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COMFORT CONNECTIONS
SOMETHING SCARIER THAN MONSTERS How Selling Insurance Helped Me Overcome My Greatest Fear
At my age, I don’t take too much notice
At first, I struggled. To say that sales didn’t come naturally to me would be an understatement. When I started out, New York Life, where I worked, had us newbies go around to people we already knew to ask them to fill out a survey we were running. So, you’d call up an acquaintance, set the appointment, and then go see them. It was a good way to ease into the always-on social world of sales, starting with a pool of friends and spreading out to include strangers outside my usual radius. "THAT ANXIETY NEVER QUITE WENT AWAY, BUT I CERTAINLY LEARNED HOW TO DEAL WITH IT, AND TODAY, TALKING TO PEOPLE IS A VITAL PART OF MY JOB — ONE I REALLY ENJOY." The entire time I worked in insurance, I studied all the time. I spent hundreds of hours with my nose in business books or listening to series of sales tips on cassette. But of course, all the books in the world didn’t quite prepare me for those moments on the job when I was forced to go from introvert to extrovert on a dime. That anxiety never quite went away, but I certainly learned how to deal with it, and today, talking to people is a vital part of my job — one I really enjoy. This month marks Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley’s 10th year in business. Over all those years, I’ve learned a ton about the industry, always searching for new ways to better serve our customers. If you had told me 30 years ago that one day I’d be running a company and talking with wonderful people every day, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. There have been ups and downs, but I’m grateful for all the tough lessons and hard-won successes — and most of all, for our customers and team members who helped me get to where I am today.
when Halloween comes around. As a kid, I loved dressing up as Batman, but these days, skeleton and cobweb decorations don’t do much for me anymore, and
I seldom get freaked out by horror movies. But the holiday
has got me thinking about a different kind of fear I once had to face, when I burned out on my old job as a biotech lab technician and switched to a stint selling insurance. For an
introverted, admittedly shy guy like myself, moving to a sales position where networking was everything was a massive change. Frankly, it terrified me. But in the end, I overcame that anxiety and learned a lot of the interpersonal skills that have served me well for the rest of my life, especially in my current role as the owner of Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley.
As many of my customers reading this have probably noticed, I’m not big on talking about myself. I love
listening to others while on-site, getting those little pieces of their larger life story, but I hesitate when it comes to sharing my personal details. Call it a product of my generation, my upbringing, or some deep-rooted aspect of my personality, but it’s just how I’ve always been. So, I’m not exactly sure how I got roped into selling insurance, but I did.
–Jim Serra
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BEST IN SHOW OR HALLOWEEN HAZARD? Costume Safety Tips for Kids
For many kids, picking out a costume is the best part of Halloween. Will they be a spooky witch, a wildcat, or their favorite superhero? There are so many options! But in all the fun, it can be easy for parents to overlook certain risks that Halloween costumes can pose. Here are important safety tips to remember when choosing the best Halloween costume. Look for fire-resistant costumes. Candles inside jack-o’-lanterns and other open flames are everywhere on Halloween night, so make sure your child’s costume isn’t a fire hazard. Most store-bought costumes are made from fire-resistant materials, but you should still check the labels on all costumes, wigs, and accessories. The same goes for when you’re buying fabric for homemade costumes. And remember, fire resistant is not the same as fireproof. While fire-resistant material takes longer to burn and can be put out quickly, it can still catch fire and cause serious injuries. Remind your child to use caution around open flames and avoid costumes with flimsy, hanging components, like flowing sleeves, long skirts, and capes. Test makeup first. Halloween is a great time to have fun with face paint, and makeup is a good alternative to masks, which can obscure a child’s vision. However, a lot of costume
makeup isn’t approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Before letting your children cover their faces in makeup from the Halloween store, test their skin for allergic reactions by putting just a little bit on the backs of their hands first.
Practice prop safety. What’s a Jedi Knight without her lightsaber or a wizard without his magic wand? The right accessories can really bring a costume together, but it’s important that props — especially weapon props, like swords, knives, or guns — are not mistaken for the real thing. Choose props that are obviously fake, with round edges made from soft, flexible material. And if your children want to wear their Halloween costumes to school or some other event, check the rules on props beforehand to avoid any trouble.
Halloween is a night for ghosts and goblins to come out to play, and with these tips, your kids can safely dress up and join in the fun.
CHECKING IN ON YOUR FURNACE
WHY YOU SHOULD GET A FALL TUNEUP
As the temperature drops and winter begins to creep in, homeowners are kick-starting their furnaces and heating systems. Unfortunately, most do this without considering yearly maintenance. Learn more about how scheduling a fall tuneup for your heating system can keep your family safe and your equipment up-to-date while saving you money. SAFETY FIRST Much like cleaning the lint screen in your dryer, cleaning your furnace is essential to keeping your family warm and safe this winter. Buildup in your furnace can cause a house fire, and old or malfunctioning parts can cause dangerous failures. Furthermore, if you have to rely on a
space heater because your furnace went kaput in January, you face a slew of other issues, including the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning.
TRUST THE EXPERTS Just because you can put a Band-Aid on a cut doesn’t mean you would try to save money by not seeing a doctor for a broken arm. Likewise, just being a responsible furnace owner does not mean your heating system is in tip-top shape. An HVAC expert can monitor your pilot light, keep you informed, and look for mechanical issues you wouldn’t have knowledge about unless you were in the business. SAVE MONEY You will have to pay for the fall tuneup, but your energy bills won’t be skyrocketing in December. Proper cleaning and maintenance of a heating system are essential to its function, which will ultimately be reflected in savings on your bill. Clunky noises, overworked parts, and clogged systems all mean that your furnace has to work harder, which only takes more heat — and more money — away from you. Learn more about the benefits a fall tuneup can have for your home and heating system. Schedule a tuneup appointment with Aire Serv of the Mid- Hudson Valley by calling 845-256-6158 or visiting aireserv.com/mid-hudson- valley .
