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The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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May 2022
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The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
BOOM!, The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
Contents
May 2022 Volume 12 Issue 11
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
11 Facial Filler FAQ’s Dr. Blake Raggio 12 Publisher's Column 16 Are you a lonely Long-Distance Grandparent? 18 Picking a Derby winner – or not-Nick Thomas 21 GOD BLESS THE BLUE page 38
22 Best Black Bean Burgers 25 I Remember Mama's Bonnet
Features 30 If Memory Serves, Forgetting Isn't Unusual
38 Cycles of Aging, Insight Into How We Age
Departments 44 This and That A variety of TIDBITS
58 Greg Budell 25 OR 6 TO 4 ON 5-21 IN MONTGOMERY!
42 Travel Experiences with Jeff Barganier: The Crown Jewels of Marion Illinois
50 ‘Good’ Cholesterol in Brain May Help Keep Alzheimer’s at Bay
Happy Mother's Day! page 11
28 Poetry from a Reader 32 Gogue Center Presents Oklahoma! & Anastasia 34 Housing During Retirement Susan Moore 36 Stonehenge Gallery Hosts Art Show for Renowned Artist Priscilla Crommelin 40 BEAUTIFUL FLOWER By Mamie McClure 41 The 2022 Summer MiniTerm at AUM OLLI 46 Out and About Walking Tours
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page 44
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48 Alabama Nature Center 52 BOOM! Cover Profile 60 Chickweed-Tracy Bhalla 61 Humor
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BOOM! The River Regions 50+ Lifestage Magazine is published monthly by River Region Publications, P.O. Box 6203, Montgomery, AL 36106. The phone number is 334.324.3472. Copyright 2022 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.
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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Dr. Blake Raggio, Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon
In March’s article we discussed the nuances of botulinum toxin and its powerful role in facial rejuvenation. This month we will discuss a similarly popular anti-aging procedure, dermal fillers. By the end of this article, I hope you will appreciate why the instant results, quick treatment time, and minimal downtime make fillers so appealing. What exactly is Facial Filler? Facial filler, herein referred to as “fillers,” includes a variety of FDA-approved products that can be used to restore a more youthful look to the face. Whilst a multitude of filler options exist, they can most easily be categorized by the substance they are made from, and include the following: Hyaluronic Acid, Calcium Hydroxylapatite, Poly-L-lactic Acid, Polymethylmethacrylate, and fat injections. Nowadays, several reliable filler options exist for the consumer to choose from and include Juvederm, Restylane, Belotero, Radiesse, RHA, Versa, and Sculptra. How does Filler work? In short, fillers do just as their name implies—they fill in hollows and depressions associated with age-related volume loss. Fillers also vary in their ability to absorb water, stimulate collagen, and “lift” surrounding tissues, all of which make them more suitable for different areas of the face. What areas of the face can be treated with Filler? Fillers can be used to soften folds, hollows, and wrinkles on the face, including these age-related problem areas: depressed forehead, hollowed temples, sunken eyes, deflated midface/cheeks, lines around the nose and mouth, decreased lip plump or pout, recessed chin, poorly defined jawline, jowls, and prominent neck creases. A more experienced injector may even utilize filler for reshaping the nose, coined “liquid rhinoplasty.” NOTE: Some of these treatments may be considered “off-label,” The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
Facial Filler FAQ’s so please consult with a credentialed physician well-versed in facial anatomy and the various filler options available. What happens during a Filler treatment? For most people, filler injections are a quick in-office procedure (30 minutes) associated with minimal discomfort. In short, the area is cleansed, marked, and the filler of choice is precisely placed into the target area using a very fine needle or blunt-tipped cannula. For those concerned about discomfort, you may be relieved to hear that most filler preparations come premixed with lidocaine. It may also help to find an injector who offers ancillary measures to maximize your comfort, which include vibration devices, ice, or topical and/or regional anesthesia. How soon will I see results, and how long does it last? The beautiful thing about filler is that results are often immediate! Final results, however, typically take several days to “settle” but can vary depending on the product used, amount injected, and any associated swelling. Results may last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years, but ultimately depend on a variety of factors including the product, the area injected, and the patient. Repeated “maintenance” injections every 12-18 months will help patients sustain their results for a longer period, sometimes requiring less amount of product during subsequent visits. Is Filler safe? Fillers for cosmetic use have an extremely high safety profile with minimal and temporary side effects including bruising, swelling, redness, or tenderness to the injection site. You may be prescribed a medicine, such as a steroid or an antihistamine, to lessen the chance of such
reactions. Rare but serious adverse events have been reported and may include skin necrosis, stroke, and blindness. It is also recommended to avoid treatment within 2 weeks of being sick, having dental work, or receiving a vaccine. Nevertheless, injectable fillers represent a safe and powerful tool for facial rejuvenation when in the hands of an experienced injector. What is the cost of Filler? Depending on the type and amount of product used, a 1 mL vial of filler (1/5 teaspoon) may cost anywhere between $400-900, usually enough for 1 treatment area (e.g., lips, chin, cheeks, tear troughs). You must remember, however, that you are paying for more than just the product, but rather the skill and expertise of the injector as well. Of note, more experienced injectors often require less product to obtain the desired result. In the end, a lower cost does not always equate to a better deal (or result!). When should I start getting Filler? There is no right or wrong age to begin filler treatments, though some folks may be better candidates than others. The first step involves finding a reputable and experienced injector with intimate knowledge of facial anatomy who can offer you a customized treatment plan (surgical and non-surgical) based on your aesthetic goals. As always, choose a surgeon whom you trust. There is nothing more important than the relationship you have with your doctor. In Good Health, Dr. Blake Raggio Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon
Alabama Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
334-373-3611 www.ALplasticsurgery.com Dr.Raggio@alplasticsurgery.com R ive r Re gio n Bo o m . co m
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Publisher’s Letter
WIN $100 Ravello's Gift Certificate The mission of BOOM! is to serve the folks of the River Region age 50 plus with information and ideas to inspire new experiences, better quality of life and new beginnings.
Publisher/Editor Jim Watson 334.324.3472 cell/text jim@riverregionboom.com
Contributing Writers Jeff Barganier Tracy Bhalla Greg Budell
Bill Blessing Judy Derickson Mamie McClure Susan Moore Priscilla Crommelin-Monnier Lillian Penner Robert Preidt Dr. Blake Raggio Jill Smolowe Emma Suttie Nick Thomas Bertha Lazenby Whetstone
Cover Photography Photography by DiAnna Paulk photographybydiannapaulk.com
Welcome to the May issue of BOOM! In this month’s issue we have many good articles, features, and columns for your reading pleasure. It’s an experience you’ll probably want to share with a friend or 2. First, let me say that we have been inspired this month to create our first Servant’s Heart Award because I know someone who is the ideal recipient for this inaugural award. Her name is Judy Derickson and we are proud to have her as this month’s cover profile. Judy believes in Jim Watson, Publisher jim@riverregionboom.com serving others as her Christian Faith instructs, but her mother, who was a social worker in Harlem before her marriage, first demonstrated the heart for helping others. Both Judy and her sister Nancy picked up their mother’s giving heart and have served their communities very well. Judy is an inspiration for many of us seeking to give back, she says, “Learn to reach out to others and get involved, it’s just that simple and the reward is beyond measure.” I hope you enjoy getting to know Judy this month, she is a role model for me and others, please share her story and inspiration with friends. As some of you may know there’s a new restaurant opening in Downtown Montgomery called Ravello. It’s an upscale project of fine dining and entertainment that Montgomery has not seen. It will be a go to when you want to upscale your date night or impress out of town guests. All that being said, I want to give someone a $100 Ravello Gift Certificate if they subscribe to the digital edition of BOOM! during the month of May. When you sign up on our website, www.riverregionboom.com or use the QR Code below to do it with your phone, you will qualify to win this sweet prize of $100 Ravello Gift Certificate. Only the first 500 subscribers will qualify so hurry to sign up for a subscription to BOOM! Digital Issue in May. To learn more visit www.ravellomgm.com Thanks for reading and sharing, age well my friends. Jim
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Are you a lonely Long-Distance
Grandparent? by Lillian Penner
I have an answer to the challenge of long-distance grandparenting. I was a frustrated, lonely longdistance grandparent with little involvement in the lives of my grandchildren since they were 1,000 miles away. However, God showed me how I could impact my grandchildren’s lives by purposefully praying for them whether they lived nearby or far away. When my adult grandchildren were young, we lived far apart. However, when we would visit, we stayed with their family and spent a lot of time with them. Now we live close to our younger grandchildren, but we don’t get to spend much time with them since they are busy with their studies and various activities. It feels as if I spent more time with the grandkids when we visited them, seeing them only once or twice a year. I’ll be honest: I envy grandmothers who float in and out of their grandchild’s daily activities. Perhaps you know your grandchild’s friends and are on a first-name basis with his teacher. You might even attend soccer games and school concerts. Although there’s undoubtedly a downside to babysitting or living near grandchildren, that sounds terrific to a long-distance grandma like me. That said, those of us who are geographically challenged can still have a meaningful relationship with our grandchildren.
Here are six ideas that worked for me to connect with a long-distance grandchild: 1. Develop a list of “topics to talk about.” Dig back through old emails and texts for conversation starters. The content won’t merely offer discussion triggers but often reveal ideas for birthday gifts or items of interest. This is especially helpful if you rarely see each other. 2. Provide prayer cover. Although you might do this every day, make a special effort when your grandchild is prepping for a big test or important game. Before the event, pray with them over the phone. 3. Send postcards of places you visited together. Months after visiting the zoo or museum, mail a card from that site. Even digital kids appreciate snail mail addressed to them. The card will be a friendly reminder of a memory you made together. 4. Arrange reverse mail. Purchase an inexpensive pack of blank postcards. Preaddress envelopes with your address and add a stamp. Ask your grandchild to draw
a picture, add stickers or write a note before sending the card to you. Start with just a couple of cards to assess your grandchild’s response. 5. Mail surprises. When our grandsons were very young, I would tell their mom a b-o-x was in the mail. One of the first words the boys learned to spell was b-o-x. They soon realized that a package with books, inexpensive toys, and trinkets was on the way. A grandma must have developed those flat-rate USPS boxes: regardless of how many heavy books you cram inside, it ships for a fixed rate if the box seals. 6. Text or ZOOM call your grandchildren. Ask them how you can pray for them, or in the case of younger ones, ask their parents how you can pray for them.
Our children grew up quickly, but our grandchildren seem to grow even faster. The digital age has made keeping in touch more accessible than ever, but living in a mobile society implies many lead separate lives. Relationship experts emphasize the value of the grandchild-grandparent connection. Each cross-generational experience adds depth and meaning to the family memory bank. Intentionally reaching across the miles can deepen the heart connections and remind us to thank God for the bonus blessing of a grandchild. I hope the ideas presented here will be useful to you in maintaining a strong relationship with grandchildren across the miles. Source: www.ChristianGrandparenting.com
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Jest a Moment
By Nick Thomas
Picking a Derby winner – or not
Horse racing fans devise their own system for picking the Kentucky Derby winner. My predictions for the famous May event are based solely on names – I completely ignore form, pedigree, jockey, or trainer, and have the losers to prove it going back a decade.
did – but it was a disappearing act from the head of the pack and eventually reappearing in last place. As a resident of the South, I picked “South Bend” in 2020. He went south all right, and I went around the bend watching him amble home at the tail end of the pack.
Take the 2012 field. Since the 138th Derby fell on Cinco de Mayo, that seemed a clear sign to cheer for “El Padrino” (Spanish for godfather). But he didn’t exactly lead the mob around the 1.25-mile Churchill Downs track. Coming in a disappointing 13th, he must have been fitted with cement horseshoes. When the Chelyabinsk meteor exploded over Russia in February 2013, this seemed a celestial sign to get behind “Falling Sky” that year. Behind was right. He cratered – 19th place in a field of 19. Early in 2014, I read a story concerning a preacher who absconded with church funds. So how could I overlook “Vicar's In Trouble” when May came around? Alas, the horse didn’t have a prayer, cantering in last place. The following year, I felt sure cheeky “Upstart” would be true to name and bring the elite favorites down a peg or two. Alas, he never really started up. Lacking horsepower, he strolled in – you guessed it – last.
