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Vibrant Colors & Cozy Textures of Fall Sponsored by Vivian O'Nay
Are you ready to usher in the vibrant colors and cozy textures of fall? It's that time of the year when the leaves change, and our wardrobes follow suit. As the temperature dips and the holiday season approaches, it's essential to stay on top of the latest trends to keep your fashion game strong. At Vivian O’Nay, your go-to women's clothing boutique, we've scoured the apparel market to bring you the most exciting Faux Leather dresses and tops fashion trends this are making a come back in the autumn season. fashion world. Whether you're a baby boomer or someone of any age or body type, there's something for everyone here! Accessories are the key to elevating your look, and this season, they take center stage. From silk scarves that effortlessly add elegance (pictured) to any outfit to chunky bracelets making a bold statement, there are limitless options to suit your style. Speaking of style, the timeless staple - the perfect pair of jeans - receives a fresh twist this fall. Cropped wide-leg jeans in classic denim, along with colorful options, are a new favorite among our ladies. Some of our denim options now offer a flattering fit for every body type, thanks to their tummy control paneling. Don't miss the chance to explore brands like Judy Blue and Charlie B, praised for their comfort and style. Fall fashion encourages you to explore patterns and textures. Puff sleeves and ruffles introduce femininity and drama The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
to your wardrobe. Bold patterns in jewel tones or classic gingham are making a comeback, providing you with ample opportunities to express your unique style. We have also seen faux leather dresses and tops ease back into popularity this season (pictured).
Midi dresses are your go-to choice this season, offering the perfect blend of comfort and style. Their versatility allows for easy pairing with comfortable tennis shoes, creating a chic yet relaxed
For those who appreciate effortless elegance, matching top and bottom quilted sets have gained popularity (pictured). These sets are ideal for those who desire a coordinated look without the hassle of mixing and matching. They offer not just comfort but also an air of timeless charm. As the autumn season unfolds and we explore these exciting new fashion trends, it's also an ideal time to think about giftgiving for your loved ones. This season, why not consider a unique and stylish gift? Keep Vivian Onay in mind when shopping for that special someone, as we offer more than just fashion. One of the biggest trends of 2023 is permanent jewelry, and we have it on-site daily. Imagine having claspless microwelded chains that you never have to worry about taking off. It's a fantastic way to add a touch of elegance and style to any outfit. A Vivian O’Nay gift card could be the perfect present, allowing your loved ones to indulge in this chic trend. And for those who prefer luxury jewelry, we have you covered with a range of timeless pieces from renowned brands like ENewton, Kendra Scott, Ronaldo, and Brighton. These brands offer exquisite options that will make any recipient feel truly special.
We encourage you to step out of your fashion comfort zone and experiment with Matching quilted sets are becoming these exciting new a hot trend for women of all ages. trends this fall. Our experienced stylists look. It's all about embracing the at Vivian O'Nay, simplicity of getting dressed up located at 3500 with ease. Wetumpka Highway in Montgomery, Layering becomes the key to AL, are eager to staying cozy in the autumn chill. guide and assist Silk scarves available in different Consider adding crop puff vests you in creating your patterns add a fun element to any over casual sweatshirts or flannels perfect autumn ensemble. for a laid-back yet stylish look. look. Explore the Alternatively, opt for a pullover sweater latest trends, celebrate the season's vest over a mock neck tee for extra warmth beautiful colors, and experience the world and a touch of style. of fall fashion at its finest. faceb o o k. co m / R iver Re gio n Bo o m
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BOOM!, The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
Contents November 2023
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Volume 14 Issue 5
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
7 Vibrant Colors & Cozy Textures of Fall 12 Publisher's Letter 15 Cosmetic Surgery Amongst Baby Boomers-Dr. Raggio
page 36
21 CENTRAL ALABAMA’S FIRST MOBILE MAMMOGRAPHY UNIT
Features 32 Personalized Gifts 36 What Makes Us 38 In Praise of Grandkids Can Make Laugh? History of Travel Guides Laughter/Science and Give
40 How I Learned to Love 44 Jeff Barganier: Being a Party of One Flower Town in the Pines
Departments 46 This and That A variety of TIDBITS
18 After Death’: What’s on the Other Side?
58 Greg Budell JFK-America's Unsolved Mystery
page 58
22 Overnight Pumpkin French Toast Casserole 30 Jest a Moment: A Short History of Newspapers 42 LOBLOLLY PINES Ben Coker
page 18
43 Looking Ahead to 2024 at AUM OLLI
page 11
46 St. John’s Episcopal Church Annual Bazaar 2023 46 First-Ever Miracle Pop-Up Bar page 52
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page 38
page 47
page 58
page 44
52 BOOM! Cover Profile Sandy Scott Watson 60 Maximizing Medicare '24 Susan Moore
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Free Subscriptions @ w w w. r i ve rre gio n b o o m.co m
62 To scrub or not to scrub by Tracy Bhalla 63 Hospice of Montgomery Poinsettia Fundraiser
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 2023 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
Happy Birthday, Sandy The mission of BOOM! is to serve the folks of the River Region age 50 plus with information and ideas to inspire new experiences, better quality of life and new beginnings.
Publisher/Editor Jim Watson 334.324.3472 cell/text jim@riverregionboom.com
Jim Watson, Publisher jim@riverregionboom.com
Contributing Writers Jeff Barganier Tracy Bhalla Kimberly Blaker Greg Budell
TJ Butler Michael Clark Ben Coker Nancy Monson Susan Moore Dr. Blake Raggio Nick Thomas Sandy Scott Watson
Cover Photography Photography by DiAnna Paulk photographybydiannapaulk.com
Advertising
Jim Watson, 334.324.3472 jim@riverregionboom.com
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My wife and I have been married for just over 6 years. She is my third wife. I have been widowed twice before. Since our marriage in September 2017, I have been contemplating how I could get her to be one of my cover profiles for BOOM! I have asked her numerous times but she resisted my charm and persuasive overtures again and again. Sandy, my wife, is also my editor for many of the articles we include in BOOM! each month, especially the cover profile articles. She has grown familiar with the Q&A I submit to our monthly profiles and probably has asked herself many times, “How would I answer these questions”? Well, she finally agreed to be my cover profile, in her birthday month, November.
My beautiful wife will take center stage and share some of her life’s story with you this month. I’m proud to feature her because she is an accomplished professional of 30-plus years in the Aesthetician/Cosmetology industry. She has more skills than I ever thought about acquiring, and she continues to practice them. Such as permanent cosmetics, signature facials, and her specialty, electrolysis (hair removal). I have met many of her clients over the past six years, many of whom have become close friends. Needless to say, she loves what she does, has wonderful relationships with her customers, and, best of all, she gets to help them look and feel beautiful! Sandy is a rare quality, and I’m thankful for her being our November cover profile and of course for being my wife! Enjoy getting to know Sandy and please share her story with your friends and family. Happy Birthday, Sandy, you are aging very well
😊
We have plenty of other good reads this month including an article about laughter, its value, and the science behind why it feels so good to laugh! How often do you laugh? If you have Grands, then we can help with planning some craft projects to turn into gifts for the holidays, and you can create some bonding time to build your relationships. Greg Budell offers some great insight into the JFK assassination and how it looks from 60 years out. We need to do better! Jeff Barganier visited a great little town in South Carolina and now I want to go to the Flower Town in the Pines. There’s much more, like the benefits of hiring a travel guide for your next trip. Have you ever thought about going to places as a party of one? It’s uncomfortable to me but this month we have an article that walks us through the experience and it’s not a disaster, check it out. There’s plenty more to read and share, we created this issue for you. I hope you enjoy the reading experience. Thanks for sharing BOOM! with friends and family. I appreciate it. Age well, my friends. Express your thanks and love this Thanksgiving, it’s the best gift you can give!
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Dr. Blake Raggio, Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon
Cosmetic Surgery Amongst Baby Boomers
Cosmetic Surgery Trends – In General Self-improvement takes its shape in many forms, whether dieting, exercising, meditating, reading, or picking up a new hobby. With that said, one self-improvement element has become more mainstream over the last two decades—Cosmetic Plastic Surgery.
roughly 47% of improved appearance may restore their the non-surgical confidence and help improve their love aesthetic patient lives. population. Among these non-surgical Another reason for Baby Boomers’ interventions, increased participation in Cosmetic some of the most Procedures includes the widespread common procedures use of social media (e.g., Facebook, performed included Instagram), which has opened the injectables such as door for more straightforward sharing botulinum toxin about one’s Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (e.g., Botox, Dysport, “experience.” This added familiarity and Xeomin, Jeuveau) comfortability with cosmetic procedures and a wide variety of promotes increased participation by the Facelift, Necklift, Fat Grafting, dermal fillers from older adult population. Upper lid Blepharoplasty reputable companies such as Allergan (Juvederm), Galderma Whatever the reason, the Baby Boomers Whether it be due to a culture where (Restylane, Sculptra), represent many appearance seemingly drives societal and Merz (Belotero, patients who norms (e.g., Hollywood, social media) or Radiesse), to name a continue to where “selfies” and virtual meetings (e.g., few. experience all Zoom) have become more commonplace, the incredible one thing is for sure, that is Cosmetic Why are Cosmetic benefits of Procedures have become increasingly Procedures so popular undergoing popular over the last several years, amongst older adults? cosmetic especially for baby boomers. Cosmetic Surgery procedures has become a widely to improve or According to The Aesthetic Society’s accepted practice for maintain one’s Revision Rhinoplasty, Surgical Lip Lift, National Databank of Statistics, nearly older adults, including appearance. Upper lid Blepharoplasty 1.5 million cosmetic surgical procedures men and women were performed in 2019, marking a 6.2% alike, and there are many reasons for this WHAT IF I'M INTERESTED IN increase compared to 2015. Similarly, increasing popularity over the last several COSMETIC PROCEDURES? there has been a 13.3% rise in nonyears. Whether you are considering a facelift surgical cosmetic procedures since to look your best for your daughter’s 2015, with nearly 3.1 million procedures For one, the social stigma surrounding upcoming wedding or are interested in performed in 2019. the aesthetic plastic surgery field is nearly receiving filler under your eyes to look less gone. This is especially true as more and tired, you should consult a physician with Cosmetic Surgery Trends more people, including older adults, focus specialty training in the area you want Baby Boomers on their outward appearance regarding to improve. Furthermore, ensure your Older adults (ages 51 and up) represent their health and self-improvement. doctor is well-versed in surgical and nonmany patients undergoing cosmetic Perhaps the Baby Boomers understand surgical facial rejuvenation procedures procedures, constituting 39% of the what scientists have known for years: to guarantee a aesthetic surgical patient population. attractive people tend to be more comprehensive Nearly 571,000 cosmetic surgical successful in life. evaluation. Lastly, procedures were performed in this choose a surgeon older population, with some of the most For instance, data suggests more whom you trust. popular procedures being Facelift, Eyelid attractive people tend to be more Surgery, and Liposuction, amongst others. successful in the workplace. For that In Good Health, reason, Baby Boomers often use cosmetic Dr. Blake Raggio Regarding non-surgical therapy, older procedures to remain competitive in the Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon adults underwent nearly 1.5 million workplace, where younger colleagues www.RaggioMD.com procedures in 2019, representing dominate. For other older adults, an info@raggiomd.com The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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Pike Road
12th Annual Veterans Appreciation Ceremony
Join us on Sunday, Nov. 5, as we honor the men and women who have sacrificed so much to keep our country free! The 12th Annual Veterans Appreciation Ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. at the Pike Road Veterans Memorial at Veterans Park, 4902 Pike Road. The event will feature the Veterans Walk of Honor, the dedication of new commemorative bricks installed in our Veterans Memorial, music by the Capitol Sounds, the Presentation of the Colors, and remarks by a distinguished guest speaker. Highlights of the afternoon will include the recognition of all veterans in attendance, the dedication of newlyinstalled brick pavers honoring individual veterans, patriotic music by the Capitol Sounds, and the presentation of a handmade, patriotic quilt to a veteran in attendance by the Pike Road Quilters. Thank you to the community volunteers who contribute their time and talent to honor our veterans at this meaningful event! The community is invited to join us as we celebrate and honor our nation's heroes, and all veterans are invited to be a part of this special program. We hope to see you on Nov. 5!
