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Sponsored by Vivian O'Nay
Market Finds with The VON Ladies it multiple ways. Our We enjoy going to We also recently picked up a new customers love to market because there brand we have been interested in style tops like these is just something selling for years. We now proudly with kimonos. At the better about going to carry Kendra Scott jewelry in our last few shows we had see and touch fabrics store (pictured)! So far, the earrings, trouble finding them. in person rather than necklaces, and bracelets have been This time we stumbled ordering online. We a huge hit. The styles are simple and across so many are able to see the classic with a twist which stands the beautiful options in quality, cuts, and test of time. With Mother’s Day and gorgeous prints which colors to better make Graduation right around the corner it’s can be worn to layer decisions about the time to be thinking about that perfect for hot items we want to bring sentimental gift Summer in for the upcoming to get for your days season. The last loved one and a and cool market we attended Statement Sead Bead Earrings piece from this line nights was in February- which would be sure to or as a swimsuit cover feels like forever ago! This time our impress. up. From shorter tie front vendors did not disappoint. We are styles to dramatic pieces excited about the things to come and This year was the which come nearly down wanted to share a few of our favorite Kendra Scott Jewelry first year we have to the floor- someone is finds with the readers of BOOM!. carried a line of swimsuits at Vivian sure to stop O’Nay. We kept our offerings modest you and ask, Our shoppers have been going and many of the styles we offer are “Where did crazy over solid tops with one-piece options or high waisted with you get that flattering cuts in bold colors. tummy control. It’s difficult to find a from?” when Colors like fuchsia pink, royal blue, good suit which fits ladies of all ages you walk by! tomato red, and lemon yellow and body shapes, and we think we are fan favorites. The materials have the perfect option for you. A lot of this year have taken a drastic inspiration change from the comfy pajama from patterns like blends we were seeing sell from the 60s best last year during this time for and 70s are the shutdown to now more dressy back with fabrics for work and date night. paisley and It’s finally time to start stepping Clog Style Sandals for the Season large floral out again and our ladies are inspired prints particularly in dresses clearly looking to make a statement! and more upscale polyester tops. We love a good basic top because it Shoes are also taking inspiration from leaves room to really have fun with this time period with platform and clog accessories. Statement Sead Bead style style sandals for the season (pictured). earrings pair perfectly with tops like We love this trend because it disperses these (pictured). more support throughout the entire length of your foot. In our opinion for Another great thing about a good basic shoes- comfort is key! top is the freedom you have to wear
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We hope you all are as excited for all the new things to come with Summer approaching! What items are Summer staples for you that you hope to find at Vivian O’Nay in the future? We would love to hear back from you on Facebook (www.facebook. com/shopVivianONay/) or email (vivianonay@gmail.com). Visit Vivian O'Nay and find your fashion sense, they're located at 3500 Wetumpka Highway, Montgomery, AL. You can call 334.290.5268 or visit www.vivianonay.com
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Dr. Blake Raggio, Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon
Beauty and the Brows
You may recall from some of my earlier articles, Cosmetic Surgery Amongst Baby Boomers and Anatomy of Facial Aging, where I discussed not only the increasing prevalence of facial cosmetic procedures amongst the aging population, but also the reasoning behind what happens to the face as one gets older. Over the next few months, I’ll be focusing my discussions on certain key areas of the face that can be improved with both surgical and non-surgical options. This month I’d like to discuss the topic of eyebrow rejuvenation by answering some frequently asked questions regarding how to best treat this often-overlooked area of the upper face.
Remind me again, what happens to the brows as we age? In short, the brows should rest just at or above the bony orbital rim, or what some may call the forehead bone. With age, the brows descend or become ptotic (droopy) due to a combination of factors, namely the weakening of various retaining ligaments of the skin and surrounding structures. This loss of structural support, in association with the downward pull of gravity, are responsible for the sad, tired, or angry look often associated with a descended brow. Furthermore, a droopy brow has more than just cosmetic consequences, as it can exacerbate an already heavy upper eyelid and contribute significantly to both cosmetic and functional changes associated with the upper eyelids. I am interested in treatment – What are my options? In the most basic sense, two categories of treatment exist: surgical and nonThe River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
surgical. In the surgical realm, the procedure is called a brow lift (i.e., forehead lift), which can be accomplished via a variety of surgical techniques ranging from minimally invasive approaches (via endoscopes) to more traditional open techniques. Regarding non-surgical options, a modest lift of the brow can be performed using botulinum toxin (Botox, Xeomin, Dysport) and/or dermal fillers (Juvederm, Restylane, RHA) to help relax muscles pulling down the brow and to provide underlying support, respectively. Recently, there has been a resurgence of thread lifts (i.e., suture lifts) using a variety of absorbable materials to help suspend a droopy brow, though their efficacy and durability remain controversial. Lastly, there exist several energy-based devices (e.g., Ultrasound, Radiofrequency) that tout minor elevation to the brows though evidence to support their claims is weak at best. Overall, more subtle improvements can be achieved with Botox and fillers, whereas more dramatic changes will require a surgical procedure. At what age is a brow lift usually required? There is really no age requirement for a brow lift. For instance, some patients in their early 30’s who suffer from a congenitally low-set brow may benefit from a modest lift using non-surgical techniques (Botox, Fillers); On the other hand, patients who acquire a droopy brow secondary to age—typically
noticeable in their 40’s and 50’s—often benefit from a surgical browlift usually performed via a minimally invasive approach or open techniques, depending on the severity of the brow droop. Is a brow lift covered by insurance? A non-surgical brow lift is not covered by insurance. However, if you are interested in a surgical brow lift, you might be surprised to hear that your insurance may cover the procedure, but only if the brow descent is caused by a facial paralysis and/or contributing to a problem with your vision. This visual deficit can be easily confirmed via a quick visual field test done by your local ophthalmologist (eye doctor). How can I learn more about a brow lift? If you are interested in learning more about brow rejuvenation to correct a tired, sad, or angry appearance to the upper face, I suggest consulting with a physician experienced in both surgical and nonsurgical brow lift techniques so that you receive a thorough and non-biased evaluation. As always, choose a surgeon whom you trust. There is nothing more important than the relationship you have with your doctor. Until Next Time. Dr. Blake Raggio Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon Alabama Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 334-270-2003 Dr.Raggio@ALplasticsurgery.com www.ALplasticsurgery.com R ive r Re gio n Bo o m . co m
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BOOM!, The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
Contents
May 2021 Volume 11 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
4 Market Finds with The VON Ladies 9 Beauty and the Brows Dr. Blake Raggio 12 Publisher's Column 14 Jeff Barganier Book Signing Saturday, May 1st 15 Pike Road Crawfish Boil page 26
19 Volunteer of the Year Awards
Features 26 Boost Your 32 A Crash Course Brain Health in Caregiving
36 Jeff Barganier's Fishing for a Story
55 Aspiring to Retire By 55
60 “I Need a Change of Scenery”
Departments 38 This and That A few ditties of info
20 Housing During Retirement: with Susan Moore 24 AUM OLLI Makes Plans for the 2021 Summer Term 28 The Best 2-Player Board Games
58 Greg Budell TAKE ME OUT TO THE BOYCOTT
page 58
page 14
30 GARDENING EIGHT DECADES AGO By Knox Vaughn
page 11
34 3 Common Estate Planning Mistakes Ask an Elder Law Attorney 38 Sim Byrd Celebration of Life Ceremony page 46
page 28
page 9
page 60
page 36
39 Eat-Drink-Music @ Sunset 40 44th Montgomery Art Guild Museum Exhibition 46 BOOM! Cover Profile 52 BOOM! Reader Discounts
page 30
page 55
page 38
page 15
page 19
page 41
56 Spring Harvest with Tracy Bhalla
Free Subscriptions @ w w w. r i ve rre gio n b o o m.co m BOOM! The River Regions 50+ Lifestage Magazine is published monthly by River Region Publications, P.O. Box 6203, Montgomery, AL 36106. The phone number is 334.324.3472. Copyright 2021 by River Region Publications. No part of this publication can be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Opinions expressed in BOOM! The River Regions 50+ Lifestage Magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the owners, nor do they constitute an endorsement of products and services herein.
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Publisher’s Letter
A Legend and a Friend I moved to Montgomery, Alabama in the summer of 1981 and went to work in the wine business. I worked for a man named Sim Byrd and the owner of the wine distributing company, Joe Mussafer. Sim was the leader whose mission was to prepare the market for a new law that passed the Alabama State Legislature allowing grocery stores to sell wine.
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
For many months, Sim led the wine team to execute layouts, distribution, displays and especially relationships with grocery chain buyers. When it was all said and done, grocery stores started selling wine in October of that year. Sim won the wine battle for dominance in an extremely competitive industry. Our team opened the market with a 65% market share, a remarkable achievement! Jim Watson, Publisher jim@riverregionboom.com
jim@riverregionboom.com
Contributing Writers Jeff Barganier Tracy Bhalla Kenneth E. Brown Greg Budell
Faith West Byrd Lacy Edwards Richard Eisenberg Rick Lauber Carole Miller Susan Moore Dr. Blake Raggio Knox Vaughn Raley L. Wiggins Taryn Williford
Cover Photography Total Image Portraits www.totalimage.com
Advertising
Jim Watson, 334.324.3472 jim@riverregionboom.com
Facebook.com/RiverRegionBoom
Free Subscriptions www.RiverRegionBoom.com
We continued our dominance for many years. Eventually, I led the wine and beer team because I was taken under Sim’s wings and he mentored me. Much of my leadership and management skills came from his guidance and encouragement. He led by example, showing me how to treat your team and develop a winning attitude, nurturing the willing support and determination to achieve your goals. More than that, Sim was my friend, and I valued his counsel and the love he showed me and my family since I planted my southern roots in Montgomery forty years ago.
TROJANS TOGETHER Membership in May!
Membership dues are an important investment in the Troy University Alumni Association. Dues help provide programming for alumni but more importantly dues fund scholarships for deserving TROY students. In return Alumni Association members enjoy many benefits such as a 20% discount on all TROY merchandise at the Barnes & Noble bookstore, free subscription to the TROY Today magazine, discounts on choice hotel and car rentals as well as free entry to tailgates and other special events.
Sim passed away last November Annual dues $35.00 and because of his legendary status Lifetime dues $750.00 as the QB who led Troy to it’s first Lifetime couples $1,250.00 National Championship in Football, Payment plans are available for Lifetime memberships Troy honored him with a Celebration of Life Ceremony a few weeks ago. If Join on-line @ www.troy.edu/alumni or call you’re interested, you can watch it on YouTube. More importantly, his wife the Office of Alumni Affairs (334) 670-3318. Faith West Byrd is our Cover Profile this month. Faith and Sim had a special love that blossomed a few short years ago. She shares her story and includes her new love with Sim, it’s vintage storybook! Enjoy!
We have much more to enjoy this month. We’ve added a few more pages, a few more feature articles, a few more BOOM! Reader Discounts, a few more advertisers worthy of your consideration when shopping. But we still have the quality content you expect from Jeff Barganier who’s fishing for a story while climbing in and out of his very old Honda Accord. Be sure and pick up his new book at his book signing Saturday at The Waters. Greg Budell throws a fastball right past the baseball idiots who have been infected with an out-of-control Pandemic, it’s not COVID 19! I hope you enjoy this month’s issue, it was made for you. Please share any and all of it from www. Facebook.com/RiverRegionBoom and www.riverregionboom.com. Tell me what you think, I love to listen!
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Come, Meet Jeff!
A former securities broker turned writer/designer, Barganier travels far and wide upon the slightest excuse for something interesting to write about. He’s published four books and his articles on a wide variety of subjects have appeared in newspapers, magazines and on blogs. He’s travel editor for Boom! Magazine and his latest travel features may be found at www.jeffbarganier.com.
Where to buy the book: www.jeffbarganier.com (for autographed copies) www.amazon.com
BOOM!'s Travel Editor has a new book!
