Tango: Where

Tango: Where Romance Is Ageless Especially for those over 50, tango offers exercise and social connection By Marcy Goldman

Sometimes you can pinpoint an exact moment that changed your life. In my case, it was an ad in the local newspaper that simply said: Free Tango Lesson. Barely divorced and rudderless, a single mother of three sons, I took a leap of faith and went. The moment I stepped on the dance floor I knew I wasn’t in Kansas anymore. Lured by the seductive Argentinean tango music, I still wanted to flee but instead I was quickly netted in the vortex of my tango journey.

Leap ahead two decades and not only am I still captivated by tango, but now I’m an ambassador. To me, tango is one of the last bastions of true romance and it’s particularly welcoming to those over 50 who have the maturity to appreciate tango’s moody, yet warm ways and who enjoy the dual benefits of exercise and social connection.

Tango is Accessible for Everyone To be clear, Argentinean tango is slow and gentle and not to be confused with the more theatrical ballroom tango. Pretty much anyone can dance this tango. If you can walk, you can tango. In fact, even if you can barely walk, you can still tango.

One friend of mine has Parkinson’s and MS, others have replaced hips or knees, one is legally blind and has a cane and they all come to tango because, aside from its seductive reputation, tango heals body and soul.

Sherry, a slender woman in her early 50s from Montreal, is the sightchallenged dancer who comes by Uber and with a cane. She said, “I first came to tango because it was better than focusing on other, less positive things in my life. I soon forgot everything else in my life and became addicted to the music and the warm social friendships that develop.”

Jay, a 50-something housewares rep also from Montreal, said, “If Dancing With the Stars can make 60-something ex-football players into dancers, then anyone can dance tango!”

When I began tango, my physicality was intact, but tango was still a healer. Newly single at 42, I was thrust into a new life without familiar moorings and tango revealed itself as a welcoming oasis. For one thing, at tango class, if you register on your own (as most people do), you’re given a partner. Tango studio organizers maintain an equal ratio of men to women or in a non-gender bias ratio in terms of equal proportion of leaders and followers. In a class, you regularly switch partners

so as to better learn the steps with anyone.

Accustomed to dancing and relaxing with many different people, my cobwebs of self-consciousness were magically dusted away.

Tango also insisted I abandon my oft-told divorce tale, since you can’t really talk about profound things as you dance. Consequently, you are kept totally present.

Power of Connection But I also noticed something else at tango that is probably at its core: it both awakens one’s primal need to be touched or held or it slakes it — it is the safest sex I know, as well as an evergreen, never-ending romance that begins with each new set of dances.

Each new partnership is a threeminute relationship that brings another experience of communication. To an outside observer, the physical connection appears sensuous, but it is truly about that baseline human resonance. That is something we

all crave. And once experienced, it breeds an addiction to more of the same, which explains why, as Paul (a documentary filmmaker from Montreal) said, “Tango, for most people, is once or terminal.”

Michel Cyr, who works in economic development in Montreal, agreed: “Tango is the only dance I know that allows two strangers to experience such a deep emotional connection in just a few seconds”.

Adds Jennifer, 57, a graphics artist from Montreal: “You never really know someone until you dance with someone. But once you connect to something in them that connects with something in you, that is beyond a casual chat and it’s an intimate conversation. Once in the embrace, a barrier is breached and there’s always the possibility or surprise of resonance. You never know who it will happen with.” Many of the tango dancers I’ve spoken to emphatically agree about the abrazo (the embrace) which is as unique as their fingerprint. Find a perfect or simpatico embrace and while this might not be a new relationship, you’ll experience an intimacy of human accord that has an innate gravitational pull.

Andrea Shepherd, a tango teacher and yoga teacher who owns Mon Tango studio in Montreal with her husband, said, “Tango looks so intense to outsiders and it is, but it’s not sexual. It also allows you to let go mentally and have these unique, if brief, connections with different people. That keeps me coming back, plus I am always improving my skill level.”

The Tonic of Tango In a time where Face Time is anything but, and couples sit in Starbucks communing with their smart phones, disconnection is the malaise of the times. In contrast, there’s the tonic of tango which defies today’s socioculture. (As a bonus, just browse stories extolling the virtues of dance and aging and add 10 health points).

