County Master Gardener Association presents Lunch & Learn 2019 the 1st Thursday of Every Month from 12-1 pm. They meet at the Trinity United Methodist Church, 610 Fairview Avenue, Prattville 36066. Mark your calendars, June 6th, Backyard Berries, Mallory Kelley, Horticulturist, ACES and July 11th, Easy Fruit To Grow, Jason Powell, Petals from the Past. Elmore County Master Gardener Association presents Lunch & Learn 2019 the 2nd Tuesday of Every Month from 12-1 pm. They meet at the Elmore County Extension Office, 340 Queen Ann Rd., Wetumpka, AL 36092. Mark your calendars, June 11th, Hello Hydrangeas, David Doggett, Jefferson County MG and July 9th, Snake Identification, Mary McCroan, Advanced Master Gardener. For information, please contact the Montgomery County Extension Office 334.270.4133. Also visit www.capcitymga.org.
Unique Herb Varieties & Fresh Culinary Ideas Unique Herb Varieties & Fresh Culinary Ideas Hosted by Alabama Cooperative Extension & Capital City Master Gardeners Association. Wednesday, June 12th, 2019, Grace Episcopal Church, 906 Pike Road, Pike Road, Alabama, 10 am to 3 pm. Fresh Homemade Herb Lunch Menu: Meat & Vegetarian Lasagna featuring Oregano & Basil, Peasant Salad featuring Mint & Parsley, Focaccia Bread featuring Rosemary, Chocolate Stout Cake featuring Rosemary & Thyme, Spearmint Tea, Hibiscus Tea & Rosemary Lemonade. To sign-up or for more information, contact the Montgomery County Extension office at 334.270.4133. Cost is $25 per person and includes lunch. PreRegistration and Payment is required.
Free Subscriptions @ w w w.rive r re gio n b o o m.co m Blue Room Trio 1st Thursday Jazz Blue Room Trio featuring the world-famous Henry Pugh graces the stage of Commerce Beerworks, 166 Commerce St, Downtown Montgomery on the 1st Thursday each month. NO COVER and free good vibes. Thursday, June 6th, 2019, 8 – 10 pm. To learn more visit www.facebook.com/pg/Commercebeerworks
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Corbin Winery Presents Hoedown & Homicide Murder Mystery Dinner Theater Join us for a super fun evening sure to knock your boots off! Theme is redneck/ country; feel free to dress accordingly! This Murder Mystery Dinner Theater ticket includes the following: 1 glass of wine (additional glasses may be purchased the night of the event), Appetizer - Pimento Cheese dip, Entree Selection - Southern Fried Chicken, Smoked Brisket, or Tomato Pie (All entrees are served with corn on the cob, potato casserole, green beans, and cornbread), Dessert - Banana Pudding, Tax, Gratuity. Please make your entree selection when ordering your tickets! Tickets available at www.eventbrite.com. To learn more visit www.corbinfarmswinery.com
Your Grandkids Would Love Camp Zoonique @ Montgomery Zoo
Make summer vacation a wildlife adventure that the grandkids will never forget. Join kids of similar ages and interests for a fun-packed, educational experience themed around the animals of our planet. See daily live animal presentations; get up close and personal with some of the Educational animals at the Montgomery Zoo; enjoy scavenger hunts; craft time; classroom time; playtime, splash time, and games at our playground; train, Stingray Bay, and sky lift rides; participate in animal encounters with the giraffes, river otters, parakeets, and our collection of petting zoo animals; see behind the scene tours and visits with our zookeepers and other staff members. The wildest summer camp in town! Camps are available for ages 5-12 years old; half-day and full-day camps. Camps and dates: June 3-7: 11-12 year olds, full day camp (8 am - 5pm), June 10-14: 9-10 year olds, half day camp (8 am - Noon), June 17-21: 9-10 year olds, full day camp (8 am - 5pm), June 24-28: 7-8 year olds, half day camp (8 am - Noon), July 8-12: 7-8 year olds, full day camp (8 am – 5 pm), July 15-19: 5-6 year olds, half day camp (8 am - Noon), July 2226: 5-6 year olds, half day camp (8 am - Noon). Need more info or to register your camper for the greatest summer ever, please visit our web site at www.montgomeryzoo.com or give us a call at 334.625.4900 today!
Caring for the Caregiver, Alzheimer/Dementia Support Group Meeting the 2nd Wednesday of each month, 1-3 pm at ChristChurch, 8800 Vaughn Rd. Montgomery, AL. A place for RESPITE: a pause or rest, EXCHANGING: practical information on caregiving problems, possible solutions, and resources in our community, SHARING: needs and concerns, TALKING: through challenges and discovering new ways to cope. Often, we hear caregivers say they are looking for support from people who “really understand because we have been there too.” This group offers just that-a safe place for caregivers, family and friends of persons with dementia to meet and develop a mutual support system. We welcome caregivers. For more info call 334.462.2613.
