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COMFORT CONNECTIONS
medical experts on our side to keep that from happening. We learned that whenever he had a sleep apnea episode, he needed to be gently nudged to wake up and reactivate the natural process of breathing. Our doctor, who I’ll always be grateful for, devised a novel solution. They set up a device to automatically move him every once in a while to prevent the episodes from lasting a long time. Honestly, that may have saved Nick’s life. Even after we first brought him home, we were anxious about his future. It probably took two more months, monitoring him nearly every second, for us to relax and realize that everything would be okay. Now he works for Aire Serv as our office coordinator and takes calls, dispatches the team, and takes care of anything we need. In the early days of the business, I used to drag him along on calls to fix equipment, but we quickly figured out that his talent was better spent on the computer, managing things in the office, and improving nearly every process in the business. With Father’s Day coming up, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about how proud I am of Nick and the adult he’s become. He’s an easygoing, highly intelligent guy with a good head on his shoulders. And you can’t forget his great sense of humor. I’m so grateful that he works with me directly every day. For the holiday, he’ll probably come hang out at our house for a bit, and maybe we’ll go cast a line out in the pond in the backyard. But the truth is, the best gift I could receive this Father’s Day was already given to me, over 27 years ago, when Nick came into my life and transformed it forever. A FATHER’S PROUDEST MOMENT The Birth of My Son, Nick
Nick in the office with his helper, Elf
When my son, Nick, first came into this world, it was the proudest
moment of my entire life. That first time his gaze locked with mine might have been brief, but it was one of the
most powerful moments I’ve ever experienced. In the midst of the excitement and overwhelming emotion, though, there was more than a tinge of worry. He’d been born
prematurely by two months, and we were uncertain whether he’d make it through. Within minutes of looking into my son’s eyes for the first time, he was whisked away to the neonatal unit to battle for his life. I never take for granted that I now see my 27-year-old son nearly every day, because his life wasn’t always a sure thing. Early on, he spent all his time in the hospital, living there for more than two months until the doctors were sure it was safe to send him home with my ex-wife and me. There were a lot of ups and downs. First and foremost, there was his sleep apnea. He struggled to sleep through the night because his underdeveloped muscles would cause his breathing to suddenly stop.
–Jim Serra
As any parent can tell you, it was terrifying to imagine that he might simply go to sleep and never wake up, but luckily, we had a talented team of
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THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX UNCONVENTIONAL SUMMER JOBS FOR TEENS
PETSITTING AND HOUSESITTING If your teen is trustworthy and responsible, there’s no
As your teen becomes more independent, they may be interested in getting a summer job. Whether they want to save up for a big purchase or just have some extra spending money, summer jobs can solidify the importance of hard work and responsibility for your child. Plus, the earlier your teen starts, the sooner they can learn how to manage their money. Fast-food restaurants and clothing stores are popular first jobs, but encourage your teen to think outside the box and try one of these creative money-making opportunities. ONLINE SURVEYS AND REVIEWS Companies are eager for consumer feedback, and they are willing to pay for it. Sites like Swagbucks and MySurvey offer members the opportunity to complete tasks like taking surveys, writing reviews, and watching videos to redeem rewards in the form of cash or gift cards. Teens can also preview up-and-coming music as reviewers on Slice the Pie. Sites like these require quite a bit of work for a relatively small wage, but they can be the perfect first job for a child who wants to try earning a few bucks for the first time. Teens under the age of 18 will require parental consent. VIRTUAL STOREFRONTS If your child has a flare for arts, crafts, or anything else DIY, encourage them to set up an Etsy shop. There are no membership fees, and after Etsy’s 3.5 percent cut, sellers receive their profits via PayPal. Minors aged 13–17 must have a parent or legal guardian manage their Etsy account.
reason they can’t work for neighbors, friends, and family. Most professional petsitting and housesitting services require their sitters to be over 18, but Care.com allows teens 14–17 to register as “Teen Providers” with parental consent. Depending on where you live and how much experience your teen has, they can expect to earn $15–30 per visit, and they may be able to ask for more to stay overnight. Help your teen get the word out by posting on social media. Most importantly, keep your teen safe by helping them screen clients and teaching them what information to share. Summer jobs are a great way for teens to earn extra cash and learn responsibility. The next time your teen asks you for money to go to the movies, encourage them to earn some spending cash of their own. Who knows? They might actually treat you to a movie sometime!
3 A/C MISTAKES TO AVOID
LOWER ENERGY COSTS WHILE KEEPING COOL
NEGLECTING YOUR FILTERS
Well, summer’s finally here, and you know what that means: beautiful sunshine and a chance to get outdoors, accompanied by sweltering, egg- cooking temperatures in our buildings and homes. Luckily, an estimated 75 percent of Americans have air conditioning on their side, keeping them from melting into their couches this summer. But it can be difficult to keep A/C costs low while avoiding a puddle of sweat gathering in your bed as you sleep. Here are three air conditioning mistakes you might be making. A lot of people assume that if they shut off the air conditioning while they’re at work, they’ll save money. Unfortunately, though, when you completely shut off your system, it takes a lot of energy to get it going again — more than that brief period of savings covers. Instead, you should invest in a programmable thermostat and set it to a higher temperature for the periods that you’re away. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, but it can net you massive savings in the long run, not to mention prevent you from coming home to a superheated cave. TURNING THE A/C OFF WHEN YOU’RE GONE
The filters for your A/C unit are notoriously easy to forget about. Many people never bother changing their filters out at all, leaving them to collect heaps of dust and debris. Even modest clogs can drastically reduce the efficiency of your HVAC system; while it may feel just as cool in your home, your system is working overtime to achieve the same result. Make sure that you check your filter every couple of months and replace it as needed.
