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Kevin’s Peace of Mind
www.kevintharpe.com (770) 503-1022
September 2024
CONNECTING ABILITIES How ConnectAbility Inspired My Family and Practice
On Sept. 5, the International Day of Charity recognizes the impact of charitable efforts worldwide. For me, this day holds special significance because of the incredible journey I’ve had with ConnectAbility — a nonprofit organization that has not only transformed the lives of countless families, but has also shaped my own life and law practice. ConnectAbility is more than just an organization; it’s a community of love, support, and empowerment. Founded over 20 years ago by Jackie Daniels in Dahlonega, Georgia, they are a beacon of hope for families across North Georgia. Jackie’s passion for helping individuals with special needs stems from her deep understanding of the service gaps these families face — gaps she has worked tirelessly to fill. My connection with ConnectAbility began through a family I was assisting with special needs planning. “You need to meet Jackie,” they told me. That marked the beginning of a professional and personal friendship that has endured for over a decade. Jackie’s mission aligned perfectly with my interest in special needs law and my experience helping my own family navigate special needs planning.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of serving as a Board Member, as a volunteer and as a financial supporter. As rewarding as these positions have been, the greater value for me has been supporting something bigger that brings hope, joy, and essential support to the families we serve. One of ConnectAbility’s most remarkable initiatives is the Thousand Words Gala. This event pairs special needs individuals with photographers, gives them a camera, and encourages them to express themselves through photography. The results are nothing short of breathtaking. I’ve been a proud sponsor of this event since its inception, and I’m always amazed by the creativity and beauty these individuals display. Their photographs are sold at auction to benefit ConnectAbility. I have several in my office. One that holds a special place in my heart is a photo made by Jonathan Gross. Its called Jonathan’s Food Group, which is a sunflower made from slices of pizza, chicken nuggets, and French fries. Jonathan is non-verbal, but his creativity knows no bounds when he gets behind a camera. His work is a testament to the idea that everyone has something unique to contribute. In my practice, 90% of my special needs clients have come to me through ConnectAbility. But more importantly, my work with ConnectAbility has enriched my work for these families. Special needs planning is not just about legal documents; it’s about understanding each family’s unique challenges and dreams and helping them honor their loved one’s abilities. As we observe the International Day of Charity, I hope you can find a cause that resonates with you. Your involvement in any charity close to your heart can change lives-not only of those you help but also your own. It certainly has changed mine.
—Kevin
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Hobbies to Dive Into During Vacation RELAX AND ENJOY
Paint a Pretty Picture Painting from an actual, in-person
Have you ever vacationed somewhere sensationally beautiful and full of things to explore, only to spend an inordinate amount of time in the hotel room or lounging around at a cafe? We can only do so much sightseeing. But you can enhance your time off, even while taking it easy. From cooking new foods to learning a new language, here are three hobbies to try while on vacation! Bon Appétit
reference rather than a printed picture is exciting. If you are headed somewhere with spectacular views, pack a canvas and painting supplies. Picking up painting can make any vacation more rewarding. Learn a New Language Me gusta pollo picante. Impressed? With a few lessons, you, too, can
One of the main draws of any vacation is the food. Think of all of the cities and countries synonymous with some form of cuisine. New Orleans has the po’boy. Spain has paella. Scotland has haggis. If you want to experience the culture of a region in a unique way, take a cooking class! You can learn an authentic recipe and take it home with you to relive the magic all over again.
say, “I like spicy chicken” in Spanish or any other language. Language learning apps, like Duolingo, LingQ, and Babbel, can help you pick up the basics quickly and easily.
Once you know some vocabulary, it’s best to improve your fluency in another language by immersing yourself in it. Head somewhere new and practice your craft! ¡ El mundo es tu ostra!
SNAP, CRACKLE, POP AND … POW?
THE RICE KRISPIES’ SPACE-AGE SIDEKICK
Quick question! How many elves are on a Rice Krispies box? Most of us know that it’s three, with their clever names based on the sounds puffed rice cereal makes in milk — Snap! Crackle! Pop! But did you know that in the early 1950s, Kellogg’s briefly had an out-of-this-world fourth friend appear in two commercials? His name was Pow, a spaceman character designed to represent “the power of whole grain rice,” from which marketers derived his moniker. Zipping around on flying saucers with the original elves, he wore a helmet and put “power into every lightweight spoonful of Kellogg’s Rice Krispies!” The themed campaign, with replica patches from every manned mission to space up through Apollo 10 as box prizes, aimed to capitalize on the time’s pop culture, which was heavily influenced by the beginning of the space race.
According to Smithsonian Magazine, while Pow might have been a flash-in-the-pan character designed to last about as long as the public’s interest in the space race, his
three onomatopoetic counterparts hold the title of being the “first and longest-running cartoon mascots to represent a Kellogg’s product.” Having inspired dozens of beloved characters since — from Tony the Tiger to Buzz the Honey Bee and beyond — Snap, Crackle, and Pop are about as classic a team as cereal and milk, with Pow a worthy honorable mention.
