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The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
R ive r Re gio n Bo o m . co m
May 2017
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BOOM!, The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
Contents
May 2017 Volume 7 Issue 9
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 Jackson Hospital’s Health News 8 Publisher’s Letter 10 Dating Coach: 9 things scammers tell you 11 How Glen Campbell Made His Final Studio Album page 24
Features 14 Fitness Trackers
Wearable technology to track our fitness is the way of the world
38 Dunwoody, Georgia Good Food, Caffeine and Octane
46 Marty Allen
“I get up in the morning and the only thing that doesn’t hurt is my pajamas”
Departments 20 This and That
Getting You “In the Know”
44 {12} Things
Special Events for Boomers
12 What’s the ‘SuperAgers’ Mental Secret? 16 Storm Shelters, Financial Thought-Jason Bryant 19 Hot House of Horrors, Richard Goff 22 Digital Graffiti @ Alys Beach
40 Greg Budell Greg Acres
23 60th Sidney Lanier High School Reunion
BOOM!
COVER PROFILE
24 Mint Juleps, Bourbon, Horses and Hats, Hats, Hats, Hats...
page 28
27 “The Silhouette Man” page 11
page 12 page 41
28 BOOM! Cover Profile 34 Three Common Estate Planning Mistakes Ask an Elder Law Attorney 37 Gallery One Fine Art Barksdale & Moon Exhibit
page 38
page 46 page 37
42 Eating Smart with Tracy Bhalla: Amazing Ginger!
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 2017 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.
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
R ive r Re gio n Bo o m . co m
May 2017
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Publisher’s Letter
What an important person our mothers are. They determine so many of our attitudes and outlooks about life. Some good and some bad. Fortunately, all of mine are good. At least that’s how I choose to remember my mom. She’s been gone for many years now but I think about her often. She suffered with Alzheimer’s so I lost her sooner than her time, but my memories of her remain clear and inspirational. She taught me to listen and to nurture; to persevere and to think; to love and to be happy. My mom’s legacy lives on through me, thanks mom.
The mission of BOOM! is to serve the folks of the River Region age 50 plus with information and ideas to inspire new experiences, better quality of life and new beginnings.
Publisher/Editor
Jim Watson, 334.324.3472 jim@riverregionboom.com
Contributing Writers Sandi Aplin Jeff Barganier Tracy Bhalla Greg Budell
My Mom
Jim Watson, Publisher This month’s issue is packed with a variety of interesting stories and information that will make you laugh, smile and maybe even plan a trip. Let me first introduce you to our Cover Profile, Stacia Robinson. Stacia is the self-appointed “Ambassador of Montgomery”, she is full of positivity and enthusiasm, share a room with her and you will become motivated! I loved getting to know her and I’m sure you will too. Share her story with your friends, they’ll be glad you did.
Jason Bryant Melody Chiu Lisa Copeland Richard Goff Treva Lind Leigh Anne Richards Stacia Robinson Nick Thomas Dennis Thompson Raley L. Wiggins
Leigh Anne Richards continues talking about technology when she focuses on Fitness Trackers and how her husband was converted, not an easy task for any wife, Leigh Anne’s different. Jeff Barganier takes a short jaunt over to Dunwoody, GA and discovers a fun way to share some time with his wife, Cindy. Of course, he makes it sound too easy not to get in your car for a short weekend trip.
Cover Photography
There are many more good reads in this month’s issue including Glen Campbell’s last album as he lives out his final stages of Alzheimer’s and a story explaining What’s the ‘SuperAgers’ Mental Secret? If you wanted to know more about the value of Ginger, Tracy Bhalla discusses it in her Eating Smart column.
Greg Budell’s life is changing, “Greg acres is the place to be, farm living is the life for me”, he’ll explain more in this month’s column. Nick Thomas profiles Marty Allen, the comic you’ll soon remember when you see his hair! He’s 95 years old, still performing and recently said “I get up in the morning and the only thing that doesn’t hurt is my pajamas”.
Jeri Hines Total Image Portraits www.totalimage.com 334.261.2080
Advertising
Jim Watson, 334.324.3472 jim@riverregionboom.com
Finally, as if you didn’t know, our advertisers want to have a customer relationship with each of you, so if their offers fill a need, please consider their services. They’ll earn your business. Thanks for sharing BOOM! with your friends and your comments with me, I love to listen. I miss you Mom.
Please Recycle This Magazine, Share with a Friend!
Jim 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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May 2017
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DATING Coach
9 things scammers tell you
Recently, I heard yet another story of a woman connecting with a scammer on a legitimate dating site. These men are con artists who will find a way to touch your heart and your pocketbook without a second thought. I don’t want to scare you and cause you to stop going online because there are good men on dating sites for you to date. But, there are certain clues you need to be aware of that will tip you off to potential scammers. Read through these nine tips about what scammers tell you, so you’ll know how to protect yourself from their lies and schemes. 1. Scammers feed off specific clues you put in your profile Don’t mention your income or where you work. You can say you’re a nurse or an executive but don’t mention where or how much you make. Be aware of sounding needy and lonely in your profile. It makes you perfect prey for scammers looking to hook you into their scams. 2. He usually lives outside the U.S. He might tell you that he lives in a metropolitan city in the U.S. but his work takes him elsewhere in the world. He says he’ll be coming back soon, and, of course, to wait for him because he can’t wait to meet you. 3. Scamming women is his job Most of these men live in poorer countries around the world where jobs that pay well are scarce. He’s learned that by working a couple of hours each day, he can easily communicate with women in the U.S., find their weak spots and make a fortune. He’ll probably speak with a British accent that sounds so romantic especially to American women. He knows this and uses it to his advantage to hook you. 4. What he’ll tell you about himself He’ll have a romantic name like Valentino or Antonio. His picture online is usually drop dead gorgeous in a romantic sort of way. And he uses this knowing you’ll feel special being contacted by someone this handsome. Look closely at those pictures. They are often shots found on the internet of handsome models in ads selling items
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like hats or sunglasses. Or he’s holding a product in his hand like beer or wine. Or he might be standing in front of an unusual looking building or an expensive car. When you ask for more pictures, he’ll send family pictures of children or grandchildren. The big tip-off: he’s not in these family pictures because he can’t find any more pics of the model’s image he’s used.
HUGE business deal he’s about to close and once it’s done, he’ll come see you. He just needs a little more money to finish it or he’ll lose everything. He might tell you that family members have invested as well but the bank won’t be able to give him the last bit he needs so he’s going to lose the deal and all the money he and his family have invested.
5. He uses romance to lure you in Women love romance and these men know this has been missing in your life for a long time. So he steals poems off the internet and sends them to you as if they were his own. Your heart just melts and you bond with him which makes you even more vulnerable to his scheme.
This is when he asks you for your help.
6. He’ll always have an excuse for why he can’t see you He’ll tell you that he can’t wait to see you and that he’s making arrangements to travel in a month or two when he can get away from his business. Right before you’re supposed to meet, he has to cancel the trip for some reason. This happens over and over again and is another huge tip off you’re dealing with a scammer.
9. Action plan for protecting yourself from a scammer Thousands of intelligent women get caught up in these scams every year. To keep your journey of dating safe, here’s what you can do.... _ Date men closer to home. _ Keep emails short and sweet. Maximum of five to 10 at the most. _ Spend no more than a couple of hours on one or two phone calls max. Meet a man within two to three weeks.
7. You can’t find anything concrete about who this man is Try searching on Google for your Valentino or Antonio. More than likely nothing will show up. 8. How the scam works He’ll take the time to chat with you every day for hours. His male attentiveness feels amazing because he knows it’s probably been a while since a man has been this devoted to you. But beware; what he’s really doing is he is looking for your weak spots. If you’ve lost a close member of your family, don’t be surprised if he tells you he has too. He uses these holes in your heart to get you to trust him knowing it will be easy for you to bond with someone who has experienced the same loss as you. As you’re bonding, he’s telling you things like I love you baby, I can’t wait to see you, baby. Now he’s ready to rein you in for the scam. He shares news with you about a
He’s done the work needed to capture your heart. You’re in love with him and you don’t want to see him suffer. You want to help him so you wire the money he needs to his bank account. And you never hear from him again.
If a man tells you he’ll be out of the country for a month or two, tell him to give you a call when he gets back. Upload his profile picture to Google Images. You’ll be able to see if the image matches who he says he is or if he’s stolen it from someone else. It’s hard enough to attract a quality man without having to worry about scammers online. Today more than ever, you want to post the type of profile at an online dating site that gets you the right attention online from the right men. Lisa Copeland, “The Dating Coach Who Makes Dating Fun and Easier after 50!” Find out more at Findaqualityman.com (c)2017, Lisa Copeland, findaqualityman.com Distributed by MCT Information Services
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
How Glen Campbell Made His Final Studio Album Adiós: ‘The Songs Flowed Straight from His Heart,’ Says Singer’s Wife an afternoon with Carl Jackson, Glen’s longtime banjo player and a mutual friend who set up the pair on their first date more than three decades ago.
Six years after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Glen Campbell — who’s currently in the final Glen Campbell’s final album, Adios stages of the disease — is releasing his final studio album on June 9. Titled Adiós, the album was recorded in Nashville following the 80-year-old country legend’s diagnosis and subsequent “Goodbye Tour,” the singer’s wife of 34 years, Kim Campbell, shares in the album’s emotional liner notes.
“We reminisced about all of the songs that Glen had always wanted to record but had never gotten around to,” continues Kim. “Carl laid down some basic tracks and vocals for Glen to study and practice in preparation for his final session.”
“Glen’s abilities to play, sing and remember songs began to rapidly decline after his diagnosis in 2011,” she writes. “A feeling of urgency grew to get him into the studio one last time to capture what magic was left. It was now or never.” Kim shares the inspiration to record the album was sparked after the couple spent
singer was “clearly ecstatic about being in the studio.” To give the record “polish and charm,” Jackson and Kim enlisted stars like Willie Nelson and Vince Gill to add to the album, and the couple’s children — Ashley, Shannon and Cal — also stepped into the recording booth to boost the vocals behind their father’s voice.
“All of the laughing, crying (we laughed much more than we cried!) and singing were certainly bittersweet, but more than worthwhile Glen and his wife Kim Campbell when listening back to the finished album today,” writes Kim. “What you’re hearing … is the beautiful and loving Though the recording sessions were culmination of friends and family doing “heartbreaking at times” because of the their very best for the man who inspired, Grammy winner’s struggles with dementia raised and entertained them for decades (“Glen was barely able to remember the — giving him the chance to say one last words that he was singing at times. Carl goodbye to his fans.” held up sheets of paper with large print lyrics and fed them to him one line at a www.alz.org, By Melody Chiu, People.com time,” she says), the “Rhinestone Cowboy”
The Side by Side Singers are dedicated to sharing music to keep our minds strong. Music can improve our mood and boost cognitive skills. We invite those living with Alzheimer’s or dementia and their care-partners to join us for 8-week sessions each Tuesday, 1:00-2:00 pm at First United Methodist Church in Montgomery. The music we sing ranges from Sinatra to Elvis. photo by Mickey Welsh/Montgomery Advertiser
SIDEbySIDE singers singers
Please contact Jack Horner at ivortickle@aol.com or Laura Selby at 834-8990 for more information. The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
NO FEE, PLEASE JOIN THE FELLOWSHIP!
First United METHODIST CHURCH
2416 W. Cloverdale Park Montgomery, AL 36106 334.834.8990 www.fumcmontgomery.org
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By Dennis Thompson
What’s the ‘SuperAgers’ Mental Secret? At 89, Donald Tenbrunsel is a bit of a phenomenon. He surfs the internet with ease, happily converses on a broad range of timely topics, volunteers and reads regularly.
advantage of SuperAgers is genetic, with some people simply gifted at birth. But there are likely to be environmental influences that also contribute to healthier brain aging, particularly in the womb and in early childhood, Kornel added. For example, research has shown that children raised in poverty tend to have smaller brains.
Known as a “SuperAger,” Tenbrunsel was part of a study that helped researchers discover what factors might set these super-sharp seniors apart from their peers. The secret? Brain scans showed they experience brain aging twice as slowly as average folks their age. “This suggests the SuperAgers are on a different trajectory of aging,” said senior researcher Emily Rogalski. She is director of neuroimaging for Northwestern University’s Cognitive Neurology & Alzheimer’s Disease Center. “They’re losing their brain volume at a much slower rate than average agers.” For the study, Rogalski and her colleagues measured brain aging by examining the thickness of each person’s cortex -- the outer layer of folded gray matter in the brain. The cortex is where consciousness lies, and where all of the neurons that fire thoughts and movements are located. It is a critical part of the brain for higherlevel thinking, memory, planning and problem-solving, Rogalski said. Another neurologist explained it this way: “That is essentially our brain,” said Dr. Paul Wright, chair of neurology at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, N.Y., and Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park, N.Y. “Brain shrinkage occurs in the natural progression over time, and when you lose brain volume, you lose function.”
