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SEPTEMBER 2021
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JUST $5 CAN CHANGE SOMEONE’S WORLD
THE POWER OF ANONYMOUS GIVING
This summer, I was lucky enough to benefit twice from the generosity of anonymous strangers. The first time it happened was in Hawaii. I was there for a business conference, and after a long day of meetings in Lahaina, eight of us decided to go to a beachside restaurant for dinner. We had to wait a long time for a table, and when we finally sat down to eat, it was late at night. The food was delicious despite the hour. I tried kimchi rice for the first time, which I was hesitant about at first, but it was wonderful. Then it was time to pay the bill. When we flagged down our waitress, though, she said, “It’s been taken care of!” None of us could believe it! We immediately started pointing fingers around the table (Kyle, you did it! David, it was you!), but everyone swore they hadn’t paid the check. Looking around the restaurant, we finally remembered INSTEAD OF DWELLING ON MEMORIES OF 9/11 ON ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY OR THE AWFUL NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN, TAKE A FEW MINUTES THIS MONTH TO ASK YOURSELF, ‘HOW CAN I HELP SOMEONE ELSE IN A SMALL OR BIG WAY?’
that another person from our conference had been dining nearby when we sat down. Evidently, they’d bought our dinner — although we couldn’t prove it. The second time it happened was here at home. I was driving through a Wendy’s, just going about my day, when the man in front of me paid for my drink! I was touched. As I drove away with my prize, I promised myself I’d find a way to pay his generosity forward. Both of these experiences reminded me of the power of anonymous kindness. Our society today encourages flaunting what we have. Every action is captured for an Instagram photo, Facebook post, or Tweet. But anonymous kindness is different. It’s private. You can enjoy the gesture and the person who benefits from it can enjoy your generosity, but they won’t feel the obligation to repay you. That kind of gift freely given is particularly special. Just think about it — how different would our world be if we frequently showed kindness to others without expecting anything in return? I think it would be a better place, and my encounters with kind strangers this summer inspired me to do my part. For years before the pandemic, I would always travel with a $5 Starbucks gift card in my purse even though I don’t
drink coffee. Then, when I saw someone dressed in uniform I would hand them the card and thank them for their service. I never introduced myself
or asked them for anything. It
was a simple act of anonymous kindness that cost me next to nothing and always made both me and the soldier feel good. It’s about time I bring that habit back, although these days it may need to be a $10 gift card to cover a nice coffee! This month, I have a challenge for you. Instead of dwelling on memories of 9/11 on its 20th anniversary or the awful news from Afghanistan, take a few minutes this month to ask yourself, “How can I help someone else in a small or big way?” “When do I have the opportunity to spread anonymous kindness?” “Whose life can I make a little bit better?” I plan to start each day this month with the question, “How can I make someone smile today?” I hope you’ll join me. Together, we can bring a bit more light into the world.
–Ann Vanderslice
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Retirement on the High Seas Building model boats isn’t rocket science, but even if it were, it would still be the perfect hobby for Paul, a retired astrophysicist. For the last 13 years, Paul has spent hours each day designing, building, and wiring model boats so they can comfortably sail the high seas — aka the lake in his Colorado retirement community. CHECK OUT PAUL’S SCALE-MODEL BOATS!
Paul’s fascination with boat-building started decades ago when he and his wife, June, were foster parents to about 150 foster kids over the past 30 years. Many of those kids had special needs, so Paul needed a hobby he could practice from home. He struck upon building remote-controlled boats and has been doing it ever since! “When I retired, my hobby really ramped up. Now, I have about a dozen or so boats in my garage. Some are 6 feet long and weigh 60 pounds! A few of them are too heavy for me to get into the lake now without help,” Paul says. “Either the boats are getting heavier or I’m getting older; it’s one way or the other!”
Many of his designs are based on photos he and June have taken from the decks of cruise ships. When he isn’t working from his own pictures, he finds inspiration in his grandfather’s experience on battleships in WWI and WWII, the internet, and BBC specials on TV.
“I do a lot of thinking, drawing, and planning, then I just build them from eyeballing,” Paul says. “It takes at least a year to make a boat that way because you need a lot of drawing table space, you need a very large eraser, and you really have to spend a lot of time planning before you actually go out and buy new wood.” Paul’s boats have made him a well-known figure in his retirement community. It’s hard to miss them sailing though the water with their moving gun turrets, flashing LED lights, and tiny sailors! “When I take one or more of my boats onto the lake and a lot of the other residents come out and watch,” Paul says, “I offer them the controls if they want to drive them, and some of the ladies have done remarkably well! It seems to be a lot of fun for people to watch, and I certainly get a kick out of seeing the boats sail after having spent so much time in my garage building the darn things.” Paul and June moved to the U.S. from England 40 years ago and have built a beautiful life in Colorado. They have two children of their own, two grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. They still love to travel around the world. In fact, they have a 128-day “Round the World” cruise planned for next year. The trip has been postponed several times, but they’re patiently waiting to return to adventuring.
Paul retired from his job as a researcher at the University of Colorado Boulder about 13 years ago. That gave him a lot more time to work on his models, which he likes to make from scratch.
