BOOM! April 2023

Publisher/Editor

Jim Watson 334.324.3472 cell/text jim@riverregionboom.com

Contributing Writers

Jeff Barganier

Tracy Bhalla

Greg Budell

Kerri Fivecoat-Campbell

Kym Klass

Larry McCall

Anne Elizabeth McGowin

Susan Moore

Dr. Blake Raggio

Edd and Cynthia Staton

Beverly Thomas

Nick Thomas

Cover Photography

Photography by DiAnna Paulk photographybydiannapaulk.com

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Jim Watson, 334.324.3472 jim@riverregionboom.com

Happy Easter!

Many of you will be celebrating Easter this month, the day Christians recognize the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Son of God. In His resurrection, Jesus defeated death once and for all for those who believe in Him. As we age, death seems to be an ever-present reminder of our mortality. That we too have an expiration date. But when Jesus defeated death, He did so as Lord and Savior for all of us who trust in Him. His promise of Eternal Life is a daily and peaceful reminder to me as I age because as scripture tells us, “Death has been swallowed up in victory”, thanks be to God.

This month’s cover profile is Kym Klass. Many of you know Kym from when she was a journalist at the Montgomery Advertiser for many years. Her features and columns made a difference to our community because they made us think about the challenges of many of our neighbors, who we are called to love like ourselves. Kym has a new position as the Director of Communications for Frazer Church. She says it comes with unique challenges, but her faith perspective has been renewed and refreshed because she shares the common purpose of the Frazer staff to bring people closer to Christ. Her story has much to appreciate, and I hope you enjoy getting to know her as much as I have.

We have many more stories to share, including the legacy of a long-lasting marriage. A rare thing in our contemporary society, probably why it’s valued more and more. There seems to be a resurgence in multigenerational living, especially when dealing with the challenges of widowhood and other age-related circumstances. Probably worth considering for many families. Our friend Greg Budell gives his take on what many of us dread, medical tests! As usual Greg has a unique spin on his experiences with tests.

Jeff Barganier takes us on a tour of The Battle House Hotel & Spa in Mobile, it’s quite a historical adventure, you history buffs will appreciate for sure. Another story is about a group of 11 strangers that came together 50 years ago in England to take on the adventure of traveling the world in a double-decker bus. They traveled 40,000 miles and gained a lifetime experience for sure!

There’s plenty more to read and share with your friends but don’t forget to try to complete the BOOM! Word Search for a chance to win $50 BOOM Bucks! Congratulations to Phyllis Fenn, last month’s winner!

We have a couple of new advertisers I want to mention because their services are unique. First, attorney, Anne Elizabeth McGowin and her team at Senior Law Solutions (page 23) provides help in Life Care Planning which is especially important when dealing with aging and legal issues in your family. They are a Godsend for many and well worth your consideration. Carl Schmidt, Naturopathic Doctor at the Herb Shop Wellness Center (page 33) describes the many conditions he can help folks with through a variety of tests and analysis he conducts to get at the heart of your issues. A professional with a natural way to help you age well. I appreciate you considering all of our advertisers when spending your money, and they would appreciate the opportunity to serve you, thanks for your consideration.

Thanks for sharing BOOM! with friends and family, I appreciate it.

Age well my friends. Happy Easter!

jim@riverregionboom.com

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.

Jim Watson, Publisher jim@riverregionboom.com

Botox for the Boomer

In last month’s article, we discussed the anatomy of facial aging. Today, we will explore one of the many solutions available to help reverse and/ or prevent signs of aging. Join me as I discuss the nuances of perhaps the most popular anti-aging procedure available today, botulinum toxin, or more commonly referred to as “Botox.”

What exactly is botulinum toxin?

Botulinum toxin, commonly referred to as “Botox” or “toxin” for short, represents a powerful neuromodulator derived from a toxin purified from a bacterium, Clostridium botulinum. To clarify, one should know there exists several tradenames of botulinum toxin, five of which are currently available in the United States and FDA-approved for cosmetic use. They include, Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, Jeuveau, and Daxxify. For the remainder of the article, we will use the term toxin or neuromodulators to refer to any of the above botulinum toxin preparations.

How does toxin work?

As mentioned above, toxin is a neuromodulator that works by blocking the nerve signals needed for muscles to contract. When injected using precise amounts into targeted muscles of the face, toxin can be safely used to soften wrinkles by relaxing the muscles whose repetitive movement is associated with deep lines or wrinkles (e.g., smiling, frowning, surprised, grimace).

What areas of the face can be treated with toxin?

Botulinum toxin can be used to soften lines and wrinkles on several different areas of the face, including the more commonly addressed forehead, eye area (crow’s feet), and “bunny lines” on the nose. A more experienced injector may also discuss the

roles of toxin to soften chin dimpling, treat a “gummy smile,” turn up the corners of the mouth, increase lip “pout,” improve the contour of the neck (Nefertiti lift), soften neckbanding (playstma injections), slim the jawline (masseter injections), rotate the tip of the nose, or improve the overall appearance and texture of the skin by injecting hyper-dilute concentrations of toxin (mesobotox). NOTE: some of these treatments may be considered off-label, so please consult with a credentialed and reputable physician when creating a treatment plan.

What does a toxin treatment feel like?

For most people, toxin injections are a very quick in-office procedure with minimal discomfort (often described as a “pinch”). Even better, there is virtually no downtime associated with toxin injections. In fact, many patients come for their treatment during their lunchbreaks and can return to work immediately after their appointment. Also, try to find an injector who offers other ancillary measures to maximize your comfort, which may include vibration devices, ice, or topical anesthesia.

How soon will I see results, and how long does it last?

Generally, it takes 7 days to see the full effects of toxin. The results typically last between 3-5 months, depending on a variety of factors including injection technique, dosing concentration, age, metabolism, and physical activity level. Repeated “maintenance” injections every 3-4 months help patients maintain their results for a longer period, sometimes requiring less amount of product during subsequent visits as the muscles

progressively weaken or atrophy.

Is toxin safe? What are the side effects?

The various FDA-approved botulinum toxin preparations for cosmetic use have an extremely high safety profile with minimal and temporary side effects including bruising, swelling, redness, or tenderness to the injection site. You should know, however, that some contraindications exist, including if you have certain neurological diseases or are taking antibiotics. It is also recommended to avoid treatment within 2 weeks of being sick, having dental work, or receiving a vaccine. Overall, neuromodulators such as Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin represent a safe and powerful tool to prevent and treat the signs of aging.

When should I start getting toxin? What do I need to do?

While some may worry that they are either “too young” or “too old” to receive toxin, there is no right or wrong age to begin treatments. Simply put, if you have wrinkles that you’d like to soften or eliminate, toxin may be right for you. The first step involves finding a reputable, credentialed, and experienced injector with intimate knowledge of facial anatomy who can offer you a customized treatment plan based on your aesthetic goals.

Lastly, choose a surgeon whom you trust. There are few things more important than the relationship you have with your doctor.

In Good Health,

Dr. Blake Raggio Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon www.RaggioMD.com info@raggiomd.com

Gogue Center presents inaugural Alabama Artists Festival, April 29

Award-winning Alabama musicians take center stage for free, all-day concert

The Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center at Auburn University presents the first-ever Alabama Artists Festival, a free, daylong outdoor concert featuring an eclectic mix of some of Alabama’s finest and most-celebrated musicians, Saturday, April 29 at the Bill and Carol Ham Amphitheatre. The festival will feature performances by Grammy Award winners Blind Boys of Alabama and John Paul White, pop phenom Elley Duhé and contemporary jazz great Eric Essix.

The Alabama Artists Festival marks the Blind Boys’ first Gogue Center appearance and is the quintet’s first concert in Auburn. White, Duhé and Essix have each performed at the Gogue Center before as headliners for the center’s GPAC LIVE: Alabama Artists Series, a showcase of musicians representing diverse genres and geographic areas of the state, in Fall 2020.

Amphitheatre gates open at 2 p.m., with performances scheduled throughout the day. Auburn University’s studentoperated radio station, WEGL (91.1 FM), will broadcast live from the festival in between sets. All amphitheatre seating for the festival is general admission. Patrons are welcome to bring blankets, soft seat cushions and folding chairs. For concessions, several local and regional food trucks will be on-site for the duration of the day.

Festival admission is free with registration. Patrons can register online at www.aub.ie/ al-artists-fest or by contacting the Gogue Center box office by telephone at 334.844. TIXS (8497) or via email at gpactickets@ auburn.edu. Patrons can also register inperson at the Gogue Center, located at 910

South College Street in Auburn, Alabama, Tuesday through Friday, 1–4 p.m.

Additional information on the Alabama Artists Festival and other 2022–23 season programming is available online at www.goguecenter.auburn.edu

ALABAMA ARTISTS FESTIVAL LINEUP

Eric Essix

Mainstage performance scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Growing up in Birmingham, Alabama, Eric Essix played for years in quartet gospel groups and can trace his passion for contemporary jazz to his late teens, when he saw Jaco Pastorius and Weather Report perform. Since launching his own indie label, Essential Recordings, in 2002, Essix has scored numerous radio hits, starting with “Sweet Tea” from 2004’s “Somewhere in Alabama” and continuing with “Shuttlesworth Drive,” a musical tribute to the great civil rights pioneer Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth. To date, Essix has released 28 albums, including his most recent, “STRiDE.” Essix was the headlining artist for the Gogue Center’s GPAC LIVE: Alabama Artists Series in December 2020.

Elley Duhé

Mainstage performance scheduled for 4 p.m. Born near Mobile, Alabama, Elley Duhé’s formative years were spent surrounded by working musicians in the New Orleans scene. By 14, she was writing her own songs, and after seizing every opportunity she could, Duhé came to the attention of RCA. In 2016, she dropped her debut single, “Millennium,” precipitating a long run of smash singles and her EP, “Dragon Mentality.” She has racked up millions of streams, played Coachella and Lollapalooza, recorded with the likes of

Gryffin and Zedd, and formed an unbreakable bond with her legions of fans. Duhé was the headlining artist for the Gogue Center’s GPAC LIVE: Alabama Artists Series in November 2020.

John Paul White

Mainstage performance scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Now living in Florence, Alabama, not far from Muscle Shoals, John Paul White cultivated his career in Nashville for two decades, first as a songwriter for a major publisher, then as half of The Civil Wars—a groundbreaking duo that won four Grammy Awards before disbanding in 2014. White has since released two more solo albums, “Beulah” (2016) and “The Hurting Kind” (2019), and is the co-owner of Single Lock Records, a Florence-based record label he co-founded with Will Trapp and the Alabama Shakes’ Ben Tanner. White was the headlining artist for the Gogue Center’s GPAC LIVE: Alabama Artists Series in October 2020.

Blind Boys of Alabama

Mainstage performance scheduled for 7 p.m. The Blind Boys of Alabama are without a doubt a pillar of American music. A group of blind, African American singers, they helped to define 20th-century gospel traditions as well as create a new gospel sound for the 21st. Beginning their epic career in the midst of the Jim Crow era, the Blind Boys are the recipients of five Grammy Awards and a Lifetime Achievement Grammy, have performed at the White House for three different presidents and collaborated with an array of music legends including Willie Nelson, Mavis Staples, Allen Toussaint and Peter Gabriel.

The Gogue Center’s Alabama Artists Festival is made possible with support from the Daniel Foundation of Alabama and the National Endowment for the Arts

Eric Essix Elley Duhé

John Paul White

Blind Boys of Alabama

In Memoriam

James Winfrey Wilson III, an Alabama business titan, philanthropist, civic leader, beloved husband, adored father, grandfather and friend, died in his home after a brief illness on March 11 in Montgomery, Alabama. He was 59.

