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MAY 2019
DIGITALPRINTINK.NET 40 YEARS AND COUNTING MY FAVORITE ROLE T here’s something remarkable about the connection between a grandparent and their grandchildren. The relationship is often filled with acceptance and affection, and many of us have a special bond with our grandparents. But becoming a grandparent myself has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. for the first time on their mother’s side of the family. It’s amazing to watch the relationship unfold between the
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What I Love About My Grandchildren and Being Their Grandpa
two older grandchildren and our youngest, and to see how this emulates the partnership between Cortney and Piper, our daughters. Sydney Grace and Dylan have become older siblings of sorts to Chandler, and just like the rest of us, they love to watch him discover this new world. Now, more big changes are coming for our little clan. Sydney Grace will graduate high school this May and will attend Harding University with her brother. We are so proud of her. She has a knack for consoling and reassuring people, so it’s no wonder
Jan and I have three grandchildren. Dylan is a junior at Harding University; his younger sister, Sydney Grace, is a senior in high school; and two years ago, we were delighted to welcome a third grandchild into our little family. We learned that we were going to be grandparents again a few years ago when my daughter Piper and her husband handed gifts to everyone in the family. Inside the boxes were baby clothes, and when we finally understood what they were telling us, we were ecstatic. Their son Chandler has been a fun addition, to the point where Dylan and Sydney Grace often ask, “What did we do before Chandler came along?” Because our daughters are nine years apart, Cortney’s children, Dylan and Sydney Grace, were our only grandkids for many years. I remember when Sydney Grace and Dylan were still very little, we had a small farm with some sheep and they lived next door. We were always able to be out with them, watching them
Sydney Grace, Poppa, Dylan & Meme’
Sydney Grace, high school graduate
417.881.5309 As for little Chandler, Jan and I are enjoying his adorable, innocent stage. We’re considering filling our acreage with sheep again, because we know Chandler would love the farm animals. But regardless of what we do next with this little boy, we sure are excited to watch him — and his sweet cousins — grow. –Steve Counts 1 that she’s considering a career in the medical field. It will be bittersweet to watch her cross the stage this May, but she is a strong southern girl who is confident in her faith and leadership. We can’t wait to see what she accomplishes in this next chapter. Dylan continues to make us proud, as well. As he wraps up his third year, Dylan is applying for summer marketing internships. During college, he has done social media work for Digital Print Ink, and he currently works with a local company in Searcy, Arkansas. When he graduates college next year, I’m sure he will have his sights on lofty goals.
play, laugh, and learn on our 30 acres. Chandler has made Dylan and Sydney Grace cousins
Sydney Grace, Chandler & Dylan
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Brave Little Cher Ami THE WAR PIGEON WHO SAVED THE ‘LOST BATTALION’
Long before the invention of radios and cellphones, homing pigeons were used to send messages as early as the sixth century. During World War I, war pigeons carried lifesaving messages past enemy lines for the American and French armies, often being wounded in the process. In 1918, Cher Ami, a black check hen used by the U.S. Signal Corps, became the most famous of them all. On Oct. 2, the United States 77th Division was trapped behind enemy lines in the Argonne Forest during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, a three-month push by the Allies during the final throes of World War I to force the Germans to surrender. It became the bloodiest battle in U.S. history. For six days, the encircled division endured relentless attacks and suffered heavy casualties, but their orders were clear: don’t retreat and don’t surrender. The division dispatched two homing pigeons with requests for help, but both birds were shot down. When friendly fire began raining down on the 77th, Major Charles White Whittlesey felt he had no choice but to send the last pigeon, Cher Ami. The pigeon’s desperate note read: NEVER FORGET Memorial Day often signals the unofficial start to summer, but its origins are more significant than sunshine and a day off. Instead, the holiday was designated to honor the soldiers who died in the line of duty. Many companies have taken advantage of this day to offer sales, but this Memorial Day, you can promote your business while keeping the emphasis on what really matters: a soldier’s ultimate sacrifice. Learn how below. Reach Out
“We are along the road parallel to 276.4. Our own artillery is dropping a barrage directly on us. For heaven’s sake, stop it.”
As Cher Ami rose from the brush, she was shot down, to the despair of the watching soldiers. However, after a few seconds, she fought her way back into the air, flew through a torrent of gunfire, and made it to division headquarters 25 miles away. She had been shot in the breast, the eye, and the leg. Because of Cher Ami’s brave flight, 194 of the original 554 men of the 77th Division survived the battle. One month later, World War I came to an end. Cher Ami survived the war as well, thanks to the surgeons who performed emergency surgery on her. One soldier even carved her a little wooden leg. She became a well-known hero to both soldiers and children in the States. For her service in Verdun, the French Army awarded her the Croix de Guerre, and she was inducted into the Racing Pigeon Hall of Fame. Cher Ami finally succumbed to her wounds in June of 1919 and is now on display in the Smithsonian alongside Sergeant Stubby, a terrier who served 18 months on the Western Front.
3 Ways Your Business Can Honor Memorial Day
the ultimate sacrifice they made can properly honor the holiday, and as a bonus, your business will become intertwined with these activities. Host a fundraiser for families of fallen soldiers, or partner with local veterans’ organizations for a potluck, benefit, or contest. Enter your business into the local parade, attend a ceremony as a company, or donate wreaths or flags for soldiers’ gravestones. Big or small, there’s no shortage of gestures you can offer. Be Interactive
Even though Memorial Day emphasizes remembering the soldiers who have died in the line of duty, for many veterans and their families, the day can be emotional and complex. Honor these families by reaching out with a mail campaign this Memorial Day. Compile a list of local veterans and their families and mail them coupons, special offers, or your words of appreciation. The gesture will be memorable for these families in more ways than you could imagine. Get Active
We want to honor the sacrifice and legacy of fallen soldiers and their families. On Memorial Day, ask your employees and customers if they have stories of loved ones they would like to share, and then create a social media or print campaign sharing these stories. These families’ stories are important connections to their soldiers, and there’s nothing people relate to more than other people.
