Bockman's Auto Care - March 2021

Bockman's Auto Care - March 2021

What’s The BUZZ? What Books Gave Me What I Discovered When I Started Reading Again MAR 2021

When I bought this shop from

I’m completely hooked on books, but I’m not always listening to or reading business books. As a big sci-fi and fantasy nerd, I have always enjoyed “The Lord of the Rings” series by J.R.R. Tolkien. (In fact, March 25 is also Tolkien Reading Day! How perfect is that?) Tolkien had an unmatched ability to paint a picture in his readers’ minds. He captivated an entire generation with the world he created on his pages, and while the movies are great attempts at displaying his story, the books are packed with so much more content. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves the concept of a whole different world. I’m also an avid reader of biographies and books that teach me something about the world. I recently listened to an autobiography on Alexander Hamilton, and I’ve really been intrigued by the stories and backgrounds of our Founding Fathers. I believe their lives and actions are powerful reminders for us all today. I feel inspired when I learn about their lives and the steps they took in founding a country. I also recommend Bill Bryson’s “A Short History of Nearly Everything.” The title doesn’t lie. Nothing is off-limits in Bryson’s short snippets of science. I’ve always appreciated books and the stories they capture, but as an adult, I’ve discovered the enormous value of books. Today, I usually have a book with me wherever I go, whether it’s at the shop, at home, or sitting by the pool on vacation. Books have changed my life, and while I may listen rather than read them, I can’t think of a better way to learn, grow, or relax.

my dad, I had big shoes to fill. My dad was a car guy. He talked shop with the customers and provided a level of personalized service that I just couldn’t offer some of our most loyal customers because I was never a “gear head.” But I was determined to continue my dad’s legacy. I knew I could grow this shop beyond the small gas station and garage that it was — and I just had to grow, too. That’s when I discovered Dan Kennedy. Business nerds will recognize him as a marketing guru of sorts. He’s well-regarded in the business community as a forward thinker and an innovative leader in helping businesses grow and reach the customers who need them. I started my journey into Dan Kennedy’s work by reading his book “Magnetic Marketing: How To Attract

A Flood Of New Customers That Pay, Stay, and Refer.” It completely changed the way I do business. Then, I picked up another one of Dan’s books, “The Ultimate Sales Letter: Attract New Customers. Boost Your Sales,” and another book and another book. Soon, I was applying the lessons from every business book I had read, and our shop was

growing and changing into the garage that it is today. We were taking the legacy my dad built and growing on top of it. I credit much of that growth to learning more. March 2 is Read Across America Day, and I knew I would be remiss if I let this holiday pass without highlighting the ways that reading has completely transformed my life. Today, I always have a resource on hand. I’ve shifted from hard copies and pages to downloading audiobooks on Audible, but I am always studying and learning how to optimize this business for our customers.

So, what books are you reading?

— Jon Bockman

Sycamore 815.756.7413 • DeKalb 815.754.4200

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Corn Dogs and Basketball

Need a Wee Bit o’ Luck? Your Vehicle Maintenance Checklist to Avoid Disasters There are few moments more frustrating than when your vehicle’s luck runs out. The good news is that most instances of automotive “bad luck” can be prevented . Here’s a checklist to help you avoid major issues! No. 1: Monitor Your Tires: Remember two crucial tire timeline needs to avoid a rubber meltdown. Rotate your tires every 3,000–5,000 miles, depending on the tire and vehicle type and the quality of the roadways you frequent. Your tires should be changed about every 6–8 years, but your vehicle’s technician will best know when your vehicle needs a change. No. 2: Check the Fluids: Check your vehicle’s oil by simply pulling out the dipstick to see the oil level. Look for discoloration, too. You should also examine your vehicle’s coolant, windshield wiper fluid, transmission fluid, and brake fluid. All you have to do is open the port where the fluid is inserted into your vehicle and look for obvious signs of low levels or issues. A vehicle technician can help you determine a proper schedule for inspection and changing out the fluids.

