Risk & Associates County Civil - July 2020

Risk & Associates County Civil - July 2020

COUNTYCIVIL.COM

JULY 2020

Lessons Learned at Lake George

THE IMPORTANCE OF FORGIVENESS AND LOYALTY

A t time of writing, even if we can’t my family had a cabin by Lake George, and like many of our neighbors, we’d religiously retreat there in the summers when I was a kid. Although my dad was working and only stayed with us a weekend at a time, my mom would help pack our things at the end of the school year and we’d live by Lake George during the summers. travel as much as usual, this time of year takes me back to some special, fond memories. In northern Michigan,

members while at Lake George, and it just so happened that we lived fairly close back home, too. It’s easy to lose friendships as adults, and I don’t blame anyone. Life can move pretty fast. You start getting stressed more frequently, and it can be hard to focus on anything else besides problem-solving. But there are certain friendships that can last entire lifetimes, even if you didn’t always get along.

everything special about our friendship. I don’t have Facebook either, so each of his life updates within the past 20 years were truly fresh and exciting news to me. These friendships mean so much to me still. I’ve had friends call me up after any number of years to ask for help, and it was totally in my ability to help them, so I did. I trust them enough to rely on them for help when I need it, too. Stepping up for others and allowing

There were dozens and dozens of families who did the same thing, so I grew up with kids from all over Michigan because of it. They’d tell me about the differences between Lansing and

“I saw one of these old friends during my eldest sister’s funeral. We had grown up with him during those Lake George summers, and as soon as we saw each other, it was as if no time had ever passed between us.”

Flint (the auto industry certainly played a bigger role in the local economy back then), and we did all the same water sports, like water skiing. There was only one restaurant, named Blue Front — painted blue only on the front — and we’d often meet up with our friends in the arcade. It was the place to go when trying to find someone to hang out with, and if you had a spare quarter, you’d play pinball or listen to the jukebox.

These days, I see a lot of people giving up on one another after the first initial conflict. That can definitely be the right call in certain situations, but it’s not always the right call. As a kid, sometimes you had no choice but to work through your problems, and, for me, I’ve seen that pay off greatly within my personal life. I saw one of these old friends during my eldest sister’s funeral. We had grown up with him during those Lake George summers, and as soon as we saw each other, it was as if no time had ever passed between us. We didn’t always get along as kids, but we still valued

them to help you is a huge part of showing loyalty to your friends and your community — the friendships made during summers in that cabin showed me just how true it is. Although my parents sold their cabin while I was in my mid 20s, nothing can replace the value of that time for me. I’m not sure where we’ll be in July, but I hope that once everyone’s doors are open again, we can rally this summer and celebrate our awesome friendships. -Rick Risk

As you can imagine, we got into all sorts of shenanigans. I actually met all of my band

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The Case That Was Frozen on Arrival

This is the story of a woman who just couldn’t let it go. It was the fall of 2014 — Dennis Rodman became friends with

Author Isabella Tanikumi, whose only notable work to date is her 2011 memoir “Yearnings of the Heart,” sued Disney for an egregious $250 million after claiming that the winter wonderland adventures of Anna, Elsa, and Olaf were stolen straight from her memoir and her life and violated copyright law. She cited 18 “similarities” to bolster her massive claim. For instance, Tanikumi claimed that both her book and the movie had stories of intense sisterly love, scenes under the moon, and talk about cold hearts. The tenuousness of the similarities alone would cause most people to dismiss Tanikumi’s claim like they would the ramblings of a red yarn-loving conspiracy theorist. And that’s just what the judge who oversaw the case did, granting Disney’s motion to dismiss. The judge stated that copyright law protects expressions but not ideas. The themes that Tanikumi believed Disney had stolen from her story were under public domain, usable by anyone without permission. Only Tanikumi herself knows for sure why she went through all that trouble. Everyone else will just have to speculate what gave her the gall to take on a media juggernaut like Disney in court with next to no viable case. That said, several reviews of her memoir on Amazon mention ties to “Frozen,” so make of that what you will.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Ellen DeGeneres’ selfie with Oscar winners at the Academy Awards became the most retweeted image of all time. And an author sued Disney for $250 million after she claimed that the company stole major elements of her published memoir to craft the movie “Frozen.”

“Frozen” was released in November 2013 and saw massive box office success and critical acclaim. It seemed like Walt Disney Animation Studios was finally hitting their stride and catching up to Pixar movies’ quality animation and storytelling. Unfortunately, high-profile movie projects and financiers with deep pockets tend to attract all sorts of hullabaloo in the form of frivolous lawsuits.

How a ‘Little Spark of Madness’ Can Change the World The Story of Robin Williams

Humor is a wonderful expression of thought and laughter all at once. July 1 is International Joke Day, and there’s no better way of celebrating it than sharing the story of Robin Williams, one of the world’s most celebrated comedians and a Michigander. Nobody expected Robin Williams “to become a brainy comedian, or a goofy one, but he was both,” as the New York Times reports. Although he was voted “Most Likely Not to Succeed” and “Funniest” by his high school classmates in 1969, Robin Williams was an excellent student; he played on the school’s wrestling team and was elected class president. Then, after dropping out of Claremont Men’s College, he earned a full scholarship to Juilliard School in New York City for acting. And, after only three years, the teachers at Juilliard knew their

conservative and traditional material had nothing left to teach him.

