BOOM! May 2024

Contents May 2024

Mini-term

Bluff Festival Music-Arts-Food 20th Annual Farmers Market at EastChase

Day Tea @ Corbin Farms Winery

Publisher’s Letter

MOM

Publisher/Editor

Jim Watson

334.324.3472 cell/text

jim@riverregionboom.com

Contributing Writers

Jeff Barganier

Tracy Bhalla

Steven J. Birenbaum

Kimberly Blaker

Robyn Blessing

Greg Budell

Julie Hayes

Dr. Kathy Lindsey

M. Davis-McAfee

Susan Moore

Melania Murphy

Nick Thomas

Cover Photography

Photography by DiAnna Paulk

photographybydiannapaulk.com

Advertising

Jim Watson, 334.324.3472

jim@riverregionboom.com

What important people 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 from 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.

This month’s cover profile is Dr. Kathy Lindsey. Dr. Kathy and her husband, Dr. Mark Lindsey, started their Montgomery medical practice, Alabama Family Practice, in 1995. Dr. Kathy is a doctor who believes caring for patients is a collaborative endeavor, where patients need to understand why she advises treatment and care plans can be formed together and carried out by the patient. Dr. Kathy has a variety of interests that keep her engaged in a full lifestyle. She lives at Lake Martin with her husband, where she raises chickens, helps Dr. Mark with his beekeeping, hikes the many trails around the lake (and other remote places like Alaska and Italy), looks after her 5 Labradors…and when she turned 60, she decided to challenge herself by entering a Spartan Race (CrossFit/obstacle) with her son Dr. Thomas! Speaking of her son, Dr. Thomas just joined Alabama Family Practice as the newest doctor last October. What a special reward and joy to have your son share your passion for helping people be well and healthy. We think you’ll enjoy getting to know Dr. Kathy this month; she has special qualities that help her age well.

We have much more information you’ll want to digest this month. Greg Budell shares a story about his brilliant sister Kim, a proud and heartfelt message. Jeff Barganier heads south to explore Historic Blakeley State Park near Spanish Fort and Fairhope. Thousands of men died in what was the last battle of the Civil War. It actually took place after Grant and Lee signed their treaty at Appomattox. If you like history, you’ll want to read this one.

As I mentioned before, Sandy and I adopted a rescue cat from Atlanta many months ago. I’m not a cat person, but I have found our cat, named Squeaky, to be a very interesting creature, unlike any dogs I’ve owned. So, when I reviewed articles for this month, one of my writers offered up Cat Psychology 101. Yeah, I’m always trying to figure our cat out, so I thought a little psychology might help. We’ll see. Another interesting article is on the friendship gap that many men, especially as they age, have few friends and they’re hard to find. It takes real effort that many men don’t know how to do. If you know a man with few or no friends, pass along this article, it may change his life for the better.

Finally, let me ask all of you to support the Alabama Poppy Project which takes place the week of May 24-30 in Prattville. The poppies on display in Downtown Prattville each represent someone who served in the armed forces. It’s beautiful to honor loved ones who honored us with their service. Please step up and support the Alabama Poppy Project with your own poppies honoring your loved ones. God Bless them All

There’s plenty more to dip into this month, including a new Word Search worth $50 BOOM! Bucks if you can complete it and text me with your name for our monthly drawing. Congratulations to Stefani Steele for being our April Word Search Winner!

Thank you for taking a few moments of your valuable time to read the May issue and maybe share it with friends and family; your support means the world to us. Have a great Spring! Age Well, my friends.

Jim

jim@riverregionboom.com

General Surgery at Jackson Hospital

Wesley Barry, Jr, MD

1722 Pine Street, Suite 904 Montgomery, AL 36106

334-265-9225

Manuel Caceres, MD 1722 Pine St., Suite 201 Montgomery, AL 36106

334.264.8741

Jad Chamieh, MD 1722 Pine Street, Suite 201 Montgomery, AL 36106 334-293-6858

Brian Gary, MD

1722 Pine St., Suite 201 Montgomery, AL 36106 334.293.6858

Parham Mora, MD

554 McQueen Smith Road N. Prattville, AL 36066

334.361.6126

A big misconception about general surgeons is that they are generalists and not specialists. In fact, they are quite specialized in their training, but this specialized training is over a very broad area. Their training may include rotating from different areas such as trauma, colon-rectum, plastic surgery, endocrine, critical care, cardiac, or transplant.

General surgeons don’t just operate on patients, they also evaluate patients who are sick before surgery, and oversee care after surgery. Most surgeries in a hospital are performed by general surgeons. They are privileged to follow a patient’s full journey from diagnosis and treatments through recovery. This allows general surgeons to connect with their patients.

A general surgery practice depends on the needs of patients around them. Many will also Sub-Specialize. Examples are breast, trauma, cancer and weight loss surgery. Our general surgeons have expertise in multiple types of surgery, including:

• Abdominal surgery • Bariatric (weight loss) surgery • Cancer surgery • Digestive tract biopsy or resection • Endocrine system assessment and repair • Head and neck surgery • Hernia repair • Pediatric surgery • Trauma surgery

Whenever possible, we use minimally invasive surgical techniques. These methods allow us to use smaller incisions that could shorten your hospital stay and speed your recovery time.

We encourage you to talk openly with our surgeons. Consider asking your doctor:

Is this an outpatient or inpatient surgery? What are the possible complications of this surgery? What kind of anesthesia will be used? Will you need any special preparation prior to surgery? Do you need to stop taking any medications before surgery? What type of care will you need at home? When can you expect to return to your regular activities? What can you do to help speed your recovery?

For more information visit www.jacksonclinic.org/specialty-care/general-surgery/

Jackson Hospital Foundation Announces "The Band Party" - An Evening of Music, Food, and Philanthropy.

The Jackson Hospital Foundation is thrilled to invite the community to its muchanticipated event, "The Band Party," set for May 9th, 2024. This exclusive gathering will occur from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM at the elegant Central Restaurant, promising an evening filled with live music, gourmet cuisine, and artisanal drinks. Highlighting the night's entertainment are the sensational musical talents of Chevy 6 and Dixon Darling. These renowned acts promise to deliver unforgettable performances, setting the stage for a vibrant celebration. Tickets for this splendid affair are priced at $150 per person, offering an unparalleled experience of enjoyment and camaraderie. Adding to the excitement, the Foundation is hosting a "Whiskey Collection Giveaway," an opportunity for attendees to win an exquisite selection of fine whiskeys. Raffle tickets are available at $40 each or a bundle offer of 3 for $100, with proceeds directly supporting the Jackson Hospital Foundation's mission to enhance healthcare services and patient care. Join us for a night of celebration, music, and giving back. Secure your tickets for "The Band Party" and be a part of an event that promises not only a fantastic time but also an opportunity to contribute to a noble cause. For tickets and more information, please visit https://thebandparty.my.canva.site/

Jan's Beach House Grill Jan's customers are family!

Facebook Post From Jan:

To our many loyal customers and friends of the Beach House- It is with great sadness that I post that our building is being sold and torn down. I know this information is all over town and I had intended to wait until I had the exact date that we will be closing to post anything; however, so much is being said that isn't true that I thought I should let y'all know the facts. The company who is buying the property has graciously agreed to let us stay here for 90 days after the closing date. Hopefully the closing date will be in June so that would mean we would have the summer to still be together. Our 12th anniversary is in September so maybe we'll get to have our last fabulous Luau!!

As for the future, I will be turning 70 this week and I just got married so I don't

plan on opening a new restaurant. Keith and I are going to travel some and enjoy married life here in Montgomery. We are already making plans with all of our friends here at the Beach House to figure out how to stay together and still hang out.

We are truly one big happy family here! Employees and customers have become so close and truly feel like family. I've met more wonderful friends in the last 12 years than I could ever have imagined. I'm encouraging my staff to carry on with a new place but that's totally up to them. They're all a lot younger than I am!

But as for now, come see us and enjoy this precious time we have left. For those who aren't regular customers and don't know what makes this place so special, it's the people who work here and come here. We love each other and are always happy to welcome new friends. You'll see more older folks dancing and hugging each other than you've ever seen anywhere. We have great food and the best live music in town, but it's the people who really make the difference. I love y'all from the bottom of my heart. Jan

Share your comments and read hundreds more from fans of Jan's at www.facebook.com/JansBHG

MY SISTER CAN BLOW UP YOUR SISTER

Actually, my sister wouldn’t harm a fly.

She could, if so inclined, roast a fly with the power of a thousand suns because she is a nuclear physicist.

It’s Meet My Sister Month in BOOM!. Kimberly Susan Budil is one of America’s Most Brilliant.

"A true story from the Greg files"

I was visiting Chicago from Miami in the mid-80s. Kim was preparing to commence from the University of Illinois as the only honors graduate in the entire Physics program. We were on our way to a Cubs game. I’d been reading a book about Robert Oppenheimer and the Manhattan Project (sounds like a wedding band ..lol) when she casually let it drop that she could make an atomic bomb. I looked at her with incredulity.

“Really?”, I asked.

“Sure”, she replied confidently. “It’s easy. All I’d need are the fissionable materials and BOOM!”.

Well! Let’s head right over to Scholar General and get some!

My kid sister is a certified genius. Before I present an excerpt from her Wikipedia page, let me explain why our last names are spelled differently. “Budil” is the original family spelling, but it’s always been pronounced “Bue-dell”. My Dad always intended to change the spelling to

match the phonics but never got around to it. My brother and I legally changed ours with Pop’s approval, but Kim kept the original.

I’m not going to argue with someone sporting a 183 IQ. I refuse to debate a woman who aced (as in “A”) every class of her entire scholastic career. Every semester, every class from K to PHD.

I had to cheat to a “C” in biology (though may I boast that my high school gave me the English Department Award upon graduation because I was already putting those skills to work in the real world? No? OK).

Kim did not win the English Department Award. She was merely Valedictorian in high school, and Valedictorian and Salutatorian for her college class. She was the sole honors graduate, so she was awarded both titles.

There is good reason to believe that Kim and the team she leads at Livermore will merit consideration for a Nobel Prize. That’s incredible. I will have to treasure my Most Home Runs trophy in the Ashburn Softball League from long ago and a few radio trophies collected along the way.

Back on point here.

Here’s a direct excerpt from Wikipedia- “Kimberly Susan Budil (Kim Budil) is an American physicist who is the 13th and current director of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, making her the first woman to hold this position. She completed her bachelor's degree in physics from the University of Illinois Chicago, and her master's and doctorate in applied science from the University of California, Davis. She collaborated with Nobel laureate Donna Strickland, and made significant contributions to the field of high-power, ultra-fast lasers. Starting her career at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in 1987, she held various roles across government departments, including the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense. In 2014, she managed relations between the University of California's campuses and the three Department of Energy labs it manages. Budil, who was made a fellow of the American Physical Society in 2019, has also been a prominent advocate for women in science.”

Greg's sister, Kimberly Susan Budil, Director, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Whew! She has Oppenheimer’s old job, the first woman to hold the position.

Last fall during one of my radio shows, a listener called to ask “if that was my sister” he’d seen on 60 Minutes on CBS the night before. It was. You’re probably wondering why I had to find out about Kim’s 60 Minutes feature appearance from a stranger.