An American Tradition

It’s no coincidence that National Corn Dog Day is March 20 — the third Saturday of the month. This day is traditionally the first Saturday of March Madness, otherwise known as the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship. But wait. What do corn dogs and a basketball tournament have to do with one another? Turns out, National Corn Dog Day has everything to do with March Madness. The “holiday” began in March 1992 when two Corvallis, Oregon, high school students needed a snack while watching a basketball game. They got some corn dogs and called it good. But somehow, this simple snack and sport pairing turned into something huge.

In fact, eating corn dogs while watching March Madness caught on like wildfire — and the teens didn’t even have Instagram to promote it! Though it’s not clear how, it spread across Oregon and eventually the rest of the country. It’s likely that people just heard about it from friends and family and thought it was a great idea. The corn dog, like basketball, is an American creation. In the 1920s, the creators toyed around with the idea of fried foods on a stick. They battered and fried everything from cheese to bananas, but it was the battered sausages that really stood out, and the corn dog was born. By the 1940s, the convenient creation had popped up at state fairs and drive-in restaurants all over the country. In 2012, in honor of the original Corn Dog Day, the then-governor of Oregon issued an official proclamation naming March 17 National Corn Dog Day in the state. Several companies jumped on the bandwagon as well, including Foster Farms (a maker of frozen corn dogs, among many other meat products) and the Pabst Brewing Company. While it’s not an “official” national day recognized by the U.S. Congress, it’s celebrated with thousands of events every March. And it’s grown beyond its U.S. roots. An article printed in The Oregonian in 2009 revealed that National Corn Dog Day parties have been celebrated on nearly every continent — including Antarctica!

Do Somethi 3 Ways to Impr

There’s something beautiful about cultivating your own harvest, but you can grow more than simple backyard vegetables. Help your garden “grow up” by trying something unique

this spring.

Grow Fun Foods We plant gardens for a purpose, so why not make it fun! Plant fresh basil, tomatoes, onions, peppers, oregano, and more to create a garden worthy of your next homemade pizza. All you will need to buy is the crust! Pumpkin plants can offer fresh gourds for any Halloween fanatic, while new species of fruits and vegetables can create an exciting home-cooking experience. Try the silver cucumber for a sweet taste or pineberries for a mix between strawberries and pineapples. You just might find a new flavor you love. Go With the Flow Creating a year-round garden that practically takes care of itself means using principles of permaculture, a philosophy of working with, rather than against, nature. Start by analyzing your space and yard. Determine your soil type and layer

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Sycamore 815.756.7413 • DeKalb 815.754.4200

Brain Break!

No. 3: Wash Your Car: Illinois cold winters and slushy springs can be brutal on a vehicle. By leaving it dirty, you limit the functionality of your wipers and tires as well as your own visibility. Wash your vehicle on a regular schedule to avoid costly issues or even an accident.

No. 4: Do a Quick Test: About once every month, do a quick test of all your vehicle’s important safety features. Do the seatbelts still work properly, and can your windshield wipers combat rain, sleet, and snow? Do all your headlights and taillights work? Does

your air conditioning and heating system sound normal? Review all these features to ensure you have all the tools you need on the road.

No. 5: Schedule Regular Check-Ups: Just as our doctor needs to examine our bodies on a regular basis, your vehicle’s mechanic needs to perform a thorough inspection at least once every six months. As the expert, a technician can pinpoint issues before they become major problems, saving you money and preventing “bad luck.”

Easy way Out

ReciBEE of the Month

Don’t wait for bad luck to strike! Schedule a regular tuneup today by calling Bockman’s Auto Care and Bockman’s Truck & Fleet.

