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Protection Team News EXCITING NEWS AND POSITIVE UPDATES! FRANKLIN HAS ARRIVED!
An Abundance of Good News to End the Year! Page 1 VOL 17, ISSUE 12
How the Vermost Team Celebrates the Holidays Page 2
Family Update We are thrilled to announce the arrival of our first grandchild, Franklin. He weighed in at 8 pounds, 6 ounces, and measured 20.5 inches long. Noelle, Jonathan, and Franklin are doing wonderfully as they all adjust to their new routine. Melanie and I cherished several special weeks spent with them after they came home from the hospital, and we couldn’t be happier to begin this new chapter as grandparents. Insurance Market News Good news for Florida homeowners: Several insurance companies are filing for rate reductions, and new carriers are entering the market to take on risk. After several challenging years, this is a welcome change that could mean lower premiums for many in 2026. While Jamaica and Cuba unfortunately took a direct hit from one of the strongest storms on record, Florida was spared significant damage this year, which is a relief for all of us. Auto Insurance Developments Progressive was recently ordered to return nearly $1 billion to policyholders due to excess profits. This is a strong indication that the legislative reforms implemented in 2022 are starting to have an impact. Other carriers are following suit, filing for rate decreases. It looks like 2026 is shaping up to be a year of relief for all of us when it comes to insurance costs. Local Sports Highlights The USF Bulls and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are both representing our area proudly this football season!
Are Grandchildren the Solution to Aging Concerns? Page 3
Referral Winner Page 4
Wacky December Holidays Page 5
Puzzle Time! Page 5
Introducing the newest member of the Vermost family, Franklin!
Roast Beef With Caramelized Onion Gravy Page 5
Despite key injuries, the Bucs continue to find ways to win, and the Bulls are looking strong for another bowl bid, possibly even a conference title. Until next month,
November Puzzle Winner and October Referrals! Page 6
–Darren
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Toll free (800) 828-2226 Fax (727) 577-4991
vermost.com newsletter@vermost.com
CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS THE VERMOST WAY!
MARY RIVERA ABRAMS What’s your all-time favorite Christmas movie or TV special? "It’s a Wonderful Life." What’s one Christmas song
What’s your favorite holiday beverage? Hot chocolate, especially when we go out looking at Christmas lights. What’s one family tradition you look forward to every year? Every year, we leave "A Christmas Story" on repeat all day for Christmas Day. JOHN O’BRIEN What’s your
with hot chocolate to look at holiday lights in the neighborhood. CHRISTINE EARLE What’s your all-time favorite Christmas movie or TV special? Just one? I watch all the classics: The 1966 cartoon "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," the 1984 version of "A Christmas Carol," "Heidi," "Love Actually," "Home Alone I and II," "Christmas Vacation," "A Christmas Story" … I could go on and on (I love Christmas movies). What’s one Christmas song that instantly puts you in the holiday spirit? “Christmas Vacation” by Mavis Staples Which Christmas character do you relate to most and why? The Ghost of Christmas Past. My parents and older brother have all passed. I miss Christmas Days when I was a child at my parents’ house most of all. What’s your favorite holiday beverage? We don’t do special beverages for Christmas. What’s one family tradition you look forward to every year? I love Christmas, but I look forward to Dec. 26. That’s my holiday; it’s over, and there's no more stress! COLLEEN SPARKMAN What’s your all- time favorite Christmas It’s true in life that it’s not about the presents; it’s about spending time with the ones you love
all-time favorite Christmas movie or TV special? "A Charlie Brown
that instantly puts you in the holiday spirit? Any Xmas songs sung by Boyz II Men! Which Christmas character do you relate to most and why? Frosty the Snowman because he is always happy. Happy Birthday!!! What’s your favorite holiday beverage? Puerto Rican eggnog-coquito. What’s one family tradition you look forward to every year? I love the Christmas Eve church candlelight service. LESLEY BROWN What’s your all-time favorite Christmas movie or TV special? "Four Christmases." What’s one Christmas song that instantly puts you in the holiday spirit? There’s so many to choose from! But my favorite would have to be “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” by John Lennon or “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee. Which Christmas character do you relate to most and why? The Grinch! To be fair, he didn’t hate Christmas; he hated crowds of people and forced activities! What’s your favorite holiday beverage? Bonefish Grill’s White Cranberry Cosmo! What’s one family tradition you look forward to every year? Driving around
