Jones & Hill - Fall 2019

Jones & Hill - Fall 2019

The Must-Read, Change-Your-Life Newsletter helping seriously injured people for over 30 years

FALL 2019

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DEER HUNTING SEASON IS HERE!

3 CRAZY STORIES OF PAST DEER HUNTING SEASONS

Halloween may be October’s premiere holiday, but this month also marks the start of an important season for many Louisianans: deer hunting season. That’s right. It’s time to break out our rifles, dust off our deer blinds, and get out in nature to hopefully take down that prized buck. Of course, what happens out in the woods isn’t always so cut and dry. Sometimes, what starts as a regular hunting trip turns into a story we tell for years to come. So, in honor of the season, here are a few crazy deer hunting stories from around the country. An Assault and a Stolen Buck Typically, when you hear about somebody stealing a buck, it’s out of a purse or a wallet. That wasn’t the case for Michigan hunter Patrick Mulligan in 2016. On the state’s opening day for firearms hunting season, Mulligan was out in the woods. He heard shots ring out nearby and saw a buck running toward him. After downing the buck and dragging it away, two men approached him, claiming the buck belonged to them. The disagreement turned violent when the two hunters beat up Mulligan and stole the buck he had rightfully downed. What was crazier was that Mulligan said it wasn’t the first time something like that had happened to someone in his family. His father was once involved in a dispute with another hunter, who pulled a gun on him while arguing over who shot the deer. It just goes to show that some people still need to grow up and learn how to share the woods.

made. But what 15-year- old Brady Hempen found in the antlers of the buck he shot was truly strange: a parachute with an attached military flare. There’s no way of telling where the parachute came from, but Hempen was able to tell

that it had been there since the previous August or September because there was still velvet on the parts of the antlers covered by the parachute. To commemorate the uniqueness of the kill, Hempen had the buck mounted without removing the parachute. If a Gun Could Talk There’s not a deer in this story, but the events surrounding a 20-gauge Ithaca shotgun purchased by Don Wiebenga of Grand Haven, Michigan, in 1973 are crazy enough to constitute their own story. Four years after Wiebenga bought the gun, it was stolen out of the back of his truck while he was eating in a diner after a hunt. He thought he would never see his gun again — until a police officer in Austin, Texas, recovered Wiebenga’s rifle during a routine traffic stop nearly 40 years later! The current owner was not aware the gun was stolen, and it had been in his possession for a long time. Wiebenga was sad for the kid who had unknowingly been using a stolen firearm, but he was happy to regain his old rifle — with a pretty amazing story to boot! Sometimes the stories are half the fun of the hunt. While we all want that prized buck to hang up on the wall, we’re not always so lucky. But luck has nothing to do with a good story. Even on the days with near misses, or the days where you never get anything in your sights, you can always leave the woods with a story. Good luck to all the hunters going out this season, and happy hunting! –Cra ig Jon e s & Cra ig Hill

“SOMETIMES, WHAT STARTS AS A REGULAR HUNTING TRIP TURNS INTO A STORY WE TELL FOR YEARS TO COME.”

All Tangled Up If we had massive sets of antlers on top of our heads, we’d probably get stuff tangled up in them, too. It happens often enough with big bucks, whether it be foliage, or something more man

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Where Should I Get A Dog?

3 REASONS TO ADOPT FROM YOUR LOCAL SHELTER

So, you’ve decided to get a dog. Maybe you think your kids could use a new playmate, or maybe you and your spouse want someone to join you on morning walks. Whatever the reason, the next question is where to get them. Instead of paying exorbitant amounts of money to a breeder for a purebred puppy, why not check the local shelter or humane society? October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, and, if you’re looking to get a dog, here are a few reasons to check the shelters first. It’s Cheaper to Adopt Adoption prices include the upfront expenses, such as spaying, neutering, and vaccinations, that you wouldn’t get from a breeder or pet store. Some shelters even include the cost of microchipping in their fee. If you adopt from a shelter, you’re ensured a healthy, happy dog. With some shelter dogs, you may also save on housebreaking and training costs. Lots of Choices Is there a specific breed you’re looking for? Chances are you will find it at the shelter. Shelter dogs come in all shapes, sizes, and ages. Some organizations rescue specific breeds, and with a little research, you may find one near you. Even if you don’t find the breed you’re looking

for, you may find an indispensable companion in a breed you weren’t looking for — and you never would have found them if you didn’t check the shelters. Great for Your Kids Having a dog can be great for your kids, and getting it from a shelter can be even better for them. Dogs encourage kids to play outside and be more active, and kids gain a friend who loves them unconditionally. Plus, if you adopt, the act of giving an unwanted animal a new home can teach your kids empathy. If you still haven’t checked your local shelter for the newest member of your family, what are you waiting for? Find a furry friend you and your kids will love today!

BUILDING THE PERFECT CAMPFIRE

the log cabin structure — stack your fuel logs in twos, one pair perpendicularly on

SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER

top of the other, and then put your tinder and kindling in the

Campfires are more than just a means to stay warm on those fall camping trips.They’re an essential part of the camping aesthetic, and no evening in the woods would be complete without one. So, how do you go about building the best campfire to keep you cozy? The short answer is that there are many ways to construct a great campfire, but, depending on the resources in your area, one way may work better than another. Here are a few things to consider. Type of Wood When it comes to campfires, there are basically two types of wood: softwood and hardwood. Softwood typically comes from coniferous trees, like pine and fir. It catches fire quickly and burns out quickly, and the sap inside causes it to crackle. Because of these

properties, softwoods are usually used as kindling to get the fire started. Hardwood comes from deciduous trees, like oak

middle. The platform fire is similar. Form a base of four logs, then stack three logs

or maple. This wood is dense, and it burns long and hot, making it an ideal fuel. The only downside is that it does not dry out as fast as softwood. Structure

perpendicularly on top of it, then two on top of that in the same

way. Then, place some tinder at the base. The teepee

is pretty intuitive. Lean some sticks against one another in a circular fashion, like a teepee, and place your tinder in the middle. Whether for cooking, staying warm, or telling stories, the perfect fire should be a part of any camping trip. Armed with these tips and a stack of wood, you can make the perfect fire a reality.

