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Issue No.
June 17 - July 14 VOLUME 5
11
June is for Alzheimer’s Awareness A Thomasville Caretaker’s Story
June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, so we thought it would be important to bring a real story about a Thomasville family that is dealing with the effects of Alzheimer’s disease. I was put in touch with Mickey Dechman, who I could tell was an extraordinary guy from the moment I first made his acquaintance. For the last three years, Mickey, 79, has been dealing with the progressive effects Alzheimer’s disease has had on his wife, Anne, 80. First, Mickey is brilliant. He did graduate work in Preventive Medicine and Geriatrics at the University of Louisville where he taught Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, while working on a rare liver cancer, Angiosarcoma. Mickey, Anne and their son, Bob, later moved to Saudi Arabia so that Mickey could work for the largest oil company in the world. The three of them lived in Saudi Arabia for four years and traveled the world, eventually resettling in Tallahassee. They now live in Thomasville, as it is easier for Mickey and Anne to be near their son and grandchild. Mickey and Anne fell in love when they were in 8th grade. They later tied the knot when they were seniors at the University of Florida and have been married for 56 years. Anne was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s just three years ago. Since Mickey has a background in geriatric diseases, he said he recognized that something was wrong, which led to the diagnosis. They initially tried medicine to treat the disease, but to no avail. Mickey is Anne’s primary caregiver. He said that they wake up between 3:30 and 4:00a each day to begin their routine and usually go to bed between 9:30 and 10:00 each night. That’s a long day for anyone, especially someone who is caring for a person suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. “A lot of people are suffering [with the disease], and their family is suffering,” said Mickey. “It’s important for caregivers to study the disease so they understand it. It’s also important to have a good heart. Caregivers sacrifice a lot,” he continued. Mickey does have a good heart. He plays a CD with all of their favorite songs, including the songs that they fell in love to. “Too
Young” by Nat King Cole is Mickey and Anne’s song. Despite Anne's Alheimer's-related memory issues, she still remembers the words to their song and the other songs that have highlighted the many moments in their life together. Mickey takes Anne to get her nails and hair done every couple of weeks. After I made a comment about the sweetness of that gesture, Mickey said that people at the nail salon also comment on how much he loves his wife. “It’s fun to see people care about each other,” he said. “Wouldn’t you want her to take care of you [if it was the other way around]?” Mickey and a group of other caregivers co-host a six-week class which gives them all a bit of a reprieve and helps them understand how to better care for their loved ones. He said that it’s important for caregivers to give themselves a break so they don’t experience burnout. Mickey enjoys attending Florida State football games with his son {but he’ll tell you he’s a Gator and will never be a Seminole}, so that he can take a much-needed break. While they’re watching the games, Anne spends time at Southern Pines where they are equipped to help with her needs. Mickey jokes that since he now prepares all of their meals, they both have lost a little bit of weight. I suggested that his weight loss could be because he’s so busy and not just because he thinks he’s a poor cook.
For more information on the disease, visit www.alz.org. As an aside, my interview with Mickey was one of my favorites of my entire journalism career. - Denise P.
Jennifer is mother to a 13-year old, Katie, and her husband, Steve, comes and hangs out in the evenings to work on the bikes. “He loves doing those kinds of things,” she says.
Jennifer Marcum opened Joyride on June 6. A Thomasville High School graduate and preschool teacher at First United Methodist, she welcomes folks of all ages, cyclists and non-cyclists alike, to come see what Joyride has to offer.
Jennifer added that the electric option allows those with injuries, who cannot ride a regular bicycle, to get back on one again. Alternately, for those who would like to get some exercise, there is an assist mode, which allows the bikes to be adjusted to provide less electric power and require more pedaling.
Today [Tuesday], Jennifer is running a half off special: $6 an hour rentals. She says she’ll likely run this special regularly during the week, throughout summer. Joyride also carries hard-to-find accessories for bicyclists of all experience levels, including helmets, socks, baskets and bags. They carry accessories for kids including balance bikes for children 18 months to age 6.