Jeff Barganier
Book Signing Saturday, May 1st Bring some friends and come meet Jeff and purchase your signed copy of Jeff's newest book, Lawson's Bluff. Location: Cindy Barganier Interiors, 43 Bridge Street, The Waters, Pike Road, AL. Time: 8:00 a.m. till 8:00 p.m. (All day). Feel free to reserve your copy in advance by emailing Jeffbarganier@knology.net. Or just show up! Paperback: 14.99. Cash, checks or credit card accepted.
Lawson's Bluff Bio:
Terrorists attempt a multi-million-dollar art heist while America's media distracts the world with graphic stories of Alabama hunters slaughtering hogs with dogs and knives. As fearless Jack Lawson is about to catch his thousandth boar, journalist Carla Frederick arrives to cover the hunt for the LA World News. Shocked by the “uncivilized” Alabamians with their bulldogs and razor-sharp knives, Frederick writes a grotesque, biased story about Jack that goes viral. Belatedly, she discovers the deeper story—deeper and darker than she could have ever known. Barganier has written an unlikely love story wrapped in twisting suspense.
Reader Testimonials:
I normally prefer stories about women. But you had me fully engulfed. You had the perfect mixture of mystery and a touch of a love story to keep my attention for the duration of the book. Excellent work! -S. Hagel I’m hooked … started reading when we boarded in Montgomery—almost finished first six chapters. Wow. Jeff is such a great writer—sentences are packed with rich details and of course I’m eating up all the spiritual truths. So honored and thankful to have received this pre-copy. Finished it on the flight. Fabulous! Bravo Jeff. –A.A. Salter
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Pike Road Crawfish Boil May 15th The Pike Road Crawfish Boil on May 15 will feature 4,000 pounds of Louisiana crawfish, country music artists, bands and cheerleaders. The boil will be held at Century Church, located at 1001 Marler Road, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event, sponsored by the Pike Road Patriot Fund, started in 2012 and has raised more than $63,000 for sports and arts programs at Pike Road Schools, said Boil organizer Richard White. “It’s a familyfriendly event with a kids zone where we have all the children’s activities,” White said, adding that children can enjoy face-painting, magicians, bounces, a rock wall, balloons and characters dressed as Superman, Spider-Man and others. Performers will include country music singers and songwriters Jessie Wilson and Adam Hood. Tickets are $30 for adults, $10 for ages 1318. Tickets can be purchased online at pikeroadpatriotfund.com/products/ tickets through May 8, and the day of the boil. Military, first responders, Pike Road School staff, and nurses who purchase the $25 discount ticket option must show an ID at the event, or when they pick up tickets or merchandise at Local and Bloom. VIP tickets are $75. Anyone interested in volunteering to help for the Boil can contact Richard White on his cell phone at 334-657-7739. For more info visit www.pikeroadpatriotfund.com The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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Creamy Beef
and Shells
INGREDIENTS
8 ounces medium pasta shells 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 pound ground beef 1/2 medium sweet onion, diced 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2 cups beef stock 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce 3/4 cup heavy cream Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 6 ounces shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese, about 1 1/2 cups
STEPS
1. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions; drain well. 2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 3-5 minutes, making sure to crumble the beef as it cooks; drain excess fat. Set aside. 3. Add onion to the skillet, and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in garlic and Italian seasoning until fragrant, about 1 minute. 4. Whisk in flour until lightly browned, about 1 minute. 5. Gradually whisk in beef stock and tomato sauce. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until reduced and slightly thickened, about 6-8 minutes. 6. Stir in pasta, beef and heavy cream until heated through, about 1-2 minutes; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Stir in cheese until melted, about 2 minutes. 7. Serve immediately.
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Volunteer of the Year Awards
HandsOn River Region honored the 2020-2021 nominees at the 47th annual Volunteer of the Year Awards on April 22. Awards were presented to outstanding individuals and groups whose efforts have made a positive impact on the River Region. "The volunteers we recognize each year are community heroes," said HandsOn Executive Director Tasha Cooper. "Their generosity and dedication are awe inspiring." HandsOn River Region mobilizes volunteers and connects people, information and services to meet local needs and build a strong, caring community. If you have a desire to serve and would like information regarding volunteer opportunities in the River Region, visit www.handsonriverregion.org.
Senior – Gloria Jean Williams
COVID Community Hero – Diane Oetting Adult Group - Autauga County Master Gardeners Association The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
Adult - Patrick Aitken
Volunteer Today! R ive r Re gio n Bo o m . co m
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Housing During Retirement:
Your Go-Go Years, Your Slow-Go Years and Your No-Go Years When people think of retirement, they often envision the couple walking on the beach, sailing the sailboat, or playing golf. It is easy to picture the active part of retirement that is free of the stresses of work and career. However, with many retirees living as long as 30 years in retirement, the reality is that their retirement ends up having three phases: the go-go years, the slow-go years, and finally, the no-go years. Most people don’t think through advanced retirement, where they will live, and what it will cost in their 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. Housing is both a major financial asset on the balance sheet and a significant expense in the household budget. Housing may also be the largest expense component of retirement income; the time for planning is in advance of a major health event and before advanced age takes its toll. Where to live should be proactively thought through in advance of a health crisis, even if the intent is to “age in place” and remain in your home. Mobility limitations, a chronic illness or a catastrophic health crisis may give way to a housing move, reshape the best-laid plans and disrupt your financial preparedness. Susan Moore of Moore Wealth Management, Inc. (MWM) in Montgomery, AL conducts a free workshop every year in May on planning for housing expense during retirement. The workshop was produced by Legg Mason, in conjunction with the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. Attendees receive
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Financial Thoughts with Susan Moore
By Susan Clayton Moore, J.D.
Principal of Moore Wealth Management, Inc.
a comprehensive set of worksheets that help them evaluate whether or not it is financially feasible to “age in place” and stay in their home the rest of their lives. What renovations would be required for them to remain in the home in the event that they had mobility limitations? They also receive worksheets that enable them to compare and contrast other options, including independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing facilities, as well as continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) that offer the entire spectrum of choices in one place. The May 2021 workshop will be conducted in a webinar format on Wednesday, May 26th at 12 p.m. Please call 334.270.1672, or email sarah@moorewealthmanagement. com, for more information and reservations. We conduct a variety of workshops and seminars at MWM. The mission statement of MWM is very simple: “and then some.” We attempt to do
what is expected, what is required “and then some”. The Planning for Retirement workshop is part of our monthly “and then some” workshops. In addition, MWM conducts daily current events market updates that attempt to explain what is going on in the financial world. If you would like to be on the mailing list or receive email notifications of upcoming webinars, please call 334.270.1672. Susan Clayton Moore, J.D., is a financial advisor and wealth manager of Moore Wealth Management, Inc., with offices in Auburn, Montgomery, and Alexander City, AL. Susan manages over $170 million (as of 3.31.2021) in brokerage and advisory assets through Kestra Financial and has been a financial planner for over 38 years. Contact Susan at 334.270.1672. Email contact susan@moorewealthmanagement.com. Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisory Services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. Kestra IS or Kestra AS are not affiliated with Moore Wealth Management, Inc. https://bit.ly/KF-Disclosures
May Workshop (webinar)
Planning for Housing Expense During Retirement to register, call our Montgomery office at
334.270.1672
sarah@moorewealthmanagement.com
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AUM OLLI Makes Plans for the 2021 Summer Term After a year of online classes via ZOOM, AUM OLLI is planning the 2021 summer term as a transition to a full schedule of in-person classes in the fall of 2021. Neal Kelley, Director of Continuing Education and Community Engagement, expressed this optimism in the April issue of BOOM: “…we are making plans now to offer our four-week Summer…inperson….” The AUM OLLI staff will be using this four-week term of classes on Mondays – and perhaps Tuesdays – to determine plans for the full schedule of fall courses. The summer classes, beginning on June 7, 2021, will follow full safety protocols: small enrollments, social distancing, and masks at all times in the Center for Continuing Education and Community Engagement. Bottles of water and packaged snacks will be available to OLLI members as they come in for classes.
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Three classes will meet each Monday: 10:00 – 11:30 a.m., 12:45 – 2:15 p.m., and 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. (the same class periods will be used on Tuesdays if classes are offered both days).
Even with a limited number of periods, we hope to have all three of our usual categories of classes in the schedule: discussion, active, and hands-on (do-it-yourself) classes. Already scheduled are two of the categories: discussion and active. The class of exercise for pain relief will continue through June at its usual period of 10:00 a.m. on Monday morning. There are three options in the discussion category: a course on Lee Smith’s Fair and Tender Ladies (the novel and the music for the dramatic adaptation) plus two different book discussion groups. One group meets at the second Tuesday of the month at 2:00 p.m. at the library in Selma, and the other
group – the AUM OLLI group – meets twice a month, on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 10:00 a.m. Classes are being added as course proposals are submitted. With a short term – only four weeks – this summer term is a good time to join AUM OLLI and get acquainted with the program. Or, if you have a specialty subject you have always wanted to teach, now is a good time to try teaching for AUM OLLI. Go to the AUM OLLI website (www. aum.edu/OLLI) to join or to submit a course proposal. Now is a good time to join AUM OLLI to learn new things and meet new people. www.aum.edu/OLLI
Never lose the love of lifelong learning!
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By Rick Lauber
Boost Your Brain Health Consider these 5 Lifestyle Factors
impact hitting the ground produces pressure waves in your body that significantly increase blood flow to your brain, which help to prevent dementia. Along with an overall sense of well-being, those surges of blood help maintain health and cognitive function.
If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it. This isn’t just an old wives’ tale; it is sound advice for all of us to remember as we age. Both your physical and cognitive functioning abilities can slide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that an estimated 16 million Americans are living with some form of cognitive impairment.
The number of people ages 65 and older living with Alzheimer’s is expected to swell from the current 5.8 million to 13.8 million by 2050. Fortunately, a growing body of new research holds promise to improve and protect brain health and possibly stave off dementia and cognitive decline. Implementing the strategies found in these studies can help you learn how to boost your brain health and aid in the fight of curbing dementia. Here are recommendations to improve brain health:
1. Sleep Tight
Although experts have yet to concretely connect the dots explaining why sleep
problems are associated with early indications of Alzheimer’s, numerous studies conducted over the past few decades link sleep disturbances to poor brain health.
One such study from Boston University Medical Center linked obstructive sleep apnea, the sleep condition that causes brief periods of partial or complete stoppage of breathing, with higher rates of cognitive impairment. A key to preventing brain decline is asking your sleep partner if he or she has noticed you snoring or stopping breathing while sleeping. Discuss any daytime sleepiness with your physician and ask if you should be screened for sleep apnea. Here are some further ideas: O Establish a pattern for sleeping. Go to bed and wake up in the morning around the same times. O Keep your bedroom cool and dark. Use an automatic thermostat to lower the temperature overnight and/or use lighter weight blankets. Replace your bedroom’s curtains with black out blinds on the windows. O Avoid heavy eating and/or drinking prior to bedtime. If you are hungry, reach for a small snack instead.
2. Step Up
Walking is great for your waistline, but a study from New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU) found it can give your brain health a big boost, too. Your foot’s
Don’t pressure yourself to jog or trot. The researchers found that even though your foot’s impact with the ground is lighter when you walk than when you run, walking still produces large pressure waves in the body that significantly increase blood flow to the brain. As there’s no contact between your foot and the ground when riding a bike, cycling has no effect on beneficial pressure waves in the brain. Here are some more ideas:
O Take the stairs rather than the elevator. If you’re only going up one or two floors in a building, climb the stairs for some quick cardio. O Go the extra mile. Drop your bags in the car after shopping and walk an extra lap (or two) around the mall. O Join a walking club. Form one of your own with family or friends for good exercise and socialization.
