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March/April 2026
OVERCOMING OFFICE VILLAINS The Art of Dealing With People Who Test Your Patience
Gossipers and Drama Queens: Some employees come to work solely to spread gossip and create drama. Every conversation they have relates to rumors and gossip, causing discomfort throughout the workplace. Conversing with, managing, and interacting with these difficult employees can be challenging during the best of times, and downright impossible when they want to be difficult. To save yourself stress, always take a breath before interacting with them. Stay professional, avoid reacting impulsively, and keep your composure. If they seek you out regularly, you may need to set clear, strict boundaries, especially if they start interfering with your work. However, the best thing you can do is not let them bother you. They aren’t
It’s very rare to work somewhere where you enjoy the company of all your coworkers. It doesn’t matter the industry, your responsibilities, or whether you try to be cordial with everyone you encounter; you will run into someone who grinds your gears, either intentionally or by accident. Unfortunately, you can’t ignore them in most workplaces, as communication is necessary for collaboration and teamwork. So, what do you do when a coworker is driving you up the wall?
Over the years, I’ve worked with countless individuals, most of whom have been a pleasure to work alongside. However, I’ve also seen the other side of the spectrum: employees who constantly drag their feet, complain, and bring down everyone around them. They usually fall into one of five different categories.
going to change their ways, so don’t let them impact your feelings, actions, or thoughts. If you really want to counter their negativity, maintain a positive attitude and outlook. By bringing positivity into the workplace, you can counteract the negative vibes these individuals emit. You may feel like it’s best to ignore these coworkers, but remember that your workplace is essentially a small community where you spend many of your
Slow and Steady: This individual moves as slowly as possible when completing work tasks. They don’t necessarily cause any drama, but they may miss deadlines or fail to contribute to group projects.
Constant Complainer: This coworker always has something to complain about. Sometimes, they make a good point, but in most cases, they’re just complaining to complain, draining energy from everyone around them.
waking hours. You will quickly lose enjoyment in your role if you feel like you have to tiptoe around people or avoid areas of the workplace entirely. By learning the best way to interact and deal with difficult coworkers, you can experience positive and productive workdays whenever you have to step into the office. While some strategies will help you strengthen relationships with these coworkers or interact with them more cordially, you may still encounter moments where their behavior is unacceptable. When they cross a line, you need to speak up. Contact your supervisor or speak with human resources to explain the situation and determine the best course of action.
Always in the Spotlight: Some coworkers feel they need to be the center of attention at all times. They take credit for achievements they didn’t earn and act like they did more than the rest of the team. Having this individual in the workplace can deplete team morale. Overconfident and Narcissistic: This person thinks they are always right and their ideas are better than everyone else’s. They usually aren’t open to collaboration and make the rest of the team feel worse about themselves. Please call us at 304-594-1800 to find out how we can help you!
Don’t let toxic or difficult coworkers cause stress and ruin your workday. Find ways to interact with them while remaining calm and seek help if they cross a line.
-Jeff Robinette
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DIGITAL DECEPTION Secrets of the Internet’s Sneakiest Scams
The internet has become deeply intertwined with our lives, enabling us to reconnect with old friends, stay informed about the latest news, and explore new ideas. However, with the good comes the bad. Scammers have been developing new strategies to take our money, and if you’re not careful, you could become a victim. Here are three internet-enabled scams you should be aware of. Unfamiliar Emails We get emails every day, and most come from unfamiliar senders. These emails rarely contain relevant or beneficial information, but they often carry potential
harm. Don’t click on links or attachments within these communications unless you expect them. Scammers can even spoof friends’ or family members’ emails, so it’s always good to be cautious. Scam Calls Your phone number is public information, and scammers use that to their advantage. They often call seniors, claiming to be someone from their bank, cellphone provider, or another company with which they have an account. They ask for sensitive information shortly after the call begins. Never give it to them. The real organizations rarely call, and if they do,
they will not ask for sensitive information. If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and contact the supposed organization directly to verify its authenticity. Shared Networks When you enter a business, you may feel compelled to join its public Wi-Fi. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with this practice, you do not want to use public Wi-Fi to log into and view your bank account, medical information, or social media accounts. Scammers wait on public networks to intercept passwords. Shared networks are not as safe as they may appear.
INFLATION’S HIDDEN IMPACT ON YOUR ESTATE The Price of Planning Ahead
Most of us notice inflation when we check out at the grocery store, not when we think about our estate plan. Prices for everyday items are creeping up, but those same price changes can also impact the value of what we own. When that happens, our estate plan may need a second look. Inflation means that money doesn’t stretch as far as it used to. A dollar today buys less than it did a few years ago. Homes, cars, and investments all fluctuate in value due to inflation. In the 1950s, the average home sold for about $7,400. Today, it’s well over
$370,000. Wages have also increased, albeit at a slower pace. That gap explains why inflation matters when estate planning. When the cost of goods and property rises, the total value of our estate rises with it. That sounds positive, but it can also push an estate closer to federal or state tax thresholds. A house valued at $1 million today might be worth $1.5 million in a few years, and that extra half-million could create new tax questions. Families sometimes find themselves paying more in taxes, only to watch those assets drop in value soon after. The best way to handle this issue is to plan early and keep plans updated. We can start by reviewing our estate annually and comparing it to current tax limits. Adding beneficiary designations to accounts, such as life insurance or retirement funds, keeps those assets outside the taxable estate. Giving modest gifts to family or charities can reduce overall value while allowing us to see the results in our lifetimes. Inflation is constantly changing, and our plans should adapt to it accordingly. Reviewing what we’ve built every year helps ensure that our loved ones receive what we intend, without unwelcome surprises when the time comes.