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Rogalski noted that previous research has shown that the cortexes of SuperAgers look less worn than their average 80-year-old peers, and about the same as people in their 50s or 60s. But a question remained -- were the SuperAgers born with brains that have more volume, and thus could better withstand the travails of aging? Or are their brains the same size as everyone else’s, and simply aging less rapidly? To answer that question, the researchers tracked changes in cortex thickness for a year and a half in 24 SuperAgers and 12 average elderly people. Both groups lost a significant amount of brain volume to aging, but average elderly people experienced a loss more than twice that of the SuperAgers -- over 2.2 percent versus 1.1 percent. “Part of the reason why they may have different brain volumes is because over the decades they’ve been losing their brain volume at a different rate,” Rogalski said. The findings were published April 4 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Dr. Ezriel Kornel, a neurologist with Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City, said that at least part of the brain
“There are so many factors involved,” Kornel said. “It could be that even external stressors in childhood can influence how the brain develops.” Rogalski said that future research will focus on genetic factors that influence brain aging, which hopefully will provide researchers with anti-aging “targets” that could be manipulated with medications or other therapies. While there’s currently no proven method to preserve cortex volume, research has shown specific lifestyle changes that seniors can perform to help keep themselves sharp as they age, Kornel and Wright said. These include: Regular physical exercise, including strength training. A healthy and balanced diet. Brain workouts that involve challenging puzzles or tasks. An active social life. “Everyone understands they’re going to die, but people don’t want to feel they’re losing their ability to think and be who they are,” Kornel said. “This is the next big frontier in science, to figure out how we can prevent overall deterioration of the brain.” Copyright © 2017 HealthDay. All rights reserved. SOURCES: Emily Rogalski, Ph.D., director, neuroimaging, Cognitive Neurology & Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Northwestern University, Chicago; Paul Wright, M.D., chair, neurology, North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, N.Y., and Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, N.Y.; Ezriel Kornel, M.D., neurologist, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York City; April 4, 2017, Journal of the American Medical Association
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Fitness Trackers
Wearable technology to track our fitness is the way of the world. Not only is wearable technology part of the technology to help us with our fitness and health but almost one-third of US smartphone owners, which is about 46 million people, used fitness apps, according to Nielsen. “Sam” finally jumped on the bandwagon and purchased a fitness tracker, one of those wrist -worn devices that monitors daily steps, heart rate and sleep patterns. He expected it to remind him to move more, something was challenging for his since he had a desk job. It turned out to work even better than Sam expected. Not only did it motivate him to start taking daily walks after work, he also began biking on some of his morning commutes. He did not mind walking from his office to the printer down the hall because he just got more steps in for that day. Keeping fit does not mean you have to be a gym rat or a marathon runner. Keeping active throughout the day offers huge health benefits, and both the Apple Watch and Fitbit activity trackers are great at getting you moving more. Both the Fitbit and the Apple Watch are trackers that measure steps taken, distance travelled and calories burned. They also show you how many minutes you have been active during the day. Each tracks your progress over time, can set historical data, and set daily goals for yourself. Both the Fitbit and Apple Watch also give “notices” that you have been sitting too long-time to get the heart rate up a bit, or at least stand up. Basically, it is a get off you rear end alert from the taptic pulses to your wrist to notifications, that you have been idle for a long period of time. I have been curious as I have been teaching the active aging class to how many people in this class actually use a fitness tracker. Carol Sue Reeves (60 plus) relies heavily on her Fitbit Charge 2. She has worn it almost every day over a period of 2 years. She made the comment she
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bet she has not been without it 10 days in 2 years. Carol Sue relies on her device to record her steps- the general goal is 10,000 steps. For her, that is about 4 miles. Her personal goal is 10,000 steps a day- most of the time she does get them and sometimes even more. She states, “The most important use of my Fitbit is to hold me accountable.”
Sixty- seven percent of the respondents did find the trackers beneficial. The AARP wants the manufacturers of fitness trackers to realize this is a large untapped market: “The recommendations that came out of the study are to make trackers better able to share information on health goals important to the 50 plus consumers, simplify the set- up, make the band unobtrusive to wear and easier to maintain, and provide features timely reports and instantaneous access to information. If these Richards qualities are prioritized, the potential in the 50 plus market for activity and sleep trackers is likely to grow. “
Fitness over Fifty by Leigh Anne
Ninety percent of the members of my active aging class do not wear a fitness tracker nor use any kind of fitness app. When I questioned them as to why, the consensus was that it was one more thing to have to do and keep up with. They also said that they did not want to take the time to learn to do it and most felt a little technologically challenged. The AARP has expressed to the companies of Fitibit, Jawbone , and Misfit: Seniors want to buy fitness trackers but nobody is making the products they need. According to a new study with AARP and Georgia Tech and Pfizer, elderly users find fitness trackers handy but they feel they lack the right features and functionality. Project Catalyst, a collaborative effort between Georgia Tech, the AARP, MedStar Health ,Pfizer, and United Health Care, supplied 92 people over the age of 50 with fitness trackers from Fitbit, Jawbone, Misfit, and other brands. The participants found that once they put on the trackers, the functionality was not great. Subjects said the trackers were difficult to calibrate, frequently lost data, and were not packaged with Seniors in mind. Interestingly, what the participants really wanted was to easily measure biometric data such as blood sugar, hear rate, and sports bands that did not irritate the skin.
According to the AARP, the goal is to increase revenue for tech companies while ensuring that Americans have technology that improves their lives as they age. I think another big question that is looming over us is “ Do the wearable device improve our collective health. In a survey conducted by Pricewaterhouse Coopers, more than half the people surveyed did believe wearable technology would increase lifespans by a decade and nearly half predicted improvements in athleticism and weigh loss. In the Journal of the American Medical Association, 26 studies were reviewed encompassing 2,700- plus participants and found that wearable technology- even if it’s a low-tech pedometer- spawned a 26.9% increase in participants’ physical activity. This increased activity led to a reduction in participant’s body mass index and blood pressure. My husband, Mike, has really never liked technology at all, even though he is an engineer. He was the last person to get a smart phone and try and learn how to use it because he does not like change. I gave him a Fitbit two years ago because he was struggling to lose weight. Of course, he would not listen to me as I tried to tell him what to do. The Fitibit and My Fitness Pal app was his answer. He loves data and this was exactly what motivated him. Mike’s comments tell the story: The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
“If you can measure it you can control it. As an engineer in a processing plant, this a truth that no one questions. If we have a goal that is important, we won’t risk guessing. Over the years, I have struggled to maintain a healthy weight. I thought I was doing the right things, but every year I would gain maybe two pounds and over ten years, well, you do the math. When Leigh Anne gave me my first Fitbit in January of 2015, I was excited to finally be able to quit guessing. After wearing it for a couple of weeks I was disappointed that my daily activities / calorie burn were not consistently anywhere near the amount I had thought I was expending. Yeah when I worked out, I worked out hard. But on the days I got busy and didn’t go the MetroFitness, I virtually did nothing. I made adjustments to make sure I exercised EVERY day, but after a few months I still hadn’t lost any weight. Bummer. Then, in May of 2015, Leigh Anne told me that a lot of people at the gym were tracking their food intake using the “My Fitness Pal” app. It occurred to me that “guessing” about food intake was as foolish as guessing my activity levels.
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Boom! When I added the food tracking app, which by the way sync’s with the Fitbit app on the smartphone, noticeable results started happening. I had assumed calorie levels of certain foods, which were not even close – such as rice, peanut butter, cheese. There’s nothing wrong with eating these, I just needed to be aware that they are very calorie intense. The pounds started coming off a little at a time EVERY week (1-2 pounds). Soon I had lost 25 pounds and never been on a diet. No, I didn’t eat all that I wanted of certain things. But really, for me, it wasn’t all that hard. And for those who know me, you know self-discipline around food is not one of my “gifts”. One commitment I made was to get in 11,000 steps per day, plus whatever else I had time to do at the gym. The other commitment I made was not to eat more than the net calories I had “earned” by exercising. This way the measured calories burned always exceeded the measured calories taken in, which equals weight loss
and/or maintenance. I guess I have been able to keep these commitments every day since May 2015 except for maybe 7 or 8 times because I decided my health was one of the most important things I possess. To me it’s worth some inconvenience and time. That’s a question each person has to ask themselves I guess, and then decide what to do with it.” Using fitness trackers can be a powerful move towards a healthy lifestylemovement throughout the day, calories burned and sleep patterns. The jury is still out on whether fitness trackers actually lead to lasting sustainable changes in health, but the key could lie in future devices that offer interpretations of data rather than raw numbers. I would love to know your experience, please email at LAMetrofit@aol.com www.fastcompany.com AARP Wants better Fitness Trackers Fitbit vs Apple Watch: battle of the fitness smartwatches activity trackers- PC Advisor http://electronics.howstuff works.com/gadgets/ fitness/are-people-who-wear-fitness trackershealthier.htm
Leigh Anne Richards, MEd, Certified Personal Trainer, Group Exercise Instructor, General Manager- MetroFitness. For any questions or comments, contact Leigh Anne at LAMetrofit@aol.com
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Storm Shelters
Brandt McDonald introduces his May guest columnist, Jason Bryant...From time to time, I will be introducing several of our advisors through this column. They will share their unique 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 Jason Bryant. Jason entered the financial advisory business in 2008 after earning a bachelor’s degree in business-finance from Elon University in North Carolina. Jason and his wife Alice live in Old Cloverdale with their daughter Emily and their dog Nash. In his free time, he enjoys college football, reading, and spending time with his family on Lake Martin.
Recently, the temperature has gotten warmer and the azaleas have bloomed. Yes, it is springtime again. As the weather has gotten nicer, there is an unfortunate side effect that comes with it – severe storms.
Financial Thoughts with Jason Bryant
Here in Alabama, it is hard to forget about one of the largest tornado outbreaks on record. In April of 2011, a storm wreaked havoc across the South, causing billions of dollars in damage and claiming the lives of over 200 people. We all know that a tornado outbreak can occur at any time, but this was a gut check. After the storm had passed, our attitudes towards severe weather changed. We started paying close attention to weather forecasts. Our hearts raced the next time we heard a tornado siren. As consumers, our buying habits changed. Throughout the state, there are several companies that build storm shelters. These shelters are essentially large, fiberglass boxes that you bury underground. If you hear a tornado siren, you can move the family into this little underground room and if a tornado were to pass over, you would be safe. Companies that built these shelters saw a massive spike in sales immediately after the 2011 tornado outbreak. People were preparing for the next big storm. The problem was – it already happened. We tend to prepare for the worst immediately after the accident has occurred. If something traumatic happened recently, we feel there is a greater likelihood of it happening again. However, the risk is always there and for the most part, it does not change. We just have bad timing in preparing for it. This pattern is evident throughout history. Consider how people reacted to hurricane warnings before and after Katrina. Or how your fear of flying may spike immediately after the news of a tragic plane crash. This phenomenon has been studied in psychology and economics and it is called the availability heuristic. It is the tendency to overestimate the likelihood of an event because it happened recently. This same behavioral pattern occurs when we invest and plan our finances. After the financial crisis of 2008, many people lost faith in the stock market. They realized they were taking too much risk with their investments. They should not have taken out so much
debt and they needed to have more cash available for emergencies. Unfortunately for most, the timing of this epiphany was too late. We make the same mistake when it comes to insurance. You may not ever think about life insurance until someone close to you passes away. You may not think you need long term care insurance until you have a close friend dealing with the costs. Even worse, you may not think you need health insurance until after you have a bad health event and by then, it is too late. Either the price has gone up or companies refuse to give you coverage. The price of anything is the result of supply and demand. Because people in declining health have a greater demand for insurance, the cost is higher. Similarly, the 2008 financial crisis caused people to demand safer investments. Rather than leveraged real estate or risky stocks, investors flocked into safer bond vehicles and cash. Despite the fact that stocks and real estate were extremely cheap, bond prices went up because investors demanded safety. And of course, after the 2011 tornado outbreak, demand for storm shelters went up – and so did prices. As consumers, we can save so much money by buying something now that we do not need until later. If you need a new winter coat, buy it in the summer when coats are on clearance. Buy your new swimsuit in September, rather than waiting until you need it next summer. This purchasing strategy works for your financial planning as much as it does for your wardrobe. If you are in great health, you could buy cheap insurance right now. By the time you need it, it will be too expensive or unavailable. If your stock portfolio has gone up in value, make sure you have enough money in your savings to ride through another downturn. Don’t wait until after the market drops again. As the old saying goes – if you want peace, prepare for war. We all know that bad things can and will happen. As springtime comes to a close and we enter the summer months, remember that tornados are just one of life’s many catastrophes. They happen every once in a while. The timing, damage, and precise locations are difficult to predict. We are usually not prepared beforehand and we usually over-prepare after they are gone. continued page 18
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The problem is the fear wears off over time. Eventually, you have heard so many false tornado sirens that you start to ignore them. It is very difficult to predict the future. But it is safe to say that we will see more natural disasters, more stock market crashes, and more tragic health issues affect us and our families. The best time to protect yourself is not after the storm hits, but when the skies are clear. Your wallet will thank you later. Jason Bryant, Financial Advisor Brandt McDonald, Managing Partner McDonald & Hagen Wealth Management LPL Branch Manager www.mcdonaldhagen.com Direct comments and questions to bailey.worrell@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. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results. All indices are unmanaged and may not be invested into directly. The economic forecasts set forth may not develop as predicted and there can be no guarantee that strategies promoted will be successful. Because of the possibility of human or mechanical error by Wealth Management Systems Inc. or its sources, neither Wealth Management Systems Inc. nor its sources guarantees the accuracy, adequacy, completeness or availability of any information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information. In no event shall Wealth Management Systems Inc. be liable for any indirect, special or consequential damages in connection with subscriber’s or others’ use of the content. © 2016 DST Systems, Inc. Reproduction in whole or in part prohibited, except by permission. All rights reserved. Not responsible for any errors or omissions. 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.