As with beauty, style, is truly in the eye of the beholder, I recently attended the Georgia Press Association awards at the historic Jekyll Island Club. I was the third place recipient of Best Lifestyle Column for this publication. The G.P.A. was not the only group there that weekend. There was the usual wedding nonsense mixed with the predictable vacationers and tourists from all over Georgia and beyond. Sitting at the club bar over my Pimm’s Cup, admiring the beautifully carved woodwork on the grand staircase, I was, I confess frankly, eavesdropping. A woman, with a shoulder-length, honey colored {from a bottle} pageboy, string of pearls, too-tanned skin and teeth like Chiclets, leaned into her companion and commented, rather loudly, “this really doesn’t seem all that ‘Gilded Age’ to me.” What was she expecting, exactly? At tea on Sunday, another couple I witnessed, skulking around and clearly not enjoying themselves, rudely remarked to the maître d, “I never make reservations and always get a table at the best restaurants in Cleveland.” Georgia? Ohio? Who knows? Who cares? It is a public hotel, but the "Club" was always meant to be exclusive but also very reserved. It is simple, elegant. It makes a statement. Look at the architecture. Look at the native, tropical horticulture. Enjoy the classic simplicity of a building and fixtures mellowed by time.
Keeping that breeze on difficult hills can be added to your list, as Joyride Electric Bike Rentals on Gordon Avenue offers an added speed boost for ease of biking and adding miles to your trek.
Customers may rent the electric bikes by the hour, at $12 or $6 for the half. A three-hour rental gets an hour on the house and a six-hour rental gets two.
On the Subtle beauty of the Jekyll Island Club
From alz.org, “Everyone who has a brain is at risk to develop Alzheimer’s, a disease that is often misunderstood. Did you know that Alzheimer’s is fatal? It kills more than breast and prostate cancer combined. Alzheimer’s is not normal aging. It’s a progressive brain disease without any cure. Alzheimer’s is more than memory loss. It appears through a variety of signs and symptoms.”
“We want people to stop and park their bikes—regular bikes—and moms and dads with strollers to come in for a cool break. We’ve got drinks and tables where people can sit down and rest. We have a play area for kids. Come hang out with us.”
“With the assistance of the motor, you go a lot faster,” Jennifer says. “You can get yourself going at a stoplight and you don’t hold up traffic.”
The stylish house
These people were missing the whole point.
Nothing is better for beating the heat than catching a breeze on a bike while cruising through your favorite small town. You can also catch a tan, burn calories, avoid the great parking spot hunt, stop when you see a friend without being rear-ended or hollered at… and the list continues.
The electric bikes will go 40 miles on a charge and are equipped with rear-end racks. They reach speeds of 24 miles an hour, which is roughly twice as fast as a regular bicycle.
June 17 - July 14 VOLUME 5
Anne is lucky to have Mickey, and Mickey is lucky to have Anne.
Beat Summer on a Joyride bike
“I knew that I wanted to open a business in downtown Thomasville,” she says of Joyride’s origins. “I wanted to offer something totally unique, so I started looking at the electric bike option. It’s a growing trend in the U.S. and with [Thomasville’s] bike path coming in and the fact that you can bike easily here in town, this was it.”
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Jennifer says she’d love to have companies sponsor a Saturday employee group ride, featured at a discounted rate. “It’s a lot of fun when you have more people,” she added. The map routes that she has given to customers so far have included Gordon Avenue out to Milpond Road, hitting the bricks and touring Dawson’s historic homes and the Big Oak, down through Washington Avenue, and more. She says these areas are perfect because of all of the history, beauty, shade and hills. About hills, customers needn’t worry. “You can ride and you don’t have to put muscle into it to where you’re just dying,” she says. “You get a breeze going on you and the bike does all of the hard work.”
The bottom line, to me and I’m sure for the Rockefellers as well, is that money does not equal class and just because something is new or the most expensive, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better.
