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The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

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Come Worship with Us! Sunday Worship: 9:30 a.m.

Christian Education: 11:00 a.m. on Sundays and 6 p.m. on Wednesdays

Founded Upon God’s Word

Liturgically Joyful

At Christchurch, Holy Scripture serves as the final authority for our teaching and preaching. Indeed, over the course of three years, almost the entire Bible is read aloud and preached upon.

At Christchurch, worship involves the entire congregation, as we offer God praise, thanksgiving and adoration using worship traditions that can be traced back to the earliest days of the Church. Our worship is not designed to entertain us, but to honor the true “audience” of worship, the Lord!

Warm and Loving

Committed to Mission

By God’s grace and through His Spirit, the people of Christchurch enjoy the richness and joy of being a true family. We’d love for you to become a part of us! Regardless of who you are, you will always find a home at Christchurch.

The people of Christchurch respond to God’s Word by going out into the world proclaiming the good news of Jesus, and we joyfully serve as His hands and feet whether in places like Uganda and Guatemala or within Montgomery.

8800 Vaughn Road, Montgomery, AL 36117 www.christchurchmgm.net 334.387.0566

BOOM!, The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

Contents

October 2017 Volume 8 Issue 2

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”

Facebook.com/RiverRegionBoom C.S. Lewis

Thought Relationships Taste Inspiration

Humor Advice Health Community

“Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.”

Carl Bard

3 Jackson Hospital’s Health News 8 Publisher’s Letter 11 OLLI at AUM, Open House 12 Our Pecan Tree Susan O’Connor 14 Punch Out Parkinson’s Leigh Anne Richards

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Features

26 Living Like

'The Golden Girls' in Retirement

Departments 20 This and That

Getting You “In the Know”

16 Planning the Withdrawal of Your Retirement Assets

40 Yadkin Valley

Home to sonker, Sangiovese and the sheriff

44 {12} Things

Special Events for Boomers

46 Yoga

May Bring Better Sleep to Breast Cancer Patients

20 First Friday Chef Demo @ Whole Foods

42 Greg Budell

GREETINGS FROM FLORIDUH IRMA WAS HERE

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COVER PROFILE

19 The Fascinating Link Between Walnuts and Weight Loss

21 ASF's The Glass Menagerie 22 Pensacola's Foo Foo Festival 24 Local Artists Shows

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28 BOOM! Cover Profile 32 Breast Cancer Events 34 When a Loved One Enters a Nursing Home Ask an Elder Law Attorney

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37 Walk to End Alzheimer’s: Heather Goggin's Story 39 Eating Smart with Tracy Bhalla: Weed or Free Food?

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BOOM! The River Regions 50+ Lifestage Magazine is published monthly by River Region Publications, 3966 Atlanta Hwy, Box 266, Montgomery, AL 36109.

The phone number is 334.324.3472. Copyright 2017 by River Region Publications. No part of this publication can be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Opinions expressed in BOOM! The River Regions 50+ Lifestage Magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the owners, nor do they constitute an endorsement of products and services herein.

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Publisher’s Letter

My Breast Cancer Story

Many of you have one. Mine began with my first wife, Marty. Each year during October I share my Breast Cancer Story with our readers. Everyone who has experienced Breast Cancer knows the bond we all share yet everyone’s story is unique. I consider my experience a blessing.

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.

Breast Cancer’s Blessing Could life be any better? My wife and I were truly enjoying the fruits of our labor. We were business partners, she was the boss and I was her advisor. We had been publishing Montgomery Parents for eight years, and serving our community with something we thought was worth doing. We were “empty nesters”, and our schedules allowed for travel and plenty of time to love on the grandkids.

Through our effort we had discovered the joy of “made for each other”, because both of us brought something to our marriage and business relationship the other didn’t have. We became a complete work of love. After a 40-year relationship stemming from a 9th grade history class encounter, Marty and I had discovered the “sweet spot” of happiness and we were enjoying the blessing of God’s design. And then we weren’t.

Publisher/Editor

Jim Watson, 334.324.3472 jim@riverregionboom.com

Contributing Writers Sandi Aplin Austin Barranco Tracy Bhalla Greg Budell

Heather Goggins Lori Martinek Susan O’Connor Robert Preidt Leigh Anne Richards Ronda Walker Kathy Witt Raley L. Wiggins

In April of 2003, our lives changed. Marty and I were sitting in our living room as our family doctor told Marty she had metastatic breast cancer. We were paralyzed by the thought. It’s as if our brains were frozen. It was a Friday afternoon so we would have to spend the weekend with this intruder; we were being held hostage by breast cancer until Monday’s appointment with the oncologist. We both struggled to understand the why. I researched breast cancer and learned too much while Marty began sharing with family and friends the “news” no one wanted to hear. As an optimist I was going to get to the bottom of this problem and find a solution. Marty, who had a deep faith, knew the solution was with God. Of course, we both would press and probe our doctors for answers and hope and got some of both. But in the end, our journey with breast cancer led to God and the peace that only He can provide. Breast cancer changed our lives, but God was the director.

Cover Photography Jeri Hines Total Image Portraits www.totalimage.com 334.261.2080

Advertising

I became a caregiver, and like many men, was pretty unfamiliar with the job description. But when your wife has breast cancer and every day together is truly precious, you ask a lot of dumb questions and you get smart quick. I’m not talking medical stuff, I’m talking laundry and cooking and pill organizing and, most importantly, serving. Marty lived 30 months after her diagnosis and I wouldn’t trade one moment of serving her for anything in this world. The blessing of serving is hard to realize and appreciate because we all want for ourselves. Our nature is to be selfish. But when you serve someone you forget about your needs and value someone else’s. I learned that from Marty. She was a selfless, caring person and when I took on that role in our lives it was an abundant blessing. Marty showed me where to find hope and how to never lose it. Our hope was and is in God. God’s blessings aren’t about being in the best place of your life, they’re about being in the best place with Him.

Jim Watson, 334.324.3472 jim@riverregionboom.com

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Our Cover Profile this month is a Breast Cancer Survivor and she also has a unique story to share. Her name is Ronda Walker and her experience with breast cancer began as a mom with young children.

Ronda began to live with the reminder of what it was like to lose her best friend and mom to lung cancer. The fight was on and Ronda, through her Christian faith, battled on to weather this storm and provide inspiration for many others in the Breast Cancer Community. I am proud to share her story with you this month. There’s plenty more interesting reads this month and I hope you’ll sit back and enjoy the best reading experience for the 50+ community in the River Region. Please share BOOM! with your friends and your comments with me. I love to listen. Please sign up for the free subscription to the Digital & Interactive BOOM! online at RiverRegionBoom.com. Thanks for being part of our BOOM! Community.

Jim

jim@riverregionboom.com 334.324.3472 cell/text

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OLLI Begins Fall Term with Record Membership

The fall term for the Auburn at Montgomery Osher Lifelong Learning Institute had a successful opening in mid-September 2017 with a new high for membership: 223 members for 2017 – 2018.

Twenty-two classes are hard at work on their studies or on their artful creations.

Study classes are covering films, architecture, finance, literature, spiritual autobiographies, war, and the science of the future. Activity classes include oil painting, pine needle basket weaving, jewelry making, zentangle in color, dancing, and exercises. There will be five lunch presentations during the term: Theatre AUM, music in Montgomery, marble sculpture (creation of the new marble installations at Helen Keller’s home), the story of a Viet Nam War pilot, and getting acquainted with AUM ‘s sixth chancellor, Dr. Carl A. Stockton.

(Seats are still available for some of these; registration is available online.)

The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

The winter 2018 winter classes and lunch presentations are just as varied. OLLI members will study architecture, novels, investing, war, and films. They can also register for photography, pine needle basket weaving, zentangle, and dancing (ballroom and line). Lunch presentations will cover the 2018 season at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, quilting (a man’s approach), MANE – Therapeutic Riding Program, and the Alabama Goodwill Ambassador Program.

Registration is currently open for the upcoming fall lunch presentations and for the winter 2018 classes and lunch presentations. Because of the increased OLLI membership, individuals interested in specific classes or programs can go online to register (a few classes did close due to maximum enrollment fall term).

on Thursday, November 2, from 10:0 – 11:30 a.m. to meet instructors and learn about classes in the coming term. As originated at the 2017 Fall Open House, there will once again be an exhibition of works created by OLLI members in classes during previous terms: paintings, pine needle baskets, publications, popup cards or books, zentangle designs, and photographs.

For more information about AUM OLLI or to request a catalog, contact: Brittany at 244-3804.

Also plan to attend Winter Open House

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by Susan O’Connor

Our Pecan Tree When I was a child our family adored pecans, toasted or in pies. My parents, two sisters, and I spent mini Thanksgiving holidays picking up pecans at the farm in Georgia where my grandfather was born. The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas was spent separating the meat from the shells.

Everyone worked to get the job done.

After a while, my parents decided to plant a pecan tree in our backyard, to go along with the palm, pear, and apple trees. We all watched our pecan tree, waiting and waiting for those first pecans, none came. In the second year of our tree, instead of pecans, we sited what we thought was a big spider web in the top of it. Mother told us all about web worms and pecan trees. Mama Hollis, Mother's mother, was to eat lunch with us that memorable Saturday. I couldn't wait to tell her about the worms in our tree. When I told her, she suggested that Mother and Daddy needed to burn the web out of the tree. My parents didn't want to start any fire because of the dry fall season we had experienced.

That afternoon, Mama Hollis stayed with us while Mother and Daddy ran some errands. As soon as the tail light lights of the '54 Bel Air was out of sight, Mama Hollis was wrapping part of an old sheet around a piece of wood left from one of daddy's building projects. The three of us watched wide-eyed. We'd never seen anyone make a torch. Not only that, she was disobeying our parents – a

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truly terrifying thought!

Well, she dipped the torch into Daddy's lawn mower gas

can and then lit it. We followed at a respectable distance. She climbed up on the kitchen stepladder she carried in her other hand. Then, she lit the web sack. It began to burn instantly as did the surrounding dried leaves. Quickly, the entire tree was a blaze with bits of red, glowing leaf parts floating in the air. The burning leaves landed on the very dry grass, which proceeded to burn. The fire seemed to skip across the grass and all directions.

Our neighbor heard us, smelled the smoke, and saw the fire. Grabbing her garden hose, which was a soaker, she ran toward us. Another neighbor had been trimming his bushes ran ahead into call the fire station two blocks away. We could hear the engine pull out of the station, coming to save us. However, since our house was on a small court, the fire truck drove right past the turn for our street. By now, all the adults and children that lived around us were outside. Some neighbors brought regular hoses, that were not soakers. One man jumped in his car to chase the fire truck to have it return to our house. Between the fire truck, that finally arrived, and water from other houses, the fire was put out.

When Mother and Daddy got home, the three of us had never in our lives been more thankful to have been innocent bystanders in the explanation of why part of our front yard and side yard was crispy black.

Susan O’Connor, an intern in the 2016 Master Gardener Class, and is now a Master Gardener, lives in Montgomery. For more information on becoming a master gardener, visit ww.capcitymga.org or email capcitymga@gmail.com.

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Punch Out Parkinson’s

“Of all the pills, I’ve taken, Rock Steady Boxing is the finest and most effective" (Pete Stewart, A Rock Steady athlete).

Rock Steady is a program designed to punch out Parkinson’s Disease. The mission statement of the program is to empower people with Parkinson’s Disease to fight back.

Parkinson’s Disease is a degenerative movement disorder which can cause deterioration of motor skills, balance, speech, and sensory function. The Parkinson’s Disease foundation estimates that more than 1 million people in the U. S. are diagnosed with Parkinson’s, and more than 60,000 people are diagnosed each year.

