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November 2019
A LONG LIST OF GRATITUDE There’s So Much to Be Thankful For!
This year has gone by incredibly fast — it seems like only yesterday temperatures were hitting 90 degrees, and now Thanksgiving is just around the corner. I can’t say I’m upset about it, though, because I do really enjoy the holidays. This year for Turkey Day, Nancy and I are planning to stay home and try to get as many of our daughters to join us as we can. That gathering will be particularly nice because we’ve spent the last few months as empty nesters, and it’s been a bit odd to rattle around in a quiet house. Apart from spending time with family, I always look forward to the food. It just wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without a dish of sweet potato puff (see Page 3 for the family recipe!) and a big pot of butternut squash soup on the table. When I was a kid, I turned my nose up at anything squashy, but now I just love that soup and can’t imagine a Thanksgiving spread without it. My family doesn’t hold to the tradition of going around the table during the Thanksgiving meal, telling one another
one by one what we’re grateful for that year. But, even though I don’t recite my list out loud, I still reflect in November on the blessings my family and I have received. For 2019, my list is particularly long, so I thought I’d share some of the highlights. First and foremost, of course, I’m grateful for my family: my wife; my six siblings, who are incredibly loving and supportive; my parents, who are gracefully weathering the challenges of aging; and my daughters. We’ve gone through a lot of changes this year, but family ties don’t have much to do with where everybody lives. Even though we’re a little more spread out, I’m still grateful for my girls, and I know they feel the same. In December, Nancy and I will celebrate our 28th wedding anniversary. Putting up with me hasn’t always been a smooth ride for her, so I’m grateful for her commitment! Outside of my home, I’m thankful for my therapists, who have helped me see different points of view, and for the new congregation that our local church formed this summer. It’s specifically for Spanish
speakers. Although Nancy and I aren’t native speakers, we know enough to get by and were invited to join in. We’ve discovered all kinds of handy translation tools on our smartphones (there really is an app for everything!) and the members of the congregation have been very warm and welcoming. Here in the office, I never go a day without realizing how lucky I am to be surrounded by such a terrific team. The practice is growing, and those changes come with challenges, but the team has always been willing to adapt and improvise, which has been a real gift. are engaged in their cases and always eager to discuss them. We’ve formed excellent working relationships, and I truly enjoy moving those who have fallen on hard times forward in their lives and their businesses. Even when we don’t immediately see eye to eye, there are a lot of important learning opportunities involved on both sides — and, of course, without them (without you) my dream of running the go-to Northern Nevada law firm for helping small business owners would never have been possible. Thank you so much for putting your trust in me, and know that when I’m enjoying the Thanksgiving meal with my family in a few weeks, I’ll be thinking of you! If there’s anything I can do to make your life easier this holiday season, don’t hesitate to give me a call. Last, but certainly not least, I’m grateful for the firm’s fantastic clients, who
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The Sport That United a Country THE 1995 RUGBY WORLD CUP
In early November, the 2019 Rugby World Cup will wrap up in Japan. The international competition brings out world-class athletes and entertainment. While matches are certainly intense, respect for the competition and for referees is a core tenet of rugby culture. After going head-to-head with an opponent, you’ll still shake hands, and maybe have a beer together, at the end of a match. This principle was on full display nearly 25 years ago at the 1995 Rugby World Cup final in South Africa. The South African Springboks were up against the New Zealand All Blacks, and a number of factors made this an exceptional match. Just a few years earlier in 1991, apartheid legislation had been repealed in South Africa. The policy had left a deep cut, and the country still had a long journey toward healing and reparation. Nelson Mandela, who had been elected in 1994, was set on championing a “rainbow nation” in this new post-apartheid era.
game. It was controversial because of its connection to the architects of apartheid, but Mandela saw rugby’s potential as a symbol of hope and unity for a country that desperately needed it. Springboks captain Francois Pienaar (played by Matt Damon in “Invictus,” the film adaptation of this event) thought the president’s support of the team was a brilliant act. “During those six weeks, what happened in this country was incredible,” Pienaar said. Just before the final game that would decide the 1995 World Cup winners, Mandela sported a Springboks jersey and stood behind the team. Through a hard-fought match, South Africa came out on top, and, after receiving the trophy from President Mandela, Pienaar explained the atmosphere of the event: “When the final whistle blew, this country changed forever.” If the 1995 World Cup was any indication, the camaraderie inherent to rugby can transcend all kinds of barriers. Meet a fellow rugby player or fan in any part of the world, and you’ll likely forge an instant kinship. In 2021, you can look forward to cheering on the women’s teams during the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
Rugby started in England in the late 1800s, and colonizers took it to South Africa, where South Africans of every color embraced the
Legend of the Pirate Queen CHING SHIH: HISTORY’S MOST SUCCESSFUL PIRATE
From Blackbeard to Jack Sparrow, pop culture teems with pirates who frequented the ports of the Caribbean. And while these pirates are well-known for their (sometimes fictional) accomplishments, the most successful pirate in history terrorized the seas of China instead. Her name was Ching Shih. Ching Shih, who was born Shih Yang, was working in a Cantonese brothel when she met the pirate Zheng Yi. He came from a long family of notorious pirates and was impressed by Ching Shih’s cunning. They married in 1801 and built a pirate empire known as the Red Flag Fleet. When Zheng Yi passed away suddenly in 1807, Ching Shih strategically maneuvered her way into leadership, taking control of over 60,000 pirates. Historians describe Ching Shih as a brilliant military strategist, a skilled businesswoman, and a harsh disciplinarian. After taking control of the fleet, Ching Shih implemented a strict code of conduct. The code included rules for distributing booty, protecting female captives, and beheading anyone who disobeyed Ching Shih. Under her rule, the bloody crimes of piracy became a profitable business. The Red Flag Fleet would eventually clash with the British Empire, the Portuguese Empire, and the Qing dynasty of China, but no one could topple the pirate queen.
office of a local governor-general, completely unarmed, and requested full pardons and government jobs for her entire crew— along with permission to keep all their stolen goods. In exchange, she promised to give up piracy for good. Thankful to be free of the Red Flag Fleet, the Chinese government agreed to her terms. Ching Shih’s second husband was even made an officer in the Chinese navy. Ching Shih returned to Canton with her vast wealth and spent the next 34 years living a life of comfort with her family and running a gambling den. In 1844, the legendary pirate queen passed away of old age at 69, a rare feat for pirates of her era.
