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BOOM! The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

Contents November 2026 Volume 17 Issue 5

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” C.S. Lewis

Facebook.com/River Region Prime, 50+ Lifestyle

Thought Relationships Taste Inspiration

Humor Advice Health Community

“Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.” Carl Bard

2 Publisher's Note 20 Event: Elf The Musical at ASF

Page 24

Features 8 Modern Day Grandparenting

14 Thanksgiving Is For You, Too!

28 Cover Profile: Jennifer Eifert

38 Dark at Five: Protect Your Energy

21 Event: The Temptations with Ruben Studdard

Departments 12 Jeff Barganier: North Georgia Mountains

20 Event: Robert Earl Keen Then and Now

18 Greg Budell: Attitude of Gratitude

24 Grumpy but Grateful

42 Word Search: A Chance to Win $50

21 Event: Caregiver of the Month 22 Event: Gobble Wobble 5K in Old Cloverdale 22 Event: Montgomery Veteran's Day Celebration 42 Word Search Contest

44 Moore Wealth Management

BOOM! The River Regions 50+ Lifestage Magazine is published monthly by River Region Publications, P.O. Box 230367, Montgomery, AL 36123. The phone number is 334.328.5189. Copyright 2026 by River Region Publications. No part of this publication can be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Opinions expressed in BOOM! The River Regions 50+ Lifestage Magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the owners, nor do they constitute an endorsement of products and services herein.

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Publisher’s Letter

Don't Make the List Too Short 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.

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

Archie Grumbleton Senior Law Solutions Susan Moore

Cover Photography DiAnna Paulk

Advertising

Jason Watson, 334.328.5189 jason@riverregionboom.com

November seems to be the month of lists. The grocery list gets longer. The Thanksgiving menu gets debated. Christmas shopping starts creeping onto the calendar. And somewhere there’s probably a list of things we promised ourselves we’d get done before another year disappeared. But our cover profile with Jennifer Eifert introduced me to a different kind of list. When Jennifer was young, her mother encouraged her to make a list of everything she wanted to do in life—and then go do it. Years later, her mother said her only regret was that her own list had been too short. Jennifer apparently took that advice seriously. Her story is one of unexpected turns, new challenges, travel, creativity and discovering that a successful life doesn’t necessarily have to follow one straight path. I won’t spoil it here, but if you’ve ever wondered whether it’s too late to try something completely different, spend a little time with Jennifer’s story. That idea—making room for more life—shows up throughout this issue. The Art of Grandparenting on Your Own Terms looks at one of life’s greatest gifts while asking an important question: how do we pour ourselves into our grandchildren without giving up the other parts of life that still matter to us? Our Thanksgiving feature, There’s Room at the Table for You, speaks especially to the person who always hosts, cooks, organizes and makes sure everyone else is comfortable. Sometimes the person creating the holiday needs to remember to enjoy it, too. Jeff Barganier heads back into the North Georgia mountains and discovers another place that may end up on your travel list. And Greg Budell offers his own Attitude of Gratitude, looking at some of the everyday blessings and abundance we can become so accustomed to that we barely notice them. Maybe that’s what November is really good for. Looking around at what we already have and being grateful. So count your blessings this Thanksgiving. Just don’t make the list too short.

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More Alabamians Now Qualify for Prescription Drug Savings There’s good news for Alabamians living with limited income and resources. The Medicare Extra Help program—also known as LIS—expanded in 2025. If your income is below 150% of the federal poverty level, you may now qualify for full Extra Help benefits. This means you could pay lower or no premiums, reduced Part D drug copays and reduced or no Part D deductible for your prescriptions. Many people don’t realize they’re eligible—so it’s worth checking. For example, in 2025, individuals earning less than $23,475 per year (or couples earning less than $31,725 per year) may qualify as long as your assets are below the specified limits. You could save hundreds of dollars each year on the medications you rely on! To see if you qualify for Extra Help, call: The Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213, between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778.

Choose a Medicare plan with confidence. Medicare can be complex, and it’s normal to feel uncertain with so many parts and plans to consider. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama understands this and offers Medicare plans grounded in decades of experience and trust. For generations, Blue Cross has been a steady partner for individuals and families, providing coverage that gives you confidence and peace of mind as you navigate your healthcare choices. With a name you can depend on, you can feel secure making important decisions about your health.

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Understanding Medicare: One Part at a Time Medicare is divided into four parts, each covering specific services:

Part A and Part B are provided through the U.S. government and are referred to as Original Medicare. Part A Hospital Insurance: Covers inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care and some home health care Part B Medical Insurance: Covers certain doctors’ services, outpatient care, medical supplies and preventive services Part C and Part D are offered through Medicare-approved private insurance carriers, like Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. Part C Medicare Advantage: Includes all benefits and services covered under Original Medicare, and typically includes Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D) as part of the plan Part D Prescription Drug Plan: Adds prescription drug coverage to Original Medicare and some Medicare Cost Plans, Medicare Private-Fee-for-Service Plans and Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans are not part of Medicare but help cover gaps in Original Medicare, including hospital and medical deductibles, copays and coinsurance. They do not include prescription drug coverage.

When can you enroll in Medicare Coverage? INITIAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD (IEP)

MONTHS BEFORE

ANNUAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD (AEP)

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD (MAOEP)

SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD (SEP)

October 15

January 1

through

December 7

March 31

After certain events

From October 15 through December 7, you can review and make changes to your Medicare coverage, including changing or enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan or swapping from Medicare Advantage to a Medigap plan.

From January 1 through March 31, if you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can make a one-time election to switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or to Original Medicare. If you enroll in Original Medicare, you may also purchase a Medicare Supplement and/or a Prescription Drug Plan.

MONTHS AFTER

This is the seven-month window surrounding your 65th birthday when you can first enroll in Original Medicare (Part A and/ or Part B) and additional coverage.

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After certain events, such as a recent move outside of your plan’s service area or losing your employer or union coverage, you may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period.

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Simplified Plan Options Recognizing that each individual has unique healthcare needs, Blue Cross provides a range of plan options to help you find the right fit.

Designed for Alabamians by Alabamians With 90 years of experience, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama offers trusted healthcare coverage. Our extensive network includes 90% of doctors and 100% of hospitals in Alabama,1 providing access to top-tier care statewide. We offer comprehensive plans that cover medical expenses, prescription drugs and include additional benefits like dental, vision and hearing. Our commitment to quality is reflected in high customer satisfaction and ratings, with Blue Advantage plans earning 5 stars for “Member Experience with Health Plan” and 4 stars overall in 2025.2 Our emphasis on customer service ensures you’re never alone in navigating your healthcare options. Choosing Blue Cross means peace of mind, with local resources and straightforward plans designed to make your Medicare journey simple and easy.