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By Michael Clark
‘After Death’:
What’s on the Other Side? A Documentary Review This provocative film takes a scientific look at what happens when the lights go out. Striking while the iron is still relatively hot, the company (Angel Studios) that produced the out-of-leftfield summer hit “Sound of Freedom” has followed it with “After Death,” a sprawling and intriguing documentary centering on the Near Death Experience (NDE) phenomenon. There was a time when people claiming to have NDEs were written off by the scientific community as mentally unbalanced or religious zealots, but times have certainly changed. Founded in 1978 by four independent researchers, the International Association for Near-Death Studies began approaching the concept of the NDE from scientific and medical perspectives. First-time directors Stephen Gray and Chris Radtke follow the blueprint of “Sound of Freedom” by somewhat bucking the trend of other long-established faithbased productions. Instead of putting the emphasis on Christianity, the filmmakers employ it as a connective narrative tissue. Biblical Scripture This is not to say that religion is relegated to the back burner. The filmmakers present passages from biblical Scripture indicating that the NDE has a long and ancient history. Texts from Paul in Acts 14:19–20 and Corinthians 12:2–4 offer examples of long-deceased people returning to life for reasons unexplained. Also quoted is Book 10, Section 614 from Plato’s "Republic," with similar claims. In the interest of “full disclosure” storytelling, the filmmakers take what some might feel to be a dicey move by including decidedly dark passages.
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According to the data presented, of those who have had an NDE, a full 23 percent of them described themselves as “visiting Hell.” During several wellconceived and wellexecuted dramatic (yet restrained) re-creations based on testimony provided by the participants, these experiences were as harrowing as one could possibly imagine. On the flipside, the handful of other interviewees describe their experiences as transcendental and cleansing. They all claim to have seen their deceased bodies from above before departing for high skies, and looking down at stunning and expansive celestial landscapes while being completely devoid of fear, doubt, pain, or apprehension. You Have to Go Back All were told that their time on earth was not done and that they would have to return. So pleasant and awakening was his journey that car crash victim Don Piper exhibits marked levels of resentment, because he was shown the way to the Promised Land only to be forced to return to life on earth. In what is the most telling and hard-todismiss example, brain surgery patient Pam Reynolds (via archival video) describes watching her lifeless body on the operating table while identifying music playing in the operating room and specific medical instruments used by attending personnel. Prior to the surgery, Reynolds (now deceased) was put into an induced coma and had her body temperature lowered to 50 degrees in order to prevent shock during the operation. It would have been impossible for her to recall any details of her operation, as she was clinically dead at the time.
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From a technical perspective, “After Death” is particularly impressive. The dramatic reenactments, usually an Achilles heel in any documentary, are kept in check and are quite convincing. For me, this is due in part to replacing dialogue with voiceovers and keeping their inclusion to a bare minimum. The “afterlife” visual interpretations are nothing less than stunning. Often recalling the final act of Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey,” these (mostly) CGI images perfectly match the ethereal and ephemeral descriptions of existence in the great beyond by those who have been there, and it’s easy to see why none of them wished to return. Science Concedes Featured prominently in “After Death,” cardiologist Michael Sabom projects a demeanor that suggests healthy skepticism. Speaking in a matter-of-fact tone and thoroughly lacking in pretense, spin, or hyperbole, Dr. Sabom likens his position on afterlife occurrences to that of a prosecuting attorney. His training as both a scientist and a doctor told him that trying to confirm something unprovable went against everything he knew, yet after decades of being exposed to dozens of unrelated cases with so much overlapping detail, he changed his mind. Later in the film, Dr. Sabom makes a pointed observation about the difference between the words “proof” and “evidence,” and how the latter applies to the belief in NDE. Mirroring Dr. Sabom’s mindset are respected scholars Dr. Raymond Moody and Dr. Jeffrey Long, who were both also leery of the nonscientific, largely disprovable aspects of NDEs. At one point, all of these men set out to poke holes in the nonlogical aspects of existence beyond earth but could not. These were not (but are now) men of faith; they were scientists who dealt in black and white. For them and others, to concede and ultimately extol the likelihood of life after death is more than enough for any and all nonbelievers to reconsider their (perhaps doubtful) previous positions. Source: www.theepochtimes.com/bright/
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MONTGOMERY CANCER CENTER
SET TO ROLL OUT CENTRAL ALABAMA’S FIRST MOBILE MAMMOGRAPHY UNIT Life-saving cancer screenings are headed to town and will soon be easier to access thanks to JOY, a state-of the-art Mobile Mammography Unit. The 24-foot motor coach will bring enhanced breast cancer screening technology, breast health awareness, education and outreach services to underserved communities in central Alabama. JOY will be staffed by Montgomery Cancer Center medical professionals who will serve the following twelve counties: Autauga, Bullock, Butler, Chilton, Crenshaw, Dallas, Elmore, Lowndes, Macon, Montgomery, Pike and Wilcox. In addition to these areas, JOY will be available at many community events throughout the tri-county area. Accessibility to healthcare is one of the greatest challenges facing the State of Alabama and The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) has identified
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cancer as the second leading cause of death in the state. Early detection is crucial in the fight against cancer, and JOY will help provide just that for thousands of people across Central Alabama, thereby improving their chance of survival. Mammograms will be paired with education, including the use of realistic visual models of breast tissue, which will empower people to invest in their own health and aid in prevention efforts.
A patient’s initial screening on JOY is only the beginning of the care they will receive from the Montgomery Cancer Center team. JOY ‘s dedicated clinical experts will manage the patient’s treatment plans in a caring environment, offering comfort and assistance throughout the treatment management process. While JOY will only concentrate on breast cancer screenings, a second mobile unit of Baptist Health‘s Driving Hope Initiative will provide general cancer screenings and education in the future.
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Overnight Pumpkin French Toast Casserole
It’s everything we love about fall on one comforting plate. Creamy, pumpkinbriochesoakedbread topped with pecans for that extra crunch and that ohso-perfect buttermilk glaze
Ingredients:
1 (16-ounce) loaf brioche bread, cubed 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, cubed 10 large eggs, beaten 1 ½ cups whole milk 1 cup canned pumpkin puree ⅓ cup maple syrup 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Kosher salt ½ cup chopped pecans for the buttermilk glaze 2 cups confectioners' sugar 3 tablespoons buttermilk 2 teaspoons orange zest 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Kosher salt
Directions:
1. Lightly coat a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray. Place a layer of bread cubes evenly into the baking dish. Top with cream cheese in an even layer. Top with remaining bread cubes. 2. In a large glass measuring cup or another bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Pour mixture evenly over the bread cubes. Cover and place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight. 3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Remove baking dish from the refrigerator; let stand 30 minutes. 4. Sprinkle with pecans; place into oven and bake, covered, for 30 minutes. Uncover; continue to bake for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and center is firm. 5. Serve immediately, drizzled with buttermilk glaze. for the buttermilk glaze 1. In a medium bowl, combine confectioners’ sugar, buttermilk, orange zest, vanilla and pinch of salt. Whisk until smooth. If the glaze is too thin, add more confectioners’ sugar as needed. Source: www.damndelicious.net
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Meals On Wheels Every Monday through Friday, Meals on Wheels volunteers deliver hot, nutritious lunchtime meals to 428 homebound seniors who are unable to prepare their own meals. This vital program is a source of much-needed nutrition, provides welcome, daily contact with senior clients, and serves as a means to regularly check recipients' welfare. Volunteer Meals on Wheels Montgomery AL Metro Area relies on volunteers to deliver services to seniors. Our 1,000+ active volunteers ensure seniors in the community are fed and cared for. There are many ways you can join us in our mission, follow the link to learn more and enroll to be a volunteer. https://mowmama.org/volunteer
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Montgomery Regional Airport-MGM
As the Montgomery Regional Airport (MGM) makes way to close out 2023, MGM is pleased to announce that it has seen significant passenger traffic in recent months. At the end of September, the number of enplaned passengers was nearly 12% over this same time last year. The summer months are known to be a season of high passenger traffic at MGM – and this year is no different. We always want to communicate to the local community the ongoing need for your support to keep this momentum going, and flying local means more routes, airlines, and options for our passengers and community. Suppose you’re thinking about flying to your next destination – whether business or pleasure – we ask that you consider MGM. Look to MGM first before taking dollars out of the state to another airport. Supporting local has a significant impact on our region. If you eat and shop local, you should fly local too! Upcoming News: In the coming month, MGM will be opening Dunkin’ Donuts – something our early-morning passengers will surely enjoy. Holiday Travel: Also, ahead of the holiday hustle, we encourage you to book your flights early, arrive two hours ahead of your flight, and always remember to pack your patience. Thank you for supporting your hometown airport and flying local. For booking information, flight schedules, and more details about the non-stop air service, please visit Montgomery Regional Airport's website at flymgm.com.
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Jest a Moment
By Nick Thomas
A Short History of Newspapers
The first big breaking hard news story ever documented in writing was probably the announcement of the Ten Commandments, recorded on ancient stone tablets. Sure, it only had a circulation of one, but its impact has been profound. As he raced down Mt. Sinai shouting the news, Moses might be considered the first paperboy as he hollered (and I’m paraphrasing here):
vacationing on the Italian coast had failed to grasp the significance of a regional travel columnist’s headline: “Visitors Flock to Pompeii to View Smoking Vesuvius.”
“Extra! Extra! Read all about it: idolatry, blasphemy, murder, theft, coveting, adultery, all banned – citizens in shock!”
Centuries later, as writing, literacy, and the printing press spread across Europe, so did modern newspapers. The oldest newspaper still in publication today is the Swedish Postoch Inrikes Tidningar (Post and Domestic Times) although, since 2007, has been published online only.
By 60 BC, the rising Roman Empire still followed the Fred Flintstone printing technique with news laboriously chiseled in granite and posted for citizens to read, although it’s unlikely much attention was paid to these posted bulletins consisting of rather dreary government headlines: “Caesar to Appear in Senate on Ides of March.” However, politicians soon took note and all Caesars who followed would learn to acknowledge the power of the press.
Established in 1801, the New York Post claims to be the nation's oldest continuously published daily newspaper. How could one dispute such a claim from a publication that once famously displayed the front-page headline: “Headless Body in Topless Bar”? However, when U.S. newspaper weeklies are included, the distinction of being the oldest still in publication goes to either the New Hampshire Gazette (1756) or the Hartford Courant (1764), depending on which editor you ask.