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by Richard Goff
Hot House of Horrors
To begin with, and do not misunderstand, I love my greenhouse – it’s a retreat and a refuge. It is also my gardening laboratory, where each experiment can take place behind closed doors and each failure hidden forever in the compost bin. No one has to know how bad a gardener I am, except me - and of course, Clyde.
I still can see his questioning glance when I tried hydroponics using only fish emulsion - too thrifty (ok, too cheap) to buy the conventional chemicals. Then there was the time the automatic sprinkler system burst, treating both of us to a good city water soaking. My friend never said a thing, but I still remember that water-drenched look in his eyes. Did I mention that Clyde is a 4” green lizard, who has also found refuge (as well as a bit of comedy) in my greenhouse? But, I’m getting ahead of myself. It all began on a cold, wet February day as I was looking through a seed catalog - an ad postcard fell in my lap. It featured a picture of a 6-year-old standing in snow in front of his own greenhouse, holding a cabbage the size of a basketball. GROW YOUR OWN VEGETABLES YEAR-ROUND-BUILD YOUR OWN GREENHOUSE. The claim was this kid had supplied food for his family and four neighbors all winter. I was hooked! I thought, “If the kid can do it ….” While I waited for delivery, dreams of glory filled my head; I also heard myself saying “Move over, son”
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as I now became the face in the ad holding some humongous specimen.
The kit finally came, weighing no less than a Lincoln Town-Car. With the help of three sons, my wife and 3 granddaughters, we hauled the containers to the back yard. The “ad” had mentioned my kit could be assembled in a day by two people, but I scoffed as my wife and I are both engineers and I mumbled something about “being smarter than your average bear”. And God smiled. Nearly a week (and a case of wine) later, following the Icelandic instructions and illustrations undoubtedly drawn by the kid with the cabbage, I had a greenhouse. The first summer was, well, let’s say “interesting”. I thought I did pretty well until Becky (my wife) quipped, “That is one beautiful $60 tomato”. (What do non-gardeners know?) So, I thought, wait till winter; the picture of that 6-yr. old kid still burning in my memory. But when the hot Alabama summer arrived, I discovered the fan supplied with my greenhouse was designed for someplace in the Yukon. God smiled again and soon another ad card fell into my lap, “GREENHOUSE
TOO HOT? BE IN TOTAL CONTROL.” Before my wife knew it, we were the proud owner of a 1200 CFM Swamp Cooler! Now I’d be in control! That is, until about August when the dry bulb temperature equals the wet bulb (or something like that), and the party really started! I woke up one Saturday morning to a mold outbreak that the Center for Disease Control would have envied. When I gave everything a good bleach clean, Clyde had had enough and abandoned me for the season. There were no cabbages that winter to rival my 6-yr old nemesis. These days, I keep my sights a bit lower - no hydroponics, fancy aerobic grow pots or upside down tomatoes. I’m taking simpler steps, and (to my wife’s amazement) have even resorted to reading labels. I enjoy my greenhouse now that I have come to peace with NOT being in total control. The large amount of time I spend there gives me a measure of peace that is hard to describe. And guess who showed up the other day?
Richard Goff, an intern in the 2017 Master Gardener Class, lives in Montgomery. For more information on becoming a master gardener, visit www.capcitymga.org or email capcitymga@gmail.com
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Benefit Concert for Friendship Mission
Grace Presbyterian at the corner of Bell Rd and Atlanta Hwy is holding a benefit concert for Friendship Mission on the church grounds, Friday, May 5, 7 pm. Friendship Mission provides for the homeless predominately in the Tri-County area. This is a family event with Andrew Greer and Cindy Morgan of hymns for hunger coming from Nashville to perform. A mutual love of hymns first introduced Nashville singer-songwriters Cindy Morgan and Andrew Greer. But it was hunger that forged a friendship. Having observed the growing unmet needs among their neighbors in their hometowns just outside Nashville’s city limits, the Americana-folk duo decided it was high-time to help. With individual catalogs of critically-acclaimed #1-sellers recognized by dozens of Grammy and Dove nods, the pair looked to their life’s work – music – to motivate the initiative. And so Hymns for Hunger was born. Inaugurated in the fall of 2012, the perennial concert tour helps raise awareness and resources for local and international hunger relief organizations around the world and has been presented in dozens of cities across the nation, including special performances at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, the National Religious Broadcasters Convention, Samaritan’s Purse and Amy Grant’s “Tennessee Weekend”. Having raised tens of thousands of dollars and hundreds of volunteer man-hours in support of America’s neighbors in need, Cindy and Andrew say the tour is much more than a fundraiser. For more info visit www.hymnsforhunger.com
ADMIRAL MOVERS ASSISTS THE SAMARITAN COUNSELING CENTER The Samaritan Counseling Center has expanded its Zelda Road location with three more offices for clinicians. That expansion is continuing in phase II that is scheduled to begin in May and when completed in the summer will add two more offices; a second conference room; and copy machine/work area. There will also be a large reception area that can be used for support groups’ meetings. Admiral Movers has been involved in the counseling center’s expansion donating three desks, two sofas, two chairs and one table to help furnish those second-floor offices. Admiral Movers also donated the services of two employees and a truck. “The Samaritan Counseling Center plays a critical role in our community,” Admiral Movers President Scott McNelley said, “and we want to help them any way we can. It’s vitally important to support organizations that do important work such as dealing with mental health issues.” The Samaritan Counseling Center treats individuals, couples, families, groups, adults and children struggling with mental health issues, addictions, traumas, marriage and family conflicts and broken relationships. The non-profit center is now better equipped to take on that expanded role. The Samaritan Counseling Center Executive Director Cary Kuhlmann said the organization will have six more time slots to treat patients after phase II is completed. He estimated that the center will be able to treat a couple hundred more patients. To learn more about The Samaritan Counseling Center visit www.tsccenter.org
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2017 Party for Parkinson’s Fun Night for Great Cause More than 200 people enjoyed a fun night for a great cause when they attended the 2017 Party for Parkinson’s during April at Wynlakes Country Club. This year’s 7th Annual Party for Parkinson’s saw guests treated to dinner and drinks, along with a performance by music group Chevy 6. The annual party benefits the Parkinson’s Association of Central Alabama (PACA), which funds medical research towards a cure for Parkinson’s disease, as well as respite care programs for patients and caregivers in Central Alabama. “April was Parkinson’s Awareness Month, and there are more than one million Americans diagnosed with Parkinson’s, with the prevalence of the disease expected to double by 2040. I was happy to see so many people in attendance to help us raise awareness and vital funds to support Alabama families affected by the disease,” said Paul Scott, board president of PACA. To learn more about the PACA, visit www.parkinsonaca.org and like them on Facebook. L to R: Paul Scott, Polly Hardegree: River Bank & Trust, Mrs. Alice Thrasher, Dr. David Thrasher: director of River Bank & Trust and sponsor
The Wetumpka Depot Players Present Neil Simon’s Comedy, Last of the Red Hot Lovers The Wetumpka Depot Players are ushering in warmer days with Neil Simon’s classic comedy, Last of the Red Hot Lovers. The play invites audiences to the “groovy” and “out of sight” days of the swinging sixties! The play centers around middle- aged Barney Cashman, a seafood restaurant entrepreneur who is looking for love in all the wrong places. From Elaine, a chain smoking woman who likes men and whiskey, to Bobbi Michele, an over the top young actress, and finally Jeannette an uptight and staunch moralist, poor Barney fails miserably as a Don Juan. Audiences will love this comedy with a surprising resolution. “This is a laugh a minute Neil Simon classic that our audiences will love, “ said director, Tom Salter. “ Everyone will be able to relate to the richly drawn characters including poor Barney, who just wants to be loved and accepted. He has three chances to be the casanova he longs to be but each tryst becomes more complicated and hilarious than the one before. The cast features Will Webster, Leslie Blackwell, Leanna Wallace and Chantel Oakley.” Show dates are May 4-7, and 11-13. Tickets ( $12/$15) are available by calling 334.868.1440 or Front from left- Leslie Blackwell, Chantel Oakley and www.wetumpkadepot.com. The box office is located at 300 S Main Street, in historic Leanna Wallace. Back - Will Webster downtown Wetumpka.
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Digital Graffiti @ Alys Beach Digital Graffiti at Alys Beach, May 19-21, is a one-of-akind projection art festival where artists use the latest digital technologies to project their original works onto the iconic white walls of Alys Beach, along scenic 30a in Florida. Sometimes referred to as “Photon Bombing,” “Guerilla Projection” or “Urban Projection,” underground artists around the globe have been using the latest design, animation and projection technologies for many years to cast dynamic images onto skyscrapers and other urban structures as a means of artistic expression. Digital Graffiti at Alys Beach is a festival geared towards bringing these artists together in one place to celebrate and showcase their unique talents. “Alys Beach becomes their blank canvas,” said Kelli Siler, Alys Beach Director of Events. “Digital Graffiti explores how design, technology and architecture can intertwine to create entirely new art forms. For one evening, Alys Beach opens its doors, courtyards and pedestrian paths to innovative companies and ground-breaking artists who fuse these three components to transform our entire town into a living work of art.” For more info visit www.digitalgraffiti.com
Capital City Master Gardener Association Presents Lunch & Learn 2017
Capital City Master Gardener Association presents Lunch & Learn 2017 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 May 3rd, Herbs-Growing, Drying & Storing – Jane Mobley, Master Gardener; June 7th, Selecting & Caring for Roses – Gloria Purnell, Birmingham Rose Society and July 5th, Name that Tree – Patrick Cook, Alabama Forestry Commission. For more information, please contact the Montgomery County Extension Office 334.270.4133. Also visit www.capcitymga.org
Get Your Affairs in Order, FREE Estate Planning and Asset Protection Workshop Wednesday, May 31: Hosted by Red Oak Legal, PC: 1:30 - 3:30 pm at the Archibald Senior Center (MACOA) in Montgomery. This educational workshop presented by local attorney Raley L. Wiggins covers wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, living wills, probate administration, protecting assets from creditors, bankruptcy, divorce and remarriage, nursing homes, long-term care and Medicaid qualification. Registration is required. Call 334.625.6774 today to reserve your seat or register online at www.redoaklegalpc.com.
