Prime FREE FOR YOU
Celebrating Life
September 2016
Revisiting the Ride of a Lifetime Alabama brothers retrace their 1976 crosscountry trek
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Together makes us better. And you, too.
September 2016 | www.primemontgomery.com
The new UAB Multispecialty Clinic at Baptist Medical Center South brings two names you trust together.
Together makes us happier, stronger, better. That’s why Baptist South has opened a brand new clinic that brings the best names in healthcare together. Nurses and staff from Baptist South will join specially trained doctors from UAB to offer advanced care in many specialties. It’s a partnership that’s going to make everyone better, including you. Call today and make an appointment at the new UAB clinic. Let’s get you better, together.
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www.primemontgomery.com | September 2016
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Prime L
EDITOR’S NOTE
September 2016 • Volumn 7 • Issue 6
PUBLISHER Bob Corley, primemontgomery@gmail.com EDITOR Sandra Polizos, primeeditor@gmail.com ART DIRECTOR Callie Corley, primemagdesign@gmail.com WRITERS John Peck, William McDonald, Sara Schwartz, Bone-Muscle-Joint Team (Cleveland Clinic) CONTRIBUTORS Niko Corley, Susan Enzweiler Kylle’ McKinney, Arlene Morris, Nick Thomas, Alan Wallace SALES Bob Corley • 334-202-0114 primemontgomery@gmail.com Suzanne Roquemore • 334-546-0010 suzannerprime@gmail.com Prime Montgomery 7956 Vaughn Road, #144 Montgomery, AL 36116 • 334-202-0114 www.primemontgomery.com ISSN 2152-9035
Prime Montgomery is a publication of The Polizos/Corley Group, LLC. Original content is copyright 2016 by The Polizos/Corley Group, LLC., all rights reserved, with replication of any portion prohibited without written permission. Opinions expressed are those of contributing writer(s) and not necessarily those of The Polizos/ Corley Group, LLC. Prime Montgomery is published monthly except for the combined issue of December/January. Information in articles, departments, columns, and other content areas, as well as advertisements, does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Prime Montgomery magazine. Items relating to health, finances, and legal issues are not offered as substitutes for the advice and consultation of health, financial, and legal professionals. Consult properly degreed and licensed professionals when dealing with financial, medical, emotional, or legal matters. We accept no liability for errors or omissions, and are not responsible for advertiser claims.
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September 2016 | www.primemontgomery.com
abor Day was intended as a day of rest, but my family clearly never got the memo. On the first Monday in September each year, while all my school friends headed off to the swimming pool, the beach, or to Grandma’s to celebrate summer’s last hurrah, our family headed to the corner of Mt. Meigs Road and Capitol Parkway to support the Greek Labor Day Barbecue, an event our church community sponsored annually to serve Montgomery and surrounding areas. It was, and still is, the largest Labor Day barbecue in the Capital City. Started in 1948 as a picnic for parishioners, by the Sandra Polizos 1960s “The Barbecue” was already a big citywide event. The giant cookout carried extra cache because many owners of Montgomery’s most well-known eateries — the Elite, the Riviera, the Governor’s House, Chris’ Hotdogs, the Sheridan Cafe, Tony’s Pizza, the Embers, the Ideal Cafe (just to name a few) — were all church members who spent untold hours seasoning, cooking, and serving barbecue that would live up to customer expectations and their own individual reputations. Everyone in the church community had a Barbecue-related job, from the youngest child to the oldest grandparent. Throughout elementary school my cousins, friends and I would gather in mid-August to complete our assigned task of folding cardboard boxes for BBQ carryout. Well-before pre-folded styrofoam was a staple, we folded thousands of boxes in anticipation of large, hungry crowds. While we folded box after cardboard box, the smell of freshly baked Greek pastries wafted through the community center, as our moms mixed, shaped and dipped the delicacies that represented the “Greek” part of the Labor Day event. It never seemed the least bit odd to me that we served barbecue alongside baklava. Only in the South. When the big weekend arrived, preparation of the pork, chickens, lamb and camp stew was left to the experts. After the pork had all been cooked and the chickens were still smoking on the pit, just as the Labor Day sun was positioned to light up the sky, the restauranteurs would assemble in the BBQ pit, bringing their sharpest knives from work to slice the pork hams. These men were colorful, larger-than-life characters who loved the opportunity to contribute to their church and their city, just as they enjoyed the camaraderie of their common effort. September 5 marks the 68th celebration of the what is now the oldest Labor Day BBQ in the city. Although many of the event’s pioneers are no longer with us, the pit-fired barbecue pork, chicken, lamb and slow-simmered camp stew will again be served, cooked the same way as it was by those legendary Montgomery restauranteurs who started it all so many years ago. After nearly seven decades, the event is a unique Montgomery tradition. This year’s holiday will once again find my family (including my son’s nonGreek father-in-law, a pit master extraordinaire whom we’ve affectionately adopted) and many friends working hard for the event that provides major support for the local Greek Orthodox Church’s Christian ministry. We’ll be there, cooking and selling BBQ pork, chicken, lamb, camp stew, and Greek pastries to anyone who’s got a hankering for these great grunts. If your stomach’s growling and you’re anywhere nearby, come and get some. And look for us. We’d love to say hello – and thank you – for almost 70 years of valued River Region support. If you’re 50+ and on Facebook, become a fan of PRIME Montgomery!
September 2016 Yogurt popcorn
Table of Contents Editor’s Note 4 Quick Reads 8
Is fidgeting exercise? A surprising find.
Yard ‘n Garden 11
Create a garden in a pool.
A Gracious Plenty 12
A quartet of popcorn treats
8 Things You Pay Too Much For 14 Checks, toothpaste, plumbing, more...
Money Wi$e 17
Create retirement ‘buckets’.
A Ride Like No Other 18
1976 transcontinental bike trek
Tinseltown Talks 23
Barbara Bain: From “Mission Impossible” to “Space”
In Every Life 24
Pulmonary Fibrosis: New Meds, But No Cure
Social Security 25
Social Security basics: Part 2 of 3
Cortisone & Joint Pain 26 What joints? How frequent?
Crossword & Sudoku Puzzles 28 Answers on page 30
The Man Who Refuses to Age 29 Tommy Howard -- adventurer, dancer.
History Mystery 31
Who ARE these people?
Calendar 32 Off the Beaten Path 34 Resolve
Sept. 1966. Working on a tractor, Mt. Meigs. www.primemontgomery.com | September 2016
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Quick Reads
“Smart Homes” and Senior Safety Researchers in Singapore are using sensors to increase the safety of seniors who live independently in their own homes. As part of a three-year project, 50 one-bedroom apartments were equipped with door contacts and motion sensors to detect movement within the apartment or unusual periods of inactivity, a possible indication the tenant has fallen or suffered a health crisis. The information was fed to a volunteer organization staffed to react to potential emergencies. No camerabased or audio recording devices were used to respect the privacy of occupants. According to researchers, participant response has been encouraging, with no senior dropping out, and many urging friends to sign up for the pilot test. In addition, ten apartments were outfitted with personalized, sensorequipped medication boxes that indicate when a particular section of the box is opened and closed.
