Check out our October newsletter!
A BRIEF STUDY ON AN AMERICAN INSTITUTION
Halloween is just plain weird. Young kids in disguise, jacked up on greed, barge onto your property under cover of night, bang on your door, and demand that you hand over the goods. Any other time, that’s a robbery. But this we call a holiday. Unless it falls on a weekend, you don’t even get the day off! This is not a banner day in the life of Robert T. Usry. However, I will freely admit it does hold one critical benefit for adults: We get dibs on the candy. Forgive me, but in the spirit of the season, I get to be greedy and demanding, too. And there’s no doubt what I’m going for: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. This is not candy, people. It’s an institution. Consider its elegant simplicity, combining a delicacy, sweet chocolate, with the crudest of counterparts, peanut butter, to create an experience . Okay, I’ll stop spiritualizing it. Here’s the fascinating origin story I uncovered for your enrichment, dear reader. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are the perfect American candy because they are the embodiment of the American dream, born out of the humblest of beginnings. According to a compelling (and pleasantly brief) history on the Business Insider website, aptly titled “The Fascinating Rise of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups,” the candies were created in the basement of a man named Harry Burnett (H B.) Reese. It seems his entrepreneurial spirit was ignited out of some degree of necessity and perhaps a touch of desperation. Reese married in 1900 at age 21, then proceeded to bring no fewer than 16 children into the world. As you might imagine, he held about every job rural Pennsylvania had to offer.
In 1917, Reese took a job at a dairy farm owned by a certain Mr. Hershey in Hershey, Pennsylvania, where the said Mr. Hershey also owned — you knew this was coming — a certain chocolate factory.
Destiny . It’s not just in the movies.
After a few years on the farm, Mr. Reese moved over to the chocolate factory and found it so inspiring that he decided to make his own. Apparently, there wasn’t a noncompete involved because Mr. Hershey let it happen. Maybe he saw his destiny, too. In the 1920s, Mr. Reese experimented with multiple candies, but it wasn’t until 1928 that he began making the peanut butter cup. He called it a “penny cup” because that’s how much they cost. Demand soon became so high he sold 5-pound boxes. Mr. Reese’s little business outgrew the basement. He built a 100,000-square-foot factory right on Chocolate Avenue in Hershey. The hardships of World War II forced him to stop making all other candies but the peanut butter cups, and it paid off beyond even his wildest dreams, I’m sure. Sadly, Mr. Reese died in 1956. Seven years later, six of his boys sold the company to Hershey’s. The Reese children got a 5% share in the Hershey Company. According to Wikipedia, in 2023, that’s over $4.4 billion, paying annual cash dividends of $76.3 million. Meanwhile, Hershey’s enjoys Reese’s more than anyone. It’s the largest candy brand in the world, with over $2 billion in annual sales, including the top two items in the largest four commercial seasons: Valentine’s Day, Easter, Christmas, and, of course, Halloween. Happy Halloween, folks! Go get yours — and don’t even think about taking mine!
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UNLOCK THE SECRETS OF A CALMING BEDTIME ROUTINE
When you add pressure that squeezes them tight, your child’s tactile and proprioceptive senses are activated, which creates a sense of calm and relaxation. You can also do this with weighted blankets, tight cuddles, or by tucking them in nice and snug with pillows placed around them to add more pressure. Get them warm and cozy. Warmth is another element that can increase calm and signal bedtime! Put their blankets in the dryer so they’ll have them nice and warm when it’s time to lie down. Additionally, you can give them a warm drink with a straw, as the warmth not only relaxes them but the straw also encourages sucking motions, which are incredibly soothing for children. Create gentle movements. Repetitive and rhythmic movements like rocking back and forth generate vestibular input for the nervous system. This will help your children feel comfortable and ready to sleep! You can try these motions by rocking
them on a yoga ball for a few minutes, reading a bedtime story in a rocking chair, or sitting with them in a porch swing or hammock right before bed. Turn the screens off. We already know that looking at screens harms our sleep, so why would that be any different for children? Decrease screen time as the day advances and completely turn off any screens at least two hours before bedtime. Not only do you want to cut these harsh lights, but you should also add comforting ones! Unwind in dim lighting as the day ends, and place lava lamps or a night light in your children’s rooms to help soothe them. Also, adding a white noise machine or playing calm music can do wonders! Combine these therapeutic methods to create the perfect bedtime routine that will have your energetic kiddos in bed without a hitch.
Does it always seem like your kids get a burst of energy right before bedtime? After a jam- packed day, your child’s pent-up stress and energy will likely spike when it’s time to head to bed. The key is implementing a consistent bedtime routine to help them transition into sleep mode. Try therapeutic techniques to soothe your child for a full night of shuteye. Squeeze ’em tight (add pressure). Just like you would swaddle a baby, you should wrap your kids up like tiny burritos!