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Walk-Bike River Region Study Seeks Residents’ Input Want to create a friendlier community for cyclists and pedestrians? Visit www.walkbikeriverregion. weebly.com, a new interactive website allowing visitors to explore and customize a map gauging public sentiment on how to make the River Region a better place for walking and cycling. The Montgomery Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) created the website as part of a study, Walk Bike River Region, examining access to pedestrian and cycling facilities in Autauga, Elmore and Montgomery Counties. MPO will use the findings to develop a plan prioritizing projects to implement enhancing regional connections from county to county, community to community and neighborhood to neighborhood. The plan will also provide the long-term goals for collaboration and investment to further increase accessibility and safety for all ages and abilities, while stipulating infrastructure, program and policy recommendations encouraging residents to walk or bike more often. www.montgomerympo.org
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60th Sidney Lanier High School Reunion
The Sidney Lanier High School Class of 1957 enjoyed beautiful spring weather as they celebrated their sixtieth reunion in Montgomery recently. Sixty-five class members attended as well as many spouses, family Anne Henry Tidmore, Carol Covey Goodwyn members and friends. Friday evening an informal gettogether was held at the Hampton Inn Eastchase where many guests were staying. The group enjoyed getting reacquainted, and dined on Chris’ hotdogs which has always been a favorite of our class members, dating back to our High School days! Charlotte Fowler provided tasty meatballs and Patsy Thigpen Shreve made delicious cheese straws. Saturday evening was held at the Montgomery Country Club outside on the “bluestone” patio, and in the casual dining room. A wonderful buffet was served. David Stacy, Class President was the master of ceremonies. He introduced the reunion Left to right: David Stacy, Cobb & Diane Laslie, committee and thanked George & Susan Bagwell, Courtney & Joe Price them for their hard work: Billy Fowler, (committee Chairman), Bobby and Jackie Pyron Allie, Wesley Marcus, Patsy Wells Philpot, Carol Covey Goodwyn, Laura Burford Sullivan, (treasurer), Jean Parker Colquitt, Ronnie Rose, Anne Henry Tidmore and David.David conducted interviews with two classmates, Jack Kushner and Neal Pole who told interesting life stories. Left to right: Jackie Pyron Allie, Pat Rose, Jean Parker Colquitt, Bobby Allie Jean Colquitt and Ronnie Rose presented a power point presentation on mission work in the Dominican Republic. The evening closed with a rousing rendition of the Lanier Alma Mata, led by former cheerleader Judy Justice Powell, and majorettes, Susan Foster Haigler, Rose Mohr Rubin, Jackie Allie and Anne Tidmore. Class members were invited back next year Left to right: Billy Fowler, Reunion Chairman, for the 61st. Jane Parks, Rhett Ellis R ive r Re gio n Bo o m . co m
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Mint Juleps, Bourbon, Horses and Hats, Hats, Hats, Hats... Get ready for horses, hats, and bourbon! Join Hospice of Montgomery as they bring Millionaire’s Row with a casino twist to the River Region. The Kentucky Derby Annual Benefit will take place Saturday, May 6th from 3:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., at Montgomery Country Club. Dress in your “Derby” best, and take part in the post-position horse draw, exclusive silent auction, “funny money” casino tables, “best dressed couple” and “best hat” contests, and much more, all culminating with the viewing of the 142nd Run for the Roses! Attendance at the annual benefit supports Hospice of Montgomery, which is the River Region’s ONLY independent, nonprofit hospice care provider. Funds raised through this event help provide medical care for the seriously ill, bereavement and grief counseling for families, as well as caregiver support. Be sure to reserve your tickets today for the most exciting two minutes in racing! $50 General Admission. Sponsorships are also available. Tickets can be purchased at Hospice of Montgomery, 1111 Holloway Park, Montgomery, and online at hospiceofmontgomery.org. For more information contact Hospice of Montgomery at 334.279.6677
Common Sayings from Years Ago About a month ago, I illuminated some old expressions that have become obsolete because of the inexorable march of technology. These phrases included, “Don’t touch that dial,” “Carbon copy,” “You sound like a broken record” and “Hung out to dry.” Back in the old days we had a lot of moxie. We’d put on our best bib and tucker to straighten up and fly right - Heavens to Betsy! Gee whillikers! Jumping Jehoshaphat! Holy moley! We were in like Flynn and living the life of Riley and even a regular guy couldn’t accuse us of being a knucklehead, a nincompoop or a pill. Not for all the tea in China! Back in the old days, life used to be swell, but when’s the last time anything was swell? Swell has gone the way of beehives, pageboys and the day of spats, knickers, fedoras, poodle skirts, saddle shoes and pedal pushers. Oh, my aching back. Kilroy was here, but he isn’t anymore. We wake up from what surely has been just a short nap and before we can say, “Well, I’ll be a monkey’s uncle! This is a fine kettle of fish!” - we discover that the words we grew up with, the words that seemed as omnipresent as oxygen have vanished with scarcely a notice from our tongues and our pens and our keyboards. Poof, go the words of our youth, the words we’ve left behind. We blink, and they’re gone. Where have all those phrases gone? Long gone: Pshaw! The milkman did it. Hey, it’s your nickel. Don’t forget to pull the chain. Knee high to a grasshopper. Well, fiddlesticks! Going like sixty. I’ll see you in the funny papers. Don’t take any wooden nickels. Heavens to Murgatroyd! It turns out there are more of these lost words and expressions than Carter has liver pills. This can be disturbing stuff! We of a certain age have been blessed to live in changing times. For a child, each new word is like a shiny toy, a toy that has no age. We at the other end of the chronological arc have the advantage of remembering there are words that once did not exist and there were words that once strutted their hour upon the earthly stage. Now they are heard no more, except in our collective memory. It’s one of the greatest advantages of aging. See ya later, alligator. After while, crocodile.
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Grandparents & Grandkids Fun Experience Mayor’s Bike Ride and Touch-A-Truck Mayor Bill Gillespie, Jr., and the City of Prattville are getting fired up for the 5th Annual Mayor’s Bike Ride and 7th Annual Touch-A-Truck event. These events will take place on Saturday, May 21, in conjunction with National Kids to Parks Day. The Mayor’s Bike Ride will begin at 9:45 a.m. at Upper Kingston Park and will end at Pratt Park where kids can join in the Touch-A-Truck fun. Join Mayor Bill Gillespie for this fun bike ride and remember that everyone riding must wear a helmet. There will be a police escort to ensure the safety of our riders. Police cars, fire trucks, dump trucks, bucket trucks, racecars, and more will descend on Pratt Park where children of all ages will have a great time climbing on, exploring, and learning about a variety of vehicles and big equipment and talking to the equipment operators. From honking horns to revving engines, spraying hoses and gazing at the firetruck ladders climbing up above the tree tops, there will be something for every boy and girl to enjoy. National Kids to Parks Day was organized and launched by the National Park Trust and encourages children and their families to get outdoors and visit America’s parks. This event encourages children to lead a more active life style and broaden their appreciation for nature and the outdoors. Admission is free and the event is open to the public. For more information, contact the Special Events office at 334.595.0854.
Taste of the Gardens 2017 Southern Homes & Gardens (SH&G) and the American Red Cross present Taste of the Gardens, a benefit for the American Red Cross, held annually at SH&G on Vaughn Road, Montgomery, AL. Taste of the Gardens will be held Thursday, May 11th, from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. The event includes a silent auction featuring works from local artists; tasting from the River Region’s finest restaurants & caterers; wine; and live music. Also, during the Taste of the Gardens event, SH&G will offer 20% off some items in the store (see store sales staff for discount details and applicability). Event tickets are $25, and may be purchased at SH&G, Caffco Outlet or at the American Red Cross, Central Alabama. Tickets also will be available at the door the day of the event. For more information contact Kelly Hodges at 334.260.4040 or email kelly.hodges@redcross.org.
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This & tHAT Bruce Crawford, BBVACompass, Honored by AUM College of Business
Bruce Crawford received the AUM’s College of Business most prestigious award, Outstanding Business Leader of the Year. Crawford is the Chief Executive Officer for Montgomery’s East Region Consumer & Commercial Banking with BBVA Compass. Crawford has served in this capacity since February 2000 after first joining Compass Bank as a Vice President and Commercial Relationship Manager in 1997. Crawford received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from AUM in 1983. He attended the Louisiana State University Graduate School of Banking of the South. He serves on the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce (2016 Chairman); Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation (2017 Chairman); Committee of 100(Member), Kiwanis Club of Montgomery(Member); Leadership Montgomery(Class 18); Montgomery Area Business Committee for the Arts(Past Chairman); Montgomery Symphony(Past President and Board Bruce Crawford Member); Alabama Shakespeare Festival (Board Member) and Leadership Alabama Class of 2016-17. He is married to Amy and has two adult children, Molly and Thomas, a son-in-law Adam, and a grandson Vincent.
7th Annual Agape Run for a Mom
Agape of Central Alabama is excited to announce that the 7th Annual Run for a Mom 5k & Fun Run will be held on Mother’s Day weekend, Saturday, May 13. The race will take place at the Vaughn Park Church and will continue through the Vaughn Meadows community. Registration for the 5k is now open, and ranges from $5 to $30. All proceeds from the Run for a Mom 5k & Fun Run will directly benefit Agape of Central Alabama and its mission to support women, children and families through foster care, adoption, and crisis pregnancy counseling. The Run for a Mom 5k & Fun Run is an effort to bring people together to honor the role of mom. Birth mothers, foster mothers, and mothers alike will be celebrated and honored during this special event. The event features family friendly entertainment, food and games. For more information about the event, visit www.runforamom.org, or call Agape of Central Alabama at 334.272.9466.
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May is Skin Cancer Month
Tim Arnold, “The Silhouette Man” Will Be Appearing at Jan Beale’s, You Name It Tim Arnold will be appearing Friday and Saturday May 5 & 6 at You Name It, 5350 A, Atlanta Hwy. Tim will make silhouettes for you and your family during these two days, reservations are required by calling 334.272.9878. Tim Arnold has been cutting silhouettes professionally for over 30 years. Considered America’s premier silhouette artist, Tim has become known for his accuracy and beautiful interior detailing, prized by collectors. Silhouettes containing these delicate inside cuts are referred to as “European embellished style”.
MANE Needs Volunteers
MANE needs your help NOW! Sign up for one of these times TODAY! Tuesday 9:30 Tuesday 2:45 Tuesday 4:00 Tuesday 5:00 Thursday 1:30 Thursday 5:00 Friday 9:00 Abby Houchin Volunteer Coordinator & Staff Instructor Montgomery Area Nontraditional Equestrians 3699 Wallahatchie Road Pike Road, Al 36064 www.maneweb.org
Tim currently tours 18 states appearing in children’s specialty shops and leading department stores as the “Silhouette Man”. These events are always advertised in the newspaper and are by appointment only. Silhouettes can also be done from profile photos sent to Tim. The quality is just the same. The art of silhouette cutting was learned from his multi-talented mother, Garnett Arnold of Hamilton, Ohio. In 1990, Tim was invited to the White House to collaborate on a children’s book with Sharon Bush. Tim had the honor of meeting the former President George Bush and cutting silhouettes of 3 of his grandchildren, a birthday gift for his wife Barbara. Those silhouettes hung in the White House. Tim and his lovely wife Tina make their home in the rolling hills of central Tennessee. Tim has 3 daughters, 2 sons, and 7 adorable grandchildren. To learn more visit www.silhouette-man.com Tim Arnold considers his talent as a gift from God and is quick to give Him all the credit and glory! “Every good and perfect gift is from above...” James 1:17
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BOOM! COVER PROFILE
Stacia Robinson, “Ambassador of Montgomery” This month’s BOOM! Cover Profile is Stacia Robinson, the self-appointed “Ambassador of Montgomery”. If you have met Stacia, you will quickly understand what we mean. She is one of the most enthusiastic proponents of Montgomery and the River Region you will ever know. She would also include the state of Alabama in her positive outreach to anyone who happens to be in the same room with her! Stacia is a very unique woman with an unbridled zest for life and people with a definite desire to give back to our community. She is a model for many of us who have aged well and would like to leave a legacy to the quality of life in the River Region. We recently asked Stacia to share some of her story with us...we were infected with her positive energy and we think you will be too! BOOM!: Please give us a brief biography, i.e. where were you born, education, what brought you to the Montgomery area, etc.? Stacia: I am a native of Denver, Colorado and went to Spelman College in Atlanta, GA on an ROTC scholarship. For ROTC, I attended Georgia Institute of Technology, where I met my husband, Toy (yes, that is actually his name; he is named after his father! ). We actually reconnected after college and dated long distance while I was stationed at Kapaun Air Station in Germany and he was stationed at Warner Robins AFB in Georgia. In Germany, I was a programs
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officer for the European version of the Defense Data Network, the infrastructure for the internet. We were married in Copenhagen, Denmark and then stationed together here at Gunter AFB at the Standard Systems Group in 1986. Toy is a native of Montgomery and graduated from St. Jude Catholic School. Before being stationed in Montgomery, our son Maurice was born in Germany. I was a Communications-Computer officer and was the Chief of Vendor Liaison. Our office planned the first Computer Conference here which is now called the Air Force IT Conference. At that time, my boss was Vietnam ‘Hanoi Hilton’ Prisoner Of War (Ret) Col Hubert ‘Cliff’ Walker who had not previously shared his harrowing experience until that assignment. Working for him was one of the most memorable experiences while I was in the Air Force. I also was an Executive Officer for Brig. Gen. Lester
Weber. Our daughter, Jaylin, was born at Maxwell AFB before the hospital was closed. In 1990, Toy was medically retired from an injury he sustained when he was at Warner Robins. I stayed in a year longer and separated at the rank of Captain in the middle of Desert Storm. Toy became a Civilian for the Standard Systems Group and is now the Chief Engineer for Business Enterprise Systems. BOOM!: You’re the Agency Principal of BeneChoice Companies, LLC and the District Manager of Colonial Life Insurance Company. Would you please share how you got into the employee benefits industry and explain some of the services you offer? What have been some of your biggest challenges? Are there any advantages or disadvantages to being a woman business owner? Stacia: I got into the employee benefits
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industry by introduction of a church member whose husband was the district manager for Colonial Life. They had just moved here from Dothan and they didn’t know many business people. I owned Stacia and husband, Toy the BNI Franchise at the time and she thought he should be part of BNI to grow the district. Apparently, when she told him about me, he told her that maybe I would be a good candidate to work with them since I knew business people! She told him that she was sure I wouldn’t be interested, but that she would set up a meeting. She DIDN’T know that I had just literally prayed, “what am I supposed to do with all of these people that I’ve met through volunteering and can’t join BNI?” When I met with him and found out that Colonial is unlike any other company in that they only provide benefit education, enrollment & financial protection for people who work, I was intrigued. Before that, I thought insurance sales involved going to people’s homes at night and I would not have been interested in that. I recall saying to him, ‘let me make sure I understand: you educate employees about the benefits offered by the employer and you enroll them in the benefits the employee chooses on a voluntary basis and you don’t charge for that service? I can do that!’ Most employers are frustrated by the fact that employees don’t appreciate what they have access to, so essentially we help employers save on payroll and employees protect their paychecks. I was an agent in his district and then he passed away shortly after. Elana D’Arciprete became the District Manager and then the Territory Manager for state for Colonial. Before she became the The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
district manager, we partnered on several business accounts. We work well together. I would say some of my biggest challenges have been similar to what many business owners experience and that is to always be on the lookout for ideal team members regardless of whether you ‘need’ them or not. I have learned that you always make room for good people. I have been very privileged to be supported and mentored by my CEO Roundtable for over 20 years. The members of that Roundtable include many of the Who’s Who in Montgomery. Learning from one another mitigates the challenges all of us face. They are like my Advisory Board of Directors and I am forever indebted to them for their direct involvement in my business.
