Bockman's Auto Care - September 2021

Bockman's Auto Care - September 2021

What’s The BUZZ? Hello From Big Sky Country SEPT 2021

Why Our Family Went to a Dude Ranch This Summer

Last year, our family had a big trip to Europe planned. Austin was graduating

from college and Owen was graduating from high school, so it seemed like the perfect time to take a trip as a family of four. (We are thankful for every year that Liz and I are able to take the kids on vacation.) The plan was to take a cruise through the Mediterranean, starting in Spain and going as far as Rome, Italy. Then, we would fly to London, where — as luck would have it — our Chicago Cubs were set to play their division rivals,

the St. Louis Cardinals, in an international game. We were stoked, and we had saved for years with our sights set on this trip. It would be the vacation of a lifetime!

fly-fishing on the rivers. I’ve heard Montana is a great spot for doing that! I’ve never been to Montana either — unless you count driving through Yellowstone National Park when I was a kid — so I can’t wait to experience the vastness of the West. The entire family is looking forward to one of our first real vacations since this pandemic began. We were able to escape down to Disney World this past holiday season, as per tradition, but it wasn’t some place new to us. That was the exciting part about the cruise! We’d planned to try something new as a family and make great memories together. The dude ranch is our second chance to do that. I’m sure we’ll take the cruise someday. (Although, I can’t guarantee the Cubs will be playing. It was just too perfect!) And when we do, regardless of when or how many of us there are, it will be an exciting adventure for all of us. As for this year, we’ll have memories of the ropin’, ridin’, and — finally — doing something new together as a family.

But you know how this story ends. Due to the pandemic, our dream vacation to celebrate our boys and travel as a family was slashed. Luckily, we got all of our money back. It didn’t completely fix the pain that came from canceling our trip, but it wasn’t a total waste. This year, to make up for lost time and last year’s failed trip, the entire family is heading to Montana to spend a week on a dude ranch! By the time you read this cover article, we will have become certified cow-folk, and surprisingly, the entire family is thrilled. This has been a lifelong dream of mine; ever since I saw “City Slickers,” I’ve wanted to visit a dude ranch. The fact that my family is just as excited to try it is icing on the cake! We’re packing a lot into this week, too. We plan to go shooting, ride horses, and try whitewater rafting. Of course, we’re looking forward to the cattle drive, too. And we really want to go

I hope you’ve enjoyed your travels this summer, too! — Jon Bockman

Sycamore 815.756.7413 • DeKalb 815.754.4200

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All Aboard the Espresso Express! Meet These Life-Changing Handheld Coffee Makers

Your vehicle is an individualistic machine. It requires the right tires, the perfect battery, and oil made just for its particular type of engine. This is no different when it comes to the kind of gas you put inside your vehicle’s tank. But when you pull into the gas station, you may wonder why you need to opt for the more expensive gasoline per gallon or why your gasoline is cheaper. What if you just added whichever gas you wanted? Would your car still run?

Yes — but not well.

Regular unleaded gasoline is the most common type of gas; however, some vehicles require premium gasoline. The rating systems for these types of gas have to do with the octane level. Regular gasoline is rated at 87, while premium lands between 91 and 93. The octane level is the rate of compression at which fuel will combust. Therefore, gasoline that isn’t rated for your vehicle can be very dangerous.

Why spend $7 on a cup of coffee when you can brew your own while traveling, hiking, and more? Here are three ways you can prepare your own coffee — even espresso! — no matter where you are. The Handpresso If you’re looking for the original portable espresso maker, then the Handpresso is for you. The design was developed in Europe and has sold over 400,000 units in France and abroad since its first unveiling in January 2008. Because it uses Nespresso pods,

it’s easy to use and clean and makes an incredible cup of coffee anywhere you go. Also, it’ll fit perfectly in your cup holder, so you won’t have to worry about it bouncing around in the car while brewing. You can learn more at Handpresso.com . The AeroPress Ever been so frustrated with brewing espresso in the States that you created your own espresso machine? That’s exactly what Alan Adler did with the AeroPress. Thankfully, he totally knocked it out of the park. And now with the AeroPress Go, it’s super convenient to make a classy cup of coffee anywhere you are. With over 350 provided microfilters, you’ll never have excess coffee grit. Plus, it’s designed to deliver a coffee with low acidity, which gives you a smooth flavor with very little bitterness. Check it out at AeroPress.com ! Any Classic French Press It’s true that some French presses are better for travel than others, but you can actually use any kind of French press for “instant” coffee while on the go. Just put your grounds in the pot, pour in your hot water (found at any gas station), and use the tight-netted plunger to press your coffee grounds to the bottom of the pot. It’ll get all the flavor out of your grounds (or even tea), and you won’t have to worry about spills. The best part is that French presses are very affordable, starting at $10–$20 on Amazon.

The Night Th How Fantasy F

Every year, 40 million Americans (and even entire offices) play fantasy football, “drafting” players from across the NFL for their virtual teams and competing for money and bragging rights. Maybe you have a virtual team in the locker room as you’re reading this! But where did the concept of fantasy football start?