Quite simply, I drank my way out of her life in the late 90s. She had seen me achieve my radio dreams and was once quite proud of her older bro. When the life I built was collapsing around my addictions, she wisely withdrew and refused to enable me.

It was the most loving action she could have taken. She helped me save my own life through the gift of consequences. With death my only other option, I chose to rebuild a new life based on Good Orderly Direction, one day at a time.

Kim absolutely did the right thing.

Everything I’d lost was returned when He deemed me ready.

Kim and I had many common interests, one of them baseball. One of my favorite days was in the summer of ’86, when the Chicago Cubs and White Sox were playing on the same day. We hit the north side for an afternoon game and saw the White Sox that night. Both teams won. We witnessed 13 home runs, a deep-dish pizza and captured a foul ball from a long-forgotten Baltimore Oriole.

Two years later, on 8/8/88 when I was gifted tickets to the first night game ever at Wrigley Field, who did I ask?

Not some Florida harlot! I asked Kim to witness history with me. Good thing too, as Kim would leave Chicago not long after that historic game when offered the Livermore Fellowship.

In 1993, I flew to Oakland when she married the man who ran the entire University of California-Livermore computer division. What a gene pool (no shallow end)! In 1997, a year or two prior to my descent into hell, I flew out again to attend the shower given in advance of their first baby.

I was the token Public School graduate at this event. Most everyone else attending was a mental superstar of some sort from the Livermore campus. I exaggerate not, but everyone- men and women- had larger than average heads because they were gifted with super-size brains. Most of the men were balding in their 20s because their grey matter was pushing out the hair follicles from underneath.

I tried to make conversation, but “how about those Oakland A’s?” just wasn’t cutting it. I just didn’t fit.

Most of that afternoon was spent on the back patio with a German shepherd. He was my sole intellectual peer that and I’m still not sure I was the smarter of the two of us.

Happy Mother’s Day Kim! Thank you for loving me enough to compel me to learn to love myself.

You are a genius in more ways than one.

Share your thoughts on my experiences or other comments via email at gregbudell@aol.com. It's always fun to hear from BOOM! readers.

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

By Nick Thomas

Mothers Know Best

You don’t have to be human to appreciate moms. The animal world is full of examples of mothers going above and beyond the call of nurturing duty. So moms (or grandmoms), if you’re tired of carting the kids around each week to soccer practice, cheerleading rehearsals, or music lessons, it could be worse. Be glad you’re not a kangaroo.

Baby kangaroos – joeys –probably get the best deal of all in the animal kingdom: a free ride in mom’s warm pouch for up to a year. And to think, you complain about your stretch marks!

Wolf spiders are exhausted mothers, too. They carry their egg sacs wherever they go and even open them for the spiderlings when it's time to hatch. The young promptly scramble onto their mother's back and begin life with a piggyback ride for up to half a year. Could you imagine being stuck in the minivan with the kids for six months?

Some days, human moms probably could do with eight arms like the pygmy octopus. After laying its 150 eggs, Ma octopus will gently caress them with her suckers to prevent algae and bacteria from growing. She lightly squirts them

with streams of water to keep the eggs oxygenated. When ready to hatch, the mother's gentle caresses become more violent to help each baby octopus escape from the egg case. Most octopus mothers will not eat after laying eggs. By comparison, human mothers have been known to camp out at the local deli during pregnancy.

Hell hath no fury like a protective mother. This is especially true for crocodiles. Croc moms are intensely defensive of the nest site, attacking intruders that venture too close. As the hatchlings begin to emerge from the

eggs, their high-pitched squeals attract the mother's attention and she digs through the mound to help them break out. Scooping them up in her powerful jaws, she tenderly carries them down to the water's edge. There, they paddle off to fend for themselves, never to be seen again. If only raising kids was that easy and economical.

While there are examples in the animal kingdom of mothers displaying a colder side (pandas letting one cub die so the other survives, or birds pushing chick runts from the nest), mothers generally sacrifice much to ensure the safety of their young offspring as they begin the perilous journey to adulthood.

And human mothers are no exception. So let’s wish them all a Happy Mother’s Day. As someone once observed, when God finished the creation of the first dad, Adam, He stepped back, scratched his head, and said, "I can do better than that!"

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

By M. Davis-McAfee

Head-Scratching Riddles

To Make You Think

Language may drastically change over time, but many of the ways in which we use it have stayed the same, a phenomenon proven by ancient riddles and “yo mama” jokes discovered on Mesopotamian and Babylonian tablets dating back thousands of years. Indeed, it seems probable that for as long as we’ve been communicating with each other, we’ve been finding ways to keep things interesting with wordplay, good-natured razzing, and riddles.

Though linguistic trickery is found in all corners of the globe, the word “riddle” originated from the Common Germanic verb rēdaną, which means “to interpret or guess.” Within the definition lies the explanation for what makes riddles so appealing and hilariously frustrating: There are often many potential answers, but it’s the guesser’s responsibility to outsmart the riddler by choosing the right one.

Riddles are part brainteaser, part joke, and part exploration into the subtle nuances of language. We challenge you to guess the correct answers to these head-scratching riddles, and then turn to page 17 to see whether you’re right.

1. I have cities but no houses; I have mountains but no trees; I have water but no fish. What am I?

2. If you eat me, my sender will eat you. What am I?

3. What living thing has a heart that doesn’t beat?

4. What’s the coolest letter in the alphabet?

5. I can fly but have no wings; I can cry but have no eyes. What am I?

6. Always in you, sometimes on you; if I surround you, I can kill you. What am I?

7. What can’t be burned in a fire nor drowned in water?

8. What word gets shorter when you add two letters to it?

11. What has 10 letters and starts with gas?

12. When you need me, you throw me away. When you don’t need me, you bring me back. What am I?

13. What kind of coat is always wet when you put it on?

9. A barrel of water weighs 60 pounds. Someone put something in it, and now it weighs 40 pounds. What did the person add?

10. What is it that, given one, you’ll have either two or none?

14. I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have no body, but I come alive with the wind. What am I?

15. What can you hold in your right hand but never in your left?

16. When is a door not a door?

Source: www.inspiringquotes.com

Toffee Pecan

Imagine the perfect chocolate chip cookie –crisp on the outside, chewy and rich on the inside, studded with pecans and toffee, and with the perfect blend of sweet and salty flavors.

Ingredients:

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

2 to 3 teaspoons vanilla extract (see note)

1 large egg

1 large egg yolk

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup chopped pecans

1 cup chopped toffee pieces

Instructions:

< Preheat the oven to 325°F and line a cookie sheet with parchment or a silicone baking mat.

< In large bowl, stir together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar. The butter should be soft enough to mix thoroughly, but not melted. Add the vanilla, egg, and egg yolk and stir until combined.

< In another bowl, measure the flour by spooning the flour into the measuring cup and leveling it off. THIS IS IMPORTANT!

< Add the baking soda and salt and whisk together.

< Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and stir to combine. This might take some work, but it will combine.

< Add the chocolate chips, pecans, and toffee pieces. Mix well. Allow the dough to rest about 5 minutes.

< Use a 1 1/2 tablespoon cookie scoop to portion the dough out onto the prepared pan placing them about 4 inches apart.

< Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Work in batches to use the remaining dough. Cool on the pan for 5 minutes before moving to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

Source: https://southernbite.com/chocolate-chip-toffee-pecan-cookies

Alexander City Jazz Festival!

For over 30 years, friends have gathered in downtown Alexander City, Alabama to celebrate their love for live music and good times. Born out of a 100year birthday celebration for Frohsin’s Department Store, Alexander City Jazz Festival has grown to become one of the southeast’s longest-running, free-toattend music festivals with a guest list of musicians and bands that highlight the community’s passion for fun and entertainment. Featuring three bands in downtown Alex City’s Strand Park on Friday and three more at The AMP on Lake Martin on Saturday night, Jazz Fest offers a mix of sounds spanning the musical spectrum from blues, jazz, funk and soul to Americana, bluegrass and rock-n-roll. Whether you’re a first-timer or a Jazz Fest lifer, we welcome you to the latest version of Alexander City’s very own Jazz Festival. For more info and tickets visit www.alexcityjazzfest.com

ATTENTION BUSINESS OWNERS

The Montgomery Symphony Orchestra’s Announces Its 2024-2025 Season

During an event at Hilltop Public House, Montgomery Symphony Orchestra (MSO) leadership announced details about the upcoming season 2024-2025 season. The MSO stated its proud to continue bringing some of the finest and rising star symphonic artists to the River Region. These much-anticipated guests include BBC Radio-recognized violinist Geneva Lewis; America’s Got Talent alumni Jimmie Herrod; ClassicFM and Recording Academy of America flautist Stephen Clark; and pianist Jeffrey Biegel, whom Leonard Bernstein referred to as “a splendid musician and a brilliant performer." Other season highlights include the return of the film concerts with family favorite Home Alone in Concert.

The sterling artist line-up is equally matched by a robust program of Symphonic Masterwork favorites and features several selections by American Composers. The celebration of American

symphonic music has been a priority of Music Director and Conductor Jamie Reeves – a focal interest that has now manifest into commissioning new pieces.

Symphony patrons will begin seeing more native Alabamians on the program through the Alabama Composers Project. This multi-season initiative will commission a series of new works created by composers from Alabama, or whose work has been strongly influenced by our state's history and cultural heritage. “The MSO aims to engage composers from a broad range of experience, from emerging early-career composers, to the most sought-after composers working in the field today,” said Reeves.

"Over the course of many months of planning this new season, I have been thinking a great deal about our mission as an organization and what we bring to our community. Presenting symphonic concerts is central to our mission, and

as we look ahead to the 2024-2025 season our goal is to bring the city of Montgomery and the River Region a world-class musical experience.

2024-2025 Subscription packages are on sale now, ranging from $50-$150 for all four Masterworks Concerts and Holiday Pops. Home Alone in Concert is an add-on performance. Single ticket sales will open on July 1, 2024.

For more info call, 334.240.4004 or email montgomerysymphony@gmail.com

A Letter from LIFE ON WHEELS

Hi Everyone,

Today one of our longtime volunteer drivers asked me "If abortion is illegal in Alabama why are ya'll so busy?" He is echoing the question I hear almost every day.

This is why: Because 63% of abortions now are "at home" chemical abortions using pills that women are ordering online. These pills are coming from overseas and other states where abortion is still legal. Women are coming to us for ultrasounds to see if they are "in the window" for taking the pills (10 weeks or less). We are hearing such heartbreaking stories. One of our clients thought it was no big deal but ended up delivering her baby (15 weeks) alive and holding him in her hands as he died.

The good news is that abortion pill reversals are possible if the woman contacts help before she takes the 2nd pill; usually within 24 hours of taking the first pill. In Montgomery 2 weeks ago we tested an abortion pill reversal video on TIktok and got 30 calls in 4 days! There are local doctors ready to help if a woman calls soon enough. The national abortion pill reversal helpline number is 1-877-5580333

I met a business woman last week who had an abortion years ago. She is currently married to a church leader and has never told him about her abortion. The shame and guilt are still there being used by the enemy at every opportunity.

Abortion healing classes are also available for women still dealing with the aftermath of a decision to abort. We are connecting with a recovery group that can even offer virtual classes. Please feel free to contact me if you know of someone who needs to be connected with one of these no-cost providers. To all our friends of Life On Wheels I want to be sure you know that there is help and hope for women who may right now be in your congregations, offices, classrooms, and neighborhoods. We're here to help, Until abortion is unthinkable.

