Trinity Elder Law and Estate Planning - MAY 2021

Trinity Elder Law and Estate Planning - MAY 2021

Peace of Mind Post

MAY 2021

What Makes a Great Burger

Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) no photo of the matching “Cheeseburger in Paradise” shirts exists, but this is where my love of cheeseburgers started — Big Pine Key, circa early ‘80s.

As the weather starts to warm up, the grills are coming out. It’s only fitting that May is known as National Hamburger Month. I couldn’t let this month pass without talking about one of my greatest joys: a juicy, grilled cheeseburger. I know it’s not the same as a hamburger, but I just love how indulgent and simple a great cheeseburger can be. I consider myself a cheeseburger aficionado. I love the flavors of a simple, well-grilled cheeseburger, and I refuse to tarnish it with ketchup, mustard, pickles, or any other condiment. A juicy, locally sourced burger that isn’t overcooked but is topped with melty cheese and piled into a pillowy bun is enough for me. (Scratch that — sometimes I don’t even need the bun!) Now, I’m not opposed to other forms of burgers, too. I’ve had a great turkey burger in my day, and I even enjoyed a salmon burger once. My husband tried a veggie burger and said it was pretty good, too. But nothing compares to a juicy beef burger! Locally, we all know that the best place for a great burger is at W. Rick’s Taproom and Grill. They have the best burgers in Butler County, but I’d argue they even have the best burgers in the whole tri-county area. W. Rick’s cooks their burgers on a charcoal grill using fresh, locally sourced beef. Every burger has just the right amount of grease, and it’s the perfect way to get your burger

fix without having to make a mess in your kitchen. The runner-up for best local burger would have to be Chop Shop in downtown Butler, but I also love Burgatory. (The name is pretty great, right?) There are many great options for “the best burger” in our region, and I’m sure many of you have your own opinions about the best

places to grab a burger. But one other place that I really enjoy has a great commute, and I still don’t have to do the cooking: at home on the grill. My husband will often grill up some burgers, and my neighbor has a tasty recipe that I enjoy, too! Grilling is actually where my love of burgers first originated. I can remember eating copious amounts of burgers during picnics on my grandma’s farm when I was growing up, and I have other fond memories of going to this local restaurant and always getting a burger for lunch. No matter what season it was or how old I got, I always ordered a burger. Of course, I can’t forget to mention the times that my brothers and I spent in the Florida Keys as kids in the ‘80s — when we wore our “Cheeseburger in Paradise” shirts everywhere. Jimmy Buffett was huge at the

time, and as embarrassing as it is to admit now, we thought we were so cool.

Today, our patties on the grill often come from local meat markets, like Slater’s Meats and More in Karns City, Pennsylvania, or Mish Farms out of Gibsonia, Pennsylvania. We have so many great options in our region for local meat, so our burgers are never short of amazing. To top it off, grilling allows us to get outside, support local businesses, and indulge in a great burger. I hope you celebrate National Hamburger Day appropriately this May. And by that, I mean that I hope you enjoy the burger you love the most because, ultimately, it’s the feeling we get when enjoying that first bite of a juicy burger that makes it great.

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The Legacy of Dale Ea

WRITE DOWN THE RECIPE! WHY YOUR FAMILY’S FAVORITE RECIPES ARE WORTH RECORDING

Known as “The Intimidator” to sportswriters who loved his rowdy personality and “Ironhead” to opponents who

loathed racing against him, Dale Earnhardt Sr. forever changed racing in both his life and tragic death on Feb. 18, 2001, during the final lap of the Daytona 500. Today, Earnhardt’s legacy lives on through the racing triumphs of his descendants, like Dale Earnhardt Jr., and the safety protocols his death inspired. Earnhardt was born into a racing family in 1951 and made his NASCAR debut in 1975. He went on to win 34 races at the sport’s most popular track in Daytona, Florida, and record 76 career wins. Earnhardt’s style of racing was unparalleled, and most fans will never forget the 2000 race at Talladega Superspeedway where he barreled from 18th into first place over the final six laps. On that fateful day in 2001, Earnhardt was racing toward the finish line on the final lap — a first-place finish in his sights — when he collided with three other vehicles, rammed into the concrete barrier, and slid to a stop in the infield. Earnhardt was pronounced dead at the hospital that evening, the result of a skull fracture that happened within 80 milliseconds of the initial impact.