3. Go Nuts
Although a healthy and balanced diet is known to promote brain health,
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researchers have yet to pinpoint the connection between what you eat and dementia prevention, but some progress has been made. A study by the University of Illinois says that monounsaturated fatty acids, which are nutrients found in olive oils, nuts and avocados,may hold the key to having a healthy brain. Foods rich in monounsaturated fatty acids are key components of the Mediterranean diet, which is also linked to protecting long-term brain health. Eating foods rich in these acids is believed to contribute to optimal functioning of the networking in your brain responsible for preserving cognition. Here are some further ideas for a brain-boosting diet: O Focus on fresh foods. Fill your grocery shopping basket with vegetables, fruit, and seafood (all components of the Mediterranean diet). O Avoid additives. This includes processed meats, added sugars, and trans fats. O Try something new. Replace your conventional vegetable salad with a crunchy nut salad.
4. Find Your Zen
25 minutes a day of Hatha yoga and
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mindfulness meditation can significantly improve brain function and energy levels, according to a study from the University of Waterloo. This type of yoga and mindfulness focuses the brain’s processing power on a select number of things like your breathing or a yoga pose. These exercises improve focus and concentration in everyday life. Here are some further ideas to incorporate more peacefulness into your life: O Keep a journal. Write down your good thoughts or experiences. Writing can be an excellent means of coping through difficult times and, by reading what you’ve written again later, can provide you a good reminder of your accomplishments. O Take time for breakfast. Do you toss back just a cup of coffee before going to work? Eating a more balanced breakfast (and sitting down when doing so) can be far better for you and give you more energy. O Drive the long way home. If you’ve had a challenging day at work, try not to bring that frustration home with you. Explore a new route, stop at your local bookstore, or go for a quick walk in the park to release anger and lower your risk of venting at your unknowing family.
5. Get Plenty of Vitamin C
Vitamin C can do more than fight a nasty cold; it is thought to have a significant impact on cognition, according to two other research studies. Vitamin C, found in orange juice, broccoli, brussels sprouts, bell peppers, and kiwi, is thought to lower oxidative stress. Lowering oxidative stress means that free radicals are more powerful than the body’s ability to fight them, which can cause a decline in brain health and overall well-being. Here are some more ideas for incorporating vitamins into your diet: O Shop smart. Not sure which fruits and vegetables to choose at your local grocery store or farmer’s market? The brightestcolored ones contain the highest levels of Vitamin C. O Cook smart. Steaming and/or microwaving vegetables in water will help retain the most Vitamin C. O Take a Vitamin C supplement. Vitamin C can be found in your local drug or health food store (often in chewable tablet form). While these supplements can help, try not to rely on these as a complete substitute for fresh fruits or vegetables.
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The Best 2-Player Board Games for Couples to Play at Home Together
Great for date night or a slow Sunday afternoon.
This might be the homebody in me talking, but I happen to think date night at home is better than date night out in nearly every way. The drinks are cheaper. The clothes are comfier. And, if you have the right game, it can be a really fun night for you and your love to get competitive and cuddly all at once. Based on recommendations from Amazon, Board Game Geek, Reddit’s /r/ boardgames, and my own experience, here are some of the best two-player games for couples to play on their own.
1. Carcassonne This one is my personal favorite for date night these days. In Carcassonne, each of you will take turns drawing and laying tiles like a puzzle, trying to complete cities, roads, and other features in an area modeled after the South of France. You earn different amounts of points for each of the features you claim and complete.
2. Ticket to Ride In Ticket to Ride, you and your partner are simultaneously trying to connect specific cities on the board with train routes you place piece-by-piece. Things can get dicey when, since you don’t know what routes your opponent is trying to finish, you block each other’s progress.
3. Hive A bug-themed strategy game that sounds very much like a light game of chess, your objective in Hive is to surround your opponent’s queen bee, while keeping yours from being surrounded.
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4. Guillotine A bit macabre, but Guillotine is a card game where you and your date will each be executioners vying for public opinion by executing the least popular nobles. You take turns changing the order of the line (a row of cards) and executing whoever is at the front.
5. Jaipur If you want a quick game that’s easy to teach, Jaipur is your thing. You and your gaming partner will quickly get the hang of this tactical card game. You are each traders in India, where you strategize how to buy, hoard and sell resources — cards that represent spice, silk, leather, etc. — to make the most amount of chips by the end of the round.
6. Scrabble It’s a classic for a reason. Scrabble is smart, strategic, competitive and gives you a chance to argue playfully about whether ‘Za is a word (hint: it is). Taryn Williford is a homebody from Atlanta. She writes about cleaning and living well as the Lifestyle Director at Apartment Therapy.
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Master Gardener's Perspective
By Knox Vaughn
GARDENING EIGHT DECADES AGO By Kenneth E. Brown via Knox Vaughn
In the world that we live in today, we can access unlimited data at the touch of our fingers for gardening through internet searches, you tube videos, and a host of social media avenues. This was not the case for Uncle Kenneth. He lived and gardened in a time when there was no information superhighway. Their source of information was basically word of mouth. They learned from their father who learned from his. I wish to preserve a little of this vast knowledge which is rapidly becoming extinct. If we do not preserve this knowledge, it will be lost forever. In today’s environment it is unwise to interview someone face to face who is the primary care giver for their terribly ill loved one. So, I resorted to a more modern method that was not available to Uncle Kenneth when he was growing up, the telephone (oh by the way, he does not hear well and neither do I). Within a truly short time on the phone, he agrees to write down his thoughts for me.
From the hands of Kenneth E. Brown (verbatim, well almost).
Kenneth E. Brown with Farm Equipment
My daddy bought his farm in 1913. He and my mom farmed and had a garden, they raised all they ate, as time went along, they had 9 children, five girls and four boys. We had about one acre for a garden. I was the only one my mom wanted with her in her garden. We farmed with a mule, turning plow, what we called a Georgia Stock and a covering plow. We broke the ground with a turning plow. I used the Georgia Stock to lay off the rows in the garden, we used chicken fertilizer under the corn only. We had a chicken house. We would shut the chickens up at night to roost and that is where we got the fertilizer. We used cow manure on all the other vegetables, no commercial fertilizer in the garden. I laid off the rows with a Georgia Stock, put the fertilizer out in the laid off rows by hand from a bucket, covered the fertilizer using a hoe. Leveled it off to ground level, then planted the seeds by hand. I used the mule to plow plus mom and I stayed in the garden almost constantly with a hoe. We made sure no weeds or grass was in the garden. We had no tractor or wagon only a ground slide pulled by our mule for transportation. Mom had to plant the garden on Good Friday, but the Irish Potatoes had to be planted on February 14, not 13 or 15, this was a must. You need to rotate your planting from one place to another, never plant the same thing two years in a row. Rotating is the key. With planting as early as possible we made two crops in the garden every year. We used no spray on veggies and we checked all veggies by sight for insects. We also had some guineas, they loved to walk through the garden searching for any worms or insects on the veggies. If we ate it, we raised it. No grocery bags ever entered our house, no food stamps, no mailbox checks like today. We had to put up lots of food to feed the family all year. We canned 650 to 700 quarts from the garden each year.
Guinea Fowl, low-cost pest control
Gardening is a joy, but it is hard work. If you are lazy stay out of the garden business. It is a job six days a week from sunrise to sunset. In my day, our garden took priority, but it was great joy to see it grow and extremely rewarding when you sat down at the table to eat. I hope this information will help someone in your gardening experience. Happy Gardening, Kenneth E. Brown
It would be a terrible injustice if I neglected to include the notes provided by an eighty-seven-year-old man born and raised in rural Crenshaw County Alabama who had extremely limited opportunities for a formal education due to circumstances beyond his control. Knox Vaughn, an intern in the 2021 Master Gardener Class, lives in Alpine, AL. For more information on becoming a master gardener, visit www.capcitymga.org or email capcitymga@gmail.com.
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conversations and shares stories. Share your business with BOOM! readers. RiverRegionBoom.com May 2021starts The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine 30 BOOM! BOOM! For more information call/text 334.324.3472 or visit www.riverregionboom.com
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By Carole Miller
A Crash Course in Caregiving The Truth About Taking Care of Aging Parent(s)
When you see someone tooling around Walmart with Depends in their cart, and they look too young to be in need of incontinence underwear, you have probably come across some family’s The One. They are likely to have Efferdent, Fixodent, and Imodium-AD in there, too. You don’t even know it, but you are in the presence of greatness. As our parents advance in age, we may find ourselves living in denial that they may someday need to be cared for. After all, they raised us. They were the grownups. They were the ones who were always there, having our backs, helping us through the struggles of life, cheering us on in our endeavors. But, for many of us, there will come a time when we have to accept the fact that Mom or Dad, or both, cannot safely be left alone. That’s when you will begin to learn about Caregiving. Just because your loved one isn’t confined to a bed doesn’t mean you aren’t caregiving. Often they just need someone there to make sure their meds are taken correctly, to make sure the stove is turned off, and sometimes just to keep them from being afraid to be alone at night. Declining health, memory issues, falling – there are endless reasons your parent may need in home assistance. More often than not, the vast majority of caregiving falls on one sibling. A variety of factors will determine who ends up being The One – location, marital status, young children at home, even just the willingness to help, among others. The One doesn’t necessarily choose to be the caregiver. Caregiving chooses The One. While most of us feel that caring for our aging parents is an honor, rather than a burden, there are so many things that you have no idea about, you’ve never even thought about, never even imagined. Things that you really need to know, whether you are The One or not.
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When caregiving chooses you, no one congratulates you or throws you a party for stepping up to the plate. There may be thoughtless comments such as, “It’s a good thing you are able to do this”, meaning, “Man, I sure am glad you have no life, because I dang sure wouldn’t want to have to do it”. People have NO idea what it’s like to be a caregiver unless they have actually been one. Your life is not your own; it revolves around the person you are caring for, and you are darn lucky if your loved one is in decent health. Keeping your parent(s) in familiar surroundings is one of the things most people agree is important. Moving in with a parent means giving up your own independence, any semblance of privacy, and any “me time” you used to enjoy. While your siblings think you’ve got it made, not having to pay a mortgage or rent anymore, they seldom realize how much you sacrifice just in that one action. You are no longer in your own home. You are actually a guest, and you will always feel like a guest, even if it is the same home you grew up in. They also don’t realize that it is physically and mentally exhausting. It is suffocating. Everything changes. Everything. The simple things you took for granted, like going shopping after work, going out with friends, an impromptu weekend road trip to the beach, even going to bed when you feel like it, are no longer on the plate. You are no longer your priority. You are no longer anyone’s priority. Your siblings carry on their lives as before, never worrying about whether Mom gets to her gazillion doctor appointments, remembers to take her medicine, gets her hair cut, or gets to go to a movie. Now that she has The One, they don’t have to worry about a thing. Oh, they will be there to criticize the things you do, your methods and even your motives. But, they will probably
not be there to help you, or to give you a much needed break. They will be busy with their own lives, their own priorities and their own down time and vacations. They won’t take Mom with them because it’s “too much trouble”, although she would love to be included in their family activities. You will find yourself invited to events only because they want you there to “tend to Mom” so they can enjoy themselves. They never even consider how hurtful this is to Mom and The One. They don’t sleep with both ears and one eye open “just in case”. They are adults, and they come and go as they please, without being questioned at every turn. They are able to make plans with friends, without fear of having to cancel at the last minute. If they are single, they are OMG - able to date. Working full time and caregiving can be a real juggling act. If you’re The One, you will use most of your vacation leave taking time off to take Mom to doctor appointments. If Mom gets sick, you will have to stay home with her. You may have to leave work suddenly to run home because Mom has fallen, or she smells something burning. You better have a very understanding boss, or you will be out of a job. Your siblings don’t have to use their vacation time this way. They are able to use theirs by – guess what? – taking vacations. Mornings for The One will likely begin with a rundown of every pain and ailment, followed by a list of any number of issues or concerns such as a lawn that needs to be mowed, weeds that need to be pulled, supplies that must be obtained. After working a full day, you will return home to the same lamentations, with a possible variation or two - things that you could not possibly have taken care of while you were at work all day. Then you get to cook, clean and do the other necessary chores that The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
Mom is unable to do now. This will be equivalent to working two full time jobs. While one is done to earn a living, the other is done purely out of love. Your friends and your children will tell you that you need to take time for yourself; that you cannot pour from an empty vessel. But your siblings will probably not. In reality, they don’t even think about you and your sacrifices, or the mental and physical energy required of a caregiver. You may find that the house gets a little neglected during the week, as working two jobs is very tiring. So you get to spend your weekends doing those chores around the house while your siblings go merrily about their weekends off. Although you sincerely and willingly accepted the role of caregiver, you don’t ever really get used to it. You patiently repeat answers to questions answered only minutes ago, without saying “You just asked me that!” You put things back in their proper place when you find them in different, sometimes random locations. You clean up the pee and poop because Mom didn’t
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make it to the bathroom in time, all the while comforting her because she is so embarrassed by her accident. But you do it because you love her. You Love Her. And that, my friends, is what keeps you going. You want to take her pain away. You want to give her back her independence, her strength, her dignity, her younger, less worn out body. You cannot do these things, of course, but you WANT to. Your heart will break many times as you watch your once strong and vital parent become more and more needy. You will also want to scream and cry and throw things. But you won’t. You would never let them see you buckle under the pressure. You won’t even let them know you feel any pressure. And you never let them see your tears. Instead, you will suck it up and carry on. Because it IS an honor to return that kind of selfless love to your parent. You will treasure the time you spent with your parent, and you will feel blessed to have had it one day, when they have departed this world. Maybe that doesn’t sound like a sizeable reward, but it is. If you’re The One, you already know
these things. Hang in there. The love you are so unselfishly giving cannot be replaced, and even if it gets to the point where Mom doesn’t even know it, YOU will know it. You will know that Mom is being taken care of with love and kindness, patience and gentleness. If you are not The One, take the time to see and appreciate the sacrifices your sibling is making. Every. Single. Day. Imagine the cost of in-home care if The One was not there to shoulder the responsibility. Imagine using your vacation time driving Mom or Dad back and forth to countless doctor appointments. Imagine working 24 hours a day. And if you think it isn’t 24 hours a day, go back and read this again. And visit Mom or Dad. Take them on outings, even if it is “a lot of trouble”. You will probably never fully grasp the magnitude of what The One is doing for your parent, but with a little appreciation and a little less criticism you might be able to recognize the pure act of love being played out before your eyes. O Please share comments at jim@riverregionboom.com
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Ask an Elder Law Attorney By: Raley L. Wiggins | Attorney at Law | Red Oak Legal, PC
3 Common Estate Planning Mistakes In our practice, we commonly see the same mistakes being made time and again. Sometimes we see the client early enough to correct the mistake before any harm is done, but not always. Read on to learn about three of the most common mistakes, and how to avoid them.
