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Protection Team News A QUIET HURRICANE SEASON, A BUSY FALL, AND PLENTY TO LOOK FORWARD TO
No Hurricanes Yet, but There’s a Lot Happening VOL 18, ISSUE 10
Has anyone else noticed that we still haven’t had a single hurricane in the Atlantic this season? I can already hear all of you screaming at the top of your lungs, “Don’t jinx us!” Trust me, I don’t want to be the person everyone blames when the first storm finally shows up. As I write this article in early September, we are getting very close to setting a record for the latest first hurricane of the season, a record I would be perfectly happy to see us break! While those of us along the East Coast have enjoyed a remarkably quiet hurricane season so far, the Central Pacific around Hawaii has been much more active. El Niño has certainly played a role in suppressing activity here in the Atlantic. But as I remind everyone every year, it only takes one storm hitting us to ruin our year. We still have a long way to go before hurricane season is over, so don’t let your guard down yet. If this trend continues and we can make it through another season without a major storm hitting Florida, it could help support even more insurance rate relief in the future. We are already seeing rates come down. Another year without massive storm-related claims would certainly be welcome news
for all of us Floridians. Fingers crossed! This summer absolutely flew by, and judging by my calendar, the fall is speeding along even faster. Between multiple conventions, several trips to Detroit, and everything else going on, there will not be much downtime. Can you believe Franklin will be turning 1 in just a few weeks? Where did that time go? The best part of all the traveling and busy
This Fall Page 1
Vermost Team's Favorite Books Page 2 Fun Designs Without the Messy Pumpkin
Carving Page 3
The Cozy Holiday Season Starts With a Little Prep Today Page 3 Referral Winner Page 4 Wacky October Holidays Page 5
Franklin and “Gramps” are ready for football!
schedules has been finding those special
Lightning will be back on the ice before we know it. And how about those Tampa Bay Rays? As I write this, they are still sitting atop the American League East. Yes, you read that correctly! Maybe they are giving the new ownership group and all of the fans one more reason to believe their newly approved stadium will be worth the investment. There should be plenty to keep us all entertained this fall! Until next month,
opportunities when the entire family can get together. Sitting down for family dinners, spending time together, and, of course, making time for ice cream are the moments I enjoy most. I can’t wait to celebrate Franklin very soon! Fall also means football is officially back. I’m certainly hoping new USF Head Coach Brian Hartline has a successful first season for the Bulls, and I’m also hoping the Buccaneers can stay healthy and make a deep playoff run this year. Football isn’t the only Tampa Bay sports story worth following. The
Puzzle Time! Page 5 Cider-Braised Chicken Page 5
September Puzzle Winner and August Referrals! Page 6
–Darren
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Toll free (800) 828-2226 Fax (727) 577-4991
vermost.com newsletter@vermost.com
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1200 Belcher Rd. S., Suite 1 Largo, FL 33771-3315 Phone: (727) 748-2886
Boo! When you think of Halloween pumpkins, you probably picture the classics: spooky jack-o’-lantern faces with triangle eyes, silly toothy grins, scary monsters, creepy cats, or maybe a pumpkin glowing on the front porch with a candle inside. Carving pumpkins has been a favorite fall tradition for generations, but let’s be honest, it can also mean scooping out slimy pumpkin guts, dealing with sharp carving tools, and cleaning up a big orange mess afterward. That’s where no-carve pumpkin decorating comes in! Instead of cutting into your pumpkin, you can turn it into almost anything with paint, stickers, craft supplies, and a little imagination. No-carve decorating is a fun way for kids of all ages to join in without the stress of traditional carving. Whether you’re looking for an easy Halloween craft, a creative weekend activity, or a new way to decorate your home, these ideas prove that pumpkins don’t need to be carved to steal the spotlight. PAINT YOUR WAY TO A PUMPKIN MASTERPIECE. A plain pumpkin can quickly become a bright, colorful decoration with just a few brushes and some creativity. Kids can paint traditional Halloween designs, such as ghosts, bats, spiders, and monsters, or they can create something completely different. Paint pens and markers are also great options for adding small details, patterns, and funny faces. ADD TEXTURE WITH CRAFT SUPPLIES. No-carve pumpkin decorating is the perfect excuse to use up those extra craft supplies sitting around the house. Items like googly eyes, ribbons, stickers, felt, yarn, pom-poms, and foam shapes can turn an ordinary pumpkin into something full of personality. Kids will love creating silly pumpkin faces with oversized eyes, wild hair, or funny expressions. Younger children can enjoy adding stickers and decorations, while older kids can create more detailed designs. The possibilities are endless, and there’s no wrong way to decorate. CREATE A FESTIVE PUMPKIN THEME. A fun way to make decorating even more exciting is by choosing a theme. Families can create matching pumpkins, such as a group of friendly monsters, a collection of favorite animals, or pumpkins inspired by a favorite movie or book. Themed pumpkins also make a great Halloween display for porches, entryways, or family gatherings. Everyone can add their own style while still creating a fun collection that looks great together. MAKE IT A FAMILY PUMPKIN CHALLENGE. Turn pumpkin decorating into a fun family competition. Everyone can choose a pumpkin and create their own design using the same supplies. Once everyone is finished, vote on categories like “funniest pumpkin,” “most creative,” “best use of color,” or “spookiest design.” NO CARVING REQUIRED Creative Pumpkin Decorating Ideas Kids Will Love