Parkinson’s Disease impacts people in many different ways. Not everyone will experience all the symptoms of the disease, nor will they experience them in the same order, or the same level of intensity. Each case is different. While symptoms are unique to each person, the progression does vary. There are different stages of Parkinson’s. In some people, it could take 20 years to go through the stages.. In others, the disease progresses more quickly.

Parkinson’s Disease Sign and Symptoms • Tremors- shaking usually beings in a limb, often your hands of fingers • Slowed movement- steps may become shorter, simple task are time consuming

• Writing changes- Hard to write and the writing may appear small The typical Patterns of progression in Parkinson’s Disease are defined in Stages.

• Stage One- The person has mild symptoms that generally do not interfere with daily activities. Tremor and movement symptoms occur on one side of the body only.

and rigorous exercise, emphasizing gross motor movements, balance, core strength and rhythm, could favorably impact range of motion, flexibility, posture, gait, and activities of daily living. Most recent studies, most notably from the Cleveland Clinic, focus on the concept of intense “forced” exercise, and have begun to suggest that certain kinds of exercise may be neuro-protective and will actually slow the progression of the disease.

The Rock Steady Boxing Program is one such program that has been used for many of the studies on how forced exercise helps the symptoms Richards of Parkinson’s and the progression. Rock Steady Boxing, is the first boxing program of its kind in the country.

It was founded in 2006 in Indiana by Prosecutor, Scott C. Newman, who is living with Parkinson’s.

Fitness over Fifty

by Leigh Anne

• Stage Two- Symptoms start getting worse. Tremors, rigidity of movements affect both sides of the body, Walking problems and poor posture may become apparent. The person is still about to live alone • Stage three- It is considered mid stage of the disease. Loss of balance and slowness of movements are hallmarks of this phase, Person is still fully independent, but symptoms significantly impair activities of daily living such as dressing and eating • Stage four- This stage has more severe symptoms. Walking may still occur, but it is often limited and rigidity and slow movement are visible. In this stage, most patients are unable to complete day to day task and cannot live on their own

Newman was diagnosed with the early onset of Parkinson’s at age 40. He began an intense one on one non-contact boxing training just a few years after his diagnosis. He witnessed dramatic improvement in his physical health, agility, and daily functioning through the intense and high energy workouts. Newman’s quality of life improved dramatically in a short period of time due to his fighting back against Parkinson’s.

• Loss of automatic movements- you may have trouble with unconscious movements like blinking, swinging your arms when you walk, smiling

• Stage five- the last or final stage. The person cannot take care of themselves and may not be able to stand or walk. A person in this stage usually requires one on one nursing care.

Word of this unique program spread and the demand for more classes increased.

Rock Steady created training programs to meet the needs of fitness levels at all stages of Parkinson’s- from the newly diagnosed to those that have been living with it for decades. It is a program that involves non-contact boxing as well as stretching, balance work, interval training and strength work. The program also includes voice activation training.

• Speech changes- Speech may become softly, slur, or monotone

Various studies in the 1980’s and 1990’s have supported the notion that vigorous

Rock Steady has a logo that is the Statue of Liberty embellished with a boxing

• Rigid muscles- muscle stiffness can occur in any part of your body.

• Impaired posture and balance- you may become stooped

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glove. According to Newman, the founder of the program, the words inscribed on the Statue of Liberty and the hope symbolized by her presence at Ellis Island, illustrated his dream that his dream that Rock Steady Boxing would be a beacon of light and hope for those suffering with Parkinson’s Disease.

There are currently 443 Rock Steady programs around the world. There are 22,150 people with this program.

Montgomery Alabama is happy to announce that the program is now located h at MetroFitness. Montgomery is now only the 3rd city in the state of Alabama to offer this incredible program.

To learn more about the Rock Steady Program please visit their website at Rocksteady.org. Watch videos, read testimonials and the latest research involving this program.

MetroFitness will launch this program on Oct 10, 2017. For more information, call MetroFitness at 334-396-0040 or contact Leigh Anne Richards at LAMetrofit@aol. com. You do not have to be a member of MetroFitness to be in this program. Let’s fight back- Punch Out Parkinson’s!!

Leigh Anne Richards, MEd, Certified Personal Trainer, Group Exercise Instructor, General ManagerMetroFitness. For any questions or comments, contact Leigh Anne at LAMetrofit@aol.com

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Planning the Withdrawal of Your Retirement Assets

Brandt McDonald introduces his July guest columnist, Austin Barranco… From time to time, I will be introducing several of our advisors through this column. They will share personalized insights into financial markets, financial planning, and overall wealth management concepts. At McDonald & Hagen, we have a deep bench of talent that is eager to serve our firm’s clients and our local community. This month’s column is written by Austin Barranco. Austin entered the financial industry in 2014 after earning a degree in Finance from The University of Alabama, with a specialization in Insurance and Risk Management, he has also earned the distinction of a FINRA General Securities Principal held with LPL. Austin and his wife Maghen live in East Montgomery with their dog Chip. In his free time Austin enjoys college football, golf, and traveling the world.

You've worked long and hard to accumulate the assets that you are using to help finance your retirement. Now, it's time to start drawing down those assets.

Exactly how you liquidate your assets will affect your tax and impact how long those assets last, so it pays to plan a withdrawal strategy that is efficient and maximizes the benefits of different types of investments.

An efficient withdrawal strategy can significantly improve the overall performance and longevity of a retirement portfolio. Certain tactics for drawing cash from retirement assets may have more favorable tax implications for the investor. It is also possible to manage portfolio rebalancing in order to minimize transaction costs. Other factors that have a significant impact on withdrawal strategy include IRS required minimum distribution rules and large holdings of company stock in a qualified retirement plan.

The first step in planning your withdrawal strategy is to make a precise inventory of all the assets you have in your portfolio, paying particular attention to distinguish between taxable accounts, such as ordinary bank or brokerage accounts, and tax-deferred accounts such as 401(k), 403(b) and 457 plans, and IRAs. From this inventory, you can estimate how much cash you will receive from dividends, interest payments, redemptions, and distributions in the coming year. You can also assess how much you will need to hold in reserve in order to meet the associated federal and state tax obligations.

If your total net cash flow from the assets in your taxable accounts is strong enough to meet your budgeted cash needs for the year, you may consider yourself to be fortunate. You need not weigh the transaction costs of different asset sale strategies or consider the added income tax effects of withdrawing assets from employer-sponsored plans and IRAs. But if you do need to liquidate assets in order to meet your cash flow targets, then you

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Financial Thoughts

with Austin Barranco

should consider the plusses and minuses of each withdrawal strategy as outlined in the following savings withdrawal hierarchy.

As you consider these options, keep in mind that no single order can be right for every person and every situation. Among the additional issues you should consider when designing your withdrawal strategy are the management of portfolio risk, your tax bracket, and the cost basis of the investments. With that in mind, below is a high-level summary of guidelines for creating an appropriate strategy.

Remember, this is a conceptual ranking.

Your circumstances may require a different sequence, so be sure to obtain relevant financial advice before taking any action.

Note, too, that estate tax considerations might have an impact on withdrawal priorities.

• Meet the rules for Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). Owners of traditional IRAs and participants in 401(k), 403(b), and 457 plans must follow IRS schedules for the size and timing of their RMDs (see below). Those who fail to do so face a penalty tax equal to half of any required distribution that has not been taken by the applicable deadline.

• Sell losing positions in taxable accounts.

If you have an investment that is worth less now than when you bought it, you may be able to create a tax deduction by selling that investment. This deduction can be used to offset any investment gains you realize. It can also be used to offset up to $3,000 in ordinary income ($1,500 for married individuals who file separate tax returns). Losses in excess of the limits can usually be carried forward for use in future years.

• Liquidate assets in taxable accounts that will generate neither capital gains nor losses. As you consider which assets to sell, keep your target asset allocation in mind. You may be able sell assets from a class that is currently overweighted in your portfolio. By focusing on reducing the overweighted class to restore balance, you can minimize net transaction costs.

• Realize gains from taxable accounts or withdraw assets from tax-deferred accounts to which nondeductible contributions have been made, such as after-tax contributions to a 401(k) plan.

Which accounts to tap first within this category will depend on a number of factors, such as the cost basis relative to market value of the accounts to be liquidated and the tax characteristics of the assets in the taxable account.

When liquidating taxable account assets, liquidate the holdings with long-term capital gains before those with short-term gains, and liquidate assets with the least unrealized gain first.

• Take additional distributions from tax-favored accounts. RMD rules, state tax treatment, and other features and characteristics of the different IRAs and employer-sponsored plans may make some accounts better candidates for earlier withdrawals. For instance, withdrawals from a traditional IRA would usually precede withdrawals from a Roth IRA. Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) For traditional IRAs and employersponsored retirement savings plans, individuals must begin taking required minimum distributions no later than April 1 following the year in which they turn 70½. RMDs from a 401(k) can be delayed until actual retirement if the plan participant continues to be employed by the plan sponsor and he or she does not own more than 5% of the company.

The size of an RMD is determined by the account owner's age. An account owner with a spousal beneficiary who is more The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

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than 10 years younger can base required minimum distributions on their joint life expectancy.

A Potential Tax Benefit for Company Stock Held in a Retirement Plan For individuals who hold company stock in their 401(k) or other qualified retirement plan, the IRS offers certain tax advantages when withdrawing company stock from the plan. Rather than paying ordinary income tax on the entire amount of the withdrawal, you may elect to pay it on the original cost basis of the stock, assuming it was paid for in pre-tax dollars, then pay capital gains tax, usually at a lower rate, on the net unrealized appreciation when you eventually sell the shares.

Keep in mind that the IRS has exacting requirements for exploiting all of the tax management strategies discussed above and that tax laws are always subject to change. You should review your cash management plans with your tax and investment advisors before taking any specific action.

At McDonald and Hagen Wealth Management we specialize in retirement planning. No matter where you may be in your retirement planning process, we would be happy to assess your unique situation and provide professional feedback on your strategy.

Austin Barranco, Financial Advisor Brandt McDonald, Managing Partner McDonald & Hagen Wealth Management LPL Branch Manager www.mcdonaldhagen.com Direct comments and questions to Jennifer.Hunt@LPL.com or 334.387.0094 The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. No strategy assures success or protects against loss. Stock investing involves risk including loss of principle.

This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized legal or tax advice. We suggest you discuss your specific legal or tax issues with a qualified legal or tax advisor.

Securities offered through LPL Financial. Member FINRA & SIPC. Investment advice offered through McDonald & Hagen Wealth Management, a Registered Investment Advisor, and separate entity from LPL Financial.

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The Fascinating Link Between

Walnuts and Weight Loss A new study from the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) in Boston found that consuming walnuts lights up the right insula — the part of the brain that controls fullness and cravings. In other words, eating walnuts makes you feel fuller for longer. Win-win, right?

The study involved 10 obese participants actually living at the BIDMC research center so their diets could be closely monitored for two five-day sessions. Half of the participants were given smoothies with 48 grams of walnuts — about 1.7 ounces — the recommended daily serving from the American Diabetes Association. The other participants were given a comparable smoothie, minus the walnuts.

Those who consumed the walnut smoothies reported feeling less hungry, and their brain-imaging results showed that there was increased activity in the appetite-control region. The region stayed activated even when the walnut-smoothie drinkers were shown pictures of “highly desirable” foods like hamburgers and desserts.

“We don’t often think about how what we eat impacts the activity in our brain,” said the study’s first author Olivia M. Farr, Ph.D., an instructor in medicine in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at BIDMC. “We know people report feeling fuller after eating walnuts, but it was pretty surprising to see evidence of activity changing in the brain related to food cues and, by extension, what people were eating and how hungry they feel.” In addition to feeling fuller, those who consumed the walnut smoothies tended to make healthier food choices later on. The researchers note that the area of the brain involved in appetite control is also connected to cognitive control and salience, which influences how closely people pay attention to their food choices.

