BOOM! August 2021 by Boomer Communities

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The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

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The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

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August 2021

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The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

Dr. Blake Raggio, Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon

The “Liquid Facelift”:

A Facial Plastic Surgeon’s Perspective As more and more people seek nonsurgical alternatives to improve their facial appearance, the term “liquid facelift” continues to gain widespread attention. But what does the term “liquid facelift” mean? How does it work? Who is a good candidate? How does it compare to a surgical facelift? Let’s discuss. What is a “Liquid Facelift”? In short, the term “liquid facelift” describes the application of liquid-like dermal fillers to the face in an effort to mimic the rejuvenating effects seen with a surgical facelift. Thus, the term “liquid facelift” exists. Several different types of dermal filler products may be used, though Hyaluronic Acid-based (e.g., Juvederm, Restylane) and Calcium hydroxyapatite-type fillers (e.g., Radiesse) remain the most common in today’s practice. What products are ultimately used will be determined by your injector’s experience and technique, your underlying anatomy, your budget, and your overall aesthetic goals. How can filler lift the face? In truth, the term “liquid facelift” is slightly misleading, since dermal filler does not necessarily lift or reposition the soft tissues of the face (as one would see during surgery). To be more accurate, filler gives the illusion of a lifted and rejuvenated appearance by filling in shadows, softening folds, camouflaging wrinkles, and repositioning light reflexes. The results can be quite dramatic in some cases, whilst still maintaining a natural and not “overdone” look.

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So, are you saying a “Liquid Facelift” is a replacement for a surgical facelift? Simply put, no. A non-surgical liquid facelift will never equate to a well-executed surgical facelift. With that being said, a liquid facelift performed in the properly selected patient can provide a safe and natural-appearing enhancement to the face/ neck. The allure of using dermal filler as opposed to surgery includes the upfront affordability, limited downtime, low complication profile, and the ability to undergo the procedure in-office. The cons of filler would include the temporary nature of the results (1-2 years duration depending on the filler and amount) and the rare risk of serious complications. Of note, most filler patients only experience mild bruising and swelling which typically lasts no more than 1-2 weeks. Better yet, the results of filler are almost immediate! To summarize, dermal filler represents a great option for those interested in nonsurgical facial rejuvenation. Who is a good candidate for a “Liquid Facelift”? In short, individuals of any age who suffer from facial volume loss and/or poorly defined facial contours would benefit from a liquid facelift. In addition to re-volumizing key problem areas (e.g., cheeks, tear troughs, temples) and improving facial contour (e.g., jawline,

chin), filler can also be used to camouflage fine lines/wrinkles, soften deepened hollows and folds (e.g., nasolabial folds, marionette lines), rejuvenate the lips, or refine the shape of the nose. The applications are limitless! The better question to ask, however, is: Who is NOT a good candidate for a “liquid facelift?”. The answer therein lies in a detailed assessment of your underlying anatomy and more importantly, your aesthetic goals and expectations. How can I learn more about a “Liquid Facelift”? If you are interested in learning more about a “liquid facelift,” I suggest consulting with a surgeon experienced in a wide variety of both surgical and non-surgical facial rejuvenation procedures. This will ensure that you receive a thorough evaluation and comprehensive treatment plan. As a fellowship-trained Facial Plastic Surgeon with core training in Head and Neck Surgery, I always encourage patients to understand the roles of each alternative before making a decision, as often-times, the best treatment option is a combined approach. As always, choose a surgeon whom you trust. There is nothing more important than the relationship you have with your doctor. In Good Health, Dr. Blake Raggio Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon Alabama Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 334.373.3611 (office) www.ALplasticsurgery.com

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The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

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BOOM!, The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

Contents

August 2021 Volume 12 Issue 2

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”

Facebook.com/RiverRegionBoom C.S. Lewis

Thought Relationships Taste Inspiration

Humor Advice Health Community

“Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.”

Carl Bard

9 The “Liquid Facelift” Dr. Blake Raggio 10 Montgomery Chamber Music Season 14 Publisher's Column 16 Why You May Need Life Insurance page 32

Features 22 Why Fun Is Key to Happiness As We Age

36 12 Old-School Skills That are Becoming Obsolete

40 Jeff Barganier's Only God Can Make a Tree, Joyce Kilmer

Thanks

Departments 42 This and That A variety of TIDBITS

56 Greg Budell A VERY SPECIAL CHRISTMAS CAROL

58 What the New Movie 'Old' Gets Right About Aging

21 Can Money Buy You a Longer Life? 24 Putting Your Estate in Order with Susan Moore 28 AUM OLLI Makes Plans for the Fall 2021 Term 30 Understanding the Common Misconceptions of Dementia

for

page 56

20 Chicken Parmesan Bake

Reading BOOM!

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33 Do You Know a Widow or Widower? 34 New to Gardening by Karen Highland 38 Can You Live Without a Will Ask an Elder Law Attorney

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page 40

page 34

page 36

page 33

page 16

44 ‘Gogue Center announces Fall 2021 lineup 46 The Hog Days of Summer’ 48 BOOM! Cover Profile 60 The Marvelous Orange Tree with Tracy Bhalla

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62 Reader Discounts

Free Subscriptions @ w w w. r i ve rre gio n b o o m.co m BOOM! The River Regions 50+ Lifestage Magazine is published monthly by River Region Publications, P.O. Box 6203, Montgomery, AL 36106. The phone number is 334.324.3472. Copyright 2021 by River Region Publications. No part of this publication can be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Opinions expressed in BOOM! The River Regions 50+ Lifestage Magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the owners, nor do they constitute an endorsement of products and services herein.

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Publisher’s Letter

Sharing Our Gardens I love to garden. In reality, I love my wife and Master Gardener, Sandy to do the gardening, while I provide the muscle for digging holes and moving pots. We share work on special projects in our garden and it’s an absolute treat to steal moments from the day and just sit there watching our garden grow together. Gardens are a wonderful place to share with each other and with our community.

The mission of BOOM! is to serve the folks of the River Region age 50 plus with information and ideas to inspire new experiences, better quality of life and new beginnings.

Publisher/Editor

Jim Watson, 334.324.3472

Sandy and I live in Old Cloverdale and there are many beautiful gardens throughout the neighborhood. One in particular is the Old Cloverdale Community Garden. This garden was a vacant and abandoned lot on Woodward Avenue until a garden vision appeared in the thoughts of the members of the Old Cloverdale Association. Jim Watson, Publisher jim@riverregionboom.com

jim@riverregionboom.com

Contributing Writers Jeff Barganier Lynn Benefield

Lois Cortell was one of those members and has been the co-manager of the Old Cloverdale Community Garden and helped transform an empty ugly space to what is considered one of the best community gardens in the River Region. Lois is our cover profile this month and what a joy it was to get to know her and the passion she has for our community. Lois is also the Senior Development Manager for Montgomery, which means she embraces change very well, especially if she has a hand in its progress. She will also be turning fifty in a few days and with it she has developed a wonderful attitude about aging that could help us all. I hope you enjoy getting to know Lois as much as I have and if you get a chance share her story with others.

Tracy Bhalla Greg Budell

Kyrié Carpenter Lois Cortell Willie Durham Karen Highland Ellyn Lem Susan Moore Travis Tae Oh Stephanie Thurrott Dr. Blake Raggio Raley L. Wiggins

This month’s issue has many other good reads besides Lois’ story. As it turns out, one of our writers researched the key to aging and it is FUN! That makes sense because when something is fun, we want to go back for more. So, begin now and make a list of all the fun things you have done during aging and all the things you want to explore that you think will provide even more fun. Are you having fun?

Cover Photography

Photography by DiAnna Paulk photographybydiannapaulk.com

Everyone knows about old-school skills that seem to be vanishing and sometimes we have to ask, does it matter? Some of us worry about the future generation not being able to write in cursive, or other skills we thought were vital. Maybe they are or maybe not. See if you agree.

Advertising

Jim Watson, 334.324.3472 jim@riverregionboom.com

Jeff Barganier is chasing after Big Trees this month, following Joyce Kilmer and his forest of trees. Greg Budell receives a very belated Christmas Carol from a very special Christmas Eve from 1969. He gets a gift of looking back on a life’s journey and seeing clearly, it’s meaning on his life today. Greg shares as only he can, well worth the read. Facebook.com/RiverRegionBoom

Please support our advertising partners, they are part of BOOM! because they believe in aging well. As you take a few minutes to enjoy this month’s issue, keep in mind we try to present information you find interesting, funny, inspirational, helpful…our goal is for you to have the best reading experience in the River Region. To better understand your needs when it comes to aging well, drop me a note through email or text with ideas or thoughts on what we do each month. I love to listen.

Jim 334.324.3472 cell/text jim@riverregionboom.com Please Recycle This Magazine, Share with a Friend!

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Did You Know?

Why You May Need Life Insurance Why Do I Need Life Insurance? Life events and milestones sometimes impact the decision to consider life insurance coverage. It is a good practice to consistently review coverages when these occur. This assures that coverages are current and are opportunities to verify or update beneficiaries. People typically make decisions and changes on life insurance after life events such as a marriage, the birth of a child, adoption, divorce, remarriage or death. A few other times are described below. • You got married and have joint debt. Many people use marriage as a prompt to obtain life insurance. However, it may be critical to either add or increase life insurance coverage based on how much joint credit debt, including mortgage and credit card, you have. According to Experian as of the first quarter of 2019, the average mortgage per borrower was $202,284 in the U.S. This certainly would be a large responsibility for a newly widowed spouse, so having life insurance coverage helps tremendously. • Someone co-signs a loan for you or you co-sign a loan for someone else. If your death would cause financial consequences for anyone, you should consider covering yourself. If you cosigned a loan for someone else and are helping them pay it back, they may not have the resources to cover the payment. • You’re completing an estate plan. Many adults with older children consider letting their life insurance policies lapse since they don’t need to provide dayto-day income coverage anymore. Life insurance, when used properly, can be a great way to leave a legacy for beneficiaries while avoiding probate and retaining privacy. • You are going through a divorce. If you’re going through a divorce, there are insurance factors to consider, especially if you have children. When a marriage ends, the topic of life insurance after

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divorce is too often overlooked. What's your financial plan? Because life insurance can have a big impact on both your loved ones and your finances, the topic can be intimidating. One size does not fit all but here are a few things to consider.

maintain their standard of living. Even if you don't have a mortgage, there are probably other assets that you want to protect. Life insurance can help protect your spouse from having to dip into retirement funds earlier than anticipated.

Who do you want to protect? Life insurance is often thought of as a way to protect loved ones by providing for final expenses, estate taxes, etc. But let's think beyond that. Who else depends on you and your income?

• Are you a business owner? Life insurance can help the company you built continue after you're gone. Do you want to leave something behind? Perhaps you would like your legacy to help the next generation live more comfortably. Life insurance can help you do that. Life insurance can continue your contributions to your favorite charity, because some policies allow you to name an organization as your beneficiary.

