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Review Brooks & Crowley
May 2025
781-251-0555
www.brooksandcrowley.com
439 Washington Street Dedham, MA 02026
*Services Throughout Massachusetts
LESSONS YOU WON’T FIND IN A TEXTBOOK Learning From Life’s Unexpected Teachers
As another school year winds down, I find myself thinking of my own school days , and that got me reflecting on teachers and learning. Between grammar school, high school, college and law school, I’ve had a lot of great teachers, but the best lessons I’ve learned didn’t come from memorizing facts out of a textbook. They came from experiences and the people I met. One of the best examples? Joe is a “petroleum engineer” at the gas station next to our office and an inspiration. Seeing him work reminds me of the Einstein quote: “There are only two ways to go through life. One is though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” He could just fill people’s gas tanks all day. Instead, he greets everyone and brings a little sunshine into their day. If you pay attention, you realize he knows all of his customers, their stories, and what’s happening before most do. Watching him, I’ve learned the importance of observation. He listens to everyone and learns from them. It shows that being curious, engaged, and observant is a form of education. LESSONS THAT STUCK WITH ME I don’t want to downplay traditional teachers’ roles in my life. After all, I got to where I am today with the help of great educators. Looking back, though, the most memorable things I learned in school had nothing to do with academics. The most impactful lessons my teachers snuck into class were those that taught me how to handle life and be a better person. In high school, for example, I had a teacher who ensured we understood patience and self-awareness. He did it so subtly that I didn’t
even realize what he was doing at the time. But it greatly impacted me and taught me the importance of staying calm and reading a situation rather than just reacting to it. I also had a guidance counselor who saw my strengths before I did. He once told me, “Neil, don’t worry about the other stuff. I’m pretty sure you’re gonna make a living with your mouth.” And you know what? He was right.
not a bad person— you’re just a guy with a problem.” That changed his entire world view and set the stage for a 180-degree turnaround. He believed the police thought of him as the enemy. People aren’t defined by their worst moments. Given the right encouragement, they can turn things around. He finished college, has a master’s degree, and works helping others. He has truly walked the walk. Another time, I represented a guy who had spent years living on the streets. He had nothing, but he had discipline. Every morning, he had a routine. He’d wake up, pack his things, and move to a new spot before the city workers came through. During our time working together, he demonstrated a rock steady set of principles, even in the toughest circumstances. When he suffered setbacks, he reassessed his situation, came up with a new plan and moved forward. He eventually overcame his circumstances. Watching how he carried himself, I realized integrity doesn’t come from your situation — it comes from who you are. LEARNING NEVER STOPS My experience has taught me that teachers come in all forms. Some stand at the front of the classroom, while others pump gas, sit across from me at the office, or share their stories on the street. Life’s best lessons find us when we’re paying attention. So, keep your eyes open, listen to people, and be willing to learn from anyone, no matter who they are or where they come from. If you do, you’ll realize learning never stops. –Neil Crowley
LEARNING FROM UNEXPECTED PLACES I’ve reconnected with some of my former teachers, but I learn most from people like Joe these days. It’s clients, strangers, and people others might overlook who have the most to teach me. One past client in particular stands out. He struggled with addiction and was caught in a terrible cycle of arrests and relapse. There were a couple of local police officers who had known him for a long time. One day, he told them he was going to turn things around and go to college. They didn’t laugh or dismiss him but offered to write him a recommendation letter. He was stunned and asked, “Why would you do that for me?” Their answer was simple: “Because we’ve known you for years and years, and you’re
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Monsters Lost to Time
Weird, Wild, and Once Feared
Monsters have always been prominent in popular culture. Looking back through history — long before today’s iconic monsters — people had vivid and often bizarre ways of describing the monsters of their folklore. These strange creatures that time forgot may not haunt our collective imaginations today, but their names and stories provide a fascinating glimpse into the fears of the past. BYCORNE Bycornes were a popular monster from the mid-1500s with the body of a plump cow and a human face. The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) definition of Bycorne describes the beast’s specific diet, which consisted of “patient husbands” who kept him “always fat from the abundance of his diet.” The OED also describes Bycorne’s spouse, Chichevache, who “fed upon patient wives and was always lean.” The legacy of Bycorne shows how folklore
