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September 2025
THROWN INTO THE FIRE? That’s Where Growth Happens! People throughout history have been thrown into jobs over their heads. Imagine how King Louis XV of France felt when, during this month in 1715, he was elevated to the throne at age 5! Like Louis XV, I found myself overmatched in my first job after college. I was pleased to land a full-time position in Student Affairs at my alma mater, the University of Wyoming. But my first assignment was to create an entirely new summer program — with no prototype to draw upon. My mission — which I chose to accept — was to recruit high school students from under-represented socioeconomic, ethnic, racial, and cultural groups and create a summer program that would inspire them to become doctors and practice in rural America. I was given just a few weeks to screen and select a dozen worthy applicants, create a residential program, plan a curriculum, enlist professors to teach it, hire paid staff, and prepare onboarding and extracurricular programs. The program would begin in mid- June and continue for several weeks — a long time to keep high school students engaged. It was overwhelming. So, I took a deep breath, threw myself into the deep end, and started swimming. That job was my first experience in being younger than some of the people I was trying to enlist as partners. It was WORKSHOP Have you (or your clients) “been meaning” to get a plan in place? It’s easy to get started with our 7 Hazards to Your Estate Plan Workshop . This free workshop explains the key planning concepts, documents, and factors in selecting a plan that is right for you. Plus, workshop participants receive a complimentary consultation with no obligation to retain our services. The workshop is available on demand or in person, so stop thinking about a plan and create one. Register online at PromiseLaw.com/Estate-Planning-Workshop or call (757) 351-4017.
also my first major lesson in how you can’t foresee what is coming down the pike, even if you lay beautiful plans. I had to terminate one of the program participants, and I drew criticism for that. I faced moral and legal dilemmas, too: After we took the students to visit an anatomical donor lab where research was performed, we learned (too late) that one of the attendees was pregnant. Had we known, we might have planned the visit differently. Nevertheless, we accomplished a lot of really good work. My hasty creation became an important program that welcomed several classes of students. While not all of them would go on to practice medicine, some were inspired to consider it, and some returned to the university. I took a lot of satisfaction from having gone from that initial feeling of, “OMG, how am I going to do this?” to overseeing a well-oiled machine. I ran the program for several years before leaving for a job at Smith College. In one of the nicest compliments, the administration required applicants for my position to have a master’s degree. I had worked myself out of a job! I also learned some important things about myself. I like designing the big picture and asking, “What are we trying to do here?” But I also find joy in the minutia, figuring out what piece of paper to hand people on that first day.
That self-knowledge still helps me today. For me, that first job was certainly a proving ground. And the growth, I learned, was in the discomfort.
–Geneva N. Perry, Esq.
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When a Gift Becomes a Crime
SNYDER V. UNITED STATES EXPLAINED
When does a gift cross the line into a crime? That’s the question the U.S. Supreme Court tackled in Snyder v. United States , a decision that could reshape how we think about corruption in state and local government. The ruling narrows the scope of federal law used to prosecute public officials by making a key distinction between a bribe and a gratuity. The Facts of the Snyder Case The case centered on James Snyder, the former mayor of Portage, Indiana. While in office, Snyder steered city contracts for garbage trucks to a local company.
public officials to take a bribe that influences an official act. That much is clear. But what about gifts that come after a deal is done? According to the Court, accepting those is not a crime. Writing for the majority, Justice Kavanaugh put it plainly in saying that § 666 is about corrupt deals — quid pro quo — not the small “tokens of appreciation” that sometimes follow an official act. Drawing the line differently, he warned, could have unfair implications for state and local officials nationwide. The Court’s decision also flagged federal overreach. The majority said regulating gifts and gratuities is not the federal government’s business but a job for state and local governments. Impact of the Snyder Decision The Snyder ruling is the latest in a series of decisions going back to 2000 that limit the reach of federal anti-corruption laws. It also leaves questions about who will step in to fill the gap. If federal prosecutors can’t go after public officials for gifts given after the fact, it’s now up to state and local officials to handle those situations. Local and state laws vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and may not always be as strong or clear.
After the deals were done, he accepted a $13,000 payment from that same company.
Federal prosecutors argued the payment was an illegal gratuity under 18 U.S.C. § 666, a law that bars state and local officials from taking payments in connection with their legal duties. Snyder’s defense was simple: There was no prior agreement. The payment came after the fact, with no strings attached.