• Do you have children at home? Life insurance can help provide the money for day care now and an education for the future. If your kids are older, your insurance can help cover tuition payments. • Are you responsible for your parents? If you're contributing to the care of an elderly relative, you should consider how those healthcare bills will be paid if you or your partner passes away suddenly. What do you want to protect? • Do you have a mortgage? If you have a mortgage, adequate life insurance can help your family stay in the home and

Types of life insurance Knowing what type of life insurance is right for you is key. The major types of life insurance policies are: • Term insurance is the simplest type of insurance. You pay your premiums as scheduled and in return your insurer agrees to pay a death benefit should you die within that term. The policy is temporary and is designed to last for a specific amount of time (term). After the The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

term period is over, many policies are guaranteed to renew on an annual basis at a higher premium. • Whole life insurance offers level premiums and life insurance protection for as long as you live, provided premiums are paid as required to keep the policy in force. Whole life policies build value over time and provides for the accumulation of guaranteed cash value, which grows on a tax deferred basis. • Universal life insurance is a permanent policy with flexible premium payments and death benefits that can help protect your loved ones while building taxdeferred cash value. Like whole life insurance, this type of life insurance can help provide for loss of income, mortgage costs, education costs or unexpected expenses by allowing access to the cash value. Article submitted by Willie Durham, State Farm Agent

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AFA Partners in Care: Supporting Individuals Living with Dementia

Course Description AFA Partners in Care: Supporting Individuals Living with Dementia seeks to equip myriad health care professionals with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to work effectively with individuals living with dementia, their families, and colleagues. This training program reflects a philosophy of care that the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) strongly supports: that which is focused on relationship-building. This personcentered approach to core values and promotes the unique strengths, goals, and humanity of each individual, involves interdisciplinary collaboration among care providers, and places individuals with dementia and their families at the center of decision-making. Through encouraging attendees to reflect upon their experiences working with this population, professional strengths and areas for professional growth, the workshop seeks to foster mindfulness, introspection, and critical thinking. This course is approved by the Association of Social Work Board (ASWB) to provide 6 Continuing Education General Social Work credits. To Register Contact Abbey Rogers Central AL Aging / Dementia Friendly Alabama 334-240-4680 abbey.rogers@adss.alabama.gov

Date: August 25, 2021 8:45 AM - 5:00 PM Location: Millbrook Civic Center 3168 Park Cir, Millbrook, AL The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

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Chicken Parmesan Bake by Stacy Little Y’all, I have something to share today that is going to make your life in the kitchen easier. This absolutely delicious and crazyeasy Chicken Parmesan Bake has all the delicious flavor of traditional chicken Parm, but with a fraction of the work. The recipe takes advantage of frozen prebreaded and cooked chicken fingers to take the mess and hassle out of frying chicken and turns the classic dish into a delicious casserole your family will devour. My family absolutely adored this and they’ve been constantly asking to have it again. Ingredients • 1 pound (6 to 8 strips) frozen fully cooked breaded chicken tenders (I used Tyson Crispy Chicken Strips) • 1 (16-ounce) box penne pasta • 1 (24-ounce) jar spaghetti sauce • 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese • 1 (8-ounce) package shredded mozzarella cheese Instructions 1. Cook the chicken and pasta according the directions on the packages. 2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9-by-13-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. 3. Mix the cooked and drained pasta with the spaghetti sauce and tomato sauce. 4. Pour it into the prepared baking dish. 5. Sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese. 6. Chop the cooked chicken into 1-inch pieces and sprinkle over the pasta. 7. Cover with the mozzarella cheese and bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until heated through and the cheese has melted. This recipe originally appeared on SouthernBite.com. For more great recipes, visit the website or check out ”The Southern Bite Cookbook.” Source: www.southernbite.com

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Can Money Buy

You a Longer Life? Money may not buy happiness but new research suggests it may at least help Americans live longer. "Our results suggest that building wealth is important for health at the individual level, even after accounting for where one starts out in life," said Greg Miller, a faculty fellow at Northwestern University's Institute for Policy Research, in Chicago. "So, from a public health perspective, policies that support and protect individuals' ability to achieve financial security are needed." But far too many Americans are living paycheck to paycheck with little or nothing to fall back on in times of need, added Miller, senior author of the new study. For the study, Miller's team analyzed data from 5,400 adult participants in the Midlife in the United States project. The researchers compared the net worth of participants (average age, 47 years) in the mid-1990s and their death rates 24 years later. The takeaway: Those with greater wealth at midlife tended to live longer. But the researchers wondered if other factors — perhaps familial — might also be at play. When they focused on a subset of nearly 2,500 siblings and twin pairs, they found a similar association, suggesting that the connection between wealth and longevity goes beyond genetics or shared family experiences. "The within-family association provides strong evidence that an association between wealth accumulation and life expectancy exists, because comparing siblings within the same family to each other controls for all of the life experience and biology that they share," corresponding author Eric Finegood, a postdoctoral fellow, said in a university news release. The researchers also re-examined the data using only people without cancer or heart disease. This was done to find out whether these health conditions and their related costs could reduce a person's ability to gain wealth and possibly skew any link between wealth and longevity. But even in this group of healthy people, the familial link between wealth and longevity remained. SOURCE: Northwestern University

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By Travis Tae Oh

Why Fun Is Key to Happiness As We Age Meaningful things in life are important, but here's how research shows it's equally important to have fun while you grow older

One of the most intriguing questions in life is to ask ourselves what makes us happy. Sure, it's a millenniaold question, but it keeps popping up, generation after generation, with many scholars and philosophers spending their lifetime studying it.

which are now closed). For Greg, dancing is the epitome of fun.

In contrast, very few people have seriously inquired (or researched) about what it means to have fun and why fun is important to our well-being, even during adulthood and in the second half of life. To better understand fun and explore its implications, I have devoted the last five years to interviewing dozens of individuals from all walks of life, collecting over a thousand written narratives, amassing hundreds of images for what's known as photo ethnography and conducting multiple experiments and analyses to build a theory of fun. What My Research on Fun Reveals My ongoing work has revealed that the underlying psychology of fun is an experience of liberating engagement — a temporary release from internalized restrictions, such as social obligations or self-imposed disciplines, by actively engaging in an activity for pure enjoyment. Although individuals may vary in the types of activities that they consider fun, the experience of fun is generally characterized by a sense of liberation and hedonic engagement. Let me illustrate this concept through a particularly memorable interview I had with Greg (not his real name, for privacy reasons), a retired teacher in his early 70s. Greg emigrated from Greece to the U.S.

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"What makes it fun? Well, it's a total abandon," he says. "You get inspired by the music and jump up and down. Like, you let go. Your worries, you let go of everything. You get up there and dance."

via a transatlantic cruise ship when he was seven and has lived in New York City since then. He worked as a language teacher for 35 years before retiring. His eyes beaming with pride as he explains his teaching experiences, there's no doubt that his career accomplishments brought him meaning and happiness in life. Yet, as we start talking about his fun experiences, Greg's tone changes into one of youthful exuberance. I can feel a sense of pure joy and happiness as he puts down his classic black beret and steps toward the center of the room, telling me that he will show me the spirit of "Zorba the Greek." Completely spontaneous, Greg starts singing a Greek folksong, in a conversational, medium-pitched vibrato. He takes diamond steps at each beat and jumps up in sort of a scissors kick and claps his hands in between his kicks. It's a brief moment, but magical. For This Retiree, Dancing Is the Epitome of Fun Returning to his seat, Greg recounts his dancing adventures decades ago when he would go to clubs in Manhattan (most of

While dancing might not be fun for all of us, Greg makes a vital point about the nature of fun. That is, the essence of fun is an experience of liberation. Of letting go and being carefree. Whether you're dancing on the disco floor, trekking on a nature trail or playing a round of golf, fun arises from a temporary release from various obligations and psychological restrictions. It's not the type of activity that matters, but whether that experience engages you with a sense of liberation. Why is this characteristic of fun important to happiness, especially in adulthood and later in life? Well, I see having fun as a quintessential counterweight to the burdens of life, keeping us balanced and mentally healthy to lead happier, fuller lives. Life's drudgeries can, at times, overwhelm the best of us — and that seems to happen more frequently in midlife. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicidal rates peak around the age of 50 in the U.S. and are significantly higher between ages 40 and 60 than any other age group. Fun: The Antidote to Midlife Malaise I see fun as one strong antidote to this midlife malaise.

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Unfortunately, as ironic as it may sound, most of us don't take having fun as "seriously" as we should, even though, as my research suggests, fun is a major contributor to overall happiness. A statistical analysis of my study on 200 U.S. adults showed that the positive effect of fun on happiness was unaffected by age — that is, whether you're 20 or 60, the experience of fun will equally contribute to happiness. Further analysis confirmed that fun is an independent driver of happiness, even after controlling for other known contributors such as meaningfulness or sensory pleasure. I believe we are placing too much emphasis on finding meaning and fulfillment in life as the holy grail of happiness, with little regard for fun. Perhaps influenced by demands of modern society, I believe we are placing too much emphasis on finding meaning and fulfillment in life (via career accomplishments or social relationships) as the holy grail of happiness, with little regard for fun. For those of us who have been so laser-focused on our careers, parenting or other pursuits, spending significant money and time to really have fun may seem like a distant activity (when was the last time you did that?) or may incite feelings of guilt. My Advice to You: Have Fun! But the art of having fun comes from the realization that fun is a temporary release from internalized restrictions while engaged in a pleasurable activity. This sense of feeling free and liberated, even if transient, can greatly add to your happiness and compensate for the challenges that may lie ahead as you return to your meaningful pursuits in life. According to my research, the best way to achieve this is to set aside a specific time and location to give yourself permission to let loose and engage yourself in something novel and spontaneous with others who also want to join in on your fun experience. I hope you will. Have fun! Travis Tae Oh is an assistant professor of marketing at the Sy Syms School of Business at Yeshiva University. Source: www.nextavenue.org The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

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Putting Your Estate in Order When is the last time you reviewed your estate plan? Do you have a will? According to a recent survey by the ¹Harris Poll, 64% of Americans do not have a will. Why? The most common reason mentioned was that “they hadn’t gotten around to it yet.” If you have a will, when is the last time you reviewed it? Due to estate law changes in the last five years, there is a good possibility that a will that was drafted more than five years ago needs to be revised. In addition, when is the last time you reviewed your beneficiary designations in your 401(k)s, IRAs, life insurance policies and annuities? One of the most common estate planning mistakes is not making sure that beneficiary designations are in order. Many people believe that the will governs everything about their estate and don’t worry about regularly reviewing their various beneficiary designations. In fact, if your beneficiary designations differ from what is expressed in your will, the beneficiary designations specified in your retirement plans or insurance policies will trump the will. Every August, Susan Moore of Moore Wealth Management in Montgomery, conducts a free estate planning workshop in a Webinar format. The workshop covers a number of issues, including a review of the various legal documents involved in estate planning such as wills, durable powers of attorney, advanced healthcare directives, revocable and irrevocable trusts. Beneficiary designations are a great tool, properly used, in estate

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Financial Thoughts with Susan Moore

By Susan Clayton Moore, J.D.

