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The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
Helpful Hints for Your Home Sponsored by Capital City Ace Hardware, The Helpful Place
What do the birds eat?
Bird seed, suet, nuts, fruit and nectar all help birds when food is scarce or when extra energy is needed. The more variety you provide, the more types of birds you’ll attract. Fruit A favorite of Bluebirds, Sparrows, Orioles and Woodpeckers. To attract more of these birds, look for: O Seed blends that include dried fruits and berries like apples, raisins, blueberries, cherries and cranberries. O Suet cakes with fruits and berries. O Jellies with fruits and juices as ingredients. O A spiked feeder or dish feeder where you can serve up sliced oranges.
Sunflower, Safflower and White MilletSeed A smorgasbord for Chickadees, Cardinals, Doves, Grosbeaks, Blue Jays, Nuthatches, Sparrows, Titmice and Woodpeckers. O Black Oil sunflower is a favorite of most birds. Its shell is softer than the seed people snack on, making it easy for birds to crack. Serve it up in hoppers and tube feeders with large portholes. O Safflower is a favorite with Cardinals. Squirrels don’t like it, so it’s a good deterrent if they’re raiding your feeders. Fill tray and hopper feeders with it to attract Cardinals and Grosbeaks. O Hang pressed seed cakes from hooks or wire for variety and almost no clean-up.
Nectar The main source of food for Orioles and Hummingbirds.
Nyjer or Thistle Seed For attracting Goldfinches and Finches.
The feeders are commonly seen in certain colors – although it makes little difference to the birds. To invite these birds look for:
O Fill mesh bags, or specialty tube feeders. The tiny portholes and smaller perches on these feeders are preferred by these birds.
O Orange feeders for orioles. Fill them with nectar and jellies. O A spiked feeder or dish feeder that lets you serve oranges. Cut oranges in half and put them in the feeder. O Red feeders and nectar are usually made for hummingbirds. Fill hummingbird feeders with fresh nectar every 2 days.
Nuts Blue Jays, Woodpeckers and squirrels love to snack on them.
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
O Specialty dispensers let you offer up nuts in the shell to keep squirrels away from bird feeders. O Seed blends with nuts are best served up in hopper, platform or tube feeders with large ports. Insects Packed with nutrition for Bluebirds, Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, Swallows,
Chickadees, Kingfishers. O Serve up mealworms in a shallow dish feeder. Suet Cakes Concentrated energy that helps birds during cold weather, migration, mating and nesting seasons. O Hang square, cage-like suet feeders from branches or posts. The variety is endless. Birds can’t taste the difference, but they can’t resist the seed and fruit encased in energizing tallow. What to Avoid O Seed that’s been contaminated by mold or dirty feeders. O Rancid or old seed that’s gone bad. O Corn and peanuts. Birds, like ducks, jays, ravens and grosbeaks like corn. Peanuts are popular with jays, chickadees, titmice and woodpeckers. Corn and peanuts are more likely to become contaminated with aflatoxin than other feed, especially in moist or humid conditions. Serve only a day’s worth at a time. Open tray feeders are less likely to harbor moisture than tube feeders. O Milo or sorghum is a choice for ground-feeding birds. Not so much for feeder birds. O Golden millet, red millet, flax, and wheat take up space in the bag, but birds mostly discard them. We’re always here to help. We welcome our neighbors in Montgomery! Capital City Ace is a local family owned hardware store ready to meet all your needs in any area of improvement in your home or property. Come see us today, we are just a few miles from your Montgomery neighborhood. Our Hours are: Mon - Sat: 8 am - 7 pm and Sun: 11 am - 5 pm. Capital City Ace Hardware, 3215 Taylor Rd (1 block from Vaughn Rd.), Montgomery, AL. capitalcityace.com
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Come Worship with Us! Sunday Worship: 9:30 a.m. Christian Education: 11:00 a.m. on Sundays and 6 p.m. on Wednesdays
Founded Upon God’s Word
Liturgically Joyful
At Christchurch, Holy Scripture serves as the final authority for our teaching and preaching. Indeed, over the course of three years, almost the entire Bible is read aloud and preached upon.
At Christchurch, worship involves the entire congregation, as we offer God praise, thanksgiving and adoration using worship traditions that can be traced back to the earliest days of the Church. Our worship is not designed to entertain us, but to honor the true “audience” of worship, the Lord!
Warm and Loving
Committed to Mission
By God’s grace and through His Spirit, the people of Christchurch enjoy the richness and joy of being a true family. We’d love for you to become a part of us! Regardless of who you are, you will always find a home at Christchurch.
The people of Christchurch respond to God’s Word by going out into the world proclaiming the good news of Jesus, and we joyfully serve as His hands and feet whether in places like Uganda and Guatemala or within Montgomery.
8800 Vaughn Road, Montgomery, AL 36117 www.christchurchmgm.net 334.387.0566
BOOM!, The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
Contents
July 2018 Volume 8 Issue 11
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
3 What do Birds Eat 8 Publisher’s Letter 10 OLLI at AUM Learning Opportunities for People 50 plus 12 Gardener Beware Anne Carr page 28
Features
20 5 Key Strategies Help Parents Age in Their Own Home
28 Laughter is the Best Medicine
14 Why You Should Consider Moving Away From Your Grown Kids
40 The Bourbon Trail
The Health Benefits of Humor and Laughter
Travel Trending with Kathy Witt
16 Exercise and Standing? Leigh Anne Richards 18 Estate Planning Essentials McDonald Hagen
Departments 24 This and That
44 {12} Things
Interesting Stuff
Special Events for Boomers
42 Greg Budell
“DOWN ON THE (THINKIN’) STOOP"
22 Al Head Retirement 24 MMFA Kicks off the Summer Season 25 40th Anniversary... Grease Sing-a-Long 30 Losing Your Marbles: Competency Issues... Ask an Elder Law Attorney 32 BOOM! Cover Profile
page 32
page 25
page 26
page 26
39 Eating Smart with Tracy Bhalla: FIBER: WHY WE NEED IT 46 Eric Braeden still king of daytime drama
page 44
page 40
page 12
page 20
BOOM! The River Regions 50+ Lifestage Magazine is published monthly by River Region Publications, 3966 Atlanta Hwy, Box 266, Montgomery, AL 36109. The phone number is 334.324.3472. Copyright 2018 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
I Know Where I'm From, but What Am I Made of? My son James recently shared his ancestral report from the company 23andME. I wasn't surprised to learn where his ancestors came from, Europe. Great Britain and Germany for the most part. I've known this most of my life because my parents shared their heritage often enough to give me an identity, a sense of pride in some respects.
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.
My curiosity was piqued after reading some of his details, especially the few health biomarkers they provided. I ordered the Ancestral and Health Package for both myself and wife Sandy. As I said, I'm pretty sure where I came from but I'm more curious about what I'm made of, my DNA and what it really means to know your DNA.
Publisher/Editor
Jim Watson, 334.324.3472 jim@riverregionboom.com
Contributing Writers Jannah Bailey Austin Barranco Tracy Bhalla Greg Budell
Probably not much but during my aging process I've become more interested in how our bodies fight off the diseases associated with aging. Maybe it has something to do with knowing my fate? I believe my fate is in the hands of the Creator God and when He's done with you, He’ll keep you in the loop. But in the meantime, I will satisfy my curiosity about what I'm made of and spit into that little test tube and mail it off for the results. By the way, my wife claims to be part Indian...I'll keep you posted on just how much. Jim Watson, Publisher
Anne Carr Phyllis L. Cohen Crystal Jo Leigh Anne Richards Nick Thomas Raley L. Wiggins Kathy Witt
Cover Photography Shellee Roberts Total Image Portraits www.totalimage.com 334.261.2080
Advertising
Jim Watson, 334.324.3472 jim@riverregionboom.com
This month's cover profile is Jannah Bailey. She is an energetic person who has a passion for the children in our community. First, she is the Executive Director for Child Protect, which is a non-profit serving children who are in abusive situations. Next, she has recently joined the fight to build a high standard quality school system for Montgomery County by running for the Republican ticket in District 5. She won and now she'll need your votes in November to continue the mission. I recommend we give her the opportunity to lead us to a better education system. I think you'll enjoy getting to know her in this month profile, just as I have. We have plenty more good reads in this issue like experiencing The Bourbon Trail in KY to the value of humor and laughter as one of the very best medicines you can get, that is if you know how to! Greg Budell shares some of his inner thoughts and just where they take place each day, speaking of humor, he provides a great dose every month for me! I hope you enjoy this month's reading experience, it's designed for you. Please share your thoughts to my cell/text or email, I love to listen and learn. Also, if you haven't started getting BOOM! to your email inbox each month it's a fun way to read the latest issues, convenient too! Please sign up for your free subscription to the Digital BOOM! online at RiverRegionBoom.com. Thanks for being part of our BOOM! Community. Hey Sandy, would you please spit in this test tube, maybe we can get you some of that Indian gaming money!?
Please Recycle This Magazine, Share with a Friend!
Jim
Facebook.com/RiverRegionBoom
jim@riverregionboom.com 334.324.3472 cell/text
Digital & Interactive
When you read the Digital & Interactive version of BOOM! on your digital device you will be interactive with every website and email link in the magazine. You can click through to a writer’s source, an
advertiser, send comments and suggestions, request more info and share your favorite reads on Facebook and Twitter. The Digital & Interactive version was built for the new you so go ahead and sign up for a free subscription at RiverRegionBoom.com “BOOM!, the best reading experience for the 50+ community”
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The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Auburn Montgomery People are retiring earlier but want to continue to be active and to continue to learn. Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) is a nation-wide program that provides intellectually engaging and enriching learning opportunities for people age 50 years or older who want to age gracefully and remain lifelong learners. OLLI at AUM provides three regular terms of courses (fall, winter, and spring) plus a mini-summer term of offerings that fulfill that demand. The diversity of offerings in the OLLI program generally fall into three categories: discussion, hands-on, and activity classes. Discussions may concentrate on history or literature or film. Hands-on may be painting, pine needle basket weaving, and jewelry making, or designing and making popup books. OLLI members can stay active through line dancing or ballroom dancing.
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The schedule for Fall 2018 includes all of the categories. Discussion classes will concentrate on a variety of subjects: mental illness in films, child and family well-being in Alabama, capital punishment in fact and fiction, elections, the Holocaust, and the works of James Lee Burke. In the fall, OLLI members can also get hands-on experience in Photoshop, computer training, zentangle, pine needle basket weaving, and paper engineering (making pop-up books). They can be active in line dancing and ballroom dancing. There are a variety of bonus opportunities as well. In the fall, the brown bag lunches will feature mental health issues in Alabama, the Battle of Mobile, and explorations in Alabama’s underground (caving in the state). Bonus opportunities
include brain bowl, a book discussion group, and a bi-weekly writing workshop. A few field trips will be announced early in the fall. There is an Open House for Fall 2018 scheduled for September 6 from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. at the AUM Center for Lifelong Learning (75 TechnaCenter Drive). While enjoying light refreshments, new and returning members can get acquainted, meet instructors and find out more about the classes. Once registration for fall and winter 2018 is open, the two schedules will be available at the OLLI website at www. outreach.aum.edu. Pursue your lifelong learning at OLLI at AUM. For more information about AUM OLLI or to request a catalog, contact: Brittany at 244-3804.