The public was even slower to appreciate the merit of snappy headlines. That changed during the summer of 79 AD when tourists
Newspapers have traditionally taken the title of a town, county, or state, followed by a term indicative of a public journal such as Gazette, Tribune,
or Courier. Smaller newspapers with witty founders have, on occasion, been christened with less formal titles. These include the Carmel Pine Cone in California and the Arizona Tombstone Epitaph which covered the 30-second gunfight at the local O.K. Corral in 1881. The Carlisle Mosquito (Massachusetts) still features all the local buzz, while Wyoming’s Laramie Boomerang might pose a challenge for bicycle-riding paperboys who risk minor injuries during the traditional method of residential delivery. The vast majority of small U.S. towns have never produced a local newspaper. But there are areas with curious names – Weakley, Tennessee; Cow Yard, Massachusetts; Hell, Michigan; Sweet Lips, Tennessee; Hardy, California; and Peculiar, Missouri (all real places) – where it might be worth a shot. Who could resist subscribing to the Weakley Weekly, the Cow Yard Breeze, Hell Today, Sweet Lips Appeal, the Hardy Constitution, or the Peculiar Citizen? And should you ever travel to Butts County, Georgia, you’ll find the local newspaper named the Jackson Progress-Argus. Unfortunately, my letter-writing campaign to the publisher suggesting a name change to the Butts Examiner has been wholly unsuccessful. Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery in Alabama, and has written features, columns, and interviews for many newspapers and magazines. See www.getnickt.org.
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by Kimberly Blaker
Personalized Gifts Grandkids Can Make and Give That Won't Break Their Piggy Banks Make a placemat. Choose a subject of interest to your gift recipient, such as model cars or Barbie dolls. Clip pictures from magazines and catalogs. Then glue them to an 11" x 17" sheet of paper. Overlap the images to create a collage, or spread them apart and share details about each. When you're done, laminate the design with self-adhesive laminating sheets, or have it laminated at an office supply.
As the holidays approach, are your grandkids scrounging to buy gifts they can't afford? If so, here are some fun craft ideas you can work on together next time they visit that make great gifts your grandkids can make and give. Tell a story with photos. Create a memory page to add to a friend or relative's scrapbook. Buy a package of blank scrapbook pages. Then choose a theme such as ‘my best friend,' ‘sports car shows,' or ‘when I was little.' Design each page using stickers, markers, colored pencils, construction paper, photos, magazine pictures, and fun sayings or descriptions that fit your theme. Service coupons. Offer a free evening of babysitting, a week of taking out the trash, making your sister's bed, pet sitting, lawn mowing, ironing, or another task you can do. Shape decorative soaps. Grate bars of inexpensive white soap. Then mix approximately ½ cup of warm water with a cup of shredded soap. Add food coloring to the water to create colored soap. Knead the mixture. Add additional warm water as necessary until it forms like dough. Next, fill cookie cutters with the mixture. Or flatten it on a sheet of waxed paper, and trim into
shapes. Let the soap dry slightly. Then press with small leaves or other designs. Allow the decorative soaps to dry for 24 hours, flipping them occasionally. Design your own pens and pencils. Purchase sheets of large white labels and cut them into 1-½ inch strips. Design the pieces with colored markers. Then wrap the design around the length of the pens or pencils. Personalize them by adding a smaller label to the center of the pencil with "World's Greatest Grandma" or another catchy phrase. To protect your pencil design, wrap it with transparent scotch tape.
Create bookmarks. Cut colored paper into 2" x 7" strips then design the pieces with colored pencils and markers. Or clip fancy border from magazines. Find out your gift recipient's favorite author, artist, or historical figure. Then look the person up in a book of quotations. Select a quote, type or write it out, and add it to the bookmark. Then laminate it for protection. Give magnetic photos. Cut a piece of cardboard from a cereal box to match the size of your photo. Then glue it to the back of your photo for support. Last, glue a small magnet to the cardboard. Now you have a photo magnet. Fashion a holiday pin. Buy a package of large safety pins and a small bag of multi-colored beads. Open one safety pin. Then dangle several
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safety pins onto it through the eye at the bottom of those pins. Close the open pin. Then thread colored beads onto the dangling safety pins. You can design a Christmas tree, heart, flag, or whatever your imagination desires.
Give a poster. Find out your friend's favorite rock star, actress, or sport. Then tear three or four full-page photographs or pictures from magazines. Trim the tattered edge. Then laminate for a durable glossy poster.
Construct a puzzle photo frame. Cut a piece of firm cardboard to your desired size of the frame. Then ask an adult to trim out the center with a razor knife, leaving a 1" to 2" thick frame. Next, trace the outside edge of your frame onto another piece of thin cardboard, and cut it out. Place a sheet of colored paper between the two pieces of cardboard. Next, glue the paper and two pieces of cardboard together. Glue jigsaw puzzle pieces around the frame, overlapping each other to cover the entire thickness of the frame. Let the frame dry. Then brush a layer of glue over the puzzle pieces to prevent them from falling off. Stick your photo in the opening of the frame with double-sided tape.
Compose a memory book. Buy a composition book from the office supply. Cover it with construction paper, then design and decorate the cover. Inside, write your memories of special times you've had with the person to whom you'll present it. Memories might include a trip to the zoo, a favorite holiday celebration, a special gift, something funny, and lots of other experiences you've had together. Produce glittery pens. Buy a package of pens and different colors of glitter. To get started, pour glue onto a sheet of waxed paper. Then roll one side of the pen lightly in the glue, leaving one inch from the tip without
glue. Coat the pen with glitter, and then let it dry. When the glue dries, repeat these steps on the other side of the pen. Kimberly Blaker is a freelance writer. She also owns an online bookshop, Sage Rare & Collectible Books, specializing in out-of-print, scarce, signed, and first editions; fine bindings; ephemera and more at sagerarebooks.com
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By Kimberly Blaker
What Makes Us Laugh?
The History of Laughter and Science Behind Its Medicinal Effects Whether you guffaw, chuckle, chortle, cackle, roar, howl, or giggle, the ability to laugh is shared by all people around the world. Humans even share this ability with apes and other primates! Charles Darwin and many other researchers have recorded observations of laughing in various primate species during play and especially when being tickled. These findings suggest the ability to laugh goes back millions of years to a shared ancestor. Tickling may not be what makes you laugh – but everyone has something that tickles their funny bone. Although the jokes people tell have shifted and developed throughout history, laughter's positive benefits are unaltered. How do laughter and humor affect our health? Laughter may really be the best medicine. Scientific research has backed up the positive effects a good laugh can have on your physical, mental, and emotional health. Laughing is so beneficial to health that laughter therapy has even become an alternative approach to treating depression, stress, and other mood disorders. Evidence from numerous studies finds laughter to be an effective method in cognitive-behavioral therapy because of its effects. Gelotology is the term used to describe the study of laughter. This field was developed in the late 1960s and examines the physiological and psychological effects of humor. One of the founders was William F. Fry, who would watch comedic movies while drawing blood samples. The results showed that laughter increased the activity of immune system cells. Norman Cousins was a big proponent of laughter as medicine. At the age of 50, he was struck with a disease with a low recovery rate. But he noticed that he experienced less pain and fewer
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method on older adult women experiencing depression in comparison to a control group that used exercise therapy. Those who completed laughter yoga reported significantly higher life satisfaction and improvements in their depression compared to the control group. The study found laughter yoga to be as effective as exercise programs. symptoms when laughing. He prescribed himself regular laughter by watching Candid Camera and Marx Brothers movies and lived another 25 years. He worked with the California University Hospital to more formally study the health effects of laughter. Just a few of the recorded benefits of laughter on mental, physical, and emotional health include: • Increased endorphin levels • Increased production of immune cells and antibodies • Decreased levels of stress-causing hormones like cortisol and epinephrine • Improved memory • A refreshing mental break that helps replenish mental resources • Strengthened social bonds • Increased intake of oxygen, which stimulates organs • Reduced • muscle tension • Ability to better handle scary or stressful situations As our understanding of the benefits of laughter has grown, people have started to incorporate laughter for other aspects of health, too. A physician from India, Madan Kataria, created laughter yoga which combines breathing, movement, and laughter to promote mental and physical health. A study examined the effect of this
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The Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor is a non-profit organization started by a group of psychologists who promote the use of humor to support improved health and well-being. They have an extensive research library that shares academic research related to the benefits of humor and laughter. Counselor and stand up comedian, Richard Granirer, of Stand Up for Mental Health, uses stand up comedy to educate the public about mental health and reduce the stigma around it. He also teaches those with mental health issues or disorders to utilize their struggles to create comedy, which gives them a sense of control and self-worth. How has humor changed over time? Humor as a source of laughter has been around as long as humans have been able to communicate. According to Robert R. Provine, a laughter expert, "The necessary stimulus for laughter is not a joke, but another person." Laughter seems to have evolved as an essential part of social interaction, even if it does not happen face-to-face. The current thought is that humor is based on the recognition to observe or create incongruities in a social setting, and as humans’ cognitive abilities and language has developed, so has humor. Play-fighting may be one of the earliest forms of humor due to the mix of playfulness with fighting behavior. The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
In 2008, a group of British historians hunted down the oldest recorded joke - a fart joke in Sumeria in 1900 B.C. It was inscribed on a tablet and translates to: "Something which has never occurred since time immemorial. . ." "A young woman did not fart in her husband's lap." Although the words used may change, jokes at their core tend to make light of similar ideas - like fart jokes or toiletrelated humor. Top 10 oldest jokes from history, discovered by researchers led by humor expert Dr. Paul McDonald, reinforce the idea that at their heart, jokes have not changed too much over time. Humor has always dealt with "taboos," witty retorts, pointing out ironies, making light of difficulties, or come at someone's expense. The format of jokes may change, and the details may shift to reflect the times, but the basic elements remain the same. Throughout history, humor has developed to reflect the times as people used laughter to connect. What people find funny varies based on individual and
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shared experiences. Humor generally reflects current events and stages of life and can be a way to relate to others. Shared humor relies on shared context and understanding of content. So people may not be able to appreciate jokes that have a more specific connection to a particular group. Some types of humor may be more global and relate to the basic human experience. In contrast, others have a more narrow audience that can appreciate them. Jokes and humorous content have also been shared in a variety of different ways, depending on the technology available. Humor can be shared in any way that people communicate. Jokes have been shared through every medium imaginable - carved on tablets, written in newspapers, sent in letters, graffitied on walls, or told by entertainers like court jesters and stand-up comedians. The rise of technology has also led to alternative ways of sharing humor. In the 1950s, Charley Douglass, a sound engineer for CBS, created laugh tracks to make a shared experience of laughter for people watching at home. Today, humor can be shared far and wide through the internet
and social media in the form of memes or videos. Humor and laughter are universal and vital parts of a happy and healthy life. Keep your spirits up by finding ways to keep laughing. Though each person's sense of humor may be a little different, you just have to seek out what you find funny or enjoyable. Especially when you are feeling down, it is even more important to try to find something to laugh at to lighten your load. Socialize with people who make you laugh for a boost. Sign up for a daily joke or comic strip. Follow your favorite comedian. Keep a running list of books, songs, tv shows, or movies that make you laugh. Or start a 'funny file' for emergencies with cards and pictures that bring a smile to your face. Even if you don't feel like laughing, try forcing a few chuckles - the more ridiculous, the better. You'll likely find yourself genuinely laughing before you know it! Kimberly Blaker is a freelance writer. She also owns an online bookshop, Sage Rare & Collectible Books, specializing in out-of-print, scarce, signed, and first editions; fine bindings; ephemera and more at sagerarebooks.com
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By Nancy Monson
In Praise of Travel Guides Hiring a guide can make the difference between a good and great vacation may therefore be an issue, but you can look for a tour that offers headsets for its participants, so even if you're far away from the guide, you can still hear the commentary.