“everything” they may need to address. Instead, you have to specifically state that your agent has the power to handle certain kinds of transactions. That’s why it is important to include expanded powers in your power of attorney, particularly for clients over age 65.
MISTAKE ONE NOT PLANNING FOR DISABILITY
MISTAKE TWO NOT KNOWING HOW YOU OWN YOUR ASSETS
People are living longer than ever before. If you need proof, just look around at the number of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, home health agencies, and similar organizations that care for the ever-growing senior population. The longer we live, the more likely it is that we will deal with a period of disability late in life during which we will need others to help care for us.
I regularly teach an educational workshop on estate planning to members of the public, and one of the topics that tends to get people’s attention is the discussion of how you own your assets. You see, the way your assets are held or titled can have a significant effect upon whether your estate plan “works” the way that you hope it does.
The starting point in disability planning is to be sure that you have, at a minimum, a durable power of attorney and an advance directive in place. Note that not all of these documents are created equal. For example, most advance directives focus on end-of-life scenarios in the event that we are in a coma, or require machines to keep us alive. They often fail to adequately address a more common scenario—one in which we require nursing home or other long-term care for an extended period of time.
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at Archibald Senior Center (MACOA) in Montgomery. This bythe calling (334) 239-3625 or email Dana@redoaklegalpc.com. educational workshop presented by local Raley L.Raley Wiggins This educational workshop presented byattorney local attorney covers wills,covers trusts,wills, powers of attorney, directives, living L. Wiggins trusts, powers advance of attorney, advance wills, probate administration, protecting assets from creditors, directives, living wills, probate administration, protecting assets bankruptcy, divorce and remarriage, nursing homes, long-term care from creditors, bankruptcy, divorce and remarriage, nursing and Medicaid qualification. Registration is required. homes, long-term care and Medicaid qualification. Registration is Call 334-625-6774 today to reserve your seat or register online at required. For more info visit www.redoaklegalpc.com. www.redoaklegalpc.com.
Under the new Alabama Uniform Power of Attorney Act (effective January 1, 2012), granting your agent the power to do “everything” you could do yourself, doesn’t actually mean that the agent can handle May 2015
May 2021
MISTAKE THREE LEAVING ASSETS OUTRIGHT TO THE SPOUSE
This mistake is not true in all cases, but consider the increasingly common second marriage. When each spouse has their own children, this can be a source of hurt feelings when one spouse dies before the other. The children of the deceased spouse often resent step-parent Estate Planning and Asset Protection Workshop their for spending “their” Wednesday, May 20: Hosted Red Oak Legal,contact PC: 1:30-3:30 pm For more information and tobyregister please our office inheritance.
While the advance directive deals with health care issues, a durable power of attorney grants a person of your choosing (your agent) the authority to handle your business and financial affairs. Importantly, however, the law is clear that your agent only has the powers which are granted to her in the power of attorney. The problem is that just reading the terms of the POA won’t necessarily give you the complete picture of what powers your agent does or doesn’t have.
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Assume John jointly owns a house with his wife, Jane. He has a 401(k) that names Jane as the death beneficiary, and a life insurance policy that names his son, Billy as the beneficiary. At John’s death, his wife Jane will own the house and get the money in the 401(k), while Billy gets the life insurance money. Even though the will leaves “everything” to Sally, she won’t actually inherit anything at all.
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For example, many kinds of jointly owned property will automatically become the sole property of the surviving joint owner upon the death of the other owner, regardless of what the deceased person’s will says about who gets the property. Similarly, beneficiary designations on life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and other accounts will determine who actually gets the money in those accounts after the owner’s death. For an average middle class family, the bulk of their estate’s value will consist of three types of assets—the home, retirement accounts, and life insurance proceeds. Consider John Doe, whose will leaves his entire estate to his favorite niece, Sally.
The better choice is to leave those assets in trust. For example, John and Jane get married. They are both in their 50’s, and each have their own children from prior marriages. John dies first. His will leaves the bulk of his estate to Jane, in trust, to make sure her basic needs are provided for. The terms of the trust, however, prevent Jane from leaving John’s money to her new spouse (if she remarries) or to her own children. Instead, whatever is left will pass to John’s children after her death. In conclusion, I’ll leave you with a question: Do any of these examples sound familiar to you?
Raley L. L. Wiggins Wiggins Raley Attorney at at Law, Law, Red Red Oak Oak Legal, Legal, PC PC Attorney 334-239-3625 334-239-3625 || info@redoaklegalpc.com info@redoaklegalpc.com 322 Street, Montgomery, AL AL 36104, 445 Catoma Dexter Avenue, ste 9000, Mont, 36104 www.redoaklegalpc.com www.redoaklegalpc.com The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
ARE YOU MAKING A COMMON ESTATE PLANNING MISTAKE? Not planning for disability Not knowing how you own your assets Leaving assets outright to your spouse
Sound Familiar?
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Fishing for a Story Travel Experiences with Jeff Barganier
Sun Setting on Lake Guntersville
Last month, I spoke to a Mountain Lakes Chamber of Commerce event in Pisgah, Alabama at Gorham’s Bluff. My feature on Gorham’s Bluff appeared in the July 2020 issue of BOOM! If you missed it, check it out on my website www.jeffbarganier.com or surf the archives at www. riverregionboom.com. It’s a great story about a fantastic getaway perched atop one of Alabama’s most scenic bluffs high above the Tennessee River. Mountain Lakes Chamber wanted to introduce me to yet another amazing Jackson County landmark so they arranged lodging at Scottsboro’s Goose Pond Colony about thirty minutes from Gorham’s Bluff. Goose Pond Colony is a municipally owned resort featuring two 18-hole championship golf courses, lakeside cottages, a small lodge, waterfront campground, pool, walking trail, full-service marina, access to beautiful Lake Guntersville and The Docks Restaurant. Lake Guntersville is a magnificent reservoir lake formed by the Tennessee River. The lake stretches 75 miles from Bridgeport in Alabama’s northeastern corner to Guntersville and contains 69,000 acres, making
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Boat on Lake Guntersville
The Docks Restuarant on Lake Guntersville
it Alabama’s largest lake system. Home to numerous national fishing tournaments, Lake Guntersville is wellknown for large bass and a variety of other fish. Fishermen take great pride in their equipment. State-of-the-art bass boats pulled by powerful pickup trucks are ubiquitous on Ed Hembree Drive at Goose Pond Colony. At times, they resemble a parade, streaming along the curvy road leading to docks. Pink and white dogwoods were in full bloom, making this a pleasant drive. The bass boat in front of me had a motor so large, I at first thought I was looking at a Sea Doo hanging off the boat’s rear. Wherever big bass were to
Illinois Fishermen
be found, the fisherman hauling this rig was sure to reach them first! He continued toward the marina. But I pulled off at the lodge where I was staying and parked. Several fishermen at the south end of the lodge were cleaning fish. I walked over to get acquainted and inspect their catch. I was expecting Alabama boys but to my surprise these avid fishermen were from Chicago and Peoria, Illinois! “We fished in Texas until about 2012 but the water got so low out there that stumps became a problem,” explained John Darnell of Peoria. “We started coming here instead. This is a very fertile lake.” I asked John what they would do with all the bass they caught. “These will supplement my church fish fry,” he said. Lake Guntersville is one of the hottest fishing holes in the country. It’s not surprising fishermen come from all over. After discovering the driver’s side window of my 348,432-mile, 2001 Honda Accord had malfunctioned, I drove to a nearby O’Reilly Auto Parts and purchased a roll of Gorilla Tape. I pushed the window up with my hands and taped it securely—so securely that The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
I was forced to enter and exit via the back door. I had mindlessly taped the driver’s door shut! I arrived at The Docks Restaurant back at Goose Pond Colony and flipflopped out the back door like a catfish out of water while bystanders watched the spectacle. But, hey, when you’re fishing for a good story, these things happen. I forgot Signs at Swann Covered Bridge the humiliation when my blackened mahi mahi was served taking with mashed potatoes and mixed me vegetables. The Docks food is excellent. through Service too. And the view of Lake woods Guntersville from my outside table was and stunning. along
opening salvos of a new cold war, and America’s days may be numbered. I signed a copy of my novel Lawson’s Bluff for him and we departed friends. Before turning in, I walked about a mile on Goose Pond Colony’s walking trail,
tried to find the bridge. Not this time. I turned right off 79 and drove a short distance before pulling over and asking directions. A young lady and two men were standing in a yard having a morning visit by the mail box. They eyed me suspiciously—just like they eyed the last idiot who leaned his seat way back, lowered his back window and grinned out at them. “Hi. I’m a travel writer. How far to the covered bridge?”