But the government saw it differently, and a jury
Does this ruling open the door to more “thank you” payments to government officials? Maybe. But for now, Snyder makes one thing clear: The line is drawn at bribes. Everything else is a matter for the states to figure out.
convicted him. That conviction, though, didn’t stand for long.
The Scope of § 666 The Supreme Court’s decision came down to when a gift becomes a crime. The law at the heart of the case makes it illegal for
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TAKE A BREAK
How Retirees Are Redefining Work
Apples Aster Coffee Constitution Foliage Grandparents Labor Lunchbox Pirate Sapphire Virgo Waffles
What are you planning for your retirement? If you’re like many people, your plans likely look different from those of retirees a few decades ago. Retirement used to mean slowing down, and it still does. However, many retirees now choose to continue working through a side hustle. The flexibility of a side hustle makes it perfect for those in retirement. And it’s a great way to earn extra income for unexpected living expenses. Today, a variety of side gigs offer flexible hours or the chance to work from home. A retired teacher might start remote tutoring, and someone who spent years in a corporate office could find work as a part-time consultant. Others find a way to turn a hobby into something more, like selling homemade crafts or working as a freelance writer. Rideshare and food delivery apps are also great options and don’t require any experience to get started. Money is a big draw, but many retirees find that a side hustle has other benefits. Working part- time can add structure to your day and allow you to meet new people. It can also help you stay mentally sharp and give you a sense of purpose after the structure of a full-time job fades away. Another great thing about working this way is that you can do it on your terms. It can be as simple as helping out a few hours a week or offering services during the busy season. What matters is finding something that feels rewarding. If retirement is a new chapter, a side hustle can be a plot twist that keeps things interesting. Finding Purpose Through a Side Hustle
CREAMY CAULIFLOWER SOUP
Inspired by CookieAndKate.com
Ingredients
• 1 large head cauliflower, cut into bite-size florets • 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided • 1/4 tsp fine sea salt, plus more • 1 medium red onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced • 4 cups vegetable broth • 2 tbsp unsalted butter • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg • 2 tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley, chives, or green onions for garnish
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 425 F. 2. On a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper, toss cauliflower with 2 tbsp olive oil. 3. Arrange cauliflower in a single layer, sprinkle with a little salt, and bake 25–35 minutes until tender. 4. In a soup pot, warm remaining olive oil and cook onion and 1/4 tsp salt until soft. 5. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant, then add broth. 6. Add all but 4 cauliflower florets to the pot and simmer for 20 minutes. 7. Transfer mixture to a blender, add butter, and blend until smooth. Then blend in lemon juice and nutmeg. 8. Garnish with cauliflower florets and serve. Add parsley, onion, and chives as desired.
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PromiseLaw Life happens. Plan on it. ™ (757) 351-4017 600 Thimble Shoals Blvd., Ste. 350 Newport News, VA 23606
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Diving Into the Deep End — and Coming Up Stronger
1
New Lines Drawn in Corruption Law
2
Creamy Cauliflower Soup
3
Why Side Hustles Are a Hit for Retirees
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The War Over a Wooden Bucket
WHEN A BUCKET SPARKED A WAR
If you’ve spent any time studying history, you know it is full of strange moments. But did you know a war was once fought over a wooden bucket? It might sound like something straight out of a cartoon, but it’s an actual story from history. In the 14th century, two Italian city-states — Modena and Bologna — found themselves in a heated feud. Tensions had been brewing between the two for years, but one act sent them over the edge. That tipping point? A bucket. According to legend, Modenese soldiers snuck into Bologna and swiped an oaken bucket from the town well. Bologna wanted it back, but Modena wouldn’t budge. The outraged Bolognese responded with all-out war. If you think this sounds too absurd to be true, you’re not alone. Of course, the bucket wasn’t really the issue. The groundwork for the War of the Bucket was
laid more than 200 years before the actual battle. Still, the bucket story is true. And yes, they fought a war. The outnumbered Modenese were the victors, and the conflict claimed the lives of around 2,000 men from both sides. What historians still don’t know for sure, though, is whether the bucket was taken before the battle or afterward as a trophy, but Modena still has it to this day. If you ever visit the city, you can see it on display in Modena’s town hall, where it sits as a reminder that even small things can spark big events.
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