Check out our first newsletter of the year!
JAN 2018
THANK-YOU GAZETTE
KICKING OFF 2018 With the Best Team in the World
As we kick off the new year, I couldn’t be happier with how 2017 has gone at Yankee Home Improvement. But, of course, it wasn’t the numbers or the reviews that made it such an outstanding year
commute to the office, you’ll never hear him complain. Instead, he’s one of the most down-to-earth, hardworking people you’ll ever have the pleasure of meeting.
— it was the people. Whenever I look around at our incredible team, I wonder how I’ve managed to bring together so many of the best people in the world under one roof. However it happened, the result is the same: I’m grateful each and every day to work in an atmosphere where so many wonderful individuals work together toward a common goal. Everyone goes above and beyond to build something great together. Any chance I get, I brag about my awesome employees. Just ask Tyler Carpenter, one of our young guys who’s a constant inspiration and star worker for
Last November, my wife and I took Herb and his wife out to dinner, and I had one of best times I’ve had in a while. Rarely do I laugh and enjoy myself as much as I did with Herb and his wife. He’s a consistently refreshing presence, eager to make everyone crack up while maintaining a persistent effort to improve everything for everyone, both inside and outside the business. At the holiday party last month, I made sure to highlight my immense gratitude to everyone in the Yankee Home corner. Every member of the staff plays a key role in the
the company. About a month ago, as I was walking out of the office, I saw him getting dropped off to start work. Figuring the driver was his father, I ran over to speak with him. After he rolled down the window, I extolled the virtues of one of my favorite employees. “I have to tell you, I wish I had 10 of your son working for me here,” I said. “He’s just the greatest, always coming in with an upbeat, positive attitude. Really, an inspiration to everyone in the company.” A long silence ensued. The driver looked at me like I had two heads. Turns out, it wasn’t Tyler’s dad — it was his Uber driver! But hey, I stand by my statement. I could go on about the accomplishments of any member of my team, but of course I couldn’t leave out our 2017 Employee of the Year, Herb Kirschner! Herb’s an older gentleman who’s been one of my star representatives for over four years. Though he makes a 11/2-hour
client experience, from the bottom to the top, and it’s deeply gratifying to know I can trust each and every person in the organization to do their best for the people we serve. So, as we leap into 2018, let me offer a sincere thank you — not only to my wonderful staff, but to you , our network of fantastic customers. Without the efforts of my team and the trust of our community, this simply wouldn’t be possible. Happy New Year! –Ger Ronan
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3 WAYS TRAVEL CAN
TRANSFORM YOUR KIDS
When you go on a trip, whether it’s a quick jaunt to a neighboring town or a weeklong stay in an exotic locale, you interact with new people and cultures. It’s one thing to hear someone talk about the laid-back vibes of the West Coast, but you can’t really feel them for yourself until you’ve meandered through the redwoods or watched the sun set over Puget Sound. Now, imagine the positive effects this kind of cultural awakening could have on a young mind! While we tend to think about the worst-case scenarios and added stresses of traveling with kids, they stand to benefit as much, if not more, from travel as we do. You never know — your son or daughter may realize a passion for a subject that will one day become their career. As you’re plotting destinations for the new year, keep these life-changing possibilities in mind. 1. History will come to life. Yes, your kids will read about World War II in school and take state capital quizzes. But in the end, nothing compares to firsthand experiences of culturally significant locations. Imagine showing a child the Galapagos Islands, where Darwin’s famous theory of evolution was conceived, or having the chance to talk about the beginnings of the Revolutionary War while strolling through Minute Man National Historical Park in Massachusetts. As we enter into the brand-new year, many of us are reflecting on 2017, taking stock of our current position and how we got here. At Yankee Home Improvement, we took an evening last month to celebrate another successful year, highlighting the efforts of our wonderful team and appreciating all that we’ve accomplished together. Though we didn’t get to tell you about it in our December newsletter, we figure better late than never! The event was held at the Castle of Knights in Chicopee, the same location as our last Christmas Party. The whole team enjoyed a fabulous buffet spread provided by the caterers and the banquet hall was filled with the sounds of laughter and conversation. Just as we began to dig into dessert, our owner, Ger Ronan, stepped up to give a speech. “We are all in this room because of you,” he told everyone, highlighting team members who have taken calls on vacation, shown initiative to work late evenings to complete a job, and even one who dressed up in a dinosaur costume to wave at cars on Memorial Drive! Of course, there was one employee in particular he wanted to recognize: Herb Kirschner, an instrumental and incredibly positive presence in the company. Herb was the 2017 Employee of the Year. The company put him up in a hotel that night, gave him a plaque to commemorate the
2. They’ll pick up new skills. In addition to learning about history, your child may discover a new skill. They may learn a bit of conversational Spanish during a trip to Mexico or they might play soccer with a group of children and realize they have a knack for it. By fostering a sense of healthy curiosity about new places, you’ll help your child feel confident enough to branch out of their comfort zone and make new friends at home and on the road. 3. They’ll understand compassion. After a trip to Fiji, Lonely Planet Kids writer Patrick Kinsella found that, long after they returned, his eldest daughter continued to reflect on her experience. “It’s an eye- and mind-opening experience, especially for Ivy, who has never before considered that someone her age might not have a TV, let alone lack electricity,” Kinsella writes. “For many months afterward, Ivy talk[ed] about Po, imagining her Fijian friend’s life.” Because they’re so open-minded, kids are the perfect sponges for new experiences. At the very least, they’ll be less likely to take what they have for granted, and they might even develop an expansive and exploratory worldview.