— Singapore Management University
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Food Commercials Influence Child’s Choices A new study of the brain activity of children after watching food commercials found that the commercials influenced their food choices. Children and adolescents view 1,000 to 2,000 food ads annually, with food advertising to children a $1.8 billion business designed to affect their choices. Overall, researchers found children’s decisions were driven by tastiness rather than healthfulness, with tastiness increasing in importance after they watched food commercials. Food marketing has been cited as a significant factor in food choices, overeating, and obesity in children and adolescents. — U. of Kansas Medical Center, U. of Missouri-Kansas City Your Brain on Sweets Researchers have discovered that the brain actively takes sugar from the blood, rather than it being a purely passive process as previously thought. According to researchers, the brain has the highest sugar consumption of all organs while also controlling hunger feelings. This is a significant shift in thinking that could help explain why it has been so difficult to develop safe, effective medicines for diabetes and obesity. — Technical University of Munich
Gout and the Blood Pressure Diet A new study shows the DASH diet — rich in fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, reduced in fats and saturated fats — appears to significantly lower uric acid, the causative
agent of gout. The effect was so strong in some participants it was nearly comparable to that achieved with drugs specifically prescribed to treat gout. The findings, derived from a randomized clinical trial, could offer an effective, safe and sustainable dietary approach to lower uric acid and possibly prevent gout flare-ups in those with mild to moderate disease and who can’t or don’t want to take gout drugs. About 8.3 million people in the U.S. have gout. — Johns Hopkins Medicine
Fidgeting as Exercise Recent research has found that fidgeting while sitting can protect the arteries in legs and potentially help prevent arterial disease. Previous research has shown that sitting for an extended period of time at a computer or during a long airline flight reduces blood flow to the legs, which may contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease. While only one leg was exposed to fidgeting during the experiment, researchers recommend tapping both legs to maximize the beneficial effects. They also caution that fidgeting is not a substitute for walking and exercise, which produce more overall cardiovascular benefits. They recommend standing or walking to break up long periods of sitting, but if that’s not possible fidgeting can be a good alternative. — U. of Missouri, Dept. of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology
BACKUP PLANS MAY HINDER GOALS When setting goals, a backup plan has long been seen as a sensible way to deal with uncertainty, a path to take if things don’t go as expected. However, new research challenges that concept, suggesting merely thinking through a backup plan can hurt your chances of achieving your goal, particularly if the goal can be reached through personal effort. In such cases, having a back-up plan — a second option to reaching your goal — can reduce the effort put into achieving the original goal. Researchers found that if goals could be achieved by luck or innate skill, a backup plan had little effect on reducing goal performance. — U.of Wisconsin-Madison
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Join our HEALTH RECOVERY CLASS anytime (held Mon. & Wed., 1-2:30 pm)
An ancient Chinese practice designed to exercise body, mind and spirit. Improves: Flexibility, Balance, Strength, Posture, Immune System , Ability to Relax, Concentration, and Memory Reduces: Stress, Depression, Breathing and Heart Rate, Blood Pressure, Inflammation,and Pain 10
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YARD ‘N GARDEN
Container “Hillbilly” Gardening
A
By Susan Enzweiler
gomery County Extension Office at 334-270-4133 or friend and I were discussing gardening in pots and how I wished I had a bigger space for email capcitymga@gmail.com.) If your container garden holds a variety of plants, herbs. At the time, creating a raised bed was they all must share the same sunlight/shade and water too expensive and labor intensive for me. requirements to remain healthy. For the most dramatic “Have you ever planted a ‘hillbilly’ garden?” my effect the plant combination should balance colors and friend asked. textures, heights and shapes. Don’t be afraid to mix It turns out that a ‘hillbilly’ garden was the perfect vegetables and herbs with flowers and vines. Compansolution. The container for such a garden is a plastic ion planting is not only attracswimming pool for toddlers. tive but helps prevent disease Just drill holes in the botCapital City Master Gardener and pest infestations. tom for drainage, fill it with a Free Lunch & Learn Choose healthy plants and growing medium and add your seeds that are both diseaseherbs. It’s not the most attrac“The Art of Bonsai” and pest-free. Give them the tive container, maybe someroom they need to grow. In thing only a hillbilly would Sept. 7: Noon 1:00 p.m. the case of seedlings, this will consider using, but I’m origiArmory Learning Arts Center require thinning them back. nally from Kentucky so that’s 1018 Madison Avenue, Montgomery Fertilize your container garden OK with me. with a slow-release fertilizer. If Container gardening can be BRING A LUNCH | DRINKS PROVIDED needed, supplement with a wastrictly utilitarian (like herbs ter-soluble fertilizer throughin a kiddie pool) or an artistic Next month, Oct. 5: “Fruit Tree Selection out the growing season. endeavor where the type of for the Backyard” Watering is the most crucial container and its colorful riot of and time-consuming aspect plants creates a living, outdoor For more information, contact the of container gardening. As floral arrangement. Montgomery County Extension Office at the plants mature and their The container must drain (334) 270-4133. roots fill the container, they well and hold enough medium will need plenty of water. for the plants to reach maturity. Container gardens in full sun Holes in the bottom of the pot should be watered deeply every few days. During our along with added gravel or Styrofoam peanuts allow for good drainage. Also, place the container up on sup- hot summers, mature plants may need watering once or even twice a day. Using a drip irrigation system with ports or in a saucer. an automatic timer and adding water-holding polySelect a medium that drains well and retains moisture. Container gardens must never dry out. A soilless mers or gels to your planting media will make your media is the best choice. It also harbors no pests, weed watering task easier. I enjoyed fresh herbs from my ‘hillbilly’ garden all seeds or pathogens. You can purchase such media summer long. Whether they’re pretty or plain, your from garden centers, but avoid those that contain only container gardens will provide you plenty of enjoypeat or peat lite. You can develop your own by combining peat moss, vermiculite or perlite, sterile potting ment and maybe even some edibles! mix and coarse sand. Figure Susan Enzweiler, an Intern out how much lime in the 2016 Master you may need to Gardener Class, lives add by sendin Montgomery. ing a sample For information on of your mix to becoming a master a soil testing gardener visit www. laboratory. (For capcitymga.org or information on email capcitymga@ a soil testing kit gmail.com. call the Montwww.primemontgomery.com | September 2016
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Sencsksible A GRACIOUS PLENTY
Sna
That
! p o P
N
ext time you reach for a snack, go for a great-tasting option that delivers both flavor and nutrition. Sensible snacks can be surprisingly delicious when you choose ingredients wisely. One pop-ular choice: popcorn. Ideal for between-meal snacking since it satisfies but doesn’t spoil the appetite, popcorn is also the perfect addition to treats such as snack bars and trail mix. The key to smart snacking is finding good-for-you ingredients that make your body healthy and your taste buds happy. With no artificial additives or preservatives, popcorn is naturally low in fat and calories. The whole grain provides energy-producing complex carbohydrates and contains fiber, providing roughage the body needs in the daily diet. Find more healthy snack solutions at popcorn.org.
Perfect Popcorn There’s nothing like the taste of freshly popped popcorn and nothing like the disappointment of burnt popcorn. Follow these simple steps and you’ll have perfect popcorn every time. n Whether on the stove or in the microwave, popcorn will begin popping in a few minutes. n When the popping begins to slow, listen until you can count two seconds between pops. Remove the pan from heat or bag from microwave. n Remember to lift the lid or open the bag away from your face to prevent steam burns.
n n n n n n
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Popcorn Granola Snack Bars Yield: 16 bars Nonstick cooking spray 1/2 cup honey 2/3 cup peanut butter 1 cup granola cereal 1 cup roasted and salted peanuts 3 cups popped popcorn
Line 8- or 9-inch square baking pan with foil. Spray foil lightly with cooking spray; set aside. In large saucepan, heat honey until boiling. Stir in peanut butter until well blended. Remove pan from heat and stir in granola, peanuts and popcorn until coated. Press mixture evenly into prepared pan. Refrigerate until cool; cut into bars to serve. September 2016 | www.primemontgomery.com
n n n n n n n n
Crunchy Popcorn Trail Mix Yield: 9 cups 5 cups popped popcorn 3 cups whole-grain oat cereal 1/3 cup raisins 1/3 cup peanuts (or other nuts) 1/3 cup sunflower seeds 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine 6 tablespoons brown sugar 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
In large, microwavable bowl, stir together popcorn, cereal, raisins, nuts and seeds; set aside. In small saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar and corn syrup. Heat until boiling; cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour over popcorn mixture, stirring to coat evenly. Microwave 3-4 minutes, stirring and scraping bowl after each minute. Spread onto greased cookie sheet; cool. Break into pieces and store in airtight container.
Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Corn Yield: 10 cups n 8 cups popped popcorn n 3 tablespoons melted butter n 2 tablespoons granulated sugar n 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon n 1 cup crunchy granola n 1 cup raisins n 1 cup walnut halves In bowl, toss popcorn with melted butter. Combine sugar with cinnamon; sprinkle over popcorn. Toss with granola, raisins and walnuts until combined.
Welcomes D r. W a r e
Yummy Yogurt Popcorn (pictured top left)
n n n n
Yield: 2 1/2 quarts 2 1/2 quarts popped popcorn 1 cup plain yogurt 1 cup brown sugar 1/3 cup light corn syrup
In large bowl, keep popped popcorn warm. In 2 1/2-quart saucepan, combine yogurt, brown sugar and corn syrup. Cook and stir over medium heat to hard ball stage (250 F on candy thermometer). Pour over popped popcorn, stirring to coat. Courtesy: Family Features. Source: The Popcorn Board
Montgomery native Dr. Ashley H. Ware graduated from Saint James Dr. Ashley Ware School and the U. of Mississippi, graduating with honors from the U. of Alabama Birmingham’s School of Optometry with the prestigious Contact Lens Practice Achievement Award. Dr. Ware completed an externship at Montgomery’s VA Hospital and clinical externships in private practice, developing expertise
in the diagnosis and treatment of ocular diseases. Dr. Ware is licensed by the AL Board of Optometry, holds a certificate from the National Board of Examiners in Optometry, and is a member of the American Optometric Assn., Southern Council of Optometrist, AL Optometric Assn., and the East Central AL Optometric Society. Dr. Ware, husband Christian Ware, and their two-year old son Charlie returned to Montgomery in 2012.
4255 Carmichael Court N. 8007 U. S. Highway 231 Montgomery • 334-277-9111 Wetumpka • 334-567-9111 For a free copy of ITEC’s Viewpoint newsletter call 334-277-9111. Visit ITEC’s website at www.eyes-itec.com www.primemontgomery.com | September 2016
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8 Things People Pay Too Much For
FEATURE
Pay less with these smart shopping strategies By Sara Schwartz
1. Checks
Most people run low on checks and automatically reorder them from their bank. The problem is, you’re probably paying more than you should be. Banks often charge about $20 (including shipping) for a box of basic checks, but you can get them way cheaper elsewhere, says Karen Hoxmeier, founder of Mybargainbuddy.com. Checkadvantage.com & Checks.com, among others, offer 100 checks for $4 to $5, plus free shipping. Since you have to provide your bank account information, just make sure the check-ordering website is protected by a third-party security vendor like McAfee and/or Norton, and is certified by the Better Business Bureau.
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September 2016 | www.primemontgomery.com
2. Phone charger
You get home from vacation, reach for your mobile phone, and it dawns on you—your charger is exactly where you left it… plugged into the wall of a hotel or guest room hundreds of miles away. Sound familiar? If you don't mind waiting two to five business days for shipping, skip the manufacturer retail store where you will pay double for a replacement, and buy online instead. Approved by tech geeks everywhere, affordable electronics site Monoprice.com offers an iPhone 4 cable with wall adaptor for $8 (iPhone 5 cable is slightly pricier at $9 plus a $5 wall adapter). Compare that to the Apple store, where you’ll fork over $19 each for the cable and wall adapter. Can’t go a day without being connected? Head to a discount store, like Best Buy or Walmart, where off-brand iPhone cables are sold for around $15 and cables for Android devices run anywhere from $5 to $20. Best course of action: Anticipate the probable disappearance of your charger and order a couple of back-ups on a site like Monoprice at your leisure.
own databases of regular and sale prices in more than 92 major grocery stores the country. Once you find a sale on your preferred brand, buy two or three tubes to get you through until the next sale cycle. “Every brand and type goes on sale, usually half off," says Gault. "And with coupons and instant rebates stacked at drugstores and supermarkets, toothpaste can be $1 or even free.” If you like the more expensive formulas, all the better, she adds. “The pricier the better, because they go on sale as promotions and have coupons.” Toothpaste isn't the only product you can save on at the pharmacy. You'll find similar discounts on other health & beauty items, like deodorant and shampoo and conditioner.
4. Meat
As any deal hunter or coupon clipper will tell you, paying full price for groceries is a sin easily avoided—especially when it comes to meat, according to Gault. “Meat is usually at least a 200 percent markup at regular price,” she says. “However, most of the meat people regularly buy goes on sale for 50-67% off. There are usually one to two featured sales per week on the front of the circulars.” And don’t worry, even though you’ll be paying less, the meats are in no way inferior. “These are not set to expire, but sales events, like loss leaders,” meaning grocery stores expect to lose out on profits for a given product just to get you in the store—where they hope you’ll buy more stuff. So if you stick to your grocery list, buying meat on sale is a win-win. Tip: You can usually spot a loss leader if the sale stipulates a limit on the number of sale items you can buy, says Gault.
3. Toothpaste
What if we told you toothpaste doesn’t have to cost more than $1? “Toothpaste sales are frequent enough (about every two months) that even if you’re brand loyal, you should never pay full price,” says Teri Gault, CEO of Thegrocerygame.com, which maintains its
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5. Bottled water
Short of natural disasters and airplane travel, there is no reason to pay for a bottle of water—period. Granted, it’s convenient (and the flavor is consistent), but when you stop and think how much money you’re wasting, you’ll break the habit in no time. Americans spend $4 billion a year on bottled water, with the average person spending 240 to 10,000 times more per gallon for bottled water than they would for tap, according to the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC). Think you’re paying for superior purity? Not quite. In fact, 20 percent of bottled water is just tap water put in a plastic bottle, and 40 percent is derived from tap water sources— sometimes treated, sometimes not, says the NRDC. So get yourself a reusable water bottle, fill up at the sink, and quench responsibly on-the-go.
6. Over-the-counter medication
Your headache will not know the difference between brand name and generic pain relievers, as long as they have the same active ingredient in the same amount. So instead of spending $7 on a brand name pain reliever, go for the store brand version for $4.50. The same rule applies for all over-the-counter meds. The Food and Drug Administration requires all generic medications to deliver the same concentration of medicine to your bloodstream, and only the inactive ingredients can vary, meaning the binding materials, dyes, preservatives, and flavoring agents, says C. Michael White, Pharm.D., Professor and Head, Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Connecticut in a recent grandparents.com article comparing generic vs. brand name medication. 16
September 2016 | www.primemontgomery.com
Every over-the-counter medication displays the amounts of active and inactive ingredients on the label, so read carefully before you buy.
7. Plumbing fixes
You’ve always suspected it… and now a pro adds his two cents: “One thing that I see people pay way too much for is ordinary run-ofthe-mill plumbing services,” says Mark Horner, a professional handyman for 25 years in Dallas, Texas. “Plumbers count on you thinking they have some type of special knowledge. In some cases, this might be true. But more than 50% of the time, anyone with common sense can fix the problem.” Just what kind of problems is he referring to? Things like clogged drains and sinks that need replacing. For just $28 on Amazon, you can buy a drain snake (that works manually or can be fitted with a power drill) and judging from the manufacturer’s how-to video, using it is a pretty easy process. As for installing a new sink, the main tool you’ll need is a faucet wrench ($16 on Amazon), says Horner. “The No. 1 piece of advice here is, don’t forget to turn off the water to the faucet. Most faucets have a water turn-off valve under the sink for both the cold water and the
hot water.” For more easy, how-to plumbing instructions and videos, visit diynetwork.com.
