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Protection Team News GOOD NEWS FOR EVERYONE! A SLOW STORM SEASON, PREMIUM PRICES PLUMMET, AND TAMPA BAY SPORTS
The Power of Good News and a Leadership Mindset Page 1 VOL 17, ISSUE 11
We’re in the homestretch of the 2025 hurricane season! While the tropics have been busy, thankfully, the only ones really taking a beating this year have been the fish. Most storms have stayed out in the Atlantic Ocean, and trust me, I have no complaints! One particularly interesting weather event featured two storms moving side by side up the coast. The western storm was pulled eastward, taking a sharp right turn that kept it safely off the U.S. East Coast. The good news doesn’t stop there. With no major catastrophes this year, we’re finally seeing the benefits of the legislative reforms from 2022 and 2023. Auto
and home insurance rates are beginning to come down, and commercial property rates are following suit. Even better, new carriers are entering the Florida market, and Citizens is beginning to release policies through takeouts. All of these point to much-needed premium relief for all Florida policyholders! Last month, I had the opportunity to travel to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, for a two-day Mastermind meeting. Among the speakers were two incredible leaders, David Pollack (yes, that David Pollack from ESPN College Football) and former NFL player Marques Ogden. Both delivered powerful talks on leadership and mindset. The first day focused entirely on developing the right mindset, while the second day centered on branding and how to strengthen your presence in your local community. The room was filled with entrepreneurs from across the country, all eager to share their experiences and insights. I walked away with a notebook full of ideas and can’t wait to start putting them into action. Switching gears, how about those Tampa Bay Buccaneers? What a great start to the season! It looks like the injury bug has crept in a bit, but here’s hoping they bounce back quickly and keep the momentum going. Speaking of Tampa Bay sports, there’s even better news: The Rays finally have new owners! With Stu Sternberg officially out, I’m excited to see what changes the new ownership group will bring. Maybe it will be more than just lipstick on a pig this time … We’ll soon find out! Until next month,
How the Vermost Team Celebrates Thanksgiving Page 2
From Thankful Jars to Turkey Trivia Page 3
Referral Winner Page 4
Wacky November Holidays Page 5
Puzzle Time! Page 5
Pumpkin Dump Cake Page 5
October Puzzle Winner and September Referrals! Page 6
Darren with former NFL player Marques Ogden at a 2-day Mastermind meeting in Chapel Hill, N.C.
–Darren
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vermost.com newsletter@vermost.com
Celebrate Thanksgiving With the Vermost Team!
MARY RIVERA ABRAMS What’s your must-have Thanksgiving dish? Pumpkin pie with whipped cream. What’s a tradition your
LESLEY BROWN What’s your must-have Thanksgiving dish? Mashed potatoes! What’s a tradition your family never skips? Watching a Christmas movie to end the evening. What are you most thankful for this year? A new baby is joining our family! Who’s the best cook in your family? My husband and my son-in-law are the chefs. What’s your post-dinner ritual: nap, football, or leftovers? Football all day! JOHN O’BRIEN What’s your must-have Thanksgiving dish? In 2013, we went
BRITTANY ROSSOW What’s your must-have Thanksgiving dish? Pumpkin Pie! What’s a tradition your family never
skips? Watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, drinking mimosas, and eating cinnamon rolls (calories don’t count on Thanksgiving)! What are you most thankful for this year? Spending as much time with my family as possible! Who’s the best cook in your family? My dad, a former chef. I am very spoiled! What’s your post-dinner ritual: nap, football, or leftovers? Football and the start of watching Christmas movies! COLLEEN SPARKMAN What’s your must-have Thanksgiving dish? Green bean casserole, but only when it’s made by my mother-in-law. I can’t get mine to taste the same. What’s a tradition your family never skips? Watching the Macy’s parade. What are you most thankful for this year? A great change in my life. Who’s the best cook in your family? My grandma. She makes homemade Italian food for all occasions. What’s your post-dinner ritual: nap, football, or leftovers? A book and a nap!