But tango’s best kept secret is its sweet spot: it offers egalitarian romance music, movement and other warm bodies and has no age or time limit. It is unequivocally inclusive and embracive and (and this is no small thing) it will never quit you.

The moment someone says, “Shall we dance?” your heart sprouts wings and your soul comes home. So you might not meet your second spouse at tango, but you’ll reacquaint yourself with your original soulmate (you!) and fall back in love with life. You’ll be swept away to a world where you morph into something other than yourself or better yet, remember just who you are. And that is more than worth the price of admission.

Marcy Goldman is a Montreal-based professional chef, cookbook author and writer. She’s the creator of Better Baking and a contributor to such publications as the Washington Post and Medium. Source: www.nextavenue.org

BOOM! COVER PROFILE Jan Taylor Goings, Flamingos All Around

This month’s cover profile is an entrepreneur in the hospitality business, Jan Taylor Goings. Jan is the owner of Jan’s Beach House on Eastern Blvd, just 2 blocks from the Sam’s Wholesale entrance. Jan has been running her restaurant business for 8 years, she caters to BOOM! readers with great food, from the beach and from the grill. Jan also supports the live music scene in the River Region by offering live music 6 nights a week. Jan is a Christian and she welcomes many Sunday School groups for lunches and dinners. One thing that Jan has done that is unique to the River Region is she sets aside one evening each month and invites David Brewer and Walt Hines to bring their gospel band to play a variety of Christian music and singalong. It is a special night of fellowship and Jan encourages folks to drop by for a very special kind of worship. When we recently started talking with Jan about being our cover profile, we could tell she loves what she does and the family atmosphere she has created over the years at Jan’s Beach House. We had a great time getting to know Jan and we think you will too, please share with your friends and don’t forget to enjoy the food and live music, nothing else like it!

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?

Jan: I was born 65 years ago at Saint Margaret’s Hospital right here in Montgomery to my wonderful Parents, Bill and Ruth Taylor. I am the youngest of four siblings (Alan Taylor, Kay Morris and Rick Taylor) and we grew up downtown at a time when kids could safely walk downtown and spend the day exploring our great city. My father was a sign painter and my grandfather was a picture framer and their little shop was right behind our house on Wilson Street. My grandparents lived with us and our house was full of love and fun. We attended Frazer Memorial Methodist Church when it was located downtown also. I was blessed to be raised in a very loving close knit family and my parent’s Christian faith continues to guide me and my siblings in all that we do.

When I was in the sixth grade my family bought a house in Prattville so then I attended Prattville Junior High School and graduated from Autauga County High School in 1972 and made many lifelong friends there. I never miss a class reunion and love to reconnect and reminisce with my old girlfriends. I attended Troy State University where I studied the field of social work and

also became a Little Sister of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. That was one of the best times of my life and I’m still very close to many of my

brothers in the fraternity. I graduated in three years and began working as a social worker in 1976 at the Autauga County Department of Pensions and Security doing Child Support Enforcement. After a successful run there I was selected to help start a statewide program called Medical Support Enforcement. During this time I had to take a part time job Jan Taylor Goings, owner Jan's Beach House bartending to supplement my Income and that’s when I discovered that I loved the hospitality business and loved it way more than I enjoyed being a social worker. This didn’t make my parents happy for a very long time but in the end they were both very proud of me for pursuing what I loved and felt like I was meant to be doing in my life. I certainly have used my social work degree over the years in dealing with customers!

I met the love of my life, Lawson Goings, when I was 39 years old and we married several years later which meant I became stepmother to three precious children. What a blessing they have been to my life. At the time we decided that we

wouldn’t try to have a child of our own and I’ve never regretted that decision.

Especially since my dear Lawson passed away suddenly in 2009 from a heart attack. It was the worst time in my life and if it hadn’t been for my faith and the support of my family and friends I don’t know where I’d be today. He and I were co-managers of a restaurant that was supposed to open the day he passed away so I wasn’t even sure I could go on as the manager without him. But I

