Razumich & Delamater Law July 2019

OPENING STATEMENTS JULY 2019 WWW.LAWYERSREADYTOFIGHT.COM 317-934-9725 | INFO@RDLAWOFFICE.COM

44 FUN FACTS ABOUT PRESIDENTS

FROM THE DESKS OF Razumich & Delamater

LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE!

T o I mpress Y our F riends and R elatives

As you all know, the tagline of our firm is“Lawyers Ready to Fight,”but did you know that Jack was an actual fighter? It’s true! Back in high school, Jack was into amateur martial arts and has always been a boxing fan. So why is this important? Jack has agreed to take part in the first Barrister’s Brawl. The brainchild of a fellow attorney, this event will hopefully garner enough matches to support a full-blown charity event on behalf of continued relief efforts in Puerto Rico. Currently Jack is the only match on the undercard (the poor guy doesn’t even have an opponent yet!), but that hasn’t stopped him from being excited about the prospect of getting back into a ring. He’s already down three pounds at the time of this writing and is looking forward to continuing to get into fighting shape. In business news, we have a new number dedicated to texting that we’ve started using to confirm appointments and stay in contact with clients and future clients. Watch your emails for details on saving that number. It’s one more way we want to stay in touch.

Can you name all 44 U.S. presidents? By most estimates, only about 1% of Americans know the name of every person who’s held the country’s highest office. To help make you a member of that exclusive club, here is one fun fact about each of our commanders in chief just in time for the Fourth of July.

•

Despite appearing to have worn a wig, George Washington’s hair was entirely his own. The stark white color was the result of careful powdering. John Adams was a prolific writer of love letters. We know of more than 1,000 correspondences between him and his wife, Abigail. Thomas Jefferson maintained a well-stocked wine cellar. In fact, he was one of early America’s foremost experts on the beverage. James Madison was America’s smallest president in terms of stature. He stood 5 feet, 4 inches tall and weighed about 100 pounds. Washington isn’t the only future president in the famous painting “Washington Crossing the Delaware.” If you look closely, you’ll see James Madison holding the flag. John Quincy Adams was the only president to serve in the House of Representatives after his time in the Oval Office. Andrew Jackson challenged over 100 men to duels during his lifetime but killed only one. Known as Old Kinderhook, Martin Van Buren’s campaign slogan popularized the term“OK.” William Henry Harrison was the first president to die in office. He fell ill of either typhoid or pneumonia and passed away only 31 days into his tenure. After his time as president, John Tyler ran for Confederate office. Many viewed him as a traitor at the time of his death.

•

James K. Polk was a temperate man who didn’t have time for fun and games. He even banned dancing in the White House. Zachary Taylor contracted cholera from a bowl of cherries served with milk. He died five days after being exposed. Millard Fillmore once personally helped put out a fire at the Library of Congress. During his lifetime, many people believed Franklin Pierce ran over a woman with his carriage. Historians dispute the validity of this story. Every single president has been married at some point except James Buchannan, who remained a bachelor until his dying day. Abraham Lincoln is enshrined in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, having won over 300 matches. No president had humbler beginnings than Andrew Johnson. He spent two years as an indentured servant before running away with his brother. What does the “S.” stand for in Ulysses S. Grant? Nothing, it’s just an “S.” In 1880, Rutherford B. Hayes became the first sitting president to lay eyes on the Pacific Ocean. James Garfield was ambidextrous and would often write different documents with both hands, sometimes inmultiple languages.

•

-John Razumich and Joe Delamater

Continued on Page 2 ...

317-934-9725 • 1

... continued from Cover

•

Long before Obama, Chester A. Arthur was the victim of spurious claims that he wasn’t born in America. Grover Cleveland remains the only president to serve nonconsecutive terms. Electricity was very new during Benjamin Harrison’s presidency. Harrison was skeptical of the new technology and refused to touch light switches as a result. Speaking of new technologies, William McKinley was the first president to take a ride in an automobile. Teddy Roosevelt used to hold impromptu boxingmatches with his aides, encouraging them to punch him as hard as possible. Due to his habit of dozing off during meetings, William Howard Taft was dubbed “Sleeping Beauty” by his wife, Nellie. WoodrowWilson loved golf so much that he’d paint golf balls black so he could play during winter. He may be a footnote in presidential history, but Warren G. Harding wore size 19 shoes.