The researchers plan to take their experiment one step further in determining whether larger quantities of walnuts, and potentially other foods too, could instigate higher activation of appetite control. They hope is that this research will eventually lead to more effective obesity treatments or medications that can help people keep their weight in check.

Source: Livestrong.com

The Side by Side Singers are dedicated to sharing music to keep our minds strong. Music can improve our mood and boost cognitive skills. We invite those living with Alzheimer’s or dementia and their care-partners to join us for 8-week sessions each Tuesday, 1:00-2:00 pm at First United Methodist Church in Montgomery.

The music we sing ranges from Sinatra to Elvis. photo by Mickey Welsh/Montgomery Advertiser

SIDEbySIDE singers singers

Please contact Jack Horner at ivortickle@aol.com or Laura Selby at 834-8990 for more information.

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NO FEE, PLEASE JOIN THE FELLOWSHIP!

First United METHODIST CHURCH

2416 W. Cloverdale Park Montgomery, AL 36106 334.834.8990 www.fumcmontgomery.org

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This & tHAT

First Friday Chef Demo

Chef Eric Rivera of celebrated Montgomery restaurant Vintage Year demonstrates how to cook some of his signature dishes right before your eyes, using only products that can be found in Whole Foods! Friday, October 6th, 5:30 - 7 pm. Enjoy free samples and pick up some new cooking techniques at this fun, interactive pop-up. For more information call Whole Foods 334.523.2940. For more info visit www.wholefoodsmarket.com/events Whole Foods is located at 1450 Taylor Rd., Montgomery, AL 36117

Riverwalk Wine Festival, Saturday October 21st

Chef Eric Rivera, Vintage Year

Capital City Master Gardener Association Presents Lunch & Learn 2017 Capital City Master Gardener Association presents Lunch & Learn 2017 the 1st Wednesday of Every Month from 12-1 pm. We meet at the Armory Learning Arts Center, 1018 Madison Avenue, Downtown Montgomery. Mark your calendars October 4th, Backyard Varmits – Chris Jaworowski, Biologist, ACES and November 1st, Papercrete – Carla McCune, Master Gardener.

For information, please contact the Montgomery County Extension Office 334.270.4133. Also visit www.capcitymga.org

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Don’t miss the Riverwalk Wine Festival at Riverfront Park on Saturday, October 21, 2017 from 3-6pm.

This event will include wine tasting from 10 different distributors representing over 100 wineries.

Admission is $30 per person and will include: Etched commemorative wine glass, discounted wine purchases from participating local wine shoppes, Food Vendors, Live music. Discounted tickets for a special Harriott II Wine Cruise. NO outside alcohol per ABC Guidelines. For more information, call 334.625.2300 or visit www.funinmontgomery.com

Retailer H & M Opens At The Shoppes at EastChase H & M, Hennes & Mauritz AB (H&M), one of the world’s largest fashion retailers famous for offering fashion-forward apparel at affordable prices, opened on Thursday, September 28. The new H&M location will offer Montgomery residents a one stop shopping destination for quality clothing for the whole family, with collections ranging from ladies and mens to separate “store within a store” section for accessories, sports apparel and its plus sized line. The Shoppes at EastChase location will also carry H&M’s children’s collection, from newborn to fourteen years. The diverse selection of H&M collections make it easier for any consumer to find suitable products, no matter his or her style or wardrobe needs. With an emphasis on design, quality, and sustainability, H&M offers inspiring high fashion at an unbeatable value.

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St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal holds Angel Fest St. Michael and All Angels, 5941 Main Street, Millbrook, Alabama 36054, will be presenting our 18th annual Angel Fest on Saturday, October 21st, from 9am - 2 pm. There will be a bake sale, which includes all kinds of cakes, pies, cookies, candy and canned pickles and sauerkraut.

The ever popular silent auction, concessions, children’s carnival and vendors with unique wares… and last, but not least our fabulous Boston Butt sale, with lots of good entertainment for the whole family…gospel music and more…there is no charge to the public and our proceeds go for the outreach program of our church. We are located on Main Street in Millbrook beside the CVS. More information can be obtained on Facebook or our website www.stmichaelandallanagels.com and click under Calendar of Events

ASF's The Glass Menagerie The Alabama Shakespeare Festival presents Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie October 13 through November 5, 2017 on the Octagon Stage. The themes of family, the power of memory, and how our perception shapes reality are as impactful today as when this Tennessee Williams masterpiece premiered more than 70 years ago. Experience one of greatest plays of the twentieth century beginning October 13 starring Greta Lambert and Tony Award-winner John Lloyd Young. Recommended ages 12+ Shows are at 7:30 pm with 2:00 matinees on Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets may be purchased at ASF. This production is performed in The Octagon. For more information, call ASF 334.271.5353. Thursday - Sunday, October 13-15, 19-22, 26-29, November 3-5. For more info visit www.asf.net/project/theglass-menagerie/

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Pensacola's Foo Foo Festival

Visiting a coastal destination during the off-season is a traveler’s best-kept secret. This November 2-13, travelers in the know will flock to Pensacola for 12 days of music, theater, cuisine and art during the fourth annual Foo Foo Festival, marking the city as a must-visit vacation destination.

Pensacola will host more than 200 of the nation’s best painters, potters, sculptors, jewelers, graphic artists, craftsmen and other artists. Artwork will be available for browsing or buying. If food, music and culture, were not enough, feel the seduction of Argentinean tango on Nov. 10 and 12, when a surreal, genre-bending tango opera– complete with dancers, opera singers and orchestra– perform. This performance is a sizzling and unique opportunity only in the heart of Pensacola. What actually is a “Foo Foo” , by definition: An impromptu musical band known to come together on late 19th-century sailing vessels, consisting of members from the ship’s crew.

So, quite literally, the gathering of Pensacola’s arts and entertainment organizations during this period of time is their very own “Foo Foo.” For more visit, www.foofoofest.com

Aldersgate Methodist Men Host 33rd Annual Barbecue

Fall is almost on us and that means it is time for some slow cooked BBQ at the Aldersgate United Methodist Men’s 31st Annual Barbecue on Saturday, October 21, 2017. For only $8 per box, folks can taste the finest barbecued pork and chicken that Montgomery has to offer on the SAME PLATE, as well as generous sides of baked beans, slaw and bread. The sale will be from 9 am to 1 pm at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, located at 6610 Vaughn Road. Drive thru pick up service is provided at the front of the church by Boy Scout Troop 306. Tickets can be purchased in advance, or boxes can be bought on the day of the sale. For more information, contact Aldersgate United Methodist Church at 334.272.6152 or send e-mail to aldersgateumm@gmail.com.

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Victoria & Abdul @ Capri Theatre

There’s a phantom in the universe.

Some dark presence, impervious to light, relentlessly tugs on stars and galaxies. This “dark matter” makes up 85 percent of all the matter in the universe — and yet its true nature remains unknown! Come follow scientists as they try to solve one of the biggest mysteries in the cosmos. From the fires of the Big Bang to underground laboratories on Earth, “Phantom of the Universe” highlights the grandeur of the universe and all that we have yet to learn about its secrets. Shows are Sunday @ 2 p.m. and Monday — Thursday @ 4 p.m.

Admission is $6.50 per person, ages 5 and above.Shows are about an hour in length. All ages are welcome.

For more information, call Gayle Planetarium 334.625.4799.

Gayle Planetarium 1010 Forest Ave, Oak Park, Montgomery, Alabama

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Abdul Karim arrives from India to participate in Queen Victoria's golden jubilee. The young clerk is surprised to find favor with the queen herself.

As Victoria questions the constrictions of her long-held position, the two forge an unlikely and devoted alliance that her household and inner circle try to destroy. As their friendship deepens, the queen begins to see a changing world through new eyes, joyfully reclaiming her humanity. Dir: Stephen Frears Starring: Judi Dench, Michael Gambon, Eddie Izzard, Simon Callow. Friday-Thursday, October 13-19. Showtimes: FRI: 5:00-7:30, SAT-SUN: 3:00-5:00-7:30, MON-THURS: 7:30. Tickets may be purchased through Agile Ticketing. For more information, call the Capri 334.262.4858 or visit www.capritheatre.org. Capri Theatre 1045 E Fairview Ave Montgomery, Alabama

Make A Difference Day with House to House

This October 28th, millions of volunteers across the nation will unite with a common mission - to improve the lives of others. In its 25th year, Make A Difference Day is the largest annual single-day of service nationwide. HandsOn River Region has partnered with House to House to make a REAL difference in the lives of families struggling to get ahead and care for their loved ones. House to House is a Christian mentoring ministry in Washington Park on the west side of Montgomery that addresses the need for better housing by purchasing and renovating abandoned homes through the help of hundreds of volunteers and investors. Seeing the need for better stewardship of limited financial resources, H2H also teaches classes on household budgeting. Mentors walk alongside the families H2H serves and addresses their problems before they become crises. To volunteer visit http://volunteer.handsonriverregion.org

HOM Bereavement/Grief Support Group

Thursdays, October 5, October 12, October 19, October 26 of 2017 at Hospice of Montgomery, 1111 Holloway Park, Montgomery, AL 36117, Contact: Chaplain Winston Brooks 334.279.6677.

This is a community-wide grief support group and is open to anyone who needs grief counseling.

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Capital City Artists (CCA) 2017 Show

Showcasing the work of 28 River Region painters, the Capital City Artists (CCA) will hold a public reception for their 2017 show on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2-4 p.m. at the Armory Leaning Arts Center, 1018 Madison Avenue, in Montgomery. The Oct. 8 reception, where the artists’ works may be purchased and viewed, marks the ninth year the Capital City group has produced an exhibit for the River Region.

The works represent the artists’ collective output throughout the last year, with at least one painting by each artist representing the show’s theme, The Four Seasons. The show will continue throughout the month of October, and may be viewed during business hours.

Nancy Hartsfield & Warren Simons: Personal Impressions, Visual Surprises Montgomery artists Nancy Mims Hartsfield, painter, and Warren Simons, photographer, will present their uniquely compatible artistic visions in a show at Stonehenge Gallery opening Thursday, October 12, with a reception at 5:30 p.m. The show, Personal Impressions, Visual Surprises, will also feature an artists’ talk at the gallery on Saturday, October 14, at 11 a.m. Work by the two artists will be on display through November 4.

Hartsfield is a well-known Montgomery artist who explores a wide range of styles Warren Simons Nancy Hartsfield and mediums—landscapes, still lifes, and people; acrylics and encaustics. A retired Auburn University professor of art, she now lives and works in Montgomery’s Old Cloverdale. Simons is a newer arrival to the Montgomery art world whose photographs are inspired by his openness to whatever he encounters in the visual world. He crops in-camera and does little editing in the digital darkroom. His goal is to express what stopped him. Stonehenge Gallery is located in the Cloverdale entertainment district at 1041 E. Fairview Avenue.

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Saturday, October 28th 8:00 am - 4:00 pm $35.00 per person This program is just for adults that like to step out into nature and build their outdoor skills!

Light breakfast & lunch included.