Jim was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Jim Wilson & Associates (JWA), a Montgomery-based real estate and investment firm with a farreaching presence across the United States. Jim, along with his brother, Will, successfully expanded JWA and built upon the legacy of the firm’s founder and their father, Jim Wilson Jr.

JWA developed several notable real estate projects including: Riverchase Galleria in Birmingham; the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge; EastChase, a 330-acre development that transformed the real estate market in Montgomery; and Redstone Gateway, a 470-acre business park adjacent to the US Army Post Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville. The firm also invested in start-ups and established operating companies, including A&W Enterprises and 42 Equity. In addition, JWA created two residential communities in Montgomery – Wynlakes, a 1,000-acre golf course community, and New Park, a 1,000-acre mixed-use development.

Jim served on the Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama system where he was Chair of the Athletics Committee, and as President of the University of Alabama Birmingham Hospital Authority.

A native of Montgomery, Jim was born on June 14, 1963, to Wynona and James Wilson Jr. He graduated from the Montgomery Academy and earned a degree in business administration at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa,

where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.

After graduating from the University of Alabama in 1985, Jim moved to New York City where he worked in commercial real estate at Manufacturers Hanover and met his wife, Susie Forst. Susie and Jim were married on September 26, 1987, in Rye, New York.

A few months after their wedding, Jim went to work for his father at JWA. In 1989, Susie and Jim welcomed their first child, Lillian, and two years later, their second daughter, Wesley. Those who knew Jim knew that his family was truly the love and center of his life.

Jim was a dynamic leader and an impactful philanthropist. He used his time and resources to make life better for

so many. In addition to the Alabama Board of Trustees and UAB Health System Board, Jim was the President of Wynlakes Golf and Country Club; and he served on the boards of the American Liver Foundation of Alabama, the Bryant-Jordan Student Athletic Program, the American Sports Medicine Institute, the Business Council of Alabama, the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra, Baptist Hospital, Boy Scouts of America, First Baptist Church Foundation, Metro YMCA, Tukabatchee Area Council, the Montgomery Council on Aging, the Jackson Hospital Foundation, and as a member of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama. Jim also supported MANE, an organization that provides life-changing therapeutic horseback riding opportunities to children and adults in the River Region, where Susie is a board member.

Jim will be remembered for his unrivaled charisma, unfiltered humor and unfettered love for his family and friends. Jim was kind, fun, boisterous, and just like his father, an expert in the art of celebration. If you were with Jim Wilson III, you were having a great time.

He was preceded in death by his father, James W. Wilson Jr. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Susie; two daughters, Lillian Pascale and Wesley Clingman; mother, Wynona Wilson; siblings, Elizabeth Hunter (Eric), Winston Reese (Gene) and Will Wilson (Kelly); sons in law, Matthew V. Pascale and James F. Clingman IV; and five grandchildren, JW and Nate Pascale, and Lucy, Wyn and Fully Clingman.

Please donate to MANE in Jim’s memory. Go to the MANE’s website www.maneweb.org or send a check to: MANE, 3699 Wallahatchie Road, Pike Road, AL 36064

James Winfrey Wilson III June 14, 1963 – March 11, 2023

The Challenges of Aging & Life Care Planning

“Why didn’t we see this coming?” “I wish I had planned ahead” “Mom doesn’t want to move out of the area ”

“We didn’t realize Dad needed help with these things” “I can see where this is headed”

“We need to get all of the family together to discuss how we are going to handle this...!"

We all age and hopefully we have planned ahead to meet future needs, but often the “future” arrives more quickly than expected. Whether brought on by a fall, an accident or an unexpected health issue, often times we find ourselves or our loved ones handling more than we/they can juggle. Practical problems arise daily in the aging process that if ignored may lead to serious problems, ie. forgetting to turn off the stove, failing to discard old food from the refrigerator, skipping medications, or, snacking but not getting a good healthy meal daily.

While aging may be expected and is a completely normal process, financial and legal plans need to be made. Some of the issues that may arise and need addressing are: Who will make decisions regarding when to move or when to sell the home? Who will be assisting with the payment of monthly bills? How does a power of attorney help us? How does an advanced directive (living will) work? Who will look out for my best interest? What are the best ways to pay for increasing health care costs? What are the best ways to give property, (i.e. money, house(s), jewelry, personal property, etc.) during my life and upon my death?

Law firms that specialize in Life Care Planning offer a wide range of services that are intentionally designed to assist families or individuals plan for these life-altering, unforeseen, unanticipated challenges as well as to assist healthy families to plan for the future. Often financial and legal plans will be impacted by having concerns that include placement assistance such as living facilities or hiring in-home care. In addition to these areas of the law, Life Care Planning Law Firms have health care professionals on the team as well. Acting as an advocate for an affected person and assisting families in navigating the health care maze will offer peace of mind when complicated decisions and plans are necessary.

Senior Law Solutions, LLC is a Life Care Planning Firm located in Montgomery with the goal of assisting unique situation that families or individuals may face, as well as helping healthy families to plan for the future. Anne Elizabeth McGowin and Senior Law Solutions, LLC are members of the Life Care Planning Law Firms Association.

Alabama State Bar requires the following: No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers. Responsible Attorney: Anne Elizabeth McGowin.”

Anne Elizabeth McGowin

Hot Cross Buns

Homemade hot cross buns that are so soft, fluffy + slightly sweet. An absolute must for Easter.

Ingredients:

1 cup raisins

1 cup orange juice

3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons orange zest

1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon kosher salt

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

¾ cup whole milk, 105-110 degrees F

2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast

½ cup plus 1 teaspoon brown sugar, divided

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temp

1 teaspoon vanilla extra

2 large eggs, at room temperature for the cross

½ cup all-purpose flour

6 tablespoons water

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Instructions:

1. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine raisins and orange juice until warmed, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; let stand 10 minutes. Drain the raisins from the orange juice, discarding the orange juice; set aside.

2. In a large bowl, combine flour, orange zest, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg; set aside.

3. Combine milk, yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in a small bowl; let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes.

4. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat butter and remaining 1/2 cup sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in eggs and raisins until well combined.

5. Using the dough hook, add flour mixture and yeast mixture until a soft, smooth ball of dough is formed. The dough should feel elastic and slightly tacky to the touch. Increase speed to medium-high and beat for 3-5 minutes.

6. Lightly oil a large bowl or coat with nonstick spray; place dough in bowl, turning to coat. Cover with a clean dishtowel and let stand in a warm spot until dough has doubled in size, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

7. Gently deflate dough by punching down. Roll into a 15inch rope; cut into 15 1-inch pieces, pressing each piece into a disk, then shaping into a ball.

8. Lightly oil a 9×13 baking dish or coat with nonstick spray. Place dough balls into the prepared baking dish. Cover with a clean dishtowel and let stand in a warm spot until dough has doubled in size, about 30-45 minutes.

for the cross

1. In a small bowl, whisk together flour and water until a smooth paste is formed. Transfer to a Ziploc bag, making a small cut in the corner of the bag. Pipe mixture over each dough ball, creating a thick cross.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place into oven and bake until golden brown, about 22-25 minutes; brush tops with melted butter.

3. Serve warm.

Source: https://damndelicious.net/2023/03/10/hot-cross-buns/

MGM

Montgomery Regional Airport New Passenger Boarding Bridges

The Montgomery Regional Airport (MGM) offers an impressive passenger experience as it unveils its newest $6 million improvement, including the Passenger Boarding Bridges and Terminal Ramp Expansion Projects.

The A-Bridge-installed bridges allow passengers to board and deplane easily and comfortably in new state-of-theart telescoping boarding bridges. The bridges were purchased from TK-E and boost boarding efficiency, convenience and safety. The Terminal Ramp Expansion project offers convenient access to the ramp providing easy access for large aircrafts and future growth.

"Passenger boarding bridges are the passengers' first and last impressions of the Montgomery Airport experience. These upgrades ensure passengers have a stress-free experience when arriving at MGM, including a comfortable and seamless boarding experience," said Wade A. Davis, Executive Director of Montgomery Regional Airport. "In addition, from the airline perspective, the new ramp expansion and passenger board bridges will increase efficiency and reduce wait times."

Upon approval, the Montgomery Airport Authority began replacing two of the four existing bridges to enhance the passenger experience. The cutting-edge design of the new bridges will allow for greater mobility access and enhanced camera safety features for operations, while the sleek contemporary design will be visually appealing.

The current passenger boarding bridges feature common narrow walkways, and although these are functional, the bridges are being replaced due to age and wear. The estimated completion date for this project's final phase is May 2023. www.flymgm.com

Life-Changing Experience

A group of friends who took a doubledecker bus 40,000 miles around the world have reunited after 50 years.

The 11 men and women were just strangers when they answered an advert to travel across the globe in the iconic vehicle. They took the bus that was named “Sir George White Special,”—after the aviation pioneer— from Bristol in England to Canada, North America, Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.

Braving “blistering” desert heat and bonechilling cold in the prairies, the group spent 22 months aboard their less-than-50 mph bus.

The group traveled thousands of miles and worked along the way, picking fruit, planting lily bulbs, cleaning restaurants, selling British goods, and working as chauffeurs.

They had to navigate tricky routes and mountains and because the bus was too high for U.S. roads, sometimes damaging bridges and overhead wires.

The 11-person team of strangers aged between 19 and 34 took the bus on its journey between 1970 and 1972. Now, five of them—Mike Conway, Sally Rich, Bernice Poole, David McLaughlin, and John Winter—have reunited in Bristol to mark the trip.

The event was to help launch a new book “Bus to Bust” by group member John Winter, now 79, a former journalist—who tagged along for nearly a year.

“It was an amazing journey, putting so many people together in such a confined space there were inevitably arguments,”

Winter said. “But it was unlike anything any of us had ever done. I stayed with the group for about a year.”

The bus was like the hero of the story, and they had totally torn out the upper floor to fit beds and living space. “It was actually very comfy, though sometimes very hot,” he said.

The idea of the bus first came to Roger Poole, who was a British trade union official and mediator, and his girlfriend and later wife, Bernice. The pair advertised the idea twice in the local paper, drawing in John who tagged along.

The group set off from Bristol to Montreal, Canada, in March 1970—with help from the bus’s namesake Sir George White. Sir George helped launch the bus with a bottle of West Country cider.

The group all had dedicated roles including a bus chef, four drivers, and several mechanics.

Arriving in Montreal aboard a cargo ship, the group traveled to Toronto and down the United States East Coast, visiting New York and then Texas before heading to Mexico City.

After Mexico, they headed to California for work and then braved winter in the Canadian prairies.

For the most part, the police were really good and sometimes escorted the group. However, when in California, they were stopped by a determined policeman who didn’t let them go.

“We had to take the bus off the road, but eventually were given permission to drive on by Ronald Reagan, who was Governor of California at the time,” Winter said. ”We met him briefly which was fun, though only for a moment.”

They went to Toronto and down the United States East Coast again, visiting the NASA rocket launch site at Cape Canaveral where some of the group members left and headed home.

The remainder continued—heading back to Mexico, through Central America, and into Peru.

David McLaughlin, the driver and mechanic of the bus, told the BBC: “Central and South America, the roads are entirely different and it was an adventure.

