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Helpful Hints for Your Home Sponsored by Capital City Ace Hardware, The Helpful Place
10 Gift Ideas...for the guy who has everything! Every year it seems there is that challenging person on your holiday list. When the standard tie and gift card just won’t cut it, we give you our top 10 gift ideas for the guy who has everything! Yeti 20 Oz. Rambler – This isn’t your average commuter mug. You won’t believe how this rambler keeps your drinks as cold (or hot) as science allows. With 18/8 stainless steel construction, double-wall vacuum insulation, and No Sweat™ design is a must have for teachers, bosses, coworkers or just about anyone on your list. Craftsman® Heavy-Duty 6 Drawer Tool Chest – Do you remember hearing him mutter under his breath “where is that wrench?!” The Craftsman tool chest is the perfect fit to his garage, complete with a lock to keep tool snatchers from “borrowing” that tool and never returning it. Air Hawk Pro Automatic Cordless Tire Inflator – Save your lungs and put away the bike pump, this is the tool he needs. It’s a must have for every car with a powerful 125 PSI to pump everything from tires to basketballs! Weber® iGrill® 3 Cooking Thermometer – From cooks to gadget lovers this will knock one out of the park for you. No more guessing if the burger is cooked to perfection. No longer will you need to cut into a steak to check if it’s medium rare. Just insert the prongs into your The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
protein, choose the type of protein on the iGrill app and your preferred cooking result and relax! The app will alert you when your meal is ready! Weber Genesis II – Grilling isn’t just a hobby, it’s a lifestyle. It’s time to retire that old grill and upgrade their dinner game. Best part is, you don’t have to hide it until the big day. Ace Rewards customers will get free assembly and delivery on all grills $399 and up at participating locations. DieHard® Lithium-Ion Compact Jump Starter – For the man who loves to be prepared, look no further than this portable and compact jump starter. It can support up to 20 jump starts per charge and can also charge USB devices like smartphones, MP3 players and tablets. MyQ® Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener Remote – Have that guy who loves a connected home? Then make his life even more gadget packed with the Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener Remote. Monitor, open and close your garage door from anywhere with your smartphone. It’s perfect for the family that always gets locked out or needs to provide a friend with home access while they’re away.
aircraft-grade and include a bonus holster for a quick grab. They offer the light you need to get tasks done with sufficient light and are available for those unexpected dark moments. Chuckit!® Ball Launcher – For the man and the best friend in his life. At last, we can avoid bending down and picking up a slobbery ball. With this launcher you can throw farther and faster. Exercise your dog in a fraction of the time. Bodum® Brazil French Press Coffee Maker – If he loves his coffee rich and bold then look no further than this French Press. Gone are the days of waiting in line for a flavorful cup of coffee, now brew it right from home in just 4 minutes. The 3 part stainless steel mesh filter allows for premium extraction of your coffee’s aromatic oils and subtle flavors. We’re always here to help. We welcome our neighbors in Montgomery! Capital City Ace is a local family-owned hardware store ready to meet all your needs in any area of improvement in your home or property. Come see us today, we are just a few miles from your Montgomery neighborhood. Our Hours are: Mon Sat: 8 am - 7 pm and Sun: 11 am - 5 pm. Capital City Ace Hardware, 3215 Taylor Rd (1 block from Vaughn Rd.), Montgomery, AL. capitalcityace.com
Big Larry™ LED Flashlight – The perfect gift for any guy, seriously. These 400 lumen output flashlights are anodized R ive r Re gio n Bo o m . co m
November 2018
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BOOM!, The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
Contents
November 2018
Facebook.com/RiverRegionBoom
Volume 9 Issue 4
You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”
C.S. Lewis
Thought Relationships Taste Inspiration
Humor Advice Health Community
“Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.”
Carl Bard
3 10 Gift Ideas...for the guy who has everything! 6 Publisher’s Letter 8 OLLI 2019 Winter Quarter 10 A Tale Worth Telling George Sazbo 12 Stay Fit During the “Holidaze” Leigh Anne Richards
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Features
14 Understanding Dementia
40 Awesome Alpharetta -Jeff Barganier (Pt 2)
43 Holiday Traditions For You and Yours
46 Seven Ways To Get Back To Being “In Love”
Departments 20 This and That Interesting Stuff
48 {12} Things For Active Boomers
16 TRIO SOLISTI in Concert 18 How Will Midterm Elections Impact the Market? McDonald Hagen 20 Veteran's Day
44 Greg Budell Bedford Falls, Alabama (Pt 1)
23 Valiant Cross Academy 25 St. John's Episcopal Church Annual Women's Bazaar
page 24 page 20
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page 16
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27 Historic theater in Tallassee to stage original Christmas musical 29 Celebrating Care Partners Luncheon 30 THANKSGIVING Ask an Elder Law Attorney 32 BOOM! Cover Profile 39 POTATOES: Eating Smart with Tracy Bhalla
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50 Are You Living in an Age Bubble?
BOOM! The River Regions 50+ Lifestage Magazine is published monthly by River Region Publications, P.O. Box 6203, Montgomery, AL 36106. The phone number is 334.324.3472. Copyright 2018 by River Region Publications. No part of this publication can be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Opinions expressed in BOOM! The River Regions 50+ Lifestage Magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the owners, nor do they constitute an endorsement of products and services herein.
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Publisher’s Letter
Honoring the Alzheimer's Journey The mission of BOOM! is to serve the folks of the River Region age 50 plus with information and ideas to inspire new experiences, better quality of life and new beginnings.
Publisher/Editor
My mom had Alzheimer’s. And for those of us who have had to cope with losing shared memories before their time, our journey is a sad one to be sure. The “unfamiliar” look in my mom’s eyes cut straight to the heart as I realized more and more how distant she would become. We both loved to engage in good conversation, we spent hours sharing and debating, thinking about life.
Jim Watson, 334.324.3472
Eventually, you begin to love differently. You begin to love them where they are and who they’ve become, hoping for a moment of seeing “us” in her eyes, again. I saw a few of those moments and they gave me pause, a brief connection to our shared lives. The lifetime of memories we shared are still with me and I think about them often. Thankfully, I still can.
jim@riverregionboom.com
Contributing Writers Jeff Barganier Austin Barranco Tracy Bhalla Kimberly Blaker Greg Budell
Elmore DeMott Richard Eisenberg Willie Moseley Leigh Anne Richards Dr. Margaret Rutherford George Szabo Raley L. Wiggins
Cover Photography Shellee Roberts Total Image Portraits www.totalimage.com 334.261.2080
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Jim Watson, 334.324.3472 jim@riverregionboom.com Please Recycle This Magazine, Share with a Friend!
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Jim Watson, Publisher
This month’s cover profile is a woman who understands the effects of Alzheimer’s. Elmore DeMott, a Fine Art Photographer in the River Region deals with her mom’s loss of memory in a very unique way. She looks at nature and all it’s beauty. She records her experiences with a camera, her experience with a single flower each day. She began her camera journey with flowers in August 2016, the collection, a tribute to mom, is called, Flowers for Mom - Honoring an Alzheimer’s journey and celebrating nature. Elmore has been on this camera journey to honor her mom and to express her own feelings in coping with Alzheimer’s. She recently shared some of her journey with us, along with a few of the beautiful photos from the Flowers for Mom collection. Getting to know Elmore and her heart has been a special privilege. I think you’ll enjoy getting to know her as much as I did. There are many other good reads in this month’s issue, some involving learning more about Dementia, understanding these memory diseases will equip us to be better caregivers. We also have another installment form Jeff Barganier on Alpharetta, there’s a lot to do there and it makes for a nice getaway to get some new experiences! My friend, Greg Budell has another column where he leads with his heart, we all need more of that! Our financial column from McDonald Hagen written by one of their team members, Austin Barranco is about the mid-term elections, interesting info, something to think about as you get ready for the new year. There’s plenty more in the River Region’s best reading experience for people over 50, so sit back and enjoy some BOOM! in your life, it makes you feel good about getting old! Please share BOOM! with your friends and your comments with me. I love to listen. Please Like us on Facebook and sign up for the free subscription to the Digital & Interactive BOOM! online at RiverRegionBoom.com. Thanks for being part of our BOOM! Community! Happy Thanksgiving!
Jim jim@riverregionboom.com 334.324.3472 cell/text
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The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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November 2018
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The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
OLLI 2019 Winter Quarter
The 2019 OLLI Winter Quarter will feature some exciting new classes in all categories – discussion/study, hands-on, and active – in addition to popular continuing classes.
New study/discussion classes on the schedule include Ann Linder’s Cultural History of France, Jeff Benton’s Leisure Activities in Antebellum Montgomery, and the third part of Jim Barber’s History of Freedom. Two new classes will study the nature of love: Cliff Browning’s course on love will look at writings and a film about the subject; Browning’s and Nancy Anderson’s class will study the love story of C. S. Lewis and Joy Davidman through a biography, a biographical novel, and a movie (Lewis scholar Dr. Elizabeth Woodworth and Patti Callahan Henry, author of the novel, will each join the class for one session). OLLI members who love developing new skills through the hands-on classes can add to their pine needle basket weaving, jewelry making, and paper engineering talents. By enrolling in Carol Alford’s Sweet Treat Techniques,
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members will learn to decorate cakes and to mold solid and hollow sugar decorations, in addition to other confectionary undertakings. A computer class is also back on the schedule, and others will be added in coming terms. We will also add one new option to line dancing and ballroom dancing: Argentine Tango. Argentine Tango is a couples’ dance dedicated to coordination and cooperation between two people on the dance floor. Born in the port cities of Buenos Aires and Montevideo in the mid-1800s, the dance began experiencing a resurgence in 2000. In the dance, balance and technique combine with motion, resulting in worldwide popularity. This class will be taught by Philip Shelton and Renee Carlisle, who have studied Argentine tango for years and taken classes in Buenos Aires. Participants in the dance classes will be delighted to learn that there will be a new dance floor installed in a large room upstairs in the Center for Lifelong Learning. We hope that it will be completed before winter classes begin.
We are constantly looking for suggestions for new courses and ways to improve the OLLI program. Join OLLI and make a difference! We are currently working on adding some exciting new courses in addition to the popular repeated ones for the 2019 winter term, which will be highlighted in the upcoming 2019 winter, spring, and summer catalog. Come to the Open House on November 8 from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. at the AUM Center for Lifelong Learning (75 TechnaCenter Drive) to meet instructors and to see what new skills you can develop in OLLI classes. During this time, there will be an art show where OLLI participants will display the works that they have created in classes and why these courses continue to be so popular. Hope to see you on November 8th! For more information about AUM OLLI or to view a catalog, go to www.outreach.aum.edu or contact: Brittany at 244-3804.
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By George Szabo
A Tale Worth Telling
I was the primary beneficiary of a minor miracle that occurred last fall at the Montgomery Shakespeare Gardens. There I was, raking leaves from the amphitheater seats at the gardens, in the process of accumulating volunteer hours as an Intern of the Capital City Master Gardener Association (CCMGA). I had gathered 13 modest piles of leaves from the grassy seating area and started on the hardest part of the project, bending down and stuffing the leaves into one of those hard to handle big black plastic trash bags. Just then a swarm of youngsters descended on the place, running up and down, like mountain goats on the many tiers of amphitheater seats. Mom was also there overseeing the activities. When I started picking up the leaves the smallest girl of that bunch came by, and I asked her if she would hold the black plastic bag open for me. She glanced over my shoulder, looking to her Mom for approval, and agreed. After two handfuls of leaves accompanied by my groans, she gave me the bag and she picked up the rest of the leaves in pile #1! I thanked her and started to say good bye, when from behind my back came the rest of that mob, each bringing with them armfuls of leaves from the remaining 12 piles! So, the miracle! Thirteen piles of leaves disappeared into the black plastic bags, and I only bent down twice to bag them!
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Mom and I talked a little bit after the chores were done. She told me that all of the youngsters were hers. There were five of them, maybe six, and Mom told me they were all one year apart in age and liked to work together on projects of all kinds. She said that she home schooled the entire family. Can you imagine that? At least five kids, all at different school levels, home schooled, with meals, laundry, housekeeping, and so many other tasks waiting to be done? How in the world‌?
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In parting, Mom asked me whether her crew could help another time. Wow! What a nice experience! I wonder what these children will be involved in in twenty years. Even after knowing just a little bit about them, and watching them in action, I am more optimistic about the future.
