Risk & Associates County Civil - June 2021

Risk & Associates County Civil - June 2021

COUNTYCIVIL.COM

JUNE 2021

Fishing — A Time to Be Together

A s a guy who enjoys keeping myself busy, life tends to go fast, but when I’m fishing, I can savor the little moments just a little bit more. Fishing is a very rewarding sport with plenty of tranquil moments, whether you enjoy reflecting or simply having a little peace and quiet. It’s even more special when you can share that experience with family. I learned to fish at a very young age when my grandfather and father would take me. I have very fond memories as a boy of waking up at 4:30 or 5 o’clock in the morning, my dad driving us before dawn, then sitting out in the lake to fish — or even going to Grandpa’s ice fishing shanty. Of course, spending time with my role models would get me excited as a young kid, and it wasn’t long before my (usually quiet) grandfather would snap at me for scaring the fish! Those memories are very amusing to me now. And until recently, I never thought about how much those memories might’ve meant to them.

Now that I’m a grandfather myself, my wife and I enjoy getting as much quality time with our kids and grandkids as possible. I’d already taught my sons how to fish, but luckily, a few years ago, my grandsons started showing an interest as well. That was very exciting for me! We live around two creeks and a lake, so fishing gives us plenty of excuses to get out and enjoy the scenery. Fishing takes a little bit of safety preparation first. It’s still a sport, and every sport needs to be respected with the proper safety procedures. For example, every fisherman needs to be able to swim. We have a pool, so we worked on it, and we became really good swimmers. Also, we always make sure to have the right safety equipment and procedures onboard, such as the kids wearing life preserver vests at all times. All the kids know how to hook bait and how to remove bait safely from a fish. My grandkids have really taken a shine to fishing since then. There’s nothing more exciting than to see their faces light up when they catch a fish. They’re also surprisingly patient. Some kids can lose

interest if they’re not catching a fish every few minutes, but my grandkids don’t mind the wait. They also know how to gut and clean fish now! I think they were surprised to learn that fish don’t immediately turn into deli-cut squares. We have a little cleaning station for descaling and rinsing them out. They can do it without any issues now, which is pretty impressive. As I mentioned, we live near two creeks and a lake, but my youngest has a house that’s right on the lake. He recently acquired a boat that’s actually been in the family for a long time. In preparation for this summer, I got a four-horsepower motor installed on it, and I’m going to teach the grandkids how to use it safely. With any luck, that’s how I’ll spend National Go Fishing Day on June 18 — I hope you manage to get out and sink a line or simply enjoy the great outdoors with someone you care about.

616-374-7170 1 -Rick Risk

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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 doesn’t 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’s 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’re gone, their legacy lives on in this strange Massachusetts law.

5 International Snack Foods Your Kids Will Love

EMPANADAS, FROM ARGENTINA A mouthwatering fried snack for any occasion, empanadas are simple hand pies that are traditionally filled with beef, spinach, or cheese and eggs. You might also find delicious dessert empanadas filled with fruits and nuts! Fun fact: The earliest mention of empanadas is in a Catalan cookbook published in 1520. PLANTAIN CHIPS, FROM MANY AFRICAN COUNTRIES It’s very hard to determine the origin of plantain chips; however, we do know that they’re absolutely delicious. They’re prepared from unripe plantains (bananas with higher starch content) and fried in hot oil, but you can enjoy these chips warm or cold. LOUKOUMADES, FROM GREECE The name of these sweet, gooey treats might be a mouthful, but you’ll definitely want a mouthful of these incredible fried dough balls. Typically glazed with honey or syrup, these are a lot of fun to make at home, and you can even include a jelly filling if you’d like!

As a family-friendly team, we know that busy parents love to include new educational opportunities for their kids with any chance they get. It can be tough to inform kids about international destinations without drawing up more visual or sensory aids, though. So, why not prepare or buy an international snack? Here are five snacks that kids around the globe love! ONIGIRI, FROM JAPAN Created with steamed short grain rice and half-wrapped with seaweed, these sticky rice balls are not only delicious but also a popular on-the- go lunch snack everywhere in Japan. They’re typically filled with pickled plum or savory meat, but you can also make onigiri with fried rice or a “grilled” onigiri, which is brushed with a sweet soy sauce (or teriyaki). ROJAK, FROM MALAYSIA Many kids these days love spicy food. If yours do, consider preparing this spicy and sweet fruit salad originally from Malaysia. Some traditional versions include cuttlefish and squid, but you don’t need to make those additions if they don’t appeal. This is a beloved street food that will surprise you with how delicious it is.

We hope one of these snack ideas inspires you! Bon appétit!