They smiled and relaxed. “Straight ahead. You can’t miss it. Take the curve slowly or you’ll end up in the river,” one of the men replied. I thanked him and proceeded with caution. A mysterious gentleman In less than a mile came sat at the table next a right bend in the road. Swann Covered Bridge to mine. He was lean, 324-foot Swann Bridge wore dark glasses and the shore where a appeared downhill. Jammed between looked like a retired hawk glided overhead. the rocky banks of Locust Fork River, 27 Navy SEAL. Turns out, (People come here to feet above riverbed, Swann Bridge is he was a defense bird watch.) the longest covered bridge in Alabama contractor working on and one of the longest in the US. secretive US Government Next morning, I took projects, making him the scenic route down I catfished out of the Accord and an interesting person to Highway 79 South snapped photos of this architectural talk with. I can’t reveal through Blount County gem. A couple strolled along the what I learned … I’d have toward Birmingham. opposite bank, enjoying the sparkling to kill you. I’ll disclose In the Town of river’s flow splashed by morning sun. I Inside Swann Covered Bridge this much: He thinks Cleveland community, waved at them and they quickly waved Russia and the Communist Chinese are I encountered a sign for one of Blount back. I love it when I cast out and then numerically overwhelming Western County’s amazing covered bridges. I’ve reel in interesting people and things I forces with new weapon systems, the passed “covered bridge” signs along didn’t expect. Fishing for a story just Wuhan virus and US border crisis are Alabama roads before but have never doesn’t get much better than this. Jeff S. Barganier is a novelist, travel writer and manager of Cindy Barganier Interiors LLC in Pike Road, Alabama. (www.cindybarganier.com) He travels far and wide upon the slightest excuse for something interesting to write about. Contact him at Jeffbarganier@knology.net. Follow him on Instagram @jeffbarganier. Visit www.jeffbarganier.com
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This & tHAT
Troy Athletics Honors Sim Byrd with Celebration of Life Ceremony Troy Athletics held a celebration of life ceremony for Troy University Sports Hall of Fame quarterback Sim Byrd in Trojan Arena on Saturday, April 10. Byrd passed away on Nov. 18, 2020, at the age of 75. One of Troy's first modern day All-Americans, Byrd led the then Red Wave to the 1968 NAIA National Championship behind passing numbers that were way ahead of his time. In Troy's semifinal and championship game victories, Byrd combined for 12 touchdowns (11 through the air), and he finished the season with 41 touchdown passes and 3,569 passing yards. As a comparison, the NCAA's Division I leader for the year finished with 25 touchdown passes. More than 50 years have passed since his last game and Byrd's season and career numbers have stood the test of time. His 41 touchdown passes during the magical 1968 season still rank as the most in school history – by 10 touchdowns – despite Troy's Sim Byrd propensity for pass-heavy offenses over the years. His yardage total for the season stood as the high mark in the record book for more than 40 years. Troy Coach Billy Atkins and Sim Byrd The Montgomery, Ala., native ranks second all-time in Troy history with 79 career touchdown passes. He is third in total offensive yards and passing yards per game and fourth in passing yards, completions, and attempts. The first Troy player to participate in the Blue-Gray All-Star Classic, Byrd was a member of the inaugural class of the Troy University Sports Hall of Fame where he was enshrined along with his beloved head coach Billy Atkins in 2012. If you would like to watch the Sim Byrd Celebration of Life on YouTube, click this link www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uvT3IBeFLg
Sun Belt Baseball Championship Bound for Montgomery The Guardian Credit Union Sun Belt Conference Baseball Championship presented by Troy University has found a new home in Montgomery, Alabama, with the 2021 event slated for Riverwalk Stadium from Tuesday, May 25, to Sunday, May 30—the first installment of a five-year relationship with Alabama’s capital city. "We are extremely excited to host the 2021 Sun Belt Baseball Championship here in Montgomery,” said Central Alabama Sports Commission Executive Director Johnny Williams. “This is going to be a unique event. The new 12-team format of the tournament this year will have the downtown atmosphere alive with activity. The team hotels are all within walking distance of Riverwalk Stadium. We look forward to hosting all of the teams here this May and to continuing our great partnership with the Sun Belt for years to come.” The Sun Belt Conference tournament will begin with a round-robin pool play format, with the top team from each of the four pools advancing directly to Saturday’s semifinals. The championship game will be contested at 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 30, and will determine the Sun Belt Conference’s automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. Coastal Carolina is the reigning Sun Belt tournament champion, having captured the last title in 2019. The Chanticleers are 1-of-4 Sun Belt baseball programs that currently rank among the Top 100 in the RPI, alongside Louisiana, South Alabama and Georgia Southern. For more info visit https://sunbeltsports.org
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Ozan Winery, Eat-Drink-Music @ Sunset Ozan Winery presents STEVEN CADE live on the vineyard overlook on 06/05/2021! Reserve your table for 2, 3, 4, 6, or 8 for this special event. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, reservations are being made by table for social distancing requirements. Single tickets are not available at this time. Reservations are only made for 2, 3, 4, 6 or 8 person tables. Combine a Table for 3 selection with an even number selection to create tables for odd numbers. (i.e., 1 table for 2 and 1 table for 3 will create a reservation for 5 people at the same table). Special event ticket sales are final, no refunds. Rates per Person: - $39. Event includes: Wine Ticket (2 per person included), Shared cheese plate(s) for two, Private Table @ Social Distance, Seating Under the Stars, Dinner Selection Included: Panini, Pizza, Chicken Salad Croissant, and Salad, Cash Bar: Wine & Cocktails, Wine and Spirit Bottle Sales. Schedule: 6:30pm Seating & Bar Opens, 7:00pm Dinner Service (Panini, Pizza, Croissant, Salad options available), 7:30pm Live Music "STEVEN CADE", 9:00pm Performance Concludes, 9:30pm After party ends! Ozan Winery, 173 Co Rd 301, Calera, AL 35040. For more info visit www.ozanwine.com/weekends
Housing During Retirement: Your Go-Go Years, Your Slow-Go Years and Your No-Go Years
Susan Clayton Moore, J.D.
Susan Moore of Moore Wealth Management, Inc. (MWM) in Montgomery, AL conducts a free workshop every year in May on planning for housing expense during retirement. Attendees receive a comprehensive set of worksheets that help them evaluate whether or not it is financially feasible to “age in place” and stay in their home the rest of their lives. They also receive worksheets that enable them to compare and contrast other options, including independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing facilities. The May 2021 workshop will be conducted in a webinar format on Wednesday, May 26th at 12 p.m. Please call 334.270.1672, or email sarah@moorewealthmanagement.com, for more information and reservations. If you would like to be included in the webinar, please contact Sarah at 256.234.2761 or email her at sarah@moorewealthmanagement.com.
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The Shoppes at EastChase Farmers Market will return for the 17th year on Saturday, May 15 Join us for the Grand Opening of the 17th Annual Farmers Market at The Shoppes at EastChase! The 2021 Farmers Market is back with a NEW location! The market will now be located adjacent to H&M. This year is going to be bigger and better than ever with all of your favorite vendors and some new, fun surprises! Look out for the EastChase tent to register to win our Garden Cart Giveaway! To celebrate the return of the market, we are giving away a cart filled with produce and products from all of your favorite vendors! The Grand Opening Farmers Market will have live music by Gypsy Cornbread, 40+ local vendors, balloon animals, and so much more! Bring the entire family out for a fun-filled day to celebrate local farmers and businesses! For more info visit www.theshoppesateastchase.com
Capital City Master Gardeners Association Lunch & Learn @ASF Garden Capital City Master Gardener Association presents Lunch & Learn 2021 the 1st Wednesday of Every Month from 12-1 pm. They will meet at ASF SHAKESPEARE GARDEN, 1 FESTIVAL DRIVE, MONTGOMERY, AL 36117 (Use entrance and parking by restroom with the thatched roof.). Mark your calendars, May 5th, “CUT FLOWER ARRANGING” Come join us for a hands on demonstration of “Cut Flower Arranging”, presented by Karen Weber, Anne Carr, and Linda Cater, Capital City Master Gardeners. These three ladies will bring flowers from their gardens and demonstrate how YOU can prepare lovely floral arrangements using what is available in your own back yard. (Well, you might have to sneak next door and get a few other cuttings, too!). Bring your mask and a chair or blanket for sitting. We’ll socially distance and enjoy a lovely outdoor setting. BRING A SACK LUNCH, FREE PROGRAM, WATER PROVIDED, For information, please contact the Montgomery County Extension Office 334.270.4133. Also visit www.capcitymga.org.
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Lee County Master Gardeners 2021 Garden Tour - May 15th & 16th Our 2021 Garden Tour, entitled Spring Stroll, postponed from 2020, will showcase 10 unique private gardens in Opelika and Auburn. Whether you are one of our loyal tourgoers or if this is your first time joining us, this year's tour may be our most anticipated event yet -- for obvious reasons! We hope you will join us for our eighth biennial garden tour and enjoy nature's bounty in springtime. Come gather ideas for your garden. Tour Dates: Saturday, May 15th, 10 am-5 pm and Sunday, May 16th, 1-5 pm. All Tickets: $30, your ticket is good for both days. Day-of Tickets: Depends on availability (buy now). Children under 12 are admitted free. Your Ticket Includes: * Bonus Garden Tiger Lily - Auburn University is excited to open the President's Home Gardens for touring during the Lee County Master Gardeners' Garden Tour. No Ticket is required to tour the President's Home Gardens which will be open to the community. Parking attendants will assist with self-parking at the President's Home. * Tour Book of the Gardens * Complimentary Chicken Salad Chick Box lunch available for pickup at the 2776 Enterprise Drive, Opelika location (Tiger Town shopping district)) during the tour these hours: Saturday 11am-2pm and Sunday 12:30-2:30 pm. Please note: On Sunday, the restaurant is open for ticket holders only, and other menu items will not be available. To order tickets and learn more visit www.leemg.org
Sunday Spring Concert Series in Cloverdale, Free Admission :) The 2021 Cloverdale-Idlewild Spring Concert Series continues in May. This is the neighborhood’s most anticipated event of the year! It is always fun and a great way to meet your neighbors and visit with friends! Everyone is welcome, so bring all your friends and family!! Leashed dogs are also welcome, so bring your furry babies as well!! Hope to see y’all there!!! Cloverdale Bottom Park, Intersection of Cloverdale Road and Ponce de Leon Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36106. Enjoy a few hours in the park, starting at 4 pm! May Concert Dates: ● May 2 - Longsleeve Pants ● May 9 - The Living Room Tour ● May 16 - Blackbird Pickers ● May 23 - Electric Blue Yonder. ADMISSION IS FREE! Bring your chairs or blankets (or both), coolers, snacks. Electric Blue Yonder Plan to sit under the beautiful oak trees in the park setting and enjoy the music. For more info visit the Facebook Page/Cloverdale-Idlewild-Association
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Cloverdale Playhouse Presents Sweat Sweat tells the story of a group of friends who have spent their lives sharing drinks, secrets, and laughs while working together on the factory floor. But when layoffs and picket lines begin to chip away at their trust, the friends find themselves pitted against each other in a heart-wrenching fight to stay afloat. “Keenly observed and often surprisingly funny—but ultimately heartbreaking—the work traces the roots of a tragedy with both forensic psychological detail and embracing compassion. Ms. Nottage…is writing at the peak of her powers…” —The New York Times. “Sharp and threatening as a box cutter blade…ferociously engrossing… Sweat never feels less than authentic—and crucial.” —Deadline.com. This production will take place outside on our Courtyard Stage. Due to CDC safety regulations, masks are required and seating will be limited and in sociallydistanced into zones. Reserve a table for 2, a table for 4, or general seating in our "bar", and watch our characters tell this powerful story all around you! To make reservations call 334.262.1530 or visit www.cloverdaleplayhouse.org
The 2021 Fitzgerald Museum Gala The 2021 Fitzgerald Museum Gala will be a “Mask-erade Ball”held on the lawn, Saturday May 8, 6-9 pm. The evening will include food, drinks, a silent auction, '20s jazz band and dance floor, and a professional photo booth. Come dressed in your '20s best and help us celebrate the couple who defined the Jazz age! The Annual Gala is the museum's primary fundraiser, and all proceeds from this event will go directly to continuing the literary and fine art legacies of Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald. We are honored to promote and preserve this literary legacy right here in Montgomery, Alabama, and we would love for you be a part of it. Food, non-alcoholic drinks, photo booth are included in admission. Two alcoholic drink tickets included. The Fitzgerald Museum, 919 Felder Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36106. To order tickets go to www.thefitzgeraldmuseum.org
5-1-21
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Winners from Renfroe's & BOOM! Giveaway!
Winners for the March $50 Refroe's Market Gift Card have been announced! The Eastchase Renfroe's winner is Martha Poole Simmons, pictured top left along with assistant manager, James Campbell. The McGehee Road Renfroe's winner is Edna Walker standing with Roslynn Johnson, Assistant Manager. Thanks to everyone who participated.
