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Protection Team News Are You Ready for Hurricane Season? Maybe the Storm Winds Will Blow a Positive Change Our Way
VOL 17, ISSUE 7
We’re now in the throes of hurricane season. Have you finalized your emergency plan yet? This summer started unusually. The Florida Legislature hasn’t finalized its session, there was no Sales Tax Holiday for hurricane supplies, and the state budget was still in limbo. Hopefully, by the time this newsletter reaches your mailbox, those issues will have been resolved and you’ve completed your storm prep and stocked up on supplies. On a personal note, my wife and I are waiting for that Sales Tax Holiday to finish our preparations! Speaking of getting ready, here’s one final reminder: Start your flood insurance policy ASAP. Most new policies have a 30-day waiting period, so don’t delay. STILL NO INSURANCE REFORM … BUT THERE’S HOPE! As mentioned earlier, the Legislature hasn’t wrapped up its session due to disagreements over the state budget. While they completed most of their work, they unfortunately avoided tackling insurance-related reforms again. It’s disappointing to see that they lacked the political will to address these ongoing concerns. Still, if Mother Nature treats us kindly this year and the state avoids a direct hit, I’m optimistic that we may finally begin to see some rate relief. On a related note, I recently read that Morgan & Morgan, one of the largest plaintiff law firms, has scaled back their homeowners insurance division from a high of 30 attorneys down to just two. That’s a strong signal that the insurance reforms passed in 2022 are beginning to take effect. It will take time to feel the benefits, but this feels like the first sign of positive change, especially if we can avoid a severe hurricane season.
Change Is Coming, Are You Prepared? Page 1
Favorite Summer Vacations Page 2
Snooze Your Way to Happiness Page 3
Referral Winner Page 4
Wacky July Holidays Page 5
Darren officiating Mary and Rodney's wedding!
Puzzle Time! Page 5
AROUND THE BAY: RAYS AND FOOTBALL HYPE Finally, a quick note on Tampa-area sports. The Rays seem to have found their rhythm, especially at home in Steinbrenner Field. The pitching staff is clicking, and our bats are delivering in key moments. Let’s hope this momentum carries them to a deep playoff run this fall. And can you believe training camp is almost here for both college and pro football? I personally can’t wait! Until next month …
Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Page 5
May Referrals and June Puzzle Winner! Page 6
–Darren
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Toll free (800) 828-2226 Fax (727) 577-4991
www.vermost.com newsletter@vermost.com
OUR FAVORITE SUMMER VACATIONS
TEAM MEMBER: DAWN EVANS Vacation Destination: Mountains of Tennessee or Eastern North Carolina Best Part of the Trip: The peaceful atmosphere, nature watching, and campfires Must-Try Food or Drink: In Tennessee, try Pals burgers and juicy fries Favorite Road Trip or Travel Song: 1980s/’90s music One Thing I Always Pack: Sneakers and sandals (if camping, you must also pack water shoes) One Thing I Recommend for Anyone Going There: Give yourself 4–7 days to enjoy the atmosphere and places around the area. Vacation Destination: Paris, France Best Part of the Trip: The food! Must-Try Food or Drink: Steak tartare with wine Favorite Road Trip or Travel Song: None, I hate being in cars One Thing I Always Pack: Comfy lounge clothes for travel One Thing I Recommend for Anyone Going There: Pack a picnic TEAM MEMBER: LESLEY BROWN
One Thing I Always Pack: Powered speaker One Thing I Recommend for Anyone Going There: Don’t get hung up on it being “the shark bite capital of the world.”