As a film lover, I couldn’t overlook “Oscar Nominated” in 2016. But just like the lack of racial diversity amongst the Hollywood Academy Award nominees that year, my selection was also snubbed and awarded 17th place. “Fast and Accurate” seemed an encouraging choice for the 2017 race but was evidently misnamed. After staggering in 17th, again, the gray colt should have been entered as “Slow and Doubtful.” Being fond of classical music, “Mendelssohn” sounded good in 2018. Throughout the race, however, his movement was clearly Adagio rather than Allegro – another dismal last-place finish. What about “Gray Magician” I wondered in 2019, surely, he could do the trick? He
Reminding me of the HMS Medina, a British M-class destroyer from the early 1900s, I felt confident “Medina Spirit” would destroy the competition in 2021. But my spirits soon sunk. And so did he, failing to even launch – a disqualified disappointment. Which brings me to this year’s pick. At the time of writing, 30 horses were listed as possible contenders, a list to be eventually whittled down to a field of 20 based on points amassed from races leading up to the Derby. “In Due Time,” high on the list, is my selection and clearly a sign my time may have finally come this year. Just don’t bet on it. Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery in Alabama, and has written features, columns, and interviews for many newspapers and magazines. See www.getnickt.org.
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GOD BLESS THE BLUE On April 9, 2022, there working alongside of Cindi doing is currently the Montgomery whatever he needed to do to help. employed as an Police Department MPD Dispatcher, Retirees celebrated It was after the reunion last year that made all their 10th Reunion; Cindi stated she wanted the 10th Retirees the table their first Retirees Reunion to be something special. Connie decorations, Reunion was April offered to make a quilt of patches from and helped “Liz” of 2013. After police and sheriff’s departments all over with the food. attending so the State of Alabama. Anita, Cindi, and This reunion many funerals of Marty got busy collecting patches and has turned Police Department were all included in the design of the into something Personnel, Anita quilt. They wanted the Police Officer’s amazing with Jones (retired Prayer for the middle of the quilt, so about 250 MPD Secretary for Anita found a T-shirt in black that was officers and Presenting the Quilt, Left to Right: Marty Huett, Anita Jones, the Chief’s Office, used for that. They have included personnel Connie Grier, and Cindi Hicks Patrol/Traffic patches of the police departments from coming from as Division, Records & Communications, and each college in Montgomery on the right far away as Kentucky, Texas, Georgia, and then Personal Secretary for Mrs. Anita side of the quilt. Before it was quilted Florida this year. Folmar) had an idea. She reached out by Linda Kyser, whose mother-in-law, to Cindi Hicks (retired MPD Dispatcher Nadine Kyser, The help for and wife of retired MPD Major Vic Hicks) worked for the this event has and said something needs to be done MPD, Connie grown also. to bring people together instead of had put the Three years seeing everyone at funerals. The biggest top of the quilt ago, retired problem was money to get started together and Major Marty and where to have it. Cindi’s husband had it laying Huett came offered the money to get things started on a bed to on board to and then the Capital City FOP Lodge 11 show everyone keep up with was reserved for the event. This ended the way it reservations up being the perfect place to hold the was going to and those Reunion! look. It was who have paid at this point their $10 to Many tears were shed at the first reunion that Cindi said, attend. Last Left to Right: Vic Hicks, Cindi Hicks, Andy Jones and Anita Jones because people hadn’t seen some of “we need to year Connie their fellow retirees for 30 years. Since offer to display this quilt at funerals Grier (retired Secretary of Judge Reese it was a big hit, Anita and Cindi vowed of Officers and civilian personnel of McKinney, Jr.) joined to help. Anita’s to have it again the next year. The first the Montgomery Police Department.” husband, Andy has helped clean the year, since there was no money, they Therefore, if a family member of an MPD lodge; Marty’s husband, retired MPD just served snacks retiree that has passed requests that this Sergeant Rick Huett, and drinks. The quilt be displayed at his or her funeral, handled the invitations; next year, James either hanging or on the casket, they will Tracy Welch (Former 911 Hamner , a former honor that request. NOTE: Each year Complaint Clerk) worked MPD Officer, offered they honor those who have passed away at the sign in desk and to cook BBQ for since the last reunion with a video and a her husband, Chris the group with memorial table set up with their photos. Welch, who is a former the help of Mark MPD Officer, helped get Azar, and Elizabeth The MPD Retirees 10th Reunion was a the lodge ready for the Deramus, retired huge success! Plans have already started reunion; MaryAnn and MPD Dispatcher, for the reunion next year. They feel they Jerry Hankins, Retired offered to cook sides are so blessed to continue this for their MPD Major, helped with to go with the BBQ. MPD family! THEY ARE MONTGOMERY’S cleaning; and Cindi’s Police Officers Prayer Charise Smith, who FINEST! GOD BLESS THE BLUE! husband, Vic, was
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Best Black Bean Burgers
Between homemade, restaurant, and storebought, these are the best black bean burgers I’ve ever tried. They’re big, thick, hearty, and flavorful. The trick is to partially dry out the black beans so the burgers do not taste mushy. Ingredients ▪ 2 (14oz) cans black beans, drained, rinsed, and patted dry ▪ 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil ▪ 3/4 cup finely chopped bell pepper ▪ 1 cup finely chopped yellow onion ▪ 3 garlic cloves, minced ▪ 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin ▪ 1 teaspoon chili powder ▪ 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder ▪ 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika ▪ 1/2 cup bread crumbs or oat flour ▪ 1/2 cup feta cheese ▪ 2 large eggs ▪ 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce ▪ 2 Tablespoons ketchup, mayo, or BBQ sauce ▪ pinch salt + pepper Instructions 1. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Spread beans evenly onto a lined baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes until slightly dried out. 2. Meanwhile, sauté olive oil, chopped pepper, onion, and garlic over medium heat until peppers and onions are soft, about 5-6 minutes. Gently blot some of the moisture out. Place in a large bowl or in a food processor with the remaining ingredients (cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, bread crumbs, cheese, eggs, worcestershire, ketchup, salt, and pepper). Stir or pulse everything together, then add the black beans. Mash with a fork or pulse the mixture, leaving some larger chunks of beans. 3. Form into patties– about 1/3 cup of mixture in each. 4. To bake: Place patties on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake at 375°F (191°C) for 10 minutes on each side, 20 minutes total. To grill: Place patties on greased aluminum foil and grill 8 minutes on each side. Heat temperature is personal preference as all grills differ. Generally, black bean burgers should grill on medium-high heat about 350°F (177°C) – 400°F (204°C). 5. Serve with your favorite toppings. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Source: www.sallysbakingaddiction.com
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A Look Back
By Bertha Lazenby Whetstone
I Remember Mama's Bonnet When I recall memories of my childhood, Mama's bonnet is one of the first to come to mind. I don't remember when Mama's bonnet was new, it was worn and frayed the first time I remember seeing it. The bonnet was made from coarse gray material. It was full in the back with a piece of material gathered at the nape that covered her neck, and a wide brim bordered with a narrow ruffle. I like to think that, in its time, it was a grand bonnet. Mama hung it on a peg on the back of the kitchen door, handy to reach it when she went outside. She would take the bonnet from the peg, shake it out, put it on her head, tie the ribbon as gentle as if it was expensive Sunday bonnet.
Mama's bonnet was a symbol of hard times, for there wasn't any money to buy material for another. I like to think of the bonnet as a symbol of hard work, love, and devotion, as she gave unselfishly of her time and energy for her family. I don't know what happened to the old
bonnet, whether it was so worn and tattered that mama discarded it for a new one, or if it was left hanging on the kitchen door for someone to throw away. I have often thought about the bonnet and wished I had it to place in a frame to keep forever, for it was as much apart of mama as her long dresses and aprons.
I can see her now bent over the washtub, scrubbing clothes on the scrub board, her bonnet protecting her head and face from the hot sun or cold wind. I have seen the bonnet used for many things other than protecting her from the elements. A trip to the henhouse would yield a bonnet full of fresh eggs. Nuts of all kinds would fill the old bonnet as we walked through the woods. Once while picking blackberries, I got into a wasp nest. As I was screaming and crying from the stings Mama came running. Pulling off her bonnet, she swatted the wasps until they were gone. Then we walked to the spring, she dipped her bonnet in the cool water and gently touched each wasp sting until they didn't hurt so much. The bonnet was always handy to pull off and swat one of her offspring that didn't want to mind. As she milked, she would use her bonnet to swat a horsefly that was bothering the cow. Free Subscriptions @ w w w. riverregionbo o m . co m The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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Happy Mother's Day!
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Poetry from a Reader Like Echos of The Past
Women & Childen boarding trains Not knowing where they will go Fathers, husbands, staying behind To fight for freedom One last time Germany, Poland, France, USA All over the world United as 1, 1 mankind These trains of freedom Not like the past These trains hold Safe passage For Mothers, Daughters & Son's Refuse at last Take in all these people From Ukraine Show the world we have learned From The Past That we will never return to echos of the past. - Bill Blessing
THE EMBER
Southern winds they are blowing Blowing thru the night A stray ember from a fire can cause a fire or a fight And civil rights they broken left and right Hatred and violence Is not the way to go Freedom writers taught this to us Not too long ago. We should've learned from the march, Selma to Montgomery, was just the start People got to learn to get along, we've got To right all the wrong That burning ember Won't go away As long as there's hatred it's gonna stay Let's put that ember Let's put it out - Bill Blessing
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The Marvelous Wonderettes Written & Created by Roger Bean directed & choreographed by Melissa Rain Anderson May 24–June 26, 2022 Festival Stage | 2 Hours | One Intermission | Recommended Ages 13+
This smash Off-Broadway hit takes us to the 1958 Springfield High School prom, where we meet and learn about the lives and loves of Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy, and Suzy: four girls with hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts. When the Wonderettes reunite to perform at their 10-year reunion, we learn about the highs and lows the girls have experienced in the past decade and are charmed to find that no matter what life throws their way, they will conquer it together. Featuring more than 30 classic 50s and 60s hits, including “Lollipop,” “Dream Lover,” and “Lipstick on Your Scan to Order Collar.” Matinees ASF Tickets available, order tickets at asf.net or scan QR code and order from your phone.
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By Jill Smolowe
If Memory Serves, Forgetting Isn't Unusual
Short-term memory can sometimes be in disarray (who is that actor?) causing worry to creep in Short-term memory can sometimes be in disarray (who is that actor?) causing worry to creep in During a recent (and these days rare) domestic social gathering, a friend asked for a piece of information that required me to consult the computer in my home office. When I returned to the living room, I realized that I'd left my glasses in my office. I made a U-turn, got distracted by something on my desktop screen, then returned to the gathering — again sans glasses. Frustrated, I made a third trip. "Cannot believe I just did that," I said. "Why not?" one of my friends responded. "I do it all the time." That was greeted by a round of knowing laughter. Despite the range in our ages, from late 50s to early 70s, all four of us are suffering memory slippages. "Do you have that thing where you can't remember if you already saw a movie on TV?" I asked, hoping my bid for validation didn't sound too pathetic. "All the time," another friend said. "I call it up, then realize a few minutes in that I've already seen it." "How about not realizing you've seen it until about ten minutes from the end?" I said. Mostly sympathetic murmurs. One appalled gasp.
viewing event to start with a sentence like, "Hey, isn't that the guy on, oh s***, what's the name of that show, you know, the one set in France, or wait, maybe it was Spain, anyway, you know the one where there's a burglary, or maybe it was a killing." The miracle is that Bob and I almost always know which actor, and which show the other is speaking of. More amazing, we share certainty of where we've seen an actor — even when we're completely wrong. 'What Have We Seen Him In?' Recently we watched a film starring a guy who looked familiar. "We know that guy," I said, my usual bid to, please, fill in the blank. "Yeah, we do," Bob responded, his usual way of signaling, I can't.