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THE PLAN BEHIND THE LEGEND Estate Lessons From Paul Newman
Paul Newman was more than a movie legend. He built race cars, funded hospitals, and turned salad dressing into one of the most successful charitable brands in the world. But one of his quietest accomplishments happened away from the spotlight. When he planned his estate, he handled it with the same thought and discipline he brought to everything else. When he passed away in 2008, Newman’s estate was worth hundreds of millions of dollars. That alone isn’t what makes his plan remarkable. What stands out is how carefully he put it together. He had a detailed will, a private trust to keep his finances out of the public eye, and two trusted people ready to manage the details. Newman even included a clause discouraging legal disputes because he knew arguments over money can divide even the closest of families. His decisions reflected what mattered in his life. Newman’s wife, Joanne Woodward, kept their home and personal belongings. His Oscars, Golden Globes,
and other awards went to the foundation that still bears his name. Newman’s image, his company, and the earnings that continue to fund projects across the country also went to the foundation. He also took care of the practical side of things. By setting up the right trusts, he delayed certain taxes, ensuring his wife would be cared for before the government took its share. Newman even included provisions for various asset types, including his race cars and airplanes. He directed the proceeds from those to his residuary estate. Ultimately, his plan was practical, generous, and designed to last. Most of us don’t have a Hollywood fortune to divide, but we still face the same questions. Whom do we trust to handle things when we’re gone? What should continue to work long after we stop? Newman showed that good planning has less to do with money and more to do with making things clear for the people you care about. And his name still funds good work, which is a legacy worth having.
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
SPINACH ARTICHOKE PIZZA
Ingredients
Inspired by BlueBowlRecipes.com
• 1 loaf frozen bread dough • 2 tbsp garlic herb spreadable cheese • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded Gruyere cheese • 7 oz artichoke hearts, chopped • Several handfuls of fresh spinach • Pepper, to taste
Directions
1. Thaw dough according to package directions and let it rise for 2 hours. 2. Preheat oven to 450 F. 3. Coat a 10-inch cast-iron skillet with non-stick spray, then gently stretch dough to fit. 4. Spread garlic herb cheese evenly across the entire dough layer. 5. Sprinkle mozzarella and Gruyere cheeses evenly over dough, reserving a small amount of each. 6. As the topping, scatter chopped artichoke hearts, followed by a layer of torn spinach leaves, and then the reserved cheeses. Add black pepper to taste. 7. Bake for 15–18 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and crisp.
HEBREWS 10:24-25
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Not Every Coworker Is a Team Player
1
Protect Yourself in the Digital Age Inflation-Proofing Your Estate for the Future
2
A Hollywood Actor’s Thoughtful Final Act Spinach Artichoke Pizza
3
Rescue Dog Serves as a Lifeline to Traumatized Children
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A Former Stray Helping Others Heal From Homeless Mutt to Hero
Just three years ago, law enforcement officers in Brevard County, Florida, picked up a scruffy stray dog with bad skin allergies who was wandering the streets. Seeing potential in the mutt, they enrolled him in a training program for therapy and comfort dogs. In a remarkable transformation, the former stray was recently named a national “hero dog” for comforting dozens of elementary school students after a mass shooting at Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee. Guided by his handler, Faye Okert, Sgt. Bo offered snuggles, warmth, and emotional support to children traumatized by the tragedy. “When he walks into a room, he knows who needs his help,” Okert says. “They instantly feel safe and comforted.” Sgt. Bo seemed destined for a shelter for homeless pets in 2022 when the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office enrolled him in their Paws and Stripes College, a program that trains carefully selected homeless dogs to be therapy and comfort companions. After learning about the program, Okert, an officer at the time with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, contacted the College to adopt a graduate of the program. After seeing Sgt. Bo’s photo, however, Okert almost passed him up. He was battling skin allergies at the time and looked so scruffy
that Okert was afraid people would make fun of him. She traveled to Florida, planning to ask for a different dog. But after watching Sgt. Bo in training and meeting him face-to-face, she realized she had found the right one. She describes Sgt. Bo as “an old soul in a young dog’s body” who enjoys helping humans in distress.
One of Sgt. Bo’s early assignments was to comfort Covenant School’s surviving students as they were reunited with their parents after the 2023 shooting, which claimed the lives of three children, three adults, and the shooter, a former student. Sgt. Bo was selected by the American Humane Society as America’s 2025 Hero Dog for his service to the kids of Nashville, beating out four impressive canine runners-up. Hundreds of dogs are nominated every year for the award, and the public then votes on five semifinalists. Calling Sgt. Bo’s story “inspiring,” Humane Society President Dr. Robin Ganzert said, “This scruffy superstar embodies everything the American Humane Society looks for in a dog: service, resiliency, and love.” His work, she added, “is a beautiful testament to the healing power of the human-animal bond.”
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