However, in Peru, the bus, sadly, was destroyed while attempting to cross the River Chira. They came across a low bridge that the double-decker could not get under. Instead, they floated the bus on the river using a special raft but as it drifted across it slid into the water.

Winter, who recounts the tale in his book, “Bus to Bust,” said: “The final stretch of the journey only had five or so members of the group left—and by the time the bus was lost in the River Chira there were just four left—Mike, Sally, Don, and Joan.”

The group attempted to pull the bus out of the water with metal cables but they just ended up destroying it.

Crew member Sally Rich, now Mears, told the BBC: “My heart sank when I saw the bus [go down]. … I knew it was the end of a journey of a lifetime.”

Source: www.epochtimes.com

(L to R) David McLaughlin, Mike Conway, Bernice Poole, John Winter, and Sally Mears.

2023 Montgomery Prayer Breakfast

The 2023 Montgomery Prayer Breakfast for the City and County of Montgomery is scheduled for Thursday, May 4 at 7 A.M. at the Alabama Activity Center, at 201 Dexter Avenue, in downtown Montgomery. His Vessel Ministries invites local citizens to join them on this day for a time of worship and prayer.

The prayer breakfast begins the local acknowledgment of the National Day of Prayer. The purpose of the prayer breakfast is to gather local Christians together to pray for all those in authority over the County and City of Montgomery. The Montgomery Prayer Breakfast invites pastors, church leaders, local ministries, and citizens of Montgomery to come together for worship and prayer for the goodness the community experiences.

A full buffet breakfast will be served, followed by a time of worship through song and dedicated prayer. Tickets for the breakfast are $30.00 per person. Individuals may purchase tickets at His Vessel Ministries located at Union Station, 300 Water Street, Suite 100. Seating is limited and will be available on a first come first served bases.

By Nick Thomas

Easter Mysteries

This year during the season of Lent, Easter Sunday falls on April 9. But as a child this reoccurring religious observance puzzled me. I couldn’t understand why Easter never fell on the same day each year like Christmas or Halloween (or the more recent annual event, Squirrel Appreciation Day which is January 21st in case you’re planning to store some nuts for next year).

My parents attempted to explain the calendar-jumping by declaring Easter was “the first Sunday after the Paschal full moon following the northern hemisphere’s vernal equinox.” This was as clear as a lump of Christmas coal to a 7-year-old.

The term “Lent” was a mystery, too. I still recall one year when a young school chum convinced me this was a time when we were morally obliged to lend money to friends who asked for it. So when my buddy demanded a few dollars, I dutifully lent.

Recognizing me as a rather gullible child, the same crafty kid later

informed me that if you neglected to demand your money back before Easter Sunday, you lost it. I lost it. My parents scolded me for being so easily swindled.

Another Easter puzzler for me was its association with rabbits since there are no such critters in Christian history: my Sunday School classes made no reference to rabbits used for burnt offerings, John the Baptist never exclaimed “Behold the Hare of God,” and none of the ten plagues depicted in Exodus described hordes of bouncing bunnies terrorizing Egypt.

And what about eggs? Where did they fit into the Easter scheme of things? Rabbits don’t lay eggs, no matter how much you encourage them. Reptiles

do, but my suggestion in a letter to the editor of a local newspaper proposing the introduction of an enchanting Easter gecko mascot never caught on – although I’ve always suspected a national insurance company might have got wind of it. As for the Easter eggs, they are not just ordinary eggs, of course. Oh no. In the U.S., they have to be dyed and decorated.

Fluctuating dates, Lent, rabbits, eggs – I gave up long ago trying to figure it all out. But it does bring to mind an old Martha Stewart TV segment where the lifestyle guru wryly claimed that feeding chickens with colored fruits or vegetables could produce colored eggs.

“Interesting,” I remember thinking at the time, as I raced out the door to buy a can of beet juice to test the theory on our own hens.

“Still gullible, huh?” mocked a family member, pointing out on my return that Stewart’s show was originally broadcast on April 1st.

Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery in Alabama, and has written features, columns, and interviews for many newspapers and magazines. See www.getnickt.org

By Larry McCall

The Legacy of a Long Marriage

He still calls her “Sweetie”! My wife, Gladine, and I were enjoying our visit with our friends, Ray and Rosemary. They are well into their 90s and married an incredible 75 years. Our conversation was enjoyable, but what really caught our attention was how this longmarried couple spoke to each other. There was a mutual tenderness—a tangible, loving care for one another as husband and wife. Being married a “mere” 47 years, Gladine and I came away from our visit humbled and grateful—humbled in realizing how much more learning and growing we have yet before us as a married couple even though our Golden Wedding anniversary is in the not-too-distant future—and grateful that in this season of our marriage, God was graciously giving us an even-longer married couple to inspire us to not stagnate in our own relationship.

Being married for 75 years is so rare that few of us can name a couple who have reached that remarkable milestone. But, there are quite a few of us couples who have celebrated 25, 35, 45 or even 55 years of matrimony. Even as Gladine and I were being impacted by Ray and Rosemary’s example, I wondered what younger married couples were being impacted by our examples as a longermarried couple, even if they haven’t told

us so. That question invaded my thinking when a couple in their early 20s asked Gladine and me if we would meet with them for premarital counseling. As a semi-retired pastor and a card-carrying senior-citizen, I was a bit surprised by the request. I assumed that this young couple would be drawn to one of the younger pastoral couples on our church staff—a couple closer to their own ages—from their own generation. But no, this couple wanted to meet with us because we were older. They wanted to hear our story and how that might help them navigate the years and decades God may have laid out before them.

Sadly, many of us in the second half of our married years assume that young couples wouldn’t want to have a friendship with us because of the generational differences—and because

we are so cognizant of the failures and shortcomings in our own marriages over the years. Yet, many younger couples crave relationships with older couples, especially older couples who are honest, willing to discuss not only the “ups” in their marriages but their “downs” as well and how God’s grace redeems and restores.

So, what impact can we have on our kids’ marriages? Our grandkids’ marriages? The marriages of those younger couples in our churches? What do we longer-married couples have to offer younger couples through our examples? If we have been gripped by God’s saving and sanctifying grace, and if we have had years of seeing his grace shape us and empower us to live for his glory, we do have something to offer younger couples. Consider:

• Purpose: We can show younger couples the very meaning of marriage by how we live as a couple. Many (most?) people get married thinking “marriage is for me. I’m getting married so that my spouse can devote his/her life to making me happy.” Yet, how does that turn out? We have lived long enough as a married couple to know from God’s Word that marriage is for our spouse and marriage

is for Christ. Marriage is about “giving” more than “getting” (see 1 Corinthians 7:3-5, for example). Marriage is a mission shared by husband and wife of showing a watching world a reflection of Christ and his love for his bride, the church (Ephesians 5:22-33). Yes, we can show younger couples the purpose of getting married—and the purpose of staying married.

• Perseverance: I can imagine hearing a number of “amens” to my confession that still being married after all these years is a testimony of God’s grace. Over the years, we have had to face our own sin, confessing our offenses to the Lord and to our spouses. We have experienced his amazing forgiveness— and the forgiveness of our spouse. How many times have we had to “draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16)? How many times over the decades of our married life have we been reassured of God’s promise never to leave us nor forsake us as we encountered yet another difficult situation or broken relationship? By God’s sustaining grace, our marriage has endured, and we can serve as living examples of God’s preserving grace to the coming generations of married couples.

• Passion: How does a husband of 75 years still call his wife “Sweetie”? Because he has drunk deeply of that love that is above every other love—even the love of a spouse. “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). Knowing and relying on God’s love for us (1 John 4:16) empowers us to love our spouse through the challenges of life and yes, even the ravages of old age. Decades of marriage have taught us that, as much as we enjoy our spouse’s love for us, that is the icing on the cake, but not the cake itself. The cake is Christ’s love for us and there is no shortcoming or disability in our spouse’s life that can diminish the flow of his love. We will always have enough of his love overflowing from our lives that we can show Christ-reflecting passion for our spouse.

Yes, let us show them the way—the way of Christ.

Source: www.christiangrandparenting.com

26th Annual Herb Day 2023

Sponsored by the Alabama Herb Society

We are Celebrating “Earth Day” on “Herb Day”

The 26th annual Herb Day, Saturday, April 22, 2023, 8:00 am – 3:00 pm, sponsored by Alabama Herb Society, will be held on the corner of 5 Bell Road and the Atlanta Hwy on the grounds of Grace Presbyterian Church, Montgomery, Alabama under the shade of the towering Pecan trees. For more information go to www.Alabamaherbsociety.org or info@alabamaherbsociety.org, or find us on Facebook @Alabama Herb Society. The annual ‘Herb Day’ festival is a free, fun-filled, public educational event for the entire family. Lectures/demonstrations featuring experts on identifying, growing, and using herbs – including herbal recipes. There will be live music, prizes to be raffled and the opportunity to find that perfect Mother’s Day gift and garden accessories in the open-air market. A variety of vendors will be there to sell their garden related wares including a huge selection of herbs and a variety of plants including Hosta’s, miscellaneous crafts, herbal teas, various wood working, sundry yard art, local artist presenting their art, and more. Grace Presbyterian Church will be cooking up those delicious “Hot Dogs” and BAR B Q to raise funds for their mission work. You need to be there! Wow! What a Day it will be!

The Alabama Herb Society (AHS) is a non-profit volunteer organization. Our purpose is to promote the study, growth, and use of herbs in an enjoyable and friendly atmosphere. Programs during the monthly meetings range from the use of herbs, their medicinal properties, culinary use of herbs, educational lectures on research, and how to plant and grow herbs. Some of the programs are handson! Members’ plant and maintain the Crump Senior Center Garden located at 1751 Cong. W. L. Dickinson Dr. in Montgomery, Alabama, share knowledge and experience of its members with the community: schools, church groups, public garden groups, and garden clubs, and is sponsoring the 26th Annual Herb Day Event on Saturday, April 22, 2023. Come and celebrate “Herb Day” on “Earth Day” with us, April 22, 2023, 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.

By Edd and Cynthia Staton

Travel More, Spend Less

Follow these tips and you can travel more than you think for less than you expect

We took a bold leap of faith a decade ago by leaving the U.S. to retire in Ecuador. The move happily exceeded all expectations, but during the long months of COVID restrictions in 2020, we reexamined our priorities and agreed it was time to reimagine our retirement once again.

Instead of "go big or go home," we decided to go big by leaving home.

Our plan was to put all our belongings in storage and travel the world full-time. The big challenge was that we would be doing it on a Social Security budget.

Since this new adventure began almost two years ago, we've traveled from 20 airports to 25 cities in 10 countries. Along the way we've learned numerous "insider tips" to stretch our dollars, euros and pesos, and we're happy to share those tips with you.

Favorable Currency Exchange

A limited budget instantly gets bigger when you visit places with exchange rates that favor your country's currency. Especially ones where prices are cheaper to start with.

When we were in Cancun, Mexico, where one Mexican peso equals about 5 U.S. cents, a platter of fried fish and a beer at our favorite seafood shack costs $6.50. Because Colombia's peso is currently taking such a beating versus the dollar, we recently spent almost two months in that country. The most expensive entree at an upscale restaurant in Medellín was less than $7.50.

To escape winter in the States and take

advantage of a unique money-saving opportunity for American travelers, we are currently in Buenos Aires, Argentina. As a hedge against runaway inflation approaching 100%, Argentineans spend in Argentine pesos and save in U.S. dollars. A government policy to bolster the peso by limiting the peso-dollar exchange rate has created an underground "blue market" for dollars that offers almost double the official rate.