Principal of Moore Wealth Management, Inc.

planning. They are flexible and can be changed without having to re-do legal documents to reflect family changes such as births, deaths and divorces. The workshop covers how to use these beneficiary designations properly, including primary and contingent beneficiaries and per capita or per stirpes distributions. In addition, the Webinar offers attendees a template of how to conduct a family meeting at which you communicate to your family and heirs your plans and intentions around the distribution of your assets. A vital part of this meeting is to define the roles and responsibilities of your various heirs as well as general instructions, including the location of key documents, burial wishes and intentions for tangible personal property. These methods will be covered in a Webinar format on Wednesday, August 18th by Susan Moore of Moore Wealth Management, Inc. at 12 p.m. Please

call 334.270.1672, or email sarah@ moorewealthmanagement.com, for more information and reservations. We conduct a variety of workshops and seminars at MWM. The mission statement of MWM is very simple: “and then some.” We attempt to do what is expected, what is required “and then some”. The Putting Your Estate in Order workshop is part of our monthly “and then some” workshops. In addition, MWM conducts daily current events market updates that attempt to explain what is going on in the financial world. If you would like to be on the mailing list or receive email notifications of upcoming webinars, please call 334.270.1672. Susan Clayton Moore, J.D., is a financial advisor and wealth manager of Moore Wealth Management, Inc., with offices in Auburn, Montgomery, and Alexander City, AL. Susan has under advisement over $170 million (as of 3.31.2021) in brokerage and advisory assets through Kestra Financial and has been a financial planner over 38 years. Contact Susan at 334.270.1672. Email contact is susan@ moorewealthmanagement.com. Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisory Services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. Kestra IS or Kestra AS are not affiliated with Moore Wealth Management, Inc. https://bit.ly/KF-Disclosures ¹https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2015/07/11/ estate-plan-will/71270548/

August Workshop (webinar)

Putting Your Estate in Order to register, call our Montgomery office at

334.270.1672

sarah@moorewealthmanagement.com The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

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AUM OLLI Makes Plans for the Fall 2021 Term Aum’s OLLI program is returning to in-person classes for the Fall 2021 term, which begins September 20 and runs through November 12. The schedule will include the usual variety of hands-on classes, discussion-study classes, and active classes. A good way to get acquainted with the AUM OLLI program is to attend the open house prior to the beginning of the fall term. Scheduled for September 09, 2021, from 10:00 to 11:30, in the Center for Lifelong Learning (75 TechnaCenter Drive), the open house offers an excellent opportunity to meet current OLLI members and instructors, who will be available to discuss their courses in detail. Good things to remember about OLLI classes are that there are

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no tests and no grades, just learning for the sake of learning. Some popular returning classes will be on the schedule including: exercise, art study at the Museum of Fine Arts, writing, World War II, and jewelry making, among a number of others. There will also be some new instructors and course offerings: composing pictures through the camera lens of a camera, the history of Route 66, and others (the schedule is still being developed). There will also be a number of Bonus Opportunities available to OLLI members: a schedule of lunch presentations, book discussion groups, an afternoon hiking session, and possibly a couple of field trips (still in the planning stages).

Put September 9, 2021, on your calendar, and come have a cup of coffee with some new friends. Meet the OLLI volunteer instructors, and discuss their classes with them. Bring a friend, and join us on September 9 at 10:00 at the Center for Lifelong Learning! We hope to see you in the near future to continue our lifelong learning and fellowship with other OLLI members. For more updates and information about AUM OLLI go to www.aum.edu/OLLI .

JOIN TODAY! Tell your friends!

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By Kyrié Carpenter

Understanding the Common Misconceptions of Dementia

8 Misconceptions from Members of Dementia Conversations Dementia is an umbrella term for many different experiences of cognitive change. There are a lot of misconceptions about dementia that can add tremendous pain to an already challenging situation. To uncover the most common and hurtful misconceptions, I spoke with the experts - people living with dementia. What follows are eight misconceptions sourced from members of Dementia Conversations, a program of Dementia Friendly Nevada.

A magic pill can fix it. Between ‘do this diet,’ ‘come to this clinic, ’and ‘spend your money here,’ there is a lot of misinformation out there. Since the 1970s, there have been projections of a cure in the next 5-10 years. While there is no magic pill, getting plugged in with support groups and seeking out the stories of advocates (like those featured in this article) can lead you to a guide of how to live well with a dementia diagnosis. - Sam Simon, Living with Early-Stage Alzheimer’s

There is no hope. The overwhelming message from the Dementia Conversations group and other advocates is, ‘Yes, there is no cure, but lifestyle matters.” There are real challenges that come with dementia. AND many little things can be done to

make each day a bit better, and these add up to making it possible to live well with a dementia diagnosis. - Nancy Nelson, Diagnosed with MCI

Dementia means only end-stage. The Dementia Conversations group expressed frustration that people don’t realize dementia is a process. The stages of Alzheimer’s and dementia aren’t black and white, there is a lot of in-between. This misconception makes folks experiencing early-stage dementia feel invisible. Nancy Nelson expressed when someone is in early-stage, people say, “Wow, you don’t look like you have dementia.” Comments like this, “I forget things too,” and “You don’t sound any different than you used to” mean well. In reality, they deny the experience of the person you are talking to and cause unnecessary suffering. No one wants to be told how they feel. When someone tells you they have dementia, ask them about their experience, listen and believe them; that is their truth and reality.

Chuck McClatchey, dementia educator, shared “Showtime” is a real thing. This refers to experiencing a few days of fog when recovering after a speaking engagement. Many in the group reported being able to rise to an occasion but then needing recovery time after the fact. This is a good reminder that every day with dementia is different.

As soon as you are diagnosed with dementia, you should appoint a substitute decision-maker. It is crucial to communicate our wishes. Do this early and often. Imagine being unable to communicate them yourself. What would you want your loved ones to know? How would you want decisions to be made? After a dementia diagnosis, you may want to move toward a shared decision-making model. Ensuring the person living with dementia’s voice is heard is a big part of the care partnership. The goal is to stay engaged to the greatest extent possible for as long as possible. Get creative with communication to make sure wishes are being understood and advocated. Communication in the later stages of dementia can become challenging and it may be necessary to help implement decisions made previously. - Dr. Jennifer Carson, Family Care-Partner and Director, Dementia Engagement, Education

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and Research (DEER) Program, University of Nevada, Reno.

of life. Second, when the need is met it does not need to be communicated anymore and frequently the thing we were trying to restrain leaves all on its own. - Richard Wells, Living with MCI

Doctors have ALL the answers. The group shared the importance of finding a doctor who will be a partner in our health. Nancy reflected that she interviews for her doctors to find the right fit. So much is unknown about dementia. It is essential to take anything you hear, from a medical professional or otherwise, with a grain of salt. Test it against your own experience. - Nancy Nelson

Caregivers deserve pity. Of course, there are challenges when helping provide care for someone living with dementia. AND that isn’t the whole story. The Dementia Conversations group share that the relationship can be rewarding, especially when there is an active care partnership where both the person living with dementia and their

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Care partners know what they are doing.

supporters give and receive love and care from each other. - Kat Hartley, Caregiver, and Advocate

Dementia can be controlled through restraint. Physical and chemical restraints do not address underlying unmet needs and cause more problems than they solve. There is a different lens. We can look at behavior as communication or as an expression of unmet need. By getting curious we can meet these unmet needs. This has two benefits. First, by validating the need we can quickly improve quality

If you feel like you have no idea what you are doing, you are not alone! First, as we have said in other misconceptions, each experience of dementia is unique, making it challenging to ‘know what you are doing’. What works for one person may not work for another. There is still so much we do not know about dementia. There is no perfect handbook. Many care partners also do not have access to the training they deserve and learn on the fly. The bottom line? Keep your eyes and heart open. There are many false stereotypes and misconceptions about dementia. By being curious, we can reduce the pain and suffering caused by these misconceptions. - Anonymous

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Do You Know a Widow or Widower? In This Life is a collection of poetry and writings born out of a fractured, broken heart. Webster’s definition defines fracture as “to break or cause to break.” That is exactly what happened on December 1, 2017.

My husband, Tim, embraced his Savior at 2:39 p.m. on that cold day surrounded by his family and a host of friends. He did not know, as far as I could tell, that we were there. I imagine he was already running toward Jesus to meet Him face to face. But at 2:39 p.m., his heart rejoiced wildly, and mine broke. What becomes of a broken heart? How is a broken heart defined? Again, Webster

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heart are for you. If you are reading this as a widow, or you know someone who has become one, then you will recognize the emotions, heartbreak, the days of healing, and the days of falling back. This work is the result of my own personal “pause.”

has many definitions, but the one I like the most is this: “to make a pause in a journey.” I like that one because it says “pause in a journey” ...meaning it is not the end of a journey. The reflections on the outpouring of my

My prayer is that you find comfort and healing along the journey with me. We may not know each other, but we walk the same road. One step, one foot in front of the other foot until one day God hits “play,” and the journey that was on pause will continue for all Eternity, together with Him and our beloved husbands. If you would like a book, please contact Lynn Benefield by email at Lynniebenniexo@gmail.com The cost of each book is $10.00 plus 3.25 shipping.

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Master Gardener's Perspective

By Karen Highland

New to Gardening

My first attempt at gardening happened about 3 years ago. It was to serve three important purposes. First, to help improve my diet. I am a true southern girl and like good southern food. I wanted to increase my fresh vegetable and fruit intake, but I wasn’t willing to pay the high cost at the supermarket. Next, as my children became teens and less dependent on me, I needed new hobbies. Gardening seemed to be a perfect hobby that I could do by myself. Lastly, I needed to get some exercise. I wanted to do something that I enjoyed and not spend money on a gym membership that would probably go to waste. I got into gear and researched what type of garden suited me best. I settled on container gardening because the soil in my yard was so poor, and it seemed the best for a beginner. I chose vegetable seeds and fruit trees that I knew would produce foods I liked to eat. I bought a small green house, potting soil, containers, and everything that the internet said that I needed to be successful. I was fully equipped for the journey. I started my

seeds in trays indoors and acclimated them over time to the greenhouse outdoors. Seeing them sprout was so exciting. I documented each step in my journal and took photos. As they grew, I eventually moved them to their permanent containers on my porch. They thrived. The foliage was bright green, strong, tall, reaching onward and upward to the sky. I had grown my green thumb and I was so proud. As the weeks passed, I watched them flower and bud anticipating my bountiful harvest. Out of 50-60 healthy plants I got very little mature produce. What had I done wrong? What had I missed in all my research? I watered more, I watered less, I moved container from full sun to partial sun, I repotted some, I fertilized, I

documented every detail to no avail. I literally had the most beautiful vegetable container garden without one piece of produce to show for it. I was devastated because I had worked so hard, and I could not figure out where I had gone wrong. After some more in-depth research I realized I had chosen plants that weren’t bush/ container varieties, I watered and fertilized improperly, and I had not considered how much squirrels enjoyed new budding vegetables. My backyard had been a squirrel haven for years. I had been feeding them in shell peanuts for years on my back porch which was the same place I had chosen for my container garden. I assume my squirrel children thought I set out a garden bar just for them. This didn’t deter me, it only made me investigate other methods of gardening and how to control my pet squirrels. My methods have improved but those squirrels are still outsmarting me! Karen Highland, an intern in the 2018 Master Gardener Class, lives in Montgomery, AL. For more information on becoming a master gardener, visit www.capcitymga.org or email capcitymga@gmail.com.

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By Stephanie Thurrott

12 Old-School Skills

That are Becoming Obsolete... Does it matter? Our Gen Z kids and grandkids are digital natives. They can convey nuance in their text messages, effortlessly navigate wherever they want to go, and get a pizza delivered anywhere, anytime. But they’ve never learned some of the old-school, analog skills most of us were taught as we grew up. Does it matter? 1. The skill: Read and write in cursive Does it matter? TIME Magazine says yes, claiming that cursive writing is harder to forge, activates different parts of the brain, and allows people to read historical documents in their original form. Other than signing your name, I’m not convinced. The only time my kids need to read cursive is when they get cards from their grandparents, and those can be “translated” easily. 2. The skill: Dial a rotary phone Does it matter? Probably not. When was the last time you needed to use a rotary phone? In any case, it’s something kids could learn in about a minute. Watching teens try to make a call with a rotary phone is entertaining, though. (For more phone-related fun, check out this 1954 Bell System video tutorial on how to switch from operator-assisted calls to dial calls.) 3. The skill: Sew Does it matter? According to Martha Stewart, yes, for practical and educational reasons. Sewing allows you to design, create, and mend clothing, and it can help build planning and math skills and hand-eye coordination. I still put my rudimentary sewing skills to use when I need to sew on a button or repair a small tear, but I leave the more complex projects to the experts.

