Winston & Damman's online newsletter for July 2018
On Your Side (810) 966-WINS (9467)
July 2018
The Longest Road Trip Ever From California to Nova Scotia
G rowing up in California, summers always meant long, careless days spent meandering around the sunbaked sidewalks, hanging out with friends, and, of course, long trips to visit our family back in our native Michigan. But one summer in particular always sticks in my mind when I look back. It involved a road trip that I took voluntarily as a 14-year-old with just my grandma and grandpa all the way across the country. Though I’m not sure I appreciated it fully at the time — five days straight spent cramped in the car feels like a lifetime to a teenager — I still find myself looking back on it fondly. We started out in California, made our way up to New York, and then navigated up to Nova Scotia. The goal of this enormous voyage was to reconnect with my dad’s side of the family, a bunch of friendly French Canadians most of my family had never had the chance to meet. They were having a big family reunion on the family homestead up in Acadia, farther north than I’d ever been or have been since. I’m not exactly sure how they convinced a 14-year-old to come along on a 100-hour- plus round trip across the country. Maybe I was picturing it as a big adventure, where I’d encounter all kinds of new sights and experiences, or maybe I just wanted to meet this half of my family I’d heard so much about. At any rate, we all packed into the car one morning, hit the road, and stayed on it for days.
Needless to say, there wasn’t a lot to do. Without cellphones or video games to keep me
company, I did a lot of reading
and chatting with my grandparents. They regaled me, as grandparents do, with all kinds of stories about their lives. Over all those hours,
we grew pretty close — though I’m not sure my grandfather actually knew my name, since he’d always just say “hey, kid” when he had something to say to me. They must have felt bad dragging a young kid along, because I distinctly remember that, at one point, they stopped in the middle of nowhere in Nebraska next to this big water slide and asked me, “Would you like to check it out?” Well, I wasn’t about to turn down a chance to get out of the car for a few minutes! When we made it to New York, we were joined by my uncle who lived there, my cousin, and my dad, who’d flown up for the occasion. We drove up along the coast, the Atlantic Ocean on one side and a thickly wooded forest on the other. Eventually we were just driving down a sprawling network of logging roads. It has to have been the least populated area I’ve ever seen.
It really was a cool trip, all in all. We cruised from place to place, practicing with this French tape we’d bought and just taking in the sights. When we made it up to Acadia, we got a big welcome from the family. By the time we made it back to California, I’d logged what felt like thousands upon thousands of hours in that little car. I’m pretty sure it ended up being more than I’d bargained for. At that point, I think I was all adventured out — we truly had seen and done so much along the way. But even now, my dad and I chuckle about what an incredible opportunity that long, winding trip was.
–Nicole Winston
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CAN I HAVE S’MORE? Creative Twists on the Campfire Classic
You’re just three ingredients away from the perfect summertime treat: chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallows. The s’more is a fan favorite on camping trips and at backyard bonfires alike. Though they say you can’t improve perfection, we’ve found a few creative twists on the classic treat that will make your summer a little sweeter. The Elvis A campfire snack fit for a king — of rock ’n’ roll, that is. This s’more pays homage to Elvis Presley’s love of peanut butter and banana sandwiches. Swap out the chocolate bar for a peanut butter cup candy and add a few slices of fresh banana between the graham cracker and marshmallow. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can even add some bacon. S’mores in a Jar Here are s’mores you can enjoy all year long. Layers of crushed graham cracker, melted marshmallow, and creamy chocolate turn a simple jar into a great dessert! Learn how to make the perfect s’mores on the go at family.disney.com/recipe/smores-in-a-jar. Strawberry S’more-cake If you really want to wow your guests at the next bonfire, try your hand at this creative take on the summertime classic. Gooey s’mores
meet fresh strawberry shortcake in a dessert that’s as delicious as it is original. Find the whole recipe, including tips on making the perfect shortcake, at aspicyperspective.com/smores-strawberry-shortcake- recipe. S’mOreo A simple but memorable twist on the campfire classic. Grab a box of Oreo cookies, pull a cookie apart, and use that in place of your graham cracker. The cream filling will pair nicely with the chocolate and toasted marshmallow. S’mores Milkshake Too hot for a campfire? Cool down with a s’mores milkshake! The trick is to lightly toast the marshmallows in the oven so they mix well with the other ingredients in the blender. Get the recipe at spoonfulofflavor. com/2013/08/30/smores-milkshake to enjoy this sweet treat even in the heat of summer. It’s the simple recipe that opens the door for creative interpretations of the classic s’more. Be adventurous this summer and see what great new s’mores you can create!
Working Through Your Own Claims When You Don’t Need a Personal Injury Attorney
After being involved in a car accident, many assume that their first response should be to hire a personal injury lawyer. However, this isn’t always the case. There are some circumstances that don’t require any legal involvement. If You’re Not Injured One situation in which you probably don’t need to hire an attorney is when you haven’t been injured. In many kinds of accidents, such as low- speed collisions, both drivers come out unhurt. If a vehicle is damaged but the driver is unharmed, a person may only have to worry about dealing with the insurance company to get the necessary compensation to repair the damages. Likewise, if an individual has suffered only very minor injuries, it’s probable that they can manage on their own and
complicated processes behind insurance, you may have a good reason to forgo hiring a personal injury attorney. Another good reason not to hire a lawyer is if you know the insurance company is giving you a fair amount. If the insurance company is offering enough to compensate you, hiring a lawyer will be needless. However, this is a rare occurrence. If an insurance company is refusing to give you adequate compensation, reach out to a lawyer. Putting in Your Time If you’re willing to put in the work, you can represent yourself and work through your claim. However, you will need to put in a lot of time and
effort — often, as much as a part- time job. An experienced personal injury lawyer knows what to do, how to do it, and how to do it well. Their expertise can add efficiency and give your claim the weight it needs. But if you’re confident and aware of the time and effort that needs to be put into a claim, you can pursue it on your own without hiring a personal injury attorney.
