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Protection Team News CAN THINGS CHANGE QUICKLY IN FLORIDA DURING HURRICANE SEASON?
VOL 15, ISSUE 23
The Winds of Change Page 1
As we now know all too well, the answer is a resounding yes! This hurricane season has reminded us of the 2004–2005 stretch, with two significant storms hitting the Tampa Bay area within two weeks. Though the storms — Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton — were vastly different in nature, both caused substantial damage, which will take months, if not years, to fully recover. Sadly, for some, full recovery may never be possible. The devastating accounts from those who stayed behind during Hurricane Helene, facing her massive storm surge, served as a
wake-up call for many. More people heeded the warnings for Hurricane Milton, leading to packed roads, scarce fuel, and a scramble to find hotel accommodations. As I write this from a hotel room, I’m anxiously waiting to return to Pinellas County, where over 400,000 people are still without power 48 hours after Milton’s impact. While we were extremely fortunate to avoid any physical damage to our home and office, we’re still without power at both locations. Our team fared relatively well, with most experiencing only power outages and one member facing minor home
damage. It’s been inspiring to see the resilient Florida spirit in action — neighbors helping neighbors, all working to get back on our feet. As I’ve repeatedly reminded everyone, it only takes one storm to turn everything upside down. This year, we have faced two hurricanes in quick succession. My hope is that this is the last storm Florida will have to deal with this season to give us the much-needed time to recover and return to a semblance of normalcy. For some of our clients, this meant dealing with claims for both storms, while others were fortunate to avoid damage altogether. Given the extensive destruction across the southeastern United States, I understand the concern about rising insurance premiums. Though it’s too early to speculate, I do expect some increases due to the widespread damage. As we move forward, please stay safe, remain patient, and continue to support one another. It’s during times like these that our Florida spirit shines brightest and helps us recover faster. Until next month, take care and stay safe!
How Turkey Became a Thanksgiving Staple Page 2 Unexpected Emergency? Renters Insurance Keeps You Covered Page 2 How Twain’s Predictions Became Internet Reality Page 3
Referral Winner Page 4
Wacky November Holidays Page 5
Puzzle Time! Page 5
Everything-Seasoned Dinner Rolls Page 5
September Referrals and October Puzzle
–Darren
Winner! Page 6
Darren & Ainsley finished protecting the house!
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Toll free (800) 828-2226 Fax (727) 577-4991
www.vermost.com newsletter@vermost.com
DON’T RELY ON YOUR LANDLORD’S POLICY! WHY EVERY RENTER NEEDS RENTERS INSURANCE Do you or a loved one rent a home or apartment? Many renters do not understand the importance of having renters insurance and often assume their landlord’s insurance will cover their belongings in case of disaster or theft. However, as of 2020, only 57% of tenants in the U.S. carry renters insurance, leaving just under half without this important protection. Renters insurance offers financial protection and peace of mind through these three tenants: PERSONAL PROPERTY PROTECTION A landlord’s insurance policy usually covers the building, but personal belongings are not included. Imagine facing the aftermath of a fire, flood, or burglary. Replacing essentials like furniture, electronics, and clothing can be costly without renters insurance. Renters insurance ensures you can replace your valuables without a significant financial hit.
