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Review Brooks & Crowley
August 2024
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www.brooksandcrowley.com
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REVISITING OUR ROOTS Family Reunites in Ireland
FORGING NEW MEMORIES AND REPAIRING OLD ONES While traveling, we stayed in County Galway, where our family is originally from. It has a population of around 200,000, about 4% of the population of the Boston metropolitan area. It’s less of a metropolis and more of a luscious green wonderland. The trip was a blast , but things were different from what I remembered. Memory
My mother and father are both Irish. They were born and raised there and both come from big families. My mother is one of 10 children, and my father is one of 13. As a kid, when I asked my mother why their family had so many kids, she would joke, “We lived on a farm. We couldn’t afford to hire anyone, so we had to make our own help.”
Needless to say, when they emigrated to the U.S. in the 1950s, they left a lot of family behind. They had the good fortune to be able to return to Ireland to visit family numerous times, but they did not know that would be the case when they left. Back
is a funny thing. When time passes, people change, places change, and memories definitely change. We went on all sorts of adventures with our family while we were over there. But when I described places in Ireland that I thought I had been to with my Irish family, people familiar with the area would look at me skeptically because my descriptions didn’t match reality. People had always talked about the amazing views along the rugged hilly coastline of Connemara. I remember thinking since I was young and telling people it was nice the few times I was there, but it was just okay. As it turns out, I was
then, the only consistent means of long- distance communication was exchanging letters. When you said “Goodbye,” that might mean, “Goodbye forever.” Our family had a brighter future because of their brave decision to come to the U.S. Because of them, I feel I have not only Irish ancestry but also deep roots in the country. Diane and I were fortunate to revisit those roots recently and take our daughters to County Galway, Ireland, to see family and explore the homeland.
not really there at all! I had only seen one small side of it. My cousin, John, took us all through Connemara on our recent trip and the scenery was mind-blowingly beautiful. I definitely had not been there before. Whoops! We also traveled to pubs and other places along the west coast of Ireland, which they have taken to calling the “Wild Atlantic Way.” I overheard one of my daughters tell a friend after we had gotten back that Ireland was great, and she had 12 new cousins to stay connected with. I couldn’t be happier that the girls got to forge those connections and that I got to witness it all happen, with a pint for myself, of course. –Neil Crowley
BACK TO IRELAND One of my daughters had just graduated from college and was due to start an internship in Washington, D.C., two
weeks later. To celebrate, we wanted to do something for her before she left. Since going to Ireland is always a treat, we decided to take a trip there after her graduation. But we didn’t go to see tourist attractions but to meet with family and enjoy life in their homes. It’s not just a cousin or two we have in Ireland — we have a lot of family there. We have a number of relatives, young and old, whom we looked forward to seeing. Some are my age, some my daughters ages, and some younger and older. The age range was 3 to 83. Another incentive to go was that some of my Irish aunts and uncles are getting up there in age, and we wanted to visit and create new memories with them.
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A Fluffy Guardian Angel How a Dog Saved Its Foster Family From Disaster
When a Virginia family of five decided to temporarily foster a dog in 2023, they weren’t expecting it to be a life-changing event. But they might not be here today if it weren’t for the Great Pyrenees named Moose that they took home for the weekend. Christopher Cushna and his partner, Sheila Janes, were looking for something fun and unique to do with their three children when they learned about the Paws Around Portsmouth program. This program
their daughters, Anya. Though everyone figured the energetic dog wanted to go outside, he was persistent, and they quickly noticed a neighboring houseboat engulfed in flames. As the fire began to spread, the family evacuated safely just minutes before the fire reached their boat.
