BOOM! August 2011

3BOOM!August 2011The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine r iverregionboom.com

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

Carl BardContents August 2011

BOOM! magazine is published monthly by River Region Publications, 8637 Harvest Ridge Dr., Montgomery, AL 36116. The phone number for voice and fax is 334.523.9510. Copyright 2011 by River Region Publications. No part of this publication can be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Opinions expressed in BOOM!

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.

Volume 2 Issue 1

Features

Departments

Humor AdviceHealth

Community

BOOM! COVER PROFILE

page 10

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

BOOM!, The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

page 24

16 Love StorySome marriages don’t last 55 minutes, let alone 55 years.

16 Boomer CruisesNew experiences and quality

27 GrandparentsWhip up some magic potion

8 This and That Something interesting, even for you!

28 {12} Things Plenty to do for Boomers and Beyond.

14 John Ed Mathison Pass the Chicken

ThoughtRelationships

TasteInspiration

Jackson Hospital’s Health News

Publisher’s Letter

Nothing Wrong with eating Healthy

Healthy Hearing, What to expect...

Vintage Olive Recipes

Humor-Greg BudellAlley Cat

5

6

18

22

24

30page 16

page 30

page 18

Elvis Ticket Giveaway!page 6

r iverregionboom.com4 BOOM! August 2011 The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazinewww.jackson.org/clinic

Dr. Basil Burney comes to Jackson after completing an endocrinology fellowship from the Baylor College of Medicine and MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. He also performed a fellowship in clinical hypertension at the University of Chicago Medical Center. Dr. Burney’s internal medicine residency was at St. Louis University Hospital.

Dr. Vladimir Zahradnik joins us after completing a fellowship in vascular surgery at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. He performed his general surgery residency in Birmingham, Alabama at Carraway Methodist Medical Center and Baptist Health System, where he was chief resident.

Basil Burney, MDSpecializing in Endocrinology

Vladimir Zahradnik, MDSpecializing in Vascular Surgery

THE JACKSON CLINIC WELCOMES

Vladimir Zahradnik, MD Basil Burney, MD

Another great reason to choose

To schedule an appointment call 334-293-8888


HealthNEWSfor Boomers and Beyond

A recovery that’s as speedy and pain-free as possible—this is a key goal of endovascular surgery, a treatment for often serious blood vessel problems.

Endovascular means “inside blood vessels.” And that’s exactly where doctors perform this minimally invasive surgery. Guided by x-ray images on a video screen, they thread tiny instruments into diseased or damaged vessels to fix them.

Chances are you’re already familiar with the very first endovascular procedure—angioplasty, pioneered in the 1970s. In this procedure, doctors help restore blood flow in dangerously clogged arteries in the heart, lower legs and other parts of the body by inserting a slender tube into the artery and then inflating a balloon at its tip.

There are many types of vascular disease that can be treated with endovascular surgery, including PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL DISEASE (PAD), which is caused by blockages in the blood vessels that lead to your kidneys, stomach, arms or lower extremities. PAD occurs most often in the arteries in your legs, causing pain and discomfort when you walk.

“If you develop crampy pain in your calves when you walk or develop foot wounds that are difficult to heal, you may suffer from inadequate blood supply to your legs due to blockages in the arteries,” says Vladimir Zahradnik, MD, vascular surgeon with the Jackson Clinic.

Most people with PAD can be treated with lifestyle changes, medicines or both.

The best thing you can do to help keep PAD under control is to exercise. Walking and specific leg exercises may help. You should stop smoking and improve your diet. If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, you’ll need to keep them under control.

If lifestyle changes and medications aren’t enough, your doctor might suggest other treatments, including minimally invasive surgery.

“PAD can be treated now with angioplasty, and stenting or arthrectomy which excises the built up plaque,” said Dr. Zahradnik. “The procedure is minimally invasive and is performed through a small incision in the groin slightly bigger than a standard IV catheter.”

Today endovascular surgery is also used to repair

ANEURYSMS—weak spots in blood vessels that bulge and could burst and cause deadly bleeding. Often the surgery treats aneurysms that form in the aorta, the body’s largest artery.

For aortic aneurysm surgery, doctors make small incisions in the groin so that a tiny tube called a stent graft can be guided through blood vessels to the aneurysm. Doctors then expand the stent graft and anchor it in place inside the aorta. It reinforces the weakened section of the vessel, helping to keep the artery from bursting.

In contrast, conventional aneurysm surgery requires a major incision. Doctors cut into either the chest or the abdomen, depending on where the aneurysm is located. Next, they remove the fragile section of the aorta and replace it with synthetic material.

VARICOSE VEINS are another common type of vascular disease, and physicians can now use endovenous ablation for treatment, instead of vein stripping. During this procedure, radio frequency or laser energy is used to cauterize the vein that can be bulgy, unattractive, and often painful. The energy heats the lining within the vein, damaging it and causing it to collapse, shrink, and eventually disappear. This technique typically takes less than 30 minutes to perform, and can be done in the doctor’s office.

This treatment provides:• A reduced chance of developing stasis ulcers • Significant relief from discomfort such as aches,

heaviness, and pain • More efficient blood circulation • An improved body image and confidence in

one’s appearance • A minimally invasive, quick and easy

treatment option Compared with conventional surgery, endovascular

repair has important advantages. Generally, patients have shorter hospital stays, less pain and fewer complications. Endovascular surgery may also be a safer option for anyone with a health problem that heightens the risks of major surgery.

Endovascular surgery—Healing from the inside out

JULY 2011

Dr. Vladimir Zahradnik

The bottom line: Whenever surgery is a possibility, ask your doctor what all your options are and

what benefits and risks they carry.

r iverregionboom.com6 BOOM! August 2011 The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine6 BOOM! The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

We’re Old, in a good way? Doesn’t that speak loudly about our perceptions towards anyone who is judged as old? In other words, old is not good. Really?

I like being old, I even feel good most days and downright great on some. It seems sad to me that many people view old as a condition they would rather avoid because it means they are not as valuable as they once were. I believe you are as valuable as you make yourself. Ronald Reagan ran for the Presidency when he was 69 years old and he became the most valuable per-son in the world! Some in our community, including my grandsons, would have labeled President Reagan old. So for those of you, who judge people by their age, think again.

Speaking of old, Elvis Presley would have turned 76 this month had he lived. But his life never seems to die with his biggest fans, especially when they’re treated to an extraordinary tribute like that of Scot Bruce. Scot will be performing once again at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival on August 13 and 14th. CNN said “Scot Bruce is the closest you’ll come to Elvis in the flesh”. For all you “old folks” who read BOOM!, we’re giving away some Elvis tickets. Simply send me an email, [email protected] and let me know why you should be dancing in the aisles with Elvis’ best impersonator, Scot Bruce.

In addition to the Elvis contest, we wanted to share a love story about a couple who married late in life but have found the first 55 years of their marriage to be as good as it gets. Also, some of you love to take a cruise but we found that more and more of the Boomers are wanting to step away from the Buffet Line and instead go after sharks. Boomer Cruises are more about adventure and new experi-ences than ever before. For you grandparents that need a spark of inspiration while playing with the little ones we thought some instruction on making magic potions would be in order. Good luck find-ing the toad’s feet!

As always, we have a unique Boom! Profile this month. She is a Montgomery native and has made many of you happy by providing just the right gift for that special baby shower as well as the very special Easter outfit your grandchild wore. Shea Schroll, the owner of the NameDropper & Storkland sat down with BOOM!@ and shared some of her experiences with us for the August BOOM! Profile. As a former kid myself, hanging out in a children’s store was good fun. We hope you enjoy the Q & A with Shea.

As always, thanks to all of our readers. The feedback and suggestions are always welcome. Your input is what makes the conversation about BOOM! so interesting and rewarding. Also, please continue sharing BOOM! with your friends, I know they’ll appreciate it! Remember, it’s a great time to be Booming!

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.

Please Recycle This Magazine, Share with a Friend!