I mentioned earlier that I was at the Shakespeare Gardens accumulating volunteer hours as I participated in a civic improvement project as a part of the requirements needed to earn a Master Gardener certificate. In brief, the program is conducted by the Montgomery County Extension Office on the Atlanta Highway, across from Faulkner University, and consists of 12 classroom meetings. An excellent Auburn produced text book is the core study guide for the course. Experts in trees, lawn care, tomatoes, weed control, and a wide variety of other subjects, conduct the lectures and relate these talks to the text. This program gives the participant a chance to improve their gardening skills, participate in beautification projects, meet others with similar interests and go on interesting educational field trips. Last but not least, you will get some good exercise. George Szabo, a Master Gardener of class 2016, lives in Montgomery. For more information on becoming a master gardener, visit www.capcitymga.org or email capcitymga@gmail.com.
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Stay Fit During the “Holidaze” You are busy, you’re stressed out, its dreary outside- so why not just skip the exercise program until The New Year. There are 35 days between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. You can always come up with excuses not to exercise during the holiday season but missing your workout will only add more pounds and more stress. Even the most dedicated exerciser can get derailed by the holidays. Several great suggestions have been accumulated by fitness experts and I would love to share some of those with you. • Acknowledge the holidays will probably affect your exercise routine to some extent. Once you realize that, you can make adjustments that can help you stay fit during the holidays. A life coach suggested instead of trying to squeeze exercise into your schedule, make adjustments and take other things out. The goal is not to do more but to do less and do it all well. Schedule time into your day for exercise. Let’s face it, we are all going to be eating more so not only keeping to your exercise schedule will help but add an extra workout or two whenever possible to combat some of those extra calories. • Be flexible- If you miss your morning exercise class, take a walk at lunch time or go to the gym later in the day. Even getting up an hour earlier and getting in a workout because you know the day is going to be busy helps keep you on track with your fitness • Mix up your routine- you don’t have to go to the gym. Get 10 minutes of an exercise circuit in at home by doing jumping jacks, pushup, abs, squats, etc. The list can be endless. This type of exercise program can be put into your day whenever you can grab 10-15 minutes. Remember it does not have to be for 30 solid minutes. The key is movement!! Take 10 minutes three times during that day. • Plan active family get togethers- Take a walk as a family, play an outside game
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of touch football, tag with the kids or grandkids. Make a group activity to work out together. Start a family fitness
eat. WebMD compiled the following tips to help you avoid over eating.
• Never arrive hungry- Planning ahead can help you maintain discipline in the face of temptation. Don’t go to a party starving. Try to eat a nutritious by Leigh Anne Richards snack beforehand. Drinking water also helps if you are hungry and will help fill you up before you fill your plate • Divert your attention- Many tradition. There are so many familypeople forget there is more to a holiday friendly holiday themed running (walking) party than just food. Don’t look at the events in most areas. party as just food but a time to enjoy • A New York based exercise physiologist your friends’ company. Take your mind and personal trainer advises clients to off food and focus on conversation. book a long weekend get away at a warm • Pace yourself with eating and drinking. destination for January or February. This When you are eating, put your fork down will motivate you to keep exercise as a between every bite and chew more priority. When you are tempted to slack slowly. Calories through alcohol can really off, envision yourself looking good on the add it and we tend to forget about those beach. liquid calories. Drink water or spritzer • Create a holiday wish list for your between each alcoholic beverage. physical body. This will take a certain • Step away from the food table- People amount of sacrifice as well as self tend to congregate around the food discipline table and will talk and graze mindlessly • Walking is an exercise that can go never thinking about how much you are anywhere from the woods to the mall. eating. Make a conscious effort to go in a Keep a pair of walking/running shoes separate room to socialize with you and you are ready to walk at any • Outsmart the buffet- Use the smallest time. plate available and don’t stack your food: • Do some yard work. Raking leaves is limit your helpings to one serving. Fruits a great way to work out major muscle and vegetables are great choices but groups. watch the sauces and dips. • Work towards a goal- In those 35 days between Thanksgiving and New Years Enjoy your holidays and the experiences challenge yourself to nail that perfect of this time of year. Just remember pushup, learn to do a Crowe pose in yoga, everything in moderation and add the or master an 8-minute mile. Goals and exercise component in as much as challenges keep up on track. possible. Happy Holidays!
Fitness over Fifty
Now, what to do about the overeating? During this time of year when calories lurk around every corner most Americans put on a pound or two by New Year’s Day. It is possible to enjoy holiday goodies without putting on a single pound. Portion control is the key. According to Susan Finn, PhD, RD. you can eat your indulgences- but it just the amount you
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Leigh Anne Richards, MEd, Certified Personal Trainer, Group Exercise Instructor, General Manager- MetroFitness. For any questions or comments, contact Leigh Anne at LAMetrofit@aol.com
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Digital & Interactive
When you read the Digital & Interactive version of BOOM! on your digital device you will be interactive with every website and email link in the magazine. You can click through to a writer’s source, an advertiser, send comments and suggestions, request more info and share your favorite reads on Facebook and Twitter. The Digital & Interactive version was built for the new you so go ahead and sign up for a free subscription at RiverRegionBoom.com and enjoy “BOOM!, the best reading experience for the 50+ community”
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Understanding Dementia
5 Early Signs of Dementia That May Surprise You
It can be difficult to decipher the difference between natural memory loss due to aging and the early signs of dementia. How are you supposed to know if the behaviors you are seeing in an aging loved one are normal, or the early signs of cognitive decline? We all know that memory loss is a constant thread in aging, dementia and Alzheimer’s, but there are others. One symptom doesn’t necessarily mean that dementia is beginning to occur. However, several may mean that your loved one needs to be seen by a neurologist. Here is a list of the top five early signs of dementia. Some may surprise you. 1. Vision problems: For some, one of the earliest signs of dementia is changes in vision. Your loved one may have trouble reading or seeing the differences in color or contrast. He or she may also begin to experience trouble judging distances which may lead to problems driving. You may see that your loved one is struggling to resolve spatial relationships of various types – the distance between the table and the chair, or the distance between holding a glass and putting it on the shelf. 2. Problems with words in speaking or writing: In the early stages of dementia it begins to be difficult for the sufferer to follow conversations. You may observe your loved one stopping in the middle of a conversation with no idea how to continue. They may struggle to find the right words. We all forget words from time to time and eventually remember them. People with dementia cannot retrieve the word even after trying for a time. Your loved one may also begin to repeat sentences within a conversation or say the same thing repeatedly in a short period of time.
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3. Poor judgment: Dementia changes and decreases one’s ability to make good judgments. Your loved one may ask strangers for odd things like a tissue or a quarter. They may begin to give money to telemarketers or pay less attention to personal grooming. 4. Forgetting the seasons: If your loved one is in the early stages of dementia, he or she may not be able to remember what day, date or season it is. People with dementia may think they are in a different year; one sometime in the past. They may begin to lose the ability to understand that something happened “yesterday” or will happen “tomorrow”. Time begins to shrink and dementia patients only understand what is happening in the here and now. This confusion can extend to an understanding of place. For example, your loved one may be sitting in your living room, but he or she may think they are in another place entirely – usually another place that is familiar and carries fond memories. 5. Withdrawal from work or social activities: Your usually outgoing loved one may suddenly stop participating in activities, social gatherings and/or hobbies. Dementia may make it difficult to remember how to interact or conduct a hobby. In the early stages of Dementia people realize the changes they are undergoing and as a result may avoid social interactions altogether. The more complicated and noisy the situation, the more difficult it is for them to understand. Before you start asking yourself, “what dementia caregiving means?” try to understand the signs. If you observe these early signs of dementia in a loved one talk with his or her primary care physician and ask for a referral to a neurologist for testing. Early diagnosis can lead to treatment and strategies that can make life easier and less frustrating for your loved one. Fortunately, researchers are finding new early detection and treatment for dementia!
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Dementia Care: How Early Dementia Progresses
Dementia isn’t a disease, rather it is a term used to describe a collection of symptoms that can include memory loss and confusion. It is a progressive condition with three stages; early, middle and late. Learning how to recognize the early signs of dementia can help you recognize the onset of decline. One of the most common types of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, and others include Lewy Body and Vascular dementia. Here is how early dementia progresses and the signs and symptoms that are part of that progression. It’s important to note that even though dementia has three stages, each individual will experience them differently. Dementia is a very fluid condition so there are no hard and fast rules about when a person will move from one stage to another. Some symptoms may appear in several stages, while others might not occur at all. Dementia occurs gradually and results in a slow worsening of symptoms as the chemistry of the brain and its structure are damaged. Dementia will reduce the person’s ability to: I Communicate. I Remember people, places and things. I Understand conversations, concepts and directions. I Reason. Behaviors and moods will also change across the three stages of dementia. Early stage dementia: The Alzheimer’s Society says there is “good evidence” that by the time people exhibit signs of dementia, the disease has existed for many years in their brain. The initial symptoms of dementia such as forgetfulness and difficulty retrieving words can be taken as signs of normal aging, until they begin to occur more regularly and effect activities of daily
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living. The signs and symptoms of early stage dementia include: I Memory problems such as forgetting recent events or repeating the same question over and over again. I Lapses in reasoning, planning or problem-solving with trouble thinking things through to logical conclusions. I Short attention spans that make the person easily distracted. I Language impairments including taking longer to find the right word or an inability to call an object by its name (i.e. toaster, car etc.). I Changes in visual depth perception which causes trouble navigating stairs or judging distances. I Putting objects in the wrong place, i.e. car keys in the freezer, ice cream in the kitchen cabinet. In the early stages of dementia, your loved one may realize these memory losses are increasing and as a result become depressed or anxious. It is important to reassure and comfort them.
Middle stage dementia: As dementia progresses into the middle stage personality, behavioral and memory changes will become more noticeable. I Your loved one will need more help and support with daily activities like grooming and personal hygiene. I He or she may forget to wash, eat or use the toilet. I Memory loss increases and may include an inability to recognize people. I Forgetfulness may cause your loved one to not take medication, get lost, turn on burners and not turn them off, etc. I Mood and behavior changes become more distinct and may result in outbursts, anger, frustration, or aggressive behavior.
Your loved one may walk off or start wandering endlessly around the house. He or she may mix up night and day or begin to exhibit odd behaviors like wearing pajamas outside, asking strangers for food and other socially inappropriate actions. Late-stage dementia: At this stage people will need almost complete help with daily living. They may require full-time nursing
care. They may become non-verbal. They will be physically weak, will have significant trouble walking alone and may need a wheelchair. Other signs of latestage dementia include: I Inability to recognize loved ones I Trouble eating and swallowing. I Significant weight loss. I Incontinence may begin to occur. I Behavior changes and may include restlessness, as if searching for someone. I Angry outbursts or depression. I Feeling threatened. I An inability to know where they are, time of day, etc.
Despite the difficult nature of these symptoms, it is important to remember that when you are with a loved one who suffers from dementia, he or she will respond to a kind word and a comforting touch. Understanding how to communicate with someone who has dementia can be hard, but it is still possible.It is important to soothe and reassure your loved one regardless of the stage of dementia they are in.
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TRIO SOLISTI
"Trio Solisti plays the music's socks off." - San Francisco Classical Voice "The most exciting piano trio in America" - The New Yorker "Their performance was nothing short of incredible, the sort of experience that is rare and memorable." - Palm Beach Daily News
"Zeal gave way to tender lyricism in a transcendent performance." - The Washington Post
Performing Thursday, November 29, 7:30. MMFA Wilson Auditorium
www.triosolisti.com
Fabio Bidini, piano, Trio Solisti. Fabio Bidini is recognized as one of the foremost pianists to have emerged from Italy since the days of Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli. After winning top prizes in numerous international competitions, his sensational success at both the Busoni and Van Cliburn International Piano Competitions launched his international career. His playing is noted for its technical wizardry and poetic lyricism, and encompasses a vast repertoire of 84 piano concerti and works from the baroque through the modern era. Maria Bachmann, violin, Trio Solisti. A violinist who combines outstanding musicianship with dazzling technical command, a tone of exceptional purity, and a magnetic stage presence, Maria Bachmann has received critical accolades since the beginning of her career. The New York Times hailed her as "a violinist of soul and patrician refinement... warmly lyrical, and unexpectedly sensuous." Ms. Bachmann has forged a unique profile as violinist of Trio Solisti, a solo artist, and a proponent of new music. As the artistic director of New York Friends of Chamber Music she curated a three-concert series in 2015 of the complete piano chamber music of Johannes Brahms, performed to critical acclaim by Trio Solisti and guest artists at Carnegie's Weill Recital Hall. Alexis Pia Gerlach, cello, Trio Solisti. Cellist Alexis Pia Gerlach has been lauded by the press for the "gripping emotion" and "powerful artistry" of her interpretations; qualities which have led to a career striking for its wide range of artistic collaborations. She has appeared extensively in recitals and as a soloist with orchestras across the United States, as well as in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and South America, with such conductors as Mstislav Rostropovich, James DePreist and Peter Oundjian. Her recording with pianist Fabio Bidini of the Franck and Rachmaninoff Sonatas is released on the Encore Performance label.
