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COMFORT CONNECTIONS
Some people say “Rocky” is cheesy, but I’d argue the label “timeless” is more accurate. It’s the perfect everyman narrative. A pretty ordinary guy has given up on his passion, resigned himself to mediocrity in all things despite his talent and drive. But when he’s given a shot at real success, he almost immediately kicks into high gear and starts pushing his body to the edge. I don’t think I realized it at the time, but I’m sure that scene in which Rocky sprints along the water and hightails it up the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps was a big part of why I got into lifting weights as a kid. Honestly, I’ve just never been so inspired by a movie before, and I’m sure I’m not alone in that. The sheer willpower Rocky displays at every turn, even when he starts to slip up, and especially when he realizes he probably won’t be able to beat Apollo Creed in the upcoming bout, is just incredible. And then when he puts forth all that effort only to (spoiler alert!) lose in a split decision — that’s the most real a trip to the movies can get. But of course, at that point, it doesn’t even matter that he actually lost; he’s the first man ever to go a full 15 rounds with Creed. He’s met his goal, and now he’s a legend. “SOME PEOPLE SAY 'ROCKY' IS CHEESY, BUT I’D ARGUE THE LABEL 'TIMELESS' IS MORE ACCURATE. IT’S THE PERFECT EVERYMAN NARRATIVE.” THE GREATEST UNDERDOG STORY EVER TOLD Why ‘Rocky’ Will Always Be My Favorite Movie Of course, there have been several sequels in the 42 years since its release, but none of them really stack up to the original — though the 2015 “Creed” is a strong contender. Figuring out my favorite book or TV show might be a challenge, but with movies, it’s always going to be “Rocky.” Whenever that theme comes on, I have to resist the urge to throw my fists up. It’s just the most undeniably uplifting story in movie history.
I’ve talked about my love for Marvel and DC shows and movies before in the newsletter,
but sometimes those superheroes are a little too distant from us regular guys to really relate to. Sure, all those massive CGI blockbusters do their best to
humanize Thor as he fries a dozen aliens at once with lightning, but we remain pretty firmly aware that he’s the god of thunder. My favorite movie ever is the story of a larger-than-life
character who's even greater than those superheroes dominating Hollywood right now, though this guy isn’t out backflipping off motorcycles like Captain America. Instead, he socks hanging slabs of meat in an icy cooler for hours on end. I’m talking, of course, about the original “Rocky” from 1976, an underdog tale of unflappable perseverance and drive in the face of adversity.
When the trailer first appeared, I must have been about 13 years old, caught up in all the anxiety and self-doubt of early adolescence. The instant that iconic theme kicked on with those blasting horns, I knew I had to see this movie. This was the era of Muhammad Ali; it was the same year the superstar boxer squared off against Antonio Inoki to decide whether catch wrestling or boxing was the dominant discipline. Go back and watch the trailer today, and I dare you not to feel almost exactly like I did way back then, excited and anxious to see the movie, and weirdly hopeful.
–Jim Serra
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NEED A PERSONAL ASSISTANT TO MANAGE YOUR KIDS’ CRAZY SCHEDULES? Try These 3 Tips Instead
School has started. Youth sports are in full swing. Work is crazy. Food has become more about necessity than enjoyment. All of this can only mean one thing: Fall has begun. The crazy schedules this time of year can make it tough for parents to keep their heads on straight; making it through the insanity sometimes feels more like survival than life. But there are tactics you can employ to turn the tide and find more time for yourself. TAG TEAM There’s no reason to try to do everything on your own. The phrase “It takes a village to raise a child” exists because managing the stressors of life requires help. A great place to start is by establishing car pools with a parent group you trust. You can alternate drivers weekly, which provides the opportunity for you to focus your attention on other priorities — or if you’re lucky, have some freedom. THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE JOB Technology makes organization easier and more accessible than ever. By using a tool like a shared calendar, you can coordinate the entire family’s schedule so you never miss a beat. And apps like Mealime and MealBoard give you the ability to whip up food that is cost-effective and delicious. TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK While you’re busy trying to rally the troops at soccer practice, the scene at home resembles a horror movie. Laundry is piling up, food is spoiling in the fridge,
and the dust bunnies around the house now have names. Housecleaning is a part-time job in its own right. The only way to stay on top of duties around the house is to work together. A chore chart with clear responsibilities is a great place to start. Whether you have one child or eight, everyone is capable of pitching in. You can have all the organizational abilities in the world, but the best way to manage life’s madness isn’t by directing day-to-day tasks; it’s by
managing stress. Instead of using these tools to control life, look at them as a way to free up time so you can decompress and enjoy the things you love.
