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JULY 2023
Running your own business can be unpredictable, and getting personal time away from work is sometimes challenging. But the Fourth of July is one day I always take off to spend with my family. I fondly remember celebrating Independence Day with my family as a kid, and I want to help re-create that experience for my children. During my childhood in La Porte, we’d always go to the parade and have a big cookout with friends. The part I remember best is the jet flyover. I thought that was the coolest thing ever and looked forward to it every year. Now that I’m older, I realize it’s a beautiful way to honor all the people who have served our country in the military and made the freedoms we enjoy today possible. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to be an American, with all the liberties my citizenship provides. As a part of a gratitude journaling practice, I spent several years writing down five things I was grateful for every day. Living in the U.S. was always on my list. The Land of the Free What I Love About America
American companies and employ 48% of our country’s workers. They’re the backbone of our economy.
Meanwhile, the World Bank places the U.S. sixth on their Ease of Doing Business rankings. It reflects a rare breed of economic freedom that creates more chances for success. You can’t find the kind of opportunities American entrepreneurs have everywhere.
That’s more than worth taking our time each year to celebrate this nation. Fireworks may not fully convey how fortunate we are, but they’re a start!
The Fourth of July is also an excellent opportunity to spend time with loved ones. In addition to our cookout and dip in the pool, the annual parade is a must-see for my family. At only 1 year old, Joseph is probably too young for all the noise and excitement of the parade, but I’ll definitely take my 7-year-old, Andrew. I love seeing the entire community come together and Bloomington’s many local businesses represented in the procession. Though we don’t have a float, we might someday!
Not everyone enjoys the same freedoms we do, including choosing your career path and going into
Time is running out to book fall services! Though summer days seem endless, autumn is right around the corner. Requests for our fall planting services are coming in quickly, so call 812-929-9463 today to ensure you book a spot!
However you spend your Independence Day, I hope you have time to bond with family and reflect on our many freedoms as Americans. We can’t fully repay the many people who came before us to create the country we have today, but we can honor and protect their achievements. Happy Fourth of July!
business for yourself. You can’t just wake up one day and start an LLC in every country. The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy reports that small businesses comprise 99% of all
—Anthony Hilb
BLOOMINGTONLANDSCAPE.COM • ANTHONYSTREEREMOVAL.COM • 812-345-5694
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Do You Have These Common Indiana Weeds? How to Eliminate Them Naturally
Many children are fascinated by the mystery and beauty of outer space, but most tend to lose their reverence as they get older. That doesn’t have to be the case! A night of stargazing is the perfect way to spend a
You mow and water your lawn to keep it looking healthy, but weeds still seem to come along and ruin all your hard work. Indiana has many pesky weeds, so it helps to know the most common ones and how to remove them without resorting to dangerous chemicals.
romantic evening or have a fun time with your family.
But creating the ideal experience isn’t always as simple as stepping outside and looking up. Here are some tips to make the most of an astrological adventure.
Dandelions You’re probably very familiar with these yellow flowers with hollow stalks that seem to cover every inch of ground they can find. They’re ugly and persistent, but don’t reach for the herbicide yet. Dandelions spread quickly, so treat them early and often in the season. Pour boiling water on young dandelions, soaking them enough to reach the deep root (be careful, as this will kill grass, too). Within hours, the plant will turn brown and be much easier to pull. Crabgrass Many homeowners don’t know these thick blades of grass are a weed. But solutions are available if these incongruent patches in your lawn bother you. Crabgrass usually grows in thin lawns, so consider overseeding next spring to crowd it out. Further, avoid mowing your lawn too short or cutting more than 1/3-inch at a time, or crabgrass is likely to thrive. Foxtails You can quickly identify this weed by the fluffy ends that resemble, you guessed it, foxtails. Some people even like their appearance, but dog owners should know they can irritate and infect canine skin. Foxtails thrive in similar conditions to crabgrass, so avoid mowing too short and keep your lawn thick and healthy. As for removing those that have already taken root, pulling by hand is the best method. Ground Ivy Also called creeping Charlie, this minty-smelling weed is one of the hardest to kill. It typically grows in moist, shady areas, so eliminate as many of these spots in your lawn as possible. If the problem is too widespread for manual pulling, you can “solarize” the weed by soaking the area, placing a tarp over the top, and weighing it down at the edges. Over weeks, the sun’s heat will kill the weed. But be warned, it will also kill anything else under the tarp. These are only a few common weeds that take over Indiana homeowners’ lawns, so don’t panic if you’re experiencing a different problem. Anthony’s Lawn Care team will gladly help identify the weeds and recommend a maintenance program to eliminate the eyesores. Call us today!
Pick the right night. All nighttime skies are not created equal. Would-be stargazers must consider the weather and cloud cover. Further, the light from the moon tends to wash out the dimmer sparkle of distant stars, and it’s best to go during or immediately before or after a new moon phase. It can all be complicated, so make it easier with a stargazing forecasting site like GoodToStargaze.com. It will provide all the technical details and a simple “yes” or “no” verdict about the evening’s stargazing suitability. Find the ideal spot. Those who live in rural areas without much light pollution won’t have to go far to see the stars, but everyone else should do a little planning. Scope out a location away from city lights that has an unobstructed view of the sky, and make sure it’s legal for you to go there. You’ll also need a place to set up blankets or chairs for a comfortable and relaxed experience. Bring essential supplies. Don’t ruin the perfect evening by being unprepared! After so much planning, the last thing you want is to be run off by a chilly breeze or pesky mosquitoes. The summer night in an open space may be cooler than expected, so bring a sweater or jacket. Ensure your clothing and seating are comfortable, and don’t forget bug spray. It’s also wise to pack some snacks and plenty of water. Further, you can step up your game by bringing binoculars or a star map. But remember to take all your goodies home with you. Leave nothing behind so the next amateur astrologists can enjoy their experience as much as you did.
