Yankee Home Improvement - March 2018

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MAR 2018

THANK-YOU GAZETTE

THE PLUCK OF THE IRISH My Journey to America From Dublin

Over 29 years ago, I landed in New York with 80 bucks and a round-trip ticket back to Dublin in my pocket. Ever since I had come over for a college internship the summer before, I hadn’t been able to get the United States out of my head. It had seemed so charged with possibility and the opportunity to forge my own path to success. Finally, I was back, though I was a little disappointed at first to discover that the gleaming lights of the city didn’t hide the constant police chases and criminal drama I’d come to expect from watching “Kojak.” Still, New York was unlike anything I’d ever seen. I stayed in the Y that night, fired up with the potential of this bold new direction my life was taking. The next day, I took a bus down to New Jersey, headed to a local Irish bar called the Harbor Inn, and asked if anybody knew where I could find a job. The welcoming folks there directed me down to the boardwalk, where I found work at a company called Mountain Magic Leather, selling various kinds of leather goods to summer tourists around the area. Eager to earn my keep, I worked hard, and before long, the two friendly men who ran the store made me a manager. When that store would close down during the fall and winter, I worked at a ski resort out in Alta, Utah, and did a brief stint at a fish cannery in Anchorage, Alaska. When I returned for the third and final summer I’d spend in New Jersey, the Mountain Magic owners offered to let me help run another store they had in a mall in Hadley. I jumped at the chance. The

I got out and looked around at all the punks and cosmopolitans mulling around the bohemian little city, I knew I’d found a home. From then on, I worked around the clock maintaining three different jobs. People called me crazy, but I was obsessed with proving my value, especially as an immigrant. Almost 30 years later, it seems that drive has paid dividends, now that I’ve realized my dream of owning a successful business. I have surrounded myself with so many incredible employees, friends, and family. With St. Patrick’s Day right around the corner, it seemed the perfect opportunity to celebrate my Irish roots. As you can imagine, we take the holiday pretty seriously at Yankee Home Improvement, decking out the whole place in green. If you’re curious about what to do around town this St. Paddy’s or want to learn a little background of the special day, read on — we’ve made this whole newsletter focused on the holiday. I’m proud of my Irish heritage, but I’m so glad I decided to immigrate to America all those years ago. This country has been incredibly good to me, giving me everything I needed every step of the way to keep pushing my life and career forward. I went from 80 bucks in my pocket to 80 employees on my team. There’s a reason we call ourselves the “Thank You, America” company. –Ger Ronan

owners loaded me and a couple of employees up in the back of a big van, and we made our way to Northampton. Back then, I had a mohawk, and when

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SPRING CLEANING THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUR UTILITY ROOM

The start of spring brings everyone’s favorite seasonal chore: spring cleaning!

• Family homes — three or more occupants — with no pets or allergies: every 3–6 months. • Family homes with at least one pet or minor allergies: every 2–3 months. • Family homes with multiple pets or allergies: every 1–2 months. In addition to changing the air filter, it’s important to schedule a routine inspection of your home’s HVAC system. This includes an inspection of the appliances themselves and any connecting ducts. Dust, dander, and mold can accumulate in the ducts and spread throughout the home, which can lead to health issues, including respiratory problems. A routine inspection will identify potential problems in your HVAC system. On top of that, you can get these systems professionally cleaned and maintained. These are simple steps that will keep your home’s air systems running smoothly for years to come. Plus, you’ll be ready for the summer months ahead!

As you dust, vacuum, organize, and declutter, don’t forget about the one room that often gets neglected. This year, give special attention to the utility closet.

The utility closet houses your furnace, boiler, water heater, A/C junction, and other similar large appliances. Homeowners often forget about these appliances because they are out of sight and out of mind, and this can cost a lot in the long run. Like all the other rooms in your home, this space needs to be kept clean. Dust, for instance, can be hard on HVAC systems. Over time, it accumulates in the HVAC intake and clogs the air filter, reducing its effectiveness and efficiency. This results in a short lifespan for your system, higher power bills, and a poorly heated or cooled home. How Often Should You Replace Your Air Filter? • Homes with minimal foot traffic — single or double occupancy — and no pets or allergies: every 6–12 months. 3 FOODS TO TRY THIS ST. PATRICK’S DAY In America, Saint Patrick’s Day is usually associated with beer dyed green, subpar corned beef and cabbage, and overcooked fish and chips. But the holiday doesn’t have to just revolve around booze and bad food. Here are a few authentic Irish staples to sample during the Feast of Saint Patrick. Shepherd’s Pie This classic comfort food emerged in Ireland in 1791 when the potato became ubiquitous among humble farmers throughout the country. The key to an authentic shepherd’s pie — not just a cottage pie — is to use ground lamb as the meat base, cooked in gravy with onions and veggies. Top it with mashed potatoes, and you’ve got yourself an unassuming, delicious, and hearty meal for the holiday. Colcannon Traditionally made from mashed potatoes with kale or cabbage, colcannon is one food that will make any Irishman pine for his

homeland. In fact, there’s a traditional Irish song about the dish. Certainly, if you ever have colcannon, with the greens and scallions mingled like a picture in a dream and a melting flake of creamy, flavored butter, you’ll understand why it’s become a favorite associated with the hills of Ireland. Irish Stew Another folk staple of days gone by, Irish stew is usually made with lamb or mutton, potatoes, onions, and parsley. It may seem like a humble dish, but it’s the very definition of comfort food. If you simmer the meat and root

vegetables just right, you’ll learn how the Irish used the simplest ingredients during difficult times to create some incredible dishes.