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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By Anne Carr
Gardener Beware A member of my family gave me a green twig about a foot high in a terra cotta pot that she rooted. The leaves were long, narrow, dark green in color, and looked healthy. She told me it was a white Oleander (Nerium oleander), and it would grow to be large. I recently moved into a new home, and additional plants were welcomed. I thought it would make a good screening plant in the front yard on the left side of the house. The plant did not require any special attention. It appeared to thrive on neglect. Thought it was an ideal, care free shrub. In four years, the Oleander was nine feet tall, and seven feet across. Thank goodness I did not install it near the house. The clusters of white blooms were like snow during the hot, summer days. The Oleander was a beautiful evergreen plant that everyone noticed as they passed the house. In the fall, I pruned some of the width to control the growth toward the neighbor’s driveway, bagged the clippings, and set the large black plastic bags on the curb. Spring arrived, and the Oleander took a growth spirt. It was growing out of control. Something had to be done. The shrub was a monster. It was the Attack of the Oleander. I had to keep it from encroaching on my friendly next-door neighbor’s driveway.
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During the following fall, aggressive pruning took place. A friend urged me to research the Oleander, and to be careful when handling any part of the plant. She was serious about the precautions. I took her advice and was shocked to learn that all parts of the plant are toxic. Even the smoke from burning any part of the
plant is toxic. Reactions range from skin irritations, to serious allergic
reactions. Ingesting even a small amount of the Oleander may result in death to people and pets. I want to stress to everyone to learn about your plants. Since someone I knew gave me
the Oleander, I did not think twice about health issues. After all, she was a longtime member of a garden club. What I should have done was to research the properties of the Oleander thoroughly. Health and safety of everyone is most important when selecting plants. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System has a wonderful web site full of accurate, researchbased information. It may be accessed at www.aces. edu. Look for publication ANR-0975, Poisonous Plants of the Southeastern United States. You may, also, phone the Master Gardener Helpline at 1- 877252-4769, Mon.-Thurs. 9am-1pm for home gardening questions. This help line is operated by Master Gardener Volunteers who use research-based information to best answer your gardening questions. If you think someone has ingested any part of an Oleander plant, call 911. Anne Carr, an intern in the 2018 Master Gardener Class, lives in Pike Road. For more information on becoming a master gardener, visit www. capcitymga.org or email capcitymga@gmail.com.
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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By Phyllis L. Cohen
Why You Should Consider Moving Away From Your Grown Kids Here's why that could be the best thing for you
The Bible quote, “to everything there is a season,” holds a special meaning for parents of adult children. When the kids have moved out and started lives of their own, it could be time to consider a dramatic change in your own next chapter — including moving away from them.
lives 18 miles from his or her mother. And in an AARP study, 80 percent of adults age 45 and older revealed they believe it’s important to live near children and grandchildren.
Reasons to Consider Moving Far From Your Kids How outlandish is it to argue the prospect of relocating hundreds, even thousands, of miles from your children or grandchildren? The thought of it may leave you guilt-ridden, but there might be valid reasons to move away. For example, you or your significant other may have been offered a great work opportunity out of state. Interesting or lucrative jobs don’t come easily in middle age, and these opportunities deserve strong consideration. Or perhaps your finances have compelled you to examine living in either a more tax-friendly state or a country where your dollars can be further stretched. Alternatively, it’s possible that for years you’ve been itching for the chance to ditch your snow blower in the North and seek out a balmier climate. Or maybe you’ve fancied a particular dream destination to live in all of your life and the chance to act is now or never.
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Questions to Answer Before Relocating Before you put your house on the market and throw your snow boots into storage, it’s helpful to ponder these important considerations: I Will I be leaving an adult child who already has a strong support system in place including a spouse or significant other, with kids or siblings close by? I Can we or the children afford the annual cost of travel for frequent enough family visits? I Will we move close to an airport with direct flights that make family visits easy? I Are there grandchildren in the picture? Can I bear not watching them grow up? I Are my children likely to relocate on their own in the near future? I If we move away, what will happen when I eventually grow frail and need my children to advocate for me? These are never easy questions to answer, especially since living close to our families is ingrained into our cultural fiber. In 2015, a Health and Retirement Study revealed that the typical adult
Here’s a surprising notion: your children might be more comfortable with you moving away than you think. Although this subject might bring back the pangs of despair you felt when they left for college, don’t treat the situation like a second wave of the empty nest. Your adult children may actually embrace a little less micromanagement in their lives. For a few of us who have been accused of helicopter parenting on occasion, relocating miles away might actually improve our relationship with them. It’s also possible that your son or daughter (or their spouses) may require a job-related relocation of their own in the next few years. So it might be time to shed your guilt. Considering the Reality of a Move If you’ve determined that moving away from your children is in the cards, is your image of the relocation an accurate one or a fantasy without basis in your true lifestyle? You might picture yourself immersed in a newfound flurry of social activity in the new city; something you’ve always wished for. Yet instead of spending time with friends and participating in The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
community service where you live now, do you actually spend most of your free time socializing with your children or babysitting the grandkids? Also, if your adult children take you to doctor’s appointments and shopping now, how resilient is your ability to drive? Or will you need to rely on public transportation in your new location? These day-to-day realities can make the difference between a worthwhile move or a nightmare that will unravel you as soon as the honeymoon of the relocation is over. Remember: There is usually a third act for most of us. Moving away from your adult children now, in your second act, might make sense if you consider moving closer to them in later years — if your health declines and you are no longer independent. Embracing a New Life Make sure you and your significant other
a first grandchild on the way changes your mind. Explore local opportunities in your new city where you can feel a sense of community quickly; joining a church or temple, or rallying for a great cause. There are national organizations like the United Way, for example, that fight for health and education in every community. Be sure to build a travel fund that lets you budget for visits to see your kids or to buy them plane tickets, so they can visit you throughout the year.
are on the same page about all of this. Have a candid discussion with your adult children, too — they might actually embrace the idea. It wouldn’t hurt to seek out an opinion from someone who doesn’t have skin in the game (or stand to lose their built-in babysitter) — perhaps a friend who has moved away, your religious leader or a therapist.
Most importantly, get tech-savvy. Weekly chats via Skype and FaceTime or frequent texts can be the next best thing to hugging your kids, whether you are in Athens or Albuquerque. No, it will never be the same as being face-to-face with your family, but it sure does help.
If you decide that distancing yourself from your adult children makes sense, consider renting for a year instead of buying a home, just in case the surprising news of
Everyone has influence and the ability to create positive change. When you improve your leadership, you impact lives, churches, businesses, governments, schools and families. A world-class event, The Global Leadership Summit is simulcast LIVE in HD to more than 600 Premier Host Site locations in North America. You are invited to join an expected 445,000+ participants in 135+ countries in 2018.
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Phyllis L. Cohen has been an executive recruiter for Fortune 50 firms for over 25 years as well as a freelance writer specializing in how boomers navigate their careers.
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Register today willowcreek.com/summit
Montgomery Area Site: Frazer United Methodist Church frazer.church/summit The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
@wcagls
@wcagls
John C. Maxwell @wcagls
Carla Harris
glspodcast.com
*Lineup subject to change
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Exercise and Standing?
The Surgeon General has declared being sedentary as the number one risk factor in developing cardiovascular disease, many kinds of cancers, as well as developing diabetes and premature death. It has become the “new smoking” More than half of a person’s waking hours are spent: watching television, sitting behind a computer, commuting, or doing other physically inactive things. All the sitting we do can send us to an early grave- even the folks that exercise an hour every day. I am always bothered by people that say “I exercise” so why am I getting fat. That hour a day is out of 24 so what are you doing the other 23 hours? Fear of an early death many times does not motivate people to change their habits but losing weight might be an incentive. You burn 30% more calories when you are standing than when you are sitting.
Exercise alone is probably not enough for us to achieve and maintain good health. The United States National Guidelines, which are based on scientific evidence, recommend at least 150 minutes of
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moderate exercise each week to lengthen our life spans and reduce our risk of a
was tested for various markers of cardiac and metabolic health, including insulin resistance and cholesterol levels.
The researchers ask each volunteer to complete three distinct, four-day sessions of by Leigh Anne Richards living exaggerated lifestyles. They are as follows: • One group session sat for 14 hours a day- only interrupted by bathroom breaks. variety of diseases. This really translates • Another session was substituting one into 30 minutes 5 times a week that hour of the sitting time with pedaling a should be brisk enough to raise our heart stationary bike at a moderate pace for an rates and get us breathing hard. hour. The other 13 hours, they sat • Third session was sitting 8 hours a day Is that single exercise session most days but spent the other 5-6 hours of their of the week enough to reduce or cancel waking time standing or strolling about out the risks of premature death? A casually. new study done by researchers at the Maastricht University in the Netherlands, Results- After sitting non- stop, the group published this month in Scientific showed greater insulin resistance and Reports, ask a group of men and women undesirable levels in their cholesterol to upend their lives temporarily for levels. They also had blood markers science. showing detrimental changes to the endothelial cells, which line our blood The 61 adults that were recruited were vessel, including our arteries. Thus, comprised of normal weight and healthy; increasing the risk for cardiovascular some overweight; and still others were disease. These four days of uninterrupted both overweight and diabetic. None of sitting even undermined the volunteers’ them exercised regularly. This group metabolic health that had no symptoms when they began the study.
Fitness over Fifty
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
After four days, the group that sat but included one hour of cycling showed enhanced endothelial cell health compared to when they sat non -stop. However, their insulin sensitivity and cholesterol levels were unchanged. Lastly the strolling and standing group showed improvement in insulin and cholesterol levels. But, this group showed no change in the endothelial cell health. The “light” activity seemed not to affect that marker of heart health. Bottom line from the study- Moderate exercise seems to improve endothelial health and cardiac health probably in large part by increasing the blood flow through the vessels. Standing up shows to have an impact on metabolism by increasing the number of muscular contractions that occur throughout the day. Busy muscles burn blood sugar for fuel which helps to keep inulin levels steady, and release chemicals that reduce bad cholesterol. More research continues to be done in this area. We will see more how the biological impacts of moderate exercise and less sitting will affect our health. We all must understand- the one hour of exercise is not enough; we also must reduce prolonged sitting. Sources: “Exercise vs Standing? You Probably Need to Do Both”, June 13, 2018 New York Times “Too Much Sitting Linked to Heart Disease, Diabetes, Premature Death, Julie Corliss, Exercutive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter. Jan 22, 2015 Leigh Anne Richards, MEd, Certified Personal Trainer, Group Exercise Instructor, General ManagerMetroFitness. For any questions or comments, contact Leigh Anne at LAMetrofit@aol.com
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Estate Planning Essentials
Brandt McDonald introduces his guest columnist, Austin Barranco… From time to time, I will be introducing several of our advisors through this column. They will share personalized insights into financial markets, financial planning, and overall wealth management concepts. At McDonald & Hagen, we have a deep bench of talent that is eager to serve our firm’s clients and our local community. This month’s column is written by Austin Barranco. Austin entered the financial industry in 2014 after earning a degree in Finance from The University of Alabama, with a specialization in Insurance and Risk Management, he has also earned the distinction of a FINRA General Securities Principal held with LPL. Austin and his wife Maghen live in East Montgomery with their dog Chip. In his free time Austin enjoys college football, golf, and traveling the world.
Do you know what will happen to your assets when you die? Do you have an estate plan in place that includes a will? Does your will include a strategy that is tax efficient?
Financial Thoughts
with Austin Barranco
Benjamin Franklin wrote a letter in 1789 with an excerpt that is now famous: “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” As a financial advisor, I’ve found this to be accurate. As morbid as it sounds, everyone is going to die, and everyone is going to pay taxes.
The team at McDonald and Hagen Wealth Management are estate planning professionals. If you need to create an estate plan, please do not hesitate to give us a call. If you already have an estate plan, but are not sure how effective it will be when you pass, let us take a look and help you manage your risk. It could mean everything to your beneficiaries. Call Us.