Christmas." What’s one Christmas song that instantly puts you in the holiday spirit? “Merry Christmas All” by the Salsoul Orchestra. Which Christmas character do you relate to most and why? Linus. He’s purpose- driven and a bit misunderstood. He even has a security blanket; maybe he, too, was an insurance agent! What’s your favorite holiday beverage? Smoked old-fashioned. What’s one family tradition you look forward to every year? There are two, actually: I ride in the Toy Run each year, and I march with the New World Celts in the parade on Dunedin’s Old- Fashioned Christmas. RONNIE SPARKMAN What’s your
all-time favorite Christmas movie
movie or TV special? "Elf" and "Home Alone." What’s one Christmas song that instantly
or TV special? "A Christmas Story"! What’s one Christmas song that instantly puts you in the holiday spirit? “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” Which Christmas character do you relate to most and why? A Charlie in the Box because we’re all misfits!
Colleen's husband Ronnie
puts you in the holiday spirit? None. Christmas music is not for me. Which Christmas character do you relate to most and why? Jack Skellingtion, I love the spooky all-year feel.
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1200 Belcher Rd. S., Suite 1 Largo, FL 33771-3315 Phone: (727) 748-2886
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What’s your favorite holiday beverage? Eggnog! What’s one family tradition you look forward to every year? I look forward to hanging up all the indoor and outdoor Christmas lights and decorations. BRITTANY ROSSOW What’s your all-time favorite Christmas movie or TV special? I love a good comedy! “Christmas With the Kranks” has been on a constant loop the last few years! What’s one Christmas song that instantly puts you in the holiday spirit? “Feliz Navidad” or “Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer!” Which Christmas character do you relate to most and why? I think I’m most like Cindy Lou Who from “The Grinch.” She looks for the good in everyone and is soft, yet also very strong. What’s your favorite holiday beverage? I love eggnog with brandy or rum. Can’t forget the whipped cream! What’s one family tradition you look forward to every year? I love singing at church for midnight Mass and enjoying the day at home with my Mom and Dad! REBEKAH MATTIOLI
As we grow older, we start to think about things that could increase our longevity. For example, we could adopt a healthier diet, incorporate more movement into our daily routine, and get outside as often as possible. But what if there were a better way to integrate healthy aging behaviors into our daily habits, and even better, we could do it while spending time with some of our favorite people? We often don’t realize how beneficial the grandparent role can be. Not only does it give our grandchildren someone who provides unconditional love and support, but it can also help keep us young. Here are three benefits of spending more time with your grandchildren. Mental Clarity It’s no secret that our memory, concentration, and focus can slip as we age, but spending time with our grandchildren can offset some of these setbacks. Kids love to ask questions and inquire about the world around them. Answering their questions and exploring new avenues of thought can help you maintain mental clarity. A study published in the Journal of the North American Menopause Society found that older women who spend one day a week babysitting grandkids scored higher on cognitive tests than women in the same age range who don’t spend as much time with their grandchildren. Improved Physical Fitness Kids like to move; there’s no question about it, and if you want to stay young as long as possible, you have to try to keep up with them. You probably won’t be running laps around a track at full speed or playing a full-on tackle football game, but any movement is good as you age. Go for walks outside, play a game of catch, or just chase them around the backyard. You’ll create great memories while improving your fitness. Enhanced Mindfulness It’s easy to lose yourself as you think about everything going on in your life, but you can just stop and enjoy the moment when you’re with your grandkids. Push off any nagging thoughts and give your grandkids your full attention. It will help solidify your relationship. Want to Live Longer and Feel Younger? SPEND MORE TIME WITH YOUR GRANDKIDS
What’s your all-time favorite Christmas movie or TV special? “A Muppet Christmas Carol.” What’s one Christmas song that instantly puts you in the holiday spirit? “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” by Band Aid. What’s your favorite holiday beverage? Eggnog with a bit of rum. What’s one family tradition you look forward to every year?