“If Moose hadn’t gotten Anya and Chris up, we would not be here, as we were all sound asleep, and the fire spread very quickly,” Sheila said.
allows people to foster dogs from the local Humane Society for a short time. They fell in love with big, fluffy Moose and decided to take him on a field trip around town. The family visited their own music shop, where Moose met potential adopters at an event sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard. The friendly dog later accompanied them to a farmers market, a community band concert, and a flea market, where they met a woman who wanted to adopt him. Moose returned to the family’s houseboat for the evening since the adopter could not bring him home that day. As everyone slept, Moose suddenly woke Christopher and one of
The family lost their houseboat and everything inside, but thanks to Moose’s heroic act, they are alive and grateful today. “What I like to think about is that we saved Moose from the situation Moose was in, and Moose saved us on the boat,” Christopher said. Moose’s life-saving actions made big news, and a local woman adopted him. Now, the hero dog is living his best life on a 5-acre farm, complete with a swimming pool. For this family, who had no idea just how transformative a doggy day out could be, Moose will always be their knight in fluffy armor.
Start the School Year Right!
Transform Back-to-School Blues With Creative Summer Traditions
As summer’s lazy, hazy days begin to wane, the buzz of back-to-school preparations starts to fill the air. This can be a bittersweet time for kids and parents alike — excitement mixed with a touch of end-of-summer blues. To make this transition smoother and even fun, why not start a back-to-school tradition? These rituals can set a positive tone for the upcoming school year and create lasting memories for you and your children. THE BACK-TO-SCHOOL COUNTDOWN CALENDAR Who says advent calendars are only for December? Create a back-to-school countdown calendar that builds excitement as the first day of school approaches. You can fill it with small treats, inspirational quotes, or fun school supplies. Each day, your child can open a new compartment, counting down the days with a
bit of surprise, making the impending school year feel like a celebration rather than a chore. SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA DAY Make back-to-school shopping a special event rather than a stressful errand. Dedicate a day to shop for school supplies and clothes, but do it with a twist. Perhaps end the day with a favorite meal or treat, or let your children choose a special new outfit or backpack. This makes the shopping trip more exciting and gives children something to look forward to using in the new school year! DECORATE THE WORKSPACE PARTY Another fun tradition is to have a “Decorate the Workspace Party.” Before school starts, set aside a day to organize and decorate where your child will do their homework. Let them choose new items to personalize
the space, such as colorful organizers, fun pens, or decorations. This gives them a sense of control and pride over their study area, which can be incredibly motivating. BACK-TO-SCHOOL BREAKFAST On the first day of school, wake up early and prepare a special breakfast. Pancakes, waffles, or even a DIY breakfast sundae bar can start the day on a high note. You can make this an annual tradition where the kids decide the menu, giving them something exciting to wake up to on a potentially nerve-wracking morning. Starting back-to-school traditions can transform the end-of-summer blues into anticipation and excitement. It’s about building joy and making memories your children will carry with them long after the school year begins.
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STAY LIMBER LATER IN LIFE TRY THESE STRETCHES TO INCREASE MOBILITY AND REDUCE INJURY
Maintaining flexibility and mobility is crucial as we age to enhance quality of life and reduce the risk of injuries. Stretching exercises are an excellent way for older adults to keep muscles elastic, promote relaxation, and improve blood flow. Here are four essential stretches tailored for seniors that are effective and easy to incorporate into a daily routine. NECK STRETCH This gentle stretch can help relieve neck and shoulder tension, which older adults commonly experience. Sit comfortably in a chair with your feet flat on the floor. Slowly tilt your head toward your shoulder until you feel a stretch on the opposite side of your neck. Hold this position for about 15–30 seconds. Repeat on the other side. You can do this several times throughout the day to maintain neck mobility. UPPER BACK STRETCH The upper back stretch is excellent for alleviating upper and middle back tightness. Sit in a chair
or stand tall. With your arms about shoulder height, clasp your hands in front of you. Move your chin toward your chest and reach forward with your arms so you are rounding your upper back. Hold for 15–30 seconds and relax. Repeat a few times to reduce tension in the back.