If you die without an estate plan, the state will determine how your assets are distributed based on state inheritance laws. Often times this results in unexpected tax requirements, or worse, your assets being distributed to someone you never intended… Like your long-lost cousin, or Uncle Sam. There are plenty of reasons to have a solid estate plan, but the most common reason is to leave an inheritance to the beneficiaries of your choosing. With a well thought out and executed estate plan, the deceased individual has control from the grave. They can use their estate to cover funeral costs, and even use their will to create a trust that protects assets for younger beneficiaries. In addition to all of these benefits, an estate plan should be consulted by a tax professional, to make sure the transfer of assets is executed in the most tax efficient manner. Many assets are eligible for “step-up” in basis, and many are not. If you aren’t certain which assets are compliant with this tax law, then it is essential to consult a tax professional. The difference to your beneficiary’s bottom line could be significant.
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deceased person forgot to update their beneficiaries. I have seen the government take control of the deceased persons assets, and I have seen assets distributed to someone completely unknown to the deceased person and their family. Once you are dead, you have no control over your personal property… Unless you do. Please consider getting your estate in order sooner rather than later.
Austin Barranco, Financial Advisor
So, here are some basic guidelines for creating an estate plan: 1-Have a living will drafted by a competent attorney 2-Consult a tax professional to create an asset distribution strategy 3-Make sure you update your beneficiaries periodically 4-If you have young beneficiaries, make sure their assets are protected (Trust) 5-Choose an executor/executrix that will follow your will as written In my experience, I have witnessed estate plans that were executed perfectly, and I have seen estate plans that fell apart the moment the deceased person was buried. I have seen families fight over inheritance, I have seen ex-wives receive 100% of an estate, because the
Brandt McDonald, Managing Partner McDonald & Hagen Wealth Management LPL Branch Manager www.mcdonaldhagen.com Direct comments and questions to Jennifer.Hunt@LPL.com or 334.387.0094 The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. No strategy assures success or protects against loss. Stock investing involves risk including loss of principle. This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized legal or tax advice. We suggest you discuss your specific legal or tax issues with a qualified legal or tax advisor. Securities offered through LPL Financial. Member FINRA & SIPC. Investment advice offered through McDonald & Hagen Wealth Management, a Registered Investment Advisor, and separate entity from LPL Financial.
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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5 Key Strategies
to Help Your Parents Age in Their Own Home Have your parents let you know that they want to stay in their own home, no matter what? That wouldn’t be surprising. According to AARP, 87% of adults over the age of 65 want to stay in their current home and community as they age. This can be difficult as an adult child because you want to make sure that your parent is safe at home. You might worry that your parent won’t be able to afford living at home. Many adult children fear that their aging parent will be at a high risk for loneliness and isolation. Another frequent concern are falls and not being able to drive as they age. Aging in place can be successful though with the proper preparation and planning. Today’s Geriatric Medicine reports that, to help your parents age in place safely, you’ll need these 5 strategies: 1. Learn How to Talk to Your Aging Parent About Aging in Place. It is never too early to have this oftendifficult conversation with your parents! Start talking to them as soon as possible about planning for care as they age in place. Together you can put a plan in place that makes sure that your parent is safe at home. Ask your parents what is important to them. Listen carefully to the answers. Your aging parent needs to feel heard and that their wishes have value. They may state they want their privacy respected. Or that they feel worried about keeping up with the outside maintenance of their home. The laundry may be overwhelming them. Or they hate the thought of eating alone every day. Your parent might let you know that they don’t feel safe driving.
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Check that appliances, electric cords and outlets are in good working condition. Install a smoke detector and check the batteries twice a year. Poisonings are often related to carbon monoxide, improper medication use and cleaning products. Tips for safety include:
Knowing what your parent worries about and what they want will help you plan for their care. Together you can then make up a plan that addresses their safety and options for care. 2. Address Safety Concerns for Aging in Place. You will want to look at these three basic safety needs for your parent when they are aging in place. Older adults are most at risk of falling, burning themselves, or poisoning. Part of your discussion with your parent will be how to adapt the home to prevent these risks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that people over the age of 65 are at a high risk for falls. Falls are the number one cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for seniors in the United States. There are simple and effective ways to prevent falls. Decide with your parents which steps you will take first. Review with your parent fire safety and make sure that a phone is easy to access.
I Install a carbon monoxide detector. I Talk to your pharmacist about having medications labelled. I Request medications blister packed to reduce the chance of confusion. I Clean out the cleaning supplies and only keep a minimal amount of cleaning products on hand. 3. Have a Plan to Accommodate Changes to their Daily Routine. To help your parent age in place you will need to look at their regular activities of daily living and how their abilities may change. Activities of daily living include: Eating Bathing Dressing The ability to keep moving Talk to your parents about options for meals. You might consider grocery delivery. You can have meals delivered through a program like Meals on Wheels. Or hire a caregiver to assist with meal preparation. Often your parent’s home will need changes to make bathing, dressing and mobility easier. These are renovations that should be done as soon as possible. The bathroom is a dangerous place and the room where falls are most likely to occur! You can help keep your parent safe by: I Having handrails professionally installed The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
I Making sure that there are non-skid bath mats I Using a shower chair with a handheld shower-head I Installing a raised toilet seat or frame Also look at universal design principles! You can improve the quality of life and level of independence for your parent. Re-modelling their home can make it easier to bathe, dress and move around the house. 4. Meet the Need for Companionship. If your parent is living alone they are at risk for loneliness and the health consequences that follow. Loneliness and isolation can often cause: Lower brain function Inflammation Chronic illness Talk to your parent about a plan to make sure that they stay connected with others. Arrange to see them on a regular basis. Or if you are long distance than set up regular phone or Skype conversations.
You might need to enlist the help of family members, friends and community members. Ask them to stop in and visit with your parent on a regular basis. Adult day care centers and local senior centers make special efforts to keep people connected. Companionship is necessary for the relationship but also provides another safety measure. When you have somebody seeing your parent everyday it is reassuring. You know that they haven’t fallen or become sick. 5. Know What Are the Options for Care. It is vital to talk to talk to your parents about what care options are available to age in place. In-home care does not need to be an all or nothing commitment. The best approach when talking with your parent is to ask what they feel is their biggest concern. Many seniors will be comfortable with the idea of hiring a cleaner to come in for housekeeping once a week. Or having meals delivered.
Discuss with your parent about talking to a reliable home care provider. The care provider can set up a client care manager who will discuss what care options are available. Professional care services can assist with: Meals-Housekeeping-Bathing-Exercise Medication reminders-Fall prevention Laundry-Grocery shopping-TransportationCompanionship and care Aging in place can be successful for your parent! Your role is to prepare and know what the options are for care before there is an emergency. Set up a plan now so you will spend less time at night worrying about your parent. Then you can continue to enjoy relationship you have. Crystal Jo is a Registered Nurse who is passionate about helping older adults live happy, healthy lives at home. As a freelance writer, she enjoys educating and inspiring seniors, and those who love them, to choose a healthy life.
This article is sponsored by Home Care Assistance, for more info visit www.homecareassistance.com
Live Well at Home with a Higher Class of Care We do home care differently • 24/7 Live-in and Hourly Care • Balanced Care Method™ to promote healthy longevity • Cognitive Therapeutics Method™ to boost brain health • Hospital to Home Care Call today!
334-593-3988 Changing the Way the World Ages The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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Call Kristy today for your free in-home consultation!
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i
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Al Head, Executive Director of the Alabama State Council on the Arts for the past 33 years announced his retirement, effective December 31st, 2018. Head who served in state arts agency positions in Florida and Louisiana before returning home to Alabama as council director in 1985 is the longest sitting state arts agency director in the country. Head summarized a long career with the state arts agency field by saying, “It has been a wonderful and memorable run in a field that is made up of a special group of artists, arts administrators, arts educators, arts patrons and volunteers. The opportunity to contribute a bit to the quality of life in Alabama through the arts has been a privilege.” During Head’s time in Alabama he considers, the development of a nationally recognized state folklife Blue Yonder Al Head, The Artists Gallery (Photo By David Robertson Jr) program, the creation of the Alabama Writers Forum, the creation of Design Alabama, the creation of the Alabama Dance Council, expanding arts education partnerships and the cultivation of a cultural exchange with Pietrasanta, Italy as a few of many highlights. For personal recognition on a national level he points to receiving the National Heritage Award in 2012 given by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Gary Young Award presented to him in 1998 by the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies as particularly rewarding. For more info visit www.arts.state.al.us/
Naturopathic Doctor the Focus of Ladies Who Lunch Enjoy a home cooked lunch and connect, network, and learn from other professional and business women in the tri-county community. Thursday, July 12, 11:30-1:30 pm. Location: Martha's Place Buffet and Catering, 7780 Atlanta Hwy, Montgomery, AL. The speaker for July is Dr. Sherry Furlow, Board Certified Naturopathic Doctor. Dr. Sherry received her Doctor of Naturopathy degree through the Trinity School of Natural Health and is board certified through the American Naturopathic Medical Association. She desires to build a bridge between allopathic medicine and naturopathic medicine by helping individuals take charge of their physical, mental and spiritual health. She helps people break free from the pain and trauma of their past to experience healing and peace. She is a certified Elijah House Prayer Ministry facilitator and Minister, trained and equipped to bring emotional and spiritual healing to those who are trapped in repetitive patterns arising from childhood wounds related to their parents. She is a staunch advocate for the Cause of the Fatherless. Following the women-to-women styled discussion, attendees will have an opportunity to connect and engage with professional and business women. Tickets are $14 and include lunch, a beverage, dessert, gratuity, and convenience charge. Reservations are required. Pay online or at the door. For more info Email tasha@tashamscott.com or visit www.tashamscott.com/ladies-who-lunch/
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The State of the South The face of the American South is changing, and with those changes comes the opportunity to reassess how we define Southern identity. It starts with a story—your story. Join the dialogue, tune in to the conversation, and rewrite the assumptions of the South. Leave knowing more about the folks in your community. Through one-on-one interviews, group story circles, and town halls, the State of the South creative team seeks to answer: Who is the South? What is the South? Where is the South? Tell us your story. Share your definition of the South. These free, one-hour discussions are hosted in inclusive environments. People of all shapes, sizes, colors, and capabilities are welcome. While the conversation thrives on participation, all activities and discussions are optional. The tour begins with a conversation in Montgomery on Saturday, July 7 at the Kress Building Downtown Montgomery, 10 am-12 noon. Call 334.271.5353 for more information or visit www.asf.net/project/state-of-the-south/
Stars in the Park Alabama Shakespeare Festival presents Stars in the Park, a free outdoor concert commemorating Independence Day, Tuesday July 3rd, 7-9 pm, in conjunction with the City of Montgomery’s fireworks display in Wynton M. Blount Cultural Park. Artistic Director Rick Dildine will be master of ceremonies for an evening of song, inspiration, and commendation. A citywide choir will kick off the event with “The StarSpangled Banner” and perform patriotic songs throughout the evening. Troy University will recognize the Alabama Educator of the Year, and ASF will honor five Tomorrow Kids (high school students who exemplify the ‘spirit of Annie’ by putting service before self). The cast of Annie will then entertain the audience with several songs from the beloved musical. For a patriotic finale, 50 community members will each read from the Declaration of Independence. ASF encourages families to bring blankets, chairs, and a picnic for this evening under the stars. No outside alcohol is permitted, but beverages will be available for purchase. This is a free event! Call 334.271.5353 for more information or visit www.asf.net/project/stars-in-the-park/
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MMFA Kicks off the Summer Season by Unveiling Four Exhibitions
Chris Wade (American), Failure to Launch: Potted Dreams, oil on canvas
Chris Wade: Evolution of a Dream, exhibition closes September 9. Madison, Alabama-based artist Chris Wade (born 1986) dreams of abandoned space rockets. Letting his imagination run wild, the drawings follow a narrative progression that metaphorically tracks Wade’s own experiences, illustrating a journey of healing and a discovery of self while capturing a renewed sense of innocence. Although highly personal, Wade’s drawings deal with universal concerns. Jane Cassidy: The Undersea Wall, exhibition closes September 16. Jane Cassidy (born 1984), an Irish artist currently living and working in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, creates meditative, multi-sensory sculptures and environments. Past Perfected: Childhood in Art, exhibition closes October 28, 2018. Children and childhood have served as subjects for artists for many centuries, reflecting social changes in the ways childhood has been perceived over time. From images that portray children as “small adults” to those that celebrate youth as a time of happiness and exploration, artists have captured children’s likenesses as well as their activities. Quiet Moments, exhibition closes September 16. In the 21st century, our busy, chaotic lives are filled with many distractions. The artists included in Quiet Moments invite us to escape and revel in the soothing moments portrayed in their works of art. Contemplative and meditative, these pieces allow us to slow down, reflect, and still our minds in order to be present in the moment. For more information, call at 334.625.4333 or visit www.mmfa.org
Vintage Dinner Series featuring Blue Moon Inn Restaurant Please join Vintage Year for another Vintage Dinner Series. This four-course meal will be representative of the Blue Moon Inn Restaurant where guests came to leisurely dine on excellent food in the homey, yet attractive setting of the antebellum cottage. Come enjoy the exciting dishes that Chef Rivera will replicate in the kitchen! July 11 and 12, 6-9 pm. For more info call 334.819.7215 or visit www.facebook.com/events/1993420544304864/
Capital City Master Gardener Association Presents Free Lunch & Learn 2018 Capital City Master Gardener Association presents Lunch & Learn 2018 the 1st Wednesday of Every Month from 12-1 pm. We meet at the Armory Learning Arts Center, 1018 Madison Avenue, Downtown Montgomery. Mark your calendars, July 11th, Working with Ponds in the Landscape by Leonard Shannon, Master Gardener and August 1st, Grow Your Fall Salad by Mike Forster, Master Gardener. For information, please contact the Montgomery County Extension Office 334.270.4133. Also visit www.capcitymga.org. FREE GARDEN HELPLINE: Can’t find the answer to a home gardening question? Call our Free Help Line for the general public. 1-877252-GROW (4769), Mon-Thurs 9am-1pm I March-August. The help line is operated by Master Gardener Volunteers who use research-based information to best answer your gardening questions.
