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MAR/APR 2019
THANK-YOU GAZETTE
NEVER CATTYWAMPUS Behind the Scenes of Our Latest Television Advertisements!
T his winter, Yankee Home Improvement brought Hollywood to Western Massachusetts. We spent a whole day creating our own television set, rehearsing, acting for the camera, and performing stunts. We even hired a professional actress to join us: Delilah, the resident acting sheep at Windy Hill Stables. If you haven’t seen us on TV yet, I’m excited to announce that Yankee Home Improvement has two new television advertisements in our western Massachusetts viewing area. We’re motivated to be more than a standard home remodeling company, and we wanted to introduce our values to
construction experts, Derek, joined us for a day of filming their “work” on a home. I would pop into the frame, letting them
know that my initial reviews of their work show that the repairs are “a little cattywampus.” At the end, Joe asks me if the final product is cattywampus, and I simply respond by saying “Straight as an arrow.”
customers who may not even know that a construction company who places the customer’s concerns above their own exists. In fact, one advertisement even highlights this. It starts with an opening shot of myself standing atop a ladder near the roof of a home, explaining the story of how Yankee Home Improvement came to be. For those who are unfamiliar with the story, I was scammed out of thousands of dollars by a construction company who promised me swift and competent repairs on my roof. That motivated me to begin a contracting business that had the customers’ needs in mind. As
Despite acting not being our niche, the guys and I had a blast on set. We
discovered just how complicated acting can be! We only had simple lines, but under the pressure of the big lights and cameras, it was difficult to remember exactly what we were supposed to say. Thankfully, we had a very patient director. When you see these local commercials on TV, know that we spent a whole day shooting both commercials, and then an amazing editing team got to work touching up outtakes and making us look great. Additionally, the team of filmmakers we had helped us look phenomenal. Besides possibly being upstaged by a sweet, talented sheep, I was thrilled to see the final product. With the team we had working on these campaigns, I knew the finished product would be great. And how could it not be, given our commitment to getting everything just right? After all, as our newest tagline says, “... every job we do is right-side-up and on the level. Never cattywampus.”
I’m explaining my story in the commercial, I make my way down the ladder and meet up with Delilah the sheep. I end the commercial by saying, “I got fleeced, so you don’t have to” as Delilah works her camera magic.
That’s not just something we say; it’s what we do.
–Ger Ronan
In the next commercial, we had some of my team members join me. My project manager, Joe; sales representative, Nate; and another one of our
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CELEBRATING ST. PATRICK’S DAY
F A M I L Y - F R I E N D L Y A C T I V I T I E S
Exploring Irish Culture Another way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with your family is to sit down and read about Irish culture with your kids. Learn where the legend of the leprechaun came from or read other stories from Irish folklore. You can also watch videos of Irish dance performances and encourage the kids to make their own. There’s also fascinating history on St. Patrick and why he became the patron of the holiday that your family members can research together. If you have Irish roots, tell your kids about your heritage. Watch Irish Movies For a relaxing activity, settle down in front of the TV for a movie night filled with films related to Irish culture. Try “The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns,” “Song of the Sea,” “The Luck of the Irish,” or “The Secret of Kells.” Make an Impact Teach your kids how to be “greener” this month by doing more for the environment. Discuss ways to save energy and water in the home, and talk about the importance of taking a break from electronics and enjoying the outdoors. This list is not exhaustive by any means, but it’s a good start to get your family to create new ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. You might even create family traditions that will last for years to come.
Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day doesn’t have to mean heading to the local Irish bar and drinking a large green beverage. If you’re not interested in going out this year and
would prefer to do something at home with the family, here are a few ways everyone can celebrate.
Irish-Themed Food What better way to get festive than by making some St. Patrick’s Day-themed dishes? You can make rainbow cupcakes, green cookies, St. Patrick’s Day popcorn, or — for a more traditional dish — Irish soda bread. You can also cook up an array of greens for dinner on March 17, which could include Brussels sprouts, spinach, cucumbers, green beans, peas, or asparagus. A Mischievous Leprechaun To treat your kids to a fun game, leave green footprints around the house and participate in impish tricks! Empty a tissue box, hide the remote, swap out regular light bulbs with green ones, or draw rainbows on the windows. You’re only limited by your imagination.
YANKEE IN THE COMMUNITY
Did You Catch Us on the News This Winter?
At Yankee Home Improvement, we never turn down an opportunity to help New England families live happier, healthier lives through our commitment to offering great service and volunteer work in our community. This past winter, Yankee Home Improvement was featured on the news for doing just that — twice! Check out the stories below.
This story was told by reporter Taylor Jacobs on Western Mass News on Jan. 8, 2019.
Giving Back to the Community For the past two years, Yankee Home Improvement has been hosting a home remodel prize giveaway. In 2018, we gave away $15,000 worth of repairs to our first winner, Brenda Dunn, and in 2019, we awarded $18,000 to Laura Fuentas.
From 2-Year Headache to 2-Day Fix Two years ago, Edite Fragoso Sheldon’s mother paid a contractor $9,000 to do maintenance work on her bathroom, but the contractor never finished the job. Meanwhile, the bathroom continued to deteriorate due to a bad leak and mold growth.
Both winners were overjoyed, and this year, our actions were highlighted by reporter Jeff Cramer of Western Mass News in late January. Laura told local reporters that she wouldn’t have believed she was the winner if the news crew hadn’t been there! She added that she will use the money to have a new roof installed on her home. This year, we’re continuing this tradition and upping the ante. Enter to win $19,000 in home repairs, and watch the stories of past winners online at yankeehome.com/winners.