We’re Old (In a Good Way)publisher’s letter

Jim Watson, Publisher

Publisher/EditorJim Watson, 334.523.9510

[email protected]

Associate EditorKelly Watson

[email protected]

Contributing WritersDr. Bettie Borton

Greg Budell Karen Garloch

John Ed Mathison Shea Schroll

Dawn Turner TriceKathy Witt

Cover PhotographyMaria Wiggins, Reflections of Grace

[email protected] www.reflectionsofgracestudios.com

Advertising Jim Watson, 334.523.9510

[email protected] Mottenon,

[email protected]

Design & LayoutLake House Graphics

DistributionNetwork Delivery

PrintingPublications Press, Montgomery, AL

334.244.0436Jim

[email protected] 334.324.3472 cell/text

334.523.9510 office

Win tickets to one of the country’s greates Elvis tribute shows, starring, Scot Bruce! Simply send an email to [email protected] and let us know why you should be dancing in the aisles

with Scot Bruce. Everyone’s eligible, so tell your friends!

see page 12 for ASF show times

7BOOM!August 2011The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine r iverregionboom.com BOOM!The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

r iverregionboom.com8 BOOM! August 2011 The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

Stars on the Riverfront

This & tHAT i

The Alabama Dance Theatre will be offering two free perfor-mances of “Stars on the Riverfront” which features a unique array of classical and contemporary works. Admission is free. Performances are Thursday, August 4th at 7:30 p.m. and Friday, August 5th at 7:30 p.m. at the River-walk Amphitheater. For more information call 334-241-2590 or visit our web site at www.alabamadancetheatre.com.

The River Region United Way and EMERGE Montgomery have an-nounced that Thursday, August 11, 2011 is the date for the 2011 Rally In the Alley. Rally in the Alley is held each year to celebrate the begin-ning of the annual donor campaign as well as promote volunteerism in the River Region. Beasley Allen is the presenting sponsor this year with Pri-Med and the Starke Agency being Silver Sponsors.The event will be held from 5 pm-7pm in Alley Station in beautiful downtown Montgomery. Stop in at one of the Alley businesses: Dreamland, The Alley Deli, Alley-Bar, 129 Coosa, iCantina, The Mark Dauber Gallery, SaZa’s, and others to get a look at what’s going on in downtown.

Enter the Alley on Tallapoosa or Commerce Streets. Bring (1) One bath towel or (6) Six travel size toiletry items to exchange for your 2011 Rally In the Alley t-shirt (while they last). These items are being collected by the Salvation Army. Free Food will be available to sample while it lasts as well as special drink prices offered by the establishments in the Alley. Once you enter the Alley, visit the non-profit agency partner tables to find out how your donation to the River Region United Way is benefiting our community. Then sign up to volunteer with one of the agencies and receive a door prize ticket. Listen to the live music while enjoying the wonderful surroundings of the Alley made possible by the City of Montgomery and all of the Alley businesses. For more information please call or email: Julie JoynerDirector of Marketing and Communications, River Region United Way, 334.399.1008, [email protected]

Improvements in pet health insurance have made it a more worth-while investment than ever, as expensive surgeries, treatments, and prescriptions for dogs and cats are becoming more common. With a growing number of policy provid-ers, you have a much better chance of finding a policy that is right for you and your pet.

To help you evaluate if buying insurance is right for you, Prevention magazine has compiled the best actions for you to take before mak-ing a commitment.

VET WITH YOUR VETCreate a list of potential health problems, given your animal’s breed and history.

MIND THE FIVEBe sure you’ve taken care of the most important conditions, opt for a plan that will cover:1. Cancer.2. Chronic disease, such as diabetes and heart problems.3. Continual coverage for the above – some plans cover a condition during the year it develops but won’t when you renew.4. Hereditary and congenital disease.5. Medical conditions common to your pet’s breed.

LOOK ONLINEIndependent websites have broken down plans to basic, easy-to-understand charts that can help you navigate the options. Visit pet-insurance-university.com and petinsurancereview.com. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

Do you have a passion for golf and want to get in on the ac-tion at one of the most prestigious ladies golf tournaments in the world? Volunteers are an integral part of the Navistar LPGA Classic and its ultimate success. We appreciate their dedication to the championship and to the Prattville community. www.navistarlpgaclassic.com or call 334. 334.850.3774 or [email protected]

Navistar Volunteers Needed

Photo by Robertson Photography

Before You buy, Pet insurance Rally in the Alley!


BOOMERS, share your stuff with BOOM! We Love to Bring BOOMERS Together, send info and pics to [email protected]

The Armory Learning Arts CenterCordially Invites You to An Exhibit Featuring The Oil Paintings of BROCK PARKER in The Anita P.

Folmar Gallery. Works to be on dis-play for the month of August, 2011, 1018 Madison Avenue, Downtown Montgomery. Gallery hours M-TH 8am to 7pm, Friday 8am to 3pm. 334 241-2787 Exhibit Coordi-nator-DanaeTharpe

Bowling Leagues Now Forming at Bama LanesLeague Plays: Monday, 10:00 AMLeague Name: Senior Eat & BowlTeams: Mixed 3League Meeting: Sept. 12 @ 9:30 AMLeague Starts: Sept. 12 @ 10:00 AM

League Plays: Wednesday 9:30 AMLeague Name: 50+ SeniorsTeams: Mixed 4 League Meeting: Aug. 24 @ 9:00 AM plus free practiceLeague Starts: Aug. 31 @ 9:30 AM

League Plays: Thursday 9:30 AMLeague Name: Second Chance SeniorsTeams: Mixed 2 League Meeting: Sept. 1 @9:00 AMLeague Starts: Sept. 1 @ 9:30 AM

League Plays: Friday 9:30 AMLeague Name: Super SeniorsTeams: Mixed 3 League Meeting: Aug. 26 @ 9:00 AM plus no tap tournament League Starts: Sept. 2 @ 9:30 AM

Interested in joining a league? Call 272-5423 for more information or show up at the meeting!

There should be a little article about all the bridge playing that we have at Crump. Mon, Tues, and Thursdays! Plus the new

Bridge for learners class!

Also, there is a new class scheduled for September - Art - Painting with all media. For beginners and those who love to paing. Thursdays

1-3pm beginning Sept 8. Crump Senior Center, 1751 Congressman Dickinson Dr., Montgomery, AL 36110, 240.4547

Crump Senior Center


This month’s BOOM! profile is Shea Schroll. Some of you know Shea because she has been in the Montgomery area nearly all of her life. After graduating from Auburn prepared to teach foreign languages she and her husband embarked on their new careers. Soon they returned to their home in Montgomery and began to grow their roots in the Montgomery retail business. First Storkland and eventually Namedropper, together they have built Montgomery’s finest children’s store. Shea and her husband Sid, offer an extensive selection of merchandise for every child and mom! Including, collectible dolls, educational toys, special occasion custom made dresses and of course, every expectant mother’s first stop when building a nursery. From her days in high school, she remembers entering a contest to rename a local children’s store to win a $500 prize. The winning name was The Namedropper, shea didn’t win the contest but as a fate would have it, she and Sid eventually bought the store, now located at The Shoppes at Eastchase. Shea represents many Boomer entrepreneurs in the River Region who demonstrate what it takes to build a business in the community she calls home. We sat down with Shea recently as she shared some of her life’s journey with us. We hope you’ll enjoy getting to know Shea as much as we have.

BOOM! COVER PROFILE

BOOM!: Please give us a brief biography, i.e. where you’re from, education, what brought you to the Montgomery area, did you raise your family here, schools, mar-ried, family, etc?