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4. The skill: Navigate with a map or compass Does it matter? Maybe. PBS Kids says reading maps helps build spatial reasoning skills, and certainly understanding compass directions and the concept of the magnetic North Pole should be part of everyone’s education. It’s tough to compete with the technology behind Waze and Google Maps, though. A map or compass might come in handy when that technology isn’t available, as long as you can manage to find a map or compass. 5. The skill: Drive a standard-shift car Does it matter? Most of the time, probably not. Sorry, stick-shift aficionados (and I count myself among them). Edmunds reports that only 1.2% of new cars sold in 2019 had manual transmissions, as of October. As much as some of us may love them, it looks like shifting for ourselves is on its way out. 6. The skill: Change the oil in a car Does it matter? It depends. Family Handyman says you can change your own oil in about 20 minutes and save

some money. I’m sure this project would take me a lot longer than 20 minutes, and I’m not convinced on the cost savings. You need to buy oil and a filter, own or borrow the right tools, and have access to a garage or driveway where you can work. You also need to take your used oil someplace to recycle it. It’s nice to know how to change your own oil, and rewarding to do things yourself, but for most of us, the time vs. money trade-off probably isn’t worth it. 7. The skill: Replace a flat tire Does it matter? Yes, but being able to use this skill in real life is questionable. AAA reported in 2017 that 28% of new cars didn’t come with spare tires. About 14% of new cars come with runflat tires; for the rest, manufacturers have often eliminated spares to improve fuel efficiency. If you don’t have a spare, you can’t change a tire. And even when you do have a spare, lug nuts are often so tight that many of us can’t loosen them to remove the flat tire. 8. The skill: Find a book with a library’s card catalog Does it matter? Nostalgic as we may be, it’s hard to make an argument for this one. The Smithsonian reported on the death of the card catalog in 2015.

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9. The skill: Balance a checkbook Does it matter? The skill matters; the system, not so much. To be sure, monitoring your accounts for accuracy and keeping your expenses below your income are cornerstones of personal finance. Logging in online to check your finances regularly works better than a paper-and-pencil system for just about all of us. 10. The skill: Look something up in a dictionary, thesaurus or encyclopedia Does it matter? The Week makes an argument for print dictionaries over their online counterparts and points to the serendipity factor — while looking up one word you’ll likely come across other words that are interesting. It’s tougher to make that argument for a thesaurus, where you’re likely looking for an alternative to a word you already know. And your options for analog encyclopedias are limited. The Encyclopedia Britannica’s 2010 version was its last in print, and the World Book is the only general encyclopedia still being printed today. 11. The skill: Remember phone numbers Does it matter? Yes. It’s a good idea for all of us to memorize, or at least have analog access to, an emergency contact number at minimum. But with 10-digit phone numbers, multiple area code overlays, and phones serving individuals, not families, it’s not feasible for most of us to commit a lot of numbers to memory.

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Ask an Elder Law Attorney

By: Raley L. Wiggins | Attorney at Law | Red Oak Legal, PC

Can You Live Without a Living Will? Even among lawyers, there is a lot of confusion regarding which documents clients need when it comes to health care decision making. Adding to the confusion is the fact that the names of many of these documents—Living Wills, Advance Directives, Do Not Resuscitate Orders, Healthcare Proxies, and Healthcare Powers of Attorney—are often (incorrectly) used interchangeably. So, I thought I would address each of these documents in turn to try and clear up some of the confusion. Let’s start with a Power of Attorney. A power of attorney (“POA”) is any document in which a principal grants an agent the authority to legally act on behalf of the principal. For example, Joe Q. Client (the principal) may give his wife, Jane T. Client (his agent), power of attorney to handle business and financial affairs on his behalf. The POA Joe gave to Jane in this case is probably drafted very broadly to give Jane a lot of authority.

A “Do Not Resuscitate Order” (commonly called a “DNR”) is also often confused with a living will. In a hospital setting, a patient will typically receive resuscitation efforts (such as CPR) unless a physician has given a “no-code” or “do not resuscitate” order. But Estate Planning and Asset Protection Workshop such an order is not effective For more information and to register please contact our office if the patient by calling (334) 239-3625 or email Dana@redoaklegalpc.com. is discharged This educational workshop presented by local attorney Raley back into the community. L. Wiggins covers wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance second category includes non-end-of-life decisions, i.e. decisions that do not involve withdrawing life sustaining treatment or artificially provided food and water.

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directives, living wills, probate administration, protecting assets from creditors, bankruptcy, divorce and remarriage, nursing homes, long-term care and Medicaid qualification. Registration is required. For more info visit www.redoaklegalpc.com.

On the other hand, you may have executed a very limited POA if you have ever traded in a car to a dealership. The dealership will typically have you sign a POA that gives it the limited authority to sign any paperwork necessary to transfer title to your trade-in when they sell it to the next buyer. But, POA’s aren’t just for financial transactions. Depending upon how it is drafted, your POA may include provisions for making health care decisions as well. If the POA document authorizes your agent (sometimes called your “attorney-in-fact”) to make health care decisions, then your agent may also have the authority to act as your health care proxy as well. More on that below. When it comes to granting an agent or proxy authority to make health care decisions, the law breaks down those decisions into two basic categories. The first category is end-of-life decision making, namely the decision to provide, withhold or withdraw life sustaining treatment or artificially provided food and water. The

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If you don’t appoint an agent pursuant to your POA to make healthcare decisions for you, then you may draft an Advance Directive. This is a document that appoints an agent, called a Health Care Proxy, to make decisions on your behalf. Unlike a POA, a Health Care Proxy appointed in an Advance Directive is limited to making health care decisions only, and does not have any financial authority. Stated differently, your agent under a POA may also qualify as a Health Care Proxy, but your Health Care Proxy appointed by an Advance Directive does not qualify as your financial Agent. Finally, you may also have a Living Will, which deals only with end-of-life decision making. Your Living Will may be a separate, stand-alone document, or it may be incorporated into your Advance Directive. It states whether you want to receive life sustaining treatment and/or artificially provided nutrition and hydration if you are faced with a terminal illness. Terminal illness is defined as a situation in which the patient’s death is imminent, or whose condition is hopeless unless the patient is artificially supported through the use of life-sustaining procedures, in the opinion of a qualified physician.

In that case, the patient must obtain a special doctor’s order called a DNAR (Do Not Attempt Resuscitation) which must be issued by the physician on a special form obtained from the Health Department. Unless the patient has a DNAR and is wearing a DNAR bracelet, an EMT is legally required to attempt resuscitation. There are a number of issues regarding health care decision making which must be considered. Most people should have an Advance Directive and Living Will as part of their ordinary estate planning documents. We also recommend a separate POA to deal with financial decisions. Individuals faced with a terminal illness may also consider speaking to their physician about a DNAR order as well, if appropriate. Advance Directives and Living Wills do not typically expire by the passage of time. They may, however, get “stale.” This is not a legal concern, but a practical one. For example, health care providers may be more hesitant to follow your wishes if they are set forth in a 25 year old living will. As a result, it’s wise to update them from time to time to keep them “fresh.” Raley L. Wiggins Attorney at Law, Red Oak Legal, PC 334-239-3625 | info@redoaklegalpc.com 322 Catoma Street, Montgomery, AL 36104, www.redoaklegalpc.com

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Travel Experiences with Jeff Barganier

Only God Can Make a Tree Hiking the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest

Ever since I read naturalist William Bartram’s book describing his travels in the American South 1773 1777, I have longed to experience a Southern old-growth forest like Joyce Kilmer Memorial Plaque those he wrote about. There’s a ginormous tree in the Sipsey Wilderness of Northwest Alabama that I’ve never been able to find. But Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest near Robbinsville in Western North Carolina, offers easy access to some giant trees. Joyce Kilmer wrote the poem “Trees” before being killed in action during World War I. He was 32. I had to see his memorial and the trees in his forest. This is how it happened: I always take the scenic route, so Cindy and I are cruising the backroads through Rockford, Sylacauga, Oxford, Jacksonville, Piedmont and Centre—inching our way toward North Georgia and, eventually, Western North Carolina. I’m negotiating curves behind the wheel of my new Accord Sport Limited Edition. Cindy whines and clutches her seat. If only in my imagination—and I have an active imagination—this car performs like an authentic sports car. The driver’s side window of my former ‘01 Accord malfunctioned on a recent writing assignment to Guntersville. I had to Gorilla-tape it shut and crawl in and out of the back door. Embarrassing. So, I bit

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the bullet and bought another, sportier Accord. FYI, it’s not red. Details. Cindy wants to know where we’re staying. She laughs when I tell her I booked a great deal—$45 at the Gremlin Inn. “When you see an old man with tobacco juice dripping down his chin, you’ll know we’re getting close,” I say. I told her something like that on a previous writing assignment to Black Berry Farm in Eastern

Sports where owner Tyler Daniel tells us about the nearby lost village of Congo, named in remembrance of famous Christian missionary and abolitionist, Dr. David Livingstone. Daniel says there may even be a movement afoot by locals to bring Congo back.

Between Rome and Ellijay, Georgia, there aren’t many opportunities for food or gas; but GPS soon zips us through Murphy and Robbinsville, NC to the trailhead of the Joyce Kilmer Forest. Once there, we head straight for the latrine and get in line behind fellow tree enthusiasts Ken and Beth of Knoxville. Discovering we have much in common, Ken, Beth, Cindy and I set out together absorbed in conversation, searching for tall timber. Not far up the trail, we make a mistake and fork right. Despite a sign on a tree warning us we’re not on the right trail, we continue for a mile or so, meeting people who tell us, “There aren’t any big trees along this trail.” The girls Jeff Between 2 Old-Growth Trees decide to turn Tennessee. If you wish to read that back but Ken story, visit www.cindybarganier.com and I stubbornly and scroll down to the picture of the press on. After a guy swinging a tennis racket. It’s one long slog along a of my better stories. fern-covered path through briars We stop in Anniston for lunch and poison ivy, at Classic on Noble—crystal Ken and I turn chandeliers, white tablecloths, back, too. On antique buffets filled with heirloom the way back, silver—old-fashioned Southern we encounter charm, excellent shrimp and grits. hikers who tell Jeff at Little River Canyon us the trail goes Cindy’s never seen Little River Canyon. six miles to an overlook. We’re beat and So, after lunch, we take a detour farther still haven’t seen an old-growth tree. north and test my new wheels on the But Ken and I are determined to return twisting perimeter of “Alabama’s Grand in the morning and take the right trail. Canyon” near Fort Payne. Departing Meanwhile, turns out, we’re all staying the canyon, we stop by True Adventure at the Historic Tapoco Lodge not far from

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Tapoco Lodge Resort, Lodge Guests List, In Room Welcome Note

Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest. The girls precede Ken and me to the lodge and make dinner reservations for six. Cindy and I have been invited to share a table with Ken, Beth and some other Knoxville folks, Doug and Polly—Knoxville’s only an hour and a half away. Tapoco Lodge is easy to love. It’s the kind of place where a personal greeting is left in your room by staff to make clear you’re welcome. Guests are surrounded by mountains, blooming rhododendron, numerous fire-pits, grassy knolls, Adirondack chairs by the river. This getaway stimulates one to relax and enjoy, and its management aptly describes Tapoco Lodge as an “Adventuary”—where adventure and sanctuary meet. We and our newfound friends enjoy outside dining overlooking the scenic Cheoah River. The menu includes Carolina trout, hand-tossed pizza, steaks, pasta and great burgers. There’s a full bar. We sample our waitress’s favorite local craft beer called Dirty Blonde Girl—or is it Blonde Dirty Girl? Whatever—it’s delicious. We talk, laugh and get acquainted as real sports cars and motor cycles roar by on Highway 129 on their way to and from the tortuous stretch of road known as Tail of the Dragon. Next morning, Ken’s vintage ’01 Porsche speeds us back to the forest. The proper trail turns out to be an easy loop hike. We find halfdozen or so 400-hundred-year-old trees and snap photos to document our success. So, this adventure ends just as it began: in joyous serendipity … impossible to plan. And now … I think that I shall never see a poem as lovely as a tree. A tree whose hungry mouth is prest … against the earth’s sweet flowing breast. A tree that looks at God all day, and lifts her leafy arms to pray. A tree that may in summer wear a nest of robins in her hair. Upon whose bosom snow has lain. Who intimately lives with rain. Poems are made by fools like me. But only God can make a tree. –Joyce Kilmer For more info: www.classiconnoble.com I www.tapoco.com I www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recreation/ recarea/?recid=48920&actid=50

Jeff S. Barganier is a novelist, travel writer and manager of Cindy Barganier Interiors LLC. He travels far and wide upon the slightest excuse for something interesting to write about. Contact: Jeffbarganier@knology.net. Instagram: @jeffbarganier. Visit: www.jeffbarganier.com.

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This & tHAT Buckmasters Expo 2021 If you love hunting and really appreciate the art of camouflage, the Buckmasters Expo is right up your alley. Admission is free upon a donation of one canned food item. Once inside, you’ll be pleasantly overwhelmed with rows of vendors, a fantastic country concert, and zones for the kiddos. Dates: Friday, August 20: 3- 8 pm / Saturday, August 21: 9 am - 7 pm / Sunday, August 22: 10 am - 5 pm. Location: Montgomery Convention Center / 201 Tallapoosa Street / Montgomery, Alabama. General Expo Information: Call Buckmasters Customer Service at 1-800-240-3337. Friday Night Concert: Country Music Artist Easton Corbin | www.tickemasters.com. For more info visit www.buckmasters.com/resources/expo

Please No More Wet and Dirty Diapers

Express-O-Of-Love’s Diaper Bank was created by Laria J. Stinson in January 2018. With humble beginning, Laria was compelled to fulfill a need that is often overlooked. In sponsorship with Community Congregational United Church of Christ, Express-O-Of-Love Montgomery’s first established diaper bank began its operation for distribution of diapers and wipes. Volunteering with a Birmingham Diaper Bank program, Laria learned the challenges faced by families and the critical role of a diaper bank program. One major concern is the Negative Correlation between a lack of diapers/wipes and the developmental growth of a child. A child who must wear a wet and dirty diaper for extended time is an unhappy child. Express-O-Of-Love is a non-profit organization designed to show love and passion by making diapers accessible. Diapers and Wipes Pick-ups are every third Wednesday of each month from 1:00PM until 3:00PM. No proof of City residency or income is required. Families must complete in advance the on-line application. Pick-ups for emergency need are available. You can help us address the important issue of diaper need by individual donations, purchasing diapers and wipes, hosting diaper drives or volunteering. Your support is especially important to our mission. For questions or additional information visit us at www.expressooflove.org or call/text 205-538-0062.

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The Black Jacket Symphony Performing Pink Floyd's The Wall at the MPAC in September Remember putting on an album and listening from start to finish? Relive that moment with a live concert experience unlike any other as The Black Jacket Symphony recreates a select classic album live in its entirety—note for note, sound for sound—plus a full set of greatest hits from the evening’s artist. Over the past ten years, the Black Jacket Symphony has performed over 35 classic rock albums, bringing an incredible night of entertainment to over a million music lovers across the US. The group of hand-picked musicians changes based upon the album being performed—and no sonic detail is overlooked, with the musicians doing whatever it takes to reproduce the album. It’s a full night of rock and roll magic—plus a visual experience unlike any other. Fans across the country flock to their shows—and once you see one, you won’t miss another! For more info visit www.mpaconline.org, or www.blackjacketsymphony.com

Shindig

Shindig, presented by Guardian Credit Union, is a {FREE} family-friendly event on Sunday, August 8, 4-7 pm, featuring live music by Soft Landing. The event will take place at Winter Place in the heart of Cottage Hill Historic District. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets, family and friends, and join us for a fun summer afternoon with good music, food + drinks and fun activities. This event benefits Child Protect, Children’s Advocacy Center, a Montgomery nonprofit that assists local investigators with child abuse cases, provides forensic interviews, counseling and family advocacy services to children in Montgomery County, AL. Donations to Child Protect are always accepted and appreciated. Food truck and vendor list: - Little Donkey- Fire Meats Wood- NYC Gyro- Who Hungry?- SnoBiz Montgomery- Abrakadoodle. For more info visit www.facebook.com/events/842412753318793

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Dothan Balloon Festival

Hot Air Balloons return to Dothan, AL August 27, 5-9 pm and Saturday August 28th, 5-9 pm. The event takes place at the Peanut Festival Grounds. For more info and tickets visit www.the balloonglowtour.com

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Fall 2021 Lineup for Auburn's Gogue Performing Arts Center The Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center at Auburn University has unveiled its Fall 2021 performance schedule. The autumn lineup boasts more than a dozen performances and features legendary names from the worlds of classical, rock, folk, bluegrass and soul. Tickets for all Fall 2021 performances are now available to the general public. Standout performers Kenny G, The Beach Boys, Patti LaBelle, Melissa Etheridge and Ziggy Marley highlight a top-notch list that will make the Gogue Center's fall season a must-see for music fans. The fall season officially begins Friday, Aug. 13, with an outdoor concert by Not Our First Goat Rodeo, featuring Yo-Yo Ma, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer, Chris Thile and guest Aoife O’Donovan. The Grammy Awardwinning supergroup, who are reuniting for the first time in nearly a decade, will perform a collection of all-new music from their self-titled album released in 2020. The group’s upcoming nationwide tour includes only nine engagements, and their stop at the Gogue Center is one of only two scheduled on the East Coast. In September, the center will present bluegrass icon Del McCoury and the Del McCoury Band, Grammy-nominated R&B singer Candi Staton and LA-based folk-rockers Dawes with special guest Erin Rae. Saxophone legend Kenny G, reggae star Ziggy Marley and rocker Melissa Etheridge are slated for dates in October, as are The Beach Boys, who are returning for a second engagement following their sold-out inaugural season concert. Chart-topping bluegrass singer-songwriter Sierra Hull and blues rock guitarist Boz Scaggs will also perform in October. The Gogue Center will welcome the “Godmother of Soul” and Grammy Hall of Famer Patti LaBelle, as well as award-winning humorist and Auburn alumna Jeanne Robertson, in November. The fall season will conclude with matinee and evening performances of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical”—the center’s first Broadway production since reopening in Spring 2021—on Sunday, Dec. 12. While most performances will return to the Walter Stanley and Virginia Katharyne Evans Woltosz Theatre, a few select engagements will be presented outdoors at the Amphitheatre at the City of Auburn Lawn and Porch. A complete schedule of all Fall 2021 performances with dates, times, venues and ticket links is listed below. To learn more visit www.goguecenter.auburn.edu

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MMFA Presents Café Pop Up: Fall Harvest A new café experience is coming to the Museum this fall! To get ready, Nick and Davena, owners and operators of Montgomery Super Suppers and On A Roll, will be hosting free cooking demonstrations and tastings in the Rotunda. It’s still hot, but fall is right around the corner. Let’s explore fall’s delicious bounty as we get ready for cooler temperatures. On the Menu: Sweet Potato Bisque, Apple and Kale Slaw, Rosemary Crusted Pork Tenderloin, Cranberry Gastrique. Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, One Museum Drive, Montgomery, AL 36117, Phone: 334.625.4333. For more info visit www.mmfa.org

The Value of Cord Blood Cord blood is the blood from the babies' umbilical cord, it has stem cells that can treat up to 80 different diseases. If the blood is not donated, it's discarded! This service is free and painless for both the mother and baby. The service is provided at Baptist South, Baptist Medical East, Jackson and East Alabama Medical Center. Your new grandbaby can be a hero. Donating cord blood is free and harmless. For more info please visit www.lifesouthcord.org

Capital City Master Gardeners Association Lunch & Learn is Back @ The Armory, "Composting" Capital City Master Gardener Association presents Lunch & Learn 2021 the 1st Wednesday of Every Month from 12-1 pm. They will meet at Armory Learning Arts Building, 1018 Madison Ave., Montgomery 36104. Mark your calendars, September 1, “COMPOSTING”, Karin Carmichael, Master Gardener, will be presenting the program, “Composting”. Join us to learn about composting. What is it? Are there easy ways to compost in your own back yard? Are there any benefits to composting? Find out answers to these and other questions during Karin’s presentation. BRING A SACK LUNCH, FREE PROGRAM, WATER PROVIDED, For information, please contact the Montgomery County Extension Office 334.270.4133. Also visit www.capcitymga.org.

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4th annual BBQ and Americana Music Festival, ‘The Hog Days of Summer’

The Druids Charity Club is pleased to announce their 4th annual BBQ and Americana Music festival. ‘The Hog Days of Summer’ is a charity event benefitting Hogs for the Cause and the quest to support families struggling with the effects of pediatric brain cancer. Location: Union Station Train Shed, 300 Water Street, Montgomery, AL. Schedule: Doors at 3:00. BBQ will be available immediately; but when it's gone, it's gone! Music starts at 3:30. BBQ: Moe’s Original Bar B Que, Smokehouse Pit BBQ, Monroe Sausage, James Beard Award winning chef Ryan Prewitt (Peche; New Orleans), Druids BBQ, and more will be smoking delicious BBQ and side dishes, creating a variety of popular BBQ styles for our patrons. Music: An Americana themed music component consisting of (at least) three bands will be rocking the shed. The headliner will be the legendary Texas Americana-country songwriter extraordinaire Robert Earl Keen. Cedric Burnside, out of Holly Springs, MS will play a set of fresh Hill Country blues. Longtime local favorites Jupiter Coyote out of Macon, GA (and beyond) will be getting things started with a set of upbeat southern-jam-bluegrass-infused rock. Tentative Schedule: Doors: 3:00. BBQ: upon entry. Music: Jupiter Coyote: 3:30; Cedric Burnside: 5:30; Robert Earl Keen: Robert Earl Keen 7:30. Tickets: GA Ticket: $30 ($40 day of show), Active Military, Police, Firefighter, EMS, & Student GA Ticket**: $25 ($35 day of show), VIP Area: very limited supply. Private Cash bar, private bathrooms, side of stage views: $100. Tickets available at www.eventbrite.com. For more info visit www.hogdays.org and www.robertearlkeen.com

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Free "Putting Your Estate in Order" Webinar Every August, Susan Moore of Moore Wealth Management in Montgomery, conducts a free estate planning workshop in a Webinar format. The workshop covers a number of issues, including a review of the various legal documents involved in estate planning such as wills, durable powers of attorney, advanced healthcare directives, revocable and irrevocable trusts. Beneficiary designations are a great tool, properly used, in estate planning. They are flexible and can be changed without having to re-do legal documents to reflect family changes such as births, deaths and divorces. The workshop covers how to use these beneficiary designations properly, including primary and contingent beneficiaries and per capita or per stirpes distributions. These topics will be covered in a Webinar format on Wednesday, August 18th by Susan Moore of Moore Wealth Management, Inc. at 12 p.m. Please call 334.270.1672, or email sarah@ moorewealthmanagement.com, for more information and reservations.

