BOOM! August 2012

Woman’sSecretHeart

to a

The

A woman’s heart beats proud and true.

The secret to keeping it that way? Living

a heart-healthy life.

So make sure to have a heart-to-heart

with your physician and learn all the

ways you can keep your heart healthy,

proud, and true.

Heart-healthy tip # 2

Heart Center

www.jackson.org/heart

Control cholesterol and keep blood pressure in a healthy range with a proper diet.

3BOOM!August 2012The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine r iverregionboom.com

HealthNEWSfor Boomers and Beyond

Want a leg up on preventing cardiovascular disease? Take a step toward understanding PAD.

PAD (peripheral arterial disease) is a disease in which blockages build up mainly 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.

PAD can lead to infections, gangrene and even amputation. But this condition is also worrisome because people with PAD are at high risk for:

• Coronary artery disease• Heart attack• Stroke• Transient ischemic attack (warning stroke)

However, there’s a lot you can do to help prevent PAD. Lowering your risk begins with understanding the causes and risk factors of the disease.

What causes PAD? PAD usually begins

when your blood vessels become damaged in some way. Your body deposits plaque (a combination of fat, cholesterol, calcium

and other substances) over damaged areas in an effort to heal them.

But when plaque settles in your arteries, they can become narrowed or even blocked. This condition, called atherosclerosis, hinders healthy blood flow and can result in the formation of blood clots.

Who’s at risk? Some of the factors that lead to PAD are out of your

control. For instance, the longer you live, the greater your chances of getting PAD. Having a family history of PAD, cardiovascular disease or stroke puts you at a higher risk for PAD.

But some crucial risk factors can be changed. For example, if you smoke, you’re up to four times more likely to get PAD as a nonsmoker. You’re also at increased risk if you have:

• High blood pressure. • High cholesterol. • Diabetes. • Weight problems (obesity).

It’s important to work to correct your risk factors, because many people with PAD have no symptoms of the disease. If you’re at high risk, your doctor may recommend a screening test for PAD, even if you don’t have any symptoms.

How does PAD feel? If you have PAD, your legs might feel cramped,

fatigued, heavy or painful. For some people, discomfort occurs only when they

are walking or climbing stairs. If the pain stops after they stop walking or climbing, this is called intermittent claudication. People with PAD may also have:

• Poorly healing wounds on their toes, feet or legs • Pale or bluish skin color• Poor nail growth on their toes

How is PAD treated? Most people with PAD can be treated with lifestyle

changes, medicines or both. The goal is to lessen symptoms and stop the disease from getting worse.

The best thing you can do to help keep PAD under control is to exercise. Walking is a good option. Your doctor may recommend specific leg exercises that can help too.

You may also be advised to 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.

August 2012

Sources: American Heart Association; National Institutes of Health

Listen to Those Achy Legs

If you think you might have PAD or if you’re at high risk for developing it, speak to your doctor. He or she can diagnose the disease using a simple test performed in the office.

For more information on PAD or to make an appointment to be screened, call Vladimir

Zahradnik, MD, vascular surgeon with the Jackson Clinic at (334) 293-8922.

r iverregionboom.com4 BOOM! August 2012 The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine


WHAT AM I DOING HERE?IS THIS ALL THERE IS?IS THE BIBLE RELIABLE?WHO WAS JESUS, REALLY?IT’S OK TO HAVE QUESTIONS.

Alpha is a 10-week course where people discover the basics of the Christian faith in a friendly, non-judgmental atmosphere. Offered on Monday nights starting Sept. 10 at Frazer United Methodist Church or Tuesday nights starting Sept. 11 at First United Methodist in Cloverdale; there is no charge for the course and childcare is available.

To learn more, reserve your spot at a free informational dinner August 27 at Frazer or August 28 at First UMC. Visit alphamontgomery.com for more information or to register.

alphamontgomery.com

The Alpha Courseexplore the meaning of life

r iverregionboom.com6 BOOM! August 2012 The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine6 BOOM! The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

7BOOM!August 2012The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine r iverregionboom.com BOOM!The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine

page 10

“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 2012

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 2012 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 3 Issue 1

Features

Departments

Humor AdviceHealth

Community

BOOM! COVER PROFILE

page12

“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 18

16 Restaurant WeekExperience the culinary scene of Sweet Home Alabama.

18 It Ain’t OverThe Business 9 Women Kept A Secret For Three Decades.

20 Diet & Exercise8 Diet and Exercise Mistakes that Age You.

10 This and That Have you heard...?

28 {12} Things Solutions for bored people.

27 Sherry DebrayAsk Questions

ThoughtRelationships

TasteInspiration

Jackson Hospital’s Health News

Publisher’s Letter

Cover Profile

Five Amazing Every-day Superfoods

Healthy Hearing, Ready, Set, GO Hear!

Art & Soul: Sandi Aplin

Male Call: Greg BudellSkinny Dipp!

BOOM! Advertising

3

8

12

21

22

25

30

31

page 20

page 16


I recently read about a dull men’s club in Pembroke, MA. Just outside of Boston. It started 10 years ago with two men and now it has 30 members who meet weekly. It seems odd that these men would want to be part of a “dull men’s” club. That doesn’t sound very flattering. The founder of the club has a collection of 7,000 restaurant menus and his wife thinks they take up too much room in the cellar. He brings a differ-ent one to each meeting to share. They spent 2 ½ meetings on which way to put the toilet paper on the roll, over or under. One fellow said it was pretty much a tie. Most of the men are in their 70’s and they just want to shoot the breeze with each other. They even debated whether you should rake your leaves or just let them lie.

I like these guys. What a great way to escape the busy, busy, busy mindsets we have all employed. Maybe we just need to shoot the breeze on a regular basis and stop to think if that toilet paper roll should be over or under. I prefer over, how about you?

The August issue of BOOM! will be a great read this month. To begin with we have as our cover profile, Leigh Anne Nevins. She has a big heart and a big smile, which goes well with her dental practice. As you will see in her Q & A on page 12, Leigh Anne is a leader in our community and her profession, with a special gift of connecting to her staff to ensure quality care for all of her patients. I hope you’ll enjoy getting to know Leigh Anne as much as I have.

One of our features this month is about some Nanas that decided to make a difference in peoples lives and even though they’ve been doing it for many years, they’re really just getting started. They’ll lift your heart as you read more beginning on page 18. We share some of the restaurants participating in the Alabama Restaurant Week beginning August 17th. According to the stats, you empty nesters eat out way more than most so I’m sure you’ll take advantage of special meals planned for that week. Enjoy!

Speaking of food, we offer five amazing everyday super foods you can consider on page 21 while you also consider 8 diet and exercise mistakes that may cause you to show your age on page 20.Greg Budell shares something about nude swimming that may interest many of you; it brought back memories for me.

There’s plenty more to look at in this month’s issue, including a few new advertisers who are very interested in connecting with you, our valuable readers. Please consider spending your hard earned money with them, they will appreciate you. Thanks for being part of the BOOM! community and sharing with your friends. Enjoy the new issue!

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!

Dull Men’s Clubpublisher’s letter

Jim Watson, Publisher

Publisher/EditorJim Watson, 334.523.9510

[email protected]

Associate EditorKelly Watson

[email protected]

Contributing WritersSandi Aplin

Dr. Bettie BortonGreg Budell

Sherry DebrayLeigh Anne Nevins

Lori Weiss

Cover PhotographyLola Fine Art Photography

[email protected] www.lolafineartphotography.com

Advertising Jim Watson, 334.523.9510

[email protected] Mottenon,

[email protected]

Design & LayoutLake House Graphics

DistributionNetwork Delivery

PrintingPublications Press, Montgomery, AL

334.244.0436

Jim

[email protected] 334.324.3472 cell/text

334.523.9510 office

Women Over 50 are Your Customers


Ask audiologist Dr. Bettie Borton how many ears she’s treated and she’ll say “thousands.” It’s the voice of experience.

As a board-certified audiologist with more than 30 years of experience, Dr. Borton is recognized as an expert in hearing health care.

The only AudigyCertifiedTM provider in Alabama, Dr. Borton has been helping your friends and neighbors get the most out of life for years. Call for a complimentary hearing screening. Then put yourself in the hands of someone who has done it a thousand times before.

Meet the doctor who’s all ears.

View our virtual seminar at www.doctorshearingclinic.com

888.805.5295For your convenience, call us toll-free at

ClinicHearingDoctorsHelping People Hear!

