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Summer 2024
Reflections on the Fourth of July
Every year, the Fourth of July becomes increasingly important to me. Not because of the fireworks — which are becoming less important to me each year — but because our independence is the lifeblood of our existence as a nation. Here is the history of this all-important day, which helps cast light on our forefathers’ triumph and sacrifice. The History of Independence Day Few holidays speak more to the American spirit than our Independence Day. But have you ever considered how this holiday came about and why we celebrate it with fireworks? The Fourth of July commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, by the Continental Congress, which provided a foundation for the freedoms this nation has stood for ever since. In it, our forefathers write that we are endowed with “certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” It took the tireless effort of warriors, idealogues, and visionaries; all staked everything in pursuit of the dream of establishing a free nation. Were it not for their bravery, selflessness, and brilliance, we would not have the same freedoms we enjoy today. The Continental Army Our Declaration of Independence was adopted at the beginning of a long and bloody struggle, just a year and a day after General Washington assumed command of the American forces at Cambridge on July 3, 1775, and began recruiting for his Continental Army. British troops did not withdraw from the great state of South Carolina until 1782. Despite this, the first official celebration of our nation’s birthday took place on July 4, 1777. It did not matter to us that the British rejected our notion of independence. We celebrated the Fourth of July because, in our hearts, we were Americans. It
served as a commemoration of our new nation and a reminder to our British enemies that we were staunch in our commitment to maintain our newfound independence. Our First National Holiday Even our first celebration of Independence Day in 1777, which took place in our nation’s original capital of Philadelphia, was marked with a fireworks display. Even back then, fireworks were synonymous with holidays and festivities. Ironically, that was a tradition we inherited from our European forebears we were revolting against. We know fireworks were used in England as far back as 1486 when King Henry VII used them to accent his wedding celebrations. The British also used fireworks to celebrate when they foiled another attempt at rebellion, the Gunpowder Plot, which aimed to bring the British Parliament down in explosive style. However, the decision to use fireworks in 1777 was likely inspired by founding father John Adams, who later became the second president of the United States. In a letter written by John Adams and sent to his wife, Abigail, on July 3, 1776, he wrote that the day ought to be “solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.” His wish came true in short order, and the holiday has been celebrated similarly ever since. So, when you gather with family and watch the fireworks display on the Fourth of July, you should remember the sacrifice of our forebears that earned our freedom and be proud that you are carrying on a tradition that has been going strong for hundreds of years. -Alysoun Eversole
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CRAFT A BUCKET LIST OF FUN ACTIVITIES FOR YOUR KIDS Adventure Awaits
READ THE FINE PRINT Why Lawmakers Are Legislating Lengthy Real Estate Service Agreements For many parents, the end of the school year begins a long, challenging stretch of unstructured time when children need something to do. Social media personalities are rushing to fill the gap by suggesting activities to inspire parents and kids alike to make the most of their time off. The term “bucket list” was popularized by a 2007 film of the same name. It originally denoted an inventory of experiences or achievements you hope to accomplish before you die. But the idea of figuring out what you want to do in the future is handy at other stages of life, too. Young adults and parents have embraced the term as a tool for planning summer activities. Framing her suggestions as a “summer bucket list,” one YouTuber, Advice by Angel, suggested no less than 70 summer activities, from painting old shoes or taking pictures with a Polaroid to camping on the beach, and included beautiful photos to illustrate each suggestion. Among her more creative suggestions are making Nutella pizza, cliff jumping, and a trampoline sleepover.
To get your children involved, one resourceful mom, Amy Pettiford, shows on a TikTok video how she listed about 70 summer bucket list choices on a posterboard in various colorful markers and mounted it on the refrigerator. She suggests checking off activities as you do them and adding the date. Among her entries are making a leaf scrapbook, jumping over waves, painting outdoors, and building a blanket fort. Making and using these lists can teach children some valuable lessons. For example, it can inspire parents and kids to think about how they spend their days. It encourages them to do things they might not otherwise pursue, such as Pettiford’s suggestions to dance in the rain, serve a neighbor, gaze at the stars, or perform a random act of kindness. Some items a parent might add, such as Pettiford’s “go garage sale hopping,” can create an opportunity to teach children how to earn money.
When fall arrives, your children can return to school with a sense of satisfaction that their summer vacation has been well spent!
Some real estate companies nationwide have incentivized homeowners to sign service agreements for an unreasonable duration and unfairly locked sellers and buyers into giving an agent, or his or her assignee, the exclusive right to list a home again in the future. MV Realty in Charleston was the target of multiple lawsuits which led to the enactment of new legislation. South Carolina is one of the many states that have just this year taken action to protect the public from unfair practices to ensure a level playing field amongst real estate agents and companies. Read the fine print and pay attention to the details. Generally, listing agreements contain boilerplate language that some think they are stuck with. The new legislation helps in that it prohibits the service agreements from lasting more than one year, prohibits the agreements from being recorded in the public records to create a lien or other property security interest, or language that allows for the assignment of the right to provide the services to any other agent without consent of the client, which is all good. But the only way for a buyer or seller to be truly protected is to read and understand the fine print and then decide if the terms are unfair or suitable for their circumstances.
