PREMIER DENTAL N EWS L E T T E R
609.298.1124 WWW.BORDENTOWNDENTIST.COM
EDITION 5
Peter Gopal Explains His Baseball Obsession ON THE BALL DIAMOND
VISIT OUR OFFICE AT: 321 FARNSWORTH AVENUE, BORDENTOWN, NJ 08505 609.298.1124 OFFICE STAFF: PATIENT COORDINATORS MICHELE JOHANNA DENTAL ASSISTANT CATHLEEN
When I first emigrated to the U.S. from India to attend grad school in 1982, I found myself completely engrossed in watching WPIX out of New York. This local TV station was all about the New York Yankees, and as a lifelong sports nut, I was immediately hooked on baseball. Looking back on my foray into baseball, there really was no better team for me to become a fan of. The Yankees’ story is about two men in 1903 who purchased a down-and- out baseball team from Baltimore for $18,000, moved it to Manhattan, and began one of the most storied franchises in sports history. By the 1920s, they signed the Great Bambino himself, and to this day, Babe Ruth is synonymous with success. After 27 World Series Championships, the New York Yankees’ lore lives on through the hitting power of their Murderers’ Row, Lou Gehrig’s famous “luckiest man” speech, and the allure of their greatness in one of the most iconic cities in the world. And now that they are housed in a new stadium — the most expensive stadium in the country at $1.5 billion — attending Yankees games is even more exciting. I often attend games with my wife, Dr. Gopal, who isn’t a huge baseball nerd like me, but she does enjoy being at the ballpark. Last year, we had the pleasure of watching a game in the new stadium. One of the big changes is the addition of massive television screens to the field. Back in the ‘80s, if you missed a play, you were out of luck. But now, you can see every play multiple times on the TV screens and follow the statistics as they unfold. Of course, living in the area that we do now, there’s no way I could call myself a sports fan and not follow the Philadelphia Phillies. Thankfully, their encounters with the Yankees are few and far between, so I never have to worry about a conflict of interest. But I’m excited to see what they do this year, especially now that they signed star hitter Bryce Harper from the Washington Nationals this offseason.
The Newly Built Yankee Stadium
At our office, we have two Yankees fans, one Mets fan, and one Phillies fan, making our office a hodge-podge of allegiances. But to me, that’s what makes sports so interesting. As a fan, you never know what’s going to happen, but you’re sure to enjoy the highly competitive atmosphere. Every sport is live, full of action, and unpredictable, and at the beginning of every season, each team starts at zero. The possibilities of what could happen are unknown to even the most experienced analyst. As you settle in for a summer filled with peanuts, cracker jacks, and home runs, I wish whatever team you root for nothing but the best. If anything, I’m a baseball fan first and foremost. –Peter Gopal
HYGIENISTS
CHARLENE LORI PRACTICE MANAGER PETER
• 1 WWW.BORDENTOWNDENTIST.COM
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
Kids often look up to their father as one of their greatest heroes. There are the long drives to sports tournaments, the late-night movies, and the sweets when Mom isn’t looking. We probably all have some reason to look up to our dad as one of our biggest influences. It’s Father’s Day this month, a special time of year when we take a moment to think about the sacrifices the father figures in our lives have made for us. Most dads are pretty great, but some go above and beyond the fatherly call of duty. Let’s take a look at some heroic dads who risked everything to keep their families safe. Life can change in a split second, and how you choose to react in a moment of peril can define your legacy forever. Few people know this as well as Brad Lewis. When Brad and his young son, Oscar, were deeply entrenched in an intense Nerf battle, he surely didn’t think the situation would turn as dangerous as it did. When a few darts missed his father and landed on the balcony, Oscar ran after them but soon found himself teetering on the balcony’s ledge, 12 feet above the ground. Thinking fast, Brad grabbed his son just before he fell over, both taking the plunge while protecting his son with his own body. Just as he’d intended, Brad absorbed most of the blow. While Oscar sustained serious wounds, his father’s injuries were more severe. Brad was left fighting for his life in the ICU, with severe fractures to his skull and vertebrae. Thankfully, Brad is expected to make a full recovery and has made serious strides since the accident. He and his son will live to play another day. BRAD LEWIS: OVER THE LEDGE HEROIC DADS WHO DIDN’T BACK DOWN Being a Parent Isn’t Always a Walk in the Park
Far before humans had written histories, we had dogs. From hunting and shepherding to playing and relaxing, our early ancestors had canine companions by their side, and their appreciation shows. As storytelling developed around the world, our four-legged friends became important characters. Here are a few ancient legends for the historical dog lover. GOOD BOYS OF ANTIQUITY Dogs in Ancient Legend
TARASCAN SPIRIT DOGS
Many Mesoamerican cultures featured dogs prominently in their myths and legends, especially in regard to the afterlife. One of the most notable of these comes from the Tarascan state, an empire that rivaled the Aztecs. The Tarascans believed canine spirits would search out the souls of lost humans and guide them safely out of the mortal world. Leave it to dogs to create ghost stories with happy endings.
