Kelly Law Offices online newsletter for December 2018
OFFICES IN NORTHWEST INDIANA AND SOUTH BEND
Closing In on 1 Year Meeting and Educating More Motorcyclists
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bout 10 years ago, I reignited a passion for motorcycles that began in high school and purchased my own
bike. Since then, I’ve joined a community of wonderful riders who are as passionate about helping others as they are about traveling the open road. This past April, Kelly Law Offices gave me an opportunity I couldn’t turn down, and it has turned into one of my best career moves. With a renewed love affair for motorcycle riding and with my experience in marketing, I joined Kelly Law as Illinois Marketing Manager. As our readers will remember from my introduction cover story in July, I picked Kelly Law because of its devotion to its clients and riders. The best part is, I’m helping fellow riders in many ways. With just shy of a year under my belt at Kelly Law Offices, I’m excited about the interactions we’ve been experiencing at events. I enjoy seeing the large crowds of enthusiasts come out for rides that support veterans, kids, and other groups in our communities. I’ve been to club meetings, dealerships, and various local events, and in the process, I’ve been able to educate others about proper protection and safety for a better riding experience. A prime example of what I typically talk to others about is the importance of wearing a helmet. Some states require motorcyclists to wear helmets while others, like Illinois, have no helmet-use laws. Some states like Wisconsin and Indiana, have a modified helmet law, where only riders under the age of 18 must wear a helmet.
The typical argument I hear from riders who don’t like to wear a helmet is, “Well, I like my freedom. I like the wind in my hair. I like to be on the open road with no constraints.”There are also several common myths that challenge the effectiveness of helmet use. But here’s how I refute these claims: Every rider wears glasses to stave off the bugs and wind, and protective eyewear prevents them from getting hurt. Helmets are similar, and while many riders acknowledge the safety a helmet provides, they don’t think of it in the context of the “must-have” necessity of their glasses. I encourage them to do that — and usually I see a lightbulb go off. Most motorcycle riders are some of the safest drivers I know. When we go from two wheels to four, we’re among the most defensive drivers on the road because we spend so much time in a vulnerable position on our bikes. That doesn’t mean we’re immune to mistakes, or that we shouldn’t do all we can to keep ourselves safe. It can be a dangerous hobby, but with safety in mind, it’s worth the thrill. I’m glad I found a company that understands and protects that thrill by promoting safe riding and helping people land back on their feet after an accident. After all, the freedom we find on the road is one that can’t be compared — though I promise you’ll still feel that freedom with your helmet on. And ride on to another adventure tomorrow.
Thanks for a great year. I can’t wait to see you again in 2019.
–Steve Graef
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3 Ways to Use Leftover Candy During the Oh-So-Sweet Holiday Season
SERVICE HIGHLIGHT How You Can Keep Up With Your Favorite Hobby After an Accident GET BACK ON THE BIKE Bake with it. Whether you have an excess of candy corn or candy bars, you can bake with your sweet leftovers. The next time you make chocolate chip cookies, swap out the chocolate chips for candy corn. Or the next time you make brownies, chop up leftover candy bars and add them to the batter. From peanut butter cups to Motorcycle accidents can be debilitating; patching up your body and your bike can be stressful and tiresome. It’s great to want to ride again, but getting to that point might be a tricky task. Sometimes we get a little too much of the sweet stuff. Between Halloween and New Year’s Day, candy is everywhere. It’s at home, at work, and on store shelves. Then, as the year comes to an end, many people start thinking about eating right and losing weight. When those are your New Year’s resolutions, you have to do something about all the leftover candy so it’s not around come Jan. 1. Donate it. While you may have an abundance of sweets, not everyone does. Consider donating wrapped and packaged candy to your local food bank or other nonprofits, including local homeless or women’s shelters. You can also look into donating candy to nearby schools. Many teachers will gladly take candy off your hands to reward students (or themselves) with treats throughout the rest of the school year. Here are a few ways to get rid of your leftover candy ASAP.
mint patties, there are so many different types of candies that can take traditional baked goods to the next level. Store it. Although not great for you, candy is fine to eat in moderation. A good way to moderate your holiday treat intake is to store your leftover sweets in the freezer. That way, you can pull a little from your supply each month to make sure you aren’t overdoing it. That said, be sure to check the expiration dates on all candy you save.
Once you feel physically capable of riding again, take your time. Spend a few rides as a passenger, or practice in an empty parking lot. Take your early solo rides carefully, and have some buddies join you for extra safety and support. Practice will help you build your confidence. Just as it’s important to take care of your physical health after an accident, your mental health could use some TLC as well. Even in a small accident, riders can develop PTSD symptoms, such as nightmares, fear of the location where the accident happened, and
traumatizing flashbacks. If you think you have PTSD or other problems with your mental health following a motorcycle accident, professional help may be able to ease your fears and get you back on the bike. Contact your doctor, local medical professionals, or your local riding club for help finding resources. Getting back on your motorcycle is never easy, so allow yourself time to heal and practice, and surround yourself with a supportive group. If you’re struggling after a motorcycle accident, our experienced lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve.
