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Kevin’s Peace of Mind
www.kevintharpe.com (770) 503-1022
May 2024
PASSING ON PROSPERITY PRESERVE YOUR WEALTH THROUGH A TRUST
I am 61 years old, and in all of those years, I have discovered that life has many different relationships. Some are casual, some are deep, and some are few and far between. You may not always have a true friend in your corner, but sometimes, our own family can be our true best friends. I have that in my younger brother, Jeff. The bond we have as brothers is unlike any other. I know Jeff has my back, and at the drop of a hat, he will be there for me. Other than my wife, Missy, Jeff is my closest friend. Our daughters, Callie and Kyndal, share the same bond today. May 15 is International Day of Families, and protecting families has been my passion and calling every day since 1988. My clients are varied in their ages and backgrounds. Some are married, and some are single. Many of my clients have served our country. I have clients who are war-time veterans from Vietnam, Korea, and even a few from World War II. My clients have varied religious and ethnic backgrounds. I have clients who support various
college and professional sports teams (yes, I even have a few clients who are Gator and Phillies fans!). One thing all of my clients have in common is that they are all part of a family. Most of my clients are either parents, grandparents, or great- grandparents, and some are even great-great-grandparents.
and sometimes for the not-so-good. I have seen many families blow up or fall apart because their loved one left things without a complete plan — even when they had a Will. My experience has shown me the best way to protect your family is to leave them things through a Trust. By leaving things to your family through a Trust — instead of through a Will or through joint ownership, or by designating your family as a beneficiary — your family will be protected from probate and from whatever the circumstances are in their lives at the time of your death. Leaving things to your family through a Trust will provide protection if your surviving spouse is incapacitated or in a nursing home, or your child is in the middle of a divorce or lawsuit, or has addiction problems. Leaving assets
All of my clients’ wishes are that when they are gone, they want to leave their assets or estate to their family and protect their family. In light of that, I advise my clients that the best way to leave their assets to their families and to protect their families is to use a Revocable Living Trust. Sometimes, people think they do not have enough assets to use a Trust. However, in my 36 years of experience as an estate planning and elder law attorney, I know one thing to be true: We are all going to die owning assets. Death and money (regardless of the amount) can change families, sometimes for the good
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How Oklahoma Claimed Its Panhandle
The shape of Oklahoma is quite unusual. It is an uneven square with a
shaky legal status. Bootleggers in the region operated with impunity. They founded Beer City, a sanctuary of brothels and saloons. Finally, in 1890, Oklahoma Territory incorporated the Panhandle, and this rectangle became part of Oklahoma in 1907. Settlers could now claim their land under the Homestead
rectangular parcel of land jutting from the map’s left side, giving the state a saucepan- like shape. This parcel of land is thus called the Panhandle. Despite its unassuming landscape, it has one of the most fascinating histories of any region in America.
It was owned or occupied by Native tribes, Spain, and Mexico until the Republic of Texas claimed it in 1845, when Texas became a state. Even though Texas was a slave state, the Panhandle was above the line created by the Missouri Compromise, meaning states below 36 degrees 30 minutes north latitude were “slave states,” whereas those above weren’t. So, Texas relinquished its claim on the Panhandle. It was no longer part of any state. The federal government designated the nascent Panhandle as the Public Land Strip, subject to squatter’s rights. Settlers built towns and defended their own communities. These towns were rife with outlaws who took advantage of the
Act, allowing them to mortgage their property to invest in farming equipment. Land developers built railroads, and the area’s population grew. Unfortunately, the Panhandle was the epicenter of the Dust Bowl in the 1930s. Agriculture crumbled, and people left. The Panhandle’s population still hasn’t recovered: Less than 1% of the state’s population lives there. Today, ghost towns populate the Panhandle’s expansive horizon. Beer City has since become a wheat field, but some brave tourists still visit this narrow patch of land, keen on seeing its many abandoned places.
HOW FREDERIC J. BAUR MADE PRINGLES A HOUSEHOLD NAME
The Pringles can is both iconic and comedic. Its distinctive long cylindrical shape protects the stackable chips and gets many a hand almost stuck. But did you know this packaging has a rich history that goes back half a century? In 1966, Procter and Gamble tasked a food storage technician, Frederic J. Baur, with developing a revolutionary container for a new potato chip. Baur, who held a Ph.D. in organic chemistry, set out to create a packaging solution that would protect these new, uniquely shaped chips, Pringles. According to Baur’s son, Larry, his dad was determined to design a container that not only served a practical purpose but also stood out on the shelves of supermarkets. In an interview with NPR,
Larry shares what his dad told him, “‘I can’t stand greasy, broken chips.’” This desire fueled him to create packaging that has still not been replicated. Baur said of his father, “He was just so enthusiastic about making something that would be on the cutting edge of science and technology.” He certainly succeeded. The cylindrical shape of the tube carefully protects the saddle-shaped chips from breaking. The resealable lid was another key innovation, allowing consumers to enjoy portions and save the rest for later without compromising any freshness. This innovation took only two short years, debuting on shelves in 1968. The can turned Pringles into a household name. In 2023, the chips generated
$2.76 billion of annual net sales worldwide. Baur was so proud of his creation that when he died in 2008, he requested that some of his ashes be buried in a Pringles can. As we continue to enjoy the crunch of these fresh chips, it’s worth taking a moment to marvel at this history of creativity behind the can that has become a snacking phenomenon worldwide. Thanks, Frederic J. Baur!