If you want freedom of choice and many extras included, consider Blue Advantage® (PPO). It’s a Medicare Part C plan that provides both medical and prescription drug benefits, and it’s an excellent option if you want one easy-to-use plan with comprehensive coverage. With Blue Advantage (PPO), you get: • Choice of plans, including a $0 monthly premium option • $0 Primary Care Physician (PCP) copay, depending on plan selection • Prescription drug copays as low as $0, depending on plan selection

If you want to lower your out-of-pocket costs while keeping Original Medicare, consider C PlusSM. It’s a Medicare Select plan that helps cover the costs Original Medicare doesn’t — like deductibles, copays and coinsurance — so you pay less when you get care. With C Plus, you get: • No referrals needed to see specialists • Use any doctor or hospital accepting Medicare, even out of state • No underwriting restrictions or penalties, unlike many other carriers

If you want simple and easy stand-alone prescription drug coverage, consider BlueRxSM (PDP). It’s a Medicare-approved Part D plan from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama that helps cover the cost of your medications. With BlueRx, you get: • Drug copays as low as $0, depending on plan selection • Coverage for Medicare-approved generic, brand-name and specialty drugs • A large selection of network pharmacies in Alabama and over 55,000 pharmacies nationwide

Blue Advantage® is a PPO and BlueRxSM is a PDP with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Blue Advantage (PPO) and BlueRx (PDP) depends on contract renewal. Blue Advantage (PPO) and BlueRx (PDP) are provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. This is a solicitation of insurance. Contact may be made by an issuer or insurance producer. C PlusSM is a Medicare Select Plan and is a private insurance plan regulated by the Alabama Department of Insurance. It is not connected to or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. 1 Doctors refers to Medicare participating providers. Source: BCBSALMedicare.com/WhyBCBSAL 2 Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5 star rating system. Source: BCBSALMedicare.com/WhyBCBSAL 3 For accommodations of persons with special needs at meetings, call 1-888-246-7023 (TTY 711). 4 We are available Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. CST. From October 1 to March 31, the hours of operation are Monday – Sunday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. CST. You may be required to leave a message for calls made after hours, weekends and holidays. Calls will be returned the next business day. 6

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How to Choose the Right Plan for You

Benefits of Medicare Advantage Plans

Choosing the right Medicare plan is an important decision, and it’s essential to think about several factors to make sure it meets your needs. Here are some things to consider as you make your choice:

Medicare Advantage plans, like those offered by Blue Cross, combine the benefits of Original Medicare with additional coverage options. These plans often include prescription drug coverage, vision, hearing and dental care.

Network Coverage: Is your doctor in the plan’s network? If they are not in network, how much will it cost to see them?

Prescription Costs: What will your prescription costs be? Understanding the out-of-pocket expenses for your medications is essential in choosing the right plan.

Monthly Costs: What are your overall monthly expenses? Consider the premiums, copays and any other expenses that will be part of your budget.

Travel Coverage: Are you covered when you travel? For those who travel frequently, ensuring that your healthcare plan provides coverage outside your local area is important.

Extra Benefits: Are there extra benefits like dental, vision and hearing? The additional coverage can add significant value to your healthcare plan.

By choosing a Medicare Advantage plan, you can simplify your healthcare experience by having one comprehensive plan that covers a wide range of services. Medicare Advantage plans are designed to provide more coverage than Original Medicare alone. This holistic approach to healthcare provides access to a wide range of services that support both your medical needs and overall well-being.

Take the Next Step Understanding the different parts of Medicare and their benefits can help you choose the right plan for your needs. Blue Cross offers support and guidance to help you navigate this important decision. With a variety of plan options and dedicated customer service, you can find affordable coverage that suits you. For personalized advice, sign up for a meeting3 with a local advisor. Our advisors can assist you in exploring your choices and selecting a plan that fits your needs.

Let Blue work for you.

To get more information or talk to a local advisor, call 1-855-978-5239 (TTY 711) or visit BCBSALMedicare.com/BA3, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. CST.4

To choose the right plan, assess your current and future healthcare needs. Consider your medical conditions and potential health changes that may require more coverage. By carefully evaluating these factors, you can select a plan that offers the best combination of coverage and cost. The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

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"Being there for your grandchildren is one of life's greatest gifts. Finding a healthy balance makes it even sweeter." You would drive across Montgomery in the rain for a kindergarten program. You keep spare crayons in the console, a few favorite snacks in the pantry, and more pictures of your grandchildren on your phone than you could possibly count. Being a grandparent is one of life's sweetest rewards, filled with second chances to enjoy the little moments that seemed to pass so quickly when you were raising your own children. And for many grandparents, helping care for those grandchildren is part of the joy. There's something special about being the person they run to when they walk through the door, knowing their favorite bedtime story, or being available when Mom and Dad need an extra hand. But this chapter of life often comes with other responsibilities, too. Many grandparents are still working, caring for aging parents, enjoying friendships, traveling, or pursuing interests they've spent years looking forward to. Finding room for all of it isn't always easy, but a little communication and a few healthy boundaries can help everyone enjoy the relationship even more.

When Helping Becomes a Routine

It often begins naturally. A new baby arrives, parents return to work, or a busy family needs help with school pickups and afternoon activities. Grandparents step in because they want to, and because family has always been about helping one another. Before long, Wednesday afternoons at Nana's house become a favorite tradition, or Grandpa becomes the regular driver to soccer practice. These arrangements can be wonderful for everyone, creating memories and strengthening relationships across generations. The important thing is making sure those routines continue to work for everyone involved. What begins as occasional help can gradually become a regular The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

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that build lasting relationships, and they don't require being available every day of the week. Sometimes a regular Saturday breakfast, an afternoon at the park, or a standing date to pick the kids up from school can become a treasured family tradition. Being intentional with your time can make those hours more enjoyable for everyone. And if you're still working or have other commitments, it's perfectly reasonable to let your adult children know which days are best. A simple conversation about schedules can eliminate confusion and help everyone plan ahead.

Keeping Your Own Life Full

commitment, and circumstances change. A grandparent may return to work, take on responsibilities for an aging parent, or simply want more flexibility in the week. Having an open conversation about what works doesn't diminish the love behind the arrangement. It helps preserve it.

Presence Matters More Than Hours

Ask most grandparents about their favorite moments, and you're likely to hear about the ordinary ones. Baking cookies together, teaching a grandchild to ride a bicycle, watching a ballgame, or listening to a six-year-old tell a story that takes fifteen minutes to finish. These are the moments

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One of the gifts grandparents can give their grandchildren is the example of a life well lived. Children benefit from seeing their grandparents maintain friendships, pursue hobbies, volunteer, travel, exercise, and continue learning new things. It shows them that life doesn't stop being interesting or meaningful at a certain age. There's no reason to feel guilty about making time for those things. You can love your grandchildren wholeheartedly and still look forward to a weekend getaway, a morning on the golf course, or an afternoon with friends. In fact, having a full and satisfying life of your own can make the time you spend together even richer. You have more stories to share, more experiences to introduce them to, and perhaps a little more energy for the next game of hide-and-seek.