Gobble, Gobble The Thanksgiving Turkey Tradition Part of what makes special occasions special is the foods they are synonymous with. We have cake on our birthdays, candy on Halloween, and turkey on Thanksgiving. How these culinary staples became linked with these holidays is rarely questioned because we all enjoy sweets, and blowing out candles is fun. But is that reason enough for them to be integral to our holidays? Why is Thanksgiving Day, the celebration of harvest and gratitude, synonymous with turkey dinner? THE ORIGINAL MENU Many in America believe we model our Thanksgiving cuisine after the menu of offerings available during the original feast. But in 1621, the Plymouth Pilgrims and Wampanoag did not eat like we do today. Moreover, they did not see their meal as a special occasion. Thanksgiving dinner has been used to celebrate the autumn harvest for hundreds of years and is a tradition that predates the colonies. The Wampanoag people brought venison to the party, and the Pilgrims supposedly brought wildfowl. While an estimated 10 million wild turkeys were prowling the Americas at the time, the Pilgrims more likely dined on duck and goose — which begs the question: If the Pilgrims didn’t eat turkey on the “original” Thanksgiving, why do we? A LOVE/HATE RELATIONSHIP Turkey became the staple of Thanksgiving dinner due to a few contributing factors. Unlike chickens and cows, which can provide eggs and milk, turkeys are only useful to farmers as a source of meat. As gruesome as it may sound, that fact also makes turkeys disposable. Additionally, one turkey can typically feed a whole family, so it became a popular source of protein in America. However, it may be cultural staples, like Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” and Sarah Hale’s novel “Northwood,” both portraying decadent turkey meals, that played a more significant part in its popularity on the holiday table. Hale was also a key campaigner for Thanksgiving to bring together families across America and repair a nation splintered by the Civil War. In 1863, Abraham Lincoln granted her wish and made Thanksgiving an official national holiday. She was likely the biggest factor in turning turkey into the star of Thanksgiving dinner and, as a result, is likely the nemesis of turkeys everywhere. In 2022, about 210 million turkeys were farmed across the country, and Americans consumed 46 million on Thanksgiving alone.
Vermost Insurance Now has a relationship with Chuck Chucri, who offers financial planning and investment
Did You Know ...
advisory services!
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1200 Belcher Rd. S., Suite 1 Largo, FL 33771-3315
Phone: (727) 748-2886
LIABILITY COVERAGE Accidents can happen, and you could be held responsible if someone is injured in your rented space. Renters insurance can cover medical expenses and legal fees if you’re found liable for an injury on your property, saving you from unexpected
In the vast galaxy of science fiction, where flying cars, time travel, and alien encounters reign supreme, some of yesterday’s wildest dreams have become today’s marvels. It turns out that sci-fi authors weren’t just spinning cosmic yarns — they were predicting the future with interstellar foresight. Buckle up as we take a warp-speed tour through the sci-fi predictions that have boldly gone where no fiction has gone before, transforming from far-fetched fantasies into everyday realities. THE INTERNET The internet has become a part of our daily lives, and it’s hard to imagine a world without it. But long before dial-up, a well- known author predicted this critical technology. Though most people know Mark Twain for his literary classics, the wordsmith occasionally dabbled in science fiction. In his 1898 story, “From the London Times in 1904,” Twain described a device connected to phone lines that would make the “daily doings of the globe” visible to everyone worldwide. Twain’s main protagonist spent much of his time on the “Telectroscope,” similar to how people are glued to the internet today. CELLPHONES Motorola engineer Martin Cooper designed the world’s first mobile phone in 1973, but his inspiration came from one of the most popular sci-fi shows ever. The first imagining of the modern cellphone was the communicator used in the 1964 debut episode of “Star Trek.” This forerunner to smartphones allowed the ship to communicate with Captain Kirk and his crew when they were on other planets. MOON LANDING Author Jules Verne wrote about humans landing on the moon in his 1865 book “From the Earth to the Moon: A Direct route in 97 Hours, 20 Minutes.” Though he didn’t predict every detail of the Apollo 11 moon landing 104 years later, much of what he described matched this moment in space history. Verne’s three-man crew and NASA’s three astronauts both launched from Florida. NASA’s command module was named Columbia, similar to Verne’s spacecraft, Columbiad. After astronaut Neil Armstrong made his giant leap for humankind, he even referenced Verne’s book. Who knew that Mark Twain was the original tech guru or that Captain Kirk was out there giving us a sneak peek at cellphones? BEAM US UP, SCI-FI How Fictional Tech Became Everyday Gadgetry
expenses and even potential lawsuits. TEMPORARY HOUSING ASSISTANCE
If your rental is no longer liveable due to a covered event — such as a fire or natural disaster — renters insurance can cover temporary housing costs to ensure you have a place to stay while repairs are underway. Preparedness is key, and renters insurance is one of the best ways to protect against the unexpected. Vermost Insurance Agency offers free, competitive quotes on renters insurance from multiple carriers. Call us today with your questions, and we’ll find the best rate and coverage tailored to your needs.
