By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus The day Billy Stallings and Trey Miller showed up on the doorstep of Tommy Van Sandt’s home in Killen, Stallings wasn’t certain they’d be warmly received. Still, he
Kanuchi Serves 4 to 6 2 cups slow-cooked pinto beans 2 cups hominy 2 pinches black walnuts, chopped 1 pinch of salt Mix hominy into pinto beans, including bean broth. Add nuts and a pinch
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Christmas dinner at the Flanagan house in Tuscumbia might resemble lots of other holiday meals typically served around the U.S. this time of year, but there are a
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Eleven years ago, Glenn Rikard attended the funeral of Gladys Eley Harper, where he was inspired to pick up a Christmas tradition that his late friend had set
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Great ideas are meant to be shared. Glenn Rikard hopes to pass on a tradition he first discovered from an old friend, Gladys Eley Harper, who saved greeting
By Deborah Vankin | Los Angeles Times (TNS) LOS ANGELES — DeLoyce Alcorn is 92 years old — and pressing nearly four times that in weight at the gym. On a recent Wednesday afternoon, Alcorn
By Judith Graham | KFF Health News (TNS) Donald Hammen, 80, and his longtime next-door neighbor in south Minneapolis, Julie McMahon, have an understanding. Every morning, she checks to see whether he’s raised the blinds
By Metrocreative John Denver sang about “leaving on a jet plane,” inspiring many to take a flight to parts known and unknown. Millions of people travel to and from the country every year, with TravelPerk
By Mia Taylor | TravelPulse (TNS) While travel junkies probably don’t need another reason to justify their wanderlust, it seems there’s new research out showing that being a globetrotter can be a great way to
By Metrocreative Giving back to one’s community can provide a sense of purpose and improve an individual’s overall well-being. Data from Volunteer Hub indicates that people who volunteer improve their health by strengthening their bodies,
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Linda Sherrod, 78, has sewn and quilted almost her entire life. It was something she said she picked up from her mother, who likely sewed more out of
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus As Stacey Putnam shows off the vibrant colors in a quilt that her grandmother made decades ago, she flips the quilt over to display the small, dashed lines
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Nearly 45 years ago, Brian Beck approached Mary McWilliams with questions about restoring the historic Winston Home in Tuscumbia. At that time, the imposing antebellum structure located on
By Metrocreative Exercise has its fair share of devotees and millions of others who recognize its value but still struggle to include workouts in their daily routines. Motivation can be a significant hurdle when it
By Metrocreative A night out can be a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of daily life. In fact, taking a break and heading out with friends can give people a sense of belonging
By Metrocreative Healthy eating is important at any age and can set the course for a life of vitality and wellness. Sufficient nutrition can help prevent chronic illnesses and make sure that growing bodies develop
By Metrocreative As long as there have been homes for sale, there have been financial vehicles designed to alleviate some of the financial pressures associated with owning a home. A reverse mortgage is another way
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Mary Donna Ott found her passion for working in elderly care by chance after she’d moved to Florence from Fairhope in 1984. Now a Life Enrichment director for
By Metrocreative For many sports fans, the kickoff to football season means the time to tailgate has returned as well. Tailgating evolved from informal fan gatherings by the tailgate of a supply wagon preceding the
By Metrocreative Certain foods have become Saturday and Sunday afternoon staples during football season. Few fans will turn down a plate of wings or walk away from a tray of nachos. But fans hosting game
Rain or shine — or even a little snow — chances are a group of Shoals residents are meeting down by the river at McFarland Park in Florence to practice tai chi, a low-impact, ancient
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus When Radell Key saw an ad in 2018 seeking dancers for the Singing River Squares at The Club senior center in Florence, he had no partner and no
By Metrocreative Golf carts are not necessarily reserved for those hitting the links. While it’s true that a cart makes it easier for golfers to make their way around a course, golf carts are quite
By Metrocreative A nutritious diet is a key component of a healthy lifestyle. And for older adults, the right diet can be a key part of treating any number of health issues. In fact, changing
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Before Skip Cleland retired from the Boeing Company, he said his work took him all over the U.S. As he moved residences throughout his career, he said he
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Bill Strong achieved his ninth-degree black belt in Tang Soo Do about four years ago, but even in reaching the pinnacle of his career, he said he still
By Anne D’nnocenzio | The Associated Press NEW YORK — Brenda Edwards considers the four bedroom ranch-style house where she has lived for 20 years her forever home. It’s where the 70-year-old retired nurse and