Jan receiving the gift of a lifetime on her 65th birthday. It's now the biggest Pink Flamingo in the River Region sitting in front of Jan's Beach House. Named after Jan's mom, "Mrs. Ruth" because her mom always wanted her to have a BIG Flamingo out on the street in front of her restaurant! knew I had to do it for him! He always wanted us to have our own restaurant and this was our opportunity to try even though we didn’t actually own the restaurant, Young Barn Pub, but only managed it. Several years later I decided to move on and open my own place. I opened Jan’s Beach House Grill in 2012 and have never looked back. What a ride!! BOOM!: You are the owner of Jan’s Beach House Grill located at 850 Eastern Blvd. Please share with our readers how you got started in the restaurant/ bar business? What are some of the challenges of being a woman owned restaurant/bar? What are some of your secrets to running a successful restaurant/bar? Jan: Over the course of my working in the restaurant business I’ve worked at some great places like Igor’s, The Madison Hotel, Hillwood Café and Down the Street Café. I would say that my mentor Is my sweet friend, Gail Royal, who still owns Down the Street Café and we remain best friends to this day. She’s been there for me time after time when I needed her and shown me that a woman can make a success of anything she attempts. She is also a very compassionate Christian woman who never misses an opportunity to lend a hand for someone in need. I have also called on my friend, Johnny Sullivan, who owns Sinclair’s East Restaurant for advice and guidance, and I’ve called on both of them for occasional catering equipment loans. They are both excellent examples to follow as are my friends, Steve Sommer, who owns Sommer’s Place here in town and my other friends, Lewis and Karen Mashburn, who own The Capitol Oyster Bar. We are all supportive of one another and I feel like we would all do anything for each other. I don’t really think there are any secrets to running a successful restaurant but I would say I have two reasons I believe Jan’s has stayed a favorite in Montgomery for seven years now. The first is to choose the right staff and the second is to be on site as much as possible. I have some amazing employees who work together as a team and all my managers act like Jan’s is part theirs by the way they put their heart and soul into their jobs. I have a very hard working front and back of the house group of employees and I am very proud of the work they all do. And as for the front of the house staffing, I tell people all the time that I don’t hire anyone that isn’t “Sweet” because I only want happy, positive people representing our restaurant. BOOM!: What makes Jan’s Beach House so unique? What do your customers say about Jan’s on social reviews and in person? Jan: What makes Jan’s Beach House Grill unique is the family atmosphere. Our many regular customers are like one big happy family and love to meet new people and bring them into the fold. We cater to a mostly 50 and older crowd with our great live music and fantastic food so lots of folks make our place their “place to be” several nights a week. Our happy hour group of friends are very close, and I’ve known most of them since I got into the business when I was 21 years old, so we watch out for each other Jan with her children and grandchildren Christmas 2019 Jan's beautiful rescue, Shana relaxing in the back yard Jan's other rescue, precious Penny Jan with her Mama celebrating Jan's birthday 2016

and stay in touch through all of our ups and downs. If we don’t see someone for a day or two, we’re quick to call and see what’s going on. Another thing that sets us apart is that we have great live music five out of the six nights a week that we’re open. There are many talented musicians in the tri county area and they love playing for us because we are non-smoking and our music starts early and ends early. Like I said earlier, we cater to an older crowd who don’t want to be out late. BOOM!: Describe how your Christian faith impacts your business? How did you come up with the idea of having the Praise Music once a month? Jan: I was raised in the Methodist church and still attend Frazer. In 2007 I attended a spiritual retreat called the Walk to Emmaus and it was a major turning point in my life. The experience deepened my faith and brought a whole new family into my life who helped tremendously when I lost my dear Lawson. After very long hard working days at Young Barn Pub I would come home to a mailbox full of encouraging cards from friends in the Emmaus family, some that I had never even met but they knew about my loss, would write kind words that helped me to get through the worst time in my life. In the next few years I met a group of gentlemen who attended a similar spiritual walk called Paseo and attend Christ Church. They started having their reunion group lunches at the restaurant and one of the guys, Walt Hines, asked what I thought of having the Praise band from their church play at Jan’s once a month. That was one of the best decisions I ever made. Their church members totally support them by coming every month and many of our regular customers and various other church groups from all over Montgomery enjoy their music. I encourage Sunday School parties to book their dinners on the nights they’re performing so they can eat and listen to the band playing spiritual tunes. I was brought up by parents who truly believed that Sundays were for only two things-Church and Family. Both Mama and Daddy have gone to be with the Lord but up until I lost my Mama at age 94 we rode to church together and then went back over to her house so that all of my family could get together and visit. After we lost Mama we just moved our Sunday visits to my sister’s house. Playing with the little ones every Sunday is a true blessing in our lives. The restaurant is closed on Sundays and I proudly display on the door that we close so our employees can attend church and spend time with their families. BOOM!: What are you most passionate about? Jan: I am most passionate about my faith, my family, my friends and my restaurant—in that exact order. BOOM!: How do you like to relax and wind down from a hard day’s work? Jan: I love spending time with my friends. When I get off work I enjoy sitting down with them and we all enjoy meeting new people too. If you sit at the bar at Jan’s and you’re a new customer you’ll soon be greeted by some of my friendly regulars. They’re awesome. I also like to go home and enjoy my back yard and spend time with my two rescue babies. I love dogs and for years have had two at a time. I believe in having two because I’m at work so much and if I only had one fur baby he or she would be alone. My babies now are Shana and Penny and I got both of them at local shelters. I always encourage people to find their pets there because there are so many who need homes. BOOM!: What are some of your favorite travel experiences? Favorite vacation spot? Any travel dreams planned? Jan: Obviously I love the beach! ANY BEACH! I normally go to the Orange

