“What did you do over Spring Break?”

This question was asked and answered thousands of times last month, but 20 local young people with developmental disabilities had a particularly exciting answer: “I learned to ride a bike!”

SOAR (Social Opportunities & Active Recreation) is a nonprofit organization that provides recreational opportunities for citizens with developmental disabilities in Glynn and McIntosh counties. Through their Special Sports Support Program, SOAR brought the iCan Bike program to Brunswick again this year. More than 100 five-day iCan Bike camps are held annually in 32 states and Canada. Using custom-designed adaptive bike equipment, 3,000 people with disabilities (ages 8 and up) learn to ride a conventional two-wheel bicycle each year. Each camp participant attends camp for 75 minutes each day for five consecutive days, where they are supported by two volunteers.

For a good deal of my life, I lived under a dark cloud of fear that I would end up financially destitute—a bag lady. Studies reveal that I'm not the only one. Most of us have felt that way, not because we're broke but because we lack confidence. That makes us timid, worried and financially insecure.
Look, we don't have to accept financial insecurity as some kind of life sentence. And that constant and gnawing fear of becoming destitute? Forget it! We can do something about this.

Become a saver
Saving money is like magic because it changes your attitude and calms your fears. I saved my way out of a six-figure pile of debt. Knowing I had cash tucked away in a safe place quieted my insatiable desires. That is where I found my determination to stick with repaying the debt. You must start now, today—no matter your situation, even if you are in debt and struggling to catch up, and even if you are already contributing to a 401(k) plan at work. This is different. You need money in the bank to boost your financial confidence.

Memorial Day on St. Simons Island: This phrase conjures images of beach fun and smells of food on the grill. For more than 30 years, however, locals and visitors alike have gathered in Neptune Park for a more somber and holiday-appropriate tradition. Since 1991, the Rotary Club of St. Simons has arranged Taps at Twilight to honor the men and women who have fallen in the service of our country, those who have valiantly served and returned and those who are serving today.

2020 was the only year the program didn’t happen in person, but a fabulous virtual program was arranged and can still be seen on YouTube. Susan Imhoff has chaired the event for four years, and she told us, “Every year it gets better and better!” Last year’s speaker was so popular they have invited him back for 2022. Lieutenant Colonel Steve Bolton will return as keynote speaker with a new message.

Are you into gardening? Please say yes. It’s a kind of miracle. Food you grow tastes better, costs less, has greater nutritional value AND it leaves a carbon footprint the size of a grape.
Gardening isn’t an aerobic sport, and it won’t grow your fitness the way running, walking and biking will, but it sure can produce lots of pleasure, not to mention kale, spinach and tomatoes.
Gardening also helps you cultivate a calm, focused mind while putting all the major muscles of your body to work—digging, lifting and carrying. Besides burning calories, gardening connects us to the earth, and it’s that mindful exchange of energy—you plant; nature grows—that is so joyful and satisfying.

Growing stuff in a garden is also a splendid way to plant ideas in your child’s brain about what is real food, and how good it can taste. Next thing you know, your 10-year-old is snacking on cauliflower chunks instead of corn chips, and goes to sleep at night dreaming of broccoli stalks the size of baseball bats.

I’m a good mom…and I lost my child.

On Memorial Day, 2019, I was served papers for custody and visitation by my daughter’s biological father. This came as quite a surprise, considering the last time he’d seen her was two years before at a Chick-fil-A for an hour.

Rewind to 2015, before my daughter was born. I was pregnant and he and I had broken up after trying to work things out. Nothing had changed: He had a drug and alcohol problem and couldn’t hold down a job. I knew I could do this on my own, and I was on a mission to be the best mom I could be. When she was only 6 months old, he made the decision to move out of state.

I can sum up my response to the soaring price of gasoline in just one word: Aargh!

While waiting for prices to come down (Do you think they will?), don’t sit around complaining all the while paying through the nose to drive your car.

There are lots of things you can do to increase the number of miles you can squeeze out of each gallon of gas, effectively reducing its cost. Here are a few ways to get better gas mileage:

EMPTY THE TRUNK
Call it science. The heavier the car, the harder the engine must work to move it around. The harder the engine works, the more fuel it burns. So, unload all that stuff you’ve been carrying around in the trunk for no good reason. (Please, leave the spare tire and emergency equipment.) It’s a trunk, not a mini storage unit. Unload and you could easily increase your gas mileage by as much as 10 percent.

It’s April, and my friend Bobby mentions he’s already bored with his running routine. (I’m a certified fitness trainer. People tell me these things.)

