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Review Brooks & Crowley
December 2025
781-251-0555
brooksandcrowley.com
439 Washington Street Dedham, MA 02026
*Services Throughout Massachusetts
THE MAN WHO CHANGED HIS LEGACY LESSONS FROM ALFRED NOBEL’S SECOND ACT
Even the inventor of dynamite found a way to leave the world better than he found it. That’s what I recently learned about Alfred Nobel, whose name is most often associated with the Nobel Peace Prize. He died on Dec. 10, 1896, and the Nobel Prizes are awarded on that same day in his honor. That’s why I started reading about him, and once I did, I couldn’t stop. Nobel was a Swedish chemist and engineer who made his fortune developing explosives. His first patents were for landmines, and his early customers were armies. He eventually held more than 300 patents and invented dynamite by figuring out how to stabilize nitroglycerine, which was dangerously volatile at the time. That part of his life was all business. He built factories throughout Europe, made deals, and lost his brother to a lab explosion along the way. But there was another side to him.
but here was someone who actually followed through. The money he made building weapons funded more than a century of prizes for people pushing the world forward. What stood out most to me wasn’t what he built, but how he changed. Somewhere along the line, he decided to use what he’d created for something different, something better. That kind of turn doesn’t come easily. It takes a lot to step back and ask whether your work is really leading where you want it to go. I often think about how easy it is to get caught up in our daily routines and forget that our lives are a work in progress. No one is perfect. We all have things we wish we’d done differently, but there’s always time to shift the direction we’re heading. Nobel’s story is a reminder that you can take the same drive that built one thing and use it to build something better.
Later in life, Nobel began writing poetry and plays, experiencing a shift in perspective. His personal secretary, Bertha von Suttner, was a peace activist, and many credit her
December tends to bring that into focus for me. It’s a busy month, but it also gives you moments to slow down and look both ways. I find myself looking back at what went well and ahead at what I might want to do differently in the future. And getting better doesn’t always mean chasing big goals or resolutions. Sometimes, it’s just paying more attention, being a bit more patient, or making the effort to stay connected to the people who matter most. Nobel couldn’t erase his past, but he gave it new meaning. That’s what I take from this story. You don’t have to change the world, but you can make your corner of it a little better than it was before. –Steve Brooks
with being the influence behind the Nobel Peace Prize. Nobel rewrote his will several times. In the final version that he signed not long before passing away, he set aside the bulk of his fortune to fund the peace prize and prizes in four other areas: chemistry, physics, medicine, and literature.
It struck me as a powerful story, especially this time of year. We talk a lot about generosity, peace on Earth, and goodwill toward men during the holidays,
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Freedom in a Deck of Cards
The Secret Tools of War
James Bond gets the movie credit, but real spies in World War II were pulling tricks long before 007 hit the screen. Their work wasn’t flashy; it was desperate. The British intelligence agency MI9 and later the American MIS-X program were tasked with helping Allied soldiers escape Nazi prisons or avoid capture. That meant turning everyday objects into tools. Take the button compass. It looked like part of a soldier’s uniform, nothing more. But inside sat a tiny magnetic needle. Line it up on a string, and suddenly you knew which way was north.
A few companies, including the U.S. Playing Card Company, also did their part. Soldiers could peel away the top layer of a card to uncover silk escape maps. Cigarette packs from the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company carried radio parts. Gillette even made razor blades that acted like a compass if you balanced them on a stick. What’s remarkable is that the companies involved never asked for recognition or payment. Gillette, R.J. Reynolds, and the Playing Card Company volunteered and helped. And the gadgets kept coming. Radios hidden in suitcases. Hollow heels in boots with maps tucked inside. Even Ping-Pong paddles had secret compartments. Guards saw these items and didn’t give them a second thought. That was the point.
Most of the devices were destroyed when the war ended. But enough stories survived to give us a glimpse.
Hairbrushes carried folded maps or money. Monopoly boards weren’t just for killing time; they came with real bills mixed in, and if you saw a red dot on “Free Parking,” chances were good there was more than a game in the box.
Clever doesn’t even begin to cover it. For many prisoners, a deck of cards or a
shaving kit wasn’t just a distraction. It was a shot at freedom.
Is It Time for a Trust?
Protecting Real Estate the Right Way
There’s something about this time of year that makes people reflective. Maybe it’s being around family or the occasional moments of quiet that sneak in between busy days. Whatever it is, it’s when a lot of clients reach out with questions they’ve been putting off. One that comes up more and more is whether it’s time to put their property into a trust.
I help many clients navigate the real estate aspect of this puzzle. That involves drafting a realty trust, and deeding the property into the trust by recording the deed and a certificate of trust with the registry of deeds. The goal is to ensure that property ownership is properly set up and aligned with your intentions. In Massachusetts, if a property is not held in a trust and the owners pass away, the home typically must go through probate. That process can take up to a year, and in the meantime, it can tie up your assets and put pressure on your family. A realty trust avoids that. You remain in control while you’re still living. You can sell the property, refinance it, change your mind, or remove it from the trust altogether. But if something happens to you, the trust makes the next steps much smoother. The property automatically passes to the successor trustee, to hold title for the beneficiaries of the trust. There’s no judge involved, no court filings, and the details of this part of your estate stay private. If you’ve been meaning to sort this out but haven’t gotten around to it, now’s a good time to start. I’m happy to walk you through the process and ensure your property is taken care of as you intended. Please call us or contact us online to schedule a consultation.