MEET TOM ROARABAUGH
A TECHNICIAN WITH NEARLY 25 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
All of our technicians at Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley take pride in their work. When we service your HVAC system, we shy away from bandage solutions or aggressive upsells. Instead, we strive to provide you with the precise equipment you need to keep your system humming at peak efficiency, saving you money, discomfort, and a lot of hassle down the road.
He also appreciates the respect that Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley and its owner, Jim Serra, show for employees and customers. “Jim’s great; he’s probably another big factor why I’m still in this business,” Tom says. “He’s just a down-to-earth, decent guy. And even though he’s the boss, he works right alongside you on-site — which is a big benefit for both us and the customers.” “There are no hard-pressure tactics,” he adds. “Every recommendation we make is a genuine benefit to the customer. We give them the information, and they can either decide now, or go do their own research on the internet and give us a call — or not — later on. It’s a good approach, without the pushy tactics that some HVAC providers might use.”
Tom with his "2017 Aire Serv Golden Capacitor Award" for top technician performance.
For Tom Roarabaugh, who’s been an Aire Serv technician for over four years and in the HVAC business for nearly 25, it all comes down to experience. Over that time, he’s learned the mechanics of HVAC units inside and out, giving him the know-how to provide lasting results for his customers. If you ask Tom why he’s stuck around in the business so long, he’ll tell you the answer's pretty simple: “There’s a satisfaction that comes from going in and repairing something, and from troubleshooting or replacing home systems with new equipment that not only looks better, but does a much better job than the clunky, outdated stuff they were working with before.”
When Tom gets a couple of days off, he’s often busy doing DIY projects around his home, or out golfing, fishing, and hunting small game and deer.
We, as well as our customers, are so lucky to have Tom on the Aire Serv team. He’s a skilled, conscientious technician, with a wry sense of humor. If you see him on site, say hi — he’ll be happy to provide you with the best HVAC service you’ve ever received.
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FALL’S HERE! TIME TO THINK ABOUT HEATING DON’T BE LEFT OUT IN THE COLD
As we ease into September, many of us are reveling in those perfect early-autumn temperatures throughout the Hudson Valley. But make no mistake: The cold will be here before you know it. It’s best to get your heating system ready to go before it gives up and you can see your breath inside your house. But of course, the first step in assessing your heating system is to figure out what type of system it is. Here’s a breakdown of the many different types of heating systems, and the basics you need to know about them. Furnaces and Heaters These heaters, sometimes referred to as forced air systems, are the most common heating systems. They burn natural gas, propane, oil, or use electricity to heat your home, distributing warm air throughout the house via ductwork. Usually, they’re found in a closet, basement, crawlspace, or attic. Heat Pumps Heat pumps are usually used in moderate climates and offer both heating and cooling capabilities. They use electricity to move
heat from a cool space to a warm space, depending on the system. Typically, they’re split between an indoor cabinet and an outdoor metal cabinet. To determine whether this is what you’re working with, check your outside system; there’s usually a label that specifies whether it’s a heat pump or an air conditioner. Packaged Units Packaged units may be either electric or gas and combine all system components into a single cabinet that is typically found on a slab next to your home or on the roof. Like heat pumps, these offer heating and cooling capabilities, eliminating the need for a separate furnace indoors. Of course, regardless of what heating system your home currently uses, it’s always a good idea to have a professional look at it well in advance of winter to determine whether maintenance or replacement might be necessary. At Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley, we will take a look and give it to you straight. We won’t try to sell you anything you don’t need, and we definitely won’t leave you out in the cold come winter. Give us a call at 845-256-6158 to ensure everything is up to snuff.