Shea: I was born and raised in Montgom-ery. My parents are Jeanne and Charlie McGinty. I went to Our Lady Queen of Mercy elementary school and graduated from Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School in 1971. I married Sid Schroll, we were high school sweethearts, and we

both graduated from Auburn University in 1975. Sid was an Accounting major and I graduated in Foreign Languages, Spanish and French, and also graduated with my teaching certificate. We moved to Nashville after graduation and worked in our fields for almost 3 years before moving back to Montgomery to open Storkland. While in Nashville our daughter Jennifer was born. After opening Storkland in August of 1977, our son Brian was born the next year and then David 4 years later. Our children went to St. Bede elementary school and

all graduated from Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School. BOOM!: The Namedropper and Storkland stores have become Montgomery tradi-tions for many mothers and grandmothers. As an entrepreneur, tell us about your busi-ness, what have been some challenges? What about the rewards of owning your own business? Any lessons you can share with other aspiring entrepreneurs, espe-cially, women?

Shea: We have been in the retail business for 34 years now. Throughout the years there have been many challenges. At first we had to build Storkland from the ground up. We had to establish ourselves as a store that specialized in quality merchan-dise and knowledgeable and helpful customer service that would make our first customers want to come back. It was very hard the first year because we had no employees and Sid had to make furniture deliveries after we closed at 9 p.m.! Gradu-ally things eased up in that area when Sid’s brother Steve joined us. We experienced many growing pains those first 5 years and then in 1983 we had the opportunity to purchase The Name Dropper. It was a well established store at that time but there were other new challenges and obstacles to deal with as we grew and expanded into the children’s clothing and shoes business. We combined the two stores into one loca-tion in 1987 and then moved to Eastchase in 2003. Owning your own retail business requires hard work, flexibility, someone with a solid business sense willing to take chances ( my husband Sid), luck--being in the right place at the right time, wonder-ful and loyal employees, faithful and loyal customers, and making good decisions with God’s guidance. Our hard work was rewarded by our peers when we won Children’s Retailer of the Year in 1999 and 2003. The aspect of the business I enjoy the most is meeting our customers and seeing them come back year after year. I love selling the clothing and all the mer-chandise as well as hearing the customers feedback on the merchandise--what they like and do not like, what they are looking for that we have and sometimes do not have. It is very helpful to me when I am at market to know what our customers tastes are in the clothing that they want for their kids.

Shea Schroll...”NameDropper”


BOOM!: Are your children involved in the business?

Shea: Our son Brian started working in the business after gradu-ating from Auburn University in 2001. He had always worked in the summers for us making deliveries so he knew what he was getting into and Sid and I were delighted. He has been a such a wonderful addition to our business. He put us on the computer system and brought

the business into the 21st century!! He and his wife Gina, who he met at Auburn and married after they gradu-ated, have 3 children. Lilly is 8, Matthew is 5, and John Allen is 3. Sid, Brian, and I all have different areas of the business that we deal with so there has never been any conflict or ten-sion between us at the store.Question 10: What would you do if you didn’t own and operate your business? Other career choices?

BOOM!: Tell us about your grandchildren? With the business you’re in we assume they’re the best dressed kids in town?

Shea: When I am not working at the store I love to spend time with my children and grandchildren. Every Thursday since Brian’s first child Lilly was born, their 3 children come to my house. It is my favorite day of the week! My daughter Jen-

nifer and her husband Rob Garland live in Nashville and just had their 4th child. Their children are Jacob 7yrs., Mallory 5 yrs., Stephen 2 yrs and Andrew 6 weeks. I get to

BOOM!: How do you like to relax and wind down from a hard day’s work at your store?

Shea: In my small window of spare time I enjoy walking in my neighborhood everyday and going to yoga classes. Also, I really enjoy working in my yard. It is a great stress reliever and especially after going to an ap-parel show for 5 days to buy for the next season it is relaxing to pull weeds and work with my flowers!

BOOM!: Favorite vacation spot? Any travel dreams planned for the future?

Shea: We have just returned from 2 of my favorite vacation spots. The Schroll family has gathered for 25 years on the Alabama coast or in the Destin area. We usually have 30-35 of us there every year. My sister Maureen Britton and her husband Arthur have a beautiful home in Highlands, N.C. Every year my parents, sister Jeanne and her husband David Barranco, brother Charlie, his wife Yvonne and their children, and Sid and I go with them and love the beautiful mountains and scenery there.

Sid and I started travelling some after our children were out of college and we love to take trips with a group of our friends every other year. Last year we had a fabulous trip to the Eastern Mediterranean and visited Italy, Greece, Turkey and Croatia. No defi-nite plans for our next trip.

BOOM!: As a busy entrepreneur, do you have time to be involved in community, civic or other activities?

Shea: My family and I attend the Church of the Holy Spirit on Vaughn and were one of the original 60 families who started the church there. Now we have over 900 families in the parrish. In fact, Brian was one of the first babies baptized there and he and Gina were the first couple to be married in the new church finished in 2001.

If you have any questions for Shea you can reach her at 334.277.7118. We want to thank Shea and her husband and staff at The Name-dropper/Storkland for helping us put together this month’s BOOM! Cover Profile. If you have questions, comments or suggestions, please send them to [email protected]

Namedropper Elegance

Shea with newest grandson Drew.

Shea and Sid with their children and grandchildren

Pictured left to right....Maureen Britton, Shea, brother Charlie McGinty, Parents Charlie and

Jeanne McGinty, and Jeanne Barranco

see them every 3 to 4 months, sometimes more often. My son David is not married and will start on his MBA at Auburn in the fall.

BOOM!: Many of us are defined by our work, what does Namedropper and Storkland mean to you?

Shea: The business means a great deal to me but I don’t feel that it defines me. If I had to pick what “ defines” me it would have to be my family. My husband, chil-dren, grandchildren, and extended family are my most precious gifts.

BOOM!: What future challenges do you have? Would you like to expand your business? Start new ones? Or just take it easy for awhile?

Shea: As far as future challenges, this economy is every business’ greatest challenge now. We all have to be flexible, make wise decisions, and work even harder I

think. We have no plans for expansion at this time. If someone wanted my advise right now about opening a new retail busi-ness I would advise against it. Someone recently called me from another state for my thoughts on buying an existing chil-dren’s store in her city. I told her she should because it has a good reputation and she could probably do well. However, starting up a store would be very difficult in this economic time.



Willis Dental Care offers complete dental care for the whole family including general and cosmetic dentistry, implants, orthodontics, relaxation dentistry, and much more. We are especially proud to announce our new state-of-the-art denture laboratory to serve the growing Baby Boomer generation who are seeking to renew their smiles.

Our dentures are designed to look and feel like natural teeth. More technologically ad-vanced dental materials create dentures that are more comfortable, more durable and fit better than your parents and grandparents could ever have imagined.

Our Custom dentures are an excellent solu-tion for people who have lost all their teeth because they are carefully and precisely molded to ensure a perfect fit, allowing for the proper chewing alignment. Also, the person who has lost all of their teeth can have facial muscles that begin to sag with age, sometimes causing an older appearance. Our Custom Dentures will help support those sagging muscles and enhance a more youth-ful face.

In some cases, where the overall dental health is good and bone density is adequate, the best denture option is to use implant-supported dentures. Dr. Willis will surgi-cally place two to four dental implants and then customize a denture to fit over and attach to the implants, giving you the most reliable, stable denture option possible today.

Do you have gaps left by missing teeth? Our partial dentures can fill those gaps with teeth that look just like your natural teeth. Once a partial den-ture is made, additional teeth can usually be added as needed without having to replace the entire partial. All of our dentures are made of resin composites to help our patients regain the strength and effectiveness of chewing as well as improving speech. These are things most of us take for granted but people with

Contemporary DenturesDental Care Profile of Dr. Bradley Willis

We can’t wait to give you a reason to smile!

missing teeth can worry about chewing and speaking. Dr. Willis understands these con-cerns and will work to eliminate them.

Whichever situation you are in, we can offer solutions to restore your beautiful smile. Many of our denture services are performed while you wait in the comfort of our office. More customized cases may take longer. Once your denture is finalized, our dental professionals will educate you on proper denture and gum care, as well as schedule your next dental checkup.

