A Special Performance Gabby and Her Dance Company Take Disney World! www.MonteforteLaw.com (978) 653-4092 Practical wisdom, trusted advice.
March 2020
My daughter, Gabby, was dancing before she could walk. She was 5 years old when she first started taking dance classes, and since then, we’ve traveled all across New England for competitions and performances. By now, she’s grown accustomed to the butterflies before taking the stage in front of judges, and I’d venture to say she enjoys the adrenaline rush of performing. But that’s still a lot of pressure for a kid. This December, Gabby and her dance company were invited to perform at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The judges at Disney don’t fool around when it comes to selecting dance troupes to perform at the theme park. Gabby’s dance company had to apply and send a video for consideration. Just getting selected was a big accomplishment, but then the fun began. We were headed to Disney World! My family has been to Disney World a few times, but this trip was more special than the rest. Gabby and her dance friends were invited to participate in a private showcase with some of Disney’s professional dancers. It was a parent-free zone where the girls were given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn from That’s why it was so special to watch her latest dance adventure.
professionals. Afterward, they performed on Animal Kingdom’s indoor stage. It was a proud moment for my wife and me as we watched Gabby dance just for the enjoyment of it. No judges. No pressure. Just fun! Next up was the main event! The girls joined dance troupes in a parade at the Magic Kingdom. We asked Gabby all week to clue us in to their spot in the parade and which side she would be on. Certain we had chosen perfect spots, we prepared for their dance company to bring up the tail end of the parade. But as the parade started, we realized Gabby and her company were actually leading the parade! After moments of “Oh crap, here they come!” and scrambling for the camera, we watched Gabby and her friends dance one of their most memorable performances yet. It was such a cool experience to see Gabby dancing without nerves down the street with the biggest smile on her face. We were all so excited to see her, and we snapped one of the best pictures of Gabby. Her smile is huge, and you can tell she’s putting her entire heart into the routine. Even her little brother Michael was cheering for her! Though he’d never admit it, he was clapping like crazy and really proud of his big sister. He felt a little snubbed when she wouldn’t give him a high-five until we learned they were told if they touched anyone in the crowd, they would be removed from the parade! Of course, the other parts of Disney were fun, too. It was the first time my daughter had been to Disney with her friends, and it was such a big thing for her and her friends to go off on their own and have that independence. As a parent, it was a little bittersweet, but we had fun, too! My son, my wife, and I checked out the StarWars Galaxy’s Edge part of the park. They had just opened it, and it was a really cool experience for us.
The only downside of the trip was that I injured my foot right at the beginning. I tried to hobble on it all week, but after a few days, I was barely able to limp on it. My family peer-pressured me to use a scooter one day, and it was one of the most embarrassing moments of my life! But I tried to make the most of it and talk to other scooter-riders and see if there was a “brotherhood among scooter users.” (There’s not.) My family is sure excited to have photos of this day to forever mock me! But no foot pain or scooter embarrassments could take away fromhow special this trip was for Gabby, her friends, and our family. It’s safe to say we’ll remember this trip to Disney for a long time. -Michael Monteforte Jr.