HAVE A LAUGH!
Want to take your grilled cheese game to the next level? This recipe calls for cheese both inside and outside the sandwich, adding a crispy crunch to the grilled cheese experience. It’s a quick, delicious weekday dinner option the whole family will love. INSIDE-OUT GRILLED HAM AND CHEESE
INGREDIENTS
Inspired by Food & Wine magazine
• 1/2 pound of ham, thinly sliced • 1/2 pound Swiss cheese, sliced • 1/4 cup apricot preserves • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 8 slices of bread (Pullman works best) • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (preferably Parmigiano-Reggiano)
DIRECTIONS 1. Butter each slice of bread and sprinkle with Parmesan. 2. Flip 4 slices of bread butter-side down and top evenly with ham and Swiss. 3. Spread the unbuttered sides of the remaining slices of bread with preserves and mustard. Press sandwiches together. 4. In a cast iron skillet or large sauté pan over medium heat, grill sandwiches until golden, about 3 minutes per side. 5. Cut sandwiches in half and serve.
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392 Masten Rd. Pleasant Valley, NY 12569
845-256-6158 | aireserv.com/mid-hudson-valley
Why ‘Rocky’ Is Jim Serra’s Favorite Movie 3 Tips to Help Organize Your Crazy Life INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 2
Meet Technician Tom Roarabaugh
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Autumn Is the Perfect Time to Think About Heating
Inside-Out Grilled Ham and Cheese
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International Talk Like a Pirate Day
YO HO HO, LANDLUBBERS!
CELEBRATE TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY
Ahoy, matey! Wednesday, Sept. 19, is International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Brush up on your pirate vocabulary, grab your eye patch, get your puffy shirt dry cleaned, and bring a little seafaring fun to your office or classroom. The History of These Swashbuckling Shenanigans The holiday began as an inside joke between pals John Baur and Mark Summers in 1995. For reasons not even understood by themselves, they began speaking like pirates while playing racquetball, saying things to each other like, “That be a fine cannonade” (“Nice shot, dude”) and “Now watch as I fire a broadside straight into your yardarm” (“But watch this”). They decided Talk Like a Pirate Day needed to become official, so they chose Sept. 19, which was Summers’ wife’s birthday (and the only date he could remember besides Christmas and the Super Bowl). In 2002, they pitched the idea to humor columnist Dave Barry, who promoted it in his syndicated column, and the concept quickly spread internationally. Did Pirates Really Talk Like That? The “pirate-speak” popularized in movies and Disney attractions probably sounds nothing like real pirates did in centuries past. Today’s swashbuckling phrases delivered in a strong Southwest England accent can be traced back to Robert Newton’s 1950 portrayal of Long John Silver in the movie “Treasure Island.” Historically,
English-speaking pirates probably sounded more like Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow. Unfortunately, the pirates of the Golden Age didn’t leave behind any YouTube videos to confirm this.
Learn the Lingo, Landlubber Participating in Talk
Like a Pirate Day is easy — you just
need to know a few key phrases. “Ahoy, matey” means “Hello, friend!” “Blimey, that son of a biscuit-eater hornswaggled me out of me doubloons”
means “Darn it, that jerk cheated me out of my money!” “Shiver me timbers, that old salt is three sheets to the wind” means “Wow, that old sailor has had too much beer.” And if a pirate (or your boss) says, “Swab the deck, ye bilge rat, or it’s Davy Jones’ locker for ye!” start mopping the floor immediately.
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