Markets Focus on Fed's Big September Move

You're invited to join us for a Medicare educational event at LaVergne Public Library on Thursday, September 19th, from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Led by our Medicare Solutions Specialist, Hillary Broome, this session will cover everything you need to know about Medicare, from understanding its parts to navigating the enrollment process. Bring your questions for a personalized Q&A session. Whether you're nearing eligibility, currently enrolled, or helping a loved one, this event will provide the clarity and guidance you need. Don't miss out—RSVPtoday to secure your spot!

Sign up now! Join us for this Medicare Education Event at the Wilson County Chamber of Commerce, 149 Public Square, Lebanon, TN, on Tuesday, September 24th from 5:30 P.M. to 6:30 P.M. Medicare and Benefits Specialist Shelli Jessie will walk you through everything you need to know about Medicare, from its different parts to the enrollment process, with personalized advice during the Q&A session. Whether you're nearing eligibility, already enrolled, or helping a loved one, this event will give you the clarity and confidence you need.

Seats are limited, so don’t delay—reserve your spot today! We can’t wait to see you there!

The Legend of the Headless Horseman in Shelbyville, TN

Shelbyville, Tennessee, is known for its Southern charm, but it also hides a chilling legend—the tale of the Headless Horseman. The story dates back to the late 1800s, with rumors of a Confederate soldier beheaded during the Civil War. His restless spirit, headless and riding a powerful black horse, is said to haunt the countryside, searching for his lost head.

Locals have reported sightings of the ghostly rider for over a century. Witnesses claim to have seen a headless figure galloping at high speeds or heard the eerie sound of hooves in the night. One of the most famous sightings occurred near a bridge outside of town, where the horseman vanished into the fog after scaring a group of travelers.

Though sightings are uncommon today, the legend remains a part of Shelbyville’s folklore, passed down through generations. Whether a symbol of the town’s Civil War past or a true ghostly presence, the tale of the Headless Horseman continues to haunt the imagination of those who hear it.

Stocks fell last week as soft economic data rattled investors focused on the Fed’s next move with interest rates.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 2.93 percent, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index dropped 4.25 percent. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite fell 5.77 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, declined 2.91 percent.^1,2

Economic Data Unsettles Investors

The four-day trading week got off to a rough start as weak manufacturing data reawakened recessionary fears. All three major averages were down for the first session after the Labor Day holiday. For many, it was reminiscent of August 5, when stocks tumbled as recession worries unsettled investors.³

Attention shifted to Friday’s jobs report as stocks traded narrowly. Markets initially reacted positively to news that job growth rebounded slightly and unemployment ticked down. However, selling pressure increased as the trading session progressed and investors digested the underlying data. The S&P 500 had its worst week since March 2023.⁴

^{Article gsam.com: The Tariff Effect}

“Give what you have to somebody; it may be better than you think.”

– Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Skillet Succotash with Bacon Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 slices of bacon, chopped
• 2 cups fresh corn kernels (from about 3-4 ears of local corn)
• 1 cup fresh okra, sliced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup sweet onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced (preferably red or yellow for color)
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Cook the Bacon: In a large cast-iron skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon and set it aside, leaving the bacon drippings in the skillet.
2. Cook the Vegetables: Add the diced onion and bell pepper to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the sliced okra and corn kernels. Cook for another 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the okra starts to brown and the corn is slightly charred.
3. Add Tomatoes: Toss in the cherry tomatoes and cook for an additional 2 minutes, just until they begin to soften.
4. Season: Stir in fresh thyme (if using), and season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Garnish and Serve: Top with crispy bacon bits and a sprinkle of fresh parsley. Serve warm as a side dish or enjoy it as a main course with crusty bread.

Tax Tips on Identity Theft

Here are a few things that may help you against identity thieves:

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) never will contact you via email or phone to request personal information. If you receive a scam email or call that claims to be from the IRS, report it to phishing@irs.gov.

People can steal your identity by stealing your wallet or purse, receiving the information they need over the phone or email, finding your personal information in the trash, or accessing information you provide to an unsecured website (only enter credit card information on websites that start with “https://”).

If you receive a letter from the IRS indicating that more than one tax return was filed in your name, your identity may have been stolen.

This information is not a substitute for individualized tax advice. Please discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax professional.

Tip adapted from IRS.gov⁸

4 Potential Health Benefits of Coffee

• Coffee may help you live longer:Recent studies found that coffee drinkers are less likely to die from some of the leading causes of death, including coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and kidney disease.
  
  
• Your liver may thank you:Research shows that coffee drinkers are more likely to have liver enzyme levels within a healthy range than people who don't drink coffee.
  
  
• You may decrease your risk of getting Alzheimer's disease:The caffeine in two cups of coffee may protect against developing the condition. Researchers found that women aged 65 and older who drank two to three cups of coffee a day were less likely to develop dementia in general.
  
  
• Your body may process glucose better:Studies found that people who drink more coffee are less likely to get type 2 diabetes.

Tip adapted from John Hopkins Medicine⁹

A 10k cross-country run through the woods attracts 36 entrants. The day is unseasonably hot, and the course is confusing. Three runners get lost, five quit, and 28 finish the run. What happens to the other entrants?

Last week’s riddle: Brian bets Denise that he can find something made out of wood in his workshop that can’t be sawed. Brian wins the bet; what is this common substance?
Answer: Sawdust

Icebergs on the Jokulsarlon glacial lake

Jökulsárlón Ice Beach, Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland

Footnotes and Sources

^{1. The Wall Street Journal, September 6, 2024}

^{2. Investing.com, August 30, 2024}

^{3. The Wall Street Journal, September 3, 2024}

^{4. The Wall Street Journal, September 6, 2024}

^{5. The Wall Street Journal, September 6, 2024}

^{6. Marketwatch.com, September 5, 2024}

^{7. CNBC.com, September 6, 2024}

^{8. IRS.gov, May 8. 2024}

^{9. Hopkinsmedicine.org, May 8. 2024}