Beach area but I’ll go anywhere I’m invited! Walking on the beach is therapy to me. I’ve been to the Bahamas and Cancun but I’m perfectly happy right down south at our Alabama beaches. But I won’t say that I wouldn’t LOVE to go to Hawaii one day!! BOOM!: Do you have time to be involved in community, civic or other activities? Jan: I work six days and nights a week, so I really don’t have time for civic or community activities. However, I do what Jan's Beach House Christmas Party 2019

Jan recently celebrating Mardi Gras

I can through contributions of food and fund raising for organizations or people who need help. Since I opened the restaurant I participate in the Salvation Army Red Kettle drive by putting a kettle at our cash register. I also donate dishes to the Montgomery Area Council on Aging every year when they have the event to recognize their many volunteers. Zoobilation is a cause that I’m very passionate about because Montgomery has a wonderful zoo, and this is a big yearly fundraiser for them. Over the years of my working in this business I have made so many close friends who are musicians and have had life threatening illnesses. I held a fundraiser here for one of my close college buddies, Ben Massey, when he was battling cancer. Unfortunately he lost his battle and went on to be with the Lord. Recently I made a big basket with all sorts of wine and goodies to be raffled off at a fundraiser for my dear friend, Tommy Beavers, who is battling a major health issue and can’t work at this time. The American Red Cross is an organization I have always supported by being in the Taste of the Garden’s Fundraiser every year. My sister, Kay, retired from the Red Cross so I have always had a place in my heart for them and what they do in our community. A few years ago, I started a campaign to raise as much money as we could for the Orsi family who is the family from Wetumpka whose father killed their mother, sister and then himself. We raised $5,000.00 to help them to start a new life with their grandparents. BOOM!: How do you like to spend time with family? What is your grandparent name? Favorite activities to do with your grandkids? Jan: I still live in the house that Lawson and I bought when we first married in Dalraida. We put in a pool when the children were little and I love it when my entire family and friends come over to cook out and play with kids and grandkids in the pool. I have a huge back porch so if it’s raining we still have a great time just hanging out and playing Tiki toss. I’m extremely close to my nieces and nephews and they’ve all enjoyed bringing their children to my house for holidays or just to get together. My grandchildren, Nathan and Law, call me “Jammie” which is the name my oldest daughter came up with when I told her I didn’t want to take away from the names of the “blood” grandmothers. I love it! Speaking of children-my oldest is Brandy and she’s married to Michael Williams. They have one precious son, Nathan, who was born 3 months after Lawson passed away. He was so excited that Brandy was having his first grandchild that it broke my heart that he never got to hold him. My second oldest child is Julia who has an adorable little boy named Law. Then my youngest is Glynn Lawson Goings III (Trey) and he and his wife, Alicia, don’t have any children yet. They all live down in the Mobile area but we are very close and I don’t refer to them as my stepchildrenTHEY ARE MY CHILDREN! They have a wonderful mother and stepfather but they let me share them and for that I am so appreciative. BOOM!: What is it about living in the Montgomery/River Region area that you like? What do we need more of? Jan: I love Montgomery and I’m so proud of all that’s been done to make our city a destination city instead of a place to drive through and not stop. What I would love to see is more people coming together instead of growing apart. We are all God’s children and should try harder to support one another and love one another as Jesus taught us to do. BOOM!: As you’ve aged, how have your priorities changed? Jan: My priorities haven’t changed a whole lot over the years but after losing Lawson and getting all the support I got from my family and friends, I started making sure that I tell them on a daily basis that I love them. I feel so blessed and want everyone in my life to know that I love and appreciate them. BOOM!: Give us three words that describe you? Jan: Loyal, Caring and Fun-loving. BOOM!: Do you have any hobbies or other activities that grab your attention? Jan: I love gardening. When we moved into our house the backyard was nothing but grass and fruit trees. After we put the pool in I started little by little landscaping the yard myself. Saturdays are the only Jan with her grandsons at the restaurant 2018 A view from Jan's garden, one of her favorite things to do, gardening!