Whatever the degree of dysfunction, there's no getting around that it's happening to us, that aging thing where your short-term memory is in disarray, and you can't tell if it's a normal byproduct of aging or a precursor to something insidious.
Me: "What have we seen him in?"
My husband, who at 72 is six years older than I, thinks it's to be expected. My memory, he reassures, is just fine.
Me: "That's the guy from 'Six Feet Under'!"
This, of course, is coming from a man who thinks it's normal for every TV
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Bob: "Can't remember." The next night, the same actor popped up in a comedy film. Halfway through, it came to me in a blinding flash.
Bob (clearly impressed): "Sure. That's right."
lot like Peter Krause.)
We both smiled. A triumph over aging! That is, until I consulted Wikipedia and discovered that I'd mixed up my actors. Turns out the one I was looking for was the star of "Community." (Respectfully, I submit that Joel McHale looks a
Bob regards such memory blips as amusing and isn't the least bit concerned. Me, I worry that it might be evidence of early-stage Alzheimer's. My daughter offers reassurance that isn't exactly reassuring. "Mom, your memory's always been bad." I've Been Setting Reminders for Years She's right. I've been compensating for years. It started in my 30s when I began keeping a list of friends' and relatives' birthdays, so I'd remember to send a card. I refused to be deterred when one friend told me that my card "didn't count" because I didn't actually remember her birthday. (I stopped sending her cards after that. Oddly, her birthdate is now firmly lodged in my brain.) In my 40s, I began leaving scribbled reminders around the house of things I needed to do. In my 50s, I kicked it up a notch, each night making a list of the next day's scheduled phone calls and appointments that I would keep on my desk all day to make sure I didn't forget anything. Now in my 60s, I not only have a list, but I set the alarm on my phone app to beep ten minutes before a scheduled engagement. Never mind that sometimes The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
I then have to look at my list to see what exactly I'm being reminded to do. Bottom line: I get it done! For the longest time, I blamed these memory lapses on menopause. But with such considerations well in the rearview mirror, newer concerns hover. Is this normal? Should I get tested? Would I believe the results, either way? For me, the slippage, while frustrating, has not yet escalated to full-blown worry. My online canvas of early warning signs offered by the medical community all come up negative. I don't forget appointments and events. (Then again, I do make a hell of a lot of lists.) I don't have trouble focusing, planning, or making decisions. I suffer neither confusion nor unfamiliar moods. Then, there are my own medically unsanctioned benchmarks. There are still days when my short-term memory glows with the sharpness of its younger self. Two days after fumbling for an actor's name or a movie title, it will suddenly appear, unbidden. No less reassuring, there are my friends' battles with memory, friends whom I know to be mentally agile. One friend, for instance, recently missed a Zoom call that a group of us had rescheduled around his work demands. Come our 8:00 p.m. call time, he was AWOL. "I am so sorry!" he emailed later. "[Work] tired me out so much that after eating an early dinner I fell asleep. I did not check my calendar." Rather than stirring concern or aggravation, his words felt like a bountiful gift. Hey, he gets tired after a busy workday, too! And look, I'm not the only one who needs to consult written reminders! As for his 8:00 p.m. bedtime, that left me feeling downright youthful. Me, I make it to 11:00. Well, most nights … if memory serves. Jill Smolowe is the author of "Four Funerals and a Wedding: Resilience in a Time of Grief." To learn more about her book and her grief and divorce coaching, visit www.jillsmolowe.com. Source: www.nextavenue.org
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Gogue Center brings Tony-winning revival of Oklahoma! to Alabama The Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center at Auburn University is proud to present the Alabama premiere of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! at the Woltosz Theatre— Tuesday, May 17, Wednesday, May 18 and Thursday, May 19 at 7:30 p.m. The performance is presented as part of the center’s 2021–22 Broadway series. The current Oklahoma! tour is the first North American tour of the Tony Award-
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winning Broadway classic in more than 40 years. Directed by Daniel Fish, this is Oklahoma! as you’ve never seen or heard it before, now
the sunny romance of a farmer and a cowpoke, this Oklahoma! allows the musical to be seen in a whole new light. Tickets are available for all three performances and can be purchased online at the www.goguecentertickets. auburn.edu, by phone at 334.844.TIXS (8497), and in person at the Gogue Center box office, located at 910 South College Street, Auburn, Alabama.
reimagined for the 21st century. Funny and sexy, provocative, and probing, this acclaimed production of Oklahoma! tells a story of a community banding together against an outsider, and the frontier life that shaped America. Upending
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Embrace New Experiences!
Gogue Center Welcomes Broadway’s Anastasia to East Alabama
The Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center at Auburn University presents Broadway’s Anastasia at the Woltosz Theatre— Tuesday, May 31 and Wednesday, June 1. The performance is presented as part of the center’s 2021–21 Broadway series. From the Tony Award-winning creators of the Broadway classic Ragtime and inspired by the beloved films, Anastasia is the new musical that’s been hailed as “one of the most gorgeous shows in years!” (New York Observer). The production transports viewers from the twilight of the Russian Empire to
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the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman, Anya, sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her, she enlists the aid of a dashing conman and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love and family. With its opulent settings, dazzling costumes and a soaring score including favorites from the 1997 animated
feature, Anastasia is the spectacular new musical about discovering who you are and who you’re meant to be. Tickets are available for both performances and can be purchased online at goguecentertickets. auburn.edu, by telephone at 334.844.TIXS (8497), and in person at the Gogue Center box office, located at 910 South College Street, Auburn, Alabama.
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Housing During Retirement:
Your Go-Go Years, Your Slow-Go Years and Your No-Go Years When people think of retirement, they often envision the couple walking on the beach, sailing the sailboat, or playing golf. It is easy to picture the active part of retirement that is free of the stresses of work and career. However, with many retirees living as long as 30 years in retirement, the reality is that their retirement ends up having three phases: the go-go years, the slow-go years, and finally, the no-go years. Most people do not think through advanced retirement, where they will live, and what it will cost in their 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. Housing is both a major financial asset on the balance sheet and a significant expense in the household budget. Housing may also be the largest expense component of retirement income; the time for planning is in advance of a major health event and before advanced age takes its toll. Where to live should be proactively thought through in advance of a health crisis, even if the intent is to “age in place” and remain in your home. Mobility limitations, a chronic illness or a catastrophic health crisis may give way to a housing move, reshape the bestlaid plans, and disrupt your financial preparedness. Susan Moore of Moore Wealth Management, Inc. (MWM) in Montgomery, AL conducts a free workshop every year in May on planning for housing expense during retirement. Legg Mason produced the workshop, in conjunction with the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. Attendees receive
Financial Thoughts with Susan Moore
By Susan Clayton Moore, J.D.
Principal of Moore Wealth Management, Inc.
a comprehensive set of worksheets that help them evaluate whether it is financially feasible to “age in place” and stay in their home the rest of their lives. What renovations would be required for them to remain in the home in the event that they had mobility limitations? They also receive worksheets that enable them to compare and contrast other options, including independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing facilities, as well as continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) that offer the entire spectrum of choices in one place. The May 2020 workshop will be conducted in an online webinar format on Wednesday, May 25th at 12 p.m. Please call 334.270.1672, or email Sarah@moorewealthmanagement.com for more information and reservations. We conduct a variety of workshops and seminars at MWM. The mission
statement of MWM is very simple: “and then some.” We attempt to do what is expected, what is required “and then some.” The Planning for Retirement workshop is part of our monthly “and then some” workshops. In addition, MWM conducts daily current events market updates that attempt to explain what is going on in the financial world. If you would like to be on the mailing list or receive email notifications of upcoming webinars, please call 334.270.1672, or email Sarah@moorewealthmanagement.com. Susan Clayton Moore, J.D., is a financial advisor and wealth manager of Moore Wealth Management, Inc., with offices in Auburn, Montgomery, and Alexander City, AL. Susan has under advisement assets over $170 million (as of 1.21.2022) in brokerage and advisory assets through Kestra Financial and has been a financial planner for over 38 years. Contact Susan at 334.270.1672. Email contact is susan@moorewealthmanagement.com. The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect those held by Kestra Investment Services, LLC or Kestra Advisory Services, LLC. This is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations for any individual. It is suggested that you consult your financial professional, attorney or tax advisor regarding your individual situation. Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisory Services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. Kestra IS or Kestra AS are not affiliated with Moore Wealth Management, Inc. https://bit.ly/KF-Disclosures
“Planning your housing expense during retirement” webinar May 25th, Noon, Register today 334.270.1672
Attendees receive a comprehensive set of worksheets that help them evaluate whether it is financially feasible to “age in place” and stay in their home the rest of their lives. They also receive worksheets that enable them to compare and contrast other options, including independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing facilities, as well as continuing care retirement communities.
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Stonehenge Gallery Hosts Art Show for
Renowned Artist Priscilla Crommelin
Priscilla Crommelin, Vase in Window Acrylic on Canvas, 32” x 39”
Priscilla Crommelin, Early Morning on the Coosa, Acrylic on Canvas, 22” x 28”
Paintings of renowned artist, Priscilla Crommelin, will be exhibited May 12-June 17 at Stonehenge Gallery in Montgomery, Alabama. The event is being organized by her daughter, Priscilla Crommelin Ball, and her granddaughter, Priscilla CrommelinMcMullan. Not only is this a rare opportunity to view Crommelin’s work, but now you will be able to own it as well. Priscilla was born on the shortest day of the year-December 21, 1919. Her birthplace was Savannah, GA, where she was baptized at St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal Church. The day after Priscilla's Winter Solstice birth, her Aunt Julia Gunter, the wife of then Montgomery Mayor William Gunter, is reported to have said, "Priscilla was born, and the next day the sun shone longer." That observation proved true for a lifetime. Priscilla's mother and father were Kathleen Ann Swain and Thomas Baytop Scott, of Scotia Plantation near Mount Meigs to which the family returned from Georgia while Priscilla was a little girl. It was explained to Priscilla as a child that she was a direct descendent of the 10th President of the United States, John Tyler, who was her great great grandfather. Her great grandmother (his daughter in law) was Priscilla Cooper Tyler, the First Lady of the United States of America, whom Priscilla was named after. After a joyful Alabama childhood and youth that included ballet, schooling at Sidney Lanier High School and work for the Alabama Highway Department, Priscilla married U.S. Navy Lt. Quentin Claiborne
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Priscilla Crommelin, Flowers in a Tall Vase Acrylic on Canvas, 29 1/2 x 25 1/2
Crommelin, the youngest of the famous Five Crommelin Brothers or "The Indestructibles" as they were known, on May 5, 1943. They remained in marriage for 54 years and she spent much of that time traveling the world as the wife of the legendary Naval aviator. When not traveling with her military husband, Priscilla further immersed herself into her paintings while waiting for him to return home.
Priscilla Crommelin, Priscilla in Valenciennes Park, Acrylic on Canvas, 35 1/4 x 39 1/2
Crommelin's major strength as a painter lies in her natural identification with her region and her ability to recognize its full beauty, coloring it brightly with her love of home. This personal quality in her work makes it broadly appealing and, for a boldly regional talent, has garnered unusual national and international notice and indeed, acclaim. Elected as a member of l'Académie Cultural de France, she is one of very few contemporary Americans to have been chosen to have her works exhibited at the prestigious Grand Palais of the Salon d'Automne in Paris, France. Now, her paintings are found in numerous collections around the world including in Europe, Great Britain, and the Middle East.