Exchanging crisp $100 bills and paying cash in pesos translates to every transaction being 50% off regular price. That buys a lot more delicious beef and Malbec!

Airbnb Secrets

Traveling full-time on our modest budget has required a lot of creativity when it comes to lodging. For visits of two weeks or less, we most often stay in private rooms with shared common areas.

This economical option is exclusively offered through Airbnb. Typically, the property is a condo or townhouse set up specifically for this purpose. It's cheaper than renting an entire unit but still provides the benefit of a kitchen and dining space.

Scrolling through properties that don't suit your needs is a huge waste of time. Set the maximum amount you want to pay, then select anything from a washer to a barbeque grill.

Be sure to read recent reviews by fellow travelers. Before booking, message the host and ask about something. Anything. The speed and tone of the response will give you valuable clues about what to expect once you are there. If the place has an empty calendar, don't be shy about requesting a better price.

Flight Discounts

Did you know that flight discounts are sometimes available for the over 65 crowd? Websites OneTravel and CheapoAir list a "Senior" option right on the Traveler dropdown menu. So does United Airlines.

It's a little trickier with American Airlines. Its home page has no passenger age breakdown, so choose "Advanced/Multicity search" and whaddayaknow, Senior (65+) is one of the choices. Delta claims to have senior discounts, but you must call their 800 number to inquire.

Two caveats for all this: 1) discounts are available only on select flights, and 2) there's no guarantee that what's called a "senior rate" will be any cheaper than the lowest published fare. Still, it's worth a few extra minutes to potentially get substantial savings on one of the most expensive parts of your travel budget.

Other Money-Saving Ideas

Here's a roundup of other ideas that help us travel more and spend less.

Take advantage of shoulder season. There's everything to love about those glorious months between low and high season. The crowds are gone, the weather's fabulous and costs are lower.

Whichever website you use for accommodations, it's important to take advantage of filters to refine your search.

Free admissions. Top attractions around the world often offer free admission on certain days and times. The Prado Museum in Madrid (€15 general admission) is free

Edd and Cynthia Staton

each evening from 6 to 8 p.m. Binge on almost every museum in Paris the first Sunday of the month without spending a cent.

Eat like a local. In many countries we've explored, locals eat their biggest meal at midday, followed by a pastry and coffee in the late afternoon. That routine suits both our schedule and budget.

We look for busy neighborhood restaurants offering economical daily specials at lunch. How do Europeans eat dinner so late? After a busy day exploring, we are ready to head back home for a glass of wine and maybe a cheese plate or salad before an early bedtime.

Travel for free. Miles and points from strategic use of credit card sign-up bonuses fund much of our travel expenses. We flew nonstop from JFK to Buenos Aires for 20,000 miles and $5.60 each. Almost all of our Airbnb stays during a two-and-a-halfmonth European adventure were paid for with points we accumulated in only six months through everyday spending on our Social Security budget.

So put that debit card away. Choosing and using the right credit cards for your daily purchases are like jet fuel to accelerate your future travel plans.

Up, Up and Away

Want to travel more but feel like you just don't have the money? Hopefully, these tips we've passed along will get you off the sofa and onto a plane headed to one of your dream destinations.

Rather than feeling restricted by what you perceive to be a lack of funds, we encourage you to instead ask yourself, "How can I make this happen with what I've got?"

Get creative. Be open to possibilities. And above all, believe that what you want is possible. When intention teams up with action, the sky's the limit!

Edd and Cynthia Staton write about retirement, expat living and health and wellness. They are authors of three best-selling books and creators of Retirement Reimagined!, an online program to help people considering the retirement option of moving abroad. Visit them at www.eddandcynthia.com.

Source: www.nextavenue.org

By Beverly Thomas

A Garden of Memories

I was born and raised in Montgomery in the early 1950s to my parents, a stay-at-home mother and civil engineer father. We lived in a little neighborhood in east Montgomery with good, loamy, well-drained soil. Mom added organic matter to the soil to make a rich medium for growing flowers and vegetables.

My parents grew a variety of vegetables in their backyard garden including tomatoes, pole beans, cucumbers, squash, onions, and peppers. They also had peach, pear, and fig trees. We had a relatively small house and yard, but lots of vegetables, fruits, and flowers growing there due mainly to Mom’s gardening skills.

Mom was raised in Walker County. When we would visit her family, she would bring home various plants that grew in the woods around her childhood home. Some of the plants I remember being transplanted in our yard and flower beds were oakleaf hydrangeas, crape myrtles, as well as cow cumber trees, also called bigleaf magnolia. Their scientific name is Magnolia macrophylla. Cow cumbers have large, fragrant flowers up to twelve inches across and large leaves thirty inches long. These flowers and leaves are the largest of all North American species except for tropical palms. Mom would tell stories of playing in the woods near her home and using those leaves to make long skirts by attaching the stem end of the leaves together at her waist with sharp thorns.

After marrying my father and moving to Montgomery, she would often visit

Walker County and dig up these cow cumbers and transplant them in our yard. She would also take cuttings of the established trees and “root” new ones. By doing this she always had lots of small versions of this unusual tree to give to neighbors and friends.

Mom also loved growing flowers and two favorites were bearded iris (Iris germanica) and daylilies (genus Hemerocallis which means “beauty for a day”. There are various species of daylilies.) She enjoyed purchasing iris and daylilies from mail-order catalogs. She also would swap iris and daylily tubers with friends and soon had established quite a colorful flower garden that she enjoyed. My dad didn’t have much to do with tending the flower garden, but delighted in counting the blooms daily.

As I grew up, married, and also settled in Montgomery, Mom shared her iris and daylilies with me. She gave me tips on growing them and showed me how to divide and replant the rhizomes. I now have many samples from her garden in my flower beds.

Both iris and daylilies should be divided when flowering declines or the clump becomes crowded. Regular division between two and five years will allow them to flower profusely. Iris and daylilies can both be divided four to

six weeks after flowering stops so the replanted rhizomes have time to become established before there is a threat of freezing temperatures. The entire clump can be lifted out of the ground carefully with a shovel or pitchfork. Shake off the loose soil and separate the rhizomes and inspect them for any insect damage or soft spots. Remove and discard damaged rhizomes and leaves. For iris, cut back the remaining leaves to one-third the original height. Daylily rhizomes should have at least three short stems above the rhizome and several healthy roots.

When ready to plant iris and daylilies, dig a shallow hole with a small mound of soil in the middle and arrange the rhizome on top with the roots spread horizontally in the trench. Fill the hole leaving the top of the iris rhizome barely exposed. When covering the daylily rhizome, the point where the leaves join the roots (the crown) should be the same depth as the surrounding soil. Water thoroughly and keep both moist, but not wet until growth occurs. Transplanted iris may bloom sparsely the first spring after replanting, but daylilies often flower well the first spring after they are replanted.

My mother has been gone now over twelve years, but I still have many reminders of her in my flower beds. I know I don’t have her gardening talents, but seeing her blooms in my garden will always make me smile.

Beverly Thomas, an intern in the 2003 Master Gardener Class, lives in Montgomery. For more information on becoming a master gardener, visit www.capcitymag.org or email capcitymag@gmail.com

White Iris with Purple Heart Ruffled Blue Bearded Iris Ruffled White Bearded Iris

Spring Term 2023 Begins at AUM OLLI

Spring Term began at AUM OLLI on April 3, 2023. OLLI members have enrolled in a rich variety of courses to develop their minds, bodies, and skills. Individuals can still join some of these classes if they enroll immediately.

Bonus Opportunities, Lunch Presentations, and Field Trips are all readily available. Bonus Opportunities and Lunch Presentations are both free, included in the basic annual membership fee. Members need to register for each of these options, and if they register, they should remember to attend.

Bonus Opportunities include two book discussion groups. The AUM OLLI Book Discussion Group meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month during a given term from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. at the Center for Lifelong Learning (75 TechnaCenter Drive). Participants can attend one or all of the sessions during a given term. Book selections for the 2023 Spring Term are:

April 04 – Ben Raines, The Last Slave Ship

April 18 – Patti Callahan Henry, Surviving Savannah

May 02 – Jon Cohen, Harry’s Trees

May 16 – Carlos Ruiz Zafon, The Shadow of the Wind

The other book group meets at the Selma – Dallas County Library in Selma on the second Tuesday of each month from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Again, participants can choose which sessions they choose to attend. The spring selections for this group are:

April 04 – Kim Michele Richardson, The Bookwoman’s Daughter

May 09 – Natasha Lester, The Paris Secret

Lunch Presentations are scheduled on Mondays or Wednesdays from 11:35 a.m. to 12:35 p.m. There is an eclectic variety of subjects for the spring meetings: Faberge eggs, training service dogs, Alabama rocks, and a concert by AUMcappella. (See the online catalog for dates and presenters).

There are two field trips scheduled for the AUM OLLI Spring Term. On Thursday, April 20, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., OLLI members will go to the Service Dogs Alabama Training Facility, in Hope Hull, for an introduction to the training of dogs to be service dogs or facility dogs. There is a fee of $15.00 to pay at registration. On Tuesday, April 25, from noon to 2:00, OLLI members once again have the opportunity to attend a wine and food tasting at Peppertree Steaks N’ Wines. There is an additional fee of $30.00 to be paid at the site.

for more details about these opportunities.

Battle House Hotel & Spa

Known as “Mobile’s Living Room,” the Battle House Hotel & Spa in downtown Mobile, Alabama, has welcomed international guests since opening in 1852. The Battle House Hotel stands on the site of an old military headquarters set up by Andrew Jackson during the war of 1812. Fresh from his victory at Horseshoe Bend, Jackson had arrived in Mobile to ward off invasion. When British forces headed toward New Orleans, Old Hickory marched to meet them from this hallowed spot.

Over its history, the Battle House was visited by such notables as Presidents Woodrow Wilson and Teddy Roosevelt, Jefferson Davis, Admiral Raphael Semmes, and Generals Bragg, Beauregard and Taylor. Singer Jimmy Buffet grew up watching Mardi Gras parades on his father’s shoulders in front of the Battle House. Revelers continue this tradition each year since Mobile is home to America’s original Mardi Gras. It’s no wonder the Battle House has been named the most famous hotel in Alabama by Insider. com.

With an active film office in Mobile, the hotel has been the backdrop in several films. Nicholas Cage, Robert DeNiro, Bruce Willis, Danny Glover, John Cusack, Jordon

Peele, Babyface and 50 Cent have all stayed at the Battle House while filming. Travel expert Peter Greenberg did his radio show from the Battle House balcony.

Executives from Airbus have stayed at the Battle House while making their site location and while building its aircraft assembly plant. Airbus has events at the Battle House regularly. Australia’s Austal ship manufacturer builds warships for the Navy nearby and frequents the Battle House, as well. From international business to local law firms to upscale weddings, the Battle House is an ideal setting for the city’s most important events. The readers of ConventionSouth magazine named the Battle House one of the top hotels for meetings.

It’s an architectural gem. One of the greatest architectural features of the Battle House is the “whispering arch” that lends an air of romance and glamour. If you stand at the base of the one end of the arch and someone on the other end whispers, you can hear every word they say clearly at the other end, thirty-five feet away. Other buildings that feature this type of arch are the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. and St. Paul’s in London.