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2018 World Championships of Cornhole 13 Montgomery Alabama hosts the 2018 World Championships of Cornhole 13 and the Outdoor Holeheadz Festival at Cramton Bowl, July 24 – 28. The best players in the world...the biggest Cornhole Party...$68,000 up for grabs. HoleHeadz Festival will include a craft beer garden, music stage, food trucks, party in the end zone, combat juggling, social courts and much more! This is a free, family friendly 5-day event. For further information and updated schedule of events, go to www.americancornhole.com.
Memory Cafés at the Whole Foods Market in Montgomery Whole Foods and Dementia Friendly Alabama have partnered and are delighted to announce they will be hosting Memory Cafés at the Whole Foods Market in Montgomery. The next Memory café will be Friday, July 13th, 10-11 am. Memory Cafés are social engagement opportunities for people with dementia and their care partners to come together and just have some fun. We will provide an engaging sensory tour where they will experience tastes, touch and smells from all over the world. At any given café, organizers encourage attendees to not focus on the disease and have fun with the group. Please call 334.240.4680, ext 105 to let us know you’re coming. For more information visit www. facebook.com/events/183062925761705/
Celebrate the 40th Anniversary... Grease Sing-a-Long, Capri Theatre Thursday July 12th, 7:30-9:30 pm, Starring Olivia NewtonJohn and John Travolta. Danny has a reputation for being a bad boy. Sandy has a reputation for being a good girl. The high school social structure dictates that they can never be together. We'd ask if you think their love can already overcome, but you probably already know. Karaoke without the spotlight, Sing-a-Long Grease is sure to be fun for at least one person in the family. $10 tickets for non-members. For more information, call 334.262.4858 or visit www.capritheatre.org The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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W.A. Gayle Planetarium Presents Saturn: Jewel of the Heavens
W.A. Gayle Planetarium will be showing Saturn: Jewel of the Heavens during July, Mondays - Thursdays @ 4:00 pm and Sundays @ 2:00 PM. They will be closed closed July 3rd and 4th. The planet Saturn has long been considered the crown jewel of the Solar System, a symbol of all that is exotic and wonderful about the universe. In this production audiences experience an immersive exploration of Saturn and its bizarre collection of moons. The show looks at the Saturnian system through the eyes of the Cassini-Huygens mission. General Admission: $6.50 per person for ages 5 and above. Doors open 30 minutes before show for ticket sales. Show starts promptly. There is no admittance into building once a show has begun. No food or drinks in auditorium. Your Planetarium experience will last about an hour. W.A. Gayle Planetarium, 1010 Forest Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36106. For more info call 334.625.4799 or visit www.troy.edu/planetarium
Benefit the Bard featuring The 5th Dimension and The Spinners Wind Creek Hospitality and ASF present legendary soul and R&B groups The 5th Dimension and The Spinners! Saturday, August 18th, 8:30-10 pm. Led by original member Florence LaRue, The 5th Dimension produced some of the most popular songs of the late ’60s and early ’70s, such as the Grammy-Award winning “Up, Up and Away,” “Wedding Bell Blues,” “Stoned Soul Picnic,” and “Aquarius/ Let the Sunshine In.” The classic sound of The Spinners has never lost its universal appeal. One of the most successful soul groups of the ’70s, they have topped both the Pop and R&B charts with hits such as “I’ll Be Around,” “The Rubberband Man,” and “Then Came You.” Limited seating is available. Tickets are on sale now. Balcony seats available for $75. This fundraiser is presented by Wind Creek Hospitality and the Alabama Shakespeare Festival to support the State Theatre of Alabama’s cultural programming and educational efforts. For more information call 334.271.5353 or visit www.asf.net/project/benefit-the-bard/
Caring for the Caregiver, Alzheimer/Dementia Support Group Meeting the 2nd Wednesday of each month, 1-3 pm at ChristChurch, 8800 Vaughn Rd. Montgomery, AL. A place for RESPITE: a pause or rest, EXCHANGING: practical information on caregiving problems, possible solutions, and resources in our community, SHARING: needs and concerns, TALKING: through challenges and discovering new ways to cope. Often, we hear caregivers say they are looking for support from people who “really understand because we have been there too.” This group offers just that-a safe place for caregivers, family and friends of persons with dementia to meet and develop a mutual support system. We welcome caregivers. For more info call 334.462.2613.
Support Meetings for Cancer Patients and Caregivers
Support Meetings for Cancer Patients and Caregivers. Includes monthly education series, encouragement from cancer Survivors, caregiver support and sharing common experiences and solutions. July 10, August 14, September 11, October 9. All meetings held in Education Conference Room, Montgomery Cancer Center, 4145 Carmichael Road. Education series starts at 12N; Support meeting starts at 1pm. Call 334.273.2275 for more information.
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Capri Theatre Showing First Reformed
Women of Hope
Breast Cancer Support Group Tuesday, July 10th, 5:30 p.m. Frazer UMC, Room 8114 6000 Atlanta Highway Enjoy fun and fellowship with your breast cancer “sisters” and friends!
The program will be: Practicing Healthy Soul Care
Presented by Rev. (Ret.) Susan L. Beeson
Breast Cancer Survivor
Manager, Breast Imaging for Baptist Health
Everyone is Welcome!
For information please call 334-220-4599 or email womenofhope@charter.net www.thewomenofhope.org
Retirees...
Help Wanted! Delivering BOOM! 2 days per month call/text 334.324.3472
Backpack Drive
Reverend Ernst Toller is a solitary, middle-aged parish pastor at a small Dutch Reform church in upstate New York on the cusp of celebrating its 250th anniversary. Once a stop on the Underground Railroad, the church is now a tourist attraction catering to a dwindling congregation, eclipsed by its nearby parent church, Abundant Life, with its state-of-the-art facilities and 5,000-strong flock. When a pregnant parishioner asks Reverend Toller to counsel her husband, a radical environmentalist, the clergyman finds himself plunged into his own tormented past, and equally despairing future, until he finds redemption in an act of grandiose violence. From writer-director Paul Schrader (Taxi Driver; American Gigolo; Affliction) comes a gripping thriller about a crisis of faith that is at once personal, political, and planetary. Capri Theatre, Cloverdale, Show times, July 13-18. For more info visit www.capritheatre.org
Depot Players Present Hands on a Hard Body For ten hard-luck Texans, a new lease on life is so close they can touch it. Under a scorching sun for days on end, armed with nothing but hope, humor and ambition, they'll fight to keep at least one hand on a brand new truck in order to win it. In the hilarious, hard-fought contest that is only one winner can drive away with the American Dream! Show dates, July 19 - August 4, for more info visit www.wetumpkadepot.com
Stick It! 40 Creative Ways to Have Fun with Sticky Notes Stick It! champions the versatility of the humble sticky note with forty projects divided into three categories: Wall Art, Origami, and Decorations. Ideas range from a colorful lampshade to a functional wall calendar, and from sticky origami flowers and boxes to a graphic table runner. Jazz up your wall, cubicle, dorm room, of office: embellish a wall with a massive 200+ sticky note octopus or create a soothing scene of geometric tiles on a window. There is a project to suit everyone, and patterns to utilize throughout the year (Valentine and birthday cards, skulls and Christmas holly to name a few ). With easy instructions and step-by-step illustrations, anyone can indulge their creativity, no matter your ability. For more info visit www.gibbs-smith.com/stick-it.html
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La u ghte r i s t h e B e st M e d ic i n e
The Health Benefits of Humor and Laughter Sure, it’s fun to share a good laugh. But did you know it can actually improve your health? It’s true: laughter is strong medicine. It draws people together in ways that trigger healthy physical and emotional changes in the body. Laughter strengthens your immune system, boosts mood, diminishes pain, and protects you from the damaging effects of stress. As children, we used to laugh hundreds of times a day, but as adults life tends to be more serious and laughter more infrequent. By seeking out more opportunities for humor and laughter, though, you can improve your emotional health, strengthen your relationships, find greater happiness— and even add years to your life.
and enable you to move on from confrontations without holding onto bitterness or resentment. Laughter may even help you to live longer. A study in Norway found that people with a strong sense of humor outlived those who don't laugh as much. The difference was particularly notable for those battling cancer. stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after. Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infectionfighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.
Why is laughter the sweetest medicine for mind and body? Laughter is a powerful antidote to stress, pain, and conflict. Nothing works faster or more dependably to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh. Humor lightens your burdens, inspires hopes, connects you to others, and keeps you grounded, focused, and alert. It also helps you to release anger and be more forgiving.
Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feelgood chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
With so much power to heal and renew, the ability to laugh easily and frequently is a tremendous resource for surmounting problems, enhancing your relationships, and supporting both physical and emotional health. Best of all, this priceless medicine is fun, free, and easy to use.
Laughter burns calories. OK, so it’s no replacement for going to the gym, but one study found that laughing for 10 to 15 minutes a day can burn about 40 calories—which could be enough to lose three or four pounds over the course of a year.
Laughter is good for your health Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and
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Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.