Caregiver of the Month Spotlight:
Dorothy Jackson
Dorothy is one of the hardest working and most reliable caregivers that we have. She is effective, productive and goes over and beyond to care for clients. She has accepted many shifts beyond her regular schedule to assist the company whenever we are in need of help. Dorothy is full of spunk, compassion and a ball of energy. She is fueled with a desire and eagerness to make a difference in the lives of the clients that she cares for. We’re so glad to have Dorothy on our team as she adds great value to our company. Keep up the GREAT work, Dorothy!
Thank you for being a valuable member of our team, Dorothy… Keep up the great work! For more information visit www.homecareassistancemontgomery.com
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BOOM! COVER PROFILE
Faith West Byrd
Faith, Family, Football and of Course Troy University Our cover profile for May is someone who embodies everything that is great about Troy University. Faith West Byrd is living her dream job as the Alumni Director for Troy University. Troy was also instrumental in her education where she achieved both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. As Alumni Director, which she has been now for 24 years, Faith provides leadership to 165,000 alumni from around the world. Faith loves everything Troy University and is probably the most avid Trojan sports fan in Troy’s history! As if Faith could not be more connected to Troy, love entered her life a few short years ago from a man who was a legendary Troy quarterback, Sim Byrd. Sim represented Troy University athletics as an All American, leading Troy to their first National Championship in football. Unfortunately, Sim and Faith were only able to enjoy their true love for a short time, Sim passed away in November 2020. Faith said she wouldn’t trade her newfound love story for anything and cherishes the brief time she and Sim shared life and Troy University together. We recently spent some time with Faith, and she is contagious when it comes to anything positive about Troy University. We hope you’ll enjoy getting to know her as much as we did and if you’re one of the 14,000 Troy Alumni in the River Region, you’ve got a winner in Faith! BOOM!: Please give us a brief biography, i.e. where you’re from, education, what brought you to the Montgomery area, did you raise your family here, schools, married, family, etc?
Alabama to begin my career. I put that degree to use serving as the editor of the Alabama
Faith: The daughter of John Finlay and Mary Hughes West, I grew up as an only child in the very small town of Glenwood, Alabama and attended school in the “Friendliest City in the South” Luverne, Alabama. I graduated from Wedding Day, Sim and Faith, married at The Vet Crenshaw Christian Academy which greatly prepared me Roadbuilder magazine for my undergraduate years at Troy while using my public University, then Troy State University. relations minor to While at TROY I was a member of the promote the Alabama Alpha Delta Pi sorority as well as the Roadbuilders Sigma Delta Chi Society of Professional Association. While Journalists. I proudly graduated from working I pursued TROY in 1981 with a B.S. in Journalism my master’s degree and made my way to Montgomery,
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at night at Troy University Montgomery and received that degree in 1987 as well as an event management certification from Auburn University Montgomery. In 1990 I was named the Executive Director of the Alabama Council of Association Executives and then began my dream job as Alumni Affairs Director at Troy University in 1997. I’m still living that dream 24 years and 2 months later. I also serve as an adjunct professor in the Hall School of Journalism and Communication at TROY, a position I have held since 2008.
Sim and Faith enjoying a toast
Faith, marriage day
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
1997. Please in the area – Autauga, Elmore or the My job as Mother share with us Montgomery Metro Alumni chapter began in 1986 when what’s involved and help support their mission of also my son Matthew with directing the raising money for scholarships and Ward was born, and alumni affairs of recruiting good students to attend my daughter Rachel Troy University? TROY. For more information on joining Ward followed in What are some these chapters you can call the Alumni 1990. Both of my of the biggest office at (334) 670-3318 or visit our children were born challenges you website at www.troy.edu/alumni in Montgomery, deal with? What’s Alabama and your message to BOOM!: Faith, you are one of the best attended St. the many Troy advocates for a college education at James School Alumni living in Troy University, please tell us why a from four-year the River Region current HS student aspiring to go to old kindergarten and how can college should consider Troy University? until high school they help create What other educational options does graduation. a better Troy Troy offer…Online, evening classes, Matthew graduated University? etc.? from Auburn Faith with grandchildren, Barrett and Britton University and Faith: My job as Alumni Director affords Faith: Troy University has a unique now makes his home in the Old me the opportunity to perspective Cloverdale community. He is Director connect and interact of serving a of Government Relations and Field with many great alumni diverse student Services for Automotive Aftermarket worldwide who share body, from Association Southeast, Inc. My my belief and passion for high school daughter attended Troy University and Troy University. I provide graduates on still resides in Troy. She is insurance leadership to a staff of Alabama’s benefits coordinator at Wiley Sanders, four and to the 165,000 most beautiful Inc and is the mother of my two alumni around the world campus in the precious grandchildren Britton (9) and including 61 alumni heart of Troy, Barrett (7). My husband, Sim Byrd, who chapters in the United Alabama, to passed away recently, was born, and States as well as three adult students raised in Montgomery, Alabama and international chapters. I on the lived here until his death on November serve as campuses in 18, 2020. He Executive Montgomery, worked for 45 Director of Dothan and years in the the Alumni Phenix City beer, wine and Board of as well as liquor industry Directors through online and was and work delivery of employed with with an our programs. the Alabama Faith with Sim and son, Matthew, daughter Rachel amazing TROY offers Beverage group of board members a home-town college experience Control who have made it a with first-class academic instruction Board as the priority to elevate the regardless of which campus you choose operations alumni experience for to attend, If anyone is interested in supervisor for all of our alumni and to more information or wishes to tour the real estate continue our intense our stunning campus, please visit our division when support of future website at www.troy.edu. he died. alumni by supporting scholarships and BOOM!: Like many of us in the 50+ BOOM!: You encouraging other alumni age group, we are fortunate to find a have been to do so as well. My new love at a mature age. Sim Byrd, the Director message for alumni in a well-known Troy Alum and a friend of Alumni the River Region is to join for many years was your new love and Affairs for Troy Faith with her mom and daughter Rachel one of the local chapters you were his. Would you please share University since The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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your love story with Sim? Unfortunately, Sim passed away in November 2020 and Troy honored him with a Celebration of Life service last month, would you share this experience with us?
band, we left to the TROY fight song while our friends and family escorted us out with the pompoms and good cheer. One of our long-time dear friends, Johnny Crawford, became ordained so that he could marry us and we lived happily ever after until Sim’s death.
Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor delivered the eulogy and praised Sim’s prowess on the football field calling him an early hero who became a legend. He spoke of Sim’s loyalty to his family and friends and indeed to his university. He stated that Sim epitomized the Trojan Warrior spirit by his power and influence and, though Sim was gone, he would surely never be forgotten. William Thigpen, Assistant Administrator of the Alabama Beverage Control Board, spoke regarding Sim’s 45-year professional career in the beverage industry and of Sim’s knowledge and impeccable work ethic. Hugh (Buzz) Phillips, who was team manager for the 1968 team, spoke on behalf of the teammates – many of whom were in attendance. A reception was held in the rotunda of Trojan Arena so that his teammate could raise a glass to Sim. Sim’s ashes were spread at TROY that day in a location known only to Sim and his teammates. His accomplishments at TROY earned him a place in the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame and as their motto states “where hero’s live forever”. Sim will forever more be an integral part of Troy University and its history.
Faith: Sim Byrd – he was my own true love, and I was his. He told me so every single day of our short but oh so very sweet marriage. Sim was the quarterback of the 1968 Troy State University football Faith with granddaughter Britton championship team. He would tell you that he was so blessed to The Celebration of Life for Sim was have an awesome coach – Billy Atkins simply amazing. It was held on a – and a great group of teammates. Of stormy Saturday morning on April 10th course, me being the sports fanatic in Trojan Arena. It was very fitting to that I am, I naturally gravitate toward be held on the very same day of T-Day, sports greats, especially those who play TROY’s spring scrimmage. The entire football. As the Alumni Director I knew football team as well as coaches and what a gracious alum he was – always administrators giving of his time, treasure, and talent were there to pay for TROY. He was named Alumni of the their respects. The Year in 2003 and was inducted into the stage was set with Troy Sports Hall of Fame in 2008. Thus, Sim’s framed #12 I had the pleasure of working with him jersey, a photo over the years and we became good of Sim playing friends. After his wife died, he was in quarterback and BOOM!: With a attendance at a sporting event in Troy beautiful flowers busy life, how do as was I. We talked about catching up in TROY colors. you like to spend over cocktails and we did just that. We Barry McKnight, time with family met at Sinclair’s on Vaughn Road and the voice of TROY, and friends? cocktails turned into dinner. The owner acted as emcee Describe your finally asked us to leave as they had to and he had such experience as close for the evening. We were never lovely words to say a grandmother, apart after that. We had a whirl-wind about Sim. Our what do the romance, getting engaged very quickly Athletic Director grandkids call as we simply did not want to spend Brent Jones you? a minute apart. We married on the presented the Faith with running partner, Judy Barganier football field at TROY, most fitting when helmet that the Faith: Most of my you marry the star quarterback, with his team would wear family and friends teammates as honorary groomsmen. that day with the number twelve largely are TROY Trojans and I spend a lot of It was a fabulous wedding complete displayed on one side. That brought time with them at sporting events as with our names on the score board me to tears as did the special messages well as many other TROY events. Sim and pompoms with handles which from all who participated in the and I both loved filling our house with read “TOUCHDOWN! Faith & Sim service. Shelia Jackson, local singing people – whether it was grilling by the 08.24.2019” – the date of our wedding. celebrity and Joey Meredith, team pool, watching a sporting event or in a The reception was in the Stadium Club photographer (also the photographer more formal setting around the dining and, after we danced the night away for our wedding) sang an awesome room table -- we loved entertaining to the sounds of the Fabulous Shades rendition of Amazing Grace. Dr. Jack our family and friends. I am doing my
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best to keep that tradition alive in our My two favorite vacation spots in the home except for the cooking part. Sim world are the Grand Hotel in Fairhope, was the cook, but I do know how to Alabama and New York City. You can order well. My definitely get grandchildren some good love to come and relaxation at the swim and feed the Grand and it’s ducks and turtles also where Sim in the lake behind and I spent our our house. I enjoy honeymoon. Of watching them course, there play sports and is never a dull sing in the choir at moment in New their church. They York City. The lovingly refer to farthest my me as “GoGo” as travels have I travel a good bit taken me was for my job having a memorable alumni worldwide. trip to Ireland When they were with my Mother really small, they and a group of would say that TROY alumni “GoGo” is “goneand friends. We gone” and that is still get together most fitting for my to reminisce busy lifestyle. Sim being inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame about that trip. COVID has BOOM!: What are some of your favorite definitely put my future travel plans on travel experiences? Favorite vacation hold but I’m certainly looking forward spot? Any travel dreams planned? to planning more trips very soon. Faith: As I stated earlier, I am a big sports fan and many of my travelling experiences include sporting events – especially TROY sporting events. I have had the pleasure to see TROY football beat LSU in Baton Rouge, to watch TROY basketball play Kentucky in Rupp Arena, and to watch both football and basketball play Duke in Durham, North Carolina, just to name a few. One of the most exciting days for me was traveling to New Orleans to watch our men’s basketball team beat Texas State and win the Sun Belt Championship and a few hours later, in the same arena, watch our women’s team beat Louisiana Lafayette to win the women’s Sun Belt Championship. Of course, the day we opened Trojan Arena in Troy and beat Mississippi State in basketball, and the next day we played Navy in football and beat them on our field was a really good weekend as well. I cherish all those memories and have so many more I could share.
help take care of that extra slice of cake I have enjoyed. Most days I run with my running partner Judy Barganier, an attorney here in Montgomery. Together we have enjoyed half marathons, marathons and 5 & 10k’s for over 10 years. While running in these races we enjoy a unique opportunity to support our colleges (Alabama and TROY) by wearing our team logos, give back to the community as most of our runs are fundraisers for community projects and get our exercise all in one run. Running benefits almost every part of a person’s body and it does wonders for your soul as well. I also have a great appreciation for a good bottle of wine to share with great friends. BOOM!: Do you have time to be involved in community, civic or other activities? Faith based organizations?