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How Will Midterm Elections Impact the Market? Brandt McDonald introduces his guest columnist, Austin Barranco… From time to time, I will be introducing several of our advisors through this column. They will share personalized insights into financial markets, financial planning, and overall wealth management concepts. At McDonald & Hagen, we have a deep bench of talent that is eager to serve our firm’s clients and our local community. This month’s column is written by Austin Barranco. Austin entered the financial industry in 2014 after earning a degree in Finance from The University of Alabama, with a specialization in Insurance and Risk Management, he has also earned the distinction of a FINRA General Securities Principal held with LPL. Austin and his wife Maghen live in East Montgomery with their dog Chip. In his free time Austin enjoys college football, golf, and traveling the world.
Midterm elections will be decided on November 6th, which is right around the corner. In the last 80 years there have been 21 midterm election years, but this year’s midterms seem to carry more weight than previous years. One reason for this is because we are in the middle of the longest bull market in history. Political and economic analysts have been debating how this year’s midterms will impact this historic bull market, and through my research, I’ve gained some interesting perspective. It’s no secret that over the last three quarters the market has been volatile. In fact, the SP500 moved nearly 12% this year between its lowest and highest point. Historically speaking, the market does not respond well to uncertainty, and right now it is unclear which party will control each chamber of congress. This uncertainty may be the driving force behind the current market volatility. One question that I get asked frequently is, “If democrats/republicans win the House and/or Senate in November, how will the market respond?” The answer is pretty simple. Historical evidence indicates that it will most likely respond positively to either scenario, and here’s why: The political uncertainty will be gone, and traditional
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Financial Thoughts
with Austin Barranco
and institutional investors can begin to focus on fundamentals again. See the chart below for example. This chart illustrates the last 14 midterm election cycles. Republicans controlled the political landscape in 7 of the midterm years, while Democrats controlled the political landscape in the other 7. As you can see, the party in control has very little impact on the market’s performance. In addition, it is comforting to know that in the last 14 midterm election cycles, the year that followed has consistently seen market gains. Now, history is no indication of future performance, but it is nice to know that the party in power had little impact on the market immediately following the last 14 midterm elections. At McDonald and Hagen Wealth Management, our team analyzes and prepares for numerous market scenarios. If you are uncertain about your financial future, and would like to consult a financial
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professional, please do not hesitate to contact our team. Austin Barranco, Financial Advisor Brandt McDonald, Managing Partner McDonald & Hagen Wealth Management LPL Branch Manager www.mcdonaldhagen.com Direct comments and questions to Jennifer.Hunt@LPL.com or 334.387.0094 Securities offered through LPL Financial. Member FINRA & SIPC. Investment advice offered through McDonald & Hagen Wealth Management, a Registered Investment Advisor, and separate entity from LPL Financial. Sources/Disclaimers: This material was prepared for BOOM Magazine and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting party, nor their affiliates. This information has been derived from sources believed to be accurate. Please note - investing involves risk, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. The publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If assistance is needed, the reader is advised to engage the services of a competent professional. This information should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any Federal tax penalty.
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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REMEMBERING WORLD WAR I: AN ARMISTICE CENTENNIAL CONCERT
On Sunday, November 11, 2018, at 3:30 pm, the Alabama Department of Archives and History (ADAH) will host Remembering World War I: An Armistice Centennial Concert on its front terrace. This special event, held on the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, will feature a performance by the 151st Army Band of the Alabama National Guard along with dramatic readings by the Alabama Shakespeare Festival’s Greta Lambert and Rodney Clark. The band will perform musical selections from the World War I era. The readings by Lambert and Clark are excerpted from historical letters, poems, and other materials from the Archives’ collections. “This event will provide an opportunity to commemorate and remember the service of Alabamians in a unique way. As the sun sets at the end of the concert, we hope the audience will leave with a renewed sense of the sacrifices made a century ago,” said Steve Murray, ADAH Director. In 1940, the ADAH building was dedicated as the state’s World War I Memorial. Admission to the event is free. Seating will be provided, but attendees are welcome to bring their own folding chairs. In the case of inclement weather, the event will be moved inside the ADAH. For more information, call 334.353.3312 or visit www.facebook.com/events/1085756794918223/
Birmingham, Home of America’s First Veterans Day. Although World War I officially ended with the Treaty of Versailles, fighting ceased seven months earlier after an armistice between the allied nations and Germany commenced on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. In November 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day. In an address to the nation on that day, he said, “To us in America the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service, and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of nations.” Armistice Day was set aside to honor veterans of World War I. But after World War II required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airmen in the nation’s history, a World War II veteran from Birmingham named Raymond Weeks had an idea to expand Armistice Day to celebrate all veterans. In 1947, Weeks led a delegation to Washington, D.C., to urge then-Army Chief of Staff General Dwight Eisenhower to create a national holiday that honored all veterans. In 1954, President Eisenhower signed legislation establishing November 11th as Veterans Day. In 1982, President Ronald Reagan granted Weeks the Presidential Citizenship Medal, recognizing him as the driving force behind the national holiday and the “Father of Veterans Day.” Weeks led the first National Veterans Day Parade in 1947 in Birmingham, Alabama, and he continued the tradition until his passing in 1985. This years’ Veterans Day Parade will be on Monday November 12 at 1:30, downtown Birmingham. Check it out or visit www.nationalveteransday.org.
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“Nine” Photography Exhibit Opens at Stonehenge Gallery
“Nine,” a photography exhibit featuring the work of nine Montgomery-area photographers, opens Thursday, November 8, at Stonehenge Gallery, with a 5:30 p.m. reception. The exhibition continues through November 30. Photographers in the exhibition are Bob Corley, Kay Brummal, Mark Dauber, Elmore DeMott, Vicki Hunt, Tim Lennox, Richard Metzger, Warren Simons, and Penny Weaver. The “Nine” exhibition grew out of a casual chat over coffee in 2017 between local photographers Warren Simons and Bob Corley. It soon grew to nine members attending the monthly get-together on a regular basis (there is no attendance cap; all photographers are welcome). The goal of the informal meeting is to provide an unstructured environment for photographers to share ideas and discuss everything from their individual work, to upcoming competitions, equipment selection, lighting techniques, great locations to photograph, etc. The pieces presented in “Nine” reflect not only the individual style of each photographer, but a broad range of subject matter displayed in color, black-and-white, and digitally-altered images. Photographers will be on-hand to answer questions and discuss their work. The event is free and open to the public. For additional information contact Richard Metzger, 334.262.8256 (metrichard@gmail.com), or Bob Corley, 334.202.0114 (bcorley3@gmail.com). Stonehenge Gallery is located at 401 Cloverdale Rd., Montgomery.
PIKE ROAD LIONS HOST FIRST ANNUAL “STRIDES” WALK FOR DIABETES AWARENESS
On Saturday, November 10, members of the Pike Road Lions Club, along with their friends and families, will host a Walk in the Strides: Lions 9 @ 9 for Diabetes Awareness event. The Walk will begin at Cottonwood Golf Course Clubhouse at 9 am. Join us and walk 9 holes to the finish line. The Cottonwood Golf Course is located off Trotman Road. Contact the Pike Road Lions Club at 334.235.1125. Total distance covered will be approximately 2.5 miles. Preregistration information can be found at www.facebook.com/PikeRoadLions. Registration available from 8 - 8:45 am. “There’s still time to gather your family, friends and neighbors to Walk in the Strides event. "This is an enjoyable way for the community to join together in the fight against diabetes. Two hundred people are expected to participate. Health screenings and information from local companies will be available to the public free-of-charge,” said Club President Dennis Fonville. Lions all over the world organize Strides events in their communities to heighten awareness of diabetes and its complications and to provide information on preventing and managing the disease. For more information about Lions Clubs International, visit the Web site at www.lionsclubs.org.
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Jersey Boys @ the MPAC "TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE!" raves the New York Post for JERSEY BOYS, the 2006 Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning Best Musical about Rock and Roll Hall of Famers The Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi. This is the true story of how four blue-collar kids became one of the greatest successes in pop music history. They wrote their own songs, invented their own sounds and sold 175 million records worldwide - all before they were 30! JERSEY BOYS features their hit songs "Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Rag Doll," "Oh What a Night" and "Can't Take My Eyes Off You." Sunday, December 9, 6 pm. For more info and tickets visit www.mpaconline.org or www.jerseyboysinfo.com
A New Orleans Tricentennial Celebration with Harry Connick, Jr., Holiday Edition Join Harry and his amazing band as they celebrate New Orleans’ three hundredth birthday and the influences that shaped his career. Enjoy the evening as Harry toasts this beloved city and performs a selection of holiday favorites. Harry Connick, Jr. has exemplified excellence in every aspect of the entertainment world. He has received recognition with multiple Grammy and Emmy Awards as well as Tony nominations for his live and recorded musical performances, his achievements on screens large and small and his appearances on Broadway as both an actor and a composer. The foundation of Connick’s art is the music of his native New Orleans, where he began performing as a pianist and vocalist at the age of five. Harry performs Thursday, December 13th, 7:30 pm. For more info and tickets visit www.mpaconline.org and www.harryconnickjr.com
Capital City Master Gardener Association Presents Free Lunch & Learn 2018 Capital City Master Gardener Association presents Lunch & Learn 2018 the 1st Wednesday of Every Month from 12-1 pm. We meet at the Armory Learning Arts Center, 1018 Madison Avenue, Downtown Montgomery. Mark your calendars, November 7, Capturing the Beauty in Photography, DiAnna Paulk, December 5, Down to Earth Landscaping, Karen Weber, Horticulturist. For information, please contact the Montgomery County Extension Office 334.270.4133. Also visit www. capcitymga.org. FREE GARDEN HELPLINE: Can’t find the answer to a home gardening question? Call our Free Help Line for the general public. 1-877-252-GROW (4769), Mon-Thurs 9am-1pm I March-August. The help line is operated by Master Gardener Volunteers who use research-based information to best answer your gardening questions.
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Valiant Cross Academy Work Highlighted At A Special Event In Montgomery! Beasley Allen Law Firm managing attorney and Valiant Cross Academy supporter Tom Methvin and his wife Amy held a special event to raise awareness of the mission of Valiant Cross Academy and raise scholarship funds to help expand the school’s reach. More than 175 guests and community leaders came out in full force to support the growing school for young men. “Valiant Cross Academy has helped meet a huge need in our community and made a difference in the lives of many young men,” Methvin said. “By providing a Christian environment with a heavy focus on academics and strong male role models, the institution has invested in their futures and changed the trajectory of these young men’s lives, which will affect thousands in a positive way over the next generation.” Mayor Todd Strange addressed the many guests by adding, “We are very fortunate to have Valiant Cross Academy in Montgomery as it represents the L to R: Pictured with Valiant Cross Academy scholars, Kimberly Baker, Tom and Amy Methvin, Frederick Brock and Anthony Brock. (Photo by Jon Cook) best of what we can be when we collectively share a vision to help educate our kids.” The event attendees and outside donors raised $400,000 in one evening to support this growing school. All these funds will be used to cover the shortfall in tuition dollars for the scholars. “In all my years of non-profit work, I have never seen such an outpouring of support in one room,” said Kimberly Baker, Director of Development at Valiant Cross Academy. “We had to raise the funds for these 20 young men, and the community was very willing and happy to support us. It was a beautiful thing to see and experience.” Valiant Cross Academy is an all-male school and Leadership Academy located in the heart of downtown Montgomery on historic Dexter Avenue and Troy University Montgomery. Brothers Anthony and Frederick Brock, both educators, were committed to create a school that addressed some of the issues that face young African American males. Its academic program has smaller class sizes, longer days, double the math, and triple the literacy time. These young men are learning that with honor, integrity, discipline, respect and love they can learn to overcome some tough obstacles and become anything they want to be in life. For more information on Valiant Cross Academy, please visit www.valiantcross.org or contact Kimberly Baker, Kimberly@valiantcross.org
Alabama Frontier Days
Alabama Frontier Days at Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson Park near Wetumpka will take place November 7-10. Experience one of the largest and most authentic living history events in Alabama! See the south as it transitioned from Creek Indian lands to military forts and civilian homesteads from 1700 to 1820. This snapshot of frontier life includes Creek Indians, French soldiers and their families, British traders who lived among the Creeks and American soldiers who fought in Andrew Jackson’s army during the Creek War. Additionally, there will be period entertainment featuring an 18th century magician, strolling balladeers and musicians. Saturday is Alabama Frontier Days Family Day, a great day for families to experience the event and see the forts. Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for children (6-18 years old) and free for children under six. Find Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson Park on Facebook or visit ahc.alabama.gov.