“If we can’t go on the big ships, then I’ll play with the small ones!” Paul says, referencing his models. “We have fun all the time.”
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Don’t Fall This Fall!
September marks the start of fall , but it also serves as an important reminder about falling .
steps and in the bathtub for extra support. Grips on the bottom of the
Falling is one of the greatest dangers seniors face. As adults age, take more medication, and lose some mobility, it becomes increasingly difficult to stay upright or regain balance — even when tripping over the smallest object. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 out of 5 falls cause serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries. Falling can also increase a senior’s chance of falling again.
bathtub and on slippery surfaces can give you a secure footing, while lighting along the hallway and in stairwells can better illuminate walkways. Even something as simple as moving a table or decor item out of the hallway can be beneficial!
But for as common as it may be, falling doesn’t have to be your norm. You can lower your risk of falling and injury with a few simple steps.
MOVE MORE Your body was designed to move! When you don’t move your body enough, which can happen when you age, your muscles and joints can become weak and stiff. The best way to strengthen your reactions and improve your balance is to move your body. A physical therapist can help you develop a routine that targets your balance while strengthening your muscles and joints. IMPROVE YOUR HOME Your home just might be your biggest threat when it comes to falls, so improve it with a few changes! Install grab bars and railings on
REVIEW YOUR MEDICINES Sometimes medication can influence balance and movement. Talk with your doctor about the side effects of your medication and adjust accordingly. You may need to consider alternatives, but if that’s not possible, physical therapy can provide assistance. It’s designed to help you improve your balance and get stronger — which can lower your risk of falling.
You can learn more about fall prevention and risks online at CDC.gov.
BRAIN! Train Your
One-Pan Apple Cider Chicken
Inspired by WellPlated.com
INGREDIENTS
• 2 tsp Dijon mustard • 4 tsp olive oil, divided
• 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs • 1 tsp salt, divided • 1/2 tsp black pepper, divided • 1/2 cup apple cider
• 3 sweet apples, cut into 1/2-inch slices • 2 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped, plus more for garnish
DIRECTIONS
4. Heat the remaining oil in the skillet, then add sliced apples, remaining salt and pepper, and rosemary. Cook for 5 minutes. 5. Return the chicken to the skillet and
1. Sprinkle chicken with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Set aside. 2. In a small bowl, combine apple cider and mustard. Set aside. 3. In a large skillet over medium heat, warm 2 tsp olive oil. When shimmering, add chicken thighs top- side down. Cook for 4 minutes, then flip and cook for 4 more minutes. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil. Wipe the skillet clean.
add apple cider-mustard mixture. Cook for 5 minutes, then serve sprinkled with rosemary!
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issue INSIDE THIS
Securities offered only by duly registered individuals through Madison Avenue Securities, LLC (MAS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered only by duly registered individuals through AE Wealth Management, LLC (AEWM), a Registered Investment Adviser. Insurance services offered through Ann Vanderslice. MAS and AEWM are not affiliated companies with Ann Vanderslice or E.A. Buck Financial Services. 1022998- 921
How to Change Someone’s WorldWith $5 PAGE 1
Retirement on the High Seas PAGE 2
Celebrate Fall Prevention Month With These 3 Tips One-Pan Apple Cider Chicken PAGE 3 The Best Places to Visit in Croatia PAGE 4
THE BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN CROATIA Your Next Affordable Vacation Spot!
This gorgeous coastal nation will absolutely blow you away with its beautiful architecture, landscapes, and delicious blend of Mediterranean and Slavic cuisine. Even better, it’s a fairly affordable place to visit! While many travelers land in Zagreb, the beautiful capital city and cultural hub, you wouldn’t want to miss these destinations. DUBROVNIK As the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” this coastal city is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Adriatic Sea. It’s a beautiful city, featuring 13th century walls, marble stone streets, Gothic palaces, breathtaking churches, and an imposing fortress. There’s so much to do in the town square — one of Croatia’s largest and most beautiful — and you’ll be able to explore many historic structures nearby. Nature also has plenty to offer, with secluded coves and beaches nearby for exploration. PLITVICE LAKES NATIONAL PARK Near the border with Bosnia-Herzegovina, you’ll find one of Croatia’s oldest and most beautiful national parks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although it’s quite the drive, you won’t regret it — the park has an outstanding and picturesque series of tufa lakes and
caves, all connected by waterfalls. With over 16 interconnected cascading lakes, it’s unlike anything else you’ll see. If you get hungry, you’ll love the nearby National Restaurant Licka Kuca, which is famous for its traditional Croatian preparation of lamb under a cast-iron bell.
SPLIT The second largest city in Croatia (the first being Zagreb) is Split, founded by a Greek colony in the second or third century B.C. Historically, Split enjoyed being an independent city-state many times, and that free spirit is very tangible, as Split is very different from any other city in Croatia. With well-preserved Roman architecture and a multitude of museums, it’s no wonder Split is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although Croatia was among the first UN countries to open its doors to Americans, always be safe and check the newest regulations before booking your travel. Hopefully you enjoyed learning about this unique, wonderful country!
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