When I was a young adult, the thought of hiring a guide or going on a group tour was anathema to me. How uncool, I thought! How pedestrian. But once I got divorced and was traveling in my 50s and 60s, often solo and on complicated and exotic trips, I came to appreciate how wonderful it is to have a guide. Case in point: On a recent trip to the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, our plane was delayed and my sister and I arrived at 1 am instead of 10:30 pm. Yet there was our driver Nelson waiting for us at the airport, immediately easing our anxiety about how to travel into Quito, a city that can be unsafe. And in the morning, there was Nelson again, and our guide Eddie, to take us to the Andes Mountains and then to the airport the next morning, making sure we got on our plane to the islands. "There are many advantages to hiring a travel guide," says Heather Stimmler, an experienced American-born Parisian tour guide and founder of the insider's newsletter Secrets of Paris. "They have local and insider knowledge about the destination and where it's safe to visit, and they can translate if there's a language barrier. They can also save you time and sometimes money." The Inside Scoop from Tour Guides Notably, too, guides can be invaluable in today's world where many travelers opt to stay in an Airbnb or VRBO accommodation rather than a hotel. "When you rent a private home, you can't rely on a concierge to help you find your way around a city," she says, "so hiring a tour guide makes good sense."
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Just as importantly, tour guides can provide much-needed context to whatever you are seeing. Eddie, our guide in Quito, gave us an overview of Ecuador's economy, major industries, culture and politics, and was extremely knowledgeable about the birds we saw in the Andes Mountains. Interacting with him and Nelson was a pleasant bonus, and we were able to really appreciate how friendly and gracious the Ecuadorian people can be. Types of Travel Guides Of course, there is more than one type of tour guide and more than one type of tour. A day tour: This kind of tour lasts a few hours and typically focuses on a specific area of a location or an activity (such as the culinary scene, biking or hiking or a museum tour) and can be found through Tripadvisor and Viator. You can also find free tours in many cities led by guides who work solely for tips. Companies include Freetour.com, Free Tours by Foot and Sandemans New Europe Tour. A day tour covers a set agenda with little room for individual preferences, and might include up to 10 or more people. Being able to hear the guide
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A group tour: This is usually a multi-day tour that you book through a travel agency for soup-to-nuts travel, accommodations, meals and activities. As a group trip, the itinerary is preset, but may include free days to explore or rest. It's important to be sure you can keep up with the group's activities before you book a tour; for this reason, many companies rate the activity level of their trips so you know what's involved. You can also find group tours that cater to specific interest groups, from over50 travelers, single adults, families or LGBTQ+ individuals, and different activities, like birdwatching, quilting, exploring battlefields or viewing gardens. Well-regarded group tour companies include Intrepid Travel, National Geographic, Road Scholar and Smithsonian Journeys. A customized private tour: The most expensive type of tour (though not necessarily prohibitably so) is one that you book just for yourself and your party. The advantages of these types of tours are many: You get to choose what you see and how much time you spend at a particular attraction or destination. How to Find and Vet a Guide So you may be convinced to hire a guide on your next trip — but don't pick just any guide, advises Stimmler. "I had an awful experience myself with
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an American tour guide in Mexico City who was unprepared, sloppy, lacking in knowledge — she didn't know that the Sunday we were visiting was actually a national holiday, so we couldn't do what we wanted to do — and who actually had us pay for things because she forgot her wallet one day. She was so bad that we cancelled our last day with her." There are many ways to vet a guide. Word of mouth is best, but you can also ask a travel agent for recommendations. (The driver and guide for my trip to Ecuador both have a long-standing relationship with the travel agency that booked our trip, so we were assured a good experience.) You can also peruse travel guide reviews on TripAdvisor, Tours by Locals and Viator. "If you book directly with a guide, get their full name and look to see if they have a book they've authored or a website with a physical address and phone number listed, and they are
registered and certified if need be," says Stimmler, noting that in Paris, tour guides must have a license from the city to take guests to museums, and in Italy, all tour guides must be certified by the country. "Make sure that whoever you book with — if it's directly or through a travel agency — that you will have a way of getting your money back if things don't go as planned. There are a lot of scammers and bad companies offering guiding services, so you need to be careful," Stimmler says.
like to have during your tour and make sure the guide knows this when planning your itinerary. Nancy Monson is a writer, artist and coach. She is the author of "Craft to Heal: Soothing Your Soul with Sewing, Painting, and Other Pastimes," Connect with her on Instagram. Source: www.nextavenue.org
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Beyond that, she suggests having discussions with prospective tour guides about what they think is worth seeing and doing, and if they have suggestions that are off the beaten path. You also want them to know if you have any food, allergy or mobility issues, are traveling with kids or older adults and if you have any special requests. Finally, think about how much down time you'd
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BOOM! 39
By TJ Butler
How I Learned to Love Being a Party of One Some of my favorite pursuits are things couples or friends do together — by myself The twists and turns of the last few years have changed our lives. We've aged. Family and work arrangements are different, and many of us have new health concerns.
whether my husband was enjoying himself as much as I was. At that moment, I began to realize what going places by myself would come to mean.
Time spent with friends and family is on a vastly different social landscape, and this has revealed something unexpected to me: Where I previously enjoyed leisure time in small groups or with my husband, you can now find me as a happy party of one.
The winery's scenic front porch | Credit: T.J. Butler
Some of my favorite pursuits are things couples or friends do together. After spending too much time at home waiting for organized get-togethers, I decided to try going solo. I wasn't afraid of spending time alone, but I worried I'd feel awkward without a companion. Who would I talk to? Would it look strange to be single at couples and group events, or would people wonder why I was there alone? I had no answers to these questions. However, I had a long time to ponder them. Too long, in fact, while I stayed home and missed being out. Relishing My Solo Status I discovered The Choco-Vino Challenge, a wine and chocolate pairing class offered by Little Washington Winery near Virginia's Shenandoah Mountains. It felt like the perfect experience to begin flying solo. It would be my first time learning
about wine, and I love both wine and chocolate. I convinced myself that if I didn't take the initial step to going out alone, I might never do it. With wine and chocolate's romantic elements, I felt awkward as I entered the shop. However, I only missed my husband for a few moments. The sommelier who facilitated my tasting was so kind and knowledgeable that I relished my solo status. She discussed the wine pairings in a friendly conversation rather than a group lecture, and I didn't have to share my treats with anyone. When you have a platter of beautifully crafted truffles in front of you, being alone is a bonus. Out of habit, I reached for my phone for something to do. I put it back into my purse just as quickly. Then, I paused to absorb my surroundings. I was in an adorable boutique shop. I had the window seat, and four wine and chocolate pairings to enjoy. I could linger over each one and savor the atmosphere without wondering
as for couples.
Soon, I'd finished my pairing platter. The sommelier volunteered that Little Washington Winery had two other locations, including a brewery and a main winery. The day was gorgeous. I was eager to try more solo activities in places traditionally thought of
However, I wondered if wine and chocolate were a delicious anomaly and if a brewery would be different. I wasn't sure how the rest of my day would go, but I decided to take a chance. A Solo Outing on a Gorgeous Day The brewery overlooked a vast lawn with mountains in the distance. I sat on the porch with my beer flight a few tables away from a boisterous group of friends. I realized I enjoyed sitting alone and didn't wish to be with my own friends. I sampled each beer, enjoyed the view and soon, I decided it was time to leave. This brought on another revelation about solo experiences; I could leave whenever I wanted. I did, and it was freeing to be on my own schedule. I was a little nervous driving to the winery. Everything I've heard about wineries included friends or romantic partners. I envisioned sitting alone with a sad glass of wine among happy couples, texting my husband because I didn't
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know what else to do. I couldn't shake the uncertainty despite the fact that I was going there alone on purpose. The winery is located in a mansion on a hilltop overlooking rolling hills. It has a gorgeous view of the mountains in the distance. The sommelier made me feel comfortable when I ordered a wine flight for one. She guided me as I selected five wines from their extensive list, and then she walked me to the main floor. Each luxuriously decorated room had ample seating, with every space in the mansion available for guests to use. I toted my wine flight from room to room exploring before I found the wraparound porch. I settled into a cushioned lounge chair on the porch and took in my surroundings. Hummingbirds visited a feeder hanging from a ceiling beam, then whizzed into the air, wings like tiny engines. An occasional butterfly landed on a flowering bush nearby.
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My shoulders relaxed. I sipped a crisp Chardonnay and gazed across the fields toward the mountains. I didn't need to text my husband. Just then, the benefits of going out solo became evident. Enjoying Myself at Every Turn During my wine and chocolate pairing, I realized I could enjoy the experience for as long as I liked without worrying about whether my companion was ready for the check. At the brewery, I recognized that I could leave at any time, rather than stay because the other person wasn't ready to go. Wineries are the epitome of couples' events, yet I'd enjoyed myself at every turn. After my initial nervousness, asking for a table for one wasn't as intimidating as I'd expected. In fact, the endeavor felt like freedom. I considered future solo experiences as I took tiny sips of each wine in the flight. With my new ideas about pursuing activities alone, I'd no longer have to stay home waiting for friends to work out their busy schedules.
Now, my time would be my own. I'd get to linger in some places and breeze through others, considering only my own whims and desires. I've spent decades tending to other people's needs. At my age, a second act, if you will, it's time to allow myself the freedom to enjoy experiences that will not only enrich my life but allow me to learn about myself. Recently, I've looked at a few vacation cottages and wondered about taking a long weekend alone. While I value time spent with friends and loved ones, a solo day at a scenic Virginia winery made me realize my own company is as fulfilling as anyone else's. TJ Butler lives on a sailboat on Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay where she writes and photographs landscapes. She is the author of a new short story collection for women, “Dating Silky Maxwell.” To connect with TJ and learn more about her collection, please visit TJButlerAuthor.com.
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BOOM! 41
Master Gardener's Perspective
By: Ben Coker
LOBLOLLY PINES
My son inherited some timber land from his grandmother, and we harvested the trees in 2016. We had to decide whether to clear, cut the trees, just cut the pines, or just cut the hardwood. In the past, the trees had not been clear-cut. There are positives and negatives to each. If you clear-cut, the property looks bad; the habitat is disturbed, and increased streamflow results because water is not being taken up and released by the trees. However, clear-cutting creates wide-open spaces with lots of sun exposure. This allows the most sunlight to reach tree seedlings that require full-sun conditions to thrive. Clearcutting is the most efficient and economical method of harvesting a large group of trees. We decided to clear-cut. Our next decision was to decide what to replant. We replanted loblolly pine trees. We were told that the loblolly pines would grow faster and be able to be harvested again in probably 15 years. The loblolly is described as one of the
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fastest-growing southern pines, with height increases of 24 inches per year. Loblolly pines are listed as producing the straightest pole wood and can be harvested for fence posts in year 11 and utility poles in year 22. However, the loblolly pine is somewhat susceptible to pine beetles. But, loblolly pines are very tough in their adaptation to environmental stresses, including heat, drought, clay soils, and moist soils. Sounds like the South to me, particularly Alabama and maybe even Clay County,
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War Era Victory Gardens Making a Comeback
where the land is located.
Another choice may have been to plant longleaf pines. I learned in my Alabama Extension Service Master Gardener class that longleaf pines are less likely to succumb to beetle infestation. These pines have thicker bark and higher sap flows that are better able to flush out and repel boring beetles. Longleaf pines can generally produce pulpwood by age 20, chip-n-saw logs at 30 years, and higher-class products - saw timber, poles, and plywood by age 40. There are also some financial incentives to plant longleaf pines, but from what I read, the minimum number of trees to be planted needed to be 5,000. We don't have that much acreage. So, did we make a mistake in planting loblolly pines? I believe it is based on what we wanted to accomplish. Ben Coker, an intern in the 2023 Master Gardener Class, lives in Montgomery. For more information on becoming a master gardener, visit www. capcitymag. org or email capcitymag@ gmail.com.