TEAM MEMBER: SARA BORGESON
Vacation Destination: San Diego Best Part of the Trip: Attending San Diego Comic Con. It’s overwhelming and crowded, but always a great time. Must-Try Food or Drink: Shakespeare’s Corner Shoppe afternoon tea. We hit it every
year, and the food is always delicious and surprisingly filling. Favorite Road Trip or Travel Song: Frank Turner’s “The Road” One Thing I Always Pack: You probably don’t want Xanax as an answer, so my Jabba the Hut Tsum Tsum plush. I need it to fly. One Thing I Recommend for Anyone Going There: Wear lots of sunscreen and drink lots of water. TEAM MEMBER:
COLLEEN SPARKMAN Vacation Destination: Gatlinburg, TN Best Part of the Trip: Getting away from people and the FL heat Must-Try Food or Drink: Crockett’s Breakfast Camp Favorite Road Trip or Travel Song: Anything by Trivium
and go see the Eiffel Tower at night! TEAM MEMBER: MARY RIVERA Vacation Destination: Florida beaches Best Part of the Trip: Spending time with my family Must-Try Food or Drink: A spicy margarita made with Minute
One Thing I Always Pack: Good shoes One Thing I Recommend for Anyone Going There: Spend time on the mountain trails. TEAM MEMBER: RONNIE SPARKMAN
Maid Zero and a jalapeno Favorite Road Trip or Travel Song: Salsa music One Thing I Always Pack: Bluetooth speaker
Vacation Destination: Orlando Best Part of the Trip: Relaxing in an Airbnb with family and childhood friends Must-Try Food or Drink: Disney Springs Coca-Cola Float Favorite Road Trip or Travel Song: Any Metal playlist One Thing I Always Pack: Board Games
One Thing I Recommend for Anyone Going There: Use sunscreen. If you hear thunder, expect lightning and get off the beach quickly. TEAM MEMBER: JOHN O’BRIEN Vacation Destination: New Smyrna Beach Best Part of the Trip: Relaxing and staring at the sea Must-Try Food or Drink: The Garlic Italian Restaurant Favorite Road Trip or Travel Song: “All Summer Long” by the Beach Boys
One Thing I Recommend for Anyone Going There: Don’t rush, enjoy what can be done! There is way too much to do for one vacation in Orlando!
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1200 Belcher Rd. S., Suite 1 Largo, FL 33771-3315
Phone: (727) 748-2886
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TEAM MEMBER: CHRISTINE EARLE Vacation Destination: Mt. Washington, NH, in the White Mountains Best Part of the Trip: Cog Railway Must-Try Food or Drink: The food is not the greatest, but the view is unbelievable Favorite Road Trip or Travel Song: “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”
A well-rested family is a happy family, but when sleep is in short supply, moods can turn sour faster than a colicky baby in an airplane! Skimping on shut-eye doesn’t just make everyone cranky; it can take a serious toll on mental health, leading to stress, anxiety, and emotional outbursts for kids and adults alike. But there’s no need to lose sleep because simple adjustments can ensure your family gets the rest they need. From setting consistent bedtimes to creating a relaxing wind-down routine, small changes can make a big difference in everyone’s mood and mental well-being. BUILD A SLEEP SCHEDULE FOR SUCCESS. As parents, you can set the tone for your family by creating effective sleep-ready routines that include consistent bedtimes and relaxing habits. When your children go to bed at the same time every night, it resets their body’s internal clocks, making it a habit to get enough rest. They will naturally begin to get drowsy at this time and wake up with more energy from better, deeper sleep. Leading up to bedtime, try out some calming activities like reading a book, putting on classical music, or lighting a lavender candle. If your children are old enough, they can try chamomile tea, which is known to help people go to sleep. Limiting screen time to an hour or two before bed is essential because the blue light on devices can keep the mind distracted and wound up, making it difficult to drift off. You can lead by example by putting your phone or tablet away in the evening. SNOOZE YOUR WAY TO HAPPINESS. Studies have found that children and parents who get adequate sleep function better, excel academically, and are in a better mood overall. As we snooze, our body is hard at work resetting our systems for the next day. Chronic insomnia gets in the way of those essential repair cycles, making emotional regulation and resilience hard to achieve. With a few small changes to your nighttime routine, you can turn your family’s restless nights into sound slumbers and wake up to a much happier and healthier home! SWEET DREAMS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY Why a Good Night’s Sleep Can Boost Everyone’s Well-Being
One Thing I Always Pack: When we went on Aug. 5, it was 78 Degrees at the base, with 70 mph winds and snow at the top. Bring a coat or sweater. One Thing I Recommend for Anyone Going There: Take a picture of yourself at the summit. TEAM MEMBER:
BRITTANY ROSSOW Vacation Destination: Tarragona, Spain Best Part of the Trip: The seafood! Also, reuniting with family! Must-Try Food or Drink: Seafood Paella Favorite Road Trip or Travel Song: A Broadway playlist of my favorite musicals! One Thing I Always Pack:
Sneakers and my camera; I love documenting my experiences One Thing I Recommend for Anyone Going There: Walk La Rambla. Its vibrant ambiance, rich blend of shopping, dining, and historical monuments capture the spirit of Tarragona perfectly! TEAM MEMBER:
DARREN VERMOST Vacation Destination: Any Cruise Best Part of the Trip: Spending time with family Must-Try Food or Drink: Chocolate Lava Cake One Thing I Always Pack: Lots of books to read One Thing I Recommend for Anyone Going There: Bring clothes with expandable waistbands!