MontgoMery 7025 Halcyon Park Dr, Ste A

oPeLIKA 2204-D Gateway Dr

Bettie B. Borton, Au.D., FAAABoard Certified Doctor of Audiology

Former National Chair of the American Board of Audiology

President-Elect of the American Academy of Audiology


This & tHAT i

Wine should inspire love, according to the sex queenThe iPad has become a great device for sharing pho-tos with friends and family. Join us for a two hour workshop and learn how to edit and modify your

photos by using vari-ous tools such as filters, color and saturation, cropping, blur, resizing, working with layers, add-ing text and metadata, and a whole lot more. Montgomery Museum of Fine Art. Instructor: Tim Brown, Time: 6 to 8 P.M.Thursday: August 9. Cost: $15 members/$25 non-

members. Call 334.240.4333 or visit www.mmfa.org

You most likely know the pint-sized Dr. Ruth for her late night inter-views and frank advice about sex. Now she wants you to know her for something else too: Vin d’Amour, her soon-to-be-released wine. Dr. Ruth is on record saying that just the right amount of wine can ease the nerves between a man and a woman, and help encourage, well…a little action in the bedroom. But she warns getting drunk inhibits good sex. The solution: Her own line of low alcohol (6 percent) wine, released in late July. Under the Vin d’Amour label, there will be a cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay and white zinfandel, $6.99 and $9.99 per bottle.

Life ExpectancyBy the mid -1800’s it was 35 or something. In 1900, life expectancy was 47 in this country and by the time the twentieth century was over it was 77, Today it’s 78. Dr. Laura Carstensen, Founding Director of the Stanford Center on Longevity and author of the book A Long Bright Future, says a big part in the increase of life expectancy has more to do with babies than it does old people. Because it was in the twentieth century, that 25% of babies who were born died before they reached 5 years old. Today most babies who are born in developed countries are having the opportunity to grow old - that’s a spectacular accomplishment. And that’s had a big impact on the life expectancy statis-tics. But what else accounts for the big increase in life expectancy? Medicine has something to do with it. But much of the gain in life expectancy really came about because once we understood how diseases were trans-mitted we improved the sanitation. So the world we live in is much healthier. But it’s not just about living longer; it’s about living longer and healthier. And the good news is for the last fifty years, each generation that has arrived at old age has been healthier than the one before it.

There’s an App for That

INTERNET URBAN LEGEND A receptionist in a church in a high risk area was concerned about someone coming into the office on Monday to rob them when they were counting the collection. She asked the local police department about using pepper spray and they recommended to her that she get a can of wasp spray instead. The wasp spray, they told her, can shoot up to twenty feet away and is a lot more accurate, while with the pepper spray, they have to get too close to you and could overpower you. The wasp spray temporarily blinds an attacker until they get to the hospital for an antidote. She keeps a can on her desk in the office and it doesn’t attract attention from people like a can of pepper spray would. She also keeps one nearby at home for home protection. MAKES PERFECTLY GOOD SENSE!

Laugh Out Loud


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

The Red Cross offers courses where people can learn how to perform CPR, how to use an AED,

what to do if someone is chok-ing, and how to prevent and respond to other emergencies until advanced medical help arrives. Course participants also learn how to control bleed-ing as well as how to care for seizures and other sudden ill-

nesses. The courses consist of classroom instruc-tion, demonstrations, and hands-on skills practice using manikins. The Red Cross is offering the following courses:

Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED for the LaypersonWhen: August 2 from 9 am – 3:30 pmWhere: 5015 Woods Crossing, Montgomery, ALCost: $110.00

Adult First Aid/CPR/AED for the LaypersonWhen: August 27 and 28 from 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm (must attend both evenings) Where: 5015 Woods Crossing, Montgomery, ALCost: $90.00

The Alabama Dance Theatre will open its 26th Season with two spectacular free performances of “Stars on the Riverfront.” Bring the entire family and a picnic and join the Alabama Dance Theatre as the sun sets on one of Montgomery’s most beautiful venues, the Riverwalk Amphitheater. These eclectic performanc-es are the culmination of ADT’s two week Summer Dance Seminar and will be held Sunday, August 5th and Monday, August 6th at 7:30 p.m. at the Riverwalk

Amphitheater. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. on August 5th and 6th for picnicking. The Riverwalk Amphitheater is located downtown, north of the Union Station train shed. Audiences should enter through the tunnel which is handicap accessible. Chick-Fil-A will be on site Monday only. Performances are free. Call 334-241-2590 or visit www.ala-

bamadancetheatre.com for more information.

Spaces are still available at the 10th annual Youth Fishing Rodeo hosted by the Alabama Wildlife Federation (AWF) set for August 4, 2012 at Lanark in Millbrook. Don’t miss this fun filled day of fishing from 7-11 am. The rodeo is open to anyone age 15 and un-der. Admission is free, however, participants must pre-register as space is limited and all youth must be accompanied by an adult. Call AWF TODAY at 334-285-4550 today and register!

Take ‘em Fishing

For Grandparents: “Stars on the Riverfront”Red Cross Offers First Aid and CPR/AED Courses


BOOM! COVER PROFILE

This month’s BOOM! profile is Leigh Anne Nevins. Many of you know Leigh Anne because she has many patients in the River Region who rely on her for their healthy teeth and beautiful smiles. After spending a short amount of time with Leigh Anne you are infected with her attitude and leader-ship qualities, which is evident in her involvement with the University of Alabama School of Dentistry Alumni Association as well as other dental or-ganizations. She also shares her time with the AUM Nursing School Annual Blue Jean Fundraiser and support-ing the many activities of the Junior League of Montgomery. Her real call-ing is to serve her countless patients with quality dental care, working alongside her staff of professionals. Leigh Anne recently became a mem-ber of our BOOM! community when she turned 50 a few months back. She survived the BIG 50 and was gra-cious enough to be our BOOM! Cover Profile this month. Leigh Anne shared a bit of her life’s journey with us and we hope you’ll enjoy getting to know her as much as we have. One thing is for sure, Leigh Anne knows dentistry, just look at that smile!

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

Leigh Anne: I am a Montgomery girl, born at the former St. Margaret’s Hospital on Ripley Street and I grew up to be very proud of my Southern heritage! I moved to Orlando during high school where I graduated from Oak Ridge High School. While living in central Florida was a lot of fun for me as a high school student, I greatly missed the Southern charm of Alabama. I quickly returned to our great state and I loved my four years at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa where I majored in Microbiology. I was so glad to be back in Montgomery after graduation where I worked for the Department of Public Health in the Division of Disease Control and at the State Health Laboratory as a Microbiologist. I wanted to further my education so I went to Auburn University Montgomery during the evenings where I received a Masters Degree in Public Administration (MPA). During that time I was so blessed to meet my wonderful

husband, Guy, he was also pursuing his MPA at AUM. In fact, we were a featured couple in one of their magazines a few years ago because we met there and we even shared our first kiss in the AUM parking lot!

I was happily married and a mom when the Lord gave me a restless spirit to pursue His Plan for my life and that was to become a dentist. It was a privilege to be a dental student at the University of Alabama in Birmingham (UAB) School of Dentistry. Those truly were the toughest four years of my life as I commuted between Montgomery and Birmingham and balanced my responsibilities, yet it was very rewarding to know that I was living up to my full potential.

Guy and I are the proud parents of Holder who is now grown and married to his lovely wife, Kendra. They live in Helena, Alabama at Old Cahaba and they both work in the Bir-mingham area. We are the proud grandpar-ents of our precious grand-daughter, Harper, who just turned two years old in April. Harper is already taking dance lessons! We are so blessed to have a healthy and happy family!

BOOM!: You have been practicing dentistry for many years now, why did you choose den-tistry as your profession? What makes your

dental practice unique?Leigh Anne: God really lead me into the dental field and He put several outstanding people in my life to encour-age me! For example, Dr. Tim Trulove, who is an ortho-dontist here in Montgomery, has been a great friend to me since we both started the University of Alabama as freshmen Microbiology students and he has always been a true inspiration to me. Also, Guy’s uncle, Reu-ben Crawford, was a dentist in Fayetteville, Tennessee and he was a great mentor to me before he passed away.

Dentistry is a strong “people profession” and I truly love working closely with my staff to accomplish things that would never be possible without teamwork! Dentistry

has been my heart’s work for over 19 years now. It’s been a privilege to be able to do something that I love so much. It’s also chal-lenging and rewarding, because I am able to touch my patients’ lives through treating their smiles!

My practice focuses on treating patients like we would want our family to be treated. We enjoy getting to know them and visiting with them as we take care of their smiles.

BOOM!: You recently celebrated turning 50. How was the experience? Any advice on deal-ing with this milestone birthday?

Leigh Anne: We celebrated by going to Charleston, South Carolina for several days with some dear friends from Birmingham. Charleston has the most intriguing his-tory and I suppose turning 50 gives you an historical perspective! Also, Charleston was celebrating 150 years since the beginning of the Civil War last year when we visited so it was a great time to share in its festivities. I think turning 50 is a great milestone to count your blessings and reassess where you are in your life. You have a terrific opportunity to set new goals and reaffirm what is most precious to you.

Leigh Anne Nevins, a Dental Calling

Dr. Leigh Anne Nevins welcomes her patients with a smile.


Last year I served as Chair of the Community Advisory Board for the Auburn University/Auburn Montgomery Schools of Nursing. We are preparing for the 12th annual and final Blue Jean Ball at Coach Pat Dye’s ranch on October 5th. This has been a wonderfully fun fundraiser for the schools of nursing scholar-ship programs.

