VanDyk Mortgage - February 2021

FEBRUARY 2021

Letters From the Hart Give us a call! 239-437-4278 Or visit www.TimHartJr.com ' YOU’RE NOT SHERRI!' And Other Mix-Ups in the Wine Aisle Corporate NMLS #3035 www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org

Longtime readers will know that I like to shake things up in this monthly letter, rarely discussing the same topic twice. But last month, after talking about my work at the Publix near where I grew up, I promised I’d tell you about the next job I held, working as a wine vendor. It sounds like fun, right? I suppose it was fun at times. At other times, it was madness. Coming right in from stocking shelves at Publix, I figured the job would be great. Instead of being stuck at one store all day, I’d be driving around from location to location. And since I was three months away from being 21, I figured working with alcohol would be a perfect fit. But there was something I hadn’t figured; since I wasn’t 21 yet, I couldn’t technically sell alcohol! Right out of the gate, I was running into challenges, and in this case, I ended up having to help other sales reps with their routes for the first couple months of the job. Fast forward a few months, and things were different. I had my own route, with different accounts (stores) to visit each day. I got up at 5 a.m. every morning to be ready for work, and more often than not — especially during the holiday season — I worked six or seven days a week. I also had moved to Bradenton for the job and held that route for a year, when I was offered a route back in Fort Myers. It was a great route, but there was one catch. My predecessor on that route was “Sherri,” and she left big shoes to fill. Not only was she one of the best

sales reps we had in the company, but she was also an absolute knockout. The majority of managers on my route were men who had gotten used to looking forward to Sherri’s visits and for them, I was a total let down. “ You’re not Sherri!” the manager at one store exclaimed on my first day. His disappointment was obvious. A few stores later, another manager stopped dead in his tracks when he saw me walk up. “They replaced Sherri … with you ?” My one saving grace was that, having worked at Publix in the past, I had an “in” at the various Publix stores on that route. But my self-esteem was never the same. With time, the store managers realized that even if I didn’t look like Sherri, and I would never replace her, I was still good at doing the job itself. And man, was that job competitive. The reps for other companies could get pretty intense, and I quickly learned all the dirty tricks they used to one-up each other. Every vendor wants their brand to be at eye-level on the shelf, so they’d move products around and hope the shelf-stockers didn’t notice. If there was a display in the aisle and it blocked the view of their product, the vendor would scoot the display over the next guy’s brand instead. When that guy showed up, he’d do the same thing! Over the course of a week’s worth of store visits, I’d see the same display walk slowly down the aisle inch by inch. And then there was the dirtiest trick in the book: hiding your competition’s product so they accidentally ordered too many for that particular store. Why is that a problem? Well, the extra boxes would

take up space in the back of the store, and that kind of crowding drove the managers crazy. You know what, though? None of those tricks really did much in the long run. Sure, you might get the upper hand one day, or feel like you were putting some other vendor in their place. But as important as spots, placement, and displays might be, what really matters is good service. If you do your job well, back up your product, and support the store that’s selling it, you’ll get much farther along than you would with petty games. And more often than not, the store managers would end up “refereeing” the disputes between vendors — and they hated having to deal with it. Looking back, I actually think they felt the same way I do when I have to referee an argument between my kids. As you can imagine, I eventually decided to move on from selling wine. That job was a great job early in my career, but not anything I would want to do long term, which is why I moved on to the mortgage business, and have been here since 2001.

NMLS #354676

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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 mulch or cover crops to protect it. Then, begin planting the same Spring brings with it many wonderful things, like longer days, picturesque scenery, and spring break, but right alongside those good things is something most people suffer from: allergies. While beautiful, the blooming trees and flowers make you want to stay away from the great outdoors for fear of nonstop sneezing or puffy, watery eyes. If you suffer from allergies caused by pollen, grass, or other spring plants, take these steps to breathe a little easier. When outside, avoid walking through areas with weeds, shrubbery, or lots of trees as much as possible. Grass and weeds are notably problematic. The slightest breeze can send particles flying through the air in the blink of an eye. When you walk through grassy areas, pollen will get on you, your clothes, and your hair. It’s best to stick to trails, sidewalks, and other paved areas. If you do find yourself inundated with pollen or other allergens, your next best bet is to establish an at-home decontamination protocol. Take your shoes off at the door and make sure your clothes don’t come in contact with soft surfaces such as carpet, upholstery, or bedding. Take care to wash your “pollinated” GET YOUR SEASONAL ALLERGIES BEFORE THEY GET YOU!

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. clothes as soon as possible and wash your sheets and pillowcases weekly. Next, head for the shower. The sooner you can wash away the allergens, the better. Finally, don’t forget to replace the air filter in your home’s air system in the spring. Consider using an air filter designed to capture allergens. If your allergies are particularly troublesome, invest in a dedicated air filtration system or unit. While you can opt for portable, stand-alone air purifiers, there are larger systems that can be incorporated into your heating and air system that keep your entire home’s air free from most, if not all, common allergens. Do Something Better in the Garden 3 Ways to Improve Your Harvest

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

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Can you share that side of your story with us? Yeah, absolutely. It’s hard, but it’s part of my story, and it’s part of who I am today. Back in 2003, I was about to enter the military and had already signed up with the delayed entry program. I had my career planned out ahead of me, and it was promising. I was living in Colorado, and the future seemed totally open. And then I made a mistake that messed it all up, and my life turned upside down. You were arrested before your start date with the military? That’s correct. My dad was sick at the time, and I was worried he wouldn’t be around much longer. One night, I lost control of my car driving a buddy home after going out. Alcohol was a factor. I was thrown clear, but my buddy became entangled with the car, and he was fatally injured in the wreck. By the time I got over to him, it was too late, although I tried to revive him. He died in my arms. That is awful. And you were so young at the time. I was. I’d never even voted, and here I was with this terrible, awful mistake that was going to change my life forever. I was devastated. My military career disappeared before it could begin — they dropped me. My father ended up passing away. I was responsible for the death of one of my best friends. And I had to spend three years on probation, waiting for my trial to begin.