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The Gift of Being a Grandparent

There's something remarkable about watching your family grow into another generation. The children you once tucked into bed are now raising children of their own. You see familiar expressions on new faces, hear echoes of conversations from years ago, and discover that some of life's sweetest moments are the ones you never expected to experience again. Grandparenting offers a special opportunity to love, encourage, teach, and simply enjoy these little people without carrying every responsibility that comes with raising them. Sometimes that means stepping in when your family needs help. Other times it means stepping back and giving the next generation room to find its own way. The beauty is that there's no single formula for getting it right. Some grandparents provide daily childcare. Others live miles away and treasure every visit. Many fall somewhere in between. What matters most isn't how many hours you spend together, but the love, consistency, and connection you build along the way. So say yes to the sleepovers, the ballgames, the messy art projects, and the extra scoop of ice cream whenever you can. And when your calendar or your energy says it's time for a little break, that's okay, too. Being a wonderful grandparent doesn't mean being available for every moment. It means making the moments you share count. •

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Travel Experiences with Jeff Barganier Photography provided by Jeff Barganier

North Georgia Mountains Make Me Smile Named for its dark-colored sheer cliffs, Black Rock Mountain State Park constitutes a 1,743-acre patch in the glorious quilt of Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. As we drive toward the top, Cindy’s snapping photos of luxuriant mountain laurel tucked beneath ginormous hardwoods. This curvaceous parkway up the mountain will be ablaze with color soon. And its peak will be more beautiful still. As we arrive at the top, we are not disappointed. The views are nothing short of stunning here on the crest of the Eastern Continental Divide. Cindy and I stop and talk with a couple as they depart their cabin. “It’s wonderful! The cabin’s just perfect and the view is amazing,” they gush. We also

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notice warning signs about the presence of bears. The 1976 horror film Grizzly was filmed in this area. Nevertheless, when we get home, I’m booking a cabin stay for next year. There’s so much to do and see here: camping, fishing, geocaching, hiking, photography and picnicking. The park has a 17-acre lake, comfortable cottages for up to eight, numerous tent sites, trailer and RV campsites, a pioneer campground, picnic shelters, a playground and, of course, the Summit Visitor Center/Gift Shop. The mountain is also home to the Foxfire project and Outdoor Museum, featuring 20 historic log structures that preserve Appalachian culture. We learn that it’s also an enchanting wedding venue. Local Keller Williams Realty agent Debbie Wiedor tells us, “Black Rock Mountain State Park is dear and near to my heart. I got married there in 2021 on an overlook close to God with the mountains spread out before us. The Nantahala Overlook on the north face of the mountain- that’s where we stood.” According to gastateparks. reserveamerica.com, it’s the state park

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with the highest elevation in Georgia (3,640 feet) and showcases some of the most outstanding scenery in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Park overlooks provide spectacular 80-mile vistas for getting married or just soothing the eyes. Visitors to the park will also find the nearby Town of Clayton, incorporated in 1823, a jewel to be explored. Despite its modest population of about 2000, Clayton has virtually zero empty storefronts. Its historic downtown features local boutiques, galleries and a charming community vibe. Reeves Hardware, with the usual hardware stuff plus apparel and fly-fishing gear, has operated on Main Street since 1928. The town’s also known for its farm-totable restaurants, local diners and unique culinary options. We have good friends who live over in Sky Valley, Georgia, 13.5 miles from here, and they often drive down to Clayton to eat. We’re dining at Henri’s Bakery and Deli in Clayton. Henri’s originally opened in 1929 in Atlanta and offers authentic French cuisine. The menu includes freshbaked pastries, muffins and cookies, along with sandwiches on house-made bread. We’re sitting by the window enjoying our lunch when a couple of local ladies take seats at the table beside us. We strike up a conversation. They tell us all about the area and how much they love Clayton, especially its people, whom they find to be good Samaritans. While we’re talking, an older lady across the street stumbles and falls. We watch half a dozen people The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

rush to assist her. “That’s pretty typical of how people react here,” they tell us. There’s a big cross up on the mountain overlooking the town. “It has been controversial. But it’s on private property,” one of the ladies says, smiling. Today is Sunday. There are two large churches close by and their parking lots are full. It’s usually a pretty good sign if Cindy likes a place. So, I ask for her thoughts about Clayton. “Well, I see a lot of beautiful shops—clothing stores, design shops—and probably six or eight good restaurants. The streets are clean. The storefronts have been freshened up. People are out walking and enjoying activities with family and friends. It’s super-close to Lake Rabun. With its narrow streets and ancient stone walls, Lake Rabun looks like a scene straight out of a Hallmark movie. Clayton’s only about thirty minutes from Highlands, without Highlands prices. A big plus is that two

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big lakes, Lake Rabun and Lake Burton, are within easy driving distance. These lakes remind me of Alabama’s Lake Martin but, unlike Martin, they’re completely surrounded by gorgeous mountains,” she says. We’re back home now, but my mind keeps drifting back to North Georgia. My finger is still itching to push the SPORT button on the console of my Accord and engage the Tail of the Dragon’s Sister. (To understand this, you’ll need to read my October feature, if you missed it.) I can taste the pastries at Henri’s, and see the valley spread out before me from the Visitor Center atop Black Rock Mountain. I recall sweet words of hospitality streaming from local favorites like Dillard House, and the Cupboard Café may be the only eatery left in existence that serves liver and onions. It’s eighty-

five degrees outside now in the River Region. I check the Clayton weather. Sixty-five degrees! I pick up my iPhone and call the number for Georgia State Parks. Within seconds, I’m talking with a reservation specialist. I ask for Black Rock Mountain State Park. It’ll be my Christmas gift to Cindy. She started painting recently. This time next year, she’ll be standing on the long deck of our cabin overlooking the glorious Blue Ridge Mountains, an easel and canvas at the ready. I’ll be sitting nearby in a rocker. And a soft, cool breeze will make me smile.

Jeff 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 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!

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November in the River Region brings familiar traditions. The grocery lists get longer, family recipes come out of hiding, and somebody starts asking what time the turkey will be ready. There's something wonderful about a house full of people you love, especially when those people don't get together nearly as often as you'd like. But if you're the one hosting Thanksgiving, you know there's a little more to the holiday than setting out the good dishes. For many of us in our 50s and 60s, Thanksgiving falls during an interesting season of life. Our children are grown or nearly grown. Our parents are getting older. Some of us are grandparents. Many are still working, helping aging family members, or managing schedules that don't slow down just because November arrives. And somewhere in the middle of all that, we're trying to pull off a memorable Thanksgiving. The good news?

You can create a wonderful holiday without doing everything yourself. Sometimes the secret to better hospitality is simply learning to share it. The Tradition of Doing It All

Every family has that person who knows exactly how Grandmother made the dressing, which cousin prefers pecan

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pie, and where the extra folding chairs are stored. Maybe that person is you. Over the years, hosting can become second nature. You know what needs doing, so you do it. You make the grocery list, prepare the guest rooms, plan the meals, and remember everyone's favorite dishes. There's satisfaction in that. Caring for people is one of life's great pleasures. But traditions can evolve, and so can the way we carry them out. Just because you've always prepared everything doesn't mean you have to keep doing it that way. In fact, inviting others to help may be one of the best traditions you ever start.

