Publisher’s Letter
WELCOME BACK! Are you moving around in the River Region yet? Let me be one of the first to say Welcome Back! Welcome back to reality. I’m an optimist and I believe the more we reengage the more we’ll realize the fear we’ve been prescribed by leaders and news media during the past 60 days was unnecessary and unfortunate for the harm it has caused to many lives and livelihoods.
The mission of BOOM! is to serve the folks of the River Region age 50 plus with information and ideas to inspire new experiences, better quality of life and new beginnings.
Publisher/Editor Jim Watson, 334.324.3472 jim@riverregionboom.com
Contributing Writers Jeff Barganier
Jim Watson, Publisher jim@riverregionboom.com
Tracy Bhalla Greg Budell
The quicker we can find what’s been lost during this bizarre turn of events, the healthier we will become again. The momentum for opening our communities back up is growing daily, you can feel it. The desire to go and do is becoming contagious, mask or not.
If you’re still feeling the fear of COVID-19, be safe and smart about your behavior. But if you can, get outside and breathe. Go to your favorite retailer and shop. Grab a cup of coffee with friends. Find someone to laugh with and to share your story, your faith. The antidote for COVID-19 is people. Find them and engage, simply love your neighbor the best way you can, and we’ll all get well soon.
Dean Fowler Lee Henderson Caitlin Kelly Susie Mattox Susan Moore Cheryl Popp Leigh Anne Richards Raley L. Wiggins
Cover Photography Total Image Portraits www.totalimage.com
Advertising
Jim Watson, 334.324.3472 jim@riverregionboom.com Please Recycle This Magazine, Share with a Friend!
We have a great cover profile this month who published her first novel last fall, her name is Susie Mattox. Susie has been writing since the fifth grade but only in the last few years has she developed the courage and fortitude to finally publish her first novel called Fairly Strange, which you can purchase on www.amazon.com. Susie shares some of her story with us in this month’s Q & A, including her writing journey, family and inspiration. I’m always inspired by people who accomplish things as they age because there’s not a better time to start a new dream then now, Susie is that person. I hope you enjoy getting to know her, I sure did. Also, this month we have Jeff Barganier fighting off the COVID-19 by heading up to Cheaha State Park with his bike, Special. As always, Jeff will make you laugh because his travel experiences are like no other, enjoy his journey! My friend Greg Budell shares a “Hallmark Moment” about his late mom and a TV celebrity and a doctor who shared the memory years later, Greg knows how to touch our hearts. Leigh Anne Richards shares how to stay fit if quarantined and she has learned a few things about exercising during this shutdown. I love her attitude! I hope you’ll read Susan Moore’s new column and get to know her; she is helping us all learn about our money and what to do with it. If you want to get smarter with your investments, Susan will guide you. If you’ve ever thought about cleaning concrete, brick etc. we have a special discount for our readers from Water Worx LLC. Perfect time of year for power washing, especially with a discount!
Facebook.com/RiverRegionBoom
There are plenty more good reads this month and if you haven’t started receiving the digital version this is a great month to begin. Please subscribe yourself or others at www.riverregionboom.com , IT’s FREE! Please consider all of our advertisers when you have needs, they’re all on the right side of positive aging and would love to do business with each of you. Please share your thoughts on this issue or any other ideas regarding BOOM! I love to listen. Welcome Back!
Jim 334.324.3472 cell/text jim@riverregionboom.com
10 BOOM!
May 2020
RiverRegionBoom.com
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