Registration Deadline: October 21st 8:00-8:30 - Light breakfast & greeting 8:45-10:15 - ACTIVITY 1 choose 1 activity for this time slot - Bird Watching Hike - Outdoor Photography - Fishing - Name That Plant 10:30-12:00 - ACTIVITY 2 choose 1 activity for this time slot - Still Creek Hike - Archery Competitions Just For Fun - Meet the Herps - Catch & ID Macro-invertebrates 12:00-12:30 - Lunch 12:45-2:15 - ACTIVITY 3 choose 1 activity for this time slot - Still Creek Hike - Catch & ID Macro-invertebrates - Meet the Herps - Name That Plant 2:30-4:00 - ACTIVITY 4 choose 1 activity for this time slot - The Good, The Bad, & the Ugly Invasive Species - Archery Competitions Just For Fun - Fishing - Outdoor Photography Register Here: www.alabamawildlife.org For further details or to register please call 334.285.4550 or email Matt at mvines@alabamawildlife.org

MMFA-Military Open House 2017 Generates a Large Crowd The Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts hosted nearly 1,000 visitors during the 22nd annual Military Open House honoring active-duty military, National Guard, reserves, military veterans, and their immediate families. Many of the Maxwell/Gunter Air Force Base school terms began in July, so the Museum was delighted to welcome a large number of Edwin Bridges, Ph.D., MMFA interim director, Lieutenant General Steven first-time visitors. The MMFA Kwast, Commander and President, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, and Michael Bridell, City of Montgomery was proud to have two special exhibitions honoring the armed forces on view for guests to enjoy; Sketching the Skies: Penrose Vass Stout, Alabama’s WWI Artist-Aviator, and 1917–2017: A Century of U.S. Airpower from the Air Force Art Collection. Museum curator, Jennifer Jankauskas, Ph.D., worked closely with Maxwell Air Force Base to present A Century of U.S. Airpower, and the Museum was honored to have Lieutenant General Steven Kwast, Commander and President, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. Guests enjoyed a buffet style dinner provided by Wintzell’s Oyster House while Lo-Fi Loungers provided the music. Families were also invited to participate in a variety of studio activities, including creating a patriotic fireworks scene. The Museum is pleased to offer this annual evening event as a small “thank you” to those who serve and have served in our community and country in the armed forces. It was a fun evening for everyone involved and we hope to see our military friends in the galleries soon. Military Open House was sponsored by Montgomery City Council President Charles Jinright with catering generously provided

by Wintzell’s Oyster House.

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By Lori Martinek

Living Like 'The Golden Girls' in Retirement Embracing the idea of retirement with roommates opens the door to affordable shared housing options.

You’ve done it before (which is why you may be cringing as you think about being in a roommate situation again).

Likely, you gained something from that experience. Retiring with roommates makes sense on many levels.

Many of us share common fears as we enter retirement. We fear financial challenges, failing health and feelings of disconnectedness as we grow older. The good news is that there is one strategy which can help us effectively face all three — living with roommates.

Shared housing is an age-old concept that is becoming the latest housing trend. More than a third of boomers are single and most of those flying solo are female. Living alone is expensive and simply beyond the reach of many single retirees.

Living alone can also prove to be isolating and lonely. Neighbors don’t necessarily become support systems. Housemates often do. We all have fond memories of watching Blanche, Dorothy, Rose and Sophia bond (for better or worse) on The Golden Girls TV series in the late 1980s.

The Benefits of Living with Roommates in Retirement First and foremost, it is cheaper to live with other people. You share housing costs, utilities and often food. If you own a large home, you can offset the cost of maintaining it by taking on roommates. You get to age in place and your roommates gain a more affordable way to live.

There’s something to be said for having friendly faces around instead of empty rooms.

There will be other people to share chores and responsibilities and to provide a helping hand when needed.

It is more likely that someone will be around to help if you take a fall, to notice if you don’t come home or to call 911 when necessary. This can provide real peace of mind.

There is a sense of security that comes with having roommates — and not just when you hear a noise in the middle of the night. You gain companionship and people to potentially share holidays and special occasions with. Your circle will grow, as you meet the friends and family that roommates bring to the equation. Only you can decide if that is desirable or not.

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A sense of community is good for your mind, body and spirit.

We need people around us to offer advice or support, provide social interaction, get us out of the house and push us to try new things. Living with other people is one way to create such a valuable support circle.

The Challenges of Living with Others There are, of course, challenges to living with other people.

Collaboration and cooperation are key to a successful house sharing arrangement. People who live together need to maintain healthy boundaries and respect privacy.

Roommates are not surrogate spouses or friends. They are not caregivers, chauffeurs or home health providers. They are your partners in a living arrangement. Perspective is key.

An ability to respect other opinions, religions, world views and lifestyles is essential. Most of us have lived with a roommate at some point in our lives (at camp, college or in the military) and we know how challenging it can be. We’ve also learned from those experiences, and potentially have more to offer (and gain) in a shared housing arrangement as adults.

Making Shared Housing Work A written (and signed) rental agreement is essential to outline house rules, shared responsibilities for rent, related bills and household chores and to help maintain harmony between housemates. Private and shared spaces in the home should be

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clearly outlined. Policies regarding visitors, overnight guests and quiet time are important.

Potential roommates should provide references and undergo a background check at minimum, and be introduced to their potential housemates if possible. People who interact well with each other in a social setting are more likely to get along as house partners.

As with many things in life, it’s the ingredients which lead to a successful outcome. The ideal roommates should share some similarities and interests, but also bring unique strengths to the table. Maintaining a home requires many different talents, including cooking, gardening, handyman skills, painting, pet sitting, bookkeeping or working with contractors.

Being able to make a unique contribution to the household will help each housemate feel needed and appreciated, and learning from each other can be a great bonding experience.

We all crave a sense of community in our lives. I write about different ways to “live alone, together” and create shared connections in my book, Retiring Solo.

Lori Martinek is a successful entrepreneur, author and mentor to new and aspiring business owners. She is the owner of Encore Business Advisors, and the founder of @MindingHerBiz, a pro bono project which helps women embrace business ownership. Her latest book, Retiring Solo (2016) is available on Amazon.

(This essay was originally published in SixtyandMe.com)

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BOOM! COVER PROFILE

Ronda Walker, A Godly Warrior This month’s BOOM! Cover Profile is Ronda Walker. She is a breast cancer survivor with a very public face and a beautiful story. Ronda's a few years younger than our normal Cover Profile (she's 45) but her way of fighting breast cancer will be an inspiration to each of us affected by this life changing disease. Ronda has a very public face because she's a Montgomery County Commissioner from Disrict 3 and Vice Chairman of the commission. We're sure her smile won her many votes, but her toughness is what makes her an effective public servant. And an effective woman in helping the hundreds of women in the River Region to be encouraged as they cope with one of life's biggest challenges, breast cancer.

We're proud to have Ronda as our October Cover Profile and share some of her story with you, she was a joy to get to know.

We think you'll feel the same way!

I received my Master’s degree from the University of Hawaii in 2002 and moved back to Montgomery where I met and married my husband, Jason Walker, an Auburn University graduate and native of Hueytown, Alabama. We attend First Baptist Church and have four children, Margaret (9), Eli (10), Grant

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My husband and I have four children, and it was Christmas, so I put my game face on, and we celebrated Christmas without focusing on cancer.

My two youngest children were only 6 and 7 years old at the time, and my primary goal was to protect them. I was determined to keep life as normal as possible, so we did. My husband continued his marathon training, I drove my children to school every day, and throughout my treatment I never missed a County Commission meeting. It was not easy, but it created a sense of security and consistency for my children even as they had to stare at their bald-headed mom every night.

Ronda and husband, Jason

(17), and Hugh (18). My life changed forever in December BOOM!: Please 2014 when I give us a brief was diagnosed biography, i.e. with Stage III where were you breast cancer. born, education, After enduring what brought you chemotherapy, to the Montgomery radiation, and area, etc.? two major surgeries Ronda: I grew up I have no in Montgomery apparent and graduated cancer in my from Robert E. Ronda embracing her new look body. My Lee High School experience with cancer, while debilitating in 1990. After high school, I attended at times, has given me a new and exciting Troy University earning a Bachelor of Science degree in History and Political vision for my life and how God plans to Science. Upon graduation from Troy, I use me. spent several years in Washington, D.C. working on the legislative staff of United BOOM!: As a Breast Cancer survivor, States Senator Richard Shelby. would you please share your story with our readers?

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Ronda: It was December 2014, one week before Christmas. My husband and I were getting ready to go to a Christmas party and while I was in the shower I felt a lump in my right breast.

I immediately knew it was bad.

After a biopsy and PET scan it was determined I had two cancerous tumors in my breast, one of which was sizeable, and the cancer was in my lymph nodes as well. I was a mess.

Chemotherapy began four days after Christmas, and I lost my hair about three weeks later. After a brutal four months of chemo, I had a mastectomy. Then I had about 30 rounds of radiation. Then the week of Thanksgiving, nearly a year after my initial diagnosis, I had a second mastectomy and bilateral reconstruction.

It was suffering heaped upon suffering

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for one very long year, but thankfully treatment was successful and I am in complete remission today!

BOOM!: As a mother who has fought stage 3 breast cancer, how have you communicated this life Ronda and Jason's children, L-R, Eli, Hugh, Grant, and Margaret changing disease with BOOM!: When a person is diagnosed your children, especially in light of your with Breast Cancer their mother’s battle with lung cancer? connection to that Breast Cancer community lasts Ronda: When my youngest two children, a lifetime…and many Margaret and Eli, were only 2 and 3 years survivors are called to join old, my mother died of metastatic lung the fight. In what ways cancer. She was only 65 years old and have you been able to join losing her shattered my world. She was the fight against Breast my best friend and biggest encourager Cancer? How can others get and losing her created a vacuum in my connected and involved? life I struggled to fill.

could follow me, as a reporter, during my treatment. It was clear to both of us this was an opportunity to educate and encourage others facing cancer. I agreed to her request to do regular stories about my cancer treatment – the good, bad, and ugly. I even had my head shaved on the 6 o’clock news! We discussed on air the physical and emotional challenges of cancer, the toll cancer took on my family, and the financial burden it caused us. Being so open about my fight with breast cancer was cathartic for me and incredibly helpful to others. I rarely left the house that someone didn’t stop me and tell me they got their first mammogram because they heard my story. People told me my story helped them better understand their loved one who was suffering with cancer.

Women would grab my hand with tears in their eyes and tell me I helped put a voice to what they Ronda: A few hours before We were very open about my diagnosis were too my first chemotherapy with our two teenaged sons, but we afraid to treatment, I was at a County never explained the gravity of my talk about.

Commission meeting. I situation to Eli and Margaret. I didn’t It truly gave was being interviewed by Walker's Warriors, L-R, Nicole Pinkham, Ronda, want them to know their mom was so my pain a Ashley Fielding, & Margaret Walker, a local reporter with the sick. Instead, I purposed to build their purpose! walking in the Joy to Life 5k Alabama News Network. faith and We know She routinely strengthen that in ALL things God works for the covered the their spirit. If good of those who love Him, who have Commission, you ask my been called according to His purpose. so we had children today God allowed cancer into my life, then I in a good what is the turn gave it back to Him and allowed Him relationship. goal of life to use my suffering to help others. And After our they will tell in doing so I became part of the breast interview, you, “heaven cancer community. The first group to I told her is the goal.” reach out to me after my diagnosis was about my Day by day I the Women of Hope. They brought me cancer am instilling an encouraging gift bag and let me know diagnosis an eternal they would be by my side throughout and that I perspective in the entire process, and they were. When had to leave my children I needed help and advice with wigs that will sustain Ronda at her last chemo treatment supported by friends Alabama the meeting and prosthetics, the American Cancer News Network anchor Stefanie Hicks East and Stephanie Peavy and head them through Society here in Montgomery stepped to chemo. Her jaw dropped. We talked the inevitable pain and suffering of this in and explained how it all worked. The for a few minutes then she asked if she life. They get it, and they are amazing.