Make It a Family Thanksgiving

One of the simplest ways to lighten the load is to stop thinking of Thanksgiving as something you provide and start thinking of it as something the family creates together. Ask your adult children to bring a favorite dish. Let a grandchild arrange the place cards. Put someone in charge of drinks, another in charge of dessert, and someone else on cleanup duty. You might even discover that your son makes a pretty good sweet potato casserole when given the opportunity. The key is planning ahead rather than hoping someone notices you need help while you're balancing three hot casseroles. And don't feel obligated to make every dish from scratch. A bakery pie tastes just as good when you're enjoying it around the table instead of worrying about the pie crust you never got quite right. Thanksgiving is about the people gathered around the meal, not proving who worked the hardest to prepare it.

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here's something worth remembering: people who love you often want to help. They may simply need to know what would be helpful. Good boundaries don't push people away. They make it easier to welcome them without feeling overwhelmed.

Save a Little Thanksgiving for Yourself

A Little Planning Makes Room for Everyone

When family comes home for the holidays, it's tempting to say yes to everything. Another overnight guest? Of course. An extra dinner Wednesday night? Why not? Breakfast for twelve on Friday morning? We'll figure it out. And sometimes that's exactly what you want. But being a thoughtful host also means being realistic about what works for your home, schedule, and energy. If you have space for everyone to stay comfortably, wonderful. If not, there's nothing wrong with helping relatives find a nearby hotel or arranging for different family members to host overnight guests. A little communication beforehand makes those arrangements feel natural rather than awkward. The same applies to meals and schedules. Let everyone know when you're planning the big Thanksgiving feast, but leave some flexibility around the rest of the visit. A simple breakfast, leftovers for lunch, or a casual pizza night can be just as enjoyable as another elaborate meal. Remember, your family is coming to spend time together. They probably aren't expecting a four-day restaurant experience.

When Generations Gather

One of the beautiful things about Thanksgiving is seeing different generations around the same table. But as our parents get older, a little extra consideration can make the gathering more comfortable for everyone. Maybe Mom would appreciate a quieter 16 BOOM!

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bedroom away from the late-night conversations. Dad might need a chair that's easier to get out of. Someone may need help navigating steps or keeping track of medications. These are small details that can make a big difference. And if you're usually the family member coordinating an older parent's care, Thanksgiving doesn't have to be another occasion when every responsibility falls on you. Ask a sibling to help with transportation. Let the grandchildren spend time visiting with their grandparents while you finish preparing dinner. Share the responsibilities in ways that allow everyone to participate. There's something particularly meaningful about watching younger generations care for the older ones. It's one of the ways families pass along more than recipes.

Boundaries Can Be an Act of Kindness

We sometimes think of boundaries as something we establish when relationships become difficult. But healthy boundaries can be just as useful in happy, loving families. They're simply a way of communicating what works best. "We'd love to have everyone over Wednesday evening, but let's keep dinner simple." Or, "We have room for a couple of overnight guests this year." Even something as easy as, "Would you mind handling breakfast Friday morning?" can make a difference. None of those statements is unkind. They're invitations to work together. And

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There's an old family joke that the person who cooks Thanksgiving dinner is often the last one to sit down and the first one to get back up. It doesn't have to be that way. Build a little breathing room into the holiday. Enjoy your morning coffee before the kitchen gets busy. Take a walk after dinner. Sit down and watch part of the football game. Let somebody else put away the leftovers. And when everyone gathers around the table, resist the temptation to spend the meal thinking about what still needs to be done. Look around instead. Notice the laughter. Listen to the familiar stories, even the ones you've heard a dozen times. Appreciate the empty-nest kids who made it home, the grandchildren growing faster than you expected, and the older family members whose presence means a little more with every passing year. Those are the moments you'll remember long after the dishes are put away.

The Best Seat in the House

As we get older, holidays have a way of changing. The children who once sat at the kids' table are now bringing dishes of their own. Parents who once hosted everyone may now need a little help getting to the table. And some of the faces we wish were there are present only in our memories. Perhaps that's why Thanksgiving becomes more meaningful with age. We've learned that a perfect meal isn't nearly as important as the people sharing it. We've also learned that our time and energy are worth caring for, just like everyone else's. So this Thanksgiving, open your home if you can. Make the dressing, pull out the extra chairs, and welcome the people you love. Just remember to give yourself a seat at the table, too. After all, the best part of Thanksgiving was never supposed to be how much you did for everyone else. It was getting to be together. • The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

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By Greg Budell

The Mayor of BOOMTOWN

Attitude of Gratitude By the time most of you read this, the midterm election will be over. Some will be pleased, some not so much. Moreover, every so-called news network will already be whipping up hysteria over the next election in 2028. We never get a break!

clean water, abundant food, personal transportation, and digital connectivity— is something most of humanity has never known.

One unpleasant takeaway from all the recent election chaos: a growing number of people who dare utter the words “I hate this country." I simply cannot countenance that level of ignorance. Nor can I comprehend it. Every American should be grateful to live in the United States because it remains one of the freest, most opportunity-rich, and most dynamic societies in human history. The United States was founded on the radical idea that individual liberty is the default and government power must be limited and accountable. That principle still shapes daily life. Americans enjoy robust protections for speech, religion, assembly, and the press that are stronger and more consistently enforced than in most other countries. You can criticize the government, practice any faith or none, start a controversial business, or publish unpopular opinions without fearing state retaliation. These freedoms are not abstract; they enable people to challenge authority, correct course through elections, and pursue lives according to their own values. In a world where authoritarian regimes silence dissent, restrict movement, and punish independent thought, this inheritance is extraordinary. Those freedoms were bought and insured with the blood of countless patriots who believed the USA was an idea worth dying for. 18 BOOM!

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It was and is. The U.S. economy is the world’s largest by a significant margin and has long served as a magnet for talent and capital. Property rights are relatively secure, markets are comparatively open, and entrepreneurship faces fewer barriers than in many peer nations. Ordinary people can start companies in their garages, scale ideas rapidly, and, if successful, create wealth that lifts not only themselves but employees and communities. Generations of immigrants, playing by the rules, have arrived with little and built better lives precisely because the system rewards initiative more reliably than rigid class structures or heavy state direction elsewhere. Median living standards, access to consumer goods, housing quality, and mobility options remain high by global historical measures. Even accounting for inequality and regional variation, the baseline of material comfort—reliable electricity,

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I recently enjoyed a dinner with my daughter in New Orleans. As the bread and beverages hit the table, I casually said, “We are so lucky. Look at the choices we have. Farmers, ranchers, and fishermen rounded up all these options and delivered them fresh to this restaurant. Someone trained to be a chef and is preparing our order to perfection. Someone who enjoys providing excellent customer service brings it to the table with a smile. We go to the store, and everything we need is there, produced in factories and delivered by dedicated truck drivers. We both have careers we enjoy that give us the means to have what we want when we need it. It’s amazing when you think about it." Janelle paused and looked back at me and said: "It sure is, Dad. It sure is!” We’re so used to the abundance we often take it for granted. I recently watched a Space-X launch at 530AM that left a spectacular, amazing aura in the pre-dawn sky. It’s all the more amazing when you consider that the electric light bulb is less than 150 years old!