The first step is to make sure your body is fully healed. Even if you feel well enough for your everyday tasks, use caution before riding again. You’re going to have to regain the muscle memory and capabilities you acquired when you initially began riding. If you’re nervous about your skills as an operator, look for a local class or talk to an educator about techniques to refresh your memory.
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Be Ready for Spring
How to ProperlyWinterize and StoreYourMotorcycle
With every page turn of the calendar, your time to enjoy your ride dwindles. To ensure your bike is ready to go as soon as the weather warms back up in the spring, you have to store it properly for the winter. These winterization tips can help. Keep It Clean Getting your bike ready for a long winter involves some general maintenance. Change the oil, clean off all debris and dirt, and keep a battery tender on it to help the battery stay charged all winter long. Without proper care, cold weather can corrode and damage your motorcycle. Store It Properly Once your bike is ready to be put away, finding the right location for storage is important. Ideally, temperature- and moisture-controlled garages are the best places to store your bike because they minimize the effects of a potentially harsh weather. If this isn’t feasible for you, keep it someplace where it won’t be in the way, can be covered up, and won’t be too exposed to the elements. Keep UpWithMaintenance There’s always one wonderful winter day when the weather creeps up above 55 degrees, the sun starts to shine, and you hear a few birds
in the distance. You pull the bike out of the garage, bundle up, and take that first ride of the year. Sure, the weatherman
claims there’s a late-winter snowstorm coming soon.
But who cares?Well, you should. The bike will likely have to be
carefully stored again for a while, so it’s important to maintain your bike’s winter protection by cleaning it up after your late- winter ride. Remove damaging salt residue and clean off any grime and dirt before putting it away again.
Storing your motorcycle properly during the winter is essential to its longevity, so we recommend not skimping on these best practices.
Holiday Roast PRIME RIB
INGREDIENTS
• • • •
1 bone-in prime rib (6–7 pounds)
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1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
8 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
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Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
2 cups red wine 4 cups beef stock
DIRECTIONS
1. 30 minutes before cooking, remove roast from fridge and let sit until it reaches room temperature. 2. Heat oven to 350 F. 3. Make small slits in prime rib and stuff with slices of garlic. Liberally season with salt and pepper. 4. Place a rack inside a roasting pan and roast prime rib for 2 hours, until medium-rare. 5. To make au jus, place roasting pan with drippings from roast over 2 burners on high. Add wine and scrape pan as liquid reduces. Add beef stock and cook until reduced by half. Finally, sprinkle in thyme. 6. Slice roast and serve topped with au jus.
Inspired by Food Network
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5521West Lincoln Highway Suite #101 Crown Point, IN 46307
THIS ISSUE Inside
Steve’s First Year With Us Page 1
The Best Ways to Use Leftover Candy Battling Accident Woes Page 2
Winter Care for Your Bike Holiday Roast Prime Rib Page 3
Holiday Decoration Tours Page 4
Advertising Material
CHRISTMASTOURS
Get Away and Be Festive This Holiday Season
There’s nothing quite like the magical lights of the holiday season, and some destinations in the U.S. have perfected the craft of holiday decoration. If you’re looking to get away this December and still engage in seasonal festivities, add one of these places to your must-visit list. NewYork City’s Rockefeller Center New York City is an iconic location for Christmastime. The scene is like a Hallmark card: Ice-skating lovers whiz past miles of twinkling lights underneath an exceptionally tall and amply-decorated tree. The tree is specially selected by Rockefeller Center’s landscaping crews, who scout out trees years in advance. It remains lit from November to early January, so you have plenty of time to check it out. Ranch Christmas in Jackson, Wyoming Jackson, Wyoming, takes its frontier culture to the next level during the Christmas season. All year, the city proudly displays four elk antler arches, but around the holidays, they are lit up with white string lights and flanked by snow. The Christmas decorations and lights surrounding the archway make for a Western-themed holiday pulled right out of a John Wayne classic. For holiday admirers looking for a unique spin, Jackson has you covered.
Yearly Yuletide in Santa Claus, Indiana This one’s for the Christmas lover. If you can’t make
it out to Santa Claus, Indiana, this holiday season, you can still celebrate Christmas in this tiny Midwestern town in January, June, or even October. Embracing its unique name, the town boasts a museum, holiday shopping center, and a Christmas theme park. In a moving tribute, the town’s residents also write responses to children’s letters to Kris Kringle himself. It’s impossible to avoid holiday cheer in this town. DisneyWorld’s Christmas Magic What better place to celebrate the most magical time of the year than in the most magical place on Earth? Walt Disney World’s halls are decked to the max with a parade, gingerbread homes, strings of lights, and festive parties. Plus, costs to visit Disney World can be cheaper during the Christmas season, so keep an eye out for a vacation steal.
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