BOOM! COVER PROFILE: Meet Deborah and David Batson
After 46 years of marriage, David and Deborah Batson still seem to be doing one of the most important things right: enjoying life together. From raising two daughters and building meaningful careers to traveling, spending time with grandchildren, and continuing to learn new things, their...
River Region Boom!,
1 week ago
11 min read
Happy 250th America Still the Greatest
BOOMers- by the mere timing of our birth, we’re privileged to celebrate 2 of America’s significant birthdays, numbers 200 and 250. In 1976, we had quite the party. We drove to our celebrations in craptastic cars that were only allowed to drive 55 MPH (the...
Greg Budell,
1 week ago
5 min read
The Changing Shape of Home: Why We’re Rethinking Where and How We Live
For much of the last century, the housing journey followed a predictable path. Young couples bought starter homes, upgraded as families grew, and eventually settled into a house where they expected to spend the rest of their lives. The family home was often viewed as...
River Region Boom!,
1 week ago
4 min read
AI After 50: The Smart New Tool for Everyday Life
In living rooms, home offices, libraries, and community centers across the country, older adults are quietly discovering that artificial intelligence isn’t just a technology story. It’s a lifestyle story. It is becoming another tool—like the internet, smartphones, and search engines before it—that can help people...
Susan Moore,
1 week ago
3 min read
Helping Widows and Widowers Move Forward On Their Own
The loss of a spouse can be devastating, both emotionally and financially, especially if it was unexpected. The stress of handling all the legal and financial issues can be overwhelming, even for women or men who are financially savvy. Widows are one of the fastest...
River Region Boom!,
1 week ago
3 min read
Only God Can Make a Nurse
When my mother became violently ill in May of this year, the extraordinary staff and nurses at Wesley Gardens acted quickly. They sent her to the ER staff and nurses at Baptist East who, in turn, sent her to Flowers Hospital in Dothan.Once there, she...
Jeff Barganier,
1 week ago
5 min read
The Road Trip Rebellion
There comes a point every summer when someone says, “We should all take a road trip.” And somehow, no one fakes a medical emergency. On paper, it sounds charming. Load up the van, hit the road, make memories. That is because “on paper” does not...
River Region Boom!,
1 week ago
3 min read
Never Stop Looking Forward
At 54, I’ve discovered something I didn’t fully appreciate when I was younger: Having something to look forward to matters more than I ever realized. Maybe it’s because life feels different now. My son is approaching 30. My daughter is 25. I have a grandchild...
River Region Boom!,
1 week ago
2 min read
The Age of Reinvention: Why Retirement is Being Written
For generations, retirement followed a familiar script. Work hard, reach retirement age, collect a pension or Social Security, and enjoy a slower pace of life. Today, that script is changing. Increasingly, adults over 50 are choosing not to retire in the traditional sense. Instead, they...
River Region Boom!,
1 week ago
4 min read
BOOM! COVER PROFILE: Susan Fisher
In this heartfelt conversation, Susan Fisher reflects on a life shaped by faith, family, service, and intentional presence. From her years in retail leadership and ministry at Frazer Church to the quieter joys of retirement, Susan shares the wisdom she has gained through seasons of...
River Region Boom!,
1 month ago
14 min read
A Man’s Guide to Menopause: What She Needs to Know
At some point, you may start to notice changes in your wife. Maybe she’s not sleeping well. Maybe she’s more tired than usual, or more easily overwhelmed. You might notice shifts in mood, energy, or even memory, things that don’t quite add up or feel...
River Region Boom!,
1 month ago
4 min read
Helping Widows and Widowers Move Forward On Their Own
The loss of a spouse can be devastating, both emotionally and financially, especially if it was unexpected. The stress of handling all the legal and financial issues can be overwhelming, even for women or men who are financially savvy.Widows are one of the fastest growing...
Susan Moore,
1 month ago
3 min read
Here’s to You, Mr. (Bill) Robinson
Before I introduce you to Mr. Robinson, ponder this number: 2,703. 2,703 would make for a nice take-home paycheck. For purposes of this story, let’s convert the dollars into days. What can happen in that span of time? 2,703 days – roughly 7 years and...
Greg Budell,
1 month ago
5 min read
Fall Prevention and Detection
Fall prevention in older adults is a major health priority because falls can lead to serious injuries, reduced independence, and even death. Effective prevention usually involves addressing physical, environmental, and medical risk factors together. Some key risk factors include muscle weakness, poor balance, vision impairment,...
River Region Boom!,
1 month ago
3 min read
Callaway’s Calling
The story of Callaway Gardens is reminiscent of Bible prophecy. Isaiah 35:1 NIV: The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. According to horticulturist Chris Hall, “Mr. (Cason) Callaway was into conservation. This property was burnt-out cotton and...
Jeff Barganier,
1 month ago
6 min read