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Looking Ahead to 2024 at AUM OLLI
We have had a good fall term at AUM OLLI, with challenging classes, informative lunch presentations and bonus opportunities, and exciting field trips (with one more to come in the term – touring the Governor’s Mansion on December 11 to enjoy the holiday decorations). Many members toured the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Plant to see the hundreds of robots contributing to the manufacturing of 1,500 vehicles every day. Another group traveled to the Auburn Raptor Center to learn more about the birds that inhabit our world.
from which to choose: line dancing, hiking for those who want outdoor exercise, and tai chi for pain management. New courses include one on food and art in Paris and one devoted to the novels of Southern historian Richard Marius. Members who want to develop new skills can choose from watercolor painting, quilting, jewelry making, Zentangle, and writing. AUM OLLI is also offering two one-day workshops: one on dot painting on February 1 and one on photography on February 8. (See the forthcoming catalog for details on all of these offerings.)
The catalog for the 2024 Winter Term is being completed so that people will receive it in their mailboxes or see it online within the next few weeks. There will be new and continuing or repeated courses from which to choose. The popular pickleball class and two computer classes – both introductory level – are on the winter schedule. There are three active classes in addition to pickleball
There is a full schedule of field trips from which to choose. The popular trips to Hyundai, food and wine tasting at Peppertree Steaks N’ Wines, and AUM basketball games are being offered again. Another field trip is already open for registration (because of the necessity of reserving tickets for the play). On February 14, 2024, AUM OLLI members will go to the Gogue Center
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for Performing Arts in Auburn to see the national touring company’s production of To Kill a Mockingbird starring Richard Thomas as Atticus. Members will take a bus from the Center for Lifelong Learning (75 TechnaCenter Drive) to Auburn for a presentation about the play by retired Auburn emeritus history professor Dr. Wayne Flynt (and longtime friend of Harper Lee) and a box supper at Sunny Slope (AU OLLI’s headquarters) with AU OLLI members. Plan a unique outing with your Valentine! Open House for the 2024 Winter Term is December 5, 2023, 10:00 a.m. - noon. There will be a Holiday Sale as part of the Open House.
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Travel Experiences with Jeff Barganier Photography by Jeff Barganier
“Flower Town in the Pines”
Early South Carolinians were astonished at how they escaped the “low country” summer fevers while harvesting lumber in Summerville’s pine barrens. They thought it was “something about Linwood Bed & Breakfast, Summerville, SC the pines” that kept them healthy. Truth was, the absence of mosquitos kept the original kitchen of them healthy. the main house. It was avant-garde to have The absence of mosquitos was due to wella kitchen attached to drained soil and an ancient earthquake fault below the area. The good news is, those Carolina low country summer fevers are history. Today, there are much better reasons to sojourn in this quaint South Carolina town present-day residents call “Flower Town in the Pines.” One good reason would be to stay at historic Linwood, built in 1883 by Julia Drayton Hastie. The two-acre site on the edge of town was selected so Mrs. Hastie’s husband, William, could walk one block to the train station for a ride into Charleston and his insurance business. Interestingly, only three years after construction, the house was moved two and a half inches off its foundation during a Cindy's drawings devastating earthquake. The epicenter was thought to have been directly below the house! We’re sitting in that house now. When Cindy starts dashing off notes and making drawings, I know I’ve hit a home run. She’s
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Cindy at Linwood Entrance
the house in the 1800’s. This one was located under the dining room with food raised via a dumbwaiter. White plaster walls, original antique exposed brick doorways, and a low-beamed ceiling all make me feel like I’m in a cottage in Cotswold (England),” she writes.
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curled up in a chair, focused on her notebook. “Adorable private apartment that was
If our little suite is “adorable,” the grounds can only be described as exquisite. Peter and Linda Shelbourne purchased the Summerville Victorian home in 1979 and began cultivating the extensive gardens on the two-acre site. Ten years later, Hurricane Hugo served as a massive setback. But they started anew. Today, the stunning gardens feature eighty-four unique plants, including a great variety of Camellias. Together, they frame wonderful focal points that soothe the eyes and stir one’s imagination. There is even a “secret garden” perfect for a children’s tea party, complete with small wrought iron table and chairs. Elevated porches of the stately house allow Official Greeter, panoramic views of the Earl Gray lush, formal gardens looking southeast toward the front of the estate. But nothing substitutes for a stroll through the fragrant gardens.
Our objective this trip is to rest up, eat great food, and refresh. We’ve come to the right place. I didn’t think true “Southern” could be found outside Alabama. I was wrong. Summerville is the embodiment of the word. The people here are warm, friendly, courteous, helpful, laidback, and genuine, making this a delightful place to spend time. It’s understandable why in forty years the population has exploded from 3,000 to 46,000. And—a big plus— everywhere we go, we find delicious, well-made sweet tea. Summerville claims to be the Jeff entering Linwood Gardens “Birth Place of Sweet
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The Ice House: Gets its name from the original use of the building. Eclectic farm to table Southern fare. I highly recommend the fried chicken breast— maybe the best I’ve ever had, except for
Tea.” That’s because the first tea plant on these shores arrived at Charleston’s Middleton Plantation, about twenty minutes from Summerville. Since we are mostly eating; and then surveying the next place to eat, I’m going to make your dining itinerary easy. These great casual dining restaurants are all in the historic downtown area, a few minutes from the Linwood Inn.
Town Square
Matt’s Burgers: These burgers are simply wonderful. Matt’s is bustling but a table always seems to be available. There are tables outside, too. The atmosphere is fun. Super-friendly service. Great fries. It’s the quintessential local burger place. Eva’s on Main: Usually a line here. Our favorite for breakfast. Breakfast all day Saturday and Sunday. Great lunch menu, too.
Mama’s. The Eclectic Chef: Soups and salads. Wraps.
South Carolina’s oldest pharmacy—was established 1871. Guerin’s still has an oldfashioned soda fountain, and one of those weighing machines you put a penny in. (Do not point this machine out to your wife.) Another reason we love Summerville is because it’s the hometown of our Pike Road friend, Billie Tomberlin. We even located the cute house she grew up in, photographed it, and “texted” her the photo. (How times have changed!) The first person we asked remembered Billie, stating her maiden name. But most folks weren’t familiar with Summerville’s Mike and Gray Benko, design stars on Chip and Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia Channel. They were the inspiration for our Summerville visit. But the Benko’s were nowhere to be seen. Probably busy tackling a fixer-upper. For More Info:
Sweet Tea Capital
Wonderful seared salmon salads, and much more.
I’m sure there are many other Shuckin’ Shack: excellent eateries. Another local favorite, But these are the this is the place to ones where we’ve Matt's Burgers go for oysters on the actually eaten. half shell, generous po’boys and seafood When you’ve finished your meal, drop by platters. Mainstreet Reads and tell them Jeff said “hello.” A few favorite shops are Laura Montreaux Bar and Grill: The shrimp Jones & Company Interior Design, Katie bisque is excellent. Mae’s, and, everyone’s favorite drugstore is a must see. Guerin’s Pharmacy—
www.linwoodinn.com www.mattsburgerschs.com www.evasonmain.com www.montreauxbarandgrill.net www.theshuckinshack.com www.mainstreetreads.com www.guerinspharmacy.com www.theicehousesc.com www.eclecticchef.net
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Jeff S. Barganier is a novelist, travel writer and manager of Cindy Barganier Interiors LLC. He travels far and wide upon the slightest excuse for something interesting to write about. Contact: Jeffbarganier@knology.net. Instagram: @jeffbarganier. You may print out Jeff ’s features at www.jeffbarganier.com.
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St. John’s Episcopal Church Annual Bazaar 2023 Ho Ho Ho, Cotton State Santas
The Episcopal Church Women (ECW) Market will haveCafe its annual Wednesday, The Farmer's was siteBazaar of a jolly November 15, 2023, from 10-2 p.m. in the70Education Building. Sundayvisited gathering as over Santas and Mrs. Clauses School classrooms will be turned into shops for handmade arts crafts, a Montgomery for the bi-monthly meetingand of "Cotton pantry of homemade casseroles and breads, cakes, chapter pies andofcookies, silent States Santas", an Alabama IBRBS - aThe auction, and a treasure International attic full of gently used household goods including Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas. kitchenware, china and Montgomery's silver, holiday and decorative warealong and much River Region Santa with amore. team The Bazaar Luncheon will be from 11-1 for $12 of local Santa a plate. orders are available driveperformers welcomed the guests with an excellent meal and To-go program featuring "Santa via Slate", through in the rear parking lot at the tent a Montgomery-based African-American Santa who shared his story. This was the first time the by door. NoRusk reservation is needed for group chose Montgomery as a meeting place and as the CSS kitchen President Steve of Gardendale to-go orders. Reservations for dining in the mentioned "The Capital City is a great location! She opened up and treated us well." The visitors ParishaHall are encouraged and can be made left with gift bags consisting of a Montgomery guide book, sample of ALAGA hot sauce, and by calling the church office at 334-262-1937. anticipation of another excellent visit next year. Cotton States Santas are a group of over 200 Theprofessional Luncheon will be usingEntertainers some recipes from theregularly ECW’s “St. Disciples Recipes,” including Christmas who meet forJohn’s fellowship and Blest education. Meetings Martha Allen’s chicken and rice casserole, Betty Mathews’ marinated green beans, vinaigrette spring are held in different locations across the state. The next meeting will be in May at Guntersville. salad mix with fruit, rolls and blueberry crumble. Continuing a tradition started last year, there will be a Boston Butt Sale from 5-7 p.m. Pre-order is available by contacting the church office at 334-262-1937. America's Band, Beach Boys @open MPAC May There will be a limited amount available for pick-up. MostThe of the shops will be also during the 17 As The Beach Boys mark more than a half century of making early evening hours. The Food Pantry will be featuring classic staples and some new favorites. The Arts music, the group continues to ride the crest of a wave and Crafts shop features handmade Christmas ornaments, including pinecone angels, spice garlands, in America’s wine bottle bags, greeting cards, photo cards by local artists, cross-stitchedunequalled and needlepoint items. musical history. The Beach Boys – have big become synonymous with thecocktail California lifestyle The Treasure Attic will have fancy and plain glasses, decorative flower parts,who pitchers and small, beautiful linen napkins, and anoutreach Americanprojects icon, are bringing their to fans puzzles and silver-plated serving ware. All proceeds are designated for the ECW’s that benefit the shows local community. around the world. Since the band’s co-founder, lead-singer andFirst-Ever chief lyricist Mike Love penned the lyrics Hilltop Public House Announces Montgomery’s Miracle Pop-Up Bar to The Beach Over-the-top Christmas-themed pop-up bar to open in Cottage Hill Neighborhood Boys’ first hit, “Surfin’” (1961), dozens of the bands chart toppers have become eternal anthems of American youth: It’s time to get in the Christmas spirits! Hilltop Public House has “Surfin’ USA,” “Surfer Girl,” “Fun, Fun, Fun,” “I Get Around,” been selected as Alabama’s third Miracle Pop-Up bar. Miracle at “California Girls,” “Help Me Rhonda,” “Barbara Ann,” “Good Hilltop is a Christmas-themed pop-up cocktail bar that serves holiday Vibrations,” “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “Rock and Roll Music” cocktails in a festive environment. With kitschy and extravagant and “Kokomo.” The Beach Boys have sold over 100 million holiday decorations, professionally developed cocktails and the records worldwide and have received more than 33 RIAA nostalgic energy of the best holiday party, Miracle at Hilltop promises Platinum and Gold record awards. The Rock And Roll Hall of an unforgettable Holiday experience. Miracle at Hilltop will begin Famers where also honored at the 2001 Grammy Awards on Monday, November 20 at 5:00 p.m. For the following six weeks with the Lifetime Achievement Award. With more than until December 31, Hilltop Public House will close at 4:00 p.m. and five decades of touring under their belts, The Beach Boys will reopen as Miracle at Hilltop at 5:00 p.m. The special holiday have performed more concerts than any major rock band in cocktail menu will only be available during the Pop-Up and a limited history. Montgomery performance Wednesday, May 17. coffee menu will be available. MiracleatatMPAC, Hilltop will be releasing a For tickets visit www.mpaconline.org calendar of events for the six weeks duration of the pop-up. For more details, visit https://www.miraclepopup.com/. WeSubscriptions are located inatthe historic Cottage Hill neighborhood up the hill from downtown Free Digital www.RiverRegionBoom.com Montgomery, 3 N Goldthwaite St, Montgomery, AL 36104.