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RETIRE IN STYLE 3 PLACES TO RETIRE INTERNATIONALLY
Even if you’ve always planned for a comfortable retirement in the United States, choosing to live internationally could be a smart alternative to improve your standard of living in retirement. International Living Magazine’s Retirement Index has tracked objective retirement metrics — like the cost of living, democratic stability, and health care — for the last 40 years. They also take into account reports of correspondents actively living abroad. Here are some of their top picks for international retirement destinations. PANAMA Panama ranks No. 2 in International Living Magazine’s list of best places to retire internationally. With its tropical climate, proximity to the United States, excellent health care, and low tax burden, it’s easy to see why. In Panama City, you can expect to pay at least $2,600 a month in living expenses, but housing costs are substantially lower outside of major metropolitan markets. Panama also offers excellent discounts, up to 25% off of things like airline tickets, hotels, and energy costs through its Pensionado program. COSTA RICA If it’s a textbook paradise you’re looking for, look no further than Costa Rica. Thanks to a 1948 decision to abolish their military and direct
all of those funds to health care and education, Costa Rica is often referred to as the “Switzerland of Central America.” Known for its stable democracy, safety, and socialized health care that’s only available once you’ve obtained residency, Costa Rica also offers climates for just about everybody — from the lush jungles of the south to the hot, dry beaches of Guanacaste in the northwest. Expect to find large communities of expats to help you acclimate. MEXICO The first things that come to mind for most people when you mention Mexico are margaritas and beach umbrellas, but this country offers a lot more than that. For starters, Mexico features an enticingly low cost of living. International Living estimates a couple could live in Mexico on anywhere from $1,500–$3,000 per month, depending on location, including health care expenses. Once you’ve obtained residency status, you can sign up for national health care plans that offer full coverage for just a few hundred dollars annually.
THE FIGHT OF THE CENTURY How a Battle of Boxers Captivated the World
On March 8, 1971, all eyes were on the world of boxing as people watched what would become known as “The Fight of the Century.” It was one of the most anticipated matchups the sport had ever arranged: Current heavyweight champion Joe Frazier and former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali were finally facing off, the first time two undefeated boxers would fight each other for the heavyweight title. Spectators were hungry for a battle. Both fighters held rightful claims to the title of world heavyweight champion. Ali won it in 1964 and successfully defended it for several years, but he was stripped of the title during a legal battle over his induction into the U.S. armed forces. In his absence from the sport,
Frazier earned two championship belts through major knockout fights. But when Ali settled his court case and came to reclaim his title, Frazier wasn’t ready to give it up easily. Ringside seats for the fight sold for today’s equivalent of over $1,000. Millions watched the broadcast in over 50 countries around the world, and Madison Square Garden sold out to a crowd of 20,455 spectators. The fighters possessed polar opposite tactics, backgrounds, and social impacts, but when it came to skill, they were evenly matched. The fight captivated the nation. As Sports Illustrated put it at the time, “The thrust of this fight on the public consciousness is incalculable. It has been a ceaseless whir that seems to have grown in decibel with each new soliloquy by Ali, with each dead calm promise by Frazier.” The fight exceeded all expectations with a fully engrossing 15 rounds. For the first quarter of the match, it seemed Ali would best his opponent, but Frazier came back with fury. Even though Ali continued to rise to his feet round after round, Frazier emerged victorious by the slimmest of margins, dealing Ali his first professional loss ever. The landmark event highlighted an unforgettable night of skillful prowess like the world had never seen. Even though the title fight was only the beginning of the rivalry between the two boxers, the matchup rightfully took its place as one of the greatest fights in the history of the sport.
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TAKE A BREAK
One of the greatest things about March Madness is that you don’t have to be a huge college basketball fan to get in on the fun. Kids of all ages can fill out brackets — or have a parent fill one out for them — and watch their picks duke it out on the court. While healthy competition among family members WHOSE PICKS WILL GO ALL THE WAY? March Madness Fun for the Whole Family
can be fun all on its own, check out the following tips if you’re looking to go the extra mile and reap as much fun from March Madness as you can.
TURN EACH GAME INTO AN EVENT. Not every kid may like watching basketball, but if they fill out a bracket, then they might gain at least a passing interest in who will win each game. To elevate their interest, turn
PESTO CHICKEN WITH BLISTERED TOMATOES
each March Madness matchup into a little party. It doesn’t have to be fancy; make fun snacks to eat while you watch or bet pieces of candy on who will have the most points to create great family bonding opportunities.
Brighten up after a cold, dark winter with this fresh and flavorful springtime dish.