•

Calvin Coolidge wins the award for weirdest presidential pets. He kept two raccoons named Reuben and Rebecca at the White House. Herbert Hoover and his wife often spoke in Mandarin to keep their conversations secret. FDR is America’s most famous philatelist. He collected stamps from the age of 8 onward. Harry Truman wanted to provide universal health insurance and double the minimum wage, two issues that are still discussed to this day. All of the boys in Dwight D. Eisenhower’s house were called“Ike,”a nickname which stuck with Eisenhower for the rest of his life. JFK won a Purple Heart and a Pulitzer Prize, and no other president has been awarded both honors before or since. In lieu of a meeting room, Lyndon B. Johnson would often give instructions to his staff from the toilet. Richard Nixon never learned to read music, but he could skillfully play five instruments.

•

No president was a better athlete than Gerald Ford. He received offers to play for two different NFL teams. Jimmy Carter gave up a career in the military to run his family’s peanut farm. Joan Quigley, Ronald Reagan’s in-house astrologer, helped set the president’s schedule. George H.W. Bush celebrated many of his birthdays by skydiving. After hearing MLK’s “I have a dream” speech, a young Bill Clinton was moved to memorize it. George W. Bush holds the records for both the highest and lowest approval ratings in history. Despite his good looks, Barack Obama was denied a place in a Harvard calendar of campus hunks. In one of his less successful business ventures, Donald Trump attempted to brand bottled water with his name.

•

THE GUARDIANWHO WOULD NOT LEAVE HIS WATCH ODIN LIVES UP TO HIS LEGENDARY NAME

Amid the devastation of the wildfires that tore through California in the fall of 2017, a few heroic tales rose up to give people hope. One such tale was of Odin, a loyal Great Pyrenees guard dog. Along with his sister, Tessa, and eight rescue goats, Odin is part of the Hendel family. It was mid-October when the Hendels were awoken by the smell of smoke, a fierce orange sky, and sounds of destruction — urgent warnings from Mother Nature. Gathering everyone as quickly as they could, the Hendels got their human family members and Tessa in the car, but Odin, seated proudly next to the eight goats, refused to get in. Try as they might, the Hendels could not get him to come with them, and there wasn’t enough room in the car for the eight goats. With the firestorm quickly approaching and the risk of losing even more family members increasing with each passing minute, the Hendels made the heart-wrenching decision to leave Odin and the goats behind.

several agonizing days, it was finally safe enough for them to return home and survey the destruction.

What did the Hendels find? Ashes, rubble, their barn and home burned to the ground — and Odin. There he was, still guarding his eight goats and some small deer that had sought shelter with the brave canine. Weakened, burned, and limping, but nevertheless steadfast, Odin had never left his goats, even as the fire raged around them. Odin wagged his tail as he saw his family, happy to see they were also safe. The Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue and the Goatlandia Animal Sanctuary provided temporary shelter for the goats and pups while the Hendels rebuilt their barn. Odin received all the care he needed, along with a lot of love and treats. Today, Odin and his goats are back with their family, rebuilding their lives after this devastating wildfire. But the Hendels, and anyone who’s heard the story, won’t soon forget the bravery of Odin, the amazing pup.

The family made it to safety with Tessa in tow, relieved to be together but heartbroken that Odin and the goats weren’t with them. After

2 • www.lawyersreadytofight.com

As the scorching summer sun beats down, it’s hard to remember that just sixmonths ago you were shivering through the winter, whether that meant a chilly 50 degrees F or bitter subzero temperatures. But if cooler temps sound like paradise, and a dip in the pool is no longer keeping you cool, it might be time to take a vacation somewhere chilly. Check out these three destinations to avoid the summer heat. Relax in These Cool Destinations This Summer Chill Out

NORWAY

ALASKA

ICELAND

Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean you have to give up your skiing hobby! Venture off to Norway and experience some of their most popular summer ski resorts. After a day or two shredding the slopes, experience the popular Norwegian Opera and Ballet in Oslo or choose between numerous outdoor and indoor exhibitions. Best of all, you won’t even break a sweat, as the average temperature in Norway’s hottest month barely hits 70 degrees F. Bordering Sweden and northern Finland, Norway can even be the beginning to a cool European tour this summer.