Surrounded by beauty at her Toulouse Plantation River home where the Coosa and Tallapoosa become the Alabama, Priscilla Crommelin painted familiar scenes of fields, flowers, forests and towns with a unique treatment of color reflecting the vivid Mediterranean tones infused during twenty-eight years of seacoast travels with her naval aviator husband. Her subjects vary from the white sand beaches of Perdido Bay and the Victorian houses of Cottage Hill in Montgomery to the bewildering multitude of native flowers so abundant in the agrarian South. Intimate feelings for her home allowed her to paint from memory as she rendered scenes in a strong impressionistic style, manipulating her subject through color Priscilla with her husband Capt. Quentin Crommelin Sr. Aboard the USS Shasta, Circa 1963 and abstraction to develop a powerful image.
Applauded by critics in numerous French publications such as Paris Soir, Le Nouveau Journal, and Le Matin after exhibitions in 1979 and 1981 at Salon de Février and Cimaise de Paris, Crommelin was described by the Parisian press as "une artiste très consommée" whose presentations "nous montre les beaux paysage clairs, traités parfois à la manière de Cézanne." The style and quality of her work were consistently compared to
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that of Cézanne. Not only did Crommelin receive this sort of praise, but she also won prizes in several dozen juried shows nationally and locally.
quality to the undulating land, sky and trees..." James R. Nelson, The Birmingham News; "A Springtime of wide, golden sun rays..." Robert Barret, La Vie des Galleries, Panorama, Paris.
During the National Bicentennial Celebration in 1976, Mrs. Crommelin co-chaired the Wetumpka Bicentennial Committee and, in connection with those activities, she was instrumental in the establishment, naming, and early development of Wetumpka's Gold Star Park and its surrounding Coosa Riverfront. She was notably active in many arts organizations but was most passionate about ballet, with her daughter and granddaughter, both Priscilla, becoming successful professional ballerinas around the world. Now, her daughter, Priscilla Crommelin Ball, is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Alabama River Region Ballet. Her granddaughter, Priscilla CrommelinMcMullan, just moved back home from her international travels as a professional ballerina and model and is now the River Region Ballet's Youth Company Director and Artistic Advisor.
Naturally, she Crommelin was received much represented by recognition at Priscilla with her granddaughter, Priscilla Crommelin-McMullan, Leon Loard Gallery home as well at Fort Toulouse in Montgomery, with more than two Alabama; The Atchison Gallery in Mountain dozen prizes in various regional and local art Brook, Alabama; shows. She also had a solo exhibition at the Galleria Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts in 1985. Alexander in Crommelin was even a juried exhibitor at the Delray Beach, ArtExpo 89 in New York. She truly developed Florida; and a notable reputation, a fact evidenced by her Maralyn Wilson inclusion in the Blount American Collection Gallery in in company with Mary Cassatt, Winslow Birmingham, Homer, Frederick Childe Hassam, and others Alabama, along of similar enduring quality. with the various galleries abroad. Her paintings appear in many corporate and government collections ranging from the From her youth, Priscilla Cooper Scott Russell Senate Building in Washington DC to Priscilla was a Crommelin passed the State Capitol Building in Montgomery. parishioner and away in 2010, but Her art can also be found in the private Priscilla with her husband Quentin at their Toulouse Plantation home circa 1990 communicant at her legacy lives on to collections of many prominent Alabamians St. John's Episcopal Church in Montgomery this day. She is cherished around the world and private international art collectors. The and also frequently attended for both who she was as a person and the Alabama State Trinity Episcopal Church in incredible talent she displayed in her art. She Council on the Wetumpka near her home. was loved by everyone who knew her and Arts implicitly She supported and was active now her spirit gracefully lives on through her recognized her in promoting the goals of the paintings. growing standing Episcopal Prayer Book Society by selecting one and was notably dedicated to the of her paintings The Opening Reception for this exhibit Christian ministry of Sav-A-Life. for reproduction will be Thursday, May 12th at Stonehenge as the cover of Gallery from 5:30-8:30 Mrs. Crommelin its 1987-1988 pm. The exhibit will was a member Biennial Report. continue until June 17th. of many A portion of the proceeds national and will go to a non-profit Crommelin local clubs and organization for the arts. herself saw her organizations art as "most in Montgomery at home with and Wetumpka impressionism: Stonehenge Gallery Priscilla with her granddaughter and daughter, including The its warm, joyful 401 Cloverdale Rd both Priscillas, and her son, Quentin after “The Nutcracker” 2000 National Society style allows me Montgomery, AL 36106 of Colonial Dames of to express best my true feelings about my America, the Friends of subject, whatever that subject may be-a Phone 334-263-3190 the Fort, The Daughters of landscape, a still life or even a person." rusty@stonehengeinc.com the American Revolution, Others have described Crommelin's work and the Elmore County as: "A colorist's paradise with a rainbow Community Foundation. of fresh flowers against a backdrop of Priscilla at her art show at Cimaise de Paris in Paris, France 1981 sunbathed buildings.." Jeane E. Shaffer, The Montgomery Advertiser; "An almost fluid The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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By Emma Suttie
Cycles of Aging Chinese medicine gives distinct insight into how we age and what can affect it All of us move through life in a series of stages, each with its own unique characteristics. When we are young, we go through phases of intense growth and development until we reach maturity, and then there is a gradual state of decline as we get older. These stages were clearly defined thousands of years ago and documented in the classic Chinese medical text, “The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine.” It was written in the third century B.C. and is one of the oldest and most seminal works in the history of Chinese medicine. While civilizations normally last only a few centuries, the Chinese civilization is unique in the world, having persisted for 5,000 years. Because of its long history, Eastern medicine has had millennia to observe human beings and gather evidence about what happens to men and women as they age. There is a distinction between the cycles for men and women. Women move through life in seven-year cycles, and it is eight years for men. How health is maintained through each phase is largely due to something described in Chinese medicine as “jing.”
Jing in Chinese Medicine Like many things in Eastern medicine, jing doesn’t have a direct equivalent in the West. This lack of comparison makes explaining it difficult, especially when it’s a concept vital to understanding the
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more punishment and bounce back from things like sleepless nights, partying, and drinking. But if you were born with less than optimal jing, you will have to work harder to remain in good health, and your body will not be as forgiving.
Eastern view of how we age. In the simplest terms, jing is a person’s essence. If I had to make a comparison, I would say that jing is similar to the strength of the genes we inherit from our parents. In the Eastern view, jing is given to us by our parents at the moment of conception. If your parents were young, vital, and healthy, your jing would be strong and ensure you would grow and develop with the relative strength your parents had given you. However, if your parents were older, had chronic diseases or health problems, and were exhausted from a long life of hard work and lack of sleep, the jing you inherited would reflect this deficit. This whole idea may sound strange, but I have seen it repeatedly in my life and work. Simply put, your health (at least the baseline) is a direct manifestation of the health of both of your parents at the moment you were conceived. For example, if you are strong and robust, your body can handle a little
Awareness is the key. Are you that person who catches every cold and flu no matter how hard you try to avoid them? If so, make sure you get lots of sleep, eat well, and take care of yourself. This will help fortify the jing you have. Perhaps you are the one who can sail through unscathed while everyone around you is suffering from the latest virus? If so, appreciate your strong constitution, but try to take care of yourself anyway. The amount of jing given to us at conception is supposed to be finite. Still, there are ways that we can protect and conserve our jing throughout our lifetime. Eastern medicine believes in moderation in all aspects of life. Staying away from extremes is not only a good life philosophy; it’s essential to preserving your jing. Some examples of activities and behaviors that deplete jing are; overwork, not sleeping enough, abusing drugs and alcohol, too much sex, and having too many children too close together. Jing is like a person’s life force—you only have so much. Certain activities can burn it up too, like partying and living hard and fast. You can see this reflected in people who have these types
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of lifestyles (rock stars are one example) who often look older than their years. They have been spending their jing. The takeaway is that depleting jing literally ages us. On the other hand, someone who has lived in a healthy, balanced way often looks younger and more vibrant than their years. There are many ways to support and take care of our jing. Taking care of our bodies, practicing selfawareness, and tending to our emotions are all ways to protect and preserve jing so we can keep it going for the long haul. There is something else I want to mention about jing. If you feel like maybe you weren’t blessed with as much jing as you might like, this doesn’t mean you can’t live a long, healthy life free of sickness and disease. It simply means a little awareness and work are needed to stay healthy and balanced. This concept isn’t meant to be discouraging or to give someone license to abdicate their responsibility to live a healthy lifestyle. It’s simply one way of looking at our relative strengths and weaknesses so we can adjust our outlook and behaviors to live the best lives possible. Knowledge is power.
The Cycles for Women and Men
(The description for each phase has been simplified from the original text in the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine).
Women’s Cycles (7 years)
reaches its peak. 28 is considered the best age to have children in the Eastern view. 35 Years Old From 35 onward, the body and overall fertility begin declining. Women are still, however, able to have children. 42 year old From 42 onward, physical energy and fertility decline, and conceiving becomes more difficult. 49 Years Old At 49 (or thereabouts) is when many women begin to experience menopause and can no longer have children. Leaving the reproductive phase is a significant shift in a woman’s life, not just physically but psychologically, and spiritually. Men’s Cycles (8 years) 8 Years Old A man’s reproductive system begins developing. Hair and teeth are strong. 16 Years Old Men’s reproductive systems are fully developed, and they can reproduce. Development in all systems continues, and the body, muscles, and teeth grow strong. 24 Years Old Kidney energy is developed, the extremities are strong.
7 Years Old At the age of 7, a woman’s reproductive system begins developing.
32 Years Old This is the age where the body is at its peak physically, and all systems are robust and vital.
14 Years Old At 14, her menstruation appears, and she can have a child. In Chinese Medicine, the age of menarche (the first period) is a factor in understanding overall health, particularly the reproductive system.
40 Years Old From 40 is when the body begins a gradual decline. Yang (or fire) energy diminishes, hair turns gray, and teeth become weaker.
21 Years Old A woman’s energy, especially fertility, is completely developed at 21.
48 Years Old Physical decline continues. Wrinkles appear, hair turns gray, and there is less energy overall.
28 Years Old At the age of 28, a woman’s fertility
56 Years Old Due to a decline in kidney and liver
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energies, the body begins losing flexibility, movement can become difficult, and stiffness and pain may begin to set in. 64 Years Old Men’s vital energy weakens, bones become more brittle, flexibility declines, and teeth begin to deteriorate. Of course, some things have changed since the third century. One of the most notable is that we simply live longer. Our extended lifespan is thanks to a variety of factors, including access to clean food and water and a drastic improvement in our overall quality of life.
Self-Knowledge Is Self-Power These cycles are ways to bring awareness to the way men and women move through the different stages of life. For women, knowledge of, these stages can help them navigate significant events, such as if and when to have children and how to move through menopause without anxiety or physical symptoms. The emotional and spiritual aspects also need to be cared for, just as our bodies do. For men too, these stages act as a kind of guide, letting us know what to expect and helping us move through each of the cycles smoothly. Sometimes, these transitions are not easy, so having a guidebook can help us deal with the anxieties, stressors, and questions that come up as we move into and out of each phase. Chinese medicine offers us many tools to help us more easily move through life. I am continually humbled by Chinese medicine’s beauty, complexity, and wisdom. Its deep understanding of human beings on many levels is a testament to its effectiveness and one of the reasons it’s still being used to treat health problems in the modern world. Source: www.theepochtimes.com Emma Suttie is an acupuncture physician and founder of Chinese Medicine Living—a website dedicated to sharing how to use traditional wisdom to live a healthy lifestyle in the modern world. She is a lover of the natural world, martial arts, and a good cup of tea.