The Junior League of Montgomery named me a “Sustainer of the Season” last fall as I have always tried to be supportive of their many outstanding community projects.

BOOM!: If you weren’t creating beautiful smiles, what kind of work would you be do-ing?

Leigh Anne: I have always been told that I have the gift of teaching so I probably would be teaching something in the sciences or medical field at the high school or college level. I think teachers touch their students’

lives in ways that can never be measured and that teaching is the most important profession for impact-ing our fu-ture for the common good.

BOOM!: What is it about living in the Montgom-

ery/ River Region area that you like?

Leigh Anne: I have often thought that Mont-gomery is like a “small town city” so I love that everybody pretty much knows of every-body. You feel a sense of closeness and strong community in the River Region.

BOOM!: As you’ve aged, how have your ambi-tions changed?

Leigh Anne: I am more focused on my family and my health and less worried about my career goals. I do not take my good health for granted any longer so I practice healthy eating and I try to stay more active. Also, I feel that my marriage is one of the greatest gifts in my life so I try never to take Guy for granted either! The Lord has always provided

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

Leigh Anne: We vacationed in Orange Beach in June with the entire fam-ily and what a joy to see Harper on her first trip to the beach! Also, I love to visit our Southern his-toric cities such as Savannah and Charleston because they have so much

beauty, charm, and hospitality! We are plan-ning a trip to Prince Edward Island in the near future as I have always enjoyed the Anne of Green Gables stories. We are also planning to take our son and his family to the Grand Canyon soon.

BOOM!: As a busy profes-sional, do

you

have time to be involved in community, civic, or other activities?

Leigh Anne: The dental profession has given so much to me so I have always tried to give back to it by serving anyway I can. I was honored to serve as the UAB School of Dentistry’s Alumni Association’s President last year. I was the first female to serve as the Ala-bama Academy of General Dentistry’s President and I was the President of our local district dental society several years ago. Currently, I am the Trea-surer for the Alabama Chapter of the International College of Dentists and a fellow in the American College of Dentists.

BOOM!: Many Boomers are experiencing a renewed sense of purpose, new goals, new careers, especially if they’ve experienced the empty nest syndrome of their kids moving on. How would you describe this sense of renewal in your life? Any advice for the rest of us seeking renewal?

Leigh Anne: Guy and I have really enjoyed our time together as a couple and we are so excited about this new chapter in our lives that will include a lot more traveling and adven-tures. I am so thankful that I married my best friend and that we are embracing this time together.

BOOM!: What are you most passionate about?

Leigh Anne: The American Dream is what I am most passionate about! To think that a girl from Montgomery can dream about becoming a dentist and become successful in doing so is truly a dream come true for me! Too often in our society we hear the negative. We need to encourage everyone to reach their God-given potential. I really do believe that each and every one of us is here for a very special and specific purpose and that we should strive to make this world a better place than when we entered it!

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

Leigh Anne: To relax in my own backyard and to enjoy our pool is my idea of a great evening. We like to have mini-staycations throughout the year to relax at home and enjoy the beautiful River Region. Montgomery has some fantastic restaurants and venues that actu-ally make you feel like you are on a vacation!

Dr. Leigh Anne Nevins presented with appreciation plaque as President of Alumni Association by Dr. Thomas

Dr. Tommy Moseley and Leigh Anne with staff

First Beach Trip, Leigh Anne and granddaughter, Harper


15

perfectly for us so I know that He is in control of all aspects of my life even my dental practice.

BOOM!: Give us three words that describe you.

Leigh Anne: The three words that best describe me are fun-loving, detail-oriented, and grateful.

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

Leigh Anne: Southern cooking is my therapy and I love to try new recipes! I also enjoy running in road races and taking early morning walks with my husband. I am an avid reader of stories about great Americans, too, such as the latest biography about Steve Jobs and the shocking assassination story Killing Lincoln.

BOOM!: What future challenges do you have? Would you like to ex-pand your dental practice? Offer new services?

Leigh Anne: The biggest challenge that I face is balancing the care of ag-ing moms (my mother and my mother-in-law) and my business respon-sibilities along with being available for my other family and friends. I am certain that every Baby Boomer has those similar challenges! The cornerstone of our dental practice is the personal relationships that we have built with our patients and we love to have new patients. We are offering a lot more cosmetic and bleaching services and the results are very good. As our population gets older, I encourage everyone to maintain their dental health and to keep their smile young!

BOOM!: What’s the future of dentistry? Will technology play a bigger role?

Leigh Anne: In my nineteen years of private practice, I have marveled at the advances in the dental field such as the greater role that cone beam technology and lasers have played in diagnosing and treating dental diseases. As always though the human healing touch is the most important way to treat any disease and make patients feel better about themselves and their smiles!

BOOM!: Who’s your dentist or is that a trade secret?

Leigh Anne: I have the best dentist in the world and that is my dear friend, mentor, and dental partner for over 15 years, Dr. Tommy Mose-ley! He inspires me each day to do my very best and to have passion for dentistry and compassion for our wonderful patients. Dr. Moseley will never fully understand how grateful I am for the opportunity he gave me fifteen years ago when I bought his dental practice. He is my “rock” and he is such a marvelous inspiration to me and to our dental team! All of us Boomers should aspire to be like him.

call 334.386.7257 or visit Faulkner.edu for event information or to purchase tickets

montgomery renaissance convention center montgomery, alabama

sponsorship and photo opportunities available

dinner: 7:00 p.m.reception: 5:30 p.m. (special ticket admission)

f e a t u r i n g

If you have any questions for Leigh Anne you can reach her at 334.271.0040. We want to thank Leigh Anne for sharing her office with our cover photographers, Maria and Raquel, thanks for the time you spend getting just the right picture! If you have questions, comments or suggestions, about the BOOM! Cover Pro-files please send them to [email protected]

Husband, Guy, Leigh Anne, daughter-in-law, Kendra with granddaughter Harper and son Holder.

Do You Advertise? Who’s Your Customer?Readers of BOOM!


Bandanas RestaurantType of Cuisine: Southern301 E. Jefferson St., Montgomery334-265-7181www.ASocialEventCaterers.comLUNCH SPECIAL:Your choice of one meat, three sides, iced tea and our dessert of the day. $10.00

Baumhowers of MontgomeryBaumhowers of RSAType of Cuisine: American, Burgers, Wings, and Seafood2465 Eastern Boulevard, Montgomery334-271-1831 201 South Union Street, Montgomery334-263-8800www.baumhowers.comLUNCH SPECIAL:$5 MENU-Tailgate Burger, Redneck Salad$10 MENU-Grilled Teriyaki PlatterWangs & Grits, Black & White ChickenAlmost Fried Turkey Platter, Petite Sirloin$15 MENU-Gulf Shrimp Platter, Sirloin SteakDIINER SPECIAL:$10 MENU-Hot Bama Brown, Sweet-Fire Chicken, Black & White Chicken Platter$20 MENU-Ribeye

Central129 Coosa Street, Montgomery334-262-8859LUNCH SPECIAL:Sharp Cheddar Pimiento Cheese and Pret-zels, California Club: Roasted turkey breast, applewood smoked bacon, baby swiss, alfalfa sprouts, avocado, arugula, roma, lemon caper aioli, house fries. German Chocolate Cake, $15.DINNER SPECIAL:Local Figs and Alabama Goat Cheese Wood fired Gulf Grouper: Gnocchi, ratatouille, tomato herb coulis and Bananas Foster bread pudding, $30.

Chophouse at Vintage YearType of Cuisine: steakhouse405 Cloverdale Road, Montgomery 334-264-8463www.chophousevy.comLUNCH & DINNER SPECIALS:Not yet announced

Chris Hotdogs138 dexter ave, Montgomery334-202-8444www.chrishotdogs.comLUNCH SPECIAL:One hotdog, one Chip, and one fountain drink $5.00 or 3 hotdogs one French fry and one fountain drink, $10.

Dreamland BBQ - Montgomery101 Tallapoosa Street, Montgomery334-273-7427LUNCH & DINNER SPECIALS: Not yet announced

Martha’s PlaceType of Cuisine: soul food7798 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery334-399-2074LUNCH & DINNER SPECIALS:Not yet announced.

Michael’s TableType of Cuisine: international2960 a Zelda Rd., Montgomery334-272-2500www.Michaelstable.netLUNCH SPECIAL:Table’s Tarte du Jour on Salade Dijon, Choco-late Bread Pudding Souffle, Creme Anglaise, Chocolate Sauce, $15.DINNER SPECIAL:Table Salad, Table Spaghetti and Quatro Fromaggio Red Wine Maet balls, Chocolate Bread Pudding Souffle, Creme Anglaise, Chocolate Sauce, $30.

Midtown Pizza KitchenType of Cuisine: Italian, American2940 I Zelda Rd, Montgomery334-395-0080www.midtownpizzakitchen.comDINNER SPECIAL:Any large specialty pizza and cheese bread, $20.