Not everyone will need dentures or partial den-tures in their lifetime. We also offer family and cosmetic dentistry products and services to meet just about every need. The old saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” certainly applies to your oral health. Our office offers a full-line of diagnostic and preventative services, including the lat-est and most advanced digital x-rays, 3-D

imaging, and intraoral photog-raphy. For those of you with busy schedules, most restorative procedures can be completed in a single visit. This means fewer injections, less drilling and less time out of your daily schedule. For those of you who might not “love” coming to the dentist, we also offer relaxation dentistry to help you overcome your anxiety. We use oral conscious sedation and can often complete much more dental work while giving you a more relaxed, comfortable dental experience, including root canals, oral surgery, invisible braces, crowns, bridges, implants

and more.

Now let’s say we have your smile right where you want it – everything healthy, everything bright and white – what else could we do to

complete the beautiful picture? Using non-invasive, non-surgical cosmetic procedures, we can complete your smile makeover. Bo-

tox and dermal fillers can be used to diminish wrinkles, smooth the skin and help restore facial volume.

WILLIS DENTAL CAREDr. Willis received his dental training at the University of Alabama School of Dentistry and graduated in 1992. He has been practicing in Montgomery since 1992, and has developed his prac-tice around the promise of delivering beautiful smiles with gentle care. Dr. Willis’ practice serves the dental needs of all age groups, with a special emphasis on today’s modern cosmetic procedures.

Dr. Willis is pleased to be joined by Dr. Hong Lao. Dr. Lao was born and raised in Mont-gomery. She also attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham where she received her B.S. in Biology and her D.M.D.

Dr. Lao will base her practice on offering comprehensive care in all aspects of dentistry on the foundation of improving oral health and appearances, while building long-lasting relationships with her patients and meeting all their dental needs.

Our office is conveniently located in East Montgomery in the Sturbridge community. For more information about Willis Dental Care, call our office at 334-260-2929 or visit our web site at WillisDentalCare.com.


John Ed Mathison

Pass the Chicken PleaseSome of the greatest success stories in life are about people who initially encountered huge challenges, but persisted to overcome those challenges. They were not easily detained from the mission in front of them. Oftentimes, against unbelievable odds, they persisted and were victorious.

In 1955, there was a 65-year-old man named Harlan. He didn’t have enough money for his retirement. All he had was a $105 monthly pension check, an old Cadillac Roadster, and a recipe for chicken.

His mission was to share his chicken recipe with a lot of people. At first his plan was to sell the chicken recipe to restaurant owners who would give him a residual of 5 cents per chicken. The first res-taurant owner he went to turned him down. So did the second and third. In fact the first 1,000 calls Harlan made ended in rejection.

Harlan continued to try to sell his product. He slept in his car to save money as he traveled across the United States. Finally, restau-rant owner # 1,009 that he visited said that he would do it. That was the beginning. Two years later he still only had five restaurants.

Harlan Sanders – we know him as Colonel Sanders – persisted in his effort to sell his product. He knew that someday his idea would catch on.

You know the rest of the story. By 1963, the Colonel had 600 res-taurants across the country. Most everybody reading this article has

eaten a piece of Kentucky Fried Chicken (with 11 herbs and spices). He did sell out in 1964 to future Kentucky Governor John Brown. He spent the rest of his life representing and promoting KFC.

Early in his life the Colonel had failed in a couple of other business-es. He had a gas station in the 30’s and a restaurant in the 40’s. He gave up on them. But he learned a lesson – don’t give up. At age 65 he launched his career for chicken.

Don’t ever feel like you are too old to start something. Don’t ever feel that a few people who turn you down represent the possibili-ties of what your idea can be. 1,008 people were wrong about that special chicken recipe. The Colonel didn’t quit and the restaurant owner # 1,009 said yes to a product that made his restaurant suc-cessful.

Read Luke 18:1-8. Jesus tells the story about a judge. A woman wants to see the judge, but he refuses. The woman comes back again, again, again, and again. Finally, somewhat out of frustration, the judge agrees to see the woman. It was because of her persis-tence that she was able to present her case for justice.

You feel a little too old? You feel like you have failed at something? You feel like it is just easier to quit? If you feel like you are at the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on and persist.

Pass the chicken, please!

John Ed Mathisonwww.johnedmathison.org

15


Henry and Mattie Hines live in the same high-rise apart-ment complex on East 33rd Street that they moved into four months after they got married in 1955.From a well-ap-pointed living room filled with large picture windows, you can see Hartzell Memorial United Methodist Church on King Drive, where they attend Sunday services. Down the street is the salon where Henry Hines still drives his wife every Thursday to get her hair done. Every Friday, he takes her to Macy’s for a manicure and pedicure.

When the couple were introduced by friends in 1954, he was a devout bachelor and she was a devout bachelorette. They both were older, had never been married and never thought they would build a life together that has been anything but routine.

Henry Hines, 96, is fit and trim and still walks with his back straight. Mattie Hines, 88, is petite and soft-spoken. On the day I visited them, she wore a magenta jog-ging suit. The Hineses admit they have no secret to their longevity in life or love. Just a story:

“We were set up,” said Henry, laughing. “I was 40 years old, and I enjoyed playing the field. A friend said, ‘I know a nice young lady. You should meet her.’ They thought we’d be good together.”“I was 32,” said Mattie. “Back then, that was old. I never thought I’d get married.”“I guess the moral is you can find love late in life,” he said.“I was playing the field just like he was,”

BC-LR-LOVESTORY:TB _ whats next (1100 words)

By Dawn Turner Trice

she said. “The other fellows just weren’t up to par. But Henry, he reminded me of my father. He was steady and nice. He’s still a beautiful person. The others were OK, good for going out to the clubs. But nobody was like Henry.”

“The women I had dated were a bit older,” he said, “and I wasn’t thinking about marrying any of them.”“Don’t say that,” said Mattie.“It’s true,” he said. “But then Matt and I met, and she was the first woman I’d dated who was much younger. We went to dinner and to a movie and hit it off. She was smart. We could talk about anything.”“And laugh,” she said. “He made me laugh.” “I still do,” he said. “And smile, too.” “He still does,” she said, smiling.

When Henry met Mattie, she was work-ing for the Chicago Housing Authority, back when the promise of public housing loomed large. Henry, a World War II Army veteran, was “running on the road,” which meant working for New York Central Railroad managing the wait staff, travel-ling between Chicago and New York. He had grown tired of working for the Illinois

Central Railroad, on a line that traveled between Chicago and the Jim Crow South.

But the weekends were for relaxing, often at the famed Club DeLisa on the South Side, where the couple wined, dined and danced.

“You went there to kind of blow off steam,” said Henry. “I would take her to see the shows, and you could get a table with some friends and just enjoy one another’s company.”

“I realized he had an automobile that wasn’t doing anything while he was on the road,” said Mattie. “Going to the clubs was nice on the weekends, but I didn’t have any transportation during the week.”

“Matt wanted to borrow my car,” he said. “It was a 1954 Chevrolet Impala. My friends said, ‘You mean you let a woman have your car?’ Only Matt. Nobody else. And then a few months later, I proposed. I said to her, ‘Aren’t you tired of sleeping alone?’ “

“Henry,” Mattie said, rolling her eyes. “Maybe you shouldn’t say that.”“We got married on June 4, 1955,” he said. “She rushed me right into it. She was afraid I might change my mind.”“We married at Graham Taylor Chapel in Hyde Park,” she said. “A few years ago, we turned to each other and realized it’s been half a century that we’ve been mar-ried,” he said. “It sure doesn’t feel like it.”

“It certainly doesn’t,” she agreed. “Our friends joke it’s because we never had children.”

Love Story

‘Some people don’t stay married 55 minutes’: Couple wed in 1955 say they have no secret, just a love story


“We have beautiful nieces and nephews,” said Henry.“No, it doesn’t feel like 55 years,” she said. “If it did, then I suppose maybe we wouldn’t have made it this long.”You can stand on the balcony off the Hines’ living room and see much has changed around them. There’s a vacant expanse where the beleaguered Ida B. Wells housing projects once stood four blocks to the south. Stores in the nearby shopping mall have turned over many times. Dear family members and friends have passed on.

