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Review Brooks & Crowley
November 2024
781-251-0555
www.brooksandcrowley.com
439 Washington Street Dedham, MA 02026
*Services Throughout Massachusetts
FROM TURKEY TO TAPAS Celebrating Thanksgiving in Madrid
THE GRAND FIESTA As fate would have it, we are not the only ones with kids studying abroad in Spain. Our friends’ daughter is also studying in Madrid, so we will all connect a few days before the holiday. The plan is to book a large space at a restaurant for all of us — making room for Spanish student refugees who are friends of our kids from college — and to put together the best (and, perhaps only) Thanksgiving
Usually, Thanksgiving brings families together from all over the country. It’s the day you share the couch with your uncle who lives out of state and watch football together or enjoy a slice of pumpkin pie with cousins and grandparents. This year, Thanksgiving is bringing our family together out of the country. Our daughter is studying abroad for a semester in Spain, and rather than
flying her to us, we are flying to her. This is our radical plan for the Brooks Family’s first-ever Tapas Thanksgiving. THE REVERSE THANKSGIVING TRIP It’s no secret that airports are packed around Thanksgiving. In fact, the Sunday after Thanksgiving is when nearly 3 million Americans take to the skies, making it the most crowded travel day at the airport all year. Rather than making our daughter leave school and deal with that commuter hell alone, we are going to take our entire family to Madrid for the week. We want to make this Thanksgiving unforgettable for all of us!
dinner Spain has ever seen. I don’t imagine Spain has turkeys, but we will make do. Maybe there is a delicious Spanish national bird
we could have served for the main course instead. Imperial Eagle anyone? Ideally, it will be a successful tapas Thanksgiving. Normally, we watch football on the holidays, but we might have to substitute that with fútbol or pay-per-view a movie that reminds us of home. I am unsure if Spain has anything close to stuffing, cranberry sauce, or pumpkin pie, but we will just have
to get by on paella, Iberian jamón, and churros. Authentic or not, it will be one of the most out-there, and hopefully special, Thanksgiving dinners any of us have ever had. Plus, if we develop a hankering for turkey while there, we can always save two turkeys for Christmas dinner. I don’t mean “save” the turkeys like the White House pardons turkeys each year, either. I mean, we will eat both of them the way nature intended. –Steve Brooks
We will have to leave our pilgrim outfits and muskets at home since they probably would not fare well in the carry-ons. Apart from that, the trip makes sense. Our daughter does not get any time off for
Thanksgiving since Spain does not celebrate our holiday. So, we are taking the holiday to her. The entire foray took a fair bit of planning, but we are all confident it will be worth it and excited for the time spent together abroad. Here’s to hoping the airports in Spain are less busy that weekend than in the States.
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Names That Almost Were The Bizarre and Creative Titles That Nearly Defined Our States
One of the first things you likely learned was the name of your home state, but what if everything you knew about your state’s namesake could have been different? Prepare for a journey through the quirky and bizarre world of almost-names for states! The early days of American statehood were filled with creative, peculiar, and downright odd suggestions. Let’s look into history and uncover the surprising stories behind the names that could have been. KENTUCKY Kentucky’s famous horse race was almost known as the Transylvania Derby, but it has nothing to do with vampires. In 1775, a businessman named Richard Henderson established the Transylvania Company and signed a treaty with the Cherokee tribe, securing land known as the Transylvania
colony. However, Henderson’s treaty failed as Virginia had already claimed the land. Years later, in 1792, those living on Henderson’s attempted purchase broke away from Virginia to become Kentucky. Despite naming the state themselves, the residents couldn’t decide whether the state’s new name meant “prairie,” “land of tomorrow,” or “river of blood.” UTAH When Brigham Young, the leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (widely known as the Mormon church), moved the congregation west, they settled in the Salt Lake Basin. He petitioned Congress to create a new state for them and settled on Deseret, after a name in the Book of Mormon, one of their scriptural texts. The government declined the request until 1896, granting them statehood in a smaller area than they had originally hoped
for. They still didn’t get their desired name, though; the government named the state Utah after the Ute tribe that called the area home. NEVADA The name Humboldt almost became the name of the state of Nevada. It comes from explorer and naturalist Alexander von Humboldt, who helped popularize scientific exploration. Though he traveled thousands of miles across Central and South America, he never made it to the Western United States. So, when Nevada became a state in 1864, they used the Spanish word for “snow-covered” instead. History is full of “what ifs” and whimsical alternatives that could have shaped our country. These almost-names remind us of the rich tapestry of the past and the imagination that defines our nation.
