Hegwood Law - June 2021

Hegwood Law - June 2021

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HEGWOODLAW.COM • 281.218.0880

JUNE 2021

THANK YOU, GRANDPA A Tribute to Fathers

I have talked about my grandfather in this newsletter before, but this month, I wanted to pay a special Father’s Day tribute to him, along with all fathers who have struggled during the pandemic. Growing up, my grandparents were my second parents. And although I am not directly related to him (he married into the family later on), my grandfather was the only father figure in my life, and he treated me like his own. He was a very, very good man, and everyone who knew him would agree. Kind and generous, he was the type of guy who would give you the shirt off his own back. He came into a “ready-made” family, but he was my grandfather, we were his grandkids, and that was it. It was always amazing to me how much he loved us. He spent a lot of time with my son and his dad. They loved fishing, especially trotline fishing where you put bait into a trap they cannot escape. They would stay up all night fishing and sleep the next day. My son has a lot of good memories of his great-grandfather doing that. Even for strangers, he was always a lot of fun to be around — whether it was his hospitality or his wicked sense of humor that got them first. His legacy, including his huge capacity for love and generosity, will be with me forever. I never thought about the fact that he married into the family. Ultimately, who your family is depends on how you feel about them. My grandfather genuinely adored us, and I could not have been luckier to have him as my lifelong role model.

While I like to say that my grandfather is the closest person I knew to a saint, though, I know many other fantastic fathers, grandfathers, and father figures are out there who have sacrificed for their families during the pandemic. To all the fathers who have struggled financially during the pandemic, to all the fathers who still give the shirt off their backs for the benefit of their families, to all the fathers who love their children with unconditional affection, to all the fathers who are generous with their time and effort to create lifelong memories, and to all the fathers who treat their families like their own — even when they do not have to — thank you so much for everything you do. It is role models like you who make the world a better, safer place.

Thanks so much for reading, friends. Have a happy Father’s Day!

If you need an appointment, go to Calendly.com/hegwoodlaw and schedule your appointment online!

-Kim Hegwood

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EXPLOSIVE SWINGS ARE ALLOWED ON THE GOLF COURSE

With the U.S. Open coming up in June (barring any major COVID-19- related developments), the participants are sure to leave audiences in awe of their explosive drives. While “explosive” in this context does not mean anything is actually exploding, there is a precedent for golf balls that literally explode. In fact, that precedent led to the creation of a pretty interesting state law in Massachusetts: No one is allowed to sell exploding golf balls. According to Chapter 148, Section 55 of the General Laws of Massachusetts, “Anyone who sells or knowingly uses … a golf ball containing any acid, fluid, gas, or other substance tending to cause the ball to explode” can be fined $500 for the first offense and up to $1,000 or imprisoned for a year for any offense after that. You would think that the existence of this law means that at some point, people were just smacking exploding golf balls around the Bay State before the lawmen kiboshed it. However, the truth is a little more nuanced. While it is unknown what exactly prompted the legislation, there are a few clues as to what sorts of incidents Massachusetts governments were trying to avoid. The first clue is that prior to the late 1960s and early 1970s, golf balls were actually manufactured with a caustic liquid at the center. This led to the unforeseen injury of a boy named William J. in 1912, who, while “dissecting” a golf ball, ruptured the rubber fluid

sack at the center. Some of the liquid got in his eye and caused permanent damage to his sight, despite multiple visits to the doctor. Even though golf ball manufacturers stopped using caustic liquids in the centers of their golf balls in the 1920s, the liquid centers of golf balls made in the following decades could

still cause harm. If someone dissected a golf ball and ruptured the fluid sack of one of these later balls, the crystalline material within could still cause injuries. Fortunately, solid core golf balls became common during the 1970s, removing liquid core golf balls from the course for good.

However, even though they are gone, their legacy lives on in this strange Massachusetts law.

THE TRUE HISTORY OF CANDY

This month is National Candy Month, and who would not want to celebrate that? So, we thought we would talk about the origin story of candy and how sugary confections became so popular! Honey: The First, Ancient Candy Candy — a rich, sweet confection made with sugar or other sweeteners, often flavored with fruits or nuts — began in ancient times when people would snack on sweet honey straight from beehives. The first candies were created with fruits and nuts rolled in honey. From ancient China, the Middle East, Egypt, Greece, and the Roman Empire, many people around the world would coat fruits and flowers with honey to preserve them and create forms of candy. Truthfully, honey was the most accessible to the common person. As sugar manufacturing got started, cane sugar was so expensive that only the rich could afford candy made with it. Before the Industrial Revolution, the foods that looked and tasted like “candy” were often considered a form of medicine, beginning as a combination of spices and sugar used to aid digestive problems or cool a sore throat. Even then, you would only see this type of candy in rich homes. The Beginning of Candy (As You Know It Today) When early colonists began settling in the U.S., rock candy — one of the simplest candies created from crystallized sugar — was

still considered a luxury and only attainable by the rich. Then, by the 17th century, manufacturing sugar became much cheaper and hard candies became popular.

This is when candy started becoming a staple for children of the working class, too! Candy stores began popping up nationwide, and penny candy became one of the first goods that kids spent their money on. By the mid-1800s, over 400 factories in the U.S. were producing candy in all kinds of shapes and sizes. In 1851, revolutionary technology (revolving steam pans) made it possible for only one or two people to run a successful candy business, which made it a much more profitable business for innovators to pursue. In many ways, candy became the perfect industry for pursuing your own American Dream. What is your favorite candy? Any peanut butter and chocolate combination is awesome. In Kim’s words, “Reeces Pieces and I have a good thing going.” We would love to hear your favorites! Thanks for reading, and we will catch you next month.

