Check out our February newsletter!
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COMFORT CONNECTIONS
Last February, I told the story of how my wife, Andrea, and I first met. If it hadn’t been for a random hike organized by the Sierra Club — where we both discovered how little we knew about hiking — we may have never met. Thankfully, we both took a chance that day, and it has led to a wonderful marriage. Nearly two decades later, Andrea and I enjoy a more exhilarating way to experience the great outdoors: motorcycling. Winter may be beautiful here in New York, but our favorite time of year is when the temperature begins to rise and the snow fades away. When spring approaches, we know we can hop on the bike soon and head to Lake George or the Adirondacks. We try to get out as soon as we safely can, and those brisk, early-season rides are full of anticipation of the upcoming trips we’ll take that year. We started this hobby together before we were married, and it’s been fun sharing a common pastime with my wife. When I was in my teenage years, a friend of mine first introduced me to the thrill and freedom of riding a motorcycle, and I have been hooked ever since. But after college, when I first began life in the “real world” and was working a 9-to-5 job, I sold my motorcycle. I always regretted that decision. Then 15 years ago, Andrea and I decided to try the hobby together. Since she was a newbie to the activity, I was excited to show her all the action you can experience on a bike. I purchased a Suzuki motorcycle, and the rest is history. It sounds cliche, but there’s nothing quite like the freedom of riding a motorcycle down the highway. From a car, you only ever see the world behind glass. On a motorcycle, you’re immersed in it. We also recognize that this hobby comes with its risks, and we’ve certainly had some close calls. Once while we were riding, a deer ran into us! Thankfully, I wasn’t going too fast, and we weren’t thrown from the bike. We OUR FAVORITE SEASON Motorcycling Across the East Coast With My Wife
"It sounds cliche, but there’s nothing quite like the freedom of riding a motorcycle down the highway."
actually didn’t even get knocked off it! The motorcycle didn’t sustain any damage either, and we watched the deer prance away. It was an ideal ending to a strange occurrence. As for the future of this hobby together, like most motorcyclists, we have a dream to someday ride across the country on the bike. To feel the wind on our faces as we cross through the mountains, swamps, and deserts that make up this great nation would be an unprecedented exhilaration you can only get from motorcycling. While we wait for the snow to melt away and the temperatures to rise above freezing, it’s hard not to dream of days spent on the motorcycle. After a long winter, Andrea and I are looking forward to our first ride of 2019, the year’s many trips, and the various rides we plan to take in the future.
Stay safe this motorcycling season!
–Jim Serra
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SAFE AND SWEET Allergy-Friendly Valentines for Your Child’s Classmates
FANCY UP SOME FRUIT If you’re worried about food allergies
For a parent of a child with allergies, every day can feel like a battle with food labels and ingredients lists — and Valentine’s Day only exacerbates this fear. Avoid the danger of an allergic reaction on Valentine’s Day by creating alternative, candy-free valentines that the whole class will enjoy! GET CREATIVE This valentine idea taps into your kids' desire to create by using commonly found household items. Have your children draw pictures, create cards, mold tiny sculptures, or braid together friendship bracelets to create one- of-a-kind gifts that will be safe for their classmates to enjoy. Kids can put their own effort into gift-giving, and their valentines will have a personal touch candy cannot replicate. THINK LIKE A KID If you’re looking for a creative valentine that will be safe for all your child’s friends to play with, check no further than the toy aisle of your local dollar store. While being mindful of latex allergies, you can purchase little toys that kids will love that won’t break your bank. Think bouncy balls, mini skateboards, Army men, yo-yos, puzzles, rubber ducks, handheld games, markers, or bubbles. Adorn these little gifts with yarn, ribbons, or personalized tags, and slap on cute sayings to make them fit for the holiday. Finish off the masterpiece by having your kiddo sign his or her name on each valentine, and you’ve got a kid-approved Valentine’s Day favorite.
but still want to make a yummy treat, ask your child’s teacher for a list of students’ allergies, then just work around them. Fruits are usually a safe bet, but it’s best to double check. You could skewer strawberries and heart-shaped pieces of watermelon onto kabob sticks for a sweet and fun snack, or pass out goody bags with apples, bananas, and clementines. Offering a group snack that is allergy- friendly will keep your children and their friends safe and healthy, and it can also help children with allergies feel included in the festivities.
As with all Valentine’s Day gifts, keep in mind that it’s not the item or money spent that means the most. It’s the thought behind each gift that makes receiving valentines the sweetest part.
WHAT’S THAT NOISE?
LISTENING TO YOUR HVAC SYSTEM’S PLEAS FOR REPAIR
You don’t have to be an HVAC expert to know when something is wrong with your heating or cooling system, but being able to identify a problematic noise coming from your system will save you headaches, money, and time. While you might not be able to fix a specific problem, you can arm yourself with the following knowledge for when something doesn’t sound right.
that air is escaping somewhere in your home. This could be coming directly from the ducts that travel through your home or from the source of the air, but regardless, your home has a leak. Fixes can be easy for any HVAC professional to tackle, but not repairing a leak can increase your energy bill as the air you pay for escapes.
I Can’t Hear You Over My Furnace
Rattle, Rattle
Overall, if you notice your furnace or air conditioning unit is louder than normal, call an HVAC expert for an inspection. Listen for loud thumping or rattling, and take note if the system appears to be overexerting itself every time it starts up. This may be your HVAC system’s very obnoxious way of letting you know that its motor or fan is about to die. An expert will be able to determine if the parts are salvageable, if you need a new part, and what your next steps should be. If your HVAC system has stopped humming along, see how the experts at Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley can help you by calling 845-256-6158 or visiting AireServ.com/Mid-Hudson-Valley .
