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Meet Meghan Bricka

Meet Meghan Bricka

Meet Meghan Bricka!

Meghan joined the team at C.H. Edwards, Inc. this summer. Since joining she has proved to be an asset to the team. A quick learner and competent Office Assistant, Meghan has been able to assist not only our staff but many of our customers. Please take a minute to learn a little more about Meg and welcome her to our team!
Meghan moved to Rocky Point in 1986, not long after my 5th birthday. I still live in Rocky Point on Long Island today. I’m a mother of two, my son graduated from RP High School in June 2022, and my daughter just entered the the10th grade this fall at RPHS. They are my world, as my parents often say. We have two dogs and a cat. They have been a part of our family since my children were very young. I love gardening, animals, the beach, spending time with family and friends, being outdoors, music, and reading. I collect beach glass and beach pottery. My favorite movie genre is horror which often makes people look at me sideways. What can I say, I love a good scare! Boston is my favorite city in the US. I absolutely love American history. Every vacation I’ve taken includes a history lesson. They say if you’re from NY, you’re one or the other, well I’m a huge NY Mets fan. I know how to change a tire and my oil. I can prime an oil burner and get it running again. I believe unicorns exist!
Feel free to contact Meg at 516-249-5200 ext. 103 and she will be happy to assist you.
www.chedwards.net
#CHEdwardsInsurance #MeghanBricka #OfficeAssistant #WadingRiverInsurance #Welcometotheteam #LongIslandInsurance

Fireworks and celebrating the Fourth of July Holiday Safely

Fireworks and celebrating the Fourth of July Holiday Safely

This year fireworks season started early. Non-professionals have been using fireworks for a long list of reasons.  Local authorities will be on heightened alert due to this so please proceed cautiously if you decide to use fireworks this holiday and keep our pets and people with special needs in mind.

Using fireworks on the Fourth of July is a tradition. Many people forget though, that fireworks can be very dangerous if used or handled incorrectly. Every year, hundreds of people including small children are injured due to unsafe firework use. This year celebrating our Independence can be safe if a few common-sense rules are followed:

  • Have a designated shooter to organize and shoot all the fireworks.
  • A responsible ADULT should be supervising all firework activities as well as keeping an eye on children.
  • Guardians should not allow young children to handle or use fireworks.
  • Drinking while shooting fireworks is NOT a good mix. Save the alcohol for after.
  • Use fireworks outdoors where there is a clear area. Keep away from trees, cars and houses.
  • Do not carry fireworks in your pockets; this could cause a serious injury.
  • Wear safety gear while lighting and shooting fireworks. Safety glasses, safety gloves, a long-sleeved shirt, and long pants will help prevent burns.
  • Always have water available and ready when you are using fireworks in case of a fire.
  • Never relight a “dud” or already used fireworks. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
  • Soak used fireworks with water before placing them in your outdoor trash can.

 

Ensure your safety as well as others around you, by simply observing local laws and using good judgment and common sense.

As a reminder, the use of fireworks by an amateur is illegal in The State of New York. If you are using fireworks and cause damage to yourself or your property, this will not be covered by your homeowner’s insurance.

  • If the damage is caused to your property by another person’s fireworks, there is coverage for this event on your Homeowners policy.
  • Sparklers and party poppers are considered legal fireworks and damage to your property would be covered in the event of this accident.

 Have a Happy and Safe 4th of July holiday from our C.H. Edwards, Inc. Family to yours!

by Denise Visco

Notice of Passing Gerard M. Visco CEO

Notice of Passing Gerard M. Visco CEO

It is with great sadness that we share the loss of our CEO, Gerard M. Visco

Gerard M. (Jerry) Visco-of Holtsville passed away at the age of 89 after an impressive battle resulting from complications due to the COVID-19 virus on April 13, 2020.

Jerry is being remembered for being full of love, laughter and having lived a remarkable life that focused around family and business.

After serving in the Army on active duty from 1952-1954, he continued on in the Army Reserves from 1954-1974 where he achieved the rank of Master Sargent.  During his military career, Jerry also studied at City College and achieved a Bachelor’s Degree and his multiple Insurance Licenses.

He began his career as an Independent Insurance Agent in 1957 at a small agency on John Street in NYC.  Jerry started his own Insurance Agency, B & V Associates in Roosevelt, New York soon after. This later culminated into a cluster of agencies known as C.H. Edwards, Inc. where he remained as President and CEO until he retired in 2011.

Jerry was very active in the Insurance community having served all the chairs of the Nassau Independent Insurance Agents Association and finished that chapter as President in 1982.   In addition to his local board activities,  Jerry served as President of the Downstate Insurance Agents Council where he received many prestigious awards for his work. He remained active in serving the Insurance community on the State and National levels.  Jerry took on the role of IIAANY’s President serving from 1994-1995  where he distributed more than 40,000 Stay Alive, Don’t Drink and Drive bumper stickers as part of a campaign he developed as an education initiative. Jerry’s passion continues on and remains in the family as C.H. Edwards, Inc. located in Wading River, New York owned and operated by his son Steven and daughter-in-law, Denise.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 66 years Louisa, brother Michael, Jerry’s four children, Gerard Jr, Vincent, Jean and Steven, their spouses as well as his nine grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

There will be a small family service at Pinelawn Cemetery on Friday, April 17, 2020.  Due to the circumstances surrounding Social Distancing and the COVID-19 virus, there will be no other service.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider a donation to a cause very special to Jerry and the entire Visco Family.

