Adams, Rizzi & Sween attorney obtains her Iowa licensure
Toland is also licensed to practice law in both Minnesota and Wisconsin. She was named the Best Individual Lawyer in the 2024 Best of Mower County Awards.
Toland provides legal services in estate planning, family law, guardianship, probate and trust administration, and real estate, among other areas. She can be reached at etoland@adamsrizzisween.com or 507-433-7394.
Adams, Rizzi & Sween was established in 1887 and has served the Austin community and surrounding areas for more than 135 years.
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Hamilton Spectator
a day ago
- Hamilton Spectator
‘Pleased as punch': $265K Black history art installation now under construction honours early Oakville entrepreneur
The Town of Oakville has begun construction of a new permanent art installation honouring local Black history. Construction of the installation began in Burnet Park the week of July 14 and is expected to finish by the end of September. Town staff said the installation honours Oakville's Black history, community, heritage and, in particular, entrepreneur Samuel Adams, a free African American from Maryland who moved to the Oakville area around 1855. He came with his wife and young family and set up a successful blacksmith practice in Bronte. According to the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton (CCAH), Adams would go on to invent equipment used to lift flat stones from the bottom of Lake Ontario so they could be used in construction. The practice would become known as 'stonehooking' and would become a significant industry in Oakville. Adams' invention of stonehooking equipment would make him a wealthy man and he would reportedly use this wealth to help African Americans fleeing slavery in America to make a life for themselves in Upper Canada. The CCAH said Adams also worked with Reverend William Butler to organize a group of devout Black settlers who, in 1891, built the Turner African Methodist Episcopal Church. The church building still stands at 37 Lakeshore Rd. W. Town staff said the art installation will incorporate stones from the foundation of the Adams family home, which stood at 104 Burnet St. until 2017, when it was demolished due to fire damage. There will also be iron benches at the site that call back to Adams' iron work. According to the Town of Oakville, $265,000 has been allocated to this project. Burnet Park remains open to the public during this construction period. 'We're pleased as punch that this is coming to fruition,' said Dionne Downer, CCAH executive director. 'I think this is a wonderful project and we're very pleased as a community by its progression.' Town staff said descendants of the Adams family have worked with the town and the CCAH to ensure the artwork would be designed by Black artists and reflect on and celebrate the contributions of the Black community to Oakville. Design work for the project was completed by a Black-owned architecture practice, the Studio of Contemporary Architecture (SOCA), a Toronto-based architecture and urban design studio. Avion Construction Group Inc., has been retained as the general contractor for construction. A statement on the SOCA website said their design for the installation, which they call a memorial to Adams, commemorates the life and legacy of a remarkable figure whose story embodies resilience, ingenuity, and community leadership. They said the salvaged foundation stones from the 19th century heritage home will anchor the site with authentic material memory. 'These stones are framed by newly constructed rammed earth walls that evoke permanence and craft,' the statement continues. 'Sculptural iron seating gestures to Adams' blacksmithing trade and longer histories of African iron work, while the open, contemplative design invites visitors to connect with a profound local history of migration, invention, and Black community-building. The project honours Adams' legacy not only as a skilled craftsman and entrepreneur, but as a builder of place — whose story continues to shape Oakville's cultural landscape.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
04-07-2025
What to know about Fourth of July holiday origins and traditions
St. Louis -- The Fourth of July is Americana at its core: parades and cookouts and cold beer and, of course, fireworks. Those pyrotechnics also make it an especially dangerous holiday, typically resulting in more than 10,000 trips to the emergency room. Yet fireworks remain at the center of Independence Day, a holiday 247 years in the making. Here are five things to know about July Fourth, including the origin of the holiday and how fireworks became part of the tradition. The holiday celebrates the Second Continental Congress' unanimous adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, a document announcing the colonies' separation from Great Britain. One year later, according to the Library of Congress, a spontaneous celebration in Philadelphia marked the anniversary of American independence. But across the burgeoning nation, observations didn't become commonplace until after the War of 1812. It quickly took off: The Library of Congress notes that major historic events in the 19th century, such as groundbreaking ceremonies for the Erie Canal and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, were scheduled to coincide with Fourth of July festivities. The display of pyrotechnics has been a big part of Independence Day from the outset. Founding Father John Adams saw it coming. Commemoration of America's independence 'ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more,' Adams wrote in a letter to his wife, Abigail, dated July 3, 1776. Fireworks were around centuries before America became a nation. The American Pyrotechnics Association says many historians believe fireworks were first developed in the second century B.C. in ancient China by throwing bamboo stalks into fires, causing explosions as the hollow air pockets overheated. By the 15th century, fireworks were widely used for religious festivals and public entertainment in Europe and early U.S. settlers carried on those traditions, the association said. Presidents from George Washington to Donald Trump have celebrated the nation's birth on the Fourth of July, with one exception: Adams. His letter to his wife aside, Adams refused to celebrate the holiday on July 4 because he felt July 2 was the real Independence Day. Why? It was on July 2, 1776, that the Continental Congress voted in favor of the resolution for independence, though the Declaration of Independence wasn't formally adopted until two days later. Adams was so adamant that he turned down invitations to festivals and other events, even while serving as the nation's second president. Ironically, Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, both died on the 50th anniversary of the document's formal adoption, July 4, 1826. Consumer sales of fireworks have grown rapidly over the past two decades. Statistics from the American Pyrotechnics Association show that in 2000, American consumers spent $407 million on fireworks. By 2024, that figure rose to $2.2 billion. The biggest jump came during the COVID-19 pandemic, when public fireworks displays were shut down. Consumer sales jumped from $1 billion in 2019 to $1.9 billion in 2020. The cost of fireworks could soar if the trade war between the U.S. and China continues — most aerial shells, paper rockets and sparkly fountains that transfix the eyes of Americans every Fourth of July are imported from China. A 90-day pause on Trump's hefty tariffs on Chinese imports brought some temporary relief, but industry experts are uncertain as they watch for an agreement. Despite widespread education efforts, thousands of Americans are badly injured by fireworks each year. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that in 2024, 11 deaths were blamed on fireworks, up 38% from 2023. An estimated 1,700 people were treated at emergency rooms for sparkler-related injuries and 14,7000 people were injured from fireworks — a 52% increase compared to 2023. Burns were the most common injury. People hurt their hands and fingers most often, and head, face and ear injuries were frequent, too. For those planning to shoot off fireworks, experts urge finding a flat, hard, level surface away from structures and other things that could catch fire. The person responsible for the fireworks should avoid alcohol. Children should never ignite them. Experts have also encouraged having a bucket or hose nearby in case of fire or explosion. Shoot off one at a time and walk away quickly after igniting, she said, and never relight or handle a malfunctioned firework. When done, shovel up the remains and soak them before disposing.
