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March 2025
LEDERHOSEN TO KILTS The Day I Learned My Ancestry Wasn’t What I Thought
For as long as I can remember, I’ve worn my heritage like a badge of honor. German and Norwegian, full stop. My last name? Purely German. My upbringing? Filled with bratwursts, sauerkraut, and the unmistakable tang of dill. Our Christmas festivities were always a flurry of Norwegian traditions and cuisines. We rolled lefse — those delightful potato flatbreads — dusted with cinnamon and sugar and gathered around bowls of steaming oyster stew. My cousins went so far as to work in Norway, embracing our heritage firsthand. We even peppered our conversations with “ uff da, ” the quintessential Norwegian phrase that covers everything from mild frustration to outright exasperation. So, I steadfastly opted out when March rolled around each year, and the world exploded in green for St. Patrick’s Day. No shamrocks, no green attire, and absolutely no pinching for lack of festive clothing. My reasoning was simple: “ I’m not Irish. ” Why jump on
the St. Paddy’s bandwagon when it wasn’t mine to ride? It wasn’t disdain for the holiday — it was simply about authenticity and being true to my actual heritage.
than I was German or Norwegian. My cultural compass had been pointing in the wrong direction all along. In hindsight, it’s easy to see how the Irish roots got buried. That branch of the family came to America in 1638, just 18 years after the Pilgrims stepped foot in America. Over the centuries, the connection faded, overshadowed by more immediate ties to Germany and Norway. But the DNA doesn’t lie, and the evidence was clear: I’d been rejecting a significant part of my identity for years. Even so, I haven’t fully embraced my newfound Irishness. Sure, I’ve softened a little — I can appreciate the charm of St. Patrick’s Day and the magic of Irish culture. But you won’t find me donning green or guzzling Guinness. If anything, you might find me enjoying a hearty potato dish. But as much as I’ve prided myself on hard work and perseverance, maybe there’s been a little Irish luck in the background, quietly guiding me along. Life, much like heritage, is full of surprises. Sometimes, it takes a twist of fate — or a stubborn sibling with a DNA kit — to remind us of that. And for that, I’m grateful. Even if I still prefer bratwurst to soda bread. –Samuel Harms
But life, as it turns out, had other plans.
It all started about nine years ago, during a visit from my great-aunt, a spry woman in her 90s who held a treasure trove of family history. Over coffee, I casually asked her about our family traditions, expecting tales of hearty German meals or Norwegian holiday customs. Instead, she floored me. “Oh, we did everything Irish,” she said with a twinkle in her eye. I blinked. “Irish? We’re not Irish!” She chuckled, “Oh, yes, we are.” Cue the identity crisis. For decades, I’d adamantly declared my German and Norwegian roots, dismissing all things Irish as “not me.” And now this? It felt like she had upended my entire worldview. Naturally, my sister — ever the family mischief-maker and long-time St. Paddy’s partier — jumped on this revelation with gusto. She was already a St. Patrick’s Day fan, always needling me to join the festivities. This was the ammo she needed. “Let’s settle this once and for all,” she declared, convincing my brother to take a DNA test alongside her. The results? Another shocker. Not only was I Irish, but I was more Irish
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LEGAL CHALLENGES TO THE CTA
Should You Wait or Act Now on Your Reporting Requirements?
One of your most important responsibilities as a business owner is ensuring your company stays compliant with your industry’s laws, regulations, and standards. Business owners always need to manage something related to finances, staffing, or workplace safety, but this past year, a new transparency standard went into effect. The federal Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) rules went into effect on Jan. 1, 2024. This legislation requires nearly all small and medium-sized businesses to report any beneficial ownership information (BOI) of their company to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). The deadline to file was Jan. 1, 2025, but that was thrown into question when a federal district court in Texas issued a nationwide preliminary injunction, temporarily blocking any enforcement of the CTA and its reporting requirements. This isn’t the first time that the CTA has faced legal challenges. In March 2024, an Alabama court declared the act unconstitutional. However, FinCEN quickly appealed and stated they would continue implementing and enforcing the act outside the small group of plaintiffs in Alabama. FinCEN’s response to the Texas injunction is different. It stated that companies were not required to file BOI with FinCEN and were not subject
“One of your most important responsibilities as a business owner is ensuring your company stays compliant with your industry’s laws, regulations, and standards.”
to liability. It also held that reporting companies could still voluntarily submit this information while they fight the injunction in court. Business owners who have yet to file their beneficial ownership information with FinCEN now have a decision to make. There is a chance the appeals in Alabama and Texas could kill the CTA and require Congress to take another shot at crafting a similar law. If you firmly believe this will be the outcome, hold off on filing your information, waiting for news that the CTA is no more. This may save you some time you could allocate elsewhere, but if the CTA remains, you might have to scramble to report that information before any deadline. Another option is to gather and sit on all relevant information until the court battle concludes. That way, you can submit it promptly, even on a shortened deadline. Your last option is to file your BOI with FinCEN now. You can save yourself from a potential future headache and get it out of the way early. Remember that punishments for failing to file include fines of at least $500 per day up to $10,000. There’s no telling how this will all play out right now, but the current situation leaves you with a decision: Will you be proactive or reactive?