But in the evening, as the sun begins to paint the view outside their window, he still brings her a drink. They sit side by side on their white living room sectional amid the photos of their many cruises and the artwork they’ve amassed over a lifetime together.

“You look at the statistics today, and it seems some people don’t stay married 55 minutes, let alone 55 years,” said Henry. “Maybe it’s that I used to run on the road and absence makes the heart grow fonder.”

“But Henry,” said Mattie, “you’ve been retired since 1980 and I’ve been retired since 1988 and we’ve been together ever since. We enjoy each other.”“We really do,” he said. “We’ve never had major arguments. We disagree some-times. But we’ve never been too set in any particular way.”

“When we go out, you see one, you see the other,” she said. “We’re always together. At home, we watch movies or we go to our separate rooms, but we always come back together. We enjoy each other.”

“We really do,” he said.

“We’ve been lucky in that we’ve had good health,” she said. “We don’t do much to celebrate holidays because at our age every day is Christmas. Every day is a birthday.”

“Every day is Valentine’s Day,” he said.

(c) 2011, Chicago Tribune. Distributed by Mc-Clatchy-Tribune Information Services.


T. Colin Campbell, a nutritional scientistfrom Cornell University, and Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, a former top surgeon at the world renowned Cleveland Clinic. Inspired by remarkable discoveries in their young careers, these men conducted several groundbreaking studies, one of which took place in China and is considered among themost comprehensive health-related inves-tigations ever undertaken. Their separate research led them to the same startling conclusion: degenerative diseases like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and even several forms of cancer, could almost always be prevented—and in many cases reversed—by adopting a whole foods, plant-based diet. Despite the profound implications of their findings, their work has remained relatively unknown to the public. In addi-tion, cameras follow “reality patients” who have chronic conditions from heart disease to diabetes. Doctors teach these patients how to adopt a whole foods plantbased diet as the primary approach to treat their ail-ments—while the challenges and triumphs of their journeys are revealed.

No Harm in Eating HealthyBy Karen Garloch

What has happened to us? Despite the most advanced medical technology in the world, we are sicker than ever by nearly every measure. Cases of diabetes are exploding, especially amongst our younger population. About half of us are taking at least one pre-scription drug and major medical opera-tions have become routine. Heart disease, cancer and stroke are the country’s three leading causes of death, even though bil-lions are spent each year to “battle” these very conditions. Millions suffer from a host of other degenerative diseases.

Could it be there’s a single solution to all of these problems? A solution so comprehen-sive but so straightforward, that it’s mind-boggling that more of us haven’t taken it seriously?

FORKS OVER KNIVES examines the pro-found claim that most, if not all, of the so called “diseases of affluence” that afflict us can be controlled, or even reversed, by rejecting our present menu of animal-based and processed foods. The major storyline in the film traces the personal journeys of Dr.

The film features lead-ing experts on health and tackles the issue of diet and disease in a way that will have people talking for years. For more information about the

movie visit www.forksoverknives.com.

Charlotte exercise physiologist Toni Bran-ner and dietitian Tina Marie Mendietta hope the film will educate more people about the health benefits of plant-based diets. “Exercising daily and eating mostly fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains and beans is not always easy, but it is simple,” said Branner, who owns Care & Feeding Partners, a wellness consulting firm. “It could truly change the way you spend your older years _ enjoying life instead of paying medical bills.”

For example, Branner’s husband, ophthal-mologist William Branner, said his weight was increasing, his energy waning and his blood test results were worsening before he changed to a plant-based diet 10 years ago. A strong family history of heart disease and cancer motivated him to take better care of himself. Today, his energy and health measures are “more like they were when I was in college.”

Mendietta says she and her family, “eat from Mother Nature’s pharmacy _ fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, grains and beans... (And) we never have to go to the doctor.” Mendietta said. “At my house, soda is for special occasions. (In America), what used to be special-occasion food is now everyday fare. Fast food is an everyday occurrence. We’ve gotten away from what we should be eating.”

Ten years ago, Mendietta said her own al-lergies were so bad that a doctor suggested she get weekly allergy shots. She wanted to avoid that, so she started increased her consumption of vegetables, nuts, seeds and grains. And now: “I don’t have sinus issues anymore.” Branner and Mendietta also teach people to eat less processed food and refined sugar. “Americans have an insatiable sweet tooth,” Mendietta said. Studies show that sugar and fat are addictive, she said. “You have to wean yourself off of them.” Also, eating sugar depresses the immune system and makes people more susceptible to illness, Mendietta said. “I always tell people, I don’t believe we have a cold and flu season, I believe we have a sugar fest that begins at Halloween and ends after the (Thanksgiving and Christmas) holidays.”(c) 2011, The Charlotte Observer McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.



Shark diving to “meet” great whites, jet boating into Hells Canyon, flying over an ice field, hiking in a rain forest.

If you think boomers are taking a cruise for the buffet and the evening song-and-dance, think again. They crave activity, adventure and authenticity on both small yachts and mega ships and sailing among the fjords and islands of Alaska’s Inside Passage and into some of the most exotic corners of the world.

“Boomers may not want to camp every night and scale mountains, but they defi-nitely want to view wild bears, speak with residents of remote coastal villages, kayak in a quiet cove and walk in the rainforest and learn about it from a real scientist while they are standing in it,” says Maureen Gordon, co-owner of Maple Leaf Adven-tures, which offers adventure cruises in British Columbia and Alaska.

In fact, boomers want choices – and lots of them – for a variety of experiences. They want to shop with the ship’s chef at the local market, talk to the onboard naturalist about the indigenous flora and fauna, track Lewis and Clark and delve into intact wild areas. And they are getting these experi-ences and more on a number of cruise ships and sailing vessels.

Canada-based Maple Leaf Adventures offers natural and cultural history cruises aboard a classic 92-foot sailing ship, taking an intimate group of eight on each trip. A longtime practitioner of ecotourism, the company offers multi-day excursions to ex-

perience some of the most beautiful places on the B.C. and Alaska coast in a highly participatory and personal way and in the company of expert naturalists or historians, crew and chef.

Experiences are authentic to time and place and might include bear viewing by kayak with an expert guide; “extreme pic-nicking” on a culinary/craft beer tasting trip that involves hiking to a stunning vista over Gulf Islands National Park and a gourmet tasting picnic; climbing out on the bowsprit to be with dolphins who are surfing the schooner’s bow wave; and paddling among seal pup-inhabited icebergs to watch (and hear) giant chunks of ice calve into the sea – not to mention plucking your own chunk of crystal clear ice from the sea to take back to the ship and smash up for drinks.

“Certainly we find that people are interest-ed in our trips because they can experience firsthand the wilderness and the sense of adventure that comes from exploring it with a personal guide,” says Gordon. “But they can sleep on a comfortable bed with fluffy duvet at night – after a fabulous chef-cooked meal and a good wine.”

The onboard experience with Holland America Line’s 15 cruise ships offer very topical enrichment opportunities, including a Culinary Arts Center program, presented by Food & Wine magazine, that lets guests indulge their love of fine food and drink while immersing themselves in traditions and tastes unique to their ship’s ports of call. Not only that, they can meet top chefs from all over the globe while learning how to create gastronomic masterpieces and

get a book signed by a culinary author.

For boomers questing after lifelong learn-ing experiences, Princess Cruises presents ScholarShip@Sea: learn ship naviga-tion; scrapbooking; enrichment lectures covering topics from politics to theatre to science; and pottery painting _ paint your own bowl or mug fired in onboard kilns – a cruise industry first – for a truly one-of-a-kind souvenir. On the Island Princess and Coral Princess, there’s a wet-clay pottery program that includes specialized wheel-throwing classes.