8. Subscriptions
Never again accept a price hike for subscription services like cable TV, newspapers, or magazines. According to Hoxmeier (and squeaky wheels everywhere!), subscription prices are always negotiable. Assuming you want to keep all your channels and continue receiving your reading material at the same rate, call your provider and ask if there are any specials. No cable deals strike your fancy? “Tell them you are considering changing providers to get a lower price, but won’t bother hassling with it if they can give you a better rate,” says Hoxmeier. And for newspapers and magazines? “Never, ever pay the amount they put on the renewal invoice,” she adds. “Tell them you can’t renew at that price because it is beyond your budget and you’re afraid you’re going to have to cancel unless you can get a lower rate. They will pretend to talk to a manager and come back with a lower rate—‘just this once.’ (Do this again next year. ‘Just this once’ is never really ‘just this once’.) Courtesy: grandparents.com, a lifestyle site that celebrates the grandparent community by providing trusted information about family, relationships, health, wellbeing, travel, retirement, and more.
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Retirement Money Buckets S
ince a synonym for “retirement” is “unemployment,” pre-retirees of every age should have a goal of accumulating resources for that day when they will cease working for a paycheck. By my count there are nine different “buckets” which can be funded during one’s working years for use during retirement. Not every option is available to each person, and most folks must decide how to deploy limited discretionAlan Wallace ary funds among the ones they can access. While a typical retiree may rely on one to four of these, using more can create flexibility. Here is a list of the nine buckets with some basic information about each. 1. Social Security — To qualify for retirement benefits, you or your spouse must pay in a specified quarterly over a minimum of 10 working years (40 quarters). The benefit amount depends on a variety of factors. From 0% to 85% of the benefit will be subject to federal income tax. Alabama income taxes do not apply. 2. Traditional pension — Fewer companies offer these, but governmental entities often do. Covered persons have to pick an annuity benefit structure at retirement—life only, joint and survivor, etc. Some provide cost of living adjustments. Benefits are subject to federal income tax; most if not all are Alabama income tax free. 3. Traditional IRA, 401(k), profit sharing plan, etc. — Contributions are usually deductible from taxes and distributions are subject to federal and Alabama income tax except for the withdrawal of any non-deductible contributions. Distributions are restricted before age 59.5 and specified distributions are required after age 70.5. 4. Roth IRA — Contributions are not tax deductible, but withdrawals after age 59.5 are income tax free. Contributions are subject to an income limitation and no distributions are mandated. 5. Taxable savings and/or investments — Whether bank accounts, mutual funds, or brokerage accounts, having some funds in this bucket can serve as a liquid reserve against emergencies both while working and during retirement. The tax treatment of interest, dividends, and appreciation depends on the character of the particular assets and how they are managed.
owned whole life, universal life, or variable life insurance coverage, the cash value may be accessible via policy loan or other means. Policy loan proceeds are not taxable while the policy stays in force. Other withdrawals, including via policy surrender, could trigger taxes, depending on circumstances, and the lapse of a policy with a big loan could be a taxable event. Life insurance cash value can also be converted to an annuity income stream. 7. Non-qualified annuity — Non-qualified means that the annuity is not an IRA or funded with other traditional retirement money. Contributions to non-qualified annuities are not tax deductible, but any growth inside the annuity is tax-sheltered until the time of distribution. Withdrawals can take the form of lump sums or annuity payments. Part of any annuity payment will typically be taxed and part will not, reflecting the fact that both pre-tax and after-tax money is inside the contract. 8. Home equity — As discussed in a three-part series earlier this year, a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage can be an effective means of accessing this asset income tax free. 9. Health Savings Account — Funded with pre-tax dollars during one’s working years, a balance remaining in an HSA at retirement can be used to cover medical expenses later. Among the issues in choosing where to deploy available funds during your working years are: a. Where can I get the most bang for my buck while working — e.g., taking advantage of employer retirement contributions, such as 401(k) matching, or income tax savings from deductible contributions or sheltering within an account, and b. Where will I get the most benefit once I retire — e.g., taxfree access to the money, relatively lower risk, cost of living adjustment on a benefit payout, etc. The best decisions require you, or someone you can rely on for counsel, to understand the options and clearly evaluate the pros and cons based on your situation. The benefits of good choices and the grief associated with poor ones can be significant. Alan Wallace, CFA, ChFC, CLU, is a Senior Private Wealth Advisor for Ronald Blue & Co.’s Montgomery office, www.ronblue.com/location-al. He can be reached at 334-270-5960, or by e-mail at alan.wallace@ronblue.com. | 4489988-04-16
6. Life insurance cash value — If you have individually www.primemontgomery.com | September 2016
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FEATURE
Brothers John and Carl Peck on the beach near Eureka, CA (flanked by John’s sons) mark the spot where their 1976, 5,200 mile transcontinental bike trek began.
Retracing the Ride of a Lifetime “A
By John Peck (photographs contributed by John Peck)
re we there yet?” Anyone who has traveled with kids knows this utterance well. On a mega-road trip out West this summer, it was me – the Dad – who impatiently pondered our arrival. We were driving to California to retrace the route of a coast-tocoast bicycle trip my brother and I took as teenagers. 18
September 2016 | www.primemontgomery.com
The year of the bike journey was 1976. I was just 17 and my brother, Carl, was 15. My sons are now the age we were when we rode a Greyhound bus to California to bike across the U.S. The age parallel seemed the perfect time to revisit our route and reconnect with some of the memorable people we’d encountered. Carl and his wife accompanied us, towing their camper
as well. We left as soon as school was out on what would be a 23-day, 6,655-mile road trip. I worked hard to balance it as part vacation, part nostalgic shadowing of the bike route. I don’t know what my parents were thinking when they turned us loose like that to bike across America. This was before smart phones and GPS. They showed
remarkable faith we would make wise choices in camping spots, healthy eating, sharing highways and dealing with wild weather and potentially wild strangers. Both confessed they worried more about the trouble we would get into at home in the neighborhood. They didn’t know we would: n Spend a night in jail (by invitation of a cop to spare us from the heat) n Ride over a 6-foot striking rattlesnake, camp amid wild coyotes and encounter a bear in Yellowstone n Bathe in coin-operated car washes, in motel pools and under outdoor store faucets n Dodge lumber trucks in the Pacific northwest n Camp atop fire towers, baseball dugouts, a homeless shelter and myriad other free places n Fight heat exhaustion in the high desert and near frostbite in the Cascades n Bike illegally on an interstate segment and through the manic streets of Manhattan n Get a residual shock by a lightning bolt that careened one of us into the side of a passing semi-truck My sons were not that thrilled about missing half their summer “just so Dad and Uncle Carl can re-live their glory days,” the younger one griped. They relented upon learning we’d upped their data plans on their smart phones and reactivated satellite radio for the long drive. We also agreed to take the dog since we were hauling our trailer and would camp every night. When my brother and I planned our bike trip as teenagers we frequented the library and penciled a proposed route on a duplicate set of maps. Our parents hung one set by their phone and marked our position with a pin each time we called (collect, of course) every 4-5 days. Mapping out this summer’s RV trip was done mostly online. Detailed journal entries from the bike trip helped me track down key folks we would revisit with our families. Our first
Above: Carl Peck (L) and brother John plot their cross-country route in 1976. Below: John’s sons re-trace their dad’s and uncle’s route in 2016.
www.primemontgomery.com | September 2016
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Above: Carl leads the way between walls of snow, Crater Lake, Oregon, 1976. Above Inset: John and son on the same Crater Lake road, 2016. Right: In 1976, then rookie cop Dan Parker (now Chief Parker) offered safe lodging, suspecting the boys were runaways.
reunion was with Police Chief Dan Parker in Mountain Grove, Missouri. Dan was a rookie cop in 1976 when he stumbled across us pitching our tent beside a country church on the edge of town. Quietly suspecting we were runaways, he offered Carl and me an empty jail cell that night to escape the steamy July heat. Our parents later revealed his phone call to verify that our bike tour story was legit. Meeting Chief Parker again at the old rock jail building was a highlight for us and our families. His greeting party included the local historian, a town alderman, and dispatcher, who gave us all Mountain Grove P.D. t-shirts and other memorabilia. Chief Parker is retiring this 20 September 2016 | www.primemontgomery.com
year after four decades in law enforcement. Our next reunion was in Junction City, Kansas with Tom and Mary Burnham, whom we’d met at a giant Bicentennial July 4 celebration at nearby Milford Lake. The Burnhams showed incredible trust allowing two unknown teenage boys overnight at their house with
three daughters in the home. During our revisit, Tom smiled when reminding us they had a pet Doberman at the time. The Burnhams remembered well our hearty appetites and our mother sending them a nice thank you letter for taking care of us.The remaining drive to California followed the bike route through southern Nebraska, northern Colorado and parts
“The winds were so fierce then, we even had to pedal downhill.”