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ASF Presents The Sound of Music The final collaboration between Rodgers and Hammerstein captures a personal tale of growth and hope. After causing disorder at the abbey, the young nun Maria is sent off to be governess to Captain Von Trapp’s seven children. Maria enchants the entire family by teaching the children to sing and the Captain to love again. This delightful musical will thrill audiences with its Tony®, Grammy®, and Academy Award® winning Best Score. Directed by Rick Dildine, Performances beginning November 15 through December 30, on the Festival Stage, 2 1/2 hours, plus intermission. Recommended ages 7+. For more info and tickets visit www.asf.net
Christmas Clearing House Every year, during the holidays, families gather together to celebrate with festive decorations, feasts of all flavors and varieties and often also an exchange of gifts. What’s very easy to forget during these times of feasting and celebrating is the fact that there are so many families in our community struggling just to put food on the table for the kids, that holiday gifts and elaborate parties just aren’t in the picture for them. HandsOn's Christmas Clearinghouse is the River Regions' largest Christmas charitable giving program. We partner with over 40 social service and faith-based organizations to ensure the area's most needy families are screened for eligibility, checked for duplication and registered for assistance. Then the fun part begins - Families in need are matched with families and groups that want to help. It's that simple. We cross cultural and economic lines to spread JOY, HOPE, and PEACE for donors and recipients alike. Approximately 10,000 individuals in the River Region - including more than 8,000 children - are registered annually with the Christmas Clearinghouse. The Christmas Clearinghouse keeps families from being overlooked and makes sure that all donated resources are used wisely. For more information about partnering with The Christmas Clearing House visit www.handsonriverregion.org
MMFA 9th Annual Artist Market The Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts invites you to kick off the gift-giving season by attending the highly anticipated annual Artist Market. Members enjoy an exclusive preview Friday, November 16 evening from 5:30 to 8 PM and the event opens to the public on Saturday, November 17, 10-4 pm. In addition to our outstanding Museum Store artists, we’ve invited some new regional artists to join the Market this year. Shop local and support the River Region artistic community. You won’t want to miss this once-a-year opportunity! For more information, call 334.625.4333 or visit www.mmfa.org/discover/artist-market/
Caring for the Caregiver, Alzheimer/Dementia Support Group Meeting the 2nd Wednesday of each month, 1-3 pm at ChristChurch, 8800 Vaughn Rd. Montgomery, AL. A place for RESPITE: a pause or rest, EXCHANGING: practical information on caregiving problems, possible solutions, and resources in our community, SHARING: needs and concerns, TALKING: through challenges and discovering new ways to cope. Often, we hear caregivers say they are looking for support from people who “really understand because we have been there too.” This group offers just that-a safe place for caregivers, family and friends of persons with dementia to meet and develop a mutual support system. We welcome caregivers. For more info call 334.462.2613.
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St. John's Episcopal Church Annual Women's Bazaar
Women of Hope
Breast Cancer Support Group Tuesday, November 13th, 5:30 p.m. Frazer UMC, Room 8114 6000 Atlanta Highway Enjoy fun and fellowship with your breast cancer “sisters” and friends!
The program will be:
A New You! Presented by
Holly Thornton
Certified Mastectomy and Lymphedema Fitter, AALOS Everyone is Welcome!
For information please call 334-220-4599 or email womenofhope@charter.net www.thewomenofhope.org
For 66 years St. John's Episcopal Church has hosted its annual Episcopal Church Women's Bazaar and this year will continue the tradition! The bazaar will be held on Wednesday, November 14th. Shopping begins at 10 am and continues until 2 pm with lunch served in the Parish Hall from 11 am to 1 pm. The price for lunch is $12.00. The ECW board has been working hard along with the committee chairs to ensure a successful and enjoyable bazaar. Board members are: Caroline Lawson, Ashley Hamlett, Virginia Banister, Emily Wise, Debbie Schremser, Sarah Spratling, Jane Barganier, Florence Tyson, Sec/Treas and Catherine Woodson, President. As in years past the bazaar will feature many handmade items from the arts and crafts committee chaired by Jean Smyth and Katie Keller. Works will be on display by local well-known artists such as Camilla Armstrong who has made adorable hand crafted felt children's crowns among other things and Catherine McLemore who has made her adorable wax sheep ornaments from the candles of St. John's altar. In the Fine Arts section, headed by Florence Tyson, there will be beautiful fine art paintings by artists in our area and beyond. Decorate your home or give as a gift an enduring work of art! The Silent Auction headed by Katharine Harris always has many exciting items for Kent Jenkins, center, is surrounded by, from left, Betsy Cannon, bid- antiques, artwork, silver flatware, Cindy Seibels, Debbie Wakefield, Florence Young and Seibels serving pieces and hollowware, estate Marshall while preparing chicken casserole for the bazaar pantry in St. John’s kitchen. jewelry and more. The Pantry, chaired by Betsy Cannon, is another popular room filled with homemade foods to stock your fridge and freezer: Martha Allen's Chicken and Wild Rice casseroles, Bruce Rinehart's delicious Chicken Tetrazzini, Blue Moon Shrimp and Green Noodle casseroles, Baked spaghetti, Florence Young's Tex-Mex Chicken spaghetti, sausage quiche, homemade mayonnaise, sweet potato crisp, Butternut Squash Soup, Cinnamon Rolls, Cornbread Dressing, Spinach with Lemon Zest, Palmer's Conecuh Emily Wise with her son, Boyd wearing one of Camilla Armstrong's handmade felt crowns. Sausage Soup, Breakfast Casserole, Poppyseed Chicken, Jim Bennett's Camp Stew, Mike's Vegetable soup, Kickin' Pig Grits, Squash Casserole, Perdido Creole Sauce, Sinful 3-Cheese Potatoes au Gratin and lots more. A fun place to visit is the Treasure Attic with Michelle Shaw, chair. The Attic has a full menagerie of items for sale from housewares to table linens to jewelry, stuffed animals, books, and Christmas ornaments and decorations to name just a few, all at terrific prices. Proceeds from the Bazaar will go to Holy Cross Episcopal School. Holy Cross is comprised of children in pre-kindergarden up to sixth grade and combines "a challenging academic atmosphere and a loving, Christian environment" for children to thrive. Kitty Coleman and Debbie Wakefield, chairs of the luncheon committee, will be serving a delicious lunch of Blue Moon Crumb Chicken, Cranberry Congealed Salad, Seasoned Green Beans and tasty desserts served between 11am and 1pm. See you there! For lunch tickets, call 334.262.1937. St. John's Episcopal Church, 113 Madison Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama 36104. For more info visit www.stjohnsmontgomery.org, @st.johnsbazaarfacebook and instagram
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Mid-Alabama Coalition for the Homeless (MACH) Annual Blanket/Coat Drive On any given night, there are more than 700 homeless men, women and children in shelters and on the streets in Montgomery. As the winter cold settles in, the MidAlabama Coalition for the Homeless (MACH) is planning its annual Blanket Drive to help meet the needs of Montgomery's homeless population. During the month of November, MACH will place PODS storage containers to serve as collection points for new and gently used blankets, coats, hats, socks and other winter wear. PODS storage containers will be located at: • Festival Plaza Shopping Center at the intersection of Taylor and Vaughn Roads • Cloverdale Playhouse at 690 Cloverdale Road • Montgomery Biscuits Stadium loading dock entrance (Coosa Street). The PODS containers will be open on the first three Saturdays in November (3, 10 & 17) from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm to accept donations from the public. Volunteers are needed to accept and tally donations and prepare donation receipts. Visit www.handsonriverregion.org, lunch will be provided for all volunteers! If you'd like to make a donation at another time, call 334.261.6182 and MACH personnel will be happy to schedule a convenient drop off time for you. Thanks for helping keep our homeless warm during the upcoming winter months!
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By Willie Moseley
Historic theater in Tallassee to stage original Christmas musical 2018 has been a memorable year for Tallassee’s Mt. Vernon Theatre, which re-opened a half-century after it closed in 1968. A years-long restoration initiative culminated with the January debut of an original play, Dear Mama: Letters and Music from World War II being presented at the theater.
The Magic of Christmas was written by local playwright Adrian Lee Borden, and will feature local actors and musicians, most of whom have participated in previous Tallassee plays. Borden also wrote Dear Mama, as well as other plays that were presented in Tallassee several years ago.
In the ensuing months, Mt. Vernon Theatre has maintained an active and diverse schedule of events. Numerous musical and comedic performances as well as religious seminars have been presented, and of course, movies have also been shown. The restored theater has been praised for its excellent acoustic properties.
Director Jeanna Kervin, who helmed several earlier plays, is onboard as co-director of the new play along with Borden.
And in a full-circle maneuver, the concluding presentation for the theater’s first year of revitalization will be another original play that alludes to previous theatrical productions in Tallassee, but the upcoming production also interpolates a Christmas theme.
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the musical ensemble will be utilizing mountain dulcimer, guitar, bass, banjo, concertina, and pennywhistle as authentic accompaniment.
The setting for The Magic of Christmas is in the Appalachian mountains of eastern Kentucky in 1918, near the end of World War I. The plotline chronicles the lifestyle of an impoverished family whose patriarch is fighting in Europe. Music for the play will include traditional carols and hymns, as well as lesser-known Appalachian Christmas music, which will be played on instruments associated with the era and location. Under the direction of Rose and Bob Taunton,
Borden noted her newest effort evolved as a Christmas play from its inception, and also averred that her writing was influenced by how the production would be staged in the Mt. Vernon Theatre. The play is being presented by the Friends of Tuckabatchee, an ancillary organization of the Talisi Historical Preservation Society. Kervin also is the publicity director for that group, and she described The Magic of Christmas as “…clean, family fun.” “Christmas is a special time,” she said, “and we hope this play will become an annual family tradition. The play is full of hope, as is the Christmas season.” Performances are scheduled for Saturday, December 15 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, December 16 at 2 p.m. Tickets $10; www.mtvernontheatre.org, WACQ or (334) 283-2722.
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Ask an Elder Law Attorney
By: Raley L. Wiggins | Attorney at Law | Red Oak Legal, PC
THANKSGIVING
memory loss that disrupts daily life, or November is here, which means the holiday get something from the kitchen. My confusion with time or place. season is in full swing. To me, Halloween grandmother looked at us, with a puzzled is like a warm-up for the “real” end-oflook on her face, and said, “Steve? His It was the third warning sign on their list the year holidays. Gorging myself on my name’s not Steve.” that caught my attention: “Difficulty with kids’ Halloween candy is just a preview of the upcoming battle against the We quickly figured culinary temptations of Thanksgiving, out she wasn’t Christmas, and countless holiday joking. In fact, she parties in between. Estate Planning and Asset Protection Workshop couldn’t name a single person in Wednesday, November 28: Hosted by Red Oak Legal, PC: 1:30-3:30 Of course, the holiday season is the room. What pm at the Archibald Senior Center (MACOA) in Montgomery. This ultimately about spending time with was particularly educational workshop presented by local attorney Raley L. Wiggins the people you care about the most, strange is that and people go to great lengths to she knew who we covers wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, living do so. Thousands of Americans will were—her daughter, wills, probate administration, protecting assets from creditors, suffer through the monotony of a son-in-law, and her bankruptcy, divorce and remarriage, nursing homes, long-term care long drive, the mild humiliation of an grandchildren— just and Medicaid qualification. Registration is required. airport TSA security screening, or even not what our names Call 334-625-6774 today to reserve your seat or register online at the unique odor emanating from a were. seat partner on a long-distance bus www.redoaklegalpc.com. trip, just to be home for the holidays. A trip to the hospital ultimately provided a completing familiar tasks at home, at work In my line of work, the holiday season is a diagnosis—vascular dementia, a condition or at leisure.” They provide examples as busy time. It’s the time of year when adult with Alzheimer’s-like symptoms caused by having trouble driving to a familiar location, children take time off from the distractions a series of small strokes. In the short-term managing a budget, or remembering the of their everyday lives, and everyone is back she did improve and remembered all of our rules of a favorite game. It’s the last line in town to see Mom, Dad or Grandma. names. However, over the course of the that really spoke to me. It states: “What’s next ten years, her memory slowly slipped typical? Occasionally needing help to use This is the time when many families begin away. the settings on a microwave or to record a to notice, to suspect, and even to discuss, television show.” the fact that a loved one may be showing This year, pay attention while you’re home signs of cognitive decline. for the holidays. Ask questions and talk In the mid-1990’s, no one on earth could with your family if you think a loved one operate a VCR as well as my grandmother, As a lawyer, I typically use the term may be experiencing diminishing capacity. who lived with my family during childhood. “cognitive decline” rather than “dementia” If they are, the time to plan for their future She had a true skill for deciphering VCR or “Alzheimer’s.” These are closely related is now. Talk about who they would want recording instructions clearly written by medical issues, of course, but I feel that to care for them or manage their affairs if someone with only the faintest grasp of cognitive decline more accurately addresses they are no longer able to do those things the English language. She always managed the legal consequences of these conditions. for themselves. Encourage them to have a to record all of “her shows,” as she called good power of attorney, advance directive, them, and has a vast library of reruns to It is rare for someone to suddenly become living will, and last will and testament in choose from. incompetent (to use the legal term) place. overnight. Instead, it is usually a gradual We didn’t know it then, but looking back process in which a person’s cognitive This can be a tough conversation for now it’s obvious. Gradually, she began to function slowly declines. The difficulty children to have with their parents. Just struggle to operate the VCR the television. is distinguishing between ordinary, old remember that you’ll be the one picking up In hindsight, this was a sign of things to age forgetfulness, from something more the pieces, whether your parents do any come. serious. planning or not. The best time to get their affairs in order is now, while they are still in A few years later, on Christmas morning, The Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org) relatively good health and spirits. we finally learned that her cognitive lists 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s on Raley L. Wiggins decline was neither minor nor attributable their website. The complete list is worth Attorney at Law, Red Oak Legal, PC to old age forgetfulness. I recall my reviewing if this is a topic that concerns 334-239-3625 | info@redoaklegalpc.com mother calling for my father, Steve, to you. The warning signs on their list include 322 Catoma Street, Montgomery, AL 36104,
Attend Free Workshop
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BOOM! COVER PROFILE
Elmore DeMott, Flowers for Mom
This month’s BOOM! Cover Profile is Elmore DeMott. Elmore is a Fine Art Photographer who uses her artistic talent to tell a story. Her stories are created through her camera for a client's goal, an editorial assignment or as she says, "through the personal experience of finding respite in flowers". Elmore's mom has Alzheimer's and because Elmore expresses her thoughts and emotions through her camera lens, she began shooting photos of flowers, one of her mom's true loves. She shoots a flower with her camera every day, one flower each day. These flowers have become her personal story, a Camera Journey of the beauty of nature and the flowers that brought joy to her mom for many years. The Flowers for Mom Series is a Fine Art Photo Collection that is a joy to experience, the beauty of flowers that can soothe your soul. We have featured a few of these photos from Elmore's work, but you can see more at www.elmoredemott.com. You can also experience them at Jackson Hospital, Dr. Pam Strickland's office, and an upcoming Fine Art Photo exhibition at Stonehenge Gallery in Cloverdale, November 8-30. We recently spent some time with Elmore at Jasmine Hill Gardens shooting photos for this month’s cover. What a special place to get to know someone and the flowers she leans on every day. We think you'll enjoy our conversation and getting to know Elmore as much we did.