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BOOM! COVER PROFILE
David Woods...Faith, Family, Community This month’s cover profile is David Woods. David purchased WCOV/Fox 20 television station in 1985 and he has been serving the Montgomery community ever since. WCOV was the first television station in Montgomery, beginning broadcasting in 1953. When we met David at the station, he gave us the full tour, surrounded by old photographs, cameras and other memorabilia from the earliest days of broadcasting. Broadcasting is in his blood, something he learned from his father while growing up in Dothan, AL, where he once worked a camera for newscaster, Bob Howell. In our June issues we try to feature a man who has experienced fatherhood and can share some of the wisdom all fathers learn along the way. David meets that criteria with 2 sons and a daughter, as well as three grandchildren. We think you’ll find his insight on the role of a father to be interesting. David and his wife Donna have committed themselves to do mission work through their church and other Christian organizations, and they have been changed by this unique call in their lives. Many of you know by now that David is running to be the next Mayor of Montgomery. So, this month’s cover profile is unique because you’ll be getting to know a businessman who wants to be your Mayor. We enjoyed getting to know David…and his wife Donna, and we think you’ll agree, they are aging well and giving back to our community. Enjoy the reading experience and don’t forget to vote
I went to college at The University of Alabama and then went to work for my Dad. Donna is from North Carolina, but I met her in California. It was by chance as she was walking through the lobby of a hotel and I just started talking to her. The romance began and we were married 3 years later. We came to Montgomery in 1985 after we signed the contract to buy David: Dothan was my WCOV and have home as I was born been here since. and raised there for Montgomery most of my early life. is home. We l was the 7th child in have three a family of 9 children. grown children I was close to both David, Drew and parents, but my dad Dana. Drew taught me much about and Dana have the business world. wonderful While in elementary spouses (Jodi, school, my dad often AJ). Drew let me, and my siblings and Jodi have go by his office after three children, school. We'd sit in his David Woods, candidtate Mayor of Montgomery Grace, Walter office and listen to and Everest him conduct business. thus we are certain type doors. Because of our large family, my mom grandparents. He built our family was glad to have one or two kids at dad’s They live in house before I office after school. They both were very Montgomery was born, and the religious and shared their value system, so Donna and only interior doors which revolved around obeying God’s I are able to were bedroom and Word. We were very close and because of spend a lot of bathroom doors. my dad's physical limitations, all the kids time around our The kitchen, dining spent more time together helping him. grandchildren. room, den were My dad was severely burned in a plane David and wife Donna experiencing unique travels Donna is not separated by accident in World War II and had little an awesome grandmother. Being doors, just an open concept, which was use of his hands. Thus, my siblings and grandparents is one of the most enjoyable unusual at that time. It was not for style I took turns helping him dress, tying his roles that we have ever had. but to help him as doors were hard to shoes, buttoning his shirts, and just using open with his hands. our hands to help him. When he went out, he liked to have one of his kids present to help with simple things like helping him pay for groceries and opening
BOOM!: Please give us a brief biography, i.e. where were you born, education, family, what brought you to the Montgomery area, etc.?
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BOOM!: You are the owner/operator of television station Fox 20/WCOV and Woods Communications and have been for more than 30 years. Can you share how you got started in the broadcasting world and some of the influences on your journey?
sale on WCOV in December 1985. The following year, Rupert Murdoch dreamed about building a 4th TV network. I attended the first meeting held by Rupert Murdoch where he pitched his idea to 30
David: My career in broadcasting started as a teenager in Dothan working for my father, who was the owner of WTVY. I worked entrylevel jobs including grass cutting, exterior painting, sweeping, and buffing the studio floor, etc. My first production job was studio cameraman and running teleprompter Left to right back row Donna, David, daughter-in-law Jodi & son Drew, Everest, daughter Dana & son-in-law AJ. Front row Walter, Grace for anchorman Bob Howell, who started in or 40 TV station owners. We signed up Dothan. Bob’s standards were high, and with FOX and have been a FOX affiliate he spent time teaching me how to be a since. Today there are only two of the better employee. original FOX owners still with FOX and we are one of the two. By the way, FOX has After attending college, I worked for my dad and learned a great deal as he was a good teacher. But by 1985, I had a desire to go out on my own, so I decided to resign. WCOV in Montgomery was for sale as an independent station as CBS was moving to WAKA. It was the oldest station in the market with recognizable call letters, so I felt it would be a good purchase. Once I signed a contract to purchase the station, I needed financing, so I pitched numerous banks around the US. After being turned down by 8 to 10 banks, a bank Grandchildren left to right. Walter, Grace, Everest in Dallas agreed over 200 affiliates around the country to make the loan today. but required me to bring in investors WCOV is doing well. In 2019, we had the to reduce their risk. biggest hit of the season, The Masked Fortunately, I found Singer. We will air many of the largest a group of investors sporting events. This year, we aired that did Radio and the NFC Championship game, NASCAR TV deals. Thus, Family Favorite racing including Daytona in February we completed the Belle the Labrador The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
and Talladega in April. Going forward WCOV will air PGA’s US Open for both Men and Women, the Women’s World Cup of Soccer, UFC Mixed Martial Arts, NHRA Hot Rod racing, MLS Soccer, WWE Wrestling on Friday nights, Major League Baseball, The World Series, The NFL on Sunday afternoons and Thursday nights, and The Super Bowl. We broadcast an enormous amount of live sports on WCOV. In 1953, WCOV became the first TV station in the Montgomery market, what’s your take on how television has evolved since that time, for better or worse? During my broadcast career, we’ve seen television’s distribution expand
David, Donna, son, David
from broadcast (over the air) to include cable, satellite, ondemand, and now live streaming. We work in a highly competitive, rapidly changing industry with very skilled, bright, hard-working business partners. Dealing with Hollywood (program suppliers, video distributors, networks) teaches you a great deal about survival, change, embracing new concepts, adjustments, improvements, and hard work. These are massive, multi-billion-dollar, world-wide companies who excel at their work. Hollywood likes to win, and it is tough negotiating with them. If a business leader can survive in the entertainment world for decades, they are very good at business. That being said, the Entertainment Industry executives are composed of good people who believe in
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strong relationships with their partners. They are aggressive but do value the other side (us). WCOV is grateful for them as they are all part of our success.
do not yet exist as they have a vivid imagination. Looking at blueprints and drawings of buildings, houses, future
BOOM!: When developing your team at Woods Communications what are some of the qualifications you look for when recruiting new members? How would you describe your leadership style?
This approach to leadership – the complete opposite of bureaucracy – is what’s going to secure Montgomery’s future. That’s why I’m running for Mayor.
Donna on a mission trip in Zimbabwe, Africa David: We are blessed that cities, and concept vehicles, we have many long-term, committed etc. is something that appeals team members at WCOV who know to me. Visionary leaders need broadcasting. We really have great to understand the importance people running WCOV. Our company of attracting detail people to is basically a large family of closely help them achieve the vision. bonded, highly respectful, happy people. Detail people help transform When recruiting, we first pray about the ideas into something tangible. position. I ask God to bring us someone I admire detail people who needs a job and will be a good because they have a gift. fit for our organization. We want new Thomas Edison said, “Vision employees to feel as if this is the best job that they have ever had. We then look first for people with character. Our team is made up of people with high character, thus we try to only add someone who appears high in character. Character can be a broad term, but we define it as someone with integrity, honesty, humility, compassion, courage, self-control, and stability. People with character are usually much better at relationship building thus they adjust to the team. We look for people with a high work ethic. Our business is full of hard working, high energy people, thus we try to only hire hard-working, high energy people.