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 and Jay Scott, 6-9 AM Monday - Friday. He returns Monday - Thursday 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. The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

DID YOU KNOW? Receiving the Flu and Pneumonia vaccines can help reduce illnesses, doctor visits, hospitalization, missed work, and missed school.

Hospitalization

Work

School

alabamapublichealth.gov/imm The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

05.2024

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Elf The Musical at ASF I November 25 - December 27

Embrace your inner elf with this magical, musical tale for all ages! Buddy the Elf journeys to the city to discover his true identity – and bring Christmas joy to everyone he meets. Unfortunately, his father may be at the top of Santa’s naughty list. Can Buddy help his new family rediscover the true meaning of Christmas? Inspired by the beloved hit film, this hilarious and heartwarming holiday musical is a gift for the whole family. Visit asf.net/elf-the-musical/.

Robert Earl Keen Then And Now November 21 I 8:00 pm I MPAC

No two creative lives unfold the same way, and for Robert Earl Keen, the story was never going to end with a quiet retreat. After decades on the road, with 21 albums, countless shows, songs sung by legends like George Strait and The Highwaymen, and honors ranging from the BMI Troubadour Award to the Texas A&M Distinguished Alumni Award, he might have had every reason to slow down. But Keen has always seen the open road as a beginning, never an end. mpaconline.org/robert-earl-keen

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The Temptations with Special Guest Ruban Studdard November 25 I 8pm I Montgomery Performing Arts Center

Celebrating the 60th anniversary of their first #1 hit, “My Girl,” The Temptations launched their milestone celebration with a show-stopping appearance on the Wonder float at the 98th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. They followed with national TV appearances on The Today Show, The View, CNN, and other major programs, with more appearances planned throughout the year. Ticket Prices: $50 - $80, additional fees may apply. Visit mpaconline.org/the-temptations for tickets.

Caregiver of the Month Spotlight: Mary Ott Some caregivers make an impact from day one, and Mary Ott is a perfect example! Since joining the Home Care Assistance family on August 19, 2026, Mary has quickly stood out as a dependable caregiver and a true team player. She is always willing to pick up extra shifts and support her team whenever needed. Our clients rave about her, and it’s easy to see why! She never rushes through her visits, taking the time to provide attentive, compassionate care that helps each client feel valued and respected. Mary, thank you for the dedication and kindness you bring to every visit. We are grateful to have you as part of the Home Care Assistance family and proud to recognize the difference you make in the lives of our clients. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor! For more information visit www.homecareassistancemontgomery.com.

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City of Montgomery Veterans Day Celebration November 14 I 10 AM - 1:30 PM I Central AL Montgomery VA Clinic

Join the City of Montgomery for a Veterans Day Parade and Resource Fair honoring the service and sacrifices of our veterans. Free; no registration required to attend. This year’s celebration will include a patriotic Veterans Day Parade, a special performance by the 151st Army National Guard Band, veteran and military resources, local businesses, community organizations, and family-friendly activities. Veterans, service members—including active-duty, Guard, and Reserve members— and their immediate families will receive a meal voucher redeemable for one complimentary meal from a participating food truck.

Gobble Wobble 5K Run/Walk November 27 I 8am to 10:30am I Cloverdale Road Park

Join us for a lively, family‑friendly 5K that encourages our community to stay active, connect with neighbors, and kick off the holiday season with gratitude, movement, and fun. Registration FREE at runsignup.com.

GIFT HOPE at First United Methodist Church Wednesday, Decemeber 2, 4:30-6:30 p.m., in-person shopping; Online shopping Dec. 2-11

Can’t think of what to give someone at Christmas? Gift Hope offers people in the River Region an opportunity to rethink the traditional Christmas gift by giving a better alternative - giving hope to someone in need. Gift Hope supports area nonprofits through an event where you are able to make a donation for a variety of “gifts” in honor of a friend or a loved one. By supporting Gift Hope, you help fund specific items from 25 nonprofits working in the Montgomery area to help those in need - for example, one week of hot meals for an elderly person, a onesie for a newborn baby, books for children, or food for kittens and puppies. Gifts are available at $5, $10, $25, and $50 and cards and envelopes are available for announcing the gift(s) made in the recipient’s name(s) to the designated nonprofits. Since 2013, Gift Hope has been a community event sponsored by the Church and Society Mission Team of Montgomery’s First United Methodist Church in Cloverdale Park. The 2025 event provided almost $37,000 to local nonprofits to help those most vulnerable in our community. Please join us on Wednesday, December 2, in the First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 2416 W. Cloverdale Park, where representatives of these nonprofits will be available to explain their work and help you decide how you can support your community. For those unable to attend, online shopping will be available from December 2-11. (www.fumcmontgomery.org/gifthope) 22 BOOM!

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The Thanksgiving Group Text You can always tell Thanksgiving volume up, blissfully unaware he has is coming in the River Region because been tagged fourteen times. somebody — usually a sister with a Meanwhile the sandwichclipboard personality — starts a family generation folks — the ones still group text titled something cheerful packing care packages for a college like “Turkey Day Logistics!!!” with three kid in Auburn AND checking whether exclamation points and zero mercy. Grandma in Prattville needs a ride — It begins politely. “Who’s hosting?” are trying to schedule arrival times like Then: “Who’s bringing rolls?” air traffic control. “We’ll get there at Then the real Olympic event opens: 17 1:30.” “Make it 2:00, traffic.” “Can we adults, four time zones of opinion, and do 12:45 so the baby still naps?” The one cousin who hasn’t cooked since baby will not nap. The baby is the CEO the Bush administration volunteering of this operation. to “just bring drinks,” which somehow And don’t get me started on the means a two-liter of Diet Coke and a store runs. Every grocery parking lot story about traffic on I-65. from Montgomery to Pike Road turns Aunt Linda has claimed the into a contact sport. You go in for butter sweet potato casserole with the and leave with three kinds of cranberry marshmallows, which means Aunt Carol sauce you didn’t need, a disposable will claim the sweet potato casserole roasting pan that could shelter a small WITHOUT the marshmallows, which family, and the creeping fear that you means we will have two nearly identical forgot the one thing somebody put in orange rectangles on the table and a ALL CAPS in the group text. cold war that lasts until New Year’s. Then Thursday arrives. Somehow Somebody’s gluten-free. Somebody’s — despite the dairy-free. Somebody’s “just trying to unread messages, eat clean,” which in November means the duplicate they will still take a dinner roll the size of casseroles, the a softball and look personally betrayed rolls that got by gravy. assigned to Then the assignments start flying three different like pecan pie crumbs. “Can you do the people — green beans?” “I ALWAYS do the green the house beans.” “I thought Mom did the green fills up. beans.” “Mom’s doing the turkey. Or Somebody’s is Dad doing the turkey? Dad, are you laughing in doing the turkey?” the kitchen. Dad has been “muted for the Somebody’s holidays” since 2019 and is currently arguing watching Auburn highlights with the about RiverRegionBoom.com November 2026 24 BOOM!

