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OCTOBER 2024
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Step Into Nature’s Classroom
THE MAGIC OF AMERICA’S NATIONAL PARKS
Something is so relaxing about being in the great outdoors, surrounded by nature, away from the hustle and bustle of life. It’s my happy place, a tranquil space for a reset. Getting into nature for a hike or camping allows me to leave all the stresses behind, a break from the job, responsibilities, and everything else. It’s a chance for a huge exhale, where all I have to focus on is the beauty before me.
Another favorite was Big South Fork National Park in Tennessee, a hidden gem. After I had taught my class I had a little spare time so I decided to take a hike. I walked through this beautiful park for a few hours enjoying the solitude and surrounding beauty and realized I was the only person in the area. There were no cars in the parking lot and no humans for miles.
Thanks to my work, I get a unique glimpse into the world behind the scenes of these parks. One of my biggest takeaways has been just how dedicated
According to Lonely Planet, October is the best month to visit America’s national parks. I’ve always enjoyed these national treasures, and I consider myself lucky because, in my role, I get to travel to quite a few of them to teach federal employees about their retirement benefits. I’ve discovered unique characteristics of every park I’ve been to across the country National parks are more than just a great place to visit; they’re a glimpse into nature, our past, and the efforts of stewards who work there to preserve their wonders for years to come.
national park employees are. At every park I’ve visited, the employees love and believe deeply in what they do. They’re not in it for the money but rather care about the unique features and history of the parks and want to preserve them to educate the visitors. These employees are some of the most appreciative people I’ve met; genuinely good people who often consider their park as family.
Every park I’ve visited has a special place in my heart, but a few have left a significant impression. Vicksburg
America’s national parks are extremely important; not just to highlight human history but to preserve delicate outdoor spaces that would otherwise be developed over time. Thanks to the work of the National Park
National Military Park, located in Mississippi, explores the Civil War, and there is much history there. I took a private tour of a historic home still standing at the park. We learned all about the family who lived there, saw the bullet holes
Service, families everywhere can learn so much about and enjoy nature. They offer a unique opportunity to step back in time and reconnect with the land while providing a peaceful escape from our busy lives. I feel fortunate to be able to experience these wild places and help the dedicated people who protect them. Enjoy! –Jeremy Rafferty
still embedded in the walls, and the fort next door which the military built. My favorite part was learning about the technology and military plans in place on the battlefield at the time. I had no idea how significant a role the Mississippi River played in the war. Many of the boats floating down the river were armor plated, just one sign of the technology of the time.
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HEED THE WARNINGS Simple Steps to Enhance Personal Safety
Lack of Situational Awareness Finally, Hoeflinger stresses the need for heightened situational awareness, particularly for older adults at higher risk of falls. “Pay attention to your surroundings,” he advises. “I can’t tell you the number of people, especially elderly people, I see who accidentally fell down a flight of stairs and ended up paralyzed.” By heeding his advice, we can all help reduce the incidence of severe injuries and fatalities and perhaps even change the world for the better, one life at a time.
In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to forget the fragility of life and the importance of simple precautions. However, for Dr. Brian Hoeflinger, a neurosurgeon in Toledo, Ohio, these lessons have been etched into his life through personal tragedy and decades of frontline experience. Hoeflinger has dedicated more than 25 years to treating patients with traumatic brain and spinal injuries and has seen firsthand the devastating consequences of neglecting personal safety. Driven by his loss — the death of his 18-year-old son in a drunk-driving accident — Hoeflinger has made it his mission to educate the public on the most common factors that contribute to these life-altering injuries. Alcohol Consumption At the top of Hoeflinger’s list of concerns is alcohol consumption. “Without a doubt, alcohol is number one,” he states emphatically. “So many cases I see when I’m on trauma call are related to alcohol.”
The link between alcohol and traumatic injuries is well-documented, with studies showing that alcohol impairs judgment and motor skills, leading to a higher incidence of accidents and injuries. Late Nights Hoeflinger’s second warning targets the dangers of late nights, stating that “nothing good ever happens after midnight.” He explains that many incidents, including fights and accidents, occur in the late hours when people are more likely to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs and less vigilant about their safety.
Not Wearing Seat Belts Another critical factor Hoeflinger
emphasizes is the importance of wearing seat belts. “Whether you’re the driver or a passenger, always wear your seat belt,” he urges. Despite widespread awareness campaigns, failure to wear seat belts remains a leading cause of death and serious injury in car accidents.
Your Road Map to Federal Retirement Success
THE POWER OF THE THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN (TSP)
When planning for retirement, federal employees have a structure that can provide a solid foundation for their financial future. If you work for the government, your retirement plan rests on three essential pillars: your pension, Social Security, and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). You need to have all three pillars for a stable and prosperous retirement, but if you want to maximize
maximize your return. We typically recommend allotting 10% of your salary to the TSP. For those just starting out, it might be challenging to contribute that much immediately, especially with the rising cost of living, but even contributing the minimum to secure the 5% match is a smart first step. You can wait until you receive a cost-of-living adjustment raise and put 1%–2% of that raise toward your TSP before it ever hits your paycheck. Over time, you can gradually increase your contributions until you reach that recommended contribution of 10%.
your benefits, the TSP may be a game-changer. Let’s explore the features of the TSP and how it can help you achieve your retirement dreams.
