77 Central Street, Manchester, NH 03101 • www.DaveNixonLaw.com • 603.669.7070 • November 2018
VOLUNTEERING AS A FAMILY HOW TO ENCOURAGE YOUR KIDS TO GIVE BACK
G ifts, meal planning, and endless family gatherings can leave you feeling wrung out this holiday season. Ramp up your merry feelings by volunteering with your kids. By utilizing their talents to help others, they can learn valuable lessons. Try some of these simple activities and watch your kiddos transform into lean, mean, volunteering machines. TURN VOLUNTEERING INTO A GAME There are a couple ways to change your children’s outlook on volunteering from an obligation to a real desire. Start with getting your kids to clean their bedrooms. Set a goal for each child to find a certain number of items they’re willing to donate — say, 10 items per kid — and reward them when they meet that goal with a fun family activity, like going bowling or getting ice cream. You and your family could also help a neighbor clean out their garage in a contest to see who can find the oldest or most unique item. Or you could split off into teams and volunteer to clean up elderly neighbors’ yards or shovel their driveways. Whoever cleans the most yards in the shortest amount of time gets to pick dinner that night. Cleaning and organizing might not be among your children’s favorite things to do, but if you make it a fun activity with a goal and a prize, they may forget it was ever a chore. Your child will learn the value of helping others, and they’ll tidy their room while they’re at it. TURN PASSION INTO GOODWILL Is there a budding artist in your family? What about a kid who loves the dirt? Take an activity your child loves, and turn it into an action for good
in your community to get them excited about helping others.
Start a community garden and donate the goods to food shelves or local churches. Or have your crafty kid draw, paint, or make artwork to send to residents in local nursing homes. Your child can be creative while also making others happier; it’s a win-win. Children of any age, from toddlers to teenagers, can apply their skills and interests for the good of their community — and if they make it a habit now, it will follow them into the future. TURN APATHY INTO CARING The most effective way to teach your kids about compassion and volunteering is to show them — not tell them — about the struggles others face. If you’re worried that your kid does not have enough care for others, give them an opportunity to work directly with people in less fortunate circumstances.
Get the whole family to help at a humane society by playing with the animals, taking the dogs on walks, or cleaning out cages. This service can teach your kids about being responsible pet owners. To
foster generational connections, set up play dates with your children and older adults in nursing homes. In that same vein, your musically gifted teen or the family band can play their favorite tunes for kids stuck in the hospital or for older adults in care facilities. Your kiddos may dread volunteer service initially, but volunteering can become an outlet for new opportunities, and your kids might become more compassionate, too!
–Kirk Simoneau
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Conversations Appropriate for the Dinner Table DODGING THANKSGIVING AWKWARDNESS
Thanksgiving conversation is often a minefield of topics: political divides, your English degree, and Aunt Marjory’s insistence that you meet her neighbor’s cousin’s dog walker’s uncle’s son who’s a fantastic up-and-coming podiatrist. Between constantly passing the potatoes and dodging your relatives’ questions, Thanksgiving can be an exhausting holiday. But it’s a day to be grateful for what and whom you have in your life, so why do so many people leave their annual gatherings feeling overwhelmed and misunderstood? This year, when the conversation begins steering in an awkward direction, try these conversation starters for a more relaxing and fulfilling holiday. 1. What’s your pet been up to? Maybe Fluffy learned a new trick or Oscar is undergoing some intensive grooming next week. Whatever the case may be, people love to talk about their pets. 2. What Thanksgiving dish can you not live without? Without going culinary critic on your grandma’s meal, gush about your favorite dish. Just like with pets, people love discussing foods and
recipes. You may start a fun debate or a recipe swap with this question.
3. Dad did what as a kid? Getting to know your relatives, friends, and significant others better will only strengthen those bonds. You’ll likely hear some interesting stories you can share with others and forge a stronger connection with your relatives. 4. Stupid human tricks, anyone? Let’s see those double joints! This one might not be for the squeamish at the dinner table, but it’s a fun, goofy activity that’s best shared over a glass of after-dinner wine. 5. How about we get coffee? Sometimes part of the stress of answering your relatives’ questions stems from holiday pressures. It may force you to address your bank account, love life, and general life choices. If you really do want to talk about your job or your love life with relatives, suggest meeting up again without the holiday atmosphere. While you’re all in one place trying to enjoy a piece of pie, plan a family winery tour, beach day, or camping trip. Family situations will always be a little stressful, but without the pressure of the holidays, you might feel more relaxed.
