Check out our October newsletter!
OCTOBER 2021
(517) 437-4646 GOLDSTARDIRECT.COM BEYOND THE NUMBERS
Remembering Our Family Trip to Anchorage WE MADE IT TO ALASKA!
Referral TVWinners This Past Tax Season
Fall came on way too fast this year. It’s already chilly outside, and the leaves are turning, but mentally, I’m still hanging on to summer. That’s because this August, Robbie and I finally got to take our trip to Alaska! We’ve been planning to visit Anchorage for a whole year, ever since our daughter, Ashley, moved up there last summer. We were actually supposed to drive her to her new apartment back then, but we couldn’t cross the Canadian border because of COVID-19. Fortunately, this time, we didn’t have any trouble catching a redeye flight to visit. Ashley is living the good life in Alaska, working at a collision repair place. She showed us a really great time over the five days we were there. We went on drives to see all of the natural sights in the area, including Denali, the highest mountain peak in North America. That was probably my favorite part of the trip other than getting to hug Ashley again for the first time in a year. I also really enjoyed the boat tour we took out of Seward, a port town about 2 1/2 hours south of Anchorage. We saw sea lions, seals, puffins, and even whales up close during the three- hour boat ride. I also caught sight of a few mountain goats on the bluffs and plenty of bald eagles soaring overhead. Experiencing all of that wildlife in one go made up for the fact that I didn’t see a single bear or moose on the whole trip!
Kody Rubin Shane and Stephanie Lockwood Vonda Cekander Tyler Gonshorowski Richard and Patricia Hawkins Richard Lambright Randy and Lisa Lane Paul and Carie Shepherd Thomas and Sabine Young David Beck Jr. Kevin Betzer Tracey Carothers
When we weren’t outdoors, Ashley still kept us busy. We spent hours at Dave and Busters playing games, got in a few holes at a local golf course, saw movies together (“Respect” was pretty good), and even watched Ashley and her friends sing karaoke. Our days were definitely packed, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Looking back, I’m amazed at how much we managed to do in less than a week. Between the mountains, the ocean, and all of the lakes, Alaska really does have it all. The only downside up there is the temperature. I like things a little bit warmer, but overall, I think I’d take the trade-off for so much natural beauty. I’m glad Ashley is happy and living somewhere so exciting. Robbie and I got back from Alaska at the end of August, and we don’t have any more trips planned this year, unless you count our annual pilgrimage to see a Lion’s Game on Thanksgiving. I’m looking forward to that already! I hope your holidays are stacking up to be as fun as mine. In the meantime, don’t forget that you can always call me with any tax trouble you’re facing, even in the off season. Our office is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. every week. Tax time will be here before you know it, so now is the time to get a jump on any tax problems you have and make a plan so you can enjoy your Christmas.
Johnni Collard Chris Friedrich Ray Pankhurst Ken Williams
–Saul Giminez
GOLDSTARDIRECT.COM
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WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH PFAS?
Study Finds Toxic Contamination in Popular Makeup
You might’ve heard about the toxic makeup controversy due to the No PFAS in Cosmetics Act recently introduced into the Senate. What’s the deal with PFAS (per- and polyfluoalkyl substances)? Are they actually dangerous? Here’s what we know so far.
Prepping for the holidays is exciting and fun, but it requires tons of planning, cooking, decorating, and cleaning. To avoid getting bogged down while preparing for cheerful celebrations with friends and family, try these easy ways to get your house sparkling clean and ready to host. Roll the Ceilings When it comes to ceilings, especially if they are textured, thoroughly cleaning off dust, dander, and cobwebs can be challenging. When you use a broom, chunks typically go flying around and make a larger mess. However, if you whip out a painting roller, dampen it, and roll your ceilings just like you are painting, you are sure to get the job done! Socks on Your Hands Have you ever run a finger along a panel of your blinds and it comes up black? Blinds tend to be huge dust collectors. By throwing some socks on your hands, you can get back to clean blinds. All you have to do is find a pair of old socks, “glove up,” and dampen them. From there, if you grip each individual blind panel and slide your hand along the length of it, you will gather tons of nasty dirt and dust onto the sock. Cleaning Balls Utilizing tennis balls for your house chores may sound strange. However, when drying a bulky bed comforter in your dryer, adding a few tennis balls will ensure the stuffing does not gather all to one side. The balls help keep everything nice and even. Pillowcases and Fans Your ceiling fans collect all of the nasties — dirt, dust, bugs, and allergens. For an easy way to clean them without spreading all the grime around your home, turn to old pillowcases! Simply slip the pillowcase over each individual fan blade and then wipe. All of the debris will end up in the pillowcase itself. A clean home is the key to happy living and is paramount for hosting over the holidays. With these tricks up your sleeve, you are now a cleaning expert! YOU CAN USEWHAT TO TIDY UP?! 4 Deep-Cleaning Hacks to Prep for the Holidays
What does the research say?
A recent study published in the journal Environmental Sciences & Technology Letters revealed that over 52% of 231 popular makeup items, sold in American and Canadian markets, contained high levels of synthetic contaminants called PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” because they do not disintegrate easily in the environment or in our bodies. For many, putting on makeup is a daily ritual — which makes it extremely concerning that PFAS can bioaccumulate in bodies over time. Even worse, they have been linked to cancer, thyroid disease, liver damage, decreased fertility, and hormone disruption. The most disturbing detail, though? Of the 29 products that contained PFAS chemicals, 28 did not disclose them on the product’s label. “Some of it could be unintentional, due to manufacturing issues, but there are several products where the levels are so high, they had to be intentionally added for something like durability or water resistance, because that’s what PFAS do very well,” says study author Graham Peaslee, a professor of physics, chemistry, and biochemistry at the University of Notre Dame. Additionally, about 88% of the tested products failed to disclose any ingredients that would explain those chemical markers, despite the Food and Drug Administration requiring such explanations.