Ingredients
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2 1/2 tbsp olive oil, divided 4 boneless and skinless chicken breasts, pounded to a 1-inch thickness Salt and pepper to taste 1/4 cup whole-wheat panko
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2 tbsp Parmesan cheese
1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted 6 tbsp spinach pesto 2 cups cherry tomatoes 1 garlic clove, thinly sliced 1 tsp red wine vinegar
REWARD THE WINNERS WITH PRIZES. Offer prizes to each round winner as well as the overall bracket winner to get the whole family involved. Small prize ideas for each round can include a homemade dinner of the winner’s choice, a week’s supply of their favorite snack, or a coupon for getting out of a chore. Whoever wins the whole tournament (or makes it the furthest with their bracket) deserves a bigger reward. Offer them the chance to see a movie of their choice in theaters or to eat a meal at their favorite restaurant. CREATE A LEARNING OPPORTUNITY. Learning math or geography might not sound like your child’s idea of fun, but it can be when they learn it through the lens of March Madness. See if your kids would be interested in understanding the inner workings of the ranking system or studying where some of the qualifying colleges are located on a map of the United States. They may find it so interesting that they don’t even realize they’re learning valuable skills.
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Directions
1. In a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat, add 1 tbsp olive oil. 2. Season chicken with salt and pepper, and add it to pan. Cook chicken for 5 minutes on each side, then remove pan from heat. 3. In a bowl, combine panko, Parmesan cheese, and butter. 4. Spread pesto over chicken and top with panko mixture. 5. Broil chicken for 2 minutes on high heat until browned. 6. In a skillet, heat remaining oil over medium-high heat. 7. Add tomatoes and cook for 6 minutes. 8. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly. 9. Season tomato mixture with salt and pepper, and add red wine vinegar. 10. Serve tomatoes with broiled chicken.
Inspired by CookingLight.com
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(978) 653-4092 www.MonteforteLaw.com 1 Church Street, Ste. 102 Wilmington, MA 01887 INSIDE THIS ISSUE
The Monteforte’s Latest Disney Adventure Marked a Big Milestone for Gabby!
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Retire in Style Boxing’s Greatest Battle
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Pesto Chicken With Blistered Tomatoes March Madness Fun for the Whole Family
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New York City’s Chaotic Annual Tradition
SMASHED MIRRORS, MAIMED SOFAS, AND MISSING BED-SCREWS THE DAY EVERYONE IN NEW YORK CITY MOVED
Moving is the worst. The costs of hiring a moving company and the sheer amount of time it takes to physically move everything make the whole affair an aggravating mess. And if you thought moving just one house on your street was terrible, imagine the chaos that would ensue if everyone in your whole city moved on the same day. That’s exactly what happened in New York City for nearly two centuries. FromColonial times until the end ofWorldWar II, May 1 was Moving Day in NewYork. On that day, every lease in the city ended, and pandemonium reigned in the streets as everyone scurried to their new homes. Eyewitness accounts of Moving Day describe the tradition as sheer mayhem. An English writer said Moving Day looked like“a population flying from the plague,”
and frontiersman Davy Crockett called it an “awful calamity”when he discovered the event in 1834. Still, some people loved Moving Day. Long Island farmers took their carts into the city on May 1 and charged as much as a week’s wages to move desperate tenants’ belongings to their new homes, which was a tidy sum in those days. Children were also fond of Moving Day because they got the day off school to help their families navigate the tumultuous time. A few prominent theories have emerged about the origins of this tradition. Some posit that May 1 coincided with the English celebration of May Day. Others say it morphed out of an event where servants would look for new employers. The most well-known
explanation, however, is the May 1 move commemorated the day Dutch colonizers “moved” to Manhattan in the first place. The Moving Day tradition began vanishing in the early 20th century because many cartmen and housing builders were drafted during WorldWar I, leaving fewer movers and less available housing. Additionally, the construction of the New York City subway gave other tenants rapid access to more housing options outside Manhattan. Finally, after many cartmen were again drafted in WWII, the tradition officially ended in 1945.
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