Above left: A lonely stretch of Idaho highway, 1976. One rider forges ahead as thunderstorms loom on the horizon. Above right: The same Idaho highway, 2016, with buildings and silos in place after 40 years.
of Wyoming, before veering off course for that incredibly long stretch across Utah and Nevada. Carl revisited the casino in Nevada where he’d won a whopping $38 in a slot machine playing illegally at age 15. He didn’t try his luck this time. Our families enjoyed a fabulous four days in Lake Tahoe (not on the ‘76 bike route) before making our way to Eureka, California where the cycling trip began. The wives accompanied us to
Clam Beach on the northern outskirts of Eureka. That’s where we dipped our back wheels in the Pacific 40 years ago to christen the start of our 28-state, 5,200-mile tour spanning 77 days. It was an emotional moment for me, reflecting how the bike trip molded me in so many ways. Biking two hours back to our campground along U.S. 101, my brother and I were like kids again reliving that epic bike journey. On a stretch through the
On a Colorado mountain peak the teens encounter another rider, and celebrate by noting the elevation (1976).
www.primemontgomery.com | September 2016
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John Peck and family during their 2016 road trip commemorating John’s coast-to-coast bicycle trip with his brother.
countryside, we had the added pleasure of pedaling past a farm with cows. One of our favorite pastimes while cycling across the boring Plains was to yell at cows to get them to stampede. This herd did not disappoint. Our RV trip followed the bike route through the Redwoods in northern California, Crater Lake National Park in the Cascades, and across the desolate stretches of eastern Oregon and Idaho. Those hundreds of miles of nothingness left us — and the boys — marveling at how we biked it. In Ashton, Idaho, we had a lovely reunion with Ellen Laux. She and her late husband hosted Carl and me in their home after a challenging day pedaling through flood-damaged eastern Idaho. The 1976 Teton Dam collapse (just a week earlier) destroyed several towns, killing 11 people and 13,000 cattle, and washing out roads and bridges. We were detoured miles on unmarked, debris-filled roads which made the Lauxs' hospitality all the more welcomed on that confusing, depressing day. We followed the bike route through Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons and Rocky Mountains. One day horrendous crosswinds rocked our campers as we motored down the highway. It was a déjà vus experience to the 50 mph headwinds Carl and I fought in Wyoming on our bike tour. The winds were so fierce then, we even had to pedal downhill. Our RV trip only traced the California-to-Alabama segment of our bike tour. We didn’t have time to continue to the Atlantic, up to New York City and make the return back home to Alabama. Friends often ask, would I let our sons bike across the U.S. at their age? That’s a tough one. Contrary to popular belief, the country is actually safer today than 40 years ago in terms of violent crime. The per capita crime rate for assaults, robbery, murder, rape and other violent categories was far worse in 1976 than in 2014 (the latest figures available by the FBI’s UCS Crime Report). In some cases, the raw number of incidents are fewer today even with 100 million more people in the U.S. It’s just that we hear about such crimes more with our smart phones and lightning fast internet. Our younger son has been biking around town a lot since we got home. The older one seems quicker to share the bike tour 22
September 2016 | www.primemontgomery.com
stories to anyone. Both these things validate the notion that the road trip was well worth all the windshield time and the early whining. And it already has me thinking about us mirroring the bike route to the Atlantic. John Peck is a former reporter/editor for The Huntsville Times, now working in communications for Madison City Schools. For more information about John and his planned book about the epic cycling journey, visit his website at www.johnpeck.net. (John and his wife, Emily Roane Peck, a former reporter/producer for Alabama Public Television, met in Montgomery when both covered the Alabama Statehouse for their respective news organizations.)
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TINSELTOWN TALK
Barbara Bain’s Many Missions
T
wo decades ago, Barbara Bain embarked on a mission many might have considered impossible: to convince children that books and reading could be fun. “I volunteered in a daycare and just started reading to the kids one day as we sat on the lawn,” said Bain, who starred in the TV series “Mission: Impossible” and “Space 1999.” “They seemed to really enjoy it and were very responsive.” The actress soon recognized the potential of her simple act of kindness. “I thought of all my acting colleagues in the Screen Actors Guild (SAG). Every one of them has to read well in order to get a role and, of course, actors love an audience. So I went to SAG and our mayor, and we created BookPALS” (see www. bookpals.net). Today, the program has branches around the country with more than 2,000 volunteer actors reading to students in classrooms, shelters, and hospitals. “The readers love it and the kids are absolutely enthralled,” said Bain. “Who better to take the words from a page and bring them to life than actors!” Bain, who turns 85 this month, can also still bring words from a script to life in a theater or on the big screen. One of her recent films, “Silver Skies” (see www.roarproductionsinc.com), also featured some show business veterans. “It’s about a group of retirees who are getting thrown out of their
By Nick Thomas
Above: Bain and Martin Landau on the set of “Space 1999.” Below: “Mission Impossible” stars Bain, Martin Landau (L) and Peter Graves.
apartment complex,” explained Bain. “It’s a wonderfully written story with each character incredibly well-defined. The casting was brilliant with veteran actors like George Hamilton, Mariette Hartley, (the late) Alex Rocco, and Howard Hesseman. At times we would look at each other and laugh, because we were still making movies and having such a good time.” Unlike some TV stars from the ‘60s and ‘70s whose careers were often defined by a single role in a popular series, Bain is recognized for creating two iconic characters: scientist Dr. Helena Russell in “Space 1999” and Cinnamon Carter in the spy series “Mission: Impossible.” She is especially proud of the Carter character, which led to Emmy awards each year between 1967-1969, the first actress to win three consecutive Emmys. “Very few shows at the time depicted strong women characters,” she said. “You either played a wife stirring a pot in the kitchen in a sitcom, or the dance hall girl in a western – a good girl or bad girl.”