The Battle House celebrates Mobile’s culture and

Battle House Lobby

The Battle House Hotel

Battle House Crystal Ballroom

native sons/ daughters. For casual dining, Joe Cain Café honors one of Mardi Gras’s most colorful characters. Royal Street Tavern offers nightly piano entertainment, exceptional crafted cocktails, and plays a nod to Mobile’ five MLB Hall of Famers: Hank Aaron, Willie McCovey, Satchel Paige, Ozzie Smith and Billy Williams. Sportsmen and women from the area are featured in the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame, located adjacent to the hotel in the RSA Battle House Tower Lobby.

The paintings in the four corners of the lobby are depictions of four great rulers of the countries which have flown their flags over Mobile. Louis XIV of France, which governed from 1702-1763; George III of England from 1763-1780; Ferdinand V of Spain who flew her flag from 1780-1813; and George Washington the father of our nation who had two turns at flying the U.S. flag from 1813-1861 and again from 1864 to present. The Lobby is done in a Beaux Art style, which blends classical elements of design with grandeur. This style was popular in the 1890’s.

The hotel is a treasure trove of history!

The original Battle House opened in 1852 and dominated the social scene in Mobile for over a century. The hotel took its name from James and Samuel Battle. Stephen A. Douglas stayed at the Battle House the night he lost the presidency to Abraham Lincoln. In 1913, President Woodrow Wilson was honored at a breakfast given by the Chamber of Commerce at the Battle House.

At different times in the life of the hotel the Crystal Ballroom has served many purposes. Many of Mobile’s daughters have made their debut in this room, have been married or had their receptions, or simply danced the night away at their Senior Prom. The room has been restored to vintage colors as it may have been in 1908. The ornate work around the crown molding was a common architectural feature in hotels and buildings that catered to those making their living in agriculture. The Battle House was a favorite place for southern planters to get away once their crops were planted.

In 2009, the Battle House was named “One of the Top 500 Hotels in the World” by Travel + Leisure magazine; and, in 2019, named hotel of

the year and spa of the year by Lagniappe newspaper, while Southern Living named it one of the South’s Best Hotels.

Owned by the Retirement Systems of Alabama, the hotel is part of the Resort Collection on Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail and has one of the best spas on Alabama’s Spa Trail. The Four Diamond Battle House Hotel & Spa has survived hurricanes, fires and floods. A major soft goods renovation started in 2019 and was completed in early 2020. Upgrades to the guest rooms and public spaces feature blue hues as a nod to nearby Mobile Bay. A new, massive rug and upscale furniture in the iconic lobby have been captured in countless photos and social media posts. New carpets, bedding, wall coverings and art in the room refresh them while still being true to the hotel’s history.

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. You will, too.

Jeff S. Barganier is a novelist, travel writer and manager of Cindy Barganier Interiors LLC (www.cindybarganier.com). He travels far and wide upon the slightest excuse for something interesting to write about. Contact: Jeffbarganier@knology.net. Instagram: @jeffbarganier. You may print out Jeff’s features at www.jeffbarganier.com and take them with you when you travel!

The Whispering Arch

Original Hotel Keys

Jackson Headquarters

This & tHAT i

Ho Ho Ho, Cotton State Santas

The Farmer's Market Cafe was site of a jolly gathering as over 70 Santas and Mrs. Clauses visited Montgomery for the bi-monthly meeting of "Cotton States Santas", an Alabama chapter of IBRBS - The International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas. Montgomery's River Region Santa along with a team of local Santa performers welcomed the guests with an excellent meal and program featuring "Santa Slate", a Montgomery-based African-American Santa who shared his story. This was the first time the group chose Montgomery as a meeting place and as CSS President Steve Rusk of Gardendale mentioned "The Capital City is a great location! She opened up and treated us well." The visitors left with gift bags consisting of a Montgomery guide book, a sample of ALAGA hot sauce, and anticipation of another excellent visit next year. Cotton States Santas are a group of over 200 professional Christmas Entertainers who meet regularly for fellowship and education. Meetings are held in different locations across the state. The next meeting will be in May at Guntersville.

America's Band, The Beach Boys @ MPAC May 17

As The Beach Boys mark more than a half century of making music, the group continues to ride the crest of a wave unequalled in America’s musical history. The Beach Boys –who have become synonymous with the California lifestyle and an American icon, are bringing their shows to fans around the world. Since the band’s co-founder, lead-singer and chief lyricist Mike Love penned the lyrics to The Beach Boys’ first hit, “Surfin’” (1961), dozens of the bands chart toppers have become eternal anthems of American youth: “Surfin’ USA,” “Surfer Girl,” “Fun, Fun, Fun,” “I Get Around,” “California Girls,” “Help Me Rhonda,” “Barbara Ann,” “Good Vibrations,” “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “Rock and Roll Music” and “Kokomo.” The Beach Boys have sold over 100 million records worldwide and have received more than 33 RIAA Platinum and Gold record awards. The Rock And Roll Hall of Famers where also honored at the 2001 Grammy Awards with the Lifetime Achievement Award. With more than five decades of touring under their belts, The Beach Boys have performed more concerts than any major rock band in history. Montgomery performance at MPAC, Wednesday, May 17. For tickets visit www.mpaconline.org

Drive for Meals on Wheels

MACOA’s 22nd Annual Golf Classic will be held on May 3, 2023 at Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. This is a great tournament with a Four Person Texas Scramble, awards presentation, door prizes & lunch! Make a difference in the lives of vulnerable seniors in our community by joining us on the green for a day of golf and fun. For more info visit www.macoa.org/events/golf-classic

Caregiver of the Month Spotlight: Nomfundo “Zama” Dube

Nomfundo has been with Home Care Assistance since September 2022. In that short time frame, she has proven to be an asset to the team. She has a smile that is sure to warm your heart, and a voice that is soothing to the soul. “Zama” as she is affectionately called, is dependable, dedicated, empathetic, and compassionate. She is always there to answer the call no matter day or night.

We appreciate your hard work and dedication, thank you for a job Well Done!!

For more information visit www.homecareassistancemontgomery.com

Jackson Hospital Launches Walk with a Doc Program

Jackson Hospital is encouraging Montgomery residents to take a step toward better health with Walk with a Doc, a health program that brings doctors and patients together to walk every 2 weeks at Blount Cultural Park. The April walks will be held on Fridays, April 14th and 28th at 2:00pm! Walk with a Doc is an international non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire communities through movement and conversation. The walk is free and open to the community. Walkers will enjoy a refreshing and rejuvenating walk with a Jackson Hospital and Clinic provider, who will provide support to participants and answer questions during the Walk. “Walk with a Doc is honored to team up with Jackson Hospital. By incorporating this program into the practice, Jackson Hospital is demonstrating an exceptional level of care and commitment to their community,” said Dr. David Sabgir, founder of Walk with a Doc. According to the American Heart Association, walking as little as 30 minutes a day can provide the following benefits: · Improve blood pressure and blood sugar levels · Help maintain a healthy body weight and lower the risk of obesity · Enhance mental well-being · Reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Montgomery joins a growing list of communities worldwide that have started local Walk with a Doc (WWAD) programs. WWAD was started by Dr. David Sabgir, a cardiologist in Columbus, OH. He has walked with patients and community members nearly every weekend since 2005. Learn more about Walk with a Doc at www.jacksonwellnessmgm.com/walkwithadoc

Artist: Ashley V Blalock

“Caregiving has no second agendas or hidden motives. The care is given from love for the joy of giving without expectation, no strings attached.” -Gary Zukav

This & tHAT i

Cloverdale Playhouse Presents Award Winning Play, Next to Normal

Next to Normal, the second theatrical production of our mainstage season opens on Thursday, April 27 and runs through Sunday, May 7. This play is a musical and won the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the 2009 Tony for best original score and best orchestrations. Showtimes are at 7 PM on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and at 2 PM on Sunday. “Dad's an architect; Mom rushes to pack lunches and pour cereal; their daughter and son are bright, wise-cracking teens, appearing to be a typical American family. And yet their lives are anything but normal because the mother has been battling manic depression for 16 years. Next to Normal takes audiences into the minds and hearts of each character, presenting their family's story with love, sympathy and heart. Please be advised that there is some content in the show that might be triggering or upsetting to some audience members. Please review content advisory at www.cloverdaleplayhouse.org before purchasing tickets.

Community Picnic and Free Concert Featuring Dennis Rader @ Woodland Methodist Church

Community Picnic and free Concert featuring Dennis Rader, Woodland Methodist Church, 4428 Wallahatchie Rd., Pike Road. Dennis Rader, is part of The Rader Family, who for decades, entertained locals and tourists at the Ocean Opry Music Show in Panama City Beach, Florida. Ocean Opry was much like the shows in Branson, MO or Pigeon Forge, TN. Dennis spent 27 years as musician, vocalist, and comedian in “The Rader Family”. During those years, Dennis played numerous instruments, including drums, pedal steel guitar, acoustic guitar, keyboards, and bass guitar. Dennis was known as the hillbilly comedian, but has been performing as a solo artist for many years. He has led worship and entertained in hundreds of auditoriums, churches, and other venues. The thing Dennis enjoys most is getting to testify, perform, and share fun, laughter, and music. About The Picnic: Sunday afternoon, April 30th from 4:30 - 6:00, concert (outside, under the tent) starts at 5:00. Bring your family, friends, lawn chairs, picnic blanket and favorite picnic food to enjoy before and during the concert. Cookies and brownies will be provided by the Outreach Committee. If it’s raining, the picnic and concert will be moved into the Life Center. Hope to see you there! To learn more visit https://dennisradermusic.com/

BOOMERS, share your stuff with BOOM! We Love to Bring BOOMERS Together, send info and pics to

CoosaPalooza Brewfest is BACK in 2023!

CoosaPalooza Brewfest is BACK in 2023! Saturday, April 15, 3-6pm! Join us for the fourth annual Coosapalooza Brewfest in Downtown Wetumpka for good beer, great friends, & awesome entertainment! This is a fundraising event for Main Street Wetumpka. All proceeds from this event go to Main Street Wetumpka's mission of downtown revitalization. This event, which takes place along the beautiful Coosa Riverwalk at Merchants Alley, is a primary fundraiser for Main Street Wetumpka, a 501c3 organization dedicated to downtown revitalization. General admission ticket holders will enjoy nearly 40 craft brews while taking in the beautiful backdrop of the Coosa River in downtown Wetumpka. General admission price also includes entertainment, souvenir tasting glass, and beer tastings. Questions? Email info@mainstreetwetumpka.org. The 2023 Coosapalooza Brewfest is an event for people 21 years of age or older. Chairs, blankets, and small bags are allowed. No outside food or beverages are allowed. Rain or shine event; no refunds. Free bottled water is available. General Admission event times are 3pm to 6pm. Beer tastings will be cut off at 6 p.m.

Faulkner Law Ranked Among Top in Princeton Review

Faulkner University’s Thomas Goode Jones School of Law is ranked among the Best Law Schools in the nation according to the Princeton Review’s Best Law Schools 2023 rankings. In addition to being included in the list of the top 168 law schools in the country, JSL was ranked third for “Most Competitive Students” and fifth for “Most Conservative Students.”Dean Charles B. Campbell, who has led the school for nearly 5 years, commented, “These rankings reflect some of the things that we know very well about our law school community. Our students have a real work ethic, and they seek to take advantage of the many learning opportunities afforded by the law school’s rigorous curriculum, through our clinics and field placements, and in Alabama’s capital city and beyond. Their work ethic will propel them to great careers in the law and to great service in their communities. Additionally, we are a Christian law school that takes the pursuit of truth and justice seriously, and this pursuit compels us to carefully examine the law and the philosophies that continue to shape the development of law.”

