Take a look at our March newletter!
March 2021
The 2 Tennessee Women Who Make Me Proud
For almost a year now, I’ve shared stories with my readers about the dedication my mom has for her students and her community, the ways my wife keeps life interesting and exciting, and the fun memories my sister and I share from our childhood. These three women are among the people I admire the most. They helped shape me into the man I am today, and on International Women’s Day on March 8 and during Women’s History Month this March, I’ll make sure they know that. As for this month’s cover letter, I want to honor two women who make me proud to be from Tennessee. Until I sat down to write this article, I never realized how lucky I was to grow up in a state that these two hardworking women called home. They exemplify courage, and I’m honored to share their stories. Pat Summitt Every Tennessee sports fan knows Pat Summitt. Actually, any sports fan should know Pat Summitt! Born on a small farm in Clarksville, Tennessee, Pat learned the value of hard work from the many responsibilities she had on the farm and how to play basketball from her brothers. She graduated from college in 1974 and shortly after, at the age of 22, she was asked to be the head coach of the University of Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team.
That decision proved to be one of the best decisions the university made. In her tenure, the Lady Vols won eight NCAA championships and 32 Southeastern Conference titles. She also led teams to Olympic medals, both as a coach and as a player. People always knew her teams were going to be contenders! It was so fun to watch her teams play, and I was always inspired by the passion she showed on the sidelines. Pat was always fired up about something! Eventually, Pat became the winningest NCAA Division 1 basketball coach in history, but perhaps one of the most impressive statistics in her career is that every student-athlete Pat ever coached graduated. That’s incredible, especially when you consider the number of programs that value athletics over academics. Pat died in 2016, but her legacy lives on here in Tennessee and across the nation. For a little boy from east Tennessee, watching her live out her legacy and lead our Lady Vols to championships are some of the greatest memories I have. She taught me a lot just by breaking barriers and being one of the best at what she did. Dolly Parton Everyone knows Dolly’s story. She has a true rags-to- riches, American dream kind of tale that just makes you say “wow.” Dolly was the fourth oldest of 12 children growing up on a small farm on Locust Ridge in east Tennessee. Despite living in poverty, Dolly describes her childhood as a good one, often filled with music and gospel songs. In fact, many of her early songs and albums were based on that very childhood. Throughout the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, Dolly’s songs were instant hits, often topping the Billboard top 100 charts. Today, she’s considered a country
music legend — if not a music legend — and is known as one of the highest-paid woman country music stars today. As if her talents aren’t enough, Dolly has dedicated her fortune and life to giving back. Through her Dollywood Foundation, Dolly has given out more than 100 million books to children across the globe. She also works closely with conservation efforts — particularly in Tennessee — and medical foundations, including a $1 million donation to Vanderbilt University in 2020 that funded the production of a COVID-19 vaccine. Dolly and Pat epitomize greatness, and I believe they are tremendous role models for all Tennesseans — especially young girls and women. Growing up, I always thought the societal norms we ascribed to based on gender were ridiculous, and I still do, even if things have gotten better. Maybe that’s because I have strong women in my life, including those I work with. Perhaps it’s also because I was raised in Tennessee, with Pat Summitt and Dolly Parton as two heroes to look up to.
Happy International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month!
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LAUGH MORE, AGE LESS
WHY LAUGHTER IS GOOD FOR YOU
As we age, we’re told to wear sunscreen, eat more vegetables, take vitamins, and even walk more — all in hope that our internal clocks will slow down and we will age better. But something as simple as laughter could actually be one of the easiest ways to slow the ticking clock of aging. Scientists have long known that laughter can be therapeutic and help us live longer. It has been shown to reduce wear and tear on our bodies and improve our relationships. A Norwegian study found that those who prioritized humor were more likely to live past 70 than those who didn’t laugh often.
relief response from your brain by releasing dopamine. Just one chuckle may even improve your breathing and heart function! In fact, laughing can work wonders for the heart. One study showed that laughter therapy helped reduce the blood pressure and cholesterol levels of its participants. Their blood circulation improved, too. Studies have also found that regular laughter can help strengthen your immune system, and it has long-term benefits for those with respiratory conditions. In addition to your body, laughter is also good for your social life. (And we don’t mean that people will want to spend time with you if you have all the good jokes!) Throughout history, laughter has been an evolutionary sign of understanding.