Metrocreative Exercise provides a number of measureable benefits for people of all ages, including older adults. Swimming is one exercise that may be especially beneficial.Many people learn to swim in childhood and sharpen that skill
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Joe and Michelle Dailey met on a ship porting at Guam, a U.S. Island territory in the western Pacific. At the time, they were each enlisted in the
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Pam Kirkland, who turned 72 in April, checked another item off her bucket list when she led 12 members of her family, including grandchildren and great grandchildren, on
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Fran Davis said she can’t retire because she’s having too much fun. She accepted a position with the Florence Parks and Recreation Department as activities director for the
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Randy and Sharon Hollander were in their mid-50s when they sat in a kayak on the water for the first time in their lives. Now in their 60s,
Melanie Allen | Wealth of Geeks undefined Want a better life? You need a hobby. A study published last year in Nature reveals that people who engage in hobbies experience greater life satisfaction, more happiness,
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Whenever Doris Achenbach Alewine shares her story, she almost always begins with her early life in Germany during World War II. “I always say, I almost got killed
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus In the next couple of weeks, John Norton will begin putting out tomato and pepper sprouts he’s been nurturing and monitoring in his basement since February. Though his
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Master Gardeners Paula Kelley and Jenia Bradford have been members of the program long enough to find areas they specialize in, but both gardeners credit Betty and Dennis
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus When Bobby Aday is asked why he opened Pop Pop’s Boxing Gym in Tuscumbia after retiring from owning a construction company for 25 years, his answer is straight
By Metrocreative It can be bittersweet when adult children decide the time has come to move out of the family home. Parents perhaps get their first trial run of this scenario when their children go
By Metrocreative Many adults nearing retirement age count down the days until they can bid adieu to the daily tasks of commuting and working so they can enjoy much more time for recreation, travel or
By Metrocreative Exercise is widely recognized as a vital component of a healthy lifestyle. Despite that, a recent analysis of data from the 2020 National Health Interview Survey found that more than two-thirds of individuals
Exercise is an important component of a healthy lifestyle. The current Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services indicates adults need 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each
By Metrocreative The United States is changing, and observant individuals may notice the nation is skewing a little older than it has in recent years. Estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau indicate roughly 56 million
By Sharon Theimer | Mayo Clinic News Network (TNS) LONDON — It may be surprising to hear, but medically speaking, not all stress is bad. Healthy stress levels help build resilience, says Safia Debar, MBBS,
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Mary Calvert Smith knows it’s never too late to find love. However, if you had asked her whether getting hitched was still an option for her four years
By Preston Sparks | For Living 50 Plus If not for a course offered 80 years ago by Auburn University — then Alabama Polytechnic Institute (API) — the fate of Rock ‘n’ Roll might have
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Steve Price turned 70 years old in November, but he said he’s no closer to retirement than the day he turned 60. As manager of the Shoals Community
By Metrocreative The sentiment that there aren’t enough hours in the day may be true for busy families and individuals. However, once every four years, everyone is given an extra day on their calendars in
Metrocreative The idea of losing all personal data on a computer, phone or tablet may send a person into a panic. How many times has a drive failed or a computer crashed and a person
Working professionals know that few things can be as frustrating as a malfunctioning computer. A computer that’s not working properly can interrupt work flow, lead to lost man hours and make it hard to get
By Steve Lopez | Los Angeles Times (TNS) LOS ANGELES — For some people, retirement is a long-awaited chance to sleep late, relax and celebrate the joys of life without pressure or deadlines. For others,
By Judith Graham | KFF Health News (TNS) How many of us have wanted a reliable, evidence-based guide to aging that explains how our bodies and minds change as we grow older and how to
Metrocreative One need not look long or far to be reminded of the importance of saving for retirement. Indeed, it’s hard to go a single day without encountering roadside billboards, television and streaming service advertisements,
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Before he was Santa Claus, Russ Creel was the jolly old physical education teacher for 21 years in the Lauderdale County School System. Before that, he had worked
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Steve Herring slips out of the jacket that barely conceals his bulging biceps and makes his way to a bench in the weight room at the University of