Many comedians and comedy lovers agree: Nobody can replace the tremendous impact Robin Williams had on film, comedy, and beyond. However, we will always remember his thoughtful and hilarious insights through his stand-up routines, his role in “Dead Poets Society” as a mentor inspiring students, and his role as a therapist in “Good Will Hunting.” (He was nominated for Oscars for both, winning one for “Good Will Hunting.”) We hope you celebrate humor this month and the beautiful things it adds to our lives.

His tragic suicide in 2014 makes it difficult to see his lightest roles without the hints of tragedy within them, but in many ways, Williams’ awareness was always part of his brilliance. As soon as Williams began stand-up comedy in the mid-1970s, he helped lead the “comedy renaissance” in the San Francisco Bay Area, as critic Gerald Nachman writes. Many comedians and audiences admired how Williams would work his deeply personal battles with drug and alcohol addiction into his stand-up routines — the man himself had great disdain for the way cocaine would turn “the great minds of [his] time into mud,” as Williams would describe. Nevertheless, he battled the same problems and eventually fully rehabilitated in 2006.

“You’re only given a little spark of madness. You mustn’t lose it.”

–Robin Williams

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Helpful Tips for Success TRY A NEW FAMILY OUTDOOR ACTIVITY!

Heather Hatada-Boyd, founder of Forest Folk New England, says, “Being outdoors invites kids to observe and participate. There’s so much to see and question.” If you’re an outdoor lover or simply want to try something new, the summer is a perfect time to spend time with the whole family in the beauty of nature. You might try camping for the first time together — or an entirely different outdoor experience! Here at County Civil, we have some tips for preparing and making sure the whole family engages with nature safely. NO. 1: CONSIDER THE WEATHER AND PREPARE SUPPLIES. First impressions are important! If a child has a bad first experience in nature, they’re less likely to try other nature adventures. Will it be rainy? Too hot in the middle of the day? Be prepared! Bring a backpack with plenty of snacks, drinks, and anything else to make everyone’s time a bit more enjoyable — even if it just means bringing binoculars for bird-watching. NO. 2: TEACH YOUR FAMILY NEW SKILLS. Some of the most memorable outdoor excursions involve learning new skills. Just remember to keep it simple and start with the basics. Keep kids involved in the learning process from the very beginning, whether that means picking out a bike they’d like or choosing the best place to

start learning a new activity. As long as you don’t push them too hard and make sure they’re having fun and learning, they’re more likely to stick with it and play safely. NO. 3: SHOW THE IMPORTANCE OF SUSTAINING THE TRAIL/ENVIRONMENT. Kids pick up new skills easily, and learning how to help maintain the environment around them can benefit them later in life. For example, stay on the trail to help prevent erosion, bring a plastic bag to pick up any

trash you find, and feel free to move limbs, rocks, and small trees blocking your route. Just leave the big jobs, like those requiring a chainsaw, for the land managers. These responsible practices will show them how to be good stewards of nature on their own.

Lastly, be patient with your kids! They might be small and energetic, but they may also need extra coaxing to expand their

boundaries. Once they do, however, these experiences can last a lifetime.

CAESAR FIREWORKS GRILLING INDEPENDENCE LARKSPUR PEACHES

PICNIC POPSICLES RUBY SPARKLER SUNGLASSES 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

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Lessons Learned at Lake George The Case That Was Frozen on Arrival How a ‘Little Spark of Madness’ Can Change the World

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Try New, Safe Family Outdoor Activities!

Enjoy July With These Fun Facts

What Do Julius Caesar and Buffalo Wings Have in Common? FUN FACTS ABOUT THE MONTH OF JULY

Most Americans associate July with Independence Day and everything the holiday entails, including traditional barbecue

cuisine, fireworks, and summer vacations. However, in addition to the Fourth of July, this midsummer month has a rich history and offers fun opportunities for everyone to celebrate. ‘WHAT’S IN A NAME?’ You’ve likely heard of Julius Caesar, the famous Roman dictator and general known for changing the Roman Empire’s political structure, innovating war tactics, and eventually dying after a legendary assassination. But did you know that July, Caesar’s birth month, wasn’t always called that? It was initially named Quintilis, which means “fifth” in Latin, because it was the fifth month of the ancient Roman calendar. Shortly after Caesar’s death, the month of Quintilis was renamed July in his honor. Of course, Caesar’s legacy didn’t end there. Before he died, he implemented the Julian calendar, which he based off of the Egyptian solar calendar, and it remained in place for over 1,500 years until the Gregorian calendar was introduced in the 16th century. RED, WHITE, AND WHO? Similar to the Declaration of Independence for the U.S., Canada’s Constitution Act of 1867, signed on July 1 of that year, marks the birth of Canada. The following year, Charles Monck, the 4th Viscount Monck and Canada’s first governor-

general, signed a proclamation requesting that everyone in Canada celebrate their country’s independence

on July 1. However, it wasn’t until 100 years

later that the date officially became Canada Day. Most celebrations include fireworks and red and white attire, much like how Americans celebrate the Fourth of July. GOT WINGS? While chicken wings are a staple of Southern dining, they actually originated in upstate New York. In 1964, Teressa Bellissimo, co-owner of the Anchor Bar, started cooking leftover wings dipped in hot sauce for her son and his friends. After receiving enthusiastic feedback, Bellissimo put them on the menu. Over the next few years, the recipe’s popularity spread, and in 1977, former Buffalo mayor Stan Makowski declared July 29 to be National Chicken Wing Day. The reputation of the famous Buffalo wings continued to spread nationwide, and in the early ‘90s, wings became an international hit when McDonald’s, KFC, and Domino’s Pizza began selling them in the variety of flavors we know and love today.

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