Jerry expressed concern on many occasions for the future of his grandchildren and for other adults living with developmental disabilities.  It was his wish to make the resources available to their caregivers and see these individuals supported to live life to their full potential.  In keeping with Jerry’s vision, The Visco Family is requesting any donations in his memory be made to Smile LI (Support My Independent Life).  Smile is 501(c) 3 non-profit organization whose mission is to support individuals with developmental disabilities live a self-determined, independent life.  Donations can be sent to SmileLI, 290 Hawkins Avenue, Lake Ronkonkoma, New York 11779.  www.smileli.org

What does Thanksgiving mean to you?

What does Thanksgiving mean to you?

As Thanksgiving rapidly approaches, we tend to get caught up in the preparations of the meal, watching of parades and sporting events and spending time with family and friends. For some, the planning and strategizing for shopping the sales of Black Friday and Cyber Monday consume our thoughts. Have we forgotten the real reason we celebrate Thanksgiving?

The first Thanksgiving was celebrated as a way for the Pilgrims to give thanks for the opportunity to begin a life in the New World. To get to this day, many survived illness and the restriction of freedoms that we now take for granted.

Thanksgiving is the one day a year set aside to give thanks. So what are you thankful for? This is a question that for many can bring about a storm of emotion. This question means something different to everyone.

In recent years, I made a choice to include my closest friends at my family table because close friends are as important to me as family. I am thankful for the opportunity to make this possible.

Thanksgiving is a time of reflection for me. I think of those no longer with me to celebrate the holidays and the memories of years gone by. I am thankful for my husband whose love and support I could not live without, my children who teach me what the meaning of love is every day, my family that remind me of where I started and how far we have come, my friends who support me in good times and difficult times and for the opportunities that I have been afforded to make this life one that I am proud of and happy to share with the people I care about.

However you decide to celebrate this year, I urge you to take time to remember why it is that we celebrate this day and to make thankfulness a part of each day not just Thanksgiving. In this fast paced world that we live in, it is too easy to forget to take time to slow down and remember just how we got here.

The Management and Staff of C.H. Edwards, Inc. would like to extend our best wishes for a very Happy Thanksgiving filled with the opportunity to make memories with those you cherish the most!

Written by: Denise Visco

Tips for Surviving the Holidays Illness Free

Tips for Surviving the Holidays Illness Free

Wellness Wednesday

Tips for Surviving the Holidays Illness Free!

A cough, sniffle and flu germs have a way of getting around. Avoiding these risks, especially during the holidays become an even more challenging task.

Here are some simple tips for helping you keep healthy this holiday season!

-Be sure to wash your hands regularly. A good scrub for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water.

-Always carry hand sanitizer. When soap and water aren’t available, a good hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol is a good alternative.

-Covering a cough or sneeze is always a good habit. Covering a cough or sneeze with a tissue or in the bend of your arm at the elbow are the best ways to do this. Teach your kids this trick as well.

-Keep your defenses up! Getting plenty of sleep, eating good foods and keeping up regular exercise are the best way to do this.

Make a wellness plan now, so you can enjoy a happy and healthy holiday season. For more information visit flu.gov.

by Denise Visco

 

National America Recycles Day

National America Recycles Day

National America Recycles Day

November 15th is National America Recycles Day. This day is dedicated to encouraging Americans to recycle and buy recycled products. The America Recycles movement was started in 1997 and since then has helped people everywhere learn the importance of recycling. In honor of today, here are some helpful tips to follow when going green and helping the environment.

Save energy to save money:

 – Install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) when your older incandescent bulbs burn out.

-Unplug appliances when you are not using them. Even if they are plugged in and not in use, energy is still being drawn to them.

Save water to save money:

-Take shorter showers to reduce water use. This will also lower your water and heating bills.

-Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible. 85% of the energy used to machine-wash clothes goes to heating your water.

Less Gas = more money:

-If you are traveling a short distance, consider walking or riding your bike instead of driving. Not only will this help the environment but it is better for your health also.

Recycle all plastic/glass bottles and papers:

-It may be a pain but be sure to recycle all of your used bottles and newspapers. Set up a separate recycle can outside by your garbage pails to help make sorting your trash easier.

Help make the earth a better place to live in today! Don’t forget to reduce, reuse and recycle.

Looking for a simple way to make meditation part of your daily routine?

Looking for a simple way to make meditation part of your daily routine?