But Princess isn’t just about what’s on-board. Shore tours in Alaska include whale watching, going for a ride on a dog sled, meeting professional mushers and flying over glaciers to see waterfalls. In Bora Bora, there’s helmet diving underwater and off-roading to tour tropical fauna. Wending through the maze that is the Port Market with its hubbub of musicians and vendors is an adventure in Uruguay. And floating on Lac Rose (Pink Lake) is the sport of choice in Senegal.

InnerSea Discoveries recently launched two expedition ships embarking on “un-cruises” in Southeast Alaska (through September), specifically targeting active adventures. The ships carry between 60 and 76 guests, and hiking and kayaking are the main activities during the one- and two-week cruises.

“Our energy is focused on what’s happen-ing outside in the wilderness,” says Sarah Scoltock, director of communications and business development. “The ships carry 28 double kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, dry

BoomerCruiseschoice and quality of experiences at sea

By Kathy Witt


suits, snorkeling gear and zodiacs.”

This same company owns American Safari Cruises, a more upscale experience that takes 12 adventurers into the historic landscape shaped by the Columbia and Snake Rivers. Onboard expedition leaders guide excursions off the yacht and discuss the natural and cultural history of the area, Lewis and Clark’s expedition and the locks and dams. A jet boat excursion in Hells Canyon and winery tours are included in the voyage.

“Active boomers want choices, but don’t want to be too regimented or too sched-uled,” says Adrienne D’Annunzio, manager-corporate communications, at SeaDream Yacht Club. “They want unique experi-ences, not cookie cutter.”Aboard the laidback twin mega-yachts, SeaDream I and SeaDream II, which ac-commodate 112 guests, that’s exactly what they’ll get. Because of their intimate size, these vessels – the only locations at sea to be certified members of the Thai Spa Association – can call on many smaller, less crowded ports out of reach to big ships. Itineraries are designed for plenty of party

time in the evening in ports like St. Bart’s and St. Tropez.

The yachts have complimentary mountain bikes for guests to go exploring on their own and, while the company offers a selec-tion of professionally guided tours in each port, it also offers complimentary crew-led hikes, bikes and walks – like shopping with the chef in Sorrento, Italy. The water sports marina at the aft end of the yachts offers swimming, snorkeling, wave runners, kayaks and Hobie cats.

“We find it’s all about personal choice,” says D’Annunzio. “Active boomers want to decide just how active or how relaxed they’ll be. Good service is very important and they want easy, hassle-free experi-ences.”

Now, about those sharks . . .Patric Douglas, founder and CEO of Shark Dive, pioneered mega yacht shark diving services at Isla Guadalupe in 2005 with the yacht M/Y Triton. An advocate for sharks and the shark diving industry, Douglas of-fers five- and eight-day live-aboard cruises featuring shark cage diving as the main draw.

The Prescription for High Prices More and more people are saying “Jackson Hospital is My Hospital.” And they’re taking advantage of a membership card that can save them time and money on food, entertainment, travel, spas, art and more! Benefits include access to exclusive wellness classes and informational seminars that can enhance your life and keep you healthy, as well as annual health screenings, discounts at Jackson’s Gift Shop and Pine Street Café, free valet parking and more!

Isn’t it time you started saving with discounts from your hospital and from our ever- growing list of local and national partners? Then call us at 334-293-8961 and get a My Hospital Card membership of your very own.

For complete list of discounts, visit www.jackson.org/myhospital

Shopping around for discounts was a real headache. Then I checked into the

membership card

CALL 334-293-8961 OR VISIT US ONLINE AT WWW.JACKSON.ORG/MYHOSPITAL

“Believe it or not, 30 percent of our divers are boomers,” says Douglas.Expeditions head to Guadalupe in search of great white sharks and to the Bahamas to see tiger sharks, reef sharks and great hammerheads. Guests get to snorkel with spotted dolphins and participate in reef and wreck dives.

You can’t get much more authentic than that – but that’s what boomers want: Authenticity, hands-on activities, personal-ized experiences and value, which doesn’t necessarily mean a bottom line price.

ONLINEHolland America Line www.HollandAmerica.comInnerSea Discoveries, www.InnerSeaDiscoveries.comMaple Leaf Adventures, www.mapleleafadventures.comPrincess Cruises, www.Princess.comSeaDream Yacht Club, www.SeaDream.comShark Diver, www.SharkDiver.com/dive-packages(c) 2011, McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.


More than 32 million Americans have significant hearing loss, yet only a fraction of that number have ever had their hearing tested by a Board Certified Audiologist. Ev-

eryone over 25 should have a baseline audiogram! Consider this fact- 17% of all those involved in motor vehicle ac-cidents will have resultant permanent sensorineural hearing loss. However, if you’ve never had a valid hearing evalu-ation, you’d be hard pressed to show that your hearing was normal prior to such an accident.

A thorough hearing test is the first step in determining if you do, in fact, have hearing loss. The hearing test results also allow your audiologist to recom-mend the best treatment options if you do in fact have hearing loss. A hearing test is a quick, painless and non-inva-sive test, and should always be per-formed by a licensed, Board Certified audiologist. Ask to see the credentials of those who will be doing your testing! As with most health care profession-als, credentialed individuals have the greatest amount of educational training in diagnosis and treatment of hearing impairment, and will offer you or your loved ones solutions that reflect their knowledge base.

The test begins with a thorough case history, which reviews specific health information that may provide insight into hearing loss causes and will assist in determining which tests should be

by Dr. Bettie Borton [email protected]

Healthy Hearing

Dr. Bettie Borton Au. D.

performed. Following the case history, the audiologist will examine your ear canals and eardrums with a special light called an otoscope. Your middle ear function will also be assessed by a test called tympanometry, which offers insight regarding the status of the area behind your eardrum. This area cannot be easily seen, and so the tympangram offers valuable information to the examiner. The test involves a pressure change, and may replicate the feeling you experience while going up in an elevator, but is not painful in any way.

Next, the levels of hearing in each of your ears should be measured in a sound-treated test booth. Some hearing aid technicians don’t use this type of equipment~ but be wary of any hear-ing test that is not conducted in such a booth, as reliability may be seriously compromised. During this test, a series of tones of different pitches, as well as speech signals, are presented to each ear through headphones. You will be asked to respond to the signals by either pushing a button, raising your hand or in the case of speech signals, repeating what you heard. You will be asked to respond to the lowest level that you can hear which determines your hearing thresholds. Thresholds for each pitch and ear are plotted on a graph called an audiogram. These thresholds indicate the level at which you are just barely able to detect sound. The speech testing yields a word rec-ognition score, which is important in determining in part how well you will perform with hearing devices, which listening situations will be most chal-lenging, etc.

Dr. Bettie B. Borton is a licensed audiologist in Alabama, was the first board certified audiologist in Montgomery, and recently served as National Chair of the American Board of Audiology. She and her husband, Dr. Tom Borton, are the only audiologists with ABA certification in the Montgomery area.

To learn more, visit doctorshearingclinic.com or call for an evaluation at (334) 396-1635.

Wondering about your hearing…. Now hear this….What should you expect from your hearing evaluation?

Further tests may be conducted during the hearing test. Your ability to under-stand words or sentences at different volume levels or in the presence of noise may be assessed to determine how clearly you hear speech in vari-ous conditions. Following the tests, the hearing professional will discuss the re-sults with you and may provide further recommendations, including treatment options, like hearing aids.

If you suspect you have hearing loss it is important to have your hearing tested as soon as possible. The use-it or lose-it principle does apply to our hear-ing; the sooner you treat hearing loss, the better the outcome of treatment.

Most people wait an average of seven years from the time they suspect they have hearing loss until they purchase hearing devices. During that time pe-riod, the auditory system is at extreme risk for auditory deprivation, or lack of stimulation due to insufficient volume. This can make a difficult situation worse than it really needs to be. So why wait? Have a Board Certified Audiolo-gist evaluate your hearing as soon as you (or others!) suspect there might be a hearing loss.

