Vermost Insurance Agency - February 2022

Vermost Insurance Agency - February 2022

Protection Team News 2022 STARTED WITH A WHIRLWIND!

VOL 14, ISSUE 2

In last month’s column I reminded everyone to call our office if you got something shiny for Christmas? Does that ring a bell? Well, I had to take my own advice. See this month’s photo. Not only did Noelle graduate from Florida Gulf Coast University in December, but the day after Christmas, she received a proposal and an engagement ring. Of course, she said YES! Melanie and I are both very excited for Noelle, her future husband, Jonathan, and what the future may hold for them. They are not rushing toward the wedding, but are planning to wait until she completes her master’s degree. What a whirlwind three weeks we experienced in our household: college graduation, Christmas, and an engagement. Never a dull moment for us … With everyone settling in to the new year, COVID has again reared its ugly head. Ugh! Not how we all wanted to start 2022, but it didn’t ask for our approval. The omicron variant may not be as deadly as the delta variant, but it is much more contagious. Our office had been very lucky, but that luck has finally run out as a couple of our team members and their families have been infected. All are doing well with no hospitalizations, but it has still given them a run for their money. We have had to limit visitors to our office and had team members working from home, just like back in 2020. Please be patient with us if we are not as quick to assist you while we cover for each other during this time. Was it only me or did anyone else notice how amazing our December weather was? Talk about Chamber of Commerce weather. It seems to have drawn a number of visitors to our area by the looks of all the out-of-state license plates I have seen on our roads. You would have thought it

2022 ... AWhirlwind! Page 1 How Does the NHL Manage Outdoor Games? Page 2 The Benefits of Individual Disability Income Insurance Page 2 Did You Know ... Page 2 Celebrate Valentine's Day With Your Kids Page 3 Check Out Our Referral Program! Page 4 Wacky February Holidays Page 5

Noelle’s big moment!

was spring break with all of the northern tags in our area. Please be extra careful out on the roads while enjoying this beautiful weather. Yes, we are very lucky to live here and experience this warm climate, even if we do get storms that begin with the letter H. Speaking of storms, how about those Tampa Bay Lightning and Tampa Bay Buccaneers! Our local professional sports teams are continuing their winning ways. Hopefully, they’ll bring more championships and boat parades to Tampa Bay. I think both teams have great opportunities as long as the injury bugs stay away. We will know how the Bucs do by the next newsletter, so let’s hope it’s celebrating another Lombardi Trophy! Go Bucs! Until next month, –Darren

Word Search Page 5

Mediterranean Stuffed Chicken Breast Page 5 January Referrals and Puzzle Winner! Page 6

| 1

Toll free (800) 828-2226 Fax (727) 577-4991

www.vermost.com [email protected]

asd

THE BENEFITS OF INDIVIDUAL DISABILITY INCOME INSURANCE

HOW DOES THE NHL MANAGE OUTDOOR GAMES? Since 2003, the National Hockey League (NHL) has hosted 33 outdoor regular season games with two more on the schedule for this year. From 2003–2013, the outdoor games were held in cities with colder climates at the beginning of the coldest month of the year. Chicago, Boston, and Edmonton were some of the cities to host during that time period. In 2014, the NHL began experimenting with playing outdoor games in warmer climates when they held the very first Stadium Series game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Since then, the NHL has not shied away from playing outdoor games in warmer climates. In fact, the 2016 Stadium Series game between the Detroit Red Wings and Colorado Avalanche took place in temperatures of 65 degrees F. This year, the NHL plans to host an outdoor game in Nashville in late February when the temperature usually sits around 50 degrees F. It can be difficult to maintain ice in warmer climates, but the NHL has developed a foolproof method to ensure their players stay safe during any type of weather. To help the ice stay frozen, the NHL uses a revolutionary mobile refrigeration unit. Crews arrange aluminum trays across the football field or wherever the game is taking place. They then pump as much as 3,000 gallons of glycol coolant through the trays until they reach a temperature of 22 degrees F. After the ice reaches the ideal temperature, crews install rink boards. Lastly, they spray a fine mist of water across the rink, which builds the ice sheet until it reaches a thickness of 2 inches. The ice at an indoor rink is usually only about an inch thick, but outdoor games require a thicker surface to handle the warmer temperature. The NHL also had to find ways to manage much larger crowds at outdoor games. The record for the largest crowd at an NHL game is 105,491 —which took place outdoors at Michigan Stadium in 2014. The average attendance for indoor games is around 20,000 for most teams. Luckily, they usually get an extra hand from volunteers and the staff that regularly works at these venues. You can catch outdoor games this season on February 22 and March 13.