My leadership style is visionary and motivational. Visionary leaders like to dream, talk about what could be in 5 or 10 years, study what could be, visit new places, get ideas, make notes, talk to those who were involved in the change process and then experiment. Visionary leaders are often able to see things that
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to be set, and then the detail team starts working toward the vision. I try to help the team solve minor problems, ask questions, review, make suggestions, offer to help, encourage them and then leave them alone. The ideal scenario is for our teams to have the responsibility and authority. People generally perform at a higher level when they have responsibility and authority.
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David with granddaughter Grace
without execution is hallucination.” Thus, we recruit detail people who can execute. Once the vision is cast, the budget needs
BOOM!: You’re running to be the new Mayor of Montgomery, replacing Todd Strange, who remains popular after serving for 10 years. As a businessman following a businessman, what will you provide as the new leader of Montgomery? David: My belief is that Todd Strange has been an effective mayor and most everyone has benefitted from his leadership. Todd led us through the great recession. He devoted a great deal of time to attracting industry to Montgomery, and he deserves credit for being part of the team that landed the F-35 squadron. Todd was a business owner and had a great deal of experience running businesses. I am a business owner and have a great deal of experience running businesses. Todd and I have a similar skill set, which will be good for continuity for our city. I've been in the private sector as a business owner for over 30 years and have acquired a great deal of knowledge about how to run a business. When you own a business, you work hard to make sure that the business is as efficient as
David on a mission trip in Kenya, Africa
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possible. The City of Montgomery is a large business and needs an experienced business owner to run it. The people of Montgomery deserve an experienced, local business owner who is invested in the community and someone who is a long-time resident of Montgomery to be their mayor. One of my top goals as mayor is to help everyone in Montgomery have a better quality of life BOOM!: People in public life require a special spouse to help them navigate the challenges of a campaign, how would you describe your wife’s support for a potential Mayor Woods? How have your children and grandchildren responded to your campaign to be Mayor of Montgomery?
the 50+ age group. Many older people have acquired a great deal of knowledge and wisdom and have much to offer society. God has given all of us a variety of different gifts, and we should use those gifts to help others if we are able. Many of us have choices after we reach a certain place in life. I enjoy working; thus retirement is not in my plan. Because we have been very successful in the business world, we had the option of living for pleasure or we can live for purpose. My
BOOM!: Many people over 50 experience a renewed sense of purpose, new goals, or maybe new careers, especially if they’ve experienced the empty nest syndrome of their kids moving on. How would you describe this sense of renewal in your life? Any advice for the rest of us seeking renewal? David: That is a very good question as our country has so much talent amongst
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BOOM!: With a busy work schedule, do you still have time to serve in the community and/or church? In what ways are you able to serve? Many of our readers are seeking volunteer opportunities, why do you think it’s important to serve others? David: Serving is a Biblical principle and mentioned throughout the Bible. Jesus said,” For even I, the Son of Man, came not to be served but to serve others, and to give My life as a ransom for many. “
David: My wife Donna is an outgoing, high-energy, enthusiastic person. Some say she should be running for mayor! We’ve been married for almost 36 years, and I am blessed that she has embraced this new venture. Donna loves people and is very supportive. She is deeply involved in the campaign and enjoys meeting so many new, wonderful people in Montgomery. God has blessed us with three children, and they are on board with this campaign. As they were growing up, we taught them about service, and we modeled service. Being a mayor is a job of intense service to others, so they understand why I am pursuing the Mayor’s position. We have three grandchildren, ages 11 months, 7 years, and 8 years. The two older grandchildren approve but they may not completely grasp the entire concept.
and poor during the depression. He was not complaining; he just shared his reality. Once he became successful in business, he was committed to being very generous. He taught all of us to be generous and to help those with the least. My Dad never forgot what it felt like to be without. He helped me to have great compassion for people with limited resources.
Busyness is a problem for many people in our society, and we often feel that we do not have enough time to serve. Life takes a lot of time, and it is easy to put off serving. However, we must carve out time from our schedules to serve. When we serve, we invariably feel better. Donna and David pausing for a little selfie-time
choice is to live for purpose. Purpose is when you use your gifts to benefit others. Purpose is helping other people meet their needs and goals. Purpose is more about giving than getting. Living for purpose has much more appeal to me than does living for pleasure. Being Mayor of Montgomery is living for purpose. BOOM!: What are you most passionate about…? David: Helping impoverished people is very high on my list of passions. My Dad was born in 1921 to an unwed teenage woman and was put in an orphanage until he was adopted by a farmer at age 6. He then went through the Great Depression and was often hungry. In our family of 9 children, our Dad often told us about his youth and how tough it was. He described being hungry
There is an enormous need for volunteers in Montgomery. Churches and synagogues are a great place to start. Or your readers can call various nonprofits directly and offer their services. We are involved with many outstanding non-profits that need help...Child Protect, MACOA, The Mercy House, the Montgomery Area Food Bank, Goodwill, Red Cross, etc. WCOV delivers meals every other Friday through Meals on Wheels. They need drivers to deliver meals as they have more shut-ins requesting meals than drivers available to deliver meals. Call Donna Marietta of MACOA at 334.263.0532. My wife Donna was a volunteer at the Montgomery Cancer Center. She spent time with patients in the chemo room, served them water and snacks, talked to them, held their hands, gave them blankets, made phone calls for them, etc. Her purpose was to comfort the patients. Cancer patients are often by
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themselves during treatment as it is a lengthy process. Their families eventually have to go back to work and are unable to be with them. The volunteers help the patients. The Montgomery Cancer Center has a need for more volunteers. A loving heart is all that is required. Call Wendy Anzalone at 334.273.2279 to volunteer. BOOM!: What are some of your favorite travel experiences? Favorite vacation spot? Any travel dreams planned? David: Our favorite travel experiences over the years have been mission trips. We enjoy going to foreign countries to serve people rather than going somewhere only to be served. We’ve done various types of mission work in many countries…. Kenya and Zimbabwe Africa, India, Ecuador, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Thailand, and Haiti. We have given out school supplies to teachers in Zimbabwe and assembled desks that were given to the school by generous Americans. When you see teachers jump with joy just for getting boxes of chalk or new desks, it reminds us how little they have. We’ve stayed in an orphanage in Honduras run by Forgotten Children Ministries. These children just want adult attention and someone to sit, talk, interact, read books to them and encourage them. We’ve gone inside people’s homes around the world and prayed for them and with them. We’ve given talks to parents in India with JH Outback on how to strengthen families and deal with the challenging issues facing their children today. Our children and their spouses have gone on mission trips. After they return, we can tell how the mission trips excite them and increases their gratitude for what they have. When you help people, it always helps you. Many of the local churches in Montgomery put together mission trips. If your readers are interested, they should contact their church or other churches, synagogue about mission trips. Donna and I do enjoy traditional vacations and any island with white sand is very appealing. However, our best trips have been mission trips. BOOM!: How do you like to relax and wind down from a full day’s activities?
