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Protection Team News TIME IS FLYING … And Storm Season Is Right Around the Corner
Preparedness, Property Insurance, and the Push for Progress in Tampa Bay Page 1 Hobbies and Habits of Our Team Page 2 7 Must-Read Books Already Defining 2026 Page 3 The Productivity Upgrade You Didn’t Know You Needed Page 3 VOL 18, ISSUE 3
Can you believe it? We are already entering the third month of the year, and just like that, the first quarter will be behind us. While it may feel like time is flying, it also means we’re quickly approaching that most dreaded time of year here in Florida: hurricane season. Although last year’s season was relatively uneventful, we can’t take that for granted. As I say every year, it only takes one storm to ruin a year. It’s never too early to start preparing and reviewing your plan. With recent changes in the law, many hurricane-related preparedness items are now tax-free year-round. If you happen to receive a tax refund, consider setting aside a portion of it to stock up on supplies now, so you’re prepared well before storm season begins. Just this week, the Florida Department of Insurance announced approval of additional reductions in auto and homeowners insurance rates. This is excellent news, and hopefully a trend that continues, so we can all see meaningful rate relief. These reductions are largely thanks to the insurance legislation passed over the last several years, which appears to be doing exactly what it was intended to do. The one thing I haven’t seen slow down? The number of roofers texting, mailing, and stopping by my house to offer free roof inspections. Clearly, they’re working off old data, or not pre-qualifying, since we had a brand-new roof installed last year before storm season began. I don’t have any damage, and I certainly don’t need an inspection. If this practice could be better
Referral Winner Page 4
Wacky March Holidays Page 5
Four generations of the Vermost Family!
Puzzle Time! Page 5
from Raymond James Stadium. I don’t know about you, but the triangular design didn’t do much for me. Granted, this is only the first rendering and likely not the final design, but I think there’s still some work to be done, along with securing additional funding from Hillsborough County taxpayers. If the Rays want to be in a new stadium by 2030, the clock is already ticking. Until next month,
Zucchini Noodle Pad Thai Page 5
regulated, it would likely help rates as well. As I’m writing this, the Tampa Bay Rays' new
February Puzzle Winner and January Referrals! Page 6
–Darren
ownership group has just released the first renderings of their proposed ballpark in Tampa, across the street
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Toll free (800) 828-2226 Fax (727) 577-4991
vermost.com newsletter@vermost.com
SPRING INTO MARCH WITH VERMOST’S TEAM
MARY RIVERA What’s something you feel lucky to have right now? Great health. How do you like to spend your time outside of work? I love getting out on our new Honda Gold Wing motorcycle, just riding with my hubby. What’s your go-to coffee or drink order? I love a good Sangria, not too sweet.
truck in the oil fields of Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota when I was 11. LESLEY BROWN
What’s something you feel lucky to have right now? My grandson lives nearby. How do you like to spend your time outside of work? Reading or being with my family. What’s a small thing that always makes your day better? Wine. What’s something most people don’t know about you? I have reluctantly
What’s a small thing that always makes your day better? A hot coffee served by my husband before he leaves for work. What’s something most people don’t know about you? If I did not have to work, I would just cook and bake all day to feed people. JOHN O’BRIEN
toured every American Revolution battleground. BECKY JORDAN What’s something you feel lucky to have right now? My family and friends. How do you like to spend your time outside of work? Watching movies (currently on a classic monsters kick!), reading, crafting, doing yoga, and playing Nintendo games. What’s your go-to coffee or drink order? A large, black, iced coffee.
What’s something you feel lucky to have right now?
I feel lucky to have family, of course, but I’m
also fortunate to have two bands, two very different creative outlets for playing music. How do you like to spend your time outside of work? Outside of work, I like to go record shopping with my son; we’re always looking for something awesome! What’s your go-to coffee or drink order? My only addiction is Diet Dr. Pepper (with Diet Coke being a suitable substitute). What’s a small thing that always makes your day better? When I get home and my wife is genuinely happy to see me! What’s something most people don’t know about you? I spent the summer drilling oil wells and driving a dynamite
What’s a small thing that always makes your day better? Petting my guinea pig. What’s something most people don’t know about you? I love Skee-Ball and air hockey!