Faith: I serve on the board of directors for the Salvation Army of Montgomery which serves the River Region. The Salvation Army’s founders sought to bring salvation to the poor, destitute and hungry by meeting both their physical and spiritual needs. They operate shelters for the homeless and provide disaster relief. Our Lieutenants BOOM!: What are you most passionate Bryan and Tonya Farrington do an about? incredible job for our Faith: You have area and probably guessed by our board is now what I am most an amazing passionate about group of and indeed my alma some of the mater ranks very most giving high. That is one people I have of the things that ever had the brought me and Sim pleasure to together – our love work with. for TROY. I am also a member BOOM!: How do you of Frazer like to relax and wind Methodist down from a hard church and day’s work? I love our mission Faith: I love to lace which is up my running to “make Faith serving one of her favorite non-profits shoes and hit the disciples for pavement. I love the hope of the world.” that runner’s high feeling. Running helps relieve stress and is a great way to continued on next page
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BOOM!: What is it about living in the Montgomery/River Region area that you like? What do we need more of?
BOOM!: Give us three words that describe you?
BOOM!: Do you have any hobbies or other activities that grab your attention? Faith: Hobbies, who has time for hobbies. Seriously, I think you can glean from my other answers what my hobbies include.
Faith: I like Faith: everything about Faith, Montgomery, and I Family BOOM!: What are some of the future can’t imagine living (which challenges you’re contemplating for anywhere else. I includes Troy University and its Alumni? For Faith's Daughter Rachel with son Barrett and daughter Britton think the progress my yourself? in downtown Montgomery is amazing extended family of great friends) and and I hope that continues. I think they Football. God has richly blessed me in Faith: I am happy to see that the could probably use a few more retail my life and I give him all the glory for vaccinations for COVID are allowing stores and a grocery store downtown, all I am and ever hope to be and for all us to have some safe social distancing but they are certainly headed in the the amazing things He has done in my events. I think some of my challenges right direction. As for out in east life. My family and friends are indeed at the Alumni Association will be Montgomery where I live, I personally at the very top of how our events will look would like to have a P. F. Chang’s as that those blessings. moving forward and how is some of my favorite food. While football is we will conduct our events my favorite – high such as tailgating in the BOOM!: As you’ve aged, how have your school, college and fall. We are certainly priorities changed? pro – I really do planning to have our enjoy anything in alumni back on campus, Faith: I really enjoy my career and have the sporting realm. and I want to provide always prided myself on my work ethic. My love for sports the best experience However, I have learned over the years is such that if my possible so that they all to prioritize my time better to be able television only feel comfortable and safe to spend quality time with my family carried sports in our new world. I’m and friends. Life is too short to not channels that excited to see just what spend time with those you love and let would be just fine the future holds for our them know you care. Tell them daily with me, however, Alumni Association. To because we might not get a chance to I would rather be quote our chancellor, Dr. do so tomorrow. at the game. Jack Hawkins, Jr.: “the best Faith with her favorite mascot, is yet to be”. The biggest T-Roy, the Trojan
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personal challenge is learning how to live life without my precious husband. Dealing with his loss has absolutely been one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. Even still, I would endure it many times over just for the opportunity to be his wife and know what true love really is. BOOM!: Many people over 50 are experiencing a renewed sense of purpose, new goals, etc. How would you describe this sense of renewal in your life? Any advice for the rest of us seeking renewal?
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
Faith: Keep the faith and press on! We want to thank Faith for sharing some of her story with us this month, especially the new love she and Sim were able to share, even for a brief time. Our prayers are with Faith and others who have felt the profound loss of Sim Byrd, a legend, friend, and husband. If you want to connect with Faith, she can be reached by phone at 334.670.3318 or email, fward@troy.edu. Finally, we want to thank Shellee from Total Image Portraits for her quality cover photo of Faith. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions about our cover profiles, including nominating someone, please send them to Jim Watson at jim@riverregionboom.com.
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Aspiring to Retire By 55 The pandemic's layoffs, furloughs and volatile incomes make it easy to understand why one in five boomers are delaying retirement due to the financial insecurity of COVID-19, according to a MetLife survey. But how do you explain this? Another survey, by the Hearts and Wallets financial services research firm, found that about one in six U.S. households with breadwinners under 55 (11.5 million) say they "aspire to retire by 55." My "Friends Talk Money" podcast co-hosts and I talked about both of those trends in our latest episode. And we checked in with the "FIRE" movement — that stands for Financially Independent Retire Early — to see how that's been working out in the pandemic. We were surprised by what we learned. (You can download the episode wherever you get your podcasts or listen to it at the end of this article.) Laura Varas, CEO and founder of Hearts and Wallets, told us this about the "aspire to retire by 55" people: "Some of them are well positioned. But a lot of them aren't and would need help if they are to realize this goal." What the 'Aspire to Retire by 55' People Are Doing But some of them have done, and are doing, some smart things financially to help make retiring by 55 at least possible, if not guaranteed. "They're much less likely to have high student debt," Varas said. Also, "they spend less on housing and utilities as a percentage of their spending" compared to groups aspiring to retire at older ages, she added.
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In the Hearts & Wallet survey, just 13% of the "Aspire to Retire by 55" respondents have $50,000 or more in student loans compared to 29% of all breadwinners under 55 and not yet retired. And while those under 55 and working, overall, spend 44% on housing and utilities, the Aspire to Retire by 55 spend 39% on those.
But "Friends Talk Money" co-host Pam Krueger, co-host of Money Track on public television and founder of www. Wealthramp.com, questioned what she called "the math" part of aspiring to retire by 55. "By fifty-five, in order to coast off of everything for the rest of your life, assuming you want to live on something like sixty thousand dollars a year, you're still going to have to have saved by that time anywhere from a million or a million and a half dollars to six million dollars in order to not risk running out of money," Krueger said. "It's a lot of money to aim for." But, she added, it's great if people under 55 get "fired up" about saving and investing earlier for this goal.
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Has the Pandemic Extinguised the FIRE Money Movement? Members of the FIRE movement are all about saving and investing intensively and diligently so they can retire by — if not 55 — then before the traditional retirement age of 65. You might think the pandemic has doused the FIRE movement, but that's not the case, according to Ted Carr. He hosts a podcast and a blog called Later2Fire and lives near Phoenix with his wife; both are in their early 60s and are retired. His focus is people who joined the FIRE movement in their 50s or early 60s. When I asked him if COVID-19 had extinguished the FIRE movement, he said: "I don't see a lot of action on social media where people are throwing in the towel." But, he added, the early days of the pandemic were "a wake-up call" for some young people in the FIRE movement because the stock market crashed and some people lost their jobs. "Anyone who was thinking they were going to retire in their thirties or forties probably had a rude awakening," Carr said. "The ones who struggled the most are those in the "lean FIRE movement." Those are millennials who planned to live extremely frugally and save about $40,000 a year. "Unfortunately, economic disruptions tend to affect people that are in the lower end of the earning spectrum harder than people on the upper end," Carr noted. "Those folks, I think, probably have had the biggest challenge in coming to terms with their plans being disrupted." My other "Friends Talk Money" podcast co-host, Terry Savage (a syndicated personal finance columnist and author of "The Savage Truth on Money"), had doubts about whether retiring by 55 or 60 is realistic these days. But, she said, "what I love about [the The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
FIRE movement] is it forces people to start thinking at an earlier age about the tradeoffs between spending now versus not having to work in the future." The 'Life's Too Short' Mentality About When to Retire About 12% of the boomers MetLife surveyed said the pandemic has accelerated when they'll retire. The reason given by roughly a third of them, said Roberta Rafaloff, vice president for institutional income annuities at MetLife, "Life's too short." That sounds like a viewpoint of people who've seen far too many people die from the coronavirus. Rafaloff said these boomers told MetLife: "I need to enjoy my retirement as soon as I possibly can because you never know how short a life might be." Savage responded on the podcast: "I think the pandemic has made all of us feel mortal." Krueger said she's heard many people in their 50s and early 60s say they want to retire earlier than they'd planned because they hate their jobs and they're burned out. She said they tell her: "Everyday I go to work it's hurting my spirit." So, they're determined to find a way to retire early, even if that means working part-time in retirement. One way to get realistic about a retirement date, Savage said, is to get an estimate on how long you might live. That way you'll be able to sketch out how long your money will need to last. Life Expectancy and Social Security Claiming She recommends the Life Expectancy Calculator at the www.Livingto100. com site, created by Dr. Thomas Perls, founding director of the New England Centenarian Study. You put in information about your family's longevity, your health and your habits
and get an estimate of your own mortality. (Savage's life expectancy: 98.) Another helpful tech tool: the new app at www.retirable.com. It's a personalized digital plan for pre-retirees. You can get a free, basic financial assessment or pay $99 a year for a financial plan with advice from Certified Financial Planners. One way to boost your financial security in retirement, Savage said, is to delay claiming Social Security until at least your Full Retirement Age (between 66 and 67 these days) and even until 70, if possible. That's because Social Security increases the size of your checks by 8% a year for every year you delay starting to claim benefits between your Full Retirement Age and age 70. One more tip, which I offered on the podcast: Starting this fall, employers with 401(k) retirement plans will be required to tell their employees how much the money they've saved in them would mean in monthly income depending on when they retire. I think those lifetime income figures may surprise some people who expect their 401(k) savings will deliver more money in retirement than it really will. It might make some people decide they'll need to retire later than planned, cut expenses more than they'd planned, or keep working part-time in retirement. Already, according to the new Principal Retirement Security Survey, only 46% of workers said they're confident about having enough money saved to live comfortably in retirement (down from 54% in early 2020). So, that idea of aspiring to retire by 55? Aspire does seem like the right word. Richard Eisenberg is the Senior Web Editor of the Money & Security and Work & Purpose channels of Next Avenue and Managing Editor for the site. He is the author of How to Avoid a Mid-Life Financial Crisis.
Source: www.nextavenue.org
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Smart Health - Nature's Way - Tracy Bhalla
Spring Harvest This is a magical time of year on our property. Five acres of mixed areas of vegetation, some wooded, some wild, long grasses, shrubs and brambles, some grassed lawn and, of course, some horse paddocks. This time of year though is when all the wild flowers are out and the spring buds are on the trees. We have trees that are covered in white blossom, pale and bright pink blossom, purple blossom, and white and pink blossom. It truly is just beautiful! Then down below we have a carpet of color. Dandelions of course (Taraxacum officinale), giving their bright sunny morning glow. Chickweed (Stellaria Media) with its tiny starshaped white flowers in abundance. The amazingly pretty and aptly named, Spring Beauty (Claytonia caroliniana) with its 5 dainty white petals with faint link lines and its pink stamen (I’m wondering if we’ll get any pink honey from these ). Then there’s the Wild Thyme (Thymus x serpyllum) with its pinkish purple heads of flowers, which the bumble bees love. The gorgeous deep royal purple of the Wild Violets (Viola sororia) has to be a firm favorite of mine, and there’s another tiny little blue flower that I have yet to identify. Finally, there’s the Lesser Celandine, (Ranunculus figaria), yellow as a buttercup.
🙂
from harvesting. Wild violet flowers are edible, as are young dandelion leaves, chickweed leaves and lesser celandine leaves – you’ve got yourself a wild salad right there! The only one of the above that I have not seen referenced as either edible or a homeopathic remedy is the Spring Beauty.
of success, though this has a little more targeted purpose. It is great for treating piles, boils or any other similar bulbous or tumor-like aberrations. It can be used as an infusion (like a tea) or as an ointment or salve for this purpose, with over two hundred years of documented evidence to its success.