establish. One ground-breaking business woman whose legacy continues until today was Margaret Carpenter, the 1st woman Chair of the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce and Committee of 100, renamed from the Committee of 100 Men. She owned Compos-It printing business at a time when being a woman in business was most difficult. She persevered and mentored many others. She advised me to ‘get known in something other than your business’ as a way to build credibility. She was the founder of Jubilee City Fest. I really took that to heart. She appointed me to be the 1st African-American Woman to the Chamber Board and supported my involvement on several committees. The disadvantages remain in my constant awareness that bias exists and the level of the bias as a barrier must be assessed when strategizing about how to interact & proceed with the customer or group at play. Developing relationships with people of goodwill, influence and intention helps to advance one’s purposes. BOOM!: As a local entrepreneur, you owned the BNI franchise in Montgomery. BNI is centered on networking and referral marketing, how is BNI beneficial to other entrepreneurs?
Stacia: BNI is the world’s largest referral organization. Being the 9th state to franchise in 1991, I participated and watched it grow exponentially into the global organization it has become, now into over 70 countries. The heart of the success of BNI is Family celebration of 5 Robinson events: Toy & Stacia’s 30th Anniversary; Toy the understanding of the & Stacia’s 50th birthdays; and Jaylin, Maurice & nephew Shemar’s graduations culture of business owners from college. From l-r: Maurice, Jaylin, Stacia, Toy & nephew Shemar based on building trust. I have found that successful business I have found that the advantages of owners have many core attributes being a woman-business owner are that membership in BNI can enhance. that the tenets of building visibility and Involvement is uniquely beneficial to credibility seem to be initially easier to other entrepreneurs who develop a
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structured collaboration encompasses two annual with business owners that Leadership classes: Legacy share clients. One of my leaders (beginning Class most poignant examples 34) and Torchbearer of this in action was being leaders (beginning Class invited by the National 9) and Alumni programs. Director of South Africa to Applications for both speak to his BNI members classes are online at www. about cross-cultural leadershipmontgomery.org. business networking The Legacy class is generally since I chaired the BNI made up of class members Cross Cultural Council. from age 40+ while the I was actually hesitant Torchbearers are age 25-40. to speak since after all, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority National Headquarters in Washington DC South Africa had just I must consider myself a during 100th Year Anniversary Convention gone through apartheid. ‘professional’ volunteer in I wondered what could that I recently counted the learning about the issues and history I possibly have to share with them? organizations and boards that I have that define who we are and where we Before I went, I thought I would figure been involved in over the years and are going. I was actually involved first as out how to connect Alabama business realized that I it was 40+ organizations. a project manager in the mid 1990’s for owners with South African business It could definitely be seen as way too the Leadership Montgomery sponsored opportunities. I visited the Alabama many . Some of the other organizations InterChange Program. InterChange is Department of Economic Affairs (ADECA) where I currently serve are: President of a unique program that was developed to see which companies did business the Leadership Council for NFIB; Chair of by Leadership Montgomery Alumni with South Africa. I told the ADECA the Fortitude Foundation, Delta Sigma Sophia Bracy-Harris and Laurie Weil to contact that I was going to South Africa Theta Sorority, Montgomery County Prefoster the diverse collaborations of the and explained that establishing direct Trial Diversion Commission (since 1988); improvement of Montgomery. I was business contacts and referrals might be boards of directors for later selected helpful. He furnished me with a directory Leadership Alabama, to be in Class of businesses here in Alabama to share Montgomery County 14. Participation when I got over there. I informed the Department of Human and graduation National Director that I would be happy Resources, Girl Scouts from Leadership to meet with any of his BNI members of Southern Alabama, Montgomery interested in international business Habitat for Humanity, launched my while I was there. I was quite surprised Alabama State commitment that 30+ business owners scheduled an Commission on Small to personally appointment to meet with me a few Business; Business participate in days after the presentation I gave at their Council of Alabama the progress and conference. BNI lives their slogan about and Renasant Bank. I improvement in Local Business…Global Network! would say that a theme Montgomery and and common thread Alabama. As the BOOM!: Leadership Montgomery is throughout all are that current President an important organization in the River I deeply enjoy serving of the Board of Region. Would you share your experience causes that address Directors, we are with Leadership Montgomery, it’s value leadership, women and moving through to our community and what the future business. an unprecedented holds for Leadership Montgomery? Brother Kenneth Fisher and Stacia at Emancipation transition How can people over 50 get involved BOOM!: Do you have a Hall, U.S. Capitol Visitor Center with State of Colorado which includes with Leadership Montgomery? Are you favorite vacation spot? Astronaut Jack Swigert statue, Washington D.C. selecting a new involved with other local organizations? Any travel dreams Executive Director. We have completed planned for the future? a thorough survey of all stakeholders to Stacia: Leadership Montgomery has frame our direction to build leadership been established for 33 years and is Stacia: I absolutely LOVE to travel! My capacity and we have designed a new definitely an anchor in Montgomery. The friends and family know that if you Mentor Program for Torchbearers value of Leadership Montgomery is that simply rattle keys, I’ll get in the car and (our young professional leadership it brings diverse leaders together to build THEN ask where are we going? There is program). Leadership Montgomery leadership capacity and networks while quite a bit to see right here in Alabama and I’m always interested in going to
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places I haven’t been. I believe that travel provides necessary exposure to others and builds context and perspective for those able to do so. My husband & I have similar travel interests in that we both enjoy comfortable sightseeing, history and excursion type travel adventures. We got married in Denmark over 30 years ago and that trip included Sweden (we picked up my new Volvo from the factory); going to Amsterdam and then Paris. Throughout our marriage, we have travelled most of the US. We have two remaining states to visit; Alaska and North Dakota. I would say that I might not make it to North Dakota (all that’s there as a destination seems to be Fargo), but Alaska is likely . My dream trip was to Egypt in 2000 with my best friend before 9/11. Last year, we were able to travel to Hawaii, Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver Canada. I went several other places like Minneapolis, MN and Cancun, Mexico with friends. I would like to go to Australia & New Zealand, although Toy wants to go to Italy. We will decide and book a next trip soon. I got my sense of fun and travel from my Mother, Oneita. I am the eldest of three. When I was growing up, she was a teacher, so she was out of school with us in the summer. We would get up most summer days; get ready and she would say, “Let’s go get lost!” We went all over Colorado for day
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
trips. We just made sure we were home for dinner with my Dad. I recall meeting some of the most unusual people such as a man who lived in the mountains and had built a fence out of bottle caps! BOOM!: What are you most passionate about in your life?
Stacia with her “Big Toy”
Stacia: I am most passionate about doing all I can to provide others a chance to live their own ultimate life to be HAPPY, HEALTHY & WEALTHY. That involves me making connections as often as I am aware and able. I enjoy mentoring others and supporting people in their endeavors. I would say that I am passionate about Net-GIVING! BOOM!: How do you like to relax and wind down?
Stacia: I like to relax and wind down several ways: Reading, watching good dramas & comedies, attending concerts and plays, being with my family and friends and laughing DAILY! I also like to dance. I enjoy music and grew up taking piano lessons. I then learned to play the violin and in high school had the honor of being selected to play in the Citywide orchestra where we recorded an album with the Denver Symphony Orchestra. I haven’t played much as an adult except for weddings. I did play in the orchestra in Germany when we played The Messiah in a German church near Ramstein. I also had a unique opportunity to play handbells when I was stationed in Germany. I played with a small handbell choir while there and enjoyed that so much that I led the handbell choir at Maxwell AFB for a few years before I got too busy working and being a Mother. As much as I enjoy music, for now; listening and supporting music is how I am choosing to engage. The genres I most enjoy are R&B, Classical, & Reggae. BOOM!: What do your future challenges look like, retirement, business growth, community service? Stacia: My future challenges involve a major focus on business growth to establish retirement options as Toy &
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I move toward deciding, in more detail, how we want to live. Community service and philanthropy are at the core of who I am and I see staying involved in Montgomery always. BOOM!: You have seen a lot of changes in Montgomery, especially in the downtown area, how would you rate the quality of life in the River Region? What do we need more of? Stacia: I would rate the Montgomery quality of life as high in terms of opportunity to invest in the very growth we’re all seeing. I’m encouraged by the emerging young professionals who want to live here and their willingness to get involved in making Montgomery the kind of place they want to live in. I recently talked to someone (over 50) who doesn’t like living here. I told her that I always have something to do! She said that what she doesn’t like is lack of entertainment like shopping, jazz concerts and adult clubs. Well, since she put it that way; I have to agree that Montgomery needs more of those types of venues and entertainment options. That sounds like several business opportunities to me! I would add that I think a Comedy Club would do well here because it could cross all age and race audiences like the StarDome in Birmingham. BOOM!: As you’ve aged, how have your priorities changed? Stacia: My priorities have changed along with the ages of my kids. While they were young and growing up, my priorities were to give all attention to their education and being well-rounded people. They both went to Montgomery Public Schools. Then, they both went to Auburn University and the priority shifted to them graduating. While my son was a student at Auburn, he was also an agent with my agency. He added SO much to our team and he would probably say he gained a lot from being exposed to the real world of work being
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“Big Toy” and Stacia enjoying a few laughs
around businesses and employees. He got his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree at Auburn in History and is now a Doctoral Fellow at the University of South Carolina. His topic is the “Social and Economic Impact of the Interstate System in the South.” My daughter is a videographer and has a video production company. Seeing them engage and do what they love has helped shaped my priorities into leaving a legacy for them to build upon. I am looking forward to what’s to come from them and their peers. BOOM!: Give us three words that describe you? Stacia: Enthusiastic, Visionary, Net-Giver BOOM!: Do you have any hobbies or other activities that grab your attention? Stacia: I really like playing the CASH FLOW game by Robert Kiyosaki. It teaches people how to get out of the Rat Race in a fun way. I have committed to playing more often and I would like to inspire others to play. BOOM!: Many people over 50 are experiencing a renewed sense of purpose, new goals, new careers…How would you describe this sense of renewal in your life? Any advice for the rest of us seeking renewal? Stacia: I would describe my sense
of renewal as being in alignment with the stages of life. I have a dear 97 year old friend, Romay Davis, who still works! I have known her since she was in her 60s and watched her get her 2nd Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo at age 76. She is an artist, a poet, a master landscaper, tailor and much more. She has modeled living life to the fullest in spite of challenges and she has been my benchmark for living through those stages. One of our shared mottoes and mantras is “KNOW THYSELF” as inscribed on a temple in Delphi in Ancient Greece. Knowing that our purpose is to love, serve and to remember our source helps guide us through constant renewal. Focusing energy around those principles keeps me from being distracted by negative people and circumstances. BOOM!: Technology is rooted in almost every aspect of our lives and some of us are reluctant to embrace it. How is your relationship with technology? How has it made your life and work more effective? Stacia: My relationship with technology is very intertwined with all I do. In high school at George Washington High School in the mid-70s, I was in a computer class where I learned to program in Fortran & BASIC. My teacher, Dr. Hoffman, secured computers and a city project for us to program carpooling schedules for citizens. I had no idea until much later how ahead of the times we really were. Of course, that led to my preparation for my Air Force career in computer technology. I would say that technology is a tool like any invention that makes our lives easier. Every endeavor that I got involved in uses technology to simplify work and results. I am interested in discussing and teaching others about technology etiquette. We as a society need an update in communicating effectively with technology. Face-to-face interaction is a human need. The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
BOOM!: If you could do anything else what would be your dream job? Stacia: I TRULY am doing my dream job by owning my own business. BOOM!: As a local entrepreneur, how would you describe your business philosophy and leadership style? Many times, our spouses can play important roles in our businesses, does your husband give you a hand? Stacia: I would describe my business philosophy as an intention based on stewardship of the needs of my customers and clients. I am very spiritual and consider my leadership style as a true servant leader. All of what I do is integrated into body, mind and spirit in the service of others. My husband, Toy is my rock. (Yes, I have a BIG TOY!) He is very confident with himself such that he fully supports my business efforts and interests. I learned a lot from him, especially when we worked together in the Air Force. He taught me mostly about looking for the rules of the game in any environment and how to navigate with those who don’t like you and even go out of their way to make things difficult for you. The most important lesson I learned from him was to NOT take any of it personally. That was huge and knowing that builds my confidence. When I first started my business, I shared with him that I was quite concerned that many people who really “needed” BNI didn’t join. He said, ‘go help those who want what you have; be successful and be a social worker later.’ Well, that sure was awesome advice. We complement one other well in a marriage partnership. Even though he’s the one from Montgomery, I’ve embraced Montgomery like I’m the native. The selfappointed Ambassador for Montgomery absolutely loves this place! We want to thank Stacia for sharing her time in puttting together this month’s BOOM! Cover Profile. If you want to learn more about Stacia email her at stacia@benechoicecompanies.com or www. staciarobinson.com. As always, thanks to Jeri Hines and Haley Kintner, from Total Image Portraits for the professional cover photo of Stacia. If you have questions, comments or suggestions about our cover profiles, including nominating someone, please send them to jim@riverregionboom.com
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Ask an Elder Law Attorney By: Raley L. Wiggins | Attorney at Law | Red Oak Legal, PC
3 Common Estate Planning Mistakes In our practice, we commonly see the same mistakes being made time and again. Sometimes we see the client early enough to correct the mistake before any harm is done, but not always. Read on to learn about three of the most common mistakes, and how to avoid them.