LEAVING THE BLINDS UP
As satisfying as it may be to throw open the blinds in the morning and let the sunshine flood in, if you leave them that way when you leave for work, you’re asking for a toasty home when you come back. Lower energy costs by closing all the blinds during the day and opening whichever ones are facing away from the sun when you’re around.
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HOW TO PREP YOUR A/C FOR SUMMER T hough it may be tempting to turn your air conditioning on full-blast once the higher temperatures start to hit, you can save your filter during the winter too. You don’t want unfiltered air passing through your home during any season.
yourself time, energy, and money by inspecting your system before you turn it on. Follow these tips to get the most out of your central air system and keep it running efficiently all summer. Clean the Condenser Before switching your air conditioner on, walk outside and take a look at the air conditioning unit. If you covered the condenser during the winter, remove the cover. Also, remove objects or vegetation within 18 inches of the unit. It’s not a bad idea to use a hose to spray off the condenser coils and remove debris from between the fins. Once your air conditioning is on, the condenser should expel warm air. Change the Filter It’s recommended that you change your air conditioning filter once every three months, or whatever the manufacturer recommends. Using a clean, new filter ensures that you’re getting the most out of your unit. Be sure to change
Check the Drain Line Normally, the air conditioning drain line is by the indoor cooling coil, typically mounted above the furnace in the basement or garage. If you flush one cup of chlorine bleach down the drain and rinse it with a gallon of water, you can keep the drain clear through the summer. Air conditioning drain lines can get clogged with dirt, which can wreak havoc on your home. It’s recommended that you get your drain line cleaned by a professional at least once a year. Once you’ve verified that all electrical connections are on, fire up the air conditioner. Turn your thermostat to “cool” and fan to “auto.” Once you hear the system come on, listen for any irregular sounds, and make sure the condenser fan is spinning and emitting warm air. If your unit isn’t functioning correctly, give us a call at 845-256-6158. We’ll have you cool and ready for summer in no time.
INGREDIENTS OATMEAL COOKIE ICE CREAM SANDWICHES HAVE A LAUGH!
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed • 1 large egg yolk • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract • 4 pints ice cream (any flavor)
• 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter • 1 1/2 ounces store-bought waffle cones, lightly crushed • 1 1/2 cups oats • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
DIRECTIONS 1. Heat oven to 350 F. While oven is heating, cook butter in saucepan over medium heat until browned, 5–8 minutes. Scrape browned butter into a heatproof measuring cup. 2. Pulse waffle cones, oats, flour, and salt in a food processor or blender. Once cones are finely ground, add brown sugar and pulse again. 3. Whisk egg yolk, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons water in a small bowl. 4. Add egg mixture to food processor while processing on low. Once integrated, slowly add browned butter; blend until dough forms a solid mass around blades. 5. Form dough into 26 balls and place 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Flatten cookies and bake 12–15 minutes or until edges begin to brown. 6. Let cool, then spread ice cream between cookies to make sandwiches. 7. Freeze for up to 5 days — or enjoy today!
Inspired by Bon Appetit
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Jim Serra on His Proudest Moment INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 2 Unique Job Ideas for Teens 845-256-6158 | aireserv.com/mid-hudson-valley
3 A/C Mistakes to Avoid
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What to Do Before You Turn on the A/C
Oatmeal Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches
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Cut Down on Flight Costs with This Simple Rule
THE BEST TIME TO BOOK A FLIGHT
SAVE BIG ON AIRFARE WITH THIS SIMPLE RULE
In case you haven’t noticed, traveling is expensive. It can feel like you’re signing away your soul when you sit down to plan a vacation. But when it comes to flights, there’s good news: They’re getting cheaper! According to a 2017 report published by online travel company ODIGEO, long-distance trips across Europe fell 7 percent last year. Luckily, the same trend is reflected in North American airlines as they engage in a price war to woo a growing base of ultrafrugal travelers. Still, a $600 summer flight to Honolulu isn’t exactly pocket change. What’s worse, flight prices are slippery; CheapAir.com’s 2017 Annual Airfare Study determined that the fares for any given trip go up or down an average of 71 times, about $33 each shift. When you purchase your flight is nearly as important as where you’re going. But how do you choose a booking window that will maximize your savings?
According to the CheapAir.com study, in which they evaluated 921 million airfares, the best time to book is 21–105 days in advance of your flight, on average. If you want to get even more specific, try to book 55–75 days out, and book on a Sunday. Many travelers swear by Tuesday and Wednesday bookings, but as Condé Nast Traveler reports, Expedia and the Airlines Reporting Corporation say that Sunday is the way to go, based on data from billions of flights. Tuesday and Wednesday are usually the cheapest days to actually fly though. The CheapAir.com study also pinpoints the absolute best windows for specific seasons: 54 days for winter trips, 75 days for spring, 76 days for summer, and 45 days for fall. Of course, these are averages, but if you stick to these rules and check fares regularly on sites like Kayak.com, SkyScanner.com, Momondo.com, and on the handy app Hopper, you can rest easy knowing you’re getting close to the best price possible.
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