day that I don’t go to work until the afternoon so I can almost always be found in my backyard fussing with my flowers. I have tried to do a tropical theme all around the pool but I never turn down a plant that a friend wants to give me. No matter what kind it is. I love them all.

BOOM!: With nearly 4,000 likes/ followers on Facebook, you have a big presence in social media, how important is social media to the success of your business?

Jan: Social media has played a tremendous role in our success. We keep our Facebook page updated and many of our regulars decide what they’re going to eat before they ever come in. We post our live music schedule so folks can come out when their favorite band is playing. All the travel websites have also been instrumental in creating a loyal customer base for us also.

BOOM!: If you weren’t operating your unique restaurant/bar...what kind of work would you be doing? Any dream jobs?

Jan: If I wasn’t in the restaurant business I’d love to work at a nursery. I have a friend who owns Fitzpatrick Greenhouses and every time I go see him to purchase

BOOM!: Many people as they age seek new experiences, a renewed sense of purpose, new goals, even new careers, how would you describe this sense of renewal in your life? Any advice for the rest of us seeking renewal? How do you view the idea of retirement?

Jan: Since I opened the restaurant at 58 years of age, I don’t really think much about retirement. I love what I do and everyday brings new challenges and experiences. My oldest brother, Alan, tried to retire a few years ago and couldn’t handle it. He’s pushing 80 and still sells furniture at Haverty’s in Tuscaloosa because he loves to work. He and I are very much alike so I can’t see me not working either—for a very long time. Every morning when I get out of bed, I thank God for my family, friends and this great restaurant. I’ve learned to live each day to the fullest and never let my past mistakes slow me down or get in my way. We learn something new every day of our lives and if we don’t, we’ve stopped living life the way we’re supposed to. I would say that the experience of opening this restaurant and the joy I get from my customers has given me somewhat of a sense of renewal. There’s a huge difference in

working for someone else and owning your own business and there was a time in my life that I wouldn’t have had the confidence to try this venture. My faith in God, and my wonderful family and friends have always been supportive, they cheered me on. You can’t ask for more than that in life. I am very blessed.

We want thank Jan for sharing her story with us in this month's cover profile. We especially appreciate the opportunity to see that many flamingos at one time! If you want to reach out to Jan, go eat at Jan's Beach House on the Eastern Blvd or enjoy dinner and drinks with live music. You can also check out Jan's Facebook page for all the upcoming meals and music for the week. Visit www.jansbeachhousegrill.com. A special thanks to Shellee Roberts at Total Image Portraits for making this month and other cover shots the best they can be, you can check them out at www. totalimage.com. 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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Travel Experiences with Jeff Barganier Healthy Transitions

Ryan Stewart left his lucrative law practice to join wife Genevieve in a Pilates studio she started after resigning her employment with a bank. They were inspired and confirmed in what others viewed as radical career changes after reading my book How Prayer Helped Me Escape the Corporate Rat Race. They became a husband/wife team—not unlike Jeff and Cindy Barganier—and never looked back. Cindy and I couldn’t resist driving to Homewood, Alabama to take a personal Pilates class with the Stewart’s after learning they had been inspired by the book.

Ryan and Genevieve make the most engaging husband/wife team. It hasn’t occurred to me yet who Genevieve looks like—just crazy healthy and, consequently, drop-dead beautiful. Her soul-mate Ryan, on the other hand, is clearly Mel Gibson. It’s, like, not every day one gets turned into a pretzel by Mel Gibson. It actually feels pretty good. Immediately, the stretch releases a sort of Shangri-La feeling in my lower back. Shangri-La is that mythical place where youth is restored and pain banished. But the profound relief one feels from proper stretching isn’t make-believe. Like founder Joseph Pilates said: “You’re only as old as your spine feels.”