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus The halls are decked. The den is decked. The kitchen, the bedrooms, the bathrooms — every nook and cranny of the Krieger house in Florence has gotten the
Investing is often portrayed as something people need not worry about after retirement. The theory that people should avoid risk as they approach and reach retirement age makes sense, as the unknown of investing can
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Jamie Lynch and Gil Self know they might seem a tad eccentric for the annual cross-country cycling trips they take. Some trips often stretch hundreds of miles in
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Any given Saturday from September to January, David and Cindy Hall can likely be found in Tuscaloosa, setting up for game day at Bryant-Denny Stadium. If they’re not
By Chelsea Retherford | Staff Writer Lorraine Mills, an 80-year-old volunteer at The Help Center, said choosing to work for free three days a week is a little like hiking up a mountain. When asked
By Lisa Singleton-Rickman | Living 50 Plus FLORENCE — When David “Coach” Williams stepped inside his classroom on the first day of school in August at Mars Hill Bible School, he surveyed the scene with
Metro News Older adults did not seem to get the memo regarding inflation. As the world continues to navigate a cost-of-living increase, internal data from Bank of America indicates that Baby Boomers (people born between
By Metro News Individuals work hard to save enough money to purchase their homes. And the hard work doesn’t end there. Once homeowners settle into a new home, they may set their sights on renovations
By Metro News The role of mentor is complex and sometimes vulnerable to misinterpretation. According to the employment resource Indeed, a mentor is an individual who acts as an adviser or coach for a less
By Metro News A balanced diet and exercise, which includes a combination of aerobic activities and strength training, is necessary to maintain long-term health.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, regular physical activity
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Richard Pflueger amicably tapped paddles with his teammate, Don McNutt, and their two opponents, Pflueger’s wife, Jan, and Linda Orr, following the final game of the day one
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus While Richard and Jan Pflueger are credited with starting the Shoals Area Pickleball league, and initiating conversations about adding public courts in Florence and Muscle Shoals, Richard said
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus At 53 years old, Lori McGuire said she feels more physically fit than she has ever felt in her life, but she couldn’t say that two years ago.
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Leawaiia Little is proud to call several of her former high school classmates her closest friends. While most friendships tend to naturally dwindle as years go by, the
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but Charles Spruell Old is here to prove the naysayers wrong. At 64, Old has found a fairly
By Metro News The value of hobbies is undeniable. A 2014 study published in the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology found that employees who engaged in creative hobbies outside of work were more creative
By Metro News Many older adults choose to trade in the regular hours of 9 to 5 when they retire to delve into a much more personally guided passion: consulting. Generally, consulting is a term
By Metro News People are living longer, a reality that can be traced to a number of factors, including advancements in medicine and greater dissemination of information regarding preventive health care. According to data from
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Each time Belinda Lokey dons a red hat, she’s reminded that she is part of a sisterhood that has supported her for more than two decades. “I’ve thoroughly
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus When Mickey and Linda Haddock purchased their first Class A motorhome, the Florence couple had already done an extensive amount of traveling around the country — mostly from
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Curtis Griffith retired from the U.S. Marine Corps in 1993, but the Marine Corps League — a congressionally chartered veterans’ organization for marines — remains an integral part
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Students taking Algebra 2, precalculus or finite math may struggle to find ways to apply those equations to life’s everyday problems. Lori White, who teaches all three courses
The benefits of spending time in the great outdoors are significant. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, spending time outdoors may improve mental health and help to reduce stress, and the vitamin
Travel was once a key component of the picture working professionals created of their ideal retirements. While the COVID-19 pandemic put many retirement travel plans on hold in recent years, jetting off to distant locales
Adults 50 and older may have more time for leisure and recreation than working adults, and the summer months provide ample opportunities to get active. After months of chilly temperatures, adults 50 and older may
As physically active individuals age, they typically must change how they approach exercise. For example, rather than jumping two feet first into new activities like they might have done when they were younger, those 50