whether the turkey is “done” using a method that would not pass a science fair. A grandkid steals an olive off the relish tray like it’s a heist. The dog positions himself under the table with the faith of a saint. You look around at the noise, the mismatched chairs dragged in from every room, the phone still buzzing with a late “ON MY WAY” from the relative who is never on their way, and you realize the group text wasn’t really about rolls. It was about showing up. So yes, I’m grumpy. I’ll keep complaining about Thanksgiving logistics, marshmallow diplomacy, and group texts that should come with a United Nations moderator. But I’m grateful. Grateful for a table that still has too many opinions and not enough elbow room. Grateful for the people who argue about green beans because they care enough to come. Grateful that, for one loud afternoon in Alabama, we still gather — even if half the planning happened in a chat named with a turkey emoji. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to unmute Dad and confirm, for the fifteenth time, that yes — he is doing the turkey.

- Archie Grumbleton

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Easy Holiday Creamed Corn

Fool-proof easy creamed corn! Rich, creamy, and so buttery. An absolute must-have Thanksgiving side dish that everyone will love!

Ingredients: 6 ounces cream cheese, cubed ¼ cup unsalted butter 3 cloves garlic, minced ⅓ cup whole milk 2 cups corn kernels, fresh, canned or frozen 2 sprigs fresh thyme Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

Instructions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly coat a 9 x 13 baking dish with nonstick spray. Combine cream cheese, butter and garlic in a medium saucepan over medium high heat until blended. Stir in milk until smooth. Stir in corn, thyme, salt and pepper until well combined. Spread corn mixture into the prepared baking dish; sprinkle with cheese. Place into oven and bake until bubbly, about 15-17 minutes. Serve immediately, garnished with parsley, if desired. https://damndelicious.net/2014/11/12/easy-creamed-corn/

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BOOM! COVER PROFILE

Jennifer Eifert Jennifer Eifert believes life is too short to stop exploring, learning, and embracing new adventures. After a successful decade in dental technology, she took an unexpected turn in her late 40s, returning to school to pursue her interest in art. That decision eventually led her to become director of The Kelly in Wetumpka, where she has helped transform a small gallery into a thriving community art center. From traveling the world to discovering new passions and challenges, Jennifer approaches life with curiosity, determination, and a willingness to step outside her comfort zone.

BOOM: Jennifer, when you look at your life today, you're doing work you love, meeting interesting people, traveling, and still finding new adventures. Is this anything like the life you imagined for yourself 20 years ago? Jennifer: Twenty years ago, I had an infant and a toddler and didn’t really have an idea of what the future looked like. I have always tried to make travel and adventures part of my life, but I had not yet discovered how much I enjoy being in a leadership role. I had not 28 BOOM!

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considered that I might find a path that included art. BOOM: You spent about a decade working in dental technology before deciding to pursue an interest you'd always had in art. What was happening in your life that made you decide it was time to explore something different?

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Jennifer: I had become limited by my success; it is hard to leave a good job with a good company. Sometimes we just get comfortable. The opportunity to make this change was

related to COVID. When the whole world shut down, I had the opportunity to go back to school. I decided this time I would focus on something just because I wanted to. BOOM: You made a comment about reaching your late 40s and deciding, essentially, "Who cares what anyone thinks?" Was there a moment when you realized you didn't have to keep following the same path simply because it was familiar? Jennifer: We spend so much of our youth trying to fit in, trying not to make mistakes, doing what is expected. I think as we get older, we can embrace who we actually are. We learn that we can fail and try again. We also discover that sometimes the thing we are doing is the wrong thing for us, even if it looks like success. The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

BOOM: Going back to school and starting over professionally takes courage. What were your biggest doubts or challenges, and what helped you push through them?

BOOM: You told me that The Kelly is a job you genuinely enjoy going to every day. What have you discovered about the kind of work—and the kind of life—that makes you feel most fulfilled?

Jennifer: I was a little concerned that it would be strange going to school with people almost the same age as my children, but it was surprisingly easy. It was a little challenging following all the rules, as an adult used to making my own decisions without asking for permission.

Jennifer: There are so many aspects of my role that are interesting, creative, fun, and challenging, but the most fulfilling part of my job is the people. I love seeing our little ones excited about coming in and making art. I love that teenagers feel comfortable hanging out and turning their ideas into digital art. We host all

BOOM: You started at The Kelly as an intern in 2020 and eventually became its director. What began as an interest in art turned into something much bigger. What surprised you most about where that first step led?

the Elmore County fourth graders each year, and they come back with their parents and show them what they have seen. They are now comfortable in an art museum, and hopefully art will become a continuing part of their lives. We have amazing volunteers that bring so many talents to The Kelly and who make it feel almost like family. BOOM: You initially thought you wanted to be a curator, but soon discovered you enjoyed everything from curating to strategic planning. Has getting older

Jennifer: The most surprising part about what has happened since I started with The Kelly is how fast we have grown. When I started, The Kelly was renting a space from the chamber of commerce and hosting three exhibitions a year. We have moved twice since then into progressively bigger buildings and hosted as many as eleven exhibits in a year. We have also added children’s programs, adult classes, a summer program, an art summit, a ladies' health and wellness event, and an annual festival. The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

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made you more willing to explore things you're not yet good at or take on challenges you might have avoided earlier in life? Jennifer: I don’t know if getting older has made me more willing to explore things or if exploring new things leads to exploring other new things. I had always been uncomfortable speaking in front of a group, and radio and television were even worse. It really does get easier every time, and now I speak to groups, do interviews, teach lessons; often it is even fun. BOOM: Downtown Wetumpka has experienced quite a transformation in recent years, with new businesses, visitors, and renewed energy. From your perspective at The Kelly, what has been most exciting about watching downtown evolve, and what do you hope its future looks like? Jennifer: The future looks very bright for Wetumpka. There are so many things that come together to drive this success: the Mayor, City leaders, our 30 BOOM!

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Chamber of Commerce, Main Street, local businesses. There is a feeling of community and excitement that makes people want to be there, want to be involved. We love being a part of such a great town. BOOM: For readers who haven't visited The Kelly, tell us a little about what it is and what makes it special. What do you hope people experience when they walk through the doors, whether they're lifelong art lovers or someone who's never stepped inside a gallery? Jennifer: The Kelly began as The Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery to honor John Kelly Fitzpatrick. He was an artist and teacher who was a founder of the Dixie Art Colony and Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. We have grown into a vibrant art center that continues his legacy. We still have exhibitions, but now also have children’s programs, adult classes, an art summit, and even a festival.