When there are language barriers, laughing together can create camaraderie and a tighter bond between people of different cultures. The dopamine release that comes with laughter aids in stress relief and creates powerful memories that can improve your mood and strengthen friendships. Of course, laughter has its downfalls, too. Laughing at someone else’s expense is detrimental to their health and can harm your relationships. So, stick to light jokes and actively seek shows, cartoons, or people who make you laugh. You’ll feel good, and your body will be pretty happy, too.
At a biological level, laughter can reduce tension in your muscles and activate a powerful stress-
The Dangers of Drowsy Driving
AND HOW TO PREVENT IT
We all know about the dangers of drunk driving. Intoxication can diminish vision, depth perception, decision-making skills, response time, and coordination. However, drunk driving’s physical effects bear a striking resemblance to a far more common and just as deadly form of driving: drowsy driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drowsy driving was linked to 91,000 crashes, 51,000 injuries, and 795 deaths in 2017, although some experts predict drowsy driving actually leads to 6,000 deaths annually. It also accounts for around 21% of fatal crashes, according to the National Sleep Foundation, whereas drunk driving is around 30%.
Statistics aside, drowsy driving is dangerous for you, your passengers, other drivers, and bystanders. Like drunk driving, drowsy driving can impact vision, decision-making skills, coordination, and attention. While not everyone drinks or consumes inhibiting substances, everyone is susceptible to drowsy driving because everyone gets tired. Preventing this deadly form of driving is easy. Start by ensuring you get enough sleep at night and pay attention to risk factors. If you’re on a long road trip, drive for a living, or are under immense stress, you may be at risk of succumbing to sleep on the road. Look for signs by “red-flagging” certain habits. If you are missing exits, are yawning, are experiencing heavy eyelids, are swerving regularly, cannot remember the last few miles, or your head is dropping, you are likely getting sleepy and need rest. In these instances, don’t rely on your radio, coffee, or air conditioner to keep you awake. Instead, pull over where it is safe to do so and rest. If possible, call a friend or family member to pick you up or call a rideshare company. While it may be a hassle, driving while sleepy or forcing yourself to stay awake with caffeine or loud music will be a larger headache should an accident occur. And remember, sleep is a good thing! If you’re tired, your body needs rest and won’t relent until it happens. Drowsy driving affects us all. If you experienced injuries as a result of an accident involving a driver asleep at the wheel, call our team today to discuss your legal options. You can also learn more about our other legal offerings at DouglassRunger.com .
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English Ground Beef Pasties
Ready to Hit the Road? 3 THINGS YOU MUST DO BEFORE RIDING YOUR MOTORCYCLE THIS SPRING Motorcyclists are itching for dry roads and sunny days and to feel the wind in their faces. There’s nothing that can compare to the freedom of the open road on your bike, but to safely enjoy a great riding season, you first have to properly prepare.
Inspired by AllRecipes.com INGREDIENTS • 3/4 lb ground beef • 1 medium onion, diced • 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced • 2 sheets store-bought puff pastry dough
• 1 tsp dried parsley • Salt and pepper, to taste • 1/4 cup beef broth (as needed)
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat your oven to 400 F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 2. In a large bowl, combine the beef, onion, and potatoes. 3. Roll out the pastry dough into roughly 10-inch circles or squares. 4. Spoon 1/2 of the beef mixture onto each sheet of dough, then top the mixture with parsley, salt, and pepper. 5. Fold the edges of the dough over the filling, pinching each pasty shut and tucking in both ends. 6. Transfer the pasties to the prepared baking sheet, then cut several small slits in each pasty for ventilation. Bake for 45 minutes. 7. Remove the pasties from the oven and reduce the heat to 350 F. Spoon 1 tsp beef broth into each slit, then bake for an additional 15 minutes. 8. Serve and enjoy! INSPIRATION "No matter how many mistakes you make or how slow you progress, you are still way ahead of everyone who isn’t trying." –Anthony Robbins "When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it." –Henry Ford "If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way." –Martin Luther King Jr.