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David: Now that we are empty nesters, my ideal evening is coming home and sitting down with Donna. Donna’s first question is usually, “So, how was your day?” Thus, I tell Donna about my day, and she listens intently. Then Donna tells me about her day. Our chocolate Labrador Belle often listens as well as she is usually sitting very close to Donna, as in 6 inches or less.
was an infant. We worked with radio stations, TV stations and cable companies in an effort to connect and communicate with all distributors simultaneously. Since launching Amber Alert, numerous abducted children have been rescued.
BOOM!: You were instrumental in developing the Amber Alert Program for Alabama and have supported our law enforcement community in many ways over the years, why are you so committed to law enforcement issues?
David: Montgomery has an amazing quality of life. The most valuable quality is our people. Montgomery is full of awesome people doing amazing things for the right reasons. We talked earlier about volunteerism. People in Montgomery volunteer. When society volunteers to help, great things happen.
David: The Alabama Amber Alert was created around 2002 and was a team effort by the Alabama Broadcasters, Alabama law enforcement agencies, including the Attorney General’s Office, equipment manufacturers, and the governor's office. I was President of the Alabama Broadcasters Association at this time and was very involved in the process. In 2002, communication was different as smart phones were not invented and most of us were just starting to use the internet. There had been numerous high-profile child abductions around the US. The federal government asked the broadcast industry and law enforcement industry to create some type of communication system that could distribute information immediately in the event of an abduction. We started building the system. We had meetings with broadcasters, equipment vendors, police, sheriffs, university police, elected officials, engineers and others. Our plan was to design a system that was effective, simple and reliable. There was no room for error or mistakes. It was basically a two-step process. First, we needed law enforcement officials to decide when to call for an amber alert, which resulted in a lengthy questionnaire that would be completed by front line officers and then approved by supervisors prior to green lighting the alarm. Then we needed to design the technical component to distribute the alert all over the state once it was ordered. This was complex 17 years ago as the internet
BOOM!: How would you describe the quality of life in the Montgomery/River Region area?
Downtown is happening. In 15 short years, downtown has been transformed from an area of empty buildings to a place of renovated, attractive and new buildings full of people. The sidewalks are alive, and restaurants are numerous. Donna and I enjoy going downtown on the weekends and walking around, meeting people and listening to the music. Montgomerians regularly create events all over the city, and they are well publicized. It makes us feel connected and creates opportunity for more connections. The events have food trucks and great music. Hampstead has monthly social events on Sunday afternoons. People like to congregate around people at events; I’ll create more of these opportunities as mayor. Montgomery has less traffic than many cities. Congestion in fast-growing cities is a huge problem, and residents find themselves spending hours each day stuck in traffic. This is rarely the case in Montgomery as our average commute is less than 20 minutes. The Alabama Shakespeare Festival is a world-class theatre. The museum is amazing, and it’s free. We have a vibrant YMCA which does more good for Montgomery than most people realize. BOOM!: As you’ve aged, how have your priorities changed?
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My advice to fathers is to be involved. Love is spelled T-I-M-E to a child. Time makes a difference in the relationship. Fathering is one of the most important jobs that a man will ever perform. Fathering impacts the life journey of a child, who did not ask to be born. So, when a man makes the decision to father a child, whether intentional or not, the man should be there. He should be prepared to provide the child with the vital ingredients needed for life. A man should love his child, support his child, encourage his child, hold his child, pray constantly for his child and be a positive role model as he guides that child through life. A father should love his child’s mother and treat her with respect and consideration. When dads are involved, children are more apt to be the person
David: My priorities have continually evolved. The helicopter view is that as I grow closer to God, I think more about obeying Him. God has given us a manual for life called the Bible. The more time I spend reading the Bible, studying the Bible, participating in church and in Bible study groups, the more obedient I become. God’s basic requirements are to love God and love people. If we love someone, we spend time with them. I try to spend lots of time with God, talking to him (praying) and listening to him (reading the Bible). As we make God the number one priority in life, our hearts change. When our hearts change, we behave differently. We are more kind, more understanding, more accepting, more grateful, more forgiving, more peaceful and we become filled with joy. We are more loving. Loving people is a great quality for a Mayor. When you love people and see them all as children of God, you understand the importance of helping them. Growing closer to God is a lifelong journey but once we make it a priority, it is a beautiful journey.
analog to high definition in 2009, and some changes are driven by consumers, such as expansion of channels. We are continuously upgrading equipment as improvements and upgrades are introduced. Fifteen years ago, we owned one TV station in Montgomery which transmitted one signal. Today, we own three televisions station and transmit 11 different signals over central Alabama
BOOM!: Give us three words that describe you?
BOOM!: How do you and your wife like to spend time with family? Describe your experience as a father, can you share any fatherly David loves to spend family time in the kitchen with food! advice? What that they are created to be. When dads do you and your wife enjoy most about are involved, life is better for the mom. being grandparents? What are your grandparent nicknames? If I could have a redo as a parent, I would work fewer hours and spend more time David: When we get together as a family, with my children. Donna did more of the we enjoy spending time together around parenting duties when they were young the dining room table eating big meals. as I was too focused on work. Donna is a spectacular cook, as are our three children, son-in-law and daughterMy parenting skills started improving as in-law. Thus we have 6 skilled cooks I began reading books. In the mid 90’s, available for most family meals. The food I started reading books about being a on our table is usually incredibly delicious. better father. Rudy Heinzelman at Frazer We sit around, talk, laugh, tell stories, Church shared a book by Bob Morley dream and make plans. called The Man in The Mirror. That book helped me to realize that I needed to Family meals, in my opinion, are rearrange my priorities to become a important as bonding and relationship better father and husband. Later, Lester building occurs at the dinner table. We thrive on family meals.