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GET SMART ABOUT SUGAR Eliminate This Hidden Hazard From Your Diet
Most Americans know that too much sugar in their diet is bad for them, increasing the risk of heart disease, cancer, obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and other chronic conditions. While avoiding candy, desserts, and sugary drinks may be the first thought that comes to mind when you think about reducing sugar, that may not be enough. You may be getting hidden sugar in other foods that masquerade as healthy choices, such as granola, processed snacks, and smoothies. Hidden sugars are a major reason 12%–16% of most Americans’ daily calorie intake comes from sugar, instead of the recommended 5%–10%. Here are three ways to eliminate hidden sugars from your everyday diet. READ LABELS Did you know that ketchup is more sugary than ice cream? Marinara and other sauces are sugary culprits as well. Some canned foods also contain
large amounts of sugar. A consumer’s best defense is to read labels. The most prevalent ingredients are listed at the top. Also watch for its many other identities, including high fructose corn syrup, maltose, and dextrose. CHOOSE FULL-FAT Nonfat or low-fat foods might seem like a healthy choice, but they often contain more sugar and calories than the full-fat alternative. Also, full-fat foods tend to be more satisfying. For a pleasing dessert, try combining a full-fat dairy topping with fresh fruit. The natural sugar in fresh fruit doesn’t rocket straight into your bloodstream in the same harmful way the sugar added to processed foods does. INCREASE PROTEIN Not only are protein-rich foods good for you, but they also curb your appetite and carb cravings. In fact, they have the opposite effect as sugary foods, which tend to increase cravings
and weight gain! Protein-rich meat, fish, eggs, avocados, and nuts can all be tasty allies in reducing hidden sugars. Don’t tackle all these dietary changes at once. Choose one at a time and stick with it until it feels natural. Embracing new habits gradually makes them more likely to stick!
Have a Laugh!
Crispy Prosciutto and Cheese Sliders
Ingredients
• • • •
3 oz thinly sliced prosciutto
• • • • • •
1/2 cup melted butter 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 package dinner rolls, halved lengthwise 1/4 cup fig preserves
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme 2 chopped garlic cloves
3/4 cup shredded fontina cheese
Black pepper, to taste
•
3/4 cup shredded Swiss cheese
directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 F. 2. On a parchment-lined baking sheet, arrange prosciutto and bake for 8–10 minutes. 3. On a separate lined baking sheet, place the bottom halves of the rolls and spread fig preserves over them. 4. Layer with fontina and Swiss cheese. Top with crispy prosciutto. 5. Place the top half of the rolls over the prosciutto and gently press down. 6. In a bowl, mix butter, Dijon, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, garlic, and black pepper. 7. Pour butter mixture over rolls. Cover with foil and bake 10 minutes. 8. Remove foil and bake an additional 10–15 minutes, and separate before serving.
Inspired by HalfBakedHarvest.com
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439 Washington St. • Dedham, MA 02026
Inside THIS ISSUE
1 Inspiration From a Life Rewritten 2 Disguised Devices of WWII Realty Trust Planning for Massachusetts Homeowners 3 How to Reduce Hidden Sugar in Your Diet
Crispy Prosciutto and Cheese Sliders
4 What’s on This Holiday Season
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Holiday Fun Across Greater Boston Local Events to Make Spirits Bright
SEE THE LIGHTS AND HIT THE ICE. Boston’s Frog Pond is a classic for a reason. Tucked right into the Boston Common, this rink offers skate rentals, hot cocoa, and some of the best people-watching in town. Just across the river in Cambridge, the Kendall Square Community Rink brings the holiday energy with its annual Holiday Ice Show. And if you’re looking to pair skating with shopping or dinner, Patriot Place has you covered with its Winter Skate setup in Lot 12B. EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF BOSTON POPS. There’s nothing quite like hearing the Boston Pops fill Symphony Hall with holiday cheer. This year’s Holiday Pops concerts run from Dec. 4–24 and include dozens of performances featuring holiday favorites. Keith Lockhart conducts the Pops orchestra, and many shows include sing-alongs and
Boston always feels a little more magical in December. With lights strung across the Common, music filling Symphony Hall, and locals lacing up their skates at their favorite outdoor rinks, it’s one of the best times to get out and enjoy the city. Here are three events and activities that bring the season to life.
festive surprises. If you have little ones, don’t miss the Holiday Pops kids’ matinees. These one-hour performances are tailored for families and include a visit from Santa himself. And for grownups looking for something special, the Pops are back on New Year’s Eve with a one-night-only performance featuring Seth MacFarlane backed by the orchestra. Boston’s biggest New Year’s party is back. Since 1976, First Night Boston has hosted a citywide celebration featuring music, art, and community. Performances take place throughout the city on Dec. 31, and you can expect everything from ice sculptures and live bands to street performers and fireworks. This year’s lineup will once again wrap up with a midnight countdown and fireworks over Boston Harbor. RING IN THE NEW YEAR AT FIRST NIGHT BOSTON.
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