Capital City Master Gardeners Association Lunch & Learn @ Montgomery Cultural Arts Center

Capital City Master Gardener Association presents Lunch & Learn, the 1st Wednesday of Every Month from 12-1 pm. They will meet at Montgomery Cultural Arts Center (Armory Learning Arts Building), 1018 Madison Ave., Montgomery 36104. Mark your calendars, May 3, “Propagating Your Plants” Rhona Watson, Advanced Master Gardener, will present “Propagating Your Plants”. Do you know how to take plant cuttings? Can new plants be rooted in water? How do you get plants to multiply for sharing with friends? Come to this propagating session and hear Rhona share ideas and tips for multiplying your plants. What a great way to save some money! Join us. Don’t miss this program! 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.

Montgomery

Botanical Gardens Raised Bed Vegetable Gardening & Tool Workshop

The Montgomery Botanical Gardens will host its second workshop of the 2023 season, Raised Bed Vegetable Gardening and Tool Use, on Saturday, April 15, 2023 in the Wisdom Woods Outdoor Classroom of the Botanical Gardens at Oak Park. The workshop, to begin at 10:00 AM, will be conducted by Mike Forster, noted presenter and member of the Capitol City Master Gardeners Association. Participants in the workshop will learn how to build and take care of raised beds, as well as how to grow vegetables successfully using this form of gardening. Mike will also offer tips on choosing the right tools and caring for them. Montgomery Botanical Gardens offers the Raised Bed Vegetable Gardening and Tool Use workshop as part of a series of instructional opportunities for River Region residents. Additional topics will be introduced in the coming weeks. In case of inclement weather, the workshop will be moved to the MBG greenhouse. Pre-registration is not necessary. Montgomery Botanical Gardens is located in Oak Park, 1010 Forest Ave, Montgomery.

Kym Klass, Renewed & Restored

This month’s cover profile is Kym Klass, an experienced journalist and author many of you are familiar with from her work at the Montgomery Advertiser. She currently serves as the Communications Director at Frazer Church, which has provided new challenges and a renewed growth in her faith. Kym, through her life experiences, has also become involved with mental health and the importance for people to have a better understanding of it. In fact, she is leading the second annual Faith Meets Mental Health Summit, May 6-7 at Frazer and welcomes those interested to register for this unique opportunity to engage more deeply with a life topic that has been somewhat avoided. You can learn more at www.frazer.church/mentalhealth. Kym is also tuned in to her new age of 52 and what it means to age well. She provides a unique perspective many of us can be inspired by or at least help us in our own journey of aging well. We think you’ll enjoy getting to know Kym this month and sharing her with your friends and family.

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, family, etc.?

Kym: I call Texas home. That’s how I always respond when someone asks, “Where are you from?”

And for some reason, it’s asked a lot in Montgomery – but not near as much as what church I attend (Frazer), and who I go for (Auburn). I am an Army brat, and Texas became my home base after my father retired from the U.S. Army near San Antonio in the early 1990s. I attended five high schools, and landed exactly where I belonged after thumbing through a college directory book and finding Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos. While there, I earned a

degree in Mass Communication, Print Journalism (minor: Psychology).

I have lived in Prattville since 2007 – and raised my daughter, Jenna, here as she attended Prattville Christian Academy from K4 through 12th grade. We love our community, and she is proud to continue calling it home while she’s studying computer science/gaming animation at Oklahoma Christian University.

BOOM!: Kym you are probably best known in the River Region through your work at the Montgomery Advertiser as a reporter and columnist, would you share with our readers the how and why you decided to pursue a career in journalism? What were the more impactful stories you worked on? What was the most rewarding aspect of being a journalist?

Kym @ Panama City Beach with Sadie her dog Kym with daughter Jenna at Horseshoe Bend, Arizona, 2019

I knew God never left me. I know He wept with me, and I had to trust that, and move forward. I didn’t give myself a choice.

Kym's morning run in Florida

Kym: I declared elementary education as my major my freshman year in college. My mother had been a schoolteacher and she passed away from breast cancer my senior year in high school. I wanted to carry on her love for teaching, but after taking an armful of recorders into an elementary classroom to teach them how to play, the intensity of the students blowing into the recorders all at once was enough to let me know that the classroom wasn’t for me. At the urging of a friend of a friend, I was encouraged to write for my university’s newspaper. To be honest, it was because they paid, and I needed a job. After my first story published, I knew in my heart that I had found what I was meant to do the rest of my life.

My journalism career took me through Texas, Louisiana, Virginia, Mississippi, and eventually Alabama, where I was hired at the Montgomery Advertiser in 2007 as a state and business reporter – eventually settling into an enterprise/feature writer position, and later, as a wellness columnist. The newspaper provided the opportunity to develop projects and write stories that impacted a community in immeasurable ways – resulting in the community reaching both in, and out, to each other. I am most proud of Project 7, which highlighted needs at various nonprofits (including Common Ground Montgomery, the Montgomery Area Council on Aging, and the Friendship Mission) and which resulted in the community – as always – providing for their neighbors. Telling stories mattered.

The Montgomery newspaper was the reason I met so many incredible people in our region, including Edward Moye, who turned his life of homelessness and addiction around after seeing his photograph in our paper, and realizing “who” he saw wasn’t who he wanted to be. I met triple-amputee Jessica

Crumpton West, who I interviewed for a Mother’s Day story. She had had scalding hot water thrown on her by her uncle and subsequently lost three limbs. She had the greatest spirit, the most beautiful outlook on life than anyone I’ve ever met to this day. She was the only interview I drove away from that forced me to sit in my car for about 15 minutes

after I returned to the newsroom.

I wrote a running column, and later, a wellness column – which became my most passionate work while at the Advertiser. I was given free rein to figure out how the wellness column would develop, and what it did was allow me to open my heart and write about life’s journey. It allowed me to heal through loss, share experiences, and offer hope in the best way I knew how.

BOOM!: As a woman of faith, would you share your Christian Journey, and the guidance God has provided?

Kym: There was a long weekend I spent in Panama City in October 2015, and on one of the days there, I sat for about six hours on the beach. Prayed, meditated, slept. I felt at peace in all aspects of my life – emotionally, spiritually, mentally. I was right where God wanted me. Two weeks after that weekend, my sister died by suicide. Two days after that, I was in my father’s guest room in Texas, and could feel God’s presence in the room just waiting for me. He filled every inch. I reached my hand out – palm out – and said, “You can wait.” And I didn’t pray for seven days. I was so angry, hurt, confused, in so much pain. Slowly, after that week, I began talking to Him, praying for others. In my mind, I had to rebuild mentally in my spiritual life. I knew God never left me. I know He wept with me, and I had to trust that, and move forward. I didn’t give myself a choice. My faith has only grown since then – stronger than when I spent time at the beach. To be honest, I thought it had been a strong journey to get where I was by the time I reached Frazer. But since being here, I’ve been able to surrender more and more and more. All. I’ve been able to see God work in others’ lives, and irrevocably, in mine.

BOOM!: A few years ago, you wrote a book called, One More Day: a powerful true story of suicide, loss, and a woman’s newfound faith. Would you please

Family, 1984: mom (Pam), grandmother (Betty), brother (Kevin), father (Dave), sister (Kristy), grandfather (Thain), Kym

Family: Kym, Vivian, Dave, Makayla, and Jenna

Kym with her sister, Katie, and her father, Dave

explain the motivation and purpose of the book and its impact on your life?

Kym: I wanted to share my sister, Katie’s, story so she wouldn’t only be remembered for how she died. I wanted her life remembered. I wanted people to understand that she struggled, that she fought, she laughed, and that she really lived. But that she also lived with depression. I wanted other families – other suicide loss survivors – to know they are not alone in their grief. That there is light and hope. And that together, we can break down the stigma surrounding mental health, around mental illnesses, and around suicide.

The book also shares my personal struggles with her passing. All the questions. All the “what ifs.” My ensuing depression. My faith. Our family’s survival. Our eventual laughter that returned. Our hope. And our fight to keep fighting.

The book’s impact on my life? It started conversation – it opened people up to sharing. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. I desire for people to know it’s ok to talk about mental health struggles. About depression. Suicide. About not being ok – and about that being ok. The book was written so we wouldn’t lose another person.

BOOM!: In January 2021, you moved away from journalism to become the Director of Communications for Frazer Church. Please explain what your roles are in this new position and the unique challenges they represent compared to your work in the newspaper industry? Frazer Church has been an anchor for the local Christian community and continues to attract families of all ages to worship, how would you describe its appeal?

Kym: During my second-round interview at Frazer, I was asked to share my faith

journey. And immediately, I knew Frazer would be a unique opportunity to grow not only professionally, but spiritually. And I was excited.

My role consists of overseeing all internal and external communication for our church – from advertising, social media, our App, website, bulletins, media interviews, script writing, working with graphic designers, and consulting with vendors for various printing and design needs. I am also humbled to oversee our annual mental health summit, Faith Meets Mental Health.

Coming in with a journalism background, my biggest challenge, aside from having to learn a design program from the ground up, was writing shorter sentences. I write long – bulletin announcements need only two sentences to my dozen – and the job has forced me to become more concise and deliberate with my words and work.

It was evident in my first few weeks on campus that every single person at Frazer belongs there. Whether that is in a staff position or volunteer work, it is clear God has His hand on everyone there who works toward one common goal: to bring people closer to Christ. It shows in the work and in our outreach.

Jenna and Kym @ Soccer travel ball game in Foley

Kym with daughter, Jenna, upon graduation from Prattville Christian Academy, 2021

2010 and 2021 Kym and daughter Jenna

On Sundays and on every other day of the week. To me, that is the appeal. That Jesus is seen in our actions.

BOOM!: You have a passion for serving in the area of mental health, how did you get involved with mental health advocacy? Please share what organizations you are involved with and in what capacity? How can our readers engage with mental health issues?

Kym: I became involved with mental health advocacy after we lost my sister. The first group I began learning more about as I started covering mental health issues for the Advertiser is the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). I currently serve as vice president of the state chapter, and on the state’s advocacy committee. NAMI is a nationwide, grassroots mental health organization that offers educational programs, and advocates for individuals and families affected by mental illness. It is the perfect fit for those who want to use their voice and personal stories to bring attention to what is a mental health crisis in our country. If you or someone needs help, please dial 988. Or text NAMI to 741741.

BOOM!: One of the major projects you have spearheaded at Frazer is the summit, Faith Meets Mental Health: Living with Hope. The 2023 summit will take place Saturday, May 6. Would you share more about the summit, its purpose and value to the River Region?

Kym: Frazer is hosting this summit for the entire community on the intersection between faith and mental health to equip everyone to better recognize and respond to mental health needs. We are prayerful our second annual summit weekend May 6-7 will help break down stigmas associated with mental health. We truly desire for this summit to equip everyone to better recognize and respond to mental health needs.

Dr.

Matthew Sleeth,

executive director of Blessed Earth, is our keynote speaker. Our state’s

mental health commissioner Kimberly Boswell is returning to speak at the summit this year, and will be joined by Jeff Hand of Fishers Farm, Dewayne Rembert of Flatline Movement, Dr. Steve Wages of Faulkner University, Crissa Letson with Asbury Church, and Loresa Stansell of Stansell Counseling in Florence.

On Sunday, May 7, our keynote speaker, Dr. Matthew Sleeth, will provide the message during both our 8:30 AM and 11 AM services. Registration and information can be found at www.frazer.church/mentalhealth

BOOM!: What is it about living in the Montgomery/River Region area that you like? What do we need more of?