David: Grateful, positive, energetic BOOM!: Do you have any hobbies or other activities that grab your attention? David: Most of my energy and attention has been focused around work, family, and church thus there has been little room for hobbies. Hobbies are appealing but I've not devoted much time to developing any traditional hobbies. However, last year I took some golf lessons and thoroughly enjoyed the game. BOOM!: What is your relationship with technology? How does technology help you manage your communications businesses? Will it play a big role in your campaign? David: Technology has changed almost every aspect of our lives. Television is an industry that is driven by technology and is constantly changing. Some changes are mandated by the federal government such as the conversion from
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Technology will play a large role in our campaign and so much data is available. This data improves marketing efforts. Social media plays a big role in campaigns as does digital marketing. Polling is driven by technology and allows candidates to be more aware of the wants and needs of the public. The cost however for technology in a campaign is very expensive and dramatically increases the size of a budget necessary to win races.
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Grace, Walter and Everest are amazing grandchildren. Our grandchildren call me Dronnie and Donna is Drammah. Grace made those names up years ago and they stuck. Funny. BOOM!: Do you have a favorite Bible verse?
We want to thank David for sharing some of his story for this month’s BOOM! Cover Profile. Also, a big thanks to Donna Woods for sharing all the family photos. If you would like to learn more about David and WCOV/Fox 20. you can email him at david@wcov.com or visit www.wcov.com. David is running for Mayor of Montgomery so we hope you'll take a listen to how he would lead Montgomery into the future, you may like what you hear. We also want to thank Shellee Roberts of Total Image Portraits, www.totalimage.com, for her cover photo for this month's cover. If you have questions, comments or suggestions about our cover profiles, including nominating someone, please send them to Jim Watson at jim@riverregionboom.com
David: My favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:6 which reads "Don't worry David giving away his only daughter, Dana to the new man in her life about anything, instead Spencer, Pastor at St. James UMC shared pray about everything. Ask God for what some wonderful books on parenting. you need and thank him for all that he Read all of the BOOM! Cover Profiles at I’ve since read many books on being a has done." In our society, most of us do a www.riverregionboom.com/archive/ better father and have a much better lot of worrying. Worrying doesn't change understanding of how to be a better anything, it just dad. Here are some powerful books: The drains us of our joy. 7 Habits of Highly Successful Families, It creates fear. Maximized Manhood, and The 7 Secrets of Effective Fathers. When we have a concern and pray God has shown me grace and mercy as all about it, we're three children are very close to us. They asking God for his love us and we love them. They have guidance and his become productive members of society direction. God is who love the Lord. Being a grandparent always listening and is similar to a redo in that you have wants us to seek an impact on the life journey of your him. It is amazing grandchild. Most of us learned from our how much better mistakes thus we are better grandparents. we feel when we In our case, we have more patience with increase the amount our grandchildren, we feel more relaxed Donna, mother of the bride, is escorted by her two sons, Drew and David of time we spend and we offer more encouragement. praying to God.
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The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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Travel Experiences with Jeff Barganier
The Wild & Scenic Sipsey I’ve had a strange, decades-long affinity for Alabama’s 25,000acre Sipsey Wilderness. The Wild and Scenic Sipsey River that meanders through it can be as mesmerizing and reserved as a stunning young lady and yet, in a matter of minutes, become as ruthless and terrifying as an angry savage intent on taking a scalp. This picturesque terrain near Double Springs has almost taken mine more than once! And yet, I’m drawn to her again and again for unsurpassed beauty and perilous adventure. Notably, the Sipsey is the only river in Alabama to receive the designation “National Wild and Scenic River.” 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 pro-Union sentiments reigned during the War Between the States. Its citizens proclaimed a right to secede from the State of Alabama just as the state seceded from the Union. There’s a stark reminder of the moral anguish of that divisive conflict in front of the Winston County Courthouse: a statute of a soldier holding the respective flags of once opposing forces. Not far away, up Highway 33, is the
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William B. Bankhead National Forest Ranger Station where visitors may check-in, grab a map and seek advice for camping or hiking along the Sipsey. They’re only open Monday through Friday; so, make sure you acquire maps and plan carefully before setting out on a weekend or national holiday. I prefer to visit during the week when the woods are less crowded. In my opinion, the ideal time to go is early spring or late fall when foliage is striking but bugs and snakes or not. I’ve also camped during February with ice flowing in the Sipsey; but this is for hearty souls only. The camping is primitive, meaning you won’t find bathrooms, grills or picnic tables. However, great sites for pitching a tent or hanging a hammock are easy to find. A spot near a waterfall is my favorite. The trail heads are well-marked, fairly easy to locate and trails vary in length
and difficulty. Some are just off the main road. For others, you may have to drive a few miles on dirt/gravel to reach your starting point. Be prepared to cross streams and negotiate obstacles—like fallen trees—along your chosen trail. Expect fun surprises. The Borden Creek Trail, for example, takes hikers through a cave/tunnel. And somewhere in the Sipsey—I’ve never been able to find it—there’s a ginormous tree that requires something like 12 people joining hands to reach around! That’s what one would expect to find in the Redwood Forest of California, but hardly in Alabama! Just about everywhere along the Sipsey one encounters huge cliff overhangs, boulders, crystal clear water until it deepens, ferns, mats of green moss, and rich seasonal color. But be cautious. Especially during the humidity of summer, the river is vulnerable to sudden and violent changes in weather conditions. I once canoed with friends about 13 miles from the headwaters of the Sipsey all the way to Smith Lake at Double Springs. The calm water was clear as glass until its depth exceeded about 10 feet. Giant rocks punctuated the river, sometimes in the middle, parting its flow. Paddling between 100-feet high canyon
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walls, we noticed menacing clouds gathering behind us to the north. We worked desperately to get beyond the canyon and find a low bank to get off the river. But within minutes, nature unfurled upon us such a ferocious lightning storm that one of my buddies lost his paddle in the ensuing chaos. We were lucky to survive the ordeal. Afterward, we took bark—stripped by lightning—from a nearby tree and used it as an oar to replace the one the river consumed. Your Sipsey Wilderness experience need not be so stressful. I’d recommend you plan a day excursion and get acclimated to the area before launching a full-scale camping venture. Remember this! There is little or no cell-phone reception in the Bankhead National Forest!
It’s an easy 2.5-hour drive from the River Region; so, drive up on a pleasant day, take a short hike and acquire a sense for what it’s like. Double Springs has a Jack’s, a Subway, Tex-Mex and the Lakeshore Inn Restaurant or simply take a picnic basket. If you leave early, you may also have time for a side-trip to the quaint little town of Haleyville, not far from Dismals Canyon at Phil Campbell, Alabama. (See: February issue of BOOM!)