Ryan and Genevieve Stewart

both living at the time. Ryan was a tax attorney living a stressful life of long days humped over paper. I can relate. His years in law school, tax school and law practice, took a toll on his spine, causing scoliosis and arthritis. Genevieve was a banker, a job that didn’t really light her fire. What she did love was Pilates. “I loved Pilates from my first session. I just loved the mind control over muscle and how I felt energized, centered, and powerful in a completely different way than any other workout or therapy I had tried. Pilates is holistic and serves the mind, emotions, spirit, and body. Ryan got interested in Pilates after visiting the studio and experiencing relief in his spine from arthritis; and getting leaner and healthier in his core. Pilates has enhanced my marriage because I can share it with my husband. It is very special to be able to share your passion with your spouse. Especially now, being pregnant, I love working with Ryan one on one in private sessions. He puts his hands on my belly

and helps me breathe and feel my core properly in the exercises. I know we’re preparing for far more than just strong abdominals. We’re preparing for labor and delivery. He will be the best breathing coach ever and help me stay stable, strong, and safe. He also shines such a bright light wherever he goes. Being in his positivity always helps uplift me and my Pilates practice. We liked (Jeff’s) book because it spoke to us relative to our corporate world experience. We had full-time jobs in the banking and legal world and got burned out. We yearned for work that fed our souls and helped others. Now, we work together and can help other people feel good every day. The feeling of helping others is the best reward of our job. The book helped us remember that there are others out there who have stopped fighting the rat race, choosing, instead, to give and work from their hearts. It also gave us confidence to take the leap of faith that we could leave the ‘security’ of a full-time job, trust in our innate talents and abilities, and let God fill in the rest. We do our part and trust the rest to Him. So far, the results have been amazing and our studio has never been busier! We just celebrated our tenth anniversary and look forward to the next decade! We will be writing and creating digital content to share our method with the world and help people see how much power they have within their deep core.”

The Stewart’s have created their own signature method—the G Method. “It’s unique in that it truly focuses on the individual and incorporates all elements of the mind/body connection. We don’t just perform exercises at our studio. We liberate the spine and energy inside the cells. We assist in removing blockages that prevent the free flow of energy in

the body. Releasing and letting go is equally important to balancing the body as strengthening and conditioning. Balance is the body’s true nature, so our method simply helps one return to it through a combination of release work and Pilates.”

One of their clients owns and runs a that I don’t hurt after a workout. Other times, I always hurt and it didn’t make me want to continue. Here, when I finish a session, I have so much energy and feel great!”

“Pilates has changed my life in countless ways,” says Genevieve. “The most important one to me is in my self-esteem. Pilates has helped It’s never too late to start Pilates. Indeed, the Stewart’s have a client who is 80! And Ryan says they’re seeing more and more older men in their practice today. I’m sold, too! Marital bliss, career bliss, health bliss...what more can one ask for? Pilates? It ain’t exactly a Greek island. But its wonderful benefits might inspire you to visit one. Montgomery

Hanna, demonstrating Can Can Hanna demonstrating front push upsRyan instructing

successful trucking company. In his mid-60s, he was convinced his time was up and retirement imminent…until he found Pilates. After a few sessions, he reported feeling that “spontaneous zest and joy for living” that founder Joseph Pilates touted. After a few weeks, he made a complete turnaround, choosing to stay plugged into his business, saying, “I’m amazed me love myself deeper and fuller and really connect with my body. When I can feel my deep core, connect with my breath and control my muscles, it’s impossible to feel weak. After a session, I always feel uplifted, strong and healthy. The physical benefits to me are just an added bonus. It’s my mind, spirit and emotions that get the most balance.” has several studios: CoreVibes Studio at Hampstead; Club Pilates on Zelda and Vaughn; Hotworx at Peppertree on Halcyon Park Drive. Check them out!

Note: Ryan and Genevieve recently welcomed “Jack” into the world—6 pounds, 15 ounces.

Jeff S. Barganier is a freelance writer and manages Cindy Barganier Interiors LLC in Pike Road, Alabama. (www.cindybarganier.com) He travels far and wide upon the slightest excuse for something interesting to write about. Contact him at Jeffbarganier@knology.net. Follow him on Instagram #jeffbarganier.