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3 TIPS FOR FIRST-TIME FISHERMEN As a sport, fishing is equally tranquil and thrilling — not only do you get to take a break away from the urban world, but you may also even get to enjoy fresh fish! What’s the best way to get started? Here are a few tips for you and your family. NO. 1: FIND LOCAL FISHING CLASSES OR SIGN ON TO A FISHING CHARTER.

devices (PFD) such as life jackets to keep you alive, regardless the size of your boat.

Also, you may find that reeling in your catch may be far more difficult on a boat than on dry land. Make sure you leave a rod’s worth of extra line out when reeling in your catch and lift the line itself out of the water. That extra length will keep your rod reacting to a flopping fish’s

It’s always easier to start a new hobby with a guide. One of the best ways to start fishing is to take local fishing classes! Or, you can sign up for a fishing charter, which is staffed by people who will teach you how to fish and possibly even clean your catches for you. This is a very popular option for anyone who wants to give fishing a try. NO. 2: LEARN ALL THE PROPER SAFETY REQUIREMENTS. Remember to wear plenty of sunscreen (even on cloudy days), bring rain gear, and have a first aid kit nearby. Drink plenty of water and bring Dramamine for boat trips; staying hydrated and clear- headed can make your day of fishing so much more enjoyable. NO. 3: BECOME FAMILIAR WITH YOUR BOAT BEFORE FISHING. If you’re going fishing for the first time, it’s best to use a boat that you’re very familiar with before your trip. You won’t want to flip over or overload your boat — space is often limited in small boats. Always wear properly rated personal flotation

movement, which is especially useful when there’s no space on your boat to set your rod down. Lastly, don’t hesitate to ask your local fishing shops about the best places to go. They’ll be able

to give you great recommendations and show you the right gear you’ll need. Enjoy!

ADVENTURE CAMPING FATHER GEMINI HIKING JUNETEENTH

PARK PICNIC PRIDE

SANDALS SUNBURN SWIMMING

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2383 Tamarack St., Lake Odessa, MI 48849 616-374-7170 | COUNTYCIVIL.COM R isk & A ssociates

Rick Risk is Founder and President of Risk & Associates, a legal support service provider in Michigan, and has assisted hundreds of attorneys, municipalities, courts, Sheriff Offices, businesses, and others with their strategic process needs.

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1 2

Fishing — A Time to Be Together

Why It’s Illegal to Sell Exploding Golf Balls in Massachusetts

5 International Snack Foods Your Kids Will Love

3 4

3 Tips for First-Time Fishermen The 1814 London Beer Flood Sandwich

Drowned by Beer: The 1814 London Beer Flood

Drowning from beer

became a real and dangerous cause of death in 1814, when the iron rings on massive vats of beer snapped

cheap housing inhabited by prostitutes, criminals, and the destitute. Eight people — Irish mourners in a basement, a mother and her child, and a teenage barmaid — were killed. Despite the dangers, some people scooped up as much liquid as they could in whatever containers they could find. Consequently, a ninth death was reported days later due to alcohol poisoning. WERE THERE CONSEQUENCES FOR THE BREWERY? The streets of St. Giles smelled like beer for many months afterward. The flood cost the brewery over 23,000 pounds (1.25 million pounds today), but they were able to reclaim the excise duty paid on the beer and were granted 7,250 pounds (400,000 pounds today) as compensation for the barrels of lost beer, which saved them from bankruptcy. But what about the deaths? Although the brewery was taken to court, the London courts ruled the flood was an “Act of God,” and the eight victims had lost their lives “casually, accidentally, and by misfortune.” Nobody was held responsible. We’re not so certain the Horse Shoe Brewery would’ve been as lucky in American courts! Thanks for joining us in remembering this very strange historical event, and we’ll see you next month.

loose. This bizarre, tragic event claimed the lives of eight people. Here’s the story about the time a tsunami of hot, fermenting beer came pouring down on densely populated streets of London.

AN ‘ACT OF GOD,’ LONDON COURTS PROCLAIMED. In St. Giles, London, the Horse Shoe Brewery stood at the corner of Great Russell Street and Tottenham Court Road — which is nearly in the exact middle of London. They had 22-foot-high wooden fermentation tanks installed on the premises, held together by massive iron rings. These vats held over 3,500 barrels of brown porter ale, which is a beer similar to stout. During one busy afternoon on Oct. 17, 1814, an iron ring around the tank snapped. An hour later, the whole tank broke open, releasing hot, fermenting ale with such incredible force that the back wall of the brewery collapsed. It also crashed open several more vats, releasing nearly 320,000 gallons of beer into the area.

It created a 15-foot wave of beer and debris. The flood swept through the St. Giles Rookery, a densely populated London slum filled with

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