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CLIMBING THROUGH AIR DUCTS WHY YOU SHOULD SAVE THOSE ANTICS FOR THE MOVIES
Few cinematic stories compare to those of American heroes John McClane and Paul Blart. Both defeated organized criminal “masterminds” from taking over the world and saved the holidays. And the heroes of “Die Hard” and “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” share another classic movie trope: Their heroism included climbing through air ducts. In terms of real-life heroics, is that possible? Here's the short answer: Leave that for Hollywood. If you don’t believe us, check out these reasons why. Gross! Air vents push air throughout a building, accumulating the natural dust and dirt in the air as it passes through. Essentially, you will be crawling through dead skin particles, spiders, and allergens. What’s more, you don’t know what’s crawling through the ducts. Eight-legged or rodent residents you might have in your home or office could be using that tunnel system as their interstate. Imagine coming face-to-face with a mouse while shimmying your way through a metal chamber. Not Made for Humans The farther air ducts travel from their central system, the
smaller they get. You cannot fit your body in there, much less maneuver your way through in a time crunch. Even larger systems, like those in industrial buildings, couldn’t hold you. The metal structures of air ducts are strong, but they're not designed to hold significant weight. You’re heavier than air and a lot more likely to fall through. Try explaining that to your doctor. Peculiar Rap-Sheet Addition In 2017, a group of college students were arrested and charged with felony burglary after sneaking through their university’s air ducts and crawling through the ceiling “Mission Impossible”-style to steal their final exam answers. These would-be spies didn’t account for their professor working in his office that night and were subsequently caught and charged. Breaking and entering, burglary, and damage to property are just a few of the criminal charges you may face should you get caught. If your heating or cooling system has been damaged by a hero wannabe or a dumb criminal, give us a call at 845-256-6158 or visit aireserv.com/ mid-hudson-valley .
HAVE A LAUGH!
As we enter the height of s’mores season, consider swapping those store-bought marshmallows for homemade ones. For a colorful treat, you can easily add food coloring to this recipe. HOMEMADE MARSHMALLOWS
Inspired by Food & Wine magazine
INGREDIENTS
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract • Powdered sugar, to coat
• 3 packages unflavored gelatin • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar • 1 cup light corn syrup
DIRECTIONS 1. In a mixing bowl, combine gelatin and 1/2 cup cold water. Let sit while you make the syrup. 2. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, syrup, salt, and 1/2 cup water until the sugar dissolves. 3. Increase the heat to high and bring syrup to 240 F, using a candy thermometer to check for temperature. 4. With a handheld mixer on low speed, slowly whisk syrup into gelatin mixture. Switch speed to high and whip for 15 minutes, until very thick. Fold in vanilla after whipping. 5. Dust a nonmetal baking dish with powdered sugar and spoon mixture into dish. Smooth mixture, top with more powdered sugar, and let stand uncovered overnight. 6. Cut into squares, decorate, and serve.
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Jim Serra Overcomes His Fears INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 2 What Parents Need to Know About Halloween Costumes 845-256-6158 | aireserv.com/mid-hudson-valley
Prepare Your Furnace for Winter
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Can You Climb Through Air Ducts?
Homemade Marshmallows
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Three of the Weirdest Cryptids in Pseudoscientific History
THE MONSTERS SOME BELIEVE ARE REAL THREE OF THE WEIRDEST CRYPTIDS IN PSEUDOSCIENTIFIC HISTORY
There are people who would have you believe that monsters live among us all year long. These individuals, referred to as cryptozoologists (or just “wishful thinkers” by their skeptics), believe a hidden animal kingdom exists just beyond the edge of mainstream biological science. Here are three of the weirdest, almost-certainly imaginary “cryptids” to ever capture the human imagination.
head of a goat, leathery wings, and a thrashing, forked tail. After slicing the midwife with its ragged claws, the beast flew up the chimney and fled into the trees. Hundreds of years later, the beast is still said to creep the backwoods on its cloven hooves, glowering from the blackness with shining red eyes. THE BUNYIP When European settlers began edging into the territory of Aboriginal Australians, they heard whispered, frightened tales of a man-eating “water spirit” that lived in the lakes and rivers of the area. Descriptions of the creature varied wildly. The monster was alternately described as an enormous starfish, an alligator-like creature with the head of an emu, or a massive bulldog-faced beast. But accounts held one thing in common: The monster claimed the lives of any who dared camp near its watery domain. THE LOVELAND FROG One night, near Loveland, Ohio, a man reportedly beheld a trio of bipedal frog-people slapping their webbed feet along the side of the road. If that wasn’t enough, one even had a magic wand, which shot sparks as the man ran off. Apparently, not all mythical beasts are bloodthirsty monsters; some are a little more Kermit than Cthulhu.
THE JERSEY DEVIL According to legend, the
1.1 million-acre Pine Barrens of southern New Jersey are home to more than just birds and deer. The story goes that when one Jane Leeds gave birth to her 13th child, she was dismayed to add yet another kid to her responsibilities. She cried out, “Oh, let this one be the devil!” Shortly after the child was born, the boy was transmogrified into a twisted creature with the malformed
The Jersey Devil
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