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David Brewer Singers Present an evening of Gospel Music at Jan's Beach House The David Brewer Singers will present an evening of Gospel Music at Jan's Beach House located at 850 Eastern Blvd in Montgomery. There will be great food and drinks and great Gospel Music from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Call your friends and plan for an evening of fun and fellowship! Tuesday, November 21, and Tuesday, December 19
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Brunch for Widows @ Frazer Church
The American Village will hold a public commemoration of Veterans Day on Friday, November 10. A Service of Thanksgiving will be held in the Colonial Chapel at 11:00 a.m., followed by a wreath laying at the National Veterans Shrine. Family-friendly activities will be offered from 10am to 3pm. Admission is free.
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HEY THERE!! I am SO happy to be back with my Bucket Listers! I hope you are doing well and have been crossing things off your Alabama Bucket List for 2023! Have you traveled around our Sweet Home Alabama at all this year? If so, I would LOVE to know where you have been and what your experience was! As for me, it took a bit longer to readjust to post-pandemic life in terms of learning how to manage TWO sites (definitely still a work in progress). As most of you know, I've been running my primary site, Trimm Travels, since 2016. Alabama Bucket List was launched in 2020 at the height of a very dark time in all of our lives. While it had been in concept for a couple of years, the silver lining was that I finally had time to create my vision! More importantly, it gave me time to rediscover my home state in a way I'm not sure I otherwise would have. I've truly learned through the eyes of a tourist AND a local just how remarkable Alabama really is! Check it out today https://alabamabucketlist.com/
Caregiver of the Month Spotlight: Sasha Hill Sasha has been with Home Care Assistance since March of 2021. Ms. Hill has displayed empathy, compassion and has gone above and beyond for all of her clients! Too often we underestimate the power of touch, a smile, or even the smallest act of caring, which all have the potential to make a positive impact on someone's life. Home Care Assistance is grateful to have Sasha on our team!
We appreciate your hard work and dedication, thank you for a job Well Done!! For more information visit www.homecareassistancemontgomery.com
GIFT HOPE | A special way to shop this Christmas Wednesday, November 29 | 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Fellowship Hall of First United Methodist Church, 2416 W. Cloverdale Park, Montgomery. Or Online November 29 - December 11. Gift Hope will again offer people in the River Region an opportunity to rethink the traditional Christmas gift, by giving them a better alternative – giving hope to someone in need. Gift Hope supports area ministries and nonprofits through an event where you can purchase a variety of “gifts” in honor of a friend or loved one. By supporting Gift Hope, you help fund specific items from one or more nonprofits working in the Montgomery area to help those in need -- for example, one week of hot meals for an elderly couple in need, or one night’s shelter for a homeless family. (Gifts will be available at a variety of prices, starting at $5.) The gift recipient will receive from the gift purchaser a card announcing the gift(s) made in the recipient’s name and the name(s) of the designated nonprofits. Gift Hope 2023 is a community event sponsored by the Church & Society Work Area of the First United Methodist Church in Cloverdale Park. Join us on Wednesday, November 29, and support your community. For those unable to attend, online shopping will be available from November 29 - December 11 at www.fumcmontgomery.org/gifthope/
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Capital City Master Gardeners
Association Lunch & Learn @ Montgomery Cultural Arts Center
Capital City Master Gardener Association presents Lunch & Learn, the 1st Wednesday of Every Month from 12-1 pm. They will meet at Montgomery Cultural Arts Center (Armory Learning Arts Building), 1018 Madison Ave., Montgomery 36104. Mark your calendars, November 1, “Planting Bulbs & Tubers for Next Year’s Bloomers” Karen Weber, Master Gardener, will present “Planting Bulbs & Tubers for Next Year’s Bloomers”. Did you know that flowering bulbs in the Spring are planted in the Fall? What types of bulbs work well in this region? Where can I find a variety of bulbs? How deep are they planted? Do I have to worry about spacing them in my garden? Karen will have answers for you. December 6, “Christmas Wreaths & Garlands from Nature” Mallory Kelley, Horticulturist, ACES, will present “Christmas Wreaths & Garlands from Nature”. Are you ready to start decorating for Christmas? Why not head outside and find some natural materials - vines, pine cones, moss, feathers, etc.? Mallory will share ideas for creating your own garlands and wreaths from everyday greenery and foliage in your own back yard. Come join us! Come join us! BRING A SACK LUNCH, FREE PROGRAM, WATER PROVIDED, For information, please contact the Montgomery County Extension Office 334.270.4133. Also visit www.capcitymga.org.
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Sandy Scott Watson BOOM! COVER PROFILE
Aesthetician/Cosmetologist
“ I WILL grow old gracefully, but it won’t be without a Fight!" This month’s cover profile is Sandy Watson, and for more than 30 years, the owner of About Aesthetics. Sandy is a professional Aesthetician/ Cosmetologist and can do all the things you want to be done to enhance your outer appearance, from electrolysis, and permanent cosmetics to signature facials. All designed to make you feel good about yourself! She has been a leader in her industry for many years, organizing a statewide association to promote higher standards and professional recognition. She loves her clients and calls many of them good friends. Sandy is also a Master Gardener and is involved with her church, Christ Church Anglican, the Old Cloverdale Association, and sings Gospel music with the David Brewer Singers at Jan’s Beachhouse Grill and other venues. We think you’ll enjoy getting to know Sandy, she is truly one of a kind. Please share her story with friends.
BOOM!: Please give us a brief biography, i.e., where you’re from, education, what brought you to the Montgomery area, did you raise your family here, schools, family, etc.?
was quite the outdoorsman, hunting, fishing, crabbing, and boating on the
would put them up in the freezer.
I graduated from Bel Air High School in 1966. One month later, I began cosmetology school in Baltimore at the D’Arrigon Sandy: In the Academy of beginning, I was Beauty Arts and born in Eclectic, Sciences. Near Alabama, on the end of my November cosmetology 20, 1948. My training, I was parents lived in asked to enter Selma, but my a local beauty mother went pageant, Miss home to Elmore Greater Bel County to be Air, I won First near her mother Runner-Up. and sisters. In After working for 1951 my parents a time at a local traveled to Sandy and husband jim, wedding day in Victoria, British Columbia salon, I decided Maryland to rivers and Chesapeake Bay. Mother to try something else. I applied to visit my aunt and uncle. My father's older became a telephone operator with become a Playboy Bunny at the private brother had married my mother's twin Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Playboy Club in Baltimore. Bunnys’ are sister, my uncle was in the army. On that Company. She sewed all of my clothes just cocktail waitresses! It was very trip, they visited Edgewood Arsenal in on a little straight-stitch Singer Sewing interesting but not something one does Harford County, just north of Baltimore. Machine and was a fantastic cook. They for very long. My dad took a Civilian job on the base as bought a piece of land, and Dad built a machinist. My brother Barry Scott was a two-story home with his own hands. Moving to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, I began born in 1952, so that's where we stayed, He grew amazing vegetables, and mom working for a corporation based in New and that will always be home for me. Dad
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York, Seligman & Latz. I Managed beauty salons for them in Madison, then in Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota. In Minneapolis, I met a friend who led me to the Lord and invited me to a Full Gospel church. There I met and married my children's father, we were blessed with 2 children, David and Deborah. In 1979 we moved to Wetumpka, Alabama. I was a stay-athome mom for many years and eventually decided to reenter the workforce. In 1985, an opportunity came about to manage the Chantilly Sandy's children, Inn, a private Dave & Deborah restaurant in Montgomery. There I hosted many lovely dinner parties and weddings. I decorated and designed the floral arrangements. As I continued searching for my new career, I worked for Sears as a custom decorator and also for Montgomery Rug and Shade. BOOM!: Sandy, you are an experienced Aesthetician/Cosmetologist and the owner of About Aesthetics. Would you tell us what it means to be an Aesthetician? Please share your journey on how you became an Aesthetician/ Cosmetologist. Sandy: Aesthetics is basically improving The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
Sandy expressing her unique style with hats
one's outer appearance. So it is making people look better and consequently, feel better about themselves! I wanted to return to my original occupation in the beauty industry so in 1992 I went to electrology school in Birmingham. There I could also train in the craft of permanent cosmetics (Tattooing). I practiced both of these skills for three years in an existing electrology office in Montgomery. Then
Linda Echols, owner of the Phoenix Salon & Spa in Montgomery, and she agreed to allow me to practice under her as an apprentice. In time, I achieved my Master of Cosmetology license. Alabama is the fourth state where I have held some form of Cosmetology licensure. With my license in hand I branched out on my own and began About Aesthetics Day Spa. Eventually, I bought a little cottage in the Mulberry District. We offered facials, chemical peels, permanent cosmetics, massage, body wraps, manicures and pedicures, hair cutting and styling, and of course, one of my specialties, electrolysis, which is permanent hair removal! BOOM!: Tell us more about your business, About Aesthetics. Challenges/ rewards of being an entrepreneur?
Sandy sharing a moment at daughter Deborah's wedding, November 2022
I decided to incorporate skincare and become part of the spa industry. that's why I approached
Sandy with grandson, Aiden
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Sandy: I love everything about my business. The Lord sends me the most wonderful clients, many have become dear friends. I consider it the practice of ‘laying on of hands.’ I still offer many services I do myself, such as electrolysis, permanent cosmetics (brows,
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Sandy & Jim, Halloween at The Waters
eyeliner, lip color), facials, chemical peels, dermal planing, micro-needling and more. I also have a private-label line of skin care. With all that said I still consider myself being semi-retired. From the beginning, the Lord has led and guided me through my business decisions. It is very rewarding to have had this opportunity. About Aesthetics has existed now for more than 30 years! I will work as long as I possibly can, it's hard to imagine retirement. BOOM!: As a professional electrologist, what’s the difference between electrolysis and laser when it comes to hair removal? Sandy: In 1991 I went to an electrologist school in Birmingham at the Advanced School of Electrologist. There I also trained in the craft of permanent cosmetics (Tattooing). Later receiving the National Commission for Electrologist certification (N.C.E.C.) I’ve been tested
Sandy in New York City...at Tiffany & Co.