Consider this your motorcyclist preparedness checklist. Don’t skip anything on this list before taking that first ride.
Examine the Tires and Exterior Thoroughly examine your motorcycle, looking for obvious signs of winter damage, debris buildup, or malfunctioning lights. Examine your battery, which can die in cold weather, and replace it as needed. Then, move onto the tires. While tires are very durable, cold weather and long periods without use can cause a tire to lose pressure. Measure each tire’s pressure and add air as needed. And remember, changes in temperature can be detrimental to tires. Closely monitor each for cracks or obvious signs of distress. Check The ‘Liquids’ If you properly winterized your motorcycle, then you likely drained all the fuel and oil, added a stabilizer to the tank, and replaced the oil filter. This spring, just add fuel and oil and you’re ready to go! If you didn’t winterize your bike, consult with a professional to avoid costly damage and destruction. You may need to drain these “liquids” before adding new fuel or oil. As for your coolant and brake fluid, check the levels of each and add more if needed. Check Your Insurance Proper motorcycle insurance is vital to ensuring you are protected no matter what happens. Start by “re-upping” your insurance for the riding season. Many cyclists remove coverage for their motorcycles in the winter, so don’t forget to restart it. While you’re at it, consider extra protection. Collisions involving a motorcycle are often most detrimental to the motorcyclist, so you also need uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. This coverage protects cyclists from motorists who may not be insured or whose insurance cannot properly cover damages. Bonus: Take your motorcycle on a short, slow ride to familiarize yourself with riding again. Motorcycling can be exhilarating, but it doesn’t come without risks. If you’re in an accident or are facing legal concerns regarding your motorcycle, our team can help. To learn more and for more information on our other legal assistance, visit DouglassRunger.com .
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1 The 2 Women Who Taught Me Important Life Lessons 2 The Easiest Anti-Aging Tactic? Laughter What Is Similar to Drunk Driving and Just as Dangerous? 3 Don’t Even Think About Riding Your Motorcycle Until You’ve Done This English Ground Beef Pasties 4 A Match Made in Cornmeal Batter Heaven Inside This Issue
Corn Dogs and Basketball An American Tradition
It’s no coincidence that National Corn Dog Day is March 20 — the third Saturday of the month. This day is traditionally the first Saturday of March Madness, otherwise known as the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship. But wait. What do corn dogs and a basketball tournament have to do with one another? Turns out, National Corn Dog Day has everything to do with March Madness. The “holiday” began in March 1992 when two Corvallis, Oregon, high school students needed a snack while watching a basketball game. They got some corn dogs and called it good. But somehow, this simple snack and sport pairing turned into something huge. In fact, eating corn dogs while watching March Madness caught on like wildfire — and the teens didn’t even have Instagram to promote it! Though
it’s not clear how, it spread across Oregon and eventually the rest of the country. It’s likely that people just heard about it from friends and family and thought it was a great idea.
In 2012, in honor of the original Corn Dog Day, the then-governor of Oregon issued an official proclamation naming March 17 National Corn Dog Day in the state. Several companies jumped on the bandwagon as well, including Foster Farms (a maker of frozen corn dogs, among many other meat products) and the Pabst Brewing Company.
The corn dog, like basketball, is an American creation. In the 1920s, the creators toyed around with
While it’s not an “official” national day recognized by the U.S. Congress, it’s celebrated with
the idea of fried foods on a stick. They battered and fried everything
thousands of events every March. And it’s grown beyond its U.S. roots. An article printed in The Oregonian in 2009 revealed that National Corn Dog Day parties have been celebrated on nearly every continent — including Antarctica!
from cheese to bananas, but it was the battered sausages that really stood out, and the corn dog was born. By the 1940s, the convenient creation had popped up at state fairs and drive-in restaurants all over the country.
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