Maybe it’s time for you to begin your own strange relationship with the Wild and Scenic Sipsey. It’s truly another of Alabama’s fabulous pristine treasures! For more information: S www.sipseywilderness.org/sipsey_
wilderness_maps.aspx S
www.rivers.gov/rivers/west-fork.php
S
www.dismalscanyon.com
Jeff S. Barganier is a freelance writer and manages Cindy Barganier Interiors LLC in Pike Road, Alabama. (www.cindybarganier.com) He travels far and wide upon the slightest excuse for something interesting to write about. Contact him at Jeffbarganier@knology.net. Follow him on Instagram #jeffbarganier.
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The Mayor of BOOMTOWN
BIG"AMAC AND FRIED true story from the Greg files"
Long ago, there was a garish, purple castle. It was on the near north side of Chicago and owned by Lord Hugh Hefner, founder of the Playboy Empire. Inside, the décor was bordello-like (I’ve seen pictures, OK?). On a summer afternoon in 1977, Hefner’s castle was littered with Bunny women. They were scantily clad, featuring abundant bosoms beneath their winsome smiles. In my hand- a coveted ticket to a private party in Hef’s castle with Fleetwood Mac! In ’77, Fleetwood Mac displaced Elton John as the hottest thing since…uh, Elton John, thanks to their Rumours album. Rumours remains one of the greatest LPs ever produced by any band. I gotta be honest here. The Chicago Playboy Mansion was one of the cheesiest places I’ve ever been. My invitation was one of a couple dozen- issued only to Chicago radio DJs on stations that played Fleetwood Mac. I doubted the band was looking forward to meeting the unwashed radio masses, and with good reason. I’d just completed a 3 year tour of duty as the Personal Promotion Coordinator for Styx, and well knew the drain these promotions could be for a band. Every band with a dream wants to be a Fleetwood Mac or Styx, but once there, find it to be a grind of long road trips, PR events like the one this 1977 day, and thanking the people who made their success possible. The one time a band has
privacy- time that is truly their own- is on the stage performing! Seriously. The Playboy Mansion event was memorable for many reasons. Hef must have made an “arrangement” with the Chicago PD because drug use was open and encouraged. Mirrors featured white mountains of cocaine. Gold coke spoons were laid out like party favors for guests (in case they’d left theirs at the radio station). Everybody was coked-up at this party. A whole lotta sniffin’ going on. Open bars were in every corner of the main entertainment room, manned- uh, womaned by Hefner’s Bunnies dispensing all the booze you could drink with no tipping (or touching) allowed. Frankly, the Bunnies were older women, fortysomethings who, while friendly, conveyed a streety edge that kept us radio ruffians at distant distance. Everybody was good and hammered, ordering drinks while bearing tell-tale white rings around their nostrils. There I was, 24, the night time jock on Chicago’s LOOP 98FM-partying with the #1 band in America. Only three of the band members socialized with us radioheads for the entire 2 hours. Stevie Nicks, who was about as cute as cute gets, was incredibly sweet and gracious. I’d love to offer photographic evidence- there
By Greg Budell
were photos taken (“uh .. ya got some white powder on the side of your face their sir- ya might wanna brush dat offa ya”)and I saw the proofs. Stevie tucked her petite self into my welcoming right arm and we looked great together. I tried for years to track down a copy through Playboy, Warner Brothers records and old radio pals with no luck. It would have been a picture to cherish. Christine McVie was a no-show; “sick” we were told. Drummer Mick Fleetwood, a tall dude, mostly stomped around loudly mumbling gibberish. He was so off the wall none of us regretted not getting a personal introduction. Scary, he was. The big surprise was Lindsey Buckingham. A lead vocalist, guitarist and songwriter, he was the guy Playboy mansion was built to welcome. Lindsey was rock star handsome, impeccably dressed and incredibly friendly. Few men in 1977 had the world (and Stevie Nicks!) by the proverbial butt more than this man. When I worked with Styx, I encouraged them to turn interviews back onto the interviewer. “Make it about them- their station- their favorite Styx song- their town. They’ll be your friend for life”. Lindsey was impressed when I told him of my work with the band because while never Fleetwood Mac, Styx had become a nationally established band around that time, too. “You know the drill with these parties then, don’t you?” asked Buckingham.
Greg Budell's column is proudly sponsored by McDonald & Hagen Wealth Management
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to “go their own way”. The camera pans back and the ailing, well-dressed BOOMer abandons the Anoro sign and walks off to a large outdoor party. Presumably, the ailing BOOMer walks off hoping none of the announced ghastly side effects of Anoro kick in while attending their glamorous gathering. Fleetwood Mac's Lindsey Buckingham, 1977
I replied in the affirmative. “I put one of these together just a few months ago right up the street at the Drake Hotel, so yeah-I know how much fun these are for you guys”, I replied. He smiled, put his hand out and said “let me get YOU a drink”. Wow. A night to remember for a budding, somewhat stoned, Chicago radio jock. Fast forward to 2019. The familiar melody of Lindsey Buckingham’s amazing “Go Your Own Way” is coming from the bedroom TV. It’s his song, but not Fleetwood Mac’s version. I look at the TV to hear this classic song rewritten with new lyrics to promote a drug called Anoro (for COPD sufferers). The spot features glamorously dressed BOOMers, standing before a white backdrop explaining how Anoro allows them
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Buckingham gets paid well, I’m sure. But “Go Your Own Way” is too great a song to be used promoting medicines IMHO. A few years back Lindsey came to MPAC for a solo show, and I had the chance to interview him in advance of the concert. I reminded him of the Playboy Club party all those years ago and his reaction was priceless- “You were at that?!”. I made a subtle reference to the “refreshments” at the Playboy mansion that night, and he laughed. “Yeah...I think the statute of limitations have run out on that one”. Just shy of turning 70, Buckingham recently underwent open-heart surgery that put his performing future on hold. I think he’ll be OK. Hell, Mick Jagger just had his ticker tinkered with by a surgeon and he and the Rolling Stones are touring again. Jagger is 75! Earlier this year, Lindsey was kicked out
Nicks-Buckingham, beautiful BOOMers
of Fleetwood Mac for reasons unsure. Band politics are rough. It only takes two to tango and break up a great act. Simon and Garfunkel proved that. Why did they boot him? Personality clashes? Issues with former lover Stevie Nicks? In any event, Fleetwood Mac is NOT Fleetwood Mac without him. The reasons given for his departure are probably just Rumours. Greg Budell lives in Montgomery with his wife, Roz, and dogs Hershey and Briscoe. He’s been in radio since 1970, and is marking 12 years in the River Region in 2017. He hosts the Newstalk 93.1FM Morning Show with Rich Thomas, Jay Scott & Emily Hayes, 6-9AM Monday-Friday. He returns weekday afternoons from 3-6PM for Happy Hour with sidekick Joey Clark. Greg can be reached at gregbudell@aol.com
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June 2019
{12 Things} for active boomers and beyond
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA
This year’s Farmers Market will run through September 28th. For more information about The Shoppes at EastChase Farmers Market, contact Suzanna Wasserman at 334.279.6046 or swasserman@ bayerproperties.com or www.theshoppesateastchase.com/ farmersMarket/
TThe Alabama State Council on the Arts is showcasing the work of the late Gay Burke and the students she inspired during her tenure at the University of Alabama. As a photographer and professor of art, Gay Burke, helped shape the photography program at the UA over the course of her four-decade tenure. Burke was the first female full professor in the University’s Department of Art and Art History. She retired in 2015 and died on May 1, 2017. Burke’s works are in the collections of museums like the Birmingham Museum of Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She touched the lives of photographers like Walker Evans, William Christenberry, and Miller Mobley, the youngest photographer to shoot a Time magazine cover. The exhibit is on display in the Georgine Clarke Alabama Artists Gallery through July 31st, 2019. The gallery is operated by the Alabama State Council on the Arts and is free and open to the public Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The gallery is located on the first floor of the RSA Tower, located in downtown Montgomery at 201 Monroe Street.