He’s on the treadmill most every day, pounding it out, mile after mile, sparking no joy whatsoever. But it’s still good for him, right? Not really. Exercise is the miracle drug we all know, but when your workouts are b-o-r-i-n-g, you’re more likely to get injured. Or quit! Bummer.

This column is dedicated to all the Bobbies out there who feel burned out and bored, who want to shake up their humdrum routine with something new, something fresh—something special from Preston’s Bag of Tricks for Beating the Workout Blahs:

When DeLeon Peacock returned to the Golden Isles after careers in the military, real estate and long-haul trucking, he wasn’t looking to start a brand-new career. “I returned at 50 to retire here. That was my long-term plan.” But fate intervened and now DeLeon is a published author and celebrated abstract artist who recently launched his own line of wearable art.

The unlikely road that brought him to this point began when he was 10 years old. He and his older brother John were brought to what is now Morningstar Family and Children’s Services in Glynn County to live. The boys’ father wasn’t around, and his mentally ill mother was deemed unfit to care for them. “It was Boys’ Estate Georgia then. I was fortunate when I was brought there. It was the first order and discipline I had in my life,” said DeLeon.

DeLeon spent four years at the home, before moving around various foster homes. “The majority were good people,” he said, smiling. He left Georgia after high school. “After four years in the Navy, I was in real estate, then I spent 16 years traveling all over the United States. I saw all these famous sites, but it wasn’t a vacation,” DeLeon laughed. “Any time I came through this area on I-95, I felt this yearning, and I knew one day I wanted to return.”

What is Ferst Readers?
Ferst Readers is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that mails monthly, free, age-specific books to children from birth to five years of age. Ferst Readers’ mission is strengthening communities by providing quality books and literacy resources for children and their families to use at home during the earliest stages of development. We want every child to have the best start in life, and nothing helps a baby’s brain develop more than exposure to rich language and loving interactions. The key is having books in the home and being read to right from birth. Our vision is to create better learners, brighter futures and stronger communities by giving every child under five access to quality books in their homes.

A small team of local ladies, Barbara Young, Jackie Mull, Lynn Lobit, Natale Adorni and I have started a Community Action Team (CAT) in McIntosh County. We are a dedicated local volunteer CAT, which is the driving force behind local implementation, including registration, awareness, fundraising and literacy efforts. There are CAT groups in almost every county in Georgia (including Glynn County) and eight other states.

When she was approached last year with the idea of a golf tournament fundraiser, Eta Gamma Zeta Chapter President Darleen Smith wasn’t sold on the idea. But then she said, “It’s the year of the woman, why not take a chance? That’s what we as women do. We take chances every day.” She took the idea to her chapter of Zeta Phi Beta national sorority, and everyone agreed that it was time for a golf tournament specifically for women in Glynn County. It’s the perfect activity as we come out of the pandemic since it gets everyone out in the fresh air.

“I wanted to have something in the community that women of all colors could come together and unite and have a good time,” said Darleen, “It gives women a chance to shine in a sport that we don’t see them much in.” As if a day on the course with other women doesn’t make you feel fabulous enough, you can take extra pride in knowing all proceeds go to the Eta Gamma Zeta scholarship fund, which supports the educational goals of young women in Glynn County. Considering that goal, the chapter’s decision for the tournament’s namesake was easy.

Learning how to live a happier, healthier lifestyle can be challenging, especially if there are crispy french fries on the table. But unlearning what you think you know is even trickier.

Our brains are constantly being reminded of stuff that simply isn’t true, like popular fitness myths that need unlearning and debunking, and that’s what I’m setting out to do today, aided by a lovely list assembled by the American Council on Exercise (ACE). (Disclaimer: I’m a member. They certify fitness trainers. I am one.)

It’s the time of year when many are shopping for beautiful love tokens, or even engagement rings, which is naturally a matter of the heart. However, you should also use your head when buying jewelry, especially diamonds. After more than 45 years in the business, I can offer some important shopping tips to be sure you are getting the best diamond for your dollar:

Determine your budget:
It’s important to have a firm idea of what you want to spend. If you know what your budget is, you can let your heart guide you to the perfect item within those parameters. Don’t allow an aggressive salesperson to push you to spend beyond your plans. Remind them of your limit and insist they only show you what fits within it.

I saw the funniest sign, but it wasn’t funny for long because I started to think about it. Suddenly, the humor melted away. The sign read: “Everything happens for a reason. Sometimes the reason is you’re stupid and make bad decisions.”

Ouch! Those 15 words hit hard because I’ve made more than my share of bad money decisions in my life.