Hi, everyone! It’s Julie, again.

On this month’s cover, I highlighted my love for burgers, but I have so many other kinds of food that evoke strong memories, too. In particular, my late grandmother’s chocolate icing recipe is one of my favorites. And I’m not alone. Grandma’s chocolate icing was famous! I had always wanted a copy of her recipe, but like many people, it was a recipe she had developed over time and knew by heart. It wasn’t written down anywhere! I would

bug her to write it down, and when she finally agreed to let me record it, I was amazed at how simple it was! As a kid, I thought a complex recipe had to be behind such a decadent result. But the simplicity and

emotions that come with this recipe — and sharing it with others — are beyond comparable. There’s value in our family recipes. To be able to make chocolate frosting like Grandma used to is really special, and it always transports me back to my childhood.

Kind Words FROM OUR CLIENTS

Every day, I help clients with their elder law needs, but one of my best pieces of advice outside of the legal arena is that you should write down your cherished family recipes. It’s the easiest way to pass on something special. I bet you already know your family’s favorites, too. These are the meals they ask

for on their birthdays, around the holidays, or when they are sick.

And don’t fret about making it perfect. The little imperfections or the unique way you describe how to do something will make the recipe even more special. My grandmother’s icing recipe is the perfect example. Fair warning, it features some vulgar language. (But I think that makes it more personal.) All you need is some semi-sweet Hershey squeeze chocolate, eggs, butter, and powdered sugar. And then, to quote Grandma, “you beat the hell out of it.” It may not be the polite way to describe it, but according to the woman who’s famous for her chocolate icing, that’s how you do it! I always smile when I see that or give the recipe to someone else. Your recipes are a gift. Write them down and share them with your family. Much like this simple icing recipe, you never know what could become a family legend.

Online reviews are one of the best ways for you to help us help others! We would greatly appreciate it if you could leave us a review on Google or Facebook if our team has helped you in anyway.

For inspiration, take a look at what Carolyn had to say!

“Attorney Anderson and her staff are amazing! They helped our family work through some really tough decisions when my mom got sick. They have continued to help us with navigating the planning that elder care involves.” -Carolyn S.

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arnhardt

CONTINUES WITH SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS IN RACING

BENEFITS ON THE BIKE

Why Bicycling Can Keep You Feeling Great as You Age

Almost immediately, NASCAR made sweeping changes to the sport, including requiring drivers to wear a head and neck support (HANS) device along with their helmet to stabilize the body in an accident. It was a device that Earnhardt refused to wear due to its restraint, and one that potentially could have saved his life had he been wearing it.

They say you never forget to ride a bike, and if that’s true, then you might want to start riding your bike again! Biking can be a fun way to get exercise, spend time with friends, and explore your community, but it’s also one of the best ways to fight aging and stay active. It’s a must-do hobby for seniors for these three reasons! Protect Your Joints While Working Out Exercise is a vital part of healthy aging, but it can be difficult to work up a good sweat and stay pain-free. Biking is just the activity to do that. Because your feet are never actually hitting the ground, all of the force your body is exerting into moving the bicycle is being absorbed by the bike. This lessens the strain of the weight that can push on your joints when you walk or run while also working your body in a very similar way. Your heart rate will increase, your muscles will get a good burn in, and your joints won’t be stiff. Stay Active and Socialize Social isolation and loneliness have been linked to serious health concerns among the elderly, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Limited mobility, widowhood, and retirement make older adults more susceptible to being alone, which can result in worsening chronic conditions or the development of cognitive impairment. Any activity that gets you out of the house can prevent this! Biking offers an opportunity to explore the community and meet new people through biking groups, and it allows you to easily travel to your loved ones for some quality time. Join Your Family Spending time with our families is more cherished these days as we approach a post-pandemic world. But mobility issues and aging pains can make it difficult for older and younger generations to do similar activities — except biking. Riding a bike is something nearly anyone can do. Babies can ride in strollers or seats behind their parents while Grandpa and Grandma can keep pace on a bike. Families can go for bike rides down local trails or bike to the ice cream shop for a sweet treat everyone will enjoy!