Your fire should be dense enough to keep the heat concentrated but open enough that the flames can breathe. There are three basic methods for constructing a campfire: the log cabin, the platform, and the teepee. Think Jenga or Lincoln logs for

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The debt collecting industry is exploiting a new loophole to revive old consumer debt. In most states, debt collectors cannot sue consumers three to five years after the last payment they made toward their utility bill, in-store credit debt, or other types of debt. However, many debt collecting agencies have found a way around these laws. If they can get consumers to make a payment toward a debt beyond the statute of limitations, either with or without a consumer’s knowledge or consent, they can sue to collect the debt again. Debt collectors have tricked consumers into resetting the statute of limitations on their debt in a few ways. While debt collectors cannot sue them for payment, they can repeatedly call consumers asking for the money and request a small fee to stop the calls. This small fee, however, reopens the door for debt collectors to sue for the payment. Other times, debt collectors have sent consumers credit cards that allow them to pay off their old debts. Consumer advocates argue that these methods are not fair to consumers. They can’t be expected to understand the nitty- gritty details of state and federal debt collection laws. The Walking Debt HOW DEBT COLLECTORS TRICK CONSUMERS INTO REVIVING THEIR ‘ZOMBIE DEBT’- The debt collection industry is worth around $11 billion, and it is growing. In 2018, lawsuits brought forward by the industry numbered over 100,000 — more than twice the number of similar lawsuits just two years prior. What’s equally troubling is that debt collectors can acquire debt

portfolios from holders in the financial industry for pennies on the dollar — even if the statute of limitations on the portfolio has passed. These industry trends, coupled with a lack of consumer knowledge about debt collection laws and the variance of these laws from state to state, should be a cause for grave concern. Know that you don’t have to sign up for any credit cards a debt collection agency sends you, and don’t pay any fees to stop debt collection calls past the statute of limitations. If a debt collector has filed a lawsuit against you to collect an old debt, give Jones & Hill a call. No person deserves to be haunted by debt that is already dead and gone.

TAKE A BREAK

Leftover Candy Snack Mix

This recipe from Momofuku Milk Bar chef and “Master Chef” judge Christina Tosi makes great use of those extra Halloween goodies. It’s a quick and easy way to both elevate and get rid of unwanted leftovers.

Ingredients

• • • • •

2 cups mini pretzels, coarsely broken

1/4 cup light brown sugar 2 tbsp granulated sugar 1/3 cup dry milk powder 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

• 12 oz mini candy bars, such as Snickers, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces

Directions

1. Heat oven to 275 F. 2. In a large mixing bowl, fold together pretzels, sugars, milk powder, and butter. 3. Spread mixture on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 20 minutes. 4. Let cool for at least 30 minutes and mix in candy bar pieces before serving.

Inspired by Food & Wine Magazine

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Phone: (888) 481-1333 Monday–Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. www.joneshilllaw.com

Jones & Hill Injury Lawyers 131 U.S.165 South Oakdale, LA 71463

HAYRIDES AND HEADLESS HORSEMEN HALLOWEEN CELEBRATIONS IN SLEEPY HOLLOW

In 1790, a school teacher named Ichabod Crane was riding home alone from a harvest festival in the village of Sleepy Hollow when he encountered a mysterious rider on horseback. Crane, horrified by the horseman’s missing head, turned and ran in the opposite direction. The Headless Horseman gave chase, hurling his own decapitated head at the terrified teacher. Ichabod Crane was never heard from again ... or so goes “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving. This story, first published in 1820, has become a Halloween favorite. The legend is so beloved that in 1997, the village of North Tarrytown, New York, where many events of the story take place, officially changed its name to Sleepy Hollow. Today, the town becomes one big Halloween party during the month of October. Sleepy Hollow is home to many historic landmarks, including the Headless Horseman Bridge and the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, where Washington Irving himself was laid to rest. Evening lantern tours of the cemetery are a popular attraction, and Irving isn’t the only spooky celebrity buried there. Fans of the Gothic soap opera “Dark Shadows” will be delighted to enter the crypt of famed vampire Barnabas Collins.

Another highly anticipated stop for many guests is Sleepy Hollow’s premier annual attraction, Horseman’s Hollow, an experience not for the faint of heart. During the event, the 300-year-old Philipsburg Manor is transformed into a living nightmare, where vampires, witches, ghouls, and undead soldiers lurk in the shadows. They all serve the dreaded Headless Horseman and are determined to make sure guests don’t leave alive! But it’s not all scares in Sleepy Hollow. There’s plenty of Halloween fun for all ages. Sleepy Hollow boasts relaxing hayrides, tours of Irving’s home, live readings of famous Halloween stories, performances of a brand-new musical based on Irving’s spooky tale, and the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze, an incredible exhibition of over 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins.

If you want a real Halloween experience, you can’t go wrong in Sleepy Hollow. Just be careful not to lose your head!

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