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Master Gardener's Perspective
by Mamie McClure
BEAUTIFUL FLOWER
“If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden.”– Frances Hodgson Burnett
My mom loved flowers, she would plant them in the ground or in flowerpots, all the flowers would be beautiful year after year. She must have had a green thumb, because I have never seen her use anything, but dirt, soil and water to grow plants. When I asked her how to keep flowers alive, she said “give them a little water, sunlight and talk to them”. My mom passed away a few years ago. I got a piece of her Canna Lily and an Elephant Ear plant from her yard and planted them the same way she did. The plants grew beautifully. During this time, I was having some health issues, so I decided to buy flowers and
vegetable plants to keep me busy. I spent a lot of money on flowerpots, soil, garden tools, and chemicals for weeds. I even brought a portable greenhouse. Got all the flowers and vegetables planted and they began to grow. I got so excited how beautiful they were going to be.
with the soil. Soil Test would have been very beneficial. May have been too much sun or not enough shade. Knowing what you are planting, where you are planting and what it requires will help me to have a much healthier and beautiful garden.
Things began to happen, some plants started to die, others leaves turned brown with holes in them, but some grew beautifully in the same area. I didn’t understand why until I became a Master Gardener Intern, which I really enjoy. Right away I recognized things that went wrong. The plants that died may have been planted in wrong soil or maybe needed some adjustments
Mamie McClure, an Intern in the Master Gardener 2022 Master Gardener Class. For more information on becoming a master gardener, visit www.capcitymga. org or email capcitymaga@gmail.com.
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The 2022 Summer Mini-Term at AUM OLLI
AUM OLLI offers a mini-summer schedule, allowing current and new members an opportunity to sample the program’s offerings for a brief time to get an introduction to the OLLI program. This shorter term allows the program to experiment with different courses and a varied schedule.
a double-period class (possibly three hours) to allow for showing and discussing movies. There is no confirmed schedule as of the printing of the May issue of BOOM!, but it will be posted, along with course descriptions, on the AUM OLLI website, as soon as it is finalized.
The 2022 Summer Mini-Term is four weeks long, on Mondays and Tuesdays during the month of June: June 06 – 28, 2022. The schedule of courses during this term also differs from the other three terms of the year, allowing instructors some flexibility in planning their classes. There will be single-period classes (an hour and a half), at least one two-hour class, and tentatively
New courses tentatively included in the summer schedule are: cake decorating, a movie course, and some additional possibilities. Members can register for a four-week cake-decorating course (probably two hours per session) and learn how to make unique cakes for special occasions for people in their lives. The movie course, if finalized, will allow viewing the movie with the group as well as introductions to the
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making of the movie that will give new insights to an understanding. Returning opportunities include courses in memoir writing and jewelry making, the arts and crafts room, and Brain Bowl. Also, for new members, the membership fee of $40 is waived for the summer mini-term. The class fee for summer mini-term is $25. Watch the AUM OLLI website – www.aum.edu/olli – in the coming weeks for the posting of the complete schedule.
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Travel Experiences with Jeff and Cindy Barganier
The Crown Jewels of Marion Illinois
wilderness treasure looks beyond amazing. It’s no doubt one of the crown jewels of Southern Illinois.
There are towns. Then there are towns that show us the way. I first became interested in Marion, Illinois after reading about its murals, especially those painted by a charming fourteenyear-old named Maddie Deiters. I found Maddie’s story so uplifting and inspiring that I longed to see her art in person. And I did. (See last month’s issue of BOOM! online at https://tinyurl. com/yckkwk8a or scan the QR Code.)
Jeff's Favorite, Banana Pudding @ 17th Street BBQ
This feature is about what else I discovered. Marion (pop. 17,500) is 400 miles north-northeast of The River Region. Part of a dispersed urban area that emerged from early 20th Century coal fields, Marion is today the largest retail trade center in Southern Illinois. Former Mayor Robert Butler—the longest serving mayor in Illinois history—called Marion the “Hub of the Universe.”
The Vault Cafe
But when exploring a new city, I want lodging close to Dunkin Donuts, sweet tea and great barbecue. Marion’s Country Inn and Suites—currently under renovation—is across the street from Dunkin and a parking lot down from 17th Street BBQ. This local favorite restaurant has outstanding barbecue and serves a generous helping of excellent banana pudding in a jar. (I happen to be a banana pudding connoisseur.) It’s enough to share. Maybe.
You may remember my certain feature a while back where I wrote about seeing a young man wearing his pants below his bottom. I lamented, “Perhaps, someday, if we’re lucky, the South’s pants shall rise again.” I never once saw that Crown Brew Coffee 17th Street BBQ fellow in the “Hub of the Universe.” While Marion those I’d like to take my family back to, isn’t the flashiest place on and those I tend to forget. Hospitable the planet, it’s also not likely where you’ll We exited Interstate 57 late in the day, Marion with its youthful vibe is definitely get flashed either. That’s because Marion’s found our hotel, and made a dash for a town I’ll visit again. people are upstanding and outstanding. Domino’s Pizza. The workers at Domino’s And its leadership consist of no-nonsense, gave a first impression of what I would When camping, I want a site near pro-law enforcement, visionaries who learn to expect from these “Southerners water, beneath colorful hardwoods. The think of their city as “The Oasis of of Illinois.” They’re hardworking, friendly, Shawnee National Forest near Marion Opportunity.” Marion is the political courteous, and appreciative of my has both. I haven’t camped there … yet. antithesis of Chicago, 319 miles north. business. This is important to me because But from photos available online, this I have two categories for places I visit:
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Virtually everywhere we extensive makeover. It’ll be went, Marion’s people a different square in a year. were kind and welcoming. Can’t wait to see it once the Of note, the young people work is done! (I understand we encountered were it’s the place to be during respectful. They didn’t the Christmas season.) drop “sirs.” We enjoyed Other attractions that draw excellent Eggs Benedict visitors to Marion include at The Vault Café on the Southern Illinois Miners’ Square. The Vault Café baseball at Rent One Park, is located in a historic events at Southern Illinois 100-year-old bank building. University at Carbondale, You can even dine in the monthly bouts of the Town Square with Cultural Center in Background and Jeff with Marion Publisher Bill Swinford vault! The owner stopped Southern Illinois Roller by our table to chat before Girls at Williamson County we departed. While exploring the upper Pavilion, two dozen wineries within a Navy before settling down in Marion and floors, Russell Williams, who directs the 45-mile radius of the city, Crab Orchard attending college for a teaching degree. city’s small business incubator, told us his National Wildlife Refuge, Lake of Egypt, He and wife Pat frequent the Crown Brew. story of discovering Marion. Bill Swinford, and various state parks that stretch along They’ve lived in Marion for thirty years. publisher of The Marion Star spent time the Shawnee Hills between rivers. And, of “When they opened this, we started with us discussing Southern Illinois. course, history—the town took its name coming here. We love it so much, you Afterward, Mayor Michael Absher from Revolutionary War hero General know. It’s just … everybody in here. They dropped everything and gave us a walkingFrancis “Swamp Fox” Marion. All crown stop and talk to you. And all the workers tour of the town square. As we entered jewels. are just wonderful. They seem so happy. the fabulous 1100-seat Marion Cultural And they’re always singing or dancing or and Civic Center, one of the staff members Heading downtown one morning, we something. It makes you feel good, you greeted us, “Howdy. How y’all doing?” passed one of the Domino’s Pizza workers know. There are still people who like to Never expected to hear that greeting in heading to work. That’s when it dawned enjoy life, and friendly. When they stop to Illinois! But, remember, this is Southern on me: this town has so much to offer. But tell you hello, maybe they’re telling you ‘I Illinois. We walked among the murals its people are the main attraction—they’re love you,’” he said. and stopped by friendly shops like Lavish the living Crown Jewels of Marion, Illinois. Bath Box and Perfectly Posh Boutique. Go see for yourself. I can’t help but think: this concern for That evening we dined at 20’s Hideout others characteristic of Marion’s people Steakhouse that features live piano music For more information see: may hearken back to what was once a by local musicians. tight-knit community of tough coal-miner www.CityofMarionil.gov families who braved danger and praised www.Hideoutsteakhouse.com Next morning, Cindy had to have her the Almighty for every blessing, helping www.17BBQ.com coffee at award-winning Crown Brew and serving others as they faced each https://www.facebook.com/ Coffee just off the square. That’s where new day. And, it seems, a new generation TheMarionStar/videos I met Korean War veteran Jack Fletcher. stands ready to carry the torch. www.crownbrewcoffee.com Mr. Fletcher spent four years in the U.S. Marion’s town square is undergoing an www.enjoyillinois.com
Jeff S. Barganier is a novelist, travel writer and manager of Cindy Barganier Interiors LLC. He travels far and wide upon the slightest excuse for something interesting to write about. Contact: Jeffbarganier@knology.net. Instagram: @jeffbarganier. Visit: www.jeffbarganier.com.
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Local Market & Car Boot Sale Jenni who owns The Cup and Saucer, an “English Alabama Girl”, told us about the great fun of going to "Car Boot (trunk) Sales." Instead of garage sales, in England they fill their cars or trucks up & gather in a field. One stop yard sale! No need driving all over town looking for a sale, or having folks trample your yard all day. Instead everyone gathers in a local field and sells their products. We're adding a southern twist to this European pastime and making it a field party! We'll have food trucks, picnic tables, local vendors and businesses with art, jewelry, spring fashions, and more! The Local Market and Car Boot Sale happens 8am -2 pm on the Second Saturday of May at Firefly Fields (formerly Good Ol' Boys Restaurant) in Auburn. Details: MAY 14 8:00 - 2:00, 1843 Sandhill Rd, Auburn, AL 36830. FREE parking! www.facebook.com/FireflyFieldsAuburn
Photo is from Europe, we're not sure what the Auburn Boot Sale will look like...
MMFA Presents Lava Thomas: Homecoming Lava Thomas: Homecoming is comprised of large portraits inspired by photographs of remarkable African American people in order to tackle issues of representation and memorialization. Of particular resonance to Montgomerians are thirteen drawings from Thomas’ revelatory series Mugshot Portraits: Women of the Montgomery Bus Boycott (2018– ). To pay tribute to the women in Mugshot Portraits and recognize members of the depicted women’s extended families, the exhibition will also include an online component that features the women’s family members speaking about their relatives.Regarding the exhibition, MMFA Director Angie Dodson says, “Lava Thomas: Homecoming is one of a series of exhibitions presented by the Museum to create a place for individual and collective memory and reckoning. We take to heart our responsibility to be a place where art and artists are recognized for their capacity transform the thoughts and actions of people and communities. Our hope is that time spent in the Homecoming galleries will both be a time for honoring the past and sorting out what is each of ours to do as we move together towards a more inclusive and opportunity-filled today and tomorrow.” The exhibit will be at MMFA through July 24, 2022. For more info visit www.mmfa.org
These are the 5 signs of a scam, and 7 steps to take if you’ve been scammed. How do you know the person you’re talking to online is real? It’s getting more difficult to tell. When it comes to finding a mate, the FTC says that reports of romance scams have tripled. Identity theft is also a big issue, and hopefully you’ll be proactive. We want to encourage you to be careful, especially since many of these scams involve money. The 5 tell-tale signs of a romance scam: - They say they are far, far away - Their profile seems too good to be true - The relationship moves fast - They break promises to see you - They ask for money. The 7 steps to take if you suspect you’ve been scammed: - Contact your bank right away, if you’ve sent money - Collect any records you have of your online relationship, including conversations and transactions - File a police report - Report the incident to: - the FTC at www.ftc.gov/complaint - the FBI at www.ic3.gov - the dating site, if the scam started there. Romance scams prey on our emotions and take advantage of loneliness. Become much more savvy to be aware of the people in your life that want to take advantage of you.