TESTIMONIALS
I used this firm to help with a workman’s comp dispute. We started the process on Feb. 1, 2023 and had a settlement agreement by Aug. 22, 2023. I found the office staff friendly and more than capable of answering my questions and guiding me through this process. Pam and Rose sent prompt emails letting me know what I needed to do and the status of the claim. Mr. Rob Usry was patient and called personally to let me know what was happening and what the next step would be. He negotiated well with the workman’s comp legal team and reached a fair agreement. If you are looking for an attorney that communicates well, is friendly, and will work in your behalf, I strongly recommend Holland & Usry, P.A.
-Rebecca S.
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TRAGEDY TO TRIUMPH Christan’s Fight for a Fair Settlement
Christan, an energetic young woman, suffered a tragic workplace injury while employed at a local factory. Due to a bailing machine mishap, she endured a partial amputation of her left middle and ring fingers. She underwent two surgeries — one to repair the amputations and another to address scar tissue and damaged cartilage in her middle finger. After the surgeries, she was cleared to return to work without any restrictions despite a 13% impairment rating to her left hand, so it was our job to help her get a solid workers’ compensation settlement. In Christan’s case, I emphasized the distinct nature of her situation. Because she was only 24 years old and female, this injury significantly impacted how she perceived her permanent disfigurement. In the negotiation-driving demand letter, I underscored to the insurance company’s attorney that her circumstances were unique and her injuries and disfigurement affected her more profoundly. Then, I highlighted her heartwrenching personal statements: “I can’t get my nails done anymore. I won’t be able to comfortably take engagement pictures with my ring on my finger. It’s uncomfortable when I shop because people stare at my left hand.” Additionally, I pointed out many daily challenges she faces, like cutting food, buttoning her pants, and styling her hair. Our negotiations secured a favorable settlement for Christan’s partial finger amputation,
and the insurance company agreed to compensate for the loss of 42% of her left hand, paying out a $25,000 settlement! I’m thrilled we were able to help Christan. It’s cases like this that remind me of how lucky I am to have the opportunity to help so many individuals fight back against the insurance companies to reach justified settlements.
*Past outcomes don’t guarantee future results. Every case is different, and all cases depend on unique facts and laws.
Good News
One-Bowl Vegan Pumpkin Muffins
Ingredients
• 15 oz can pumpkin purée • 1/3 cup melted vegan butter (or vegetable oil) • 1/2 cup unsweetened plant- based milk • 1 1/4 cups brown sugar • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder • 1/2 tsp salt
“Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.” –John 8:51 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” –1 Corinthians 15:55
• 2 tsp cinnamon • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Prepare muffin pan by greasing and placing paper liners. 2. In a large mixing bowl, add pumpkin, melted vegan butter (or oil), milk, and brown sugar, then whisk until well combined and smooth. With a sifter, sift the flour, baking powder, salt, and spices over the wet mixture. 3. Using a large wooden spoon, mix until just combined (do not over-mix). 4. Fill the muffin cups and bake for 22–25 minutes. Let cool for 30 minutes and enjoy!
Inspired by NoraCooks.com
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* This newsletter is intended to educate the public about personal injury, workers’ compensation, criminal defense, and family law issues. You can copy and distribute it as long as you copy the entire newsletter. But the newsletter is not intended to be legal advice; you should ask a lawyer about your specific case. Every case is different, and all case outcomes depend on unique facts and laws.
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INSIDE this issue 1. A Brief History of My Favorite Candy 2. Tips to Soothe Your Energetic Kids Before Bedtime 2. Testimonial 3. Christan’s Fight for a Fair Workers’ Comp Settlement
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One-Bowl Vegan Pumpkin Muffins
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Full Brain Activation: The Real Story Unveiled
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MIND OVER MYTH: The Truth Behind Our Brain Power
You’ve probably watched some action-packed movie where the premise relies entirely on the belief that we only use 10% of our brains.
times. Yes, even when we sleep! Individuals with degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease still use more than 10% of their brains.
The protagonist somehow “unlocks” their full brain potential and gains superhuman abilities. While movies like “Lucy” and “Limitless” are undoubtedly entertaining, the concept that we only utilize 10% of our brains is entirely false. Despite this widespread belief being entirely inaccurate, many believe it to be a valid scientific finding. In fact, one survey found that 65% of Americans believe in the 10% theory. Even more frightening is the study that revealed nearly 50% of primary and secondary school teachers in many countries believe this myth. So, how much of our brains do we really use?
Our evolutionary process also would have ensured the useless 90% of our brains would go away through natural selection if this myth were true. When it comes to brain activity, each part of our brain has a function.
Where did the 10% myth come from? Despite being a common misbelief, the exact source of this myth is unclear. Many threads lead back to various archaic medical findings that were either misconstrued or outdated and inaccurate. It’s plausible that pseudoscientists, psychics, and self-help gurus falsely perpetuated the 10% myth to sell the desire to “unlock our full potential.” So, the next time you hear someone mention we only use 10% of our brains, you can dispute that myth with abundant and trustworthy scientific sources to back you up.
Understand the truth about our brain power. With the help of modern technology such as PET (positron emission tomography) scans and fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging), we can clearly see that humans use all of their brains at all
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