BOOM!: Please give us a brief biography, i.e. where were you born, education, family, what brought you to the Montgomery area, etc.?
professional photographer? You describe yourself as a fine art photography storyteller, what does that mean to you? You have placed a special emphasis on photographing nature, why? (view Elmore's work at www.elmoredemott.com.)
Elmore: The daughter of Jim and Elmore Elmore and MIles DeMott in Athens Greece Inscoe, I am a Montgomery native of the Montgomery Area Business with a younger sister, Allison Chandler Committee for the Arts, and through that and brother, Turner Inscoe. Thanks work developed a deep appreciation for to them I have an incredibly talented the rich cultural niece and three amazing nephews. The life in our region. Montgomery Academy provided my The job of mother educational foundation and prepared me received my full for my undergraduate years at Vanderbilt attention when my University where I majored in Math children were young and Fine Art. Last month I celebrated and eventually I 25 years of marriage with my husband, began putting my Miles, with whom I have two fabulous camera to work daughters who bring great joy to our professionally. lives. BOOM!: You My career began with banking in are a Fine Art Nashville, Tennessee and continued Photographer, in Montgomery where I moved soon would you share after getting married. I shifted to arts your journey administration as the Executive Director on becoming a
Elmore: My first official introduction to photography was when a college advisor nudged me to add a Fine Art major to my Math degree when he saw the volume of art history classes I had taken. As I explained to him, I simply took those classes because I liked them! Who knew that a single photography class in college to meet a studio art requirement would be a key part of where I am today?! Because my photography career has been, and remains, unexpected in so many ways, I have come to describe it as my Camera Journey. It is as if my
Miles, Mary Elmore, Anne Miles and Elmore DeMott
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camera leads friends? How do you find me to where I the inspiration to take a should go next. photo of a flower each With humble day? How has it effected beginnings of your skills as a professional photographing photographer? my children, this journey Elmore: As an artist, has included I use the medium of portrait, photography to express commercial thoughts and emotions. and editorial Since August 2, 2016, I have work, and lately taken a photograph of a it is nature flower every single day in a that has drawn total of 20 my greatest states, the attention. District of Because I Columbia believe in the and 12 power of the countries. Elmore DeMott with her mom, Elmore Inscoe arts to make This us think, I aim budding to tell stories through my photography series is called “Flowers whether it be according to the goal of for Mom” and is my a client, an editorial assignment, or artistic response to my other things such as the life cycle of a mother’s struggle with pine tree or the personal experience of Alzheimer’s. There are finding respite in flowers. Every single days of feeling lost in person has a creative side of them, and the weeds, of grieving the challenge is to find ways to express over what is no longer that creativity. For me, photography has blooming, and of being been that bothered venue and I by pests look forward in the to where garden my camera of life. guides me to Even so, when I pause and go next. pay attention, what I see are new buds showing BOOM!: promise, beautiful flowers One of your to be enjoyed exactly as best-known they are, and butterflies storytelling pollinating the garden to projects ensure future blooms. All has been, of the flower photos are Flowers taken with the same lens for Mom, and cropped horizontally, honoring an and I follow my selfAlzheimer’s imposed rule of getting a journey and new image each and every Shooting with help from father Jim Inscoe celebrating day. Just as some days are nature. Please tell us more how this more difficult than others for my mother, project got started, it’s magnitude the same is true for me when it comes and the impact it has had on your to finding a daily flower to photograph. relationship with your mom, family and Miraculously, a flower always presents
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itself whether it be through a ray of sunshine capturing my attention, a call from a friend about something they have seen blooming, or a cup of flowers at my front door from my best flower scout - my father. It is such a gift to have something to talk about with my father in addition to the daily issues related to my mother’s health and care. It is fun to share photos and stories about taking them with my mother, and she seems to enjoy going to events when prints of the flowers are hanging because people treat her as a bit of a celebrity since she inspired the series. As my sister once expressed, our family has chosen to see the good moments of this Alzheimer’s journey rather than to dwell on the dark side of the equation. This “Flowers for Mom” project is tangible proof that there is beauty each and Fine Art Prints every day, and our requirement is to simply pause and appreciate it. BOOM!: Your Flowers for Mom series led you into many conversations about flowers, how have these conversations enlightened you? What are some of your favorite photos and their meaning in the series? Elmore: I never dreamed that what began as a personal way to work through a hardship would turn into something touching people around the globe. Recently I was honored to be named by Maria Shriver as an Architect of Change because of “Flowers for Mom,” and I now have people I have never even met reach out to me to let me know how the
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series has touched their life. In addition to museum and gallery shows, it is a gift to have social media for sharing daily photos, and I am thankful for the kind feedback as well as knowing that I can do my small part to remind people that beauty abounds, and we must choose to seek it daily. Because the theme of this series is tied to Alzheimer’s, people contact me to seek information as they too find themselves facing a diagnosis of brain disease for a family member. In support of research, I am working on a partnership with the Emory Brain Health Center akin to the one with Jackson Hospital that resulted in funding for the hospital’s foundation and a gallery of
“Flowers for Mom” donated in honor or memory of loved ones. The flower photos are much like my children and I love them all which makes it hard to pick favorites. When selecting a group of pieces for a museum or gallery show, I think about which images work well together, yet I do have a bit of remorse about those not chosen to be printed and framed! That struggle actually inspired a new “Flowers for Mom” sculpture created in collaboration with Jim Gowan of Gowan Iron in Montgomery. Atop iron stems and leaves are three television screens that scroll digital versions of the hundreds of flowers in the collection. The sculpture is a wonderful addition to exhibits of
the framed flower photographs. Had someone suggested this project to me two and a half years ago I would have said NO because it would be too hard. It is incredible what can happen when you take one small step every day… BOOM!: What have you learned about your journey with Alzheimer’s? Elmore: Flowers best express my understanding of life with Alzheimer’s. There are days when the weather is hard to face, yet one can continue to persevere. As fading naturally occurs, there is beauty in that process that we must choose to appreciate. Just as no two flowers are the same, no two people with Alzheimer’s are the same, and
Fine Art Photography: Flowers for Mom Volume II December 14
Fine Art Photography: After help from Dad Flowers for Mom Volume II April 17
Fine Art Photography: Flowers for Mom Volume II December 15
Fine Art Photography: Flowers for Mom Volume II April 11
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we are to grow the best we can in the garden where we have been planted. BOOM!: Your husband, Miles, is a writer and you have collaborated on projects with him, what’s it like doing creative work with your husband? Are there plans to do more projects together?
connection between humans and the nature that surrounds us. That book led us to more professional adventures together including various assignments
Sharing flowers with Mom
Elmore: As a photographer, I aim to capture light and shadows, while my husband, Miles DeMott, pursues the perfect turn of phrase. Through the years, we have creatively paired words and images in our roles as photographer and writer. Our first major collaboration was our book project, Chulee: Spirit of the Pine Tree, which used the life cycle of a pine tree to examine the
for Covey Rise Magazine and Shooting Sportsman. We both enjoy traveling and welcome the opportunity to continue collaborating on creative assignments while also supporting the solo work of each other. As I recently proclaimed when he was assembling the “Flowers for Mom” sculpture for a gallery show, he is my hero. I would not be where I am today without his encouragement and support. BOOM!: Technology is rooted in almost every aspect of our lives. What’s your relationship with the digital world? Does using technology enhance your creativity? Productivity? Elmore: Time in the darkroom while in
Fine Art Photography: Flowers for Mom Volume III August 15
Fine Art Photography: Flowers for Mom Collection at Jackson Hospital
Fine Art Photography: Flowers for Mom Volume III August 6
Fine Art Photography: Flowers for Mom Volume II July 28
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college was great fun, and I am most grateful for that experience as it gave me an important foundation to my work today. Digital technology makes photography much easier. Even still, I strive to capture a strong image in camera without heavy reliance on what can be done on the computer when processing a final image. Being with the camera and the subject is where the real magic happens. For the flower series, since I set the requirement of only one official image for the collection per day, it can be quite painstaking to go through up to 200 images shot on one day to pick just one. Were I shooting with film, there would be no more than 36 frames from which I would likely be choosing! BOOM!: What are you most passionate about…besides your photography work? Elmore: Since the mid 70’s, my parents have been the caretakers of Jasmine Hill Gardens and Outdoor Museum, making my engagement in the arts part of my life for as long as I can remember. Therefore, it is to my parents that I give credit for my arts passion today. Just over a decade ago, I joined with a group of Montgomery area friends and some talented musicians to found ClefWorks, a non-profit created to promote the education and enjoyment of chamber music through innovative programming. It gives me great joy to see how ClefWorks continues to touch lives today through the power of music. The internationally acclaimed JACK Quartet claims me as a founding member of their board of directors, and because of my many years of service to the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra I am now an ex-officio member of their board of directors. There is a new collaborative arts organization based in New York City being formed, and it is my
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honor to have recently been asked to serve on their founding board to assist them in making their vision a reality as they aim to perform across the country in communities such as ours. BOOM!: How do you like to relax and
ClefWorks Concert 2009
wind down from a hard day’s work? Elmore: Clearly the arts are a major part of my life, so attending live performances and listening to music are activities I enjoy. I have sung for one of the cabaret performances at the Cloverdale Playhouse, and hope to again participate as it is fun to brush off my old musical theatre skills. Being outside and connecting with nature is another key element of my life, and I do enjoy reading, especially words written as well as those by my husband.
as I think of the many offerings that make this a wonderful place to live. We have rich cultural offerings through organizations like the Alabama Shakespeare Festival and ClefWorks, and there are wonderful local restaurants that serve great food while also providing us with places to connect with others. It is hard to beat Southern hospitality which is a real thing here, and we have ready access to the great outdoors with a wide variety of recreational activities. As an added bonus, traffic here is minimal, so we can more quickly get to our destination stress free! I am grateful for the creative young people in our area and believe that we all need to support their efforts and actively be a part of building a bright future for our region. Quality education must remain a focus along with joining hands to work together on challenges facing us all. When we endeavor to thoughtfully care for others, we do indeed change the world through one action at a time. BOOM!: As you’ve aged, how have your priorities changed? Elmore: We are human beings, not human doings. Perhaps it is because my body does not function at the same pace it once did, but I believe age has
BOOM!: What do your future challenges look like? Elmore: To live a joyful life with creativity and gratitude for beauty while best serving those around me.