Committed Paralegal and Business Owner Nicole Dell’Orfano is one of the best Nicole Dell’Orfano
enjoyed it. Everyone here is awesome and works well together. It’s like a family, and everyone has each other’s back. The staff and attorneys are caring people who genuinely want to do the best we can for our clients,” she says. Not only is Nicole an excellent paralegal with extensive knowledge in the medical field, but she also runs her own business — a construction painting company. “I’m always working,” she admits. “When I’m not in the office at the firm, I’m busy with the business, and I’m constantly working on my house too.” When Nicole was a teenager and needed a job, she happened to meet someone who took her under his wing and taught her the ins and outs of construction painting. Ever since, Nicole has taken what she learned and combined it with hard work and diligence to run her business. Finding free time for herself can be tricky, but when she does, Nicole spends time with her family. “We try and do a lot of outdoorsy activities. I like to go zip lining and hiking mostly. Otherwise, we just relax at home.” All of us at Nixon, Vogelman, Slawsky & Simoneau want to thank Nicole for her continued zeal for our firm. We’re grateful to have such a wonderful paralegal on our team!
paralegals we’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. Not only is Nicole dedicated to helping the clients who come to us, but she is also committed to helping other members of our staff. Nicole has been our paralegal for the past 5 1/2 years and takes care of everyone who comes through our doors.
Nicole’s interest in law started during school. She says, “I was pursuing a medical career, and I’d been in that field for 10 years before I extended my focus to include criminal justice and philosophy.” Taking on the three subjects went smoothly for her. “I was majoring in criminal justice and biology and minoring in philosophy; everything kind of ran together. The subjects intertwined with each other, so it wasn’t a rough transition at all.” When Nicole graduated from Rivier University, she learned about Nixon, Vogelman, Slawsky & Simoneau from the career center. “I learned all about the firm and applied soon afterward. Since I first started working here, I’ve really
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On Receiving the Bruce E. Friedman Pro Bono Award KIRK SIMONEAU
Once a year, the University of New Hampshire (UNH) and the New Hampshire Bar Association give the Bruce E. Friedman Pro Bono award to a UNH alumnus or alumna and New Hampshire Bar member. The award is given to an individual “who has made significant and exemplary contributions to the delivery of volunteer legal services to the vulnerable and those who need it most,” as the New Hampshire Bar Association states. Bruce E. Friedman founded the civil practice clinic at UNH and was an icon for his work in civil legal services in New Hampshire. Those individuals who are presented with the award embody Friedman’s value, diligence, and hard work within the world of civil law.
On Oct. 25, attorney Kirk Simoneau received the 2018 Bruce E. Friedman Pro Bono Award for his dedication and hard work while assisting victims of domestic violence. Simoneau has spent countless hours working to give people peace of mind through Domestic Violence Ended (DOVE), an organization that provides services and support for victims of domestic violence and their children. His introduction as a member of DOVE came with a precedent that expanded the available protections for victims of domestic violence at final protective-order hearings. Simoneau volunteers readily for DOVE, taking as many cases as he can and representing numerous clients. He also teaches classes on the best ways to
represent these types of cases and has mentored dozens of fellow attorneys. Simoneau takes his work seriously, ensuring that his clients receive ideal care for their individual situations. After telling his family he was receiving this award, his daughters wished to congratulate him. Simoneau says, “Later, when I got home, the kids had a cake that read, ‘Congrats, Dad, you’re the best at domestic violence!’ I’m not quite sure they got it. I’m also concerned about that bakery.”
Be Inspired and
Have a Laugh
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Guiding you through life’s trials
77 Central Street Manchester, NH 03101 www.DaveNixonLaw.com 603.669.7070
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INSIDE This Issue
Volunteering as a Family
1
What to Talk About This Thanksgiving Meet Nicole!
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Kirk Simoneau Wins an Award
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A Historic Veterans Day
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A HISTORIC VETERANS DAY Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the End of World War I
This year, Veterans Day takes on particular historic significance: Nov. 11, 2018, marks the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended the First World War. Countries around the world will commemorate the signing of this peace agreement with moments of silence, centennial ceremonies, and historical exhibits. Unlike Memorial Day, Veterans Day is a celebration of life. It’s a day to honor the power of peace and the living veterans across the globe who have served their countries. This November, take a moment to remember the war that helped shape the international community’s dedication to peace and thank the individuals who served to defend it. THE GREAT WAR By 1914, a world war had been years in the making, but the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of the Austro-Hungarian Empire by a Serbian nationalist provided the spark that would eventually burn down much of Europe. A chain reaction of land disputes, pre-emptive attacks, and strategic alliances brought over 30 countries into World War I.
The Great War that ravaged Europe resulted in a devastating loss of life, but from those ashes rose a renewed appreciation for the importance of peace and a global effort to ensure its place in the future. THE RESTORATION OF PEACE In 1918, Germany surrendered unconditionally, and the armistice ended the fighting at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, though the war did not officially end until the signing of the Treaty of Versailles the following July. An estimated 16 million soldiers and civilians died in just four years, making it one of the deadliest conflicts in modern history. VETERANS DAY Originally called Armistice Day, Veterans Day was first observed on Nov. 11, 1919, to honor the one-year anniversary of the armistice, and it became a U.S. holiday in 1938. Today, Veterans Day celebrates veterans who served their country honorably. The U.K., France, Australia, and
Canada also commemorate their veterans in November. If you know a veteran, thank them for their service this month.
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