When it did, I was convicted of DUI manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years in prison. I spent 4.5 years inside and was paroled for the rest of my time. I can’t imagine that was an easy transition to make. No, it wasn’t, and it took me a while to start making progress. Prison taught me that sometimes, things happen outside of your control, but you have to take the consequences anyway. One of those incidents ended with me spending 60 days in confinement. That was my lowest point. And I realized I had nowhere to go but up. That was the start of a journey I’m still on today. I accessed prayer materials, I started a Toastmasters chapter inside the jail, and I tried to enrich the lives of the men around me. A partner and I even won a prize in a big culinary competition. I saw how people are more likely to improve when you give them a chance and make them feel like they’re part of something, and that’s a lesson I took to heart. And you ended up working to restore voting rights to felons like yourself upon your release? Not immediately, but yeah. The criminal justice system is a whirlpool. Once it sucks you in, it’s hard to get out again. You can become a felon for a lot of things. Even releasing a mylar balloon into the air could be a felony, if the sheriff

doesn’t like you, because it’s technically harming the environment. That didn’t happen in my case, but a lot of the guys I was inside with were there for things they didn’t have a lot of control over. If you offer them a stake in something, like voting rights, they become invested in the community. What’s it like to vote, having once lost that right? Do you get mad at people who don’t vote? First, it’s an amazing feeling. The first election season I got to take part in, I took careful notes on all the candidates, and most of the ones on my ballot were politicians I’d talked to myself. I did my homework, and I knew a lot. Of course, FRRC founder Desmond Meade and I both teared up on the day we voted. He hadn’t done that in over 20 years, and as I said earlier, I’d never voted before. As for the second question, I don’t get mad, but I try to understand. Most of the time, people don’t vote because they think it won’t matter anyway — especially in the federal elections. I talk to them about the races that do matter. What about the people in your neighborhood? The state legislators, county commissioners, city councilors — all of those candidates are people you can talk to in person and get to know before you vote, and it has a big impact on your local community. Where can people find your work? If you go to our website at FloridaRRC.com, you’ll find all you need to know about what we do. There’s something here for everyone, too. We’re totally nonpartisan. I’m a conservative, and a lot of the people I meet and fight for are, too. Others in the group are liberal. Our work transcends that, and that’s how we build a stronger community.

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"I contacted the team about financing I needed. I had a 5-week timeline or I'd have to find temporary housing until closing. The team made it happen, even over the holiday time! Communication was outstanding and easy. At no point did I feel lost in the process. Thank you!" –Jodi

TRIVIA QUESTION: What does FRRC stand for?

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Inside This Issue Tim Hart, NMLS #354676 8280 College Parkway, Suite #101 Fort Myers, FL 33919

Give us a call! 239-437-4278 Or visit www.TimHartJr.com

' You’re Not Sherri!' PAGE 1

Get Your Seasonal Allergies Before They Get You!

Make Gardening Better With These 3 Ideas! PAGE 2

Lance Wissinger Wants You to Vote PAGE 4

A Former Felon Talks Prison, Second Chances, and Voting Rights LANCE WISSINGER WANTS YOU TO VOTE

Lance, I want to talk about your criminal record, but can you give us a quick rundown first on the FRRC and their mission? Absolutely. The Florida Rights Restoration Coalition is a group founded by Desmond Meade, a felon who lost his own right to vote for over two decades. We’ll get into this more, but the criminal justice system is a whirlpool, and once you’re in it, it becomes very hard to escape. Desmond saw people given felony convictions for crimes that were really just a bad outcome from one terrible mistake that they made. I got involved with Desmond and his fight, which was also my fight. And in 2019, he was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people. And you guys got the law changed here in Florida, right? We did, the year before that. Amendment 4 passed in the state in 2018, which could have affected 1.4 million people. About half of them ended up being eligible

As you know, I often use this space to profile interesting people, and this month, I got to write up my recent discussion with Lance Wissinger. Lance is a voting rights advocate with the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FloridaRRC.com), a group he got involved with after his own felony conviction and prison sentence. Lance is a great guy, and I learned a lot during our talk. I think you will, too — and as always, if you want more, you can head to my YouTube channel for the full 45-minute interview.

because the legislature passed a bill that said you can’t get your right to vote back if you still owe any fines or fees. Is that something the FRRC is working to change as well? We’re involved in a lot of things, but we’re definitely trying to help those people who still aren’t eligible. Often, that means simply paying their fines, which we’re able to do 100% through donations, many from individuals in a grassroots model. What drives you to do this work? As a Christian, I’m very much for second chances. I’m also for helping people before it becomes an issue, before they go to prison. But if that happens, how can we give them that second chance? I received a second chance of my own, although it took a lot of work as well.

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