Letter of the Law
SaintGeorgeLaw.com 435-674-2564
June 2020
The Best Memories of Childhood Fishing With My Grandpa and Dad
Some of my best memories from my childhood are when I would go fishing with my dad and grandpa. We would go down to fish at a creek called Salt Creek in Utah, where beavers would build dams and create ponds. At that age, I loved fishing, so I spent hours in the days leading up to a fishing trip catching grasshoppers that the fish were not able to resist. I would fish with them and my dad and grandpa would fly fish. Then, when we came to a beaver dam, we would lie down with our heads barely above the water. It was so clear that you could see straight to the bottom and all the fish swimming around these ponds. We would put a grasshopper on a hook and cast it onto the surface of the pond. The grasshopper would float on top of the water, and as soon as it hit the water, I could see the fish start swimming a little quicker. It was the neatest thing to see a trout break away from the others, swim up and hit that grasshopper. That unique experience was just one of many I had with them. Most of my earliest memories are filled with similar trips whenever I’d get together with my dad and grandpa to go out fishing. I remember visiting Burraston Ponds to fish with what we called hellgrammites, which is a type of dobsonfly larva that lived in the moss in these ponds and the fish loved to eat. We’d spend some of our time digging up the moss to collect them, and the rest of our time, we’d fish and catch our limit usually within the hour.
On yet another trip, I remember I caught a lot of carp. They were viewed as trash fish, so instead of eating them, we buried them around fruit trees in Grandpa’s yard. When they bore fruit later that year, he had the best crop he ever had. I thought it was pretty gross at the time, but it definitely worked!
I love taking my daughters out fishing, and I hope that when things start to settle down, I’ll be able to take them again. I think it’s been almost a year or so since I had the opportunity to take them out, and I think it’d be nice to get out this summer. We usually go out to a few local ponds close to home, but the experience has given me a whole new appreciation for what my dad did for my siblings and me. When we were kids, my dad would spend all his time baiting our hooks, helping us cast lines, and getting us unstuck. Now, having done much of the same, I realize he spent all his time helping us rather than fishing. Thanks, Dad!
I went on every fishing trip I could with my grandpa before he passed away, but I always remember him whenever I cast out a line. He gave me a love of fishing, especially fly fishing, and helped me learn valuable life lessons I cherish today. Patience was a big one, and not just in the waiting aspect. Even if you get a big fish to bite, you still have to be patient enough not to pull too hard on the line. You have to maintain balance and control while you’re reeling your catch in, and that’s very true in a lot of aspects of life. I’m sad to say that it’s been a while since I’ve been out fishing, either with my dad or my daughters. A few years ago, I went on a fishing trip with my dad and a few friends to the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska for some salmon and fly fishing in the Kenai River. When you’re fishing up there, you’re pretty much shoulder to shoulder with the other people who are also fishing there — it’s a popular fishing spot. My dad and I managed to settle in a sweet spot. We caught more fish than anyone else on the river, and some huge fish, too. On the last leg of our trip, we even set some time aside to do some halibut fishing. It was a great trip!
No matter when I get the chance to get out on a river, lake, or pond again, I know I’ll have just as much fun as I did when I was a kid. And each time I cast out my line, I’ll remember those great memories I had all those years ago and enjoy creating more.
–Travis Christiansen
SaintGeorgeLaw.com | 1
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
HISTORY OF THE PEPSI FLEET HOW PEPSI BECAME THE WORLD’S SIXTH LARGEST NAVY
Coke or Pepsi?
PepsiCo Stolichnaya vodka in exchange for the cola. This deal was great for both parties until the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan and the United States boycotted Soviet products, including vodka. If the USSR wanted to keep its supply of sweet cola, then they would need to
This is one of the oldest brand wars in the world, but these days, most of us are willing to settle for whichever soda is available. But if you
happened to be in the Soviet Union during the 1980s, Pepsi was the soda of choice. The Soviets loved Pepsi so much that they were willing to make PepsiCo a naval superpower in order to get more of that refreshing, sugary beverage. In 1972, PepsiCo secured a deal to sell Pepsi syrup to the USSR, where it would be bottled locally. Not only did this deal make Pepsi the first Western product to be sold in the USSR, but it also locked The Coca-Cola Company out of the market, giving PepsiCo a monopoly. But before the deal could be finalized, the Soviets needed to figure out how to pay for the cola syrup.
give PepsiCo something else. That’s when the Soviets offered up part of their naval fleet.
In exchange for $3 billion worth of Pepsi, the Soviet Union traded 17 submarines, a cruiser, a frigate, and a destroyer. This trade made PepsiCo the sixth most
powerful naval military in the world. The deal was reported in a 1989 New York Times article, which included a quote from the CEO of PepsiCo to the United States’ national security advisor: “We’re disarming the Soviet Union faster than you are.”
PepsiCo quickly sold the fleet to a Swedish company for scrap
Rubles, the Soviet currency, were worthless internationally. To get around this, the Soviets traded recycling, but for a few days, Pepsi had the potential to become the ultimate victor in the cola wars. 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.
2 | 435-674-2564
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
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
•
2 tbsp olive oil
•
1/4 cup tightly packed fresh basil leaves
•
1 clove garlic
•
8 Roma tomatoes
•
1/2 tsp salt
•
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (4 oz each)
•
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.
SaintGeorgeLaw.com | 3
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
435-674-2564 SaintGeorgeLaw.com 619 South Bluff St., Suite 202 St. George, Utah 84770
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
The Best Memories of Childhood
Care for a Pepsi, Comrade? Have the Olympics Ever Been Postponed?
2
Grilled Basil Chicken and Tomatoes 3 Enriching Staycation Ideas
3
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.
4 | 435-674-2564
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online