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week after my act when BOOM!: As a graduate of Leadership last chemo it comes to Montgomery, what are some of the treatment, a issues in my qualities you look for in community group of my community. leaders? How has this experience helped friends formed Without you serve the residents of your district?

Walker’s question Warriors and the biggest Ronda: In 2016 was invited to be a ran in the challenges in member of Leadership Montgomery Joy to Life 5k Montgomery Class XXXIII. I grew up in Montgomery to help raise are crime and and work for the County, so I didn’t money for education. So think there was a lot more I could breast cancer many cities learn. I was wrong! It is an exceptional screenings and across the program that not only grew my research. There country face knowledge of Montgomery, but it Jason and Ronda at Leadership Montgomery Christmas party is a marvelous these same provided me an opportunity to meet community of help and hope here in two problems, and they are interrelated. some exceptional people. There are Montgomery!

The data is pretty clear that there is a so many smart, talented, passionate high correlation between falling behind people in Montgomery working hard BOOM!: You’re the Vice Chairman of in elementary school and serving time to make a difference. They are rising in the Montgomery County Commission in prison. The key to long-term crime the leadership ranks because they have and commissioner representing District reduction is getting more of our students prepared – and success happens when 3, how did you get involved in politics? a great education. preparation meets opportunity.

What’s the most satisfying part of being a county commissioner? If you Principals are the key to school success.

BOOM!: Do you have a favorite vacation could solve the biggest problem of I would like to see Montgomery pay spot? Any travel dreams planned for the Montgomery County residents what their principals the highest salaries in future? would it be? What does the solution look the southeast, and conduct a national like? search for the best of the best. Success Ronda: I love to travel! When I was and leadership are inextricably linked single I traveled more extensively than I Ronda: I grew up in the Morningview and leadership needs to come from each do now, but I look forward to taking my neighborhood of Montgomery. When school, not children to some I was 16 there was an intersection in a central of my favorite my neighborhood with a dangerous office. In travel spots. blind curve. There was only a yield general, we Washington, sign at the intersection and I thought it need less DC. New York needed to be a stop sign. I called my City red tape and City, Honolulu. I Councilman, Billy Turner. I explained to central office also want us to Mr. Turner how unsafe I believed that interference. go on a mission intersection to be. He listened to my This would trip as a family. concerns and he took my call seriously. improve the Our church, I was just a kid, I couldn’t even vote. experience First Baptist, That truly impressed me. The next day for the has numerous Mr. Turner sent a crew out to study that principal as opportunities intersection and they determined the well as the for international yield sign really did need to be a stop classroom mission trips. sign. The next week it was changed. The teacher.

I want my Ronda's swearing in to the Montgomery County Commission first time I approached that intersection We need to children to with her FBC pastor, Jay Wolf and saw the new stop sign, I was encourage understand that overwhelmed. My advocacy worked, I our teachers to teach our children, not everyone in the world lives like we helped improve my neighborhood! And not overburden them with regulations do. Even the poorest in America are rich from that moment I had a passion for and paperwork. School systems like compared to many in underdeveloped and belief in our representative form of Montgomery need more competition countries. We can work hard, and government. The people must speak and and that only comes through choice. acquire items of comfort, but if we do our leaders must listen.

If parents have an option where they not develop a heart of sacrifice, giving, send their children then schools will be and mercy for others we have nothing.

Now I am a County Commissioner and incentivized to improve. And of course, I have the responsibility to listen and we need much more community and BOOM!: How do you like to relax and family engagement. wind down?

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Ronda: My favorite put it on my heart to etc. all within an easy distance from our way to relax and leave Honolulu after home. Additionally, we have a wonderful wind down is going graduation and move circle of friends. Neither my husband to Lake Martin. My back to Montgomery. nor I have family in Montgomery, so our grandfather bought Many people questioned friends have become our family. a lot on Lake Martin my sanity, but His in the 1960s, in direction was clear to BOOM!: Give us three words that Eclectic, and it was me. I moved back to describe you? passed on to my Montgomery in early parents who built a 2003 and one month Ronda: Three terms that describe me: small home on that later God introduced tough, family-oriented, Jesus girl. lot. Now that home me to the man I would belongs to my family. marry! Jason is from BOOM!: Many breast cancer survivors It is only a fortyHueytown but settled experience a renewed sense of purpose five-minute drive in Montgomery after and new goals…how would you describe from Montgomery, graduating from Auburn this sense of renewal in your life? Any Ronda Walker's political photo yet it feels like a in 1994. We married in advice for the rest of us seeking renewal? world away! When we go to the lake it 2004 and began building our life together is pure family time. We don’t take work in Montgomery. We enjoy living here.

Ronda: When I was first diagnosed with up there, we don’t take the bills and to On the rare occasion, we can manage breast cancer I was overwhelmed with do lists, we don’t drag our stress there. a date night, we have many wonderful a fear of my imminent death. I literally Instead, it is a refuge from all of that. A restaurants to lay flat out time to completely unwind and relax. We choose from. on the floor swim, hike, boat, and lounge! There is We enjoy crying out to just something about staring across the concerts at God to spare water that takes your cares away. We are the MPAC, my life. Not extremely blessed to own such a perfect movies, and of for my own retreat so close to home! course plays at sake, but for the Alabama my children.

BOOM!: What is it about living in the Shakespeare Children Montgomery/River Region area that you Festival. need their like?

Montgomery momma. I is a small town was 38 years Ronda: I graduated from the University with big town old when my Montgomery County Commissioners L-R, Isaiah Sankey, Dan of Hawaii in 2002 with a Master’s amenities. Our own mother Harris, Ronda Walker, Elton Dean, Doug Singleton degree in History. I was 30 years old children play died and and single, the world was mine! God softball, football, run track, baseball, the sense of loss was crushing. No one

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loves you like your mom, she was my biggest cheerleader and I wanted to be that for my children. But God turned my prayer from, “please don’t let me die” to “please don’t let me fear.” He removed fear from me and replaced it with a commitment to intentional living. None of us know what tomorrow will hold.

The cancer could return, the heart could stop, a blown tire could run us off the road. We are not promised tomorrow but we are promised provision for today.

Each morning before I get out of bed I say aloud, “This is the day the Lord has made I will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Then I put my spiritual armor on and prepare for the day. I believe the darkest valley in my life is what encouraged me to seek the highest mountain. It’s why I made the decision to run for state senate. I have today, what difference am I going to make? What do I have to fear, but a missed opportunity.

I frequently write letters to my children and place them in their baby books, a diary of sorts for them to have to remember me and remember their childhood. I have today. If something needs to be done I do it. If someone needs help I help. I no longer sweat the small stuff, my perspective was radically changed when I was told I might die. But hey, I’m not saying I get it right every day.

I still have days I’m overwhelmed, scared, and hurting. But most days I get it right, because I am so very thankful to have today. Since that day I was on my face begging God for my life, each day is a gift…and a responsibility. God’s purpose for me is that I love Him and help others.

That is my goal each day.

We want to thank Ronda for helping us put together this month’s BOOM! Cover Profile.

If you want to learn more about Ronda and her work as one of your Montgomery Commissioners, visit www.mc-ala.org or send her an email to rondawalker@mc-ala.org.

We want to thank the portrait team at Total Image Portraits for their quality work this month. If you have questions, comments or suggestions about our cover profiles, including nominating someone, please send them to jim@riverregionboom.com Read all of the BOOM! Cover Profiles at www.riverregionboom.com/archives

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COMMUNITY INVITED TO HELP CREATE A WORLD FREE FROM THE PAIN AND SUFFERING CAUSED BY BREAST CANCER

American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk is October 14th

The American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk will be held October 14th at the Montgomery Train Shed, 210 Water St, Downtown Montgomery and will unite the community with a shared determination to help create a world free from the pain and suffering caused by breast cancer. Registration for this noncompetitive, inspirational event begins at 7:30 A.M. and the walk is set to start at 9:30 A.M. This event is free to the public.

Dollars raised by Making Strides supporters in Montgomery help the American Cancer Society ensure no one faces breast cancer alone by funding innovative breast cancer research, promoting education and risk reduction, and providing comprehensive patient support to those who need it most. Since 1993, more than 12 million supporters have raised more than $750 million nationwide. Last year, 1600 participants in Montgomery helped to raise more than $243,000. According to the American Cancer Society Cancer Facts & Figures 2016, an estimated 246,660 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 40,450 will die from the disease this year. “Because of the determination of Making Strides supporters, the American Cancer Society is there for people in every community affected by breast cancer, whether they’re currently dealing with a diagnosis, may face one in the future, or will avoid it altogether because of education and risk reduction,” said Jeannie Smith, Breast Cancer Survivor.

To learn more about the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event and how you can become involved, visit makingstrideswalk.org/MontgomeryAL or contact Stefanie Moon at 334.612.8165 or MontgomeryALStrides@cancer.org.

The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

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Ask an Elder Law Attorney

By: Raley L. Wiggins | Attorney at Law | Red Oak Legal, PC

3 Things to Do When a Loved One Enters a Nursing Home Sending a loved one to a nursing home for care is never an easy decision. Families often feel guilty because they cannot provide the level of care that their loved one needs at home. During such a difficult time of transition, financial or planning issues may be the last thing on your mind.

Mrs. Smith can protect up to half of their assets for herself. But, if Mrs. Smith dies first, and her will leaves everything to Mr. Smith, the result is that Mr. Smith loses

spending $5,000 on the cost of their care, or pre-paying for an expense that all of us will eventually have.

In addition to the $5,000 in prepaid services, the applicant may Estate Planning and Asset Protection Workshop actually spend Wednesday, November 27: Hosted by Red Oak Legal, PC: 1:30-3:30 additional funds But the fact is that nursing home for other items or care is expensive—somewhere in pm at the Archibald Senior Center (MACOA) in Montgomery. This merchandise that the range of $6,000 per month— educational workshop presented by local attorney Raley L. Wiggins are part of those and financial concerns must be covers wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, living prepaid services as addressed. I hope to give you some wills, probate administration, protecting assets from creditors, well. For example idea of what to do if you are faced bankruptcy, divorce and remarriage, nursing homes, long-term care they may purchase with this scenario. and Medicaid qualification. Registration is required. a burial plot, headstone, casket, Call 334-625-6774 today to reserve your seat or register online at 1. See an Elder Law Attorney and a pay for the It is not uncommon for a nursing www.redoaklegalpc.com. opening and closing home stay to devastate a family’s of the grave. While finances. Neither your private funeral shopping is probably not anyone’s his Medicaid eligibility, and will have to health insurance plan nor Medicare will idea of a fun way to spend a Sunday spend down the other half of their marital cover the cost of a long-term nursing afternoon, it is absolutely something that assets before he could qualify again. home stay, so many patients must pay should be done while there is money left out of pocket until they run out of money, to do it.

If Mrs. Smith had updated her will, she then apply for Medicaid benefits. could have left Mr. Smith only the minimal amount required by law, and passed 4. Do Your Homework The Medicaid qualification rules are the rest on the their children. And, the There is a great deal of misinformation complex. This is one time in your life minimal amount left to Mr. Smith could out there about nursing homes and where a good attorney can save your have been protected in a supplemental Medicaid. You should be very careful family a great deal of money. Look for an needs trust, to be used for paying for about taking advice from your friend at attorney who practices Elder Law. Many things to improve his quality of life. Even the coffee shop or Sunday School. Every of the Elder Law Attorneys in Alabama better, their children could have inherited case is different, and just because a are members of the Elder Law Section of what was left in the trust after his death. planning strategy may have worked for the Alabama State Bar, or the National Because they did not plan, Mr. Smith died someone else, doesn’t mean it will work Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). penniless, and their children inherited in your case. nothing.