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus When a group of 12 retirees volunteered to help along the Gulf Coast, lending their talents in any way they could following the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina,
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus When Max Gee retired at 67 from selling automotive equipment in his hometown of Detroit, Michigan, he and his wife, Myra, made the move to her old home
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Faye Hester took about two months off from work after retiring from the Helen Keller Hospital business office in July of 1998. The following September, she returned to
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Bryan Hamilton got his first car, a 1966 Ford Mustang, while he was a student attending Coffee High School in Florence. Today, that same sports car and several
Many adults over 50 are entitled to an array of discounts, which take into consideration seniors’ fixed retirement incomes. Discounts are available on various services, including many travel options. Seniors have a lot of time
Metro Newspaper Service Perhaps due to the popularity of social media among a generation of young people who grew up with it, platforms such as Instagram and Facebook are often associated with people born in
Metro Newspaper Service Physical activity is an important component of overall health. Health experts advise that exercise can increase lean body mass, prevent conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease, improve balance, and positively affect mental
Metro Newspaper Service Though a significant percentage of individuals report desires to retire later in life, many people stop working around the age of 62. The desire for a later retirement may stem from financial
Metro Newspaper Service What constitutes a perfect retirement is different for everyone. Some people may imagine spending their golden years fishing their days away, while others may aspire to finally embrace their inner globetrotter. Though
Metro Newspaper Service The picture of a traditional college student is one in his or her late teens or early 20s. However, a deeper look may reveal that college student demographics are more diverse than
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus The day Billy Stallings and Trey Miller showed up on the doorstep of Tommy Van Sandt’s home in Killen, Stallings wasn’t certain they’d be warmly received. Still, he![Kanuchi by Anita Hornbuckle Flanagan. [DAN BUSEY/TIMESDAILY]](https://living50plusshoals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Recipe-1-150x150.jpg)
Kanuchi Serves 4 to 6 2 cups slow-cooked pinto beans 2 cups hominy 2 pinches black walnuts, chopped 1 pinch of salt Mix hominy into pinto beans, including bean broth. Add nuts and a pinch
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Christmas dinner at the Flanagan house in Tuscumbia might resemble lots of other holiday meals typically served around the U.S. this time of year, but there are a
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Eleven years ago, Glenn Rikard attended the funeral of Gladys Eley Harper, where he was inspired to pick up a Christmas tradition that his late friend had set
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Great ideas are meant to be shared. Glenn Rikard hopes to pass on a tradition he first discovered from an old friend, Gladys Eley Harper, who saved greeting
By Deborah Vankin | Los Angeles Times (TNS) LOS ANGELES — DeLoyce Alcorn is 92 years old — and pressing nearly four times that in weight at the gym. On a recent Wednesday afternoon, Alcorn
By Judith Graham | KFF Health News (TNS) Donald Hammen, 80, and his longtime next-door neighbor in south Minneapolis, Julie McMahon, have an understanding. Every morning, she checks to see whether he’s raised the blinds
By Metrocreative John Denver sang about “leaving on a jet plane,” inspiring many to take a flight to parts known and unknown. Millions of people travel to and from the country every year, with TravelPerk![A study published by Science Daily shows that leisurely travel activities can help alleviate chronic stress, reduce overactivation of the immune system and even promote the healthy functioning of the body’s self-defense system. [Schantalao/Dreamstime/TNS]](https://living50plusshoals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/aging-and-travel-150x150.jpg)
By Mia Taylor | TravelPulse (TNS) While travel junkies probably don’t need another reason to justify their wanderlust, it seems there’s new research out showing that being a globetrotter can be a great way to
By Metrocreative Giving back to one’s community can provide a sense of purpose and improve an individual’s overall well-being. Data from Volunteer Hub indicates that people who volunteer improve their health by strengthening their bodies,
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Linda Sherrod, 78, has sewn and quilted almost her entire life. It was something she said she picked up from her mother, who likely sewed more out of
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus As Stacey Putnam shows off the vibrant colors in a quilt that her grandmother made decades ago, she flips the quilt over to display the small, dashed lines
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Nearly 45 years ago, Brian Beck approached Mary McWilliams with questions about restoring the historic Winston Home in Tuscumbia. At that time, the imposing antebellum structure located on