Every year it happens. One minute you’re enjoying fall, and the next you’re wondering how the holidays arrived so quickly. Shopping lists are unfinished, decorations are still packed away, and your calendar fills up faster than you can keep track of it. Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be that way! Now is the perfect time to spread out your to-do list, save yourself unnecessary stress, and actually enjoy the festivities when they arrive. LAY OUT THE GROUNDWORK. Start now by making a master list of everything you want to accomplish. Include gift ideas, travel plans, holiday meals, decorating projects, and seasonal events you don’t want to miss. This is also a smart time to set a holiday budget. Knowing how much you plan to spend before the shopping season ramps up can help you avoid impulse purchases later. If you’re mailing gifts or holiday cards to family across the country, now you’ll have plenty of time to gather addresses and supplies. Your holiday shopping can begin now, too. Picking up a few gifts whenever you find a good sale spreads out the cost and means fewer last-minute shopping trips in December. BRING YOUR PLANS TO LIFE. Once November arrives, it’s time to start checking items off your list. Finish most of your gift shopping before the busiest weeks begin. You’ll likely find a better selection and avoid the panic that comes with sold-out items. It’s also a great time to decorate if you enjoy a longer holiday season. Even if you wait until after Thanksgiving to put everything up, you can still organize decorations, test lights, and replace anything that’s worn out. Don’t forget meal planning! Even though Thanksgiving requires lots of prep, decide what you’ll be serving for the December holidays, create your grocery list, and purchase pantry staples in advance. Breaking these tasks into smaller steps makes holiday hosting feel much more manageable. INSTEAD OF RACING THROUGH IT, ENJOY THE SEASON. Not everything has to be perfect. Give yourself the gift of time! Start now so you can avoid the last-minute scramble that steals the joy from the season. The Best Holiday Seasons Don’t Happen by Accident! START PLANNING NOW (SERIOUSLY)
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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 2025. When you refer someone to us, you receive rewards for each referral and are entered into 2025 REFERRAL WINNER! 2026 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 2025 referral program was Richard Claybrooke. He received a $500 Amazon gift card plus a $250 donation to the charity of his choice. If you want a shot at the 2026 prize, keep sending referrals our way. Your referrals make us happy, and we hope our referral program makes you happy, too!
Richard Claybrooke was our 2025 referral winner of a $500 Amazon gift card 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 October Holidays
• October 1 – National Homemade Cookies Day • October 2 – National Name Your Car Day • October 3 – National Play Outside Day • October 4 – National Golf Lover’s Day • October 5 – National Do Something Nice Day • October 6 – National Noodle Day • October 7 – National Chocolate Covered Pretzel Day • October 8 – National Fluffernutter Day • October 9 – National Curious Events Day • October 10 – National Cake Decorating Day • October 11 – National Sausage Day • October 12 – National Farmer’s Day • October 14 – National Take Your Parents to Lunch Day • October 15 – National Grouch Day
• October 16 – National Sports Day • October 17 – National Pasta Day
• October 18 – National Chocolate Cupcake Day • October 20 – National Chicken and Waffles Day • October 21 – National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day • October 22 – National Make a Dog’s Day • October 23 – National Boston Cream Pie Day • October 24 – National Bologna Day • October 25 – National Greasy Foods Day • October 26 – National Pumpkin Day • October 28 – National Chocolate Day • October 29 – National Oatmeal Day • October 30 – National Candy Corn Day • October 31 – National Trick-or-Treat Day
CIDER-BRAISED CHICKEN
WORD SEARCH
Ingredients
• 4 slices bacon, chopped • 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 3 1/2 lbs) • 2 medium tart red apples, cored and cut into wedges • 1 12-oz bottle hard cider • 2 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
• 2 tbsp whole grain mustard • 1 tsp kosher salt • 12 oz fresh Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
Directions 1. In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp; remove from pan, reserving drippings in skillet. 2. Add chicken, skin side down, and cook 10 minutes or until browned, turning once; remove from skillet. 3. Add apples to skillet; cook 4 minutes or until browned on both sides; remove from skillet. 4. Discard drippings. 5. Add cider, thyme, mustard, and salt to skillet, scraping up any browned bits. 6. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Return chicken to skillet. Cover and simmer 10 minutes. 7. Add Brussels sprouts. Cover and cook 5 minutes. 8. Add apples and cook, uncovered, 3–5 minutes more or until chicken is at least 175 degrees F. 9. To serve, divide chicken, Brussels sprouts, and apples among bowls or plates. Spoon cider mixture over top. Sprinkle each with bacon.
AUTUMNAL BLACK CAT CINNAMON CORNFIELD
EERIE FOLIAGE HAUNTING HORROR
LATTE MARIGOLD OPAL TWILIGHT
You can fax, email, or mail your completed puzzle for a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card!
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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
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 August: • Jerilyn Sinapi • Robert Hyclak/ RH Ent Inc • Marc Wertheim/ MW Installers Inc. • Joni Mann • Marc Durning/ • Michele Pedro • Michael Martin • Geoffrey & Kathryn Boyajian
› 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
• John Dunn • Lacretia Watson • Paul & Deana Haselton • Richard DeStefano • Darby Jones/ Professional Fiduciary Services LLC • Ron Meladandri • Kathleen Kiley
Durning Squared Services DSS LLC
• Charles Park/ Properties of TI LLC • Randy & Debbie Kane/Label Interactive Tech • Johanne Howard
September Puzzle Winner: Stephanie Anderson August Referral Winner: Kathleen Kiley
› Umbrella › Workers’
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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