Laughter lightens anger’s heavy load. Nothing diffuses anger and conflict faster than a shared laugh. Looking at the funny side can put problems into perspective
Laughter helps you stay mentally healthy Laughter makes you feel good. And the good feeling that you get when you laugh remains with you even after the laughter subsides. Humor helps you keep a positive, optimistic outlook through difficult situations, disappointments, and loss. More than just a respite from sadness and pain, laughter gives you the courage and strength to find new sources of meaning and hope. Even in the most difficult of times, a laugh–or even simply a smile–can go a long way toward making you feel better. And laughter really is contagious—just hearing laughter primes your brain and readies you to smile and join in the fun. The link between laughter and mental health Laughter stops distressing emotions. You can’t feel anxious, angry, or sad when you’re laughing. Laughter helps you relax and recharge. It reduces stress and increases energy, enabling you to stay focused and accomplish more. Laughter shifts perspective, allowing you to see situations in a more realistic, The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
less threatening light. A humorous perspective creates psychological distance, which can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed and diffuse conflict. Laughter draws you closer to others, which can have a profound effect on all aspects of your mental and emotional health. Laughter brings people together and strengthens relationships There’s a good reason why TV sitcoms use laugh tracks: laughter is contagious. You’re many times more likely to laugh around other people than when you’re alone. And the more laughter you bring into your own life, the happier you and those around you will feel. Sharing humor is half the fun—in fact, most laughter doesn’t come from hearing jokes, but rather simply from spending time with friends and family. And it’s this social aspect that plays such an important role in the health benefits of laughter. You can’t enjoy a laugh with other people unless you take the time
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
to really engage with them. When you care about someone enough to switch off your phone and really connect face to face, you’re engaging in a process that rebalances the nervous system and puts the brakes on defensive stress responses like “fight or flight.” And if you share a laugh as well, you’ll both feel happier, more positive, and more relaxed—even if you’re unable to alter the stressful situation itself. How laughing together can strengthen relationships Shared laughter is one of the most effective tools for keeping relationships fresh and exciting. All emotional sharing builds strong and lasting relationship bonds, but sharing laughter also adds joy, vitality, and resilience. And humor is a powerful and effective way to heal resentments, disagreements, and hurts. Laughter unites people during difficult times. Humor and playful communication strengthen our relationships by triggering positive feelings and fostering
emotional connection. When we laugh with one another, a positive bond is created. This bond acts as a strong buffer against stress, disagreements, and disappointment. Using humor and laughter in relationships allows you to: Be more spontaneous. Humor gets you out of your head and away from your troubles. Let go of defensiveness. Laughter helps you forget resentments, judgments, criticisms, and doubts. Release inhibitions. Your fear of holding back and holding on are set aside. Express your true feelings. Deeply felt emotions are allowed to rise to the surface. This article first appeared on www.helpguide. org. Authors: Lawrence Robinson, Melinda Smith, M.A., and Jeanne Segal, Ph.D. Last updated: March 2018.
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Ask an Elder Law Attorney By: Raley L. Wiggins | Attorney at Law | Red Oak Legal, PC
Losing Your Marbles: Competency Issues for the Elderly In the eyes of the law, mental competency is a complex issue. Particularly among the elderly, it is unusual for someone to simply lose their ability to manage their own affairs overnight. It is much more common for one’s memory to slip gradually over time. But, when does memory loss cease being old-age “forgetfulness” and start becoming legal incompetence? As a lawyer, when I am asked whether an individual has legal mental capacity, my first question is always: “Capacity to do what?” To begin with, the law generally presumes that every adult has mental capacity, until proven otherwise. In addition, in the eyes of the law, the level of understanding and mental acuity needed to engage in a given transaction depends substantially on what the transaction is. At the high end of the spectrum is the capacity required to execute a binding contract. To execute a contract, one must have the ability to “understand and comprehend” their actions. A court will not find a contract to be void based upon the signer’s lack of mental capacity unless you can show that they had “no reasonable perception or understanding of the nature and terms of the contract.” At the opposite end of the spectrum is the capacity required to sign a last will and testament. This is a very low standard, which requires only that the person signing the will to be able to recall the property to be disposed of by the will, how it will be generally be divided, and the people they want to receive the property. So, a person may lack the legal mental capacity to sign a binding contract, but still have sufficient mind and memory to execute a valid last will and testament. Each case must be evaluated individually. But, what do you do if you suspect that a loved one is slipping to the point where they can no longer manage their own affairs? There are a couple of options.
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The first and best option is to manage that person’s affairs under a power of attorney executed by the loved one, while they were competent. Of course, once a person’s mental ability has begun to decline, it may be too late to sign a power
a petition is filed with the court stating why the individual needs a guardian and conservator to be appointed. The court will then appoint a lawyer for the allegedly incapacitated individual to protect their rights, as well as a court representative and a physician to examine the individual and Estate Planning and Asset Protection Workshop their living conditions, Wednesday, July 25: 22: Hosted by Red Oak Legal, PC: 1:30-3:30 pm and to submit at the Archibald Senior Center (MACOA) in Montgomery. This a report to the educational workshop presented by local attorney Raley L. Wiggins court. Finally, covers wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, living the court will conduct a wills, probate administration, protecting assets from creditors, hearing, and bankruptcy, divorce and remarriage, nursing homes, long-term care either grant and Medicaid qualification. Registration is required. or deny the Call 334-625-6774 today to reserve your seat or register online at petition. www.redoaklegalpc.com. Once appointed, the guardian and conservator of attorney because they lack sufficient are responsible for looking after the ability to understand and comprehend the individual, and will generally be required to document. However, if they are still able to report to the court from time to time. execute it, a well-drafted power of attorney will permit the agent (the person granted In many instances, the appointment of a power under the power of attorney) to guardian and conservator is appropriate. manage the business and financial affairs That said, it is a proceeding which can of the principal (the person who executed often be avoided by the execution of the document). Similarly, a well-drafted two relatively simple estate planning healthcare power of attorney or advance documents: a durable power of attorney, directive will allow an agent to make and an advance directive. healthcare and other decisions, even if the principal does not have the capacity to do If someone you love is beginning to so themselves. experience some decline in the mental But, what if the individual does not have sharpness, there may still be time to have these simple documents created while they a power of attorney or advance directive? In that case, the only option may be to have sufficient mind and memory to do so. ask the local probate court to appoint a Taking care of this now can avoid a costly court proceeding later. While you’re at it, guardian and conservator. A guardian (similar to the guardian of a minor child) is what about your own planning—do you tasked with looking after the individual’s have these simple documents? well-being, consenting to medical care, As we often say in our business, there’s and determining where they live, among no time like the present. So, what are you other things. A conservator is responsible waiting for? for handling the individual’s money and property.
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Asking a court to appoint a guardian and conservator takes time, and can be expensive. To initiate the proceeding,
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BOOM! COVER PROFILE
Jannah Bailey, "Child Protector" This month’s BOOM! Cover Profile is Jannah Bailey. Jannah is well known in the non-profit community for her dedicated work as the Executive Director for Child Protect. Jannah and her team assist state and local agencies investigate child abuse situations in Montgomery and the River Region. Jannah's heart for children who are not being cared for has led her to run for public office as a Montgomery County School Board Member, and she won! Now she will be hoping for your vote in November so she can begin helping Montgomery families solve one of our biggest problems, how to provide a quality public education for all of our children. Jannah and her friends in the community will step forward to make a difference in how we choose to educate the future of Montgomery and she would welcome the support of all those people interested in doing the same. We recently spent some time getting to know Jannah, and we think you'll enjoy getting to know her as much as we have, enjoy the conversation!
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? Jannah: I was born in Montgomery and raised by a single mother, Vannah Watts Norrell. She worked hard to not only to provide what my younger brother and I needed but also instilled in us the responsibility we had to give back to our community; to be of good character and a good citizen. My strength and independence and the drive that I could do anything and be anybody came from her constant love and guidance. I grew up in a house on Wilmington Road and walked with friends and neighbors to Floyd Elementary and Floyd Junior High for 9 years. I graduated from Sidney Lanier High School in 1979 and earned a B.S. in Justice and Public Safety, emphasizing in Juvenile Corrections in 1983 from Auburn University Montgomery. I am married to family court Judge
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with our readers what Child Protect is and how you became involved in the organization? How do you fund Child Protect? What can BOOM! readers do to help? What does the future look like for Child Protect? Jannah: Child Protect is a 501c3 non-profit serving Montgomery County. The mission of Child Protect is to “provide a Bob and Jannah hiking in Glacier National Park forensic interview, advocacy, and counseling Bob Bailey and to children together we raised when there are 2 sons, Forrest and allegations of Frazier Hull. We abuse.” The have 2 wonderful agency works daughter-inwith a multi“loves”, Samantha disciplinary and Christine, team made and 4 perfect up of law grandchildren – enforcement, Camylle 7, Dalton the Department 5, Molly 5, and Lucy Hiking in Olympia National Park with sons, Frazier & Forrest of Human who will be 2 in Resources, the August. district attorney’s office, mental health, SART/SANE, and Maxwell-Gunter Office BOOM!: You are the Executive Director of Special Investigations in assisting of Child Protect, could you please share
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with the investigation. Child Protect has 6 employees who answer the call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Abraham White, Kristin Byrd, Laurel Teel, Tamara Martin, and Tracy LaChance. A child that needs our services at 10:00 am on a Wednesday gets the same love, compassion, and understanding as the child that needs us at 2:00 am on a Saturday.
will be able to provide training and education on a larger scale to the community.
reach their full potential and giving them the ok to get out of the box and bring their imagination and creativity to the organization. Our organizational chart is a wheel where every person is a spoke. For the wheel to operate at it’s best, each spoke has to be strong and plugged in. The Child Protect team is the best. I also feel like it’s important for the staff to be part of the community as a whole. When you are dealing with the worst that people can do – abuse of a child – everyday, to be a member of a civic group, Leadership Montgomery, and/ or Junior League brings balance to each individual and gives them an opportunity to be part of the bigger plan. We receive funds from many groups in town and I want us to also be recognized as giving back.