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EXPLORE A NATIONAL FOREST ON NATIONAL GET OUTDOORS DAY On National Get Outdoors Day Many people in the U.S. and across the world have a national park trip on their travel bucket list. While Zion, Yellowstone, and the Great Smoky Mountains are all awesome locales, outdoor enthusiasts often overlook a resource that is less busy, less expensive, and usually right in their backyard: national forests. All but 10 states have a national forest (or more than one!), so if your home state doesn’t have one, it is very likely a neighboring state does! And there is no better time to hike, bike, forage for mushrooms or berries, or camp at a nearby national forest than this month. The tree-filled landscape will provide shade and help you beat the summer heat, and to further incentivize visitors, the U.S. Forest Service (the organization that oversees the national forests) is offering a fee-free day on Saturday, June 12, in honor of National Get Outdoors Day! While parking and day-use fees to access national forests tend to be relatively modest, fee-free days open up the opportunity to all visitors. The U.S. Forest Service has a great interactive map tool that prospective park-goers can use to learn more about the forests in their area, amenities and activities, and accessibility. Visit FS.fed.us/ivm to access the map and see what is near your hometown!

• El Yunque National Forest: Located in Puerto Rico, El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest in the United States. • Tongass National Forest: Spanning 16.7 million acres and several islands across Southeast Alaska, the Tongass is the country’s largest national forest. • Salmon-Challis National Forest: This Idaho forest is the largest contiguous wilderness area in the lower 48 and contains the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. • Cibola National Forest and Grassland: Spread across north- central New Mexico, west Texas, and Oklahoma, this forest and grassland area is notable for its diverse ecosystems and wildlife. The Sky Islands portion of the park is also home to over 200 rare plant and animal species.

If you are dreaming up travel plans beyond your state’s border, consider visiting these notable U.S. national forests.

CHOCOLATE BEER CUPCAKES

Ingredients

WORD SEARCH

• 1 large egg, room temperature • 1/3 cup sour cream For the buttercream: • 1/3 cup peanuts (unsalted or salted) • 1 stick unsalted butter, softened

For the cupcakes: • 3/4 cup beer

• 1 stick unsalted butter • 6 tbsp cocoa powder • 1 cup all-purpose flour • 1 cup granulated sugar • 1 tsp baking soda • 1/2 tsp salt

• 2 cups powdered sugar • 2 tbsp peanut butter • 1–2 tbsp milk

directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a 12-cup cupcake pan with paper liners and set aside. 2. In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, bring beer and butter to a boil and stir. Remove from heat, then add cocoa powder and mix. 3. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. 4. Pour butter and beer mixture into dry ingredients and mix. Add egg and sour cream and mix together thoroughly. 5. Scoop cupcake batter into lined cupcake tin, filling each cup about two- thirds full. Bake for 15–17 minutes. Allow to cool on a wire rack before decorating.

To make the buttercream: 1.

Using a mortar and pestle (or a food processor), break down peanuts into small bits. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat together butter, powdered sugar, peanut butter, and milk. Start on low speed and gradually increase to high.

2.

ADVENTURE CAMPING FATHER GEMINI HIKING JUNETEENTH

PARK PICNIC PRIDE

3. Once the ingredients are mixed and smooth, scoop into a piping bag with Wilton tip No. 12. Frost each cupcake and sprinkle each with peanut bits. Serve and enjoy!

SANDALS SUNBURN SWIMMING

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1 A Tribute to Fathers

2 Why it is Illegal to Sell Exploding Golf Balls in Massachusetts The True History of Candy 3 Have You Explored a National Forest? Chocolate Beer Cupcakes

4 The Legacy of the Eagles

THE LEGACY OF THE EAGLES

Hi, everyone — Kim, here. I am a huge fan of live music, and I have been lucky enough to see plenty of classic bands on stage, like Foghat and the Eagles. To commemorate the World Day of Music this month, I wanted to share some facts about the Eagles that might surprise you! The Eagles were incredibly influential long after their arrival for a few reasons. First, the Eagles were the first mass-appeal, arena-level shoegaze U.S. band. What is “shoegaze”? It is a subgenre of indie and alternative rock music that often relies on guitar distortion or effects, feedback, volume changes, etc. This means musicians often perform in a detached, non-confrontational way because they are busy looking down at their pedals to switch effects on time. That might sound like it has little to do with the Eagles’ energetic music, but they were absolute perfectionists in the studio and on stage. Singer Sheryl Crow wrote of the band for Rolling Stone, “The Eagles forever changed country and rock, but I just think of what they did as being great American music. It's amazing how one band could take all those influences — country and rock, of course, but also soul, R&B and folk — and still sound so distinctive … Don Henley and Glenn Frey turned into one of rock's all-time great songwriting teams.”

Yet, the Eagles’ distinctive sound did not only bring success to Henley and Frey. Their distinctive sound welcomed a rare phenomenon whe re multiple songwriters found success in the same band, like J.D. Souther, Don Felder, and many others. With over 200 million records sold, the Eagles are one of the world's bestselling bands. They became one of the first touring bands that appealed to baby boomers and their kids. They also became the blueprint for country music in the 1990s and beyond. Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, and many other country stars have spoken about how the Eagles influenced them. They were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998 and were ranked No. 75 on Rolling Stone's 2004 list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. Hopefully, they will tour again when it is safe for everyone — but to do so, they will need places to perform. Do not forget to support your local venues so we can see concerts in our communities again soon!

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