When local electrician Adam Riley heard about Edite and her mother’s problem after they filed a complaint with the attorney general’s office, he personally updated the electrical work in their bathroom. But more help was needed. Eventually, Edite and her family’s story made its way to Adam’s cousin, Scott Riley, Marketing Manager of Yankee Home Improvement, who told owner Ger Ronan. Compelled by personal experience, lessons learned by sitting on the Better Business Bureau Board, and as community members, Ger and the Yankee team stepped in to complete Edite’s mother’s bathroom in less than two days. And they did it all for free.
Keep up with Yankee Home Improvement’s community involvement by liking us on Facebook.
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HAVE A LAUGH
DON’T BE SIDELINED WHAT REPLACING YOUR SIDING CAN DO FOR YOUR HOME AND YOUR WALLET
The siding you choose to line the outside of your house can set the tone for the feel, look, and health of your home for decades to come. It often makes one of the first impressions of your home to guests, neighbors, and potential buyers. Yet, siding can be one of the most forgotten pieces of your house to update, purely because most people miss the signs of their siding being on its last breath. Shingles peel and windows crack, but what does siding do when it needs to be replaced? Siding can crack, chip, and become discolored as it ages, too. But its damage can also show in other, more expensive ways. Mold and moisture can begin to seep into your home through old siding. These substances can leak and grow into the foundation and bones of your home, causing expensive repairs and health hazards. Furthermore, your energy bills may skyrocket when your siding is overdue for a replacement, as cool air floats in. However, many homeowners are hesitant to jump on board with a full siding replacement. Reservations are chalked up to the costly price
tag for these repairs in addition to the time it takes to carefully remove and replace each piece. But consider this: According to a study by Remodeling Magazine, reported in Business Insider, replacing your siding can increase your home’s value by 78 percent . That’s a big return on a relatively small investment. Yankee Home Improvement’s Preservation High-Performance Insulated Siding System is built to increase your home’s value while also wrapping it in a blanket. This system features stylish siding options that combine function with class. We can guarantee the color of your siding will last for generations with this vinyl siding’s UV protection, energy efficiency, and traditional cedar stylings. Vinyl siding is one of the more cost-effective materials on the market, with its lifespan stretching more than 60 years. If you’re considering a siding upgrade, take advantage of our free estimates and durable Preservation High-Performance Siding. Find out more online at YankeeHomeImprovement.com or by calling (413) 320-4994.
Homemade Corned Beef
Inspired by Food Network
INGREDIENTS
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
2 quarts water 1 cup kosher salt
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons saltpeter (potassium nitrate) 1 cinnamon stick, broken into large pieces
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
8 cloves garlic
8 whole allspice berries 12 whole juniper berries 2 bay leaves, crumbled 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
2 pounds ice
1 5-pound beef brisket, trimmed
1 small onion, quartered
1 large carrot, coarsely chopped 1 stalk celery, coarsely chopped
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large stockpot, combine water, garlic, and all herbs and spices to make brine. Cook over high heat until salt and sugar are fully dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in ice. 2. Once water temp reaches 45 F, place brisket in a 2-gallon zip-close bag, pour in brine to cover, lay flat in a large container, and store in fridge. 3. Brine for 10 days, checking daily to make sure brisket is fully submerged and brine is stirred. 4. After 10 days, remove brisket from brine and rinse under cool water. In a large pot, cover brisket, onion, carrot, and celery with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and gently simmer for 2 1/2–3 hours. 5. Remove, slice across the grain, and serve.
For the months of March and April, we will match your deposit up to $1000 or 10% off any installed job!
Call us at (413) 320-4994 or visit Yankeehome.com to learn more!
*Some restrictions apply. See yankeehome.com/special offers for complete details.
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sunday closed
(413) 320-4994 | www.Yankeehome.com
36 Justin Dr. Chicopee, MA 01022
INSIDE
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We’re on TV!
Family Activities for St. Patrick’s Day Yankee on the News
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Pay Attention to Your Siding Homemade Corned Beef
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How to Make Your Sailing Dreams Come True
SET SAIL FOR VACATION TAKE YOUR NEXT TRIP OFFSHORE
If you’re lucky enough to have been aboard a ship under full sail, chances are you know the thrill and serenity sailing can give you. If you’ve never been but have always wanted to know what it’s like to get out on the wind and waves, there are many great options available for beginners. Here are some ideas to inspire your next waterside vacation. Start Small For those who dream of becoming a skipper one day, a great way to start is by sailing dinghies. These one-sail, beach-launch boats fit 1–2 people and can be rented at most water sports shops. If you want to make it a family experience, shops usually have 16-foot catamarans for rent as well. Catamarans have two hulls rather than one, making for a smoother, more spacious ride.
great thing about sailing is that whether you’re in a 12-foot dinghy or a 60-foot sloop, the same basic principles, rules, and skills apply.
Take a Day Sail Many day-sail charters exist for those who want to go out a little farther than a dinghy would permit. If you’ve captained a boat and are familiar with the waters, you can apply for a bareboat charter. However, if you are inexperienced or simply don’t want a local guide at the helm, signing up for a day trip with a skipper and crew is a great option. Do a Full Charter Short of owning your own vessel, chartering a boat for multiple nights is the closest you can get to living out your nautical dreams. Some of the most beautiful destinations on earth — from the Caribbean Sea to the Mediterranean — are best experienced from the deck of a sailboat. Letting the sea guide you to amazing snorkeling destinations, remote cays, and bustling harbors is the stuff of real adventure.
If you’ve never sailed before, inquire about lessons. Most rental operations have instructors on hand who can show you the ropes. The
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