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MOVE LIKE A PRO Moving can be one of life’s most exciting and stressful experiences. The journey to your new home has challenges and puzzles, from packing woes to furniture fiascos. Don’t stress the suitcases and moving companies! With these moving hacks, you’ll be ready to tackle your relocation adventure and save money! So, grab your boxes and packing tape; we’re about to get a move on! Pack Non-Essentials Early Save yourself some stress by getting an early start on packing. Start by packing off-season or non-essential Top Tips to Tackle Your Relocation
items weeks or months before moving. This could include clothes or items like art and books. By getting a head start and boxing up things over time, you won’t have to
Rent Boxes You can rent reusable boxes from companies like U-Haul instead of buying or collecting cardboard boxes over time. This can speed up the packing process as you don’t have to assemble or tape anything. Since you are renting, you might save money going this route. Once you’re done with these sturdy containers, you simply return them. Bag Your Clothes Take all your clothes on hangers and put them together in a pile so the hangers face the same direction. Then, simply pull a trash bag over them. This gives you a straightforward way to pack, transport, and unpack your clothes. Once you arrive at your new place, hang the bag in the closet with all the hangers and pull the bag off. This saves tons of time and makes unpacking easy.
scramble down the wire to get everything done. Even better, before you pack anything, purge your home of items you don’t use or need anymore and donate them. The less you have to pack, the quicker you can kick your feet up in your new living room. As you embark on this new chapter, remember that preparation is the key to a smooth move. So, don’t let moving madness get the best of you. With these hacks and a little planning, you’ll quickly settle into your new home.
Great Truths
STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE
Ingredients
• 2 cups all-purpose flour • 2 tsp baking powder • 1/2 tsp salt • 1/2 cup butter, softened • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg • 2/3 cup milk • 1/2 cup heavy cream • 2 tbsp granulated sugar • 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
“If you believe in fate, believe in it, at least, for your good.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Grease an 8-inch round cake pan. 2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. 3. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and mix until blended. 4. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients; mix until blended. 5. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan before serving. 6. Whip cream and sugar together until stiff peaks form. 7. Arrange strawberries on top of cake and spread whipped cream over top before serving.
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Eversole Law Firm, P.C. 1509 King Street Beaufort, SC 29902 (843) 379-3333 www.eversolelaw.com
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Disclaimer: The content of this publication has been prepared by Eversole Law Firm, P.C. for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice. It does not create an attorney-client relationship with its readers and may not be used by you, the reader, as legal advice. You are encouraged to consult with us or another attorney about your circumstances to which the information in this document may apply.
What’s Inside
1. Reflections on the Fourth of July 2. Plan a Special Summer With a Bucket List Recognizing Unfair Service Agreements 3. Simplify Your Move With These Ingenious Hacks Scrumptious Strawberry Shortcake 4. Tips for a Stress-Free Backyard Barbecue
Enjoying your own party can be more complicated than it sounds. Backyard barbecues are a high point of summer, but hosting one you enjoy with your guests requires planning. “If swimming is on the agenda, consider protecting new or light-colored indoor furniture with water-resistant covers so guests in wet swimsuits can sit wherever they want without stressing out their host,” says Calla Quinn, a TikTok influencer who recently posted tips on hosting up to 50 friends at your home. Another tip she shares is using of portable misting fans in dry climates. These devices create a fine mist to refresh passersby in seconds, and they are especially popular on patios and decks. If attendees offer to bring something, don’t hesitate to accept, and be specific about what you want — from lawn chairs to beach towels. Martha Stewart recommends having a stain remover on hand to manage stains and cloth towels that guests can use to wipe up spills. Expert hosts also recommend a self-serve bar for casual summer gatherings. Consider filling several 3-gallon drink dispensers
with popular options. Depending on your guest list, you might offer family fare such as lemonade, iced tea, ice water, or premixed cocktails like strawberry vodka lemonade or passion fruit margaritas. Martha Stewart suggests allowing amateur mixologists to concoct their own beverages by setting out bottled juices, artisanal sodas, and kombucha. A stylish yet simple way to serve hors d’oeuvres and side dishes to complement your grilled entree is to assemble or have catered a charcuterie board. These feature finger foods such as meats, cheeses, olives, spreads, fruits, nuts, chips, and crackers. A fully stocked charcuterie board adds a decorative touch while keeping guests well-fed for hours, adding what Quinn calls “a real wow factor.” And to make sure your day ends well, look for disposable, compostable bamboo or wooden dishes. Searching for “eco-friendly tableware and cutlery” should turn up some good options. This one last detail can go a long way toward supporting sustainable living while ensuring you don’t spend any valuable party time cleaning up broken glass or washing dishes.
HOST A SUMMER BARBECUE FOR EVERYONE GRILL AND CHILL
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