Kym: I appreciate the connectivity of the River Region. The growth, the expansion, the hospitality –the small-town feel and the generosity you expect, and then actually receive. I often feel what we have is exactly what we need – that it is what makes our town exactly what people love about it. Specifically, have you been to Main Street in Prattville? The shops, hair salons, Uncle Mick’s Cajun Restaurant, ax throwing, a Cross Fit gym. All on one street. It is the perfect place to unwind, walk along the creekwalk, and enjoy time with family and friends.

I’m just grateful that the beach is only three hours away, and the mountains, less than that. We’re sandwiched perfectly between it all.

BOOM!: How do you like to relax and wind down from a full day of activity?

Kym: I often head to the Prattville Creekwalk or the Bamboo Forest with my dog to just decompress and unwind

NAMI Alabama Charity Golf Classic with Roman Rauccio, Laura Rafner, and Kelly Emerson (NAMI Alabama executive director)

Malawi, Africa, mission trip with Michael Gross and Elizabeth Drollette while visiting Blair Brendle at Mtdenere Christian Academy

At the Faith Meets Mental Health summit, Frazer Church, 2022

during the week. Or I will catch up with a friend, cook, journal –anything to allow my mind to rest.

BOOM!: With a busy life, how do you like to spend time with family and friends? Describe your experience as a mom?

Kym: Anyone who knows me knows I usually ask, “Can I bring my dog?” when there’s an opportunity to relax and unwind with family or friends outside of the home. From traveling to Florida and Oklahoma and Texas, to Georgia wineries, and hiking in Birmingham, Sadie is usually in tow. I’m finding the more grandiose the adventure, the more apt I am to saying no. I appreciate simple, meaningful connectivity with others.

My experience as a mom continues to be my most rewarding job. Jenna is the bright light in my world. We spent most of her young life just the two of us – at home, on the soccer fields, driving to school, cooking, taking vacations together – and while I do miss her being home, I know she is where she belongs in Oklahoma. She has become an amazing young adult: funny, smart, driven, honest, compassionate. And I am honored God saw fit to make me her mother. She has made my experience easy because of her good-natured ways, because she never failed to put God first, and because she loves unconditionally. I wasn’t a perfect mom – and together we weathered through some of the worst storms – but we always knew we’d come out on top. A little worn, but on top and stronger for it. Together.

BOOM!: What are some of your favorite travel experiences? Favorite getaway spot? Any travel dreams planned?

Kym: Honestly, nothing beats the Grand Canyon. The magnificence of its creation is unparalleled. It is quiet, surreal, and forces you to immerse yourself in your surroundings. Still, I promise if you just drop me in the middle of a field, I’d be

content. I love visiting the Hill Country in Texas and find I’m most at peace there. Locally, I have found myself hiking Ruffner Mountain in Birmingham, or making the drive to Cheaha State Park to catch its views and sunsets.

BOOM!: As you’ve aged, how have your priorities changed? How would you describe what it means to “age well”?

Kym: Well, every year my bedtime gets earlier. So, either I’m just getting older or learning to prioritize my rest. I prioritize how I spend my time – and am intentional about who I spend time with. I crave authenticity, and surround myself on a deep level with those who can let their guard down and be who God created them to be.

To age well: simple. Drink a lot of water, exercise, and sleep. Laugh a lot. Find a partner or friends who make you do that. Who are honest, who aren’t afraid of asking the hard questions, or giving the hard advice. As we become older,

our core circle can shrink – so aging “well” means keeping good company with people who will bring out the best in you without reserve.

BOOM!: Do you have any hobbies or other activities that grab your attention?

Kym: Are naps a hobby? Because I would love one.

I love to travel. More specifically, I love to drive. I can spend 12 hours on the road and not be fazed. It rejuvenates me. The road grabs my attention, and keeps it. It’s where I think the most, and the best. I listen to podcasts, music, or even drive in silence for hours. And I’m fortunate in my destinations – the open roads (and very open fields) in Oklahoma. The calming waters in Florida to visit my father and his wife. To the Hill Country in Texas, when I’m able.

I’ve been a runner since I was 12 years old. It is the one part of my life where worries disappear. Where I feel free, strong, at peace. It is the (very early) time of the day just for me, allowing me to be in tune to every step and appreciate what my body is still able to do.

BOOM!: Many people, as they age, experience 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?

Kym: I have found a sense of renewal in saying both yes and no. To invitations, to events, to time away from my house that includes wearing something other than yoga pants and a sweatshirt. I have also found that any new goals set must meet requirements of whether it is in the best interest of my overall well-being. Will I still get the sleep I need? Will I still be able to keep a work/life balance – or will it sway more toward exhaustion? If I had told my 20- or 30-year-old self this, I wouldn’t have believed it. Those

Kym and her favorite companion, Sadie @ Cheaha State Park

are invincible years. In my 40s, I started feeling a shift. But I honestly feel the best is yet to come. I feel a freedom at my age I hadn’t felt previously, and encourage anyone to find that within themselves. In seeking renewal, there’s taking ownership for decisions made, letting go of past hurts, forgiving even when you don’t receive apologies. To me, it is freeing your mind and being at peace with who you are, where you are today, and to allow yourself the space to move forward.

BOOM!: What are some of the future challenges you’re contemplating for yourself? Writing projects, new book?

Kym: There’s always another book. There’s always another story. The challenge for me is finding the best way to tell it.

BOOM!: Give us three words that describe you?

Kym: Faithful. Strong. Quiet.

We want to thank Kym for sharing some of her life's story with us this month. Kym is involved with her work at Frazer Church and her interest in mental health issues. To learn more visit www.frazer.church or email Kym at kklass@frazer.church You can also visit www.nami.org to learn more about mental health. We hope you’ll share Kym's story with friends and family, they’ll enjoy the reading experience. Thanks to DiAnna Paulk and her creative photography skills, you're the best! If you have questions, comments, or suggestions about our cover profiles, including nominating someone, please text them to Jim Watson at 334.324.3472 or email them to jim@riverregionboom.com

“THIS IS A TEST!”

(Cue serious announcer voice)

“This is a test of the Emergency Magazine Column System. Had this been an actual magazine emergency you would have been instructed to read something else!”.

We now resume our regular whimsy.

Whimsy? No one uses that word anymore. I did, because I self-administered the “does anybody really care?” test and passed! The key benefit of living into our senior (now that’s a word I hate!) years is the wisdom of better choosing what we allow to annoy us. I’m OK with “whimsy”, or as BOOMer Carly Simon so wisely sang, “I haven’t got time for the lame”.

If we’ve learned anything by now, it’s thislife is one ongoing test. Things like work and traffic test our patience, intelligence and get-long skills. Beyond those daily tests, there always seems to be a looming appointment pending with that doctor determined to find that thing that will eventually kill you.

Someone recently shared a meme that made me stop and think:

Bunny and friends with my Trix. I still watch Bugs on Saturday mornings on METV. Yet the meme did not pass the test.

Our childhoods were not worry free. We grew up in a world actively anticipating nuclear war. I can remember the Three Stooged being interrupted by the Emergency Broadcast System tests of the 60s. After the high-pitched tone ended, the announcer would remind us it was only a test. Swell! You just gave me 30 seconds to contemplate my personal incineration at the hands of the Soviet Union, and for a time, Cuba.

sound of air raid warning sirens, which blared until every student was standing in line on the playground. The drills made no sense.

“Pardon me, Mrs. McAnally but doesn’t this make it easier for them to cook all of us?”, I once asked. She shot me the Teacher Glare, a hard boundary one did not violate in those days lest the principal call your parents to discuss your Critical Thinking skills.

It’s a sweet capture, and yes, I did spend many Saturday mornings watching Bugs

We were old enough to understand the threat. Heck, every Tuesday at 10:30, school was interrupted by the frightening

You may remember the well-intended, but unintentionally hilarious “Duck and Cover” video produced with loving concern by the US Government during those ominous days of nuclear threat.

"A true story from the Greg files"

Greg spent 40 minutes in a noisy tube for a test that ends with the attendant sliding you out like a freshly baked pastry!

We watched D&C in class. As the unmistakable sound of 16MM film wound through a projector, we watched Timmy, the kid in the movie, innocently riding his bicycle. Suddenly, a blinding flash! Timmy falls off his bike with stunt man grace rolling next a street curb. The narrator applauded Timmy. “He sees the flash! Timmy ducks and covers!”.

Yay Timmy! The cement curb saved him from the atom bomb. Duck and Cover never showed Timmy rising from the protection of the curb only to find his bike and family turned into ash piles. It got to the point at family gatherings that the blinding flash of Dad’s camera had us diving behind the sofa.

Thank God it was all for naught. Sure, there are nukes all over the world and in the hands of some pretty crazy people. I still ride a bike and think of Timmy while noting where the highest curbs in our neighborhood sit. Just in case.

I may have escaped nuclear disintegration then. They’re making up for it at this end of my life. It ain’t the Russians this time. It’s doctors and dentists in their never-ending search for the thing that will eventually kill me. I’ve been bombarded by so much radiation over the years I glow in the dark.

I am my own night light.

I have a wonderful doctor. He’s thorough, caring and seems genuinely pleased

(surprised?) I’m not dead. These days, after my annual office exam, I report to the Imaging Center for a nuclear lung test.

They know me on a first name basis over there on Carmichael Road.

They gave me a CAT scan. Or is it an MRI? SAT? Whatever, they check my lungs looking for things hundreds of x-rays haven’t found.

I’m happy to report my lungs are fine. They just find other stuff during the lung test that requires- are you ready? MORE TESTS.

Last year I spent 40 minutes in a noisy tube for a test that ends with the attendant sliding you out like a freshly baked pastry. The stuff they’d seen near my liver during the lung test (I didn’t know the lungs/liver were that close to each other) turned out to be harmless cysts. No worries.

This year following the lung scan (miraculously ok) my doc saw some “plaque” around my heart and urged me to get a heart work up. I did. Over two appointments I spent more time being scanned and bombarded by different machines only to learn I should undergo a heart cath. I did.

The worst part of the cath test is the prep. No food or drink after midnight. The old saw “the way to a man’s heart is through the stomach” is garbage. Apparently, the

modern way to a man’s heart is through the groin. The room temp is about 40 degrees. For some reason to see inside you, they must give you The Big Shave on the outside. Humiliating. I did not go under from the sedation. Thus, I had the mind-bending experience of watching a wiry probe explore my beating heart, all while laying on a rock-hard slab that left me walking like Quasimodo for 2 days afterward. You know what they found? Nothing!

I passed another test and I’m darned grateful.

Eventually they’ll find the thing that will eventually kill me. I’m not Keith Richards.

Until they do, I’ll enjoy some Saturday morning whimsy with Bugs Bunny and friends.

I also hope it’s the last time I must wait for my hair to grow back. Until next month, kids, remember what The Man saidDuck and Cover!

(If you have a comment on this column, email me at gregbudell@aol.com. It's still fun to hear from new people!)

Greg Budell lives in Montgomery with his wife, Roz, and dog, Brisco. He's been in radio since 1970, and has marked 17 years in the River Region. He hosts the Newstalk 93.1FM Morning Show with Rich Thomas and Jay Scott, 6-9 AM Monday - Friday. He returns weekday afternoons from 3-6 PM for Happy Hour with sidekick, Rosie Brock. Greg can be reached at gregbudell@aol.com

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 do not 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. Legg Mason produced the workshop, in conjunction with the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. Attendees receive a

Financial Thoughts with Susan Moore

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, or email

Sarah@moorewealthmanagement.com

By Susan Clayton Moore, J.D. Principal of Moore Wealth Management, Inc.