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Chasing the thrill of Wordle and Puzzles? Do you and your friends like Wordle? Does the thrill of a new daily challenge get your pulse going? If the answer is yes, then fans looking for more brain-teasing challenges will be glad to know exciting daily challenges from award-winning card games are now available online, at www.Setgame.com. With a phone or computer, everyone can try their hand at The Daily SET, Quiddler, or Karma Puzzle! Weekly winners are featured on site and receive prizes, in addition to bragging rights! These brain-quizzes are a perfect way to keep your brain sharp, they’re quick and can even be played between meetings. Together, these three games have earned 100+ best game awards from MENSA, Teachers’ Choice, Parents Magazine, Parents’ Choice and ASTRA -- and now they’re available at your fingertips. These games bring out fun, perception and a challenge for players of all ages and skill levels while offering unlimited replay value.
HandsOn River Region Invites YOU to Spring into Summer with SERVICE Whether you prefer indoor office work or outdoor physical activity, we have something for everyone! Check out the suggested opportunities listed below or the DOZENS of additional projects and events included on our volunteer site at www. volunteer.handsonriverregion.org. Examples include: Make a Mat for the Homeless (Participants must be 30+ years old), Kidney Walk and Celebration, Monthly Neighborhood Cleanup, Food Distribution in Millbrook, Museum Store Attendant, Receptionist Volunteer and more. Your desire to serve is the most important thing. We can help you find a way to give back to your community. For more info visit www.handsonriverregion.org
RIVER REGION VOLUNTEERS HONORED Hundreds gathered at Montgomery's Riverwalk Stadium Thursday for the 2022 Volunteer of the Year Awards to honor volunteers for their incredible gifts of service and ongoing efforts to improve the lives of others. Co-sponsored by the Junior League of Montgomery, HandsOn River Region initiated the ceremony 48 years ago after its first year in operation as a way to publicly recognize the outstanding service provided by community volunteers. The following were honored at the ceremony: • Adult – Chuck Ruffin who aids in veteran suicide prevention and awareness and treatment programs for military veterans and their families. • Adult Group – Lanier Poet Supergrands who greet and encourage students, pitch in at all events and fundraisers and operate the Lanier Food Pantry which provides boxes of food for 50 families each week. • Senior – Karla Groves who leads twice weekly sessions where participants crochet sleeping mats using ordinary plastic bags for area homeless. • Youth – Hutchinson Missionary Baptist Church Youth Ministry who collect coats and blankets for the Karla Groves, standing, helps volunteer homeless, help with Salvation Army’s Thanksgiving dinner and donate holiday gift baskets for the make plastic mats for homeless church’s disabled, sick and elderly members. HandsOn River Region mobilizes volunteers and connects people, information and services to meet local needs and build a strong, caring community. To learn more, visit www.handsonriverregion.org or call 334-264-3335.
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Landmarks Foundation Offers Out and About Walking Tours The Landmarks Foundation is offering a new opportunity to experience Montgomery's history thru walking tours. Offered every Thursday at 10:00am, join a seasoned Landmarks guide on a tour of Montgomery's historic sites. Tours will rotate between sites each Thursday, with a different tour each week. Beginning with Dexter Avenue, continuing with Commerce Street, Perry Street, and Oakwood Cemetery. DEXTER AVENUE: Meets at the Visitor Center at 1 Court Square. Meet at the fountain for a walk up Montgomery’s historic Market Street, now Dexter Avenue. Both the Civil War and Civil Rights began in Montgomery; see the places these events made famous and other architectural treasures from our past. COMMERCE STREET: Meets at the Hank Williams Statue at the Commerce Street Tunnel. Boats, trains, and trolleys! Take a walk up from the Riverfront along Commerce Street and experience 170 years of history beneath your feet. Learn about Montgomery’s trade, transportation, and architectural history and why this area became central Alabama’s premier distributer of wholesale goods. PERRY STREET: Meets at St. John's Episcopal Order Tickets Church on Madison and Perry. Enjoy a walk up “The Fifth Avenue of Montgomery” and see the architectural styles of the homes of some of Montgomery’s wealthiest 19th century families. This collage of architectural trends and fashion reflects owners and builders concern for a stylish representation of their businesses and residences in the 19th century. OAKWOOD CEMETARY: Meets just inside the Columbus St. gate.Meet just inside front gate of Oakwood for a visit to our outdoor art, history, and landscape museum. See the “watery grave”, the resting place of a Napoleonic soldier, the unmarked spot of a likable rogue, graves of Confederate and Union warriors, governors, and just plain folks. Learn about the diversity of Montgomery from the final resting places of the significant and the unheard-of citizens of Alabama’s capital city. www.landmarksfoundation.com
Montgomery Great Strides Walk Great Strides provides a fantastic opportunity for family, friends, students, and colleagues to come together and make a difference. The event harnesses the power of people with a shared vision and encourages collaboration, team building, and leadership, as we take steps to find a cure for cystic fibrosis. Your participation in Great Strides matters a lot! We don’t just want to treat CF, we want to end CF. The time is now. Together, we can cross the finish line. MONTGOMERY GREAT STRIDES, May 21, 2022 | Location: The Tipping Point at Hampstead, 5015 Hampstead High Street. Check-in: 9:30 AM | Walk: 10:00 AM | Distance: 1 mile. www.fightcf.cff.org
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Capital City Master Gardeners Association Lunch & Learn @ The Armory, Capital City Master Gardener Association presents Lunch & Learn, the 1st Wednesday of Every Month from 12-1 pm. They will meet at Armory Learning Arts Building, 1018 Madison Ave., Montgomery 36104. Mark your calendars, May 4, “Backyard Fruits”, Mallory Kelley, ACES, Regional Extension Agent, will present a program on “Backyard Fruits”. If you have always wanted to grow fruit in your own yard, join us for ideas about planting different fruit varieties that are perfect for this area. Learn about best practices for harvesting a fruit crop at home. June 1, “Growing in a 5-Gallon Bucket”, Roosevelt Robinson, ACES, Urban Regional Extension Agent, will present a program on “Growing in a 5-Gallon Bucket”. Grab some buckets and try your luck with this small space gardening technique. What fun! Use this with children. July 6, “Growing Turmeric & Drying Garden Herbs”, Mary McCroan, Advanced Master Gardener, will present a program on “Growing Turmeric & Drying Garden Herbs”. She will cover what is turmeric, how is it grown, and how is it used. She’ll also give suggestions for drying your own garden herbs. BRING A SACK LUNCH, FREE PROGRAM, WATER PROVIDED, For information, please contact the Montgomery County Extension Office 334.270.4133. Also visit www.capcitymga.org.
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Downtown Family Supper-Auburn, Alabama The Downtown Merchants Association is pleased to announce the Third Annual Downtown Family Supper on the evening of Thursday, May 19th on Tichenor Ave at 6:00 pm. This dinner is a collaboration between downtown's finest chefs bringing you exquisite cuisine in an unbeatable setting. Proceeds from the supper will benefit the Auburn Downtown Merchants Association and Nourish Alabama. Each attendee will enjoy a multi-course meal and two glasses of wine. This is a ticketed event. Must present ticket and ID to enter. for more info visit www.downtownauburnonline.com
Alabama Nature Center
On Saturdays, you can enjoy any of our special programs as well as hiking five miles of scenic ANC trails while learning about the fascinating natural history of central Alabama. From distinguishing between a white oak and a red oak to observing the natural processes of a seasonal pond, you get more than just a walk in the woods when you pause to study the interpretive signs along the trails. From ponds and creeks to forests and fields, you can always find some kind of new life waiting around the next trail bend. You can even add to the outdoor experience with a tasty picnic under or around the ANC pavilion. In addition to the self-guided trail system, you can also enjoy entertaining and informative conservation education programming during designated weekends. These weekends feature themes that highlight snakes, salamanders, frogs, turtles, birds, hydrangeas and even fishing, just to name a few. During these weekends, you can also enjoy a guided hike by one of ANC’s world class biologists. The ANC staff invites you to step outside, take a breath of fresh air and discover what happy trails await you at the Alabama Nature Center. Open to the Public: Mon-Sat from 9am-5pm. Admission- $5 per person/day; children 3 and under free; $20 max per family. Includes access to Trails and all NaturePlex amenities including the Discovery Hall, Theater, Gift Shop, & Public Programs. Address: 3050 Lanark Road, Millbrook, AL 36054. Contact 334.285.4550 or awf@alabamawildlife.org or visit www.alabamawildlife.org
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Central Alabama Master Gardeners ‘Annual Plant Sale
Caregiver of the Month Spotlight:
Dewanda Richardson
Dewanda has been at Home Care Assistance of Montgomery since August 2019. “Mrs. Dee” is loved by all client’s and family members alike. She has a personality that is sure to please with a great sense of humor to match. Although we all experience life’s ups and downs, she has never allowed that to be a deterrence for the care that she provides. When you look for someone who is dedicated to the job, reliable, and compassionate, you can always call on “Mrs. Dee”.
“There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.” -John Holmes The Central Alabama Master Gardeners ‘ Annual Plant Sale will be held on Saturday, May 7, from 8:00 am to Noon, rain or shine. the location is Elmore County Extension, 340 Queen Ann Road, Wetumpka, AL 36092. There will be a variety of plant selections with great prices-Annuals, Shrubs, Perennials, Vegetables, House Plants, Herbs, Indoor Plants, Trees, Butterfly Garden Plants, Fruit, Succulents, also Yard Art and local vendors. There will be on site master gardeners to answer questions. Call a friend and plan to shop our plants!
We appreciate your hard work and dedication, thank you for a Job Well Done!! For more information visit www.homecareassistancemontgomery.com
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By Robert Preidt
‘Good’ Cholesterol in Brain May Help Keep Alzheimer’s at Bay Higher levels of “good” cholesterol in the fluid surrounding your brain and spinal cord may help protect you from Alzheimer’s disease, a new study suggests.
is that people with higher levels of small HDL particles also had higher levels of a peptide called amyloid beta 42 in
“This study represents the first time that small HDL particles in the brain have been counted,” said study co-author Dr. Hussein Yassine. He is an associate professor of medicine and neurology at the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine in Los Angeles. For the study, Yassine and his colleagues analyzed concentrations of highdensity lipoproteins (HDL) — often referred to as “good cholesterol” — in the cerebrospinal fluid of 180 healthy volunteers with an average age of nearly 77. The study linked a higher number of small HDL particles in cerebrospinal fluid with two key indicators that they might protect against Alzheimer’s. One indicator is better performance on tests of memory and thinking (or “cognitive”) skills. Of 141 participants who completed a series of these cognitive tests, those with higher levels of small HDL particles in their cerebrospinal fluid had better scores. And that was independent of age, sex, education or whether they carried the APOE4 gene, which boosts Alzheimer’s risk. The link was even stronger among those who had no cognitive impairment, the findings showed. The other indicator of a protective effect
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brain cells healthy,” Yassine said. “We still need to understand the mechanisms that promote the production of these particles, in order to make drugs that increase small HDL in the brain.” More Information For more on Alzheimer’s disease, go to the U.S. National Institute on Aging, www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimersdisease-fact-sheet
their cerebrospinal fluid. Even though the peptide contributes to Alzheimer’s disease when it misfolds and clumps onto neurons, a higher level of it circulating around the brain and spine has been linked to a lower risk for the disease, according to the report published online April 13 in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association. The results suggest that small HDL particles may point the way to treatments for early Alzheimer’s, long before mental decline occurs. “They may be involved with the clearance and excretion of the peptides that form the amyloid plaques we see in Alzheimer’s disease, so we speculate that there could be a role for these small HDL particles in prevention,” Yassine said in a university news release. Before the onset of mental impairment, these oils — or small HDL particles — are lubricating the system and keeping it healthy, he explained. “You’ve got a time to intervene with exercise, drugs or whatever else to keep
SOURCE: Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, news release, April 13, 2022 Robert Preidt is an award-winning journalist and photographer who began his career 40 years ago. The first 15 years were spent as a newspaper reporter, followed by freelancing for various publications, including the Toronto Star, Family Practice and the Medical Post. He’s been writing for HealthDay since 1999. This story was originally published on the www.HealthDay.com
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BOOM! COVER PROFILE
Judy Derickson, A Servant's Heart
"I always tell people I want to wear out not rest out!" There comes a time in our lives when we meet people and after a while you get to know them. We have known this month’s cover profile for a few years now and one of her most precious attributes is her heart, her giving heart. So much so that she inspired us to create the first BOOM! Servant’s Heart Award. Judy Derickson is a tireless servant to her fellow Christchurch Community and Montgomery civic organizations. She also serves at First Choice Medical Center and Life on Wheels, both agencies provide free services for women who have pregnancy issues. She is a client advocate, and her job is to listen to their story, help them with their decision and tell them about what is available to help them through their pregnancy. In addition to helping them with their decision to parent, adopt or abort their baby, she tells them about Jesus and makes sure they know about the “Good News”. What a blessing Judy is to a young woman confronted with an inconvenient pregnancy. Judy understands the true nature of what it means to serve others, as she is called to do in her Christian Faith. She will inspire and recruit you to participate and serve alongside her, she is a leader of serving hearts. She sums up her servant’s heart this way, "I always tell people I want to wear out not rest out!". We hope you enjoy getting to know Judy as much as we have. two grandchildren, Caroline and Conner, live in Birmingham.
