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Kevin’s Peace of Mind
www.kevintharpe.com (770) 503-1022
June 2020
Happy Father’s Day, Brothers! Kevin’s Tribute to theTharpe and Stidham Fathers
I feel very blessed to have amazing people on both sides of my family, including the men inmy family. In past issues of this newsletter, you have met my grandfather, my father, andmy father- in-law. This Father’s Day, I want to honor four men who have a very important role inmy and my family’s lives: Kenny Tharpe, JeffTharpe, Jeff Stidham, and Christopher Stidham. Each of these men are called“Uncle”by my daughter Callie, but they are my brothers or brothers-in-law.
sitting in a deer stand or a fishing boat, Kenny is the type of person who needs to be outdoors or doing things with his hands. He is also good with people, as evidenced by his recent election to the Moreland City Council. Kenny graduated from Auburn University, where he met his wife Jeannie. He has two kids, Kaleigh and Joel. Kenny is also a grandfather to two grandsons, Jack and Aiden. JeffTharpe is my youngest brother. Jeff is married to Gina and a father to Colby, Carson, and Kyndal. Youmight remember the October 2019 newsletter where I sharedmy memories and admiration for my baby brother. In that newsletter, I talked about Jeff and his relationship with his two sons. Colby and Carson aren’t Jeff’s biological children; their biological father died when the boys were very young. I really admire the way Jeff opened his heart to them and that he has always treated them like his own boys. One special experience Jeff shared with both Colby and Carson occurred while he was a vice principal at the local high school. Jeff had the honor of not just shaking their hands and hugging them
He played catcher on the inaugural baseball team for LaGrange College, and he once considered going professional and trying out for the Chicago Cubs. Jeff took his baseball skills and love for the game and became a baseball coach not only for his boys’baseball teams while they were growing up but also as a community coach for the baseball team at a local Christian school. Jeff is also active in his church and his community, on top of being super active in his family— I admire that very much. Jeff will soon become a father-in-law, as his oldest son Nicholas is gettingmarried on June 30. Christopher Stidham is Missy’s younger brother, and he is actually the reason I met Missy. The youth pastor at the church I was attending had askedme if I’d consider teaching the youth classes on Sunday for boys near high-school age. Chris was in eighth grade at that time and was a part of that group. Christopher and I soon became great friends. We went fishing, hunting, and played ball together, and eventually, he told me, “Hey, I have a sister youmight want tomeet!” He said he just wanted to introduce us so I could spendmore time with him, but he didn’t seem tomind that Missy and I got along so well. Today, Chris is married to Katrina and has three boys: Brady, Evan, and Maddox. As a fun-loving guy with a great sense of humor and a big heart, Chris uses these traits to be a great father to his sons. These four are some of the most faithful, dependable, strong, and compassionate men I know. I look up to each of them, even if I’m technically older than most of them. Guys, your amazing work for your families and others doesn’t go unnoticed. You may be related to me by birth or by marriage, but all of you are my brothers and my friends.
As fathers, all of these men have been sources of great inspiration and support, and they are leaders not only in their families, but also on the athletic field, in their churches, and in their communities. I’ve seen my brothers each struggle with their fair share of work, health, or other issues in their lives. I have also seen each of them grow stronger in their faith, and they always seem to stay focused on prioritizing their families. No matter what may be happening in their own individual lives, they always make sure they’re present in their families’ lives. Kenny Tharpe is my oldest brother, and he lives in Moreland, Georgia (hometown of Lewis Grizzard). Whether it’s working on highway construction jobs, buildingmy parents’home in Moreland, or
as they graduated but also handing them their diplomas. For a dad, that’s really special. Jeff and I also share the privilege and struggle of two dads raising teenage girls at the same time. We plan to go on a double date with our daughters to see“Hamilton” in August —we’re very much looking forward to that. Jeff sings beautifully and is a leader in his church choir, somaybe he’ll sing some“Hamilton” for us until then! Jeff Stidham is my wife, Missy’s, oldest brother. Jeff is married toWanda, and they have four children, Nicholas, Zachary, Maegan, and Ashley. Besides Wanda and his family, Jeff’s other love is baseball.
