This and That

Join us for a morning of laughter, encouragement, and testimony with great food. Our speaker for this event is Dr. John Ed Mathison. Music will be provided by Alyssa Taylor. Oct 15, 2022 from 11:30 AM–1:00 PM. The free event will be held in the Activity Center, Room 8114. Please register using the QR code or contact Donna below so we know you're coming. Contact Donna Hendrick with any questions, dhendrick@frazer.church, phone, 334-495-6391.

The Alabama Department of Archives and History (ADAH) has a new temporary exhibit, Alabama Radio Moments, at the Museum of Alabama to highlight the history and technology of radio. The new exhibit explores ways in which radio influenced the lives of Alabamians in the twentieth century--how they learned about current events, enjoyed sports and music, and connected with the world beyond their local community. Featuring items from the launch of Alabama’s first public radio station through the beginning of the age of television and into the 1970s, the exhibit will highlight Alabamians’ contributions to radio technology and programming the importance of radio to the social and political climate of the era. Curated and designed by ADAH staff, the exhibit is presented in partnership with the Birmingham-based Alabama Historical Radio Society (AHRS) and features a number of artifacts from the group, as well as Huntsville collector Marc Bendickson and Tuscumbia radio station WZZA. Alabama Radio Moments will be on view through May 2023. Admission to the opening events and to the Museum of Alabama are free. The Alabama Department of Archives and History is the state’s government-records repository, a special-collections library and research facility, and home to the Museum of Alabama, the state history museum. It is located in downtown Montgomery, directly across Washington Avenue from the State Capitol. The Museum of Alabama is open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 to 4:30. The EBSCO Research Room is open Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 to 4:30. To learn more, visit www.archives.alabama.gov or call (334) 242-4364.

It's that time of year again! Come to Common Bond Brewers for Oktoberfest. Saturday, October 8, 2022, 12:00 PM 10:00 PM, Common Bond Brewers 424 Bibb Street, Suite #150 Downtown Montgomery. It's that time of year again! Come to Common Bond Brewers for Oktoberfest. We've got all your favorite Oktoberfest beers and some special releases for the occasion. And, of course, we'll have plenty of food to keep you fueled up for a night of revelry. So raise a glass and join us in celebrating the best time of year! Featured Food-German Food Truck - Bibb Street Pizza - Flammkuchen (German Pizza) Featured Beverages-Wulfenbrau Fest Bier, R&D Small Batch, 20oz Limited Edition Bier Steins For Sale!

Dorothy has been with Home Care Assistance since January of 2020! During that time Dorothy has worked with several clients and has received rave reviews from them all. In recent months Dorothy has proven to be reliable, compassionate, and dedicated to the job. Dorothy has a smile and a personality that will light up the room. “Caregiving is a series of small acts of care that alter the course of someone’s life.” -thecaregiverspace.org We appreciate your hard work and dedication, thank you for a Job Well Done!!

For more information visit www.homecareassistancemontgomery.com

The 2022 Fall Foliage Map is the ultimate visual planning guide to the annual progressive changing of the leaves. While no tool can be 100% accurate, this tool is meant to help travelers better time their trips to have the best opportunity of catching peak color each year. Why do leaves fall? The beauty of nature is sometimes found in the profound ‘intelligence’ it exudes. Perennials, which includes trees, must protect themselves in order to get through the harsh, freezing temperatures of winter. If trees did not shed their leaves, their soft vegetation would certainly freeze during winter time, damaging and, no doubt, killing the tree. In order to cope with the grueling winter temperatures, trees slowly close off the veins that carry water and nutrients to and from the leaves with a layer of new cells that form at the base of the leaf stem, protecting the limbs and body of the tree. Once the process of new cell creation is complete, water and nutrients no longer flow to and fro from the leaf - this enables the leaf to die and weaken at the stem, eventually falling gracefully to the ground. Fall Foliage Map https://smokymountains.com/fall-foliage-map/