There are so many that it’s hard to choose just one, but I’ve always loved going to a Christmas Eve service and then coming home to open one present that night. As my family grows, I’m adding even more traditions, like making hallacas with my husband and his family.
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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 2024. When you refer someone to us, you receive rewards for each referral and are entered into 2024 REFERRAL WINNER! 2025 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 2024 referral program was Jene Cook. He received a 55-inch 4K TV plus a $250 donation to the charity of his choice. If you want a shot at the 2025 prize, keep sending referrals our way. Your referrals make us happy, and we hope our referral program makes you happy, too!
Jene Cook was our 2024 referral winner of the 55-inch 4K TV 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 December Holidays
• December 1 – National Eat a Red Apple Day • December 2 – National Mutt Day • December 4 – Santa’s List Day • December 5 – Bathtub Party Day • December 6 – National Microwave Oven Day • December 7 – National Slime Day • December 8 – National Crossword Solvers Day • December 9 – Christmas Card Day
• December 17 – National Maple Syrup Day • December 18 – Answer the Phone Like Buddy the Elf Day • December 19 – National Hard Candy Day • December 21 – Humbug Day • December 22 – National Date Nut Bread Day • December 24 – National Eggnog Day
• December 25 – National Pumpkin Pie Day • December 26 – National Candy Cane Day • December 27 – National Fruitcake Day • December 28 – National Card Playing Day • December 29 – National Pepper Pot Day • December 30 – Bacon Day • December 31 – Make Up Your Mind Day
• December 11 – National Noodle Ring Day • December 12 – National Poinsettia Day • December 13 – National Cocoa Day • December 14 – Monkey Day • December 15 – National Wear Your Pearls Day • December 16 – National Chocolate-Covered Anything Day
ROAST BEEF WITH CARAMELIZED ONION GRAVY
WORD SEARCH
Ingredients
Gravy • 4 tbsp flour • 2 beef stock cubes • 3 tbsp caramelized onion chutney • 2–3 tsp yeast extract
• 1 tbsp black peppercorns • 1 tbsp mustard powder • 1 tbsp dried thyme • 1 tsp celery seeds • 1 tbsp olive oil • 4 1/4 lbs topside joint of beef
Directions 1. With a pestle and mortar, crush peppercorns, mustard powder, thyme, and celery seeds together. 2. Stir in oil, then rub into beef. 3. Preheat oven to 375° F and set seasoned beef in a snug roasting pan. Roast for 1 hour. 4. Remove from the oven, lift onto a platter, and cover with foil to rest 30 minutes. 5. For gravy, pour juices from the pan into a large measuring cup. 6. Let the juices separate, then spoon 2 tbsp of fat back into the pan. Discard remaining fat. 7. Top juices in the cup with boiling water to make 3 cups total liquid. 8. Heat pan with fat over medium heat and stir in flour, stock cubes, onion chutney, and yeast extract. 9. Cook for 1 minute, stirring, and gradually add juices/water. Bubble to thicken and serve with the beef. Inspired by BBCGoodFood.com
CARDINAL COOKIES FROSTY GINGERBREAD
GIFTS MENORAH MITTENS PEPPERMINT
PINECONES SAGITTARIUS SNOWBALL YULE
You can fax, email, or mail your completed puzzle for a chance to win our monthly prize!
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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 October: • Carol Borgeson • Michael Billian/ Copperhead Kustoms LLC • Betsy Leslie/Tampa Bay Fiduciary LLC • Richard Beaupre • Valier Muhr • Thomas Campbell/ Faehner PLLC • Barbara Austin • Laurra Chancey/Synergy Fiduciary & Advisory Services Inc.
› 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
November Puzzle Winner: This should have been you! October Referral Winner: Michael Billian of Copperhead Kustoms LLC
› Umbrella › Workers’
• Guy Pelland • Gilit Kontny
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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