Check out our October newsletter!
October 2025
COSTUMES, COMMUNITY, CANDY Where Neighbors Meet for Trick or Treats
I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers. As the fictional heroine of “Anne of Green Gables” said so well, making the pivot through the seasons every autumn is something I enjoy. I like the turning of the leaves, the cooler days and nights. And maybe it’s the pagan in me, but I like the later nights and the fire pit gatherings that are part of the seasonal fun. Beyond just being a kid at heart, Halloween is fun and special to me these days because of our grandkids. Fred’s youngest son has three children, and they live near Annapolis, Maryland, in a neighborhood that is like a throwback to an earlier era. The kids ride their bikes around freely, visiting close buddies nearby and going in and out of each other’s houses daily. Families there really shell out for Halloween. People put up big displays on their lawns. Folks show sci-fi or horror flicks on big screens they set up outside, with chairs for neighbors. Someone pulling a low flatbed trailer leads a little parade through the neighborhood. There are cookouts, potlucks, and of course, copious and ridiculously unnecessary amounts of candy at every turn! It is very family-friendly. The adults have a good time too, because nobody has to drive anywhere. You can stand outside and imbibe on folks’ driveways while the kids go door-to- WORKSHOP Have you (or your clients) “been meaning” to get a plan in place? It’s easy to get started with our 7 Hazards to Your Estate Plan Workshop . This free workshop explains the key planning concepts, documents, and factors in selecting a plan that is right for you. Plus, workshop participants receive a complimentary consultation with no obligation to retain our services. The workshop is available on demand or in person, so stop thinking about a plan and create one. Register online at PromiseLaw.com/Estate-Planning-Workshop or call (757) 351-4017.
door, creating a warm, neighborly camaraderie. Where I grew up, in Wyoming, it was snowing on Halloween half the time. So, to me, the festivities in my grandkids’ neighborhood resemble
that iconic image of how we all imagine Halloween can be.
I think one reason Halloween is special to people is that we all get to play make-believe, to dress up and be silly and expressive, with no fear of judgment or criticism. It’s fun to see all the little people in their costumes, learning how to trick-or-treat and talk to big people they don’t know. They are just adorable. When our oldest grandchild was a baby, her parents put her in a little crab suit, sat her up in a little pot, and carried her around — just a little crab in a pot! After the kids grew older, the whole family dressed up as “The Wizard of Oz” characters. Even their dog wore a little lion’s mane. Another year, Fred went as the Monopoly Man, and I went as a cat. And around the time of the “Barbie” movie, we had a fun idea that we all persuaded Fred to do. He got some neon athletic gear and went as Ken! Our grandkids will be 5, 9, and 11 this year — peak ages for Halloween fun. As they grow older, it will be fun to see
their ideas about what they want to do to celebrate. From a crab-in- a-pot to the Monopoly Man, I look forward to adding more images to my storehouse of Halloween memories.
–Geneva N. Perry, Esq.
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Move, Make, and Mingle Finding Your People Starts With Doing What You Love
As life enters a new chapter, many find themselves craving meaningful activities and meaningful connections. Making new friends doesn’t always come as easily as it once did, but shared interests can offer a natural way to meet others. Engaging hobbies offer more than just something to do; they offer a way to belong. Recreational sports like golf, pickleball, or bowling bring people together through lighthearted competition and camaraderie. These games are less about winning and more about showing up, staying active, and enjoying a few laughs along the way. Community theater offers a behind- the-scenes magic all its own. You don’t
have to be on stage to be part of the show. Directing, costume design, set building, and ushering are all wonderful ways to get involved and meet like-minded people. Volunteering is another powerful way to connect. Whether you’re walking shelter dogs, preparing meals, or mentoring a young person, shared service often sparks lasting friendships built on purpose and compassion. If you enjoy music and movement, dance classes offer both. Whether ballroom, swing, or line dancing, these settings make it easy to meet new people while staying energized. And group fitness classes like water aerobics, tai chi, or walking groups
combine health and community in one uplifting routine. Love working with your hands? Craft clubs bring together quilters, knitters, painters, and other creatives to swap stories and skills. Even amateur or ham radio can be surprisingly social, offering a way to connect across town or the world without ever leaving home. Building new friendships may take intention, but these hobbies make it easy and delightful.