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1200 Belcher Rd. S., Suite 1 Largo, FL 33771-3315 Phone: (727) 748-2886
NEW WORLDS, NEW ROMANCES, NEW THRILLS The Books Making Waves in 2026
This year is shaping up to be a thrilling one for book lovers, with a lineup of releases that promises everything from heart-pounding thrillers and epic fantasy sagas to swoon-worthy romances and inventive speculative fiction. Whether you’re a longtime fan eagerly awaiting sequels to your favorite series or you’re hunting for fresh voices and new adventures, there’s something on the horizon for every reader. The best part is that some of these have already hit the shelves! MAGIC AND EPIC FANTASY “The Ballad of Falling Dragons” by Sarah A. Parker: The highly anticipated sequel to “When the Moon Hatched,” this continuation promises more danger, magic, romance, and dragons. If you loved the first installment’s heady blend of myth and emotion, this will likely pull you back into its world. Release Date: April 28, 2026 “Burn of the Everflame” (“Kindred’s Curse,” Book 4) by Penn Cole: War looms, alliances are fragile, and enemies threaten extinction. For fans of sweeping fantasy sagas with high stakes and heartbreak, this feels like a true epic. Release Date: July 14, 2026 “Red God” (“Red Rising Saga,” Book 7) by Pierce Brown: This is the next chapter in an intense sci‑fi/fantasy saga. If you crave dystopian worlds, political tension, and cosmic-
scale stakes, this might be your jam! Release Date: Summer 2026 ROMANCE AND CONTEMPORARY VIBES “The Night We Met” (Book 2 in the “Say You’ll Remember Me” series) by Abby Jimenez: This one sounds like a feel‑good romance with humor, realistic struggles, and the messy, beautiful unpredictability of relationships. Release Date: March 31, 2026 “And Now, Back to You” (“Heartstrings,” Book 2) by B.K. Borison: In this “when‑opposites‑attract” story, two meteorologists are thrown together by circumstance. You can expect tension, banter, and a romance that builds under pressure. Release Date: Feb. 24, 2026 THRILLERS AND MYSTERY “The Astral Library” by Kate Quinn: For readers who love a dash of mystery and intrigue mixed with imaginative or historical elements, this one feels like a story where secrets lurk among dusty shelves and old volumes. Release Date: Feb. 17, 2026 “Victorious” (“Villains,” Book 3) by V.E. Schwab: If you enjoy morally gray characters, tension, and stories that don’t promise neat fairy‑tale endings, this could be a darkly compelling pick. Release Date: Oct. 6, 2026
Do you ever wish you could accomplish more in a day? Whether you’re trying to squeeze out as many tasks as possible at work or take care of all of your chores before Sunday, it can feel like you’re always trying to maximize your productivity. But many of us feel like we fall short each day. You may think you just need to regularly refresh your coffee or eliminate every distraction from your mind to improve your productivity, but this only gets you so far. Instead, focus on incorporating strong, simple strategies into your routine. Here are three ideas to help you be as productive as possible, no matter the situation. PUT A PLAN IN PLACE. When do you start thinking about what you need to accomplish on any given day? Too often, people wait until they face their work computer or stare at a sink full of dishes to strategize their day. Instead, take some time before you wrap up work to establish your priorities for the following day. Before the weekend starts, figure out which chores you need to do and the best time to tackle them. Having a plan will increase your likelihood of sticking to it. STOP SAYING YES. How often do you say “no” to others? Many of us are people pleasers who often agree to requests, even if they exceed our capacity. Saying “yes” all the time will lead to burnout, regardless of whether it’s your boss asking you to complete a project before noon or your friends wanting to go out for the fourth night in a row. Say no, and keep your main priorities at the forefront of your mind. TAKE REGULAR BREAKS. You may want to push through all your tasks so you can finally unwind and relax, but this could lengthen the process. Sticking to your responsibilities like glue prevents your body and brain from taking necessary breaks to recalibrate and reset so you can operate at peak performance. Stop Trying to Hustle Harder PLAN SMARTER INSTEAD
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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 2025. When you refer someone to us, you receive rewards for each referral and are entered into 2025 REFERRAL WINNER! 2026 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 2025 referral program was Richard Claybrooke. He received a $500 Amazon gift card plus a $250 donation to the charity of his choice. If you want a shot at the 2026 prize, keep sending referrals our way. Your referrals make us happy, and we hope our referral program makes you happy, too!