Robyn Blessing, Life On Wheels Executive Director 334-221-8166, www.lifeonwheelsalabama.com

Gogue Center welcomes Broadway smash “Come From Away” to Alabama

Tony Award-winning musical scheduled for two performances, June 18 and 20

The Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center at Auburn University presents the national tour of “Come From Away,” a Broadway musical about the true story of the small town that welcomed the world, Tuesday, June 18 and Thursday, June 20 at the Woltosz Theatre in Auburn, Alabama.

The touring production of “Come From Away” will feature Kathleen Cameron, Trey DeLuna, Addison Garner, Andrew Harvey, Andrew Hendrick, Hannah Kato, Chelsea LeValley, Kristin Litzenberg, Miranda Luze, Stanton Morales, Candace Alyssa Rhodes, Molly Samson, Erich Schroeder, Jason Tyler Smith, Nathan David Smith, Shawn W. Smith, Dekontee Tucrkile and Andre Williams.

“Come From Away” features a book, music and lyrics by Olivier, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award winners and Grammy and two-time Tony Award nominees Irene Sankoff & David Hein, directed by Tony Award winner and Outer Critics Circle Award winner Christopher Ashley, musical staging by Olivier Award winner and two-time Tony Award nominee Kelly Devine, and music supervision by Olivier Award winner and Grammy Award nominee Ian Eisendrath. The tour is directed by Daniel Goldstein with musical staging by Richard J. Hinds, based on the original Broadway direction and choreography.

“Come From Away” features scenic design by Tony Award winner Beowulf Boritt, costume design by Tony Award nominee Toni-Leslie James, lighting design by two-time Tony Award winner Howell Binkley, sound design by Olivier & Outer Critics Circle Award winner and Tony Award nominee Gareth Owen, orchestrations by Olivier Award winner and Grammy & Tony Award nominee August Eriksmoen, music arrangements by Olivier Award winner and Grammy Award nominee Ian Eisendrath, tour music supervision by Wendy BobbittCavett, and casting by The Telsey Office. The “Come From Away” tour stage

management team is led by production stage manager Abby Bobb and is supported by assistant stage manager Gloria Bontrager-Thomas. The company management team is led by company manager MAckenzie Douglas with assistant company manager Jacob Ambrosia. The tour music director is Sarah Pool Wilhelm.

“Come From Away” tells the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night, and gratitude grew into enduring friendships.

On September 11, 2001, the world stopped. On September 12, their stories moved us all.

Charles McNulty of the Los Angeles Times called the show “An affecting, stirring and unpretentious new musical. Christopher Ashley's production lets the simple goodness of ordinary people outshine sensational evil,” and Bob Verini of Variety raved, “Superb! Canadians Irene Sankoff and David Hein have forged a moving, thoroughly entertaining tribute to international amity and the indomitable human spirit.”

A “Best Musical” winner all across North America, the smash hit musical has won the Tony Award for “Best Direction of a Musical” (Christopher Ashley), 4 Olivier Awards (London) including “Best New Musical,” 5 Outer Critics Circle Awards (NYC) including “Outstanding New Broadway Musical,” 3 Drama Desk Awards (NYC) including “Outstanding Musical,” 4 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards (North American Tour) including “Best Production,” 4 Helen Hayes Awards (D.C.) including “Outstanding Production of a Musical,” 4 Gypsy Rose Lee Awards (Seattle) including “Excellence in Production of a Musical,” 6 San Diego Critics Circle Awards including “Outstanding New Musical,” 3 Toronto Theatre Critics Awards including “Best New Musical,” 3 Dora Awards (Toronto) including “Outstanding New Musical/ Opera” and “Outstanding Production,” and the 2017 Jon Kaplan Audience Choice Award (Toronto).

The Grammy Award-nominated original Broadway cast recording of “Come From Away” is available digitally and in stores everywhere. Grammy Award winner David Lai and Grammy Award nominees Ian Eisendrath, August Eriksmoen, Irene Sankoff & David Hein served as album producers.

For additional information on “Come From Away” and to purchase tickets, contact the Gogue Center box office by telephone at 334.844.TIXS (8497) or via email at gpactickets@auburn.edu Tickets are available for purchase online at www.goguecentertickets.auburn.edu

Addison Garner as Beverley Bass and the touring cast of “Come From Away”

Photo: Matthew Murphy

By Kimberly Blaker

Cat Psychology 101 – How To Coexist in Harmony

What does it mean when your furry feline friend puffs its tail? What's the best way to handle your cat's neuroticism? Why is your kitty scratching up all of your furniture?

The truth is, cats have darn good reasons for most of their behaviors, none of which are intended to punish you or drive you crazy. So, the trick to prevent or remedy problems is to better understand your cat. This will result in a more adjusted cat and a peaceful coexistence between you.

Even insisting on interaction with your cat can be stressful if it's more interaction than your cat wants.

FIVE PERSONALITY TRAITS

As most cat owners can attest, cats definitely have their own personalities. Like humans, every cat has a combination of traits that make up its unique personality. In fact, researchers from the University of Australia published their fascinating findings on cat personality in the journal, PloS ONE, in August 2017. The researchers refer to the cat traits as the “Feline Five.” Dominance, agreeableness, extraversion, impulsiveness, and neuroticism are the traits that blend to form a cat's personality. The researchers explained that understanding cat personality is helpful, so cat owners can better nurture their feline companions.

Dominant cats tend to bully or act aggressively toward other cats. If you bring home a young kitten, discourage it from grabbing or biting you or playing aggressively. This will help prevent it from

growing into a dominant cat. If you have multiple cats, feed them in separate areas to reduce competition. Also, give your cats equal time with you to reduce the possibility of jealousy. When your cats play together nicely, reinforce it by giving them plenty of praise, petting, and treats.

Agreeable cats are gentle, friendly, and affectionate toward people. So, what more could a cat owner want? The truth is that even an agreeable cat can have its drawbacks. Because of their friendly, affectionate nature, an agreeable cat might often paw at you for attention. If so, set up a routine for cuddling, which might help. Also, consider adopting an additional cat to keep your cat company. Just make sure it's not too dominant. Extraverted cats possess self-control and are decisive and persevere. At the same time, they tend to get bored easily and need plenty of stimulation. Extraverted cats should have plenty of toys, human interaction, and, perhaps, other cats to play and socialize with.

Impulsive cats tend to be erratic and reckless. This often results from a stressful environment. Factors that can cause your cat stress include other pets in the home, young children, confinement, or lack of access to hiding places or a litter box. Even insisting on interaction with your cat can be stressful if it's more interaction than your cat wants. Resolving many of these issues is self-explanatory. So, evaluate the situations that could be causing stress and try to remedy them.

Neurotic cats can be fearful of people, anxious, insecure, suspicious, or shy. Offer these cats additional hiding places, as well as quiet spaces. Also, just like with impulsive cats, look for environmental stressors that might be aggravating your cat's neuroticism.

CAT BEHAVIORS

The following are a few of the common signals and behaviors every cat owner should understand.

Feline vocalization

When your cat meows, it's usually asking for something. Although, it could just be saying 'hello.' The more frequent and intense the meows get, the more intent your cat is on getting you to respond. But, if the meowing is continuous, particularly after trying to satisfy your cat's needs, your feline may be sick or injured and need to be seen by a veterinarian.

Nonstop yowling can also be a sign of discomfort or illness. Cats yowl out of worry when their territory is threatened, or they want to mate.

Some cats even yowl when they're bored. Many a cat owner has experienced this frustrating sleep interruption. Since cats are nocturnal, try to combat this by helping your cat adjust to a nighttime sleep schedule. Keep your cat awake more during the day, particularly in the evening before bedtime. You can also leave out food and water at night to pacify your bored cat.

Purring usually signifies contentment. Although cats sometimes purr when they're worried as well. You can decipher the meaning by looking at your cat's body language. A tense posture and ears laid back most likely indicate worry. Hissing, snarling, or growling is a clear warning to back off, or else. When a cat feels threatened, it might scratch or bite. So, remove the threat (such as your playful puppy or toddler) immediately.

Tails tell a tale

A cat's tail movement says a lot about

what it's thinking or feeling. When a cat sweeps its tail widely, it's annoyed or wants to be left alone. If a cat becomes very agitated or frightened, its tail movement is intensified and sweeps back and forth rapidly. Either cue indicates the cat wants to be left alone. The latter signal also indicates it's ready to flee or attack.

Cat's tails can puff up too, which can be for several reasons. If your cat's tail puffs up with its ears erect and whiskers pointed forward, the cat's usually happy or having fun. But, when a bristled tail points straight up or down, possibly coinciding with an arched back and flattened ears, the cat is fearful. When the fur on a cat's whole body puffs up, the cat's very angry and might even hiss. Cats sometimes do this to intimidate. But it can also mean an attack is imminent.

Those destructive claws

If your cat still has its claws, you've probably dealt with the frustration of snagged upholstery, carpet, or drapes. But this is instinctive behavior cats do for several reasons. First, it's kind of like

a kitty manicure. Cats do this to shed the dead frayed layers and sharpen their claws. It's also one of the ways cats mark their territory. Finally, it's a natural part of feline play and stretching.

To combat the problem, give your cat a scratching post. Cats each have their own preferences, though. So, you might need to try a variety of shapes, upholsteries, and other characteristics. Also, keep your cat's claws trimmed. When your cat does scratch on other objects, clap loudly, so the cat stops.

Some cat owners opt for declawing. The American Association of Feline Practitioners recommends against this. The procedure is much more invasive than most people realize and can result in infection and extended pain during recovery.

Kimberly Blaker is a freelance writer. She also owns an online bookshop, Sage Rare & Collectible Books, specializing in outof-print, scarce, signed, and first editions; fine bindings; ephemera and more at sagerarebooks.com

12th Annual Crawfish Boil benefiting the Pike Road Patriot Fund-Benefitting Pike Road Schools

Get ready for the tastiest event of the year as the 12th Annual Pike Road Crawfish Boil makes its highly anticipated return on Saturday, May 18, 2024!

Hosted at Century Church from 10 AM to 6 PM, Century Church is located at 1001 Marler Road Pike Road, AL 36064. This favorite community event promises a day

filled with great food, live music, and lots of fun, all in support of a great cause.

The Pike Road Crawfish Boil brings the community together for what we all believe in – PIKE ROAD SCHOOLS! Proceeds from the event directly benefit the Pike Road Patriot Fund, which benefits arts and athletics for Pike Road Schools. We are excited

to share that over the past decade, the Pike Road Patriot Fund has donated $190,343 to arts and athletics for Pike Road Schools, and that’s all thanks to YOUR support!

With nearly 7,000 pounds of freshly boiled crawfish, attendees can expect to eat! In addition to some delicious crawfish, you can also expect music performances throughout the day and entertainment for the entire family.

Tickets are priced at:

$50 for adults

$30 for ages 13-18

Children 12 and under are FREE

For those seeking an elevated experience, VIP tickets are available for $100. This includes a private tent with fans, tables, chairs, and an air-conditioned bathroom nearby. A private crawfish table is also included.

Guests are encouraged to bring along their tents and coolers to enhance their experience, while hamburgers, hot dogs, BBQ, and other treats will be available for purchase.