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I hope everyone who comes to The Kelly feels welcome. I think that is a very important part of what we do and how we have grown into what we are. I want people to enjoy the art. I hope they are inspired to create; it is wonderful when they decide to be involved with The Kelly, but I believe the reason people enjoy coming in and keep coming back is because they do feel welcome. BOOM: You grew up with an international family background and military influences, and travel has remained an important part of your life. What do you love most about experiencing unfamiliar places, and how has travel changed the way you see the world? Jennifer: Travel broadens our perspective and exposes us to new cultures. There are so many things to see, foods to eat, people to meet. When I was young and complaining about being bored, my mother told me to make a list of everything I want to do in my life and do it. She said she had a list and had done everything on it, her only regret was that her list was too short. I determined then that my list was never going to be “too short”. BOOM: You've stayed involved in Scouting even after your sons aged out, and it's taken you into adventures like caving and climbing. What's one experience that pushed you outside your comfort zone and left you thinking, "I'm really glad I did that"? The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

Jennifer: The whole experience of scouting has pushed me outside my comfort zone. I was never a camper growing up, sleeping in the woods, cooking on a propane stove. Now I love so many parts of camping: sitting around the campfire, snuggling down in a thick sleeping bag when it is cold, early morning coffee by a lake. I also enjoy the satisfaction of being able to set up a tent, build a fire, hike up a mountain.

way, or has getting older changed your willingness to take risks and try difficult things? Jennifer: I have always approached life this way. I can remember being newly married, newly arrived in Japan, alone because my husband had been deployed. I wondered what on earth I had gotten myself into. It turned out to be a grand adventure and a great experience, but that doesn’t mean it was easy. BOOM: When you think about aging well, what matters most to you now? Are there things you've become more intentional about—or things you've learned to worry less about—as you've gotten older?

BOOM: Your sons are now young adults, and life looks different from those busy years of raising children. What are you enjoying about this new season of family life, and has it opened doors to things you didn't have time for before? Jennifer: I am enjoying the freedom of this season of family life. I can travel, work crazy hours, meet a friend for coffee without worrying. I also enjoy the relationship I have with my boys now. They are interesting, funny, insightful young men. BOOM: You said something I really liked: "I don't want to be bored, and I don't mind hard." Have you always approached life that The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

Jennifer: I used to work out to be thin; now I work out to be strong. There are so many things I want to do and places I want to go, and I would hate for the reason I couldn’t do something to be because I quit trying. BOOM: There are plenty of BOOM readers who may have spent decades raising families, building careers, or doing what was expected of them. Some may still have an interest or dream they've never pursued. What would you tell someone who wonders whether it's too late to start something new?

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Jennifer: I think that people spend time doing things for other people and that is important, but when your children are grown, and your career is established or even over, why not do something for yourself? Try something just because you want to, learn a skill even if it is completely impractical, follow that dream. Who gets to decide it’s too late? It isn’t getting earlier; go do it!

4. Most adventurous thing you've ever tried: I hiked 26.3 miles for Make-A-Wish, twice.

Quick Take with Jennifer

7. Best advice you've ever received: “You know all those things you always wanted to do; you should go do them.”

5. Favorite restaurant in the River Region: I love all the cool local places in Wetumpka! 6. A hobby or skill you'd still love to learn: I have bongo drums!

1. Favorite way to spend a Saturday: Exploring a new place

8. Something people would be surprised to know about you: I was very shy!

2. A place you'd love to visit again: Sedona, AZ, or anywhere in Hawaii

9. Your idea of a perfect afternoon: beach, sun, waves

3. An artist or work of art you never tire of: “David” by Michelangelo

10. One thing you're looking forward to: Grandchildren

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We thank Jennifer for sharing her story with us! If you know someone who would make a great cover profile, please email jason@ riverregionboom.com.

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Coming up with an idea for dinner every night can be frustrating. We try to find a meal that everyone enjoys, that can be put together quickly and that reheats well. The key to adding a new recipe to your rotation is to sample it. At a Dinner Tasting Party, guests bring one of their favorite dinners, hot and ready to taste along with enough printed recipes for everyone. Be sure to have your guests bring plenty to sample at the party as well as enough for each guest to bring a sample size home. (A sample size is a bite or two.) Guests leave the party with a stack of recipes and a bag full of samples for their own family to try.

Sound intriguing? Keep reading for party plans. 34 BOOM!

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How to get started: Make your guest list. This par

ty is perfect for neighbors, co-workers, church groups or friends. It is best to determine any allergies ahead of time. Create up a Sign Up Genuis where guests can add what they are bringing to avoid any repeats.

Directions for guests: Ask everyone to bring their go to weekday meal, hot and ready to eat. They are to bring additional, bite sized portions that are already packaged and in a cooler. Containers meant to hold dressing (3-4oz) work well. Guests will also need several copies of their recipe – one to go with the prepared dish and one for each guest. The hostess will provide a folder or binder for the guests to take the recipes home. The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

When the guests arrive, place a number on their cooler and on their dish in the serving area. Partygoers will spend the first part of the evening sampling the meals, mingling and catching up with friends. Picky eaters have no fear. You can read the recipes to see if the dish includes an item that is not your favorite. After everyone has eaten to their heart's content, the guests will vote on their favorites. You can have one prize for a best dish or come up with creative categories for everyone to get a ribbon. Categories might include Best Meatless Dish, Best Crockpot Dish, Spiciest Dish, Best Comfort Food, etc.). Look for kitchen-related prizes like serving dishes, seasonal kitchen towels or gadgets.

Keep the party going with games: What’s your favorite…? – Write a question such as, “What is your favorite place for pizza?” on the top of a piece of paper. Clip

paper to a clipboard and pass around the room asking everyone to write down their answer. It might be fun to have several questions like this. Other suggestions include Best Date Night Restaurant,

Favorite No-Cook Meal, Best Packed Lunch Items, Best Carryout Meal, or Best Bakery. Spicing it Up – How well do you know your spices? Place 10 spices in

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What other variations can we try? Themed Party – Try pasta recipes, Mexican dishes, crockpot meals, meatless choices or salads. Tomorrow’s Dinner – Instead of taking home all the samples, guests will bring three complete meals. One which is ready to taste and two that are ready to be eaten tomorrow. Give each guest tokens (poker chips work well) and an auction number paddle. The hostess serves as the caller and each item is auctioned off, beginning at one chip. Because each guest only receives a limited amount of chips, those who want the higher “priced” items may only get one thing. Stealing – You can make your bidding even more interesting by giving a few players a steal card to be used at any time. When a guest receives that card, she can steal a dish from someone else who has already had a turn. The steal card would be a nice prize from a game like the Spicing It Up.

numbered plastic bowls. Each guest will smell or taste each spice and write the name of the spice next to the corresponding number on their scorecard. Use everyday spices like oregano or garlic salt and mix in a few like tarragon or coriander. Matching – This is a great game if everyone at the party knows each other. Include a questionnaire with the invitation asking questions about your guests like a favorite music group, sports team or hobby. Write answers down on separate index cards. At the party, the hostess asks the question while guests work together to try to guess which answer goes with which person. Players get a point for each correct answer. Name your Favorite… - Write down simple categories like cereal, TV show, holiday or dog breed and put them bowl. Have the guests draw out a card and name 5 of their favorite items in that category within 30 seconds. Pam Molnar is a freelance writer, foodie and mother of three. She enjoys writing about party planning, meal planning, women’s health and making memories with family and friends.