often blended humor and fear with ideas about marriage and other cultural norms. POLYPHEMUS “Polyphemus” is best known from Homer’s “The Odyssey,” in which the one-eyed giant terrorizes Odysseus and his men. By the mid-1600s, the term was generalized to describe any cyclopean creature. Traces of this linguistic shift can be seen today in science with the Polyphemus moth, which got its name from the eye-like spots on its wing. LAMIA Lamia refers to “a mythological creature depicted as a woman who preys on humans, especially children, by sucking their blood,” according to the OED. In Greek mythology, Lamia was once a beautiful queen Zeus loved, but in an act of vengeance, she transformed into a monster that roamed the night, preying
on children. Over time, her name became synonymous with witches and female demons. SNALLYGASTER Unlike ancient legends, the Snallygaster emerged in American folklore, fueled by newspaper reports in the early 1900s. This winged beast, described as “a fabulous reptilian bird of vast size,” inspired public hysteria before the legend faded into obscurity. The creature itself has been largely forgotten, but its name left a linguistic mark, morphing into the term “snollygoster,” a term for a shrewd and unprincipled person, which is said to have originated from the Snallygaster legend. Although these creatures have faded from everyday language, their stories reflect the fears, humor, and beliefs of the past. They also remind us that monsters and the words used to describe them are constantly evolving.
The Reality of Truck Accidents Not Your Typical Crash
Most of us have driven alongside an 18-wheeler on the highway and know how massive these big trucks are. Just driving next to one can be nerve-wracking, but imagine what happens when a truck and a regular passenger car collide. The difference in size and weight is staggering, but these types of accidents also bring several legal complexities that make them much different than your standard collision. KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CAR AND TRUCK ACCIDENTS The most obvious difference between car and truck accidents is the damage that big trucks can cause. The average car weighs around 4,000 pounds, but a fully loaded tractor- trailer weighs 20 times more — about 80,000 pounds. With this much weight, the force of impact is significant and often results in total
vehicle damage and severe injuries with longer recovery times and higher medical expenses. Truck accidents also involve more complex liability issues. Instead of falling on one of the drivers, as is typical with a standard accident, multiple parties can be responsible. This includes the truck driver, their company, cargo loaders, and even the truck manufacturer. Additionally, federal safety laws apply, such as hours of service rules, weight limits, loading standards, and maintenance and inspection requirements. All these factors combine to make truck accidents very unique and complicated. WHAT TO DO AFTER A TRUCK ACCIDENT With the high stakes involved, trucking companies will waste no time protecting their
interests, so it’s essential to act quickly to protect yours. Always call 911 and seek medical attention for any injuries, no matter how minor they may seem. Also, document everything. In addition to the police report, collect photos and witness statements whenever possible. Following the accident, avoid speaking with the trucking company’s insurance representatives. They are working for them — not you — and will do everything possible to minimize your claim. And don’t try to handle things on your own. With the complexity of these cases, you need an experienced legal team by your side. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, contact a personal injury attorney to fight for your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
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FIT AT ANY SIZE WHY FITNESS BEATS BMI IN PREDICTING LONG-TERM HEALTH
For years, we’ve been told that maintaining a “healthy” weight is the key to longevity. But new research suggests that fitness — not the number on the scale — is the real game-changer. A 2024 study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that people who are physically fit, regardless of their body weight, had a lower risk of death than those who were unfit — even if those unfit individuals had a “normal” BMI. Simply put, being active is far more important than being thin for long-term health. BMI, or body mass index, has long been used to measure health risk, but it only considers weight and height, ignoring more crucial factors like muscle mass, cardiovascular health, and overall fitness. Researchers behind this new study argue that aerobic fitness — how efficiently your heart, lungs, and muscles work together — is a much better indicator of health than weight alone. They found that individuals with higher VO2 max, which measures oxygen use during
exercise, had significantly lower risks of death. On the flip side, those with lower VO2 max were 2–3 times more likely to die from any cause, regardless of their BMI . The good news? Improving fitness doesn’t require drastic measures. You don’t need to train for a marathon or spend hours in the gym to boost your aerobic health. The key is consistency — moving your body in an enjoyable and sustainable way. Start with simple activities like a daily 20-minute walk, gentle stretching, or a few sets of bodyweight exercises. If joint pain is an issue, try swimming or water aerobics, which provide a great workout without putting stress on your knees or hips. Health isn’t about fitting into a certain dress size — it’s about staying active, feeling strong, and making movement a part of your everyday life. So, forget about obsessing over the scale and focus on what matters: moving more and living better.