By Metrocreative Exercise has its fair share of devotees and millions of others who recognize its value but still struggle to include workouts in their daily routines. Motivation can be a significant hurdle when it
By Metrocreative A night out can be a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of daily life. In fact, taking a break and heading out with friends can give people a sense of belonging
By Metrocreative Healthy eating is important at any age and can set the course for a life of vitality and wellness. Sufficient nutrition can help prevent chronic illnesses and make sure that growing bodies develop
By Metrocreative As long as there have been homes for sale, there have been financial vehicles designed to alleviate some of the financial pressures associated with owning a home. A reverse mortgage is another way
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Mary Donna Ott found her passion for working in elderly care by chance after she’d moved to Florence from Fairhope in 1984. Now a Life Enrichment director for
By Metrocreative For many sports fans, the kickoff to football season means the time to tailgate has returned as well. Tailgating evolved from informal fan gatherings by the tailgate of a supply wagon preceding the
By Metrocreative Certain foods have become Saturday and Sunday afternoon staples during football season. Few fans will turn down a plate of wings or walk away from a tray of nachos. But fans hosting game
Rain or shine — or even a little snow — chances are a group of Shoals residents are meeting down by the river at McFarland Park in Florence to practice tai chi, a low-impact, ancient
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus When Radell Key saw an ad in 2018 seeking dancers for the Singing River Squares at The Club senior center in Florence, he had no partner and no
By Metrocreative Golf carts are not necessarily reserved for those hitting the links. While it’s true that a cart makes it easier for golfers to make their way around a course, golf carts are quite
By Metrocreative A nutritious diet is a key component of a healthy lifestyle. And for older adults, the right diet can be a key part of treating any number of health issues. In fact, changing
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Before Skip Cleland retired from the Boeing Company, he said his work took him all over the U.S. As he moved residences throughout his career, he said he
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Bill Strong achieved his ninth-degree black belt in Tang Soo Do about four years ago, but even in reaching the pinnacle of his career, he said he still
Metrocreative Exercise provides a number of measureable benefits for people of all ages, including older adults. Swimming is one exercise that may be especially beneficial.Many people learn to swim in childhood and sharpen that skill
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Joe and Michelle Dailey met on a ship porting at Guam, a U.S. Island territory in the western Pacific. At the time, they were each enlisted in the
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Pam Kirkland, who turned 72 in April, checked another item off her bucket list when she led 12 members of her family, including grandchildren and great grandchildren, on
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Fran Davis said she can’t retire because she’s having too much fun. She accepted a position with the Florence Parks and Recreation Department as activities director for the
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Randy and Sharon Hollander were in their mid-50s when they sat in a kayak on the water for the first time in their lives. Now in their 60s,
Melanie Allen | Wealth of Geeks undefined Want a better life? You need a hobby. A study published last year in Nature reveals that people who engage in hobbies experience greater life satisfaction, more happiness,
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Whenever Doris Achenbach Alewine shares her story, she almost always begins with her early life in Germany during World War II. “I always say, I almost got killed
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus In the next couple of weeks, John Norton will begin putting out tomato and pepper sprouts he’s been nurturing and monitoring in his basement since February. Though his
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Master Gardeners Paula Kelley and Jenia Bradford have been members of the program long enough to find areas they specialize in, but both gardeners credit Betty and Dennis
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus When Bobby Aday is asked why he opened Pop Pop’s Boxing Gym in Tuscumbia after retiring from owning a construction company for 25 years, his answer is straight
By Metrocreative It can be bittersweet when adult children decide the time has come to move out of the family home. Parents perhaps get their first trial run of this scenario when their children go
By Metrocreative Many adults nearing retirement age count down the days until they can bid adieu to the daily tasks of commuting and working so they can enjoy much more time for recreation, travel or
By Metrocreative Exercise is widely recognized as a vital component of a healthy lifestyle. Despite that, a recent analysis of data from the 2020 National Health Interview Survey found that more than two-thirds of individuals
Exercise is an important component of a healthy lifestyle. The current Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services indicates adults need 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each