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The brain is like a command center for our bodies; it processes everything, from memories to emotions. Our happiness, cleverness, and general well-being require us to take good care of that gray matter. If we give it what it needs, it will serve us well. Here are a few tips anyone can incorporate into their routine to give their brain some TLC. Keep the phone out of bed. When you transition from asleep to awake in the morning, your brain waves steadily transition from alpha to theta to beta. So, don’t reach for your phone when you open your eyes first thing. Doing so interrupts your brain’s essential waking process, resulting in a slew of adverse effects throughout the day, including making it harder for you to think creatively, among other things. Stop negative self-talk. We’re our own worst critics. Doubting and discouraging ourselves is easy, but pushing away negative self-talk is imperative. It leads to stress and overwhelming perfectionism while harming relationships. It undermines positive self-esteem, confidence, and body image. The cyclical nature of negative self-talk makes it hard to get rid of, often requiring therapy, but cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a standard and effective treatment. Avoid ultra-processed foods. Ultra-processed foods aren’t just bad for your heart; Using These 3 Simple Steps SAFEGUARD YOUR BRAIN HEALTH
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through a Trust will protect your surviving loved one who has a disability or special needs. It will also protect family land by making sure it stays with your family. For me personally, I know that when I die, whatever I leave to my wife and daughter (and maybe one day even my grandkids??) through a Trust will be protected, and they’ll be taken care of after I am gone. No matter the size of your family or estate, leaving whatever you have to your family through a Trust will protect them. I am forever grateful to have been able to provide this protection for families for the past 36 years. Call me today and let me help protect your family as well. —Kevin Tharpe
Citrus BBQ Chicken
Inspired by FoodNetwork.com
Ingredients
• 8 skin-on chicken leg and thigh pieces
• 3 cloves garlic, minced • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce • 2 tsp ground cumin • 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika • Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 1/3 cups ketchup • 2 tbsp brown sugar
they also harm your brain. Hot dogs, sugary sodas, and TV dinners — just a few culprits — harm emotional and cognitive health. One study found that people who eat these things are more
• Juice and zest of 1 orange • Juice and zest of 1 lemon
Directions 1. Place chicken in a large resealable plastic bag. Combine all other ingredients in a small bowl. 2. Reserve 1 cup of the sauce and add the rest to the plastic bag. Toss to evenly coat the chicken and marinate overnight. 3. In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, add remaining sauce and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer to thicken sauce, about 10 minutes. Set aside. 4. On grill set for medium-high heat, arrange chicken skin side down. Cook until grill marks form, about 4 minutes. Flip chicken, cover grill, and cook until a thermometer inserted into thighs reads 165 F, about 20–25 minutes. 5. Serve with remaining sauce.
likely to have depression and anxiety. Another study correlated high ultra-processed food consumption with an intelligence
decline, especially with aging. It’s unclear why ultra- processed foods are so bad for brains, but the leading theory connects it to gut health. Regardless, abstaining from or reducing your intake of these foods is vital to protecting your mental and physical health.
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(770) 503-1022 www.KevinTharpe.com 405 Broad St. Gainesville, GA 30501
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
International Day of Families Means Asset Protection
1
The Oklahoma Panhandle: A Historical Gem
2
The Scientist Behind the Pringles Can
Citrus BBQ Chicken
3
Essential Steps to Ensure Your Mental Well-Being
3 Lifestyle Changes to Slow the Aging Process
4
3 PROVEN WAYS TO SLOW DOWN THE CLOCK
Age happens naturally, but that doesn’t mean we enjoy the process. Most people don’t want to look older than they feel. If you count yourself among them, you can do a few things to slow down the process. No. 1: Stop Eating Sugar
cell associated with aging. If telomeres get too short, they can’t divide, so they start dying. This happens naturally over time, but alcohol consumption hastens the process. No. 3: Lather on the Sunscreen
The sun gives us life, but it also gives us UV rays. They break down collagen, causing wrinkles while increasing the risk of skin cancer. Even if you’re just running errands, put on sunscreen. Light gets in through windshields and windows. How aging progresses depends on lifestyle choices. While it’s inevitable, making the right changes can support a healthier body in the transition. So, if you avoid sweets, alcohol, and UV rays, you’re doing a great job protecting your body from the ravages of time.
It’s time to finally master that sweet tooth — sugar ages you. It reacts to protein and causes “glycation,” which leads skin to wrinkle and cells to harden. Sugar also hardens collagen, stiffening skin. The more you consume, the more likely you are to suffer these adverse effects. No. 2: Quit Drinking Alcohol While most Americans drink alcohol, these intoxicating imbibements accelerate aging significantly. The substance damages telomeres, the part of a
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