For more information or to secure your tickets, you can visit www.prpatriotfund.com

We can’t wait to see YOU at the Pike Road Crawfish Boil!

By Melania Murphy

Mom Bought an RV?!

I freaked upon learning that, at 82, she bought an expensive motorhome on a whim, but it became a precious purchase for both of us

"What do you mean you bought a motorhome?" I asked. I knew my 82-year-old mom was going to the Tampa RV show, but I thought it was just a fun thing to do on a Friday night.

After her third husband passed away nine months earlier, she went through a phase of unwanted freedom — no need to rush home after her volunteer shift at the thrift store to take care of her ailing spouse. No need to carve out hours each week to take him to doctor appointments.

down to a bed, I played along, texting back that it was cute and looked fun.

My mom would call me in Chicago around 5 p.m. at the end of my workday because that's when she'd get lonely. She mentioned a daydream of jumping behind an RV wheel and seeing sights around the country now that she had no one to take care of at home. I'd play along, but each time I was convinced I had talked her out of it.

I Thought It Was a Dream, Until It Wasn't She knew nothing about RVs — had never driven or camped in one before — wasn't mechanically inclined, was on a fixed income and in my opinion, at her age, should not be driving around the country alone in one.

So, when she sent me pictures that Friday evening of a Jayco Redhawk and the interior bench table that could fold

But when her sister called asking what I thought about my mom buying an RV, I freaked.

"Mom!" I spouted. "You bought the RV?"

"Yep, isn't it exciting?" she replied.

"Mike, the nice salesman, said this one would be perfect for me — it's easy to drive and hook up at the campground."

I Overreact to the News

"Ok, don't worry Mom, I'm sure there's a three-day cancelation clause," I rambled, my mind instantly going into remedy mode as if she were one of my kids with a problem I had to fix. "Send me the contract and I'll call him tomorrow." "Oh. You don't think I should have an RV?" She sounded so deflated.

Her tone went from optimism and excitement to shame and embarrassment. I instantly realized my mistake and that old feeling of

never wanting to disappoint my mom appeared.

She still went to dance classes three times a week, ushered at two theaters each month, and was active in her church. Her friends were cheering her on and my siblings didn't seem concerned, so was I overreacting about the potential physical and financial threats?

Let's Give It a Try

"You know what, you're right Mom," I told her the next day after discussing with my husband whether we'd be comfortable supporting her ambitious dream. "This will be exciting. Let's go on this new journey together."

She was thrilled. The gloom of the previous year had dissipated. She seemed giddy with possibilities of all the adventures she would have in Whimsey — the name she gave her camper because she bought it on a whim.

My husband and I flew to Florida, and we drove with my mom to the Jayco dealership. We walked with her around the camper as the technician recited a 30-minute introduction to "everything you need to know" about owning a 24foot Class C motorhome, and then he handed her the keys.

She got behind the wheel and started the engine. At 4 feet 9 inches tall, she sat on a cushion to see over the steering wheel

Margie Krogel, the author's mother, at Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground | Credit: Courtesy of Melania Murphy

and practically had to stand up and put all her weight into turning the ignition key. My husband sat in the passenger seat, and I buckled myself in the bench seat at the table and said a little prayer. She put it in drive, and we slowly pulled off the lot and onto the highway on her inaugural trip to Disney World's Fort Wilderness Campground.

Handles Like Her Old Pickup

She had no problem handling the RV. The Ford dashboard and van-like chassis reminded her of driving the pickup truck on her Wisconsin farm 20 years earlier.

We got to our campsite, and everything was exciting and new — checking in for the first time, hooking up the electric and water lines, operating the slide out to extend the bedroom. She made notes on her checklist so she'd remember the sequence of setting up next time.

summer cabin in Wisconsin.

I was so proud of her and happy I could make this dream come true for her. As long as I can remember, I felt I had to protect my mother, so in an unresolved childhood dysfunctional way, I felt very accomplished. To celebrate this momentous day, we whooped it up at Disney's Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue.

Piling Up the Mileage

Over the next five years, Whimsey put on over 40,000 miles driving from Florida to Chicago to Montana to Oklahoma, and many stops in between. My mom collected patches of her destinations and attached them to a valance over the table window and stuck souvenir magnets on the stove fan hood. She made excuses to visit friends and family members so she and Whimsey could go on another adventure — a friend in Indiana, a cousin in Iowa, our

When my son scratched his cornea during a trip to New Orleans, Whimsey became an emergency vehicle. I administered his eye drops every 30 minutes while my mom and husband alternated driving the 13 hours back to Chicago. Whimsey became her companion. In between trips, my mom would drive to the causeway by her home, have a cup of coffee and read her magazines under the RV awning. Occasionally, she would drive Whimsey to her shift at the thrift store just to get her motor running and tires rolling. When a hurricane was forecasted for her town, she and Whimsey headed for safety.

Inevitable Misfortunes

There were a few mishaps. In Montana, Whimsey collided with a deer. And in Georgia, a tire blew. My mom got Whimsey safely to the shoulder but then got too close to a guard rail and the passenger side of the RV peeled back like a can of sardines. Physically, everyone was fine — except Whimsey and the deer — just emotionally shaken.

One trip my mom and I had longed to do for years was to drive around Lake Michigan, but one thing after another kept delaying the trip — one year it was the pandemic, another was soaring gas prices and the following year Whimsey was in the repair shop.

Finally, in 2023, we took seven days

and drove around the southern tip of Lake Michigan in Indiana, up the scenic Michigan coast, over the Upper Peninsula, and down through Door County in Wisconsin.

Looping Around the Lake

Our journey took us through the tourist towns of Saugatuck, Grand Haven and Traverse City where we shopped in the cute gift stores, ate butter pecan ice cream and drank Chardonnay at picturesque restaurants by the lake.

Back inside Whimsey, she popped in a Barbra Streisand CD and belted out her favorite songs while doing the speed limit on Highway M-22.

We took a carriage ride around Mackinac Island and sat on the wall of the Grand Hotel. My mom reminisced about how she brought my siblings and I there as children but was only able to afford grilled cheese sandwiches.

Now at 87, my mom still has no problem driving Whimsey, but the arthritis in her hands makes it difficult to tighten the hoses when she arrives at the campsite, and she gets tired more quickly.

Next Generation of RVers

This summer, Whimsey will go on her last adventure with us. My mother said she can be done driving a motorhome, but not done traveling. She is gifting the RV to my husband and me so we can trade her in for a bigger, 37-foot Class A motorhome.

My husband and I will now be the drivers and she'll be our passenger. I'm sure we'll shed a tear while we ceremoniously remove the Whimsey decal and lay it to rest.

The years that I've traveled with my mom and Whimsey have been precious. Her impulsive act at the RV show turned out to be a priceless gift that I'll treasure forever.

Melania Murphy is a freelance writer specializing in a wide range of topics from parenting to married name gender equality to life after 50. She is a mother, stepmother and soul mother of six grown children and four grandchildren scattered throughout the country.

Source www.nextavenue.org

From left: Margie Krogel, Dennis Nyhan and the author Credit: Courtesy of Melania Murphy

By Steven J. Birenbaum

Men and the Friendship Gap

How men can develop new friendships as we age

Despite its long-standing reputation as a land of abundance, America can be more of a barren desert when it comes to male friendship. One in six American men are unable to name even one or two close friends. A little more than one quarter of men today report having at least six friends. Contrast that with 36 years ago, when a majority (55%) reported having at least six close friends.

Such extreme social isolation has led U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy to declare an epidemic of loneliness, with implications for long-term health and longevity, including increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

Now aged 54, and having experienced periods of intense loneliness in my own life, Murthy's announcement has led me to wonder, why is it so hard for men to

form and maintain close relationships as we age?

Friendship Gap Opens

I pinpoint my friendship gap to when a close friend, a constant companion for hiking, biking, movies and sporting events, moved from the Bay Area, where I live, to Southern California in 2017. My deepest friendships predate my moving to California 25 years ago, and when Jeff moved, I wasn't able to replace him with anyone else with whom I had a seamless overlap in interests, and who was as available (he has no kids).

The onset of the pandemic in 2020, with its fundamental changes, exacerbated things. Like other extroverts, I missed having the office as a "second place" for community and friendship, a problem that may be ongoing for millions of

us who no longer regularly go into a workplace.

I was also experiencing a major role change at home: my kids were growing up and no longer needed me in the same way. I had been the parent who planned family trips, vacations and cultural outings — the self-described "Chief Fun Officer." I relished that role.

College and COVID Take a Toll

When my oldest daughter left for college in fall 2021, it hit me really hard. I subsequently learned from my mother that my father experienced something similar when my brother and I left for college. (The impact of this role change among parents is a topic that deserves further exploration.)

Like most families with children, our collective social life revolved around our kids. Most of the couples we socialized with were the parents of our children's friends. Yet, at some point during the COVID quarantine these opportunities to get together dried up. None of the other dads reached out to make plans. Were these actual friendships? While friends of convenience are important, they aren't the same as deep, lasting friendships. For one thing, they're easier to dispose of without explanation.

How Men Connect

Social constructs around gender reinforce the way many men unconsciously operate. According to Judy Chu, who researches boys' relationships and development, the signal to "man up" begins as early as kindergarten. Young boys, she said, "are conditioned to not reveal things in a place you know is going to be unsafe to do so."

The result, says Fred Rabinowitz, who teaches at University of Redlands and studies male friendship, is that "men are taught to shut down our emotional lives from early on." This impulse to exhibit strength, competitiveness and stoicism makes it harder to be intimate and vulnerable, with anyone, of any gender. As women have ascended in school, the workplace, politics and elsewhere, the need for men to be like Gary Cooper, who Tony Soprano longingly referred to as "the strong silent type," feels outdated. What women (and men) need, Rabinowitz said, is somebody they can talk to. Once again, pop culture is mirroring this shift. Characters like Ted Lasso, with his fuller range of emotions and ease at expressing himself, offer a new model of masculinity.

An Epiphany

A turning point for me came in October 2022, during a hiking trip to the Grand Canyon with three fraternity brothers from college. The combination of being lifted up and laughing nonstop for three days was the tonic I needed. The most remarkable part was how effortless it all felt, despite the decades apart.

That trip was an a-ha for me: if I

wanted more male friends in real life, I would have to work at it. I went home determined to use my skills as an organizer to make it happen. I joined a tennis club. Around the same time, I formed an all-male book club composed of neighbors on my block and some dads I hadn't been in touch with much since our kids were small.

And I resolved to continue to organize an annual (co-ed) trip to the Indian Wells Open tennis tournament in California. As noted by Aaron Karo and Matt Ritter, hosts of Man of the Year, a popular podcast on male friendship, being the designated organizer in a friendship group is a critical role and one that can be taken for granted (reward your organizers, people!).

Lonely? You Are Not Alone

If you feel isolated and yearn for more friends, here are some practical tips that may help.

Practice vulnerability: While it isn't easy for many of us, finding ways to be more unguarded is a key part of developing meaningful friendships. Chu and her colleagues have found that boys are more open and vulnerable with each other when engaged in a "side-to-side" activity (whereas girls tend to be more comfortable talking face-to-face). A friend with two boys made the same observation to me unprompted. I find it easier to open up more during a long car trip, when hiking or sitting side-by-side at a ball game. These situations may be a gateway to opening up more with other men.