The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

Caregiver of the Month Spotlight:

Tiffany Helm

Tiffany is a very dedicated and self driven caregiver. She is professional, easy going, kind spirited and caring. She treats her client as well as the clients family, as if they are members of her own family. She has only been with our company for a short while but has, without a doubt, proven her worth. Tiffany values her role as a caregiver with the highest regard and strives to deliver only the best of service.

“Tiffany, we truly appreciate you and are glad you’re a valued member of our team!” For more information visit www.homecareassistancemontgomery.com

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BOOM! COVER PROFILE

Lois Cortell, Gardens & Development Moving Things Forward, Progress is My Passion

This month’s cover profile is a woman who loves to make positive things happen. Her name is Lois Cortell. Lois is the Senior Development Manager for the City of Montgomery, where she works at making Montgomery a better place to live through urban planning and revitalization. Think downtown and beyond. Most of us don’t think about people like Lois, they are behind the scenes implementing ideas to improve the quality of life in their communities. Every city needs a Lois and we’ve got a good one! Another aspect of Lois’s life is her volunteer work as the co-manager of the Old Cloverdale Community Garden. She has organized volunteers (daughter Zoe included) to tackle an abandoned lot at 1128 Woodward Avenue and over the last six years transformed it into one of the best community gardens in the River Region. And because she has a passion for moving things forward, Lois is launching a capital campaign to enhance the garden for more access by seniors and those with special needs. She’s always trying to improve things. Lois recently shared some of her story with us and we spent some time in the garden with photographer, DiAnna Paulk doing Lois’ cover shoot. We certainly enjoyed getting to know Lois, her enthusiasm and energy for improving the quality of life in Cloverdale and Montgomery may inspire you to show up and get involved with our community too. Hope you enjoy the read and please share with friends!

BOOM!: Please give us a brief biography, i.e. where you’re from, education, what brought you to the Montgomery area, did you raise your family here, schools, married, family, etc.?

college students.

Lois: I am from Chicago, Illinois. I grew up in Oak OCCG mural is called Park, a close-in “From Blight to Beauty” by Sunny Paulk westside suburb. I am a Lutheran my husband, pastor’s daughter, and my mom was a Andrew, and nurse, so I often feel I was pre-destined I had our for a life of public service. I studied daughter, Zoe, economics and Spanish at Valparaiso it all changed, University in Indiana, and then earned a and we wanted graduate degree from the University of more. We Pittsburgh. wanted to be I have worked and lived all over, from Chicago, Pittsburgh, Lima, Peru, Washington, DC, Salt Lake City, and then Portland, Oregon for 13 years. Once

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When an opportunity arose, we left a very beautiful life on the west coast, packed up our Cairn Terrier, Fred, and a two-year-old and we drove a week across the country to Alabama. Andrew is a professor of political science and chair of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at Auburn University at Montgomery. We bought and renovated a house in historic Old Cloverdale and then I started working for the City of Montgomery in 2013.

BOOM!: You are the Senior Development Manager for the City closer to family. of Montgomery. How My husband did you get involved wanted to work Lois and daughter Zoe in the world of at a public development? How would you describe university and teach first-generation The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

Lois, Andrew, Zoe in Navarre Beach

what you do as Senior Development Manager for Montgomery? How do you discover ideas for development, other cities? History? Lois: I have worked to advance urban planning, community livability, and revitalization projects for more than 25 years now. I have had the great opportunity here in Montgomery to sell very important public properties so that they can be leveraged, so that they can then be transformed with private investment. A few examples are the Kress Building on Dexter Avenue, the new Staybridge Suites on Bibb Street, and the National Memorial for Peace & Justice on Caroline Street. As development manager I see how the public side can impact the private side. I love my work, I get to look at commercial property, sidewalks, trees, park renovations. Each city is different, but so too, each project is different. The tools are good design, sufficient funding, and building from a communitysupported plan. What do the citizens want to accomplish or achieve or improve? Start there, and then puzzle backward to solve a problem using whatever resources we have.

The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

Lois and husband Andrew at AUM event

I did not set out to work only in cities. I was initially exploring economic development from a third world perspective, like sewers and clean water, potato farming, micro-loans programs, sweater-knitting cooperatives…. What I see now is that it is all similar although the details seem superficially different. How much a person “owns” in a property, or a situation can impact how much they want to “invest” in it, whether we are talking about the literal deed to your house or about the future of your community more broadly.

Lois, Andrew, Zoe in backyard, Old Cloverdale

where the most important local history occurred; downtown is where large community gatherings happen; it is where potential company executives go before deciding whether to relocate here. There are decades of literature about the emotional connections people have to the downtown where they grew up.

But even on an exceptionally practical level, take a few numbers. Downtown Montgomery is 1.69 square miles in size, which is barely more than 1 percent of the city’s 163 square miles citywide. And yet in 2020, that BOOM!: You’ve same small area been quoted had more than Little Zoe and family dog Fred as saying, that 21 percent of the investment in downtown Montgomery construction value reported in pulled is important in a different way, calling it building permits. That’s a lot of job and the city’s “psychological heart.” Could investment in a small area. you please explain for our readers the importance of this description? In the early 2000s, major catalyst investments like Riverwalk Stadium and Lois: Downtown is a city’s psychological Riverfront Park, Renaissance Hotel, the heart. It is the largest job base; it is Alley changed downtown Montgomery.

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I have spoken to neighbors who never thought they would see a revitalizing downtown in their lifetime. They can see that now. Downtown Montgomery is revitalizing.

BOOM!: Could you give us an overview of the Riverfront Greenway Trail?

segments could go west from Riverfront Park, let’s connect Wright Brothers Park towards the Maxwell Air Force Base.

Lois: Really I also think a real practical, doable, embracing approach to embracing our riverfront downtown uses what we have now, but we need to Montgomery’s have better signage. Did you know it all location on the connects? It does, in a loop, so let’s call But, Neighbors, Alabama River has it the Riverfront Loop. We already have a there is still a been a longstanding two mile walk with all sorts of interesting long way to go. planning goal. For things to see along the way. A new If you are an decades citizens Riverfront Loop sign is already up at the investor, that is have suggested Harriot Ticket Booth to help you explore an opportunity. this. It was affirmed Riverfront Park in a new fresh way. But on my side again recently of work, we in the Envision These types of public walking just cannot let Montgomery 2040 connections to places not only provide up trying to Comprehensive Plan. In the beginning of OCCG 2015, health benefits, but they can also have help downtown I was presenting an Deborah Hall and Lois sifting soil real economic impact, the Atlanta as long as the update about the Beltline is great evidence of this. boarded buildings – those pesky plywood trail to the Montgomery Lions Club and Connections can help us all appreciate properties – are still there causing an older gentleman raised his hand, “I our city in new substantial blight. was in a group ways from advising Mayor downtown and Come to an event downtown! Spend Bright to do beyond. some money. Get local art, local clothes this more than and local food. thirty years ago!” BOOM!: You Yes. And thank are one of the There is no question the city goodness he did. volunteers in the redevelopment budget was larger when Big projects like Old Cloverdale I worked in Portland. But in Montgomery this can take that Community it means we have to be more creative long. Garden. Would you and make "small" stretch farther here. please share with I love that we are working together to The City has been our readers how make the most out of every public space approaching it in the OCCG came downtown. Let’s just take Rotary Park segments. I have about? How does as an example, at 98 Coosa Street. Now been a part of the Garden impact there is a new urban dog park there, building two trail the Old Cloverdale In the beginning of OCCG 2015, locations for food trucks, new trees segments that Lois and Zoe weeding the garden Community? for shade, a fountain, public art mural emanate from the and sculpture, and new picnic tables. Riverfront Park Amphitheatre wrapping Lois: Yes! I am co-manager of the Old In a few short around and then Cloverdale Community Garden. It is years Rotary crossing over the my “weekend job.” It is 100 percent Park has gone Cypress Creek implemented by volunteers. The lot from hot and Inlet there on was abandoned for years and was a real often desolate, the river. From eyesore. No one wanted to live near it to shaded, fun Riverfront Park and it depressed property values. and lovely. That we hope to take part is great, but the trail to the I remember thinking, well, I work on ALSO make note north, connecting blight in my job so I really cannot just that commercial to the street and let this sit here on my very own block properties are even up towards without helping somehow. selling and Capital Oyster Bar. renovating now The Shady Street Lois reading during Story Time in the OCCG 2018 The Old Cloverdale Association registered all around that Trailhead Park up as a 501c3 nonprofit in 2013 so it could park, too. near Saint James Baptist Church Old Field tackle projects like this. It holds the is underway now in 2021. Future trail

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Lois' Daughter Zoe in OCCG, digging, tending radishes, peas and lettuce

deed to the garden property at 1128 Woodward Avenue; I give the reports and take input at monthly evening meetings. In the early days I would be at the lot watering over my lunch hour borrowing the neighbor’s hose. We were constantly holding community cleanup days and group events just to remove the weeds and blight. The community garden really started as a “blight removal” project, but we also wanted to bring neighbors together and begin to create something beautiful. We added 15 raised beds, and so now we are growing healthy food for local families. It is just $125 to rent a raised bed for the whole year to grow whatever you want, and that is how the whole garden pays for itself. We have slowly added planted areas for bees and butterflies, painted murals, hopscotch, picnic tables to build community, and two Little Free Libraries to draw in everyone, whether gardener or not. I just love seeing parents and grandparents bringing in even the littlest toddlers to the garden to get a book. We are showing the kids that it is completely normal to grow your own food, capture water in rain barrels, or help out your neighbor with the lawn. There are so many abandoned lots in Montgomery. What we have been able to do at the Old Cloverdale Community Garden over the last six years is absolutely replicable.

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BOOM!: You are launching a Capital Campaign for the Old Cloverdale Community Garden in September, please share the purpose of the campaign and how readers of BOOM! can participate in helping you reach your goals?

In the wake of this global pandemic, we have learned more than ever how important it is to have safe outdoor places to gather and sit, and still be able to connect with our neighbors. A gift no matter the size will help us move our plans forward. We have not named the Gathering Plaza yet; what a tribute that could be for a mother or special neighbor.

Lois: Readers, please help. We need to raise about $15,000. The community garden has not had a major capital fundraising effort in about four years since we completed the tool shed and installed the last few raised beds for growing vegetables.