The organization also instituted improved outer barriers and seat belts. (It was previously believed that a

seat belt malfunction led to Earnhardt’s death.) Along with those improvements, NASCAR continues to update its safety measures. According to ESPN, the sport has also required drivers to wear full-face helmets, and vehicles are now outfitted with shock-absorbing foam to protect drivers’ bodies from the energy produced in an accident. The work NASCAR did to improve driver safety was on full display at the 2020 Daytona 500, when racer Ryan Newman’s vehicle hit the wall, flipped upside down, and was then propelled into the air before landing in the infield. The accident was horrific, and Newman had to seek treatment at a nearby hospital — but he lived.

“Those people,” Newman said to ESPN about those who made safety regulations a standard in the sport, “collectively saved my life.”

Easy & Healthy Green Rice Inspired by 101Cookbooks.com

Ingredients

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1 cup tightly packed spinach leaves

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1/2 cup yellow onions, finely diced

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1 cup tightly packed kale leaves, stems removed 1 1/2 cups vegetable stock 2 tbsp full-fat coconut milk

• • •

1/2 cup green peppers, diced 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced 1 cup long-grain white rice

• • •

1 tsp kosher salt

•

Directions

1. In a blender, purée spinach and kale with vegetable stock, coconut milk, and salt. Set aside. 2. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, sauté onions and peppers in olive oil until soft. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. 3. Stir in rice and cook and toast for 1–2 minutes before adding the blended mixture. Increase heat to bring to a boil. 4. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until liquid has evaporated, 15–20 minutes. 5. Remove from heat and let sit for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.

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340 N. Main St., Suite 103 Butler, PA 16001 724.256.8850 www.TrinityElderLaw.com

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INSIDE This Issue

Celebrate National Hamburger Month With Julie!

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The Value of the Handwritten Recipe The Man Who Changed Racing Forever

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Green Rice Recipe The Best Way to Stay Young? Biking!

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Australian Wombats Are Saving the Day!

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Australian Wombats in Charge SAVING LIVES ONE HOLE ATATIME

Remember the Australian wildfires of 2019–2020? These fires ravaged large areas of the country, displacing and leaving countless animals to fight for survival. To make matters worse, swaths of the country have been dealing with drought. It’s one challenge after another for humans and animals alike. But one species has taken matters into its own “hands.” Numerous wombats have been discovered digging holes in search of water — and they found it! According to Australia’s ABC News, one group of wombats was discovered on a farm in New South Wales, which was situated over a large underground reservoir. So, the wombats went to work. One farmer, Ted Finnie, reported that wombats dug a hole roughly 4 meters deep by 20 meters wide (or about 65 feet). Their incredible work made this source of water remarkably accessible.

At this particular watering hole, Finnie captured all sorts of creatures on camera — birds, emus, possums, echidnas, and monitor lizards — congregating around the wombats’ creation. What isn’t known is how, exactly, the wombats discovered the water, but they surmise the animals likely picked up on environmental clues and dug until they found what they were looking for. Interestingly enough, wombats have been known to help other animals in the past. During the Australian fires, countless animals were left searching for refuge, and they found it in wombat burrows. While the wombats weren’t exactly welcoming other species into their homes with open arms, they seemed to “tolerate” the visitors, as one ecologist with the University of Adelaide noted. It was a case of accidental heroism, much like their search for water, but it was heroism nonetheless.

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