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA
The Butterfly Effect: Honoring the Legacy of Gay Burke Georgine Clarke Alabama Artists Gallery Downtown Montgomery Through July 31st
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA
Pub Poll, Where Knowing the Popular Answer Matters Common Bond Brewers Wednesdays in June, 6:30-8:30 pm Grab your smartest friends and come out to Common Bond every Wednesday night for pub games. Join us each Wednesday for one of four games: Live Trivia, Pub Poll, Ballistic Bingo and SINGO. Compete for prizes each week! And of course, enjoy one of our beers on tap! Call 334.676.2287 for more information or visit www.commonbondbrewers.com/calendar.
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA
The Shoppes at EastChase Farmers Market The Shoppes at EastChase Saturdays through September, 7 am-12 noon Since opening in 2004, The Shoppes at EastChase Farmers Market has grown every year and is now one of the top five largest markets in Alabama. Several popular farms are scheduled to make their return with locally grown products, including Aplin Farms, Oakview Farms, Penton Farms, and Leatherwood Nursery and many more!
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First Friday Cruise-Ins Lower Dexter, Downtown Montgomery Fridays, June 7, 5:30-7 pm Come out for the 2019 Lower Dexter First Friday Cruise-ins! The lower block of Dexter Ave. will be closed off once the featured vehicles are in place. Numerous restaurants and food trucks will be open including Alabama Sweet Tea Company, Momma Goldberg’s, FRIOS Pops, Prevail Union, Cuco’s Mexican Café and others. Interested in showing your car? Apply at www.LowerDexter.org. Join us for some free family friendly fun on Lower Dexter! Call 334.273.0313 for more information. For more info visit www.lowerdexter.org/
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA
The Capitol Sounds Concert Band and Montgomery Recreators will present its’ "Summer Spectacular” concert St. James UMC, Vaughn Rd Thursday, June 13th, 7 pm Two of Montgomery’s oldest performing organizations will be in concert together again on June 13. The Capitol Sounds Concert Band, organized in 1972, and the Montgomery Recreators Jazz Band, organized in 1974, will present a concert at St. James United Methodist Church. The Capitol Sounds will feature music of the great composer Percy Aldridge Grainger. Selections include: “Lincolnshire Posy”, “Children’s March”, “Molly on the Shore” and “Country Gardens”. The Montgomery Recreators will perform a set of classic big band and swing favorites, which will be sure to have a little something for everyone! The event is free and open to the public, but donations are always welcome. For more information about the Montgomery Recreators, please visit: www.montgomeryrecreators.com. For more information about Capitol Sounds Concert Band, please visit www. capitolsounds.org.
BREWTON, ALABAMA
Blueberry Festival Jennings Park Saturday, June 15, 8 am-3 pm Arts & crafts, Antique Car Show and Vintage Tractors, live entertainment, free children's activities, blueberries, blueberry bushes, blueberry ice cream, cobbler and crunch. Lots of other foods available. Blueberry t-shirts will be for sell also. Bring your lawn chairs and spend the day with us! The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
MILLBROOK, ALABAMA
Canoeing and Kayaking Alabama Nature Center, Millbrook, AL Saturday, June 15, 10-1 pm
Saturdays, June 15 and August 24, come join us for some time on the water, here we will learn about canoeing and kayaking basics while enjoying some fun in the sun! If you have ever wanted to learn how to canoe or kayak this is the program for you! Life jackets and paddles will be provided. General admission applies and includes this awesome program! Program begins at 10 am. Daily admission is $5/person with a $20 maximum per family. Call 334.285.4550 for more information or visit www.alabamawildlife.org
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA
Military Appreciation Day at the Montgomery Zoo Montgomery Zoo/Mann Museum Thursday, June 20th All military personnel and their dependent family members receive FREE admission to the Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Learning Museum. Food, drinks and refreshments are also provided. There will be speakers and presentations made from representatives of Maxwell Air Force Base, the City of Montgomery and the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce. Thank you for proudly serving and protecting our nation. Please provide valid military identification for entry. Concessions provided: Lunch served and presentations between 11:45am - 2pm. For more information, call 334.625.4900. To learn more visit www.montgomeryzoo.com/ announcements/military-appreciation-day
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA The Temptations and Four Tops @ MPAC MPAC Sunday, June 23rd, 6 pm
Sunday June 23 at 6pm. It’s a Motown, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Grammy Lifetime Achievement double header featuring The TEMPTATIONS performing all their hits such as; “My Girl,” “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg,” “I Wish It Would Rain,” “I Can’t Get Next to You,” “Just My Imagination” in addition to The FOUR TOPS performing hits like; “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch),” “It’s the Same Old Song,” “Reach Out I’ll be There,” “Bernadette,” “Ain’t No Woman Like the One I’ve Got”). The Temptations include original member Otis Williams. The Four Tops include original member Abdul “Duke” Fakir. For more info and tickets visit www.mpaconline.org.