Happy Father’s Day!
-J. Kevin Tharpe
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ABOUT TO RETIRE? CONSIDER THESE LOW-RISK, HIGH-RETURN INVESTMENTS
As you age, it’s wise to make some changes in order to stay healthy, like your diet or your workout routine. Likewise, your portfolio should be adjusted to reduce risk and protect your financial health. After a bad turn in the market, it can take up to a decade to make your money back. If you want to retire in the next five years, then can you really afford that risk? Reducing your risk doesn’t necessarily mean missing out on high-return investments, though. Here are some low-risk, high-return investments to consider adding to your portfolio as you approach retirement. PEER-TO-PEER LENDING Otherwise known as P2P lending, this investment takes place online. Borrowers are matched with investors for loans that benefit both parties — lending without the bank. Your risk and potential returns depend entirely on which loans you choose to invest in. The two most popular P2P lending platforms are Lending Club and Prosper, and you can start investing in either platform with as little as $25. REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS When you invest in real estate investment trusts (REIT), you’re investing in mortgages or direct equity positions in various properties. When the stock market is in decline, REITs are a good investment because they’re not corrected with stock exchanges. Plus, their yield is usually higher than the dividends investors get from stocks.
FIXED INDEXED ANNUITIES When it comes to low-risk, high-return investments, fixed indexed annuities (FIA) are the most attractive option for retirees. In 2018, renowned economist professor Roger Ibbotson conducted research into the return history of inflation, U.S. Treasury bills, government bonds, FIAs, and stocks. Unsurprisingly, stocks offered the highest returns historically, but Ibbotson was surprised to find FIAs came in second, beating out bonds and conventional wisdom.
Historically, these investments have produced great returns for individuals who are in retirement or who are about to retire. However, remember that everyone’s circumstances are different. Before making any changes to your portfolio, talk to your financial planner about your options. TIMES THE OLYMPICSWERE CANCELED And the Postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Games
In late March, amid the global spread of COVID-19, the International Olympic Committee announced the postponement of the 2020 Olympic Games. They were slated to take place in Tokyo, Japan, this summer, but they will now happen in the summer of 2021. While this is an unprecedented decision, it’s not the first time that major global events have affected the Olympic Games or which countries participated. Since the inception of the modern Olympic Games in 1896, they have been outright canceled three times — 1916, 1940, and 1944. The first cancellation of the Olympic Games happened duringWorldWar I. The German Empire was supposed to host the games in Berlin, but by the time 1916 rolled around, Europe was deep in the trenches of WWI. Many nations had sent their athletes to fight in the war, so the games were canceled.
WorldWar II caused the next two cancellations. The 1940 Olympics were initially scheduled to be held in Tokyo. It would have been the first time the games were hosted by a non-Western country, but Japan forfeited the right to host when they invaded China in 1937. The games were then rebooked for Helsinki, Finland, but after Nazi Germany invaded Poland in 1939 and startedWWII, those games were scrapped as well. Since the fighting hadn’t ceased by the time the games were supposed to happen in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, in 1944, the Olympics were canceled again. Though the Olympics have happened on schedule since the end of WWII, the United States has not always participated. In 1980, when the U.S. boycotted the Olympics that were held in Moscow, Russia, in protest of the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan, 64 other nations followed suit. However, those games still went on as planned and 80 countries participated. The fact that major global conflicts are the only other events that have been catastrophic enough to affect the Olympics might be distressing and elevate anxiety about our current global health crisis. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the Olympics have only been postponed this time, not canceled. We’ll still get to cheer on our favorite Olympians next year.