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Sandy & Jim, Merrimimic Ball
for and became a member of the Society of Clinical Medical Electrologists Certification (S.C.M.E.) Electrolysis is the removal of unwanted hair. Unwanted hair is a problem that affects 90% of both men and women. Electrolysis is permanent hair removal achieved by inserting a fine probe alongside the hair in the follicle opening. A controlled impulse travels through this probe and destroys both the hair route and the cells that make it grow, and the hair is then lifted out. Electrolysis can be performed on almost any part of the body. In the mid-1990s, when lasers first came on the scene for hair removal, it was very confusing. Although the science of laser hair removal has improved greatly through the years, it was very disappointing at the time. People with light skin and light or reddish hair had no success. If the laser technician is
Sandy & Jim, Orange Beach sunset
honest with the person with these characteristics, they should refer the patient to an electrologist. Only patients with light skin and very dark hair could be satisfied with laser hair removal. Often after satisfying laser hair removal, some hair will remain. A trip to a good electrologist can clear that hair. Good electrologists are a dying breed, so come quick! I have many wonderful physicians who refer patients to me. I have worked very hard as an electrologist, testing and earning certification as a Clinical and Medical Electrologist, and helping to form a state organization, the Alabama Professional Electrology Association, to study and receive Continuing Education Units (CEU). I was vice president in 1996 and president in 1997 of the APEA. BOOM!: You and your husband Jim found new love at an older age, which is unique for many of us. Would you share some of your love story with us and what it means to have someone to share this
New York City, the girls, Sandy, Bobby Jo Kicklighter, Deb and Shiela Craven
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Sandy & niece Kelly having fun in NYC The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
stage of life with? Sandy: In 2015, I decided to scale down my practice, including selling my spa building, when my late husband, Coach Pat Garner, became ill with lung cancer. After his passing, I started attending Christ Church Anglican. My mother's twin sister, who had come to live with me, kept me busy. In October of 2016, I was blessed to attend a spiritual retreat called Paseo. I met new friends who were also attending the retreat. They asked me if I would be interested in meeting a man who was a widower during that weekend. A few weeks later, a blind date was arranged at my friend's home. We had raw oysters, of which I'm not a fan, soft jazz, good wine, and an outdoor fire in the chimenea. The evening went well, but I thought Jim was a little standoffish. He politely walked me to my car, and we left.
Sandy's brother Barry, Sandy, daughter-in-law, DeAnne, son-in-law, Artoush and daughter Deb
We need more police and better enforcement of litter and noise ordinances! BOOM!: How do you like to relax and wind down from a full day of activity? Sandy: Please define ‘wind down?’ Some weeks, evenings are as busy as workdays. Jim and I both enjoy cooking, so we take turns. We enjoy sitting in the garden or on the deck with a glass of wine. Sometimes we tune out and watch a movie.
After that evening, we had limited communication until we arranged to have our first date alone, where I cooked Maryland Crab Cakes, and Jim provided the wine. We spent hours talking and getting to know each other. We have so many similar likes and dislikes. Jim started attending Christ Church with me, and he proposed marriage in July 2017. For our wedding, we wanted to do something small and private. A girlfriend of many years, Linda Pegram Gold, had married and moved to Victoria, British Columbia in Canada. She and her husband Steve agreed to host us and helped plan a lovely wedding in the sweet little garden of a friend's home in Victoria. On September 5th, we celebrated our sixth anniversary! We are blessed and highly favored to have each other in our 70’s and hope to remain newlyweds for the rest of our lives
Family fun at Escapology, with Jim's sons, L-R, DeAnne, Sandy, Jason, Jim, Christina and James
😊
BOOM!: What is it about living in the Montgomery/River Region area that you like? What do we need more of? The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
Sandy: I have been in the area since 1979. I call it "Montgomery town-city." Because Montgomery is a city with a small town feeling. I still have many of my several lady friends from my early years in Wetumpka, with whom I still keep in touch. I suppose the familiarity with the tricounty area and becoming more acquainted with my mother's family makes it feel like home. Zelef Haynie and Charles Dawson Lazenby, from Elmore County, were my mother's parents. Yes, I am an Elmoreon!
BOOM!: You have a thing for Hats… please share your passion. Sandy: That is true, I enjoy and do wear hats! A recent count was 27 hats, plus three, just for the garden. My favorites were bought on trips to New York City and New Orleans at Fleur de Paris. I never violate the straw for summer, felt in winter rules. Cloth can be worn any time of year. Hats are appropriate anywhere, anytime, except while entertaining at home because your guests may think you are ready to leave! Of course, there are hat pins too. Growing up, we always wore hats and gloves to church. BOOM!: Do you have time to be involved in the community, church, or civic organizations?
The youngest Grands, Aiden & Grace
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Son Dave performing in band, Lucky Town
Greg Budell shaing a laugh with Deb & Artoush
Sandy: Jim encouraged me to become a master gardener. I had wanted to do that for many years. In fact, Christmas 2018 he gave me the MG Classes as a gift, one of the best I've ever received ! I interned in the class of 2019. I met new friends and became reacquainted with some people from the past. My dad was an avid gardener and could grow anything, truly a country boy. Gardening is just something I have always done. I am active in the Old Cloverdale Association; I enjoy it very much. We have our neighborhood Cloverdale Garden, where there are raised beds to rent. I am on the Christ Church flower guild and help sometimes in the kitchen. For a few years, I have been honored to sing with a group called the David Brewer Gospel Singers.’ We sing at various church events, nursing homes, and at Jan’s Beachouse Grill’ on the third Tuesday of every month.
will get to spend some quality time with Jim's family, including the grandchildren. Jim's oldest son, James, lives in Marietta, Georgia, and has three grown children. His youngest son, Jason, lives in Pike Road at The Waters. He and his lovely wife, DeAnne, have two grown children and a 12-year-old, Grace, who they adopted from Russia when she was 2! Grace goes to Pike Road Elementary. She plays tennis, volleyball, and the clarinet.
😊
My son, David, and his wife, Wendy, have one son, Aiden, who is 11. He attends Simmons Middle School. We
BOOM!: How do you and your husband like to spend time with family and friends? Describe your experience as a grandmother. What do your grandchildren call you? Sandy: Together, most of our grandchildren are young adults, so we enjoy spending time with our families when we can, and schedules can be coordinated. For Thanksgiving, we've rented a condo on Pensacola Beach and
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Sandy and Carol Adair at Merrimimic Ball
enjoy spending time with him as often as possible, taking in a movie, or having a special lunch together. Aiden started playing trumpet with his school band and is playing soccer now for the third year. Aiden and Grace call me Grammy. BOOM!: What are some of your favorite travel experiences? Favorite getaway spot? Any travel dreams planned? Sandy: I have enjoyed many wonderful trips; I especially like Costa Rica. I have been many times, but in 2019 Jim and some friends joined me for a very special experience. I loved a Mediterranean cruise that included everything from Sicily to Nice, France. We did a girlfriend cruise last spring on the Pacific Coast, where I fell in love with Catalina Island. I have traveled to Mexico, Canada, and Germany. My daughter Deborah lived in Manhattan for 13 years; needless to say, I have been to NYC many times and loved having my daughter be my guide! She now lives in Atlanta, and I am grateful for the closeness for both of us. Seeing the Aurora Borealis is on my bucket list. Also, England, Ireland, and Scotland. BOOM!: As you’ve aged, how have your priorities changed? How would you describe what it means to “age well”?
Sandy's son dave with wife Wendy and their son Aiden, in Scottsboro, AL.
Sandy: I am not quite as obsessivecompulsive as I used to be. Dust bothers The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
cruise ships as the lead female singer in their shows. In 2012 she relocated to Atlanta, where she has been extremely successful, including singing with the Atlanta Opera and Symphony. She is in the process of producing her fourth album. (Debbowman.com). They both have written many of their own songs, and both started in church. I was always involved in church music and drama ministry from the time they were little. I guess it stuck!
me less and less. I am extremely busy at this stage, although I try very hard not to overextend myself. I have a saying, “ I WILL grow old gracefully, but it won’t be without a Fight”! BOOM!: Do you have any hobbies or other activities that grab your attention? Sandy: Besides being in the garden, I craft, paint, and decorate. I paint Jim and Sandy sharing a view of San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica ‘things’, like furniture, scenes on walls and ceilings, wine Sandy: Take time to exercise and paint! glasses, and craft items. I am planning more time to paint the furniture, craft BOOM!: Your daughter Deborah is a items, and glasses I already have...I could professional actor and singer, and your probably open a store and sell all of it son Dave has also spent time in the when I finish! entertainment business, what role did you play in nurturing their talents?
Sandy & the girls taking a break from their Spring 2023 California Cruise, L-R, Pat Watkins, Marlene Justice, Dawn Mitchell, and Sandy
BOOM!: What are some future challenges you’re contemplating?
Sandy: After he served with the Army in Bosnia, my son David Bowman finished his college degree at the University of Alabama. He always had a band in high school and college. He was primary in his band ‘Leaderdog’ for 16 years. He now sings and plays bass with a popular cover band, ‘Lucky Town’. He worked as a manager in Birmingham at the Guitar Center for 10 years. His day job now is as an Installer/Technician for Control Freak LLC. My daughter, Deborah, moved to NYC with a degree from the University of Alabama to pursue a career in music and theater. She performed on many
BOOM!: Give us three words that describe you… Sandy: FUN, FEISTY, GRACIOUS
Sandy's brother Barry, Commodore of the Baltimore Yacht Club and his partner Pat visit Panama City, FL Yacht Club
Thanks for Reading BOOM!
We want to thank Sandy for sharing some of her life's story with us this month. Sandy is a professional Aesthetician/Cosmetologist with more than 30 years of experience. We hope you’ll share Sandy’s story with friends and family, they’ll enjoy the reading experience. If you want to reach out to Sandy, you can call her at About Aesthetics, 334.269.3487 or email sandyscottis@msn.com. Thanks to DiAnna Paulk and her creative photography skills. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions about our cover profiles, including nominating someone, please text them to Jim Watson at 334.324.3472 or email jim@riverregionboom.com.
READ IT - LOVE IT - SHARE IT BOOM! starts conversations and shares stories. Share your business with BOOM! readers. For more information call/text 334.324.3472 or visit www.riverregionboom.com
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By Greg Budell
The Mayor of BOOMTOWN
JFK-America's Unsolved Mystery "A true story from the Greg files"
BOOMers, this month, a good number of us will say, “Hard to believe it’s 60 years since JFK”. The anniversary must be more than a mere remembrance. Other than women, there is no topic I’ve studied more voraciously than the events of November 22, 1963. I was a kid that day but had learned enough American history (as opposed to today’s approved history narrative) to know that 3 Presidents had been assassinated. I believed, as most did then, that such an event could never happen again because government had learned something about Presidential protection after 3 dead Presidents. It was 19-friggin-63! Not the Dark Ages. In the aftermath of Dallas, as a country, we naively bought the “lone assassin” theory pushed by the then-trusted media. That lone assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, didn’t survive the weekend. Dallas police, in an incalculable act of security ineptitude, allowed the self-described “patsy” Oswald to get murdered on live TV. I was watching. “They just shot Oswald!” I shouted from the Budell living room. My parents, a room away in the kitchen, replied, “That’s not funny, Gregory Benjamin!”. It wasn’t long before books (starting with Mark Lane’s “Rush to Judgement”) began asking the questions a diligent media should have asked on 11/22/63.
The world we live in today was predicted by President Eisenhower in his prescient farewell address in 1961. It should be read in its entirety, but these perspicacious excerpts specifically warned America about today- and what we are witnessing in real-time. “In this revolution, research has become central; it also becomes more formalized, complex, and costly. A steadily increasing share is conducted for, by, or at the direction of the Federal government. Today, the solitary inventor, tinkering in his shop, has been overshadowed by task forces of scientists in laboratories and testing fields. In the same fashion, the free university, historically the fountainhead of free ideas and scientific discovery, has experienced a revolution in the conduct of research. Partly because of the huge costs involved, a government contract becomes virtually a substitute for intellectual curiosity. For every old blackboard there are now hundreds of new electronic computers. The prospect of domination of the nation's scholars by Federal employment, project allocations, and the power of money is ever present and is gravely to be regarded. Yet, in holding scientific research and discovery in respect, as we should, we must also be alert to the equal and opposite danger that public policy could itself become the captive of a scientifictechnological elite.”