Diversify your portfolio: As with finances, it's important to diversify our assets — in this case, friendships. These days, I've noticed I'm doing activities with men of different ages, from early 40s to almost 80. Are you interested in baseball, politics, jazz or birdwatching? Make a list of your interests, then a list of people you already know that you could invite to join you for an activity you like to do. Reach out: I skied twice last month with a guy I barely knew. It happened after I ran into his wife and lamented that I didn't have anyone to go skiing with. She

said, "Oh, Greg loves to ski." We shared a hotel room and clicked on the long car rides. I feel like I've made a good new friend.

Someone else I have known since college told me that a fellow dad recently approached him and said, "You seem like a cool guy, I'd like to get to know you better.'" It's hard to argue with that opener.

Rabinowitz says to follow your instincts: "You may be thinking, 'I really like this guy, but I don't want to bug him." Instead, think, "What's the risk?"

Join a group: In 2022, I went to an event hosted by The Men's Circle, a local men's group in the Bay Area that meets weekly. In the end I decided the group wasn't for me, but I'm glad I tried it. Groups like these have grown more and more common in the past five or six years in many parts of the country.

If you cannot find an existing men's group, consider starting one. You may be surprised by how many other men in your area may have a similar desire but are waiting around for someone to organize them.

Show up: As we get older, "90% of friendship is about showing up," says Karo, of the Man of the Year podcast. This can take a variety of forms. "It can be as simple as texting somebody and saying, 'Hey, just checking in. I know you lost your job. Or I know you lost a family member. I know you're going through a hard time,'" he said.

Who do you miss in your life right now? Make a list, then commit to getting in touch.

Steven J. Birenbaum is a writer and communications strategist. His work has been published in The New York Times, among many other outlets and publications. His radio essays appear regularly on KQED Radio in San Francisco. He is on X at @StevenBirenbaum.

Source: www.nextavenue.org

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By Julie Hayes

Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities: A Model for Aging in Place

In Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities or NORCs, aging in place isn't just an option; it's a way of life

Have you ever noticed a neighborhood in your community where older adults seem to have thrived, setting down roots and staying long after becoming empty nesters or even retiring? Perhaps certain aspects of the community in question have enticed them to stay, such as close proximity to health care organizations, access to reliable public transportation or the presence of walkable streets leading to vibrant commercial districts.

While most people can think of at least one such place, what they may not know is that these communities have a name — Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs). And in these neighborhoods, aging in place isn't just an option; it's a way of life.

Understanding NORCS: Characteristics and Benefits

Orion Bell, President and CEO of Benjamin Rose, a Cleveland-based nonprofit focused on supporting the aging journeys of older adults and those who care for them, has recently become a bit of an encyclopedia on NORCs after beginning work to bring the model to the organization's own neighborhood.

"In a NORC, at least 40% of residents are aged 65 and older," Bell explains. "NORCs are not planned communities for older adults. They are areas where, just through the normal pattern of people moving and establishing their homes there, the residents have chosen to stay and age in place."

NORCs should also be identifiable as neighborhoods, with set boundaries. "For a NORC to be effective, they need to be compact," says Bell. "About the size of an elementary school district is a good standard, or about 500-600 households if you're taking high rise apartments in cities like New York into account."

Most importantly, the services already

existing within a NORC make it easier to provide for the needs of the older adults who live there. "NORCs create an opportunity for service coordination, an elevation of things that already exist," Bell adds. "They offer amenities like home- and communitybased services, senior community centers, transportation services, and opportunities for minor home modifications, all based on what already exists in the neighborhood and happens organically."

In the 90s, a federal grant program through the Department of Housing and Urban Development was established to award funding to neighborhoods that met these parameters and applied for formal designation. Though the specific funding mechanism that existed back then is no longer in place, avenues for funding and recognition still exist through other sources, and the NORC model continues to serve as a tool to think about service coordination and delivery.

Aging in Place: More Than Just Health Care

Bell's interest in NORCs follows in the footsteps of Dr. Georgia Anetzberger, a former researcher at Benjamin Rose and current consultant and adjunct at Case Western Reserve University. Anetzberger conducted a research study on Community Options of Great Cleveland, Ohio, a program designed to support local older adults living in NORCs.

Anetzberger's research into utilization of NORC offerings showed that these communities are about more than just health care for older adults. Residents reported that the resources and services they most frequently used were monthly group luncheons, community newsletters, recreational outings and opportunities to get out into the community and volunteer. 82% of residents praised the support of NORCs in allowing them to continue living in their homes; 80% said they felt they had increased contact with neighbors; 71% reported better access to help when

"Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs) are not planned communities for older adults. They are areas where, just through the normal pattern of people moving and establishing their homes there, the residents have chosen to stay and age in place." | Credit: Getty

needed; and 65% felt they were given regular opportunities to give back to the community.

Larchmere: A Case Study in Cleveland Bell had previously been involved in working with NORCs at a previous position with CICOA, the Area Agency on Aging in Indianapolis, but his interest was reignited when a longtime board member advocated for Benjamin Rose to explore whether the local Larchmere neighborhood qualified as a NORC.

"The Larchmere neighborhood where the Benjamin Rose headquarters sits is a community in the city of Cleveland, not terribly far from Case Western University, that is very much an identifiable neighborhood," says Bell. It neighbors Shaker Heights, a setting literary fans may recognize from the bestselling novel and Hulu series "Little Fires Everywhere."

However, the process of establishing Larchmere as a NORC wasn't without its challenges.

"As we started to think about this project, we engaged with the Center for Community Solutions [CDC] and did a deep dive into census data," Bell explains. "If you walk the Larchmere neighborhood or attend community meetings, you see a lot of older adults, so on the surface, it looked like it would fit the necessary age demographics. However, when you take the aggregate of the neighborhood, there's a lot of student housing and some worker reentry programs based in the area with multiple apartment buildings, which pull the average age down. So in terms of a formal NORC designation, the Larchmere neighborhood doesn't perfectly fit the demographic criteria."

However, the CDC did uncover through census data that there were adjoining block groups in Larchmere that aligned

more closely with NORC criteria. Larchmere also has a better than average AAARP Livability Index score, as well as several community assets, such as area development groups, community and merchants associations, two dedicated ward councils, and two nonprofits within Cleveland's aging network, Benjamin Rose and Fairhill Partners. Larchemere also falls within Cuyahoga County, which is currently spearheading an exciting "livable community" initiative to approve the area's overall age-friendliness.

These findings laid the groundwork for the establishment of a steering committee made up of these community groups, which aimed to adapt the NORC model to the areas of Larchmere older adult residents called home.

"The idea and the concepts of a NORC can be applied to any neighborhood where there is a significant resident demand or need," Bell explains. "NORCs provide a good, research-supplemented framework of the kinds of things people in these communities benefit from and look for."

The Larchmere steering committee has already seen their work take root in the committee. "One of the things that we've found is that many residents, even if they've lived here a very long time, don't know many local groups and services exist," says Bell. "Or they might know us, but aren't aware how our organizations can connect them with our programs or opportunities. Beginning these conversations has opened the door to a lot of important information sharing and community network building."

Bringing the NORC Model to Your Community

For individuals seeking to replicate the NORC model in their own communities, Bell offers a pragmatic roadmap grounded in community-driven action.

"Check with a local Area Agency on Aging to see if you're already in a NORC," he advises. "If not, look into neighborhood census data and see what you find. Is a significant part of the population over the age of 65? Are there existing amenities in your area that can support aging in place? Would residents benefit from better structure and collaboration across local programs, entities and initiatives?"

Bell underscores the importance of prioritizing resident input in shaping NORC initiatives. "For a NORC to work, they should be person-centered," he says. "What residents want should be just as big a part of the conversation as what they need."

Drawing attention to communities where older adults thrive can also have wider benefits for cities and towns. "One of the most important things I've taken away from my work is that the NORC conversation is not just about livability for older residents," Bell concludes. "The amenities and features in the community that make it an attractive place for older adults also make it appealing to parents, or first-time homebuyers just starting out."

He continues, "Conversations about economic development, neighborhood revitalization and age friendliness should all be happening at the same time. They're not either/or choices. They're all compatible with each other in terms of what elevates the community."

Julie Hayes, MS, is a Content Manager with Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging. In her role, she oversees the development of content for the organization's website, benrose.org. She also serves as a lead writer, editor and coordinator for the organization’s editorial partnerships with Guideposts and Active Daily Living.

Source www.nextavenue.org

Plants & Gardens

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

Capital City Master Gardener Association presents Lunch & Learn, the 1st Wednesday of Every Month from 12-1 pm. They will meet at Montgomery Cultural Arts Center (Armory Learning Arts Building), 1018 Madison Ave., Montgomery 36104. Mark your calendars, June 5, 2024 “Host Plants for Butterflies” Tia Gonzalez, Horticulturist - AU, will present “Host Plants for Butterflies”. We know that Monarchs love milkweed, but what other plants will attract butterflies to our gardens? Have you tried Lantana or Passionflowers? Have you ever heard of Swamp Sunflower, Red Powderpuff, and Bahama Cassia? Tia Gonzalez has managed Auburn’s herb gardens for years and has presented numerous workshops on attracting pollinators. She is a wonderful resource! Join us to learn more about what you can do to attract butterflies!

BRING A SACK LUNCH, FREE PROGRAM, WATER PROVIDED, For information, please contact the Montgomery County Extension Office 334.270.4133. Also visit www.capcitymga.org.

Montgomery Botanical Gardens Offers Garden Photography Class in May

The Montgomery Botanical Gardens will present Capturing Beauty in Your Garden through Photography, on Saturday, May 11 at 10:00 AM in the Wisdom Wood Outdoor Classroom at Oak Park. The class will be taught by Jewell Pitts and will show participants how to set up photo shots to enhance the beauty of plants and flowers found in nature. Mrs. Pitts is a Montgomery native. She is a graduate of Xavier University of Louisiana and a retiree of the Alabama Department of Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities after forty years of service. Her hobbies include tennis, pickleball, and badminton, but her favorite hobby is photography. Mrs. Pitts particularly enjoys photographing blooming flowers and loves to share her tips for picture-perfect shots. She will discuss framing shots, light, and color and how they affect the photograph, and other suggestions for getting the most out of the photography session. Seating will be available, although participants may wish to bring folding chairs for comfort. The class is free and open to the public. Water will be furnished. Upcoming classes include Attracting Pollinators, taught by Sonya Moore on Saturday, June 8 at 10:00 AM; and Building Birdhouses, taught by Billie Crawford on Saturday, July 13 at 9:00 AM. Classes will be held in the outdoor classroom. Montgomery Botanical Gardens, Oak Park, 1010 Forest Ave, Montgomery, AL 36106. www.montgomerybotanicalgardens.com

AUM OLLI 2024 Summer Mini-term

Summer term at AUM OLLI is short – the four weeks of June. Therefore, it is the ideal time to try out some things to see if they appeal to registrants. Even though time is limited, we try to offer courses in the various categories we offer during the longer terms – study/discussion, active, and hands-on (DIY). We do not routinely offer lunch presentations and field trips during the summer term.