Looking for a way to make meditation part of your daily routine?  Consider giving this simple tea meditation a try.  How often do you make yourself a cup of tea?  Have you ever stopped to think about the steps involved in preparing and enjoying that cup of tea?  When considering the role of mindfulness in your daily schedule, the answer can be as simple as making your cup of tea.  Stop and take the time to consider every step involved in this process, take time to smell the aroma and then concentrate on the way you feel as you take the first few sips.  Sound simple enough?  Give it a try.  Will tea meditations become part of your daily routine?

by Denise Visco

Diabetes and Life Insurance-Do you know the facts?

Diabetes and Life Insurance-Do you know the facts?

November is Diabetes Awareness Month.  Do you know the implications of this disease with regard to obtaining Life Insurance?

Diabetes does not prevent you from buying Life Insurance but it comes with a significant price increase.  For example, a 57-year-old man with Type 2 diabetes and an A1C below 6.7 can buy a 20 yr. term policy for approximately $155 per month with a $250,000 death benefit, while the same man with an A1C above 6.7 and below 7.5, the premium would be approximately $232 per month for the same coverage.  The premium amounts are estimates but clearly show the difference between how the amount you would pay for Life Insurance differs.  The reason for this is that a person with a serious health condition such as diabetes is put in an insurer’s substandard class due to a higher risk of death.  Sounds frightening?  It is!

Is there anything you can do to avoid the higher premium and the high-risk category?  You can wait until your A1C is controlled for a minimum of 6 months before applying for Life Insurance.  There are also some companies that will accept proof that you have maintained a healthy diet and exercise program as well as maintained your medication schedule for a period of time and will make you eligible for the lower premium policy.  This information varies from carrier to carrier.  The best way to safely obtain this information is to purchase Life Insurance through a certified Life Insurance Representative.

If you would like more information on purchasing Life Insurance with diabetes or any other special health condition, contact Steven Visco at C.H. Edwards, Inc./Visco Family Insurance at 516-249-5200 or visit our website at www.chedwards.net.

by Denise Visco

Keeping Pets Safe on Halloween

Keeping Pets Safe on Halloween

It’s almost Halloween!  Costumes are purchased.  Decorations are in place and treats are being prepared for visiting trick or treaters.  Everything seems in place, but what about our pets?  Pets enjoy Halloween too so how do we keep them safe?

Candy, especially chocolate is a significant danger and can be poison to our pets.  Chocolate is dangerous for two reasons.  First, chocolate contains two chemicals-caffeine and theobromine which are stimulants.  Symptoms can begin in 6-12 hours after ingestion.  These symptoms can include panting, hyperactivity, increased thirst and urination.  High concentrations lead to irregular heart rhythms, seizures, coma, and even death.  There are all levels of sensitivity just like in people, some dogs and cats can be sensitive to chocolate and show signs of poisoning from much lesser amounts.

Chocolate is very high in sugar and fat.  This could cause mild diarrhea, or more dangerous gastroenteritis, pancreatitis and liver disease from ingestion of large amounts of chocolate.  Keep all candy out of the reach of pets and explain to young children that it is not safe to feed candy to dogs and cats.

If your pet is afraid of loud noises or frightened when people come to the door.  Speak to your veterinarian about a calming supplement or mild tranquilizer to get your pet through Halloween comfortably. Never do this on your own.  Consult a professional as the dose for pets is different than people. Be extremely cautious if your dog or cat goes out and navigates the yard on their own.  Don’t leave them unattended on Halloween night.  Pets innocently fall victim to Halloween pranks.

Our pets are special to us.  Don’t let their safety become less of a priority due to the excitement of the holiday.  With some planning, the day can be fun for the entire family.  Hopefully, this information will help to provide a safe environment for our pets.  Think Safety First and Have a Happy Halloween!

by Denise Visco

 

Candy Corn Fun Facts

Candy Corn Fun Facts

Although everyone might seem pumpkin spice crazy at the moment, there is always one Halloween classic treat that will never be forgotten. And that is, candy corn. This sweet treat is a Halloween staple and often overlooked. We are going to give you some Halloween fun facts that you might not have known. And after reading our facts, let us know your favorite! And don’t forget to enjoy this classic treat on October 30th because that is National Candy Corn day!

• The original name for candy corn was “Chick Feed” and was marketed toward farmers.

• Candy corn has been around for over 130 years when George Renninger, a candy maker at the Wunderlee Candy Company, stumbled upon the perfect mixture of corn syrup, sugar and marshmallow flavoring, which invented the tri-color candy in 1880.

• Americans have debated on the style of how the kernels should be consumed. According to a survey, 46.8% of people think that the whole kernel should be eaten at once, compared to 42.7% that start at the white, narrow end. While the remaining 10.6% of people start at the wider yellow end.

• A recent CNN Facebook survey found that older people tend to like candy corn more than younger ones do. The study also found that 86% of females love candy corn compared to 14% of males.

• According to Google Insights, candy corn is the most searched for candy term in Google. Alabama has the highest about of candy corn searches out of all 50 states. The only thing sweeter than “Sweet Home Alabama” is the candy corn itself.

Written by: Sandra Costanzo