How do you avoid PFAS risk?
According to the study, the highest levels of PFAS were found in foundations (63%), waterproof mascara (82%), and long-lasting lipstick (62%). To get started, use the Skin Deep database on EWG.org to look up specific products. They have pages dedicated to specific chemicals to watch
out for, including PFAS. Ultimately, your safest bet is buying from companies that are transparent about what they put in their products and have policies against PFAS.
Please buy carefully, and if it’s important to you for cosmetics to stay safe for everyone, give your congressional representatives a call or email to support the No PFAS in Cosmetics Act!
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CORN MAZES DATE BACK TO ANCIENT GREECE? A Historical Look at This Wacky Fall Tradition
Exploring a corn maze is a great way to get outside and enjoy the fall season with friends and family — but who came up with the idea of wandering around a corn field for fun? As it turns out, outdoor mazes are an ancient tradition, and the American corn maze of the ‘90s sprouted from the mazes of 17th-century European gardens. Don’t believe it? Here’s a quick tour of corn maze history.
labyrinthine symbols have been dated to the Neolithic Age in regions as diverse as modern-day Turkey, Ireland, Greece, and India, among others” — but it’s perhaps the most famous ancient tale. If you’ve ever navigated a Halloween corn maze staffed by ghouls and ghosts, you can see the parallels!
Garden Art to Get Lost In
Mazes formed from bushes began popping up European gardens in the 17th century. They were a popular artistic feature of upper-class gardens in England, more for looking at than solving. One famous example is the half-mile-long Hampton Maze, which was planted in 1690 and still stands today. The Corn Maze: An American Invention Garden mazes eventually hopped the pond to America but didn’t become interactive puzzles until Don Frantz, Creative Director of the American Maze Company, came on the scene. In 1993, Frantz created the “first ever cornfield maze for private and public entertainment” to attract college kids in Pennsylvania. Today, every small-town corn maze is a descendant of his “Amazing Maize Maze.” To learn more about that wacky history, visit AmericanMaze.com.
The Minotaur and the Maze Have you heard of Theseus and the Minotaur? This ancient Greek legend tells the story of the hero Theseus, who ventured into an elaborate maze to kill the half-man, half-bull imprisoned there. The monstrous Minotaur was known to eat heroes, and the labyrinth was known to trap them, but Theseus managed to slay the Minotaur and find his way home with the help of a string that he unspooled as he walked. This story isn’t the first recorded example of a maze or labyrinth — according to the World History encyclopedia, “[L]abyrinths and
HALLOWEEN COOKIE PIZZA
TAKE A BREAK
Ingredients
• 1 cup candy corn • 1/2 cup chocolate chips • 1/4 cup vanilla frosting (store-bought or homemade) 4. Spread the peanut butter over the cooled cookie dough, then sprinkle on the candy corn and chocolate chips. 5. In a small bowl, microwave the frosting for 15 seconds or until liquified. 6. Drizzle the frosting over the “pizza,” slice, and serve!
• 1 roll Pillsbury Sugar Cookie Dough • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. Grease a round, 12-inch pan and line with cookie dough, ensuring the dough covers all but the outer 1/2 inch. 3. Bake for 16–20 minutes until golden brown. Cool completely.
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
12 N. Howell, Hillsdale, MI 49242
INSIDE
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Saul’s Family Made It to Alaska!
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Deep-Cleaning Hacks for the Holidays
Why 52% of Makeup May Be Considered Toxic
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Corn Mazes Date Back to Ancient Greece?
Halloween Cookie Pizza
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3 Haunted Destinations to Visit This October
at the Friends Home, including a little girl who moves toys and sits on the porch. The society leans into the local fascination and hosts regular walking ghost tours and ghost hunting classes. Stay a while at Hotel Monte Vista in Flagstaff, Arizona. Guests at Hotel Monte Vista have often enjoyed long stays at the downtown Flagstaff, Arizona, hotel, but not everyone leaves. Constructed in 1927, the hotel is host to a number of reported ghosts. The most well-known is an elderly woman who would spend hours rocking in the chair in her room. Today, her chair can be found moving on its own. Another popular visitor is the ghost of a bellboy who knocks on doors and announces that room service has arrived — only, no one’s there. Is there a monster in Pine Barrens, New Jersey? This one’s for those who love mysterious creatures. Pine Barrens is a mass of forested land that spreads across seven counties in New Jersey — and its most famous resident isn’t human. The Jersey Devil has a long, storied history and is said to be a combination of many animals: Its body is shaped like a kangaroo with wings. It has the head of a dog but the face of a horse. The creature is believed to have had a sickly start to life in 1735 and has stayed to haunt the forest’s inhabitants and even those who visit the area today. GHOSTS ACROSS AMERICA 3 Haunted Spots Every Ghost Believer Will Love
October is one of the best months for travel in the U.S. With mild temperatures and gorgeous, colorful leaves everywhere, there’s no better time for a cross-country road trip. Add some Halloween flair to your October vacation with these three ghostly attractions. Visit the most haunted town in the U.S. — Waynesville, Ohio. Sure, New Orleans may have a spooky past, but it doesn’t compare to Waynesville. Many residents and visitors think this Ohio town is rife with ghosts. You may hear cries to “hurry up” at The Hammel House Inn, where many tunnels for the underground railroad came through, or you could see the apparition of a businessman from the 1800s who “never checked out.” Other sources report hauntings at the town’s historical society, Museum
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