family never skips? We always go around the table and say what we are thankful for. What are you most thankful for this year? That I have a husband who is my best friend, and Thanksgiving is my holiday with my youngest son, Jesse, and my daughter- in-law, Gina. Who’s the best cook in your family? Me, of course! What’s your post-dinner ritual: nap, football, or leftovers? Typically, a walk on the beach … then leftovers. RONNIE SPARKMAN What’s your must-have Thanksgiving dish? Green bean casserole! What’s a tradition your family never skips? We watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in the morning and "NFL GameDay" in the afternoon. What are you most thankful for this year? I’m most thankful for the opportunity to find a new career that I enjoy! Who’s the best cook in your family? My wife and my mom. What’s your post-dinner ritual: nap, football, or leftovers? It depends on the year, but if I can, I do enjoy going out on Black Friday to see all the post-Thanksgiving chaos.
camping on the Suwannee River in North Florida,
and they held a potluck Thanksgiving dinner in the hall for any campers who wanted to gather. At least a dozen people showed up with corn casserole to share. It was a new thing for us, and we sampled all of them. Now, it’s on our table every year! We use the Paula Deen recipe made with Jiffy corn muffin mix and lots of cheese! What’s a tradition your family never skips? We go around the table once during grace for everyone to share what they’re thankful for, and we still use the same cheap plastic turkey platter that my mom bought in 1986. What are you most thankful for this year?
The health and safety of my family. Who’s the best cook in your family? It depends on the dish. (I feel like this question could get me in trouble.)
What’s your post-dinner ritual: nap, football, or leftovers? I love watching the kids do the dishes! There’s always football on, and we often break out a board game or dominoes. I also continue relaxing on the following day. I refuse to participate in “Black Friday.”
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1200 Belcher Rd. S., Suite 1 Largo, FL 33771-3315 Phone: (727) 748-2886
The holidays are a magical time that brings together loved ones and a little chaos. Between the pie-making and travel plans, it can be easy to forget what we’re gathering to celebrate. This Thanksgiving, let’s not just carve the turkey, but also carve out some time for mindful traditions the whole family can enjoy. From sharing what you’re thankful for to hosting a family Thanksgiving talent show, this year is the perfect chance to create new traditions that deepen connections and spark laughter. Get ready to gobble up the fun together. GATHER FOR GRATITUDE Thanksgiving is all about honoring what we are grateful for in life, and it can be a fun activity for you and your children to share. You can gamify gratitude in several ways, like creating a thankfulness jar where everybody adds slips of paper describing what they most appreciate. You can take turns reading them after dinner and even make a guessing game out of who wrote what. It could be as simple as gathering around the table for breakfast and everyone saying one thing they’re grateful for. TURKEY DAY TRIVIA There’s no better way to digest after the big Thanksgiving feast than having fun. Pick out some of your favorite board games or a deck of cards for a post-meal game night. You could test everyone’s knowledge with a holiday-themed trivia competition or create a scavenger hunt around the house. No matter the game, ensure everyone from grandparents to kids can join in. Keep it focused on connection, not just winning. If you want to go all out, challenge all your guests to be ready with their best skills for a family talent show. A SOUNDTRACK TO THE STUFFING Create a perfect soundtrack you can play while everyone helps with the cooking or winds down after dessert. Before the big day, ask everyone in the family to add one or two songs to a Thanksgiving playlist. Whisking Up New Traditions This Thanksgiving FILL YOUR HOLIDAY WITH GRATITUDE AND GAMES
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CHRISTINE EARLE What’s your must-have Thanksgiving dish? Butternut squash. What’s a tradition your family never skips? We watch “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles” the night before
Thanksgiving, and Thanksgiving evening, we kick off the Christmas season with “Home Alone” 1 and 2. What are you most thankful for this year? My family. Who’s the best cook in your family? When we celebrate Thanksgiving with my family, it’s my brother Bob. When my parents were alive, it was my mom. However, we all bring desserts, and most of my family are wonderful cooks. What’s your post-dinner ritual: nap, football, or leftovers? The day after Thanksgiving is Hot Turkey Sandwiches! BECKY JORDAN What’s your must-have Thanksgiving
dish? Cornbread stuffing! But it must be made from scratch with
our family’s secret cornbread recipe (which has now been passed down to multiple generations) and lots of love. What’s a tradition your family never skips? Listening to “Alice’s Restaurant” by Arlo Guthrie. What are you most thankful for this year? Having a wonderful and supportive family and group of friends. Who’s the best cook in your family? Everyone in my family is a great cook; we all have our specialties. But overall, I’d have to say my husband can cook anything! What’s your post-dinner ritual: nap, football, or leftovers? Watching all of the Thanksgiving episodes of “Bob’s Burgers” and taking all the needed naps. DAWN EVANS What’s your must-have
Thanksgiving dish? Mine would be my green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce that I make. What’s a tradition your family never skips? Eating as a family and decorating after Thanksgiving as a family.