The Tale of the Mighty Manila Envelope
This Envelope Has Traveled Further Than You Think
Ever wonder why those big, tan envelopes guarding your documents like Fort Knox are called “Manila” envelopes? Turns out, there’s a rich
water-resistant, and golden in hue, these fibers became the key to making paper that didn’t crumble at the first drop of rain.
hue and reliable durability had built a brand. Even without a shred of real abacá, the trusty envelopes still carried the Manila name like a badge of honor. But here’s the twist: Despite the usefulness of Manila hemp, Filipino farmers barely benefited. During its colonization of the Philippines, the U.S. controlled abacá trade and funneled profits away from the source. So, the next time you grab a Manila envelope to stash your paperwork or mail your wares, know you’re holding a slice of history that stood the test of time (and coffee spills). Who knew your office supply drawer had such worldly flair?
backstory behind this office supply staple — and it has roots half a world away in the Philippines. Back in the 1830s, papermakers hit a snag. Traditional materials like cotton and linen (used to make paper pulp) were in short supply. Enter the seafaring solution: Manila
Originally, these envelopes weren’t the lightweight versions you toss into your office bin today. Early Manila folders were almost as thick as cardboard, and they soon became the go-to for carrying important papers through thick and thin. While the name Manila stuck, the actual plant fiber didn’t. Over
rope, crafted from Manila hemp (aka abacá), is a super-strong plant fiber native to the Philippines. Tough,
time, cheaper, easier-to-process wood pulp took over. But by then, the golden
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Start Your Day the Danish Way
TAKE A BREAK
Candy Gourd Haunting Leaves Libra Marigold Moon Opal Pumpkin Soup Teachers Touchdown
Create Hygge in Every Comforting Morning Step
There’s a quiet magic in the early morning. It’s a time made for gentleness, nourishing both body and spirit. That’s the beauty of hygge , a Danish philosophy rooted in comfort, mindfulness, and savoring life’s small pleasures. Pronounced “ hoo-gah ,” this gentle lifestyle encourages you to slow down and enjoy the present moment. And what better time to begin than first thing in the morning?
Begin right where you wake, still nestled beneath the covers. Before your feet ever touch
EXTRA-CRISPY RANCH CHICKEN CUTLETS
the floor, take a moment to
stretch — not the kind that feels like a chore but one that softly awakens your muscles and soothes your joints. This small act stirs your blood and eases your body into the day with kindness.
Ingredients
Inspired by TheCookieRookie.com
• Olive oil • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste • 3/4 cup flour • 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese • 1 oz ranch seasoning, store-bought (1 packet) or homemade • Cooking spray
Let your shower become a sanctuary. Choose a soap that smells like the season — apple, cinnamon, or something crisp and woodsy. Let the warm water remind you that you’re not in a rush, that this moment is yours. As the coffee brews or tea steeps, light a candle . Watch it flicker and think of someone who has touched your life. Offer a quiet thank-you and wish them well. This small blessing is a gift to them and you. Slip on your walking shoes and greet the world outside . Even a short stroll can awaken a sense of calm. Listen to the autumn leaves rustle, feel the sun on your cheeks. Let nature’s rhythm soften your own. These hygge-inspired rituals help you reclaim mornings with grace, presence, and joy. You’ve earned mornings like these. Let them carry you forward.
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan with olive oil and set aside. 2. Season both sides of chicken breasts with salt and pepper. 3. Set out three shallow bowls. In the first, combine flour and a pinch of salt and pepper. Add the eggs to the second bowl. Mix panko, Parmesan, and ranch seasoning mix in the third bowl. 4. For coating, dip seasoned chicken breasts in flour, coating both sides. Then, dip the chicken in the beaten eggs and, finally, the panko mixture. 5. Place each coated chicken breast in the prepared baking dish. 6. Spray the tops of the chicken with cooking spray. 7. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 165 F and is golden brown.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
October Fun: On the Street Where Halloween Lives
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Extra-Crispy Ranch Chicken Cutlets Hygge Morning Rituals to Nourish Your Spirit Operation Ice Cream: Keeping Troops Cool in Combat Hobbies That Spark Connection at Every Stage of Life The Surprisingly Adventurous History of the Humble Manila Envelope
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ICE CREAM ON DECK! How America Shipped Sweetness to the Front Lines
When it comes to sweet victories, nothing quite compares to ice cream, especially if you’re thousands of miles from home and dodging enemy fire. During the final stretch of World War II, the U.S. Army took dessert diplomacy to a new level with the launch of three massive, concrete-hulled floating freezers designed to deliver joy on a cone. These weren’t your average supply ships. Measuring nearly the length of a football field, these refrigerated barges churned out 500 gallons of ice cream a day, bringing spoonfuls of comfort to troops stationed across the Pacific. Nicknamed BRLs (short for “barge, refrigerated, large”), these floating fortresses of frozen delight also carried loads of meat, fresh produce, eggs, and cheese. But let’s be honest: Everyone came for the ice cream. Whether they were
battling the tropics or homesickness, a scoop of chocolate or vanilla was the perfect morale booster for the troops. Too far from a BRL? No worries. American ingenuity didn’t stop at the shoreline. Aviators on high-altitude flights transformed their B-17 bombers into makeshift ice cream makers by stashing cans of the mixture on board. The vibrations and freezing temperatures worked like a charm, turning turbulent missions into frozen dessert production. These sweet efforts weren’t about indulgence but about reminding the troops of life back home, of simpler pleasures, and that even in war, a little scoop of normalcy could make all the difference. Ice cream may not have won the war, but it certainly made the battlefield a little more bearable.
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