Individual disability income insurance provides income to individuals who are no longer able to work due to a disability. Usually, Individual disability income protection plans begin to pay out benefits after the individual has been out of work for anywhere from one to six months. Depending on the policy, it will pay benefits for many years or until they reach the age of retirement. It is estimated that roughly 43% of those who are employed at the age of 40 will experience some type of long-term disability by the time they hit 65 years old. The best thing about individual disability income insurance is that the policy belongs to the individual. So, if they change jobs, the policy goes with them. Just like with auto and health insurance, the individual pays monthly for income protection. Disability income insurance acts as your backup plan. In the event that the unexpected takes place, disability income insurance allows you to focus on taking care of yourself instead of worrying how to get the bills paid.

Vermost Insurance NOW has a relationship with Chuck Chucri, who offers Financial

Planning & Investment Advisory Services

Did You Know ...

2 |

1200 Belcher Rd. S., Suite 1

Largo, FL 33771-3315

Phone: (727) 748-2886

We recommend that the individual’s policy be noncancelable, meaning that the insurer cannot alter any term of the policy, including the premium. They also cannot cancel it for any reason. The policy should also include an own-occupation provision stating that a policy will still pay benefits even if the policyholder is well enough to earn income doing other types of work. Lastly, one should consider having a 90-day elimination period, meaning that it will begin paying within 90 days of a disability occurring. In our world, the unexpected isn’t uncommon. Protect yourself today! Call us for more information — we’ve got you covered!

Celebrate Valentine’s Day With Your Little Sweethearts Valentine’s Day isn’t just for adults. Let your kids know they are the most important loves in your life with these sweet, inexpensive ideas that the whole family can enjoy! Your children will remember these traditions for years to come. Make a special Valentine’s Day breakfast. Guess what? Pink pancakes, pink milk, and even pink eggs are a thing! With strawberry milk, food coloring and strawberries in the pancakes, and food coloring in the eggs, you’ll have an effortless and special breakfast for the little ones. Tip: Set the table the night before, after the kids go to bed, to make serving Valentine’s Day breakfast easier the next morning. CreateValentine’s Day cards for each kid. Tell your children all of your favorite things about themwith their own personalized cards. There are so many ways you can get crafty with construction paper and glitter. Your kids are sure to love getting mommy-made or daddy-made one- of-a-kind valentines. BakeValentine’s Day goodies together. What’s better than baking with your little ones? If you are short on time, you can find premade dough, usually with a Valentine’s Day theme. Or, you can try out your skills with heart-shaped cookie cutters and sprinkles. It can get messy, but it’s certainly worth it! Wrap up a small Valentine’s Day gift. Whether it’s a Valentine’s Day outfit, candy, a teddy bear, or a necklace, it doesn’t have to be big or costly! Your children will enjoy feeling the love, and they’ll be excited to get something new. Don’t forget to have fun with the wrapping! Most stores have Valentine’s Day gift bags and wrapping paper around this time of year. Your baby valentines have stolen your heart — make sure they know it by spreading the love! Happy Valentine’s Day!

CALL FOR DETAILS OR TO MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY (727) 748-2886 Chuck Chucri, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, FLMI Financial Planner The Prudential Insurance Company of America Prudential.com/advisor/chuck-chucri Our financial advisors offer investment advice, and some may offer financial planning. Our financial advisors and financial planners offer financial planning and/or investment advice through Pruco Securities, LLC (Pruco), under the marketing name Prudential Financial Planning Services (PFPS). A financial advisor or financial planner offers securities, products, and services as a registered representative of Pruco and offers insurance products as an agent of issuing insurance companies. (800) 778-2255 Vermost Insurance is an independent organization and is not an affiliate of Prudential Financial.

1007626-00005-00

| 3

Toll free (800) 828-2226

Fax (727) 577-4991

www.vermost.com

[email protected]

2022

INSPIRING HAPPINESS!