Even today, 45 years since she undertook her last impossible mission, Bain continues to hear stories from women inspired by the character. “They stop me at the supermarket and explain how they got into law school or some other profession because of the character,” noted Bain. “Carly Fiorina, the former CEO of Hewlett-Packard (and presidential candidate in the 2016 Republican primary) wrote in her autobiography that the character also inspired her. So no question it was a groundbreaking role.” But away from the cameras, Bain’s offscreen mission to promote an interest in reading among children has proven to be a possible and sustainable one. “I hope the kids involved in the BookPals program have been inspired to learn,” she said. “I’ve always found joy in my work and hope they will too.” Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery, Ala., and has written features, columns, and interviews for more than 600 magazines and newspapers. www.primemontgomery.com | September 2016
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IN EVERY LIFE
Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness S
eptember is Global Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month. This rare, incurable, and often difficult to diagnose disease comes in the form of either Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) or Idiopathic Pulmonary Arlene Morris Fibrosis (IPF). The intent of PF Awareness Month, designation by members of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, is to: n increase awareness; n encourage individuals with symptoms to seek healthcare, obtain more rapid diagnosis and treatment, and better manage their care; n advocate for research funding for additional treatment. Increased awareness of family members and healthcare providers can promote earlier diagnosis and help to better individualize treatment. In PF, oxygen delivery is affected when lung tissue thickens, then becomes stiff and scarred (fibrotic). Causes of PF include: n exposure to agents that damage the lung; n side effects of medications; n smoking; n viral or bacterial lung infections; n acid reflux disease (GERD); n genetics; n systemic autoimmune diseases such as scleroderma, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis. When the cause is not known, it is called IPF. Both PF and IPF are progressive diseases affecting the lungs, occurring primarily (but not exclusively) in older adults. The lungs are comprised of air sacs (alveoli) from which oxygen is transferred to circulating blood and then to all other areas of the body. Interference with oxygen exchange by the stiffening and scarring can contribute to reduced function of other body organs that receive inadequate levels of oxygen. Other lung 24
September 2016 | www.primemontgomery.com
diseases can have similar symptoms, contributing to difficulty in prompt and accurate diagnosis. IPF is a subtype of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, in the pattern of unusual interstitial pneumonia. One researcher estimated that IPF affects one of every 200 adults over age 65 in the U. S. (Raghu, et al, 2014), usually between age 50 and 70, and is expected to increase as people live longer and diagnosis becomes more accurate. Identification of one form, called familial pulmonary fibrosis (FPF), suggests that some genes may predispose to developing IPF. Shortness of breath is the most common symptom. Individuals and their families may not report this, believing it is due to normal changes of aging or physical de-conditioning. Other symptoms include: n persistent dry cough; n fatigue, weakness, chest discomfort; n reduced appetite and weight loss. Healthcare providers should be informed of these symptoms, which should prompt careful history for potential causes and several tests to help identify the actual cause. Over time lung damage occurs, reducing oxygen transport to the body.
Although there is no cure, during the past two years, two new medications have been approved to slow the progression of IPF. Information about questions to ask your healthcare providers, diagnostic tests and possible treatments can be found at the website of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) and by contacting the Montgomery IPF Support Group. Video information is available on the “Every Breath Counts” film (see references below). Taking an active role in your health by documenting symptoms to discuss with your healthcare provider, asking questions, and contacting advocacy groups can help with early identification and management for yourself, and potentially help others. Arlene H. Morris, EdD, RN, CNE is Professor of Nursing, AUM School of Nursing. Reach her at amorris@aum.edu. References: “Every Breath Counts,” www.everybreathcountsfilm.com; Montgomery, AL Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group, mfuentes@ baptistfirst.org; Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) http://www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org.
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SOCIAL SECURITY
Part 2 of 3
Social Security Basics Q
Kylle’ McKinney
uestion: My father receives Social Security retirement benefits, and I will be in charge of his estate when he dies. Should that occur, do I need to report his death to Social Security or will benefits automatically
stop? Answer: When your father dies, please notify Social Security as soon as possible by calling us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Another person, such as a spouse, may be eligible for survivors benefits based on his record. Also, we might be able to pay a one-time payment of $255 to help with funeral expenses. We suggest reading a copy of our online publication, “How Social Security Can Help You When A Family Member Dies” at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10008.html.
Question: I'm trying to decide when to retire. Can Social Security help? Answer: The best place to start is with a visit to the online Social Security State-
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ment. The Statement provides you with estimates of benefits for you and your family as well as your earnings record and information you should consider about retirement and retirement planning. It is easy to access your statement online by creating a My Social Security account. To create an account, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. The “right” time to retire is different for everyone and depends on your individual situation. To help you make your own decision, we offer an online fact sheet, “When To Start Receiving Retirement Benefits”, that highlights some of the factors to consider. This publication can be found at www. socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10147.html.
Question: I've decided I want to retire. Now what do I do? Answer: The fastest and easiest way to apply for retirement benefits is to go to www.socialsecurity.gov/onlineservices. Use our online application to apply for Social Security retirement or spouses benefits. To do so, you must: n Be at least 61 years and 9 months old; n Want to start your benefits in the next four months; and n Live in the United States or one of its commonwealths or territories. Question: Can I delay my retirement benefits and receive benefits as a spouse only? How does that work? Answer: It depends on your date of birth. If you were born on or before 01/01/1954 and your spouse is receiving Social Security benefits, you can apply for retirement benefits on your spouse’s record as long as you are at your full retirement age. You then will earn delayed retirement credits up to age 70, as long as you do not collect benefits on your own work record. Later, when you do begin receiving benefits on your own record, those payments could very well be higher than
they would have been otherwise. If your spouse is also full retirement age and does not receive benefits, your spouse will have to apply for benefits and request the payments be suspended. Then you can receive benefits on your spouse’s Social Security record. If you were born on or after 01/02/1954, and you wish to receive benefits, you must file for all benefits for which you are eligible. The Social Security Administration will determine the benefits you are eligible for and pay you accordingly. For individuals born on or after 01/02/1954, there is no longer an option to select which benefit you would like to receive, even beyond your full retirement age. Widows are an exception, as they can choose to take their deceased spouse’s benefit without filing for their own. For more information, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov. Question: I’m reaching my full retirement age and thinking about retiring early next year. When is the best time of year to apply for Social Security benefits? Answer: You can apply as early as four months before when you want your monthly benefits to begin. To apply, just go to www.socialsecurity. gov/applytoretire. Applying online for retirement benefits from the convenience of your home or office is secure and can take as little as 15 minutes. It’s so easy! Kylle’ McKinney, SSA Public Affairs Specialist, can be reached by e-mail at kylle. mckinney@ssa.gov. www.primemontgomery.com | September 2016
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FEATURE
Cortisone
and Joint Pain By Bone, Muscle & Joint Team, Cleveland Clinic
R
egular cortisone injections are among the most effective methods your doctor can use to relieve joint pain from an injury or arthritis. These injections work by reducing the inflammation in and around your joint. We asked Michael Schaefer, MD, Director, Musculoskeletal Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at Cleveland Clinic, some key questions related to these treatments. Q. What joints can receive injections for pain? A: We use them most often for knee and shoulder pain, but cortisone injections can be used in any joint in the body. Q. How is pain in these joints treated overall? A: It is possible to give the injections indefinitely, but treating joint pain usually involves multiple approaches. Depending on what condition is causing the pain, we try to find other long-term pain relief solutions through physical therapy, bracing, other medications or, in some cases, joint replacement. We may also use injections of platelet-rich-plasma, prolotherapy or even stem cells to help repair the injured or arthritic area. Q. How often do doctors give cortisone injections to a patient? A: We try to limit the injection to one every three months for any single joint, but also we like to limit it to a total of six injections a year for the whole body. We know that the cortisone can sometimes weaken or suppress the immune system and, in diabetics, it raises
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September 2016 | www.primemontgomery.com
blood sugar. So we don’t use cortisone injections in people with diabetes if their blood sugar is unstable. It must be used with caution if the blood sugar is over 200. Q. How long do the injections need to take effect? A: There is a usually a delayed reaction that may take up to seven days for the cortisone to take effect. Q. Is it possible to inject more than one body part at a time? A: I do two different body parts, sometimes on the same visit, and I can adjust the dose of cortisone accordingly to limit the risks. Often, I’ll do a lower dose if we’re treating multiple body parts. I’ll use a higher dose if we’re treating a condition that’s really inflammatory, like rheumatoid arthritis or an auto-immune disorder. Q. Do you ever use anything other than cortisone for these treatments? A: I sometimes use artificial joint fluid injections, or what some people call “gel” injections. Those are a very good alternative treatment for knee arthritis if it is not severe enough for knee replacement. They’re not approved for use in other joints in the United States, but they are commonly used in other countries. Occasionally, they are used in shoulders and hips — even in this country. Q. How do you decide whether to use cortisone or the artificial joint fluid? A: Typically, I’ll use cortisone when the joint is inflamed, or if it’s the first presentation of a bad case of arthritis, I’ll use cortisone first. But then, for
ongoing injections, I prefer to use the artificial joint fluid once the inflammation settles down. It’s got a lot of different names. Hyalyronic acid (HA) is the other most common name. In general, I prefer to use the HA unless the knee seems inflamed (red and swollen) or if the patient has severe knee arthritis (bone-on-bone). In those cases, cortisone seems better. Q. Does cortisone cause any damage to the joint tissues? A: Usually there isn’t any joint damage from the cortisone, but some studies have shown that it can cause damage in tendons and may predispose people to tendon rupture. I often remind patients that inflammation is also damaging to their joints, and cortisone actually prevents this damage. However, if patients rely on multiple cortisone injections just to cover up their pain, they may eventually wear out their joints prematurely. This is why it’s important to diagnose and treat the underlying conditions which predispose people to arthritis, such as obesity, malalignment, poor body mechanics, and inflammatory/ auto-immune disorders. Q. What do patients need to know about these injections?