BOOM!: Please give us a brief biography, i.e., where you’re from, education, what brought you to the Montgomery area, did you raise your family here, schools, married, family, etc.? Judy: I was born in Montgomery, the youngest of three children. My older sister and brother always told me I was adopted, but, my mother always said I was planned. Who knows, they were nine years older than I and I worshiped them.
Judy and husband Tom
My father worked as a civilian in the Air Force. My Mother was a social worker with Veterans Affairs. I grew up in the Cloverdale area and attended Cloverdale School till the ninth grade. My father was transferred to Olmstead Air Force Base near Harrisburg PA, where I was introduced to a very different lifestyle from the South. In the tenth grade, we moved to Chateauroux, France where I graduated from high school in a class of thirty seniors.
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At sixteen, I left my parents in France to attend the University of Alabama. I met my first husband, Heflin, on the first day of French class and we were married nine months later. During our marriage we moved to Auburn AL, Albany GA, and San Francisco CA until finally we returned to Montgomery in 1969. I have lived here ever since. Heflin and I had one son, Michael, who grew up here. Michael and his wife, Holly, and my
BOOM!: Judy, you have been selected to receive BOOM!’s Servant’s Heart Award, an award founded on the principle of having a mindset or desire to serve others selflessly and sacrificially, regardless of your feelings towards them or what it may cost you. How would you explain your philosophy in serving others? Judy: What an honor to receive Boom’s Servant Heart Award. My desire to serve others has always been important to me. It must have come from the example my mother set for all of us. Prior to meeting my father in the 30’s, my mother was a social worker in Harlem, NY. My mother and her roommates lived in a Coldwater flat in Greenwich Village and anyone who needed a place to sleep could stay there for 25 cents. My sister, Nancy, was always
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volunteering and even received the “Volunteer of the Year” award for the Low Country SC. For years, Nancy and I volunteered as ushers at the annual Spoleto Festival in Charleston, ushering and helping where we were needed.
be Jesus’ hands and feet and to share the Gospel. In all the volunteering I do, I try to remember God wants us to serve others. To those of us who have much, much is expected. BOOM!: Would you share with our readers some of the organizations in the River Region you volunteer with and why?
Anglican, located on Vaughn Road. Would you share your journey and involvement with helping to start Christ Church Anglican? How do you continue to serve the Christ Church Community? Judy: Seventeen years ago, my husband, Tom Derickson and I decided to leave the church where we were married, my son Michael and his wife, Holly, and Tom’s daughter and granddaughter were also married in this church. So, after being members for more than fifty years, we along with 400 other members joined together to found Christchurch Anglican, a Bible -based orthodox church. A church that believed and followed the biblical truths.
Judy: Beside my So, serving It was difficult to walk away from lifelong work with the others, is just friends and families, a beautiful campus/ Judy's son, Michael, with his wife Holly, a part of my building, to daughter Caroline and son Connor upbringing. start a church pregnancy centers, There are so many ways to help! You just from scratch, I am a member of have to roll up your sleeves and jump in. with only our the Montgomery I currently volunteer at both First Choice faith in God to Symphony League and Medical Center and Life on Wheels. Both guide us. We as a member I have agencies provide free services for women were called to helped with feeding who have pregnancy issues. They offer be a beacon the orchestra when free pregnancy tests and ultrasounds to for all believers they rehearse prior to their clients. I am a client advocate and in God’s a performance. For ten my job is to listen to their story, help Word. From years, I helped deliver them with their decision and tell them out of that “Meals on Wheels” for about what is available to help them decision, God MACOA and help cook through their pregnancy. In addition has blessed us and package frozen to helping them with their decision to with a vibrant meals for them. I have parent, adopt or abort their baby, I will congregation, helped tell them growing in in the about Jesus leaps and Public and make bounds and Dining with granddaughter Caroline and School sure they a beautiful grandson Connor System know about campus on by going to Forest Avenue the “Good Vaughn Road. I am very involved in the and Garrett Elementary News”. I life of the Parish. I served three years to read to third graders. prayed for on the Vestry, and I still serve on the The teachers always years that Altar Guild (chairman for three years). welcome any volunteers. God would I also serve on the Flower Guild where I am on the board of The send me we arrange flowers for our altar each Friends of the Governor’s somewhere Sunday. I teach a Woman’s Bible study Mansion, and we help that I could and help cook meals for our Wednesday raise money to restore evangelize, Night Suppers. I also plan and prepare and preserve that and these our monthly socials for our Over Fifty’s beautiful home. agencies group and serve as hostess to our were an monthly potluck suppers. I am chairman BOOM!: You and your answer to of our wedding committee and oversee husband were founding prayer. God all weddings, Finally, I am a member of Judy's newest fur family members, members of Christ Church wants us to the Daughters of the Holy Cross, an order Colby and Jack, thankful rescue dogs! The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
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that serves the church in prayer, service, evangelism and study. Needless to say, I spend much time and love serving at Christchurch Anglican and if you’re looking for a church home, we would love to have you join us.
times, we have done many fun things together including horseback riding, zoo camps, many trips to the art museum, shopping and dining out. They both like to dress up and dine at the Capital City Club. BOOM!: What are some of your favorite travel experiences? Favorite vacation spot? Any travel dreams planned?
Tom, Judy, sister, Nancy and her husband, Ned, and my brother, Sandy and his wife Jackie
Judy: My favorite place to vacation is the beach. I love Orange Beach. Also love Mentone, AL, and the mountains. Over the years, I have taken over fifteen cruises to all kinds of places such as the Western and Eastern Caribbean, Panama Canal, and Alaska.
I just love Judy: I am to travel Nana to my and see grandchildren. new places. I have a grand In the last daughter, twenty Caroline, who is Judy: I love animals. Over the last few years, my seventeen and years, I have adopted many rescue dogs. husband a rising senior. I just love to give the sweet creatures and I have Also, I have a safe environment to live in. Some of visited a grandson, these dogs just want to feel loved and every state Connor, who wanted. Up until three weeks ago, I was park in is thirteen and down to one dog, Pete, who is fourteen Alabama. entering high Dining out at the beach with Ellen and Michael Black, years old and was a very lonesome Travel school. When Tom’s First Cousin’s toy terrier. Since then, I have acquired helps Caroline was born, Auburn was playing Colby and Jack. They are nine years old broaden your horizon and experience LSU that morning. Her granddaddy and look like a poodle and a schnauzer. new adventures. As a matter of fact, I always liked to remind her that he They are full of mischief and keep Pete am flying to Seattle in May and taking a missed that game because Nana insisted active. The Humane Societies in the cruise to Alaska. My first big trip since on going to the River Region have the pandemic. hospital instead of wonderful pets Auburn! Connor available. Just give BOOM!: How do you like to relax and had the good them a call. You wind down from a full day of activity? graces to be born will not regret it. in June. They Judy: I am afraid I never wind down. My have always lived BOOM!: With a husband Tom said I didn’t know how to in Birmingham. I busy life, how do rest and relax. I worked for over forty have always made you like to spend years in the mortgage business. It’s a time to make time with family very intense and stressful industry. I monthly trips to and friends? retired only two years ago and since then see them. Often Describe your I have become an avid reader. I have read during spring experience as everything John Grisham has written. break or during a grandmother, I love detective and lawyer’s stories. the summer both what do the Currently, I am reading books by Francine grandchildren will grandkids call Rivers, who writes novels drawn from spend up to three you? real characters in the Bible. weeks with me in Montgomery. Judy sharing some time with Robyn Blessing, BOOM!: What is it about living in the Executive Director for Life on Wheels During those BOOM!: You recently adopted a couple of rescue dogs; would you please share the how and why you decided to adopt these dogs?
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Montgomery/River Region area that you like? What do we need more of?
Judy: Having just lost my third husband, I face the challenge of living alone again. The main challenge in that situation is to keep moving forward. It is so easy to allow oneself to dwell in self-pity and ‘why me’ doubts. Years ago, when I lost my first husband, a friend gave me a calendar and on the first page, it said: “Busy people have no time for tears.” Learn to reach out to others and get involved when you are lonesome. Stay active and keep busy.
Judy: Call me crazy but I love Montgomery. I love the weather, the people, and my friends. I enjoy the theatre and music. We are so fortunate to have a world class theatre, Alabama Shakespeare Festival and many excellent community theaters like Cloverdale Playhouse, Wetumpka Depot, and The Red Door Theater in Union Springs. Montgomery has wonderful museums like the BOOM!: Many people as Judy's Covenant Group from Christchurch, back L-R: Derilyn Lee, Carol and Charles Montgomery Art Museum, they age discover a renewed Burlingame, Alan Reid, Sheila Craven, Lynn Gamma, Teresa Reid, David Berenguer; Old Alabama Town, and the sense of purpose, new goals, fron L-R: Judy, BB and Roger Burnett Rosa Parks Museum to name etc. How would you describe a few. There is an excellent zoo here and this sense of renewal in your life? Any Judy: I love to entertain. Love to have don’t forget the Biscuits. Montgomery is advice for the rest of us seeking renewal? guests in my home. I belong to a supper working on finishing the River Walk with What are your thoughts on retirement? club that consist of four couples. They walking trails and adding a Whitewater have always kept me a part of it even Rafting Park. The recent development of Judy: Working and being involved with though three times I have been single. the downtown lofts people is the best advice I can give We have and restaurants are someone who is older. My late husband, been helping to showcase Tom, worked until he was ninety-five. I having Montgomery and just retired two years ago. Retirement dinner what it has to offer. can be fun if you stay involved but many together people don’t stay active. This is a time for over BOOM!: As you’ve in your life where you can use your thirtyaged, how have your work talent to help mentor others. Get five priorities changed? involved, try new things, and stay active. years How would you My mother became a describe what it gourmet cook at age means to “age well”? sixty-five. She taught cooking class after that Preparing meals in the Christchurch kitchen Judy: I believe you for many years. for MACOA's Meals on Wheels Program must embrace your age as you get older. If you stay involved BOOM!: Like many of and are dear with people and accept changes, you stay us in the 50+ age group, friends. vital. Age is a state of mind. Surround we are fortunate to find Through yourself with vibrant, active, and positive a new love at a mature the church, people. Embrace new ideas, stay current age. Twenty years I direct a with technology. Keep active. I always tell ago, you found Tom covenant people I want to wear out not rest out! Cooking at Christchurch, grandson Connor, Judy, Derickson, he was your group that Marion Smith, and Edna Hood new love, and you were meets BOOM!: Give us three words that his. Would you please share your love regularly for a Bible study and dinner, we describe you? story with Tom? Tom passed away this been meeting for over ten years. Also, I past February, would you share some of enjoy planting flowers in containers, but I Judy: Joyful, positive, and caring. the challenges of being a widow? really don’t enjoy yard work. BOOM!: Do you have any hobbies or other activities that grab your attention? The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
BOOM!: What are some future challenges you’re contemplating for yourself?