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By Elizabeth LaBan

How about dabbling in a little wizardry and magic with your grandchildren this weekend? It’s easier than you might think, and it is probably at the top of most kids’ lists of favorite pastimes. They love mixing and creating, pretending they are Harry Potter or one of the witches from The Wizard of Oz. And while creating potions may sound too involved or messy, it really doesn’t have to be. All you need is a little water, some washable watercolors, empty bottles, maybe a pinch of soap suds, a few special touches to make each potion unique, and, of course, your imagination.

There are so many places potions can take you. Outside, to begin with, because that is a great place to hunt for the special additions like pine needles, dried leaves, sticks (to be used as wands or stirrers), bits of grass, a four-leaf clover, water from a lake or the ocean, a flower petal, even a pretty stone.

Potions can also take you places that might be harder to get to in the real world. Try brewing up a dance potion that will waltz you to the disco of your dreams _ this could include some purple paint, a little glitter, maybe a bit of fabric from a favorite old cast-off dress in the play bin, and a whiff of magic. Whoever dabs some on his or her hand immediately becomes a dancing star.

Or try a zoo animal potion in which a little swab of the magical liquid turns you or your grandchild into the animal of your choice. That one might involve a touch of brown paint, a few blades of grass, and a tiny bit of fur from an old stuffed toy. Think big _ witches and wizards do. Some other favorites include sleeping potions, silly potions (to make you laugh),

Grandparents...Whip Up Some Magic Potion!

teleporting potions (these can take you anywhere!), invisible potions, butterfly potions, goblin potions, and superhero potions. There are no right or wrong potions, just fun ones. They’re great jumping-off points for memorable games of make believe.

But please remember to be sure your grandchildren know these potions are just for play, certainly not for drinking, and only to be used only when you are together. (It might be wise to wait until your grandchildren are old enough to understand that.)

Once your potions have been stirred, given a bit of magic, and tried out, you will need to store them. You can have so much fun decorating empty plastic bottles with glitter, markers, tinfoil, tissue paper, or stickers. Old corks dipped in glitter make great lids. A plastic syringe or an old turkey baster is a good way to transfer the potion from your cauldron to the bottle, and kids love the challenge. Just make sure to do it in a place that can be easily wiped up.

Whip up a magical potion with the kids: Part art project, part science experiment, these con-coctions are a blast to create!

Write down your potion recipes as you go, and put together a book of the best ones. Your grandchildren draw the pictures and you can write the words. Then make copies to hand out at your next family gathering.

Basic recipe:-Tap water-Washable watercolor paints-Glitter, pine needles, leaves, clovers, blades of grass _ anything but food or juice will keep it pretty manageable and thoroughly entertaining-Empty plastic bottles (these can be bought at a pharmacy or simply keep old soap and shampoo bottles)-Corks, glue, colorful paper, tin foil for decorating-Paintbrushes or sticks for stirring and infusing the magic-Paper and markers to make your potions book

Elizabeth LaBan, author of “The Grandparents Hand-book: Games, Activities, Tips, How-Tos, and All-Around Fun” (Quirk Books, 2009), shared these selections from her book for adventurous grandparents. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.


HAMPSTEADOutdoor Movie Night at The Tipping PointWednesday, August 10 and Wednesday, August 31, 7:30 pmBoth Performances are FREE!Bring your friends, kids, blankets and low back chairs and join us at The Tipping Point in Hampstead to enjoy a free, family-friend-ly summer movie series under the stars. Showtime starts at Sundown. Aug 10- Outdoor Movie Night at The Tip-ping Point Featuring “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” Aug 31-Final Outdoor Movie Night of the Summer at The Tipping Point featuring “Toy Story 3” on the giant inflat-able screen. Call 334.260.9110 for details.

MONTGOMERYElvis: The Early YearsASF August 13 & 14Pack up your Blue Suede Shoes and leave Heartbreak Hotel behind, The King is

coming back to Mont-gomery! The Alabama Shakespeare Festival will shake, rattle, and roll once again with the return of Scot Bruce, star of Idols of the

King, and his band for a benefit concert on August 13th and 14th, 2011. His show “A Tribute to Elvis: The Early Years” features many hit songs made famous by the legend-ary entertainer including Heartbreak Hotel, Jailhouse Rock, Blue Suede Shoes and Love Me Tender. Alabama Shakespeare Festival box office, on line at www.asf.net or by phone at 1.800.841.4273.

TROYCelebrating Contemporary Art in Ala-bama: The Biennial 2011Troy; Aug 15–Nov 10

{12 Things} for active boomers and beyond

August 2011

MONTGOMERY DOWNTOWNMontgomery Alabama Dance Theatre’s “Starts on the Riverfront”Thursday, August 4 and Friday, August 5, 7:30 pmBoth Performances are FREE!Join the Alabama Dance Theatre at the Riverwalk Ampitheatre for a night of dance that simply cannot be missed. Make sure to bring your picnic baskets and the entire family and join us as the sun sets on one of Montgomery’s most beautiful venues. Remember both performances are free! For more info, 334.241.2590 or visit www.alabamadancetheatre.com

FORT PAYNEWorld’s Longest Yard Sale, 25th Annual Fort Payne; Aug 4–7Explore more than 450 miles of yard sales and unique treasures in America’s “most

scenic shop-ping mall.” Meet friendly people along the way and enjoy scenic vistas, waterfalls and canyons.

Follow Lookout Mountain Parkway from Gadsden, Ala., to Chattanooga, Tenn., for the southern portion of the sale. Connect with U.S. Hwy. 127 in Chattanooga to travel the remainder of the route to West Unity, Ohio. www.tourdekalb.com

DeKalb County Fiddlers ConventionFort Payne; Aug 6This gathering of fiddlers began in 1908 and until the second World War was among the largest and most prestigious event of its kind in the Southeast. Six years ago, the convention was revived, and today it draws contestants from around the region.www.tourdekalb.com

MONTGOMERY DOWNTOWNThe Black Jacket Symphony presents Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon”Friday, August 5 at 8:00 pmTickets: 20.00The Black Jacket Symphony presents Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon.” The album

will be performed note for note, sound for sound, exactly as it was on the record, followed by a full set of Pink Floyd’s great-est hits. This band has sold out every show they have played in

Birmingham–don’t miss your chance to see their Montgomery debut. The Black Jacket Symphony offers a unique concert experi-ence by recreating classic albums in a live performance setting with first class lighting and video production. A selected album is performed in its entirety by a group of hand-picked musicians specifically selected for each album. With no sonic detail being overlooked, the musicians do whatever it takes to musically reproduce the album. Following the album and a brief intermis-sion, the Black Jacket Symphony returns to the stage to perform a collection of greatest hits by the evening’s artist. For tickets go to www.mpaconline.org or ticketmaster.

MONTGOMERY DOWNTOWNBlues Cruise-august 7, 14Sunday Evenings, A one and half hour cruise which includes live music from favorites such as: “Henry Pugh” and “Guitar

Slim,” or “John Bull Band.” Concessions available for pur-chase. Boards – 5:30 p.m. Departs – 6:00

p.m. Returns – 8:00 p.m. Adults $20 Children $15


PIKE ROADTaoist Tai Chi Society Sunday, August 21, 5:00 pmThe Taoist Tai Chi Society will host an

open house at Grace Episcopal Church On Pike Road. In addi-

tion to refreshments, there will be a brief introduction to the health benefits of tai chi and a demonstration of the graceful moves of tai chi set by the members of the Society. The public is invited , especially those in East Montgomery, Pike Road and Mount Meigs.