Fine Art Photography: Magical Prescribed Burn
BOOM!: What is it about living in the Montgomery/River Region area that you like? What do we need more of? Elmore: Reflecting on life in the Montgomery area makes me exhale
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taught me the value in simply being. Conversations with friends, long walks outside, moments to pause and enjoy a sunrise, and listening to birds singing are now important priorities as I aim to appreciate moments of beauty every day.
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BOOM!: Give us three words that describe you?
witnessed us as parents exercising our creative skills and enjoying the work we do.
Elmore: This was a tough question for me to answer, so I assigned it to my children. Their response was: Creative, Passionate and Empathetic. To that I suppose I must add Lucky since I have daughters who are so incredibly kind to their mother!
More Info Contact me at elmore@elmoredemott.com for information on purchasing fine art prints from the collection on my website. For more words and images to enlighten and entertain, join my Camera Journey e-mail list and connect on social media. www.elmoredemott.com
BOOM!: You have said your finest creations are your two daughters, how do you spend quality time with them? Do they relish the artistic skills of their mother and father? Speaking at
Elmore: Chautauqua Institution It is easy to have great enjoy time spent hope Speaking at Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts traveling and for the at Chautauqua future Institution, a place in We want to thank Elmore for sharing some of of our her story and beautiful photos for this month’s western New York we have Harrison Galleries Flowers for Mom Show BOOM! Cover Profile. Please reach out to Elmore, world visited each summer for experience her Fine Art Photos and sign up when almost 20 years. The girls for her wonderful blog, Camera Journey at knowing people as incredible as my claim to actually read and take a look at www.elmoredemott.com. We also want to daughters, Mary Elmore and Anne thank Shellee Roberts at Total Image Portraits for our creative work, and I do always love it her quality work. If you have questions, comments Miles. Like flowers, they each have their when they comment on my social media or suggestions about our cover profiles, including uniquely amazing qualities and continue posts even though it frustrates them nominating someone, please send them to Jim to blossom while making our world that my number of followers, likes, and Watson at jim@riverregionboom.com more beautiful. As a family, we relish comments tends to surpass theirs! My Read all of the BOOM! Cover Profiles at time together over meals and especially sincere hope is that our children have www.riverregionboom.com/archive/
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Digital & Interactive
f re e su bsc r i pt i on s at w w w.r ive rre gio n b o o m.co m
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Eating Smart with Tracy Bhalla
Rich in the anti-oxidant beta-carotene, sweet potatoes are also loaded with potassium and vitamin B6. One mediumsized baked sweet potato has 102 calories, 24 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of protein, 4 grams of fiber and no fat or cholesterol.
POTATOES Healthy and Delicious
An equal-sized white potato has about 120 calories, 28 grams of carbohydrate, 3 grams of both fiber and protein, and is also free of fat and cholesterol. As for vitamins and minerals, white potatoes are stuffed with vitamins C, B6, niacin, folate, potassium, manganese, magnesium and phosphorus. Just like sweet potatoes, white potatoes make an easy and delicious side dish all by themselves. They're also wonderful in classic comfort foods like Shepherd's pie and potato pancakes.
Potatoes are a staple of the US diet, although they have gotten rather a bad reputation mainly due to the rather massive consumption of potato chips and French fries – both extremely high in (bad) fat content. There are, however, many other ways of eating potatoes that are both healthy and delicious! As with everything, it is all about the choices we make, and just small changes can have a big effect. For example, choosing oven fries (cooked at home) over fast food chain fries (Wendy’s, McDonalds, etc.) can quarter the calories, from 400-500 to 100-200. And yes, I know, they just don’t taste the same. Well, then “everything in moderation” – instead of eating fries every day, reduce it to 4 or 5 days a week, then 2-3, then soon it will be a treat you indulge in once a week (and see your waistline change for the better!) Or even better, go buy yourself an air fyer! Assuming the air fryer is not an option, you can always cook mashed potatoes or baked potatoes, even simple boiled potatoes, delicious roast potatoes, scalloped potatoes, potato croquette…the list goes on and on. The thing to be careful of is not to drench the cooked potato in butter, sour cream, cheese or any of the other calorific toppings we do seem to love. Just pick one (or two, just not 5!) and limit the amount you use, you’d be surprised how little you actually need to give great flavor. You don’t need to drown out the potato. You can also opt for lowfat sour cream or cheese instead. Or try something even lighter, like olive oil, garlic and herbs. Potatoes contain more vitamins and nutrients than rice, but when you add toppings such as butter, sour cream, gravy, bacon bits and salt, the number of calories and fat grams increases significantly. To keep it nutritious, limit these items and The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
opt for lower-calorie, healthier seasonings instead. Also choose freshly-picked potatoes whenever possible to maximize their nutrient content. The longer they sit on the shelf, the more nutrients they lose. Growing your own potatoes is super easy. Additionally, the choice of what specific type of potato you eat also affects how nutritious your final meal will be. Different potatoes do have slightly different nutritional profiles. I am sure you have seen the increase in availability of sweet potato fries, for example. Being touted as the healthier option, serving it as a French fry is probably not the best way to go, but any of the regular cooking methods – mashed, baked, scalloped…- work just as well with sweet potato as with your regular white potato.
Finally, the purple (or blue) potato is also comparable in nutritional value to both sweet and white, with the addition of both iron and anthocyanins, which are the pigments in the potato that give it the purple hue. In addition to adding pop to your plate, anthocyanins offer extra health benefits too. The purple pigments are antioxidants that protect your cells from oxidative damage and may reduce your risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer. Anthocyanins may also offer protection to your brain to prevent cognitive decline. Researchers are still investigating the health benefits of the powerful pigments, but the more purple vegetables you can eat the better! I was thrilled, when passing through Atlanta airport last weekend, to find a little eatery called Fresh To Order which did great fresh cooked breakfasts including a side of roast diced potatoes with every meal – in triplicate! White, sweet and purple!!! If ATL can do it, so can you! Tracy Bhalla, Independent Consultant with NYR Organics, website: us.nyrorganic.com/shop/ tracybhalla email: nyrbhalla@gmail.com You can also visit Tracy’s blog at Tracybhalla.com, Continuing my obsession with all things organic, I have been working with NYR for two years now, using their skincare products myself for over 25 years! Your skin is the body’s largest organ, it deserves to be well looked after. I am here to answer any questions you may have.
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Travel Experiences with Jeff Barganier
Awesome Alpharetta Part Two
I’m fortunate to be invited to visit and write about exciting destinations for BOOM! One of the most vibrant Southern towns I’ve visited recently is Alpharetta, Georgia. One feature wouldn't do it justice. So, I shared my first part in the October issue and this month I'm sharing the 2nd part of my travels to Alpharetta. Hope you enjoy!
latest technology to make an exact 3D model of themselves.
blue ceiling and contemporary porch swings. Inside, the hotel’s meticulous design quickly captivates. Three themes are immediately apparent: the horses and hedges of local equestrian country; libraries; and the charm of Southern residential style. The spacious lobby is a dreamy palette of creams and whites. It exudes the casual elegance of a customdesigned living room that spills into the bar and café. Cozy library corners with white leather banquettes, bronze bar tables and upholstered tub chairs pose beneath stunning shelves that rise to the ceiling—shelves filled with lovely white-bound books by Southern writers. Guests are invited to take one, relax and read. It was fun to merely sit in this space and watch guests come and go. White paint, steel and wood constantly repeat in an energizing yet relaxing rhythm. Over-scaled lighting, porcelain The view from the pool terrace of Hotel Avalon 20 minutes magnolias suspended from the ceiling by north of Atlanta and 40 minutes from wire, the massive contemporary fireplace the Appalachian Trail lies the old/ of telescoping black and gray granite, A quick mile from the old city center new City of Alpharetta. It’s perched at and oak floors entice the eye. Acorn is Avalon, one of the premier retail the exhilarating crossroads of smallaccessories are commonplace, along hotspots in the Southeast. The Hotel at town values, culinary excellence, with squirrel entrepreneurial enterprise, and sculptures, all exploding 21st Century technology. part of Avalon’s It’s actually pretty hard to describe children’s the energy here where yesteryear and scavenger hunt. the future seem to meet in a head-on A “living” green collision. It’s not like the past is politely wall reminds of giving way either. It’s more like the past hedgerows that and present are boiling together into horses jump an amazing new broth with the physical at equestrian scene changing daily. It’s as friendly and events. And hospitable as a rapidly changing town leaping from can be and one senses excitement in that wall is a local voices. While some cities its size striking white (pop. 65,000) are losing young people sculpture of a after high school, Alpharetta’s young horse. Large oak adults wonder where else could possibly travel trunks, BarleyGarden, a place for beer lovers offer an equivalent opportunity. And reminiscent of they’re staying put. For life. It’s where Avalon is on a par with the world’s most the early 1900s, serve as coffee tables locals delight in a concert on a horse unique boutique hotels. After valeting and transition to the inspired industrial farm under the stars by night; and, by the car, one enters a delightful frontbar where large beams are suspended by day, have a computer engineer use the porch-like foyer complete with a “haint” iron rods for a unique dropped-ceiling.
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From the beams hang metal cages filled with whisky bottles. The red leather bar is centered with three barrels banded by rusty metal and presented as art. 330 guest rooms continue the warm residential ambience with each suite featuring local artwork. Our room reminded me of the clean lines and elegance of the Nikko Hotel in San Francisco. The bed was extra comfy and Cindy wanted to take her pillow home! The chic bathroom featured a wallpapered faux-library next to the toilet which made me chuckle. I love designers with a sense of humor. Indeed, the room impressed with the same attention to detail one sees throughout this amazing hotel. Like, for example, how the pool is located on the 2nd floor level overlooking the boulevard. The hotel’s South City Kitchen features such Southern favorites as fried green tomatoes, pan-fried chicken livers, fried chicken and pulled pork BBQ. We particularly enjoyed a traditional breakfast with stone-ground grits; and they do a great job with my favorite, eggs benedict. The bar and restaurant are popular with the locals as evidenced by the crowds that gather nightly. The Hotel at Avalon has awesome spa and
season is special here. Families gather to stroll down the boulevard, toss a coin in the fountain, catch a concert, play lawn games or merely imagine. It’s a family friendly, if not magical, atmosphere where security is noticeably present. Avalon suggests a mystical land as evidenced by acorn and squirrel sculptures, treasure maps and a unique indoor playground for children. One day, we simply made memories by meeting our grandchildren for lunch at El Felix, some of the best TexMex on the planet.
“staycation” packages and 9 million visitors per year! We enjoyed Avalon’s Friday evening scene—music in the plaza where visitors
set out chairs and blankets; and adults and children alike danced in front of the band. A resort-like, multi-use community featuring the best of international cuisine and Southern hospitality, it’s easy to be mesmerized by its 570,000 square feet of dazzling architecture that flawlessly integrates retail, dining, entertainment, and upscale office space with luxury residential living. In a brief walk, one may enjoy an ice cream at Jeni’s, quaff a craft beer at Barleygarden, have custom jewelry made at Kendra Scott’s, get a massage, eat exquisite Persian cuisine at Rumi’s Kitchen or buy a Tesla. Every
So, why fly to New York or LA when the same glitz and excitement may be found in the heart of the Southeast an easy three-hour drive from the River Region? I can’t wait to visit again. All I need is the slightest excuse. For more info visit: www.awesomealpharetta.com www.experienceavalon.com www.jenis.com www.barleygardenkitchen.com www.kendrascott.com www.rumiskitchen.com www.theelfelix.com www.thehotelatavalon.com http://avalon.southcitykitchen.com/ www.experienceavalon.com/retailers/tesla/
Jeff S. Barganier is a freelance writer and business manager of Cindy Barganier Interiors LLC. He travels far and wide upon the slightest excuse for something interesting to write about. Contact Jeff at Jeffbarganier@knology.net. Follow him on Instagram: #jeffbarganier.
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By Kimberly Blaker
H o l iday Trad i tion s For You a nd Your s to Treas u re
Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Eid al-Fitr, Bodhi Day, or the winter solstice, holiday traditions are a fun way for families to bond and create fond memories. The traditions you and your family choose are limited only by your imagination in the way you carry them out.