2. Update the Estate Plan Do your homework, and get some good Mr. and Mrs. Smith are in their 80’s and legal advice. The stakes are high, and it’s 3.

Make Funeral Arrangements have been married for 50 years. Mr. important to get it right.

Just because someone enters a nursing Smith enters a nursing home, while Mrs. home doesn’t mean you’re just waiting Smith is healthy enough to continue living on them to die. But this is the time to in their home. When Mr. Smith enters the Raley L. Wiggins consider making funeral arrangements. nursing home, Mrs. Smith should update Attorney at Law, Red Oak Legal, PC her will to disinherit Mr. Smith to the 334-239-3625 | info@redoaklegalpc.com Medicaid rules allow a nursing home greatest extent allowed by law.

312 Catoma Street, Suite 150, Montgomery, resident to purchase up to $5,000 in AL 36104, www.redoaklegalpc.com prepaid funeral services (or deposit Sound harsh? Perhaps. But consider $5,000 into a designated burial fund) this. Mr. Smith must spend down his half without penalty. The choice is a noof their assets below $2,000 before he brainer. An applicant has the option of can qualify for Medicaid to cover his stay.

Attend Free Workshop

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November 27, 2017, Registration Required

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The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

Walk to End Alzheimer’s:

By Heather Goggin

Heather Goggin's Story

When I registered for my first Walk to End Alzheimer's in 2014, I Walked for my Pepaw, for my Papa, for my family. I Walked for my nephew, Hayden, and my niece, Isabel, and their future.

includes another $414 billion increase for Alzheimer’s research funding in FY18, and I am thankful to Rep. Roby for her continued support both in the Appropriations Subcommittee and in the I still Walk for House. them. But through The Senate the Walk, and my Committee on involvement with Appropriations the Alzheimer's has already Association, I Walk approved for a lot more now. My grandparents, Edith and Jake Jarvis, Sr. and Annie Ruth an identical and H.L. Tyus, at my parents' wedding in June 1971 As Event Chair, increase I've met others in the River Region who in funding, and I’m hopeful that as the have lost someone to Alzheimer's, who are Congressional process continues, the caring for someone with Alzheimer’s, and importance of this funding will continue to even those who are living with Alzheimer’s, be seen across party lines. and now my drive to end Alzheimer's is for them, too. As the Alzheimer’s Association’s We've invested countless dollars into Ambassador to U.S. Representative Martha research for heart disease and cancer, and Roby, I've learned about the bigger picture both have seen dramatic of Alzheimer's, and the reality of what it improvements in the will mean if we aren't able to do something prevention, treatment, soon. and care available. Since 2000, deaths from heart In 2017, Alzheimer's and other dementias disease have decreased will cost the nation $259 billion. Today, by 14%. In that same someone in the United States develops time, deaths from Alzheimer's every 66 seconds. At that Alzheimer's disease rate, the number of Americans living with have increased by 89%.

Alzheimer’s could rise as high as 16 million This is why it is critical by 2050, with care costs rising to $1.1 that Congress stays the trillion annually. Forbes Magazine stated course and includes this that Alzheimer's has the potential to be the increase in the final FY18 thing that breaks our healthcare system. appropriations.

At the Alzheimer's Association's Advocacy Forum in March, I joined 1300 other advocates on Capitol Hill to encourage Congress to provide $400 million in Alzheimer's research funding in the FY17 budget, and to support important legislation like the Palliative Care Health Education Act. When Congress passed that FY17 budget, it was a critical first step in finding a way to End Alzheimer's, but a first step isn't enough.

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed an omnibus appropriations bill that The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

to End Alzheimer's raised nearly $60,000 - double the amount raised in 2015. This year, our goal is $70,000, and we can't do it without your support.

Everyone has a reason to Walk, whether you know it or not.

I Walk because based on statistics, each of us will either be caring for someone with Alzheimer's, or will be the one being cared for.

I Walk for every caregiver I've had the privilege to meet, who is putting their loved one's needs in front of their own.

I Walk because as a woman, I'm more than twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's than a man.

I Walk for the more than 90,000 Alabamians fighting Alzheimer's, for the more than 200,000 Americans under age 65 with Alzheimer's, & for the 5 million other Americans living with Alzheimer's as well. I Walk for their families, their caretakers, & those who can't Walk for themselves.

I still Walk for my Papa and my Pepaw, both of whom had Until the research yields Rev. Tiffany Chaney , Rep. Martha Roby, and Heather Goggin Alzheimer's.

I Walk for my a cure, the Alzheimer's grandmothers, parents, and other family Association will continue its mission to members who filled the role of caregiver advance care and support, as well as for each of them. And I still Walk for research. The Walk to End Alzheimer's Hayden and Isabel, and everyone else who is the world’s largest event to raise both should never have to face the devastation funds and awareness for Alzheimer's care, of this disease. support, and research. Without the success of the Walk, the Alzheimer's Association And I Walk because the first survivor is out couldn't provide services like the 24-7 there. Join us on October 15 for the 2017 River Region Walk to End Alzheimer's, Helpline, physician support and education, and help lead the way to Alzheimer’s First support groups, and first responder Survivor. training. Last year, the River Region Walk R ive r Re gio n Bo o m . co m

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By Sandi Aplin

Art & Soul

GALLERY ONE presents Art and Fashion CARLISLE and PER SE COLLECTIONS NEW YORK We are so excited about our upcoming Trunk Show with Carlisle Collection New York. This Fall-Winter Collection will arrive here at Gallery One Fine Art beginning October 6th and remain through October 13th.

Gallery One Fine Art is located at 423 Cloverdale Road here in Montgomery, Al 36106. Their telephone number is 334-269-1114. The collection is shown by appointment.

To make an appointment, please call Sandi Aplin at 334-201-8030 or e-mail sandiaplin@aol.com or Sue Groce at 334-546-5706 or e-mail suegroce@hotmail. com. We try to give our customers at least an hour to make their selections and process their orders.

We have selected these beautiful pieces from our Fall Collection to share and they are from Group 1 Bauhaus of the Carlisle Collection. The three pieces are the Stylish dress, Toffee blouse with the fabulous Fabiana pants.

The first is the Stylish dress which is bronze in color, 100% suede leather, and is so versatile it can also be worn as a topper. As you can see in the photograph

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it works really well as a jacket. This lightweight suede sheath dress with gold exposed front, two way separating zipper and split funnel neck is a must have for Fall. Fitted and shaped with front neck darts, center back seam, waist seam and ¾ sleeves will be a great travel piece.

This wonderful combination can be worn from morning meeting and can be perfect for cocktails to dinner.

Our Toffee blouse is also bronze in color. This lustrous 100% silk blouse radiates style with or without the optional, detachable, self- tie.

Shaped in princess seams front and back with shoulder yoke.

Concealed front button placket and topstitch-detailing on seams with long sleeves that are softly gathered to deep six button cuffs. As you can see this works beautifully with the Stylish ¾ length sleeves.

Carlisle New York celebrates the style, strength and cosmopolitan spirit of busy women everywhere. Women wearing Carlisle feel style still matters, we invite our customers to feel extraordinary with our handcrafted artisanal designs. Our casual to cocktail look is available in sizes 0 to 18.

The Fabiana 100% silk pant is black, bronze and biscotti in color. A silk twill trouser makes for luxe print mixing in a geometric chevron pattern. Easy fit with waistband that sits 1” below the natural waist. These pants are shaped with back darts, fly front zipper and angled front slash pockets.

Make a private appointment to experience luxury styling with this beautiful designer collection. We are so excited and look forward to seeing you soon.

We also have many Cashmere and Silk Cashmere knit tops in a variety of styles and wonderful colors.

Carlisle Fall 2017 takes sophistication and style to a new level. Inspired by the intersection of classic Beaux Arts in the Per Se Collection and modern Bauhaus design in the Carlisle Collection. This luxurious collection has been carefully designed and curated to accentuate texture, color and form. Step into the world of artistic nuance to experience luxury styling.

Sandi Aplin, Director of Gallery One Fine Art. A freelance writer living in Montgomery, AL. sandiaplin@aol.com or galleryonefineart.com

The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

Eating Smart with Tracy Bhalla

Healing Food

I first heard the mantra “You are what you eat” on a TV show, titled the same, aired in the UK about 20 years ago. Gillian McKeith was the holistic nutritionist who would take on the UK’s worst cases of poor nutrition and promise them that their lives would turn around in 6 weeks IF they promised to stick to her food and exercise regime.

Each case was individually assessed and monitored and NONE failed! The nation was hooked. I was hooked! She now has a show here too, plus 9 internationally acclaimed books, five of which have gone to number one bestseller status.

A bit about her background: After graduating from the University of Edinburgh (UK) with a Bachelors Degree, Gillian McKeith received a Masters Degree from the Ivy-League University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia (USA).

After Gillian experienced a severe bout of personal ill health and recovery through nutritional medicine, Gillian embarked upon a new path which would change her life forever. She then spent several years re-training in Holistic Nutrition.

All the nutrition information on her TV programs and in her books is supported by referenced and sound research. If you are interested in further nutritional information and studies you may refer to the Gillian McKeith Research Centre (powered by Health Notes) on the Gillian McKeith Website, www.gillianmckeith. com. She also has a number of other add-on sites with great information on health and wellness and, of course, a sign-up option for her “Club” if you need that extra help and encouragement to get in shape and lose weight (who doesn’t?!) For $16 a month, it’s actually a pretty good deal.

Gillian McKeith points out that food is potentially an emotional issue. It can be uncomfortable for some people to have to give up certain junk foods to which they have become accustomed. Gillian’s goal is to make it easier for people to get onto the Path of a new life, keep them supported, motivated and inspired. Her The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

life mission is to ‘empower people to improve their lives through information, food and lifestyle’.

Gillian was my starting point with becoming concerned with what types of food I was eating and my general lifestyle, which, back then, was actually pretty active. Since then I have discovered nothing to dissuade me from this path and everything to convince me that our health absolutely depends on what we eat. We do also need to exercise, but that is of much smaller significance (some Dr.’s say 80/20, food to exercise.)

Over the past 20 years there have been many other stories of illness cured by diet and nutrition, but one I’d like to share with you is that of Ella Mills.

In her second year at University, in 2011, she got a relatively rare illness, Postural Tachycardia Syndrome. The illness had a pretty devastating effect on her life – she literally couldn’t walk down the street, slept for 16 hours a day, had never ending heart palpitations, was in chronic pain, had unbearable stomach issues, constant headaches and more.

She tried healing through conventional medicine for about six months but it had little effect on her symptoms and she was still bed-ridden 95% of the time. So she decided it was time for something new and began researching holistic, natural healing approaches. Overnight she took up a whole food, plant-based diet and cut out refined, processed foods as well as wheat, dairy and refined sugar. It was a pretty drastic change as up until that point her diet had revolved around Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, chocolate, peanut butter and jelly eaten with a spoon, candy and lots of (sugarladen) cereal and pasta! She started

a blog, www.DeliciouslyElla.com and everything you see there is part of her learning and healing process. She is not a trained chef or nutritionist – everything is self-taught and the result of lots of failed experiments. She also totally understands how daunting the idea of changing your diet so radically is, but is living proof that it is the best thing she has ever done.

You can sign up for her newsletter (free), buy her cookbooks online, read her blog, follow her on Instagram, whichever you prefer to do. Just be inspired!

She acknowledges that “Eating this way has allowed me to take control of my illness and manage the symptoms, stopping the constant pain, restoring my energy and giving me my life back again. After eighteen months of eating this way, alongside work with a nutritionist and an exercise program from my doctor, I was able to come off all my medication, which was amazing.