Prompt them to pick tunes that remind them of the season, happy memories, the joys of being together, or even their favorite dishes. You can keep adding to this list in subsequent years, turning the songs into a playable family history.
What are you most thankful for this year? My family and health. Who’s the best cook in your family? I would say my husband (although some of us have dishes we specialize in). What’s your post-dinner ritual: nap, football, or leftovers? Eating leftovers and pulling out Christmas decorations to start decorating.
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Toll free (800) 828-2226 Fax (727) 577-4991
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.
Be Entered in MONTHLY Drawings for • A $50 GIFT CARD • PLUS...ANNUAL Drawing for a
• EACH Referral • $5 Starbucks Gift Certificate • 3 FL Lottery Scratch-Off Tickets • A chance to win prizes! • $5 donation to our spotlight charity: Moffitt Cancer Center
$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 November Holidays
• November 1 – National Cinnamon Day • November 2 – National Deviled Egg Day • November 3 – National Sandwich Day • November 4 – National Chicken Lady Day • November 5 – National Doughnut Day • November 6 – National Nachos Day • November 7 – National Bittersweet Chocolate With Almonds Day • November 8 – National Cappuccino Day • November 10 – National Vanilla Cupcake Day • November 11 – National Sundae Day • November 12 – National Chicken Soup for the Soul Day • November 14 – National Family PJ Day • November 15 – National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day
• November 16 – National Button Day • November 17 – National Butter Day • November 18 – National Princess Day • November 19 – National Play Monopoly Day • November 20 – National Absurdity Day • November 21 – National Gingerbread Cookie Day • November 22 – National Cranberry Relish Day • November 23 – National Cashew Day • November 24 – National Sardines Day • November 25 – National Play Day With Dad • November 26 – National Cake Day • November 27 – National Craft Jerky Day • November 28 – National French Toast Day • November 30 – National Mason Jar Day
PUMPKIN DUMP CAKE
SUDOKU
Ingredients
• 1 (15 oz) can pure pumpkin • 1 (10 oz) can evaporated milk • 1 cup light brown sugar • 3 eggs • 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice • 1 box yellow cake mix • 1 cup coarsely crushed graham crackers or pecans
• 1/2 cup toffee bits (optional) • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Coat a 9x13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray and set aside. 2. In a large bowl, add pumpkin, evaporated milk, sugar, eggs, and pumpkin pie spice. 3. Stir to combine and pour into the prepared pan. 4. Sprinkle the entire box of cake mix on top, followed by nuts or graham crackers and toffee bits. 5. Pour melted butter evenly on top. 6. Bake for 45–50 minutes, until the center is set and edges are lightly browned. 7. Serve warm or at room temperature. Inspired by CookiesAndCups.com
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
vermost.com newsletter@vermost.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
1200 Belcher Road South, Suite 1 Largo, FL 33771 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 September: • Richard Claybrooke/Claybrooke Engineering Assoc. Inc
› 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
• Cheryl Sienko • Carol Borgeson • Jeff DiPolito / Ye Mystic Krewe of the Santa Margarita Inc • Sheila Sinclair • Justin Orr/ Priority One LLC • Mercedes Buntz Law PLLC • Rebekah Mattioli
October Puzzle Winner: Teresa Stalheim
› Umbrella › Workers’
September Referral Winner: Cheryl Sienko
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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