The summer offerings cover the spectrum of the three different categories. For the study/discussion, we are offering two courses: Beethoven at the Piano and To Kill a Mockingbird: Revisited. The music appreciation course will sample works from all three of the composer’s “style period” and discuss them in the context of Beethoven’s life and times (no musical training is required!). The Mockingbird course will consider the novel in the current climate of censorship and book bannings (To Kill

a Mockingbird is a frequently banned book and has been since its publication in 1960 – why?). Brain Bowl is AUM OLLI’s version of the TV show College Bowl. It will challenge members of the class to exercise those brain cells!

There are two course offerings to encourage people to get active – line dancing and Tai Chi. The line dancing class meets once a week and allows members to have fun while getting some exercise. Step sheets are distributed so people can continue to practice at home. Introduction to Tai Chi meets twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.). This course is designed to improve all aspects of personal health – balance, immune function, blood pressure and many others.

The offering in the DIY category is a watercolor painting course designed

for individuals who have already taken the beginner course in this series. This ensures that enrollees already have the painting materials needed for the course – Painting a Rocky Landscape. The goal is to complete a beautiful landscape with water, rock, and trees.

The annual membership fee is waived for new members for the summer term, encouraging new people to join so they can exercise their brains and bodies and develop new friendships. Go online to www.aum.edu/olli to see the schedule and course descriptions. Registration is currently open for the summer term.

Travel Experiences with Jeff Barganier

Photography provided by Jeff Barganier

Historic Blakeley State Park

Unfamiliar with its significance, I’ve passed Blakeley State Park many times on the way to Fairhope. It’s directly across from the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Spanish Fort. From I-65 South, take Exit 31 and stay on US 225 for about 15 miles. The entrance is on the right.

In the April issue, I wrote about the bloody Civil War Battle of Chickamauga in the northwest corner of Georgia. What makes Blakeley State Park an interesting addendum to that story is the fact that Blakeley is the site of the last major battle of the Civil War, occurring on the same day as the Battle of Appomattox Courthouse and Lee’s surrender to Grant.

and was fought along a three-milelong series of earthworks that may still be seen. Union victory resulted in the

The Battle of Fort Blakeley, April 2-9, 1865, was part of the Union’s “Mobile Campaign.” This was the largest Civil War battle to take place in Alabama,

subsequent capture of Mobile. According to American Battlefield Trust, the final

April 9 assault featured a “raging” charge of 16,000 Union troops against an entrenched force of 3,000 Confederates supplemented by gunboats. An estimated 2,900 of the 3,000 Confederates and 690 Union soldiers died in intense fighting. It has been alleged that some of the Confederates were killed as they attempted to lay down their arms.

Tragically, this slaughter took place about five hours after Lee had surrendered at Appomattox.

Blakeley, Alabama, at the time, was the county seat of Baldwin County. Park literature says:

“The park takes its name from the historic town of Blakeley, a riverside trading center founded in 1814. Blakeley was briefly a boom-town and one of Alabama’s largest cities before experiencing decline. Only traces of the city remain today. Human inhabitation of the

Scenes from Blakeley State Park

park grounds predates the town by several centuries, though. As far back as 2,500 years ago, Woodland Indians hunted and fished on Blakeley’s property. Archaeologists have found traces of their settlements in several areas of the park. In the early 1700’s while the Mobile Bay region was claimed by the French, an allied native group from Florida called the Apalachees established a village here. Later, British and Spanish colonial era settlers farmed the property before the area came under American control in 1813.”

it gets just as hot at Blakeley State Park in July as it does at Cumberland Island. The difference is, at Blakeley, you can be in creature comfort and enjoy excellent dining pronto.

Even foreigners study our history. According to park staffer Kim Harris, people from foreign countries have come to visit the park—French and New Zealanders, for example. “It was interesting to me that they were looking for Civil War history. And those were just recent ones. We’ve had people come in from all over the place. It’s upwards to fifty-thousand people a year who come through here,” Kim said.

A great way to experience the park is on a bike or by horseback as the park has 25 miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails on its 2000 acres. I took my mountain bike along to help cover more ground. They give you a map at the gate. But a compass would also be helpful. Even with a map, I took wrong turns.

If you have a whole day, it’s a wonderful place to hike. You’ll enjoy a wide variety of plants, some ancient trees, shallow creeks and wetlands. Certain regions of the park reminded me of Cumberland Island off the coast of Georgia—sandy, and lots of yucca plants. I imagine that

Spanish Fort, Foley, Fairhope and Mobile are minutes away. But at Cumberland Island, you’re stranded a day or two until the next ferry comes for you. And there’s no dining on the island. But that’s another story altogether. (See: Cumberland Island: Paradise Lost, August 2018, www.jeffbarganier.com.)

One of the distinguishing features of this battlefield park is the availability of excellent cabins, RV camping, and primitive camping all in close proximity to the battlefield. Civil War buffs can camp and explore to their heart’s content. Metal detectors, by the way, are not allowed. Visitors can cruise the Tensaw River, bike the challenging Cannonball Bike Trail, and participate in organized activities throughout the year. I suggest advanced reservations for cruises. Complete information is available at www.blakeleypark.com

Crews were in the park paving roads during my visit. Paved roads will no doubt enhance the experience for RV and auto traffic; and be a major plus for this park in terms of beauty and convenience in general. Indeed, one of the highlights of my visit was rounding a paved curve on my bike and beholding a couple of spring-breakers standing right in the middle of the road— kissing—under the obvious influence of considerable passion. I’m not sure they were head over heels infatuated with history. But, hey, they were loving that asphalt.

From the River Region, Blakeley can be a day trip. But if you want to spend the night and enjoy some fine dining, I found the Courtyard Marriott, Daphne/Eastern Shore to be nice lodging; and breakfast at Julwin’s Restaurant in Fairhope was a favorite treat. As I stepped from the car at Julwin’s, I spotted a paver on the sidewalk that read: MAY YESTERDAY BE YOUR TOMORROW. We Americans should know and study more history so our yesterday won’t be our tomorrow. I prefer: TRUST IN THE LORD AND DO GOOD (Psalm 37:3). Many blessings.

The Battle of Fort Blakeley was the largest Civil War battle fought in Alabama and one of the last of the entire war. Fought on April 9, 1865 after a siege of more than a week on the very day Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered his army at Appomattox, the battle resulted in a Union victory which paved the way for the capture of the city of Mobile by Federal forces. Approximately 20,000 men fought in the combined-forces affair, including one of the largest contingents of African-American troops assembled for any battle during the Civil War. Several Medals of Honor were awarded for actions during the fight.

Jeff Barganier is a novelist and travel writer. He travels far and wide upon the slightest excuse for something interesting to write about. He also manages Cindy Barganier Interiors LLC ( www.cindybarganier.com ) at The Waters in Pike Road, Alabama. His novels include Lawson’s Bluff (2021); The Slash Brokers (1998). Contact Jeff at Jeffbarganier@knology. net . You may print out Jeff’s features at www.jeffbarganier.com and take them with you when you travel!

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Montgomery's Own Red Bluff Festival-Music-Arts-Food

Vintage Hospitality Group proudly presents the second annual Red Bluff Music, Arts & Food Festival, set to take place on May 17-19th at Montgomery’s Riverfront Park. A celebration of the region’s musical heritage, the festival will feature performances by a stellar lineup of renowned artists including Eric Gales, The Jerry Douglas Band, West Love, The Happy Ghosts w/ CC Sunchild, Julie Dexter, Devon Gates & Kebbi Williams (Artist at Large), Taylor Hollingsworth, Early James, Little Raine Band, Little Kim Stewart & Funk Nation, Kirk Jay, Sam Williams’ Super Jazz Jam, Shanay King, Trew TheStar, Dave P Moore, Jonathan Michael, Charity Bowden, Jeremy Flyy, John Mark Turner, The Talismen, JustGeeter, DJ Ali, Electric Blue Yonder, DJ Randolph’s Sacred Steel Revue, John Bull & Peggy Walker and many more. In addition to the musical extravaganza, the festival will highlight the thriving visual arts scene in the community, with talented local artists showcasing their works. Attendees can also indulge in unique southern cuisine crafted by the area’s culinary maestros. Vintage Hospitality Group chefs are preparing some special treats for this year’s festival, along with local favorite chef Amber Bonds of Funky Forte, Express Yo Noodle and other local restaurants preparing delicious regional food. “This year promises an unforgettable experience as we have curated a lineup that brings together top musical, culinary, and visual talents to showcase our vibrant and historic local culture,” said William Barnes, Vintage Hospitality Group Director of Entertainment. Tickets are $40 in advance or $50 on the day of the event. Kids 12 and under get in free and can enjoy the Family Fun Zone along with great entertainment for all ages. For more information and tickets to the Red Bluff Music Festival, go to www.RedBluffFest.com.

45th Annual Jubilee 8K and 2-Mile Run/Walk at Old Alabama Town Benefitting Alabama Sheriff's Youth Ranches

Come one and all to the 45th running of the Jubilee 8K and Peggy Lanier 2-Mile Run/Walk, being held on Saturday, May 18th, 7:30 A.M., beginning and ending at historic Old Alabama Town in Montgomery, Alabama! These races are the longest-standing competitive running events in the Montgomery area. All aspects of these events are being provided by the River Region Runners (R3), your local running club. Proceeds from the 2024 Jubilee Runs will go towards the Alabama Sheriff's Youth Ranches (ASYR). “We are so thankful to R3 for supporting the Ranches in the 45th Jubilee Runs. We love the River Region and are excited to be a part of this great event.” Michael Smith, Chief Executive Officer of the Alabama Sheriffs Youth Ranches. The 2023 Jubilee Run netted $4800 for the Ranches and we would like to do more for these in-need youth! This is an opportunity to show your support for the efforts of the ALSYR to build responsible young adults. Help us promote the Sheriffs Ranch adopted motto "It's easier to build boys and girls than to repair men and women". How do you sign up? - visit www.riverregionrunners.org, and follow the instructions, if you need more info send an email to RiverRegionRunners@gmail.com to contact the President of the River Region Runners, Pete Preston.

20th Annual Farmers Market at EastChase

Saturdays are for veggin’ at the Farmers Market at the Shoppes at EastChase! To kick off the 20th season, the market will hold a Grand Opening on Saturday, May 18th from 7 AM-12 PM near Sephora. 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 to the market with locally grown products, including Penton Farms, Dixon Family Farms, H+S Enterprise, Leo’s Produce, Leatherwood Nursery, and many more. The market will feature 20+ certified, local vendors with everything from fresh eggs, homemade jellies and jams to locally grown honey and the best boiled peanuts around! Get excited to shop from your favorite vendors as well as some new, fun vendors to love! “The EastChase Farmers Market has become a River Region staple for so many families and surrounding communities.” said Sidney Carol Barnhardt, Marketing Associate at The Shoppes at EastChase. “As we celebrate the 20th market season, we are reminded how unique and special this Montgomery market is. From connecting Alabama farmers from all over the state to creating space for families to make memories, it is truly one of my favorite seasons here at The Shoppes!” The Grand Opening festivities will feature local musician Webb Dalton, local pop-up vendors, children’s activities, bounce house, giveaways, and of course our Alabama farmers! The 20th annual Farmers Market will be held every Saturday, rain or shine, May 18th-August 31st from 7 AM-12 PM.