“everything” they may need to address. Instead, you have to specifically state that your agent has the power to handle certain kinds of transactions. That’s why it is important to include expanded powers in your power of attorney, particularly for clients over age 65.
MISTAKE ONE NOT PLANNING FOR DISABILITY
MISTAKE TWO NOT KNOWING HOW YOU OWN YOUR ASSETS
People are living longer than ever before. If you need proof, just look around at the number of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, home health agencies, and similar organizations that care for the ever-growing senior population. The longer we live, the more likely it is that we will deal with a period of disability late in life during which we will need others to help care for us.
I regularly teach an educational workshop on estate planning to members of the public, and one of the topics that tends to get people’s attention is the discussion of how you own your assets. You see, the way your assets are held or titled can have a significant effect upon whether your estate plan “works” the way that you hope it does.
The starting point in disability planning is to be sure that you have, at a minimum, a durable power of attorney and an advance directive in place. Note that not all of these documents are created equal. For example, most advance directives focus on end-of-life scenarios in the event that we are in a coma, or require machines to keep us alive. They often fail to adequately address a more common scenario—one in which we require nursing home or other long-term care for an extended period of time.
Attend Free Workshop
at the the Archibald Archibald Senior Senior Center Center (MACOA) (MACOA) in in Montgomery. Montgomery. This This at educational workshop workshop presented presented by by local local attorney attorney Raley Raley L. L. Wiggins Wiggins educational covers wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, living covers wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, living wills, probate probate administration, administration, protecting protecting assets assets from from creditors, creditors, wills, bankruptcy, divorce and remarriage, nursing homes, long-term care bankruptcy, divorce and remarriage, nursing homes, long-term care and Medicaid Medicaid qualification. qualification. Registration Registration is is required. required. and Call 334-625-6774 today to reserve your seat or register register online online at at Call 334-625-6774 today to reserve your seat or www.redoaklegalpc.com. www.redoaklegalpc.com.
Under the new Alabama Uniform Power of Attorney Act (effective January 1, 2012), granting your agent the power to do “everything” you could do yourself, doesn’t actually mean that the agent can handle May 2015 May 2017
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MISTAKE THREE LEAVING ASSETS OUTRIGHT TO THE SPOUSE
This mistake is not true in all cases, but consider the increasingly common second marriage. When each spouse has their own children, this can be a source of hurt feelings when one spouse dies before the other. The children of the deceased spouse often resent step-parent Estate Planning and Asset Protection Workshop their for spending “their” Wednesday, May May 20: 31: Hosted Hosted by by Red Red Oak Oak Legal, Legal, PC: PC: 1:30-3:30 1:30-3:30 pm pm Wednesday, inheritance.
While the advance directive deals with health care issues, a durable power of attorney grants a person of your choosing (your agent) the authority to handle your business and financial affairs. Importantly, however, the law is clear that your agent only has the powers which are granted to her in the power of attorney. The problem is that just reading the terms of the POA won’t necessarily give you the complete picture of what powers your agent does or doesn’t have.
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Assume John jointly owns a house with his wife, Jane. He has a 401(k) that names Jane as the death beneficiary, and a life insurance policy that names his son, Billy as the beneficiary. At John’s death, his wife Jane will own the house and get the money in the 401(k), while Billy gets the life insurance money. Even though the will leaves “everything” to Sally, she won’t actually inherit anything at all.
For example, many kinds of jointly owned property will automatically become the sole property of the surviving joint owner upon the death of the other owner, regardless of what the deceased person’s will says about who gets the property. Similarly, beneficiary designations on life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and other accounts will determine who actually gets the money in those accounts after the owner’s death. For an average middle class family, the bulk of their estate’s value will consist of three types of assets—the home, retirement accounts, and life insurance proceeds. Consider John Doe, whose will leaves his entire estate to his favorite niece, Sally.
The better choice is to leave those assets in trust. For example, John and Jane get married. They are both in their 50’s, and each have their own children from prior marriages. John dies first. His will leaves the bulk of his estate to Jane, in trust, to make sure her basic needs are provided for. The terms of the trust, however, prevent Jane from leaving John’s money to her new spouse (if she remarries) or to her own children. Instead, whatever is left will pass to John’s children after her death. In conclusion, I’ll leave you with a question: Do any of these examples sound familiar to you? Raley L. Wiggins Attorney at Law, Red Oak Legal, PC 334-239-3625 | info@redoaklegalpc.com 445 Dexter Avenue, ste 9000, Mont, AL 36104 www.redoaklegalpc.com The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
ARE YOU MAKING A COMMON ESTATE PLANNING MISTAKE? Not planning for disability Not knowing how you own your assets Leaving assets outright to your spouse
Sound Familiar?
We can help.
FREE EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOP
Estate Planning, Asset Protection & Medicaid Eligibility
CALL US OR REGISTER ONLINE TODAY!
Join local attorney Raley L. Wiggins to discuss wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, living wills, probate administration, protecting your assets, bankruptcy, divorce & remarriage, nursing homes, long term care and medicaid qualification.
Seats fill up quickly! Reserve your seat today:
(334) 625-6774 redoaklegalpc.com 35
“No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.”
Art & Soul
Gallery One Art Exhibit Features
By Sandi Aplin
Carol Barksdale and Bradley Moon Barksdale and Moon Art Opening Thursday, May 11th, beginning at 5:30 pm until 7pm.
wish much success to the owners as they enjoy their well-deserved retirement.
Barksdale’s Artist Statement: The paintings in my show encompass A wide range of subject matter- from Montgomery to Nashville, the Black Belt Carol Barksdale area which includes the tribute to Gee’s Bend. These paintings come out of a place of remembrance and recollecting, of dreaming forward and back, drifting from real to abstraction.
Nashville is fresh on my mind after a recent 40-year high school reunion of the Marymount International School in Rome, Italy, where I graduated in 1975. Two of the pieces in my show are from the Nashville area, “The Mother Church,” a painting of the “Ryman Auditorium and the Carriage House”, a painting of the stables at Belle Meade. The Ryman Auditorium celebrates its’ 125th anniversary this year. As Garth Brooks said, “The Ryman is where the gods played.” Belle Meade was the premier thoroughbred farm in the South in the 1800’s. Seabiscuit, Secretariat and every horse in the Kentucky Derby since 2003 can trace their bloodlines back to Belle Meade’s horses.
Sinclair’s Restaurant is a limited edition print that is now available of my original watercolor painting, “Remembering Sinclair’s”. Sinclair’s restaurant is located in the Heart of Old Cloverdale. They closed their doors recently after 25 years in business. Many of us have fond memories of meeting friends for lunch or dinner and especially enjoying their Sunday brunch. We
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Carol Barksdale and Shirley Esco, both members of Gallery One, have painted the Chairs for Children again this year. The event is one of Child Protect’s largest fundraiser events of the year and was held April 27th. Carol and Shirley have both painted chairs for the past 5 years.