Melissa June If you have attended any of South Georgia Ballet’s productions in recent years, try to imagine all of the vision and work that goes into creating them. This issue’s Chum, Artistic Director Melissa June is a talented choreographer, teacher and team leader. With her killer team, she constantly delivers thrilling shows. What started you dancing and when? I started dancing when I was three. It was always part of my being. My grandfather was a professional tap dancer. I don’t tap but my daughters are good tap dancers. What is your favorite role you have danced? Clara is one; of course, because it is the quintessential role that everyone likes to do. But one of the most fun I got to dance was an Ugly Step Sister in Cinderella because I got to do everything wrong and be silly. How does your husband feel about dance? I married the farthest thing from a dancer that you could get. It’s good because he enjoys our daughters dancing and what they get from it, but he doesn’t have input. It’s nice to go home and not have to wear that hat. What do you, your husband and two girls like to do for fun? We usually camp. We like to be together. We are quiet people and camping is our outlet. What is your favorite Thomasville tradition? FLAUNT is my favorite. It is something I don’t miss. I get a piece of art from it every year. Everyone we know that didn’t stick with dance or an instrument wishes his/her parents made them keep going. What is your advice for parents? As parents we have to understand the value in what our kids do. Dance is fun and dance is rewarding but it isn’t just about the show at the end of the year. It’s about all the lessons. It’s about being dependable, working hard, being reliable and being timely. - Emily M.
The chicest lady I have ever seen, when I was living in Palm Beach, once said to me, “Davey, find a style and stick with it and you will always be in vogue.” The simplicity of the Golden Isle of Jekyll with always be in style.
- John David Bray, Jr. is a Project Manager/Designer at Landford Thompson Interiors. He sees clients in Thomasville by appointment. www.landfordthompsoninteriors.com
Beauty Broad
Whispers
~ I’m in love with The Perfect Body Lotion by The Perfect Derma. It contains 15% glycolic acid which exfoliates and brightens the skin. Mix a dime size amount in with your regular body lotion after bathing. Get ready for the smoothest most even toned legs ever. You can pick up a tube of this at Live Young Studio.
Even in Cleveland.
Psst... spots are still open for Camp LPH at the Historical Society and Peace Love Summer Camp at TCA... kids in rising 3rd - 6th grades and ages 4 -11 are welcome... it's not too late! The Townie is on summer break... we'll see you back in print on July 15! Hit us up via e-mail or Facebook in the meantime.
Jennifer Marcum | Joyride Electric Bike Rentals 108 Gordon Avenue | {229} 236-2453 - Jennifer W.
With her location right next to Paradise Park, Jennifer encourages visitors, not necessarily shoppers, to stop in and cool off.
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Or, even good. Or attractive.
Keep cool, Townies!
That’s what we’re talking about.
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Prep your Body for Summer
~ Jojoba oil is the most effective multi-tasking oil I have found. 1. Perfect for scalp health, massage before showering to stimulate hair growth. 2. Mix a few drops in with your body lotion in the morning to give your skin a dewy glow. 3. Use nightly as a moisturizer after a day in the sun. It soaks in beautifully, will not clog pores and your skin will look incredibly healthy the next morning. ~ The best Detox is not the most glamorous but it is the most effective. Drum roll please! Drink a bottle of water. Then drink another. Our cells and organs have to stay adequately hydrated to function properly. This includes the flushing of toxins and promoting healthy elimination which will zap uncomfortable bloating and puffiness. Consider adding electrolytes into your water {a pinch of sea salt or mineral drops}. ~ Dry brushing provides benefits both internally and externally. It exfoliates, removes dead skin cells, and stimulates the lymph system {which has to be working efficiently for your skin to glow and to stimulate weight loss}. It also encourages collagen production and is one of the best remedies for reducing the appearance of cellulite! All strokes toward your heart. Begin with your feet and move up the leg paying special attention to the back of the thigh. Use upward strokes moving up to your lower back. Now work from your arms towards your chest. Swoop down your neck and up your stomach.
- Sarah Esra is the Townie’s resident goddess
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