Richard Claybrooke was our 2025 referral winner of a $500 Amazon gift card 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: Robert Irvine Foundation
$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 March Holidays
• March 1 — National Pig Day • March 2 — National Banana Cream Pie Day • March 3 — National Cold Cuts Day • March 4 — National Sons Day • March 5 — National Cheese Doodle Day • March 6 — National Oreo Cookie Day • March 7 — National Flapjack Day • March 8 — National Peanut Cluster Day • March 9 — National Get Over It Day • March 10 — National Pack Your Lunch Day • March 11 — National Oatmeal Nut Waffles Day • March 12 — National Plant a Flower Day • March 13 — National Open an Umbrella Indoors Day • March 14 — National Write Down Your Story Day
• March 16 — National Everything You Do Is Right Day • March 18 — National Sloppy Joe Day • March 19 — National Let’s Laugh Day • March 20 — National Ravioli Day • March 21 — National French Bread Day • March 22 — National Goof Off Day • March 23 — National Chip and Dip Day • March 24 — National Cheesesteak Day • March 26 — National Spinach Day • March 27 — National Scribble Day • March 28 — National Something on a Stick Day
• March 29 — National Pita Day • March 30 — National Pencil Day • March 31 — National Crayon Day
ZUCCHINI NOODLE PAD THAI
WORD SEARCH
Ingredients
Pad Thai • 2 medium zucchini • 2 tbsp olive oil, divided • 1/2 lb peeled and deveined shrimp • 3 cloves garlic, minced • 1/2 red bell pepper • 3 green onions • 1 large egg • 2 cups bean sprouts • 1/3 cup roasted peanuts
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro (optional) • Lime wedges (optional) Sauce
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar • 2 tbsp fish sauce • 3 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tsp packed brown sugar • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper • 1 tsp chili garlic sauce
Directions 1. In small bowl, combine sauce ingredients; set aside. 2. Using vegetable spiralizer, cut zucchini into noodles. 3. Heat large pan on medium-high heat. Add 1 tbsp olive oil (reserve the other half). 4. Add zucchini noodles; cook for 2–3 minutes. 5. Let noodles rest for about 3 minutes. Remove noodles, drain, then reheat pan. 6. Add remaining olive oil and garlic; cook 30 seconds. 7. Add shrimp; cook 3 minutes. 8. Add bell peppers and green onions; cook 1–2 minutes. 9. Add egg and stir until cooked. 10. Add back zucchini noodles, then add sauce, and cook for 1 minute. Then add bean sprouts. 11. Serve, garnishing with roasted peanuts, cilantro, and lime wedges as desired. Inspired by WhiteOnRiceCouple.com
BASKETBALL BOOKS
GUINNESS IRIS LEPRECHAUN POPCORN
RAINY SHAMROCK SUFFRAGE WINDY
DAFFODIL DAYLIGHT
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Toll free (800) 828-2226 Fax (727) 577-4991
vermost.com newsletter@vermost.com
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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 January: • Lee Vogt • Neal Halder/ Bode
Technical Services Inc
• Lawrence Taylor • Stephen L Barker • Shawn Fordham/ Ye Mystic Krewe of the Nautilus Tampa Bay Inc. • Justin Orr/Priority One LLC • Deborah Chambers
› 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
• Patricia Marinelli • Steve Mendez/Bulls Rental LLC • Linda Flores/ Fiduciary Care LLC • Laurra Chancey/ Synergy Fiduciary & Advisory Services • Michael Pernini • Dennis Demeyere • Kristina Lawson/ 315 Joy Dr LLC
February Puzzle Winner: Sandra Brooking January Referral Winner: Lee Vogt
› Umbrella › Workers’
• Kevin Thomsen • John Hardy/ RT Specialty
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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