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Toll free (800) 828-2226
Fax (727) 577-4991
www.vermost.com
newsletter@vermost.com
BE A LIFESAVER We want to thank everyone who referred their friends, family, and coworkers to Vermost Insurance throughout 2024. When you refer someone to us, you receive rewards for each referral and are entered into 2024 REFERRAL WINNER! 2025 REFERRAL PROGRAM
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 winner of our 2024 referral program was Jene Cook. He received a 55-inch 4K TV plus a $250 donation to the charity of his choice. If you want a shot at the 2025 prize, keep sending referrals our way. Your referrals make us happy, and we hope our referral program makes you happy, too!
Jene Cook was our 2024 referral winner of the 55-inch 4K TV plus a $250 donation to a charity of his choice. • EACH Referral • $5 Starbucks Gift Certificate • 3 FL Lottery Scratch-Off Tickets • A chance to win prizes! • $5 donation to our spotlight charity: Special Operations Memorial Foundation
Be Entered in MONTHLY Drawings for • A $50 GIFT CARD • PLUS...ANNUAL Drawing for a
$500 Amazon Gift Card plus a $250 donation to the charity of the winner’s choice
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1200 Belcher Rd. S. Suite 1 ● Largo, FL 33771-3315 ● Phone: (727) 748-2886 Largo, FL 33771-3315 Phone: (727) 748-2886 1200 Belcher Rd. S., Suite 1
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Wacky July Holidays
• July 1 — National Creative Ice Cream Flavors Day • July 3 — National Chocolate Wafer Day • July 4 — National Barbecued Spareribs Day
• July 18 — National Sour Candy Day • July 20 — National Fortune Cookie Day • July 21 — National Junk Food Day • July 22 — National Hammock Day • July 23 — Gorgeous Grandma Day • July 24 — National Drive-Thru Day • July 25 — National Hot Fudge Sundae Day • July 26 — National Coffee Milkshake Day • July 27 — National Creme Brulee Day • July 28 — National Milk Chocolate Day • July 29 — National Lipstick Day • July 30 — National Cheesecake Day • July 31 — National Mutt Day
• July 5 — National Graham Cracker Day • July 6 — National Fried Chicken Day • July 7 — National Macaroni Day • July 8 — National Freezer Pop Day • July 9 — National Sugar Cookie Day • July 11 — National 7-Eleven Day • July 12 — Eat Your Jello Day • July 13 — National Beans ‘n Franks Day • July 15 — National Tapioca Pudding Day • July 16 — National Personal Chef Day • July 17 — World Emoji Day
GARLIC PARMESAN SHRIMP
SUDOKU
Inspired by CooktopCove.com
• 3 tbsp olive oil • 4 cloves garlic, minced • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese • 1 tsp Italian seasoning • 1/2 tsp salt • 1/2 tsp black pepper • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley • Juice of 1 lemon Ingredients Directions 1. Preheat oven to 400° F. 2. In a bowl, combine olive oil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. 3. Add shrimp to the bowl and toss until fully coated. 4. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer on a baking sheet. 5. Roast in the oven for 7–9 minutes or until the shrimp are pink and slightly golden. 6. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with chopped parsley and fresh lemon juice before serving.
SOLUTION ON PG. 6
You can fax, email, or mail your completed puzzle for a chance to win our monthly prize!
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Toll free (800) 828-2226
Fax (727) 577-4991 www.vermost.com newsletter@vermost.com
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:
People who referred clients to us in May: • Carol Borgeson • Cathy Flynn • William Hiepe Jr • William Wroblewski
• Pete Walters/ Nite Owl Irrigation • Ken Gillespie/ Fincher Building Solutions • Kurt Hendrickson
› Antique vehicles › Annuities › Auto › Boat/RV › Bonds › Builder’s risk › Commercial auto › Commercial property › Condo › Disability
› Flood › General liability › Home › ID theft › Life › Mobile home › Motorcycle/Jet Ski › Notary public
• Debora Brown • Ron Meledandri • Carol Chandler • Lillian Ferencz • Barbara Austin
June Puzzle Winner: Shirley Harrison
• Linda Phillips • Mick & Susan Graziano
› Umbrella › Workers’
May Referral Winner: Ken Gillespie
compensation
... and more!
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1200 Belcher Rd. S., Suite 1 Largo, FL 33771-3315
Phone: (727) 748-2886
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