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A Trimmed Tree Is a Healthy Tree Why Dead Branches Must Go
Many people assume trees take care of themselves with minimal interference from humans. But that’s the wrong approach in residential areas where improper tree maintenance puts people, pets, and property at risk. In particular, dead limbs pose many dangers to your safety and the health of your landscape.
Safety is also a primary concern. Dead limbs are dangerous during storms and high winds and can also fall without warning. Homeowners also have the responsibility to mitigate these types of problems, so your insurance company could consider a falling dead tree or limb the result of negligence and refuse to cover the damage it caused. Even when limbs and branches aren’t dead, tree trimming can prevent safety issues by keeping growth away from vulnerable structures like your roof and windows. Regularly pruned trees are also less likely to sustain damage during inclement weather, potentially saving you money and time. Homeowners should avoid taking on too many trimming duties themselves. Pruning small branches closer to the ground is usually safe, but larger limbs and high branches pose many dangers. Far too many novices injure themselves and others or damage property with a DIY approach. Protect your safety and investments by hiring professionals with the tools and experience to do the job correctly. Call Anthony’s Tree Removal for a quote today!
You can identify dead limbs in multiple ways. One telltale sign is when particular branches on the tree stop producing leaves and flowers. Bare branches on an otherwise full tree need careful inspection.
Try snapping a twig or scratching the bark if you can reach the branches. A green, flexible inside indicates life, while brittle branches are dead. Large trees that produce many sticks on the ground also usually suffer from dead branches.
The dead branches should always be removed as soon as possible for several reasons. First, some limbs die from damage or disease. Left untreated, what killed one portion of your tree could spread and destroy the entire thing. Further, a regularly trimmed tree is sturdier and healthier, as it doesn’t waste resources trying to revive dead branches.
CHECK IT OUT! We also offer junk hauling!
Grilled Steak Salad With Peaches Inspired by Delish.com
INGREDIENTS
• • • • • •
1 lb skirt steak, fat trimmed 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar 1 clove garlic, minced 1 tbsp light brown sugar
• • • • • •
Black pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 large lemon, juiced 6 cups baby arugula
1 tbsp vegetable oil
2 ripe peaches, thinly sliced
Kosher salt
1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese or feta
DIRECTIONS 1. In a large resealable plastic bag or baking dish, combine steak, vinegar, garlic, and brown sugar. Marinate 20 minutes at room temperature. 2. Remove steak from marinade, coat with vegetable oil, and season generously with salt and pepper. 3. On a grill or pan set to high heat, cook steak until desired doneness. Rest 5–10 minutes, then thinly slice against the grain. 4. In a small bowl, whisk olive oil and lemon juice to make dressing. Season with salt and pepper. 5. In a large serving bowl, add arugula, peaches, blue cheese or feta, and steak. Drizzle with dressing and gently toss.
Call For More Information
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812-345-5694 BLOOMINGTONLANDSCAPE.COM ANTHONYSTREEREMOVAL.COM
PO Box 5427 · Bloomington, IN 47407
What’s Inside?
1 How Anthony Celebrates America’s Birthday 2 How to Stargaze Like a Pro Remove Indiana’s Most Common Weeds Naturally 3
The Dangers of Dead Branches Grilled Steak Salad With Peaches 4 Sandy Toes, Sunny Skies, and Beach Bliss Discover Your Ideal Seaside Retreat Find the Perfect Beach Rental
One of the most important decisions anyone will make regarding their vacation is where they stay. This is especially true for summer
the ocean worth the cost, or is one without quite the view (but less expensive) still acceptable? You’ll also need to examine the surrounding area to ensure it has everything you need. If you don’t want to drive much once you settle in, choose a rental within walking distance of the beach, shops, and restaurants.
vacations at the beach. Everyone has a different idea of their ideal vacation, and where you stay can make or break the trip.
The Extras You should consider a couple of other things when booking a beach rental. If you plan to bring your pets, ensure the rental you book is pet-friendly. It’s also worth investigating
Here are a few things to consider before booking a beach rental for your vacation.
Size Matters How many people are coming on your trip? Is it just you and your significant other, or are children coming? You will want to pick a rental to fit your family’s needs. If your traveling party is small, a condo or
if the beach itself is dog-friendly, as bringing your furry friend to the
beach can make the vacation even more enjoyable. Many rentals also provide beach toys, body boards, and more so you don’t have to spend money buying or renting them at shops. Read through the rental description, and don’t hesitate to ask the owner any questions.
apartment overlooking the beach will likely work. If your family is large or you’re worried about the kids being too loud, consider a single-family beach house instead. Location, Location, Location You probably already know what beach to visit, but choosing a specific unit can be challenging. Is a rental with a grand view of the beach and
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