direction, then switch to the other ankle. This exercise helps maintain joint flexibility and can be done daily. CALF STRETCH This stretch is vital for maintaining the flexibility of the lower legs, which is important for mobility. Stand facing a wall with your hands placed at eye level on the wall. Place one foot back with the knee straight and the other in front with the knee bent. Press the heel of the extended leg toward the floor until you feel a stretch in your calf. Hold for 15–30 seconds and switch legs. Incorporating these stretches into a daily routine can significantly improve flexibility, reduce discomfort, and enhance overall function. Always remember to move slowly into each stretch and curtail any movements that cause pain. Consistency is key, and with regular practice, these stretches can help you lead a more active and pain-free life as you age.
ANKLE CIRCLES Ankle mobility is vital for balance and preventing falls. While seated, extend one leg in front of you and rotate your ankle slowly in a circular motion. Do 10 circles in each
Have a Laugh!
Lime Chicken With Corn and Poblano Salad Inspired by PureWow.com
There’s still time to enjoy sweet summer corn with this lime chicken dish.
Chicken • 3 tbsp olive oil Ingredients
Corn and poblano salad • 2 tbsp olive oil • 2 poblano peppers, diced • 2 garlic cloves, minced • 1 14-oz can of corn • 4 scallions, minced • Juice of 2 limes • 1/3 cup chopped cilantro • Salt and pepper
• 1 cup all-purpose flour • 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper • 1 1/2 tsp salt • 3/4 tsp black pepper • Zest of 1 lime • 8 chicken thighs
1. Preheat oven to 400 F. 2. In a large oven-proof skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. 3. In a bowl, whisk flour, spices, and lime zest. Dredge chicken in the mix to coat. 4. Add chicken, skin-side down, to skillet, then place skillet in the oven for 30–35 minutes. 5. In a medium skillet, heat olive oil and add poblanos. Sauté 4–5 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for another minute. 6. In a bowl, add poblano mix, corn, scallions, lime juice, and cilantro, toss and serve with the chicken. directions
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Inside THIS ISSUE
1 A Family Reunion in Ireland 2 Meet Moose, the Great Pyrenees With a Hero’s Heart
Liven Up Back-to-School Prep With Fun Rituals
3 Simple Stretches to Maintain Mobility as You Age Lime Chicken With Corn and Poblano Salad
4 Can’t-Miss Local Events
What’s Going On, Boston? Must-Do Events in Boston This August
Summer is shining its last, and the autumn wind is blowing this way. Fall in Boston is a great time to enjoy all manners of music, food, and adventure. Whether you want to rock out
or set sail, here are some great events to add to your calendar this August! ROCK AND ROLL A few musical legends are visiting Boston this autumn. If the bell tolls for thee, you may be interested in seeing Metallica at Gillette Stadium on Aug. 2 and 4. Don’t pull the aux cord yet, though, because Def Leppard and Journey will be at Fenway Park on Aug. 5. If you are more into alternative rock, Imagine Dragons will be playing at the Xfinity Center on Aug. 6, followed by Thirty Seconds to Mars on Aug. 18. If you want to rock on, now is the month to do it. ST. ANTHONY’S FEAST Why not partake in a century-old tradition in Boston’s South End? When Italians immigrated to New England in the early 20th century, they
brought many of their treasured traditions with them. One of them, St. Anthony’s Feast, an Italian religious festival, has become an event fit with live music, entertainment, food, and parades! Enjoy Italian cuisine and culture at St. Anthony’s Feast, which is taking place Aug. 22–25. CANNON SENDOFF All aboard! The Northern Lights Sunset Cruise is a seaward voyage through the waters and history of the great city of Boston. The relaxing cruise takes you out to see Fort Independence on Castled Island before circling back to view other iconic sights, like Custom House Tower and the Bunker Hill Monument. To cap it all off, the boat swings by the USS Constitution just in time to see it serenade the sunset by firing its cannons! The Northern Lights Sunset Cruise is sailing Thursday–Sunday all through August and September.
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