CALL FOR DETAILS OR TO MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY (727) 748-2886 Chuck Chucri, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, FLMI Financial Advisor The Prudential Insurance Company of America Prudential.com/advisor/chuck-chucri Our financial advisors and financial planners offer financial planning and/or investment advice through Pruco Securities, LLC (Pruco), under the marketing name Prudential Financial Planning Services (PFPS). A financial advisor or financial planner offers securities products and services as a registered representative of Pruco and offers insurance products as an agent of issuing insurance companies. (800) 778-2255 Vermost Insurance is an independent organization and is not an affiliate of Prudential Financial.
1007626-00005-00
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Toll free (800) 828-2226
Fax (727) 577-4991
www.vermost.com
newsletter@vermost.com
BE A LIFESAVER We want to thank everyone who referred their friends, family, and coworkers to Vermost Insurance throughout 2023. When you refer someone to us, you receive rewards for each referral and are entered into 2023 REFERRAL WINNER! 2024 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 2023 referral program is Paul Burns. He received a 55-inch 4K TV plus a $250 donation to the charity of his choice. If you want a shot at the 2024 prize, keep sending referrals our way. Your referrals make us happy, and we hope our referral program makes you happy, too!
Paul Burns is our 2023 referral winner of the 55-inch 4K TV plus a $250 donation to a charity of his choice.
• EACH Referral • $5 Starbucks Gift Certificate • 3 FL Lottery Scratch-Off Tickets • A chance to win prizes! • $5 donation to our spotlight charity: Moffit Cancer Center
• A $50 GIFT CARD
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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 November Holidays
• November 1 — National Calzone Day • November 2 — National Deviled Egg Day • November 3 — National Sandwich Day • November 4 — National Chicken Lady Day • November 5 — National Doughnut Day • November 6 — National Saxophone Day • November 7 — National Bittersweet Chocolate With Almonds Day • November 8 — National Cappuccino Day • November 10 — National Vanilla Cupcake Day • November 11 — National Sundae Day • November 12 — National French Dip Day • November 13 — National Indian Pudding Day • November 14 — National Family PJ Day • November 15 — National Raisin Bran Cereal Day
• November 16 — National Button Day • November 17 — National Butter Day • November 18 — Mickey Mouse Birthday • November 19 — National Carbonated Beverage With Caffeine Day • November 20 — National Absurdity Day • November 21 — National Gingerbread Cookie Day • November 22 — National Cranberry Relish Day • November 23 — National Eat a Cranberry Day • November 24 — National Sardines Day • November 25 — National Play Day With Dad • November 27 — National Craft Jerky Day • November 28 — National French Toast Day • November 30 — National Personal Space Day
EVERYTHING- SEASONED DINNER ROLLS
SUDOKU
Inspired by RealSimple.com
No need to make rolls from scratch this season. Instead, dress up store- bought rolls with delicious everything bagel seasoning!
Ingredients
• Cooking spray • 20 frozen dinner rolls • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp honey • 2 tbsp everything bagel seasoning
Directions 1. Coat a 13x9-inch baking pan with cooking spray and arrange frozen rolls in the pan to thaw according to package instructions. 2. Preheat oven to 350° F. Then, melt butter and honey together in the microwave or on the stove. Once the rolls thaw, brush butter mixture over the rolls and sprinkle seasoning on top. Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until golden, and serve these tasty rolls straight out of the oven!
SOLUTION ON PG. 6
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 www.vermost.com newsletter@vermost.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
1200 Belcher Road South, Suite 1 Largo, FL 33771 www.vermost.com (727) 748-2886
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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 September: • Randolph Reitz • Fred Lumb • Mary Hardwick • Robert Kahn • Katlyn Thomas • Amy Bryant • Sun Splash Pools
› 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
October Puzzle Winner: Catherine DeHaan
› Umbrella › Workers’
September Referral Winner: Amy Bryant
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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