English Ground Beef Pasties Inspired by AllRecipes.com

ing Better in the Garden rove Your Harvest mulch or cover crops to protect it. Then, begin planting the same way that’s found in nature — trees grow at the top, shrubs and bushes are below, and other small plants and vines intermingle within. Choose crops that help each other grow (like corn, beans, and squash), and offer aid to your garden without digging up too much soil or disturbing its natural process. Permaculture gardening requires thoughtful planning, but once your crops are in place, nature will take its course. Plant for Your Health Mass production of your favorite fruits and vegetables reduces their key nutrients. Instead, choose fresh, home-grown varieties to yield greater health benefits. This is good news for those living with heart disease, joint disorders, or other chronic conditions. You can grow a garden chock full of nutrient-rich foods! Colorful fruits, root veggies, onions, and beans are great for joint health, while leafy greens can boost heart health. Grow pumpkins so you can harvest the seeds for better brain function, while berries can support your liver.

Ingredients

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3/4 lb ground beef

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1 tsp dried parsley

1 medium onion, diced 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced 2 sheets store-bought puff pastry dough

Salt and pepper, to taste 1/4 cup beef broth (as needed)

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Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 400 F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 2. In a large bowl, combine the beef, onion, and potatoes. 3. Roll out the pastry dough into roughly 10-inch circles or squares. 4. Spoon 1/2 of the beef mixture onto each sheet of dough, then top the mixture with parsley, salt, and pepper. 5. Fold the edges of the dough over the filling, pinching each pasty shut and tucking in both ends. 6. Transfer the pasties to the prepared baking sheet, then cut several small slits in each pasty for ventilation. Bake for 45 minutes. 7. Remove the pasties from the oven and reduce the heat to 350 F. Spoon 1 tsp beef broth into each slit, then bake for an additional 15 minutes. 8. Serve and enjoy!

Before you dig into these new gardening methods, consult with an expert at a nursery or greenhouse to get the best possible results.

Sycamore 815.756.7413 • DeKalb 815.754.4200

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Bockman’s Auto Care 2158 Oakland Dr. Sycamore, IL 60178 815.756.7413 Bockman’s Truck & Fleet 815.754.4200

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The Books That Changed My Life A Match Made in Cornmeal Batter Heaven Ensure Good Luck by Doing These 5 Maintenance Tasks Make Gardening Better With These 3 Ideas!

English Ground Beef Pasties

Why Our Roadside Assistance Stops Bad Luck in Its Tracks

When ‘Bad Luck’ Does Happen Our Customer Care Program’s Roadside Assistance Is There to Help!

We’ve all been there — stranded on the side of the road with a plume of smoke wafting from our vehicle, just wondering how we’ll get out of this mess. Cellphones have made it easier than ever to conjure up help from almost anywhere, but who ya gonna call? (And, sadly, no — the Ghostbusters can’t help you.) When you’re a member of Bockman’s Customer Care Program, you don’t have to worry about that. Members of the program can receive 24-hour roadside assistance twice each year, and towing is free up to 125 miles! In fact, you can receive the following benefits with this perk …

That means if your vehicle starts to sputter out along the highway, all you have to do is follow these steps to get help or have your car towed back to Bockman’s. No. 1: Call Us Call the phone number on the back of your Bockman’s rewards card. You will just need to enter the eight-digit pin on the back of your card. No. 2: Explain Tell the operator where you are located and what service you need. If you need a tow and are within 25 miles of our location, you will need to instruct the driver to take your vehicle to Bockman’s. No. 3: Just Wait Our partners can service your vehicle immediately — if you’re locked out of your car, for example — but if you need

a tow, call someone to pick you up after you call us. Stay in your vehicle, if you’re on the side of the road, and wait until your vehicle is towed or serviced before leaving. At Bockman’s Auto Care and Bockman’s Truck & Fleet, the last thing we want is for one of our customers to panic when their vehicle stalls out or they get locked out. That’s why we offer roadside assistance via our Customer Care Program. To learn more about this perk or the program, visit BockmansAutoCare.com/Customer- Care-Program/.

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Towing

Emergency fuel delivery Help after you’re locked out

A jump-start Flat tire repair

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Sycamore 815.756.7413 • DeKalb 815.754.4200