By Metrocreative The United States is changing, and observant individuals may notice the nation is skewing a little older than it has in recent years. Estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau indicate roughly 56 million
By Sharon Theimer | Mayo Clinic News Network (TNS) LONDON — It may be surprising to hear, but medically speaking, not all stress is bad. Healthy stress levels help build resilience, says Safia Debar, MBBS,![Newlyweds Johnny and Mary Smith stand in their home. [DAN BUSEY/TIMESDAILY]](https://living50plusshoals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Newlyweds-1-banner-150x150.jpg)
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Mary Calvert Smith knows it’s never too late to find love. However, if you had asked her whether getting hitched was still an option for her four years
By Preston Sparks | For Living 50 Plus If not for a course offered 80 years ago by Auburn University — then Alabama Polytechnic Institute (API) — the fate of Rock ‘n’ Roll might have
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Steve Price turned 70 years old in November, but he said he’s no closer to retirement than the day he turned 60. As manager of the Shoals Community
By Metrocreative The sentiment that there aren’t enough hours in the day may be true for busy families and individuals. However, once every four years, everyone is given an extra day on their calendars in
Metrocreative The idea of losing all personal data on a computer, phone or tablet may send a person into a panic. How many times has a drive failed or a computer crashed and a person
Working professionals know that few things can be as frustrating as a malfunctioning computer. A computer that’s not working properly can interrupt work flow, lead to lost man hours and make it hard to get
By Steve Lopez | Los Angeles Times (TNS) LOS ANGELES — For some people, retirement is a long-awaited chance to sleep late, relax and celebrate the joys of life without pressure or deadlines. For others,
By Judith Graham | KFF Health News (TNS) How many of us have wanted a reliable, evidence-based guide to aging that explains how our bodies and minds change as we grow older and how to
Metrocreative One need not look long or far to be reminded of the importance of saving for retirement. Indeed, it’s hard to go a single day without encountering roadside billboards, television and streaming service advertisements,
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Before he was Santa Claus, Russ Creel was the jolly old physical education teacher for 21 years in the Lauderdale County School System. Before that, he had worked
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Steve Herring slips out of the jacket that barely conceals his bulging biceps and makes his way to a bench in the weight room at the University of
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus The halls are decked. The den is decked. The kitchen, the bedrooms, the bathrooms — every nook and cranny of the Krieger house in Florence has gotten the
Investing is often portrayed as something people need not worry about after retirement. The theory that people should avoid risk as they approach and reach retirement age makes sense, as the unknown of investing can
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Jamie Lynch and Gil Self know they might seem a tad eccentric for the annual cross-country cycling trips they take. Some trips often stretch hundreds of miles in
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Any given Saturday from September to January, David and Cindy Hall can likely be found in Tuscaloosa, setting up for game day at Bryant-Denny Stadium. If they’re not
By Chelsea Retherford | Staff Writer Lorraine Mills, an 80-year-old volunteer at The Help Center, said choosing to work for free three days a week is a little like hiking up a mountain. When asked
By Lisa Singleton-Rickman | Living 50 Plus FLORENCE — When David “Coach” Williams stepped inside his classroom on the first day of school in August at Mars Hill Bible School, he surveyed the scene with
Metro News Older adults did not seem to get the memo regarding inflation. As the world continues to navigate a cost-of-living increase, internal data from Bank of America indicates that Baby Boomers (people born between
By Metro News Individuals work hard to save enough money to purchase their homes. And the hard work doesn’t end there. Once homeowners settle into a new home, they may set their sights on renovations
By Metro News The role of mentor is complex and sometimes vulnerable to misinterpretation. According to the employment resource Indeed, a mentor is an individual who acts as an adviser or coach for a less
By Metro News A balanced diet and exercise, which includes a combination of aerobic activities and strength training, is necessary to maintain long-term health.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, regular physical activity
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Richard Pflueger amicably tapped paddles with his teammate, Don McNutt, and their two opponents, Pflueger’s wife, Jan, and Linda Orr, following the final game of the day one
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus While Richard and Jan Pflueger are credited with starting the Shoals Area Pickleball league, and initiating conversations about adding public courts in Florence and Muscle Shoals, Richard said
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus At 53 years old, Lori McGuire said she feels more physically fit than she has ever felt in her life, but she couldn’t say that two years ago.