Moon’s Artist Statement: Having no formal education in the arts, I am self- taught and often use self-made tools. My inspiration is found in raw materials such as copper. Working as Bradley Moon a painter and sculptor is my main focus for this show. I see myself as the medium by which this raw material can be brought to life. My relationship with copper is a bit of a lover’s quarrel. We often fight over the direction we will go with neither side winning or losing, just constantly trying to find the best in each other. This amazing show is already installed in the gallery. We welcome our friends to drop by beginning May 1st to preview the exhibition prior to the opening on the 11th. Sandi Aplin, Director of Gallery One Fine Art A freelance writer living in Montgomery, AL sandiaplin@aol.com or galleryonefineart.com
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Explore Two of Montgomery’s Finest Artists Carol Barksdale & Bradley Moon Reception,Thursday, May 11, 2017, 5:30 - 7:00 pm
Gallery One Fine Arts
423 Cloverdale Road, Mongomery, Alabama
Carriage House, Belle Meade, Carol Barksdale
Sinclair’s, Carol Barksdale
NOLA Sax Player, Bradley Moon
Ryman Auditorium, Carol Barksdale
Blue Moon, Bradley Moon
Moon Series Winter, Bradley Moon
Sunflowers, Bradley Moon
NOLA Trumpet Player, Bradley Moon
Impre’ vue Copper Sculpture, Bradley Moon Evening on the River, Carol Barksdale
Evening on the River, Carol Barksdale
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Dunwoody, Georgia:
Good Food, Caffeine and Octane By Jeff Barganier
My first car Did I mention how comfortable the (that Cindy Hampton Inn bed was? We slept late— hated) was perhaps a little too late—but managed a used, to make a lunch date with our daughter, albeit mintson-in-law and grandchildren at Wright’s condition, Gourmet Sandwich Shoppe. Wright’s non-sexyfamily-owned deli is the perfect setting for green, 1971 a family get-together. They have covered Chevrolet outside seating and tables that the little Monte Carlo. ones can test in their special ways without It was one of drawing the ire of “Pop the Pirate” and those classic risk being fed to the sharks or walking the American plank. Wright’s is well known in Dunwoody models the for its gourmet sandwiches, fresh salads, designers soups, and baked goods. I love their simply Cuban. nailed. I wish that I Energized from our visit to Wright’s, we A Classic 1955 Chevy, The Caffeine and Octane Show still owned turned our little pirate-mate’s imaginations experienced anywhere. The Hampton also it! If so, I could have shown it off recently on via an afternoon at the Dunwoody featured an indoor pool, fitness center and at the largest auto-show in North America. Nature Center. To the shouts of, “there’s a great snack bar. Especially, it’s located only Dunwoody, Georgia hosts this amazing teepee,” we strolled along an easy path to minutes away from the best of Dunwoody. gathering of colorful car enthusiasts on Wildcat Creek for some rock-hopping; and the first Sunday of each month. Cindy and then on to an elaborate playground in the After a no-hassles check-in, we freshened I attended recently, where at least one woods and a house in the trees. Totally up and headed for Carbonara Trattoria of us was looking for a ’71 Monte Carlo! enchanting. That’s all I can say. It’s true— for some Italian cuisine. This free show, plus the whole Dunwoody the best things in life really Fortunately, we arrived experience, makes for a fantastic weekend are free. Making precious early. The popular getaway—one I highly recommend. If you memories at Dunwoody EXPLORE MORE establishment was soon visualize Atlanta on a map, Dunwoody Nature Center is the proof www.Caffeineandoctane.com slammed with locals. is one of several beautiful and classy in the pudding. Not only was the food communities that crown it. Probably the Driving back to the www.carbonaradunwoody.com great but the Italian best route to Dunwoody is up Interstate Hampton, we paused to www.wrightgourmetshoppe.com ambience—romantic 85, and then I-285 Northwest. It’s an easy shop the Spruill Gallery glow, black and white three-hour drive from Montgomery’s River located in an historic 1867www.dunwoodynature.org table cloths, floating oil Region. 1905 home on Ashford www.mckendricks.com lamps—quickly relaxed Dunwoody Road. The www.alons.com us after a taxing week The Dunwoody Hampton Inn made a good Gallery’s exhibits promote of work. For those who first impression. Only about a year old, emerging and established prefer to dine outdoors, the hotel has a visually attractive lobby artists and is said to be Carbonara has a patio with an art-deco vibe and trendy, upscale one of the best locallyarea strung with party lights. Afterward, photography of the area. Our room was made artists’ gift shops in metro Atlanta. we drove over to the Stage Door Play clean and fresh with comfy furniture and Captivated by the pottery of artists Pamela House and enjoyed an entertaining play. a spacious walk-in glass shower. A sliding Noga and Monica Ferrari, Cindy purchased The fully professional theatre was founded barn door served both the bathroom pieces for an upcoming design photoin 1974 as a Community Improvement and a closet. Contemporary furnishings, shoot. We returned to the hotel for a nap; Project of the Dunwoody Woman’s Club. including sofa, handy leather buncherand, later, off to McKendrick’s, just minutes It features World Premiere and regional stools and a cigar table made for a superaway, for dinner. debuts of new plays and musicals yearcomfortable environment. The staff was round. The acting was sensational. friendly and extra-helpful; and the courtesy Beverly Hills, California has a fantastic breakfast was one of the best we have steakhouse called Mastro’s. I’ve
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mentioned it in some of my writing. It’s where you might be seated next to celebrities. But you’ll never see them. They keep the lights so low that you need a flashlight to read the menu. No kidding. Maybe movie stars prefer the darkness; you know, so, they can hide from the Paparazzi. The steaks are, nevertheless, excellent. But Mastro’s in California hasn’t a candle over McKendrick’s Steakhouse in Dunwoody only three hours from home! When you step through McKendrick’s door, you are treated like a celebrity whether you are one or not. I asked Cindy for her impressions of McKendrick’s. “Glowing, fabulous, 5-star, best staff I’ve ever encountered, beautiful décor, stained wood, leather, lamp-light, candles on white-linen table cloths, topdrawer but relaxed, not pretentious,” the designer replied. And you can actually see the celebrities at McKendrick’s. I’m sure an Atlanta Falcon walked right by me. McKendrick’s, alone, is reason enough to visit Dunwoody. In fact, we met other people from Montgomery there. And even the manager of 22 years is from Montgomery! I asked our waiter Antonio to suggest wine and he knocked it out of the ballpark. Chef Minchella actually came out of the kitchen, sat down at our table,
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
and discussed the menu with us. Then he proceeded to send us samples of the most succulent New Zealand meltin-your-mouth salmon I have ever tasted. The steaks were perfection. The desserts were divine; and the coffee was the best ever and locally sourced. I’m not exaggerating and I can’t wait to go back!
month, a different kind of worship service takes place. “I moved moon and stars to get here,” said Cody Bellamy of Huntsville. Cody was driving a classic Dodge Viper with a sweet engine purr. “They only made about thirty-nine-hundred of these,” he explained. I never found my ’71 MC. But I did locate a 1955 white on red Chevy like the one I sometimes drove around my hometown when I was yet fourteen. By the way, arrive early. The cars stream in between 6:00 and 8:00 and begin to parade out about 11:00. For lunch, we visited Alon’s Bakery and Market back across the street. Alon’s is famous for its high-quality, madefrom-scratch breads, Euro-style-cakes, pastries, gourmet sandwiches, freshly prepared foods, fine cheeses, exquisite chocolates and more. It was a great way to say cheerio until next time. Dunwoody. You’ve got to love it.
Next morning. Sunday. We caught an early breakfast panini and filled our tanks with caffeine at Café Intermezzo just around the corner from McKendrick’s and directly across from Perimeter Mall. Toward the sound of revving engines, we crossed Ashford Dunwoody Road and entered a sea of people and cars. Surely, Jeff with McKendrick’s Chef Minchella nothing connects the diverse souls of our culture quite like the shared passion for mobility! Jeff S. Barganier is a freelance writer and business The Caffeine and Octane Show brings manager of Cindy Barganier Interiors LLC. He together young and old of every race, creed travels far and wide upon the slightest excuse for and color, happily united in mutual love of something interesting to write about. Share your the wheeled-symbol of freedom itself—the thoughts with Jeff at jeffbarganier@knology.net or automobile. Here, the first Sunday of every Follow him on Instagram at #jeffbarganier
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By Greg Budell
The Mayor of BOOMTOWN
Welcome to Let me share some insights on my exciting life as a “hawk show toast” (I take myself SO seriously).
a rider mower, but when I went to visit my good friends at Lewis Lawn in Montgomery, I left with a Toro self-propel. I went to Wal-Mart and bought a vinyl workout suit. Three times a week, I chase the mower around that day’s section of lawn (it’s self-propel but it moves!) and after a half-hour, I have gotten some great cardio and the vinyl suit boils off some excess weight. I jump in the pool (thank you Fagen Pools) and cool down for a refreshing swim (more exercise!).
The alarm goes off at 2:22AM and I immediately grab a 32 ounce Styrofoam cup filled with coffee and a little cream. In and around a hot bath in my garden tub, I am scanning the Internet universe for show material; news stories, celebrity drivel, and items for contests. I collect audio clips and comedy bits, feed the dogs and back out the driveway around 4:10AM to head for the radio station.
Caring friends think I am asking for a heart attack with the vinyl suit but trust me, I rollerbladed in one of those for years in the summer heat of South Florida! They work. I’ve lost 11 pounds since St. Patrick’s Day!
I arrive at Bluewater Broadcasting at 4:22AM and start distilling all the collected material, make 2 pots of coffee and retreat to a studio to get my homework ready for the show. We gather in the on-air studio at 5:55 to launch the show, knowing that about 90% of what I so lovingly assembled will never make the show. After 3 hours of fun, frolic and coffee with the gang, I return home, kiss the bride, feed the dogs and make myself lunch. At this point, I go to my DVR for the 2 episodes of the sitcom “Green Acres”, one of my all-time favorite shows. It’s gentle, mindless entertainment that helps me unwind into a 90-minute nap state. I just never thought I’d be following in the footsteps of Oliver Wendell Douglas! When we found our new home and after we closed on it, wife Roz pointed to this large, triangular tract of land next to
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the back yard. It was a substantial plot of grass and tree stumps. “That’s ours too”, she said. We already had plenty of lawn and yard, so this presented a good question- what to do with it? The neighborhood prohibits private cemeteries and trailer set-ups so those ideas went out the window. We moved in the winter so there was no urgency- but now, this land has become not one, but two things- a farm and weight loss program! Friends and great radio sponsors helped me create “Greg Acres”. With 3 large hunks of lawn, a new mower would be required. I always thought it would be cool to have
I thought it would be nice to build a garden in all that empty space. Thanks to another great sponsor, and 3 great listeners, I now have something resembling a small farm. My buddy Poppajohn, who has his own farm in Wetumpka, called and offered to bring his tiller over to cut some furrows and turn up the soil. He stopped by one afternoon and suddenly my small garden idea became seriously long rows of dirt just begging to be seeded…but with what? When I was a kid in Chicago, our family grew tomatoes in the backyard and they were always great. Robust and flavorful, Pops always credited the profound turdage produced by our 2 dachshunds. He’d shovel their waste over the garden dirt with prodigious results. “Great tomatoes!” our dinner guests would proclaim. “What’s your secret?”. The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
Pops never credited Heidi and Gretel. For help, I went to see my long-time friend Randy Burkhalter at Prattville Farm Center, a wonderful place that ironically, resembles “Drucker’s Store” from Green Acres. It has everything Oliver Wendell Budell needed, including the wisdom of Randy himself, an expert on growing stuff. Greg’s Planting Stick
I left with a dozen tomato plants, bell pepper plants and envelopes filled with hand-shoveled seed, each with handwritten planting instructions. Using what’s called a “planting stick”, I began the arduous process of putting down the seeds as instructed but had to “MacGyver” the plants.
Soon, green things were sprouting but I forgot to label what I planted where and some looked weed-like. Great listeners to the rescue! Herman, a regular at our Wednesday evening Baumhower’s gatherings came by and we installed “tomato cages”, so the plants would grow up and not out. “84”, another Newstalk regular and a guy with real farm experience, has become my Personal Agriculture Commissioner. He quickly separated the weeds from the chaff, and was able to identify what was growing just from the sprouts coming up. Impressive!
A NEW LOOK AT
ESSENTIAL OILS
Rich Thomas is in charge of rain so I don’t get $500 water bills. What a friend! Randy Burkhalter gave me the seeds with the proviso I would “share my bounty”. I will, although if there’s enough, a roadside veggie stand on Saturdays is an option to help pay for my daughter’s wedding next April. I just need one more thing. Anyone have some overfed wiener dogs to help fertilize Greg Acres?
Greg’s Acre I couldn’t find any of my old garden tools (lost in the move) so I Greg Budell lives in Montgomery with his wife, improvised, using a large metal crock pot Roz, and dogs Hershey and Briscoe. He’s been spoon to dig the holes.
It was hard work, but I got everything in. More weight loss, and enough bending over to tighten a few ab muscles.
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
to learn more visit my website
jimwatson.myzija.com
Greg Budell's column is proudly sponsored by McDonald & Hagen Wealth Management
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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Eating Smart with Tracy Bhalla
Amazing Ginger! So, last week I succumbed, finally-after about 2 years deliberation, and bought a juicer. They are smaller and less expensive now than they were two years ago, plus I now have room to actually store one. I keep reading recipes which involve juicing something or other as part or all of it, so I was getting a little narked that I couldn’t try them. It arrived a few days ago and it is AMAZING – the first recipe I tried was a “Jump Start” morning juice containing carrot, apple, ginger (fresh, juiced) and NYR’s Organic Berry Complex (see website below for details). The Complex and carrot gave it just enough sweetness and the ginger – wow – that was definitely the jump start! I liked it so much I took a bottle to a neighbor’s get together and had everyone try it. They all loved it! Now we all know ginger is great for stomach upsets, nausea (pregnant women particularly, but also post-op and people undergoing cancer treatment), and aiding digestion in general, but this made me want to look in to it in more depth and see what other health benefits this amazingly tasty spice might have. And guess what, there’s a whole bunch! Ginger is among the healthiest and, I think it’s fair to say, one of the most delicious spices on the planet. It is also the most widely used dietary condiment in the world today. Fortunately, it is also loaded with nutrients and bioactive compounds that have powerful benefits for your body and brain. The Chinese and Indians have used ginger tonics to treat ailments for over 4700 years. It was traded as a high value commodity during the Roman Empire, because of its medicinal properties. The key ingredients are Gingerol, a bioactive compound with high antiinflammatory and antioxidant properties.
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It is also where its unique flavor comes from. It can be used fresh (best), dried, powdered or as an oil or juice (which are also classed as fresh). Ginger has been shown to be effective against exercise-induced muscle pain. It does not have an immediate impact, but may be effective at reducing the day-today progression of muscle pain and may reduce exercise induced muscle soreness. These effects are believed to be mediated by the anti-inflammatory properties. There are some studies showing ginger to be effective at reducing symptoms of osteoarthritis. In a controlled trial of 247 people with osteoarthritis of the knee, those who took ginger extract had less pain and required less pain medication. Another study found that a combination of ginger, mastic, cinnamon and sesame oil, can reduce pain and stiffness in osteoarthritis patients when applied topically. Ginger may also drastically reduce blood sugars and improve heart disease risk factors. Gingerols have been shown to naturally improve diabetes and enhance insulin sensitivity. A 2006 study showed that they could also suppress sorbitol accumulation in human blood cells. In layman’s terms, ginger not only helps prevent diabetes, but can also help reverse it! It also protects against diabetic complications like diabetic retinopathy. What an amazing spice!