RouxType of Cuisine: American503 Cloverdale Rd., Montgomery334.356.3814www.rouxmontgomery.comLUNCH & DINNER SPECIALS:Not yet announced.

Sa Za Serious ItalianType of Cuisine: italian130 Commerce St., Montgomery334-495-7292www.sazapizza.comLUNCH & DINNER SPECIALS:Not yet announced.

Sinclair’s1051 E. Fairview av., Montgomery334-834-7462LUNCH & DINNER SPECIALS:Not yet announced.

The Tipping Point5015 Hampstead High St., Montgomery334-260-9110www.tippingpointhampstead.comLUNCH & DINNER SPECIALS:Not yet announced.

Wintzell’s Oyster HouseType of Cuisine: Gulf Coast Seafood/American105 Commerce Street, Montgomery334-262-4257www.wintzellsoysterhouse.comLUNCH SPECIAL:Any two lunch baskets, including bever-age, $15!!DINNER SPECIAL:Two “Half and Half” entrees (choice of two:fish,shrimp,scallops,oysters) including beverage, $30!!Wishbone Cafe7028 Atlanta Hwy., Montgomery334-301-4011www.wishbonecafe-montgomery.comLUNCH & DINNER SPECIAL:Seafood Pizza, $10

Empty nesters (Boomers) eat out more and spend more when they eat out. They typically spend 65% more on dining out than couples living with children. Restaurants around the state, including many featured in the popular “l00 Dishes To Eat in Alabama Before You Die” brochure, invite diners to experience the wonderful culinary scene of Sweet Home Alabama. Participating restaurants will offer special fixed-priced meals for lunch and/or dinner and other specials throughout the week. Participat-ing restaurants from the River Region per the website www.alabamarestaurant-week.com include:

Alabama Restaurant Week in the River Region August 17th-26th 2012



Somewhere in West Tennessee, not far from Graceland, nine women -- or “The 9 Nanas,” as they prefer to be called -- gather in the darkness of night. At 4am they begin their daily routine -- a ritual that no one, not even their husbands, knew about for 30 years. They have one mission and one mission only: to create happiness. And it all begins with baked goods.

“One of us starts sifting the flour and another washing the eggs,” explained Nana Mary Ellen, the appointed spokesperson for their secret society. “And someone else makes sure the pans are all ready. We switch off, depending on what we feel like doing that day.

“But you make sure to say Nana Pearl is in charge, because she’s the oldest!” she added with a wink and a smile.

Over the next three hours, The 9 Nanas (who all consider themselves sisters, despite what some of their birth certifi-cates say) will whip up hundreds of pound cakes, as part of a grand scheme to help those in need. And then, before anyone gets as much as a glimpse of them, they’ll disappear back into their daily lives. The only hint that may remain is the heavenly scent of vanilla, lemon and lime, lingering in the air.

Even the UPS driver, who picks up hun-dreds of packages at a time, has no clue what these women, who range in age from 54 to 72, are doing. He’s just happy to get a hug and a bag filled with special treats. What he doesn’t know is that he’s part of their master plan. A plan that began 35 years ago -- when the “sisters” got together for their weekly card game -- something their husbands referred to as “Broads and Bridge.”

“Pearl says it was all her idea,” Mary Ellen teased, “but as I remember it, we were sitting around reminiscing about MaMaw and PaPaw and all the different ways they would lend a hand in the community.”

MaMaw and PaPaw are the grandparents who raised four of the women, Mary Ellen in-cluded, when their mother passed away; and they took in Pearl as their own, when her parents needed some help.

“MaMaw Ruth would read in the paper that someone had died,” Mary Ellen remembered, “and she’d send off one of her special pound cakes. She didn’t have to know the family. She just wanted to put a little smile on their faces. And we started thinking about what we could do to make a difference like that. What if we had a mil-lion dollars? How would we spend it?

So the ladies began brainstorming.“One of the sisters suggested that we should all start doing our own laundry and put the money we saved to good use. I ad-mit, I protested at first. There’s just some-thing about laundering that I don’t like. But I was outnumbered! So among the nine of us, we’d put aside about $400 a month and our husbands never noticed a thing. Their shirts looked just fine.”

And then the women started listening. They’d eavesdrop -- all with good inten-tions, of course -- at the local beauty shop or when they were picking up groceries. And when they heard about a widow or a single mom who needed a little help, they’d step in and anonymously pay a utility bill or buy some new clothes for the children.

“We wanted to help as much as we could,” Mary Ellen said, “without taking away from our own families, so we became coupon clippers. And we’d use green stamps.

Remember those? We’d use green stamps and we’d make sure to go to Goldsmith’s department store on Wednesdays. Every week they’d have a big sale and you could spend $100 and walk away with $700 worth of merchandise.”

The Nanas would find out where the person lived and send a package with a note that simply said, “Somebody loves you” -- and they’d be sure to include one of MaMaw Ruth’s special pound cakes.The more people they helped, the bolder they became.

“We gave new meaning to the term drive-by,” Mary Ellen said with delight. “We’d drive through low-income neighborhoods and look for homes that had fans in the window. That told us that the people who lived there didn’t have air-conditioning. Or we’d see that there were no lights on at night, which meant there was a good chance their utilities had been turned off. Then we’d return before the sun came up, like cat burglars, and drop off a little care package.”For three decades, the ladies’ good deeds went undetected -- that is, until five years ago, when Mary Ellen’s husband, whom she lovingly calls “Southern Charmer,” started noticing extra mileage on the car and large amounts of cash being with-drawn from their savings account.“He brought out bank statements and they were highlighted!” Mary Ellen said, recall-ing the horror she felt. “I tried to explain

It Ain’t Over: The Business 9 Women Kept A Secret For Three Decades

By Lori Weiss


that I had bought some things, but he had this look on his face that I’d never seen before -- and I realized what he must have been thinking. I called the sisters and said, ‘You all need to get over here right away.’”

So 30 years into their secret mission, the 9 Nanas and their husbands gathered in Mary Ellen’s living room and the sisters came clean. They told the husbands about the laundry and the eavesdropping -- even the drive-bys. And that’s where their story gets even better -- because the husbands offered to help.

“They were amazed that we were doing this and even more amazed that they never knew. We can keep a good secret! All but three of them are retired now, so some-times they come with us on our drive-bys. In our area, all you need is an address to pay someone’s utility bill, so we keep the men busy jotting down numbers.”

It wasn’t long before the couples decided it was also time to tell their grown children. And that’s when happiness began to hap-pen in an even bigger way. The children encouraged their mothers to start selling MaMaw Ruth’s pound cakes online, so they could raise money to help even more peo-ple. And it wasn’t long before they were receiving more than 100 orders in a day.

“The first time we saw those orders roll in, we were jumping up and down,” Mary El-len said with a laugh. “We were so excited

that we did a ring-around-the-rosie! Then we called all the children and said, ‘What do we do next?’”

That’s when the 9 Nanas moved their covert baking operation out of their homes and into the commercial kitchen of a res-taurant owned by one of their sons, where they can sneak in before sunrise and sneak out before the staff comes in. They even hired a “happiness coordi-nator” (whose code name is “Sunny,” of course). Her identity needs to be a secret, too, so she can help out with the eavesdrop-ping.

“We swore her to secrecy -- her parents think she works in marketing. And, really, if you think about it, she is doing public relations and spends a lot of time looking for people to help at the supermar-ket!”

These days, The 9 Nanas are able to take on even bigger projects, given their online success. Recently they donated more than $5,000 of pillows and linens and personal care products to a shelter for survivors of domestic violence. And this August, they’ll celebrate their second consecutive “Hap-piness Happens Month” by sending tokens of their appreciation to one person in every state who has made a difference in their own community.

And that million dollars they once wished for? They’re almost there. In the last 35 years, the 9 Nanas have contributed nearly $900,000 of happiness to their local com-munity.

But that doesn’t mean they’re too busy to continue doing the little things that make life a bit happier. Sometimes they just pull out the phone book and send off pound

cakes to complete strangers. And if the Nanas spot someone at the grocery store who appears to need a little help, it’s not unusual for them to start filling a stranger’s cart.

“Not everyone is as lucky as we were to

have MaMaw and PaPaw to take care of them, to fix all those things that are wrong.

“So this is our way of giving back,” Mary Ellen said. “We want people to know that someone out there cares enough to do something. We want to make sure that happiness happens.”

To learn more about The 9 Nanas and Happiness Happens or to purchase one of MaMaw Ruth’s special pound cakes, you can visit their website: www.Happiness-Happens.com.

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com


Eating too much sugar certainly isn’t wise for your waistline, but did you know that overindulg-ing in dessert can add years to your face? And even if you do strenu-ous cardio workouts each week, you’ll be missing out on potential anti-aging body benefits if your schedule doesn’t include yoga, weight training and rest.

Find out if you’re making one of these eight common diet and exercise mistakes, and get smart prevention strategies that can keep you slim and youthful for years to come.