We are grateful for the support that we get and never take that for granted. Any donation helps our agency My husband was continue to a founding board serve abused Family Support Bob, Dalton, Lucy, Christine and Frazier children. member of Child Protect in 1989 so the My first job was working for John Ives In kind agency has always had a special place in at Ives Construction Company. I was donations are welcome too! You can’t our hearts. I was serving on the board 17 years old imagine how much toilet in 2001 and the executive director and had just paper, paper towels, tissue, resigned. I was asked to interview and graduated from and copy paper we go though I did not feel like I was qualified, Lanier. He was through. And right now, we here I am over 17 years later! I cannot an amazing are looking for a committed imagine doing anything else. I work with boss and I volunteer to help us take care some of my closest friends and the work always said, “If of our lawn a couple of times we do truly matters at the end of the I ever have the a month. day. When you work on the frontlines chance to be in a with a group of selfless people who position where I BOOM!: The River Region has all have servant’s hearts, it makes the manage people, many successful non-profit subject matter we deal with a little easier I want to be just organizations, please share to handle. like him.” And I some of your insights into hope I am even what the best practices are in Our budget is half the boss he managing a about $475,00 was! successful annually and non-profit our funding in the River Jannah's son Forrest with wife Samantha BOOM!: comes from You recently Region? the community, entered the world of politics or more How would you the city and importantly the world of education by describe your county, the becoming a candidate and winner for the leadership style? River Region Montgomery County Board of Education. What does success United Way, What motivated you to step up into look like at Child local grants and this role? What is your vision to create Protect? foundations, a school system all of Montgomery can churches, be proud of? What are three obstacles, Jannah: Leadership and civic we as a community need to overcome to to me means that you organizations. have a better school system? have been given the We just privilege of helping completed an Jannah: Running for office was never in your staff become addition on our my life plan but my plans don’t always the best they can Grandchildren, Camylle & Molly building and be; helping them to The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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align with what God has planned for my life. I attended the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce luncheon in December where Dr. Ed Richardson gave his State of the School address. I knew that the schools were failing, and Friends and Co-workers Laurel Teel, Abraham White, Tamara Martin, Tracy LaChance, and Kristin Byrd the state had intervened, but We are at a crossroads with our I didn’t realize how bad it really was. I education and it is going to take the left with a great burden and kept asking entire community stepping up. We live the question, “What can I do?” A couple here, we work here, and we play here. of months later, I was asked if I would We have an obligation to make our consider running and without hesitation schools the best. I said yes. I think the community was listening as well as we witnessed in the primary election in June. I will bring to the board my almost 20 years of working on or for a board of directors. I understand the role that the board plays in an organization and I know you have to leave your personal agenda at the door. Whatever organization you are part of, you must have respect and trust with the other people you are serving. The biggest obstacle I see is that we must acknowledge that the Montgomery Public Schools are more segregated than they have ever been. Our magnet schools are some of the best in the state and the nation, but we have neglected the other 25,000 children, most of whom are African American. Children want to and can learn. As a community we have the responsibility to challenge our children and help them to reach the highest level of education they can. We also must give them other options besides a 4-year college after graduation. Vocational and technology education should be offered beginning in middle school. We have to give our children hope and encouragement that they can succeed.
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BOOM!: With a busy life, how do you spend time with family? What’s your special experience of being a grandmother? What do your grandchildren call you?
little humans bring so much joy to my heart and balance to my life. They are so inquisitive, and you just stop everything to talk about rolly polly’s, fishing, or play baby dolls. The world just stops when they are around. We were going to be Gabby (because I DO talk a lot) and Granddaddy. Our oldest grandchild, Camylle, could not say her “g’s” so she called us Babby and Andaddy! And of course, it is music to our ears! BOOM!: What are some of your favorite travel experiences? Favorite vacation spot? Any travel dreams planned? Jannah: I was the biggest fan of the Brady Bunch when I was growing up. My favorite episode was when they went to the Grand Canyon. That had been my number one lifelist thing to do since then. In April of 2013 Bob and I and 4 of our closest friends, Mary P and Bill Ashley, and Steve and Mary Hughes, made the trip. We hiked the 9 miles down to the bottom of the canyon and spent 2 nights at the Phantom Ranch. It was incredible! We love to hike, and the mountains of North Georgia is our favorite destination. One of my lifelist items is to visit all 59 National Parks. I have already been to 18 so I am making some progress. BOOM!: What are you most passionate about, besides the children you serve?
Jannah: I am a pretty Faithful Friends Forever Half Marathon Jannah, Carol Kelley Harrison, Marsha Brock passionate Whilhite, Lee Melton Hayes, Annette King Taylor, Alisa Autry Austin person so it’s hard to name one. I would say that I am passionate about all children. Since Jannah: Family has always come first becoming a grandmother, I have been with my husband and me. We make more in tuned to what role I play in time for quality visits and turn everything every child’s life I touch, whether in else off. Being a grandmother is person or by some action I can take in EVERYTHING I heard it would be. These the community. I think that is another The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
reason I decided to run for school board. BOOM!: How do you like to relax and wind down from a hard day’s work?
18 years and enjoy the special friendships and our “service above self” to the community. We recite the 4 Way Test each week and I try to live and work by these words:
Jannah: I love to read Supportive Friends Marianne McLemore, Joy Faulkner, and am so Mary Hughes, and Mary P Ashley fortunate to be part of a book club with 6 friends, Carolyn Gwin, Cathy Gassenheimer, 1st Is it the Truth? Debbie Kranzusch, Debbie Steindorff, Jackie Walsh, and Mary Hughes, 2nd Is it Fair to All Concerned? aka W.I.N.E. (Women In Need of Enlightenment). Our group enjoys such a 3rd Will it Build Goodwill and variety of genres that we never get bored Better Friendships? with what our next read will be. 4th Will it Be Beneficial to All BOOM!: Do you have time to be involved Concerned? in community, civic or other activities? Faith based organizations? Imagine if everyone lived this every day. Jannah: We are members of St. James United Methodist Church and enjoy our BOOM!: What is it about living small groups and bible studies. My faith in the Montgomery/River keeps me grounded and hopeful. I am Region area that you like? a member of the Montgomery Sunrise Rotary Club also known as the “Fun Jannah: Montgomery is Club”. I have been a Rotarian for about home, my roots are firmly
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planted here. There was a time several years ago that we talked about moving when we retired but the closer we get to retirement the more engaged and committed we are to this great city. It is not perfect, but I want to do my part to help make it a better place to live for future generations. BOOM!: As you’ve aged, how have your priorities changed? Jannah: Family and Friends have always been at the top of my priority list but as I get older I make more of an effort to spend more quality time. I have 5 girlfriends who have been on my life’s journey since we were 12 years old! We
Bottom of the Grand Canyon at the Phantom Ranch Bill Ashley, Steve Hughes, Bob, Mary P Ashley, Mary Hughes, Jannah
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gets cooler. met at Floyd Junior I also love to High School and read. When have remained you read, close for over 45 you can go years. We call anywhere in ourselves the the world. FFF’s Fabulous There are Faithful Friends endless – Alisa Autry possibilities. Austin, Annette King Taylor, Carol BOOM!: Kelley Harrison, Many Lee Melton Hayes, Boomers are and Marsha Brock experiencing Whilhite. Carol’s a renewed daughter Christine Layni & Poppy sense and my son Frazier of purpose, new goals, new careers, married so we get to be part of their lives especially if they’ve experienced the which is very special. Lee and I were empty nest syndrome of their kids diagnosed with breast cancer 3 years ago moving on. How would you describe this and our friendship grew even stronger after that. As we age, there is great sense of renewal in your life? Any advice for the rest of us seeking renewal? comfort in being with friends who know you inside and out and love you anyway. BOOM!: Give us three words that describe you? Jannah: Fun, Adventuresome, Committed BOOM!: Do you have any hobbies or other activities that grab your attention? Jannah: Hiking is my most favorite past time and I hope to do more of it when it
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Harry, 2000-2017
Jannah: I just turned 57 June 14th and life just keeps getting better. Embrace the change! Age makes you wiser and gives you more courage and confidence to step out of your comfort zone. Call your friends! BOOM!: Technology is rooted in almost every aspect of our lives. What’s your relationship with the digital world? Does technology help you run a smarter organization? It would be more fun if the staff answered this question for me!!!! I can operate my phone but the technology at work is left up to the rest of the staff. We do try to stay on top of the tech world though as if you don’t keep up you will get passed. We want to thank Jannah and Laurel Teel for helping us put together this month’s BOOM! Cover Profile. If you want to reach out to Jannah visit www.childprotect.org. She and her team would welcome your support in helping to identify and reduce child abuse situations. And if you want to have better schools, for real, let her know what you're willing to do to join that movement! We want to thank the portrait team at Total Image Portraits for their quality work. If you have questions, comments or suggestions about our cover profiles, including nominating someone, please send them to Jim Watson at jim@riverregionboom.com Read all of the BOOM! Cover Profiles at www.riverregionboom.com/archive/
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Eating Smart with Tracy Bhalla
FIBER WHY WE NEED IT AND HOW TO GET ENOUGH We all know we need fiber, it’s in all the “healthy” foods after all, right? But WHY is it so important that we get enough? First of all, having a good amount of fiber in your diet is crucial to aiding your digestive health and all that relates to that - think no bloating or indigestion, regular and good, solid consistency of stools, no constipation, increased bowel integrity and function, thus minimizing the risk of conditions such as hemorrhoids and diverticulitis. Now if none of those issues affects you currently then you are probably doing ok with your levels of fiber, but MOST Americans suffer from more than one of the aforementioned issues and would benefit greatly from increasing the amount of fiber in their diet. The recommended daily intake of fiber is 25 grams per day for women and 38 grams a day for men, which equates to about 14 grams of fiber per 1,000 calories consumed. The average American consumes 12-15 grams per day; WAY below what’s required. There are two types of fiber: Insoluble fiber, found in whole-wheat flour products, wheat bran, nuts and vegetables, which increases stool bulk and promotes movement of food through the digestive system. Soluble fiber, found in oats, peas, beans, apples, carrots and citrus fruits, which dissolves in water to form a gel-like substance that slows absorption of food components, thus allowing the body to retain more nutrients. Ideally your diet should contain a good balance of both types, not necessarily on a daily basis, but certainly on a weekly basis. Studies have also shown that sufficient fiber in your diet can also prevent heart disease and cancer, help lower cholesterol and regulate blood sugar levels and helps
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with weight control. Basically, it’s one nutritional component that you cannot do without. A 2011 study reported by the National Institutes of Health found that those who consumed higher amounts of fiber over a nine-year period had a significantly less chance of dying from chronic disease than those who consumed less fiber. Fiber consumption of study participants ranged from 12.6 grams to 29.4 grams per day in men and from 10.8 grams to 25.8 grams per day in women. Those who consumed the most fiber each day had a 22 percent lower risk of death over the nine-year period than those who consumed the least amount of fiber. So, how do we increase the amount of fiber in our diets without (a) it becoming “hard work” and (b) tasting like cardboard? Well, there are many quick and easy substitutions you can make, and I will go through some shortly. Just a couple of warnings before you do this, (1) DO NOT try to do too much at once, your body needs time to adjust to digesting the increased amounts of fiber and will have difficulty if you overtake it in one go. Go for one change a week and you will soon be where you need to be. (2) Your body requires water to successfully digest fiber, so whilst increasing your fiber levels, you also need to increase your water levels (another plus for your health).
Ready to make some changes? Try switching from white to brown – one thing at a time. Instead of white bread, you switch to brown. Same for pasta, rice, pita bread, burritos, couscous, etc. If you bake, switch to whole wheat flour in your cakes, or even half and half. If you change one thing a week, in just a few weeks you should be eating only whole grains and should have increased your daily fiber consumption by an easy 10 grams without radically changing your diet! Another easy one is snacks – get away from regular chips and opt for whole grain crackers or tortilla chips (there are plenty of healthy and tasty options out there) or popcorn! (Though not the heavily buttered/ sugared/salted kind as that just introduces a whole different range of problems). Even better snack on baby carrots, celery sticks or broccoli dipped in ranch, eat an apple or nuts, seeds and dried fruit. It’s all about making the healthy options available – if you have them in your house, or in your lunch bag, you will eat them. You just need to change your shopping habits. Last easy fix is cereal – eat a bowl a day, but not the high sugar kind and if you can’t face a bowl of All Bran, mix it with something else that you find more palatable. If you can make these three, relatively simple changes, I guarantee that your fiber levels will reach the recommended levels. Good luck. Tracy Bhalla, Independent Consultant with NYR Organics, website: us.nyrorganic.com/shop/ tracybhalla email: nyrbhalla@gmail.com You can also visit Tracy’s blog at Tracybhalla.com, Continuing my obsession with all things organic, I have been working with NYR for two years now, using their skincare products myself for over 25 years! Your skin is the body’s largest organ, it deserves to be well looked after. I am here to answer any questions you may have. R ive r Re gio n Bo o m . co m
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Travel Trending with Kathy Witt
The Bourbon Trail Just as Dorothy followed the Yellow Brick Road, bourbon neophytes and aficionados alike can pursue a similar storied path: the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Both lead to a world of magic and mystery, adventure and pure awesomeness – and to the Master Distillers who control the levers, so to speak, behind the curtain. In the world of bourbon, those first steps should be taken in Bardstown, Ky., the Bourbon Capital of the World.
wink-wink. "Each member of the family was allowed up to two pints of bourbon a month and would receive a prescription written by a doctor, which they would take to a pharmacy to fill," said Buffalo Trace tour guide Fred Mozenter. "This is why many pharmacies sell alcohol today."
