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APRIL 2025
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A Great Joke Can Fix Just About Anything
The Power of a Good Laugh
A playful dig from a friend, an unexpected but hilarious truth, or a perfectly timed joke that catches you off guard. What do I find funny? Honestly, a little bit of everything. I just love to laugh. Comedy has a way of healing us, reminding us that some things we take seriously aren’t so big, and we shouldn’t forget what life is really about. April is National Humor Month, and it’s the perfect excuse to laugh a little louder, joke a little more, and find silliness in the chaos. I love a good sitcom, comedy show, or just sharing a laugh in a group setting. There’s something about sitting with a bunch of strangers in a comedy venue. Everyone in the room is glowing with laughter and bonding over a moment of joy. Comedians like Kevin Hart have a way of taking the realities of life and spinning them into something relatable and hilarious. I’ve always tried to surround myself with friends who love to dish it out but can also take a joke in return. It’s a recipe for having a good time and keeping your energy positive no matter how serious life can feel.
Once, my daughter felt sad about a crush who liked someone else, someone she lamented wasn’t like her. I just had to say something because clearly, it wasn’t due to my daughter being “less than.” I said casually, “Well, this guy obviously has a type, and it isn’t you.” My family started laughing immediately over the odd truth Dad blurted out. But I had a plan all along. The truth that my daughter was not her crush’s center of attention was valid, but it needed to be delivered with a dose of unexpected, funny bluntness to lighten the emotional weight she was feeling. It’s about shifting the energy; whether I’m trying to lift my wife’s spirits after a hard day or cheering on my daughter after a losing volleyball game. Sometimes, we all could use confirmation that it’s okay to laugh and let go of the seriousness. Laughter really is a game-changer, giving you a moment to step away from stress. This National Humor Month, I say we embrace the absurd, the unexpected, and the downright silly. Whether sharing a belly laugh at the local comedy club or cracking up with friends. Something about humor lightens the emotional load and helps make the tough times a little easier. Life’s just too short not to laugh until your sides hurt.
“LIFE’S JUST TOO SHORT NOT TO LAUGH UNTIL YOUR SIDES HURT.”
Maybe we still have post-pandemic blues floating around; it feels like there’s a bit more road rage, anxiety, and focus on the negative, which makes humor even more critical. I try to lighten the mood and remind people that life can be fun. My personal brand of comedy is all about uttering things in the moment you would never expect. It catches people off guard, leaving them no choice but to chuckle, because I usually get a laugh when I speak.
–Jeremy Rafferty
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TIME TO TRANSFORM YOUR SPACE INTO SOMETHING SPECIAL! EMPTY ROOMS, FULL POTENTIAL
When the kids leave the nest, you may find yourself with a lot of space — and a golden opportunity to create a home that reflects your current lifestyle and passions. Those empty rooms don’t have to gather dust; you can turn them into something that sparks
all the supplies you need for your craft and hang up artwork that inspires you. To create a home gym, clear space in the center of the room for an exercise mat and add workout equipment over time. A Fun Space for Entertaining Just because your little ones have grown up doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun and unleash your inner child. You could create a home movie theater with comfy recliner chairs and a big-screen TV or projector. These changes make movie night special, rather than just another typical night in the living room. Stock it with your favorite snacks, a popcorn machine, and warm blankets. If movies aren’t your thing, you could, instead, turn it into an entertainment room where your grandchildren can play on an inviting rug, or you can host friends in a relaxing seating area. So, whether you’re flexing your creativity or your muscles, those empty rooms have plenty of potential and space for you to explore your passions. Feather your empty nest with fun, fitness, and a little flair and enjoy.
joy for you. For years, your home has been the headquarters of science projects, sleepovers, and snack raids, but now it’s time to make those rooms work as hard for you as you’ve worked raising your children. With these
ideas, you can transform your newly emptied nest into almost anything!
A Hobby Room or Home Gym Are you an artist at heart? Maybe you’re getting into a new craft or activity. Have you always wanted to improve
your health but can’t stand going to the gym? Now is the perfect opportunity to turn a child’s old room into a hobby haven or workout station. It doesn’t matter what your passions are; this can be a space dedicated to improving yourself and getting creative. You can install vertical shelving to store
Don’t Let These Simple Errors Slow Your Benefits One Wrong Date Could Delay Your Pension
• Incorrect agency title: Your workplace title often doesn’t match exactly what’s listed in your agency’s official records. Even a small discrepancy, like “specialist” instead of “analyst,” could delay your paperwork. • Service credit: The amount of creditable service you’ve accrued determines your retirement eligibility and benefits. If your numbers don’t match what your agency has on record, it could increase your wait time and change your anticipated benefit. Make sure to include military service and any prior federal employment. • Survivor benefits: If you are married, you must identify that for your survivor benefits. Even if you are not electing survivor benefits, you must still complete the questions on the form. • Additional documents: You must submit additional documents along with your application; like marriage certificates, divorce decrees, proof of military service, or any other agency-specific forms.