1. You Overdo DessertThe breakdown of sugars, called glyca-tion, damages the collagen that keeps skin smooth and firm. To prevent this natural process from careening out of control, Dr. Naila Malik, a dermatologist in Southlake, Texas, sticks to low-glycemic carbs like whole grains. They’re naturally low in sugar, and the body processes them slowly to limit the loss of collagen. If you want to sweeten up your tea or oatmeal without making your skin look older, try all-nat-ural stevia. It’s an easily digested herbal sweetener that doesn’t trigger glycation, according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Nicholas Perricone.

2. You Spin Away StressTaking your work angst out on the bike or treadmill might make you feel better for a little while, but incorporating yoga into your fitness routine regularly may help you look younger and prevent breakouts while whittling away stress. Sounds like a winning workout to us! “Yoga moves like child’s pose, downward-facing dog and sun salutations improve circulation, the boost of oxygen is what gives skin that lovely yoga glow,” says Dr. Hema Sundaram, a Washing-ton, D.C. area dermatologist. New research finds regular yoga practice may reduce the inflammation and stress that speed skin aging. If you need another reason to “om” away your stress: High levels of tension

can spike hormone produc-tion that leads to breakouts or ag-gravates condi-tions like psoriasis. “Control-ling stress keeps

your skin calm,” says Dr. Annie Chiu, a der-matologist in Los Angeles.3. You Always Choose Coffee Over TeaResearch suggests that green and black tea contain protective compounds, like EGCG and theaflavins, that help prevent skin cancers and the breakdown of collagen, the cause of wrinkles.

4. You Pretend to Be Allergic to DumbbellsFollowing a regular strength-training rou-tine that creates better, more supportive muscle tone will help you firm sagging skin from the neck down. “I am religious about strength-training, and I always tell patients to do it more as they get older,” says Dr. Patricia Farris, a dermatologist in Metairie, La. “It’s like adding volume to the face with fillers, except on your body,” says Farris.

5. Your Meat and Dairy Aren’t Organic“Hormones in traditionally produced dairy, poultry and meat may contribute to acne,” says Dr. Katie Rodan, a dermatologist in the San Francisco Bay area. She says that her patients who eat those less frequently, or at least choose grain-fed beef and poultry and organic dairy, often notice their skin looks better.

6. You Don’t Give Your Body a BreakWhen your exercise routine is so intense that you’re tired all the time but can’t sleep at night, you’re setting yourself up for overuse injuries, not to mention dark circles and bags under your eyes from those sleepless nights. These symptoms could be a sign of overexhaustion, says Ryan Halvorson, personal trainer, IDEA Health and Fitness Association expert, and author. Other clues that you’re working out too much include extreme muscle soreness that persists for several days, unintended weight loss, increased resting heart rate,

interruptions in your menstrual cycle or decreased appetite. “Plan your rest as well as you plan exercise,” says Polly de Mille, a registered clinical exercise physiologist. “If there is no balance between breakdown and recovery, then the muscle is in a state of chronic inflammation and what may start as a simple case of soreness after a hard workout can turn into an actual over-use injury.”

7. You Drastically Cut Fat, Carbs or CaloriesWhen your diet isn’t balanced, your skin, hair and nails will suffer. Cutting calories can deprive your body of certain nutrients that promote healthy cell division, cell regeneration and overall skin tone and texture, explains Dr. David E. Bank, director of the Center for Dermatology, in Mount Kisco, N.Y. “The skin also requires essential fatty acids, which the body can’t produce on its own, to maintain hydration. A diet that’s too low in fat could cause dry skin, hair loss and brittle nails.” Other key youth-boosting nutrients include vitamins A, C and E. Being deficient in A can cause acne, dry hair, dry skin and broken fingernails. Get your daily vitamin A fix by eating five baby carrots each day. A lack of vitamin C can affect collagen synthesis (the “glue” that binds our ligaments, bones, blood ves-sels and skin), impair wound healing, and make you more likely to bruise. Incorporate vitamin C–rich foods in the form of citrus fruits, brussels sprouts, peppers and leafy greens. Low levels of vitamin E can result in easy bruising and cause chronic skin condi-tions such as eczema and psoriasis to flare up. Get more vitamin E in your diet by eat-ing almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, spinach and fortified cereals.

8. You’re Missing Alkaline-Rich FoodsKimberly Snyder, a Los Angeles nutritionist and author of “The Beauty Detox Solu-tion” ($9.77; amazon.com), says she sees a big improvement in her clients’ skin and hair when they eat more alkaline-forming foods, such as parsley, almonds, kale, pears, lemons and apples. “If your body is too acidic, which can happen when your diet is unbalanced, it leaches the alkaline minerals, such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium, that allow us to have strong, healthy bones, teeth and hair,” Snyder explains

Distributed by MCT Information Services

8 Diet and Exercise Mistakes that Age You


1. Kiwifruit - Kiwi contains high levels of vitamin C (double the amount found in oranges), has more fiber than an apple and packs more potassium than a banana. The unique blend of phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals found in kiwi helps protect against heart disease, stroke, cancer and respiratory disease. Kiwi’s natural blood-thin-ning properties work without the side-effects of aspirin and support vascular health by reducing the formation of spontaneous blood clots, lowering LDL cholesterol and reducing blood pressure. Multiple studies have shown that kiwi not only reduces oxidative stress but also prompts damaged cells to repair themselves. How much: Aim to eat one to two kiwis a day while they’re in season for the best taste and optimal benefits. The riper the kiwi, the greater the antioxidant power, let them ripen before eating.

2. Cherries - Cherries have many healing powers. In lab studies, quer-cetin and ellagic acid, two compounds found in cherries, have been shown to inhibit the growth of tumors and kill cancer cells - without damaging healthy cells. Cherries also have antiviral and antibacterial properties and regular consumption may help lower the risk of heart attack, colon cancer and stroke. How much: Aim for a daily serv-ing while they’re in season and keep a bag of frozen cherries in your freezer for the rest of the year. Frozen cherries retain 100 percent of their nutritional value and make a great addition to smoothies, yogurt and oatmeal.

3. Beans – Many people do not realize the immense amount of health benefits that beans offer. They not only lower cholesterol, regulate blood sugar and insulin production, promote digestive health and protect against cancer, but they are also a high source of fiber, protein and antioxidants. Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health reported that women who consumed beans at least twice a week were 24 percent less likely to develop breast cancer, and multiple studies have tied bean consumption to a reduced risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and breast and colon cancers. How much: Aim for a minimum of two servings of beans per week.

4. Watercress – Watercress likely doesn’t immediately come to mind when thinking of superfoods. You may be surprised to learn that watercress is packed with vitamins A and K along with multiple antioxi-dant carotenoids and protective phytochemicals. The nutrients found in watercress protect against cancer and macular degeneration, help build the immune system and support bone health.These nutrients have also been shown to help prevent lung and esophageal cancer and can help lower your risk for other cancers. How much: Aim to incor-porate watercress into your daily diet if possible. Watercress has more nutritional benefits when eaten raw, so try adding to a sandwich, salad, soup or smoothie for an added nutritional kick!

5. Onions – Onions may not be good for your breath, but they are great for your body. Onions are high in cancer-fighting enzymes; stud-ies show that onion consumption helps to lower the risk of prostate and esophageal cancers. Onions also help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as help prevent bone loss. Surprising to some, on-ions are extremely high in antioxidants. They contain quercetin, a natu-ral antihistamine that reduces airway inflammation and helps relieve symptoms of allergies and hay fever. How much: Aim to eat one a day. This may be hard, but onions can be easily incorporated into most any dish for added flavor. All varieties contain health benefits, but shallots and yellow onions contain the highest levels of antioxidants.

Five Amazing, Everyday Superfoods


So, you or your family member is considering the purchase of hear-ing aids…. What’s next? Getting hearing devices will present lots of opportunities, many new experi-ences, and some challenges. It’s critically impor-

tant for you to know what to expect, and find a provider who can meet your needs. From the beginning, seek hear-ing healthcare from the ONLY profes-sional who has doctoral level training in diagnostic evaluation of hearing disorders, fitting of amplification, and aural rehabilitation – AKA an audiolo-gist! That important first decision will affect everything else with regard to your satisfaction. There are things that need to be “right” about the hearing aids from DAY ONE, and every day after that. Other issues involve time and practice, and com-mitment on your part. Here’s what you should expect from your hearing instruments:

• The hearing devices should be functional on a daily basis. If you have a repair issue, your audiology clinic should be able to repair it quickly, and explain any charge for service to you very completely. Also, analysis of any repair action (why it was needed, what was done) should be part of the expla-nation provided.• The hearing devices should be free from feedback (that annoying “whistle” that sometimes plagues those using older technology) under normal use conditions. IF feedback is noted on a frequent basis, adjustments can and should be made to the instrument to correct this. It should be noted that excessive cerumen (ear wax) can cause

Healthy Hearing

Dr. Bettie Borton Au. D.

this problem, and if not addressed, can become physically uncomfortable as well.• The hearing aids should be physi-cally comfortable to wear. If discom-fort is experienced, especially during the first few days of use, modifications can be made to the physical shape of the instrument or mold to eliminate discomfort. In rare instances, the unit might have to be remade by the manufacturer, so be sure to wear your devices for sufficiently long periods of time to determine if they are comfort-able over “the long haul”, and alert your audiologist as soon as possible regard-ing the discomfort. Remember, this is not like breaking in a pair of shoes. There is no “give” to the hearing aid, and very little give to your ear canal, so don’t suffer in silence!• Loud sounds in your listening environment should not be hard to tolerate with the hearing devices. If some sounds are uncomfortably loud, changes in the output of the aids can be made to ensure that all sounds are reasonably pleasant and comfortable.• The hearing aids should improve your ability to hear softer sounds and conversational speech in quiet environments. • The instruments should be com-fortable for you to wear in louder, noisier settings. However, if your audiometric evaluation reveals that you have difficulty understanding speech, noisy environments can prove chal-lenging for those with sensorineural hearing loss.