The Community Garden is set up as a fund under the 501c3, In 2021 and 2022, we Old Cloverdale are setting to work to Association build a new Community (“OCA”) so Gathering Plaza and donations Accessible Entry. The Zoe making a commitment for 2028! may be tax community garden deductible. The mailing address for needs help to rework and transform the checks is OCA, Attention OCCG, P.O. cracked south driveway fronting Girard Box 6153, Montgomery, AL 36106. I Street. We have lovely plans prepared am happy to email a PDF of the full already thanks to a neighbor’s volunteer Sponsor Packet on request. Email is architect work; and we are very grateful OldCloverdaleCommunityGarden@ for a kick-start grant from AARP of gmail.com. Alabama. The community garden will have greater impact if we can make it more accessible to seniors, families with strollers, and those who are disabled or otherwise unable to traverse our gravel lot and steep driveway. We want to welcome more of these friends and neighbors into the space.

You can also help us by coming to our Community Garden Festival! The Festival is on site at 1128 Woodward Avenue on September 18, 2021, starting at 10 AM. We will have a Silent Auction at the festival. Come buy something awesome. R ive r Re gio n Bo o m . co m

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I have been just blown away at the items and gift cards coming in. Get a jump on your early Christmas shopping and help the garden: It is a WinWin. You can come on September 18 to review our capital campaign plans, buy great food from local vendors, see the blooms, and then for a good cause, make a bid on all sorts of items from OCCG Butterfly mural is called local businesses “Welcome to the Garden” by Carol Barksdale – including professional services, gift cards for meals, arts and crafts items, and even a great When I was children’s birthday party package. nine years old, my oldest two BOOM!: With a busy life, how do you like siblings were to spend time with family and friends? both working in Guatemala for Lois: I have them with me! two years, one as a missionary My professor husband is also now a and the other seasoned plant hole-digger. I have was in the been dragging my daughter Zoe to Peace Corps. community meetings and park cleanups My parents set since she was two years old. Kids need to see adults doing these types of things directly.

My brother and father were very nervous as it got dark, saying, “We really don’t want the van to break down along this stretch of road because there are guerrillas in the forest.” My nine-year-old brain heard that as “gorillas” and I was scanning out the windows for large apes. The magnitude of that trip would sink in only later, but it was life changing. Favorite Abroad Travel: My favorite place has to be Machu Picchu in Peru, South America. The whole “Sacred Valley” network of sites and villages there is fabulous. Favorite U.S. Travel: My family just loves the whole Gulf Coast. It is gorgeous. What close-by treasures we all have. We often go to Navarre Beach for its white sands and blue sea.

My 50th birthday “Bucket-list OCCG individual garden beds and landscaping Trip” dream was to go on an African Safari. COVID-19 forced us out to go Want change? Show to put that off but hopefully that is just visit them up, speak up, and be postponed. over winter ready personally to break. I roll your sleeves up. BOOM!: What are you most passionate remember about? being in a BOOM!: What are red rental some of your favorite Lois: I have a passion for helping move van in travel experiences? things forward, whatever the “thing” Guatemala Favorite vacation is. Progress is my passion, even in baby on a dirt spot? Any travel steps or in the humblest of beginnings. road dreams planned? The community garden project is an surrounded example of how that can play out every OCCG children's area and library by forest. Lois: My family was single week, every changing season. We had always traveling as I was growing up. My mother gave me a necklace with a just crossed the border to Honduras to We went to many different national mustard seed in it when I was a girl. I see the Copan Ruins, which had recently and state parks, and different cities and have been wearing it a lot lately as a been re-discovered. countries. reminder: Starting small is okay.

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BOOM!: How do you like to relax and wind down from a hard day’s work? Lois: I probably try to relax by making a list of things to do the next day or month or reviewing items on my app for lists. If it is too dark to be outside gardening, then I might be found reading about gardening or watching a television show about gardening.

And as adults, we need to share more history: Can our kids tell the Montgomery stories or explain the importance of the buildings, events and locations? This is not just a romantic or emotional thing. Let’s put it in economic terms: History is Montgomery’s competitive advantage. This is our

here to run dozens of thriving local tour guide businesses? Why aren’t more members of the business community active as visible champions of local historic preservation? Buildings have fallen and rotted away, even just in my ten years here. Stories get lost, maybe forever, as people die. Montgomery history is a tangible local asset right now, but it appears to be exceptionally vulnerable. Those are just two “likes” picks. There are a lot of needs in Montgomery (thinking about crime and education), but there are also many great organizations doing wonderful work you can support.

BOOM!: On the Sharing is an important part of the OCCG Development page for the City of Uniqueness. We BOOM!: What is it about living in the Montgomery, really should Montgomery/River Region area that you you illustrate start to view and like? What do we need more of? something to talk about called Placethe history of Lois: I love Montgomery’s parks. There Making for Montgomery are more than five dozen parks here with Downtown as an economic such a wide variety of types and sizes. Montgomery asset. We all can enjoy them and support them and a link to more so they look and function well for a map with Montgomerians everyone. descriptions (https://arcg. I also love is/11mPnD). Montgomery’s Would you Every garden needs a few bunnies, Clover and Dale history. There are explain its such different eras value for people wanting to explore the seem to that we could all be quality of life in Montgomery? completely working in historic tolerate preservation. Lois: I am using the word “placemaking” “demolition But we really to describe the act of consciously trying by neglect” do need to do to create authentic community places for even our more for historic where people want to be, where people most historic preservation, even can get inspired, feel healthy, and be buildings and if it is just property happy. The design and programming of places. by property. Or a physical space can contribute to these It is truly person by person. and that in consequence can increase a perplexing to Who worked community’s overall “livability.” me. The very there? Who lived asset that there? What are I love that you shared the placemaking A little competition at the OCCG makes for a fun community brings the their stories? The map link! That map is a great tool my world here “people” part of Montgomery history is team and I created to celebrate what we to visit. important too. have now. Downtown Montgomery has all these public space gems throughout Why aren’t more kids growing up, staying The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

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that workers could explore during lunchtime walks and citizens could use as tourists in our own town. Yes, downtown can improve, but we can start by celebrating where we are right now.

Old Cloverdale Community Garden were it not for years of neighbors speaking up and getting involved at the Old Cloverdale Association meetings.

An example of new public placemaking in action is at the new Lower Dexter Park at 29 Dexter Avenue where the Montgomery Fair Department Store once stood. This is one of the professional projects of which I am most proud. Yes, the City re-used historic materials, added egress for adjacent buildings and created interpretative signage, but now to see that things like marriage proposals, coffee meetings, and engagement photos are happening in that park, well, that is proof positive of the power of a quality placemaking project to enrich individual lives.

BOOM!: You are about to reach your BIG 50 birthday in a few days, what do you think of getting older? Could you share some ideas on how to age well?

Community Garden Festival!

Placemaking is very evident also at the Old Cloverdale Community Garden. I have been working very hard to tell the story behind all beauty and blight removal. Check out the garden’s Facebook and Instagram pages. You will see in almost every post that we are celebrating every victory and moment, however seemingly small. I am showing that things do improve. Taking little actions, like donating a book to the Little Free Library, we can choose to be part of a solution to something bigger. BOOM!: Give us three words that describe you? Lois: Solutions-oriented, Caring, and Creative. BOOM!: Do you have any hobbies or other activities that grab your attention?

1128 Woodward Avenue, Old Cloverdale Saturday, September 18 , starting at 10 am

and to appreciating things even if only for that brief time when you have them flowering. BOOM!: What are some of the future challenges you’re contemplating for Montgomery’s development? For yourself? Lois: So many challenges! I guess I would pick how to make development more infused with more citizen participation and involvement and in this way make the results richer, more authentic. I would love to challenge the BOOM! readers to attend a public meeting. Just start by signing up to receive automatically emailed meeting agendas. Not just City Council and County Commission, there are also Planning Commission, Board of Adjustments, Historic Preservation Commission, and Architectural Review Board. All of these meeting agendas should be posted; get them and read them. Just look over the meeting packet. Things are happening that have impact.

Lois: Gardening! I really do love gardening. I also really like practicing archery with my daughter.

Montgomery is so rich with active church groups, business groups, and civic organizations. These bring amazing networks, and they are doing great things.

There is so much that gardening has taught me about Patience. It is often trial and error – bugs happen, weeds happen, a flower might bloom only once a year – but there is a real connection ultimately to growing things of beauty;

At the block by block, urban planning and land use levels you need also to show up at local meetings; attend and get involved in your neighborhood association. We never could have created something now as lovely as the

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Lois: Oh my goodness, yes it is true! Bring it on. My emotions on this have definitely evolved.

The last year of COVID-19 has really grounded me though in embracing life right now. It is so key to me to get out for fresh air. My ideas on aging well include to walk more, bike more, garden, smile, and definitely make eye contact and say “Hi!” to your neighbor when you pass, even if you do not know them or remember their name just right then. When you have passed 50 years old, it is okay to be proud: we have learned a lot about life, and we have a lot to give back. We have a responsibility even to share knowledge and experiences. The problems of Montgomery can sometimes feel overwhelming. An individual maybe cannot change the world in one fell swoop. But an individual CAN improve One Thing. One life. Or how about just try to improve One Person’s Mood. Start there. Then do it that again, the next day. We want to thank Lois for sharing some of her story with us this month, especially the work on the Old Cloverdale Community Garden. If you want to connect, email OldCloverdaleCommunityGarden@ gmail.com. For more about Montgomery development visit, www.montgomeryal.gov in the Community Development Department. Thanks also to DiAnna Paulk for her quality cover photo of Lois. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions about our cover profiles, including nominating someone, please send them to Jim Watson at jim@riverregionboom.com.

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By Greg Budell

The Mayor of BOOMTOWN

A VERY SPECIAL CHRISTMAS CAROL "A true story from the Greg files"

Her name is Carol. She is my first wife’s sister and a terrific woman. My first wife was a terrific woman from a terrific family. I loved them very much and always will. Carol sent me a video clip recently, an 8MM film from Christmas, 1969- the first I’d ever shared with a family other than my own immediates. What a cut-up I was. The clip opens with me wearing my brand new 7-UP garbage can over my head. When removed (the garbage can) my teenage face is a smilepacked, zit-free happy countenance. My hair, parted with an ax and dried with a HOT COMB, was as long as the Chicago Public High School dress code would allow. Sideburns were big that year. Mine mutton-chopped their way down to the lobe of my ear but no further (adhering to the previously mentioned CPHS dress code). In this short clip from 12/24/69, I’m opening a bunch of gifts I hadn’t expected and was overwhelmed by the generosity of this wonderful, loving family. My reply to Carol was one of gratitude and admitted tears. I hadn’t seen that clip in FIFTY-TWO YEARS! Carol then sent a second clip from that same Christmas Eve featuring her boyfriend JC. He too, was enjoying the Griswoldian family fun. (I’ve included a screen cap of JC with this column)

JC was a bit older than me, and I was a good kid then. At the risk of I looked up to him like an older seeming immodest, I was the teenage brother. We’d become good boy parents trusted with their daughters. friends. I didn’t My future drink or do wife and drugs. Had I double the Ghost of dated Christmas JC and Future Carol and it was the appeared best of times. JC that night to was wickedly funny, warn me that and I loved Carol’s drink and infectious laugh. drug would They made a great send me into 1969 version of teen age Greg-Mr. cut-up! couple. a rehab 16 years later I’d That Christmas have laughed Eve, JC and Carol hysterically! were studying to Not long be teachers, but his after Styx real passion was had a top playing guitar in a 10 hit with popular Chicago bar “Lady” and band called TW4. I signed their was a senior in high first deal Greg, Hair parted with an ax, dried by HOT COMB! school dreaming the with A&M radio dream. records, JC’s alcoholThree years later, effected TW4 had changed temper their name to Styx, caused his and I was playing exit from their hit song Styx. By that “Lady”, on WLS-FM time, I was before my 20th working birthday. with the band as their Perfect gift for the future disc jockey Life happens fast. personal promotion The 3rd or 4th time I watched this coordinator (while also working in Christmas clip from long ago, I started Chicago radio). Carol and JC had split up seeing it from a very different point of a couple years previous. In an ultimate view. irony, Styx’s leader, Dennis DeYoung,

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called and asked if I’d pick up JC’s replacement, a guy named Tommy Shaw from Montgomery, Alabama. As the music world would learn, Tommy was a genius and remains one today. Tragically, JC never recovered from this chain of events and drank himself to death at age 38. Now, here I am in Montgomery, loving life in the town that sent Tommy to Hollywood.