After almost a decade of pillaging the high seas, Ching Shih decided piracy wasn’t the best retirement plan. In 1810, she walked into the
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TAKE A BREAK
GET MORE BANK FOR YOUR BUCK Take Full Advantage of Your Financial Institution
Whether you’re banking with a credit union or a national giant, your financial institution likely offers more resources, account options, and saving plans than you’re using — or even aware of. As one NerdWallet article puts it, “Banks and credit unions continue to find new ways to both delight and confound customers.” If you focus on the delights, you can get more bang for your buck out of the financial institution you’re already using. Plus, there’s a good chance you’ll pick up new ways to stretch your retirement fund, grow your investments, and pass nest eggs to your grandkids along the way. Take these two easy steps to get started. 1. Get Clicking Even for someone with plenty of internet savvy, bank websites can be intimidating. Most are filled with tabs and portals that overwhelm customers, causing them to limit their interactions to plugging in a username and password to check their balance. Don’t fall into that trap! If you want to get a complete picture of what your bank has to offer, its website is the place to start. Next time you log in, set aside an hour or two to explore the site tab by tab. Take note of products and services you might not be using, like mobile banking apps, 24-hour hotlines, continuing education, and additional account options and their interest rates. Schwab, for example, offers a free online learning center complete with seminars, one-on-one financial advice, and more than 300 informative articles and videos. 2. Schedule a Sit-Down If your bank has a brick-and-mortar location near you, make a point to visit it. While there, take the time to learn about the latest updates from the reading materials on offer, make an appointment with a financial analyst, or speak with a bank teller. It’s in your bank’s interest to see your accounts grow, so representatives are happy to help. If you’ve already explored your bank’s website, this is the time to ask follow-up questions on what you found or make a financial move in a new direction. Whether you’ve decided on a 529 plan or a high-interest checking account, your banking representative can make it happen.
SWEET POTATO PUFF
Ingredients
Recipe by The KitchenAid Cookbook and adapted by Jerry Carter
Sweet Potato Puff Ingredients •
Crunchy Praline Topping Ingredients • 1/3 cup butter or margarine, melted • 3/4 cup cornflake cereal (I double this) • 1/2 cup chopped nuts • 1/2 cup brown sugar
2 medium sweet potatoes (I use 3 yams), cooked and peeled
• •
1/2 cup milk
3/4 cup sugar (I reduce to 1/3 cup sugar)
• • • •
2 eggs
1/3 cup butter or margarine
1/2 tsp nutmeg 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Directions
1. Place sweet potatoes or yams in bowl. Attach bowl and wire whip. Turn to Speed 2 (medium low) and beat for 30 seconds. 2. Addmilk, sugar, eggs, butter, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Turn to Speed 4 (mediumhigh) and beat for 1 minute. 3. Spreadmixture onto a greased 9-inch pie plate, heated Dutch oven, or cast- iron pan. Bake at 400 F for 20 minutes or until set. 4. For the crunchy praline topping, place all ingredients in bowl. Attach bowl and flat beater. Turn to stir speed (low) andmix for 15 seconds. 5. Spread topping over hot sweet potatoes or yams. Bake for an additional 10 minutes. Serve immediately.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
A Long List of Gratitude
The 1995 Rugby World Cup History’s Most Successful Pirate
2
Family Recipe: Sweet Potato Puff How to Get More From Your Bank
3
4
The Legend of Sergeant Reckless
THE GREATEST AMERICAN WAR HORSE THE LEGEND OF SERGEANT RECKLESS
Animals have acted as companions to humankind for thousands of years. They’re a near-constant source of companionship, comfort, and aid. Unfortunately, military animals don’t often get the recognition they deserve. One horse, in particular, was essential to the success of her regiment during the KoreanWar. Meet Sergeant Reckless. Bought for $250 in 1952 by a U.S. Marine Corps lieutenant at a Seoul racetrack, Sergeant Reckless was trained to carry ammunition for the 5th Marine Regiment. Her name was a play on the“recoilless”rifle ammunition she carried and a nod to the daredevil attitude of the soldiers who used them. Reckless was pivotal for her regiment inmore ways than one. As Robin Hutton notes in her book“Sgt. Reckless: America’sWar Horse,” “Because horses are‘herd’animals, the Marines became her herd. She bonded so deeply with them that Reckless would go anywhere and do anything to help her adopted family.”
Sergeant Reckless’ greatest achievement occurred during the final stages of the Battle of Outpost Vegas. During the bloody five-day campaign, Reckless made 51 trips to resupply guns over the course of a single day. By the end of the battle, she had carried 386 rounds of ammunition by walking 35 miles through rice paddies and mountain trails. After dropping off the ammunition, Reckless would then bring wounded soldiers back to safety. Reckless was trained to lie down when under fire and avoid barbed wire, and her ability to do so without needing human command saved many lives during the battle. Reckless would close out her war career with two Purple Hearts and the rank of staff sergeant. She spent the rest of her years at Camp Pendleton in California. To learn more about this legendary mare, be sure to check out “Sgt. Reckless: America’s War Horse” by Robin Hutton.
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