A normal-sounding HVAC system will hum regardless of if it’s heating or cooling your home. But if you hear clanking, a piece of your system may have fallen off and is now free-wheeling through your home. This can not only be an annoyance for you and your family, but it could pose a danger should the piece get lodged anywhere, spark a fire, or damage your ducts.
There’s a Snake in My Vent!
You can relax, because the chance of a snake slithering into your air ducts is slim. But hissing noises coming from your HVAC system could be a sign
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WHY IS DUCT TAPE NOT USED ON AIR DUCTS?
FROM DUCKS TO DUCTS
We can probably guess at least one item in your junk drawer: duct tape. This durable adhesive has become a household and cultural staple, and it’s often the go- to for crafts, repairs, and school projects. Many people also associate duct tape with ductwork and HVAC systems. But would it surprise you to know that duct tape isn’t one of an HVAC expert’s weapons? It’s actually rarely used on ductwork! Duct tape was first created as a strong, waterproof adhesive for soldiers in WWII by Johnson & Johnson. The original idea is credited to Vesta Stoudt, who was the mother of two sons in the military and an inspector and packer at the Green River Ordnance Plant in Illinois. This factory packed cartridges for rifle grenades, but in her sons’ letters and observations at the plant, Stoudt found that the tape tabs and wax they were using would easily break off in battle. Instead, Stoudt suggested a cloth-like adhesive that would be more durable than the flimsy tape the plant was using. Stoudt sent her idea all the way to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who passed it along
to the War Production Board. Soon, mass production of “duck” tape was underway.
Many historians have speculated why soldiers called these rolls “duck” tape, and there are a few lingering theories. Some believe it’s because the green color and waterproof nature mimicked that of a mallard. Others believe it’s because the texture was similar to duck feathers. Regardless of the origins of its name, soldiers soon found that the durable tape could be used for repairing purposes, too. After the war, the reputation of this sticky substance caught on, and it was soon being used to tape ventilation ducts together. But that use was quickly put to rest. While duct tape is still commonplace in the military, its inability to withstand extreme changes in temperature makes it unusable on ductwork. Instead, temperature-resistant tapes are commonly used by HVAC experts. While we’re big fans of duct tape and its history, we only use tested and durable adhesives on our ductwork. See just how strong our tapes can be on your HVAC system by giving us a call at 845-256-6158.
HAVE A LAUGH!
Roll this classic sugar cookie recipe into thin sheets and cut into rectangles for delicious valentines. EDIBLE VALENTINE’S DAY COOKIE CARDS
INGREDIENTS
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour • 3/4 cup sugar • 1/4 teaspoon salt • 2 sticks cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes DIRECTIONS 1. Heat oven to 375 F.
• 2 large egg yolks • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract • Royal icing, sprinkles, and edible markers, for decorating
2. In a mixing bowl, combine flour with sugar and salt. Add butter and combine using a mixer at low speed, until butter breaks down into small, crumbly pieces. Increase mixing speed to medium and mix until butter and flour clump. 3. Add egg yolks and vanilla to bowl and mix on low speed until dough comes together. 4. Carefully roll dough into a sheet 1/16-inch thick and cut into 4x6-inch cards. 5. On a parchment-lined baking sheet, bake cookie cards for 6 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through. 6. Let cookies cool completely, decorate, and distribute.
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Inspired by Food & Wine magazine
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High-Speed Journeys Together INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 2 Candy-Free Valentines 845-256-6158 | aireserv.com/mid-hudson-valley
Common Sounds From Your HVAC System
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The History of Duct Tape
Edible Valentine’s Day Cookie Cards
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Prepare for an Adventure in Lapland
INTO THE ARCTIC CIRCLE
ADVENTURE IN SWEDISH LAPLAND
If you’re eager for a new adventure in 2019, you’ll surely find it in Swedish Lapland. As the northernmost region of Sweden, this unique area is home to national parks, glaciers, reindeer, the beguiling midnight sun, and spectacular night skies. Though it’s cold this time of year, one benefit of traveling to the region in winter is to catch a glimpse of the night sky. In late winter, the northern lights are visible from a few remote locations like Abisko National Park, one of the first established national parks in Sweden. Traveling to Abisko is an adventure in and of itself. From Stockholm, the fastest option is to take one of only two airlines that fly into Kiruna, then travel by train to Abisko. Despite the challenge of getting there, adventure-seeking visitors from around the world arrive each winter to experience the beauty of the Arctic. Winter attractions include ice skating, snowshoeing, and the Scandinavian sauna — though this is a must-visit any time of the year. Befriend a Scandinavian and you might be treated to some pickled herring or even a princess cake, a raspberry- filled dessert covered in marzipan.
in both late spring and summer, as well as have a chance to see the midnight sun. Because of its far-north location, Swedish Lapland receives close to 24 hours of
sunlight from June through August. Diverse terrain and varied landscapes make hiking here a treat, between the boulder fields, mountains, and stunning glacial lakes. While hiking, you may spot some reindeer herds or lemmings (a small rodent similar to a hamster) racing around rocks. The Sami people have herded reindeer for thousands of years through this very land. In the summer, keep an eye out for blueberries, lingonberries, and the brightly colored cloudberries. Because of the Arctic climate, weather conditions can change quickly from sunshine to rain and heavy fog, so it’s best to dress in layers and bring wind and rain protection if you plan to venture into the backcountry.
Scandinavians cherish their public lands, and the trail systems are well taken care of. Hikers and backpackers can enjoy the stunning beauty
The fantastic scenery of Swedish Lapland awaits you, no matter when you decide to take your trip. What are you waiting for?
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