No place says chilly quite like Alaska. Trips to Alaska can be expensive during this time of year, but when you step into that crisp air with a cool mountainous view, you’ll understand why it’s a popular summer voyage. Travelers can choose to fly or take a cruise ship, and many cities feature tourism-packed excursions. A few notable locations include Anchorage, the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, and Denali National Park and Preserve.

Just as its name suggests, Iceland can be the perfect destination for travelers yearning to get away from the unbearable summer heat. With temperatures rarely exceeding 60 degrees F — the average high for the country — packing is easy for this relaxing vacation. Take a relaxing dip in one of the country’s many hot springs or enjoy tremendous views of the fjords. Even better, you can tour the country at any time because it’s sunny almost 24 hours a day. What could be better than a midnight hike around the fourth happiest country in the world?

Take a Break!

Inspired by Food & Wine magazine

IMPOSSIBLY SILKY MASHED POTATOES

Mashed potatoes are a staple of every American household, but this decadent variation created by Anthony Bourdain is worthy of a Fourth of July feast.

Ingredients

•

4 Ibs. mediumYukon Gold potatoes, peeled and halved 6 sticks cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

• •

1/2 cup heavy cream

Kosher salt

•

Directions

1. In a stockpot or large saucepan, submerge potatoes in just enough water to cover them. Bring to a boil, add 2 tbsp of salt, and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. 2. Drain potatoes and let cool for 3 minutes. 3. Using a ricer, grate potatoes into the original saucepan over medium heat.

4. With a wooden spoon, stir potatoes until they begin to stick to pan and steam, about 2 minutes. 5. Add butter in four equal batches, stirring constantly and adding each batch only once the last has been fully incorporated into the saucepan. 6. Stir in cream, season liberally with salt, and serve immediately.

SOLUTION ON PAGE 4

317-934-9725 • 3

DEFENDING YOUR RIGHTS, FIGHTING FOR YOU www.lawyersreadytofight.com 317-934-9725

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

156 East Market Street, 13th Floor Indianapolis, Indiana 46204

INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Desks of Razumich & Delamater PAGE 1 The MenWho’ve Sat in the Oval Office PAGE 1 A Tail of Bravery PAGE 2 Avoid the Summer Heat Somewhere Cool PAGE 3 Take a Break PAGE 3 No. 1 Dad Hash Browns PAGE 3 Did You Hear About the Dog Food Burglar? PAGE 4

GONETOTHE DOGS

How Can a Thief Sue the Family He Robbed?

Have you heard the story of Terrence Dickson? Even if you don’t know the name, you might have heard his strange tale. Dickson was a burglar in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. One day, after breaking into a house and helping himself to some valuables, Dickson decided to leave through the garage. After discovering the automatic garage door was stuck closed, Dickson turned around and was horrified to realize he’d locked himself inside. To make matters worse, the family he was stealing from had just left for an extended vacation, so Dickson lived off of soda and dried dog food for eight days. When the family returned and found the unlucky burglar, a lawsuit was filed — by Dickson! He sued for

mental anguish, and the jury awarded him $500,000.

It’s worth noting the original email where this story first appeared ended with a call for tort reform from a made-up law firm in Ohio. Likely, this hoax was an attempt to manipulate the public perception of the justice system. Despite being debunked 17 years ago, this tall tale still makes the rounds and often appears on lists of “outrageous lawsuits,”many of which are featured on the websites of legitimate law firms! There are plenty of wacky legal cases, but when a story is too ridiculous, there’s a good chance a few important details are being left out or the readers are being lied to. Don’t believe everything you read online!

There’s nothing that shakes our faith in the justice system quite like injustice being served. When Dickson’s story first gained notoriety in 2001, thanks to an email circulated by the now-defunct Stella Awards newsletter, which highlighted “outrageous lawsuits,” people were rightfully enraged. There was just one problem: Terrence Dickson never existed. In 2002, a reporter from Pennsylvania contacted the Bucks County prothonotary’s office, where all records for civil cases in the county are kept. He discovered there was no record of any cases involving such a burglar.