MONTGOMERY DOWNTOWN Aug 27-2nd Annual Montgomery Dragon Boat Race & Festival8 A.M.-3:30 P.M. Riverwalk ParkDragon Boat Races and Tai Chi Awareness Day. The public is invited to cheer on the

paddlers from more than 50 teams and to learn more about the ancient art of tai chi . There

will be demonstrations of the 108 moves of the tai chi set through out the day as part of the festivities. Food vendors and special entertainment for children make this a wonderful family event. After party begins at 3:45 P.M. All proceeds benefit Rebuild-ing Together Central Alabama and Bridge Builders Alabama. www.montgomerydrag-onboat.org

I t ’s a Great T ime to Be Booming! Please submit any events/pictures to

j [email protected]

More than 90 Alabama artists have been invited to participate in this celebration of Southern art. All are recipients of Indi-

vidual Visual Art and Fine Craft Fellowships from the Alabama State Council on the Arts. Director

Richard Metzger is again consulting with Georgine Clarke, Visual Arts Program Man-ager for the council, to curate the show at the Troy-Pike Cultural Arts Center. 300 East Walnut Street, Troy, AL, call 334.670.2287 or tpcac.org.

MONTGOMERY DOWNTOWNBuckmasters 18th Annual ExpoMontgomery; Aug 19–21This yearly hunting show is one of the largest, with more than 300 exhibitors and plenty to do and see. The event includes

the Buckmasters Top Bow Indoor Championship, Young Bucks activi-ties, deer scoring, a hunter educa-tion course, BTR

scoring class and dock dogs event. Come welcome our special guests, TV’s “Swamp People” Troy and Jacob Landry, plus see Sammy Kershaw in concert Saturday night.

BIRMINGHAMStokin’ the Fire BBQ FestivalBirmingham; Aug 20A world-class barbecue competition is the cornerstone of this annual event at Sloss

Furnaces National Historic Landmark. For the third year, the contest will con-sist of all amateur teams, allowing more than 80 local teams to compete for the braggin’ rights

to the best ‘cue in Birmingham. In addition to barbecue sampling, the festival offers metal arts demonstrations, live music from popular regional musicians, and Cajun dancing demos. Children will have plenty of rib tickling fun in the expanded kids zone. For info, (205) 324-1911 or www.slossfur-naces.com

MONTGOMERY MUSEUM OF FINE ART-ART CLASSESDynamic DrawingExplore the rich rewards of learning to draw accurately and expressively. Each class will offer a different drawing exercise, designed to increase observation skills. A variety of drawing media will be provided. Beginners are welcome, and more experienced artists will enjoy the op-portunity to refresh their skills. Sign up for one class, or a series of classes. Instructor: Russell Everett, Time: 6:00 to 8:00 P.M., Thursdays: Aug. 4, 11, 25, Sept. 1, 15. Cost: $15 members/$20 non-members for each class; $80 members/$100 non-members for the series. For More Informa-tion call 334.240.4365 or visit www.mmfa.org

Exploring Stained GlassLearn the process of copper foil techniques and create a unique stained glass window! During

this series students will explore design, color selection, composition, pattern making, cutting and preparing glass, plus soldering techniques. No prior experience is required. Most supplies are provided. Class size is limited to

eight participants. Instructor: Gloria Simons, Time: 6 to 8:30 P.M. Thursdays: Aug. 11, 25, Sept. 1, 8, 15, 29; Oct. 6. Cost: $150 members/$195 non-members for the series.

Still-Life Painting WorkshopChristopher Groves is an internationally recog-nized artist, with work in galleries from New York to Atlanta and the southern coast. During this three-day workshop, he will teach a clas-

sical approach of monochromatic under-paintingwith directed observation and application of color, and will discuss glazing

and finishing techniques. Other topics include composition and drawing techniques, value and color studies, setup, and lighting for still-life painting. Participants will also have individual critiques during the weekend. Sign up early for this unique opportunity. Class size is limited to 12 participants! Instructor: Chris Groves Friday, August 26: 1 to 5 P.M. Saturday, August 27: 10 to 5 P.M. Sunday, August 28: 10 to 5 P.M. Cost: $400 members/$445 non-members


Truth or dare: I hail from a long line of bowling teams. It’s a Chicago thing. I grew up there. The extreme cold weath-er begins driving people indoors after Labor Day weekend (also known as Fall) and pins them indoors until Memorial Day (often referred to as the First Day of Spring). By the 4th of July, it becomes so freakishly hot that people again seek indoor haven, from the hellish summer heat.

Chicago’s unique geographical location, on the border of the Arctic Circle and Inter-tropical Convergence Zone, leaves residents with a total of three weeks of livable weather. They spend the other 49 weeks bowling.

When I graduated high school, I got a 1,600 on the math part of my Chicago SAT test, which requires you to score a game of bowling with paper and pencil and no computer!

Much like smart Alabama parents who enroll their kids in swimming lessons before they’re a year old, Chicago Moms and Dads get their babies on a bowl-ing alley before they can walk. It’s cute, watching the kiddie keglers nudging the ball toward the pins. My Dad told me I bowled a 13 on my first birthday!Bowling styles are as individual as finger prints. In bowling-regressive areas, where bowling in an actual bowling alley (and not on a Wii) is an annual activity, delivery methods are crude and comical.

Especially women.

If they could, women would bowl with their back to the pins so they could con-ceal the condition of their keyster.

Bowling should be sexy. When a woman releases the ball, her behind blossoms like a spring flower. For ladies sporting a muffin top, or a melted candle, this can create a great deal of self-consciousness. This is why some women look like they are giving birth to an alien when

they bowl. Rather than bend and blossom, they remain perfectly upright as they approach the pins and launch the ball from the belly. This style leads to lousy scores but less humiliation. And when it comes to humiliation, nothing achieves that look more than a pair of bowling alley shoes!

I am surprised Cole-Haan and other designer shoe labels haven’t developed a line just for women bowlers. Most women I know won’t even touch their husband’s shoes and sneakers—even with tongs—but willingly slip their feet into bowling alley rental shoes that could contain any number and type of communicable bacteria.

Some women in Montgomery are known for their wardrobe panache whether it‘s a short trip to Publix or a PTA meeting. It’s amusing to imagine a woman devot-ing hours to achieving just the right look—form fitting pants, flattering top, fully accessorized and then topping it off with a pair of burgundy and white clown shoes.

Give the bowling proprietors credit. They make the shoes that ugly so no one will steal them. According to FLAB (Florida Licensed Association of Bowlers), only one pair of bowling alley shoes went missing in 2010 and it was simply someone who forgot to change back to street shoes when they were finished.

The key is, they were returned.

Men must wear the same hideous shoes but for some reason they look a little less hideous in them.

On guys, shoes bearing colors borrowed from the flag of a former Soviet satellite state look just fine—sort of a dressed down “membership has privileges” look. Men don’t have to concern themselves with clothing fashion and how it looks when they bowl, either. Guys have other priori-ties, mostly maintaining the most primal, macho approach to the game possible. For example, when guys bowl in mixed compa-

ny, they’re concerned with only one thing: achieving a higher score than the females in the group. For a man to be outscored by a woman? Let’s put it this way. “E.D.” was invented by a poor shmendrick who got beat on the bowling alley by his date.

To assure male dominance, men think the key to winning is speed. This is why you’ll see guys trying to whip the ball down the alley at super sonic levels, pathetically unaware that spin and accuracy are the ultimate weapons. Some guys also insist on finding a ball with a thumb hole that’s too small and they end up dropping the ball from eye level. Like the sonic bowlers, this makes a loud sound and attracts atten-tion—like riding a Harley with no muffler.

The most amazing thing of all in bowling is the machine that drops down, sweeps the littered pins away, and replaces them with a fresh set of 10. Wouldn’t it be great if this technology could be applied to your dinner table? There’s the post-dinner mess, and a machine drops down and sweeps the table clean, and resets it with great precision.

Look. In August you’re either going to be boiled alive in the Alabama heat or forced indoors by ferocious thunderstorms. Get in touch with your inner bowler.

It’s fashion. It’s fun. It’s high tech. You can drink. And most of us look sexier in burgun-dy and white shoes than a bathing suit.

Greg Budell lives in Montgomery with his dog Her-shey. He’s a 25 year veteran of radio who hosts the morning show on Montgomery’s Q96.1 and Happy Hour 4-6 pm on Newstalk 107.9. Please share any feedback with [email protected]

Alley CatBy Greg Budell

BOOM! August 2011

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