TUIREN THE WOLFHOUND
GREG ALEXANDER: COULDN’T BEAR TO SEE HIS SON HURT
In Irish folklore, Tuiren was a beautiful woman to be wed to Iollan Eachtach, but this love made Iollan’s faery sweetheart jealous. In an attempt to ruin the young woman’s wedding, the faery turns Tuiren into a hound and gives her to Fergus Fionnliath, a renowned dog-hater. This cruel act backfires when the Irish wolfhound wins over Fergus, teaching him to love not just her but all dogs too. In fact, the man is crestfallen when his hound is revealed to be a human. Tuiren’s nephew, the hero Fionn, cheers Fergus up with a new puppy! The Indian epic “Mahabharata” is thought to date back to the eighth or ninth century B.C. and tells the story of two warring families. Toward the end of the tale, prince Yudhishthira and his family begin to ascend the Himalayas to reach heaven, and a stray dog joins them on their journey. One by one, Yudhishthira’s companions fall, until only the prince and his furry friend remain. When the god Indra finally appears to offer Yudhishthira passage into heaven, he brings bad news: The dog cannot come with him. But Yudhishthira refuses to abandon his dog, explaining that he could never leave such a loyal, steadfast companion. Anyone who’s turned down a great apartment offer because they don’t allow pets can relate. YUDHISHTHIRA’S STRAY
While camping in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in June 2015, Greg Alexander awoke to the sound of a nightmare. The screams of his son intermingled
with the roars of an unknown assailant, beckoning Greg to his son’s tent. There, he found his son Gabriel being attacked by a bear. The bear had his son by the head and was dragging him away. Greg jumped on the bear’s back, desperately trying to take attention away from Gabriel. Amazingly, it worked, and in the end, the bear ran away. Gabriel was left with serious cuts to his head, but thanks to his dad’s heroism, the two were able to walk away from that campsite and back to their lives together.
The important thing to remember is that you don’t have to take a leap of faith or fight a bear to be a hero in your family’s eyes. Just be yourself, show some support, and do the best you can. Happy Father’s Day, everybody.
2 • 609.298.1124
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
ENJOY YOUR FAMILY TIME By Taking a Break From Your Phone
Setting some time aside to be with family is important, but it can be difficult when everyone is always on their cellphones. Constant cellphone use has become a global problem, and the habit is hard to break because we rely on mobile devices heavily for work, school, and keeping in contact with friends and family. Luckily, there are plenty of apps that can reduce how often you’re on your phone and minimize distractions. SIEMPO After you install Siempo on your phone, it will ask which apps are likely to distract you. Once you select them, the app will move those apps away from the home screen and place the important ones, such as the messaging, contacts, email, and calendar apps, on the first screen. You can also designate times for specific apps to be used throughout the day. STAY FOCUSED Stay Focused is like Siempo, but there are some significant differences. You can set times to access certain apps and put the most distracting ones on lock. Stay Focused also has a “strict mode” that prevents you from uninstalling it, so be sure to think carefully before activating the lockdown because you won’t have access to those specific apps until the timer runs out. FOREST In the time that Forest takes control of your device for a set time limit, the app starts growing a tree. Once the tree is fully grown, your time is up, and it joins the other trees that were grown during other breaks. If you pick up your phone and try to access an app, Forest will send you a notification asking you if you want
to kill your baby tree by giving up. Who says guilt isn’t a good motivator?