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Magazine-Worthy Container Garden Workshop

On Thursday, May 16 from 5 - 7 p.m., join us at the Pike Road Agriculture, Recreation & Performing Arts Park (6281 Trotman Road) to create colorful, heat-resistant container gardens to adorn your home. Eric & Elizabeth Leatherwood of Leatherwood Nursery will lead this Container Garden Ag & Stewardship Workshop, guiding us through the design and creation of a magazine-worthy summertime planter that you can take home. Participants will get to choose from a variety of premium plants from Leatherwood Nursery and assemble them into either a 14” hanging basket or a 14” dish garden planter. The cost is $35 per person, which covers all materials needed. Spaces are limited! To register, use the QR code.Registration must be received no later than Monday, May 15 to participate. If you are unable to pay online or have questions, please email Jennifer Grace Kendrick at jarnold@pikeroad.us or call Town Hall at 334-272-9883.

Grandkids Alert-Jurassic Quest® May 10-12 @ Renaissance Montgomery Convention Center

North America’s most popular interactive dinosaur event Jurassic Quest® has been thrilling millions of guests for over 10 years, and Montgomery-area residents will soon get the chance to walk among the nation’s biggest herd of photorealistic dinosaurs when it visits Renaissance Montgomery Convention Center May 10-12. This threeday event provides unforgettable adventure, transporting families through 165 million years of the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods to roam among true-to-life versions of the creatures that once ruled the Earth. Loved by millions, Jurassic Quest is filled with hands-on activities, education and fun for kids of all ages: • Lifelike, scientifically-accurate dinosaur herd (some move and roar!) • Live dinosaur shows all day • The largest rideable dinosaurs in North America • Interactive science and art activities including a giant fossil dig • Real fossil exhibit featuring T-Rex teeth, a triceratops horn and a life-size dino skull • “Tricera-tots” soft play area for our littlest explorers • Bounce houses and inflatable attractions • Photo opportunities, face painting, and more! For tickets visit https://www. jurassicquest.com/upcoming-events

Frazer Church Offrs Widows Picnic - May 8

Join us for lunch on Wednesday, May 8, at 11 AM at the Frazer Pavilion. Enjoy picnic-style food, fellowship with new and old friends, and fun activities. There is no cost - however, registration is required by May 2 at 5 PM. Please register using the QR code or Email women@frazer.church with questions. Frazer Church Pavillion, 6000 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery, AL. www.frazer.church

What Does It Mean to Live for the Line, Not the Dot?

We can think of our lives in terms of a dot and a line, signifying two phases. Our present life on Earth is the dot. It begins. It ends. It’s brief. However, from the dot, a line extends that goes on forever. That line is eternity, which Christians will spend in Heaven. Right now we’re living in the dot. But what are we living for? The shortsighted person lives for the dot. The person with perspective lives for the line. his Earth as it is now (and our time here) is the dot. Our beloved Bridegroom, the coming wedding, the Great Reunion, and our eternal home in the New Heaven and New Earth—they’re all on the line.

Invincible A Glorious Tribute to Michael Jackson

INVINCIBLE, A Glorious tribute to Michael Jackson has the world's most amazing and authentic Michael Jackson impersonators. INVINCIBLE Is hailed as the #1 MJ tribute show in the world! We searched all over the world to find people who could sing and dance like Michael and worked closely with them to perfect the vision of a one-of-a-kind theatrical spectacular tribute show. There is no other Michael Jackson tribute show that gives you the feeling that INVINCIBLE... A Glorious Tribute to Michael Jackson can. It is as CLOSE AS IT GETS TO SEEING THE KING OF POP LIVE ONSTAGE AGAIN!!! It is the only MJ tribute show personally endorsed by Joe Jackson Himself!!!For tickers visit https://mpaconline.org/invincible/

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Mother's Day Tea @ Corbin Farms Winery

Join us for a wonderful event to celebrate your favorite mother(s) in your life! Mother's Day is always a special time at the winery, and we'd love for you to join us! We have a limited number of seats available, so be sure to purchase your tickets ASAP! The perfect event for all ages, and a fabulous opportunity to break out those long gloves and hats and welcome summer! Tickets are priced per person, and a ticket is required for entry. Each ticket includes small bites of your favorite tea's requirements- 3 desserts, 3 scones, and 3 sandwiches. Along with small bites, each ticket will include a cup of tea(or wine), tax, and gratuity. We will ensure that the winery is decorated in spring colors to ensure beautiful pictures! Get your tickets soon, as we only have a small amount available for this event! Refund policy: refunds will be issued, if requested 3 days prior to the start of the event. Refunds will not be issued if requested within 3 days of the event. Tickets are priced individually, and each guest in attendance will need a ticket. If you're attending with guest(s) purchasing ticket(s) separately, please email us at carley.corbin@acorbincompany.com to let us know the name(s) so that we can note your party together. To order visit www.corbinfarmswinery.com/public-events/

Ms. Ruthie is a cheerful person who is always willing to lend a helping hand. She has worked several years as a Caregiver and her experience shows when working with her clients. Mrs. Ruthie has wonderful communication skills with the clients and our office and goes above and beyond in everything she does. They love to see her big smile when she comes through the door. She is a cherished Caregiver and we are so blessed to have her as a part of our team here at HCA!!! Thank you Ms. Ruthie for all you do!

"To care for those who once cared for us is one of the highest honors. "

-Tia Walker

We appreciate your hard work and dedication, thank

Dr. Kathy Lindsey

My passion is helping people create a healthy lifestyle, whether it be controlling an illness, increasing exercise, or choosing the right foods to eat. Caring for patients is a collaborative endeavor.

This month’s cover profile is Dr. Kathy Lindsey. Dr. Kathy and her husband, Dr. Mark Lindsey, started their Montgomery medical practice, Alabama Family Practice, in 1995. Dr. Kathy is a doctor who believes caring for patients is a collaborative endeavor, where patients need to understand why she advises treatment and care plans can be formed together and carried out by the patient. She emphasizes keeping her patients healthy with an eye on preventative measures whenever possible. Dr. Kathy has a variety of interests that keep her engaged in a full lifestyle. She lives at Lake Martin with her husband, where she raises chickens, helps Dr. Mark with his beekeeping, hikes the many trails around the lake (and other remote places like Alaska and Italy), looks after her 5 Labradors…and when she turned 60, she decided to challenge herself by entering a Spartan Race (CrossFit/obstacle) with her son Dr. Thomas! Speaking of her son, Dr. Thomas just joined Alabama Family Practice as the newest doctor last October. What a special reward and joy to have your son share your passion for helping people be well and healthy. We think you’ll enjoy getting to know Dr. Kathy this month; she has special qualities that help her age well.

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

Dr. Kathy: I am from a small town near Tupelo, Mississippi. After graduating from Millsaps College, I attended the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, where I met my husband, Dr. Mark Lindsey.

We both attended the UAB Family Medicine Residency in Selma, AL. Afterward, we relocated to Montgomery to be near his parents. Our son, Thomas, who was 3 at that time, loved visiting his grandparents. They were a great support for us.

BOOM!: Dr. Lindsey, you and your husband opened your Montgomery medical practice, Alabama Family Practice, in 1995. Can you share Dr.

Kathy answering medical questions on WAKA Channel 8 Alabama News with Olivia Hankins

Dr. Kathy proudly showing off her prize Rainbow Trout from the Soque River in North Georgia.

Dr. Kathy hiking with her dog Adi on the Cherokee Alpine Trails at Lake Martin.

Dr. Kathy feeding her hens and one rooster named “Margie”.

with our readers how you became interested in medicine and became a doctor?

Dr. Kathy: As a child, I was always interested in how the body and anatomy worked. I often prayed that God would direct me to a career that would help people and fulfill my heart. As I look back on my life, I see how he directed me each step of the way from college to medical school and finally to opening our practice in Montgomery. As one door closed, another opened.

BOOM!: You’re a doctor of osteopathic medicine. Would you please explain to our readers what that means? What types of medical services do you provide to your patients? How would you describe your medical treatment philosophy?

Dr. Kathy: Osteopathic Medicine was founded in the 1800s, stemming from allopathic, traditional medicine. The philosophy of Osteopathic

Medicine embraces the prevention of illness and the development of healthy lifestyles. The whole person is treated, not just symptoms. A. T. Still M. D. founded it in the 1800’s when he observed some illnesses improved by treating dysfunctions in the musculoskeletal system. He formulated many adjustments and manipulations to treat patients. Today, osteopathic and allopathic physicians utilize these therapies in all aspects of care.

The training is essentially the same, but we take extra training on the

manipulative techniques. Mark and I are both board-certified in Family medicine, and Thomas is board-certified in Family Medicine and Sports Medicine. He also has had an extra fellowship in Osteopathic Manipulation. We treat ages 5 and up from pediatrics, adolescents and geriatrics, all illnesses acute and chronic. We have special interests in preventative care and wellness, dermatology, aesthetics, and sports medicine. Thomas cares for the musculoskeletal conditions in our practice from fractures, injuries, joint injections, PRP therapy, and manipulation therapy. We provide care for acute and chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, to mention a few, with the goal of control.

BOOM!: Dr. Lindsey, you married a doctor, Dr. Mark Lindsey, D.O., who has been your partner in Alabama Family Practice since the beginning.

Dr. Kathy with her husband, Dr. Mark Lindsey

Some of Dr. Kathy’s fur babies: Kane, Lady, Deni, Koko, and Adi.

Drs. Mark and Kathy celebrating their son’s, Dr. Thomas’, receiving the Dr. William Deshazo Sports Medicine Residency Award in Tuscaloosa.

The Lindsey family celebrating a very special graduation!

How would you describe the benefits and challenges of working together as husband and wife? Would you share your love story, how you met, and some of the secrets to your marriage success with our readers?

Dr. Kathy: After attending medical school and residency together, it was only a natural transition for Mark and I to practice together. This partnership allowed us to provide Thomas with more support in his activities when he was younger. One of us was always available to be at his events. Mark and I have provided a practice that not only sees patients but has made them part of our family. Our greatest challenge has been taking time off together and running a small business. Treating the patients is the easy part.

BOOM!: Your son, Dr. Thomas Lindsey, D.O., joined your practice last October. The word “Family” in your practice has even more meaning today. Would you please share how your son also became a doctor and now practices medicine alongside his mom and dad? What are some joys of seeing your son share your medical profession?

Dr. Kathy: Mark and I are so blessed to have Thomas join our practice. He not only brings his knowledge of Family Medicine to our practice but has expanded its services to Sports Medicine. He treats not only athletic injuries but any musculoskeletal problem, from arthritis to fractures short of surgery. A lot of our patients remember Thomas as a child studying after school in our office or making rounds with us at the hospital. They are thrilled he has joined us and look forward to seeing him. A lot of them say, “Thomas took care of that problem for me,” or I want to see Thomas.”

BOOM!: Do you have time to be involved in the community, church, or civic organizations?

Dr. Kathy: For a few years, I had the honor of participating in WAKA's “Health Answers” with Olivia Hankins. On Wednesdays, we discussed different medical topics and had an open-question-answer session with callers. Educating the public about medical problems empowers them to be healthier and have a higher quality of life. So many people have commented to me that they appreciate the knowledge they received from my contribution.

BOOM!: What are you most passionate about?

Dr. Kathy: My passion is helping people create a healthy lifestyle, whether it be controlling an illness, increasing exercise, or choosing the right foods to eat. Caring for patients is a collaborative endeavor. Patients need to understand why the doctor advises treatment. Care plans can be formed together and carried out by the patient.

