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COMFORT CONNECTIONS
THE BEST SEASON OF ALL
Finally, after a long, drawn- out winter and a cold, rainy spring, summer is starting to show its face around the Hudson Valley. Though I’m too busy to plan any fun trips during the warmer months, I still always appreciate the season. And it always takes me back to my younger days, when summer meant three months of total freedom from school and some of the best times you could ever have as a kid. I distinctly remember the few times my family and I headed out to Cape Cod for vacation. Back then, it wasn’t nearly as busy as it is today, and for a youngster, it was paradise. Mostly, I spent those hours swimming around in the bay and exploring. There was nothing better than wandering around on the beach, hunting for shells while people gathered those blue crabs that were always scuttling around.
Even when we stayed home the whole summer, it was a fantastic time. Back then, we lived in an apartment development with an attached pool, so I was splashing around pretty much every day, trying to beat the heat. We did all the classic pool activities: Marco Polo, diving contests, and of course, the old standby of seeing who could hold their breath under water the longest. Though I don’t think I ever had any illusions about being an MLB pro, I always loved playing in Little League back then. There’s nothing that builds camaraderie like being on a baseball team with a group of your closest friends, cheering each other on as you each go up to bat. They would put me in the outfield, and even when the young batters failed to hit it out to my zone, I never got bored. Back then, kids would be outside all day, from dawn until dusk. It’s funny to think of all the roving gangs of children cruising around on their bikes back then, looking for new adventures and games to play, equipped with that boundless imagination every kid seems to have. It was just impossible to get tired of summer vacation. Years ago, I returned to Cape Cod with my wife for a little family trip after her sister got married. It was amazing to see how the place had changed, with hundreds of tourists flocking to the beautiful beaches to catch some sun and unwind from their stressful lives. But even though it’d gotten much more populous, it was still an incredible place with so much to do. I was struck by those vivid memories from my childhood, those long sunny days with absolutely endless possibilities. Even though these days summer means a lot of house calls rather than hours spent relaxing by the pool, it still carries a special significance for me. –Jim Serra
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HOW MUCH SUNSHINE IS TOO MUCH? KEEP YOUR FAMILY SAFE
COMMON MYTHS ABOUT SUN EXPOSURE Many people think that a tan is better than a sunburn, but the result of tanning is still sun damage. When your skin tone changes due to the sun, regardless of whether it tans or turns red, it’s a result of the epidermis reacting to damage caused by UV rays. Both are symptoms of harmed skin.
At Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley, we pride ourselves on our experienced, conscientious team of skilled HVAC professionals. Every member of our crew is among the best in the business, eager not only to provide our customers with the highest standard of HVAC service, but to do it with a smile. That’s certainly the case with David Schroers, who, since joining the team last year, has consistently impressed his customers with a level of service they’ve never experienced from another company. “I love making a house call and hearing ‘Wow — I never saw the last guy do that!’” David says. “I get that one a lot. When their old HVAC guy was in a hurry to do a slapdash fix and get out the door, it’s easy to make people happy when you’re thorough.” He especially appreciates Aire Serv’s customer-centric, sales-free approach to maintenance. “I got a little uncomfortable with the last company I worked for,” he says. “They were always trying to push us to sell stuff, even To many people, summer is all about heading outside to enjoy the weather. But getting too much sun can be dangerous. To have a fun-filled summer with your family this year, remember that it’s essential to protect yourself from harmful UV rays. COVER UP Covering your skin is one of the best ways to avoid skin damage. Wide-brimmed hats, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants or skirts can protect your skin from direct exposure to UV rays. While this tactic protects you from the sun, it offers poor defense against the heat. So, if you opt for cooler attire, it’s important to cover all exposed skin with a copious amount of sunscreen. Be sure to reapply every two hours for maximum skin protection. SPEND LESS TIME IN THE SUN If you’re planning to spend a significant amount of time in the sun, consider your environment. Will there be plenty of shade? Will you have to bring your own? What’s the best way to step out of the sun for a few minutes? Wearing sunscreen and protective clothing are great ways to shield yourself from UV rays, but it’s important to avoid being in direct sunlight for long periods. Taking a break from the sun gives your body the time it needs to recuperate and helps prevent sunburn and heatstroke.
While vitamin D is important, the sun does not contribute to its creation as much as you might think. Doris Day, a New York City dermatologist, explains that if your skin were to constantly produce vitamin D from being in the sun, it would reach toxic levels. Vitamin D is the only vitamin that your body can produce on its own, through a common form of cholesterol or 7-dehydrocholesterol. Spending time in the sun does help vitamin D form, but you need far less exposure than you think.
Knowing how to protect yourself from UV rays is the first step to having a safe, fun-filled summer!
MEET DAVID SCHROERS
ONE OF THE BEST TECHNICIANS IN THE BIZ
if the customer’s system was running completely fine. Jim and Aire Serv aren’t like that at all. They just want us to do right by the customer.”
But his favorite part is chatting with customers and ensuring they’re happy with the service. “Every time I go to a house for a call, I have a personal goal to give them the best maintenance they’ve ever gotten,” he says. David’s nearly always busy with his work for Aire Serv, but when he gets some time off, he loves to go fishing, especially if his younger brother has time to join. “I started out angling when I was in my teens and he was a little kid, and so it’s been cool to watch him grow up and develop this pastime over the years. Freshwater, saltwater — I enjoy it all.”