I’d never have believed that I could come this far simply through a diet and lifestyle change; it is just incredible – better than any drug I tried by a long way. I’ve learnt more on this health adventure than I could have possibly imagined too and I really want to share it with you. It’s my way of turning something negative into something really positive. If I can spread health and happiness with anyone then this is a success!” Amen.

Tracy Bhalla, Independent Consultant with NYR Organics, website: us.nyrorganic.com/shop/ tracybhalla email: nyrbhalla@gmail.com You can also visit Tracy’s blog at Tracybhalla.com, Continuing my obsession with all things organic, I have been working with NYR for two years now, using their skincare products myself for over 25 years! Your skin is the body’s largest organ, it deserves to be well looked after. I am here to answer any questions you may have.

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Travel Trending with Kathy Witt

NC's Yadkin Valley,

home to sonker, Sangiovese and the world's most famous sheriff

The Hampton Inn and Suites at Shelton Vineyards in Dobson, NC, is the only hotel in the chain that features a wine bar. (John Witt)

The courthouse signs, sheriff’s shirt and scrapbookworthy letter written by Andy Griffith are favorite displays at The Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy (Mayberry), N.C. (Tourism Partnership of Surry County)

S

mall-town friendly, with a terroir comparable to that of Burgundy, France, North Carolina's Surry County is postcard-pretty, from its landmark mountain peaks to its four rivers, including the one that gives the surrounding valley its name: Yadkin.

Home to more than 35 wineries, Yadkin Valley is also famous as the former stomping grounds of Andy Griffith and a confectionary trail that pays tribute to a Southern delicacy called sonker.

STARRING EVERYBODY'S FAVORITE SHERIFF A charming bronze statue of Sheriff Andy Taylor and son Opie headed to the fishing hole welcomes visitors to The Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy and sets the stage for a nostalgic step back to simpler times.

Designed to be a walk-through Andy Griffith's life, the museum delights with photos, movie posters, TV scripts, musical recordings and instruments, props, playbills, wardrobe pieces and other artifacts, including the gavel and gavel sound block that perched on Taylor's desk at the Mayberry Courthouse and the chair Don Knotts sat in as Deputy Barney Fife during the Emmy Award-winning "The Andy Griffith Show."

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you for taking care to preserve articles from my life," Griffith wrote.

Southern On Main in Elkin, NC, serves its sonker with ice cream. (Emory Rakestraw/Tourism Partnership of Surry County)

The world's most recognizable law enforcement shirt, seen on Sheriff Taylor from 1960 to 1968? It's there, right along with the signature suit Griffith wore during the entire nine-season run of "Matlock."

The collection began with a poster and a Christmas postcard that belonged to Emmett Forrest, Griffith's lifelong friend and founding curator of the museum, and then morphed into a distinctive 1,000-piece permanent collection.

"They talked to each other every day," said Forrest's daughter, Terri Forrest Champney, a museum volunteer.

The "crown jewels" of the collection, as Champney calls them, are the iconic signs, "Sheriff" and "Justice of the Peace," seen in every episode of the series. They have a place of honor in the museum, beneath the illuminated "Mayberry Courthouse" sign. But what she is most proud of is a Feb. 7, 2008 letter to her father that arrived with a shirt Griffith had worn as sheriff: "Thank

Fans of "The Andy Griffith Show," which continues to air daily on channels across the country, know its star brought his hometown and friends into the storyline.

There was an Emmet character, played by vaudevillian Paul Harman. Mount Airy street names were used in fictional Mayberry. Pilot Mountain, a tiny town tucked beneath its namesake _ a rugged 2,000-plus foot peak from an ancient chain of mountains _ was recast as Mount Pilot, the nearby "big city."

Snappy Lunch was the only Mount Airy business mentioned on the show, and it is as beloved in real life as it was by Mayberry's citizenry _ and Andy Griffith himself. Drop by the Main Street cafe and order the batter-fried boneless pork chop sandwich topped with chili, onion, slaw, tomato and mustard _ delicious!

Then flag down one of the squad cars (a fleet of 1960s cruisers) and take a tour of "Mayberry," including Griffith's boyhood home, which can be reserved for overnight stays.

FROM SANGIOVESE TO CABERNET SAUVIGNON No need to head to Europe when the Yadkin Valley, the first certified American The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

Viticultural Area in North Carolina, produces wines from vines "whose feet are in Italy and think they're growing in France," as Elkin Creek winemaker Louis Jeroslow likes to say.

Elkin Creek Vineyard is among dozens of wineries capitalizing on the local soil and climate conditions, beautiful setting in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and area expertise in creating award-winning wines, many that hold their own and even surpass the wines of more established wine regions, including California's Sonoma County.

Locals Charlie and Ed Shelton grew their Shelton Vineyards into the largest familyowned estate winery in the state. Not only that, the brothers were instrumental in developing a hands-on training program at Surry Community College _ the Shelton-Badgett North Carolina Center for Viticulture and Enology _ that has helped elevate the quality of Yadkin Valley wines. Additionally, they own Dobson's Hampton Inn & Suites, the only hotel in the chain that has its own wine bar, gorgeous with wall-to-wall cabinetry softly illuminated and filled with Shelton wines.

Self-taught winemaker JW Ray has earned a reputation for bold red blends and distinctly colored roses JOLO Pink and the lightly effervescent Twinkles.

Last year, JOLO Winery and Vineyards, owned by Ray and his wife Kristen, was named the North Carolina Winegrower of the Year.

"I make every drop of wine myself," said Ray of his award-winning wines. "It's why I did this."

Ray's JOLOtage, a velvety Bordeaux blend with lots of fruit _ think "Meritage combined with Super Tucson" _ is the wine that put JOLO on the map. But the sweeping grounds giving way to Pilot Mountain looming in the distance, beautiful chateau tasting room and restaurant, and aromatic, flavorful dishes surely helped.

Each of the wineries on the Yadkin Valley Wine Trail offers a unique and

The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

highly personalized experience, from the elegant Adagio Vineyards with its monthly violin performances, to the more casual but equally beautiful Round Peak Vineyards, which hosts a campout with live music, barbecue and bonfires annually the first Saturday after Labor Day. FRUIT, GLORIOUS FRUIT A dessert of unknown origins that is hyper regional and means "a little mess of something" in Scottish _ sound tempting? So beloved in NC's Surry County is sonker that a trail was developed to lead dessert-loving connoisseurs to eight sweet spots in the heart of the Yadkin Valley wine region where they can sample several versions of this heritage confection.

The Surry Sonker Trail celebrates this "mess" that seems akin to a cobbler in its use of fruit and crust, sugar or molasses.

Dating to the early 1800s, it is a recipe found in every Surry County cook's recipe box, but has as many variations as the people making it.

Sonkers can be a single-fruit dessert or a combination of fruits. Blackberries, blueberries, cherries, apples, rhubarb, strawberries, peaches _ even sweet potatoes _ whatever fruit is on hand and in season goes into the recipe to create this deep-dish style dessert that is sometimes, but not always, served with ice cream.

From Old North State Winery, Down Home Restaurant and Miss Angel's Heavenly Pies in Mount Airy and The Living Room _ Coffeehouse & Winerbar in Pilot Mountain to Rockford General Store and Putters Patio & Grill in Dobson and Roxxi & Lulu's Bakery and Southern on Main in Elkin, the trail shows off a variety of venues and recipes.

"People love to see what kind of crazy combo we come up with," said Niki Farrington of The Living Room's typically unusual take on sonker.

Sometimes it's a savory sonker like chicken pot pie; sometimes it's a melange of flavors including cayenne pepper, pears and cheddar.

"But it's always local," she said.

The 38th annual Surry Sonker Festival takes place on Saturday, Oct. 7, at the historic Edwards-Franklin House in Mount Airy. It's a chance to sample sonkers made from a variety of generations-old family recipes while enjoying old-timey and bluegrass music, flat-foot dancing, quilt displays and Scottish heritage, and Civil War exhibits.

TRAVEL PLANNER I The annual Mayberry Days celebration is taking place in Mount Airy through Sept. 24. Tickets are still available at www.surryarts.org/mayberrydays/ index.html. Special guests include Karen Knotts (Don Knotts' daughter), who performs two shows, "A Deputy's Daughter" (Sept. 22) and "Tied Up in Knotts" (Sept. 23).

I Surry Sonker Festival, 1-5 p.m. Oct. 7: www.sonkertrail.org. Bring a chair.

I Meet Betty Lynn, the 91-year-old actress who played Barney's girlfriend, Thelma Lou, in "The Andy Griffith Show."

Mount Airy's most famous resident signs autographs on the third Friday of the month (health permitting) at The Andy Griffith Museum.

I Book an overnight at Andy's Homeplace. Contact Mount Airy Hampton Inn, http://hamptoninn3. hilton.com, at 336-789-5999.

I Join the club: The Andy Griffith Rerun Watchers Club, www.tagsrwc.com.

I Lantern-lit Historic Mount Airy Ghost Tours, www.hauntedmayberry.com, depart on Friday and Saturday evenings (May-November) from the Museum of Regional History in downtown Mount Airy.

Information: Mount Airy, NC, www. visitmayberry.com, and Yadkin Valley, NC, www.yadkinvalleync.com.

Author, travel and lifestyle writer, and travel goods expert Kathy Witt feels you should never get to the end of your bucket list; there’s just too much to see and do in the world. She can be reached at KathyWitt24@gmail.com or KathyWitt.com. (c)2017 Kathy Witt Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

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By Greg Budell

The Mayor of BOOMTOWN

GREETINGS FROM FLORIDUH - IRMA WAS HERE Greetings from my “safe space”.

Lauderdale, so I’ve spent the morning looking for a pair of sweat pants that’ll match my shirt and blazer.

I am coming to realize how much I hate wearing pants, but since I am not Donald Duck, I will happily comply and jokes aside, will put on slacks and enjoy the evening.

twisted, perverted reason I had whipped cream upstairs. When you’re a guest at someone’s home, you never want to leave anything behind that might give them pause to have you back.

I’m writing you from a humble bedroom that has been my HQ for 12 years on my trips to So I’m looking at the night stand and Florida. It’s in a house from the photo included, it might appear owned by my friend that Irma came through this room. No, of 40 years, Kathleen.

I stay here free but I just take care of the Hurricane Greg never without thanking cleanup at departure, so tomorrow when her with a carton of Today is Sunday. I arrived I begin the 10.5 hour journey home to cigarettes and baking a late Friday night and am Montgomery, why you’d almost never seafood lasagna. That’s not sure whether to be know I was here at all! a small price to pay embarrassed or impressed for a place that feels with how 10.5 hours? I drive Always use real whipped cream the 660 miles like a home away from “lived-in” because for a home- familiar, comfortable and doors I’ve made my space in a fraction of the cost away from a house I lived in for 8 years, day and a half. of flights, I can sit in so it’s the ‘old’ neighborhood.

I am laying (lying?) next to the smoking section 89th Terrace is cleaning up from an empty can of whipped of my car, stop and eat when I want Hurricane Irma. Every lawn is buried cream. Yes, on the bed, and what I want, under stacks of tree debris but worry but not for the twisted, and sit in a nice not! Officials, whoever they are, have perverted reason you’re assured locals that they’ll be by to scoop thinking (and shame on comfortable seat. everything up just in time to re-bury their YOU for that!). I happen lawns under huge, inflatable Christmas to occasionally enjoy a I’m afraid to fly, decorations.

Reese’s Fast Break candy however NOT bar dipped in whipped because I think the cream and since the can Really, at Christmastime it looks like the plane will crash.

Nightstand awaits FEMA was empty, didn’t find it Neighborhood In The Plastic Bubble.