Frequently, hearing loss creates com-munication chaos. Hearing devices should solve most of the major is-sues (ie, those related to insufficient loudness), but due to the distortional component inherent to all sensorineu-ral loss, hearing “like you did 20 years ago” is an unrealistic expectation. You’ll

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.

Ready, Set, GO HEAR!What to Expect from Hearing Devices….

hear better, but perhaps not perfectly. There’ll be times when your under-standing is less than perfect. Everyone’s hearing loss is different and, for some, the damage is so great that certain situations (particularly noisy ones) will always pose a challenge.

A good audiologist will provide help for your communication needs where the hearing aid falls short. They can provide in office, home based or online rehab programs, as well as many coping or compensatory strategies that will help you negotiate the world more ef-fectively. With the help of this profes-sional and the technologies that can provide, your hearing devices should:

• Allow you to better understand speech in noisy environments.• Attend more specifically to certain sounds in your environment.• Improve your performance with a variety of electronic devices such as the television, cell phones, land line phones, IPods, computers...• Be selected appropriately, based on your lifestyle needs. Remember, the more demanding your listening environments are, the more high end technologies will improve performance in these challenging situations.

So make that important first step. Seek hearing healthcare from an ABA Board Certified audiologist, set realistic ex-pectations and GO HEAR!

Adapted from Patient Expectations Guide, Schum, 2009

By Dr. Bettie Borton Au.D.


1-800-841-4273 www.ASF.net

/alabamashakes/alabamashakes

Visit us online for season shows and dates.

AlAbAmA ShAkeSpeAre FeStivAl

August 20 @7:30 pm

Buy your tickets now for this

limited engagement!

– S c o t B r u c e A S –the EarlyYearselviS:

Hearts will flutter and hips will shake when Elvis Presley returns to ASF on Monday, August 20th at 7:30 p.m. for a one-night-only concert. Scot Bruce’s authentic, high-octane portrayal of the King

is guaranteed to have you ALL SHOOK UP!

Back by popular demand!

Frazer UMC is hosting a free Invitation Dinner to the Alpha Course on August 27, 2012 from 6-8 p.m. in the Frazer Fellowship Hall, 6000 Atlanta Highway in Montgomery. After dinner, the talk for the evening will be “Is There More to Life Than This?” At the Invitation Dinner, attendees will have the opportunity to decide if the Alpha Course may be right for them. Alpha is a practi-cal introduction to the Christian faith that provides an open, non-threatening forum for any questions about Christianity, Jesus, or God. Childcare will be provided for children 6 months to 5th grade for the Invitation Dinner. For more information or to reserve a seat at dinner, call Frazer UMC at (334) 272-8622 or visit www.frazerumc.org/alpha by August 22. Montgomery’s First United Methodist Church is also host-ing a dinner on August 28th at 6:00 p.m. To make reservations at First UMC call (334) 834-8990. Both dinner and nursery reservations are required.

Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) International Genesis Study

Day Women’s Class

Preschool Program- Infant-KindergartenBegins Wednesday, September 12

9:10-11:00amRidgecrest Baptist5260 Vaughn Rd

Montgomery, AL 36116For more information call Tricia Seay at

546-1386 or 263-7616

Women’s Evening ClassSchool Program 1st-12th

Begins Monday, September 106:45-8:35 pm

Frazer Methodist 301 Building6000 Atlanta Hwy

Montgomery, AL 36117For More Information call Fara Zaleski at

277-9177

Men’s Evening ClassSchool Program 1st-12th

Begins Monday, September 106:55-8:45

Aldersgate Methodist6610 Vaughn Rd.

Montgomery, AL 36116For more information call Doug Weaver

at 271-0224

No charge for class or materialsOver 1070 Interdenominational Classes in 38 Countries. BSF is a Training Center teaching participants how to study the

Bible. www.bsfinternational.org

ALPHA COURSE INVITATION DINNERS


Jane Gil-lis Segrest joined Gal-lery One in the Spring of 2005. Although she lives in Bonifay, Florida, she

is an active and very supportive mem-ber of our gallery. Having and attend-ing shows here in the gallery and with our philanthropic outreach projects, Jane Segrest has become a very special friend to Gallery One. She is truly the definition of a team player.

Segrest says, “As a non-objective painter, I have to rely on the principles and elements of design to build a foundation for my paintings. An artist needs to have in mind where they are going with the composition. I sketch in basic shapes to have a beginning direc-tion. Then in the strokes of the brush, I let the painting tell me where to go next. How something is painted often is the art. It’s about the process, not the product. Realism and abstraction both require a good understanding of the elements and principles of design. This is why I am drawn to paint non-rep-resentational, abstract paintings. In my opinion, even a real-istic painting needs some mystery to hold the interest of the viewer.”

Segrest grew up in Hartford, Alabama. She attended the University of Mon-tevallo and earned her B.S. Degree in Home Economics in1963. Her heart had always pulled her toward art, how-ever, in those days students were encour-aged to choose a field for a career after college. She taught Home Economics in the public system for several years in Panama City, Florida. Mar-ried and with two small boys, she left teaching and began pursuing her love of painting. Art classes while attending Montevallo were instrumental in building the foun-dation with an excellent understand-ing of the basic principles of painting. Once she was back behind the easel, she continued her art lessons . Work-ing mainly in acrylic and watercolor, she is a natural and easily achieves her goal of creating beautiful paintings

with just that hint of mystery through her use of daring colors and spirited form. Segrest is a signa-ture member of the International Society of Acrylic Paint-ers, the Watercolor Society of Alabama, the Montgomery Art Guild and several

others. Her work has been included in regional as well as national competi-

tions, museum shows, one-woman shows and can be found in corporate and private collections. Recent publi-cations of her paintings include Best of America Watermedia Artist, The Artist

Touch Vol. 4 and 5,Best of America Acrylic Art-ist, Best of the Best, Wiregrass living Magazine, Panama City Living Magazine, Art and Artist of

the South and Southern Lady. Segrest says in the article published in South-ern Lady Magazine, “I’ve never seen a color I didn’t like. My theory on color is to use them all. When I choose a topic, I like to paint in different ways and explore all of the possibilities of my subject. I have painted beach floats for several years and I enjoy paint-ing them. I think this is because I like to paint what’s in my environment, ordinary things that we see every day. When the colors go on the canvas and they start mixing and mingling, creat-ing forms and shapes, it is so exciting. I don’t want to stop.”

Featured Art ist This Month, Jane Gi l l i s Segrest

Afternoon Delight 60x48 Acrylic

Note Series Red 18x24 Acrylic

Visit Gallery One Fine Art423 Cloverdale Road, Montgomery, AL Gallery Director Sandi [email protected]


Art & Soul By Sandi Aplin

JULE COLLINS SMITH MUSEUM OF FINE ARTOn Tuesday, August 21st, the Jule Collins Smith Museum at Auburn University, Capital Society will hold a special direc-tor’s reception hosted by David Braly and Joel Peek at the David Braly Studio in Montgomery. Invited guests will enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres, as well as a special presentation by Dr. Marilyn Laufer, director of the museum. Dr. Laufer will address the upcoming Art Interrupted ex-hibition at JCSM, Auburn University, which features the museum’s core collection purchased in 1948 that was originally part of the U.S. State Department’s Advancing American Art exhibition. She will discuss works of art under consideration for pur-chase through funds raised by the JCSM at Auburn University, Capital Society.

Mission Statement for JCSM Capital Society:The mission of the JCSM at Auburn Uni-versity, Capital Society is to provide support to the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art, Auburn University, for enhancing its perma-nent collection through the acquisition of artwork by Alabama artists. The group includes Montgomery-area JCSM at Auburn University, Capital Society was born from the vision of Auburn University alumnus, Mrs. Jean Fleming Goodwyn, Class of 1953. Since its inception, the group has focused on raising much needed funding for acquisitions at JCSM, Auburn University and on educating Mont-gomery-area alumni and friends as to the importance of the museum within the larger educational mis-sion of Auburn University.