Have a Laugh!
Asparagus Cashew Rice Pilaf Inspired by AllRecipes.com
Cashews and seasonal asparagus are the centerpiece of this delicious rice pilaf, which can be served as a side dish or a vegetarian entree.
Ingredients
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1/4 cup butter
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2 1/4 cups vegetable broth Salt and pepper, to taste 1/2 lb fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces 1/2 cup cashew halves
2 oz uncooked spaghetti, broken into bite-size pieces
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1/4 cup minced onion 1/2 tsp minced garlic 1 1/4 cups uncooked jasmine rice
•
directions
1. In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, melt butter. 2. Stir in spaghetti and cook until coated and lightly browned. 3. Stir in onion and garlic and cook for 2 minutes until tender. 4. Stir in rice and cook for 5 minutes. Add the broth and season with salt and pepper. 5. Bring mixture to a boil, cover, reduce heat, and cook for 20 minutes. 6. In a separate saucepan, cover asparagus with water and cook until tender. Drain water. 7. Mix asparagus and cashews into rice and serve warm.
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439 Washington St. • Dedham, MA 02026
Inside THIS ISSUE
1 The Teachers I Never Saw Coming 2 The Monsters History Tried to Forget
The Weight of a Truck Accident Case
3 Why You Should Focus on Fitness Instead of Weight Loss
Asparagus Cashew Rice Pilaf
4 Boston’s Heating Up With Fun Activities
What’s Going on, Boston? Concerts, Parades, and Fundraisers
With summer on the way, Boston’s event schedule is filling up with great activities for the whole family. From parades to concerts and fundraisers, there’s no shortage of fun things to do this year. Here are three upcoming events to check out. JIMMY FUND SCOOPER BOWL If you’re looking to start June off with a fun event that allows you to support a worthy cause, check
out the Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl. This annual fundraiser is held at Boston’s City Hall Plaza and gives attendees a chance to indulge in all-you- can-eat ice cream while supporting the life-saving cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The 2025 Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl will run from June 3–5 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. each day. In addition to ice cream and other frozen treats, the event will feature live entertainment, games, and other activities. Those 21 and older can also take part in the Scoop at Night event on the evening of June 5. PAUL SIMON AT WANG THEATRE Paul Simon is bringing his A Quiet Celebration tour to town for three nights this June. The multi-Grammy-winning singer-songwriter is playing June 10, 12, and 13 at Boston’s Wang Theatre. Simon’s 55-date Northern American tour is his first in over seven years. His last visit
to Boston was in 2018 during what was dubbed his “Farewell Tour.” Music fans won’t want to miss another chance to see the 83-year-old perform during what could be his last visit to the city. BUNKER HILL DAY AND PARADE A long-standing Boston tradition, Bunker Hill Day commemorates the Battle of Bunker Hill and features an annual parade dating back to 1786. This year marks the 250th anniversary of the famous battle fought between New England soldiers and the British Army on June 17, 1775, during the American Revolutionary War. The 2025 Bunker Hill Day Parade will be held on June 15, starting at 12:30 p.m. Parade participants will make their way down Bunker Hill Street to Main Street and Monument Square before ending on Common Street. Other family-friendly activities will be held along with the annual parade.
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