don’t need a personal injury lawyer. Facing Insurance Companies
Dealing with insurance companies can be complicated and confusing. However, if you know how insurance works, you can represent yourself when settling a claim, even if you’ve been seriously injured. Understand that buying insurance is very different from the claims process. Anyone can purchase insurance by going online. However, if you have a deep understanding of the
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Walmart Mind Games and a Case of Mistaken Identity 2 Bizarre Personal Injury Claims
Ever since an elderly woman sued McDonald’s for severe burns she sustained after spilling their scalding hot coffee on her lap, there’s been a persistent myth of America as a “litigious society.” Some skeptics like to give the side-eye to people with legitimate claims, assuming that they’re only in it for the money. In our experience, most people get involved in the complex and overwhelming legal process not for profit, but simply to be made whole after a serious injury. However, there are some cases put forward for truly bizarre reasons.
out, but the judge ruled that, though bizarre, the case deserved to move forward. We think Microsoft’s lawyer said it best: “I think this is akin to someone saying they sustained injuries because their boat fell off the edge of the world.” A Bad Case of Michael Jordan-itis Back in 2006, Portland resident Alan Heckard sued Michael Jordan and Nike to the tune of $832 million, not because they’d done anything directly to him, but because he was sick of being mistaken for the famous athlete. Everywhere he went, he claimed, he was hounded and harassed by people thinking he was the “Space Jam” star, causing him persistent emotional distress and problems at his job. Oh, and it was also Nike’s fault for making Jordon such a ubiquitous star.
Here are two of the strangest. Microsoft Mind Control
Charred Chili-Cheese C O R N In 2008, a Canadian named Jerry Rose filed a $2 billion claim against Microsoft, Walmart, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and other defendants for allegedly subjecting him to “invasive brain computer interface technology, research, experiments, field studies, and surgery.” Oh, and also satanic rituals. Basically, the guy thought these corporations (and, apparently, some cops on horses) were trying to control his mind. The lawyers for several of the defendants tried to get the case thrown You’ll find all of the flavors of elote, Mexican street corn, in this dish, without any of the mess. It’s the rare side that can outshine any main course.
Of course, the courts threw the suit out wholesale. They probably they took one look at a picture of Michael Jordan, took a long look at Heckard, and realized that, well, no — he doesn’t really look like Jordan at all.
INGREDIENTS
• 4 ears of corn, husked • 4 tablespoons high-smoke- point oil, such as canola or vegetable • 1 large shallot, thinly sliced • 1/2 red chili (such as Fresno) or DIRECTIONS 1. Heat grill to medium. 2. Brush corn with 2 tablespoons
jalapeño, thinly sliced • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice • 2 ounces fresh cotija cheese (or feta), crumbled • 1/4 cup cilantro • Salt and pepper, to taste 3. Cut kernels off cob and combine with shallots, chilis, lime juice, cheese, and remaining oil. 4. Season with salt and pepper, garnish with cilantro, and serve.
INDEPENDENCE DAY
WASHINGTON REVOLUTION PARADE FIREWORKS
COLONIAL JULY USA CONGRESS
BARBECUE FREEDOM AMERICA
oil and grill until visibly charred, 10–12 minutes.
Inspired by Bon Appetit magazine
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this edition INSIDE
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Nicole Winston’s 6,000-Mile Road Trip Take Your S’mores to the Next Level When You Don’t Need a Personal Injury Attorney 2 Bizarre Personal Injury Claims Charred Chili-Cheese Corn The History of Hot Dogs and Burgers
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This American Grub HowHot Dogs and Hamburgers Became National Treasures
If your plans for this Independence Day involve firing up the barbecue, you’ll probably be cooking two American classics: hot dogs and hamburgers. Come the Fourth of July, families will be grilling up burgers and dogs from sea to shining sea, but it wasn’t always this way. The story of how beef patties and sausages became culinary symbols of our nation will give you plenty of food for thought. The Hot Dog It was German immigrants who brought the “frankfurter” and the “wienerwurst” to American soil in the 1800s. There is much debate over who first decided to place one of these franks in a bun, but by the opening of the 20th century, hot dog stands had popped up all over the Eastern Seaboard. We do know the identity of the man who took the hot dog’s popularity to a national level: Nathan Handwerker.
A Jewish immigrant from Poland, Nathan sliced buns for a hot dog stand on Coney Island. After scraping together enough money, he quit his job and opened a stand of his own, undercutting his former employer’s prices by half. Not only did Nathan’s hot dogs outsell the competition, the Great Depression made them the perfect food for a nation suddenly living on a tight budget. By the 1930s, hot dogs had become so unquestionably American that Franklin Roosevelt famously served them to King George VI during his royal visit in 1939. The Burger Like the hot dog, the exact origin of the beef patty’s eventual “sandwiching” is lost to history. Once again, it was German immigrants who brought their recipes for “Hamburg steak” with them across the Atlantic, but reports vary as to who first sold the meat patty inside a bun.
Multiple diners and fairgrounds across America claim to be the home of the first hamburger. All of these claims date to the turn of the 20th century, a time when our nation was faced with feeding a growing working class quickly and cheaply. By the 1950s, the burger had become a symbol of the American everyman.
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