I asked Joel Peek and David Braly to share their thoughts and expec-tations for this event. Joel Peek shared, “I am very excited to be associated with a highly motivated group of fellow alumni and friends from all years and all disciplines. We love Auburn University and recognize the importance and influ-

ence of art on culture as an inspiration, reflection, critique and teacher. Joining the JCSM at Auburn University with a goal of acquiring additional media, we invite all those with an interest in Auburn University, art or both to partner with us in the same spirit of those who worked together to fund the collection initially. We are working to acquire pieces of art that are important to Auburn Univer-sity, to Alabama-and like the permanent collection-to the world. Those alumni and friends in the Montgomery region, who participate in this venture, are also participating in the celebration of this incredible exhibition, not only at its premier in JCSM at Auburn University, but throughout the nation.” “One of the important things I learned while at Auburn University in the late 70’s

was the interrela-tionship between the arts and society or perhaps I should say civilization. It is hard for me to think of a society, a culture, much less a civilization with-out thinking of the artistic achievements that are nurtured

and inspired.” Says David Braly, “ How wonderful Auburn University now has the JCSM. A fine work of architecture with im-pressive works of art; high to low, folk to

fancy, practical to whimsical. And now we have the op-portu-nity to con-tinue the legacy of those vision-aries, those who had the faith and com-mitment for the long term. They bought a collection of paintings with no home.

By joining together with other Mont-gomery area alumni and friends, we can purchase a significant work of art and place it in its new home, JCSM at Auburn University. “I am sharing my own love of art with generations to come.” says Jean Goodwyn, “And, I encourage all Auburn University alumni and friends to par-ticipate in building on the tradition that created this wonderful collection.”

For further information on the Director’s Reception, contact Brett Evans, Director of Development, at 334-844-7945, or [email protected]

Sandi Aplin, Director of Gallery One Fine ArtA free lance writer living in Montgomery, Alabamawww.galleryonefineart.com



I love reading about Heaven, anytime a new book is released I hurry to down-load the title or purchase a hard copy. I don’t fully understand all there is to know about Heaven, but who does? That is, un-less you’ve been there, you can’t. You can however know enough to believe. How? By asking questions.

In Don Piper’s book “Getting to Heaven,” Don tells of a story he read of a young man who was so intelligent that he passed every test the university gave him and was given credit for undergraduate classes. After clip-ping those classes, he decided to sign up for Logic Theory.

On the first day, of class the professor walked in the classroom and began to speak. After about five minutes the new student, not understanding a word, picked up his books and started to leave. The professor noticed the young man leaving and asked, “Where are you going?”

“I don’t understand a word you are say-ing even when you use words I recognize.” “Sit down.” the professor said. You have just learned the first principle of logic. The professor had spoken common words in random order.

What was the lesson? Language must make sense to be understood. Don Piper shares with his readers the point of the story he remembers most, “When you don’t under-stand something you have the right to ask questions.”

In the Bible, we read of Thomas, known as “Doubting Thomas,” but as Don Piper put it, we might instead look at Thomas as “Questioning Thomas“. When Jesus ap-peared after the resurrection, to some of the apostles, Thomas wasn’t with them. When they shared, in their excitement, the news that Jesus was alive. Thomas doesn’t yet be-lieve. He tells his brothers, “I won’t believe He lives until I put my fingers in the holes in his hands and feet.” ( This statement is why Thomas got his nickname.)

It didn’t make sense to Thomas, much like the young student who sat in the Logic class. However, this was no trick. The words they spoke were common words Thomas recognized; alive, Jesus spoke to us, he was

here with us. All words he knew but made no sense to him. After all, he had seen Jesus die a cruel death.

Earlier, Jesus had told the disciples that he was going away where no one could find him. A place they couldn’t come to. Only one asked, “I don’t understand.” (John 14: 4-7) Sometimes we don’t understand language that does make sense. Don Pip-er talks about a therapist that once told him, “People don’t hear what they are not yet ready to accept.”

As I read the therapist statement it reminded me of a time when my child was very ill. I knew she was sick, but I still denied it, even after hearing the words of the doctor’s diagnoses. I refused to let his words sink in. The words didn’t make sense to me, however my denial didn’t make it any less true. I learned… truth brings life. It wasn’t until I believed that I was able to help my child.

Jesus told the people He was the truth, the way and the light. Yet they were not ready to accept truth. Not being ready to accept truth only leads to a delay in healing and forgive-ness. Never was Thomas or any one else denied understanding because they doubted or asked questions. Asking questions brings understanding. We are told to ask and then you will receive. But there is one thing miss-ing that opens up the locked box to under-standing. It’s the key of believing. You must believe to understand. If You Can…

Mark 9:22- 24 tells of a man that came to Jesus and asked, “If you can, please heal my daughter.” Jesus comes back with, “If I can? Anything is possible if a person believes.” The father then tells Jesus, “I believe you can, but please help me overcome my unbelief.” Jesus healed his daughter. Was it because the man fully understood who Jesus claimed to be, or was it because he chose to believe regardless of his lack of understanding?

What if the father had said, “Well, they say

Ask QuestionsA Christian Perspective By Sherry DeBray

you can… but, I don’t really think you can.” What might have taken place next? God

doesn’t need you to believe to perform a miracle. He’s God. It is for your benefit that He asks you to believe He can. Even the demons know who God is but they have chosen not to believe in Him. Believ-ing produces freedom, peace and life. When

you believe in someone, you give over con-trol by trusting them.

When I had surgery on my leg, I didn’t understand every aspect of the operation to be performed on me. I don’t have to be the doctor - I just have to believe and trust in my doctor. The doctor will encourage me to learn about my surgery, but he doesn’t expect me to know what he learned in eight plus years of preparation to become a doctor. Make sense? God wants us to learn and grow to understand Him by learning of His ways but He hasn’t asked us to be Him. Aren’t you glad!

So the answer is… yes, you can believe with-out understanding it all. That’s called faith. Faith is believing without seeing. When you let yourself believe, amazing things hap-pen… like understanding words that once seemed illogical. (John 3:16) If you find you’re a bit like the father who said “If you can” start today by asking God to help you with your doubt and then believe He can. Understanding will come next and oh how wonderful it is.

Passages taken from Don Piper’s book “Get-ting to Heaven.” I recommend this book.

Sherry DeBrayAuthor/Columnist and owner of It’Za Gift in the Pepper Tree Shopping CenterYou can write Sherry at [email protected]


MONTGOMERY DOWNTOWNSecond SaturdaysRiverfront FestivalsRiverfront AmphitheaterSaturday, August 11, 5-8 pm Join us for our next Second Saturday River-front Festival on June 9th as Montgomery’s Riverfront comes alive from 5 p.m. until.

Free concert and interactive activities for all ages include more inflatables, arts and crafts, a magician and balloon artist, cour-tesy of Dynamite Magic and Balloons! More food concessions will be offered courtesy of Cantina, Dreamland BBQ, Peppertree Steaks and Wine, Cheezies Pizza, Nancy’s Italian Ice, Bruster’s Ice Cream, Catfish One, Mama’s Sack Lunch and The Great American Cookie Company. Don’t forget to visit the new ad-dition to Riverfront Park! The SandBAR at the Silos is located high atop Riverfront Park, overlooking the Alabama River. www.funontheriver.net

MONTGOMERY DOWNTOWNBuckmasters 19th Annual ExpoConvention Center, RenaissanceFriday-Sunday, Aug 17-19Area’s biggest hunting show with more than

300 exhibitors, Buckmasters Top Bow Indoor Champion-ship, Young Bucks activities, Deer Scor-ing, Hunter Education course, BTR scoring

class, and Dock Dogs event. Concert event on Saturday night. Admission: One can of food to be donated to the Salvation Army. Free Admis-sion. http://www.buckmasters.com/resources/expo.aspx

{12 Things} for active boomers and beyond

August 2012

UNION SPRINGSDearly Departed at the Red Door TheatreThursday-Sunday, August 2-5“Not since STEEL MAGNOLIAS has a more

colorful and dysfunctional group of Southern eccen-trics gathered below the Mason-Dixon line. When the patriarch of the Turpin family keels over dead in the first scene, the struggle

to get him buried involves the whole clan, in-cluding the not-so-grieving widow who wants to put ‘Mean and Surly’ on the tombstone.” (Dramatists Play Service) This production will be presented in the historic Red Door Theatre. Evening performances on August 2, 3, and 4, are preceded by a seated dinner (reservations required). The Sunday, August 5, performance is a 2:30 p.m. matinee. Contact (334) 738-8687 or [email protected] for info. Visit www.reddoortheatre.org to learn more about the event and the theatre.