We’re just glad that David decided to join the Aire Serv team. As any of his customers can attest, he’s a friendly guy with a vast knowledge of HVAC systems and what it takes to keep them humming. Frankly, he’s one of the best techs in the business. We’re excited to see all he does in the years to come.
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3 AIR CONDITIONING MYTHS THAT ARE ALL HOT AIR
MYTH #1: A LARGER A/C WILL COOL YOUR HOME BETTER.
on a continual basis to cool your home to the preferred temperature. The most efficient way to save money and keep your home cool is to set your thermostat a few degrees higher than your ideal temperature when you are gone for a few hours or the day. MYTH #3: IT’S EFFICIENT TO LEAVE THE THERMOSTAT AT THE SAME TEMPERATURE ALL DAY. Truth: When you’re not home, there is no reason to keep the thermostat at your preferred temperature, but at the same time, you don’t want to walk into a home that is too warm and uncomfortable (and that you have to cool back down). This is where a programmable thermostat comes in handy. You can set it to cool during your normal “at home” time and set it at a higher temperature while you’re away. There are even a number of smart thermostats on the market you can control from your smartphone for even more customization.
Truth: It all comes down to the size of your home or the size of the room you want to cool. A bigger air conditioner isn’t always the right choice and can lead to huge energy bills if it’s improperly sized for your home (either too small or too large). You want to work with installers who can correctly size your home for maximum efficiency (and lower bills). MYTH #2: TURNING OFF THE A/C EVERY TIME YOU LEAVE HOME SAVES MONEY. Truth: Turning your air conditioner on and off repeatedly can be taxing on the unit, and it will not efficiently cool your home. If you leave your home for an extended of period of time — a few days or longer — turning off the A/C will save you on energy costs. But turning it off every time you leave home will cost you more in the long run, because the unit will have to work harder
No matter where you stand on the great ketchup versus mustard debate, you’ll love these spicy, tangy, easy-to-make buffalo dogs. They’re the perfect way to elevate your Fourth of July cookout. BLUE CHEESE BUFFALO DOGS AND CELERY SLAW
HAVE A LAUGH!
INGREDIENTS
For Hot Dogs: • 1 package of your favorite hot dogs • 1 package hot dog buns • 1 bottle Frank’s RedHot sauce • 4 ounces crumbled blue cheese
For Celery Slaw: • 4 celery stalks, very thinly sliced • 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice • 1 teaspoon olive oil • Celery salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS 1. For slaw, toss all ingredients together and season with celery salt and pepper. 2. Grill hot dogs and toast buns. 3. Assemble hot dogs, douse with hot sauce, and top with celery slaw. 4. Top with blue cheese, add another splash of hot sauce if you’re feeling extra spicy, and serve.
Inspired by Bon Appétit magazine
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Jim Serra’s Memories of Summer INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 2 Battling the Summer Sun! 845-256-6158 | aireserv.com/mid-hudson-valley
Meet Technician David Schroers
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3 Air Conditioning Myths That Are All Hot Air
Blue Cheese Buffalo Dogs and Celery Slaw
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Take Your S’mores to the Next Level
CAN I HAVE S’MORE?
CREATIVE TWISTS ON THE CAMPFIRE CLASSIC
You’re just three ingredients away from the perfect summertime treat: chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallows. The s’more is a fan favorite on camping trips and at backyard bonfires alike. Though they say you can’t improve perfection, we’ve found a few creative twists on the classic treat that will make your summer a little sweeter. THE ELVIS A campfire snack fit for a king — of rock ’n’ roll, that is. This s’more pays homage to Elvis Presley’s love of peanut butter and banana sandwiches. Swap out the chocolate bar for a peanut butter cup candy and add a few slices of fresh banana between the graham cracker and marshmallow. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can even add some bacon. S’MORES IN A JAR Here are s’mores you can enjoy all year long. Layers of crushed graham cracker, melted marshmallow, and creamy chocolate turn a simple jar into a great dessert! Learn how to make the perfect s’mores on the go at family.disney.com/recipe/smores-in-a-jar.
summertime classic. Gooey s’mores meet fresh strawberry shortcake in a dessert that’s as delicious as it is original. Find the whole recipe, including tips on making the perfect shortcake, at aspicyperspective. com/smores-strawberry-shortcake-recipe. S’MOREO A simple but memorable twist on the campfire classic. Grab a box of Oreo cookies, pull a cookie apart, and use that in place of your graham cracker. The cream filling will pair nicely with the chocolate and toasted marshmallow. S’MORES MILKSHAKE Too hot for a campfire? Cool down with a s’mores milkshake! The trick is to lightly toast the marshmallows in the oven so they mix well with the other ingredients in the blender. Get the recipe at spoonfulofflavor.com/2013/08/30/smores-milkshake to enjoy this sweet treat even in the heat of summer.
It’s the simple recipe that opens the door for creative interpretations of the classic s’more. Be adventurous this summer and see what great new s’mores you can create!
STRAWBERRY S’MORE-CAKE If you really want to wow your guests at the next bonfire, try your hand at this creative take on the
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