2021 REFERRAL WINNER!

We want to thank everyone who referred their friends, family, and coworkers to Vermost Insurance throughout 2021. When you refer someone to us, you receive rewards for each referral and are entered into monthly and annual drawings for additional, even bigger prizes. Your referrals mean a lot to us, and we want to reward you for helping us grow our Vermost Insurance family. The annual grand prize winners of our 2021 referral program are Diane and Joseph Goulah. They received a 55-inch 4K TV plus a $250 donation to the Alzheimer’s Association, their charity of choice. If you want a shot at next year’s prize, keep sending referrals our way. Your referrals make us happy, and we hope our referral program makes you happy, too!

Diane and Joseph Goulah are our 2021 referral winners of the 55-inch 4K TV, plus a $250 donation to the Alzheimer’s Association, their charity of choice.

4 |

1200 Belcher Rd. S., Suite 1

Largo, FL 33771-3315

Phone: (727) 748-2886

1200 Belcher Rd. S. Suite 1 ● Largo, FL 33771-3315 ● Phone: (727) 748-2886

4

Wacky February Holidays

• Feb. 2 — National Tater Tot Day • Feb. 4 — Bubble Gum Day • Feb. 5 — National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day • Feb. 6 — National Frozen Yogurt Day • Feb. 7 — National Fettuccine Alfredo Day • Feb. 8 — National Kite Flying Day • Feb. 9 — National Toothache Day • Feb. 11 — National Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day • Feb. 13 — Galentine’s Day • Feb. 14 — National Ferris Wheel Day

• Feb. 15 — National Gumdrop Day • Feb. 16 — National Do a Grouch a Favor Day • Feb. 17 — National Random Acts of Kindness Day • Feb. 20 — National Comfy Day • Feb. 21 — National Sticky Bun Day • Feb. 23 — National Dog Biscuit Day • Feb. 24 — National Tortilla Chip Day • Feb. 25 — National Chocolate-Covered Nut Day • Feb. 28 — National Tooth Fairy Day

WORD SEARCH

MEDITERRANEAN STUFFED CHICKEN BREAST

Inspired by DiabetesStrong.com

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts • 2 oz mozzarella cheese, cubed • 2 canned artichoke hearts, chopped • 4 tsp sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

• 10 large basil leaves, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, chopped • 1/2 tsp curry powder • 1/2 tsp paprika • Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions 1. Preheat oven to 365 F. 2. Cut a slit lengthwise to create a pocket in the middle of each chicken breast. Place the breasts on a baking sheet. 3. In a medium bowl, combine the mozzarella cheese, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, basil, and garlic. 4. Divide the mixture in half and stuff each chicken breast pocket. Using toothpicks, seal the edges of the pockets. 5. Season the chicken with curry powder, paprika, salt, and pepper, then bake for 20 minutes or until the chicken reaches 165 F. 6. Remove the toothpicks and serve with rice, potatoes, salad, or roasted vegetables!

Beads Chocolate

Pink Presidents Sweetheart Tiger Valentine Violet

Festival Football History Lunar

| 5

Toll free (800) 828-2226

Fax (727) 577-4991

www.vermost.com

[email protected]

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

1200 Belcher Road South, Suite 1 Largo, FL 33771 www.vermost.com (727) 748-2886

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

You Make Us Happy

We Insure More Than Just Cars and Homes Here's a list of some of our lines of protection:

Thank you for recently referring your friends, family, and coworkers to our agency. With your help, our Vermost Insurance family keeps growing! We hope our referral programmakes you happy, too! People who referred clients to us in January:

› Antique vehicles › Annuities › Auto › Boat/RV › Bonds › Builders' risk › Commercial auto › Commercial property › Condo › Dental › Disability › Employee benefits

› Flood › General liability › Health › Home › ID theft › Life › Mobile home › Motorcycle/Jet Ski › Notary public

Eric Zollette Amporn Putagool Heather Brewer JohnWszeborowski

Irene Cohen Larry Lasagni Tyler Berger

January Puzzle Winner: Shirley Harrison January Referral Winner: Larry Lasagni

Peter Musante Carol Borgeson Anytime Air/Robert Melanie Hollins

› Umbrella › Workers'

Compensation

... and more!

6 |

1200 Belcher Rd. S., Suite 1 Largo, FL 33771-3315

Phone: (727) 748-2886