I’ve come a long way from that dark season of my life. I am determined to not go back but also to not live with regret for what might have been.

I have a personal question. It’s not intended to make you feel guilty (which is the mother of all useless emotions). It’s meant to tickle your neurons and invite thought.

What keeps you from exercising more?

You know you should. Exercise is the miracle cure for whatever ails you. Feeling tired? Depressed? Overcome with stress?

Get your body in motion. Regular, rhythmical exercise—over time—also helps prevent heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure and is your truest and best friend when it comes to living a healthier, happier lifestyle.

But you know all that. Shoulda, woulda, coulda...

So what’s the answer? What keeps you from exercising more?

There are many ways to get a fresh start in the New Year, but changing what you see in the mirror can have a huge impact! Freshen up your makeup and hair with tips from our resident experts!

New Year, New Hair, Or Is It?
By Amanda Kicklighter

It’s time for a fresh new look for 2022! A fresh twist to a throwback hairstyle is the hair trend for 2022. Y2K Chic brings on throwback hairstyles from the 90s and 2000s—the new rage! Hands down, or better yet, hair down, the medium-length bob will be the style of the year! Long bangs that are parted off center, or in the middle, and swept back will be popular, as well. Once again hairstylists across the nation will be asked for the “Rachel” haircut. You know, from Friends (1994-2004)?—fluffy hair bobs, stacked bobs with heavy lines, layered bobs on medium-length hair will all be in.

Have you ever tried walking meditation? It’s a gentle and giant step into the world of Zen. And in case you’ve just returned from planet Elsewhere, Zen is trending big here on Earth. There are Zen retreats, Zen smoothies, Zen comics, Zen methods of diapering and accounting and an actual book called “Zen and the Art of Casino Gaming.”

“Zazen” is the Japanese word for seated meditation, and kinhin is walking meditation. Both are proven methods for quieting the mind. Kinhin is a simple practice that gives you all the benefits of seated meditation—increased energy, equanimity, awareness—with zero risk of falling asleep.

Years ago, I was a guest on “The Maury Povich Show,” something I’ve never been that proud of. Back then, the show was kind of raunchy, and I just now realized that, some 20 years later, Maury is still at it.

I remember a few things about the show, like what I wore (What was I thinking?) and the nice production staff. Maury was very kind, too.

As a junior in high school, it was almost time to take midterm exams. I dreaded midterms, but my French teacher made us students an offer I couldn’t refuse: If you participated in the old folks Christmas food drive, she would add 10 points to your midterm score. To be perfectly honest, I didn’t have a clue what I was signing up for, but for 10 extra points, I would be there!

I arrived at our high school along with many others and saw hundreds of paper grocery bags lining the walls of the gym. With the bags all numbered and in perfectly straight lines, the organized chaos commenced. Apparently, if any student had overdue library fees in December, they were allowed to bring in two canned goods and all was forgiven. The high school also partnered with one of the local elementary schools that held a contest to see which class could collect the most canned goods. All the donated items were then divided and distributed evenly among the numbered bags.

The past two years have certainly been difficult ones. Many of us look around and see so much that needs to be done. It can be overwhelming. Something about the colder weather and longer nights of the winter season has us looking for the light every year. Our Holidays help us find that light. For many of us, we realize we can be the light for others. We might put some cash in a bucket or write a check to a worthy cause. We might even volunteer for a day or two. For the truly special among us, the dedication to be the light is a year-round endeavor. Over the next four pages, we introduce you to four such women. They bring a servant’s heart to every day. They have dedicated their lives to lifting others up. May we learn from their example and carry Christmas in our hearts all year.

Dear Carrie:
My husband and I are curious about long-term care insurance. It all seems so confusing. How can we decide if (and when) we should buy it, and if so, what kind?  —A Reader

Dear Reader:
Not only am I glad you’re investigating one of the biggest risks to retirement security. I’m also really happy you’re looking at this issue together. If either one of you ultimately needs long-term care, it will impact you both.

Long-term care (LTC) insurance comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, but all policies have some features in common. I’ve talked about some basics and the importance of LTC insurance before, but choosing a policy requires some extra thought. Here’s what you need to know.
There Are Two Types of Policies: Standalone and Hybrid

Most people believe the ability to touch your toes naturally disappears with age, but that’s not necessarily true. People who get more and more sedentary with age experience the shortening of their muscles, which inhibits the body to move freely like it did in its younger years. This is why staying flexible is so important, and how some 90-year-olds can easily touch their toes.