Customs for gatherings Choose a theme such as ‘my most memorable holiday season’ or ‘the best thing that happened this year,’ and ask each person to share a memory. Record the storytelling on video or audio, then play it in future years as part of your memory sharing tradition. Hold a holiday poetry reading. Ask each person to bring copies of favorite seasonal or holiday poems to pass out and read aloud at the gathering. Rather than exchanging gifts or doing a drawing for a gift exchange, hold a ‘white elephant.’ Each person brings a wrapped gift anyone can use. Have guests draw a numbered slip from “1” thru the number of people participating. Each guest then chooses and opens a gift in numerical order. Participants may choose either a wrapped gift or take an unwrapped gift from another participant. If a player loses their gift, they choose from either another wrapped gift or take a gift from someone else. For complete rules and variations, visit a white elephant gift exchange website such as www.whiteelephantrules.com For twosomes or the whole brood Escape the holiday hustle and bustle, and enjoy a holiday retreat. Try a cozy cabin in the woods or another scenic setting. Then enjoy your togetherness near a roasting fire, flipping through family photo albums, enjoying holiday music, doing crafts, and other relaxing activities. Start a holiday countdown for your grandkids. Take a 3” by 3’ strip of ribbon and cut 24-paired slits from top to bottom. Thread each pair with narrow ribbon and tie a sucker in each. Beginning December 1, your grandchild can remove a lollipop each day through Christmas Eve, or the eve of the holiday you’ll celebrate. Couples often forget to take time for each other during the busy holiday season. Plan an evening for two and reserve a table near a fireplace or other romantic setting. When The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
you return home, light some candles and your tree, listen to holiday or soft music and exchange a special gift with each other. Then spend the evening reminiscing.
Cut your own tree. Look for the tree that compliments your home or fits your taste.
forget blankets and your favorite hot beverage for warming your lips and hands.
Pick up a book on holiday customs around the world. Each year, choose a different culture or nationality for your theme. Then decorate, and try new customs accordingly.
Make your own wrapping paper. Cut holiday shapes out of sponges, dip in holiday colored paint and stamp the shapes on brown Kraft paper. Use glitter and glue to add to the festive look.
Make a shopping date with your partner, and assist each other in selecting your holiday attire. Decide in advance on the formality so you’ll choose complimentary outfits and so your shopping trip together remains agreeable. Just for you Create a new tradition by scheduling time to pamper yourself. Decorate the bathroom in holiday candles, fragrance, and holly. Enjoy a long bubble bath while giving yourself a full salon treatment. Include a manicure, pedicure, deep hair conditioning, facial mask, and body buffing. Don’t forget to turn on holiday or other relaxing music. Traditions for all Fill stockings for your kids, partner, or parents to discover. Stuff them with treats, beauty products, postage stamps, lottery tickets and other inexpensive or usable items. Help a needy family. Deliver a box of groceries, or supply a family with gloves and hats. Ask your grandchildren to make room for their own new gifts by donating good but unwanted toys. Offer the toys to the needy family to leave from Santa, or wrap them yourself and leave them on the doorstep. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride. Don’t
Purchase a new tree ornament each year that signifies something important such as your grandbaby’s first Christmas or solstice.
Tradition Tips Don’t continue holiday traditions that have lost their appeal and usefulness, or that create too much stress. Talk to your family or friends who normally share in the tradition, explain your feelings, and ask for input. They may feel the same. If they don’t feel the same way, try to reach a compromise that meets everyone’s needs. Don’t overdo it. It’s easy to get carried away with customs. Be selective and choose those that mean the most to you and your family. Most traditions require some investment of time, energy, or money. Taking on too many can cause stress and lead traditions to lose their appeal. When you select traditions, divide the responsibilities. Women often take sole responsibility for holiday activities and become overwhelmed. Then they're unable to enjoy the season. Try not to strive for perfection, and allow men and your grown children to help in the preparation. Kimberly Blaker is a lifestyle and parenting freelance writer. She also writes a blog, The Young Gma's Guide to Parenting at www.theyounggma.com Copyright © 2018 Kimberly Blaker, All rights reserved.
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The Mayor of BOOMTOWN
Bedford Falls, Alabama
By Greg Budell
Part 1
4, 2017 to meet them during one of Sherri’s chemotherapy treatments.
Welcome to a story that takes 2 months to tell. It embraces the gratitude of Thanksgiving and the spirit of Christmas yet began on the 4th of July last year while visiting Keith and Sherri Rollan at the Montgomery Cancer Center. Keith had been listening to my Happy Hour show on Newstalk 93.1FM a few days previous. On July 1, the radio station staff received glad tidings from our company’s health insurance provider. Costs would be going up, AGAIN. I was outraged. Before the government got involved with health care, we had great coverage, with only a $200 monthly employee contribution and a $500 annual deductible. Our “savings” under Obamacare had caused those numbers to rise to $300 monthly and a deductible ballooning to $2250. The boss had to fight for every penny of that deal. That afternoon, I lambasted the clowns behind the health care scheme (that’s being kind) IN MY LOUD VOICE. After my rant, listener Keith sent me this Facebook message“Your Obamacare rant really hit home... My wife (Sherri) and I had health insurance up until we received our premium notice in 2014 where our
My hope was to offer words of encouragement, along with a “thank you” for their years of listening support. Before long we were chatting like old friends. insurance went to over 600 dollars a month just to cover one of us. Not many can afford that and her and I still being a bit young (early 40's) decided to be able to eat and pay electric bills and declined insurance. Three months ago my wife was diagnosed with lung cancer and we struggle daily just to get by. Amazingly a few doctors and the cancer center in Montgomery have stepped up to help with chemo and gas vouchers. You have no idea how much that means. Obamacare took away something we could reasonably afford and gave us nothing all the while telling us how much better things were (for others) who qualified for "assistance". Thank you for being there daily and making us smile.” I thought I had problems. Keith’s note was humbling. Did you see a shred of self pity in his words? I didn’t. He simply spoke to their unfortunate circumstances. After a few additional exchanges I went to the Montgomery Cancer Center on the morning of July
Their love story is a classic. They knew each other as teens. Sherri always knew Keith was her destiny. The one moment her sparkle broke through the fog of chemo was when she spoke about their “inevitability as a couple”. Sherri had wise instincts, knowing Keith’s first marriage was “a mistake he had to make”. She’d wait it out, knowing their time together was imminent. Sherri wore the proverbial you-know-what eating grin as she told that story. Keith simply smiled sheepishly nodding in agreement. The two of them had everything money cannot buy. Until Sherri’s cancer, their happiness was with each other. He worked as a groundskeeper on a golf course. They lived simply, in a house out in the central Alabama countryside near Fort Deposit. Fresh air, movies on their VCR (you read that correctly) and 5 dogs, all foundlings, to round out their family. While discussing the dogs, Keith dropped a bomb.
Greg Budell's column is proudly sponsored by McDonald & Hagen Wealth Management
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“Yeah”, he said with a sigh. “We might need to find homes for them because we can’t afford the dog food”.
sewer folks seemed unable to address. It would take money needed for gas and Ramen noodles to get that done. They’d
They were living off Ramen noodles, and pinching every penny to gas up Keith’s old truck for the drives into the cancer center. By the time the nurse came to disconnect Sherri’s IV, I’d heard enough. Give the dogs away? No. Their mattress was fine until Sherri got sick. It was old, and painful to sleep Keith and Sherri Rollan sharing a moment with Greg on. Ramen noodles? How does one fight an aggressive cancer gotten used to dealing with the “small on that diet? Mind you, I learned all of stuff”. The Rollan’s focused on ending this in casual conversation. They never this cancer nightmare and resuming the asked for a thing. Their hopes were dream life they knew. completely and totally invested in Sherri’s recovery. Chemo patients have such Still, it was a situation that had to be limited appetites. What if she wanted a changed. Keith never asked for help. It’s steak? just not in the Rollan DNA, but I asked permission to try. “That’d be nice once in a while”, Sherri said weakly. We were sitting on a bench After the 4th of July break, we took outside the cancer center waiting the Rollan’s story to the Newstalk 93.1 for Keith to pull up in his well worn listeners. truck. She groaned and grimaced as he helped her in. The 35 minute ride Cash donations poured in. Sponsors home would be uncomfortable for a stepped up. A brand new mattress and woman increasingly fatigued by chemo box spring was delivered to their home. therapy, heading home to a mattress that A plumber dispatched himself to the offered no comfortable options. Their sewer issue and fixed it at no charge, the little home had but one toilet and it was goodness of people in the River Region incapacitated by a problem their local was flooding our studio. We had half a
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ton of dog food in 24 hours! It was like the Bailey home in Bedford Falls during the final scene of “It’s A Wonderful Life”. Within a week Rich Thomas and I sat with the Rollans at the cancer center during another of Sherri’s chemo treatments. We presented them with a shoe box filled with cash and checks from people who cared. “Have a steak. Pay your bills. Take a breather from the worries about money”. With no family in the area, Keith had to be Sherri’s caretaker. He’d stopped working because there was no other option. His boss said Keith could come back when Sherri got better. Keith balked at such charity. “It’s not charity my friend”, I said. “It’s people sharing their gratitude for their good lives. I think everyone knows that you’ll pay it forward at some point.”. They were right. Read the rest of the story next month in “Bedford Falls, Alabama” part 2.
Happy Thanksgiving! Greg Budell lives in Montgomery with his wife, Roz, and dogs Hershey and Briscoe. He’s been in radio since 1970, and is marking 12 years in the River Region in 2017. He hosts the Newstalk 93.1FM Morning Show with Rich Thomas, Jay Scott & Emily Hayes, 6-9AM Monday-Friday. He returns weekday afternoons from 3-6PM for Happy Hour with sidekick Joey Clark. Greg can be reached at gregbudell@aol.com
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By Dr. Margaret Rutherford
Seven Ways To Get Back To Being “In Love” Being “in love.” I have heard so many people say, “I love her, but I’m not in love with her.” Or, “I don’t remember when it was I stopped loving my husband that way. But it’s gone.” Why does this happen to some couples and not others? Is it luck? Hard work? A choice? Yes. I have watched many decide to divorce, admitting that they’ve failed in maintaining a love for someone they vowed to love forever. It feels awful. I know; I’ve been there myself. Many remain married for any number of reasons that don’t reflect undying devotion or being glad he or she is the one you’re going home to. What are these reasons? Money. “The kids,” Habit. Religious beliefs. Fear of being alone. Fear of what others might think. An addiction to the bitter fighting of an emotional rollercoaster. Or pure inertia. A question I like to ask? “Knowing all the things you know now, why would you marry your partner today? What would cause you to say “I do” all over again?” If you don’t know the answer to that question, it’s pretty likely you aren’t real happy in your marriage. That’s not to say it’s hopeless. There are steps you can take to help build and maintain the love you’re currently experiencing, or help you reconnect to the feelings you and your partner once held for each other.
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1) If you’re hanging onto resentment, search for forgiveness. You’re the one who will suffer the most from bitterness. Forgiveness is essential in a long-term relationship. I know I have both given it, and received it in my own. Bitterness is something that kills not just a relationship, but the soul of the person who feels it. Think about issues that you’re unnecessarily holding onto that drive a wedge between the two of you, and work on putting them behind you so that you can be in the now with your partner. 2) If you’ve ignored your relationship, it badly needs your attention. Now. In the present. Not later. Not after the kids are gone. Have you always put the children or your job first? This is a common mistake, and one that is easily justified, “I need to make money, so we can send the kids to college.” Or, “I am so busy getting the kids to all their activities, I don’t
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have time to do anything else.” “I am incredibly tired after working all day…” Sound familiar? Those are excuses, not reasons. Marriage can’t take a back seat, or it will die a slow death. You have to give time to each other. 3) If you’re not happy with your own life, work on self-esteem. Don’t allow yourself to involve someone else or compare yourself to others on social media. You have to confront things about yourself that perhaps you don’t want to admit. Perhaps the problems in your marriage are more about you as an individual and don’t have much to do with your partner at all. Maybe you have issues from the past that are governing you. You’re struggling with your own worth or insecurities. Your life isn’t where you thought it would be or you are struggling with getting older.
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This is hard to see especially if you become attracted to someone else; then it really gets messy and painful. Affairs are frequently about believing that someone else holds the power to make your life what you have always thought it could be. Well guess what? You actually hold that power. You could also be comparing you and your partnership with what others look like on social media. Big, big mistake. Social media isn’t reality. Its folks presenting what’s cutest, funniest, most loving, or, horribly, will gain the most social media attention. Yuck. You and your partnership will never live up to that. 4) If you don’t touch each other, literally, know it will be awkward at first. Talk with your partner about reinitiating touch — slowly but with intention. Initially in your relationship, that lust/ love was new and exciting. Now intimacy may be more intentional, or it may not be happening at all. There is lots of sex in movies and on TV, but there are plenty of folks who are too worn out from their daily lives to even hold one another platonically, let alone intimately. Couples can forget that touching and making love are ways to connect and reenergize in a unique way. You can learn that again; it may be awkward but it’s possible. 5) If you haven’t laughed in a long time, find the lighter side of life, and share. Don’t forget you need to play together to stay happily together. I have listened to many people struggle and fight during a therapy session; when they can still laugh about something, I feel much more optimistic about whether or not they will make it. There’s something positive between them, a connection that contains a lightness and speaks to your shared history. Perhaps bringing some levity back into your conversations can help you find that playfulness you used to share.