According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the gridiron trend began in a New York City hotel room in 1962 — a night that changed football forever. There, a group of friends led by Oakland Raiders part-owner Bill Winkenbach created the first fantasy football league. They dubbed it the Greater Oakland Professional Pigskin Prognosticators League — or GOPPPL for short. Apart from the point values assigned to different accomplishments on the field, their original model wasn’t very far off from the fantasy football of today.

“The league members would ‘draft’ actual National Football League (NFL) and American Football League … players to their fantasy franchises, and on the basis

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Sycamore 815.756.7413 • DeKalb 815.754.4200

Do I Really Need Premium Gas?

Why Your Vehicle Cares

Now, your vehicle is designed for “controlled” combustion — meaning the point of combustion is delayed so your engine isn’t significantly damaged — and putting the wrong fuel in your vehicle isn’t likely to make it explode. However, when combustion happens at the wrong time, as can happen with the wrong fuel, this can cause damage to your engine. So, if you put regular fuel in a vehicle that needs premium gasoline, the unintended combustions would cause major wear to your vehicle. Furthermore, using higher octane gasoline than what is recommended (for instance, filling up with premium gasoline when regular gasoline is just fine) serves no benefit. The combustion still happens, and you may pay more for nothing. But if your vehicle requires premium gasoline, the added costs at the pump are nothing compared to the bill you will receive for repairs after consistently using regular gasoline. You can find your vehicle’s preferred gasoline rating in the owner’s manual. If you’re unsure about a particular gas station’s naming system for gasoline, ask an attendant for help. Our Bockman’s Auto team is skilled enough to help you fix whatever damage your vehicle sustains, but we’d rather help you prevent it. For specific car care tips, schedule a regular inspection with our team today!

Solution on pg. 4

Meet Our New Clients! BRAD ALEXANDER

DARREN MORTON RON MULLEN SAM MURDOCK ODOM TOOL AND TECHNOLOGY SUSAN PIERCE KEN PUTNAM LYNN REILLEY RANDY REX DAN REY STEVE RICHARDS MIKE RIVERA LAURA SAGHU JOYCE SANFORD JON SAUSER NATHAN SCHEID ANDREA SCHELKOPF NISAR SHAIK TODD SHAVER SUZANNE SHEAGREN KATE SMITH

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hat Changed Football Forever

Football Got Its Start

of the actual performance of those players in games, the members would accrue points and compete against each other,” the encyclopedia reports.

ELLEN STUART TRAVIS TABOR BILLY & BROOK TOMLINSON STEVE UHREN SALVATOR VELAZQUEZZ

Early fantasy football leagues were complicated undertakings. In the days before the internet, members had to agree to reference the box scores in a particular newspaper’s sports pages and “draft” their teams in the same room on long phone calls, or even via snail mail. CBS Sports began offering online fantasy football leagues in 1997, and today it’s even easier to play. The sport is built right into the NFL website (Fantasy.NFL.com), and you can join a free league or start a league of your own with a click! Whether you’re a former player or a superfan who wants to play coach for a day, fantasy is a great way to stake a personal claim in the sport and connect with friends while you do it. Check out the article “How to Play Fantasy Football: A Beginner’s Guide” on NFL.com to learn the basics. It’s updated annually, so make sure you hunt down the 2021 version! When you start, don’t forget to salute Winkenbach, the official “Father of Fantasy Sports.”

WENDY MERKEL NICK MIDLOCK

THIS MONTH ONLY, receive $7 off your oil

change! Hurry in — this offer ends when September does!

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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Making Family Memories, Regardless of the Location

A Handheld Coffee Maker Could Change Your Life Does the Kind of Gas I Use Matter?

The Night That Changed Football Forever Clients of the Month

How the Customer Care Program Saves You Money!

Save Big With Bockman’s Rewards Perk

every bill back in their pockets, and that can be used toward repairs in the future.

Vehicle ownership is anything but cheap. Regular trips to the gas station, maintenance, and accessories to make your favorite activities easier — like a bike rack for your other ride — can make your vehicle one of the costliest items you own. But what if we told you there was an easy way to save money and improve your vehicle? With Bockman’s Customer Care Program, there is! You already know the program comes with great perks, like maintenance reminders and a free oil change every fifth oil change. And while you may know about our rewards program, it may not be obvious just how much money you can save by taking advantage of it! Members of our customer care program can earn 3% of

Illinois winters! — your savings will start to stack up. After just a year in our program, you could earn a decent percentage off a large repair bill and still earn more money back on that very bill!

Consider how those seemingly minor savings can create big dividends in the future. For instance, depending on how often you change your oil and the type you get, a standard oil change can cost anywhere from $50–$75 per change. Typically, drivers change their oil about four times each year. If we were to take the average between $75 and $50, we would get about $62 per oil change, which is about $2 per oil change back in your pocket! When you total that up with other regular maintenance needs, like a yearly check- up, fluid fill-ups, and windshield wiper replacements — which are a must for

It’s the best way to double-dip.

(Or, if you have an organization that means a lot to you, we will donate your reward dollars to that group for you!) There’s no way to lose with the rewards perk of our customer care program at Bockman’s. You can learn more about this perk — and five others — online at BockmansAutoCare.com/Customer- Care-Program .

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Sycamore 815.756.7413 • DeKalb 815.754.4200