You’ve spent years serving the public, and now it’s time to enjoy your well-deserved retirement. But one simple mistake in your paperwork could delay your benefits for months. Around 150,000 federal employees retire yearly, but about 25% of applications contain errors that slow the process. From incorrect dates to missing signatures, even the smallest oversight could cause headaches and longer wait times. Before you submit your paperwork, make sure to double-check for these common and costly mistakes. Required Documents When you’re ready to retire, you must submit several essential documents, including Standard Form 3107 and Standard Form 2818, which designates what will happen with your group life insurance. You must also fill out a W4- P, which dictates how federal taxes will come from your pension. Next, you’ll submit your paperwork to the Office of
Personnel Management (OPM), which will take 3–5 months to finalize. Most, but not all agencies have a Personnel Specialist whose job it is to deal with retiring employees’ paperwork prior to submitting it to OPM. It is valuable to consult with them to help you make sure you have all the vital information correct. Top Mistakes • Incorrect retirement dates: Double-check that you’ve listed the correct date for your retirement. Processing your annuity can’t start until after the date of separation from your agency for retirement, so this date must be accurate. • Forgetting to sign: This error happens more often than you may think. Your signature is required for your application to be valid and processed. • Mistakes with numbers: Ensure you correctly entered identifying numbers, such as your Social Security number and birth date.
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DISCOVER THE ENDLESS BEACHES AND VIBRANT CULTURE OF ANTIGUA Journey Through Time
Can you imagine escaping to a tropical island where you can visit a different beach every day for a year without ever seeing the same one twice? It’s not a fantasy. It’s Antigua. Antigua has long been known for its 365 beaches, from Halfmoon Bay’s silvery sands to Galley Bay Beach’s surfing waves. Unique for its history and native crafts, this eastern Caribbean island is rich in recreational and cultural attractions, as well as natural beauty. Christopher Columbus encountered Antigua in 1493, and the British subsequently colonized the island and neighboring Barbuda in the 1600s. Barbuda was originally planned as a slave-breeding colony, but the enslaved people who were brought to the island rebelled against colonial rule. After years of domination by the United Kingdom, Antigua and
Barbuda achieved independence as a single nation in 1981.
Although Antigua covers only 108 square miles, it has a rich history and cultural traditions. Nelson’s Dockyard National Park offers archaeological sites and more than 12 miles of hiking trails. The 8th of March Project commemorates the lives of enslaved and free Africans who labored at the docks for centuries. Energetic hikers can make their way up a steep trail to Shirley Heights, 492 feet above sea level, to enjoy a panoramic view across the sea. Among Antigua’s unique attractions is the centuries-old artisan craft of forming tamarind seeds into jewelry and home decor. The island is also home to one of the rarest fruits in the world, the Antigua black pineapple, which is sweet and delicious sliced fresh or in jelly form. Also, a weekly
archeological tour called “Rum in the Ruins” offers a history of the sugar trade and the island’s famous rum. Antigua’s Summer Carnival is one of the most popular in the world. The celebration began when people took to the streets in 1834 to celebrate the emancipation of enslaved people and independence from England. Visitors to the Carnival today can enjoy wildly colorful costumes and 10 days of music, dancing, and parades. Among the most memorable experiences are steel band competitions playing calypso and soca music.
Train Your Brain!
CLASSIC FISH FRY We’re in the middle of Lent, so there’s no better time to host your own fish fry for your loved ones!
INGREDIENTS
Inspired by FoodNetwork.com
• Vegetable oil • 2 lbs fresh cod • Salt and pepper, to taste • 1/2 cup all-purpose unbleached flour • 2 large eggs
• 2 tbsp water • 2 cups plain bread crumbs • 1/2 tsp mustard powder • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper • Lemon wedges
DIRECTIONS
1. Pour 2 inches of vegetable oil into a large skillet over medium-high heat. 2. Cut cod into 4 servings and season with salt and pepper. 3. Place flour into a pie tin. Whisk egg and water in a second pie tin. Combine bread crumbs, mustard powder, and cayenne in a third pie tin. 4. Coat your fish in the flour tin, then the egg tin, then the bread crumb tin. 5. Set coated fish in hot oil and fry for 5 minutes on each side. 6. Serve with lemon wedges and enjoy!
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE page 1 Why Humor Heals page 2 Hobby Haven or Home Gym? Make Sure Your Paperwork Is Flawless page 3 Escape to Paradise: Savoring the Beauty and History of Antigua Classic Fish Fry
page 4 Bizarre Tales of Fairy Romance
FAIRY TALES IN COURT When Myth Meets Reality
In 17th century Sweden, stories of fairies and other supernatural beings weren’t just the stuff of folklore; sometimes, they even showed up in court. Tales of people falling in love with these creatures fascinated communities and blurred the line between myth and reality. These beliefs influenced real-life events, leading to bizarre legal disputes and societal consequences. Historical Tales of Fairy Romance Documented examples from Swedish history involve people claiming they had romantic relationships with fairies. According to court records, these claims weren’t uncommon during the 1600s when many believed in supernatural creatures. Cases often involved accusations of kidnapping, enchantment, and moral corruption, which mirrored the era’s deep-seated anxiety about the influence of otherworldly powers. These stories went beyond the fantastical and were deeply tied to the cultural norms of the time. Accusations often targeted
those on the edges of society, reflecting how supernatural elements could support real-world prejudices. While these cases might sound unbelievable today, they show how folklore influenced people’s actions and even legal proceedings in the past. Why These Stories Resonate The allure of fairy romance tales remains strong. Modern literature and media frequently draw inspiration from such stories while reimagining them to explore contemporary themes and societal issues. Authors like Philip Pullman, for example, have crafted thought-provoking retellings, such as his “Dark Materials” giving us new ways to look at classic ideas. The continued interest in fairy folklore highlights its timeless relevance. Stories like those from Sweden 400 years ago bridge the past and present and remind us how imagination and belief continue to shape history.
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