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6) If the two of you are passing ships in the night, know it’s vital to feel partnered — to have at least one common goal that interests both of you, (Psst… not the kids or grandkids…) This happens when people don’t talk and don’t realize the importance of having a common goal. What are the two of you about? What do you care about together? Where is your sense of partnership? These are important questions to answer; whether it’s work in your community, in a church, or in your own lives this goal can bring fresh excitement and a sense of common purpose to a marriage. 7) If you’re focused on what’s not there anymore, you’ll miss what is there — the deeper understanding and value of years together. If you have been together for a while, in all likelihood, you have had experiences that have “de-romanticized” your partner, to say the least. You’ve seen them really sick. You know that irritating sound her throat makes when she eats too fast. You can almost imitate the way he blows his nose in the morning. You’ve watched as the other one pouted, got mad over something inconsequential, or seemed to deliberately pick a fight with you. They’ve disappointed you, and you’ve disappointed them.
there can exist a depth of feeling and experience that is irreplaceable and far more of a treasure that the rock-star glam. But it can’t be new again. It simply can’t. That has to realized, accepted, and appreciated because what is gained in return is incredibly valuable. So what would cause you to marry your partner all over again? Even knowing what you know now? (Remember, they are answering the same question…). I hope you find answers that warm your heart. You can hear more about anxiety and many other topics by listening to Dr. Margaret’s new podcast, SelfWork with Dr. Margaret Rutherford. Dr. Rutherford hasn’t received any compensation from “23 And Me” for this post. Margaret Rutherford www.drmargaretrutherford.com Dr. Margaret Rutherford is a clinical psychologist, who has practiced for over twenty years in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Since 2012, her writing has been found on her own website, as she writes about mental health, with a special focus on Perfectly Hidden Depression, midlife and relationship issues.
They have long lost that rock-star quality they had at the beginning, because you have been through the nitty gritty together. However,
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{12 Things} for active boomers and beyond
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA
Breach of Peace: Portraits of the 1961 Freedom Riders Freedom Rides Museum, Downton Montgomery Saturday, November 3, 1-2 pm
The Freedom Rides Museum is pleased to host Eric Etheridge, author of "Breach of Peace: Portraits of the 1961 Mississippi Freedom Riders (Expanded Edition)" along with Freedom Rider Catherine Burks-Brooks. Burks-Brooks was a 22-yearold college student from Birmingham when she joined the Freedom Rides in May of 1961. She was one of the nonviolent student activists attacked at the Montgomery Greyhound Bus Station on May 20, 1961, and one of the hundreds later arrested in Jackson, MS. The book combines history, photography, and journalism to share the story of the Freedom Rides and the hundreds who participated to bring about integration of interstate public travel in the United States. Call 334.414.8647 for more information or visit www. facebook.com/events/2205287509742442/
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA Hampstead Fall Festival Hampstead Sunday, November 4, 2-3 pm
This huge outdoor carnival is a great day for kids, families, and the young at heart in various locations at Hampstead. Stretching from our Farm to Hampstead Field to the Town Center, this event is one of our biggest extravaganzas ever!!! Sunday November 4th, 12 - 3pm. There will be food trucks, carnival rides, inflatables, kids’ games, farm fun, face painting, balloon art, live music & more. $10 Wristbands include All Rides, Inflatables, Games, and Kids’ Events! Wristbands will be sold at the event! Food Trucks & The Tipping Point will have food & drinks for sale. For more information, call 334.270.6730 or visit www.facebook.com/events/284409075501297/
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA OLLI Winter Open House 75 TechnaCenter Drive Thursday, November 8, 10-11:30 am
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Auburn University at Montgomery is a membership program designed for retired adults ages 50+. We offer classes that promote personal growth, health and wellness, educational enrichment, and new friendships. Check out the Winter Open House on Thursday, November 8th from 10-11:30 am
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at 75 TechnaCenter Drive, Montgomery, AL 36117. For more info call 334.244.3804 or visit www.outreach.aum.edu
ELBA, ALABAMA
Orlando Transit Authority – A Tribute to Chicago Elba High School Thursday, November 8, 7 pm
Chicago is a rock-infused, horndriven musical powerhouse that has inspired generations of professional musicians over the last 40 years. Some of the very best of those musicians found their way to central Florida and came together to form Orlando Transit Authority. OTA is a high-energy Chicago tribute show made up of A-list players who are, first and foremost, Chicago FANS. You will hear great hits: “25 or 6 to 4”, “Saturday in the Park”, “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is”, “Will You Still Love Me?”, “You’re My Inspiration”, “Spinning Wheel”, “God Bless the Child”, “If You Leave Me Now”, and “Just You ‘N’ Me”. For tickets and information, call 334.406.2787 or visit the web at www.CoffeeCountyArtsAlliance.com
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA Dino Dig Montgomery Zoo Saturday, November 10, 10-12 noon
Are you ready to get a little dirty? Then Dino Dig is perfect for you. Our junior explorers get to experience an archaeological dig, discover bones from the past and have a great time while learning about creatures that roamed the earth millions of years ago. It is geared for boys and girls aged 4-10 years old. Dino Dig is a combination educational program packed with a classroom lesson plan, real dig time, live animal presentations, and everyone leaves with a take-home, keepsake goody bag. Children: $28 per child (ages 4-12), $20 for Montgomery Zoo members. Accompanying adults: (13+): $17, Montgomery Zoo members: FREE. Advanced reservations are required. Register online or call 334.240.4909 for more information. Reservation deadline is Friday, November 9 at noon. More Information on Website: www. montgomeryzoo.com/announcements/dino-dig
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA
Historic Oakwood Cemetery with Jeff Benton Discovery Montgomery Sunday, November 11, 1:30-3:30 pm
Discover Montgomery with a walking tour of Oakwood Cemetery’s Eastern Annex. Learn how sentiments and understanding about death have changed over the years. Jeff Benton, local historian and author, The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
leads the tour from the Royal Air Force and Free French World War II cemeteries to Hank Williams’ grave, Eternal Rest Cemetery, Union Civil War Memorial and St. Margaret’s Cemetery – and places of interest along the route. Learn about the changing architectural styles of marking graves with Celtic crosses, urns, columns, obelisks and more. The tour begins at 1:30 p.m. and is free to Landmarks members; $10 for non-members. Tickets may be purchased at the Old Alabama Town Museum Store during business hours. Tour participants are asked to meet at the Hank Williams Memorial in Oakwood Cemetery’s Eastern Annex: it’s marked from Lower Wetumpka Road. For more information, call 334.240.4500 or visit www.landmarksfoundation.com/events/ upcoming-events/
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA Willie Nelson & Family In Concert MPAC Wednesday, November 14, 7:30
Born in Texas in 1933, country singer and songwriter Willie Nelson rose to prominence at the end of the 1960s and contributed to the "outlaw country" subgenre, which challenged the conservatism of Nashville. During his lengthy, award-winning career, he has written some of the most popular and memorable country songs of all time, many of which have been covered by a wide range of artists over the last half century. Now in his 80s, Nelson continues to record and tour, as well as devoting a considerable amount of time to various charitable and political causes. For tickets visit www.mpaconline.org
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA
Lights Up! at The Shoppes at EastChase The Shoppes at Eastchase Saturday, November 17, 6-8 pm
Kick off the Holiday Season with ultimate holiday celebration. Lights Up features live music by Jason Givens and The Wanderers, a magical parade, fireworks, and even a little snow! Lights Up is Saturday, November 17 from 6 - 8 PM. Get there early to grab a spot! For more information, call 334.279.6046 or visit www.theshoppesateastchase.com/event/lights-up/2145501313/
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA Jazz in the Garden Montgomery Museum of Fine Art Sunday, November 18th, 2pm
Help MMFA celebrate the opening of their beautiful sculpture garden with an afternoon of outdoor jazz. Sunday afternoon, November 18 at 2 pm. For more information, call 334.625.4333 or visit: www.mmfa.org/events
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PIKE ROAD, ALABAMA
Celebrate the Season with the Pike Road Arts Council Pike Road City Hall Saturday, November 18, 9-4 pm
On Saturday, November 18, Pike Road Town Hall (9575 Vaughn Road) will be filled with homemade gifts and seasonal items by Alabama crafters, as the Pike Road Arts Council hosts its first ever Celebrate the Season event. The event, held from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., is free and open to the public, but attendees are encouraged to bring canned goods to donate to the Woodland United Methodist Church (Woodland UMC) Food Pantry. In addition to a canned food drive, local groups and artisans have donated decorated Christmas trees, which will be sold in a silent auction to benefit the Woodland UMC Food Pantry. The Capitol City Corvette Club will be in the parking lot of Town Hall showing off their cars during the event. Celebrate the Season offers something for everyone!
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA
The Gospel of Luke ASF- Octagon Stage | 90 minutes, plus intermission December 6-30
Actor Bruce Kuhn performs the Gospel of Luke with the passion and surprise of an eyewitness account. In a compelling ninety minutes, the tale comes alive with the urgency, fervor, and humor of someone who was there. Recommended ages 7+. “A riveting, inspiring look at the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus that will appeal to people of all faiths and even the uncertain.” – The Island Packet. For more info and ticket sales visit www.asf.net.
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA Wayne Newton, Up Close & Personal MPAC, Downtown Montgomery Thursday, February 7, 7:30 pm
Born on April 3, 1942, Wayne Newton started singing professionally as a child. In his teenage years, he performed with his older brother. Newton became a solo performer in the early 1960s and scored such hits as "Danke Schoen" and "Red Roses for a Blue Lady." For the next several decades, Newton established himself as one of Las Vegas's most popular and highest-paid performers. For more visit www.mpaconline.org or www. waynenewton.com
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Are You Living in an Age Bubble? Take this quiz to find out and learn how to break out of one By Richard Eisenberg
It turns out I’m living in an age bubble and I’m ready to leave it. That’s what I learned after taking the fun and eye-opening “Are You Living in An Age Bubble?” quiz created by the Generation to Generation initiative of the nonprofit www.Encore.org group.
Take the Age Bubble Quiz
If you’re over 50, there’s a decent chance you’re living in an age bubble, too. But if so, with a little effort, you can break out of it. To get your age-bubble score, take the easy, seven-question Generation to Generation quiz. If you score 0 to 4 points, you’re living in an age bubble. If you score 5 to 9 points, as I did, you’re ready to leave your age bubble. And if you score 10 to 14 points, congratulations: you’re not living in an age bubble. What exactly is an age bubble? According to Generation to Generation (the campaign to mobilize 1 million adults 50+ to stand up — and with — young people today), it means you rarely have meaningful interactions or conversations with someone who’s not a family member and is more than 20 years younger than you. In other words, you’re spending all, or nearly all, your time with people around your age; your age mates.
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those who don’t.
So what’s wrong with that? According to research Gen 2 Gen has uncovered, age segregation contributes to social isolation and can reinforce stereotypes and perpetuate isolation. Sadly, many older Americans are in bubble trouble. Only 6 percent of Americans over 60 discussed important matters over the past six months with someone younger than 36 who was not a relative, notes Gen 2 Gen. The Benefit of Breaking Out of an Age Bubble And here’s the upside to bursting your bubble: According to research Gen 2 Gen discovered from the Harvard Study of Adult Development (which tracked 700 men for threequarters of a century), people in middle age and beyond who care for, and develop, the next generation are three times as likely to be happy as
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OK, now that you know why it’s best not to be in an age bubble, take the “Are You in an Age Bubble?” quiz to get your score and to read the Gen 2 Gen tips on how to live a more ageintegrated live. One way to do that: volunteer to assist younger people. You can take the quiz at www.generationtogeneration. org. While you’re at the Gen 2 Gen site, you can also find out about the five new Gen2Gen Encore Prize competition finalists who are tapping the talents of people 50+ to help young people thrive. On Nov. 14, Encore.org will announce the $50,000 Encore Prize winner selected by its judges and the $10,000 winner chosen by the in-person audience. Source: www.nextavenue.org Richard Eisenberg is the Senior Web Editor of the Money & Security and Work & Purpose channels of Next Avenue and Managing Editor for the site. He is the author of How to Avoid a Mid-Life Financial Crisis and has been a personal finance editor at Money, Yahoo, Good Housekeeping, and CBS MoneyWatch.@richeis315
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