San Francisco Chronicle
04-07-2025
- San Francisco Chronicle
What to know about Fourth of July holiday origins and traditions
St. Louis (AP) — The Fourth of July is Americana at its core: parades and cookouts and cold beer and, of course, fireworks. Those pyrotechnics also make it an especially dangerous holiday, typically resulting in more than 10,000 trips to the emergency room. Yet fireworks remain at the center of Independence Day, a holiday 247 years in the making. Here are five things to know about July Fourth, including the origin of the holiday and how fireworks became part of the tradition. WHAT'S THE ORIGIN OF INDEPENDENCE DAY? The holiday celebrates the Second Continental Congress' unanimous adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, a document announcing the colonies' separation from Great Britain. One year later, according to the Library of Congress, a spontaneous celebration in Philadelphia marked the anniversary of American independence. But across the burgeoning nation, observations didn't become commonplace until after the War of 1812. It quickly took off: The Library of Congress notes that major historic events in the 19th century, such as groundbreaking ceremonies for the Erie Canal and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, were scheduled to coincide with Fourth of July festivities. HOW DID FIREWORKS BECAME A JULY FOURTH TRADITION? The display of pyrotechnics has been a big part of Independence Day from the outset. Founding Father John Adams saw it coming. Commemoration of America's independence 'ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more,' Adams wrote in a letter to his wife, Abigail, dated July 3, 1776. Fireworks were around centuries before America became a nation. The American Pyrotechnics Association says many historians believe fireworks were first developed in the second century B.C. in ancient China by throwing bamboo stalks into fires, causing explosions as the hollow air pockets overheated. By the 15th century, fireworks were widely used for religious festivals and public entertainment in Europe and early U.S. settlers carried on those traditions, the association said. HAS A PRESIDENT EVER REFUSED TO CELEBRATE? Presidents from George Washington to Donald Trump have celebrated the nation's birth on the Fourth of July, with one exception: Adams. His letter to his wife aside, Adams refused to celebrate the holiday on July 4 because he felt July 2 was the real Independence Day. Why? It was on July 2, 1776, that the Continental Congress voted in favor of the resolution for independence, though the Declaration of Independence wasn't formally adopted until two days later. Adams was so adamant that he turned down invitations to festivals and other events, even while serving as the nation's second president. Ironically, Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, both died on the 50th anniversary of the document's formal adoption, July 4, 1826. HOW POPULAR ARE FIREWORKS? Consumer sales of fireworks have grown rapidly over the past two decades. Statistics from the American Pyrotechnics Association show that in 2000, American consumers spent $407 million on fireworks. By 2024, that figure rose to $2.2 billion. The biggest jump came during the COVID-19 pandemic, when public fireworks displays were shut down. Consumer sales jumped from $1 billion in 2019 to $1.9 billion in 2020. The cost of fireworks could soar if the trade war between the U.S. and China continues — most aerial shells, paper rockets and sparkly fountains that transfix the eyes of Americans every Fourth of July are imported from China. A 90-day pause on Trump's hefty tariffs on Chinese imports brought some temporary relief, but industry experts are uncertain as they watch for an agreement. ARE FIREWORKS DANGEROUS? Despite widespread education efforts, thousands of Americans are badly injured by fireworks each year. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that in 2024, 11 deaths were blamed on fireworks, up 38% from 2023. An estimated 1,700 people were treated at emergency rooms for sparkler-related injuries and 14,7000 people were injured from fireworks — a 52% increase compared to 2023. Burns were the most common injury. People hurt their hands and fingers most often, and head, face and ear injuries were frequent, too. For those planning to shoot off fireworks, experts urge finding a flat, hard, level surface away from structures and other things that could catch fire. The person responsible for the fireworks should avoid alcohol. Children should never ignite them. Experts have also encouraged having a bucket or hose nearby in case of fire or explosion. Shoot off one at a time and walk away quickly after igniting, she said, and never relight or handle a malfunctioned firework. When done, shovel up the remains and soak them before disposing.