BARDSTOWN A land of Oz awash in bourbon, Bardstown is home to six distilleries, four of which are on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, including Heaven Hill and Jim Beam. Also, here are Barton 1792, and Willett, the former the oldest fully operating distillery in Bardstown, the latter still using some of the original bourbon recipes developed by Master Distiller John David Willett in the 19th century. As if the touring and tasting possibilities at some of the world's most celebrated bourbon distilleries aren't enough, Bardstown is also home to the Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History, a great first stop to brush up on the history of American's only Native Spirit through displays that include President George Washington's confiscated copper still, Prohibition-era "prescriptions," novelty whiskey containers (King Tut's tomb!), and a stunning Art Deco bottle collection. One might get the idea that Bardstown is the place to live, eat, sleep and breathe bourbon _ and one would be correct.
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These days, the distillery has another claim to fame: A 2016 archeological dig uncovered ruins inside the former O.F.C. Distillery building _ and now "Buffalo Trace Pompeii," as the site has been nicknamed, is offered as a tour. Visitors see the foundation ruins from the 1869 and 1873 distilleries (christened by Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. in 1870) and fermenters that date back to 1883.
Barton 1792 Distillery has 29 barrel aging warehouses and 22 other buildings including a still house on its 196 acres.
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At Bourbon Manor, the world's first bourbon-themed bed and breakfast inn, the innkeepers keep guests steeped in the bourbon experience. Sip bourbon in The Bunghole lounge and bar and enjoy a breakfast of bourbon and bacon flapjacks covered in a secret-recipe bourbon caramel syrup. Beyond bourbon: Go gourmet in vintage, linen-draped splendor aboard My Old Kentucky Dinner Train (www. kydinnertrain.com), murder mystery served a la carte. One shop stop: Who needs Manhattan when you can shop Shaq & CoCo (https:// shaqandcoco.com) for glam gifts and oneof-a-kind goodies? FRANKFORT Perhaps the granddaddy of 'em all _ some might say grand-pappy (as in Van Winkle) _ Buffalo Trace holds the distinction of being the world's most award-winning distillery, oldest continually (legally) operating distillery in the country and one of four distilleries allowed to remain open during Prohibition. For medicinal purposes only,
Also, on the tour: the renovated circa 1700 Old Taylor House _ the oldest structure on the grounds _ and Warehouse C, a barrel warehouse Taylor built in the late 1800s. Later this summer Castle and Key opens in restored century-old buildings at the former Old Taylor Distillery, built in 1887 by Col. Taylor and featuring a limestone castle, gazebos and sunken gardens. At its helm will be Kentucky's only female Master Distiller, Marianne Barnes. Beyond bourbon: Beauty and tranquility are yours for the taking at free-admission Josephine Sculpture Park (www. josephinesculpturepark.org), where some 50 works of art are set amidst native plants and wildlife habitat.
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encircles Fagan Louisville is also the home of the Urban Branch Reservoir, Bourbon Trail, with dozens of stops _ each its beautiful carrying a minimum of 50 bourbons _ wooded backdrop showcasing its standing as one of America's made even more "10 Best New Food Cities" and its bourbon scenic by 47 heritage, which dates to the 18th century bridges. when frontier farmers first discovered the One shop stop: benefits of Kentucky's limestone-filtered Girlie-girls won't water in the whiskey distillation process. want to miss That Cute Little Beyond bourbon: Magnificent art. Beautiful LEBANON Bourbon Manor’s bourbon and bacon flapjacks are Shop (www. setting. The Speed Museum (www. Two words: decadent deliciousness. thatcutelittleshop. speedmuseum.org) has just emerged from red wax. Pretty com). It's all that, and a monogrammed a 3-year renovation. much everybody who tours the hallowed bag. grounds of Maker's Mark Distillery wants One shop stop: Familiar with the Kentucky to dip a bottle into the signature molten LOUISVILLE Derby? Then you know red wax. It is a coveted part of going The first distillery about Kentucky's behind-the-scenes to see what makes this to open since obsession with the legendary distillery tick. Prohibition in bourbon-soaked mint Kentucky's largest julep. Find Mint Julep A new attraction is The Cellar, carved from city was the Evan Cups at Louisville a natural limestone shelf on distillery Williams Bourbon Stoneware, www. grounds to provide a place to finish Experience. louisvillestoneware. Marker's 46. Beloved among bourbon Located on com. enthusiasts everywhere, this particular Whiskey Row bourbon is made by placing seared French on Louisville's BOURBON OR BUST oak staves into a barrel of fully aged beautiful In the past couple Maker's Mark for about nine weeks. The waterfront, years, 16 distilleries Everyone’s favorite redhead: a bottle of Maker’s result? Satisfyingly complex flavors _ not Mark dipped in red wax. the immersive have opened or are to mention a tour showing off the finishing experience sweeps visitors into 1783 and in the process of opening in Kentucky, process and one seriously cool tasting the world of Kentucky's first commercial including Pikeville's Dueling Barrels room. distiller, Evan Williams. Distillery _ an homage to the Hatfields and McCoys _ and Jeptha Creed in Shelbyville. Lebanon is famous as the only place on Whiskey Row's newest distillery is Angel's Bloody Butcher corn anyone? This heirloom the Kentucky Bourbon Trail to witness Envy. Master Distiller Lincoln Henderson, corn is what gives the distillery's spirits both bourbon and bourbon barrel making. who created the Woodford Reserve and their bold, takes-no-prisoners profiles. Watch the barrels get charred at Kentucky Gentleman Jack brands among others, Cooperage and learn how this adds an came out of exquisite PLAN YOUR VISIT retirement to depth to Bardstown, Ky.: www.visitbardstown.com work with his bourbon. Frankfort, Ky.: www.visitfrankfort.com son Wes on an Limestone Harrodsburg, Ky.: http://harrodsburgky.com idea he'd had for Branch Kentucky Bourbon Country: years: finishing Distillery www.bourboncountry.com bourbon in Port gained fame Kentucky Bourbon Trail: barrels. for distilling the original www.kybourbontrail.com Calling the recipe for Lebanon, Ky.: www.visitlebanonky.com historic StitzelYellowstone Louisville, Ky.: www.gotolouisville.com Weller Distillery Bourbon _ a Owensboro: www.visitowensboro.com "one of the true brand that Pikeville: www.visitpikeville.com cathedrals of dates back Shelbyville: www.visitshelbyky.com the American to 1872. It's The family behind Jeptha Creed Distillery, from left, whiskey also known Autumn, Joyce, Bruce and Hunter Nethery. industry," the for having Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience at the best selfie stop ever, at the Maker's Stitzel-Weller Distillery pays tribute to this Mark Water Tower. Author, travel and lifestyle writer, and travel goods expert Kathy Witt feels you should never get to the end of your bucket list; there’s distillery which opened originally on Derby just too much to see and do in the world. She can be reached at Day in 1935. Beyond bourbon: The 3.2-mile Gorley KathyWitt24@gmail.com or KathyWitt.com. (c)2017 Kathy Witt Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC Naturalist Trail (www.visitlebanonky.com) One shop stop: For gorgeous artisan-made gifts and come-hither gift wrapping, shop Completely Kentucky
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The Mayor of BOOMTOWN
By Greg Budell
“DOWN ON THE (THINKIN’) STOOP" halfway up the 100 foot cylinder for the Rich Thomas Weather Center.
Most of us have a place where we do our best thinking. Maybe it’s a nice, cushy recliner, complete with about 5 dollars in change that has slid out of pockets into crevices- you know, the National Bank of Lazy-Boy. Some do their best thinking in the bathtub. If there’s 5 dollars in loose change in your tub you have other issues to consider.
It became a place because, sadly, I remain addicted to cigarettes. So, about 3 times every hour during a commercial break, I’ll scramble down 2 flights of stairs to indulge my habit sitting on my concrete cushion. That’s the easy part. Scrambling back up those stairs after a few minutes has become a bit more challenging during my BOOM years, but it’s great for firmer thighs and glutes.
I have a place. It’s not very comfortable. My theory is if we’re going to do productive thinking, it should be When I sit facing north (pictured), somewhere, somewhat, there’s a forested area that uncomfortable. The becomes something of a calendar. quicksand-like, sinking comfort of a large chair "Thinking about why people think I need to lose weight?" Around late October, the trees are rich with color, and by December can be too relaxing. 15th, stark naked. I’ve dubbed In that state, great that “Tree Denusion Day”, when thoughts become silly watching the world go by on leafless branches stretch into the winter daydreams. Sometimes, Interstate 85. sky. my special spot is as The Thinkin' Stoop Tower cold as ice. Throughout I’ve named this special place, Behind those trees, according to lifelong this month, it’ll be cooking my keyster The Thinkin’ Stoop. Montgomerian Terry Adams (he of Adams about 30 minutes every day. Motorsports), is a swamp. During spring “TTS” is a cement block behind our radio and fall mornings on The Stoop, I’ll see That’s how much time I spend there. 30 station (Newstalk 93.1FM). Embedded tens of thousands of birds will emerge minutes a day over 250 work days or a in this 8’ X 8’ concrete creation is a tall, from behind the trees heading south. little more than 3 full days a year. Over thick steel antenna that does, uh, … They’re birds, so I suppose they have 13 years, I’ve spent a full month and a something. I’m honestly not sure what, to fly somewhere every day to stay in half of my life in this one spot, literally though back in 2016 they put a camera Greg Budell's column is proudly sponsored by McDonald & Hagen Wealth Management
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shape. What’s amazing, is that during afternoon Stoop Time, they come flying back, filling the sky with flapping mayhem. It’s screeching Checking traffic natural chaos, but they never collide! They just make tons of racket while returning to their swamp, sort of like Congress returning to Washington. The only time the Thinkin’ Stoop is not used is during thunderstorms. Even I know better than to stand next to 100 feet of steel when there’s cloud to ground lightning nearby. My listeners are wise to TTS. Rather than announcing I’m going downstairs to be a disgusting smoker, I tell them I’m going to “check traffic”. Believe it or not, it often works out that way. Sometimes I’ll see a massive tie-up on 85, and alert the Traffic Dungeon’s Rick Walker that there’s something going on. What do I think about on the Thinkin’ Stoop? Most often, I’m mentally organizing where the radio show is going next. Over the years though, TTS has hosted its share of my worries. How’s my daughter? What kind of a day is Mrs. Budell having at Costco? Why don’t catfish have kittens?
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
The most amazing thing I’ve ever seen from The Thinkin’ Stoop was the morning of this past January 17th, after The Big Snow. TTS was covered with snow, so I put a big sheet of cardboard down to enjoy the vehicular Ice Capades on I-85. What a show! Drivers crawling and making their way on a snow and ice-packed road, many I’m assuming, for the first time. It was surreal that morning. At a time of day when 85 is normally wall to wall, there was merely a car here or a truck there slowly traversing this newly minted glacier. Having grown up in Chicago, driving on snow and ice is a learned skill. Even with my advanced experience, I don’t think I was ever more scared behind the wheel of a car because officials could do nothing more than wait for the road to thaw out. Some cars tried, and failed to scale the uphill exit at Taylor Road. I built enough momentum to scale the ramp without incident but not without fear. A ten minute drive home became an angst-filled half hour of terror! If you recall, we had 2 full days of that insanity. Year round, I see stunning sunrises and sunsets from the stoop, which inspire a deeper brand of thinkin’. I refer you to the Drifter’s classic “Up On The Roof”
“When this old world starts a getting me down And people are just too much for me to face I'll climb way up to the top of the stairs And all my cares just drift right into space, up on the roof” My version. “When this old world starts a getting me down And the news is just too much for me to face I'll walk on down to the base of the stairs To light one up and forget about it all, Down On The Stoop”.