Alabama Dance Theatre's ballet, Dracula, is a tale of twists and turns true to the original novel. In the blink of an eye, you are taken from London, England to a chilling castle in Transylvania. The ballet opens with Renfields arrival and ultimate descent into madness in Dracula's Castle with his three brides. Far away in London there is a tearful goodbye between Jonathan Harker and his fiancé, Mina Murray. Business has Jonathan traveling to the far reaches of Transylvania to meet a mysterious client inside a remote crumbling estate. En route to the castle he passes a Romani village and receives an ominous warning about what fate awaits Jonathan should he go there. Ignoring the warning, he journeys on to the castle. Upon arrival he soon discovers that he has walked into a nightmare and has become a prisoner in Dracula's Castle. The story does not end here, but intrigue and surprises are better left unsaid. Dracula is full of beauty and magic even in its darkest moments. Witness the drama and horror that is sure to unfold in Dracula, a perfect treat for Halloween weekend. The Alabama Dance Theatre presents a full length story ballet based on Bram Stoker's novel. ADT Company dancers, guest artists, and members of the community will perform on four dates: Friday, October 28th at 7pm, Saturday, October 29 at 2pm and 7pm, Sunday, October 30th at 2pm. Not recommended for children under 7 years old. Troy University's Davis Theatre, 251 Montgomery Street, Downtown Montgomery. More info visit www.alabamadancetheatre.com

Since 1992, Make a Difference Day has been recognized every fourth Saturday of October as a national holiday dedicated to volunteering. Today, Make a Difference Day is one of the largest national days of community service in the country and is a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors. This year, HandsOn encourages you to join us on Saturday, October 22 and build a better community for us all to enjoy! Among the many projects taking place on that Saturday are: • A Food Distribution with New Hope Worship Center • The Glassner Autumn Challenge with Montgomery Bicycle Club • Cat Care with PAWS of Alabama There are nearly 100 other options available on October 22 (and every other date) for you to consider! To review our volunteer calendar, visit http://volunteer.handsonriverregion.org/calendar and help make a REAL difference in the River Region.

Capital City Master Gardener Association presents Lunch & Learn, the 1st Wednesday of Every Month from 12-1 pm. They will meet at Montgomery Cultural Arts Center (Armory Learning Arts Building), 1018 Madison Ave., Montgomery 36104. Mark your calendars, October 5, “Planting Bulbs & Tubers for Next Year’s Bloomers” Karen Weber, Horticulturist and Master Gardener, will present a program on “Planting Bulbs & Tubers for Next Year’s Bloomers”. Come join us to learn about bulbs to plant for brilliant color next year. Discover the best varieties and how to care for each. Should you plant tulips and irises in this area? Do these plants return each year? Let’s find out! November 2, “Garden Tools and Equipment” Mike Forster, Master Gardener, will present a program on “Garden Tools and Equipment”. How do you sharpen garden tools for next year? What are different types of shovels and how are they used? Is annual maintenance needed for my yard equipment? Mike will have answers in this hands-on presentation. December 7, “Holiday Decorating in the South” Anne Carr and Linda Cater, Master Gardeners, will present a program on “Holiday Decorating in the South”. Watch as these ladies take ordinary items from the back yard and create lovely seasonal decorations for inside and outside your home. Come early for a good seat. 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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BOOM! Business Partner: Health Wise Foods

Eagle Awareness Weekends are unique and so special. Created to coincide with Alabama’s Bald Eagle Restoration Program in 1985, steeped in the tradition of birding lore and legend, and led by some of the best conservationists and birders in the field, these Friday through Sunday Lake Guntersville State Park events bring people of diverse backgrounds and common interests together in one of the most beautiful parks in Alabama to observe and learn about one of the most mesmerizing avian species on the planet. Every moment is filled with wonder, delight, old and new friends, adventure, and educational opportunities. The park’s Pinecrest Dining Room serves delicious

meals and whether you stay in a lodge room, chalet, or in the campground, the amenities are excellent. Eagle Awareness Weekends feature live bird demonstrations and programs provided by notable speakers, guided safaris for viewing eagles in their natural habitat, and the natural beauty of the mountains and Lake Guntersville.