CAPPING OFF 2017 WITH THE TANGO Yankee Home Improvement’s Annual Christmas Party
accomplishment, and rewarded him with an all-expenses paid weekend out of town for him and his wife.
But, obviously, it wouldn’t be much of
a party without dancing. After his speech, Ger whisked away his wife Anna (our financial director), and danced the tango. Impressively, despite all the hooting and hollering, he managed not to step on her! Pretty soon, others were joining, and we have to say, our sales manager, Leo
Duplessis, cut quite a rug out there on the dance floor. But again, the trophy went to Herb, who outdanced all of his younger peers. All in all, it was a fantastic event. Now, it’s time to look to 2018 and think up ways to top last year. As tough as that will be, we’re confident that with such a dedicated, positive team, we’ll be blasting into 2018 full steam ahead.
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Recipe inspired by SlowCookerGourmet.net.
Transform Your Tub or Shower IN A SINGLE DAY
It’s no secret that, over time, traditional baths and showers steadily deteriorate. No matter how well you maintain their surfaces, trace amounts of mold and mildew can collect in those impossible to reach nooks and crannies. As grout erodes and discolors, even the best-laid tile loses its luster. Whether you’re looking to raise the value of your property before selling or simply trying to create the most enjoyable space possible for you and your family, an old, ugly tub or shower can be an eyesore. Despite this, many people hesitate to remodel or replace their tub and shower, assuming it’ll be a costly, involved process, taking several days. But these days, remodeling your tub and shower is cheaper and simpler than ever before. In fact, our professionals at Yankee Home Improvement can completely replace your tub or shower — at a fraction of the cost of a traditional remodel — in as little as a single day! Our bathtubs and showers come in a wide variety of styles and colors, completely customizable to meet your specific needs. We can perfectly match any level of style and sophistication, from simple and traditional to modern urban looks. What’s more, we use exclusive Duracast XL acrylic in every one of our tubs. It’s three times stronger and thicker than any other
acrylic tub material on the market. Duracast is guaranteed not to bend, bow, or crack, and is confidently backed by our lifetime warranty. Regardless of how you want to spruce up your tub or shower, you can be confident that the craftsmanship of the Yankee Home Improvement team is second to none. Give us a call at 877-889-2653 or visit YankeeHomeImprovement.com/bath-design/ to schedule a free custom design, and leave the rest to us. Let us build the bathroom of your dreams.
SLOW COOKER RASPBERRY WHITE HOT CHOCOLATE
Looking for a way to prepare a warm treat for the kids while they’re out building snowmen? Break out the slow cooker and enjoy the best hot cocoa you’ve ever had!
INGREDIENTS
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2 tablespoons powdered sugar
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1 cup white chocolate chips 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk 2 cups heavy cream, divided 3 cups milk (any variety will do)
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1 teaspoon vanilla
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4 tablespoons raspberry liqueur or syrup
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DIRECTIONS
1. In a slow cooker, combine white chocolate chips, condensed milk, 1 cup cream, and milk. Cover and heat on low about 2 hours. 2. In a large bowl, mix remaining 1 cup cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla. 3. Using a hand or stand mixer, whip until stiff peaks form. 4. Serve mugs of hot chocolate with about 1 tablespoon of raspberry liqueur or syrup to taste and a dollop of whipped cream.
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How the Yankee Team Made 2017 the Best Year Yet INSIDE 1 36 Justin Dr. Chicopee, MA 01022
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A Trip Will Change Your Child’s Life
The Yankee Team Boogies Into 2018
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Tub or Shower Becoming an Eyesore? We Can Help!
Warm Up With Some Hot Cocoa
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The Time Is Right for Nicaragua
ESCAPE TO NICARAGUA THE COUNTRY THAT HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
After the hectic holiday season, many of us feel like we need another vacation just to unwind. Luckily, January and February are two of the best months to travel. Flight prices plummet and crowds thin out after the Christmas rush. If you’re looking to escape the dreary winter weather, there’s no better place to visit this season than Nicaragua, the “Central American country that has it all,” as Condé Nast Traveler puts it. Whether you’re looking to explore the rainforests surrounding the Río San Juan or get lost in the quirky-yet-beautiful architecture of Granada, there’s something for everyone in this tropical wonderland. One must-see destination is the Cerro Negro volcano. Just a baby at 150 years old, it’s one of the most active volcanoes in the region. It only takes about an hour to scale its smoking, black gravel surface, and the verdant forests surrounding the peak are a sight to behold. Adventurous travelers can board down the side, reaching ludicrous speeds as they teeter and try
not to fall. In fact, it’s almost impossible to travel anywhere in the country without seeing an “I boarded a volcano” T-shirt.
If relaxing on a pearlescent beach is more your speed, take a short boat trip out to the Corn Islands. There, you can amble around the small towns bordering the shockingly blue Pacific, visit a number of laid-back seafood restaurants, get scuba certified for a fraction of the price anywhere else in the world, or just read your book as you swing in a hammock by the waves. You can also visit the gorgeous, alabaster Our Lady of Grace Cathedral in “new” Léon. The biggest church in all of Central America, this unique Baroque and neoclassicist structure was built in 1814. Visitors can climb onto its roof (as long as they don’t wear shoes) and bask in the view of surrounding volcanoes (including Cerro Negro). If you’re planning on heading to Nicaragua, it’s best to do it soon. Neighbor Costa Rica often overflows with tourists, and instead of wading through the crowds there, many travelers are catching on to what Nicaragua has to offer.
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