BESIDES APPS Aside from using these apps, silencing your phone and putting it in another room, leaving it in your car if you’re out at dinner, or keeping it in your purse or back pocket during a social event can also reduce your screen
time. Having your phone out of sight and out of reach will keep the temptation of pulling it out at bay.
Spending time with your family is crucial, and with these apps and tips, you’ll enjoy each other’s company without too many screen distractions.
NO. 1 DAD HASH BROWNS
TAKE A BREAK
Inspired by Bon Appétit
Ingredients
•
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, or 6 tbsp ghee
•
1 tsp Kosher salt, plus more to taste
•
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
•
3 russet potatoes (about 1/2 lb.), peeled
•
Pinch of cayenne pepper, plus more to taste
Directions
1. In a small saucepan, heat butter over medium heat until foamy. Reduce heat if needed to avoid browning. Skim off white milk solids to make clarified butter (ghee). Transfer to a bowl and reserve. (This step won’t be needed if using ghee.) 2. Using the large holes on a box grater, grate potatoes. Transfer to a large bowl of cold water and stir until water becomes cloudy. Rinse potatoes under cold water, then squeeze out liquid using cheesecloth or a kitchen towel, removing as much moisture as possible. Season potatoes. 3. In a large nonstick skillet, heat butter (or ghee) to medium-high. Add potatoes and cook until a crust forms underneath, about 5 minutes. Using a rubber spatula, break up potatoes and continue to cook, adding more butter (or ghee) if potatoes begin to stick. 4. Cook until golden brown and crisp, about 8 minutes. Drain on paper towels; season with salt, pepper, and cayenne to taste. Serve.
Solution on Page 4
• 3 WWW.BORDENTOWNDENTIST.COM
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
609-298-1124 BORDENTOWNDENTIST.COM 321 FARNSWORTH AVENUE BORDENTOWN, NJ 08505
INSIDE
1
For the Love of Baseball
2
Dogs in Ancient Legend Dads Who Went Above and Beyond the Call of Duty
3
Take a Break From Your Smartphone
Hashbrowns for the Best Dad
4
Roadside Attractions with Fun for All Ages
ENJOYING THE JOURNEY
Roadside Attractions Worth Visiting
The United States can be a weird place, and some landmarks definitely reflect that sentiment. Along
the area on a guided tour through forest above and lake below. And afterward, you can stop by the general store, ice cream parlor, or cafe.
THE MYSTERY SPOT; SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA
almost every highway, bizarre landmarks draw road trippers of all ages. Sometimes tourist traps aren’t worth the price of admission, but when you’re taking your summer road trip this year and your family needs a place to stop and stretch, these are three roadside attractions worth checking out.
Advertising itself as a “gravitational anomaly,” this wacky spot in the middle of the redwood forest showcases a series of optical illusions such as balls rolling uphill and a cabin where visitors can lean toward the ground and appear to defy gravity. It might not be aliens, like some believe, but visitors of all ages will get a kick out of the illusions messing with their perception. Plus, the nearby hiking trails through the redwoods offer a free added experience.
DINOSAUR LAND; WHITE POST, VIRGINIA
It might not be Jurassic Park, but it’s still worth a look. Nestled in the greenery of Northern Virginia, this park has over 50 life-size statues of dinosaurs of all kinds. Tours are self-guided, parking is free, and children (or adults) with dinosaur obsessions are sure to smile and point out their favorites. It’s certainly something to “rawr” home about. Whether these spots are your destinations or you’re just passing through on your summer road trip, visiting these roadside attractions and others like them will add some fun to your travels.
THE LOST SEA; SWEETWATER, TENNESSEE
The Lost Sea is the largest underground lake in the U.S. Lying 140 feet beneath the surface, it’s a fun escape from the summer heat, since it’s 58 degrees year-round. Kids and adults alike can learn about the history and geology of
4 • 609.298.1124
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Annual report