He got me on the right path with simple, indisputable wisdom. “Look at all you’ve accomplished working in this crazy fog you’ve lived in! Imagine what you could do if you lift the fog!”.

Me, the young man who’d never think of drinking alcoholically or getting high on ILLEGAL substances, went to rehab in 1985. This was long past my days with Styx. I was 6 years into building an incredible radio career in Miami.

Carol’s video clip was a similar experience. I looked back at a fun-loving, teenage kid with big goals. Sobriety has given me the chance to grow into the adult version of that boy. I’m forever in Carol’s debt as a stand-up friend. She never believed the drugged-up Greg was real. She and her family only hoped I’d find my way back to becoming the man God intended.

In rehab, my counselor (himself in recovery) took me aside and told me a terrible truth. “Forget this star BS”, he said. “You don’t even know who you are”. Gus was right. As I watched, and rewatched the Christmas clip from long ago, I thought about Gus and how I began the process of figuring out who I really was. I remember coming across a photo of myself wearing my junior high league baseball uniform. I loved the kid in that picture. He was a role model young man, respected and loved his parents, did well in school and was a pretty good

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He was so right. I embraced my sobriety and my star exploded out of the fog. I started growing up and towards the young kid in the baseball picture.

JC (RIP) & Carol

ballplayer, too. What the hell happened to him? Carol’s video had a similar impact as the baseball photo. That kid in the video is who I really was and am trying to be today. I’d discovered alcohol and drugs gave me “powers” I struggled with minus that stuff. It removed my shyness. It removed my low self-esteem and gave me confidence to pursue my dreams. So I thought. Ultimately it removed a great wife and family, my money and dignity. Gus fixed everything.

I’ll always be working to be that man. Always. Oh, and Merry Christmas. (If you have a comment on this column, email me at gregbudell@aol.com. It's still fun to hear from new people!) Greg Budell lives in Montgomery with his wife,Roz, Stepson, Sho, and dogs Hershey and Briscoe. He’s been in radio since 1970, and has marked 16 years in the River Region. He hosts the Newstalk 93.1FM Morning Show with Rich Thomas, Jay Scott & Jessie Lynn, 6-9 AM Monday-Friday. He returns weekday afternoons from 3-6 PM for Happy Hour with sidekick Rosie Brock. Greg can be reached at gregbudell@aol.com.

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By Ellyn Lem

What the New Movie 'Old' Gets Right About Aging Horror aside, the M. Night Shyamalan film makes important points about getting older

The 2010 graphic novel "Sandcastle," from which M. Night Shyamalan based his new hit film, "Old," opens with a quote from the French writer Alphonse Allais: "It is impossible to tell you my age; it changes all the time." The message is an apt beginning for both the book and the film, since the plot of each centers on a small group of tourists visiting a secluded beach of an unnamed island that speeds up the aging process — dramatically. One hour there constitutes two years of life, and no one is spared. You can pretty much guess where the film is going, and it's not pretty. Literature has displayed a fascination with the speculative possibilities of quickening or reversing time for years.

In "Old," Gael Garcia Bernal is among the island's visitors who get very old very fast Credit: Universal Pictures/YouTube

Oscar Wilde's classic, "The Picture of Dorian Gray," introduced the idea of resistance to the effects of the aging process by having a portrait age instead of Dorian himself. F. Scott Fitzgerald's short story, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," (made into a Brad Pitt film) has its title character go backward in time. A current popular novel, "The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue," by American fantasy author V.E. Schwab, also takes a magical realism approach; its protagonist is able to resist time and change permanently, which readers find is a Faustian bargain, with more harm than good.

for the young children who temporarily experience more developed bodies that are ready for adult experiences. However, they all recognize the morbid reality ahead: their lives will end much quicker than any of them planned. Actors on set for TV show Mr. Mayor, aging, older people, popular culture, Next Avenue

The Messages About Aging in "Old" The question at the heart of Shyamalan's adaptation of "Sandcastle"(written by Pierre Oscar Levy and illustrated by Frederik Peeters) in "Old" is whether the film contains any deep reflection about aging or is merely trying to scare audiences about physical changes to the body over time and the absence of control over that process.

Chrystal, the "beauty" of the group (played by Abby Lee), is shown late in "Old" to look like a Cindy Sherman clown, almost as if her plastic surgery features have melted her face into a monstrosity. Most characters soon display some vestiges of transformation — age spots, gray hair, wrinkled faces and more. Viewers are not shielded from the reality that becoming mere skeletal remains will be their shared destiny.

On the surface, it seems to be more of the latter. None of the group members stranded on the beach welcome this sped-up version of evolution, despite temporary perks

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As one of the children complains, "There are so many memories we didn't have." On top of this type of realization, the film doesn't spare details of physical mutability.

What's Beneath the Surface Perhaps due to the inclusion of his earlier films' gory details, critics often label Shyamalan as a horror filmmaker,

which he vehemently resists. This pigeonholing could detract from larger messages that he wrestles with, beyond his movies' shock value. "Old"does have such messages, but they lay beneath the surface of this gripping thriller with its gorgeous tropical scenery. Shyamalan, 50, has indicated that part of his interest in making "Old" (he writes, directs, co-produces and even has a cameo in it) stemmed from his parents getting older and seeing his roles with them switched. Certainly, the central imagery of the "sandcastle" in both the graphic novel and the film suggest the impermanence of life. We all busy building our own "castles," but in the end must let go and recognize the limited time we may have and how temporary those structures can be. Besides this imagery, the film adds additional meaning about aging with a less nihilistic ending than the graphic novel. At the beginning of the movie, the tension between Guy Cappa (Gael Garcia Bernal), an actuary, and his wife Prisca (Vicky Krieps), a museum curator, can barely be contained due to ongoing conflicts that may lead to the breakup of The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

their marriage. On the beach in an early scene, Prisca chides Guy for probably not even knowing what book she is reading. What 'Old' Gets Right Suffice it to say that the end of the movie, as the couple deals with agerelated vision and hearing problems, they no longer bicker about minutiae. And they learn to adjust to aging as best as possible. Despite the devastation around them, one says to the other, "I want to be here right now." The closer the couple come to their mortality, their largesse grows — as does their capacity for empathy and understanding. That's one of the things "Old" gets right about aging. International research showing greater happiness as many people age often suggests that adults are more content later in life. They let go of petty grievances and reprioritize what is important. Competing with these ideas about growing "old" in the film are other themes introduced by Shyamalan's signature plot twist at the end (you may remember "The Sixth Sense"). As new topics, such as the mercenary nature of many pharmaceutical companies, come into play, the audience's attention gets pulled in different directions, leading to less cohesion of a central focus. But unlike the bleak "Sandcastle," made more haunting by its stark black and white images, "Old" does leave viewers with something clear and positive by its close. Prisca's daughter Maddux (played at various times by Alexa Swinton, Thomason McKenzie and Embeth Davidtz) starts the film singing happily in the car on the way to the resort. At the end, she's singing to her aged mother, "I will remain." Through this circle of song, we are reminded that life never really ends as long as one person's impact can be carried on by another. That legacy shall always "remain." Source: www.nextavenue.org The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

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Smart Health - Nature's Way - Tracy Bhalla

The Marvelous Orange Tree The sweet smell of oranges is one that I have never found anyone to dislike – it is very uplifting, refreshing smell. Citrus, but without the tang of lemon or grapefruit. There are many “oranges” to choose from of course – mandarin, clementine, Valencia, satsuma, to name but a few. They all are recognizable as “orange” from their smell, but all have slightly different flavor profiles. Whether you prefer to eat them straight up, in marmalade, or a slice in your drink, you can still benefit from the uplifting qualities of this marvelous plant. It is quite unique in the plant world as it has 3 separate and distinct essential oils. Now when you consider that some plants have none and most just have one, then this is worth noting. The orange tree doesn’t mess about when it comes to defense! (Essential oils, if you remember, are a plants first line of defense against predators.) Maybe this is why they have been so drenched in meaning and mystery throughout the ages. Many now believe that the classical tale of Hesperides has given the orange tree such legend. Hercules was challenged to steal the “mystical golden apples” (now believed to be oranges) from Hesperides’ garden as a wedding gift for Zeus. Throughout many ancient texts there are images of orange trees, oranges and orange flowers in abundance. They were truly revered for generations. When you cut an orange open through the peel, you will get the essential oil from the peel on your hands. This is the first of the three oils the tree produces. It is usually produced by cold pressing the peels to extract the oil from the peel, and this is often a by-product of producing orange juice. The most common type of orange for this process is “Sweet Orange” which is atypical of the aroma you associate with the “orange” smell. Some of the properties of Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis) oil are: analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antidepressant, antioxidant, antiviral, digestive aid, liver support/protector. It is excellent when used to help lift moods, assist with pain and inflammation, assists with a range of digestive disorders. The second oil the tree produces is Neroli (Citrus aurantium var. Amara). This is produced by steam distillation of the orange flower petals, which obviously can only be harvested for a very short period each year and, like all flower distillations, it takes a HUGE amount of flowers to produce a very small amount of oil – and that is, of course, reflected in the price. It takes 1000 pounds worth of blossoms to make just 1 pound of oil. The good side of that is that it is extremely potent and therefore you need only use one drop at a time to get the benefits. Among Neroli’s many benefits are its propensity for analgesic action, antibacterial, antidepressant, deodorant, skin healing qualities, emotional tonic. It is particularly well known for its emotional support properties and its amazing skin healing properties. And again, a little goes a long way – this is true of all good quality essential oils, but even more so with the florals. The third oil the orange tree produces is from a distillation of the leaves and twigs to produce Petitgrain oil (Citrus Aurantium). Its many properties include – analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anxiety-relieving, sedative, immune support. This is the gentlest of the three orange oils and would be the one to choose for children or the elderly. As you can see, all three oils have some properties in common, but also their own individual characteristics, so you would choose according to the properties you are seeking out. Any of these oils can be diffused or applied topically – once diluted in a carrier oil or lotion at a 1-2% dilution. They should NEVER be applied undiluted and always in low concentration levels. They are very potent. Also, there are a number of citrus oils that are phototoxic – none of the ones mentioned in this article are, but you need to check your Latin names to be sure. Bergamot and Lime are two examples. NEVER apply a phototoxic oil to your skin and then go out in the sun. You will incur severe burns. 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 August 2021 RiverRegionBoom.com BOOM! The River Magazine 60 general natural health information and a place to purchase certain products. email: nyrbhalla@gmail.com I am here to answer anyRegion’s questions50+ youLifestage may have.

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BOOM! August 2021

Articles inside

This and That

Why Fun Is Key to Happiness As We Age

What the New

Jeff Barganier's Only God Can Make a Tree, Joyce Kilmer

12 Old-School Skills That are Becoming Obsolete