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Our diets can affect our mood and health, but no one food or drink provides instant, long-lasting relief for anxiety symptoms. As awesome as it would be to say, “I think I’m feeling anxious. Pass me that popcorn chicken, stat,” the truth is that removing certain foods and drinks from your diet can help calm your anxiety. So, if you’re after a more peaceful mood, here are some ingredients to avoid and include to achieve the best result! Avoid Alcohol We’ve all heard it, but alcohol is not the solution to your problems. Although ingesting alcoholic beverages can result in short-term relief, the long-term effects are anything but helpful. Alcohol can make getting to sleep more difficult and lead to an overall worsened mood as it leaves your system. In fact, alcohol is a depressant and can make your anxiety much worse. Cut Back on Caffeine Millions of people rely on coffee to start their day. However, caffeine — a core component of coffee — can make you feel nervous and fidgety if ingested in large quantities. If you suffer from jitters in the morning, it might be time to taper your caffeine intake. More of These, Please Enough about things to cut out of your diet; how about DIETARY TIPS TO COMBAT ANXIETY NOURISHMENT FOR THE MIND
TAKE A BREAK
ABUNDANT APPLES
COOKOUT CRUNCHY FALL GOLDEN GRANDPARENTS HARVEST
LABOR MAPLE SPORTS WINDY
Baked Sausage With Apples and Fennel
Inspired by GoodHousekeeping.com
This comforting dish, packed with seasonal flavors, is perfect when the weather starts to get chilly.
Ingredients
• 2 apples • 1 fennel bulb • 8 raw, flavored sausages • 2 red onions cut into wedges
• 1 tsp fennel seeds • 2 tbsp fresh oregano leaves • 2 tbsp olive oil • 2 tsp honey • 2–3 oz dry white wine
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 400 F. 2. Cut apples into six wedges and slice off any core, leaving the skin on. Place in a roasting pan. 3. Slice fennel in half and remove the core. Chop and add to pan along with sausages and onion wedges. 4. Using a pestle and mortar, break up fennel seeds and sprinkle over the pan. Add oregano. 5. Next, drizzle oil, honey, and wine over the ingredients, then toss all together. 6. Roast for 40 minutes, tossing occasionally until sausages are golden and fruit and veggies are tender.
things we can eat to make ourselves feel better? Berries contain antioxidants, which can aid in combating stress
and depression. Complex carbohydrates in oatmeal, breads, and quinoa can help increase the
serotonin in your brain, resulting in a calming effect over time. If you like fish, try out salmon. It contains vitamin D, which helps produce dopamine and serotonin, easing anxiety symptoms. Now you have the right ingredients for a successful, calming diet!
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(770) 503-1022 www.KevinTharpe.com 405 Broad St. Gainesville, GA 30501
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
How One Organization Changed My Life and My Practice
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Hobbies to Take With You on Vacation
Pow! The Lost Legend of Rice Krispies’ Space Age Mascot
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Baked Sausage With Apples and Fennel
Foods to Embrace and Avoid to Calm Your Anxiety
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Exploring Turkey’s Underground City
JOURNEY BENEATH THE SURFACE The Fascinating Underground City of Derinkuyu
When you hear the word “turkey,” you probably think of a large bird with a scaley redneck associated with Thanksgiving feasts nationwide. What you may not immediately think of is the historic nation of Turkey, officially known as the Republic of Türkiye, on the geographic and cultural border of Europe and Asia, straddling the Mediterranean and Black seas. The country was once the
size and over 600 entrances scattered around its labyrinthine network of underground homes, granaries, stables, and religious structures, a local chicken farmer only rediscovered it in 1963. As the story goes, the chicken farmer kept losing his chickens to a small crevice near his home, from which
they would never emerge. After digging, the farmer discovered a passageway, one of the many lost entryways leading to Derinkuyu. Mysterious Origin No one knows precisely when Derinkuyu was constructed. Some theories say the ancient Hittites could have built it during the Bronze Age. However, whoever originally started the city did not expand it to its current sprawling dimensions.
center of the great Ottoman Empire, which existed for over six centuries and encompassed much of Eastern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
But long before the Ottomans ruled this land, thousands lived underground in the fantastical city of Elengubu, known today as Derinkuyu. Unearthing Derinkuyu Derinkuyu is more than 275 feet beneath the surface of the volcanic region of Cappadocia Valley in modern-day Turkey. At one point, this gargantuan, cavernous city accommodated up to 20,000 people. Despite its massive
The Phyrgians later inherited the city in the Iron Age and expanded it to accommodate their larger population. Whatever the whole story, one thing remains true: A remarkable, mysterious city with cavernous confines is just begging to be explored.
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