GADSDEN26th Annual World’s Longest Yard SaleAugust 2-5Travel the scenic byways of America for more than 650-miles of yard sales and unique trea-sure finds. Follow the Lookout Mountain Park-way from Gadsden, Alabama to Chattanooga, TN for the southern portion of the sale. Con-nect with U.S. Highway 127 in Chattanooga for the remainder of the route to Hudson, MI. DeKalb Tourism, 888-805-4740www.discoverlookoutmountain.com

MONTGOMERYStuff the Bus for Montgomery Public SchoolsShoppes at EastChaseSaturday, August 4, 10-5 pmThe Shoppes at EastChase will join with EMERGE Montgomery, Touch of Class Lim-

ousine, Clear Channel and Costco to host its second annual Stuff the Bus School Supply Drive. School supplies will be collected in a

school bus next to Dillard’s. The Montgomery County School Board will dis-tribute the sup-plies to needy

schools and children in Montgomery County. Visit the website at www.theshoppesateast-chase.com or follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/eastchase.

MONTGOMERYReggae Style Summer BlowoutLa Jolla Restaurant & BarShoppes at EastChaseThursday, August, 9. 5:30 pm

Join La Jolla for its 10th anniversary sum-mer blowout party. Enjoy a free Jamaican cookout, Red Stripe and rum specials for

all and entertainment by the Bullet Proof Marshmallows. Visit www.lajollamontgomery.com for more information.

MONTGOMERYASF Presents “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”August 10 - September 2, various times

Can you spell FUN-TASTIC? This Tony Award winning musical comedy follows six hilarious and quirky prepubescent book-worms and their adult

counterparts as they journey through the torments of teen life while spelling strabismus, capybara, and phylactery. The audience even gets into the act in a show that really puts the “comedy” into “musical comedy.” www.asf.net


MONTGOMERY DOWNTOWNDragon Boat Race & FestivalMontgomery RiverfrontSaturday, August 25, 8:30 am untilCome out to one of the most successful

dragon boat festivals in the Southeast. This wonderful com-munity event is free, and every-one is invited to

see fellow Montgomery residents compete on the Alabama River. Proceeds will benefit two local charities: Bridge Builders Alabama and Rebuilding Together Central Alabama. To see a full schedule of events, activities and enter-tainment, visit www.montgomerydragonboat.org.

MONTGOMERYAUM YardsaleAUM CampusSaturday, August 25, 7-Noon The AUM Green Alliance will host a campus-wide yard sale on campus in Taylor Center rooms 221-223 and 230. Student clubs and organizations will be selling pre-loved items to raise funds for their projects. Admission for shoppers is free and open to the public. BIRMINGHAMWarhol and Cars: American IconsThrough September 16Birmingham Museum of ArtContemporary Galleries // Free

Warhol and Cars: American Icons is the first exhibition to examine Andy Warhol’s endur-ing fascination with automotive vehicles as products of American consumer society. The exhibition features more than forty drawings, paintings, photographs, sculptural models, and related archival material spanning the

Pop Art icon’s entire career. As one of the most important and influential artists of the 20th century, Andy Warhol has helped to define America. His signa-

ture images, whether American products such as Campbell’s soup cans or Coca-Cola bottles, or celebrities like Liz Taylor and Marilyn Mon-roe, are instantly recognizable worldwide. 2000 Rev. Abraham Woods, Jr. Blvd, (formerly 2000 8th Ave. N.)Birmingham, Alabama 35203. Call 205.254.2565, http://www.artsbma.org

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

j [email protected]

MONTGOMERYElvis: The Early YearsASF Monday, August 20, 7:30 pmPack up your Blue Suede Shoes and leave Heartbreak Hotel behind, The King is coming back to Montgomery! The Alabama Shake-speare Festival will shake, rattle, and roll once

again with the return of Scot Bruce. His show “A Tribute to Elvis: The Early Years” features many hit songs made famous by

the legendary entertainer including Heart-break 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

BIRMINGHAMSidewalk Film FestivalDowntown Birmingham

Friday-Sun-day, August 24-26 The 14th

annual Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival, a celebration of new independent cinema in downtown Birmingham, is set to take place August 24-26. Since its debut in 1999, film-makers from across the country and around the world have come to Birmingham to screen their work at Sidewalk and have been thrilled to discover fresh, enthusiastic crowds eager to devour new independent cinema. http://sidewalkfest.com

COMMUNITY-WIDE GARAGE SALE: Sports memorabilia, crafts & art sup-plies, home decorating items, kid’s toys, lawn & garden tools, auto parts, vintage jewelry, dishes, tools, col-lectibles, phones, and 100′s of items priced under $5! Saturday, August 11st from 7a.m.-noon. New Home Baptist Church, Family Life Center, 1605 New Home Road, Titus.


It was back-to-school terror. I have told this story on the air in Chicago, South Florida and Alabama. Listeners always react the same, ”You’re kidding”, “No way”, “You’re making that up”! Nope. It’s true- and it made me nervous for 2 years before I even spent my first day in a Chicago Public High School. And I will never forgive Dave Schulz either. Dave was the oldest kid in my baby-boomer neighborhood. As the elder statesman, Dave was the guy who prepared us for the rites of passage moving forward. Sometime in the summer after 6th grade, Dave- who was going to be a freshman at my eventual alma mater, Bogan HS, announced part of the weekly PE regimen was swimming. We all knew that. Bogan was the newest school in the city and in those days, a high school pool was a big deal. It was his next sentence that struck fear in my heart- “And guys swim in the nude”. I thought it was a joke and a bad one at that. Naked? Why? Dave suggested it was a health code situation. Wow. The breaking news spread quickly.

High school presented enough danger to a freshman. There was the perpetual fear of get-ting “bennied”- when an upperclassmen would grab you in the hall and spread lip stick over your face- or hang a “kick me” sign on your back. We’d heard about this long before Dave’s NUDE SWIMMING announcement. I wondered if I could convince my parents that high school was not all that necessary. It was a different world then. Even in our early teens, we didn’t know what today’s 1st graders know about life. Personally, I find that sad. The golden age of true childhood has been shrunk to pre-school and I grew up at a time when pre-school was a stay-at-home Mom who prepared us for kindergarten. So, beguiled by ignorance and naiveté, I began worrying about that first week of PE at Bogan a full two years before I set foot in the joint. I was opening my 7th grade Christmas presents,

and somewhere in the room an elephant was trumpeting- “MERRY CHRISTMAS. AND IN 18 MONTHS YOU’RE GOING TO BE SWIMMING WITH A BUNCH OF NAKED GUYS’. No escape. Dave Schulz, now the neighborhood high school big shot, faced a crowd of anxious 7th and 8th graders at the end of his first week at Bogan. “Ah, no big deal. After a few minutes, you don’t even notice everyone is naked”. Not good enough! He was so dismissive of his first swim class, we figured he was lying. Or he copped out and found a way to cut the class. He had to be hiding something about a situa-tion where nothing was hidden. Time oozed on until my first week at Bogan was a nerve wracking reality. By the time of Day One, I was certain I’d be in swimming class and get “bennied” and my clothes stolen. I would be compelled to walk the halls of Bo-gan naked with lipstick all over my face. I saw Dave in the halls the first day. He knew I was nervous about PE and asked “who’s your teacher?” “Mr. Curtin”, I replied. “Oh jeez, sorry to hear that”- and then he resumed his journey to his next class. Mr. Curtin was an ex-Marine, a no-nonsense guy who tolerated nothing. Speak out of turn and you’d be doing 20 pushups, for starters. Finally, the Day of Dread arrived. There were about 50 guys in each PE class and we assembled in the locker room. We sat there,

probably all nervous about the same thing- and the bell rang with no Mr. Curtin. Minutes passed, and after a while, all I wanted was to get it over with. From the rear of the locker room, a shrill whistle blew, making our ears ring as sound ricocheted off the metal lockers. “Clothes off, and in the pool area- NOW”, he snapped. Dave was right. There were so many naked guys the anxiety quickly passed- and my atten-tion was diverted to something more urgent- a chlorine smell that was searing my lungs!I’m amazed any of my classmates and I are still alive. No germ, no fungus could survive in that chlorine terrarium. Long after the class- and the anxiety was over, I could still taste chlo-rine. Today’s EPA would have shut the school down. The only trauma the entire 4 years was an af-ternoon when some idiot ticked off Mr. Curtin, and he punished all of us- making us “duck-walk” on our knees around the entire perim-eter of the pool. It was horrendously painful, knees on tile- and in today’s light, seems like something that would make national news if a PE instructor did it today. I understand the Chicago Public School system has ended the nude swimming policy- in fact, many years ago. Today’s Bogan students have to walk through metal detectors and worry about surviving something far more sinister than anything we had to deal with. Dave Schulz attended the same college I ap-plied to- and once again, seeking his advanced wisdom, I asked what he considered the easi-est foreign language program- since I would be compelled to do 2 years of it. “Try German”, he said. “I hear that’s pretty easy”. So I did. Can anyone translate “If I see you I’ll kick your butt” into German? At least we got to take the class with our clothes on.

SKINNY DIPP

Greg Budell lives in Montgomery with his dog Hershey. He’s a 25 year veteran of radio who hosts the Greg & Susan morning show 6-9 am and Happy Hour 3-6 pm on Newstalk 107.9, Greg can be reached at [email protected]

By Greg BudellMALE CALL


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BOOM! August 2012