A: Every injection has a small risk of infection, so patients need to keep the area where they receive the injection clean. Also, patients shouldn’t get the injection if they have any infection, even if the infection is somewhere else in their body because of the immune system suppression. There is also a chance that there could be bacteria in the bloodstream that could get into the joints after the injection. If you have concerns or questions, it’s important to ask your doctor. He or she can help you by also considering your individual case and medical history.
Courtesy: Health Hub, Cleveland Clinic. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.
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PRIME DIVERSIONS Across 1 Dancing shoe item 4 Initially 11 Doo-wop syllable 14 Modern address 15 Seedless raisin 16 Oakley forte 17 Cape Town’s nation: Abbr. 18 Farm hauler 19 Jurist in 1995 news 20 Area 23 “Come __!” 24 Govt. stipend provider 25 __ Addict: fragrance brand 27 Spot relative 28 Hound 31 Fictional Melbourne Dame 32 SONIC’s Quarter Pound Coneys, e.g. 37 “Sweet as apple cider” girl of song 38 Extinct emu relative 39 1985 sci-fi classic 48 “Argo” setting 49 Flying Cloud, for one
50 “... __ is given”: Isaiah 51 Sub builder 52 It may be pitched 55 High-level predator 56 Hamlet’s satisfied comment about the starts of 20-, 32- and 39-Across? 61 Dadaism founder 62 Virgin America’s frequent-flyer program 63 Pipe turn 64 Commuter’s choice 65 Backs out 66 “The Murders in the __ Morgue” 67 Star quality 68 Ballpark officials 69 Old atlas abbr. Down 1 Alienate 2 Hall of fame 3 Tenor Domingo 4 Concerning 5 Gang lands 6 Reasons for breakdowns 7 Result of many a bite 8 Deserve
9 Storm output 10 Hawaiian root 11 Took marriage vows 12 Top-ten tune 13 Latin trio word 21 Unit of speed 22 Had too much 26 Dorm figs. 29 Words of woe 30 Idle, with “off ” 33 Fired 34 Potpourri quality 35 “The Great” boy detective 36 Greek consonant 39 Bridge column datum 40 Decorator’s recommendation 41 Nymph in Homer’s “Odyssey” 42 Baby bootee, often 43 “Wait, there’s more” 44 Ticker __ 45 Loan sharks 46 Eponymous city founder 47 Co-dependency figure 53 Oklahoma tribe 54 Playful fish-eater 57 “His,” per Ambrose Bierce 58 Juice you can’t drink: Abbr. 59 Attorney general after Barr 60 Gas company with a green-bordered logo 61 Profiled penny prez © 2016 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, INC.
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Sudoku and Crossword Puzzle Answers on page 31. September 2016 | www.primemontgomery.com
ESSAY
The Man Who Refuses to Age By William McDonald
I
want to be Tommy Howard. I want to know what it feels like to say, “I am Tommy Howard. I am 76 years old. I’ve lived in a 1997, 33-foot Airstream Class A motor home for 15 years and camped my way through 55 national parks, 49 states and 31 countries.” I really want to say that. But I can’t. Because I can’t dance. Tommy Howard can dance. Like popcorn over a hot fire. So I’m out. I cannot say, “I am Tommy Howard.” But I can say I know him. I can say I know of the time he white-knuckled his way down an Andes mountainside behind the wheel of a six-ton runaway Winnebago. I can say I know of the time he hiked up the side of an active volcano in Guatemala and I know of the time he woke up in the middle of a civil revolution in Peru. I
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tell him it’s pretty amazing that he came out of all that alive. “Life is a dance,” he says, waving his hand in the air like he’s shooing a fly. “Just keep moving your feet.” He does a little North Carolina two-step. Tommy Howard talks about the stars like they’re a thousand angels glowing in the dark. He talks about meeting a whale in Mexico that told him the meaning of life. “So, what is the meaning of life?” (I had to ask). “Beats me. I never learned to speak whale.” He talks about a woman in his life that is? was? so special that, “I’d walk through Hell wearing gasoline pajamas to get to her.” He talks about beating cancer like it was a nuisance that had to be dealt with. He drives a 1973 Jaguar XKE. He hikes where most of us would be afraid to walk. He has a glass of red wine every night. He’s 76 years old. He’ll dance till the music stops. He’s just finished writing his autobiography, “An Unexpected Journey.” One reviewer spoke for a lot of us when she wrote: “I would read three or four pages of Tommy Howard’s book and then gaze off into space remembering and recalling those days in my past. The adventure, the excitement of waking up each morning to the wonders of what was going to happen next. And I cried and I mourned the death of my own hopes, dreams and expectations. Then I would pick up Tommy’s book and dream again.” I hear people say, “You’re never too old.” I hear Tommy say, “You’re never old.” I am privileged to know Tommy Howard, the 76-year old man who says life is a dance. Years ago, another friend told me I would never get old if I would always remember to dance to the music of the child in my heart. Maybe that’s the secret of life? Learn to dance. William McDonald is the author of “Old Friends” (Endless Love) available at: www.oldfriendsendlesslove.com. www.primemontgomery.com | September 2016
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Prime Advertising makes $EN$E The 50+ demographic is a dominant force in the economy, making up 45% of the population and controlling 70% of disposable income. Reach them in the pages of Prime, the River Region’s premiere and preferred lifestyle publication for this valuable demographic. To advertise contact: • Bob Corley • (334) 202-0114 primemontgomery@gmail.com • Suzanne Roquemore • (334) 546-0010 suzannerprime@gmail.com.
Prime Prime FREE FOR YOU
Celebrat ing Life
September 2016
FREE FOR YOU
Celebrat ing Life
August 2016
Ride of a Lifetime g the RevisitinAlabam a brothers retrace their 1976 crosscountry bike ride
8 Things
Your Grandchildren Don’t Do (and some they do...)
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September 2016 | www.primemontgomery.com
HISTORY’S MYSTERIES
Do You Know These People?