Last year I harvested some of our own Chickweed, dehydrated it (in a small dehydrator – you can do it in the oven on low, or on a tray in the window, but a dehydrator tends to do it more uniformly,) then infused it in Extra Virgin Olive Oil for 6 weeks. After this, I strained out the plant matter from the now infused oil and made a salve with it – beeswax and the infused oil melted together. At this point you can add essential oils if you wish; I did do a batch with German Chamomile added as it is super skin soothing and that is the whole purpose of this salve – it helps with any skin irritation, be it sunburn, eczema, bug bite, wounds taking too long to heal on their own, pretty much any skin issue.
This year I am harvesting Wild Violets for the first time:
It was so successful that this year I am making a much bigger batch. Here is the dehydrated plant matter being infused in one of two large jars of olive oil:
I should point out at this point that when I say “carpet” I really mean a carpet – all our grassed areas are COVERD in these flowers, and it looks AMAZING! We definitely did not have this many in years past and I do not know for sure whether it is due to the weather we had this past year (4 actual distinct seasons) or if it is due to the honeybees that we got last April. My money is on the bees, but time will tell. Many of these plants have medicinal uses and many you can eat parts of directly
This is the bowl full that I harvested this morning. Now to rinse and dry them,
separate the leaves from the flowers this time as they can have different uses. Then go through the same process of dehydrating. I shall save some of the dried leaves and flowers for making herbal tea – good for sore throats and for lowering cholesterol and blood thinning. The rest I shall infuse in olive oil, as described before, and make a salve to use for scrapes and bruises, arthritis, and joint pain. So much that you can do with a few wildflowers!
I also made a salve with infused Lesser Celandine last year, with equal amounts
email: nyrbhalla@gmail.com web: us.nyrorganic.com/shop/tracybhalla www. LogHouseAromatics.com
Tracy Bhalla, independent consultant with NYR Organics and founder of LogHouseAromatics.com; after 25 years of using homeopathic remedies, it was time to take charge and complete my Aromatherapy Certification, which I achieved April 2020 and since founded LogHouseAromatics.com as a source for useful essential oil and RiverRegionBoom.com May 2021 BOOM! general natural health information and a place to purchase certain products. email: nyrbhalla@gmail.com I am here to answer anyRegion’s questions you may have. The River 50+ Lifestage Magazine 56
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By Greg Budell
The Mayor of BOOMTOWN
TAKE ME OUT TO THE BOYCOTT "A true story from the Greg files"
I was born in Chicago, a city of great climate extremes. In 1976, we endured a prolonged, hellish drought. Temperatures frequently exceeded 100 that summer. Seven years later we woke up on Christmas morning to minus 25, with 82 degree below zero wind chills. That’s a near 200-degree differential! In the summer of 1992, Chicago only breached the 90-degree barrier TWICE, in early May and August. I remember watching 4th of July fireworks wearing a heavy sweater. That’s the way it can be in the Windy City. In reality, to those who grew up in the Second City there were just 2 seasonsbaseball and no baseball. We had 2 teams- the hapless Cubs and wildly inconsistent White Sox. There was no city ordinance limiting to you to rooting for only one of them, but it may as well have been a law. The rivalry was very much like our War Eagle-Roll Tide (the greatest in all sports). One or the other- you can’t be both. And that’s OK. I spent the first 27 years of my life growing up in that two-season rhythm. The New Year began on Opening Day as trees were budding and flowers began poking up through the ground. Six
made their predictions and opening day arrived. Games that count were played. Life had resumed. Then came Georgia. The Commissioner of baseball, one Rob Manfred, politicized the sport by announcing that he was pulling the "Take me out to the ballpark, No More!" 2021 All-Star game out of Atlanta because he did not like months later at the season’s conclusion, Georgia’s new voter integrity law. the leaves were bright with color before burning out for the winter. I don’t think he read it. Political forces wanted to punish Georgia for having the Each season was built on a day-by-day audacity to require an ID to vote, so he thread of bright spots and bummers. caved in. When one ended in failure, there was the immediate hope of “wait ‘til next On the way home to write this column, year”. I stopped at a store to buy a pack of cigarettes. ID was required. Now I’ve That 2-season rhythm never ceased as I done all I can to maintain a youthful learned moving from Chicago to Miami look, but nobody will confuse me with in 1979. It continues today. Opening day a 21-year-old. It’s store policy and I launches my new year. complied. Big deal. Thanks to the virus, Opening Day didn’t Identification is a requirement in our occur until July 23rd last year. It was lives. Considering the blood and treasure great to have baseball back, but the expended throughout American history bizarre, truncated season played before to preserve our freedom- and free the cardboard fans was just not the same. oppressed here and abroad- IMHO it’s not too much to ask that any vote be Thanks to vaccines and a growing validated by ID. realization that lock- downs don’t work (see California, New York, Michigan et I voted absentee in 2020, which required al), the 2021 season and spring training paperwork AND a copy of my driver’s run-up began on time. license. It took 30 seconds to comply. We all know the drill. Cashing a check, The “experts” (no such thing, really)
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getting on a plane, getting a vaccine shot- ALL require photo ID. However, politicians including the president- who can ruin anything- decided Georgia’s law was somehow unfair and demanded the All-Star game be removed from Atlanta. Manfred, a sniveling coward, acquiesced to these powerful forces and announced on Day 2 of the season the game would be moved to Denver. My baseball season ended with his announcement. While done to ostensibly punish political foes in Georgia, what baseball did was yank the rug out from a city that has waited 3 years to host the event. Hundreds of businesses will be hurt by this intemperate decision. Sports in general have decided to cross a line and descend a slippery slope. They’re paying for it, too. The NBA has seen its TV ratings decline by almost HALF since 2012. This year’s Super Bowl, following an NFL season of weak ratings in “sports starved America”, barely cracked 90 million viewers. It may have been far less than that had Tom Brady (a throwback kind of guy) not been going for a record.
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A stadium or concert hall should be a sanctuary, an escape from the onslaught of ever-growing disparities in political opinions. Work a hard day, go have some fun! Not anymore. For now, I’ll still catch a couple of Montgomery Biscuit games this year. Those guys are getting paid lunch money while trying to earn their shot at the show. I’m following my friend’s kid and his T-ball team. That’s still fun. I haven’t completely ignored the MLB season in progress. It’s just not the same. I don’t care like I used to care. Atlanta’s Braves have gotten off to a rocky start. No sportswriter would have the guts to say it but I will. Yanking the All-Star game from their city had to stun the team. Players love it when the game is played in their town. I will not be watching the game in Denver this year and I haven’t missed an All-Star game since I was a kid! Seriously! As we’re exiting one pandemic there’s another sweeping the country- politics. It is infecting parts of our world it has no business invading. Sports. Entertainment. Almost daily we’re “treated” to the genius opinion of an athlete whose enormous bank account protects him or her from the consequences of what they think we should believe, and how we should live.
I’d once considered going to the All-Star game this year. You know what? To pick up tickets at Truist Park, MLB requires- A PHOTO ID! Attica! Opression! My rights! Sorry, baseball. This time you really struck out. (If you have a comment on this column, email me at gregbudell@aol.com. It's still fun to hear from new people!)
Greg Budell lives in Montgomery with his wife,Roz, Stepson, Sho, and dogs Hershey and Briscoe. He’s been in radio since 1970, and has marked 16 years in the River Region. He hosts the Newstalk 93.1FM Morning Show with Rich Thomas, Jay Scott & Jessie Lynn, 6-9 AM Monday-Friday. He returns weekday afternoons from 3-6 PM for Happy Hour with sidekick Rosie Brock. Greg can be reached at gregbudell@aol.com.
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“I Need a Change of Scenery” At some point we have all probably said to ourselves “I need a change of scenery”. This usually means we need to take a vacation, fly somewhere far away for a few days, go visit a good friend in a distant city, or maybe move to a different part of town. In June of 1970 when Lacy Edwards decided he needed a change of scenery, he was far more serious than most. Lacy’s story I grew up in and around Montgomery. I was attending Goodwyn Jr High School when my family moved to Wetumpka where I then attended high school.
thoughts about leaving or especially going to California. My desire to leave was so great that I had trouble sleeping. After a few minutes, that desire turned into determination. At 3:00 a.m. I got up and started to make a list of everything I would have to do
Lacy in Berkeley, CA in 1973
In 1970, I was working nights as a computer operator for Union Bank and attending college at AUM. I usually got off work around 1:00 or 2:00 a.m., slept for a few hours, and was still able to attend school during the day.
next day, Thursday, I sold my car and gave away everything that was not in my backpack. On Friday, I quit my job, said goodbye to my friends and family, tied my backpack and sleeping bag on my motorcycle, and left for California. That was fifty years ago, and I have never looked back.
Lacy under the Golden Gate Bridge in 1971
I came from a large family and still have several family members in the Montgomery area. Over the years I returned every year or two and for visits and special occasions. Although I have lived my entire adult life in the San Francisco Bay Area, my four daughters were born and still live there and I consider it home, I have always had strong feelings for and a deep connection to Alabama. And yes, my favorite song is “Sweet Home Alabama”! Starting a new life When I got to California, I settled in San Francisco and enrolled at California State University. After graduation I accepted a job in the computer industry just as software was emerging and separating from the computer hardware business. That was also the time when Silicon Valley was starting to explode and opportunities were plentiful for those willing to work hard, take risks, and believe in the promise that technology was going to change the
On a Wednesday night in June of that year, after getting home from work, I was Captain Lacy, who holds a multi engine pilots license as well as a US Coast Guard Captains license, struck with an directing traffic at the Marina in Sausalito, CA overpowering urge to leave Alabama and go to California. before leaving. Being only 21 years old world. This was not a persistent dream or and unattached, the list was fairly short. something I had ever considered. When I wrote down what I would take with me I spent the first several years of my I had woken up that morning, I had no and started packing my backpack. The career with three companies, each
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smaller than the previous one, always seeking opportunities for more responsibility and growth. In 1986 I joined a small start-up as Vice President of Sales. Two years later I was promoted to CEO. We started that company on a shoestring budget, raised some venture capital to accelerate growth, and by 1991 we had 300 employees with annual sales of almost $50 million when we sold the company to our largest competitor. Over the next three decades I started three more companies and joined a couple of turn-around opportunities, one of which I took public then sold to IBM for almost $200 million. What made you decide to write a book? After reaching the stage in my life when I had the opportunity to pause and look around, I asked myself How did I end up here? and What have I learned along the way? This book is a result of my attempts at answering those questions. Takeaways is a compilation of lessons learned, aimed at sharing them with those who are interested and may benefit. Like most lessons in life, learning them on your own through experience is the most effective, but unfortunately also the most time consuming and costly. By sharing my Takeaways with some
Lacy was recognized as CEO of the Year by Insider Magazine, awarded Entrepreneur of the year by the Harvard Business School Club and as CEO, twice placed companies in the Inc 500. He has lectured at over 100 colleges and universities on entrepreneurship and served as Executive in Residence for the academic year 2003-2004 at Auburn University.
Lacy & Parvin and his four daughters
examples, my hope is that the reader can relate and apply as appropriate to their situation. Lacy Edwards’ BIO Lacy Edwards has spent over 30 years as a Silicon Valley software industry CEO. He raised numerous rounds of public and private capital, managed several mergers and acquisitions, led a successful IPO, and has led companies through explosive growth as well as significant downsizing. Lacy served as a board member for a number of public and private companies and has mentored CEOs and business leaders.
Today Lacy is an active public speaker on entrepreneurship and leadership, a management and business strategy consultant, an investment advisor, and the Managing Partner in a private equity firm. “Takeaways” “101 Lessons from 30 Years as a Silicon Valley CEO” is available from Lacy’s websites takeaways101.com and lacyedwards. net. All copies ordered from either of these websites will be autographed. It is also available from most online retailers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Booktopia, etc. in North America and at Waterstones.com in the UK for European and International deliveries.
As an entrepreneur, Lacy started or helped start companies from ground zero to hundreds of employees, was hired to turn around stalled companies, built worldwide distribution networks, and served as a Limited Partner for a number of venture capital firms and private equity funds where he evaluated hundreds of business plans. Lacy and his wife Parvin
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