It is ginger’s amazing antiinflammatory properties which are leading scientists to believe that it may be of great assistance in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimers, various cancers and age-related cognitive decline. Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation can accelerate the aging process and are also big players in all the diseases that focus on destroying the immune system. (Can you see that we are back to our story on Toxic sugar and all the low level, but consistent, inflammation it causes in your body??) Finally, as if all the above was not enough, ginger can also help fight off several forms of infection. In fact, ginger extract can inhibit the growth of many different types of bacteria. It is very effective against the oral bacteria linked to inflammatory diseases in the gums, such as gingivitis and periodontitis and may also be effective against the RSV virus, a common cause of respiratory infections. The Journal of Microbiology and Antimicrobials (gripping read ) published a study in 2011, comparing the ability of ginger to kill Staphylococcus aureas (commonly known as Staph) and Streptococcuc pyogenes with conventional antibiotics. Nigerian researchers discovered that the natural solution won every time! The drugs – chloramphenicol, ampicillin and tetracycline – just could not match the antibacterial powers of the ginger extract. Both these bacteria are very common in hospitals, so this finding was extremely important. In conclusion then, if you are not already including ginger in your diet in some shape or form, I would suggest that you start, and an awesome juicer may make that a little easier. 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.
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
to learn more visit my website
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
jimwatson.myzija.com
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May 2017
{12 Things} for active boomers and beyond
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA
The Crucible The Cloverdale Playhouse Thursday-Sunday, May 4th-7th, 7:30 & 2 pm
Winner of the 1953 Tony Award for Best Play. Inspired by the events of the era of McCarthyism, playwright Arthur Miller explores the mass political and cultural hysteria created by the U.S. Government’s attempts to suppress Communism and the radical leftist activity in America. Using the avenue of the Salem Witch Trials, Miller’s story focuses upon a young farmer, his wife, and a young servant-girl who maliciously causes the wife’s arrest for witchcraft. “This exciting drama about the Puritan purge of witchcraft in old Salem is both a gripping historical play and a timely parable of our contemporary society. A powerful drama.” - NY Times. Visit www.cloverdaleplayhouse.org
MILLBROOK, ALABAMA
2 Day Fly Fishing Course AWF Nature Plex-Millbrook Saturday, May 6th, 8am-11:30am Sunday, May 7th, 1:30pm- 4:30pm If you want to learn about the art of fly fishing then this program is for you! Come join us at the ANC. Doug Darr with the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division will teach fly fishing basics and techniques along with tips to catch fish. Guests are encouraged to bring their own fly rod and reel; however, we do have fly fish gear for participants. Be sure to register early as this class will fill up quickly, and there is a maximum capacity for this class. Your registration the fly fishing course, admission to the ANC, and a small fly box! www.alabamawildlife.org
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA
The 2017 Cloverdale-Idlewild Spring Concert Series Cloverdale Bottom Park, Cloverdale Rd & Ponce de Leon Ave. Sundays, May, 7th, 14th, 21st, 4pm - 7pm This is the neighborhood’s most anticipated event of the year! It is always fun and a great way to meet your neighbors and visit with friends! Everyone is welcome, so bring all your friends and family!! Leashed dogs are also welcome, so bring your furry babies as well!! Hope to see y’all there!!! Cloverdale Bottom Park, Intersection of Cloverdale Road and Ponce de Leon Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36106. Enjoy a few hours in the park, starting at 4 pm! Concert Dates: ● May 7 - Blackbird Pickers ● May 14 - Fibergrass ● May 21 - Blue Yonder, ADMISSION IS FREE! Bring your chairs or blankets (or both), coolers,
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snacks. Plan to sit under the beautiful oak trees in the park setting and enjoy the music. For more info visit the Facebook Page/CloverdaleIdlewild-Association
PIKE ROAD, ALABAMA
Music in May The Waters Square Every Sunday, 4-6pm May 7th: Heath Cowen and Brandon Hayes May 14th: Rachel Wilson May 21st: Wes Darnell May 28th: John Emil For More Information contact 334.272.3200
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA
River Jam Music Festival-Downton Montgomery Train Shed/Riverfront Amphitheater Friday, May 12th, 6pm, Saturday May 13th, 5:30pm Dust off your lawn chairs and break out your dancin’ shoes … it’s time for River Jam 2017! The fifh annual music festival is going to be bigger and better this year than ever before. The two-night, two-stage event of the past is expanding this year to include an extra stage on Saturday night. Venues will include the Union Station Train Shed on Friday night, then both the train shed and the Riverwalk Amphitheater on Saturday night. The festival will feature a diverse mix of musical genres including blues, rock, R&B, soul, jazz, reggae, funk, and Americana. Friday night will focus on talent from the Montgomery area and Saturday night will highlight national and regional touring acts. Admission is free. Coolers are not allowed, but vendors will be on site to sell food and beverages (including beer and wine). This is a rain or shine event. Sorry, no pets allowed. For more info visit alabamarootsmusic.com or funinmontgomery.com.
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA Herb Day, “Celebrating 20 Years” Old Alabama Town Complex Saturday, May 13th, 8-3 pm
Old Alabama Town Herb Society Presents Herb Day Saturday, May 13, 8 am until 3 pm at the Old Alabama Town Complex - Living Block, 301 Columbus St, Montgomery, AL 36104. Lectures/Demonstrations: Herbal Body Care, Natural Herbal Dyes, Latin Herbs in Your Kitchen, Planting The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
to Attract Bees, Butterflys and Friends, Children’s Activities 10:00 am - 1:00 pm, making, planting and coloring cool herbal stuff. Student Herbal Art Display in Grange Hall. Music in the Gardens. Vendors - Garden Art, Herb Plants, Expert Gardeners, Entertainment, Food Available for Purchase, ADMISSION FREE! For more info visit www.oathsblog.com, oathsblog@gmail.com or Facebook: Old Alabama Town Herb Society. Call 334.303.0187.
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA Brewfest-Downtown Montgomery Union Station Train Shed Friday, May 19th, 6-9 pm
Located under the Train Shed, in Downtown Montgomery. The fourth annual Brewfest will feature a large selection of Craft, Specialty and Seasonal brews from Local, Regional and National Breweries. Tickets are $25/Person & Includes a Commemorative Tasting Glass. Must be 21 or Older to Purchase Tickets. For more info visit funinmontgomery.com
GULF SHORES, ALABAMA The Hangout Music Festival Gulf Shores Beaches Friday-Sunday, May 19th-21st
The Hangout Music Festival (commonly referred to as Hangout Fest or Hangout) is the annual three-day music festival held at the public beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabama. The event features many genres of music, including rock, indie, hip hop, and electronic dance music. The main stages are the Hangout Stage and the Chevrolet Stage (located on opposite ends of the beach), as well as the Boom Boom Tent and more. For the musical lineup and more visit www.hangoutmusicfest.com
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA
Capitol Sounds Concert Band Presents “Summer Spectacular” Concert Saint James United Methodist Church Tuesday, June 6th, , 7 pm The Capitol Sounds Concert Band will present “Summer Spectacular” Concert on Tuesday, June 6th, 7:00 p.m., at Saint James United Methodist Church on Vaughn Road in East Montgomery. A highlight of the concert will be a tribute to the legendary songwriting duo of the Beatles, John Lennon and Paul McCartney, aptly titled “A LennonMcCartney Portrait”. The event is free and open to the public, but donations are gladly accepted and will go towards performances for our upcoming 2017-18 season, including our Children’s Concert. For more information about Capitol Sounds Concert Band, visit www.capitolsounds.org.
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA Tim Hawkins MPAC-Downtown Montgomery Saturday, July 15th, 7pm
Tim’s gut-busting comedy show entertains the entire family while doubling down on the funny, a daunting task in an age where the obscene has become routine. His act is 1 part gifted + 2 parts twisted, the only certainty being his on-the-nose observations that expose the ridiculousness of daily life while marveling in its hilarity. The perils of marriage, homeschooling, and growing up in the Midwest may not exemplify the rock star life, but they make for really good punchlines. For more info visit www.mpaconline.org or www.timhawkins.net
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA
Ted Nugent The MPAC, Downtown Montgomery Sunday, July 16, 7:30 pm
Since opening in 2004, The Shoppes at EastChase Farmers Market has grown every year, and is now one of the top five largest markets in Alabama. Several popular farms are scheduled to make their return with locally grown products, including Aplin Farms, Dixon Family Farm, Leatherwood Nursery, and Penton Farms. On the last Saturday of each month, the market will feature artisans and craftsmen from the popular Southern Makers event, Zumba and Pure Barre classes, live cooking demonstrations hosted by Wind Creek Casino, Williams-Sonoma and Firebirds Wood Fired Grill chefs, as well as the very popular ‘Garden Cart Giveaway’ that includes large prizes from featured vendors and a $50 gift card to The Shoppes at EastChase.
Ted Nugent has carved a permanent place in rock & roll history as the ultimate guitarshredding showman, selling more than 40 million albums, performing over 6,500 high-octane live shows, and continuing to set attendance records at venues around the globe. Nugent was named Detroit’s Greatest Guitar Player of All Time by readers of MLive, and his no-holds-barred career spans five decades of multi-platinum hits. For millions of passionate music lovers everywhere, Ted delivers the Ultimate Life Soundtrack. A Ted Nugent show is not just a performance—it’s a fire breathing celebration! For more info visit www.mpaconline.org or www.tednugent.com
Farmer’s Market The Shoppes at EastChase Saturday, May 27th, Through October, 7-12
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Tinseltown Talks By Nick Thomas
Marty Allen still making ‘em laugh Known for his trademark salutation, “Hello Dere,” his bug-eyed comic stare and wild Brillo-pad hair, veteran comedian Marty Allen is still making audiences laugh.
“After Steve and I split up, I worked as a single for many years and even acted,” recalled Allen. “Then I met Karon at a Los Angeles restaurant. She was working
Marty Allen and wife Karon Kate Blackwell
“I get up in the morning and the only thing that doesn’t hurt is my pajamas,” joked Allen, who turned 95 in March, from his home in Las Vegas. A veteran of six decades in the entertainment industry, in 1957 the Pittsburgh-raised comedian teamed up with handsome lounge crooner Steve Rossi who became his “straight man.” The union produced the incredibly popular comedy duo of Allen & Rossi. Over the following decade, the pair toured the world and appeared on every TV variety show. They amicably parted in 1968, but reunited many times, as late as the 1990s.
as a singer and piano player, and when I saw her perform I asked her to come on the road with me and the audiences loved her.”
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As for that hair, “It seemed every time I cut my hair, I’d catch a cold, so I just let it go,” he recalled. “It just took off and grew wild.” But it was TV game shows where Allen excelled as himself. “I was on them all, my favorite being a semi-regular on ‘Hollywood Squares’ with people like Paul Lynde, Charlie Weaver, and Rose Marie,” he recalled.
Allen appeared in a half-dozen feature films, some TV movies, and guest starred on several television series. One memorable guest spot was on “The Ed Sullivan Show” in 1964 with The Beatles.
“The guys had no idea who we were, but backstage they were very friendly and likable,” recalled Allen. “I remember walking over to joke with John Rossi died in 2014. and saying ‘A “He lived in Las lot of people Vegas, too, and mistake me we remained good for you!’ He Allen & Rossi with the Beatles in 1964 friends,” said Allen. thought that “I last saw him a few days before he was hysterical, me with my crazy hair, and passed away. What can I say, we were like almost collapsed from laughing.” brothers.” Like Marty’s wild hair, his “Hello Today, Allen is partnered with a new Dere!” catchphrase – also the title of straight man – or straight woman, to be his 2014 autobiography (see www. more precise – his wife of over 30 years, martyallenhellodere.com) – was not Karon Kate Blackwell. planned. He blurted out the phrase in a
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brief rare moment of on-stage confusion when working with Rossi one evening. After the show, when audience members began repeating it, he says “I knew I had a gimmick entertainers only dream about.”
Allen and Rossi
“We were allowed to write our own jokes which we would throw in when Peter Marshall asked the questions. We didn’t know the questions up front, so we really did ad lib the answers.” Allen says that throughout his career, he had a reputation of working well with others. “I approached every job I ever had with a good temperament,” he said. “I never fought with anyone and just wanted to entertain. My career and the people I’ve met have been a great blessing.” Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery, Ala., and has written features, columns, and interviews for over 600 magazines and newspapers. Nick can be reached at www. getnickt.com
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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