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

Dr. Kathy: The River Region area has so much more now than when we arrived in 1995. Montgomery Whitewater Park, the Biscuits Baseball, the River Walk area, the Legacy Museum, and the Performing Arts Center are just a few of the recent additions. However, it is the small-town atmosphere and Southern Charm that attracted me. It is centrally located to big cities and the beach. In the future I would love to see more Farm to Table Dining in the area. We are in great need of implementing a recycling

Dr. Kathy and her husband Mark prepare to be bee keepers

One of the many bees of the Lindsey Apiary

Dr. Kathy's husband Mark inspecting the bees

program again in Montgomery.

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

Dr. Kathy: Living at Lake Martin allows us to have a little vacation every day. After a short drive home, we are greeted by our labradors, which always brings a smile to my face. In the evening, Mark will work in the Bee yard; yes, we have bee hives. I will take care of the chickens or go for a hike or boat ride with the dogs. But just sitting watching the sunset is the best way to wind down.

Dr. Kathy: Renewal means to challenge myself. I think we all need to be constantly striving to be better at something. This keeps us young. Try to find something each year to improve upon. Even if you do not reach your goal, you have improved.

most recent adventure was hiking the Cinque Terre in Italy and touring Tuscany and Florence.

One of our favorite trips is to Alaska for tundra hikes, glacier tours, and salmon flyfishing. I would love to go back to both, but I also have Iceland and New Zealand on my list. I need more time off!

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

Dr. Kathy: We often have our family and friends to the Lake, especially during the summer, for boat rides and cookouts. Introducing our friends to the great hiking trails at the lake is always enjoyable. Going for a swim or floating in the water with our dogs is a must after working the yard for the day. We try to plan fly fishing trips as often as possible. When football season arrives. Alabama games are the priority. We will have a get-together at the Lake if not going to a game. Roll Tide!

In every situation, look at the positive. People become what they think. Be Strong, Be Healthy, Be Happy.

BOOM!: Many people, as they age, experience a renewed sense of purpose, new goals, etc. How would you describe this sense of renewal in your life? Any advice for the rest of us seeking renewal?

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

Dr. Kathy: We plan trips that allow us to enjoy great food, culture, and outdoor activities. Our

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

Dr. Kathy: To age well, one must be strong physically and mentally. Eating well and exercising have helped me stay strong. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Worry is your enemy. Spend time with family and friends, laugh often, and be kind to people, and one can achieve one's best life.

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

Dr. Kathy: Flyfishing, gardening, hiking, exercise, and cooking are a few of my favorite things. We have just begun to enter our new labrador Bo in dog shows. He has already won a few ribbons.

My most challenging activity has been Spartan Races. I wouldn’t have believed I could do them, but with the help of my son, I completed my first last year

Dr. Kathy training for a Spartan Race in Atlanta, a challenge to herself when she turned 60!

Dr. Kathy and son Thomas preparing for their Spartan Race in Atlanta

A screenshot of Dr. Kathy doing the Bucket Carry in the Spartan Race

and am scheduled for another this year.

BOOM!: What are some of the future challenges you’re contemplating for Alabama Family Practice? For yourself?

Dr. Kathy: Future challenges for Alabama Family Practice and Laser Wellness is expanding the Sports Medicine and Aesthetic divisions for our patients. We hope to continue to educate our patients to live their best life. For me, my challenge is the next Spartan Race, completing more obstacles. Who wants to join me?

BOOM!: Give us three words that describe you.

Dr. Kathy: I encompass many of the Spartan philosophies of Strength, Resilience, and Determination. I have been blessed to inherit some of these from my parents, but I have to continue to work on them daily.

We want to thank Dr. Kathy for sharing some of her life's story with us this month. Dr. Kathy has many interests, especially helping her patients keep a healthy lifestyle. Having her son as a member of the family practice is a joy and blessing. We hope you’ll share Dr. Kathy's story with friends and family; they’ll enjoy the reading experience. If you want to reach out to Dr. Kathy, please call Alabama Family Practice at 334.213.3606 or visit their website www.alfamilypractice.com Thanks to DiAnna Paulk and her creative photography skills. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions about our cover profiles, including nominating someone, please text them to Jim Watson at 334.324.3472 or email jim@riverregionboom.com

Son Dr. Thomas and Dr. Kathy hike from Corniglia to Monterossa on the Cingue Terre trail by the Ligurian Sea.

Dr. Kathy’s Aunt Jimmy and cousins Jona and Martha Kay getting ready for a boat ride.

One of Dr. Kathy's special moments, Sunset at Lake Martin

Great friends spending the day on the pontoon. Some of us (not me) jumped off Chimney Rock: Scott Tynes and Mark Lindsey

The Lindsey family hiking on the Alaskan Tundra.

Alabama Ranks in the Top 10 states for Identity Theft: DON’T BECOME A VICTIM!

Montgomery and Tuscaloosa ranked in the 25 worst cities for identity theft per capita in the first half of 2023 and Alabama ranked as the eighth worst state in the country. The year 2023 was the worst year on record thus far for identity theft, with more than 500,000 complaints filed in the first half of the year for the country. Identity theft takes different forms including tax returns, government benefits like Social Security, medical insurance, credit cards, bank accounts, and other types of financial accounts.

Susan Moore of Moore Wealth Management, Inc. (MWM) in Montgomery, AL conducts a free workshop/webinar every year in May on techniques to prevent identity theft. The workshop is updated every year to include new types of identity theft that are occurring and new measures to counteract them. This year’s workshop will be conducted by webinar on Wednesday, May 29th from noon to 1:30 p.m., is complimentary and without obligation. There will be both a live and recorded version. Please call the Moore Wealth Management office for further information or reservations at 334.270.1672 or email Sarah@ moorewealthmanagement.com. If you miss the webinar, we also offer free consultations that are without obligation.

Webinar participants receive an action plan containing things to do to minimize the chances that they become victims of identity theft. Topics include methods to protect your credit rating, credit, and debit cards, as well as banking

Financial Thoughts with Susan Moore

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

and brokerage accounts. We review how criminals use scanners to collect information on cards used at ATMs, gas pumps and convenience stores. We cover how to protect your electronic exposure on the internet, your computer and cell phone, including passwords and logins, encryption, secure emails, computer hacking and viruses, spyware, and malware.

One of the areas of identity theft that is growing the fastest is in medical insurance fraud, fraudulent tax returns and Social Security benefits. We discuss how to monitor and protect these areas where retirees are especially vulnerable.

Finally, we go over common-sense techniques to thwart some of the most common ways thieves get access to your identity. For example, you should never mail payments on your bills from your mailbox at home. You should shred your boarding passes from airline

flights because they contain sensitive information hidden in the bar codes on the passes.

We conduct a variety of workshops and seminars at MWM. The mission statement of MWM is very simple: “and then some.” We attempt to do what is expected, what is required “and then some.” The Identity Theft workshop is part of our monthly “and then some” workshops. In addition, MWM conducts monthly current events market updates that attempt to explain what is going on in the financial world. If you would like to be on the mailing list or receive email notifications of upcoming seminars, please call 334.270.1672.

Susan Clayton Moore, J.D., is a financial advisor and wealth manager of Moore Wealth Management, Inc., with offices in Auburn, Montgomery, and Alexander City, AL. Susan has under advisement over $170 million (as of 1.21.2022) in brokerage and advisory assets through Kestra Financial and has been a financial planner for over 40 years. Contact Susan at 334.270.1672. Email contact is susan@moorewealthmanagement.com.

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

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

“DON’T BECOME A VICTIM!” webinar Wednesday, May 29th, Noon, Register today 334.270.1672

Webinar participants receive an action plan containing things to do to minimize the chances that they become victims of identity theft. Topics include methods to protect your credit rating, credit, and debit cards, as well as banking and brokerage accounts. We review how criminals use scanners to collect information on cards used at ATMs...and more.

To Bomb or not to Bomb?

Bath Bombs – what are they all about? They seem to be everywhere, and for sure, the kids love them. They’re colorful, they smell great, and they fizz in the bath – what kid wouldn’t love it?! But why do adults love them so much as well? Well, depending on the ingredients, they can be very stress relieving, skin soothing and moisturizing, even pain killing. So, let’s delve a little deeper.

Of course, the “bomb” name derives from the mere shape, though more like a cannon ball than any bomb I have seen (in the movies of course!) They tend to be spherical, though can be any shape as they are formed in a mold, usually of silicone. When you add it to the bath water it will fizz away for a few moments, for longer the larger it is. A 2” sphere I tried in a bath today took a good few minutes to fizz away completely. This fizzing action is simply a chemical reaction between the baking soda, Citric acid and water.

The science bit (from livescience.com): In water, baking soda quickly dissolves, and the positively charged sodium (Na+) breaks apart from negatively charged bicarbonate (HCO3). Meanwhile, the citric acid also dissolves, with a single hydrogen ion (H+) separating from the rest of the molecule, Then, that positively charged hydrogen from the citric acid and the negatively charged bicarbonate from the baking soda mingle, very quickly undergoing a series of reactions. One of the end products is carbon dioxide (CO2). Because carbon dioxide is a gas, it forms small bubbles in

the bath water, creating a delightful fizz.

Fun to watch, but it doesn’t actually do anything therapeutic for your skin, though it may help relax your mind just watching it, especially as it also turns the bathwater into colored water (red or blue or lilac, etc.) A little color therapy in your bath can’t do any harm – provided that the colors used do not actually die your bath tub or your skin! (Yes, this can happen.)

You will also find bombs with other things that get released into your bath –glitter, petals, etc. Again, just be aware of the potential pitfalls before choosing. Glitter can have quite sharp little edges so is not the best to have against delicate skin. Petals, though they look pretty, can clog up a drain quite effectively! Best to keep all additives in powdered form so they’re safe for both skin and your drains.

As with all things, look carefully at the list of ingredients and if there are things on there that you don’t want or don’t even know what they are, then don’t buy it. There are plenty of companies out there making safe bath bombs, but unfortunately there is an

equal, or greater, number of unsafe bombs out there too. Especially if you have delicate or sensitive skin, be very careful what you put in your bath. Your skin is your largest organ and ANYTHING that you put on it (and in a bath you are essentially saturating yourself in it) will be absorbed by it.

Assuming that we have checked the ingredients, and all looks well, bath bombs can have some great therapeutic benefits. If you see arrowroot powder or kaolin clay as an ingredient, then it will have good skin moisturizing properties. Just the action of having a good soak in a hot bath can help ease aches and pains, so if a bomb makes that a bit more pleasurable, then why not? Ditto for helping you to relax; both the warmth induced from immersing yourself in hot water and the pleasant fragrances released by the bomb will help both body and mind relax.

It is unlikely that actual essential oils will be added to store bought bath bombs (too expensive), but you can make your own easily enough and add essential oils to lift your mood (eg. Orange), help you relax (eg. Lavender), ease congestion (eg. Eucalyptus) and so much more. There are many bomb recipes and instructions to be found online on Pinterest and You Tube for example. These will tend not to have the preservatives and other nasties like the ones you buy in the shops, so overall well worth the extra effort, plus people love to receive them as gifts!

(Mother’s Day IS just around the corner! Hint, hint!)

email: nyrbhalla@gmail.com I web: us.nyrorganic.com/shop/tracybhalla I www. LogHouseAromatics.com