Seize the Opportunity
Why You Should Refinance Now
LOWER MONTHLY PAYMENTS One of the biggest advantages of refinancing is a lower monthly mortgage payment. This can provide breathing room and an easier time paying your monthly bills. Even a 1% drop can result in significant savings on your monthly mortgage payment. For example, if you had a $500,000 mortgage, you would save over $300 monthly with a 6% rather than a 7% rate. While you can refinance with your current lender or with a new one, shopping around for the best new rate is best. CHANGE LOAN TERMS Refinancing involves more than just decreasing your monthly payment. It also involves changing key aspects of your mortgage loan. For example, you can convert from a fixed-rate mortgage to an adjustable- rate mortgage or vice versa. Alternatively, you can decrease the duration of your loan, going from a 30-year to a 20-year mortgage, decreasing the total interest you pay over the lifetime of your loan. WE CAN HELP If you need help with your private financing concerns, we can help. At Brooks & Crowley, we represent both borrowers and lenders in residential and commercial real estate transactions. Call our office at 781-251-0555 .
In recent years, mortgage rates reached a maximum of 7.9%, the highest rate since the 2007-2008 financial crisis. Luckily — spurred on by the Fed’s interest rate cuts — mortgage rates have been steadily decreasing since reaching their ceiling and are currently hovering between 5-5.5%. If you have purchased a home in the last few years, this is great news. Refinancing your home mortgage means replacing your existing home loan with a new one — with more favorable terms and conditions. This can help offset the burden of an increased cost of living and give you significant savings for years to come. Here is why it’s time to refinance and take advantage of decreased rates.
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LAZY BUT ORGANIZED EASY TIPS FOR A TIDIER HOME
Furniture littered with loose knickknacks. Closet shelves devoid of folded clothing. A labyrinthine refrigerator stuffed with an assortment of food and drink, seemingly stocked by a madman. These are the marks of a house in dire need of organization. We always tell ourselves we will get to these things eventually, but we never do. But what if there were a way to make this laborious process seem effortless and natural? Combat laziness and procrastination with these easy organization tips! ONE THING AT A TIME When the task ahead seems too large to complete, it may seem like the easiest course of action is not to attempt it. However, there is a simple solution to this problem — focus your efforts on one area at a time. Whether it’s your messy kitchen after cooking a big family dinner or a cluttered living room after a gameday gathering, start in one place and don’t stop until that area is clean. Working room by room makes cleaning your home much more manageable. START THE CLOCK If you are struggling to organize your place, it can help to set aside some time on your calendar. Schedule time every day just for cleaning up, which can help you prioritize. Better yet, set a timer for yourself on your phone: No messing around until you’ve spent at least an hour organizing!
PLANNED FOR CONVENIENCE Everyone has a morning routine. Whatever yours is, a simple organization solution can hurry it along. Something as simple as a drawer or a storage container to keep all your toiletries in one convenient place can help you get your day started more efficiently.
Have a Laugh!
Greek Chicken and Rice
• 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 onion, diced Ingredients
• 2 cups chicken broth • 1 (14-oz) can diced tomatoes • 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice • Juice of 1 lemon • 1/2 cup feta cheese • Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 cloves garlic, minced • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed • 1 tsp dried oregano • 1 tsp dried thyme
directions
1. In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and sauté onion and garlic until softened. 2. Add chicken, oregano, and thyme and cook until the chicken is no longer pink, about 3–4 minutes. 3. Pour in chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and rice. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for 15 minutes or until the rice is cooked through. 4. Stir in the lemon juice and feta cheese, then season with salt and pepper.
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439 Washington St. • Dedham, MA 02026
Inside THIS ISSUE
1 Having Thanksgiving Dinner in Spain 2 Discover the Fascinating ‘What-Ifs’ of State Names
It’s Time to Refinance
3 Tips for Effortless Organization
Greek Chicken and Rice
4 Best Local Events This Season
Fall in Boston Local Events You Won’t Want to Miss
Summer is behind us, so it is time to trade out those cargo shorts for blue jeans and your favorite band shirt with a nice cardigan sweater. Alternatively, you can wear whatever you like and seek entertainment indoors instead. This November, we have collected a smattering of mostly solitary amusement for the whole family. From high-stake puzzles to high-octane comedy, here are the events you can look forward to this fall!
BREAK OUT OF PRISON — WITH FRIENDS! While all games are more fun with friends, when it comes to escape rooms, you will want all the help you can get! You and up to seven friends can participate in an evening of puzzle-solving, logical conundrums, and friendly cooperation as you race against the clock to find your way out!
Players can partake in one of five escape rooms at The Escape Game Dedham, from a time-traveling train to a dingy old prison. Tickets are just $39.99 and are available online. PINOCCHIO IS COMING TO NEW ENGLAND If you can’t lie (possibly because your nose will grow) and wish you could be a real boy, there is some theatrical entertainment coming to Boston that you will not want to miss out on. Pinnochio’s iconic play will be at the Emerson Colonial Theatre from Nov. 14 to Nov. 17. COMEDY WITH KEVIN HART He may be short in stature, but he is big on jokes! Actor and standup comedian Kevin Hart, star of hit films like “Scary Movie 3 (2003)” and “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017),” is coming to the Wang Theatre in Boston on Nov. 8 at 7:30 p.m. and to the MGM Music Hall at Fenway on Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m. Demand is high, so get your tickets while you can!
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