I’m afraid that with necessary to walk it to the downstairs no smoking, rude airline people, lines, trash. I can’t leave it in the trash can making connections and stuffing my ass Tonight is the engagement party for my daughter Janelle, and fiancé Ryan. It’s in the room, though. I would hate to into a seat that fits like a condom (only have Kathleen find it and wonder what going to be at a chic place in east Ft. tighter), someone will trigger me and I Greg Budell's column is proudly sponsored by McDonald & Hagen Wealth Management

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will have no choice but to kill them.

Flying doesn’t save much time anyway. It takes half an hour to get to the Montgomery airport and we’re told to be there an hour early. I may as well wear a shirt that says “Cavity Search Me” so there’s that.

I worked hard not to be surly when I finally picked up my daughter, and that, my friends, was the last time I booked a flight on Air Chance.

This particular trip came 2 weeks after Hurricane Irma toured Florida. On I-75 South, Friday, I watched amazing convoys of power trucks headed back to their home states- hundreds of Actual action photo taken while writing this column cherry-pickers and cable Will the flight even carriers. Most of the southern part of take off? In 2009, I attempted to fly the state was inconvenienced by power from Montgomery to Ft. Lauderdale on outages, but everyone I’ve talked to a Saturday with a return the next day. here was impressed with the speed of It was a Christmas shopping visit with restoration. Saw lots of downed trees Janelle, so I had ONE day. My 5:30 AM as far north as I-10, ripped up billboards flight was delayed 4 hours! Why? That’s and a few bent and downed street signs the fun part. We boarded the plane but no major damage. The Florida Keys on a chilly morning. It was clear, but took the brunt of it, about 120 miles the temperature was 27. The pilot told south of my safe space. us he needed to de-ice the wings but couldn’t- BECAUSE THEY COULDN’T GET That’s my report. Tomorrow I will board THE DE-ICING TRUCK STARTED! What, no my vehicle and leave at my convenience jumper cables at MGM? We had to wait for the drive home. I’ll stop about every for the thermometer to reach 33 degrees 90 miles and stretch. If I just stopped for before we could take off. I was scheduled gas I’d cut an hour off the trip but would to arrive in Ft. Lauderdale at 9:45 and walk like I had double-knee replacement eventually staggered in around 3:30.

The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

surgeries for a couple days.

I leave you with The End- the end of my car. As you can see from the photo, I don’t just say “goodbye”.

I evacuate! You live in Florida long enough, you get used to it.

Greg Budell lives in Montgomery with his wife, Roz, and dogs Hershey and Briscoe. He’s been in radio since 1970, and is marking 12 years in the River Region in 2017. He hosts the Newstalk 93.1FM Morning Show with Rich Thomas, Jay Scott & Emily Hayes, 6-9AM Monday-Friday. He returns weekday afternoons from 3-6PM for Happy Hour with sidekick Joey Clark. Greg can be reached at gregbudell@aol.com

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October 2017

{12 Things} for active boomers and beyond

MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA Two Trains Runnin' Capri Theatre October 4, 5

MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA

In June of 1964, hundreds of college students, eager to join the civil rights movement, traveled to Mississippi and started what would be known as Freedom Summer. That same month, two groups of young men ­made up of musicians, college students and record collectors ­also traveled to Mississippi. Though neither group was aware of the other, each had come on the same errand: to find two old blues singers and coax them out of retirement. Finding them would not be easy. There were few clues to their whereabouts; no one knew if the singers were even alive.

And Mississippi was a tense and violent place. It was easy to mistake the young men for activists. When the two groups finally converge, Two Trains Runnin' becomes a powerful meditation on the origins of an African-American musical genre and the painful reasons for its existence. For more info visit www.capritheatre.org

MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 17th Annual Walk n Wag Blount Cultural Park Saturday, October 7, 8-12 noon

Join the Montgomery Humane Society for the 17th Annual Walk ‘N Wag one-mile pledge walk in Blount Cultural Park on Saturday, October 7, 2017. Join hundreds of pets and pet lovers as they participate in this pledge walk to support the over 8,600 homeless animals in the Montgomery area. For more info visit www.montgomeryhumane.com/16th-annual-walk-n-wag/

MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA

The Montgomery Chamber Music Organization Presents: Academy of St. Martin of the Fields Tuesday, October 10, 2017, 7:30pm - 9:30pm Join the Montgomery Chamber Music Organization for a performance by the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble at 7:30 PM at the Wilson Auditorium at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. Come early for a 6:30 Pre-Concert Talk with Jamie Lamar in the Orientation Circle. The Dallas Morning News had this to say regarding the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields "This was an ensemble of first-rate musicians, technically superb, generously expressive, and obviously enjoying themselves. Everything was nicely buoyed and lovingly phrased." “Meet the Artists” Wine Reception following concert.

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For ticket or event information, please call 334.277.3505.

For more info visit www.montgomerychambermusic.org

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Holiday Market The Multiplex at Cramton Bowl October 11-14th, all day

Mark your calendars for the 29th annual Holiday Market! The festivities begin with Prancer's Preview Party on October 11th, followed by three full days of shopping from October 12th - October 14th! The Multiplex at Cramton Bowl, 220 Hall St., Montgomery, AL. For more information call 334.288.8816 or visit www.jlmontgomery.org

MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA AND THEN THERE WERE NONE Cloverdale Playhouse October 12-22

AND THEN THERE WERE NONE by Agatha Christie, Directed by Mike Winkleman, starting October 12th. Eight strangers are lured to an island by mysteriously absent hosts. They are trapped there with two house servants, and an unseen voice accuses them all of having gotten away with murder. Suddenly, someone drops dead- poisoned. One down, nine to go! Performances are Thursdays-Saturdays 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm. For more info visit www.cloverdaleplayhouse.org

MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA Cooking on the Wild Side AWF

Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, 11:30am-1:00pm Join Kirk Green, lead chef of the Coop Cut-Ups cook team, October 14th at 11:30 am, as he shows you how to cook some delicious wild game!

Chef Green’s team has won Best Overall in several of AWF's Wild Game Cook-Offs as well as other top cooking awards. This exclusive event with limited seating is sure to be a treat! On the Menu: Ground Venison Tacos and Venison Tenderloin Fajitas. This a great opportunity to show The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

Digital & Interactive

f re e su bsc r i pt i on s at w w w.rive r re gio n b o o m.co m you how to fix a couple of delicious wild game dishes. During this class we will learn 2 different ways of using 3 common cuts of venison. Bring your appetite as you will get to taste a couple of delicious game dishes!

Space is limited...get your tickets today! For more information contact Matt Vines 334-285-4550 or mvines@alabamawildlife.org or visit www.alabamawildlife.org. AWF 3050 LANARK ROAD MILLBROOK, AL

MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA Dwight Yoakam MPAC Thursday, October 19th, 7:30pm

Dwight Yoakam has sold more than 25 million albums worldwide, and he is a 21-time nominated, multiple GRAMMY Award winner.

He has 12 gold albums and 9 platinum or multi-platinum albums, with five of those albums topping Billboard’s Country Albums chart, and another 14 landing in the Top 10. Nearly 40 of Yoakam’s singles have charted, with 14 peaking in the Top 10. He received the Artist of the Year award at the 2013. In addition to his musical career, Yoakam is a formidable film and television actor, capable of seamlessly melting into his roles, and impressively standing toe-to-toe with some of the world’s top thespians over the course of his storied and successful acting career.

For more info visit www.mpaconline.org/events

OPELIKA, ALABAMA

On The Tracks Downtown Opelika, South Railroad Ave Friday, October 20th, 6-11pm On The Tracks takes place twice per year, in the Fall and Spring in beautiful downtown Opelika, Alabama. This year's Fall event will be October 20, 2017 from 6 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Now in it's 11th year, On The Tracks is the area's longestrunning food and libations trail. On a beautiful evening in both the spring and fall, the area's finest restaurants partner with the historic Railroad Avenue retailers in the heart of downtown Opelika to offer a delicious selection of small bites. Meanwhile, wine and craft beer enthusiasts meander throughout over 25 retail establishments sampling diverse, seasonally relevant wines and craft brews. Live music sets the perfect backdrop for a delightful evening while the Main Street merchants remain open for your shopping enjoyment. For tickets and info visit www.onthetracks. org The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

AUBURN, ALABAMA

The Hotel at Auburn University’s Oktoberfest!

The Hotel at Auburn Saturday, October 21st, 4-9pm Each local, regional and national brewery in attendance will showcase a small selection of beers, giving attendees an opportunity to sample a variety of great brews. Select breweries will also present one-off beers, which are brewed specifically to be served at the Oktoberfest event.

For more info visit www.auhcc.com/oktoberfest

MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 21st Annual British Car Show Alabama State Farmer's Market Saturday, October 21, 9-2pm

The British Motoring Club of Montgomery invites everyone to come out to the 21st Annual British Car Show, which will be held at the Shed, adjacent to the Alabama State Farmer's Market. Free to the general public; $25 entry fee for participants, for as many cars as you wish to display. For more info visit www.montgomerybrits.org.

Alabama State Farmers Market 1655 Federal Drive, Montgomery,

MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA

8th Annual Farm-To-Fork Food Invasion Hampstead Farm Saturday, October 26th, 5:30 pm We are excited to announce the return of the 8th Annual Farm-to-Fork Food Invasion this October 26 to Hampstead Farm! This year's event brings our Guest "Invader" - Saw's BBQ of Birmingham - to Hampstead Farm for a barn-raiser of a party. Hundreds of guests will feast on dinner by the renowned Saw's BBQ - one of the Best BBQ Joints in the US as featured in the New York Times, the Food Network, and Zagat.

Come for great food, music, and innovative artwork on a night to enjoy and friends and family of all ages! Food Invasion benefits the Hampstead Institute, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization which supports community, education and wellness, and this year's beneficiary The Montessori School at Hampstead. For more info visit www.foodinvasion.com

ORANGE BEACH, ALABAMA

World Food Championships The Wharf November 8-14, 10 am-8 pm Want to take a bite out of the World Food Championships?! Trying to figure out what Food Sport really is?? Join us for the biggest event in the industry as we surround the MAIN EVENT with countless fun foodie activities! While more than 1200 chefs and home cooks battle it out for Food Fame & Fortune, you can join in on the action by attending one of our spirited cocktail gatherings or competing in our family focused, foodie-driven World Food Games! For more info visit www.worldfoodchampionships.com

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Yoga May Bring Better Sleep to Breast Cancer Patients taught one-on-one by a trained instructor. The women in this group were taught controlled breathing, visualization, meditation and postures, and were encouraged to practice yoga daily at home.

A certain type of yoga may provide lasting benefits for breast cancer patients who have trouble sleeping, researchers report.

The study included 227 women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer who were randomly assigned to one of three groups. One group practiced Tibetan yoga at least twice a week, another group did a simple stretching program, and the third group received usual care (the "control" group).

The study participants were assessed one week after the end of the program, and the researchers followed up with them at three, six and 12 months later.

Women in the yoga group reported fewer sleep problems and less daytime drowsiness over the long term than those in the other two groups, the researchers said.

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Sleep problems and fatigue are common among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, said study author Lorenzo Cohen. He is director of the integrative medicine program at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer.

The women in the Tibetan yoga program or the stretching program had been offered four 75- to 90-minute classes during their chemotherapy treatment.

Those taking part in Tibetan yoga were

"While the effects of this intervention were modest, it is encouraging to see that the women who practiced yoga outside of class had improved sleep outcomes over time," Cohen said in an MD Anderson l news release.

"Previous research has established that yoga effectively reduces sleep disturbances for cancer patients, but have not included active control groups or long-term follow-up. This study hoped to address previous study limitations," he added.

The study was published online Sept. 20 in the journal Cancer.

-- Robert Preidt Copyright Š 2017 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

SOURCE: University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, news release, Sept. 20, 2017

The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

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