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 2023 workshop will be conducted in an online webinar format on Wednesday, April 19th and again Wednesday, May 24th at 12 p.m. Please call 334.270.1672, or email Sarah@ moorewealthmanagement.com for more information and reservations.

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 has under advisement over $170 million (as of 1.21.2022) in brokerage and advisory assets through Kestra Financial and has been a financial planner for nearly 40 years. Contact Susan at 334.270.1672.

Email contact is:

susan@moorewealthmanagement.com

The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect those held by Kestra Investment Services, LLC or Kestra Advisory Services, LLC. This is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations for any individual. It is suggested that you consult your financial professional, attorney or tax advisor regarding your individual situation.

Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisory Services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. Kestra IS or Kestra AS are not affiliated with Moore Wealth Management, Inc. https://bit.ly/KFDisclosures

By Kerri Fivecoat-Campbell

Families Rediscovering Multigenerational Living

The arrangement, once the norm for many American families, is making a comeback.

One evening in late summer 2016, Sue Smith Moak sat on her front porch looking up the winding driveway that led to her 54acre ranch in the Texas Hill Country. She had been alone since her husband, Rickie, passed away in 2014 and Moak knew she could no longer stay in a dream that died with her husband.

"I wanted adventure, not just for me, but for my kids and grandkids," Moak says. "I wanted a place like I'd never lived before that offered different things to do." Moak had always been drawn to the West and after considering several places, she chose Pagosa Springs, Colorado, as her next home.

She thought her children and grandchildren would only be visiting, but she was about to become part of a multigenerational household. Moak's daughter, Sarah Moak Hyman, husband, Justin Hyman, and six-year-old Bixby soon decided to ditch the faster paced life in big cities and trade it for small town life. "The house I bought was big and it just made sense for us to live together," says Moak.

The Benefits of Extended Families Next Avenue Influencer in Aging Donna Butts, executive director of Generations United, a Washington, D.C. organization that advocates for policies and programs

that connect generations, says extended families living together in the same household was common in the first part of the 20th century. The practice started a comeback in the first decade of the current century.

"There was a stigma that formed around the middle of the 20th century we call 'the John Wayne Syndrome' in which people felt like it wasn't strong, and it was wrong if they needed each other," explains Butts. "What people didn't realize is we sometimes need support and that makes us stronger."

Richard Fry, senior researcher for Pew Research Center in Washington, D.C., says census data shows that in 1900, about 24% of the population lived in multigenerational households, a number that rose slightly by 1940.

Bottoming Out in 1970

The percentage of Americans living in multigenerational households steadily decreased through 1970, when it hit a low of 7%. Fry says it has been rising

sharply since 2001, from the bursting of the tech stock bubble through the Great Recession and on to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He says the Pew Research Center estimated in 2021 that 18% of Americans, or 60 million people, lived in multigenerational households.

Fry says the phenomenon reflects young adults delaying marriage and living with their parents as well as more parents sharing homes with adult children and their families.

He adds the number of multigenerational households also reflects a growing number of Hispanic and Asian immigrants, where extended families living in one home is a cultural norm. Fry bases this on data that suggests descendants of European immigrants are the least likely group to live in multigenerational households.

"We really thought the numbers would decrease after the Great Recession," says Butts. "But many older people, especially, found it helped with loneliness and families stayed together."

Butts adds that multigenerational households have many advantages, such as sharing financial resources and caregiving duties.

A Big House Helps

Lisa Cini, 54, author of "Hive: The Simple

Sarah Moak Hyman, Sue Smith Moak, Bixby and Justin Hyman on their annual Christmas tree-cutting outing

Credit: Courtesy of Sue Smith Moak

Guide to Multi-Generational Living" and a Columbus, Ohio, resident, lived in a multigenerational household with her 96-year-old grandmother, parents and teenage children.

Cini and her husband bought a large Colonial home and remodeled, turning an attached garage into a "grandma suite." "We also opened up the downstairs and reconfigured the upstairs, so everyone had their own bedroom and bathroom," says Cini.

"I think the main challenge was having four women in the house, which included my teenage daughter, and who got control of the kitchen," laughs Cini.

After her grandmother passed and her children went to college, the couple bought a condo in the same building below her parents. "It's really still as if we live together, although it is separate units," says Cini.

Respect Others' Boundaries

"Multigenerational living works for many, but it's not for everyone," says Butts.

Moak says one of the keys to the success of their arrangement is having her own space. Moak has about 500 square feet that includes her own entrance, bathroom and kitchenette.

Multigenerational living wasn't new for Moak. Her grandparents lived with her parents for many years. She thinks that experience, which she remembers fondly, helped in this transition. For example, she says, she tries to respect her daughter's family as a separate unit while also being a part of their lives.

"They're a complete family unit and I'm of a different generation and lived by myself for a few years before," says Moak. "We each do things differently and it's important to know where the boundaries are."

Moak, who is now 73, says it has been very beneficial for all parties. She shares her car with her son-in-law, saving costs

for them. The help goes two ways; both Justin and Sarah have been available to help Moak with medical appointments.

Bonding Across Generations

However, they all say the greatest benefit has been the relationship Moak has formed with Bixby, who is now 11. "She takes him and picks him up from school and they go out for food sometimes in the afternoons. She takes him on trips. They spend a lot of quality time together," says Moak Hyman.

Moak's philosophy for life is "you never know where it will take you." This has certainly been the case in creating a multigenerational household with her youngest child and family.

"I had a very good relationship with my grandmother who lived with us when I was little," says Moak. "Bixby and I do so many things together, it's been the very best thing."

Tips for Creating a Successful MultiGenerational Household

• Establish boundaries. Cini says it's something she wished she would have done from the outset. "It's a hard conversation, but will help you avoid harder ones later," she says. She adds when doing this, don't forget to include siblings or other children of parents who are moving in. "My siblings were just used to walking into my parents' house and we had to explain to them that was no longer acceptable," says Cini.

• Establish common areas and whether family will eat together. Cini says they had to establish times for their teen children to use the family room for gaming or watching television. They also made decisions beforehand who would be keeping what kitchen tools, place settings, and so on. Moak says she doesn't typically eat with her daughter's family. "I like to eat early, and they like to eat late and that's OK," says Moak, who uses the kitchen in the main house if she wants to cook.

• Respect the family unit. Moak says her daughter always invites her on outings with them. "Sometimes I go and sometimes not, I know they need time alone together as a family," says Moak, who adds they usually go to festivals and have established an annual Christmas tree cutting outing together. Butts says it's also important for grandparents not to interfere with the parenting of their grandchildren. "It's important you don't impose your parenting style on your adult children," says Butts.

• Make clear who pays bills and who does chores. Cini says although she and her husband didn't need help with finances, she gave some bills to her parents and grandmother. "I think it makes them feel more a part of the household instead of feeling like they're being taken care of," says Cini, who added everyone also had their own household chores, including her grandmother, whose job was to fold laundry.

• Keep expectations in check and lines of communication open: Butts says never expect anyone to change who they are. "If they're a slob, they will likely remain so," Butts says. "The important thing is to be able to talk about issues that arise."

Source: www.nextavenue.org

Kerri Fivecoat-Campbell is a full time freelance writer and author living in the Ozark Mountains. She is the founder and administrator for the public Facebook page, Years of Light: Living Large in Widowhood and a private Facebook group, Finding Myself After Losing My Spouse, dedicated to helping widows/widowers move forward.

Dandelion

Too many people think of dandelions as weeds; possibly because they spread quite prolifically and can soon take over your garden, but who doesn’t love those beautiful golden flowers?? The bees and other pollinators certainly do, so let’s look at what benefits dandelions have for us other than looking pretty.

The dandelion is an herbaceous perennial that grows from a large taproot and can be 2 to 16 inches tall, and sometimes even taller. When the leaves are young, they are good to pick and eat as leaves in a salad, just like arugula. The leaves form a basal rosette with stems holding single golden flowers. Each stem has green bracts at the base of the 2-inch flower, which is made up of multiple rings of 40 to 100 small yellow florets. These develop into seeds with a silky grey parachute, forming the familiar 2-inch puff ball.

All parts of the plant are edible – the flowers, the buds, the leaves and the roots. The roots can be dried and used as an alternative to coffee. The root is rich in the carbohydrate inulin, a type of soluble fiber that supports the growth and maintenance of healthy gut bacteria in your digestive tract. You can also eat it like you would any other root vegetable (carrots, parsnips, etc.) Dandelion root tea has been shown to suppress gastric cancer, colorectal cancer and diabetes.

The leaves, picked young, can be used in salad or steamed and used like spinach. You can also dry them to make tea or add to other herbal and floral infusions. They are an excellent source of vitamins A, C and K and they also contain vitamin E, folate and other B vitamins plus several minerals including iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium.

Dandelion blossoms are full of antiinflammatory antioxidants, polyphenols, flavonoids and minerals that support and protect your cells, soothe skin irritations and nourish dry skin. Studies have even shown that both dandelion flower and leaf extracts help protect against UVBrelated aging of the skin cells. All parts of the dandelion, when consumed, have diuretic properties.

The big bonus is that dandelions are super easy to find and you can make your own dandelion infused oil very easily. Just be careful that you pick dandelions that have not been sprayed with pesticides or from the side of the road, where they will be subject to car pollution from exhausts. The younger you pick them the better they will be too.

To make the infused oil:

1) Gather 2 cups of clean dandelion blossoms.

2) Lay blossoms on a clean towel for 1224 hours to dry out. They may still have a little moisture afterwards, which is why we’ll be using low heat to evaporate out any remaining moisture.

3) Place in a 12oz jar and cover with a carrier oil such as olive oil or avocado oil.

4) Cover the jar with a piece of cheese cloth or coffee filter and secure with an elastic band.

5) Place a kitchen towel in the bottom of your slow cooker and place your jars inside. Add enough water to cover about

half the jar and set to the lowest setting (warm) for 12-24 hours, leaving the top uncovered. If you leave it on for 24 hours, you may want to check the water level about halfway through and replenish if needed.

6) After you remove them from the slow cooker, you can allow the blossoms to continue to infuse at room temperature for up to a week, or you can strain it and use it straight away. When you strain it, strain through a cheesecloth or fine mesh sieve and let it sit for several hours. If there is any water still in the oil it will collect in the bottom of the jar.

7) Pour the oil off, leaving any water behind. Store in a cool area away from direct sunlight (or other heat source) for up to 12 months. (IN the refrigerator is just fine.)

The infused oil can be used for:

1) First Aid on cuts, scrapes, burns, sunburns, bug bites and other minor skin irritations.

2) Face and lip care – due to its antioxidant properties it is becoming an increasingly popular face oil

3) Use for diaper rash – or a salve made with it.

4) Use on dry or chapped skin – it has great skin soothing and conditioning properties.

5) You can add essential oils to the dandelion infused oil to give added benefits, such as lavender to help relax muscles, black pepper to help ease muscle aches after exercise. Juniper to help ease arthritic aches and pains.

The list of benefits of dandelions seems to be never ending, so let’s see if we can all at least save a patch for the pollinators, even if we never use them ourselves – even though we really should!

email: nyrbhalla@gmail.com I web: us.nyrorganic.com/shop/tracybhalla I 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 general natural health information and a place to purchase certain products. email: nyrbhalla@gmail.com I am here to answer any questions you may have.