Each year we welcome hundreds of guests to experience and learn about the natural history of these majestic eagles, other birds of prey, and wild creatures. Exclusive opportunities are offered each year during Eagle Awareness weekends through our packages, these include lodging, two breakfasts, and one dinner, a welcome packet, VIP access to presentations, discounts at the restaurant and gift shop, photo opportunities with birds of prey, activities for children, engagement with featured sponsors, one-on-one access with the naturalists, and memories that last for a lifetime. It's no wonder that these weekends are the perfect gift for the one that has "everything". These weekends fill quickly so we encourage you to reserve your package as soon as possible.

Make your reservations for the following weekends: January 20-22, 2023 January 27-29, 2023 February 3-5, 2023 For more information regarding Eagle Awareness Weekends at Lake Guntersville State Park, please contact: indya.guthrie@ dcnr.alabama.gov For Reservations: Call (256) 505-6621 OR 1-800-ALA-PARK or email

Frazer Media has partnered with Wet Paint Films to produce an original documentary about our Pastor Emeritus, Dr. John Ed Mathison. Featuring interviews with Frazer members, pastors, ministry leaders, family, and friends, this documentary tells the story of John Ed's life and his work in ministry. John Ed retired in June 2008 after 36 years of serving as the senior minister of Frazer Church. Since then, John Ed Mathison Leadership Ministries was established to help equip pastors and churches, including participating in the global Billion Soul Initiative. The Premiere will take place on November 2 at 6 PM in Wesley Hall and will include interviews with the filmmakers and with John Ed himself.

Whether you have been involved with First Choice for years or are just discovering what we are all about, you do not want to miss the annual Celebration of Life Gala benefiting our pregnancy resource center! Join us in hearing stories of what God has done through the ministry over the past four decades. It promises to be a night of celebration and worship! For more information or to register for the 2022 Celebration of Life Gala, please visit our website at www.supportfirstchoice.org. First Choice Women's Medical Center opened as Sav-A-Life Montgomery in 1982. Our vision is to reach abortion-vulnerable members of our community in the name of Christ to make life their first choice. We provide Christ-centered medical, parenting, and life-skill services to extend help, offer hope, and promote healing. Celebration of Life Gala, Thursday, November 3rd, 6:30-8:30 pm, Renaissance Hotel, Downtown Montgomery

Saturday, October 22, 2 – 6 p.m.: Oktoberfest Festival, Messiah Lutheran Church, 6670 Vaughn Road, Montgomery 36116 – Free Admission, Open to the Public - Music by the John Bull Trio – German & American Food – Pet Adoptions – Used Book Sale – Treasure Room – Beer Garden – Arts & Crafts – Community Marketplace – Raffles – Children’s Play Area – Vendor Spaces Available ($20) by contacting WesTallon@gmail.com Event Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1582583438823798

Free Subscriptions www.riverregionboom.com

Becoming a grandmother has been an unexpected, yet welcomed, part of my life's plan

I was caught off guard when my son asked me if we could take care of his ten-month-old daughter for ten days. Although I wanted to respond magnanimously, I found the prospect of such a long babysitting gig scary. Bowie had slept at our house twice in her short life, but she had stayed less than twentyfour hours each time. It didn't help Darrel (my partner) and me to relax, when my son e-mailed us an Excel spreadsheet of Bowie's schedule, color-coded to show every nap, snack and playtime.

When we bought our house, we were not thinking that one day we might share a large brood of grandchildren. We were thinking about what a wonderful, selfish life we could have together | Credit: Juan Pablo Serrano Arenas

Darrel and I met when our children were fully grown and independent. When we bought our house, we were not thinking that one day we might share a large brood of grandchildren. We were thinking about what a wonderful, selfish life we could have together.

Darrel had lost his wife to cancer. I was a long-time divorcee. We moved into a skinny row house in downtown Toronto, just big enough for the two of us and the occasional weekend guest. We did not buy a crib to put in our extra bedroom. I never imagined that within five years, I would become the grandmother of seven children under five years of age. This might seem short-sighted on my part since the probability of having grandchildren is fairly high for those who have children. But in my case, my grandparenting experience has been compounded. My own children gave me three grandchildren. To this bounty, Darrel's children added four more.

I fully appreciate each of these little people who have now become part of my life. But since I spent most of my thirties and forties as a single working mother of two children, I did not picture a future for myself as the matriarch of a large, blended family. I was not and never will be an earth mother.

I was a typical 1980s feminist. My dream was to become a big firm lawyer. I saw myself striding into a boardroom in shiny high heels, swaddled in an expensive suit with mega-shoulders, toting a big leather briefcase.

But when my daughter arrived, this fantasy faded. After my return from maternity leave, the shoulders of all of my suits smelled like spit-up. Occasionally, I grabbed the diaper bag rather than my briefcase in my haste to get to the office. Eventually I realized that I should stop trying to fake it. I found a job in government with more humane hours. My husband and I had a second child, but we no longer had the same vision of our future. We divorced a few years later. This part of my life story is ridiculously close to the plot line of "Baby Boom," a 1987 comedy about the clash between feminism and motherhood. The movie is about a high-powered Madison Avenue advertising executive, J.C., who has forsworn motherhood and domesticity. J.C., played by Diane Keaton, becomes the guardian of a baby when the baby's parents die in a car crash. She is totally smitten by the baby and soon realizes that she cannot keep up with the demands of her job.

After many hilarious scenes in which J.C. proves to herself that "she can't have it all," she quits her firm and moves to Vermont where she can devote herself to being a parent. J.C.'s boyfriend doesn't want to abandon his glamorous life and stays in Manhattan.

While babysitting Bowie, I started to think about a sequel to this movie. In this (yet to be made) film, J.C. meets her soulmate twenty-five years later, and moves back to Manhattan. Her plan is to live a selfish New York lifestyle with her new partner. But then things take an unexpected turn. Their kids get jobs in

Manhattan and move to New York with their growing families. J.C. finds herself pushing a stroller through Central Park and whiling away her afternoons at the Children's Museum. J.C. likes being a grandma. She realizes that the best parts of her life were not in her plan.

It is the fifth night of our babysitting gig. Darrel and I are watching Bowie on the baby monitor. It looks like she is finally drifting off to sleep. Things had started out well this evening but when I took Bowie onto my lap to give her a little cuddle while she drank her bottle, milk seeped out of the bottle and down her neck, soaking her sleeper with sticky white fluid. Bowie was far too tired by this time to deal with me wrestling her out of her wet sleeper and into a dry one. She started to wail. It took another half hour of rocking and singing until she was ready sleep. We were both exhausted by the time I got her into her crib at 7:30 pm.

At last, there are no more baby sounds coming from the monitor. Bowie's tiny little body is curled into a corner of her crib. On the monitor, she looks so soft and small that it is hard to believe that her cries can fill our whole house when she is hungry or tired and cannot cope with the world any longer. I think about the morning when I will hear Bowie stirring in her crib. I will tiptoe soundlessly into her room so that I can listen to her babbling for a few minutes. I know that when she sees me, her whole face will crease into smiles, and she will sit up. I know that she will forgive me for dripping milk down her neck the night before, when all she wanted to do was sleep. She always forgives me. After all, I'm her grandma.

Alexandra Raphael lives in Toronto with her partner and her dog, Moses. She retired from practicing law in 2017 and is currently on the Board of Directors of Centennial College. Her writing has appeared in The Globe and Mail, on the ReThink Breast Cancer website and on Medium.

Source: www.nextavenue.org

BOOM! COVER PROFILE Joy Blondheim

"The Joy to Life Foundation is an invaluable partner with the Alabama Department of Public Health's Alabama Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program" -Nancy Wright director of ABCCEDP.

This month’s cover profile is Joy Blondheim. As many of you know, Joy along with her husband Dickie, started the Joy to Life Foundation with the mission of providing free mammograms and other screenings when necessary to medically underserved women in Alabama. Joy to Life has been doing this great work since 2001 and they will be having their annual fundraiser, “Walk of Life” on Saturday, October 15th. Joy is a leader in the Breast Cancer Community and her efforts have been a Godsend to many women in Alabama, especially those with the greatest need. Joy recently shared some of her story with us and we wanted to share it with you. If you have a heart for those touched by Breast Cancer, please gather your friends and plan to participate in this year’s Walk of Life, your support provides hope and love to those in need.

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.?

Joy: I was adopted in Chicago, Illinois at 3 weeks old by my Parents Hilly and Hazel Aronov in 1947 and immediately brought back to Montgomery to the most wonderful family a girl could ask for. I have lived here all my life growing up in the public school system. I graduated Sidney Lanier H.S. in 1965. Then I went on to the University of Georgia. Dickie and I married in 1967 and in 1969 our first child was born in Atlanta, Georgia. After Dickie’s service in the Military in Tahlequah, Oklahoma we moved back to Montgomery in 1973 and have been here ever since. Our second child was born 3 weeks after arriving back home in 1973. Our older son Brad is 53 and lives with his 7-year-old son Alex in Los Angeles. Brad produces reality TV shows for multiple networks. Our younger son Hilly, is 49 and is employed by the Hansen Group and lives in Atlanta with his wife Michele and their 2 children, Max 14 years old and Zac who is almost 12 years old.

BOOM!: Many of our readers know you through your Joy to Life Foundation which you and your husband founded in 2001. Would you please share the beginnings of your journey in founding this valuable organization and its mission? How has Joy to Life evolved over the past twenty years? How would you measure the impact of Joy to Life in the Breast Cancer Community of Alabama?

Joy: In 1997 I was diagnosed at age 49 with stage 2 breast cancer with Lymph Node involvement. I had a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. It was a 13-hour surgery that was followed by 8 months of chemotherapy. It was the most difficult time of our lives. As I began to recover, I thanked God every day for good health, wonderful family and a magnificent group of friends that dedicated themselves totally to me as I went through treatment.

When my husband Dickie and I got back to some normalcy in our lives, we began to think of ways we could give back to our community because we were so grateful and blessed to have come through a very trying time. We knew that there were thousands of women in our tri-county area that did not have the advantages that I had---particularly, those women without good medical insurance. We approached a national organization with our idea of providing free mammography to women who had no insurance and no means to pay. We knew that Medicaid paid for women over 50 to have a mammogram but for those women under 50 there was a huge void. The organization that we approached did not think our idea would work, so we decided to try ourselves. After much research and discussions with community leaders the Joy to Life Foundation became a reality in 2001.

Now let’s fast forward to 2022.

The Joy to Life Foundation has a simple mission: provide free mammograms and other breast cancer screenings when necessary to medically underserved women in Alabama, provide limited grants when needed, build and support breast cancer awareness among all Alabamians, and overall good health, well-being, and education throughout the state.

The Joy to Life Foundation now serves people in ALL 67 counties in the state of Alabama. Since 2001, we have partnered with the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program at the Alabama Department of Public Health to help women ages 40 to 49. Out of our own Joy to Life Office we help women and some men (yes, men get breast cancer too!) any age under 40. We are the only organized group in the State of Alabama that will provide funding for a man to have breast screenings. We have provided funding for over 98,000 breast screenings in the State. Many, many lives have been saved!

According to Nancy Wright, Director Cancer Prevention and Control Division for Alabama Department of Public Health:

"The Joy to Life Foundation is an invaluable partner with the Alabama Department of Public Health's Alabama Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (ABCCEDP). For nearly 20 years, Joy and Richard Blondheim, its co-founders, have helped our program provide no cost mammograms to

women who have no insurance and a low income. They have saved hundreds of lives. As the Foundation has grown over the years, they have moved from providing support for counties in the Montgomery region, to providing support statewide. They are the only non-profit in our state that provides funding and support statewide. In addition to providing funds to ABCCEDP, the Foundation also assists high risk or symptomatic women under age 40, who are not eligible for the program, receive breast cancer screening. Without the Foundation, these uninsured, low-income women would be unable to receive free lifesaving help. It has been an honor to work with the Blondheim's in providing breast cancer screening services to women in need across Alabama” BOOM!: Your signature fundraising event, “Walk of Life” is coming up October 15th in Downtown Montgomery, please share the excitement surrounding it’s return, its new month, and how our readers can participate? Are there other ways our readers can support Joy to Life and its efforts for early detection of Breast Cancer? Joy: After a 2½ year absence because of the pandemic, we are very excited about our Walk of Life coming back on October 15. We hope our community will support this major fundraiser by registering at www.joytolife.org. People will have the opportunity to register from now all the way to the day of the Walk of Life. We need everyone’s help to make this a success. The Walk of Life in 2019, before Covid, had 3000 participants, and we would love to see those crowds again! The Walk of Life is a celebration of life and a time to reflect on those who lost their battle with Breast Cancer. The Walk begins at 8:30 am and the Start is always a moment you don’t want to miss! In addition to supporting the Walk of Life, your readers can support the Joy to Life Foundation by purchasing our Pink Car Tag, buying our Pink Trash Cans, or simply donating to our mission. Every dollar is deeply appreciated, and the community’s support is never taken for granted. Again, we hope to see everyone on October 15 when we bring the Walk of Life back “To Life”! The public's support is more important than ever this year. The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation closed its affiliate in North Alabama leaving a void for so many women who needed their services. With no hesitation, Joy to Life decided we must fill that void and assume

Komen’s responsibilities in north Alabama. Joy to Life has doubled its screening program because of the Susan G. Komen Offices closing in Alabama! BOOM!: Your husband Dickie is a co-founder at Joy to Life (JTL), would you please describe the experience of working with your husband in growing and nurturing JTL? What’s the secret to working with your spouse in getting things done? Joy: Obviously, breast cancer and its prevention are our passion ---- It has Grandson Alex 6 years old learning to surf been such a fulfilling experience to create and develop the foundation together to see our vision become a reality --- We bounce ideas off of each other and we really listen to each other as we work together to accomplish our goals --- We have always had great mutual respect for one another and have always been kind to each other. We always worked together from the moment we married. We were always united in raising our children and now “D and JJ” are always united Grandson Zac, 11 years old, a fishing surprise in spoiling our grandchildren! BOOM!: Many of our readers listen to podcasts for information, entertainment, and education. You have a podcast at JTL, would you share how that came about and why? How can people get your podcast? Joy: Tommy and Nancy Fields of Big Dreamz Creative, suggested that we try to do a podcast. Tommy thought it would be a great way to introduce Joy to Life to a wider audience, and a way to let our followers become more familiar with our mission in a relaxed format. We

Grandson Max, 13 yrs old, thinking HR! do our best to give our listeners good

information about breast cancer, good health habits, delicious healthy recipes, and moving and dynamic stories from survivors and their families. We always hope our podcast will touch people, give them good up to date information about breast cancer and healthy lifestyles and maybe make a difference in their lives!

I was very nervous about doing a podcast at first but now it is something I look forward to and I hope the public learns something they didn’t know before. I personally learn something new every time we produce a new podcast. “Everything Joy to Life” can be found on our website or wherever people listen to podcasts.

BOOM!: With a busy life, how do you like to spend time with family and friends? Describe your experience as a grandmother? Joy: Dickie and I love to spend time with our family and friends! We try to see our children and grandchildren as much as possible. Our younger son Hilly his wife Michele, Max and Zac live in Atlanta, so we see them quite often. Our other son, Brad is in California, so a quick road trip is out of the question. I am a very fearful flyer, but we do take most of our vacations to California to spend time Molly 5 yrs old with Brad and his little boy, Alex.

Skiing used to be our big vacation trip in Park City, Utah when our children were growing up, and we are trying to resurrect that trip with the grandchildren now. It is a wonderful family vacation!

We spend most of our time these days watching the grandchildren play baseball, basketball, and soccer and when they come to our home, they like nothing more than fishing in our pond to try and catch the “big one”! Hours are spent fishing and talking on the dock! And even when it’s just the two of us, there is nothing more relaxing than enjoying our property or just sitting on the dock with a Martini talking and enjoying a beautiful sunset!

BOOM!: JTL has become part of the AUTLIVE Cancer Program and fundraiser started by The Bruce Pearl Family Foundation, what’s that like partnering with Coach Pearl and one of his passions?

Joy: We were so deeply touched when Coach Pearl selected the Joy to Life Foundation as one of his Foundation’s charities to support. His Foundation's focus is on helping children and families in Alabama who are facing life threatening illnesses. Coach Pearl genuinely cares about people, and he truly recognizes the importance of our lifesaving mission! We are extremely grateful to him for that. Coach Pearl is making a difference in our state, and Auburn is lucky to have him.

BOOM!: What is it about living in the Montgomery/River Region area that you like? What do we need more of?

Joy: Montgomery has always been my home, and when Dickie and I made the decision to raise our children here, I was absolutely thrilled! Although no community is perfect, Montgomery was a wonderful place to raise a family then, and I very much hope the young people today see the advantages of what a smaller town can provide. I believe it is easier to find a place for yourself in a smaller community. We have made wonderful friends and connections in Montgomery, and those connections have made a difference for us both personally and professionally. When the foundation began, we were certainly lucky and blessed to have so many people to reach out to whom we felt might help us start Joy to Life. As we began our journey, not only did we find that to be true, but we also met so many others that were absolutely embracing of our idea.

There are many positives about living in the Montgomery area but the one thing I know we need to continue to work on is education, particularly so our resident population will continue to increase. A good public school system is critical to bringing more businesses and families to the area.

Dickie and I love living in Montgomery, and we will always continue to do our part to improve our community.

BOOM!: As you’ve aged, how have your priorities changed? How would you describe what it means to “age well”?

Joy: As we have aged, Dickie and I have learned to take a breath before we let the little things aggravate us. We’ve learned if we have the right attitude, we can handle most problems. We take “one day at a time” and try not get overwhelmed. With age comes a quiet understanding of what is important in life. So “don’t sweat the small stuff”!

We both feel we are aging well because we work at staying well every day. We try to eat right, we exercise, we keep a positive spirit, and we stay connected to people. Connection is a very important BOOM!: Give us three words that describe you?

Joy: This is a very difficult question for me to personally answer, so I asked Dickie to answer this question. This is his response:

“Absolutely Named Properly”

BOOM!: Do you have any hobbies or other activities that grab your attention?

Joy: I love to exercise and be outdoors. I have walked regularly with the same good friends for 40 years, and I still love our weekend walks together. The pace has gotten a bit slower, and the talking a bit longer, but it is a special time for us. The memories we share are priceless!!!!

BOOM!: What are some of the future challenges you’re contemplating for the Joy to Life Foundation? For yourself?

Joy: The largest challenge we have is also the absolute biggest dream we have for the Foundation! Our dream and our challenge are to create a breast cancer survivor serenity park with an 8,000 square foot butterfly conservatory as its focal point. The park will be dedicated to Breast Cancer and Survivorship using the butterfly as a metaphor for HOPE! There are only 300 butterfly conservatories in the world and Joy to Life will have the unique distinction of having the only one in the world dedicated to breast cancer and all cancer survivors.

Because of the historical impact of civil rights in Montgomery, tourism has become a leading industry here. We know that the butterfly conservatory would attract another 250,000 to 400,000 people adding to an already booming industry. The breast cancer survivor park is a dream Dickie and I have had for years, and we continue to work toward making this vision come true. Hopefully within the next year our fundraising will begin, and everyone will hear more about this incredible project. BOOM!: Many people, as they age, experience a renewed sense of purpose, new goals, etc. How would you describe this sense of renewal in your life? Any advice for the rest of us seeking renewal? What are your thoughts on retirement?

Joy: I learned a renewed sense of purpose at 49 years old when, out of nowhere, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Shortly after my diagnosis I knew that my life would change, and I would work hard to help others facing the same challenge. At the time I didn’t know how I would help I just knew I would.

I began volunteering even during chemo with the American Cancer Society, and as I began sharing my experiences with other cancer survivors, it not only helped them, but it also helped me. It made me realize that the rest of my life would be dedicated to helping make a difference in any way that I could. Twenty-two years later, with the help of so many people along the way, Joy to Life has made a difference for so many women and changed my life forever!

We want to thank Joy for sharing some of her life's story with us this month. Be sure to share and let her know you read her story in BOOM! Also, thanks to her husband Dickie for navigating the technology highway to share their photos. If you want to reach out to Joy, email her at joy@joytolife.org. If you want to support Joy to Life or Walk of Life visit www.joytolife.org. Thanks to DiAnna Paulk and her creative photography skills, you're the best! If you have questions, comments, or suggestions about our cover profiles, including nominating someone, please text them to Jim Watson at 334.324.3472 or email them to jim@riverregionboom.com.