While you will automatically receive your pension and Social Security benefits once you meet the requirements (age and number of years working), the TSP is more like a 401(k). You get to decide how much money to contribute to this plan and have several methods to pay into it, like automatic payroll deductions.
Remember, anything you can do to boost your TSP contributions, whether it’s through raises or gradual increases,
will pay off in the long run. The TSP, alongside your pension and Social Security benefits, can potentially provide the financial stability you need in retirement. At Federal Benefits Made Simple, we’re here to guide you through the process. Contact us today if you’re ready to boost your TSP contributions and develop a financial strategy for your future.
Currently, your employer provides a 5% match to what you put in.
Every federal employee should participate in this 5% match from day one on the job to help
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City of Dreams: From Sublime Music to Museums of Death DISCOVER VIENNA
If you yearn to visit a European city rich in imperial grandeur, music history, and macabre memorials to death, Vienna is for you. And that odd mix of attractions reflects only a small part of the city’s diversity. This former frontier city of the Roman Empire expanded to become the glittering capital of a great empire for centuries. The Habsburg dynasty’s sponsorship of the arts made Vienna a global center of classical music. Home to Beethoven, Vivaldi, Mozart, Mahler, and Strauss, Vienna hosts frequent performances of classics by these and other composers. The city’s museums, churches, and charnel houses offer macabre tributes to death. Piled on the floor and lining the walls of a charnel house beneath St. Stephen’s Cathedral are the skulls and other bones of 11,000 people, according to Atlas Obscura. The Habsburgs created elaborate containers to preserve their embalmed entrails after death. The city’s Crime Museum houses relics of famous murders, including the mummified head of a known killer.
The Habsburgs were avid readers. The Austrian National Library, a baroque masterpiece, is home to 2.5 million books and filled with hidden passageways behind the stacks where employees have been known to slip silently in and out of. The city is also noted for its intellectual history. Sigmund Freud lived and worked in Vienna, which led to its nickname, “City of Dreams.” The philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein also worked in Vienna, where he made many contributions to logic in mathematics and language. The classics aren’t all this beautiful city has to offer. Vienna’s Spanish Riding School offers a unique opportunity to see its famous Lippizaner horses perform dressage. The Imperial Butterfly House is a tropical oasis housing about 400 beautiful insects. Visitors to the “lost garden,” a vast topiary maze at the Habsburgs’ summer palace, can enjoy tales of courtiers frolicking among the web of manicured hedges — not only for playful exploration but also for illicit romance.
Taken all together, these diverse attractions promise travelers to Vienna a visit to remember!
Train Your
BRAIN!
Ultimate Baked Ziti Loaded with rich tomato sauce, gooey cheese, and perfectly cooked pasta, this is a family favorite perfect for any occasion.
INGREDIENTS
• 1 (16 oz) package of dried ziti pasta • 1 onion, diced • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
• 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes • 1 cup ricotta cheese • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese • Salt and pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. 2. Cook ziti according to package instructions. 3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the onion and garlic until softened. 4. Add marinara sauce and diced tomatoes, stirring to combine. 5. Stir in the cooked ziti and season with salt and pepper. 6. Transfer mixture to baking dish. 7. Top with ricotta and mozzarella cheese and bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE page 1 My Favorite National Park Moments page 2 A Neurosurgeon’s Four Crucial Tips Start Growing Your TSP Today for a Stronger Tomorrow
page 3 Vienna: A Timeless Tapestry of Music and the Macabre Ultimate Baked Ziti
page 4 Tracing the Court Jester’s Origins
THE ANTICS OF COURT JESTERS MEDIEVAL MISCHIEF-MAKERS
The Evolving Jester By the 17th century, as live
When we think of court jesters, we often picture colorfully clad figures in pointed hats dancing and jesting for the entertainment of royalty. However, these medieval performers’ roles and responsibilities were far more complex than today’s caricatures. The Origins of Court Jesters We can trace the court jester’s roots to the comedic actors of ancient Rome. As the Roman Empire cracked down on these outspoken performers, many became traveling entertainers, sowing the seeds for the Middle Ages and Renaissance court jesters. Historical references to these “fools” became more common between the 12th and 15th centuries, with the term “jester” gaining popularity in the 15th and 16th centuries. Jesters: Entertainers and Advisors While the jester’s primary role was to entertain royalty through stories, music, acrobatics, and flatulence, they were also often highly intelligent advisors. Jesters could critique political decisions and social norms under the guise of humor, providing valuable feedback to the nobility. They even accompanied soldiers to the battlefield, distracting the enemy and delivering dangerous messages.
theater was booming, jesters began transitioning from court entertainers to professional actors and comedians. Figures like Richard Tarlton, the beloved jester of Queen Elizabeth I, became renowned performers in their own right. As jesters found fame outside the court, they paved the way for generations of comedians, satirists, and performance artists. Though the court jester institution largely died out by the 18th century, the legacy of these multifaceted performers lives
on. From Shakespearean fools to modern stand-up comedians, the spirit of the court jester continues to entertain, provoke, and enlighten audiences. So, the next time you see a fool in a pointy hat, remember the rich history and complexity behind this enduring archetype.
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