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Leawaiia Little is proud to call several of her former high school classmates her closest friends. While most friendships tend to naturally dwindle as years go by, the
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but Charles Spruell Old is here to prove the naysayers wrong. At 64, Old has found a fairly
By Metro News The value of hobbies is undeniable. A 2014 study published in the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology found that employees who engaged in creative hobbies outside of work were more creative
By Metro News Many older adults choose to trade in the regular hours of 9 to 5 when they retire to delve into a much more personally guided passion: consulting. Generally, consulting is a term
By Metro News People are living longer, a reality that can be traced to a number of factors, including advancements in medicine and greater dissemination of information regarding preventive health care. According to data from
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Each time Belinda Lokey dons a red hat, she’s reminded that she is part of a sisterhood that has supported her for more than two decades. “I’ve thoroughly
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus When Mickey and Linda Haddock purchased their first Class A motorhome, the Florence couple had already done an extensive amount of traveling around the country — mostly from
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Curtis Griffith retired from the U.S. Marine Corps in 1993, but the Marine Corps League — a congressionally chartered veterans’ organization for marines — remains an integral part
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Students taking Algebra 2, precalculus or finite math may struggle to find ways to apply those equations to life’s everyday problems. Lori White, who teaches all three courses
The benefits of spending time in the great outdoors are significant. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, spending time outdoors may improve mental health and help to reduce stress, and the vitamin
Travel was once a key component of the picture working professionals created of their ideal retirements. While the COVID-19 pandemic put many retirement travel plans on hold in recent years, jetting off to distant locales
Adults 50 and older may have more time for leisure and recreation than working adults, and the summer months provide ample opportunities to get active. After months of chilly temperatures, adults 50 and older may
As physically active individuals age, they typically must change how they approach exercise. For example, rather than jumping two feet first into new activities like they might have done when they were younger, those 50
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus When a group of 12 retirees volunteered to help along the Gulf Coast, lending their talents in any way they could following the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina,
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus When Max Gee retired at 67 from selling automotive equipment in his hometown of Detroit, Michigan, he and his wife, Myra, made the move to her old home
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Faye Hester took about two months off from work after retiring from the Helen Keller Hospital business office in July of 1998. The following September, she returned to
By Chelsea Retherford | Living 50 Plus Bryan Hamilton got his first car, a 1966 Ford Mustang, while he was a student attending Coffee High School in Florence. Today, that same sports car and several
Many adults over 50 are entitled to an array of discounts, which take into consideration seniors’ fixed retirement incomes. Discounts are available on various services, including many travel options. Seniors have a lot of time
Metro Newspaper Service Perhaps due to the popularity of social media among a generation of young people who grew up with it, platforms such as Instagram and Facebook are often associated with people born in
Metro Newspaper Service Physical activity is an important component of overall health. Health experts advise that exercise can increase lean body mass, prevent conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease, improve balance, and positively affect mental
Metro Newspaper Service Though a significant percentage of individuals report desires to retire later in life, many people stop working around the age of 62. The desire for a later retirement may stem from financial
Metro Newspaper Service What constitutes a perfect retirement is different for everyone. Some people may imagine spending their golden years fishing their days away, while others may aspire to finally embrace their inner globetrotter. Though