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Justice MONTHLY
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JULY 2020
Kaboom! CELEBRATING THE FOURTH WITH FIREWORKS
L ike many Americans, fireworks have always been a Fourth of July tradition for me. When we were kids, we would shoot off fireworks on our own — with adult supervision, of course — which meant traveling to Alabama or Florida to purchase said fireworks. Growing up, the sale of fireworks was illegal in Georgia, but it was one of the laws that everyone found a workaround for. I can still remember heading to Lake Chehaw for Hans’ firework show. Hans was a local man who had a boat that was decked out like a mini pirate ship, and on the Fourth of July, 50–75 different boats would gather around Hans’ pirate ship to watch fireworks. Other years, we would attend the local show, which has since moved from its original spot. Regardless of whether we were watching the show or lighting the explosives off ourselves, watching the fireworks on the Fourth of July seems to be a quintessential way to celebrate. It was always so exciting to watch the fireworks shoot up into the sky and anticipate what the explosion would look like. Today, fireworks are legal in Georgia, and that’s made it much more convenient for families to celebrate with their own show. Interestingly enough, the legalization
of fireworks has almost swayed to the other end of the spectrum from when I was a kid. Today, you can find some pretty powerful and professional-grade materials to launch into the sky right here in Georgia. Thankfully, my dog, Rawson, isn’t scared of fireworks, and he can usually be found sleeping through the holiday. This year’s celebration is going to be special compared to past years. My finacée, Priscila, will celebrate her first American Fourth of July in Georgia with me. I was in Brazil with Priscila and her family last year for the Fourth, so this year, she will experience the fireworks, hot dogs, and sweltering weather the day usually has in store. It’s going to be fun to show her a truly American tradition. Beyond fireworks and hotdogs, I believe Independence Day is a holiday that sparks reflection. It’s a time to celebrate our country and reflect on the freedoms and rights we take for granted each day. Our country is great, and we are always striving to make it the best it can be. The Founding Fathers gave us the foundation upon which to build a better system and nation, and it’s our job to tweak it, fix it, and make it better for future generations. So, whether you spend the Fourth of July with grand fireworks or a simple barbecue in the backyard, I hope you find time to reflect on the freedoms and adaptability that make this country a great place to live. Happy Independence Day!
-William F. “Trey” Underwood, III
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KNOCK KNOCK ! WHO’S THERE?
THE WACKY EVOLUTION OF THE KNOCK-KNOCK JOKE
Knock knock! Who’s there? Theresa. Theresa who? Theresa crowd!
‘Charitable’ Organizations During the holidays, scammers will often create fake charities to elicit “donations.” As a result, they can obtain some personal information and steal money directly from you. During COVID-19, scammers are doing the same and targeting those who want to give back. Before donating, verify the organization is ethical through the Better Business Bureau or similar watchdog groups. Limit the uncertainty by donating goods or money directly to food banks, hospital organizations, or other local charities. Fake Cures While some scammers are actively seeking your personal information, others are downright stealing from you. Since COVID-19 reports first hit the airwaves, “healers” from across the globe have been pedaling what amounts to snake oil in the form of capsules, liquids, and supplements designed to prevent or treat the disease. And this isn’t special to the era of COVID-19; for years, fraudsters have preyed on our fears when it comes to diseases. However, many of these manufacturers and salespeople are now facing prosecution and fines. Check with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at CDC.gov for expert advice instead. Not very funny, is it? Well, over the years this style of back-and- forth jesting evolved into knock-knock jokes. The popularity of the “knock knock” bit of the joke could harken back to Shakespeare, who BestLife credits with “the first-known occurrence of a knock knock, who's-there dialogue” in Act 2 of "Macbeth" (though it likely wasn’t intended to be funny), or it could be a reference to 1936 vice presidential hopeful Frank Knox, whose name made “knock knock” irresistible wordplay for the radio. Whatever the reason, knock knocks were all the rage in the 1930s, to the extent that people formed knock-knock clubs, businesses held knock-knock contests, and orchestras set them to music. However, the heyday was short-lived. In the following years, people started getting sick of knock knocks, and even psychologists turned against them. According to NPR, “people who loved knock-knock jokes were said to have social problems.” Today, knock-knock jokes are still around, but they’re mostly considered a game for kids or demoted to the realm of “bad dad jokes.” Maybe you think that’s warranted, maybe you think it’s tragic — either way, odds are the format will continue to evolve and probably outlive us all!
Unless you’re living under a rock, odds are you’ve laughed, grumbled, or groaned in response to a knock-knock joke. You may have even told a few yourself before you realized knock-knock jokes had gone out of style in favor of sarcasm and memes. That’s because at their core, knock-knock jokes are a quintessential American experience — and the perfect homegrown fodder for International Joke Day, which falls on July 1. But where did they come from, and why do so many people knock the knock-knock joke today? Well, according to NPR, knock-knock jokes have had a roller coaster of a history. Near as we can tell, they actually evolved from another kind of joke: the “Do You Know” joke. This style of joke was popular in the early 1900s, and according to an Oakland Tribune article NPR dug up, this was a typical one:
"Do you know Arthur?" "Arthur who? "Arthurmometer!"