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By early November in central Alabama, dusk arrives like an early dinner guest—polite, inevitable, and somehow already in the driveway at 5:05. You finish a shift in downtown Montgomery or an errand loop through Prattville, and the sky has already gone pewter. The couch looks louder. The remote looks friendlier. Your brain starts whispering that the day is “basically over,” even if your body still has three good hours left. That whisper is not a moral failure. It is biology meeting a calendar. Shorter days change the cues your brain uses for alertness, mood, and sleep timing. You do not need a medical degree to notice the pattern: heavier evenings, earlier yawns, a flatter motivation curve.

What “dark at five” does to a good day

Light is information. Morning light tells your internal clock the day has started; evening darkness helps melatonin rise. When sunset jumps earlier, some people feel a soft drag— less spark for a walk, less interest in cooking, more “I’ll start that tomorrow.” Still-working readers feel it after fluorescent offices. Retired readers feel it when the structure of a commute disappears and dusk becomes the loudest schedule on the block. Hopeful news: small, boring inputs— light, movement, timing, people—stack better than one heroic January overhaul.

The energy playbook

NOVEMBER 17–19 7 P.M. WOLTOSZ THEATRE PRESENTED IN ASSOCIATION WITH AND ENDORSED BY NEIL DIAMOND

Tickets available now! 334.844.TIXS (8497) GOGUECENTERTICKETS.AUBURN.EDU

1. Steal morning light like it is medicine. Within an hour of waking,

get outdoor light for ten to fifteen minutes if you can. Overcast still counts. Bright indoor light near a window helps when weather wins. You are resetting a clock, not training for a race.

2. Protect a midday outdoor minute. Lunch walk. Library-to-

View our complete 2026–27 season calendar online.

car sunlight. A venture through the Montgomery Botanical Gardens paths The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

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when you can. Midday light is a second vote for “daytime” when sunrise and sunset bookend the day too tightly.

3. Move before the couch wins. Not a

punishment workout—a negotiation. Ten minutes of stairs, stretching, or a YMCA lap after work beats a ninety-minute debate with the sofa. Movement tells your brain the day still has a plot. Pair it with a podcast or a call so it feels like company, not a chore.

4. Keep a social anchor after dark—on purpose. Energy drops when every evening is

unstructured. Put one recurring human on the calendar: church small group, cards, a Tuesday library program, a standing call with a friend. This is rhythm, not a loneliness intervention. You are giving your nervous system a reason to stay upright past sunset.

at 9:30. Protein + produce + a carb you enjoy beats cereal over the sink. If cooking feels heavy, soup and a salad kit still count as adulthood.

5. Dim the fake daylight after 8 or 9. Bright screens at 10 p.m. argue with the darkness outside. Lower overheads, warm lamps, phones in another room for the last stretch. Sleep protects tomorrow’s energy more than one more episode protects tonight’s mood.

6. Watch the alcohol-as-sunset shortcut. A glass of

wine can feel like a switch for “evening mode.” For many after 50, it also fragments sleep and steals tomorrow’s voltage. If dusk drinking has become automatic, experiment with sparkling water and a short walk for two weeks and notice the morning difference.

7. Eat dinner like you still live here. Skipping real food because “it’s already night” flattens mood and invites grazing

Early dark is not proof you are declining. It is a cue conflict. Your ancestors did not have LED refrigerators and infinite streaming; your brain is doing old math in a new century. Meet it with inputs, not insults. Living fully in November can look ordinary: blinds open at 7:10, shoes by the door at noon, a 5:40 walk while there is still a smear of light, soup on the stove, lights warmer after nine, one friend who expects you Thursday. That is not small. That is voltage management. Aging well is not pretending the sun stays late. It is refusing to shrink your life to the width of the couch just because the sky clocked out early. Dark at five does not get the last word. You do—one small, lit choice at a time. •

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Maximizing Medicare for 2027 Big Changes Ahead

Maximizing your benefits and minimizing your costs for Medicare continues to become increasingly complex, including the year of 2027. Insurers are terminating Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Part D plans. The options for seniors are decreasing across much of the country. Five years ago, Medicare participants could choose from an average of 30 stand-alone Medicare Part D drug plans. For 2027 the average available drops to 11 plans, a drop of 63%. There were subsidies for Medicare Part D plans over the past two years that end in 2027. However, the good news is that the Trump administration has negotiated lower negotiated prices for fifteen prescription drugs that many seniors take. In addition, the maximum out-of-pockets for Part D expenses is going up from $2,100 to $2,400 and the maximum Medicare Part D deductible is going up as well. With regards to drug plans that are included in Medicare Advantage plans, plan availability varies widely by county in 2027. Two of the largest Medicare Advantage insurers, UnitedHealth Group and Humana are exiting more counties and scaling back other benefits, while raising costs or out-of-pocket maximum coverage. Some Medicare participants will have no Medicare Advantage drug plans available to them. Enrollment in Medicare Advantage plans continues to increase so that

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Financial Thoughts with Susan Moore

By Susan Clayton Moore, J.D.

workshops that covers the changes for 2027 and how to maximize your Medicare in light of these changes. There will be both a live and recorded version. If you miss the webinar, you can request a link to the recorded version. Please call the Moore Wealth Management office for further information or reservations at 334.270.1672 or email sarah@ moorewealthmanagement.com. If you miss the webinar, we will offer free consultations that are without obligation.

Moore Wealth Management, Inc.

nearly half of Medicare participants are using a Medicare Advantage plan. These plans have an annual maximum out-of-pocket cost for hospitalizations and doctor treatments. Some include coverage for prescription drugs. In light of the significant changes to Medicare Advantage Plans and Medicare Part D plans, it is advisable to review your coverage even if your plan is not going to be discontinued. Medicare’s open enrollment period started October 15th and continues until December 7th. On Wednesday, November 18th, from noon to 1:30 p.m., Susan Moore of Moore Wealth Management, Inc. will be conducting an annual complimentary webinar

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Susan Clayton Moore, J.D., is a financial advisor and wealth manager of Moore Wealth Management, Inc., with offices Montgomery and Alexander City, AL. Susan has over $150 million in assets (as of 9.1.24) under management through Kestra Financial and has been a financial planner for over 40 years. Contact Susan at 256.234.2761. Email contact is susan@moorewealthmanagement.com. The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect those held by Kestra Investment Services, LLC or Kestra Advisory Services, LLC. This is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations for any individual. It is suggested that you consult your financial professional, attorney or tax advisor regarding your individual situation. Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisory Services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. Kestra IS or Kestra AS are not affiliated with Moore Wealth Management, Inc. https://www. kestrafinancial.com/disclosures

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