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TAKE A BREAK
By now, you’re probably tired of hearing about healthy aging. Every article says you should eat specific things and exercise regularly, but what if you’ve never enjoyed going to the gym or jogging? You’re probably not going to start running marathons, lifting weights, or joining a sports club at this point. It can make you wonder if other options exist to add more physical activity to your daily routine. The answer is yes. Instead of going to the gym or running through your neighborhood, you can find creative activities to provide extra movement to your day. Even better? You’ll improve your physical and mental agility. Here are two creative aging activities you can explore. Take the Stage Acting is an excellent activity for anyone to start, but it becomes even more beneficial to aging Americans. Through acting, you’ll notice improvements in your concentration and memorization. Depending on the play, you may be required to stay moving, which will benefit your physical health. Plus, you’ll get many opportunities to socialize with your castmates. Many local theaters actively look for aspiring actors to audition. Bust a Move You may have fond memories of dancing in clubs, at weddings, or during special events, but the opportunities to boogie become rarer as we age. Thankfully, dance classes and studios love sharing the enjoyment of dance with people of all ages. Whether you like salsa, tap, waltz, swing, or some other type of dance, you can find a class or group ready to welcome you. No Gym Required! Age Gracefully With Movement You Enjoy
AQUAMARINE BASKETBALL BLUEBIRD CLOVER GREEN IDES LEPRECHAUN MADNESS
PISCES SPRING TANGERINE TULIP
Not Your Mom’s Corned Beef and Cabbage Inspired by AllRecipes.com
Ingredients
• 3 qts water • 1 onion, quartered • 3 carrots, cut into large chunks • 3 celery stalks, cut into 2-inch pieces
• 1 tsp salt • 2 lbs red potatoes, halved • 1 small head of cabbage, cut into eighths
Directions 1. In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, combine corned beef, spice packet contents, water, onions, carrots, celery, and salt. Bring to a simmer (skimming off any foam on top). 2. Cover pot, reduce to low heat, and let simmer for 3 hours until meat is fork tender. 3. Add potatoes to the pot and let simmer uncovered for 30 minutes or until potatoes are al dente. 4. Add cabbage along the edges of the meat and on top. Cover and let simmer until cabbage is tender, 20–30 minutes. 5. Place meat on a cutting board and let rest for 10–15 minutes. After meat has cooled, slice against the grain. 6. Add to a large serving bowl, ladle vegetables and broth over top, and serve.
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33 Market Point Drive Greenville, SC 29607 INSIDE THIS ISSUE
How Samuel Belatedly Discovered His Hidden Heritage
1
To File or Not to File?
2
Not Your Mom’s Corned Beef and Cabbage
3
How Creative Activities Promote Healthy Aging
A Chef’s Truest Triumph
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For culinary creators worldwide, earning a Michelin star is like winning an Olympic gold medal. Chefs with excellent kitchen skills and outstanding customer service receive the honor. Late French chef Joël Robuchon holds the world record with 31, while TV star Gordon Ramsay rose to international fame and marked his hot-tempered journey to TV stardom by achieving 17 stars for his many restaurants. But how did this legendary distinction in the cooking world begin? If you’ve ever had the pleasure of dining at a Michelin-honored establishment, you have the automotive industry to thank. As its name implies, the star system was the brainchild of the Michelin tire company. To help inspire consumers to drive more — and increase the demand for tire purchases — it began publishing “The Michelin Guide” in France in 1900. The publication included maps, tips on tire care, and recommendations for hotels and restaurants along popular French travel routes. As the guide grew in popularity, the company expanded its content to include anonymous MICHELIN MAGIC The Mark of Culinary Mastery
restaurant reviews. In 1926, it introduced “the Michelin star” to recognize the eateries it considered the best in the country. Today, the bestselling publication reviews more than 40,000 restaurants across three continents. Only 146 restaurants worldwide — or less than 1% of those rated by the guide — have received three Michelin stars. In Ramsay’s mind, receiving that rare level remains the ultimate benchmark in his profession. As he stated in a 2024 article in Parade, “As a soccer player, I wanted an FA Cup winner’s medal. As an actor, you want an Oscar. As a chef, it’s three Michelin stars; there’s no greater than that.”
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