The Thinkin' Stoop is great for weather observation
Greg Budell lives in Montgomery with his wife, Roz, and dogs Hershey and Briscoe. He’s been in radio since 1970, and is marking 12 years in the River Region in 2017. He hosts the Newstalk 93.1FM Morning Show with Rich Thomas, Jay Scott & Emily Hayes, 6-9AM Monday-Friday. He returns weekday afternoons from 3-6PM for Happy Hour with sidekick Joey Clark. Greg can be reached at gregbudell@aol.com
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July 2018
{12 Things} for active boomers and beyond
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA Grandparents Event
Annie ASF July 4, 2018 – August 5, 2018
“One of the best family musicals ever penned” – Chicago Tribune. The sun will come out tomorrow! No one can resist the optimism of Annie – a little orphan girl who refuses to give up hope. The delightful cast of this feel-good musical will get toes tapping with memorable song-and-dance numbers, such as “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” “Easy Street,” and “Tomorrow.” Recommended ages 4+ Runtime: approx. 2 1/2 hours with intermission. For more info and tickets visit www.asf.net/project/annie/
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 5K & Pie Run Bibb St Pizza Wednesday, July 11, 6-9
Join Montgomery Multisport at Bibb St Pizza in downtown Montgomery for a 5K Run or Walk. Afterwards, enjoy Pizza & Drink Specials from Bibb St Pizza and Common Bond Brewers. This is a family friendly event. All paces welcome. Call 334.593.7080 for more information.
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA Whiskey Business Railyard Downtown Montgomery Thursday, July 12, 6 – 9 pm
This one's for the ones that want to be able to TALK about whiskey but need to LEARN (and taste) some more first. Help raise money for EAT South's garden education programs while enjoying a private beginner's class on all things whiskey. We will have tastings at 6 and 7 so pick a time that works for you and stick around for complimentary hors d'oevres, a cash bar, pool and darts! Tickets are $28.45 and may be purchased through Eventbrite. Call EAT South 334.422.9331 for more information. More Information on Website: www.facebook.com/events/178719672846851/
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA Family Tennis Nights O'Connor Tennis Center Friday, July 13, 6-8 pm
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Bring your whole family to a fun and FREE Family Tennis Night in Montgomery! We'll provide equipment & food, and your family can learn some tennis skills! Sign up at www.familytennisnight.com. Call 334.240.4884 for more information. Free event at O'Connor Tennis Center 500 Anderson St, Montgomery, Alabama 36107. For more Information visit www.facebook.com/events/382523458930167/
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA John Schneider, AKA Bo Duke Hank Williams Museum Saturday, July 14, 6:45-8 pm
John Schneider AKA Bo Duke is performing at the Hank Williams Museum on Saturday, July 14! Along with Bobby Tomberlin and Charity Bowden. A very up-close and personal show you don’t want to miss. John Schneider, star of The Dukes of Hazzard, Smallville and the current Tyler Perry hit series, The Haves and Have Nots, will be performing. John has had several number one country hits and has just released a new project. Tickets are $45 and available at the Hank Williams Museum. Cash or check only. Limited seating. Call 334.262.3600 for more information or visit www.thehankwilliamsmuseum.net/
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA World Deer Expo
BJCC, Birmingham July 13-15 Get ready for the ultimate sportsman’s paradise and the COUNTRY’S LARGEST 3 Day Hunting Consumer Show! The Expo features a weekend full of fun for everyone who loves hunting, fishing, and the great outdoors. The Expo has the Latest and Greatest of Hunting Products and Apparel, Outfitters from all over the World, BHA 3-D Archery Tournament, Big Buck Competition, AON Truck Buck Shoot-Out, Outdoor Celebrities, Hunt Giveaways, Hourly Door Prizes, Activities for the Kids, and More! ADULT (Age 12 & up) – $13.00. CHILDREN (Age 4-11) – $7.00. (Age 3 & under) – FREE. Buy online and save $3 on adult tickets. Contact: 205.678.4141 or visit www.worlddeerexpo.com/ The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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f re e su bsc r i pt i on s at w w w.rive r re gio n b o o m.co m MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA
Food for Thought Lunchtime Lecture Series Alabama Department of Archives and History Joseph M. Farley Alabama Power Auditorium Thursday, July 19, 12-1 pm Food For Thought is a year of exciting and interesting talks on Alabama history at the Alabama Department of Archives and History. The 2018 schedule offers a wide range of unique topics spanning centuries of Alabama history. Food for Thought is held at noon on the third Thursday of every month in the Archives’ Joseph M. Farley Alabama Power Auditorium. The public is invited to bring a brown bag lunch, complimentary beverages are provided. Admission is always free. On July 19, 12-1 pm, we will have Melissa Blair Sorry about That, Gloria: Southern Living Encounters the Women’s Movement. For more information, call 334.242.4435 or visit www.archives.alabama.gov
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA
Montgomery's Cottage Hill Historic District Sunday, July 29, 4-7 pm Shindig at Winter Place is a {FREE} event in the heart of Cottage Hill Historic District featuring live music by The Sea of Cities. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets, family and friends, and join us for a fun summer afternoon with good music, food + drinks, art and more. Donations greatly appreciated, but not required. Benefitting Child Protect, Children’s Advocacy Center. Vendors: Frios Gourmet Pops - River Region, That's My Dog Montgomery. Call 334.262.1220 for more information. More Information on Website: www.facebook.com/ events/1576607922461464/
The Hobbit Cloverdale Playhouse Thursdays-Saturdays + Sunday Matinees, July 19-29
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA
In The Hobbit, Tolkien’s detailed, imaginative world of wizards, elves, goblins, and hobbits shows us that good can conquer evil in the world. Bilbo Baggins, one of the most conservative of all Hobbits, is asked to leave his cozy home in the Shire to battle a dragon and recover an important treasure. It's the last thing that any sensitive Hobbit would want to do, but he must face his fears for the sake of all of the peoples of Middle Earth. Our Playhouse Troupe returns to the main season for the second year with this epic story that shows us that small people can make a big difference. Recommended for ages 5 and up. Thursday - Saturday shows begin at 7:30pm and Sunday matinees begin at 2pm. Call 334.262.1530 or visit www.cloverdaleplayhouse. org/2017-season
Elvis: The Early Years starring nationally renowned tribute artist, Scot Bruce, traditionally sells out at ASF! The performance features songs made famous by the king of rock ‘roll, Elvis Presley, including Hound Dog, Burnin’ Love, Jailhouse Rock, Love Me Tender, Suspicious Minds and more. reviews: "TOP ELVIS IMPERSONATOR SCOT BRUCE HAS GOT IT GOING ON, HIS VOICE IS SO UNCANNILY LIKE THE KING’S YOU’LL THINK YOU’RE IN BLUE HAWAII." The Tennessean, Nashville Tickets range from $35-$60. To purchase, please visit www.asf.net or call the ASF Box Office at 800-841-4273.
Elvis: The Early Years with Scot Bruce ASF Saturday, Aug. 11, 7:30 – 9:30 pm
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA
PRATTVILLE, ALABAMA
TOTO 40 Trips Around the Sun MPAC Sunday, October 21, 7:30pm
Way Off Broadway Theatre’s production of The Secret Garden will be presented three consecutive weekends July 26 through August 12. This musical is a family favorite and is suitable for all ages. The Secret Garden is based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, music and lyrics by Marsha Norman, music by Lucy Simon and presented through special arrangement with Samuel French. Tickets are $12 in advance and $14 at the door (if available) and can be purchased by calling the Special Events Office at 334.595.0854 or online at cc.prattvilleal.gov.
Historically, few ensembles in the history of recorded music have individually or collectively had a larger imprint on pop culture than the members of TOTO. As individuals, the band members' performances can be heard on an astonishing 5000 albums that together amass a sales history of a HALF A BILLION albums. Amongst these recordings, NARAS applauded the collected works with 225 Grammy nominations. The Montgomery Performing Arts Centre at Renaissance Montgomery 201 Tallapoosa St, Montgomery, Alabama 36104. Visit www.mpaconline.org or www.totoofficial.com
The Secret Garden Prattville's Way Off Broadway Theatre July 26 through August 12
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA Shindig at Winter Place
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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Tinseltown Talks By Nick Thomas
Eric Braeden still king of daytime drama “The Young and the Restless” star Eric Braeden has been playing character Victor Newman for 38 years and says it’s been an amazing run. But he doesn’t believe daytime drama actors always receive the recognition of their nighttime TV counterparts.
enormously. He did his own stunts and we would throw the football and workout together – I still workout twice a day. Fernando Llamas had a huge sense of humor and then there was Raquel – one of the most beautiful actresses I’ve ever known. Who could concentrate on acting with her on the set?” Gradually, says Braeden, he steered away from the villainous German roles. But since joining the Y&R cast in 1980, opportunities for other TV or film work have been limited. He did accept a role as John Jacob Astor in James Cameron’s “Titanic” in 1997. Eric Braeden, front left, and cast of The Young and the Restless - CBS publicity
“We shoot 100 to 120 pages a day,” said Braeden, from Los Angeles. “Imagine what that means in terms of memorization. Actors in a weekly nighttime series would crap their pants if they had to do that! The most I ever learned was 62 pages of dialogue in a single day. But the simple fact is you do it, or you’re out.” Born in Germany four years before the end of World War II, Braeden says fate handed him some luck. “I grew up near Kiel which was 96% destroyed by over 500,000 bombs that hit the city. Part of our house was blown away, so I could have very easily not survived.”
could have been an Olympian,” he said. A career as an actor, however, never really lingered long in his mind. “At school, I was always asked to read out loud in class – poetry and the classics – and I was good at it.” After filming a documentary at college about traveling the Salmon River in Idaho, the acting bug finally bit and Braeden found work in film and television throughout the 60s and 70s, often cast as a villainous German most notably in the TV series “Combat!” and “The Rat Patrol.”
He moved to the U.S. as a teenager on an athletic scholarship to the University of Montana Eric Braeden as German solider in 100 Rifles, Twentieth Century Fox having won the German Youth Championship in javelin, footballer Jim Brown. discus, and shot put. “Had I stayed in Germany, it’s possible I
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Eric Braeden autobiography cover, I'll Be Damned How My Young and Restless Life Led Me to America's #1 Daytime Drama
In 1969’s “100 Rifles,” Braeden was still playing the Nazi villain, this time in a western with Burt Reynolds, Raquel Welch, Fernando Lamas, and former NFL
“As an athlete myself, I respected Jim
“I didn’t want to do it since it was such as small part, but my wife and son convinced me because they had so much respect for Cameron,” said Braeden. “James expanded the role a little for me but there were a number of scenes I couldn’t be in because I had to be available to go back for the Young and Restless if I was needed.” Even though his commitment to the show limited other opportunities, Braeden has few regrets.
“Had I done nighttime TV or film, I would be directing them by now,” says Braeden, who published his autobiography last November (www.ericbraeden.com). “But I get to work every day at something I enjoy doing.” Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery, Ala, and has written features, columns, and interviews for over 650 newspapers and magazines.
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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