CLANTON, ALABAMA 2019 Peach Jam Jubilee Clanton City Park
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
Saturday, June 29th The 2019 Peach Jam Jubilee will be held on SATURDAY, June 29th from 3:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. We will have a Kid Zone, Food Vendors, Arts & Craft booths and the Central Alabama Electric Hot Air Balloon. Dr. Sam from 98.9 WBAM will be DJ'ing this event! Stage performances will start at 5:00 p.m. with Charity Bowden (The Voice, Season 11) and will be followed by Jackson Capps and his band from Nashville, TN. A FIREWORKS show, sponsored by RealtySouth, will end this event at 10:00 p.m! Grab your lawn chair or blanket and come on out. This event is FREE thanks to our sponsors, including The City of Clanton and Stokes Automotive.
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA Lyle Lovett and His Large Band MPAC Sunday, August 11, 7:30 pm
Lyle Lovett and His Large Band was released in early 1989. Critics and fans lauded the album, which eventually went gold. The album was heavily influenced by jazz, R&B, and swing, but it still managed to produce the minor country hit "I Married Her Just Because She Looks Like You." His rendition of Tammy Wynette's "Stand by Your Man" also received a good deal of attention. Then he starred in the Robert Altman film "The Player" in 1992 and met costar Julia Roberts. The two wed after just three weeks of dating and embarked on a very high-profile yet short-lived marriage. For ticket info visit www.mpaconline.org and www.lylelovett.com
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA
Black Jacket Symphony Presents- The Eagles MPAC, Dowtown Montgomery Saturday, September 14 8pm The Black Jacket Symphony offers a unique concert experience by recreating classic albums in a live performance setting with a first class lighting and video production. A selected album is performed in its entirety by a group of hand-picked musicians specifically selected for each album. With no sonic detail being overlooked, the musicians do whatever it takes to musically reproduce the album. Following the album and a brief intermission, the Black Jacket Symphony returns to the stage to perform a collection of greatest hits by the evening's artist. To learn more visit www. blackjacketsymphony.com. The Montgomery Performing Arts Centre at Renaissance Montgomery 201 Tallapoosa St, Montgomery, Alabama 36104. www.mpaconline.org
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Eating Smart with Tracy Bhalla
Caffeine Tea or coffee? Most people have a favorite; few take neither, but which is better for you? Coffee is by far the most popular in the US as a whole, but I have to say, my experience in the South led me to believe that iced tea is a firm favorite there, unfortunately too often the very sweet version where the sugar content outweighs any possible benefits the tea itself may have. Let’s look at both to compare the pros and cons, in each case looking at a 5oz cup of brewed and unsweetened. Coffee: Drip coffee, dependent on the brand, has between 100 and 180mg of caffeine. Black tea: Brewed for 5 minutes has between 20 and 50mg of caffeine. Without adding milk, creamer or sugar/ sweetener, at this point the calorific value is about the same – negligible. So what else do we need to know? Coffee has various cons – it can cause insomnia; it can irritate the stomach, by increasing stomach acid – not a good idea if you suffer from ulcers, for instance; it reduces calcium absorption – a particular problem for older women prone to osteoporosis; it can aggravate heart conditions by provoking heart palpitations or arrhythmia; it can raise blood pressure and speed up the heart rate. This is all due to the caffeine content. On the positive side however, coffee can provide a boost of energy just when you need it; it may reduce cancer risk – in studies women’s risk of developing skin cancer was reduced by 20% in women who drank at least 3 cups a day, it also cut men’s risk of dying from prostate
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cancer; studies show that drinking at least 2 cups a day wards off depression; it enhances athletic performance, because it increases your ability to burn fat for fuel; a study of 14000 people who drank 3-4 cups a day showed that they cut their risk of developing diabetes by 28%; for some people it can actually cure a migraine, because it is very effective at shrinking swollen blood vessels in the brain (though it should be noted that for other people it can actually cause migraines!) Overall, if you are one of the following you should be avoiding coffee altogether: -Ulcer sufferer -Heart patient -Seniors with hypertension -Women who are pregnant, nursing or who have osteoporosis -Migraine sufferers For the rest of you, weigh up the pros and cons and see what works for you. Maybe tea would be better? Let’s see. In fact (having done the reading for you) both drinks have both caffeine and antioxidants in them, antioxidants being those good things that help fight cancer and prevent other diseases. Coffee actually comes out higher in quantity on both counts – for the caffeine that’s not so good, but for the antioxidants that’s great! Both drinks contain a lot of polyphenols, the antioxidants that can help to reduce
inflammation and repair cellular damage. As we are all aware, the driving force behind many of our modern-day illnesses, such as heart disease and stroke, is inflammation. Polyphenols can help with that. HOWEVER (here it comes…) there is a vast difference between brands, thanks to methods of roasting, and also a big difference between types of coffee beans from different countries. If you really want to get the most polyphenols, and thus the most benefit, from your coffee, choose beans grown at high altitude, such as Nyeri in Kenya. Better still is dark Greek or Turkish roast as they retain higher levels of polyphenols than lighter French or Italian roasts. To really get a good variety of polyphenols, you really should drink both tea and coffee, and pay attention to the quality of both too. Regular tea drinkers have been proven to live longer on average than (solely) coffee drinkers, possibly due to a unique compound in tea that actually changes your genetic make-up. As tea has caffeine in it too, it also has the same cons (and pros) as coffee on that front, but less so as the quantity is lower. Scientists still have so much to discover…. the best I can glean from it is drink tea and coffee every day, choose your beans/leaves well and don’t drink more than 4 cups a day total! Good luck! Tracy Bhalla, Independent Consultant with NYR Organics, website: us.nyrorganic.com/shop/ tracybhalla email: nyrbhalla@gmail.com You can also visit Tracy’s blog at Tracybhalla.com, Continuing my obsession with all things organic, I have been working with NYR for two years now, using their skincare products myself for over 25 years! Your skin is the body’s largest organ, it deserves to be well looked after. I am here to answer any questions you may have.
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The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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