Did you know that flexibility has an effect on life expectancy? According to Prevention Magazine, “It’s all because your musculoskeletal fitness—your body flexibility, balance, muscle strength and coordination—is an important indicator of your overall health, and has a favorable influence on life expectancy.”

As a realtor of 18 years, I’ve noticed the culture of “more” shift to “less,” as homeowners pack up mementos due to life changes. Losing a spouse, divorce, kids leaving for college, or even the simple act of growing older has prompted the quest to find a smaller home that better suits shifting needs and lifestyle. Not only does a smaller home typically cost less, but it also takes less time and effort to maintain. I personally did this two years ago, and I have not looked back! However, no matter the reason for wanting to simplify, the process can seem overwhelming.

Here are five steps that can help guide you on what can be a delightful and empowering journey. Most of the time, people feel great about their decision to downsize and find that less is more—more comfort, more security and most importantly, more time and energy to spend on activities and the people they love.

More Americans than ever are hungry to transition to a less stressful, more meaningful way to celebrate this year's Thanksgiving holiday. If you're one of them, I have some ideas to share:
FIRST, A GUT CHECK. How do you know if Thanksgiving adds to your stress? Listen to your gut, seat of great wisdom. If thinking about Turkey Day makes you feel anxious instead of enthusiastic, something is wrong.

Maybe you feel the pressure to do everything perfectly. (I call that Martha Stewart syndrome.) Maybe you'd rather be a guest than a host. Sit calmly and meditate on where the stress is coming from. Write down your insights, without judging, without censoring.

Friendships are vital to our mental health, but one size does not fit all. As Hope explains in her book, quality and quantity of friendships are important. From acquaintances to closest friends, we need them all. “Humans need community,” Hope explained. It seems so obvious, but it’s important to remember. She explained the different types of friendships (a concept that Aristotle wrote about!) and how they are all important. They are Friendships of Utility (primarily acquaintances), Friendships of Pleasure (fun friends) and Friendships of the Good (soulmates or besties). Our happiness depends on all types, and some people will move between them as their relationships evolve.

According to the article from The Simple Dollar (thesimpledollar.com), “100 Ways to Save Money Fast,” finding the right bank can be a surprisingly effective way to cut your spending down. “Ideally, your bank should have no-fee checking, a wide ATM network and good online banking services,” writes Trent Hamm, founder and columnist. “If your bank regularly hits you with account maintenance fees or ATM fees, look for another bank.”

Sure, there are many ways to start saving money, from packing your lunch to packing less with a staycation, but a great place to start is picking the right bank. First, take a closer look at the checking accounts your bank offers. Imagine the monthly savings from no-fee accounts, or better yet, a checking account that pays you interest, or gives you cash back or other rewards every time you swipe. The best checking accounts refund out of network ATM fees and have robust digital banking apps that let you stay in touch with your money with a click and pay bills online.

Any body, at any age, can suffer a sports injury, but we baby boomers are famous for them. There’s actually a term for it—boomeritis—and it refers to the high number of sports-related injuries that happen to people born between 1946 and 1964—the first generation of Americans who grew up working out, with or without the Jane Fonda leg warmers. (I still have mine.)

We’re facing a classic good news/bad news scenario. On the upside, we have millions of boomers who share an enlightened view about the benefits of regular exercise—hiking, biking, Downward Dogging our way to stronger bodies and longer lives.

The sad news is we’re going about it like maniacs, and our hips, knees, thighs, shoulders, ankles and other important body parts are wearing out in record numbers.

Shortly after takeoff, the pilot circled over the Great Salt Lake, tipping the wings ever so slightly so we could witness the unusual reddish-purple color of the water—a phenomenon, he explained, that occurs when a particular species of algae meets up with a certain bacteria. It was quite fascinating.

Just as he was bringing the plane level so we could be on our way, CRACK! A loud kind of popping noise sent a chill up my spine. “I believe we’ve hit something, so we will be returning to the gate,” an audibly shaken pilot reported.

Dear Carrie:
I’m the mother of a very creative 12-year-old daughter who wants to take classes in art, drama and dance, but I have a limited income. While we live a comfortable life, paying for all these extras is a real stretch. I don’t want to disappoint her, but I’m struggling. How can I handle this on top of everything else?  —A Reader

Dear Reader:
This is a question I’m sure a lot of parents can relate to. From sports to music to dance to computer coding, the world of kids’ extracurricular activities keeps growing—and getting more expensive. According to a recent survey, 46% of parents spend more than $1,000 annually on their kids’ activities, and 27% spend more than $2,000. Not only that, 62% go into debt to do it, with credit cards being the most popular form of payment.