STAY AWAY From Scams in the COVID-19 Era The unexpected COVID-19 pandemic came with fear, and as per usual, scammers are preying on that emotion. The pandemic has created widespread changes, including how scammers are now targeting their victims. However, you can stay one step ahead of these criminals by educating yourself on these common scams. Medicare Scams Older adults are predominantly targeted by scammers, specifically through Medicare. Like many health care insurance providers, those who are insured are issued cards to use at providers’ offices. However, with this information, hackers can steal other pertinent information about the insured user. They may call asking for a Medicare number or to update or verify your address or other details on the card. Keep in mind that Medicare will never send representatives to your home, nor will you be allowed to enroll over the phone unless you call first. When you receive these calls, hang up, and call a representative or family member you trust.
Visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website at FTC.gov to learn more about fake scams, precautions, and how to report fraud.
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Take a Dip!
WATER AND SWIMMING SAFETY LESSONS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Whether you’re jumping on the boat for a day on the river or soaking in the kiddie pool in your backyard, practicing proper water safety can protect your family, others, and you from disaster. Learn more with these tips. Practice Swimming Teaching your children to swim at a young age can instill a lifelong habit that could save them and others. Swimming lessons are the best source for these habits, but if you’re unable to take your children to swimming lessons, then look to online, local, and written resources that teach the basics of the forward stroke, swimming underwater, and floating or treading. Learn as a family, safely practice the things you learn, and reap the benefits of this knowledge by protecting yourselves from water dangers. Know Your Body of Water Swimming in a pool is very different than swimming in the river or lake. In a pool, you should ensure the owners have outfitted the area with flotation devices and emergency kits. Instruct your kids on the various depths of the pool before they jump in, too. Meanwhile, in a lake or a river, it may not be so clear — literally. Create a safe distance
at which your kids can swim, and warn them to watch for
boats, other swimmers, and anglers. Additionally, read up on the possible
contaminants found in the specific body of water before jumping in. Learn Basic First Aid
We Value You! At the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C., the trust we build with our clients is our most valuable asset. To show our appreciation, we would like to thank our clients who have referred others to us since our June newsletter: You may not be the best swimmer or a medical professional, but you can learn the necessary steps needed to mitigate any emergency when it comes to swimming. Ensure your family knows that if they are in a drowning scenario, then they should remain calm, take action, and notify others for help. First-aid care can also include learning how to dress wounds, the proper use of flotation devices, and CPR techniques. Regardless of how well you prepare, water accidents can happen. If you believe negligence played a role in your injury, then give our legal team at the Law Office of William F. Underwood, III, P.C. a call for assistance in getting the compensation you deserve.
NO-CHURN S'MORES ICE CREAM
Inspired by GrainChanger.com
Ingredients •
14 oz sweetened condensed milk
• • • •
2 tsp vanilla extract
Leonard and Ocie Robinson, Johnny Harvey, Andrew McDowell, Frederick Johnson, Sr.
10 graham crackers, crushed
1 chocolate bar, chopped
Your recommendations are greatly treasured by everyone at our office. Clients can also leave their comments on our services through Google Reviews ! These statements give us critical feedback and help other clients facing stressful life situations find dependable lawyers. Previous and current clients can also receive free notary services at our office. Learn more about this service by giving us a call at 229-888-0888.
2 cups whipping cream, chilled
Directions 1. In a large mixing bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, graham crackers, and chocolate. 2. In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer to beat whipping cream until peaks form, about 3 minutes. 3. Fold whipping cream into the condensed milk mixture. Transfer ice cream to a freezer-safe container, cover, and freeze for at least 8 hours. 4. Serve and enjoy on a hot summer day. It’s especially delicious in a waffle cone!
Thank you for trusting us to serve you!
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Firework Celebrations: A Fourth of July Classic PAGE 1 The Wacky Evolution of the Knock- Knock Joke PAGE 2 Protecting Yourself From Scams During COVID-19 PAGE 2 Stay Safe and Cool With These Water Safety Lessons PAGE 3 Homemade S’mores Ice Cream PAGE 3 Taking Art Classes From Home PAGE 4
NURTURE YOUR CREATIVE PASSION
With These 3 Online Art Courses
All forms of art, like painting, drawing, and even sculpting, can be relaxing hobbies, sources of extra income, or professional careers. And with today’s technology, it’s easier than ever to begin learning a new art form. If you have an eager student at home who wants to try their hand in the arts or perfect their craft, then look into online art courses. There are many different courses available, and you should do some research to see which course is best for your student, but here are three to get you started.
different kinds of marks. His calm voice and simple explanations in each course help students feel encouraged as they work. The course comes with three hours of video content segmented into 25 modules and a Q&A section where students can post questions, ask for feedback, and share their work. Find this course at Udemy.com/course/ sketching-for-beginners.
by searching for ink drawing techniques on Skillshare.com.
New Masters Academy
Ink Drawing Techniques with Yuko Shimizu
Known as one of the best art academies online, New Masters Academy (NMA) offers hundreds of hours of prerecorded video lectures that students can watch and follow along with as they paint, draw, and sketch. The standard fee starts at $35 a month, but with a premiummembership at $44 a month, students can access NMA’s 3D reference library and over 20,000 reference images. To learn more and become familiar with the academy’s instructors, visit their website at NMA.art.
Drawing and Sketching for Beginners by Robin Slee
A student who prefers ink over pencil can learn drawing techniques through Yuko Shimizu’s class on Skillshare. As a veteran instructor at the School of Visual Arts, Shimizu is ready to help you on your journey to learn the essentials of inking. In the 90-minute course, Shimizu covers a lot of ground, which both novice and experienced ink artists will benef it from. Find this course
This course is available through Udemy, and, at the reasonable price of $29.99, is perfect for anyone wanting to test the waters. Slee takes students through the key fundamentals of drawing, such as how to hold a pencil correctly and how to make
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