Judy: We met at a grief recovery group at Frazier Methodist Church. I had known R ive r Re gio n Bo o m . co m
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Judy and Tom in Orange Beach enjoying the atmosphere at Tacky Jack's
Tom for several years as we attended the same church. When I joined the group, I started a supper club because many of the people there were older and had not dated for a long time. When you are single, Friday night is dreadful because everyone, but you have plans for the weekend. There were about eighteen of us that went out every Friday night to dinner. We had a great time! Tom and I sort of paired up because we went to the same church. After six weeks, he asked me out on a Saturday night. We had dinner together Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday…When he came over Wednesday, he walked in and said, “We need to get married”! I said yes and we were married six weeks later. Out of the supper group, six couples met and were married! We were married over twenty years and had a great time together. We loved to travel, and sight see. We belonged to the Montgomery Symphony, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Cloverdale Playhouse and Alabama World Affairs
Judy dining on a cruise ship with some "great waiters"
Council. We took nine cruises, went to the beach and the mountains every year. Tom was a civil war buff and we visited and walked many battlefields. He was also an avid Auburn alum and fan. Over the years we attended many football weekends to watch Auburn play. My husband, Tom, passed away in February at age 96! I married my first husband; Heflin Sanders and we were married for thirtytwo years. Heflin was a creative artist and died suddenly at age fifty. This was my first experience as a widow. My second husband, Harris Wood, was a bomber pilot in WWII. He flew more than hundred missions over Germany, while he was based in Italy. Unfortunately, we were only married for fourteen months before he passed away in 2001. My second experience as a widow. Each experience is different with unique emotions and challenges. But when all is said and done, my closing advise to anyone is do not be afraid to take a
Judy and Tom touring Key West
chance. Live out your life to the fullest whatever the future holds for you. We want to thank Judy for sharing some of her unique story with us this month. All of life's experiences have value and many of us use them to serve others, as Judy has. We want to thank DiAnna Paulk for her creative talents in designing Judy's beautiful cover photo. If you have comments or would like to reach out to Judy please email her through jim@riverregionboom.com and we'll forward them to her. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions about our cover profiles, including nominating someone, please send them to Jim Watson at jim@riverregionboom.com.
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By Greg Budell
The Mayor of BOOMTOWN
25 OR 6 TO 4 ON 5-21 IN MONTGOMERY! Chicago in the Gump!
I hate concerts (Welcome to the BOOM Bureau of Unpopular Opinions).
illusion worked, he would have to “have us killed”. He was kidding. I think. The most impressive single performance I’ve witnessed was here at the MPAC a few years back when the “Happy Together” tour came to the River Region. Gary Puckett. The Cowsills. Mark Lindsay of the Raiders. The Turtles, and finally Chuck Negron of Three Dog Night.
That’s just me. In my 20s and 30s I was willing to put up with parking hassles, crappy sound systems, shows that started late and lasted too long. Plus, in my near 3 years as a PR liaison for Styx (75-77), I attended hundreds of shows. Burnout! As time passed, I became less tolerant of bad fan behavior, the worst being a Garth Brooks show in Miami in 1997 that set a record for Group BAL and arrests for physical violence (mostly men abusing women). That was the low point. Disgusting.
On the road with STYX, Greg (lower left) says 2 things in rock have gotten better since the 70s-Sound systems and fashions!
Don’t get me wrong. I saw some amazing shows. When I worked with Styx we toured Florida with Kansas. They were great as a double-bill. We and they used the same Holiday Inns and got drunk at their bars after the shows. The bands chose that because nobody thought to look for their favorite rock star at a Holiday Inn, so the bars were pretty empty. The guys just wanted to relax, minus fans. For all its glitz, it’s a business. One of my favorite shows ever wasn’t even music! Not long before moving to Montgomery my radio station helped bring David Copperfield to Miami. By pre-arrangement, I was part of a group in his grand illusion (that sounds familiar). I
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took my daughter, then 13, to the show so she could be entertained and proud of her old man when he was called to the stage for the finale. So, Copperfield is on stage calling names up. “And from LITE 101.5, please welcome Greg BUNDLE!”. As I approached the stage, I heard applause and snickering and yes- I smilingly corrected him when I got up there. My ego. Shameless. The illusion was a great experience. He made our party of 13 vanish from the stage, then reappear in the crowd to a flourishing finish and a standing ovation. Afterward, Copperfield told all 13 of us that if we spilled the beans on how his
They all sounded great performing in their 70s. What blew me away was Chuck Negron announcing, (after blowing out ‘Eli’s Coming’) he was performing while connected to an oxygen tank!
Not that long ago they’d infer they were connected to a backstage bong! Now that we’re getting our lives back (don’t provoke me), we are planning to see our next every-five-year concert this month. Chicago is coming to MPAC the 25th this month. It’ll be interesting, my first concert in several years! I haven’t seen them in decades. Chicago had 2 of the best debut albums ever. As a Windy City DJ on WLS-FM I had the privilege of playing full length cuts on deep dives into those debut albums. Chicago was among the Founding Fathers of FM classic rock radio, a cultural staple The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
and of course, local heroes. Chicago toured the country all year but always scheduled a week of (sold out) shows in their hometown. When I lived in that (now) dive of a city, I’d learned early on how to finagle tickets to most any show. Here’s what I remember about those 70s homecoming shows. They weren’t very good. Chicago’s incredible blend of rock and horns did not translate to the stage very well. I don’t blame Chicago. Their music was far more advanced than sound systems available then. Sound systems for live shows have moved eons beyond the barbaric 70s technology. A band that produced such a great studio wall of sound now has tools to bring a studio quality arrangement to the stage. I guess I’ll see for myself. When Chicago lost lead singer Terry Kath to what’s always been rumored (and denied) to be a game of Russian Roulette, they lost their rock and roll mojo. By the time the 80s rolled around, Peter Cetera was the lead singer and most of their hits were “wimpy” (by comparison) ballads. In fact, between death and old age I have no idea who’s still with the band post Terry Kath who passed in 1978.
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
A quick Google search reveals 3 but very key original members still tour as Chicago- keyboard/vocalist Robert Lamm, trombonist Jimmy Pankow and trumpeter Lee Loughnane. They are accompanied by largely unknown but talented replacements. Whatever the show delivers, I’ll surely review it with Rich Thomas and Jay Scott on our Newstalk 93.1FM morning show. I hope I’m wrong, but my expectations are on the low side. Going to the concert may be the biggest challenge of all. MPAC is an excellent concert venue but parking in downtown Montgomery sucks. Last time, the garage spaces were so narrow I put KY Jelly on the car doors to slide into a space (slight exaggeration there). The city has done a nice job revitalizing downtown except for parking. When you have more attractions than available spaces that’s enough to keep me from visiting more then I do. When they take the stage Chicago will receive a thunderous, loving welcomewhich they’ll richly deserve. Bands like them, that made their best music 40-50 or more years ago and are still touring,
credibly performing the music that sold the tickets- they are a marvel. The Rolling Stones, my buddies in Styxheck, Bob Dylan was just here at age 80- they’re not doing it for the money. They’re doing what they’ve always lovedand doing it well enough that people pay good money to see a living legend. In a way, we’re re-living our 20s when we first cued up to see them live. If I’m still doing what I love at 80, that’ll Make Me Smile. See you in June! (If you have a comment on this column, email me at gregbudell@aol.com. It's still fun to hear from new people!) Greg Budell lives in Montgomery with his wife, Roz, Stepson, Sho, and dogs Hershey and Briscoe. He’s been in radio since 1970, and has marked 16 years in the River Region. He hosts the Newstalk 93.1FM Morning Show with Rich Thomas, Jay Scott & Jessie Lynn, 6-9 AM Monday-Friday. He returns weekday afternoons from 3-6 PM for Happy Hour with sidekick Rosie Brock. Greg can be reached at gregbudell@aol.com.
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Smart Health - Nature's Way - Tracy Bhalla
I rejoice when I see this pretty little plant covering large sections of our garden. For one, it’s free chicken food! You could have guessed by its common name – Chickweed, chickens absolutely love it and it’s full of flavor and nutrition for your feathered friends. I have to keep telling my landscaper to NOT weed whack it.
Chickweed
What you may not know however are its other uses, besides feeding chickens and being really pretty ground cover. For one, humans can also eat it! You can use it raw in salads or like water cress in soups – dropped in at the last minute to just wilt. It is also one of the ingredients in the symbolic dish consumed in the Japanese Springtime festival, Nanakusano-sekku. You can use it like any other leafy vegetable, like spinach or arugula. Think of it as free and easy to grow food. It is also known to have medicinal properties and has been used for centuries in herbal medicine. It has a very high iron content (again, like spinach – think Popeye!) so it is often recommended for anemia. Often known as Stellaria rather than Chickweed in medicinal or homeopathic circles, it is used for many treatments, such as skin diseases, itchy skin, bites, rashes, bronchitis and respiratory issues, rheumatic pains, arthritis, and period pains. Many of these can be treated topically and you will find Stellaria lotions, creams, salves in your local herbalist shop, or possibly even in the drug store.
Personally, I make up a batch every year. That way you know exactly what’s in it: 1) Collect your chickweed. 2) If you have a dehydrator, use that to dry it out, otherwise hang in a warm dry spot until the leaves are crispy. 3) Crush the leaves and put it a glass jar. Cover with olive oil, or whichever oil you prefer to use - grape seed, wheat germ, avocado would all be fine. NOT canola or vegetable! 4) Leave in a cool dark place for 4-6 weeks, turning occasionally. 5) Pour out the oil through a piece of muslin or cheesecloth to remove the plant matter. 6) Now you have Stellaria infused oil, which you can use on its own or you can mix with melted beeswax to form a salve (my preference). Clients and I have had great success with this on insect bites and sunburn; wounds that don’t seem to want to heal will be cleared up in a few days after applying this. You could add a drop of Orange essential oil and use it as a lip balm, it would be very soothing for chapped lips. Herbalists suggest wilting the leaves and stems in hot water and applying
directly to the skin to heal a rash or wound, like a poultice. In this case you want to be sure that you have collected your chickweed from a place that does not use pesticides and was not near a road. You don’t want chemicals and exhaust fumes on your skin! If you do not have a choice, then you must ensure that you wash them thoroughly before use. Usually, I would recommend rinsing under cold water for 10 seconds or so, but if you think they are contaminated then first soak them for at least half an hour before rinsing and rinse for at least 30 seconds. There has not been a significant amount of scientific research been done on the benefits of chickweed, but the historic documentation of its use over the past centuries would indicate that it does indeed work. Chickweed has significant concentrations of bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, phenolic acid, saponins, coumarins, and terpenoids. Alternative practitioners have long contended that these compounds are potent enough to render health benefits and scientist will tend to agree. As with all alternative or homeopathic remedies, it is not always enough to rely on scientific research alone as sometimes there just hasn’t been any done. That doesn’t mean that the remedy doesn’t work, it just means that the pharmaceutical companies have not spent the millions of dollars needed to carry out the research. That’s when hundreds or even thousands of years of homeopathic evidence needs to be studied and it is out there and much of it is available on the internet now, you just have to look.
email: nyrbhalla@gmail.com I web: us.nyrorganic.com/shop/tracybhalla I www. LogHouseAromatics.com Tracy Bhalla, independent consultant with NYR Organics and founder of LogHouseAromatics.com; after 25 years of using homeopathic remedies, it was time to take charge and complete my Aromatherapy Certification, which I achieved April 2020 and since founded LogHouseAromatics.com as a source for useful essential oil and general natural health information and a place to purchase certain products. email: nyrbhalla@gmail.com I am here to answer any questions you may have.
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