Living Well on Less
When Carla and Bill Simmons downsized from a large suburban home to a cozy two-bedroom condo, their friends expected them to feel deprived. Instead, they felt lighter — financially and emotionally. Without the big mortgage, endless rooms to clean, and constant home repairs, the couple...
Historic Fryemont Inn
There’s a distinct difference between North Carolina’s Fryemont Inn and just about any modern hotel. The run-of-the-mill hotel, regardless of its glamour, brand or rate, will never exhibit a “Book of Memories” on the coffee table in front of the fireplace. But Fryemont’s grateful innkeepers...
Gravy-Stained Gratitude
November has a funny way of sneaking up on us. One minute we’re sweating through early fall football games, and the next we’re Googling “how to thaw a turkey” and wondering where we stashed the good tablecloth (and if the cranberry stain from 2019 still...
BOOM! COVER PROFILE: Martha Smith
Martha’s story is one of faith, resilience, and deep compassion. A longtime Montgomery resident, she treasures the city’s small-town warmth and connections. Her 27-year career in community banking not only built her confidence but also taught her the importance of caring for others—a passion she...
Fly Fishing the Smokies
If we’re shooting a movie, it’ll be a cross between Deliverance and Hawaii Five-O. A scene from Deliverance was allegedly filmed nearby, but skipping over the lake at forty miles per hour is more like a scene from Hawaii Five-0… minus the sunshine. Storm clouds...
To Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave
One hundred years ago, tragedy struck at the site of what is now Mammoth Cave National Park. Nevertheless, the heartbreaking incident led to nationwide recognition of the astonishing cave system and the surrounding area. With over 420 miles of mapped passageways, it’s the largest known...
Where’s Johnny?
It was the original “must-see” TV. The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Two decades after his death, Carson’s name remains in the news. For 30 years, he was the gold standard in late-night TV. For 30 years, he drew tens of millions of Americans (when...
Trunk or Treat Turmoil
Halloween used to be simple. Throw on a sheet, cut out two eyeholes, and you were a ghost. Done. These days? Every kid looks like they just stepped off a movie set with costumes that cost more than my first car. I’m out here duct-taping...
Rediscovering Radiance: A Real Talk Guide to Anti-Aging for Women
You catch your reflection in a window, or under the bright bathroom light, and pause. “When did those lines get here?” you ask yourself. Or maybe you’ve noticed that your skin doesn’t bounce back as quickly as it used to, or that makeup doesn’t sit...
YouTube to the Rescue: The DIY Friend in Your Pocket
You’ve been there. The faucet starts dripping. The Wi-Fi is acting up again. Or your phone suddenly refuses to send pictures. Your first thought? Maybe call your son. Or text your neighbor. Or drive to the AT&T store and wait for someone to explain things....
Planning For Your Future (Part 4): Supplemental Needs Trust
“Who are you planning for?” This was our question in “Planning for your future (Part 1) ” (April 2025 Boom Magazine). Part of that consideration is whether any of your beneficiaries are now or may be in the future receiving benefits from a needs-based public benefit...
The Beauty of What’s Next
October always carries a quiet power. The light changes. The air shifts. And whether or not the weather fully cooperates, we feel something stirring—a call to reflect, reset, and maybe even rediscover. That spirit is alive and well in this month’s issue of BOOM! At...
Can You Afford to Retire?
Can you afford to retire? The pandemic has pushed many people to confront this question earlier than they may have planned. The answer may be more complicated than you think and an incorrect answer could be costly. To correctly answer the question, it may help...
BOOM! COVER PROFILE: Tommy Dismukes
When you meet Tommy Dismukes, you quickly understand why he has been such a steady presence at Huntingdon College and in the Montgomery community for more than three decades. A Lexington, Kentucky native who came south in 1979 with dreams of basketball and the blessing...
To Georgia’s Spectacular Providence Canyon
It seems almost every state lays claim to possession of a mini version of the Grand Canyon, and Georgia is no exception. Just a 2-hour drive from Montgomery, Providence Canyon State Park near Lumpkin is a jewel amongst Georgia’s 47 state parks. Just past the...