Welcome to 2023. 60 years on, we are there. Or should I say, “we are theirs”? Here’s one more like for Ike- “We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes’. Ike didn’t name the Internet specifically, but Big Tech today willingly censors free speech as directed by DC political powerbrokers. They are the scientifictechnological “elite” who are, in fact, endangering our liberties as Eisenhower warned. They’re elite, alright. Polite society prohibits me from inserting the proper noun for the adjective here. Most Americans today were not around to witness- to feel- the tenor of America change in the snap of a finger. A bright and hopeful United States was quickly plunged into war by the dour scoundrel who succeeded JFK, Lyndon Baines Johnson. In our Great American Numbness, little interference was put up as Johnson established an enormous government grift called The Great Society. Greatness was never realized but spending trillions proved money can’t buy prosperity. It does buy votes. Votes are power. Filmmaker Oliver Stone opened his 1993 hit “JFK” with the Eisenhower farewell speech, thus producing a movie with the conclusion at the beginning. From that open, the movie offers an entertaining mix of fact and theory about what really happened on November 22, 1963. “JFK” is not a documentary. The film drives home the point that our leaders do not serve at the pleasure of we, the people. They serve themselves to
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serve at the direction of an entrenched bureaucracy that throws enough crumbs in our direction to keep us quiet. JFK was wise to this. After being humiliated by the CIA’s horribly failed attempt to overthrow Fidel Castro, Kennedy promised to scatter the CIA into a thousand pieces. Instead, his brain was scattered into a thousand bits on a Dallas highway. This past April, in my never-ending quest for fresh takes on JFK’s assassination, I came across a YouTube channel called “America’s Untold Stories.” It is hosted by Eric Hunley and Mark Groubert. I was so taken with Groubert’s storytelling (packed with an incredible “untold” volume of new info) I reached out for an interview. Mark is now a regular on my Thursday afternoon show at 3:30 every week (NewsTalk 93.1FM). This engaging savant is amazing. I hope you’ll tune in. Among his many career experiences was time spent working with Oliver Stone on his 2021 follow-up film, “JFK Revisited”. Space prohibits a deeper dive here, but I urge you to check out America’s Untold Stories on YouTube and Rumble. Groubert’s investigative reporting and his research for Oliver Stone combine for a gold mine of fascinating finds. Some reading this may ask, “Why not leave this alone? This is crackpot conspiracy theorism”. For one, JFK’s living nephew, Robert Kennedy Jr. has stated his belief that the US government not only killed his uncle in ’63, but his own father 5 years later. Nobody’s chasing him with a straight jacket. He’s running for President. We celebrate our Veterans this month. These men and women who gave the best years of their lives for a strong, safe The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
America are witnessing a horror show. The entrenched bureaucracy has one of their own back in the White House. We are again involved in unwinnable wars, spending America into bankruptcy protecting everyone’s border except OURS. Insane. We owe our Vets a better outcome for their sacrifices. As America closes in on its 250th birthday, we owe ourselves a truthful history and a recommitment to preserving our liberties. We must continue to ask questions and demand honest answers. America’s story must be one where we learn from mistakes so as not to repeat them. Yet 60 years postDallas, we are, in fact, repeating them. We can’t have an honest history while the truth remains its elusive mistress. Written with gratitude to all who have served, may God bless you all. (Share your thoughts on my experiences or other comments via email at gregbudell@ aol.com. It's always fun to hear from BOOM! readers.)
Greg Budell lives in Montgomery with his wife, Roz, and dog, Brisco. He's been in radio since 1970, and has marked 17 years in the River Region. He hosts the Newstalk 93.1FM Morning Show with Rich Thomas and Jay Scott, 6-9 AM Monday - Friday. He returns weekday afternoons from 3-6 PM for Happy Hour with sidekick, Rosie Brock. Greg can be reached at gregbudell@aol.com
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Maximizing Medicare for 2024
Maximizing your benefits and minimizing your costs for Medicare is becoming increasingly more complex, especially in the age of COVID-19. There have been numerous articles about the expected increase in Social Security benefits due to inflation for 2023. However, there may very well be matching increases in Medicare premiums that soak up the increase in Social Security benefits. For example, there have been reports of an increase in Social Security benefits of up to 9%; there is an expected increase of 8.5% in Medicare Advantage premiums and nearly 5% in Medicare Part D plans.¹
Enrollment in Medicare Advantage plans continues to increase. These plans have an annual maximum outof-pocket cost for hospitalizations and doctor treatments; however, there is no maximum out-of-pocket cost for drug plans that are included as part of some Medicare Advantage plans. Not all Medicare Advantage plans include drugs; as a result, some Medicare Advantage participants would be better off with a separate Medicare Part D plan. With Medicare Part D plans, a recent study found that drug costs can vary dramatically even in at the same pharmacy, depending upon which plan you use; the difference, according to the study, can amount to hundreds of dollars a year². As a result, experts
Financial Thoughts with Susan Moore
At Moore Wealth Management, we have been conducting our annual seminar on Maximizing Medicare since 2006. Our experience shows that over 90% of participants need to switch Medicare Part D plans annually to maintain the most cost-effective coverage for their Medicare Part D plans. To get the most out of Medicare, retirees need to manage and review their options. At Moore Wealth Management, we do our best to help you do that.
By Susan Clayton Moore, J.D.
Susan Clayton Moore, J.D., is a financial advisor and wealth manager of Moore Wealth Management, Inc.., with offices in Auburn, Montgomery, and Alexander City, AL. Susan has under advisement over $170 million (as of 1.21.2022) in brokerage and advisory assets through Kestra Financial and has been a financial planner for over 40 years. Contact Susan at 334.270.1672. Email contact is susan@moorewealthmanagement.com
Principal of Moore Wealth Management, Inc.
advise that participants should review the changes and their individual program choices annually. Medicare’s open enrollment period starts October 15th and continues until December 7th. On Wednesday, November 15th, from noon to 1:30 p.m., Susan Moore of Moore Wealth Management, Inc. will be conducting an annual complimentary webinar workshop that covers how to maximize your Medicare. There will be both a live and recorded version. Please call the Moore Wealth Management office for further information or reservations at 334.270.1672 or email sarah@ moorewealthmanagement.com. If you miss the webinar, we also offer free consultations that are without obligation.
The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect those held by Kestra Investment Services, LLC or Kestra Advisory Services, LLC. This is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations for any individual. It is suggested that you consult your financial professional, attorney or tax advisor regarding your individual situation. Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisory Services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. Kestra IS or Kestra AS are not affiliated with Moore Wealth Management, Inc. https://bit.ly/KF-Disclosures ¹https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/cms-finalizes-85-rate-hikemedicare-advantage-part-d-plans-2023 ²https://www.consumerreports.org/drug-prices/medicare-part-d-drugplan-save-hundreds-of-dollars-each-year-on-drugs/
“How to Maximize Your Medicare” webinar November 15th, Noon, Register today 334.270.1672
At Moore Wealth Management, we have been conducting our annual seminar on Maximizing Medicare since 2006. Our experience shows that over 90% of participants need to switch Medicare Part D plans annually to maintain the most cost-effective coverage for their Medicare Part D plans. To get the most out of Medicare, retirees need to manage and review their options.
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The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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Smart Health - Nature's Way - Tracy Bhalla
To scrub or not to scrub… is it even a question? I did discuss the benefits of “scrubbing” or exfoliation, as we in the “biz” prefer to call it, but I still meet people every day whose skin could definitely benefit from a “good scrub”! When you consider that we lose a whopping 200,000,000 dead skin cells EVERY HOUR (yes, you read that right!), we are talking about a LOT of dead skin cells adhering to the surface of our skin. This makes our skin look dull, and lifeless (no “glow”- the thing to be today!) and can even make it feel rough, or at the very least, not smooth, to the touch. I have seen such a vast improvement in a person’s skin tone from just one application, it really is quite miraculous and so simple! This time of year is when I exfoliate the most, as the turn in the weather really causes my skin to dry out. Most noticeably on my hands and legs, but really all over. If I don’t regularly exfoliate my hands this time of year, then I cannot even touch fine fabrics as my rough skin will damage them – yes, it’s that bad! Fortunately, making your own hand scrub (or foot scrub) is super simple, and you’ll likely have the ingredients already at home. To start, decide if you want to use sugar or salt as your base. Sugar tends to have larger granules and therefore can be a
bit “rougher” on your skin – I would not recommend you ever use a sugar scrub on your face! In fact, a study done at the Imperial College of London ranked sugar and walnut shells (ground) as the two worst natural exfoliants, mainly because their granules can be all different sizes and sometimes have sharp edges that can cause microtears in the delicate skin of the face. On the much tougher skin of your hands or feet, it would be fine, but not on your face. Basic recipe: ½ cup (4oz) sugar or salt (sea salt if possible as it has some beneficial minerals in it which will pass through your skin. Epsom salt is also a great option, though not really a salt, really a combination of magnesium and sulfate, both of which are incredibly beneficial to our bodies for so many reasons.) 1tsp carrier oil (coconut, olive, avocado….NOT canola or “vegetable” oil) 1tsp liquid soap You can add essential oils if you wish, but no more than 20 drops. Directions: Mix the wet ingredients together in a small bowl, particularly if you are adding essential oils, mix very well! Have the salt measured out in another bowl and slowly add the wet ingredients to it, stirring constantly. You should end up
with a damp sand consistency. Put into a glass jar with a lid and use a tablespoon each time you scrub your hands or feet. Trust me, you will notice the difference after day 1; make this a regular habit, and you will be very pleased with the results. On a little side note - Since 2018, there has been a huge push to eliminate microbeads (plastic) as exfoliants, as they were appearing EVERYWHERE – in the ocean, in the fish we eat, in animals, in human lungs, I mean EVERYWHERE! They were literally trawling it off the ocean floor. Just awful. In fact, there was a worldwide ban on them in 2018, but unfortunately, independent studies are still finding them in cosmetic products even today, so please read the label carefully before you buy. It is an incredibly difficult thing to police, so it is up to you as the consumer to just not buy them. So what are the other safe options, you may well ask? Well, various companies have developed safe alternative, sustainable options that are both kind to the environment and to human skin. Among them are cellulose beads, silica beads, hydrated silica, jojoba beads, pumice stone, bentonite clay, bamboo, ground rice, and corn starch…..the list is quite long. I am happy to say that Neal’s Yard Remedies have never used microbeads and are always at the forefront of sustainable natural skincare. Use this link to see more of the awesome products they have to offer https://bit.ly/3Jr7iKE Let me know how your experience goes. I’d love to hear about it.
email: nyrbhalla@gmail.com I web: us.nyrorganic.com/shop/tracybhalla I www. LogHouseAromatics.com Tracy Bhalla, independent consultant with NYR Organics and founder of LogHouseAromatics.com; after 25 years of using homeopathic remedies, it was time to take charge and complete my Aromatherapy Certification, which I achieved April 2020 and since founded LogHouseAromatics.com as a source for useful essential oil and general natural health information and a place to purchase certain products. email: nyrbhalla@gmail.com I am here to answer any questions you may have.
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The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine