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Contents December 2025
Senior Law Solutions: Planning For Your Future (Part
Dinner Recipe: Strawberry Egg Nog Baked French Toast
Grumpy But Grateful
Event: CashBack: Johnny Cash Experience
Event: Holiday Pops Concert
Event: Vienna Light Orchestra
Event: Peter Billingsley and A Christmas Story
Event: Mandala Ornament Workshop
Event: Christmas Art Market at Old Alabama Town
Caregiver of the Month
Word Search Contest
Moore Wealth Management
Founder Jim Watson (1950-2024)
Publisher Jason Watson 334.328.5189 cell/text jason@riverregionboom.com
Editor DeAnne Watson 334.462.0225 cell/text
Contributing Writers
Jeff Barganier
Greg Budell
Susan Moore
Anne Elizabeth McGowin
Nick Thomas
Cover Photography
Photography by DiAnna Paulk photographybydiannapaulk.com
Advertising
Jason Watson, 334.328.5189 jason@riverregionboom.com
Love at the Center of It All!
Every December, I find myself circling back to the simple wonder of that first Christmas—when the Savior entered our broken world, not with spectacle, but with presence. No headlines. No wrapping. Just hope, wrapped in humility. A gift from the heart of God to a world desperate for peace.
That’s the kind of giving we celebrate in this issue of Boom! Not the frantic shopping cart kind, but the kind that brings people closer—whether across generations, across dinner tables, or across seasons of life.
At the center of this month’s issue is a couple whose story embodies that kind of love: Jay and Cheri Love. After 31 years of marriage, four grown children, and now four grandkids calling them “JJ” and “Lovey,” the Loves are still choosing one another—and choosing joy. Their story started with a Subway sandwich and a spark, and it’s grown into a life filled with family, faith, and fearless reinvention. From Jay’s time in public service to Cheri’s late-in-life leap into acting, their story reminds us that aging well means continuing to grow, serve, and dream—together.
And just like their Christmas traditions—sweet treats, scripture, photo-covered trees, and grandkids running wild—this whole issue is a celebration of what really matters.
• In Give Your Grandchild a Memorable Holiday Gift, you’ll find thoughtful, creative ways to build connection across generations, whether through interactive play, service projects, or shared adventures.
• Feeling a little overwhelmed by the season? This month’s Grumpy But Grateful brings the laughs with “Reindeer Wrapping Paper and Receipts from Hell”—a reminder that behind the chaos, there’s still magic in the mess.
• Looking for that Griswold-style nostalgia? Our Mayor of Boomtown, Greg Budell, salutes Chevy Chase and the enduring legacy of Christmas Vacation. It's a tribute to dads who try too hard, lights that don’t work, and the kind of holiday chaos that somehow holds a family together.
• And if you’re hosting the whole crew this year, Deck the Halls with Laughter and Play offers fresh, inclusive game ideas for every age, from Exploding Kittens to multigenerational scavenger hunts. Because the best memories aren’t made staring at screens—they’re made laughing around the table.
But more than anything, this issue reminds us that Jesus is the center. He’s the reason we give. The reason we gather. The reason we still dare to hope. His birth wasn’t the end of the story—it was the beginning of ours. And the invitation still stands: to bring light into dark places, to serve others with joy, and to love deeply—whether that’s in a manger, a messy kitchen, or a crowded living room full of grandkids and glitter.
So this Christmas, let’s give in the ways that matter most: A phone call instead of a text, a memory instead of a receipt, a prayer instead of a panic, a heart open to the One who came to save us all. From our BOOM! family to yours, Merry Christmas—and may you rediscover the wonder of it all.
Planning For Your Future (Part 5)
Pooled Supplemental Needs Trusts (1st & 3rd parties) and/or ABLE Accounts
This article concludes our series on Planning for your Future. Like Part 4, discussing Supplemental Needs Trusts, “SNT”, this section is ONLY necessary if you are planning for yourself and/or any other Beneficiary that may require a needsbased public benefit, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid, now or in the future. Part 4 discussed the main types of SNT, but there are other options that may be used with a SNT or in lieu of one which is discussed in Part 5.
POOLED SUPPLEMENTAL NEEDS TRUSTS, “PSNT”
• These trusts are designed for multiple beneficiaries and the assets of all the beneficiaries are “pooled” under a trust agreement.
• Age Restrictions of Beneficiary - none.
How does it function?
• Each Beneficiary has a separate account and agreement for the sole benefit of the beneficiary.
• May be either first-party pooled trust (Beneficiary’s money) or third-party pooled trust (another person’s money to assist the Beneficiary).
• First-party is ONLY used if it is Beneficiary’s money as it has a Medicaid payback provision. Third-party does not require a Medicaid payback provision so you can leave to other Beneficiaries if your intended Beneficiary is deceased.
In Alabama, one option for PNST is the Alabama Family Trust. Generally, these trusts have lower contribution amounts. Costs associated with opening an Alabama Family Trust Account are:
• The initial investment is $1,500 with the Alabama Family Trust, https://www. alabamafamilytrust.com/.
• $750 set up fee
• $450 annual fee
• Additional costs for investment
administration and tax preparation, refer to the Alabama Trust Fund website for more details.
Advantages of PSNT
• More affordable as everyone shares a master trust which means lower legal costs and perhaps better investment outcomes due to combined resources.
• Professional trust management which helps families that may not have the time or skill set to understand the trust rules. The trust rules must follow stringent Medicaid and SSI regulations.
• Simplifies trust process by assisting families in using trust funds for appropriate items. (i.e.: the needs-based public benefit, Medicaid/SSI, will not cover).
• Medicaid Payback - For first-party PSNTs only, if there are remaining funds after taxes and fund fees are satisfied. For third-party SNT, there is no Medicaid payback.
Appropriate examples of requests for spending money in a trust:
• Pre-need burial
• Dental, medical and pharmacy expenses*
• Therapy or rehabilitation services*
• Wheelchairs and other special equipment*
• Psychological or counseling services*
• Clothing
• Food
• Mileage
• Tuition, books, tutoring
• Travel and entertainment
• Household furniture and related items
• Durable medical equipment*
*If not covered by needs-based public benefit plan.
ABLE ACCOUNTS:
Another option to consider in addition to a trust or instead of a trust is an Achieving a Better Life Experience, “ABLE”, account. ABLE accounts are tax advantaged savings accounts for an individual with a disability that began before age 26. However, in
January 2026, this rule will change to before age 46. The ABLE Savings Account is offered by the Alabama Treasurer’s office. For further information, you may call 833-711-2253 or 334-242-7515, or visit their website at https://www.ablenrc.org/
Purpose of an ABLE account:
• Individuals with qualifying disabilities may open a tax- advantaged "ABLE" account to save for qualified expenses without losing their eligibility to a needs-based public benefit plan. Another advantage is that the earnings in the account grow tax free.
Contribution limits for an ABLE account:
• In 2025 and 2026, the maximum contribution that may be contributed to an ABLE account is $19,000.
• However, if the Beneficiary is working there is an exception “ABLE TO WORK” that allows the Beneficiary to ALSO contribute an amount equal to current years’ gross income -- NOT TO EXCEED $15,060 in 2025.
• Lifetime Account Limit- No new contributions are accepted if the proposed contribution causes the ABLE balance to exceed $475,000.
• Medicaid Payback: Yes, but limited to Medicaid benefits paid after the account is opened. A successor may be named and may be entitled to remaining funds after all trust commitments are satisfied and Medicaid is repaid.
How can you use the money in an ABLE account?
• Expenses must be a “qualified disability expense”, which according to the ABLE website, includes the following:
Basic living expenses:
Food, Heating fuel, Gas, Electricity, Water, Sewer, Garbage removal
Health and Wellness
Medical bills; Medications; Exercise services or equipment; Wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, and other durable medical equipment; Service Animals
Housing
Mortgage(including property insurance required by the mortgage holder); Real property taxes; Rent
Education and training
Textbooks, Tuition, Certification, Trade school, Attendant fees
Employment
Tools of the trade; Certification and licensing fees; Work-related uniforms; Job coaching; Start-up fees for entrepreneurs; Transportation; Car; Bus; Metro; Subway; Uber; Taxi; Train; Plane
Financial Management and Legal Fees
Tax preparation; Financial advisor services; Attorney fees; Court fees; Assistive Technology; Computer; Hearing aids; Screen reader; iDevices; Apps; Communication devices
Burial fees and expenses
Pre-planning fees for burial; Funeral and Burial Expenses; Pre-Paid Cemetery Plots
Advantages of an ABLE Account:
• An individual may keep up to $100,000 in an ABLE Account without being disqualified for a needs-tested public benefit for “resources”. Otherwise, the amount an individual may keep in their name (unless the funds are in a SNT or a PSNT is $2,000).
This is the last segment of our series, Planning for your Future. We hope you have learned some important information in the articles in our series Planning for your Future that may apply to you and your family’s unique situation.
Alabama State Bar Requires the Following: “No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.” Responsible Attorney: Anne Elizabeth McGowin.
Alabama Herb Society: Frog Pond Garden at the Crump Senior Center
Have you seen the dramatic changes at the Crump Senior Center’s ‘Frog Pond Garden’ on Congressman Dickenson Drive? If not, you are in for a real treat. The changes to the garden were initiated by the Alabama Herb Society (AHS), and we will be scheduling numerous plantrelated programs in the garden over the coming months. These sessions will be open to the public, and we look forward to meeting other gardeners and herb lovers at these events.
we were invited to rejuvenate the garden, which consisted of an abandoned pond, 14 forlorn raised beds, and an array of fruit trees, grape vines, and blackberries, just waiting for pruning and fertilizing to renew their vigor. This was an opportunity almost too good to be true, and our members responded with enthusiasm. We have done so with the help of three grants and a lot of sweat equity from members and volunteers!
Over a five-year period, the AHS members and other community volunteers have labored to restore and develop the pre-existing garden at the Crump Senior Center. The original garden was begun by a few ambitious gardening members of the Crump Senior Center over a decade ago. Sadly, as those dedicated members declined in health, the garden fell into disuse and disrepair. When the Alabama Herb Society began meeting there in 2018,
Although the garden restoration project was an initiative of the entire Herb Society, it truly could not have happened without the vision and dedication of members Kayren Pittman and Jean Szabo. The extraordinary contributions of these ladies included countless hours of grant proposal writing, recruiting and vetting contractors, and many hours of physical work in the garden. Once underway, the project encompassed a range of volunteer and compensated labor and installations over a five-year period. Our Montgomery City Council Member, Julie Beard, has been a booster and big supporter of our garden endeavors. A noteworthy early group of volunteers was Eagle Scouts who helped with derelict tree removal, serious weed removal, and beautifying the little pond –now the ‘Frog Pond’ with rock installations, gravel paths, and flower beds planted with Verbena, Oregano, and Parsley.
An early achievement, partially funded from a Burpee Foundation Grant, was our team effort with the City of Montgomery in 2021 to install our beautiful and functional Pavilion, providing a gathering and working space with shelter and glorious shade – a much-needed commodity in our blank slate of a garden with minimal trees. Other transformative endeavors were accomplished with the assistance of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) through an EPA Clean Water Act, Section 319 Grant. This has allowed us to accomplish so much - install a rain garden, permeable
pathways, a rain barrel, and native trees to help prevent polluted water run-off into the nearby waterway, Three Mile Branch. Three Mile Branch is impaired by sediment, pathogens, and pesticides, and we are pleased that our partnership with ADEM will facilitate the recovery of this natural resource. After many delays, the rain garden is finally functional and planted with appropriate vegetation that will grow into a lovely landscape feature near our existing little “Frog Pond.’ The permeable walking pathways facilitate viewing our existing Pollinator Garden and Forest Garden, and future gardens to come. And so important to sustain our future, the numerous native trees we have planted will provide shade for us humans and wildlife as they absorb rainwater run-off and help cool the earth’s increasing temperatures. Our final endeavor – to provide an Educational/Presentation space with secure storage and work area has been accomplished thanks to funds secured through the Mid-South RC&D Grant. The design skills and labor of a few dedicated volunteers, who worked in the Alabama heat of June and July, resulted in a beautiful covered Educational/Demonstration porch!
We look forward to seeing you at a future event at the Frog Pond Garden of the Crump Senior Center at 1751 Congressman Dickinson Dr., Montgomery.
Carolyn Gomillion, PresidentAlabama Herb Society
Travel Experiences with Jeff Barganier
Photography provided by Jeff Barganier
Discover Leiper's Fork
Skirting Nashville, we found ourselves cruising south on Old Hillsboro Road, aka, Highway 46. While wife, Cindy, was attempting to navigate to Patina Meadows Farm, owned by her friends, Californiato-Tennessee transplants Steve and Brooke Giannetti, I was merely taking the scenic route, not realizing I was driving toward the farm and Brooke’s store, Patina Home & Garden, in Leiper’s Fork, Tennessee. I hit the brakes when I saw Deputy Barney Fife’s patrol car from The Andy Griffith Show fame parked off the right side of the road, triggering my first impression of the village. Cindy insisted on a photo with the relic. But I was more interested in the nearby historic market. Leiper’s Fork is located along the Natchez Trace, once an important travel route for
Native Americans and early American pioneers. Its settlement by Revolutionary War veterans from North Carolina and Virginia dates to the late 1700s.
Farther along, cars lined both sides of the main thoroughfare, testifying to Leiper’s Fork popularity as a weekend destination spot. Young and old Sunday shoppers strolled about, visiting
shops and lining up at restaurants. We managed to find a vacant parking space adjacent to Patina Home & Garden just as the Giannetti’s were arriving to open their door for business.
After a short serendipity visit with the Giannetti’s, Cindy and I turned our attention to exploration. This quaint village appears to have become a gold mine of sorts for native residents and newcomers alike. One local merchant, native to Leiper’s Fork, expressed aversion for travel writers, claiming newcomers were changing the culture in her beloved community. “We don’t need any more publicity,” she said. She liked things the way they used to be. Leiper’s Fork was once a quiet and serene country
home for a few close-knit families. Not anymore. I was amazed at the number of visitors from far reaches of the country— especially New Yorkers. Perhaps they’re surveying greener pastures away from Sharia law and unfettered communist rule in the Big Apple.
Speaking of green pastures, behind a high-end art studio, I snapped an amazing photo of a pasture juxtaposed against the smallest late-fall-blooming flowers I’ve ever seen. I wedged my phone down in the grass right in the midst of them, resulting in clever trick photography, making the little pink beauties appear much larger than they were. Those whose senses are awake will note that Leiper’s Fork is much the same—a small marvel with idyllic surroundings shouting its glory. Who can’t be attracted? But you didn’t hear it from me.
Leiper’s Fork is advertised online as: “… a small village packed with worldclass talent, food, laid-back charm, art, adventure trails, a place to tour a local distillery or kick back at a world-famous open mic night, all before returning to your cozy and eclectic home-away-fromhome. We guarantee you’ll fall in love with Leiper’s Fork!” They might add: “… and, sometimes, with large, somewhat indecorous, guys parading through town on roaring motorcycles.” They like the shopping here too.
Cindy with Steve and Brooke Giannetti.
A touch of Mayberry.
Of one shop named David Arms, Cindy says, “It’s like stepping into an English hunt scene—antlers, leather, wool tartanplaids, whiskey and pipes, all rolled into one. The kind of place where all the gentlemen of Downton Abbey would hang out. In other words, fabulous.”
Cindy says the entire village can be summed up in one word. Patina. “It’s a place where miles and miles of black four-board fences surround horse pastures, a place of beautiful homes, friendly people, and delightful restaurants offering alfresco dining.”
For me, the charm of Leiper’s Fork resonated in the quiet, shady places like the old house whose porch I borrowed for a spell where, nearby, musicians were practicing their art before taking the stage at an adjacent eatery; and like
in the dramatic, landscaped backyard of certain shops where nature had carved from the escarpment a cool retreat-like refuge alongside a babbling brook. I wanted to climb down there and sit forever, however I think it was a sanctuary reserved for locals, not an escape for writers. But who knows?
Maybe they’ll let me return someday when inspiration strikes to pen a novel about discovering love in Leiper’s Fork, or some such nonsense. Sometimes, discovering new settings does this to writers. The discovery compels them to spin a yarn of a hundred thousand words that’ll reside in a book upon a shelf, unread, until its pages become like ashes, rendering vain the fire that produced them.
You see? That’s the effect Leiper’s Fork can have on an unsuspecting writer. But
first, to unclutter the wordsmith’s creative mind, he/she would have to do something to discourage all those pesky tourists, for it’s not those who pass through and keep passing through that make a story. It’s those who stay and endure and plant zinnias and, of course, believe in the harvest.
Wish you all a very merry Christmas and a boundless story of faith and courage for the New Year.
For more information, see: https://visitfranklin.com/communities/leipers-fork www.patinahomeandgarden.com/patina-meadow
Barganier is a novelist, travel writer and speaker. He travels far and wide upon the slightest excuse for something interesting to write about. His novels include Lawson’s Bluff (2021); The Slash Brokers (1998). He also manages Cindy Barganier Interiors LLC (www.cindybarganier.com) at The Waters in Pike Road, Alabama. Contact Jeff at Jeffbarganier@knology.net. You may print out his features at www.jeffbarganier.com and take them with you when you travel!
Jeff
Strawberry Egg Nog Baked French Toast
French toast is so much better when drenched in eggnog and baked to perfection, and you can even make it the night before, making it perfect for Christmas morning breakfast!
Ingredients:
3 ½ cups cubed French bread, about 1/2 loaf
2 cups low-fat eggnog
3 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ cup chopped strawberries
Maple syrup, for serving
For the crumb topping
¼ cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup brown sugar, packed
¼ cup coconut oil
1 tablespoon turbinado sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
Pinch of salt
Instructions:
Lightly coat an 8×8 baking dish with nonstick spray. Place bread cubes evenly into the baking dish. In a glass measuring cup or another bowl, whisk together eggnog, eggs and vanilla. Pour mixture evenly over the bread cubes. Cover and place in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or overnight.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
To make the crumb topping, combine flour, brown sugar, coconut oil, turbinado sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt until it resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the bread cubes. Top with strawberries.
Place into oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve immediately, drizzled with syrup, if desired.
During the holiday season, grandparents may be tempted to send their grandkids gift cards, write checks or ask the grandchildren’s parents to shop on their behalf. But this can be a missed opportunity to choose a gift or discover an experience that can help foster meaningful connections with grandchildren of all ages.
Enjoy Creative Play
Retired teacher Linda Perkins created Dot to Dot Connections, activity boxes for ages 3 to 8, as a way for adults to interact with children on a personal level, rather than relying on technology to teach and entertain.
Dot to Dot boxes include step-by-step instructions and suggestions for ways to use the materials — there are also journaling pages and a book to read together. Themes of the Connections boxes include Into the Woods, Super Sleuth and For the Birds. The boxes can be purchased individually or as a subscription, where they can be mailed bimonthly.
According to Perkins, even grandparents who live far away from their grandkids can reap the benefits of the gift’s interactive potential.
“Through Facetime, you can ask questions, watch your child enjoy the activities and journaling pages, and even read the book together,” she said.
Connect for a Digital Adventure
With Kidvelope, children ages 6 to 11 can participate in a “Space Rescue Mission” with their grandparents who live in another galaxy… or maybe a bit closer than that. In this interactive experience, every box, which can either be sent through the mail or purchased at a local store ($21.95), contains an entertaining adventure game that can be played across all digital platforms.
Containing a variety of activities, mailings that can be sent back and forth, and an online game (for which children need to be registered before access is granted), Kidvelope offers a multimedia experience that’s fun and educational, and can help boost communication between grandparents and grandchildren. Developed by experts from entertainment authorities such as Nickelodeon, HBO and Hasbro, “Space Rescue Mission” is the first in a series of other planned Kidvelope collaborative adventures.
Make a Difference Together
Giving the gift of time by helping others can be a meaningful way for grandparents and grandchildren to deepen connections. Karen Ritz, a Twin Cities grandmother and founder of the Grandycamp blog, suggests volunteering together.
“Help these kids find ways to make a difference as they go through the years of feeling like that small fish in a very big pond,” Ritz said. “Show them how important they are to the bigger picture.”
As Ritz points out, even though a child may be young, there are many places which accept a grandchild/ grandparent volunteer team.
And don’t discount the benefit of volunteering with a teenager; it’s an experience which could have significant impact. “The needs of the world are overwhelming, even crushing, to the teenage soul,” said Ritz. “Your perspective can help sort it out.”
According to CEO Jim Moses, one of the program’s lecturers first suggested grandparent/grandchild trips in the 1980s.
“In those days, the trips were generally either environmental or theatrical in nature,” said Moses.
The list of experiences has expanded, now offering opportunities such as snorkeling, visiting a rainforest or discovering a national monument. In Paris, family members can even learn a new language together.
Moses said the letters he receives “are some of the most emotional and heartwarming messages I get about our trips.”
Doing Good Together™ offers volunteering ideas and links to city sites including Boston, New York City and Seattle, with specific resources for shared opportunities to offer time and talent.
Explore the World
If you want to create a lifetime of memories for your grandchild, consider planning a joint trip through Road Scholar. These allinclusive vacations, which include meals, lodging and activity fees, are available for grandparents with grandchildren as young as 8 years old. Popular locations include Costa Rica, Puerto Rico and Mount Rushmore.
One reason is that older and younger generations can get to know each other apart from how they typically spend family time.
“From grandparents, I’ll hear they were so pleased to learn how interesting and responsible their grandchildren are,” Moses said. “Grandchildren say, ‘I never knew my grandparents were so cool!’”
Courtesy of nextavenue.org.
BOOMer icon Chevy Chase, now 82 (!) years old, finally admitted his big mistake.
In a recent CNN Films interview, Chevy said he “never should have left Saturday Night Live” four episodes into its 2nd season.
The entire interview airs January 1st on CNNmaking it the first thing I will purposefully watch on that wretched network in many years.
The Legacy of Chevy Chase
I’ve read countless stories about Chevy describing him as everything from difficult to work with and a man with bipolar mood swings. He’s admitted to having issues with prescription pain killers, something necessitated by his very physical brand of comedy. He’s been an outcast from the SNL alumni reunion shows, having alienated producer Lorne Michaels with harsh criticisms of the show’s recent incarnations.
The thing is, Chase is right. SNL is unmemorable and unfunny. A show that shocked and awed 50 years ago with its absolute disregard of comedic boundaries is slowly suffocating to its inevitable death by boundaries that are self-inflicted.
Chevy was the first alum to make a feature film, “Foul Play” with Goldie Hawn. It’s a convoluted but watchable rom-com. Chase went on to do the so-so ”Fletch” films but struck eternal gold when he agreed to play Clark Griswold in the “Vacation” series.
My daughter and I watch the 2nd of those movies, Christmas Vacation, every year. It’s her favorite movie, in
part (I’d like to think) because I remind her of Clark. Like the man who plays the character, Griswold is a good but flawed man. However, Clark’s determination to make Christmas special is the tie that binds the Griswold character to everyman.
Christmas Vacation also makes me grateful. Clark Griswold develops breakfast cereal coatings for a big hyper-corporate company in Chicago. His company is populated with hypercorporate stiffs run by a boss who’s a stone’s throw from Hitler. It makes me appreciate my life as a non-corporate radio guy for a local company, with a boss who keeps highly entertaining French Bulldogs in his office, so it’s happy and festive year-round.
Christmas Vacation’s shopping scene is gold. Clark is so smitten with the perky clerk at Marshall Field’s that he declares his wife dead (“God rest her soul”). Clark doesn’t want the clerk to know he’s married and great with family. It’s one of those high-testosterone moments
most men will have in their lives. Women know what’s happening and are happy to oblige the fool in all of us.
(What man has never made a fool of himself over a woman? I think they expect it from us.)
Ironically, Chevy Chase left SNL in 1976 for that very reason. He left New York for California to pursue film offers- and a woman. The relationship ended disastrously, not long after his departure from SNL. Meanwhile, Chevy’s contribution to Christmas comedy has become a holiday classic- an enduring tribute to the Dad who goes overboard trying to make everyone happy for the holidays.
Clark Griswold is the ghost of Christmas Bankrupt.
I can’t imagine anyone other than Chevy Chase playing the part.
The Griswoldian Yuletide is Chase’s legacy. Example: I never stapled 25,000 lights to my roof as Clark does in the movie. For 8 years, I strung my entire roof perimeter with big, colorful C9 bulbs, draped on hooks I’d permanently installed. One year, I hung the lights with care, perfectly spaced- and clambered down from the ladder for the Big Moment. When I plugged the extension cord in, there was a snap, crackle, and pop. ALL LIGHTS OUT! I not only had to take everything down, but by that night I’d purchased eight strings with C9 bulbs and had them strung and lit by sunset. That is Griswoldian determination!
Family! Clark’s utopic Christmas meant inviting his and his wife’s parents
to stay with them. They’re not in the house 10 minutes when his wife (superbly played by Beverly D’Angelo) has taken to smoking cigarettes. Her frustration plays out masterfully when she chops a head of lettuce that not even a guillotine could have halved better or louder. It’s always advisable to keep a head of lettuce handy in your Christmas kitchen because chopping anything else is almost certain jail time.
Christmas Vacation ends happily, following a kidnapping, SWAT team rescue, and sewer explosion. Beloved 80-year-old Aunt Bethany caps the excitement by shouting “play ball” after the entire family sings the National Anthem on the front porch.
THE Greg Budell moment in Christmas Vacation is when Clark locks himself in the attic. He entertains himself by plugging in the family 8MM projector and watching films of his childhood Christmases. A touching moment in the movie is a shot of Clark’s face with a stream of tears running down the side of his face.
I’ve got those 8MM films too, first transferred to VHS and now on DVD. Unless I get trapped in the attic, I can’t watch them. I’m afraid of flood damage
from my uber-sensitive tear ducts. I have those films stored where they play perfectly- between my ears.
I’m a Chevy Chase fan. I’ll watch “I’m Chevy Chase, and You’re Not” when it debuts on CNN on the first day of 2026.
Thank you for Christmas Vacation, Chevy. Perhaps, late in life, he’s realized how blessed he’s been, and perhaps, how much time he wasted worrying or being angry about stupid stuff. That, however, is a different movie.
That film is entitled “It’s A Wonderful Life”. Because it is!
Merry Christmas BOOMers!
Greg Budell has lived in Montgomery for 20 years. A 50+ year veteran of radio, TV and writing, Greg hosts the Newstalk 93.1FM Morning Show with Rich Thomas, Susan Woody, and Jay Scott, 6-9 AM Monday - Friday. He returns weekday afternoons from 3-6 PM for Happy Hour with Pamela Dubuque and a variety of sidekicks. His favorite topic is life! Greg can be reached at gregbudell@aol.com.
Stacy King retired from her job as an executive with the federal government in May 2024 and by September had already decided she needed to do something because life in a northern Wisconsin winter can be decidedly slow.
King had a long and varied career, earning a college degree in music education and then discovering shortly after graduation that she had a passion for marketing and copywriting. Later, she worked in health care before finding her greatest satisfaction in a service role and eventually as an executive in a U.S. government agency.
"Companies are beginning to recognize that retirees bring a level of reliability, customer service expertise and work ethic that is difficult to match in the general workforce."
It was that satisfaction of serving others that made her restless after retiring — along with the fact that she and her husband chose to retire in northern Wisconsin, which is not known for a climate that is conducive to year-round outdoor activities.
So, while King decided to return to work on a part-time basis, she wanted to work seasonally — during the winter months — and leave herself free to take advantage of the region's beautiful late spring, summer and early fall months.
It's not uncommon for retirees to decide they want to return to the workplace. But not all want to do so fulltime or make long-term commitments. Many are choosing a seasonal pattern of unretirement — working in retail during the holidays, as accountants in tax season or in the tourism industry over the summer.
Many Options Serve Varied Needs
Krissy worked for several years as a hairdresser before doctors diagnosed her cancer. After undergoing chemotherapy, her health care providers warned against returning to hairdressing because of the chemicals it regularly exposed her to. Instead, she decided at age 61 to get a Department of Public Instruction teaching license. Now she is a substitute teacher at the school her grandkids attend, which is also close to her house.
After selling his gas and convenience stores and deciding to retire, John, an avid outdoorsman, recently committed to working at a ski resort for a few months
during the winter, something he says he is passionate about.
Some retirees choose to get back into, or stay in, the workforce as a way to remain active and involved, some to pursue personal passions, some for health reasons and some because they need the income. Whatever the motivation, the good news is that there are ample opportunities to pursue work on a seasonal basis, and employers, by and large, recognize the significant contributions that older workers can bring.
Opportunities in Seasonal Unretirement
Whether your dream is to work at a golf course in the summer or in a retail store over the holidays, seasonal opportunities abound. Retirees also have opportunities to stay engaged in a career they loved, but on a part-time or temporary basis, through fractional opportunities.
"Major retailers, tax firms and tourism businesses are increasingly targeting this demographic, not as a secondary option, but as a strategic hiring priority. This shift is being driven by labor shortages, the rising cost of living for retirees and a growing preference for flexible, short-term work."
The retail industry is a prime place for retirees to find seasonal opportunities. James Wilkinson, CEO of Balance One Supplements, says the company uses retirees as part of its seasonal workforce "to help fulfill customer service, order fulfillment and inventory management during peak times in our business."
Fractional roles are becoming increasingly popular with both companies and the candidates they seek. While the concept has been around for a while, interest is on the rise. According to Newsweek, it's a trend that has taken hold after the pandemic.
As the name suggests, fractional executives work in a part-time or consultative role with companies, generally as temporary members of the C-suite. It's a concept that can be particularly appealing to retirees who stepped down from senior roles and want to remain connected, but to a lesser degree.
Where to Look for Opportunities
Often, retirees interested in seasonal work only need to ask some prospective
employers to be considered. Sometimes they're even proactively recruited.
King, for instance, shares that while shopping at a local retail store, she started "reorganizing boxes" that had become cluttered in a display. As an employee approached her, she thought she might be scolded; instead, the employee asked if she was interested in a job. She says there is also a lot of opportunity in her area for personal service work — cooking and cleaning, for instance.
Social media can also be a good source of information about opportunities, says Wilkinson, who uses social media and online advertising to reach out to retirees who might be interested in seasonal work. An employee referral program has been even more effective at bringing in retirees, Wilkinson says. "We invite existing team members to refer retirees they've encountered in their personal or professional lives," he says. Last year, he says, 40% of the company's seasonal hires came through employee referrals.
King has found some interesting work online, she says, including a role as an "AI trainer." She points to "The Work at Home Woman" as a good source of remote/work-at-home opportunities, including seasonal work. Virtual Vocations is another source of information about these types of roles. And, of course, LinkedIn can also be a good place to find seasonal jobs through contacts and groups or by searching for the type of roles you're interested in.
Courtesy of nextavenue.org.
Reindeer Wrapping Paper and
Receipts
From Hell
Christmas used to be simpler. A few toys, a plate of cookies, and maybe a single string of lights that worked 60% of the time. Now? Christmas feels like a military-grade operation crossed with a Hallmark movie marathon and just a hint of psychological warfare.
Let’s talk gift wrap. Somewhere along the line, we decided gifts need to be color-coordinated, magazineworthy masterpieces. My wife has three wrapping paper “themes” this year—rustic woodland, vintage Santa, and Scandinavian minimalist. You’d think we were hosting a photo shoot for Martha Stewart Living. I tried using leftover birthday paper with glitter unicorns—apparently, that’s grounds for banishment.
We have a wrapping station. I thought that meant a table. No, it’s a full-blown command center: ribbons, tags, twine, special scissors, washi tape (what is washi tape?!), and a label maker. There’s a hot glue gun involved. Last week, I burned my hand trying to attach a sprig of artificial holly to a present. The gift was for my 2-year-old grandson. He’s going to rip it open in three seconds.
The grandkids, by the way, have gift lists that look like Amazon search
results. QR codes. Links. "See my notes section for color preferences." One of them wants a VR headset, a drone, and a subscription box for monthly slime delivery. My budget? Let's just say Grandpa’s handing out hugs and peppermints this year.
Don’t even get me started on receipts. They’re everywhere. My wife keeps them in a Ziploc bag the size of a body pillow “just in case.” I returned something the other day and needed three forms of ID and the blood of a reindeer to get store credit.
Then there's the family schedule. We’ve got the Christmas Eve service, Christmas brunch, Secret Santa, Dirty Santa, White Elephant—I need a spreadsheet, a personal assistant, and two melatonin gummies just to survive.
But somewhere in the mess, magic sneaks in. It’s in the way my grandkids tackle me on the couch, covered in sugar cookie crumbs and glitter. It’s my grown kids laughing
around the fire, no longer fighting over remote controls but helping each other set up Barbie Dreamhouses and battery-powered dinosaurs. It’s my wife, exhausted but glowing, sipping cocoa and watching it all unfold like a queen surveying her noisy, sparkly kingdom. So yes, I’m grumpy. I’ve been duct-taping outdoor lights since November 12, and I’ve aged three years trying to assemble a kitchen set at midnight with instructions in six languages. But I’m grateful—because somewhere between the receipts, the ribbons, and the chaos, this whole mess of Christmas is what love looks like.
And besides, next year I’m giving everyone socks.
- Archie
Grumbleton
After the holiday feast is complete and everyone feels blessed and well-dressed (elastic waistbands included), what's next? Keeping the festivities rolling without hitting a wall of yawns can be a real challenge for multigenerational families. Games that bridge the age gap are a great way to create holiday memories without any Silent Night nod-offs.
Winning Strategies for Family Game Gatherings
Every move counts when it comes to setting a group gathering up for gameplaying success, says George Bergstrom, Regional Coordinator of Professional Development for Indiana State Library and Past President of the American Library Association's Games & Gaming Round Table, a national group of librarians who support and promote gaming in libraries.
After all, for some family members, the only thing sweeter than Grandma's cookies is beating her at Scrabble.
First, decide what type of experience best suits your family, says Bergstrom. "Do you enjoy individual and competitive activities or lighthearted team/bonding experiences? These would lead to very different choices in games," he explains.
Smart Picks for Family-Friendly Games
Bergstrom says that other key factors to consider when selecting games for your family gathering include group size, time commitment and learning curve.
"In general, I recommend games that are shorter in length, support larger groups, and are easy to teach and pick up and play quickly. Cooperative and social/ party games generally fit well for these settings," he says.
You don't have to limit your options to a single game that caters to all players. According to Bergstrom, you can divide a large group into smaller sets depending on interests and space availability.
Games celebrating family heritage or hobbies are another good fit for multigenerational groups, says ALA Games & Gaming Round Table Board Member Rebecca Strang, a Children's Services Librarian at Naperville Public Library in Naperville, Illinois.
"Storytelling and role-playing games are great for families because they are easily modified if young children are playing but can still be highly engaging for adults," says Strang.
Bergstrom says another smart strategy is to find games that play similarly to games that at least some people in the group are familiar with.
He says the crowdsourced website BoardGameGeek is a good place to find
game details. The site details thousands of board, card and other games, including average playtime, suggested number of players and recommended age ranges. Use the site's search tool to discover games with mechanics similar to familiar games.
Bergstrom recommends watching the YouTube channel Watch it Played, where you can learn game rules, setup and strategies.
Game Play for All: Inclusive Play Tips
Before everyone sits down to play, be sure that someone has learned the rules, advises Strang.
"That way, one person is prepared to teach everyone else instead of having everyone wait around while someone reads the rulebook," she says.
Have manipulatives such as card holders, digital dice and fidgets on hand to make games accessible to a wide range of player ages and abilities, advises Strang.
"Understanding that everyone has a different capacity for holding focus is also important. Having quiet fidgets on hand can be useful for kids in general, but also neurodivergent folks," she says.
Bergstrom says that coming to the game table with a positive attitude about trying new things will help foster group harmony. He says that to get groups of people working together, don't hesitate to take a game everyone knows and modify it.
"A classic example of this would be to have teams of two playing Trivial Pursuit together so that no one person is expected to know all the trivia. This can work well, especially for versions that draw on other cultural properties or time periods (like a show/movie franchise or a certain decade)," he says.
Scavenger Hunt Fun for Every Generation
Try a multigenerational scavenger hunt if your family members aren't into board or card games. GooseChase, an interactive app, offers templates for scavenger-hunt-style missions, including Christmas and Hanukkah. "You can also create a custom mission which includes trivia, photo challenges and creative tasks like building gingerbread houses or re-creating favorite memories," says
integrated marketing manager Mia David.
Custom GooseChase missions could include capturing a picture of the youngest and oldest family members re-creating a favorite family memory (Photo mission), answering questions about family traditions (Trivia mission) or dressing up as a snowman using items from around the house (Creative mission). The app is screen reader compatible, and less tech-savvy participants can team up with others, says David. After each mission, participants can enjoy a digital scrapbook. Free and paid options are available.
Fill Santa's Sack With These Game Librarian Selections
Library game collections vary widely, but many focus on the most popular games within a community, such as children's or role-playing games. If your local library doesn't offer games, don't hesitate to request them, says Bergstrom.
"The more the public can ask us about it and interact with the libraries, the more likely we are to get them into more libraries," he says.
Games to Make Everyone Laugh
Exploding Kittens Really Loud Librarians
MonsDRAWsity Poetry for Neanderthals
Easy to Play for All Ages
Just One
Lanterns: The Harvest Festival For Non-Readers/ Younger Children
Lucky Numbers
Qwirkle
Qwixx
Teens Will Enjoy Playing/ Teaching Others
Furry Foodies
Snake Oil
Grandparents Will Enjoy Teaching Others
Arboretum
Bridge
Cribbage
Canasta Hearts/Spades
CashBack: Johnny Cash Tribute Experience
December 7 I 8 PM I Montgomery Performing Arts Center
Birmingham-based CashBack, led by Leif Bondarenko, delivers one of the best Johnny Cash tribute experiences around. Since 2018, the band—featuring seasoned musicians Gary Edmonds, Eric Onimus, Joshua Green, Tommy Bowen, and special guest vocalist Cheyloe Martin—has brought Cash classics to life with powerful vocals, blazing guitars, and swinging rhythms. Honoring Cash’s legacy with sincerity rather than imitation, CashBack offers lively, heartwarming performances that any fan of the Man in Black—or great live music—won’t want to miss. Ticket Prices: $20 - $30. mpaconline.org/cashback/
Joyce Caddell Holiday Pops on December 18
7 PM to 9 PM I Troy University's Davis Theatre
Montgomery’s favorite holiday tradition returns, with the glorious sounds of the season from traditional carols to sing-along medleys. Experience the joy and majesty of the holiday season with this spectacular event for the whole family! Montgomery Symphony Orchestra is pleased to welcome The Montgomery Chorale to perform at this year’s Joyce Caddell Holiday Pops. $20 - $62. (334) 240-4004 or https://ci.ovationtix.com
Vienna Light Orchestra Christmas Tour 2025
December 9 I 3:00 PM I Troy University's Davis Theatre
Born from the spirit of Vienna, the birthplace of orchestral music and home to some of the most celebrated Christmas concerts in the world, The Vienna Light Orchestra Christmas Tour is a global concert experience that blends sweeping symphonic sound with theatrical beauty. Join us for this magical holiday experience, over 2,000 flickering candlelights illuminate world-class musicians & vocalists, and a few Christmas surprises along the way—creating a nostalgic atmosphere with the most treasured Christmas Classics. $50.80 - $133.60. https://viennalightorchestra.com/
Peter Billingsley & A Christmas Story
December 12 I 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM I MPAC
Celebrate the holiday season with an unforgettable evening featuring a screening of the beloved classic A Christmas Story followed by a moderated interview and audience Q&A from its iconic star Peter Billingsley, a.k.a. Ralphie! Following the film, Peter Billingsley – the actor who immortalized Ralphie – takes center stage for an intimate and nostalgic conversation about his experiences making this holiday classic, his unique behindthe-scenes stories, memorable moments, and how the movie has remained a cultural phenomenon for decades. $47.50 - $77.50 Additional fees may apply.https://mpaconline. org/peter-billingsley-a-christmas-story/
Mandala Christmas Ornament Workshop
December 13 I 10 AM – 3 PM
Pike Road Arts Center, 944 Wallahatchie Rd
Perfect for any skill level, this hands-on workshop will guide you through the pro cess of creating a one-of-a-kind mandala Christmas ornament using dotting tools, acrylic paint, and optional embellishments. Whether you’re looking to unwind or add a personal touch to your holiday décor, this class offers a calm, creative way to celebrate the season. Each participant will leave with a finished ornament and the skills to make more at home! Registration fee: $10 per person. Register at https://www.pikeroad. us/events-1/mandala-christmas-ornament-workshop.
Montgomery Art Guild Christmas Art Market at Old Alabama Town
December 12-14 I 12 PM to 7 PM I 301 Columbus St.
In partnership with the Landmarks Foundation and Old Alabama Town, the Montgomery Art Guild invites everyone to a Christmas Art Market, featuring art, handmade items, and gifts from Montgomery Art Guild artists! Entry is free and open to the public. This event will be held at the quaint, cozy Cooper Cottage at Old Alabama Town. Come browse and shop all our artists' tables and then stroll through the charming houses and play at the park! There will be a small reception on Friday from 5-7 pm. Visit www.touroldalabamatown.org.
IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl
December 16 I 8:00 PM I Cramton Bowl, 1022 Madison Avenue
From suite life to field access, the ultimate fan experience is just a click away! The IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl (previously the Camellia Bowl) hosted its inaugural game in 2014. Played at Cramton Bowl, which featured the first football game in the South to be played at night – Cloverdale High versus Pike Road High in 1927. Cramton Bowl is also formerly the home of the Blue-Gray Football Classic college football game. The Alabama Crimson Tide played home games in the capital city at Cramton Bowl from 1922 to 1932 and in various years through 1954. https://www.salutetoveteransbowl.com/
Caregiver of the Month Spotlight: Sheila Bannister
Help us celebrate Sheila Bannister, our December Caregiver of the Month at Home Care Assistance! We are incredibly proud to recognize her for her outstanding dedication, compassion, and unwavering commitment to our clients. No matter the time or place, Sheila is always willing to go the extra mile— and it truly shows in the care she provides. While making such a meaningful difference in the lives of others, Sheila continues to shine through her strong work ethic, positive spirit, and willingness to step in wherever she is needed.
Please join us in congratulating Sheila and wishing her continued success in her caregiving journey and beyond! Thank you, Sheila, for everything you do!
For more information visit www.homecareassistancemontgomery.com.
One of the best things about the holidays is getting together with family and friends. It may be one of the few times of the year for out-of-town family to spend extended time with an older parent or relative. In addition to reminiscing and making new memories, this time provides the opportunity to take a critical look at the health and wellness of the loved one and her surroundings.
These are a few areas I recommend checking on and suggestions to remedy potential issues:
Check for loose rugs that can cause a fall, and repair or remove any.
Make sure there is adequate lighting, particularly around stairs.
The bathroom can be a dangerous place; consider adding grab bars or a shower chair.
Check the refrigerator for old or expired food.
Buy a pill organizer to make taking medications easier.
Talk to her primary care physician to ensure the doctor has a complete list of all the prescription and over-the-counter medications she takes.
Older adults are especially susceptible to the flu and pneumonia. Getting these shots is a quick and inexpensive way to prevent these potentially dangerous illnesses.
Be concerned if she has trouble judging distance or drives too fast or too slow. If you find driving issues, it may be time for the car to go in for “extended repairs” while you create a long-term plan.
Does her home appear safe and livable?
Is she taking medications as directed?
Has she had her flu and pneumonia shots?
How does she drive?
Most Wonderful Time of the Year?
If you’re a caregiver, this can also be one of the most difficult times of the year since there can be precious little time to get “everything” done.
When a local sibling is the primary caregiver of an aging parent, she may face increased stress during the holidays. Out-of-town visitors may see this time as a vacation, but the caregiver still must navigate her daily life along with a parent’s continuing needs, including doctor’s appointments and errands.
A challenge or risk you have identified in a parent may be something the caregiver has struggled with for some time.
Your sibling could take suggestions as criticism, but often would appreciate support. If you’re the out-of-towner, pitch in to give the local family member a break and find a way to show your gratitude for this difficult and important role.
For those whose parents or relatives are older and live far away, coming together for the holidays often means difficult conversations about aging. While these talks can be intimidating and uncomfortable, they are an important way to make sure your loved one is safe and well-cared for when you are not in town to help.
Once you understand what’s working and what’s not, it may be time for The Talk.
The Talk
Having "The Talk" is extremely difficult for adult children. Roles and responsibilities are shifting, and no one wants to tell a parent how she has to change her life. But sometimes it’s necessary. The type of discussion depends on the cognitive abilities of the older adult.
An easy discussion is the daily pill organizer. Many older adults take a large variety of medications and keeping track can be difficult. The use of a pill organizer can be presented in such a way that the older adult sees the value in its long-term use.
Suggestions for home repairs and the addition of assistive devices like grab bars may be seen as welcome improvements that will make things easier.
The discussions get more difficult, but are no less important, when the topics include driving or moving to a smaller home or apartment — or the future.
Advance Care Planning
During the holidays, there’s also an opportunity to have a face-to-face discussion about advance care planning. Simply put, advance care planning means putting together a health plan for the future when the older parent may not have the capacity to do so. An extremely positive aspect of the plan is that it lets others know the person's wishes now to ensure her care in the future.
While these caregiver topics are serious and difficult to broach, I also encourage the caregivers I work with to find the good and fun in the holidays. Try to find the humor in awkward situations, don’t take yourself or the situation too seriously and don't be shy about asking visiting siblings to take a turn at caregiving while you take some time for yourself.
With some preparation among siblings and parents, the holiday season can indeed be the most wonderful time of the year. Courtesy
By Nick Thomas
Dothan Area Botanical Gardens
Alabama is home to several fine botanical gardens. Travelers heading south may want to explore the Dothan Area Botanical Gardens, where a peaceful stroll through the 50 acres of manicured gardens awaits. While the grounds may not be as extensive as others around the state, admission is only $5 (16 and older) with several free days offered throughout the year (dates listed on their website, dabg.com).
Established in 1991 as a non-profit organization, the gardens are home to over two dozen fixed displays and themed ‘pocket gardens’ that are located on a 0.5-mile loop that encircles the grounds. There’s a very slight elevation gain at the end section, but it’s an easy path to walk, and everything can be seen in about an hour, longer if you pause along the way. Many of the garden sections focus on specific species such as roses, camellias, and daylilies, where flowering will obviously be seasonal. There are also seasonal additions such as the annual Gardens Aglow walking tour, showcasing thousands of holiday lights, and is open between Thanksgiving and Christmas on Friday
and Saturday nights. Entry tickets must be purchased in advance for a designated date and 30-minute entry period, according to the Garden’s website. One of the most popular exhibits is the Wings of Wonder Butterfly House, one of only several in the state, where visitors can experience all phases of the butterfly lifecycle. Opened just 3 years ago, the 1,800 sq ft enclosure houses some 500 native tiny winged wonders. It’s been so popular that timed entry is required, as well as an additional cost of $3. The Butterfly House is only open from April through October, so it’s definitely a destination for the coming spring or later.
the obligatory koi pond create a peaceful place to relax.
Near the Asian Garden, the Succulent Garden is home to cacti and a variety of hardy plants. There’s also a Wetlands Observation Platform, a Fern Glade Boardwalk, and Tropical House to the left of the front entrance, where elephant ears, orchids, hibiscus, and more are raised in a 30 x 60-foot greenhouse.
At the center of the Gardens, a small pond hosts more koi as well as turtles, while a splashing fountain provides a tranquil space away from the hustle and bustle of urban life, surrounded by concrete and glass.
The Dothan Area Botanical Gardens is
located at 5130 Headland Avenue and is open from 9:00 am to 6 pm seven days a week.
Gardens with an Asian theme are almost universally found in botanical gardens, and Dothan is no exception, with its Mullen Asian Garden. Quaint footbridges, a trickling waterfall, and, of course,
Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery and has written features, columns, and interviews for many newspapers and magazines. His hiking column describes short trails, hikes, and walks from around the country that seniors might enjoy. See www.ItsAWonderfulHike.com.
Jay and Cheri Love
After 31 years of marriage, four children, and four toddlers now calling them “Lovey” and “JJ,” Cheri and Jay Love still radiate the same spark that began with a simple Subway sandwich order and a chance connection at a Chamber event. Their story is one of faith, family, and choosing each other through every season—from the hectic years of raising kids to the quiet shock of an empty nest, where Cheri discovered a new passion for acting and Jay continued serving his community with purpose. Christmas at the Love home is a whirlwind of toddlers, traditions, scripture, and sweet treats, and their advice for couples entering this next chapter is rich with wisdom, humor, and hope.
BOOM: You’ve been married for 31 years — congratulations! How did the two of you first meet, and when did you realize this was something special?
Cheri: I was 25, working in advertising sales, and had tried calling on the owner of a new Subway sandwich store. Didn’t have much luck, but I would pick up lunch there occasionally. One afternoon, at a Montgomery Chamber Business After Hours, a mutual friend pointed to Jay and told me he owned the store I had been trying to sell. I had assumed “Jay Love” was an old guy, like in his 50s lol. Once I saw that he was this young, tall, and very handsome guy, I went right up, introduced myself, and made an appointment to “talk about some advertising”. Best sale I ever made! I knew he was special the first time we sat down to talk, and several dates later, I couldn’t wait to introduce him to my parents. Jay is the kindest person I know and always made me feel like the most awesome person ever-and still
does after all these years!
Jay: I can remember it like it was yesterday. It was the summer of 1992, and I had just opened my first Subway sandwich shop at the Madison Square Shopping Center. Cheri came in and ordered a 6” sandwich on wheat bread, no cheese, bell peppers, pickles with both mustards. She paid with a check, so I had her name and her work number. We ended up attending several Chamber events and, through a mutual friend, started talking. I knew within two dates that she was something very special.
BOOM: That story about your first meeting over Cheri's Subway sandwich order is special. Jay, what went through your mind when you realized the
woman winning your ad account might also win your heart?
Jay: After the first time she came into my store, I turned to the guy I was working with and told him, “That is the kind of girl I want to marry”. The attraction for me was immediate. It was like a thunderbolt.
BOOM: You raised four children and now have four grandchildren under the age of three! What has been the biggest joy of becoming grandparents? And what are your grandparent names?
Cheri: Being a grandparent is like reliving some of the best parts of when our kids were little, but without the hard stuff. Watching your grown children nurture, teach, and love these precious children is so gratifying. It is such a joy to see our grandkids' personalities developing and seeing certain traits of our children and their spouses come out in these cute little beings. It is absolutely wonderful! My grandmother's name is “Lovey” because my last name is Love, and it seemed like the perfect name for me!
Jay: As our children began leaving our house, attending college and then moving on to their careers, I found myself saying, “I would love to go back for just a day and play with them again as children or read to them before bed”. Now, through God’s plan, I am able to do that with my grandchildren. I look at my grandchildren’s faces and see my children. My grandkids call me JJ.
BOOM: The holidays are such a special time for families. What does Christmas look like at the Love home these days with all the kids and grandkids?
Cheri: Christmas time is SO MUCH FUN and very entertaining with four toddlers in the house! We can hardly wait to have all our kids and grandkids in our home, celebrating Christmas together!
We are blessed to spend part of our Christmas time with my Walker family and also with Jay’s family (where we have eight children under seven years old!) Christmas at our home means sharing meals and time together, the calmness of Jay reading the story of Jesus’ birth from the Bible, and the excitement of opening presents. In other words: family time!
Jay: The holidays are fantastic! Especially at Christmas, as we are able to have them all stay at our house, if only for one night. Having them all under one roof transports me back to when they were all still at home. My wife and children love traditions, so we have a set plan for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, for opening presents, and reading the Christmas story in the Gospel of Luke. It can be chaotic once we get to the opening of presents, but there is nothing like seeing the joy and excitement in your children and grandchildren’s eyes.
Cheri: My mother loved to bake special treats at Christmas, and we have continued that tradition. We (including Jay) make our favorite sweet treats to give to family and friends. Some other traditions are special meals, a Christmas tree in our kitchen that is covered in just photo ornaments, watching Christmas movies, and attending the Living Christmas Tree service and the Christmas Eve Service at our church, First Baptist Montgomery.
Jay: I enjoy having dinner with Cheri’s siblings on Christmas Eve Eve. Cheri makes a wonderful breakfast on Christmas morning that is always a highlight. I am blessed that my parents are still very active and we love spending time over Christmas with them.
BOOM: What are some you’re your favorite Christmas traditions?
BOOM: Jay, you served in the Alabama House of Representatives for over a decade. What first drew you to public service, and what did that experience teach you?
I remember from an early age wanting to serve in public office, specifically the Legislature. I always felt that with my life experiences of being a small business owner, a pragmatic outlook toward governing, and an ability to work with a variety of people, I had a skillset that would make for effective public service. My three terms in the Legislature were very fulfilling. I was able to participate in setting the state on a responsible fiscal path through some exceedingly challenging times.
BOOM: You sold your Subway and Marco Pizza restaurants and switched to insurance and political consulting. Both in your time in the House, and now through consulting, what projects or achievements stand out as moments you’re most proud of?
Jay: I served in the Legislature from 2002 to 2013. In 2008, I had the honor of being the Republican nominee for the 2nd Congressional District. While I was not elected to Congress in 2008, the experience of running in such a large district (the River Region and the Wiregrass) allowed me to meet so many wonderful people that I count as friends to this day. I was also able to speak at the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis that year, and I could have never imagined that, as a
little boy growing up at Dalraida Elementary School, I would have that opportunity.
BOOM: And congratulations on recently being appointed to the Samford University Board of Trustees — what excites you about being part of that mission at this stage of your life?
Jay: Thank you. We have four children, Rachel, Addison, Rebecca, and Caroline. The three older children all went to Auburn, but Caroline always wanted to go to Samford. Neither Cheri nor I attended Samford, so we were new to the Samford family when Caroline started. Over the next four years, we grew to love Samford, and Caroline thrived there. Samford University has tremendous leadership, and that they would invite me to play a small part in it is a high honor.
Cheri: Not gonna lie, empty nest hit me hard. Being a mom was MY dream job, and the Lord blessed us with four wonderful children. I had the privilege to stay home and raise them and do all the things. We were very involved in church events, school events, and everything in between. One day, you are hosting 75 teenagers going through boxes of pizza in your kitchen after Sunday night church, and the next thing you know, it’s just you and your husband home on Friday night, and nothing on the calendar the whole weekend.
We had some long talks about what the next stage in our lives would be like: health goals, how we would spend
BOOM: Cheri, some people find the empty nest a hard transition, but you decided to chase your dream of acting, and you’re about to appear in your first SAG film (Screen Actors Guild) — that’s incredible! What inspired you to chase this dream now?
our time, where we would serve in our church, and personal goals. For me, one of those goals was to pursue something new and challenging-acting. I had worked as a background “extra” on movies/TV shows in Atlanta for several years and really enjoyed being part of the process. When our youngest child left for college, I began taking acting classes and auditioning for speaking roles. This was a scary step for me-I had never done theater or any acting where I had to memorize lines and speak. Each job is a learning experience. I am doing things I never even imagined, and best of all, I’m having fun doing it! I’m so thankful for Jay... he has encouraged me so much when I doubted if I could really do this.
BOOM: What do your kids think about having an actress in the family?
Cheri: They have told me they are proud of me for stepping out of my comfort zone to pursue acting. And I think they are amused, especially seeing me play characters that sometimes are far from who I am. Most of all, they have been very supportive and encouraging, and I really appreciate that!
BOOM: I know travel is something you both enjoy doing, and on a recent trip to Las Vegas, you guys saw The Eagles at The Sphere. Is it as magical as they say, and what concert would you love to see there next?
Cheri: Seeing The Eagles in concert and watching the film The Wizard of Oz at The Sphere truly surpassed our expectations. Both were incredibly immersive, absolutely FANTASTIC, and we highly recommend the experience!
Jay: The Eagles concert was phenomenal. The experience at the Sphere is remarkably immersive. The group plays hit after hit with remarkable precision, and the quality of the sound with the vocals of a group of individuals in their 70s is incredible. I would love to see Fleetwood Mac, but I don’t think that will be an option.
BOOM: After 31 years of marriage, careers, and raising a family, what advice would you give other couples about staying connected and keeping love alive in this “no-kids-at-home” season of life?
Cheri: Jay and I have worked hard during our 31 years together to protect our marriage. We find things to do together and he is truly my favorite person! Keep growing in your faith together. This year, we are reading through the Bible together using an app called The Bible Recap. It has really explained so much in the Bible that was confusing to me, and we love discussing it. Making time to socialize with friends is important. Find a new activity to do together-we may be trying pickleball soon. Also, MOVE, as in exercise! If grandkids come your way, getting down on the floor isn’t what you remember from 30 years ago! Try new things, taste new things, learn something new, make a new friend, mentor someone, and find somewhere to serve. And go on that trip you’ve always talked about-you aren’t getting any younger!
Jay: I cannot stress more how important our faith journey has been to our success in marriage. We are two imperfect people serving a perfect God. The stresses of life can easily overwhelm a couple if they are not grounded in a relationship with the Lord. We try every day to meet each other’s needs. I would encourage couples transitioning out of the kids-at-home phase of their lives to plan fun activities together, such as traveling or taking up a hobby/sport together.
BOOM: You both grew up in Montgomery and have built your lives and careers
here. What do you love most about this community?
Cheri: I love that Montgomery still feels like a small town but has the conveniences of a larger city. We love our First Baptist Church community-our best friends are our church friends, and that is a huge blessing during the ups and downs of life.
Jay: I love to see people that I grew up with who have continued to make this area their home. I love serving with our church family, First Baptist Church, working to meet the spiritual and physical needs of Montgomery.
BOOM: If you could wave a magic wand and see one thing improve or grow in Montgomery to make life even better for families and retirees, what would it be?
Cheri and Jay: For every family to find a community of believers in a good church and to know Jesus personally. We believe the greatest need of our community is unity in Christ. So many of the problems we face today
are manifest from a lack of spiritual connection.
BOOM: Finally, what does “aging well” mean to you?
your dreams. You only get one shot at this life, so do all you can to make it a fulfilling one.
Quick Take with Cheri
(Fun and fast to get to know her better)
Cheri: Taking care of myself physically, mentally & spiritually so that I can be a blessing to my family and others. Also, being careful how I spend my time (meaningful things) and being faithful to serve the Lord where and how I can.
Jay: I believe first it is being content with what God has blessed you with. Next, it would be to take care of your health through regular exercise and a healthy diet. I believe you should pursue
Go-to holiday drink? Wassail!
Favorite Christmas movie: The Santa Claus 2 One gift you’ll never forget giving or receiving:
A pearl necklace Jay gave me our first Christmas together.
Most meaningful ornament on the tree:
All the photo ornaments
Favorite local restaurant for date night: The Pub Song that always gets you singing along:
Holly Jolly Christmas Dream trip you’d love to take together: European River Cruise Hidden talent?
Making French macarons
Best advice you received about marriage: Keep the Lord at the center. Three words that describe your life together right now: Blessed, fun and precious
Quick Take with Jay
(Fun and fast to get to know him better)
Go-to holiday drink? Cocoa
Favorite Christmas movie: ELF One gift you’ll never forget giving or receiving: My parents gifted our family with a cruise in 201and we made wonderful memories. Most meaningful ornament on the tree: We have a Christmas tree that only has photos on it. It shows the history of my family.
Favorite local restaurant for date night: La Jolla Song that always gets you singing along: September by Earth Wind and Fire Dream trip you’d love to take together: European River Cruise Hidden talent?
I can fall asleep in about 30 seconds. Best advice you’ve ever received about marriage: If you both grow closer to Christ, you will grow closer together. Three words that describe your life together right now: Blessed, Amazing, Awesome.
We want to thank the Loves for sharing their story with us this month. If you have comments or suggestions about our cover profiles, including nominating someone, please text Jason Watson at 334.328.5189 or email jason@riverregionboom.com.