P
rime’s partnership with the Alabama Department of Archives and History has yielded numerous names of people in photos who were previously unknown. As we continue this partnership, your help is invaluable in identifying individuals in these photographs, graciously donated to Archives by three Montgomeryarea photographers. If you know anyone in these photos contact Meredith McDonough, 334-353-5442 or meredith.mcdonough@ archives.alabama.gov, or e-mail Prime magazine at primemontgomery@gmail.com. Top: Circa 1956. Classroom at Nazareth Catholic Mission, Montgomery. The mission provided a school for African-American children. (Horace Perry, photographer) Right: September, 1966. Men working on a tractor at a cotton gin near Mount Meigs, Montgomery County. Photo appeared that month in The Southern Courier newspaper. (Jim Peppler, photographer) Bottom: September 8, 1969. Cheerleaders, Jeff Davis High School, Montgomery, holding hamburgers for a Beef Month promotion sponsored by the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association. (John E. Scott, photographer) www.primemontgomery.com | September 2016
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September in the River Region “Art of the Bonsai” Garden Lunch & Learn Sept. 7, noon-1 pm. Free. Armory Learning Arts Center, 1018 Madison Ave, Mtgy. Bring sack lunch. Drinks provided. Capital City Master Gardener Assn. For info contact Mtgy. Co. Extension Office (334) 270-4133. Joe Thomas Jr. Guitar Pull Sept. 20, 7-9 pm. Cloverdale Playhouse, Old Cloverdale. Songwriters perform/discuss their music. $10 (includes complimentary beverages). For info call (334) 262-1530 or visit www.cloverdaleplayhouse. org. Newcomers Club Luncheon/Program Sept. 22, 11:30 pm. Arrowhead CC. Speaker topic: Alabama Nature Center (Millbrook). Reservations ($18) by noon, Sept. 19. For info contact Jan Burdette, jan8410@bellsouth.net or (334) 593-9266. National Alliance on Mental Illness Walk Sept. 24. Register 8 am, walk 9 am. Wynton Blount Cultural Park, Mtgy. Sponsor or participate.Visit www.namialabama.org or call Tamara Crutchley, (334) 396-4797. It’s a virtual Walk. You do not have to be present to participate. Musical Revue, Red Door Theatre Sept. 29, 7:30 pm. Union Springs. Previous performers sing a variety of music. One night. Limited tickets ($15). Call (334) 738-8687, or e-mail info@reddoortheatre.org. Walk to End Alzheimer’s Oct. 1, 8:30 am check-in; walk at 9:45. AUM Moore Hall. For info or to register as a walk volunteer, participant, or to make a donation, visit act.alz.org/Montgomery2016, or call (205) 379-8065. House of Holidays Arts & Crafts Oct 1, 8 am-1 pm. First United Methodist Church, 306 W. Tuskeena St. Wetumpka. Handmade items, second hand items, frozen entrees, cakes, pies, plants, toys. Lunch $5. For info call (334) 567-9688 or e-mail ejohnson3@elmore.rr.com. Capital City Artists 8th Annual Art Show Oct. 2, 2-4 pm (show runs all month). Free. Armory Learning Arts Center, 1018 Madison Ave. Original oil, acrylic, watercolor paintings. For info call (334) 322-1615 or visit Capital City Artists Facebook page. “Fruit Tree Selection” Garden Lunch & Learn Oct. 5, noon-1 pm. Free. Armory Learning Arts Center, 1018 Madison Ave, Mtgy. Bring sack lunch. Drinks provided. Capital City Master Gardener Assn. For info contact Mtgy. Co. Extension Office (334) 270-4133. Jasmine Hill Gardens/Museum Fri, Sat (9 am-5 pm), Sun (noon-5 pm). Wetumpka. 20+ acres of year-round floral beauty and classical sculpture. Tours available for groups of 20 or more. For information call (334) 263-5713 or visit www.jasminehill.org/. 32
September 2016 | www.primemontgomery.com
Broadway Under the StarS Thursday, September 8th • 7:30pm FREE Concert • Blount Cultural Park 240-4004 • montgomery symphony.org VIP Picnics & parking available
www.primemontgomery.com | September 2016
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OFF THE BEATEN PATH
T
Resolve
he shrimp landed softly near the edge of the wide, illumined circle formed by the dock lights. It skittered across the surface, legs sending a thousand pulses through the water, unaware that below, a long shadow was slowly rising to investigate. The shrimp stopped momentarily and in that instant, both shadow and shrimp disappeared with a splash. On deck, a steep bend grew in the rod and as the fish fled into the darkness, the reel’s drag hummed steadily. “That’s my favorite song,” the first man said with a smile. “Red or trout?” the second man asked. The first man didn’t know and didn’t answer despite repeated questioning. His deliberation allowed the suspense to build throughout the fight until all aboard were eager with anticipation by the time the fish was boat-side. “Neither,” the first man answered eventually, lifting a hefty snook over the gunwale with exaggerated strain. “I told you,” the third said, “only a snook takes off like that.” A gentleman’s agreement between the trio made long ago granted whomever caught the biggest fish on each annual trip the right to choose next year’s destination. It was the only time all three of them were together all year, and this latest line-sider put the first man in the lead. They were all admiring the snook, sleek and silver in the red glow of the headlamp, when their three phones buzzed simultaneously on the skiff ’s console. “Oh no, no … of all the places,” the second man said, head shaking in disbelief as he read the news aloud. There’d been another attack, in another city; this one much closer to home. He and the third man immediately thought of their children a timezone away, far from their protective reach, and despite the hour quickly dialed their wives. All had been asleep, unaware of the news. With his comrades phoning home, one on the bow, the other on the stern, the first man — who’d neither wife nor children — rested on the lean post listening, quietly chewing on his lip and the news. None of the trio could get out until tomorrow at the earliest, and the men had assured their wives they ’d be on the first flight possible. While understandable given the circumstances, it would be their first annual trip to be cut short. “It’s everywhere,” the first man said, breaking the silence. The other two nodded in reluctant agreement. “But what can you do?” They looked down, each awkwardly fumbling with his rod or a piece of tackle, waiting for someone to speak. Suddenly the act of fishing, and this celebrated trip to which each of them looked forward all year, seemed the most trivial of luxuries. For several minutes, the only sound was wind-driven waves lapping against the hull. The third man finally broke the silence. He’d been fiddling with a popping cork, working the orange foam float up and down the wire stem, thinking of his family, then the most recent victims, then the idea of his family as victims crossed his mind and so it went, back and forth like the float, until the anger welling up inside could no longer be contained. 34
September 2016 | www.primemontgomery.com
“Everyone has to carry a gun now,” he blurted out, not taking his eyes off the float, “everywhere you go; to the store, to work, everywhere.” He paused, frustrated, struggling with the reality something so horrible had happened so close to home. What if his office were targeted, his children’s school, their church? No longer wishing to fish, his eyes settled on the water. Round and round the circle made by the dock lights another snook, or maybe a redfish or trout, stealthily followed a school of finger mullet. Eventually, it dropped back, disappearing into the shadows. The mullet had never noticed the fish trailing them. To the contrary, each night, they drew blindly to the glow, circling its perimeter mechanically, unaware that danger lay hidden, where light gave way to darkness. The mullet were passing by the boat again when without warning, a large fish — perhaps the one that had followed — tore into the school, disorienting it, and immediately several similar-sized fish joined in, the melee leaving the surface aboil. When the water finally settled, none from the school remained. The irony of the mullet’s mindless devotion to routine, even at their own peril, was not lost on the second man. He’d been pondering the third man’s words and the night’s events. To protect his family, his first thought was eliminating all possible risk. They could stay home, he thought, isolate themselves even if only for awhile, in case this was only the beginning. The meager garden behind the house could be expanded, he reckoned; his wife could homeschool the children. They would be together, and they would be safe. “All you can do is hunker down,” he offered, a shakiness in his voice, “you can’t go anywhere now, so maybe you just stay home.” While his two friends shared the tracks their own minds had taken since the news broke, the first man had remained silent. It was all still settling in. Each of his friends would go home tomorrow, to their families, to a city shaken by tragedy to determine next steps. Only the first man would finish out the charter. Simply coordinating schedules for the annual event was difficult already. Knowing this, each feared the day’s events could render this their last trip, none more so than the first man. The thought they might only have what remained of the night moved him. He walked over to the livewell, netted three lively shrimp, kept one for himself and tossed one to each of his friends. “This has been a great trip,” the first man said, “and I’m coming back next year. If either of you even half-thinks you might not make it, you ought to at least try right now to put a bigger fish than that last snook of mine on the board for the picture book.” And with that, each man — for his own reasons — went back to what they’d come there to do.
Niko Corley is a USCG-licensed charter boat captain and spends his free time on the water or in the woods. Contact him at niko.corley@gmail.com. Niko Corley
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