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TINA COLSON’S ALL-EXPENSES-PAID TRIP TO IRELAND

When Tina Colson got a call from Yankee Home Improvement telling her that she’d won an all-expenses paid trip to Ireland, she was skeptical. “What’s the catch?” she asked. After all, all she’d had to do was enter a drawing — it seemed too good to be true!

But when she came into the office and received all the information on the trip, she learned it was completely real. Come last September, she was driving through Ireland in her paid rental car, staying in bed and breakfasts along the way. Thanks for entering, Tina. We hope you had the time of your life!

You Don’t Have to Go to Boston TO ENJOY ST. PADDY’S DAY

Create a Killer Soundtrack If you’re throwing a St. Paddy’s party, you’ll need the music to match. Irish music runs the gamut from traditional to contemporary, so you’ll be spoiled with choices when creating a playlist. On the traditional end of the spectrum, The Dubliners and The Chieftains are popular favorites. For a more rocking affair, you can’t go wrong with artists like Thin Lizzy, The Pogues, and Van Morrison. We probably don’t have to tell you to throw some Dropkick Murphys and U2 on there, but it’s worth

There’s no reason to trouble yourself with a 90-mile drive to Boston for St. Patrick’s Day. You may not experience the festivities in the state’s capitol, but staying in Western Massachusetts offers many ways to experience the best of St. Paddy’s Day. Just look at all of these amazing local events! A Parade in Our Neighborhood This parade is held annually on the Sunday after St. Patrick’s Day — this year, on March 18 — the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade has been a tradition since 1952. Thousands of guests line the streets to take in all the floats, marchers, and music. As an added bonus, you won’t need to pay an arm and a leg for parking. Head to an Irish Pub St. Patrick’s just doesn’t feel right without a glass of Guinness. You can buy some cans from the store, but they don’t compare to a freshly pulled pint. Luckily for us, there are plenty of Irish pubs within shouting distance. Between O’Brien’s in Springfield, Brennan’s Place in Holyoke, and The Harp in Amherst, there’s an awesome spot not too far from you. Just be sure to get there early or you’ll risk missing out on the corned beef and cabbage.

Colcannon

INGREDIENTS

bacon, chopped into small pieces 4 scallions, finely chopped

3 pounds potatoes

2 sticks butter

1 1/4 cups hot milk

Parsley, for garnish

1 head cabbage, cored and shredded

mentioning just in case.

Salt and pepper, to taste

1 pound cooked

DIRECTIONS

1. Steam potatoes for 30 minutes. Peel skins and mash flesh thoroughly. 2. Chop 1 stick of butter into small cubes and add to warm potatoes. Once melted, slowly add milk, stirring constantly. 3. Boil cabbage in water. Add 2 tablespoons of butter to tenderize. 4. Add cabbage, bacon, and scallions to mashed potatoes, gently stirring to combine. 5. Serve garnished with parsley and a pat of butter.

Adapted from delish.com.

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Ger Ronan on His Irish Roots

Spring Clean Your Utility Room Try Some Authentic Irish Cuisine

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The Best Ways to Celebrate St. Paddy’s Try This Irish Classic

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The 3 Best Places to See Beautiful Flowers

EARTH’S MOST BEAUTIFUL FLOWER DISPLAYS

Spring is here, which means flora will soon be in full bloom. Flowers can be an easy pick-me-up or a great way to add color to your home, but some people take their flower obsession to the next level by planning botanical-themed vacations. Here are some of the most impressive gardens and flower displays in the world. Netherlands Holland, most famous for its tulips, always draws visitors at the first sign of spring. One of its most famous destinations, Keukenhof, located in Lisse, is among the world’s largest flower gardens. The park is 79 acres and boasts approximately 7 million flowers each year. This colorful garden is open annually from mid-March to mid-May, but mid-April is the ideal time to see the tulips. Washington, D.C. Besides the monuments and historic buildings, one of the biggest attractions in Washington, D.C. is the cherry tree blossoms. Travelers

who visit the Tidal Basin during the spring can witness 3,000 trees, which were a gift from Tokyo in 1912, flaunt their beautiful pink blossoms. The best time to see the spectacle is from the end of March through the end of April. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Desert lavender, flowering cacti, pygmy poppies, and rock daisies are just a few of the many wildflowers decorating Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The various native species are often seen weaved together to form a colorful carpet over any barren patch in the park, which is located just two hours from San Diego. In addition to flowers, visitors often spot bighorn sheep. Wildflower blossoms vary in intensity each year, but they typically begin to bloom in late February or early March.

Next time you’re planning a spring trip, consider visiting one of the world’s most beautiful flower displays. No green thumb required.

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