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TAKE A BREAK
TURN YOUR VACATION INTO A STAYCATION
3 Ways to Replace a Canceled Vacation
Vacations provide opportunities for families to spend time together in a relaxed environment, get away from the routines of everyday life, and create meaningful memories. If you’ve recently had to cancel a trip but still want to create the experience of a vacation for your family, then a staycation is just what you need. TRANSFORM YOUR BACKYARD When you’re trying to recreate a vacation, the outdoor areas of your home present a variety of possibilities. You can turn a sandbox into a relaxing beach, complete with a kiddie pool “ocean.” If you have trees, then set up a zip line or obstacle course. You can even stimulate summer brains with a scavenger hunt around the backyard with hidden clues in the dirt or bushes. The ultimate prize can be something you would have purchased on your original vacation, like a souvenir you can find online. CREATE A ‘FAMILY MUSEUM’ Many vacations include an educational aspect in order to enrich our understanding of the place we’re visiting, and museums are a great way to accomplish that. If you’re confined to the house, then teach your kids about your own knowledge and interests and encourage them to get creative and make their own contributions, too. Have everyone create art, take photos, or write about their prized possessions. Display these masterpieces around your home and let their creators take you on a tour. Learning more about one another builds meaningful bonds. BRING YOUR TRIP HOME You probably chose your original vacation destination in order to experience new and different cultures and activities. But just because you’re no longer traveling to that location doesn’t mean you can’t experience some of what it has to offer! Research popular local cuisine, activities, and history of the area, then create ways to experience them with your family. Cook a traditional meal, recreate a scenic location through photographs, or share a story about local lore and history. Your changed plans will no longer feel like a missed opportunity. Staying at home doesn’t mean your family can’t have the fun of a vacation. All it takes is a little creativity and innovation to build an experience that will bring your family closer together.
GRILLED BASIL CHICKEN AND TOMATOES
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
You can’t go wrong with grilled chicken and tomatoes on a warm summer’s evening. It’s a simple recipe that packs a flavor punch.
Ingredients
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2 tbsp olive oil
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1/4 cup tightly packed fresh basil leaves
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1 clove garlic
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8 Roma tomatoes
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1/2 tsp salt
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4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (4 oz each)
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3/4 cup balsamic vinegar
Directions
1. For marinade: In blender, combine olive oil, garlic, salt, vinegar, and basil. Cut 2 tomatoes into quarters and add to mixture. Cover and process until blended. Halve remaining tomatoes for grilling.
2. In bowl, combine chicken and 2/3 cup marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Reserve remaining marinade.
3. Heat grill to about 350–400 F. Lightly oil grates. Grill chicken until internal temperature reads 165 F, about 4–6 minutes per side. Grill tomatoes until lightly browned, about 2–4 minutes per side. Discard remaining marinade.
4. Serve chicken and tomatoes with reserved marinade.
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(770) 503-1022 www.KevinTharpe.com 405 Broad St. Gainesville, GA 30501 INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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Kevin’s Tribute to the Tharpe and Stidham Fathers
Best Investments for Retirees Have the Olympics Ever Been Postponed Before?
2
Grilled Basil Chicken and Tomatoes 3 Enriching Staycation Ideas
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4
Help Local Nonprofits in Challenging Times
THE BEST WAYS TO HELP LOCAL NONPROFITS IN CHALLENGING TIMES
VOLUNTEER
Over the past several months, families, businesses, and nonprofits have had to navigate life in this challenging “new normal,” and it can be hard to support your favorite nonprofits when times are tough. Here are a few ways you can help these important entities, even when you don’t have resources to spare right now.
In a time of social distancing, volunteering may be discouraged, but nonprofits still need volunteers to operate. The good news is that many nonprofits need volunteers for positions that maintain social distance, such as driving. Food banks and kitchens need drivers to pick up donations or ingredients from donors and to deliver food to people in need, such as the elderly or those with disabilities.
DONATE
While many people donate generously during the holiday season, remember that nonprofits need donations throughout the year, and different nonprofits need different things. A monetary donation can often go a long way, but never feel obligated to give money, especially when your budget may be tight. Instead, consider cleaning out your closet. What clothes, shoes, or other accessories can you part with? What about dishware or small appliances? When you clean out your home and donate unused items, you benefit those in the community who need them most.
ADVOCATE
Even if you don’t have time or resources to give, you can become an advocate for important causes around your community. While it might not seem like much, sharing information about local nonprofits on social media can make a genuine difference. Nonprofits need exposure, which is greatly boosted through community support. Sharing useful information about nonprofits — or sharing their posts — increases their visibility so more people will take action.
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