If you’re interested in creating a print campaign for Memorial Day, our experts at Digital Print Ink can help. Learn more by calling 417.881.5309 or visit DigitalPrintInk.net.
A special thank you to veterans and their families this Memorial Day.
One of the best ways to get your company involved with Memorial Day is to get out in your community. Actively remembering our troops and
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I’M JUST SO EMOTIONAL!
Welcome New Clients! ACIS Computers Aero Care Home Medical Equipment Brentwood Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness Solera Energy Ash Grove Baptist Church Ace’s Place Centurion Stone Empower Abilities Faith Paving Fraley Masonry
Why Working Feelings Into Your Marketing Campaign Is a Smart Move
Main Track Media Nicole Marie Salon Nixa Public Schools
Picture this scenario: You’re going to lunch with a friend. You believe taking a certain highway would be the quickest way to your destination, but your friend insists on a different route. It’s baffling to you why this is the most logical option to them, but your friend just might be thinking the same thing about you.
Classic French Omelet Ingredients
You can thank your emotions for this predicament. Studies have shown that people actually base their decisions on their emotions, rather than logic, even when all the facts are clearly presented before them. Maybe your friend gets stuck on that highway during rush hour, or maybe they feel more comfortable on this alternate route. Whatever the reason, to their brain, traveling this route is the most logical option.
• • •
3 large eggs
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Directions
1. In medium bowl, beat eggs with plastic fork until last traces of white are just mixed in. Season with salt and pepper. 2. In an 8-inch nonstick skillet, melt butter, swirling over medium heat until foamy but not browned. Add eggs, stirring rapidly with fork, while moving skillet to agitate eggs. Break up all curds by scraping bottom of skillet as they form. Stop stirring when eggs are softly scrambled and creamy (but loose enough to come together into a single mass), 1–2 minutes. 3. Using fork, gently spread egg in an even layer around skillet and scrape down any wispy bits around the edges. The top surface should be loose and creamy, but if still liquid, swirl skillet to bring raw egg to the edge where it will set faster. 4. Remove from heat. Tilt skillet up by handle. Using fork, gently roll omelet down over itself until nearly folded in half. Using fork, push omelet to edge of skillet so that the lower edge of egg just begins to overhang. Use fork to fold overhanging edge of egg back over, closing omelet. 5. Turn omelet out onto plate. It should have the seam on bottom.
The same powers that tell your brain to go one way and make your friend choose a different route can be used in branding. Emotional marketing focuses on the needs and passions of humans, the causes we care about, and the themes that bind us all. It’s why Pampers shows babies sleeping peacefully in a safe home, why Harley-Davidson exudes freedom on the open road, and why Nike entices you to go further and push your limitations. You want your brand to become something customers connect with the most when they are in need of service, like how Kleenex and Band-Aid have become synonymous with care. Think of the basic connections that make us human and tell those powerful stories through music, art, logos, signs, charitable work, and slogans. Remember the following tips when you start. • Be personable. You’re selling to people, not just customers. • Tell stories on multiple platforms. For example, you could pair a social media video with a direct mail campaign. • Motivate people. The real power of emotional marketing is that people can connect over your brand. • Make it an experience. Give people a reason to keep reading, listening, or watching. Creating a strong message that stands out for decades is one of the most powerful tactics in your arsenal. If you need assistance adding emotions to your print campaign, call Digital Print Ink at 417.881.5309 or email steve@digitalprintink.com.
Inspired by SeriousEats.com
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Enjoying Grandparenthood
The War Pigeon Who Saved the ‘Lost Battalion’
Honor Memorial Day This May
Why Emotional Marketing Is Necessary
Classic French Omelet
How to Celebrate Indulgent May Holidays
S Set the diets aside and poke another notch or two in your belt because May isn’t pulling any punches when it comes to sweet and savory holiday regrets. From National Hoagie Day and National Pizza Party Day to the holidays that really spell it out for you like International No Diet Day and National Eat What You Want Day, we’re all looking forward to an excuse to let our stomachs hang low this month. For those of you who plan on partaking, let’s take a look at the best junk food-related holidays this month and how to celebrate them! Gather your friends and family around the table and dust off Grandma’s old recipes, because it’s time to treat yourself to the most American thing since, well, itself. National Apple Pie Day is a great opportunity to spend quality time with your loved ones while baking the most traditional American dessert. Make the process a game by pairing off into teams for a bake-off; you can even pit the kids against the adults National Apple Pie Day Monday, May 13
— with a little supervision of course. If you’re feeling a little lazy, throw an apple pie potluck and watch your store-bought delight steal the show as your audience praises your craftsmanship and attention to detail — just how Sara Lee taught you.
National Hamburger Day Tuesday, May 28
As if one day wasn’t enough, it turns out that the entire month of May is recognized as National Hamburger Month! Meat lovers rejoice as patties of heavenly beef are passed around the table for all to enjoy. There’s no shortage of ways to celebrate this patriotic pastime. From grilling out with the neighbors to making sliders for your new love interest, there’s a little something for everyone, especially considering the advances we’ve made in burger technology in recent years. If meat isn’t your thing, throw a veggie or tofu burger on the grill and season it to mouth-watering perfection. We won’t tell the beef purists if you don’t.
How to Find Success in a Month of Excess May’s Food-Related Holidays Are a Thing of Beauty
Eat up, everybody. Happy holidays.
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